The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has welcomed Ana Desmond as the new Head of Policy for the FSB Northern Ireland team. Ana joins the FSB team from Ulster University (UU) where she was a Senior Economist at the UU Economic Policy Centre.
Roger Pollen, Head of FSB Northern Ireland, said:
“I’m delighted to welcome Ana to the FSB NI Team from Ulster University’s Economic Policy Centre where she worked as a Senior Economist over the past six years.
“Ana brings a real depth of experience across all of the key, contemporary economic issues in Northern Ireland including the National Living Wage, labour market participation and tourism. Ana will also be able to draw upon her extensive experience in producing research for both central and local government as well as her work alongside many private-sector, cross-border and third sector organisations during her time at Ulster University.
“Ana has immediately set to work on key policy areas including the proposed Northern Ireland Employment Rights Bill; skills; the aerospace and defence supply chains; childcare provision; and global pressures on local businesses.
“Whilst for some, this might have been a baptism of fire but for Ana, whose previous work ranged across much of this same policy landscape, she was immediately at home and contributing from her own knowledge and experience.”
Following her appointment, Ana Desmond said:
“I am delighted to be joining the team at FSB NI.
“Although SMEs across Northern Ireland have shown real resilience during a time when the cost of doing business has increased and the demands placed on them are unrelenting, it has never been more important for them to have a strong voice to advocate for them, and that’s what FSB gives them.
“With my own background in economic policy and research, I intend to draw upon that expertise within this new position to ensure that the contributions of business are well-informed and authoritative.
“I look forward to working with both business and government to help shape key policy issues that affect local SMEs each day.”