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Staying Online Has Never Been So Vital
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Our broadband network has never been more vital
Garret Kavanagh talks about his new job as director of Openreach Northern Ireland (NI). With demand for online services continuing to increase, he says “the role of Openreach in keeping people connected has never been more important.”
In his new role as director of Openreach NI, Garret Kavanagh is in charge of building the next generation of broadband across Northern Ireland. This involves replacing the copper network, which has served Northern Ireland’s telephone and internet needs for more than 140 years, with a fast and reliable gigabit-capable network that is already playing a key role in accelerating the region’s digital economy.
The ambitious roll out programme aims to bring Full Fibre broadband to 700,000 homes by March 2022, equating to over 75% of properties across Northern Ireland. This Ultrafast Full Fibre technology will mean people can enjoy broadband that’s 10 times faster than the UK average – that’s the same as a car with a top speed of 120mph suddenly reaching speeds of 1200mph.
Garret, who joined the company as a graduate engineer in 2006, took up the job as director earlier this year, replacing Mairead Meyer who stepped down after five years in the role.
“The digital future of Northern Ireland is extremely positive,” Garret says. “We’re already the most connected region in the UK and have recently announced 17 further towns and villages that we will be building Ultrafast Full Fibre broadband to, as well as an additional £30
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million pound investment in the overall infrastructure bringing the total investment to £130 million. It’s an incredible project to be a part of,” he says.
Reliance on broadband has expanded beyond normal expectations during the pandemic with the trend set to continue for years to come.
Garret adds: “What we are doing at Openreach has an important impact on the lives of everyone in Northern Ireland. Broadband is becoming much more of a core utility as time goes on. We have gone from the internet being a source of information to it being the primary conduit for communication, work and education.
All our staff take great pride in being involved in building the network that keeps our communities connected today and into tomorrow.”
Openreach NI’s ambitious Full Fibre broadband programme is also central to Northern Ireland’s digital future and economic growth.
Garret says: “This Full Fibre technology will open up endless opportunities. It will allow for the set-up of new businesses, initiatives, products and services that we can’t even imagine yet and it will support economic and social regional rebalancing as people don’t have to live in the centre of cities to have the right level of connectivity.
“It will also support a sustainable future with more people able to work flexibly leading to less congestion and lessening the other associated impacts of mass commuting on our environment.”
Keen to live out sustainable values in its own business, Openreach has also pledged to convert all of its diesel fleet to electric by 2030. With these vans necessary for essential work every day, reducing their carbon footprint is a big focus.
“We understand the need to act on climate change and we are committed to reducing our operational impact. It’s important that we pay back to the communities we live in,” Garret says.
Along with its build programme, Openreach NI is continuing to recruit in all areas and add to its already 1,000-strong workforce across Northern Ireland.
“Working at Openreach is fantastic. I’ve been part of the team for 11 years now and it’s always so wonderful to welcome new members to our family. Recruiting apprentices has been a big focus and something we are extremely proud of. I’m delighted to say that recent recruitment initiatives have led to an increase in the volume of women applying for apprentice engineer roles and that’s something we want to continue,” Garret says.
It is clear that Openreach is determined and well on its way to building a better, faster and more connected future for everyone in Northern Ireland.
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The Ewart Awarded Cycle Friendly Accreditation
Pictured at the £85m Ewart in Belfast, the first Grade A listed building ever to achieve Cycling UK’s Cycle Friendly Employer accreditation for Developments is Paul Beacom, MRP, James Palser of Cycling UK and Eamon Butler, CBRE NI.
The Ewart, one of Belfast’s most significant and sustainable new office developments, has received a Gold standard in Cycling UK’s Cycle Friendly Employer accreditation for Developments (CFE-UK).
Having completed the accreditation as part of an LQ BID initiative supporting businesses to become more cycle-friendly, the Ewart will provide the largest covered cycling provision within any Northern Ireland Grade A office to date.
The Ewart will also be the first grade A office building, ever, to achieve this standard both in the UK and across the whole European-wide consortium that delivers the cyclefriendly employer accreditation. The internationally recognised standard, for workplace cycling, is the only accreditation where organisations must meet a range of measures to demonstrate they are cycle-friendly.
Upon Practical completion in January 2022, the contemporary Ewart building will support the vision for a more sustainable working environment and city, with generous provision for cyclists including storage capacity for 124 bicycles in the basement, lockers and shower facilities on the ground floor.
One of the most important and historic architectural landmarks on Belfast’s skyline, The Ewart at 17-storeys high, is the final phase of developer MRP’s Bedford Square development which is being constructed by Design & Build Construction Partner McAleer & Rushe. The £85m 210,000 sq. ft Grade A listed office project, is set to accommodate 2,500 people when fully occupied.
Commenting on the accreditation, Paul Beacom from MRP said, “The Ewart has been designed to incorporate a range of facilities and amenities that promote health and well-being in the workplace. Post pandemic there is more focus on healthy lifestyles and sustainable working environments. The cycling, shower and changing facilities in The Ewart are already receiving very positive feedback from prospective occupiers. These types of facilities are of increasing importance in not only encouraging staff to return to the office, but it can help increase productivity working in a pleasant and high-quality work environment.
“The Ewart, has incorporated a vibrant and sustainable working environment for the future and we look forward to its cycling facilities not only inspiring office staff to cycle to work and support sustainable travel, but helping to improve their health and well-being.”
James Palser of Cycling UK said “The Ewart and its developers have made a fantastic commitment to active travel in Belfast, enabling and encouraging its commuters to choose a carbon-free commute. From the beginning, a cycling culture will be built through excellent parking facilities, regular cycling activities and even maintenance equipment to keep cycles in the best condition. People who cycle to work don’t only help the environment, they enjoy lower travel costs and improved health, both physical and mental. With long-term support from Cycling UK through gold cycle-friendly accreditation, we hope that The Ewart will provide the benchmark for cycle-friendly buildings in the city. Cycling UK has partnered with the Linen Quarter Business Improvement District (LQ BID) to help businesses across Belfast’s Linen Quarter to promote active travel and gain recognition as Cycle Friendly Employers.”
Chris McCracken, Managing Director of LQ BID, said: “We are delighted that MRP has secured the prestigious gold cycling award for its new development at The Ewart, and that all incoming tenants will automatically benefit from this accreditation. We welcome the support of MRP in making the Linen Quarter a pro-cycling district and encouraging the shift into active travel for all the health and wellbeing benefits this brings. Many staff want to see this sort of support from their employers, and so we encourage more businesses to consider this same step. The independent accreditation programme organised and facilitated by Linen Quarter BID, in partnership with Cycling UK, is an effective way to help develop more resilient organisations within a more sustainable city.”
Set in the heart of the central business district, The Ewart is only a short walk from City Hall, main transport hubs, shops, bars, restaurants and hotels. The finished offices will be part occupied by Deloitte NI with a further 124,000 sq ft for tenants seeking high quality workspace in the prime office core of the City.
