Belfast Chamber calls for smarter working to tackle productivity challenge

Belfast Chamber has urged businesses to look at how work is organised, staff are supported and managers lead their teams as they seek to improve productivity.

The message emerged from the Chamber’s Productivity Summit at Riddel Hall on Wednesday, 23 September. The Chamber says around 130 people attended the event, held with Queen’s University Belfast and supporting partner AAB.

Belfast Chamber productivity summit focuses on people and leadership

Clare Guinness, Belfast Chamber’s chief executive, said improving productivity should not mean asking employees to do more in less time. She argued that businesses should examine how people can do their jobs well while employers manage rising costs and pressure on revenue.

The discussions covered leadership, staff skills, succession planning, innovation and changes to workplace processes. Dr David Jordan of Queen’s University Belfast addressed Northern Ireland’s productivity performance, while Professor John Turner discussed lessons from business leadership. Queen’s confirms Dr Jordan’s presentation at the summit, and the Chamber’s event page sets out its focus on management and workplace culture. 

Growth and productivity are different measures

The discussion follows new figures showing Northern Ireland’s economy grew in the second quarter of 2026. Economic growth measures a rise in output; productivity concerns how much output is produced for the work and resources used. The latest growth figures therefore do not, on their own, show that the underlying productivity challenge has been resolved.

The Chamber’s release reports broad agreement on the value of better management and investment in staff. It did not announce a new funding scheme or a measured productivity improvement arising from the summit.