Eversheds Sutherland hosted a private dinner in Belfast for leading members of the CBI, including president Paul Drechsler.

Mr Drechsler visited Belfast to welcome Trevor Lockhart, CEO of Fane Valley Cooperative, as the new chair of CBI Northern Ireland.

Mr Lockhart, previously vice-chair, assumed his official duties at the dinner at the Culloden Hotel in Belfast on Tuesday, which was also addressed by Eversheds Sutherland partner Gareth Planck.

Addressing dinner guests, Mr Planck said: “In a strong economic global environment, increased competition for international assets and, more locally, the concerns on Brexit and public spending highlight the need more than ever for businesses to balance a robust approach to due diligence with nimble decision-making processes — and the need to have on board trusted advisors that are both committed locally and connected globally, as we are in Eversheds Sutherland.”