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Karly Greene | Department for Business and Trade

Monday 6 January 2025

Describe how your membership with Women in Business has helped you in your career:

A few years ago, I completed mentoring training with Women in Business and was paired with a mentee which was an incredibly rewarding experience. I have recently become a new member again through my job with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) so I’m looking forward to attending more networking events and connecting with women who can mutually support each other. DBT and Women in Business are partners, and we have some great opportunities coming up in 2025 for NI women interested in growing their business internationally.

Tell us about your role and your organisation:

I am the Deputy Director in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) heading up the Northern Ireland Trade & Investment team and I also have a role as Head of Place for all DBT staff who are based in Northern Ireland. We work in partnership to promote DBT’s UK wide services and help NI businesses to grow internationally by increasing their exports and attracting more inward investment. The Belfast based team includes sector leads covering advanced manufacturing and technology, life and health sciences, agri food and drink and creative industries. We also have an investment lead who supports inward investment projects in Northern Ireland and an engagement team to ensure NI’s voice is heard at the heart of the UK Government.

Give us a brief overview of your career journey so far:

I began my career in PwC as a consultant and analyst supporting companies with market research, data analysis and customer engagement. I then worked and lived in London from 2012-2017 as a consultant in a start-up tech company. I moved on to a boutique strategy consultancy supporting companies use their operational data to understand their target customers and market opportunities through segmentation and market research.

I came home to Northern Ireland in 2017 to take on my first public sector role as Head of Research and Equality Services at the NI Housing Executive (NIHE), leading a team of 20 social researchers and statisticians to deliver an extensive programme of research to inform housing policy and NIHE strategies and policies. I then moved to The Arts Council NI in 2020 as Director of Strategic Development & Partnerships. This work involved partnership with the arts sector to support emergency investment in arts during COVID, leading research and insights to support advocacy, supporting equality plans and developing the Arts Council’s new 10-year strategy and business plans.

I was previously Chairperson of Nexus and I am now Vice Chair of Housing Rights and a Non-Executive Director on the Tourism NI Board. I am passionate about using evidence to implement change and demonstrate impact with a focus on equality, social justice and involving customers and underrepresented people in the strategy design process.

Describe yourself in 3 words:

Creative, energetic and curious.

What is one skill that helps you most in your role?:

Persistence

What advice do you have for women in your sector?

· Have a clear strategy/plan: An obvious one but a must – measure success and adapt when you need to

· Have a great team: Use the skills and experience of others to meet strategic goals

· Embrace your unique perspective: Your experiences bring valuable perspectives to the table so don’t shy away from sharing them

· Champion diversity: Advocate for people who are different than you and challenge biases that may hinder diverse voices

· Network strategically: Everyone is time poor – identify when you have goals with others and where collective action could be mutually beneficial

· Get a mentor and be a mentee: Support the growth of others and invest in yourself. A problem shared is a problem halved!

· Continuous learning: No-one knows it all and be open to development opportunities and on top of industry trends

· Self-care: Make time for activities that help you recharge and maintain your own wellbeing

· Seek opportunities: Actively seek out opportunities and take on responsibility

Are there any exciting plans in the year ahead in your organisation that you can share with us?

Yes, we have so much coming up for women in business in Northern Ireland. We have just finished recruiting for the Women’s International Networking programme, available to women in Northern Ireland for the first time this year. Also look out for our event on Wednesday 29 January in partnership with Women in Business and the Federation of Small Businesses, specifically designed for women in NI who want to take the first steps in their exporting journey. You can find out more and register to attend here.

Who has been your biggest career inspiration and why?

I have been very lucky to have great mentors and leaders who have inspired, empowered and trusted me in all of my roles.

If you had to pick your soundtrack song to get you through the working day, what would it be?

I love music and listen to it live and on my devices but could never listen to my hard rock choices during a work day. 😊

What's your favourite break-time snack?

I love a peanut butter ball or Carmelita!

How can you fellow Women in Business members keep up to date with you and your organisation?

Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. You can also keep up to date with the Department for Business and Trade on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Monday 6 January 2025