Ulster Business March 2023

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Things getting a little bitbrighter

Thingsappeartobegettingthat littlebitmore positiveintermsof howbusinessesare faringhere

Alongwiththeevenings,there’sa touch more brightnessonthehorizon.

LookingtowardsthelatestIreland-wide surveyfromInterTradeIreland,fewer thanonein10 firmshere saytheyare in‘decline’,withthe resteitherstableor seeingsomemuch-neededgrowth.

Andwhilewe’vehadsomesupportfor firmsintermsoftheenergycrisis,which it’s hopedisnowstartingtoeasewith wholesalepricing,risinginputcostsare still impactingbothcompanytoplinesandthe priceswhichbusiness’s are havingtosell productsatinordertomitigateatleast a

degreeofthoseincreases.

We alsohadsomewelcomenews recently withthefreezingofbusinessrateshere in Northern Ireland.Ofcourse,wealsohad a disgusting reminderofthepastandwhy weneverwanttogobackthere,withthe shockingshootingof a seniorpoliceofficer

WelcometotheMarcheditionof Ulster Business Inthismagazinewespeakto CatMcCusker, regionalmarketleaderfor PwCinNorthern Ireland,aboutthegreen economyandwhyinvestmentisneededin skillshere toseizetheopportunitieswhich wehave.

I alsotake a closerlookatwhyplanning, andourplanningportal,are key componentsofeverythingwedohere in

Northern Irelandandthatifneitherisup toscratchitcouldhave a lastingimpact onboththebuiltenvironment,ourwider economy, andsocietyas a whole.

Inthisedition,EmmaDeighanspeaksto someofourleadingtechnologyspinouts,PavelBarteraskswhetherourtax competitiveness(orlackof)isatriskof makingus a lessattractiveplaceforforeign investment,and I speaktoJessicaCarlyleClarkeofPressUpHospitalityGroupabout itsplansforTheDeanhotelinBelfast.

We’re nowworkingonourNext200 edition,chartingthesuccessstoriesofour leadingSMEs.It’llbeanotherinteresting read. ■

JohnMulgrew

Publisher UlsterBusiness c/oMediahuisUKLtd

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Editor JohnMulgrew

Advertising Sarah-AnnGamble,s.gamble@mediahuis.co.uk

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Coverphoto KelvinBoyes/PressEye

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A month innumbers Stormont ‘seeking retail experts’ onLidlstore plans for Derry

1,500 Thenumberofjobs whichcouldbecreated withintheoffshore renewablessector,it’s beenclaimed.

£3m Theadditionalwages whichwillbepaid toLidlstaffhere followingacompanywidepayincrease.

100 Theworkforcesize whichmaritime technologybusiness Artemis Technologies hasgrownto.

0.5% Thepercentagehouse pricesfellduringthe lastquarterof2022, accordingtooffcial fgures.

ByJohnMulgrew

AStormontdepartmentisseeking expertstohelpdeterminewhether an£8msupermarketfnallygetsthe goaheadinLondonderry, UlsterBusiness can reveal.

GermandiscounterLidlhadbeengiventhe greenlightfor a newstore intheCrescentLink areaofDerry

Buttheplanningapprovalwashaltedand formerInfrastructure MinisterNicholaMallon calledinthedecisiontoherthendepartment in2021.

Now, theDepartmentforInfrastructure is seeking a contractortoprovide“specialist expertise”inordertohelpmake a determinationonthescheme.

Thatincludes a retailimpactassessmentand anassessmentofneed.

A spokesmanforLidltold UlsterBusiness: “Northern Ireland remainscommittedto realising a newstore inCrescentLinkinDerry/ Londonderry, withhopestobring35new jobstothelocalcommunityaspartofthe development.

“Lidlgotapprovalfromtheplanning committeeinJanuary2021.InSeptember 2021,theDepartmentforInfrastructure calledtheapplicationinfor reviewandweare currentlyawaitingfeedback.

“We wouldliketothanktheDerryCityand StrabaneDistrictCouncil’s PlanningCommittee andthelocalcommunityfortheirsupportsofar

onourplans,andwelookforward tobringing ourmarket-leadingqualityandvalueto a new communityinthe regioninduecourse.”

Followingtheapplicationbeingcalled in,supermarketgiantLidlsaiditwas “disappointed”aninitialgreenlightforthe newstore byDerryCityandStrabaneDistrict Councilwasnowbeing reconsideredby Stormont.

Whileitwas recommendedfor refusalby planningoffcials,councillorsvotedinfavourof thescheme.

Butitalso receivednumerousobjections, includingfromthoselivingclosetothesite.

Lidlhasexpandeditsstore footprintacross Northern Irelandoverthelastfewyears,andis eyeingseveralmore openings.

Recentnewlocationsinclude a newstore atOmaghandtheCastlereaghRoadineast Belfast.

Lidlhasalsoannouncedpayincreases totalling£3mforits1,500-strongworkforce here,alongwiththecreationof200newjobs.

Itsaidthataddingthe200new rolestoits regionaldistributioncentre inNuttsCorner wouldringitstotalworkforceinNorthern Irelandto1,500.

Lidlhasbeentheonlysupermarketin Northern Irelandtohaveconsistentgrowthin marketshare overthelastfveyears,andisin fourthplacebehind Tesco,Sainsbury’s andLidl. TheNuttsCornercentre processes,packsand suppliesitsrangeof2,000productsto41stores aroundNorthern Ireland.

Lidl’srecently revampedstore inOmagh

‘More schemes could follow’ group’s first NIhotel

Oneoftheisland’slargesthospitalitygroupscouldadd moreprojectsinNorthernIrelandfollowingtheunveiling ofplansforitsfrsthotelhere, UlsterBusiness can reveal.

PressUpHospitalityGrouphasnow revealedit’sbringingitsfrstDean hoteltoBelfast.

Thatwouldseeanew‘boutique’schemedevelopedclosetothe UlsterHall,creatingaround170jobsandboastinga rooftoppool.

JessicaCarlyle-Clarke,headofdevelopmentatthefrm,saidwhile nothingisconfrmedasyet,therecouldbeadditionaldevelopmentsin thelong-termpipelineforNorthernIrelandfromthegroup.

“It’sabitfardownthelinebutIwouldn’truleitout,”theheadof businessdevelopmenttold UlsterBusiness

“Oncewegettoknowacityithappensveryoftenthatweexpand thebrands[inthemarket]. We’llseehowwegowiththehotel…it’s abiginvestmentforusinthecity.[We]wouldn’truleoutdoingmore projects…it’saboutwhenweseetherightopportunityorbuilding.

WhatthenewDeanhotelcould looklikewhencompleted

“…it’shappenedveryquickly. We boughtthebuildinginJanuary. That’showwedothingsandmoveatamillionmilesandhour.[We’re] engagingwithkeystakeholders,BelfastCityCouncilandthelocal community.”

Readthefullinterviewonpage22-23

New ‘apart-hotel’ planned for Belfastcity centre

One of Be lfast’s leadin g ho sp it alit y bu sine ssesis planning to deve lopa new ‘apart-hote l’ in the hear t of the city ce nt re , Ulster Business can reveal.

ItwillbethefrstoftheAdagiobrand,partoftheAccorHotels group,toopenupinNorthernIreland.

AndrasHouseisplanningtodevelopthe10-storeyDorchesterHouse intoanapartment-stylehotel,withagroundfoorcafé,andadding additionalfoorsatthetopofthebuilding.

ThefrmboughttheGreat VictoriaStreetbuildingin2020,alongside backingfromDanskeBank,andinitiallyannouncedithadplannedto refurbishand redevelopthebuildingintogradeAoffcespace.

Now,earlyfreshplansfledonbehalfofAndrasHousemanaging directorRajeshRanaoutlinepotential revisedplansforthescheme,with ClydeShanksactingasthefrm’splanningconsultancy.

MrRanatold UlsterBusiness:“Thenewproposedpropertywillbean ‘apart-hotel’undertheAdagiobrand,whichispartoftheAccorHotels group.

“Itwillhaveapproximately130servicedapartmentswithstudios, one-bedroomapartmentsandaninnovative‘co-living’conceptsuitable forcorporategroups,whereagroupoffourbedroomsareclustered aroundalivingarea. We hopetobeonsiteinearly2024.”

Formerplansincludedincreasingthe52,000sqftbuilding’sfootprint toaround61,000sqft,withtwoadditionalfoorsbeingadded.

ItwasoneoftwobuildingsformerlyoccupiedbyHMRCbeforeit movedtoErskineHousein2019.

ThefrmalsoownsAndrasHouse,locatedbesideDorchesterHouse, andthenearbyLincoln.

DorchesterHousewasbuiltfortheformerInlandRevenuealmost30 yearsagobyAndrasHouseundertheleadershipofhisfatherLordDiljit Rana.

Speakingatthetimeofthebuilding’slatestacquisitionin2020, RajeshRanahadsaidthepurchaseofDorchesterHouse representedthe

Quotes of the month

latestinaseriesofinvestmentsbythecompany,closetowhatwillbe thenew TransportHubat Weaver’sCross.

“Great VictoriaStreethasbeenratherneglectedin recentyears, butwebelieveitwillbecomeanattractivedestinationfollowingthe developmentofthe TransportHub,”hesaid.“Wehavealreadyseena lotof recentoffceactivitycomingbacktothesouthcitycentrecore.”

“Thereremains a strong appetite from investors across the board who are drawn to Northern Irelanddue to its uniquelocation as a gateway between theUK andEU.”

BrianLaveryofCBRE speakingaboutthe commercialproperty market.

“Our members in these sectors are telling usabout the pressures they are facing and cannotseehow ofcials coulddecide that the pressure issomehow lessin Northern Ireland.”

AlanLowryoftheFSB speakingaboutbusiness rateshere.

“We face a new opportunit y to position Northern Ireland at the leading edge of foating wind turbine generated electricity.Itwouldbe profoundlysad to watch this opportunit y evaporate.”

StevenAgnewof RenewableNIonthe beneftsofoffshorepower.

Dorchester Housein Belfastcity centre

Thefutureofourcitiesandurbanenvironmentsneedsmore housingandbetterinfrastructureinordertothriveand attractlocalsandtouristsalike,it’sbeenclaimed.

CiaranFox,directoroftheRoyalSocietyofUlsterArchitects,says “peoplebringlifetoourcitiesandtowns”.

“Ifwedon’thavethesewerageinfrastructure,thepublic transportationinfrastructure,thepowerinfrastructureetctoenable development,thehousingdevelopmentswon’thappen.

“Creatingavibrant,attractiveurbancentre requiresspacecurrently allocatedtovehiclestobe reallocatedforwalking,wheeling,playing, socialisingetc.

“Asa resultpeoplelivingfurtheroutwon’tbeabletoeasilydrive toandparkintheurbancentre.Forthecentretothrivethesepeople needanattractivealternative–aprotectedcycleway,acheap, reliable, regularpublictransportoption.

“Theurbancentreofthefuturewillbelowcarbon.Notjustin transportationtermsbutalsoin relationtohowthebuildingsareheated andelectricityisgenerated.Thismustgohandinhandwithcreatinga moreattractiveplacetoliveandvisit.

“Weneedmorehousingintheheartofourcitiesandtowns–private housing,socialhousing,affordablehousing–andweneedtoachievea healthydensity.”

Future urban environments ‘need more housing and better infrastructure’

Readthefullfeatureonpage55-58

CiaranFox

ChrisConway,chairmanofBusinessin theCommunity(BITCNI),UlsterBusiness editor,JohnMulgrew,LisaMcIlvenna,BITC NI,IanHenry,CSRdirector,HenryBros, PeterMcVerry,stationmanager,U105and LauraWray,HRmanager,JPCorry

 NIResponsibleCompanyofthe Year, sponsoredbyEncirc

 ClimateAction Award, sponsoredbyHeronBros

 CollaborativeAction Award, sponsoredbyArthurCox

 DiversityandInclusion Award, sponsoredbyBelfastHarbour

 EducationPartnership Award, sponsoredbyAllen&Overy

 EmployerofChoice Award, sponsoredbyUlsterUniversity

 Impactin YourCommunity Award, sponsoredbySPARNI

 Responsible TechnologyInnovation Award sponsoredbyAllstateNI

 One-to-Watch Award

 ResponsibleBusinessAmbassador Award sponsoredbySSEAirtricity

 ResponsibleProduct/Service Award sponsoredby Translink

 Wellbeingat Work Award sponsoredbyLarnePort

Responsible Business Awards open for entries for2023

Thisyear’sBusinessintheCommunity ResponsibleBusiness Awardsare nowopenforentries.

Atotalof12awardsareupforgrabsat BusinessintheCommunity’sannualawards, showcasingcompaniesgoingaboveand beyondtomakeadifferencetosocietyorto theenvironment.

Theawardsarefreetoenterandwinners willbeannouncedonatagalaeventatthe ICCBelfastonSeptember7.

The12awardscategoriescoverarangeof themes,includingdiversity,wellbeing,climate, technology,partnerships,andcommunity impact,andatopprizeisawardedtothe2023 NIResponsibleCompanyofthe Year.

KieranHarding,managingdirector,Business intheCommunitysaid:“Theseawardsarean opportunitytoproudlyshowcaseNorthern Irelandorganisationsthataretrulyinnovative responsiblebusinessleaders,andtoinspire

othercompaniestogobeyondproftto beaforceforgoodforsocietyandthe environment.”

Thisyear2023seestheintroductionof threenewcategories,includingtheEmployer ofChoice Award,CollaborativeAction Award, andResponsibleAmbassador Award.

Theawardsaretakingplaceinpartnership withkeysponsorHenryBrothers,event partnerJPCorry,andinassociationwith Ulster Business andU105.

IanHenry,CSRdirector,HenryBrotherssaid: “AtHenryBrotherswearefrmlycommitted topromotingsustainability,notjustwithinour ownorganisationbutthroughoutthewider businesscommunity.

“Withthisinmind,wearepleasedto announcethatHenryBrothersisthekey sponsoroftheResponsibleBusiness Awards for2023.

“HavingpreviouslybeennamedResponsible

Businessofthe Year,HenryBrothershas continuedtogofromstrengthtostrength asatrulysustainableandfuture-proofed business.

“Enteringtheseawardsofferslocal companiesacrossarangeofindustriesand sectorsaninvaluableopportunitytoshowcase andbuildupontheireffortstoenhance theirsustainabilitycredentialsandpromote goodbusinesspractice,andIwouldliketo encouragealleligiblebusinessestosubmit theirapplicationbeforetheApril28closing date.”

Visitwww.bitcni.org.uk/awardstoenter andtofndoutmoreaboutthecategory criteriaortosignupforthe‘Howtomake agreat Awardsentry’webinar,takingplace 3pm–3:30pmonMarch23.

Thedeadlineforsubmissionsis5pmonFriday, April28.

Cybersecurity sectorlands £20m funding

ByMargaretCanning

NorthernIreland’scybersecurityindustryhaswonnearly £20mingovernmentfundingtodevelopprofessionals fortheindustryandhelpcompaniesdevelopnew opportunitiesinthefeld.

The£18.9mfromtheUKgovernmentincludes£11minfunding throughthe‘NewDealforNorthernIreland’announcedattheend of2020toboosteconomicgrowthattheendoftheBrexittransition period.

SteveBakerMP,MinsterofStateforNI,saidtheinvestmentwillcreate anewCyber-AIhubattheCentreforSecureInformation Technologies (CSIT)inBelfast.

Itwillalsohelpdevelopthecareersofnewcyberprofessionalswith thecreationofaDoctoraltrainingprogrammeandMastersbursaries. Thatwillhelpdeliveronthegovernment’spledgetohave5,000cyber professionalsinNorthernIrelandby2030,thegovernmentsaid.

Anadditional£3.3mfromtheEngineeringandPhysicalSciences ResearchCouncilwillsupportthenextphaseoftheUK’sinnovation andknowledgecentreatCSIT,while£4.6mhasalsocomefromproject partners.

ThefundinginjectionwasannouncedaheadofBelfasthosting industryeventCyberUK2023inApril.

MrBakersaid:“Thisfundingwillhelptocreatejobsandstrengthen NorthernIreland’seconomy,ensuringNIcontinuestoleadthewayin cybersecurity.”

ProfessorMáireO’Neill,WillDrury,MinisterofStateforNorthernIreland,SteveBaker MP,DrKedarPandya,DavidQuinn,andProfessorIanGreer,vicechancellorofQueen’s University

Pre-taxprofitsatDanskeBankhere rosein2022tohit£103m,according itslatestfullyear results.

Thelendersaidprofitwas“muchimproved” with37%growthinincomedrivenby increaseddealactivityandrisinginterestrates.

Pre-taxprofitswereupfrom£61.3mto £103.3m,whileincomeclimbedfrom£198.2m to£271.5m.

Thebanksaidithadsupportedbusiness throughouttheyearwithfundingof£850m.

Andhome-buyershadalsobeensupported withover£570minmortgagesin2022.

Chiefexecutive VickyDaviessaid:“Iam pleasedtoannounceastrongsetoffinancial resultsfor2022,withaprofitbeforetaxof £103.3m.

“Astrongfinancialperformancemeanswe arewellpositionedtocontinuetosupport customersthroughthecurrentchallenging economicconditions,aswellasbeingable toinvestinnewproductsandservicesthat improvecustomerexperience.

“In responsetoinflationarypressures,theBank

DanskeBank seesprofitsrise to£103m

ofEnglandraisedinterestratesthroughout 2022,from0.25%atthestartoftheyear,to 3.5%atyear-end.

“AtDanskeBankweareveryawarethat thetransitiontoahigherinterestrate environment,alongsidehigherenergybillsand generalcostofliving,ischallengingformany customers.

“Wearestayingclosetocustomers,providing supportforthosewhoneedit,whilst continuingtohelpbusinessespursuegrowth opportunitiesandpeoplebuyormovehome.“

Thebankannounceditwascreatinganew £35magri-sustainabilityfundtoencourage agri-businesscustomersaimingtointroduce moresustainabletechnologies.

MsDaviessaidthebankhadproactively offeredhelpto16,000customersduringthe yeartoofferguidanceandsupportovertheir finances.

Shesaidthehousingmarkethadseenhealthy salesinthefirsthalfoftheyear,butthat activityhadsloweddowntowardstheendof theyear.

And97%ofcustomersborrowingatotalof

£590mhadchosenafixed-ratedeal,with 70%onafive-yearfixin responsetorising interestrates.

Shesaidthebankexpectedthemortgage markettoslowdownthisyearbutthatlow supplyofhomeswouldmeandemandwould bemaintainedthoughatalowerlevel.

Andthebankhadnotseenanynotable increaseincustomersunabletokeepupwith mortgage repayments.

However,2022hadbeenatoughyearfor businessesduetofactorsincludingrising energycosts,borrowingcosts,staff retention issues,Brexit,supplychainchallengesand changesindemand.

“However,manybusinessesinNorthern Irelandareexperiencedatdealingwith uncertainty,andwearewellplacedtosupport them.

“In2022weapprovedover£850mof businesslending.

“Lendingapprovalsforsmallbusinesseswere up25%year-on-yearandweprovidedover £100moflendingapprovalstosupportnew corporatecustomers.” ■

VickyDavies

Offshoreenergy ‘couldcreate 1,500jobs’forNI

Offshore energyhasthepotentialtocreate1,500jobsand generate£2.4bnfortheNorthern Irelandeconomy, an industryeventhasheard.

RenewableNIhostedtheenergyseminaralongsidelawfrmA&L Goodbody, andheard fromdevelopers,governmentoffcialsandsupply chain representatives.

Planshavealreadybeen revealedfor a hugeoffshore schemefor Northern IrelandbyNorthChannel Wind.

DuringtheeventKoichiSamuels,offshore leadintheDepartmentforthe Economy(DfE),setoutthekeydetailsoftheOffshore RenewableEnergy ActionPlan(OREAP).

“Theoffshore industryeffectivelystalledatthisstage,”StevenAgnew, directorofRenewableNI,said.

“Butnowweface a newopportunitytopositionNorthern Irelandat theleadingedgeoffoatingwindturbinegeneratedelectricity Itwould beprofoundlysadtowatchthisopportunityevaporateforthesame reasons.”

MarkStockdale,partneratA&LGoodbody, toldtheconferencethat whilehewelcomedstepstakenbyDfE,whichlaunchedOREAPinlate Decemberandwhichisoutforconsultation,thesenseofurgencycould besharper

“Thecurrentprocessforconnectingoffshore windfarmsisoutdated andlendsuncertainty Developerscannotaccept a connectionofferuntil theyhave a leasewithTheCrownEstateandenvironmentalassessments whichtaketwoyearstocompletewillbedependentonthecabling route fromseabedtoonshore substationbeingconfrmed.”

KoichiSamuels fromthe Departmentforthe Economy

Experienceanddesiretolearnisa powerfulcombinationforjobseekers

ByJohnMoore,managingdirector,HaysNI

Mostofusatsomepointinourliveshavefeltadegree ofimpostersyndromeoratleasthadsomedoubtsin ourownabilitiesandquestionedifwehavetheskillsor qualifcationsneededtodothejobwe’rein.

SimilarlyI’msuremanyofyouduringyourcareerwillhavelookedata jobadvertisementthatexcitedorinterestedyou,buttalkedyourselfout ofapplyingforthe rolebecauseyoudidn’tmeetallofthecriterialisted.

Andyet80%ofemployerssurveyedbyHayslastyearsaidtheywill considercandidateswhodon’thavethefullskillset requiredforjobs theyhaveopen.I’vewritteninthiscolumnbeforeaboutthegrowing trendforemployersto“hireforpotential”togettherightsortof peopleintheirorganisation.Butforthattowork,thoseemployersneed peoplewhohavepotentialtoactuallyapplyinthefrstplace.

To beclear,many rolesdoofcourse requirespecifcskills,experience andqualifcations.Ifyou’reapplyingforaseniorlegal role,it’sprobably aprerequisitethatyouareaqualifedlawyer.Iambynomeans suggestingpeopleputinapplicationsforjobstheyarepatentlyunsuited for.

Butinmany rolesemployersaren’tlookingforspecifcskills,they’re lookingforanattitudeandaptitudeforlearningonthejob.Candidates whoknowtheytickalotoftheboxesbutnotallneedtobeconfdent intheskillstheydohaveandthenshowcasetheirwillingnesstolearn. Mytipsforanyoneinthispositionare:

⬤ StartwithyourCV. Kickoffwithashortopeningparagraphthat highlightsyourcuriosityandyourappetiteforlearning.Demonstrate thatyou’reaself-starterwho’smotivatedtogoaboveandbeyondto accessnewskills.DidyouteachyourselfthebasicsofSEO?Haveyou doneonlinetrainingoutsideofyourworkplace? Tailorwhat’s relevant tothe roleandincludeinsightsthatwill resonatewithyourpotential employers.

⬤ Reachoutdirectlyto recruiters. Buildinganin-personrapport will reallyhelpyour recruitergetasenseofyourpersonality, reassuring themthatputtingyouforwardtoa rolethat’stechnicallybeyondyour expertisewillbeagoodopportunityforbothyouandtheprospective employer.

⬤ Readupaheadoftheinterview. It’scrucialthatyouarrive preparedtodiscussgapsinyourunderstandingandhowyouplanto fllthem.Researchwhatitisyou’llneedtofulflthe roleandhavesome examplestoshareatinterviewstage.Explain,forexample,thatyou’ve signeduptoweeklyemailsfroma relevantindustrypublication,orthat you’vecollatedtrainingarticlesthatyouplantoworkthrough.It’snot

imperativetohave readalloftheseatthisstagebutitisimportantto showthatyou’reactivelyengagedindevelopingyourskills.

⬤ Takeaccountabilityforyourlearning. Showingapositiveand enthusiasticapproachtolearningduringyourinterviewwillhelp youstandout.Lifelonglearningisnolongeranice-to-have,it’sfast becominganecessityintoday’sevolvingjobmarket.

⬤ Behonest. Acandidatewhowantstolearnmustbeopenabout whattheydoanddon’tknowsothattheiremployercanbuilda cohesivetrainingplanforthem.Onceeveryoneisonthesamepage, thiscanbea reallysuccessfulworking relationship.Ifyousomehowbluff yourwayintoapositionbasedonfalseassumptions,thereisagood chanceyouwillquicklybefoundout.

Whilebeingabletohireacandidatewithalltheskillstheyneedisthe dreamscenario,employersare realisingthattheyhavetobefexible towidentheirtalentpool.Often,employersseeextraenthusiasmand commitmentfromnewhireswho recognisetheopportunitythey’ve beengivenandthelearninganddevelopmentjourneytheyareon. Providingthatopportunitytodevelopalsohelpsthem retainthose people.

Moreemployersarealsowillingtotakeontalentfromdifferent industries,whichmeansthereareopportunitiestomakecareerchanges orforpeopletryanewchallengeiftheyareunmotivatedinacurrent role.

Ofcourse,whileemployersarebecominglessstrictaboutcandidates havingthefullcriteriaforjob rolesthey’readvertising,theyare expectinggreatattitudestolearningin return. ■

TheClearerGroup: SoilèirandClearer Waterrestructureundernewumbrella

SoilèiranditsfagshipbrandClearer Waterhave restructured,whichwill seeallentitiescomingunder a new globalumbrella,TheClearerGroup.

TheClearerGrouphasalsoseenitsfrstmove appointingfromwithinwithRossLazarooHoodastheirnewglobalchiefexecutiveoffcer andco-chairman,whohasextensiveexecutivelevelexperiencesincefoundingtheLandmark insurancegroupbackinin2017.

In2021MrLazaroo-Hoodsignedthelong-term agreementwithLarneFootballClubtobetheir offcialsponsorprincipalsponsorand renaming themainstandatInverParktheLandmark Stand.

In2022,hesteppeddownfromhis roleas groupchiefexecutiveofhiscompanyLandmark andtookthe roleasowneranddirectoronits board.Hehaspassedtheleadershipmantle ontoSitkiGelmenasgroupchiefexecutive butwillmaintainhispositiononthatboard tooverseeitscontinualexpansion.Soilèir andClearer Waterwillcontinuetobeledin Northern IrelandbymanagingdirectorDavid HunterworkingwithMrLazaroo-Hoodto deliverthesameethosglobally

Onthistheironeyear’s anniversarysince acquiringClearer Water, thegrouphashadan extremelyexcitingandbusytimestartingwith itsbrand‘refreshed’acrosstheir‘Still’and‘with Bubbles’waterrange,theintroductionof a

newdivisiontheHydrationHubwhichbrings analternativehealthyvendingoptiontothe marketandmarketleadingwaterdispensers forhydrationonthemove.Italsosawtheteam winningtheaward forinnovationatTheLarne TimesBusinessEnterprise Awards.

MrLazaroo-Hoodwillleadfrom2023’s second quarterseeingtheircontinuedcontrolled expansionwith a pushtoseeexistingplus upcomingnewbrandsbeingexploredfor launchinterritoriesincludingtheUK, Turkey, Cyprus,JapanandCanadawithothersonthe horizon.

Clearer Water’s consumersare heavily motivatedtoseekoutandbuyfrom responsible andethicallymindedbusinesses.Clearer Water producesthevastmajorityofitsbottlesin recyclableglassandhavestrategisedtohelp drive a circulareconomyforplasticintheUK andacrossIreland.

Withthisinmind,Clearer Waterhaschanged to a clearbottleusing recycledPET(recycled polyethyleneterephthalateorrPET)andwe have reducedthesurfaceareasofallour productlabelsaimingto reducesignifcantly theircarbonfootprintbytheendof2024.

“It reallyisour responsibilitytoworkin partnershiptohelpthosebemore informedto makesocially, andenvironmentallyconscious decisions regardingtheproductsthatthey choosetoconsume,deliverandstock,”Mr Lazaroo-Hoodsaid.

“Clearer Waterwas recentlyawarded‘The GoodShoppingGuidesEthicalBrand Award’ andwewere delightedtofndourselvesscoring inthetopthreeintheUKandRepublic.

“We hopethis recognitioninstilsconfdenceto costumersthatTheClearerGroupisnotonly a highquality, premiumsourceofhydration but a brandthatputsits responsibilitytoour communityandwidersocietyattheforefront ofourbusinesspractices.

“As a brandthatchampionsinclusionClearer inNIemploys a diverse,mixedabilityworkforce andouroperativeteamiscomprisedofyoung adultswhowouldhavefounditdiffcultto fndandsustainsimilarjobs,ifnotforthe employmentopportunitiesprovidedbyour fagshipbrandClearer Water We are very blessedtohave a teamwhocaresverydeeply aboutwhatweare doing.

“Thegroupcanlookforward toanexciting growthin2023asthe refreshed restructuring bringstheirbrand,itspracticeswhichhas importanceinchanginglivesthroughethical andsocially responsiblebusinessmethods.By workinginclosepartnershipwithexistingand newconsumers,stockists,anddistributorsThe ClearerGroupwill realiseitscommitmentforall ofitsproductstoalwaysbeanddobetter ■

Readmore about ClearerGroup’s new sponsorshipplansonpage36

RossLazaroo-Hood

NIbusinessoptimismrisesdespite continuedprivatesectorslowdown

ByJohnMulgrew

Businesseshere have a more optimisticoutlookaboutthe landscapeaheadthisyeardespite continuedcontractioninourprivatesector

Januarysignalledanoptimisticoutlookamong Northern Irelandcompanies,therebyendingan eight-monthsequenceofpessimism,according tothelatestpurchasingmanagers’index(PMI) fromUlsterBank.

“Newproductlaunches,slowerinfationand hopesthatpreviouslydelayedprojectswillget thego-aheadsupportedthepositiveoutlook forbusinessactivity,”itsays.

“Positiveexpectationswere signalledinthe manufacturing,servicesand retailcategories, butconstructionfrmsmaintained a pessimistic outlook.”

However, there remains a continuedslowdown inoverallprivatesectoroutput.Butthe report saysthere are “signsofthedownturn losing pace”.

Butwhileslowdowniseasing,activityhasnow

falleninninesuccessivemonths,withthelatest declinelinkedtothechallengingdemandand infationaryenvironment.

“Northern Ireland’s privatesectorlargelystarted thisyeartheway2022ended,withfalling levelsofbusinessactivityandneworders, alongsideaneasingininfationarypressures,” Richard Ramsey, chiefeconomistNorthern Ireland,UlsterBank,said.

“Bothbusinessactivityandincomingorders fellfortheirninthsuccessivemonth,although theratesofdeclineslowedinJanuary Falling demand,intermsofneworders,wasevident acrossallfoursectors.

“However, there were alsosignsof improvementandpocketsofoptimism.Input costandoutputpriceinfationeasedtotwoyearlowsbut remainatelevatedlevels.Firms are stillincreasingtheirpricesmore thanany othertimepriortothepandemic.”

Intermsofthepositives,employmentgrowth acceleratedto a six-monthhighwithallfour sectorsincreasingstaffnglevelsinJanuary

“Indeed,NIfrmspostedthefastestrisein

employmentlevelsofall12UK regions,”Mr Ramseysaid.“Thatwasdespitethefactlocal frmspostedthesharpestdeclineinoutput withintheUKinJanuary

“Thissuggeststhatlocalfrmsare hoarding labour, giventhediffcultyin recruiting staff andwidespreadskillsshortages.How sustainablethisapproachiswillbetested inthemonthsahead.Retailwasthestar performerinJanuarywithanincreaseinsales and retailemploymentrisingatitsfastest pacesinceMay2018.

“Theextremepessimism reportedin2022 appearstohavelifted.Onlyconstructionfrms are expectingfurtherfallsinoutputin12 months’time.Manufacturingand retailare theirmostoptimisticin10and11months respectively

“The reboundin retailsalesandsentiment isperhapssurprisinginthemidstof a cost oflivingcrisis.However, there are two keyfactorslikelytobedrivingthis.Unlike Northern IrelandandtheUK,theRepublicof Irelandisneitherinnorfirtingwith recession andcross-bordershoppingisprovidingsome valuablesupport.” ■

Deloitteopensentriesfor BestManagedCompanies Awardsprogramme

DeloittehaslauncheditsBest ManagedCompanies Awards programmeandisencouraging ambitiousNorthernIrelandbusinesses acrossallsectorstoapply.

Nowinits15thyear,theprogramme,which issponsoredbyBankofIreland,celebrates thework,passionandtenacityofindigenous businessesandtheirmanagementteams.

TheBestManagedCompaniesnetwork currentlycomprises136companiesacross avarietyofsectors,including30basedin NorthernIreland.Thenetworkofcompanies hasacombinedturnoverof€13.9bnand providesover51,000jobsontheislandacross arangeofsectors–from retailandhospitality tomanufacturingandconstruction.

Ninenewcompanieswereaddedtothelist lastyear,includingthreefromNorthernIreland: innovativeLarne-basedquarryandmineral

processorKilwaughterMinerals;specialist buildingfaçadedesignerandmanufacturer ClarkefromBallymena;andNewryheadquarteredwastemanagementgroup Re-Gen Waste.

AisléanNicholson,leadpartnerfortheBest ManagedCompanies AwardsProgrammeat DeloitteinBelfast,said:“We’reconsistently impressedwiththestandardofapplicationsfor ourBestManagedCompaniesprogrammeand I’mexcitedtoseethecalibreofbusinesseswho comethroughthisyear.The‘bestmanaged’ processisrigorousandchallengesthe managementteamstodemonstratestrategic thinkingandambition.

“Overthelast15yearswe’veseengreat changeinwhatconstitutesabestmanaged companybutonetraitwecontinuetoseein successfulbusinessesistheirabilitytoadapt strategiesbasedontheirexternalenvironment. NorthernIrelandcompaniesinthenetwork

havecontinuedtogofromstrengthtostrength andwehopetowelcomemorenewentrants thisyear.”

Applicantstotheprogrammecanexpectto receivededicatedcoachingfromDeloitte andBankofIreland.Theapplicationprocess providesparticipatingcompanieswiththe opportunitytoanalysetheirentirebusiness, includingperformance,managementpractices andgoals,whichisavitalexerciseforany company.

DanielleWhoriskey,BankofIreland,said:“We arelookingforwardtoseeingNorthernIreland companiescontinuetodemonstratethatthey areambitiousandworthyofbeingnamedBest ManagedCompanies.Asbusinessesfacenew andgrowingchallenges,itismoreimportant thaneverthatmanagementteamsshowagility andlong-termstrategicthinkingastheylead theircompanies. We’reexcitedtocelebrate and rewardtheirinnovationand resilience.” ■

PicturedatFryliteinStrabaneareAisléanNicholson,partneratDeloitte,JosephinePenrose,groupfnancedirectoratFryliteandDanielleWhoriskeyfromBankofIreland

PwC: greeneconomy accelerating need for skillsinvestmentinNI

WhatdobusinessesinNorthernIrelandneedtodoto preparefortheopportunitiesthatthegreeneconomy willbring?Whatskillsandtransformationshould businessesherebeinvestinginnowtohelpmeetNI’s netzerotargets?Lessthanayearintoherroleasthe frstfemaleregionalmarketleaderfor PwCNorthern Ireland, CatMcCusker seesawealthofopportunity availabletothosewhocanworkacrosssectorsto reskillNIforagreenerworld

“Twoofthebiggestchallenges facingNIatthemomentare meetingournetzero targets andhavingtheskillsinplacewithinour workforcetodothis.Buttheyalsopresent ourbiggestopportunities,ifwecanbe braveandboldenoughtotacklethem headon.”

WhenyoumeetCatMcCusker, the regional marketleaderforPwCNI,youquickly realise twothings.Firstly, sheisstraighttalking andgetsrighttotheheartoftheissue,and secondlysheispassionateaboutmakingNI a globaleconomicsuccess,where peoplewantto liveandbusinesseswanttoinvest.

Sheknowsthere isworktobedone.“There are lotsofchallengesatpresent – bothlocally andglobally – thatare impactingNIbusinesses andoureconomy,”shesays.“Butthere’s alsoenormouseconomicpotentialthat’s just waitingtobeunlocked.”

Catseesthegreeneconomyas a massive

opportunityforNorthern Ireland.“Ourfocus shouldbeondrivinglong-termproductivity outcomes,byacceleratingnetzero progress andinvestinginskillstodriveinnovationand investmenthere.

“Since I tookonthe regionalmarketleader roleinNI,I’vebeenmeetingwithlocalbusiness owners,publicsectorleaders,higherand furthereducation representatives,politicaland publicfgures,and I amblownawaybythe talentandambitionwehavehere.There is a sharedvisiontomakeNIthe‘goto’destination forpeople,skillsandinvestment.”

“We needtocollaborateacrossallthese sectorstosupportNIinbecoming a lowcarboneconomyandrisetothechallengeof reachingnetzero.Thebusinesscommunity needstoworkalongsidegovernmentandother keycontributors,toacceleratethetransition to‘green’skillsand‘green’jobs;buildon our renewableenergyproduction;scaleup hydrogengenerationcapabilities;andinvest furtherinsustainabletransport.”

PwC’s recentGreenJobsBarometerstudyshows NIhasoneofthelowestproportionsofgreen jobsintheUK.Greenjobsare rolesthatseekto eitherproduceenvironmentallyfriendlyproducts orprovideandadaptservicesandprocessesto becomemore environmentallyfriendly

Catsaysthebiggestbarriertogreenjobs growthhere istheshortageofskills.“We need toupskillandtrainpeopleforthejobsthatwill realiseournetzero andeconomicambitions.If wedon’t takeactionnow, nothingwillchange andNIwillcontinuetolagbehindotherpartsof theUK.”

Thisisnotaneasytaskwhenbusinessesare alreadydealingwiththemore immediate challengesofinfationandstaff shortages.But Cat’s answerissimple.

“The realityisthatwithoutinterventionsome non-greenindustriesinNIare likelytoshrink, andwithout a commensurategrowthingreen jobs,thiswill resultin a netdecreaseintotal jobsinNI – furtherfuellingunemployment. Forme,thisisoneofthemostcompelling reasonstoinvestinupskillinganddeveloping a widerapproachtopromotinggreenjobs.This isaboutourfuture livelihoodsandeconomic prosperity.”

Sowhatcanbusinessesdotostarttoprepare forthisgreenworld?“Thefrststepisto acknowledgewhat’s happening,”Catsays. “Businessesmustacceptthattheirworkforces – andtheskillstheyneed – willchange dramaticallyinthenext10to15years. Too manyorganisationswespeaktoassumethey cancontinuewithbusinessasusual.Itistough

tohear, butthe realityisthattheycan’t.”

Catadvisesthatbusinessesshouldstart building a roadmapfortheirworkforcenow, onethatassesseswhatisgoingtochangefor theirindustry, andwhattheimplicationsare fortheirworkers.“Whenweconsidergreen jobs,there isthetemptationtofocusonlyon science,technology, engineeringandmaths (STEM)skillswhichare mostindemand,butwe alsoseedemandfordigitalanddata,project management,changemanagement, research, andleadershipandcommunicationskills.So therangeofopportunitiesishuge.

“Businessesneedtounderstandwhere they needtobeinthenextfveto10years,and assesswhere theyare now Andthenwork out a step-by-stepplantogettheiremployees

fromnewstarterstothemostexperiencedwhere theyneedtobethrough reskillingand upskilling.”

Whilebusinessesneedtobefuture-proofng now, Catalsoacknowledgesthecritical role thatgovernmenthasinsupportingthedrive towards a greeneconomy “PwCisalready workingwiththegovernmenttounderstand theimpactsofthetransition,withtheaimof bettertargetingsupportandinterventionsto theindustries,jobs,andskillclustersthatneed itthemost,andultimatelymaximisingthe positiveimpactsofthoseinterventions,”Cat says.

Thegreeneconomyisn’t uniquetoNIorindeed the restoftheUK.PwC’s recentCEOSurvey, whichcapturestheviewsofthousandsof

>

PwCregionalmarket leaderCatMcCusker

chiefexecutivesaroundtheworld,showedthat almost a quarter(22%)ofUKchiefexecutives believetheirbusinesswillnotbeeconomically viablewithin a decadeiftheydonotmake signifcantinterventionstochangecourse.Over a quarter(26%)alsofeelexposedtothethreat ofclimatechangeoverthenext12months, and a third are progressing/implementing strategiesto reduceemissionsandmitigate climaterisks.

“BusinessesinNIhavealreadyshowntheir abilitytoplanandadapt – theCovidpandemic acceleratinghybridworkingandcloud computingbeingtwovery recentexamples. Nowtheyneed a renewedfocusonskills,”Cat says.

AndasPwCUK’s educationconsultingleader, there isnobetterpersontocontributetothe driveforskillsthanCat.“We alreadyhave a reallystrongeducationsectorhere– with leadinginstitutionsand a culture ofacademic excellence. We haveanopportunitytobuildon theseandtoharnessourpositiontoinvestin ourfuture,andcapitaliseontheopportunities presentedbythegreeneconomy.”

To dothis,Catbelieves a multi-layered

approachis required.“Ensuringtheright educationandtrainingforyoungpeopleis essential.Asemployersweneedtoworkin partnershipwithcollegesandothertraining providers,andwiththegovernment,to ensure peopleare notleftbehindaswe transitiontonetzero.

“We needtargetedsupporttobetter incentivisestudyand retraininginskillareas thatwillmostcloselyalignwiththegreen jobsgrowthagenda,suchassustainability andenvironmentalskills.Businessesneed supporttoundertakeworkforceplanningand targetinternalskilldevelopmentaccordingly Andweneedtobetterpromoteinward investmentintogreenindustriesandjobs tocreatethedemand.Ifwegetthisright, and I believethatwecan,wecouldboost employment,slowthebraindrainoutofNI, andultimatelybenefttheenvironment,”Cat says.

Shealsofrmlybelievesthatembedding strongSTEMskillsfromanearlyageis criticallyimportant.“There issomuchthatwe candotoensure thateveryteenagerleaves schoolwith a desire tostayinNIandtheright skills,experienceandqualifcationstodrive

oureconomyforward bydoingso,”Catsays.

“We needtoensure allyoungpeoplewho wanttosucceedandexcelincareersin mathematicsandsciencehaveaccessto brilliantteaching - wecandothisthrough initiativeslikemathsschools,whichinvolve a universitypartnershiptoprovidementoring, enrichmentandspecialistteachingsupport.

“There is a crucial roleforemployerstoo. Youngpeopleneedtoknowwhatthe opportunitiesare– asemployerswecanshow andinspire them – particularlygiventhepace ofchange.

“Inpracticethatmeansbusinessesworking withschoolsandcolleges,soyoungpeople seehowtheworldofworkischanging,what jobsofthefuture looklike,andprovidework placementsandotherexperiencessotheycan fndoutmore.”

Lookingaheadtothefuture,Catsays:“NIis recognisedforourabilitytobecreativeand adaptable. Withtherightfocusandinvestment acrossallsectors,NIhastheopportunityto adaptandgainfromthegreeneconomy But weneedtostartnow.” ■

Aerospacegiant SpiritAerosystems postslossesof£450m

TheparentcompanyofSpirit AerosystemsinBelfasthasposted lossesofaround£450mfortheyear, accordingtoitslatestsetof results.

TheUS-ownedbusiness,whichemploys around2,700atitsbaseineastBelfast,posted revenuesof$1.3bn(£1.1bn)forthethird quarterof2022,alongwithnetlossesof $243m(£203m)forthesameperiod.

Overthecourseoftheyearthefrmsawnet lossesof$546m(£456m), roughlyinlinewith performanceayearearlier.

SpiritAerosystems,whichwasformerly Bombardierhere,produceswingsandpartsof thefuselagefortheAirbusA220,alongwith otherwork.

Inthelastyearaccountsforitslocalbusiness, ShortBrothersplc,thefrm reduceditslosses tojustover$76min2021–downfrom aroundhalfabillionayearearlier.

“[Lastyear]wasachallengingyearforthe entireindustryasweworkedthroughsupply chainpartshortagesandlabourattrition,

whichimpactedoveralldeliveriesand proftability,” TomGentile,presidentandchief executive,SpiritAeroSystems,saidaboutthe latestoverall results.

“Welearnedalotoverthecourseoftheyear whichwewillapplytofutureproductionrate increases.Ourfreecashfowusageinthe quarterwaswithintherangeweindicatedon ourthirdquarterearningscall.

“Whilewespentmoreinthefourthquarterto achievethose results,thoseinvestmentsshould positionusbetterforfuturerateincreases. Onthe737program,weplantoproduce approximately420shipsetsin2023.”

Inthelatestmarketupdate,thefrmsaid “operatinglossforthefourthquarterof2022 was$138.8m,comparedtooperatinglossof $79minthesameperiodof2021”.

“Thegreateroperatinglosswasprimarily drivenbyhigherchangesinestimatesduring thefourthquarterof2022aswellasthe absenceofincome relatedtothe Aviation ManufacturingJobsProtection(AMJP)Program thatwas recognizedinthefourthquarterof

2021,partiallyoffsetbyhigherproduction volumesontheBoeing737program.”

Thecompanysaiditsriseinsales,uparound 27%on2021,wasduetohigherproduction deliveriesfortheBoeing737andAirbusA320 andA220programmes.

Overalldeliveriesincreasedto1,297shipsets during2022comparedto1,022shipsetsin 2021.ThisincludesBoeing737deliveriesof 281shipsetscomparedto162shipsetsinthe prioryear.

Speakingaboutcash reserves,Spirit Aerosystemssaidthefourthquarterofthe 2021balance refectsthe receiptofa$73m (£61m)tax refund resultingfromtheCARES Act–theUSGovernment’sCovid-19support mechanism–aswellasthepaymentof$154m (£129m)towardstheBelfastpensionplan.

‘We wouldn’t ruleoutdoing more projects inBelfast’

PaddyMcKillenjnr’sPressUpHospitalityGroupisplanningitsfirstforayinto NorthernIreland,withTheDeanhotelinBelfastcitycentre. JohnMulgrew speaks tothegroup’sheadofdevelopment, JessicaCarlyle-Clarke,abouttheambitious plans,whythere’sdemandinthemarketformorehotelshereandwhyfurther developmentsandhospitalityvenuescouldbeoncardsfromthegroup

I’dheardonthegrapevineawhileback thatthebuildingwhichoncehoused DeanesDeliintheheartofBelfastwas beingearmarkedforanewhotelwitha similartitle.

PaddyMcKillenjnr’sPressUpHospitality Grouphasnow revealedit’sbringingitsfirst DeanhoteltoBelfast–anambitiousand grand‘boutique’proposedschemewhich isearmarkedtocreatearound170jobsand boasta rooftoppool.

ButaccordingtoJessicaCarlyle-Clarke,there couldbemoreinthelong-termpipelinefor NorthernIrelandfromthehospitalitygroup, downtheline.

“It’sabitfardownthelinebutIwouldn’trule itout,”theheadofbusinessdevelopmenttells UlsterBusiness

“Oncewegettoknowacityithappensvery oftenthatweexpandthebrands[inthe market]. We’llseehowwegowiththehotel…

it’sabiginvestmentforusinthecity.[We] wouldn’truleoutdoingmoreprojects…it’s aboutwhenweseetherightopportunityor building.

“…it’shappenedveryquickly. We boughtthe buildinginJanuary.That’showwedothings andmoveatamillionmilesandhour.[We’re] engagingwithkeystakeholders,BelfastCity Councilandthelocalcommunity.”

AccordingtoJessica,thegroup–which

operatesmorethan60bars,hotelsand restaurantsacrossIrelandandintheUK–has beeneyeingtheopportunityinBelfastfor sometime.

“Wehavedonemanynewandold[buildings] butwhatgetsusexcitedisthe restorationof historicbuildings,”Jessicasays.

TODDArchitectshasbeenappointedto transformthe19thcenturybuilding,which wasoriginallyconstructedinthe1860sand hasbeenhometoanumberofnoteworthy spotsincludingLarry’sPianoBarandDeanes Deli.

“What reallydrewustothebuildingin particularwasaroundthehistoryofthearea, neartheUlsterHall. We are reallydrawnto historyandheritage,”Jessicasays.

“ForBelfastweareallaboutlookingaticonic cities–that’sthetargetmarketforahotel. Thesiteisofsuchculturalsignifcance.

“It’sauniqueofferandwillbedesign-ledwith high-spec rooms,centrallocation,modern butalsoadaptable.Itwillbeamixtureofa modernofferinginanhistoricbuilding. We won’tbechanginganythingintermsofthe façadeorfabricofthebuilding.”

Partofthatofferingwillincludea rooftop bar, restaurantandpool.Butisthelatter achallengegivenNorthernIreland’sown proclivityfordownpours?

“Wesaidwewantapoolandwemadeit happen,”Jessicasays.“AsfarasIknowfor peopleinNorthernIreland…theywillbraveit anditcanbeusedallyear round.”

Initialplansarebeingsubmittedforthe schemeandJessicasaysthetargetdatefor openingcouldbethelatterpartof2025.

“Weare reallyhopefultheplanningprocess willbe reallypositive–around12monthsfor it,ormaybe15monthsismore realistic.The buildtimewillbe18months.Really,opening dateschangeallthetimeandaredependent onplanningandconstruction. We willgetto knowthebuildingwhenwegetin.”

WhileNorthernIreland’shotelnumbersand occupancyarebacktomorebuoyantand stablelevels–youneedonlylookatFriday andSaturdaynightpricesinBelfastcitycentre –isthere roomforanothersizeablehotelin theareaespeciallygiventhecloseproximity toseveralothers,includingthe300-bedroom GrandCentral.

“Wejustthinkthisismoreofamultiofferingbuilding…it’llbeagreataddition tothenight-timeeconomyforallgroupsof customers.

“…it’sanidealchoiceforbusinessorpleasure. We arefamousforourbrunchatSophie’s,and dinner. We are reallyexcitedtobepartofthe citywhichhasagrowingpipelineof rooms.

“BythetimeTheDeanis readytowelcome [guests]wewouldhaveworked reallyhard toworkwithlocalstakeholdersandindustry bodiestopromotegrowthinthecity,andhelp realiseitsambitions.

“Thedomesticmarketisveryimportantto usandaverystrongUSPforus.TheDean brandwillalsohelpdrivethecity’snight-time economy.”

Jessicasaysshe remainsconfdentofdemand forthenewadditiontothecity,despitethe currentcostoflivingcrisis.

“Ifeelformany reasonstobepositivefor potentialforgrowthwithintheeconomyand tourismsectorbythetimeweare readyto welcomeguests,”shesays.

“It’shardtoseeintothefuture–therearelots ofbusinessesacrosstheUKandIrelandwhich areveryquicktoadaptand respondtoany crisisormarketshift. We havesurvivedthe worst,hopefully.

“Wehavemany reasonstobepositiveand wewouldwanttodoalotof researchbefore openinginacity.Theopportunitypresents itselfasaperfectbuildingandwearevery positivefortourisminBelfastanddemand growingoverthenextcoupleofyears,andwe willbepartofthat.”

Intermsofemployment,Jessicasaysplans wouldincludehiringsome170staff.“Weare verymuchcommittedtoworkingwithlocal companiesandemployinglocal,”shesays. “Wedotrainingin-houseandinvestalot oftimeintrainingemployees.Thatwillbea fantasticcommitmenttothecityfromus.” ■

TheNIstart-upaimingto changetheartofgiftgiving

LouiseDoyleandStephScholesareaimingtousetechnologytohelpimprove thequalityofgiftswesendtoourfriendsandfamily,utilisingtechnologyand psychologyalongtheway,withtheirbusiness Needi,alongsidesomeassistance fromthe UlsterBankAccelerator

ANorthernIrelandstart-upis usingtechnologyandartifcial intelligence(AI)inabidtoboost andimprovethegiftgivingexperience.

Neediisthebrainchildofformersalesdirectors

LouiseDoyleandStephScholes,andisanew giftgivingmarketplacewhichbothshowcases thetalentsoflocalindependentproducers, whilealsohelpingchangethewayinwhich wethinkaboutcelebratingandmarkingbig occasions.

“Weareagift-matchingmarketplacewhich usespsychologyandAItopinpointagifttoa recipient,”LouiseDoylesays.

“WeareworkingwithavarietyofD2C customers–theycantellus,forexample,‘it’s Jane’sbirthday,shelikeshedgehogsandlong walksintherain’. We usealloftheinformation aboutJaneandfndperfectgiftsfromlocal independentgifts.”

Louisesaysthecompanyisalsoworkingacross thecorporatemarket–fromstart-upstolarge bluechiporganisations.

“Weare reinventinghowpeoplelookatgifts. Abunchoffowers,beerorwine–it’sallvery nicebutnotsettingtheworldonfre.

“Itwasthepsychologybehindgiftgivingwhich welookedat,”shesays.“Therearesomebasic pointswhichmaketheperfectgiftandthere’s lotsof researchthatsaysifyouanswerthese questions,andittickstheseboxes,thenthat’s whatmakestheperfectgift.

“Tooversimplifyit,it’sgivingpeoplesomething

theywantorneed,andcanuseonaday-todaybasis.”

Thebusinesshasalreadyraisedaround £250,000fromarangeofsources,including angelinvestors.

ButLouisesaysit’sinthefnalstagesoflanding additionalVCfundingandgrantassistance.

Andwhilemuchoftheinitialgiftmatchingis beingdoneasa‘concierge’serviceusingstaff

atthemoment,Louisesaysit’sdevelopinga newalgorithmwhichwillallowacustomerto matchwiththeperfectgiftautomatically.

“Rightnowweareatthestageofcollating allofthatdata,”Louisesays.“Wehavejust receivedagranttohelpdevelopsomeofour techfurther–wewillbetestingoverthenext year.”

Louisesaysit’salreadyworkingwithsome giantsofindustryandaimstogrowthe

LouiseDoyle

International Women’s Dayshouldimpact throughouttheyear

Earlierthismonthmanybusinessesandorganisationswill havecometogethertomarkandcelebrateInternational Women’sDay.Theglobalinitiativeisnowamajoreventin localworkplaceswitheffortstopromoteinclusionandamplify women’sachievementstakingcentrestage.

Thethemeforthisyear’seventwasembracingequityandparticipants wereencouragedtochallengegender-basedstereotypesandforge changewithintheirownsphereofinfuence.

Assomeonewhoworkswithfemaleentrepreneurseverydaywithin theUlsterBankEntrepreneurAccelerator,thisthemestruckaparticular chord. We spendalotoftimewithfocusingonthedifferences betweenequityandequalityintheworkplaceandalwayscometothe conclusionthatyoucannotachievegenuineparitywithout recognizing anindividual’sparticularsetofcircumstances.Allocating resources andopportunitieswiththisinmindshouldalwaysbethepreferred approach.

Aswelearnmoreabouttheexperiencesoffemalefoundersand tapintotheirinsights,thereisaclearerpictureofwhereefforts mustbefocusedtoleveltheplayingfeldforanyunderrepresented entrepreneurs.Manywouldagreethathavingaccesstofunding remains

businessoutsideNorthernIreland,theUKand beyond–withthecorporateendseeinga surge.

“Someofthebesttechteamsand developmentisintheBelfastarea…weare alreadygoinginternationally. We havesome hugebusinesseswhichweareworkingwith.

“Thecorporatesideisthe[area]whichhas been reallykickingoffinthelastyear.That’s predominatelydowntothehybridworkforce,

thebiggestandgreatestchallengeforfemaleentrepreneurs. To realise theirpotential,femaleentrepreneursmusthaveaccesstothefnance theyneedtogrowtheirbusinessesand,asweknowfromtheRose Review,thiscouldgenerateanadditional£250bntotheUKeconomyif womenstartedandscaledbusinessesatthesamerateasmen.

So,whatcanbedonetobringgreaterequitytothisarea?Onesolution istoincreasethenumberoffemaleangelinvestors.Researchfromthe WomenAngelInvestment TaskForceshowsthatgrowingthenumber offemaleangelswilldirectlyincreasethelevelsofinvestmentinfemale entrepreneurssowehavestrengthenedourpartnershipwiththeUK BusinessAngelsAssociationandleanedintosupportprovidedfrom otherNatWestcolleaguestotryandraiseawarenessofthisoften overlookedfundingstream.

Butit’salsoimportanttotakeastepbackandexplorewhatcanbe donetosupportfemalestakingthefrststepontheirentrepreneurial journey,alongwiththosewhoareseekingtoscaleuptheiroperations. RecentlywehostedaneventinpartnershipwithTheGenderIndexas theybroughttheirUK-wide roadshowtoBelfast.Datapresentedonthe dayhighlightedthatjustunder14%ofallactivecompaniesinNorthern Irelandarefemale-ledandthatofthisnumber,88%areconsideredto bemicro,ieemployingfewerthan10people.

Whilesomeoftheinformationsharedonthedaywasdisappointing, particularlyaroundthesectorialdisparitiesandthefactthatNorthern Irelandcontinuestolagbehindother regionsoftheUKinthisarea, bycomingtogetherwithpartnersfromTheGenderIndex, Womenin BusinessandQueen’sUniversity,wearemovingintherightdirectionto embraceequity.

Andthereareagreatmanystoriestopointtoherewhenitcomesto showcasingwomenwhohaveenjoyedsuccessatthehighestleveland wewelcometheworktheyaredoingtoinspireotherfemalefounders, suchasLouiseandStephatNeedi,totakeasimilarleap.

International Women’sDaymayhavepassedforanotheryearbutit’s impactshouldcontinueto resonatethroughouttheyear. We canalltake actiontocalloutdiscrimination,drawattentiontobiasandstrivefor inclusionandworkingcollaborativelytowardsthisgoalshouldbringus closertoembracingequity.

peopletryingtomotivatetheirstaff…there’s beena realneedforthatthere.

“Whatthatisdoingisdrivingourdirect-toconsumerbusiness. Witheverygiftwhich goesouttosomeonethere’saQRgifttag… thatwouldgiveyouadiscountandyouwould becomeanewcustomerforus.”

AndbeingontheUlsterBankAcceleratorhas been“absolutelyhuge”forthecompany, accordingtoLouise.

“Thecommunityofentrepreneursand mentors–havingaccesstothisbankof really knowledgeablepeoplewhoaren’tgoingto laughwhenyouaskasillyquestion,orthey seemtoknowsomeonewhohasananswer. Thathasbeenincredible.

“Wefoundnewmerchants–amazing businesseswhicharenowsellingtheirproducts onoursite. We’vealsohadintroductionsto investorsandaregettingfundingasa result ofit.” ■

ByJohnFerris,regionalecosystemmanager,UlsterBank

JohnFerris

Northern Ireland’s domestic regional rateistoriseby6%whilerates onnon-domesticpropertiesare tobefrozen,theSecretaryofStatehas announced.

Intheabsenceof a StormontExecutive,Chris Heaton-Harrishassettherateunderpowers giventotheSecretaryofStateunderthe recentlypassedNI(ExecutiveFormation)Act.

The regionalnon-domesticratewillnotchange atallforthe2023-24fnancialyear, whilethe domesticratewillbeincreasedby6% – lower thanthedouble-digitrisesomehadfeared.

ColinNeill,chiefexecutiveofHospitalityUlster said:“Thisiswelcomenewsat a timewhen costpressuresare hurtingthewiderbusiness communityandthehospitalitysectorin particular

“We havefoughthard andmade representationstotheSecretaryofStatetodo more forbusinessandforourindustryandwe are gladtoseethathehasheededthewarning signsandmadethisdecisiontofreezethenondomestic regionalrateforthenextfnancial year.”

Theaveragedistrictratesincreaseacross Northern Ireland’s councilswas6.67%,slightly higherthanthe regionalratehikeannounced byMrHeaton-Harris.

Secretaryof State‘freezes’ NIbusinessrates

“IntheabsenceoftheNorthern Ireland Executive, I havesetthe regionalrateto ensure thecrucialdeliveryofpublicservices andprovidecertaintyforNItaxpayers,”the SecretaryofStatesaid.

“Iamveryaware thatthiscomesamidstcost oflivingpressuresforbothNIbusinessesand households,and I havesettheratestoimprove thesustainabilityoftheNIpublicfnances whilstprotectingthosemostinneed.

“While I willnotshirkmy responsibilitytodo therightthingforNI’s fnances,it remainsthe casethesedecisionsshouldbetakenbylocally electedpoliticiansin a fullyfunctioningNI Executive.”

The regionalratehasbeensetthrough secondarylegislationwhichwaslaidintheUK Parliamenttoday, andwillcomeintoeffecton March20.

AlanLowry, policychairmanoftheFederation ofSmallBusinesses(FSB),saidMrHeaton-Harris had“removedoneofthethreats”facedby businessesinNorthern Irelandbyfreezingthe non-domesticrate.

“We are verypleasedthattheSecretaryof

Statehas recognisedtheimmensepressures facingSMEsinNorthern Irelandandchosen nottoaddtotheirburdenashestrikesthe regionalrate,”hesaid.

“Thenextstepmustbeforoffcialsinthe DepartmentofFinancetoprioritisesomeof ourmostchallengedsectorsandmatchthe supportthattheChancellorsawfttoprovide inEnglandand Waleswhenheintroduced a 75%discountfor retail,hospitality, tourism andleisure.

“Ourmembersinthesesectorsare telling usaboutthepressurestheyare facingand cannotseehowoffcialscoulddecidethatthe pressure issomehowlessinNorthern Ireland thanthatinEnglandor Wales.

“SMEsprovidethemajorityofemploymentin Northern Ireland,andthesesectorsarea key partofourtourismofferingwhichbringsin wealthfromelsewhere,sowemustseethem prioritisedforsimilarsupport.”

ItcomesafterNorthern Ireland’s 11councils fnalisedtheirratesincreasesbefore the February15deadline,withthehighest increase(7.99%)cominginBelfastCity Council. ■

NorthernIrelandSecretary ChrisHeaton-Harris

FinTrUcreating300 newjobsforDerry in£30minvestment

Northern Irelandfntechgiant FinTrUiscreating300newjobsas partof a majorinvestmentinits Londonderrybase.

Thefrm,whichhasitsmainoffceinBelfast, coulddoublethesizeofitsDerryworkforceto around600by2027.Thecreationofthenew jobsisbeingsupportedbyInvestNI.

Lastyear, DarraghMcCarthy’s FinTrU continuedonitsgrowthtrajectory, expanding itsinternational reachandopening a base inPorto.It’s beenapprovedas a projectof nationalstrategicinterestbyPortugal’s Institute forEmploymentand Vocational Training(IEFP).

Thecompanybrokethe1,000employee marklastyearandalsoannounceditwould besettingupanothernewbase,thistimein Letterkenny, creatingaround300jobs.

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

ThislatestexpansionwillseeFinTrUgrowingits workforcetoaround1,500staff.

“[Thisis] a signifcantstepwhichwillsee FinTrUgrowtoover1,500employeesin Northern Irelandandsignifcantlyincreaseour competitiveness,catapultingusinto a newera ofbusinessgrowth,”hesays.

“FinTrUiscelebratingits10thbirthdayin2023 andthenorthwestholds a specialplaceinthe heartofourbusiness.Sincemakingourfrst investmentinDerryin2018,wehavebeen blownawaybythetalentandwere ableto surpassourinitialjobstargetoneyearaheadof schedule.

“Followingtheannouncementofour Letterkennysitelastyear, ournewest investmentis a demonstrationofourongoing commitmenttodevelopandchampionthe North West regionandourstaff whohave helpedustogrowhere.

“InvestNIhasbeen a vitalpartnerinenabling ourimpressivegrowthtodateandalsoin securingthelong-termsustainabilityofour operationsinbothDerryandBelfast.”

New roleswillrangefromgraduate rolesto more seniorexperiencedpositions.

“FinTrUisanindigenouscompanytoNorthern Irelandandourpeoplestrategyistoattract, developand retainthebesttalentinthe marketplace,”GregMcCann,executivedirector andheadofFinTrU’s northwestoffce,said.

“There area lotofhigh-qualitygraduates comingfromthelocaluniversitiesandcolleges

whichhavesupportedustowinnewcustomers andgrowoursalesglobally We havealso welcomed a largenumberofexperienced professionals,whohave returnedtothenorth westtopursuethehigh-qualitycareerswecan provide.Itwas a resultofourfantastictalent thatallowedFinTrUtowintheLargeNorth WestBusinessofthe YearattheNorth West Business Awardsin2022.”

AndMelChittock,interimchiefexecutive ofInvestNI,said:“We havehad a long partnershipwithFinTrU,sincewefrst supportedthemtoinvestinNorthern Irelandin 2014. We are pleasedtobeabletosupportthis latestinvestment.Itsemphasisondeveloping future leadersftswiththeDepartmentforthe Economy’s 10Xvisionbycreatingvaluablejob opportunitiesandaddressingskillsimbalances inthenorthwest region. I ampleasedtosay thatonceinplace,thejobswillcontribute £8.6mofadditionalannualsalariestothelocal economy.” ■

MelChittock,InvestNI,StevenMurtland,KathleenMcDermott,GregMcCannandDarraghMcCarthy,FinTrUfounder

OliverExorna Group: diversifcation andcontinuedgrowth onthehorizon

AndyOliver,directorofthe OliverExornaGroup, hasexpandedthefamily-ownedColeraine-based businesstoawiderangeofspecialisms,fromkitchen andbedroomftoutstotransport,manufacturing andhardwaresales,andiscontinuingtoundergo investmentandfurthergrowthacrossthegroup

TheOliverExornaGroupis a frm whichisverymuchingrowthmode.

Andit’sa burgeoningbusinesswhichalso countsmajorNorthern Irelandcompanies amongitsexpansiveportfolio.

Thisnorthcoast-basedfamily-ownedbusiness includesseveralarms – fromhigh-endkitchens, totransportandindustrialequipment.

Andaspartofthatgroup,itsExornaKitchens & Bedroomsbusiness remainsthelargestin theOliverExornaGroup – headquarteredatits mainbaseinColeraine.

It’sa companywithmore than a four-decade pedigree,and a familyfrmwhichcontinues tosupplykitchenandbedroomfurniture to propertydevelopers,housebuilders,public housingauthorities,socialhousingsuppliers andthegeneralpublic.

“Aftergraduatingfromuniversity, mybrother Rickyjoinedthefamilybusiness,focusingon kitchensforthegeneralpublicandbuilding a portfoliowithnewbuildersforprivatehousing developments,”directorAndyOliversays.

“We’re aimingtogrow revenuethisyearacross

newbuildandprivatekitchensalestobetween £5.5mand£6m,withtheaimoftotal companyturnovertobeover£9.5m.

It’s anapproveddealerforsomeofthe industry’s majorbrands,alongwithbenefts suchasin-housefabricatedwardrobesystems, deliverydirecttocustomerswithitsownfeet ofvansandtrucks.

Andystartedhisworkinglifeafterleaving school,where hebegandrivingforkliftsand lorriesinhisfather’s business,Oliver Transport Services.

“Thatwasthestartofmycareerfrom17 throughto37,”hesays.“We’dsetup a couple oftheothercompaniesalongtheway, but whenwesoldthetransportbusinessthat’s whenthefocusandspotlightwasonExorna.”

Thebusinessnowemploysmore than70across thegroup.

Itoperates a 100,000sqftworkshopand manufacturesandassemblesmore than1,000 kitchencabinetseachweek.

It’s also a businesswhichiscontinuingto innovate – includingthenewX-Locksystem,

whichinvolves a methodofeasilyconnecting framesontocabinetswithinin-framekitchens, makingtransporteasierandavoidingdamage whileintransitandallowingforeasier replacementpost-installation.

ExornahasalsojustunveileditsnewNovelleBy ExornashowroomatitsColerainebaseaspart of a £100,000investment.Thatbrandfocuses onthehighest-endkitchensandotherhome furniture.

Andjust recentlyExornaKitchens & Bedrooms becameanoffcial retailerforLiebherrand Mielekitchenappliances,andalsoLacanche andRangemastercookers.

“Thisisessentiallyluxury, bespokein-frame furniture,”Andysays.“Thekeytothatis it’s notjustfocusedaroundkitchens.Inour showroom,wehaveallofthekeycomponents inthehouse – kitchen,laundry room,walk-in pantry, homeoffce,mediacentre,drinks cabinetandboot room.

“Thisisaimedatsomeonewhoislookingat a high-endkitchenbutmaybeinterestedin lookingatotherelementsofthehomeatthe sametime.”

Aspartofthatgrowingsuccessinthekitchen sectoritalsoaddedSolidSurfaceNItoits portfolio,aspartofanoverall£1minvestment.

“Thatwasborn outofExornaKitchens & Bedroomsinearly2018toallowusfullcontrol ofourstoneworktopfabricationandsupply chain,”Andysays.

“ThatbusinessservicesExornaKitchens & Bedroomsaswellassomeofthelargerkitchen retailers.”Thecompanyhasjustlanded a twoyeardealwith a majormulti-nationalbusiness inthesectorhere.

Aspartofits recentexpansion,OliverExorna Groupgrewitsbusinessfootprintwhenittook onGerniNIin2021.It’s nowbasedatthe overallOliverExornaGroupbusinesspremises inColeraine.

Thatbusinessspecialisesinfoorcleaning equipment,pressure washers,gardencare machinery, anddomesticandcommercial vacuumcleaningequipment.

“We are themaindealersforbrandssuchas Stihl,Nilfsk,Kranzle,DelfnandBillyGoat,” Andysays.

Establishedin1981,ExornaKitchens& Bedroomsisafamilybusinesswhichhas beensupplyingkitchenandbedroom furnituretopropertydevelopers,house builders,publichousingauthorities,social housingsuppliersandthegeneralpublicfor over40years.

Thebusinesshasa100,000sqftworkshop andmanufacturesandassemblesmorethan 1,000kitchencabinetseachweekaswell asmanufacturingourownMFCandfoilwrappeddoors.Itisanapproveddealerfor kitchendoorsfromKitchenStori(U-Form), PWS,O&SandAndoras.

“Delfnisoneofourmainbrandswhich suppliesveryspecialistmachinery Forexample, weprovide a localbluechipcompanyindustrial vacuumequipmentwhichcanliftmicrochips fromthefoorwithoutdamagingthem.”

Thecompanywasalso recentlyawardedthe dealershipforBillyGoat,whichspecialisesin leaf,litteranddebrisvacuummachines.

ThegroupalsooperatesCoastalSelfDrive, whichhas a feetoraround30 rentalvehicles.

“Thepandemicchangedthebusinessandwe wentfromminibusestovansandlighttrucks,”

It’sanapproveddealerofelectrical appliancesfromIndesit,Hotpoint,Whirlpool, Neff,Siemens,Bosch,Bora,Airforce,AEG, Lacanche,Rangemaster,MieleandLiebherr withsinksandtapsfromBlanco,Franke, SchockandQuooker,andachoiceof worktopsfromEgger,CarellaandCosentino.

Allproductsaredelivereddirecttothe customerssitebyafeetofvansandtrucks. Allgoodsareeithersoldas‘supplyonly’or ‘fullyftted’.Alargeselectionofproductsare availabletoviewintheColeraineKitchen& BedroomShowroom.

www.exornakitchens.co.uk

Andysays.“We hire tosmallcouriersandblue chipbusinesses. We alsosupplythevehiclesas notmaintainedorfullymaintained.”

ThegroupalsoformerlyownedOliver Transport Services,whichhassincebeensoldtoWS Transportation.

Butthegroupstillworksmaintaininglightand heavycommercialvehiclesunderitsNorthbrook Commercialsarm.

“It’s anythingfromgovernmentbodiesand councils,rightthroughtoonemanvan operatorsandsmallbusinesses,”Andysays. >

EXORNAKITCHENS&BEDROOMS

SOLIDSURFACENI

In2018thegroupmadea£1minvestmenttosetupahigh-end stoneprocessingworkshop.ThecompanychoseCosentinoasits primarystonesupplier,namelySilestoneandDektonproducts.It quicklyqualifedasaCosentinoGoldFabricator,meaningitcan offera25yearwarrantyonallCosentinofttedproducts,oneof thekeybeneftsofthisqualifcation.

Thebusinessiscurrentlyinstalling13setsofstoneworktopsa week,buthastheproductionandfttingcapacityforalotmore. WithintheExornaKitchens&BedroomsShowroominColeraine, therearemorethan16differentstoneworktopinstallsondisplay alongwithsamplesofourfullrangeofcoloursandproducts. www.solidsurfaceni.com

NOVELLEBYEXORNA

Luxuryin-framefurniturespecialisingincreatingbespokepiecesfor everyareaofthehome.Fromthefunctionalkitchenandpantry,the practicallaundryandbootroom,tothesophisticatedhomebarand living room,NovellebyExornaoffersacompleterangeofhigh-end furnituretoenhancetheoverallaestheticandfunctionalityofyour home.Focusedonqualitycraftsmanship,usingpremiummaterials andincorporatingexceptionaldesignpossibilities,NovellebyExorna istheperfectchoiceforanyoneseekingtheverybestluxurybespoke furniture.

www.exornakitchens.co.uk/novelle-by-exorna

GERNINI

Specialisinginsupplyingandservicinggarden powertools,domestic,professionaland commercialcleaning,constructionandvacuum equipmentforover30years,GerniNIstocks productsfromsomeoftheworld’sleading manufacturers.

COASTALSELFDRIVE

Thebusinessoffersshortandlongtermhireof3.5Tpanelvansand7.5T boxlorriestodomesticandbusiness customers.

Vehiclesareavailabletohireusingfully comprehensiveinsuranceorthehirer canchoosetousetheirowninsurance. Allvehiclesarehiredunder‘fully maintained’agreementswithcourtesy vehiclesprovidedwhen required,with allvehiclesarecoveredunderAA BreakdownCoverwithintheUKand Ireland.

www.coastalselfdrive.co.uk

ThatincludesStihlforpowertoolsand gardencareequipment,Nilfskforfoorcare andvacuumcleaners,KranzleforGermanmadepressurewashers,Delfnforcustom builtindustrialvacuumsanddustcollection equipment,BillyGoatforoutdoorclean-up equipmentandDuplexforsteamcleaning machines.GerniNIhastwostockedmobile servicevansaswellasin-houseservice workshop,withthemotto‘servicinganything wesell’,andalsosuppliesawiderangeof qualitycleaningchemicalstocomplementthe machines.

www.gerni-ni.com

Focusingonthemaintenanceoflight andheavygoodsvehicles,Northbrook Commercialsofferscommercialvehicle repairs,diagnosticandmechanical servicingtoawiderangeofbusinessesin NorthernIreland.

Inadditiontovehicle repairitoffers commercialvehiclebody repairand paintingservices,whichcanprovide accidentdamage repairandgeneral paint refurbishment.Itisequippedwith thelatestmobilevehiclediagnostics equipment, rollerbraketesterand hydraulicplaydetectorplates.Itprovides supporttokeepoperatorslicenses compliantacrossareassuchasservice recordkeeping,periodicvehicleservicing, annualtestpreparationandpresentation.

NORTHBROOKCOMMERCIALS

Ninein10 Irishfrms ‘stableor growing’

Some90%ofIrishbusinessesarenow stableoringrowthmode,according toafreshsurvey.

AndsignifcantlyfewerfrmsinNorthern IrelandandtheRepublicsaytheyareindecline –theproportionfallingfrom21%to8% betweenthelasttwoquartersof2022.

Aroundathirdoffrmssaytheyare experiencingstronggrowthand37%are expectingtogrowinthenextsixmonths, accordingtothelatestAll-islandBusiness MonitorfromInterTradeIreland.

Around75%percentoffrmsinNorthern Irelandsaytheyhavepassedonrisingcost priceincreasestocustomers,whilegrowth andstabilityratesinNorthernIrelandandthe Republic remainsimilar.

“Thisisthelargestsurveyofitstypeand lastquarterwesawapositiveincrease acrossthekeyindicators,”MartinRobinson, InterTradeIreland’sdirectorofstrategy,says.

“However,Iwouldnotbe rollingoutthe red carpettowelcomeeconomic recoveryjust yet. We mustbearinmindthatitisagainst acomplicatedeconomicandgeopolitical backdrop. We needtoseethe resultsforthe nextquarterortwotogetabettersenseof whetherthismaybethestartofasustained uplift.”

Energycosts remainoneofthebiggest concernsamongcompanieshere,with85%of businessessayingit’sstillaleadissue,followed by80%concernedwithoverheads.

“Diffcultyaccessingskills remainsanissue

foroneinthree,while82%offrmssaythey havelargelyadaptedor remainunaffectedby tradingconditionspost-Brexit,”the reportsays.

“Acrossallsectors,there’sa realsenseof businessesjustputtingtheirheaddownand gettingonwithit,”MrRobinsonsaid.

“Manufacturingismoreupbeatafterthe recentpriceshocks–therecouldbeasense thatmostofthebadnewsisalreadypricedin. We wouldexpectthehospitalitysectortohave aseasonalboostinthelastquarteroftheyear althoughfewerbusinessesinthissectorarein growthmode relativetoothersectors.”

Athirdofbusinessesthattradecross-border saidgainsfallinthehigherproftbracketsof 10%andover,comparedtojustoveraquarter ofnon-exporters.

“Weseethepersistentchallenges thatbusinessescontendwith,andat InterTradeIrelandweareveryfocused onworkingwithfrmstohelpthemfnd solutions,”MrRobinsonsays.

We knowthattradingacrossthebordercanbe asignifcantstepforSMEstohelpthemgrow theirbusiness.ThelatestfguresfromtheIrish CentralStatisticsOffceshowthatbusinesses inNorthernIrelandenjoyedalmost£5bnin goodssalestoIrelandduring2022.Iwould encourageanyfrmthatneedsadviceonhow totakethatfrststeptosellcross-borderto contactInterTradeIreland.”

“Wealsocollaboratewithawide-rangeof partnersacrosstheislandandhaveaccessto awealthofknowledgeandexperiencethat smallfrmscantapintoviaournetworks.” ■

Martin Robinson

CustomHouse: thefive-starflexible workspaceinthe heartofthecity

CustomHouse,operatedby BEOffices,istakingtheconceptoftheflexibleoffice andworkplacetothenextlevel,withthefit-out,atmosphereandfacilitiesofafivestarhotel,offeringcompaniesofallsizesatop-endexperience

Walkingthroughthedoorsofthe grandandhistoricCustomHouse buildingintheheartofBelfast youcouldbeforgivenforthinkingyou’re inthecity’s latesthigh-end five-starhotel.

CustomHouse,operatedbyBEOffices,isthe brainchildofentrepreneuranddeveloperNeil McKibbin,whopurchasedthebuildingin2020.

“Ifyouhadtodescribeitinonephrase,it’sa hotelforbusinesses,”Neilsays.

A trulyhistoricbuilding – designedbyCharles Lanyonandbuiltin1854 – following a £12m investment,CustomHousehasnowbeen revitalisedinto five-star flexibleworkspace

whichishometobothsmallandmicrofirms, alongsidetechandindustrygiantssuchas ASOS.Thisisthe‘hotelification’of flexible workspace.

It’s evidentfrom a walkaroundthebuilding that a lotofthought,planningand finesse hasgoneintoprovidingwhatissuch a highendplacetodobusiness.

Asidefromthetall,vaultedceilingsand high-quality fit-outofeachofthe rooms andspaces,clientshaveaccesstoeverything fromsuperfastandsecure broadband, wellnesspodsandmeeting rooms,to a privategym,largerbookableboardroom style roomsand a granddininghalland

clientcaféontheground floorofthebuilding – more akinto a high-endwinebarthanoffice cafeteria.

Thecaféalsomeanseventscanbecateredfor in-housewithoutusinganoutsideprovider

“Thisshowcaseswhatcanbeprovidedinthe Northern Irelandmarket – thispitchesuswith thebest,”Neilsays.“Themarketismoving towardsthistopend.

“We canaccommodatetheneedsofanywhere fromtwoto92peopleandsupplythetotal needsfortheirday-to-dayoffice requirements, employeewellbeingand afive-starexperience acrossthespectrum.

CustomHouseownerNeilMcKibbin andgeneralmanagerRichard Taylor

CustomHouseflexibleworkspaceinBelfastcitycentre

“Youdon’t havetoworryaboutmaintenance, ITorcleaning,forexample.That’s alltakencare offoryou.”

Andwhilethedoorshaveonlybeenopenfor a fewweeks,demandisalreadyverystrong.

“We havesold300desksfromopeningin January – that’sa mixture ofsmallandmediumsizedcompanies,rightthroughto a frmsuch asASOS,”Neilsays.

“Inthecurrentenvironment,peopleare unsure abouttheir realestate – lookingathowmuch spacetheyneed.Thisenablesustofexwith them.”

Neilsaysonecompanyhasalreadyexpanded from12to24desksinthespaceofjust a few weeks, a leveloffexibilitynotnormallyoffered with a more traditionallease.

Theoverallexperienceisalsoverymuchabout theentire businessday, forexample,takingyou fromanearlymorninggymsession,to a fat whiteandcroissant,theoffce,thento a grand bookablemeeting roombefore utilisingthe high-endshowerandchangingfacilitiestoget readyforaneveningdrinksfunction – allunder one roof.

Thebuildingalsohas a sizeableoutdoorarea whichcanbeusedbyitsclientsforprivate events.

Largermeeting roomsincludethehigh-spec

Titanic,OlympicandHarland & Wolff suites – whichcanaccommodateupto60people –alongside a podcastsuite,co-workingspace andexecutivelounge.

Connectivityisalsokeytotheoverall experience,withsoftware suchasClickShare makingsharingpresentationsonhigh-end86inchOLEDscreensassimpleaspossible.

Andit’s alsoabouttheabilityto relax andswitchoff for a whileduringtheday, accordingtoRichard Taylor, generalmanager, formerlyassistantgeneralmanageratThe SlieveDonard andfortheHastingsHotel group.

“We havedigitaldetox roomswhere youcan sit,putyourheadphonesonand relax,”he says.“We alsohave a quietareaunderneath thestairswithanLEDlightwall,featuringthe ShimnaRiver – youcansitandtaketimeto recalibrate.”

Plansare alsounderwaytoadd a personal trainer, Pilatesclassesandmassagetreatments.

Neilsayspartofthestrengthand attractivenessofCustomHouseisjusthow recognisableitis,givenitsrichhistoryand granddesign.

“Theglamourofthisbuildingandthe prestigioushistorywassomething I thought couldbebuiltupon,”hesays.“We have created a newbrandat a newlevelinthe

offcemarket. We haveset a benchmark.”

Neilsaysinthefghtfortalent,companies are increasinglyturningtheirattentionto improvingtheirworkplacesinordertogetthe bestpeoplethroughthedoor

“We knowpeopleare tiredofhomeworking,”Neilsays.“Theylikethefexibility of a hybridmodelbuttheywanttohave a connectionwiththeiremployer.”

CustomHousealsoticks a lotofkeyboxes intermsofenvironmental,socialand corporategovernance(ESG) – fromemployee wellbeing,toftnessandthebuilding’s own targetsfor a rangeofenvironmentalbuilding accreditations.

Andforcompaniesinterestedintakingspace withinthebuilding,theprocessisdesigned tobequick,easyandfexible – withcontract periodsstartingfromjustonemonth.

“Youcanpayperdesk,butthatincludesevery facilityinthisbuilding,”Richard says.“It’s all builtintotheprice.”

Neilsays:“Ifyouwanttobeofferingthebest offacilitiesbutyoudon’t wanttotieyourself upinknotswith a traditionallease,wecan tickthatboxforyou.

“We havehadpeopleinfor a viewingon a Thursdayandthey’vehadtheirlaptopsopen attheirdesksat9amontheMonday.” ■

InsidetheCustomHousebuilding

JMCPackaging: Introducinga pre-stretchmachine foraneffcientfuture

Craigavon-based JMCPackaging iscontinuingto growandexpandaswellasinvestinginnew,more effcientpackagingforitscustomerswhileeyeingthe futureofroboticsandautomation

Greatereffciencyandgreener packagingsolutionsaresomething whichmanyofourleading manufacturersareturningtoinabidto boosttheirowncredentials.

Andit’ssomethingwhichJMCPackaging isalsolookingtowards,followingafresh investmentinnewpre-stretchtechnology –builtbyCLASS-Engineering–which signifcantly reducestheamountofflm requiredwhilealsobeingmore recyclable.

JMCPackaginghasgrownintoabusiness workingwithsomeofNorthernIreland’s largestbusinesses,includingmanyinthefood sector.

“Whatthemachineallowsyoutodoistake ametreofpalletwrapandstretchitouttoas muchasfvemetres,”JMCPackagingfounder, JimCullen,says.

“Withsomeoneusingstandardpalletwrap theywouldn’tevenachievea200%stretch.

“Thisisstretchedforyoubeforeyouuseit. Thatbringsabigfnancialbeneftandthere’s

lesspackagingwaste.Thismachine reduces theamountofpackagingwhentheloadis unpacked.”

Jimalsosaystheflmisgreenerthanother products,witharound30%of recyclable contentinit–helpingcustomersbothsave money,withnopackagingtax,andimprove theirowncarbontargets.

JMCPackagingalsoprovidesitscustomers withawiderangeofmachinery,traysealing, shrinkwrap,fowwrappingmachineryand labelprinting,weighingandfllingsolutions, alsopackagingmaterialssuchasfoiltrays, readymealtrays,etcandnotforgettingthe industrialpackaging–palletwrap,strapping, edgeboardsandprintedtapewhichhasbeen verysuccessfulinprovidingcustomerswith theirownpersonalisedtape.

It’stargetingbothlocalindustriesandthe widerUKandIrelandmarket,frommicro businessestoSMEsandsomeofourlargest companies,acrossthesectors–includingfood, freshproduceandengineering.

“It’smeetingcustomerneedstomakeplastic

andpackaginggofurther,”Jimsays.

Sinceitsownearlydaysoffruitandvegetable distribution,JMCPackaginghasdevelopedand expandedconsiderably,workingacrossarange ofdiverseandburgeoningsectors–frommeat andfshtopharmaandmanyotherindustries.

JMC remainsoneofNorthernIreland’sleading distributorsofbothmachineryandpackaging materialsandisinvestinginbothitsoperations andpeople,asitexpandsits reachintonew markets.

Thecompany–whichnowhasaworkforce ofaround65staff–hascontinuedto remain ingrowthmodeoverthelastfewyears,right acrossitsbusiness.Inordertosupportthe continuedgrowthofthebusiness,JMCisin theprocessofimplementinganewERPsystem

whichwillallowthebusinesstoexpandand meetcustomerdemandwhileatthesametime improvingitsowneffciencyandproductivity. Thisisanexcitingtimeforthebusinessasit continuestogrowandlooktothefuture.

AsidefromitsCraigavonbase,JMCPackaging alsohasamajorityshareholdinginGSH HoldingsLtdinEngland–themoveallowing thecompanytoofferservicesacrossamuch widerselectionofbusinessacrosstheUKand Ireland.

AndJMCPackagingisalsoturningitsattention to roboticsandautomation–somethingmany manufacturingindustriesaremovingtowards.

“Onthemachinerysideofthebusinessweare lookingat robotics,”Jimsays.“That’sthenext projectforus.

“Weareworkingcloselywithoneofour customersandhaveorderedthefrst robotto beinstalledintotheirfactoryinordertowork onthe researchanddevelopment.”

Thistypeof roboticsisfocusedaround‘end ofline’production,suchaspackingtraysinto outers,forexample–somethingnormallydone byseveralpeople.“Businessesarelookingfor fully-automatedsystems,”Jimsays.

Andwhilethecostofautomationmaybe asignifcantinvestmentforbusinesses, potentiallyanywherebetween£50,000and £1m,itcanpayoffinthelong-term.

Speakingaboutthebusinesslandscapeand economyingeneral,Jimsayswhilemany sectorsarecontinuingtofourish–including foodandfoodproduction–hebelieves

companiesaretryingtobemuchleanerin termsoftheiroperations.

“Withcostsrising,theyhavetotryandtake costsoutofit,”hesays.

Jimsaysdemandsforpackaginghave continuedtobestrongpost-pandemic, withmanycompaniesturningtoadditional packagingduringCovid-19.

“Peoplearestilllookingtowardsthat,butare lookingtowardsflms,forexample,whichhave greater recyclabilitycontent. We havetodo ourbitaswell.

JMCPackaging’sbusinesscontinuestobe stronganditisnowlookingtowardsthe futureandtacklingthechallengesandindustry changesahead. ■

JimCullenofJMC Packagingwiththe frm’snewflmmachine

AntrimCoastHalfMarathon announcesClearer Watereight yearprincipalsponsorship

TheAntrimCoastHalfMarathon hasannouncedthatithassecured oneofthelongestsponsorshipsin road-runninghistorywithaneightyear agreementwithTheClearerGroup.

Clearer Water,TheClearerGroup’sflagship ethicalbrand,willsponsortheeventuntil2030 whichwillcommemoratetheAntrimCoast HalfMarathon’s10yearanniversary.

Clearer Waterisbottledonsite,situatedonthe picturesqueshoresofLarneLough,lessthan eightmilesfromwheretheraceisduetotake place.CreditedforitsperfectlybalancedPH 7.8,duetoitsnaturalfiltrationthroughAntrim limestone,Clearer Waterprovidesessential mineralandhydrationforlongerduringhigh intensitysports.Clearer Water,knownasthe ‘WaterThatHelpsPeople’,isanadvocateand activeparticipantofmixedabilityworking.

Asadedicatedsocialimpactcompany,Clearer Wateriscommittedtoundertakinginitiatives thatbenefitthelocalandwidercommunities.

Clearer Waterhopesthatthroughmeaningful sponsorshipofsuchhigh-statuseventsasthe AntrimCoastHalfMarathon,whichattracts somanyprestigiousathletes,thebenefitswill befeltbyCoAntrimandindeedNorthern Ireland’sfantastichospitalityandtourism sector.

Thenewly renamed‘Clearer WaterAntrim CoastHalfMarathon’willbeheldonSunday, August27,2023.Theracewilltakeplaceonce againalongtheidyllicAntrimcoast,withthe beautifulhillsandGlensofAntrimtooneside andthevastIrishseaontheother.Runners, botheliteandamateurfromacrosstheglobe havetravelledtotakepart,withtheevent broadcastworldwideonBBCiPlayer.

Theeventwasfirstheldin2020,andwas

grantedthe WorldAthleticsEliteLabelRoad Racestatus,oneofonlytwoeventsinthe UKandIrelandtobeawardedtheEliteLabel status.Theracehasnowbeenaccredited asthenumberonehalfmarathoninthe UKandtwointheworld.Previouswinners includedouble–doubleOlympicChampion SirMoFarah,EthiopianRecordholderJemal Yimerandmultiple WorldRecordHolderand 2022LondonMarathonwinner Yalemzerf Yehualaw.

Jemal YimerisconfirmedandScotland’s CallumHawkinsisconfirmedto returnfor asecondyear.FormerEuropeanChampion andfive-timeOlympianJoPavey,alongwith formertwo-time WorldCrossCountrySilver medallistandLondonMarathonwinner CatherinaMcKiernan,willbothlaunchthe Kid’sraceandStreetMile.

JamesMcIlroyBEMOLY, EliteRacedirector, said:“WearedelightedtohaveClearer Water confirmedasourprincipalsponsor.Oneof ourkeyobjectivesistobecomethemost sustainablerunningeventinthe Worldover theeightyearsandsothepartnershipwith

Clearer Waterisaverygoodfitforwhatwe aretryingtoachieve”.

RossLazaroo-Hood,globalchiefexecutive andco-chairmanofTheClearerGroup,said: “WearethrilledtoseeClearer Waterbethe partnerofchoiceforTheAntrimCoastHalf Marathon.Theworldfellinlovewithour beautifullandscapewhenitwasshowcased asthelocationfortheHBOGamesofThrones franchise. We’redelightedCoAntrimonce againwillbecentrestageandourfantastic hospitalityandleisuresectorwillbeexcellent hoststoallthosetravellingfortheevent.

“Ourboard,includingSitkiGelmenand DavidHunterandI,arethrilledtobeworking alongsidethefoundersJamesandRuthMcIlroy ofthenewly renamed‘Clearer WaterAntrim CoastHalfMarathon’.Iamalsoproudto sharethatIwillbejoiningtheboardofthe Eventfromimmediateeffect.JamesandRuth havebuiltaninspiringhalfmarathoninonly fouryears,showcasingthenextgenerationof runnershereinNorthernIrelandandacrossthe globe. We lookforwardtowhatthenexteight yearsbring.” ■

Clearer WaterwillsponsortheAntrim CoastHalfMarathonforeightyears

Travel &tourism

Where are you of to?

Businessleaders on their top touristhotspots

Theworldhasreopenedandtravelisbooming,sowheredowegotoat homeorabroadwhenit’sdowntime? UlsterBusiness askssomeofour businessleadersandentrepreneursabouttheirdreamdestinations

LivingonthenorthcoastIoften feelthateveryweekendisaholiday. Ifeelsoluckytohaveworldrenownedtouristdestinations likeDunluceCastle,theGiant’s CausewayandPortstewartStrand withina20minutedriveofmyfront door. We havefabulousactivity providersinthelocalareawhoare alwaysdreamingupnewwaysof gettingpeopleinvolvedinthesea andsurf.

LastsummeraloneItriede-bike tours,mackerelfshingwitha gorgeousviewofWhiterocksbeach fromthesea,freedivingandhorseridingunderMussenden Temple. Withallofthisonmydoorstep,it’s temptingtothinkabout‘staycationing’on theCausewayCoastallyear round.

Butofcourse,it’sgreattogetawaywith thefamilytofarawayplacestoo.Nexton thelistformeisatriptoJapan.Ilivedin Tokyoforsomeyears,soIloveatripback tokeepmeconnected.It’salltheplaces offthebeatentrackthatIenjoywhenI travelinJapan–mountainhikes,quiethot springs,secretBuddhisttemples.Theseare thetripsthatmakememories.

BRENDANBOYD

 Chiefexecutive,Aircore Ventures IloveArdarainDonegalandgettousemy uncle’scottage.ItsitsontheLoghrospeninsula andlooksovertheloughtotheAssaranca WaterfallandMagherabeach.It’stheperfect placeforquietcontemplationandtoswitch off.

Ienjoythe roulettenatureoftheweather,it canbeblazingsunshineonemomentandthen acrossthebaythereisahugeraincloudfast approaching.Ifyou’refeelingoutoftouchyou

canstillheadintothevillagewhichhasabout 20pubsandapopulationof731.

I’mluckytogettotravelabroadandmost recentlyspentChristmasinSierraLeonein WestAfricawithmypartnerandhis relatives. It’sabeautifulnationanditspeoplearewarm andwelcoming.Ithaswonderfuluntouched beachesanda rollingmountainouslandscape andIhadagoatsurfngonwhitesandy beachesofthewestpeninsulaandclimbing MountBintumani,thehighestpeakinwest Africa.

CAMILLALONG,  Director,Bespoke Communications

CamillaLong

BRONAGHDUFFIN

 Owner,BakehouseNIpartof Loughinsholin TourismCluster Withitsoldworldlycharm,theright amountofluxurywhilestillallowingyouto feelathomeithastobeArdtaraCountry HouseinUpperlands.I’llsqueezeina visittoSeamusHeaneyHomePlacefora littlebitoflocalliteraryculture,awalkup CarntoghermountainonTheEmigrant’s WalkandfnishthedayatFriel’sbar Swatraghwithadeliciousmealandadrink bythefrewhilelisteningtotraditional music.

Myfavouriteinternationaldestinationis anywhereinItaly.Whetherit’s relaxingat thelakesoravisittoMilan.I’malways inspiredbytheItaliancuisineandtheir devotiontotheirfoodheritage.Ialways returnhomedeterminedonshowcasing ourwonderfullocalproduceatmycookery school.

BrendanBoyd

BronaghDuffn

TR AV EL & TOUR IS M

PAULKEARNEY

 Director,KearneyLawGroup Ilovebeingclosetowateronholiday,it’sso relaxingandagreatwaytode-stresswhenI’m abletotaketimeofffromabusylawpractice. Athome,theInishowenPeninsulaisafrm favourite,withitsspectacularviewsandsome ofthemostbeautifulbeachesinthecountry. Youcanenjoyallthebeneftsofswimmingin pristinewatersasmanyhavebeenawarded BlueFlagstatus.It’salsothestartofthe Wild Atlantic Way–whatbetterwaytoseethose coastalviews.

IalsoloveItaly,itsculture,sceneryandof coursethefoodandwine.I recentlyvisited LakeComo–it reallyislikenowhereelseon earth.Thebackdropofthemountains,the historictownsalongitsshore,andboattrips onthelake.Afewdaysthereandyoucan feelthebeneftsoftheMediterraneanlifestyle –somethingwecouldalluseabitmoreof. It’snotjustabouthealthydeliciousfood,but takingthetimeto relaxandenjoyit.

EDELDOHERTY

 Chiefcommercialoffcer,theJans Group I’maserialtravellerandhavevisiteddozens ofcountriesovertheyears.Inthesummer Ialwaysstayclosetohome,there’sjust nowherelikeNorthernIrelandatthattimeof year.Ballycastleinparticularhasaveryspecial placeinmyheart.I’vebeengoingtheresince Iwasachildandmanywonderfulmemories oflongdaysonthebeach,eatinglunchand sometimesevendinnerthere.Iloveitsomuch I’mplanningtobuildahousethereverysoon.

ForoverseastripsI’vevisitedmanyfantastic countriesinAustralasia,NorthAmerica,and theCaribbeanbutwhenanyoneaskswhat myfavouritehasbeen,thenthere’sonlyone answer–anincrediblecoasttocoasttrip acrossSouthAmerica.

Thescenery,culture,food,andthepeople; travellingfromhighaltitudespotstosea levellocationsthroughsomeextraordinary landscapes.Buttheabsolutehighlightofthe tripwastheIguazuFalls,oneoftheseven naturalwondersoftheworldwhichcrosses threeseparatecountries.Startyourvisittoit withbreakfastinArgentina,lunchinParaguay andthendinnerinBrazil–that’sadaytrip you’llneverforget.

PaulKearney

EdelDoherty

CityofDer ry Airport: thegatewaytothenorthwest

SituatedontheoutskirtsofDerryCity, CityofDerryAirport(CODA)trulyis thegatewaytothenorthwest.

A regionalairportwhichhasbeenvotedfourth bestintheUKandnumberinNorthern Ireland, accordingtocomparisonsiteDealchecker, based oncustomer reviews.It’s anaccreditationthat theteamatCityofDerryAirportare extremely proudofandwellandtrulydeservingof.

As a small regionalairport,CityofDerryAirport istheidealairportforfamilieswithsmall children,thosewithadditionalneeds,corporate travellerswhoare lookingforstress-freetravel andnoqueues.As a visitortothenorthwest youcouldnotaskfor a more conveniently placedairport,only10minutesfromthecity centre andperfectforexploringwhere the Wild Atlantic Way meetstheCauseway

CoDAhasalsoannouncedadditionalfights addedtotheLondonStansted route.This routeprovedextremelypopularwithcorporate

travellerswhichenabledCityofDerryAirport alongsideLoganairtointroduce a third daily fight.Loganairalsooperates regularfights fromGlasgowandLiverpooldirectlytoCityof DerryAirport.

Ryanair’s fightstoManchesterhaveproved a hugesuccessfromCityofDerryAirportwith consistentlyhighpassengerloadsandfantastic faresleadingtoanadditionalweeklyservice fromAprilonwardsdirectfromCityofDerry AirporttoManchester

CityofDerryAirportisproudtoofferthe cheapestparkingratesfromanyairportonthe islandofIreland.AtCoDAnotonlyisparking greatvalueandconvenientbutyoucanalso purchaseparkingbundleswhichwillinclude accesstotheAmeliaEarhartLounge,allowing youtimeto relaxbefore departure. To book theloungeseparatelyitis£15perperson –fantasticvalueformoneyasyouwill receive twobeveragesandsnacks,andbewarmly welcomedby a memberoftheCoDAteam.

Theairportshopisflledwithperfumesand toiletriesatincredibleprices,theshopalso hosts a widerangeofgiftsandjewelleryfrom localsuppliers.

AtCityofDerryAirportyoucanmakeyour wayfromthecarpark,throughsecurityand intotheloungeallwithin20minutes,allowing somevaluabletimetocatchuponsomework, readthatlastchapterofyourbookorsimplyto just relaxandadmire thescenicviewsfromthe businesslounge.

Workandtravelischanging – passengersno longerhavethetimetogiveuponefulldayto ensure theygetthroughanairportfor a short fight.Thatiswhy regionalairportssuchasCity ofDerryAirporthasincreasinglybecomethego toforfrequentfyers.

Itmakessensewhenlookingfor a greattravel experience,sowhenbookingyournextfight keepCityofDerryAirportinmind.Flylocal,fy CoDA. ■

Razingoflistedgovernment buildingatStormont‘must bealastresortonly’

Plansareunderwaytoknockdownthe12-storeylistedDundonaldHouse,whichis partoftheStormontestate,writes JohnMulgrew

Freshplanstodemolisha12-storey listedbuildingontheStormont Estateshouldbea“last resort”and government“shouldleadbyexample”,a topexperthaswarned.

Plansarenowunderwaytoknockdown DundonaldHouseaspartofawiderschemeto redevelopthearea.

Accordingtothosebehindtheplans,the 1960sbuildingisnolongerftforpurpose.

Itwaslistedafewyearsagoandhasbeen describedasoneofthe“frstbigoffceblocks inNorthernIreland”.

Thebuildingispartofthewidergovernment buildingestate,andishometothe DepartmentofAgriculture,Environmentand RuralAffairs.

Planningdocumentssaythebuildingis“no longerconsideredappropriateforoffce accommodationduetoitscurrentcondition andthesubstantialinvestment requiredforan appropriate renovation”.

ButCiaranFox,directoroftheRoyalSocietyof UlsterArchitects(RSUA),haswarnedagainst knockingitdown.

“Ourviewwouldbethatdemolitionshould bethelast resortandIdon’tbelievethatithas yetbeendemonstratedthatthereisnoother viableoption,”he UlsterBusiness

“Retainingexistingbuildingsisavery importantelementofmeetingourclimateact

commitmentsto reduceemissions. We need Governmenttoleadbyexamplewithitsown estate.”

Accordingtoadesignstatementincludedin alistedbuildingconsentapplication,fledon behalfoftheNorthernIrelandCivilService SportsAssociation(NICSSA),a“high-level structuralassessment…concludedthatthere areinherentdefectsparticularlywiththe externalstonecladdingwhichhasbecome unsafe”.

“…existingwindows,buildingfabricand buildingserviceshaveallcometotheendof theirpracticallifespan,”itsays.

Thewiderplansincludethe redevelopmentof theNICSSApavilioncomplex–whichcould bewortharound£25m–withintheStormont

Estate“creatingacentreofexcellencefor sport”.

“Thedevelopmentwillcompriseof demolitionoftheexistingpavilionbuilding and replacementwithnewtwo-storey buildingproviding….indoorsportshalls, changingaccommodation,function/meeting spaceofferingimprovementstotheexisting offering.”

It’sunderstoodplansareinplaceto relocate hundredsofstaffoffsite“withworking patternsgoinghybridworkingusingvarious workhublocationsthroughoutNorthern Ireland”.

TheRSUA recently revealeditsownClimate ActionPaperatStormont.Anditsamongits proposalsitsuggestedbuildingsconstructed

DundonaldHouse atStormont

withpubliccashshouldbedesignedtolast atleast100yearstohelpmaketheindustry greener.

WorkbeganonDundonaldHousein1960, whichwasdesignedbyRobertHanna Gibson.Accordingtodetailsintheplanning documents,atthetimeofitsopeningitwas describedbytheBelfast Telegraphas“an eye-catchingfashofwhitePortlandstoneand Mournegraniteagainstthegreenbackground oftheStormontgroundsandKnockgolf course”.

DundonaldHouseismadeupoftwo overlappingblocks–oneofwhichis12 storeysalongwithacurvedblockwhichis seven.

Thesurroundingareasincludesasinglelevel carparkandprefabricatedsinglestorey buildings,withbuilding’sentirefootprint around250,000sqft.

“TheNICivilServiceSportsAssociation (NICSSA)hassubmittedaplanningapplication toBelfastCityCouncilforthe redevelopment

oftheexistingsportsfacilitiesontheStormont EstateineastBelfast,”NICSSAsaidina statement.

“Ifapproved,theplanswouldseethecreation ofacentreofexcellenceforsportandphysical activity,capableofhostingarangeofsports and recreationalactivityfromgrassrootsto professionallevel.

“The redevelopedsportfacilitieswilldeliver atop-classdestinationforsportandphysical recreation,withindoorandoutdoorfacilitiesto host16differentsportsatalllevels,including rugby,football,cricket,tennis,hockey,bowls andgaelicgames.

“Thesewillbecomplementedbyindoor ancillaryfacilitiesandservices,includinga healthclub,conferencefacilitiesandamultisportshalltohostnetball,archery,futsal, indoorhockey,cricket,basketball,fencing, badminton,volleyballandtabletennis.

“Developedinpartnershipwithkey stakeholdersNICSSA’s masterplanaimsto makeapositiveandlastingdifferenceto

people’slivesbyinspiringparticipationinsport andphysical recreation.Themasterplanwill requirethedemolitionofDundonaldHouse whichisnotdeemedpracticaltoconvertto modernoffceaccommodation.

“Aviability reportcarriedoutonDundonald Housein2022concludedthatitwasnot feasibleasanoffcethatwouldmeet modernopenplanworkplacestandards.The extremelyhighcostofthenecessary repairs tothebuildingwouldalsomakeitfnancially unviable.

“Whileplanningpolicypresumesinfavour of retaininglistedbuildings,inthisinstance, NICSSAbelievesthepotentiallysignifcant beneftsoftheplantothecommunityand tosportinNorthernIrelandoutweighthe retentionofthisoffceaccommodation.

“Pendingplanningpermissionandfunding, itisenvisagedthedevelopmentcouldstart withinayearofapproval.Itisanticipatedthat giventhecomplexityoftheproposalsthe planningprocesscouldtakeuptoayeartobe determined.” ■

Pioneeringself-drivingbus comingtostreetsofBelfast

ApioneeringautonomousselfdrivingbusiscomingtoNorthern Irelandforthefrsttime.

Theshuttleservice,calledtheHarlander, will connectthe TitanicQuarterrailwaystationto theCatalystscienceparkover a mileaway

It’s oneofthefrstfullydriverlesstransport systemstocometotheUKandisbeing developedalongsidearound£11mofboth governmentandindustryfunding.

BelfastHarbourisleadingthedevelopmentof theservicealongside a consortiumofpartners thatincludesREEAutomotive,Angoka,BTand HoribaMira.

Oneofthefrstfullydriverlesstransportsystems anywhere intheUKistobelaunchedinBelfast nextyearaspartofaninnovativeprojectled byBelfastHarbourwithfundingfromInnovate UK.

Thosebehindtheschemesaytheservice“will transport residents,visitorsandemployeesto venuessuchas TitanicBelfast,Catalystand BelfastMetropolitanCollege”.

“Theoperationoftheshuttlewillalsosupport BelfastHarbour’s deliveryof a strategic transportmasterplanforQueen’s Island.”

Theinitiativehasbeenawarded£5.5m infundingfromInnovateUK,whichis workingwiththeCentre forConnected

andAutonomous Vehiclestoinvest£41.5m ininnovationprojectsacrosstheUKthat demonstrate realworldbeneftsofconnected andautonomousvehicles.

“BelfastHarbourhas a longtrack record of deliveringandsupportinginnovation,sowe are delightedtobeestablishingtheUK’s frst operationally readyandcommerciallyviable deploymentof a fullyautomatedshuttleservice onpubliclyaccessible roadswithintheHarbour Estate,”MikeDawson,peopleandcorporate servicesdirectoratBelfastHarbour, said.

“Thisannouncementsupportsoursmartport ambitionsandshowsourcommitmenttothe developmentofBelfast’s InnovationDistrict.

“Thecity’s InnovationDistricthasenormous potentialforgrowthandweatBelfastHarbour wanttoplayourpartinhelpingtobuildan innovationeco-systemthatbringsinvestment intotheeconomy Electrifedconnectedand automatedvehiclesoffer a routetoprovide a clean,effcient,andaffordablepublictransport

thatalignswithnetzero targetsandprovides connectivitytoothermodesoftransport.”

AndBusinessSecretaryGrantShappssaid:

“Injust a fewyears’time,thebusinessofselfdrivingvehiclescouldaddtensofbillionstoour economyandcreatetensofthousandsofjobs acrosstheUK.Thisis a massiveopportunityto driveforward ourprioritytogrowtheeconomy, whichweare determinedtoseize.Thesupport weare providingtodaywillhelpourtransport andtechnologypioneerssteal a marchonthe globalcompetition,byturningtheirbright ideasintomarket-readyproductssoonerthan anyoneelse.”

TransportSecretaryMarkHarpersaid:“Selfdrivingvehiclesincludingbuseswillpositively transformpeople’s everydaylives – makingit easiertogetaround,accessvitalservicesand improve regionalconnectivity We’re supporting andinvestinginthesafe rolloutofthis incredibletechnologytohelpmaximiseitsfull potential,whilealsocreatingskilledjobsand boostinggrowthinthisimportantsector.” ■

IT& technology

Youspinme rightout, baby,rightout

Someoftheworld’sbiggestbusinesseshave thebrawnofuniversityresearchbehind them,startinglifeasaspin-out. Emma Deighan speakstofourofNI’semerging spin-outswhicharetakinginnovationtothe nextlevelinthelifesciencesandtechworlds

Facebook,GoogleandevenFedExareamongsomeofthemost prominentbusinessesgloballyto havebeenbornintheacademicsetting ofauniversitycampus.

Whilethelatterfirmsareinternationally acclaimedandAmerican-born,similar

successstoriesaremountinglocally, withacademicsinthefeldsofIT, pharmaceuticalsandbiotechnologymaking noiseintheir respectiveindustriesbothhere andafar.

Spin-outs,thecommercialisationoftertiary education research,arecreatingdisruptive

technologiesthatdeliver realimpacttothe world.

Formanyofthesespin-outs, realcommercial successprevailsandNorthernIrelandisrichin suchstories.

BrianMcCaul,ischiefexecutiveofQUBIS,the commercialisationarmofQueen’sUniversity Belfast,saidtheranking“underlinesQueen’s continuedabilitytoeffectivelyandeffciently translate researchinnovationsintocommercial success”.

QUBISwaslaunchedin1984andisbehind somehigh-proflestockexchangelistings, suchasKainos,Andor TechnologyandFusion Antibodiesandtodayitsactivespin-outsare exhibitingequallyimpressivetriumphs.

CV6Therapeutics(NI)Ltd,adrugdevelopment companyfocusedonthediscovery, developmentandcommercialisationofnovel therapiesforthetreatmentofhumandiseases, isoneofitsactiveenterprises.

Onthecuspoffnalisinga revolutionary treatment,CV6-168,whichisduetoundergo itsfrstin-humanclinicaltrialforthetreatment ofcancerinBelfast,thebusinessis reaching oneofitsbiggestmilestonestodate.

RobertDLadner,founderandchief executiveoftheCV6describedthetrialas “groundbreaking”telling UlsterBusiness that theprocess“issoimportantfortheNIandUK biotechindustry”.

“Thisisnotjustaboutus,it’saboutthewhole group,”Robertsays.

“CV6-168unlocksthepotentialofDNA uracilationasapromisingnewtherapeutic approachtocancertreatment,withthe opportunitytosignifcantlyimproveoutcomes forpatientsacrossmultiplecancertypes.”

CV6 received$9.6m(£8m)fundingforthe project,80%ofwhichwasfromFDI,says Robert.

Meanwhile,UlsterUniversity(UU)hasbeen behindsomeinnovativeentitiesthatarealso transformingsectors.

MobiledefbrillatormakerHeartsineisone ofitsgreatestspin-outsuccessstories. Today ithas19activespin-outcompanies,with acollectiveturnoverinexcessof£50m, employingover700staff.

RogerJohnston,chiefexecutiveofAxial3D foundedhis3DmedicalimagingandAIspinoutatUUin2015,withthe3Delementof thebusinessstartingin2018.

“Axial3Dprovidesaserviceforhospitals, surgeonsandmedicaldevicecompanies whereweturntraditionalMRIandCT scansintoincrediblyprecise3D,which fundamentallycanchangesurgicalplanning ofcomplexcases,aswellasbeingthe cornerstoneformakingpatient-specifc devices,suchasjoint replacements,the futureofhealthcare,”hesays

“The3Dmodelscanbe3Dprinted,or equallycanbeusedelectronicallyandviewed onaphoneortablet,orindeedinavirtual realityheadset.”

Axial3Dbegancommercialisationwhenit workedwithasmallnumberofNHS Trusts, buttodayitsproductandserviceareusedin over300hospitalsin30countriesaroundthe world.

Just recentlyAxial3Dcompleteda$15m (£12.4m)fundraisingexercise.Thelead investorinthatfunding roundisStratasys, theworld’sleadingmedical3Dprinting companywithbasesinIsraelandMinnesota.

Thecompany’smaingoalistomake3D imagingandmodelling“thenewstandardof carearoundtheworld”,Rogersays.

“Whetherthepatientisinthefrstworldor thirdworld,ultimately replacingtheuseof 2DimagingsuchasMRIandCTscans.”

Hecreditsthespin-outformulae.

“Companiesthatspinoutofauniversity typicallycontinuetohaveaccessto research collaborationcapabilitiesand resources,often formanyyears,whichisahugeadvantage comparedtotraditionalindependent startups.Also,someleadinguniversities,such asUlsterUniversity,canalsoprovidefnancial/ investmentsupport,whichcanbecrucial

Axial3Disoneoftherecent spin-outsuccessstoriesfrom Queen’sUniversity

intheearlyformativeyearsofstartups.”

AmplyDiscoveryisanotherQUBspin-out datingbacktoFebruary2021,actively disruptingthepharmadrugsector.

Itfndsantimicrobialdrugswhichcancure drug-resistantdiseases,itschiefcommercial offcer,Dermot TierneytellsUlsterBusiness.

Thesediscoveriesaremadein-houseafter whichthebusinesspartnerswithlarge pharmaceuticalfrms,biotechbusinessesand ingredientcompanies–“thosewhohavea novelspecifcbreedofplant,insectofanimal thattheywanttofullycapitaliseon”.

Italsoworkswithpublichealthbodiesand companiesorinstitutionsthatwanttobetter understandwhatisgoinginwithdifferent strainsofaninfectiousdisease.

“Forexample,withCovid-19differentstrains arestillcomingupallthetime–andwith genomemappingandourbioinformatics expertise,wecanhelpsupportthroughour bioinformaticsserviceportal,”Dermotsays.

AmplyDiscovery’soriginsareasaPhD,with eightyearsofacademic research,andtwo yearsofworkinpre-acceleratorswithinthe universitybehindit,whichhavecollectively shapedthe robustbusinessmodel.Thenthe fundingcame.

“Wehaveraised£900,000pre-seedfrom variouslocalandUK-basedinvestorsand agencies,”Dermotsays.

Discussingthebeneftsofthatacademic foundationhesays:“Theecosystemof supportswhichQUBprovidescan really putyouonitsback.Ondayonewehada technologythattookeightyearsandhundreds ofthousandsofpoundstobuild.So,aspin-out isnotjusta regularstart-upwithahopeand adreamthatneedstoraisecapitaltobuild,it hassomethingtangibleandofteninnovation thatneedsdirectionandfocus.”

Hesaysthebusiness’plansareto“develop

multipleprogrammesdiscoveringcandidates acrossvariousindications”.

“Rightnowwearedevelopingtopicaland inhaleddeliveryagainstinfectiousdiseases–so forexampleMDR-TBandbovinemastitis–but alsoworkingstrategicallyonnewdisease areaslikeoncologyanddifferentclassesofthe molecule. We planonraisingafullseed round (£1.8m+)inearly2024.”DominicHolmes, chiefexecutiveofeXRtIntelligentHealthcare, isoneofUU’snewestspin-outs.Launched in2021,it“providesafunvirtual reality physiotherapygameplatformtoengagestroke survivors’intheir rehabilitationand rediscover theirindependence”.

“Weprovidephysicianssuchasa physiotherapist remotemonitoringcapabilities togivebettervisibilityofthepatient24/7. Ourmissionistoprovidemoreaccessible rehabilitationtostrokesurvivorsandother neurologicaldisabilities,”hesays.

Theproductisnow readytolaunchthankstoa

strongcompanymissionandfunding.Afresh roundoffnancewillsupportitsfnalstage ofcommercialisationhesaysasthefrmis already“engagedwithcustomersintheNHS, UAEandHSC”.

“Wearecurrentlyseekingseedfundingto helpgotomarket,fnishoffour regulatory approvalanddevelopimportantnewfeatures tocontinueourcompetitiveadvantageinthe market,”Dominicsays.

“Initially,wewanttogetourfrstfew customersandthencontinuetoscaleinthe UKandUAEmarkets.”

ExpansionintotheUSisalsoonhisradar. “Wedon’tseeourselvesasaone-product company,thefactthatoursoftwareis hardwareagnosticprovidesscalabilitybut alsotheabilitytoexpandintonewhealth conditionssuchascancer rehab,and longCovid.Thisopensupanevenbigger marketalthoughourcurrentmarketishuge already.” ■

Dermot Tierneyof AmplyDiscovery

Howdidyoustartoutinyour role?

CitiBelfastsawmanagementchangesinlate 2016whichmeantthe roleofheadingthe siteneededtobeflled.IwasaskedifIwould considertakingonthe responsibilityofrunning thesiteandits1,800staff.

AfterdiscussionIsawtheofferastheideal opportunitytolearnmoreaboutmanagement atagenerallevel–I retainedthetwotechnical leadership rolesthatIcover–andaccepted theoffer.

We havesincegrowntotwicethesizeinterms ofstaffandexpandedintomorebusiness linessupportingCiti’sglobalbusinessand internationalclientbase.

Whathaveyoufoundthemost challengingduringyouryearsofbusiness sofar?

Learningtobalancethedifferentpriorities ofthesite’s12corebusinesssupportareas and21functionalstreams.Theeclectic mixof rolesinourmodelhasaugmented myunderstandingofhowtorunalarge, expandingbusiness,whilemaintainingafocus ondeliveryatalevelofqualityourclients expect,engagingwithabroadcommunity ofbothbusinessandcommunity related goalsconnectedtoourcommitmenttosocial responsibility.

ThepoliticsofBrexit,theCovidpandemic,the warinUkraineandourcontinuedexpansion asabusinesshaveallplayedamajorpartin mylifesince2016.On refection,ithasbeen aperiodofunprecedentedchallengeand changeforall.Ithasbeenbroadlyapositive experience,butequallynoteasy.

Name: LeighMeyer

Position: Sitehead,CitiBelfast

Howwouldyoudescribeyour managementstyle?

I’vehadtoadapt.InmyearlycareerI wouldhavebeenverytaskorientatedand prescriptive. Withadditionalandbroader responsibilities,Ihavechanged.Ihavea global roleandthat requiresdifferentstyles andengagement.Ialsooverseeareaswhere myexpertiseislight;I’velearnttobeabetter listenerandaleaderwhoneedsacollegiate andhighlycollaborativestyletogetthings done.Thevarietyandscopeofmy remitmake fora rewardingandever-growingdepthof experienceandkeepsthejobexciting.

Whatwouldyouchangeifyoucouldgo backanddoitallagain?

Askforsoft-skillstrainingearly.Itransitioned tomanagementeasilybutwhenthismoved ontoleadershipIsometimesfeltthespectre of‘ImposterSyndrome’.Betterawareness andmoreskillstodealwiththeseimportant changeswouldhavemadethepathlessstony.

Haveyoudoneitallonyourown?

Ihavealwaysplayedteamsportsand workedwithinteams.Thereisadegreeof determinationandfocuswithinmebutthereis

nowayIcouldhaveachievedwhatIhaveon myown.Respect,commitment,focusanda senseofmutualbeneftareallkeyattributes tosuccessfulcompanies,groupsandteams. Single-mindednessisapowerfuldriverbut commonobjectivesbringpeopletogether. Youneedbothtosucceed.

Howwouldyoulikeyourorganisationto be remembered?

Asabastionofprogressivethought,a schoolforlearningbothtechnicaland softskillswheredoingtherightthingis celebrated.Ameritocraticorganisationthat embracesinclusion,celebratesdiversityand championsequality.Abankwithasouland acommitmenttofuturegenerationsthatwe willdoourbesttoprotectourplanet’sbeauty andvulnerability.

Whatpieceofadvicewouldyougivetoa 20-year-oldyou?

Asktheobviousquestion,beunrelentingin thepursuitofunderstanding,seekcontrasting views,leaveyourbiasesatthedoorand don’tcompromiseonyourvalues.Don’t compromiseonyourvaluesandbeprepared tochallengethestatusquo. ■

Thecolumnwithan earforexperience...

Whyit’scrucial thatwehaveafully functioningplanning systemforall

Planningandtheplanningportalareattheheartof NorthernIreland’sbuiltenvironment,economyand societyingeneral–soit’sevenmoreimportantthan everthattheyareuptoscratch,writes JohnMulgrew

Acasualquestion,smalltalk,from acolleagueinourworkkitchen recentlyledmedownawarbling rabbitholeaboutNorthernIreland’snew planningportal.

Iexpectit’satopicofconversation–planning ingeneral–manyofusglazeoveratthevery thoughtof.

Youmayhavetheimpressionthattheplanning process,andaccesstoinformationsurrounding applications,issomethingforhousing developers,businesspeople,major retailersand thoseofusplanningtobuildanextensionon theirthree-bedsemistoworryabout.

Butplanningiswhereeverythingaroundus, thebuiltenvironment,literallybegins.It’s wheredecisionsaremadeonwhetherweget a28-storey‘skyscraper’intheheartofourcity centre,1,000socialhomesgetthegreenlight, anewforeigninvestmentsetsupshopcreating thousandsofwell-paidjobsorabelovedlisted buildingatriskofbeingrazedtoground.

Theplanningportalisthepublic’saccessto planning.It’sinformationinthepublicdomain andhelpsshapesthebuiltworldaroundus.

It’satruetreasuretroveintermsof

information. Verylittlegetsdoneherewithout someformofplanningprocess,whether that’sahuge regionallysignifcantscheme likeBelfastHarbour’sCityQuays,newhomes, achangeofusefrom retailto restaurant, outdooradvertising,signageorlistedbuild consent.

Andbecauseofallofthis,andmore,thisis whythenewplanningportal–amulti-million poundonlinesystemduetofxthewrongsof theverytiredanddatedpreviousiteration–letsusalldown.

Whilethemediamaynotbethemost importantpartofthisentireprocess–we shouldn’tthinkthatweshouldbe regarded asoneofthemostcrucialusersofalocal planningportal–accessinorderto reportand investigate remainsakeystrandofasociety withafreePress.

Whiletherewasearlyengagementwith plannersandarchitectsearlyon,therewasnot suffcientandongoingconnectionsandhandsonattentionawardedtothosewhowouldend upusingitonadailybasis.

AndwhilethePresswashardlyfrontand centrewhenitcametoconsideringtheuser experienceandshapinghowtheportalwould,

orshouldwork,afewsimpleenquiriesto thoseofusmostfamiliarwithwhatwas neededwouldbeenawelcomeboonforboth theDepartment,andourselves.

I’vebeenusingthenewplanningportalsince dayone,andstraightaway,assomeone acutelyfamiliarwiththeoldsystem–working outitsmany,manyfoiblesandhowtoget aroundthem–Iknewtherewereissuesthere.

Thoseissuesincludesomesearchfunction limitations,beingunabletoviewmorethan 10 resultsapage,despitetryingtoselectmore fromthedropdownmenu,documentsfrom anyapplicationfledwiththeprevioussystem allshowingas‘November26’,meaningyou cannotknowwhentheywereaddedwithout openingallofthemindividually.Oh,andthey downloadasZIPflesforsome reason.

Buttheindustryraisedwiderconcernsfrom itsend.TheRoyalSocietyofUlsterArchitects stronglycriticisedtheeffcacyofthenew system,aswellasinsuffcientengagement withthesector.

Theissuesforagentsandthoseusers includesbeingunabletoupdateand applicationwhensubmitted,poormap functionality,missingapplicationflesandthe ZIPfleissue.

“Insomewaysthefailingsinthesystemdo notcomeasasurprise,”CiaranFox,director oftheRSUA,said.

“RSUAofferedtohelptestthesystemduring thedevelopmentphase.InSeptemberthe Departmentranatestingsessionwhichone architectwasinvitedtobutwhenitcameto

editinganapplicationthesystemfailed.

“Theprocesswasabandonedandtherewas nofollowup.Inourviewthattestingwastoo lateandinsuffcientlyrigorous.”

“It’sasifabetaversionhasbeen releasedas thefnalversion.”

I recentlyhadaconversationwithsomeone familiarwiththesystemwho,afterI mentionedtheproblems,saidsomethingalong thelinesof“oh,Ithinkthat’sallbeensorted now”.

Ithasn’t.In responsetoconcernsandqueries fromarchitectsandplanning,theDepartment published,essentially,aQ&Apagetotryand alleviatetheconcernsorissues.Icertainly don’tbelieveitdid.

Addressingtheengagementissue,the departmentsaiditwas“limiteddue totimeconstraintsassociatedwiththe implementationtimetable”.

“Thenewportalwasprocuredfollowing anopenprocurement,toensurevaluefor money,andthesolutionisprimarilyan off-theshelfproduct.Itisnotpracticalto re-designtheportaltomeetallindividual needs.”

Andthechallengesoftheplanningportal feellikeamicrocosmwhenlookingat thewiderplanningissuesfacedbysome developershere.Challengesthere remain largelyinthetimetakenforschemes,both largeandsmall,taketogetovertheline, whilepriorityoftenisn’tgiventoschemes morevaluabletoourcommunities. ■

TheChancelloroftheExchequer isnowplanningthedetailsofhis mainannualfscalevent:theUK Budgetfor2023-24.

Thepopularpublicdebateaboutthescopefor theBudgettoallowfortaxconcessionsand increasedspendingtendstobeone-sided.

Reducingthetaxburdenontaxpayersand increasingspendingondesirableprojectsare thepopularparameters.

ForNorthernIreland,theexpectationisthat theBudgetwillbeframedbyallocationssetby followingtherulesoftheBarnettformula.

The regionalbudgetwillhavespending constrainedbyanallocationwhichensures NorthernIrelandcanspend,oncomparable services,anamountthatgivesafairshare ofthenationalincreaseinspendingusinga formulawhichisproportionatetothe relative population.

TheBarnettallocationhas,in recentyears, beenthegeneralexpectationandhasusually provedtobeanacceptableworkingprocess. Infrequently, Treasuryministershaveagreedto one-offadditionalallocations.

Thedegreeofsatisfactionwiththeoutworking oftheBarnettformulaisnowincreasingly questioned.Thesuspicionisthattheoutcome leavesdoubtonwhetheryearbyyearthe ‘needs’ofNorthernIrelandarebeingmettoan acceptablestandard.

ThisisapossiblemajoragendatopicfortheNI FiscalCommission.

Thereisaseriousdiffcultyinsettingastandard toassesscomparableneedsbetween regions acrosstheUK.Openingadebateabout

TheBudget: whatcanwe expectfrom JeremyHunt?

InjustacoupleofweeksChancellorofthe ExchequerJeremyHuntwilldeliverhisspring Budget.Economist JohnSimpson looksat whatcouldbeonthecardsandwhatitcould meanforusinNorthernIreland

whetherthesystemisbecominglessthan equitableisinevitablypartiallysubjective.

Analternativedebate,raisingsimilar questions,mightbetoexaminewhether thediffcultyisemergingbecause,intotal, theUKisbecominglessabletomeet thestandardsof‘needs’foritscitizens collectively.Thatmightbeadiscussionasking whetherthestandardstoprotectallcitizens canbeimproved.

WithinNorthernIrelandtheoutworkingof theBarnettprincipleshasnot resultedina signifcantlevelling-upinlivingstandards.The gapinlivingstandards,whethermeasuredby averagepersonalincomeortheavailabilityof

socialhousing(justtotaketwoexamplesfrom theavailablesocialdata),hasprovedenduring. Barnettproceduresmayensurethatdifferences insocialneedsarebeingmaintainedbutwith little relativechange.

UKGovernmentministerstendtoarguethat followingtheBarnettprinciplesgivesafair outcome.However,therehasin recentyears beennoexplicitclaimthatBarnettrulesmeet theobjectiveof‘levellingup’forthelesswelloff regions,suchasNorthernIreland.

Surprisingly,localpoliticalpartieswhile claimingtosupportapolicytoincreaseliving standards,havenotmadeanexplicitcasefor moreambitiousstandards.

TheannualUKBudgetisanappropriatevehicle totestthemeritsoftheBudgetstrategyin tackling regionaldisparities.

Thereareseveralsocialand/oreconomic disparitieswhichdescribevarious characteristicsoftheNorthernIreland economy.Theywouldbeevenmorenumerous ifthebaselinecomparisonwasextendedinto sub-regionalunitssuchaslocalauthorities.

OneoftheaimsofaBudgetshouldbe to reducethedisparitiessothat regional differencesarenarrowed.Thiswouldbean alternativestatementwhicharguedthat Barnettprocessesareinsuffcientlydemanding intoday’seconomicconditions.Thelogicof

thisapproachisthatGovernmentlevellingup policiesshouldbestrengthenedbydiverting alargershareofthenationalbudgettothe areas,or regions,withthegreaterneeds.

Effectively,thequestioniswhether Governmentspendingshouldbeskewedmore totakeaccountofdifferencesinsocialor economicneedswhetherforjobs,educational provision,housingorsocialamenity.Essentially, thisdebatestartsfromasuspicionthatthe Barnettformulaisinadequatetoachievea moresuccessfuloutcome.

Unpopularasitmightbe,ifforNorthern Ireland(oranyother region)thelevelling-up argumentistoinfuencethewayinwhich

theUKBudgetisconstructed,thecaseneeds tobemadeforlarger redistributionoffunds throughtheBudget.Thecontinueduseof theBarnettformulaislikelytomeanNorthern Irelandcontinuestohaveacapitalbudgetfor housingandotheraspectsofanimproved infrastructurethatislessthanadequate.Also, thestandardsofeconomicandsocialservices arelikelytofailtomeetthetestofhigher standards.

ThiswouldcommendaBudgetwhichwill raiseshigherlevelsoftaxationinordertogive roomforgreater redistributiveeffects,suchas settingamuchhigherNIcapitalprogramme orsupportingadditionalsocialprogrammes. Iflocalpoliticiansareseriousaboutseekinga moreradicalsocialagendathenthisargument willneedtobetestedbyseekingtopersuade UKministersofthemeritsofthischange.

WhileacasecanbemadefortheBudgetto includemuchstronger redistributiveeffects, thereisonetellingargumentthatcouldbe usedtoopposethisproposal.IfNorthern Irelandisaskingforamoregenerousfnancial redistributionthisislikelytobechallenged ifthereareanyexistingfnancialmeasures whichareappliedinNorthernIrelandmore generouslythanelsewhere.

Thatchallengeispotent.NorthernIrelandhas beenallowedtofnancethewaterservices atlowercosttotaxpayers,allowsignifcant supportforsocialhousing,enjoylower ratepayercontributionstoratesandoperates publictransportserviceswithgreaterpublic support.Doesthelevelling-upprinciplemerit thisdegreeof‘parityplus’support?Possibly,it should. ■

Chancellorofthe

£1bnsalesboostfor cross-bordertrade

NorthernIrelandfrmshave witnesseda£1bnboostinsales, twoyearsaftertheintroductionof theNIProtocol.

AccordingtotheRepublic’sCentralStatistics Offce(CSO),salesfromNIbusinessesacross theborderincreasedby32%overtheyear, up€1.3bn(£1.1bn)to€5.4bn(£5bn).The increasewasdrivenbychemicalsandfood.

AndgoodsexportedfromtheRepublicinto NorthernIrelandwereup31%to reach €4.9bn(£4.4bn),withgrowthdrivenbyfood andpharmaceuticals.

TheNIProtocolisthetradingarrangement concludedbytheUKandEUasameansof maintaininganopenborderontheislandof IrelandfollowingBrexit.

Whilethearrangementintroducedin2021led toanupliftinmutualtradebetweenbothparts oftheisland,ithasintroducedtradingfrictions fromGreatBritaintoNorthernIreland.

Unionistpartieshavebeenopposedtothe protocol,andtheDUPhas refusedtotake partinpower-sharingwhileit remainsinforce. However,talksbetweentheUKandEUon resolvingissueswiththearrangementare reportedtobemakingprogress.

JarlathO’Keefe,partnerintaxatGrant ThorntonIreland,said:“TheCSOfgures for2022confrmedthattherehasbeena signifcantincreaseincrossbordertradeonthe islandofIrelandin2022astheimpactofBrexit continues.

“Thisisdueinparttobusinessesadjusting theirsupplychainstoavoidtheadministrative burdenassociatedwithimportinggoodsfrom Britain.

“Itwillbeinterestingtoseeifthesetrends continueinto2023asmanyofthe‘new’ supplychainsbecomeestablishedbusiness relationshipsorwhetherchangestotheNI protocolcouldhaveanimpactoncrossborder trade.”

FoodcompaniesinNorthernIrelandhave saidthattheyhaveenjoyedstronggrowthin demandfromtheRepublicsincetheprotocol cameintoforce.

BrianReid,whosesandwichbusinessDeli-Lites in Warrenpointhas reportedmorecontracts fromacrossthebordersince2021,toldthe Belfast Telegraph recently:“TheProtocolisstill workingwell. We areintheprocessofsecuring somesizeablebusinessgivenourlocationand abilitytotradeindifferentmarkets.”

Overall,thevalueofgoodsexportsfrom Irelandhita record€208bn(£185bn)in2022, upbymorethanaquarteronaprevioushigh setin2021,thankstosurgingmedicaland pharmaceuticalsales.

Importsalso reached recordlevelsin2022, withBritaintakingtheUS’splaceasIreland’s largestimportpartnerlastyearduetofuel pricerises.

Thevalueofgoodsexportsincreasedby €42.5bn(£37.8bn),or26%,comparedto 2021,theCSOsaid.

Chemicalsand relatedproductsmadeup thevastbulkofgoodsexportslastyear, representing€133.8bn(£119bn)invalue.The fgurewasuparoundathirdon2021.

Machineryandtransportequipment, manufacturedgoodsandfoodandliveanimals alsomadeupasignifcant–butfarsmaller–proportionofexportslastyear. ■

Thehighstreet: rates,risingcostsand developingcitiesand townsofthefuture

We’resomewayoffreturningtopre-pandemiclevels offootfallonhighstreetsacrossourtownsandcities. So,what’sneededtomakeoururbanenvironments attractivedestinationsforlocalsandtouristsalikeand whatcostandbusinesschallengesremainforretailers andhospitalityfrmswhichcallourtownsandcities home?

JohnMulgrew takesacloserlook

There’sbothanairofoptimism andadegreeoftrepidation whenitcomestothestrength andbuoyancyofourhighstreetsatthe moment.

Whilewe’reinasignifcantlybetterplace thanweoncewere,overhighstreetfootfall remainsdownaround18%onpre-pandemic levels–hitbyhybridworking.

Butit’salsobeenwarnedthatratesrises acrossourcouncilsherecould“cripplemany localbusiness”,accordingtooneindustry leader,leadingtoa“perfectstorm”forthose alreadyunderpressure.

FresherfguresshowNorthernIrelandisdoing itsbesttobounceback,basedonlastyear, withfootfallupmorethan19%atthestartof February,comparedwith2022.

We havealsolostsomestalwartsalongthe way,certainlywithinBelfastcitycentreitself.

However,developmentisongoing,new retailersandbrandsaremovinginandwe’re seeingmixed-useschemescomingtothefore.

Butwhatwillthelong-termshapeofthehigh streetlooklike? Youonlyhavetoturntothe lackofprogressontheambitious Tribeca schemetoseehowthingshaveslowed.

Initspreviousguiseitwasa retailledscheme, witharound700,000sqftaffordedto shopping.Thelatestmasterplanshavethat reducedtoarounda10%.

“Peoplebringlifetoourcitiesandtowns,” CiaranFox,directoroftheRoyalSociety ofUlsterArchitects,says.“Weneedmore housingintheheartofourcitiesandtowns –privatehousing,socialhousing,affordable housing-andweneedtoachieveahealthy density.

“Forhousingtobeattractiveinoururban centresweneedqualitystandardsforhousing

–indoorandoutdoorspacestandards,daylight standards,energystandardsforexample.The surroundingareaneedstobeanattractive placetolive.Theingredientsarewellknown buttheyincludegreen,clean,well-connected butnotdominatedbycars,witheveryday amenitiesnearby.”

Ourcities,andourlargerurbanareas,need tobeplacesinwhichappealtoustobothlive andvisit,andcan’tsimplybeshapedbyjustby the retailersinthem,forexample.

“It’snotjustaboutmakingurbancentre

housingmoreattractive,”Ciaransays.“We needtomakeoutoftowndevelopmentmuch lessattractive.”

Andattheheartofitallisinfrastructureand asolidfoundationinplanning,includinga visionaryandlong-termambitiousapproachto citiesandtownsofthefuture.

“Ofcourse,underlyingallofthatishard infrastructure,”hesays.“Ifwedon’thave thesewerageinfrastructure,thepublic transportationinfrastructure,thepower infrastructureetctoenabledevelopment,the

housingdevelopmentswon’thappen.

“Creatingavibrant,attractiveurbancentre requiresspacecurrentlyallocatedtovehiclesto be reallocatedforwalking,wheeling,playing, socialisingetc.Asa resultpeoplelivingfurther outwon’tbeabletoeasilydrivetoandpark intheurbancentre.Forthecentretothrive thesepeopleneedanattractivealternative–a protectedcycleway,acheap, reliable, regular publictransportoption.

“Theurbancentreofthefuturewillbelow carbon.Notjustintransportationtermsbut

alsoin relationtohowthebuildingsareheated andelectricityisgenerated.Thismustgohand inhandwithcreatingamoreattractiveplace toliveandvisit.”

AndCiaransaystheremustalsobeaneyeon ensuringthetouristoffering remainsstrong.

“Ourpeopleandournaturalenvironment areourgreatestassetbutthearchitecture ofatownorcityplaysanimportant rolein attractingandengagingtourists,”hesays.“It’s importantthatweprotectourbuiltheritage andfostertheconditionsthatenable>

architectstodelivernewarchitecturewhich enhancestheattractivenessofoururban centresnotjustfortheclientsorbuilding-users butforall.”

Turningtothecurrent realityfacingmanyfrms hereistheoverallcostofdoingbusinesses.

Manyinhospitalityarecontinuingtostruggle withgrowingoverheads–fromingredientsto rentandenergycosts.

And,whileit’scurrentlyinfocusatthe moment,theongoingrates revaluation remainsfrontandcentreformuchofthehigh street.

AccordingtoGlynRoberts,chiefexecutiveof RetailNI,localsmallbusinessesare“unlikely togetasinglepennyof reductionintheir ratesbills”,despiteUK-wideinitiativesbeing broughtin.

“With75,000business recently receivingtheir draftvaluationoftheirbusinessrateswasa stark reminderoftheneedforradical reform ofourbroken,antiquated,andexpensive ratingsystem,”hesays.“Itisunacceptableand adragonourlocaleconomythatNorthern Irelandbusinessescontinuetopaythemost expensivebusinessratesanywhereintheUK.

“InEnglandsmallbusinessesaregetting a75% reductionintheirbusinessratesto assistwiththeCostofDoingBusinessCrisis. DespitetheUKGovernmentgivingNorthern IrelandthisfundingaspartoftheBarnett consequential,ourlocalsmallbusinessesare unlikelytogetasinglepennyof reductionin theirratesbillswiththismoneyinsteadgoing intotheStormontblackhole.

“Whyshouldindependent retailersinNorthern Irelandbesounfairlytreatedincomparisonto theirEnglishcounterparts?Butitdoesn’tstop there–worseisstilltocome.”

Onratesrises,Glynsayshehad“realconcerns thatwecouldseeinfationbustingrisesthat willcripplemanylocalbusinesses”.

ItwasthenannouncedbyNorthernIreland SecretaryofState,ChrisHeaton-Harris,that therewouldbeafreezeonbusinessrateshere forthisfnancialyear.

“RetailNIandaconsortiumof16tradebodies andchambersofcommercewrotetoall11 councilchiefexecutivesurgingthemnotto godownthis road[ofincreasingrates]. We areatacriticaljunctureasaperfectstormof factorsiscausingdevastationforthe retailand hospitalitysectorsandcouldseethousands

ofbusinessesthreatenedoverthenextfew monthsifnoactionistaken.

“Outofcontrolenergybillincreases,labour shortages,infation,andfallingconsumer confdenceareriskingthebusinessclimate ofNorthernIreland.Fearsthatmanywill simplygounderinthenextmonthswithout governmentassistancearekeenlyfeltandwe cannotcontinueonthispathofdestruction anylonger.

“WiththisperfectstormmanyRetailNI membersareworriedaboutpushingcustomers awayduetohavingtoraisepricestokeep pacewiththeserisingcosts,whichistherefore havingadetrimentalimpactontradeand consumerconfdence.

“Sadly,thebadnewsjustkeepscomingwith theUKGovernment’sinadequate,poorly targetedandultimatelypointlessnewenergy supportpackageforbusinessesaslocalshops andmanyotherbusinessesfaceamassivehike inenergycostsfromApril2023.”

Andhesaysit remainsan“absolutescandal thatwiththeworsteconomiccrisisinmemory alongsideourhealthserviceonitsknees,we stillhavenoExecutiveinplacenoraplanto addressthiscostofdoingbusinesscrisis”. ■

FuturepublicbuildingsinNorthern Ireland‘shouldbebuilttolast100years’

Buildingsconstructedwithpublic cashshouldbedesignedtolast atleast100years,newproposals tohelpmakeindustrymore greenhave revealed.

Architectshere haveoutlined a hostofactions aimedatdecarbonisingconstructionandthe overallbuiltenvironmentinNorthern Ireland.

Proposalsincludeminimumenergy performancestandardsforprivate rentals, prioritisingthe re-useofexistingbuildings ratherthanknockingthemdownandalso requiringthatallnewpubliclyfundedbuildings bebuilttolast a minimumof100years“unless a detailedendoflifeplanformaterial re-useis agreed”.

That’s accordingtotheRoyalSocietyofUlster Architects(RSUA).It’s nowlauncheditsClimate ActionPaperatStormont.

Someoftheotherproposalsinclude:

• Usingtheplanningsystemtoheavily

prioritisenewdevelopmentsthatenable a highproportionofdailyjourneystobetaken withouttheneedfor a motorvehicle.

• Establishing a planto reducecar reliancein existingdevelopmentsthroughtheintroduction ofnewwalking,cyclingandwheeling connections.

• Developing a plantogrownativeIrishtrees toprovidelocal,natural,high-qualitybuilding materialsforfuture generations.

• Setting a dateafterwhichnonewbuilding will relyoncarbon-intensivefuelsasitsprimary heatsource.

“Mostestimatessuggestthatthebuilt environmentaccountsforapproximately40% ofenergy-relatedcarbonemissions,”Ciarán Fox,directorofRSUA,said.

“We recognisethejourneytonetzero forNorthern Irelandwill requirea radical transformationofwhatwebuild,where we

buildandhowwebuild.Government policiesandtheactionsofGovernment constructionclientswillbepivotalin reaching thistarget.

“Notonlydoweneedtoquickly reduce emissionsfromheatingandpowering ourbuildingswealsoneedto reduce emissionsarisingfromtheconstruction processwhichincludesmaterialproduction deliveryandassemblyonsite.Perhapsone ofthegreatestchallengesistoaddressthe legacyofdevelopmentsthathavelockedindependencyoncarusageforeveryday needs.

“TheClimateChangeActhaschallenged governmentdepartmentstoensure thatby 2030Northern Ireland’s netemissionsare 48%below1990levels.

“To achievethisweneedtoseesubstantial changesin2023andwebelievetheactions proposedinthispaperwouldsetNorthern Irelandontherighttrajectory.” ■

Belfastcitycentre

Housepricesfallforfirst timeinthreeyears: breakdownofregionsacross NorthernIreland

Officialfigureshave shownasmallslowdown inNorthernIreland’s propertymarket,with pricesseeingasmall dropattheendof2022, followingastrongrise overthelast12months, writes

JohnMulgrew

HousepricesinNorthernIreland havefallenhereforthefirsttime inmorethanthreeyears,ithas emerged.

Theaveragecostofahomefellby0.5% betweenthethirdandfourthquartersof2022, accordingtofreshfiguresfromtheNorthern IrelandStatisticsandResearchAgency(NISRA). Itcomesafterprices rosebyaround10.2% overthelast12months.

TheaveragepriceforahouseinNorthern Irelandis£175,234andrangesfrom£153,244 inDerryCityandStrabaneto£208,333in LisburnandCastlereagh.

Meanwhile,6,142 residentialpropertieswere soldduringthesecondquarterof2022, howeverNISRAsaysthatnumberislikelyto increaseduetolate returns.

Pricesarenowaround58%higherthanthe startof2015.

Breakingfiguresdownby region,somesawa riseinpricesduringthelastquarterof2022. ThatincludesFermanaghandOmaghand LisburnandCastlereagh.

Meanwhile,Belfastsawpricesfallby1.9% whileNewryandMournewitnessedthelargest dropat2.7%.

Separately,accordingtoUlsterUniversity’s latest research,increasinginterestrates coupledwiththecontinuedescalationinliving costs“havehadadetrimentalimpactbothon transactionlevelsandsentimentinthehousing marketbutthere’sbeennochangetohouse prices”.

Theindexshowsanominalhousepricegrowth of1.3%duringthefourthquarterof2022, basedonthepreviousmonth.

HOUSEPRICES BYCOUNCIL AREA

SpeakingabouttheUlsterUniversity research, DrMichaelMcCord, readerin realestate valuation,said:“Thehousingmarket,while showingasofteninginpricegrowthoverthe courseof2022,continuestoshow resilience withnopricecorrectionevidentdespitethe ratherturbideconomicsetting,thecontinued costoflivingcrisisandBankofEnglandbase rateincreases.

“Therearesignsofpurchaserdemandand sentimentweakeninginvariablydueto consumersadoptinga‘holdingposition’tosee whetherinterestrateincreaseshavepeaked andwhatappearstobethebeginningofan easinginflationaryenvironment.

“Thehousingmarket,toacertainextent, continuestobeprotectedfromanysevere pricecorrectionduetotheongoingimbalance betweendemandandsupplyandthechronic lackandqualityofprivate rentalstock.”

UrsulaMcAnulty,headof researchatNI

HOUSEPRICESBYCOUNCILAREA

▼Antrimand Newtownabbey Quarterlychange:-0.4%

▲ArdsandNorthDown Quarterlychange:1.3%

▼ArmaghCity,Banbridge andCraigavon Quarterlychange:-1.1%

▼Belfast Quarterlychange:-1.9%

▼CausewayCoast andGlens Quarterlychange:-1.1%

▼DerryCityandStrabane Quarterlychange:-1.5%

▲FermanaghandOmagh Quarterlychange:1.5%

▲LisburnandCastlereagh Quarterlychange:1.0%

HousingExecutive,whichcommissionsthe research,said:“Lookingbackover2022, inwhatprovedtobeatumultuousyearon manyfronts,pricinglevelsoverallhaveshown remarkable resilience,particularlyinthe contextofhighinflationandrisinginterest rates.This resilienceis,partiallyatleast,the resultofsupplysideissueswithinthehousing market,althoughthesub-regionalvariation inhousepricegrowth,andthecontinued slowdowninbuyerenquiriesandactivity,

▲MidandEastAntrim Quarterlychange:1.0%

▼MidUlster Quarterlychange:-0.4%

▼Newry,Mourneand Down Quarterlychange:-2.7%

somewhatdampenthisview.

“Lookingtowards2023,generallyconfidence isstrongamongstestateagentsinthepricing structure,forthefirstquarterof2023at least.Theimpactofanyincreaseininterest rateswillundoubtedlyplayasignificant factor,particularlyforthosepotential firsttimebuyerswhoarealreadyfacing affordabilityissuesingainingaccesstothe owner-occupiedsector.” ■

Y, BANBRIDGE ANDCRAIGAVON

Wrightbusbuildingnewhydrogen productionbaseinBallymena

TheownerofBallymenabusmaker Wrightbusisdeveloping a new multi-millionpoundhydrogen productionbaseinthetowncapableof powering300vehicles a day

JoBamford’s HygenEnergyand Wrightbuswill build a ‘green’hydrogenproductionfacility attheheadquartersofthemanufacturerjust outsidetheCoAntrimtown.

MrBamford,chairmanof Wrightbusand founderofhydrogen firm Ryse,tookoverthe reinsofthebus firmin2019whenitentered administration.

Two yearsagohetold UlsterBusiness about earlyplanstosetup a hydrogenproduction facilityhere inNorthern Ireland.

Wrightbusproducesbothhydrogenandelectric busesfor a rangeofcustomersandexport markets,alongwith Translinkhere inNorthern Ireland.

“Wrightbusisdelightedtobeworkingwith Hygenonthishydrogenproductionprojectat

ourfactoryinBallymena,”JoBamford says.

“Oneofourkeyobjectiveswhenwepurchased Wrightbusin2019wastobringthe firstUK manufacturedhydrogendoubledeckerbusto market.

“We havedonethis,withourHydrolinerbuses nowmovingpassengerseverydayin a number ofcitiesacrosstheUK,includinghere inBelfast.

“Hydrogenisthebestmeansofdecarbonising manybus routes,butforthistohappenbus operatorsneed a reliableandvoluminous supplyoflowcostlowcarbonhydrogen.It isgreattosee a projectthatisbeingsizedto enablefuture demandforhydrogenhere in Northern Irelandtobemet.

“Thisprojectwillinitiallybeabletoproduce enoughhydrogentorunupto300buses,and hasthepotentialtotripleinscaleasdemand forhydrogenincreases. We hopeitwillset anexampleforhowtheseprojectswillbe designedandbuilt.”

Aninitialcommunityconsultationisnow

underway, ledbyRenewableConnections, developmentpartnerofHygen.

“Thisisaimedatencouragingpeopleinthe vicinityofthesitetoprovidetheirfeedback ontheproposedprojectbefore anyplanning applicationissubmitted,”itsays.

Thatcouldsee a planningapplicationbeing submittedbyApril2023,withsummer2024 beingthetargetforthesitebeingoperational.

It’s thoughttheschemecouldcreatearound35 jobsduringitsconstruction.

Thedevelopmentwillbebasedonaroundacres oflandatthe WrightbusBallymenafactory, makinguseofanexistingbuildingatthe factorylocatedatthenorthwestofthesite.

“Themajorityoftheequipmentis t beinstalled insidetheexisting red brickbuildingwithsome balanceofplanttobeinstalledoutsidewithin theexistingsecurityfences,”thosebehindthe schemehavesaid.“Thesitewillbemadeupof a seriesofequipmentthatis requiredforsafely producinggreenhydrogen.” ■

Adoubledeckerhydrogenbus manufacturedbyWrightbus

Tax& accounting

Tumbling downthe tax competitiveness table

WithcorporationtaxinNorthernIrelandsettodouble theRepublic’s12.5%fromAprilandonetopbusiness chiefwarningthatasaresulttheUKwilltumbledown thecompetitivenesstable,companiesarecallingfora reappraisalofourtaxregime,writes PavelBarter

WhenAstraZenecaannouncedits decisioninearlyFebruaryto investina$400minanewhighendmanufacturingfacilityinIreland,the UKbusinessindustry releasedacollective groan.

Inacallto reporters,thepharmaceutical company’schiefexecutive revealedthe UK’s“discouraging”rateswungthedeal fortheRepublic.Thedecisionhighlighted, inparticular,thediscrepancybetween opportunitiesforinvestmentinNorthern IrelandversustheRepublic.

AccordingtoAndrew Webb,chiefeconomist withGrantThorntonIreland,AstraZeneca’s decisionillustrates“thepotentialdownsideof punitivetaxratesandthedifferentialbetween ourcorporationtaxrateandIreland”.

“Wehavemajorcompetitivenessissues. We lagbehindonmajoreconomicmeasures: productivitybeingone.Whenwelooksouth, weseeaneconomythatisshowing resilience andstrength.Akeypartofthatistheirlow corporationtaxrate.”

Nowthedifferentialisabouttowiden further.OnApril1,2023,NorthernIreland’s corporationtaxrateissettorisefrom19% to25%inlinewiththe restoftheUK.Inso doing,itwilldoublethe12.5%rateinthe Republic,potentiallymakingNIalessattractive destinationforpotentialinvestors.Angela McGowan,directorofCBINI,told Ulster Business the“wideningofthecorporationgap betweenNIandtheRepublicofIreland remains animportantconcernforlocalbusinesses,as theycontinuetofacefercecompetitionfrom lowertaxedcompetitorssouthoftheborder”.

Theratewillsolelyaffectbusinessesthat generateproftsofover£250,000.Inits

Andrew Webb

originalimpactstatement,theGovernment saidthetaxwouldaffectaround30%of businessesintheUK.NorthernIreland–where SMEandmicro-businessdominate–maydiffer butAndrew Webbbelievescertainindustries (lifeandhealthsciencesectors,forexample) couldbecaughtup.

“Differentsectorsareperformingatdifferent levels,”saystheeconomist.“Hospitalityand tourismhadaverystrongseasonin2022, againstexpectations.Arethey returningto proftability?Potentially.Corporationtaxhasa bearingonthatsector.”

JaniceGault,chiefexecutiveoftheNorthern IrelandHotelsFederation(NIHF),told Ulster Business thatcorporationtaxis“astimulus toattractnewbusiness”.“Thisisimportant forhotelsandthewidertourismsector.The industrytendstorunonsingledigitproft levelsduetothecostofoperationandthe amountofinvestment required.”

Thetaxhikearrivesamidawidereconomic crisis.InJanuary,theInternationalMonetary

FundpredictedtheUKeconomywillcontract by0.6%thisyear:theonlyleadingeconomyto doso.Belfast-born TonyDanker,CBIdirector general,believestheUKwillfallfromffth to30thplaceinOECD’staxcompetitiveness table,followingthecorporationtaxincrease. GrantThornton,meanwhile,predictsthe economyinNorthernIrelandwillcontractby 1.3%thisyear.Localbusinessesareseeinga perfectstormofsoaringinfationandsupply chainuncertainty.

“Peopleforgetit’snotjustacostofliving crisis,it’sacostofdoingbusinesscrisisas well,”GlynRoberts,chiefexecutiveofRetail NI,says.“We’reseeinghugepressuresonthe supplychainwithinfationmakingitmore expensivetorunyourbusinessandpayyour suppliers,acrossthewholesupplychain.”

ManyRetailNImembersdonotpay corporationtax,henotes,so“it’slessofan issueforthem”.AndsomeNorthernIrish manufacturersareinasimilarposition,says ManufacturingNIchiefexecutiveStephen Kelly.

“Inmanycases,thecorporationtaxbillisthe easiesttaxbillanybusinesshastopaybecause youneedtomakeaprofttogetthere,” Stephensays.“Atthemoment,proftability isoffsetbythecostofdoingbusinessso noone[amongourmembers]tendstobe complaining.Thisyear,whatwouldordinarily havebeenproftabilityhasbeeneatenupby energycosts.Mysuspicionwouldbeanybody whoisconsuming,ratherthanproducing,at themomentarenotfacedwiththisbigjump. Energyfrmsaremaking recordproftsonthe backofbusinesseshavingtoconsumeraw materials.”

Thecorporationtaxriseto25%does, however,contributetoalackofstabilityand certaintyintheNIbusinessmarket,industry representativesbelieve.PrimeMinisterRishi Sunakinitiallyannounceda25%rateinMarch 2021.Themeasurewasscrappedinthe‘mini Budget’ofSeptember2022,onlyforLiz Truss to reinstate25%afewweekslaterfollowing aturbulent reactionfrommarkets. Withthis levelofyo-yoing,howcanbusinessesplanfor thefuture?>

AngelaMcGowan

“TheUKisaparticularlyuncertaineconomy,” Andrew Webbsays.“We’restillworking throughBrexitandwhat’spossiblybeen unfairlytermedthebonfreofEUlegislation.

Theuncertaintyaroundabusinessoperating environmentintheUKisn’tideal. Taxchanges, minibudgets,changesofchancellors.Allof thataddstoanuncertainmix.Lookingover thenext12to18months,it’shighlylikely therewillbeachangeingovernment.It’s averyuncertaintimeandbusinessesdon’t appreciatethat.”

GrantThorntonhasmadeacasefora reduced corporationtaxrateinNorthernIrelandfora numberofyears.StephenKelly,Manufacturing NIchief,agrees.“Thecaseforproviding NorthernIrelandwiththepowerstosetits owncorporationtaxisclear,”hesays.

Intheperpetualabsenceofsuchamove, industrywoesmaybealleviatedthroughother taxmeasures.NorthernIreland’shospitality industry,forexample,isstymiedbyless favourable VATrates.“Thecurrent[tourism] VATrateiscurrently9%intheRepublicof Ireland[nowextendedforsixmonths]and 20%inNorthernIreland,”JaniceGaultofthe

NIHFsays.“Ourmembersarekeentoseea reducedrateforthesectorintroducedasa matterofurgency.

“Thetax regimeinthesouthofIreland remainsattractivetolargecompaniesandwe wouldbekeentoseehoteltrading recognised asanexport.”

TheNIHFchiefexecutivecalledfortax incentivestobeintroducedforcapital investmentand refurbishmentofhotels.The CBI’s TonyDankerhasmadesimilarproposals. Ina recentspeech,henotedhowthe dissolutionofa“super-deduction”investment incentive,thatallowsfrmstooffsetcapital spendingagainsttheircorporationtaxbill,is occurringatthesametimeasthe6%risein corporationtax.

“Weproposefullexpensingforcapital investment,” TonyDankersaid.“It’snotabout amoregeneroustaxsystembutusingitina smarterway.Itallowsustoraiseinvestment now–byenablingcashtofowbacktofrms whentheymaketheirinvestment,notdrip feedingthebenefts,sometimesoverthirty years.”

ButinNorthernIreland,politicalinstability isa roadblockonthepathtoeconomic stability.AngelaMcGowan,CBINIDirector, told UlsterBusiness thatwhile“investment incentives–likethe replacementofthesuper deduction–couldhelpoffsetdivergence[with theRepublic],thebusinesscommunityisalso focusedonhavingafunctioningExecutivein placetoimplementpro-enterprisepoliciesand advocateforlocalfrms.Politicalstabilityis everybitasimportantforattractinginvestment totheNorthernIrelandeconomy”.

Politicalinstability,combinedwithanuncertain economicmodel,achoppingandchangingtax environment,andrisingcostsofbusiness,has madeNorthernIrelandaharsherenvironment toturnaproft.Thequestionthenarises: whatisthepointinraisingcorporationtaxat all?Lowerprofts,afterall,amounttolower corporationtax receipts.

“Whywouldyouraiseinterestrateswhen you’reheadingintoaneconomicdownturn?” saysAndrew WebbofGrantThornton. “Indeed,whyhaveanyofthe recentpolicies beenimplementediftheambitionistoavoid recession?” ■

TonyDanker

NIKKIELLIOTT WALKITOFFNI

Howisbusiness?

Businessisgood.At WalkItOffNI,we’re rumblingalongquitenicelybetweenthe privateandtourismaspectsofthebusiness. JanuarytoFebruaryisalwaysagoodtime forgettingorganised,makingconnections, andplanningtheyearahead.Ofcourse,early springisalsoawonderfultimetobeout walkinginnature.Growthandchangehappen everydayandIhavetheprivilegeofseeingit first-handasIwork.

Howdidyougetstartedintheindustry?

Ispent11yearslivingandworkinginthe highlystressfulinsuranceindustryinLondon andtravelledextensivelywithmyjob.In2004, I returnedtoBelfastfollowingtimespentin Dublinbecauseofmyhusband’scareerandto benearerfamily.Asanewparent,Idecided thatmyfuturecareershouldhavesocialvalue andsustainabilityatitscore.

Followingaseriousskiinginjury,walking innatureformedpartofmy rehabilitation andthingsfellintoplacefromthere.The exercisehelpedmeto recoverquickly,both physicallyandmentally,andI researchedits value,discoveringthat regularwalkingcan bebeneficialformanyhealthconditions, includingdiabetes.

In2019,Iestablished WalkItOffNI,which offersasuiteofeco-friendly,guided,walking andfoodexperiences.Since2021,I’vebeen

Entrepreneur ofthe Month

takingpartinLisburnandCastlereaghCity Council’sRoyalHillsboroughandHistoricMoira programme,alongwithover40otherlocal businessowners. Together,wecollaborateto providetouristswithincredibleexperiences. RoyalHillsboroughandMoiraareidyllic,rural locationsthataresimplysteepedinhistory, withawealthofoptionsforstayingin,eating outinandexploring.

Typically,whoareyourclientsor customers?

Ihavebothbusinessandtourismcustomers, fromtheUKandIreland,andfurtherafield, whopurchaseexperiencesforthemselves ortheirclients.Ialsohaveotherclientswho requiretailoredexperiencestosuittheirneeds.

Doyouenjoywhatyoudo,andwhatin particular?

Iloveit.Iamoutdoorseverydayandmy joballowsmetoshowcaseeverything thatRoyalHillsboroughandMoirahaveto offer.OnceIhavetakenatouristonone ofourwalkingexperiences,theyalways return.It’salsofantastictohaveouroffering recognised.Our WalkItOffNIexperience recentlyearnedaplacein TourismNI’sglobal #EmbraceaGiantSpiritcampaign.

Whatisthemostdifficultpartofyourjob?

Themosttime-consumingaspectis researching storiesandconnectingthemtothebuiltand naturalenvironmentthatwenavigate.Ialways choosecollaboratorswithcare,workingwith themanyfabulousparticipantsoftheRoyal HillsboroughandHistoricMoiraprogrammeto sourcefoodandotherinterestingproduce.

WalkItOffNI’slatestexperienceincludes abeerandtapastasting–it’scalled ‘HillsboroughRoyalBrew,A TrailofRomance, WithAddedAle’Thetourincludesaguided5k walkaroundlesser-knownRoyalHillsborough village, roundedoffbyanexclusivetasting intheprivatebarofThePloughInn,a17th centurycoachinginn.

Whatarethechallengesfacingyoursector andtheeconomyingeneral?

Iencounterthesameobstaclesasanyparents runningsmallbusinesses,alongwiththe challengesandbenefitsofoperatingonan offshoreislandwithadirectconnectionto Europeinthecurrenteconomicenvironment. Ourofferingmust remainstrongandthe benefitsobvious,fortheclienttobuy,and Itrulybelievethatweofferanunparalleled experience.

‘40,000 Northern Irelandjobs saved’ during Covid-19 pandemic due to Governmentsupport

Anin-depthreportfromtheUlsterUniversityEconomicPolicyCentre(UUEPC)looks atthesizeableimpactfurloughandgovernmentloanschemeshadonensuringmore jobswerenotlostamidtheworstoftheCovid-19pandemic,writes JohnMulgrew

Northern Ireland’s economywould havetakentwoextrayearsto return topre-pandemiclevels withsome40,000fewerpeopleinwork ifgovernmentsupportschemeswere not introduced,ithasbeenclaimed.

It’s beenestimatedemploymentlevelswouldbe roughly4.6%lower – equatingto40,000jobs – hadthefurloughsystemandgovernmentbackedcompanyloansnotbeenbroughtin.

That’s accordingtonew researchfromUlster University

“Giventhesignifcantleveloftaxpayers’ moneyspentonpandemic relatedsupportsto individualsandbusinesses,itis reasonableto askifthismoneyhasdeliveredanequivalent economicbenefttosociety,”itsays.

“Intuitively, economiessupportedbytheir governmentsduringthepandemicwouldbe betterplacedto recoverandbemore resilient tothecurrenteconomicchallengesthanthose notsupported,butthishasnotbeentested.”

The reportfromtheUlsterUniversityEconomic PolicyCentre (UUEPC)considers a potential ‘Covidcounterfactual’scenariotoestimatethe impactofthepandemicontheeconomyinthe absenceofgovernmentinterventions.

Itsaysthatbythesecondquarterof2022,the Northern Irelandeconomywouldhavebeen 4.3%(£1.9bn)belowitscurrentlevel.

Anditalsosaysitwouldhavetakenan additionaltwoyearsto return toprepandemiclevelsofeconomicactivity

“Itisclearfromtheanalysisthatalthough pandemicsupportswere providedat a signifcantcosttothepublicpurse,the economicoutcomeintheabsenceofsupports wouldhavebeenmuchworse,”Gareth Hetherington,directoroftheUlsterUniversity EconomicPolicyCentre,said.

“Thisisparticularlysoforsectorssuchas hospitality, artsandleisure andnon-food retail.

“Itisalsoclearthatthefurloughschemewas more effectiveatsupportingemployeesthan theSelf-EmployedIncomeSupportScheme (SEISS)supportedtheself-employed.The analysissuggeststhatmanyself-employed individualsceasedtradingtobeemployed inlargerbusinesses.Thismayhave a longer termimpactonbusinessstart-upactivityand entrepreneurialism.”

Howeverthe reportwhilethenumberof employeesisnowapproximately30,000higher thanthepre-pandemicpeak“thenumberof self-employed remainssignifcantlybelowprepandemiclevels”.

GarethHetherington

“Thenumberofstudentsandthose economicallyinactiveduetosicknesshas increased,butthenumberinactivebecause ofcaring responsibilitiesandthosewhohave retiredbefore theageof65bothdecreased,” itsays.

“Thehighlevelofvacanciesexperiencedfor muchof2022highlightsanimportantlesson foremployersintermsof retainingskilledstaff inchallengingeconomictimes.”

The researchsayslookingatpayrolled employees,itsuggeststhe“labourmarket hasheldupwellandnotonlypassedits pre-pandemicpeakbutisalsobacktoitsprepandemictrendline”.

“Overall,employeesincreasedsteadilyfrom 684,000inJanuary2015to753,000inMarch 2020before fallingbyapproximately2%to 736,000inDecember2020before growingto anall-timehighof781,000inOctober2022.”

Lookingatthoseself-employed,thedata paints a verydifferentpicture.Between2020 and2021thenumberofnon-registered businessesinNorthern Irelandfellby26,000, a fallof17%ofthetotalnumberofbusinesses inNIand a 34%fallinthenumberof

unregisteredbusinessesinNI.

Itsays“thesefndingsare entirelyconsistent withtheself-employmentstatisticswhich remainbelowpre-pandemiclevels”.

“Giventhesefrmsare verysmallinfnancial terms,manyhadzero employeesandtherefore theself-employedownermayhavetransferred toemployedstatus.”

AccordingtoMrHetherington,giventhe hugehittothepublicpurseas a resultofthe multitudeofsupportschemes,withrising governmentdebtlevelsthe“abilityto respond tofuture shockswillfacevery realaffordability constraintsandthatdoesnotappeartobe suffcientlyinthepublicconsciousness”.

“Thelastthreeeconomicshockswere the globalfnancialcrisis,Covidandmost recently theenergycrisisandeachofthesehas resulted inverysignifcantgovernmentinterventions,” hesaid.

“As a resultpublicexpectationsaboutthe roleofgovernmentin responsetoeconomic shockshassubstantiallychanged.However, UK governmentdebtwas34%ofGDPin2007/08 andisnowapproaching100%anditis a

similartrendacrossthedevelopedworld.

“Itisimportantto recognisethatpolicy measureswhichwouldusuallytakemonths andyearstoimplement,hadtobe rolled-out indaysandweeks.As a consequencethere are lessonstobelearned.

“Forexample,improvingtheabilityof individualgovernmentdepartmentstoaccess informationheldbyotherpartsofgovernment. Amongstotherthingsthiswouldhavemadeit easiertotargetgovernmentsupportstothose ingreatestneedratherthanuniversalsupports whichcameat a muchgreatercosttothe taxpayer.”

Turningtowhere theUKsitsintermsofits governmentsupportlevelsamidthepandemic, the reportsaystheUSimplementedthelargest fscal responsebothinvalueandpercentageof GDPterms,followedbytheUKandAustralia. ItsaysItaly, JapanandGermanyledthewayin termsofliquiditysupport,butinterestingly, the USprovidedamongthelowestlevelofliquidity support“indicatingdifferentpolicyapproaches acrossdifferentcountries.

“Overall,theUK’s responsewasparticularly strongagainstEuropeanpeers”. ■

Harland & Wolf ‘could haveworkforce of 5,000’ injust over a decade

Harland& WolffbossJohn Woodsaysmajorinvestmenttoequiptheyardforitspart ina£1.6bndefencecontractwilltransformitsfortunes,writes MargaretCanning

Afterdecadesofdecline,Harland& WolffchiefexecutiveJohn Wood believestheBelfastoperation couldhaveaworkforceof5,000by2035.

Fouryearsagothebusinesswentinto administrationunderoldowner,Dolphin Drilling.

Thefrm,andwiderUKshipbuildingindustry, hadlostouttoglobalcompetitors,andanew specialismin renewableenergywasinsuffcient tokeepitgoing.

UKplcInfraStratamadeasuccessful£6mbid forH&WinOctober2019.Sincethenthere’s beenagradual recovery.

Thatgainedmomentumwhen TeamResolute, aconsortiumofH&W,NavantiainSpainand shipdesignerBMT,wona£1.6bnMinistryof Defence(MoD)contracttobuildfeetsupport ships(FSS).

FinalassemblywilltakeplaceinBelfast between2025and2031,butamassivespend is requiredtoenablethatithappen.

“Youcan’tbuildshipsinanantiquated shipyardwithnothinginit.However,it’s not reallyjustabouttheFSS,butthewider capabilityofthatyard,”Johnsays.

“UtilisingtheFSScontractis reallytobuildthe foundationsoftheshipyardofthefutureto makesurewe’reactuallycapableofbuilding shipsfortheexportmarket,sothatoncethe

threeFSSarecompletedandhandedover, we’vegotproductionfacilitiesthatareeffcient andcancompetewiththebestinEurope.

“Oncethisfacilityisbuilt,itwillbeoneof themosttechnologically-advancedmarine fabricationfacilitiesintheUK,anditwillputus attheforefrontofshipbuildingfordecades.”

Atitspeakinthe1930s,H&Wemployed 30,000.ItforecaststheFSScontractwill requireittohire900newworkers.

Skillshavemovedonsincethefrm’sheyday, Johnsays.“Thekeythingisthehigh-tech natureofthe roboticsandtheautomationof allthatmachinery.

“There’sadifferenttypeofworkerit requires nowratherthanalltheweldersandbeaters. You’vegotthehigh-techelementofthe computeroperators,thedigitaldesigners,the robotoperators…weobviouslycan’tdothat allovernight.”

AtradingupdateonDecember30stated revenuesfor2022wouldbebetween£29m and£31m.Apreviousupdatehadprojected revenuesof£65mto£75m.

Inthe17monthsendingDecember31,2021, ithad revenuesof£18.5m,upfrom£1.5mthe yearbefore.Buttherewasalossof£25.5m.

Thecompanyattributedthelowerforecastto supplychaindelaysandordercutsworthat least£34m.

Butitstill representsa56%increaseonthe £18.5mturnoveroftheearlierperiod.

Aswellasitsdefencework,theship repair sideofthebusiness remainsstrong.“Twoships arrivedonFebruary1–jack-upbargeThe ExcaliburandTheButterfy,”hesays.

TheExcaliburisthefrstjack-upbargeto entertheyard.“Therewerezerojobswhen weacquiredtheassetsin2019. We tookon 45people,nowthere’sabout600peoplein Belfast,dependingontheworkloadthatwe’ve got.

“WiththeadditionoftheFSSprogramme, that’sanother900,sothat’s1,500atpeakof production.

“Newmachinerywillbeimprovingproductivity. Ifyouhadtodoitmanually,youwouldn’tdoit competitively.

“There’sabalancebetweenbuildinga highly-skilledworkforceofthefutureusing automationversusstickinginthepastandnot beingabletowinanywork.”

Therearestrategiesinplaceforfllingthe 900posts.“We’vealreadytakenonalarge intakeofapprenticesinthelastthreeyears andwecontinuetorampthatup. We’realso lookingatmid-lifeapprenticesandolder-age apprentices,”Johnsays.

“Andwe’relookingatbringingbacksomeof theoldworkforce,andoneoftheareaswe’ve

seenalotoftractiononisworkerswhoused toworkintheshipyardwhohavesincemoved toplaceslikeAbuDhabi,Australia,Canada andAmerica. We’vealotofthoseguyswho arelookingtocomeback.

“It’sallaboutgettingthewordandthe messageoutthatBelfastisopenforbusiness again.Forus,thisisallaboutbuildingalegacy, andashipyardandaskillbaseforthefuture aswell.”

Hiringstafffromabroadhasn’tbeenruled out.“Well,look,atthemomentthat’snot intheplans…ifwecan’tgetthevolumeof workers...tobuildanddelivertheships,so that’ssomethingwekeepasalast resortand lastoption.

“Ifwedohaveto,thatwouldbeveryshortterminnatureuntilthetrainingcatchesup

withthedemand.Butthevaluethatpeople youbringinfromoverseaswouldbringtothe localeconomyisstillahugebenefttoBelfast.

“It’snotapreferred route,butwehaveto be realisticbecauseweareinatimewhere there’saskillsshortage.

“Wewilldowhatweneedtomakesurethe shipsaredeliveredontimeandonbudget.”

Thefrmestimatesitwill receivearound50% ofthetotal£1.6bncontractvalue.

Hesaidthecompanywaspleasedwith progressafterbuyingtheyard.Iteven changeditsnamefromInfraStratatoH&Wto capitaliseonthename recognition.

“Westartedoutonafve-yearprogramme andwe’renowatthethree-yearpoint,”he says.

“We’reextremelyhappy,andby thetimewegettotheendofthis yearwe’relookingatabacklogof contractedworkacrossthegroup of£1bn.

“OnDecember5,2019wehada contractedbacklogofzero–that’s quitesometurnaround.

“It’sacompanythat’smoving forwardafteritstruggledforso manyyears,andthat’sbecause ofperseveringacrossthefve marketsweworkin:oilandgas; renewables;cruiseandferry; commercialmaritime,anddefence.

InfraStratafrstmadeheadlinesfor itscontroversialplantobuildgas storagecavernsintheseabedat Islandmagee.

Theprojectisopposedby environmentalistsandhasbeen miredindelays,withthegrantof amarinelicencetothecompany fortheworkbeingchallengedin thecourts.

Hesaiditwasstillallsystemsgo.“Thejudicial reviewgetsheardinMaythisyearandwe’re reasonablyconfdentthatthelicenceaward willbeupheld,”hesays.

Lookingahead,hethinkstheFSSprojectwill stillbehavingapositiveimpactevenafterthe vesselshavesailedaway.

“In2035,afterFSSiscompleteandlotsof newprojectscomein,Idon’tseeany reason why,betweencoreworkforceandcontracted workforce,youcan’tbelookingat5,000 peopleinthatshipyardifitwasrunningatfull capacity,”hesaid.

“That’salonglookoutintothefuture,and therearealotofbridgesbetweennowand then,butassumingitwasrunningatfull capacity,there’sno reasonitcan’tbe5,000, andbringingabigeconomicbeneft.” ■

John Wood,headof Harlandand WolffGroup

Model: CartierSantosDeCartier

Casesize: 39.8mm

Material: Stainlesssteel

Movement: 1847-MC

Price: £6,700

CartierdeSantos:

TherearefewwatcheswiththelevelofhistoryoftheCartierdeSantosinthe markettoday. JohnMulgrew spendsaweekwiththepioneeringclassic steelsportswatchfollowingavisittoLunn’sinBelfastcitycentre

There’sseriouswatchmakingin Cartier’slinege.

Attheturnofthe20thcentury,aBrazilian aviatorbythenameofAlbertoSantos-Dumont calledupontheexpertiseofafriend–Louis Cartier.Asapilot,heneededsomething practicalandwearable–thepocketwatchno longersuffced.

Cuttomorethanacenturylaterand themoderniterationoftheCartierde Santos retainsmuchofthatinitialDNA, housedinalargercaseandsportingdesign andtechnologicaladvancementsitbeliesits still reasonablyclassicalstyling.

Itsitsatthesomewhatdressierendofthe luxurysportswatchmarket.It’sabold,yet compactpackagewhichbringsforthclassic styling,fromRomannumeralsencirclingthe dial,torivetsaroundthebezelandbracelet andiconicbluestoneembeddedinthecrown.

Thislargermodelcomeswithasteelbracelet andbluecalfskinstrapwithdeployantclasp, alongsidethein-houseautomaticcalibre1847MCmovement.

Thebluedialversionhasadeep,richhue, whichpopsinbrightersurroundings,while thecaseandbezelarestriking–amixtureof mirrorpolishedfnishing,subtlebrushingand those recognisablesteelrivets.

Onwrist,itsitsverywellandnothingfeels offbalance.It’scomfortableandcertainlyone whichwillhavenotroublewithcuffs,sittinga littleover9mmincasethickness.

Numeralsareboldandstriking,butnot overthetop–sword-shapedhandsmake everything readableandfairlyclear.Handsare cleanandthedateissubtleatthesixo’clock position,farfromoverwhelmingthedial.

Fitandfnishispredictablyascleanandtidyas you’dexpectonaCartieratthisprice.

Thisisapowerfullookingpiecefrommost angles.It’saformalpiecebutwithachunkier casesize(intheworldoftraditionallysmaller Cartiers)meaningitworksinavarietyof landscapes.

Thedarkbluedialhasaverysubtlesunburst toitandbrighterconditionscertainlybringout thecolour.

Movingontowhatisthestarofthe show–thebraceletandlinksystem.Other manufacturershavetriedtheirownproprietary systemsovertheyears,butthemajorityof eventhehighestendofwatchmakers,orthose pushingthetechnologicalboatout,tendto onlygoasfarassomethinglikequick release bars.

Cartierhasinvestedsignifcanttimeinits

‘Smartlink’and‘QuickSwitch’system.The formerisatrueimaginativestepforward in resizingbracelets. Typically,apushpinor screwpinsystem requiresacoupleoftools andabitoftime.Thisforgoesthat.Instead, thechangeablelinkshaveafush rounded rectangularbutton–almostimperceptibleto theeye–which,withagentlepushwilleject thelinkpin. Youcanthentakealinkout, reattachthebraceletand resizethepiece.

Evenmoreusefulisthe‘QuickSwitch’system. Turningovertheheadofthewatchyou’llfnd wherethebraceletendlinkmeetsthecase, andasmallinsetbutton. Withalightpress thebraceletwillcomeawaywithlittleforce.It snapsbackonjustaseasily.

Thismakeschangingbetweenthebraceletand blueleatherstrapa20secondjobwhichcan bedonebyalmostanyone.Itdoesmeanyou’ll beusingCartierstrapsfromnowon,butthis isn’tawatchyou’regoingtobewearingona NATOanytimesoonanyway.

Thebraceletitselfisrivetedwithpolished screwsandfullybrushed,includingthesidesof thelinks.Thathelpstotemperwhatisquitea shinypieceonwrist.

Thecrownisabalancedsizeandsitsneatlyin crownguardswiththeprotrudingbluecrystal whichisfoundonthemajorityofCartier releases.

Asecondaccompanyingbluestrapworkswell atshowcasingamoresubduedversionofthe piece,withasoftblueleatherandlighterblue stitching,adeployantclaspandCartierbuckle. It’sadifferenthuetothedialbutcomplements thewholepiecewell.

Youneedonlytakealookinyourlocal Cartierstoreoronlinetoseethemyriadof Santosoptionsavailable,fromsmaller,more traditionaloptionstocheaperquartzversions andmoremoderninterpretationsfeaturing PVDcoatings. ■

Formoreinformationvisitwww.lunns.comor payavisitinpersontooneofthestores

Bakari hits sweetspot with range of treats baked to perfection

JohnMulgrew pays avisittoanewfamily bakeryintheheartof Belfastcitycentrewithits stylerootedinIceland

Afewthingsdonewell’issomething thatmany restaurantscould certainlyutiliseasamantra.

“Ilikeaplacewithalotofitemsonthe menu…Because,youknowtheydothem all,beautifully,” WillFerrellsarcasticallyjokes

ashesitsadjacenttohostJerrySeinfeld inabeachsidecaféduringanepisodeof ComediansInCarsGettingCoffee.

Thosewiththeculinaryskillsamonguswho areabletotranslatethatintoasuccessful businesscanoftendosobyfocusingonone thing,orjustacoupleofareasinwhichto specialise.

Youonlyhavetolooktowardsthelikes ofFlout!pizzaineastBelfast,burgerspot Bunsen(ofwhichI’manunashamedfanboy) orevenKaffeOtoseethatsuccessinaction.

Bakariisallaboutbreadandpastries.It’sa bakerywhichhastakenbothitsname,and itsstyle,fromIcelandandbroughthigh-end andinterestingsweetandsavourythingsto DonegallStreetinBelfastcitycentre.

Bakari(Icelandicfor‘baker’)isthebrainchild oftheMowbrayfamily–itsnortherly roots comingfrombakerJack’sstintworkingin thecountry,alongsidehisIcelandicwife, Freyja.

Thereareavarietyofdoughsinuse,which includes100%naturally-leavened,themajority oftheweek, WednesdaytoSunday.

OnthisfairlytemperateFebruarymorning, Icastagazeoverthemetalshelvingbehind thecounter.There’satightbutintriguingand appetisingselectionofaroundadozentypes ofpastriesandloavesonoffer.

Ispyaratherwelcomingpink-tinged Valentine’sDayspecial.It’sessentiallya croissantpastrybasebutwithstrawberries, adustingoficingsugarandalsoaslightly tart redpowder,whichIassumeiseither strawberryorraspberry,perhapsfreeze-dried varietiesblitzeddowntoadust,whichadds somesharpness.Inside,there’sarichand unctuousstrawberrycream.

Thepainauchocolatisaclassicwhichtendsto beastrongbreakfastoptionwheninFrance, evenifit’sjustthesupermarketorcorner shop-boughtvariety.Thisisastepwellabove. It’sbig,shinyandwellrisen,withahealthy combinationofsoft,crispandfakylayersof butterypastry.Adeep,darkchocolateflling bringsforthatouchmoretexturewhenat

roomtemperatureandaddsbothsweetness andbite.

There’salsoanIcelandicvanillabread.This isaninterestingthingtobehold:rich,sticky andsomewherebetweenbreadpudding andaclassicFrenchcustardtart.There’sa balancedwhackofcinnamon–it’ssweet–butthere’satouchofsavourytobringforth thatdepthoffavour.It’shefty,butfarfrom cloying.

Thenthere’sthetebirkes–Bakari’stakeona classicDanishpastrywithpoppyseeds.This appearstobeakintothepainauchocolat intermsofmake-up:agreatriseanddark, shimmeringmaroonontop.Thisiswhatthe pastriesinyoursupermarketbakerysection aspiretobe.

There’salsopunchofcrunchandwelcome savourynotesfromthepoppyseeds.Thisall feelslikegrown-upbakingandcreativity.

Thisisn’tallaboutsweetness,however.The backwallfeaturesachunkypanloaf,deep, darkandintriguingfocacciaandsatisfyingly slightlyirregularbaguettes(alackof

uniformityisoftenaverygoodsign).

BakarisitsatthesiteoftheformerPrinters café,apopularlunchspotforthebusinesses, includingnewspaperoffces,whichcall(or called)thenearbyareahome.

AndBakariissettingoutitsownstrongstallin termsofwhatitoffersthecity.

Whilepricingamongbetterbakeriescan sometimesendupconsiderablypremium (certainlysomeofthoseinbiggercitiessuch asLondon),pastriesandbreadallfeellike strongvalueatBakari,withtheformercosting between£2.50and£3,whileentireloavesare pricedaround£4.

BakariisyetanotherhitandjoinsNorthern Ireland’sstronglistofcraft(Ihateusingthat word,butI’mstrugglingtofndamore appropriateadjective)bakeriesthathave sprungupinthepastfewyears.

Withoneoutpostalreadyopen,thebakery couldbeeyeinganothersmalllocationinthe city–andthat’scertainlytobewelcomed. Bakariiscertainlyonetostickonthelist. ■

Lawfirmstop corporatedealslist

CorporatelawfirmA&LGoodbody hassaidofficialrankingsshowit waslegaladviserforthebiggest valuecorporatedealsinNorthernIreland during2022.

Therankingsfromglobalinformationservices companyExperianhighlightthe roleplayed bylawyersandotheradvisorsintheyear’s biggesttransactions,withlawfirm Tughans advisingonthebiggestnumberofdeals.

A&LGoodbodysaidithadadvisedonover 75%ofall reportabledealsby referenceto value–£650mworthofthetotal£850m transactions,includingthefivebiggestdeals oftheyear.

“Consistentwiththelastfewyears,there wereseveraltransactionsthroughout theyearattheupperendofthemarket withadisclosedvalueexceeding£100m includingtheacquisitionoftheMcBurney TransportGroupbyDFDSfor£143mand the£100minvestmentintoClanmillHousing Association,”headofcorporate,David Rowan,said.

“Thesearecomplex,highvaluetransactions whichhavethegreatestimpactonthe

economicdevelopmentofNorthernIreland.

“Wealsoobservedstronglevelsofactivityin termsofmid-markettransactions–suchasthe acquisitionof TesabEngineeringinOmaghon behalfoftheMetsoOutotecGroupaswellas thesaleof WoodFloor WarehousetoGrafton Group.”

IthadalsoadvisedondealsbyNIcompanies outsidethejurisdiction,hesaid,suchas acquisitionsbyblindsmanufacturerMzuriand BedfordConsultancyServices’acquisitionof BluesprintABinSweden.

“Encouragingly,wealsosawthecontinued provisionofsignificantgrowthcapitalinto theNImarket,havingadvisedAxial3Donits significantinvestmentbyStratasysSolutions.”

MrRowansaidthefirmexpectedstable levelsofactivityduringtheyeardespite widereconomicchallenges,withstrongfirms continuingtoattractinterestfrombuyers.

TughanssaidithadbeenNorthernIreland’s mostactivelawfirm,andhadadvisedon79 dealsduringtheyear.Itwasalsothetopperforminglawfirmfordealvolumeover25of thepast29quarters.

Thecorporateteamactedonarangeofdeals includingadvisingkitchenfirmUformon investmentbyCardinalCapitalandactingfor theBusinessGrowthFundoninvestmentsin MzuriGroupandClarkeGroup.

IthadalsoactedinthesaleofBlueZincITto ClearCourse,andonthesaleofRenewable EnergyDevicestoOctopusEnergy.

JamesDonnelly,thefirm’sheadofcorporate, said:“Itisafantasticachievementtohave heldthepositionofmostactivecorporatelaw firminNorthernIrelandforeightyearsina row.

“Ithasbeenanotherincrediblybusyyear forM&Aandinvestmentactivityandwe aregratefulforbeingengagedinsomany interestingtransactions.TheExperianrankings are reallyatestamenttothecontinued dedicationandambitionsofourclients.”

ManagingpartnerPatrickBrownsaid:“Tobe themostactiveadviserinNorthernIreland fortheeighthconsecutiveyear reflectsthe talentwithinourtransactionalteams.Advising on40%moredealsthanthenearestfirmin secondplacedemonstratesourpositionasthe leadingcorporatefirminNorthernIreland.” ■

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The ultimate M3

BMWissettolaunchanewhighperformancesaloon,theM3CS, laterthisyear.

Thisnewmodelfeaturescarbonfbrereinforcedplastic(CFRP)components, increasedenginepowerandabespoke chassissetup.Exclusivedesignfeaturesand specifcationensureexhilaratingperformance andgivethenewM3CSacharacterprofleall itsown.

Thenewmodelpairsa550hpsix-cylinderinlineenginewithaneight-speedMSteptronic transmissionandtheMxDriveintelligentallwheel-drivesystem.Thesecombinetoproduce a0to62mphtimeof3.4secondsandonto anelectronicallylimited188mphtopspeed.

TheM3CSfeaturesacarefullymodifed versionofthehigh-revvingsix-cylinderin-line engine,withM TwinPower Turbotechnology, developedfortheM3andM4butwith40bhp more.Thepowerincreaseisachievedthrough changestotheengine’sM TwinPower Turbo technology.

Theadjustmentsprimarilyinvolveraising themaximumchargepressureofthetwo turbochargersfrom1.7to2.1barandmaking somemodel-specifctweakstotheengine management.This resultsinanevensharper engine responseanddirecttransmissionofits powertothedrivetrain.Peaktorqueof650Nm isproducedbetween2,750and5,950rpm andmaximumoutputarrivesat6,250rpm.The engine revstoamaximum7,200rpm.

Inacarsopowerful,all-wheeldriveisvital. TheCSusesanelectronicallycontrolledmultiplateclutchinthetransfercasetoensurefully variableandsuper-smoothdistributionofthe engine’spowerbetweenthefrontand rear wheels.Thesystem’s rear-wheelbiasandthe wayitteamsupwiththeActiveMDifferential atthe rearaxle–whoseoperationisalsofully variable–addtothesportsfeelingwhen acceleratingorpoweringthroughcorners.

TheMSetupmenualsoletsthedriverswitch fromthedefault4WDsettingto4WD Sportmode,whichdirectsanevengreater proportionoftheengine’storquetothe rear wheels.Ifyou reallyfeellikelivinglifeonthe edge,driverscanalsoswitchofftheDSC (dynamicstabilitycontrol)systemaltogether andengage2WDmodesendingpower solelytothe rearwheelsandsuppressingany interventionfromthecontrolsystems–you havebeenwarned.

TheM3CStakesjust3.4secondsto reach62 mphfrom restand11.1secondsfrom 0-124mph.The50–75mphtakes

only2.6seconds(infourthgear)and3.3 seconds(inffthgear).TheMDriver’sPackage isstandardandhasanelectronicallylimited topspeedof188mph.

StandardspecifcationfortheM3CSincludes MCompoundbrakeswiththebrakecallipers paintedin red.OptionalMCarbonceramic brakesarealsoavailable,withbrakecallipers inmattgoldor red.Thestandardequipment listalsoincludesforgedMlight-alloywheels inanexclusive V-spokedesign,withagold bronzefnishoranoptionalmattblackfnish. Measuring19-inchatthefrontand20-inch atthe rear,theyareshodwithtracktyresthat havebeenpurpose-developedforthisspecialeditionmodel.

BMWLaserlightheadlights,alsoincluded aspartofthestandardspecifcation,adda particularlystrikinganddistinctlooktothe frontendoftheCS.

TheM-specifccontrol/operationsystem includestheSetupbuttononthecentre console,whichenablesdirectaccesstothe settingsoptionsfortheengine,chassis, steering,brakingsystemandMxDrive.

ThelatestgenerationofiDrive,basedonBMW OperatingSystem8,isstandardinthenewcar whichincludestheBMWCurvedDisplayfor thecockpit.Priceswillstartfrom£115,900. ■

Takeitto DMax

TheIsuzusuccessstorycontinues. SalesoftheDMaxpick-up increasedby18%lastyearina marketdoggedbytheshortageofsuper conductors.

So,whetheryouneedapick-upforyour business,ortotransportmountainbikesto farfungforests,orsimplytobeabletogo anywhere,theDMaxisthetruckforyou.

Isuzu recentlylaunchedsixnewvariantsof theD-Max,addinga reardifferentiallockto theBusinessRangealongwithautomatic transmissionsonmodelswherethiswas previouslyunavailable.ThenewD-MaxArctic Trucks AT35halomodelwaslaunchedand positionedatthetopofthebrand’sAdventure Range.

DMaxmodelshaveaturbodieselpowerplant delivering164PSand360Nmoftorqueand whileitmaynotbethequietestengine,when matedwiththesix-speedmanualgearboxit ismorethanabletokeepupwithmotorway traffc.Firstgearmightseemalittlelow,but ifyou’retowingoroff-roadingyou’llbeglad ofit.Allmodelscomewitha125,000mile/ fve-yearyearwarrantyandfveyearsUKand European roadsideassistanceandprovide towingcapabilitiesof3.5tonnesanda maximumpayloadof1,120kg.

Theentrymodelbusinessrangefeaturesutility trimandthisbasespecifcationworkhorseis offeredinachoiceof4x2or4x4andinthree differentcabtypes:single,extendedand

doublecab.Developedwithworkinmind,the utilityfeaturesawiderangeofpracticaland safetyfeatures.

AllDMaxmodelsfeatureautomaticheadlights withhighbeamassist,automaticwindscreen wipers,speed-sensitivepowersteering,DAB radioandastop/startsystem.Advanceddriver assistsystems(ADAS)arenowstandardas well.

Autonomousemergencybraking,traffcsign recognition,intelligentspeedlimiterandlane departurewarningandpreventionarefttedon everymodeland,forthefrsttimeinthepickupsegment, rearcrosstraffcalert,blindspot monitorandemergencylanekeepingareftted onalldoublecabs.

TheAll-PurposerangeconsistsoftheDL20 andDL40,with‘DL’signifyingthatthe rear diff-lockisastandardfeatureandthe‘20’and ‘40’demonstratingthemodelspecifcation. All-purposemodelsarealsoavailablewith anautomatictransmissionandcomewith adaptivecruisecontrolandlanekeepassist. TheDL20featuresheatedfrontseats, rear parkingsensors,frontfoglightsandafront centrearmrest,whilebody-colouredfrontand rearbumpers,silverdoorhandles,amedium greyradiatorgrilleand18inchalloywheels

provideamorepremiumappearance.

TheDL40addsBi-LEDheadlights,LEDfront foglights,daytimerunninglightsand rear lights,achromeradiatorgrille,silversidesteps andtwo-tone18inchalloywheels.DL40 modelsalsoincludefrontand rearparking sensorsanda reversingcamera.

DMaxfeetsalesincreasedby59.5%lastyear, withIsuzuUK’sdedicatedFleetConversion Centre,basedatthecompany’simportcentre inSheerness,playingavitalpartinthegrowth. Thespecialistofferingprovidesaunique one-stop-shop,whichworksinconjunction withIsuzuUK’sfeetsalesandtechnicalteams ensuringthebuild-to-orderserviceprovides customer-specifcvehicles,whilst retaining themanufacturerwarrantyandensuringthe capabilityofthevehicleisnotcompromisedin anyway.

Themulti-award-winningD-Maxcontinued itscommercialsuccess,collectingtheFleet NewsBest Workhorse Award,alongwiththe Trade VanDriver’sBest Workhorse Awardfor anunprecedentedtenthyearina row. Last yearendedwiththeIsuzuD-Maxbeingnamed What Van?Pick-upofthe Yearfor2023, makingittheffthtimeinthelastsixyearsthat theD-Maxhastakenthetitle. ■

Nissan’s electrifcation continues

TheelectrifcationofNissan’srange continueswiththeJukenow receivingahybridpowertrain.

Designedtoprovidethedriverwithgood acceleration, refnedcruisingandeffcientlow emissionswhileallowingmaximumuseofEV mode,theJukeHybridisdesignedtodeliver thebestofbothworlds.

Thehybridpowertrainconsistsofanew generationNissanpetrolenginespecifcally developedforworkinginahybridpowertrain application.Itproduces94hpand148Nmof torque.

Ontheelectricside,Nissansuppliedthemain electricmotorwhichproduces36kW(49hp) and205Nmoftorque,whileAlliancepartner Renaultprovidedthe15kWhighvoltage starter/generator,theinverterandthe1.2kWh water-cooledbattery,aswellasthehighly innovativegearbox.The resultisapowertrain providing25%morepowerthanthecurrent petrolengineoption,withafuelconsumption reductionofupto40%inurbancycle,andup to20%combined.

TheJukeHybridfeaturesanadvancedlow frictionmultimodalgearboxthatprovides

bestuseofthepower,whetherelectric, petrolengine,orboth. To reducefriction, thisgearboxusesdogclutchesinsteadof conventionalsynchroniserringstoshiftthe fourpetrolenginegearsandtwoEVgears.

Additionally,to reducefriction,thisgearbox doesnotuseaclutch.Allvehiclestartsare 100%electric,andthetwoEVmotorsare usedincombinationtosynchronisethegears, deliveringasmooth,connectedand responsive acceleration.

TheJukeHybrid’sintelligentdrivesystem governsthepowertrainaccordingtomany parameters,withtheobjectiveofmaximising thetimespentinEVmode.Duringtesting, Nissan’sengineershaveachievedupto80% ofanurbandriveinpureEVmode,withshort hybridphasesto rechargethebatterybefore returningtoEVmode.Itcan reach34mphin pureEVmode.

Thisnewcompactcrossoveralsocomeswith adrivemodeselector,allowingdriverto selectEco/Normal/Sportmode.Notonlydoes thedrivemodechangesthesteeringeffort, climatecontroloperationandaccelerator pedal response,inthecaseofthenewhybrid powertrain,italsochangesthe regenerative

brakingbehaviourandbatterystateofcharge. InSportmode regenerationunderbrakingis settoahighleveltomaximiseelectricpower foracceleration.

TheJukehybridrangesitsalongside theexistingJukeline-upandstartswith N-Connectagrade,followedbythe Tekna and Tekna+.N-Connectastartsfrom£27,250 whichis£1,730morethanitsequivalent non-hybridautomaticversionandextendsup tothehighlyequippedandstylish Tekna+at £30,150.

Allhybridversionscomeequippedwith Nissan’se-PedalStepwhich,whenactivated, allowsthemovementofthecartobe controlledusingjusttheacceleratorpedal. Whenyouliftyourfootofftheaccelerator, moderatebrakingisappliedwhichslowsthe Juketoacrawlwhilealsochargingupthe hybridsystem.

Externallythehybridcanbeidentifedanew frontgrilledesignandhybridbadgingftted tothesideand rearofthevehicle.Thenew NissanAriya-derivedtwo-tone19inchAero alloywheelsarenowstandardon Tekna+ modelsforbothlooksandeffciency.

TheJukehybridalsobeneftsfromtheproduct improvements recentlyintroducedonthe overallJukerange,includingtwo-tone17inch alloywheels,amoreaerodynamic rearspoiler, improvedBOSEPersonalPlusaudiosystem nowwith10speakersandimprovedkeyless entrywhichincludeswalkawaylock/approach unlockfunction. ■

APPOIN TM EN TS

CBINorthernIrelandhasappointed managingpartneratGrantThornton NorthernIreland,RichardGillan,asitsnew vicechairman.

TheBelfastoffceoflawfrmDWFhas promotedMichelleCullytotheroleof director.MsCullyisaspecialistindispute resolution.

LauraMenaryhasbeenpromotedtothe roleofdirectorattheBelfastoffceof lawfrmDWF.MsMenaryisadefence healthcarelawyer.

MorrowCommunicationshasappointed ClareDalyasadirector.MsDalyjoined almostnineyearsagofromaglobal communicationsagency.

NicolaMcCleanhasbeenappointedasa directorwithMorrowCommunications.Ms McCleanhasbeenwiththecompanyfor over15yearshavingstartedasagraduate.

GalgormCollectionhasappointed MatthewStocktonasbusiness developmentmanageratTheOldInn, Crawfordsburn.Inhisnewrolehewill workcloselywiththewidertourismsector andkeybusinessstakeholders.

BillLazenbatthasjoinedHamilton Architectsasaprojectarchitect.Mr LazenbattisagraduateofQueen’s UniversityandUlsterUniversityandan ARBqualifedarchitectwith10years’ experienceasavisualfneartist.

MarkPoulainhasjoinedUlsterCarpets asitsheadofprojectsandUKsales development.Hejoinstheleadingcarpet designandmanufacturingcompanyfrom contractfurnituremanufacturer, Table PlaceChairs.

JonathanWilliamsonhasjoinedEY NorthernIrelandaschiefoperatingoffcer. Inthisnewrole,MrWilliamsonwillwork withpartnersacrossallservicelinesto deliverstrategicgrowth.

RedcastleHotel: a cosy stay amid chillsofDonegal

TheRedcastleHotelinInishowenhasundergonea refurbishmentand CatrionaDoherty checkedinto checkoutthechangesduringwintryJanuaryvisit

Whilethesnowhadfallen,the roadsandpicturesquepathto thenewly refurbishedRedcastle Hotelwereclear.

The rollingDonegalhillswereablanketof glisteningwhiteasthefeldsmeltedintothe shoresofLoughFoyle.JudgingbyRedcastle’s busycarparkona WednesdayinJanuary, otherguestswerenotdeterredbytheweather either,andunderstandablyso,asthefour-star hotelhassomuchtooffer.

TheLeisureClubboastsatopqualitygym, swimmingpool,saunaandsteam room;the CaraOrganicBeautyspadoesarangeof beautyandhealingtreatments,there’sanineholeparklandgolfcourse,hospitalityoptions includetheEdgeRestaurant,TheCaptain’s Bar&Grill,andTheDeck,whichisanareafor morecasualdining;andthehotelisnextdoor toindoorfunparkLeisureland–sothere really

issomethingtosuitalltastesandages.

Locatedalongthe WildAtlantic Way, Redcastle Hotelisperfectlypositionedforguestswho wanttoexplorethelocalareaandthenearby coastaltownofMoville,ShrooveLighthouse andbeach,orIreland’smostnortherlypointof MalinHead.

Ihadoneaiminmindformyvisit,andthat wastotal relaxation,soIdidn’tventurebeyond thehotel.

AlthoughIhadstayedtherepreviously,itwasa fewyearsago,soIwasinforasurpriseathow muchit’schanged.

Althoughstill retainingitsoriginalcharmand comfort,andfriendly,attentivestaff,thenewand-improvedversionisimpressive.Around €500,000hasbeenspenton refurbishments todate,with90 roomshavingacomplete

makeover(theotherfourhadbeen renovatedpreviously).

Thenaturalenvironmentandcoastalsetting providestheinspirationforthenewdécor.

Photosoflocallandandseascapesadorns thewalls,andsoft,earthytonesareused throughout.Roomadditionsincludenew coffeemachinesandsmartTVswithan extensiverangeofchannels.

ThedécorofTheEdgeRestaurant,The Captain’sBarandTheDeckismodern, eclectic,andtrickytopigeonhole.There arenauticalelementsthroughout,suchas miniatureboatsandafshing ropeornament.

Inoticedaframedprintof TitanicBelfast, andoneofthesuitesisnamedafterthe ill-fatedship.RedcastleownerPatDoherty alsoowns TitanicHotelBelfast,hencethe connection.

Themoststrikingaspectofthe2AARosette EdgeRestaurantisitslocationrightonthe water’sedge,andmydiningtablelookedout overthewaveslappingbelow.

RedcastleHotel&Spa

Thethree-coursemenucreatedbyexecutive headchefGordonSmythandhisteamfocuses onseasonal,localproduceandlightfresh ingredients,whichthemenustates“aimsto showcaseallthebestqualitythatInishowen hastooffer”.

There’savarietyoffsh,chicken,duck,beef andvegetariandishestochoosefrom.Afew itemssuchasthecontinentalcheeseboardand thesteakhaveasupplementcharge.

Ioptedforthechickenandsweetcornpithivier, with Lyonnaiseonionsandsmokedbaconjus tostart,followedbythechargrilledagedIrish sirloinsteakwith roastedfeldmushroomand brandypeppersauce.FordessertIhadthe 72%chocolatefondanttartletwithcoconut ice-creamandcaramelisedbanana.

Allthreecourseswerepackedfulloffavour. Thesteakwascookedtoperfection,andthe fondantwithitswarm,meltedchocolateflling waspuredecadence.

AfterdinneranightcapcocktailinCaptain’s wastheperfectwaytoendatrulymemorable evening.

TOPTHREELOCAL ATTRACTIONS

1

Movilleshorewalk

Movillecoastalwalkstartsfromthe shorefrontinnearbyMovillejustbeside theplaypark. Followthepathfor2.2km fromtherockyshorelinealongthesandy coves.

2Outdoorpursuits

InishAdventuresinMovilleofferhalf andfulldaytrips,andmultiactivitydays thatcanincludekayakingalongthe Donegalcoastline,gorgewalking,sailing, whitewaterrafting,archery,orienteering andmore.Duringthesummermonths theyopenagiantinfatablewaterpark andrunbananaboats.

3

Asa€10spacreditisgivenaspartoftheCosy WinterEscape,IdecidedtotryouttheCara HydrotherapyBath(€45),whichI’dbookedfor thefollowingmorning.

Afterenjoyingsometimeinthe relaxation room,Iwasshowntothetreatment roomby mytherapistandmyfrstimpressionofthe bathwasthatitlookedfuturistandfancy.Jets arepositionedinsidetomassageyourmuscles fromtoptotoe,andthere’sinbuiltarmandleg restsforaddedcomfort.

Aspartofthepamperingpackage, Voya faceandhairmasksaresupplied,andthe treatmentsworktheirmagicwhileyousoak. Voyaproductsaremadewithseaweed,and theseathemeisincorporatedintothedécor, whichwascalmandneutralwithartyprintsof seaweedonthewall.

Thewaterwasfragrancedwith Voyalimeand mandarinessentialoil–adeliciousscentthat flledtheairandlightlyperfumedmyskin.

Post-treatmentitwastimeforadipinthe pool,followedbythesaunaandsteam room. Itfeltsosatisfyingtobeenvelopedinthe

WildAlpaca Way

EnjoypanoramicviewsofMalinHead andbeyondwithyourveryownalpacato guideyou.BadgerandBounce,Chestnut andMojowillbeonlytoohappytolead theway. Visitorscangoonagentletrek thathasplentyofphotoopportunities alongtheway.

sauna’swarmthonacoldwinter’sday.

TheCosy WinterEscapepackagecomprises anovernightstaywithathree-courseevening mealinTheEdgeRestaurant,glassofbubbly, €10spacredit,andafullIrishbreakfast.

Thecostis€169per roommidweek,soit’s around£74perperson,whichIthinkispretty goodvalueconsideringthethree-coursemeal aloneisusually€42.

Plus,guestshaveuseoftheswimmingpool, steam roomandsauna,andit’sonlytooeasy towhileawayawholeafternoonthere.

Thespaisquitepopular,soifyouarevisiting it’salwaysbesttobookinadvancetoavoid disappointment.

TheCost WinterEscapecosts€189for Fridaystays,€239forSaturdaydates,and youcanstayoneortwonightsonthis offer ■

2. NorthernRegionalCollege isnowofferingengineering apprenticeshipsatitsMagherafelt campus.PicturedareAlison Smyth, TobermoreConcrete,Peter Gormley,SperrinMetal,ElitaFrid, MEGAwithNorthernRegional College’s RyanStirlingandDavid Lynn.

3. MaloneRoad restaurantBlank hasbeenaddedtotheMichelin Guide,just15monthsafter opening,alongsideFontanain Holywood,andArtisinDerry. PicturedareJohnnyandChristina TaylorofBlank.

4. LibertyIThaslaunched a recruitmentdrivefor10 apprenticesoftwareengineersas partofits TechStartProgramme. PicturedareRonanLaveryand GinaLonerganofLibertyIT.

5. TheCullodenEstate&Spa outsideHolywoodhasannounced thecompletionofa£250,000 investmentprogrammeofitsspa facilities.PicturedareNiallBurns, generalmanagerwiththerapists, AimeeDeaneyandLauraGilliland.

1. TheBritishHeart FoundationNorthernIreland hasteamedupwithCiti BelfasttodeliverCPRtraining toitsstaff.PicturedareHelen McCarragher,BelfastFamilies MatterInclusionNetwork, LeighMeyerofCitiBelfast, FearghalMcKinney,BHFNI, andNaoimhBarr,Belfast FamiliesMatterInclusion Network.

7. Flexibleworkingbusiness Hubfowisplanningtoopen100 newLondonlocationsaspartof atargetedfve-yearcampaign. PicturedareHubfowmanaging directorDeclanMellanandchief executiveGaryMcCausland.

8. SparNI’s£20,000Community CashbackGrantSchemehas returned.PicturedareCommunity RescueServicesearchtechnician MurroughMcDonaghanddistrict offcerBarry Torrens, regional commanderSeanMcCarry, assistantunitcommanderRuari BaileywithSparNIstoremanager DavidBuckley(centre).

9. Newry,MourneandDown DistrictCouncilhashostedthe latestmeetingoftheBelfast RegionCityDeal(BRCD)council panel.PicturedareDamien Martin,BRCDprogramme director,councillorBarraO’Muiri, Marie Ward,chiefexecutive andanddirectorofenterprise, regenerationandtourism,Conor Mallon.

10. Deloittehaslaunchedits2023 BestManagedCompanies Awards programme.Picturedatthe headquartersofFryliteinStrabane areAisléanNicholson,partner atDeloitte,JosephinePenrose, groupfnancedirectoratFrylite andDanielleWhoriskeyfromBank ofIreland.

6. TonyandJoeMurphy haveturnedtheirpassion forwoodworkintoa newfurniturebusiness, AlderwoodStudios, thankstohelpfromthe GoForItprogrammein associationwithLisburnand CastlereaghCityCouncil. TheyarepicturedwithScott Carons,mayor,andMartina Crawford,chiefexecutive ofLisburnEnterprise OrganisationLtd.

12. Electricvehicleinfrastructure company Weevhasopenedanew charginghubatthe TwinSpires ComplexinBelfast.Picturedare CiaraCampbell, Weev,Rachel Reid,EVAssociationNorthern IrelandandBronaghMcKernan andNoelRooneyofOrtus PropertyServices.

13. AllstateNI’sStephenLomas hasbeenappointedchairofthe ContactCentreNetworkNorthern Ireland(CCNNI).Stephen,who leadsAllstateNI’sglobalservice desk,takesoveraschairofthe industrybodyfromDanskeBank’s Joanne Wilson.

14. RecruitmentfrmMCSGroup hasannouncedplanstodouble itsoffcefootprintbymoving intoTheEwartinBelfastcity centre.PicturedareDavid Wright, directoratCBRENI,LouiseSmyth andBarrySmyth,jointmanaging directorsatMCSGroup.

15. Picturedattheopeningof Arthur’sinHillsboroughisowner LynneMcCabealongsideScott Carson,MayorofLisburnand CastlereaghCityCounciland aldermanAllanEwartMBE, chairmanofLisburn&Castlereagh CityCouncil’sDevelopment Committee.

11. TimelyCareershas launched,aimedatproviding womenwithskillstraining andcareersupportwhoare returningtoworkfollowing abreakorwho require reducedhours.Picturedare RoseannKellyMBE, Women inBusiness,and Vanessa Milliken, TimelyCareers.

16. BankofIrelandis donating£890,000to organisationssupporting thosemostatriskfromcost oflivingpressures.Pictured areJacquelineDavidson, Barnardo’sNI,George Higginson,BankofIreland UK,Róisín Wood,Community FoundationNI,Rebecca Grounds,BelfastandLisburn Women’sAidandJennifer Todd,OasisCaringinAction.

20. Morethan11,000people havealreadybeneftedfrom fully-fundedtrainingthrough theSkillUpinitiative.Pictured areGeraldineFitzsimons,SERC, Graeme Wilkinson,Department fortheEconomy,MarianHearty, StranmillisandSteveBaker, MinisterofStateattheNorthern IrelandOffce.

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17. NorthernIrelandinnovation consultancy,Celsio,waslaunched ayearagoasatechstart-up butisnowcelebratingastrong 12months.PicturedareCharlie TuxworthandDavidMawhinney.

18. Maxolhasraised£17,000 throughitsChristmascoffee cupcampaignwiththemoney raiseddonatedto AWARENI. PicturedareMaxolchiefBrian Donaldson, AWARE’sheadof fundraisingClareGalbraithand HannahMoore,fundraisingand communicationsoffcer.

19. Risinginterestratesandthe costoflivinghasledtoabroader rangeofpeopleexploringCoOwnershiptobuyaproperty,it’s beenclaimed.PicturedisMark Graham,chiefexecutiveofCoOwnership.

UlsterSocietyhasraised £18,800withsupportfrom eventsponsorUlsterBank. Thefundsraisedatthe eventhavebeendonated toNorthernIrelandChest, HeartandStroke.Pictured areRichardLusty,ZaraDuffy,

22. LambertSmithHamptonhas madefournewappointments toitsteaminBelfast,including twodirectors.PicturedareGary Nesbitt,Carolyn Avery,Diana Kaliczka,RahulSodhi,Gráinne LeathemandDarrenFitzsimons.

23. LidlNorthernIrelandhas selected25secondaryschools acrossthe regiontobeneftfrom adedicatedMentalHealthAthlete Mentorshipprogramme.Pictured areparalympianMichaelMcKillop MBE,IrishHockeyplayerShirley McCayMBEandCastlereagh RoadstoremanagerAndrew Burwood.

24. Dungannon-basedGreiner PackagingUK&Ireland(GPUK) hasbeenawardedGold accreditationfromInvestors inPeople.PicturedareKyla McCrackenandPaulMillar.

25. Fibrushasannounceda newpartnershipwithColeraine FootballClub.Picturedare StephenLowry,ColeraineFC manager,OranKearney,Fibrus chiefoperatingoffcerShane Haslem,ConorMcKendry,and AlisonNicholl,Coleraineladies manager.

21. CharteredAccountants

EmmaMurrayandGareth McGleenon.

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27. Italian restaurantCastello ItaliainCarrickfergushasbagged atopdigital reviewawardfrom US-basedonlinetravelgiant Tripadvisor.PicturedareJohn McGhee,assistantmanager,and ownerArturCufaj.

28. TheEYEntrepreneurOf The Yearprogrammehasbeen launchedfor2023.Picturedare JeremyFitch,InvestNI,RobHeron, EYNorthernIreland,Mairead Mackle, TarasisEnterprises,Martin McKay, TexthelpandJonathan Dobbin,JuliusBaerInternational.

29. NI Water’sprojectteam workingonthenewBallykelly Wastewater Treatment Works havebeenawardedtheInstitution ofCivilEngineers(ICE)NI Sustainability Award.

30. Digitalcontentcreation businesseightyfve90hassecured its100thclient.Thebusiness waslaunchedbyAndrewKelly twoweeksbeforetheCovid19 pandemichit.He’spicturedwith GlynisHobsonfromCavaliersin Need.

26. Departmentfor InfrastructurePermanent SecretaryJulieHarrison visitsthenewconstruction materialstestinglaboratoryat CarninPortadown.Sheand directorofengineeringDavid Portermetlaboratorystaff includingBarryGoodman, alongsidedeputysecretary Colin WoodsandIan Hutchinson.

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32. AsDownRoyal’s2022charity partner,MencapNorthernIreland hasraised£11,084,having fundraisedatall13ofDown Royal’sfxtureslastyear.Pictured areEmmaMeehan,Down Royal,LindaAlexander,Mencap NI,MarianNicholasandSusan McCartneyofDownRoyal.

33. Jonathan Williamsonhas joinedEYNorthernIrelandas chiefoperatingoffcer.Inthis new role,Jonathanwillworkwith partnersacrossallservicelines todeliverstrategicgrowthatEY NorthernIreland.

34. PicturedatCarrickfergus Enterprise’s40thanniversary dinnerareDavidMcIlhagger,vice chairman,BillAdamson,chairman andmanagerKelliMcRobertsat CarrickfergusEnterprise

35. BallymenamanAaron Klewchuk(centre)haspurchased ImproPrintinginapre-liquidation packageforanundisclosedsum. HeispicturedwithdirectorsKirk DominyandGavinLeitch.

31. JamesBrownMBE,and BeverleyBrown,JamesBrown &Sons,arepicturedwith recipientsoftheJamesBrown &SonsCommunityFund.

Receptionist Awards.Pictured areDavidAnderson,Insight6, CarolynBoyd, TourismNI, JohnKeating,LifeAdventure Company,SharonPowerCowley,NetAffnity,Eddie McKeever,NorthernIreland HotelsFederation,andClio

37. The2023LocalGovernment Conferencehastakenplaceat theSilverbirchHotelinOmagh. PicturedisNILGApresident councillorMartinKearneywith SolaceNIchairmanRoger Wilson.

38. PaddyRaff,CherrieOntop andRoy Walkerhaveunitedfor CentraandSuperValu’sEpicDeals campaigninasix-partcontent series.

39. BarclayCommunications haslaunchednewcharity partnershipwithCancerFocusNI toraise£4m.PicturedareLeanne StevensonandRichardSpratt, CancerFocus,SusieKennedy andAlejandroSegura-Martyniuk, BarclayCommunicationsand CancerFocuspatient.

40. ABPLindenFoodshas announcedagreenenergy agreementwithtwoNorthern Irishbusinesses,ProgressEnergy and3TPower.Picturedare AndrewThompsonwithElaine Willis,LindenFoods,andThomas Kelso,3TPower.

36. Nominationsare nowopenfortheNIHF

O’Gara,Guestline.

Vienna hits the high notes

Thecityisdeepintoitswinterballseason,anannual treatformusic-lovers,writes RoslynDee

It’sourlastnightin Viennaandweare strollingbackthroughthestreetsto ourhotelafteralovelyeveninginthe city’slong-establishedPorgy&Bessjazz club.

It’sJanuary,thepavementshavebeenfrostywhiteforthelastfewdaysandit’snowhatsdown-over-the-earsfreezingcold.

Aswewalkalong,Inoticeataxidriverstep outofhisparkedcabforaquickcigarette. Inmymind’seyeIcanstillseehimstamping

upanddownonhisfeettokeepwarm,the smokefromhiscigaretteseemingtobounce higherandhigherintothecoldnightairashe poundedthepavement.

I rememberthatparticularincidentbecauseit’s atthatverymoment,justwhenI’mwatching thetaxidriver,thatwehearit–music,opera musicifwearen’tmistaken,anddriftingfullon‘forte’inourdirection.

Butfromwhere?There’snothingelseforitbut tofollowthesoundofthesoprano’svoice,and

soacrossthe roadwegochasingthesound, beforeturningrightintoanarrowstreetstill insearchofthesinging.Themusicisgetting evenloudernowandaminuteorsolaterwe findthesource.

It’sabar,acomfylookingbaritseemsfrom justpeeringinthroughthebigfloor-to-ceiling window.It’sallold-fashionedlampsand sumptuouscurtainsandwhatlooklikelovely jewel-colouredcushionsscatteredaround, givingtheplaceaninvitingwarmth. We head towardsthedoor.

Inside,themusichaschangedandthebaris nowalivetothesoundof‘Musetta’s Waltz’ fromPuccini’sLaBohème(thinkCherand NicolasCageinMoonstruck)andthepeople insidearechattinganddrinkingwine. We hesitateinthedoorwayforamomentandare quicklybeckonedinbyayoungman.

Beforeweknowit,glassesofwineare deliveredtothelittletablewherewearenow sitting,Puccinihasbeen replacedby Verdi,and afewofthecouplesareupdancing.Suddenly we realisewehavestumbledintoaprivate

party.Butonewherewearemadetofeelso verywelcome.

Whatawonderfulending,indeed,toa terrifcfewdaysinwhatissurelyoneofthe mostmajesticcitiesinEurope,andaftting fnaletooforavisittoacitywheremusicis everywhere.

EachtimeIvisit,whileit’simpossiblenot toadmirethecity’scollectionsofart,its wonderfulcoffeeshopsandthegeneral beautyof Vienna’sstreetscapes,it’sthemusic thatalwaysleavesitsmarkonme.

Rightnow,ofcourse,theyareinthemidstof theirwinterballseason. Yes, Viennastillhas sucha‘peakseason’,withformaldancing takingplacealloverthecityandmorethan 400ballsoverthecoupleofmonthsafter Christmas.

Theseculminateinthepiècede resistance,for whichticketsarelikehen’steeth:theannual ViennaOperaBallinmidtolateFebruary (dependingontheEaster/Lentcalendar), whenseatsintheoperahousearedismantled tocreateadancefoor.It’sallfoatydresses, blacktuxedos,andold-fashioned romantic splendour.

Evenifdancingisn’tyourthing,though, therearealwaysplentyofothermusical performancesatalltimesoftheyearhereso beforeyouknowityou’reenteringintothe swingofthings.

This,afterall,isthecitythatwashometo Beethoven,Schubert,Haydn,Mozartand Mahler,nottomentionJohannStraussof ‘BlueDanube’fame.

Inallfairness, VincenzoBellinicertainlycan’t layclaimtoanykindof Vienneseheritageand yetitishismusicthat remainsprominently inmymindwhenIthinkabouttheAustrian capital.Why?Becauseitisaperformanceof hisLaSonnambulathatfrstenticedmealong tothecity’s renownedoperahouse.

Asabitofanamateurbutanopera

afcionadononetheless,Ihavesatinmany operahousesaroundtheworld,fromParis andStPetersburgto Tallinnand Venice,but Vienna’smagnifcentStaatsoperisinaleague ofitsown.

Whenitfrstopenedin1869EmperorFranz Josephhimselfwasseatedintheaudience. Nodoubtinamuchgranderboxthanthe oneIfndmyselfinfortheLaSonnambula performancebutthisisthefrsttimeIhave eversatinaboxinanyoperahouseandtosay Iambesidemyselfwithexcitementwouldn’t betoomuchofanexaggeration.

Betweenmusicaldelightsin Viennathere’sso muchelsetoseeanddo.Onthemorningafter ournightattheoperawebeatapathalong frost-coveredpavementstotheBelvedere, formerlya royalsummer residencebutnow hometoanartcollectioncontaining18,600 workscovering900yearsofarthistory.

IwanttoseetheGustavKlimtpaintingsand yes,hismostfamouswork,‘TheKiss’,isthere inallitsstunninggold-leafandArtNouveau glory.

Oneoftheproblemswith Vienna,if‘problems’ istherightword,isthatthereissomuchto takein–fromtheSchönbrunnPalaceand gardenstotheHofburgcomplex(which includestheworld-famousSpanishRiding SchoolwithitsperformingLipizzanerstallions).

Thenthere’stheMuseumsQuartier,whichisall galleries(theMuseumofModernArtishere) andtrendycafes.

Talkingofcafes,youcan’t‘do’ Viennawithout experiencingitswholecafésocietyvibeandso we repairforamelange(a Vienneselatte)to thecoffeehouseintheSacherHotel–oneof themostfamousinthecityandtheonethat gaveitsnametotheSachertortecake.

Withitsold-worldatmosphereandimpeccable service,italsodeliversabillthatisnotatall refectiveofitsgrandeur.Nowonderithas beenservingmouth-wateringpastriesfor almost150years. ■

S23 Ultra: next bigupgrade for Samsung’s fagship phone

Samsung’snewGalaxyS23Ultraphonecomeswitha200-megapixel camera,thefrsttimeamajormanufacturerhasincludedaresolutionsize normallyreservedforgiantphotographydevices,writes Adrian Weckler

Samsung’snew23Ultraisoneofthe company’supdatedGalaxyphone range,alongsidethebaseS23model andtheS23Plus.

Samsunghasalsoupdateditslaptoprange, withanew16-inchhigh-endGalaxyBook3 Ultraasitsfagship.

Allofthephonesandlaptopswere unveiledinSamsung’s‘Unpacked’seriesof announcements.

Inadditiontothenew200-megapixelcamera system,theS23Ultrahasanewlymodifed chipfromQualcommthatSamsungclaimsis fasterthanthespeediestprocessorsavailable toanyotherAndroid-poweredsmartphone.

Whileitdeclinedtospecifymetricsorspeed measurements,theSnapdragon8Gen2for GalaxyappearstoplaceSamsunginaspecial relationshipwiththeworld’sbiggestmobile chipfrmasAndroidphoneschaseApple’s siliconlead.

Itisalsoclaimingtobeoneofthemost durablefagshipsmartphoneranges,beingthe frstsmartphonetoincorporateCorningGorilla Glass Victustoglass.

Samsung’sS23andS23Plushavethesamesized6.1-inchand6.6-inchdisplaysoftheS22 rangeslastyear.

Bothlower-tiermodelsincludesomesignifcant improvementsoftheirown,includingbetter selfecameras(12-megapixels)andbigger

batteries(by200mAh).SuperHDRisnow appliedontheselfiecamerasofeachphone, with60framespersecond.

Anduserscannowalso recordclearersound bypairinganyofthedeviceswithaGalaxy Buds2Proearphones.Butmostattention willinevitablyfallonthecompany’stop flagshipmodel,theS23Ultra.

Physically,Samsunghasmadesomenotable changestoitstopphone.Eventhoughit stillhasechoesofthediscontinuedGalaxy Noteseries,itnowhasalargerflatsurface areathantheS22Ultra,courtesyofanewly shavedcurvatureonthedisplay’sedge.

Otherthanthechipsetup,mostof Samsung’sinvestmentappearstohavegone intothedevice’scameraandvideoupgrades.

Thephonehasbeen redesignedtobebetter inlowlight,bothforordinaryphotosand nightskyphotography.

Thehandset’snewadaptivepixelsensor, Samsungsays,processes16pixelsintoone largerpixeltoimprovelighting.

There’sabeefed-upnightportraitmode ontheselfiecamerathatmeasuressense ofdepthandcreatesan“enhanced” bokeheffectbyanalysingthedistanceof objectsandseparatingthesubjectfrom backgrounds.

Imagestabilisationtechnology,whichhas laggedthetopiPhonesforsometimeon video,hasbeenimprovedvirtually,while opticalimagestabilsation(OIS)anglehasalso beenupdated.

Therearealotofcomputationalphotography updatesunderthehood,withnoise reduction technologyapparentlyenhancedusingmultiframeprocessingandenhancedartificial intelligencethat,becauseofthemore powerfulprocessor,candetectanddealwith noiseinlowlightsituations.

This,Samsungsays,willhelptocreate“crisp” videosatnight.Meanwhile,thephonehas anewAstroHyperlapsefeaturetocapture startrailsandnightskypatternswithoutany additionalequipmentorcomplicatedsettings.

Butcana200-megapixelcameraactually provideclear,noiselessimagesonasensor systemthissmall?

Samsungsaysitcan.Itclaimsthatthenew systemusesatechniquethatexamineseachof the200millionpixelstobringsubjectsintoa sharpfocusby“usingfouradjacentpixels”to detectdifferencesfromlefttorightandtopto bottom.

AllthreeS23modelscomeinfourcolours –black,cream,greenandlavender. Separately,Samsunghasupdateditsrange oflaptops.TheGalaxyFold3Procomes ineither14-inchor16-inchsizesandthey arethethinnestandlightestlaptopsin Samsung’sarsenal.

There’salsoaconvertibleGalaxyBook3Pro 360withatouchscreen.Butinitslaptop range,mostattentionislikelytofocuson Samsung’snew16-inchGalaxyBook3 Ultra,withitsdynamicAmoled3kdisplay. Samsungsaysthatthis120hzdisplayis aimedatbothgamersandgraphicsediting.

However,itisalsoclaimingthattheGalaxy BookProisahigh-enddevice.Allthreenew laptopshavethelatest13thgenerationIntel processors.

Allthreearebeingpositionedaspart ofSamsung’s“multi-deviceconnected experience”ecosystemthataimstoallow Samsungphones,tabletsandlaptops seamlesslyworkwitheachotherfor productivitypurposes.

Itsmulti-controlsystemaimstoletusers directlycontrolaGalaxysmartphoneor GalaxytabletusingtheGalaxyBook3 UltraorProserieskeyboardandtrackpad. Youcanalsocopy,pasteordraganddrop betweenthedevices,evenacrossdifferent operatingsystems. ■

TheSamsungS23Ultra

batteries (by 200mAh). Super HDR is now applied on the selfie cameras of each phone, with 60 frames per second.

For video, the S23 Ultra can now film in 8K at 30 frames per second with a wider angle (from 57 to 80 degrees) and a bigger pixel size for a more cinematic effect.

All three S23 models come in four colours – black, cream, green and lavender. Separately, Samsung has updated its range of laptops. The Galaxy Fold 3 Pro comes

The Samsung S23 Ultra

Uncovering the9-5

NAME: CianLanders

POSITION: Generalmanager, FitzwilliamHotel

5.30am

Mytypicaldaykicksoff earlyasRoxy, our lovableCavapoo,needs a walkfrstthing. ThisismymeditationtimebeforeI engage withanyonethatdayandhelpsmeflterout prioritiesforbothfamilyandwork.Themost importantcoffeeofthedayistheone I have withmywifeBernibefore weheadoutthe doortoour respectivejobs.Itisimportant tocheckinontheplanswebothhaveas I frequently require remindingaboutjobsthat needdoingathome.

7am

I leaveforthehotel,cyclingwhentheweather allows.Thecycletoworkisanenergisingstart tothedayandtakeshalfthetime a cardoes bypassingallthequeuedtraffcas I pedaldown thebuslane.

7.45am

UponarrivalattheFitzwilliammyfrstportof callisthefrontdesk,thenervecentre ofthe operationthroughwhichallcommunication happens.HereI getcaughtupontheprevious night’s activities, reviewanyguestfeedbackand confrmthedaysplanswiththedutymanager before headingontothebreakfast roomand kitchenfor a quickwalkaround.

8.30am

I amusuallyatmydeskatthisstage reviewing thepreviousnight’s emailsanddaily reports. Myfocusatthistimeofdayisonthreeareas –people,proftandproduct.Theseareasare core tothesuccessofthebusinesswithplanning and reviewmeetingshappeningaroundthem withthe relevantpeopledaily

11am

We haveourdailyteambriefngwhichbrings togethercolleaguestodiscussthebusinessfor thedayaheadandensure everyonehasanup-

to-datepicture ofwhat’s happeningacrossall departments.Thehotelis a constantlychanging picture intermsofthedailybusinessandthese meetingshelpusallfocusonthesmalldetails thatguestshavecometoexpectfromus.

12pm

I take a breakforlunch,headinguptothe kitchentoseewhatnewlocalproduceour executiveheadchef,DeanButlerhastakenin andwhatspecialshemightbeputtingonfor guests.Thisgivesme a chanceto rechargeand refreshbefore the restofthebusyafternoon period.

1pm

Afterlunch I usuallyfocusontheguest rooms,inspectingmaintenanceprojectsand ongoingworksaswellastouchingbasewith housekeepingandconductingsome room inspections. A luxuryhotelliketheFitzwilliam has a largeteamfocusedontheupkeepand makingsure everythingiskepttothehighest standardsofcleanlinessandcondition.

3pm

Atthistimeoftheday,I checkinonthedaily

arrivalsandwhoislefttocome. I usuallymake planstomeetsomeofmy returningguests towelcomethembackandcheckinon room servicetoseehowthe roomamenitiesare comingalongforourguests.

4pm

Thisisemailtimeandit’s importanttoget theinboxuptodateansweringallinternal andexternalmessages. I get a largevolume ofemails,itgoeswiththeterritorywhen running a busyfvestarproperty, withlotsof staff,suppliersandgeneralenquiriescoming inconstantly Sotokeepontopofthem I haveadopted a threetimes a dayemail check – early, mid,andlate – so I don’t miss anything.

6pm

Theisthetime I amleavingforhome,it’s usually a stoponthewaytogetdinnerorifon thebike a slogallthewaybackupthehillto home.Familytimeispriorityfromnowonward withmydaughterEvadoingherdriving lessonsortakingRoxyoutforanotherwalk before weallsitdownfordinnerand relaxin frontoftheTV