Dr Bill McGinnis is Chairman of the McAvoy Group of Dungannon, a market-leading manufacturer of modular buildings for clients in the UK, Republic of Ireland, other parts of Europe and Africa. He is Chairman of Northern Ireland Exporters’ Association.
Dr McGinnis, who holds an MSc from the University of Ulster, is one of Northern Ireland’s most experienced and successful exporters. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Ulster for his contribution to business in Northern Ireland. He has extensive experience at senior management level in the private sector and has held board level appointments with public bodies such as Invest Northern Ireland and UK Trade and Investment. He is currently Northern Ireland Adviser on Employment and Skills and a Commissioner on the UK Commission on Employment and Skills. He was previously Chairman of the Training and Employment Agency and a member of the UK Council on Skills.
Dr McGinnis has also served as Chairman of the Air Route Development Company, the company set up by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, to promote the establishment of new air routes for business and tourism between Northern Ireland, other parts of Europe and the US. The company has assisted the introduction of new routes from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, France and the United States. A former President of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr McGinnis has vast knowledge of international markets such as the Middle East, India and Europe gained over 30 years in business. He has also led a series of Northern Ireland trade delegations to markets across the Middle East. Dr McGinnis began his career in export sales and marketing with Sperrin Metal Products in Draperstown, Co Derry, a small engineering company specialising in storage products. He helped the company win substantial business in international markets including the Arabian Gulf and was based for a time in this region. He has also mentored a number of smaller businesses on exporting.