Economic Advisory Group

Establishment of the group

On 17 June 2020, Minister Dodds announced the membership of the reconstituted EAG. In line with the original recommendation, the group provides independent advice to the Minister for the Economy aimed at challenging and developing public policy and strategic thinking on the Northern Ireland and UK economy.

The group is chaired by Ellvena Graham.

Ellvena Graham is an experienced Chairman and Non-Executive Director, having worked across a number of different sectors. Current roles include Chairman of Catalyst, Chairman of Belfast Waterfront and Ulster Hall Ltd, Board Member of Dale Farm Group and Senior Independent Governor of Queen’s University Belfast. Ellvena is past Chairman of ESB, Ireland’s largest state-owned utility and is also a past President of NI Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Ms Graham spent over 30 years with Ulster Bank, most recently as Managing Director of SME Banking for the Ulster Bank Group as a whole, and as head of Ulster Bank NI, where she represented the bank with all key stakeholders, including government, industry bodies and consumer groups.

The EAG will have an important role to play in supporting the development of a new Economic Strategy and advising how government can work with businesses to promote economic growth, test our ambition for the future and ensure we are focussed on the key areas of opportunity as we chart a path towards economic recovery.

EAG membership

The EAG's membership:

• Ellvena Graham (Chair)
• Nick Coburn
• Neil Gibson
• Dr Robert Grundy
• Kathryn Harkin
• Richard Johnston
• Tina McKenzie
• Steve Orr
• Professor Graeme Roy
• Michael Ryan
• Rose Mary Stalker
• Paul Stapleton
• Paul Vernon

Terms of reference

The EAG's terms of reference are available:

• Economic Advisory Group terms of reference

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, queries regarding the EAG should be referred via email to:

EAG Secretariat
Email: EAGInfo@economy-ni.gov.uk