Packed Inaugural Event Demonstrated NI really is Powered By Talent

Northern Ireland’s largest talent and engagement summit welcomed more than 300 delegates last week at Belfast Waterfront. The hugely successful Powered By Talent was a first-of-its-kind event that highlighted best practice in the attraction, development and retention of employees in Northern Ireland. The event brought together representatives from the professional services sector with a focus on a company’s main asset, its people.

The inaugural summit was hosted by broadcaster Sarah Travers and got off to an impressive start with a motivating keynote speech by Neil Gibson, Chief Economist at EY. Powered By Talent was designed for businesses eager to maximise their return on investment from talent and engagement initiatives. In the face of current political instability in NI, businesses came together to highlight that continuing success is about people and the commitment of employers to bringing their people along on a journey.

A high calibre of keynote speakers and expert panellists explored a range of hot topics in talent management and facilitated focused discussions. Delegates also used the event as an opportunity to network, with a variety of key local business people and leaders driving economic development in NI.

Abacus host the first Powered By Talent summit in NI

Speaking at the event, Justin Rush, the founding member of Powered By Talent and Director of leading recruitment firm Abacus Careers, said; “It was wonderful to see so many businesses collectively focus on our people and our talent here in Northern Ireland and in such a great setting at the Belfast Waterfront. I can’t remember a more exciting but equally challenging time for Northern Ireland businesses. In the last few years we’ve seen a stream of new investment firms enter the local market, and while the investment is certainly welcomed, it has meant that the attraction and retention of top talent is a headline item with all leadership teams.”

“It is great to see such diverse opportunity available in Northern Ireland. It used to be that our young people couldn’t see a future for themselves and often left to pursue a career elsewhere, but this mindset is certainly changing. The future success of the local economy is directly linked to the highly skilled talent emerging from our education sector being utilised locally. We need businesses to be attuned to the needs and desires of our young talent so that they can realise their careers aspirations without leaving our shores.”

“We are really looking forward to what 2019 will have in store and would like to thank our sponsors and fantastic speakers for being part of such a successful day.”

The Powered by Talent summit is developed by Abacus Talent Group, with lead sponsor support from EY and supported by A&L Goodbody, Belfast City Council, Pearson and Legal Island.