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Philip Gilliland speaking at the Chamber of Commerce annual Presdent’s Lunch. Photo: Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com.
The North’s politicians have been called on to “finish the job” as requested by former US President Bill Clinton.
The call has come from Philip Gilliland, president of the local Chamber of Commerce.
Speaking at the Chambers annual President’s Lunch, Mr Gilliland told members of the value of positive leadership.
He said: “We, as a business community, understand our place in the globalised technology- and talent-driven world.
“We understand that the blockers to progress are lack of vision, lack of ambition, lack of confidence, lack of skills, lack of infrastructure, not to mention the soporific fog of inertia when process overtakes substance.
“And we understand that the leadership to overcome these blockers is within this society’s gift.
“But we also recognise that Northern Ireland, and particularly this city of Derry, has a political story to tell that resonates around the world, that the world wants to believe in, and that we still need the world to work with us on. That story is our journey towards civic society.”
He added that Northern Ireland’s political leaders also needed to display real leadership to “finish the job” as President Clinton had said.
He added: “So today, I ask you as business leaders to reflect on how you play your part in delivering leadership for your businesses and for your community.
“This city has never felt or looked better in my lifetime and has never been more energised or confident.
“But that is precisely the time not to rest on our laurels – we know as business people that the moment you stop going forward you start going backwards.
“Now more than ever this is the moment to transform our energy and confidence into a talent-driven civic society because a talent-driven civic society is what we must have if we are to compete in the global recovery.”
Mr Gilliland concluded: “You know that this journey requires every one of us to play our part. And you have to ask yourself if you don’t step up to the plate to offer business, community or even political leadership, who will, and what right will you have to criticise those that do? All of us must finish the job.”sS
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