Rob McConnell has been appointed
as the new chief executive of ICC Belfast Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall (BWUH
Ltd).
McConnell is a board director and
former NI head of global technology firm, Expleo. He has been a non-executive director
on the board of ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall since April 2023.
He is a leader in the digital
sector in Northern Ireland, with experience growing fast-moving software and
technology businesses in local and global markets. His commercial experience in
strategic solution sales and business transformation has supported the growth
of Expleo Technology (Ireland) and Expleo Group (Global) under his leadership.
As an innovator within Northern
Ireland’s startup digital community, Rob chaired Momentum, the representative
body for digital industries in Northern Ireland. He worked closely with public
sector leaders to cement the role of digital technology in growing the economy
and giving a voice to the digital sector at a period of critical growth.
As CEO, Rob will lead a team of
over 300 across Northern Ireland’s only purpose-built international convention centre,
ICC Belfast, along with the Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall venues.
BWUH Ltd chair Steve Daniels
said: “Not only has Rob established his own credentials in leadership, business
growth and sales development, he has a strong commercial drive and an extensive
knowledge of Northern Ireland’s business and public sectors. Having worked
closely with him in his non-executive role on our board, we have been impressed
by his knowledge of our industry, his strategic approach to solutions and his
passion to drive our venues forward in a data driven, innovative way."
“We are excited to have him in this
important leadership role, which has the potential to deliver results not only
for our venues but for the city of Belfast and the wider region.”
Rob McConnell said: “I believe
that the outstanding facilities, together with the talented team of people at
ICC Belfast and its sister venues of the Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall hold
some of Northern Ireland’s untapped economic and cultural potential.
“ICC Belfast is an economic
development engine for Northern Ireland. It is the jewel in Belfast’s crown. In
recent years, Belfast has been named Best UK business events destination and
ICC Belfast has picked up the top accolades as best venue in numerous
international conference and events awards.
“I have seen up close how the
team have proven their capabilities working on spectacular events such as One
Young World and delivering stunning corporate events for global names including
Ferrari, eBay, and AstraZeneca.
“Large-scale business events
bring knock-on benefits far beyond these venues, from the airports and
transport companies, to retailers, hoteliers, restaurants, and local suppliers,
as well as the opportunity to create significant employment for the city and
region.
“I am confident that the
ingredients are in place to make ICC Belfast one of the most sought-after
conference and events destinations in these islands and much further afield. It
is a great privilege to be leading this forward as chief executive and I am
very much looking forward to it.”
