Business Eye March April 2022 by Buckley Publications

Issue 213 March/April 2022 £2.50 Voted best Business Magazine in Ireland 2005 and Magazine of the Year for Northern Ireland

100 Years of Law in Northern Ireland Looking to the future & reflecting on the past Features:

Translink’s Chris Conway Exciting Times Ahead

Down Royal - Back To Business For Home Of Racing

Deadline Approaches For Brand New Family Business Awards

Electric & Hybrid vehicles can bring a lot of benefits to your business. Find out more about our emotive offering... fleetfinancial.co.uk/emotive

Contents

March/April 2022 ISSUE 213

£31 Million Invested In 12 Tourism Recovery

Delivering Office Solutions 40 To Meet Changing Needs

Tourism NI has highlighted early signs of success for its investment across a range of programmes, initiatives and campaigns to support the recovery of the tourism sector throughout Northern Ireland.

Organisations’ office requirement are changing in the wake of the Covid pandemic. Leading service office accommodation provider VenYou, operators of the Scottish Provident Building, are extending their portfolio of office solutions for companies here in NI.

For NI’s Largest 18 InMilestone House Legal Team Citi in Belfast is gearing up to celebrate 15 years of its in-house legal team, the largest of its type in Northern Ireland. General Counsel Lauren McCoy discusses Citi’s Belfast Global Legal Office and its approach to providing challenging roles.

Women In Law - Breaking 20 The Glass Ceiling David Mulholland, Chief Executive of the Bar of Northern Ireland, celebrates the changed role of women in the law here in Northern Ireland, epitomised by the appointment of Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan as NI’s most senior member of the judiciary.

Climate Change & The Property Sector

As Northern Ireland makes progress on climate change legislation, Jayne Adair, Associate with TLT, looks at potential impacts on landlords and the property sector here.

The Rise & Rise Of NI’s Sustainability Agenda

Danielle McCormick, Owner and lead consultant of Triterra, Northern Ireland’s uniquely placed sustainability and mentoring consultancy, is joined by Tara Moore, Head of Spa Operations and Chairperson of the sustainability committee from the Galgorm Collection.

Down Royal - Back To Business For NI’s Home Of Racing

The annual St. Patrick’s Day meeting marked the first time that horse racing and all of the social life attached to it found itself back where it was prior to March, 2020. Business Eye caught up with Down Royal’s Chief Executive, Emma Meehan.

Voice For Locals - New National Initiative Launches In NI

Voice For Locals, a government-backed initiative for small and micro businesses, has been launched here in NI ahead of other UK regions. We talk to Voice For Locals founder Jay Thattai, a man with a passion for engaging small businesses.

In Good Company - Musgrave 46 Group & Action Cancer SuperValu and Centra, part of Musgrave NI, have been working in partnership with Action Cancer since 2001- one of Northern Ireland’s longest standing charity relationship and one which has raised a phenomenal £3.3 million to date.

NIE Networks Business Eye Family Business Awards

The countdown continues towards the brand new NIE Networks Family Business Awards in association with Harbinson Mulholland with the entry deadline of 15th April fast approaching.

Translink’s Chris Conway 36 Exciting Times Ahead Translink Chief Executive Chris Conway seems to thrive on a packed in-box, and that’s probably no bad thing. The man who heads up Northern Ireland’s public transport network has plenty to think about just at the moment.

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As we head into yet another election campaign, it’s pretty clear that Covid hasn’t really made us all be nicer to one another. At least, not our politicians.

Comment

“For most ordinary voters, it’s fairly obvious that cripping oil and gas prices and fast-accelerating inflation across the board are a whole lot more worrying than a set of rules governing imports into Northern Ireland, even though there are some links between the two.“

Richard Buckley EDITOR Irish Magazine Editor of the Year 2005

t’s all been a bit fractious and shouty since campaigning got underway...but there’s nothing new there. It was always thus. This time around, we’ve had poster thefts, we’ve head posted defacings, we’ve had poster fires and – in a more sinister twist – we’ve had a hoax bomb forcing the evacuation of the Irish Foreign Minister from a Belfast event. And, of course, we’ve alredy had plenty of sniping amongst the leading parties. Their key priorities are different as always. DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the man who landed us in yet another election by walking out of the old Stormont administration, reckons that there is only one. The Northern Ireland Protocol. The vast majority of us in business – and it really is a vast majority – think otherwise. Most of us can see some flaws in the Protocol, but also lots of opportunities, some of them potentially very valuable indeed. Most of the other parties think that there are other, more pressing, issues facing the electorate and business here alike. Issues like inflation, the rapidly rising cost of energy, the rising cost of raw materials, the knock on effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, post Covid recovery and a whole lot more. For most ordinary voters, it’s fairly obvious that cripping oil and gas prices and fastaccelerating inflation across the board are a whole lot more worrying than a set of rules governing imports into Northern Ireland, even though there are some links between the two. Will the electorate deliver a different verdict this time around? There are many who seem to think that will be the case. For others amongst us, predicting wholesale change in Northern Ireland elections is a bridge too far. It rarely happens.

But, with businesses and households here facing unprecedented challenges, the most important thing is that devolved government is back in action up at Stormont in the days that follows the 5th of May. If, as widely predicted, Sinn Fein wins the largest vote and Michelle O’Neill is set to become First Minister, then other parties have to accept the democratic verdict, get on with it and make things work. It’s simply not a democracy if the voters go to the polls and then one party (or two, if you count Jim Allister’s TUV) refuses to play ball because it doesn’t like the result very much. But that, Sir Jeffrey has hinted, is exactly what might happen in May. The DUP and wider unionism here doesn’t have a lot of friends outside of Northern Ireland. Internationally, it has none. In UK terms, it has a few. But, as Boris Johnson and his colleagues have shown on more than one occasion, any friendship is pretty fragile indeed. To submit itself to election, and then to walk away on the back of a disappointing result, would paint Sir Jeffrey’s party in a very poor light indeed. Households need help, businesses need help, and a stable, healthy devolved government is the only way forward. The alternatives don’t bear thinking about.

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Aer Lingus Regional Services Start From Belfast City Airport

Emerald Airlines, the operator of Aer Lingus Regional, has commenced its new services from Belfast City Airport. Flights to Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Manchester and Birmingham are now operation. Services from Belfast City to Glasgow and Exeter will commence from early May, 2022.

ommenting on the announcement, Ciarán Smith, Head of Commercial at Emerald Airlines said: “Today is a very exciting day for us at Emerald Airlines. With our growing team of Cabin and Flight Crew based in Belfast City Airport, combined with the customer demand to travel again, Belfast has always been an important market for us. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, we want to be the airline of choice for customers travelling, be it for business or leisure, to and from Belfast City Airport – and today is the first of many routes we will be servicing to achieve just that.” Reid Moody, Chief Strategy and Planning Officer at Aer Lingus, said: “Today marks another important day for Aer Lingus Regional services.

The commencement of these services from Belfast City Airport will be welcome news for customers and for connectivity to and from Northern Ireland. Customers will be able to enjoy the value, convenience and warm welcome that Aer Lingus is proud to deliver.” Ellie McGimpsey, Aviation Development Manager at George Best Belfast City Airport, which is just a five-minute drive from the city centre, said: “Birmingham has always been an incredibly popular route from Belfast City so it seems fitting to launch our partnership with Emerald Airlines with flights to Birmingham. We’re certain Birmingham, along with Edinburgh, Manchester and Leeds Bradford

Zita Forte, Andrew Mulhall, Ciarán Smith, Ellie McGimpsey, Kieran McDonell, Ken Boyd.

all starting later this week, will be successful services used by both business and leisure passengers. This is a long-term partnership, and we very much look forward to further developing the network and providing additional frequency in the coming months.” Aer Lingus and British Airways services to London City and

London Heathrow from Belfast City Airport remain unchanged. Aer Lingus Regional flights will be operated by the ATR72-600, the latest generation of turboprop aircraft combining unmatched environmental and economic performance. These ultra low fuel burn aircraft emit up to 40% less CO2 on these short, regional flights.

Ciarán Smith, Head of Commercial Emerald Airlines and Ellie McGimpsey, Aviation Development Manager at George Best Belfast City Airport.

Eye on News

Double Win For Mount Charles At Facilities Management Awards Mount Charles is celebrating winning two awards at the Facilities Management Awards 2022, which took place on Thursday, March 24th, at The Radisson Blu Hotel, Golden Lane, Dublin.

he Innovation in Technology & Systems Award – End Users and The FM Workspace Transformation Award was awarded to Mount Charles who has over 33 years’ experience in the delivery of vital facilities management services to a diverse range of customers within both the public and private sectors. The FM Awards programme recognises the excellent work carried out by Ireland’s facility and property management teams and companies and businesses from all over Ireland came together in Dublin, to collaborate and showcase their achievements. Gavin Annon, Sales and Marketing Director of Mount Charles said: “On behalf of the entire team, I am enormously proud to receive both The FM Workspace Transformation

Award - In-house and the Innovation in Technology & Systems Award. “These awards are a benchmark for excellence and recognise the successful implementation of our Technology Transformation Programme within an astounding 15-month timeframe, less than 50 per cent of the time originally projected. “The introduction and upgrade of our internal and operational systems has contributed to the success, growth and profitability of the company bringing Mount Charles to the forefront of innovation, revitalising our service offering and enhancing reporting and oversight of our service performance. “This has allowed us to provide a tailored dashboard for our customers, bespoke to their service, requirements,

Collecting the FM Workspace Transformation Award from Les Sheridan are (L-R) Mount Charles’ Chief Operations Officer Jonathan Mallon & Gavin Annon Sales and Marketing Director.

and the information that they want to see and has facilitated additional contract wins in NI and ROI, all whilst

maintaining our family instilled values, core people focus and unique support service dynamics.”

Crafting Exceptional THE

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Eye on News

SPAR NI returns to Balmoral with host of family fun for this year’s Show

SPAR NI is putting families and great local food at the heart of its presence at Balmoral Show this year, as Northern Ireland’s leading agricultural event returns to its May dates for 2022.

s Platinum sponsor of The Show, the team at SPAR NI will be welcoming visitors to their stand where they can sample SPAR’s wide range of high quality tonight’s tea products, created in collaboration with local producers, while playing host to tractor-loads of family fun and giveaways across the four days. SPAR NI will also sponsor the Children’s

Farm in the Healthy Horticultural Village, while the on-site SPAR store will provide fresh sandwiches, snacks and coffee for visitors and exhibitors for the duration of The Show. Bronagh Luke, Head of Corporate Marketing at Henderson Group which owns SPAR in Northern Ireland said the whole team is looking forward to experiencing Balmoral at its best this

May; “We are looking forward to the buzz of those famous four days at Balmoral, meeting the visitors, providing samples of our locally produced food and enjoying new experiences. “This is the 11th year SPAR has been a Platinum Sponsor of The Show, and our brand is continuing to build productive partnerships with local farmers and suppliers to produce innovative products which visitors to the Show and our stand this year can sample, and pick up in their local SPAR stores.” Henderson Group, which owns the SPAR brand in Northern Ireland, sources over 75% of its fresh food locally, and SPAR NI’s own brands, SPAR Enjoy Local,

The Kitchen, The CHEF and Greengrocer’s ranges are created in collaboration with local farmers, growers and producers and available in almost 500 SPAR, EUROSPAR, ViVO, ViVOXTRA and ViVO Essentials stores across Northern Ireland. Bronagh continued; “Local has taken on a whole new meaning in the past couple of years. Shoppers are even more reliant on getting good value and trusted customer experiences with their local retailers, who became the hubs of their communities during the Pandemic. We’re here to show that SPAR is at the heart of their community, providing every day value with faces in-store who they know and trust.” While at the Show, SPAR NI will also support charity partner Marie Curie alongside EUROSPAR and ViVOXTRA charity partner, Cancer Fund for Children with their now instantly recognisable red Stetsons, which visitors can pick up from the SPAR NI stand for a small donation towards the charities. Bronagh finished; “Visitors to the Show are incredibly generous and it’s fantastic to see the sea of red hats amongst the crowds around Balmoral Park. We have no doubt the crowds will once again be extremely generous towards our two very deserving charity partners.”

Golf Boost For Children’s Cancer Unit £ 103,315 was raised for children living with cancer in Northern Ireland at The Children’s Cancer Unit bi-annual Golf Classic where Hinch Distillery, Ballynahinch was the main sponsor. The two day golf tournament is a key event in the fundraising calendar of the local charity which supports the work of the Children’s Haematology and Oncology Unit at the Royal. This is a major boost for the charity as the pandemic halted most charity events and greatly reduced opportunities for people to raise funds for the Children’s Cancer Unit including the postponed Golf Classic in 2020. In Northern Ireland, between

60-70 children are diagnosed with cancer annually, each of them will visit the Children’s Cancer Unit as it is the only place in Northern Ireland where these young patients can receive specialist treatment. Anna McDonald (c) from The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity accepts a cheque for £103,315 from CCUC Golf Committee Members; Johnny McQuillan from McQuillan Companies, Steven Kher, Owner of Flame Restaurant, Felix Mooney, Wellington Park Hotel and Malcolm Macfarlane from Serviced Apartments in Belfast. They are also pictured with Dr Terry Cross OBE (second from left) at Hinch Distillery, which was the event’s title sponsor.

Eye on News

NI’s Legal Leaders Urge Women to Scale the Career Ladder

One of Northern Ireland’s top legal leaders is calling for the profession to be a ‘pioneer of change’ by addressing the gender imbalance at the top of the sector’s career ladder.

esonating with the ‘Break the Bias’ message of International Women’s Day, Brigid Napier, President of the Law Society of NI is concerned that women hold only three out of every ten partner positions in private practice. The leadership imbalance is more stark when compared to the breakdown of new lawyers joining the profession, with women accounting for over two-thirds of the most recent intake of 122 entrants. “While attracting and recruiting younger women solicitors is

not a problem, retaining and encouraging them to achieve their career potential is of wider concern,” said Brigid Napier. “There’s obviously a glass ceiling that halts those in some private practices, so it’s time to raise standards across the board to ensure female solicitors have a valid and equally accessible career path as their male counterparts. “It is also important that the legal profession reflects and mirrors society just like it does in other justice professions such as policing.” A recent Diversity & Equality

NI’s first female Attorney General, Dame Brenda King, the first Lady Chief Justice, Dame Siobhan Keegan, NI’s second female Justice Minister, Naomi Long, and President of the Law Society of NI, Brigid Napier – the 10th female to hold the position in its 100 year history.

Membership Survey conducted by the Law Society of NI identified issues such as the lack of family-friendly policies, a ‘long hours culture’ and gender pay imbalance as the career red lights for many women. “We can dwell on the issues, but it’s time to shake things up and drive the change which will support and retain our top female talent,” Brigid added. The Law Society President is calling for more targeted mentoring and training, particularly for those who have had maternity leave or a career break, to help establish a better work/life balance. Offering alternatives such as hybrid or flexible working and ensuring this is not viewed as detrimental to career development, is also vital.

As the 10th female President of the Law Society in its 100year history, Brigid Napier joined forces with NI’s first Lady Chief Justice, Dame Siobhan Keegan, the first female Attorney General, Dame Brenda King, and the second female Justice Minister, Naomi Long to reinforce how change is not only within reach, but is a reality. “The fact that the top four positions in law are currently filled by women, is not only historic but it proves that change is happening. Each of us has had to overcome personal hurdles and juggle demands, but together we want to challenge perceptions, mentor and support others, and motivate existing and future generations to excel within this great profession.”

Eye on News

Kingsbridge Launch New Charitable Fund In Partnership With Commmunity Foundation NI

The Kingsbridge Healthcare Group is delighted to announce the launch of a new charitable arm of the Group called The Kingsbridge Foundation which is a giving fund that will be managed and supported by The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, alongside an internal advisory board of staff from across their hospitals and clinics in Belfast and Ballykelly.

orking closely with the Community Foundation the fund will initially focus on raising money for the local community through charitable work, fundraising and initiatives, supporting charitable organisations and causes in Northern Ireland working in the areas of health and wellbeing, including mental health, disability, and physical health. Kingsbridge has made an initial contribution of £50,000 and other sources of funding will come from staff fundraisers

and donations, including additional support from CFNI. Medical Director of the Kingsbridge Healthcare Group and Chair of the Kingsbridge Foundation Advisory Board, Dr Martin Shields said he was so impressed with the willingness from his colleagues and others, to help those in need. “We are launching the new foundation by inviting staff, consultants and friends to take part in this year’s Belfast City Marathon. To date we have 5 relay teams, dozens of staff participating in

Pictured (L-R) launching the new Kingsbridge Foundation are Mark Regan CEO Kingsbridge Private Hospitals, Debbie Johnston and Conor Rooney from the Kingsbridge Advisory Panel, Siofra Healy, Director of Philanthropy, CFNI and Dr Martin Shields, Chair of Kingsbridge Foundation and Medical Director of Kingsbridge Healthcare Group

the 8 mile walk and several others running the full marathon, all in aid of the Kingsbridge Foundation. “There is quite a buzz amongst the staff within the Kingsbridge Healthcare Group who have been busy giving their own time freely to train for the Marathon and fundraise behind the scenes, to ensure that we keep the fund topped up before we allocate the next cohort which will have a focus on loneliness and suicide. “Already we have donated £20k to Cancer Fund for Children for Rory’s Miles to Mayo, as well as other causes that the staff have approved funding for like the Christian Blind Mission, Lighthouse Charity and Positive Life amongst others”. “We are delighted to be in partnership with the Community Foundation NI who will work with us each year to guide and advise the

Kingsbridge Foundation Advisory Panel on how to award funding and assist us in making a positive impact on health and wellbeing in our communities,” said Martin. Siofra Healy, Director of Philanthropy, Community Foundation commented. “The Foundation is delighted to be working with the new Kingsbridge Foundation. The need for health and wellbeing support has been increasing as we emerge from lockdown and restrictions. Giving together is an empowering experience, and engagingemployees to support the causes that are the most important to them is an excellent example of how philanthropy can support causes at a local level.”

Eye on News

BANGOR HOTELIER APPOINTED MENTAL HEALTH AMBASSADOR

n a recent survey, eight out of 10 hospitality professionals reported at least one mental health issue during their career and almost half of those interviewed also said they do not feel comfortable talking to colleagues about their health concerns. Ken Sharp, owner of Boat House Dining and The Salty Dog Hotel & Bistro in Bangor, has witnessed first hand how mental health has impacted his business, his staff and how the past two years have done nothing but compound the situation some have found themselves in. He is therefore honoured to have been appointed as an Ambassador of The Burnt Chef Project to help tackle and eradicate mental health stigma within the hospitality industry once and for all, by burning it away and making the profession healthier and more sustainable. Set up in May 2019, The Burnt Chef Project was founded by businessman Kris Hall as he was all too aware of the challenges people in hospitality were facing. Prior to the pandemic, margins were already slim, staff were working long and anti-social hours and the pressures to perform were all too prevalent. He found that hospitality professionals had difficulty discussing the

Ken Sharp, The Burnt Chef Project Ambassador and owner of Boat House Dining and The Salty Dog in Bangor, with Kris Hall, Founder of The Burnt Chef Project

state of their mental health or seeking support from their peers and employers. He believes that it’s important that although mental health can’t be seen that it should be regularly discussed and policies reviewed, with this as the new definition of a ‘badge of honour’. Speaking of his appointment, Ken Sharp said: “It’s an honour to be appointed The Burnt Chef Project Ambassador. I am committed to working

with my peers to burn away the stigma associated with mental health in our industry and ultimately save lives. “Sadly I have experienced first hand the horror of team members dying, the consequences of mental health issues in others and I, too, have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression as I struggled to keep the businesses going during Covid. From all these challenges, I am acutely aware of the battle people face on a daily

basis. I believe it is vitally important as the industry operates in one of the most difficult of trading times I have witnessed and tries to recover from the impact of the pandemic, that our business owners, management teams and employees are all equipped with the tools to open up conversations and burn away the struggle people find themselves in. I would urge anyone who may be reading this and feeling they may need help with their mental health to seek the help they deserve and not suffer in silence.” Kris Hall, Founder of The Burnt Chef Project, said: “I launched The Burnt Chef Project with the sole intention of eradicating mental health stigma within hospitality and it is a privilege to welcome Ken as an Ambassador. Ken shares our values and ethos in saving lives and making our industry a happy place to build a career.” The Burnt Chef Project provides members with free access to tools and support services for implementing plans to tackle mental health in their hospitality businesses. By providing these services, the non-profit is challenging the stigma of mental health whilst beginning to create a culture of care and compassion which will improve recruitment opportunities and also reduce staff turnover rates.

Belfast Chamber Hosts Bank Of England Governor Belfast Chamber have hosted a business breakfast with the Governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey.

ommenting after the roundtable, which involved a number of Belfast business leaders from a wide range of sectors, Belfast Chamber Chief Executive Simon Hamilton said, “Belfast Chamber are delighted to have been able to host this engagement between some of our members and the Governor of the Bank of England during his visit to Northern Ireland. Belfast Chamber strongly believes that our city’s economy has a bright future ahead of it

but issues around labour supply, business costs and the cost of living are worrying and most definitely impacting upon our members. The opportunity to hear directly from the Governor and share with him the experiences of businesses in Belfast was invaluable at a time when our economy is emerging from the pandemic but also facing a number of new challenges”. Andrew Bailey is pictured with Belfast Chamber President Michael Stewart, Chief Executive Simon Hamilton and Frances Hill, Bank of England Agent for Northern Ireland

Eye on News

£31 Million Invested in Tourism Recovery and Future Growth

Tourism NI has highlighted early signs of success for its investment across a range of programmes, initiatives and campaigns to support the recovery of the tourism sector throughout Northern Ireland. £31 million has been invested by the Department for the Economy and Tourism NI over the last two years in a Tourism Recovery Action Plan to provide a measure of protection for businesses and ensure that the tourism industry can meet the future needs of domestic and international visitors. Recent research and analysis of available data suggests that closer to home markets, particularly the Republic of Ireland, are buoying tourism performance. It also points to growth in domestic staycations. During June-September 2021 data collated by Tourism NI on spend in hotels, bars, eating places and attractions increased by one quarter compared to the same period in 2019. Spend by Republic of Ireland residents more than doubled during the same time period, while domestic spend grew by almost one third and GB spend rose by 10%. Significant increases were evident for online reviews left

by Republic of Ireland residents for NI accommodation establishments during June-December 2021, indicating a positive visitor experience. Tourism NI’s consumer research indicates that approximately half of Republic of Ireland visitors to Northern Ireland during 2021, and the first two months of 2022, were first time leisure visitors. Results also suggest continued strong demand from Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland residents for a Northern Ireland trip in spring and summer this year. Hotel forward bookings paint a positive outlook, particularly for weekends. Tour operators also indicate strong order books going forward. It is anticipated that tourism performance will return to 2019 levels by 2023/24. Commenting on recovery Economy Minister Gordon Lyons said; “As we continue to emerge from the pandemic with increasing optimism we must all continue to work hard to

Pictured at Stormont Estate in Belfast (L-r) are John McGrillen, CEO Tourism NI, Economy Minister Gordon Lyons and Joanne Stuart, CEO NI Tourism Alliance.

maintain the increased numbers of close to home visitors who buoyed performance during the pandemic, and work to attract new and returning visitors from international markets. There is still potential for significant growth and we will rebuild step by step, market by market, starting close to home. We know that the fundamental desire to travel remains, that closer-to-home markets will recover first and that visiting friends and relatives, as well as destinations which are familiar, are the holidays most likely to be considered first.” Tourism NI Chief Executive John McGrillen said; “The Tourism Recovery Action Plan has supported Tourism NI to roll out a number of major initiatives including a heavyweight consumer marketing campaign under the Northern Ireland - Embrace a Giant Spirit brand, bespoke business mentoring, increased support for the conference and events sector and a boosted sales programme in key markets in partnership with Tourism Ireland”. “We will continue to offer support across the industry for a wide range

of additional activity to ensure that businesses are best equipped to thrive. While the last two years have been painful for many, our partnerships across tourism and hospitality have deepened. It is this spirit of resilience and collaboration that will ensure we are ready to meet the many exciting opportunities ahead, not least the return of The Open to Portrush in 2025”. Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance Joanne Stuart added; “The significant support provided by the Department and Tourism NI during the pandemic was critical to the survival of the tourism industry, which in effect lost twelve months trading through closure and traded under significant restrictions since the July 2020 reopening”. “The importance of marketing campaigns to promote Northern Ireland as a destination in our home markets is clear to see. Support at this level is key and building on this investment will enable the tourism industry to play its part in rebuilding a strong regional economy and achieving the 10x economic vision.”

Eye on News

Hillsborough Castle at the heart of Royal Jubilee celebrations for 2022 season With Spring in the air and gardens bursting into life, Hillsborough Castle and Gardens has launched its 2022 programme, keeping the royal residence at the heart of Northern Ireland’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

eopening the doors to its spectacular interiors this April, Hillsborough Castle will reveal a treasure trove of memories from Her Majesty The Queen’s visits to the village over the past 70 years. To mark the Platinum Jubilee, the table in the State Dining Room will be exquisitely laid to reflect the State dinner held during the Queen’s first visit to the Castle in July 1953. The tableware will include the original dessert service used at the dinner, which was purchased especially for the visit, and took place just one month after the Coronation. Stuart Campbell, Public Engagement Manager at Historic Royal Palaces explained; “This is a very special year for us all at Hillsborough Castle. Not only is the village officially celebrating its Royal status, but we are at the heart of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations which we can’t wait to share with our visitors.” Stuart continued; “We will formally kick off the four-day extravaganza

with an official gun salute from the Castle at 12noon on Thursday 2 June, giving our event all the pomp and ceremony this occasion deserves. Our weekend-long Jubilee Garden Party is inspired by those held by the Governor of Northern Ireland in the ‘50s, so the gardens will be dressed and dotted with vintage stalls and fairground rides, while the Castle’s state rooms will also be open for a chance to see that beautiful dining set used at that inaugural official Royal visit.” The Jubilee Garden Party from the 2 – 5 June will be a vintage affair, with local businesses and creators setting up stalls on the lawns of the Castle, while traditional games can be played, and music will fill the air. Vintage cars will convoy through Royal Hillsborough to take pride of place in the Castle’s courtyard for the four-day event, while local food producers and vendors will keep guests well fed with a range of delicacies and treats. Elsewhere in the gardens, a field of flowers will appear, in tribute to Her

Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. Taking inspiration from Superbloom at the Tower of London - which will see 20 million seeds sown in the fortress’s historic moat – Hillsborough’s Platinum Jubilee floral tribute promises to delight visitors and pollinators alike. Complementing this celebratory year will be an enhanced programme of family tours, entertainment and walks at the Castle and Gardens, kicking off with Great Rabbit Run-Around from 9 -24 April, which will see the Castle’s beautiful gardens overrun with rabbits, before the return of the popular Hillsborough Honey Fair in August. Debuting in 2021, the Hillsborough Honey Fair brought together some of Northern Ireland’s top foodies in association with Food NI, honeybee experts, chefs and entertainers in the grounds of Hillsborough Castle for two days of food and honey heaven. The event returns this year with even more tasty treats for those with a sweet tooth, plus a focus on wellbeing, local food and drinks producers, and a wide range of informative and entertaining talks, workshops, demos and live music. And as the leaves start to turn and the harvesting begins, Hillsborough’s

Autumn schedule will see the Scarecrow Parade take watch of the Walled Garden and its unique heritage crops, while the raven’s circle overhead to herald the suitably spooky Wild Raven Walk events for Halloween. Lighting up Christmas festivities, the Christmas at Hillsborough Light Trail will also return for December, running until the New Year with a magical spectacle, lighting up the Gardens like they’ve never been seen before. Stuart finished; “From our Easter trail this spring, the Jubilee celebrations and Honey Fair in the summer, to our Christmas themed tours and programming to end the year, we have three packed seasons of events for visitors from across Northern Ireland to enjoy with us. We are very much looking forward to welcoming our members and new visitors to the Castle and Gardens, and can’t wait to celebrate in style.”

For more on Hillsborough Castle and Garden’s opening details, 2022 events and Jubilee celebrations, visit hrp.org.uk/ Hillsborough-castle.

Eye on News

Healthcare Ireland acquires Priory Adult Care’s seven Northern Ireland homes

Healthcare Ireland (HCI), the Holywood, County Down headquartered care home operator, has completed the purchase of Priory Adult Care’s portfolio of seven Northern Ireland facilities.

he acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, accelerates the group’s ambitious expansion plans and makes Healthcare Ireland the largest privately-owned care home group in Northern Ireland with some 24 sites and over 2,000 staff. The new additions include seven homes across Northern Ireland: Carlingford Lodge Care Home in Warrenpoint, Bannview Care Home in Banbridge, Cairnmartin Care Home in Belfast, Bohill Residential Care Home in Coleraine, Ben Madigan Care Home in Newtownabbey, Blair House Care Home in Newtownards, and it has also purchased the learning disability facility at Bohill House Care Home in Coleraine which will be operated by Gold Healthcare, the specialist

adult services division of HCI. All the homes are purpose built. One of these was constructed by HCI for Priory Adult Care in 2011 and the purchase follows negotiations over the last 2.5 years. Gilbert Yates, Chief Executive Officer of HCI, said: “At Healthcare Ireland, we are focused on providing the best possible care for each and every one of our residents and the seven new homes will allow us to bring our person centred approach to more and more people. We are proud to acquire this portfolio of high-quality care facilities which will dovetail perfectly with our range of homes across Northern Ireland. “With the addition of these homes as well as a strong pipeline of new-build sites across Northern

Gilbert Yates, Chief Executive Officer of Healthcare Ireland

Ireland, we are further enhancing the provision of top quality living environments for our residents and we will continue to focus on building world class facilities going forward. We are deeply proud that with this latest purchase we are now one of the fastest-growing healthcare groups in the UK and can bring our person focused approach to more and more people, who deserve the very best care available.” HCI has a further six new-build care home sites planned across Northern Ireland, with the next project in East Belfast and a fiveacre healthcare village also in the Greater Belfast area. The company has an excellent working relationship with the Healthcare Trusts across Northern Ireland, working in partnership to bring the highest quality of care possible to residents. Gold Healthcare, the specialist

adult services division of HCI has recently opened two new facilities in Belfast – Jason Court and Bradley Court – and is completing a further one in Ballymena at Braefield Court which is due to open over the summer. HCI was founded by Gilbert Yates in 2015 and has grown both organically and acquisitively since then to become the biggest privately-owned care home provider in Northern Ireland. The clear focus is to continuously deliver and develop best-in-class care from specialist Gold Healthcare and Healthcare Ireland, in partnership with all Northern Ireland Trusts to facilitate individual requirements and create bespoke care packages and living environments.

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Eye on Law

Northern Ireland’s largest in-house legal team marks 15 years of strength at Citi Citi in Belfast is gearing up to celebrate 15 years of its in-house legal team, the largest of its type in Northern Ireland. General Counsel Lauren McCoy discusses Citi’s Belfast Global Legal Office and its approach to providing challenging roles which allow Citi’s lawyers to constantly develop when they live locally and work globally.

“A

s Citi’s largest legal department in EMEA, the 170-strong team in Belfast is an integral part of the global Citi Legal function, providing legal advice and support to key business areas through document negotiation, product advisory, transaction facilitation, project execution, corporate governance, and regulatory expertise. In addition to these core responsibilities, the Belfast Legal Department also instruct, liaise and work closely with external counsel, many of which are globally recognised magic circle law firms,” said Lauren. The Belfast legal department is made up of several legal teams who support the full range of Citi’s core global businesses including those working within Citi’s Institutional Clients Group (ICG) areas (Markets, Services and Banking), the Corporate division (IP, Sanctions and Global Legal Solutions), the Personal Banking & Wealth Management area where the primary goal is to serve as their clients’ most important and most trusted banking partner and there is also a Litigation support team. Whilst many of the solicitors working for Citi are qualified to practice under English law, the company has long had a pathway for Northern Irish qualified solicitors to join and retrain into banking and corporate law practice areas. Several private practice solicitors have entered Citi’s Legal department over the years, taking advantage of the stability and growth opportunities offered by one of the world’s largest global investment banks. As Northern Ireland ‘leavers’ who have established careers in England and further afield consider moving home, Citi has also welcomed solicitors who are seeking career options to work

General Counsel Lauren McCoy, Citi Belfast

internationally via Citi’s global team, an approach that Citi refers to as ‘living locally, working globally.’ “Just as Citi has challenged the perception of finance and banking professionals over recent years by creating non-traditional pathways to enter the profession, Citi has opened doors to a new type of legal career for a wide range of applicants here in Northern Ireland over the last 15 years,” comments Lauren. “We are now at a level of maturity where we have more advisory and senior roles being advertised in Belfast. We already have over 60 qualified solicitors working within the department, many of whom we have trained ourselves. We are very proud of our ability to develop and retain talent with 3 out of 4 of Citi’s legal directors in Belfast having been with the organisation from Day 1. We believe this showcases how Citi is not only a great place to work due to our commitment to ensuring our people unleash their full potential but also the abundant development opportunities that we have to enable job growth through high quality legal work.” Ensuring a plentiful pipeline of talent into the team, Citi Legal has made a significant financial investment to provide professional legal training to their Belfast staff as a means of recognition and to enable further

progression. The company has qualified 30 solicitors with another 14 concluding training contracts and a further 7 staff on the pathway toward qualification through the new SQE model. The legal team also fosters new talent through the employment of 4 legal placement students per year from Ulster University and Queens University Belfast’s law programmes. As growth continues Lauren adds, “During the pandemic the legal team saw a 20% increase in our headcount. This shows no sign of slowing as we recruit for new types of roles, and future opportunities within our in-house legal team can often seem limitless, with no obvious cap on where our growth can take us, provided we continue to find the talent to fill the roles.”

Currently Citi Belfast advertises over 20 roles ranging from a Cyber Security Lawyer to a Regulatory Advisory Lawyer to a Legal Automation Specialist. To explore the full range of legal roles available at Citi Belfast visit jobs.citi.com

Succession planning for family companies Covid 19 has prompted many family business leaders to think about their plans for the future and successfully managing the process of transferring the business to the next generation is now a hot topic.

esearch published by Legal & General found that only 30% of family businesses survive the transition to the second generation and only 10% make it to the third generation. The main reason for this is the lack of planning, with only 42% of family-owned businesses having any form of succession planning in place. There are 2 key areas to consider in deciding the future of a family business – management and ownership and these do not always have to be the same people or group of people. In terms of management, it is vital that the future management of the business has both the right skills and capabilities to run a successful business. In many instances the correct person to head up the business may not be a family member. In deciding who should take over the management of the business, the current owner should objectively try to determine who is best placed to take the business forward. As far as possible, emotions should be kept out of such a decision. Questions that should be asked in determining the successor could include

the right skills and abilities? actually want to take over?

Early open discussions about the future ownership of the business reduces the risk of future conflict. As it is not always possible or practical for all future owners of the business to be involved on a day to day basis, many family businesses are changing the way important decisions are made. A board of directors may run the business, but a family council or constitution may be set up to help resolve

Ronan McGuirk

disputes and improve communications. Although these family constitutions may not be legally binding, they can be important in articulating a family’s values and may include a stewardship declaration which can include rules about managing family and business assets, the policy for dividend distributions, personal financial planning, succession planning and family members’ obligations to a business. In determining the future ownership of a business, parents have to think through what is right for the family and what is right for the business and recognise that there may not be a perfect solution. Any succession plan will need to consider the tax implications. The good news for families is that the UK tax system for transferring business assets or ownership of a business is fairly generous. It is possible for a business owner to pass on their business free of tax during their lifetime or after their death. Care is

needed to ensure that the reliefs are available, maximised and where appropriate, claimed. The worst thing a business can do in relation to succession planning is bury its head in the sand, so please take professional advice at an early stage.

Ronan McGuirk is a Chartered Tax Advisor, a Chartered Accountant and is Tax Director at ASM Chartered Accountants Newry and Dundalk. ASM has a further offices in; Belfast, Magherafelt and Dungannon. Ronan can be contacted by phone at 028 302 69933 or by email ronan.mcguirk@asmnewry.com Visit www.asmaccountants.com for a full list of services.

Eye on Cover Story

“The glass ceiling is starting to shatter but has not yet broken” The words of Moira Smyth QC, one of a group of extraordinary women in law. Women leading the way within the Barrister profession and rightly gaining recognition for their excellency in advocacy and legal knowledge, writes David Mulholland, Chief Executive of the Bar of NI.

he Bar of Northern Ireland celebrated these women through the Justitia Project, a photographic exhibition capturing female Queens Counsel (QCs) past and present. It was apt that the exhibition took place during the week of International Women’s Day, celebrating the abundance of female talent within the barrister profession and serving to inspire and encourage the next generation of female Judges, QCs and barristers. Moira Smyth QC gave the keynote speech during the Justitia Project exhibition event. She set out the great progress that has been made in the 100 years since Frances Kyle and Averill Deverill became the first women Barristers to be called on these islands. The event was also enhanced by the contribution of The Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan, Northern Ireland’s most senior judge and the first woman to be appointed to the role. The appointment of the first Lady Chief Justice is a seminal moment for women in law. It marks

a high-water mark in the hundred years since women were first called and follows on from the advances made by figures such as Mary Lenaghan (later, Mary McAleese. President Of Ireland), the first female member of the Bar Council and Eilis McDermott QC, the first female QC in this jurisdiction. While we look forward to a day when, due to further progress and sustained change, we may no longer need to highlight the specific role of Women in Law, nevertheless the evolution of the role of women in the profession over the past 100 years deserves special recognition. It should be of comfort and encouragement to our clients who, put their trust and needs into our hands, to see that the Bar is a meritocracy and one which is working hard to be more reflective of a society with a diverse membership that can empathise with the lived experiences that they have. Nonetheless there is much more to be done. As Martin Luther King Jr observed

Moira Smyth QC gave the keynote speech during the Justitia Project exhibition event.

“This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.” Women are still underrepresented in the Barrister profession at present. Females account for only 35-40% of Barristers working in Northern Ireland, and yet make up less than 20% of the total number of QCs practicing in our jurisdiction. The retention and advancement of women in law remains a key challenge. Despite entering the profession in equal proportions as men for more than two decades, the level of retention and the proportion

“It should be of comfort and encouragement to our clients who, put their trust and needs into our hands, to see that the Bar is a meritocracy and one which is working hard to be more reflective of a society with a diverse membership that can empathise with the lived experiences that they have.”

of women in senior roles has increased only marginally since the 1990s. Research we undertook found that a 50/50 gender profile at the Bar soon becomes a significant male majority after ten years in practice. There is no doubt that female Barristers are forced to contend with multifaceted challenges Membership feedback provides an insight into the lived experiences of women at the Bar. In addition to the challenges they share with their male counterparts by virtue of their status as self-employed

practitioners - including working long hours and with unpredictable schedules and workloads - they additionally face unrealistic demands from others, poor personal well-being and mental health issues that are more likely to be suffered by women than men. These experiences are not unique to female barristers in Northern Ireland. The Scandinavian paradox, for example, demonstrates that how despite leading the world with gender equality policies, law firms across the Scandi nations still struggle with female representation

at the very highest levels. The challenge of maintaining a family and a career in a competitive environment is also cited as another critical factor in the high attrition rates of females in the profession across different jurisdictions. The Bar Council of Northern Ireland, however, can’t respond with a shrug of the shoulders, do nothing and point to a global experience with deep seated societal roots. The legal sector must be at the forefront of the fight to ensure that all are truly equal, not only under,

but also within the law. The Bar of NI is listening and taking steps to effect positive change. We’ve committed ourselves to the Diversity Mark programme and are implementing a range of measures, including a new breastfeeding suite within the Bar Library, a revised bullying and harassment policy aimed at addressing power imbalances and a maternity mentoring scheme. But, if Moira Smyth QC tells us that the glass ceiling is starting to shatter, we should also be alive to the glass walls that women in law can often find themselves operating within.

Eye on Cover Story

There is a very marked difference between the areas of practice amongst male and female practitioners. Family law is practiced by eight times more female than male practitioners. Meanwhile, criminal and personal injury cases are a bigger element of male practitioners’ caseloads. There are real risks associated with horizontal gender segregation in any profession. For example, payments in family law cases tend to slower than other areas of publicly funded work. As a result, those majority of women working in family law, wait for payment on average 50% longer than men. The problems associated with slow payments look set to be compounded under the terms of the proposed 2022-’25 draft Executive budget. Justice will suffer a net budget decrease under the terms of the draft budget, the only Department earmarked for a reduction in spend. If the Legal Service Agency (LSA) faces a reduction in its budget, it may seek to address this by delaying paying bills. That will mean that the only barristers who might withstand the resultant cashflow pressures will be those who may have accumulated sufficient reserves from previous years.

“Women are still underrepresented in the Barrister profession at present. Females account for only 35-40% of Barristers working in Northern Ireland, and yet make up less than 20% of the total number of QCs practicing in our jurisdiction.”

Therefore, younger, female practitioners may be forced to cease practice altogether. Not only would this set back the Bar’s efforts to establish a diverse profession that is reflective of our clients but crucially it will see the services that our barristers provide begin to reduce and eventually stop. People facing challenges such as the care of vulnerable children, family separation, adoption and domestic violence, deserve to have access to dedicated and committed barristers to help them in their time of need. Anything that reduces access to justice should be of serious concern. The Bar Council will therefore continue to work with policy and decision makers at all levels to set out the consequences

of the implementation of the draft Northern Ireland Executive Budget. The Justice system is reflective of the society it operates within. However, we also have a unique responsibility to provide visible leadership and foster diversity at the Bar. And yes, let’s continue our focus on the glass ceiling that is, “broken but not yet shattered” – but let us also bring down the glass walls which can often box women in and impede efforts towards a Bar that reflects the society it serves. David Mulholland, Chief Executive, Bar of Northern Ireland

Eye on News

Optimism as International Tour Operators Return Tourism NI has hosted its first face to face Meet the Buyer trade event after two years of delivering the event virtually.

Tourism NI is hosting its first face to face Meet the Buyer trade event after two years of delivering the event virtually. Pictured at ICC Belfast (L-r) are Sushant Pilanker, Al Rostamani Travel, Katie Daly, Katy Daly’s Travel, Naomi Waite, Tourism NI’s Marketing Director and Shane Clarke, Director of Corporate Services, Policy & Northern Ireland.

all the operators at the Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Banbridge. Over the weekend many of the

businesses and 97% said the event exceeded their expectations. “The operators are seeking to meet new suppliers, learn about new experiences, add to existing programmes or create new ones

participation of these buyers from around the world is a strong indication that interest in programming Northern Ireland remains high and that it can, and is, competing with the best destinations in the world.

from sixteen global markets at ICC Belfast today making it the largest international tourism networking platform held in Northern Ireland. Close to 300 Northern Ireland industry and oversea operators gathered for a series of sales meetings and special events which marks the return of international tourism activity. Delivered in partnership with Tourism Ireland, the Meet the Buyer event attracts a wide range of

tour operators took part in five educational familiarisation trips across Northern Ireland, visiting a range of both new and established tourist experiences including the Giant’s Causeway, Strangford Lough, Glens of Antrim, the Mournes, Hinch Distillery in County Down and the recently opened Dark Sky Park and Observatory in Mid Ulster. John McGrillen, Chief Executive of Tourism NI said; “I am delighted at the interest that

and so it is a real opportunity for our local companies to secure important business not only this year but into the future. Over 3000 sales appointments are taking place today and I am confident that these will result in significant business and bookings for future years. “ John added “This week is an important step forward for tourism in Northern Ireland. We are looking forward to connecting again, raising awareness and beginning

“Tourism Ireland has an extensive programme of promotions under way for 2022. We are taking every opportunity to leverage the many good news stories about Northern Ireland tourism this year – including the opening of the new Game of Thrones Studio Tour, the recent designation of Belfast as a UNESCO City of Music, the 10th anniversary of Titanic Belfast and the fact that The Open will return to Royal Portrush in 2025. We are also highlighting

international tour companies and opens up a window of opportunity for local businesses to showcase their tourism offerings and attend one-to-one appointments with a prequalified group of overseas buyers. The week began with a showcase arrival evening on Monday hosting

our flagship b2b event Meet the Buyer has generated this year after a two year break from meeting face to face. The last time we met in person, 91% of our industry attendees found that the operators were genuinely interested in generating bookings with Northern Ireland tourism

the crucial task of recovery in our key international markets.” Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, said: “Tourism Ireland was delighted to bring 140 top international tourism buyers to Northern Ireland for Meet the Buyer 2022 from 16 global markets. The

Northern Ireland’s screen tourism success, including the final series of ‘Derry Girls’ and the new ‘Belfast’ film directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh. Our message is that Northern Ireland is open for business again and we cannot wait to welcome back visitors from around the world.”

he annual flagship b2b networking event welcomed tour operators

Eye on Telecommunications

Diaceutics upgrades to cloudtelephony with BT Cloud Voice provided by Xperience Formed in 2014 and headquartered in Belfast, Diaceutics is a world-leading pharmaceutical company. In 2021 they opened a new office at the King’s Hall in Belfast, Johnny Rice, IT Director for Diaceutics recalls “Since we were one of the first businesses to move in, there was no existing telecommunications infrastructure, which prompted us to reach out to Xperience.

e needed something that would give us flexibility for staff to receive important calls even though they may be in the office, on the road, or working from home.” Speaking to John Murray, Sales Solutions Manager from Xperience about what solution would best fit Diaceutics he explained “We had been contacted by Diaceutics prior to the pandemic regarding other ICT solutions for their new premises, however when the pandemic struck construction work on the building halted. Like many other customers, Diaceutics was faced with a new challenge of communicating with their remote workforce, who were operating via a mobile phone network to stay connected with their clients. Xperience, with BT, presented the management team of Diaceutics with the advantages of BT Cloud Voice. With a Cloud Hosted telephone solution, it did not matter where an employee was working or what device they were using, as long as they had an internet connection, customers

Left to right John Murray, Sales Solutions Manager, Xperience with Johnny Rice, IT Director, Diaceutics at the Diaceutics Office at the Kings Hall.

calls could be transferred easily between teams. In addition, the ease of configuration for call routing and reporting in the Cloud Voice customer portal would simplify the support for the IT Manager as he can work from a single pane of glass to manage the telephony for the entire group.” Johnny from Diaceutics explains, “We decided to partner with Xperience and implement BT Cloud Voice as it would give us the extra flexibility to maintain a presence within departments and allow team members to receive important calls no matter where they would be working from. In particular, it would be perfect for maintaining contact with our remote workers in different continents.” Johnny further explains how

BT Cloud Voice has helped within the business and made his role easier. “Employees will no longer have to carry around hardware to stay connected. Post-pandemic, we anticipate that our marketing and sales teams will travel quite a bit, and BT Cloud Voice will enable them to stay connected with their team, clients, and the wider business through just an internet connection. This cloudbased telephony system has the advantage that I can remotely push it out to other locations via the online portal, ensuring everyone is always up to date with the latest features without any interruptions. The portal also provides me with real-time management and status updates on the health of the system.”

Johnny explains why he chose Xperience to deliver this project “During a previous project conversation, I was extremely impressed with the knowledge and professionalism of Xperience. John Murray was very credible, clearly knew his stuff and what he was talking about, he hit the nail on the head with the details for our solution.”

If you are wanting to modernise your telephone infrastructure and find out more about BT Cloud Voice, reach out to Xperience via enquiries@ xperience-group.com

Eye on Offices

Has Covid-19 killed the traditional office environment? The Covid-19 pandemic struck hard and fast and, in its wake, has completely transformed the traditional workspace. As many firms introduce a permanent hybrid model of remote working, it brings a new debate to the forefront of conversations across the nation: what is the workspace of the future? BeyondHR Managing Director Helen Hardy shares her thoughts:

t has been a turbulent two years for workplaces across the nation. Firstly, firms were forced to navigate the murky waters of Brexit, driven by labour shortages, new legislation, and access to resources. This was followed, almost instantly, by the Covid-19 pandemic which presented unprecedented challenges to business operations. Whilst there is no denying that we are starting to see some semblance to normality return, many of the changes that rung through workspaces during covid will continue to echo in the coming months as normality gets redefined. The speed of shutdown forced entire offices to shift to remote working suddenly and employees had to adapt fast as management and team dynamics changed overnight. Communication no longer consisted of the team hunched together in the boardroom, or bouncing ideas off eachother at the coffee machine, but instead became completely virtual. Although there was fear that this change would create a less-engaged workforce, for many firms, the opposite was true and productivity levels increased. After being chained to the comforting familiarity of navigating busy commutes and working 9-5, the sudden change to home working enabled employees to pocket an invaluable currency – time – creating a work/life balance that had never been possible before. However, working from home doesn’t come without its own perils. The distractions that we had long become accustomed to were removed - we no longer had a commute or bumped into people as we ran between meetings on stairwells and although we didn’t realise it, these distractions afforded us some much-needed downtime

throughout our day. Forced to work from home, many of us became all work, forgoing this vital downtime to ensure we weren’t perceived as ‘slacking’. Covid-19 has not caused a temporary disruption of workplace operations but instead has fuelled a seismic shift that will alter the workplace environment indefinitely. This includes the future of the physical office itself. Although traditionalists will argue that the office environment and benefits that it provides cannot be transferred to a remote setting, for many employers, the office has become redundant as business operations continue to be carried out remotely. As offices throughout the nation continue to reopen, workers are refusing to go back to the way things were. The ‘Great Resignation’ has left firms struggling to attract and retain staff and to combat this, they are forced to reconsider their company benefits. Employees are leveraging this shift in power dynamics and demanding more flexible working arrangements, and this has resulted in many firms, including us, are trialling a new hybrid way of working – something we can expect to be the new norm if firms wish to attract and retain the top talent. Whilst this way of working garners many benefits, the communication issues that arise from such an arrangement cannot be ignored. Workers opting to continue working remotely are isolated from the workforce and often miss out on conversations that happen naturally throughout the day. For many managers who have long been used to sharing news to employees first-hand in the office, this change means that messages can quickly get lost in translation and sometimes, be lost altogether.

BeyondHR Managing Director Helen Hardy

A nationwide skills-shortage has also brought a new debate to the table, the four-day work week. Although the idea has been whispered around offices for years, it is only now that it appears to merit serious consideration as firms grapple to attract staff. Or perhaps more firms are simply realising the need for a better work-life balance for employees. Although this concept certainly brings with it its own set of obstacles. The consumer culture of wanting products instantly means we are reluctant to wait for goods and services, so how can we offer a reduced working week to an industry already overwhelmed with demand constantly outweighing supply? Or for those firms dependent on fulltime workers as their source of income such as childcare suppliers, for which the introduction of a four-day work week would have significant financial cost. The truth is, whilst the introduction of a four-day work week would afford employees the luxury of a much better work/life balance as well as

allowing companies to attract top talent, for many firms on which we rely on, it simply could not work. Perhaps the truth is that the traditional office has long needed a shakeup and Covid-19 has only accelerated changes that were inevitable. Firms need to reconsider what it means to get ‘back to the office’ and instead of emphasising a return to the physical office environment, firms should encourage ‘face to face’ days, which focus on the invaluable benefit of face-to-face communication, something that lends itself to more than just an office building and can for example, be held in a coffee shop. For me, the office environment is a collaborative space where colleagues can grow and learn together in a physical environment created to adapt to change, in line with employee and employer needs and personally, I am glad we are back together, sharing ideas and connecting on a personal level that we just can’t imitate virtually.

Eye on Housing

Climate Change & The Property Sector As Northern Ireland makes progress on climate change legislation, Jayne Adair, Associate with TLT, looks at potential impacts on landlords and the property sector here.

rogress on climate legislation in Northern Ireland has historically been slow, as we lag behind both the rest of the United Kingdom and Europe. Recent progress to align our legislative position with other countries in Europe is very welcome. However, whilst there has been much commentary in the press regarding the impact of these changes on the agricultural industry, what do they mean for those operating in the residential housing sector? In December 2021, economy minister Gordon Lyons launched Northern Ireland’s new energy strategy. Hailed as an “ambitious new strategy designed to ensure Northern Ireland’s energy is secure, affordable and clean for future generations”, the strategy is just one of a number of new measures implemented by the Northern Ireland Assembly to commit the region to netzero and improve energy efficiency. To further Northern Ireland on this journey, in early March of this year the Assembly passed the Climate Change Bill, committing the region to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Developers will already be aware of changes made to the building regulations at the end of 2020. It saw a requirement that all new buildings constructed be ‘nearly zero-energy buildings’ (a building with very high energy performance, where the nearly zero or very low amount of energy required should be extensively covered by renewable sources). Mindful of further legislative changes afoot, many forward-thinking developers in Northern Ireland have been proactive in their response to climate change initiatives. We have seen an emergence of ‘lowcarbon’ developments, some house builders even going so far as to add solar panels, battery storage, renewable air source heat pumps or electric-

vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to their homes. Indeed, in England new building regulations now mandate EV charging points in new-build properties from 15 June 2022 onwards. For landlords, a new Private Tenancies Bill is currently going through the legislative process. Broadly speaking the Bill looks to improve protections for tenants, however the second stage of the bill gives the Department for Communities power to make regulations concerning the energy efficiency of dwelling houses let under a private tenancy. Whilst the Bill doesn’t specifically state any minimum EPC standard, it will allow the department to regulate minimum standards in

the future to align with the position elsewhere in the UK. In England, minimum EPC requirements are already codified in law under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. As of 1 April 2020, it is unlawful for a landlord in England or Wales to grant a new residential tenancy for a property with an EPC less than E. There is increasing pressure to better these minimum standards, with Scotland consulting on minimum EPC rating of D by 2025 and England on a minimum EPC band C by 2030. Our Assembly is still to introduce minimum EPC requirements, although the energy strategy does include recommendations around this area. The path to net zero is now clearly

coming into focus for the Northern Ireland government. Pressures are mounting to align the position in the housing sector with that of the rest of the UK and developers, landlords and investors alike should act now to protect and future-proof their investment.

Jayne Adair, Solicitor at TLT, Jayne.Adair@TLTsolicitors.com, +44 (0)7788 338 380

Eye on Finance

Upstream – drama free funding solutions! What difference would a sustainable flow of working capital make to your business?

ou could unlock discounts with your suppliers, manage your supply chain more efficiently, fund the growth you have long been planning for, employ new staff, explore new territories – the opportunities are probably endless. At Upstream – part of Cubitt Trade Holdings (Europe) LLC – we specialise in structuring scalable, flexible and innovative working capital solutions for ambitious businesses where growth, and development is being constrained due to insufficient

SECTOR: Bakery and food manufacture for retail multiples – quality-end buyers such as M&S / Tesco / Sainsbury / Waitrose etc CHALLENGE: The promoters bought the business in a challenged state, and the incumbent Bank had no appetite to fund growth once their legacy debt was under control. With focus and hard work opportunities opened up fast for the new owners, and when a competitor was unable to fulfil a seasonal order, Upstream provided essential supply chain funding to enable the client to fill a substantial multi million pound M&S order. By carving out this buyer from the Bank’s security suite, Upstream structured and completed the transaction

and unimaginative funding. Covering Ireland and headquartered in, Upstream is run by an experienced team of owner-managers. We’ve been “walking the walk” for more than a decade, supporting businesses of all sizes and across most sectors. Now, as part of a major, international finance group, we have access to significant capital which has been earmarked for deployment in the UK and Ireland’s commercial and corporate markets. The funding we provide is all about enabling successful, growth-focused businesses to propel themselves forward. We’re always happy to talk! Here’s how we recently assisted one well known Northern Ireland business:

in 4 days - thereby assuring the customer of both a profitable deal and a strong ongoing relationship with M&S. As a result, the client has now moved all working capital funding – Supply Chain Finance and Invoice Discounting - to Upstream and the business is growing fast. This year it plans to go on the acquisition trail – again with Upstream and wider Cubitt debt and equity. FACILITY SIZE: £500K day one. Now £3M overall in lines of finance available. UPSTREAM FUNDING SOLUTIONS: Supply Chain Finance, day one to solve a high-pressure problem – delivered without drama in 4 working days. Upstream stepped up and

“Without the team in Upstream, we could not and would not be where we are today. The confidence they had in us to deliver our plans was so refreshing, and their willingness to provide capital efficiently and seamlessly is matched by their professionalism.” BAKERY BUSINESS OWNERS

Alan Wardlow and Judith Totten of Upstream

negotiated with the client’s Bank to carve out the appropriate security. Speed, confidence, flexibility, approachability, and a willingness to just ‘get the job done’ were all key factors in this deal for the client. This attitude led to a complete migration of all working capital facilities from the Bank to Upstream – within 4 months of first meeting. USPS / DIFFERENTIATORS: A “can do” attitude, solutions driven and not policy-led, speed

and efficiency of decision making, simplicity and appropriateness of a bespoke solution. Partnership focused relationship building and above all, empathy.

Eye on Finance

Leading Chartered Accountant Says Stormont Is Failing Leadership Test The Chairperson of Chartered Accountants Ulster Society has called on Northern Ireland’s main political parties to end political instability, provide a shared vision for Northern Ireland and to provide real leadership for its people.

Pictured at the Chartered Accountants Ulster Society annual dinner at Titanic Belfast were (L-R) Michelle Prentice & Jane Gill (Ross Boyd Ltd), Matthew Berry, Ivan McKee, Ross Boyd, Brenda Buckley (Business Eye) and Philip Gill.

peaking to 400 guests at the Ulster Society’s Annual Dinner, sponsored by Danske Bank and MCS Group tonight (31 March), Maeve Hunt called for a Northern Ireland Executive to be formed immediately after the Assembly Election to end the terrible impact of political uncertainty and to address the real issues facing business and wider society. Maeve Hunt called for a new Executive to get back to leading Northern Ireland, create a shared vision and agree a Budget to support the economy and meet urgent needs. Maeve Hunt said: “As it stands, with costs rising, supply chain disruption and a war in Europe, our Executive is unable to present a vision for the future and an agreed budget for services for our people. “Invest NI’s suspension of offers of

financial support sends out a message that Northern Ireland isn’t open for business. The finance minister tells us that £300 million pounds of funding for local services cannot be allocated. “The failure to agree a three-year Budget is disappointing. We are frustrated at the indecision. We are angry that our devolved Government is failing us, yet again. Our Ministers are not doing what we put them there to do. That is to deliver timely decisions on our economy and every sector of our society where there are glaring needs. “Our members clearly still believe that Northern Ireland is a great place to live and a great place to do business, but we’re in dire need of real leadership. We are crying out for a shared vision. With all that’s going on in the world, it’s vital that we have leadership taking key decisions,

encouraging business investment and looking to the post-pandemic future. “The longer political instability continues, the more difficult it is for local business to contribute to growth, create jobs and provide a better quality of life. “The health crisis has changed how we live and how we work. We now have an opportunity to rethink how we do things. We have an opportunity to assess how our small region sits in the wider world. “It is an opportunity to embrace the post-pandemic future, to re-energise our economy and to realise the fantastic potential that exists here in Northern Ireland. We must ensure that this opportunity does not pass us by.” A recent survey of Chartered Accountants in Northern Ireland found that only 1% rated the performance of the NI Executive as ‘Good’, with 78% rating it as ‘Poor’ or ‘Very Poor’. 44% said that the number of businesses in financial distress is increasing, just 13% felt it was decreasing.

Ms Hunt also paid tribute to the role which Chartered Accountants have played during the COVID-19 health crisis. She said: “The last two years have been unprecedented. It has been tough for a lot of people. A lot have struggled, and many have experienced personal loss and tragedy. “Our members have been at the sharp end of trying to keep businesses running and keeping jobs viable. Their expertise has been essential in maintaining livelihoods and in keeping key services going. The Ulster Society is proud of the role that our members have played throughout the health crisis.” Providing entertainment for guests at the Ulster Society Annual Dinner were award-winning local comedian Paddy Raff and musicians and dancers from Belfast BeO. The Chartered Accountants Ulster Society’s Annual Dinner took place at Titanic Belfast and was attended by 400 members and their business guests.

Pictured left to right, Zara Duffy, Chartered Accountants Ireland, Phil Clarke, MCS Group, Maeve Hunt, Chartered Accountants Ulster Society and Vicky Davies, Danske Bank.

Eye onSustainability

Eye on Sustainability

THE RISE OF THE SUSTAINABILITY AGENDA FOR NORTHERN IRELAND BUSINESSES

Eye on Sustainability Danielle McCormick, Owner and lead consultant of Triterra, Northern Ireland’s uniquely placed sustainability and mentoring consultancy with over 20 years’ experience, is joined by Tara Moore, Head of Spa Operations and Chairperson of the sustainability committee from the Galgorm Collection, to discuss the rapidly changing pace of the sustainability agenda within the business sector across Northern Ireland. Danielle: I have witnessed a massive shift in the sustainability agenda across Northern Ireland over the past few months, with businesses becoming really tuned in to its value, and are now beginning to embrace sustainability into their own business strategies. This is something that the Galgorm Collection have also began their journey on, can you tell us a little bit about what has inspired you to do this? Tara: The last number of years, and particularly the period of lockdown, has really afforded us the opportunity to reflect on our business across all areas, including sustainability. There has undoubtedly been a paradigm shift towards sustainability as a key priority, from both a business and consumer perspective, and this is something that business can’t shy away from. As a family run business, we value the importance of making a change for our future generations and feel that we have a responsibility to introduce green practice within our operations. When we reviewed our business it actually became clear that we were already doing a lot on this topic without realising it, and from this point we moved forward to form our Environmental Committee to lead on implementing change. Danielle: Working within the sector, I’m acutely aware of the clear and tangible benefits from an economic, social and environmental perspective for businesses, but how do you feel that the Galgorm Group’s sustainability agenda is going to benefit the business as well as its stakeholders? Tara: Research has shown that consumers are actively choosing to visit properties based on their environmental credentials, not merely the facilities on offer. Our core clientele is 24 – 35 age

bracket who are environmentally conscious and engaged in the conversation around climate change and adopting a greener approach to living. As a customercentric business, it’s imperative that we are tailoring not only our offering but our approach to green tourism in order to continue attracting guests to our properties. We have already began rolling out our Green Policy 10-point plan, which has been carefully considered and consulted at every level to realise our goal of creating an exciting, fully sustainable destination that works for the environment, our guests, our team and communities. Our large workforce of over 800 employees is environmentally conscious, and this has been considered in our comprehensive plan which places a sustained focus on healthy living, wellbeing and diversity. Initiatives include introducing outdoor pursuits at Galgorm, developing a state-ofthe-art fitness suite at The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat, and developing an outdoor spa at The Old Inn. A key pillar of our plans is a focus on supporting our local communities and giving back, with our team actively engaging in a range of activities from community litter picking to charity fundraising events in aid of our partner charities Simon Community and Community Rescue Service. Of course, there are also the financial benefits associated with introducing sustainability practices, particularly in relation to the current challenges faced by way of rising energy costs. With the expanse of the Resort and the future development plans that are to come, we have begun progressing installation projects to commence later this year in both solar and hydro power, harnessing the power of the River Maine which flows through the Galgorm Estate.

Danielle: When I am consulting and mentoring with clients, I advise of the importance of getting engagement and buy-in from staff, management and board members across all levels of the organisation. Has this been an important part of your strategy and how have you engaged team members to help drive forward your initial sustainability goals? Tara: We are very fortunate to have a highly engaged team who readily bought into our pledge to achieve carbon neutral status by 2030. That support and buy in extends right from the Board of Directors through to our team across the Collection, and our dedicated Environmental Committee. From the outset we were keen to form a dedicated Environmental Committee, so we reached out to team members who already had a keen interest. We are open, transparent, and ambitious in our plans, and The Board of Directors have been imperative in enabling myself, Jonny and Vincent to dedicate time to establishing the 10-point plan, and understanding the time required to focus on making real, tangible change in a realistic time frame. There is a shared commitment to continually reviewing and reporting on our

progress and successes as part of our shared greener future. Danielle: For some businesses the idea of getting started can seem a bit overwhelming, as an organisation also starting out on this journey, what would be your advice to those who are keen to follow suit? Tara: Taking the first steps towards our journey in sustainability did feel overwhelming with the scope of operations and the jargon involved. From my experience it’s important to speak to experts like yourself Danielle, and begin with small steps – it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Once you have the grasp of what is involved and the goals that you aim to achieve, you can then make a plan with realistic targets. I’m excited to be involved in this journey and hope that I can eventually also help other businesses who are passionate about taking their first steps in sustainability.

To contact Danielle McCormick email: Danielle@Triterra.co.uk or call on mb:07518096673, or to find out more about Triterra log on to www.triterra.co.uk

Eye on Sustainability

Good Things Are Taking Root As Guinness Embarks On Regenerative Agriculture Pilot Ireland selected as location for three-year barley pilot which aims to drive positive outcomes for the planet and farmer livelihoods.

uinness is undertaking one of the most ambitious regenerative agriculture pilots to take place on the island of Ireland. Regenerative agriculture is an approach to farming that works in harmony with the natural environment to put back more than it takes out. This extensive, three-year farm-based programme intends to highlight opportunities for reducing the carbon emissions of barley production. The key outcomes are expected to include: improvements in soil health and its carbon sequestration potential; enhanced biodiversity; reduction in synthetic fertiliser use; enhanced water quality; and improved farmer livelihoods. The ambition is for the barley grown to be used to brew beautiful tasting Guinness. In the first phase in 2022, the programme will begin with at least 40 farms across spring and winter barley sowing. As the pilot develops, many more farmers will be engaged to take part. A network of partners has been assembled to shape the design of this pilot, including highly respected technical partners and local Irish agronomists. Guinness will work in collaboration with Irish farmers and suppliers including, Boortmalt, Glanbia and Comex McKinnon, to understand the most effective regenerative practices, adapted to the local context and the specific needs of Irish barley production. Walter Furlong Junior, one of the farmers involved in the pilot commented: “We’re delighted to be partnering with

Guinness on this programme. The great thing about regenerative agriculture is the simplicity of the approach. It’s not a complicated process - it works in harmony with nature whilst providing a commercial benefit for farmers. We already use regenerative agricultural practices and have seen a marked improvement in the quality of the soil on our farm. It is a highly effective approach that leads to much better outcomes”. John Kennedy, President, Diageo Europe, commented: “This pilot is the first such programme being implemented by Diageo and the outcomes will help inform other potential opportunities, not just on the island of Ireland, but in other countries where we source raw materials. “We will openly share the results from the pilot programme so that other farms can learn and adopt practices that have demonstrated the highest potential impact from an environmental and farm profitability standpoint. Like the Irish farming community, we are ‘all in’ for the long haul – for our people, products, partners and planet. At St. James’s Gate, we are only 263 years into our 9,000 year lease and we will never settle in pursuit of a more sustainable future.” This programme forms part of Diageo’s wider 10-year sustainability action plan, Society 2030: Spirit of Progress, and the company’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions across its direct operations and a 50% reduction in scope 3 emissions by 2030.

Eye on Sustainability

Majority of Northern Irish smaller businesses don’t understand ‘carbon jargon’ The majority of smaller businesses in Northern Ireland don’t understand how common environmental terms such as ‘net zero’, ‘carbon neutral’ and ‘carbon footprint’ apply to their businesses, according to new research commissioned by the British Business Bank.

he Opinion survey of 1,000 senior decision makers in smaller businesses in Northern Ireland found more than half (55%) believe the language, terminology and information around emissions reduction are overcomplex. The survey found only a third (33%) want advice on measuring their business’ carbon footprint and over half (54%) want information to help them assess whether reducing their carbon emissions make financial sense for this business. Nearly half (44%) of those surveyed don’t know where to get information on reducing their carbon emissions and how best to approach related commercial or financial opportunities.

‘Carbon jargon’ terms misunderstood by business include: 1. Greenhouse gas emissions: 96% of businesses did not have a full understanding of the term and what it meant for their business 2. Decarbonisation: 75% 3. Net Zero: 73% 4. Carbon Neutral: 75% 5. Carbon Footprint: 61%

The British Business Bank’s #GreenToGrow campaign, launching today, aims to demystify and alert smaller businesses to the commercial benefits of investing in decarbonisation. Resources include a new ‘Green Decoder’, an online guide designed to help smaller businesses decipher the terminology surrounding decarbonisation. The British Business Bank’s online Finance Hub also provides a series of guides and information about green issues and how smaller businesses can start their journey towards net zero. Just six percent of smaller businesses say reducing their carbon footprint and environmental impact is their number one priority for 2022. Alongside expanding sales and improving operational efficiency, the survey found investing in new technology equipment was the biggest priority for around 16% of Northern Ireland-based businesses in 2022, versus only eight percent nationwide. Mark Sterritt, UK Network Director, Northern Ireland, British Business Bank said: “Smaller businesses are far too often put off by the overcomplex ‘carbon jargon’ that comes with reducing emissions. By helping decipher some of the terminology around decarbonisation the British Business Bank hopes to show smaller businesses that simple, incremental changes, such as switching off equipment when not in use can make a difference in their net zero transition.

“This will become an increasingly important businesses requirement. Given that many consumers now consider sustainability when they make a purchase, by becoming greener, smaller businesses can enhance their competitive edge and expand their customer base. “Our new mission at the Bank is to continue to drive sustainable growth across the UK, and to enable the transition to a net zero economy, by improving access to finance for smaller businesses. This new #GreenToGrow campaign will help more businesses find the information they need to move toward transition.”

Smaller businesses have a big role to play The British Business Bank’s Smaller businesses and the transition to net zero report, published in October 2021, found that smaller businesses account for around half (50%) of total emissions from UK businesses[2] Nearly half (47%) believe, however, that a reduction in their carbon emissions will not make a significant difference to the environment and three in four (76%) believe large corporations are responsible for most of the business carbon emissions in the UK.

Eye on Sustainability

Climate action: Ardmore puts its best foot forward Climate change is a defining business issue of our time and if organisations are to make a difference here in Northern Ireland, the time to act is now, says Paul James, Strategic Business Director at Ardmore. “If we don’t take action, the collapse of our civilisations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon.” - Sir David Attenborough

ver the past year I have often felt like we are living in a time that just pre-dates an apocalyptic movie, like Interstellar, where we have to find a way off this planet. Like the majority of global experts, I believe that Climate Change is humanity’s biggest ever challenge, but also an unprecedented opportunity to create change and protect our future generations. I, for one, hope we don’t blow it. The truth is that the world is off target when it comes to global warming and emission reduction. By 2070, temperatures in Northern Ireland could be up to between 3.9°C and 4.9°C warmer, winters 25% wetter, summers 38% drier, and, by 2100, sea levels in Belfast could rise by up to 94cms. These remarkable, projected changes could threaten life as we know it – failing crops, water availability, extinction of species, extreme weather, major irreversible changes and health issues. The UK was the first major economy in the world to pass laws to end its contribution to global warming by 2050, a goal which can only be achieved if we all play our part. The climate emergency continues to grow in importance on the public’s agenda, and, according to a recent survey carried out by Belfast Chamber, the vast majority of businesses here strongly support the pursuit of carbon reduction targets. It’s simple. Businesses need to act now and address the climate emergency. However, they also need to grow. Hence, it is no surprise that many will also look at embracing sustainability as a compelling

opportunity to drive income and innovate so that they can help to meet the climate challenge. At Ardmore, we made a big decision last year that it was time to play our part in three significant ways: carbon footprint to net zero. creative campaigns we produce and advertise for our clients. to promote more sustainable consumer choices and behaviours . We have set out on this journey with our own adaptation of the UN’s Race to Zero Framework – Pledge, Plan, Proceed and Publish: PLEDGE: We are committed to reducing our

operational carbon footprint to net zero as soon as possible and have started the process to make this an official, public Climate Action Pledge. We first established a Climate Action Task Force to lead the project and inspire the wider agency team. Next, we engaged Planet Mark, an independent consultancy, to measure our CO2e emissions baseline and help us to plan and certify our journey to net zero. And thirdly, key members of our Task Force are participating in Business in the Community’s Climate Action Program to increase our capacity to plan and implement our strategy. PLAN: Once our Carbon Emissions baseline is independently reported with Planet Mark,

Ardmore will publish its Climate Action Pledge, Plan and annual interim targets to reach net zero emissions. This plan will include the reduction of our operational footprint and actions to measure and address the footprint of our creative productions, media campaigns and supply chain. PROCEED: The action plan will be implemented with immediate effect, with the goal of consistently delivering or exceeding our interim targets. PUBLISH: We will report, publish and independently certify our progress annually with our partners Planet Mark. PLATFORM FOR CHANGE: We will develop a Platform for Change to not only drive and document our journey to net zero, but also to inspire, educate and help our staff, clients, audiences and stakeholders to take Climate Action. For example, with the average person in the UK emitting 10 tonnes of CO2e per year, our Platform for Change aims to find fun and engaging ways to help staff reduce emissions across their energy usage, transport, food and more.

Your turn? Has your company established a climate pledge or plans to reach net zero? Whether you are already on the journey or you want to start but aren’t sure how, we would love to share our experience. Do get in touch - paul.james@ardmore.co.uk.

Eye on Climate

COCA-COLA HBC SETS 2040 NET-ZERO TARGET

Local drinks giant Coca-Cola HBC has announced its commitment to achieve net zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2040.

he announcement by the company, which employs over 450 people at its plant in Lisburn, is the latest demonstration of its commitment to sustainability and investment in its Northern Ireland operations. Measures will include moving to 100% renewable electricity and significantly increasing renewable energy use in other aspects of the business, including heat and transport and refrigeration. Coca-Cola HBC will also play a significant role in the introduction of Deposit Return Schemes across the island. General Manager Miles Karemacher said: “As the climate

crisis intensifies, every business needs to play its part to cut carbon emissions from its direct operations and across its supply chain. With today’s announcement, we are delighted to be playing our part locally in the transition to a low carbon society. “This commitment is the ultimate destination of a journey that we started many years ago and is fully aligned with our philosophy to support the socioeconomic development of the local community and to make a more positive environmental impact. “As a Group, Coca-Cola HBC, has already achieved sciencebased carbon-reduction targets,

Miles Karemacher, CCHBC, General Manager Ireland & Northern Ireland pictured with Méabh Austin, FareShare NI Development Manager at the announcement of CCHBC’s Net Zero by 40 commitment.

so our confidence is founded on a strong track record. Locally, within our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Knockmore Hill, Lisburn, we have reduced our overall emissions by 60 percent, and by 32 percent in our value chain in the last decade.” “While a majority of emissions result from third party actions across its supply chain, Coca-Cola HBC will broaden its existing partnership approach with suppliers, assuming responsibility across the entire process from production to consumption. “Committing to net-zero targets requires the whole organisation – along with all of its partners – to change the way it acts and thinks, with agreed actions and shared determination. We are in a position to provide

leadership and support. Although we don’t yet have all the answers, I’m confident that by working collectively and collaboratively, we’ll find the answers and the determination and confidence to achieve our goal”, Karemacher said In February this year, Coca-Cola HBC was again rated Europe’s most sustainable beverage company, by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, one of the world’s leading sustainability benchmarks. It is also ranked among the top sustainability performers in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) benchmarks such as Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), MSCI ESG and FTSE4Good.

Eye on Transport Our bus and rail systems are emerging from the many challenges of the Covid era, work has started on a dealchanging new Belfast transport hub, and public transport here has to continue to grapple with sustainability targets. Chris Conway talks to Business Eye’s Richard Buckley at Great Victoria Street Station.

“C Translink’s Chris Conway – Exciting Times Ahead For NI’s Public Transport Network

Emma Meehan CEO

Translink Chief Executive Chris Conway seems to thrive on a packed in-box, and that’s probably no bad thing. The man who heads up Northern Ireland’s public transport network has plenty to think about just at the moment.

ovid was a real challenge for us,” says Chris Conway, reflecting on the past two years. “Put simply, we had to keep public transport running even during the worst times of the pandemic. That put big pressures on our staff, but they responded really well. I think we can say that we’re proud of what we achieved.” As the pandemic recedes, the Translink chief can see positives on the horizon. “The pandemic reduced traffic congestion and improved air quality. We think we can build on that by encouraging more people to use public transport going forward. “Climate change has also been brought to the fore. I think everyone knows that we have to heed the warnings this time. Added to that, we’re all having to face serious challenges around the real cost of fuel. Certainly, it’s something that’s impacting on us as an organisation. “People need to start making choices, and we think public transport has a really big role to play.” Ground work is now well underway on the extensive site of what will become Belfast’s brand new bus and rail transport hub with hundreds of workers already involved in the early stage engineering work. “It is a massive infrastructure project by any standards, one of the biggest in Ireland in recent years” says Chris Conway. “It will create an integrated, best in class transport hub, bringing trains, buses, bikes and pedestrians together in the middle of the

Eye on Transport city. It will also be a major gateway for Northern Ireland. “The public transport network runs as a hub and spoke system, so when you increase the capacity of the hub, you increase capacity right across the network. At the same time, we’ll be increasing frequency right across both rail and bus networks. So the hub has major significance for Northern Ireland as a whole.” On timescales, major utility works have been completed, piling is about to begin and the rest of the construction project will flow from there towards the opening of the new complex in 2025. “There will actually be a phased opening between 2024 and 2025,” he adds. “That will give us an opportunity to start the regeneration works around the new station.” Weaver’s Cross, as it is called, offers an opportunity to develop over one million sq.ft. of mixed use space right in the heart of Belfast and will provide the catalyst for much-needed regeneration of the Great Victoria Street area of the city. “It’s clear that there is a need to invest in our public transport systems. Both the British and Irish Governments have committed to investment in their networks. One of the first areas that we need to address is the connection between Belfast and Dublin.” The Dublin Enterprise, which currently departs from Lanyon Place Station, will depart from the new hub once it is completed. “We want to get to an hourly Enterprise service between the two cities in the next few years, and we’d also aim to improve the journey time to 90 minutes.”

Translink’s other major project post-Covid is the roll out of its Translink Future Ticketing System (TFTS) across bus and rail services. Starting with Belfast’s Metro services, the system will be deployed across the network over the next 18 months gradually migrating all passengers to a ‘tap on, tap off’ form of travel. “It’s a big technology project for us and we’re been working on it for a number of years with French company Flowbird, one of Europe’s specialists in smart ticketing. Tap on will be introduced on Metro buses from this month, and we’ll roll it out from there across Ulsterbus and all of our rail network.

“It will be the largest integrated ticketing system outside of London and we think that it will be a real benefit for local passengers as well as tourists coming to Northern Ireland.” Outside of projects like the Belfast Transport Hub and the Future Ticketing System, investment also continues across the Translink network. “We’ve suffered from decades of under-investment in our rail network and that’s something we’re working hard to remedy. There’s a lot of investment that the travelling public doesn’t see – signalling, bridges, structures – but our five-year plan also includes investment in our stations. “We’ve recently invested in the North West Transport Hub and at Portrush Station, we’re planning a new station at Yorkgate, we’re looking at how we can improve Botanic Station as well as Lurgan and Ballymena Stations. “Beyond that, there’s our fleet. We’re in the process of working towards decarbonising our bus network.” Behind all of this lies sustainability and zero carbon targets. “It’s a major challenge. We’ve got 1400 buses in our

fleet. Even if we invested in a hundred new buses a year, it would take us 14 years to get to where we want to be. And it’s not just the vehicles. There is a lot of infrastructure around zero carbon, hydrogen refuelling stations and charging facilities, for example.” Northern Ireland remains the only region in the UK without any electrification of its rail infrastructure. That will be one of the biggest challenges to face Translink over the coming years, and the organisation has already embarked on initial planning and feasibility studies. “To hit the zero carbon targets we’ve set for ourselves, society needs a modal shift away from the private car towards public transport and active travel. As things stand, about 5% of journeys in Northern Ireland are by public transport. We need to see that doubled to start with. “Before Covid, we had grown to around 85 million passenger journeys. We need to move that to 100 million and keep on building to 150 million. Those are the targets that we really need to be focusing on in Northern Ireland.”

Eye on News

NORTHERN IRELAND CELEBRATES TEN YEARS OF A TITANIC IMPACT

Titanic Belfast Chief Executive Judith Owens with Kerrie Sweeney, CEO of Maritime Trust Belfast

A new report has revealed that Titanic Belfast has generated an estimated £430 million in direct spend for the Northern Ireland economy since it opened its doors 10 years ago today.

he report, carried out by Deloitte Northern Ireland, also revealed that in its eight to tenth years of operation, the combined economic impact of Titanic Belfast has been £79 million, highlighting the vital role the iconic building continues to play a decade on. And to mark its milestone birthday, the world-leading visitor attraction, which to date has welcomed almost 6.5 million visitors from over 145 countries, has embarked on its most ambitious project, and largest single investment to date, a multimillion pound gallery refreshment programme. The investment will come from the Titanic Belfast Gallery Refreshment Fund, established when the building opened as part of the commercial operator agreement and held by the charity owner, Maritime Belfast Trust.

Following an international tender competition, Titanic Belfast has appointed OPERA Amsterdam and Studio Louter to design and deliver the significant project. Judith Owens MBE, Chief Executive of Titanic Belfast said: “As part of the 10th birthday celebrations, we are delighted to announce a multimillion pound gallery refreshment programme which will deliver a world-class spectacle by combining innovative technology with the authentic Titanic story to deliver an enriched, emotive and immersive visitor experience which will sustain Titanic Belfast as a must see global attraction for years to come. “Since opening on Saturday 31st March 2012, Titanic Belfast has gone from strength to strength and played a key role in the resurgence of tourism, not only for Belfast and

Northern Ireland, but for the island of Ireland as a whole. In the last 10 years, we have firmly established ourselves on the local, national and international stage, winning a host of prestigious accolades including being named as the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction. “82% of visitors come from outside of Northern Ireland demonstrating the important driver this iconic building plays for inbound tourism. Titanic Belfast has not only driven leisure tourism but has been fundamental in reinvigorating Belfast’s event industry as one of the city’s signature venues having hosted over 3,000 business and leisure events. We are firmly committed to preserving the authenticity of Belfast’s maritime and industrial heritage and in playing a pivotal role in the regrowth of local tourism post-pandemic, particularly as international travel resumes.” Kerrie Sweeney, Chief Executive Officer of Maritime Belfast Trust, charity owner of Titanic Belfast, said: “On behalf of Maritime Belfast Trust we would like to congratulate

Titanic Belfast on reaching this 10 year milestone as well generating the local economic impact of £430m. Located at the heart of Belfast’s Maritime Mile it plays a key part in making our iconic waterfront a vibrant, accessible heritage destination. Alongside Titanic Belfast, we are delighted to announce plans for the Gallery Refreshment programme in 2023, our most ambitious project and largest single investment to date. Delivered through the Titanic Belfast Gallery Refreshment Fund, it will ensure Titanic Belfast maintains standout, remains a catalyst and key enabler for the regrowth of the tourism industry, driving visitors to Belfast, Northern Ireland and from international markets. We look forward to working with Titanic Belfast, Opera Amsterdam and Studio Louter on the delivery of the project which will enable Titanic Belfast to continue to push boundaries and maintain international standout, whilst preserving our rich maritime heritage for current and future generations to enjoy.”

Eye on Cloud Communications

NI Businesses Urged To Act As Sun Sets on Vodafone 3G The UK’s unstoppable digital transformation is continuing apace, forcing operators and businesses to think yet again about their communications infrastructure and what they need to do to keep up.

arlier this year, Vodafone UK, as one of the UK’s top mobile network providers, announced plans to retire its aging 2G and 3G network in 2023 to free up space and focus on its 4G and the 5G rollout. Other networks are following its lead. Given the significant investment still being made in 4G and 5G technology, faster speeds, a more reliable connection and improved Wi-Fi calling and quality, it may be surprising to discover that there are an estimated 3 million 3G handsets currently in use across the UK, with thousands of users in Northern Ireland still using 3G-enabled phones to keep in touch. The solution is really quite simple, the cost is unremarkable and the benefits are amazing. It’s time to upgrade. At Radius Connect, we understand the challenges faced and provide communications solutions to help businesses operate more efficiently, grow and succeed and ensure they can take advantage of the incredible connectivity options available that really make a difference. Vodafone’s award-winning business partner of choice, Radius Connect supports over 140,000 mobile customers and can seamlessly upgrade mobile networks and handsets for any number of users. Delivering real value and cost-savings for a generation of businesses reliant on speedy connections, fast download speeds and remote working options, Radius is a leader in the market. With a new generation of innovative handsets supporting enhanced 5G connectivity including the just released Samsung Galaxy 22 and iPhone SE22 – businesses can harness powerful new opportunities through unified communications – not to mention longer battery life, stronger cameras and sharper screens. There’s no reason why any local business cannot dramatically improve their prospects now and beat the looming deadline before it’s too late.

A specialist in unified communications, Radius can quickly and easily complement its specialist, competitive mobile services by providing a Cloudbased hosted solution that offers seamless communication on any device from desk phones, mobiles and desktop or laptop apps that facilitate video, chat screens and more. Flexible, easy-to-install and control, hosted systems provide sure-fire reliability and value for money and are easy to use, putting business owners and managers in the driving seat of their business. The digital revolution is very much in full swing, presenting a real opportunity for businesses. According to the CBI, adopting digital technology is an investment for a business, not a cost, and making the right business case to invest is an absolute must.

“Given the significant investment still being made in 4G and 5G technology, faster speeds, a more reliable connection and improved Wi-Fi calling and quality, it may be surprising to discover that there are an estimated 3 million 3G handsets currently in use across the UK, with thousands of users in Northern Ireland still using 3G-enabled phones to keep in touch.” PwC’s 2021 annual CEO survey also points to greater digital investment, with nearly half of all industry leaders planning to increase their spend by 10 percent or more in the year ahead – more than any other spending category. From day-to-day communications, marketing and sales, the way Northern Ireland businesses operate is changing at breakneck speed and enhanced, unified digital technology – including mobiles with the capacity to grow – can provide a simple solution to keep you on track. With more competitive broadband availability, faster mobile and wireless connections available in a post-pandemic world, more local

Stephen McQuoid

businesses are investing in their communications infrastructure to safeguard their long-term future, build capacity and increase resilience. Acting decisively now will not only save money but will unlock even greater opportunity.

Stephen McQuoid is Regional Director, Ireland, Radius Connect. Radius Connect is rapidly becoming a leader in business telecoms in the UK and Ireland. For more information on Radius Connect and the wider family group of Radius businesses, visit www.radiusconnectsolutions.com

Eye on Offices

venYou – Delivering Office Solutions To Meet Changing Needs venYou is the brand name of the company that owns and operates one of Belfast’s best known and highest profile serviced office buildings.

he historic Scottish Provident Building, once home to the insurance company of the same name, is now a serviced office building playing host to a wide variety of companies and home to up to 500 people. It’s a building that kept its door open during the pandemic and a place that is now coming back to life with every passing week as more and more of its client companies see their employees reverting back to office work – at least part-time – as the pandemic continues to recede. “Most of those based here are now back with us, at least for three or four days a week, so there is a real sense of a return to normality around these corridors,” says Donna Linehan, Client Services Director at venYou. “We’ve even seen companies coming back to the building recently after a full two years of working entirely from home. “Some people are a bit wary and a bit nervous to start with, but everyone loves being back once they get used to the idea once again. Working from home was tough for a lot of people. “We have put a number of safety measures in place throughout our buildings including a regular and robust cleaning regime carried out by our dedicated team of housekeeping staff. This has helped to ease a lot of the anxiousness around returning to the office. There’s plenty to love about the

Scottish Provident Building, venYou’s flagship development. It’s a unique building, a listed building, a Belfast landmark and its interior lives up to the expectations set by the dramatic exterior of one of the city’s most iconic frontages. It’s also just about as central as anyone can get in Belfast terms. But it’s not the only serviced office building in Belfast operated by venYou. The others are Ascot House in the city’s Shaftesbury Square and Northern Court in Gloucester Street. venYou is looking forward to a bright future post-Covid, as more and more companies move towards a different way of working. “For some organisations, that means moving away from larger, expensive office buildings with long leases. For others, it simply means moving towards the flexibility and convenience of serviced

office accommodation,” adds venYou’s Operations Director, Jonny Hill. Both Jonny and Donna agree that hybrid working seems to be the most popular option for local organisations at the moment, but both see a clear

and distinct move back towards some form of office working. “Very few organisations that we have come across are staying with working from home as a permanent way of working,” says Donna.

Eye on Offices

At the start of the Covid pandemic, the Scottish Provident Building and its sister buildings had to be kept open for any clients that needed to access to their offices. But, for the most part, they stood relatively empty for the spring and early summer of 2020. Since then, the pandemic has come in waves and the offices have fared accordingly. “We had to work with our clients during the worst of Covid,” Donna continued. “We offered rent relief where it was needed, we provided reassurance, we downsized some clients to virtual office services, and we lent a shoulder to cry on at times. “But, for quite a while now, we’ve been in recovery mode as existing clients have returned and as new clients have

come to us. The Scottish Provident Building is currently at 85% occupancy and we know that will increase over the coming months and into the summer.” The Scottish Provident Building offers a comprehensive range of office suites to its clients, ranging upwards from small offices holding four people, up to 4,000 sq ft units capable of accommodating 30 staff. Once companies outgrow the Scottish Provident Building, larger more open plan spaces can be made available at venYou’s other Belfast locations. Each client has 24/7 access to the city centre building using a sophisticated access control system, which is also in place at Ascot House and Northern Court. During business hours, meanwhile, clients and their staff are supported by

a reception and client services support team. The building also boasts its own lounge and a range of different meeting rooms, each equipped with the latest video conferencing technology. “We’re all too aware that, while most companies are getting back to some form of office working, video calls and virtual meetings have become an integral part of business life, and that won’t change. So, we’ve invested in the technology to allow our client companies to keep in touch both virtually and in person,” adds Jonny. On a different note, the venYou team likes to promote a healthy lifestyle amongst their clients and as such, has upgraded the bicycle storage facilities at the Scottish Provident Building, enabling more clients to cycle to and from work.

State-of-the-art shower and locker facilities are also available for clients to use if they’re planning on participating in a morning gym class or a lunchtime run. “We want to make life as easy for our clients as possible,” continued Jonny. “If a client wants to cycle to work or take part in a gym class, the facilities are there for them to keep their belongings safe and to freshen up for the working day.” “We’ll also add personal touches where we can. We’ve a very loyal staff base who’ve been with us for quite some time, and our clients get to know the people that work here,” added Donna. “There’s a real family feel to working life around here. “Not too long ago, one of our clients asked us if we had an iron and ironing board that they could use. We sent someone off to Argos, got one sorted out and we’ve had it ever since. It’s just a story, but it illustrates what we’re about here at the Scottish Provident Building.” The parent company, venYou, makes no secret of the fact that it is on the lookout for more suitable buildings to turn into serviced office centres. “Definitely,” says Donna. “We’d love to expand and open more. The demand from clients is there. And we wouldn’t limit ourselves to Belfast either. Dublin, Glasgow, Derry/Londonderry.... we’ll keep our options firmly open.”

For more information about venYou’s services or to find out about the vacancies available, call: 028 9091 8500 or email: reception@venyou.co.uk

Eye on Corporate Hospitality

Down Royal – Back To Business For NI’s Home Of Horse Racing

Emma Meehan CEO

The annual St. Patrick’s Day meeting at Down Royal marked the first time that horse racing and all the social life attached to it found itself back where it was prior to March of 2020.

ack then, in the dark days of Covid’s arrival, St. Patrick’s Day events all over the region were among the first to be hastily cancelled as the pandemic swept in. Two years on, and it was business

as usual at Down Royal – with racing on the course, crowds in the grandstands, and guests enjoying the corporate hospitality experience. “It wasn’t easy for any of us in this industry,” says Emma

Meehan, Down Royal’s Chief Executive. “What saved us was that the governments north and south of the border (racing is an all-island sport) agreed that racing could continue after the initial lockdowns,

but behind closed doors. “That meant that our thoroughbred horses could continue to run, it meant that punters and racing fans could continue to enjoy their racing on TV, and it meant that we had some level of income from those television rights,” she explains. “But it doesn’t take away from the fact that the industry here in Ireland lost a lot of money over the past three years.” The devastation continued right up until Christmas and New Year just a few short months ago, when the Omicron variant surge caused fixtures to be cancelled around the island. Down Royal was lucky. It’s annual Boxing Day fixture took place just before Stormont Covid restrictions to deal with Omicron came into force. Covid didn’t mean a prolonged period of closure for Down Royal, or a lengthy spell at home for its Chief Executive. After the first intense couple of months of the pandemic, she found herself back at her office. “We had to continue to maintain and look after the racecourse and its buildings,” she said, “and, after a short break, we had to adapt to running full programmes of racing without any spectators.” In June of 2021, Down Royal was the first Irish racecourse – there are 26 of them – to hold a fixture with 500 spectators allowed back in. But it was run under strict restrictions – social distancing enforced and all drinks served outdoors. “Our suites and grandstands stayed empty,” says Emma, “but it was a start and it was great to be the first Irish course to welcome the fans back.” Since then, progress has continued, with spectators eventually allowed indoors for the big late October National Hunt Festival at the venue. But the St. Patricks’ Day meeting, always a favourite with the racing fans, was the first to take place since the remaining Covid restrictions were relaxed by the Stormont Executive. “It was completely normal and we were delighted that our numbers surpassed the levels of St. Patrick’s Day in 2019, the last year that we can compare with. All of our

Eye on Corporate Hospitality corporate suites were open, and they were over subscribed. “But that’s the challenge that faces us now as a business. We have to continue to surpass 2019 levels as we move on towards our May Day and June Festival meetings.” Down Royal has stepped up its corporate hospitality game over recent years. The racecourse’s landmark Shortcross Gin Suite (formerly named after the legendary Beef Or Salmon) is capable of holding up to 500 people, making it one of the biggest spaces of its kind anywhere around these parts. The upstairs Barclay Communications Suite holds 200, the Moscow Flyer Suite 100 and Down Royal has also added a revamped hospitality area at the Governor’s Stand overlooking the finishing line. “Of course we need to see growth in the coming months and years. Our maintenance costs have continued during the pandemic. We’ll spend £250,000 a year just on track maintenance. And those costs are rising nowadays, just as they are for other businesses. Fertiliser costs, for example, are spiralling and that’s before we mention energy costs,” says Emma Meehan. “It has been estimated that the Irish racecourses were 66% down on revenue due to Covid, so it’s going to take time to recover from an impact like that.” Some government assistance was forthcoming, she adds, but not enough to make much of a difference. Down Royal has a full time staff of 16, ranging from Emma Meehan and her office staff, through to the grounds maintenance team. On the runup to race meetings and during those meetings, the headcount swell into the hundreds. “So it’s all about recovery,” she says. “But we’re very confident that we can recover quickly. St. Patrick’s Day showed that there is a real pent-up demand for live racing and the race day experience. It’s a day out like no other, as our many fans can testify. They’re glad to be back and we’re definitely glad to have them back.”

Eye on Business Support

VOICE FOR LOCALSNEW NATIONAL INITIATIVE LAUNCHES IN NI Voice For Locals, a government-backed initiative to support small and micro businesses, has launched in Northern Ireland ahead of most other UK regions.

t’s a levelling up initiative sponsored by the UK Community Renewal Fund, a UK Government initiative focused on investment in skill development in local businesses. Here in Northern Ireland, it offers participating micro and small businesses a range of free skills, marketing and other services to aid post-Covid business recovery. “Covid has been really tough on lots of businesses and we’re here to help them to reconnect with their customers, gauge performance, use data professionally and pinpoint new business opportunities,” says Jay Thattai, Voice for Locals London-based founder and a

regular visitor to Northern Ireland. “We’re talking about targeted support and personalised support,” he adds. “Businesses have been supported financially through the pandemic by government. But, postCovid, the important factor for a lot of businesses is to get customers back, attract new customers, and make best use of data.” A specific challenge for smaller local retail businesses is attracting back customers who’ve taken their business online, by necessity during the pandemic and now for convenience reasons. “To win those customers back, local businesses need to pull

out all the stops. They need to be really good at what they do, and to let the end customers see how well they do things.” High quality, effective data, says Jay Thattai, is the difference. “It holds the key to post-Covid recovery for a lot of organisations.” Voice for Locals, through its dedicated technology and support divisions, provides a package of support across the picture for Northern Ireland business. “We don’t just provide access to technology. We also provide training on how to use technology and how to make the best of data,” he adds. “We’ll have a team

available to support companies as they move forward. “One of our key messages is that we help small businesses to learn how to gain customers and, even more importantly, how to retain those customers. That’s where high quality data and the best use of technology really comes into play. “Loyalty is one thing. Retention is what really matters for business fighting for customers, not just with other local businesses, but with online multinationals.” The Voice for Locals team is working closely with City & Guilds to gain recognition for e-learning programmes delivered

Eye on Business Support to local business throughout the scheme’s duration. “Businesses can get on board completely free,” Jay Thattai emphasises. “We’re unique to the marketplace and we don’t compete with any other initiatives.” Voice for Locals is currently spreading the word and linking up directly with local qualifying businesses. It will also be working alongside local councils, trade bodies and membership organisations to link up with businesses at a grassroots level. The objective of the UKCRF initiative, funded by central government, is to grant opportunities for UK businesses to invest in businesses or skills, or communities and places, or to help people into employment. The Voice for Locals Initiative seeks to invest in local businesses and skill development across the whole of Northern Ireland in areas including Belfast, Newry, Derry-Londonderry and Lisburn. “This is a mission-oriented innovation programme personalised for local businesses in Northern Ireland to recover, rebuild and rebound post-Covid. We will provide simple toolkits, built using emerging technologies, to help local businesses own and analyse their business data and introduce process improvements through on the job training in customer experience and marketing. The initiative helps change ways of working and delivery of services in line with the 10X vision laid out by the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland”.

“While talent is spread equally, opportunity is not. Levelling up is a mission to challenge, and change, that inequity. Levelling up gives everyone the opportunity to flourish. It means living longer and more fulfilling lives, and benefitting from sustained rises in living standards and well-being, everywhere. “Local businesses operating anywhere in Northern Ireland deserve the best-in-class

personalised support to boost their credibility and expand their visibility for sustainable profitability. By engaging in the Voice for Locals Initiative, local business owners will derive a number of business benefits. In addition to collecting post-Covid customer expectations and experiences, they will be made self-reliant, empowered to make data-driven business and marketing decisions confidently. “In addition, there is a facility to develop and drive customer loyalty programmes, develop referral programmes to drive new business and personalise a series of rewards for loyal customers. Participants will also be offered an e-learning course on which they can attain new skills.” “We will list all rated local businesses in a directory for Northern Ireland. Businesses will be listed by their cities, skills, trade, ratings, reviews and a number of other metrics. Consumers will be both encouraged and empowered to shop locally with greater confidence.” This programme’s directory will act as a unique ‘Shop Local initiative’: to buy, book and hire from local businesses in simple

clicks; genuinely rate local retail and service businesses to allow them to correct any customer service gaps and help them improve and grow. Local consumers will be encouraged to join the local loyalty programmes and gain reward and referral points as part of the journey. Voice for Locals aims to recognise exemplars in their field too with the launch of a ‘Special NI Edition of Top-Rated Businesses’ highlighting the best micro and small businesses in the retail and service sectors as the programme evolves. This initiative will also offer incredible local insights to local government to better understand the post-Covid environment and to evaluate consumer expectations and local business skill challenges to make data driven policy advocacies and interventions.

This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund. For further information about the Voice for Locals Initiative log on to voiceforlocals.co.uk

Eye on Charity

In Good Company Action Cancer and Musgrave NI SuperValu and Centra, part of Musgrave NI, have been working in partnership with Action Cancer since 2001- one of Northern Ireland’s longest standing charity relationships.

Gareth Kirk (CEO Action Cancer) and Trevor Magill (MD Musgrave NI) pictured with Action Cancer Ambassador Elaine Loughlin from Poyntzpass who believes that the original Big Bus saved her life through early breast cancer detection at the age of 45.

he partnership has raised a phenomenal £3.3 million to date in support of the charity’s Big Bus mobile detection unit and schools’ Health Action Programme. Musgrave NI has been at the forefront of the local food retail industry for the last 26 years. In recent years Musgrave has invested heavily in its convenience offering with exceptional levels of customer service at the heart of what they do.

One of the reasons the partnership has gone from strength to strength over the years and continued to grow is due to the shared values of both organisations. This is testament to the commitment of Musgrave employees, retail partners, brand teams and customers. With 37 SuperValu and 102 Centra stores located across NI and with Action Cancer bringing its early detection and cancer prevention

services to every county via the Big Bus and schools programme, both organisations serve their local communities with pride. The £3.3 million in funds has been raised by various initiatives across all SuperValu and Centra stores. Traditional fundraising over the years has included in-store collections, static cycles, mountain climbs, walks, runs and abseils. In more recent years innovative in-store campaigns have included;

themed fundraising days, pumpkin and apple pie sales as well as sales of Action Cancer branded facemasks. An International Frank and Honest 3-day coffee event saw the retailers pledge 50p from the sale of each coffee purchased. Desi Derby Marketing Director for SuperValu and Centra said; “While we all hoped the pandemic would be behind us in 2021 it continued to present challenges. We have, however come up with

Eye on Charity

Lucy McCusker (Corporate Fundraising Manager Action Cancer), Desi Derby (Marketing Director SuperValu and Centra NI) and Gareth Kirk (CEO Action Cancer) celebrate the retail brands raising a phenomenal £190,000 for the charity in 2021.

new and innovative ways to enable our colleagues and retailers to raise money and continue to support Action Cancer, which is a charity close to all of our hearts. We are delighted to announce we have raised a staggering £190,000 over the past year.” “To achieve this significant amount truly demonstrates the unrivalled commitment from our retailers and colleagues and of course the invaluable support of our shoppers who have donated so generously throughout the year.” Gareth Kirk, Action Cancer’s CEO added; “The support from SuperValu and Centra to Action Cancer since the beginning of the partnership in 2001 has been utterly remarkable. Our heartfelt thanks go to the retailers and staff for their enthusiasm, energy and commitment, and to SuperValu and Centra customers who together made a crucial contribution to the lives of so many. It is fantastic to have their continued support of our new Big Bus, carrying on the legacy of our original Big Bus, saving lives and supporting people throughout NI for the next 15 years.”

The Big Bus Action Cancer’s new Big Bus was officially launched in September 2021 by Gloria Hunniford OBE. This vehicle replaced the original Big Bus which had been on the road since 2006 with the support of Musgrave NI. Dual branded with SuperValu and Centra logos, the bus travels to approximately 200 locations throughout Northern Ireland every year, delivering its cancer prevention and detection services in the heart of local communities, with 25 stores hosting the Bus on an annual basis. The services on board the mobile unit, breast screenings and health checks are free of charge to the service user. Every year the Big Bus delivers 2,000 health checks (men and women 16+) which include checks on: blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, body composition analysis. 49% of clients are referred to their GP for further investigations. The Big Bus also delivers 5,000 breast screenings to women aged 40-49 and over the age of 70 (outside of NHS screening age range).

For every 1,000 women screened on board the Big Bus, there are 6 cancers detected. Bridie Treanor (mother of 6 and granny to 4 grandchildren) from Rosslea County Fermanagh had her breast cancer detected in May 2019 at the age of 49 when SuperValu hosted the Big Bus at their Newtownbutler store. Bridie said, “I’m so thankful to Action Cancer’s Big Bus for saving my life. I never would have travelled all the way up to Belfast to attend a routine screening. I’m so grateful that women like me can access this vital service on their doorsteps.” Schools Programme For many years Action Cancer has been delivering its healthy living and cancer prevention messages by educating school children throughout NI. This has only been made possible due to the financial support from Centra and SuperValu. The Health Action Programme is available free of charge to primary and secondary pupils throughout schools all across NI and to date has educated and empowered over 500,000

pupils to make healthy choices. Action Cancer’s Health Promotion team (qualified to post-graduate level) have created 3 levels of interactive programmes- ‘Health Action Heroes’ (Key Stage 1), ‘Be Healthy, Be Smart’ (Key Stage 2) and ‘Your Body, Your Health’ (Key Stages 3+4). Topics include healthy eating, exercise, sun safety and dangers of smoking with older children covering additional topics of life skills, body awareness and cancer awareness. Due to the impact of the pandemic, Health Action has moved from face-to-face delivery in schools to virtual delivery in the classroom. Action Cancer’s ‘In Good Company’ series seeks to highlight the strength and range of current fundraising partnerships.

To find out how your company could work in partnership with Action Cancer, please contact Lucy McCusker, Corporate Fundraising Manager on lmccusker@actioncancer.org or call 07743 416325.

Eye on Insurance

A good broker can be a lifeline during turbulent times Says Jackie Elliott, Commercial Director at Abbey Autoline

Like many industries, the insurance sector is recognising the impact global challenges are having on their businesses.

oaring energy and fuel prices, inflation, supply chain pressures, Brexit, COVID-19 and most recently, the Russian invasion of Ukraine are all having a destabilising impact on economies and ultimately people’s lives. There has already been a noticeable rise in the cost of commercial insurance premiums, and it remains a challenging time for insurance businesses. The industry has already experienced huge losses following the Supreme Court’s decision last year to clear the path for thousands of policyholders and have their claims for coronavirus-related business interruption losses paid for. Under these circumstances, I believe it has never been more important for customers to have a good insurance broker to help navigate these turbulent times. At the height of the pandemic, we found our customers turning to us for reassurance and we were on hand to offer guidance and advice. In an increasingly digital world, it was often a familiar voice on a phoneline which helped provide the most reassurance. Turning to a good broker, whether for advice on commercial or personal insurances, can ensure your policies provide the right cover for your needs and often save you money. A good insurance broker will not only tailor your policy to suit your needs but will also work with a wide range of insurers to get the best deal they can offer. Private motor customers will

have seen a reduction in their insurance premiums due to fewer motorists on the road over the lockdown periods and continued working from home, resulting in fewer claims and allowing insurers to reduce premiums. On the other hand, with rising costs in building materials, the sum insured figure for a commercial property may not be enough to provide the necessary cover this year compared to when the policy was first taken out. Therefore, inflation and the increases in cover required mean business customers are paying more.

This is true across all business insurance policies and a review of clients’ policies is imperative should the worst happen. Moreover, digitalisation has boosted the industry by providing lots of opportunities to put more products online. The use of large data is really developing how insurers analyse trends and patterns while simultaneously producing smarter and more efficient products. As AbbeyAutoline looks ahead, the business will continue to modernise and continue to build strong customer and insurer

relationships. AbbeyAutoline is keen to adapt to the customer’s needs, whether customers prefer meeting face-to-face in one of the 15 offices, talking over the phone or connecting online.

At AbbeyAutoline the team of dedicated experts can help tailor policies to suit your needs during these turbulent times. To find out how we can help visit www.abbeyautoline.co.uk

Eye on News

Fibrus secures a further £220m in funding for broadband rollout F ibrus, Northern Ireland’s full fibre broadband company, has secured £220m from a consortium of banks including the UK Infrastructure Bank, to fund the Company’s roll-out in Northern Ireland where it is investing £0.5 billion to reach 330,000 previously underserved homes. Fibrus is committed to delivering world-class broadband services to rural and regional areas of NI and its network has already reached over 120,000 homes and businesses. The increase in speed and access to full fibre broadband will position Northern Ireland as the lead region for high-speed connectivity, driving economic growth and community cohesion. The investment in increased connectivity is funded by public and private capital including Project Stratum, the NI Executive scheme which has provided £197m to boost rural broadband connections. Colin Hutchinson, Chief Financial Officer with Fibrus welcomed the funding partnership. “We are very well aware of the importance of highspeed broadband across Northern Ireland and with every connection we make, we are making lives better. Too many homes and businesses have been left

behind by other broadband providers and that is not acceptable. This latest investment helps us to meet our current plan of connecting 330,000 premises and we are already well ahead of schedule. Together we are improving lives, connecting communities, and growing the economy. We are making Northern Ireland a better place to live, to work and to invest in.” The business community in Northern Ireland has welcomed the regional roll out of full fibre broadband. Angela McGowan, Director of CBI Northern Ireland, said, “Up to now too many companies and entrepreneurs in more remote areas of Northern Ireland have been left behind as the economy moved online. By ensuring that every premises has access to reliable, quality broadband in a short timeframe, we are giving Northern Ireland a competitive advantage which will be the envy of other regions. This investment by the UK Infrastructure Bank is a great vote of confidence in Fibrus and in the NI economy.” John Flint, CEO of the UK Infrastructure Bank, said: “I am very pleased that we can play a part in supporting homes and businesses across Northern Ireland to access fast and reliable broadband.”

Colin Hutchinson, Fibrus, Angela McGowan CBI NI, Dominic Kearns, Founder of Fibrus

Industry Training Services Invests £300K In Training Equipment And Facilities

s part of its Covid recovery plan and to facilitate customer demand, health and safety training organisation, Industry Training Services (ITS), has invested more than £300,000 in extending its Portadown headquarters and in opening a new Dublin office to expand its offering to clients throughout Ireland. Doubling its training facility, the investment includes the addition of five new training classrooms and new plant at the 12 acre Portadown site, enabling ITS to deliver new, bespoke and accredited courses across its extensive portfolio which includes training in covered street works, confined spaces, scaffolding, operating large plant and machinery, first aid, working at height and safety in excavations. Brendan Crealey, Founder and Managing Director at ITS, which is one of the largest dedicated health and safety training providers in Ireland, said: “Industry Training Services is committed to providing training courses that crucially comply with legal and regulatory obligations in preventing workplace hazards and accidents. “In our 22 year history we are busier now with training enquiries than we have ever been. As organisations begin to experience recovery from the impact of the pandemic they need our training for their staff more than ever, due to the sheer volume of recruitment that

Brendan Crealey, Founder and Managing Director of Industry Training Services

is happening in the construction industry across Ireland. “As part of our own Covid recovery plan this £300,000 investment in new training equipment, including boom and scissor lifts, increased staffing, extending our headquarters and building additional facilities, will ensure we meet demand from organisations in the construction and manufacturing industries across Ireland that wish their staff to achieve accreditation to the highest health and safety standards.” Founded in 2000, Industry Training Services is Northern Ireland’s leading provider of health and safety training solutions to the construction, civil engineering, utilities and manufacturing sectors, and supports the training needs of a growing number of companies in Republic of Ireland. ITS works closely with clients to develop bespoke training solutions which are tailored specifically to their exact requirements and delivers courses at the Portadown headquarters or at client premises. Twelve full-time members of staff are currently employed at the organisation’s 12-acre site in Portadown, with significant growth in staff planned in the coming months. Courses are delivered in partnership with 14 associate trainers. Clients include Farrans, Graham, McAleer & Rushe, Openreach, KN Networks and Moy Park.

Eye on Design

Repurposing urban life As leading architectural practice, Gray Design celebrates 15 years in business, company founder Barry Gray, speculates on how life in the Greater Belfast Area might look 15 years into the future.

t is s fallacy to think of architecture as building design. In reality, it is design for living, a creation of spaces that provide for an inter-connectedness that speaks to every element of our lives – the place we call home, the places we work, shop and play. Architecture shapes the way we live and creates a better environment for all. So, how might cities and urban areas in Northern Ireland looks 15 years hence. Architecture evolves as society evolves. The key to the future is an insight into the lifestyle trends of today.

Retail futures… In retail terms, we have noticed three significant trends.

centres, where there is increased demand for the development of outdoor space. We have worked on several projects developing outdoor space for retail at popular centres, such as The Boulevard (Banbridge) and The Junction (Antrim). This is focussed on pop-up retail space, for example, putting in a container coffee shop, or developing the structural facilitation of drive-thru services for companies like Starbucks. It reflects people’s desire not to be in enclosed spaces and to shop from their cars.

supermarket trends, where both ‘click and collect’ and delivery

Barry Gray

services have shown strong growth. Delivery services, particularly, reflect not on the desire to reduce food miles – the delivery driver has a route that minimises mileage and generates a positive in terms of fuel consumption.

emerging trend is the increase in ‘shop local.’ This speaks to feelings of personal safety, reducing mileage and supporting local. Supermarket shops have become a monthly (as opposed to weekly) exercise and local shops are filling the gap, with expansion, improved layouts, and enhanced stock.

Business futures… In terms of office space, it is clear that our economy needs city centre workers, but it is equally clear that many workers have found a new

balance combining home and office working. Employers need to rethink their proposition to employees, and this is driving a step-change in workplace design. Open plan hasn’t gone, it has been reborn, with breakout space, convivial meeting space and personal space all at the forefront, and an increase in private office space for those in senior positions who need to have confidential meetings and interactions. Environmental considerations are also to the fore, with heating, ventilation, natural lighting, and air conditioning important to office buildings.

Connected Domestic futures… When it comes to home living, ‘Mixed Use’ is the byword. It’s a new concept in Northern Ireland but tried and elsewhere in the world. Designing living, retail and business ‘sectors’ separately, will

become a thing of the past. We need a future where all three coexist in shared spaces. Historically, apartment/flat living has been driven by social housing, notably the Northern Ireland Housing Executive city centre tower block. Looking forwards, city-centre living should combine social with high-end housing. Currently, we tend to see apartments as a transition from minimal to maximal space living. Apartment living needs to become an attractive way of life. Thus, apartments need to be designed to embrace whole life living. City centre living in apartments needs to move toward ‘a home for life’ rather than a steppingstone. In truth, that requires more than an architect’s ambition, it needs to be supported by political will and legislative control.

Eye on News

Prince Of Wales Officially Opens Restored Grand Opera House

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales has officially reopened Belfast’s Grand Opera House following the Theatre’s recent £12.2 million restoration and development project.

he Prince of Wales was welcomed to the 125-yearold venue by the Chair of the Grand Opera House Trust, Colin Loughran, and the Theatre’s Chief Executive, Ian Wilson. During the visit, The Prince of Wales also spoke with several people who worked on the biggest restoration project the Theatre has undergone since the building was saved from demolition in the mid-1970s. This included representatives from the design team - Consarc, the main contractor - Tracey Brothers, and interior designers - Sundara Design. Inside the 1895 auditorium, which has now been restored to its original and opulent splendour, The Prince of Wales was greeted on stage by May McFettridge who this year celebrates a record-breaking 32 years as Dame of the Grand Opera House pantomime. His Royal Highness also met broadcaster and comedian, Tim McGarry as well as

Ruth Bothwell, lead conservator who oversaw the restoration of the renowned auditorium. The audience was then entertained with a short performance by members of the Theatre’s summer youth production. Before The Prince of Wales left the Theatre, His Royal Highness unveiled

HRH The Prince of Wales with Ian Wilson & Colin Loughran Grand Opera House visitor book signing

a plaque to commemorate his visit and mark the Theatre’s official reopening. Welcoming the Royal visit, Chair of the Grand Opera House Trust, Colin Loughran said; “We are immensely proud and honoured to have HRH The Prince of Wales join us today to officially reopen the Grand Opera House following its hugely successful restoration and development project. The Theatre enjoys a special place in

HRH The Prince of Wales with Ian Wilson Chief Executive Grand Opera House.

the city’s history and we are confident that the restoration will ensure it remains centre stage as a very important venue and as a valuable visitor and tourist attraction for many years to come. We know The Prince of Wales has a keen interest in the preservation of historic buildings so for him to see the fantastic results of our recent restoration up close, and to meet the expert team who delivered it, was very fitting.” Speaking after the official reopening Ian Wilson, Chief Executive, Grand Opera House said; “We are delighted that HRH The Prince of Wales was able take time today to officially reopen the Theatre and to meet with some of our summer youth production members, staff and colleagues from across the arts community. It was particularly special for him to be welcomed on to our famous stage by our very own pantomime royalty – May McFettridge who is now synonymous with the Grand Opera House. Today was a special day for us all and adds another important chapter in our long and fascinating history.”

Eye on News

NI FINTECH SCHOLAR CROWNED

Local fintech company Seopa Ltd, parent company of financial comparison platform CompareNI.com, has announced the winner of this year’s Fintech Scholarship, an initiative designed to help foster greater diversity in the sector by asking students from outside the world of fintech to explore what it could potentially offer them.

he winner, Kenna White, an Environmental Science student from Ulster University, wrote an intuitive piece, entitled Bitcoin’s Environmental Parlay – touching on the sustainability factors influencing the fintech sector. Kenna wins a £1,000 bursary to help cover any educational fees such as textbooks, course materials and living expenses. Northern Ireland has been hailed as a key epicentre for growth in the fintech sector, employing 39,000

people – with Belfast ranking as the world’s top destination for financial technology investment projects*. Danielle McWall, Head of the Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics at Ulster University comments: “The region has an exceptionally high concentration of FinTech employment with the proportion of FinTech roles higher than anywhere else in the UK, generating proportionally 2.5 to 5 times more Gross Value Added than any other region.” Seopa’s approach to fostering

Professor Daniel Broby, Chair of Financial Technology at Ulster University, CompareNI.com Fintech Scholarship winner Kenna White, an Environmental Science student from Ulster University and CompareNI.com Managing Director Ian Wilson.

greater diversity in its sector has been hailed by politicians, academics and business leaders across the UK. Alex Lee, Chairman of FintechNI, comments: “We are delighted to endorse this important initiative from one of our member firms Seopa. Northern Ireland is now recognised as a leading global fintech hub, but maintaining that position into the future relies on the continued supply of quality talent into the sector.” Greg Wilson, the fintech entrepreneur behind CompareNI. com, comments: “Congratulations to our Fintech Scholarship winner, Kenna White, from Ulster University. Kenna’s insightful blog post was one of many interesting entries in their year’s scholarship. “It’s encouraging to see so many students proactively researching and discovering fintech - from all educational backgrounds. Diversity

is key to building an innovative team for the future. I studied Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering and started my career as a Stress Engineer at Bombardier Aerospace before I created Seopa, now our brands CompareNI.com and Quotezone. co.uk are household names in financial comparison technology.” Seopa has been recognised with six Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards, and has been awarded a Deloitte Best Managed Company Award each year for the past five years – now a Gold Standard Best Managed Company since 2020.

NORTHERN IRELAND’S FAMILY BUSINESS AWARDS Thursday 19th May at the Culloden Estate & Spa Northern Ireland’s leading family-owned businesses are to be recognised in their very own business awards for the first time. Business Eye, the region’s leading business magazine and the team behind the annual AIB Business Eye Awards (now in their 15th year), will stage the Business Eye Family Business Awards 2022 this summer alongside lead sponsors NIE Networks and in association with family business specialists Harbinson Mulholland. “Northern Ireland has a really strong family business sector, from some of our very largest companies to a network of SMEs across every sector,” says Business Eye’s Brenda Buckley. “The Family Business category at our annual Business Eye Awards has always attracted our largest and more diverse entry by some distance. “So we feel that the time is right, especially as we emerge from the Covid pandemic, for Northern Ireland’s many family businesses to have their very own awards scheme, and that their achievement can be showcased and recognised.” 54

A planned 15 categories will cover areas such as Manufacturing, Tourism & Hospitality, Retail and Emerging Business, and there will be individual awards aimed at high-achieving family business owners and leaders.

“We are looking forward to seeing both up and coming businesses, together with established companies, vying to scoop the top spots and we would encourage all family businesses to enter now.”

Head of Stakeholder Engagement at lead sponsor of the awards, NIE Networks, Edel Creery, said;

Darren McDowell, Senior Partner at Harbinson Mulholland, added:

“NIE Networks is honoured to sponsor the inaugural Business Eye Family Business Awards. In what has been a turbulent few years for all businesses, the awards are a fitting opportunity to showcase the resilience of family owned businesses from every sector within Northern Ireland. “We have such a vibrant family business community here. We know how important it is to support and champion those businesses - it’s something we do every day through our connections and business support work, whether for locally focussed start-ups or those expanding to global export.

“The family businesses that we work with have faced down the challenges of the last few years with typical resilience. The ability of this sector to tap into the family values that run deep in their organisations will make them a powerful and vital part of the economic recovery. “It’s right that we should celebrate the contribution that this sector makes to the wider NI economy, so we are delighted to be a part of this.”

C ATEGORIES Emerging Family Business of the Year w

Retail Family Business of the Year w

A Northern Ireland-based family business which, in the opinion of the judging panel, has been making a real impression in its sector and which looks set for more success in the future.

Hospitality and Tourism Family Business w

A Northern Ireland based family retail active in any area of retail from supermarkets through to smaller, local retail outlets.

Hospitality and tourism has been through extremely tough times during the pandemic. This award sets out to recognise real achievement by a hospitality/tourism enterprise, spanning pubs/restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions.

Manufacturing Excellence Award w

Next Generation Family Business Leader w

Most Innovative Family Business w

An NI-based family business at the leading edge of manufacturing across any sector. Evidence of the use of leading edge technology and a record of innovation will be welcomed.

A second (third, fourth…) generation family member making a real impact either by leading the family business forward or by playing a significant senior management role.

A special award covering all sector of the economy but spotlighting the recognising real achievement in product or service innovation by a family-owned company.

Service Sector Excellence Award Employer of the Year

An NI-based family business at the leading edge in the broader services sector. Once again, evidence of the use of technology and a clear understanding of the market will be welcomed.

An NI-based family business leading the way in focusing on its employees, perhaps through employee benefits, initiatives and/or communicating effectively with its workforce.

Construction and Property Family Business w

Fastest Growing Family Business A local family business from any sector able to demonstrate fast and sustained growth, most importantly in terms of turnover, over the past year to two years.

An NI-based family business active and achieving in the construction or property sector - including house building, commercial construction, public sector contracts and property development/investment.

CSR Family Business Of The Year Food and Drink Family Business A family business of any size able to demonstrate a real commitment to corporate social responsibility. This could include charity initiatives, working at community level, encouraging staff to undertake voluntary projects, and other CSR activities.

The food and drink sector is exponentially important in Northern Ireland. This award will recognise a family-owned business at the forefront of the sector. Evidence of exporting and the innovation of new product lines would be welcomed.

Enter now at businesseyeawards.co.uk

Family Business Legacy Award This award will be presented to the Northern Ireland based family enterprise which has demonstrated extraordinary business achievement over the years, has contributed positively to the local community and economy and which sets an example for others to follow.

Family Business Of The Year Northern Ireland’s overall Family Business Of The Year in the opinion of our judging panel. This headline award will go to an outstanding family-owned business able to demonstrate achievement across the board over a number of years as well as a demonstrable contribution to the wider NI economy.

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EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Spring Event Rob Heron, Managing Partner of EY Northern Ireland, with former First Minister, Arlene Foster

A group of the brightest entrepreneurial minds on the island of Ireland gathered in Belfast for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Spring Energiser event, being held as part of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ (EOY) programme, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

peaking at the event, held at the Titanic Hotel in Belfast, Rob Heron, Managing Partner, EY Northern Ireland, said: “At the start of 2022, strong demand and high confidence levels had our EY Entrepreneur Of The Year family feeling upbeat about their prospects for the year ahead. Since then, the war in Ukraine has reminded us how fragile our world can be. It has compounded the rising cost of living, and alongside inflationary pressures and the

long tail of the pandemic, the tone of the outlook for 2022 and beyond has changed. And yet, despite all of these geopolitical complexities, we find our EOY community in their usual frame of mind, focussed on solutions and applying ingenuity, agility and determination to seek opportunities and solve problems where others see challenge.” The EOY programme not only recognises the work of exceptional entrepreneurs but also provides an invaluable business network and business

development opportunities for entrepreneurs within a hugely supportive group. The Spring Energiser aims to drive the conversation on how entrepreneurs can tackle our world’s biggest challenges while also taking their businesses to the next level. Roger Wallace, Partner Lead, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year, commented: “In a year that will be dominated by rising prices, every business and individual will be looking at what they spend, where they spend it and what value they get from their purchases. Within this flux lies tremendous opportunity that many of our EOY family are already seizing. The event today aims to give entrepreneurs the opportunity to engage with and learn from a like-minded community of brave, unrelentingly innovative

thinkers that are continuously striving to meet the needs of their customers, their communities and society as a whole.” Other speakers at the event included the Former First Minister of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster; Mark Dowds, Venture Partner at Anthemis; ESB Executive Director, Marguerite Sayers; Domhnal Slattery, CEO, Avalon; and former Ireland International rugby player, Rory Best.

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Local Directors Attain Chartered Director Status Leading business organisation the Institute of Directors Northern Ireland (IoD NI) has unveiled the latest group of local leaders to have achieved the prestigious Chartered Director Award (CDir).

mong those to have recently secured the qualification are Noyona Chundur, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council, Glenn Speer, Business Development Director at Fane Valley Group, Roger Henderson, Network Assets Director at NIE Network and Mark Huddleston, Director at jheSolutions. Achieving CDir status is the final stage in IoD’s director training programme which includes, the Certificate in Company Direction, followed by the Diploma in Company Direction. The programmes provide training across a wide variety of corporate disciplines with the aim of encouraging best

practice and raising standards of excellence amongst Northern Ireland’s business community. IoD NI Nations Manager Heather White said: “Huge congratulations go to the latest group of exceptionally talented leaders that have achieved Chartered Director status. “Being a director is both demanding and challenging, requiring a wide skillset. The IoD is dedicated to educating and developing senior leaders and is well-placed to help business leaders rise to the challenge. “IoD courses, led by industry experts, are designed to help leaders advance their career and maximise impact within their

IoD NI Nations Manager Heather White pictured with Noyona Chundur (The Consumer Council), Glenn Speer (Fane Valley Group) and Roger Henderson (NIE Networks), some of the latest local leaders to have achieved the prestigious Chartered Director Award (CDir).

organisation by providing fresh insights into the areas of strategy, leadership, governance and finance. “Our range of courses provide a platform for leaders to network and share with one another the knowledge and experience they have gained throughout their careers.” All programmes are underpinned by the Director Competency Framework, which identifies the knowledge, skills and mind-set required to be an effective director. Individuals and boards are given the opportunity to complete the Certificate in Company Direction and achieve the Diploma in Company Direction before progressing to Chartered Director status under the guidance of local and visiting course leaders. Upcoming programmes include the five-day Accelerated Certificate in Company Direction which will take place from 15th – 20th May at the

Culloden Estate and Spa, Belfast. A number of modules are also scheduled for later in the year to take place in the Merchant Hotel, Belfast, such as Award in Role of the Director and the Board (12th -13th September), Award in Finance for Non-Finance Directors (19th – 21st October), Award in Strategy for Directors (9th – 11th November) and Award in Leadership for Directors (28th – 29th November). These represent the first step towards achieving Chartered Director status which acting as an endorsement of leaders’ skills, professionalism, and knowledge of corporate governance best-practice. A significant number of business leaders in Northern Ireland have achieved the Certificate, Diploma and Chartered qualifications with current alumni boasting some of the region’s most reputable business figures from across the private, public and third sectors.

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Tughans Expands Its Market Leading Banking Team Belfast-based law firm, Tughans has further extended its expertise in Finance and Restructuring with the appointment of Julie Huddleston as Partner in its Banking team.

ughans is one of Northern Ireland’s largest commercial law firms, providing legal advice across all business sectors. The firm was recently named Northern Ireland’s most active corporate law firm, topping the Experian MarketIQ Northern Ireland M&A League Table for the seventh consecutive year after advising on 73 deals worth over £1bn in 2021. Julie joins Tughans from DWF in Belfast, where she headed up the Banking team, and brings with her a wealth of experience of advising in relation to finance and restructuring matters over a 15 year period. She will add further expertise to the firm’s highly experienced and well-regarded banking team, where she will join existing partners Fearghal O’Loan and Douglas Anderson. Throughout her career Julie has advised leading UK, Irish and overseas banks on secured lending and enforcement aspects of a wide

range of corporate and property based secured lending matters in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and England and Wales, including group arrangements and diverse financial structures. Regularly acting for local lenders, Julie’s clients have included Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, Danske Bank, AIB Group (UK) plc, HSBC, Santander and Barclays Bank, along with funds and providers of bridging finance. Bringing particular expertise in cross border lending and real estate finance to the practice, she will join the senior team advising lenders, funders, SME and corporate clients on a wide range of financial and banking requirements. Making the announcement, Managing Partner, Patrick Brown said, “Our firm is focused on attracting and retaining the best talent to enhance and diversify our offering. As our clients become more ambitious, we must continue to strengthen our

Tughans Finance and Restructuring Partners (L-R) Douglas Anderson, Julie Huddleston and Fearghal O’Loan.

teams and remain agile to support them with their ever-changing needs. “A recognised leader in her field and with over 15 years’ experience, Julie brings with her a wealth of expertise in Financial and Banking law, which will benefit our clients immensely. We’re delighted to welcome her on board.” Commenting on her appointment, Julie said, “I am thrilled be joining Tughans as a Partner in the Finance and Restructuring team and I look forward

to supporting our clients through this period of change and growth. “The past two years have been testing for businesses and lenders alike and the beginning of 2022 has brought its own uncertainties, challenges and opportunities with political instability, rising energy costs and supply chain issues for many businesses. Our local banks and, increasingly, other less traditional providers of funding, will be required to support businesses as we work to rebuild and grow our local economy.

Women in Business & MCS Group Strike Three-Year Partnership

omen in Business NI and MCS Group have announced a new three-year partnership to further drive opportunities for female business leaders and entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland. Roseann Kelly, Chief Executive of Women in Business, said: “We’re delighted to partner with MCS Group, which will enable us to further build on our collaboration for NI’s Women in Tech conference. Over the past five years, we’ve seen

first-hand the cultural challenges that exist around attracting and indeed retaining female leaders, and we see this partnership as an exciting step towards overcoming those longstanding barriers.” Louise Smyth, Commercial Director of MCS Group, added: “By working more closely with Women in Business, we can look to seize the once in a generation opportunity to redress the gender imbalance in a working world that has changed forever.”

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Abbeyfield Belfast Launches New £7.5 Million Retirement Facility Abbeyfield Belfast, a leading not-for-profit provider of supported living for older people, has officially announced the opening of Harberton Hall, a state of the art £7.5 million 38,750 square foot luxury facility in south Belfast.

reating more than 15 jobs, the development is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and marks a step-change in the provision of care for older people. Providing both comfort and security, Harberton Hall boasts 32 one and two bedroomed self-contained apartments, a restaurant, hair salon, reading gallery, arts and crafts room, exercise studio and landscaped

by the Abbeyfield ethos of making time for older people,” she explains. “Our new facility is the direct result of talking to residents and delivering a purpose-built ideal living environment where they can thrive in a supportive and engaging atmosphere. “Loneliness and isolation are very common problems for older people living in their own homes and this has been exacerbated

A chef-prepared meal is served every evening in the restaurant and our in-house staff take care of laundry and cleaning, leaving residents little to do but socialise in our communal areas and indulge in the things they enjoy.” In terms of any future similar developments by Abbeyfield Belfast, Niki Molloy is hopeful but taking a prudent approach. “We do believe that this kind of facility is the way forward for supported living for older people,” she says” but this is the first project of such scale that we have undertaken in our 60-year history so we will monitor and review things as we go along, listening

gardens and has already secured 60% occupancy levels. The ambitious project took two years to complete and was closely managed by Niki Molloy, Chief

with the COVID pandemic. Our residents will have the best of both worlds – a fully equipped luxury apartment where they can entertain or just enjoy their privacy,

again to our residents before we make any major decisions.” A funding package of £4 million was provided by Barclays, Abbeyfield Belfast’s corporate

Harberton Hall project by exploring the project’s digital potential for both staff and residents, as well as recognising Abbeyfield’s commercial approach combined with a value-

Executive with Abbeyfield Belfast. “Harberton Hall, like our other four ‘houses’, has been inspired

alongside a local community of peers with whom they can engage whenever they wish.

banking partner, to support the development and the charity’s dayto-day operational requirements.

based proposition. Harberton Hall is futureproofing the Abbeyfield brand for many years to come.”

Photocaption: Niki Molloy (left), Chief Executive with Abbeyfield Belfast is pictured with Louise Tiffney, Relationship Director, Barclays Corporate Banking Northern Ireland.

Louise Tiffney, Relationship Director, Barclays Corporate Banking in Northern Ireland said: “Harberton Hall is a fabulous new concept in assisted living for Northern Ireland and the team at Abbeyfield Belfast is committed to providing its residents with the freedom of choice to live independently, but safe in the knowledge that they have companionship and support as and when they require it. “We are delighted to be supporting Abbeyfield Belfast in the provision of their long-term Corporate Banking requirements. Our relationship model, which brings industry expertise, has already added value to the

Eye on News

Brand new Food Festival set to take place at Down Royal Racecourse Down Royal Racecourse is throwing open its gates to bring a unique new food festival to Northern Ireland.

ood Truck Festival, sponsored by Calor, will take place on Saturday 21st May 2022 from 11am to 7pm and will showcase the very best of what food truck food has to offer. Featuring up to 20 food trucks from all over Ireland, this first-of-its-kind event for Down Royal will see artisan food trucks come together to showcase their culinary delights. Visitors to Food Truck Fest will not only experience the very best of local food in the Artisan Food Village hosted by Good Food NI, but can also enjoy live local music and entertainment provided by media partner Cool FM, as well as visit the Craft Village, Picnic Area and Kids Zone with free attractions for the children. Emma Meehan, Chief Executive of Down Royal Racecourse said: “From converted horseboxes to retro campervans and vintage buses, the food truck phenomenon is becoming more and more popular, with many local businesses adapting their menus and facilities to create these new and exciting concepts. “Food Truck Festival, in partnership with Calor, is a unique new event which gives us the opportunity to open the gates of Down Royal Racecourse to an audience outside of the regular racegoer. “With an anticipated crowd of over 4,000 visitors,

Pictured at the launch of Food Truck Festival is (l-r) Jennifer Fegan, Brand Manager at Calor, Phyllis Hayes of Vanilla Bean Catering and Emma Meehan, Chief Executive at Down Royal Racecourse.

Food Truck Fest will not only provide food truck vendors with the opportunity to showcase their street food to a captive audience, but will also be a fantastic day out!” Jennifer Fagan, Brand Manager at Calor said: “The food truck concept has become one of the biggest trends in street food over the past few years and we’re really excited to announce our sponsorship of Food Truck Festival at Down Royal Racecourse.

“We look forward to bringing visitors from across Ireland together to enjoy delicious food, fun and entertainment, all in one location – the perfect day out for all the family!” Food truck vendors will also compete to be crowned Northern Ireland Food Truck of the Year 2022 with the chance to win a pitch at Down Royal Racecourse on key race days throughout the year.

Five Stars for North Coast Accommodation

ourism NI has awarded five stars to Strand Head accommodation based in Portstewart, under its Accommodation Grading Scheme. Following an extensive refurbishment last year, Strand Head offers guests a unique setting with five luxurious en-suite bedrooms, all featuring spectacular sea-views. The property is based near some of Northern Ireland’s best-known tourist spots such as Dunluce Castle, Carricka-Rede Rope Bridge, the Giant’s Causeway, and several Game of Thrones filming locations. Norman McBride, Senior Quality Advisor, Quality & Standards team at Tourism NI, commented: “Strand Head offers a superb standard of accommodation and is a fantastic addition to the tourism product in the North Coast area. The five-star property offers visitors a relaxing base to retreat with some of Northern Ireland’s must-see visitor attractions nearby, including the Giant’s Causeway and Portstewart Golf Club.” Norman added: “I commend Trevor and his team for their hard work and for offering visitors an exceptional standard of accommodation. Congratulations on a very well deserved five-star rating.” Trevor Turkington, Owner of Strand Head added: “We are delighted to have received our five-star quality grading award from Tourism NI. Strand Head is the ultimate space for extended family, friends, or groups to relax, unwind and explore the wider area. We have worked extremely hard to deliver a five-star experience for all our guests so they can leave the North Coast area with a real appreciation of what it is that makes this place so exceptional.”

Pictured at Strand Head accommodation in Portstewart (L-r) is Norman McBride, Senior Quality Advisor at Tourism NI with Trevor Turkington, Owner of Strand Head.

Eye on News

Henderson Foodservice honours industry in recovery mode

Team Joe Barr at the Henderson Foodservice Conference

Henderson Foodservice, the leading supplier to the hospitality industry on the island of Ireland, recognised its continued role in the recovery of the industry as their annual conference returned this month.

peaking at the Full Steam Ahead conference with customers, staff and suppliers at Titanic Belfast last week, Managing Director Cathal Geoghegan acknowledged the company’s successes during the pandemic, the challenges in the wider industry, and its response to aide recovery alongside their customers and suppliers. Mr Geoghegan announced the company made a turnover of £134.1m in 2021, a growth of 21% on 2020, when the dual challenges of Brexit and COVID hit

Northern Ireland’s health, retail, education and hospitality sectors. The conference was an opportunity for the company to not only reflect on the growth and innovations implemented in the past two years, but look to the future “full steam ahead”. During the conference, Mark Stewart-Maunder, Commercial and Business Development Director gave an update on how the dual challenges of Brexit and COVID have affected the business, while also noting the good news stories, from the new Henderson Foodservice

website incorporating a new Product Information Management system, which aides customers to navigate allergen and product information in compliance with Natasha’s Law. In June 2021, the company revealed their new, state-of-the-art £16M warehouse facilities, and the conference was an opportunity for Philip Mehaffey, Head of Logistics, and Pat McGarry, Operations Director at Henderson Group to update staff on the successes of the new operation and the efficiencies it has brought the company at such a crucial time. The conference ended with a session from Team Joe Barr, the cyclist turned motivational speaker, but not before local hospitality heads Tony O’Neill, David Maxwell and Colin Neill joined Henderson Foodservice Sales Director, Kiera Campbell on a panel to review the challenges and pivots throughout the past two years.

Cathal Geoghegan commented; “This was the first time in two years our staff, customers and suppliers were able to sit together in the one room for our annual conference and it was a day full of motivation and learning. “We have weathered this storm thanks to the tenacity and innovation of our team, and it is now time to look forward and keep that success going into the future as we work alongside our customers as they reopen to a very new and different world than it was before March 2020. “Since that time, we have had many achievements to celebrate, from the roll out and continued investment of our Barista Bar coffee business, to the integration of BD Foods and Foodco alongside our £16M warehouse completion. This continued investment through challenging times has positioned us well as we look to continued growth in the future.”

Eye on News LEFT Henderson Foodservice Award Winners

BELOW Hospitality Panel at the Henderson Foodservice Conference

Cathal Geoghegan

The evening Awards and Gala Ball hosted by Tim McGarry saw a number of staff recognised for their achievements in the past year, from sales to CSR and innovation to team and project awards, and the company’s fundraising total of £21,000 was split between its charity partners, PIPs, NI Children’s Hospice and Jack & Jill Foundation, and presented on the night. Cathal continued; “Our Executive Board had a tough job this year as our teams and individuals performed exceptionally throughout 2021. A majority of our team are still working remotely, so it is a testament to their dedication and professionalism that we have achieved such great things in the past year, working so cohesively while still physically apart.”

Henderson Foodservice Fundraising Donation

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Councils join forces to celebrate the ‘Best of the Northwest’ The Best of the North West will be showcased widely over the coming weeks as part of an exciting new collaborative tourism campaign launched today by Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council, working in partnership with Visit Derry & Donegal Tourism CLG.

he £90,000 domestic marketing initiative will shine a light on all the Northwest has to offer, aimed at encouraging local people and visitors across the Island of Ireland to book a staycation right on their own doorstep. This campaign is funded through the North West Development Fund, in conjunction with The Executive Office and the Irish Government. The campaign is part of the North West Regional Development Programme which aims to grow the value of the visitor economy. It follows on from the North West Tourism Product Development Programme, which was launched last year, supporting 30 tourism businesses on both sides of the border in developing new collaborative, bespoke products to enhance the region’s tourism offering, which will now feature within the marketing campaign. The campaign captures the ease of exploring both destinations on one trip, highlighting the vast range of unique attractions available under four themes of nature, culture, adventure, and relaxation. It will also will strongly focus on the Northwest’s unique location on the island as a gateway and great base to exploring explore both the breath taking Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway Coastal Route. The Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Jack Murray, said: “A collaborative approach to local tourism would make the offering

here even more compelling for visitors. The experiences we have in the Northwest are second to none and visitors will find excellent value for money deals across the region.” John G Mc Laughlin CEO DCC, Chairman Donegal Tourism CLG, said: “This joint marketing initiative provides the region with a great opportunity to increase its profile within the national market. Given restrictions have been lifted and businesses are reopening this presents the region with access to both local markets along with markets across the island.” The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Alderman Graham Warke, joined the Cathaoirleach of Donegal, Councillor Jack Murray, today for the launch, and reinforced the message that holidaying at home offers a wealth of new experiences. “I think the events of the past two years have definitely instilled a greater awareness of the many beautiful places and unique cultural experiences we have right here on our own doorstep,” Ald Warke declared. “We are blessed with stunning natural surroundings, from the scenic Sperrins to the many beautiful beaches of Donegal,

and there are a whole host of historic sites to explore that tell the unique story of our place. “Our urban centres offer a Legenderry food experience, and we are renowned the world over for the warmth of our hospitality. There’s something to appeal to everyone, whether embracing action and adventure, or sampling first class culture and cuisine are your idea of the perfect holiday. I am delighted to take this partnership approach to tourism, working closely with our neighbours in Donegal to our mutual benefit. This campaign will really showcase the full package of experiences on offer throughout the entire Northwest, embracing the best of both sides of the border.” Odhran Dunne, Visit Derry Chief Executive, said: “With the region’s visitor economy in recovery mode, this campaign captures the Northwest as a multi-destination experience with city, coastal and countryside experiences all within easy reach, inspiring visitors across the island to explore the region and its many attractions. Both Derry and Donegal have much to offer visitors; from Ireland’s only completely Walled City to award-winning attractions,

Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Alderman Graham Warke and Cathaoirleach of Donegal, Councillor Jack Murray, launching the ‘Best of the North West’ collaborative tourism campaign.

vibrant restaurants, and breathtaking scenery across the region. Both areas are culturally rich and fascinating tourist destinations in their own right, yet together they offer reciprocal benefits to tourists visiting the area. The Best of the Northwest campaign will capture the vast range of unique attractions available under the four themes of nature, culture, adventure, and relaxation. As the tourism industry gradually recovers after the devastating impact of the Covid19 crisis, the initiative aims to drive up visitor numbers and increase spend in the region. Aimed at families, groups and couples, North and South of the border, it will provide inspiration for anyone planning a holiday, with an extensive digital and traditional media campaign running over the next six weeks. It will focus on the vibrant, cultural experiences on offer in the Walled City of Derry which are complemented by the rugged coastline and breathtaking beauty of Donegal.

COSMETIC MOLE AND SKIN TAG REMOVAL

skin tag and mole removal and other non- surgical treatments including

Mr Chris Hoo is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Cosmetech and offers skin tag and mole removal and other non- surgical treatments including PDO Thread-lifts, Dermal Fillers and Anti-wrinkle Injections. He also offers Cosmetic Surgery at Kingsbridge Private Hospital. Today we interview him about minor surgery for skin tag and mole removal:

Q: How are skin tags and moles removed?

Q: How long does the procedure take?

Skin tags are a bit easier and can be removed by cutting, freezing (cryotherapy) or burning off (electrotherapy). This should be done in a controlled sterile setting to minimise the risk of infection, and they do bleed so the clinic needs to be able to manage this. Moles are usually excised with a scalpel. Occasionally they are shaved off but to ensure completion of the removal, especially if there are any suspicious features, the whole depth of the skin needs to be removed in one piece. Moles should be sent to the lab for pathology to ensure there are no suspicious cells. At Cosmetech we send all moles for pathology.

Most of these procedures are very quick. A mole can be removed and the skin sutured within 5 to 10 minutes. Administration of anaesthetic and skin preparation add some time, and if several lesions are being removed obviously it will take a bit longer. A skin tag can be removed in a matter of seconds but again, it is key that this is done in a controlled sterile setting (don’t try this at home).

Q: Does it hurt having these removed? If there is going to be significant discomfort the doctor or surgeon should usually administer local anaesthetic to numb the area. There will be mild discomfort as the anaesthetic is being injected but it is usually not significant and the anaesthetic takes effect within a couple of minutes. For very small skin tags, they can sometimes be frozen off without anaesthetic. Cosmetech has local anaesthetic cream which can be applied in clinic in advance of the procedure. We don’t like causing pain and make every effort to minimise it.

Q: Can I drive home afterwards? Usually there is no issue with driving unless for example the lesion was near the eye and vision was temporarily affected by swelling or watering. Hand surgery can also affect driving but the vast majority of these lesions are small enough not to cause a problem. If in doubt bring a friend or relative or take a taxi. Q: What about aftercare? There is usually a dressing for the first 3 to 7 days and, depending upon the operation site, sutures may need to be removed. On the face these are often removed between 5 to 7 days, but are left a bit longer on other body areas. Again these should be removed by someone skilled and experienced as doing it incorrectly can leave bits of stitch in the skin, or risk reopening the wound.

After about a week most wounds do not need dressed but should be kept clean, and paraffin ointment often helps at this time. Depending on your surgeon, the wound may be dressed with ointment alone or sometimes skin glue. Q: Will I have a scar? All surgery which cuts through the full depth of skin will leave a scar. Skin tag excision shouldn’t leave much noticeable scarring but mole excision usually will. The quality of the scar can vary depending on genetics. To optimise the scar we perform precise stitching, remove stitches at the appropriate time, and encourage scar management in the form of moisturising and massage. Scars can take up to 2 years to mature to their final appearance. If a scar does become thicker or remain red for a long time there are treatments such as steroid injections or laser colour reduction, but these are thankfully rarely necessary.

For enquiries, please call 028 9042 3200 or email frontdesk@cosmetech.co.uk

Cosmetech Maypole Clinic 5-7 Shore Road, Holywood, BT18 9XH Tel: +44 (0) 28 9042 3200 www.cosmetech.co.uk

Part of Kingsbridge Healthcare Group.

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Eye Moving On 1 Tara Harrington has been appointed Creative Lead by Lighthouse Communications. With over ten years’ experience as a Graphic Designer in the PR and Communications industry, Tara will be responsible for overseeing all visual output including videography, design, and animation.

1. Tara Harrington

2. Cliodhna McGrady

3. Katrina Heaney

2 Cliodhna McGrady has been appointed Specialist Optometrist at Geoff McConville Opticians in Belfast. Cliodhna is an Ulster University graduate with a specialism in Medical Retina. She has worked in optometry practices in Spain and London and is undertaking a Postgraduate Certificate in Independent Prescribing and a Professional Certificate in Glaucoma. 3 Katrina Heaney has been appointed Director at McMillan McClure in Newtownabbey following the firms recent rebrand. Ms Heaney has been with the business for over 10 years. Her previous role was as Management and Lettings Manager. 4 Laura McMillan has also been appointed Director at McMillan McClure. The former valuer of the business has stepped up to director level following the estate agency’s recent name change and rebrand.

4. Laura McMillan

7. Ciaran O’Shiel

5. Aidan Lyons

8. Dr Claire Shaw

6. Garth McGimpsey

5 Aidan Lyons has been appointed to the position of Director at Grant Thornton in Belfast. Utilising his wide-ranging expertise gained working in London and Northern Ireland, Aidan will provide advice to Grant Thornton’s portfolio of clients on VAT and international aspects of Indirect Taxation. 6 Garth McGimpsey, Senior Project Manager at RES, the world’s largest independent renewable energy company, is the new Chair of RenewableNI. Garth is a Chartered Planning and Development Surveyor (MRICS) with over 16 years’ experience in both consultancy and client roles. For the past 12 years, he has been working in different project management roles for Renewable Energy Systems. Corporate law firm A&L Goodbody has 7 announced the appointment of Ciaran O’Shiel to partner in the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department. Ciaran leads a team that specialises in intellectual property, media and technology disputes, advising domestic and international clients on defamation, privacy, data protection and content related matters. He has established an extensive media law practice and is recognised as a leading individual for defamation and reputation management in Northern Ireland. Commercial property consultancy INPRIO 8 has appointed Dr Claire Shaw as Research Analyst. Claire brings over 20 years’ experience in the sector, having previously spent several years as a research analyst for Lambert Smith Hampton. Specialising in market analysis with a focus on the investment sector, Claire is a trusted property analyst and has published reports on the Belfast retail, office, and hotel landscape. She will specialise in commercial property intelligence and strategic commercial property analysis in her consultancy role.

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Eye Moving On UK and Ireland specialist paving and building products company, AG, has appointed Lisa 9 Fenner as Group Procurement Manager at its Fivemiletown office. Lisa has been working in procurement for over 20 years for various different companies within the construction industry. Before joining AG, Lisa spent 10 years within the crushing and screening industry where she gained valuable knowledge and experience in construction.

9. Lisa Fenner

10. Matt McRoberts

11. Kevin Kingston

10 Matt McRoberts has been appointed as Digital Marketing Manager with Hastings Hotels. Matt has been with the group for over three years and is responsible for managing the group’s websites, digital advertising, email campaigns and liaising with business partners across all six hotels. Matt previously worked in a digital role for Wilsons Auctions and holds a BSc (Hons) in Business Studies from Ulster University. 11 Kevin Kingston joins Norbrook Laboratories Limited as non-executive director. Kevin has more than 25 years of business experience and was most recently CEO of Danske Bank UK. He has a First Class Honours in Accounting & Finance from University College Dublin and holds an MBA from Ulster University.

12. Simon West

13 Keith Dunn

14. Paul O’Neill

12 Simon West has been appointed to the position of Production Manager at Kilwaughter Minerals. Simon will utilise his wide-ranging experience gained throughout 25 years in industry to produce exceptional results and promote a culture of continuous improvement within the business whilst ensuring that health and safety is of paramount importance 13 Keith Dunn has been appointed as an associate in the commercial department at A&L Goodbody’s Belfast office, specialising in commercial contracts, intellectual property and data protection. He has extensive commercial experience having previously worked in-house for several multinational companies. Keith is also a certified data privacy practitioner.

15. Tracy Boyd

14 Paul O’Neill has been appointed Associate Director – Electrical at Bennett Freehill Building Services and Sustainability Engineering Consultancy as part of the organisations drive towards technical excellence, an employeefocused culture, strategic growth and NZEB focus. A Chartered Engineer with 14 years’ experience in the construction and electrical industries, Paul has particular specialisms in electrical engineering, conservation, power generation and vertical transportation. 15 Tracy Boyd joins the Bennett Freehill team as Office Manager. Tracy has over 25 years’ experience in similar roles in the construction industry and, as a CIPD Associate Member, is committed to promoting people skills to deliver on today’s business needs and brings her strong communication skills to the team. With her Diploma in Applied Health and Safety, Tracy also brings her knowledge to manage HSEQ in the organisation’s workplace environment.

Eye on News

Deloitte Completes Acquisition Of Etain

Deloitte has announced the completion of the acquisition of Etain, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading data and digital transformation specialists.

oday, 70 employees from Etain join Deloitte, bringing a wide range of expertise including in data engineering, cloud development and technical solution architecture. The acquisition creates Northern Ireland’s largest AI and data practice and doubles the headcount of Deloitte’s AI and data solutions practice in Belfast. Anne-Marie Malley, managing partner for Consulting at Deloitte, said: “Organisations across the UK rely on technology to build resilience, improve productivity

and engage clients and colleagues in new, transformative ways. In many cases, bespoke software solutions are key to achieving these objectives. Welcoming Etain’s people into our team will ensure that the expertise that we offer to our clients in this area is market-leading and that the technology strategies that we deliver continue to push the boundaries of innovation.” Martin Goss, director in Deloitte’s Consulting practice, added: “Since first launching Etain in 1999, we’ve watched

Martin Goss, co-founder of Etain, Danny McConnell from Deloitte and Peter Shields, co-founder of Etain at Deloitte’s new Belfast office.

Belfast’s reputation for creating world-class business software soar and have benefitted considerably by growing our team with the incredible technology talent drawn to the city. Joining Deloitte and working alongside some of the country’s leading technology experts will ensure that our footprint in the UK’s digital sector continues to grow and that the solutions we are creating continue to set the goldstandard for software innovation.” Etain’s employees will join Deloitte’s Belfast Technology Studio, based in The Gasworks. The acquisition of Etain grows Deloitte’s Consulting practice to a team of more than 800 people in Belfast. Overall, Deloitte’s Belfast practice employs more than 1,000

people and approximately 3,000 people across the island of Ireland. In the UK, Deloitte’s Consulting practice is made up of more than 6,500 people. Around 3,000 of these people focus on digital transformation projects. Danny McConnell, lead Consulting partner for Deloitte in Northern Ireland, concluded: “Welcoming Etain, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading data and digital transformation specialists, through the doors of our Belfast office is an amazing day for our Northern Ireland practice. The technology industry has rejuvenated the city, with organisations around the world now turning to Belfast and Deloitte for world-class digital expertise.”

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Eye on Motoring

Motoring with James Stinson

Focus on hybrids The latest Ford Focus is a reminder that the humble family hatchback still has a lot to offer, writes James Stinson

he path to fully electric motoring won’t be quick or straight, despite deadlines being put in place by governments. In the UK the plan is that no new petrol or diesel only cars can be sold after 2030. The picture is complicated a little in that plug-in and full hybrids, which combine petrol and electric power can still be sold until 2035. These deadlines and a rash of new electric car launches might have some of you thinking that now’s the time to make the switch

to electric. However, the decision isn’t that straightforward. Electric cars are still considerably more expensive than conventionally powered cars. So, the new Peugeot e-208 costs from £28k, while the cheapest non-electric version is some £10k cheaper. The electric car will likely be cheaper to run but that’s a helluva price premium that only a few of us are presently prepared to pay. Moreover, though improving, there are still concerns about range and charging infrastructure.

“While SUVs and Crossovers of various makes and sizes seem to be all the rage these days, it’s often forgotten what a good car the Focus is. It’s been constantly refined over the years and remains one of the best-selling cars around.” 70

Don’t get me wrong, battery electric vehicles are getting better and there are many more new models coming down the line. Some of us will make the leap now because we can afford to or because we want to but many more of us are on a journey. And that journey probably means our next car won’t be fully electric but some sort of hybrid. The latest Ford Focus mild hybrid highlights what this steppingstone has to offer. It mates a 1.0 litre EcoBoost petrol engine to a 48-volt battery pack. Energy that’s usually lost under braking or coasting is harvested and used to boost performance. It’s called a mild hybrid because, unlike a full hybrid, it doesn’t allow for electric running only but the benefits in terms of economy and emissions aren’t far off. It means the tiny 1.0 litre petrol is capable of delivering a fairly zesty sub 10 second 0-62mph time along with much improved fuel economy, north of 50mpg, and impressively low CO2 emissions. The scale of the improvements car makers like Ford are getting from these kinds of technologies are immense. Ten years ago, Ford was using a 2.0 litre engine

in the Ford Focus to deliver a similar power output. Mild hybrid versions of the Focus are available with either 123bhp or 153bhp and in most trim levels. The cheapest comes in at just under £25,000. While SUVs and Crossovers of various makes and sizes seem to be all the rage these days, it’s often forgotten what a good car the Focus is. It’s been constantly refined over the years and remains one of the best-selling cars around. Where it scores strongest is on pure driving enjoyment. Higher riding SUV-types, for all the best efforts, can be numb and lumpy to drive. Not so the Focus, which retains some of the old-school nimbleness and feel you get from a traditional low-slung hatchback. The steering is nicely weighted and direct with the Focus feeling really planted through the corners. Practicality isn’t compromised either. The cabin is remarkably spacious, with acres of room especially in the back and a decent-sized boot. It’s all a timely reminder that there’s more to life than a pricey Crossover / SUV or indeed an even pricier battery electric vehicle.

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Eye on Motoring

Motoring with James Stinson

Retro VW sure to be a winner

VW’s long awaited all electric van / microbus / campervan is coming and it’s stunning.

he ID Buzz with its striking retro looks will land in showrooms in the Spring with commercial versions likely to start around £40,000 and passenger versions coming in north of £50,000. Power comes from a 77kWh battery pack and rear-mounted synchronous electric motor, with

201bhp and 228lb ft of torque. The rear-wheel drive set up has the added bonus of providing a really tight turning circle of just over 11 meters, which makes the Buzz highly manoeuvrable. More powerful dual-motor, fourwheel-drive models are set to be added to the line-up in 2023. Volkswagen has yet to provide any

official performance figures though it should be good for a sub 10 seconds 0-62mph time while top speed is limited to just 90mph. Electric range will likely be between 200-250 miles. It will also offer bi-directional charging, which allows you to power normal electrical appliances, which will be especially handy for camping enthusiasts. Alongside the initial five-seat standard-wheelbase model, Volkswagen also plans to introduce a seven-seat long-wheelbase variant in 2023. Both

MONTE MAGIC S

koda has given its range topping Fabia – the Monte Carlo - a refresh, combining sporty design, high equipment levels and impressive practicality. The latest version, from £20,925, has the largest wheels of any Fabia in the current range with 17-inch Procyon black painted diamond cut alloy wheels filling the arches. The sporting flagship of the range also features new sports bumpers, along with door mirrors and radiator grille finished in gloss black. Unique Monte Carlo badging and black Skoda lettering for the tailgate complete the exterior design package. Inside there’s height adjustable sports front seats trimmed with black fabric and artificial leather, a three-spoke leather multifunction steering wheel and red metallic upper decorative trim. It also boasts black headlining, carbon effect lower decorative trim with white stitching and carbon effect door and side trim panels. An ambient

feature conventionally hinged front doors and sliding doors either side at the rear, along with a large vertical tailgate that opens at bumper level. The ID Buzz Cargo offers the choice of one or two sliding doors along the sides and either a single upwardhinging tailgate or windowless wing doors that open out on exposed steel hinges left and right at the rear. There aren’t a lot of layout options in the five-seater version with the rear seat folding in a simple 60:40 configuration. This still provides an ample 1121 litres of luggage capacity underneath the cargo blind in the standard-wheelbase model, extending to 2205 litres with the rear backrests folded. The cargo floor is not completely flat, although Volkswagen says it will offer the ID Buzz with an optional raised floor. This will allow customers to turn the rear into a bed. Next year there’ll be an entry-level Buzz Pure with a smaller battery and a £50,000 entry price, and a long-wheelbase which will up the chair count from five, and allow more seating plan variation. It’ll also have a bigger battery between the axles. What readers will really want to know is when we can expect to see an uber cool ID Buzz California campervan version. Unfortunately, this is still a few years off, possibly 2024 or 2025, not least because VW is still selling plenty of the existing diesel-powered versions.

lighting package, and aluminium pedals are also fitted as standard. The Monte Carlo comes equipped with a virtual cockpit with 10.25-inch colour display, Bolero radio 8-inch display, Bluetooth and SmartLink for seamless connection to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. KESSY keyless engine start/stop and dual zone air conditioning with Climatronic electronic control are also included as part of the generous standard specification. There are three petrol engine and gearbox combinations. The line-up starts with a 1.0 TSI model that generates 110PS and is offered with a six-speed manual gearbox. Customers can also specify the same engine with a seven-speed DSG, or opt for a higher output 1.5 TSI unit with150PS and seven-speed DSG. Prices range from £20,925 OTR for the 1.0 TSI 108bhp model up to £23,765 OTR for the 1.5 TSI 148bhp DSG version. Order books are open now.

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Business Eye March April 2022

Articles inside

Women In Law - Breaking The Glass Ceiling

£31 Million Invested In Tourism Recovery

Milestone For NI’s Largest In House Legal Team