Exciting Speakers Announced for Belfast Chamber President's Lunch

Kneecap and Blue Lights visionaries announced as guest speakers for Belfast Chamber President’s Lunch.

The creative visionaries behind two of Northern Ireland’s most highly-acclaimed recent productions, the Kneecap film and TV drama Blue Lights, have been announced as guest speakers for this year’s Belfast Chamber President’s Lunch.

Belfast Harbour has partnered with Belfast Chamber as principal sponsor of the event, which will take place at ICC Belfast on Wednesday 16 April 2025, with supporting partner to include Millar McCall Wylie

BAFTA Award-winning Kneecap film director and co-writer Rich Peppiatt and producer Trevor Birney will address what is expected to be a business audience of over 500 people. They will be joined as guest speakers at the President’s Lunch by screenwriting duo Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson, who are the creative minds behind BBC police drama Blue Lights.

Hosted by broadcaster Lynette Faye under the theme of ‘Lights, Camera, Belfast’, this year’s event will feature fireside chat interviews, carried out by Lynette, that shine a spotlight on the business side of Northern Ireland’s award-winning and locally-celebrated screen industry.

Gavin Annon, President of Belfast Chamber, commented:

“We are thrilled to announce such an exciting line-up of guest speakers for the Belfast Chamber President’s Lunch, with all four visionaries being excellent, modern examples of the city’s thriving creative industries sector. Their work not only entertains but also inspires, showcasing the wealth of talent emerging from Belfast and beyond.

Our President’s Lunch is a major highlight of the Northern Ireland business calendar, regularly welcoming over 500 leading business representatives and providing the ideal platform to network and engage. 

"As the voice for business in the city, Belfast Chamber is always seeking ways to help our members expand their network, stay informed, and enhance their visibility."

“This event will celebrate the strides made in our screen industry, recently bolstered by the opening of Studio Ulster, the largest virtual production facility in Europe. This growth underscores Northern Ireland’s thriving screen sector – not just as a hub of storytelling excellence but as a key driver of investment, funding, and business growth.”

Rich Peppiatt was recently honoured with a British Academy of Film Award (BAFTA) for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for Kneecap, which received six nominations. The Irish-language film, which tells the compelling story of a west Belfast rap trio’s rise, has generated international acclaim and received credit for reigniting interest in the Irish language.

Meanwhile, Blue Lights continues to captivate TV audiences, with filming for its highly-anticipated third series currently underway in Belfast, further cementing Northern Ireland’s reputation as a premier location for high-quality television production.

Beyond Blue Lights, Declan Lawn and Adam Patterson are also celebrated for their work on BBC drama The Salisbury Poisonings and the feature film Rogue Agent, starring James Norton and Gemma Arterton. The duo recently established their own Belfast-based production company, Hot Sauce Pictures.

Rich Peppiatt commented:

“It is an honour for Trevor and I to join Belfast Chamber members and to talk about how we brought the story of Kneecap to the big screen.

Seeing the film’s impact on both audiences and the Irish language has been incredibly rewarding.

"There’s a vibrant film and TV industry here which continues to grow and it’s great to see Chamber use this story as the backdrop for its President’s Lunch this year.”

Adam Patterson added:

“Declan and I are proud to partner with Belfast Chamber for this event. Blue Lights has been a labour of love, about a city we love dearly."

We look forward to sharing insights into its creation and celebrating the Belfast’s dynamic storytelling culture, and its growing prominence on the global stage.

For further details about the Belfast Chamber President’s Lunch and to secure a place at the event, please visit www.belfastchamber.com