Sally’s springboard to top NITB role

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By Stephanie Bell
Friday Sep 5 2008

A very influential new post which will see her contribute to Northern Ireland’s success on the world tourism map has just been taken up by last year’s winner of our Business Woman of the Year category, Dr Sally Montgomery.

And Dr Montgomery says the Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year awards played a major part in helping her secure the top position on the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

Despite a very distinguished career, Dr Montgomery said: “Winning the award has been incredible and has given me more confidence in my career and it is because of the award that I found the confidence to apply for the position with the Tourist Board.

“I was really chuffed to win the award and I personally find it difficult to accept praise, something which I think women in general struggle with,” said Dr Montgomery

“I am delighted by my appointment and I am really looking forward to using my experience to help others and to try to help Northern Ireland to be the most successful it can be.”

Dr Montgomery, who is a Doctor of Science, was nominated for our Business Woman of the Year award, sponsored this year by the Ulster Bank, in recognition of her work in bringing the province the W5 experience.

As project director for W5, Dr Montgomery became the visionary for the venture four years before it opened its doors to the public.

During that time she assumed responsibility for the design and building of the centre, as well as for the finance and tendering.

She has remained at the helm of W5 since it opened in March 2001 and has been instrumental in the evolution of it as a centre of excellence for science.

And while W5 is a charity, Dr Montgomery has instilled a commercial ethic which permeates all areas of the business.

She said: “What we tried to do through W5 is raise the profile of the province and attract lots of visitors.

“We’ve just had our most successful summer yet, with lots of people coming from the Republic of Ireland to visit the centre. We couldn’t do it without the visitors and we all take great pleasure in watching them have a good time.

“I think some people don’t understand that tourism is business and a very important and very difficult business.

“I have put a hell of a lot of work into W5 as a business and have been supported by a very professional staff.

“Being nominated for the award was a quite surprise to me but I was elated to have won the category. I think the Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year awards is a fantastic idea as it is really important to raise the profile and recognise women and their contribution to society.”

We are delighted that the Ulster Bank has come on board this year to sponsor The Business Woman of the Year category. Henry Elvin, head of business banking, Northern Ireland, Ulster Bank, said: “The growing prominence and influence of women is one of the most encouraging features of the local business community. Women are more and more entrepreneurially active and are increasingly well represented in the professions and in leading companies.

“Ulster Bank works closely with thousands of female entrepreneurs and business leaders in Northern Ireland and is extremely proud to sponsor this award because it recognises the vital role pioneering business women play.

“We are committed to helping firms reach their full growth potential and are confident that the BT Business Woman of the Year Award, sponsored by Ulster Bank, will inspire many more women in Northern Ireland to become successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.”

The search is now on for nominations for this year’s Woman of the Year Awards in association with Spar. We want to hear from you about inspirational women you know who have gone the extra mile or had to cope with unusual and challenging circumstances in their lives.

There is a total of nine categories and as well as choosing a winner for each one, the judging panel will also select the overall Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year.

Once again, the awards will culminate in a gala ceremony, to be held in the Ramada Hotel at Shaw’s Bridge in Belfast on October 22, hosted by the BBC’s Wendy Austin.

To enter the competition, tell us in under 200 words why your nominee should win in your chosen category.

You should say how she has inspired others and how she has shown passion, drive and energy in her endeavours.

Entries can be emailed to womanoftheyear@belfasttelegraph.co.uk or by post to: BT Woman of the Year, Belfast Telegraph, 124 – 144, Royal Avenue, BT1 1EB to reach us no later than Friday, October 3. By nominating someone, you and a friend will be in with the chance of winning one of five pairs of tickets for the awards ceremony, worth £100. If you want to attend the awards ceremony, tickets priced £50 can be bought by calling JPR on 9076 0066. Nominees and those nominating must be over 18.

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