Roy Adair, Chief Executive of Belfast Harbour Commissioners to Receive the Ireland-U.S. Council’s Cúchulainn Award
Cúchulainn Award celebrates boosting connections between Northern Ireland and America
The Ireland-U.S. Council will present its Cúchulainn Award in 2017 to Roy Adair, Chief Executive of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners. For more than a decade, Roy Adair has managed a highly-successful development phase of Belfast Harbour delivering a dozen consecutive years of growth. During this time, the business has diversified through investment in both port and real estate activities. Since he became CEO in 2005, Belfast Harbour has invested almost £250 million in capital projects. This has included the single biggest capital investment the port has ever made in the form of the £50 million wind turbine renewable energy terminal.
Brian W. Stack, the President of the Council based in New York, said:
“The Ireland-U.S. Council is delighted to honour Roy Adair, Chief Executive of the Belfast Harbour Commissioners with the Council’s Cúchulainn Award, which is designed to mark significant achievement in building relations between Northern Ireland and America. Cúchulainn is an Irish mythological hero who appears in the stories of the Ulster Cycle in the pre-Christian era. Born Sétanta, he gained folklore fame when, it is said, he successfully defended Ulster single-handedly against the armies of Queen Maeve of Connacht in the famous tales of the Táin Bó Cúailnge or Cattle Raid of Cooley. The Award will be a centrepiece of the Council’s 55th Annual Dinner to be held at the Metropolitan Club in New York City on Thursday, November 9, 2017.”
Mr. Stack continued:
“During his period in charge of the business in Belfast Roy Adair has overseen continued growth in port trade activities and the expansion of the real estate side of the business. This has seen the City Quays development emerge along the waterfront delivering much-needed, top-quality office space and hotel rooms for Belfast and the regional economy. The Harbour has also invested in new and emerging industries exemplified by the recent completion of the £20 million Belfast Harbour Studios making Northern Ireland the best regional film production location after London in the UK and on the island of Ireland – U.S. Hollywood titan Warner Brothers has just signed on as its first major tenant.”
Mr. Stack added
“Roy Adair has been a staunch supporter of the Council for many years, serving on our Board of Directors. In addition, Roy has also served in several non-executive roles locally, nationally and internationally including Chairman of Business in the Community. In 2015, he was made Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in recognition of his services to the international port community and his work for charities. The mission of the Ireland-U.S. Council is to promote closer commercial connections and deeper business links between Ireland and the United States. Our 2017 Recipient of the Council’s Cúchulainn Award has made a major contribution in this area. It is a pleasure for us to acknowledge and celebrate his achievements and his success.”
Mr Adair said:
“The Ireland-US Council has always played a pivotal role in the development of trans-Atlantic trade links and relationships, something which will become even more valuable in the post-Brexit era.
“It has been my privilege to represent Northern Ireland and Belfast Harbour at Council events, and while I am personally delighted to receive this award, I am very conscious that it is a reflection of the vision and acumen of the Harbour’s Board and employees.”
