Ambition Issue 7 (Nov/Dec 2014)

MAGAZINE OF NORTHERN IRELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 ISSUE 7

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Friday, 31 October 2014 10:57

NI CHAMBER COMMUNICATIONS PARTNER

CONTENTS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 | ISSUE SEVEN

86

50

08 80

26 NEWS

Columnists

SPECIAL FEATURE BUSINESS TRAVEL

LIFESTYLE

08 Mash Direct in new Asda deal 10 Wrightbus founder drives off with award 14 Listen in and ‘Profit’ 18 Firms scoop NI Chamber Awards

50 Trevor Annon 56 Maureen O’Reilly 60 Ian Rainey 96 Jim Fitzpatrick

FEATURES

62 A sense of place with GIS software 76 Doing business US style 80 The rebirth of a classic 84 The hall of learning MAGAZINE OF NORTHERN IRELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

26 Business travellers in the sights of airlines 33 Smart packing in the bag 44 Where’s my driverless car?

86 Eye catching Mercedes GLA - James Stinson 93 Culinary Delights - Chris Rees 94 All that glitters - Rebecca McKinney

Cover story - page 21 A profile of fearless and feared interviewer Jeremy Paxman who’ll dine out on grilling politicians at NI Chamber’s annual President’s Banquet later this month.

£2.95

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 ISSUE 7

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: • BUSY IN BUSINESS WITH TRAVEL • TREVOR ANNON RAISES A GLASS TO THE LOCAL CRAFT BEER INDUSTRY • THE RENAISSANCE OF NORTHERN IRELAND’S MOST HISTORIC CINEMA

NEVER LOSING HIS BITE JEREMY PAXMAN AT NI CHAMBER BANQUET

Editor: Adrienne McGill Publisher: Chris Sherry Advertising Manager: Catherine Patton Editorial Assistant: Ashleigh Addis Email addresses: adrienne.mcgill@northernirelandchamber.com c.patton@ambitionni.co.uk Websites: www.northernirelandchamber.com, www.ulstertatler.com Addresses: Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 4-5 Donegall Square South, Belfast, BT15JA Tel: 028 9024 4113 Publisher: Ulster Tatler Group, 39 Boucher Road, Belfast, BT12 6UT Tel: 028 9066 3311 Printed by: W&G Baird, Antrim Front cover picture: David Hartley/REX NI CHAMBER PATRONS

2 NI Chamber

[editorial]

driving ambition Action ‘paxed’

H

ere we are – fast approaching the end of another year which has seen highs and lows on the business and economic landscape....and who knows what the New Year will bring?

At least one thing has remained certain – Scotland will stay in the UK with voters rejecting independence in the September referendum. However, there’s no such certainty about Westminster devolving Corporation Tax powers to Northern Ireland although the picture should be clearer by the start of December.

It’s a mixed bag on the economic front – the latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) from the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber) in partnership with business advisers BDO reveals that while there continues to be growth overall in the Northern Ireland economy, a full-blown recovery is still some way off.

The manufacturing sector continues to make steady progress, but the service sector which sits in the bottom two worst

performing regions in the UK across all key economic indicators, remains a concern.

Businesses responding to the survey are hesitant about making future investment plans. However, the financial services sector it seems is exuding confidence with a cascade of job announcements and investments from Deloitte, PwC and EY all featuring recently.

Local firms are also powering ahead with growth and success. Nine winners of the NI Chamber Awards 2014 will compete later this month against fellow regional winners from Chambers of Commerce across the UK in the national finals as they seek to win a top UK business accolade.

Staying with events and the highlight of NI Chamber’s year beckons with the everpopular President’s Annual Banquet at Titanic Belfast later this month.

Award-winning journalist, author and television presenter Jeremy Paxman will headline the event. Renowned for his unique interviewing, in-depth probing and questioning of politicians on BBC2’s Newsnight, which he anchored from 1989-

furniture & seating storage solutions partitions design & contracting carpet & lighting 04 NI Chamber

2014, it’s sure to be a gripping night.

We travel on planes, trains and automobiles in our special focus this issue and look at what’s being done to make every aspect of travel stress-free for the busy business traveller with speed, efficiency and cost all playing a role. There’s also a report on the impact driverless cars will have on the insurance industry in the US, a destination for many business travellers from Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile with Christmas round the corner, our regular fashionista Rebecca McKinney adds some sparkle and style and features an array of glittering garb for those up-coming parties while Head Chef at Galgorm Resort’s River Room restaurant Chris Rees sizzles up a succulent dish.

All in all, it’s another action ‘paxed’ issue as the year draws to a close. I hope it’s not too early to say it, but Ambition wishes everyone an exceptionally Merry Christmas and a very prosperous New Year in business.

Adrienne McGill Editor, Ambition

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[editorial]

President’s PERSPECTIVE IN THE ZONE WITH ENTERPRISE

George Osborne to be an Enterprise Zone.

That status will facilitate the establishment of a hi tech data centre taking advantage of the transatlantic broadband connection Project Kelvin and making use of enhanced capital allowances to attract a £20m private capital fund investment. That is positive and exciting news for Coleraine and we hope that the region as a whole will see the benefit in terms of investment and employment.

More recently, the Managing Director of Belfast International Airport, Graham Keddie, confirmed the facility is planning to seek Enterprise Zone status in order to develop land around Aldergrove.

There are different features attached to Enterprise Zones in different jurisdictions but we believe that the Assembly has within its existing remit the ability to make a difference through the use of the existing devolved powers. For example an Enterprise Zone could include, as a starter: a fast track planning process; 100 per cent relief on regional

“There are different features attached to ‘Enterprise Zones’ in different jurisdictions...”

F

or several years now, NI Chamber has been an advocate of the potential of conferring upon the entire region of Northern Ireland the status of an Enterprise Zone; we returned to this theme in February of this year when we met with Finance Minister Simon Hamilton who at that time had just returned from a fact finding visit to Wales where a number of regions enjoy Enterprise Zone status.

06 NI Chamber

An Enterprise Zone is an area in which special policies to encourage economic growth and development are implemented.

They can include tax concessions, infrastructure incentives and reduced regulations to attract investments and private companies into the zones.

Some progress was made in this regard in the budget in Spring of this year when Coleraine was designated by Chancellor

and district rates for the first three years for new-starts and for a three-year period for companies with expansion plans.

Those powers lie within our already up and running Government Departments.

That puts an onus on the Assembly rather than the UK Government, and adopting such an approach would signal a maturity and a willingness for us to embrace and respond to our own economic challenges and opportunities.

The conferring of Enterprise Zone status would go hand in hand with a reduction in Corporation Tax and could see Northern Ireland become a hub for new and expanding local businesses and a magnet for international investment.

As we collectively seek the devolution of power over Corporation Tax, we urge our political leaders to embrace the opportunity potential on offer through Enterprise Zone status.

Kevin Kingston President Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry

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Collaboration to Develop Green Chemicals

Professor Tom Moody, Head of Biocatalysis and Isotope Chemistry at Almac.

Almac is collaborating in a key academic-industry project which will see it develop technology to produce new safer and more environmentally friendly green chemicals as an alternative to traditional pesticides.

The Sciences unit of the Craigavon-based company will work with Bangor University in Wales and Hockley International, a manufacturer and exporter of environmental health and industrial chemical products in Manchester, on the synthetic biology project.

A grant of £1m has been awarded to the research team by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and Technology Strategy Board.

Professor Tom Moody, Head of Biocatalysis and Isotope Chemistry at Almac, said: “Our expert team of scientists are excited to work on this project as we recognise the opportunity for researchers across industry and academia to work more closely together, sharing skills and knowledge to deliver truly excellent research that can make an impact not just on this project but also the UK.”

Business advisers increase operations Deloitte has announced the creation of 338 new jobs in Belfast as part of a multi-million pound expansion.

The business advisers will expand its operations over the next five years – bringing the firm’s Northern Ireland workforce to more than 700.

It’s part of a £30 million injection into its Belfast operations.

The jobs are in addition to 177 roles created in 2013, after the global business consultancy firm launched its new technology hub in the city.

The new positions will be across a number of different roles, including technology.

The Technology Studio was started as a pilot in Belfast in 2011 and is now being developed into a fully fledged centre.

Deloitte Senior Partner, Jackie Henry said Belfast had been chosen as the preferred investment location against intense international competition.

“The Belfast Delivery Centre is now the firm’s UK centre of excellence for technology, pensions and actuarial consulting, finance and tax services,” she added.

Invest Northern Ireland has offered over £2.5million of assistance for the jobs and associated training.

First Minister Peter Robinson, Deloitte Senior Partner Jackie Henry and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at the jobs announcement in Belfast by the global business consultancy.

08 NI Chamber

Susanna Hassard, Regional Buying Manager for Asda NI and Scotland and Lance Hamilton, Sales Director with Mash Direct.

Mash Direct ‘takes off’ with new Asda export deal Local company Mash Direct has signed a UKwide supply contract with Asda which will see 7 new lines being exported to 363 stores in England, Wales and Scotland .

The new contract builds on Mash Direct’s existing relationship with the supermarket giant.

The lines range from traditional favourites such as mashed potato to spicy chilli baby bakes – baby potatoes sprinkled with breadcrumbs and seasoned with chilli.

Susanna Hassard, Regional Buying Manager for Asda NI and Scotland said: “We are committed to supporting

local companies and putting Northern Irish suppliers on the map. Mash Direct is a superb example of a high quality, local supplier who is continuing to develop and grow.”

Lance Hamilton, Sales Director with Mash Direct said the company had been working with Asda firstly in Northern Ireland and Scotland, and now in England and Wales.

“This progression has come about through years of hard work, innovation and determination – as well as from the foresight of Asda to see the potential to expand the category into new markets,” he added.

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Conversion for Mount Charles as they extend Ulster Rugby deal THE Mount Charles Group has been awarded the contract to supply cleaning services to Ulster Rugby on all match days.

This marks an extension of the partnership, as Mount Charles has been operating the bars at Ravenhill since the beginning of the 2013/14 rugby season.

Cathal Geoghegan, Managing Director of The Mount Charles Group said: “We have been successfully working alongside the team at Ulster Rugby for the past year, managing six bars plus hospitality suites and lounges, serving around 22,000 drinks each night they have a game at home.

“We are very pleased to broaden our service delivery for Ulster Rugby, further highlighting the multi-service and high quality nature of our business.

“Our clients are increasingly looking for tailored packages that meet specific business needs and the cleaning division in particular is playing an increasingly key role in the overall business.”

Currently employing 1,600 people, The Mount Charles Group was this year recognised for the fourth year in a row as one of Ireland’s ‘Best Managed’ companies in the Deloitte Best Managed Awards Programme.

Cathal Geoghegan, Managing Director of The Mount Charles Group.

Ian Sheppard from Bank of Ireland; the 2014 Innovation Founder Dr. William Wright; and CEO of the Northern Ireland Science Park, Professor Norman Apsley.

Wrightbus Entrepreneur awarded 2014 Innovation Founder Accolade Dr William Wright CBE, founder of global market leader in bus manufacturing, Wrightbus, was recently announced as the 2014 Innovation Founder, an award celebrating the achievements of some of Northern Ireland’s most successful entrepreneurs.

The accolade, part of the Northern Ireland Science Park Connect INVENT 2014 Awards, recognises distinction in founding, leading or building an eminent local technology or life sciences business.

Ballymena-based Wrightbus, employs almost 2,000 people and exports to international markets, including Singapore and Hong Kong.

Dr William Wright said it was an honour to have been chosen: “Thanks

to the hard work, passion and ingenuity of everyone involved in the business Wrightbus continues to demonstrate thought and technology leadership in today’s highly competitive and demanding global transport sector, which now has a presence across a number of continents.”

Steve Orr, Director of NISP CONNECT, described Dr Wright as a “visionary”.

From the INVENT sponsor Bank of Ireland UK, Ian Sheppard, Head of Business & Corporate Banking in Northern Ireland, said: “This award is a deserved recognition of an individual who Northern Ireland’s aspiring innovators and businesses can learn from and aspire to be.”

Twin Success for Local Chartered Accountants Twin brothers from Ballymena are celebrating success after receiving their Chartered Accountancy certificates.

Steven and John Carson were admitted on the same day as full members of Chartered Accountants Ireland, Ireland’s oldest and largest professional body which represents 3,700 Northern Ireland Chartered Accountants.

Steven and John had previously been placed first and second in Northern Ireland in their second year exams with Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Steven works with Belfast firm Harbinson Mulholland while John works

10 NI Chamber

for Stevenson and Wilson Chartered Accountants in his hometown, Ballymena. A total of 35 new Chartered Accountants were admitted to the profession recently by Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Ronan Nolan, President of the Chartered Accountants Ireland, said: “This is a wonderful result for John and Steven, they should be very proud of their achievement. Chartered Accountancy is a fantastic career and the education and experience that our trainees receive provides a great start into the world of business.

Pictured at the conferring ceremony in Belfast are John and Steven Carson with Chartered Accountants Ireland President, Ronan Nolan.

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[news]

Scheme aims to build on construction skills Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry recently launched the second phase of the ‘Qualifying the Existing Workforce’ initiative at the Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB) Nutts Corner Training Centre.

The project aims to qualify 1,000 currently unqualified, experienced, employed construction workers to NVQ Level 2, helping to increase productivity and meet the industry’s skills challenge.

The project is a joint initiative by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), CITB NI and the Joint Council for the Building & Civil Engineering Industry (NI).

Speaking at the launch, the Minister said: “Our main asset is our people and it is on the basis of their talents and skills that we will transform our economy, increase employment, raise productivity and compete globally. My Department is committed to raising the skills of Northern Ireland’s workforce and through funding programmes such as Qualifying the Existing Workforce, we are boosting those skills and helping to make employers more competitive.”

Pictured with Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry at the launch are Maurice Johnston, Chairman CITB NI; John Armstrong CEF; Barry Neilson CITB NI and Michael Mulholland GMB.

PwC adds to employee count

First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness welcome the expansion plans with Paul Terrington, PwC Regional Chairman.

Financial services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is creating 807 jobs in Belfast over the next five years.

More than 300 of the posts are aimed at qualified accountants, as well as graduates, in the company’s new financial advisory service.

The other 500 jobs be graduates recruited for “staff augmentation” teams in PwC’s global client businesses.

The jobs represent an investment of over £40m, backed by an Invest NI grant of more than £4m.

PwC in Northern Ireland already employs over 1,000 people, and has increased by more than 300 over the past two years.

The Belfast office has a number of centres of excellence which support the wider global business in areas such as data analytics and cyber security.

Paul Terrington, PwC Regional Chairman said: “Our decision to locate both these projects in Northern Ireland reflects our confidence in the high standard of the local graduate pool. Over the years we’ve benefitted from strong local talent, recruiting both accountancy graduates and graduates from other disciplines.”

Law Firm opens new Waterfront office The Belfast office of international law firm Pinsent Masons officially opened its prestigious new office in the Waterfront area of the city recently.

The event was attended by Global Senior Partner elect Richard Foley who joined Head of Belfast office Paul McBride, Finance Minister Simon Hamilton, senior business and legal figures from across Northern Ireland and a number of partners from across the UK Pinsent Masons network.

Speaking at the new Soloist Building, Paul McBride said the move demonstrated Pinsent Masons’ long-term commitment to Northern Ireland.

12 NI Chamber

“We are delighted to be at the heart of an area which is emerging as the main business and legal district in Belfast. Pinsent Masons in Northern Ireland is going from strength to strength and from our Belfast office we serve all of our local clients as well as being an integral part of the global Pinsent Masons network.”

Finance Minister Simon Hamilton said: “As a leading UK law firm, Pinsent Masons Belfast has a strong international reach which is firmly rooted in Northern Ireland. The firm is to be congratulated for its continued growth and investment in the skills of its people.”

Pinsent Masons Head of Belfast office Paul McBride with Finance Minister Simon Hamilton at the opening of the global law firm’s new offices in the city.

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[news]

Minister unwraps Delta extension Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster recently opened an extension of the Delta Print and Packaging plant in Belfast, which forms part of the company’s £40million expansion plans.

Based at Kennedy Way, Delta designs and manufactures printed carton packaging primarily for the retail food, consumer electronics, household goods, dairy, pharmaceutical and food service sectors.

The new 55,000 sq ft building houses one of Europe’s most advanced carton manufacturing environments, providing flexible, high-speed productivity.

Officially opening the building, Arlene Foster said: “This impressive new facility will allow Delta to further increase export sales and continue to offer an excellent service to its clients, which include global giants such as McDonald’s, KFC, Greiner Packaging and Kelloggs.”

Terry Cross, Delta’s Chairman, said the new facility was part of the company’s growth strategy, which also includes opening a 100,000 sq ft production plant in Poland next year.

Delta Print and Packaging Chairman Terry Cross with Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster as she officially opened the company’s new plant.

high performance computer technology Japanese IT giant Fujitsu has launched a High Performance Computing (HPC) Service for Northern Ireland.

The project has the potential to add significant competitive advantage to a wide range of local businesses and researchers who could benefit from the application of high performance computing to their work.

First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness joined Fujitsu to launch the initiative at the Northern Ireland Science Park, which follows a visit by both Ministers to Fujitsu’s Tokyo headquarters last December.

Fujitsu expects to invest approximately £1.1m in the HPC Service and hopes to build a number of

14 NI Chamber

Des Moore, Head of First Trust Bank, broadcaster Jim Fitzpatrick and Professor Marie McHugh, Dean of the Ulster Business School, University of Ulster.

Listen in and ‘profit’

A new business programme for Northern Ireland called ‘The Profit Margin’ has been launched by experienced broadcaster and columnist for Ambition Jim Fitzpatrick.

‘The Profit Margin’ which is sponsored by First Trust Bank and supported by the University of Ulster Business School, is a 20 minute audio programme that focuses on issues relevant to the business community in Northern Ireland. Listeners will be able to access the show on a weekly basis directly via iTunes podcast, Twitter, Facebook and email subscription.

In addition to the business headlines, the programme will feature analysis around key business issues from a team of experts, as

innovative collaborations which will give local businesses and researchers access to world-class, secure and easy to use high performance computing technology.

Sectors to benefit include medical and life sciences; agriculture; the creative industries; advanced materials and manufacturing; financial and professional services; ICT; energy and environment;

well as a regular ‘Business of the Week’ slot. It will also invite local start-ups and entrepreneurs to send in their own 30 second ‘Elevator Pitch’ with the best one chosen to be broadcast as part of the show.

Jim Fitzpatrick said while the programme will be a champion for business interests, it will also be tough and challenging, controversial and engaging.

“I’m looking forward to tackling some of the most important and controversial issues facing companies in Northern Ireland today,” he added.

‘The Profit Margin’ is available from the website www. theprofitmargin.co.uk. It can also be downloaded directly as a podcast from iTunes as well as through the Facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/pages/TheProfit-Margin/274265196116309 and twitter account @TheProfitMargin

and construction.

Newland McKelvey from Fujitsu said: “We know that HPC technology helps promote the development of a deeper understanding of science and engineering and that its ability to process and interpret huge volumes of data will encourage the discovery of new solutions to many of the emerging 21st-century challenges”.

Newland McKelvey, Fujitsu; Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness; First Minister Peter Robinson and Greg McDaid, Client Managing Director, Fujitsu UK and Ireland.

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[columnist] PAUL MCGARRITY, DIRECTOR OF OCTAVE DIGITAL

New Insights Into Local Use of Digital Media

OFCOM’s report into the use of new technology and media across Northern Ireland came under the spotlight recently. Paul McGarrity, who took part in the debate, highlights the main points of the discussion.

T

he impact of the internet on business and the relative failure of local government to embrace digital were just two of the issues hotly debated at a recent OFCOM event in Belfast which brought together senior figures from the public and private sector to discuss the findings from the latest OFCOM report into communications usage in Northern Ireland.

The report provides a very clear picture of the rapidly evolving way we use devices and the internet to research, shop and socialise online. However, it also highlights how many local businesses are lagging behind when it comes to marketing online and a significantly low percentage of people in Northern Ireland accessing local government services online.

The use of the internet to research and purchase goods and services online has witnessed an 8 per cent increase in Northern Ireland to 68 per cent – up by 8 per cent in one year 2013. The relentless rise in online retail should serve as a wakeup call to the local retail sector, many of whom could be selling online and benefiting from a huge growth area. The recent woes for the

16 NI Chamber

retail sector across UK and Ireland are part of a trend in customers shunning the high street. Traditional high street spending has declined from 50 per cent in 2000 to 40 per cent in 2014 and store closures are expected to increase by 22 per cent by 2018.

OFCOM also explores the use of the internet by small to medium sized businesses

“Faced with an undeniable consumer shift towards greater use of mobile devices, ecommerce and social media, it seems bizarre that so many branches of government here lag behind when it comes to modernising service delivery and communications.”

here. The majority of SMEs are making use of the internet to order goods and services (83%) and make payments (58%). Given the huge impact the internet and social media has had on the ability of businesses to improve efficiency, customer sales and marketing, it is surprising that there is such a low investment from local businesses here.

Only a minority of businesses are using the internet for marketing and sales (40%) and there is a similar low investment in taking orders and payments online. There is also a stark difference in businesses who have failed to invest in a website presence. Nearly 30 per cent of businesses here do not have a website.

The second dominant topic for discussion at the OFCOM briefing event was the relative failure of Northern Ireland local government and agencies to respond effectively to greater public use of the internet and social media. The OFCOM NI report reveals that the percentage of people using the internet to access local government services is much lower than in Britain.

Faced with an undeniable consumer shift towards greater use of mobile devices, ecommerce and social media, it seems bizarre that so many branches of government here lag behind when it comes to modernising service delivery and communications. While there are a few examples of local organisations that have been proactive in digital communication and marketing, such as Belfast City Council, most local councils here have largely ignored the impact of the internet and social media.

Digital leadership plays a key role in modernising the public sector. The main element in public organisations modernising their service delivery and communications is often the presence of senior staff who can encourage change. Unfortunately, conservatism, fear of change and lack of digital leadership have resulted in many local government organisations being stuck in a bygone age.

[NEWS]

Firms scoop NI Chamber Awards

A group of top Northern Ireland firms are now in the running for a prestigious UK business award.

NI Chamber Chief Executive Ann McGregor pictured with the Northern Ireland winners of the 2014 Chamber Awards. The winners will now compete against fellow regional winners from Chambers of Commerce across the UK in the national finals.

S

even companies from across Northern Ireland, a Lisburn-based entrepreneur and a young businessman from Holywood have been crowned winners of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber) Chamber Awards 2014. The winners will now compete against fellow regional winners from Chambers of Commerce across the UK in the national finals as they seek to win a top UK business accolade.

NI Chamber has announced the seven firms – CDE Global; Core Systems; Employers For Childcare Charitable Group; H&J Martin; Henderson Retail; Hutchinson Engineering and Sepha – along with Marie Marin, Chief Executive Officer of Social Enterprise Employers For Childcare Charitable Group (EFCCG) and Draven McConville, Managing Director at creative digital product and software company Gravity, as the Northern Ireland winners in their respective categories of the awards.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Chamber Awards, now in its 11th year, is a highlight of the business calendar, showcasing the pivotal role local businesses play in the UK’s continuing growth story.

The national winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Chamber Awards

18 NI Chamber

Gala Dinner on 27 November 2014 at the Pavilion at the Tower of London.

Ann McGregor MBE, Chief Executive, NI Chamber, said: “Northern Ireland firms have surpassed themselves with the outstandingly high calibre of entries to the Chamber Awards.

The high standards are a testament to the dedication and ingenuity of the local business community under challenging conditions.

“Each of our winners can go into the UK finals with a great sense of pride in what they have achieved to date and can be confident of success on the UK stage – we wish them all well.”

Nora Senior, President of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “These businesses are hungry for growth, constantly seeking new opportunities in local and global economies, creating new products for market, and sharing best practice with their peers. These businesses play a crucial role in creating a balanced and prosperous economy, and one that is admired on the global stage.

“The Chamber Awards, now in its eleventh year, is the perfect platform to showcase and celebrate the amazing work of UK firms across the country.”

A full list of winners is as follows: • Small Business of the Year – Employers For Childcare • Manufacturer of the Year – Hutchinson Engineering • Best use of Technology to Improve Business Performance – H&J Martin • Young Person in Business Award – Draven McConville from Gravity • The Sustainability Award – Henderson Retail • Achievement in International Business – Core Systems • Commitment to People Development – CDE Global • Entrepreneur of the Year – Employers For Childcare • Excellence in Innovation – Sepha

Highly Commended Awards were also claimed by Environmental Street Furniture (Small Business of the Year), Vita Liberata (Achievement in International Business), ShredBank (Commitment to People Development) and Tessa Cooke from Indigo Ivy (Young Person in Business Award).

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[Face to Face with....] Peter Burnside, Managing Partner of BDO.

KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY…

I

t is one thing to identify within a family a potential successor to head a family business – it’s quite another thing to, on the one hand, have the confidence that the successor will lead the firm as successfully as you have done and, on the other hand, allow them the freedom to do it the way they see best.

Establishing such a succession planning process is important for any company, but for family owned businesses it’s filled with additional complexities which make it an absolute necessity.

The succession challenges family owned businesses face stem from two key dynamics, the relationship between the family and the business, and the financial implications of succession for the business and subsequently the family.

The relationship dynamic poses questions such as: Which family member has the capability and ambition to assume the leadership role? Do they want it? Are they ready for it? When will they be ready for it?

How do we get them ready for it?

With regard to the financial dynamic, there are financial implications to any succession planning. Issues include: What does a change in ownership look like? How do we do it given the financial position of the business and the personal wealth needs of the current and next generation? What are the taxes and fees associated with handing over the business, particularly if it deals with a death, including gift taxes or estate taxes?

“By not having a clear and properly developed succession plan, a family business risks its longevity...”

20 NI Chamber

Family firms need to face up to one of their biggest challenges – avoiding a crisis as the business passes from one generation to the next as Peter Burnside tells Adrienne McGill.

A new programme at Queen’s University, Belfast aims to get to grips with the subject and prepare the next generation of leaders within a family business – from both a leadership and ownership perspective.

Developed by BDO, Northern Ireland’s leading advisers to Family Business, in partnership with the William J Clinton Leadership Institute, the programme enables participants to develop clarity and gain confidence on the challenges and responsibilities they will face in their roles as leader, owner, manager and entrepreneur.

It is the only course of its kind in Ireland and provides a unique opportunity to create the best platform for a family business to continue to grow and evolve from one generation to the next.

Around three quarters of all businesses in Northern Ireland are family businesses, but only around a quarter of them will survive beyond the second generation, and just over a tenth beyond the third generation.

“Developing a ‘good’ succession plan is as much about the process of its development as it is about the actual plan – landing an unexpected document on the laps of the business and the family, or even worse the plan existing only in the mind of the founder, just won’t cut it,” says BDO Managing Partner Peter Burnside.

“It is often in these situations that we find our team being brought in to deal with the emotional and financial fall out that can occur as a result of poor planning. Working with a family

business while they still have time and options around succession planning is ideally where we want to get to. It is not hard to imagine a situation where you have a father whose child is capable, motivated and ready to lead the business – but the father isn’t comfortable or ready to pass over complete control – what is the best thing to do for that business?

“Trying to get family businesses to recognise, accept and address these road blocks can be difficult as they are fraught with emotion.”

Peter Burnside says the secret to making a succession plan work is through communication.

“While there is no one succession plan that fits all family businesses we can definitively say, through our own experience, that the BDO approach of working in close partnership with the family ensures there is a succession plan which suits your business.

We will help you to find it and importantly to implement it.

“By not having a clear and properly developed succession plan, a family business risks its longevity, and at its worst destroys the strengths that it was originally built on – both in terms of family relationships and financial security.”

Peter Burnside adds: “If businesses do not manage transition and succession planning properly, they risk falling apart, losing the family connection and potentially destroying relationships along the way. That is what is at stake.”

[feature]

Dining out on grilling politicians With a reputation as one of the most fearless and feared interviewers, roles will be reversed for Jeremy Paxman, as he answers probing questions from the BBC’s Mark Simpson at NI Chamber’s President’s Banquet later this month.

Adrienne McGill profiles the former Newsnight presenter, famed as a ‘lion’ of journalism.

Picture by: David Hartley/REX

J

eremy Paxman is returning to his journalistic roots when he comes back to Belfast for the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry President’s Banquet on November 20th.

Arguably the greatest interviewer of his generation, Paxman cut his teeth as a BBC reporter on the streets of Belfast in the early days of the Troubles.

He’s returning to a city which has been transformed in recent years. A symbol of the transformation is Titanic Belfast, where the gala dinner will take place.

The event will offer Paxman, 64, a chance to reflect on Belfast and the BBC ‘now and then’.

Regarded as a ‘lion of BBC journalism’, he announced earlier this year his decision to step down from Newsnight after 25 years hosting the late-night BBC2 programme.

He said it was time to move on and he “He has a unique ability to create would “rather like to moments of real discomfort go to bed at much the same time as for politicians and memorable most people”. delight for audiences.”

He remembered: “One of the The BBC Director reasons I left Northern Ireland was that I General Tony Hall discovered that after three years living there Among his most famous grillings on described Paxman as that, while I had made really good friends and Newsnight was that of the Conservative “a rare and dazzling talent”.

I really liked a lot of the people there, there Party’s Michael Howard in 1997, when He added: “He has a unique ability to was something immensely claustrophobic Paxman asked the politician the same question create moments of real discomfort for about the politics of the place.”

12 times. politicians and memorable delight for He has been back and forth to Belfast When he left Newsnight after a quarter of a audiences.” frequently since the 1970s and reported century, Paxman said modestly: “It’s been fun.

The Daily Mail’s Quentin Letts wrote: “He on the subsequent dramatic changes to the I have had the pleasure of working with lots will hate me for saying this, but we loved you, political and physical landscape. of clever, creative and amusing people. I think Paxo.”

His headline appearance at Titanic Belfast I’ve been lucky.”

His career is not over yet. By no means. will be an opportunity to hear the reflections Lucky? It was the Newsnight audiences Paxman will continue to host University and opinions of one of television’s household who felt fortunate as they sat back and Challenge which he has fronted since 1994. names. watched the master inquisitor confront He has not left politics behind and will anchor Jeremy Paxman has a wide variety of politicians with his wit and wisdom.

Channel Four’s election coverage on the night interests.

His books include: The Victorians, Paxman started work at Radio Brighton in of next year’s General Election.

Friends in High Places, The English, The the early 1970s.

He is looking forward to it. He said: “This Political Animal and, believe it or not, Fish, He then moved to Northern Ireland where should be fun. There are new and interesting Fishing and the Meaning of Life. he covered the Troubles for questions to ask about the way we choose He is a big catch, and the Northern three years. our governments.”

Chamber of Commerce and Industry is In a recent interview for BBC Radio Ulster He previously worked on various delighted to welcome him to the annual he talked about being in Belfast during those programmes including Panorama and BBC’s Belfast Banquet. dark days.

Breakfast Time.

Picture by: David Hartley/REX.

NI Chamber 21

[feature]

what’s in it for me?

HOW NI CHAMBER HAS HELPED MY BUSINESS… WITH STEPHEN ROYCROFT, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF RLA IRELAND.

DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS A full service advertising agency, RLA Ireland based in Belfast is part of the £125m PLC, Mission Marketing Group; and a sister company within the RLA Group to RLA Bournemouth. It started 25 years ago, and I’ve recently taken over as Managing Director in Belfast. RLA in Belfast creates advertising, digital and design for blue chip automotive, consumer and B2B clients throughout the UK and Ireland. We are now focused on bringing my 25 years of advertising experience to even more clients across these markets. RLA is a long established but fairly hushed brand here in Northern Ireland and my intention now is to significantly enhance the visibility of its many proven strengths with new leadership and enhanced profile.

WHAT MAKES YOUR BUSINESS STAND OUT? As part of a major UK communications group with a wide range of sector specific advertising, digital and public relations specialist companies, RLA in Belfast can draw down a vast array of skills and creative inputs from GB and beyond if required. The team in Belfast already has an enormous pedigree delivering major and high profile campaigns for major public and household names here and across the Republic of Ireland.

of general business I have been responsible for. I find that attending events, while not necessarily concluding with a fresh new purchase order, certainly does provide me with intelligence (heaven knows I need it), and vital perspective on the varying business models in which I operate. One can learn of the successes or gain insights into another business that can be applied to our own, or our clients’. Speakers are of the highest calibre, with true equity in business success, while the In Camera events provide privileged opportunity to put burning, pertinent questions to Government at the highest level; at least to plot your point on a radar set otherwise to a different altitude.

HOW HAS NI CHAMBER HELPED RLA Ireland ACHIEVE ITS GOALS? Well, I’m still the new groom at RLA – although I am fast losing the luxury of pleading the “honeymoon” amendment – but I can speak from experience on how NI Chamber activity has furthered the goals

WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE TO OTHER CHAMBER MEMBERS TO HELP THEM GET THE MOST FROM THEIR MEMBERSHIP? Like all memberships of trade bodies or organisations, it is truly worthwhile to get to know and understand its officers. In

22 NI Chamber

regular dialogue with them you get, through conversation, ideas on how other members, membership services, publications and events could help your business in a context that is relevant to you. This digest is a better use of your time and can filter opportunities from and for other members as a whole. In the same manner as you keep close contact with your clients, it is beneficial to keep close contact with your industry and your business contemporaries.

HAS BEING A MEMBER OF NI CHAMBER HELPED THE COMPANY IN EXPORT MARKETS? This category does not so obviously apply just to RLA unless you consider advertising contracts in ROI as a true export. In FX terms it does. Nevertheless we find that the business insights we get from Export First events for example, inform our business and communication strategies for our clients who do indeed trade in more tangible or evidential export activities.

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[columnist] angela mcgowan, chief economist at danske bank

DIFFERING FORTUNES DIVERGENCE IS THE NAME OF THE GAME SAYS ANGELA MCGOWAN WHO LOOKS AT HOW ECONOMIES ACROSS THE WORLD ARE PERFORMING.

Global Overview: Over the summer months the world economies have experienced a divergent performance with the United States and the United Kingdom becoming the only pillars of strength at a time when all other regions look rather weak. The recovery in Europe continues to lose momentum, Chinese activity has slowed over the summer and Japan is still struggling to recover from the VAT hike in April. As the biggest economy in the world, the importance of the United States cannot be underestimated. The strength seen here explains why markets have in general been able to cope with weakness in other regions over the past months.

Europe: With nearly 40 per cent of UK exports going to Europe the slowdown in this area cannot be taken lightly. GDP growth stagnated in the Eurozone during Quarter 2 and inflation continues to fall (sitting at only 0.3% in September). The European Central Bank (ECB) has been forced to introduce a massive amount of measures and it will take a few months for the impact of those measures to be seen. The ECB has (at the time of writing) signalled that Quantitative Easing in sovereign bonds is not just around the corner; however at its latest press conference the Governing Council repeated that it was ready to “use unconventional tools”. Danske Bank believes that the ECB is currently in waitand-see mode but the pressure for more monetary easing is definitely mounting.

Republic of Ireland: That said, although Europe is struggling the story is not all bad. The Republic of Ireland saw Quarter 2 GDP data increase by

24 NI Chamber

1.5 per cent quarter on quarter and an astonishing 7.7 per cent year on year. This was the highest year-on-year reading since Quarter 1 2007. The change was mainly driven by strong domestic demand. Private consumption increased 0.3 per cent over the quarter, government consumption increased 3.8 per cent over the quarter and investment surged by 9.1per cent year on year. Net exports also contributed positively to the improvement. On the back of this latest data Danske Bank has revised up its 2014 GDP forecast for Ireland to 5.0 per cent Following the release of the growth data the Irish Finance Minister Michael Noonan said that he now sees GDP average growth ‘settling’ at 3 per cent per annum for the next five years. This is of course good news for Northern Ireland, with manufacturing export sales of just over £1.3billion currently going south of the border. However, it should be noted that the weak euro will most probably act as a drag on Northern

Ireland exports to the Republic of Ireland, and the full potential for increased sales that a growing Irish economy would normally present may be not be realised.

United Kingdom: With the Scottish question put to rest on September 18, the UK is back to business as usual. Markets reacted positively to the news and the pound immediately began to trade higher after the announcement. Danske Bank expects strong annual growth of 3.2 per cent for the UK this year followed by more moderate growth of 2.6 per cent in 2015.

Thus the probability of the Bank of England adjusting interest rates early in 2015 is very high. That said, the Governor of the Bank of England is keen to remind people that interest rates will still remain well below the historical average for some time. Indeed the market implied forward curve currently suggests that interest rates will only reach 2 per cent by 2017 – so the cost of borrowing is to stay pretty low for an extended period.

“The Governor of the Bank of England is keen to remind people that interest rates will still remain well below the historical average for some time.”

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FOCUS ON BUSINESS TRAVEL W

ork travel is an increasingly important aspect of the globalised economy. While technology is turning the world into a virtual office – it can’t replace a face-to-face meeting. The chance of landing a deal with a prospective customer more than doubles with a visit in person. But business travel has its risks – from delayed baggage to poor hotels and a long haul flight in economy – there are a range of elements which can threaten the success of a business trip. In this section we cover travel on planes, trains and automobiles both locally and from an international perspective and look at how busy business travellers can arrive at their destination stress-free, refreshed and ready to work.

Airlines have business travellers in their sights Airlines are taking business passengers to a new level with a range of attractive offers and services. Eoghan Corry, Editor of travel publication Travel Extra, looks at what’s taking off.

M

uch pain has been removed from business travel in recent months.

New business class lounges have opened at Belfast City Airport and for Belfast-bound passengers at Heathrow’s Terminal 2.

Moving flights from Terminal 1 in London Heathrow is going to make life easier for everyone.

An end is in sight to the walk of pain through Belfast’s most popular transfer hub.

British Airways’ six flights a day to and from Belfast moved to Heathrow T5 on 23 October, cutting connection times by 30 minutes.

Long haul passengers can transfer to the satellite while short haul passengers move directly to their flights from there.

Aer Lingus has already moved, and opened its new £800,000 lounge beside the restaurant in Heathrow’s newest terminal, T2.

Significantly, investment by major airlines in lounge facilities at Belfast City Airport has been one of the big leaps forward in the business travel sector in the last decade.

26 NI Chamber

When British Airways opened their 87-seat lounge at the facility in February in a £300,000 investment, it was a major statement that the airline was here to stay.

The lounge is good by European standards. It has some of the best views in Europe and its location adjacent to Door A, means the lounge offers direct boarding on to the aircraft.

Its menu is full of surprises and changes during the day, there are adequate power outlets and new ‘air’ print technology enabling customers to print from their mobile devices.

It comes at a time when BA, Lufthansa and Air France were concentrating on long haul services and leaving short haul to the discount carriers that have made life so tough for them on European routes.

A second new lounge opened at Belfast City Airport this year.

The Aspire Lounge is open to Aer Lingus Gold Circle card holders, CityWing Business Select Passengers, Flybe premium customers and LinksAir ‘W Class’ members and is open to adult

passengers for a fee of £18.99, with reduced rates for children.

The lounge, which is operated by Swissport, formerly known as Servisair, also admits Priority Pass holders and Airport Angel membership schemes.

Meanwhile British Airways allow access to their lounge at Belfast City to all customers with fully flexible tickets as well as British Airways Executive Gold and Silver members and oneworld frequent flyers with Emerald and Sapphire status.

Eligible customers can also make use of the fast-track system through the airport’s central search area, making their journey through the airport and on to their flight even quicker and smoother.

In Heathrow, Aer Lingus transfer times have been drastically reduced, especially for the Star Alliance airlines that are its partners in T2, including Air Canada and United with whom Aer Lingus have important codeshare agreements.

Aer Lingus use Gates 21 to 26 in the new light and airy terminal, designed by world renowned architect Luis Vidal.

Aer Lingus is the second biggest user of the terminal in movements behind

No frills carrier easyJet famously courted business passengers as soon as the recession began to bite. Ryanair began to take notice that easyJet’s figures were boosted by corporate customers.

Their MyRyanair app and Business Plus service are designed to make life easier for frequent flyers, giving more flexibility and baggage allowances.

Ryanair and easyJet both know that 70 per cent of corporate travel is in the back of the plane. No point having a business class then, when you can snaffle up so many business fares just by fine-tuning the product.

United, who will be celebrating their tenth birthday on the Belfast-Newark route in 2015, has a premium economy offering on the Belfast service, having fitted its Boeing 757-200 aircraft with16 flat-bed seats in Business, 45 seats in Economy Plus and 108 in Economy.

Meanwhile Dublin’s services to Asia and America have both been boosted this year. Both Emirates and Etihad now offer double daily flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively, with extra seats in business class and, unusually, eight first class seats on many of the flights.

Etihad’s evening aircraft is the three class Airbus 330 and Emirates a B777-300ER. Eithad have a lounge in Dublin Terminal 2 while Emirates use the Anna Livia lounge, which is also used by Air Canada,

American, British Airways, Turkish, United, and Priority Pass holders.

Air Canada rouge is now year round with its wide body flights (Boeing 767-300ER) service from Dublin to Toronto. Their aircraft feature a two-cabin configuration, with 18 recliner seats and 37-inch pitch in premium, and 232 standard seats with 30inch pitch in economy.

Aer Lingus will introduce lie-flat seats on its A330 fleet over the winter, making business class on transatlantic flights thoroughly comfortable.

After all that, what can we expect in 2015?

Well with an abundance of new routes announced at Belfast International this year by airlines including Wizz Air, easyJet, Jet2. com and Virgin Atlantic, there’s more in the pipeline.

The excitement comes from the East with high hopes from Belfast International Airport that an air route to Istanbul, courtesy of Turkish Airlines, will be confirmed. This would widen choice for business and leisure travellers from Belfast, who could travel on to a wide range of Middle East destinations from Istanbul.

Keep those eyes airborne.

“With an abundance of new routes announced at Belfast International this year by airlines including Wizz Air, easyJet, Jet2.com and Virgin Atlantic, there’s more in the pipeline.”

Airlines are keen to court business passengers.

NI Chamber 27

FOCUS ON BUSINESS TRAVEL

Lufthansa and third behind United in passenger numbers. The new Gold Star lounge has 50 per cent more space, offers shower facilities, meeting rooms and a quiet area. It was fitted out by an Irish company Glenbeigh Construction with Irish stone, Irish wood and other homesourced furnishings.

Aer Lingus has emphasised that in terms of its product offering, it has taken a position of being a value carrier that provides a modular product to provide the needs of business travellers, who want a fully involved product, down to leisure travellers who want a simple experience.

The airline has made large investments to be able to meet each of the needs of those segments.

A welcome innovation is that all restaurants in the terminal offer on board picnic options. Is this the end of terrible airline food for ever?

Flybe started a new route on 27 October to excite the business traveller this autumn with flights from Belfast City to London City, offering easy access to the city. London City Airport is six miles from central London and passengers can be in Canary Wharf in 12 minutes, using the Docklands Light Railway, or at Westminster, via the Bank stop of the London Underground, in less than 25 minutes.

FOCUS ON Business Travel

Global business travel…there’s no time to stand still Company executives regularly travel thousands of miles a week as they dash from one part of the world to another attending high-level meetings and conferences. Austin Tanney is Market Development Manager for Almac, the Craigavon-based pharmaceutical group and his role requires global travel. For Ambition, he details a recent two week business trip during which he met customers in THE fields of biotechnology and pharmaceutical development.

A

lmac’s Diagnostics business focuses on personalised medicine and the discovery, development and delivery of biomarkers and companion diagnostics. I would imagine that the last sentence has caused many readers eyes to glaze over, and that isn’t exactly an unusual response. What we do is very new and quite cutting edge so there is an educational component to it, explaining it to the audiences at conferences and discussing with customers exactly what their needs are. Because it’s quite novel and complex, it really benefits from face to face interaction.

28 NI Chamber

My role is a global one and this means travelling to a fairly diverse range of places.

This year alone I’ve been to Sweden, Japan, San Francisco, Switzerland and Boston. Before the end of the year I’ll go to Paris, London, and the west coast of the US again and possibly another European country or two.

The timeline of my recent trip to Japan for a trade mission and then on to San Francisco for a speaking engagement at a conference, looked like this: Friday night: After having dinner with my family, I head to Dublin late in the evening for an overnight stay before an

early flight to London.

Saturday 5am: Get up and walk from the hotel to the airport, for check in and breakfast.

7am: Flight to London – just a short one so a cup of coffee and a bit of reading and we are there.

A few hours in Heathrow is just long

and head off for five hours of sightseeing.

It’s really the only option and in the long run works out a lot better. I later find out that some others on the trade mission who arrived at the same time were able to check in to the hotel resulting in them sleeping all day and being awake all night.

Monday: The trade mission lasts three days beginning with an introduction and tour of the Tokyo cancer centre, then a day of presentations and meetings.

We travelled to Osaka by bullet train for another day of meetings.

In total I spent five days in Japan. It was a fairly intensive trip but a productive one.

Friday 5.20pm: After Osaka, I return to Tokyo and on the Friday evening I board a 10 hour flight to San Francisco, arriving at 9:30am on the Friday morning.

Yes that’s right, I left Tokyo on Friday evening and arrived 10 hours later on Friday morning! Crossing the dateline in that direction was a very strange experience. When I had woken on the Friday morning in Tokyo I had a bit of a stomach bug. By the time I got to the US, I was feeling better so it was like an opportunity to do Friday over again and it was a lot better the second time round!

Weekend: Jetlag was tough. I was waking and sleeping at strange times and it was hard to get my body clock back into some vaguely working order.

Monday: Thankfully by the time the conference starts, I am vaguely functional again.

The conference ran for 3 days.

I gave a presentation on multiplex diagnostics, focusing on Almac’s experience and expertise in biomarker discovery, development, delivery and commercialisation to a room full of industry experts and potential clients – it was very well received.

Tuesday and Wednesday: For the rest of the conference I supported our business development staff on the booth and had a few meetings with clients and colleagues.

Wednesday evening: Time to go home. I arrive at San Francisco airport two hours before my flight, then take the 10 and a half hour flight to Heathrow, followed by four hours sitting around the airport, a one hour flight to Dublin then two hour journey home. I finally arrived home in time for dinner on the Thursday night and had never been so relieved to get home in my life.

I had booked the Friday off and so had three days of randomly nodding off before being back into work on the Monday!

They say you should allow one day recovery time per hour of time zone crossed. I usually find that’s close enough.

Five days to a week usually has me back to normal after a US trip.

On this occasion it did take a while to get my body clock back to normal but thankfully not much more than a week.

NI Chamber 29

FOCUS ON Business Travel

enough for a wander around and some lunch. I do a quick check of emails here and there, but as it’s Saturday there is thankfully not much to do.

Noon: The 12 hour flight takes off to Japan – strangely once you’re flying, there doesn’t seem to be a big difference between a 6 hour flight and a 12 hour one.

During the flight I catch up on some work, review and update the presentations for next week, watch some movies, read a book and listen to a podcast. There’s no doubt that 12 hours is a long time to be in one seat but at least there are lots of entertainment options.

Sunday 9am (Japan time): Flight lands. I’ve jumped forward eight time zones but for my body clock it’s 1am. I wasn’t tired enough on the flight to sleep but am starting to get that way now. I get a bus from Narita to Tokyo central then a taxi to my hotel where I discover that the earliest I can check in is 4pm.

11am: At this stage exhaustion and jetlag combine to make everything seem vaguely unreal, after all by my body clock it’s 3am. I check the bag in at the hotel

FOCUS ON Business Travel

Passport to brilliant business travel Making every aspect of travel stress-free for the busy business traveller requires a personal touch. Edel Doherty, Managing Director of Business Travel Solutions, tells Adrienne McGill about the company’s success in ensuring the travel plans of company executives aren’t left up in the air.

W

hat do you do when you need to get to a crucial business meeting but the unexpected happens throwing your travel plans into crisis?

Well, that was the situation a Northern Ireland company director found himself facing recently as he arrived at Belfast International Airport expecting to board an easyJet flight to Paris where he had an important meeting with clients.

A sudden French Air Traffic Controller strike had caused his flight to be cancelled.

His trip looked doomed.

But thanks to the intervention of a business travel company, whose expertise lies in organising the travel plans of company executives, he was re-routed to Edinburgh where he caught an onward flight to Paris.

Business Travel Solutions, based in Belfast, saved the day.

The company, which was set up in 2010, is part of the Barrhead Travel Group and will be re-branded next month as Beyond Business Travel.

“Time is money for busy business executives, so hassle-free international travel is vital,” says Edel Doherty, founder and Managing Director of Business Travel Solutions.

“Believe me I know how frustrating travel can be for business men and women as they have to work at whirl-wind pace.

“Travelling on a moment’s notice, long and difficult flights coupled with bad hotel rooms can make business meetings the next day a real challenge.

“Business people need TLC and someone that can make their travel less time consuming, more efficient with that added bit of comfort. With this in mind I

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started Barrhead Travel NI and its sister company Business Travel Solutions with the aim of bringing a fresh approach to business travel based on efficiency, cost effectiveness and simplicity.”

The firm, which started its humble beginnings in a tiny office on Belfast’s Arthur Street, has gone from strength to strength.

Business Travel Solutions is now one of the Top 50 corporate travel management companies in the UK, providing corporate travel services for a range of the country’s most prestigious enterprises of all sizes from global corporations to SMEs and

reported that executive business travellers estimate that roughly 40 per cent of their prospective customers are converted to customers with an in-person meeting compared to 16 per cent without such a meeting.

“I’m not surprised by this rapid increase in business travel especially with smaller companies seeking to grow more and branch out to different markets,” says Edel.

“Our clients range from SMEs to large corporations and the one thing they have in common is their dependence on face-toface meetings to win new customers, close

“A common demand from our executive client base would be the need to make a change to their travel or amend their flights at short notice whilst on the go.”

across all industries from pharmaceutical and engineering through to the burgeoning film industry.

Business travel itself is rapidly on the rise and growing. The latest Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) report predicts UK business travel spending in 2014 will increase by 4.4 per cent to more than £25bn.

A recent survey by the Oxford School of Economics revealed that cutting back on business travel poses significant business risks. According to corporate travellers across all industries, around 25 per cent of existing customers and 28 per cent of revenue could be lost if customers were not met in person. Furthermore, they

new deals and develop high-performing talent. We work with them to deliver a managed travel policy that delivers on these aspects whilst driving profitability.

“More importantly we seek to minimize the stress travelling can sometimes bring by ensuring the client has a hassle-free journey. It’s essential that those travelling on business arrive at their destination able to function to the best of his or her ability.”

Business travel in recent years has become a necessity for the modern executive who has become more demanding. A service provider has to offer more than just the basics.

“Today’s business travellers are welltravelled, discerning and savvy, looking for

FOCUS ON Business Travel

a holistic experience. They are in search of an efficient, effortless and enjoyable travel experience, not just a room for the night or a way to get from point A to point B. Our ability to come up with unique solutions and meet the growing demands of the frequent business traveller translates into more successful business trips,” says Edel.

“A common demand from our executive client base would be the need to make a change to their travel or amend their flights at short notice whilst on the go.

“This can be a major source of stress for anyone, let alone the business traveller. Our experienced team of travel professionals are able to effectively manage bookings and itineraries while our clients are on the move. This peace of mind is extended by our 24/7 service which enables us to cater to the client no matter what time zone they are in.”

Bringing a fresh approach to business travel has become a key element of Business Travel Solution’s success in recent years and can be put down to its team of travel professionals who have on average 15 years of travel experience.

“Our high calibre of clients coupled with the positive feedback they give is a testament to the professionalism of my team. They are a great bunch and constantly strive to provide a more satisfying personalised experience for all of our executive clients. I believe this is what gives us our competitive edge.”

In today’s corporate world, company policy doesn’t always fit the needs of senior executives. Their distinctive lifestyles create different expectations and can demand a much deeper level of understanding.

“We never take the easy option and our attention to detail is obsessive,” says Edel.

“For example, when booking a recent business trip to Shanghai for a senior client we made sure their seat was on the preferred side of the plane and that they had fast track access through security. We ensured that they stayed at their favourite hotel with high speed Wi-Fi access and that a private chauffeur was at their disposal.

“Developing comprehensive, tailor-made itineraries for our busy executive clients is my team’s forte. They weave themselves into the fabric of our clients’ organisations to the point that their understanding of their corporate travel needs is almost intuitive.”

The world of business travel is a fluid one and things don’t always go according to plan.

Dealing with occurrences such as disruptive

Edel Doherty

Managing Director of Business Travel Solutions.

volcanic ash or standstill air traffic controller strikes means Business Travel Solutions has to be very proactive in its approach.

“Just recently there was a fire at Chicago’s busy airport hub. Through our technology we were able to immediately locate our clients who were affected and find

alternative flight options so they could return home safely.

“At Business Travel Solutions, we always go ‘above and beyond’ for our clients. It’s all part of what I deem to be exceptional service, and personally I like to treat clients as I would wish to be treated myself.”

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The sky’s the limit Speed and convenience are the two main reasons why companies choose to charter private jets, London Executive Aviation’s Managing Director George Galanopoulos tells Adrienne McGill.

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arketing private jets as an affordable travel option might seem mad but charter jet operators are doing just that in a bid to highlight the cost effectiveness of using this mode of air transport.

And when it comes to promoting the benefits of chartering a private jet, convenience is probably the most important factor.

You choose the airport location you fly from and to, the time frame, the charter jet plane, and people you fly with.

You are able to fly closer to your final destination, which cuts down on car rentals or taxi fares.

Then there’s the convenience of not having to go through the traditional airport procedures such as arriving two hours early to check in for your flight, queues, baggage limits and restricted carry on items.

The added convenience of being able to pack and carry anything you want on your jet will make preparing for your trip easier and less stressful, whether you are travelling for business or pleasure.

The fact that you are able to walk a short distance to your charter jet rather than miles through large airports is a further benefit.

The charter flight itself is shorter due to more efficient procedures which means getting you to your final destination sooner.

London Executive Aviation (LEA) is one of Europe’s largest executive aircraft charter operators which operates services to and from Belfast International Airport’s new business jet centre, Jet Assist.

It operates a diverse fleet of business jets, including Cessna Citation Mustangs, Bravos and Excels; Bombardier Challenger 300s and Embraer Legacy 600s. LEA also operates Beechcraft KingAir executive turboprops.

The company’s client list includes investment banks and other financial institutions; large and mid-size businesses; US-based executives en route to continental Europe; leading air brokers; celebrities from music, entertainment and sport; high net worth individuals; government; and hospitals and medical assistance companies.

LEA is the only business aviation company with a full base at London City Airport. It has six further UK bases (Farnborough, Biggin Hill, Luton, Stansted, Oxford and Stapleford) and can collect passengers from virtually anywhere in the UK. The company makes over 500 flights per month between the UK and over 10,000 destinations in Europe and the Middle East.

It has been at the forefront of UK business aviation for over 14 years and its senior management has over 40 years’ combined

London Executive Aviation’s Managing Director George Galanopoulos.

experience of UK business aviation.

LEA Managing Director George Galanopoulos says: “By managing a range of aircraft we can cater to all our customer needs: from small groups requiring transport to Europe, to those needing to fly across the Atlantic. Our medium-range Embraer Legacy 650s, for example, are among the most desirable aircraft in their class. The three-zone cabin design allows the flexibility of an office and conference area, along with a more relaxed area complete with TV and sofa.”

George points to the rapid globalisation in business, with larger regional and international territories needing to be covered. But time remains a key factor for the business executive.

He says LEA allows customers to take control of their travel arrangements; passengers can visit more destinations and attend more meetings in a single day if required.

“We ensure the crowds and stress of busy commercial airports are removed.

“Business is very good at the moment – it is up year on year. Part of the reason is the increase in confidence in the economy. Private jet hire ensures business executives use and manage their time efficiently.

“We are finding that middle to upper management are increasingly using private jet hire to fly to several destinations in one day for meetings.

“Speed and convenience are the two main benefits.”

The expansion of the business aviation market has seen the advent of various new travel options, including fractional ownership (in which one owns a share in a specific aircraft, with proportional rights of usage), jet cards or block hours schemes (which entitle one to a fixed number of flying hours in exchange for an advance lump sum payment) and ‘all business’ scheduled airlines serving certain destinations.

However, chartering aircraft by the hour remains by far the most popular choice for business aviation, since it provides an identical experience in terms of aircraft, crew and customer service, yet offers a blend of flexibility and, according to operators, value for money.

“Private jet hire ensures business executives use and manage their time efficiently.”

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Confusing cabin-baggage, conflicting climates and constant changes to plans: pity the poor business traveller confronted by the need to pack wisely.

Travel writer and broadcaster Simon Calder spends most of his life on the road, so here are his top tips for packing smarter for business trips.

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pend just 15 minutes thinking a little more about what to pack and you’ll carry less baggage and still look smart for that important meeting.

Reduce the volume You are paid to fly around Europe and the world for your quick wit, not your excess kit.

Every business traveller wants to hit the ground running at their destination rather than hang around at baggage reclaim. Taking your bag on board also eliminates the chance of it being lost or damaged while in transit. But the squeeze is on, with some airlines shrinking the amount that business travellers can carry on board to a bare minimum. Many of Heathrow’s airlines still permit the international standard of 56 x 45 x 25cm. But to be confident that you can take your bag into the cabin of 99 per cent of the flights you are ever likely to catch, you will need to shrink to fit 50 x 40 x 20cm. Those dimensions translate as 40 litres – more than enough, if you pack smart and eliminate everything superfluous in the 21st century, all the way down to business cards.

And it doesn’t have to be a roll-along case; I use a 35-litre backpack, with lots of easily accessible pockets. If you can’t lift it, you’re packing too much stuff (and possibly busting the airline’s weight limit, too).

Choose the right clothing After an overnight flight you may feel as though you’ve done several rounds in a tumble-dryer, but your clothes shouldn’t look as though they have. These days there’s no excuse for a dishevelled wardrobe, thanks to the technological wonders of non-iron fabrics. And however arduous your schedule, do not be tempted to pack more than one change of clothes: if your hotel can’t organise overnight laundry, then find a local man or woman who can. In extremis, the shower and a squirt of hotel shampoo will suffice.

Jet LAGs The rules on ‘liquids, aerosols and gels’ (LAGs) have been making life tricky for travellers since August 2006. The aviation community has plans to ease and eventually lift them, but until then you must decant the contents of your washbag into containers no bigger than 100ml, all held in a modest-sized clear plastic re-sealable bag. Consider packing none; you’ll speed through security, and I have yet to encounter a business hotel that does not dispense razors, shaving foam, toothpaste and brushes for forgetful guests. But if, like most travellers, you want to stick with the brands you know and love, keep it dainty. A great tip for toothpaste is to ask your dentist for some 20ml “sampler” tubes of toothpaste, as supplied by pharmaceutical firms.

Make your connections I cherish a sign from a Sri Lankan hotel that instructs: “Please do not use any of your personal electronic gadgets in your room”.

It’s not a hotel that’s popular with guests on business. The fastest way to wreck a trip and damage your career prospects is to mis-manage your charging regime: phone, tablet, laptop … all these and more need to be tended. But since multiple mains adaptors can take chunks out of your available space, go for devices that can be charged from the USB sockets of your laptop – a mother ship dispensing electrical energy, so

long as you remember to pack the connectors.

I keep all my leads and adaptors in an attractive red polka dot make-up bag. I haven’t left it behind yet.

Bare essentials Entire books have been written about how to pack a case, but if you have successfully adopted the “less is about right” philosophy you should not need to fret about the intricacies of squeezing everything in without crushing the Kindle. The most valuable elements of a trip take up little space: passport, credit card, cash (either local currency or the universally recognised dollar or euro). Pack a small plastic file containing photocopies of important documents (passport, credit cards) in case you lose them, plus travel insurance certificate, details of any medical issues and – in higherrisk areas – your nearest embassy. Pen and notebook are essential for when you’re away from wi-fi. Given that most of the places accessible from Heathrow are sunnier than London, I always pack a baseball cap. A printed guidebook with good maps is much sturdier than a download; it won’t ever run out of juice, and is likely to be less of a target for villains than a hand-held device. And when I get home, the bag stays under the stairs, to be recharged with fresh clothes and new prospects. * Read the latest Tweets from Simon Calder (@SimonCalder).

“The fastest way to wreck a trip and damage your career prospects is to mismanage your charging regime: phone, tablet, laptop … all these and more need to be tended.”

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FOCUS ON Business Travel

Smart packing in the bag

FOCUS ON Business Travel

In the driving seat Impeccable timing, punctuality and discretion are the hallmarks of Spectrum Cars, one of Northern Ireland’s leading chauffeur services firms.

Adrienne McGill hears about the smooth running company from Managing Director Hamilton Lowe.

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amilton Lowe has been ferrying many of the world’s rich and famous in his luxury limousines for almost 20 years. His passengers include business tycoons, film stars, pop idols, rock bands and television personalities.

Every time he looks at the TV, he sees someone he has a story about. But Hamilton won’t gossip or divulge their secrets. The only person he is prepared to mention is Hollywood actress Meryl Streep who he chauffeured around Belfast when she visited the city some years ago.

He won’t relay their conversations but describes her as a “delightful” passenger.

“Discretion is everything. What is said in the car…stays in the car as far as I am concerned,” says Hamilton.

He is the founder and Managing Director of Spectrum Cars which provides a luxury chauffeur driven private hire service for leading blue chip companies and high net worth individuals across both the business and leisure sectors. A limousine service is also provided for weddings.

Hamilton operates from Belfast’s exclusive Merchant Hotel where a Rolls Royce Phantom is permanently based.

His chauffeur service, which has to be pre-booked through the hotel or his Carrickfergus based office, is in constant demand by guests – both leisure and corporate – who are keen to be driven in style to see Northern Ireland’s major tourists attractions.

His fleet of luxurious vehicles includes two S class Mercedes, an E Class Mercedes, two Mercedes people carriers and a16 seater minibus – all of which are of executive standard with air conditioning

34 NI Chamber

and full leather interior. The company employs two full time drivers and additional personnel during busy periods all of who are trained to professional chauffeuring standards.

Each of the vehicles clocks up around 35,000 miles per year which underlines the demand for them.

Hamilton established Spectrum Cars in 1997 after identifying a gap in the market.

With entrepreneurial flair, he secured a contract with one of Northern Ireland’s major banks and also a global oil company which had its European headquarters in Belfast, to chauffeur their executives to and from meetings.

“I started the business with two clients

“We are in big demand from business executives.

They have a standard they want to maintain for themselves but they also want to provide high class transport for their clients.”

and one car – a Rover. Over the years, we have grown substantially and in addition to providing executive transport for corporate clients, we also drive visiting VIPs and overseas visitors around Northern Ireland,” says Hamilton.

“We are adding new accounts every year and are probably busier now than we have ever been.

“We are in big demand from business

executives. They have a standard they want to maintain for themselves but they also want to provide high class transport for their clients. If a company is trying to impress a client and look after them well – that is where we come in.

“There is a wide variety of situations – we might collect someone at home, take him/her to a restaurant, take him/her home again, meet him/her off a plane for transport to a hotel or direct to a business meeting.

FOCUS ON Business Travel Hamilton Lowe ensures passengers are chauffeured in style and comfort.

“When a driver is on an ‘as directed’ job, he is at the mercy of the client’s schedule.

“You have to be aware of the etiquette – which is generally – speak when you are spoken to. After a few initial words of welcome, you can gauge if the person wants to chat or not.”

Hamilton says the company’s success revolves around its three core values – punctuality, reliability and confidentiality.

“You have to be on time so that the client is not stressed about being late for a meeting or an event. You have to be

where you are supposed to be – there can’t be any confusion. And whatever conversation you are privy to – you can’t repeat it to anyone.”

A driving devotee since he got his licence at 17 years old, Hamilton admits that driving around in a Rolls Royce can have its drawbacks.

“A lot of people, when they see the Rolls, drive up beside it to see who is in the back or who is driving. People will drive alongside me at the same speed staring at the car – it can be distracting.

“However, I have a wonderful job

every day and I would find it hard to give up. I love meeting such a diverse range of people.”

With his easy style and calm demeanor, Hamilton has made Spectrum Cars the Executive’s choice for business, pleasure, reliability and excellence. And, of course, all passengers gets five star treatment.

“When people get into the Rolls, the question they generally ask me is ‘have you driven anyone famous?’ I always give a quizzical look and answer ‘before today you mean?’”

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FOCUS ON Business Travel

British Airways develops intuitive ways of making air travel even smoother British Airways has introduced further benefits for its passengers as KEIth Chuter, BA Sales Manager for Ireland and UK Regions explains.

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t British Airways we have invested £5bn in new and upgraded aircraft as well as innovative technologies to ensure that our customers continue to enjoy a top class and unparalleled travelling experience across the world.

As a leading global airline with over 90 year’s expertise in catering for customers, British Airways understands the extensive needs of our business travellers. We constantly strive to ensure that we continue

British Airways’ impressive T5.

to offer passengers a hasslefree, efficient and enjoyable travelling experience both in the air as well as on the ground.

We understand that business passengers travel on a regular basis and companies search for the best airline deals to facilitate these requirements. At British

36 NI Chamber

Airways, we recently introduced the option of holding flights for up to 72 hours on ba.com for as little as £5 per person on short-haul flights and only £10 on long-haul flights. If within this period, the flights are booked and the full payment is made, the hold deposit is refunded. This will allow customers the ability to delay paying for their flight until they are sure that they have

British Airways and Iberia, as long as they are on the same ticket.

At British Airways we have also developed a further initiative to make flying even easier and more convenient. We recently introduced new features to our popular iPhone app, which has provided us with the unique opportunity to address customers’ needs and offer intuitive ways

of making their journeys even smoother.

The potential to optimise mobile and digital technology to benefit our customers is endless; however it does require a fine balance of adding value without bombarding customers.

Customers using Terminal 5 and Terminal 3 will now receive ‘push notifications’ on their smartphones informing them when their gate is open and when their aircraft is boarding. The new app updates also provide customers with a personalised welcome message once they enter Terminal 5 as well as a WiFi password to ensure that customers can always stay connected to both email as well as the web. In addition to this, customers

Benefits have also been announced onboard 18 of our popular Boeing 747 aircrafts, including the installation of a stateof-the-art in-flight entertainment system.

Customers travelling on the aircraft will have double the current choice of films and TV programmes on larger high resolution screens that will be capable of touch and swipe gestures, similar to using a tablet – perfect for relaxation onboard and helping customers to pass the time enjoyably. This new system will be available from August 2015.

As part of the upgrade, our World Traveller Plus customers will also have access to a universal power socket at every seat, as well as their own personal USB socket to power phones and tablets to further facilitate doing business onboard. The refit will also “Customers using include a cabin interior refresh, Terminal 5 and Terminal aimed at bringing the 747s more into line with British Airways’ 3 will now receive ‘push newest aircrafts. New seat notifications’ on their foams will be installed in World smartphones informing Traveller and World Traveller them when their gate Plus to increase the comfort is open and when their for our customers and new aircraft is boarding.” style seat covers will be fitted to improve the appearance and match those on the A380 and 787 aircrafts. Carpets and curtains throughout the plane will also be replaced to the new aircraft colour pallet adding to the overall flying experience for customers onboard the aircraft.

At British Airways we continue to lead the way in delivering first class customer service.

In addition to these developments, British Airways was also the first European airline to permit the use of hand-held mobile devices after landing and the first European airline to introduce the use of in-flight entertainment systems from gate-to-gate.

Each of these recent updates highlight the importance that British Airways places on continuing to ensure that we provide customers with an enjoyable and seamless travelling experience. With up to six flights a day from Belfast City Airport to London Heathrow, we offer travellers excellent have the chance to find their flight status connectivity to our extensive global in the iPhone notification centre so that network of almost 130 destinations from they can stay up to date on their departure London Heathrow. We’re very excited for information without even opening the app. our local passengers to experience these These developments will ensure that our improvements and also look forward to customers have the opportunity to enjoy now welcoming customers flying from the airport experience to its full potential Belfast into our flagship Heathrow home at without having to worry about checking Terminal 5 after flights recently moved to overhead departure screens. this terminal on 26th October.

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FOCUS ON Business Travel

made the right choice and that it works for their business meeting requirements.

As we all know, there is nothing more frustrating than seeing a flight at a great price and when you go back to book it, it is either no longer available or the price has changed. Now our customers can have the reassurance that when they see the seat price, they can hold their seat and be sure that this price is all they will pay, up to three days later.

Our new hold option, which allows seats to be held for up to 21 days before departure, is the result of a joint venture between British Airways and Iberia. It applies to all flights operated by British Airways, including code-sharing flights, Iberia, Iberia Express and Air Nostrum, including any combination of flights of

FOCUS ON Business Travel

ON TRACK WITH RAIL TRAVEL

Letting the train take the strain is a new trend among commuters, particularly those heading to and from Belfast.

Train specialist Robin Morton examines why Northern Ireland Railways is proving to be an increasingly popular option for the business community.

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ith traffic congestion getting worse, daylight hours decreasing, journey times lengthening and city centre parking costs increasing, it is no surprise that more and more commuters are choosing to switch to public transport.

And among those choosing to let the train take the strain are lots of what 38 NI Chamber

Translink refers to as “the suits” – business and professional people who are now regulars on rush-hour services.

Thanks to a programme of investment

by Translink in new rolling stock and buses, both trains and buses offer a much higher standard of comfort than was the case some years ago.

In addition, rail punctuality has improved

dramatically, so much so that Northern Ireland Railways says that 98.84 per cent of trains arrive on time, although regular passengers on the Enterprise may quibble.

A major attraction for both the suits and other passengers is the availability of free wi-fi, which means that business people can continue to work – or catch up on personal emails – as they travel to and

“Suddenly, rail travel is becoming fashionable.”

The reliable new Spanish-built CAF 3000 and 4000 units are designed with chiefly airline style seating, which seems to suit commuters.

At present, though, the railways are in danger of becoming a victim of their own success, with last minute passengers having to stand on some rush-hour trains.

Although this is commonplace on trains covering much longer commutes from stations in London, it is still somewhat alien to the Northern Ireland public.

However, NIR has plans to provide extra carriages to lengthen certain trains to provide more accommodation at peak periods.

Park and ride has contributed to the increased demand for rail travel. Facilities which offer free parking have been developed at key stations on all the feeder lines, and there are plans to expand the facility with a new park and ride at Lisburn West.

Fares have been frozen since May 2013 and are competitive, particularly when it comes to monthly tickets, which include free weekend travel on bus and train.

Some examples quoted by Translink are £175 from Ballymena to Belfast, £116.50 from Bangor, £175.50 from Portadown and £90 from Carrickfergus.

The upshot is that passenger numbers have shown growth of more than 30 per cent in the last five years – despite the impact of the economic downturn.

Rail journeys have increased from 10.4 million in 2010-11 to 13.2m a year more recently. Translink’s ambitious target is to hit 20 million journeys by 2020, and the way things are going, it does not look impossible. One thing is for certain, NIR is on the right track.

An increasing number of people are using trains.

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from the office. They simply get out the iPad and carry on from where they left off.

Norman Maynes of Translink says: “A key benefit for business people is the free wi-fi service. This allows passengers to make smarter use of their time.

“Many are leaving the office earlier but continuing to work on the train – simply shifting their location. They can also use this facility to catch up with their personal e-mails and also social media leaving them more ‘time rich’ to do other things when they get home.

“This helps to create a better work life balance. They cannot do this in the car and therefore it is becoming increasingly a key benefit of rail travel.”

Hilton Parr, Translink’s head of Rail Customer Services, says a notable trend has been the increasing number of young professionals opting to use the train.

He said the company’s Spring 2014 monitoring results, in which 817 passengers were interviewed, showed that 52 per cent were aged between 18 and 34, with a further 18 per cent being in the 35-49 age bracket. Of those questioned, 36 per cent said they were travelling to go to work.

And significantly, when it came to gender, the survey found that 58 per cent of those taking part in the poll were female.

The survey also examined socioeconomic groups and found that 12 per cent were from the AB category and 23 per cent from C category.

Suddenly, rail travel is becoming fashionable. Witness the wave of commuters which can be seen swishing

through either Great Victoria Street Station or Belfast Central at every morning or evening peak. Not quite Waterloo, but it is certainly impressive.

For commuters in particular time is of the essence and the improved journey times are another hook for office workers.

Coleraine to Belfast Central, for example, can be covered in 80 minutes in the morning and evening peaks, while Ballymena to Central is a 39 minute journey – and no more queuing on the M2 motorway.

From Portadown, the 7.40am train reaches Great Victoria Street at 8.14am, considerably quicker than the car, while the journey time from Lisburn to Great Victoria Street, where some sections of track are passed for 90mph running, is an impressive nine minutes.

The Bangor line, popular with commuters for the past century, offers a travel time to Central of 22 minutes, including stops at Bangor West, Holywood and Titanic Quarter.

And from Carrickfergus you can be whisked into Belfast Central in as short a time as 15 minutes on the non-stop morning expresses.

On every line, a determined effort has been made by the timetablers to increase frequency, which means missing your train is no longer the disaster it once would have been.

FOCUS ON Business Travel

Jet set on the radar There are no snaking lines, long queues or cramped lounges at Belfast International Airport’s newly opened private jet centre. Speed and efficiency stand out. Jet Assist’s Managing Director Ian Morrow explains to Adrienne McGill why the facility is set to fly high.

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new private jet centre has just taken off at Belfast International Airport (BIA) which aims to offer business and VIP passengers the ultimate experience in style, comfort and efficient travelling.

Jet Assist officially opened for business last month on the same day that two private jets – a Gulfstream owned by an American multi-millionaire and an Eclipse owned by a rock star – flew in with their passengers looking forward to enjoying a few days in Northern Ireland.

The spacious facility adjacent to the main terminal is specifically designed to cater for the needs of time conscious passengers travelling on a private and corporate jet such as business investors, film stars, pop idols, world class singers, musicians and rock bands.

Queues do not exist, nor do crowded departure lounges and time-sapping scrutiny of boarding cards. It is as stressfree as you can get.

The Business Jet Centre has several meeting rooms for international industry leaders and business executives, its own security screening, seating for up to twenty-five passengers in a beautifully furnished lounge with refreshments on hand where they can meet and relax before their flight, a crew rest room, and high tech facilities for crews to do flight planning and weather checks. All in all it represents one of the finest business aviation centres on the island of Ireland.

For passengers arriving in a private jet on the landing strip directly outside the facility, it takes just 3 minutes to alight the aircraft, clear customs and immigration (if necessary) and be in a car en route to where they need to be.

Departures is an equally speedy process, with a dedicated on-site car park it takes just 3 minutes to walk from the car, pass through security and board a private jet.

40 NI Chamber

Ian Morrow, Jet Assist’s Managing Director.

When it comes to customs and immigration clearance, it’s a seamless service with customs and immigration officers on duty when passengers arrive.

With around 350 private planes passing through BIA annually, Jet Assist’s Managing Director Ian Morrow says the growth of travel in private jets is set to increase.

“Thousands of business jets pass through UK airports every year and we wanted to be part of that market. Indeed in our first few months of operation we have managed to secure contracts with several large international trip support operators which will lead to an increase in aircraft movements through our centre at Belfast International Airport.

“We already employ five people but such has been our growth we have created five new full time positions and we expect that to double within the next 12-18 months.”

The Fermanagh man’s association with aviation began in 2004 when he worked in the operations division of an air ambulance company at BIA. From there he developed an interest in private aviation and joined Corporate Air at St Angelo

Airport in Enniskillen. However, with the economic downturn in 2007-2008 the company closed its operation and relocated to Dallas, Texas in the US. Undaunted, Ian decided to set up his own company and established Jet Assist in 2009, as an aircraft sales and acquisition company. One of his largest deals involved selling a $7.8m Bombardier Challenger 604 business jet to a US charter company.

Following the collapse of EuroJet Aviation earlier this year, a private jet charter company operating from BIA, Ian leapt at the opportunity to step in and fill the gap.

“We want to be part of making business travel easier for business people – so that they don’t have to be stressed dashing from one end of the UK to the other or further afield,” says Ian. “Using corporate or private jets can be cost efficient for companies – executives can cover extensive distances and use their time efficiently.”

Jet Assist handles all sizes of jets flying from across the globe including the US, UAE and Europe.

Recently a small RV8 single seater plane

being flown on a round the world trip landed at the Business Jet Centre followed a few hours later by a sizeable Airbus A340 corporate jet.

“This is a very exciting business. You never know what celebrity or VIP is going to step out of an aircraft. We have looked after all sorts of famous people – heads of states, government ministers, sportsmen and women, business executives, and film stars.

“The companies that own their own jet are the large Fortune 500 companies who have offices around the globe. They need their executives to perhaps fly from Washington to Belfast, then to London, on to Paris, then Dubai and on it goes. We work with trip support companies who plan the trips for the companies and we work closely with them and the pilots,” explains Ian. Jet Assist also provides aircraft management, aircraft sales and acquisition, finance and leasing services and charter brokerage.

“Instead of having our own aircraft and charging one set price for its use, we look at a client’s need and then obtain a range of prices from charter companies. We can then give this to the client who can decide which to opt for. We want to ensure our clients get best value for money.”

However, there are plans in the future to base a corporate plane at the Business Jet Centre which would further boost its attractiveness.

“We have been in talks with Belfast

International’s new owners ADC and HAS Airports Worldwide about basing a corporate aircraft here which would serve the island of Ireland and across the UK and Western Europe. Further business can certainly be developed,” says Ian. “Furthermore, we are delighted to have opened the jet centre at Belfast International because it is strategically located on the North Atlantic Eastern Seaboard and operates 24/7 with no night time curfews which is essential when operating in the business jet marketplace.”

Trade missions are also key to growing the business and Ian frequently takes part in Invest NI organised trade missions overseas to explore new markets and make new contacts.

He has travelled to Dubai on several occasions to seek further deals in the Middle East and visits the US regularly where he is also capturing a share of the lucrative business jet market.

“The management at BIA and the new owners have been extremely supportive of Jet Assist. Invest NI and the Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster have been very helpful and recognised from an early stage that a Business Jet Centre is an integral part of attracting inward investment and promoting international trade and tourism,” says Ian. “As a young entrepreneur I have a great interest in seeing BIA and Northern Ireland do well.

“If we can attract more private jets here carrying high net worth passengers

“We want to be part of making business travel easier for business people...”

– that will help the local economy. They will stay in hotels, eat in restaurants, visit our tourist attractions. The benefits are immense. These visitors need to see from the moment they touch down that Northern Ireland has something special to offer. They must have a good experience from the minute they arrive to the minute they leave.

“When a private jet lands with the owners of an international branded bank on board, or industry leaders and investors, it is Jet Assist personnel that meet them at the steps of the aircraft and give them a warm welcome to Northern Ireland.

“We have a vision to create a state of the art private jet facility of which Northern Ireland, Jet Assist and Belfast International Airport can be proud and which people flying in here will remember.”

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FOCUS ON Business Travel

Jet Assist’s Business Jet Centre.

FOCUS ON Business Travel

S

ome company directors drive hybrids aligned with their organisation’s green agenda, others favour older cars to be discreet with the workforce. There are, however, those who work hard for a living and see their car choice as the ultimate reward.

More and more businesses and company directors are turning to business car leasing and contract hire instead of buying new vehicles. It’s a simple way to acquire a new model on a regular basis, with low initial payments and a fixed monthly rental.

In the words of the super-rich oil baron John Paul Getty: “If it appreciates, buy it. If it depreciates, lease it.”

If you were to buy yourself a brand new car it is likely to have depreciated in

42 NI Chamber

Car leasing speeds ahead Car leasing has become a popular way for people to change their vehicle regularly. Managing Directors are now making more educated and informed decisions, taking into account Co2, MPG, Road Tax and Whole Life Cost’s (WLCs). Paul McGuire, Managing Director of Traction Finance, explains to Adrienne McGill why this form of car renewal makes financial sense.

value by up to 33 per cent even before you have driven off the garage forecourt.

Of course this doesn’t apply to all models.

Certain prestige vehicles have a long

waiting list and buying one of these can actually be a good investment.

But a big advantage in leasing a car is the lack of financial commitment to

customer became an all-Ireland business and forced us to provide a bespoke solution to match their requirements.”

Contract hire is the most popular way of hiring a business vehicle with more than half of all new company cars in the UK registered each year funded this way.

A vehicle is leased to a company for a period and specified mileage, in return for an initial fee (from 1-6 months) and a subsequent monthly charge. At the end of the contractual period, it is returned to the leasing company.

“A lot of companies use contract hire as they get bigger. As the vehicle is owned by the leasing company, a contract hire vehicle does not have to be shown as an asset on the balance sheet. Some or all of the rental charge can be offset against taxable profits so there is a tangible financial benefit,” says Paul.

“When it comes to fleet management, this becomes an in-house cost for a company because someone employed in administration has the responsibility

the vehicle. Instead of tying up funds in vehicles, contract hire allows businesses to free up cash to use as working capital. It is off balance sheet funding and an allowable expense, with low initial payments.

In addition, the monthly lease payment for a car is often lower than a car loan’s payment. That’s because with a lease you are funding the depreciation plus interest “No matter what type and the residual value risk is removed from the leasee. of model of car a client Of course there are wants, we will source it – drawbacks. Leases come from a compact Hyundai with strict mileage limitations, to a sleek Ferrari – usually 12,000 to 15,000 anything is possible.” miles per year. If you exceed the total allowed miles by the time you return the vehicle, you’ll be faced with a financial of sorting out tax, MOT, servicing etc. penalty. However, this can be avoided.

However, through our fleet management “We manage the contracts and can service we can manage the running adjust the mileage at any stage during of a company fleet and take away the the life of the contract in order to avoid administrative headache associated with any excess mileage charges,” says Paul it.”

McGuire, Managing Director of Traction Paul, who has been involved in the Finance, one of Northern Ireland’s leading industry since 1998, set up the company car leasing, contract hire, flexi-lease and in 2003 when it was known as Lease fleet management companies.

Options. It has recently rebranded as “Business car lease takes all the hassle Traction Finance to reflect the fact that out of having to look after a vehicle it offers more than leasing and that the yourself – time is precious for busy company provides mobility solutions for executives. its customers.

“We have become increasingly in His accountancy background is the demand in recent years which is an perfect foundation for his role in the indication of how popular car leasing and our flexi-lease product have become. Our business, in advising clients of the most suitable options for funding, tailored USP is being able to directly fund vehicles to meet each individual’s needs and in Southern Ireland as well as the UK, this requirements. negates the requirements to deal with 2 The company’s client base is made up separate contract hire companies. We of individuals and businesses, across the saw this opportunity when our largest

UK and Ireland.

Traction currently manages more than 1,000 vehicles for a range of clients made up of a portfolio of major companies such as Coca-Cola and individuals who value the flexible service and range of tailored packages that the company offers.

The company was included recently in the elite FN50 list by Fleet News which details the top 50 contract hire and leasing companies according to fleet size in the UK. “No matter what type of model of car a client wants, we will source it – from a compact Hyundai to a sleek Ferrari – anything is possible,” says Paul.

“We pride ourselves in offering a highly personal service to clients. This ensures strong customer retention levels.”

However, all things are set to change on the driving front in the future and this has implications for the car leasing industry.

Paul says we’re on the road to a motoring revolution, with the drive to reduce CO2 at its core. The EU has set levels which car makers must achieve by 2015.

“Achieving this so quickly is going to be next to impossible for car makers that just have conventional combustion engines, so the next few years will see a big rise in the number of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and pure electric cars.

“Hydrogen fuel-cell cars will be commercially available to lease in the future. Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes and Toyota are all planning to launch a limited supply of fuel-cell vehicles within two or three years.”

It is envisaged that by 2030 there will be 1.6 million fuel-cell vehicles in the UK, with annual sales of more than 300,000.

Around the same time, cars that can drive themselves should start to become more common, thanks to advances in carto-car sensing and communication.

“We have made a massive investment in IT. Technologies are developing all the time and we are aware that dramatic changes in cars are coming up and that is going to have an impact on car leasing and fleet management,” says Paul.

“However, we intend to stay ahead of new technologies and motor industry development.”

Traction it seems, is gearing up for the changes ahead.

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FOCUS ON Business Travel

Paul McGuire, Managing Director of Traction Finance, says a lot of companies use contract hire as they become bigger.

FOCUS ON Business Travel

Where’s my driverless car?

Allstate Insurance Company, the US based insurer that has a technology and operations base in three cities in Northern Ireland, has been watching the trend for driverless – or “autonomous” – cars advance with amazing speed. While travellers to the US won’t be riding in a commercially available driverless car any time soon, they will see cars with significant advancements in high-tech safety features, internet connectivity and access to driving data. Allstate’s Mike Aabram explains the trend and its potential benefits to the insurance industry.

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he driverless car may be the most awe-inspiring development in personal transportation since the invention of the car itself. Whereas a century ago people couldn’t imagine moving faster than a horse could carry them, now people already entertain the possibility of riding in a car with no driver.

Not surprisingly, driverless cars are capturing the imagination of the news media. Manufacturers already sell cars that can automatically guide themselves into a parallel parking spot. Google, a pioneer in autonomous cars, announced it will market driverless cars by 2017 and has been publicising its prototypes. And the most recent company to make news about driverless cars was Tesla, the maker of electric automobiles, run by inventor and entrepreneur Elon Musk. The new D series of Tesla’s Model S sedan, unveiled in October, will have a limited autopilot function. Demonstration videos available on YouTube show the car can read and adjust to speed limit signs, steer itself to stay in its lane and brake automatically to avoid a collision. Musk said that he plans to market a driverless car by 2023 – six years behind Google. His opinion is that consumers aren’t ready to accept them much earlier than that.

With so much news and hype about driverless cars, some visitors to the United States might expect to have their pick of driverless cars when they arrive at the rental car facility. They’ll be disappointed.

The truth is it will be several years before

44 NI Chamber

anyone gets into a commercially available driverless car, let alone sees one first-hand.

What you will see are cars that are highly connected. This follows a dynamic trend.

About 25 billion devices will be connected to the internet by 2015 and 50 billion by 2020, according to estimates from Cisco, the US based maker of networking equipment. It should be no surprise that our cars are becoming connected in a variety of ways. That connectivity is offering drivers more safety features, access to driving information and entertainment options. Many of those are driven by advances in vehicular technologies, internet connectivity, data and communications.

The convergence of those technologies is called telematics, if you’re looking to drop a few good bits of jargon at a cocktail party.

All of this connectivity provides a glimpse into the future of driving and, by consequence, the future of the insurance industry. What does that mean for the business traveller to the US? It means advanced safety features are no longer limited to luxury cars – they are in more-affordable models. It means you have greater access to information to improve your drive. Finally, it means you can bring all your favourite audio entertainment with you.

Many of the latest features are the precursors to the driverless car. They aren’t standard features, so they will add some cost onto the price of a new car or may not be widely available in rental car fleets.

Collision warning systems alert the driver to a potential collision with both audible

and visual indicators, such as heads-up displays on the windshield with flashing red lights. Conveniences like adaptive cruise control hint at the driverless car. It differs from standard cruise control in that while it maintains the car’s speed at a pre-set level, it also automatically keeps its distance from vehicles ahead of it even if they decelerate.

The systems use radar or laser-based sensors installed in the front of the car to monitor the road.

For further safety, sensors and cameras can be paired together. Rearview cameras help drives avoid hitting things or people while backing up, and sensors all around the car provide “lane departure systems” that activate warnings when inadvertently drifting out of your lane. Similarly, sensors will alert you when another car approaches your car.

Such automation and safety features hint at the physical capabilities of the driverless car.

The ability to reduce accidents is invaluable on its own. But driverless cars will also be connected cars, generating vast amounts of information that can be analyzed and used to improve driver habits and create new services that drivers find valuable.

Primarily, information will be gathered in two ways: from the car itself and from the driver’s smart phone. As a result, insurance companies, car manufacturers, wireless phone carriers and myriad other businesses will have access to data generated by driver-behavior sensors, global positioning satellite (GPS) apps, and collision avoidance and telematics systems. Over time this will change the auto insurance industry, the

FOCUS ON Business Travel Picture: Google

“The precursors to driverless technology already have trickled down from luxury cars to the mainstream…”

systems it operates and the markets it serves.

Already there is a large store of data available from the apps we voluntarily download to our smart phones that are with us while we drive. Apps for weather, traffic, gas prices and street maps can capture travel habits, commuting patterns and purchasing behaviour while providing the user with convenient services.

This has implications for any number of industries. Insurance is no exception.

The ever-improving safety features of our vehicles should reduce accidents, which implies that insurance rates would decrease as driving risks decrease. Beyond that, these developments bring the ability to create more ways to serve the insurance customer.

At Allstate, we have been working on

innovative ways to do just that. One of the most pressing concerns among our customers is the safety of their teen drivers.

In the United States, motor vehicle fatality is the leading cause of accidental death among teenagers. Parents worry about that and wonder how their teenage drivers really behave behind the wheel. We realized that we could provide information about that and wanted to give parents the data they needed to take an active role in helping their children develop their driving skills. There’s now an app for that. It’s called Star Driver, a smartphone-based tool that helps identify and teach safe driving behaviors.

Star Driver empowers parents and their teenage drivers to focus on safe driving at an early age. Available to customers across the

US, the new programme offers a driving agreement between parents and their teens to establish expectations and parameters.

Both the parents and teens agree on limits about where, when and how fast the teen is allowed to drive. Parents can be alerted with a text message or email if the teen violates part of the agreement.

Star Driver is powered by the same telematics-based platform known as Drivewise, which is a mobile app Allstate created that, when activated by the customer, collects a driver’s speed, time of day, and hard braking events along their route. It continues to encourage safe driving while rewarding safe drivers with savings on their auto insurance.

In all these ways, travellers driving in the United States can get a few glimpses of the gradual introduction of driverless cars.

How prevalent they will be and how quickly they are accepted by drivers, government and safety advocates remains to be seen.

But the precursors to driverless technology already have trickled down from luxury cars to the mainstream, making the technologies accessible to anyone who would like to try them out.

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FOCUS ON Business Travel

A dream flight with flat-beds ‘Sit back’ and enjoy the flight has become ‘lie-back’ for many business class travellers with the comfort of flat-beds taking long haul flights to new levels as British Airways passengers have discovered and Aer Lingus’ are about to. Adrienne McGill looks at getting some sleep at 35,000ft.

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Aer Lingus Chief Revenue Officer Mike Rutter.

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irlines say their customers’ top priority, by far, is sleep. Some transatlantic carriers go as far as encouraging their premium passengers to eat in departure lounges so they can sleep longer on the plane.

Full flat-bed seats are now the benchmark standard for long haul business class airline travel, and for travellers wanting to get the best sleep during the flight, there’s no better way to get some shut eye.

Angled lie-flat seats are still provided by many airlines, and whilst they claim that with the incline of an aircraft inflight the seats will not feel angled, the reality is that these seats can be quite uncomfortable for sleeping – passengers reporting that they slowly slide down and rest is hard to come by.

While a lie-flat seat might extend to be flat rather than just reclined, it won’t be parallel to the floor.

Instead of a true 180 degrees, they’re positioned somewhere between 150 and 170 degrees. The seat is flat, and you can lie down in it, but you’ll be lying at an angle.

However, a full flat-bed reclines all the way down so that it’s horizontal just like a normal bed rather than angled.

It means that sleep is assured with full flat-bed seats so when you arrive at your destination you are refreshed and ready for the day ahead.

British Airways was the first to offer a seat that converts to a flat-bed in business class in 2000 after pioneering fully flatbeds in its first class cabin in 1996.

Club World is British Airways’ business class product and the current Club World service and seat was introduced in 2006.

British Airways consistently features

experience,”will provide an unrivalled customer journey” and “the best shot of sleep” on direct flights from Dublin to San Francisco, New York, Boston, Chicago and Orlando.

The new Vantage seats, which recline into a fully flat 6’6’’ bed, feature a “massage” function, built in power points, universal sockets and USB power outlets, increased stowage space, and 16-inch HD entertainment screens with multitouch capabilities.

The new seats are among the longest in the industry, the airline says, with a width of 22 inches. Fabrics for the seat covers, carpets and curtains were provided by Botany Weaving, based in Dublin’s Cork Street. The fibres are designed to reflect Ireland’s weaving heritage.

The layout in the business class cabin is staggered providing some solo seats and some pairs with 90 per cent of seats having direct-aisle access.

Also planned is a new business lounge at New York’s JFK Airport and a new arrivals lounge at Dublin Airport.

“Our long haul business has grown at record pace over the past two years,” says Aer Lingus Chief Revenue Officer, Mike Rutter.

“Our time sensitive passengers are generally travelling on business and want to arrive at their destination ready for whatever their day holds. In business class we have created a room with four views – so you can transform your seat into whatever you want it to be – a place to sleep, work, eat or simply chill.

“This is about driving the number of

“In business class we have created a room with four views – so you can transform your seat into whatever you want it to be – a place to sleep, work, eat or simply chill.”

passengers that we have on board our business class services. We are increasing the cabin size from an average of 23 seats to 30 seats.

“We are delighted to upgrade our entire business class experience offering our customers an excellent environment to work, relax, dine and sleep.

“We decided to build a product which fulfilled the needs of the market place.

Lie-flat technology is not new but we wanted to develop it further based upon our customer insights.”

To perfect the product and find out what business class passengers wanted, Aer Lingus conducted research.

This revealed that most wanted aisle access – rather than having to do a seatvault. They also noted that blankets were inclined to slip off them during a flight because of the herring-bone configuration and they also wanted to keep their lap tops and tech devices nearby during a flight rather than having to store them in the overhead locker.

“We listened to all of this and then went into a design concept with Thompson Aero Seating. We are delighted with the result and we know our business passengers will be too,” says Mike Rutter.

The Business Class menu has been created in consultation with Aer Lingus Executive Chef, James Keaveney and Irish food consultant, Hugo Arnold.

It features signature dishes from top Irish restaurants across the four provinces, and will be changed four times yearly using seasonal, Irish ingredients to reflect a fusion of the best of modern Irish food, Aer Lingus says.

Entertainment content will include 50 per cent more new release movies, and 100 per cent more TV content.

The offering will include new release movies, classic movies and over 60 hours of TV, documentaries, comedies, music and box sets like Game of Thrones and True Detective. The system is available gate to gate, so customers can start watching as soon as they board.

Dedicated check-in desks and fast-track security will be available at all airports.

On arrival in Dublin, business class guests can avail of an exclusive Arrivals Lounge with a dedicated area to shower and steam clothes.

Without doubt, long haul business class air travel has reached new heights – you may never arrive Sleepless in Seattle again.

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on the list of the world’s 10 best business class airline seats which includes flat-bed seats.

BA’s configuration of the seating is in an innovative yin-yang design, where two seats are conjoined into one whole, with passengers facing each other during take-off, after which a separator panel is activated, giving you the option of privacy.

In comparison to similar seats on BA’s Boeing 777-400s, the seats on BA’s Boeing 747 aircrafts have slightly more room and storage, having an extra deep bin underneath the window that allows for a coat and other sundries.

More storage for shoes is at floor level and there are charging devices, with any necessary adaptors available from the crew on request. The seat itself is a comfortably constructed chair that converts into a 6ft fully flat bed, with a memory foam headrest and a cosy quilted blanket. Passengers can relax and choose from an on-demand and bang-up-to-date library of films, documentaries, TV shows, music, audio books and games. These are enjoyed on a personal 10.4 inch flat screen and noise-cancelling headphones.

When it comes to lay out, airlines first went to angled beds in business class because seats could be laid out closer together, squeezing more into the very precious space of an airplane cabin. The feet of one passenger could fit under the head of the passenger one row in front.

But with horizontal flat-beds, seats have to be spaced further apart.

To get around that, airlines have developed clever ways to turn seats and angle them. Some put the footend of beds under consoles and tables that are part of seats in the next row.

Some turn seats sideways in zipper-like configurations jutting out from sidewalls so passengers are side-by-side rather than one behind another.

The newest player in the flat-bed business class seat market across the Atlantic is Aer Lingus. The airline is upgrading its business class service in a £16.5m investment, £10m of which has been spent on the introduction of flat-bed seats which will be installed on its A330 aircraft by March next year.

The seats, each of which cost £100,000 such is the degree of technology and engineering involved in their manufacture and installation, have been manufactured

by Thompson Aero Seating in Portadown.

Aer Lingus says its new business class

FOCUS ON Business Travel

Learning from a competitor Low cost airlines aren’t no frills anymore, writes travel commentator James Stinson.

Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary.

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s road to Damascus conversions go, Ryanair’s recent pledge that it wanted “to be as liked as we are useful” is right up there.

For years, indeed up until a few months ago, Chief Executive Michael O’Leary insisted an airplane was “nothing more than a bus with wings on”.

He made much of the airline’s policies which, among other things, included miserly luggage allowances and tough surcharges for customers who didn’t abide by them.

Tales of customer woe were frequent and very public, with Ryanair taking great delight in every column inch.

But because the airline was among the most profitable in Europe, everyone thought he was on to something.

It wasn’t that we liked what Ryanair was but we did like its cheap fares, and the markets liked the airline’s profits, and somehow we believed that the only way you could deliver both was by being tough with your customers.

48 NI Chamber

easyJet and its crews have been operating from Belfast International Airport for the past 16 years.

The media were as bad as everyone else. Journalists would rock up to interview O’Leary like he was some kind

of business god, sent to deliver us from legacy airlines and their high fares.

In an era of staid PR and marketing speak, O’Leary’s approach was refreshing and always newsworthy.

Ryanair is still a low fares airline but how it treats its customers has changed in recent months. The airline has relaxed its hard-line cabin baggage allowance, reduced penalties for failing to print out boarding passes and introduced allocated seating. There’s a new, more user friendly website.

And more recently it did an even bigger u-turn with the introduction of “Business Plus” tickets which offer the ability to change to another flight up to 40 minutes before departure for no extra fee.

The new tier of service also includes a hold baggage allowance of one bag, which can cost up to £75 on top of a standard ticket in high season on busy routes.

Ryanair’s business customers have to make do with the same type of seating as everyone else, but their more expensive tickets include priority boarding, and one of the so-called “premium” seats on the flight.

It doesn’t end there. Ryanair has started flying to “primary” airports in Rome, Brussels, Cologne, Glasgow, Warsaw and elsewhere.

None of this is new to any of us in Northern Ireland where we are much more likely to associate “no frills” and “low fares” with easyJet, thanks its 16-year presence at Belfast International.

Easyjet has always been at the softer end of the low cost spectrum – using “primary” airports from its early days, embracing flexible tickets some time ago, and introducing allocated seating before Ryanair.

This approach has proved especially popular with business passengers, helping to boost profits to near Ryanair levels.

Ryanair may have been around longer but easyJet has and continues to do most of innovation in the sector and having tried to do it his way, it appears Michael O’Leary has decided the easyJet way, is in fact the right way.

sponsorship feature

JUST SAY YES! Hilden Brewery and Ashleigh Hanley YES participants have jointly benefitted from the Department for Employment and Learning’s Youth Employment Scheme (YES).

YES is a voluntary scheme which aims to give young people between the ages of 18 and 24 help and support in looking for permanent work by offering work experience opportunities.

Highlighting the benefits of the scheme to employers, Seamus Scullion, Partner (Hilden Brewery) said, “I was persuaded by Lisburn JobCentre to provide an opportunity for a young person under YES. We interviewed four candidates and were impressed by the competence and enthusiasm of them all. We selected Ashleigh and weren’t disappointed. Ashleigh fitted into our small team here very quickly and within a short time she was making a real contribution to our business.

She continued to work in her own time towards further qualifications in bookkeeping and financial management. By the end of her period

on YES, we had no hesitation in offering her a permanent employment.

She is now a key member of our team.”

Ashleigh Hanley was previously unemployed and signed up to YES identifying a vacancy with Hilden Brewery to gain the experience that employers value so highly. Ashleigh said: “I have gained many new skills and experience. I am more confident going forward and I would encourage other young people to get involved. This has been a very positive experience for my employer and me.”

Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry said, “some young people find it difficult to find a job because they don’t have experience.

The emphasis is on providing them with an opportunity to sample the world of work and develop employability skills for use at future job interviews.”

To get involved with YES, visit www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/yes.

From left to right, YES participant and now Hilden employee, Ashleigh Hanley, Seamus Scullion, Partner, Hilden Brewery and Suzie Cruikshanks, Lisburn Jobs & Benefits Office.

NI Chamber 49

[Columnist] Trevor Annon, chairman of the mount charles group

A crafty brew TREVOR ANNON taps into Northern Ireland’s growing craft beers industry.

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he taste buds of local craft beer and cider drinkers have never been better served as the thirst for authentic flavour continues to fuel the sector’s growth.

The flexibility the smaller independent brewer brings to the community is at the heart A distinctive range of beers of what continues to be an economic success have been created by craft brewers in Northern Ireland. story for Northern Ireland PLC. And by being prepared to work for those communities in many different ways, the delivered by traditional brewing methods has brewing industry has brought a distinctive positive payback continues to be enormous. dramatically shaken up the sector. range of products to the market thanks to The craft beer sector for many decades had And the winners in the rapid expansion of an understanding of the importance of social to struggle against the financial might of the the microbrewery culture have undoubtedly identity in product development. major brewing giants. been the beer and cider buying public.

The strength of the local craft beer sector The money muscle exerted led to a near The reality is that the consumer has never has been clearly underlined by the fact that monopoly situation being allowed to develop. been in a better position to benefit from what taste and value are the dominant elements in As a result the pressure placed upon the is one of the most dynamic expansion areas of the changing attitudes of the purchasing public. independent range of small craft brewers Northern Ireland’s crucially important agri-food By being able to concentrate on the eventually led to scores being forced to close and drink platform. development of what are essentially bespoke their doors in the face of what was a totally The craft brewing industry is one that has beers and cider the craft-brewing sector has a unbalanced trading system. recognised the need to meet the demands decided advantage in terms of delivering taste The days of practically every small town of the public, both locally and increasingly in and quality. in Ulster being able to boast of having on relation to the growing export market.

And the ever increasing demand for naturally its doorstep at least one independent craft sourced and traceability linked brewing operation – Downpatrick products provides the local at one time early in the 20th craft brewing community with century could tap into the “The winners in the rapid additional customer friendly tools. taste provided by no less than expansion of the microbrewery The bottom line is that the five local breweries – were customer is always going to consigned to the history books. culture have undoubtedly been the key component when But over the last 30 years a the beer and cider buying public.” itbecomes to hard cash being revolution triggered by the likes exchanged. of Hilden Brewery, Ireland’s As a consequence an increasing oldest independent craft number of so-called tied licensed brewing operation, has acted as a catalyst for a The range of small independent brewers has establishments across the Province are now revolution in attitudes towards locally produced tripled in the context of Northern Ireland over being forced to face the business reality that the brewing techniques. the last decade. craft beer drinking public has to be satisfied.

The brewery has continued to invest in Those behind the revolution in the public’s It is a message that is also being heard in an ensuring that relationship between its range of knowledge and appreciation of craft beers ever increasing range of off-licence outlets. products and the local community continues to and ciders accept that compared to the rest These are exciting times for the brewing be its priority. of the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic, industry in Northern Ireland.

The showcase platform provided by the the taste bud education process still has some However, there has to be a continued level 30th anniversary of the Hilden Beer and Music distance to travel. of investment, both from the industry and Festival held over the August Bank Holiday The creativity and diversity of the brewing from Government, to ensure the delivery of was a superb example of how that partnership fraternity in the Province has however been the diverse product range demanded by an works so well. crucial in being able to meet the demands of an increasingly demanding public is met.

Where once massive marketing budgets increasingly sophisticated and knowledgeable were able to dominate and exploit the shape public. of the beer drinking market, the taste factor The passion of our locally based craft

50 NI Chamber

[SPONSORED FEATURE]

These changes will affect all businesses that make B2C supplies of digital services, whether or not they are registered for VAT. The VAT ‘Mini One Stop Shop’ (MOSS) online service has been set up in order that businesses supplying B2C digital services do not have to register for VAT in every Member State in which they do business.

‘Digital Services’ can be broadly defined as follows: • Broadcasting includes the supply of television or radio programmes to a schedule by the person that has editorial control of those programmes; • Telecommunications includes the service of sending or receiving signals by wire, radio, optical or other systems.

It includes fixed and mobile telephony, fax and connection to the internet.

• E-services includes: video on demand, downloaded applications (or ‘apps’), music downloads, gaming, e-books, anti-virus software and on-line auctions.

It is only the business that is considered to be supplying the consumer that is responsible for declaring and paying any VAT due under the new rules. Businesses must be able to capture sufficient commercial evidence (for example, billing address, IP address or bank details) to determine the place of supply.

Place of supply of digital services and VAT Mini One Stop Shop (MOSS) The Mini One Stop Shop VAT service starts from 1 January 2015 for businesses supplying what are collectively known as ‘digital services’ in the EU. The place of supply for intra EU business to consumer (B2C) digital supplies is currently determined by the location of the supplier of the services. However, from 1 January 2015, the place of supply will be determined by the location of the consumer, and digital services will be taxed at the VAT rate applicable in the consumer’s Member State.

VAT MOSS will save businesses the administrative burden of needing to register in every EU Member State in which they supply B2C digital services. The online service will be available from 1 January 2015, but it was possible to register from 1st October 2014.

VAT due on B2C digital services sales in any other Member States can be accounted for by submitting a single VAT MOSS return and any related payment to HM Revenue and Customs.

Returns will be on a calendar quarter basis and must be submitted and the relevant payment made within 20 days of the end of the calendar quarter return period.

If your business supplies digital services, ASM Chartered Accountants can advise whether the new rules will affect you and ensure that you minimise the burden of VAT compliance work.

Caroline Keenan, Tax Director, ASM Chartered Accountants 2014 UTV / Business Eye “Business Consultancy of the Year” caroline.keenan@asmbelfast.com 028 9024 9222

caroline.keenan@asmbelfast.com

#wellconnected #wellconnected With... fellow chamber members NI CHAMBER NETWORKING EVENTS PROVIDE ACCESS TO BUSINESSES FROM ACROSS NORTHERN IRELAND AND TO KEY GOVERNMENT INFLUENCERS. HERE, WE HIGHLIGHT A NUMBER OF RECENT EVENTS WHICH HAVE ENABLED OUR MEMBERS TO BE #WELLCONNECTED AND GROW THEIR BUSINESS.

NEW MEMBERS NI Chamber would like to welcome the following new members: Accounting Clear Treasury

Nora Senior, Executive Chair UK Regions and Ireland of leading global PR/public affairs consultancy Weber Shandwick, shared her wealth of knowledge and expertise with guests at the Building Brands and Businesses event, at the Belfast campus of the University of Ulster. The event was organised by NI Chamber in partnership with the Ulster Business School at the University of Ulster. Among the topics she covered was identifying and articulating what differentiates you from your competitors and how to craft a brand statement.

Nora is the current President of the British Chambers of Commerce.

NI Chamber’s annual golf day at Belvoir Park Golf Club was a highly successful event with 25 teams taking part. Pictured before tee off are Phillip Smyth, Ian Harbinson, Andrew Fraser and Greg Henry.

The Tomorrow Lab Green Sectors Phoenix Plastics Hospitality and Tourism McKeever Hotels Ltd James Street South ICT Barclay Communications Emotive Technology Magnet Business North Time & Data P2V Systems Limited Stem Systems Manufacturing Cutting Industries The McAvoy Group Zenith Hygiene Group Marketing & Public Relations Aiken PR

Cathal Geoghegan swings into action.

The University of Ulster’s Professor Marie McHugh addresses guests in a packed lecture theatre.

Angie Martin, Spira Marketing, and Joan Houston, Begbies Traynor, network at the event.

52 NI Chamber

Daly Park & Company Navigator Financial Planning Agri-food Hilden Brewery Business Services Aon Risk Services (NI) Gradsmarts Group Cleaning Services MMD Communications Post and Place Premiere People NI Print Tec Creative Industry

Stephen McCracken studies his shot.

PROVEN PR Spira Marketing Pharmaceutical Premier Scientific Professional Services Comco Environmental MASCAN Finance Ltd The HR Coaching Suite Retailing Charles Hurst Cyril Johnston and Co Teamwear Ireland

#wellconnected With... #wellconnected government

NI Chamber President Kevin Kingston, Environment Minister Mark H Durkan and SSE Airtricity’s Peter Cunningham at an in-camera dinner.

Dungannon was the destination for Finance Minister Simon Hamilton as engineering giant Terex hosted an on-site visit as part of ‘Minister on the Move’ – a business led initiative by NI Chamber in partnership with British Airways. Over 80 local businesses joined the Minister, Terex and NI Chamber as part of the initiative which comprises a number of events across Northern Ireland where local businesses are invited to come along and share their views and concerns on the economy directly with the Minister. Pictured at the company’s premises are Damian Power, Global Product Line Director at Terex; Finance Minister Simon Hamilton; British Airways Partnership Manager Brenda Morgan and NI Chamber President Kevin Kingston.

Finance Minister Simon Hamilton addresses guests at the event.

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan addresses Chamber members at the incamera dinner.

Ulster Unionist Party leader Mike Nesbitt; NI Chamber Chief Executive Ann McGregor; NI Chamber Vice President Stephen McCully and Lord Empey at the Ulster Unionist Party’s Annual Conference at the Ramada Hotel, Shaws Bridge, Belfast.

NI Chamber President Kevin Kingston with Finance Minister Simon Hamilton on a tour of Terex.

NI Chamber 53

#wellconnected #wellconnected With... exporters To find out how to maximise your membership, or for further information on joining NI Chamber, log onto www.northernirelandchamber.com or call 028 90 244113.

At a private dinner with Patrick Joy, founder and Executive Chairman of Suretank, which manufactures tanks for the offshore oil industry, guests heard his story of building a successful global business. The event was part of NI Chamber’s Danske Bank Export First initiative.

Williams Industrial Services Managing Director, John Toner (centre) enjoys the event will fellow guests.

Asphalt Burner Services Managing Director, Teresa Lewis; Account Manager (NI) Etihad, Liza Hammond; Regus Belfast General Manager, Patricia Heron and Danske Bank’s Head of Small Business, Katherine James at the Export First reception.

54 NI Chamber

NI Chamber in partnership with Bank of Ireland UK held a Meet the Buyer event at the Armagh City Hotel, the second in the series under the Connecting for Growth programme. Pictured are NI Chamber’s Business Development Director, Oonagh O’Reilly; Bank of Ireland’s Regional Business Manager, Fred Smyth; and Manager of Strategy Growth and Development, Niamh Griffin.

Delegates at the event receive advice from experts representing a range of sectors.

William McConnell and Dessie Ferguson from Fane Valley Stores in discussions with a delegate.

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NI Chamber 55

[Columnist] Maureen O’Reilly, NI-based independent economist

Waging war on earnings Are you feeling any better off lately? When was the last time you were given or gave yourself a pay rise? Perhaps you have had to take a pay cut over recent years! Maureen O’Reilly examines the issue.

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eal wages – the difference between what you earn and the rate of inflation – have yet to recover despite the fact that the UK inflation rate has fallen from a peak of just over 5 per cent three years ago to just 1.2 per cent today. This is because, in spite of economic growth in the UK over the last few years, wage growth has been sluggish. Average UK earnings have grown by less than 1 per cent over the last year, the lowest rate since records began in 2001.

Over the last five years the average UK worker has lost between 8 per cent to 10 per cent of their wages in real terms. One estimate suggests that this equates to an average loss of earnings of around £5,000 since 2008. Young people have been particularly hard hit.

Northern Ireland has been disproportionately affected. During this recession the region has suffered the largest proportionate fall in real income across the 12 UK regions according to the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS). The region already had the lowest average earnings and the lowest disposable incomes in relative terms. Recent falls have increased this disparity. Pre-recession median income in Northern Ireland was 6.5 per cent behind the UK average. The IFS suggests that, with this recession, that gap has widened to just over 10 per cent.

Northern Ireland is also thought to be more indebted than the rest of the UK. Research by the Family Inclusion Centre found that Northern Ireland had by far the largest proportion of mortgages with payment problems, 1 in 3 in Northern Ireland compared to a UK average of 1 in 5 (of those taken out between 2005 and 2010). The report also showed that Northern Ireland people were less likely to have any savings. Members responding to the latest NI Chamber survey would largely concur with these findings. Around 50 per cent believe that Northern Ireland households are more indebted than the rest of the UK and 40 per cent believe this to be the case for business too.

What we spend has a critical role to play in driving the recovery.

However, a concern is the extent to which debt has driven even modest consumer spending/growth here in recent years. Therefore even if real wages start to recover households will not necessarily start spending as they begin to pay back that debt, potentially more costly given inevitable interest rate rises. Savings have also been eroded with this recession/recovery both through people using their savings to live and because again in real terms they are worth less.

The lack of recovery in real wages has played a part in recent decisions by the Bank of England not to raise interest rates. In fact, it has recently halved its earnings growth forecast for 2014 to just 1.25 per cent. However, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney has warned that interest rates may have to rise before real wages do.

His premise is that if they are confident that real wages are ‘going to be growing sustainably’ then the Bank of England does not have to wait until they actually do. Carney believes that real wages will start to grow towards the middle of next year as the unemployment rate continues to fall and forecasts that by 2017 wages will be increasing by an average of 4 per cent per annum.

Part of Mark Carney’s argument is that some lead indicators and surveys have shown signs that UK wages are picking up. Some economic commentators are less optimistic. UK productivity (output per worker) has shown little sign of recovery. If businesses are not producing more per worker then they will be less likely to reward them with higher wages. A recent TUC report also suggests that ‘low paid job creation’ has pushed earnings to a ‘new low’. They believe that part of the explanation for this is a move from higher

56 NI Chamber

“The lack of recovery in real wages has played a part in recent decisions by the Bank of England not to raise interest rates.”

to lower paying industries. Trying to recover from a structural shift of this nature is particularly challenging.

The recent NI Chamber survey suggests that only 1 in 5 members are expecting to award above inflationary pay rises over the next year! It is not clear that Northern Ireland is in the wage recovery space as yet. This will be an important question to revisit with members in the next 6 to 12 months.

Definitely one that’s a watching brief!

[feature]

Apprenticeships add value to the economy

Northern Ireland can learn a lot from Switzerland in terms of the benefits of apprenticeship programmes as Adrienne McGill hears from global expert on the subject Professor Stefan Wolter.

Pictured at the employer breakfast seminar are Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry with (left) Professor Stefan Wolter, Professor of Economics at the University of Berne and Lutz-Peter Berg, Swiss Science and Technology Attache for the UK.

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here is more to Switzerland than the Alps, posh chocolate and fancy watches.

The country consistently scores well in world education rankings and has one of the most successful apprenticeship systems in the world.

The secret of its success lies, at least in part, with the country’s long legacy of vocational education. Around two thirds of 15 to 19 year olds do apprenticeships in Switzerland, compared with just 6 per cent of 16 to 18 year olds in England.

While there is work to do on changing perceptions of vocational qualifications in the UK, and in Northern Ireland in particular, in Switzerland, the apprenticeship route is a genuinely respected and valued alternative to university.

No surprise therefore that a highly respected Swiss academic, whose field of expertise is in apprenticeships, visited Northern Ireland last month to talk about how investing in apprenticeships can make a real difference to the bottom line and productivity of local businesses.

Professor Stefan Wolter, a global expert in training and apprenticeships, addressed delegates attending an employer breakfast seminar at Riddel Hall in Belfast.

In his address entitled ‘Employing Apprentices - Return on Investment’, Professor Wolter shared his research on how apprenticeships can make real business sense, boosting profits and productivity. He also outlined his experience of the Swiss model for vocational education coupled with the Swiss low youth unemployment rates, an approach envied all over the world.

The renowned academic is Professor of

Economics at the University of Berne and Chairman of the OECD’s Group of National Experts on Vocational Education and Training.

Speaking to Ambition Professor Wolter said: “I think the resilience of the Swiss apprenticeship training system has been due to the fact that it is spread out across all sectors.

An apprenticeship is a model of learning and that can be applied to every job.

“Employers that engage in apprenticeship training can make it profitable. They can run programmes without requiring subsidies.

“However, when I talk to employers there is often a bias in their perception. They are inclined to over-estimate the cost side and underestimate the benefit side of taking on apprentices.

“The fact is that our research has shown clearly that a well-functioning apprenticeship system creates a win-win-win situation for learners, employers and the society as a whole.

The advantages of the dual apprenticeship model from a Swiss perspective are the delivery of a qualified skilled workforce which meets the needs of the economy.”

During his two day visit, Professor Wolter also visited Bombardier Aerospace in Belfast which operates an apprenticeship scheme and met key stakeholders involved in shaping the Northern Ireland skills agenda.

Also addressing the seminar, Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry, who hosted Professor Wolter’s visit said apprenticeships could transform the Northern Ireland economy.

“Apprenticeships are associated in Northern Ireland with a narrow range of occupations and Northern Ireland’s industrial past. However,

we want to expand the model into a whole range of new areas and move it up the skills ladder.

“In June, my Department published ‘Securing our Success, the Northern Ireland Strategy on Apprenticeships’, which recognises the clear business benefits of apprenticeships. They provide an excellent means by which employers can obtain the technical and employability skills they require, as well as being assured that there is a strong skills base across the economy.

“The new model puts employers in the driving seat by better matching supply with demand and providing opportunities in a much wider range of occupations.

“While carrying out research for the strategy, my Department looked at international best practice in professional and technical education and training systems, including the Swiss apprenticeship model which, through Professor Wolter’s research, demonstrates that the financial and non-financial return from apprenticeships against the employer’s investment is substantial.

“At the moment around 4,000-5,000 apprenticeship places are available in Northern

“The advantages of the dual apprenticeship model from a Swiss perspective are the delivery of a qualified skilled workforce which meets the needs of the economy.”

Ireland. This level is very low by European standards so there is a clear opportunity for a major leap forward both in terms of the number of young people engaging in them and also the number of companies.”

Dr Farry pointed to the fact that European countries such as Germany, Switzerland and Austria see the value of apprenticeships in creating a skilled workforce and boosting economic success.

“Apprenticeships and vocational training are regarded just as highly as academic study.

“We want to see a situation where a young person will have a choice of pathways into sustainable employment.

“We are trying to radically change the skills landscape so we need to ensure we are incentivising employers.”

NI Chamber 57

[NEWS]

Time to tweet Businesses are gaining followers by the hour thanks to a new online initiative developed by Edwards & Co Solicitors whose senior Partner Dorcas Crawford tells Adrienne McGill why it has become so popular.

NI Chamber Communications Manager Chris Morrow with Edwards and Co Senior Partner Dorcas Crawford and Finance Manager Sean Kelly.

A

firm of lawyers has recently been trending on twitter after launching an innovative online initiative for businesses.

Belfast-based Edwards & Co has created Belfast Hour (#Belfasthour) to develop links and communication amongst entrepreneurs and small businesses in in the city.

With over 350 businesses taking part every week, Belfast Hour is a Twitter-based forum, on which businesses and individuals are free to discuss whatever they want every Thursday between 9-10pm. This could be anything from pitching for business or sharing good news stories, to promoting other businesses or general networking. The project, which has been welcomed by NI Chamber, is increasing rapidly in terms of popularity with more than 2,000 followers and is causing a stir among SMEs in the city.

Senior Partner with Edwards & Co, Dorcas Crawford, says the initiative has seen phenomenal growth since it began during the summer.

“Over the last year we have focused on our social media policy through our website and Twitter as a marketing tool.

“Simultaneously, we also had been providing our SME clients with extra services such as

58 NI Chamber

providing an audit for new businesses on employment policies and their social media policy.

“It had come to our attention that there was no forum for entrepreneurs or businesses to connect online in the main Belfast area. Being a small business owner can be an isolating place and it is essential to have support of like-minded people in your network. We therefore decided to set up Belfast Hour so that SMEs can promote each other, retweet each other’s companies, and get followers to follow each other. It enables small business owners to direct people to their website and engage in business.

“Business is definitely being conducted – you can see people referring customers to each other.

Belfast Hour has grown in popularity very quickly with more than 2,000 followers and continues to increase.

“It’s the perfect way for Belfast SMEs to practise their social media skills and encourage online networking and connecting.

“People do not expect a firm of lawyers to be involved in an initiative like Belfast Hour – but we believe it’s important to be different.”

Chris Morrow, Communications Manager at NI Chamber says the initiative has many benefits.

“Belfast Hour has quickly become a key

platform for local businesses to network and enhance their profile via social media. Used effectively, it can bring you closer to your customers, generate traffic to your website, support customer service, extend your marketing efforts, and boost brand awareness.

“NI Chamber is delighted to see so many of our members participating in the initiative and we hope that #belfasthour becomes an important part of a company’s marketing and social media strategy as the initiative continues to grow.”

To view any activity that is occurring on the forum, the user simply uses the hashtag ‘#Belfasthour’, which will lead them to discussions between people involved. Once the user then posts a message and uses the hashtag, all other interested parties can view that message.

Over four and a half million timelines have been hit to date, which is the potential number of times somebody could have seen the hashtag #Belfasthour. *Any interested company or individual can find out more by following Belfast hour at @ BelfastHourNI on Twitter, or use the hashtag #Belfasthour to get involved every Thursday evening at 9pm.

[NEWS]

Conference Challenges Ageing Population Myths

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major conference, headlined ‘At the Crossroads: Preparing for an Ageing Population’, organised recently by Age NI in partnership with the ARK Ageing

Programme, brought experts from academia, public policy and public services to Riddell Hall, Belfast to challenge commonly held myths and assumptions about the role of older people, and

Linda Robinson, Age NI Chief Executive (left) pictured with Junior Minister Jonathan Bell and Dr Paula Devine, Coordinator of the ARK Ageing Programme at the conference.

the impact of demographic ageing on society.

The experts presented their analyses and recommendations on key issues including dementia, housing, employment, building an age-friendly Northern Ireland, effective consultation processes and engaging with ‘hard to reach’ groups.

Over 160 attendees heard that an ageing society should be seen as a positive, dynamic opportunity for Northern Ireland society.

Linda Robinson, Age NI Chief Executive said: “The concept of being ‘at a crossroads’ indicates that we are faced with significant choices that will affect Northern Ireland society for generations to come. Our conference gave us the opportunity to have an open and honest discussion about the challenges and opportunities of ageing, and how Northern Ireland can best prepare for demographic change.”

Junior Minister Jonathan Bell also attended the conference. You can hear his comments about the challenges and opportunities of our ageing society by visiting Age NI’s youtube video channel www.youtube.com/user/agenitv *Visit www.ageni.org/policy to find out more about Age NI’s work to create a world where everyone can love later life.

MAKING CONNECTIONS WILL HELP EXPORT DRIVE

By Ellvena Graham, Head of Ulster Bank Northern Ireland and Managing Director SME Banking.

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s we return to global economic growth, a focus on exports is even more important to help Northern Ireland firms expand. What has been pleasing to see in recent years is active government support in this area, with a series of significant initiatives making it easier for smaller companies to take those important first steps into the export market. In this context, we at Ulster Bank are proud to partner with the NI Chamber Connections programme which is designed to foster an international approach to business and further support Northern Irish businesses that are exporting or have the potential or appetite to trade globally.

The programme provides access to 400,000 chamber business contacts across the world, as well as offering businesses the prospect to meet and learn from other

Northern Ireland companies who are already exporting and who have become experts in their field.

Since we opened our doors 178 years ago, Ulster Bank has been financing ambitious local companies. This outwardlooking approach is in our DNA – after all, we were founded by business people from Northern Ireland who wanted to connect local enterprise to national and international opportunities. The distances and the names of the export markets may have changed but an ethos of innovation still remains at the heart of what we do.

One thing that we’ve seen from the recent One City conference in Belfast is that there is genuine and lasting benefit to Northern Ireland businesses that engage with our vast diaspora network. They are potentially one of our greatest – but most

underused – natural resources. Building on their natural affinity for the people and place, we can highlight to them the significant opportunities for development in the creative industries, food and drink and service sectors to the mutual benefit of investors and local communities. Game of Thrones doesn’t grow on trees – we must continue to knock on the door and enlist people as global advocates for Northern Ireland’s business community.

With a dedicated £1bn available for business lending this year across Ireland, we’re confident that we can match demands for scale to in-depth local knowledge. A lot has changed since our foundation, but some things remain fundamental – good personal service and the right products to support our customers, helping them realise and reach their potential.

NI Chamber 59

[Columnist] Ian Rainey, Former International Banker

TRAGEDY HAS PUT SOUTH AFRICA ON TRIAL THE PISTORIUS CASE BROUGHT INTO SHARP RELIEF SOUTH AFRICA’S STAGGERING LEVEL OF VIOLENCE BUT ALSO JUST HOW MUCH THE FORMER LAND OF APARTHEID HAS CHANGED. IAN RAINEY REFLECTS ON THE ISSUES RAISED.

South African athlete Oscar Pistorius in his former days of glory.

Picture by: Andy Hooper/REX

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have had the chance to talk to many people about the Oscar Pistorius trial because many of my friends know I lived in South Africa for 9 years during the apartheid era and practised law for three of those years. I have also been lucky enough to be able to visit the country frequently since and while some of the nuances were easy for me to understand, there were major differences in what made the trial so fascinating for me.

While the details of the case quickly drew rapt international attention, they also put renewed focus on South Africa’s longstanding reputation as a hub of violent crime. Nearly two decades after the country’s transition from an authoritarian white rule to full democracy, South Africa still retains rates of murder, rape and aggravated burglary that are among the highest

60 NI Chamber

in the world. South Africa experiences on average 47 murders every day plus a further 47 attempted murders per day. The Institute for Security Studies and Africa Check – a non profit organisation based in Johannesburg – also report that 502 serious assaults and 327 aggravated robberies take place per day.

It is against this background of statistics that one has to see the perspective of the Pistorius case. As of 2011, there were more than 400,000 private security guards

“For me it was easy to understand Pistorius’ reaction when he was awakened by noises coming from the bathroom, which he believed to be an intruder.” (protecting private homes) and a further 1,000 new security firms were registered in 2012 alone. South Africa ranks 17th in a world of gun ownership and a Victims of Crime report last year found that 6 out of 10 South Africans feared burglary more than any other crime. A few years back when I stayed with friends in Durban, I was shocked to find that when we climbed the stairs to go to our bedrooms, the owner of the house pulled two metal gates together at the top of the stairs and locked them by key to prevent any of the servants (or anyone else) from being able to get at us during the night.

For me it was easy to understand Pistorius’ reaction when he was awakened by noises coming from the bathroom, which he believed to be an intruder. Not wearing his blades and feeling very insecure he pumped four bullets into the bathroom door. I don’t believe for one moment the athlete thought he was shooting Reeva Steenkamp – if he had really wanted to do that he could have shot her at point blank in the bedroom as she lay asleep.

I feel that was exactly the context in which the Judge Thokozile Masipa was able to find Pistorius guilty of culpable homicide and not guilty of murder.

That she was one of only two black judges at the High Court Bench surprises me some 20 years after Nelson Mandela walked free. Her background is equally fascinating and at times so was the juxtaposition of the infamous blade runner from a rich, white Afrikaner background living in the upmarket suburb of Waterkloof in Pretoria, being subservient to ‘My Lady’, the judge, who was born into abject poverty as the eldest of 10 children, five of whom died in childhood in Orlando East, a suburb of the black township Soweto.

In 1974 she got a BA Degree in Social Work from the University of Natal and then became a junior crime reporter for The World newspaper, which was banned in 1977 before joining another paper, The Post, where she was involved in covering numerous infamous cases in the days of the Black Struggle, particularly the assassination of Stephen Biko.

At the age of 43 she graduated in Law (1990) at a time when the pugnacious white State Prosecutor Gerrie Nel, had already been at the Bar for seven years. In 1998 Thokozile Masipa became only the second black woman judge appointed to the High Court.

The way she handled the trial and the respect she commanded from every participant for me was testimony to the fact that the judiciary and the court system has made a very credible move away from the days of apartheid when she would have been lucky to be entertained in that courtroom as a crime reporter. However, the saddest part of this tragic court case for me was that the beautiful and vivacious Reeva Steenkamp was given such a small part in such an engrossing piece of theatre.

Driving Leadership in Enterprise

By Maria McAllister, Senior Business Manager at Bank of Ireland UK.

B

ank of Ireland UK partnered with BDO Northern Ireland to host a series of interactive seminars which resulted in the recently launched “Driving Leadership in Enterprise” report.

The aim of the seminars and the report was to identify and share the trends, challenges and insights that leaders in enterprise face in Northern Ireland.

More than 70 senior female business leaders holding positions of influence shared their vast wealth of insight and accumulated experience, and networked to build new connections and complete some new business too.

The group discussions focussed on delivering insights of value to the business leader community. The debate teased out consensus and recommendations all focusing on the aim of achieving the support required for the continued evolution of Northern Ireland as a modern, open and progressive economy.

Across each of the sessions four common areas emerged as a requirement for focus in driving leadership in enterprise in Northern Ireland. These were Strategy & Planning, Customers, Innovation and Confidence, Confidence, Confidence.

STRATEGY & PLANNING •Importance of companies and leaders dedicating adequate time and resources to develop and implement a strategy, the foundation of any business.

•A robust, flexible and adaptable strategy will enable you to manage and embrace change as opposed to letting change manage you.

•Building a strong team that you trust to implement the strategy and clearly communicating the strategy to the business helps businesses achieve success.

•When building and implementing the strategy it’s important to regularly monitor your performance and the market.

CUSTOMERS •Know your customer and understand their needs, this is key to a company’s success.

•Companies need to differentiate themselves from their competition by listening to customers and identifying new opportunities based on this.

•Awareness and understanding of your customer base will help identify over dependency on a specific customer or geography, which is imperative in managing the risk of loss of vital orders or a missed opportunity to identify alternative customers and markets.

INNOVATION •Innovation needs to form part of the business culture and should be driven by the leadership team.

•Embracing innovation not only helps manage change but can identify new markets, products, income streams and opportunities for growth. It is important to

commit the right resources and time to innovation.

•Knowing your competitor but not obsessing over what they do will enable you and your business to be more innovative.

CONFIDENCE, CONFIDENCE, CONFIDENCE •Confidence builds determination which helps motivate and inspire us all.

•To overcome a lack of confidence there must be better appreciation of our achievements.

•Look at other successful businesses and leaders across Northern Ireland and appreciate, learn from and build on them.

•Networking and self-promotion are two important factors in achieving better confidence.

There is a need for better networking and training among business leaders.

It was really encouraging that each and every session was a forum for open and frank discussion. The report has captured something to appeal to any business and includes calls for action that can be implemented by individual business and at a macro strategic level.

The clear message from participants was tremendously positive believing there are real opportunities to implement practical actions to Drive Leadership in Enterprise in Northern Ireland.

Our hope is that the collective contribution captured in this document will, in turn, inform future conversations, individuals, businesses, industry and policy leaders who all have a role to play in the development of the Northern Ireland economy.

The full report is available for download from http://boini.bankofireland.com/business/

[feature]

Location, location, location Plotting business data to a map can give a company a broad view of a problem by putting it in geographical context. Adrienne McGill hears about the sophisticated software used to do this from Paul Synnott of Esri Ireland, the local representative of Esri, a global leader in the field of Geographic Information Systems tools.

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rom its name, you’d be forgiven for thinking Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) is an academic body – but it’s not.

The privately owned global organisation is an international supplier of Geographic Information System (GIS) software, web GIS and geodatabase management applications.

Its customers are spread across a range of sectors including utilities, transportation, retail, banking, insurance, central and local government and construction, all of whom leverage geography and place within their data to help them make better decisions.

The $1.5bn company is headquartered in Redlands, California with offices all over the world including Ireland which oversees a division based in Northern Ireland in Holywood, Co Down.

GIS software allows companies to use mapping and geography to visualise, question, analyse, and interpret data to understand relationships, patterns, and trends relevant to their business. There is a growing interest in and awareness of the economic and strategic value of GIS to businesses of all sizes and in almost every industry.

They are recognising that location is increasingly important in the provision of value for their customers.

Speaking earlier this year at an event at Esri’s headquarters, the company’s founder and President Jack Dangermond noted that GIS is growing faster than it ever has. One reason for this continued growth, he said, is the human affinity for maps. Maps engender civic engagement. People use them to tell stories about disasters, history, where money is spent, and how climate is changing.

Spatial analytics, as part of the burgeoning field of business intelligence, is taking off. “The ability to analyse one relative to another is very powerful, and people want that,” he said.

Fields as diverse as electric utilities and insurers can use GIS to make sure they’re using resources efficiently and making sound business decisions. Plotting location data to a map can allow businesses to test variables and model potential outcomes until they’ve arrived at the optimum decision.

Esri Ireland, Country Manager, Paul Synnott says the concept of “geography as a

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platform” maybe new to the business world but evidence suggests that there is no better way to make sense of complex business problems than by harnessing the power of place.

“We help public sector organisations and private sector companies make better decisions through the effective use and application of location. What we do is to focus on where things are happening for our clients.

“By in-depth mapping we can find out – where are the customers? Where are the assets of a company? Where are the services they need to provide? It is all to do with place and location and building these into a business in terms of workflows and processes.

“Ultimately we are a software company.

We design and develop software products and tools around the efficient and effective application of geography.

“All companies have a rich source of data but many don’t know how to use it – the value is in their own information. Every business has something to sell – they know who they are trying to sell to – but do they know where those people are?

“Geo-marketing through GIS helps companies reach their audience by understanding where they are located. This enables them to deliver a marketing message that is localised to where the target user is located.

“By knowing where the customers are – and where they are not – businesses can build up a geographic view of their markets and their future potential.

“Geo-marketing allows marketers to bring together disparate location based information that, when visualised on a map, will help increase efficiencies in managing marketing operations.

“We can map tweets and gauge sentiment about an issue through what is said on social media – this is very important for marketing companies. There is a whole raft of information there.”

In Northern Ireland Esri’s clients include the Rivers Agency for flood mapping; Land and Property Services for property location associated with rates and valuation; Phoenix Natural Gas for gas distribution; The NI Housing Executive in the management

of housing stock; The Department of Environment for planning and natural heritage conservation; The PSNI for crime analyses and incident mapping; The Forestry Service to assess “All companies have a forest coverage; and the NI Statistics rich source of data but Research Agency many don’t know how in the compilation to use it – the value is in of central statistics and demographics. their own information.”

The company also works with Airtricity and Mainstream Renewable Power in relation to the siting of wind farms.

Earlier this year, Spatial NI was launched

by Finance and Personnel Minister Simon Hamilton as the government portal providing online access to location data for Northern Ireland. This clearly demonstrates the importance and value that the Northern Ireland Assembly places on geographic information. Through this new and innovative web GIS portal, people can now freely view online detailed mapping and aerial imagery of Northern Ireland so they can tap into geographic information across the Province.

Paul says focusing on geography and location can help businesses make better decisions. GIS will help them become more competitive and reduce their costs.

GIS is also widely used by companies to optimise maintenance schedules and daily fleet movements. Typical implementations can result in savings of 10 to 30 per cent in operational expenses through reduction in fuel use and staff time, improved customer service, and more efficient scheduling.

Starbucks is just one of the global companies which uses Esri’s GIS technology when it comes to deciding on store locations.

“They do this by targeting the right demographic and the right customer” says Paul.

“We will apply the criteria that they are looking for and overlay that on a map – it might not just be the demographic – they Paul Synnott says by will need storage space, transportation and knowing where their infrastructure. There are a whole series of customers are located, business decisions that they have to make. businesses can build up We are able to analyse all of that information a geographic view of and match the criteria with suitable locations, their markets. not only the one they are looking at, but other locations as well. There is nothing that can’t be mapped involving every business decision that is made – there is a locational aspect to that decision somewhere.

“Our experience in all the work we have done in a lot of different industries would lead us to believe that if companies are not exploring mapping they are potentially missing out on a lot of information that is already contained in their data that would help them do things differently and better and improve the bottom line – it is about efficiencies, effectiveness, cost reduction and increasing sales.”

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[feature]

The local economy is improving but challenges remain The economy is showing signs of stability but lacks growth, according to the latest survey by NI Chamber and BDO.

pic to show a mixed picture on the economic front.

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orthern Ireland’s economic recovery still has some way to go with a number of sectors experiencing mixed fortunes.

The latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) by NI Chamber in partnership with business advisers BDO reveals some signs of stabilisation for the local economy but no consistent pattern of growth.

The Quarter 3 survey for 2014, made up of responses from 350 local businesses, revealed that while there have been positives in the manufacturing sector, the services industry has shown signs of slowing up.

Overall more firms are reporting increased sales, exports and employment than those businesses reporting a fall in these key economic indicators. This would suggest some growth in the local economy although that growth seems to have largely slowed this quarter. This is also the case across the wider UK economy.

Specific findings relating to Quarter 3 of 2014 include:

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Manufacturing Northern Ireland has been ‘holding its own’ in terms of its manufacturing export performance although the evidence would suggest that much of that is driven by a small number of large firms. Export growth among the smaller businesses appears much more uneven and this is evidenced by the findings from the QES. More manufacturers are taking on staff and creating jobs that are full-time and permanent, a trend that has persisted in the QES over the last year. Manufacturers cash flow position is also showing some signs of improvement. The share of manufacturers operating at full capacity has increased to 47 per cent this quarter, higher than the UK average (40%). Two years ago this figure was just 15 per cent.

But there are challenges for the sector: •Domestic sales and orders have weakened against what had been an improving position over the last year. This is also impacting on business confidence in

the sector with fewer businesses this quarter believing that their turnover position will improve over the next year (from +48% in Quarter 2 2014 to +38% in Quarter 3 2014).

•Around two-thirds of the sector are experiencing recruitment difficulties largely for professional and managerial occupations (47%) followed by skilled manual employees (24%).

Services Northern Ireland’s service sector performance is a particular cause for concern and has shown consistent signs of slowing up since Quarter 4 2013. The service sector here currently ranks in the bottom two worst performing UK regions across all QES key economic indicators.

All service sector key balances have fallen in Quarter 3 2014 meaning that the gap between those reporting an increase in sales, turnover, employment and those reporting a decrease has narrowed.

•Fewer businesses have increased their workforce over the last 3 months (from +18% to +11%).

•A large fall in the balance of those service sector businesses expecting to expand their workforce over the next 3 months (the balance has fallen from +26% in Quarter 2 2014 to +4% in Quarter 3 2014).

•The service sector’s cash flow position is deteriorating and is now weakest of the UK regions (+1% NI vs. +22% for the UK).

•Fewer Northern Ireland service sector businesses believe their turnover position will improve over the next year although this is the strongest balance across the service sector economic indicators (+43%).

This is a very different position to the findings from the UK QES where it is the manufacturing sector’s performance which is a greater cause for concern.

Wider Business Concerns Competition remains the key concern for Northern Ireland’s businesses and with each quarter the competitive environment appears to get more and more challenging.

Exchange rates are another growing concern with the strength of sterling still eroding any competitive advantage.

Around 3 in 4 businesses in Northern

[feature] Ireland are concerned about the impact on their business of any potential interest rate hike and for around 20 per cent of businesses this represents a very serious concern. Those sectors expressing the greatest concern are construction and retail/ wholesale.

Around half of businesses believe that Northern Ireland households are more indebted than the rest of the UK and 40 per cent believe businesses here are more indebted. This affirms the contention that any interest rate hike could more negatively impact on the Northern Ireland economy.

Wage Growth Real wages have been eroded significantly during this recession and this has been a drag on recovery. To get some sense of when real wages might recover in Northern Ireland, businesses were asked whether/ if they had raised wages above inflation last year/this year. Just over one third of businesses gave above inflation (1.6%) pay rises in 2013/14 falling to just under one quarter of businesses which expect to do so

in 2014/15.

Wage growth was strongest in manufacturing followed by professional services and lowest in construction.

However, around 40 per cent of businesses are finding that they have to offer higher salary packages to attract new staff. This is highest in the manufacturing, professional services and construction sectors and lowest in retail/wholesale.

Diversity Half of businesses state that their long-term business strategy highlights the value of diversity in their management team. However, there is no strong sense of commitment to this. Again, this is less important to smaller businesses. There are no significant differences at a sectoral level although the commitment is slightly stronger in retail perhaps reflective of the fact that women make up half of the workforce in this sector. There are also more women employed in professional services in Northern Ireland than men.

Commenting on the survey findings, NI

Chamber Chief Executive Ann McGregor said: “Economic indicators for Northern Ireland continue to be positive in this quarter’s QES. The economy is showing signs of stabilisation but as yet there are no consistent signs of growth. In fact, many of the indicators have fallen since the last survey and indicate that the pace of growth has slowed. The recovery here still has some way to go.

“The most concerning results this quarter are for the services sector and the survey suggests that its performance has been weakening over the last year. There have been some positives around the manufacturing sector particularly in terms of taking on people and it is encouraging that export sales and orders have improved slightly. But the sector still faces challenges. Overall the results show that the environment is still challenging for Northern Ireland businesses and the emphasis needs to be on helping business here stabilise and grow.”

ANALYSIS LAURA JACKSON, PARTNER WITH BUSINESS ADVISERS BDO, EXAMINES THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY.

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he latest NI Chamber/BDO Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) throws up a mixed outcome. While there continues to be growth overall in the Northern Ireland economy, we are still a long way short of a full blown recovery.

These findings will come as little surprise to those dealing with challenges of Northern Ireland business day in, day out. In our client work here at BDO, every day we see the challenges they face in driving their businesses forward.

The survey points to the manufacturing sector which continues to make steady, but in truth, slow progress. There is some comfort in the number of businesses operating at full capacity, at 47 per cent, being higher than the UK average of 40 per cent. The survey also shows that domestic sales have weakened when compared to quarter two and there is an overall drop in business confidence. There is also a lot of uncertainty in the service sector which sits in the bottom two worst performing

regions in the UK across all key economic indicators.

Businesses responding to the survey are by-and-large hesitant about making future investment plans. They are wary of the potential impact of a possible increased cost of doing business in Northern Ireland; whether that emanates from interest rates, energy or salary levels. Speaking from the experience of advising my own clients, anything that can be done to alleviate the fear that gathers around potential increasing costs will be a real benefit.

Northern Ireland’s businesses already carry the burden of the second highest energy costs in Europe. Further fear of increased costs will act as a real barrier to growth. It inhibits market expansion and export plans, it inhibits increased employment and it stagnates the potential of some of our great business. The more that can be done to reduce this fear the better.

We also need to do more to make our business as efficient as possible. The survey points to a lack of best practice when it comes to some of the business tools that are proven to drive results. Only one third of our businesses use mentoring to guide their existing employees. There is also a disappointing level of focus on diversity balance within the boardroom, with over 3 in 4 respondents saying it played little or no

part in their strategy.

These subjects are currently a real hot topic within business. BDO Northern Ireland recently co-hosted (with Bank of Ireland UK) a series of focus groups with 70 successful business leaders. We discussed strategies for expansion and growth, people management, financing and funding issues and business and client development strategies (among many other things). The kind of things you would expect. What was apparent, and perhaps unexpected, was that there were some significant barriers to success for these business people because they were female. The businesses that realised this and tackled these barriers got the best out of their management teams.

They didn’t do this for altruistic reasons.

They did it because good practice like a focus on mentoring and diversity, increases performance, staff retention, staff morale and in the end makes business sense.

So how do we get better results next time? All stakeholders must play their part in reducing cost pressures on our businesses and encourage them to follow best practice in management. Then we will see real sustained growth in our province.

The full Driving Leadership in Enterprise in Northern Ireland report can be found here: www.bdoni.co.uk

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[news]

business bites from brussels IN THE LATEST BULLETIN FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, MEASURES UNDER CONSIDERATION WILL HAVE REPERCUSSIONS FOR BUSINESSES, CONSUMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN NORTHERN IRELAND. HERE WE DETAIL WHAT’S UNDER PROPOSAL IN BRUSSELS.

Forming the new European Commission

Speeding ahead with transport connections

President-elect of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, recently unveiled his team and the new shape of the next European Commission. The new Commission will be streamlined to focus on tackling the big political challenges that Europe is facing: getting people back to work in decent jobs, triggering more investment, making sure banks lend to the real economy again, creating a connected digital market, a credible foreign policy and ensuring Europe stands on its own feet when it comes to energy security. President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker said: “After years of economic hardship and often painful reforms, Europeans expect a performing economy, sustainable jobs, more social protection, safer borders, energy security and digital opportunities. Today I am presenting the team that will put Europe back on the path to jobs and growth.” Before the European Council can formally appoint the new European Commission, the European Parliament will have to give its consent to the entire College of Commissioners.

EU Member States have until 26 February 2015 to propose projects to take advantage of the a11.9bn of EU funding which is being made available to improve transport connections across Europe.

The funding is earmarked for projects concentrated along nine major transport corridors – including the North Sea-Mediterranean corridor – which together will form a new core transport network and act as the economic lifeblood of the Single Market. The funding will remove bottlenecks, revolutionise East West connections and streamline cross-border transport operations for businesses and citizens throughout the EU. Taken as a whole, the new transport network will help deliver safer and less congested travel, smoother and quicker journeys, as well as impact less on the climate. The North Sea-Mediterranean Corridor stretches from Belfast and the ports of Cork and Dublin, as well as the ports of Glasgow and Edinburgh through the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg to the Mediterranean Sea in the south of France.

Making the EU a Top marks for better place for SMEs EU student The European Commission exchange scheme has launched a consultation to help upgrade the EU’s Small Business Act (SBA) and to find out what small and medium-sized enterprises in Europe need from future EU policy.

Interested parties, including entrepreneurs and business organisations, are invited to respond to help the European Commission ensure that the Single Business Act is fit to meet future challenges. The SBA is a wide-ranging set of measures designed to make life easier for small companies and has already proved to be a good basis for SME policy. As it is built upon the exchange of best practices, support for internationalisation and entrepreneurship as well as access to finance, it encourages EU countries to take up effective solutions that have worked elsewhere and to come up with equally good ideas themselves. The public consultation runs until 15 December 2014 and can be found at www.ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/.

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Young people who study or train abroad not only gain knowledge in specific disciplines, but also strengthen key transversal skills which are highly valued by employers. A new study on the impact of the European Union’s Erasmus student exchange programme shows that graduates with international experience fare much better on the job market. They are half as likely to experience long-term unemployment compared with those who have not studied or trained abroad and, five years after graduation, their unemployment rate is 23 per cent lower. The study, compiled by independent experts, is the largest of its kind and received feedback from nearly 80,000 respondents including students and businesses.

The new Erasmus+ programme will provide opportunities to go abroad for 4 million people, including 2 million higher education students and 300,000 higher education staff in the next seven years (2014-2020). In addition, the programme will fund 135,000 student and staff exchanges involving non-European partner countries.

[feature]

mums with power Sarah Bondi is the Human Resources (HR) Superintendent in Nacco Materials Handling Limited in Craigavon. She has two children – Eva Maria (7) and Vinnie (5).

Describe your job I work in a very busy area of the company.

We have approximately 600 employees at the Craigavon site providing the strategic leadership and global support behind Hyster and Yale lift trucks, two of the most successful lift truck brands in the industry. Nacco Materials Handling Group currently has 19 facilities around the world.

What is your favourite part of the day?

The end of the day, especially when I have had a productive day. One good day inspires me to want to achieve even more the next day. If the day hasn’t gone to plan, I feel like the next day is a new opportunity so I like to plan it out.

What do you do to ensure a work/life balance?

I give each of my kids one night a week where they get to stay up individually for an extra hour with me, so that could be wrestling with my 5-year-old-son one night and doing hairstyles with my 7-year-old-daughter the next. I have also introduced ‘movie night’ on a Sunday evening allowing me to combine relaxation time with spending time with the kids. With work and home commitments, I can’t make it to the gym as much as I would like so I have set days when I work out to ensure that I don’t overwhelm myself and as it is realistic, I stick to the routine. I realised some time ago that I don’t have to do absolutely everything myself and on the advice of a good friend who is also a working mother, I gave in and got a cleaner.

I use that time more wisely now with the kids and work. I do not underestimate how lucky I am having such an understanding manager and working for a family friendly company like Nacco Materials Handling Ltd. There are always going to be work events that you cannot miss and in expecting flexibility, you have to give some back.

How has having children impacted your working and personal life?

I can honestly say that I have very little downtime now. Every minute has a purpose.

There is no doubt that having a child has an impact on a mother’s working life. At the end of the working day, I don’t have the luxury of hanging around the office for an extra hour as I am literally into my car and racing down the road to pick up kids from after school clubs, organising dinner, setting out uniforms, doing homeworks etc. Even when there are others to help out, it is usually the working mother project managing in the background. As a result, mothers are often slower to work their way up the ladder because of these competing demands. Having children has also widened my perspective on outside demands that others

are contending with, be it elderly parents or children of their own, and has helped me tap into my softer side which is very important in a HR role.

Are working mums in greater need of state support than stay at home mums?

It is a financial challenge at times being a working mother particularly when children are young.

Typically the kids are young around the same time that the mother’s career truly starts and they are finally starting to make some decent money but nursery fees are extortionate and working mothers often spend chunks of their lives working for a couple of pounds an hour once this is factored in. A previous manager

once explained those years as ‘holding onto her career’ because mothers who take career breaks often have to return at a much lower level as they are no longer up to speed with industry and they have to build this up again.

In my experience, working parents were often last on priority lists for pre-school places etc and school meetings are usually set at times that conflict with the hours of a typical working parent so it’s a constant juggling match.

Do you think you will always remain in employment?

I enjoy lots of variety in life and for me, employment provides me with that as I am continually learning on the job, learning about myself and meeting new people.

NI Chamber 67

[columnist] JEANETTE DONOHUE, HEAD OF INSOLVENCY AND BUSINESS RESTRUCTURING, CLEAVER FULTON RANKIN

A changing landscape There has been a decline in the number of business failures in Northern Ireland – but for how long? Jeanette Donohue gives an insight into the current level of insolvencies.

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he Insolvency Service’s latest figures as at the second quarter of 2014 reveal that overall UK company liquidations fell nearly 7 per cent in the second quarter of 2014, compared to quarter one, and a 15 per cent fall compared to the second quarter of 2013. The most recent figures for Northern Ireland show a fall of 28.6 per cent in company liquidations in the second quarter of 2014, when compared to the second quarter of 2013, and stable with the first quarter of 2014.

Everyone is well aware of the pressures on businesses since 2008 to continue operating, and regrettably, we have seen several local companies enter insolvency procedures with terminal outcomes as a result of cash flow problems. These problems largely emanated from attempting to continue to finance investment in property which fell outside the core business of what otherwise would be a successful profit-making enterprise. In such instances, we have advised these businesses to liaise with their lenders to restructure, to secure the profit making core business and permit it to continue to trade and prosper, while the negative equity property assets are placed into a different vehicle. This, however, requires support and buy-in from lenders which isn’t always available, as they too are facing significant shortfalls on recovery of loans in the first instance.

The decline in the number of company liquidations in Northern Ireland is due to the worst affected struggling businesses falling into some form of insolvency procedure during the course of 2008 to 2013 as a result of creditor pressures. Some struggling businesses are still just about able to manage their finances and continue trading, commonly with cash injections from stakeholders to tide the company over in difficult times. This in some part is due to unprecedented low interest rates. These ‘zombie companies’ are operating under such tight financial constraints that even a slight increase in interest rates, by one or even half a percent, could be sufficient to render a business incapable of servicing debts as they fall due and they may have to cease trading as a result. With the inevitable expected rise in interest rates within the next number of months, we therefore expect that further businesses will suffer.

In situations where a bank is already in significant negative equity, we are

68 NI Chamber

experiencing a move away from immediate placement of the company into an insolvency procedure, with a focus rather on seeking the assistance of the business owners to realise the value of the assets, thus maximising the return for the bank. This of course requires cooperation of business owners which is not always forthcoming.

An insolvency procedure is more likely to be avoided if the business owners come forward with full disclosure of all financial information, historic transactions and a willingness to cooperate to maximise the value of assets for the bank.

This year, we have noticed that that banks are taking a slightly different approach, focusing less on timely enforcement of security on an asset by asset basis, and instead realising their loan portfolios by way

of portfolio sales, where effectively the bank sells its debtor book to another party. We have been involved in a number of such loan sales on behalf of buyers and sellers in recent months. Therefore in some circumstances, the processing of individual debtors by lenders is being put on hold, and thus is affecting the corporate insolvency statistics. However, once the buyers of these loan portfolios start to enforce security, and try to recoup the debt, we anticipate this factor may also result in a rise in corporate insolvencies.

There is no doubt about signs of recovery in the Northern Ireland economy.

However, the current low interest rates and the different timescales now involved in realising debt, may mean another rise in the corporate insolvency statistics before we finally come out of the woods.

[SPONSORED FEATURE] some key changes to these basic rights, which all traders, regardless of size, need to be aware of.

Key changes: • The cancellation period (often known as the “cooling off” period as it enables consumers to change their minds without reason) has been extended from 7 to 14 days. Traders must provide a model cancellation form for this purpose and the refund must cover the total price, including the outbound delivery charge.

• Goods must be returned within 14 days of cancellation, and no refund has to be given until this happens. Unless the trader has offered to pay, the trader must make clear in advance that the consumer must pay the cost of return.

• Cancellation rights are extended to cover digital content/ downloads, but only if the consumer has not started the download (or expressly waived the right to cancel).

• Traders must provide added information in advance, including additional contract information and confirm if the right to cancel is excluded. Whilst the right to cancel is wide ranging, it does not extend to all online sales. The exceptions have now been extended to include e.g.: contracts under £42, supply of alcohol, sale of sealed goods where return is not suitable due to health or hygiene reasons, supply of accommodation, catering and certain leisure activities.

ONLINE TRADING WHAT’S NEW? Selling online is hardly a new phenomenon.

What has taken a number of businesses by surprise however is the sharp level of its growth in recent years.

Ofcom has recently stated that UK adults now spend more time using technology devices than they do sleeping. In 2008, 53% of adults bought online, today some 74%. The Centre for Retail Research’s finding is that e-commerce is the fastest growing retail market in Europe, with sales in the UK, Germany, France, Sweden, The Netherlands, Italy, Poland and Spain expected to reach a combined total of £111.2bn in 2014, and online sales in the U.S. to reach $306bn.

It is hardly surprising then, with more customers than ever, and more affluent consumers shopping online, that regulators are increasingly focused on the need to ensure consumer laws keep pace with this trend, maintaining consumer confidence and efficient markets.

As a result of such increased focus then, one key change in recent months has been the introduction of the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, which have replaced the Distance Selling Regulations.

For some time now, traders have been used to the cancellation rights afforded to consumers under “distance selling contracts.” The new Regulations however have introduced

If this information is not supplied, or not supplied in the manner required, cancellation rights can be extended by up to one year.

•Traders cannot charge for items pre-selected as part of the purchase process, rather than the customer actively adding it to their basket (e.g. such as an extended warranty).

• Goods must be delivered within an agreed timeframe (at the latest, within 30 days).

• The consumer cannot be required to use a premium rate telephone line for post-sales enquiries.

• Traders must make it clear when payment is triggered (e.g. by using a button that indicates “pay now”).

Next Steps: The Regulations introduce important changes for online traders. To avoid contract claims, complaints, regulatory investigations and potential negative publicity, website terms should be reviewed for compliance.

T: 02890 55 33 00 Tughans Solicitors, Marlborough House, 30 Victoria Street, Belfast BT1 3GG www.tughans.com

[feature]

bright young business brains New graduates appointed include Alan Carson, Paula Dunlop, Natalie Carr, Lynsey Boyce, Mark McAllister, Rebecca Dalzell and Sean Donnelly with Colm O’Neill, Chief Executive, BT Ireland (centre).

TELECOMS GIANT ENGAGES NEW EMPLOYEES

BT CREATES NEW GRADUATE AND APPRENTICE JOBS IN NORTHERN IRELAND

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T has created twenty new graduate jobs in Northern Ireland as part of a major nationwide recruitment drive announced earlier this year.

The latest intake of graduates, who begin their careers with BT, will be working in roles right across Northern Ireland in the areas of IT, finance, technology, research and engineering.

A number of the new entrants will be based in BT Technology, Service & Operations at the Belfast Global Development centre, working on a wide variety of cutting edge projects, including the future of broadcasting and wireless technology, coding, billing applications, security projects, and helping pioneer new developments in high speed fibre communication networks.

Over 260 graduates will be joining BT Group this year, one of the highest annual recruitment entry levels to date.

Colm O’Neill, Chief Executive, BT

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Ireland said: “This latest recruitment is great news for Northern Ireland, and is another example of BT’s commitment as one of the region’s largest private sector employers and investors. BT continues to work closely with the local universities in the promotion and development of key skills relevant to jobs in the technology space and as a direct result 86 per cent of our latest graduate intake has come directly from Queen’s University and the University of Ulster.

“I’m delighted that the majority of these new recruits will work in the fields of engineering and technology research, and that BT can continue to play a positive role by taking on new talent and advancing their skills through mentoring and training.”

In addition to the latest intake of graduates, 13 apprentices will also be starting their careers with BT in Northern Ireland early in the coming year. The new apprentices

will train as multi-skilled customer service engineers with the installation and maintenance of next generation super-fast fibre broadband top of their training schedule.

In addition to BT’s direct investment, BT has jointly invested with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in the deployment of Next Generation Broadband services. As a result of these investments over 90 per cent of all premises in Northern Ireland are now connected to a fibre-enabled street cabinet, putting the province ahead of the majority of European countries. The current deployment of the Northern Ireland Broadband Improvement Project will result in the delivery of improved broadband services for 45,000 premises. This £24.5 million investment supported by BT will deliver broadband technologies and infrastructure in some of Northern Ireland’s most remote locations.

“I’m delighted that the majority of these new recruits will work in the fields of engineering and technology research...”

Montgomery engineers keep their cool at SERC

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ith increasing emphasis on reducing carbon emissions, SMEs can benefit from specialist air-conditioning and refrigeration training at South Eastern Regional College (SERC) thanks to funding from the Department for Employment and Learning’s Skills Solution Customised Training programme.

One local company who have already benefited from the training is Belfast-based Montgomery Refrigeration Ltd. The well-known company have up-skilled over twenty Refrigeration Engineers in specialist hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerant to ensure they have the expert skills and know-how to safely operate and service modern day refrigeration equipment which it said is set to help them save money and increase their competitive advantage.

Montgomery Refrigeration Service Manager, Calvin Irvine said: “We have reaped enormous benefits through our twenty-year partnership with SERC. The engineers are now fully equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge and legislative qualifications to carry out their job. We are confident the course will have a direct impact on the productivity and competitiveness of the company in the marketplace.”

Montgomery Refrigeration Service Manager Calvin Irvine with SERC Director of Corporate and Economic Development Thompson Keating and Montgomery Refrigeration Service Engineer Garreth Pondyke.

Thompson Keating, SERC Director of Economic and Corporate Development said the college believed that skills development is a central part of the business strategy of any company to ensure it remains competitive in the marketplace.

“Companies like Montgomery Refrigeration demand specialist training programmes to meet their specific needs and we have the expertise and flexibility to deliver this,” he added.

The nationally recognised Hydrocarbon Refrigerant qualification, delivered by SERC experts, uses state-of-the-art equipment and focuses on how to safely handle hydrocarbon refrigerant during installation, service, maintenance and disposal.

BDO Mentoring Future Business Leaders Laura Jackson, BDO Partner; David Jennings, Apprentice; Nigel Harra, BDO Senior Partner; and Catherine Devine, Apprentice.

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usiness Advisory Firm BDO is working in partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College in a mentoring programme which will help produce the business leaders of tomorrow.

Students Catherine Devine and David Jennings, have begun their induction with

BDO and for the next year will spend 4 days a week in the Belfast offices of the firm as part of the Higher Apprenticeship Programme, delivered in partnership with the Department of Employment and Learning and the Belfast Metropolitan College (BMC).

Two senior managers in the Audit department of BDO, Catherine Mullan and Caoimhe Donaghy, will mentor the students.

BDO Partner Laura Jackson said: “We place a strong emphasis on mentoring within BDO and many senior staff have been on both sides of the mentoring relationship. I very much value the mentoring I received as a graduate coming into the firm which played a significant part in putting me on a long-term career path within BDO. “Catherine and David will gain a valuable insight into the world of audit and business advisory services and we are pleased to undertake the higher apprenticeship scheme with the BMC and the Department of Employment and Learning. This mix of on the job training and off site study will help those taking part in the apprenticeship scheme to progress onto full-time careers.”

Leonie Power, ATI Course Manager at Belfast Metropolitan College, said the apprenticeship programme would provide a new entrance route into the accountancy and finance profession.

“The team in Business Management and Finance are looking forward to working with all of the new apprentices and our business partners in this pilot year,” she added.

NI Chamber 71

[feature]

Young STEM Entrepreneurs Gear up for Success Cookstown High School pupils Daniel Weir (l) and Joel Cuddy (r) with Sharon Polson, Invest NI.

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team of Sentinus Young Innovators have used their science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) initiative to tap into the local sports and tourism markets. The school children from Cookstown High School recently won the Invest Northern Ireland Commercial Potential award at the Sentinus Young Innovators competition held in Belfast and have since 72 NI Chamber

pitched it to Invest NI’s technical team.

School boys Joel Cuddy, Daniel Weir and Vincent Wong have used their interest and knowledge of the local area to develop an innovative mobile software application ‘Davaghnav’ to direct mountain bike cyclists around the Davagh forest trails. Since the initial concept the boys have been reeling in support from key stakeholders in the area and

are exploring the potential for similar visitor tourist trails elsewhere.

The students’ successful marketing and development of the app sparked the interest of Invest NI who recently invited Sentinus and the team to present the business to them.

The Dragon’s Den style meeting gave the pupils an opportunity to present their sales pitch and learn how Invest NI can help them move forward in developing their innovative school project into a successful business venture – G Tracks.

Sentinus is a not for profit educational charity which works with schools and colleges throughout Northern Ireland to deliver programmes which promote engagement in STEM subjects. The organisation provides a wide range of programmes for young people of all ages to give them exciting and rewarding experiences in the STEM subjects and inspire them to consider careers in these areas.

Ten winners of the Sentinus Young Innovators competition in Northern Ireland automatically progress to the UK finals of the National Science and Engineering Competition, ‘The Big Bang’, which will be held in March 2015 in London.

Bill Connor, Chief Executive, Sentinus said: “Sentinus Young Innovators, which incorporates the Big Bang Northern Ireland, gives Northern Ireland school children an opportunity to showcase their creativity and innovation in STEM subjects. It is crucial that we acknowledge and reward STEM talent at this stage. It is through this encouragement that school children will be inspired to achieve further success, producing home-grown talent for Northern Ireland’s future knowledge economy.

“The experience of presenting to a panel of Invest NI staff will instil confidence in the school pupils and generate new ideas on how they can progress their project and begin a career in STEM. I have no doubt the guidance and support provided by Invest NI will help Joel, Daniel and Vincent transition their STEM project into a successful business venture.”

Sharon Polson, Manager, Enterprise and Employment Team, Invest NI said: “This is the second year Invest NI has been involved with Sentinus Young Innovators and we are very impressed by the enthusiasm and creativity of the young people. Entrepreneurship and innovation are vital to the future of our economy so it is important that we inspire our young people and provide them with the knowledge and confidence they need to pursue their ambition.”

PR BODY APPOINTS STUDENT AMBASSADOR

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he Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) in Northern Ireland has appointed University of Ulster communications student Aine McElhinney from Rostrevor as its new Student Ambassador, an initiative to support the development of Northern Ireland’s young communicators.

The role aims to support the development of future PR practitioners by providing a unique insight into Northern Ireland’s public relations sector including hands-on work experience within CIPR Northern Ireland committee member organisations.

Aine will represent the University of Ulster School of Communication student sector on the CIPR Northern Ireland committee and raise the profile of matters facing young communicators.

Welcoming Aine into her new role, Chris Love, CIPR Northern Ireland Chair and Managing Director of Love PR, said: “We are pleased to work in partnership with the University of Ulster to deliver our Student Ambassador Initiative and nurture upcoming talent within the industry. It is important we engage directly with students and respond effectively to their needs and the needs of industry in order to secure a bright future for the PR industry in Northern Ireland.

“This role will give Aine a valuable insight into PR in practice, enabling her to develop her skills and work closely with senior PR professionals.”

Aine said she was delighted to undertake the role of Student Ambassador and represent the student sector.

“This position will strengthen links between the University of Ulster and CIPR, providing a ‘voice’ for future communicators hoping to establish themselves in this competitive field,” she added.

Welcoming Aine into her new role is Chris Love, CIPR Northern Ireland Chair.

Teens go digital with new programme

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oung people in the south east region of Northern Ireland will be joining the digital revolution through the SEED Digital Development Programme’s innovative new Digital Teen initiative.

The project is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland and the seven councils of the South East Economic Development (SEED) initiative.

The Digital Teen Programme will be delivered by local charity Young Enterprise Northern Ireland and aims to encourage and develop a ‘digital enterprise culture’ in the south east region by upskilling young people for the digital industry and helping them discover the digital industry as an attractive career path or road to entrepreneurship.

The programme will work with at least 2,000 14-18-year-old students, in schools across the SEED council areas of Ards, Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon, Down, Newry & Mourne and North Down.

Young people will have the opportunity to get face-to-face with digital industry experts and hands-on with the latest tech in an immersive digital experience.

Mark Bleakney, Invest NI’s Southern Regional Manager, said: “The digital industry is recognised as a key sector in driving economic growth. The Digital Teen programme is designed to give young people in the SEED council area, who are interested in pursuing a career within this industry, access to knowledge and expert support.”

Opening the launch, Chairman of Banbridge District Council, Marie Hamilton said: “As more and more businesses and organisations are using digital technology to operate, it is vital we nurture our young people by developing their understanding, knowledge and skills for digital sector opportunities.”

The programme was also welcomed by Rob McConnell, Chairman of digital industry representative body Momentum.

Eva Keenan, Digital Programme Coordinator (Banbridge District Council); Carol Fitzsimons, Chief Executive, (Young Enterprise NI); Daryl Conway, Digital Champion, (SEED Digital); Marie Hamilton, Chairman, (Banbridge District Council); Mary Young, Client Executive, (Southern Regional Office, Invest NI); and Elaine McAlinden, Economic Development Officer, (Banbridge District Council).

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[Feature]

my ambition is to...

Kate Oakes, Asda NI – General Store Manager, Asda Downpatrick.

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he best advice I have ever been given is ‘surround yourself with excellent people’ and it’s an epithet which I have lived by during my career. I am passionate about people and the power of mentorship.

Being from Downpatrick and running the store here means I’m surrounded by people who have known me since I first started working here during my A-Level studies! It’s important to me to recognise and reward the people around me and the most satisfying thing about my job is seeing colleagues I have worked with for so long move forward in the company.

I have progressed quickly within the company and spotted the chance to develop my people skills by working in the HR

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department of the store which was then a Wellworth’s outlet. I then became a HR manager for the store before the Wellworth’s chain was taken over by Safeway and eventually Morrison’s.

In 2005 when Asda took over the Downpatrick store, I grabbed hold of newly presented opportunities, transferring away from my home store to Dundonald – then the location of Asda’s regional training and development centre known as “The Store of Learning”. I was involved in training store managers for Asda as well as being heavily involved in recruitment drives for new stores such as Portadown in 2012.

In 2012 I moved from HR to retail

management in Dundonald and soon after became Deputy Manager of the company’s flagship store and the regional centre of excellence in Antrim.

When the opportunity to run the Downpatrick store emerged (the very store I started working in as an eager A-level student!), I moved back there.

I take pride in everything I do and I hope my own career trajectory encourages my colleagues and especially young female colleagues to consider the fantastic opportunities that exist in retail.

As a manager with a background in people management, I have always been interested in personal development. So when Asda announced their Women in Leadership programme, I was first in line to champion the initiative.

Women in Leadership is a training, development and mentoring programme which aims to equip and empower female colleagues to become the next generation of leaders. I’ve been part of the programme since it launched last year and it’s really exciting to see the evolution of the programme as our year one intake start to ‘pay it forward’ by becoming mentors to the new Women in Leadership cohort.

The Downpatrick store is currently undergoing significant redevelopment work which has caused some disruption to customers and to business but ‘rolling with the punches’ and maintaining positivity is something I do naturally.

While we’ll be operating as normally as possible, the redevelopment work won’t be complete until January so everyone is working extra hard to minimise the impact on our customers.

Asda’s same standards on hygiene and customer satisfaction still apply regardless of any work taking place on site but I’m glad to see our loyal customers taking up new offerings like Click and Collect or making use of our in-store “go-getters” to help them find products which might have moved during the work.

I love working in a store I’m so familiar with and there is such a fantastic community feel to our store! But being part of the Women in Leadership programme has given me the confidence to see that I’m capable of taking on more senior level roles, perhaps even a Senior Director level role and it’s certainly in my plans to progress to this level in the near future.

Apart from the professional goals, I suppose my ambition would be for every woman working in my sector to have the same opportunities I have had and I hope to be part of making that a reality!

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A REASON TO SMILE!

David and Brenda Nelson from Cranmore Excellence In Dentistry, presenting cheques at the Quality for All annual charity event recently held at Ten Square. The beneficiaries were local charities, the Christopher McCollum Fund and Helping Hands. Quality for All, a charitable trust formed in 2010

by Gary and Catherine Nelson, consists of a group of local dental practices, with the aim of raising awareness and much needed financial support for local charities.

Please visit www.cranmoredental.com to find out more information.

Operating as a salary sacrifice scheme, parents can swap part of their salary to contribute towards their childcare costs.

Each parent can save up to £933 per year in tax and National Insurance contributions. The employer also saves because the amount each parent swaps is exempt from employers’ NICs. However, time is running out because from Autumn 2015 this scheme will be closed to new entrants, so it is now more important than ever that you introduce this valuable form of support for working parents within your workplace.

AIRPORT RECIEVES CHARITY ACCOLADE Belfast International Airport has won a charity accolade for the customer service provided to passengers with a learning disability. It’s the recipient of the Welcome Award, presented by Positive Futures, to companies and organisations nominated by the people it supports.

Susan Armstrong, who is supported by Positive Futures’ Cookstown Supported Living Service, travelled to Edinburgh recently with a staff member from the charity to celebrate her birthday. The trip was a huge success – not least because she was made to feel so welcome at the airport and on the flight.“I was treated like royalty,” she says, which is why she decided to nominate the airport for the award.

account of her welcome at the airport convinced us that it would be a worthy recipient of the award. It’s encouraging to see that people with a learning or physical disability are made to feel equal to every other traveller”.

Rod Haskins, Belfast International Airport Operations Manager said, “with over four million passengers passing through our doors every year it is imperative that travelling through the airport is a seamless experience accessible to everyone. We are grateful to Susan for nominating us for this special award as it underlines our commitment to providing a positive airport experience for all”.

Visit : www.belfastairport.com for more information.

Agnes Lunny, Chief Executive of Positive Futures, said, ”hearing Susan’s

Susan is pictured presenting the Welcome Award to Belfast International Airport.

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[feature]

Learning how to do business US style Study USA is an innovative programme which is proving to be the business for Northern Ireland students as Adrienne McGill finds out.

Karen McCormack, British Council, Northern Ireland.

Karen McCormack from the British Council Northern Ireland, who took part in the programme, says its boosts the employability skills of participants.

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programme that offers students from Northern Ireland scholarships to spend a year studying business and experience university life in the United States is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Study USA, formerly known as the Business Education Initiative, is a scheme managed by British Council Northern Ireland on behalf of the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL).

Since its formation in 1994, the initiative has sent nearly 2000 students from Northern Ireland to areas across United States where they have successfully completed a year studying business at one of 140 educational institutions. A total of 72 students are taking part this year.

During the year they gain valuable international experience and business knowledge, helping to develop their career prospects when they return to Northern Ireland.

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The aim of the highly successful and innovative programme for undergraduate students is to develop the academic and applied skills of ambitious and talented students in business-orientated subjects. It runs over one academic year at church affiliated universities and colleges in the USA. With their new-found business skills, these alumni now work for a diverse range of leading firms in Northern Ireland including

Citi, KPMG, First Derivatives, Almac and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

Celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of the programme took place at a gala event last month at Titanic Belfast which brought together both the alumni and their employers.

The night, sponsored by Citi, Friarylaw, Tughans and KPMG, featured a graduation ceremony for the programme’s latest cohort and a speech by guest speaker, Elizabeth Dibble, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in London.

Karen McCormack from the British Council Northern Ireland, who took part in the programme in 1997-1998 and was based at Kendall College in Chicago, says by studying business in a US context, participants boost their core employability skills and gain invaluable experience working in an international setting.

“At present Northern Ireland’s economy is highly dependent upon the public sector and there is an expressed need for the economy to encourage business start-ups, business development and expansion, making better use of graduate talent. Students who take part in the programme are well placed to help drive businesses in Northern Ireland forward.

“Study USA allows the students to develop an entrepreneurial approach to business life which they bring back to Northern Ireland and it helps them encourage businesses to be more competitive in a global market.

“This enhanced global awareness is vitally important in developing Northern Ireland’s export driven economy.

“Study USA allows the students to develop an entrepreneurial approach to business life which they bring back to Northern Ireland…”

“When in America, the students have to deliver 5 Ambassadorial presentations to their college peers and local business groups in order to raise the economic, political and cultural awareness of Northern Ireland in the US community. They therefore help dispel any negative stereotypical images that Americans might have and try to change perceptions of Northern Ireland.

“They are also well placed to drive Northern Ireland forward because their experience in the US gives them a broader outlook.”

The US colleges taking part in the programme are affiliated to three different church denominations – Catholics, Presbyterians and Methodists.

“Students research the colleges and give us a preferred choice,” explains Karen.

“Their match is also based on their academic disciplines, interests and achievements in a wide range of areas including sport, music, art, drama.”

The programme has recently been extended to include an internship whereby students from Northern Ireland spend a month with a US business gaining practical work experience.

“This way students are gaining theory and practice,” says Karen.

The White House provided their own endorsement for the programme in March 1995 in a letter written by President Bill Clinton to Reverend Henry Postel, Chair of the Northern Ireland Working Group in the Presbyterian Church USA, and member of the Inter Church Committee in Northern Ireland.

On his most recent visit to Northern Ireland President Clinton met with Study USA alumni and the Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry whose department provides funding for the programme.

Speaking about the initiative Dr Farry said: “I wish to thank the British Council and our partner institutions here and in the USA

for their on-going work on this important programme. The Study USA programme gives higher education students from Northern Ireland the opportunity to broaden their academic learning, facilitating personal development and equipping them with the skills necessary to contribute to our future success at international level.

“Northern Ireland requires a highly skilled workforce to grow our local economy and to meet the growing competition from other countries. It is for this reason my Department has provided funding to the Study USA programme over the past 20 years.” * For more information on Study USA visit http://nireland.britishcouncil.org or for further details on other international opportunities through British Council Northern Ireland visit http://www. britishcouncil.org/study-work-create or email opportunity@britishcouncil.org.

Michael enjoying the sights of New York before he began his course in Evansville in 2001.

Using the business skills he learnt in the US has helped Michael in his career.

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ichael Morrow, took a year out while studying Management at Queen’s University and participated in the programme 2001-2002 during which he attended a college in Evansville, Indiana.

He is now a Manager in his family firm, PRM Group, based in Lisburn, which is involved in food distribution, sales, marketing, transport, and logistics. Michael is also Chair of the Study USA Alumni Association which was formed this year by the British Council.

Speaking about the benefits of the programme, Michael says: “It was a wonderful year. It was enriching in terms of seeing new places, meeting new people and being properly independent.

“I made life long friends out of it. I threw myself into everything I could possibly do. I bought a car when I was there and travelled

20,000 miles all over the country.

“Quite a lot of people I met have come to Northern Ireland to visit me and I also fly to the US to see them.

“During the year, I took courses in marketing, accounting, finance, IT and also public speaking which has been extremely useful.

“I also gained an internship with a company which I fitted in around my studies. This gave me the opportunity to meet a huge range of business people and learn about their companies and what drives them.

“There are very few programmes available which will give you a more or less all expenses paid year to study at a US college.

“It was the best year of my life – it gave me a different outlook, it taught me how to

manage my time better, it honed my work ethic and organisational skills.

“Through my studies, volunteering and getting involved in clubs, societies and sports on campus, I was able to develop my interpersonal skills and abilities. These are important because potential employers expect you to possess them.

“The participating US colleges also gain because they aim to have international students on campus. They feel that these students bring a different perspective to class discussions and to campus life in general. The US colleges are delighted as the Northern Ireland students get involved on campus and ‘add value’ to the learning experience for US students.”

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[appointments] Colliers International has announced the promotion of four of their staff and a new appointment.

Christopher Henry has been appointed as a Graduate Building Surveyor within the Building Consultancy Department; Emma MacSweeney MRICS has been appointed as Associate Director within the Investment Property Management Department; Peter Bryans MRICS has been promoted to Senior Surveyor within the Valuation Department Management Department; Lindsay Pigott MRICS has become Senior Surveyor within the Investment Property Management Department; and Carolyn Avery has been promoted to Associate Director within the Commercial Lease Consultancy/Rating Department.

new appointments

Jonathan McKinlay has been promoted to the role of Director of the Cleaning and Support Services Division by The Mount Charles Group.

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Fiona Boyle has been appointed

by Ofcom to Ofcom’s Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland.

Paul Wilson has been appointed

by Ofcom to Ofcom’s Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland.

Sharon O’Connor has been appointed by Ofcom to Ofcom’s Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland.

Talent is not enough Selecting the right people for roles in a company is vital to its success as Sinead Wallace, Grafton Commercial Director for Ireland, explains.

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here is an excellent book called ‘Bounce, The Myth of Talent and the Power of Practice’ written by Matthew Syed, who was European Table Tennis Champion.

The premise is that people become champions, or excellent at what they do as a result of long hours of practice and training. He realised that having an empty garage was a big element of his success, as his parents bought a table tennis table, followed by the existence of an older brother – to play against. Matthew was able to rack up his 10,000 hours of practice that took him to the top of the ladder.

Getting the people that will make a difference to your business can be difficult, but having help from people that have a lot of

Darren Oldroyd has been appointed Membership Executive with Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

experience in recruiting makes a difference.

One of the driving factors of success is the quality of the people that you employ.

When we use the word ‘employ’, our minds jump directly to having someone in the company, but that is not always the case. You can employ a firm of accountants, or lawyers, or an advertising agency, or HR support, just as quickly as you employ a person to come and work on your premises.

Our choices are determined by preconceived conventions. There are roles that are internal and those that are external, and often the driving force is the level of expertise, and how long you will need to employ that skill. The size of the company and the level of remuneration are also important.

Justin Friend has been appointed as Senior Consultant – Permanent Accountancy with Grafton Recruitment.

In recruitment there is a growing level of knowledge and structure in selecting the right people for the roles in your business.

But what we find is that our skills are undervalued, and old fashioned selection criteria, such as the ‘cut of his jib’, can be more important to some companies. If this is your approach, you can end up with a role filled by a very likeable person that makes no difference to your business performance.

By investing in training, Grafton Recruitment is investing in the long term future of our company, but also yours.

By selecting the right people, you can be more sure than ever that your business is going to be able to develop successfully.

And by investing in the right people we are all pushing our economy in the right direction in a more competitive world.

Michelle Kearns has been appointed as Head of Permanent Recruitment NI with Grafton Recruitment.

Paul Kenna has been appointed as Business Manager – Banking & Finance with Grafton Recruitment.

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[feature]

The rebirth of a classic

Northern Ireland’s most historic cinema is set to star in a new role. Directing the transformation of The Strand is Mimi Turtle who tells Adrienne McGill what is cast ahead.

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alking into the Strand cinema in Belfast, with its mesmerizingly bright carpet featuring Charlie Chaplin and other stars of the big screen in a past age, is like stepping back into a bygone era of classic films, flickering projectors and a golden age of the stars of Hollywood – all enveloped by spectacular surroundings.

This architectural treasure is undoubtedly the grandest of Northern Ireland’s cinemas – an Art Deco palace which opened its doors in 1935 when it was operated by the English Union Cinemas Group. To this day, its eyecatching features remain which merge Art Deco design with shipyard influences from the nearby Harland and Wolff such as curved walls and porthole floors and lighting which reflect a social commentary on its location.

The building itself is slightly shaped like a ship – and when you look at the front corner, it reminds you of a vessel cutting its way through the water.

Inside, there are the original ticket machines and the huge 35mm projectors which date back to the 1950s. They now stand still but serve as a reminder of the cinema’s past mighty prowess.

Its impressive and distinctive features dazzlingly advertise its prominent location on a corner site on the Holywood Road.

Designed by John McBride Neill, who also designed the Curzon (Ormeau Road), the Majestic (South Belfast) and the Tonic (Bangor), the Strand is a landmark in East Belfast. Ownership transferred to Associated

The Strand in 1959.

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The Strand’s Chief Executive Mimi Turtle says the transformation of the cinema aims to make sure everyone feels part of it.

British Cinemas (ABC) in 1937 who operated it until 1983, after which it was acquired by Northern Ireland businessman Ronnie Rutherford. The Strand was converted into Northern Ireland’s first 4-screen cinema in 1988.

With seating for 250 in Screen 1; 180 in Screen 2; 70 in Screen 3 and 90 in Screen 4, over the years it has taken on many guises to appeal to a changing audience – from cinema to vaudeville theatre and more recently as an arts centre.

Despite some quirky old fashionedness, the programming nowadays includes new releases, classic films, blockbusters and concerts.

The facility currently has 2 full-time employees, a part-time manager and 14 part-time members of staff.

However, the scene is being set for the Strand to take on its biggest role to date and undergo a renaissance in a £2m development which will see the venue transformed into a flagship centre for performing and visual artists with a diverse programme of activities.

The Strand’s Chief Executive Mimi Turtle, whose family owns the building, says the re-vamped cinema will be a kaleidoscopic centre of creative activity.

“The plans are quite high level. We intend to provide facilities that will meet the needs of a range of industries – including film, theatre, and music – and also the needs of patrons involving local residents, schools, groups and organisations. We want to make sure that everyone feels part of it.

“There is a recognised need within East Belfast for more arts and creative industries so there is definite potential to retain the building and make it of use to all of the community and bring it on with the times.

“This is so much more than a cinema

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– it is an arts centre but we intend to develop what’s on offer at the moment significantly.

“We are still using film as our main art form – we will have films throughout the week with regular showings but will be bringing in a lot of live events involving music, theatre and comedy. We will have space on the first floor over the foyer of about 1,500 sq ft where we can have workshops.

“This is quite important because it brings in the participation element of enjoying the arts and people can try out film-making courses, drama and dance classes.

“We hope to retain the old projectors and put them in a place where they are visible for all to see – perhaps beside our new digital projectors so people can get a glimpse of the before and after. We want to show people the basics of how old film used to work.”

The refurbishment of the building includes the transformation of the

currently dilapidated space on the first and second floor and increasing the efficiency of the areas which are already generating an income. To achieve what is planned, the Strand hopes to get funding from Belfast City Council and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure through the Arts Council.

Here’s what is planned: • Three cinema screens showing new release films as well as a programme of classic, cultural and educational films.

• An open-plan foyer with box office, confectionary sales, café and gallery.

• An extensive programme of drama, dance, performing arts and media courses.

• Two drama/dance studios and three smaller workshop rooms.

• Two theatres seating 180 and 250 – with a diverse programme of live performances including music, plays and comedy.

• A new restaurant and bar.

Mimi says all this can be achieved while still retaining the architectural integrity of the building.

“We see the heritage of the building as our biggest asset. We appreciate that there is huge value and interest in that. It will most certainly be retained. We will be speaking to a number of cinema historians and architects to ensure that what is done not only maintains but emphasises and celebrates the history and the heritage of the Art Deco features.”

Although a planning application has not been submitted yet, Mimi hopes that the development will start sometime over the next 2 years.

“We want to breathe new life back into the building and bring it into the 21st century.

“It is set to be a sparkling gem – it is somewhat lacking a shine at the moment but what is planned will dazzle all who use it.”

The Strand today.

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[NEWS]

BT appoints new Chief Information Officer

Paul Wright

BT has appointed Paul Wright to the new role of Chief Information Officer (CIO) for its all-island operation.

Paul, originally from Dublin, joins BT from NYSE Technologies where he was Global Head of Technology Engineering and site head for the NYSE Centre of Excellence in Northern Ireland.

Following the acquisition of the New York Stock Exchange by the InterContinental Exchange, Paul was a member of the executive leadership team that spearheaded the divestiture and separation of the NYSE Technologies portfolio.

Prior to joining NYSE Technologies, Paul held a number of senior business facing technology roles across Centres of Excellence with Citigroup, Prudential and Bear Stearns.

Paul, a senior technology leader with significant exposure in both managing and supporting technology in the Capital Markets industry, brings with him a wealth

of engagement in all phases of technology and solutions delivery, from business strategy through technical architecture, implementation and on-going support.

Paul has a proven track record in building and leading global technology programmes and re-engineering initiatives and projects to meet the changing needs of the business. He takes up his new role with BT, one of the world’s leading providers of communications and IT services on the island of Ireland, in November this year.

BT RETURNS TO CHARITY SHOPS CHALLENGE BT, Northern Ireland’s leading communications provider, has once again partnered with principle palliative care provider, Marie Curie, to create a second ‘Great BT Charity Shops Challenge’ which took place recently. Overall, the initiative raised more than £100,000.

Around 160 BT staff signed up for the challenge which saw them helping to run seven Marie Curie shops across Northern Ireland and ten Irish Cancer Society shops in the Republic of Ireland. The challenge pits staff teams against one another – each team works at a shop for a day and are tasked with providing and selling as much stock (clothes, household goods and all sorts of bric-a-brac) as possible.

The teams use their corporate skills to promote their shops, encourage shoppers to visit and ultimately raise as much money as possible for the charities. The teams are judged on how much they can increase overall sales in the shops and how much stock they gather.

This year’s challenge aimed specifically to attract families to the shops. It encouraged them to visit and explore the vast array of stock on display, from a perfect vintage party dress to home accessories

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to help finish off that new living room look.

Commenting on the challenge, Clayre Sloan, Area Manager, Marie Curie Shops NI said: “Marie Curie operates 18 shops throughout Northern Ireland, each carries a wide range of stock that is donated to us by our supporters – Aladdin’s cave looks ordinary by comparison. Indeed the shops play a vital role in helping Marie Curie to deliver its services.

“Last year our shops raised more than £360,000. This sum allowed Marie Curie to deliver 74 days of Hospice Care and more than 4,000 hours of nursing services. The Great BT Charity Shops Challenge does much in terms of helping us achieve this amount, and is a really fun way to attract shoppers of all kinds.

“Our shops can never have enough stock, so, if you have clothes that you no longer wear or have household goods that look a little out of place in your home then please box them up and drop them off at your nearest shop. You’ll get a warm welcome from our staff and will be helping us to deliver a much-needed service to those with a terminal illness, both in our Belfast

Marie Curie ‘tailor’ Luther McIlveen helps Madeline Haldane (8) pick the perfect party dress at this year’s BT Charity Shops Challenge.

Hospice and in the local community.”

Sinéad nic Oireachtaigh, Better Future programme manager for BT, said: “At BT we’re committed to using our skills and technology to support good causes. Last year alone BT volunteers, across the island of Ireland, spent 1,860 working days supporting local communities and charities.”

Getting paid wherever you trade Stuart Ramsden, Manager of Atradius, explains how trade credit insurance is working hard for Northern Ireland’s exporters.

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rade credit insurance really hit the headlines in the UK and Ireland back in 2011 when record pay-outs were made by leading insurer Atradius, as losses hit across all sectors and businesses such as Superquinn, HMV and DBC food services found themselves in difficulty, unable to pay suppliers. But trade credit insurance has a reach far further than our native shores. We’re a part of the world famed for our exports and as thousands of businesses seek to exploit the scope offered by new markets or product lines, they use trade credit insurance to enhance their trading potential in these new places.

A trade credit insurance policy is unlike any other. It moves with your business, reflecting your trading pattern. How? Well, each time your company decides to undertake a new

contract, providing goods and services to a new client, you work with us, your trade credit insurer.

This is where the key benefit of trade credit insurance kicks in. Your insurer becomes your eyes and ears. On your behalf, they will check your new client’s stability, creditworthiness and reputation. On the ground in 160 offices located in 50 countries around the world, Atradius underwriters have extensive knowledge, at their fingertips, on 100 million companies around the world – the chances are, your client is one of them.

Once you’re trading, if your client’s fortunes change, we’ll let you know. This means that you are kept aware, 24/7, of any negative developments that could compromise your company getting paid.

And if we fail to alert you to a payment risk that results in non-payment, then we pay you instead.

On a broader level, with developments on the world’s geo-political stage currently in a state of permanent flux, trade credit insurance can also help your export business through times of political risk. If a surprise military coup, for example, affects you getting paid, then we can help. Then there is pre credit risk. Perhaps you are manufacturing something bespoke for a client who is in some way impacted, leading to your work going to waste, unpaid? If you are trade credit insured, this need never happen.

In short, trade credit insurance is currently working hard for many businesses, day in day out, ensuring that their bottom line isn’t impacted by events beyond their control. Log onto www.atradius.co.uk to find out more.

sponsorship feature

DIRECT DELIVERY Agnew Corporate recently delivered a batch of vans to Atlas Fire & Security. Pictured are Colin Kirkpatrick (Agnew Corporate Sales Manager), Stephen McConnell (Atlas F&S Finance Director), Robert Creagmile (Atlas F&S Sales Director), Adam Patrick (Agnew Corporate Account Manager).

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NI Chamber 83

[feature]

The Hall of Learning The Linen Hall Library is world renowned for its unique collections chronicling the history and politics of Ireland. Adrienne McGill talks to its Director, Julie Andrews.

Linen Hall Library Director Julie Andrews.

“There is something for everyone – it is not just history and politics there is literature and theatre as well.”

E

rected at the Linen Hall Library in Belfast moving from the old White Linen Hall which was is an Ulster History Circle Blue Plaque demolished to make way for the current dedicated to United Irishman Thomas City Hall.

Russell 1767-1803. Russell was Librarian at the The Library also boasts the Northern Ireland historic institution from 1794-1796. By 1796 Theatre and Performing Arts Archive, a unique he was the commander of the United Irishmen collection reflecting the region’s rich cultural in County Down but was eventually arrested, heritage and offers a varied programme of brought to Downpatrick Gaol, tried for high events ranging from monthly exhibitions to treason and hanged. readings and lectures.

The story, capturing the intrigue and Julie Andrews was appointed as Director of tragedy of Irish history and politics at the time, the Linen Hall Library last year – the first female dramatically illustrates all that the Linen Hall ever to take the reins of the iconic institution.

Library is renowned for – an unparalleled Irish Prior to this, she was General Manager and Local Studies Collection, ranging from of the popular arts and culture venue comprehensive holdings of early Spectrum Centre, based in Belfast’s Belfast and Ulster printed books Shankill area. to the 250,000 items in the Graduating from Queen’s Northern Ireland Political University with a Law Collection, which is the Degree in 1993, Julie definitive archive of the has worked in a number Troubles. of industries including The Linen Hall Library property and mobile is a truly unique institution communications. which celebrated its 225th “The Linen Hall is really anniversary last year. an institution in Belfast,” Founded in 1788, it is the says Julie. oldest library in Belfast and the last “As you look around the library subscribing library in Ireland. you feel the history of Belfast and the The Library has been at its present location unique collections which are so important to The historic Linen Hall Library. on Donegall Square North since 1892 after Ireland. To have these is incredibly special.

84 NI Chamber

“We also have great links to Irish authors and playwrights with our digital theatre collection as well.

“There is something for everyone – it is not just history and politics, there is literature and theatre as well.”

The Linen Hall Library is also home to a unique collection of books by and about CS Lewis, donated by the CS Lewis Association of Ireland, and is a first for Northern Ireland.

While admission to the Library is free, donations from visitors are always needed as the Linen Hall is a charitable institution and receives limited funding.

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure provides discretionary funding while money is also raised by commercial rents of space on street level which are part of the building and through individual and corporate memberships.

“The Library is a charity so we have to look at ways of increasing our revenues,” says Julie.

“We raise money through our charity shop on Fountain Street where we sell surplus stock and donations of books and also through tourism – we have introduced tours of the Library so people can learn about our history, rare books and special collections.

“In addition to our specialist Irish language collection – we have the biggest Burns collection in the UK outside of Edinburgh and a lot of Scottish visitors come because of that. The political collection attracts people from all over the world but especially from America.

“We are also in demand as a venue for businesses functions. The Members Room is perfect for a drinks reception and the Governors Room lends itself to in-camera dinners and we can bring in outside catering for that.

“People like the idea that they are holding an event in a piece of Belfast heritage.

“We also have a café for visitors and our gift shop stocks an impressive range of books, prints and gifts, and every purchase benefits the Library.

“But we are trying to diversify what we do with our income as well.

“Recently we received a heritage lottery grant for the digitisation of a large part of the political collection.”

The Library has a total of 3,000 members and membership packages can be renewed annually while many people also buy a lifetime membership which is a popular gift.

There are also honorary members with three well-known names recently added to this esteemed group – the author Glen Patterson, Belfast’s first poet laureate and winner of the TS Eliot Prize Sinead Morrissey and local composer Neil Martin.

Julie says the priority is to keep the Library in a secure position for the next 225 years.

“The Library is steeped in history – its future must be preserved – the pages of history would not be the same without it.”

PAGE85_Layout 1 31/10/2014 12:51 Page 1

by James Stinson

Supported by

www.agnewcorporate.com

[LIFESTYLE] james stinson, business class motoring writer

GLAD TO DRIVE THE MERCEDES GLA Smaller than your average Mercedes but this GLA is no pushover, writes James Stinson.

A

friend used to say that he wouldn’t drive a Mercedes Benz until he was 40. And it was because up until recently, Mercs A) didn’t appeal to younger drivers and B) you had to have a fair old wedge to afford one.

The first isn’t true anymore with the Stuttgart manufacturer churning out more eye catching cars in recent years while the launch of smaller models has made them more affordable, at least in comparison to traditional mass market rivals. This new GLA is yet another small… ish Merc, which fits that bill.

The GLA is out to lure or keep buyers who are tempted by similarly sized SUVs from German rivals – Audi’s Q3 and BMW’s X1.

But first things first, this is not an SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) of the kind you’d have found a few years ago in the shape of big, roomy and purposeful looking 4X4s. The GLA is very much at the compact end of the SUV spectrum. Indeed, it’s based on the firm’s entry-level A-Class hatchback.

What you get with the GLA is a more purposeful looking car, featuring a taller ride height, high beltline, and flared wheel arches.

Most significantly and perhaps unexpectedly, compared to the A-Class, the GLA has a softer, easier ride.

The cabin has a similar look to the A-Class.

The fascia is dominated by the centrally mounted infotainment screen while the main

controls are all conveniently positioned, with Merc’s steering column-mounted gearshift for the automatic transmission freeing up a fair amount of front cabin space. It’s also good to see the back of Mercedes’ foot-operated handbrake.

There’s a lot going on in and around the steering wheel but it becomes fairly intuitive after a few days.

In the rear, there is space for two to travel in relative comfort while the boot, at 481 litres, is a fair size, rising to 1235 litres if you fold down the 60/40 split rear seats. That’s bigger than the Q3 though smaller overall, when the seats are folded.

The GLA is pitched above the A-Class, so that car’s more modest engines aren’t on offer here. Instead, the line-up starts with the 134bhp, front-wheel-drive GLA200 CDI, priced from £25,850.

The four-wheel-drive models are badged 4Matic, and they get more powerful engines: the 168bhp GLA220 CDI (from £30,030), and the £29,910 GLA250 turbocharged petrol, with 208bhp.

The diesels offer good “real world” fuel economy in the high forties while the petrols are also pleasantly frugal and noticeably more refined.

For true petrol heads, there’s an outlandish GLA45 AMG (from £44,595), which has a 355bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, dual-clutch gearbox and four-wheel drive.

The entry-level GLA200 CDI is probably the pick of the bunch. It’s fast enough, relatively refined and offers the best fuel economy and lowest emissions in the range.

Three trim levels are offered: SE AMG Line and Exclusive. Standard kit includes a reversing camera, rain-sensing wipers, a multi-function steering wheel, man-made ‘Artico’ leather trim, DAB radio and air-con.

The GLA doesn’t trump its rivals by any means but it’s relatively practical and very pretty. And it ticks the most important box of all… it’s a Mercedes.

Mercedes-Benz Northern Ireland www.mercedes-benznorthernireland.co.uk Mercedes-Benz of Belfast

Mercedes-Benz of Portadown

02890689000

02838337373

6 Boucher Crescent, Belfast BT12 6HU mercedes-benzofbelfast.co.uk

9 Carn Road, Portadown BT63 5YX mercedes-benzofportadown.co.uk

facebook.com/MercedesBenzBelfast

facebook.com/MercedesBenzofPortadown

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20/03/2014 13:19

86 NI Chamber

Path: Production:Clients:Mercedes Benz UK Retail - MBUK:652859:Artworks and Linked files:Studio:652859-1_MBUK_PeterFoley.indd Trim: 48x260mm

Date: DI:

20.03.14 Ana

PRE PRESS

1

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Mercedes-Benz C-class range from £329 + VAT per month • Was £359 +VAT per month • Based on Mercedes-Benz C220 BlueTec Sport 4dr Auto • CO2 from 110g/km • Other Models available – AMG Line • Fully Maintained Contracts also available

Volkswagen Transporter T28 SWB Panel Van from £229 + VAT per month • Was £279 +VAT per month • Based on VW Transporter T28 SWB 2.0TDI 102ps Startline Panel Van • Spec includes: Bluetooth, Cab Comfort Pack • Limited numbers so hurry!

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[SPONSORED FEATURE]

SHARPER LOOK Ambition reviews the Volvo R-Design.

There is no such thing as a standard car any more. We are in the age of bespoke motoring where we can tailor transport to our whims and preferences - and, of course, our pockets.

The Volvo V40 is, as they say in the trade, loaded. For a start, it is in R-Design trim, a package of dynamic enhancements to the inside and outside of the car to give it an even sharper look.

Then there is a superb eight-speed automatic gearbox that works almost seamlessly. Also for convenience, an Xenium pack includes power adjustments on the front seats, panoramic sun roof, park assist pilot and a rear view camera. Add the Lux Winter pack - and you get heated seats and a heated windscreen.

Being a Volvo, the V40 is already equipped with a lot of safety equipment including a world first - an air bag at the front to protect pedestrians. Then comes a driver support pack of high tech items like collision warning and full auto braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, line keeping aid, driver alert, blind spot warning and road sign display.

Other options on this particular car include keyless entry, gear shift paddles, an auto dimming rear view mirror, a temporary spare wheel and even a flexible load floor with a grocery bag holder. Oh, and you can also specify a sports suspension set up for even sharper handling.

The Drive-E is the first V40 to feature Volvo’s remarkable new D4 turbo diesel engine. This four-cylinder engine has a beefy 190bhp output and is good for 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds. Yet it is so efficient that it returns 74mpg combined and at 99g/km for carbon dioxide emissions!

The V40 D4 has driver aids which are very useful - a red warning shines on the windscreen if you get too close to the car in front and it is always good to be able to check the speed limit on the screen when you are on unfamiliar terrain.

While the diesel will be the choice of high mileage users, those

THE VOLVO V40 R-DESIGN. YOU DON’T HAVE TO SHOUT TO BE NOTICED.

“Being a Volvo, the V40 is already equipped with a lot of safety equipment including a world first - an air bag at the front to protect pedestrians.” who do not cover so many miles should consider the T2 petrol which has a more modest 120bhp and is rated at 53mpg combined with 124g/km of carbon dioxide. Acceleration to 62mph is achieved in a useful 9.4 seconds and the asking price is lower at £18,995 in ES trim.

The D4 R-Design V40 is priced from £28,220 in Lux Nav trim.

But with extras and all those clever options it totals up to £36,670. It offers plenty of individual options for the buyer who wants to really personalise their car.

Overall, the V40 R-Design is a very capable and rewarding car to drive as it combines sophisticated coupe looks with the practicality of a semi-estate hatchback.

FACT FILE

Volvo D4 R-Design Lux Nav ENGINE - 2.0 DriveE turbo diesel with 190bhp PERFORMANCE - 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds ECONOMY - 74mpg combined EMISSIONS - 99g/km carbon dioxide PRICE - from £28,220

Book a test drive at your local Volvo dealer today!

Greers of Antrim & Coleraine

Tel 028 9446 0066 • www.volvocarsantrim.co.uk

S M W Belfast Volvo Business Centre

Tel 028 9068 6000 • www.volvocarsbelfast.co.uk

NI Chamber 89

[LIFESTYLE] james stinson, business class motoring writer

Volvo reveals stunning new XC90 This new Volvo XC90 looks set to be one of the biggest cars of 2015.

The second generation of Volvo’s premium SUV goes on sale in the spring with a starting price of £45,785 for the D5 AWD Momentum model.

And it’s dripping with the Swedish manufacturer’s technological knowhow and will become of one the safest, most hi-tech and most economical SUVs on the market when first customer deliveries begin in April.

Volvo has also embarked on a new design direction with its flagship SUV. The prominent chrome trimmed grille is a first from Volvo and will become a trademark feature on future models, as too will the T-shaped LED daytime running lights. An elongated but chiseled bonnet cuts back into the car’s shoulder line, stretching all the way to the tapered rear lights, exaggerating the XC90’s broad stance.

The bold redesign extends to cabin, too. A new tablet-like touchscreen is the centerpiece, replacing a multitude of buttons and dials with a clean, clutter-free dash. Elsewhere, there are swathes of wood and leather throughout the cabin with handcrafted highlights such as the crystal-glass gear level and diamond cut designs for the starter button and volume controls.

The new Volvo XC90 will be the first all-new car to emerge under the brand’s current Chinese ownership and the omens are good. A special launch edition of around 2,000 cars that won’t be delivered until April sold out in less than 48 hours when they went on sale. Find out more at www.volvo.com.

Smallest Jaguar yet set to broaden big cat’s appeal

You don’t need to be minted to own a Jaguar. This new XE, starting from £26,995, is modestly described by Jaguar as the smallest, lightest and stiffest saloon it has ever produced, and the most aerodynamic model of any kind.

It’s being offered in five trim levels called SE, Prestige, Portfolio, R-Sport and S, the last of these being the sportiest rather than, according to other manufacturers’ naming systems, the most basic.

Most of the engines are of two litres, namely the 161bhp and 178bhp diesels from the new Ingenium family and 197bhp and 237bhp petrol

units. The exception is the 335bhp supercharged petrol three-litre fitted only to the S. The S is of course the quickest, with a 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds. For low running costs, you’ll want the 161bhp diesel, whose combined fuel economy is no less than 75mpg. Official CO2 emissions of 99g/km mean that your Vehicle Excise Duty payments will be zero.

This won’t be the cheapest XE to buy, though, because that’s the 197bhp petrol SE. The top car in the “normal” range is the £35,425 178bhp diesel Portfolio automatic, while the S costs £44,870.

VW’s Passat keeps on motoring…

Volkswagen is now taking orders for its all-new Passat. The eighth car to bear the name since 1973, the new Passat will be available in saloon and estate body styles (the latter adding £1530 to the price) and in five trim levels.

All of these, including the entry-level S, feature Post-Collision Braking, while the SE also has Front Assist, pre-crash preparation, adaptive cruise control, Driver Profile Selection, more comfortable seats and parking sensors at both ends. SE Business models differ from regular SEs in that they have satellite navigation as standard.

The GT comes with 18” wheels, heated alcantara front seats and three-zone climate control, while the top-of-the-range R Line has extra styling features.

All Passats will have diesel engines, initially ranging in power outputs from 118bhp to the 237bhp of the twin-turbo 2.0 BiTDi. None of these gives the Passat VED-beating CO2 emissions of under 100g/km (though several of them beat 110g/km) but the

1.6-litre BlueMotion due to be brought in next June will be rated at 95g/km. Other developments for 2015 include the introduction of a four-wheel drive Alltrack version in July, the launch of plug-in hybrid.

Among the models available from launch, pricing ranges from £22,215 for the 1.6 TDi S saloon manual to £37,035 for the 2.0 BiTDi R-Line estate with DSG semi-automatic transmission.

The complete fleet solution 18 Boucher Way, Belfast BT12 6RE 028 9038 6600 www.agnewcorporate.com 90 NI Chamber

Looks CEO. Performs ECO. The new Passat.

As advanced as you are.

The new Passat is now available to order. Fresh from the Paris Motor Show and trailing rare plaudits of 5-star ratings from both What Car & Auto Express. A car conceived and built to claim its place in the premium class. A more advanced, more fuel efficient, more refined, more dynamic, more comfortable, more safety conscious Passat than ever before.

Sporting a sportier look with a longer wheelbase, shorter body overhang and a 14mm lower profile. It’s a car packed full of technology that has up to 10% less CO2 per km than the previous manual models with up to 14% on DSG, translating to 17% benefit in kind for the manual and 19% for the DSG derivatives. Making it more desirable not only for those who drive the car but for those who drive the business too. New technologies include Active Info Display, the latest Modular Infotainment System along with the most advanced generation of Park Assist.

Passat GT 1.6 TDI from £291 a month.

Plus VAT and initial rental.

Contract Hire 3-year, 10,000 miles per annum example for New Passat GT 1.6 TDI with optional 19-inch ‘Verona’ alloy wheels and metallic paint.

35 monthly payments of (plus VAT)

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Isaac Agnew

Isaac Agnew

1 Boucher Road, Belfast.

Telephone: 028 9023 4477.

2 Mallusk Way, Newtownabbey.

Telephone: 028 9034 2111.

www.isaacagnew.volkswagen.co.uk

www.isaacagnew.volkswagen.co.uk

www.tjhamilton.volkswagen.co.uk

Donnelly

Donnelly

Phillips (Lisburn) Ltd

www.donnelly.volkswagen.co.uk

www.donnelly.volkswagen.co.uk

www.phillips.volkswagen.co.uk

Edwin May

Edwin May

Edwin May

www.edwinmay.volkswagen.co.uk

www.edwinmay.volkswagen.co.uk

www.edwinmay.volkswagen.co.uk

Campsie Ind Est, Eglinton.

Telephone: 028 7122 0580.

128 Bridge Street, Portadown.

Telephone: 028 3833 2238.

101 Irvinestown Road, Enniskillen.

Telephone: 028 6633 0351.

Larne Road, Ballymena.

Telephone: 028 2565 5209.

6.0p

T.J. Hamilton & Co

18 Dungannon Road, Cookstown.

Tel: 028 8676 2488.

100 Ballynahinch Road, Lisburn.

Telephone: 028 9266 4354.

3 Riverside Retail Park, Coleraine.

Telephone: 028 7034 4837.

Business users only. Model shown New Passat GT with optional 19-inch ‘Verona’ alloy wheels, metallic paint and electric panoramic sunroof. Further charges may be payable on vehicle’s return. Indemnities may be required. Subject to status. Offer available on orders before January 5th, 2015. Subject to availability. Certain vehicles excluded. Ask for details. Volkswagen Finance, Freepost VWFS. Images used for illustration purposes only. Finance providers may pay us for introducing you to them.

Standard EU Test figures for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Official fuel consumption in mpg (litre/100km) for the New Volkswagen Passat range: urban 44.1 (6.4) – 62.8 (4 .5); extra urban 61.4 (4.6) – 78.5 (3.6); combined 53.3 (5.3) –70.6 (4.0). CO2 emissions 139 – 103g/km.

We can introduce you to a limited number of lenders to assist with your purchase, who may pay us for introducing you to them.

Damien Campbell, Shaun McAnee and Sarah Corbett.

Julie Hunter, David Arias, Garth Maxwell, Sean McGreevy and Mark Dundas.

Corporate Connections At Danske Bank Business Breakfast Danske Bank recently hosted an engaging and well attended corporate banking business breakfast at the newly refurbished Ramada Plaza hotel in Belfast.

Over 100 members of the business community were in attendance to hear from an array of high profile speakers that included, broadcaster Jim Fitzpatrick, Danske CEO Gerry Mallon and Irish international rugby legends Stephen Ferris and Paddy Wallace.

Gerry Mallon (Danske Bank) speaking at the breakfast.

Also on the agenda was a panel discussion about growth and ambition, which included insights into the businesses of some of Danske Bank’s corporate customers. On the panel was Danske Bank’s Head of Corporate Banking Ivan McMinn, Budget Energy CEO Eleanor McEvoy, Mash Direct MD Martin Hamilton and Smiley Monroe MD Vaughan Monroe.

Lewis McCallan, Philip Slater, Rob McConachie and Dermott Brooks.

Martin Hamilton, Ian Haldane, Vaughan Monroe and Ivan McMinn.

Kevin Kingston, Stephen Ferris, Paddy Wallace and Gerry Mallon.

Paddy Wallace, Jim Fitzpatrick and Stephen Ferris.

Sean McGreevy, Eleanor McEvoy, Aaron Ennis and Mark Dundas.

Laura Laura

[LIFESTYLE] CHRIS REES, HEAD CHEF, GALGORM RESORT AND SPA’S RIVER ROOM RESTAURANT

CULINARYDELIGHTS There’s nothing quite like a delicious home-cooked roast dinner to take the chill out of the colder autumn/winter months. This traditional family favourite is comfort food at its best and can provide the homely hug you crave during those harsh months. Whilst cooking roast lamb or beef may require a little more culinary know-how, roast chicken is relatively easy to perfect.

Chris Rees shares with us a delectable roast chicken dinner which is sure to get your taste buds flowing and to be a hit with all the family.

ROAST ORGANIC CHICKEN, CHORIZO TAPENADE, CAULIFLOWER AND LEEKS Ingredients 1x Organic Chicken (about 1kg) 40g Chorizo Olive oil White Wine Vinegar 1x Cauliflower 100g Potatoes 6x Baby Leeks Chicken Stock White wine Shallots Garlic Sugar Cream Firstly joint the chicken before starting to cook.

Remove legs by making a cut along the backbone and a cut above the top of the oysters. Turn the bird over, cut through the skin around the legs, push them out to release them, then cut through the joint and finally cut the skin around the back of the legs and pull to remove them. Cut through the middle joint of the leg to separate into thigh and drumstick.

Remove the breasts either by using a knife to follow the angle of the breastbone, pulling the whole breast away from the carcass, or by snipping through the breastbone with poultry shears, then snipping down the fat line on the other side of the breast (this keeps the bone attached and is preferable if roasting the jointed chicken).

For the Potatoes and Chicken Croquettes Cook the chicken legs in a heavy based saucepan until brown. Add 50g of diced peeled potatoes, one chopped shallot, and 1 clove of garlic, braise in white wine and chicken stock until the legs are cooked.

Remove the leg meat from the bone and mix with the potato and reduced cooking liqueur – this can be wrapped in potato strings (using a turning slicer), or coated in bread crumbs.

For the chorizo tapenade Cook the chorizo in a pot with a little oil, garlic, shallots, until lightly brown, add 25g of sugar and 30ml of white wine vinegar. Cook

on a medium heat for a further 4-5 minutes, then blend in a food processor.

To prepare the cauliflower, cut thin slices and cure with a little salt. Cook the florets in boiling water with salt for a few minutes until soft. Using all the cauliflower trim, make a puree by adding in cream then blending in a food processor.

With the bones of the bird, make a chicken stock by covering in water and adding thyme garlic and a bay leaf. Cook gently for a couple of hours.

To assemble dish Season the chicken breasts and add to a hot pan to colour. Then put the pan in the oven at 180°C until cooked through (8 - 10 minutes). Fry the leg croquettes in the same pan. Chargrill and cook the leeks using the grill. Add the warm florets of cauliflower and spoonful of chorizo tapenade. Garnish with cured cauliflower and crispy chicken skin.

Add a reduced stock with white wine to finish the dish.

NI Chamber 93

[LIFESTYLE] rebecca mckinney, personal stylist and radio presenter

All that glitters….

Party time beckons with Christmas round the corner. Rebecca McKinney checks out the style that is going to create a dazzle this yuletide.

D

iamonds are a girl’s best friend and never has a statement been more true than this season.

With the nights getting colder and the party invites and dates in the diary for big events filling up, I thought it would be fitting to show how you can look special in sparkle.

Embellishment, glitter, sequins - call them what you wish, but there is something about sparkle detail on clothes (especially around the festive period) that has fashion-savvy women running for their plain little black dresses for fear of looking like a Christmas tree.

I understand the concern of feeling like a little

94 NI Chamber

girl playing dress up, but this winter, high end ‘fashion sparkle’ has been a huge trend on the designer catwalks from Paris to London.

The run up to the Christmas Party season is always an excuse for the high street to become flooded with ‘glitter ball’ sequins, that can often look a tad clichéd, but I have done the hard work for you and found some embellished additions that will ensure you look more chic than ‘Strictly’ on your next night out.

During my years as a stylist, I have discovered a few ways that ladies can inject some glitter into their lives – because life would be too boring without a little sparkle after all.

Here are your 5 Glitter Rules for shining your way through party season: The Party Dress The festive period is all about finding the perfect dress to turn heads. Why not go for a black sparkly number? Teamed with strappy shoes and glamorous hair, the dress will do all the talking necessary to make a dazzling first impression.

The Embellished Heel If full on outfit sparkles are too much, then you need an embellished heel in your life! A pointed-toe court will always be timeless. I love grey and metallic sparkles for something a little different. LK Bennett and Office are my favourites. Alternatively, why not go for a plain heel with diamante detailing along the toe? Ted Baker have some serious show stoppers with clutch handbags to match. Dream combination!

The Statement Piece Jewellery or the right bag can really transform an outfit. Friday night festive drinks have never looked more glam, with sparkle clutch bags in

rainbow colours taking over the high street. A grand necklace or oversized earrings can make just as much of an impression over a simple top or plain dress. Be brave with your accessories and give costume jewellery a chance. Topshop and River Island are always winners in the style stakes.

The Sequinned Blazer Ideal for ladies who are not massive dress fans.

Throw on a pair of black skinny jeans, or leather trousers (yes really) with a sequinned waterfall jacket and party in it right up until New Year’s Eve! The high street has the best options, with Zara, New Look and H&M not letting us down.

The Wow Factor Gown If a red carpet invite comes your way, then ditch the plain gowns and go for an embellished show stopper. Full length sequins are perfect for a special event and with simple accessories, hair and makeup will ensure an old Hollywood glamour that just screams Christmas time! My favourites this year are from Phase Eight, Coast and House of Fraser. You might as well be the best dressed guest after all.

Go forth and be gorgeous, for you, my dear, deserve to shine!

Rebecca x Catch Rebecca co-hosting the Cool FM Breakfast Show with Pete Snodden every weekday morning from 6am-10am and check out her website www.rebecca-mckinney.com for information on personal and commercial styling or event hosting.

NI Chamber 95

[Columnist] jim fitzpatrick, INDEPENDENT BROADCASTER

sign off...

LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK

Making your opinion known stirs debate says Jim Fitzpatrick.

O

ne of the first jobs any journalist learns is the “vox pop”. The term comes from the latin vox populi and means “voice of the people”.

Essentially it involves grabbing random punters in the street and asking them what they think about a particular issue. It can be a hateful job, particularly when you have a cameraman with a big intimidating lens with you.

It’s amazing how busy people are when you approach them with a camera asking questions about Northern Ireland politics. A few seconds earlier they might have been enjoying a leisurely chat with a friend in the street or quietly contemplating life over a sip of coffee. But walk up to them and ask, “What do you make of the current political situation?”, and people suddenly remember that their life depends on a meeting they were supposed to be at ten minutes ago.

Over the years I’ve developed a knack for getting answers which is not dissimilar to the tactic employed by the charity muggers (chuggers) so beloved of our town and city high streets. I try not to give people the option of walking away. Some still do. But I get a much higher conversion rate.

And I’ve noticed something of late which I think is significant: more people are willing to talk and are willing to be more critical, more direct, and more honest than would have been the case a number of years ago.

96 NI Chamber

People aren’t scared of voicing criticism of the stalemate, the bitterness, the economic madness that characterises government at Stormont these days.

One guy summed it up succinctly recently when he told me that he thought the politicians should “get off their backsides” and concentrate on the things that matter to people instead of constantly moaning about flags, parades and the past.

It’s good that people are willing to speak out.

It suggests that the wider political discussion has matured. Yet it also highlights what appears to be a growing disconnect between the real and the political worlds.

Sinn Fein has fixated on welfare issues and blocking welfare reform. It’s entirely appropriate for a party to take a strong position on this issue. Sinn Fein doesn’t want to cut benefits. That’s clear.

However the party is disingenuous when it suggests that its current strategy will ultimately have any impact on what happens to benefits. And it is blatantly irresponsible to incur penalties that must be applied in other spending areas simply because it doesn’t want to develop a sensible plan for the benefits issue.

If Stormont made a decision to take direct control of benefits – which it has the power to do – it could decide to protect that spending. It would then have to decide where to wield the axe. That’s a basic law of budgets and a pretty fundamental aspect of running a government.

Clearly, however, Sinn Fein doesn’t want to argue the case for cuts in health or education spending in order to protect benefit payments.

Meanwhile the DUP makes much noise about its economic competence. It says the economy is the number one priority. Yet the party continues to prioritise parading (and specifically one return parade on one street in North Belfast) over all else. This is equally irresponsible.

The political environment sets the tone for what kind of economy we can enjoy.

Irresponsible politics does untold harm to our economic prospects. The politicians know this and when challenged they have no answer except to play their trump card and say: our “vox populi” is a mandate from the electorate – they have endorsed our strategy. And that, I’m afraid, is the truth.

“More people are willing to talk and are willing to be more critical, more direct, and more honest than would have been the case a number of years ago.”

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