WIBF Belfast becomes WIBF Northern Ireland

Women in Banking & Finance (WIBF) is excited to announce the renaming of its Belfast branch to WIBF Northern Ireland, reflecting its ambition to support and connect women in financial and professional services across the entire region. While Belfast remains the hub of the industry, WIBF recognises the importance of including and engaging women working across Northern Ireland, with plans to expand events to other cities.

To lead this next phase of growth, Siobhan Moran and Cathy Hawthorne have been appointed as Co-Chairs of WIBF Northern Ireland.

Siobhan, who is also WIBF’s Head of Development and leads the UK Personal Excellence Programme (PEP), has 18 years of experience in financial services. In  her current role as Corporate Account Manager at HSBC UK, she works with businesses to drive financial success and sustainable growth.

Cathy brings over 25 years of experience in financial and professional services.  As a Senior Leader at KPMG Ireland, she specialises in offering a suite of sector-specific Managed Solutions and Services, enabling organisations to optimise cost management, enhance effectiveness and achieve operational excellence tailored to clients’ industries.Her leadership and deep industry expertise will be instrumental in shaping WIBF Northern Ireland’s future.

How to get involved

With this exciting evolution, WIBF Northern Ireland is inviting women from across the region to engage, collaborate, and lead. There are multiple ways to get involved:

• Join WIBF: Membership is now more flexible, with the option to purchase monthly, making it even easier to access all online events and resources. This includes our Personal Excellence Programme (PEP), which covers topics ranging from leadership and career progression to financial well-being and confidence-building. Sign up here.
• Join a WIBF Community: Once you are a member, you will gain access to our various networks and communities. Whether you are a Future Leader, a Senior Business Leader, or part of our new networks launching this year—Women in Tech and Entrepreneurs—there is a space for you to connect, learn, and grow.
• Volunteer: Help shape the future of WIBF Northern Ireland by contributing your skills, whether through event planning, communications, or mentoring. Contact [email protected]  and [email protected] if you’d like to volunteer
• Host an event: Businesses can support WIBF by hosting networking events, leadership panels, or professional development workshops. Contact [email protected] if you’d like to host an event or enquire about corporate membership for your organisation.
• Share with peers: Spread the word about WIBF and help connect women across Northern Ireland with valuable career opportunities and support.
• Become a Mentor: Experienced professionals can give back by mentoring women at earlier stages in their careers, providing invaluable guidance and industry insights. If you are a member, you can access our mentoring programme.

More In-Person Events Across Northern Ireland

Building on the success of last October’s networking event, WIBF Northern Ireland is committed to expanding in-person gatherings to other cities to reach more women across the region. These events will focus on leadership development, mentorship, and networking, ensuring that women across Northern Ireland have access to inspiring conversations and career-boosting opportunities.

The transition to WIBF Northern Ireland is more than a name change—it’s a renewed commitment to empowering women across the region. With a strong leadership team and an ambitious vision, WIBF Northern Ireland is set to drive real impact in 2025 and beyond.

To find out more, become a member, or explore ways to get involved you can join here and if you have any questions contact [email protected].