Ms Ruth Anderson has become the first woman to be appointed to the board of accounting firm KPMG in Britain in its 131 year history.
Ms Anderson, from Coleraine, and who studied French and Spanish at Bradford University, has been promoted to the post of partner and will play a part in shaping KPMG's future strategy.
The 44-year-old, who has worked with KPMG for 21 years and headed the group's tax practice in the South East, said she was not chosen because she was a woman.
"It was partly owed to being at the right place at the right time and having worked with the company for many years in key positions.
"This is going to be a new experience for me as I will have to work on KPMG's strategy going forward."
She is among six new partners to be promoted to the 18-member board which is the youngest in KPMG's history with an average age of 47.
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