At its meeting on 13th November 2017 the Board of Trustees agreed a proposal that the NIABT be dissolved, with the membership voting to dissolve the Trust at the AGM on 13th December 2017. This decision was agreed in the context that the Northern Ireland Assembly is committed to developing a new programme of work to engage business. At subsequent Board Meetings, Board Members discussed options for the disbursement of NIABT funds and unanimously voted that any decision of how the funds should be disbursed would be put on hold until the political situation is clearer. Given the resumption of the Assembly the Board will meet on 22nd January 2020 to further this discussion.
During this time the Northern Ireland Assembly has been developing its Corporate Plan which contains reference to the establishment of the Northern Ireland Assembly Business Network. Work on its development will continue in tandem with the dissolution of the Trust, ensuring continuity of the relationship between business and the Assembly established by the NIABT.
Due to the Trust currently being dissolved, applications for new membership are suspended.