The Northern Ireland economy will be given a major platform at Westminster next month with a significant business delegation set to cross the Irish Sea with the First and Deputy First Minister.

Trade NI will lead around 200 business leaders, politicians and influential policy makers for the May 21 event.

An alliance of three of the north’s largest business bodies, Trade NI is made up of Retail Northern Ireland, Manufacturing Northern Ireland and Hospitality Ulster.

Formed in 2019, the group led by Glyn Roberts, Stephen Kelly and Colin Neill will return to the heart of policy making in London some six years after leading their first major delegation in 2019.

Next month will be the first time the influential alliance will put its message to a Labour-led government in Westminster, with the trio already pledging to push for investment, support and solutions to the challenges facing businesses in the north.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds are due to address the event at Westminster’s Terrace Pavilion.

The event is being formally hosted by a cross-party trio of MPs including DUP leader Gavin Robinson, SDLP leader Claire Hanna and Mid Ulster Sinn Féin MP Cathal Mallaghan.

In a joint statement confirming the event, Trade NI’s leadership of Colin Neill (Hospitality Ulster), Stephen Kelly (Manufacturing NI) and Glyn Roberts (Retail NI), said: “Since we initiated the Trade NI group and brought the first delegation to Westminster in 2019, we have faced Brexit and the global Covid pandemic, never mind the collapse of our own devolved administration.

“We find ourselves in a rather unique position with a functioning NI Assembly and Executive and a signed off programme for government.

“We also have a sitting Labour government – the first time they have been in power since the Trade NI initiative was started.

“This is not a time to sit on our hands but to activate and push for investment, support and solutions to the challenges that we face.”

Last year saw Trade NI bring its message to London, Dublin and Washington DC.

The latest event will be chiefly backed by the global legal firm DWF as headline sponsor.

The firm’s managing partner in Northern Ireland, Julie Galbraith, said: “The Trade NI event at Westminster has now become one of the major business events in the annual calendar that provides an influential platform for our positive economic message.

“DWF is proud to support this event once again, which will focus on the strong proposition that Northern Ireland has, not only across hospitality, retail and manufacturing, but also sectors like fintech, cyber-security, health and life sciences and professional services.”

“Northern Ireland is increasingly regarded as a good place to set up and grow a business. Despite the challenges that we are often faced with, we exceed expectations and that points to greater potential for our business community.”

“This is an opportune moment to sell our story to key decision makers from across the UK and encourage further investment to our part of the world.”