IoD NI Annual Dinner 2025

We look forward to welcoming you and your guests to one of the most prestigious black tie events in the NI Business event calendar for an evening of fine dining and first-rate entertainment from comedian Shane Todd, expertly hosted by the wonderful Donna Traynor.

We are delighted that Sinéad Rocks, Managing Director, Nations & Regions at Channel 4 will join us as special guest speaker.

This event is kindly supported by our headline sponsor Bank of Ireland and associate sponsors Arthur Cox NI and AbbeyAutoline.

This event welcomes all business leaders and is open to IoD members and non-members.

Sinéad was appointed Managing Director, Nations & Regions at Channel 4 in 2019 and has overseen the roll out of the biggest change in the broadcaster’s history, 4 All the UK – Channel 4’s strategy to increase its Nations & Regions spend on creative content from 35% to 50% of main channel UK commissions by 2023, worth up to £250m more in total.

Under her leadership the broadcaster has opened three regional centres – its National HQ in Leeds and Creative Hubs in Bristol and Glasgow. These bases are at the heart of Channel 4’s plan to attract and develop talent from across the UK, both on and off-screen. Already more than 250 Channel 4 roles are now based in the Nations and Regions, including key creative decision makers, responsible for commissioning Channel 4 content and programmes from producers right across the UK.

Prior to joining Channel 4, Sinéad was the BBC’s Director of Education, responsible for a range of content across TV, radio and online and she also played a key role in the BBC’s move to Salford – migrating the BBC’s Learning department to the North West site. She started her career as a journalist at BBC Northern Ireland and is a former editor of Newsround as well as an Executive Producer for BBC Current Affairs.

A Belfast superstar, Shane Todd has supported Bill Burr and Kevin Hart, and has performed regularly throughout the UK and toured the US with solo shows. Like many comedians, Shane is an ‘overnight success’ 15 years in the making. Hailing from Holywood, Belfast, he went full time with his comedy career in 2015, but it wasn’t until 2020, when live entertainment came to a standstill, that he found his stride. Pivoting to online outlets, the Jack-of-all-trades found a broad audience thanks to his Rave Lockdowns on Radio Ulster with comedic partner Dave Elliott. Shane also stars in Previously With Shane Todd for BBC NI, hosts on BBC Radio Ulster, and his weekly podcast Tea With Me, features regularly in the Apple Podcast chart.

Donna Traynor is one of Northern Ireland’s best-known broadcasters. As presenter of the flagship TV programme BBC Newsline, she fronted coverage of some of the biggest events in recent times. Her work was recognised by the Royal Television Society with nominations for the ‘Best Presenter’ award.

As a versatile performer Donna has also hosted other programmes such as Children in Need, the Balmoral Show and Wild Week Live.

Her introduction to journalism was with RTÉ in Dublin. Donna joined the BBC in 1989 as a radio newsreader.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Culloden Estate and Spa, an SLH Hotel, Bangor Road, Holywood, United Kingdom