Tuesday 28 February 2017 was a very special day in St Paul’s. The Business Studies Department was honoured to host a very prestigious event, the visit of Andy Haldane, Chief Economist and Executive Director for Monetary Analysis, Research and Statistics, and a member of the Monetary Policy Committee.

Andy, who has responsibility for research and statistics across the Bank, was previously named by Time magazine as one of the world’s top 100 most influential people. We were also delighted to have Dearbhail McDonald, Group Business Editor at Independent News & Media and one of Ireland’s leading journalists, to facilitate the Q&A session that followed Andy’s talk.

The morning began with a pre-event reception in the school which was facilitated by Mr Jarlath Burns and the Business Studies Department and was sponsored by Nisa Hughes, Camlough. Special guests included Adrian Toner, First Derivatives, Geraldine O’Hagan, Bank of Ireland and Aoife Robb, FPM.

After this, the group moved to the Assembly Hall where students from St Paul’s High School, St Mary’s High School Newry, St Mark’s High School Warrenpoint, Newry High School, Newtownhamilton High School and St Patrick’s High School, Keady were in attendance. Andy was speaking as part of the Speakers for Schools Charity. Speakers for Schools provide speakers to secondary schools to inspire students and broaden their horizons through access to the insights, experiences and expertise of today’s leading figures.

Andy spoke to a captivated audience about interest rates, Brexit, the economy and inflation. After his talk to the students he was subjected to rigorous questioning from the students and from Dearbhail. It was a very inspiring, interesting and informative educational visit which the students and the guests all enjoyed. We feel very privileged that Andy took time out of his busy schedule to visit our school and we hope that he will visit us again in the future. We are very grateful to Dearbhail Mc Donald for helping us make the day the success it was.