Ulster Business June 2024

Contents

08

News

Thelatestnewsandexclusivesfromacrossthe worldofNorthernIrelandbusiness

18

Coverstory

NIENetworksonitsambitioustransformation onthe roadtoagreeneconomy

22

InFocus

JohnMulgrewsitsdownwiththeEconomy Ministertotalkabouthistopnewbusiness role

35

Manufacturing& engineering

We lookatthehighpriceofdoingbusiness

43

IT&technology

Thecyberattackswhichcouldbe responsible forwipingyourcompanyout

53

Education,training&skills

The£32mdevelopmentoftheGreenmount agri-foodcollegetakesamajorstepforward

61

Tourism

Thelatestfguresshowanalmost50%risein visitornumbersfromtheRepublic

72 Review

ThenewBelfastcoffeeshopofferingasweet andsavourytasteof Vietnam

77

Motoring

AnewMiniwithanaceupitssleeveanda blowingthedustoffaDaciastaple

84

Photocall

Alookatwhat’sbeenhappeningacross NorthernIrelandoverthelastfewweeks

92

Lifestyle

JohnMulgrewspendsaweekwiththelatest iterationofOmega’sruggeddivewatch

96 Technology

ServecentricchiefBrianRoesaysthatit’safrm focusedongrowth

UlsterBusinessisapartoftheIndependentPressStandardsOrganisation(IPSO).Ifyoubelieveyouhavebeenunfairlytreated,youcancontactIPSOinwritingviaitswebsiteforguidanceonwhattodo. Theserviceisfree.IPSOcan thenadviseonwhetherit’slikelyyouhavegroundsforacomplaintandwhattodoaboutit. Thenormalprocedureisforthecomplainanttothencontactthepublication’seditordirectly.Ifnoagreementisreached,thecomplainant cangobacktoIPSOtolookforanadjudication,orforittotakeoverthecomplaint. Fulldetailsareavailableatwww.ipso.co.uk.Alternatively,emailcomplaints@ipso.co.uk,orinquiries@ipso.co.uk,ortelephone03001232220,ortheout-of-hoursemergencynumber: 07659152656.

Orwriteto:IPSO,c/oHaltonHouse,20-23Holborn,LondonEC1N2JD

EDITOR’S COMME NT S

Snapelection sets tone forpollingday

There are PRdisastersandthen there are PRdisasters.

While I don’t thinkRishiSunak’s falls intothelatter, hecertainlycouldn’t have predictedtheembarrassingslewoffront pagesashestoodinhisrain-soakedtailored suitoutsideNumber10tooffciallyconfrm thatwe’re infor a snapGeneralElection.

ThePrimeMinister’s communications machineappearedtohitanothersizeable speedbumpasCoFermanagh’s Darren McCafferywasseenbeingejectedfrom a TorypartyeventafterbeingtoldSkyNews wasnotallowedtocoverit.

That,andthedownpour, appeartohave furtherbolsteredthetoneandsentimentof

theConservativeParty’s chancesof retaining powerintheupcomingelectiononJuly4.

Closertohome,however, itseemssomeare havingtoquicklymakedecisionsonwho tostandandwhere– aninitialpredicted timeframeofaroundsixmonthstoprepare goneoutthewindowinthesevenorso minutes a dampmultimillionaire delivered thenewstomillionsacrosstheUK.

Welcometothiseditionof UlsterBusiness It’s anotherpackedmagazine,which includes a focusonthefuture ofourenergy networkhere.

We speaktoNIENetworks’newly-appointed frstchiefinformationoffcer, RohanKapoor, abouttheambitioustransformationofour electricitynetworkhere andtheutilisation

ofartifcialintelligencetobestuseand analysethehugeswathesofdataatits fngertips.

I alsositdownwithEconomyMinister ConorMurphyatStormontfor a widespreadchatabouthisapproachtothe offce,hisvision,andbeingthefrstnonDUPMLAtoholdthe rolesince2007.

We’re alsonowunderwaywithour Top 100Northern IrelandCompanies2024, chartingthesuccessstoriesofourbiggest andbestbusinesses.It’sa doubleedition whichhitsthestandsinAugust.

So,pleaseenjoythisedition,andwe’llcatch upsoon. ■

JohnMulgrew

Publisher UlsterBusiness c/oMediahuisUKLtd Belfast TelegraphHouse,33ClarendonRoad, ClarendonDock,BelfastBT13BG

Printer W&GBaird GreystonePress,CaulsideDrive, AntrimBT412RS www.wgbaird.com

Editor JohnMulgrew,j.mulgrew@independentmagazinesni.co.uk

Advertising JudithMartin,j.martin@mediahuis.co.uk

Graphicdesign SusanMcClean,MediahuisIrelandDesignStudio

Coverphoto ElaineHill

@ulsterbusiness www.ulsterbusiness.com

A month innumbers Economy here ‘wouldbe strongerin a unitedIreland’

£150m

Theproposed investmentbyLidlin NorthernIrelandover thenextthreeyears.

14 Thenumberof consecutiveyearsof growthatITservices giantKainos.

£300m The reportedvalue ofprivatehealthcare businessKingsbridge, whichisupforsale.

£106m

Theeconomicimpact ofNorthernIreland hostingtheEuros atCasementPark, accordingtoa report fromGrantThornton.

ByJohnMulgrew

Theeconomyhere wouldperform betterin a unitedIrelandwith“more opportunities”forgrowth,the EconomyMinisterhastold UlsterBusiness. ConorMurphysaidhealsowantsthe Treasuryshouldlookatitsapproachto corporationtaxhere,whythefocusisnowon ‘good’jobsandnotjusthandingoutsubsidies, tackle regionalimbalanceandthatthe Windsor Frameworkisthebestoptionwehave.

“I’mpartof a politicalpartywhichwantsto see a unitedIreland,”hetold UlsterBusiness “Iwanttoseetheeconomygrowhere –I wanttoseeeast/westtradeandnorth/ southfourish.That’s myprimaryjobinthe department.

“Theall-Irelandhasbeengrowing organically…onthesouthern sideyouhaveone ofthefastestgrowingeconomiesinEurope, andweare hookedtoaneconomy[theUK] inwhichwedon’t havetheleversinwhichwe needtofundamentallychangeoureconomy, andeconomyentering recessionandonewhich hasturneditsbackonEuropeandinternational relations.There’s nosensethatLabourisgoing todoanythingradicallydifferent[ifelectedinto government].”

MrMurphy, whosteppedasidefromhis role

for a timeduetohealth reasons,isclearthat hebelievesNorthern Irelandwouldbeneft,not onlypolitically, buteconomically, as a united Ireland.

“Idothinkwewouldbebetterin a united Ireland –a bettereconomyin a unitedIrelandas well,andthere wouldbemore opportunities,” hesaid.

Intermsofhisownapproach,he’s setout a four-pillareconomicstrategy, lookingat“good” jobs,tackling regionalimbalance,productivity, andeyeingnetzero.

MrMurphysaidthere isongoing reformof InvestNI,whichincludesthewaysinwhichjobs are createdandincentivised.

Hesaidthere willnotbe a focusonjustjob numbers,butthequalityof roles,forbothFDI andlocalfrms.

“Ifsomeoneiscominginandlookingmoney off InvestNI,it’s goingtobehowtheymeet thosestrategicprioritiesaroundgoodjobs, productivity, regionalimbalanceandnetzero. That’s thejudgement,”hesaid.

“It’s notjustwhoisgoingtoprovidejobs. The reportsuggestedveryradical reformwithin thecurrentorganisation.Theysuggested a structuralandculturalchange,andthatprocess isunderway.”

Readthefullinterviewonpage22-24

Russian cyber crime gangs ‘biggest threat to businesses’

Belfast coffee business planning city centre kiosk

TopendcoffeebusinessKaffeO lookssettoexpandwithanew Belfastcitycentrekiosk,itcanbe revealed.

Freshplansshowit’s hopingtotake a small store siteattheScottishLegalBuildingat ChichesterStreet.

ItwouldbethesecondkioskKaffe O operatesinthecitycentre.

Kaffe O hasfvetraditionalcafesalongwith anexistingcitycentre coffeekioskdirectly acrossfromCityHall.

Thebusinessstartedin2014,whenthefrst unitopenedontheOrmeauRoad.

Kaffe O hasnowexpandedtoinclude locationsontheCregaghRoadineastBelfast, Botanic AvenueandLisburn Roadinsouth

OnlinecrimegangsbasedinRussiaare“thebiggestthreat tobusinessesofallsizes”here,the Tyrone-bornex-head oftheUK’scybercentrehassaid.

Cybersecurityexpertsare warningofanupsurgeofsophisticated ransomware attackswiththecapacityto“wipeout”businesses.

CiaranMartin,the Tyrone-born formerchiefexecutiveoftheNational CyberSecurityCentre,partofGCHQ,describedcybercrimefrom organisedransomware criminalsbasedoutofRussiaas“thebiggest threattobusinessesofallsizes”.

“Criminalshavebecomemore sophisticated,”MrMartintold Ulster Business “They researchtheirtargets.Theydon’t demand a $1min Bitcoinfrom a smallbusinessbecausetheyknow a smallbusinesscan’t paythat.ThroughouttheUKandIreland,youseethelikesofsmall hairdressingsalonsbeingaskedfor£1,500.Criminalstailortheransoms. For a smallorganizationthat’sa lotofmoney – it’s debilitating.

“Intellectualpropertytheftis a bigdealforsmallbusinesses,”Mr Martinsays.“AI,lifesciences,pharmaceuticalpatentsallruntheriskof losingpreciousdata.TheChinesestatehasbeenassociatedwiththis typeofactivity

“You’veinvestedloadsofmoneyinhigh-tech researchandthenallof a suddenyoufndsomebodyinChinahassuspiciously replicatedyour researchin record timewithoutanyinfrastructure.”

Readthefullfeatureonpage43-46

Belfast,alongwith a caféinNewcastle,Co Down.

Meanwhile,DripCoffeelookssettoopen itsdoorsontheOrmeauRoad.

Thebusinessistaking a remainingunitat thegroundfooroftheResidenceapartment development,closetoLittle Wingpizzeria.

Elsewhere,coffeebusiness Traitis

CoffeebusinessKaffeO isplanninganewkiosk inBelfastcitycentre

expandingwith a newcoffeeshopand prominentcitycentre bakery

Itcurrentlyhasthreelocations,includingon theLisburn Road,CollegeSquare East,andits originalcafeinComber

Trait,whichisownedbyMarkMcAllister andMichaelO’Neill,willalsocreate a new, largebakeryonHighStreet.

Scrapping industrial rates scheme here ‘will cost Northern Irelandjobs’

ByPavelBarter

Scrappingaschemewhich reducesratesforthousandsof manufacturershere“willcostjobs”,it’sbeenclaimed.

Andsoaringcosts,suchasinternationalshippingmore than doublingalongwithrisingwagebills,isputtingmajorpressure onthe sector

Manufacturersalsosaythatthe removalandindustrialderating –a schemewhichisunderconsiderationtobescrappedwhichallows a 70% discountinratesforfrms – willseejobslost.

“Itwillcostjobs,plainandsimple,”StephenKelly, chiefexecutiveof ManufacturingNI,told UlsterBusiness

“Somemanufacturers,becauseofthephysicalnature oftheir premises,needlargespaces.Theypaymore thanothersectorsbecause oftheirscale.Ifthe reliefwas removed,manufacturerswouldpaythree tofourtimesmore thananyotherpartoftheeconomy.”

Otherchallengesincludeshippingcontainercosts,accordingtoAlan Lowry, chairmanoftheFSBandheadofEnvironmentalStreetFurniture.

“Shipping a containerfromhere tooneofourcustomersintheFar Eastcostabout$3,000notsolongagobutatonestageitwenttoabout $18,000,”hesaid.

SomefactorsbehindthehighcostsofbusinessinNIare unavoidable. Manufacturingandengineeringcompaniesthattradegloballywillbe impactedbywarsinEurope,theMiddleEastandconcertsoverChina.

“That’s stoppinginternationalbuyersfrombeingconfdenttomake biginvestments,”StephenKellyofManufacturingNIsays.“We’re seeing a signifcantdownturn inengineeringsectorsthatare globallyfocused, particularlysincethestartof2024,whichhas resultedinlabourdemand driftingaway.”

Manufacturersalsoattributehighcoststogovernmentpolicy That’s whatStephenKellydescribesas a “never-endingbarrageofpolicycosts” acrosseverythingfromclimatechangetowaste.

Recruitmentshortfallsare attributedtodemographicsandimmigration

Quotes of the month

StephenKelly

constraintsin a post-Brexitenvironment,whilesociologicalchanges havealsobeenafootsincethepandemic: a desire amongemployeesto workfewerormore fexiblehours,forexample.“Covidchangedlotsof people’s attitudetowardswork,”MrKellysaid.

“Butweneedpeopleinourmanufacturingsectortobepresent andinoneplacebecausethere’s someonetotheirleftandrightwho they relyupon.Theopportunityforfexibleworkingwithinproduction environmentsislimited.”

Readthefullfeatureonpage35-38

“Soare you looking forward to the football, to get people in? There’llbepeople coming in,itwillbe a bigsummer of sport”

RishiSunakspeakingto brewerystaffin Wales despitethecountrynot qualifyingfortheEuros.

“This General Election needs to beabouthow ourpolitical leaders will get the economy fring on all cylinders and deliversustainablegrowth for the beneft of oursociety.”

CBINIdirectorAngela McGowanspeakingasthe snapelectionisannounced.

“Thelatestsurvey ofers encouraging signsabout the state of the local private sector However, the challenges facing the public sector remain.”

UlsterBankchiefeconomist RichardRamseyspeaking aboutthelatestPMI report.

Top frms shortlisted for ResponsibleBusiness Awards

SomeofNorthernIreland’stop companieshavebeenshortlisted forthisyear’sResponsibleBusiness Awards.

Theawardsare runby responsiblebusiness

networkBusinessintheCommunity (BITCNI)inpartnershipwithkeysponsor HenryBrothers,and reward and recognise businesseslargeandsmallandfromevery sectorinNorthern Irelandontheirexceptional

corporate responsibilityaction.

TheResponsibleBusiness Awardstakeplace inpartnershipwithkeysponsorHenryBrothers, eventpartnerJPCorry, andinassociation with UlsterBusiness, U105andLanyon Communications.

KieranHarding,managingdirector, Business intheCommunityNIsaid:“We had a recordbreakingnumberofentriesin2024andthe standard justkeepsgettinghigheryear-on-year, it’sa verycompetitiveprocess.”

SomeofthoseshortlistedincludeEakin Healthcare,Metal TechnologyLtd, Version1, Vyta,andZingGroup,intheOnesto Watch category

AndAllstateNorthern Ireland,Belfast Harbour, frmusenergy, FoyleFoodGroup, Gilbert-Ash,JPCorry, MoyPark,andSHSGroup haveeachbeenshortlistedforNIResponsible Companyofthe Year

For more information ontheawardsgala event and toseea full listoffnalists, visitwww.bitcni.org.uk

Redundanciesin Northern Ireland ‘double’ injustone year

Thenumberofreported

The number of re dunda ncie s her e ha s almostdoub le d in the spa ce of a year, fr esh fgur es show

TheDepartmentfortheEconomy received confrmationthat80 redundanciesoccurredin April2024.

AndovertheyearMay2023toApril2024, 2,380 redundancieswere confrmed,more thandoublethefgure forthepreviousyearof 1,160.

Meanwhile,there were 140proposed redundanciesinApril2024,takingtheannual totalto4,010,whichwasalmostdoublethe previousyearof2,090.

ItcomesaseconomicinactivityinNorthern Irelandhasfallenwhilethenumberofpeoplein workisontheup.

Thevolumeofpeopleaged16to64in workincreasedby1%to71.8%overtheyear, accordingtotheNorthern IrelandStatisticsand ResearchAgency(NISRA).

Meanwhile,theeconomicinactivityrate –

thoseofthesameagegroupnotworkingor seekingtowork – fellby0.8%,cominginat 26.6%.

However, Northern Ireland’s economic inactivityrate remainsconsiderablyhigherthan theUKaverageof22.1%.

“ThelatestLabourMarket releaseshowsthat overtheyearbothpayrolledemployeenumbers andearningshaveincreased,”the reportsaid.

“Inaddition,alloftheLabourForceSurvey headlinemeasureshaveimprovedoverthe year, withtheunemploymentandeconomic inactivityratesbothdecreasingandthe employmentrateincreasing.”

Meanwhile,theclaimantcountstoodat 36,200duringApril – representing3.7%ofthe workforce.That’sa smallincreaseof0.1%on thepreviousmonth.

Thelatestcountis21.1%higherthanprepandemiclevelsinMarch2020.

“ThelatestHMRCpayrolldatashowsthat payrolledemployeenumbersdecreasedby

0.3%overthemonthandincreasedby1.3% overtheyear,”thelatest reportsaid.

“Payrolledearningsincreasedby1.1%over themonthandwere 6.8%higherthanApril 2023.

“Households reported,throughthe LabourForceSurvey(LFS),overtheyearto January-March2024, a 1%increaseinthe employmentrate(to71.8%), a 0.8%decrease intheeconomicinactivityrate(to26.6%)and a 0.3%decreaseintheunemploymentrate(to 2.1%).Noneoftheseannualchangeswere statisticallysignifcant.

“There was a smallincreaseof0.1%inthe claimantcountestimateoverthemonthto April2024fromthe revisedfgure forMarch 2024.TheclaimantcountrateforApril2024 was3.7% – unchangedfromthe revised rateforMarch2024.Inaddition,withthe exceptionofSeptember2023(3.8%),the claimantcountratehas remainedat3.7% sinceMarch2023.”

redundancieshas increased

City centre cultural space ‘could welcome new retailers andinitiatives’

AlistedcivicbuildingintheheartofBelfastcouldwelcome new retailers,community-basedinitiativesandother socialusesamidfreshplans.

BelfastCityCouncilboughttheformer TescoMetro buildingat 2 Royal Avenue,afterthe retailerleftthesite.

It’s currentlybeingusedas a freecommunityandculturalspace,which includesplacesto relax,work,alongwith a café,whilethebuildingoften hosts a varietyofculturalandcommunityevents.

Now, it’s seekingfreshexpressionsofinterestfromwould-befrmsand organisationstofurtherdevelopthegroundfoorofthebuilding.

It’s instructedcommercialpropertyagencyFrazerKiddtohelpfnd potentialnewoperatorsforthelongertermuseofthespace.

“BelfastCityCouncil recognisesthat a diversemixof retailandnonretailopportunities,includingexperientialandcommunity-basedoffers are integraltoensuringcitycentre vitalityandviability,” a promotional documentsenttowould-beoperatorssaid.

“Inautumn2021,thecouncilacquired 2 Royal Avenue, recognising theopportunitytohelpaddresschallengesimpactingonthecity centre throughappropriate re-useofthebuilding,delivering a positive regenerativeandeconomicimpact.

“Thebuilding’s groundfoorhasbeensuccessfullyusedas a communityandculturalspaceon a meanwhilebasissinceNovember 2021.

“ThecouncilisnowcarryingoutsoftmarkettestingviaanExpression ofInterestexercisetohelpinformthenextstagesintheselectionprocess forthelongertermuseofthisspace.”

The2Royal AvenuebuildinginBelfastcitycentre

DanskeBankseesquarterly proftsrisingto£51.3m

DanskeBankhaspostedrisingpretaxproftsof£51.3mduringthe frstthreemonthsoftheyear.

Thebanksaystotalincomegrewto£94.2m inquarterone,whilepre-taxprofts roseby almost5%,basedonthesameperiodayear earlier.

“Iampleasedtoannounceastrongsetof resultsforthefrstthreemonthsof2024,” DanskeBankchiefexecutive, VickyDavies, said.

“A robustfnancialperformancemeanswe arewellpositionedtocontinuetosupport customerswhentheyneedus.

“Inquarteronemortgagelendingapprovalsin NorthernIrelandwereupover50%year-onyear,butthatiscomparedtoaveryquietfrst quarterin2023, refectinga returntomore normallevelsofactivityinthehousingmarket.

“Lookingahead,withmarketsexpectingthe BankofEnglandbaseratetoeaseback,we areprojectingthatthisimproveddemandfor mortgageswillcontinue.”

Shesaidalmosttwothirdsofnewmortgages customerschoseatwo-yearfxedrate mortgage,duringthefrstthreemonthsofthe year.

“In2022only27%ofcustomersoptedforthis product,withmanyatthattimechoosingtofx forlonger,”shesaid.

“Webelievethisindicatesmorecustomersare nowanticipatingagreaterpotentialfornearer termrate reductions.

“Thefrstthreemonthsoftheyearalsosaw ussupporttheNorthernIrelandbusiness communitywithover£200minbusiness

lendingapprovals.SmallBusinessaccount applicationsinquarteronewereup32% year-on-yearandwearecurrentlyofferingtwo yearsfee-freebankingtosmallbusinessesif theyswitchtoDanskeBankandopenasmall businessdigitalaccount.”

Shesaidwithinthefrm’spersonalbanking divisionhasinvestedinnewcustomer onboardingdigitalsolutions.

“YoucanapplyforaDanskepersonalcurrent accountonlineinlessthan10minutes,”she said.

“Lastyearweopenedover12,000new personalcurrentaccounts,andthisyear,to helpattractevenmorenewcustomers,weare currentlyofferinga£200switchingincentive forpeopleinNorthernIrelandwhowishto switchtheirpersonalcurrentaccountoverto DanskeBank.

“Wecontinuetosupportsocietythrough themanylocalcommunityinitiativesthatwe areinvolvedin.Thisworkincludesournew partnershipwiththeNIcharityInclude Youth, ourcharitypartnerfor2024.

“Thisisacommitmentfromustosupport thelocalyoungpeopletheyworkwithwho havecareexperienceorarejustleavingcare. Ouraimistohelpfurtherimprovelives, whetherthroughraisingawarenessand reducingstigma,fundraising,orthroughbank colleaguesvolunteeringtheirtimeandskills.

“Thisyearwealsomark200yearsasa leadinglocalbank.Ithasbeen200years ofsupportingcustomers,theeconomyand widersociety.AsI refectonthismilestone, andthelonghistoryofthebank,Ifeelwe haveaverystrongplatformtomoveforward fromasabusinessandIlooktotheyears aheadwithoptimism.”

VickyDavies

It’sOKformetouseAI inmyapplication,right?

ByJohnMoore,managingdirector,HaysNI

Whenthemanknownasthe‘godfatherofartifcial intelligence’said recentlythatAIchatbotsaren’t more intelligentthanus,buttheysooncouldbe,itcaused a lotofpeopletositupandtakenotice.

ComputerscientistDrGeoffreyHintonalsosaidinhis resignation statementfromGooglethatsystemslikeGPT-4can’t yeteclipsehumans intermsof reasoningbutalreadyhavefarmore generalknowledgeat theirdisposalthantheaverageperson.

ThisrapidevolutionofAImeansthat a lotofusare alreadyputtingour trustinartifcialintelligenceservicesinsomecapacityandfortheyounger generation,thatalsoincludesthehuntfor a newjob.

ResearchbyHays,whichsurveyednearly12,000professionalsand employersacrosstheUKintheprivateandpublicsectors,includingover 360inNorthern Ireland,foundthatover a quarterofUKworkers(28%) aged25-29hadtakenadvantageofAIwhenapplyingfor a new role, wellabovetheaverageof18%.

WhenitcomestowhetherAIimproves a person’s chancesofsecuring a job,almosthalf(49%)ofthosewhohaveusedAItohelpwiththeir applicationsaidtheyhavebeenmore successful – andthisincreasedto sixin10(61%)forstaff agedbetween25and29.

Nearly a third (30%)ofUKprofessionalsinthatagegroupsaidtheyplan touseAItoolstohelpwithjobapplicationsinthefuture,versuslessthan a quarter(21%)overall.

In a worldwhere parentsare usingChatGPTtowritebedtimestoriesfor theirkidsandkidsare usingChatGPTtodotheirhomework,perhaps itisn’t surprisingthatyoungerpeople,whoare naturallymore digitally savvy, are applyingthisnewtechnologytotheirbidtobyshortlisted.

ButaswithotherusesofAI,thegeneralrulesforusageshouldbe appliedbyjobseekerskeentoget a legupintheapplicationprocessbut whodon’t wanttobejudgedforusingit – forexampleusingitfor a frstdraft,oras a guideforstructure,butperhapsnotusingthecontent generatedverbatim.

OursurveyshowedthatwhileAIusemightnotbenoticedtoday, there’s a goodchanceitwillinfuture.Only4%oforganisationsintotaltoldus theyare currentlyusingAItoolstoevaluatejobapplications,byscanning CVsorscoringcandidatesforinstance.Thisnumber roseto11%among verylargeorganisations.

Butlookingahead,16%ofUKorganisationsexpecttoincreasetheir

useofAItoevaluatejobapplicationsinthefuture– jumpingtoover a third (36%)ofverylargeorganisationscomparedtojust7%ofsmall organisations.Interestingly, theoverallnumberinNorthern Ireland expectingtouseAItoassessapplicationsinthenearfuture was28%.

Whenitcomestotransparency, most(78%)professionalswouldprefer tobeinformedif a hiringorganisationusesAItoassessjobapplications, whereasonly54%ofemployerscurrentlyensure theynotifyprospective staff whenusingAIto reviewtheirapplication.

Althoughwhatweare seeingatthemomentisthatuseofAIinthe workplacediffersacrossorganisationsandsectors,weshouldseeitas a positivethatourfuture workforceistakingadvantageofhowAImight supportthem.

Thefipsideofthisisthatitscrucialcandidatesdon’t relyonAIandare stillabletoarticulatethemselvesinaninterviewsetting,forexample.

Transparencyis reallyimportant,sojobseekersandemployersalikeare notinthedarkaboutwhetherAIhasbeenusedduringtheapplication andassessmentprocess.

Employersoughttoengageandsupporttheirworkforcetogetthebest outofAIbyprovidingallstaff theopportunitytolearn andupskill,while focusingonhowtheiruniquehumancapabilitiescanbeenhanced, ratherthanthreatened,byAI.

AIishere tostay, soitmakessenseforallsidesofthe recruitmentprocess tobeinformedabouthowit’s beingused. ■

SDBelldevelops new cofee product with Hastings Hotels

CoffeefrmSDBell&Cohas partneredwithoneofNorthern Ireland’sleadinghotelgroupsto developanewproductforitsproperties.

HastingsHotelshaspartneredwithSDBell &CoineastBelfasttocreatea roasted100% Arabicablendforthefrm.

Thenewcoffee roastsuppliedbySDBell& Coisservedfromallbaristamachinesacross thesixhotelsandtheCultraInn.

“ThisisahighlyprestigiousaccountforSD Bell,andasIreland’soldestindependenttea merchantsandcoffee roasters,theheritage andhistoryofSDBell&Co resonateswell withthebrandvaluesandlocalcredentials thataresoimportanttoHastingsHotelssowe arethrilledtobeworkingwiththegroupto createthisuniquecoffeeblend,”RobertBell, managingdirectorofSDBell&Co,said.

HowardHastings,managingdirectorof HastingsHotels,said:“Inkeepingwithour strongheritageofsupportinglocal,weare delightedtohaveteamedupwithRobertBell, ofSDBell&Co,awell-knowncoffee roaster andaneighbourofourpropertyStormont Hotel,tointroduceadelightfulspecially roasted100%Arabicablendthatisavailable forourgueststoenjoy.”

RobertBell,SDBell&Co,NeveCarson,GrandCentralHotelandHowardHastings,HastingsHotels

COVE R STORY

NIE Networks embarks onmajor digital transformation

Leveragingmoderntechnologies,workforceexpansion, andinnovationforreal-timeenergymanagement, NIE Networks isdrivingseamlessintegrationofrenewable sourcesandoptimisedoperations.Thistransformation aimstocreate a moreresilient,effcient,andsustainable energysystem,meetingtheneedsofconsumersandthe environment. UlsterBusiness speakstoitsnewchief informationoffcer RohanKapoor

Thedigitaltransformationof Northern Ireland’s electricity networkwillsee a forward-thinking andseismicshiftinitsjourneyto a green andnetzero economy

NIENetworksisundertakingandleadingthis digitaltransformationchargeamidthelargest investmentinits recenthistory – aspartof a wider£4bnupgradetotheNorthern Ireland electricitynetworkhere overthenextdecade.

Andinpreparationtoseamlesslyconnect de-centralised renewablegenerationslikesolar andwindtothenetworkalongsidetraditional powergenerations,it’s planningtoleverageon latesttechandAItoharnessvastamountof data,creating a modern,digital-drivenenergy systemthatputscustomersattheforefront.

“It’s anopportunetimetobe a partofthis signifcantjourney,”RohanKapoortells Ulster Business

Asitschiefinformationoffcer,a new role createdbyNIENetworks,he’s themantasked withleadingthistransformation – bringing

underlyingtechnologyanddigitalinfrastructure inparitywiththetraditionalwiresandpoles.

“It’s aboutnotonlymanagingtheevolving generationandnetworkaswetransitionto sustainablefuture butalsoenhancingthe infrastructure and rolling-outsmartservices forgridmanagementandmeteringtohelp customerssavemoney,”Rohansays.

“Historicallythefocusoftheindustryhas centredaroundcentralisedgeneration, distributionandconsumption,thetraditional unidirectionalgridhasservedwell.

“However, we’re alreadyinthenewageof complexbi-directionaldecentralisedgeneration, suchassolarandwind, resultinginnumerous distributedenergysources – with a lotmore micro-generationstocomeonlineinthenear future.”

“It’s aboutdevelopingmechanismandsystems tomanagethecomplexitiesofthisevolving network,ensuringseamlessconnectionofsolar poweredhousesinSionMillstowindfarmsoff thecoast.

Thistransitioniscrucialforachievingour netzero goalsandtechnologywillbekeyin drivingthisforward.”

NIENetworksistheowneroftheelectricity transmissionanddistributionnetworks inNorthern Irelandservingover910,000 customersconnectedtothenetwork includinghomes,businessesandfarms.

“With respecttoenergyconsumption, technologyisalreadydominatingthe landscape,smartmetershavealready beenaroundforquitesometimenowand beneftingpeopleacrosstheglobe,”Rohan says.

“Future movestowardssmartertechnology willenableourcustomerstohave real-time informationintheirhands,allowingthemto choosehowtheyuseenergyandeffectively managetheirconsumption.”

This represents a shiftfrom a straightforward traditionalset-upto a newcomplexecosystem, drivenby a hugevolumeofdata.

AndRohansaysthat’s where datadrivenAI solutionswillplay a crucial role.

“AIhasdominatedthetechnologylandscapein last12months,”hesays.“Safeintegrationof AIwithoursystemscansignifcantlyenhance

ouroperations.Thisis a hugeopportunityfor NIENetworksoverthenextdecade.

“Thetransformationwillalsoprovideuswith a platformtoseamlesslyconvergeoperational technologyanddigital.That’s bringingtogether thepowerof realtimedatafromsensorsand digitalsolutions.

“We generatemountainsofdatatoday, and it’s noteasytoextractandmakesenseofthe information.

“Future solutionswillallowustodothat,and analyseourconsumptionpatternsusingAI algorithms,managevariabilityof renewable

sourceseffcientlyandpredictequipmentfaults before theyoccur

“Say, in a scenarioof a stormapproaching a particulararea,tobetterunderstandits impactsonthenetwork.Modern solutionswith historicaldata,weatherdataandlivesensor data – itwouldbepossibletopredictthe impactandassessthe reliabilityofthenetwork. Informationcanbeusedto robustlymanage resourcesand restoration.

“Thesetechnologiesdocomewiththeirown challengesandrisk.”

DespitethesecurityrisksintroducedbyAIand

NIENetworks’new chiefinformationoffcer RohanKapoor

R STORY

questionsarounditssafeuse,itisthefuture. Also,thenarrativearounditsnegativeimpact onthejobmarket,Rohansaysit’s quitethe oppositeforNIENetworks.

WhiledataandAIwillform a keycogin thedigitalmachine,NIENetworksneeds technology, securityanddataprofessionals, alongwiththoseinwidersupportfunctions.

It’s currentlyplanningtohire around500new staff across a rangeof roles,includingforthose withvariedskillsandbackgrounds,aspartof thenext regulatoryperiod.

“Technologyisjustanenabler,’’ hesays. ‘’It requirespeoplefrom a diversesetof backgroundtomakeanimpact,runsafe operationsandphysicallydeliverontheground. EventuallydeliveringforNIas a whole.

AndRohansaysit’s allaboutpeople – the customers – inthisjourneyofmodernisation, substantialinvestmentanddigitalisation.NIE Networksfocuswillbetosupportend-end valuechainmore reliably, securely, safelyand sustainably

As a resultofsubstantialincreasesinfuture energydemandsintheyearstocome,as businessandsocietyas a wholetransitionto electrification,fromvehiclestoheatingofour

homes,NIENetworkshasoutlinedspending plansof£4bnoverthenextdecadein a bidto moderniseandplanforourfutures.

Thedigitaltransformationiscoincidingwith anevolvinggreenenergynetwork,theshift inenergygenerationtodealingwithsmaller producers.

IntermsofbuildingupNIENetworks’capability tosuccessfullydrivedigitaltransformation,it willpartnerwithmarkettechnologyleaders andothermajorindustry firms.

RohanbringswithhimanimpressiveCVto NIENetworks,havingworkedwith a hostof majororganisationsacrosstheUKandbeyond. Born andbroughtupinIndiahemovedtothe UKtostudyhisMastersbefore enteringthe workforce.

“Ihavebeenintheenergyindustryfor a while now, ‘’hesays.‘’Istartedmyprofessional careerbackin2005workingforoneofthe largestenergycompanyinIndia. I cameto theUKin2007topursueMBA,afterwhich I startedworkingintheNHSfulfillingmultiple technical roles.”

HethenmovedtotheNationalGridandspent around a decadeacrossdifferentareasofthe organisation.

“Beingpartofmultipletechnologychange programmeswhichwouldlaythefoundation forthedigitalfuture oftheorganisation,”he says.

After a timeworkingforDeutscheBahn hesaidthenewly-created roleofchief informationofficeratNIENetworks“was a greatopportunitytobepartofthechange andtransformationthatcreates a sustainable future”here inNorthern Ireland.

AsNIENetworkscontinuesto recruitacross a widerangeofskillsets,Rohaniskeento emphasisethattheywillalsobelookingfor peoplewhoare newtotheindustry

“Peopleare reallypassionateabout sustainabilityandtheywanttobepartofthis industrytohelpacceleratethattransition – it’s suchanimportantthing,especiallytothe youngerpopulation.

“We have a verystrongethosoflearning anddevelopmentand recognisethatthe bestsolutionscomefrom a diverseworkforce sotheopportunitiesforpeople,whether theyare newly-qualifiedorexperienced,are endless.

“Ittrulyisanamazingtimetobepartofthis journey.” ■

COVE

Nando’s opennew restaurantat Forestside

PeriperichickengiantNando’slooks settoopenitslatest restauranthere atForestsideShoppingCentrein southBelfast,itcanbe revealed.

TheSouthAfrican-ownedfrmwilltakeone ofthenewly-constructedunitsatthecentre, justoff theSaintfeldRoad,accordingtonew plans.

Thenewly-namedLesleyForestsidewillsoon behometo a rangeoffouroperators.Thatalso includesUSfriedchickenfrmPopeyes,while it’s alsoexpectedburgerbusinessFiveGuys couldalsotake a unit.

Nando’s nowhasaround10locations inNorthern Ireland,andopeneditsninth restaurantattheOdysseycomplexinBelfast.

Speakingatthetime,GerrieAnderson, managerofthenew restaurant,said:“We’re delightedtobeopeningourstunningnew restaurantatthenewBelfastOdysseycomplex.

“We can’t waittobegivingcustomersthe uniqueNando’s experienceandservingour deliciousfame-grilledperi-peri.”

Nando’slookssetto openarestaurantat LesleyForestside

EarlyplansforthenewspotatLesley Forestsideshow a largeNando’s restaurantwith seatingforaround100diners.

Meanwhile,friedchickenbrandPopeyes lookssettoopenitsfrst restaurantatthe shoppingcentre.

TheUS-headquarteredchickenbusinesshas agreeddealstoopenitsfrst restaurantshere.

Thefrmannounceditwasplanningon rollingoutmore than300locationsrightacross theUK,andinitiallyhaseyedsitessuchas Glasgow, CambridgeandCardiff.

‘We would have a better economy in a unitedIreland’

EconomyMinisterConorMurphy hasalreadysetouthisstallastohowhe’s aimingtoimprovetheeconomiclandscapehere.Hesitsdownwith JohnMulgrew tochataboutwhyhebelieveswe’dfarebetterinaunitedIreland,whythe Treasury shouldlookatitsapproachtocorporationtaxhere,whythefocusisnowon‘good’ jobsandnotjusthandingoutsubsidies,tacklingregionalimbalanceandwhyhe believesthe WindsorFrameworkisthebestoptionwehave

ConorMurphyisnotonlythefirst republicantoserveasEconomy Minister–he’sthefirstnon-DUP MLAtoholdthe rolesince2007.

So,willasubstantiallydifferentoverarching politicalideologyshapehisapproachto arguablyoneoftheExecutive’smostpowerful departments?

“I’mpartofapoliticalpartywhichwantsto seeaunitedIreland.Iwanttoseetheeconomy growhere–Iwanttoseeeast/westtradeand north/southflourish.That’smyprimaryjobin thedepartment.

“Theall-Irelandhasbeengrowing organically…onthesouthernsideyouhave oneofthefastestgrowingeconomiesin

Europe,andwearehookedtoaneconomy [theUK]inwhichwedon’thavethelevers inwhichweneedtofundamentallychange oureconomy,andeconomyentering recessionandonewhichhasturnedits backonEuropeandinternational relations. There’snosensethatLabourisgoingtodo anythingradicallydifferent[ifelectedinto government].”

MrMurphy,whosteppedasidefromhis role foratimeduetohealth reasons,isclearthat hebelievesNorthernIrelandwouldbeneft,not onlypolitically,buteconomically,asaunited Ireland.

“Idothinkwewouldbebetterinaunited Ireland–abettereconomyinaunited Irelandaswellandtherewouldbemore opportunities,”hesaid.

Intermsofhisownapproach,he’ssetout afour-pillareconomicstrategy,lookingat “good”jobs,tackling regionalimbalance, productivity,andeyeingnetzero.

“Wespentthelasttwoyearstalkingto businesses,talkingtoInvestNI,enterprise agenciesandthosewithaninterest,and

tourism,furtherandhighereducation–to getasensewherethedepartmentwasn’t delivering.Ithasbeenverywell received.”

Oncorporationtax,somethingwhichwas devolvedtotheExecutivebutappearstono longerbeafocus,MrMurphysaidtheshortfall incashasa resultofcuttingtherate regionally isnotviable,andthe“Executiveshouldbegin adiscussionwiththeBritishGovernment, includingwhattodowithcorporationtax”.

“Thediffcultywasthewaythe Treasury wantedtodealwithit.Theywouldcalculate whattheythoughtyoumightbeneftfromit, theywouldtakethatfromtheblockgrantand thereforeyouwerefyingblindtotryandget thebeneftbackofmoreinvestment.

“That’salmostlikeapuntinthedarkjustto seeifyou’llgetthe return.Thatwasdiffcultin 2014whenweoriginallynegotiatedit. With thestateofourpublicfnances10yearslater, that’sevenmorediffcult.”

InvestNIhasbeenunderfreinthelastyear orsofollowingacritical report, requiring improvementsinleadership,operationsand publicaccountability.

MrMurphysaidtheprocessfora“structural andculturalchange”is“underway”.

Hesaidtherewillnotbeafocusonjustjob numbers,butthequalityof roles,forbothFDI andlocalfrms.

“Ifsomeoneiscominginandlookingmoney offInvestNI,it’sgoingtobehowtheymeet thosestrategicprioritiesaroundgoodjobs, productivity, regionalimbalanceandnetzero. That’sthejudgement.

“It’snotjustwhoisgoingtoprovidejobs.The reportsuggestedveryradical reformwithin thecurrentorganisation.Theysuggested astructuralandculturalchange,andthat processisunderway.

“[WhatIhaveoutlined]hasgivenInvestNIa

strategicfocus…thiswasaboutastrategic focusatanorganisationwhichistodowhat it’ssupposedto,whichistoprovideeconomic supporttobusinesses.It’snotjustaboutFDI, andthatwasoneofthecriticisms.

“Investarefollowing[thosenewpriorities]and aren’tinthespaceaboutsubsidisinganyjob… theyareincentivisingpeopletogointoother regionsiftheycan.”

AndhesaidhehopedInvestNIwouldnowput moreofafocusonits regionaloffces.

MrMurphysaysit’sabout“goodjobs”.This isoneofhiseconomicvision’sfourpillars,and he’sdraftedineconomistDrLisa Wilsonofthe NevinEconomicResearchInstitute(NERI)to helpdefnewhatthatactuallymeans.

“Fartoomanyjobsherearelowpaid–very poortermsandconditions,”hesaid.

“Primarily,theyfalltowomen,youngpeople, peoplewithdisabilitieswhofndthemselvesin these roleswithnojobsecurity. We aregoing totryandliftthat.”

Regionalimbalancehasbeenaparticularly importanttalkingpoint regardingjobcreation hereoverthelastfewyears,especiallygiven theconcentrationofforeigndirectinvestors optingforBelfast,overDerryorother locations.

Andwhilethenorthwestislargelyinfocus, MrMurphysaidahostofborderareas,and placesliketheCausewayCoast,havealso beenimpactedbyalackofeconomicactivity.

Hesaidit’saboutletting regionalInvestNI offcestoworkwithcouncils,chambersand otheragencies,andworkoutwhatneedsto bedoneatalocallevel.

“It’stogetthatsenseof reallocalpower,”he said.“Alloftheborderareaswillhavesuffered fromthatlackofinvestmentandlackof infrastructureinvestment,whichleadstoalack ofinvestmentintermsofjobs.>

“[It’s]thelowestpaidjobs,themost economicinactivityisinplaceslikethenorth westandalsoplacesliketheCausewayCoast &Glens,andplaceslikeFermanagh,and southArmagh. Youfnddifferentialseven withinthecityofBelfast.

“Inbroadtermsit’saboutensuringthat commitmentto regionalbalanceisfollowed through.It’saboutenablingthelocaland regionaloffcesofInvestNItoworkclosely withlocaleconomicplayers.

“Policytendstobehandeddownfrom Belfast–‘here’swhatwearegoingtodo foryou’. We wanttoturnthataroundso thatpeopleintheareaareactuallydeciding thatthisiswhattheyseeasakeyeconomic initiativewhichcouldactuallyturnthedial.”

Hesaysthe WindsorFramework remains “thebestthatcouldhavecomeoutof Brexit”.

“[Brexit]isstillgoingtocreateproblems–accesstolabour,issueswhichcouldimpact tourism,”hesaid.

“Therearealotofchallengesstillthere.But intermsoftradingthe WindsorFramework providesusanopportunitytobothaccessthe

EuropeanandBritishmarkets,andthatgives usanadvantage.”

MrMurphysaidInvestNIisnowexamining whichsectors“wouldbeneftthemostfrom dualaccess,sowewouldknowhowtofocus”.

Thehospitalitysectorhasbeencryingoutfor assistance,ideallycuttingback VAT–although that’ssomethingwhichwouldhavetobe donethrough Westminster–or receivingsome sortofpackage.MrMurphysaid“theideaof fnancialsupportsischallenging”.

“Theideaoffnancialsupportsischallenging becauseofthewaybudgetsare.Ithinkwhat thisdepartment’s responsibilityiscreatingthe conditionswheretheeconomyisgrowingbut wealsogetmorevisitors.”

Turningtoforeigndirectinvestment,Mr Murphy–who,followingatripto Washington DCsaidthereisstronginterestinNIamong USinvestors–said:“InvestNIisworking awayconstantly. We metpeopleoutthere[in Washington]whowereinterestedincoming, andthosewhoareherewhomaybeinterested ingrowing.Thesethingsdon’thappen overnight.”

Onthe recentbudget,MrMurphysaid“the

BritishGovernmenthasacceptedwehavewe havebeenunderfunded”.

“Therewassomeextracash,”hesaid. “I’vebeenintheseatasFinanceMinister andunderstandhowdiffcultitistosatisfy everybody.”

Whilenetzeroanddecarbonisation remains oneofhisfourpillars,there remainconcerns thatNorthernIrelandisnowwellbehindand slowingtowardsits2030targetsandbeyond, especiallywithoutsizeablewindandbattery development.

Twowindfarmswere recentlyturneddownfor permissiondue,inpart,totheirvisualimpact.

Askedwhetherschemescouldbeprioritised or‘greenlanes’createdinabidtospeedup development,MrMurphysaid:“Wehaveto keepworking.Ifsomeoftheproblemswe have,bottlenecksinthesystem,thenwehave tofgurethoseout.

“…I’mnotanexpertinplanningpolicy.Most ofthesensethatwehavegotistheydon’t thinkpolicyitselfistheproblem,it’sthesystem andhowtonavigatearounditandhowto stopthebottlenecks.Thatshouldbethe focus.” ■

SONI: preparing for a cleanerenergyfuture

SONI,the SystemOperatorforNorthern Ireland,hasauniqueroletoplayintransforming ourpowersystemtomeettheneedsoftoday,aswell asthefuture.Itslatestreport, Tomorrow’sEnergy Scenariosexamineshowwecanmoveawayfrom traditionalgenerationtoacleaner,greener,secureand sustainablepowersystem

Howwegenerate,transmitand consumeenergyischanging.

Andasweheadtowardsournetzerotargets, theSystemOperatorforNorthernIreland (SONI)isturningitsattentionfrmlytowards ourfutureenergyplans–howwewillprepare foragreenenergyfuture.

“We’recurrentlyatabout45%generation with renewables,”DaveMcGowan,headof powersysteminsightsand research,says.

“Wenowhaveaprogrammeofactivities

whichisfocusedonshapingourelectricity future,howweoperateasystemwith80% renewableelectricityby2030whichisa steppingstonetorunningapowersystemwith zeroemissions.”

SONIhasjustlaunchedits Tomorrow’sEnergy Scenarios report.Itexploresfourdifferent pathsforenablingacleanerenergysystem basedon renewablepowerby2050.

Thatincludesbecomingself-sustaining–with alargenumberofonshorewind,solarand grid-scaleenergystorage,afocusonoffshore

development,evolvingthegasnetworkto embracehydrogen,orconstrainedgrowth, wherebytheenergytransitionproceedsmore slowly.

“Wewillusethispublicationandformstudies whichwillexaminewhatweneedtodoin termsofinfrastructuredevelopmentofthegrid inordertodevelopournetzerofuture,”Dave says.

“Electricityplaysa reallyimportant roleinour society,soit’s reallyimportanttoexaminethe differentfutureenergyscenariosinanetzero powersystem.”

Thistheoreticalmodellingconsiderswhata balancedportfoliogenerationmaylooklike, madeupofvariable renewables, renewable gas readytechnologies,supportedbyenergy storageandinterconnection,alongside negativeemissionstechnologies.

“It’s about providing flexibilityinthesystem toensurewekeepthelightsonandlookat generation,whetheritbewind,solarpanels onhomes,orotherforms,”hesays.

“Weneedadiversemixture–it’snotjust goingtobeonetechnology.”

Andpartofthatbalanceincludesenergy importsandexportsthroughstrong interconnection,alongwithfurther developmentoflonger-termbatterystorageto allowmoreflexibility.

“Onoccasionswherethereislittleornowind, wecanbesupportedbystorage,forexample, batteries”Davesays.

“Asweheadtowardsthefuturewe’reusing differenttechnologiestobalancethesystem.”

SONI’s Tomorrow’sEnergyScenariostakes intoconsiderationawiderangeofareas.That includesincreasingdemandforelectricity, poweringourgridthrough renewables, buildingastrongertransmissiongrid, improvingourenergysecurity,andputtingin placeenergystorageandinterconnectionswith othercountriestocomplementoursystem when renewablegenerationislowerbecause ofchangesintheweather.

Tomorrow’sEnergyScenariosisahigh-level explorationthatusesscenarioplanningto understandhowmuchelectricitywemight needandhowitcanbeprovided,beyond 2030,rightupto2050.

SONI’scentral roleintheenergysystemis instrumentalinsupportingthestrategic planningnecessarytoachievethe government’sambitiousclimatetargets.

Davesayselectricitydemandisforecastto atleastdoubleby2050.“That’s reallythat shiftinbehaviour–forexample,people movingawayfromgasoroiltoheatingwith electricity,”hesays.

“Wealsoseeopportunitiesfornewindustrial growthandtheproductionofhydrogenand biofuels.Thesearekeytechnologies–that’s anotherimportantstrandinthis.

“Anotheraspectisincentivisingconsumers tousepoweratdifferenttimes,for example,usingyourwashingmachineinthe evening.Therewillbeaneedfortariffsand technologytohelpusgetthere.”

Thelatest reportand researchwillassistSONI inworkingwithitspartners,suchasNIE Networks,alongsideahostofdevelopers andstakeholdersinordertobestoutlineand prepareforourenergyfuture.

“Wewantasystemwhereourcontrol engineersinthefuturehaveallthetools availabletothemthatthey requiretokeep thelightsonandsecuretheelectricitysystem foreveryoneinNorthernIreland,”Davesays.

“Thisisexaminingnetworkplanningand allowingustothenprovideinsightstoinform discussionwithpolicy-makersandindustry.”

SELF-SUSTAINING

Self-sustainingconsidersafuture wherethereisveryhighpenetration of renewablesacrossalltechnologies–onshoreandoffshorewind,largescale solar, rooftopsolar,andgrid-scaleenergy storage.

OFFSHOREOPPORTUNITY

Thisisfocusedonthepossibilityofhaving largelevelsofoffshorewindcapacity andinterconnectiontoGreatBritainand continentalEurope.

GASEVOLUTION

Thisscenarioseestheenergytransition beingsupplementedbyapotential hydrogeneconomy,featuringsignificant levelsof renewablepowerbeing convertedatscaleintogreenhydrogen.

CONSTRAINEDGROWTH

This reflectsafuturewheretheenergy transitionproceedsmoreslowly,andit takeslongertoachieveclimatetargetsfor thepowersystemandothersectorsof demand,withoffshorewinddeveloping slowly,forexample,whilevehicle roll-out isslower,alongwiththeelectrificationof heat.

SONI’schiefexecutive,AlanCampbell,says asatrustedadvisertogovernment“our ambition,through researchlike Tomorrow’s EnergyScenarios,istoprovidetheanalysisthat cansupportdecision-makersontheformation andimplementationofenergypolicythatcan deliveracleaner,moresecureenergyfuturefor homes,farmsandbusinessesacrossNorthern Ireland”.

“SONIisattheforefrontoftransforming NorthernIreland’senergysystemtoensureit isbothsustainableandcapableofmeeting futuredemands.It’sessentialthatweplanand makedecisionsnowthatwillprepareforthis transformation.Collaboration,technological advancement,andproactivescenarioplanning arecrucialforNorthernIrelandto realisethe potentialofanenergysecurefuture.” ■

Cityoffcemarketshowing renewedconsistency

TheBelfastoffcemarketiscontinuingtoshowgreaterlevelsofconsistencynow thatworkingpatternshavebecomemoreestablished,evenonahybridbasis, writes RichardMcCaig,directorat OsborneKing

Occupiersarenowhappyto makedecisions regardingtheir workspacewhetherthatisto grow,contractorstaythesame.

Thereisnodoubtthatthe‘fighttoquality’is continuingwithoccupierswantingtoprovide theirstaffwiththebestavailablespace.This notonlyhasapositiveimpactontimespent intheoffcebuthelpswithstaffcollaboration and recruitment.

Intermsofleasingactivity,thereisadistinct trendtowards‘bestinclass’spacewhetherthis isonatraditionalleasebasisoramanaged/ servicedbasis.Thereisalsoanincreasingtrend oftraditionallandlordsfttingandfurnishing offcespacebutlettingitonamoretraditional leaseasopposedtoamanaged/serviced model.

The Vantageoffcebuilding inBelfastcitycentre

The2-10EastBridge Streetbuilding

Therehasbeenanincreaseinthenumberof servicedoperatorssuchasCustomHouseand Formation Works.

Generalactivityintheoffcesectorhas increased,with100,000sqftbeingletinQ1 2024.Thisiseffectivelywhatwouldhavebeen anaveragequarterprepandemic.In recent monthstherehasbeenadistinctincreasein enquiriesandlive requirementswhichwilllead tofurthernewlettingsastheyearprogresses.

Occupiersarefocusedonthequalityofthe environmenttheyprovidefortheirstaffand howtheESGcredentialsofabuildingcanhelp themhittheirowntargets,particularlyfroman environmentalstandpoint. Withthisinmind, themajorityoflettingactivityisfocusedon newornewly refurbishedspacewhichtypically hasanAorBEPCrating.

We arenow regularlyaskedbynewand existingtenantsabouttheavailabilityof‘green energytariffs’forelectricitysupplieswithin ourmanagedbuildings.Additionally,tenants willwanttoseea‘pathwaytoimprovement’ toshowthatthelandlordisactivelyengaged intryingtoimprovetheESGcredentialsgoing forward.

Thereisanappreciationthatan‘A’rating todaydoesnotnecessarilymeanthatthe ratingwill remainthesameforafveor

10yearleaseastechnologyimprovesand regulationstighten.Thishasbeenevidenced bytwofurtherlettingsatthe VantageonGreat VictoriaStreetwhichbeneftsfromanAEPC ratingandisdirectlyoppositetheaccessto GrandCentralstation.

Itmayseemstrangetosaythat rentsare increasingfor‘bestinclass’buildingsgiven thelevelofpessimismsurroundingtheoffce sectorin recenttimes,butitisclearthat tenantsvaluehighqualityenvironmentsand staffamenitiesandarewillingtopaystrong rentsfortherightspace.

Headline rentsforthesebuildingshad previouslybeenwellestablishedat£23to£24

persqft.Thereisnowevidenceofdealsin excessof£25andmoreforpremiumfoors.

Ithinkgenerallythereisaconsensusthatthere is‘loadsofavailableoffcespace’andtosome extentthatistruewitharound900,000sqft ofspaceavailabletoday.Butwhentenants actuallystarttoexaminethequalityand locationofspacetheir‘real’optionsaremuch less.

Asignifcantamountoftheavailablespaceis olderstockwhicheitherisinalessdesirable locationdoesnotprovidehighquality tenantamenitiesordoesnotmatchtheir expectations.Manyofthesebuildingsare likelytobe repurposedforotherusessuchas residentialaccommodation.

Theavailabilityofdesirablespacethatmeets currentoccupierdemandiscloseto600,000 sqftwhichiseffectively18-24monthsof supplyifdemandcontinuesatthelevelswe areseeing.

Thetraditionalleaseandservicedmarketare becomingblurredwiththeavailabilityofftted spaceonatraditionalleasebutitisclearthat occupiersareseekingthebestavailablespace andlandlordsarebeing rewardedforthe qualityoffnishwithintheirbuildings. ■

CONTACTDETAILS

RichardMcCaigMRICS Director

Tel: 02890270000

E-mail: richard.mccaig@osborneking.com

COMME RC IAL PROP ERTY

TheSoloist offcebuilding

LaganviewHouse

SaffronBusinessForum: thenetwork bringingthebestofindustrytogether

Overthelasteightyears the SaffronBusiness Forum hasexpandedits membershipandbrought leadersacrosstheworlds ofbothbusinessandsport together,andrecently playedhosttooneofthe starsofGAAtodiscusshis hugelysuccessfulcareer bothonandoffthepitch

There’sastrongcoalescencebetween theworldsoftopfightbusiness andsport.

AndtheSaffronBusinessForumisan organisationwhichiscontinuingtobringour leadersofindustrytogetherinordertomake connections,boostbusinessanddevelop networkstostrengthentiesandprosper.

TheSaffronBusinessForumhostsfourbusiness networkingeventseveryyear,whichconsist ofonefundraisinglunchandthreebusiness

breakfasts,andhasraised£1msinceits inceptionin2016.

Itcountsaraftofbluechipcompanies,SMEs andentrepreneursamongitsmembers–from rightacrossthesectorshere.

WithitstiestoAntrimGAA,theSaffron BusinessForum recentlywelcomedsome 600businesschiefstohearthewisewords fromoneofthegame’smostsuccessfuland respectedmanagers.

JimMcGuinness recentlyledDonegaltoan UlsterFootballChampionship,alongwithhis timeworkingwithfootballclubCelticandan internationalcareerintheUSandChina.

JimalsoholdsaMaster’sofScienceinSport PsychologyfromLiverpoolJohnMoores University.

“JimMcGuinnessbroughtanewlevel ofinsightandseriousnesstotheart ofmanagementthateveryone really appreciated,” TonyShivers,chairmanofthe SaffronBusinessForum,said.

“Jimis reallyastudentofleadershipandan extremelyinsightfulmanager.Hiscommitment to relentlessstandards really resonatedwith theaudience.”

JohnMcGuckianfromeventsponsor TughanswithJimMcGuinness

PaulMcErlean,co-hostand committeemember,Jim McGuinnessandco-host ShaneElliott

TheSaffronBusinessForum represents theinterestsofthebusinesssectoratlocal andnationallevelandisakeystakeholder inpromotingandmaximisingeconomic developmentformembersandassociates.

Duringtheevent,whichtookplaceatthe CrownePlazainBelfastlastmonthand provedanotherstrongsuccessinhelpingraise moneyforAntrimGAA,speakingaboutthe importanceofDonegal’swin,JimMcGuinness toldguests:“ThepeopleofDonegalwere waitingforateam,andwearegoingtobe thatteam.

“Itwasagreatmoment.Ididn’tknowwe weregoingtowin,butIknewthateveryone washeadingintherightdirection.

“Youcan’thavethatculturalpieceunless everyoneisheadingintherightdirection.I knowthat’sabigchallengeforcorporatesas well.

“[It’sabout]honesty.I’llmeetsomeone,have thatconversationandhavetheactionswhich comeoutfromtheconversation.”

Theeventwassponsoredbylawfrm Tughans,alongsidedrinks receptionsponsor KPMG,andsupportingsponsors,Cavendish, Electricityworx,MCSGroup,McQuillan CompaniesandOutsourceGroup.

TheSaffronBusinessForumcommittee includes:PaulMcErlean,Cavendish,Seamus McKillopb4bRenewables,JohnMcGuckian,

Tughans,AshleenFeeny,KPMG,Brian Loughran,Carsena, TonyDonnellyandDeclan Donnelly,NorthernProperty,DominicKearns, Fibrus, TonyShivers,PremierElectrics,Anna Connor,ACEvents,andProfessorCathy Gormley-Heenan,UlsterUniversity.

“TheSaffronBusinessForumisfrstand foremostabusinessnetwork,”PaulMcErlean, committeememberandhostforthelatest event,said.

“Wetrytocreatevalueformembers,bringing insightsintobusinessthroughbreakfastsand events,whilecelebratingsportalongtheway.

“Weareopentoallbusinesseswhichvaluea network. We haveallsortsofmembers,from banksandlawfrms,toprofessionalservices andmanufacturers.”

Thoseconnectionsandbusiness relationships havebroughtcompaniesandorganisations together.Thatincludesthe recentsaleofPR andcommunicationsfrmMCEtoCavendish, inwhichfellowmembers Tughansand Muldoon&Cowereleadadvisersonthedeal.

TheSaffronBusinessForumhashosteda rangeofleadingnamesfromtheworldsof bothbusinessandsport,includingchampion jockeySirAPMcCoy,formerGAAbossand punditPeterCanavan,andentrepreneurDenis O’Brien. ■

Formoreinformationonhowtojoincontact info@saffronbusinessforum.com

Andrew Trimble,JimMcGuinness,NeilMcManus

DonegalmanagerJimMcGuinnesswithSaffronBusiness Forumchairman TonyShivers

Thecaseformixedrecyclable

JosephDoherty,chiefexecutiveof Re-Gen,explainswhythefullycommingled householdwastecollectionsystemisthebestoptionforNorthernIreland’s environment,economyandsociety

Backinthe1960s,engineersinthe USnavycameupwithanacronym todescribeaprinciplewhichhas beenattheheartofgooddesignsincethe beginningoftime:KISS.

Itstandsfor‘KeepItSimple,Stupid’and referstotheprinciplethatdesignsorsystems shouldalwaysbesimpleandavoidcomplexity whereverpossible.Keepthingssimpleand youaremorelikelytodesignsomethingthat works,thatlastsand,mostimportantly,istruly acceptedandutilisedbyusers.

Whenitcomestohousehold recycling,the philosophyverymuchapplies.Makethe processeasyforhouseholdersandthey’ll recyclemore;makeitcomplexandtheywill recycleless.

Thedatabearsthatpredictionout.InNorthern Ireland,thecouncilareaswiththesimplest recyclingsystemsforhouseholdershavethe highestdry recyclingrate.Inotherwords,they recyclemore.

Thatsystemisknownasfullycommingledand seeshouseholderssorttheirwasteintojust threewheeliebins:dry recyclables,including glass,intheblueorgreenbin; residualwaste intheblackorgreybin,anddegradableand compostablematerialinthebrownbin.

It’sasimplesystemwhichmakeslifeeasierfor householders.

Attheotherendofthescalearethecouncil areaswhere recyclingratesarelowest. Householderstherearefacedwithwhatis knownasthekerbsidesortormultiplebox system,whichessentiallycreatesmulti-stream recyclingcentresineveryhome.

Theyare requiredtosorttheirwasteintoup tosixseparatebins:abrownwheeliebinfor gardenwaste;agreyorblackwheeliebinfor allnon-recyclablewaste;onecaddybinfor cardboardandpaper;oneforaerosols,cartons, foil,metalcansandplasticandoneforglass bottlesandjars.Afurtherbinis requiredfor foodwaste.

Unsurprisingly,thecomplexityofthissystem

producesthelowestlevelsof recycling.

Proof,itwereneeded,thatthesimplerthe systemthehighertherateof recyclingcomes fromthefactothercommingledsystems operatinginNorthernIreland(eitherwith aseparateglasscollectionorwithnoglass collectionatall)produceslightlylowerrates thanfullycommingled,butmorethankerbside sort.

JosephDoherty,chief executiveofRe-Gen

Ironically,it’sasimpleargumentbutonewhich needsspellingouttoensuregovernment optsforthebestpossiblehouseholdwaste collectionsystemforthefuture.

TheDepartmentofAgriculture,Environment andRuralAffairs(DAERA)has recently launchedaconsultation,RethinkingOur Resources:MeasuresforClimateActionanda CircularEconomyinNI.

Theconsultationisaimedatfndingthebest wastecollectionforallofNorthernIreland, ratherthanthedivergentsystemscurrentlyin placeindifferentcouncilareascurrently.

We,atRe-Gen,believethefullycommingled systemisthebestoptionforNorthernIreland’s environment,thebestvalueforthepublic purse,andbestforthelocal recyclingindustry.

Becauseofthehigherlevelsof recyclingit

produces,thefullycommingledsystemhelps preventwastegoingtolandfllandwillbea keyenablerinhelpingNorthernIreland reach itstarget recyclingrateof70%by2030,asset outintheClimateChangeAct.

Thereisalsoanextremelystrongeconomic argumentforthefullycommingledsystem.

IfDAERAwastooptforthekerbsidebox systemacrossallNorthernIrelandcouncils, thecostof recalibratingthe region’swaste systemwouldlikelybemorethan£1bnover sevenyears.Thatwillbeneededtopayfor everythingfromnewbinlorries,thebins themselves,educationofhouseholdersand amyriadofothercosts.Itismoneywhichin thesestraightenedtimeswouldsurelybebest spentonourhospitalsandschools?

Itisalsoworthnotingthatthe recycled materialwhichisproducedfromtheco-

mingledsystemisofashighquality,ifnot higherquality,thanwiththekerbsidebox system. We,atRe-Gen,alreadysupplymany NorthernIreland-basedcompanieswhichuse ourpaper,carboardandother recyclate.At presentweexportglassfor recyclingtoGBand Belgiumbut,withminimalinvestmentbyglass recyclersinNorthernIreland,thattoocouldbe utilisedhere.

Ourviewissimple:NorthernIrelandshould optforthefullycommingledhouseholdwaste collectionsystem.Let recyclingcompanieslike usatRe-Gen,whichareequippedwith20 yearsofexperiencinginsortingwasteusing thelatesttechnologies,sortdry recyclable waste.

Itwillbebetterfortheenvironmentof NorthernIreland,mostcosteffectivefor thepublicpurseandwillallowthecircular economyinNorthernIrelandtothrive. ■

Theopticalsorting lineatRe-Gen’s plantinNewry

UlsterUniversity’snew£364m campuswinstoparchitectureaward

UlsterUniversity’snew£364m Belfastcampushasbeennamed NorthernIreland’stopbuildingof theyear.

TheRoyalSocietyofUlsterArchitects(RSUA) hasawardedtheLiamMcCormickprizefor NorthernIreland’sBuildingofthe Yeartothe newUlsterUniversityBelfastCampus.

The14-storeycampuswasdesignedbyFeilden CleggBradleyStudios,withMcAdamDesign, Scott Tallon WalkerandWhiteInkArchitects. Theprojectalso receivedtheLivingPlaces Award,whichhonoursdevelopmentsthat excelinplacemaking.

Thejudgessaidhow“thecomplex, expansivebriefhasbeenaccommodated onachallenging,irregularsitethroughthe architects’intelligenceandskill”andhowthe projectis“socially,economically,andculturally importantbothtoBelfastitselfandtothevery ideaof‘city’”.

Meanwhile,NorthernIreland’sHouseofthe YearaccoladewaswonbyHouseonRedbrae Farm,byMcGonigleMcGratharchitects, withAliceNickellnamedProjectArchitectof

the YearforherworkonthisruralCoDown project.McGonigleMcGrathalsoscoopeda seconddesignawardforLonghurst,aprivate houseinsouthBelfast.

HallBlackDouglasArchitectswontwoawards forconservationprojects.Thefrstwasthe refurbishmentofthelong-abandonedSt Comgall’sSchoolinwestBelfastintoamultiusecommunityhub.

ThisalsoearnedtheFallsCommunityCouncil anawardforClientofthe Year.Thepractice’s secondwinnerwasa£100mprojectthey deliveredinpartnershipwithJCAArchitects, thatsawPrimark’sBankBuildings resurrected fromtheashesfollowingadevastatingfrein 2018.ThisprojectpickeduptheConservation Award.

ArchitectPatrickBradleysecuredboththe Sustainability AwardandtheSmallProject Awardwithhisshippingcontainerhome, Barney’sRuins,whichhebuiltfoatingabove theruinsofhisfamily’s200-year-oldfarmstead nearMaghera.

“Belfast,aswithmanycitycentres,isfacing multiplechallengeswithdepopulation,

workingfromhome,onlineshoppingand limitedpublicinvestment,”CiaránFox,RSUA director,said.

“ItisboldprojectslikethenewUlster Universitycampusandthe rebuildingofBank BuildingsbyPrimarkthathelpbringlifeand energytothecitycentre.One,anexceptional exampleoftheconservationofourbuilt heritage,andtheotheranembodimentof thecity’sfutureaspirations.

“Thequalityofthearchitectureinacityhas adirectbearingonitssuccess.Ihopethese twoprojectscanactasanencouragement toourpolitical,businessandcivicleadersto workevenhardertocreatetheconditions thatallowarchitecturetofourishinBelfast andacrossNorthernIreland.

“Onthehousingfront,hatsofftoMcGonigle McGrathwhohavecompletedahattrick, winningNorthernIreland’sHouseof Year forthethirdyearrunning.Everyyearwe changeourjudgingpanelofexpertsfrom acrossBritainandIrelandbuttimeafter timeeachnewpanel reachesthesame conclusion–thatMcGonigleMcGrath’swork isoutstanding.” ■

UlsterUniversity’s newBelfastcampus

Costsofenergy,transportation, labourandasmorgasbordofglobal eventsarecausingbusinesses toscrutinisetheirexpensesandbring previouslyoutsourcedworkin-house.

“Whenthemarketistight,itcan resultin redundanciesordownsizingofteamsandso thecurrentclimatehascausedbusinessto scrutinisetheircostsalotmore,”AlanLowry, chairoftheFederationofSmallBusinesses (FSB)inNorthernIreland,says.

“Iknowoflotsofsubcontractorswhohave closedtheirdoors.Fabricators,galvanisers, paintcompanies,arenotgettingtheworkthey needtokeeptheirdoorsopen.”

Accordingtoa reportpublishedlastmonth byNIChamberandcharteredaccountants BDONI,only16%ofmanufacturersinNI areoperatingatfullcapacity(comparedto 35%acrosstheUK)andconfidencearound profitabilityhasdippedinpredictionofthe next12months.NorthernIreland remains oneofthemostexpensiveenergymarkets inEurope.“Beinganislandoffanisland, offacontinent,andmovinggoodsacross watershasalwaysbeenanissue,”AlanBridle, economistatBankofIrelandUK,says.

Shippingcostshavestabilisedbut remainhigh. “Shippingacontainerfromheretooneofour customersintheFarEastcostabout$3,000 notsolongagobutatonestageitwentto about$18,000,”AlanLowry,whoisalso headofEnvironmentalStreetFurniture,which designssourcesandmanufacturesarangeof products,says.“Nowthecosthasstabilised backdowntoabout$6,000–it’sstilldouble whatitwas.”

Thepriceofrawmaterials remainshigh. “Particularlymetals,”Alansays.“We’veseen thecostofpaintdoubling.Whenyoutryto bouncethatpricerisetocustomers,someof

Manufacturingandengineering companiesinNorthernIrelandarebeing forcedtorestructureandclosethedoor onsubcontractorworkasaresultof highcosts,writes PavelBarter

themunderstand.Otherssay,‘Wetookthisjob onatafixedcost. We can’taffordtopayany moreforit’.

“Weheartheterm‘valueengineering’more andmoreacrosstheUKandIrelandnow. Contractorsuseitasanexcusetogobackto theclientorarchitectanduseasubstandard product,whichinsteadofhavingafiveorten yearwarranty,likeourproductshave,maybe hasasixmonthora12monthwarranty. MaterialsarecomingherefromtheFarEast thatlackquality.Thepushtodrivepricesdown isaffectingmanufacturinghere.”

Somefactorsbehindthehighcostsofbusiness inNIareunavoidable.Manufacturingand engineeringcompaniesthattradegloballywill beimpactedbywarsinEurope,theMiddle EastandconcertsoverChina.“That’sstopping internationalbuyersfrombeingconfident tomakebiginvestments,”StephenKelly ofManufacturingNIsays.“We’reseeinga significantdownturninengineeringsectors thataregloballyfocused,particularlysincethe startof2024,whichhas resultedinlabour demanddriftingaway.”

Recruitmentshortfallsareattributedto

Manufacturinginput costshaveincreased acrosstheboard

demographicsandimmigrationconstraints inapost-Brexitenvironment(whichare impactingfoodmanufacturersinparticular). Sociologicalchangeshavealsobeenafoot sincethepandemic:adesireamongst employeestoworkfewerormorefexible hours,forexample.“Covidchangedlotsof people’sattitudetowardswork,”Stephen says.

“Butweneedpeopleinourmanufacturing sectortobepresentandinoneplacebecause there’ssomeonetotheirleftandrightwho they relyupon.Theopportunityforfexible

workingwithinproductionenvironmentsis limited.”

Manufacturersalsoattributehighcoststo governmentpolicy:whatStephenKelly describesasa“never-endingbarrageofpolicy costs”acrosseverythingfromclimatechange towaste.TheybelievetheExecutivedoesnot takeintoconsiderationthesignifcanceofthe manufacturingsector,whichisvaluedatover £6bnandaccountsfor13.4%ofNorthern Ireland’seconomicoutput.

AccordingtotheNIChamber report,32%of

manufacturerswereconcernedaboutbusiness ratesinquarterone2024,comparedto15% thepreviousyear.Interestratesacrossthe UK,meanwhile, remainhighandasa result, “businessesaremaybemore reluctantto borrow,”accordingtoGerardGildernew,of charteredaccountantsandbusinessadvisers, Gildernew&Co.

Thentherearelabourcosts.FromApril2024, thenationalminimumwage rosefrom£10.42 to£11.44anhour.“Whenevertheliving wagerises,peoplewithgradesfurtheruprise alongsidethem,”StephenKellysays.“That’s>

addedhundredsofthousandsofpoundsonto payrolls.”

EconomistAlanBridlesays:“Asthebottomis lifted,itcancauseaninfationarywagespiral. It’soneofthe reasonswhytheBankofEngland hasbeencautiousabout reducinginterestrates –becauseofthepotentialforfurtherwage pressureinfationintheUK.”

Manufacturerswouldliketoseea reduction incorporationtaxandcertaintyoverthe industrialderatingscheme,whichallowsa 70%discountinratesformanufacturing space(butiscurrentlyunderconsiderationfor removal).Whatwillhappenifindustrialratingis jettisoned?“Itwillcostjobs,plainandsimple,” Stephensays.“Somemanufacturers,because ofthephysicalnatureoftheirpremises,need largespaces.Theypaymorethanothersectors becauseoftheirscale.Ifthe reliefwas removed, manufacturerswouldpaythreetofourtimes morethananyotherpartoftheeconomy.”

TheenergymarketinNImightalsobe reformed, rebalancingenergycompanies

proftsintolowercostsforcustomers, andthereshouldbegreaterinvestmentin manufacturingandengineeringskills,suggests AlanBridle.“TheeducationsysteminNorthern Irelandisn’tcloselyalignedtotheneedsof manufacturers. We’renotgeneratingenough youngpeoplecomingoutofcollegewith apprenticeships.Whatcanwedoto reframe theeducationsystem?”

Businessownerscanbeproactiveinthehigh costenvironment.GerardGildernewadvises themto“takeastepbackand reassessall areasofyourbusiness.Lookatwhichpartsof yourbusinessesareworkingeffciently,which partsaredeliveringprofts”.

“Maketoughdecisions…I’vebeendoing thisworkforyearsandcanspotsigns[where businessesarerunningintodiffculties]very quickly. Youdon’tneedweekstocarryout a reviewofabusiness:youcangetasense astowherethebusinessisatwithinanhour ortwoofbeingonsite.Manufacturingand engineeringbusinessesareaskingforexpertise intermsofaddressingandrationalisingtheir

costbase,lookingathowtheycancutcosts andmakethemselvesmoreeffcient.Some havehadtotakeactionto reduceheadcount. They’vehadtochangetheirapproachto internationaltravelandtradeshows,for example.Butit’sessentialtheydon’tcuttoo farbackandcompromisetheirpositioninthe market.”

Newtechnologiescanalsoaddresslabour marketshortages.ManufacturingNIhasa mantra:“Assumefromthisdayforwardyou willneverbeableto recruitanyoneeveragain. That’sanextremepieceofadvice,butit’sto getyoutoshiftstrategicallyhowyoumanage yourbusinesses,”StephenKelly.

AlanBridlesaid:“Growthinmanufacturing companiesinNorthernIrelandisgoingto becomemorecapitalintensive,whichmeans investment:notjustinvestmentinplant machinery,butAI,automation,digitalisation, robots. Youcanseeafutureapositivefuture forNorthernIrelandcompanieswhoquickly embracethat.Ifyoudon’tembraceit,you couldbeleftbehind.” ■

MA NU FACT UR ING& ENGI NE ER ING

AlanBridle

Producinga sustainable futureforNI manufacturing

GráinneMcVeigh,director,advancedmanufacturing andengineering, InvestNorthernIreland,highlights thesignificanceofthesectorfortheNorthernIreland economyandhowInvestNIissupportingbusinesses toensurecontinuedgrowthandsuccess

Northern Ireland’s advanced manufacturingandengineering (AME)sectoris a powerfuldriverof economicgrowthinthe region,accounting for11%ofemploymentand13%ofGVA.

Thesectorcutsacrossmultipleindustries: aerospace,defenceandspace;lifeandhealth sciences;materialshandling; renewable technologies;construction;agri-techandagrifood,anditsmomentumcontinuestogrow

Amongstthemanysuccessfulindigenous companiesare Denroy,a globalleaderin thedesignandmanufacture ofengineered polymercomponentsandsolutions; Wrightbus, whichcreatedtheworld’sfirsthydrogenpowereddoubledeckbus;AlmacandRandox, bothgloballeadersinpharmaceuticalsand diagnostics.

Sectorgrowthisalsofuelledby a number ofinternationalcompaniesincludingSpirit AeroSystems,Caterpillar, Seagate, Terumo, Terex andThaleswhichallhave a longhistory ofmanufacturinginNorthern Ireland.

Northern Irelandhasbecome a centre for greentechnologieswith a focusonoffshore energy, energystorageandintelligentsystems. Companiesare alsodiversifyingintospace technology, defenceandadvancedairmobility

Collaboration

CollaborationisoneofNorthern Ireland’s core strengthsandInvestNIworkswithcompanies andpartnersacrossthe regionon a widerange ofinitiativestosupportthefuture successof thisimportantsector

We haveworkedwiththeMakersAlliance,the independentindustry-ledsectorbody, onthe developmentofthestrategicanddeliveryplans forthefuture ofmanufacturinginNorthern Ireland. We alsosponsorManufacturingNI’s ManufacturingMonth,whichshowcasesthe successandstrengthofNorthern Ireland’s manufacturingandengineeringsector

InvestNIsupports,andhassupported, a numberofindustry-lednetworkstakingplace acrossNorthern Ireland.TheseincludeGEMX (GeneratingEngineering & Manufacturing Excellence)intheNorth West;MEGA (Manufacturing & EngineeringGrowth & Advancement)inMidUlster, andthe Manufacturing TaskForceintheNorthEast.

Businesssupport

OursupportforAMEbusinessesiswide ranging.Itincludes financialandadvisory assistancetohelpwithskillsdevelopment, improvingproductivity, leadership,R&D andsupplychaindevelopment. Withthe drivetowardsnetzero,we’re alsoproviding

supporttohelpcompanies reducetheir carbonfootprint,whichincludes a new£20m fundtosupportlocalbusinessestopurchase andinstallenergyefficientequipmentthat willhelpto reduceenergyconsumptionand carbonemissions.Also,inpartnershipwiththe High ValueManufacturingCatapultandthe AdvancedManufacturingInnovationCentre (AMIC)welaunchedthepilotDigitalFactory Accelerator

Thispilotassesses a company’s digital manufacturing readinessusingSIRI – the SmartIndustryReadinessIndex.SIRIis a global standard assessmentandprioritisationprocess formanufacturingorganisationslookingto adoptdigitalmanufacturingtechnologies.Over 32manufacturingcompaniesparticipatedin thepilotinitiative.

TheUKGovernmenthascommittedto a oncein a generationinvestmentinCityand RegionalGrowthDeals,inpartnershipwith localcouncilsanduniversities.These regionallyledinvestmentsinkeytechnologiesincluding: smartdesign,digitaltwinning,automationand robotics,cleantech,industrialdecarbonisation, artificialintelligenceandbusiness-ledskills, havethepotentialtodrivemeaningfulchange forthebenefit ofmanufacturershere.

Ourcompanieshave a global reputationand wesupportthemontheirexportjourney, includingattendanceandexhibitingat internationaltradeshowstoaccessnew markets.

Northern Ireland’s highlyadvantageous anduniquepositionofbeingabletotrade goodsfreelywithbothGreatBritain(GB)and EuropeanUnion(EU)markets,makesusan idealsuppliertoGBandEUbuyers.Thisgives localbusinessesandinternationalcompanies basedinNorthern Ireland a uniquemarket accessadvantageforsellingproductsdirectly intothesetwokeyexportmarkets.

InvestNIiscommittedtoworkingwith companiesandindustrypartnerstoshapethe future successofthiskeysectoranddriverof future economicgrowth. ■

To findoutmore,visit www.investni.com/support-for-business

MA NU FACT UR ING& ENGI NE ER ING

RTU:thefamilymanufacturerexpanding andplanningforthefuture

THECOMPANY

RTUhasenjoyedconsiderablesuccessover thelastnumberofyears,butthishasnot happenedeasilyorbyaccident.

Thesuccesshasbeenbasedondecadesof hardwork,determination,andpassion,which hasbeeninstilledinthecompaniesDNAbythe foundersandleadersofthebusiness.

Thecompanyhasgrownorganicallysinceits inceptionin1990,movingfromasmallsite toitscurrentfve-acrepurpose-builtfacilityin Newtownabbey.

Thisgrowthandabilitytowithstandperiods of recessionandeconomicdownturnhas beenbasedonarigorousadherencetoour threekeycompanyvalues:quality,passionand innovation.

Asafamily-ownedbusiness,groundedin thecommunityinwhichwelive,wepride ourselvesondeliveringhighqualityserviceand productstothemarket.

We understandthatwithinacompetitive marketweneedtofocusonthecustomer andprovidinghigh-qualitylevelsofserviceto ensurewemeetandexceedtheirexpectations.

To ensureaconsistentlyhigh-qualityproduct wehaveinvestedheavilyindevelopingan automatedproductionfacility,afacility whichhasnowgrowntoaccommodate threebatchingplantstomeetourcustomer requirements. We havealsoensuredourfeet isupdated regularlywithmodernvehiclesand a recentlyconstructedinternalmaintenance facilityfocusedonpreventativeandcontrolled maintenance.

TheGermanphilosopherGeorgHegelstated that“nothinggreatintheworldhaseverbeen achievedwithoutpassion”.Thisiscertainly trueofthe RTUbusinesswhereahardwork ethic,determination,anda relentlessdrive forqualityandexcellencehasprovidedthe templateforgrowth.

RTUhasa recordofbringinginnovativeideas andnewproductstotheNImarket.

Thishasbeenoneofthefoundationstones ofourdevelopmentovertheyearswiththe introductionof‘readytouse’tubbedmortar, eXposadecorativeconcrete,Zirconpolished concrete,Ultrabeadinsulatedfooring,Ultrafo andUltracemliquidscreeds.

Theseinnovativeproductshavebeenalliedto

arangeofinternalprocessesandautomation focusedonachievinghighlevelsofcustomer service.

Thesethreevalueshavedrivenourgrowthand clearlydefnedourvisionwhichisfocusedon becomingthenumberonesupplierofproducts andserviceswithinourchosenmarket.

FUTURESTRATEGY

In2023,thenewmanagingdirectorof RTU, AlanSproule,documentedacomprehensive andambitiousfour-yearstrategicplan.

Thisplanwascommunicatedtoemployees inSeptember2023atacompanystrategy day.Theplanidentifedthekeyobjectives ofthebusiness,documentedthepillarsof growthtodeliverontheobjectivesandputin placeastructureandprocesstoimplementit successfully.

ThethreepillarsofgrowtharebasedonanFRE growthcycle:

1)Focusonourcorebusiness

Thiswouldbeachievedbymaximisingand optimisingalltheopportunitiesthatexist toincreasemarketsharewithinourcurrent corebusiness. We haveidentifedarange ofinternalprojectswhicharefocusedon protectingandexpandingoursupplychain,

Severalof RTU’slorries

upskillingourleadershipandmanagement team,structuringthebusinessforexpansion, maximisingourexistingassetsandbuildingan ambitioussalesandmarketingplan.

2)Replicatingourcorebusinessmodelin anothergeographicalterritory

We havedemonstratedtheabilitytosucceed withinourcorebusinessmodelandtheskills existwithinourexistingteamto replicatethis atanotherfacility. We areactivelylookingat acquisitionopportunitieswithinNItoachieve growthwithinthispillar. We havedeveloped sevenkeyteststhatweusetovalidateany acquisitionopportunitiesandtheseactasa guideonwhetherwepursuesuchprojects.

3)Expandingintoadjacentbusinesses

Thiswasourmostambitiouspillarandisbased onidentifyingbusinessesthatexistwithinan adjacentsectortoourcurrentcoremodel. We plannedthatanyacquisitionwithinthisthird pillarwouldbewithinagrowthmarketand provideuswiththeopportunitytodevelop

RTUACQUIRESCOLINWELL MASONRYPRODUCTS

InMarch, RTUcompletedtheacquisitionof ColinwellMasonryProductsLimited.Inearly 2023theboardof RTUidentifedColinwellas acompanywhichfttedtheprofleofourthird pillarofgrowth.

WhileColinwellhadasimilarsupplychain andcustomerbaseas RTU;itsmanufacturing process,rangeofproductsandaccessto theROIandGBmarketsprovidedaunique opportunityfor RTU.

businessinnewmarketsoutsideofNI.

Thesepillarsofgrowthwilldriveourambitious expansionplansoverthenextthreeyears andprovideastructured roadmapforthe immediatefutureof RTU.

Akeyfeatureofthe RTUstrategicplanisa focusonsustainabilityandacorporatedriveto engagewithindustrystakeholderstomakea

positiveimpactonthisissue.

Themanagementteamat RTUarecurrently workingonanESGstrategywhichwillbe launchedlaterintheyear.Thisstrategyis focusedonquantifyingthepositiveimpacts wecurrentlymakeandidentifyingfurther opportunitiesthatwecanexplorewith customers,suppliersandotherpartnersacross business.

Duringearlynegotiationswequickly realised thevalues,cultureandethosofboth companieswereverysimilarandthismadethe processmuchsmoother.

Colinwellhavetradedforover130years asafamily-ownedbusinessanddeveloped innovativeandnicheproductswhichthey sellthroughouttheUKandIreland.The opportunitytobuildonthesolidfoundations ofthisbusinessprovideduswithaunique chancetoentertheGBandRoImarket.

We arecurrentlyintheprocessof documentinganambitiousstrategicplanfor

Colinwellwhichwillbebasedonsustainable long-termgrowth.

Itisanexcitingtimefor RTUandthe Colinwellteamaswelooktogrow thebusinessoverthenextfouryears. Theleadershipteamat RTUhasspent considerabletimeindevelopinganambitious growthplanandaligningourwiderteamto theobjectiveswithinit.

We knowwecanonlygrowandsucceedas abusinesswithadynamicteamdisplaying ourvaluesanddeliveringquality,innovative solutionsforourcustomers. ■

Solarpanelsrecently installedat RTU

Colinwellsite

Norther n Irelandindustr y giantW&R Barnettseessalesriseto£1.8bn

OneofNorthern Ireland’s largest frmshasseensalesrisetomore than£1.8bn.

Family-ownedmulti-generationalW&RBarnett hasseenturnoverrisingto£1.81bn,while postingpre-taxproftsof£62.3mforthesame periodendingJuly2023,accordingtoaccounts forW&RBarnettLtd.

It remainsoneofNorthern Ireland’s most successfulandbiggestfamily-ownedandrun businesses,andsitsjustbehindMoyParkbased onturnover

W&RBarnetttookthenumberonepositionin the UlsterBusiness Top 100Northern Ireland Companies2023list,withKPMG.

Thegroupwasformedin1896andiscurrently headedby WilliamBarnett.It’sa businesswith severalstrands,includingtheinternational tradeingrainsandderivatives,molasses trading,animalfeedandpackaging.

Thecompanysaysitacquiredtwo-thirdsof

sharesinDurhamBoxCompanyLtdinJune 2023,throughoneofitssubsidiaries,andin Julythesameyearittookon13%ofCeres (EastMidlands)Ltdfor£13.2m,bringingits holdingfrom87%tototalownershipof100%.

W&RBarnettsaysboththelevelofbusiness duringtheyearandthefnancialpositionat year-endwere satisfactory

W&RBarnett remains a giantofindustryhere, butonewhichisstillfamily-ledandnowinits fourthgeneration.

Initspreviousaccounts,itsawturnovergrow from£1.275bnto£1.575bninitslatestsetof accountsforW&RBarnettLimited,endingJuly 2022.

Andinthatperioditsawpre-taxproftsrising to£69.1m,upfrom£51.3m a yearearlier

Speakingin2023aftertoppingthe Ulster Business Top 100, WilliamBarnettsaid:“It isanhonourtobeincludedinthelistand, particularly, tobeamongsomefantastic

indigenousbusinessesforwhichweholdgreat admiration.”

Hesaidturnoverhasclimbed40%between July2020andJune2022thisyear It’sa businesswhichhasalsogrownitsheadcount toaround1,700staff.

“Thatperiodcoverstheearlyandlatterstages oftheCovid-19pandemicwhen,although a verydiffcultperiodforthebusiness,our activitiesinagriculturalcommoditiesand packagingwere consideredessentialandable tocontinueoperation,”hesaid.

“Demandinbothsectorsalsoincreased substantially, withpackagingoutputup7% in2021againstanaverageof2%annually, andoutputinourcommoditiesbusiness reboundingfrom a cyclicallowjustbefore Covid-19.

“Atthetime,pricesalsoincreasedsharply, withgraindoublingfromSeptember2020 throughtotheinvasionofUkraine,gasprices quadruplingandpaperpricesrisingsharply.”

WilliamBarnett

IT & TECH NOLOGY

Asthreatstothecloud increasewiththeadvent ofgenerativeAI,Northern Irelandisbuildingasturdy cybersecurityecosystem, writes PavelBarter

Cybersecurityexpertsarewarning ofanupsurgeofsophisticated ransomwareattackswiththe capacityto“wipeout”anSME.

CiaranMartin,the Tyrone-bornformerchief executiveoftheNationalCyberSecurity Centre,partofGCHQ,describedcyber crimefromorganisedransomwarecriminals basedoutofRussiaas“thebiggestthreatto businessesofallsize”.

Althoughmostattacksgounreported,the “threatsareubiquitousandalmostoutof control,”Ciaransaid.

CapitalssuchasLondonandDublin,with theirlargedata-fuelledcorporations,areat particularthreat,butNorthernIrelandandits proliferationofSMEsisalsoanattractivetarget forcybercriminals.SMEs,whichstruggleto devotefnancial resourcesortimetocyber security,canbevulnerable.

“Criminalshavebecomemoresophisticated,” Ciaransays.“They researchtheirtargets.They don’tdemandamillionUSdollarsinBitcoin fromasmallbusinessbecausetheyknowa smallbusinesscan’tpaythat.Throughout theUKandIreland,youseethelikesof smallhairdressingsalonsbeingaskedfor £1,500.Criminalstailortheransoms.Fora smallorganizationthat’salotofmoney–it’s debilitating.”

Ransomwaretendstoworkintwoways. Themalwareeitherlocksvictimsoutoftheir networks,freeingthemonlywhenaransomis paid.Oritstealsdataandthreatenstopublish thatdataontheDark Webintheabsenceof anextortionfee.NorthernIreland’shigh-tech andR&Dindustriesanditsabundantstart-ups areinthefringline.

“Intellectualpropertytheftisabigdeal forsmallbusinesses,”Ciaransays.“AI,life sciences,pharmaceuticalpatentsallrunthe riskoflosingpreciousdata.TheChinesestate hasbeenassociatedwiththistypeofactivity. You’veinvestedloadsofmoneyinhigh-tech researchandthenallofasuddenyoufnd somebodyinChinahassuspiciously replicated

your researchin recordtimewithoutany infrastructure.”

Inparallel,NorthernIrelandhasbeenbuilding aglobalmethodofdefencetobecomea cybersecurityhub.Ina2023 report,the CentreforSecureInformation Technologies (CSIT)atQueen’sfoundthat124companies

IT & TECH NOLO GY

are“activelycontributing”tothe region’s cybersecurityecosystemwhichhasatargeted employmentfgureof5,000jobsby2030.

Rapid7operatesoutoflocationsacrosstheUS, Canada,Europe,Asia-PacifcandAustralia,and itsBelfastoperationleadsthewayforcyber security.DrStuartMillar,principalAI researcher

atRapid7creditsNorthernIreland’s“topclass engineersandprojectmanagers”asa reason behindthecybersecurityboomhere.CSIT, which receiveda£18.9minvestmentin2023, isapioneerofhardwaresecuritythatpartners withmulti-national.

“Yougetbubblesandalotofhypeincyber

security,butCSITandtheirpartnershave cleverlyavoidedallofthatandovertime builta reputation,”Ciaransays.“Theydon’t overhypeandtheiroutputtendstowork.CSIT hasajustifableclaimtobethebestacademic institutionforcybersecurity researchintheUK andIreland.”

Rapid7 recentlysignedanewpartnershipwith CSITwhichwillinvestigatethreatstocloud servicesbyutilisingAIandmachinelearning techniques.Thepartnershipisgearedtoward notonlybolsteringcyberdefences,butalso preparinganewgenerationofstudents forNI’scybersecurityecosystem.“Thishub betweenCSITandcompanieslikeRapid7 allowsustocollaborateon realworldcyber securityproblems,creatingsolutionsthatget streamedintoservicesorproducts,”Stuart said.

“It’sadovetailofindustry’scuttingedge approachesforAIcloudsecurityand academia’s resources.”

Cloudinfrastructurecanbevulnerablefor abusinessofanysize.“ITspecialistswithin abusinessthatlookafteranon-premises kitmightbelessfamiliarwiththeircloud kit–serviceslikeAmazon,Azure,Microsoft orOracle,forexample.Theyaremoreopen tobeingcompromised.Maliciousactorscan leverageAI,machinelearningordatascience, toattackalotfasterandwritebetterphishing emailstotrickyouintotransferringmoney.”

Therehavebeennumeroushighprofle examplesofcyberattacksontheislandof Ireland.In2021,hackerscompromisedthe HealthServiceExecutiveintheRepublicand extortedthemovercaptureofprivatedata. In2023,aRoyalMaildistributioncentrein Mallusk,Antrim,fellvictimtoa reported Russianransomwaregang.

“ThismightsoundlikeaHollywoodmovie plot,butwehaveasetofvulnerabilities aroundcriticalinfrastructure[inNorthern Ireland],”Stuartsaid.“Cyber-securityisalot morethanjustprotectingthecontentsofyour laptoporyourbankdetails.Peoplecantry andcompromisethephysicalinfrastructure: energy,water,howthebussystemswork.”>

IT & TECH NOLO GY

IT & TECH NOLO GY

AspokespersonfortheDepartmentof Finance(DoF)saidthedepartment“works incollaborationwithpartnersandkey stakeholdersacrosstheUKtoensureNorthern Irelandiscyber resilient”and“providesaccess toguidanceandbestpractice”onwaysto improvecyber-security.

Responsibilityforthecyber-securityofCritical NationalInfrastructure,theysaid,“restswith the respectiveleadgovernmentdepartments” alongsideanetworkandinformationsystems regulatoratDoF.“TheRegulatorworkswith deliveryoperatorsintheenergy,transport, drinkingwaterandhealthsectorstoensurea highlevelofsecurity.”

Followingtwomajordataleaks,thePSNI claimstohaveimproveditsITsystems.Chief superintendentSamDonaldsontold Ulster Business:“Anewdataboardhasbeen establishedwhichisleadingonthe response tothedatabreachinAugust2023andon ourbroaderapproachtoinformationand datamanagement.Theboard’spriorityis tooverseetheimplementationofallthe recommendationswhichhavearisen.”

Onecommonthreadlinkscybersecurityat criticalinfrastructure,largecorporationsand SMEs:cyberthreatsareincreasing.Cyber criminalsarenowlearninghowtoleverage AItoaccesscloudservices.DrStuartMillar describesAIcybercrimeasbringing“scale, believabilityandbettercamoufage”tocloud threats.

“Takephishingemails,forexample. Traditionallyyoumighthave receivedan emailfromastrangepartoftheworldwhere thegrammarmightnothavebeengreat. Alotofpeoplewoulddisregarditquite quickly.GenerativeAIcancreatecompelling, realisticparagraphsandsentences.The chanceofyoubeingbamboozledintogiving awayyourbankdetailsisgoingtobealot higher.GenerativeAIallowscybercriminals tolaunchmoreattacksatscale.It’sagame changer.”

ButAIcanalsobeemployedtopredict, defendandprotectbusinessesfromthese typesofattacks.“YoucantrainanAImodel tolearnfromdatawhichwouldtakea humanmonthsoryearstomanuallylook

through.Itautomaticallyunderstandsthe contextandencapsulatesthatinsideanAI system,”Stuartsaid.

CiaranMartinencouragedbusinessesto builduptheirimmunesystems.“Startwitha riskassessment.What’sthemostimportant thingforyourorganisation?Isitadata set,intellectualpropertyoroperational technology?Aretherespecifc reasonswhy somebodymightwanttohackyou?Howare theymostlikelytogetin?Mostcyberattacks exploitknownvulnerabilitiesandifyour patchesarenotuptodate,youareaskingfor trouble.Getyournetworktested:whatwecall penetrationtesting.”

Crucially,organisationsshouldplanforthe lossoftheirnetwork.“Ifyouweretolose yoursystem,howwouldyoucope?Doyou haveabackup?Ifsoisitsomewherethe sameattackercanfndandtakeoutaswell? Doyouhaveawayof revertingtemporarily toapreviouswayofworking?Businesses smallandlargehavebeenwipedoutbythis. Organisationsofanysizeabsolutelyneeda cyberdefenceplan.” ■

CiaranMartin

Morethan200girlsattendinaugural NIfemalecyber-securityevent

Morethan200girlsfromschools acrossNorthernIrelandhave attendedaninauguraleventto showcasecareersintechnologyandcybersecurity.

TheCyberFirstEmPowerGirlseventtookplace attheNationalFootballStadiumat Windsor Park,giving250girls,aged11-12from12 schoolsacrossNorthernIreland,achanceto discoverthepotentialcareeropportunitiesin techandcybe-securityfromprofessionalsand experts.

TheUKNationalCyberSecurityCentreand AfacNIjoinedNorthernIreland’sFirstMinister MichelleO’NeillanddeputyFirstMinister EmmaLittle-Pengellyattheevent.

CyberFirstisaprogrammeofopportunitiesled bytheUKNationalCyberSecurityCentreto inspireyoungpeopletoexploretheirpassion fortechandintroducethemtothefast-paced worldofcyber-security.

Morethan32employers,whichareCyberFirst industrysupporters,attendedtheevent,with theaimofinspiringmoregirlstoexplorewhat

acareerintechnologyandcyber-securitymight offer.

“Theexcitementandinterestinthefrst EmPowerGirlseventhasbeenhugely encouragingnotonlyforCyberFirstbutforthe wholeindustryinNorthernIreland,”Eamonn Brankin,CyberFirstNI regionallead,said.

“Wehopethegirlswhohaveattended todayhavebeeninspiredtolookattech andcyber-securitycareersinanewlightand withagreaterunderstandingofthebrilliant opportunitiesopentothemlocally.Following thesuccessoftheevent,welookforwardto announcingmoreCyberFirstinitiativesinNIin thenearfuture.”

AfacNIvice-presidentandmanagingdirector MarkMcCormack,said:“ThisEmPowerGirls eventisafantasticshowcaseforthethriving techandcyber-securityindustrywehavehere inNorthernIrelandthatisboundtoleavean indeliblemarkonyounggirlswhomayhave beenthinkingthatacareerintechnologywas beyondtheir reach.

“Representingacorporationwhoseoverall

employeebaseismajoritywomen,Afac NorthernIrelandisproudtosupportCyberFirst withitsfrstmajoreventinthe region. Providingopportunitiesforwomenandfor continuouslearningisacorepartofwhowe areandhowweoperate,soweweredelighted tobeinvolved.”

FirstMinisterMichelleO’Neillsaid:“The cyberworldisfullofpossibilitiesandevents likeCyberFirstEmPowerGirlsarea really helpfulwayofshowingyoungpeople,and especiallyyoungwomen,howtonavigate thecyberworld. We arefortunatetohave afourishingcyber-securityandtechnology sectorhereandthisisagreatopportunity toshowcasethemanycareeropportunities availableintheseareas.”

AnddeputyFirstMinisterEmmaLittlePengellysaid:“Thecyberworldispartofour everydaylivesnowandwiththatcomesgreat opportunities. We haveathrivingcybersecurityandtechindustryhereinNorthern IrelandandIhopethiseventwillprovidesome valuableinsightandinspireyounggirlsto considerthemanycareerpathwaysavailableto theminthisexcitingarea.” ■

FirstMinisterMichelleO’NeillanddeputyFirstMinisterEmmaLittle-PengellyjoinedstudentsandCyberFirstNIco-ordinator

VictoriaLoganattheEmPowerGirlsevent

LeafITandSonicWall’sstrategic partnershiptoprotectNIbusinesses

As LeafIT thisyearcelebratesits20thanniversary, chiefexecutive StevenGoldblatt refectsonhow itssuccessisbuiltonpartnerships,andtheimpact thishasonitsgrowingclientroster

Thereisnodoubtthatthe threatofcyberattacksagainst businessesiscontinuingto escalate,underscoringtheimportance offtaking robustcyber-securitymeasures –anditpaystobeprotectedbyexpert partnerships.

LeadingITserviceprovider,LeafIT,has long recognisedthisneed,partneringwith the renownedglobalcybersecurityfrm, SonicWall,toofferunparalleledprotectionto businessesofallsizesacrossNorthernIreland andtheRepublicofIreland.

Thisstrategicpartnership,spanningtwo decades,combinesLeafIT’slocalexpertisewith SonicWall’scutting-edgesolutions,ensuring businesses remain resilientagainsttheeverevolvingcyberthreatlandscape.

“Sinceourfoundation,wehaveprided ourselvesonprovidingtheverybestlevelsof servicetoourcustomers,bothdirectlyand alongsideournetworkofglobalpartners includingSonicWall,”StevenGoldblatt,LeafIT chiefexecutive,said.

“Amongourkeyaimsistohelpbusinesses

getthemostfromtheirITservicesand infrastructure,andthatsimplyisnotpossibleif theyarenotadequatelyprotectedfromcyber attacks.

“WorkingwithSonicWallensuresthatwecan meetthat requirement,andkeepuptodate withemergingthreatswhichhaveevolvedso muchthroughoutthelifetimeofourcompany.

“OurcollaborationwithSonicWallhasbeen integraltoourabilitytoprotectourclients againsttheincreasinglysophisticatedcyber threats.SonicWall’sinnovativesolutions andourcommitmenttoexcellencecreatea powerfuldefenceforbusinessesofallsizes.”

Themost recentannualCyberThreat ReportproducedbySonicWalllaidbarethe challenges,paintingastarkpictureofthe

DanielCarr,territorymanagerfor IrelandatSonicWall,andSteven Goldblatt,chiefexecutive,LeafIT

issuesfacingorganisationsacrossallsectors.

The reportfoundthatcyberattackshadsurged uptothree-foldacrossnearlyeverytracked metricin2023includingglobalmalwareattacks which roseby11%, reaching6.06billion globally–thehighestvolumesince2019.

Encryptedthreatsmorethandoubled, totallingalmostasmanyasin2021and2022 combined.Additionally,ransomwareattacks reachedthethirdhighestyearon record, highlightingthepersistentdangerthesethreats pose.

DanielCarr,territorymanagerforIrelandat SonicWallsaid:“Whatweareseeingisthat newtacticsareconstantlybeingdeveloped andemployedbycybercriminalswhichfurther complicatesthethreatlandscape.

“Forinstance,OneNoteflesarenowbeing usedasaninitialvectorforattacks,while vulnerabilitiesinwidely-usedsoftwarelike WinRARandMOVEitarebeingactively exploited.

“Thesedevelopmentsonlyunderscorethe necessityforbusinessestostayaheadofcyber threatswithsophisticated,adaptivesecurity solutions.”

Failingtoprotectagainstcyberthreatscan beacostlymistake.AccordingtotheUK government’sCyberBreachesSurvey,the averagecostofabreachformediumandlarge businessesis£10,830.

Danielsaid:“Thefnancialimplicationsextend beyondimmediatelosses,includinglossof service, reputationaldamage,lossoftrust, andpotentialnon-compliancewithpersonal datalaws.Theconsequencesofthesecanbe devastating,makingitcrucialforbusinesses toinvestincomprehensivecyber-security measures.”

Whilebusinessescannotentirelyavoidbeing targetedbycybercriminals,proactivemeasures cansignifcantlystrengthentheirdefences. Conductingongoingsecuritytraining, performing regularsecurityassessments,and seekingprofessionalexpertassistanceare crucialstepsinthisprocess.

Stevensaid:“Cyber-securityisnotaonetimeeffort.It requirescontinuousvigilance andadaptation,whichisexactlywhatour partnershipwithSonicWalldelivers.”

ThisyearmarksLeafIT’s20thanniversary,a milestonecelebratedwithspecialeventsin BelfastandDublinattendedbycustomersand

stakeholdersfromacrosstheisland.

Overthepasttwodecades,LeafIThasbuilta growingclientlistthatincludessomeofthe best-knownorganisationsacrosseverysector inNorthernIreland,GreatBritainandthe RepublicofIrelandincludingpartneringwith SonicWallwithcustomerssuchasMCSGroup, UlsterRugby,AnsellLighting,commerciallaw frmAMOSSLLPandbankingsoftwarefrm CR2.

“Reachingour20thanniversaryisatestament tothetrustandconfdenceourclientshavein ourservices,”Stevensaid.

“Ourlong-standingpartnershipwithSonicWall hasbeenacriticalfactorinoursuccess,and wearecommittedtocontinuingtoprovidethe highestlevelofcyber-securitytoourclients.” ■

To fndoutmoreabouthowyoucanprotect yourbusinessfromcyberthreatswithLeafIT andSonicWall,visitwww.leaf-it.com

NorthernIrelandhousingrentals ‘athighlyelevatedlevels’with demandoutstrippingsupply

Housing rentalsinNorthernIreland areat“highlyelevated”levels withpricescontinuingtosurge anddemandoutstrippingsupply,it’sbeen claimed.

Accordingtooneestateagentthenumberof enquiriesfor rentalpropertiesisnowaround 30%higherthanlastyear.

Meanwhile,averagemonthly rentacross NorthernIrelandstoodat£849betweenJuly andDecemberlastyear,accordingtothelatest NorthernIrelandQuarterlyHouseIndexfrom UlsterUniversity.

That’s9.1%higherthanduringthesame periodin2022.

“While rentinginsomelocalitiesismore costlythanothers,theoverallpictureisof apressurised rentalmarket,withsupply exceededbydemand,”the reportsaid.

“Thefeedback receivedfromestateagents refectsexpectationsofongoingdemand duringthespring,whichwilllikelycontinueto outpacesupply.”

Meanwhile,propertypricerisesappearto besofteningsomewhat.Theaverageprice

statisticsshowamarginalincreaseof1.7% comparedwithquarteronelastyear.

TheHousePriceIndexshowedaverage NorthernIrelandhousepricesfellbyanominal 0.6%inthefrstquarterof2024comparedto thefourthquarterof2023to£206,754.

“Whileslightlydownonaquarterlybasis, pricesare2.4%highercomparedtothesame periodin2023,”itsays.

“Furtherevidencethatsupply remainstight emergedfromthefactonly20%ofagents reportedanincreaseinlistingwith70%

reportingthatlistinglevels remainedonapar withthelastquarterof2024.”

Intermsofdemand,therehasbeenan increaseinbuyerenquiriesoverthequarter andsignsofincreasingconsumerconfdence, withtransactionsgatheringpacefromtheend of2023.

“Themainfndingsofthissurveyindicate thatthehousingmarketcontinuestodefy expectationsand remainatthesamepricing levelsobservedacrossthesecondhalfof 2023,”the reportsays.

“NorthernIreland’shousingmarketcontinues to remainstableenteringintothefrstquarter oftheyearwithevidencebeginningtoshow consumerconfdenceincreasing.

“Housingexpertsfoundthatalongsidestable pricelevels,therehasbeenanincreasein buyerenquiriesoverthequarterandsignsof increasingconsumerconfdenceduetothe

moresettledmortgageenvironmentandthe reductioninmortgageinterestratesfromthe secondhalfof2023.

“TheQuarterlyHousePriceIndex,produced byUlsterUniversityinpartnershipwiththe NorthernIrelandHousingExecutiveand ProgressiveBuildingSociety,analysesthe performanceoftheNorthernIrelandhousing marketduringthefrstquarterof2024.

“Otherkey reportfndingsincludedanalysis bypropertytypewhichshowedmixedprice movementsacrossthemarketsectors,as themarketcontinuestoadjusttothewider economicclimateandfnancialsetting.In termsofquarterlypricechange,theterrace/ townhouseanddetachedsegmentsofthe marketshowedsmallpriceincreasesof 1.5%and0.2%,withthesemi-detached andapartmentsectors recordingsmallprice declinesof1%and2.4%.Annually,all segmentsofthemarketexceptapartments revealedpriceincreases.

“Overall,theannualrateofpricechange –whichslowedoverthecourseof2023–exhibitsanunweightedincreaseof1.7% comparedtoquarterone2023.”

Overthelastyear,apartmentpricesherehave fallenby4.3%–theonlypropertytypeto witnessadrop.

Meanwhile,terracedhousesincreasedby 7.3%,whilesemi-detachedhouses rose1.6%, anddetached6.2%.

Pricesincreasedacrossmostcouncilareas betweentheendof2023andthestartofthis year,howeverCausewayCoastsawprices tumbleby11.6%,whilethecostofahomein Newryfellby4.3%.

“Thehousingmarketoverthefrstquarterof 2024continuesto remainatthesamepricing levelsobservedinthesecondhalfof2023, withhousepricesholdingsteady,”DrMichael McCord, readerinvaluation,investmentand fnanceatUlsterUniversity,andlead researcher said.

“Theeconomicuncertaintyfeltacross2023

continuestoshowincreasingsignsofstability, withinfationeasingto3.2%andtheBankof Englandbaserate remainingconstantforthree consecutivequarters.Thishasledtoamore settledmortgageinterestrateenvironment, andlookingforward,therearesignsof increasingconsumerconfdenceandbuyer activityinthefrstquarterof2024.Thisprice resilienceseeninthehousingmarketoverthe pastyear remainsunderpinnedbytheongoing supplyconstraintsandescalating rentprice increaseswithintheprivate rentalsector.”

AndUrsulaMcAnulty,headof researchat theHousingExecutive,whichcommissioned theanalysis,said:“Despitetheongoing pressuresonhouseholdincomes,agents reportcontinuingdemandfromprospective purchasers.

“Perhapssurprisingly,themajorityofagents –85%– reportedthattheinterestrate volatilityoverthelast12-18monthshadonlya marginalimpactondemand.Inlinewiththis, the researchfndingsshowthathouseprices have remained resilient,andinquarterone 2024wereatsimilarlevelstothesecondhalf of2023.Lookingforwardintoquarterstwo andthreeof2024,justoverhalfofagentsare expectinganincreaseinhouseprices.Thisis atleastpartlybecausethecurrentsupplyside constraintslooksettobecompoundedbya projecteddownturninnewbuildcompletions in2024,exacerbatingthedemand-supply imbalance.”

MichaelBoyd,chiefexecutiveofProgressive BuildingSociety,said:“Aslightslideforthe NorthernIrelandhousingmarketinthefrst threemonthsoftheyearhas revealeda wait-and-seeapproachbypotentialbuyers astheinterestrateenvironmentcontinuesto moderate.

“However,pricesareupstronglyontheyear andwithlonger-termconfdenceimproving, thereisagrowingfeelingthatthemarketis inforabuoyantperiod,particularlyasthe lackofsupplyapparentin recentyearsshows littlesignofabating.Muchwilldependonthe widereconomicandpoliticalenvironmentbut thereislittledoubtthattheNorthernIreland housingmarket’sfoundationslooksolid.” ■

Electricitycompanywithdraws fromNIdomesticmarket

ElectricIrelandhassoughtto reassuredomesticcustomersafter itannounceditswithdrawalfrom theNorthernIrelanddomesticelectricity markettofocusonbusinesses.

Thecompanyisthethirdlargestsupplierin NorthernIreland,withover50,000domestic customers.

Inastatement,theIrish-ownedcompanysaid: “ElectricIrelandhascompletedastrategic reviewofour residentialbusinessinNorthern Ireland.

“Asa resultofthis review,wewillbefocusing exclusivelyonthebusinessmarketand,over time,ourintentionistonolongerservethe residentialmarket.

“ElectricIrelandwillcontinuetosupplyand supportour residentialcustomersduringthis transition.”

Thecompanyhasnotprovidedatimescale fortheprocess,althoughaspokesmanfor thefrm,whichisownedbyESBGroup,said: “ElectricIrelandwillengagedirectlywith customersinthecomingweeksandmonths.”

Hesaidthefrmwouldbeworkingwithother partiesincludingtheUtilityRegulator,andwith its residentialcustomers,totakea“managed approach”.

“Duringtheprocess,ElectricIrelandwill continuetosupplyour53,000 residential customers,equatingtoaround6%ofthe market.

“Weunderstandandappreciatethatthis newsmaybeunsettlingforsomecustomers andsoitisimportanttostressthatthereisno immediatechange.

“Therewillbenointerruptioninsupplyto ElectricIrelandcustomersandtheydonotneed totakeanyaction.ElectricIrelandwillcontact

themdirectlyinduecourse.”

Thespokesmanadded:“ElectricIreland’sstaff supporting residentialcustomersinNorthern Irelandhavebeenbriefedandthereareno immediatejoblossesplanned.

“Wewillcontinuetoengagewithand supportstaffandcustomersthroughoutthis transition.”

PowerNIandSSEAirtricityarethefrst andsecond-biggestsuppliersofelectricity respectivelytothedomesticmarkethere.

AspokespersonfortheConsumerCouncil forNorthernIrelandsaid:“TheConsumer CouncilwillcontinuetoworkwithElectric IrelandandtheUtilityRegulatortoensurethat itscustomersarenotnegativelyimpactedand thatasmoothexitprocessoccurs.

“ElectricIrelandcustomerswillnotbe impactedatthistime.Customerswillcontinue to receivetheirelectricitysupplyasnormal, andtheywill remainElectricIrelandcustomers untilfurthernotice.

“Thereisnoneedforcustomerstocontact ElectricIrelandatthisstage.ElectricIreland willengagewiththeircustomersdirectlyto informthemoftheirdecisiontostopsupplying domesticelectricityinNorthernIreland,and explainwhatoptionsareavailabletoimpacted customers.”

BarbaraCantley,interimdirectorofconsumer protectionandenforcementattheUtility Regulator,confrmeditwasworkingwith ElectricIrelandfollowingits“commercial” decision.

“Therewillbenointerruptiontocustomers’ electricitysupply,andwewillcontinueto ensurethattheyareprotected,”shesaid.

“ElectricIrelandcustomersdonotneedto takeanyactionatpresent.Thecompanywill beengagingwiththemdirectlytoguidethem throughthenextstepsoftheprocess.”

ElectricIrelandisthefrstsuppliertoleavepart oralloftheNorthernIrelandsupplymarket since2021,whenBrightEnergymadeitsexitin responsetorisingenergyprices. ■

EDUCAT ION, TR AI NI NG & SK IL LS

Bigstepforwardfor

ION, TR AI NI NG & SK IL LS

The£32mdevelopmentofthe GreenmountCAFRE(College ofAgriculture, FoodandRural Enterprise)hastakenamajorstep forwardamidfreshplans. Ulster Business takesacloserlook

The£32m redevelopmentofoneof NorthernIreland’sleadingfoodand agriculturecampuseshastakena majorstepforward.

Plansarenowunderwaytodevelopthe CAFRE(CollegeofAgriculture,Foodand RuralEnterprise)GreenmountCampusin Antrim.Itwouldseetheknockingdownof existingbuildingstomakewayforthreenew developments.

It’spartofanoverall£32malongwitha£43m injectiontodeveloptheLoughrycampus outsideCookstown.

Thosebehindthedevelopmentsaytheaimof theprojectis“toensurethatthebuildingsand facilitiesatGreenmountmeetthecurrentand

futureneedsofstaff,studentsandtheagrifoodindustry,areft-for-purposeandprojecta positiveimageofCAFRE”.

Afullplanningapplicationhasnowbeen submittedforthedevelopment,following communityconsultationandaproposalof applicationnotice.

Threenewbuildingswillbedeveloped. Thatincludesthecentralhubbuilding,with staffoffces,dininghallandconference centre,ateachingbuilding,andastudent accommodationschemewith200 roomsand gym.

HamiltonArchitectsisbehindplansforthe newdevelopmentanditshopedworkcould startbytheendofnextyear.Accordingto

CAFREthetotalschemeisexpectedtobe fnishedby2031.

Theproposed redevelopmentoftheCAFRE GreenmountCampuscomprisingdemolition ofFultonHall,BoydHall,the Technology Buildingandmodularstorageandstudent accommodationunits.

“Thearchitectureofeachspace,including internalandexternal,hasbeendesignedwith thespecifcsoflifeandactivitiesatCAFRE Greenmountinmind,”asupportingdesign statementfromHamiltonArchitectssays.

“Thedesignproposalsdeliverawiderange ofhigh–qualityworkspace,learningand socialenvironmentsthatseektopromote communityandsenseofwellbeingforall

EDUCAT

interactingwiththecampus.

“Thevisionoftheschemeistocreateahigh -quality,futureproofedPassivhausPremium campus,whichisinharmonywithits surroundings.

“TheproposalsfacilitateCAFREtodeliver excellenceinitseducationprogrammesand providesstaffandstudentswithanenriching educational,socialandwellbeingexperience.

“Phasingoftheconstructionis required toallowCAFREtocontinuetoeffectively operateonthesitewithminimaldisruptionto activities.”

Itsaystheplans“interpretthesite’srich contexttodeliveraleadinginnovative

agricultureandhorticultureeducationfacility thatisharmoniouswithitssurroundings andalignedwiththe‘collegeestatestrategy objectives”.

“Thearchitectureofeachspace,including internalandexternal,hasbeendevisedwith thespecifcsoflifeandactivitiesatCAFRE Greenmountinmind,”planningdocuments say.

“Thedesignproposalsdeliverawiderangeof high-qualityworkspace,learningandsocial environmentsthatseektopromotecommunity andsenseofwellbeingforallinteractingwith thecampus.

“Theproposalsintendtodelivereducational andsupportfacilitieswithlike-for-likecapacity.

“Theproposalaccommodatesanincreasein student residentialnumbersonthecampus from200existingto250proposed.”

TheinvestmentinthetwoCAFREcampuses wasfrstunveiledbyformerAgriculture MinisterEdwinPoots.

ThecampusesatLoughryandGreenmount –whichoperateasCAFRE(Collegeof Agriculture,FoodandRuralEnterprise)–offer awidevarietyofcourseswithintheagri-food industry.

Speakingatthetime,MrPootssaid:“CAFRE hasawell renowned reputationwithinthe agri-foodindustryforprovidingexcellent tuitionandtrainingfacilitiesforthenext generationoffarmers,growersandagri-food personnel.

“ThebuildingsattheheartofLoughryand GreenmountCampuses,wherestudentslive, studyandsocialise,werebuiltover50years ago.

“Ouragri-foodsectorhasfacedmany challengesoverthepastcenturyandhas growntodevelopaglobal reputationforhigh qualityfoodandtraceability.

“Itisnowtimetoinvestineachcampusto providemodern,well-designedfacilitieswhich willmeettheneedsofstudents,staffand industryduringthenextcentury.

“TheplansforLoughrywillalsoincludea ScienceCentrewhichwillbesharedwithfood researchstaffintheAgri-FoodandBiosciences Institute(AFBI).Thesetopclassfacilitieswillbe thecentreofknowledgeandinnovationfor theindustryleadersanddecision-makersofthe future.” ■

EDUCAT ION, TR AI NI NG & SK IL LS

EDUCAT ION, TR AI NI NG & SK IL LS

Majornewstudentaccommodation buildingplannedfor TitanicQuarter

Amajornewstudent accommodationschemecouldbe builtintheTitanicQuarteramid freshlysubmittedplans.

The‘TQStudent Village’couldseefourblocks built–rangingfromfvetoninestoreys –betweenthenewOlympicHouseoffce buildingandBelfastMetropolitanCollege,and abletoaccommodateupto1,200students.

Thedevelopmentcouldinclude385,000sq ftofexternalfoorspace,café,associated communalfacilitiesincludinglandscaped courtyards,internalbinstoresandcyclestores, solarpanels,disabledparking,public realm provision,associatedsiteworksandextension of TitanicBoulevardtoformnewjunctionwith HamiltonRoad.

Thescheme,whichisbeingdeveloped by WatkinJonesGroupandLacuna Developments,hasalreadyundergoneapreapplicationandcommunityconsultation,but fullplanshavenowbeensubmitted.

“TheTQStudent Villagehasbeendesigned withcommunityatit’score,withaccessforits future residentstosomuchmorethanjusta bedroomorstudio,”supportingdocumentson behalfof ToddArchitectssay.

“Theproposalwepresentaspartofthis submissionincludesarangeoffacilitiesand servicestosupportbothstudyand relaxation inonelocation,allowing residentstoutilise schemespecifcstudyfacilities,andeasing pressureonlibraryspaceandthewider universityfacilitiesatpeaktimes.

“Theproposalsdescribeanew,contemporary andsustainablestudent residential developmentthatis rootedinthequalities ofthishistoricalmaritimesiteandupcoming waterfrontcommunity.

Whatthenewdevelopmentcould looklikewhencompleted

“Theschemewasconceivedasaperimeter block respondingtothedefnedurbanedges ofthemasterplanplot,aroundasecureprivate landscapecourtyardandiscomposedofa seriesof‘architecturalpieces’withvarying architecturalcharacterthroughmaterialtone andarticulationto readasacompositionof buildings respondingtothesiteandstreet contexts.

“Breaksinthemassingatupperfoorlevels articulatethis‘urbanassembly’allowing glimpseviewsthroughtoneighbouring buildingsaswellasthehistoriccranesat Harland& Wolff.”

Anumberofstudentschemesarecurrent beingproposedforBelfast.

Thatincludesplansfora£55mpurpose-built studentaccommodationdevelopmentin Belfastcitycentre.

PropertydevelopmentcompanySouthBank Squarehasannouncedthatithassubmitted aproposalofapplicationnoticetoBelfast

CityCouncilforanewstudentaccommodation development.

Thisisthefrststageinobtainingplanning permissionformajordevelopments.

Theproposeddevelopment,whichwillbe knownasTheGrattan,willinclude610 bedrooms,acafé, residentslounge,ftnesssuite, businesshubandlandscaped roofterraces.

ItwillbelocatedonthesiteoftheFanumHouse buildingonGreat VictoriaStreet.Theproposal willincludethedemolitionofthevacant 11-storeyoffcebuilding.

FanumHousewasformerlytheBelfast headquartersfornewspapersandmedia includingtheIrish TimesandSky,withits rooftopthesettingformanytelevision reports duringthe Troubles.

Meanwhile,Queen’sUniversityisplanning developanewschemebesideKainos’new proposedoffceontheDublinRoadinBelfast citycentre. ■

Recipe: ox tailand Korean rice cakes

JohnMulgrew’s slow-cookedoxtailrecipepackedwithAsianflavours andabigwhackofumamishowsthatgoodthingscometothosewhowait

Theverybestthingscomingoutof yourkitchencanoftentake a lotof time.

Inthekitchen,youcan reachfortheairfryeror panwhenyouwanttobashout a fewchicken thighsor a simplepastadish.Andalliswell.

Butslowcooking,in a bigheavypot,in a traditionaloven,atanythingaroundthe140C mark,willdeliveryou flavoursandnuances you’re unlikelyto findanywhere withoutthat

addedingredientoftime.

Beefcheekandshinare two finebovine exampleswhichbenefit,ormore accurately require,lowandslowcooking.

Mostofthethesecutsneed a lotoftimeto breakdownfatandcollagen.Andit’s these twoelementswhichhelpsaidcutsstaymoist, stickyanddeliciouslytender

Butoxtailisanotherlittleproteingemwhich

showsitsgreatesthandwhentreatedtohours uponhoursin a richstockorjus, a dashof booze,andthencarefully removedfromthe bone.

Whileit’llfare wellwithtraditionallyEuropean flavours, a slowbeefbourguignon,or a gentle ragu,packedwithtomato-richnessandsubtle herbaceousness.

However, it’llperformequallyaswellwith a big whackofAsian flavours – powerful,boldand

brassyumami,chilliheat,foralSichuanpepper andtackyandrichheavilycaramelisedallium. It’s nottraditionalsummerfare,butthenagain oursummersoftenstill requiringustowrapup warm.

Thisdishwillpairwithmoststarches,andyou’d traditionallybeinfuffy, steamedriceterritory here,orperhapschunkyudonnoodles.

Buttteokbokkioffersup a welcomechange fromcupboard staples.Theyare essentially steamedricecakeswhichtendtocomein chunkycylinders. You canfndthemonline fromthebig retailersoratyourlocalAsian supermarket.

Turningyourattentiontothestaroftheshow, I optedforex-dairycowoxtailonthisoccasion fromthesuperbfolksatKenakoBiltong. You canfndthematfoodmarketsororderonline, butyoushouldalsobeabletogetoxtailat a decentbutcher

Startwith a blobofbeeffatin a largecast ironorheavy-bottomedpotbefore adding yourbeef. You’llwanttoget a strongsearand caramelisationtobringoutthedeepestand richestfavour

Now, addinsome roughlychoppedshallots. Again,getsomeseriouscolourontheseand allowthesugarstopickupallsortsofmaroon andwalnuthues. You canaddin a coupleof piecesofstaranisewhiledoingthistohelp intensifythatdeepfavour

Nextyou’llwanttodeglazeyourpanwell.That fondonthebottomwillbekeytotheoverall characterandfavour You canaddwateror a littlestockbut a goodglugofboozeisaneven betterchoice. A dropofleftover red,whiteor somevermouthwilldothetrick.

Addingarlicand a littlebitofgingeralong withthe restofyouraromatics.Thatincludes Sichuanpepper, longpepper, blackpepper, chillifakes, a touchoffvespiceandMSG.

Forsomebodyandrichnessaddinhalf a tube oftomatopureeand a squeezeoftomato sauce.Reduceyourheatandcookthatdown a littlebefore addingbeefstockandbothdark andlightsoysauce.Justbecarefulwithyour seasoninghere asthemixture willcookdown. You’llwantyourliquidcoveringatleasttwothirdsofyourchunkofoxtail.

Stickonyourlidandplacein a preheatedoven

at140-150Cforaroundfourtosixhours.

Removefromtheovenandgiveit a little pokeand a jigglejusttocheckalliswell,then removetheoxtailandcarefultakethemeat fromthebone.

There maybe a lotoffatleftbehindsoyou maywishtodrainsomeoff,and removeany hard wholespices. You shouldbeleftwith a dark,richandglossysauce.Ifit’s toothick,you canaddsomewater, orifyouwant a thicker saucethen reducefor a fewminutesonthe hob.

Checkyourseasoningandbalanceanything youthinkismissing(alittlesugar, vinegaror salt,althoughyou’re likelytobefneinthe lattergivenallthestockandsoy).

Followtheinstructionstocookyourtteokbokki. It’s normallyjust a fewminutesinwaterwith theaccompanyingsauce.Removeandadd toyour reducedoxtailsauce,alongwiththe meat.

For a littleadditionalsavourykicksprinkleon someshopboughtcrispyonionsand a little furikakeseasoningforanumamiboost. ■

CoDownfrmtodeliver£60m Lord’sCricketGroundrevamp

ACoDownconstructionfrmhas beenselectedtotransformthe historicLord’s CricketGroundin Londonin a major£60mproject.

Grahamhasbeennamedasthepreferred bidderforthescheme,whichaimstoenhance spectatorexperience,increasecapacity, and modernisefacilitieswhilepreservingtherich heritageoftheground.

Lord’s CricketGroundissettoundergo a transformative redevelopmentproject encompassingthe Tavern andAllenStands.

“Throughoutthe redevelopment,Lord’s CricketGroundwill remainfullyoperational, ensuringminimaldisruptionandcontinued spectatoraccessduringthe2025and2026 seasons,”itsays.

“Theprojectinvolvesextensive repurposing ofthe Tavern Standwhile retainingitsiconic features,alongsidethedemolitionandmodern reconstructionoftheAllenStandtointegrate fullyaccessible,contemporaryMembers’and publicspectatoramenities.”

RobJoyce,developmentdirectoratGraham, said:“We are thrilledtoembarkonthis transformativeprojectatLord’s Cricket Ground.OurpartnershipwiththeMarylebone CricketClub(MCC)willdeliverworld-class sportinginfrastructure whilepreservingthe

richheritageofthishistoricvenue.

“Together, weaimtoenhancethemembers’ andpublicspectatorexperience,expand capacity, andusherin a neweraattheiconic homeofcricket.

“Thisproject represents a signifcantmilestone inourongoingcommitmenttoshapingvibrant, sustainablecommunitiesthroughexceptional constructionprojects.”

Whattherevampedgroundcouldlooklike

ThefrmwillworkalongsideGardiner & Theobald, WilkinsonEyre Architects,and Arcadistodelivertheproject,withconstruction workscheduledtostartinSeptember2024, before beingcompletedinMay2027.

Amongtheenhancements,theprojectwilladd atleast1,100additionalseats,improvingthe viewingexperienceforspectators.Furthermore, itwillincludetheconstructionof a newpitchfacinghospitality restaurantandsuites,offering premiumamenitiessuchasfoodandbeverage services,todeliveranenhancedmatchday experienceforvisitors.

RobertEbdon,MCCestatesdirector, said: “The redevelopmentofthe Tavern andAllen standswillcompleteourstanddevelopment programme,inwhichwehavemodernised facilitiesatLord’s tocontinuetoensure the ground remains a world-classvenueforcricket. Thestandswillalsostrengthentheclub’s already-impressivesustainabilitycredentials, andweare lookingforward totheconstruction phaseandworkingcloselywithGraham.”

Thelatestfguresshowthedomestictourismmarketis ontheup,withanalmost50%riseinvisitornumbers fromtheRepublic,alongwithspending. Ulster

Business takesacloserlook

NorthernIreland’stourismsector remainsakeycomponentinthe economyhere.

Andwhileit’sstillfndingitsinternationalfeet inthewakeofthepandemic,thedomestic marketappearstobethriving,ifthelatest fguresareanythingtogoby.

NorthernIrelandhasseenvisitornumbersfrom theRepublicrisingbyalmosthalfinthespace ofayear.

Thelatestoffcialfguresshowsovernight trips roseby46%,whilespendingwasupby £86.5m.

Therewere1.3milliontripstakenbyvisitors fromtheRepublicduring2023.

“Thesetripstranslatedintoalmostthree millionovernightstaysandspendofmorethan £267m,anincreaseof48%onthenumbers recordedin2022,” TourismNIsaid.

“TheCentralStatisticsOffce(CSO)data showedthatalltypesoftourismgrewrapidly in2023–holidaytrips,visitingfriendsand relatives,andbusinesstourism.”

Researchconductedby TourismNIhasfound thatthevastmajorityofRepublicofIreland visitorstoNIhadtheirexpectationsmatchedor

exceeded.“Therangeofthingstoseeanddo, thequalityoffoodanddrink,andthewarmth ofthewelcomewereratedmosthighly,”it said.

Thereweresome897,000visitsfromthe RepublictoNorthernIrelandin2022.Butthat numberincreasedto1.3millioninthespaceof justoneyear.

Andspendingisalsoup,withanalmost50% surgebetween2022and2023.

“These resultsareexceptional,especiallygiven thetougheconomicclimateandtheincreased levelsofcompetitionfromotherdestinations,” TourismNIchiefexecutive,JohnMcGrillensaid.

“Weareclearly reapingthe rewards ofadditionalinvestmentinnewvisitor experiencesin recentyears,andincreased marketingandpromotionintheRepublicof Ireland.

“Our researchshowsthateverypartofNI isbeneftingfromthisinvestmentandthe verystronggrowthinvisitornumbersand spendwhichhas resultedfromit.Whilethere continuetobechallengesfortheindustry, these resultsdemonstratetourism’sgrowth potentialaswelooktothefuture”.

Meanwhile,thelatestNI TourismConference 2024broughttogetherover300delegates fromlocaltourismbusinesses,includinghotels, hospitality,visitorattractionsandexperiences, transportandtourcompanies,heritagebodies, musicvenues,airports,distilleriesandmany more.

Itheardthattourismhasthegreatestpotential ofanysectorinthelocaleconomytodrive growthinall regionsofNorthernIreland.

Hostedby TourismNIwithparticipationfrom TourismIrelandandotherpartner,morethat 60%ofthedelegatesattheeventin Titanic

Belfastcamefromthetourismindustryoutside ofBelfast.

“With70%ofjobslocatedoutsideofBelfast, thebeneftsoftourismarespreadthroughout the region,”EconomyMinisterConorMurphy said.

“Andgiventhattheindustryisprimarilymade upoflocalSMEs,wecanbeconfdentthat thesebeneftsare retainedand reinvested locally.

“Ihavesetoutmyplanstohelpgrowtourism evenfurther.Iwillsoonestablisha Tourism PartnershipBoardtoworkwithmeandthe DepartmenttodevelopanActionPlanto enabletheindustrytocontinuetogrow,and togrowinawaythatalignswithmyEconomic Visionofaproductive, regionallybalanced,net zeroeconomywithgoodjobs.”

Theconferenceheardfromarangeof inspiringandinteractivespeakersandpanels fromtheindustry,andwas remindedthat tourismisaforceforgoodinNorthernIreland, contributingover£1bntotheeconomyand almost75,000jobs,ofwhich70%areoutside Belfast.

Addressingdelegates,MrMurphysaidtourism isoneofourmostimportanteconomicsectors andkeytodispersingwealthrightacrossthe regionandimprovingproductivity.

Intermsoftheaccommodationonoffer, someofNorthernIreland’sleadinghotelshave investedconsiderablyintheirofferings.

ThatincludestheCullodenEstate&Spa, whichhascompleteda£600,000upgrade anddebuteda refreshedvisualbrandidentity.

AndfellowHastingsHotelsproperty,the Europa,hasannouncedthecompletionof afve-year renewalprojectofthehotel, followinga£15minvestment.

Theextensive renovationprogramme encompassesupgradestoall272guest bedrooms,theLobbyBar,PianoRestaurant, themeeting roomsonthesecondfoorand a remodellingofthepenthouseonthe12th foor.

However,whilethere remainfreshplanning applicationsforglampingpodsandsiteshere, oneofNorthernIreland’sbiggestglamping podbusinesseshasgoneintoadministration.

FurtherSpaceoperates11sitesacrossIreland andtheUK,featuringso-calledglamping pods,oftenatpicturesquelocations.

Setupin2017,itgrewintoabusinesswith morethan60luxurypods,withaspirations ofexpandingtheoperationtowelcomemore than2.6millionvisitorsacross650locations aspartofagrand10-yearplan.

Butadministratorshavenowbeenappointed toFurtherSpaceLtd.It’sbelieved11 FurtherSpacesiteswill remainopentotry andaddresscustomer,landlordandother stakeholderinconvenience,whilethevalue oftheassetsare realisedandpotentiallysold on. ■

GeorgeClarke,presenter,withEllvenaGraham,chairof TourismNorthernIreland,EconomyMinisterConorMurphy, andAliceMansergh,chiefexecutiveof TourismIrelandattheNI TourismConference2024

MichaelDeane openingnew cityrestaurant

RestaurateurMichaelDeanehas launchedanew restaurantin Belfastcitycentreinthespace formerlyoccupiedbyhisMichelin-starred EipicandLoveFish.

MrDeanesaidthenameofhisnewvenue,Mr Deane’sBistroBarandSocial,wasatributeto hislatefather Ted.

It’sduetoopenonMay31intheHoward StreetpremisesformerlyoccupiedbyLoveFish andDeanesEipic.

MrDeaneannouncedtheclosureofEipiclate lastyear,blamingtherisingcostoflivingas customersoptedforlower-pricedoptionsfor eatingout.ItsformerchefAlexGreenehas takenovertheBucksHeadinDundrum.

MrDeanesaid:“I’mveryinvigoratedfor thelaunchofMrDeanes.Ournewconcept harnessesmuchofwhatwe’vebeenwell knownforoverthe27yearswe’vebeenin

businessinthecity.

“Therewillbeanodtoourlegacyoperations fromDeanesBrasserie,DeanesDeliandLove Fish.

“Ifrmlybelieveitwillexciteourexistingloyal customersaswellasattractnewdinersto Deanes.Intermsofthebusinessmyoverall aimistounderpinsustainabilityandsecure jobsgoingforward.

“The restaurantwillconsistentlyservetop qualityingredients,skilfullycookedaswell asanextensiveselectionofdrinks,infresh, contemporarysurroundings.That’swhatwe’ve setouttodo.”

MrDeanesBistroBarandSocialwillopenfor business TuesdaytoSaturdayforlunchand dinner.

The restaurateurannouncedthatDeanesMeat Locker,alsoonHowardStreet,willclosefor

threeweeksfora“refresh”andtoextend customercapacity.

Meanwhile,BelfastpizzachainOrtohas openedanewcitycentrelocationaspartof the relaunchofoutdoorbarTheBone Yard

Ortoalreadyhasa restaurantonStranmillis andanotheron TalbotStreetinthecitycentre –theformerbranchwaslistedamongthe SundayLife’stop10 restaurantsof2023.

ItalsohasathirdlocationonBedfordStreet, whichopenedlastyear.

NowTheBone Yard nexttoPugUglyson BedfordStreetwillbeitssecond‘SlicebyOrto’ outlet.

Thenewlocation reopenedaspartofthe relaunchofTheBone Yard,whichwillseethe venuealsopartnerwithchickenwingvenue WingItandHiBurger.Upuntilnow,HiBurger hadsolelybeenbasedatBananaBlockonthe NewtownardsRoadineastBelfast.

WingIt,whichserves“properchickenwings” fromafoodhatchattachedtotheBotanicInn onMaloneRoad,wasnamedoneofthebest restaurantsinNIandIrelandattheDeliveroo Restaurant Awards. ■

‘Everythingjust seems to be taking a terriblehike’

JillyDougan ofcateringfrm YellowDoor talksto MargaretCanning aboutmanaging costs,thewildboarswhichgotherintothe foodworldandthecompany’ssustainability

Pricerisesare nothingnewinthe hospitalityindustry, andasitlooks aheadtoChristmas,cateringfrm YellowDoorispuzzlingoverhowto managetherisingcostofchocolate.

JillyDougan, a directorofthecompanyandthe wifeoffounderSimon,saysthe reasonsbehind risingpricesare amongthegeo-politicalfactors feedingintoitscommitmenttosustainability

That’s beenthecatalystforthecompany applyingfortheSustainableRestaurant Association’s FoodMadeGoodStandard, leadingtoitwinningtwo-staraccreditation.

Jillysays:“There’sa lotofstuff youdowhich makesyouthinkyouare reallysustainable alreadybuttheprocessputsittothetest.

“Simonand I are nowinourmid-50s,soyou’re thinking,‘whatkindofworldare youleaving foreverybody?’”

Workingwithanenvironmentalcharityduring thepandemicwasanothereye-opener, she says.“Youbecomemore aware oftheclimate crisis,andthen,ofcourse,you’re lookingat weatherpatterns,foodshortagesandgeopoliticalevents.

“Thenyouhavewheatshortagesandtheprice ofchocolateandcocoagoingthroughthe roof becauseof a failedharvest.There’sa lotto navigatenow

“Allhospitalityisdiffcultwithrisingcostsand energy Gettingand retainingstaff withthe rightskillsis a challengeaswell.

“Thecostofeverythingfromingredientsto packagingisgoingupandupandup,and chocolateseemstobethenextthingthat’s exponentiallygoingthroughthe roof.

“We have a wholesalebakeryaswellsowe’re sittingdownandsaying,‘whatcanwemake that’s wonderfulbutdoesn’t havechocolate?’

“We’re notstoppingusingit,butitdoes affectanythingnewwe’re developing. We’re thinkingnowaboutChristmasforour corporateclients.

“We’re thinking,‘peoplelike a chocolatey thingbecauseit’s luxury, butit’s goingtobe deadlyexpensive,sowhatelsecanwedo that’s goingtobegorgeousthatdoesn’t have chocolateinit?’

Accordingto researchbyJPMorgan,drought causedbyclimatechangehasdestroyedcrops in WestAfrica,where 80%oftheworld’s cocoaoutputcomesfrom.Oneestimate suggeststhattheglobalcocoasupplywillfall byalmost11%.

YellowDoors’surroundingsinCoArmagh, knownastheOrchard County, mayhelpit mitigatetheeffectsofnotbeingabletouseas muchchocolate.

“We’re usingthingsmadewithArmagh BramleyApplesbutweelevatethatwith a stickytoffeesauceandbutterycrumble. We havegreatpastrychefswhoare verycreative, andthey’re fat-outgooglingwhat’s ontrend anddifferent.”

YellowDoorwasestablished30yearsagoand employs70peopleacross a wholesalebakery, a deli restaurantinPortadownanditscatering operations.Buttheseare toughtimesforthe entire sector

“Everythingjustseemstobetaking a terrible hikeand a lotofthatisdowntoenergy Rice, forinstance,hastotravel –a lotofthatstuff wetakeforgrantedhastotravel – sothat’s another reasontokeepitaslocalasyoucan.”

Jillyruns a gardenwhichsuppliesthe Yellow

Dooroperationwithherbs.“We’re notselfsuffcientandthere’s nopointingrowingspuds andonions.Butwedogrowthestuff that makes a differenceandthatwouldsufferfrom havingtotravel.

“We concentrateonfreshherbs. You can’t beat just-pickedparsleyandcoriander, chervil,fresh mint,saladleaves,lotsofdifferenttypesand cherrytomatoes,whichseemtoripenbetter where weare.

“To getthemostbangforyourbuck, ratherthangrowpeasintheshell,wegrow mangetoutorsugarsnap.Who’s gotthetime tobeshellingpeas?

“We haveanorchard here toowithapplesand pears.Peoplesay, ‘Ican’t cook’,but I saythatif you’vegotlovelyfreshingredients,thenyou’re

assemblingthemandyoudon’t havetothink ofitascooking.”

BothSimonandJillystartedoutinseparate foodbusinessesintheirearly20s,Jillywith MoyallonFoodsandSimonwith YellowDoor “You’vegotmore enthusiasmthanwitatthat point,whichisprobably a goodthing.

“There are more artisanproducersnow, but 30yearsagotheythoughtyouwerea bitmad fortryingtodosomethingdifferentorfunky Butthere are nowsomanypeopledoing different,funkythings.Thatwouldgiveyou confdenceinthefoodindustryandwhere it’s going.”

Therateofclosuresamongwell-known restaurantsis a concern,andshesaysshewas shockedto recently readaboutone restaurant

facing a rentincreasefrom£60,000 a yearto £100,000.

“Lookathowmanygreat restaurantswehave, butitisworryingthateveryweekwehave placesclosing.

“Thankfullywe’vebeeninbusiness a longtime andSimonownsthepremises,butifyou’re rentingpremisesandthat rentgoesup,it’s awful.Foreveryonethesedays,it’s nothow muchisleft,butwhetherthere’s anythingleft atallfor a proft.”

ThecouplenowlivenearBlearyinCoArmagh, closetowhere Jillygrewupandstarted MoyallonFoods.

Shehadstudiedbusinessbutinitiallywantedto workwithhorses.“IwenttoKylemore Studfor a season,whichwasbrilliant. I camebackand myfathersaid,‘whatdoyouwanttodowith yourlife?’

“So I wantedtofarm,butnotthattypical formofintensivefarming.So I startedkeeping wildboar, which I wouldtaketoanabattoir.I turned a shedinthefarmyard into a verysmall butchery

“Throughtime I hadquite a bigfactorythat employedquite a fewpeoplebutsometimes beingaheadofyourtimeisn’ta goodthing.

“Ihaditfor18yearsbutunfortunatelyhadto putitintovoluntaryliquidationin2009dueto a combinationofthings,andtheassetswere boughtbyPeterHannanofHannanMeats. I wentandworkedthere afterwards.”

Jillysaysher rolein YellowDoorismainlyin thebackground.“Ihelpedoutlastyearatthe gardenpartyinHillsboroughaswewere really tightforstaff so I got ropedintothat,butit happensrarely

“Ithinkwe’vealwaystakentheapproachto havebusinessandthemarriageseparate.” ■

JillyDougan

TECH NOLO GY

Apple’snew thinnerand morepowerfuliPad

ApplehasjustlaunchedaslewofnewiPads.Therearesomethingsto likealot,whileotherthingsmayleavepotentialbuyerswondering.When allofthespecificationsandfeaturesaretakenintoaccount,herearethe essentialprosandconsofthenewdevices,writes Adrian Weckler

WHAT’SGOOD

1Power

There’samassiveincreaseinsheerengine powerunderthehoodofboththenewiPad ProandiPadAir,notonlycomparedwiththeir predecessorsbutwhenplacedagainstmost otherlaptops.

TheiPadProisthefirsttogetApple’sM4 chip,whichisaround50%fasterthantheM2 processor(thelastoneinanupdatediPad) and,onpaper,fasterthancurrentpowerful M3MacBookAirlaptops.Thehigher-storage versionsofthenewiPadProalsonowhave 16GBofRam(comparedwith8GBforthesub1TBversions),abigupgrade.

Indemoafterdemoatthelaunchevent,this musclepowerwasevident,withultra-complex graphicsand renderingprojectsslicedthrough likebutter.TheiPadAirgetsalesser,though stillsignificant,upgrade,goingfromanM1 chiptoanM2processor.

2Lighterweight

TheiPadProhasslimmeddownalot,now weighingjustbetween0.45kg(11-inchmodel) and0.58kg(13-inchmodel).Onthelarger model,that’saweight reductionofaround 13%.Pairedwiththenewslimmer,lighter MagicKeyboard,itmeansthatafullysetup 13-inchiPadPronowweighslessthanan13inchMacBookAir(1.27kg)forthefirsttime. Forpeoplewhotravelalotforwork,that’san addedinducement.

3

UpgradedscreenqualityiniPadPro Forsome,thebiggestupgradeinthenew iPadProsarethescreens.Thesearenow very,veryvividOleddisplayswithmaximum brightnesslevelsof1,000nits(1,600nits peak).There’salsoanewanti-glarenanotextureglassoptionforultra-professional users.

4

Abetter-placedwebcam Applehasfinally relentedonitswebcam placementerror–ithasbeenmovedfromthe ‘top’,vertically,tothe‘top’,horizontally.This

meansthatwhenbothnewiPadsareused withkeyboardcasesaslaptops,videocallsand presentationsarefromamuchbetterphysical position.

5

AbiggeriPadAir

Althoughitwasunderplayedalittle,there wasatotallynewiPadlaunchedatthisevent –a13-inchiPadAir.Thisisalmostthesame machineaslargerM1andM2versionsof thepreviousiPadPro,withanM2processor underthehoodandcompatibilitywithMagic KeyboardandthemoreadvancedApple

Pencils.Theusecaseforthismachine,Ithink, willbepeoplewholikeusingalarge-screen iPadforworkandotherstuff,butwhodon’t needallthehigh-endgraphicsthatyouget withthe(much)moreexpensive13-inchiPad Pros.

6NewApplePencilPro

ForthosewhouseanApplePencil,the newmodelisprettyimpressive,incorporating anewsqueezefeatureforchoosingdifferent functions.Atleastasimportantisitsinclusion inthe‘FindMy’ecosystem,asPencilsare uptherewithAirPodsasaccessoriesthat frequentlygetmislaid.

WHAT’SNOTSOGOOD

1Pricing

There’sbeenahikeinpricingandthe new11-inchiPadProM4costsfrom£999 –ariseonthepreviousentry-level11-inch iPadPromodel.The13-inchiPadPro costsfrom£1,299,anincreaseoverthe previousmodel.

To befair,Applehasbumpedthe minimumstoragefrom128GBto256GB ontheseupdatedmodels,andtheydo sporttheabsolutelatest-and-greatest

M4chips,unavailableyeteventoApple’s MacBooks.

Evenstill,amaxed-out13-inchiPadProM4 costs£2,399with2TBofstorageandnanotextureglass.Andthat’sbeforeanykeyboard orPencilaccessory.That’sanawfullotof money.Thenew11-inchiPadAircostsfrom £599whilethenew13-inchiPadAircosts from£799.Afullymaxed-out13-inchiPadAir with1TBofstorageandcellularconnectivity costs£1,449.

2Batterylife

I’malittledisappointedinthisone.While theiPadPro’sbatterylifeisfairlydecent–“up to”10hours–ithasbeenstuckonthesame levelforseveralyearsnow.There’snobudging onthisinspecifcationsofthenewmodels. While“upto”10hourssoundsfne,the MacBookshavedoubledtheir“upto”battery timesto22hours.SotheiPadPro,asan alternativetoalaptoporaMacBook,isfalling behindinbatterylongevityforpowerusers.

To befair,theupgradedspecifcations–in particularthatultra-brightdisplay–arebound todrawmoreonthedevice’spower.Soit’s possible,intheoryatleast,thatitmayexceed previousiPadPromodelsonbatterylifeifthe screen’sbrightnessiskepttoamediumlevel andisn’tallowedtospikeuparoundthat 1,000to1,600nitspoint. ■

Howdidyoustartoutinyourbusiness?

Iworkedinthemarketingdepartmentsof theUlsterOrchestra,andTheOldMuseum ArtsCentre,beforeIlandedthejobof pressoffceroftheGrandOperaHousein 1995.TheeightyearsIspentduringmy frstperiodofemploymentatthetheatre equippedmewiththeskillsandconfdence tosetupmyownmarketingcompanyin the WestEnd,workingwithseveralofthe UK’sleadingtheatreproducers.Alongside runningmyowncompany,Iwasmarketing directorofQdosEntertainment,oneofthe largestentertainmentcompaniesinEurope, andmarketingdirectorofHQTheatresand Hospitality,theUK’ssecond-largestvenue operator.Thelattergavemeexperienceofa seniormanagement roleinmanagingtheatres andI returnedtotheGrandOperaHouseasits chiefexecutivein2017.

Whathaveyoufoundthemost challengingduringyouryearsofbusiness, sofar?

ReopeningtheTheatrefollowingits£12.2m restorationand redevelopmentin2021during thepandemicwascertainlychallenging. Becauseoftheuncertaintyastowhen businessescouldopenfullywithoutsocial distancing,wemovedthe reopeningdate fourtimes,andhadto reschedulearound thirtyproductionsaswedealtwithcancelled andpostponedshows.Whenwe receivedthe newsthatwecould reopen,wehadlessthan oneweektomobilisetheentireoperationin readinessforSixtheMusicalonOctober6, 2021.Iamveryproudofmycolleaguesfor theirdriveanddeterminationingettingthe Theatreopenagain,andforthewaythey dealtwiththemanychangesandmeasures introducedtokeepaudiencessafeatthattime.

Name: Ian Wilson

Position: Chiefexecutive,GrandOperaHouse

Howwouldyoudescribeyour managementstyle?

Transformational,focussed,participativeand supportive.Butlikeallchiefs,Ihavelearntover theyearstoadaptmyapproachtosituations whichthankfullyhasbecomeeasiertheolderI become.

Whatwouldyouchangeifyoucouldgo backanddoitallagain?

I regretnotlearningaforeignlanguage.Like manypeople,Icangetbyonholiday,butan in-depthknowledgeofalanguagegivesyoua widerperspectiveofacountry,itsculture,and people.ItisonethingIwouldadviseyoung peopletopursue,andthereisnodoubtat timesinmycareeritwouldhavebeenuseful.

Haveyoudoneitallonyourown?

Runningatheatre requiresmanyspecialist roles, soitisverymuchateameffort.Aftereach performance,thoseonstage receiveapplause, butGrandOperaHousestaffalsodeserve astandingovationfortheircommitmentto theTheatre,fortheirstewardshipofoneof

NorthernIreland’smosticonicbuildings,and forwelcomingover300,000peopleeachyear. Iamblessedtobesurroundedbytalented colleagueswhosharemypassionforbringing theartstoaswideanaudienceaspossible.

Howwouldyoulikeyourbusiness/ organisationtobe remembered?

Iwouldlikeustobe rememberedasthe teamthattransformedthefortunesofthe GrandOperaHousethroughthespectacular restorationoftheTheatrein2020/2021, fordeliveringanunrivalledandappealing performanceprogrammewhichattracted recordaudiences,andforcreatinga robust, thriving,andsustainableorganisationthathas protectedtheGrandOperaHouseforfuture generationsandcontributedsignifcantlyto NorthernIrelandplc.

Whatpieceofadvicewouldyougivetoa 20-year-oldyou?

Youhavepoweroveryourmind–notoutside events.Realisethis,andyouwillfndstrength (MarcusAurelius). ■

Thecolumnwithan earforexperience...

Kainospre-taxproftsup 14%asitheadsto3,000staff

IT servicesgiantKainoshasseenits pre-taxproftsriseby14%asitheads towards a workforceofalmost3,000 staff.

TheBelfast-headquarteredbusinesssawsales risingto£382.4m,upfrom£374.8m,while pre-taxproftsnowstandat£77.2mforthe fnancialyearendingMarch31,2024.

Itsawstrongperformancesacrossvariousarms ofthebusinessduringthelastyear

“Notwithstandingtheglobaleconomic uncertainty, webelievethatourlargest businessareas, WorkdayProducts, Workday Services,andthepublicsectorsegmentof DigitalServices(together, 80%of revenue)will continuetodelivergrowth,inboththenear termandmediumterm,”itsays

“Intheyearaheadweexpect a return to growthforourhealthcare business.Thiswill beoffsetintheneartermbyfurthermodest reductionsin revenuesfromourcommercial sectorcustomerswithinDigitalServices,butwe expect a return togrowthforourcommercial sectorcustomersinthemediumterm.”

Thecompanyisnowdeveloping a newhead offceontheDublinRoadinBelfast.

However, itsayspublicsectorbusinesssuchas NHSworkdeclined“drivenbypost-pandemic budgetconstraints”.

LookingoutsidetheUKandIreland,Kainos said“withtheUKasanearlyadopterof digitaltransformation,theopportunityexists to replicateourhomemarketsuccessin internationaljurisdictions”.

“InEurope,ourinitialfocusisprimarilyon commercialcustomersinGermanyand Switzerland,withorganisationssuchas Worldline,NexiGroupandGEA.

“InNorthAmerica,weare makingprogress

acrosspublicsector, commercialsectorand thehealthcare sectorwithorganisationsthat includetheProvinceofNovaScotia,WPPand theGovernmentofOntario.”

Thefrmhasincreaseditsworkforcetoalmost 3,000basedacross14globaloffces.

“Ourlatest results, record our14thconsecutive yearofgrowthwithdisciplinedexecutioninthe currentmacro-economicclimate,”Kainoschief executive,RussellSloan,said.

“We havebeenfocusedonouroperational performance,maintainingtheappropriate balancebetweengrowth,international expansion,investmentforthefuture and proftability We are gratefulforthesupport andtrustthatourcustomerscontinuetoplace inKainostodelivertheircriticalprojects.

“Customersatisfactionlevelsare high,and oneofthebestmeasuresofthatsatisfaction isthehighlevelof repeatbusinesswhichwe

receivefromourcustomers.Ourexcitement isincreasingaboutour WorkdayProducts division.

“Thisyear’s excellentperformanceisanother signifcantsteptowardsourgoalof£100 millionARR(annual recurring revenue)by 2026. We are furtherdelightedthatourfourth andlatestproduct,EmployeeDocument Management,hasbeenourmostsuccessful productlaunchtodate,with26international clientsalreadysignedup.

“We remainconfdentthere willbefurther opportunitiestodevelopnew, innovative productsaswecontinuetoengagecloselywith Workdayandwithourcustomers.”

Hesaidthefrm’s DigitalServicesdivisionhas seen a “solidperformancewithconsistent demandfrompublicsectorclients,strong growthinourcore healthcare business (excludingpandemic related revenue)despite a reductioninourcommercialbusiness”. ■

RussellSloan

Review:

New Belfast cofee shop ofering sweetand savoury taste of Vietnam

JohnMulgrew paysavisittonewly-opened Vietnamesecoffeespot Phin toseehowboth thesweetandthesavouryperform

It’ssomethingofunderstatementtosay thatBelfast’sOrmeauRoadhasalotof coffeeshops.

Asidefromafewmonthsduringtheheady daysofthepizzaboom–inwhichpurveyors ofbakeddoughappearedtobepopping upinthearealikenewbuildsbeforea propertycrash–there’sasizeablepresenceof everythingcaffeine-relatedalonga relatively smallstretchofthesouthBelfastsuburb.

But WilliamChan’slatesthospitalityventure Phinisbringingsomethingalittledifferentto themixinaseaoflattesandfatwhites.

Foranyonefamiliarwithhisprevious restaurant,MadamePho(ofwhichthereare nowseverallocations),you’llknowthereare highstandards regardingwhatcomesoutof

thekitchen.Big,steamingbowlsofhotstock andnoodles,toppedwithbrisket,light,clean and refreshingsummer rolls,andsticky,fsh sauce-ladensaltychickenwingswhichare amongthebestI’veevereaten.

He’ssincesoldthatbusinessonwards,andis focusingonbringing Vietnamesecoffeeand itsaccoutrementsbacktoBelfast.Therewas a VietnamesecoffeespotonGreat Victoria Streetforafewyears,butsadlyisshutits doorsawhileback.

PhinislocatedattheformerDistrictcoffee spotjustbesidethePavilionbar.It’sundergone abright redesignandfaceliftinside–bringing forthsomewoodenpanelling,subwaytiles withalightandairyambienceandaesthetic.

Itopenedwithitsinitialcoffeeofferingand

sweetnibblesbeforequicklystartingto roll out Vietnam’sstreetfoodclassic–thebánhmì sandwich.

Turningfrsttothecaffeine,whiletheusual offeringsareavailable,it’sthewarmoriced versionsof Vietnamesecoffeestapleswhich shouldgarneryourattention.Thatincludes Hanoieggcoffeeandapandancoconutlatte.

Manyoftheseiterationsaresweetenedand givensomeaddedbodythankstotheaddition ofcondensedmilk.

Iaskfora recommendationandgetthe ubecoconuticedlattetotakeaway.I’m immediatelygreetedwithabrandedPhin plasticcupwithataupetosoftpurplegradient towardsthebottom.Theube–apurpleyam–addstheprofoundcolour.It’srich,sweetand haslittlenuttynuancesoftoastedcoconut, temperedwithsomebitternessandgrownup favourfromthecoffeeitself.

It’stheperfectthingforahotday–here’s

Ubecoconuticed coffeefromPhin

hopingwegetafewinthedaysandweeksto come.

Turningtothefood,intermsofsavoury offerings–inadditiontoheftythickcookies andotherbakedsweetitems–it’s reallyjust

threeiterationsoftheclassic Vietnamesebánh mìatthemoment.

Thebánhmìisnormallyawell-constructedand balancedpieceofsandwichmaking. You’re bringinginallthekeyfavourtickboxes–

Classicbánhmìx2 £18

Icedubecoconutlatte£4.80

Chocolatecookie £4.50

Total £27.50

someproteinandsodiumfromthe roasted pork,zestandacidfromthevegetables,anda littleheatfromaccompanyingchillisauce.

Ioptfortheclassic–thecharsuiporkand pate.I’vehaditbeforewithsomethingmore akintoatraditionalporkorchickenliverpate, andthataddssome requisitekickandironheft toproceedings.

Thisismoreakintoalargeformedsausage, andthensliced,withthedensertexture andaspringtoit,almostlikeporkhasletin appearance.

IthitsmanyoftherightnotesImentioned earlier.There’ssomegoodpicklinggoing onhereandthelittleshredsofacarrotand daikonaddsomeacidityandalittlesweetness, withcleancucumberbringingforthadditional freshness.

Theporkitselfistenderwiththat unmistakeableedgeof redandalittlefve spicekick.Buttherecoulddefnitelydowith beingmoreofit,especiallytobalanceoutthe breadtoproteinratioasthere’safairchunk ofdoughtomakeyourwaythroughbefore hittingthegoodstuffinside.

Overall,itallcomestogetherinonecohesive mouthful,liftedbyalittlegrassyfreshness thankstoafewpiecesofcoriander.

There’safairlygoodcrowdinduringmyvisit tograbatakeaway,andothertimesI’ve meanderedpastPhinitappearstobefull.And that’swelcometosee,especiallygivenitsa businesswhichhasonly recentlyopenedits doorsandentersacrowdedmarketplaceand sectorwhichisfacingsomeofthetoughest timesin recentyears.

There’sstrongfoodiepedigreeinthehospitality lineagehere,given WilliamChan’sprevious businessjourney.Let’shopewecanseemore ofthemarvelof Vietnamesefoodmakingits waytothetablesofPhinasthecustomerbase andinterestgrows. ■ THEBILL

Themenu atPhin

Phin’sclassicbanh misandwich

‘We’vehadaninteresting year with triplegrowth inourhomemarket’

CoDowndermatologist DrSamBunting speaksto MargaretCanning aboutbranchingoutintoretail, supportiveparents,andrunningforIreland

Thereareplentyoffamousnames fromNorthernIrelandinthebeauty trade,butDrSamBuntingfromCo Downhasbeenbelowtheradarcompared toothers.

Butthatmaysoonchange,asthe dermatologist,whostudiedmedicineat CambridgeafterattendingRegentHouse GrammarSchool,willsoonbetakingher productstothehighstreet.

Herpared-backrangeofskincareproductshas beenamassivesuccessonlineandthrough socialmedia,withalmost£6minsalesandpretaxproftsofaround£1mlastyear.

DrBunting’sowninstructionalvideoson usingherskincarehavealsogained233,000 subscriberson YouTube,aprocesswhich shethinksismakingspecialistadviceon dermatologymoreaccessible.Whenwespeak, she’sen routetoNew YorktomeetPRsand infuencerstohelpspreadthewordabout herproducts–suchaslikecleaners,serums, moisturisersandsunscreens–allsoldunder thebrandDrSam’sSkincare.

“We’vehada reallyinterestingyear,withtriple growthinourhomemarketoftheUKand internationally,particularlytheUS. “Ithinkthisistheyearwe’reprobablygoing tobegoinginto retailatsomepointthisyear. Havingkeptitverycarefullydirecttoconsumer, it’stimetohaveamoreomni-channel approach.

“Wecouldhavebeeninstoresfromthefrst fewweeksofthebusinessbutIveryquickly

becamefascinatedbythee-commercespace andhavingcustomerdataand reallybeingable toimplementchangequicklybasedonwhat wasworkingorwasn’tworking.”

Shestartingsellingherskincareonlinesix yearsago,eightyearsafteropeningherown dermatologyclinicinLondon,whichshestill operates.Nowherrangeof16productsissold inover160countries.

DrBuntingsays:“Wordofmouthisourthirdbiggestdriverforcustomersandit’spowerful whenpeoplediscoverthebrandasthey becomeveryloyaltoitandwanttotelltheir friendsaboutit.

“Customer retentionhasbeenbrilliantfor us,it’scurrentlyat40%andsubscriptionsare about23or24%ofthebusiness.

“Buttherebecomesapointintimewhere, ifyou reallywanttoscaleintermsofbrand awareness, retailisjustthefastestway. We’ve stresstestedalltheaspectsofthebusinessin termsofprocessandsupplychainandwe’ve somegreatexpertiseinhouse.”

DrBuntingsaysshehasn’tyetdecidedon a retailpartnerbutisintalkswiththree signifcantplayersintheworldofbeauty.

Whileskinproblemscanaffictadultsasmuch asteenagers,whenshesufferedfromacne herselfasastressed-out,under-sleptjunior doctor,shefoundtherewasn’tanythingout theretohelp.

Andskincareproblemscanalso resurface

aswomengetolder.“Traditionallyantiageingformulastendnottobeformulated withblemish-proneskininmindandatthat pointintimealotoftheblemish-proneskin marketwasfocusedpurelyonteenagers,with packagingandformulationswhichdidn’t suitskinthatwasperhapsmoresensitiveand pronetobarrierdysfunction.

“SoIsawa realnichebecauseIwasseeing manywomencomingtotheclinicwithalotof thesameproblemsasme.Sotheclinicquickly becameaplaceforpeoplewantingguidance andwedevelopedprotocolstohelpsort problemsout.

“Itwasaboutgettingskin readyforweddings, helpingwomenafterhavingbabiesandallthe differenttouchpointsinthelifecyclewhere thingscangowrong,particularlyforwomen whenhormonescomeintoplay.

“Ithinkit’sthatkindoftrustand reliancethat peoplehaveinthebrandbecausewe’ve really thoughtabouttheformulas.

“IdidpharmacologyatCambridgeaspart ofmydegreewhenIwasstudyingmedicine andI’vealwaysbeenfascinatedbyhowyou combineingredientstoget results. We are anon-prescriptionskincarebrand.That’s intentionalbecauseIwanttobeabletoaccess asmanypeopleaspossibleandnotbelimited byneedingtoseeadoctorinadvance.”

Andwhileasuccessfulbusinesswomanand Cambridgegraduatewhonowemploys18 peoplemaynotseemlikelytobeplaguedwith self-doubt,shesays:“I’maveryappearance

consciouspersonandquiteasensitivesoul.”

Herinterestindermatologyasaspecialismwas sparkedbyAmericandermatologistsandtheir approach.

“AlotsoonerthantheUKtheyembraced beautyaspartofthespectrumofthingsthat adermatologistwouldtreat.Soitwasn’tjust aboutsolvingdisease,itwasaboutbeautifying skills,thatappealedtomeonquiteadeep level,Isuppose,whenIwentthroughmyown personalexperiences.”

ShegrewupinDonaghadeewithparents EleanorandStanleyandonebrother, Sheldon,who’snowavetinLondon.

“Neitherofmyparentswentto universitysotheirthinkingwas, ifthekidsaresmart,we’llfnd away.

“Mymumwasalwaysincredibly supportive.Hersisterhad theopportunitytoapplyfor Oxbridgebutitdidn’twork outforvariousfamily reasons somymumwasoftheopinion thatmybrotherandIwouldn’t havelimitationsonwhatwecould achieve.”

Butacademicabilitywasn’theronly strength.“Iwasverysportyaswell asbeingacademicandIwasasprint hurdlerandcompetedforIreland.Iwas secondinIrelandatonepointinthe UKandseventhintheUK.Iwasquite competitive.”

Andherownskinproblemshavenowgone away.“Asawoman,youarejudgedupon yourskinandyoucan’tbeinthisbusiness withoutpeoplelookingatyoutodecideif youknowwhatyou’redoing.I’mpretty fortunateandpeopleseemtothink thatmyskin refectsmywork.”

DrSamBunting

DavidHenry,IanHenry,JimHenry,and JulieMcKeownofHenryBrothers

FourNorthernIrelandfrms honouredwithKing’s Awards

FourNorthern Irelandfrmshave walkedawaywithgongsinthis year’s King’s Awards.

ITassetdispositionfrm Vytawas recognised foritsexcellenceinsustainabilityasoneofonly twoNorthern Irelandbusinessestoachieve theprestigiousKing’s Award forSustainable Developmentin2024.

TheNewtownabbey-headquarteredcompany haschampionedsustainablepracticessinceit wasformedin2001,maximisingthelifespan ofITequipmentbycollecting, refurbishing, recyclingand reselling redundantITfor customersinover50countriesglobally

“Sustainabilityhasbeenin Vyta’s DNAsince thecompanybeganoperating,withour entire businessmodelbasedonhelpingfrms managetheirIT responsiblyandto reducetheir environmentalimpact,”PhilipMcMichael, Vyta founderandchiefexecutiveoffcer, said.

Meanwhile,generatormakerAJPowerwas alsocelebratedforitsefforts – withtheKing’s Award forEnterpriseforInternational Trade.

AshleyPigott,chairmanandmanagingdirector ofAJPower, said:“AJPowerhavebeen

honouredwith a prestigiousKing’s Award for EnterpriseforInternational Trade.Theaward is in recognitionfortheoutstandingachievements ofourinnovativeengineers,dedicated workforce,andourworldwidedistribution partners.”

Meanwhile,Derry’s Alchemy Technology ServiceshasbeenawardedtheKing’s Award for EnterpriseinthecategoryofInternational Trade.

Foundedin2018,Alchemy TechnologyServices hasgrowntobecome a keyproviderof technologyandconsultingservicestotheglobal insurancesector

“We are delightedandhonouredto receivethe King’s Award forEnterprise,”JohnHarkin,chief executiveofAlchemy TechnologyServices,said.

“Thisaccoladeis a testamenttothehard workanddedicationofourteamwho haveconsistentlypushedtheboundariesof excellence.It reaffrmsourcommitmentto notonlyadvancingourindustry, butalso contributingpositivelytothecommunities where weoperate.

“We lookforward tocontinuingourmissionof drivingforward internationaltrade,growth,and

anunwaveringcommitmenttoclientsuccess acrosstheglobe.”

AndNorthern Irelandconstructionfrm HenryBrothershasbeenhonouredwith a King’s Award forEnterpriseforSustainable Development.

HenryBrotherswaspraisedforitsexemplary approachwhichhas resultedinsignifcant beneftsforthebusiness,theenvironment,and thewiderconstructionsector

“Itis a tremendousprivilegetobeawarded theKing’s Award forEnterpriseforSustainable Development,”IanHenryMBE,corporate responsibilitydirectoratHenryBrothers,said.

“Thisachievementunderscoresourongoing commitmentto responsiblebusiness, somethingwhichisinstilleddeepwithinthe culture ofourorganisationandisverymuch partofwhoweare as a company

“Sustainablepracticeshavebeenatthe heartofHenryBrothers’operationssinceits inception,andwemake a consciouseffort tominimiseourenvironmentalimpactwhile maximisingpositivesocialandbusiness outcomes.” ■

Motoring

ByPatBurns

Mini hasan ace upitssleeve

ThelatestadditiontotheMini family,theAcemanisthebrand’s mid-sizeall-electriccrossover,which combinescompactexteriordimensions withacreativeuseofinteriorspace.

Availableintwooutputlevels–EandSE–and achoiceofthreewell-specifedtrims–Classic, ExclusiveandSport–theAcemanispriced from£31,800.

TheAcemanisavailableexclusivelywithan all-electricpowertrain,withcustomersableto choosefromtwooutputlevels–EandSE.

TheAcemanEhasahigh-voltagebatterywith acapacityof42.5kWh,generatingupto 192milesofelectricrange.A135kW/184hp electricmotorgeneratesatorqueof290Nm andacceleratesthevehiclefrom0to62mph in7.9seconds.

Withanincreasedoutputof160kW/218hp, theAcemanSEoffersanincreasedrangeof 252milesthankstoa54.2kWhbatteryand sprintsfrom0to62mphin7.1secondswitha maximumtorqueof330Nm.

TheAcemanbridgesthegapbetweenthe MiniCooperandtheCountryman.Combining shortoverhangswithafunctionaltwo-box design,theAcemanhasample roomforfve passengersinside.

TheAcemanisavailableinthreetrims: Classic,ExclusiveandSport.TheClassictrim offersthreeexteriorpaintfnishes,including NanuqWhiteandMidnightBlack,aJetBlack contrasting roofoptionandtwowheeldesigns –with17-inchasstandard–offercustomersa rangeofpersonalisationoptions.

Exclusivetrimbringsadditionalexteriordesign featuresandchoiceofsixexteriorpaintcolours canbespecifed.Threewheeldesignsare available,with18-inchofferedasstandardand 19-inchavailableoptionally.

ModelsspecifedwithSporttrimfeaturea distinctivefrontand reardesigninspiredby JohnCooper Works(JCW).Thefrontgrille, wingslogoandvehicletrimsarefnishedin high-glossblack,while red/blackbonnetstripes andacontrastingChiliRed roofnodtoMINI’s racingheritage.The18-inchalloyscomeas

standardwitha19-inchoptionalsoavailable. A rearspoilerequippedairbladesfurther enhancesthebackportionofthevehicle.

Likeitssiblings,thecockpitoftheAcemanis centralisedaroundthreekeydesignelements: thecentral24cmOLEDdisplay, redesigned togglebarandheatedsteeringwheel.

Thanksto12ultrasonicsensorsandfour surroundviewcameras,theAcemanisable tofndvacantparkingspaceswithgreater precision,automaticallyinitiatingparking manoeuvreswherespaceislimited,whilethe new remoteparkingfunctionincludedaspart oftheparkingassistantplusoptionenablesthe vehicletobeparkedusingasmartphone.This functionalityenablestheAcemantobedriven outofaparkingspaceautomatically,making iteasiertogetintothevehicleifspaceatthe sideistoolimited.

WithMiniDigitalKeyPlus,ownerscan utilisetheirsmartphoneasavehiclekeyfor aconvenientandpersonalisedexperience. Replacingtheconventionalkey,thedigitalkey canbetransferredbetweenseveralusers.As soonasthedriverislessthanthreemetres awayfromthevehicle,thefrontand rearlights comeonandthedoorsunlockautomatically. ■

Audi has released details ofit s new Q6 SU V e-tron quat tro and SQ 6 SU V e-tron quat tro, which are priced at £6 8,975 and £92,95 0 resp ec tively.

Notable asthe fr st Audi production models to be built on the advanced new Premium Plat form Elec tric (PPE), the Q6 e-tron and SQ 6 e-tronnow have improved performance, driving range, and charging.

The new models of fera driving range of up to 381 miles, superfast cour tesy of 80 0volt technology, and top level connec tivity, infotainment, and driverassistance systems facilitated by the increased computing power of new elec tronic s.

Two models willinitially be available to order: the Q6 SU V e-tron quat tro and SQ 6 SU V e-tron quat tro. The former is available with a choice of Sport, S line or Edition 1 specifcation options, withthe fagshipS model available in Edition 1 specifcation

Later thisyear, the model line- up will expand to include an entr y- level variant called the Q6 SU V e-tron (£59,975 ). This rear-wheel drive version uses a smaller 83kW h batter y pack. It will be joined by an additional rear-wheel drive model called the Q6 SU V e-tron performance (£ 63,475 ), which will use the larger 10 0kWh batter y.

FormanorderlyQ

The entr y- level, rear-wheel drive version of Audi’s mid-size elec tric SU V will simply be designated as Q6 e-tron Sport, S line, or Edition 1. The more powerful rear-wheel drive version will be classifed as Q6 e-tron performance Sport, performance S line or performance Edition 1.

With 49 0PS,a 0- 62mphsprint time of 4.4 secondsandall-wheel- drivenagility cour tesy of it s twin -motor confguration, the SQ 6 SU V e-tron quat tro of fers blistering performance Engaging launch control unlock s the ma ximum power output of 517P S, reducing the 0- 62mphsprintto 4.3 seconds

The slim, free-standing Audi MM I panoramic display, which is a standard feature of all Q6 SU V e-tron models, is the cabin’s technological focal point. It hasa curved designand incorporates the 11.9 -inch Audi virtual cockpit and the 14.5 -inch MM I touch screen

All Edition 1 models combine this with a 10.9 -inch MM I front passenger touch display It enables front-seat passengers to stream content and use infotainment and navigation features completely independently thanks to it s ac tive privac y mode, which prevents it from distracting the driver while on the move

This top end ‘infotainment’ system forms part of an impressive level of standard specifcation across the line- up, which includes the new integrated Audi app store giving access to a wide range of popular third -par ty apps, MM I navigation plus, Audi connec t internet- based services, wireless smartphone charging, and the Audi Assistant

This new self-learning digital voice assistant is AI -supported and, via an avatar in the MM I, can be used to vocally control numerous vehicle functions. It understands more than 80 0 voice commandsand continuously learns from user behaviour

Technology specifcally geared towardsaiding the driver while on the moveis plentiful too, including assistant s for ever ything fromparallel parkingand exiting junctions to reversing out of perpendicular spaces into fowing traf fc and changing lanes on multi -lane carriageways

S line models retain their Spor t counterpar ts’ standard comfor t suspension and combine this with a wheel upgrade from the Spor t model’s 19 -inch 5-twin -spoke to a 20 -inch fve-armstruc ture design They naturally also feature the much -lovedS line st yling hallmarks inside and out, includinga new fat top and bottom steering wheel. ■

Blowingthe dustoffDacia

ThenewDaciaDusteropensthenext chapterinthestoryofamodelthat hasbeensuccessfulsinceitslaunch in2010andoverhauledforthefirsttime in2017.

Inits14-year-longcareer,ithasbeenawarded morethan40accolades,productionstands at2.2millionvehiclesandcounting,anditis steadilyincreasinginpopularity,rankingas Europe’sbest-sellingSUVacrossallsegments inthe retailmarketin2022.Around1,000 Dusters rollofftheproductionlinesatDacia’s plantinPitesti,Romania,everyday.

Daciahasgiventhe2024Dustera re-design. ItisbuiltontheCMF-Bplatform,whichplays acentral roleinDacia’sindustrialstrategy.This platformwasfirstusedonthelatestSandero models,thenontheJogger.

ThenewDusterhasmorespaceforpassengers andluggagethanthepreviousgeneration, whilemaintainingthesameoveralllengthof 4.34metres.TheCMF-Bplatformalsoallows itaccommodatepowertrainsusingmild-hybrid

andfull-hybridtechnologies.

Thenewmodelisstifferandalsoquieter insidewhileitisalsoavailablewith4x4 Terrain Controltransmission,whichincludesfive drivingmodes:auto,snow,mud/sand,off-road andeco.

ThenewDusterfeatureshilldescentcontrol, whichisespeciallyusefulon roughterrain andsteepslopes.Theentireareaaroundthe bodyisnowprotectedfromlightbumpsand scratcheswhilelargeskidplatesunderthe bumpersprotecttheunderbody.

ThenewrangeincludestheHybrid140 model.Thispowertrain,whichDaciaadopted fortheJoggerinearly2023isbuiltwith technologiesthatRenaultGrouphastriedand tested,andcomprisesafour-cylinder,1.6-litre, 94hppetrolengine,twoelectricmotors(a 49hppowerplantandahigh-voltagestarter generator),andanelectricautomaticgearbox (withfourengineratiosandtwomotorratios). Thiscombinedtechnologyispossiblebecause thesystemisclutchless.

The regenerativebraking,the1.2kWh(230 V)battery’shighenergy recoverycapacityand thegearbox’sefficiencymakeitpossibleto driveinall-electricmodeupto80%ofthe timeincities,which reducesconsumptionby 20%(mixedcycle)to40%(urbancycle).The enginealwaysstartswithelectricpower.

TheTCe130modelisdrivenbyathreecylinder,1.2-litreturbochargedpetrolengine anda48Vmildhybridmotor.Thismotor aidstheinternalcombustionenginewhen thecarstartsoraccelerates, reducingaverage consumptionandCO2emissionsbyabout 10%.TheTCe130powertrainisavailable withasix-speedmanualgearboxinthe4x2 and4x4versions.

Priceswillbeannouncedshortly,butDacia sayitwillcontinuetofulfilitsvalue-for-money pledge.Itwillcombinethemostaffordable pricesinitssegmentwithalargerpassenger compartmentthaneverbefore.Itwillfeature moretechnology,includinganewseveninchdigitalcluster,new10.1-inchcentral touchscreenandnewinfotainmentsystem. ■

BENJAMIN COCHRANE

BENERGYBREAKFAST

Howdidyougetstartedintheindustry?

IworkedasachefinaskichaletinFrance fortwoyears,andthenBelfast’sShufortwo years,whenI returnedhome.Beingachefwas seriouslytoughandI respectanyonewhoisor hasbeenone.In2020,withlockdowninfull forceI realisedthiswasnotwheremyfuture was.IdecidedIwantedtohaveascalablefood productandacommunityfocusedwellness brand.Istartedexperimentingwithsnacksand breakfast,butthecombinationofingredients inthepotsgavememoreenergy,andoverall mademefeelalothappier,that’swhenIjust knew,thiswastheproduct.

IjoinedBoundaryLisburn,aCrossftGym whichhelpedgetmeexercisingagain,and theygavemeanopportunitytosellmy productstoseehowitwent. To cutalong storyshort,itwentincrediblywell,andnow wehavesomanyloyalsubscribersandare offeringcorporatewellnesspackageswith manufacturingpremises.

Typically,whoareyourclientsor customers?

Benergycustomersaresodiverse,andIlove that,honestlywehavecustomers21-65. Typically,ourcustomersareanyonewho isbusy,onthegoconstantly,andtrying toensurethattheystarteverydaywitha positivenutritionaldecision.Fromindividuals subscribing,tolargebusinessesproviding breakfastfortheirstaff–thereseemstobeno

Entrepreneur ofthe Month

bounds.Mydreamwouldbetosupplylocalto professionalsportclubsinNorthernIreland.

Doyouenjoywhatyoudo,andwhatin particular?

Iloveit.Owningabusinessforcesyoutoself developmassivelyandoftenuncomfortably throughkeepingyourselfaccountable everyday.Lookingbackthreetofouryears it’sbeenawildjourneyoflearningandI can’twaitforthenextfouryears.Everyday isunpredictable,thatanythingcanhappen. I rememberbeingtoldinmyfrstbusiness seminar,thatbeinganentrepreneurislike ridinga rollercoaster,constantupsanddowns andatruerstatementdoesn’texist.Some daysareunbelievablyhigh,andothersyou wonderwhatyouareevendoing,butthere arealwaystwothingsthat remainconsistent andthatisthatIloveworkingformyselfand withtheteamwehavecreated,andIlovethe communityofcustomersthatmakeBenergy possible,becausewithoutthemwewouldbe nothing.

Whatisthemostdiffcultpartofyourjob?

Dealingwithuncertaintyandrisk,whichleads tooverthinkingisverydiffcultattimes,butI

wouldsaythatthenumberonemostdiffcult thingismanagingmyexpectationsofmyself anddecisionmaking.Icanbequiteself criticalasIhavebigdreamsforthecompany, andwhenItaketimeofffromthebusinessI feelguilty,butthat’sjustbecauseIloveitso much–Iwanttobethinkingaboutitand workingoniteveryday.

Whatarethechallengesfacingyour sectorandtheeconomyingeneral?

Therisingcostsof,well,everything.Thatis defnitelyanongoingchallenge,especially asasmallbusiness,butluckilywearein apositionwhereweareabletoadaptto situationsandthrive.Brexitwasalsodiffcult, despitebeingpartoftheUK,oursupply chaininourfrstfewyearswasdisrupted continuously,againluckilynow,weadapted andnowsourcemostofoursuppliesfrom NorthernIreland,sothatisundercontrol. Now,wehavethescalingofthebusiness. It’sagoodproblemtohave. We wantto gettheproductouttomoreplaces,and thatishappening,butwehavetomake surethattheproductisconsistent,andthe premiumqualityweprideourselvesonisn’t compromised. ■

APPOIN TM EN TS

OrchardvilleNI,aleadingproviderof training,employmentandcommunity inclusionprogrammesforpeoplewith learningdisabilitiesandautism,has appointedCaraCashMarleyaschief executive.

RegencyHousehasappointedhospitality stalwart,MichaelO’Connor,asitsexecutive headchef.MrO’Connorisbestknown asthechefproprietorofsouthBelfast’s formerrestaurantTheBarkingDog.

NOWGrouphasnamedCathyDonnelly, chiefpeopleoffcerat TextHelp,asthe newestmemberofitsboard.Shebrings over25years’experience,withanotable trackrecordat TextHelp.

PaulaMaskeyisnowheadofbusiness solutionsatHomelessConnect.Shewill beresponsibleforleadinganddelivering HomelessConnect’sbusinessoperations andworkingaspartoftheexecutiveand widerstaffteams.

FionaCurriehasbeenappointedby HomelessConnectasFareShareinNI’sfood sourcingoffcer.Inthisroleshewillhelp manufacturersdiverttheirsurplusfrom landfll,workingtogetfoodtopeople whoreallyneedit.

DeclanMcKillophasnowbeennamed headofoperationsforHomelessConnect. Inhisnewpositionhewillberesponsible forleadinganddeliveringonFareShare inNIandHomeStarterPackoperations spanningacrossNorthernIreland.

RoisinColohanhasbeenpromotedby HomelessConnecttooperationsmanager ofFareShareinNIafterpreviouslyholding thepositionoffoorsupervisorformore thanthreeyears.

RichardHoulistonisnowbankingand fnancepartneratlawfrmMillsSelig.He bringswithhimawealthofexperience andexpertiseincorporateandcommercial banking,realestatefnanceandsocial housingfnance.

TheGrandOperaHouse Trusthas appointedJanetteJonesaschairofthe organisation,assumingtherolefromColin Loughranwhohadservedforthelast sevenyears.

1. Belfast’snight-time economyissetto receivea signifcantboostasthecity’s threeBusinessImprovement Districts(BID)beginthe searchforBelfast’sNight Czar.PicturedareDamien Corr, Wilson Walker,Chris McCrackenandEimear McCracken.

2. ArdsandNorthDownBorough Council,inconjunctionwith SouthEasternDementiaFriendly Partnership,haslaunchedplans forDementiaAction Week. Picturedare Lynda Williams, Tracy Smyth,MayorofArdsandNorth Down,JenniferGilmour,Stephen CroftandClaire-RoseCanavan.

3. EmeraldPark,Ireland’stheme parkandzoo,hasopeneditsfrst fully-themedandimmersiveland, TírNanÓg.PicturedisCharles Coyle,managingdirectorof EmeraldPark.

4. TheBelfasthubofglobaltech companyBazaarvoiceisgrowing, with30new rolesaddedtothe NIoperationoverthepastyear. PicturedareBronaghGaillard, BelfastsiteleaderandSimon Loxham,vicepresident,client experienceandUKproduct developmentsiteleader.

5. TheACHotelbyMarriott Belfastcelebrateditssixth birthdayby reopeningitsoutdoor The Terracearea.Picturedis PaulaStuart,generalmanager, alongsidechefJean-Christophe Novelli.

6. TheinauguralCyberFirst EmPowerGirlseventhas takenplaceattheNational FootballStadiumat Windsor Park.FirstMinisterMichelle O’NeillanddeputyFirst MinisterEmmaLittle-Pengelly joinedstudentsfromschools acrossNorthernIreland.

7. OCOGlobalhasacquireda Spanishtechcompany,Bizzyou,to beincorporatedintoOCO’snew dedicatedtechnologydivision. Picturedare YearyCalleroand GarethHagan.

8. Vincent’sBallymenaismarking 15years.PicturedareAnne McLarnon,SVP,MayorofMidand EastAntrim,GerardineMulvenna, Mary Waide,SVP,MalachiCush, SVPambassadorfortheNorthern Region,andmanagerMary Dempster.

9. CommunitiesMinisterGordon Lyonsopenedthenewshared spacefortheHistoricEnvironment RecordofNorthernIreland (HERoNI)at2 TitanicBoulevard.

10. TUIsaysfromJunenext yearitwilloperateanewdirect fightfromBelfastInternational toCancuninMexico.Pictured atBelfastInternationalAirport areDeborahHarris,Belfast InternationalAirportandCraig Morgan,headofIrelandforTUI.

11. Volunteersfrom PortaferryinBloomwiththe MayorofArdsandNorth Down,JenniferGilmour,at thelaunchoftheInBloom communitycompetitions.

12. RachaelMeenan,Mark McCammond,GayleClinghan (left),KathySimpson,Sam DavidsonandJustineMcGreevey (right)fromHendersonGroup arepicturedwithStephanie McCutcheon(centre)to receive thePlatinumInvestorsinPeople Accreditation.

13. AeliaDutyFreeatBelfast InternationalAirporthas announceditssupportfor Tourism NI’sSpirit TrailandDistillery Passport.PicturedareGillian Heddleson,BoatyardDistillery, KillowenDistilleryandAnnie David, TwoStacks.

14. Accountancyandbusiness advisoryfrmFPMhasannounced thelaunchofitsnewESG (environmental,socialand governance)division.Picturedis AveenMcShane,ESGdirectorat FPM,anAABGroupcompany.

15. Beeffarmingcontributesover £603mtotheNorthernIreland economyeachyear,thisyear’s Beef Weekhasheard.Pictured areJaniceGibson,Asda,Colin SmithLMC, TrevorSomerville, UlsterFarmers’UnionandKeith Williamson,ABPLinden.

16. JuniorMinistersPam CameronandAislingReilly havevisitedanew£2.9m redevelopmentprojectaimed atimprovingcommunity relationsinsouthBelfast, calledTheLockhouse.They arepicturedwithGerardRice andJohnGormley,LORAG.

17. FeedwellDogFoodhas experienced recordgrowth followinga£750,000investment programmewhichhasledto thecreationofsixnewjobs. Picturedare VickyDobbin, fnancialdirectorandJamieClegg, managingdirectorofFeedwell DogFood.

18. CorporatelawfrmA&L Goodbodyhasappointedthree newly-qualifedsolicitorstoits 130-strongteamoflawyersand businesssupportprofessionals. Headofcorporate,DavidRowan (secondleft),ispicturedwith solicitorsAndrewMcClintock, AdamMagill,andMatthew Nesbitt.

19. HastingsHotelshaspartnered withSDBell&CoineastBelfast tocreatea roasted100% Arabicablendforthegroup’ssix properties.PicturedareRobert Bell,managingdirectorofSDBell &Co,NeveCarson,GrandCentral HotelandHowardHastings, chairmanofHastingsHotels.

20. StenaLineis reachingoutto womeninNorthernIrelandto attendatasterdayattheferry company’sterminalinBelfast Harbourtoencouragethemto pursueacareerasaportservice operative.

21. Agnewhasannounced theextensionofits partnershipwithmental healthcharityMindWise foranadditionaltwoyears. PicturedareAmyStothers, MindWise,AlanMurphy, AgnewGroup,AnneDoherty, MindWiseandRichardEakin, AgnewGroup.

22. MusgraveNorthernIreland hastodayannounceda£14m investmentinlocalproducewith thelaunchofanewown-label rangecalledGoodFoodLocally Sourced.PicturedareDesiDerby, TrevorMagill,andJulieCherry.

23. ActionCancer’sSkinCancer DetectionServicehasmarkeda yearsinceitslaunch,deliveredby ahighlyqualifedandexperienced nursingspecialistteam.Pictured are LynStevensonandIona McCormack.

24. Fibrushasurgedgroups toapplyforits£60,0002024 CommunityFund.ColerainebasedBallinreesBowlingClub received£1,640toenhanceitsIT resources.PicturedareGlennKerr, LindaMcMillan,JonathanKerr, andDawn Weir.

25. CoArmaghdairyfarmer WilliamIrvinehasbeenvotedin aspresidentoftheUlsterFarmers’ Unionfortwoyears.He’spictured attheannualgeneralmeeting alongsidedeputyFirstMinister EmmaPengellyandFirstMinister MichelleO’Neill.

26. TitanicBelfasthas beencertifedasaGreat Placeto Workfollowingan independentemployeesurvey astheworld-leadingvisitor attractionannouncesthat ithaswelcomeditseight millionthvisitor.

27. TheSalthouseHotelin Ballycastlehaslauncheda ventureincollaborationwith BasaltDistillery,TheSalthouse SpiritsRange.PicturedareJames Richardson,BasaltDistillery, CarlMcGarrity,TheSalthouse HotelandMarthaGarbe,Basalt Distillery.

28. MusgraveMarketPlacehas donatedover1.5millionmeals to200charitiesandcommunity groupsinIrelandthroughits partnershipwithFoodCloud. PicturedareAdrian Young, FoodCloud,DesiDerby,Musgrave MarketPlaceandSamiSeretan, FeedDublin.

29. TheNorthernIrelandFood toGoAssociationhaslaunched thenewNIFoodtoGo Awards. PicturedareKieraCampbell, MichaelHendersonandJunior MinisterPamCameron.

30. TheNorthernIrelandHotels Federation(NIHF)ismarking its25thanniversary.Pictured areSoulefBounaaja,executive headhousekeeper,Everglades Hotel,MartinKelly,barman,The WaterfootHotelandSharon Dunne, revenuemanager,Bishop’s GateHotel.

31. Clyde&Co’sBelfast offce recentlywelcomed insuranceleaderstoconsider thelikelyimpactofthe changespublishedinthe sixtheditionoftheGreen Book.PicturedareGraeme Moore, TaraMcSorley,John Guerin,CormacFitzpartick, MichelleMcCullough, PatrickConnolly,andNaomi Campbell.

32. MidandEastAntrimBorough Council’sbusinessmentoring programmeshelpedgrowthe localeconomyby£31.9m. PicturedareZsoltBohar,Green FingersFamily,MayorofMid& EastAntrim,GerardineMulvenna andAndreaBohar,GreenFingers Family.

33. Fifteenbusinesseshave completed TourismNorthern Ireland’s12-weekDestination Sustainability TrainingProgramme. PicturedatBrookHallinDerry areMarieSlattery,DavidGilliland, MaryRoseStafford,and JessHoyle.

34. Belfast’sfve-starRegency Househasappointedhospitality stalwart,MichaelO’Connor (right),asitsexecutiveheadchef, formerlyofTheBarkingDog.He’s picturedwithAnthonyKieran, proprietorofRegencyHouse.

35. EllenDickson, Telefónica Tech UK&Iwiththisyear’swinnerof theOutstandingAchievement Award,JustinClarke,DrDavid Cutting,Queen’sUniversity,and vocationalemploymentmanager atImpact Training,GerardFox.

36. EllvenaGraham, Tourism NorthernIreland,Economy MinisterConorMurphy, GeorgeClarke,architectand televisionpresenterwithAlice Mansergh,chiefexecutiveof TourismIrelandpicturedat TheNI TourismConference 2024.

37. QuinnEstateAgents hasoffciallyopeneditsnew Downpatrickoffcefollowingthe devastingfoodswhichimpacted themarkettowninNovember 2023.PicturedareEdelCurran, JonathanQuinn,andAoibheann Dagens.

38. BDONorthernIrelandhas announceditsnextcharitypartner asAirAmbulanceNI, reinforcing itsstrategicfocusinbeinga responsiblebusiness.Picturedare AirAmbulance’sColleenMilligan andBDONIpartner,Maybeth Shaw.

39. NorthernIrelandagency Elevatorscoopedtwoawards atthe30thannualAssociation ofPromotionalMarketing Companies(AMPC)Star Awards. PicturedareSaraCallanan, CliodhnaKernohan,Michael McCroryandErinMurphyfrom Elevator.

40. Etrux,acompanythat specialisesinthedesignand conversionoflightweight commercialvehicles,haslaunched itsnewfully-electricFordE-Transit Trizonevan.PicturedareAndy Hill,PaulO’Sullivan,Stephen Hendry,andGerardGalvin.

Omega’sbigbrother divewatch gets the stealth treatment

TheOmegaSeamasterPlanetOcean600mremainsaseriouswatchfordivers, orthosewhoneverintendongoingnearthewaterbutwantawell-made, chunkypieceofhigh-endandsportyhorology. JohnMulgrew getshandson withthelatestboutique-onlyversionwhichtonesdownthecolourpalette

Omega’sSeamasterrangehas its rootsinsignifcantlymore restrainedandsmallerwatches, whileitenjoyeditsmodern renaissance almost30yearsagowhenPierceBrosnan’s Bondstrappedaquartz300mtohiswrist.

ThatSeamasterhassincedevelopedand evolvedintothemodern300m–complete withCo-Axialmovement,ceramicbezeland additionaldetailand refnementofamodern, automatictimepiece.

Andwhileit’satruedivewatch,youturn totheSeamasterPlanetOceanforthatnext levelanddegreeofbothruggednessand functionality.

Omegaquietlydroppedahandfulofnew PlanetOceans–alargerandchunkier Seamasterwithbothamoremuscular aesthetic,andimpressivedepthcapabilities.

Look,veryfewofthesewillmakeitnearthe water–butwitha600m resistance,chunky case,rubberstrapandheliumescapevalue, you’llfeellikeit’sthepieceofhorologybest-

equippedtodosoifthetimeevercame.

Thisgunmetalgreyvariantisoneoftwo boutique-only releases(currentlyavailable attheOmegaboutiqueatQueen’sArcade inBelfast)andcutsasizeablepresenceat 43.5mm,alongsideastealthyandsleek aesthetic.

Whilemanywatchesbathedindarktoneshave alittlepopofcoloursomewhere–whetherit beaGMThand,contrastingbezel,ormarkers –thisPlanetOceanisallaboutmutedand subtlevariationoftones.

It’sahandsomepiece.Onbraceletthere’s goingtobesignifcantlymoreweight,along withchunkinessonwrist,buttheintegrated stitchedgreyrubberstrapistheperfect addition,withsomethingakintoatraditional perlontexture,alongsideaclean,brushedor blasteddeployantclasp.

There’sasatisfying120-clickgreybezel,with broadPlanetOceanhourandminutehands, withathinnerseconds,chunkyoff-whiteflled indicesandjustthatlittlebitofbeigeinterms

ofacoupleoflinesoftextasidefromthe differentswathesofgrey.

Onwrist,itsitssurprisinglywellgivenits 16.2mmcasethicknessbutalsothankstoa relativelycondensedlug-to-lugofjustover 49mm.Thesteelusedforthecaseitselfalmost hasatitanium-esquelooktoit–slightlydarker andalmostgraphiteinappearance.Itincreases thatstealthylookandensuresnotonlyisthere nocasepolishing,butmeansless refection thanyou’dgetfromastandardsteelwatch head.

Omegasometimesdoeslikeabitofjargon. You’llfndafewphraseswhenperusingthe range,fromitsMoonshinegoldtoLiquidmetal.

ItsthislattertechnologywhichOmegahas usedtobonditsceramics–analloywhich itsaysoffers“newdecorationpossibilities inametalgreycolourwithsuperiorscratchresistanceandenduringstability”,which featuresonthislatestmodernPlanetOcean iteration.

There’stheusualsignedcrownatthethree

positionandthen Omega’sheliumescape valveatthe10mark.

Turningtothebackandyou’re greetedwithalookatthat Co-AxialMasterChronometer Calibre8900movement,alongside theoutlineofaseahorseonthe sapphire–witheverythingbeing securedwithOmega’sNaiadLock casebacksystem.

Thechronographvariantsarelikelyforthose withsizeablewrists,orthosewithaverage wristsseekingsignifcantpresence.

It’sa45.5mmcaseand52.3mmlug-to-lug–whichisactually reasonablycompactgiven theoverallsizeoftheheadofthewatch –howeverthethicknessisafewhairsaway frombeing2cmthick.Thisisn’tgoingtobe ontoftunderalmostanysleeve,letalonga formalshirt.

impressiveinthecurrentPlanetOceanrange.

Model: SeamasterPlanetOcean600m

Movement: Co-AxialMaster ChronometerCalibre8900

Casesize: 43.5mm

Material: Stainlesssteel

Price: £6,700

divingscenario.Buttheclean,balancedand almostmonochromelookofthisgunmetal greyoptionmakeitparticularlyappealing.

This43.5mmboutique,non-chronoversion, however,isarguablyoneofthemost

Someofthestandardmodelshavealittle morepopofcolour,makingthempotentially morefunctionalandeasierto readinanactual

Forthoseafteralittlemorebrightness, there’sagreenbezelandstrapversionwith contrastinggreydial. ■

It is a viewtolivelonginthememory FarbelowtheHollywoodHills, stretchingouttothehazyhorizon,lies thevastsprawlofLosAngeles.Thetall buildingsofDowntownshimmerinthe distance.

Ten millionsouls residehere,butthere’s an extraordinarysenseofpeacefromthisverdant vantage.Anddirectlybehind,atanevenloftier summit,thefamousHollywoodsignsurveys everything.

I havejustspent a coupleofhoursridingan e-bikethroughtheuplandsofGriffithParkin thecompanyofAussieex-patGavinBrennan, andhisenthusiasmforthis refugefromthecity – threetimesthesizeofthePhoenixPark – is infectious. We don’t gettoseeanybobcatsor rattlesnakes,twoofthepark’s more celebrated residents,butwedogettostandonthespot where RyanGoslingandEmmaStone first dancedtogetherinLaLaLand.

LosAngelesis,byanymeasure,intimidatingly large. You canspend a greatdealoftimeinthe backofanUberifyouvisitthecitywithout a plan.Thebestwaytoletitgetunderyourskin istocherry-pickneighbourhoodsandexplore each,oneat a time.

OnesuchdistrictisGlendale,intheshadowof GriffithPark,andit’s here that I hookupwith Gavinandhiskilometre-chewingbikes.His company, E-Bike ToursLA,wasonlyformedat thestartofthisyear, butit’s beenbusywith visitorskeentoescapecars,enjoyplentyof freshairanddrinkinspectacularviews.

Overthecourseofthreehours,ourtourcalls tooneofLA’s greatattractions,theGriffith Observatory, aswellassomelesser-known ones,likethe Travel TownMuseum,where youcangetupcloseandpersonalwithseveral awesomelocomotives.Partoftherideborders theLosAngelesriver – famoustomoviefans forits roleinChinatown – andit’s funto freewheeldownhillthroughthetwistystreets ofLosFeliz,anupmarketdistrictpopularwith deep-pocketedcelebs.

Most first-timevisitorstoLosAngeleswill

A layover in LaLaLand

LosAngelescanbeintimidatinglylarge,butthe tricktolettingitgetunderyourskinistocherrypickneighbourhoodsandexplorethemone atatime,writes JohnMeagher

wanttovisit afilmstudio – afterall,it’s what Tinseltownismostcelebratedfor.A great optionisSonyPicturesStudioatCulverCity,a coolneighbourhoodofshops,cafesandthe exclusiveorganicsupermarketchain,Erewhon.

SonyPictures’sprawlingcomplexwashometo Metro-Goldwyn-Mayerfrom1924to1986and nowmainlyspecialisesinTVdramas(Masters ofSexandPartyofFivewerefilmedhere)as wellasgameshowsthatare partofthefabric ofAmericanpopculture,suchasWheelof FortuneandJeopardy!

Ourtourguidesaysit’s commonplacetosee actorsgoingabouttheirdailywork.Theday before, WillSmithcouldbeseennursing a coffeebetweentakes.Thevisitorcentre houses theSeinfeldset – youcanenterthesamedoor

thatKramerfamouslydid.Oh,andthere’s the RV fromBreakingBadandanEctomobilefrom Ghostbusters.

TheAcademyMuseumofMotionPicturesis a must-seefor filmlovers.Openedin2021,it’s a veritablecelebrationofcinema.When I visit, there are exhibitionsdevotedtocultdirector John WatersandtheSpanishmasterPedro Almodóvar Anyonewhovisitsthisstriking building,designedbyfamedItalianarchitect RenzoPiano,willwanttotrytheOscars Experience.

You’re broughtinto a speciallyrigged roomand filmedwinningyourownOscar You walkupto theplinthandholdaloft a genuinegold-plated statuettewhileanadoring(virtual)audience whoopsandhollers.Thenyou’re immediately

sentthevideo. I sharedmyCillianMurphy impressiononsocialmediawithinminutes.

It’sa greatideatovisitthemuseuminthe morningandthentake a 10-minuteUbertothe OriginalFarmersMarket(farmersmarketla.com), locatedatthecornerofFairfaxandThird Street. A LosAngelesinstitutionsince1934,itboasts a tantalisingsmorgasbord ofartisanalstalls,delis andcafesfeaturingeveryconceivablecuisine.

ThemarketborderstheGrove(thegrovela.com), oneofthecity’s shoppingmeccas —a high-end outdoormallfeaturingbrandslikeMajeand Byredo.It’s featuredininnumerableTVshows, includingTheHillsandModern Family, andis a popularspotforallthefamily

Shoppingloversare spoiltforchoiceinthiscity

forkooky retailersandsmart-casualdining, Larchmont Village(larchmontla.com)iswell worthanafternoon.TheGreatWhitehas a temptingall-daymenuwiththeemphasison healthyCalifornia-meets-Australiafare.

WhileitistruethatLAconstantlyseemsto beonthemove – thecarisparamountinthis city – there are innumerablewaystoescapethe commotion. A coupleofhoursatEchoPark,for example,is a balmforthesoul.Forsomething delightfullysedate,especiallyforfamilies,take a pedalboatandexplore theman-madelake inthisneighbourhood.Theswan-shapedcrafts are easytonavigateandthere are fneviews ofDowntowninthedistanceand a striking apartmentcomplex – likesomething a James Bondvillainmight residein – ontheadjoining hillside.

EchoParkisborderedbythehipsterSilver Lake.It’s fullofbougieboutiques,yoga studiosandcoolcafes,likeHoneyHi (honeyhi.co),where theydo a scrumptious avotoast.Inthespecialitycoffeeshops, you’re likelytoseelegionsofearnestyoung folkhunchedovertheirfatwhitesand MacBooks,nodoubtdreamingofpenning thatgreatHollywoodscript. A greatdinner optionisinthegardenofBacariSilverlake (bacarisilverlake.com),withits Venetianinspiredsmallplates.

NovisittoAmerica’s second-largestcity (afterNew York)iscompletewithout a visittoatleastoneofitsstoriedbeaches. Venicemightbethemostfamousofthe lot.Itwas recentlygiventhebig-screen treatmentinBarbie – andit’s easytowhile awayseveralpleasanthourshere. I found myselfmesmerisedbythedaredevilkidsin thepurpose-builtskateparkandwastickled bytheweightliftingshenanigansatthe appropriatelynamedMuscleBeach.

Manyfrst-timerstoLosAngelesgive Downtown a wideberth.They’veheard horrorstoriesabouthomelessnessandthe notoriousSkidRow, andwhileit’s truethat theareahasits,ahem,grittyside,there’sa greatdealtoseeanddohere.

OnequintessentialDowntownexperience isseeingtheLALakersshoothoopsatthe 18,000-seaterCrypto.comArena. Top-level basketballis a thrillingexperience,evenfor thosenotnormallyobsessedbysport,and becausethere are somanygamesin a typical NBAseason,there’sa goodchancethey’llbe playingathomewhenyou’re there.

A walkingtour, beginningattransportation hubUnionStation,is a greatwaytoget a senseofthehistoryofLosAngeles.Its originalticketconcourse,incidentally, doubledas a bankforCatchMeIf You Can.

Thetouralsocallstothehugenew CathedralofOurLadyoftheAngelsandthe evocativelynamedAngel’s Flight, a narrow gaugefunicularrailwayatthesteepBunker Hillwhichwasfrstopenedin1901. ■

‘The workplace willlook very diferent with AI…but we needmorepower’

Servecentric’s BrianRoe tells CaoimheGordon it’safrm focusedongrowthbutworriesfortheRepublic’scapacity

‘It’sequallyexcitingandfrightening.” It’saMondaymorningandBrianRoe is refectingonadvancesinartifcial intelligence.

However,aschiefexecutiveofpubliccloudand datacentreoperatorServecentric,Brianisnot atallsurprisedbytheAIboomthatcontinues todominateheadlines.

“We’vehadanumberofclientswhohave beenrunningAIservicesforanumber ofyears,”hetellsmeovervideocall.He

isworkingfromthecompany’soffcein Blanchardstown,Dublin,whichisconveniently locatedinsideServecentric’sdatacentre building.

IngoodnewsforBrian,demandfordata centreservicesisnotsettoslowasmore businessesimplementAItoolsintotheirdaily operations.

“Where[AI]isgoingtoleadandhowthe workplaceisgoingtolook,it’sgoingtobe very,verydifferent,”hesays.

It’saninterestingtimetobeinthespace, accordingtotheself-described“technophile” whohadhisfrstPCbackin1981.

HedabbledinITsalesandmanagedservices foranumberofyearsbeforesettinguphis ownweb-designbusinessintheearly2000s.

“Thegeekinmewantedtogetbackinto coding,”hesays.Hethen returnedtothe servicessideoftheindustryafterthiscareer pivot,laterjoiningServecentricin2016before beingappointedtothetopjobfveyearslater.

BrianRoe

Nowhe’slookingtoexpandthecompany’s footprintbyaddingaseconddatacentre.

Anumberofglobalcompaniesalreadyhave majordatacentreshere,withtheseongoing advancesinartifcialintelligenceexpectedto createevenmoredemandforsuchfacilities.

“AI,fromatechnologyperspectiveandfrom aplatformperspective–that’swhatwedo–hasahigh requirementintermsofcompute density,”hesays.

“Soyou’regoingtoseeasignifcantincrease inthepower requirementsthatAIwillbe lookingforascompaniesstarttousethatmore andmore.”

Datacentreshavefacedcriticismin recent yearsastheyconsumehugeamountsof electricity.EirGrid,thesemi-statecompany thatmanagesIreland’selectricitynetwork,has predicteddatacentreswillaccountforalmost 26%ofnationaldemandby2026.

Briansaysitsexistingfacilityrunsoff100% renewableenergy,apolicyimplementedbythe

site’sowner,USmulti-nationalDigitalRealty. Itsignedasix-year€10mextensionofitslease dealwiththeAmericandatacentrefrmin March.

“Thebiggerpictureismorehowweare producingourenergyasacountryandgetting thattoaplacewhereweareproducinghigh levelsof renewableenergy,”Briansays.“That’s thebiggerquestionarounddatacentresand newdatacentrebuilds.

“We’realongwaybehindwhereweshould beintermsofpowergeneration,”hesays, pointingtothepotentialofoffshoreenergy.

“Thestrainonthegridisasupplyconcernand it’salink-upconcern.

We’rea long way behind where we shouldbein terms of power generation. The strainon the gridis a supply concern

“Ithinkit’sverynaiveforpeopletothinkthat thesemultinationalswillinvestinIrelandwhere wesay‘wellwewantpeopleandwewantthis partofitbutwedon’twantthispartofit’.

“Iunderstandthatalotofthesedatacentres don’tprovidehighdirectemployment,there’s nothundredsofpeopleinsidethefacility,but theydoprovideindirectemployment.”

Hepointstoanexampleoflocalfrmsthatthe companyprovidesservicestothathaveopted tomoveoffcesclosertothefacility.

Irelandisaknownattractivelocationfor businessesconsideringwheretoputtheirdata, hesays.HepointstotheproximitytoEurope, language,weather,seismicstabilityandthe country’scurrentstatusasa“meltingpointfor technology”.

Servecentrichasalsogenerated€6.6min revenuesfromcustomersinEurope,theUS andIndiaoverthepasttwoyears. Turnover wasexpectedtobearound€5mlastyear, whilethebusinessnowhascontractswith18 telecomcarrierpartners,suchasBT,Eirand euNetworks.

“I’vecomewitha requirementsayingthatit wouldbegreatifwehadmorespaceforour customers,”Briansays.

These reasonsarefuellingthemovetoadda seconddatacentrewithinaunit,alsolocated inBlanchardstown.Thisbuilding requiresan expansionand rebuildasplanningpermission wasoriginallygrantedforawarehouseunit.

Servecentrichaslodgedanappealagainsta decisionbyFingalCountyCouncilearlierthis yearto refusethisnewdatacentre.“We’ve putinanapplicationwithmoredetail,”he says.“Itwasalmostabitlikea requestfor moreinformation.”

Hisfocusnowisgrowingthecustomerbase inabusymarketplace.“We’reabletoprovide costcertainty...wedefnitelyprovidegreater levelsoffexibility,”hesays.“Wewould defnitelyexpecttogrow[thisyear.]That’swhy we’rehere.” ■

TECH

Uncovering the9-5

NAME: KerryAnderson

POSITION: Headoffundraising, AirAmbulanceNI

6.30am

I’mnotnaturallyanearlymorningperson, sotherecouldbeonesnoozeofthealarm, afterthatitisupandawayforthedayahead, organisingmy10-year-olddaughterScarlett forschoolandencouragingourCavalierKing Charles,Rosie,outofthehouseforawalk. Scrambledeggseatenandcoffeeforthecar, it’saquickdropoffatschoolinMoira,thena coupleofworkcallson routetothehelicopter airbasejustoutsideofLisburn.

8.45am

AsIdriveintotheairbase,I’llchecktoseeif thehelicopterhasbeentaskedoutalready, whichusuallyhappensatleasttwiceintheday. Seeingthehelicopterliftoffisastark reminder ofhowpreciouslifeis,andIfeelprivileged tobepartofthisservice,whichistherefor everyoneofus.Atypicalmorningwillinclude acatchupononeofourfundraisingevents, atthemomentweareplanningour‘Dragon BoatRace’eventwhichwillsee30corporate teams rowinguptheLaganonSeptember5-6. Justastheclinicalteamarenotsurewhatthe dayaheadmaybring,fundraisingissimilar, everydayIamhumbledbythesupportofour communityhelpingraisethe£2.5mneededto sustainthislifesavingservice.

1pm

Onagooddaylunchissouporsalad,though theoddFridayisgreatforteamchipsorcake.

Oursmallcharitystaffteam rotatelunch breakstoensurewecanansweranycallsand messagesandarethereforsupporterspopping intotheairbase.It’snotuncommonforusto hearfromapreviouspatientoftheservicewho wantstothankthecliniciansfortheircareat scene.ThroughoutAirAmbulance’salmost sevenyearsofservice,wehavemetpatients after roadtraffccollision,workandfarm accidents,sportandleisure,andaccidentsat home.It’saserviceweallhopenevertoneed, butisthereforusallthankstofundraisingand publicsupport.

1.30pm

Everysingledayoftheyearthereisapilot, doctorandparamedicdedicatedtothe service.Mostdaysincludeacatchupwiththe operationalcrewinbetweentheirmissions topatients.Thismayinvolveplanning aircraftmaintenanceorupgrades,visitsfrom supporters,aviationtrainingandprofleand fundraisingopportunitiesforthecharity.

2pm

Theafternoonwillusuallyinvolveatleast oneortwomeetingsorvisitstotheairbase whetherthatisanewcorporatepartnerthat hastakenAirAmbulanceastheircharityof theyearoracluborsocietymakingacheque

presentation.It’salwayslovelytohostvisits asIfeelthehelicopterbelongstothewhole community.Reportingdirectlytoourboardof trusteesensuresthatmostdaysIamintouch withsomeofthem,aswellaslinkinginwith ourstaffteamonvariouselementsincluding theplanningofoursocialmedia,volunteer activityandfundraising.

5pm

Ileavetheoffceshortlyafter5pmtocollect Scarlettwhowillhavebeenpickedupafter schoolbymysisterLaurenormymum–I’mso luckytohavesuchasupportivefamily.

6pm

Theearlyeveningisalwaysbusy,preparing andeatingdinnerasafamily,helpingwith homework,walkingthedoganddepending ontheevening,takingScarletttooneofher clubsortutors.

9.30pm

Myhusband,JamesandItakeitinturnson Scarlett’sbedtime routine,ensuringshehas timeto read,thenit’sacupofteaandanhour tochilloutoverabookoraseriesontheTV.I alsotendtocheckinourcharitysocialmedia engagementandgettheto-dolistorganised forthenextday. ■