Ulster Business April 2023

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Windsorlooks like it’s here tostay

WilltheNIProtocolforeverbe lostin a seaofBrexit-related terminologywhenwelook backitallin a fewyears?

Parliamenthasnowoverwhelminglyvoted forthenewly-agreed WindsorFramework, despiteoppositionfromJeffreyDonaldson’s DUP, withtheEuropeanCommission’s MarosSefcovicsigningtheframework documentsalongsideUKForeignSecretary JamesCleverlyin a bitofverypublicPR.

It remainstobeseenwhetherthere will befreshaddedpressure placedonthe shouldersoftheDUPtonow re-enter governmenthere.Businesssurveyscontinue topointtothelackof a workingExecutive as a primaryconcern,andonewhichthe vastmajoritywouldlike rectifed.

InthiseditionI’vespokento a few companiesaboutwhattheythinkabout thedeal,includingoneBrexit-backing businessmanwhobelievesit’s ourbest chancetobuildbacktheeconomy

WelcometotheAprileditionof Ulster Business Ourcoverstorythismonth featuresProfessorKristelMillerandRachael WithersoftheUlsterUniversityBusiness School.It’s increasinglyplayeditspartin boostingandgrowingentrepreneurshipand businessdevelopmentacrosstheNorthern Irelandeconomy

Thisisalso a specialeditionofthemagazine inwhichwe revealourNext200,with Barclays.

TheNext200chartsthesuccessstoriesof

ourleadingSMEsandfollowsondirectly fromour Top 100summeredition.

You’lldiscoverasyou readfurtherinto themagazinethatproftsandsalesare bothupsignifcantlyonaverageacrossthe businessesmakingthisyear’s list.

Thatechoessimilarlybuoyant resultsfrom thelatest Top 100edition,whichshowed pre-taxproftswere up46%,basedon previousaccountingperiods

OuranalystJonathanCushleybreaksdown allthekeynumberswhilewealsohearfrom AdrianDoran,headofcorporatebanking Northern Ireland,atBarclays,sponsorofthe Next200. ■

JohnMulgrew

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A month innumbers

SMEsseeprofits surge by 50%

NorthernIreland’sleadingSMEshave seenprofitsrisebymorethan50% inthelastyear,the UlsterBusiness Next200withBarclayscan reveal.

Thisyear’slist,whichchartstheperformance ofsmallandmedium-sizedcompaniesacross NorthernIreland,alsoshowssalesareupby 21.8%inthelastyear.

Meanwhile,pre-taxprofitshaveincreasedby anaverageof50.5%,comparedwithprevious annualaccounts.

SaleswithintheNext200listinghavegrown to£9.62bnfromacorrespondingprevious yearfigureof£7.91bn.Pre-taxprofitability increasedto£727mfrom£483m.

TheNext200withBarclaysfollowsdirectly onfromthe UlsterBusiness Top100list, whichchartstheperformanceofourlargest companies.Andjust17ofthe200companies postedlossesduringtheirlatestfinancialyear.

Thisyearhasseenastrongincreaseinprofit marginfortheNext200companiesfroma marginof6.1%to7.6%withtotalprofitsnow sittingat£727mcomparedto£483mforthe correspondingcompaniesintheirprioryear.

“Forthepastfewyears,the Top100’ssister listingtheNext200hasallowedbusiness ownerstounderstandhowcompaniesbelow thetopechelonsareperformingandprovide anindicationofcompaniesmakingthestepup tothe Top100Companieslisting,”Jonathan

Cushley,whocompiledthelist,said.

AdrianDoran,headofcorporatebanking NorthernIreland,Barclays,said:“What’sclear isthatoverthepastfewyears,increasing numbersofNorthernIrelandbusinessesare embracingexporting.

“The roleofprivateequity(PE)instimulating growthinourSMEsisworthyofhighlighting.

“Lastyearwasa recordyearforPEdeals inNorthernIrelandwhichbodeswellforthe continuedgrowthoftheNext200.”

JohnMulgrew,editorof UlsterBusiness, said:“Muchliketheperformanceofour largestfirms,thisyear’scohortofSMEshave shown resilienceandtrulystellar results–postingthemostsignificantincreasesinmy timeaseditor.

“Thereareahostofhouseholdnames makingthisyear’sNext200list,fromright acrossthesectors,alongwithaswatheof lesser-knownbusinesseswhichshowcaseboth thebreadthandthequietsuccessofwhatis often referredtoasthebackbonetheNorthern Irelandeconomy–ourSMEs.

“Someofthecompanieshavebeenaround forgenerations,whilewearealsoseeingmany burgeoningfirmswhichwereformedhereless than10yearsago.”

ReadthefullNext200listandanalysisonpage 37-55

NORTHERNIRELAND COMPANIES2023

Windsordeal ‘can restart NIeconomy’

ByJohnMulgrew

TheWindsorFrameworkcanhelp renewNorthernIreland’s economyanddoesnotthreatenourplaceintheunion,a leadingBrexit-backingbusinessmanhassaid.

IrwinArmstrong,founderandchiefexecutiveofmedicaldiagnostics businessCigaHealthcare,says“whilenotperfect”theagreementgoes a“longwaytofxingthetradeissuesandgivenusthepossibilityof renewingtheNorthernIrelandeconomyandthepossibilityofcreatinga countrytobeproudof”.

“…letusnotmissthisopportunitytocreateanewfutureforour childrenandgrandchildrenbasedonaneconomicallysuccessfulcountry whereallviewsaretreatedwith respect,”hesaid.

MrArmstrongwasoneofthefewbusinessleaderswhospokeupin favourofBrexitintherun-uptothe2016poll.

Andonsomeconcernssurroundingsovereignty,hesaid:“Regarding thesovereigntyissue,whentheGoodFridayAgreementwasapproved over70%ofthepeoplevotingacceptingthatNorthernIreland’s positionwithintheUKwastobetakenoutofthehandsofpoliticians andgiventothepeoplehere,soallthepreviouspoliticalactswere practicallybeingsetaside.

“Itisthereforeclearthatthe WindsorAgreementdoesnotmeanthat thereisanydangertoNorthernIreland’spositionwithintheUKasinall the recentpollsonlyaboutathirdofthepeoplewouldcurrentlyvotefor aunitedIreland.”

Readthefullfeatureonpage59-62

IrwinArmstrong

Enterprisefrm to create 300 new jobs

An Armagh-basedhousingand renewablescompanyiscreating 300jobsaspartofplanstoinvest £10macrossitsfoursitesacrossIreland.

TarasisEnterprises,whichalsooperates outofBelfast,DublinandSligoandinthe additionalsectorsofhealthcare andsupport services,planstocreate300jobsaspartofthe investment.

Ledbyaward-winningentrepreneurMairead Mackle,thefrmhaslaunched a newbrand identityandstreamliningofitsoperationsto meetitsnewfve-yeargrowthgoals.

Thenew TarasisEnterprisesbrand incorporates TarasisHealthcare, Tarasis SupportServices, TarasisHousingand Tarasis Renewables.

AnitscharitableprogrammesiCare and Evolvenowsitunder TarasisFoundationaspart of a strategic reorganisationdriving a ‘business forgood’mission.

OperatingoutofheadquartersatCallan HouseinArmagh, TarasisEnterprisesposted turnoverof£30min2021,upfrom£26mthe previousyear

Inbusinessfor28years,ithasalready investedmore than£10mintothehousingand renewablessectorover recentyears.

MsMackle,founderandchiefexecutiveof TarasisEnterprises,said:“Following a strategic reviewofouroperations,wedecidedto streamline,consolidateand renewourkey businessdivisionsunderthe TarasisEnterprises brandwhichunifesourexperienceandallows ourcompellingoffertostandoutaspartofour

Quotes of the month

excitinggrowthambitions.

“Withnewgoalsandinvestment, Tarasis Enterprisesisperfectlyplacedtocontinue building realvalueforitsgrowingclientbase andforitsdedicatedteamswhichdeliveron ourmissiontoprovideinnovativesolutions, whilstalsobuildingonourestablished partnershipsacrosstheislandofIreland.

“Withnewinvestment,newjobsandnew

approaches,weplantomake a realand positiveimpactonthemanypertinentsocial issuesandcrisisofourtimewhichinclude housing,socialcare andclimatechange.”

Thebusinessaimstocreatesustainable, innovativesolutionsforthefuture ofliving thattackle realsocialandenvironmentalissues includingsocialcare,healthcare,homelessness andenergy

ChamberpresidentGillian McAuleyspeakingasitwas revealedSuzanneWylie willtakeupthepostatthe helm.

“The two sides to those negotiationswhich have concluded, theUK Governmentand the EU, are going to make the framework work.”

NISecretaryChrisHeatonHarrisspeakingaboutthe WindsorFramework.

“Ifall prices tr y to beat infation wewill get higher infation.”

GovernoroftheBankof EnglandAndrewBailey speakingfollowingthe latestbaserateriseand warningifpricescontinue torisetheratecouldalso.

CarolineRafferty,Gerald MackleandMaireadMackle of TarasisEnterprises

“Replacing Ann was always going to be a challenge after her long andsuccessful track record atNIChamber.”

Cafe Nero planning cofee ‘pod’ cafes for NI

ByJohnMulgrew

CoffeechaingiantCaffeNeroisexpandinginNorthern Irelandamidplansfornewdrive-through‘pods’, Ulster Business can reveal.

Thechain,whichhasaround20locationshere,isnowplanning furthersitesacrossNorthernIreland.

Partofthatwillinclude“drive-to/drive-thru”podswithoutdoor seating.

It’snowseekingsuitablesitesrightacrossthe region.

CaffeNerooperatesaroundadozenlocationsinBelfastaloneand recentlyopenedatUniversityRoad.

Anditcanalsobe revealedthefrmistakingontheformerPatisserie ValeriesiteatCastleLaneintheheartofthecitycentre.

Theoverallgroupoperatesover1,000storesacross10countries,with morethan650storesacrosstheUK.

It’sseekingpotentialsitesofaround1,600sqftand2,000sqft, workingwithcommercialpropertyagentFrazerKidd.

It’sunderstoodsuitablesitesincludeexistingshoppingcentre/retail parksorhigh-profle roadfrontagesites.

Meanwhile,thesiteofCaffeNeroatLombardStreet–formerlyhome toDelaney’scafé–hasgoneonthemarketfor£1m.

Delaney’swasawell-lovedcafeand restaurantinthecity’sLombard Street,housedinadistinctcurvedone-storeybuilding.

Butthevenuewascloseddownin2011andconvertedintoaCaffe Nero,whichopenedthatyear.

Thebuilding,whichalsoincludes retailerPretty Vintageasatenant, hasnowgoneonthemarketthroughcommercialpropertyagents FrazerKiddforoffersstartingat£1m.

CaffeNeroatForestside inBelfast

The Budget: corporation tax risesandpotential childcare help

ByJohnMulgrew

FreshGovernmentBudgetplans whichwouldseemajorchildcare provisionsbeingintroducedin EnglandshouldalsoapplytoNorthern Irelandalongsidethe restorationofa workingExecutive,anMPhassaid.

NorthernIrelandcouldseefreechildcarefor youngchildrenwhilefreshcashisbeingfreed uptotackleparamilitarism,furthereducation andanewenterprisezoneintroducedtoboost business.

“Proposalsonchildcareareverywelcome andoverdue,buthavetobemeaningfuland resourced,andnotjustanannouncementthat getssomeheadlinesbutnochange,”SDLPMP ClaireHannasaid.

“Crucially,weneedanExecutiveinplace andseriousaboutsupportingworkingparents –previousschemeshavegivenNorthern IrelandmoneyforchildcarebutwhichtheDUP

andSinnFeinExecutivespentonotherthings, failingtogetontopofthisissue.”

ChancellorJeremyHuntunveiledhisSpring Budget–whichincludedfreechildcarefor workingparentsinEngland, relieffordraught beer–whichheclaimsappliestousheredue totheintroductionofthe WindsorFramework –and£40mforfurthereducationforNorthern Irelandandtax reliefforbusinesseshere.

Hesaidthenewadditionsarewortharound £130mforNorthernIreland.

Onafreezeonbeerduty,theChancellor claimedthatNorthernIrelandwouldalsobe eligible“becauseofthe recentlynegotiated WindsorFramework”.

Andwhilethere’sassistanceforbusinesses hereintheformofR&Dcredits,aplanned corporationtaxriseto25%willstillgoahead.

Businessherewillfeelletdownandleft behindamidrisingcorporationtaxandalack ofsupportforthestrugglinghospitalitysector.

JohnnyHanna,partnerinchargeandhead

oftax,KPMG,said:“Confrmationofthehike inthemainrateofcorporationtaxto25% fromApril1willproveachallengeforlarge businessesacrosstheUKthoughtheimpact maybedilutedforsomeduetothenew‘full expensing’ regimeforcapitalspendonplant andmachinery.

“The25%taxratewillhoweverhitmany businessesinNorthernIrelandparticularlyhard giventhesharedlandborderwiththeRepublic ofIrelandwheretheratesitsatjust12.5%.”

AndAisléanNicholson,partneratDeloitte inBelfast,said:“Anotherpotentialpositive forsomeinnovativesmallandmedium-sized localbusinessesistheenhanced researchand development(R&D)rate, relevantforthose loss-makingcompanieswithintensiveR&D expenditure(broadlythosewherequalifying expenditureismorethan40%oftheirtotal expenditure).Thiscouldprovideapotential beneftofupto£27forevery£100spenton R&Dactivity.”

Chancellorof theExchequer JeremyHunt

FormerCity Council chief to headupNIChamber

TheformerheadofBelfastCityCouncilwilltakeupthe postaschiefofoneofNorthernIreland’sleadingbusiness organisations,ithasemerged.

SuzanneWylieleftherpostaschiefofBelfastCityCouncilin2022 beforetakingherupcurrent roleasheadoftheGovernmentofJersey.

Butshe’snowmovingbackhometoheaduptheNorthernIreland ChamberofCommerce,afterAnnMcGregorannouncedshewas steppingbackfromthe roleafter15yearsatthehelm.

“ReplacingAnnwasalwaysgoingtobeachallengeafterherlong andsuccessfultrack recordatNIChamber,”presidentofNIChamber, GillianMcAuley,said.

“However,wearedelightedthatSuzanne,withallherextensive experienceandexpertise,willbeournewchiefexecutive.Businessesin NorthernIrelandfaceamultitudeofchallengesatthemomentbutthere isalsoimmenseopportunityasthe regionemergesastheideallocation forbusinessexpansion.

“UnderSuzanne’sleadership,NIChamberwillcontinuetoworkwith businessesacrossallsectorstogivevoicetotheirissuesandtopromote sustainedeconomicgrowthinNorthernIreland.

“ExcitingtimeslieaheadforNorthernIrelandChamberofCommerce andIlookforwardtoworkingcloselywithSuzanneaswecontinueto maximiseourimpactandpotential.”

Suzanne Wylie

NorthernIrelandprivate sectorbouncesbacktogrowth

NorthernIreland’sprivatesector hasbouncedbacktogrowth aftermonthsofstagnation,ithas emerged.

Outputandnewordersbothsawsignsof improvementduringFebruary,accordingtothe latestUlsterBankpurchasingmanagers’index.

Theoverallindexsatat52.2–movingback abovethe50mark,whichmeansnochange, forthefirsttimein10months.

“ThelatestPMIsurveycouldbesummedup inoneword–improvement,”RichardRamsey,

chiefeconomistwithUlsterBankinNorthern Ireland,said.

“All10indicatorsoflocalbusinessconditions improvedinFebruary relativetotheprevious month.Privatesectorfirms reportedtheirfirst riseinoutputandnewordersin10months.

“Anotableimprovementintheeconomic conditionswithinNorthernIreland’sexport marketshelpedliftexportordersinFebruary followingfouryearsofcontinuousdecline.

“The recoveryininternationaldemandaided a returntogrowthinoutputandordersfor

manufacturers.Meanwhile, retail’s recent resurgencecontinued.Thecompleted rollout ofthe£600energygrant,coupledwithcrossbordershoppersfromtheRepublicofIreland, continuestoprovideaboostforthe retail sector.Conversely,constructionandservices postedafurtherfallinoutput.”

Themanufacturingand retailsectorsposted risesinactivity,whileservicesandconstruction remainedindecline.

Newordersincreasedforthefirsttimein10 monthswhilenewexportordersalso returned togrowth–amarkedturnaroundfollowinga sharpdeclineinJanuary.

“Firmscontinueto recruitwithallfoursectors increasingtheirstaffinglevelsinFebruary,”Mr Ramseysaid.

“Overall,employment roseatitsfastest pacein15monthswithNorthernIreland outperformingtheother11 regionsinthe UK.Inflationarypressurescontinuedtoease withbothinputcostandoutputpriceinflation fallingto25-monthlows.

“Finally,itwasencouragingtoseeasurgein optimismlastmonthacrossallfoursurveyed sectors.Expectationsforoutputin12months’ timehita12-monthhighwhich represents thehighestlevelofconfidencesinceRussia’s invasionofUkraine.

“Thislatestimprovementoccurredaheadof theunveilingofThe WindsorFramework, sowemayseefurtherrisesinsentimentin thecomingmonthsifitisacceptedmore universallythantheNIProtocolwas. Timewill tell.” ■

RichardRamsey

EntriesopenforGrocerMarketing Awards

EntriesarenowopenfortheBelfast TelegraphGrocer Marketing Awards2023,withFoodNIonboardastitle sponsoraswellassupportingtheheadlineBestMarketing Campaignaccolade.

Winnerswillbe recognisedattheGroceryAidGrocers’Ballinthe CullodenHotel&SpaonFriday,June9.

Featuring10categories,theawardswillbejudgedbyUlsterUniversity professorBarryQuinn(panelchair),RNCommunicationsfounderRiki Neill,TheOpenUniversityIrelanddirectorJohnD’ArcyOBE,FoodNI chiefexecutiveMicheleShirlowMBEandGrainneMoody,InvestNIfood anddrinkmanager.

AwardsandsponsorsincludeBestMarketingCampaign(FoodNI), LeaderinMarketing(Hovis),LorraineHall YoungMarketeer(Forest Feast),BestSustainabilityInitiative(PowerNI),BestBrand(Henderson FoodMachinery),BestNewProductLaunch/Relaunch(DerryGroup), BestCSRInitiative/CharityPartnership(HunkyDorys)andBestFood ExportMarketing(InvestNI).

MicheleShirlowMBE,chiefexecutiveofFoodNI,said:“Northern

Ireland’sfoodanddrinkofferhascompletelytransformedin recentyears intoaworldclasssector,showingexceptional resiliencethroughoutthe challengesofthepandemicandBrexit.

“Leadingthewayinsustainabilityandhealth,wearenowknownfor ourfood,powerofgood.FoodNIisdelightedtosupporttheawards.”

MicheleShirlowofawardssponsorFoodNI,andAlysonMagee,Belfast Telegraph

Whyageshouldbenolimitwhen itcomestofndingnewtalent

ItwasinterestingtohearChancellor JeremyHuntuseagoodpartofhis recentBudgetspeechtotalkabouthis desiretogetmoreover-50sbackintothe workforcetomeetskillschallengesand helpcompaniesgrow.

TheChancellor’sfocuswasongettingmore peoplewith“invaluableskillsandexperience” toconsidersecondcareers,notingthat manyemployersalreadyprovidetrainingand announcingagovernmentbackedschemefor “returnerships”.

“Fortoomany,turning50isamomentof anxietyaboutthecliff-edgeof retirement, ratherthanamomentofanticipationabout anothertwodecadesoffulflment,”MrHunt said.

Ofcourse,therehadbeenplentyofmedia coveragebeforetheBudgetaboutthe“great unretirement”andthenotableriseinover50s returningtowork,inpartduetotherisingcost ofliving.FiguresfromtheOffceforNational Statistics(ONS)showedthatfourin10ofthe olderprofessionalswholefttheirjobsduring thepandemicnowhaveawillingnessto return towork.

Thattrendhascoincidedwithmoreemployers realisingthatolderworkersprovideafresh talentpoolandstartingtohireover50s tomeetskillsshortages.Hays2023Salary andRecruiting TrendsGuidefoundnearlya ffthofemployersactivelyhiringover50s.

Employershaven’talwaysbeensokeen,as I’msuremanypeopleover50willtestify,so thisisapositivetrend.Butit’sclearsomeolder workerswilltakeconvincingit’sagoodideato gobackintowork.

SeparateHays researchonLinkedInfound thatoverhalf(53%)of respondentsstill believethere’sastigmaaroundolderworkers

returningtowork,soemployershaveworkto doto reassureolderprofessionalstheyareboth wantedandneeded.

Whenaskedwhichfactoristhemost importantforattractingand retainingolder workers,37%of respondentssaidfexible hybridworking,followedby28%whosaidan appealingsalaryandbenefts,while25%said fexibleworkinghours.

Aswellasthesefactors,alargemajority (76%)of respondentsbelievepart-time opportunitiesaremorelikelytoattractover 50sbacktowork.Employersmaystruggleto temptsomeonewhohas retiredtonowwork inanoffceforfvedays.InourQuarterly InsightsSurveylastyear,whenlookingatwhat wouldtemptprofessionalstoworkpart-time past retirementageor returnafter retiring, thetopmotivationwascontinuedincome (57%),followedbynewchallenges(18%), overcomingboredom(15%)andinteraction withcolleagues(10%).

Ifyouareanolderprofessionalconsidering re-employment,hereareafewtips:

 Researchthebestplacestofnd rolesand tailoreachapplicationIt’sagoodideatogain

anawarenessofthecurrent recruitment landscapeandknowexactlywheretosearch forsuitable roles,suchasspecialistjobboards andLinkedIn.Paycloseattentiontoeach jobdescriptionsoyoucantweakyourCVto refecttheskillstheylookfor.Researchwill alsoenableyoutofndoutiforganisations offerthebeneftsyouvaluemost.

 KeepyourLinkedInprofleandCVup todateto refectyourcurrentskillsetand experience.Makethemostofsocialmedia togetbackintotheworldofwork,asmany employersuseLinkedIntonotonlyadvertise vacanciesbuttohavealookattheproflesof prospectiveemployees.Ensureyouhighlight yourmost relevantskills,experience,and goalsforthefuturetoportrayyourbestself.

 Considerupskillinginareaswhereyou lackconfdence.Therearemanytrainingand developmentopportunitiesouttheretohelp youlearnnewskillsor refreshtheonesyou alreadyhave.Thiskindofpreparationwill supportyouwhen returningtowork,soyou don’tfeeloutofplaceorpractice:anatural worryforanyonewhohasspentsometime outofwork.

Olderworkers,whocouldcertainlyhelp closetheskillsgap,shouldnotbeafraidto askemployersforwhattheywant,asmore companiesarelikelytoadapttoattract and retainthistalentpool.However,the stigmaaroundagecouldbeholdingsome olderprofessionalsbackfrom returning towork.Our researchshowedoverhalf of respondentsdon’tthinkemployees aretreatedequallyintheirorganisation, regardlessofage.

Hopefullythecurrentfocusonolder professionals returningtotheworkplacewill shinealightonthevalueofalldifferentaged employees.Itmayalsoencourageemployers to reassesshowdiversetheirteamsarein termsofageandwhattheyaredoingasan organisationtoovercomelimitations. ■

ByJohnMoore,managingdirector,HaysNI

‘Payasyougo’EVcharging pointsbeingintroducedinNI

ElectricitysupplierESBisintroducing pay-as-you-gofacilitiesatits electricvehicle(EV)chargingpoints inNorthernIrelandaspartofa£10m investment.

Itsaiditbelievedcustomerswerewillingto payforaservicewhichhadpreviouslybeen freeifitmeantthatthenetworkwaswell maintained.

ESBsaidit’supgradingitsEVnetworkof around300chargingpointsinNorthern Ireland,with£3.27mcomingfromthe government’sLevellingUpFund.

Driversarenowabletosignupforuseof ESB’snetworkandfromApril26willbeable tochargetheirvehicleonapay-as-you-go basisorasmembers.

Thecompanysaidmembership,whichcosts £4.99amonth,wasaimedatcustomers whousethenetworkmorethanfvetimesa month.

Formembers,fastchargingcosts46.2p/kWh. Incontrast,pay-as-you-gocustomerspay 49p.ESBhasstarteditsnetworkupgradewith 100fastcharger(22kW) replacements.

JohnByrne,headofEVsolutionsatESB,said: “TomeetthegrowingnumberofEVsonour roads,andsupportthedeliveryofcleanand affordableenergy,weneedtoensurewehave a reliable,accessible,NorthernIreland-wide publicchargingnetwork.

“Payforuseforpublicchargingisnowthe normacrossGBandIreland.Thisisanatural stepinensuringweimprovethenetworkand maintainhighstandardsforEVdriversintothe future.”

UpuntilnowchargingofEVsonthepublic networkinNorthernIrelandhasbeenfree.

ButESBsaidits researchshowedownerswere happytopayforuseifitmeantimprovements couldbemadetothenetwork.

MrByrnesaid:“Inthecomingyears,asmore peoplewillbemakingtheswitchtofully electricorhybridvehicles,itisimperativethat weareabletoprovidedriverswiththesupport theyneed.

“Thisincludestheintroductionofanoverstay fee,widelysupportedbycurrentdrivers,which willhelpestablishanacceptableetiquettefor userstofollow.”

ESBoperatesthelargestEVchargingnetwork

ontheislandofIrelandconsistingofmore than1,350chargingpoints,ofwhichthere are319inNI.

In2021,ESB replaced30fastchargers (22kW)andfverapidchargers(50kW)inNI. Its£10minvestmentprogrammewillinvolve replacingallexistingfast(22kW)andrapid (50kW)EVchargersacrossNorthernIreland.

MrByrnesaid:“Thelegacyinfrastructurewill be replacedwiththefastest,most reliable andadvancedtechnologyavailable.

“ThenewchargersthatEVdriverswillsee being rolledouthaveproventobehighly reliable,witha99%uptime.”

Theinvestmentdoublesthenumberofrapid chargesandbooststheirspeedfrom50kW to100kW.

Itwillalsoseetheintroductionofhighpower(200kW)charginginNorthernIreland throughthedeliveryoffvehigh-power charginghubs.

ESBsaid:“Thesehigh-powercharginghubs canchargemultiplevehiclessimultaneously andcanprovideanEVwith60milesofrange inaslittleassixminutes. ■

ByMargaretCanning

JohnByrne,headofESBecars

Ulster University Business School: supporting growth and confdence at the heart ofoureconomiclandscape

TheUlsterUniversityBusinessSchooliscontinuingtoincreaseitsfocusonbeing attheheartofoureconomyandbusinesslandscape,rightacrossNorthernIreland.

UlsterBusiness speaksto ProfessorKristelMiller and Rachael Withers abouttheplethoraofworkit’sdoing,thecourses,skillsandtrainingit’sproviding–ensuringoureconomyandentrepreneuriallandscapecontinuestoblossom

TheUlsterUniversityBusiness School(UUBS)has a clearvision and rolewithinthevaried,diverse andentrepreneurialeconomyright acrossNorthern Irelandandsupportsthe professionaldevelopmentofthepeople centraltosmallbusinessandthespecifc dynamicsofthefamilybusinessenterprise.

Withpeopleandpartnershipkeytothe successofsocietyandthebusinesseswhich driveoureconomyforward– that’s something whichisatthecore oftheuniversity’s ethos acrosseducation,businessengagementand skillsdevelopment.Enjoyinglongstanding partnershipswithbusinessacross research, curriculum,visitingprofessors,internships, placementsandgraduateemployment, it respondstothecharacteristicsofthe localbusinesslandscapeandtheneedfor entrepreneurialfairandconfdence.

UlsterUniversityBusinessSchoolworkswith students,businesses,companychiefsand entrepreneursacross a wideswatheofschemes, programmesandcourses – trainingtheleaders oftoday, andthefuture.

Andonewayinwhichit’s engagingwith businesseshere atanearlystageisthroughits burgeoningHelptoGrow:Managementcourse.

“HelptoGrowisallowingbusinessleaders andownersofSMEstoidentifytheareasin whichtheyneedtogrow,”Rachael Withers says.“Theymayhavebeenthrough a period ofgrowth,haveideasforgrowth,orperhaps are strivingtodevelopspecifcelementsofthe companyandneedtoacquire theskillsand knowledgetodoso.”

Rachaelis a seniorlecturerandprogramme manageroftheHelptoGrow:Management course,withherPhD researchinleadership towardssmallfrms,inparticularmicro frms, productivityandleadership resiliency

“Thebreadthofmodulesdeliveredthrough expertiseoffacilitatorsandexpertspeakers, includingacademicstaff andindustryexperts, allowsthebusinessestocover a widerangeof core businessareas,whichis refectedinthe diverseneedsofthebusinessesonthecourse,” shesays.

TheCharteredAssociationofBusinessSchool courseisbackedby£220mofgovernment funding,whichcovers90%ofthecosts involvedandleavesparticipantsonlyhaving topay a one-off feeof£750 – thecourseis deliveredover a 12-weekperiod.

It’s targetedatcompaniesfromrightacross

thesectors,typicallywithbetweenfveand 249employees.Thatincludescompanies fromindustriesincludingmanufacturing, construction,hospitalityand retail,alongwith socialenterprises.It’s also a greatentrypoint forfurtherstudyattheuniversity

“We have a uniquepositionwithourcampus locationsallowingusto reachbusinessesright acrossNorthern Ireland,”Rachaelsays.

“Belfastisthemostpopulatedbusiness area,butweare alsodeliveringthecoursein ourmore ruralareassuchasColeraineand thenorthwest. We have a diverserangeof businessescomingontothecoursewitheach achievingsomethinguniquethroughthe developmentof a growthplan.”

ThegrandatriumofthenewBelfastcampus istestamenttotheuniversity’s investmentin theNorthern Irelandeconomy, anditsstrong relationshipswiththemanyfamilyfrmsand businesseswhichworkedtodeliversuchan impressivedevelopment.

“WiththeHelptoGrow:Managementcourse, companieswillbeworkingontheirbusiness duringtheprogrammesotheyhaveanaction planinplace,”ProfessorKristelMillersays. “Thatwillallowthemtodevelopnewstrategies

andplanforthefuture”.

“Ifyou’rea start-upbusinesslessthan a year old,orifyou’vebeenaroundfor50years,we have a rangeofbusinesseswhichhavealready engagedwiththecourse.”

Rachaelsays:“Thepeer-to-peernetworking supportis reallyimportantwhere everyweek programmeparticipantscometogetherto share ideasandlearn fromoneanother.”

Shesaysthatcompanieswhohavealready completedtheHelptoGrow:Management coursehavebeneftedbyimprovingprocesses, adaptingnewtechnologies,enteringnew marketsandupskillinginareastheyhad previouslybeenlackingforexample.

Anyfrmwhowishestogetinvolvedinthe HelptoGrow:Managementcoursecaneasily dosoby registeringontheUlsterUniversity websiteat ulster.ac.uk/helptogrow, orby contactingtheteamdirectly

Theschemeruns regularlyacrosstheBelfast, ColeraineandDerry~Londonderrycampuses.

Kristelis a professorinentrepreneurshipand smallbusinessdevelopment,workingacross a rangeofcoursesbeingofferedbythe university

“I’ve a wide-ranging rolewhichincludes

conducting researchandteachingonour postgraduateprovision,suchastheExecutive MBAortheBusinessDevelopmentand InnovationMSc,”shesays.

“Iamalsoinvolvedinhelpingsmallbusinesses growandfosteringgreaterlevelsof entrepreneurshipacrossNorthern Ireland,not onlyintermsofstart-upsbutdevelopingmore entrepreneurialleaders.So, I amengagedin variousschemesandsupports,suchasrunning eventsandconsultancyprojects.”

ThestrengthofUlsterUniversityBusiness School’s SMEandmicro businesscredentials hasalsobeenhighlightedandstrengthened furtherinthelastyear

In2022,UUBSwasawardedtheSmallBusiness Charterin recognitionofitscommitment tosupportingsmallbusinesses,student entrepreneurship,andthelocaland regional economy

“UlsterUniversitywasawardedSmall BusinessCharterstatusin2022forthe strongemphasisitplacesonsupportinglocal business – engagingwithsmallbusinesses, encouragingentrepreneurshipandworking withthelocaleconomy,”Kristelsays.

“It’s veryprestigiousandisdesignedforthe leadingbusinessschoolswhichdemonstrate excellenceintheirsupportforbusinesses.”

TheSmallBusinessCharterisaboutproving the realdemonstratableimpactwhichthe universitycanhaveonbusinessesandthewider communityacrossNorthern Ireland.

UlsterUniversityBusinessSchoolalso participatesin a widerangeofknowledge exchangeinitiativesaimedatinspiring, nurturing,supporting,andgrowingsmalland micro businessesinNorthern Ireland.

TheseincludeInvestNorthern Ireland’s Innovation Voucherinitiative,Innovate UK’s Knowledge TransferProgramme, InterTradeIreland’s InnovationBoostprogramme andtheEuropeanINTERREGIVA Co-Innovate programme.

Andbuildingonthoseschemescanhelpfuel andgrowthe relationshipbetweenbusinesses andtheuniversityfurther

UlsterUniversityBusinessSchoolalso showcasesitsfagshipexecutiveleadership course,theExecutiveMBA,whichisdesigned formiddlelevelmanagementrightuptosenior level,tohelpexceltheirbusinessprowessand expertise.

“Learnerscanavailof a rangeofsubjectsthat reallyhelpthemtoexcelatbothanindividual andorganisationallevel,”Kristelsays.

“TheExecutiveMBAcovers a widerange

ProfessorKristelMillerandRachaelWithers

ofindustry-relevantsubjectsandyoucan undertakeiton a full-timeorparttimebasis – learners reallygettoembedactionlearning intoeachandeverymodule,workingontheir businessduringthecourse.”

Thosetakingonthecourserangefrombusiness chiefstoentrepreneurs,workingacrossareas suchascarvingoutnewinnovationprocesses, growthstrategiesormovingintonewand more seniorjob rolesas a result.

“We havesomeleadingindividuals,notjust fromNorthern Ireland,butspeakersfrom acrosstheglobe,”Kristelsays.“Theycanshare thehighsandlowsofdoingbusiness.It’s not traditionalclassroomlearning – thestudentis inthecentre andwecarveoutthebestway oflearningforthediverserangeofcohorts comingoneachyear.”

A shortervariantofthecourseisprovidedin theformof a MiniMBA,whichrunsacross fvedays,multipletimes a year Individualscan join a cohort,oritcanbespecifcallytailored forstaff fromanorganisationor a particular industry

Anotheroptionintheuniversity’s arsenalisits MScinBusinessDevelopmentandInnovation – allowing a vastrangeofpeopleworkingin businessdevelopmenttobranchouttolearn anddeveloptheirskillsets.

UlsterUniversityBusinessSchoolalsorunsan MScinManagementandanMScinMarketing.

“It’s aboutworkingonbusinessesand embeddingactionlearning,”Kristelsays.“All ourpostgraduatecoursesare hands-onand facilitatethedevelopmentofnetworksthrough peersandindustryspeakers.”

Theuniversityofferstheoptionofsingle modules,or a specifcsetofcoursesfor a particularbusiness’s need.

Andattheheartofeverythingtheschooldoes, sectorleadershipandsupportingfrms remains key, Kristelsays.

“We alsooffer a widerangeofsupports.SMEs are verymuchourbreadandbutterwithinthe BusinessSchool.

“We have a strongfocusonsmallbusiness engagementandwanttopromoteenterprise

CASESTUDY

RSCGroupis a family-ownedbusinessbasedinMaghera,specialising inroadmarking, wastemanagementandenvironmentalmaintenance ManagingdirectorGrahamMazeshareshisperspectiveonparticipationin theHelptoGrowprogrammedeliveredbyUlsterUniversityBusinessSchool

With a feetofover60vehicles, over70employeesand a turnover of£7m,RSCGrouphasthrived throughoutits40yearsinbusiness.The compelling regionalagendaforenvironmental sustainabilityandinfrastructure nowpresents anopportunityforprogressivegrowth.

We are fortunatetohavehighlyskilled, committedstaff– manyofwhomhavebeen withthefamilyfrmforasmuchasthreeof itsfourdecadesinoperation.Thatbrings both remarkableinstitutionalandinvaluable regionalknowledge.Theimpetusfor takingpartinHelptoGrowwastoharness thatknowledgeandblenditwithfresh perspectivesandnewthinking,informedby bothbusinessgrowththeoryandpractical tools.

Myleadershipdirectionforthecompany ishowourorganisationaldesigncanbeset upforsuccess – howwewill re-organiseand sharpenourfocusonfuture investmentand productivity We are fortunatetohaveearned a sustained reputationforexcellentcustomer serviceovermanyyearsandare poisedto extendthattoclientswhomaybejustaround thecorneroranywhere aroundthe region.

As a graduateofUlsterUniversity’s BusinessSchool, I wasimmediatelystruck bythepotentialofHelptoGrowtoassistus inourjourney Acrossmodulesinbusiness fundamentalssuchasfnance,marketing andcustomerservice,theprocessenables ustodeconstructthebusinessintothose elementsandthenusetheprogrammeasthe

skillsforall – notonlynewbusinesscreation butensuringthesustainabilityandgrowthof frms.

“We wanttoinstilentrepreneurialthinking througheverythingwedo – that’s throughour variousbusinessengagementactivities.”

There’s alsotheBusinessEngagementUnit (BEU) – theschool’s gatewaytoexperts, knowledgeexchangeprojects,CPD programmesandconsultancyopportunities.

OthersincludetheEconomicPolicyCentre, FoodandDrinkBusinessDevelopmentCentre andCentre forSustainabilityinFamilyBusiness – thelatter a newaddition,focusedonhow theschoolcanfosternetworksandallowfrms

scaffoldingfromwhichto reconstructinways thatwilldelivertheverybestenvironmentfor future growth.Thepracticalworkbookshelp ustostepthroughthosebusinessfunctions andprioritiesin a structured,comprehensive way

Thebreadthofsectors representedon theprogramme – fromlegaltoengineering, manufacturingtoaccountancy – alsoprovides a platformforconstructivechallenge,aswell asaccesstoinsightsanddiverseprofessional experience. We havelearnedfromeach otherinbringingvariedbusinessthinking tothecourse.As a UK-wideleadershipand managementprogramme,thisinherent strengthinlocalbusinessnetworksmaywell be a particularbenefthere inNI,givenitssize, scaleandthepredominanceoftheindigenous SMEsector

Whiletakingpartisnaturallyaninvestment ofmanagementtime,itprovides relevantand adaptablepathwaystoaddressingbusiness challengesandnavigatingopportunities; undoubtedlysavingtimeandboosting confdencebothnowandintothefuture.

Havingjoinedthisthrivingfamilybusiness withinthelasttwoyears,I’mencouragedthat HelptoGrowdeliveredbyUlsterUniversity is a highlyeffectiveexperiencethatassists meincontributingtothetransitionbetween generationsthatissocommoninthesmall family-ownedbusiness.It’sa business investmentthatwebelievewillshore up thesuccessofthecompanyformanymore decadestocome.

todevelopinternal relationshipsandgetthe supporttheyneed.

“Forus,everythingwedoiscentredaround thedevelopmentofpeopleandcollaborative partnerships,whichare importantforthe growthoftheNorthern Irelandeconomy,” Kristelsays.

“Placeissoimportantforusandwithour multi-campuspresenceweunderstandthat businessneedsare verydifferent,andwe are reallyembeddedwithineachofthe communities – atthecoalface.” ■

Ifyou wouldliketodiscuss how UUBScan help develop you oryourbusiness, pleasecontact the BusinessEngagement Teamatengage@ulster ac.uk

The Belfastparty bike business eyeing expansionacross the UK

The Wee Toast Tour‘party’bikesareacommonsightonBelfast’sstreets,attracting localsandtourists. JohnMulgrew speakstoco-founder JenniferKenna about howthebusinessworks,investment,openinginLondonandexpandingtoother citiesintheUK

Ifyou’vespentanytimeinBelfastcity centre,thenyou’relikelyfamiliarwith Wee Toast Tours’‘party’bikes.

Almostadecadeonthebusiness,thecompany –foundedbyJenniferandRonKenna–now welcomessome2,000customerstothecity eachweek,witheyesonexpandingelsewhere intheUKaswellasinvestinginamajornew basehere.

“Thecoreofthebusinessmodelhasalways beendigitalticketing,acustomerfocused organisationwhichwouldevolveinto somethingwherethedatawewouldown wouldbeourmostvaluableasset,”Jennifer says.

Oneofthe Wee Toast TourspartybikesinBelfastcitycentre

Customerscanbookatouronthecompany’s website–takingseatsorawholebikefora largerparty.

Wee Toast Toursnowhasateamofaround35 acrossBelfastandLondon–withsixbikesin BelfastandfourinLondon.

“There’sahugecommitmenttokeepingour headquartershere,andourbackend. We have continuedtoinvesteverythingwehaveover andoveragain,”Jennifersays.

Shesaysthecompanyhasinvestedsome £600,000inthebikesandticketingsystem, alongwithatleast£250,000inthefrm’snew largerbaseonRoyal Avenue.

“Wedoabout2,000(customers)aweek.In thesummerthingsincrease,”Jennifersays.

FollowingthatdemandandsuccessJennifer saysthecompanygrew“bikeonbike”and increaseditscapacity.

“Theaveragecustomerisinthe35-46range, notasyoungasyouwouldthinkand60/40 womentomen.

“Withinthattherewouldbevisitors,localand corporate.Butwe’vehad95thbirthdays… youngpeoplewhowanttohavebirthdays.”

Thecompanyhasnowexpandedandtakenon

alargeunitatRoyal Avenuewhichincludesa coffeeandsnackbarwhilealsosellingarange oflocalproductswithplansforalargeoutdoor seatingarea.

“Weare[also]doinghampersandhousewares [online]…thiswouldbetargetingsomeone whoisabusinesscustomer.

“Wehavealwaysdreamtofa rounder customerexperience–muchfuller,”Jennifer says.“Wewanttobeabletocheckpeople inproperly. We doonlinehealthandsafety waivers,whichcomeinourticketing,butwe alsochecktheminthroughour receptionand conciergedesk.

“Theideaistolaunchthistothepublic,toget thewordoutaboutit,togetthemodeldown soitcanbescaledtoothercities.”

Customersareabletopre-orderdrinks,suchas ahamper,pre-orderakegorbringtheirown.

“It’spre-order.InBelfastyoucanpre-ordera hamperwithdrink,orpre-orderakeg,orbring yourown,”Jennifersays.“InLondon,it’sa differentcustomerbase. We havefourtaps going…it’s[also]Bollingeralldaylong.”

Jennifersaysthecompanyiseyeingexpansion intocitiesincludingManchesterandLiverpool.

“InLondonwearescalingupthebike

operation,weareonthelookoutforahome there,meanwhileweareengagingand ready withintheback-endsystemintheworksfor bothManchesterandLiverpool. We willdothe samemodel.”

ThecompanyofferstwotoursaroundBelfast, includingoneinthecitycentreandoneinthe CathedralQuarter.

“Wetakeoneandtwohours…youcango toalandmarkoralocalpubandstretchyour legsandkeepon rolling.It’squitebespokeand fexible.InLondonwegotoachocolatierand bakery.”

Thebikesarepopularwithtouristsandlocal visitors,butwhat’sthecity’s responsetothe toursingeneral?

“Thegeneralsenseisyouareapublicservice andyoucheerpeopleup,”Jennifersays.“You arepartofthiscommunity.”

Shesayspartofwhatthefrmisdoingis investingin,andimproving,theareaaround Royal AvenueandLowerGarfeldStreet.

“Whenwestartedthisproductayearand ahalfagoitwasapublicservice–itwas abouttoilets.Thiswholeareatherewasa scene–drugs,publicurinationanddefecation. BetweenusandtheDeer’sHeadwewereonit [helpingtackletheissues].

“Wearefocusedon regenerationandit’sa hugepartofoureffort.

“Wehaveapermitforoutdoorseatingdown totheendofourspace,that’sfor180people. We wouldliketoseethisbecomingalittle commercialcourt.”

AndwiththenewUlsterUniversitycampus andaswatheofstudentaccommodation schemesnearby,Jennifersaysfootfallinthe areahasquadrupled.

“Yes,wehave[seenarise]. Withfootfallayear agowestartedseeinganincreaseandnowit’s quadrupled.” ■

Bringingfreshluxury accommodationto RoyalHillsborough

Lynne and JonathanMcCabe havejustopenedtheirthirdguesthouse,Arthur’s,in thecentreofRoyalHillsborough,alongsidehelpfrom UlsterBank,andit’salready seeingseriousdemandfromvisitorsathomeandfromfurtherafeld

Three’scertainlynotacrowdwhenit comestoluxuryguesthousesinCo Down.

LynneMcCabeandhusbandJonathanhave justunveiledtheirlatest12-bedroomboutique spotintheheartofRoyalHillsborough.

Anddespitethechallengesofthepandemic, thebusinesshascontinuedtogrowand expanditsportfolio,addingtoexisting propertiesincludingRalph’sMoiraand LisnacurranCountryHouseB&B.

“Wehavethreeguesthousesandeachis similarinsize,” Lynnesays.“It’samodelI knowverywellandthefactthattheyareina triangleitmeansI’mabletobouncecustomers betweenthem–soifonedoesn’thave availabilitywecanfnditinanother.”

Arthur’s representsamajorsix-fgure investmentforthepairinthegrandGeorgian property,withsupportfromUlsterBank.

Itwasaprojectseveralyearsinthemaking, theGeorgianpropertyhometoArthur’swas purchasedin2018andunderwentpainstaking refurbishmenttopreserveandshowcaseits periodfeatures.

Duringthistime, Lynnestudiedinteriordesign andoversawthestylingofthepropertyandits suites.

“Inever reallyconsideredHillsborough seriouslyasIdidn’tthinktherewouldbea suitablepropertyofthissizeandwithinmy grasp,” Lynnesays.

“Itwasveryrundownandwasonthe BuildingsatRiskRegister. We knewtherewas alotinvolved.”

Arthur’sofferscustomershigh-spec roomsand alsoboastsacoffeeshopfocusingonarange oftreats,suchasbunsandbakedgoods.

“It’scoffeeandtreatsfrom10amto3pm andthedemographicwouldbeanolder generation.Theylovewehavea reallygood

selectionofcakesandsconesandtreats.That wouldbeouruniquesellingpoint.”

Lynnesaysdemandhasbeenstrongsinceit recentlyopeneditsdoors.

“Ouroccupancyhasbeenverypleasing–full attheweekendsand40-50%throughout theweek. We workoffabouta65%annual averageandwearelookingathittingthat here.

PicturedwithUlsterBankbusiness developmentmanagerDerickWilson areownersJonathanand LynneMcCabe

Newandgreen opportunitieswill helpfuelgrowth

Abigpartofmy roleasabusinessdevelopmentmanager withUlsterBankisworkingwithSMEsandfamily-run businessestohelpthemfulfltheirgrowthambitions. Thiscanrangefromworkingwithbusinessestoupdatevital softwareorfacilities,orevenbackingthemtotakeonlarger projectssuchasopeningnewpremisesor refurbishingan existingdevelopment.

SMEsaretheheartbeatofthelocaleconomysoequippingthemwith thetoolsandthesupporttheyneedisofgreatimportancetoourteams acrossUlsterBank. Workingwith LynneandJonathantocomplete the restorationofArthur’sinHillsboroughisagreatexampleofone suchproject.Notonlywasitanextensive refurbishment,throwinthe complexitiesofjugglingtwootherexistingbusinessesandthepressure cancertainlybegintomount.

Itisintimeslikethisthatthegritanddeterminationoflocal

“Tobetheresosoon,andthefactthatIhave twootherguesthousestocompareitto,I’m verypleased.

“Wehavequiteafewforwardbookingsinthe diaryandinsomecasesagrouptakingthe wholehouseforacoupleofdays.Theyare tricklingthrougheveryday.”

Eachofitsdistinctsuiteshasbeenfnished tothehigheststandards.Blendingthe contemporarywiththetraditional,each

entrepreneurs reallycomestotheforeandIneverfailtobeimpressed withtheworkethicandcourageofbusinessownersrightacross NorthernIreland.Seeinghowbusinesshave reactedtothecurrent economicchallengeshasbeenespeciallyinspirationalandwecanall learnlessonsfromtheiringenuityandabilitytopivot.

Completingthephysical restorationwasonething,buthowdoyou restoreconfdenceinasector,suchashospitality,thatwassobadlyhit bylongperiodsofclosure,astaffngcrisisandrisingcostsacrossalmost everyelementofthesupplychain?

Whilewecannotstepinwithamagicwandandofferaquickfxto thesecustomerstherearepractical,positivethingswecandotomake adifference.Inordertomoveforward,businessneedtolookfornew opportunitiesandatUlsterBank,webelievealotofthiswillbeledby greengrowth.

Ourparentbank,theNatWestGroup, releaseditsSpringboardto SustainableRecoveryReportwhichfoundthattheUK’ssixmillion SMEscanachieve50%oftheUK’snetzerodecarbonisationgoals, representinganestimated£160bn revenueopportunity.However,the reportalsofoundthatlessthan10%ofSMEscurrentlyseeclimate actionasasourceoffuturegrowth,andthatSMEslackaccessto supportthroughfunding,knowledge,andtraining.

Thisissomethingwearetacklingheadontotryand remedy. We recentlylaunchedanexcitingnewgreenloaninitiative,andthrough Lombard,greenassetfnanceforqualifyingSMEs,tohelpthem introducemoresustainablebusinesspractices.Thenewpropositions comeafterNatWest’sannouncementtoprovide£100bnofclimateand sustainablefundingandfnancingtocustomersbytheendof2025 andtogether,wewanttoseetheseincentiveshelpSMEsfnancethe businessassetstheyneedsuchassolarpanels,electricvehicles,orheat pumpsoncommercialbuildingsthatfallwithintheeligibilitycriteria.

Climatechangeisoneofthebiggestglobalchallengeswefacetoday, andSMEshaveacritical roletoplayinhelpingNorthernIreland reach netzero.Agreeneconomybringsnewsandexcitingopportunities forusallwhichiswhyweareproudtostandbysmallbusinessesand supporttheseentrepreneursontheirsustainabilityjourneys.

roomisinfusedwithrichinteriordesign complementedbyperiodfeaturesthatdraw inspirationfromtheoriginalarchitectural characteristicsoftheproperty.

Thegroupemploysaround15-20people acrossitsthreeguesthouses.

AndUlsterBankhasbeenakeypartof Lynne andJonathan’sbusinessjourney,includingthe fundingwhichhelpeddevelopthepair’slatest RoyalHillsboroughguesthouse.

“I’vebeenwithUlsterBankforaverylong time,”shesays.“Ihaveafantastic relationship withthem.

“WehaveabankmanagerwhichIcanonly describeasgoodoldfashionedbanking,faceto-face.

“Wemeetandhelistensandhelikestoknow thebusinessandexactlywhatitisyouneed andstructurethingstosuitus–theyhave beensupportiveofRalph’sandArthur’s.” ■

ByDerickWilson,businessdevelopmentmanager,UlsterBank

DerickWilson

Brexit ‘having strongly negative impact’ onNIeconomy say majority ofaccountants

ThelatestsurveyfromtheCharteredAccountantsUlsterSocietyhighlights positivityfortheNorthernIrelandeconomybutalsosayswemustseeareturnto governmentasapriority,writes MargaretCanning

Three-quartersofaccountants here regardBrexitasastrongly negativeinfuenceonthe economy,contributingtotheirhighest levelofconcernsincebeforethe referendum.

Andanevenbiggerpercentagebelievedthe handlingoftheBrexitprocesshasdamaged NorthernIreland’s reputation.

TheCharteredAccountantsUlsterSociety alsosaidtherehadbeena“signifcant”rise

inthenumberofmemberswhofeelmore businessesareinfnancialdistress–from44% to77%overthelastyear.

Thatwasthehighestpercentageoverthelast sevenyears“byaconsiderablemargin,”the societysaid.Early2016markedtheperiod aheadoftheUK’svotetoleavetheEU.

Theprofessionalbody,which representsover 5,300accountants,saidthefndingsprovided “signifcantwarningsigns”fortheeconomy withstagnationandpoorprospectsahead.

EmmaMurray,chairpersonofthesociety, saidmembershighlightednegativeinfuences including“thecurrentpoliticalimpasse inNorthernIreland,thesqueezeonliving standards,cutsingovernmentspending,and theincreasedcostofdoingbusiness,plusthe impactoftheUK’sexitfromtheEU”.

ShesaidmemberswantedtheExecutiveto be restoredsothatworkcouldtakeplaceto addressproblemsintheeconomy.

Thesurveyalsofoundthatbusinesses regarded

theNIProtocolasbringingasignifcant opportunityforNorthernIreland.

MsMurraysaidtheprofessionstrongly believedthatpoliticalleadersshouldbetaking keydecisions.

“Thelongerthatpoliticalinstability continues,themorediffcultitis forlocalbusinesstocontribute togrowth,jobsandabetter qualityoflifeinNorthern Ireland.”

At54%,morethanhalf ofcharteredaccountants surveyed regardprospects fortheeconomyaspoor.

Three-quartersbelievedthatthe NorthernIrelandeconomyiseithercontracting orstagnant,withonlyoneinfourbelievingthe economyisgrowingatpresent.

At82%,alargemajorityofthosesurveyed

82% Thenumberof thosesurveyedwho wantanExecutive restored

turnover growth andexport growth outsidethe UK.

However,the predominantimpactsfor businesswerenegative,particularlyinbusiness costs,purchasesfromGreatBritain,accessto EUworkers,proftsgrowthandinvestment plans.

Amajorityof respondentstothesurvey(78%) heldastrongbeliefthatNI’s reputationhad beendamagedbythehandlingoftheBrexit process.

Justover70%ofthosesurveyedbelievethat theNIProtocolpresentsanopportunityfor NorthernIrelandand76%believethattheNI Protocolchallengescanbeaddressed.

The WindsorFrameworkisthemost recent attempttoovercomethesechallenges.

saidthattheNIExecutiveshouldbe restored.

AswellastheNIProtocol,thesurveyfound members regardNorthernIreland’slowcost base,highskillsoffering,geographiclocation, Englishspeakingworkforceandtheability topotentiallylowercorporationtaxasother sellingpoints.

Butthebiggestdrawbacks were‘risinginfation andsqueezeonliving standards’(96%), ‘cutbacksinGovernment spending’(95%)and ‘currentpoliticalconditions inNorthernIreland’(93%).

Three-quartersofthose surveyedidentifedBrexitasa ‘stronglynegative’or‘negative’factoronthe performanceofthelocaleconomy.

Butitalsoidentifedwhatitsaidwere“modest positives”forbusinessfromBrexitinsales/

At82%,largenumberssaythattheNorthern IrelandExecutiveshouldbe restored,while 69%feelthatmorepowersshouldbegiven topermanentsecretarieswithingovernment departmentsuntiltheExecutiveis restored. Thesurveyfoundmixedviewsonwhether thereshouldbefurtherdevolutionoftax powersinNorthernIreland,with44%saying ‘yes’and40%saying‘no’.

Corporationtaxwasconsideredthemost suitabletaxtodevolve,followedbyshorthaul airpassengerdutyandtheapprenticeshiplevy.

IndependenteconomistMaureenO’Reilly, whoanalysedthesurveyofNorthern Ireland’sCharteredAccountants,said:“The currentpoliticalandeconomicenvironment isextremelydiffcultwhichunsurprisinglyis dampeningthemoodaroundprospectsforthe yearahead.

“However,membersdoseeopportunities goingforwardandtheNIProtocol,andnow WindsorFramework,iscertainlyviewedasthe maincatalysttosupportthe regiontomoveon toastrongergrowthpath.” ■

75% Thosewhobelieve Brexitishavinga negativeimpact onNI

EmmaMurray

PaulMacFlynn, economistandco-director oftheNevinEconomic ResearchInstitute,says someouttherearewilling forarecessiontoshow andwhyweshouldn’t automaticallyacceptthe hypothesisthatisbeing pushedbypolicymakers

Thereisastrangethinghappeningin theworldofeconomicpolicymaking rightnow.

Thereareagroupofpeoplesittingand reading throughalloureconomicdata,waitingand hopingforittoshowthebeginningsofa recession. Worsestill,iftheydon’tseea recessioncomingsoon,theywilltakeactionto bringoneaboutbythemselves.

You’dbeforgivenforthinkingIwasdescribing abandofsuper-villainsinanew,arguably niche,comicbookmovie.

Iam,infact, referringtothepeoplewho setinterestratesinyourlocalcentralbank. WhetheritistheFederalReserve,theEuropean CentralBankorourownBankofEngland, someofthesepeoplewanta recession,and theywantitnow.

Iconfessthatthischaracterisationissomewhat over-dramatic.Butiflikeme,youarefollowing monetarypolicydevelopmentsthesedays,you mightseemypoint.

Thereseemstobesomethingperverseabout aneconomicpolicywherebya recessionisthe goalyou’retryingtohit,ratherthanavoid.

We getmonthlyupdatesforvariouseconomic indicatorssuchoutputgrowth,employment andwages.Generally,aneconomywhere

alltheseareincreasingisconsideredtobein goodshape.

Notsothesedays.Thesedayssuchpositive developmentsaremetwithgrimcommentary frommonetarypolicymakersforetellingthe gravedecisionstheywillhavetotaketo remedythisstateofaffairs.

Theywillsaythattheyneedtoraiseinterest ratestocombattheeffectofpositiveeconomic trendsonthepricelevel.Interestrateincreases makedebt repaymentslikemortgagesmuch moreexpensiveandtheyalsopreventfrms borrowingtoinvestandgrow.

Theyalsotendtotip recoveringeconomiesinto recessions.Policymakerswillsaythatunless theydothis,priceswillspinoutofcontroland thatisafarworsepositiontobein.

Itwouldseemthenthatweneedtoswallow theharsheconomicmedicinenowandwe’ll begladofitinthefuture. To anyonewhowas involvedintheausteritydebatesfrom2010, suchamantrasoundseerilyfamiliar.

Backthenweweretoldifwedidn’tgetour debtanddefcitundercontrolfast,markets wouldtakefrightandwewouldbeinafar worseposition.

Lookingbacknow,mosteconomic commentatorscanconcedethatausteritywas adisastrouseconomicpolicydecisionthatwe arestillpayingthepricefortoday.

Howdoweavoidfallingpreytosuch scaremongeringagain?

Thefrstthingtosayisthat,thereisalways

Whysome policymakers wantarecession andhowthere’s analternative

analternative.Backin2010therewereways toraise revenues,investinoureconomyand growourwayoutof recession.

Backthen,suchstrategiesweredismissed chiefybecausetheydidn’tinvolvesuffcient economicpain.

Well,itturnsouteconomicfagellationisback invogue,butthistime,likethelasttime,there arealternativestoo.

Secondly,thedangerofpricesspirallingout ofcontrolislargelyoverblown.Thereisno evidencethatpayawardsarerunninghigher thaninfation.

Thatisbecausepeople’slong-term expectationsforinfation remainpretty normal.Theyunderstandtheexceptional

eventsthathaveledtothiscrisis,alltheywant toknowisthattheirwageswilleventually makeupthegroundthey’velost.

Thirdly,weneedtofollowthemoney.Ifprices havebeenincreasingsorapidlyoverthelast yearandwageshaven’truntomeetthem, wherehasallthemoneygone?

Profts.Andbyprofts,Idon’tjustmean theobsceneamountsofmoneythatenergy companieshavebeenrakinginthroughoutthis crisis,butthemanyotherfrmswhohavebeen gettinginontheacttoo.Anyonewholooks attheirbroadbandormobilephonebillthis monthwillknowwhoImean.

Taxingtheseprofts removespressurefrom oureconomywithoutimpactingonvulnerable households.

Furthermore,themoneycanbeusedto alleviatecostoflivingpressureswithout reintroducingthatpressureandinaway thatsafeguardsoureconomyagainst similarshocksinthefuture.Usingthat moneytoprovideservicesthatpeople need–likechildcare– removesa signifcantexpenditurefromhousehold fnances.Italso removesthevolatility ofchildcarecostsfromourinfation measures.Extendthistothehousing sectorandwecan removeevenmore volatility.

WhatI’mtryingtosayhereisthatwe don’thavetoacceptthedoom-loop hypothesisthatiscurrentlybeingpushed bypolicymakers.Therewasanalternative tothemasochismweunleashedin2010 andthereisanalternativetoitnow. ■

Cyberattacks: it’s notamatterofif… it’samatterofwhen

“There are onlytwotypesof companies:thosethathave beenhackedandthosethatwill behacked.”

It’sa quotethatwill resonatewithmany, but noteveryone.Theseare thewordsofRobert S MuellerIII,executivedirectoroftheFBIand specialcounselintoRussianinterferencewith election(s)intheUS.

Itsuccinctlydescribesthecyberthreatto businesses, a clearandpresentdanger However, noteveryonegetsit.

There’s anobviousdistancebetweenan executiveintheFBIandanycyberthreatto anengineeringbusinessinmore ruralpartsof Northern Irelandor a constructioncompany operatingin a city, forexample.

Addtothat a numberofhigh-proflebrands usedasexamplesofcybercrime:Sony, JP Morgan,eBay, TargetandUberandyoualmost get a senseofdetachment.

Listing Tesco,BritishAirways,Dixons, Ticketmaster, andeasyJetasUK-basedvictims andHSE, TrinityCollegeandBusÉireannas

Irishexamples,somehowcontrivesfurtherto promotethemyththat“itwillneverhappen tous”.

OthersclosertohomeincludeMoyPark, Translinkandatthetimeofwriting,bothRoyal MailandLaganSpecialistContractingGroup.

Whatbindsalloftheseorganisationstogether isthattheir respectivesecuritybreacheshave beenmadepublic,intentionallyorotherwise.

Thetruthisthatthere are 100,000sofvictims butthemajorityprefersilenceorpayingthe ransomtoprotecttheirbrand reputation.

LoughTechasbeenoperatinginthecyber securityspaceforalmost10years,with a portfoliothatincludesglobalpharmaceutical andfnancialbrands,aswellasthe aforementionedengineeringbusinessesand constructioncompanies,withmanymore in between.

Overthelastthreeyears,wehaveseen exponentialgrowthincyberattackson Northern Irishbusinesses,gettingcallson almost a dailybasisfromthosewhoare desperateforhelpintheaftermathof a breach.

Ontopofphishing,malware,agednetwork infrastructure,predictablepasswordsand humanerror, theperiodofthepandemic createdanalmostperfectstormforcyber criminals.Aspeoplebeganworkingfrom home,networksbecamemore exposedand more vulnerable.Inthesameperiod,the criminalshavebecomemore sophisticatedand withmore timeontheirhands,muchmore persistent.

Someofyoumaybethinkingrightnow“why wouldcybercriminalstargetourbusiness?”.

You’re askingthewrongquestion – ask“what wouldthecostbetoourbusinesswhenweget breached?”

Becauseit’s not a matterofif,it’sa matterof when. ■

For more information,pleasevisit www LoughTec.com,emailsales@loughtec.com orcall08001582337

SeánMcDermott,LoughTecchiefexecutive,AdrianBell,directorcyber securityglobalsales,CathalGreen,chieftechnicaloffcer

What’sneededtomake NIamorediverse entrepreneuriallandscape?

CanNorthernIrelanddomoretoimprovediversity,equalityandinclusion inentrepreneurshipandhelpfuelabetterandmoreinclusiveeconomy?

UlsterBank hostedleadersfromacrossthesectorstodiscusswhatcan bedonetoimprovethebusinesslandscapehere

More,muchmore,needsto bedoneinordertoimprove diversityandinclusionright acrossNorthernIreland’sburgeoning entrepreneurialandbusinesslandscape.

Thatwascertainlypartofthesentiment comingtotheforeata recentdinnerhostedby UlsterBankatitsDSEheadquartersinBelfast citycentre–focusingondiversity,equalityand inclusive.

Ahostof representativesfromrightacross

thesectorssharedtheirinsight,knowledge, expertiseand,often,theirownpersonal stories,journeysandconcernssurrounding thevastchallengeswhich remainformany here,whetheritbeduetoethnicity,gender, disabilityorsocio-economicbackground.

“Thisisaboutchangingtheconversationand startingitabittomovethatforward,”John Ferris, regionalecosystemsmanager,Ulster Banksaid.

“Thechallengeinalotofthisisthe

intersectionalityofthoseareas,”hesays.“It’s aboutstartingsomewhere...steponeforusis howwegetthedataandthechallengepeople onthat.”

LoriGatsi-BarnettofJoinHerNetworksaidthere remainchallengesforpeoplenotfromNorthern Irelandwhoaretryingtobreakintobusiness andhavetheconfdencetobringideasforward, addresstheirissuesandgetinfrontoftheright people–especiallykeyfunders.

TheJoinHerNetwork,alongwithArtsEkta,are

ClaireMcKee,OrlaMcKeating,GillianMcCandless,Susan Nightingale,JohnMulgrew,JohnFerris,Nisha Tandon, LoriGatsi-Barnett,EoinMcFaddenandDiane Wabo

twooftheorganisationswhichhave recently receivedfreshfundingfromtheUlsterBank EnterpriseFund.

UlsterBank’sEnterpriseFundsupports projectsaimedatpromotingandencouraging entrepreneurship,particularlyamongthose underrepresented.

“Whenitcomesto representation...awoman whoisfromNIwhohashadacertainlife, versusawomancomingfromtheUkraineor Syriaoranywhereelse[isverydifferent],”Lori says.

“It’satotallydifferentframeworkof understanding.It’snavigatinganimmigration systemwhichhasitsownpitfalls–gettingover thebarriersofsimplethings.

“Ithinkthejourneyforalotofuswhocan articulatewhatwewanttosayisthatwe arenotaroundthetable.Alotofdecisions arebeingmade,andIappreciatediversityis makingin-roads,butyouneedtohearfrom uswhocanarticulatewhat’shappeningtothe averagewomanouttherewhowillneverhave avoice.”

Nisha Tandon,ofArtsEkta–oneofIreland’s largestculturalorganisations–saysit’sabout buildingconfdence,andalsomovingaway fromseeingthesamepeopleateventsor onpanels,andcreatingsomethingmore representative.

“Wearegoingtoseethesameoldpeople. Ihavebeenherefor45yearsandhavethe confdence…buttherearemanyotherswho are reallybetterbusinesspeoplethanwhatI ambuttheyjustdon’thavethatconfdenceto

comeout,”shesaid.“Itisveryimportantto bringthatoutinapersonofcolour.”

Thatmoveawayfrombusinessoreventpanels whicharenotdiverseisakeystepalongthe way.

“It’sdiffculttogetstartedonthejourneybut Idon’tthinkit’sdiffcultonceyougetonthe journey–whenyouspeaktosomeoneand say‘we’relookingforsomeonewhohasthis experience’,”JohnFerrissaid.

Diane WabooftheEthnicMinority Employment&EntrepreneurshipNetworkNI cametoNorthernIrelandaround11yearsago, asatrainedaccountant,butinitiallystruggled tofndthepathinwhichsheneededtotakein ordertogetbacktowork.

Thatpromptedhertolaunchanewawards scheme–theMinoritiesRecognition Awards NI,whichiscurrentlyseekingsponsorsand takesplaceonOctober7–toshowcaseand celebratethehigh-performing,diverseand excitingrangeofbusinessesthatmakeupthe furtherintegrationofminoritybusinessowners andcontributetothecountry’seconomy.

“It’sabouttryingtobuildconfdenceand encouragepeople,”shesays.“Theawards aretoshowcaseexcellenceamongthe minoritycommunity–businessownersand professionals. To helpbuildthatconfdence.”

OrlaMcKeating,DiversityMarkNI,saidthatas anorganisationit’scontinuingonitsjourneyto promotediversityandinclusion.

Itnowdealswithsome155organisationsand 200,000employeesacrosstheUKandIreland.

“Mypersonalmissionandpurposeisabout creatingthosetrustedspacesforpeopleto havethediffcultconversationsandmove intoamoreequitable,diverseandinclusive society,”shesaid.

SusanNightingaleoftheBritishBusinessBank toldguestsgatheredthattheorganisation recentlyproduceda reportlookingatdiversity andentrepreneurshipacrosstheUK.

“We realiseditgoesalotbroaderthangender andethnicity,”shesays.“Weopenedthat upandincludeddisability,neurodiversityand thosewhoidentifyascomingfromasocioeconomicallydisadvantagedbackground.”

Theorganisationaskedentrepreneurswhat thekeybarrierswereandwhattheywanted toseetomaketheprocesseasierandmore accessible.

It’sidentifedfournewworkstreams,including accreditationwithinentrepreneurship,a female-focusedfnanceprogramme,looking atthesocio-economicallydisadvantagedside andproducinga resourcesguideacrossareas ofdiversity.

EoinMcFaddenoftheDepartmentforthe Economysaidhisdepartmenthasanumber ofcolleaguesworkingdirectlyandspecifcally ontheareaofdiversityandinclusivityinthe workplace.

“Thedooriswellandtrulyopen,”hesays. “Oneofthethingswearelookingatactively issayingthatifweareseriousaboutdiversity andinclusion,it’sacornerstoneofwhatwe aredoingandweshouldbebuildingitinasa matterofdesign.” ■

GillianMcCandless andSusan Nightingale

JohnFerris,Nisha Tandon, LoriGatsi-Barnett,Eoin McFadden,Diane Wabo andJohnMulgrew

BankofEnglandpushes baserateto4.25%

TheBankofEnglandhaspushed interestratesuponceagainas theyrisetothehighestlevelfor14 years.

Thebankistryingtoput a lidonsoaringprices afterUKinfationunexpectedlyjumpedhigher inFebruary

PolicymakersontheBank’s MonetaryPolicy Committee(MPC)votedseventotwoto increaseratesfrom4%to4.25%,butsaid theyexpecttheeconomytogrowslightlyin thesecondquarteroftheyear, marking a reversalofthe0.4%declineingrossdomestic product(GDP)theBankhadanticipated.

Mortgage repaymentsforsomehomeowners inNorthern Irelandcouldrisebyupto£200 a yearas a resultofthelatestjump.

DavidBharier, headof researchattheBritish ChambersofCommerce,said:“[The]decision

toincreasetheinterestrateindicatestheBank are stillpursuingstrongactionfollowingthe surpriseriseininfation.

“Record highinfation remainsthetopissueof concern forSMEs,andithasbeenwipingout theirabilitytoinvestandgrowforalmosttwo yearsnow

“However, aninterestraterisealoneis a blunt instrumentthatdoesn’t addresssomeofthe fundamentalcausesofinfationsuchasfailure intheenergymarketandglobalsupplychain shocks.

“Thecostoflivingcrisisandthecostofdoing businesscrisisare twosidesofthesamecoin andSMEs,likeconsumers,are gettinghitfrom bothrisingpricesandrisingborrowingcosts. Theonlywayoutofthisviciouscycleisthrough takingactiontoboosteconomicgrowth, throughinvestmentininfrastructure,skills,and globaltrade.”

DrEsmondBirnie,senioreconomistUlster UniversityBusinessSchool,saidtheMonetary PolicyCommittee(MPC)had“probably”made therightdecision,despite recentturbulencein thebankingsystempromptingspeculationit couldleavetherateunchanged.

TheUSFederalReservehadjustincreasedits rate,alsoby0.25%.

“Worriesaboutavoiding a slideinthevalue ofthepoundcomparedtothedollartendto implyUKinterestratestrackthoseintheUS,” hesaid.

AndnewsthatConsumerPriceInfation(CPI) hadunexpectedlygoneupinFebruary, reaching 10.4%,alsomadeitthecorrectdecision.

Buthesaidthenewsstillbroughtdiscomfort formortgagepayers,“particularlythoseon fexibleratemortgagesorthose re-negotiating a rate”. ■

Fibrustargetingequalgender splitacrossworkforceby2028

Firmsmakingstridestoaddressgenderbalanceareonthe riseinNorthernIreland,withcompaniesofferingincentives togetwomenbothintoandbackintotheworkplace.

Fibrus’schiefpeopleoffcer,LindaMcMillan,saidtheambitiousfull fbrebroadbandproviderplanstohavea50/50employeesplitby2028. Currently32%oftheworkforceisfemale.

Andalthoughthetelecomsindustryistraditionallyseenasmale dominated,theBelfastfrmhastakensignifcantstepsto redressthe perceivedgenderimbalance.

“Fibrusisactivelyencouragingfemalestoworkforthecompanyby offeringfexibleworkingpatterns,parttimeworkandhybridwork,” Lindasaid.

“There’salsosupportforpeoplewhoneedtimeoffforfamilyissues. Workingpartlyfromhomeandworkingfexiblehoursareagiven,nota special request.

“Therearepoliciesthatsupportwomenwhoarestartingafamily, includingtimeoffforfertilitytreatment,enhancedmaternityleave, parentalleaveanddependentsleave.

“Wealsohavepoliciesandsupportforolderwomen,thosegoing throughthemenopauseorwhowishtoworkfewerhoursaweek.”

Lindasaidtherehadbeenanincreaseinfemaleapplicants,withwomen accountingfor40%ofnewhireslastyear.

“Atpresent32%ofouremployeesarefemaleandourtargetisto achievea50/50splitby2028.”

Womenleadersnowchosetoworkforcompaniesthatprioritise fexibility,employeewellbeing,diversity,equalityandinclusion, accordingtoLinda.

“That’swhatFibrusisendeavouringtodothroughpoliciesaround expectedbehavioursintheworkplace,”shesaid.

“Wealsoensurethereisalevelplayingfeldby regularly reviewing ourgenderpaygap,beingopenaroundpromotionalopportunities and rewardingperformancethrougha robustprocess.It’saworkplace meritocracy.”

Lindasaidcompaniesmustcreateopportunitiesforwomentoget experience,throughmentoringprogrammes,leadershipseminarsand education.

“Fibrusisanactivememberof WomeninBusiness,whichitsupports byadvertisingjobsviathewomen-onlyportal TimelyCareers,providing femalementoringandhostingtrainingevents,”shesaid.

Meanwhile,commercialbusinesspartnerEimearMcVeigh,whosupports thesalesandmarketingandservicedeliveryfunctionsatFibrus,benefts fromthefexibleworkingfromhomepolicy.

“Iwasabletogetmywork/lifebalanceback,”shesaid.“Ihavealong commutetotheoffceand,withfourchildren,it’strickytoarrange childcarearoundearlystartsandlaterevenings.

“Iworkafour-dayweekwhichallowsmetostayontopofhousework andallthoseotherthanklessjobsonmydayoff,buthavetimewithmy youngestson,includingnurseryschooldropoffandpickup.”

Eimearsaidothercompaniesshouldbedoingmoretoattractwomen to roles.“Theyshouldbeimplementinghybridworkingpoliciesand offeringaninclusive,supportiveworkingenvironmentwherewomen feeltheycanfulfltheirpotential,”shesaid.

“Afemalefriendlyworkplaceisimportantbecausethereshouldn’tbe anystigmaorguiltassociatedwithhavingkids.Beingamumshould neverputyouatadisadvantageintheworkplace.” ■

LindaMcMillan

NORTHERNIRELAND COMPANIES2023

Sponsoredby

35-68

NORTHERNIRELAND COMPANIES2023

102-134

NORTHERNIRELAND COMPANIES2023

NorthernIrelandSMEssee proftsrisebymorethan50%

The UlsterBusinessNext200 with Barclays showcasestheperformancesof NorthernIreland’sleadingSMEs,followingdirectlyonfromour Top100summerlist ofourbiggestbusinesses. JonathanCushley,whocompiledthelist,breaksdown thekeytrendsandnumbers

NorthernIreland’sleadingSMEs haveseenproftsgrowingbymore than50%inthelastyear,the UlsterBusiness Next200withBarclayscan reveal.

Thelist,whichfollowsonfromthe Top100 editionofNorthernIreland’slargestfrms, showscompaniesfromrightacrossthesectors seeingstrongperformances.

Forthepastfewyears,the Top100’ssister

listingtheNext200hasallowedbusiness ownerstounderstandhowcompaniesbelow the Top100areperformingandprovidean indicationofcompaniesmakingthestepupto the Top100Companieslisting.Thelatestlist alsoshowssalesgrowingby21.8%inthelast year–risingto£9.62bn.

Forthepastnumberofyears,theNorthern Irelandeconomyhasfacedchallengessuchas BrexitandtheCovid-19pandemicheadon andatlastfguresattributedtotheNext200

NorthernIrelandbusinessesprovideproofof positiveperformanceasbusinessesshowsigns of recovery.

Thelistingiscompiledusingdetailstaken auditedaccountsfledatCompaniesHouse andprimarily refectfnancialyearsending 2021and2022.

Summary SaleswithintheNext200listinghavegrown by21.8%to£9.62bnfromacorresponding

JonathanCushley

previousyearfgureof£7.91bn.Pre-tax proftabilityhasseenanevenmoreimpressive increaseby50.5%to£727mfrom£483m.

Asthelistingisfuidandcompanieseither arepromotedtothe Top100listingorcan dropentirelyfromtheNext200company comparativesareutilisedonayear-by-year basis.

Sales/revenue

Sales revenueistheincome receivedby acompanyfromitssalesofgoodsorthe provisionofservices.

TheperformanceoftheNext200inshowinga 21.8%salesgrowthto£9.62bnisexceptional inwhatcontinuestobeadiffcultand challengingtradingenvironment.

Inthe2022editionofthe Top100,acompany neededaturnoverof£78.6mtobeincluded, currently12companiesfromtheNext200 haveexceededthatsalesfgureandcould feasiblyachieveinclusioninthe2023 Top100.

ClearwaysDisposalsLtd,metal recyclerand exporterofferrousandnon-ferrousmetals, headsthelistingwith2021salesof£111.6m upfrom£66minitsprioryear.Imed(NI)Ltd,

TOP10MOSTPROFITABLECOMPANIES

CDEGlobalLtd,MedwynHoldingsLtd,and HenryGroup(NI)Ltd&Sonsallexceeded £95minsalesallextremelywellplacedtoenter the Top100.

Eachofthesecompaniesexcelledduringthe yearaveragingover54.8%salesgrowth.

Pre-taxproftability

Whencompilingdataallowingustoshare companyperformance,sales/revenuehas beenusedasadefningmeasure,whilealso acceptingthatbothproftabilityandtangible shareholdervaluearealsokeyevaluationof performance.

Thisyearhasseenastrongincreaseinproft marginfortheNext200companiesfroma marginof6.1%to7.6%withtotalprofts

JoeO’Neill

nowsittingat£727mcomparedto£483m forthecorrespondingcompaniesintheirprior year.

Thisincreaseofsome50.5%surpasses anygrowthseenwithintheNext200since inceptionandistestimonytothestrong recoverybeingseenbythissecondtierof NorthernIreland’sbusinesses.

Only17ofthe200companiespostedlosses duringtheirlatestfinancialyear.

Shareholdervalue/Tangiblenetworth Shareholdervalueisthevalueenjoyedbya shareholderbypossessingsharesofacompany –itisthevaluedeliveredbythecompanyto theshareholder.

TheshareholdervalueoftheNext200 companiescurrentlysitat£4.15bn.

Theshareholders returnfortheNext200listing equatestoprofit/shareholdervalueandasa percentagesitat17.3%.Thesalestoequity ratiodefinedas revenue/shareholdervalue providesanindicatorofhowmuchmoneyis generatedbythebusinesswitheachpound

invested–fortheNext200listingthisamounts to2.32.

Employees

TheNext200companiesemployatotalof 45,502people–thisfigurehasbeenpulled fromthelatestsetofaccountscurrentlyonfile atCompaniesHouseandissubjecttoahigh degreeoffluidity.

NO.OFCOMPANIES

EachemployeewithintheNext200accounted for£211,397ofturnover–sales/employee andaccountedfor£15,974profit–profit/ employee. ■

NOTES

AdateofMarch3,2023hasbeenused asacutoffforthefilingofaccountsto permitlistingintheNext200company listing.Everyefforthasbeenmadeto makethelistingasaccurateaspossible thoughitisacceptedsomecompanies mayhavebeenerroneouslyexcluded.

Companieswithattachmentstothose companiesincludedinthe Top100listing havebeenexcluded.

 CharlesBrandGroupLtdhasfiled accountsforasix-monthperiod.

 Eircom(UK)Ltdhasfiledaccountsfor an18-monthperiod.

 GlenstalFoodsUKLtdhasfiled accountsineuro,theseaccounts havebeenconvertedtosterlingat theexchangerateapplicableatthe relevantfinancialyearend.

 CME TechnologyandSupportServices Ltdhasfiledaccountsindollars, theseaccountshavebeenconverted tosterlingattheexchangerate applicableatthe relevantfinancialyear end.

 FintruLtdhasfiledaccountsfora nine-monthperiod.

Howdidyoustartoutinyourbusiness?

Leavingschoolinthemid-80sIstartedin workingin retailinDebenhamsinLeeds.I haveworkedinthe retailsectorinalldivisions allowingmetoseehowthebusinessworks, fromheadoffceinLondontomajorprojects. Ittaughtme respect,customerservice, managementandkeydecisionmakingskills.

ItookasteptomovetoNorthernIrelandin 1995fromasmallvillagein Yorkshire,this kick-startedmycareerallowingmetoprogress andutilisetheskillsI’dlearned.Ihavealways hadgreatmentorsatseniorlevelgivingme theirtimetohelpmeunderstandhowthe businessworksandgivingmeconfdenceto moveforwardinmycareer.

Whathaveyoufoundthemost challengingduringyouryearsofbusiness, sofar?

TheperiodoftheCovid-19crisisledtorapidly changingworkingpatternsincludingnew formsof remoteworking,fexibleworking, socialdistancingatworkandshiftworking, withmanyworkershavingtobalancework andcaring responsibilitiesmorethanever before.

Therewasalotofpressureputonthe workforceasmanywereleftuncertainabout theirjobprospects,andtherewasmoreof afocusonwork/lifebalance,leadingsome employeestoassesshowtheywantedtomove forwardintheircareers.That’snotforgetting thecurrentsituationoftheinfationandthe costoflivingcrisis.Iwouldsaythepastthree orfouryearshavebeenchallengingtoensure thebusiness reformsandworksthroughthese obstacles.

Name: ChrisNelmes

Role: Retaildirector,TheBoulevard

Howwouldyoudescribeyour managementstyle?

Mymanagementstyleistofocusonthe biggerpictureallowingmystafftoplayto theirindividualstrengths.Itrytohelpand guide,makingsuretocommunicatetoensure everyoneisonthesamepageandtoempower mystaff.

Mentoringtheyoungstersandshowing newbiesthe ropescan reinvigorateyou,and you’llcertainlylearnfromyourmentees. Mentoringisatwo-waylearningprocess,if you’rewillingtolisten.Staffareyourmost importantasset.Thegoalistohaveagreat team repayyouinproductivity,loyaltyand service.

Whatwouldyouchangeifyoucouldgo backanddoitallagain?

IsupposeIwouldbanishthenigglingdoubt thatIhadbeforeImovedtoNorthernIreland. Iwasofferedalifechanging roletoliveand workinBrazilforamajorcompany.Iaccepted the roleatfrst,thenthe realityhit.Asfights andaccommodationwerebeingorganisedand therewas regularcommunicationonhowthe job rolewasgoingtobe,Idecidedtopolitely turnthe roledown.

WouldIchangemydecisionifIhadtogoback anddoitagain?Probablynot.WhatIwould

changeistheworrythatIhadmadethewrong decision.

Haveyoudoneitallonyourown?

Therehavebeenacoupleofinfuentialpeople inmylifewhohavegivenmethebeliefand opportunitiestogetmetowhereIamtoday. Theytaughtmetoworkhard, respectand enjoy.It’simportanttokeepintouchwith peoplewhohavehelpedyouonyourjourney. Asyougrowwiser,hopefullyyouwillbecome amentortoothers.

Howwouldyoulikeyourbusinesstobe remembered?

Iwouldlikeittobe rememberedassuccessful, turnedaroundfromadirectionlessbusiness thatwasunderperformingintothethriving retailenvironmentitistoday.

Whatpieceofadvicewouldyougivetoa 20-year-oldyou?

Maintaina‘cando’attitude, respectand loyalty– rememberyouarejustlearninglife skillsatthisstage.Also,ensureyouhave agoodworkethicandabsorbasmuch knowledgefrompeoplearoundyou.

Thinklongterm,what’syourplan?Howare yougoingtoachievethis?Intermsofcareer, lifestyle,family.Mentallynotetheseandgo forit. ■

Thecolumnwithan earforexperience...

Next200continues withastrongrebound

Aquicklookatthe UlsterBusiness Next200 revealsthegoodhealth ofourleadingSMEs,andthe strongbounce-backthathasoccurredpost theCovid-19pandemic.Itisnoticeablethat turnover reboundedstronglyin2021/22 fromthefrstlockdowneraof2020.

Overall,turnoveronthisyear’s listisupover 20%year-on-year, andproftsare upmore than 50%,whichisevenmore impressive.

Withinthelisttherea coupleofthemes whichstandout.Firstly, itisnosurprisethat themajorityofhighgrowthcompaniesare exporters. We knowthatNorthern Ireland’s domesticeconomyissmall,andforbusinesses to reachtheirfullpotentialtheyinvariablymust export.

What’s clearisthatoverthepastfewyears, increasingnumbersofNorthern Ireland businessesare embracingexporting.Whether thatisduetothe“dual-access”advantage thatNorthern Irelandnowhas,orother factors,there isnodoubtthatthisis a trend thatisproviding a signifcantboosttomany companies.ManufacturingNI recently reported around90%ofourlocalmanufacturingsector exportsoutsideNorthern Ireland,whichis a remarkableachievement.

Secondly, there area numberofsectoral trendswhichstandout.Asnotedabove, manufacturingcontinuestocatchtheeye,with continuedstronggrowthfrommanycompanies inthissector NamessuchasUni-trunk,Denroy, Telestack,SmileyMonroeandCDEGlobal continuetopostimpressivegrowth.

Manyofourlocalconstructionfrmsare also enjoyingbettertimesafter a challenging

fewyearsduringthepandemic.Aswellas mainstreamconstructionfrms,in recent years,Northern Irelandhasdeveloped a clusterofhighgrowthspecialistft-out companies.NamessuchasPortviewand 3 Interiorseachmore thandoubledtheir turnover, whileotherssuchasMACGroup andtheSpecialistGroupare alsoseeing stronggrowth.

Companiesthatsellintotheconstruction supplychainalsofaredwell – forinstanceone ofourownclients,CamdenGroup,which manufacturesuPVCwindowsforsaleacross theUKandIreland, reportedturnoverup nearly a third.Likewise,doormanufacturer TradeMouldings, Tobermore Concrete, KeystoneLintelsandMurdockBuilders Merchantsallperformed reallywell.

Finally, the roleofprivateequityinstimulating growthinourSMEsisworthyofhighlighting – companiessuchasO&SDoors,Uform, BraidwaterandMcAvoyGroupare just

someofthenames reapingthebeneftsof theacceleratedgrowththatprivateequity canhelpbring.RecentdatafromExperian highlightedthat2022was a record yearfor PEdealsinNorthern Ireland,whichbodes wellforthecontinuedgrowthoftheNext 200companiesinthecomingyears.Barclays’ ownSustainableImpactCapitalfundhas investedintwoNIcompaniesinthepastyear – ResponsibleandMOF Technologiesare two leading-edgepioneersinsustainability, andwill hopefullyfeature inthislistinyearstocome.

AtBarclaysweare proudtohaveseveralof ourclientsfeature onthe UlsterBusiness Next 200list.Asoneoftheleadingcorporatebanks intheUK,weknowfrst-handthebenefts that a leadingbankcanbringtofast-track ourclients’growth,whetherthatistapping intoourlatestdigitalbankingtechnology, our tradefnancecapabilities,orbringingourdeep industryexpertiseandconnections. We look forward toplayingour roleinsupportingthe Next200inthecomingyears. ■

AdrianDoran,headofcorporatebankingNorthernIreland, Barclays,sponsor ofthe Next200,looksatthisyear’slistandthecompaniesshowingstrong performancesfromrightacrossthesectors

AdrianDoran

JoeO’Neill

18

BelfastHarbour

BelfastHarbour remainsone ofNorthernIreland’slargest landownersandanorganisation whichiscontinuingtoexpandandinvest inthecity–fromoffce,to residentialand ourburgeoningflmsector.

Theorganisationis responsibleforanestateof around2,000acres–around20%ofthecity itself–and remainsoneofthekeypointsof tradeinIreland.

Establishedin1847,BelfastHarbourisBelfast’s portauthorityandoperatestheprincipal maritimegatewayontheislandofIreland.

Itcomesinatthenumber18positiononthis year’sNext200listwithaturnoverof£73.3m, accordingtoaccountsfortheyearending December2021.Italsopostedpre-taxprofts of£39.8mforthesameperiod.

Theharbour–whichisheadedbyJoeO’Neill –ishometohigh-qualitycommercialand residential realestate,andadiversecommunity ofbusinessesinsectorssuchasfnancialandIT servicesandaerospace,employingmorethan 27,000people.

Tradehas reached recordlevels,with25.6 milliontonnesofcargopassingthroughthe port–a9%increaseonthe23.5millionayear earlierand5%abovetheprevious recordlevels recordedin2019.

Amajorcontributortotheeconomy inNorthernIreland,BelfastHarbour Commissionershasplayedakey roleinthe developmentandprogressofthecitysinceits inceptionin1847.

Asignifcantprogrammeofstrategic investmentsoverthelastdecadecontinues tocreatejobs,stimulategrowthandaid the region’ssocio-economic recovery,with morethan£254mofongoinginvestment committedtothedevelopmentofPortand Estateinfrastructureupto2023.

Asatrusttheorganisation reinvestsprofts backintothedevelopmentandinfrastructure.

Intermsoftheschemesunderway,it’s continuingtopushonwithitsCityQuays masterplan.

Thatincludescompletingitsfagship 16-storeyoffcedevelopment,CityQuays3.

It’sunderstoodnolessthansevenfrmsare signeduptotakespaceatthebuilding.That includesAfac,whichismovingfromCity Quays2,legalservicesandaglobalITgiant. ThedevelopmentfollowsCityQuays1and2, whilewiderplansareunderwayforabuildto-rentbuilding,socialhousingandafurther mixedusescheme.

It’spushingonwiththenextphaseinitsCity Quaysdevelopment, recentlyundergoinga tenderforthehugeexpansionoftheBelfast HarbourStudios,andisalsoeyeingadditional schemes.

Theharbour’sflmstudioshavealreadyplayed hosttoproductionsincludingNetfix’sThe SchoolforGoodandEvil,whichfeatured A-listerssuchasCharlizeTheron,Kerry Washington,Michelle YeohandLaurence Fishburne.

SpeakingastheHarbour’sannualaccounts were releasedlastyear,JoeO’Neillsaidplans fora260-apartmentbuild-to-rentscheme, CityQuays4,wereduetobesubmittedsoon. CityQuays5–amixed-usescheme–could thenfollow,althoughit remainsatamuch earlierstageofdevelopment.

Hesaid2021“sawsignifcantprogressin deliveringourPortforEveryone’vision,as wecontinuedtodevelopBelfastHarbour asaworld-leading regionalport,andakey economichubandiconicwaterfrontforthe city”.

“Since2019andthroughoutthepandemic, wehavebeenactiveindeliveryofa progressive,£254m,fve-yearinvestment programme. We continueto reinvestour proftsintoportfuture-proofngprojects,and worldclassdevelopmentsandpublicspaces, helpingtocreateagatewaytoopportunityfor currentandfuturegenerations.

“As2022marksthe175thanniversaryyear ofBelfastHarbourCommissioners,wewill continuetodelivertransformativeprojects thatsupporteconomicgrowthandinnovation anddeliverpositivesocialvaluetothe region.”

BelfastHarbourisplanningtodevelopanew parktowardsthecityendofitsestateand closetoitsmainheadquarters.

KnownasCityQuaysGardens,itwillcover abouttwoacresoflandwhichiscurrently mostlyusedforcarparking.It’sunderstood thedevelopmentiswortharound£3m. ■

Frylite 45

FryliteSolutions,foundedby Strabane-basedentrepreneurEamon McCay,hasplayedakey roleinthe circulareconomyforover34years.

ThecompanyisIreland’sleadingfreshcooking oilsupplierandwasteoilcollector.

“Fryliteseesaworldinwhichcookingoil andfoodwastehavebecomesustainable energysolutionsratherthanenvironmental problems,”itsays.

It’scertainlybigbusinesswhenlookingthe numbers.Thecompanynowboaststurnover of£61.9m,accordingtothelatestaccountsfor FryliteLtd–upfrom£33.8m–whilepre-tax proftssitat£3.9mforthesameaccounting period,endingApril2022.

Thecompany recentlyappointedDeclan Morganasitsnewmanagingdirector,while founderEamonMcCay remainsinvolvedinthe strategicvisionofthebusiness.

Fryliteemploysalmost300peopleacrossits sites,supplying32.5millionlitresoffresh cookingoilandcollecting22millionlitresof usedcookingoilfor recyclingintobiodiesel.

“TheFryliteGrouphasalonghistoryof helpingbusinessesinhospitalityandfood servicetoputbothqualityandsustainability onthemenu,”thefrmsays.“AcrossIreland, FryliteSolutionsistheleadingandnatural choiceforleadingfoodproducers, retailersand caterers.

“FryliteSolutionsdealsdirectlywithleading refneriesacrossEuropeandhasthe reputationandbuyingpowertogetthe bestqualityproductatthebestpricewhilst choosingtosupplyhealthychoicessuchas soyabean,rapeseedandoliveoils.Frylite SolutionswasthefrstcompanyontheIsland ofIrelandtocollectusedoilandfoodwaste togenerate renewableenergy.”

Thecompanyservices8,500pubs,hotels, bakeries, restaurants,foodfactories,fast foodoutlets,delis,andcateringcustomers acrossIrelandwith20,000deliverieseach monthfromthesixFryliteSolutionssites–Strabane,Lisburn,Coleraine,Dublin,Cork andGalway–usedbysome60%ofthefood industryinIreland,accordingtothefrm.

EamonMcCayhas recentlyhandedover themanagementofthecompanyto DeclanMorgan,whohasworkedalongside Eamon,andin2022hespearheadedthe developmentofafuturestrategyforFrylite Solutions.

In2022thebusinesstransformeditsbusiness identityandin2023itlooksforwardto furtherinvestmentsasthea regenerative foodsolutionspartnertothecateringand foodbusinessinIreland.

In2021thefrmexpandedwithanew depotinLisburntoaccommodateincreased demandforitsproductsinthearea.

Thelaunch representsaninvestmentof£2m

forthefrmandhasmadewayfor25new jobs.

Itisthesixthdepotinthecompanyandadds tothefrm’sexistingbasesinColeraine, Cork,Dublin,Galway,anditsheadquarters inStrabane.

Fryliteisalsomarking10yearsofitsfood wastedivision.“It’sbuiltonFryliteSolution’s knowledgeandnetwork,enablingeven morecustomerstotakeadvantageofthe benefts,”thefrmsays.

“Theexpertsinsupplyingthefoodservice industry,FryliteSolution’swastefood collectionserviceminimiseswasteby recyclingitintobiogasandbiofertilizerwhich meansthattheircustomersarecomplying withfoodwastelegislationandplayingtheir partinthesectorbeingmoresustainable. FryliteSolutionsconvertsfoodwasteinto renewable resourcessuchaselectricity, heat,fuel,andorganicfertiliserwhichis anenvironmentallyfriendlyalternativeto chemicalfertilisers.”

Thecompanyiscontinuingtohireandwas also recognisedasoneofIreland’sBest ManagedCompaniesbyDeloittein2022.

“Withalmost300staffacrossthesix locationstheFrylitefamilyenjoys rewarding roleswhereeverydayisdifferent,andthe teamisencouragedtotakeadvantageof theon-goingtraininganddevelopmentto advancetheircareers,”thefrmsays. ■

DarraghMcCarthy

FinTrU

JustsixyearsagoDarraghMcCarthy toldthisbusinessjournalistofhis ambitiousplanstogrowhisfnancial outsourcingbusinesstoa1,000-strong companyinahandfulofyears.

Intheyearssince,thatambitionhasbeen morethan realised–FinTrUnowboastinga workforceinexcessof1,200withsitesacross Ireland,theUKandnowintoPortugal.

FinTruworkswithsomeoftheworld’sbiggest investmentbanksandhascontinuedona substantialupwardstrajectory.

Itcomesinatthenumber192spotinthis year’sNext200listwithaturnoverof£29.7m, accordingtoaccountsforFinTrULtdending December2021.

Duringthatperioditpostedpre-taxproftsof £4.2m.

InOctoberlastyearitwas revealedthefrm wasgrowingitsinternational reachand openingabaseinPortoandcreating500 new roles.It’sbeenapprovedasaprojectof nationalstrategicinterestbyPortugal’sInstitute forEmploymentand Vocational Training(IEFP). It’sunderstoodthe500new rolesaretobe createdinthenextfveyears.

Thecompanybrokethe1,000employeemark earlierin2022andalsoannounceditwould besettingupanothernewbase,thistimein Letterkenny,creatingaround300jobs.

FinTrUworkswithtieroneinvestmentbanks acrosstheglobe,offeringservicessuchas regulation,legal,complianceandknowyour customer(KYC).

“AsFinTrUcontinuestogrowitsinternational investmentbankclientportfolio,weseethis expansionofourglobalfootprintasavery importantstepinourcompanyjourney,” DarraghMcCarthy,speakingatthetime,said.

FounderDarraghMcCarthy,whohailsfromCo Cork,beganhisfnanciallifeonthetrading foorsofLondonandNew York,andformerly workedforMorganStanley.

HeincorporatedGermanintohisdegree, studyingatUniversityCollegeDublin,asa meansofgettingintoburgeoningEuropean markets.

Andhisfrstexposuretofnancewaswithan optionsfrminFrankfurt.Hethencameback toUCDandwantedtoworkininvestment banking.In1994,hestartedworkingwith investmentbankinggiantMorganStanleyin London.

Duringhisalmost20yearswiththefrm, Darraghwasworkinginsales,spendingalot ofhistimesellingtoGermanclients.

HewasalsochiefoperatingoffcerforEurope, MiddleEastandAfrica.HesetupFinTrUatthe endof2013.

Sincethen,thejobannouncementsandwins

havefollowed.InFebruarythisyearFinTru announceditwascreating300newjobs aspartofamajor£20minvestmentinits Londonderrybase.

Thefrm,whichhasitsmainoffceinBelfast, coulddoublethesizeofitsDerryworkforceto around600by2027.

ThatlatestexpansionwilleventuallyseeFinTrU growingitsworkforcetoaround1,500staff.

“It’sasignifcantstepwhichwillseeFinTrU growtoover1,500employeesinNorthern Irelandandsignifcantlyincreaseour competitiveness,catapultingusintoanewera ofbusinessgrowth,”Darraghsaid.

“FinTrUiscelebratingits10thbirthdayin2023 andthenorthwestholdsaspecialplaceinthe heartofourbusiness.Sincemakingourfrst investmentinDerryin2018,wehavebeen blownawaybythetalentandwereableto surpassourinitialjobstargetoneyearahead ofschedule.

“Followingtheannouncementofour Letterkennysitelastyear,ournewest investmentisademonstrationofourongoing commitmenttodevelopandchampionthe northwest regionandourstaffwhohave helpedustogrowhere.

“InvestNIhasbeenavitalpartnerinenabling ourimpressivegrowthtodateandalsoin securingthelong-termsustainabilityofour operationsinbothDerryandBelfast.” ■

Theopportunities andchallengesof off-shorepower

Withplansandtargetsunderwaytoachieve1GW ofoff-shorerenewableenergyhereby2030, Ulster Business and A&LGoodbody sitdownwiththe expertsanddevelopersabouthowachievablethatis andexaminethechallengesahead

Whyisdevelopingoff-shorewind importantforNorthernIrelandandits energyfuture?

StevenAgnew: Thepotentialishuge. We are inanenergypricecrisisand renewableshave beenshowntobringdownprices.Thescaleof off-shore–our reportsays1.5GWcouldcreate anindustryof£2.4bn. To putthatintocontext, ourcurrently renewablecapacityis1.7GW.

MarkStockdale: It’salsoawell-proven technology.TheUKisprobablyaleaderinthis technology.It’s reallywellestablishedandnow seemslikethetimetobeinvestinginit.

SamMcCloskey: We arealsocatchingup withourneighbours. We hadanopportunity todothis10yearsagoandwedidn’tmake themostofit.

KoichiSamuels: TheDepartmentforthe EconomyisbringingforwardtheOff-shore RenewableEnergyActionPlan(OREAP)and wepublishedthedraftinDecember.Thissets outthevisiontoachievethetargetof1GWof off-shorewind.

AndyMcCrea: We wantasbroadabase fromwhichtoworkfrom–off-shoregivesus anotherstringinthebow.

ArethetargetsinOREAPambitious enough?

AndyMcCrea: IthinktheGovernmentistobe commendedforbringingitforward.It’sbeena diffcultprocess…wehavetocatchupandthe problemistime.

SamMcCloskey: There’salittlebitof informationwhichweasdevelopersneed, togiveuscomfortastowheretheidealsites forthewindfarmsarelikelytobe…atthe moment,agigawattisagreattarget. We feel asanindustrygroupthereisthepotentialfor morethere.

KoichiSamuels: The1GWfrom2030isthe initialtargetbutthenextstepistodothe strategic[assessments]whichwillidentifythe potentialintheNImarineareaandthenthe CrownEstatewillusethattodoitsseabed characterisationwhichwillidentifyzonesfor leasing.

StevenAgnew: Whatweneedtoseefrom thefnaldraftisthat1GWfrom2030isvery

vague. We needtoseeacommitmentto megawattsonthesystemby2030.

MarkStockdale: Alotoftheelementsmove alonginftsandstartsandyouendupwhere investorsmaynotbeparticularlyhappywith howsomehavecomeout–wearenow gettingtoapointwheretheymaystruggleto fnancethenextstep.So,it’s reallyimportant thatthesethingsgetfrontloadedasmuchas possible.

Willtheindicativetimelinefacilitate projectsbeingdeliveredby2030?

AndyMcCrea: Inmanywaysit’sashardto do10KWasitistodo1GWbecausewedon’t havealotofthemilestones. We don’thave gridconnectionpolicyinNorthernIreland. We

JohnMulgrew,KoichiSamuels, AndyMcCrea,MarkStockdale,Sam McCloskeyandStevenAgnew

MarkStockdale, SamMcCloskey andStevenAgnew

haveabudget…ifbyacertainstagethere isn’tasignofalicencecoming[developers]will withdrawandgosomewhereelse.

SamMcCloskey: Onaverageittakes10years togofromaconcepttoaspinningturbine… asfarashow realisticitis,asdeveloperswe canmovequickerbecausewehavetheskills andexpertise.Butwecanonlygoasfarasthe levelofriskallowsus.

AndyMcCrea: To befair,Koichi,the DepartmentfortheEconomy,Stevenand InvestNIhavegottenonthisandlitthefuse.

MarkStockdale: We haveclientsacross IrelandandtheUKandtheycaninvest anywheretheywant.Theyarelookingat Irelandatthemoment.Therearepeoplein Irelandwhohavetwoorthreeprojectsunder developmentandaren’tevenlookingatNI.

StevenAgnew: Thememorandumof understanding(MoU)combinedwiththe statementofintentwiththeCrownEstate, havingthosekeystakeholders…publicly committingtooff-shore,isabigwinforus.

MarkStockdale: We needtomakesure whatever regimewehaveforleasingthatitis absolutelyinvestableandofaninternational standard.

Whatisthescaleofopportunity?

KoichiSamuels: [Thatwouldbe]subjectto thestrategicenvironmentalassessmentand habitat regulationassessmentwhichisone

oftheactionsintheOREAPwhichwillchart outwherewecandevelopontheseabed andthentheCrownEstatewilldofurther characterisationfordevelopmentzones.

AndyMcCrea: Theothersidetothisisthe grid,whichiscentraltoit…theremaybe othertechnologiescomingonandtheystill needgridcapacity–it’sanopenquestionat theminute[intermsofgridcapacity].

StevenAgnew: We needinvestmentinthe grid,on-shore,tofacilitateit.

Whatcanwelearnfromthe developmentofoff-shorewindinGBand Ireland?

MarkStockdale: Irelanddidalotofwork aroundon-shoreandoff-shoreplanning–passinganewact…soyoudidn’thavea situationwhereyouwereapplyingforone thinghereandthensomethingelseoverhere, andtheyweren’t reallytalkingtoeachother.

StevenAgnew: Thedetail[oftheMoU]is important.Ifthat’swordedinawaytojust facilitateoff-shoreprojectsthenyoucouldsee someoftheholdupswhichwearetalking about.

Whatarethebarrierstoconnectingby 2030?

StevenAgnew: We needlegislationwithin thenextyeartotwoyears.

MarkStockdale: [Alackofgovernment] isanotherissue,especiallyforlenders.The

JohnMulgrew

Editor,UlsterBusiness MarkStockdale

Partner,A&LGoodbody

StevenAgnew Director,RenewableNI

AndyMcCrea

Projectdeveloper,NorthChannel Wind SamMcCloskey

Director,SimplyBlueGroup

KoichiSamuels

Off-shorelead,Department fortheEconomy

frstthingtheywilllookatiswhetherthereis politicalstability.

AndyMcCrea: We arelookingtothe departmentforguidance,ifprimarylegislation doesn’thappen.

KoichiSamuels: TheEnergyStrategywas approvedbytheNorthernIrelandExecutive,so wecancontinuedeliveringonthestrategy.The NorthernIrelandExecutiveFormationActgives senioroffcials,permanentsecretaries,powers tomakedecisionsinthepublicinterest.

Howimportantisittogetarenewable electricitysupportschemeupand running?

StevenAgnew: It’scrucial…theContractsfor Difference(CfD)waspresentedasasubsidiary –it’sapriceguaranteeforconsumersand developers…ithasanaddedbeneftforthe consumerasifyouhavethat15-20+year guaranteeofprice,when[developers]are goingtofnancerstheycansay‘thisislow risk,giveusbetterinterestrates’whichbrings downthecosttoconsumers. ■

Agnew Volkswagen winstwomajorawards

Agnew Volkswagen,with retaillocationsinBelfastand Mallusk,haswalkedawaywithtwomajorindustry awards.

Thefrmtookthetopprizesatthe VolkswagenUKRetailer Awards, which recognisethebestperforming retailersintheUKforthepastyear.

Agnew Volkswagenwas recognisedastheNumberOneRetailGroupin theUKfor2022.Theprestigiousawardwithin VolkswagenUKisjudged basedontheentirebusinessperformanceandcustomersatisfaction.

“Thisisonlymadepossiblebythehardworkanddedicationofour entireteaminBelfastandMalluskwhoarepassionateaboutthe Volkswagenbrand,andstrivetodeliverthebestpossibleserviceforour customersandlocalbusinesses,”BrianRobinson,franchisedirector,at Agnew Volkswagen,said.

“Wewouldliketotakethisopportunitytoagainthankallour colleaguesfortheirworkanddedication,andourcustomersfortheir continuedsupport.”

Inaddition,duringthesameceremonyAgnew Volkswagenwasalso awardedNumberOneFleetBusinessPartnerintheUKfor2022.

“Thisisa remarkableachievementandmeanswehavebeen recognised infveofthepastsevenyearsforunrivalledconsistency,”BrianRobinson said.“Onceagainthisistestamenttoourdedicatedlocalfeetteam providingexemplaryserviceandadvicetoawiderangeoflocal businessesandbusinesscardrivers.

Agnew VolkswagenboaststopfacilitiesatitsBelfastandMallusksites, withanumberofnewvehicleshaving recentlylaunchedwithmoredue soon.ThatincludesthedistinctiveID.BuzzwinnerofWhatCar?2023 Carofthe Year Awardalongsideanexpandingrangeofall-electricID modelsincludingID.3,ID.4andID.5withtheexecutiveID.7unveiled soon.Complementingtheelectricrangetherearestillthefamiliar modelsoftheGolf,Poloand Tiguanwhichcontinuetoevolveandbe popularwithlocaldrivers. ■

To discussyourbusinessorpersonalvehicleneedscontact Agnew VolkswagenBelfaston02890234477orMalluskon028 90342111orsearch‘Agnew Volkswagen

“SpecialthanksalsogotoourteamleadbyJohnO’Reillyalongside

StevenLavery,JulieGrahamandStanleyMcKittrick.”

JulieGraham,feetsalesexecutive,John O’Reilly,feetsalesmanager,Stanley McKittrick,feetco-ordinatorandSteven Lavery,businessdevelopmentmanager

SamMallon,headofbusinessAgnew VolkswagenMallusk,BrianRobinsonfranchise directorandGerryMulholland,headofbusinessAgnew VolkswagenBelfast

SME & family business

‘The WindsorFramework givesbusinessthechance torenewtheNIeconomy anddoesn’tthreatenunion’

WhileDowningStreethasstoodfrmonthe WindsorFrameworkasitstands,the DUPcontinuestoopposeitandsaysitwillcontinuetonegotiate.Butbusiness largelystandsbehindthenewproposals–nowbackedbyParliament–including frompro-Brexitcompanyfounderswhoseefreshpotential,writes JohnMulgrew

Therewillbeno renegotiationor movementonthefreshlyagreed WindsorFramework,accordingto NorthernIrelandSecretaryofStateChris Heaton-Harris.

HiscommentscomeaftertheDUPvoicedits oppositionofsomeelementsofthenewlyproposedsolutiontoNorthernIreland’strading environmentpost-Brexit.

TheDUP’sJeffreyDonaldsonsaidhewasn’t aquitterandwasn’tinterestedin“sticking plasters”intermsofsolutions.

However,anoverwhelmingCommonsvote –515to29insupportofPrimeMinister RishiSunak’sproposedsolution–somewhat

overshadowsthatperhapsmisplacedattitude.

That’salsogiventheoverwhelmingsupport fromNorthernIreland’sbusinesscommunity. Youonlyhavetospeaktocompanychiefs hereforafewmomentstounderstandthe frustration.

Andpartofthatfrustrationisthecontinued uncertaintyandthetimebeingspenton preparationandpivotingtodealwithanevershiftingeconomiclandscape.

Theannouncementofthe Windsor Frameworkpromptedwidespreadsupport fromacrossNorthernIreland’svariedbusiness community.

Thatincludedajointlysignedletterfrom theCBI,whichincludedahostofNorthern Ireland’slargestbusinesses,alongwithother giantsofindustry.

“The WindsorFrameworkwillmeanthatthe NorthernIrisheconomycanmaximisethe opportunitiespresentedbydualaccesstothe EUandUKmarkets,”itsaid.

“Duetothebreadthandcomplexityofits scope,businessesaretakingtimetodigestthe details.However,wearenonethelessunitedin believingthatthe WindsorFrameworkisthe mostsustainablepathforwardforNorthern Irelandandthe restoftheUK.”

Intermsofpoliticalsupport,themajority ofpartiesareonboardwiththeproposals, includingUUPleaderDougBeattie.He saidthe WindsorFrameworkhas“genuine responsibilities”and“seriouschallenges” butdevolvedgovernmentinNorthernIreland mustbe restored.

“ThevoteontheStormontbrakehasshown thattheUKGovernmentaremovingonand thattheDUPboycotthasfailed,”hesaid.

DUPleaderSirJeffreyDonaldsonhasstill madeclearthathispartywillnot returnto Stormontinthewakeofthevote.Hetold MPsthe“bottomline”fortheparty’s return wasanassurancethatEUlawcouldnot

impedeNorthernIreland’sabilitytotradewith the restoftheUK.

It’snotwhatthemajorityofbusinesseshere wanttohear.

Andintermsofsupportingthe Windsor Framework,RonanHamill,chiefexecutive ofJansGroup,told UlsterBusiness thefrm “welcomes”theproposals.

“Asourcompanieslookatnewmarketsand asthegroupcontinuetobuildonitsgrowth plans,itisveryimportanttohavemarket accessandfrictionlesstradewithcustomers andpotentialcustomersinboththeUKandEU markets.

“Any reductioninpaperworkandtheoverall burdenonbusinesseshastobewelcomed. Thisframeworkallowsforstabilityand certaintyensuringthatwecancontinueto buildonourambitiousgrowthplans.”

Whilesupportersacrosssectorssuchasfood and retailareoftenthelow-hangingfruitin termsofbeinglargelyagainstBrexitandin supportoftheNIProtocolandsubsequent WindsorFramework–giventheimpacton manyintheindustry–others,includingthose whosupportedthe2016votetoleave,still backthenewframework.

IrwinArmstrong,chiefexecutiveofCiga Healthcare,wasoneofthefewbusiness leaderswhospokeupinfavourofBrexitinthe run-uptotheJune23poll.

“IwasaproponentofBrexitandamdelighted withwherewecurrentlyare,withminimal ruleswehavebeengivenagoldenopportunity totradeacrosstheEUandGBandhaveat thesamemanagedtobreakawayfromthe bureaucraticEUpoliticalunion,”hesaid.

“Wehave,in reality, returnedtotheoriginal ideaoftheEuropeanEconomicCommunity, whichIdidsupport.

“Itisthereforetimetostarttakingdecisions basedonwhatiseconomicallybenefcialfor NorthernIrelandandputitfrstontheir>

PrimeMinister RishiSunak

agendasandnotonnarrowpoliticaldogma solelybasedonthemembershipoftheUnited KingdomoraunitedIreland.

“Regardingthesovereigntyissue,whenthe GoodFridayAgreementwasapprovedover 70%ofthepeoplevotingacceptingthat NorthernIreland’spositionwithintheUKwas tobetakenoutofthehandsofpoliticiansand giventothepeoplehere,soalltheprevious politicalActswerepracticallybeingsetaside.

“Itisthereforeclearthatthe Windsor Agreementdoesnotmeanthatthereisany dangertoNorthernIreland’spositionwithin theUKasinallthe recentpollsonlyabouta thirdofthepeoplewouldcurrentlyvotefora unitedIreland.

“The Windsoragreement,whilenotperfect, hasgonealongwaytofxingthetradeissues andgivenusthepossibilityof renewingthe NorthernIrelandeconomyandthepossibility ofcreatingacountrytobeproudof.

“Itwouldthenuptothepoliticalpartiesto persuadethe28%ofnon-unionistvoters, whodonotopenlysupportaunitedIreland, thattheirviewofthefutureisbestforthem.

“Unionistpartiesshouldthereforeviewa NorthernIrelandthatissuccessfulasbeingthe bestwayofmaintainingtheunionandgetback toworktopromoteNorthernIreland.

“Letusnotmissthisopportunitytocreatea newfutureforourchildrenandgrandchildren basedonaneconomicallysuccessfulcountry whereallviewsaretreatedwith respect.”

DavidHaldaneischiefexecutiveofHaldane Group,aleadingbuilders’merchantwith21 branchesacrossNorthernIreland,England,and theIsleofMan.

“TheimpactofBrexithaspresentedanumber ofchallengesformanylocalbusinesses–includingus–primarily relatingtotheimportof productsfromEngland,Scotland,and Wales,to NorthernIreland,”hetold UlsterBusiness

“Theintroductionof regulationswherethere hadn’tbeenanybeforemeantwehadto allocateadditional resourcesandworking capitaloriginallyintendedforgrowthand developmentintoextrapaperwork.

“Forabusinesssuchasours,whichoperates21 branchesacrossNorthernIreland,England,and

theIsleofMan,thiswascertainlynotideal.

“The WindsorFrameworkwouldensurethe easeofgoodscrossingtheIrishSea,placing NorthernIrelandintheuniquepositionof havingaccesstoboththeEUandBritish markets.

“Inadditiontoalleviatingthepressuresfaced fromadditionalpaperwork,thiswouldalso reassureoursuppliersthattheirproductswill arriveinourNorthernIrishbrancheswithout unduehindrance.

“While,asaneconomy,wearenotinthe positionthatwewereinbeforeBrexit,less frictionbetweenGreatBritainandNorthern Irelandwill resultinloweroperationalcosts, reducedadministrativecomplexity,and smootheradherencetoourexistingsupply chainpractices.

“Brexitisnolongeraseriousbusiness concernforus–itisthelackofafunctioning executivethatisnowthehandbrakeon theeconomyinNorthernIreland, reducing investmentandjobgrowthwhileserious societalandinfrastructureproblemsarenot addressed.” ■

IrwinArmstrong

NICHOLADALY DALY RECRUITMENT

Howisbusiness?

BusinessatDalyRecruitmentisgoodand I’mgladtosaythat recruitmentwithinthe hospitalityindustryisontheriseonceagain. I’mworkingonsomeexcitingnewprojects whichIwillbeableto revealinduecourse, butsufficetosaythehospitalitymarketplaceis evolvingwithnewdevelopmentsandchange ofownershipsandIamfeelingluckytobepart ofthatchange.

Howdidyougetstartedintheindustry?

IstartedworkingintheNavanCentreand FortinArmaghasatouristassistantand thenArmagh VisitorInformationCentreasa student.AftergraduatingIwenttoArizona andcompletedtheMarriottInternational ManagementProgrammeandupon return,I movedtoBelfast.Fromtheremycareerwas beddedintoallthingshospitalityandtourism.I lovedandstillloveeveryaspectofthisindustry.

Typically,whoareyourclientsor customers?

Myclientsarebasedacrosstheislandof Ireland,rangingfromluxuryhotelsand eventorganisersandoperatorsinthe tourismindustrywhoareseekingexecutive ormanagementcandidates.Thiscanrange

Entrepreneur ofthe Month

anywherefromownersandoperatorsto generalmanagers.Mycandidatesareall industryprofessionalswhoarekeentodevelop andtakethenextstepintheirhospitality careers.

Doyouenjoywhatyoudo,andwhatin particular?

IabsolutelylovewhatIdo.Ilookatmyjob fromtheperspectiveofhelpingothers,that’s whyIamsopassionateit.Thematchhasto berightforboththeclientandthecandidate andwhenbotharehappy,Iamhappy.Ilove tovieweachsuccessfulpartnershipasanother successstoryaddedtotheDalyRecruitment careerdevelopmenttree.

Whatisthemostdifficultpartofyourjob?

It reallyleavesmedisheartenedwhenan experiencedhospitalityprofessionaltellsme theywanttoleavetheindustryduetonegative cultureorfeelingundervalued.Whenthis happens,itbecomesmymissiontoensure Ican reactquicklyandfindthemtheright positionwiththerightemployerforthem,to

avoidthemleavingthesectoraltogether.

Whatarethechallengesfacingyoursector andtheeconomyingeneral?

Thecostofliving.The recentSpringBudget gavelittlehopeforbusinesseswhoare witnessingincreasingcostsdailywithinthe industry.Manyintheindustrywerehoping thatTheChancellorJeremyHuntwouldusehis springstatementtolower VATfrom20%,that didnotmaterialiseandmanyarenowhaving tocontemplatemorepotentialpricerisesasa result.

Acrosstheborderourfriendsandcolleagues inhospitality recentlywelcomedtheextension ofthe reduced9% VATrateforhospitality, preventingfurtherpricehikesbeingpassed ontoconsumers.Evenwiththehospitality VATrateintheRepublicdueto returntothe standard13.5%ratefromSeptember,albeit itwillbeahugebenefittoourcolleagues aheadofthesummerseasonwhileNIsitsat 20%,makingitlesscompetitivechoicefor consumersmidstacostoflivingcrisis. ■

NI‘topUKregion’forgenderpay gapbutlagginginworkforcesize

NorthernIrelandnowranksinthe topspotforwomeninworkacross theUKintermsofthegenderpay gap,accordingtoonenewsurvey.

ThelatestPwClatest Womenin WorkIndex saysNorthernIrelandhasmovedupthree placestothenumberonespotintheUK regionalindex.

Itlooksatfactorsincludinggenderpaygaps andfull-timeemploymentrates.

ButwhileNorthernIrelandboaststhesmallest genderpaygap–with5%comparedtothe UKaverageof14.4%–italsohasthelowest femalelabourforceparticipationon70%, lowerthantheUKaverageof74.6%.

CatMcCusker, regionalmarketleaderatPwC NorthernIreland,sayswhilethereispositivity inthe results,the“thefact remainsthata

lowerproportionofworkingagewomenenter thelabourmarkethereinthefrstplace”.

TheannualindexofOECDcountries,which uses2021dataandalsolooksattheUK’s 12nationsand regions,foundthatNorthern Irelandhasmovedupthreeplacestothe numberonespotintheUK regionalindexto overtakethesouthwest.

“Lookingforward,thismeanstherearelikely tobesignifcanthiddenpocketsoftalentin NorthernIreland–includingwomenwhohave notbeenactiveinthelabourmarket,”Ms McCuskersaid.

“Weneedtoconsiderhowwecan revitalise ourworkingpopulationbygettingmore womenandmenintotheworkforceherein thefrstplace.Thisisaquestionofequitybut alsoapertinenteconomicissueasNIfaces labourandskillshortages.

“Thereisnopanacea,noraonesizeftsall policy,thatwillsolvetheproblemsforwomen atworktoday.Thecostof–andattitudes towards–childcareneedsurgentfocusand action,withgovernmentandbusinessworking togethertohelpmitigatetheconfuenceof shocks,includingCovid-19andtherisingcost ofliving,thathaveoccurredoverthelastfew yearssothatwomenarenotpricedoutofthe workforce.

“Formanyitismoreaffordabletoleave workthan remaininemploymentandpay forchildcare,especiallyforfamiliesatlower incomelevels.

“Weshouldconsiderenhancedparental leavepoliciesandmorefexibleworkingso thatallparentscanbalanceworkandcaring responsibilities,alongsidetacklingthecostof childcare,tohelpcreateamoreequitableand prosperoussocietyforall.” ■

Branding & marketing

FromAdidasto The WorldCup: whenorganisations getbrandingwrong

Branddisastersaren’tlimitedtosmalltimeoperations.Inrecentmonthssome oftheworld’smostrecognisednames haveexperiencedimagenosedivesthat havecostsomereputationalhit,andin theworst-casescenariolossofmarket share,writes EmmaDeighan

Despitehavinghugeteamsof specialistsin-house,bigbrand disastersshowusthatnonameis immunefromamarketingfauxpas.

CenterParcs,designerBalenciaga,Adidasand theFifa WorldCupwereamongthetop-tier brandswhichsufferedsomenegativePRin 2022alone.

CenterParcs’decisiontoturfoutitsguests onthedayofQueenElizabethII’sfuneralasa markof respectbackfired,whileBalenciaga’s

snail-likepaceat respondingtoandtaking ownershipofitsbondagebearchildren’sad campaign.

Thebrandwentontosuffera7%declinein comparablefourth-quarter results.

Fifa’sdecisiontohostthe WorldCupin Qatar,acountryinfamousforitsprohibition ofsame-sex relationships,andallegedlabour rightsabuseduringtheconstructionof WorldCupinfrastructurefacedabacklashof controversy.

ThentherewasAdidas’affiliationwithartist Kanye West,or Ye,whichwentsourafter therapper’ssocialmediapostsweredeemed offensivealongwithcontroversialand antisemiticcomments.

Thebrandfiredtheambassadorandis reportedlylookingatitsfirstannualoperating lossinmorethanthreedecadesthisyear, mostlybecauseitmayhavetowriteoffits entire Yeezy-brandedrange.

Thelattereventsareevidencethateventhe

most rehearsedcansuffersetbacks.

NicolaBothwell,afellowofTheChartered InstituteofMarketingandbossofNB CharteredCommunicationshasalengthy careerinmanagingbrandsand reputations includingspendingadecadeintelevisionPR.

“Brandsshouldalwayshaveasetofstrong goalsandvaluesandsticktothemirrespective ofwhat’sgoingonintheworld,”shesays. “Harkbacktothosevalueseverytimea decisionisbeingmadeandbeverycareful

nottogetcarriedalongwiththegroundswell ofpublicopinionwhichisfeltsomuchmore todayduetosocialmedia.

“Highemotionssurroundingbigevents, whichwasthecasewiththeCenterParcs’ brandcontroversy,isanexampleofhowbeing swayedtoomuchcandamageabrand.Stick toyourvaluesandbetruetothemisabasic guideline.”

Nicola,whocancount Walkersamongherpast clients,believestheimmediacyofnewsand

eventshasplacedmorepressureonbrandsand ourincreasedaccesstocelebritythoughtsand actionspresentschallengeswhencompanies pairupwithambassadorsaswasthecasewith Kanye WestandAdidas.

“Whensourcinganambassadorabrand really needstopreparetoprotectandcarefully considertheperson’s reputationandtheirft withthebrand.Theimmediacyofeventsgood andbadcanforceanybrandontotheworld stage,inamatterofseconds.”

MaeveFinneganismanagingdirectorof marketingagencyMitso.“Intheinstanceof Ye,there’snodoubtthathis‘goagainstthe grain’attitudeandself-proclaimed‘genius’ waspartofAdidas’initialattractiontothe rapperbutthesetraitsalsoscreamedvolatility andpotentialtobackfredowntheline,”she says.

“Ithinkintheageofcelebritycollaborations andinfuencemarketingit’seasytogofor theobviouspublicfgureswhohaveabig followingandasenseofclout,however brands reallyshouldthinkcarefullyaboutthe lengthofthesecollaborations,thefuturevision forthebrandandundertaketheirownvetting ofanypotentialcollaboratorsbeforejumping inwithbothfeet.”

Whenmistakesaremade,asinthecaseof Balenciaga,ownershipisparamount,Nicola says.

“Thescapegoatisnotapopularmove, atleastnotinthecourtofpublicopinion whichisinitiallyhowBalenciagahandledthe controversy.Speedisalsooftheessencein thiscasewithmessagingthatcouldpromote damagelimitation.Wherethereisadelay itjustservestocreatespaceforconspiracy theoriesandthespreadofinaccurate information.Getyourstorystraightandown up.”

JanetMcKayofJanetMcKayPRsaysthe immediate responseiscrucial,butthat>

Therewassignifcantbacklash toFIFA’sdecisiontohostthe 2022 WorldCupinQatar

doesn’thavetomeanit’stheonly response.

Shehasbeenworkingwithbrandsincluding constructiongiantsandactorsoverthepast 30years.

“Whenacrisishits,brandscanfeelapressure to respondinstantlywithasmuchinformation aspossible,”shesays.“However,accuracyis importantandestablishingthefactscantake sometime.

“Public reassuranceisessential,sofrom acommunicationsperspective,thefrst immediatestepistoissueaholdingstatement. Thisshouldindicatethatthebrandisaware oftheissue,investigatingorworkingwith relevantauthoritiesandoutlinethemeasures thatarebeingputinplacetomitigateany associatedrisk.

“Anincident responseteamshoulddiscuss communicationupdatesthatprovideadditional informationorsignpostsastowhenthis informationwillbeavailable.Theseupdates canthenbeissuedandtheyfeedthethirstfor

knowledgeandhelptoavoidmisinformation gainingtractionontherumourmill.”

Andintheeraofopinionseverywhere,a brandhasneverbeenmorevulnerablewhen politicalandsocialeventsdominatefeeds andheadlines,isthereamoralobligationfor abrandto respondtoeventsthatimpactits customers?Orshouldsalestakepriorityover sentiment?

“Asapublicfgure,brandororganisation, engaginginpublicdiscourse,whileovertly agoodthing, requiresproperthoughtand consideration. Youhavethepotentialto really drivechangeandmobiliseyourfollowersor customers,butyouneedtobepreparedto leadbyexample,”Maevesays.“Thepublicis savvytovagueandplacatingstatements–they expect realactionandtheywon’thesitateto callyououtifyoufallshort.”

Shewarnedthatjumpingonthebackof globaleventscouldbeseenasinauthentic.

“Ifyouaregoingtopublicly respondtoglobal

events,frstconsideryourtruecommitment totheissue.”

Janetsays:“Intermsofwhetherornot brandsshouldbespeakingaboutpolitical issues,Ithinkthatultimatelythatdepends ontheethosofthebrand.Forexample,take environmentalissues,incertaincontexts,this couldbepoliticalbutforspecifcbusinesses, thisiswhatbondsthemwiththeircustomers.

“Ifabrandisgoingtospeakoutabout anissue,theyneedtobeveryclearabout theirpositionandtheyneedtohaveagood understandingoftheissue,whichincludes knowingabout relevant research,being acrossthelatestdevelopmentsandhavingan insightintoassociatednuances.”

Nicolasays:“Inmanycases,youaredamned ifyoudoanddamnedifyoudon’tbutagain itcomesdowntoethicsandcorevalues. Always referencethemandalmostalways youwon’tgowrong.Beingdisingenuous aboutacauseoraneventcanoftencomeoff worsethansilence.” ■

MaeveFinnegan

Luxurycinemawithbarand restaurantopensinBelfast

Anewhigh-speccinemafeaturing afullbarandcaféhasopenedits doorsatCastleCourtshopping centreintheheartofBelfastfollowinga £5.2minvestment.

The Avenueboastsnine60-seatscreening roomswithlaserprojectionalongsidesofaand armchairseating.

Around50newjobsarebeingcreatedaspart oftheinvestmentbytheOmniplexCinema Group.

Thecinemaalsoincludesabarandcafé,selling everythingfromcakesandpastries,tocoffee, wines,beersandcocktails,withfoodsuchas pizzas,loadednachosandburgers.Thecinema willopenitsdoorstothepubliconMarch10.

TicketsforThe AvenueCinemacost£14for adultsand£10forchildren.The Avenuewill haveoff-peakpricingbetweenMondayto Fridaybefore5pmcosting£12foradultsand £9forchildren.

“Wearedelightedtoannouncetheopening

ofournewluxurycinemaconceptThe Avenue CinemainBelfast,”PaulAnderson,directorof The Avenue,said.

“Wehaveusedthebestinteriordesigners, suppliersandcontractorstohelpuscreatea uniqueandelevatedcinemaexperience.This isa reallyexcitingtimeforusandwelook forwardtowelcominggueststothisnew cinemaexperience.

“WithThe Avenue,weareprovidingan elevatedchoiceforthosewantingsomething uniquefromtheirvisittoseethelatest blockbuster.Thisdevelopment reallyislikeno otherprojectwehaveundertaken,andweare delightedtobebreathingnewlifeintoBelfast citycentrewiththisscheme.

“The Avenuewillcontributetowardsthe vitality,viabilityandvibrancyofthecitycentre, whilealsopositivelycontributingtoBelfast’s daytimeandnight-timeeconomy.Bothavid andcasualmovie-goerscanenjoythese lavishsurroundingscoupledwithourmouthwateringfoodanddrinkofferingsatThe AvenueCafé&Bar.

“Wehaveworkedwithnumerousexperts tocreateamemorable,warm,andfriendly atmosphere,whichwillbecomplementedby theimpeccableservice,thatisattheheartof everythingwedo.”

LeonaBarr,centremanageratCastleCourt, said:“Wearedelightedtooffciallywelcome The Avenuetoourshoppers,whocannow enjoyacinemaexperiencethatiscompletely newanduniquetoCastleCourtandBelfastcity centre.

“Thisisthenextstepinthe regenerationof CastleCourtandthewiderarea,aswellasa signoftheconfdenceourfootfallaffordsour newtenantsandtheirownambitions.”

AndGarethHowellfrom Wirefox,which ownsCastleCourt,said:“Wehavebeen workinghardtoattracttenantsthatcanbring outstandingexperiencestoourshoppersand thecityofBelfast,andThe Avenuedelivers onthisambition.CastleCourtiscontributing toRoyal Avenue’scontinued rejuvenationand revivalofthearea,asweexpandinlinewith consumerdemandsandbehaviours.” ■

Belfast‘couldseebusiness andleisureboostedto£125m’

Belfastcouldseebusinessandleisure tourismboostedto£125mthisyear withalmost300,000hotelstaysand 50conferencesplanned, UlsterBusiness can reveal.

VisitBelfastsaysit’saimingtobringin additionaleconomicimpactofaround£125m overthecourseof2023/24.

Thatwouldinclude£45mleisurespend, £42minbusinesstourismwithadditionalcash cominginfromothervisitorsandcruiseships.

Meanwhile,itsayssome57conferencesare plannedforthisyear–bringinginapredicted spendof£35.8m,withmorethan26,000 delegatesinattendance.

Intermsofvisitorsit’stargeting200,000leisure tourismbednights,150,000daytripsand 86,000businesstourismstays.

Italsosaystherewillbearound375,000cruise shipstaffandvisitorshereduringthecourseof theyear.

Andwhileoffcialfguresforlastyearhave yettobe revealeditsaysthevolumeofhotel roomssold remainsataround93%ofprepandemic2019levels,whilespendingisup around19%.

Meanwhile,cruiseshipvisitorsstoodat 250,000,some91%of2019levels,whilethe cityplayedhostto95conferencesattracting 30,711delegates.

Amongitsplansforthisyear,whichhave nowbeen revealedtoBelfastCityCouncil’s citygrowthand regenerationcommittee, Visit Belfastsaysitplansto“utilisethestrengthof thecitybrandanditsequitytopositionBelfast tocompeteonanationalandinternational platformthroughthepromotionofunique Belfastexperiences”.

“InadvanceofCovid-19thetrajectoryhad beenpositivewithforecastssuggestingthat

thesectorwouldaccountforaround15%of newjobsinthedecade.

“Thiswasfurther reinforcedbytheinclusion oftourismasakeygrowthsectorintheCity Deal.”

Meanwhile,it’sbeen revealedthatmorethana millionpeoplevisitedtheChristmasMarketat BelfastCityHallin2022.

Therewereatotalof1,015,565attendees withsome225,963from“outofstate”.

A reporttoBelfastCityCouncilsaystheoverall economicimpactcouldbeworth£92.3m. ■

Business start-up

Frombankto boutique: howa smalltownclothes retaileristhriving

LorraineMcConnell

,ownerofJoliClothingin

Ballyclare,hasmovedherbusinessintoanoldlisted formerbankbuildingiscontinuingtogrowandexpand, writes AlysonMagee

Awomen’sfashionboutiqueina smallcountrytownmighthave beenexpectedtostrugglewhen shopperswereconfnedtotheirhomes duringthepandemic.

NotsoforJoliClothinginBallyclare,which thrivedthroughecommercesalesinlockdown andhasjustmovedintonewpremisesatthe formerUlsterBankonMainStreetinthetown.

ShopownerLorraineMcConnellis rentingthe newbuildingfromMasonicCharities,which shesaidhasbeenveryaccommodatingand evensupportedimprovementstothebuilding shell.

“Ihavejust rentedthebottomfoor,whichis four roomsdownstairs,andknockedbigger entrancesintoeach roomsoitlookslikeone bigfowing room,”shesays.“There’scar parkingandabeautifulbiggardenattheback whichI’llbeabletouseforevents.

“It’salistedbuildingandwehadtobevery carefulwithourcoloursandwherewedrill holesandthatsortofthing.

“We’vestillgotthebigvaultinoneofthe roomssowe’recallingthatthevault room,and thenwehavealittleareaoffitwe’regoing todecoratedifferentlywithabankmanager’s deskandsomecarpetinitwe’regoingtocall

thatthebankmanager’soffce.”

Themainbankingareawillbethecentral areaoftheshop,withafourth roomused forstoringstockandorganisingecommerce shipments.

“It’sprobablyoneofthenicestbuildingsin Ballyclare,it’sgotanicestained-glasswindow andtheoriginaldoors,”shesays.“We’veused heritagecolours,butit’sgotamoderntwist toit.

“Thelightinghastobequitebrighttoshow offtheclothes,butwe’veincorporatedsome antiquegoldlightingaswelltokeeptheold characterthere.”

HavingworkedwithGok Wan’steamtodress modelsfortheOneSizeFitsAllshowin2019, andhostedfashionshowsherealongside personalitieslikePaddyMcGurgan,Jane McClenaghanandJennyBristow,Lorraine madethemostoflockdown.

BenefttingfromITtrainingsupportedby AntrimandNewtownabbeyBoroughCouncil, she refnedherecommerceplatformsand beganadding regularvideocontentincluding aJoyofStayingInfashionshowonZoom.

In2021,shedressedthepanelwhentheLoose WomenLunch&LaughsLive Tourcameto

Belfastandgaveamakeovertoamemberof theaudience.

“Withus,sales reallygrewoverlockdown insteadofgoingtheotherway,”says Lorraine.“ItwashardbecauseI’mnot really technical,butIwasabletoputmorestock online.TheITconsultantwasfabulousand helpedmethroughthebestwaystoincrease mySEO.”

ManyofthebrandsstockedbyJoli,suchas Naya,Elsewhere,Ichi,NU,MarcoPoloand Summuminsizesfrom8-18,lentthemselves welltocasualpandemicstyle.

Customersrangefromwomenintheirearly 20stooneladywhojustturned100last year.“Ageisjustanumberwhenitcomesto fashion,”Lorrainesays.

Aswellasaloyallocalclientele,customers willtraveltotheshopfromColeraine,Kilrea, Omagh,Enniskillenandbeyond.

TheRepublicofIrelandisastrongmarketfor onlinesales,whichhave rolledouttoinclude

Germany,Portugal,Spain,SouthAfrica,theUS andCanada.

LorrainetravelstoParisandBerlintosource stock,while repsformanyofthebrandstravel overtoDublintoselltothetradeaheadof eachseason.

“Mostofthestockisboughtatleastsix,seven monthspriortoitarriving,”shesays.

IttookLorraineafewyearstofndher confdence,afteropeningtheshop15years agointhemiddleofa recession.Atthetime shehadbeenworkingas PA tothemanaging directorofFG WilsoninLarne,withno experiencein retailing.

“Iusedtogoandspend£30,000onclothes forthenextseasonandthenhavesleepless nightsthinking,whatifnobodylikesthe clothesI’vepicked,”shesays.“Butwith FacebookandInstagramandthingslikethat now,ifyouworkhardenoughatit,everybody shouldbeabletokeepafoat.

“Tobefair,womenlovefashion,andthey

woulddowithoutotherthingstogetit.”

MovingtothehistoricformerUlsterBankhas openedupmoreshopspaceacrossonefoor.

Aseatingareahasbeencreatedbesidethe changing roomswithleatherchairsand wallpapertoallowpartnersandfriendstoenjoy acupofcoffeewhileclothesarebeingtriedon.

Lorrainesaidshehasn’tquitetotalledupthe costoffttingoutthenewshop,butsaysit’s “many,manythousands,”withthecomplete ft-outtakingsixmonths.

Asoftopeningwasheldforthenewshopon March14,tobefollowedbyanoffcialeventin aroundamonth’stime.

Staffmemberscurrentlytotalfour,withanew shopmanagerinplacefourdaysaweekto helpLorraineachieveabetterwork/lifebalance. Therearenoplanstoopenanyfurthershops.

“Asmyfatheralwayssaid,asmallfrekeeps youwarmandabigfreburnsyou,”shesays. “Peoplewilltravelanywaysothere’snopoint

inmeopeningashopinBallymenaorfurther away.”

Sincethepandemic,Lorrainehas reducedthe shop’sopeninghoursto10amto4pm,with customersabletoprebookprivateshowings from4pmto5pm.

“Wefounditdidn’taffectourtradeatall,in factourtrade’sbetter,”shesaid.“Anyonewho wantstocanmakeaprivateappointmentand havethewholeshoptothemselves.

“Somepeopleliketocomeinandgettheir fullseason’soutftsatthestartoftheseason beforethestockgetspickedoverandalotof peopledon’tlikeshoppinginfrontofother people.

“Yougetgreatpleasureoutofpeopleleaving heresmilingandknowingthey’rewearing thingstheylove,andI’llnevereverpush anythingonanybody.

“Iwouldratherloseasalethansend somebodyoutthedoorwithsomethingIdon’t likeonthem.” ■

LorraineMcConnellofJoliClothing

Theneedfora‘newway’of deliveringbusinesssupport withentrepreneursatthecentre

Theenterprisenetworkcontinuestobeatthecoalfacewhenitcomestoproviding localsupporttoentrepreneurs,butwiththefutureofeconomicdevelopment fundingfacinguncertainty,thereisaneedforkeystakeholderstoworktogether buildinga‘newway’,withentrepreneursatthecentre,toprovideeffectivesupport, writes MichaelMcQuillan

,chiefexecutiveof EnterpriseNI

TheteamatEnterpriseNIandacross theLocalEnterpriseAgencynetwork engageswithmore than4,000 entrepreneursandlocalmicro andsmall businesseseveryweek.Thisengagement placesus,critically, atthecentre oflocal socio-economicdevelopment,andwith thislevelofconnectivityweare strongly placedtoget a realsenseofhowlocal enterpriseisdoing.

Our27memberorganisationsmanage 61locationsthroughoutNorthern Ireland, where over2,500tenantbusinessesbeneft fromfexibletenancies,accessibleadvice andsignposting,high-speedbroadband, contemporarymeeting/trainingfacilitiesand thepotentialtoaddworkspace relativeto businessgrowth.Manylocationshavefexible high-specco-workingspaces,providing remote workerswithsafemeetingorworkspace.

DeliveringExploringEnterpriseandtheGo forItstart-upprogrammes,theEnterprise NInetworkisattheforefrontofsupporting citizens,throughoutNI,inthedevelopmentand businessplanningofentrepreneurialideas.

Throughfocusedlocalserviceswesupport, mentorandsignpostindividualsandbusinesses throughsurvival,growth,andscalingstages. We continuetoinvestintechnologyandinthe developmentofourbusinessadvisors.Access tofnance remains a keyissueforstart-ups andgrowingbusinesses.EnterpriseNIisthe offcialstart-uploansdeliverypartnerand deliverypartneroftheNISmallBusinessLoan Fund,providingfundingaccessformicro/small

businesses,experiencingfundingchallenges.

TheNIEnterpriseBarometer(Nov2022) presents a longitudinalanalysisofoursmall andmicro businesspopulation.Thefndings clearlypointtothecurrenteconomicandfscal environmentbeingextremelychallengingfor smallandmicro businessesacrossNI.

Theambition,setoutbygovernmentinits economicvision,isfor a ‘10xEconomy’.The collectiveaimisthiswillbegeneratedthrough embracingandembeddinginnovationto deliver a 10timesbettereconomywithbenefts forallourpeople. We mustensure thesupport forstart-upsandlocalgrowingbusinessesisthe rightsupport,highlyvisibleandeasilyaccessible ifweare toachieveour10xambition.

Northern Irelandis,however, facedwith inevitablebudgetarycutscompoundedbythe lossofEUfundsmeaningthefuture funding oflocaleconomicdevelopmentis,atbest, uncertain.Itisincumbentonallstakeholders

toco-createsolutionsthatdelivernecessary provisionimpactfullyfortheleastcost –EnterpriseNIhas researchedanddeveloped potentialfuture modellingwhichisaimedat providing a ‘rightsupportattherighttime service’for‘pre-enterprisers’,start-ups,and growingbusinessesthroughoutallgeographies andallsectors.

JonathanMcAlpin,chairofEnterpriseNI, said:“We are eagertoworkwithcentral government,localgovernmentandInvest NItoco-createandco-deliver a powerful servicethatwilltransformlocalenterprise support,acrossallsectors,allgeographiesand underpinour10xambition, a realpartnership approachisvitalifweare seriousabout growingoureconomyandstrengtheningour localcommunitiesthroughenterpriseand entrepreneurship.” ■

For more information,get intouch www.enterpriseni.com

JonathanMcAlpin,chairofEnterpriseNIandchiefexecutiveMichaelMcQuillan

JonnyKerr

CONTACTCENTREMANAGER, NIENETWORKS

Howmuchfreetimedoyouhaveoutside ofwork?

Luckily,Ihavequiteabitoftimetomyself.As wellassocialising,I’vealotofhobbiessuchas hikingandcoldwaterswimming.I’malsoabig fanofrunning.MyLabradorPeggyisjusttwo yearsold,soshehasplentyofenergytoburn offandmakesforagreatcompanion.

Isitdiffcultseparatingyourworkand homelife?

Thelastfewyearshavebeenabitofa balancingactasIwasstudyingintheevenings foraHNDinbusinessmanagementwhich waspartofmycareerdevelopmentwithin NIENetworks,soitdefnitelymadeitharder toseparateoutworkandhomelife.That’s completednowthoughandI’vebecomealot betteratswitchingoff.MypartnerandIboth workforNIENetworks,sosometimeswecan enduphavingaworkconversationathome, butwe reallytrynottoandkeephomelife focusedonthepersonal.

Whatdoyoudoinyoursparetime?

I’maveryactivepersonsoI’malmost alwaysdoingsomething.IfI’maftersome chill-outtime,Ilikewalkingthedogonthe beach,butIalsoenjoygoingoutfordinner withmypartnerSusanorcatchingupwith friends.Myhobbiesincludehiking,especially aroundtheMournesandI’m reallyintocold waterswimming.Igoforadiptwoorthree morningsaweekbeforeworkatNewcastle beachorOxfordIsland.Nomatterwhat,I practicecoldwaterbeneftseveryday,starting withacoldshowereverymorning.It’snotfor everyone,especiallyinthewinter,butitworks

forme.I’malsoquiteintowellnessandIdo ‘breathwork’practiceseachdaywhichI’ve foundmakeahugedifferencetohowIfeel.

There’salsoatubinmybackgardenwhich IsometimesjumpintoafterI’veflledit withcoldwaterandice.That’safantastic experience–onceyoustart,you’llneverstop.

Whilelisteningtopodcasts,Icameacrossan inspirationalguycalled WimHof–alsoknown asTheIceman.He’sknownforhisabilityto withstandlowtemperaturesandforholding hisbreath.Afterdoingsome research,Ifound acertifed WimHofinstructorinNorthern Ireland,soIbookedinforafewone-on-one breathsessions.Ialsosignedupforsome workshops,whichinvolvedlyinginaforestin abucket-fulloficedwater.Forme,ithashuge mentalandphysicalbenefts.

Istheresomethingyou’dliketostart doingortakeup?

I’vetakenpartintheBelfastMarathon relay

forthelastfewyearsandI’vesignedupagain thisyear.NIENetworkssponsorsanyemployee whowantstotakepartinthemarathonas partofouremployeewellbeingprogramme, soithaspushedmetoputrunningto gooduse.I’mhopingthoughtotakeona halfmarathonandmaybeafullmarathon eventually.

It’sholidaytime–whereareyou travellingto?

I’mactuallyjustbackfromJamaica–that’s abitofastory.Iwasgoingoutforafamily weddingbut,onthemorningweweredue tofyout,mylovelydogatemypassport. Everyoneelsehadtoleavewithoutmesoit meantthatIwasleftathometryingtogetan emergencypassport.IteventuallyarrivedandI gottoJamaicawithonlyaweekoftheholiday left.Itwasn’tatotalwastethough,Iwasoff workanywaysothedogandIspentafew dayshikinginthemountain. We’llbegoing somewherelaterthisyear.I’mnotsurewhere yet,buthopefullyit’llbewithoutthedrama. ■

Motoring

ByPatBurns

Sponsoredby

Volvogoesonacharge

TheXC40Rechargeis Volvo’sfrst fullyelectriccar.Itisbasedonthe best-sellingXC40smallpremium SUV,thefrst Volvomodeltowinthe EuropeanCarofthe Yearaward.

TheXC40Rechargehasbeenupgraded for2023andisnowavailableineither rear wheeldriveorfour-wheeldriveformats.It’s thefrsttimein25yearsthattheSwedish manufacturerhasoffereda rearwheeldrive model.

Thelatestmodelsnowhaveagreaterrange andnewelectricmotors.TheXC40exudes qualityandScandidesignandismorethana matchforsimilarmodelsfrom TeslaandAudi.

LiketheXC40,theRechargeisbasedonthe CompactModularArchitecture(CMA),an advancedvehicleplatformco-developedwithin theGeelyGroup.CMAprovides Volvowiththe necessaryeconomiesofscaleforthissegment. TheRechargemodellooksvirtuallyidenticalto theinternalcombustionenginemodels.

Inside,theXC40Rechargeoffersseverallarge andsmartlydesignedstoragecompartments inthedoors,undertheseatsandintheboot. Nothavinganinternalcombustionengine meansthatthecarprovidesdriverswitheven morestoragespace,throughaso-called‘frunk’ storagespaceunderthebonnet.

TheXC40Rechargeisequippedwith aninfotainmentsystempoweredbythe Androidoperatingsystem.Theinfotainment systemofferscustomersunprecedented personalisation,improvedlevelsof intuitivenessandnewembeddedGoogle technologyandservices,suchasGoogle Assistant,GoogleMapsandGooglePlay.

Itisalsothefrst Volvothat receiveslarger softwareandoperatingsystemupdatesover theair,placing VolvoCarsattheforefront ofautomotiveconnectedservices.TheXC40 Rechargewillkeepevolvingandimproving overtime,ratherthanbeingatitspeakwhen itleavesthefactory.

TheRechargeoffersarangeofmorethan 259miles.Thebatterychargesto80%of itscapacityin40minutesonafast-charger systemandproduces231bhpwitha 0-60mphtimeofsevensecondsandatop speedof99mph.It’scertainlynoslouch andthe330Nmoftorquearrivesalmost instantaneously.

Ifyoufeeltheneedformorepowerand range,youcanalsooptforalargerbattery coupledwithamorepowerful185kW permanentmagnete-motoronthe rear axle.Thissecondnewvariantcomeswithan 82kWhbatterypack,whichboostsrangeup to320miles(515km).

Thebatteryisprotectedbyanaluminium safetycageandhasbeenembeddedinthe middleofthecar’sbodystructure,creatinga built-incrumplezonearoundit.

TheRechargeisalsothefrst Volvomodel equippedwithanew,scalableadvanced driverassistancesystems(ADAS)sensor platformthatconsistsofanarrayofradars, camerasandultrasonicsensors.

Exteriorupdatesalsohelptoimprove effciencywherepossible.Forexample,a new19-inchalloywheelnotonlybooststhe overalllookofthemodels,butitalsohelpsto reducedragthroughitsaerodynamicdesign.

Standardspeconallmodelsincludesanineinchcentreconsoletouchscreen–Google AutomotiveServices, VolvoCarsapp–availableforyoursmartphone,smartwatch ortablet,wireless/inductivemobilephone charging,eight-speakersoundsystemwith fourUSBsockets,citysafety–includes pedestrianandcyclistdetection,and frontcollision,oncominglanemitigation, automaticLEDheadlightswithactivehigh beam, rearparkingsensors,power-operated tailgateanda12.3-inchdriver’sinformation display.

PricesfortheXC40Rechargestartfrom £45,750. ■

Dothe FunkyCat

Thechancesareyou’venothave heardoftheORAFunkyCatbut you’ll rememberthename.It’sthe latestChinesebrandtocometoNorthern Irelandandisnowavailablehere.

TheORAFunkyCatFirstEdition,whichis nowavailable,isawellspecifedfullelectric vehiclewitha48kWhbatteryofferingaWLTP rangeof193miles.

Amongthecar’sfeaturesarewirelessphone charging,adaptivecruisecontrol,360-degree cameras,voice recognition, reversingcamera, LEDheadlightsand18-inchalloywheels.

TheORAFunkyCatalsohasacomprehensive chargingcapabilitywith Type2singlephaseACandthree-phaseACchargingas standard.ItalsofeaturesDCrapidcharging andcomesequippedwithaCCSsocketas standard.

Homechargingwilltakearoundfvetosix hours,basedon15-80%chargestatus,with timecutdrasticallytoaroundthreetofour hourswhenmovinguptothree-phaseAConstreetcharging.Inaddition,rapidchargingwill takearound43minutes.

TheFunkyCatFirstEditionwillbeavailable inachoiceoffourcolours,withthevehicle presentedasstandardwithaNebulagreen exteriorpaintfnishandablackinterior.

Thecarwillbebackedbyacomprehensive fve-yearvehicle,unlimitedmileagewarranty withcoveronthebatteryforeightyearsor 100,000miles.Serviceintervalsarescheduled everytwoyearsor18,000miles,whichever comesfrst.TheFunkyCathasafve-star NCAPsafetyrating.

ORAispartofGreat WallMotorsandyou might rememberthatGreat Wallusedtosell

apick-uptruck,theSteed,hereinNorthern Ireland.Great WallisoneoftheoldestChinese carmanufacturersandwaslaunchedin1984. ORAisthefrm’spurelyelectricbrandandwas launchedin2018.

Itcostsfrom£31,995(or£399amonthwith an11%deposit)inFirstEditionspec,butit’s likelythattherewillbecheapermodelsinthe line-uplater,aswellasabigger-batteryversion boostingrangetomorethan260miles.

StylingisquitesimilartotheAlfaRomeo MitoanditissimilarinsizetotheMiniEV.It performswell,therideisgoodandslightly frm,withoutbeinguncomfortable.Itisquite nippytoo;0-62mphtakes8.3seconds,top speedis99mph.Interiorspaceisgood,being anEVithasafatfoorandhasenough room forfveadults.

SowhowantstodotheFunkyCat? ■

Grenadiernowonduty

TheIneosGrenadier,a re-imagined LandRoverDefenderworkhorse,is nowavailableinNorthernIreland.

Backin2017,IneoschairmanJimRatcliffe,a carenthusiastandexperiencedadventurer, identifedagapinthemarketforastripped back,utilitarian,hard-working4x4engineered formoderndaycomplianceand reliability. IneosAutomotiveLimitedwasformedand aseniorteamofautomotiveprofessionals assembledtobringthevisionto realitywith afreshperspectiveof4x4developmentand manufacturing.

Combiningruggedspiritanddesignwith Germanengineeringrigour,theGrenadierisan uncompromising4x4builtfromthegroundup. Engineeredtoovercomeallconditions,itoffers best-in-classoff-roadcapability,durability,and reliabilitytothosewhodependonavehicleas aworkingtool,wherevertheyare.

TheGrenadierisavailableasatwo-seatanda fve-seatUtility Wagon,andafve-seatStation Wagon.TheUtility Wagonisforthoseneeding

astrippedback4X4,butstillwiththecomfort and refnementexpectedofamodernvehicle. Thetwo-seatmodelhasafull-lengthfatfoor capableoftakingaeuropallet.TheStation Wagonhasfveseats,withthesecond row positionedfurtherbackthaninthefve-seat Utilityvariant,tooffertheoptimumbalance betweenpayloadand rearpassengerspace.

Inadditiontothestandardspecifcation

Grenadier,Ineosalsoofferstwopre-confgured vehicleeditionsinspiredbyBelstaffanda sharedphilosophyforproducingauthentic, uncompromisingproductsthatareengineered tolast.ThehardcoreGrenadier Trialmaster, hasbeenspecifedwithextremeoff-roading inmindandcomespreparedforgruelling expeditions,whiletheGrenadierFieldmasteris designedforthosewithanadventurelifestyle whoneedtheirvehicletogetthemandtheir kittowherevertheywanttogo.

TheGrenadierismanufacturedattheformer MercedesplantinHambach,Germany.The enginesaresuppliedbyBMWandthereisa choiceof3.0litre6cylinderpetrolordiesel

units,drivingthroughaneight-speedZFauto ‘box.Poweroutputforthepetrolengineis 286PSand450Nmoftorque,whilethediesel produces249PSand550Nm.TheGrenadieris permanent4WD.

Inside,alldrivinginformationcanbefound ontheGrenadier’sCentralControlSystem,a 12.3inchtouchscreensystem.There’salso anaircraftstyleoverheadpanelwhichhouses alltheoff-roadcontrolssuchasOffRoadand Wadingmodesaswellasthedifflockbuttons anddownhilldescentcontrol.TheGrenadier isdesignedtogetmuddyandcanbewashed downbothinsideandout.

TheGrenadier’sstartingpriceis£49,000 whilethefve-seatpassengerversionstartsat £52,000. TwospecialeditionBelstaffvariants sitatthetopoftheGrenadierrange,priced at£59,000,andfeatureadditionalequipment suchasfrontparkassist,a reversingcamera, electricallyadjustableheatedmirrors,anda raisedairintakeandanauxiliarybattery.The IneosrangeisavailablethroughHollybrook CarsinCrumlin. ■

APPOIN TM EN TS

ErinShieldshasbeenappointed commercialsupportco-ordinatoratWhite’s Oats.Withoverfouryears’experiencein theindustry,shewillworkcloselywith thesalesandmarketingteamstohelp manageandpromotebusinessgrowthand development.

EmmaMurrayhasbeenappointedbrand manageratWhite’sOats.Shewillbe responsiblefordeliveringtheoverallbrand strategytodrivebrandawarenessand supporttheoverallbusinessbyproftably growingsales.

ChrisPlatthasjoinedRe-GenRoboticsas commercialdirector.Hebringsextensive senior-levelandtechnicalexperienceinoil andgasoperations,healthandsafety,and projectmanagementtotheno-manentry robotictankcleaningcompany.

AnnaBlakelyhasjoinedCleaverFulton Rankinasaparalegal.Shegraduatedfrom Queen’sUniversityBelfastwithabachelor ofartsdegreeinEnglishin2021,before goingontoworkforthePolicingBoard.

AidanMcCarronhasbeenappointed asasolicitorinthedisputeresolution departmentatCleaverFultonRankin.He obtainedhisundergraduatedegreeinlaw atQueen’sUniversityBelfast.

PaulaBarretthasbeenappointedas operationsmanagerof WorkPal.Ms BarrettjoinedthebusinessinDecember 2022havingcomefromanothbersoftware providerinthefeldservicemanagement industry.

NeilMcDonaghhasjoinedCleaverFulton Rankin’sbankingandfnanceteamasa paralegal.Hebringssignifcantexperience inbanking,havingspentthelast12years workinginalargefnancialinstitutionin Belfast.

JonathanMegawhasbeenappointedtax director,largecorporateandinternational tax,atGrantThorntoninBelfast.Mr MegawwillleadGrantThornton’sgrowing corporateandinternationaltaxteam.

ImogenKellyhasbeenappointedasa paralegaltoCleaverFultonRankin’slegal technologygroup.MsKellystudiedlaw atUlsterUniversity,graduatingin2022, andhaspreviousexperienceassistingon conveyancingandfamilylawmatters.

2. DavidRoberts, TourismNI, Newry,MourneandDownDistrict Councilchairman,councillor MichaelSavage,CaroleLong, TourismNIandConorMallon launchTheMourneMountains GatewayProjectinformationday.

3. KearneyLawGrouphas expandeditsofferingtoclients withtheadditionoftwonew claimspecialiststoitsteam. Picturedare RyanAbramandLee Donaghy,KearneyLawGroup.

4. Celebratingwomenin manufacturingJansGroup saysaround50%ofitssenior managementteamisnowfemale. PicturedareSamanthaThompson headoffnance,EdelDoherty, chiefcommercialoffcerandEdel Healy,headofteamsupport.

5. Dungannon-basedGildernew &Cohasexpandeditsoperations withtheopeningofanewoffce inBelfastcitycentre,followinga periodofsustainedgrowthand development.PicturedareGary Bonner,GerardGildernewand ClaireMcElduff.

1. Catalyst’sfreework experienceprogramme, GenerationInnovation,is acceptingapplicationsfrom 17to18-year-oldsinterested inacceleratingtheircareer developmentandlearning newskillstohelpthemthink innovatively.

6. Aneventhasbeenheld atKilleavyCastleEstatein Newrytomarktheclose oftheInterregfunded Co-Innovateprogramme. PicturedareMargaretHearty, InterTradeIreland,Alison Currie,Sarah Travers,Brody Sweeney,CamilleThaiand O’Brien’sSandwichBars,Gina McIntyre,SEUPBandShane Murphy,deputypermanent secretary,Departmentforthe Economy.

7. Belfastshoppingcentre VictoriaSquarehasunveileda newimmersivephotography installationtoshinethespotlight onup-and-cominglocal photographytalentandtomark its15thanniversary.

8. TheabsenceofanExecutive ishavingadetrimentaleffecton theeconomyhere,Londonderry ChamberPresidentSelinaHorshi (centre)hassaid.She’spictured withJeananneCraig,Hubert O’Donoghue,AnnaDohertyand ProfessorLiamMaguire,Ulster University.

9. ErinBrown(left)hasturned herpassionforballoonmodelling intodesignbusinessBalloonsand GiftsbyErin,thankstothehelp fromtheGoForItprogrammein associationwithArdsandNorth DownBoroughCouncil.She’s picturedwithMayorofArdsand NorthDown,KarenDouglasand EmmaPearson.

10. TheGoodFoodFund, establishedbyBusinessinthe Community(BITC)haslaunched inNorthernIreland.Picturedare studentsAmeliaand Ava,Nell McCallionandLindaMilligan, KieranHarding,BITC,JoeO’Neill, BelfastHarbourandSimonLittle, DanskeBank.

12. HughesInsurancehas launchedActionforImpact, aninitiativededicatedtoits environmental,socialand corporategovernanceagenda. PicturedareDawnMiskelly, Ulster Wildlife,DianneKeys,TCV andEmmaHaughian,Hughes Insurance.

13. Translinkhasannounceda newsafetyinitiativeinpartnership withUlsterGAAandtheIrish FA, calledthe‘PlayItSafe’campaign. Picturedlaunchingthenewsafety campaignareyoungplayersAnna andSéanOg.

14. eCommLivehaslaunchedfor 2023andwillpartnerwithBelfast basede-commerceplatform,IRP forthefourthyear.Picturedare Kevin Traynor,founderofeComm LiveandDanielLoughlin,founder ofIRPCommerce.

15. Picturedattheannouncement thatLibertyIThasbeennamedas oneofIreland’sBest Workplaces forthefourthconsecutiveyear areSanchithaThanaya,software engineer,ParryMandal,director ofengineeringandAlison Hughes,engineeringmanager.

11. Imvizar,foundedby Belfast-native,Michael Guerin,hasannouncedthatit hassecured€800,000inseed investmentfromagroupof prominentangelinvestors, EnterpriseIrelandandHalo BusinessAngelsNetwork, HBAN.

PicturedareCaitrionaLennox,

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17. CleverClosethasannounced planstoinvestover£2min NorthernIreland,openinganew baseinNewrythatwillcreate upto25newjobs.CleverCloset salesmanagerCiaraReelis picturedwithchiefexecutivePaul Jacob.

18. MidandEastAntrimBorough Councilhashelpedsupport Carrickfergus-basedbusiness SoapStory,whichhassuccessfully developedanewrangeofdog shampoos.PicturedareMidand EastAntrimBoroughCouncil’s GrainneO’NeillwithSimon WaringofSoapStory.

19. Catalysthasinstalled30 electricvehicle(EV)charging pointsacrossitssitesinBelfast andDerrymovingfurthertowards itsgoalofachievingcarbonnet zeroby2040.PicturedisJenna White,managementaccountant atCatalyst,usinganewEV charger.

20. NorthernIrelandMinister SteveBakerhasvisitedtheNOW Group,aleadingsocialenterprise supportingpeoplewithlearning diffculties,disabilitiesandautism intojobswithafuture.He’s picturedwithMaeveMonaghan, NOWGroupchiefexecutive.

16. Thetourismand hospitalityindustryhas cometogethertolaunchthe ‘MakeitHere’campaignto encouragepeopletoconsider acareerintheindustry.

JoelNeill, VickyGreen,Roisin McKee,DavidRobertsand JudithOwens.

22. Sliderobes,headquartered inBelfast,hasinvestedinafully refurbishedDublinshowroom aspartofthecompany’s40th birthdaycelebrations.Pictured areMuireannO’Connell,Joanna AzevedoandSliderobesIreland managingdirectorDavidBowe.

23. GlendaHanna,storemanager andJackieMagee,customer adviserfromSparSunnyside StreetinBelfast,withthenew defbrillatorthathasbeeninstalled outsidethestore,availabletothe localcommunity.

24. BelfastChamberhas announceditsPresident’sLunch, takingplaceonApril6atthe CrownePlazaHotelinBelfast. PicturedispresidentAlanaCoyle andMatthewHowse,partner atEvershedsSutherland,event sponsor.

25. TheGallaher Trusthas announcedadditionalfundingfor Women’sAidABCLNReconnect project,whichsupportslife-saving servicesforwomenaffectedby domesticabuse.Picturedare BronaghO’Boyle,projectworker at Women’sAidABCLNand trusteeofTheGallaher Trust, AlisonMoore.

21. The Womenin Aviation networkingeventhas launchedatShannon AirporttomarkInternational Women’sDay.Picturedare SamanthaHarding,Rita Meehan,DonnaMarie O’Neill,MaryConsidine, CarolineMooreandJane Magill.

27. DigitalConstructionLiveLtd aimstocreateconferences,events andworkshopstobringthe constructionindustrytogether. PicturedareMelanieDawsonand Sarah Weir.

28. GrantThorntonhas announcedChildren’s Heartbeat Trustasitscharitypartner Pictured are AineKeogh,GrantThornton Ireland,JoanneMcCallister, Children’s Heartbeat Trust,Richard GillianandEllieFrancis,Grant Thornton,andSamanthaColeman, Children’s Heartbeat Trust.

29. Recyclingsolutionscompany REP-TEChassecured£300,000in fundingtoexpanditsoperations withhelpfromWhiterockFinance’s GrowthLoanFundII.Picturedare JennaMairs,WhiterockFinance andColmGrimes,REP-TEC.

30. Gilbert-Ashhassuccessfully completedthelargest redevelopmentoftheNational PortraitGallery’s buildingsince itopenedin1896.Picturedare GilbertAsh’s RayHutchinsonwith TheNationalPortraitGallery’s director, NicholasCullinan.

26. Tughanshasbeennamed CorporateLawFirmofthe YearattheInsiderMedia Dealmaker AwardsNorthern Ireland,withcorporate partnerPaulO’Briennamed Dealmakerofthe Year.

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32. TheSoftwareAlliancehas launched representingthevoiceof thesoftwaresectorhere.Pictured are TomGray,deputychair, AngelaMcGowan,CBINI,Mark Owens,CivicaNI, TaraSimpson, InstilSoftware,JohnHealy,chair, andJayneBrady,headofthe NorthernIrelandCivilService.

33. ABelfasttechcompanyhas launchedamobilewebappcalled GetSociableaimedatboostingthe night-timeeconomy.Picturedis chiefexecutivePeterMcCleery.

34. Arthur’s,thenewluxury guesthouseinRoyalHillsborough, hasopeneditsdoors.Pictured withUlsterBankbusiness developmentmanagerDerick Wilson(left)areownersJonathan and LynneMcCabe.

35. RyanDougan,Dougan Contracts,ispicturedwith MargaretPattersonMcMahon alongsidePeterDarraghfrom TownsendEnterprisePark, Belfastasitannounceda £150,000upgradeandexpansion programmetoaccommodate growingdemandamongnewand existingtenants.

31. Cancerdiagnostics companyGenoME Diagnosticshasclosed a£1.4mfunding round. PicturedareProfessorPaul Mullan,ChrisMosedale, DrShannonBeattie,Stuart Gaffkin,DrLauraFeeney,Dr MarkStreet-Dochertyand AnneDornan.

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37. UlsterCarpetsandDiversity Markhavehosteda roundtable eventwithguestspeakerSirDavid Sterling(right).PicturedareNick Coburn,managingdirectorof UlsterCarpetsandNualaMurphy, DiversityMark.

38. HendersonRetailhaspicked upthetopawardofthenightat theinauguralPostOffceStrategic Partner AwardsEvening.Pictured areDavidAgnew,Janette Young andKatieSecretan.

39. ComberFarmers’Market 2023has returnedthisyear asHaganHomes renewsits sponsorshipoftheevent.Pictured areLizHamilton,JoanCowan,Jim BurkeandRoyMurray.

40. RossBoydChartered Accountantshasannounced growthplansthroughout2023 followingits recentmovetonew largerpremisesintheheartof Belfast.PicturedareBrianStewart, director,RossBoydandJaneGill, director.

36. BelTechhas returned tothecityforits10thyear. PicturedareKevinHiggins, AllstateNorthernIreland,Kyle Davidson,Kainos,Deputy LordMayorofBelfastCity Council,MichelleKelly,Chloe McAree,HamiltonRobson andGraemeClarke,Expleo.

Superocean Heritage 44: makinga bigand boldstatement

Breitling’sSuperoceanHeritage44bringsforthaboldand impressivepieceofwatchmaking,alongsidedecadesof divewatchhistory. JohnMulgrew spendsaweekwith oneoftheSwisswatchmaker’smoststrikingtimepieces

ThefrsttimeIsawwhatiscertainly oneofBreitling’smostidentifable andstrikingwatcheswasonthe wristofRussellCrowe.

Theactoractuallytalkedabouthischoiceto wearaSuperoceanHeritageChronograph 44,playingthe roleofthemayorinthe 2013flmBrokenCity,whilehelpingplugan auctionforpartofhiscollection.

“Ijustthoughtthatcharactershouldhave somethingatsomestageintheflmwhich reallypopped…youcandefnitelyseeit whenI’mwearingitandit reallypops,”he says.

Breitling’sSuperoceanHeritageII Chronographftsintotheoverallline alongsidethenon-Heritagemodelsandthe smallerHeritagenon-chronographmodels whichfeaturemorecompactcasesizesand forgotheextracomplication.

There’scertainlynodoubtthisisasizeable

pieceandwristpresenceiscertainlystrong. The44mmcasesitswellona7.25inchwrist andthelugsdon’taddtoomuchextrasize.

Itboastsaclearandchunkyblackceramic uni-directionalbezelwithanatypicallumedot at12.Thedialitselfisafatmattblackwhich keepsthingsbalancedalongsideanentirely polishedcaseandbracelet.

Thechronographsub-dialssitat12,six andninewiththeday/datewindowat threealongsidethelogo,Breitlingtextand ‘SuperoceanChronometer’.There’safairbit goingontowardstherightsideofthedial, especiallyalongsidethetwopushers.

Breitling’schunkyandpolishedswordhands arecomplementedbyathinchronograph secondshand.

InsidethatpolishedcasebackistheBreitling 13calibremovement,whichkeepsthings accurateandtickingawaywitha48-hour power reserve.

It’saround15.6mmthicksothere’ssomeheft whenonthewristbutitallfeels reasonably balanced,despitethecasesizeandoverall dimensions.Thesapphirecrystalisfairlyfat andthebezelsitsslightlyhigherthanthecase.

Thepushershaveasatisfying resistanceand click,whilethepieceoverallhasa200metre water resistancerating.

Ihadacheapandcheerfulthirdpartyversion

“I just thought that character shouldhave something atsome stage in the flm which really popped… you can defnitely seeit when I’m wearing itandit really pops”

ofamesh-stylebraceletfora HamiltonKhakiwhichIstillown tothisday.ThisBreitlingversionis certainlyinadifferentballpark.

It’saveryprettything–polished throughoutwithamirrorfnishBreitling buckleandclaspwithmicro-adjustment.

Overall,it’sextremelycomfortableand somethingwhichcanhelpthrowinabit ofvarietyinaworldofbrushedsteellinks, blackorbrownleatherstraps.

There’salottolikeaboutthisiterationof Breitling’sever-expandingSuperoceanrange, andpopularHeritagemodels,harkingback tosomeofitsofferingsfromthe1950s.

Thereofcourse remainsseriousheritage (lowercasethistime)withBreitlingas bothaSwissstalwartandequallyinterms ofdivewatchpedigree–withthefrst Superocean,thenhousedina39mmcase, releasedin1957.

Thisisamoremodernandwell-fnished versionofsomethingwhichstartedout, alongsideitsequallyorbetter-knownnautical peers,asatooltobeused.It’sastatement piecewhichalsosetsitselfapartfromthe

brushedSuperoceanrange–combiningthat polishedpunch,casesizeandhistorytomake itsomethingcertainlyimpressive.

ButaswithmuchofBreitling’srange, therearemanyoptionsavailablehere–the Chronographalonecomesinseveralcolours, withagoldversion,whiletherearealsononchronographversionsandthesmallerHeritage 57rangewhichcouldsuitsmallerwrists. ■

Formoreinformationvisitwww.lunns.com orpayavisittotheBreitlingstoreatQueen’s Arcade

SuperoceanHeritageII Watch44

Stainlesssteel Breitling13calibre

WehadbeenonDundeesoilfor about10minutesbeforewe almostaccidentallytookthe roadtoEdinburgh.

Takethisasalesson:ifyou’rebookinga taxiatDundeeAirporttoyourhotel,make sureyouchoosethecorrectlocationofthe accommodation. We metaverylovelythough abitconfuseddriverwhowaswillingtotake ustotheScottishcapitaleventhoughthe actualjourneytimefromrunwaytohotel room waslessthan15minutes.

AwhirlwindweekendinDundeeproved successfulandalotoffun–andtherewasa frissonofexcitementinthetaxi,ontheway tothecorrecthotel,listeningtoaradioadvert extollingtheeaseoffyingtoBelfast.

ItwasoneofthesmoothestplanejourneysI’ve experienced:acomfortable48-seaterLoganair plane,anhourintheairspottingimpressive scenery,complimentaryteaandshortbread andlandingfasterthansittingthroughatraffc jaminBelfastcitycentre.Theairstewardess washappytooffersuggestionsaboutwhereto visitonceonterrafrma.Plus...shortbread.

OneofthebestthingsaboutvisitingDundee wasadegreeofbraggingrights:noonehad previouslyvisited. Withthatmeansyou’reable todiscoveryourownweekendactivities,rather thanvisitingthosemust-seeplacesthatothers suggest.

Secondly,ourhotelwasgorgeous.HotelIndigo Dundeeisaformerjutemillthatissympathetic toitshistory–andthecity’smostfamous creations(jute,journalismandjam)–while offeringsupremecomfort.Itsbelltowerstands out,makingitabeaconforanyonewho lacksasenseofdirection.Thecity’sindustrial heritageringsout:fromthe receptionspace

It’s a done dealin Dundee

fullofmachinery,toframedcartoonsfromThe DandyandTheBeano–otherinternational exports–itisatantalisingmixofmodernand traditional.

Our roomcamewithabrickedceiling,anodto thebuilding’spast,andwithtwodoublebeds, aperfectlypositionedTVandviewstotheRiver Tay, itwasanidealset-up.Thebathroomcame withahandheldandrainforestshowerandthe luxurytoiletriescouldhaveyouimaginingyou wereinaspa.

Butwhileitwastemptingtospendthe weekendhorizontal,wewerethereto sightsee.MyfriendRuthandIarefansof awaydays:thefrstandlastfightsbackto ‘somewhere,’foradayofculture,cafesand shopping.

Within15minutes’walkofthehotelisHMS Unicorn,dubbedtheworld’smostoriginalold ship.Constructedasa46-gunfrigate,itarrived inDundeein1873asatrainingshipforthe RoyalNavalReserves,a rolecarriedouton boarduntilthe1960s.

Theshipissetacrossfourdecks,oneofwhich isbelowthewaterline.Foranyonewhoisn’t afanofconfnedspaces,maybesticktothe toptwodecks.Iventuredtothethirddeckand didn’thavetostooptoomuch,butthebottom deck requiresalevelofnimblenessofwhichI donotpossess.

Onwards,wewalkedtowardstheV&A Dundee,throughice-creamemporium JannettasGelateriaonthe Waterfront.The daymayhavebeencolderthananythingI’d

Scotland’snewcapitalof coolprovedtheperfect weekenddestinationfor Áine Toner

experiencedinBelfastthiswinter,andyes, Ididhavetowearmymittenstoholdmy honeycombandchocolateencrustedcone, butitwasworthitforascoopofchocolate maltpecanandsaltedhazelnut,caramelswirl andcandiedhazelnuts.Besides,nutsarevery goodforyou.I’d revisitDundeetomorrow simplyfortheice-cream.

Refreshed,weheadedintotheV&A, Scotland’sdesignmuseum.Avisionof modernarchitecture,weclimbedthestairsto themainfoor,eyeingthecollectionsonshow. Anewexhibitionextollingthewonderof tartanbeginsonApril1andwecheckedfight optionswhileinthemuseumtoseewhether wecould return.

Afteravisittothemuseumshop,wewent

toournextdestination,theaptlynamed DiscoveryPointandtheRRSDiscovery.This auxiliarysteamshipwasbuiltinDundeefor Antarctic research,andwasthelastwooden three-mastedshipbuiltintheUK.Herfrst missionwascarryingRFScottandErnest Shackletonontheirfrstjourneytothe Antarctic–iconicstuff.

Priortoboarding,visitorsaretreatedto amuseumflledwithinformationand shortvideosdocumentingScottandCo’s endeavours.Theyenhanceyourexcitementas yousteponboard.

It’sdiffcultnottofeelstirredup,whenon board,youspotthesailors’bedroomsand imaginewhatlifewouldhavebeenlikeatsea insuchconfnedspaces.

Afterlunchandontoshopping.Expectstores wehaveherebuteverythingisbetterwhen you’reonholiday,right?Therewashappiness whenwefoundaFlying TigerCopenhagen andatouchofsadnesswhileperusing Paperchase–buttakingsomepicturesatthe DesperateDanandMinnietheMinxstatuesin thecity’smainsquaresoftenedtheblow.

AcasualstrollledustotheMcManusArt GalleryandMuseum.ItsGothicRevivalstyle buildingmakesforanimpressivesiteinthe citycentreandwewereitchingtogetinside. Again,wefoundstafftobehelpful,withan encyclopaedicknowledgeofthemuseum’s confguration.

Anotheraspectofaweekendawayiswhat you’reeatinganddrinking.Thefrstnight,we haddinnerinGidiGrill,lessthana15-minute walkfromthehotelandabsolutelyheavingon aFridaynight.Thatwasthefrstpositivesign. Thesubsequentculinarythumbsupscame whenwesampledsomeofthetastyfusion menu.There’splentytowhettheappetitesof hungryvisitorsandlocals. We bothoptedfor rumpsteakservedwithonionrings,friesanda choiceofsauce,thoughtherearefshdishes, pastaoptionsandmoremeatmealsavailable.

FlighttimebacktoBelfastwasamere45 minutesandpassagethroughDundeeAirport wasswift.Becausewehadhandluggage only,therewasnoopportunitytobringhome marmaladeorwhiskey,twofoodstuffsfor whichthecityisfamous,butthereweretwo Dundeecakes,courtesyoftheV&A,winging theirwayhometoourmums.

Bothofuswereimpressedwiththecityand whatithadtoofferandspokefrequently about returning.Thecityhasbeencalled ‘Scotland’snewcapitalofcool’andwe’dhave toagree. Withculture,dining,nightlifeand shopping,wehopetohearplentyofNorthern Irishvoicesthenexttimewevisit. ■

Dundeeskyline atsunrise

The frm sitting at the heart ofcard payments

ControliskeyasCleverCardsdigitalappgoesfrom strengthtostrength,writes Adrian Weckler

Initslatestfundraisingpitchdeck, Stripehas reportedlytoldpotential investorsthatthepaymentspieisn’t azero-sumgame:there’s roomforalot moreexpansion.

FewIrishentrepreneursarecurrently experiencingthismorethanKealanLennon. ThefounderofCleverCardshasfounditself inwhatmaybeoneofthesweetestof sweetspotsoccupiedbyanIrishfntechfrmin recentmemory.

Thankstoyearsofduediligence,fnancial

hoop-jumpingand regulatoryproofs,the formercorporatefnancierhasplacedhisfrm closetothecentreofMastercard’swaveof trustedthirdpartypaymentpartners,allowing himtomarketCleverCardsasascaleable, customisablepaymentapp.

Hisserviceletsanyonesetupavirtual Mastercardwithpre-setlimits,controllable centrallyfromacompany’sfnancialmanager. Itcanbeusedforanythingfromexpenses totax-freeChristmasbonuses.Andbecause it’saMastercard,itcanbespentjustabout anywhereontheplanet.

“Ittookthreeyearsofintenseeffortto getthatstatus,”hesays,overacoffeein Dublin’sSkylonHotel.“IfI’dknownthen whatIknownow[aboutthehoopshe wouldhavetojumpthrough],honestly,I’m notsureIwouldhavehadthefortitudeto doit.”

WhenheinitiallyapproachedMastercard, thepaymentsgiantwassceptical.“They laughedatme,”hesays.

“Notinanydisrespectfulway.Infairness,I hadgonetothemwithmytongueslightly inmycheek.Mypitchwasthatthiswould beintegratedprocessing,kindoflikean ‘IntelInside’thing.Iknewitwasatallorder. Anyway,Iwassentaway,but returnedwith

adifferenttact.Ihadpitchedtoacustomer whatwewantedtodowithMastercard.

“Theylikedtheideabutsaidthatitwas contingentonMastercardandbeingableto doconfgurablecards.OnceMastercardsaw thedemandfromthecustomer,wehadthe conversationagain.Andthenwesetouton thatjourneytogetMastercardtointegrate.It wasnewterritoryforthemandnewterritory forus,acompletelyunique relationship.And that’swhythatwaspartofthe reasonwhyit tooksolong.”

Butdoithedid.Andheandhiscompanynow sitinapositionfewothersoccupy:aservice companythatcanmarketitselfassuperconductorforconfgurableMastercards.

The result,hesays,isthousandsofcompanies nowsigninguptousehisservice,witha staggering5,000%increasein revenueinthe latterpartof2022andsolidbasisforanew fundraising roundthisyear.

Thelureofthebluestofblue-chippayment systemsunderpinningtheservicehasalso attractedsomehugecustomers,including theUKtreasury.CleverCardswasusedasa paymentproviderbytheBritishstatewhen itwantedtogivetop-upvouchersforfuelto citizensduringthecost-of-livingcrisis.Because ofthewayLennon’ssystemisconfgurable, theBritishwereabletoconfnethevalid recipientsofthevirtualtop-upcardsto26 utilitycompanies.

“We’retheonlycompanythatcandothat confguration,”MrLennonsays.“Wecan confgurethemrightdowntoanindividual merchant.Ortoacategoryofmerchants.”

CleverCardsisfarfromMrLennon’sfrst rodeo.WhileheisbestknownintheIrishtech communityasthefounderandchiefexecutive ofthegreetingappfrmCleverbug,hehasa longcareerincorporatefnancing.

CleverCards’systemworksentirelyon smartphones.Avalidvirtualcardiseither emailedorscanned(throughaQRcode), whereuponitisaddedtothephone’s‘wallet’. Followingsomeidentityverifcationtoprevent moneylaunderingorscammersintervening, thevirtualMastercardis readytogo,defned bywhateverlimitorconditionthesenderhas set.

“Thewaythatthe restoftheindustry distributescardsisinthepost,”saysMr Lennon.“Theproblemwiththatisit’spaper andplastic,soyoucangiveittosomebody else.”

This,hesays,woulddefeatthepurpose ofthevirtualcard’sintention,suchasa fuelallowanceorexpenseaccountforan individual.

“WithCleverCards,youcan’tgivethatcard awaytosomebodyelsebecauseit’slocked toyourphonenumber.Itneverleavesyour phone.”

Otherthanindividualconfgurability,Mr Lennonsays,theadvantagetothisis immediacyandscaleability.

Ifyou’reonholidaysandyour regularcardis lost,damagedorhacked,itcantakeaweek togeta replacement.Avirtualdigitalcard canbeblockedimmediately,withanewone issuedonthespot.

Similarly,hesays,ifyourcompanyistrying toorganiseanemployeebonusschemethe weekbeforeChristmas,it’snotsubjecttothe usualconstraintsofbanks’manualprocesses.

“Iftheywant50,000cards,it’s50,000 emails,”MrLennonsays.“Inaplastic situation,UlsterBankandBankofIreland andAIBaretryingtomanuallyopenaccounts allyear.Ittakestimeandpaperwork. We’re abletodoitwithdigitalverifcationandin amuchmoredistributedfashion.Inthelast 12months,we’veopenedabout100,000 accounts. We hada50-timesincreasein revenueinquarterfouroflastyear.Ithas explodedforus.”

CleverCardschargesapercentageforwhen themoneyisloadedontothecard,withan additional revenuestreamfromMastercard. MrLennonalsosaysthatforbiggerdeals, involvingthousandsofemployeesorvirtual cards,‘platformlicensefees’arealsoinvolved.

CleverCardscurrentlyemploysaround30 people.Butwithsuchanexpansioninits businessunderway,ithopestodoublethat fgurebytheendoftheyear.Itisalsonow turningitsattentiontoanotherfunding round.

WhiletheUKtreasuryhasbeenabiguser,it is recurringitemssuchasindividualexpenses withincompaniesthatMrLennonbelieves mightoffertherichestveinofopportunityfor CleverCardsintheshortterm.

“Imagineringingabankandtellingthem thatyou’vegotanemployeeyou’dliketoget acreditcardto,withanexpirydateofone week’stimeandacreditlimitoftwoanda halfgrand.Itdoesn’thappen. We’vetakenall ofthatfunctionalityandbroughtitunderthe controlofthefnancemanager.” ■

KealanLennon,founderof CleverCards

Uncovering the9-5

NAME: AnnaPerera

POSITION: Human resourcesdirector, CollinsAerospace

6.30am

Myalarmgoesoff and I startmyday I’mvery fortunatethatmycommutetoKilkeeltakes meoverthegloriousandscenicMourne Mountains.Whenever I travelintoBelfast,it makesmeappreciatethejourneytoKilkeel evenmore.

8.30am

I checkemailsandclearanythathavecomein overnight,particularlyfrommycolleaguesin theUS.Then I lookatmycalendarfortheday ahead.

9.05am

ThisbeginsourdailymeetingwithintheHR department,where theteamgetstogetherin personand/oroverZoom,dependingonwho isintheoffce. We share theday’s ‘bighitters’ soeveryoneknowswhat’s goingonineach other’s areasandweshare updates,ideasand

discussanyissues.It’sa reallysupportiveteam andwevaluethetimewegettogether

9.30am

OncethedailyHRmeetingfnishes,myother meetingsbegin. A lotofmyjobistalkingto peopleandinthemorning,ittendstobemy peersintheUK,peopleonsiteorthetalent acquisitionteamtogetanupdateonour current recruitmentdrive.

10.30am

Once a week,we reviewourcapacityin operationstoensure wehavetheheadcountin placetomaintainour requiredoutput.Inthat meeting,wecangivetheoperationsteaman updateon recruitment,forexample.

11.30am

Mytimetohaveone-on-oneswith a member ofmyteam,which I trytodomostdays. We’ve a greatteamofpeopleinHRwhoare working onlotsofprojectssupportingthebusiness.

12.30pm

ThisiswhereI checkmyemailsagain,then reviewmytodolistandfollowuponany actions. I wouldbelostwithoutmylists.

1pm

TheHRteamalwaystrytohavelunchtogether

withwhoeverisonsitethatday Itgets everyoneawayfromtheirdesksandgives ussomemuch-neededdowntimeandan opportunitytocatchuponlifeoutsideofwork.

2pm

I meetwithourCollinsKilkeelConnect committee,whichismadeupofemployees wholookaftertheactivitiesfocusedonour people,ourcommunity, andourplanet.Itwas establishedinSeptember2021andhassince organisedsomegreatevents.Theyalways have a packedagenda,andmy roleistogive approvalforbudgetorguidanceonwhattheir prioritiesshouldbe.

3pm

I have a weeklycallwithmylinemanagerwho sitsintheUS. I updateheronwhat’s happening at a sitelevel,andsheupdatesmeonanything thatiscomingmyway

4pm

We have regularstaff forummeetingswith elected representativesforthesalaried employeeswhere wefndouthowthestaff are feeling,listentoand resolveanyqueries theymayhave,andtoletthemknowwhat’s happeningwiththecompany

5.15pm

Thisistheoffcialfnishtime,but I usually fnishlater.I spendthetimecheckingI’vedone everything I shouldhavethatdayandplanfor thenext.Being a US-ownedcompany, there are emailslateintotheevening,althoughI’m disciplinedwithmypersonaltimeandonly respondifit’s urgent.

6.30pm

Homeanddinnerisusuallywaitingformeas myhusbandworksfromhome. I wouldnotbe abletodothis rolewithoutthesupportthat hegivesmeinmakingdinnersand,whenthe childrenwere smaller, doing a lotoftheschool runs.

8pm

I sitdownandbeginto relaxfortheevening. NormallyI’llwatchsomeTV – usually a good thrillerorcomedy, thenit’s bedtimewhere I’ll readbefore fallingasleep.