Footballing legend, broadcaster and entrepreneur Gary Neville was in Belfast today to help Queen’s University reach its fundraising goal for a new home for the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice.  

The evening was part of the annual The Dr Declan Kelly, Consello Leadership Lecture Series, which continues to bring globally renowned leaders to Belfast to inspire the next generation and foster meaningful discussions about leadership and success.  

Gary Neville is one of most decorated players in the history of English football, winning eight Premier League titles, two Champions League titles and three FA Cups as well as 85 caps for England. After his playing days, he forged a successful career as a broadcaster, podcaster and entrepreneur. 

Over 1,200 people attended the event at Whitla Hall, led by Queen’s University of Belfast Foundation in association with Consello.   

Gary also took time to meet with a number of business and sports students who were keen to ask him about his transition from sports to business leader. On hearing from the students, Gary unexpectedly invited two students on stage to share their stories. 

One of the lucky students was Rory McLaughlan, a final year student and the entrepreneur behind the Mystery Shirt in a Box ecommerce business, who presented Gary with a SV Werder Bremen shirt. 

Rory said: 

“It was surreal to meet Gary, one of the world’s best-known players, and have the opportunity to chat to him, get his advice and hear his insights around leadership in sport and business, something of particular interest to me as someone running a company that combines their passion for football with entrepreneurship. I’m excited to apply his advice and grow my business further, with support of course from Queen’s." 

Also joining Gary on stage was Rachel McCann, a PhD Pharmacy student who recently took part in the Paris Olympics. Rachel impressed Gary with her determination to juggle her studies alongside her elite athleticism. 

Earlier in the day, speaking ahead of the fireside conversation event with sports journalist and Queen’s alumna Nicola McCarthy, Gary said:   

“As a Partner at Consello working alongside Declan Kelly, I have learned of the outstanding work of Queen’s as a world-leading centre of teaching excellence and innovative research and its exciting plans for the Senator George J Mitchell Institute.  

“I am proud to support the ongoing ambitious fundraising efforts for the Institute this evening – sharing insights from my career and lessons for leadership from both sport and business that I hope can motivate and inspire students as they embark upon their own career journeys.” 

Dr Declan Kelly, who is a former United States Special Envoy to Northern Ireland and has a strong link to Queen’s University as an Honorary Graduate and an Honorary Professor of Queen’s Business School, is leading a fundraising campaign towards supporting and expanding the work of the Mitchell Institute.  

He said:

“It is an honour to be leading the capital committee for the Mitchell Institute, a significant fundraising project that will ensure Senator Mitchell’s lasting legacy continues to impact the lives of people across Northern Ireland. This investment will truly transform how this world-leading institute supports and leads on peace, security and justice, in shaping the peacemakers of the future.” 

Queen’s University President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer, added:

"We are hugely grateful to Dr Kelly for his phenomenal work in leading this campaign raising critical capital for our flagship interdisciplinary research institute which responds to the unprecedented global challenge of building a peaceful, inclusive and secure world.  

“We are delighted that Gary Neville, known for both his sporting and business accolades, has taken the time to speak with students, staff, business leaders and the wider community at Queen’s as part of our ongoing work strengthening links between higher education and the business community." 

  

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