The Team

Roseann Kelly - Chief Executive

Roseann Kelly MBE is CEO of Women in Business NI (WIBNI). Roseann joined Women in Business soon after the organisation was formed in 2002 as a voluntary Director; she held the roles of Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Company Secretary during that time. She has been Chief Executive of WIBNI since 2009 overseeing a period of rapid growth and a successful sustainability strategy.

Roseann was recognised on Her Majesty the Queen’s Honours list in 2019 for her contribution to the NI Economy. She sits on the Department of the Economies Ministerial Strategic Advisory Forum. She also sits on the Expert Panel for the Review of Apprenticeships and on the Youth Training Review Panel. She is CEO and a Director of Diversity Mark NI Ltd formed in 2017.She is Vice Chair of Women’s Tec NI and past Committee member of both WINET and the Women’s Fund for NI. In 2016 she won the Chief Executive of the 3rd Sector (CO3) Award for Entrepreneurial Leader of the Year. In 2014 she was invited onto the Advisory Board of the SME Development Institute at the Ulster University Business School. In 2013 she won the Services to Enterprise Award with Young Enterprise, was announced in the Belfast Business TOP 50 in 2011 and was a participant on the Irish institute Boston College Women in the Workplace Programme in 2010.

Lorraine Acheson - Managing Director

Lorraine, whose 20 years’ management experience spans UK and Australia, joined the WIB team in February 2022 to drive forward the network and to support on wider strategic objectives. As the former Innovate UK Manager, Lorraine gained a deep-rooted understanding of the Northern Ireland business community, working closely with government, industry, and the academic industries to establish cross-sectoral engagement with one of the UK’s leading innovation agencies.

Lorraine believes that now is a time to celebrate female pioneers who through their innovation have radically advanced their business and wider fields, laying the foundations upon which others can build.

Gill Hughes - Operations & Engagement Manager

Having spent more than 20 years in customer facing roles Gill has a wealth of experience in looking after stakeholder relationships. She has spent a significant part of her career in senior client management roles within the contact centre industry. Gill has spent the last few years managing a Holiday Park in Northern Ireland. During this time, she was delighted to achieve several recognitions for Excellence, voted for by visitors and industry peers.

Gill is passionate about delivering excellent customer service with her ability to gain customer trust, ensuring customer satisfaction and long-term relationships – which is why she is the first point of contact within Women in Business for all things Membership.

Maria McCaffrey - Programmes Co-Ordinator

With over 15 years’ experience in the hospitality and tourism industry, Maria has a wealth of experience in customer service, management and client relationships. Maria has spent the last few years within the logistics industry managing performance through data. During her career, Maria has received many awards and recognitions for her exceptional service, voted for by customers and industry peers.

Maria is passionate about delivering excellent customer service and helping everyone to develop and achieve their full potential – with that in mind Maria will be your direct point of contact for the Centre of Learning at Women in Business.

Marguarita McNally - Marketing & Membership Executive

Marguarita is a graduate from Queen's University, Belfast with a MSc Marketing. With experience in marketing for non-profit organisations in Northern Ireland, Marguarita has a keen interest in raising online brand awareness for SME's within NI based on her university research. From Marguarita's undergraduate studies, she has earned the St. Mary's University College, Entrepreneurial Cup for her work related learning studies throughout her BA Liberal Arts.

With a consumer centric focus, Marguarita will be the main contact for marketing activity for Women in Business.