Issue 67 - November/December by Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry

TALENT AT THE TOP

Ruth McDonald, the Managing Director of Narratology, talks trends and opportunity.

CIPR NI MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR FINALIST 2024

Vellacott, one of the original professional services ﬁrms in NI, has built a strong reputation working closely with SME community.

Managing Editor: Olivia Stewart Interviews: Emma Deighan Publisher: Chris Sherry Advertising Managers: Lorraine Gill & Julie Patterson Editorial Assistant: Joanne Harkness Email addresses: olivia.stewart@northernirelandchamber.com / l.gill@ ulstertatler.com / j.patterson@ulstertatler.com Websites: www.northernirelandchamber.com / www.ulstertatler.com Publisher: Ulster Tatler Group, 39 Boucher Road, Belfast, BT12 6UT Tel: 028 9066 3311 Printed by: W&G Baird, Antrim. Front Cover Photo by: Khara Pringle.

Dealing With Challenges Head On

The Chancellor’s autumn budget means difficult choices for many businesses.

While our members acknowledge the need to stabilise public finances and support investment in public services, the acceleration of the tax burden will concern many businesses. In the absence of material growth, it will add to already high business costs and is likely to impact on confidence and investment intentions.

The overwhelming sentiment from NI Chamber members around the increase in the business tax burden is one of apprehension. There is genuine concern about the impact of increasing employers’ National Insurance contributions to 15% on top of a 6.7% increase in the National Living Wage. While the increase in the employment allowance to £10,000 is welcome, it will be a material help to our smallest employers only.

We are also aware of the concerns of private businesses, including farmers, in respect of the impact of changes to IHT property relief. This could have disproportionate consequences for Northern Ireland because of the number of family-owned firms and farms here.

The Chancellor announced a wide range of initiatives designed to incentivise economic growth across the UK in high growth sectors like defence, aerospace, life sciences and clean energy. We must ensure that Northern Ireland gets its fair share of this. It is therefore imperative that the Executive moves swiftly to publish its draft budget so that we can start delivering greater certainty for people and businesses in this region of the UK.

There is no denying that this budget is difficult, but among the tough announcements, there was some welcome news too. The decision to lift the pause in funding for City & Growth Deals in Causeway Coast & Glens and the Mid South West is welcome. So too is confirmation of £270 million for capital investment, which should be directed towards acute infrastructure challenges like wastewater and decarbonisation.

None of us should lose sight of the ambition to design a globally competitive and sustainable economy in Northern Ireland. To safeguard that, in the immediate term we must all turn our attention to making sure that as a region, NI does not fall behind relative to the rest of the UK. The NI Executive holds many of the levers. So, with a draft Programme for Government published and a draft investment strategy and budget to follow, it is imperative that we work in partnership to ensure that our businesses thrive, the economy grows and public services deliver for people and communities across the province.

This will take long-term thinking, a government determined to drive, generate and incentivise growth in the economy and above all, a joined-up effort to deal with the challenges head on.

Caitroina McCusker, President, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Cirdan secures £7.5m of equity investment

Cirdan, which is committed to addressing some of the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges, has secured a combined £7.5m in funding from the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland and global investment management company, 57 Stars.

Cirdan plans to use the £5m of funding from 57 Stars and £2.5m from IFNI to accelerate its delivery capabilities, expand its team of specialists and enhance its ability to provide innovative products. The scaling company is a leading provider of innovative software and imaging solutions that enhance and expedite the diagnosis of diseases.

The £2.5m investment from the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland is the fund’s fifth and largest equity investment to date and brings the total investment from the IFNI Equity fund to £5.5m.

Cirdan CEO Hugh Cormican said: “The backing of 57 Stars and the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland is a testament to the value and potential of our technology.

“With their support, we are confident in our ability to scale our solutions globally and make a significant impact in the healthcare sector, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.”

The deal with the Investment Fund for Northern Ireland was led by Clarendon Fund Managers.

TriEx Limited recognised as one of the fastest growing businesses in the UK

TriEx has been recognised as one of the fifty fastest-growing firms in Northern Ireland. The UK Fast Growth Index identifies the fastest-growing businesses in seven nations and regions, highlighting their exceptional contributions to the UK economy. Mark McGillion, Managing Director of Triex Limited, commented on the achievement, “We are thrilled to be recognised as one of fastest-growing businesses in NI. This acknowledgement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, and we are excited to continue our journey of growth and innovation. We look forward to the awards evening, where we will celebrate this achievement alongside other remarkable businesses from across the UK.”

Topframe expands with £2m investment in Castledawson factory

Economy Minister Conor Murphy announced a £1.96 million investment by Topframe Engineering in a new 30,000 sq ft factory in Castledawson, which will enhance the company’s productivity and drive export growth, creating 22 new jobs.

Topframe Engineering currently operate across two sites in Castledawson and Portglenone. The new facility will allow the company to focus its operations at their primary site in Castledawson, significantly improving efficiency.

Minister Murphy said: “This investment is a significant boost for the Mid-Ulster region, creating 22 skilled jobs with competitive salaries while enhancing Topframe Engineering’s overall productivity. Increasing productivity is crucial for improving living standards across the north, and I’m pleased to see that the new factory and equipment will help the company achieve an almost 40 per cent rise in productivity per employee.”

£4.3m SSE Airtricity Generation Green Community Fund opens for applications

SSE Airtricity has opened its £4.3 million all-island Community Fund for applications. The initiative aims to empower local communities in Northern Ireland, and right across the island of Ireland, to implement meaningful green projects that contribute to the transition to net zero.

By providing financial assistance to both urban and rural initiatives, SSE Airtricity aims to kick-start and support community driven projects that focus on environmental education, sustainability, and climate action. The fund is particularly aimed at fostering local leadership and promoting social equity, ensuring that all communities, regardless of their size or location, can contribute to Ireland’s sustainable future.

Speaking at the launch of the SSE Airtricity Generation Green Community Fund, First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “This £4.3 million all-island Community Fund provides an opportunity for communities and organisations to access support for projects aimed at helping them work towards a cleaner and sustainable energy source.

“We all have a role play, whether through education or by helping to grow green projects as organisations or as individuals.”

Titanic HotelBelfast

Where an impressive setting has the power to inspire world class success. To

Titanic Hotel Belfast, located in the Heart of the Titanic Quarter, was once the creative hub for Harland and Wolﬀ. Providing a distinctive backdrop for cutting edge corporate events, powerhouse business meetings alongside distinctive culinary dining experiences, this hotel will set the scene for your next event

Alchemy Technology services announced as first tenant of Ebrington Plaza

Alchemy Technology Services has been announced as the first tenant of the new Ebrington Plaza building in Derry/Londonderry. This move is part of a multimillion pound investment in the North West region by Alchemy, signalling its ongoing commitment to the local economy.

The grade A office space in Ebrington Plaza will serve as Alchemy’s new permanent headquarters, supporting the company’s commitment to long term growth in the region. Founded in the city in 2018, Alchemy currently employs over 150 people in Derry/Londonderry, providing consultancy and software implementation services to the global insurance industry.

John Harkin, Founder and CEO of Alchemy Technology Services, expressed his enthusiasm for the move: “We are thrilled to be the first tenant in Ebrington Plaza. This new cutting-edge office space will allow us to continue our expansion and to create an exceptional work environment for our employees. The move supports our mission to create a centre of excellence for the transformation of the global insurance industry by attracting and retaining top talent in the North West. It reinforces Alchemy’s position both as a leading player in the global insurance industry and an employer of choice in Northern Ireland.”

Wrightbus announces acquisition of Midlands firm

Wrightbus has announced the acquisition of Midlands firm RGI in a ‘pivotal’ deal to continue the firm’s push into bus refurbishment and repair.

The deal will enable Wrightbus and its subsidiary NewPower to offer a complete suite of refurbishment options, from upholstery to metalwork, alongside its existing powertrain conversion operation.

Wrightbus CEO Jean-Marc Gales said the company was entering a bold new phase in a bid to underline its global credentials.

“The growth of this company is entirely dependent on our incredible staff delivering world-leading products and services,” he explained. “We want to ensure the Wrightbus name is known not just in the UK and Ireland but all across the globe.”

Deloitte partners with Catalyst to open new city centre innovation hub in the Ewart Bedford Street

Deloitte and Catalyst have announced a partnership which will establish a hub for entrepreneurs in Belfast city centre.

The new coworking space will feature over 90 desks in open-plan areas and studios, a number of meeting pods and individual call booths, a presentation and events space and a cafe. The cafe will be run by award-winning social enterprise the NOW Group.

Jackie Henry, managing partner for people and purpose at Deloitte, and office senior partner in Belfast, said: “At Deloitte, our purpose is to make an impact that matters. In Northern Ireland we continue to make bold choices and lead the way when it comes to fostering collaboration, driving innovation and shared prosperity. Deloitte is always looking for ways to maximise value and this exciting new venture with Catalyst is the latest demonstration of our commitment to playing an active role in the growth of our local economy and further development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem here in Belfast.”

Steve Orr, Chief Executive of Catalyst, said: “We have considered a number of options to expand our footprint into the city centre but when Deloitte offered us the chance to partner and establish Catalyst Bedford Street here it made perfect sense. Once a cornerstone of the world-leading linen industry, the Ewart Building has witnessed the ebb and flow of entrepreneurship for generations.”

What will your legacy be?

A gift in your Will to Queen’s can become many things. For student bursary recipient Jessica Murphy, it can be a doorway to university for bright young people who otherwise might miss out. A legacy to Queen’s is more than what you leave behind. It’s also what you hand on. What will your legacy be?

Start the conversation today. Contact Louise Carey at l.carey@qub.ac.uk or visit go.qub.ac.uk/legacy-gift

US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, Joe Kennedy III launches ‘Better

on Board’ Charter

U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, Joe Kennedy III, has launched a new public transport charter for Belfast entitled ‘Better on Board’ which is supported by organisations representing more than 100,000 people across Northern Ireland. ‘Better on Board’ is a movement to drive modal shift and signals an unprecedented collaborative response to achieving a cleaner, greener and healthier Northern Ireland.

Launching the initiative, Joe Kennedy III, said: “I am delighted to launch the Better on Board Charter at the very impressive Belfast Grand Central Station which is exactly the type of investment required to achieve modal shift.

“This is an excellent initiative and an example of everyone coming together with a common goal and future vision to reimagine Northern Ireland’s cities and motivate meaningful and tangible change for a better environment for all its people.

“Modal shift will also serve to make Belfast an even more attractive, accessible and modern city for investors and staff. The recently launched hourly Enterprise service connecting Belfast and Dublin and the towns and cities in between will also play a significant role in creating new opportunities for Northern Ireland businesses and its people.”

Chris Conway, Translink CEO, commented: “The Better on Board Charter represents our shared vision for a more connected, accessible, and sustainable region. We’re thrilled to launch this initiative with the backing of several key partners, and we warmly invite more businesses and organisations to join us in this vital journey.

“By working together, we can make a real difference in reducing our emissions, enhancing air quality, and championing healthier and more active travel choices across the city.”

Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive, NI Chamber: “Businesses across Northern Ireland have an important role to play in driving modal shift by encouraging employees to increase their use of public transport. That, coupled with continued investment in public transport infrastructure, will be key to helping Northern Ireland achieve its net zero ambitions and enabling colleagues in all sectors of our economy to realise the health and wellbeing benefits of more sustainable and active travel. At NI Chamber, we are pleased to support Translink’s Better on Board Charter and the roll-out of its strategic aims.”

To find out more about the ‘Better on Board’ Charter, organisations are encouraged to visit translink.co.uk/betteronboard and use the hashtag #BetterOnBoard on social media to join the movement.

Female entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland partner with global corporations through Ulster University’s female entrepreneurship programme

Thirteen women entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland have been selected for a transformative opportunity to work with global corporations as part of the Connect to Success (C2S) programme.

Powered by Ulster University, this pioneering initiative was officially launched last month by Joe Kennedy III, US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs. Special Envoy Kennedy was the keynote speaker at the ceremony, which was attended by the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Jayne Brady and the Consul General of the United States, James Applegate.

Connect to Success pairs locally founded women-owned businesses (WOBs) in the scale-up phase with executive teams from some of the world’s most renowned multinational corporations. Starting in January 2025, the selected entrepreneurs will gain expert mentorship to shape their long-term growth strategies from industry leaders including Aflac, AIG, Coca-Cola, Goldman Sachs, Google, Irish Life Group, Kainos, KPMG, PwC, Seagate, and Stripe.

Among the 13 successful applicants are the founder of an innovative pregnancy and breastfeeding pillow brand, the creator of a celebrated artisan gift shop in Belfast, and the visionary behind a luxury bakery. The programme showcases the diverse talent of Northern Ireland’s female entrepreneurs, united by their ambition to scale their businesses and contribute to local economic growth.

Additional supporters of the C2S initiative include AwakenAngels, Catalyst, Cliste Hospitality, Endeavor Ireland, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, Ormeau Labs, Ulster Bank, and Women in Business.

Ulster University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Bartholomew, commented:

“Connect to Success plays a vital role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in areas essential to both economic growth and gender equality – supporting female entrepreneurs and womenowned businesses. Ulster University is a committed champion of female entrepreneurship, and we are delighted to collaborate on this transformative initiative. Congratulations to the 2025 cohort, we look forward to empowering their growth and showcasing the incredible contributions of womenowned businesses to regional economic prosperity.”

SERVICED APARTMENTS

Columnist

Mark McCormack Managing Director, Aflac Northern Ireland and Chair, Software NI

Northern Ireland: Building on past success to create a global centre for future tech

The emergence of a thriving local technology sector over recent decades is truly one of the remarkable success stories of Northern Ireland in the 21st century. Belfast, and the wider region, is now home to a growing ecosystem of dynamic and leading-edge businesses – and the industry is primed for further expansion.

Once a world leader in heavy industries, Northern Ireland is now widely celebrated for its cutting-edge technology and innovation.

This shift is no accident. Strategic moves by international firms, drawn by the region’s skilled workforce and supportive economic environment, coupled with an incredibly strong pool of homegrown indigenous companies, have created the perfect conditions for the technology sector to thrive here.

It has made Northern Ireland the number one international investment location for US cyber security firms, and Belfast is Europe’s leading FDI destination for new software development companies.

From cyber security to artificial intelligence, the region is home to a wide range of technology enterprises, each bringing innovation and opportunity.

Aflac Northern Ireland’s own journey is testament to this. Since opening our Global IT and Cyber Security Innovation Centre in Belfast in 2019, we have not only exceeded our growth targets but have also become a vital part of Aflac’s global operations. The Belfast team is responsible for leading 80% of the most innovative and critical projects for Aflac’s US business. Quite remarkable, given that the company’s Northern Ireland

centre has only been in operation, for five years. Remarkable in one sense, but also not a huge surprise to anyone involved in the tech sector here – the quality of the talent in the region is undeniable.

At Aflac, our story is unique to us – but it is also echoed in the stories of the countless other thriving tech firms across the local sector.

Looking to the future, Northern Ireland’s technology sector has set itself ambitious targets. As Chair of Software NI, I am proud to support and champion the organisation’s vision of more than doubling the workforce to 50,000 software jobs and trebling the value of goods and services produced to £5 billion annually by 2035.

This is a bold goal but one that is absolutely achievable through collaboration and continued investment.

At the heart of Software NI’s vision is the belief that Northern Ireland can not only compete but lead in the global tech landscape.

We’re moving in the right direction. Investment into tech firms in Northern Ireland reached its highest level ever last year, surpassing £143.2 million, according to Catalyst’s NI Deal Tracker.

The building blocks are there but urgent focus is still required to further upskill our workforce, fostering innovation and ensuring that businesses have the tools they need to grow and scale.

Software NI has established a number of working groups comprised of member companies focused on these urgent requirements. The group is committed to working closely with the government and industry leaders to drive this growth, ensuring that Northern Ireland remains

competitive and continues to attract world-class talent.

Northern Ireland’s tech sector is at a critical juncture. The potential for growth is immense, but it will require continued collaboration across industries, government, and educational institutions.

Earlier this year, Economy Minister Conor Murphy set out his seven priority sectors for growth including agri-tech, fintech, and software – underlining the importance of the technology sector in driving economic prosperity for this region. The delivery of high-quality software products acts as a “golden thread” across all of these sectors, and there’s barely an industry in existence today that won’t be touched by the impact of artificial intelligence tomorrow.

Big changes are coming and Northern Ireland is well-positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that will come with that change, leveraging the skills and experience developed over the last three decades to solve globally challenging problems, and at the same time significantly growing the economy.

At Aflac Northern Ireland, we have seen how a supportive ecosystem can foster success. We are proof that Northern Ireland has the talent, infrastructure, and ambition needed to thrive in a global market. But our success is not unique; it reflects the broader momentum of the software sector here.

Together, we can continue to build from the past and help to transform Northern Ireland into a global centre for future tech – and the possibilities are endless.

By Lee Surgeoner

Lee Surgeoner, Partner at Endeavour Information Solutions, a Microsoft Solutions Partner based in Belfast, that specialises in bringing customers ICT systems into the Microsoft Cloud using their extensive client project experience gained over the last 15 years with their Cloud First approach.

Today most businesses know at a high level that Microsoft 365 as a powerful suite of tools that offers services such as email, and file/ folder access from anywhere with an internet connection via a subscription removing the need to implement complex infrastructure into their own offices.

However, implementing Microsoft 365 is not always as straightforward as purchasing a subscription and "moving to the cloud". There are numerous factors to consider, including configuration, data migration, security settings, and user training.

Despite these complexities, some businesses will have people in the team who will understand these and meet them head on, but the majority of businesses without such resources in-house usually believe they can go it alone, often due to common misunderstanding of the complexities and the level of change any ICT system will bring regardless of where it is hosted.

We have been a Microsoft Partner for 15 years as of this month and have been implementing Microsoft Cloud solutions for customers since day one. In this article, we'll debunk these myths and explain why partnering with a Microsoft expert is crucial for a successful implementation.

COMMON MYTHS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING MICROSOFT 365

Myth 1: "Microsoft 365 is easy to set up, so we don't need help."

Reality: While Microsoft 365 is designed to be user-friendly, the setup process is far from simple, especially for businesses with existing systems and data to consider. The initial configuration involves decisions about security, compliance, and data management that require expertise.

Myth 2: "We can handle data migration ourselves."

Reality: Data migration is one of the most complex and critical aspects of moving to Microsoft 365. It involves transferring large volumes of data, often from multiple legacy systems, while ensuring data integrity and minimising downtime. Without proper planning and execution, you risk data loss, extended downtime, and disruptions to your business operations.

Myth 3: "We can figure out security settings as we go."

Reality: Cybersecurity is a priority for every business, and the security features in Microsoft 365 are powerful but also complex. Configuring them correctly from the start is essential to protect your business from threats. Misconfigured security settings can leave your business vulnerable to data breaches and compliance violations. A more worrying comment we hear from customers is "Microsoft looks after all our security for us and we don't need to worry!" which is only partly true.

The general baseline is covered by Microosft but you are required to configure these features to meet your specific needs and monitor their effectiveness over time.

Myth 4: "Our IT team can manage everything in-house."

Reality: While your IT team may be skilled, Microsoft Cloud (of which Microsoft 365 is only a part) is a vast platform that requires specialised knowledge to manage effectively which is something large IT departments may have but very few SME based customers usually have on staff or have time to skill up in while also supporting their existing systems.

So in Summary: While any business can purchase Microsoft 365 it usually needs specialist assistance from a Microsoft Partner with a specialist Solution Designation award in Modern Work which is Microsoft's award for partners who have Microsoft Certified Professionals on staff that have a track record for successfully delivering Microsoft 365 projects for customers. Who stay current with the latest features and best practices, providing valuable insights and guidance allowing customers to focus on other critical business operations, knowing that your Microsoft 365 environment is in expert hands.

If you would like to find out more, why not contact us to arrange a free, no commitment consultation, by visiting https://bit.ly/letstalk-m365 or calling us on 028 9031 1010 and let's talk.

Empower Your Business with Microsoft 365:

Helping to keep your business agile and productive while maintaining your compliance and security needs.

Boost Productivity: Utilise Microsoft's cloud-based tools like Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive to enhance collaboration and streamline workflows across your business.

Enhanced Security: Protect your data with advanced security features such as encryption, threat detection, and information security management included in Microsoft 365.

Scalable Solutions: Easily scale your business operations with flexible subscription plans and a suite of applications that grow with your company's needs.

Stay Up-to-Date: Keep your devices managed no matter where they are recieving the latest software updates and features, ensuring your business remains secure and up-to-date no matter where you are with Microsoft Intune.

For more information and a free review of your ICT systems and a demonstration of how Microsoft 365 could help deliver the right results for your business, visit our website today at https://www.endeavour-is.com/lets-talk-m365 and start your digital transformation journey.

MY AMBITION IS TO...

Fionnuala McKenna, CEF NI

At 18, like many students, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. My teachers suggested the usual careers – medicine, law, teaching – with actuary thrown in for good measure! Construction wasn’t the obvious choice, but a love for maths, a scholarship from Queen’s University, and my father’s example as a civil engineer subtly guided me. Although he never pushed me, his influence taught me that engineering was about more than structures – it was about relationships, solutions, and making a lasting impact.

With this in mind, I headed to Queen’s University Belfast for a master’s in civil engineering, not entirely sure what I was in for. The biggest shock? A classroom dominated by men – a shift coming from an all-girls school! I adjusted quickly, though. You might think I’d have had enough of being surrounded by men, but outside of class, I immersed myself in GAA – eventually becoming Queen’s GAA’s first female Chairperson, which gave me the confidence to lead without seeing myself as the minority – a mantra I’ve carried throughout my career.

Early on, I gained practical experience with Farrans through summer placements and a year-long role on the £120m Belfast Sewers Project under Eamon Sweeney’s mentorship, a remarkable introduction to large-scale construction. After graduation, I decided to try teaching and earned a postgraduate qualification in Mathematics. I spent a couple of rewarding years as a teacher at Belfast Boys’ Model, St. Mary’s Christian Brothers Grammar School, and St. Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon. Working with young people was fulfilling and gave me a new appreciation for my own teachers. Still, I realised teaching wasn’t my long-term path.

After some reflection and travel, I returned to construction in 2014 with renewed purpose, joining Geda Construction as a graduate civil engineer on NI Water projects. Later, I transferred to the East Midlands, working as a site engineer on social housing projects, stepping up to assistant site manager for a school project in Leicester, and eventually

managing my own site in Nottingham. It was a demanding period, with long hours and busy sites requiring careful coordination – and, once again, very few women in sight. Though challenging, it was an invaluable period of intense learning, giving me the hands-on experience I rely on today.

In 2018, I returned to NI as GB design manager, overseeing multiple design teams across 10-15 projects. The shift from site to office was more challenging than expected, as I missed seeing direct, tangible results. However, the role offered valuable insights into early construction phases – business development, site selection, planning, and design – giving me a well-rounded industry perspective that I now bring to my new role.

Interestingly, after carving out my own path in construction, I never expected to

be working to reshape the conversation around careers in Northern Ireland. Today, through Construction Futures, I’m part of a mission to give people more visibility into the world of construction – a world full of opportunities for building, innovating, and problem-solving.

As head of strategic development, I’m excited to lead Construction Futures, a start-up dedicated to transforming Northern Ireland’s construction industry with support from employers through the CEF and unions GMB and Unite the Union. My background in construction and education allows me to address industry-wide challenges highlighted in the EY Industry Skills Review. From setting the organisation’s direction to building a dedicated team, I’m focused on establishing a solid foundation to address immediate and long-term industry needs.

[SINCE 2014]

Columnist

Jane Shaw The Elmfield Institute

The art of Simple Listening

As the world becomes increasingly polarised it becomes a threatening place for most of us. The “other side” is threatening and dangerous. It is therefore more important than ever to listen to each other with compassion and kindness. Because we see the world through the state of our nervous system, when we feel threatened, we act from a place of defence rather than a place of safety, thus creating more barriers and protections, and further increasing polarisations. It becomes a negative feedback loop.

Global politics seems to dictate that we must separate from people who are different from us. Across the world, communities are being divided by polarising politics. We inherently think people who are like us are safer to be around. We are tribal. But we also thrive on diversity.

How then would our world society look if we all acted from a place of safety where we can trust and interact with people who are different from us and have different opinions, without feeling threatened? According to neuroscientific research, if we can train our nervous systems to feel safer as a default, then we start moving away from defensive actions towards a place of easeful healthier relating.

SIMPLE Listening™ does just that. It is a Polyvagal-informed programme which fosters biological safety in the nervous system which then leads to a feeling of easeful interconnection with others, rather than separation, isolation, and threat. Regulating the autonomic nervous system gives us more choice in how to act in any given situation, no longer feeding the dysfunction of an overstimulated sympathetic nervous system.

An overactivated sympathetic nervous system leads to a feeling of wired but

tired. In this survival mode we make poor choices. Until we realise that we can affect change in our nervous system, we often feel victim to our situation. However, by fostering safety and flexibility in our nervous system, we find we have more choice in how to respond in any given moment.

SIMPLE listening™ is a programme that educates the practitioner to listen to their environment using somatic intuitive awareness. Its objective is to gain autonomic nervous system regulation and a conscious relationship to self, other, and the environment. Many of the exercises involved bring a sense of deep physiological safety through stimulation of the social engagement cranial nerves, utilising both the sensory and motor aspects of the social engagement system.

SIMPLE Listening™ is an acronym for Somatic awareness; Intuitive inquiry; Mindful movement; Listen with whole body; Play and creative practice; Effortless action. It is more than active listening. It creates an embodied felt sense that we are part of an interconnected world in which all parts are important. When we feel connected to another, we are less likely to hurt that person. Because safety has been created, we have capacity to allow others to be different from us.

There are very many exercises to choose from in the art of Simple Listening; all are designed to affect change in the autonomic nervous system.

Somatic Awareness

Develop an awareness of the somatic impact of internal and external resources to create a safer inner and outer landscape. Breathing practices and body scans can support inner resources.

Intuitive Inquiry

Notice your gut feelings. Trust them. Be curious about how your internal landscape

is reflected in the outer world. Listen for what’s not being said. This can be sometimes just as important as what is said. What does your body tell you about what’s going on?

Mindful movement

Our body movements change how our autonomic nervous system (ANS) reacts. For example, a practice of walking backwards for a few minutes each day or focusing on your peripheral vision as you walk, can support flexibility in the ANS.

Play and creative practice

By activating the neural vagal complex, play fosters feelings of safety, supports social engagement, and contributes to stress regulation.

Listening with the whole body

Listening with your whole body gives you more cues on how to respond. Try practicing mindfulness when listening to someone speak. When you give someone your full presence and attention they will trust you more, and literally be able to hear you better (because of the neural pathways coming on board).

Effortless action

The concept of wu wei wu, meaning action without action, originates from the ancient Taoist text of the Tao Te Ching. It is a paradoxical notion that suggests we can find greater ease and flow by finding the right balance between doing and not doing. Effortless action is more commonly known as a flow state. By letting go of the need to control every outcome, we can reduce stress and anxiety. Embracing the flow of events instead of resisting them can lead to a more peaceful mindset.

Simple Listening practices support a felt sense of the reciprocity of life, affording more choice, more diversity, and less division.

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Helping Fast Growing Businesses

Based at the historic Mackie’s site in west Belfast, The Innovation Factory is a pioneering hub, o ering ﬂexible workspace and business support. Since opening its doors in September 2016, supported by Belfast City Council and Oxford Innovation Space, it has helped more than 150 businesses start up and grow.

It features purpose-built co-working space, flexible offices and meeting rooms – however, what sets Innovation Factory apart is the specialist, one-to-one professional advice, and support to help start, grow and scale up organisations. There’s a range of other support including free masterclasses – open to the public, delivered by industry experts on essential topics including legal issues, finance and marketing through to social media and harnessing artificial intelligence.

Just ten minutes from Belfast city centre, Innovation Factory is easy to access with good bus links, a large, free car park and secure cycle parking – perfect for teams on the move, and for hosting conferences, launch and networking events or large meetings.

The building offers 24/7 access with on-site security and a café which provides a relaxing area and the perfect networking space for like-minded entrepreneurs and freelancers.

Read what Andrew and Wilson think of being based at the Innovation Factory.

ICONIC RF – ANDREW PATTERSON

Tech company Iconic RF has enjoyed being based at the Innovation Factory for over six years. Andrew Patterson shares: “Innovation Factory has helped us identify and secure funding, the facilities are perfect for our needs, and we also like being co-located with other tech companies – providing a culture that’s conducive to pursuing new ideas.”

MOTIVE PEAK – WILSON LYNN

As soon as Wilson Lynn of Motive Peak saw Innovation Factory, he knew he wanted to locate there to expand his thriving video production business. He says it’s one of the best business decisions he’s made.

“There is something very special about Innovation Factory. There’s an energy that I’ve not experienced elsewhere,” he said.

“We’re really excited about the future of the business and have been grateful for the support we’ve received from the team at Innovation Factory. They’ve helped make introductions and connections for us, suggested new funding schemes, and look at new opportunities for growth,” he added.

Columnist

Deborah Upton People Director at Telefónica Tech

Helping Your Workplace Thrive

People are the backbone of any successful business, driving innovation, change, collaboration, and productivity. Their diverse skills, experiences, and personalities foster creativity and problem-solving, helping organisations stand out and succeed. Investing in employees’ growth supports wellbeing, loyalty, and retention. Increasing employee capability is key to moving an organisation toward its goals. As Telefónica Tech continues its growth, cultural transformation and our People Strategy are vital as we approach 2025 and beyond.

Our goal is to become a resultsfocused, culture-driven, learning organisation, supported by the enthusiasm and dedication to excellence from our leadership team. When people engage with us, they access talented experts who can solve the most complex business challenges. This capability is strengthened by new people processes, systems, and ways of working – the full set of elements needed to enhance organisational capability.

Our first step toward becoming a learning organisation was the introduction of new competencies that align with our values and behaviours, fostering aspiration. These competencies are future-focused, designed to equip employees for new opportunities, encourage collaboration, and embrace complexity. We apply these same competencies in recruitment to maintain high standards and build highperforming teams. Learning agility is a key focus, as we believe people learn not because they are told to, but because they want to. This principle is a core part of our recruitment process.

To support the transition to competency-based interviews, the talent

acquisition team has provided “Licence to Hire” training for all hiring teams. We’ve also created bespoke scorecards in our applicant tracking system, ensuring a fair and efficient process.

We launched our Learning Management System (LMS) to house and train employees in these new competencies and other critical skills. The platform centralises technical learning, encourages knowledge sharing, and builds personalised learning journeys. It also offers digital onboarding to ensure that new employees are equipped to make an immediate impact and drive productivity within their teams.

Career paths and technical routes are available in some areas of the business, with plans to expand them across all solution areas by 2025. This initiative will allow us to grow our own talent, particularly in hard-to-recruit roles. These career paths support promotion journeys, ensuring that employees and new hires understand that Telefónica Tech offers opportunities for skills development and career growth –especially in the many technical verticals we operate in.

The LMS platform also integrates our performance management process to support continuous development. Employees set both business (performance) and development goals, with frequent feedback provided during regular 1-2-1 check-ins. This helps us move at pace and stay results-focused. As we continue to enhance the platform, we will be able to provide specific skills feedback, ensuring a skills-based view of our workforce.

The success of these systems, processes, and ways of working relies on a shared culture. As we integrate our solution areas, it’s essential that all employees have equal experiences and opportunities. We consulted employees

through surveys, workshops, and leader discussions to identify how we can create an environment where everyone can be their best. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with employees highlighting the strong culture, opportunity, and support within the company.

As part of our cultural transformation, we identified five key behaviours to focus on: excellence, leadership, courage, team spirit, and transparency. These behaviours support our goal of becoming a learning organisation and help us perform at our best – individually, as teams, and as a business.

We recently launched our Culture for Success initiative, which focuses on defining, inspiring, and embedding these behaviours to increase employee engagement. We understand that engagement is about connection and fulfilment, which are major contributors to wellbeing and help us achieve our business strategy. Engagement and wellbeing are intertwined, creating a foundation that enables us to navigate changes in technology and markets.

We’ve seen an increase in our Employee Net Promoter Scores across the business, indicating that we’ve listened to concerns and invested in the right programs. Employees feel valued and empowered, which contributes to a positive workplace culture.

At Telefónica Tech, ‘People are at the core’ is our central principle. We are a people-driven business, and by investing in our people and supporting them through effective systems and processes, we can manage, support, and develop talent. This positive employee experience ultimately translates into a better customer experience, helping us perform better, secure our market position, and achieve our long-term vision.

Talent

AT THE

TOP

Ruth McDonald, Managing Director of Narratology, an executive search firm based in Belfast, has filled a niche in the executive appointment market. Six years on from the launch of her business, she talks trends and opportunity.

With a degree in languages, Ruth was first introduced to the world of recruitment through her summer jobs, accidentally discovering a passion for the field that led her to dedicate nearly two decades to it before founding Narratology six years ago.

“In those days, there weren’t the opportunities to use languages here in Northern Ireland so I moved away as a graduate. Over the summers while at Queen’s, I worked for recruitment agencies and in coming home initially just for a stop gap, I found a career that I loved, I worked hard and here I am today owning Narratology,” she begins. With 18 years of experience in the sector, Ruth was eager to create a brand that resonated with her unique approach to recruitment and filled what she recognised as a gap in the market.

“I wanted to establish a boutique executive search firm,” Ruth says. “At that time, I spoke with companies here who I knew still used London-based firms to appoint their most senior roles, as they felt that was what was needed not just to identify but to attract and engage individuals at that level. In Narratology, we have created a research-based model that means we can reach that senior level talent and a headhunting process that ensures we appoint the best.”

The name “Narratology” reflects Ruth’s belief in the power of storytelling in business. “Behind the name is the study of stories,” she notes. “I couldn’t help but think how powerful it is that most leaders buy into the story of a business, how they could be part of that story and the impact they could make. There is a whole piece around storytelling and employer branding within marketing, and I think the name resonates in many ways. I’ve had great feedback about the name, and it’s still a talking point six years on.”

With two business partners who already owned successful recruitment companies, Ruth secured the necessary support to launch Narratology. Last year she bought those partners out, marking a significant milestone in her entrepreneurial journey. “They gave me the right amount of support and space to build a brand and they will always be a part of our story,” she adds.

The firm is one of NI Chamber’s twenty patrons, having first worked together four years ago on the In Conversation With podcast, where local CEOs shared their own stories. “Through our patronage, we can support not only NI Chamber but also the wider business sector. Since SME companies make up 90% of businesses in Northern Ireland, as a patron, we’re proud to represent SME business,” adds Ruth. At Narratology, a targeted approach defines the client experience. “We’re known for being a research-based executive search firm,” Ruth stresses.

“It’s understanding our clients’ markets that sets us apart. There are times when appointments require varying degrees of profiling and publicity and other times where projects are more discreet. There are occasions where we carry out research long before we create the position so that clients can make informed decisions and there are other more pressing requirements where we’ll make introductions from our broad network of

“I couldn’t help but think how powerful it is that most leaders buy into the story of a business, how they could be part of that story and the impact they could make. There is a whole piece around storytelling and employer branding within marketing, and I think the name resonates in many ways. I’ve had great feedback about the name, and it’s still a talking point six years on.”

seasoned leaders. It’s about balancing being thorough with being swift to respond and connecting great talent with great opportunities.”

Narratology builds long term partnerships with diverse clients across the island of Ireland, ranging from PLCs to scaling entrepreneurs and including longestablished privately owned businesses. Ruth says: “I’ve worked with company owners on their new ventures, through their growth, through change and on their own succession plans. Being trusted by such successful businesses to appoint their most senior positions is a real honour.”

Ruth notes: “Just as companies are looking for new senior hires to bring fresh thinking to the table, these individuals are looking for the opportunity to do just that. How a company does business will matter to them.” Emerging job titles are a notable trend in the current landscape, with new C-Suite or Director roles in transformation,

strategy, AI and sustainability gaining prominence. “These new job titles reflect the significance of corporate governance and responsibility. Similarly I’ve seen director roles in functions such as HR, marketing and IT become more and more strategic. These positions are critical to businesses and are increasingly becoming Board appointments.”

Present market conditions have created an extremely competitive marketplace for employers with the perfect storm of an abundance of opportunities but a decline in job applications at all levels. Ruth believes creating and marketing the right opportunity to attract candidates is crucial. She adds: “Nothing is impossible. As an executive search professional, my advice to companies seeking top leadership talent is to be well informed. Having a clear understanding of our clients and their uniqueness in their markets enables us to shape a proposition that means they can engage and appoint the best.”

Ruth observes that while the market is tougher, companies cannot compromise on behaviours. “We’re placing leaders who set the tone at the top. Their values and their ways of working have a huge bearing on the rest of the organisation. Where an appointment requires a specific skillset, companies may compromise on other things such as level, industry background or geography. Narratology’s reach is extensive and we look further than the obvious markets to present real possibilities.”

Ruth has seen an increase in appetite toward relocation, particularly among those considering returning home. It’s a positive shift for the talent market here. “Usually those decisions are related to personal reasons, mainly to be closer to family. We will always seek out potential returners in our search activities.

Interestingly, I have also seen an interest to relocate to Northern Ireland from elsewhere in the UK or the Republic of Ireland even when there is no connection. Everything depends on the opportunity.”

Ruth’s commitment to a robust and ethical process is evident. “We represent our clients in their marketplaces at every step of the executive search journey. We’re experienced in managing candidates at the most senior levels. We pride ourselves on relevant approaches, positive assessment experiences and assured discretion. After all, we’re also representing the Narratology brand.”

Looking to the future, she remains focused on Narratology’s core mission. “While our intention is to grow, we want to remain the go-to firm for executive hires,” she asserts. “That’s Narratology’s area of expertise and our unique talent.”

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Economising Events

Ross Moffett is sales director at ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall. Six months into the role, he reflects on the opportunity to grow business events in Northern Ireland, which, he says, could bring seismic economic impact.

Before joining ICC Belfast, Ross had cemented his career in sales, leading business development in a renewable energy firm, where he secured rapid and impressive sales growth into new markets.

Now heading up sales at Belfast’s International Convention Centre, as well as two of the city’s iconic entertainment venues, Ross is also tapping into a passion for live events, as he explains.

“In a previous life, I ran a music promotion called Pop Up Original. We hosted shows in Belfast, Derry, and Dublin, focusing not just on gigs, but on educating young musicians about the music industry, hosting workshops on everything from marketing to record labels.

“In my current role, it is a huge honour to be tasked with filling historic venues like the Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall with entertainment ranging from a professional snooker tournament, to a stand-up comedian, or Snow Patrol’s album launch gig.”

For Ross, one of his most exciting business development opportunities is positioning ICC Belfast as a competitive, attractive venue for large scale business events, conferences and international conventions.

SEISMIC ECONOMIC IMPACT

“The potential economic impact from ICC Belfast hosting these big business events is seismic and I don’t think people realise the scale of what we’re capable of here.

“At maximum capacity, we can host 5,000 delegates. The ripple effect from an event of this size coming to Belfast benefits everyone from the airports, the transport providers and taxi drivers, to the hoteliers, the restaurants and their suppliers and the retailers and visitor attractions.

“These large business events are wholesale commercial opportunities for tourism here. It’s estimated we bring around £80 million to the local economy each year, and we’re aiming to increase that to £120 million. The economic potential waiting to be unlocked is huge.”

As Northern Ireland’s only purpose-built convention centre, ICC Belfast competes on a world stage to attract business events to the city. Clients range from

corporate event bookers, to associations booking international conferences for bodies in the fields of medicine, technology, engineering and construction, to name a few.

Ross continues: “We’ve seen great examples of this recently, with events like One Young World, Cyber UK and an event from global pharma giant, AstraZeneca.”

ICC Belfast has been named as Best Convention Centre and Belfast has been crowned the Best Business Events Destination in numerous international conference and events awards, beating venues and cities around the world.

Ross says it’s the winning combination of Belfast’s hospitality and tourism offering and ICC Belfast’s sharp focus on delivering outstanding customer service that’s attracting these major business events to the city.

“For a conference organiser, the decision to bring thousands of international delegates to Belfast is a big one and it’s deeply considered. We work closely with partners in Visit Belfast, Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland, because the whole

destination wrapped around our worldclass conference and events venue really helps to seal the deal.

“Venue size and our cutting-edge facilities play a part, but the magic ingredient comes from our team’s drive to create memorable experiences.

“It’s not quick, transactional business: we build long-term relationships, established on foundations of trust and service excellence.

“Our staff are committed to treating every visitor like royalty, taking all the stress out of the event process. We work alongside event organisers to meet and exceed their expectations.

“Our goal is to create an experience in Belfast that delegates talk about when they go home, and our dream is that they will bring friends and family back for another visit in the future. With every event here, we’re creating an army of ambassadors across the world.

“It’s truly an honour to be part of something that plays such a pivotal role in Northern Ireland and I’m really excited to see this potential being unlocked.”

Ross Moffett, Sales Director, ICC Belfast Waterfront Hall, Ulster Hall.

Columnist

Anne-Marie Roddy Associate Director, Carbonfit

Why Starting Your Net Zero Journey is Essential to Access It

In recent years, green finance has emerged as a pivotal driver of sustainable development that promotes environmentally friendly projects and practices, from funding renewable energy initiatives to supporting carbon reduction programmes. For businesses, accessing green finance provides vital capital for sustainability efforts and aligns with the increasing expectations of eco-conscious consumers and investors. However, to capitalise on these financial opportunities, companies must demonstrate a commitment to sustainability: embarking on the journey to net zero is essential.

Green finance includes a range of financial instruments, including green bonds, sustainable loans, and environmental investment funds, all directed towards environmentally friendly projects. These tools enable organisations to secure funding for initiatives that reduce carbon footprints, enhance energy efficiency, or mitigate environmental risks. As awareness of climate-related risks grows, governments, financial institutions, and investors are directing more funds into green finance to support the global shift towards a low-carbon economy.

In the UK, the green finance market has experienced significant growth. Between 2012 and 2021, global green bond issuance increased from $2.3 billion to $511.5 billion, with the UK financial sector issuing $28.9 billion worth of green bonds over the past decade. This surge reflects a broader commitment to sustainable finance, positioning the UK as a leader in the global green finance market.

For businesses, green finance offers an accessible way to fund sustainable practices that might otherwise be too costly. Through green financing, organisations can access lower interest rates, favourable loan terms, and enhanced reputational benefits. However, this funding is generally contingent upon a company’s commitment to environmental goals, particularly the journey to net zero.

In the UK, a significant number of businesses are recognising the importance of net zero commitments. According to the 2024 UK Net Zero Business Census, 73% of organisations are prioritising net zero, with 65% targeting net zero by 2050 and 48% setting targets within the next decade. This widespread commitment underscores the growing recognition of the importance of sustainability in the business sector.

Green finance provides several key benefits for businesses with net zero targets. First, it can significantly reduce the cost of implementing sustainable practices. Transitioning to renewable energy, for example, or investing in low-emission technologies can require substantial capital. Green finance options, such as sustainability-linked loans or green bonds, help offset these costs, making it financially feasible to pursue ambitious environmental goals. Additionally, green finance is linked to reputational benefits. As consumers and stakeholders become more environmentally conscious, they are favouring brands that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. Securing green finance not only shows dedication to environmental progress but also

aligns businesses with the broader expectations of their customer base.

Beginning a net zero journey can seem daunting, but it is an achievable goal with careful planning and clear milestones. The first step is often to measure current emissions, gaining a full understanding of where emissions are highest and which areas offer the greatest potential for reductions. From there, businesses can set realistic targets, whether through energy efficiency improvements, investing in renewable energy, or changing operational processes to reduce waste and emissions.

Transparency is also key. Regularly reporting on progress, setting achievable short- and long-term goals, and communicating efforts to stakeholders build trust and strengthen a company’s green finance credentials. Many businesses choose to seek third-party certifications or endorsements to validate their sustainability efforts, further increasing their eligibility for green financing.

Green finance is no longer a niche sector – it is becoming a cornerstone of the global economy, supported by policies and incentives from governments around the world. As climate awareness continues to rise, access to green finance will increasingly be conditional upon evidence of a robust sustainability plan. For companies committed to achieving net zero, this shift presents a unique opportunity. By acting early, these businesses can secure financing, improve their ESG profiles, and align with future regulatory requirements.

Welcome

NI Chamber Chief’s UPDATE

New Members

Bi a Group

Adler & Allan

Airtech Distribution

AKU Training

Asap Cargo

Barrett’s Concrete

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Catagen

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Ulster Hockey Workshop NI

Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive, NI Chamber

ecent weeks have seen some difficult announcements for business. Following the Autumn Budget, we share our members’ concerns about the cumulative impact on business costs, investment intentions and ultimately, growth. To that end, we have requested a meeting with the first and deputy first ministers to discuss the implications for NI businesses, as well as why it is critical that the additional funding the region is set to receive is spent well.

At the same time, we have submitted our initial response to the draft Programme for Government, which you can log onto our website to read. NI Chamber members can also review our feedback on the draft ‘Good Jobs’ Employment Rights Bill, which will have some signiﬁcant implications for employers. The economy minister has committed to continued engagement on the proposals, so we encourage you to review it.

Between now and the end of the year, we have a packed calendar of business events, the pinnacle of which is our President’s Banquet, where we will celebrate the power and potential of imagination. Other planned events will focus on energy, innovation, business growth and skills, in addition to ‘in camera’ events with both the Minister of Finance and Minister for Communities. And of course, our annual carol service returns to St Anne’s Cathedral on 17 December.

In really positive news, we are delighted that last month, NI Chamber was named the 2024 UK Chamber of the Year. Over the past 12 months, we have been rolling out some very ambitious growth plans, not just for our own organisation but more importantly, for Northern Ireland’s economy. Absolutely everything we do is in pursuit of economic growth and prosperity across Northern Ireland. This accolade is a signiﬁcant endorsement of how that is working in terms of membership growth and business impact, making NI Chamber one of the fastest growing Chambers across the British Chamber Network.

Looking ahead, our strategic plan challenges us to grow NI Chamber further and work as closely as possible with high-growth sectors, investors, international stakeholders and politicians at every level of government to realise Northern Ireland’s vast potential.

The Chamber Award is reﬂective of our strides to date and to the level of ambition we have for NI Chamber, our members and the economy. Like our member companies, we can’t afford to stand still, which is a challenge this team is excited to rise to.

Events Gallery

1. Beth Greenan (Galgorm Collection): Jo Hopkins; Neil McManus: Suzanne Wylie (NI Chamber) Lady Mary Peters: Stephen Watson (BBC NI); Catherine Martin (Cavanagh Kelly) and Maria Costello MBE.

2. Aileen McGuire, Louise McCooey and TracyMay McAtamney from MJM Marine attended ‘’Championing the next Generation’ in Galgorm Resort & Spa.

3. Guests at a Regional Networking event in Ballycastle enjoyed structured networking sessions.

4. Connor Carvill (NIE Networks); Olga Henry (Marine Hotel); Caroline Coyle (NI Chamber) Jonny Pierce (Built for Better Business); Petrina McAuley (NI Chamber).

5. Attendees gathered for networking in Ballycastle and heard from speaker Jonny Pierce, Director of Built for Better Business.

6. Clodagh Rice (BBC NI) ; Niall Harkin (Almac Group); Geoff Sharpe (Danske Bank) and Christoper Morrow (NI Chamber).

7. Guests at the latest Grow with Danske Bank event heard from Niall Harkin, who discussed Almac’s growth story.

8. Laura Dowie (Women in Business); Shauna McPeake (Catalyst); Michael Black (Cleaver Fulton Rankin); Florence Smith (Cleaver Fulton Rankin) and Jonathan Campbell (NI Chamber).

9. Over 70 guests gathered to hear from a panel, led by Cleaver Fulton Rankin on recruitment and retention in the modern workplace.

The Future Workforce Summit

NI Chamber’s Future Workforce Summit returned to Titanic Belfast for the second year and saw over 200 delegates gather to share ideas and strategise on how together we can recruit, retain and develop leading talent in Northern Ireland. The event was supported by headline sponsor NIE Networks and supporting sponsors Workplus, EY and Finnebrogue.

1. Tracey Donnery (Skillnet Ireland); Graeme Wilkinson (Department for Economy); Paul Healy (Skillnet Ireland); Caitroina McCusker (NI Chamber); Gordon Parkes (NIE Networks); Suzanne Wylie (NI Chamber); Richard Kirk (Work+); Tim Bergin (EY).

2. Paul Healy, CEO, Skillnet Ireland.

3. Gordon Parkes, NIE Networks.

4. Moira Doherty, Department for Economy.

5. Attendees had the opportunity to network before hearing from panellists.

6. Kathleen O’Hare (NI Skills Council); Anna Rice (Energia); Richard Kirk (Work+); Carol Fitzsimmons (Young Enterprise) and Steven Norris (Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council) spoke on finding and developing future talent

7. Louise Maguire (Ionic Technologies) ; Gordon Parkes (NIE Networks); Lindsay Bronte (Southern Regional College) spoke on a skilled green economy in a panel facilitated by Naomi McMullan.

8. Kathleen O’Hare, NI Skills Council.

9. Over 200 businesspeople were in attendance.

Celebrating the winners of the 2024 NI Chamber Awards

NI Chamber’s 2024 Chamber Awards recognised innovators, exporters and champions of people, diversity and the planet. Category winners and highly commended companies joined President, Cat McCusker for a breakfast celebration to mark their achievement together.

1. The winners and highly commended recipients of the 2024 NI Chamber Awards included 12 local companies.

2. The Deluxe Group’s Richard Hill collected the award for Global Business of the Year.

3. Roger McCracken and Andrew McCracken from Foods Connected, winners of the Digital Revolution Business of the Year award.

4. Thomas Kelly and Timothy Rankin from Ionic Technologies were presented with the Green Innovation Business of the Year award.

5. Katrien Roppe from FinTrU was presented with the award for People & Work Business of the Year.

6. Daniel Comiskey and Anthony McVeigh accept S&W Wholesale’s award for Local Economy of the Future Business of the Year.

10. Zesty was highly commended

11. Cleaver Fulton Rankin was

12. Eakin

NI Chamber is UK Chamber of the Year

NI Chamber is celebrating after winning the 2024 UK Chamber of the Year award from British Chambers of Commerce.

Judges praised NI Chamber for its programme of outreach to build closer business ties with Chambers in the United States as well as in Cork and Dublin. It was also singled out for the depth and quality of its knowledge sharing across the Chamber Network.

Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, said: “We are delighted that NI Chamber is the 2024 UK Chamber of the Year. Over the past 12 months, we have been rolling out some very ambitious growth plans – not just for our own organisation, but more importantly, for Northern Ireland’s economy. Absolutely everything we do is in pursuit of economic growth and prosperity across Northern Ireland. This accolade is a signiﬁcant endorsement of how that is working in terms of membership growth and business impact.

“It has been a year marked by new milestones and, in particular, new partnerships, based on our assessment that collaboration is the best way to deliver shared economic prosperity. That has included some exciting international alliances, including our MOU with NC Chamber in North Carolina, as well as colleagues in Dublin and Cork Chambers.

“Looking ahead, our strategic plan challenges us to grow NI Chamber further and work as closely as possible with high-growth sectors, investors, international stakeholders and politicians at every level of government to realise Northern Ireland’s vast potential. We have committed to growing our own social impact too – working with young people, meeting net zero challenges and ensuring that our offering helps member businesses to do the same. Like them, we can’t afford to stand still, which is a challenge this team is excited to rise to.”

Sarah Howard MBE, chair of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), added:

“Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce really stands out with its ‘Power of Partnership’ initiative, which has built strong local and global connections to boost business growth and the regional economy. Their focus on collaboration and supporting economic development is exactly why they deserve to be named UK Chamber of the Year.”

Deepening social impact

NI Chamber has launched a number of new strategic partnerships designed to broaden and deepen its social impact, particularly among young people. As part of a fresh commitment to developing the next generation of the region’s talent it will work with enterprise education charity, Young Enterprise and support the SistersIN leadership programme.

Through Young Enterprise, NI Chamber will give consideration to the views of young people in the policy priorities it puts before decision- makers. It will also provide young entrepreneurs with platforms to showcase their innovations and provide the charity with access to the experience of business leaders within its vast network.

And in partnership with SistersIN, it will help empower and develop female pupils in education through support for its mentorship schemes. Its signature leadership programme is an 8-month development journey for sixth form girls to help build their conﬁdence and broaden their career perspectives, which beneﬁted 379 pupils across 28 schools in the past year.

Speaking about the partnerships, NI Chamber’s Chief Executive Suzanne Wylie explained why the approach is an opportunity for NI Chamber and its members to support ambition among the next generation.

“We know that young people will lead the clean, green economy – the jobs of the future will be theirs. So, it is vitally important that we support their ambitions and play our part in building their conﬁdence and ensuring that their voices and ideas are heard and acted upon now. These new associations with Young Enterprise and SistersIN formalise already excellent working relationships. As a Chamber of Commerce, this is an opportunity for us to deepen our purpose and widen our impact and participation rate among young people, which is something we look forward to developing.”

Gillian McAuley appointed as non-executive director at British Chambers of Commerce

Gillian McAuley, chief people officer at Eakin Healthcare and past president at NI Chamber, has been appointed to the board of British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). She was chosen as a non-executive director after an extensive selection process carried out by the nominations committee over the summer.

Announcing the appointment, Sarah Howard, chair of the BCC, said: “We are excited to welcome Gillian and look forward to working closely with her as we continue to drive the BCC’s mission forward. Her broad chamber experience, legal acumen and long and varied business career should prove strong assets for the board.”

Gillian McAuley added: “I am delighted to have been appointed to the board of BCC and look forward to serving alongside businesspeople from across the UK Chamber network. It is especially pleasing to be a voice for Northern Ireland on the board, which has such an important role to play in shaping the direction of this very influential business organisation. At a time when we are resolutely focused on helping businesses to rebuild confidence and seize opportunities to innovate and grow, I look forward to supporting BCC in its mission.”

Sparking imagination: bestselling author to headline NI Chamber banquet

Best-selling author and comedy actor David Walliams will be the star guest at NI Chamber’s 2024 President’s Banquet. More than 1,000 businesspeople are set to attend the premier black-tie event in ICC Belfast.

Television anchor Alex Jones will host the evening, during which guests will be inspired to reflect on their most ambitious, positive and inspiring vision for Northern Ireland and take action to create it by design. The event is sponsored by NI Chamber’s communications partner BT, along with supporting sponsors ABL Group, Barclays, Mattioli Woods and Tughans, as well as drinks reception sponsor Vanrath, media partner Bauer Media Group and drinks partner Diageo.

Henry Group is new NI Chamber Patron

Mid-Ulster headquartered construction ﬁrm, Henry Group is NI Chamber’s newest Patron. The announcement brings its total number of Patron organisations to twenty.

Founded in 1976 by Jim Henry, the Group now has 200 direct employees based across Northern Ireland, England and Scotland, having established itself as a specialist in sectors including education, defence, commercial and healthcare.

Most recently, it has been appointed on the £36.5m build of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre’s Factory of the Future by Queen’s University, the £13.5m design and build of a new Driver and Vehicle Agency Test Centre in Mallusk, and the £15m build of a centre for community health services in Belper, Derbyshire.

Additionally, earlier this year, Henry Group became one of only two Northern Irish businesses to be honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development.

Announcing the Patronage Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive, NI Chamber said: “Henry Group is a real Northern Ireland success story, typifying the ambition of so many high potential ﬁrms across Northern Ireland. While the scale of its ambition has contributed to an impressive growth trajectory, the Group continues to retain really strong roots in Magherafelt and across Northern Ireland. Ian, David, Julie, and the other Directors have been ardent supporters of NI Chamber for some time, so we are delighted that they have opted to cement this relationship further through Patronage.”

Ian Henry MBE, Director at Henry Group and a Past President of NI Chamber added: “At Henry Group, we believe in being Altogether Stronger, striving not only to consistently deliver the highest standards of service but to make a lasting, positive impact on our people, planet and place.

“Our longstanding partnership with NI Chamber has been incredibly valuable and we are pleased to strengthen this by becoming Patrons, supporting the vital work it does and, in turn, helping businesses across the province thrive.”

Henry Brothers joins a list of NI Chamber Patrons which also includes Agnew Leasing, Balcas, Belfast International Airport, Caterpillar, Danske Bank, Eakin Healthcare, Encirc, Galgorm Resort & Spa, Legacy Wealth Management, Moy Park, Narratology, Pinsent Masons, Power NI, PwC NI, Queen’s University Belfast, Randox, Ulster Bank, Ulster Carpets and Ulster University Business School.

Senior business leaders join NI Chamber Board

NI Chamber has welcomed the appointment of Patrick Anderson, Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan and Ruth McGuinness to its Board.

Patrick is Vice-President and Chief Finance and Resources Ofﬁcer at Queen’s University Belfast, with responsibility for the Finance, Estates, Digital and Information Services and Strategy and Planning Directorates and is Co-Sponsor of the Belfast Region City Deal Programme.

A Chartered Accountant with a PLC background, Paddy was previously Group Chief Financial Ofﬁcer at Translink and has an extensive range of experience at Board level in both the private and public sectors. He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and is a member of the Bank of England’s Decision Maker Panel.

Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan is the University Provost at Ulster University, playing a major role in institution-wide strategic leadership and planning, including shaping institutional strategies and priorities and communicating the strategies and priorities to internal and external stakeholders. She has worked in Higher Education for 26 years, with previous roles including Deputy-ViceChancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Impact) and Research Institute Director. By background, she is a Professor of Politics with research interests in political elites, peace processes, the politics of divided societies, public policy and governance.

Ruth McGuinness is Head of Data & Artiﬁcial Intelligence (AI) at Kainos Group plc, a FTSE 250 IT Services provider. Kainos have been pioneers in AI for nearly a decade, with a highly skilled Data & AI Practice of 150+ experts.

Having led delivery of services into complex public and private sector organisations, Ruth brings an up-to-date perspective of enterprise-grade AI deployment, with a particular focus on responsible and ethical AI.

Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive, NI Chamber and Ian Henry, Director, Henry Group.

Ruth McGuinness, Patrick Anderson, Caitriona McCusker, Suzanne Wylie and Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan.

Meet the Buyer

More than 300 people attended NI Chamber’s 2024 Meet the Buyer in partnership with Bank of Ireland. Hosted in Kingfisher Country Estate, it facilitated new business pitches with major buyers including Translink, MJM Marine, Choice Housing, Ulster University, Northern Ireland Water, Hyster-Yale and more.

1. Tanya Anderson (Bank of Ireland), Gary Sneddon (Power NI) and Suzanne Wylie (NI Chamber).

2. Tanya Anderson (Bank of Ireland) welcomed guests before a busy morning of meetings.

3. The team from Choice Housing met with a range of potential new suppliers.

4. Jerry Staple (IntrinsicAI), Johnny Matthews (SeeMeHired) and Andrew Nethry (SeeMeHired).

5. Member companies had the opportunity to meet with Mivan.

6. The procurement team from Translink.

7. Delegates plan their day at Meet the Buyer. 8. The networking zone allowed attendees to make new business connections.

9. Ulster University met with a host of local suppliers.

Business Survey:

Government Must Address Business Tax and Competitiveness Concerns

• Most businesses in Northern Ireland (78%) are trading well or reasonably well.

• However, the share of those trading ‘well’ fell to its lowest point in four years (27%).

• The percentage just covering costs or struggling (22%) is also up from last quarter.

• 4 in 5 members are under pressure to raise prices because of rising labour costs.

Most businesses in Northern Ireland (78%) are trading well or reasonably, according to the findings of the latest Quarterly Economic Survey published by NI Chamber and BDO NI. However, the percentage trading well (27%) is the lowest recorded in four years, and the share of members just covering costs or struggling increased between Q2 and Q3 24 from 16% to 22%.

BUSINESS CONFIDENCE

The balance of firms confident that turnover will grow over the next year fell for Manufacturers and was largely unchanged for Services in Q3 24. The Manufacturing turnover confidence balance stood at +33% (+48% Q2) and in Services +44% (+41% Q2) this quarter. 37% of respondents to the survey reported a slowdown in demand in Q3 24. This has fallen considerably since the start of the year when it accounted for 56% of members. While most are only seeing a little slowdown (25%), for one in ten, that slowdown is significant.

Investment intentions remain stronger for Manufacturing than Services this quarter. For Manufacturers, investment intentions around plant and machinery have been falling since the start of the year, with a current balance of +18% (+30% Q2). It has also been falling for Services and was negative in Q3 24 at -10% (+4% Q2).

PRICES AND COSTS

pressures have halved for Manufacturers over the last year.

More firms were expecting to raise prices in both sectors than reduce them in Q3 24. The balance has been largely unchanged for Manufacturers for the last year while for Services it continues to fall.

Labour costs remain the most significant cost pressure affecting both sectors but particularly for Services. In Q3 24 80% of Services firms and 62% of Manufacturers were under pressure to raise prices because of labour costs. However, that has softened considerably for Manufacturers where it was 83% in the same quarter last year. Utility cost

In terms of external cost pressures, there has been a significant drop in the share of members concerned about inflation compared to the same quarter last year, although it is still a pressing concern for 2 in 5 members. A growing sense of concern over taxation stands out, particularly for Manufacturers affecting 43% of businesses in Q3 24, compared to 17% in the same quarter last year. Competition is the most pressing concern for members in the Services sector.

CASH FLOW

The Manufacturing cashflow balance improved slightly (-5%) in Q3 24, having turned negative ( -10%) in the previous

quarter, making it a mid-ranking UK region on this metric. In Services, the cashﬂow balance was negative at -2% in Q3 24, ranking it joint eighth across the UK regions.

RECRUITMENT

Recruitment intentions are stronger among Manufacturers that Service based businesses, with 76% of Manufacturers and 61% of Service businesses trying to recruit in Q3 24.

The balance of ﬁrms expecting employment to grow in the next three months is positive for both sectors, meaning more ﬁrms are expecting employment to grow than contract. However, both balances fell during Q3 24. The balance of Manufacturers expecting

employment to grow in the next 3 months fell to +20% after a period of increases (+34% Q2, +22% Q1). For Services the balance continued a downward trend, falling to +24% (+29% Q2, +35% Q1).

Recruitment difficulties, which have grown significantly for more than a decade now, have been easing but remain persistently high for both sectors. In Q3 24 80% of Manufacturers and 76% of Service businesses faced recruitment difficulties.

TRADING ARRANGEMENTS

Most NI Chamber members (83%) report that they have adapted to EU Exit but for 17% there are still challenges.

Two in ﬁve members (42%) have used the Trader Support Service (TSS), which was set up to support customs

administration for the movement of goods into Northern Ireland.

HYBRID WORKING

This quarter, members were also asked about their current approach to working arrangements. According to the survey, in 76% of businesses, employees are in work at least three days per week. Almost half (45%) require employees to be in ﬁve days per week. Just 3% of businesses have employees who are completely home based.

The findings indicate that Professional Service firms are much more likely to have some form of hybrid working. Around two-thirds (63%) of Manufacturers have staff in the workplace five days per week compared to 22% of Professional Services.

Maureen O’Reilly, Brian Murphy and Suzanne Wylie.

Brian Murphy, managing partner, BDO NI, discusses the latest QES ﬁndings

BDO NI Commentary

As businesses continue to press forwards, it is reassuring to know that so many local ﬁrms echo the view that the outlook continues to be optimistic. The overwhelming majority report they are trading positively– and that they expect turnover to grow in the year ahead.

Having weathered the storms of the pandemic, political instability, a cost-of-living crisis, and international conﬂict, it is notable that the concerns around Brexit – and the implication for local businesses – appear to have passed for most, with 83% now saying they have adapted to the new arrangements, with only 17% reporting they still face some challenges.

The need for local businesses to adapt has never been greater. With so many (78%) continuing to report difficulties with recruitment, it is important that we all reassess how we can change our operations to continue to remain profitable – but also attractive to potential employees. Operational efficiencies, automation and the use of AI are all approaches that are being considered by businesses.

It is often said that necessity is the mother of invention, and during the pandemic the culture of work from home was well and truly established – and remains an important part of the working week for many today – although more than one in four are back in the ofﬁce at least three days a week. Just under half (45%) are back full time – more so for manufacturing than services.

With more than two thirds (67%) of businesses planning to recruit in the year ahead, the future does look promising for those entering the employment market.

Over the last three years, it seems that we’ve had more Prime Ministers than seasons, and many businesses had hoped the decisive election result in the UK would provide not only stability, but a renewed conﬁdence in the economy.

With inflation falling and growth increasing, there is much to be confident about, however, concerns have been brought to the fore for many in light of the new Government’s recent Budget, and what the Chancellor has announced regarding the tax burden. Uncertainty leaves a vacuum that will always be filled with speculation and apprehension, which may well be why so many local companies raised this as their major concern.

However, there is no doubt that the Chancellor announcements has provided both opportunities and challenges for local ﬁrms. If we have learned anything over recent years, it is that our local business community knows how to adapt to make the most out of the economic outlook we are presented with.

Women in STEM:

At a recent summit hosted by Digital DNA, NI Chamber gathered a panel of impressive leaders who are pushing the boundaries of innovation across a range of industries, from clean energy and medical devices to public sector technology.

The panel, hosted by NI Chamber CEO Suzanne Wylie, featured Sonya Kerr (chief commercialisation officer, Catagen), Anna McDonnell (mechanical engineer, Eakin Healthcare), Antoinette Bradley (head of operations & ESG, Aflac), Melanie McMordie (client executive, Fujitsu) and Claire Greenwood (director of engineering, Oxford Instruments Andor). Each panellist shared unique perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing women in STEM fields, showcasing their significant impact within their organisations.

A COMMON THEME: MISSION-DRIVEN PASSION

A driving force across the panel was the overwhelming sense of purpose.

Whether it was Kerr’s ambition to “one day be on a plane with Catagen sustainable aviation fuel”, McDonnell’s connection to Eakin’s life-changing products or Greenwood vibrantly speaking about the use of Andor’s products in leading-edge scientific discovery, a deep commitment to making a positive impact was palpable.

Kerr remarked: “At Catagen, everybody is mission-driven in terms of our purpose to clean and decarbonise the air.”

McDonnell noted the strong connection she feels with the end-users of Eakin’s medical devices.

“We’ve got a fantastic clinical team that gives us clear access to our users, which is so important,” McDonnell emphasised, saying that knowing exactly what the end users want is key and that Eakin’s products “delivered what they promised they would deliver.”

Bradley provided an overview of Aflac’s parent company, which operates in the US and Japan, before moving on to what they do in Belfast:

“As many as 50% of people are living one paycheck away from homelessness, and that’s in the US, and closer to home, sadly. So supplemental insurance really helps people to get through those difficult times in their lives – and that’s what Aflac does.”

McMordie discussed the significance of transforming public services for the long term.

“It’s very well understanding a business challenge or problem and developing an

application to address that. However, what the public sector really needs is support that takes them over a 10-year plan and says, ‘This is your roadmap for how your business operations can transform over that long journey’ and we’re there to support them through that.”

OVERCOMING STEREOTYPES AND CHALLENGES

While the panel showcased the remarkable achievements of these women, they also acknowledged the ongoing challenges of working in historically male-dominated fields.

As a STEM ambassador, Greenwood has firsthand experience encouraging young people to pursue careers in science and technology. She noted that many parents still steer their children towards traditional ‘helping’ professions like medicine, unaware of the profound impact STEM also provides.

“We love doctors, and we want them,”

Greenwood said. She continued: “But if you really want to help people, you should do STEM subjects, because technological revolutions – all that’s happened over the years – have changed humanity.”

McMordie echoed this sentiment, highlighting the transformative power of technology in enabling change, particularly within the public sector.

“Everything that is changing is enabled by tech,” McMordie said. “It is a very male-dominated environment. And when you start to look around at these amazing females on stage, and the young graduates coming up through the ranks, it’s an amazing place for women to be.”

FORGING NEW PATHS IN CLEAN TECH, MEDTECH, AND PUBLIC SECTOR IT

The panel’s diversity of backgrounds and areas of expertise underscored the vast potential for women to thrive in Northern Ireland’s manufacturing and engineering sectors. From Kerr’s work in clean tech to McDonnell’s role in developing innovative medical devices, these women are shaping the future at the forefront.

Kerr described how Catagen aims to produce sustainable aviation fuel and renewable hydrogen, critical technologies in the fight against climate change.

Similarly, McMordie highlighted how Fujitsu modernises public sector services through technology, providing the foundational tools that enable everything from library operations to vehicle inspections.

“It’s putting things to the public’s fingertips,” McMordie said. “So, there’s much better access to services for the public.”

WORKING IN A STEM ROLE: THE REALITY

Of course, no two workplaces, sectors or industries are the same, but the panel provided an insight into their roles, companies and colleagues.

Kerr described Catagen as an exciting company focused on net zero technology. At Eakin, McDonnell noted the range of roles within the company, saying: “We have engineers, including mechanical, design, industrial and process engineers, and then we have our scientists who develop the formulations that made us famous in the first place.”

Bradley spoke about Aflac’s positive work environment. “Our slogan is that we do serious work, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously, and we really have a great time at Aflac.”

With a wealth of support and a keen common goal, McMordie discussed Fujitsu’s focus on driving efficiencies and processes: “It really is [fun] to watch something like that come to fruition. It’s all about how we drive efficiencies and processes.”

Greenwood remarked: “We’re a really exciting company to work for. Worldwide, we’ve got about 100 engineers, 80 of them are in Belfast. We also employ a lot of product management and salespeople from scientific backgrounds who really understand the customer and what they’re trying to do so that we can help them solve their problem.”

Whether operating locally or globally, the panel’s experiences and opinions align: Careers in STEM fields allow people to drive innovation, take tangible action and make a real difference.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Across the panel, it’s clear to see that these women are not only excelling in their respective fields, but they are also inspiring the next generation of female leaders in STEM.

As role models and change-makers, they are paving the way for a future where women are empowered to thrive in science, technology, engineering and mathematically-centred fields.

Empowering SMEs

Hill Vellacott, one of the original professional services firms in NI, has built a strong reputation working closely with the SME community. Partners Eoin McMullan and Conor McCaffrey discuss the firm’s evolution and its unique approach to supporting local businesses.

As one of Northern Ireland’s longest-standing chartered accountancy firms, Hill Vellacott has seen decades of evolution. The firm’s roots reach back to the 19th century, starting in London before expanding to Belfast. Today, Hill Vellacott is a leading advisor to SMEs, supporting its clients through the challenges of an ever-changing business landscape, with a reputation built on tradition, expertise, and an enduring focus on staff.

Eoin McMullan, a partner at Hill Vellacott, begins: “We’re proud of our history – it’s a big part of who we are. Our Belfast office is one of the original five, and it’s the only one still standing. Over time, the others were absorbed or merged, but the Belfast brand has endured. Our identity has remained strong here, and it’s kept us grounded.”

Conor McCaffrey, who joined the firm in 2014 and became a partner in 2020, adds: “The real shift for us has been in how we nurture our staff. Hill Vellacott is a people-centered business and we recognise that, to be at the top of our game, we need a workplace that values and invests in talent. There’s a focus here on staff wellbeing, making sure people are happy in their work, and that’s been transformational.”

Since the early days, Hill Vellacott has adapted through seismic shifts in technology. Eoin recalls a time when “clients would arrive with bags of paperwork, ledgers, and receipts. Our role was largely processing and reviewing these. Now, everything is computerised, and our team has become specialists in a range of digital platforms.”

However, the transition to digital hasn’t been without challenges. “Our approach to training has had to evolve significantly,” says Conor. “We used to focus on the principles of managing physical documents, but now, it’s a mix of understanding core accountancy and integrating new technologies.”

Artificial intelligence (AI) also presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Eoin notes: “People sometimes feel wary of AI, but it’s about enhancing what we do, not replacing it. AI can handle the heavy lifting of data processing, freeing us to spend more time with our clients. At Hill Vellacott, we’re not just here to crunch numbers – we’re here to understand our clients and give them real advice. Having more time for that is invaluable.”

Conor adds: “AI will likely change the industry again in the next decade, and we have to be prepared. The nature of training in accountancy has transformed over the last ten years, and I expect we’ll see another leap like that.”

Hill Vellacott’s primary focus is SMEs,

the backbone of the Northern Ireland economy. Conor explains: “Over 93% of the Northern Ireland economy is SMEs, and that’s where our expertise lies. Most of our clients are family-owned Northern Irish companies, but we’ve got clients expanding into markets across the UK, Ireland, and even the US.”

Hill Vellacott’s advisory services have become essential for these businesses, particularly with the complexities introduced by recent trade agreements. “With things like the Windsor Framework, cross-jurisdictional trading has become much more intricate,” says Conor. “We’ve added specialists to help our clients navigate these waters.”

Eoin continues: “Our clients have faced a lot of upheaval in the past few years. We’re here to support them as they grow, providing not just accountancy services but advice and guidance on everything from workforce issues to long-term business strategies.”

This emphasis on personal relationships sets Hill Vellacott apart. “Clients lean on us for advice across the board, even with recruitment challenges,” says Eoin. “There’s a shortage of skilled people out there, and clients often look to us for guidance on managing these gaps.”

Both partners underscore that Hill Vellacott’s approach to advisory work is what differentiates them. “The heart of our business is family-owned enterprises, and we have close, ongoing relationships with them,” Conor explains. “Our unique selling point isn’t just compliance: it’s really understanding our clients and being with them every step of the way.”

Eoin adds: “A lot of growing businesses don’t have the internal resources we can offer, and we fill that gap for them. We’re not just a one-off service – we’re there as clients grow, helping them adapt and thrive.”

As Conor puts it: “Staff are the lifeblood of our business, and creating a culture where people enjoy coming to work is essential.” Nevertheless, recruitment has been challenging in recent years, and Hill Vellacott has focused on building a workplace where talent can flourish. “We’re a training firm at heart,” Conor continues. “We offer our team

opportunities to develop not only as accountants but as professionals with a broad skill set.”

The firm’s in-house training academy ensures that staff have access to management training and professional development. “We want to give people a strong foundation, so even if they move on, they leave with valuable skills,” says Eoin. “We partner with universities, offer higher-level apprenticeships, and bring in trainees straight from school. We’re constantly building that pipeline of future talent.”

For Hill Vellacott, growth and innovation are central to its future strategy. Conor and Eoin are both part of a management buyout four years ago and have since focused on measured growth. “Our headcount will reach nearly 50 by year-end, up from around 30 when the management buyout took place,” says Eoin. “But it’s not just about numbers; it’s about bringing in specialists who align with our values.”

The firm’s advisory team, for example, has seen considerable growth, with experts like Phillip McMaw, Frankie Devlin and Catherine Devine joining in recent years. “This area has grown significantly in the last two years,” notes Eoin. “We’ve made a conscious decision to build strength in advisory services, and it’s paying off.”

At the same time, Hill Vellacott has been cautious not to outpace its capacity. “Our mantra has always been managed growth,” says Conor. “We could have taken on a lot of new clients quickly, but we’re committed to maintaining the quality of service for our existing clients.”

Reflecting on their journey so far, Eoin says: “We’ve put our own stamp on this business. We’ve got a fantastic legacy, and we’re evolving it for the future, with a continued emphasis on staff and client relationships. Our success speaks to the strength of our culture and the word-of-mouth reputation that brings people to us.”

Conor sums it up: “At the end of the day, Hill Vellacott is about people – our team, our clients, and the community we serve. We’re excited for what’s next and committed to continuing this legacy.”

“The real shift for us has been in how we nurture our staff. Hill Vellacott is a peoplecentered business, and we recognise that to be at the top of our game, we need a workplace that values and invests in talent.”

If you’re looking to start, grow or scale your business but unsure of the next step, Go Succeed is ready to help with a huge range of support services, all provided free of charge.

Delivered by Northern Ireland’s eleven local councils, Go Succeed will link you with local experts within your council area that can help you realise your ambitions.

With support ranging from masterclasses and online workshops to help access grant funding, one-toone mentoring, peer networking and beyond, assistance is tailored to your exact needs.

Local Roots, Global Excellence

When Declan Breslin moved to FinTrU, bringing with him decades of experience at some of the world’s largest banks and relocating his family from New York to Northern Ireland, he carried with him a set of expectations about the ﬁrm he had admired from afar. Today, he reﬂects on how FinTrU has not only met, but far exceeded those initial impressions as it’s bound for the next chapter of its growth story.

FinTrU has positioned itself as a leading provider of client services to some of the world’s largest financial institutions. Declan Breslin is adding to this upward trajectory. He took up the role as Managing Director of Client Delivery earlier this year and brought with him extensive experience from global banking giants like JP Morgan and Nomura.

He is now witnessing FinTrU’s significant growth and transformation, the kind that has earned it accolades including The Sunday Times 100, Britain’s fastestgrowing private companies of 2023. He says that success is deeply rooted in a culture of delivery, innovation, and social responsibility.

“I had followed the rise of FinTrU and was keen to be on the inside,” says Declan, who grew up in Derry.

One of seven boys, he gained early business experience at his parents’ grocery store before studying finance at Queen’s University. Post graduation, he began an 11-year career in prime brokerage with Deutsche Bank in London. He later became European Head of Client Service at Lehman Brothers, navigating the firm’s bankruptcy, which he credits with sharpening his leadership skills. Afterwards, he held senior roles at Nomura and JP Morgan in New York, where he and his wife started their family. Now with three children, they decided it was time to return home to Northern Ireland. “We had a great time in New York, but our 10-year plan led us back here,” Declan says.

Reflecting on the growth at his new workplace, he remarks: “The level of excitement and expansion here has surpassed my expectations.

“I was in awe that we’re a Northern Ireland-based company that deals with the largest financial institutions in the world,” he says, adding that FinTrU has built a culture that prioritises high standards and continuous improvement, something that he has actively fostered.

“From the executive team to the innovation from our technology group, people are encouraged to be part of a culture of continuous improvement,” he explains.

Beyond financial services, FinTrU demonstrates a significant commitment to societal contribution too, which Declan finds equally as impressive. The firm’s involvement in the community is led by its key figures like founder Darragh McCarthy and chief of staff, Katrien Roppe, who prioritise purpose-driven initiatives. “We have a huge social conscience, and we’re involved in making our communities better,” Declan says. This dedication manifests in partnerships with universities, such as their support for the trading room

at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), where students gain vital skills for investment banking. It is here where Declan also plays an influential role as an Honorary Professor of Practice at Queen’s Business School.

He also points out FinTrU’s collaboration with various charity partners. “We live it,” he says of partnerships with local charities like Donegal Hospice and Aware NI, and Acreditar, a children’s cancer charity in Porto, Portugal — impactful organisations that neighbour its bases. “I view the way we work with charity as unique.”

As Managing Director of Client Services, Declan covers FinTrU’s four key product offerings: KYC, compliance, risk, and legal services. “These are our core competencies, and we do them well,” he asserts. “It positions us favourably against the competition and that’s because we know what we are good at and we outperform.”

The scale of FinTrU’s operations is impressive, with 1,500 employees working across state-of-the-art delivery centres in Derry, Belfast, Donegal and to Porto, Portugal. Declan recalls his early visits to these locations, where he was struck by the quality of the facilities. “The quality here is as good, if not better, than my previous roles in world-class organisations,” he remarks. “Our clients can be apprehensive, especially at first, but once they see what we have, they’re blown away,” he says. His extensive experience in international finance has equipped him with valuable insights into the challenges clients face. “Where I’ve added value is I’ve experienced being on the other side,” he explains. This perspective informs his approach to client delivery, emphasising accountability and transparency. “If you can’t meet a client’s expectations, show them the path, take accountability. It creates a stronger relationship,” he advises.

One of his key observations comes from a conversation with a top client, who asked, “Do the people at FinTrU feel like they work for us?” Declan’s response affirmed the depth of integration his teams have with clients. “Our staff have been working with those clients longer than some of their employees,” he explains – and that’s a USP that has accumulated awards and placement on industry ‘top lists’, including that Times credential, and recent wins for Technology Business and Diversity & Inclusion in October this year.

He also attributes FinTrU’s success to a deliberate strategy focused on community involvement and capacity building. For example, in reference to the Letterkenny opening where the firm aims to employ over 300 people, he says: “We had national government officials, community representatives, local government, clients, and local contractors all present at the launch.

“I was in awe that we’re a Northern Ireland-based company that deals with the largest financial institutions in the world. From the executive team to the innovation from our technology group, people are encouraged to be part of a culture of continuous improvement.”

It was a true example of community togetherness. Many partners from Atlantic Technological University (ATU) were also there. We’ve been supporting their sports teams and providing students with pathways into financial services, which has been incredibly successful. That launch highlighted just how important our presence is in the area.”

Another example of FinTrU’s community focus is its ongoing collaboration with Ulster University and the Londonderry Chamber through the Talent Hub, connecting students with local employers. Over 100 second-year Global Business students will join workshops led by academic experts and FinTrU professionals, supporting their transition into the workforce.

As a managing director at FinTrU, Declan faces numerous challenges, but it doesn’t faze him. “We’re living in a troubled world,” he states, acknowledging the impact of elections, wars, and other upheavals on the firm’s clients. In response, FinTrU has focused on what it can control, ‘doubling down on core values and commitment to delivery excellence’.

And as a result, Declan says: “We continue to grow; our formula is resilient, and we go into 2025 with cautious optimism.”

When asked if he’s happy with his move not only to the other side of the table but across the Atlantic, he replies: “I’m glad to be home and proud to work for a company that’s punching above its weight and doing things right!” he concludes.

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Unlocking

Potential AI’s

Nigel Cunningham, Northern Ireland Lead at Microsoft looks at AI’s potential cross-industry collaboration and skills development essential for growth.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day reality that offers immense opportunities for businesses, including both Enterprises, SMEs and public sector organisations.

In Northern Ireland, the potential of AI to drive productivity, efficiency, and service delivery is significant. In fact, recent research commissioned by Microsoft revealed that AI represents a half a trillion-pound (£550 billion) opportunity for the UK over the next ten years by embracing AI and cloud technology. However, to fully capitalise on these opportunities, there is a pressing need to address the skills gap and ensure that the workforce is adequately prepared for an AI-driven future. In addition, with the right investments and strategic initiatives, Northern Ireland can position itself at the forefront of the AI revolution, transforming its economy and society.

THE AI OPPORTUNITY FOR NI AI has the potential to revolutionise various sectors by automating mundane tasks, enhancing decisionmaking processes, and creating new products and services. The Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce has identified future workforce requirements as a key focus area, emphasising the importance of preparing the workforce to leverage AI effectively.

The recent NI Chamber Future Workforce Summit, held in midOctober, underscored the need for a comprehensive regional skills programme, which should highlight and harness the transformative potential of AI. Experts and leaders at the event emphasised that a coordinated approach is essential not only to drive economic growth but also to address the regulatory, and workforce implications of AI integration.

A major consideration for Northern Ireland is how to increase SME

growth, capability and productivity. For SMEs, AI tools can significantly bridge productivity gaps by handling repetitive work, allowing startup and SME owners to concentrate on what they love –creating and selling great products and services. AI has the potential to jump start competitiveness for small to medium-size businesses in Northern Ireland to stimulate growth in the sector.

PUBLIC SECTOR VISION AND STRATEGY

While individual organisations are making great strides in AI adoption, there is a need for an overarching public sector strategy to ensure we continue advancing forward. Unlike Scotland and Ireland, Northern Ireland currently lacks a documented vision for AI. A unified regional strategy would provide a clear roadmap and guidance for AI implementation, ensuring that public and private sector organisations can leverage AI to enhance service delivery and efficiency, drive innovation, and support growth.

It is also crucial that such a strategy includes clear political and departmental ownership. Assigning specific responsibilities to government departments or agencies will foster accountability and ensure that strategic initiatives are effectively monitored and executed. This structured approach will help in aligning resources, driving policy changes, and encouraging cross-sector collaboration, thus maximising the benefits of AI for Northern Ireland.

CURRENT AI INITIATIVES

Several organisations in Northern Ireland are at the forefront of AI adoption. For instance, Translink and Invest Northern Ireland have developed AI strategies and are in the process of deploying AI solutions like Microsoft 365 Copilot. These initiatives demonstrate a growing interest and momentum around AI innovation in the region.

The Strategic Investment Board (SIB) and its work in justice policy exemplify how AI technology can support citizens. Microsoft and SIB have been trialling AI to enable greater speed when highlighting key insights from complex data, showing AI’s practical applications for tackling societal challenges.

ADDRESSING THE SKILLS GAP

One of the significant challenges in realising AI’s potential is the skills gap. The shortage of digital and technical skills, particularly those related to AI, data science, machine learning, and software development, is a critical issue. As organisations increasingly rely on AI-driven solutions to remain competitive, the demand for these

specialised skills far outpaces the supply of qualified individuals. This mismatch creates a bottleneck in innovation and implementation, limiting the ability of organisations to fully harness AI technologies for transformative outcomes. This is not only a NI issue but one that effects many countries. However, this constraint will significantly hold Northern Ireland back from reaching its full potential in the global AI arena, stifling economic growth and innovation.

The education system, as it stands, has not yet evolved at the pace required to meet these new demands. Traditional curricula often lag the technological advancements shaping today’s economy, leaving graduates ill-prepared for the rapidly changing job market.

Modernising the education system to equip the future workforce with the necessary skills is essential for closing this gap. This includes not only a greater emphasis on technical subjects like computer science and data analytics but also fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities, which are crucial for navigating the complexities of AI development and deployment.

The Northern Ireland Skills Council, the Department of Education and wider industry must continue to collaborate and look to revise the curriculum, focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. Microsoft’s Dream Space education initiative at W5 Life, for instance, aims to bridge the STEM gap and prepare students for future job roles. It is also essential to consider the inclusion of AI into the curriculum.

We welcome Education Minister Paul Givan’s recent curriculum review announcement. He emphasised that high-quality content can bridge knowledge gaps caused by socio-economic disparities. Integrating AI is crucial for this goal. Microsoft, in collaboration with C2k, is currently working with 100 teachers to explore AI’s role in the education environment. The project aims to understand teachers’ attitudes towards AI, its applications and benefits, barriers to adoption, and the support needed for effective classroom use. This pioneering effort by C2k aims to inform the curriculum review and foster future innovation.

THE ROLE OF THE AI COLLABORATION CENTRE

The AI Collaboration Centre, is – a welcome and significant investment by the Department for the Economy in conjunction with Queen’s University and the Ulster University – will play a pivotal role in fostering AI innovation. The Centre aims to support SMEs in the region by facilitating AI pilots and providing funding

for initial engagements. This initiative is vital for driving AI adoption and ensuring that businesses can navigate the AI landscape effectively.

ADVANCING NORTHERN IRELAND’S AI FUTURE POTENTIAL

By embracing AI, businesses – both Enterprises and SMEs – as well as public sector organisations can pioneer transformative solutions, driving innovation and securing Northern Ireland’s position as a leader in the global AI arena.

To ensure that Northern Ireland seizes the immense opportunities presented by AI, an overarching public sector strategy with a vision for AI is required, together with a united and dynamic approach to bridging the skills gap. The Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with regional stakeholders, can lead the charge in modernising the curriculum and significantly boosting investment in digital skills training. Together, we can build a future where AI not only enhances our economy but also enriches our society.

“A major consideration for Northern Ireland is how to increase SME growth, capability and productivity. For SMEs, AI tools can significantly bridge productivity gaps by handling repetitive work, allowing startup and SME owners to concentrate on what they love –creating and selling great products and services.”

More than an Irish Sea Haulier

Montgomery Transport Group has been at the forefront of the logistics industry for decades. Its core expertise lies in providing comprehensive fullload services across all major shipping lanes, ensuring efﬁcient and reliable transportation of goods.

With a strong foundation built on over 50 years in Irish Sea trade, Montgomery Transport Group has consistently expanded its operations to meet the evolving demands of the global market. Its unwavering commitment to excellence has enabled Montgomery to develop a wide range of logistics solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of its clients, from small businesses to multinational corporations.

Through its extensive network of partners and state-of-the-art facilities, Montgomery Transport Group offers a seamless and efficient transportation experience. Whether you require domestic or international shipping, its dedicated team is committed to delivering exceptional service and ensuring the timely and safe delivery of your goods.

ALPHA WAREHOUSE

Montgomery Transport Group’s state-ofthe-art Preston warehouse, Alpha, offers an expansive 135,000 square feet of storage space. This significant addition brings its total warehousing capacity across all UK sites to over 13,000 racked spaces and 50,000 square feet of bulk storage.

Montgomery has recently completed a £4 million refurbishment at Alpha, ensuring it is equipped with the latest technologies to meet current and future demands, from automated systems to smart inventory management. Its goal is to exceed your expectations in every way. This new site joins the group’s network of strategically located depots throughout the UK, allowing Montgomery to manage every consignment efficiently from pickup to delivery.

In addition to its core warehousing services, Montgomery also offers inhouse pick and pack and rework services to provide comprehensive supply chain solutions.

Montgomery Transport Group is thrilled to also announce that its Alpha warehouse has achieved the prestigious AA standard from the British Retail Consortium Global Standards (BRCGS). This certification is a testament to its commitment to food safety, quality, and operational excellence. BRCGS certification demonstrates its adherence to rigorous industry standards, which can lead to increased customer confidence, improved supplier relationships, and greater market access.

Steven McBride, managing director at Montgomery Distribution, said: “Opening our Alpha depot marks a significant milestone in Montgomery Transport

“Working together with our Alpha warehouse, our fleet is optimised for maximum efficiency, with the recent addition of 50ft LST’s (Longer Semi-Trailer). These trailers, designed with the latest fuelefficient technology, provide extra pallet spaces per trailer, reducing road miles, driving hours and our carbon footprint.”

its commitment to environmental sustainability and its dedication to building a greener future for generations to come.

As a leading force in the transportation and logistics industry, Montgomery Transport Group recognises the urgent need to reduce its carbon footprint and mitigate the impact of climate change. By harnessing the power of the sun, Montgomery is taking decisive action to minimise its reliance on fossil fuels and transition to a more sustainable energy model. Its investment in solar power is not just about generating clean energy; it is about driving innovation and setting new industry standards.

Furthermore, Montgomery has also introduced a fleet of electric forklifts into its warehousing facilities. These cuttingedge vehicles operate silently with zero emissions, further enhancing the group’s environmental performance. By adopting electric forklifts, Montgomery Transport Group is significantly reducing noise pollution, improving indoor air quality, and creating a safer and more sustainable workplace.

Group’s commitment to enhance its presence and capabilities within the logistics and supply chain industry.”

“By expanding our footprint with this strategic acquisition, we have reinforced the business to help us better serve our existing and new customers. The new logistics hub’s increased capacity and advanced capabilities will enable us to handle and streamline our processes and handle larger volumes for our customers.”

“Working together with our Alpha warehouse, our fleet is optimised for maximum efficiency, with the recent addition of 50ft LSTs (longer semitrailer). These trailers, designed with the latest fuel-efficient technology, provide extra pallet spaces per trailer, reducing road miles, driving hours and our carbon footprint. This strategic move not only enhances our operational efficiency but also contributes to a more sustainable future by reducing vehicle wear and tear, fuel consumption, and CO2 emissions.”

PAVING THE WAY TOWARDS A GREENER FUTURE

Montgomery Transport Group’s investment in renewable energy infrastructure, including state-of-theart solar power systems, underscores

This strategic initiative aligns perfectly with its long-term sustainability goals and demonstrates its commitment to responsible business practices. Montgomery Transport Group believes that by embracing renewable energy and sustainable technologies, it can create a positive impact on the environment and contribute to a healthier planet.

MORE THAN AN IRISH SEA HAULIER

With over 50 years’ experience operating in the transport industry and a dedicated workforce, Montgomery Transport Group has grown to meet the demands of its customers. Montgomery offers a wide range of services including transport, distribution, warehousing, freight management, customs, tank services, and deep-sea shipping. This makes Montgomery Transport Group a true one-stop-shop for all your transportation requirements.

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FROM BOARDROOM

TO BOARDING

Powering Northern Ireland

Emma Morris, Director of Operations at SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland), is at the helm of a rapidly evolving energy landscape. Here, she discusses her journey and the task ahead for the operator as Net Zero targets draw closer.

Emma Morris started working at SONI as a graduate in 2006. Since then, she has risen through the ranks to one of the most senior roles in the Northern Ireland energy sector. Today she oversees the neartime planning and operation of the high-voltage electricity grid, ensuring power flows smoothly from where it is generated to where it is needed. Her career began after she earned a masters degree in electrical and electronic engineering from Queen’s University Belfast. Reflecting on her early days at SONI, she begins: “I came in 2006 after graduating from Queen’s. I didn’t know much about the industry, and like many, I knew of NIE (Northern Ireland Electricity) but not so much SONI. However, I very quickly fell in love with it. I was working in operations from the beginning, in and out of the control centre every day, and the adrenaline and buzz of the role were undeniable.”

The Control Centre, where Emma spent much of her early career, is responsible for matching electricity demand with supply in real time. “The core role of the control centre is to keep the lights on across Northern Ireland, 24 hours a day. As a

young engineer, I found it fascinating,” she explains. “When I joined, there were only a few wind farms on the system. Now, at any given time, up to 75% of our energy can come from renewables. The changes in the electricity system over the years have been extraordinary.”

Emma’s enthusiasm for her work is evident, especially when recalling some of the most challenging moments of her career. “I’ve been in the control centre during some of the worst storms including back in March 2013 when Northern Ireland experienced the worst snowfall in over 30 years, which had a significant impact on the transmission system.”

She recalls witnessing how calm and composed the team was under extreme pressure. “They are expert engineers, and it takes a special kind of person to handle that kind of real-time stress.”

Her experience across various roles, including a stint managing the Castlereagh House Control Centre, prepared her well for the responsibilities she now holds. In June 2024, Emma was appointed director of operations, a role she describes as “full-on, but I love it. My team is busy 24/7, but the work we do is vital to keeping Northern Ireland’s

electricity grid stable and secure.”

In her new role, Emma’s responsibilities have expanded significantly. “I’m responsible for the day-to-day operations of the control centre, but my role has broadened to include overseeing the integration of new technologies and systems to help us meet our ambitious target of 80% renewable energy by 2030,” she explains. “There’s a lot of change to implement, and part of my remit is to ensure that we adapt smoothly.”

Emma draws an interesting parallel between her work and air traffic control.

“The control centre is a bit like air traffic control. It’s a real-time environment, and things can change in a split second. What I bring to the role is a strong technical knowledge of the electricity system, thanks to my education and years in the control centre. But equally important is the ability to manage relationships with our stakeholders and build credibility within the industry.”

Her leadership is critical in steering SONI through an unprecedented time of transformation. “We’re looking to the future while maintaining the security of supply today. One of my colleagues describes it as ‘like trying to fix an airplane

while it’s in the air’ – everything has to be meticulously thought out and planned to ensure we don’t risk the stability of the grid.”

SONI’s role in Northern Ireland’s transition to a low-carbon future is crucial. As the entity responsible for planning and operating the electricity grid, the challenges are immense. “We have ambitious targets to meet,” Emma says. “Planning the future of the grid is a huge part of our work, especially with more wind farms and new technologies coming online and the introduction of offshore wind in the coming years. A lot of the wind energy is in the northwest, but the demand is in the east, so we need to develop the grid infrastructure to transport that power efficiently.”

One of the most pressing challenges is ensuring security of supply while integrating increasing amounts of renewable energy. “We’re pushing the limits in terms of what’s been done before. Northern Ireland is leading the way globally in terms of the proportion of renewables on the system, and we’re doing things that haven’t been done anywhere else in the world,” she says. “It’s challenging, but it’s also incredibly exciting.”

Emma is particularly proud of SONI’s achievements in this area, noting that “by 2020, we had reached our target of 40% renewables, and now we’re focused on 2030. The work we do will set Northern Ireland up for net-zero emissions by 2050.”

Beyond her technical and operational role, Emma is passionate about encouraging young people, especially girls, to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). “I attended an all-girls grammar school, then went to study at Queen’s University where, out of a class of 110, there were only four girls in my engineering course. When I joined SONI, there were only a handful of female engineers. But now, we’re seeing more women enter the industry, which is great to see,” she says.

Emma is a mentor with SistersIN, an initiative focused on supporting young women as they look to begin their career journey. “It’s important for me to be a role model and show that women can thrive in this industry,” she says. “The power industry is so interesting right now, especially with the amount of change happening. It’s important to encourage young people to explore the opportunities available, and that’s something I’m very passionate about.”

SONI is also committed to fostering diversity in other areas. “We’re seeing more women not just in engineering roles, but also in areas like market operations, finance, legal and procurement. There’s

still work to be done, particularly in encouraging more women to take on roles in the control room, which has traditionally been male-dominated,” Emma adds.

As someone who has witnessed the evolution of Northern Ireland’s energy sector, Emma is excited about the future. “I think what excites me most is seeing SONI’s role recognised for how pivotal it is to Northern Ireland. We’re engaging with transmission system operators (TSOs) around the world, and people come to us to learn from what we’re doing here,” she says.

Looking ahead to 2030 and beyond, Emma believes SONI will continue to lead the way in renewable integration and grid development. “We have a lot of work to do, but I’m confident that we’re on the right path. SONI has a great story to tell, and I’m proud to be part of that journey.”

Emma is not only driving the future of Northern Ireland’s electricity grid but also inspiring the next generation of engineers through her commitment to corporate social responsibility. This dual role positions her as a powerful leader in an industry where women are still underrepresented.

Team Focus

CLEAVER FULTON RANKIN’S EMPLOYMENT & IMMIGRATION TEAM

In an increasingly challenging employment market for businesses, it has become more important than ever for employers to be on top of their HR policies and procedures.

Belfast-based commercial law firm Cleaver Fulton Rankin is determined to take the stress out of HR and employment law for SMEs across Northern Ireland with their HR consultancy service, CFR HR. CFR HR is a fully outsourced HR consultancy and employment law service designed for businesses that have a limited HR function, providing a flexible, on-call support service for a fixed-fee annual retainer.

The CFR HR service has been a lifeline for a range of organisations across Northern Ireland, including private businesses, charities, schools and colleges, providing assistance with HR needs such as development of HR processes, key policies and documents, bespoke HR

and employment law training, workplace mediation, assistance with consultations, and advice on contentious employment issues.

The ﬁrm has also recently grown its Employment & Immigration Team with the hire of Associate Director George Kilpatrick and Solicitor Ashleigh Wilson.

With over 30 years’ PQE, George Kilpatrick has a wealth of experience in employment law. George has specialist expertise in discrimination law – in particular, disability discrimination –having previously held the role of Deputy Director Disability (Legal) at the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

Newly-qualiﬁed solicitor Ashleigh Wilson has over 5 years’ experience in employment law, having worked as an employment paralegal before commencing her training contract with Cleaver Fulton Rankin in 2022.

The team of six now boasts an extensive breadth of experience and

expertise, offering quality, comprehensive support for its roster of corporate and individual clients on a full range of both contentious and non-contentious employment, HR and business immigration legal issues.

Head of Employment & Immigration

Michael Black comments:

“We are delighted to welcome George and Ashleigh to our Employment & Immigration team. With a team of six, offering multi-level support with complex employment and business immigration matters, we have strengthened our ability to deliver market-leading HR and employment law advice to our clients across NI, GB, ROI and further aﬁeld.

“As we look ahead to 2025, we are excited to further develop our CFR HR offering with our new Gold Status and Platinum Club packages designed to support businesses with varying HR and employment law needs.”

Cleaver Fulton Rankin’s Employment & Immigration Team. From left: Solicitor Philippa Herron, Associate Director George Kilpatrick, Associate Director Nathan Campbell, Director Michael Black, Associate Director Florence Smith and Solicitor Ashleigh Wilson.

In Conversation With

MICHAEL BLACK – CLEAVER FULTON RANKIN’S HEAD OF EMPLOYMENT & BUSINESS IMMIGRATION

Director Michael Black has been leading the Employment & Business Immigration Team at Cleaver Fulton Rankin for more than 16 years. During his tenure, Michael has led the team from strength to strength, developing one of the leading employment legal practices in Northern Ireland. Below, Michael discusses his career journey, the recruitment and employment challenges facing NI businesses currently, and the one piece of business advice he lives by.

1. Tell us about your career journey as an employment lawyer.

I really enjoy what I do and fully agree that if you do something you love then you never work a day in your life. My interest in employment law stems from my university days when I worked in a number of different part time jobs across various local businesses ranging from the Ormeau Bakery to the City Airport. After finishing my law degree, I qualified as a solicitor before undertaking a master’s in business administration.

During my time working in PwC, I gained invaluable experience working alongside HR consultants advising a wide variety of employers. I enrolled in the diploma in personnel management course at Queen’s University along with many aspiring HR professionals and eventually became a Chartered Member of the CIPD.

2. Tell us about Cleaver Fulton Rankin’s employment and business immigration offering; what makes it unique?

We are the only indigenous NI firm that offers employers specialist employment law advice and representation as well as other services such as Business Immigration support and CFR HR, our HR consultancy service. CFR HR provides employers of all sizes with commercial legal advice on day-to-day HR and employment law issues on a fixed fee basis.

We provide access to a wide range of HR template documents and bespoke employee correspondence. We also support employers on more complex projects such as HR investigations,

redundancy processes and updating employment contracts and handbooks.

3. What are the main challenges you see facing NI businesses today?

After the challenges of COVID and Brexit, recruitment continues to be a significant issue even for the more agile employers. Recruitment goes hand in hand with retention and I am a big believer in investing in staff development, ensuring that employees feel valued and benefit from job satisfaction. Workplace culture is a key factor and the Gen Z workforce expects more flexibility and a better work-life balance than previous generations. Too many employers don’t seem to know how best to sell themselves to candidates and ignore the employee value proposition.

4. What are the business benefits to obtaining sound HR and employment law advice?

The main advantage is keeping employers out of courts and tribunals – prevention is better than cure! Putting the right employment safeguards and protections in place now can save businesses substantial sums and HR headaches for years to come. One of the key benefits of CFR-HR, aside from the fixed fee pricing model, is that our advice to clients is legally privileged and is not discoverable in the event of litigation, which is not generally the case with advice provided by HR consultants operating outside of law firms.

5. Is there one key piece of business advice that has helped you in your career?

I’m tempted to quote Michael Scott from “The Office” but one of my favourite truisms is that “a company is only as good as the people it keeps”. Hiring the right people and enabling them to do their best within a rewarding and supportive structure ultimately means your clients will be happy and your business will prosper.

NI RENEWABLE GAS CONFERENCE

On 17th October, national and international speakers addressed over 250 delegates gathered at Titanic Hotel, Belfast, for Phoenix Energy’s third annual NI Renewable Gas Conference. The event, which has grown momentum over the past three years, brought together local policy makers, industry leaders, and energy experts that share a common goal of progressing a decarbonised NI economy. This year’s conference theme was Market Delivery; how the region can advance established, market ready solutions that will create ‘learning by doing’, support 2030 carbon targets, and attract investment into the region.

Speakers at the conference included Noyona Chundur, CEO of Consumer Council NI and Simon Fitzpatrick from the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association, representing the views of business and domestic energy users and the importance of the timely delivery of affordable, resilient low carbon energy solutions locally. Founder of Econic Energy, Christoph Grossbaier highlighted the important role that emerging technologies are playing across other countries, whilst European Biogas Association’s CEO Harmen Dekker gave delegates an insight into the successful role out of the biomethane economy across Europe and provided lessons learned that can be applied to NI’s emerging biomethane sector.

1. Pictured at the conference are Kailash Chada (Phoenix Energy), Christoph Grossbaier (Econic Energy) and Noyona Chunder (Consumer Council).

2. Kailash Chada, Phoenix Energy CEO welcomed delegates to the Renewable Gas Conference and presented the progress made on the 2023 Commitments to support the sustainable introduction of renewable gases in Northern Ireland.

3. Guests network at the Titanic Hotel.

4. A clear takeaway from the event was, ‘collaboration is key’ and there was plenty of dialogue among delegates who came from a range of sectors, between the various sessions of the conference.

5. Delegates heard from DAREA Green Growth Deputy Director, Jonathan McFerran.

6. Consumer Council Chief Executive, Noyona Chunder, addressed the room to discuss how we can protect and empower energy consumers.

7. Christoph Grossbaier (Econic Energy) took to the stage to discuss his experience in enabling the transition for consumers and installers.

8. Members of the panel.

9. During Theme 2 (‘Delivering Regional Integrated Energy Systems’), host Karen Patterson crossed live to a Belfast home which is currently using

a hybrid heating solution. Reporter Lousie Cullen spoke to the property tenant as well as Dan Wilden from Alpha Heating and Josh Rowe from Refresh NI who helped to install the system.

10. Phoenix Energy’s Iain Hoy presented to delegates on the role of hybrid heating solutions in the pathway to Net Zero.

11. Theme 2 panel discussion featuring Christoph Grossbaier (Econic Energy), Brendan Fenerty (Alpha Heating), Professor Brian Ó Gallachóir (University College Cork) and Iain Hoy (Phoenix Energy).

12. Ian Marshall from CASE took to the stage to discuss ‘An Agri-Enabled Biomethane Economy’.

13. Delegates had the opportunity to hear from European Biogas Association’s Harmen Dekker, who provided insights into the successful role out of the biomethane economy across Europe.

14. Russell Smyth (KPMG), closed session 3 of the Renewable Gas Conference.

15. In the third session, Simon Fitzpatrick, representing the NI Food & Drink Association, discussed the challenges of one of NI’s largest sectors; the Agri-Food Sector, and their need to deliver decarbonised solutions

16. Ian Snowden, Department for the Economy Permanent Secretary, addressed conference delegates.

Going Through Changes

Northern Ireland is on a journey to net zero that requires a revolution in how we generate and use electricity. Key drivers of this journey are the decarbonisation targets in the Northern Ireland Executive’s Energy Strategy and the Climate Change Act, which are setting the future direction for our energy sector.

To keep pace with these targets, Elaine Cassidy, Director of Price Controls at the Utility Regulator, explains why investment in Northern Ireland’s electricity network is required.

CUSTOMER NEEDS ARE CHANGING

The electricity needs of the business community are changing, with more companies choosing to use new, greener technologies and reduce their carbon footprint by generating their own electricity from a range of sources. As businesses expand, reinforced infrastructure and increased capacity are required to make sure electricity gets to customers where, when and how they need it.

THE WAY ELECTRICITY IS GENERATED IS CHANGING

As we move away from using fossil fuels to generate electricity and actively work to meet government climate change targets, the use of renewable energy, such as wind and solar, will increase. To accommodate the increase in electricity generated from renewable sources, changes are required to the electricity system to provide additional capacity for generators to connect to the network and

Utility Regulator approves a £2.23billion investment package for Northern Ireland’s electricity network.

ensure that it’s flexible enough to work between different energy sources as they become available.

HOW RP7 WILL FACILITATE THESE CHANGES

RP7 is the name of NIE Networks’ next six-year price control, which will run from April 2025 to March 2031.

As NIE Networks is a natural monopoly, it is subject to economic regulation, which ensures all electricity consumers are protected by ensuring a quality service is delivered at an efficient cost.

The Utility Regulator has determined the amount of revenue that NIE Networks will collect from customers, via electricity supplier tariffs, over the next six years. This revenue is set through the RP7 price control that we have approved following scrutiny and challenge of the company’s business plans and consultation with stakeholders.

THE UTILITY REGULATOR’S ROLE IN THESE CHANGES

Protecting consumers is at the heart of the Utility Regulator’s work. We ensure that every pound of investment approved represents value for money for today and tomorrow’s electricity consumers.

We must also ensure that NIE Networks is provided with the correct level of investment to allow them to deliver the objectives of RP7 and support the delivery of the Climate Change Act targets and the Northern Ireland Executive’s Energy Strategy.

We fully scrutinised NIE Networks’ costs to ensure they were efficient and identified £322 million in savings, which

Elaine Cassidy, Director of Price Controls, Utility Regulator.

is a 12.6% reduction to the total amount initially requested through their business plan.

WHAT THESE CHANGES MEAN FOR BUSINESS CUSTOMERS

For business customers, there will be an increase to the network charge element of their electricity bill, which makes up less than 25% of their total bill. Each customer will be impacted differently, depending on their individual circumstances.

As a result of this investment, small businesses will pay around £10 per year more by the end of the six-year period (by 2031).

Large businesses who use a lot of energy will see the greatest percentage increase as they are connected to the higher voltage network, which means they pay more for the transmission charges that are increasing materially through this investment.

Those business customers will see a 15% increase to their network charge – which makes up less than a quarter of their bill. Overall, this equates to a 2%-4% increase to their overall electricity bill by 2031.

The impact of the RP7 investment on different customer groups is detailed below:

Group Average % change to the Estimated £ change to the network charge (about network charge over the a quarter of the total bill). six-year period.

Small Business Customers 1% change to the network charge. £10 over the six-year period. This includes hairdressers and small shops, cafés and offices who use less than 20 MWh.

Small-medium business 4% change to the network charge. £426 over the six-year period. customers on low voltage

This includes restaurants, hotels, small-medium manufacturing and commercial units, large offices using between 20 and 499 MWh.

Small - medium business 6% change to the network charge. £2,392 over the six-year period. customers on high voltage

This includes large supermarkets and manufacturing units, central EV charging sites using between 500 and 1,999 MWh.

Large energy users on 8% increase to the network charge. £7,876 over the six-year period. high voltage

This includes very large industrial sites, for example the largest manufacturers or data companies who use over 20,000 MWh.

These changes will be good for Northern Ireland businesses RP7 sets out the investment journey that will pave the way for changes required, to deliver an improved electricity system in Northern Ireland, securing long-term value for all electricity consumers. These changes, made possible through the RP7 investment, will deliver a smarter, more flexible and integrated electricity system, maintain the security of the electricity network and build new infrastructure to ensure that electricity gets to where businesses, homes and transport need it.

More information on RP7 and the investment can be found at: www.uregni.gov.uk/rp7-final-determination

Customer

Gerard Lawlor, Chief Executive, NI Football League.

Appointed as the Northern Ireland Football League’s (NIFL) ﬁrst ever chief executive in September 2021, and with over 25 years of experience in sport and hospitality in Northern Ireland, Gerard Lawlor has led the Irish League into an exciting new era both on and off the pitch in the last three years.

The popularity, media exposure and commercial revenues for NIFL have never been higher, but it feels like Gerard and his team are only getting started as they strive to fulﬁl the long-standing potential to make NIFL a serious player in the European football market.

1. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE

We are now in the entertainment business, so it’s imperative we understand the needs and perspectives of our people. We must ask ourselves what people are craving.

So far that approach has been working for us, as we’ve grown our attendances at matches by 69% in the last ten years. We will always ask ourselves what’s going on in the background and underlying issues – as we service such a broad demographic range across all communities, it’s hard to please everyone, but I ﬁrmly believe in the authenticity and quality of our product – which is continuing to really resonate with new fans and old ones.

2. INVEST IN YOUR STRENGTHS

Our biggest strength is the team around us at NIFL and my biggest passion is seeing the potential in our people by investing in their skillsets and futures. I’ve worked tirelessly to carefully bring together an amazing team of professionals and I can conﬁdently say that it’s never been in a better place than it is now.

Our next step is now that we have to encourage external stakeholders to invest in our product and infrastructure, to continue our growth. We’re currently working with the government to deliver a long-awaited stadium funding project and the beneﬁts – not only to our business but to the communities our clubs represent – will be huge.

3. BRING PEOPLE WITH YOU

Football is a fast-paced environment: everyone has an opinion, and everyone is enormously passionate about the direction of travel, but we have to lead everyone from the front and keep everyone on the same path!

We are stronger together, be it as staff or within our membership of clubs, so it’s critically important that we bring people along with us on the journey. Communication is key for me and we’ve created a really strong framework of processes from the top to the bottom of our business, so that everyone has their say.

Last year we launched our ambitious five-year strategy, ‘A bold and brighter future for professional football’. This was a key milestone for us as it is the first time we now have a clear roadmap to fulfilling our potential: with all our stakeholders helping shape this, it has become a really unifying piece of work.

4. UNDERSTAND PEOPLE’S NEEDS

I feel that governing bodies across business just want to wave the rule book at their people from afar: we are completely the opposite. We want to be pragmatic – we want to understand the challenges of stakeholders to help them be the best they can be.

Currently, we have 47 member clubs from across Northern Ireland and I have a completely different perspective on our business now than I had as one of those club chairs, but I can use that experience to relate and empathise with their challenges and issues and ﬁnd solutions that beneﬁt everyone involved.

5. STAY COMMITTED AND LEARN FROM SETBACKS

The nature of sport is that there will always be defeats and setbacks, but commitment is tantamount to success in our world.

I’ve been in the game a long time and enjoyed great success with Cliftonville FC, but I reﬂect on how much my own personality and leadership style has changed over the years; it’s important to adapt to the experiences of life.

I wouldn’t be here now without the setbacks that have taught me so much, but there is a resilience in me that drives me on to

Stairway to Seven

My seven steps for business success

improve our league each day, and I’m fortunate to be driven on by a hugely supportive wife and family and my team around me in work.

6. BE BRAVE

I’ve always been adamant that I’m not here to make the popular decisions, I’m here make the right decisions. That means making brave decisions and calculated risks but also having the courage to walk away from deals that just aren’t right for us.

We are the guardians of a 135-year-old institution: we have a duty of care to leave this league in a better place than we found it and if we play it safe, we will be no further on when we hand the torch over.

Thankfully, I’m surrounded by ambitious staff and a fully supportive board that I know will back me through any tough decisions.

7. BE VISIBLE AND APPROACHABLE

We’re a parent organisation: we’re parents to 47 children (clubs), all of whom have different skills, capabilities and ambitions. We need to grow, nurture and support our clubs – but we also unfortunately need to punish their actions if they are not in the interests of the family.

Therefore, it’s vital we are visible and approachable. We cannot shirk away from the public eye when times are tough, we hold ourselves to high levels of accountability and it’s vitally important that our clubs and fans know that we will always stand up for them.

ICING ON THE CAKE

Ulster Bank colleagues have raised over £165,000 for charity partner Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice, during this year’s ‘One Week in September’ fundraising campaign.

This brings the total amount raised by Ulster Bank for the charity to over £325,000 since the partnership began in 2023.

Hundreds of children, adults and their families have benefitted from the donations, which have helped the NI Hospice continue its vital work in supporting around 4,000 service users to receive palliative care each year.

Through a wide range of fundraising activities driven by Ulster Bank colleagues across its branches, contact centre, head office and support functions, the bank’s donation is supporting the ongoing work of NI Children’s Hospice, which is the only charity in Northern Ireland offering specialist respite, symptom management and end of life palliative care to infants, children and adults with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses.

In addition to the fundraising, Ulster Bank colleagues have also been busy volunteering with the hospice teams through the bank’s ‘do good, feel good’ programme, something Terry Robb, head of retail banking in NI, says has strengthened the relationship between the two organisations.

“Our partnership with NI Children’s Hospice has been an extremely successful one and I’m so proud of all our colleagues who have fully embraced it since day one. It’s incredible that in just over 18 months, our efforts have helped to raise over £325,000 and we know that every penny of this goes towards supporting individuals and families across Northern Ireland when they need it the most.

“I’m also proud that so many of our team have had the opportunity to visit the hospice centres and volunteer in some capacity which helps to focus the mind when it comes to fundraising and raising awareness of the fantastic work of the hospice within their local communities.”

Ulster Bank colleagues present a cheque for £165,000 to Northern Ireland Hospice. Pictured left-right are representatives from NI Hospice, Grace Stewart, Kieran Buchanan, Brian Henderson, Conal Duffy and Trevor McCartney and from Ulster Bank, Gillian McCandless, John Ferris, Paul McCusker and Shona Cassidy. Also pictured is 6-year-old Evie Keown.

Onwards and Upwards for McKeever Hotels

Eddie and Bridgene McKeever at The Cellar.

With a legacy spanning nearly 30 years in the hospitality sector, it’s clear the McKeever Hotel Group’s ambition, drive, and commitment to delivering excellence shows no sign of abating.

In addition to receiving hospitality sector recognition in the form of the 2024 NI Tourism Award, the Group’s founder and Chair Eugene McKeever MBE was recently presented the Lifetime Achievement accolade at the AIB Business Eye awards – an honour he immediately dedicated to the work of his family and wider team.

‘Shared success’ is evident across every aspect of the family-owned and operated business and is embedded in McKeever’s ‘We Do More’ ethos. It is also a framework which has continued to evolve and grow in line with the Group’s investment and development.

From the acquisition of the flagship Dunadry Hotel & Gardens in 2017 to its purchase of The Lodge Hotel in Coleraine in July this year, new markets and opportunities are central to McKeever Hotel’s growth strategy. Its six-strong portfolio (including The Adair Arms, Corr’s Corner, The Dunsilly, and Dillon’s Hotel in Donegal) are all established, thriving hotels with their individual appeal to different markets. But complacency doesn’t feature in the McKeever mindset, and the Group is continually looking for ways in which its hotels can adapt and improve to better serve its customers and drive performance.

In true McKeever style, the central catalyst for change has always been the people. Restructuring the Board and implementing a Charter for Growth strategy has proved pivotal. Stepping into the role of chair enabled Eugene’s son Eddie to take over as Group MD, with daughter Bridgene becoming company secretary/head of governance.

Fresh, objective, and collaborative thinking at board level was solidified with the appointment of Victoria Walton as director of finance, with Martin Toner, who has over 30 years of experience as general manager across the McKeever portfolio, becoming director of people.

“The rollout of our strategy has been a game changer for the business,” commented Eddie McKeever, “embracing expansion, sustainability, professionalism, quality, value, and service excellence.

“Our clear goal is to increase turnover to £60million and this requires investment. As a result, both Dillons and the Dunsilly have benefited from refurbishment programmes – totalling over £2.5million.

“The Dunadry has also undergone significant renovation including the transformation of the original working cellar to create a private venue to showcase an extensive range of premium Irish whiskeys and fine wines. Before Christmas we will also unveil our new thermal spa garden, offering exclusive access for guests staying in the 10

bedrooms that will form part of this new retreat.

“Together this represents an investment of over £750,000 in the Dunadry alone and supports our ambition to offer transformative experiences and elevate expectations.”

Employing a team of 400 across the Group and contributing £8.5m to the local economy in wages alone, the McKeevers are first to admit that exceptional hospitality relies on exceptional people.

“The hospitality industry doesn’t have the best reputation as a career choice, but we’ve committed to challenging and changing misconceptions,” added Eddie.

“We do this by applying our ‘We Do More’ culture across our entire team and creating a working environment which supports and encourages our employees to learn, grow and thrive. This includes investing over £100k per year in internal training and development.

“My father, Eugene, started his career in the 1960s, washing pots in Corr’s Corner. The level of support he received from its then owner John Corr developed his passion and forged a career in hospitality which has been successful and hugely fulfilling. He’s never forgotten the impact of John’s encouragement and he has applied the same philosophy across our Group. We recruit people with the right attitude, we foster their skills and encourage them to reach their potential. We find our best people stay and progress with us, and with a staff turnover rate of only 14%, we consider it a win-win.”

Another recent development has been expansion through acquisition – notably The Lodge Hotel, Coleraine joining the McKeever Group portfolio in July 2024.

“This has been another strategic move, extending our reach into the North West. The Lodge has a great reputation,

a very loyal team and is grounded within the local community. Its focus on quality service, professionalism, and customer care replicates our ‘We Do More’ business model, making it the right fit for the Group. Already the Lodge is well embedded and growing with us.”

While ‘environmental impact’ has been moving higher up the priority list for most industries, McKeever Hotels has been focusing on sustainability and ‘green’ improvements for several years. Accredited to Green Tourism at silver level (and currently working toward gold), it was the first major tourism and hospitality business to achieve zerowaste-to-landfill status.

“Our commitment to sustainability is not just a goal, it’s critical to our business and fits within our ‘We Do More’ ethos. We embrace new ideas and technologies and actively review and enhance systems to minimise energy usage, reduce CO2 emissions and manage waste,” Eddie commented.

Strategically, the Group identified a means of combining its sustainability drive with its company-wide CSR programme.

“In 2024 we introduced ‘Green Rooms’, an initiative which enables guests to choose to skip daily housekeeping. For each bedroom which opts in, we donate £5 to our Charity of the Year – NI Children’s Hospice.

“The campaign drives eco-efficiencies by reducing laundry costs, energy consumption and enabling more effective use of staff hours. In May alone, 422 rooms participated, raising over £2k for the charity, so the final total will be substantial.

“Each step we take contributes to the bigger picture regarding sustainability and community support and is a proud demonstration that hospitality can thrive alongside environmental responsibility.”

McKeever Hotel Group Leadership Team.

BANK OF IRELAND UK APPOINTS NEW HEAD OF BUSINESS DEPOSITS

Bank of Ireland UK has appointed Tanya Anderson as Head of Business Deposits, a newly created position focused on leading the Bank’s next phase of business deposit growth.

Tanya joins from AIB where she most recently held the position of Head of UK Deposits. In taking up this new role with Bank of Ireland, reporting to the Head of Business Banking, Tanya will lead the bank in delivering business deposit solutions and meet the needs of both new and existing customers.

Tanya brings a breadth of expertise to her new role. A fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, having trained in PricewaterhouseCoopers, Tanya has 25 years’ experience in ﬁnancial services in the Northern Ireland market, spanning roles across corporate lending, corporate ﬁnance and business support.

Commenting on Tanya’s appointment, George Higginson, managing director Northern Ireland and Strategic Partnerships UK, Bank of Ireland UK said: “I am delighted to welcome Tanya to Bank of Ireland UK in a new role that will further support our business customers with the deposit products and solutions that are right for their business, while strengthening

our customer relationships, which is core to our strategy.

“Tanya brings a wealth of knowledge which I am sure will be of beneﬁt to both new and existing customers as we continue to invest in deposit solutions and meet the needs of businesses right across Northern Ireland.”

Further strengthening its business

deposits team, Bank of Ireland UK has recently appointed Fergal McCusker as business development manager. Fergal will work closely with Tanya to add value to new and existing customer relationships.

Further information on Bank of Ireland’s business savings can be found at: DepositsBank of Ireland UK

Tanya Anderson, Head of Business Deposits, Bank of Ireland UK with George Higginson, Managing Director Northern Ireland and UK Strategic Partnerships, Bank of Ireland UK.

Supporting the NI Business and Corporate Community

Throughout 2024, its 200th anniversary year, Danske Bank has supported some of Northern Ireland’s leading businesses to make new investments and execute ambitious expansion plans.

Danske Bank recently reported that in the ﬁrst nine months of the year, it had supported the Northern Ireland business community with over £490m of business lending approvals.

As the bank marked the 200-year anniversary of its incorporation in 2024, the trend experienced in the ﬁrst nine months of the year has continued.

Geoff Sharpe, Danske Bank’s head of corporate banking, says what has been clear to Danske’s Corporate and Business team is that there are growing companies right across the region in almost every sector of the economy, with ambitions to invest and expand.

“So far this year we’ve seen a wide spectrum of businesses from a range of industries availing of support from the bank to ﬁnance their growth plans,” says Geoff.

A team of experienced corporate relationship managers, led by Geoff, is supported by local specialist teams in markets, asset finance, invoice finance, trade finance and cash management, as well as the bank’s in-house sustainability team.

Geoff adds: “Our customers beneﬁt from our corporate team’s fast, local decision making. That combined with our industry and sector expertise, and our experience in supporting customers through growth, mergers, acquisitions and expansions, ensures there’s direct access to a wide range of solutions to meet customer needs.”

Picking out a few of their highlights from the year so far, Geoff points to the support the bank provided for Mercedes Benz NI, which opened a new £6m aftersales facility in Dungannon, leading to the creation of 20 new jobs for the area. The investment

Mercedes Benz Truck & Van CEO Pauline McKeating and Danske Bank Senior Corporate Banking Manager Alan Wilson.

follows a period of signiﬁcant growth for the business with the new premises now providing a greatly enhanced offering for commercial vehicles.

Danske also worked with UK Export Finance to support The Deluxe Group with a £10m funding package that played a key role in enabling the company to secure one of its biggest ever export contracts. The Portadown-based company secured a landmark £30m contract for the interior ﬁt-out of a new cruise ship in Germany with the bank providing ﬁnance guaranteed by UK government’s Export Finance guarantee facility.

“International trade can be complex and risky for businesses,” says Geoff. “With support from our Trade and Export Finance teams, we were delighted to be able to provide a funding package for the Deluxe Group in conjunction with the UKEF guarantee facility, another way which we can help businesses fulﬁl contracts or bid for new business.”

The bank also extended support for other long-term customers such as Ulster Carpets, by providing a range of banking services like trade ﬁnance, foreign exchange and cash management support, delivered by locally based specialists and the bank’s online ﬁnancial platform District.

The company, which has banked with Danske for 40 years, has grown by investing in innovation, particularly new loom technology, and acquiring businesses, recently adding iconic British ﬂooring brand Alternative Flooring and Solidwool, a business which combines unwanted wool with a bio resin to make unique furniture.

“We are seeing companies continue

to use the full range of business support which Danske Bank offers,” says Geoff.

“During the year, this has included well known businesses availing of asset finance, invoice finance, trade finance and other specialist services to help them achieve their strategic targets.

“For some, that could be expanding and growing their business, and for others it might be achieving their sustainability goals – annually, we support 75 customers through the Climate Action Programme that we co-developed with Business in the Community.”

It is not just Northern Ireland’s biggest ﬁrms which Danske Bank has backed this year. A successful small business campaign resulted in a 70% year-on-year increase in new small business accounts opened in the ﬁrst half of the year. The bank has continued to be a key player in a long list of its business centre and small business customer expansion stories.

Companies – including retailer Jude Law Boutique, which doubled the size of its Magherafelt store; familyowned McComb’s Coach Travel, which expanded its ﬂeet with two new coaches; Bathshack, which has expanded its footprint opening new Belfast and Armagh showrooms; and Dunaverty, which marked a year operating the Rathlin Ferry by expanding its ﬂeet –all availed of Danske Bank funding to support their growth ambitions.

In addition to the bank’s online banking platform District, the bank’s corporate and business customers have been supported through a strong local presence on the ground in Northern Ireland through branches, contact centres and business advisor teams.

“In our 200th year, I’m really proud that the local corporate and business banking teams at Danske Bank are playing an integral role in the success of some of our most successful local companies, from innovative small businesses and familyowned SMEs, to leading international exporters and many of Northern Irelands largest corporates,” says Geoff Sharpe.

“As companies start to look ahead to their plans for 2025, our message is that Danske Bank is very much here to support our customers as they seek opportunities to expand, whether that’s enhancing their physical presence, purchasing new equipment, hiring new teams or growing their business into new markets,” he adds.

“We have been supporting Northern Ireland businesses, communities and people locally for 200 years,” says Geoff. “A lot has changed in that time but what hasn’t changed is our commitment to support local business and work with them for the long term to help them grow.”

The Deluxe Group: (L-R) Paul Mackle, Finance Director, The Deluxe Group; Dominic O’Neill, Senior Corporate Manager, Danske Bank; Colm O’Farrell, Executive Chairman, The Deluxe Group; Bernie Kerr, Head of Trade and Export Finance, Danske Bank; and Colm Connolly, Managing Director, The Deluxe Group.

Geoff Sharpe, Head of Corporate Banking at Danske Bank, at a recent NI Chamber GROW event.

Columnist

Dr Aisling Reid

Business Relationship Manager, Ulster University Business School

A wave of new educational opportunities for the North West

It’s an exciting time for the North West as the region experiences a remarkable period of economic and social transformation. In recent years, Derry~Londonderry and its surrounding areas have seen a surge of significant investments from large global corporations, investors, and local businesses across various sectors.

Now a recognised hub for investment and job creation, the North West is home to one of Ireland’s most vibrant digital clusters outside of Belfast and Dublin. With industry expertise spanning life sciences, business services, technology, tourism, and advanced manufacturing and engineering, the region is a magnet for global and indigenous companies. Organisations such as Seagate, EY, FinTrU, Alchemy Technology Services, Ebrington Leisure Holdings, and Vertiv have shown their commitment to the region, due to its strategic location, highly skilled workforce, and supportive business climate. According to data from NISRA and the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre (UUEPC), the ICT, health & social work and professional & scientific sectors will contribute to 64% of new job creation over the next decade.

The recent signing of the Derry~Londonderry and Strabane City Region City Deal and Inclusive Future Fund Financial Deal represents the largest single investment ever by the UK government and NI Executive in the region with over £250 million

allocated to fuel growth. Set to create up to 6,300 new jobs by 2033, this ambitious financial package will support a range of regionally significant strategic projects across innovation, digital and health, regeneration and tourism. This investment is set to unlock unprecedented opportunities for business growth and development and generate opportunities that promise to develop and grow the economic landscape. The momentum and energy is undeniable, as the region grasps the opportunity to grow and create impact.

The ripple effects of such investments are positively impacting education and skills development. As new businesses establish themselves in the region, they bring fresh opportunities and a variety of roles that cater to different skill sets. In response, Ulster University is preparing the local workforce with essential skills to meet the demands of an evolving economy through a range of fully-funded postgraduate and short courses. Funded by the Department for the Economy (DfE), this initiative provides 175 places on both full-time and part-time programmes at the Derry~Londonderry campus.

Four programmes were successfully launched in September 2024, with funded places secured on the international business and sustainable management masters programmes. Current student Laura Henry reflected on how the masters in international business aided her return to work: “I’m not ashamed to say that getting on

the DfE course has really helped me get back on my feet after going through redundancy last year. I really took it as a blow that a career that I’d spent 20 years building could essentially disappear overnight. The DfE funding has allowed me to reframe and use my experience in ways that I’d never expected.”

The next wave of funded short courses will commence in January 2025 and will feature a mini MBA designed specifically for women returning to the workforce or seeking to upskill for transformative roles. Additionally, an advanced certificate social enterprise will be offered to inspire participants to transform and grow their social economy organisations. The package also includes a suite of micro-credentials, offering bite-size learning opportunities that focus on updating skills, knowledge, and/ or experience in a particular discipline or capability. Business leaders and managers are encouraged to consider these opportunities not only for their own personal development, but also as a means to upskill and empower their employees. Busy professionals can study a single module (including reflexive leadership; and strategy and innovation; or data science in business), or combine three modules to gain a postgraduate certificate in professional practice.

If you are interested in learning more about the portfolio of DfE funded courses starting in 2025 at the Derry~Londonderry campus, please get in touch at ar.reid@ulster.ac.uk.

NI Chamber provides members with the opportunity to target individuals from the NI business community via a dedicated eshot service.

FROM BOARDING TO BOARDROOM – BELFAST CITY AIRPORT KEEPS YOUR BUSINESS MOVING

To find out more, visit: belfastcityairport.com.

GIVING BACK TO SUPPORT THE FUTURE

Fermanagh-born and London-based, International Business graduate Conor Sharkey says he has a lot to thank Queen’s for and has left an unrestricted gift in his Will as a way to give back.

“I gained so much through the University, both as a student and alum. Queen’s gave me the skills to map out where my professional life may go, as well as providing connections and friendships all around the world.

“Although I currently support student-focused initiatives such as The Pathway Bursary Fund as it helps many students fulfil their potential regardless of their circumstances, I have also left an unrestricted gift in my Will and trust that it will be used to fund the area of work that will have the greatest economic, research or societal impact at the time.”

For more information on leaving a gift in your Will to Queen’s, contact Louise Carey at l.carey@qub.ac.uk or visit go.qub. ac.uk/legacy-gift.

In the fast-moving world of business, every minute counts – deadlines, meetings and global calls can’t wait.

As Katy Best, Chief Commercial Officer at Belfast City Airport, explains “with the return of in-person meetings, there’s a growing demand for travel that’s both convenient and stress-free.”

Belfast City Airport, located just five minutes from Belfast’s city centre, is designed for busy professionals who need quick and seamless travel options.

With direct connections to major cities such as Birmingham and access to over 190 global destinations via Heathrow, Amsterdam and Manchester, efficiency is Belfast City Airport’s priority.

Recent upgrades, including an enhanced security area, make getting from check-in to boarding faster than ever.

Katy continues:

“Being named the UK’s most punctual airport in 2023, along with our speedy security processing times, reinforces our commitment to ensuring that all of our passengers have a smooth and enjoyable airport experience.”

If passengers are heading on a business trip or returning home from a conference, Belfast City Airport keeps businesses moving.

Conor Sharkey.

AUDIO NI

Recently presented with the AIB Business Eye ‘Outstanding Leadership and Management’ award, Simon has played a pivotal role in the strategic direction and commercial growth of NI’s biggest commercial audio business.

Bauer’s stations are proof that radio is thriving, enjoying a combined weekly audience of 821,000 listeners and over one million Facebook followers. And with Cool FM rocketing to the top of NI’s radio ratings for the ﬁrst time in its 33-year history, surpassing BBC Radio Ulster, 2024 has been a standout year.

According to Simon, Cool FM’s success in achieving its highest-ever audience of over half a million weekly listeners is even more impressive, considering how fragmented the radio landscape has become:

“Bauer Media Audio NI has always understood and adapted to changes

in audience behaviour and the evolving audio environment. It’s all about creating a strong local identity that remains relevant to listeners, advertising agencies, and clients.

“We’ve done so by building our broadcast audiences, embracing digital platforms, leading the market in app and smart speaker, and running hugely successful promotions such as Cash Call and Make Me a Winner. We’ve also developed a solid social media presence, and content strands which local audiences buy into.”

The Bauer journey began in 1976 when the local radio market was transformed with the launch of Downtown Radio. Cool FM was ‘born’ in 1990 to cater for a younger demographic and has matured by embracing digital technologies and multi-platforms to reach new and wider audiences.

A Cool standout is the morning show with Pete, Paulo, and Rebecca,

which – based on ofﬁcial RAJAR ﬁgures – is the most listened-to, or ‘biggest show in the country’.

Beyond content, Simon believes community and connection are central to Bauer’s success.

“CSR has always kept us in tune with the communities we serve. Cash for Kids, our in-house charity, has raised over £1.2m through pillars such as Mission Christmas and Cash for Kids Day, supporting over 20,000 local children in the past year alone.

“We also aim to reﬂect the lifestyle of our audiences both on and off-air. Thanks to strategic partnerships, we’re present at all major music, sports, civic and community events, enabling us to reach new listeners, in new ways and in parts of NI that we didn’t previously cover via our broadcast service. As a result, Cool FM has the rare distinction of being

Simon Mann is Commercial Director of Bauer Media Audio Northern Ireland, the home of Cool FM, Downtown, Downtown Country and Greatest Hits NI.

the only heritage radio station in the UK to increase its listenership and double its audience over the past 30 years.”

Innovation and creativity ensure the evolution continues.

“With more platforms and touchpoints, we can exceed our listeners’ and advertisers’ expectations. Using Voice Tech interactive ad formats such as ‘say it now’ to custom Alexa skills and AI –we’re taking the advertising and creative landscape to new levels.

“Our latest digital audio platform, Instream, provides advertisers access to audiences listening to our audio brands, enabling location speciﬁc targeting. With 97% of Instream commercials listened to in their entirety, advertisers get the dual beneﬁt of traditional radio advertising with the unique features of digital distribution.”

This has led to huge growth in online listening across Bauer’s brands.

“We’ve also successfully embraced the social media arena, with Cool FM’s

1 million+ followers a powerful tool when targeting the elusive 16–24-year-olds.

“Our ability to connect with NI’s diverse audience range is central to our strategy as it revolves around the listener’s lifetime – be it Millennials, Gen Xers, Boomers, or the 65+ established Boomers.

“We aim to further our reach beyond live radio into social and video channels, developing live and local opportunities to ensure relevance for the next generation of audio consumers and advertisers.”

Bauer is also reaching beyond traditional brand boundaries to offer bolder creative executions:

“Facebook and Twitter (now X) are our primary sources of online web trafﬁc.

On Instagram, we share a mix of studio activity, competitions, local events, viral trends, and popular gigs, all offering unique sales opportunities to clients and agencies.

“TikTok allows us to reach new audiences in fresh ways. By following trends and utilising seasonal studio and

concert content, we can offer clients additional demographics, adding non-traditional revenue streams to the mix.

“As we live in a diverse society, we reﬂect this through our hosts and presenting talent who are experts at connecting. This offers our commercial partners a roster of solid inﬂuencers such as Rebecca McKinney, Melissa Riddell, and Stuart Robinson.”

According to Simon, Bauer’s success stems from its skill at creating and tailoring bespoke solutions to suit the needs of its many stakeholders.

“We’ve a clear, conﬁdent and sustainable business strategy for NI and have set our sights on transforming and developing an audio business that delivers innovative, exceptional outcomes, each and every time.”

Ergo proud to sponsor IT Project of the Year category as it bolsters its presence across NI

Ergo, Ireland’s leading indigenous IT solutions provider, is excited to sponsor the IT Project of the Year category at the 2024 Belfast Telegraph IT Awards.

This is Ergo’s first time sponsoring the award and comes on the back of an exciting year for the company, which saw the expansion of its presence in Northern Ireland and the appointment of John Molloy as general manager for Northern Ireland.

Ergo’s overarching goal for its Northern Irish facility is to develop a centre for research and development that fosters a culture of innovation and technological advancement to ensure Ergo customers are prepared for today while planning for tomorrow.

Mr Molloy said: “It is an exciting opportunity for Ergo to sponsor this award as we continue to bolster our strong presence across Northern Ireland, invest in our team and strengthen our capabilities.

“While we have had a presence in the region for several years, our recent expansion aligns closely with the broader business strategy of contributing to economic growth, job creation, and the export of technological expertise from Northern Ireland as-well as developing our relationships with customers across the public and private sector.”

As part of the expansion, Ergo has invested in a number of strategic hires, including Alistair Stoops who is based in Belfast as the company’s data, analytics and AI Lead. Alistair is working with Ergo’s clients across both the public and private sectors to help them realise value from their data and deploy artificial intelligence

to meaningfully support their business objectives.

Data, analytics and AI is a key business pillar for Ergo, as a sector that continues to evolve at a pace where success depends on breaking down data silos, reducing complexity and empowering more users to work smarter. Alistair and his team advise customers on the right data architecture for an individual business, ensuring data becomes the ultimate asset.

Another core component for Ergo is its valued relationships with partners and earlier this year, Ergo was named Microsoft Partner of the Year for Ireland. This globally recognised award places Ergo among a cohort of the world’s leading IT solutions providers and reflects Ergo’s wide range of skills in Microsoft

technologies that allow Ergo to cover all client requirements, no matter how specialised, and fulfil every organisation’s unique needs and requirements.

Paul McCann, chief executive of Ergo, reflected on his company’s long history in the IT sector and the importance of the IT project category. “This award recognises the most outstanding IT project delivered by any team, organisation or company and as Ireland’s leading IT solutions provider with a 30-year legacy of delivering IT projects to our customers, we are proud to sponsor this award and promote the outstanding level of talent emerging in the sector today.

“Congratulations to all of this year’s innovative and impressive entrants, and I look forward to seeing the companies grow and prosper.”

ANTRIM AND NEWTOWNABBEY BOROUGH COUNCIL WIN UK COUNCIL OF THE YEAR 2024

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has been awarded the title of Overall Council of the Year 2024 for Service Delivery at the prestigious APSE Awards. The Council was one of eight finalists from across the UK and the only council from Northern Ireland to be shortlisted for the award.

This is not just a first for this Council, but for any council in Northern Ireland. The Council also won Best Services Team for its bereavement and cemetery services and was named a finalist in five other categories.

At the awards ceremony, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Neil Kelly, expressed his pride in the Council’s accomplishment, saying:

“I am deeply honoured to receive these awards. Being named UK Council of the Year, in competition with over 300 county, city, and borough councils, highlights the dedication of our staff and the high standard of front-line services we deliver.”

The Mayor also acknowledged the hard work of Council officers, whose efforts were instrumental in the Council’s recognition:

“I want to commend our Council officers for their innovation and

determination, which are key to delivering effective front-line services, as recognised at these awards.”

He also extended his gratitude to the local community:

“This award is shared with our residents, who motivate us to strive for excellence in everything we do.”

The APSE Service Awards celebrate

outstanding achievements in public service delivery across the UK, with hundreds of submissions received each year from local authorities. Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s win underscores its commitment to delivering high-quality services to its residents.

antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Neil Kelly, is joined by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Paul Dunlop BEM and Chief Executive, Richard Baker GM MSc, Aldermen and Councillors to celebrate being named as Overall UK Council of the Year 2024.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council was named Overall UK Council of the Year 2024 at the APSE Service Awards in September at the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel.

Blossom children’s ward hits the right notes with Ulster orchestra

The Blossom Children’s Ward at Craigavon Area Hospital has been alive with the sound of music in recent weeks.

The Ulster Orchestra have been hosting unique two-hour music sessions at the ward, led by freelance musician Cecily Smith Nesbitt and one of the Orchestra’s violinists Zuzanna Edmonds, and sponsored by Ulster Carpets.

“Coming into hospital can be stressful and worrying but these music sessions have really brought a sense of calm,” explained Linzi Hughes, ward manager at Blossom Children’s Ward. “We have some very busy clinics at this time of year, including with a lot of children with

complex needs, so it has been a lovely experience for them all to enjoy.”

Ulster Orchestra freelance musician

Cecily Smith Nesbitt, who regularly delivers learning and community engagement activity for the Orchestra, leads this wonderful project which forms one part of the Orchestra’s wider learning and community engagement activity across Northern Ireland.

Lucy McCullagh, Ulster Orchestra’s head of community engagement and grants, explains:

“We’re delighted to be back at the Blossom Ward in Craigavon Hospital after a pilot of this project earlier in the year. Enabling children and their caregivers

to connect to music during a hospital stay or in the waiting room offers an uplifting distraction for worried minds and facilitates connection between people. Thanks to Ulster Carpets for their support in making this project possible.”

Ulster Carpets have been a longterm supporter of the Ulster Orchestra’s community engagement work.

Nick Coburn, managing director of Ulster Carpets, commented: “We are proud to support such a wonderful initiative. Bringing a child into hospital is extremely worrying for everyone involved but these music sessions by the talented Ulster Orchestra musicians are making such a positive difference.”

Cecily Smith Nesbitt and Zuzanna Edmonds perform for patients and their caregivers at the Blossom Ward during Ulster Orchestra music sessions, sponsored by Ulster Carpets.

NEWAPPOINTMENTS IN

THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY

Innovation Commissioner, Innovation City Belfast

Director of Price Controls, The Utility Regulator

Chair, Institution of Civil Engineers

Head of Charity Delivery, Action Renewables

Partner and Head of Stategic Planning and Business Advisory, HNH

Data, Analytics and AI Lead, Ergo Technology

DR ADRIAN JOHNSTON MBE

PAM GILLIES

ELAINE CASSIDY

EMER MURNAGHAN

LANA MOORE

ALISTAIR STOOPS

Alex Price

As part of Legacy Wealth Management’s continued growth, the company has announced the appointment of Alex Price as Head of Business Development.

In this key leadership role, Alex will be responsible for leading growth initiatives, developing strategic partnerships and expanding Legacy’s client base across Northern Ireland. Her new role will also focus on enhancing Legacy’s Professional Financial Services and identifying new business opportunities aligning with the company’s ambitious growth plans.

“We are thrilled to welcome Alex to the Legacy Wealth Management team,” explains Keith Liggett, Managing Director. “Her extensive experience and passion for delivering exceptional client service makes her the perfect ﬁt to lead our business development team.”

Alex added, “I am excited to join Legacy Wealth Management at such a pivotal time and look forward to working with the team to continue growing the business and providing clients with the highest level of service.”

A&L Goodbody grows team in NI by further eight

A&L Goodbody (ALG) has grown its team in Northern Ireland by a further eight people. The appointment of eight newly qualified solicitors takes the team at the firm’s Belfast office.

Chris Swann, Eimear Meenan, Elle McMaster, Niamh Wilson, Rachael McDonnell and Sarah Moore take up their new roles as solicitors having completed

ALG’s award-winning Trainee Solicitor Programme in Belfast over the past two years. Ben Holley and Taylor Kirk have completed their solicitor training elsewhere.

Louise Bailey, Talent Partner at ALG in Northern Ireland, said: “At ALG we place a strong emphasis on attracting and retaining the very best new and emerging talent in the legal profession, paving way

for continued excellence in the future and building on our vibrant workplace culture in the ﬁrm.

“This outstanding cohort of eight newly qualiﬁed solicitors each demonstrate exceptionally strong potential and will add further to the strength and depth of our team in Northern Ireland.”

Alex Price, Head of Business Development, Legacy Wealth Management.

PA Duffy & Co Solicitors appoint youngest ever partner

All-Ireland law firm PA Duffy & Co Solicitors has announced a new director – the youngest partner ever appointed to the role.

Enda McGarrity (28) graduated from Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) in 2018 and qualified as a solicitor in 2021.

He currently works on the Covid-19 Inquiry, the largest public inquiry in UK history, instructed by Northern Ireland Bereaved Families for Justice (NIBFFJ).

Enda, who is also representing 50 bereaved families in the Republic of Ireland in respect of Covid-19 deaths, said it was “an honour’ to have been made partner.

“PA Duffy & Co Solicitors has a long history in Northern Ireland and I’m proud to be part of that,” he said.

“I’m also grateful the other directors Conal and Kieran have placed their trust in me.

“PA Duffy rewards people based on merit, rather than years of service, and it’s something we want to promote throughout the firm moving forward.”

Conal McGarrity, Managing Director of the company, which employs 35 staff and has offices in Belfast, Dungannon and Dublin, said Enda’s appointment was well-earned.

“Enda was performing duties beyond those of a director; managing a large team successfully, practising across both jurisdictions and displaying strong leadership skills,” said Conal, who also tutors at QUB in the areas of Public Law and Medical Negligence.

“His appointment signals our intention to recruit and promote the best staff, to continue growing and to move ahead with the expansion project we’re currently on.”

Kieran Quinn, a director with 22 years at the firm, said Enda was “a very dedicated and diligent lawyer” and “a huge asset to the management team”.

“Enda does outstanding work on the Covid-19 inquiry and we felt we had to secure him and reward him for his efforts,” Kieran said.

“He’s been instrumental in establishing our Belfast office and he’s going to continue his great work with inquiries while also developing new areas such as environmental law.”

Promotions at People 1st

People 1st has announced that two of its talented team members have stepped into new roles.

Laura Lavery has recently transitioned into her new position as Apprenticeships Monitoring Officer. Over the past three years, Laura has excelled as a Student Support Officer for its Skills for Life and Work programme, developing a natural talent for helping learners to succeed. In her new role, Laura will work closely with both apprentices and employers, ensuring smooth progress through the qualification process while providing the necessary guidance and support.

She shared her enthusiasm for the new opportunity, stating, “I’m really looking forward to supporting our new apprentices, especially with the expansion of All Age Apprenticeships. I am looking forward to supporting a diverse range of learners.”

Gillian Duffy, who has been an integral part of People 1st for the past 14 years, has taken on the pivotal role of Apprenticeships Manager. Gillian’s journey with People 1st has seen her serve in various capacities, most recently as Centre Manager of the Ormeau Road branch. Gillian will lead the APPNI team, working closely with employers, managing enquiries, and supporting learners throughout their apprenticeship journey. Additionally, she will ensure compliance with Department for Economy regulations as part of the Apprenticeship programme.

Gillian shared her excitement about her new role, saying, “With the growth of the All Age Apprenticeships, this is an exciting time for new apprentices across all age groups. I can’t wait to take this fantastic programme forward.”

In addition to their new roles, both Laura and Gillian will benefit from People 1st’s recent transition to an Employee-Owned Trust (EOT). As part of the EOT, all employees, including Laura and Gillian, will share in the company’s successes through an annual bonus scheme.

Duffy & Co Solicitors Kieran Quinn, Director, Managing Director Conal McGarrity and Enda McGarrity, Director.

Gillian Duffy.

Laura Lavery.

Kia’s Luxury Play

TNew all-electric EV9 has Kia competing with the big boys, writes James Stinson.

he tectonic plates around the global car industry are shifting… driven in large part by the aggressive rise of Chinese electric car makers.

Somewhat less newsworthy but equally signiﬁcant are the ambitions shown by their near neighbours in South Korea – Kia and Hyundai.

Both have slowly shed their cheap and cheerful persona over the last 15 years or so, becoming mainstream and more upmarket as each year passes. Indeed, the Hyundai / Kia concern is now the third largest in the world, behind only Toyota and VW Group.

They continue to make internal combustion-powered cars but have embraced electric faster than any of the non-Chinese brands – and are riding both horses with some aplomb.

Having put down a ﬂag in almost every sector of the market, Kia is now making a play in the luxury SUV ﬁeld, previously the domain of German brands, along with Volvo and Jaguar Land Rover.

Kia’s new EV9 is a luxurious, seven-seat all-electric SUV with striking looks, plenty of tech and a massive interior. With prices starting from £65,000, it’s the most expensive Kia yet but it stacks up well against rivals.

Three models make up the range – Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S –with all featuring the same sizable 99.8 kWh battery.

Entry-level Air, with some 200bhp, comes with a single motor that drives the rear wheels and has a claimed range of 349 miles, which will vary depending on the type of driving you do. A lot of motorway driving will likely knock 20-30% off that while urban driving will deliver a lot more. 0-60mph time for the Air is 9.3 seconds.

GT-Line and GT-Line S have more power (around 380bhp) and two electric motors, driving all four wheels. The 0-62mph time comes down to 5.3 seconds, although range suffers a bit too, down to 315 miles.

Kia’s 800V ultra-fast charging technology means every version of the EV9 can be recharged from 10-to-80 per cent in as little as 24 minutes when plugged into a 350kW high-powered charger. Anyone looking to tow will need an AWD version, which has a 2,500kg braked trailer towing limit.

All come with a standard seven seat conﬁguration and an interior that is truly cavernous. Even the rear most seats are comfortable for adults while the seats can be folded, slid and conﬁgured in a variety of ways to give more load carrying space.

There’s even a quirky six-seat version (that costs £1,000 more) which has two full-sized middle row seats that can be swivelled round to face the rear.

It’s a very striking looking car, with an imposing front end and a silhouette that’s a full ﬁve metres long, which means you’ll need all the parking sensors, cameras etc to feel comfortable driving it in and around town.

The interior ﬁnish, though not quite on a par with German rivals, still feels neat and classy. The controls are well-laid out with an intuitive feel.

While the range kicks off at £65k, it can go as high as £76k – which is an awful lot for a Kia.

But in true Kia fashion, you do get a lot for your money. Entry level versions come with 19-inch alloys, LED headlights, twin 12.3-inch displays plus a 5.3-inch climate-control panel in between, six USB-C sockets (two per row), front and rear parking sensors, a powered tailgate, second-row window blinds, an eight-speaker audio system, and power-adjustable front seats.

The EV9 is a super all-rounder, combining space, practicality, innovation and all at a fairly reasonable price.

Dacia Goes Large with its New Bigster

When it comes to value for money, few can compete with Dacia, writes James Stinson.

Dacia was recently likened to Aldi and Lidl. Like those supermarket discounters, it’s a disruptor in the market, winning over buyers with value orientated cars that major on the essentials rather than the niceto-haves.

Made in Romania but part of the Renault group, Dacia has been growing rapidly in recent years with cars like the Duster, Jogger and Sandero. They used to look a bit cheap compared to rivals but they’ve now got a presence to match their competitors while still managing to keep a lid on prices.

And Dacia has big ambitions, as you can see looking at this new Bigster, which is set to hit our roads next year. A rugged looking SUV, it is as the name suggests bigger than Dacia’s existing wares. It will sit above the Duster and go head-to-head with the likes of VW’s Tiguan, Hyundai’s Tuscon and the Kia Sportage.

Even with the move into new markets, Dacia is staying true to its roots, promising the Bigster will appeal to consumers who “face spiralling costs” but “want a brand new SUV without compromising on comfort, performance and space”. Prices haven’t been conﬁrmed yet but will likely be in the £20,000 to £30,000 range.

The Bigster features the robust, angular looks that have become so popular in this class. A recycled, unpainted material called Starkle is used for the wheel arches and side skirts adding to the rugged look and protecting the car from bumps and scrapes. In keeping with the latest Dacia models, Y-shaped details feature heavily and are part of the front and rear light clusters.

Inside the Bigster there’s a focus on space and practicality. It sports a particularly large boot – some 667 litres – and the rear seats can be folded ﬂat with a 40/20/40 split to maximise ﬂexibility. There will be three levels of trim, starting with entry-level Expression and branching off to two higher levels: Extreme and Journey.

These are both well-equipped with Extreme geared towards those seeking outdoor adventures and Journey aimed towards more lifestyle focused customers.

Extreme trim comes with rubber boot and ﬂoor mats as standard, plus washable upholstery so any mud or spills can easily be cleaned. Base level Expression cars come with dual-zone climate control, a

a reversing camera.

Extreme models gain features such as satnav, hill descent control and an opening panoramic sunroof – a ﬁrst for a Dacia. Meanwhile Journey cars get more creature comforts such as a central armrest, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, a wireless phone charger and adaptive cruise control.

You’ll also be able to add an array of accessories. These include an organiser for the back of the front seat, a Sleep Pack to transform the interior into a double bed and a rear armrest which can be transformed into a backpack. Additionally, there’s Dacia’s YouClip system with anchor points around the car enabling you to attach things like phone cradles and cupholders.

There’s a choice of three engines including a new automatic 155 horsepower hybrid motor, with a towing capacity of around one tonne. This version can remain in all-electric mode up to 80% of the time in the city, says Dacia.

Alternatively, there’s a 140 horsepower mild hybrid with a sixspeed manual gearbox. These are both two-wheel drive options. Additionally, you can go for the four-wheel drive set up which uses the same manual 130 horsepower mild hybrid engine as the new Duster.

Prices and on-sale date will likely be conﬁrmed in the new year.

10.1-inch touchscreen and 7-inch driver display, rear parking sensors and

SUPPORTING SUSTAINABILITY

daa understands the global environmental and climate challenge and have set clear and effective environmental sustainability targets and embedded them into its business strategy.

Both Dublin and Cork Airports are on a journey to halve their scope 1 and scope 2 carbon emissions by 2030 and reach Net Zero Carbon across the Group by 2050. Joint efforts are recognised by the Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme and incorporate plans to invest over €400 million in sustainable infrastructure across both airports, including renewable energy and electric fleet, as well as incentivising airlines that use more efficient and quieter aircraft.

At Dublin Airport, delivering improvements and sustainability initiatives across the campus will provide a range of benefits to those that work there and to local communities.

Dublin Airport has achieved a status of Carbon Neutrality from Airport Carbon Accreditation of the ACI (Airport Council International), which was awarded by the global Airport Carbon Accreditation programme to recognise that carbon emissions were reduced by -25% from 2013 to 2019, while passenger numbers grew +63% during the same period.

In addition to daa’s focus on Carbon Energy and Net Zero commitment, targets are also set around waste, water and air quality, as well as a continuing programme of noise management.

www.dublinairport.com

TAKING THE HASSLE OUT OF MANAGING YOUR FLEET

At Agnew Leasing they can provide any sort of commercial vehicle you require for your business. Whether it’s a small to medium panel van, electric van, pick up, dropside or tipper. They make leasing a commercial vehicle both simple and affordable.

With Agnew Leasing Fleet Management services, they can handle all your tedious, daily tasks, so you can focus on your business. Taking the hassle out of managing your fleet, they will take care of parking fines and MOT arrangements, as well as providing 24hr accident and breakdown services.

For a small monthly fee, you will receive full support from our dedicated fleet coordinators, providing a cost-effective method to ensure your fleet meets all regulatory standards.

• Reduced administration duties

• 24hr Driver Helpline

• Parking Fine and Fixed Penalty Administration

• MOT/PSV Arrangements

• Vehicle Taxing administration

• Discounted prices on servicing, parts, and tyres

• 30 days credit

• 24hr Breakdown service

• 24hr Accident Management

• Rental Vehicle (if necessary)

If you have a fleet of vehicles, Agnew Leasing can manage your fleet, while you manage your business.

For more information on Fleet Management call us on 028 9009 7282

Niall McCarthy, Managing Director Cork Airport, Kenny Jacobs, CEO of daa, Andrea Carroll, Group Head of Sustainability, Jack Chambers TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport and Vincent Harrison, Chief Commercial and Development Officer at daa.

CGI: Innovating for a More Sustainable and Safer Future

Having established a digital centre of excellence in Northern Ireland in 2023, CGI, one of the world’s largest business and IT consulting firms, is focused on tapping into its global expertise to enhance public service delivery and support environmental sustainability across various sectors in Northern Ireland. Through innovative projects that range from developing tools for predicting water pollution, before it happens, to improving justice for domestic abuse victims, CGI is helping address critical societal challenges with bespoke creative IT solutions. It is keen to tap into its global expertise to deliver similar societal benefits here in NI.

At the core of CGI’s mission is its commitment to collaborating with hundreds of government bodies in Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific. This partnership approach aims to transform citizen interactions while improving operational excellence and reducing costs, driving public sector innovation, and delivering meaningful, sustainable outcomes for communities worldwide.

A notable example of CGI’s positive environmental impact is its partnership with the Ordnance Survey to develop a water pollution prediction tool for the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This project leverages geographical and satellite data alongside advanced analytics to anticipate and manage water pollution events, supporting conservation efforts in this vital ecological area. By integrating hydrological modelling with machine learning, the tool provides local authorities and environmental managers with crucial insights for effective decision-making. This initiative not only fosters sustainable practices but also promotes biodiversity protection, highlighting CGI’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

CGI’s commitment to social change and betterment is also demonstrated through its advocacy for improved support for domestic abuse victims. Partnering with Crest Advisory (a UK-

based consultancy and research firm that specialises in criminal justice, policing, and public safety) on a research project, CGI published the white paper, ‘Joining the Dots: domestic abuse, civil and criminal justice and technology’, which calls for a more integrated approach between the civil and criminal justice systems to enhance the safety and well-being of victims. By sharing best practices and harnessing technology, CGI aims to better protect vulnerable people and prevent domestic abuse now, while also exploring future opportunities for innovative solutions that may help prevent further incidents of abuse.

Closer to home and also in the justice space, CGI has recently been announced as the delivery partner for the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service’s 20-year Themis Program, valued at £85 million. This initiative aims to modernise

the justice system by redesigning court processes for enhanced efficiency and accessibility. CGI will work closely with the existing team to implement a fiveyear roadmap promoting a digital-first, paper-light environment that benefits stakeholders across the justice system and among other things speeds up the delivery of justice. This program underscores CGI’s commitment to transforming public services and improving access to justice in Northern Ireland.

As CGI continues to innovate and expand its services here in Northern Ireland, it remains committed to using its wider global experience and expertise to make a meaningful impact on society here by collaborating with NI clients, the research community and local technology startups to help deliver a more sustainable future and advocate for a more just and equitable world.

Ingredients: (Serves 4)

800g halibut ﬁllet (cut into four)

300g Comber potatoes

12 spring onions

300g salted butter

75ml rapeseed oil

200ml crème fraiche

salt & pepper

100g shelled brown shrimp

3g dried dulse

20g chopped chives

20g chervil

vin Murp cutive Hea

G UT CO ES SP R SHRIMP E & Gavin Murphy Ex LLED HALIBUT COMB PO TOES

Method:

SPRING ONION, BROWN SHRIMP, DULSE HERBS

1. Wash and boil the potatoes in lots of water with a pinch of salt. (This takes approx. 20min.)

2 In a small pan, add the spring onions, 25ml rapeseed oil, 100g butter, brown shrimps and dulse. Cook gently for 4-5 minutes.

3 Meanwhile, pan fry the halibut for four minutes in a hot pan using 50ml of the oil, turning mid-way. Add 100g of butter, remove from the heat and allow to rest.

4 Drain the potatoes and crush with a fork. Add the crème fraiche, 100g butter, chives and salt & pepper to taste. Mix until just combined.

To Serve:

To serve: divide the potatoes evenly between four plates. Place one piece of halibut onto each mound of potato, drape three spring onions on each and divide the dulse, shrimps and sauce evenly between the four dishes. Garnish with the chervil and enjoy

BEST IN CLASS

With cutting edge technology and proven results, BTL Aesthetics is revolutionising the world of non-invasive aesthetic technologies.

hen it comes to looking and feeling good, more of us than ever before are opting for non-surgical, non-invasive treatments for the face and body. ‘Tweakments’ are very much part of the mainstream when it comes to self-care and can be a powerful addition to any

When it comes to looking and feeling good, more of us than ever before are opting for non-surgical, non-invasive treatments for the face and body. ‘Tweakments’ are very much part of the mainstream when it comes to self-care and can be a powerful addition to any smart ageing arsenal.

What’s more, an increasingly educated consumer is not just looking for a good outcome, they want the reassurance and the results that come from cutting-edge technology and treatments administered by expert practitioners.

Founded in 1993, BTL Industries is one of the key players in the world of non-invasive aesthetic technologies for face and body. It has a stellar reputation for industryadvancing innovation and state-of-the-art devices, so it’s no surprise that you’ll find BTL’s tech at the heart of top clinics in Ireland and beyond. When it comes to non-invasive aesthetic treatments, BTL is an industry leader. From enhancing the complexion and tackling the signs of ageing to revitalising skin tone and revolutionary pelvic floor treatments, here are just some of the innovations in BTL’s portfolio and how they can enhance your confidence and quality of life.

EMFACE: THE NON-INVASIVE FACELIFT

“EMFACE Submentum is the first-ever non-invasive double chin treatment using deep muscle stimulation”

EFFECTIVE FOR: IMPROVING SKIN TONE, TEXTURE, COLLAGEN AND ELASTICITY

Hailed as a ‘facelift machine’ when it first launched last year, EMFACE has changed the game when it comes to restoring a youthful appearance without going under the knife. This cutting-edge treatment was designed to tackle a number of issues, from improving lift and tone to reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, with no pain, needle-free and asbolutely no downtime.

“EMFACE Submentum is the first-ever non-invasive double chin treatment using deep muscle stimulation”

There is the stimulation of submental tissues together with radiofrequency heating of both the dermal and subdermal layers to give optimal results, and the treatment can melt away up to 10mililitres of fat from the area. A typical treatment plan comprises four 20-minute sessions, usually spaced one week apart. During a session, you will feel gentle muscle contractions combined with a warming sensation, similar to a facial massage. As with other EMFACE treatments, EMFACE Submentum requires no downtime making it a quick and convenient treatment to fit into a busy lifestyle. The EMface is FDA approved.

And with 79% of the population suffering with an issue in submentum region, EMFACE is the only device to work on skin, fat and muscle so can tackle all aspects of aging in that area. And the results speak for themselves with 37% less wrinkles, 23% lift, 30% increase in muscle tone and up to 5 cc of volume added to midface. An amazing 95 per cent of patients report satisfaction with the outcome of their treatment. EMFACE is the first therapy that works on the framework of the face from the inside out and was the first procedure to use a patented combination of Synchronised Radiofrequency (RF) and the HIFEStm facial muscle stimulation. The synchronised RF heats the dermis to stimulate that all-important collagen and elastin production, while HIFEStm selectively contracts facial muscles, toning the ‘lifting muscles’ while avoiding those that lower the face. This means that the face’s natural balance is not disrupted, which in turn enhances results for patients.

EXION: THE COMPLEXION ENHANCER

EFFECTIVE FOR: TREATING COMPLEXION CONCERNS INCLUDING PIGMENTATION AND REDNESS

From pigmentation concerns to rosacea, complexion issues can hit confidence levels at any age. And, while fine lines and wrinkles are often the headliner when it comes to ageing, studies have indicated that uneven complexion can also make us look older than we are. Following on from the Exilis Ultra 360, an industry-first design that combines radio frequency and ultrasound to lift and tighten the skin of the face, BTL has introduced EXION. It’s a multi-use platform that can offer real results for

“Treatments can result in a 224 per cent increase in hyaluronic acid, 50 per cent increase in elastin, 47 per cent increase in collagen”

However, the lower section of the face can be a common area of concern. Many of us struggle with a loss of definition in the jaw/chin area, particularly as we age, resulting in things like jowls and a ‘double chin’. BTL has already launched the Emface submentum applicator. This has exploded the demand for the treatment and has made the treatment a must have for Anti aging.

This new submentum applicator brings further innovation to the much sought after ‘taught jawline’ refinement. The Submentum applicator specifically increases the RF heat output to 45 degrees which will melt fat under the jawline ONLY, with the potential of up to 10 mls reduction of fat in that targeted treatment area. EMFACE is the only FDA cleared treatment to offering muscle strengthening and full face definition. HIFEStm only targets the elevator muscle (muscles that are responsible for lifting the face). Botulinum on the other hand targets only the depressor muscles, so by combining these treatments we see a really comprehensive treatment.

EXION: THE COMPLEXION ENHANCER EFFECTIVE FOR: TREATING COMPLEXION CONCERNS INCLUDING PIGMENTATION AND REDNESS

“Treatments

can result in a 224 per cent increase in hyaluronic acid, 50 per cent increase in elastin, 47 per cent increase in collagen”

a variety of concerns.

coagulate deep tissues.

EXILITE: THE BENCHMARK IN IPL

a variety of concerns.

While IPL as a treatment offering is not new, it has improved greatly in recent years, both from a results and patient comfort perspective. EXILITE is BTL‘s legacy IPL system and this best-inclass technology safely treats pigmentation and vascular issues across the body and face, with excellent outcomes.

known as Broad Band Light (BBL), IPL is extremely effective on everything from pigmentation, rosacea, thread veins and acne and is also renowned as a hair removal procedure. The treatment is also utilised to induce new collagen, reducing fine lines and wrinkles and stimulating the body’s collagen production for a more refreshed appearance.

Emitting precise broad-spectrum light evenly into the skin, the device allows physicians to treat the patient’s specific areas of concern. The highly customisable settings mean that treatments are effective, fast and specifically targeted to each client. High-precision filters select the right light spectrum required for the desired treatment, be it for acne, pigmentation, rosacea, photo-rejuvenation or hair reduction. Such customisation also helps to ensure treatments are tolerable for a variety of skin types.

While IPL as a treatment offering is not new, it has improved greatly in recent years, both from a results and patient comfort perspective. EXILITE is BTL‘s legacy IPL system and this best-in-class technology safely treats pigmentation and vascular issues across the body and face, with excellent outcomes.

To maximise patient comfort, EXILITE’s technology also includes a cooling mechanism and a regenerative post-light therapy that works on any redness and sensitivity that might be present after treatment. Results are significant and for some patients, improvements in certain conditions can be seen after the very first treatment, with outcomes continuing to improve in the weeks following.

An industry-leading microneedling radio frequency device, BTL’s EXION is next-level technology when it comes to tackling pigmentation and redness and restoring clarity and smoothness to the complexion. The treatment has been embraced by dermatologists and aesthetic doctors in the USA and is now available from top practitioners here in Ireland. This award-winning, multi-platform device treats a host of concerns with a combination of monopolar RF and Artificial Intelligence to heat and coagulate deep tissues.

This precise radiofrequency stimulates collagen fibres and elastin, improving and tightening the skin’s tone and refreshing skin texture. The result is a smoother, more radiant complexion while keeping discomfort for patients to a minimum. What’s more, it also utilises a microneedling double ‘injury’ delivery which combines the additional help with RF and ultrasound, further prompting the tissues’ repair response to generate enhanced anti-ageing and rejuvenated aesthetic results.

Patient comfort and confidence are key elements to any treatment and the EXION offers less pain with more gain – single-pass procedures are possible, thanks to AI-optimised energy delivery. This allows for quicker treatments and reduced discomfort with clients reporting no pain. That is not at the expense of results, however, and treatments can result in a 224 per cent increase in hyaluronic acid, 50 per cent increase in elastin, 47 per cent increase in collagen and 41 per cent improvement in texture, while an impressive 93 per cent of patients report being satisfied with their results.

EXILITE: THE BENCHMARK IN IPL EFFECTIVE FOR: TREATING PIGMENTATION AND VASCULAR ISSUES, FINE LINES AND WRINKLES, INCREASING COLLAGEN PRODUCTION AND FOR HAIR REDUCTION

EXILITE: THE BENCHMARK IN IPL

EFFECTIVE FOR: TREATING PIGMENTATION AND VASCULAR ISSUES, FINE LINES AND WRINKLES, INCREASING COLLAGEN PRODUCTION AND FOR HAIR REDUCTION

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy is a versatile non-invasive and non-ablative treatment that can be used to treat a host of concerns on the face and body. Also known as Broad Band Light (BBL), IPL is extremely effective on everything from pigmentation, rosacea, thread veins and acne and is also renowned as a hair removal procedure. The treatment is also utilised to induce new collagen, reducing fine lines and wrinkles and stimulating the body’s collagen production for a more refreshed appearance.

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy is a versatile non-invasive and non-ablative treatment that can be used to treat a host of concerns on the face and body. Also

“Exilite is BTL‘s legacy IPL system and a best-in-class technology”

“EMSELLA can help increase intimacy, stimulate the vaginal canal and bring strength back to the muscle walls in the pelvic floor area”

EMSELLA: THE PELVIC FLOOR INNOVATION

“EMSELLA can help increase intimacy, stimulate the vaginal canal and bring strength back to the muscle walls in the pelvic floor area”

EFFECTIVE FOR: TREATING INCONTINENCE IN MEN AND WOMEN AND ENHANCING INTIMATE HEALTH

EMSELLA:

THE PELVIC FLOOR

INNOVATION

EFFECTIVE FOR: TREATING INCONTINENCE IN MEN AND WOMEN AND ENHANCING INTIMATE HEALTH

One in seven adults – one in three in older age groups –experience incontinence. For women, stress incontinence may occur following childbirth or during perimenopause but men can also experience pelvic floor disorders, particularly those who are undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. Incontinence can be a difficult issue for many people to talk about but EMSELLA has transformed the conversation and treatments on offer.

The revolutionary EMSELLA is a true life changer. This double FDA-approved medical device transforms intimate health and wellness for both men and women, providing a completely non-invasive solution for urinary incontinence. One in seven adults – one in three in older age groups – experience incontinence. For women, stress incontinence may occur following childbirth or during perimenopause but men can also experience pelvic floor disorders, particularly those who are undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. Incontinence can be a difficult issue for many people to talk about but EMSELLA has transformed the conversation and treatments on offer.

This highly effective device can support the recovery of incontinence and intimate health function, helping to restore patient’s confidence. When it comes to incontinence or intimate health, there can be a reluctance to seek treatment but Emsella is completely non-invasive, and you remain fully clothed throughout the session. There may be a slight tingling sensation experienced during the treatment but there is no downtime and you can leave straight after the session. The comfortable chair-like devices use HIFEM energy to cause deep and intense pelvic-floor muscle contractions. This stimulates the entire pelvic floor area and helps with restoring neuromuscular control.

This highly effective device can support the recovery of incontinence and intimate health function, helping to restore patient’s confidence. When it comes to incontinence or intimate health, there can be a reluctance to seek treatment but Emsella is completely non-invasive, and you remain fully clothed throughout the session. There may be a slight tingling sensation experienced during the treatment but there is no downtime and you can leave straight after the session. The comfortable chair-like devices use HIFEM energy to cause deep and intense pelvicfloor muscle contractions. This stimulates the entire pelvic floor area and helps with restoring neuromuscular control.

A single session causes thousands of supramaximal pelvic-floor muscle contractions – equivalent to doing 11,000 pelvic-floor exercises – which are extremely important in muscle re-education, and improvement of intimate wellbeing. EMSELLA can help increase intimacy, stimulate the vaginal canal and bring strength back to the muscle walls in the pelvic floor and the vaginal canal area. Typically, six sessions are required and results are impressive, to say the least, with 95 per cent of patients reporting a significant improvement in their quality of life following treatment. ●

BTL Ireland proudly has an affiliate office based in Dublin with a dedicated clinical training team, sales and engineering and client success managers. To enquire about a device or any information on BTL systems, contact officeireland@btlnet.com, 01 611 1593

A single session causes thousands of supramaximal pelvicfloor muscle contractions – equivalent to doing 11,000 pelvicfloor exercises – which are extremely important in muscle reeducation, and improvement of intimate wellbeing. EMSELLA can help increase intimacy, stimulate the vaginal canal and bring strength back to the muscle walls in the pelvic floor and the vaginal canal area. Typically, six sessions are required and results are impressive, to say the least, with 95 per cent of patients reporting a significant improvement in their quality of life following treatment.

Looking Wicked

Ulster Tatler’s Fashion & Beauty Editor, Joanne Harkness, looks at high street fashion pieces that have been inspired by the hottest ﬁlm in town, Wicked.

Cher Verde, pearl heel, £995, Freya Rose London

Accessorize

Per Una dress, £89, boots £110, Marks & Spencer

Green sequin trousers, £16, George at Asda

F&F Edit by Abbey Clancy.

Wicked sequin embellished poucho in pale pink, £25

Michelle Keegan tie waisted dress, £55, Very

Green and pink patterned bomber, £75, Oliver Bonas

Columnist

John Campbell BBC NI’s Economic & Business Editor

Bring on the Budget

On the morning of the first Labour budget in a generation, one of my radio colleagues asked me what we should look out for in the Chancellor’s speech.

My view was that Rachel Reeves had to come up with a credibly large amount of spending to stabilise public services because if the Labour Party couldn’t do that then what was it for?

Once you understand that motivation, some of the less pleasant aspects of the budget begin to make more sense.

The degradation of our local public services has become increasingly difficult to ignore. The picture is much the same across the rest of the UK.

Hospital waiting lists increasing, criminal cases taking years to be dealt with and a range of surveys suggesting the public are losing faith that the state can deliver the most basic of public services.

The Chancellor’s response to this is a large increase in near-term spending that is due to taper off towards the end of the decade – ‘massively front-loaded big increases in spending’ is how the Institute for Fiscal Studies has described it.

That includes a £22.6bn rise in the day-to-day budget of the NHS in England over two years and a £3.1bn increase in its capital budget.

That creates significant additional spending power for Stormont via the Barnett formula, the population-based mechanism for allocating funding to the devolved administrations.

Before the budget the Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald had told MLAs to expect an additional £500m for use in this financial year. In fact the budget delivered £660m with a further £1.5bn next year.

The obvious questions to ask about money coming from Westminster are: Is this new? And is it a lot?

In both cases the answer is ‘Yes.’ Given the starting position of this year’s

Stormont budget was around £17.3bn, the additional £1.5bn is an uplift of almost 9%.

This takes a lot of the immediate pressure off Stormont’s finances and makes for an easier job of getting agreement on next year’s budget.

The Finance Minister is already managing expectations with a warning ‘not to get overly excited about us being flush with cash.’

The intention is to agree the Stormont budget before Christmas and then put it out for consultation to be finalised for the start of the financial year.

This year’s Stormont budget was late, due to the return of devolved government close to the end of the financial year, and had a fractious conclusion.

The UUP voted against the budget as the then health minister, Robin Swann, said the allocation to his department was dangerously inadequate.

The current minister, Mike Nesbitt, will make the case that Stormont should follow the lead of Westminster and devote most of the additional funding to health.

After Stormont’s budget Minister Archibald will turn her attention to the ongoing negotiation with the Treasury over the fiscal framework – the overall package of Stormont’s tax, spending and borrowing powers.

There has already been a significant success here. In the dying days of the last government the Treasury agreed that Northern Ireland would get a 24% needs-based increase to its normal Barnett formula allocations.

The minister says this has already delivered an additional £431m for local public services.

The next stage of the negotiation will involve the Executive making the case that the needs-based uplift should be higher, perhaps 27%.

The Treasury has not entirely closed the door on a that, but will only consider

it if there is a robust factual case made by independent experts.

We should get an outcome as part of the Chancellor’s comprehensive spending review next year.

The taxation side of the budget is highly consequential for Northern Ireland businesses.

The curtailing of Agricultural Property Relief (APR) has hogged the headlines but it’s the similar policy for Business Property Relief (BPR) which could have the bigger impact.

Currently BPR allows shares in unlisted companies to be passed on without any inheritance tax.

This is basically the mechanism by which family businesses are passed from one generation to the next without incurring an inheritance tax liability.

That is now due to change from April 2026 with a tax free limit of just £1m and a 50% rate above that threshold.

That means even relatively small family businesses will be line for an inheritance tax bill. For medium sized businesses, the liability could be well into six or seven figures.

Business owners are going to have to take expert advice on how best to deal with this and it could potentially provoke a wave of business sales over the next 18 months.

The biggest tax raising measure was the well-trailed increase in employers national insurance contributions.

This means pain for the hospitality industry in particular, as it comes alongside a further increase in minimum wages.

Hospitality UK have calculated that it means the employment cost for a typical full time workers will increase by around £2,500.

Will the Executive now finally be persuaded that the industry needs some additional support?

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