The Ulster University Business School celebrated the next generation of North West leaders who successfully completed the 2023 Talent Hub, concluding the programme in style with a Grand Finale event at the Derry campus earlier this week. 

‘Talent Hub’ is an innovative initiative led by Dr Aisling Reid, co-designed with FinTrU and in collaboration with the Chamber, aimed at connecting talented students with local employers to help them foster professional networks, while keeping future talent in the North West. 

Dr Aisling Reid, Lecturer in Business Enterprise at Ulster University and founder of The Talent Hub, said: “I am so proud of what the Talent Hub has become through co-design and support from local employers. It plays a core role in the North West talent pipeline, connecting future talent with established leaders. By building strong partnerships with North West businesses, we are aligning to business needs to develop agile students with professional confidence. The Talent Hub has become a community with a sense of belonging. Together we are celebrating and harvesting talent in the North West region. We have exciting plans to develop the concept further. 

Nearly 100 Global Business and Enterprise students participated in a series of four co-designed workshops which have equipped students with essential skills, knowledge, and networking opportunities, enhancing their potential employability and ensuring skill alignment with employer needs in the working world. 

As part of the event, the ‘Pitch for Placement’ segment saw the business students showcasing their talents to a captivated audience of over 20 local employers and business leaders including Chamber members, Hays, BioLedger, Millennium Forum, Alchemy, Terex, Seagate, NWRC, Kainos, Moore NI, Benchmark Financial Planning and FinTrU.

Anna Doherty, CEO of The Derry/L~Derry Chamber of Commerce said “The Derry Chamber is delighted to work so closely with Aisling and her team on the development of Talent Hub, especially at a time when growing skills and a sustainable talent pipeline has never been more important for business. The Talent Hub is a key initiative from UBS which brings businesses and students together to learn from each other. We look forward to continuing this collaboration to support a thriving Northwest economy.”

At the event, Caroline O’Neill, founder of DiggforSuccess, hosted a live podcast with FinTrU’s Executive Director and Chamber President, Greg McCann, discussing company culture, collaboration in the North West, and ways businesses can elevate the profile of the next generation of leaders.