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Henderson Group Announces £47 Million Investment Plans
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UK law firm TLT has won Best Law Firm at the Mortgage Finance Gazette Awards 2022 for its forward-thinking approach to supporting mortgage lenders.
At a time of significant regulatory change, TLT has leveraged its breadth and depth of expertise in the mortgage market to help lenders understand and navigate the challenges and opportunities they face – from creating an industry-wide toolkit and FAQs on LIBOR transition, to supporting the growth and development of the green mortgage market, helping firms to navigate the disputes landscape and assisting firms with the implementation of the FCA’s new consumer duty.
TLT has offered significant pro bono support to the industry, including representing its views on LIBOR transition policy; as a supporting member of the EU Energy Efficient Mortgages Initiative; as a member of the Green Finance Institute’s Coalition of Energy Efficient Buildings; and as a member of the Finance & Leasing Association’s Green Finance Group.
TLT’s recent thought leadership includes a comprehensive assessment of how the UK can secure its role as a green finance leader, based on policy analysis by Cornwall Insight and exclusive interviews with industry leaders, as well as opinion research amongst UK financial services firms on the challenges and opportunities they face with regards to green finance.
Katharine Kimber, partner at TLT, says: “This award recognises the market leading work we have undertaken in the mortgage industry and our place as a trusted advisor for clients, supporting lenders across the UK as they operate within a complex and evolving regulatory landscape. Our expertise means we can add genuine value and help to influence and shape future policy through our strategic participation with UK and EU industry bodies.”
TLT won Law Firm of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2021.
Katharine Kimber, partner at TLT
Our research and technology are catalysts for innovation.
We partner to create value and social impact.
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KINGSBRIDGE MAKES A ‘GIANT’ SIGNING WITH NEW MEDICAL PARTNERSHIP
Kingsbridge Private Hospital Belfast, part of the Kingsbridge Healthcare Group, have made a Giant signing for Belfast. Northern Ireland’s leading private healthcare providers are delighted to announce their role as Medical Partners for the Belfast Giants.
The exciting partnership will offer the ice hockey team the highest level of medical care to ensure they are all fighting fit for the next three seasons.
As Medical Partners, the Belfast Giants will have access to state-of-the-art equipment, Private GP service, over 300 medical specialists as well as the Kingsbridge Sports and Physiotherapy Clinic at Queen’s University PEC.
Belfast Giants legend and Head Coach Adam Keefe knows the importance access to high quality medical care all too well, after more than 15 years at the top of the professional ice hockey game. He said:
“Ensuring the health, safety and fitness of our players is of paramount importance to the Belfast Giants. Kingsbridge are at the top of their game and were our first choice as a medical partner, so we are thrilled to be working with them for the next three seasons.
“Having access to innovative sports medicine and fast and effective treatments is a huge benefit to our players and the team as a whole. We are very much looking forward to working with them to ensure the optimum fitness and health of our team. We have exciting plans in the pipeline for health and wellbeing related content that will also benefit fans in the future.”
Kingsbridge Private Hospital operates the only private GP and minor injuries clinic in Northern Ireland, ensuring that the ice hockey team avoid lengthy waiting times and are seen by some of the best healthcare professionals in the business.
The five-star facility will also ensure that the Belfast Giants will have access to MRI and CT scans in the multi-million pound scanning suite, cardiac screening, physiotherapy, ear and eye care, orthopaedic consultancy, as well as a comprehensive referral pathway which will allow the players to be assessed and triaged at the clinic, should they need it.
“We are delighted to announce our new Medical Partnership with the Belfast Giants,” said. Claire Winter, Group Marketing Manager at Kingsbridge.
“Our aim is to provide the highest standards in medical care, ensuring our patients are as comfortable and content as can be. We will be on-hand for any of the players’ needs and they will have immediate access to contact us if there’s any medical issues or concerns, they have.
“Many of the Belfast Giants are not originally from Northern Ireland so we are pleased to be able to offer them and their families a home-from-home medical service at Kingsbridge Private Hospital. Our expertly trained staff will ensure the whole team is well cared for and treated with the highest levels of technological advancement and expertise.
“We look forward to working with the Belfast Giants and wish them all the best for the new season ahead.”
Pictured (l-r) Belfast Giants’ Forward, Ben Lake, Claire Winter, Kingsbridge Group Marketing Manager, Fiona Dowds Group Corporate Strategy Manager and Belfast Giants’ Forward, JJ Piccinich.
EyeonNews
21/10/2021 15:15
NIE Networks creates 110 new jobs to accelerate Northern Ireland’s green growth
NIE Networks is creating 110 new jobs as part of its plan to enhance Northern Ireland’s electricity network to help tackle climate change and boost economic recovery.
Part of an additional £50 million investment in the electricity network over the next three years, the move will see a focus on the rollout of clean energy infrastructure which will create additional capacity for customers adopting low carbon technologies, such as electric vehicles and heat pumps, particularly in rural areas.
The new jobs will include craft and technical roles, people working ‘hands on’ on the network, including additional apprenticeship and graduate opportunities, as well as engineers, analysts and a number of roles in professional business support such as IT and digital, procurement, human resources and finance.
As part of the recruitment drive, NIE Networks will also focus on increasing the skills base needed by the clean energy sector in the coming years. In conjunction with the Department for the Economy, it will provide world-class development and deliver traineeships and apprenticeships through its awardwinning apprenticeship programme and training centre. The move will provide opportunities for both young people and existing workers seeking re-deployment.
The additional investment has been approved by the Utility Regulator and aligns with the new Energy Strategy launched by the Minister for the Economy in December which sets a vision of Net Zero Affordable Energy. This investment in clean energy will help grow the green economy and reduce Northern Ireland’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Paul Stapleton, Managing Director of NIE Networks, said: “The electricity network sits at the heart of Northern Ireland’s journey towards net zero carbon emissions and is a central component of economic recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Our investment and the skills we bring on board and develop at NIE Networks in the next few years will help Northern Ireland reach those aims and supercharge green growth in the years ahead.
“We’re delighted to be hiring in all areas of the organisation and it is an exciting time to be working at the cutting edge of clean energy technology. NIE Networks are a key enabler for Northern Ireland’s society and economy and we look forward to rolling out further investment plans in the near future.”
John French, Chief Executive of the Utility Regulator, said: “We have a real opportunity to build a low carbon future by investing prudently in electricity infrastructure in Northern Ireland. Today’s announcement represents an important milestone in taking practical, tangible steps to deliver on net zero.
“This investment will assist us in meeting the NI Executive’s targets for net zero by increasing renewable generation and the adoption of low carbon technologies by consumers across Northern Ireland.”
Pictured, from left, are: Paul Stapleton, Managing Director at NIE Networks, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons and John French, Chief Executive of the Utility Regulator.
Danske Bank launches its carbon neutral mortgage in GB market
Danske Bank has launched its ground-breaking Danske Carbon Neutral Mortgage outside of Northern Ireland for the first time, making it available to homeowners and homebuyers in the South East, South West and East of England, excluding London.
The move follows the successful launch of the mortgage in Northern Ireland last year. It is the first mortgage service in the UK to be certified as carbon neutral by the Carbon Trust, and is available on homes with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or a Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA) rating of A-C.
Danske Carbon Neutral Mortgages account for around 25% of Danske Bank’s new mortgage business in Northern Ireland and the bank will now offer it to customers in selected regions in Great Britain initially through brokers registered with Mortgage Advice Bureau.
The Danske Carbon Neutral Mortgage is available to first time buyers, home movers and remortgagers and is available with a minimum 5% deposit, subject to terms and conditions.
The Bank has appointed a Head of GB mortgages, Patrick Mullan, and a team of Business Development Managers to work with GB brokers to handle queries, provide guidance and ensure a high level of customer experience.
Richard Caldwell, Managing Director, GB & Corporate Strategy at Danske Bank, said:
“We’re already a market leader in Northern Ireland and have a significant presence in the mortgage intermediary market here, so it’s a natural step for us to bring that expertise and capability to benefit consumers in Great Britain.
“This is part of our wider strategy to be a leader in Northern Ireland and a challenger in GB in targeted market segments where we can leverage existing expertise. In addition to providing mortgages through a selection of brokers, we are now also an active lender in the syndicated lending market along with the British social housing sector and will be looking to pursue further growth opportunities in the marketplace.”
Patrick Mullan, Head of GB Mortgages, and Richard Caldwell, Managing Director of GB & Corporate Strategy
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Henderson Group Announces New Charity Partnership
This year sees the start of a new charity partnership between one of Northern Ireland’s biggest employers, retailer and wholesaler, Henderson Group and Action Mental Health (AMH) – the organisation that promotes the mental health and wellbeing of people in Northern Ireland.
The partnership will aim to not only raise funds for Action Mental Health to continue their impactful work to equip individuals here with employability training and a myriad of other services, but to work in tandem with Hendersons to ensure their staff have access to even more wellbeing resources.
January will see staff and store team members take on the Miles for Mental Health challenge, by walking, running or cycling each day to improve their own physical and mental wellbeing to kick off the year, and to raise funds.
The coming weeks will also see the launch of a number of initiatives for staff and managers across the Group, which will aim to improve mental wellbeing across the entire workforce which will build upon the Group’s long-term WellAware Health and Wellbeing strategy.
Bronagh Luke, Head of Corporate Marketing commented: “Keeping our teams motivated and focused has always been at the backbone of the Group’s success, and by working with Action Mental Health, we will be further prioritising the wellbeing of our staff with even more incentives to enable them to connect and thrive as we continue to navigate the challenges of the past two years.
“It’s hard to believe we’re entering the third year of many of our officebased employees working from home, and we have had many processes in place to keep our teams as engaged as possible. Working with Action Mental Health and kicking off our year with the Miles for Mental Health challenge is giving our staff a great bonding experience with some healthy competition, as well as getting out there in the fresh air for some physical exercise which we all know boosts our mental wellbeing also.”
Also founded in Northern Ireland, Action Mental Health is a multi-faceted organisation which has its AMH New Horizons services at its core, available across Northern Ireland. With AMH New Horizons, clients can benefit from a variety of personal development, vocational skills and employability training options, including accredited qualifications and work placements. The charity also offers a range of services and programmes aimed at improving mental health and developing resilience in children and young people as well as counselling for people of all ages.
Jonathan Smyth, Head of Communications and Fundraising, added; “Even before the pandemic, mental illness was one of the biggest challenges facing society here, with Northern Ireland having the highest prevalence of mental health problems in the UK.
“Action Mental Health provides a range of services to support people in Northern Ireland and we are seeing ever increasing demand. It is with that in mind that we are absolutely delighted to be appointed as Henderson Group’s charity partner. As a local charity we rely on the generosity of the Northern Ireland public and the support of local companies like Henderson Group to help provide many of these services.
“We are also looking forward to working alongside Hendersons to support the mental health and wellbeing of their staff. It is wonderful to see them starting the partnership with their ‘Miles for Mental Health’ challenge. We hope this offers them a fun way to not only fundraise, but also get active and support their own mental health.”
Henderson Group will participate in virtual and active challenges throughout 2022 and beyond, such as the Great Purple Picnic, Belfast City and London Marathons, and will mark World Mental Health Day with the charity in October.
Bronagh finished; “We have great plans that will help fund the vital services Action Mental Health brings to people in Northern Ireland, including those who need support and guidance to navigate employability and workplaces.
“We look forward to getting started and kicking off a successful and thriving partnership.”
Bronagh Luke, Henderson Wholesale and Keira Campbell, Henderson Foodservice launch Henderson Group’s recent charity partnership with Action Mental Health with Jonathan Smyth from the charity.
EyeonEvents
Burns Night Supper and Whiskey Tasting at Hinch Distillery hailed a great success
Dr Terry Cross OBE and Michael Morris, International Sales Director, at Hinch Distillery are pictured at the Burns Night Supper and Whiskey Tasting, where traditions and culture exchanged over the centuries were celebrated. Guests were greeted by Campbell College Pipe Band and entertained with a Burns poetry recital delivered by Matthew Warwick, education officer, Ulster-Scots Community Network. A whiskey tasting masterclass featuring some of the finest Scotch and Irish Whiskey was enjoyed with a traditional meal of haggis, neeps and tatties. Hinch Distillery is located in the grounds of the beautiful Killaney Estate in Co Down.