Liam obtained a Law Degree (LLB) from the University of London. He went on to receive an MSc in Social Policy, Planning and Administration from the University of Ulster. Having joined the Northern Ireland Civil Service in 1973, he established NI-CO (the public sector marketing company) in 1990. In 1997 he joined the Industrial Development Board as Executive Director, responsible for attracting foreign direct investment to Northern Ireland. After a brief period on secondment to set up the body, Liam was appointed CEO of InterTradeIreland in 2000.

Liam is on the Council of the University of Ulster and is an Advisor to the National Competitiveness Council Dublin. He sits on the Northern Committee for the Sales Institute of Ireland, is a member of the Institute of Directors and is on the Board of the Institute of British Irish Studies at University College Dublin. Liam is also on the Board of several charitable trusts including Caring Breaks, The Gerry Rogan Initiative Trust and the Drake Music Project.

InterTradeIreland was established in 2000 to identify, develop and deliver North / South business development and trade opportunities. Since then, more than 1500 companies across the island have participated directly in its programmes; reporting over £540m of added value and more than 800 jobs have been created.

Liam is married to Catherine with two sons.

Laurence joined InterTradeIreland in 2001 and leads the Corporate Services Directorate in supporting and promoting the Body’s activities.

He spent twelve years working in Australia and several countries in Southern Africa in senior roles in the financial services, dairy and security sectors. He also spent two years with a humanitarian organisation focussing on refugee resettlement in Zambia. Laurence also worked for several years in financial management and professional development roles in Ireland where he was the course director of a professional accounting programme.

A Chartered Management Accountant and graduate of Trinity College Dublin, Laurence took his MBA at Henley Management College and a Graduate Certificate in Information Technology from Dublin City University.

Margaret Hearty Margaret is responsible for leading the development and delivery of InterTradeIrelands suite of programmes and business services. InterTradeIreland provides financial assistance and support to businesses across the island. InterTradeIreland’s support is centred around Trade and Innovation including helping companies to access new markets, develop new products and processes and raising early stage finance. Margaret is a business and marketing graduate. She completed an MBA in 2004. Margaret’s career to date has focused on supporting the development of SME’s and early stage companies. She lead the development of InterTradeIreland’s Equity Network Programme. She was appointed to her current position in December 2009.

Aidan Gough New In his role as Strategy and Policy Director, Aidan advises on collaborative strategy, policy and initiatives to help InterTradeIreland in boosting North/South economic co-operation to the mutual benefit of both economies on the island. Aidan leads InterTradeIreland’s policy and research team to identify areas where joint Government intervention can help to create an environment where it is easier to do business and increase the competitiveness of individual businesses and the island in the global economy. Aidan is a graduate of Queen’s University, Belfast with an MBA and MSc in Economics. Prior to joining InterTradeIreland in 2000, Aidan was Director of the Northern Ireland Economic Council.