FEATURE
Supporting Belfast Businesses Meet the Head of Belfast Business Banking at Bank of Ireland UK.
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aul McClurg heads up the Belfast Business Banking teams for Bank of Ireland UK, having held a number of senior management positions with the bank across a 22year career. Joining as a graduate after completing a degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Computer Science at Queen’s University Belfast, Paul has led various business teams, including Belfast and North Down Business Units, Public Sector Banking and Professional & Property teams. Outside banking, Paul is a director of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce and a finance committee member. As a chartered banker, he is also a member of the Institute of Banking’s Belfast committee, and had the privilege of being its chair last year. Paul lives in North Down with his wife Ruth and four children. In his free time Paul enjoys most sports, but particularly walking, cycling and golf, and is a member of Clandeboye Golf Club. The golf is a particularly useful distraction, as it can sometimes take his mind off his beloved Blackpool Football Club and the “roller-coaster” ride they can deliver each season! Now, with nearly two years of banking experience during a pandemic, Paul shares some reflections, insights and thoughts on things to come. “Throughout the pandemic our focus was on supporting businesses through the challenges they faced. Initially our attention and energy were very much on delivering the coronavirus governmentbacked lending schemes for businesses as well as offering new facilities or payment breaks.” “More recently, we’ve seen a marked increase in business activity and a desire
to get on with the ‘business of doing business’ again. Many of our customers have taken the opportunity to accelerate innovation, adopt new technology and develop new ways of working to succeed in a post-pandemic world, and we are proud to be able to support them with their plans for the future.” PARTNERSHIPS Reflecting on how Bank of Ireland UK can support the re-invigoration and renewed vibrancy of Belfast, Paul says, ”We’re delighted to be the principal sponsor of the Belfast Chamber Business Awards. The culmination of last year’s programme was a fabulous gala night at the Ramada Hotel, when over 430 people from the Belfast business community attended. It was great to recognise their achievements and the resilience of this community, especially given the challenges of the past 18 months.” “Our continued partnership with Northern Ireland Chamber is also hugely important and has seen us support the Business Breakfast Series, which focuses on professionals working within Marketing, HR and Finance. We have a great lineup of topics alongside highprofile and experienced speakers for 2022 to build on the very positive feedback from last year.” “And we’re also very proud of our ongoing partnership with Catalyst and the sponsorship of the annual INVENT Awards. It’s clear the Belfast business community is in safe hands, and the future is bright, when you see first-hand the entrepreneurship and new ideas being fostered.” SECTOR SUCCESS “We have a wealth of experience in
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Paul McClurg, Head of Belfast Business Banking
supporting all of the many crucial sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, pharmacy and professional services” explains Paul, “and our property expertise covers both commercial and residential property investment and development.” “In the past 12 months, the team has financed a number of significant office and retail investment opportunities, demonstrating continued demand and confidence within the local sector for suitable investment opportunities. And in residential development, we are currently supporting a number of developers with medium to large-scale residential schemes across Greater Belfast and beyond. The market for new build products also remains strong as a result of pent-up demand and changing requirements of consumers who are now working from home more and seeking that additional space.” “While more and more businesses like the convenience of our online technology for their day-to-day transactions, we’re proud of our ability to combine technology with a local team, who work in partnership with businesses and stay central to their continued success. It’s a privilege for us to help support and develop the financial wellbeing of businesses across Belfast and beyond.” For further information or to engage directly with one of our business team, please feel free to contact Paul at paul.mcclurg@boi.com or visit www. bankofirelanduk.com/business/businessteam/ to meet the team.
