NEWS
ULSTER RUGBY’S JUNIOR CUP SCORES SPONSORSHIP FROM MILLAR MCCALL WYLIE This is the 19th year the firm has supported Ulster Rugby, as part of its commitment to supporting sports from grass roots to elite level.
The Junior Cup is one of the most prestigious and competitive local rugby competitions. Although the format has changed through
Pictured Left-Right are Nathan Doak; Caroline Prunty; Grey Jones; John Andrew and Jan Cunningham. Belfast-based law firm, Millar McCall Wylie, has announced it will be once again renewing its sponsorship of Ulster Rugby’s most historic competition, the Junior Cup.
the years, the Junior Cup has been in existence since the 1888-89 season. The teams will battle it out for a place in the final which will take place next year at Kingspan Stadium. Jan Cunningham, partner at Millar McCall Wylie and former Ulster Rugby player, explained that the firm is proud to once again be backing the sport: “The Junior Cup is a wonderful competition and a great platform for club players to make a name for themselves. We are very proud to lend our support to developing the club game. “With the Junior Cup final being played at Kingspan Stadium, it is a fantastic opportunity for the finalists’ fans to see great club rugby taking place at the home of Ulster Rugby.” Jonny Petrie, Chief Executive of Ulster Rugby commented: “Millar McCall Wylie has been a brilliant supporter of Ulster Rugby and we are delighted with the long-term association with the firm. As well as being a valued sponsor, the firm also provided high quality legal services to Ulster Rugby over the last number of years.”
KILWAUGHTER MINERALS EXTENDS LEDCOM PARTNERSHIP WITH £90K CASH INJECTION Leading mineral processor, Kilwaughter Minerals, has extended its partnership with Local Economic Development Company (LEDCOM) Ltd. by pledging £90,000 over the next three years to continue its support and development of local businesses. Business enterprise LEDCOM, established in 1985, is committed to making a difference in Larne, Ballyclare and surrounding areas through economic and community development – an ethos echoed at Kilwaughter Minerals. Since 2017 the two organisations have enjoyed a successful relationship, and during that time Kilwaughter Minerals has provided a six-figure sum to support LEDCOM’s economic development work. This substantial further injection of cash will help facilitate LEDCOM’s strategic vision of generating long-term social and economic impact in the Mid and East Antrim Borough as well as the Ballyclare area within Antrim and Newtownabbey. Sharing his delight at the continuing relationship, Simon McDowell, Director at Kilwaughter Minerals said: “At Kilwaughter we want to connect with our local communities and champion economic growth where we can, as well as support the wider supply chain, and that is synonymous with LEDCOM’s purpose. “Over the past five years, it’s been fantastic to see the valuable advice and support given to numerous micro businesses, SMEs and entrepreneurs across the region, helping them in many areas close to our own journey with product development, business process, and innovation. “It is a pleasure to continue our partnership and we look forward to seeing how many more start-ups and small businesses can be boosted in the next three years.” Speaking of the current impact LEDCOM has within the region and its ambitions of supporting 500 businesses, creating 750 jobs, and helping 1500 people into employment, training, or further education by the end
Kilwaughter Minerals Director, Simon McDowell, pictured with LEDCOM Chairman, Dr Norman Apsley OBE and CEO, Ken Nelson MBE.
of 2022, Chairman Dr Norman Apsley OBE, said: “LEDCOM’s long-standing record of economic development in Northern Ireland is second to none. “We have continually adapted to changing circumstances, none more so than in the past 22 months, and we have consistently been at the forefront of enterprise, innovation, and business support. “Without the incredible support we receive from partners such as Kilwaughter Minerals much of that would not be possible and we are thrilled to drive forward in pursuit of our targets with them on board for the next three years. They really do make a difference.” In 2020/2021 alone, LEDCOM helped over 135 start-up companies, and more than 88 SMEs, to devise COVID-19 and Brexit response action plans and recirculated the significant sum of £276,745 into Northern Ireland’s social economy.
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