Northern Ireland Rising Stars 40 under 40 2016 by Gavin Walker

BUSINESSFIRSTMAGAZINE

Northern Ireland’s Rising Stars 2016

SPONSORED BY

under FORTY

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

ack for a third year and with an overwhelming list of nominees, the Northern Ireland Rising Stars: 40 under 40 is this year generously sponsored by Find Insurance in association with the Ulster University Business School. On the following pages you will find a wide range of business talent representing just about every sector in Northern Ireland. It’s a mix of entrepreneurs, directors and managers each of whom has shown that they have what it takes to make their business fly. In their own way each of this year’s Rising Stars 40 under 40 representatives are working hard to secure both their own, their company’s and their community’s economic futures. As we begin to see the establishment of recovery it’s encouraging to know that there is a new generation following where we have led and ready to take up the challenge to move Northern Ireland plc into a new era. They are all champions of Northern Ireland business ready to launch themselves into a positive and exciting future. And we at Business First wish them all every success throughout 2016 and beyond. Gavin Walker Managing Director Business First

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NUALA CAMPBELL

Nuala Campbell, 33 Managing Director, Titanic Creative Management

Nuala Campbell is a highly resourceful and innovative entrepreneur, business woman and make-up artist. Within a traditionally male-dominated industry, Nuala has evolved into an experienced entrepreneur establishing and running several businesses. With a background in accountancy and financial management, Nuala has used her expertise in business and strategising coupled with her passion as a make-up artist to drive the vision of Titanic Creative Management. This social enterprise has developed and grown as Nuala has recognised challenges faced by local creative professionals struggling to break into the film industry here due to lack of local training. Nuala addressed this problem by offering professional training schemes taught by global industry experts, allowing local artists to improve their employability both locally and globally. On a wider level, Nuala’s vision will improve Northern Ireland's economy and greatly assist in adding to Ulster’s increasingly renowned reputation as the filming destination for the world's film industry. #titaniccreative titaniccreativemanagement.co.uk

runner up for QUB’s ‘What’s the Big Idea’ for her ideas on social enterprise within Northern Ireland, She was a commended finalist in QUB’s Dragon’s Den for her work on social issues within Northern Ireland and represented the university at the FEXCo Asian Games in China, she also won the CIMA award for Best Performance by an International MBA student. She plans to carry on with her work on social issues once her PhD has been completed and would ideally like to work with at risk youth across both communities. @MVFNP qub.ac.uk

ANNA MORRIS

Anna Morris, 32 Managing Director, Clearbox

Anna is the founder and Managing Director of consumer PR agency, Clearbox. A Communications with PR graduate from the University of Ulster, Anna has injected a refreshing and innovative approach to public relations in Northern Ireland. After gaining several years of experience and knowledge working for other agencies, she decided to bite the bullet and do it for herself. With her passion for developing exciting and captivating campaigns, Anna set up Clearbox in 2013 with a laptop, a mobile phone and a desire to do things differently. Two years on Clearbox has grown into a thriving company delivering campaigns for globally recognised clients such as Amazon and Universal Pictures. The agency has made headlines throughout the UK and Ireland, winning two Gold CIPR Pride awards for its work with Universal Pictures and last year Clearbox was named the UK’s Best New Consultancy at the PRCA National Awards in London. @ClearboxPR

clearboxcommunications.com

MEGHAN VAN PORTFLIET

Meghan Van Portfliet, 33 PHD Candidate, Queens University

Meghan Van Portfliet was an Experienced Project Manager at Cricket Communications (AT&T) who moved from Denver, Colorado to Northern Ireland in 2014 to complete her International MBA. After finishing Top of her class with Distinction (With a Degree Plus in InnovateHer), she was awarded a scholarship for her PhD through QUB’s Management school. Alongside her studies In 2015, Meghan was

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GARETH MORRISON

Gareth Morrison, 39 CEO, Lava Group

Gareth Morrison is the CEO of The Lava Group, a technology company that has been developing unique software and innovative solutions for the criminal justice market for over 20 years. Under his leadership The Lava Group is embarking on a successful growth strategy, diversifying into new sectors including connected health and targeting export markets such as Canada and Australia. Since 2014 the company has increased its staff numbers by 50 per cent. Last year the company won its largest ever contract to provide access control solutions for a new prison currently being constructed in Cork. Gareth also oversaw the launch of Lava Monitoring, a new company set up to design innovative monitoring technology with a focus on life saving equipment. Recently appointed to the board of the Connected Health Innovation Centre (CHIC), Gareth is leading a partnership between The Lava Group and CHIC. R&D has already started on a major behavioural analysis project. @GarethRMorrison www.thelavagroup.co.uk

STEPHEN McCANN

Stephen McCann, 35 Managing Director, P2V Systems

Stephen’s career developed as an IT Consultant working in the entertainment industry and for various multi-nationals. He then took the entrepreneurial step of setting up his own company. The business Stephen started back in 2008 working on smaller contracts, quickly developed and was soon working on IT projects for large companies. In Stephen’s ninth year as owner and MD of IT solutions provider, P2V Systems, the pace hasn’t slowed. Building on an already enviable client base, the past year has seen Stephen expand the business as a service provider in the financial services sector, for a renowned multi-national. Inevitably, with business growth comes team, and in this case, office expansion. This year has seen P2V Systems office size double to cater for new team appointments including Senior Management and Consultant roles. In such a competitive sector, part of Stephen’s focus is always on business development. As such, Stephen is working on opportunities for international export. @p2vsystems www.p2vsystems.com

CLAIRE McFALL

Claire McFall, 34, Director, BDO Northern Ireland

Claire McFall joined BDO Northern Ireland as a trainee, rising through the ranks to become a Director within the audit department. A Law and Accounting graduate from Queen’s University, Belfast, Claire challenged herself further when she completed a Masters in Advanced Accounting at the University of Ulster and qualified as a chartered accountant in 2008. As Director, Claire manages a wide portfolio of corporate clients across numerous industry sectors. These include agri-food, wholesale, retail and professional practices throughout Northern Ireland, the UK and Europe. Since joining the company in 2005 Claire has built up an extensive skills set and gained vast experience in statutory audit assignments serving an diverse range of clients. She also has experience in non-statutory audits of special purpose financial information, limited reviews, systems reviews, accounts preparation and reporting to The Law Society under Solicitors’ Accounts Regulations. @clairelmcfall1 bdoni.com

EMMA GRIBBEN

Emma Gribben, 27. Managing Director, Digital By Emma Emma’s entrepreneurial spirit started at the tender age of 13 when Emma sold Avon cosmetics to family and friends for pocket money as a teenager. Fast-forward 14 years and Emma is the founder and Managing Director of Digital By Emma which works with start-ups, SMEs, brands and agencies in NI, ROI, UK, Dubai and Australia across digital strategy, social media, content marketing and digital training. A graduate in Communications, Advertising and Marketing, Emma has a varied background in digital marketing. Emma’s first graduate position saw her manage one of NI’s

largest re-brands to date; the transition from household name NIE Energy to Power NI. Moving on to establish the digital marketing function at global food manufacturer Linwoods, Emma led her team to pick up the 2013 Eircom Spiders Retail Excellence Award. With her sights set on a new challenge overseas, Emma was appointed as Digital Marketing Manager for Dubai based Free Trade Zone – DMCC. @emma_gribben digitalbyemma.com

JUDITH BRANNIGAN

Judith Brannigan, 36 Director LIBRA events

Judith co-founded LIBRA events in 2015 and has over 15 years’ experience in the events industry, having delivered hundreds of varying event formats including conferences, awards ceremonies, concerts, sporting events, exhibitions and festivals. Her events career began in the NI Policing Board Press Office before working at the SSE Arena, in their Operations Department. She then moved on to the King’s Hall Complex where she developed her sponsorship and venue sales skills whilst also working on a variety of events including Balmoral Show for five years. In 2012 she was appointed Show Director of a new and large consumer exhibition, the Food and Drink Show NI, which she managed in 2013 and 2014. LIBRA events is a fast growing full service event management company in which Judith specialises in the event operations, sales and sponsorship management for their extensive list of clients. She is also a member of the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers. @judithbrannigan libra-events.com

Lynsey Cunningham, 30 Entrepreneur Development Manager, Ulster Bank

Lynsey emerged as talent during her time working in Ulster Bank Corporate. Working with a diverse range of clients from large Plcs, Education, Charity and Public Sector bodies, it was clear that she had a clear focus on the needs of her customers. Promoted recently into the Entrepreneur Development Manager role, Lynsey demonstrates strength across a range of skills to identify and position her as real talent amongst her peers. Already, Lynsey has been

LYNSEY CUNNINGHAM identified with leadership potential and is regularly relied upon by senior management within the bank for her opinion and contribution. Professional, considerate, focused, determined, passionate and enthusiastic are all words that simply resonate when you think of Lynsey. Lynsey is a high potential, high energy individual who is a great ambassador both internally and externally for the bank. She is a great collaborator whose passion sets her apart from others. Through her leadership, Entrepreneurial Spark is set to flourish and be a driver and supporter of enterprise in NI.

MICHAEL GRAHAM

Michael Graham, 37 Director, Cleaver Fulton Rankin

As Head of the Private Client Department, Michael specialises in wills, trusts, tax, the administration of estates and issues affecting elderly and vulnerable clients. He is a founder and former Chair of the Northern Ireland branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and also sits on the Law Society of Northern Ireland committee for Non-Contentious Business. He is a Full Accredited Member of Solicitors for the Elderly, one of only two such members in Northern Ireland. Michael is also heavily involved with Will to Give, a local charity created to promote charitable giving by will. Michael has been instrumental in developing and growing the private client offering at Cleaver Fulton Rankin and the department now has a team of eight, including five qualified solicitors. Michael has been recognised as a “Leading Individual” by esteemed legal directory The Legal 500. @CFR_Law cfrlaw.co.uk

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ROBERT CARMICHAEL

Robert Carmichael, 33 Managing Director, The Jungle

Robert Carmichael is founder of Ireland’s leading outdoor adventure centre, The Jungle, based just outside the small village of Moneymore. After studying at university in England, Robert returned home to a family farm in crisis and on the verge of being repossessed. He refinanced the debt and set about changing the direction the farm would head. With £400,000 debt on his shoulders, Robert opened The Jungle in 2005. He took the farmland and transformed it through a farm diversification project and an ethos of hard work and good fun. Since opening as Northern Ireland’s first paintball site, the centre has catapulted into an award winning adventurer’s paradise. The Jungle employs 60 local staff and has invested over £2million in the facility during the past 10 years. During its decade in business, the centre has played host to over 250,000 visitors who have enjoyed everything from llama trekking to zorbing and ziplining to the famous heart scaring ‘Fright Night’, to name a few activities. The centre was recently awarded ‘Best Thrillseeking Provider’ and ‘Best Unique Outdoor Experience’ in the OutdoorNI Awards 2015. @TheJungle_NI thejungleni.com

CLAIRE BROWN

Manager for Macmillan Cancer Support NI in 2013. It is in this post Claire has managed to secure some of the highest earning charity partnerships from all sectors within the business world. Claire has tremendous skill in research, engagement, development and retention, working to targets of nearly £0.5m per year, she consistently achieves. Going above and beyond her role, she has a tremendous work ethic and will do whatever is necessary so as to ensure that people in Northern Ireland living with cancer receive essential services. @macmillanNI macmillan.org.uk

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Neil Logan was appointed as a partner in Wilson Nesbitt Solicitors in April 2015 having spent 9 years with the firm. Now in his 10th year with Wilson Nesbitt Neil oversees the firm’s increasingly busy commercial department. A graduate of the University of Ulster Neil was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in 2011. His elevation to partner within 4 years of qualification is testimony to Neil’s achievements both inside and outside of the firm. Neil is a former president of the Newry Junior Chamber and was the winner of the Herbert Smith Freehills Young Leader of the Year in 2014. Neil has been instrumental in gaining new business for the firm in an area that has experienced an overall downturn in recent years. wilson-nesbitt.com

RONAN DONAGHY

Ronan Donaghy,35. Senior Actuary, Xafinity

He advises some of the most prestigious companies in Northern Ireland and Great Britain, helping them to navigate the financial turbulence caused by volatile investment markets, identify and manage the risks associated with their pension schemes and overcome the complexities and pitfalls of recent changes to pension taxation. Ronan has helped lead the growth in Xafinity’s local Pension Advisory business since joining in 2010 and takes an active role in the development of its highly-regarded actuarial team. He spent two years in Xafinity’s head office in Reading where he played a key role the development of cutting-edge actuarial software. Ronan is currently putting the same focus and commitment into his training for the London marathon in April where he hopes to raise much needed funds for the Concern charity. @xafinity www.xafinity.com

Claire Brown, 34, Regional Corporate New Business Manager, Macmillan

From Belfast, Claire graduated from the Belfast Metropolitan College (then BIFHE) with a HND in Marketing. From here, she moved onto the Premiere Graduate Management development programme, at the same time gaining experience in retail before taking up the role of Community Fundraiser with the Northern Ireland Hospice. After 4 years with the NI Hospice Claire assumed the post of Regional Corporate New Business

Neil Logan, 32. Partner at Wilson Nesbitt.

NEIL LOGAN

GARETH LOYE

Gareth Loye, 35. CEO, M&M Contractors

35-year-old Gareth Loye is CEO of Belfastbased M&M Contractors, which provides turnkey telecommunication infrastructures encompassing civil engineering, construction and fibre optic cabling/testing. Since becoming CEO in 2012, Gareth’s led a growth strategy that’s seen the firm make the leap from regional specialist to international principal contractor, working directly for major blue-chip clients and becoming the only specialist in its sector to export beyond UK & RoI. After recently completing a landmark Principal Contractor project for Hibernia to install the lowest-latency data cable across the Atlantic (linking UK, RoI, Canada and USA), Gareth’s now utilising the firm’s strengths to diversify into the rapidlygrowing Electrical sector. Since becoming CEO Gareth has grown turnover from £1.5m to £12m and his workforce from 12 to 120. His accolades include Young Business Person of the Year (Belfast Telegraph Awards), Exporter of the Year (NI Chamber Awards) and SME of the Year (UTV Business Eye Awards).

CONNAIRE McGREEVY

Connaire McGreevy, 33, Founder and MD CTS Projects & Mourne Mountains Brewery

Connaire established his first business, CTS Projects Ltd back in 2005 when he was just 23. The award-winning company, which operates in the construction and heating sector and specialises in high efficiency boilers and renewable technologies, has grown every year under Connaire’s leadership. CTS Projects works mainly with social housing associations, providing energy efficient home heating systems with second to none maintenance response rates. Connaire has invested significantly in bespoke, innovative technologies that ensure real-time reporting and rapid response to issues, something that has proved a major benefit to tenants, especially for the elderly or vulnerable. A craft beer aficionado with a passion for all things local, Connaire was inspired to launch Mourne Mountains Brewery after travelling and visiting craft brewers all over the world. His brewery is producing some of the finest artisan beers in the country, quickly becoming a major part of Northern Ireland’s blossoming craft beer sector. @CTSProjects / @MourneBrewery mournemountainsbrewery.com

CIARAN McGUIGAN

Ciaran McGuigan, 27, Director, Orior by Design Ltd

Following his return from university at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) in Georgia USA, Ciaran recognised that the quality of product produced by his parents company, Orior by Design, had not been reaching its full potential. The handmade bespoke furniture produced in Newry is made using traditional manufacturing methods by its highly skilled

workforce and has an extensive portfolio including hotels in Ireland and the UK as well international private clients. Following a feasibility study, the design of a new range of furniture geared toward the North American market and approaches made to almost every interior designer in New York City, Ciaran opened the 4,000 sq ft outlet in the newly emerging area of Brooklyn, Williamsburg, in May 2015. His first order was in excess of $100,000 and others have quickly followed. The annual target of $750,000 that was set at the outset, and used as a basis for seeking the appropriate funding, has been exceeded without great difficulty. oriorbydesign.com

EIMEAR KEARNEY

Eimear Kearney, 34 Managing Director, Magnitude Digital Marketing

Eimear has worked in retail, hospitality and tourism for 13 years, beginning her career with a global food company, and proved her worth in the marketing world with numerous promotions in a short space of time. She was based in Manchester and London before returning to her beloved Lough Neagh, where she is currently responsible for marketing her native destination; Lough Neagh & Its Waterways. Eimear’s sought after experience has led her to establishing Magnitude Digital Marketing, assisting SME’s in their digital marketing planning. As a licensed Digital Business Skills trainer, she runs monthly training courses for businesses, provides mentoring and training, speaks at conferences and lectures in Digital Marketing with The Chartered Institute of Marketing. Eimear is a chartered marketer and is dedicated to her professional development, she was the brains behind River to Lough Festival; promoting Lough Neagh Eels, and was a Chartered Institute of Marketing Ireland, award winner two years in a row for her work on the festival. @magnitudedigi magnitudedigitalmarketing.com

Anna Devlin, 31. Head of Forensic Accounting, CavanaghKelly With 10+ years’ experience in delivering accounts, tax and business solutions to a diverse range of clients, Anna has also developed a core specialism in Forensic

ANNA DEVLIN Accounting. Heading up CavanaghKelly’s Forensic offering, Anna has successfully built up a portfolio of solicitor referrers. She is regularly in Court providing expert opinion in shareholder dispute, company valuation, personal injury and medical negligence cases. A qualified Chartered Accountant with an Honours degree in Mathematics, Anna has a Diploma in Forensic Accounting with Distinction (Chartered Accountants Ireland) and is an accredited Expert Witness. Anna was recently appointed Head of CavanaghKelly’s Enniskillen office. She takes a hands-on role with the firm’s clients and has recently been appointed Chairperson for the Enniskillen BID task team, working with local businesses to develop a five year programme of projects and services to ensure that Enniskillen BID area excels as an area of excellence to live, work and shop. @annaldevlin cavanaghkelly.com

KATHRYN WALLS

Kathryn Walls, 39, Director, Mills Selig

A graduate of Queen’s University Belfast, Kathryn is a recognised expert in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity and business law. She advises clients across a wide range of industries, including finance, technology, agri-foods and engineering. Her clients include international corporations, entrepreneurs and ownermanaged businesses. Kathryn has been a key advisor to First Derivatives plc since it listed on the London Stock Exchange, becoming one of only three listed companies in Northern Ireland. Most recently she advised First Derivatives PLC in a series of transformational acquisitions across Ireland, UK, USA and Canada. Kathryn also leads the Intellectual Property

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and Technology team, advising clients on IP/IT and commercial contracts including licensing, R&D, collaboration and supply agreements. Clients rely on her expert knowledge and understanding of business and technology issues. She has an ability to effectively break down the complexity and get to the heart of legal issues with clarity and ease for all stakeholders. She is a keen runner, regularly taking part in races from 5ks to marathons to raise funds for charities. Her greatest achievement is completing the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC! @wallskathryn millsselig.com

KIERAN QUINN

Kieran Quinn, 32.Managing Director, Crumlin Road Gaol

Crumlin Road Gaol has established itself as one of the most unique, award winning tourist attractions as well as a conference and events venues in in Belfast and throughout the rest of Northern Ireland. As Managing Director with 10 years of management level experience within the Travel & Tourism industry, Kieran has established an effective management infrastructure of Crumlin Road Gaol in order to underpin business growth and to develop and implement the company’s vision. Through effective leadership as well as enterprising initiative and entrepreneurial flair, Kieran has been instrumental in the remarkable success of Crumlin Road Gaol. He encourages innovative thinking and culture of constant improvement across a team over 70 full-time, part-time and seasonal staff. This is evident with the enhancement of the existing services offered to customers, as well as the increased variety of services offered. Awarded ‘Best New Business’ at the 2015 Belfast Business Awards, for demonstrating how it has translated a great idea into a viable and successful business venture, the business has grown to be a multipurpose tourist and business destination with plans of expansion in 2016. @crumlinroadgaol crumlinroadgaol.com

Jonathan Ireland, 29 Partner. Lanyon Communications –

Lanyon Communicatons is a boutique advisory firm specialising in corporate communications, investor media relations and strategic business marketing

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JONATHAN IRELAND consultancy. Jonathan has worked with leading retail banks, international law firms, investment funds and real estate clients, as well as a diverse portfolio of blue chip companies drawn from a range of other business sectors in the UK and Ireland. A specialist in reputation and strategic issue management, he has advised clients on a wide range of high-profile crises and issues. He sits on the Economic Affairs Committee of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in Northern Ireland and is a Non-Executive Director of Audiences NI – an audience development agency that aims to increase and diversify audiences for the arts sector in Northern Ireland. In 2012 he was named by PR Week in the ‘Top 29 Under 29’ in the UK. @J_IrelandPR lanyoncommunications.com

MARK HASLAM

Mark Haslam, 36. Managing Director, Loud Mouth Media

Mark is the founder and Managing Director of Loud Mouth Media, a specialist digital advertising agency based in Belfast, with offices in Dublin and Glasgow. Having gained valuable online advertising experience working as a web consultant in the telecommunications industry, Mark’s passion for digital instilled his vision and motivation to set up his Pay Per Click advertising agency. Less than five years later, Loud Mouth Media stands as one of the top ten SEM agencies in the UK, attracting a wealth of market leading clients including Invest NI, Almac Group, Titanic Belfast and George Best Belfast City Airport. As a lecturer for the Digital Marketing Institute and regular industry speaker at business and marketing events, Mark has become recognised as an expert in effective digital advertising strategy. @markhaslam1979 loudmouth-media.com

JAYNE GALLAGHER

Jayne Gallagher, 34. Managing Director Legal-Island

Legal-Island is the go to place for expert workplace compliance information and training. Jayne has been instrumental in strategic leadership, staff development and propelling overall company performance – Legal-Island has matured from strength to strength. Jayne has driven the adaptation of some first-class systems, helping to deliver consistent quality information to clients. She is a member of the Northern Ireland IoD and Vice Chair on the Board of The Orchardville Society. Jayne led the company through Investors in People which culminated in Legal-Island achieving Gold status. Commenting on the award Jayne said: “I believe that it is essential for the development of a business to engage all team members. My vision for Legal-Island has always been to be an employer of choice where everyone feels valued and respected. We have developed a culture where everyone is free to grow as a person, team member, or manager.” legal-island.com legal-island.ie

SINEAD FOX-HAMILTON

Sinead Fox-Hamilton ACA, 30 Business Manager, McKinty Associates

Sinead, a Queen’s University Law graduate and qualified Chartered Accountant, is the appointed Business Manager for McKinty Associates - Northern Ireland’s leading specialist Accountancy and Finance recruitment firm. Her career has seen her enjoy varied Finance and Consulting positions with KPMG, Bombardier and Ulster Bank and now her current role involves recruiting Accountancy and Finance professionals across a variety of sectors as well as undertaking management reporting responsibilities for the company. Drawing on her first-hand knowledge and experiences has empowered her to develop a unique personal and professional service offering

which adds value, and ultimately allows her to more effectively help candidates and clients alike. Sinead is passionate about people, development and building relationships and invests time in a number of Chartered Accountants Ireland committees (eg. Young Professional Group (current chairperson), Ulster Society, Member Services Group, Chartered Accountants in Business Group) and she also notably chairs the Young Leaders Northern Ireland committee. @SFoxHamilton mckintyassociates.com

Tracy O’Toole, 33. Marketing, PR and Events Manager, HMS Caroline

STEPHEN McKEOWN as well as completing an MBA in the Kellogg School of Management, Chicago. He has held a number of executive and non-executive director positions. st3phenmck

WILL BROWN

Will Brown, 30, Chef and Owner, The Old School House Inn

In 2003 aged 17, Will Brown landed in London with ambition to be a top chef, his only qualifications were energy, and passion for food. Thirteen years on Will is now an established ‘par excellence’ in culinary terms, and is regarded as one of Ireland’s top ten chefs. An outstanding food ambassador, Will trained with renowned chefs Gordon Ramsey, Marco Pierre White, Bruce Poole and Paul Rankin. Returning home, the chef and food ambassador has been running the Old School House in Comber with his partner Karena Eccles, since 2012. Here locally sourced food is intertwined with Will’s passion for fine dining, and the best seasonal home grown ingredients. Leading his team of chefs, Will holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand and 2 AA rosettes for his award winning restaurant. Bringing his fusion of food together, Will sources crab and mussels from the nearby Strangford Lough, venison from Finnebrouge sits alongside beetroot grown in the restaurant’s vegetable garden, and Ballydugan Estate pheasant is served with homemade sea beet. A visit to Will Brown’s is ‘plot-to-plate perfection personified’. @schoolhouseinn theoldschoolhouseinn.com

Dr Stephen McKeown, 33. CEO Analytics Engines.

Analytics Engines.t allows organisations to easily and quickly adopt advanced business analytics capabilities. Stephen previously held roles with companies including Microsoft in their European Development Centre Dublin and as a consultant with Accenture in their Systems Integration and Technology group, prior to Analytics Engines he was Commercial Director of CapnaDSP. He holds a PhD in High Performance Computing

CLIONA ARTHUR

Tracy O’Toole, Chartered Marketer, is an award winning marketing professional with over 10 years experience. By immersing herself in her various roles, she developed a keen understanding of the brands she has represented over the years and positively influenced their growth. Tracy is an expert in content creation and collaboration and is committed to innovation and excellence no matter what the budget, as was recently demonstrated by her CIM Marketing With Impact award. She is also passionate about delivering creative solutions to maximise brand potential. Tracy has recently taken up the role as Marketing, PR and Events Manager for HMS Caroline. Belfast’s newest visitor attraction and conference/event destination due to open 1st June. Tracy started her marketing career at Limetree Advertising in Dublin before moving to Belfast where she has held marketing, public relations and events roles at the King’s Hall Complex, Balmoral Show and the Crescent Arts Centre. @tracyotoole1 hmscaroline.co.uk

Cliona Arthur, 38, Media Sales Manager at George Best Belfast City Airport

Cliona Arthur is responsible for advertising, branding, experiential and promotional opportunities at Belfast City Airport. She has cultivated fifteen years’ experience in the ‘out of home’ advertising industry in Northern Ireland and has developed a portfolio of key clients across both the private and public sectors. Cliona works closely with airport clients to deliver first class advertising campaigns tailored to suit individual client needs. Since being appointed Media Sales Manager in 2011, Dungannon-born Cliona has been instrumental in developing the airport into one of the most effective advertising platforms available in Northern Ireland and has established long-lasting relationships with key clients across NI, UK & ROI. Cliona holds a degree in Communications Studies, MSc in Communication, Advertising & PR from the University of Ulster & Premiere Graduate into Management with a specialist in Marketing.

TRACY O’TOOLE

GARETH MACKLIN

Gareth Macklin, 35. Director, The Macklin Group

Gareth is director of The Macklin group which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and is a family business, employing over 400 people in the Hospitality and Nursing home care sector across N. Ireland through Malone Lodge Hotel & Macklin Care Homes. Gareth spent time working outside the group in London before returning in 2003 via a 4 month detour of America, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Thiland and South Africa! He has worked across all aspects of the group over the years and currently sits as Finance Director. Gareth is a published author, haven recently written “The Promise”, a 50,000 word book in 30 days for charity. Following on from this, his latest charity venture is setting up the “One Pound Push-Up Challenge” onepoundpushupchallenge.com where he is aiming to help one million people in Africa get clean water but his proudest achievement is being a recent dad, with his wife Rose, to baby Patrick! @garethmacklin macklingroup.com

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Marketing, Publicity Association of Northern Ireland and also a member of Belfast City Centre Management’s Economic Performance Action Group.

MIMI TURTLE

Mimi Turtle, 35. Chief Executive, Strand Arts Centre.

Mimi, formerly a chartered surveyor, helped establish the Strand Arts Centre as a not-for-profit charitable company in 2012 and has been its chief executive from its inception. She has worked tirelessly to ensure that the Strand Arts Centre is a focal point for the arts and culture in East Belfast, bringing film, theatre, music events, creative workshops, performing arts classes and more to the local community. Mimi continues to develop the vision of the Strand Arts Centre as the high-class arts venue East Belfast deserves and real progress is being made in terms of its programme and facilities. Given that she is also an owner of a travel company it is hard to know where she finds the time to bring up three young children! @MimiTurt strandartscentre.com

DIANA ATCHISON

Diana Atchison, 34. Business Development Manager, Core Systems NI Ltd

Diana Atchison is Business Development Manager at Core Systems – a company who are global experts in offender self-service solutions for use in prisons and in the community. We work with justice services providing innovative solutions offering a more personalised and effective justice experience for the offender; empowering him/her to participate fully in their rehabilitation and return to a contributing member of society. Since taking up the role of Business Development Manager in 2013, Diana has driven the company through a programme of development and growth into international markets, and continues to exploit new opportunities and markets on a daily basis as well as managing a growing team. @CoreSystemsTech coresystems.biz

JOANNE DEIGHAN

Joanne Deighan, 36. Commercial Manager, George Best Belfast City Airport

Joanne Deighan is tasked with increasing revenues at George Best Belfast City Airport through identifying new business opportunities and maximising returns with existing commercial partners. This includes retail units, food and beverage and service partners. Having joined the airport in a market research capacity over 10 years ago, Joanne has a wealth of experience in managing relationships with the airport’s non-aviation partners and overseeing the strategic direction of advertising. As Commercial Manager, Joanne is also responsible for the preparation and management of the airport’s annual commercial budget and forms part of the senior management team involved in the strategic direction of the organisation. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of

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Whilst building a strong company Conor, who was diagnosed with MS in 2007, has also found time to complete two marathons, two triathlons, a half Ironman and an Ironman triathlon in 2015 raising substantial monies for the MS Society. Conor is considered to be an expert in the field of property and debt and has acted as a spokesperson on the industry to a variety of Northern Ireland media. @Conor_Devine gdpni.com

ELLIE McGIMPSEY

Ellie McGimpsey, 32 Business Development Manager at George Best Belfast City Airport

Ellie McGimpsey manages the growth of aviation and car parking revenue streams for George Best Belfast City Airport. Her role involves developing new routes, supporting the existing UK and European network and managing the airport's charter business, along with the commercial management of the airport’s car parking business. Ellie is passionate about developing new air access for Northern Ireland and has played a significant role in bringing both KLM and Brussels Airlines to Belfast City Airport, routes which provide hub access to global destinations. As a member of the airport’s senior management team, Ellie is also responsible for managing the airport’s relationships with national and international tourism bodies. Ellie is also a Non-Executive Director of the Oh Yeah! Music Centre and holds a First-Class Honours degree in Management from the University of Bath.

CONOR DEVINE

Conor Devine, 38, Principal, GDP Partnership

Conor, a Chartered Surveyor and member of the RICS, is a founding partner of GDP Partnership formed in 2010 after having identified a niche in the market and a demand for a group of professional experts who could negotiate with banks on behalf of borrowers through the process of mediation. In the last five years Conor has been instrumental in helping many businesses and families who have found themselves in negative equity and in 2015 the company was able to assist with over £18 million of debt write downs, changing lives in the process.

STUART MANSFIELD

Stuart Mansfield, 34,: Partner, Finance Arthur Cox

Stuart Mansfield is a Partner in the Finance Group of Arthur Cox, a leading commercial law firm which provides a full service

offering. Stuart advises domestic and international financial institutions on a wide range of finance transactions – whether structured as bilateral deals, as club deals or as banking syndicates. He has led some of the most significant financing transactions in Northern Ireland over the past few years, including some of the loan portfolio sales by local banks and the financing of secondary sales and discounted pay-offs by purchasers of loan portfolios. In a challenging debt market in Northern Ireland, Stuart has been at the forefront of almost all of the key financing transactions including how to structure those transactions. In addition to having a significant practice dealing with financial institutions, Stuart also advises local corporates, across all market sectors, on their debt financing arrangements. arthurcox.com

MICHAEL HOWE

Michael Howe, 37, Director, 2020 Architects

2020 architects have been designing buildings since 2000; however, their current success based on their sustainable modern designs only came with the recruitment of three highly regarded young designers and the now owners, Gareth Boyd, Michael Howe and Richard McKinney. 2020 are now regarded as one of Northern Ireland’s leading design Practices and Michael has created a reputation for striking buildings which incorporate a sense of modern drama while utilising the best of sustainable design principles. This has brought him to national attention as only the third architect from Northern Ireland to appear on the highly regarded channel 4 program 'Grand Designs' and he has helped 2020 architects to become Ireland most popular architects on social media with over 27000 followers. This design led ethos has also seen a year on year increase in turnover for the company of over 33% and an increase in the practice from three to nine people in less than three years.. 2020architects.co.uk

Declan Callaghan, Contract Manager, Brook Street Belfast

Having completed a Law degree at Queen’s University Belfast, Declan embarked upon a career within recruitment, building a reputation as a trusted strategic recruitment partner for locally-based companies.

Renewables at its 2015 awards in the category of Best Energy Saving SME. @RNNComms RNNCommunications.com

DECLAN CALLAGHAN Declan works in the Belfast branch of Brook Street recruitment agency. He has provided permanent, temporary and fixedterm recruitment solutions to clients and has operated as Contract Manager for several major contracts in Northern Ireland and Scotland. Having recently secured new contracts, Declan has grown Brook Street’s Belfast team and relocated the branch to new premises at Law Society House. As Brook Street employ their temporary staff, Declan completed a MA in Human Resource Management and secured membership of CIPD to ensure Brook Street’s clients and employees receive a best-in-class service and benefit from regular legislative updates. Declan’s service to Brook Street’s clients in Northern Ireland resulted a personal accolade in the form of a Contract of the Year award, and his branch recently won a Branch of the Year award within Brook Street.

RIKI NEILL

Riki Neill, 35, Director, RNN Communications Founded by Riki Neill in late 2012, RNN Communications is a young and exciting integrated communications company that likes to do things a little differently. Riki established RNN Communications in a bid to create a more fluid communications agency, that taps into our 24/7 world, is flexible in its approach and fosters partnerships. 2015 was a huge year for Riki, with RNN Comms being named ‘Outstanding Small PR Consultancy’ at the annual CIPR PRide awards. RNN Comms was also recognised for its work, with a campaign, created and directed by Riki being named as Best Sponsorship by a Retailer at the Irish FMCG awards. Reflecting Riki’s expertise in renewables, a new division of RNN Comms – RNN Green - launched, and in its first three months was commended by Actions

PHILIP BAIN

Philip Bain, 39, Director, Shredbank

Philip has grown ShredBank to become the largest on-site shredding company in Northern Ireland winning 12 awards including Investors in People Gold. Philip also Chairs Chartered Management Institute, and is on the Council for Prince’s Trust for which charity he has raised over £40k. He recently published a business book called Start to Grow which has ranked at 22 on Amazon Best seller! Philip has 15 years experience in setting up and growing a diverse range of SME's in Ireland having, graduated with a First Class degree in Business Studies from the University of Ulster where he is now a visiting Professor. He was awarded the Business Leader of Tomorrow Award by Lord Sainsbury in 2002 and has since gone on to win Entrepreneur of the Year 2010, Young Businessperson 2011 and Young Business Personality 2011. @ShredBank shredbank.co.uk

Northern Ireland Rising Stars 40 under 40 Networking Lunch

Academy Restaurant Belfast April 13th 2016

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The key to modern leadership is INNOVATION A by Colin Mullan, Operations Director at Find Insurance NI

s Steve Jobs famously noted, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” Innovation is the profitable implementation of new ideas. It occurs when the growing needs and demands of consumers is met with intense competition. It may come as no surprise, but the insurance industry isn’t exactly a market leader when it comes to innovation. Rather it is often perceived as static and conventional, with a focus on minimizing risks. As a result, it is one of the last remaining industries to embrace innovation. For years, the insurance industry didn’t face the pressure from outside entrants that exists today. Therefore in the current ever-changing economy, the ability to innovate rapidly and more profitably than your competitors is now essential for both business growth and success. The majority of industry sectors will undergo disruption at some stage. When customer expectations shift, businesses are forced to immediately respond and adapt in order to remain in the game. Innovation is a catalyst for business growth, but as a leader, your team must be managed effectively in order for innovation to thrive or even exist in the workplace. Ultimately, for your team to embrace an innovation mindset, leaders have the challenge of both creating and maintaining dedication from each individual. Innovation must be embedded within the company culture. An effective leader recognises the importance of utilising the differences that exist within each member of the team. They know how to connect the dots between those differences in order to achieve the most successful and efficient outcomes. At Find Insurance NI, we try to adopt the mantra Sir Richard Branson has instilled within the backbone of his companies. This mantra is A-B-C-D. (Always Be Connecting the Dots). This creates a company culture that thrives on continual improvement and innovation. A leader knows that when individuals come together and different ideas and thought processes begin to flow, the result can be a range of ideas and innovations that individuals could not have achieved alone. Embracing innovation is therefore essential to creating a workplace environment that encourages motivation and enthusiasm among the team. The innovation process begins by identifying the role of each individual within the team. A leader must recognise how they can add value and the tools required in order for them to adapt to positive change. As a

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leader, you must design the appropriate structure and processes that encourage and manage innovation. Below are practices that leaders can implement with their teams to promote and encourage an environment of innovation. At Find Insurance NI, we implement these factors to break the traditional, staticcontrolled barriers that exist, particularly within the insurance industry.

1. It’s all about Trust

As mentioned, innovation requires encouragement and motivation among staff in order to generate new ideas. However, as a result, each member of the team risks becoming more transparent than ever. Therefore a feeling of trust between you as a leader and your team is imperative. When you earn this trust and the team can trust you, you will observe and welcome the new relationships and ideas being formed around you which will impact positively on the workplace environment.

2. Communicate and Reward

Without strong communication, teams don’t function effectively. The way in which you communicate to your team sets the scene. If done correctly, this can create an environment that encourages thinking in a variety of creative directions, which is more likely to lead towards new innovations. By also creating adequate measurements and incentives, innovation can be promoted within the team.

3. Work Together as a Team

Innovation flourishes when you have a team with a pulse on the marketplace. Work together and in conjunction in order to discover new ways of thinking and create inspiring outcomes.

4. You are the Catalyst for Change

For teams to acquire the ability to innovate, leaders must constantly challenge each team member to think more critically in order to continually improve and develop. As a leader, you must learn to embrace risk and see the opportunity in everything. Leave your competitors at the starting line and go against the norm. This is your chance to be a leader in the marketplace and not a follower. It’s also important to not only create products or services that add value to your business, but you must have the patience to foresee and work towards achieving longterm results, not just short-term.

5. Keep It Simple

An excellent example of keeping it simple is Google’s innovation strategy. They adopt a strategy which is straightforward yet effective; eliminate any unnecessary extra steps in the process, and give the consumer the ease and simplicity they desire. At the end of the day, leaders must possess the ability to alternate between the creative mind and the operational, technical and business mind at different stages of the innovation process. As displayed by Steve Jobs, innovation done right has the power to change everything. If you facilitate your team to embrace innovation and encourage them to present their own visions and ideas, they become the foundation for business growth and sustainability. For competitive Personal & Commercial Insurance quotes, visit: www.findinsuranceni.co.uk or call us free on: 0800 012 6367

Will our educations system continue to create Rising Stars? by Wilfred Mitchell OBE, FSB Northern Ireland Policy Chair his month Business First is celebrating the Top 40 under 40, which shows the remarkable achievements of many of our successful younger businesspeople and the extent to which they are establishing Northern Ireland on the global map as a leading place to do business. Unfortunately, the potential of young talent and this positive placing of Northern Ireland is being placed increasingly under threat as substantial cuts are made to further and higher education as well as the threat of removing business studies as a GCSE option. This cannot continue if the Northern Ireland Executive is serious about growing our economy. Wilfred Mitchell OBE, FSB Northern Ireland Policy Chair said: “Northern Ireland’s current education system is neglecting a large number of young people who have the potential for great success outside of academia. “Unfortunately, there is a tight definition of success as progression to University and onto a professional career. “This is ultimately having a detrimental impact on realising the huge potential of many our young people who succeed outside traditional education; and is having a knock on effect on our economy. “For that reason, there is the need to encourage our young people that there are alternative routes to success in life, routes in which they can nourish their interests and develop those through entrepreneurship to successful businesses. Mr Mitchell added: “We have reiterated this in FSB’s 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly Manifesto, entitled Realising the Potential of Small Businesses. “Our political representatives must ensure that practical, vocational education is a viable option for young people. Additionally there needs to be a focus on business skills and alternative routes to employment within the curriculum.” Northern Ireland has a particularly low rate of entrepreneurs and business start-ups. Consequently it is devastating news to the private sector economy that key topics such as Business Studies and Economics are likely to be left off the GCSE syllabus in the future. These are topics that not only should remain on education syllabuses but be introduced at an earlier age to increase confidence amongst our future economic leaders and entrepreneurs. One of the most vital, yet overlooked resources within the education structure to

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develop student confidence is the role of careers guidance. There is a real need for reform of careers guidance at secondary school level to include input from all available sectors, including small businesses, which not only will provide inspiration for future entrepreneurs but are the largest private sector employer in Northern Ireland. Mr Mitchell continued by outlining that entrepreneurship needs to be fostered at all levels of the education system. “Our young people need to be provided with the confidence and resilience to shape their own futures, however this at present is being left to probability as opposed to being nurtured. “Children are born with imagination, energy and creativity, essentially the entrepreneurial spirit. With time, this declines as it is not nurtured and often is nonexistent by the time they complete their GCSEs. “It is for that reason; the Department of Education must look at redressing gaps in the current curriculum in teaching the entrepreneurship mindset – developing much needed skills within our economy such as innovation, flexibility and creativity which have been omitted as they do not sit easily within standardised examinations such as GCSEs and A-Levels. “In fact, research commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in 2011 highlighted the experiences of many local young people who stated that they were

forced to choose between their best subjects in order to fit in with a curriculum timetable and following the only vocational course or limited selection of A-Levels from fear and limitation of alternative choices rather than any informed career planning. “Consequently sectors, such as hospitality, are often overlooked within schools as a route to a successful career and entrepreneurship even though it is one of the fastest growing sectors, and consistently is one of the largest contributors to private sector turnover in Northern Ireland.” He concluded. Research commissioned by FSB and carried out by the Ulster Business School, on The Contribution of Small Businesses to Northern Ireland has revealed that small businesses in Northern Ireland are the largest employer, creating more jobs than the private and public sectors combined. With youth unemployment (ages 18 to 24 years) increasing to 22 per cent in 2015, as well as the need for innovation and sustainability, the Northern Ireland Executive in supporting entrepreneurship can equip today’s young people with the confidence and inspiration required to start their own business, and employ tomorrow’s workforce. Developing the skills and educational pathways required for businesses to survive, thrive and grow will enable businesses to create long-term and sustainable employment opportunities.

How Local Universities are helping Northern Ireland businesses grow

by Michael McQuillan, Director, Business Institute, Ulster University Business School.

he challenges that we face in Northern Ireland are well documented. The need to keep peace building progress on track, the necessity to rebalance the economy, the importance of addressing some glaringly obvious macro-economic and societal quandaries that simply don’t add up - around health, welfare, an aging population and a highly reputed education framework that needs to dramatically change to survive - the list goes on. Collectively, all of us have a part to play in preparing and supporting our people, our organisations and our communities to ensure that Northern Ireland plays its rightful leading role on the global stage. From the Ulster University’s perspective, as a true civic university, we need to continue delivering on our responsibility to energise positive and progressive socio-economic impact by working as a part of that journey not apart from it. Ulster University is open for business and that means to work with business, bringing the university’s resources through collaborative research, innovative learning and knowledge transfer to leaders and entrepreneurs with optimal impact. At the core of Northern Irelands future sustainability is the need to enhance the capability of our businesses to internationalise their growth. The energising and encouraging of many more wantrepreneurs and entrepreneurs is also critical, leading to the hatching and development of new start-ups that survive, scale and prosper.

The Ulster University Business School has more than 60,000 alumni from its forty years and enjoys a rich relationship with Northern Irelands business, political, and civic arenas. The team at the Business Institute are completely focused on and active in the socioeconomic fabric of Northern Ireland. The team work very closely with individuals, businesses and business units across the private, public and third sectors with the aim of collaboratively designing and delivering innovative learning that can have an immediate impact on the learner, their organisation, their community and the economy. With this approach the Business Institute is working with individuals and learners to make positive change a reality. A brief snapshot of Business Institute activity in 2016 will see more than 1000 learners across a range of uniquely designed programmes. These include the award winning open programmes on the ‘Management Practice’ framework where learners from a wide range of backgrounds consolidate and professionalise their management practice through engaging on a fresh and innovative programme of learning. Through a process of scoping out the future needs, challenges and opportunities for sectors, industries and organisations the Business Institute team collaboratively craft programmes and interventions that are aimed at energising real impetus for improvement and growth. This approach has brought about sector specific programme design, construction and delivery over the past eighteen months for the arts sector, third sector, the contact management industry, financial services industry, health and agri-food. The Business Institute is uniquely positioned to work with colleagues across the university, from all academic and research base disciplines to garner relevant, impactful research and emerging teaching methodology. We can work on long term projects or short term initiatives optimising the research/learning/business practice nexus. This ensures that Northern Ireland businesses can be at the leading edge of change, prepared to grab the growth opportunities presented by, for example, new technologies and digitalisation. At the Ulster University Business School we know that business leaders are looking for graduates and aspirational employees who

are genuinely more employable. Employability is not just about learning the analysis of business and hoping that you know how to write a CV and perform well at an interview. It is more about knowing that you have enhanced your practice of business, your ability and capability to add value to your role at work or in your community. We have worked with colleagues from industry to ensure that learning and knowledge transfer focuses more on the ‘ability’ bit of employability. Charles Handy (2016) who has led in the field of management, leadership and enterprise education for nearly four decades points to the need for more focus on the university/society relationship with a shift to more management development as opposed to management education. Without losing the necessity to present and signpost the theory and ensuring that learning is underpinned with Ulster University’s highly regarded academic rigour the Business Institute is presently engaged with hundreds of developing managers, leaders and entrepreneurs. The engagement is based on using innovative teaching methodology, action learning, international best practice and comprehensive futureworld thinking to help individuals, businesses, communities and economies grow and prosper. With the aim of reinvigorating the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Northern Ireland the team at the Business Institute are also embarking on a number of initiatives both within the university and in partnership with the government, local authorities, statutory agencies and business. The goal is to build and support an ecosystem across Northern Ireland that is supportive of and responsive to the needs of entrepreneurs and wantrepreneurs in the coming years. The incentive is to see numerous new start-ups that survive and scale to become tomorrow’s generators of jobs, wealth, innovation and international recognition for Northern Ireland.