connect 2019 • 76 YOUNG LEADERS SOCIETY BELFAST Belfast Global Leadership Series with Pete Boyle Belfast Young Leaders Annual Thanksgiving Celebration NOVEMBER, 2018 From his beginnings as a street trader to CEO and founder of the Argento Jewellery empire with 31 stores, and 450 staff, Pete Boyle has done things his way. He is a true entrepreneur, who learned quickly to iterate and pivot his businesses direction to meet the market. His advice to the Belfast Young Leaders, delivered in a compelling and witty tale, was of the value of hard work and sheer determination. After his talk there was a steady queue of Young Leaders asking Pete for commercial advice, which he kindly readily gave. Thanks to Pete and to our kind host, Glandore Networks. NOVEMBER, 2018 The third annual Belfast Thanksgiving Celebration took place in the sublime Michelin-starred restaurant Ox with special guests, celebrated actor, James Nesbitt and Founder of Children in Crossfire, Richard Moore. Richard spoke of his past, the work of Children in Crossfire, and in particular the Educating the Heart programme, supported by The Ireland Funds. He passionately spoke of the necessity to educate our next generation on all fronts, and specifically on how to have and practice empathy and compassion. James Nesbitt, celebrated actor and Chancellor of Ulster University, spoke about the importance to him of identifying as Northern Irish, and how immensely proud he is of that. He spoke of the past, and the need to create a future, while noting the work of The Ireland Funds is invaluable in shaping that future in Belfast and beyond. It was an evening to give thanks, and Emma Hunt, Belfast steering committee member, concluded the evening by thanking the committee for all their hard work during the year. 1 Richard Willis, James Nesbitt, Emma Hunt, Siobhán Gallagher, Conor Houston, Gareth Quinn 2 James Nesbitt, Richard Moore, Caroline Murphy 3 The Belfast Young Leaders Photos: Neil Harrison 1 1 2 2 3 1, 2 Pete Boyle meets with the Belfast Young Leaders Photos: Neil Harrison