Contents Thelatestnewsandexclusivesfromacrossthe worldofNorthernIrelandbusiness
18
Coverstory
DanskeBankonits200-yearhistoryand buildingtechnologyforthenextgeneration
22
InFocus JohnMulgrewspeaksto recruitmentindustry chiefNeilCarberryaboutthechallengesahead
35
Exports&international business
PaulGoslingonwhyNIneedsbetterskills
43
Corporatelaw Thefounderoflegal-supportstart-upBriefed speakstoJamesMcNaneyabouthernewfrm
53
Staff&workplace PavelBarterspeakstotheexpertsaboutwhy diversityiscrucialforbusinessesin2024 61
Christmasplanner UlsterBusiness takesalookatwhatcompanies areofferingfortheupcomingfestiveseason
68 Interview JohnMulgrewspeakstoSarahHavlinabout theriseinIndustrialCourtcaseshere
77
Motoring PatBurnstakesonasmallKiaandgetsbehind thewheelofthelatestfastChineseelectric
84
Photocall Alookatwhat’sbeenhappeningacross NorthernIrelandoverthelastfewweeks
92
Review JohnMulgrewspendsaweekwithBreitling’s newandimprovedNavitimerchronograph 96
Photocall Bunqgoesforgrowthasdiversityinbanking opensyetmoredoors,writesAdrian Weckler
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EDITOR’S COMME NT S
It’s timeto refor m our planningsystem Iwasgoingtoavoidtalkingabout planningandplanning relatedissues thismonth,butunfortunatelyit’s notbeenpossible.
I feelit’s thesortofthingthatalmostneeds itsownedition.Plannersanddevelopers aren’t happy Theyaren’t happyatthe speedinwhichapplicationsare handled andprocessed,andtheyaren’t happyabout howlonganddelayedtheappealsprocess continuestobe.
TakeDalradian’s plansforitsCo Tyronegold mine.Thisis a complexandcontroversial application.It’s notfor a fewwindturbines, or a smallsolarfarm,thus,it’s received a backlashfromsomeinthelocalcommunity andisnowheadingto a publicinquirynext year
Butparkwhattheapplicationisfor a momentandjustlookatthetimelineinthe dealingofthisapplication.Initialplanswere unveiledin2017,andtheschemewent acrossthedesksofministersandsenior offcialsintheyearssince.
ButthePlanningAppealsCommission (PAC)inquiryintotheschemehasbeen delayed.ItwasduetostartinSeptember, butwaspushedbackoveranissuewith twolicences.Thatwasdespiteseveral governmentdepartmentssayingtothe PAC inMaythisyearthatitshouldgoahead asplanned.It’s nowbeenpushedbackto January, butwillbebrokenupandisnow notscheduledtoenduntilthelastweekof March.
We havetolookatthislengthyprocess
from a macro perspective. Takethegoldand miningoutofitandjustlookathowwe dealwithsignifcantschemes.
The PAC hassaiditwon’t betakingany referralsforappealsfromtheDepartment forInfrastructure untilthe reportinto Dalradian’s planshavecompleted.Ifwe wanttogetour renewablesdevelopment expedited,fromplanningtoappeals,then weneedtoimproveand reformhowwe dealwiththisfromstarttofnish.
WelcometotheNovembereditionof Ulster Business Thismonthwefeature Danske Bankasourcoverstory, alongside a host ofexclusivenews,features,interviewsand analysis. ■
JohnMulgrew
Publisher UlsterBusiness c/oMediahuisUKLtd Belfast TelegraphHouse,33ClarendonRoad, ClarendonDock,BelfastBT13BG
Printer W&GBaird GreystonePress,CaulsideDrive, AntrimBT412RS www.wgbaird.com
Editor JohnMulgrew,j.mulgrew@independentmagazinesni.co.uk
Advertising JudithMartin,j.martin@mediahuis.co.uk
Graphicdesign SusanMcClean,MediahuisIrelandDesignStudio
@ulsterbusiness www.ulsterbusiness.com
Coverphoto DarrenKidd/PressEye MediahuisUKLtd©2024.Allrights
£11.1m
A month innumbers NIhaulage firm profits upamidpost-Brexit businessboost Thepre-taxprofts ofOldBushmills DistilleryCompany Ltd’saccountsfor 2023,whichincreased by8%.
£2bn
Theturnoveratpoultry giantMoyParkasit becomesthefrstfrm heretocrackthe£2bn salesmark.
£500m
Thepotentialtotal valueofanewdeal securedbyBallymena busmaker Wrightbus.
30
Thenumberofjobs whichcouldbe settogoatAndor Technology.
ByJohnMulgrew
ANorthernIrelandhaulagefrm hasseena20%bumpitsprofts–risingto£5.5m–amidaboostin post-BrexitbusinessfromtheRepublicof IrelandintotheEU.
Hannon Transportsawpre-taxproftsrise from£4.6mto£5.5m,accordingtoaccounts forHannon TransportLimited,ending December2023.
“FollowingBrexit,thebusinessexperienced anupliftindemandfortransformationservices alongitsIrelandtoEU routeascustomers increasinglysourcedtheirgoodsdirectlyfrom theEUmarketplace,”itsays.
ItsaysthevotetoleavetheEUcreatedan “onerous”customsarrangementfortrade betweenNI,theUKandEU.
InthewakeofBrexit,itpivotedawayfrom theUKtradesideofthebusiness,andsetup itsowncustomsteam.
“Thebiggestproblemhasbeenonthe UKside,”AodhHannon,managingdirector, previouslytold UlsterBusiness.“Wewould havebeendoing20trucksaday–agroupage, includingfowers,plants,fruitandvegetables –mostlyfood.Now[in2021]wearedownto zero.”
Thebusinesssawsalesdropslightlyfrom £65.1mto£60.8minitslatestpublished tradingperiod.
“Salesvolumesperformedstronglyinline withtheprioryearposition,”itsaid.
Hannon Transportsaysthe“strongvolume performance”wasduetoanumberoffactors
“Thiscustomertrendcontinuedalong withincreaseddemandfromnewsectors, duringtheperiod,which resultedincontinued increasedvolumes,”itsays.
“Thebusinessincreaseditsexportvolume alongitsUKandEU routestomatchthe increasedimportdemand.”
Forthefrm,Brexitmeanttwoandhalf yearsofpreparation,settingupnewEuropean depots,creatingadedicatedcustomsteam, andfocusingeffortstomainlandEurope, directly,orgoingthroughtheRepublic.
Thebusinessincreaseditsgrossmargin duringthetradingperiod–from17%to24%.
Intermsoftheimpacttothebusiness,it sayshigh-costinfationcontinuedtoimpact performance–however,itwaslessnotable thaninthepreviousyear.
“Thecompany’sfocusoncostcontrol, cost recovery,excellentlevelsofcustomer serviceandcustomer relationshipsalongwith improvedperformanceofthecompany’s customsdepartment,havecontributed towardsperformance.”
Thebusinesssaysitis“confdent”itwill “continuetomaintainandgrowitscurrent levelofperformance”.
Itsaysitmitigatedtherisksposedby Brexitbycreatingitsownin-housecustoms departmentwhichitsaysworkscloselywith customerstoensurethe“smoothmovement ofgoodsacrossmultipleinternational borders”.
AodhHannon
‘Concerns’ over ending of zero hour contracts inNI ByJohnMulgrew
Thereare“concerns”withinthe recruitmentandemploymentsector overthepotentialscrappingof‘zero hour’contactsinNorthernIreland.
NeilCarberry,chiefexecutiveofthe RecruitmentandEmploymentConfederation (REC),saidindustryandemployers–while seeingmuchofthepositive–have“concerns” in relationtosomeelementsofEconomy MinisterConorMurphy’snewGoodJobs consultation.
Partofthatprogrammeincludesthe possibilityof removingzerohourcontractsin
NorthernIreland.
“Weare reallykeentosaynooneinthe businesscommunitydoesn’twanttosee workerstreatedwell.[Butthereare]challenges togettingthestructureright,”hesays.
“Onethingwearedoingisusingourteam tocampaigntoraisevoicesofpeopletowork indifferentways,”hesays.
“It’simportantthatpolicymakersapproach isabouthowpeoplearetreated,nottheform ofcontracttheyareon.
“ClearlytheGoodJobs[consultation]is hugeandthereisalotinthere.”
Onzerohourcontracts,MrCarberrysays themajorityofjurisdictionshavenotgottenrid
ofthem.IntheRepublic,thereisa“banded hours”system,whichcouldbeoneofthe optionsconsideredhere.
“Ifyoumoveawayfromafexiblecontract, zerohours,youforcepeopleintocasual work,”hesays.
Readthefullinterviewonpage22-23
NeilCarberry
Delayed goldmineinquiry ‘may now notfnish until March’ ByJohnMulgrew
An alreadydelayedinquiryinto a majorNorthern Irelandgoldmine maynownotfnishuntiltheendof March,itcanbe revealed.
TheprobeintoDalradian’s Curraghinalt projectinCo Tyronewaspushedback fromSeptemberdespitetwogovernment departmentswhichitliaisedwithtellingthe PAC thattheybelievedtheinquiryshouldgo aheadasplanned.
It’s beingcarriedoutbythePlanningAppeals Commission(PAC).
Thebodydecidedtopostponetheinquiry overtwolicenceapplicationsoverwater abstractionandstorage.
Then, a newdatefortheinquirywas plannedforJanuary13attheStruleArts Centre inOmagh.
However, othereventsare bookedintouse thatsamespacejusttwoweeksafterit’s due tostart.ThatincludestheCommemorative andPersonalStatementHearingsaspartofthe OmaghBombInquiry
“Thefrstdayofhearingswillbeonthe January27,2025andweexpectthemtorun foraroundfourweeksafterthatintoFebruary 2025,” a spokesmanforthatinquirysaid.
Now, thegoldmineinquirywillbebroken upacrossJanuary, theendofFebruaryandinto March,where it’s expectedtoendonMarch 26. A reportintotheinquiryisthenexpected tofollow
Quotes of the month Whencontactedbythe PAC aboutthetwo abstractionlicenceapplications,plannersatthe DepartmentforInfrastructure (DfI)said“the departmentseesnoobvious reasontodelay theinquiryprocess”,whiletheNorthern Ireland EnvironmentAgency, partoftheDepartment ofAgriculture,EnvironmentandRuralaffairs (DAERA),said“suspendingthecurrent timetableisnot a proportionate response”.
Whenaskedaboutthedelayinproceedings, andwhythe PAC pushedbacktheinquiryuntil nextyear, despitetheStormontdepartments recommendingitgoaheadasplannedin September,a spokespersonsaid:
“Thecommissionsettheoriginaltimetable with a viewtotheconjoinedinquiries
“We mustuse the passage of the ‘GoodJobs’Employment Rights Bill to ouradvantage increating anattractive, competitiveandsustainable proposition for both fnancial investmentand talent.”
NIChamberchiefSuzanne Wyliespeaking recentlyat anevent.
progressing.AsoutlinedinourMay 2 letter, proceedingwiththeconjoinedinquiriesinthe absenceoftwokeyelementswouldundermine theabilityofthecommissiontofulflitsduties satisfactorily Thetimetablefortheinquiry sessionshasbeenpublishedonourwebsite.”
MajorschemesfromStormontare now“on hold”until a reportthe reportintothegold mineiscompletedormore resourcesbecome available,the PAC hassaid.
TheAuditOffcesaysitisundertaking a fresh reviewofthe PAC,whichisduetobepublished nextspring.
Plannersanddevelopershavebeencritical ofthe PAC,particularlyoverthetimetakento dealwithappeals.
“Witha presence inalmost ever y community...‘food to go’ is a vitalaspect of our hospitalit y and tourism ofering anditwasimportant to hearfrst-hand the issues afecting theirsector.”
EconomyMinisterConor Murphyspeakingafterthe establishmentoftheFood toGoBoard.
“Thenew space willallow us to ofer our clients an even better experience, fully immersedin the Rolex brand with exceptionalhospitalit y andservice.”
JohnLunnofLunn’s Jewellersspeakingabout plansforitsnew£5.5m Rolexboutique.
Dunluce Centre to begiven new leaseoflife asentertainmentspot TheDunluceCentreinPortrushlooks settobegivenanewleaseoflifeas anentertainmentcomplexasplans progressmorethanadecadeafteritshut itsdoors.
Itwasformerlyoneofthearea’stopvisitor attractions,butshutin2013amidfalling visitornumbers.
ItwassoldtoCountyDonegal businessmanColmO’Donnellfora reported
£1.25mearlierthisyear.
Now,fullplansareunderwayto refurbish andextendthecentretodevelopanew complex.
Thatwillincludeamusements,softplay areas,minigolf,bowling,virtual reality room, anarcade,party room,alongwithindoorand outdoorrides,alongsideafoodcourt.
TheDunluceCentreopenedin1993with itspopularturbotourssimulator,distinctive viewingtowerandlaserquestgameinitially provingaworthwhileoutlayofthemillions spentonthefamilyentertainmentcomplex.
Thenewplansfollowaninitialcommunity consultation,andhavebeensubmittedby WestburyDevelopmentsLtd,whichcounts ColmO’Donnellasadirector.
Elsewhere,the£16.5mDunluceLodge, thefrstfve-starvenueonthenorthcoast,is expectedtoopenthisautumnaheadofthe OpenChampionship’s returntoRoyalPortrush nextJuly.
TheDunluceCentrein Portrushwhichhasremained closedformorethanadecade
GAA sportswearfrm O’Neillsposts profts of £1.6m IrishsportsweargiantO’Neillshas postedpre-taxproftsof£1.6mwith turnoverbuoyedbyanincreasein onlinesales.
Thebusiness–whichhasitsbasein StrabaneandspecialisesinGaelicsportswear –sawpre-taxproftsof£1.63mintheyear endingDecember2023forO’NeillsIrish InternationalSportsCompany, roughlyinline withthosethepreviousyear.
Itsays“tradingperformanceforthefnancial year remainedsolid”andturnoverwasupby 5%“largelydrivenbythecontinuedgrowthin onlinesales”.
Itsaysoperatingcosts“continuetorise” year-on-year,drivenbythechallengesof infationandrisingstaffcosts.
O’Neills–whichopenedamajornew retail storeintheheartofBelfastin2020–sawits workforcegrowfrom760toanaverageof803 initslatestaccounts.
Initslatestaccountsthefrmsaysthe
New Belfast hotel gets greenlight Anew88-bedroomhotelatthe siteofaformerMichaelDeane restaurantinBelfasthas received thegreenlight.
Plansareunderwaytoturntheformer DeanesDelilocationonBedfordStreetintoa newhotel,withbar,gymand rooftop. ItwassubmittedbyBedford WayLtd,which countsPaddyMcKillenjnrandMatt Ryanare directors.
Planners recommendedthedevelopment receivedthegoahead,anditwasapprovedat thecity’splanningcommitteelastmonth. Thehotelbusinessunderdevelopmentin BelfastbyPaddyMcKillenjnrandhisbusiness partnerhasbeensoldaspartofadealofupto €355m(£304m),accordingto reports.
MrMcKillenandMatt Ryanhavesold
O’Neillsproducesarangeof sportswearfortheGAA
“currentinfationaryenvironmentcontinues tobringuncertaintytocompany’soperational costsaswellasimpactingonconsumer’s spendingability”.
Italsosaysthatuncertaintyis“exacerbated” bythewarinUkraine.
Whileonlinesalesarerising,O’Neillshas alsoinvestedinitsbricksandmortar retail offering.
Thatincludesexpandingitsstoreatthe KennedyCentreinwestBelfast,anditsstoreat Royal Avenueinthecitycentre.
theDeanHotelGrouptoUKfrmLifestyle HospitalityCapital(LHC)andElliottInvestment ManagementinNew York.
Thedeal, reportedbytheIrish Times, includeseighthotelsalreadyinoperationand twowhichareunderdevelopmentinBelfast andBirmingham.
Speakingabout recommendingthehotel forapproval,councilplannersheresaid“the principleoftheproposedchangeofusetoa hotelisacceptablegiventheaccessiblecity centrelocationandcreationofatouristfacility providingovernightaccommodationtosupport thecitycentreeconomy”.
WhattheDeanHotel couldlooklikewhen completed
Two thirdsofNIbosses have ‘concerns’ over challenges of AI MorethantwothirdsofNorthernIrelandbusinesschiefs haveconcernsoverthepotentialethicalchallengesof usingartifcialintelligence.
ButtwothirdssaidthatunderstandingandimplementingGenAIisa “topinvestmentpriority”.
That’saccordingtothelatestKPMGCEOOutlookSurveyofbusiness bosseshere.
Lookingtowardsgrowth,some90%expecttheirworkforcesto increaseoverthenextthreeyears.
Againstthisbackdrop,amajorityof87%ofbusinesschiefsin NorthernIrelandareclearonhowGenAIwillbenefttheirorganisation andcreateacompetitiveadvantage.
“Thisyear’sKPMGCEOOutlookSurvey revealsa relativelybuoyant moodamongNorthernIreland’sleaders,withprospectsforgrowthin thecomingyearsstrong,”JohnnyHanna,partner-in-chargeofKPMGin NorthernIreland,said.
“Withanappetiteandunderstandingofemergingtechnologiessuch
Amajorityoffrmshere areplanningtoutiliseAI
asGenAIalsoapparent,chiefexecutiveshaveprovedtheyareableto adapttothechangingenvironmenttheyfacewithease.
“Theseattributes,whencombinedwiththeuniqueofferingofdual markettobothEUandGBmarketsunderthe WindsorFrameworkand thepotentialto reducecorporationtaxonaparwiththeRepublic,build acompellingcase.Theysetthesceneforafutureofprosperityand providetheconditionsfortheNorthernIrelandeconomytomakegood onourchiefexecutives’positiveforecasts.”
Top planning barrister releases new book onjudicial review Ahostofexpertsfromtheworldof developmenthaveturnedoutfor thelaunchofthelatestiteration ofakeylegalplanningbook.
TettoatBullittHotelplayedhostfor ‘PlanningJudicialReviewinNorthern Ireland’–writtenby WilliamOrbinsonKC, legalassociateoftheRoyal TownPlanning
InstituteandAffliateoftheIrishPlanning Institute,andhisco-author,JudgeFionnuala AnneConnolly,aformerBelfastjudicial reviewbarrister recentlyappointedasa judgeoftheRoyalCourtinGuernsey.
Amongthosewelcomingthepublication ofthebookwasLadyChiefJustice,RtHon DameSiobhanKeegan.
Anewlegalplanning reviewpublicationhas beenreleased
“ThelateLordKerrof Tonaghmore, formerlyoftheSupremeCourtandourLord ChiefJustice,usedtogentlyteasemeabout generating‘slimvolumes’onplanning, thoughtheirslimnessneverdissuadedhim fromencouragingmypublishingeffortsor lendinghisnametotheminforewords,” WilliamOrbinsonKCsaid.
“My2009publication‘Planningand JudicialReview’wasanattempttobeef thingsupabitin response,butin retrospect looksalittlesveltecomparedtothisbook.
“Thatisnotjusta refectionofhis encouragement,butofhowthefeldof planningjudicial reviewhasburgeonedin NorthernIrelandovertheinterveningyears, bothincomplexityandinnumbers”.
Thebookisintendedtoprovidelegal andplanningpractitioners,andthewider audienceofallthoseinterestedinhow ourenvironmentiscreatedandprotected, withanaccessiblebutin-depthexplanation ofhowourcourtsgoaboutjudicial reviewinthefeldofplanningand related environmentaldecisions.
AntrimandNewtownabbey BoroughCouncilwinsUK Councilofthe Year2024 Ant rim an d Newtownabb ey Borough Council ha s be en award ed the title of Overall Council of the Year 2024 for Service De livery at the pre sti giou s APSE Awar ds
The council was one of eight fnalis ts fromacross the UK and the only council from Northern Ireland to be shor tlis ted for the award.
Thisis notjust a fr st for this council, but for any council in Northern Ireland. The council also won Bes t Services Team for it s Bereavement and Cemetery Services and wasnamed a fnalis t in fveother categories.
At the awards ceremony, Mayor of Antrim and Newtow nabb ey, Councillor Neil Kelly, ex pres sed his prid e in the Council’s accomplishment.
“I am de eply honoured to re ceive thes e awards,” he said
“Being named UK Council of the Year, in comp etition with over 30 0 county, city, and borough councils, highlights the dedication of our staff and the high standard of front- line services we deliver.”
The Mayor also acknowledged thehard work of council of fcers, whos e ef fort s wereins trument al in the council’s re co gnition
“I want tocommendour council of fcer s for their innovation and determination, which are key to delivering ef fe ctive front- line services, as re co gnis ed at thes e awards,” he said
He also ex tend ed his gratitud e to the lo cal communit y.
AntrimandNewtownabbeyBoroughCouncilwasnamedOverallUKCouncilofthe Year2024attheAPSEService AwardsattheMercureBristolGrandHotel
“T hisaward is shared withour resident s, who motivate us to strive for excellence in ever ything we do.”
The AP SE Service Awards celebrate out standing achievements in public service delivery across the UK , with hundreds of submissions re ceived eachyear fromlo cal authorities.
Antrim and Newtow nabb ey Borough Council’s win underscores it s commitment to delivering high -quality services to it s resident s. ■
MayorofAntrimandNewtownabbey,councillorNeilKelly,isjoinedbyDeputyMayor,councillorPaulDunlopBEMandchiefexecutive,RichardBakerGMMSc,aldermenand councillorstocelebratebeingnamedasOverallUKCouncilofthe Year2024
Avoidingthe‘great dissatisfaction’anewchallenge onthehorizonforemployers ByJohnMoore,managingdirector,HaysNI
I’vewrittenaboutthedifferent challenges relatingto retainingtalent manytimesinthiscolumnoverthelast fewyears.
Inajobsmarketwhereemployershave beendoingeverythingtheycantomaketheir fexibleworkingarrangementsandbenefts packagesasattractiveaspossibletohelpthem hireandkeeptalent,somehaveoverlooked theimportanceprofessionalsnowplaceon knowingwheretheyaregoingintheircareers.
Infact,new researchfromHayssuggests thatworkersarecurrentlyexperiencingwhat mightbecalleda‘GreatDissatisfaction’as manyprofessionalsfeelasthoughthescope forcareerprogressionintheirorganisationhas dipped.
The research,basedonasurveyofover 10,600 responsesfromprofessionalsand employers,including560 respondentsin NorthernIreland,foundthatworkersare fndingitincreasinglydiffculttoadvancetheir careersbothwithinandoutsidetheircurrent roles.
Nearlyhalf(48%overalland45%inNI) reportedalackofcareeropportunitieswithin theircompany–upfrom32%inbothUK andNIlastyear.The researchalso revealsthat optimismwhenitcomestocareerprospects isonthewane,withonly43%(45%inNI) ofworkersfeelingpositiveabouttheircareer outlookthisyear,downfrom53%(57%inNI) lastyear.Thoselevelsofoptimismareheading backtowardslevelsseenpost-Brexitandinthe frstyearofthepandemic–whichisworrying initself.
I’vebeenaskedbyafewclientsand colleagueswhetherthisrisingdissatisfaction withcareertrajectoriescouldleadtothe secondwaveofthe‘GreatResignation’we sawpost-Covid.
Our researchsuggeststhatoverhalfofthose surveyed(57%and52%inNI)intendtolook foranewjobinthenext12months,with
aroundathirdplanningtodosointhenextsix months.
Athirdofworkers(33%inUKand30%in NI)toldustheyhadchangedjobsinthelast 12monthsandover40%inNIsaidtheyhad consideredit.Theprimary reasonformoving jobslastyearwasalackofcareerprogression andapoor relationshipwiththeirmanager, withonlythefearofleavingasecurejob preventingprofessionalsfromjumpingship.
Whatwecandrawfromthislatest research isthatmanyworkersdoclearlyfeelstuck becausetheyhavelimitedopportunitiesto progresstheircareersbothwithinandoutside oftheirorganisations.Itindicatesthatassoon asmoreworkersfeelmoreconfdenttomove jobs,theywill.
We’rewellawarethat,whileemployees arecomplainingofageneraldissatisfaction withtheirprospects,alotofemployersina rangeofsectorsarealsostillgrapplingwith skillsshortages,whichmakesitimperativeto addresstheissuebeforeit’stoolate.
Ouradviceistoprioritisetransparentcareer mappingsopeoplecanseetheopportunities aheadofthem,providecontinuouslearning opportunitiesthatgivethemachancetolearn newskills,andfosteracultureofmentorship andsupportsotheyknowtheyarevalued.
Byinvestinginthegrowthofeachmember ofyourteam,companiescannotonlyboost employeemoralebutalsoenhanceproductivity and retention.
Foremployees,thereisanopportunityto takeadvantageofthispivotalmomentby proactivelyseekingdevelopmentopportunities withintheirorganisations.
The researchsuggestsnowisagoodtimeto discusscareeraspirationswithmanagers,seek feedback,andparticipateinavailabletraining programmesandmentorshipinitiatives.
Byactivelyengagingintheirprofessional growth,employeescanpositionthemselvesfor advancementtotaketheircareertothenext level,andkeeptheirnetworksopenfornew andexcitingopportunities. ■
TheGreen: offeringtop fightcommercialspace andworkingenvironments Whilecentralcitycentrelocations mayworkforsomebusinesses, and remote retailparksfor others,there’salsoahappymedium.
TheGreenofferstopfightoffceand commercialspacewitheasyaccessto Belfast,alongsidetheprovisionsandquality environmentstaffarelookingfor.
It’sa recently revampedand refurbished developmentclosetoLambeg,outsideLisburn, whichcurrentlyhasspaceavailablealongside itsalreadywell-establishedlistoftoptenants.
It’shometotheUnicornGroup–which ownsthedevelopment–alongsidepioneering Cirdan,Goudsmit,whichproducesmagnets andprecisionparts,andKMESteelworks.
“Ourmovetoenabledustolocateour businessononesite,”RogerPannell,chief executiveoftheUnicornGroup,says.
“Wewereattractedtoitasitwascloseto Belfast,onthesouthside–thetraffcdoesn’t tendtobuildupuntilLisburn.
“Forus,itwasimportanttogettheright poolofpeoplefromarangeoflocations–suchasBelfast,PortadownandNewry.
“WhatTheGreenoffersisapleasantand well-equippedenvironmenttoworkin. We are onthebanksoftheLaganwithdirectaccessto thetowpath.Peoplecancyclein,ortakethe busortrain.Itsetsusapartfromcitycentre locationsorindustrialestates.Peoplewant andneedapleasantenvironmentinwhichto work.”
TheUnicornGroupitselfisadynamic manufacturingbusinessoccupyingoffceand warehousespaceatthedevelopment.Itworks acrossarangeofareasandbrands,including injectionmoulding,steelfabrication,aswellas producingmedicalsackholdersforthehealth sector.
Flexibilityandtheabilitytoworkonbespoke ft-outisanotherkeysellingpointofThe Green.
Around30,000sqftofspaceisavailable, withoffceunitsstartingataround1,500sqft.
“Asidefromtheamenitiesavailable,suchas coffeeshopsnearbyandanon-sitegym,the qualityandmake-upofTheGreenmakesit moreakintosomethinglikeasciencepark,” RichardMcCaig,director,OsborneKing,which ismarketingthedevelopment,said.
Rogeradds:“Theadvantagesofourlocation andqualityareclear.It’salsoaboutworking withourtenantstodeliverthesortofspace theywant.
“Forexample,Cirdanwasinvolvedbefore theworkbeganandhadinputintowhatit wouldlookliketoensuretheygotthebest optionforthem.”
HesaidTheGreencouldplayhosttoawide rangeofbusinesses,includingtechnology,as wellthosewhichcombinebothoffcework and researchanddevelopment,withsome manufacturingelement.
Theyarealsoopentothepossibilityof servicedoffceprovisionamidachanging marketdynamicwhichhasseenitgrow
considerablyinBelfastandbeyond.
“Anotherstrengthistheconnectivity,which isincreasinglyimportantforbusinesses,”he says.“Thereisalsosignifcantpowersupply comingintothesite,aswellasaback-up generator.”
RogersaysTheGreenbringsfortha“unique offering”toarangeofbusinessesinthewider area.
“It’sawonderful,leafysitewithlotsof parking,butit’salsoaspaceincomparable qualitytothoseinBelfast.It’sanattractive environmentforstafftoworkin.” ■
InsideThe Greenoffceand commercialpark
TheGreenoffceandcommercialpark
Danske Bank: 200 years ofhistory - now at the forefrontof technology For twocenturies DanskeBank hasbeenhelpingbusinessesacrossNorthern Irelandgrowandexpand.It’s nowensuringitremainsattheforefrontoftechnology, helpingcustomersaccessdigitalproductsandservicesatthetouchof a button. UlsterBusiness speaksto ShaunMcAnee, managingdirectorofcorporateand businessbanking, and LiamCurran, chiefinformationoffcer, aboutthedigital transformationwhichishelpingtheircustomers,andthebank,moveforwardatpace
DanskeBank remainsan organisationwithadeephistory acrosstwocenturies.
StillNorthernBankbehindthesurface, thebankhastradedasDanskeBankforover adecadebuthasalways remainedalocal organisationfrmly rootedinNorthernIreland.
Itcontinuestohaveitsownlocallybased chiefexecutive,executivecommitteeand independentboard.
It’salsoabankwhichisdevelopingleading digitalservicestohelpbothbusinessand personalcustomerswiththeirfnancial journeys.
It’sembracingthelatesttechnology,
utilisingartifcialintelligence(AI)andlooking aheadtoinvestinginthenextgenerationof cloudcomputingtoimprovetheexperiencesof allitscustomers.
ItcontinuestoworkwithmanyofNorthern Ireland’slongest-establishedgiantsofindustry, aswellasburgeoningnewbusinesseshere acrossgrowingsectors.
“Webankaround50%ofthe Top100 locallymanagedNorthernIrelandbusinesses,” ShaunMcAneesays.
“Wehavearound40,000business customers,andformanyyearshavehelda leadingpositioninthemarketplaceacross multiplefronts.”
Thisyearaloneit’ssupportedtheNorthern Irelandbusinesscommunitywithmorethan £500minbusinesslendingapprovals.
“DanskeBank remainsalocalbank–weare allbasedhere.Duringmytimeatthebank,we havebeenfortunatetohavehadasuccession ofstronglocalchiefexecutives,andexecutive teamsthathavepositionedusfrmlyasthe leadingbankforbusiness.”
“Mycorporateandbusinessbankingteams aretotallyfocusedonsupportingbusinesses inNorthernIrelandofallsizes,frommicro businessestoSMEsanduptothelargest corporates.”Shaunsays.
Danskehasateamofaround80locally basedbusiness relationshipmanagers, supportedby30productspecialists,alongside 24branchesandaBusinessDirectteamintheir awardwinninglocalcontactcentrebasedin Dunmurry.
Thedigitalelementthoughisanincreasingly importantpartofDanskeBank’soffering, with,forexample,morethan80%ofpersonal customersusingitsdigitalplatforms.
“Thisisabankformed200yearsagoby localbusinesspeopleforlocalbusinesspeople,” hesays.“Andwestillhavemanybusiness customerswhohavebeenwithusfor generations.Our200-yearhistorygivesussuch astrongplatformtobuildfrom,butnowitis allaboutensuringweareftforthefuture”, Shaunsays.
DanskeBankisabankingpartnerfor manylocalhouseholdnames,suchasthe pharmagiantsNorbookandAlmac,ITservices businessKainos,BelfastHarbourandBelfast InternationalAirport.
“Wesupportbusinesseswithboth theirworkingcapitalneedsandlong-term investments,actingasakeyenablerofgrowth intermsofhelpingcustomersfacilitate businessexpansionandjobcreation–both hereandinternationally,”Shaunsays.
“Wealsohavepeopleonthegroundwho arespecialistsacrossareassuchasforeign exchangemarkets,assetfnance,invoice fnance,tradefnance,cashmanagementand sustainabilityplanning,forexample.They’reall localpeople,andtheycanbedeployedtohelp ourcustomers.”
DanskeBankhasfocuseditseffortson ensuringhighlevelsofcustomersatisfaction andpridesitselfonactingoncustomer feedback–whichalsomeans reactingto increasingexpectationsonthedigitalfront.
Turningtotechnologyanddigital transformation,LiamCurranisthemantasked withheadingupthebank’stechnologyand digitaldevelopmentunit,whichemploys around140peoplelocally.
Withinthisarea,areahostofskilledand experienceddatascientists,analyticsengineers, softwareengineers, roboticsdevelopers, projectmanagersandITspecialists.
“Intermsoftechnology,weofferthebest ofbothworlds,”Liamsays.“Webeneftfrom thestrengthofthetechnologywegetfrom theDanskeBankGroupandthesecurity aroundthat,aswellasbeingabletodevelop locally. We,andthey,haveexcitingplans whichwillseeuscontinuetoinvestheavilyin technology”,hesays.
“Thisyeartherehasbeenastrongfocus onthedataside,allowingustoimprove digitalengagementandbetterpersonaliseour interactionswithcustomers.Lookingahead, inadditiontocontinuingtobuildonour dataplatform,wewillfurtherinvestinnew solutionsthatarepoweredbyAI.Thisalong withourotherdigitisationplanswillmake bankingeasierandenablemoreproactive supportforourcustomers.”
Shaunsaysthebank’sdigitalofferingis “moreimportantthanever”.
“Forexample,smallerbusinessesarenow becomingmuchmore reliantonbanking technologytomaketheirliveseasier,”hesays.
“Customersnolongerjustwanttointeract withusninetofve,but24/7.”>
Advancingtechnologiesarealsohelping thebankbecomemoreeffcientintermsofits internalprocesses.
“We’vebeenverymuchfocusedontrying tocreateeffcienciesforourcolleagues,sothat wecanfreethemuptospendmoretimewith customers,”Liamsays.
“Inthepastthreeyears,wehave removed over200,000hoursofbankcolleaguetime onadmintasksthroughautomationand digitisation. We arealsonowutilisingaround 100 robotsacrossthebank.
“And,intermsofAI,we recentlylaunched
ourownDanskeBankGPTplatform-which hundredsofcolleagueshereinNorthern Irelandareactivelyusingtohelpthemintheir roles.”
Digitalonboardingprocesseshavehelped aidmassacquisitionofnewcustomersthis year.Over13,000newpersonalcurrent accounts,andover1,000newsmallbusiness accounts,havebeenopenedwiththebankin 2024.
DanskeBank’sbespokedigitalplatformfor businesscustomersiscalledDistrictandwas introducedbytheDanskeBankGroup.Liam
saysit remains“marketleading”acrossthe localmarket.
“It’shighlycustomisableforeachindividual business’sneeds,”hesays.
Youjustneedtotakealookatthefgures toseehowcustomersaretransitioningtothe digitalbankingenvironment.
Justthreeyearsago,20%ofthebank’s productsandserviceswereprovideddigitally. Thatfgurenowstandsatmorethan60%and issettorisemarkedly.
Over80%ofpersonalloansthisyearhave beenappliedfordigitally,whilethevast majorityofcustomersblockcardsoramend theirstandingordersthemselvesdigitally.
Lookingahead,technologicalgrowthand developmentwillbecomemorevitalthanever beforetothesuccessofDanskeBank.
“It’saboutgivingcustomersthat24/7access tothebank,”Liamsays.“Digitaltechnologyis primarilyaboutmakingbankingeasierforthe customer,puttingitintheirhandsliterally,to dowhatneedsdoneandatatimethatsuits them.”
Lookingtothefuture,LiamsaystheDanske BankGrouphaveahugefocusonfurther revolutionisingtheirwholetechnologystack, withtheplannedintroductionofCloud technologiesandnewpartnerplatforms.
Shaunsaysheincreasinglyseestechnology asan“enablerforcustomers”–butheisquick topointoutthatforDanskeitwillalwaysbein additiontohavinggreatpeopleontheground, localleadershipandtheabilitytosupport customersthroughitsmanylocallybased specialistteams. ■
COVE R STORY
Stormont’s ParliamentBuildings to undergo major cleanand facelift Stormont’shistoricParliament Buildingsissettoundergoamajor cleanandfacelift.
Thelistedbuilding,whichwasopenedin 1932,willseespecialistsubstantialcleaning andmaintenanceofitsstoneworkcarried out,includingpotential repointingofthe stonework,cleaningofblackenedwallsand worktothebandstand,associatedstepsand planterkerbs.
“Today,someofthecontinuousbands ofdetailingarealmostcompletelyblack detractingfromtheirgrandeur,”theplanssay.
“Oncloseinspectionofthebuilding,these blackenedareasareparticularlyprominent.
“Thespecialistcleaningisconsidered maintenanceofthestonework,butnot envisagedas routinework.
“Repointingofstoneworkmayalsobe requiredupontheinitialspecialistclean whereareasoflooseordefectivepointing isblownout.Thisisanticipatedtobekept toaminimumduetospecialistlowpressure cleaningequipment.”
ThebuildingisdesignedinGreekclassical tradition,andwasoriginallyconstructed tohousethenewly-formedgovernmentof
NorthernIreland.Itwasdeclaredopenin November1932.
ParliamentBuildingsismadefromEnglish Portlandstone,mountedonagranitebase quarriedfromtheMourneMountainsinCo Down.
Speakingabouttheconditionofthe building,planssaythe“buildingfacades, particularlytheportico,continuousbandsof architecturaldetailingatvariouslevels,and windowhoodcorniceshavesufferedstaining fromcarbonbuild-upovermanyyears”.
AspokespersonfortheNorthernIreland AssemblyCommissionsaid:“Parliament Buildingsisagrade-Alistedbuildingandwas builtbetween1928and1932.Duetoitssize andage,anongoingmaintenanceprogramme isdevelopedandoverseenbytheAssembly Commission’sfacilitiesmanagementteam.
“Thisensuresthatthebuildingis appropriatelyconserved,andthatitissafefor MLAsandstafftoworkinandforthepublic tovisit.
“AsParliamentBuildingsisagradeA listedbuilding,therearestrictguidelines governinghowanycleaning, repairsorother maintenanceworksarecarriedout.
“Thefrststepintheprocessistoseek approvalunder‘listedbuildingconsent’for proposedworks.
“Apreparatoryapplicationwasmade inSeptember2024in relationtospecialist cleaningand repointingofthebuilding, howevertheworkshavenotyetbeenagreed bytheAssemblyCommission.”
TheAssemblyCommissiondidnot reveal howmuchtheworkwillcost,duetotheearly stagesofplans.
Andbecauseoftheageandlistedbuilding statusofthebuilding,itsaysall repointing ofjointswillbeagreedwithaconservation architect,followingtheapprovalofsuitable samples.
“Allbuildingdecorativefeatures, metalwork,windowsandthelikearetobe protectedthroughoutallcleaningprocesses,” itsays.
“Theseitemsaretobecarefullycleaned asnecessaryuponcompletionofthemain cleaningworks.”
DuringtheSecond World War, themain building’sPortlandstonewaspaintedwith amixtureofcowmanureandbitumento camoufageitfromenemyattack. ■
ParliamentBuildings atStormont
Recruitmentindustry ‘concerns’ overending zero hour contracts NeilCarber ry headsuptheRecruitmentandEmployment Confederation(REC),thevoiceoftheUK’srecruitmentsector.He speaksto JohnMulgrew about‘concerns’aroundelementsofnew employmentconsultationhere,theNorthernIrelandjobsmarket,why frmsmustgetsmarter,andwhyAIwon’tmeanfewerpositions
Northern Ireland’s recruitment landscapemayactuallybeinbetter shapethanelsewhere intheUK.
ButNeilCarberry, chiefexecutiveofthe RecruitmentandEmploymentConfederation (REC),saysindustryandemployers – while seeingmuchofthepositive – have“concerns” in relationtosomeelementsofEconomy MinisterConorMurphy’s newGoodJobs consultation.
“TheRECas representativeforNorthern Ireland recruitmentandstaffngwillbeputting in a chunky response…raisingsomeconcerns. [There are]concernsassumingthatthere isone bestwaytowork,”hetells UlsterBusiness
Partofthatconcern issurroundingthe potentialendingofworkerswithoutsethours –commonly referredtozero hourcontracts.
“We are reallykeentosaynooneinthe businesscommunitydoesn’t wanttosee workerstreatedwell.[Butthere are]challenges togettingthestructure right,”hesays.
“Onethingweare doingisusingourteam tocampaigntoraisevoicesofpeopletowork indifferentways,”hesays.
“It’s importantthatpolicymakersapproach isabouthowpeopleare treated,nottheform ofcontracttheyare on.
“Clearly, theGoodJobs[consultation]is hugeandthere is a lotinthere.”
Hesaidemployerswillneedtoadaptto anychangesovertime,transitioning,rather thanhavingnewlawsandlegislationthrown
towardsthematonetime.
“[Andit’s]understandingthatthecostof employmenthasrisenquitesignifcantly, along withothercosts.
“There are lotsofotherconcerns – notjust Stormontissues – nextyear, suchastheNational Minimum Wagerise.”
Onzero hourcontracts,Neilsaysthemajority ofjurisdictionshavenotgottenridofthem.In theRepublic,there is a “bandedhours”system, whichcouldbeoneoftheoptionsconsidered here.
“Ifyoumoveawayfrom a fexiblecontract, zero hours,youforcepeopleintocasualwork,” Neilsays.
“Taxgoesownand[youare]more exposedto risk – weneedtobecarefulwhatwewishfor “Agencyworkersare amongthebest protectedinthelabourmarketinNorthern Ireland. We needtogetbehindtheheadlines –whatisexploitation,andhowdowegetridof that?
“Formanyprofessionalpeople,zero hour contractsarea lifelineintowork – theycan’t work a typicalworkingweek.”
Hesaidithas a particularly“bigeffect” intheagri-foodsector, whichhesaysis a “powerhouse”inNorthern Ireland.
“…wehavetobecarefulwearen’t putting thecostofemploymentuptothepointthat wedon’t createopportunitiesforpeople.[It’s a] delicatebalance.
Hesaidtheorganisationhashad“pragmatic”
discussions,and,alongsidethebusiness communitywillworktheministerandtrade unionson a wayforward.
“It’s basedontheideaoffexibilityforboth ways – fortheemployerandtheworker,”he says.
“Most recruitmentagenciesneedmore candidates.”
A recentsurveyofbusinesschiefshere said around90%wouldhire additionalstaff inthe comingmonths.Isthat a realisticpicture?
“Yes.WhatI’dsayisourUKwidestatistics suggestfrmsfeelingquiteconfdentabout theirownbusiness,butare more concerned aboutwidereconomy,”hesays.
“AcrosstheUKthere is a realsensethat employersare uncertainbecauseofthefactors around.”
Neilsaysthat“onbalance”Northern Ireland’s jobsmarketisin a “betterposition thanmost”,especiallywithitsuniqueposition, post-Brexit.
“There is a sensethatNorthern Irelandhas opportunitiesoverthenextfveyears.There is stablegovernmentinLondonandStormontis back.Businessesare clearthatweneededthe Executivebacktomakedecisions.”
Turningtothejobsmarketinthefour-year wakesinceCovideffectivelyneuteredmuchof oureconomy, Neilsays:“There was a pattern of a bigfalloff inCovid,then a sugarrushas peoplegraspedfor resources.
“Thatfellbackagain…permanenthiring
acrosstheUKhasbeenfallingacrosstheUKas a whole.
“Firmsare hiringlessnow, withfewer vacancies,but[have]bigvacancies,andare strugglingtohire.
“Some[reasonsinclude]Covid,andthe labourmarkethaschanged.Supplyislower nowacrosstheUK,particularlyinNorthern Ireland.
“Theemploymentrateisnotashigh… peopleoutofworkandnotlookingforwork.”
Hesaidoneofthebiggestfrustrationsisthat somecompanies“haven’t appreciatedhow muchhaschanged”.
“There were babyboomersinthelabour
marketfor35-40years – replacedby a smaller generation,”hesays.
“Thethelaboursupplyhasbeenmore restrictedforyears.Companieshavetobe more strategic.
“Whatare wegoingtobuy?Itmightcost more thanbefore,[buttheyhavetobe]more strategicwith recruiters.
“… a strategicapproachsetscompanies apartinNorthern Ireland – it requiresfrmsto thinkof recruiting,notaslowestcostgain,but partofthesupplychain. “
Ontheriseofartifcialintelligence(AI)inthe workplaceandjobsmarket,Neilsays“AIisn’t goingtotakejobsaway”.
“The realbeneftofAIisdoingsomething quicklyandeffectively, whichisprocess-based,” hesays.
“Youcankeepthehumanjudgement…it’s thesamejourneyas40-50yearsago.
“Youwon’t get a bignegativeoverall employmenteffect.”
HesaidwhatAIandtechnologywilldois speedupandimprovethe recruitmentprocess, withpre-screeningand a quickerabilityto hire.“Thatisgoodnewsforyouandthe candidate,”hesays.
“Thebigchallengeisthatyoucanonlybuild AIonautomation,andyoucanonlybuildthat ondata.” ■
NeilCarberry
Irish Government ‘shouldbuy Harlandand Wolf shipyard inBelfast’ ByJohnMulgrew
TheIrishGovernmentshouldinvest andtakeonBelfast’sstruggling Harlandand Wolffshipyard,one MLAhassaid.
ItcomesasHarlandand Wolffhas announcedtheparentcompanyofthefamous shipyardwillenteradministration.
Inabusinessupdate,thecompanysaidthey haveconcludedthecompany“isinsolvent onabalancesheetbasisperitslastaudited accountsandmost recentmanagement accounts”.
Now,CaraHunterMLAsaysinabidto boosttheRepublic’splanstodevelopoffshore windschemesthata“strategicinvestment fromtheIrishstatemayofferaunique opportunityforDublinandprovideahopeful futureforHarlandand Wolff”.
TheSDLP representativeforEast Londonderrysaida“majorinvestmentor potentialacquisitionofBelfast’sshipyards, withthepurposetodevelopnewindustry, createjobs,andbuildontheproudheritageof Belfast’sdocks,maybetheclearestsignalyet ofDublin’scommitmenttobuildingashared future”.
Itcomesaftera WindEnergyIreland NationalPortsStudysaidthatBelfast Harbour’sD1facility“isentirelysuitable tosupportfxed-bottomconstruction, withlimitedinfrastructuretosupportthe deploymentoffoatingwind”andpotentially theonlysuitabletocapableofsupporting largefxedandfoatingwindprojects.
“Consideringthecurrentinfrastructure defcittoservetheOffshoreRenewable Energy(ORE)sector,theportstudy consideredthesuitabilityofproposed developmentplansaroundthecoast.”
MsHuntersaid:“Belfast’sfamousdocks remainonlifesupport.However,astrategic investmentfromtheIrishstatemayoffera uniqueopportunityforDublinandprovidea hopefulfutureforHarlandand Wolf.
“Dublinhasanambitiousplantoachieve 5GWofoffshorewindcapacityby2030 andupto40GWby2040.The realisationof whichwouldproveamajorboonforboth theeconomyandecologyofthisisland.But thereisaproblem.TheRepublicdoesnot haveaportsuitableto realisetheenergy plan.WhilstRosslare,DublinandDrogheda havebeenconsidered,evenwithcolossal
investment,theworkscannotbefacilitatedin time.”
Shesaidthe“mostworkersatHarlandand Wolffwillsoonbe redundant”andthe“proud legacyofBelfast’sheavyindustrymaysoon solelybehistory”.
“Yet,thereisanopportunitytonotjustsave jobs,butcreatejobs,to reinvigorateindustry, notmournit.
“TheIrishPortFundingStudy,commissioned by WindEnergyIreland,singledBelfastas themostsuitableportontheislandtodeliver theisland’senergyneeds,nowtheIrish governmentmustact.Spain’sstate-owned shipbuilder,Navantia,hasexpressedaninterest inacquiringtheBelfastyard,butalifeline thrownbyDublinwouldprovefarmore advantageous.
“…whilesomehavesuggestedthatthe futureofBelfastdocksmaybestbeserved throughdefencecontracts,afarmoreethical optionsitsinfrontofus.”
TheUKGovernment refusedtoguaranteea £200mloantothecompanyfromUKExport Financeearlierinthesummer,somethingthe companysaysleftit“inadiffcultfnancial position”. ■
TheHarlandand Wolff shipyardinBelfast
Lunn’s unveils plans for new £5.5m Rolex boutiqueinBelfast Lunn’stheJewellershasunveileda major£5.5minvestmentinanew Rolexwatchboutiquefortheheart ofBelfastcitycentre.
It’sstartedworkonthenew,significantly largerstore,whichwillbebasedatQueen’s ArcadeandfrontouttoDonegallPlace.
ItcurrentlyhasanexistingRolexstore, alongsideseparateboutiquesforOmega, Breitling, Tudor,MontblancandGucci.
ThenewRolexstorewillbehousedat25-27 DonegallPlace–theoldeststructureinthe area,andlastsurvivingtownhousedatingback to1791.
PlanshavebeensubmittedtoBelfastCity Councilforthenewscheme.
Conservationarchitect,Consarc,hasbeen advisingonthedevelopment.Itisintended thatthenewshowroomwillbecompleted aheadofTheOpenChampionshipwhich returnstoRoyalPortrushinJuly2025,ofwhich Rolexispatronandofficialtimekeeper.
Thenewstore,whichwill retainitsoriginal entranceinQueen’sArcade,willsignificantly increaseitsfrontageonDonegallPlace.
Itwillfeaturemarbleflooring,afluted marblewall,inspiredbyRolex’sfamousfluted bezel,uniquestuccoartwork,walnutwood panellingandbespokeRolexfurniture.
“Wearedelightedtoannouncethisexciting newprojectwithourpartnerRolex,”John Lunn,managingdirectorofLunn’sJewellers, said.
“Ithasbeenunderwrapsformanymonths, andwearethrilledtobeabletosharethe newsandspectacularimages.Thenewspace willallowustoofferourclientsanevenbetter
experience,fullyimmersedintheRolexbrand withexceptionalhospitalityandservice.Clients willhavetheopportunitytoviewtheRolex rangeintheverybestenvironmentthatison astandardwiththeworld’sleadingshopping destinations.”
AndRicharddeLeyser,managingdirector, RolexUK,said:“Lunn’shasbeenaloyaland committedpartnertoRolexandinlightof theirachievementswithQueen’sArcade,we lookforwardtogrowingthis relationshipwith theexpansionintoDonegallPlace.Asa result, theexceptionalcustomerservicethatLunn’s providestotheRolexcommunityinNorthern Irelandwillcontinuetogrowevenfurther.”
Lunn’salso recentlyunveileditsRolex CertifiedPre-Ownedprogramme–isaimingto providecustomerswithsomeaddedsecurity andcertification.
Thenewprogrammemakesitpossibleto purchasepre-ownedwatchesthatRolexitself hascertifiedandguaranteed.
EachmodelincludesaRolexCertifiedPreOwnedboxandpouchandwillcomewitha two-yearinternationalwarranty. ■
Queen’sArcadeinBelfastcitycentre
Numberofnewhomesbeing builtinBelfastdropsby18% The number of new ho me s built in Be lfast ha s drop pe dby almost 18 % in the la st year, it can be revealed . The totalnumber of prop erties completed in the council areadropped by 17.9 % from 714 in 2022 /23 to 58 6 in the current monitor year
“T he proportion of dwellings completed within the urban fo otprint is re corded at 80.8 % with 33.5% of the remaining potential available for future dwellings being on land zoned for housing or mixed us e development, at April 1, 2024,” a council report said
Speaking about land available in the wider Belfas t area for hous ebuilding, it says some 34 4.7 he ct ares ofland remains withthe potential for more than 21,0 00 homes.
“T hisis based on deliverable planning approvals and landallo cated within the development plan but do esn’t includeother
potential sites thatmay be suit able for residential development,” it says It comes as of fcial fgures showoverall hous ebuilding in Northern Irland reached a six decade low in 2023
Figures have show njust 5,379 new prop erties were completed during 2023, which included 570 so cial hous es.
Meanwhile, average monthly rent s in Northern Irelandhave climbed by 10 % in the last year whilesupply remains at “his toric ally low levels”.
According to a the lates t report by prop er ty plat form Prop er ty Pal, theaverag e monthly rent in NI at the end of September was £891
Af tera 10.5% annual increase Belfas t is the mos t ex pensive place to rent in NI, with averag e rent s topping £1,027 a month.
Fermanagh and Omagh iscurrently the cheapest place to rent, af ter rent s increased by
2.9 % to £623 a month.
JordanBuchanan, chief executive of Prop er ty Pal, said : “Rents in Northern Ireland continue to rise, with double -digitannual grow th of 10 %, pushing theaverage rentto £890 a month and intensif ying pres sures on rent al af fordability
“D emand remains exceptionally high, with an averag e of 73 enquiries sentto es tate agents for each ad vertis ed rent al prop er ty Meanwhile, there are some 44,0 00 people on the waiting list for so cial housing here
Last year, Seamus Leheny of the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing As so ciations (N IFHA ), told Ulster Business : “T he goal is to build 2,000 so cial homes eachyear we have about 44,0 00 on the waiting list – it ’s a massive waiting list About 30,0 00 of thos e people are in dire ne ed.” ■
Collaborationcangiveyour businesstheedge–andthis new£11mprogrammecanhelp Isyourbusinessfacing stiffcompetition?Areyou lookingforthatextraedge tostayahead? Formany SMEsinNorthernIreland, thischallengeisconstant
Findingwaystoinnovateandstay competitiveisn’t easy – butitis possible.Andmanylocalbusinesses are discoveringthatcollaborationisthe key.
Joiningforceswithotherbusinessesand workingcollaborativelywithacademiaisone ofthebestwaystofndyouredge,becauseit createsopportunitiesthatmightotherwisebe outofyour reach.
Itletseveryoneinvolvedshare knowledge, solvechallengestogetherandcreatebrandnew marketopportunities.
Butwhat’s involvedin a collaborative project?Andhowdoyouevenstart?
Howcollaborationbecomesthekeyto competitiveness Forcollaborationtopay-off,youneedtheright partners, resourcesand,crucially, thefunding tomakeithappen.
That’s where InvestNI’s new£11mCluster AccelerationProgramme(CAP)canhelp. TheCAPisdesignedtohelpSMEs collaborate,innovateandthrive.
It’s allaboutbuildingindustryclusters, whichare groupsofbusinesses,academia, entrepreneursandGovernmentworking togethertoward sharedgoals.
Theseclustershelpbuildinnovative ecosystems,giveparticipatingbusinessesaccess totheexpertise,ideasandsupporttheyneed togrowstronger, more competitiveandtofnd newopportunities.
HowtheCAPhelpsyoucompete InvestNI’s CAPofferssubstantialfundingto helpyouexplore anddevelopcollaborative projects.
Phaseoneoftheprogrammeinvolves a feasibilitystudy, withupto£60,000availableto helpSME-ledclustersexplore newideas,assess theirpotential,andco-designtheirfuture cluster roadmap.
Ifyourcluster’s feasibilitystudyshows promise,Phase Two iswhere yourproject developmentbegins.
Duringthisphase,upto£1moverfveyears becomesavailabletoeachemergingpriority clustersotheycanfullydevelopandimplement theirprojects.
ButCAPdoesn’t justofferfnancialsupport – there’s alsotrainingand resourcestohelp businessesmanagetheircollaborations effectively, connectwithindustryexpertsand eventakepartininternationalknowledge exchange.
Whatcouldthismeanforyourbusiness?
InvestNI’s CAPisspecifcallydesignedto fosterlong-termcollaborationandsustainable growth.
Byjoininganindustrycluster, yourbusiness gainsaccessto a networkofotherambitious companies,academicinstitutionsandpartners, aswellasbuilding a solidfoundationforfuture success.
Aswellasbeingabletomitigaterisksand tacklelargeprojects,yourclusteralsoputsyou in a strongerpositiontowithstandanymarket turbulenceordevelopcompletelynewproducts andservicesformarketsyou’venevereven consideredbefore.
Readytotakethefrststep?
Thinkaboutwhatyourbusinesscouldachieve with a share of£11minfundingand a new networkofcollaborators.
TheClusterAccelerationProgrammeis a chanceforbusinesseslikeyourstohelpeach othergain a competitiveedge,innovatefaster andgrowstronger
Takethefrststepstowardscollaboration, andlet’s seehowfaryoucan reallygowhen youhavetherightpartners. ■
Findout more about theClusterAcceleration Programme(CAP) atinvestni.com/ cluster-acceleration-programme
RNN Communications: putting relationshipsand workplace culture at the helm RikiNeill setupherPRandcommunicationsbusinessmorethanadecade ago,followingyearsofexperienceinthefast-pacedworldofagencywork. RNN Communications nowworkswithmajorclientsthroughoutIreland,building communications,marketingandbusinessdevelopmentcampaigns,puttinglongtermrelationshipsfrontandcentre,aswellasbuildingastrongworkplaceculture
ForRikiNeill,doingbusinessis verymuchaboutbuildingand maintaining relationships.
It’saboutgivingavoicetocompaniesand organisations,whilemaintainingafocusonits ownworkplacedynamic.
“Wearen’tamanufacturerselling something–ourproductisourpeople,”she says.
RNNCommunicationsworkswithawide rangeofclientsacrossthecorporateand consumersectorsrightacrossIreland–from hospitality,toaccountancy,manufacturing, constructionanddatacentres,aswellas developingstakeholdercommunicationsand businesstobusinesscampaigns.
Whileit’sa recognisedconsumeragencyin NorthernIreland,italsodeliversasignifcant amountofcorporateworkforbusinesses acrossIreland–especiallywithinthe renewablessector.
“It’saboutbeingthevoiceofboldandbrave businesses,brandsandpeople–helpingour team,ourclients,andtheplanet,”Rikisays.
RikibeganhercareerworkingwithinfastpacedagenciesacrossIreland,beforesetting upherownbusinessin2013.
RNNCommunicationsisnowateam ofseven,aswellasworkingwithoutside consultantsandpartneragencies.Andwithin RNNCommunications,strongteamworkand awelcomingworkplaceculturehavealways beenbroughttothefore.
“IlearnedearlyonthatI reallywantedto focusonculture,”shesays.“Idon’twant
people resentingtheirwork.Brilliantworkis importantandthepacecanbeintense,but it’salsoabouttheteam reallyenjoyingwhat they’redoing.IhavenointerestinRNNbeinga revolvingdoorofpeople,withstaffchurn. We treatourpeoplewell,welookafterthem,and theystay.
“WhenIstartedtheagency,Isetabout creatingthebestworkplacecultureandthis has resultedinhugegains,fortheteam,our clientswhocan relyonconsistency,andfor myself.
Fouryearsago,RNNintroducedafour-day workingweekthatseesemployeespaida full-timesalaryforfourdayswork,withclients receivingsupportacrossthefullworkingweek throughitsduo-teammodel.
“TheonethingIaskforisfexibility,which everyonebuysinto.It’svitalthatthefour-day modelworksforthebusinessandclients,and sometimesweneedtoadjustourworking patternstoensurethishappens.It’sabout deliveringthebestworkwhenyouarehere.”
Gettingintotheagencylifewasabaptism
RikiNeill
offre–oneofRiki’sfrstclientswas Specsaversinwhichshewastaskedwith meetingallofIreland’s regionalnewspaperson atouracrossIreland.“Iwas21,drivingacross Ireland,meetingeditorsofevery regionaltitle –ittookamonthandthattimeinvestedearly onstillpaysofftoday,”shesaid.“Working cross-borderisallI’veeverknown.”
ForRikiandherteam,it’snotaboutadhoc work,butbuildinglong-term relationshipswith customersandclientswhohaveasimilarethos andoutlook.
“Weworkwithmajorbrandsacrosssectors, someofwhichI’vebeenworkingwithfor15 years,”Rikisays.ThatincludesGalaRetailwith some170storesacrosstheRepublicofIreland.
“Wealsodoquiteabitofcorporate work,includingsectorssuchasconstruction, manufacturingand renewables,andfora numberofclients,we reportdirectlytothe board.”
ForRiki,it’sbeenaboutdevelopinglonglasting relationshipswithcompanies,notjust knockingoutapress releasetheoddtime, ondemand.“I’venointerestinthis,wewant todelivervalue.I’mmuchmoreinterested inworkingwithanorganisationand really seeinghowwecancreateimpact.Thatcould beeverythingfrominvestor relationsand employerbrandingcampaignstopreparinga businessforasale,environmental,socialand governance(ESG)strategies,rightthrough tothefull-servicecreationanddeliveryof annualcommunicationsprogrammes,which
wemanageforseveralclients.That’swhere ourvaluelies–it’saboutunderstandingwhere thebusinessisgoingandcreatingacomms programmethatmovesthedial.”
Rikibelievesthere’sappetiteanddemand forclientpromotionandmarketingacrossall channels–fromtraditionalprintandbusiness tobusiness,throughtodigitalandsocialmedia reach.Andit’sthatriseintheimportanceof socialmediathatledhertoinvestinFetch Irelandin2021–amicro-infuencergifting platform.
“Youneedtobeabletodemonstratewhy you’redoingsomething,”Rikisays.“Sothere needstobeameasurementonthat,andit’s notjustabout reach.Forexample,ifwewere doingapaid-forcampaign,itwouldneedto bebasedon return.”
Thestrengthofthe relationshipsRNN Communicationshaswithitsclients remains key.Morethanhalfhaveworkedwiththe frmformorethanfveyearsanditboastsan impressive80% retentionrate.Andpartof thatisbeinginvolvedattheverycoreofhowa clientoperates.
“Forme,I’minterestedinbeingpersonally investedintheworkwearedoing,andthat’s thefoundationfromwhichalloftheteam operates,”shesays.
“I’minterestedinwhattheyaretrying toachieveand reallytryingtogetthatbig picture.Ifit’sanewclient,we’llgooutand understandthatmarketandbreakdownwho thecustomerbaseis,andhowbestto reach
them.It’softennewideasandthinkingthat’s ourmostvaluablecurrency...andthisiswhere Ibelieveweexcel.
“Therearesomanydifferentwaysof reachingkeyaudiencestoday,andallofthose areasmatter.”
Lookingahead,RNNCommunicationsis keentoexpandthebusinessfurtherstill–attractingnewclientsanddeliveringboldand bravecampaignsforexistingcustomers.“Even inthecorporatearena,there’splentyof room forbraveideasandnewthinking,especially forambitiousbusinesseswhowanttogrow,” Rikisays.
RNNCommunicationsisalsofocusedon improvingitsowncredentials,especially whenitcomestogivingbackandmaking adifference–includingbecomingaBCorp organisation.
Lastyear,tomarkRNN’s10thbirthday,RNN donatedeightdevelopmentgrantstothe Prince’s TrustwithwhomRikiisalsoamentor. Givingbackmatterstothebusiness.
“We’vehadandstillhavemanygreat clients.It’saboutaligningandensuringour valuesareinsync,that’swhenitworksbest.I wanttoworkwithmorecompanieswhohave valuesthattheywanttodeliveron…notvalues forvaluessake. We practicewhatwepreach andwelivebyourvalues,andthat’swhatwe expectfromothers”. ■
FollowRNN@RNNComms www.rnncommunications.com
JillMcLernon,SarahHanna, TaraHamill,RikiNeill, SinéadHannaandArleneFoy.PicPaulMoane
Wrightbuschiefexecutive
Jean-MarcGales
Wrightbussecuresrecord orderworth£500m Ballymenabusmaker Wrightbushas wonthebiggestdealofitshistory worthupto£500m.
Thefrm,whichwas rescuedfrom administrationfveyearsago,istosupplymore than1,000busestooperatorGo-Aheadover thenextthreeyears.
Inthebiggestdealacrossits78-yearhistory, itwillbuildhundredsofGo-Aheadbusesevery yearforthenextthreeyearsatitsBallymena headquarters.Thedealwillsafeguard500jobs andcreatingmultipletrainingandup-skilling opportunities.
Thecontractalsosupportsanadditional 1,500jobsacrosstheUKsupplychain.
Morethan5,500jobsinthesupplychainare alreadysupportedbythegrowthof Wrightbus, whichhasworkedwithover1,000suppliers acrosstheUKsince2019.
ItwasboughtoverbyindustrialistJoBamford inOctober2019,weeksaftergoinginto administration.
Atrainingandapprenticeshipsfundhas beenestablishedaspartofthepartnership, whichwillseethedevelopmentofalearning academyforGo-Aheadand Wrightbus employees.
Aspokesmansaidthatwith90%ofthe orderforzero-emissionbuses“it representsa hugeboosttotheUK’snetzerogoalsandthe Government’sDecarbonisation TransportPlan, whichiscommittedtosupplying4,000new zero-emissionbusesintheUK”.
Wrightbuschief,Jean-MarcGales,said thedealwas“momentous”notjustfor WrightbusandBallymena,buttheUKasa whole.
“It representsahugeboosttotheUK’s economyanditwillsupporthomegrown manufacturing,jobsandskillsforthenext threeyearsandbeyond.
“We’vealwaysbeenproudtosupportthe UK’ssupplychainandhavealreadyspent morethanabillionpoundswithUKfrms. OurGo-Aheadpartnershipwillensureeven moremoneycanbespentsupportinggood greenjobs. We’reincrediblyexcitedabout thetrainingopportunitiesthepartnership willbringaswehelptocreateahighly-skilled workforceforthefuture.
“It’samomentousoccasionandonewe’re delightedtobesharingwithourpartners Go-Ahead.”
MattCarney,chiefexecutiveofGo-
AheadBus,said:“Thismulti-million-pound investmentandpartnershipwith Wrightbus willacceleratethetransitiontozero-emission feetacrosstheUK.”
“Weareproudtobeworkinginpartnership withtheUKGovernmentandlocalauthorities todelivertransformationalenvironmental changeforcommunities,whilesupportingUK jobsandthegrowthofthecountry’ssupply chain.”
TransportSecretaryLouiseHaighsaid:“The numberonemissionofthisGovernment isgrowingtheeconomy.Thehalfabillion poundsGoAheadisannouncingtodayshows theconfdenceindustryhasininvestinginthe UK.”
Aspartofthedeal,Go-Aheadwillbecome offcialpartnerswiththeonly researchcentre intheworlddedicatedtozeroemissionbuses –W-Tech.Backedby WrightbusandQueen’s UniversityBelfast,W-Techwillworkalongside Go-Aheadtohelpwithitsmissionto decarboniseitsfeetandbusinessoperations.
Thedealcomesonthebackofasuccessful yearfor Wrightbus,whichwas recentlynamed asfastestgrowingbusmanufacturerintheUK andEurope. ■
Specialistclaimsmanagement withapersonaltouch: TheDavison&Associatesdifference Since2009Davison & Associateshas beenhelpingbusinessesnavigate challenginginsuranceclaims processesand recoveringfasterfrommajor losses.
Itsrangeofexperienceincludesdealing witheveryformofcommercialinsurance claim,includingpropertydamage,business interruption,andproduct recall.
Bymanagingclaimseffcientlyand professionally, Davison & Associatesallows businessestofocuson recovery, ratherthanthe stressoftheclaimsprocess.
Credibilitythroughexperience
Withover14yearsintheindustry, Davison & Associateshassuccessfullymanagedclaimsfor someofNorthern Ireland’s mostwell-known organisations,includingQueen’s University Belfast, Tayto,and WarrenpointHarbour Authority Itstrack record ofdelivering results incomplexandoftenhigh-proflelosseshas cementedtheir reputationasexpertsinclaims management.
Thevalueofexpert claimsmanagement
“Insuranceclaimscanbe a dauntingexperience forbusinesses,especiallywithmajorlosses –thestakesare highandpoormanagementof a claimcanendangerthefuture of a business,” BrianDavison,founderofDavison & Associates, says.
“I’veseenthestressanduncertaintythese eventscausefrsthandandunfortunatelyhave alsoseentheworst-casescenarioplayout.
I createdDavison & Associatetoguideour clientsthrougheverystep,makingtheprocess assmoothaspossible.Bytakingthecomplexity off theirshoulders,wehelpbusinessesfocuson whatmattersmost – gettingbackontrack.”
Thestory behindDavison & Associates
Brian’s journeyintoclaimsmanagementwas more aboutkismetandcoincidencethan well-plannedcareergoals.Afterstudyingto become a PEteacher,a chanceconversationin
therugbyclubledtohisfrst roleininsurance as a lossadjuster Workingthroughsomeof thedarkestdaysofthe Troubles,Briandealt withbusinesseswhohadlosteverythinginthe blinkofaneyeandnowunexpectedlyfound themselvestryingtocopewiththeaftermath.
Hispassionfortheindustryquicklygrew, andafteryearsofworkingwithtopfrms,Brian foundedDavison & Associatesin2009.
Fromthebeginning,thecompanyhas been a familyaffair KathrineDavison,Brian’s daughter, joinedthebusinessshortlyafter itsestablishment,bringingwithher a fresh perspectiveand a sharedcommitmentto excellence.Undertheirleadership,Davison & AssociateshasgrownintooneofNorthern Ireland’s most respectedclaimsmanagement frms.
In2023,Davison & Associatesbecamepart ofBrown & BrownInsurance, a movethat hasallowedthemtoexpandtheircapabilities withoutcompromisingtheircore values.
“Forourclients,beingpartoftheBrown & Brownteamdoesn’t changethewaythe companyoperates,”Kathrinesays.“It’s businessasusual,withthesameteamof specialistsandthesamecommitmentto providingtailoredclaimsmanagement. However, thepartnershipdoesbringnew advantages,givingusaccessto a wider networkofopportunitiesacrosstheUKand Irelandandthesupportof a majornewplayer intheUKandIrishinsurancemarket.”
Lookingtothefuture With refreshedbrandingandanexpanded networkbehindthem,Davison & Associatesis lookingtothefuture withconfdence.
“We’vebuiltsomethingwe’re incredibly proudof,andthisnewpartnershipopensup evenmore opportunitiesforustogrowand innovate,”Briansays.“Thefuture looksbright, andwe’re excitedtocontinuedelivering results forourclients.” ■
BrianDavison
Mediation: Aneffective solutionforresolvingworkplace andcommercialdisputes Traditionallyperceivedasan alternativetotraditionallegal avenues,mediationisontherise asavaluabletacticforthoseinthelegal professiontohelpguidetheclients ortheorganisationsthey represent topositiveoutcomeswhichsatisfyall partiesinvolved.
Aprivatepracticebarristerfornearly25 years,MichaelBreadyalsosupportsclients acrosstheUKandIreland,spanningsectors includingproperty,construction,commercial, familybusinessesandmoreto resolve disputesthroughmediationandalternative dispute resolution.
Speakingaboutthebeneftsof resolving disputesthroughmediationMichaelsays: “Whetherarisingfrominternalconficts, contractualdisagreements,orchallenges withsuppliers,disputesareinevitableinthe fast-pacedworldofbusiness.Resolvingthese disputeseffcientlyiscrucialformaintaining productivity,preserving relationshipsand minimisingdisruption.
“WorkplacedisputesinNorthernIreland, asinmanyother regions,canarisedueto variousfactors.However,therearesome uniquefactorsinNorthernIrelanddueto itspolitical,social,andculturalhistorythat playapartinthemaincausesofworkplace disputeswithinthecountry.
“Discrimination–particularlyalong religiousandpoliticallines– remains asignifcantcauseofdisputesinthe workplace,asdoesracialdiscriminationand genderinequality,includingissues related topay,promotion,workinghoursand harassment,whicharecommonsourcesof confict.”
Whilepursuingalitigious routehasoften beenthepreferredoptionfor resolvingsuch matters,mediationisnowquicklyemerging asanextremelyvaluablealternative,one thatcanhelptoimproveworkplaceculture movingforward,preserve relationships betweenstaffandleadership.
“Themediationprocesscentresastructured yetinformalapproachwhereaneutralthird party,themediator,facilitatesdiscussions betweendisputingpartiestohelpthem reach asolutionthatallpartiescanfeeltheyhada partin reaching,”Michaelsays.“Theprocess typicallybeginswiththemediatormeeting witheachpartyindividuallytounderstandtheir perspectivesandtheissuesathand.Thisis followedbyjointsessionswherethemediator encouragesopencommunication,helpingthe partiesexploretheirinterests,identifycommon ground,anddiscusspotentialsolutions.”
Unlikeacourtroomscenario,mediation isvoluntaryandconfdential,ensuringthat sensitiveworkplacematterscanbekept private.Unlikeacourtortribunal,themediator doesnotimposeadecisionbutinsteadguides partiestowardcraftingtheirown resolution. Thegoalistoaddresstheunderlyingcauses ofthedispute,improveworking relationships, andcreateaforward-lookingagreementthat satisfesallinvolvedparties.
“Whilstmediationisbecomingavery populartoolamongbusinessesacrossall industrysectors,ithasalsobeenproventobe particularlyusefultoaddressdisputesfowing fromthebreakdownoforuniqueissuesfaced
byfamilybusinessesinNorthernIreland,” Michaelsays.
“Forbusinesses,themostproblematic issuestendtobefocusedaroundsuccession planning,leadershiptransition,confict betweenfamilyandbusiness roles,distribution ofprofts,andlackofprofessionalismand accountability.”
Asinmostbusinesses,itisnotunusualfor disputestoariseinthespanofdecadesof workingcloselyasateam,however,witha familybusinessthereisincreasedsensitivity whenpartiesareindisagreement,asthiscan notonlyimpacttheprofessional relationship, butalsorisksnegativelydisruptingafamily dynamic.
Inshort,mediationoffersafaster,costeffective,andlessadversarialsolutionto resolvingdisputes. Withmorecontrolover outcomesandtheabilitytocrafttailored, mutuallyagreeablesolutions,morebusinesses –andthelegalteamswithinthem–arefnding mediationtobeapracticalandeffcientway to resolvedisputeswithoutdisruptingdaily operations. ■
To learnmoreaboutthevalueofworkplace mediationvisitwww.michaelbready.com
Michael Bready
Euro Auctions’ parentfrm posts soaring profts of £45.3m TheparentcompanyofCo Tyrone’s EuroAuctionshasseenitspre-tax proftssoarto£45.3m.
GardrumHoldingssawpre-taxprofts increasingbymorethanathird,whilesales roseto£168.9mfortheyearendingDecember 2023.
“Thedirectorsconsiderthe resultsforthe yearandthepositionofthegrouptotheyear endtobesatisfactory,”thelatest resultssaid.
“Thegroupwillcontinuetoseekevery opportunitytoincreaseproftableturnover.”
EuroAuctionsbuysandsellsindustrial plant,constructionequipmentandagricultural machineryaroundtheworld,andwasfounded inDromorein1998byDerekKeysandhis brothers.
“Performanceinthesectorisaffectedby generaleconomicconditionsandspecifc sectorialfactors…salesaremoreprevalent inthegrowingeconomieswheremore infrastructuredevelopments regularlytake place,”thefrm’sstrategic reportsaid.
“Thegroup’sactive reviewofmarketprices
bothprovidesprotectionandmaximises opportunitiesfromanticipatedpricerises.”
In2022,a£775mmergerbetweenEuro AuctionsandtheCanadiancompanyRitchie Brotherswasscrapped.
Thetransactiontocombinethetwo companieswouldhavebeenoneofNorthern Ireland’sbiggestdeals.
However,theUK’sCompetitionsand MarketsAuthority(CMA)announcedthe dealwouldbesubjecttoaninspectionover themerger’simpactontheUK’scompetitive landscape.
Foundedin1998,EuroAuctionsconducts unreservedheavyequipmentauctionswith onsiteandonlinebiddingunderthebrands EuroAuctionsand Yoder&Frey,withmore than200employeesin14countries.
LastyearEuroAuctionsacquiredMichener AllenAuctioneeringLimited,aCanadian industrialequipmentandautomotiveauction company.
Initslatestaccounts,speakingabout acquiringthenewbusinesslastyear,Euro
Auctionssaidpriortotheacquisitionithad “minimalpresence”inmarketssuchas Canada.
“Asa resultoftheacquisition,thegroup expectstoincreaseitssalestocustomersinthe Canadianmarkets.”
Itsaidthegoodwillandotherassetsarising fromthetakeoveris“attributabletothe acquiredcustomerbaseandeconomiesof scaleexpectedfromcombiningtheoperations intothegroup”.
Speakingatthetimeofthetakeover,Derek KeysofEuroAuctions,said:“Wearedelighted towelcomethewiderMichenerfamilyinto theEuroAuctionsfamily. We don’tseethisas anacquisitionmoreofacomingtogetherof twostrongfamilybusinesses,sharingthesame coreprincipleofdeliveringunrivalledcustomer servicebytreatingbothbuyersandsellers equally.
“Wehavealwayskeptakeeneyeonthe Canadianmarketwiththeambitiononeday ofenteringit,sowearedelightedwiththis opportunity.” ■
DerekKeys,founder ofEuroAuctions
Theskills challengefacing exporters Sponsoredby
WhileNorthernIrelandisattemptingtogrowitsexports,especiallywithitsunique tradingenvironmentpost-Brexit,skillsremainsomethingofabarriertoentryand somethingwemustturnourattentiontowards,andwhyitremainsstrongerinthe Republic,writes
PaulGosling “Firmsinvolvedinglobalmarkets tendto requirehigherskilled workersthanfrmsthatonly servethedomesticmarket,”accordingtoa studyfromthe World TradeOrganization (WTO).
TheimplicationsoftheWTO report‘Skills andExportCompetitivenessforSmalland Medium-SizedEnterprises’arethatbusinesses, especiallysmallerfrms,aredependentonthe qualityofeducationandskillsprovisionbya governmentanditsagenciestoprovidethe labourmarketconditionsthatenablefrmsto competeininternationalmarkets.
ThisanalysisissupportedbytheBritish think-tank,theCentreforCities,which concludedthatwhenthereexisthighlevels
ofskillswithinalocaleconomyitattracts themostproductiveinwardinvestmentand doessoinwaysthataremosteffectivein strengtheningthelocaleconomy.
Thisthenproducesclustersofhighskilled businessesthatarelikelytoco-locate,creating highproductivityhubsthatarelessvulnerable tojobdisplacementandoffshoring.
Its report–‘TradingPlaces’–explains howexportersofbothservicesandgoods tendtohaveahigherknowledgebasethan domesticallyfocusedfrms,withaboveaverage levelsofskillsandproductivity.
Unfortunatelyforruralareas,thismeans thatinternationallyfocusedbusinessesare morelikelytosuccessfullylocatewithinlarge urbanareas,wheretheskillsbaseisdeeper.
TheCentreforCitiesspellsoutthat“the returnstoco-locationarehigherforsome typesoffrmsmeaningthatsomefrmsare morelikelytolocateinurbanlocationsandthis istrueofexporters.”
Atpresent,thereissolittlesparecapacity withinourlabourmarketthat recruiting skilledworkersisaseriouschallengeformany NorthernIrelandfrms.Thisriskscreating blockagesforexportingfrmsin recruiting relevantskillsandalsoforinternational businesseslookingtoinvest.
A recent reportfromtheUlsterUniversity EconomicPolicyCentre(UUEPC)explainsthat whileemploymentgrewinthefrstquarter ofthisyear,this“waslargelyfacilitatedby migrantlabour”.
AviewovertheO’Connell BridgeinDublincitycentre
Thisprocess,saysUUEPC,isbeing challengedby recentlyintroducedstronger controlsoninwardmigration.Intermsof expandingthetotallabourmarket,the response requiresamuchgreaterfocuson tacklingeconomicinactivity–whichismuch higherinNorthernIrelandthaninthe restof theUK.
Measurestoaddressthisarelikelytoinclude expandingaffordablechildcareprovision, cuttinghealthwaitinglistsandenabling morepeoplewithdisabilitiesto re-enterthe workforce.
However,manypeoplecurrently economicallyinactivehavelowlevelsofskills andqualifcationsandthemeasuresproposed byUUEPCwillhavelimitedeffectinincreasing
theavailabilityofhigherlevelskills,atleastin theshortterm.
AccordingtotheUUEPCSkillsBarometerof 2021,thetwoskillscategorieswiththehighest defcitsinNorthernIrelandwereinengineering andmanufacturingtechnologiesandinscience andmathematics.Theseskillsarelikelytobe especiallyimportantforinternationallyfocused businesses.
Anew reportfromtheNorthernIreland AuditOffceexpressedconcernnotonlyabout theseskillsgaps,butalso regardingtheslow progressinaddressingthem.Somekeytargets arebeingmissedbyanincreasingmargin.
Theproportionofthepopulationwithat leastleveltwoorthreeskillsdecreasedinthe most recently recordedyear.Skillsshortages
vacancieswerealmostfvetimesgreaterin 2022thanithadbeenin2015–increasing from2,800to13,700vacancies.Some35%of allvacanciesin2022werecategorisedasskills shortagevacancies.
TheNIAOsaid:“Nearlyallemployers (96%) reportedthattheseskillsshortage vacancieswerehavingadetrimentalimpact ontheirbusinessperformance…furthermore, asignifcantproportionofemployers(over 40%)alsoconsideredthattheimpactsofskills shortagevacancieswerecausingdelaysin developingnewproductsorservices,alossof businesstocompetitors,orevenwithdrawals fromofferingcertainproductsorservices altogether.”
Anumberof reportshavestressedthe>
EX PORTS& IN TE RNAT IONA L BU SI NE SS
Belfastcitycentre
needforNorthernIrelandtofocusmoreon skillsdevelopment,yetthesehavenotled tothenecessarylevelofchange.“In2020 theOrganisationforEconomicCo-operation andDevelopment(OECD)commented thatdeveloping relevantskillsandusing themeffectivelyiscrucialforNorthern Ireland’sabilitytothriveinanincreasingly interconnectedandrapidlychangingworld,” observedtheNIAO.
Internationallyfocusedemployersare consequentlybeingsqueezedbytheshortage ofhighlyskilledlocallyavailablelabourandUK government restrictionsontheimportationof workersfromelsewhere.Oneapproachisto looksouth.StudiesfromDublin’sEconomic andSocialResearchInstitutehaveexplained thatskillslevelsintheRepublicaregenerally higherthaninthenorth.
Productivityinthesouthisparticularlyhigh inforeignownedbusinesses, refectingboth thelevelofinvestmentandtheskillsbase drawnupon.Ireland’sCentralStatisticsOffce reportsthatin2021–themost recentfgures
Productivity in the south isparticularly highin foreign ownedbusinesses, refecting both the level ofinvestment and the skillsbase drawn upon –theforeignsectorgeneratedproductivity growthof5.5%,comparedtojust1.3% fromthedomesticsector.Inindustrialsectors, theCSO reports,foreignownedfrmsare morethansixtimesmoreproductivethan domesticallyownedbusinessesinIreland.
GiventheskillschallengeswithinNorthern Ireland,onepartialsolutionmightbetoattract moreworkersfromtheRepublic,benefting fromthestrongerskillsbasesouthofthe border.Whilepayratestendtobehigher
inthesouth,sotooarecosts–especially residential. Withimprovedrailservices betweenBelfastandDublin(includingstopsat DroghedaandDundalk)commutingalongthe Eastcoastisalsobecomingmorepractical.
A recent report‘TheNorth WestEconomic Region’whichIproducedfortheHolywell Trust concludedthatmorecouldbedoneinborder areastoassistthefowofworkersbetweenthe twojurisdictions.
Whilethedifferenttaxandbeneftssystems isamatterfornationalgovernmentsto resolve, otherchallengesshouldbesimplertoaddress. Oneoftheseisthelackofpartnershipsand cross-borderinformationprovisionbythetwo maininvestmentagencies.
Therearealsopracticalmeasuresthatcould beadoptedtoassistcommutingtowork,by improvingcrossborderpublictransportand roads.
TheabsenceofsimplesolutionstoNorthern Ireland’sskillssqueeze requiresinternationally focusedbusinessestoconsiderarangeof optionstoflllabourgaps. ■
EX PORTS& IN TE RNAT IONA L BU SI NE SS
AviewofDerrycity andthePeaceBridge
SettingoutNI’scompetitive offeringforinvestment SteveHarper, Invest NorthernIreland’s executivedirector, internationalandskills, setsoutNI’sunique competitiveposition
FollowingtheUK’s decisiontoleave theEuropeanUnion,Northern Irelandhasfounditselfin a unique position – accessforgoodstotheEU marketonthesamebasisaspre-EUexit andalsounfetteredaccesstotheUK’s internalmarket.Itswhatwe refertoas ‘dualmarketaccess’.
OurteamacrossEuropehavefoundmany EUbusinesseswithlittleornoawarenessof theNorthern IrelandProtocoland Windsor Framework.Manyassumethat,aspartofthe UK,ourmanufacturersare subjecttothesame tradingarrangementsasthe restoftheUK whichmeanstradingundertheUK-EU Trade andCo-operationAgreement(TCA),incurring additionalcostsandadministration.
Equally, wehavecomeacrossEUbuyersand supplierswhohavechosennottodobusiness withourlocalcompaniesduetotheperceived additionaladministrativeburdenoftrading undertheTCAor World TradeOrganization (WTO)terms.
Locally, wehavealsoseenthatsomelocal businessesare notfullyaware ofthe relative competitiveadvantagetheyhaveoverGBand EUbasedcompetitorsservicingthesemarkets.
Thismeansthatthere are missed opportunitiesbybothNorthern IrelandandEU businesses.
Ouruniquedualmarketaccesspositionis somethingthatweare talkingtointernational businessaboutfromboth a foreigndirect investment(FDI)perspectiveandfroman
EconomyMinisterConorMurphy(centre)recentlyledatwo-dayvisittoGermanytostrengthentraderelationsand explorenewopportunitiesinarangeofhigh-potentialsectors.He’spicturedwithPetaConn,headofGBandEurope, InvestNIandSteveHarper,executivedirectorofinternationalbusiness,InvestNI
export/tradingposition.
It’s not a one-sizeftsallpropositionandwill varydependingonthecompany’s requirements, theirindustryandtheirgeographiclocation.
Whiledualmarketaccessisanimportant factor, itisonlypartofthebusinessdecision makingprocess.Potentialinward investorswill alsowanttohearaboutourskillsavailability, loweroperatingcosts,infrastructure detailsand whatsupportisavailable.
From a tradeperspective,buyersare interestedinquality, cost,deliverability
Whilstitisstill relativelyearlydaysofthe post-EUexiterathere are signsthatNorthern Irelandisfairingbetterthanotherpartsofthe UKintermsofmanufacturingexportstothe EU.From2022to2023,ourmanufacturing exportstotheEUincreasedby14%.By
contrast,exportsfrom Waleswere largely fat,thosefromEnglanddeclinedby4%and Scottishexportswere downby11%.
We haveseengrowthinexportstotheEU acrossalmostallpartsofNorthern Ireland, withDerryandStrabaneachievingthehighest growthofnearly33%.
Ourbusinessesare alsodiversifyingwhere theyexportto,with a numberofnontraditionalEUexportmarketsseeinganuplift inproductssourcedfromhere,including Denmark,Poland,PortugalandBulgaria.
Ourdualmarketaccesspositiongives Northern Ireland a uniquecompetitive advantagethatweare keentomaximisefor bothlocalbusinessesandinternationally, aswe continuetospreadthemessageandeducate themarketaboutourproposition. ■
Planninglogjamsareendangering atargetfor80%ofpowersupply fromsolarandwindby2030
Stormontseeking research into ability to achieve ambitiousgreenenergy goals New researchwillbecarriedoutinto thefuture ofNorthern Ireland’s electricitymarketandourabilityto hitambitiousgovernmenttargets,itcan be revealed.
TheDepartmentfortheEconomyisnow seeking a third partytocarryout“research andmodellingassociatedwiththedelivery” ofhittingouragreed80% renewableenergy targetinjust a littleoverfveyears.
Theindustryhere has remainedsceptical aboutNorthern Ireland’s abilitytoincreaseits renewableenergyproductiontothattarget, amid a slowplanningsystemandotherbarriers.
Thesectorsayswenowneedaround50 majorschemes,shovel-ready, by2026.
Renewablepowergenerationactuallyfellby 3%inthelastyear
Nowthedepartmentisseeking a £140,000 tenderinto researchingthelandscapeandhow, orif,thatwillbeachievable.
“TheNorthern IrelandExecutiveadopted theEnergyStrategyforNorthern Irelandin
December2021,”thefreshtendersays.
“Thevisionofthestrategysetsouthow Northern Irelandwillachievenetzero carbon andaffordableenergy, inlinewithUK Governmentcommitments,by2050.
“TheEnergyStrategyidentifed a targetof 70%ofelectricityconsumptiontobefrom a diversemixof renewablesourcesby2030.This targethassinceincreasedto80%throughthe ClimateChangeAct(Northern Ireland)2022.
“InMarch2024,theDepartmentforthe Economy(DfE)publishedtheEnergyStrategy ActionPlanfor2024whichoutlinessomeof thekeyactionsbeingdeliveredaspartofthe Executive’s EnergyStrategy – ThePathtoNet Zero Energy
“Oneoftheidentifedactionsstates:‘DfE willcommission researchintothecostsand beneftstotheNIconsumerfordifferent Interconnectionscenarios,multipleenergy storageoptionsandthe80% renewable electricitytargetupto2030andbeyond’.
“Thisproject relatestothecommissioning
of researchandmodellingassociatedwiththe deliveryofthisagreedaction.”
Thelocal renewablessectorhascalled for“urgentaction”toexpediteplanning applicationsandappealstogetenoughwind, solarandbatterydevelopmentsoperating tomeettheambitious80%greenelectricity generationtargetby2030.
RenewableNIsaysaround2.5GWofextra capacityisneededinorderforNorthern Ireland togenerateenoughpowerto reachthetarget setbytheStormontExecutive.
Thatequatestoaround50solarorwind schemes,basedonsomeoftheproposed developmentsandthosewhichare alreadyupand-running.
Itcomesasplanningdecisionshere are takinglongeronaverageacrossourcouncils, whiletheappealsprocessisslowingamidwhat itclaimsare “signifcant resourcingpressures”.
AccordingtoStevenAgnew, directorof RenewableNI,wehavemovedfrombeing “leaderstolaggards”ingreenenergy ■
CORPOR AT E LAW Legal support Thefounderoflegalsupportstart-up Briefed tells JamesMcNaney howawaytosavetime asabarristerhaspaved herpathtoasuccessful businesscareer
OrlaghKelly,founderoflegal supportcompanyBriefed,enjoys thatshegetstovisitLondonso muchasherbusinesscontinuestogrow.
Briefedhas recentlybeenacquiredbyprivate equityfrmOmniPartners,andwillmergewith London-basedfrmDMJRecruitment,which Orlaghwillheadup.
Thecompany representsthecoming togetherofOrlagh’snewloveofthebusiness worldwithherlong-heldambitionstobea barrister.
“I’mfromaverysmallplacecalled DerrynooseinCoArmagh,justontheborder
withMonaghan.IgrewupinsouthArmagh andIwenttoschoolinStCatherine’sCollege inArmagh.
“IwenttoQueen’sUniversitytostudylawin 1997.Ihadwantedtodolawfromaboutage 11or12.WhileIwasatStCatherine’s,Igot anopportunitytotakepartinwhat’scalledthe NationalBarmocktrialcompetition.
“Thatwasanamazingexperience.It allowedmeandsomeofmyfriendstopartake in,essentially,puttingonatrial.
“Someofuswereadvocates,someofus weremembersofthejuryandwitnesses.
“Realbarristersand realjudgesatthe
timegotinvolvedintermsofjudgingthe competitionintheHighCourtinBelfast.Itwas veryexoticforusinthelate1990stogetup fromArmaghontheM1toBelfast.
“WewontheNorthernIrelandheatand weactuallywontheUKaswell,whichwas amazingforusasanon-grammarschool.
“That reallycementedthatIwantedtobe notjustalawyer,butIwantedtodocourtbasedadvocacy.”
AfterQueen’s,Orlaghprogressedtothe InstituteofProfessionalLegalStudies,where shetrainedasabarristerandwascalledtothe Barin2002.
Shesaid:“Istartedoutasabarristerand, alotofpeoplearen’taware,butthatmeans you’reself-employed.
“Andsowhatyou’re reallydoinginyour early20s,inwhatisultimatelyyourfrst properjob,isstartingabusiness,andallofthe complexitiesthatcomewiththat.
“Whatattractedmetobeingabarristerwas tryingtohelpsolveproblemsforpeople,which isprobablyevidencedbythefactthatIwent intochildren’slaw,whichistypicallyapubliclyfundedareaofwork.
“IdecidedthatIcouldhelppeopletryto navigatethatstressfulsituationandcomeout
attheendinasbestshapeastheycould.”
Children’slawinvolvessomeofthemost personalanddiffcultconfictsintheentire legalsystem,andOrlaghbelievestheskillsshe learnedwhiledealingwiththesehavebeen usefulinherbusinesscareer.
“Iwouldsuggestthatalmostallofthe skillsIpickedupasabarristerhavehelpedin business.
“Numberone,tryingtofndapathway forwardforbesteffect.Ican’tthinkofany situationwherethere’sanybenefttobehad fromconfict.
“Allitdoesiscausestressandcostmoney, andinbusiness,there’sno realpointtothat either.
“Andsotryingtofndout,tryingtofnda pragmaticandeffectivesolution,whichIwas typicallytryingtodoincourt,hasheldme inverygoodsteadinbusiness,tonavigate complexchallengesaswell.
“WhatIalsothinkhasstoodmeingood steadisthatI’mnotafraidofafght.IfIneed toadvocateonbehalfofmyselforonbehalf ofmybusiness,I’mnotafraidofthat.I’m comfortablewithbeingabletotakeastandif necessary.”
TheimpetusforfoundingBriefedcame asOrlagh’slegalpracticebegantogetmore clients.
Shesays:“Iwasavictimofmyownsuccess, becausethemoreworkIwasdoing,themore administrationcamewithit.Asabarrister,you onlyhavesomuchtime.
“Iamakeenbelieverinworkingsmartand nothard.IwouldfndthatwhenIwasatcourt allday,Iwouldhavetoworkalleveningandall nighttogetprepandadmindonetosupport mypracticegoingforward.
“Iwasstartingat6amandfnishingat midnight.Therewasnomoretimetobehad.
“AndsowhatIhadidentifedisthatwe weresomewhatunder-servedinterms>
OrlaghKelly
oftechnologysolutionsforbarristerswho, particularlyinBelfastandDublin,actuallyrun alloftheirbusinessthemselves.
“Peoplesortoftypicallythinkthatyou’rein courtallday,butyouarealsoasmallbusiness.
“Anyonewhorunsasmallbusinesswill understandthehugeamountofworkinthe backgroundin relationtothat.
“AllIwantedtodowashaveaccesstoa specialisttechnologyproductthatwouldtakea lotofthatadminandwouldallowmetowork onsomeofthemoreboringelementswhileI wasatcourt.
“AndsoIdevelopedtheveryfrstbrief product,whichwasacloud-hostedcase managementorpracticemanagement softwareforbarristers.
“Also,afterhavingdoneadecadeatthe Bar,Iwas readyforadifferentchallenge.
“On refection,IunderstandthatIhavea realpassionforbusiness.
“Iwasverykeentorunmypracticeas abusiness,andthereforestartinganother businesswasexcitingtome.”
Briefedhasgrownquicklyovertheyears, withOrlaghdecidingtoleaveherlegalpractice toworkonthebusinessfull-time.
WiththeacquisitionbyOmniPartners, Orlaghnowfeelsshehas“anopportunityto reallyelevatethebusiness”.
Thecompany’sclientsdifferbetweenthe citiestheyarebased.
BelfastandDublin-basedlawyerstendto beone-manbands,whereasLondonbarristers oftenoperateaspartofaChambers.
Thesalestoabarrister’sChambersaremore likeenterprisesalesthangettingindividual sign-upsandsubscriptions.
Despitethechallengesinherenttorunninga techstart-up,Orlaghfeels“it’safantastictime torunatechcompany”.
Shesays:“There’salotofinnovationthat peoplewanttolearnabout,whichwe’reable tohelptrainthemon,andprovidebusinesses withaccesstotrainingonallofthenew developmentsthatmightaffectthem.
“IranfourAIeventslastyearfortheBar inLondon,introducingtheconceptofAI
andhowitwouldimpactthemforbetter,for worse,ornever.
“Over500barristersattendedthoseevents andwere reallykeentounderstandwhat’s happeningnext.
“Forbusinessesthathelpeducate professionalsandsupportthemintheircareer, thefactthatthereareconstantlychanging thingshappeningiswonderfulforus.
“Ialsothinkthat,giventheexplosioninthe past10yearsofSaaS[softwareasaservice] andtheabilitytogetalotofproductswhich willsupportyourbusiness,whetheryou’rein Belfast,London,New YorkorSanFrancisco, hasbeena realadvantage.
“SoIcouldstartandgrowatechnology businessfrommykitcheninBelfast,sellinto Londonandsellitthentoprivateequity.
“Itisnotsomethingthatprobablywould havebeenachievable25yearsago,before technologyhadadvanced.
“I’mgratefulforalltheopportunitiesthat therearewiththeseadvancements,andI knowit’sagreattimeforustoinnovate.”
Night timeeconomy impact to be researchedamid fresh Stormont plans Storm ont is co mmis sionin g new re sear ch toexamine the import ance of Nort hern Ireland ’s ni ght time economy, it can be revealed
Belfas thas re cently appointeda new ‘night ts ar ’– well -known publican and hospit alit y chief Michael Stewar t– aimed at bo os ting it s appeal to visitors and enticing more people into the city
Trad er s in the city, and elsewhere in Northern Ireland, have continued to struggle to bounce back follow ing the Covid-19 –which chang ed both workingand so cialising habits
Now, Economy Minis ter Conor Murphy says his department is now at the early stages of carr ying out new research to look at the “value and potential” of the night time economy throughout Northern Ireland.
“I re co gnis e the import ant contribution of the night-time economy to ensuring our towns and cities are places where people want to live, work, invest and visit,” he said
“T here is insuf fcient empiric alevidence
on our night-time economy at pres ent and my department is in the early phas es of commissioning research to unders tandit s value and potential.
“I anticipate that I will be able to provid ea positive update on this research in the coming months.”
MrMurphy was responding to an As sembly ques tion from Alliance ML A Kate Nicholl.
In Belfas t, the researchis being co -funded the city ’s thre e business improvement distric ts – Cathedral Quar ter BI D, Linen Quar ter BI D, and Belfas t One.
And Hospit alit y Ulster and the Night Time Industries As so ciation have combined forces to create the Northern Ireland Night-Time Commission
“W ith Northern Ireland’s nightlife de eply rooted in it s rich cultural heritage, this new Commission seeks to ad vo cate for business es, promote the import ance of the night-time economy, and infuence critic al policy chang esvia detailed analysis to ensure it s
continued grow th andsucces s,” they say.
“T he night-time economy is a corners tone of Northern Ireland’s identit y, at trac ting millions of visitors eachyearand signifcantly contributing to the lo cal andnational economy. The hospit alit y and tourism sec tor generates over £2bn annually.”
Meanwhile, Belfas t’s new ‘night ts ar ’ re cently vowed to do ever ything possible to bring Culture Night back to the city as he outlined his top priorities for bo os ting the economy.
The thre e business improvement distric ts (B IDs) , Belfas t One, Linen Quar ter and Destination CQ, re cruited Michael Stewar t to helpturn thingsaround
“I ’d love to see Culture Night back in Belfas t andI am looking at the viability of that for next year,” Mr Stewar t toldthe Belfas t Telegraph earlier thisyear
“I t wasa brilliant feature of the night time economy.
“I believe culture is the magic dust of Belfas t and brings people to gether.” ■
Planning appeal requests fromStormont ‘on hold’ until goldmine report completed ByJohnMulgrew
Freshplanningappeal requestsfor majorschemesfromStormontare now“onhold”untila reportinto aCo Tyronegoldmineiscompletedor more resourcesbecomeavailable,itcanbe revealed.
Dalradian’splansforamajormineat Curraghinaltwereinitiallyunveiledin2017.
AnewpublicinquiryfromthePlanning AppealsCommission(PAC)wasputonhold earlierthisyear,duetoconfusion relatingto twolicenceapplicationsoverwaterabstraction andstorage.
ItwasduetostartinSeptember,buthas nowbeen rescheduledforJanuary2025.
However,the PACnowsaysthatduetothe resourcesbeingdirectedtowardstheDalradian ConjoinedInquiry“allother requests referred bytheDepartmentforInfrastructure(DfI)will beputonholdpendingcompletionofthe Dalradian reportoruntiladditional resources becomeavailable”.
“ThecommissionhaskeptDfIfullyinformed oftheposition,”ithassaid.
Andongeneralappealdelaysitsays“itis expectedthatpoortimelineswillpersistuntil allhistoricalcaseshavebeendisposed,the oldestofwhichshouldbeissuedbytheendof thiscalendaryear”.
Meanwhile,theAuditOffcesaysitis undertakingafresh reviewofthe PAC.
Itsaysthestudy“willconsiderhowthe landscapehaschangedin recentyearsfor thePlanningAppealsCommissionandthe extentthatthis,alongwithotherissues,has contributedtosignifcantbackloganddelayin thisimportantpartofitswork”.
In2022,two reportscriticisedelementsof thewiderplanningsystemwhichwerenot working.
ANorthernIrelandAuditOffce(NIAO) reportsaidNorthernIreland’splanning systemisnotftforpurposeandriskscausing economicdamage,whiletheNorthernIreland
Assembly’sPublicAccountsCommittee(PAC) saidthesystemis“notworking”.
Plannersanddevelopershavebeencritical ofthe PAC,particularlyoverthetimetakento dealwithappeals.
A reportfromthe PAC recentlysaidwhileits performanceis“notwhereitneedstobe”it’s outlinedanactionplantoaddressdeveloper anduserissues.
Thecommissionhas reiterateditsposition thatithaslostmanyofitsmoreexperienced staff,andthataround75%ofcommissioners are“newtotheir roles”.
TheNorthernIrelandCourtsand Tribunals Service(NICTS)hasprovided£500,000of additional resourcingtothePlanningAppeals Commissioneachyearsince2021.
Now,anewannual reviewfromthe PAC saidwhileithasincreasedthenumberof decisionsithasmade,year-on-year,itfailedto meetitstargetsontimelines.
“Wehavedisposedof213casescompared with189caseslastyear,”itsaid.
The PAChaspreviouslytolddevelopers itwas“experiencingsignifcant resourcing pressures”.
Recently,RenewableNIsaiditwastoldthe PACwon’tlookatfreshappealsfor renewable schemesinthesystemuntil2025/26.
Inits review,the PACsaysitdoesn’texpect tobe“fullyoperational”until2026/27.
“Wearealsoincontinueddiscussionswith relevantgovernmentdepartmentsin relationto resourcing referredworkgivencurrentcapacity constraints,”itsays.
“Thecommissionhasincreasedthenumbers ofdecisionsdeliveredyear-on-year.
“Wehopethatwewillcontinuetosee improvementsinproductivityinthecoming years.
“Therehavebeenmanypersonnelchanges withinthecommission,andwehavecontinued tooperatewithoutthefullcomplementof commissioners,andindeedadministrativestaff. Effortsarestillinhandtoincrease resources withinthecommission.” ■
DalradianisplanningtodevelopalargegoldmineinCo Tyrone
Depaulreceives$500,000from CitiFoundation’s2024Global InnovationChallenge Depaulhasbeennamedasoneof 50globalcommunityorganisations to receiveagrantof$500,000 incatalyticfundingaspartoftheCiti Foundation’s2024GlobalInnovation Challenge,whichaimstosupport solutionsthataddresshomelessness.
Marking WorldHomelessDayinOctober, CitiBelfastsitehead,PeterHolden,andDepaul chiefexecutiveDavidCarrollmetatDepaul’s Belfast-basedMaterDeiFamilyServices locationtodiscusstheworkthatDepaulcarries outyear-roundtosupportpeopleexperiencing homelessnessacrosstheIslandofIrelandand howthesefundswillhelpthemtoamplify theirimpactlocally.
“Respondingandadaptingtothechanging needsoftheirserviceusersiskeyforthe DepaulteaminNorthernIrelandandthe Republic,”DavidCarrollsaid.
“Thelandscapeofhomelessnessischanging andevolvingtheservicesofferedandtraining staffhelpsDepaulmeetdemandsmore effectivelyinNorthernIreland.”
Supportingpeopleexperiencing homelessnessacrosstheislandofIreland, Depaulsupportedover10,000people–includingover1,400families–in2023 ashomelessnesscontinuedto reach unprecedentedlevels.
Compoundedbytheongoingcostofliving crisis,dwindlingprivate rentalaccommodation, andacontinuedlackofdevelopmentofsocial andaffordablehousing,NorthernIreland’s homelessnesscrisishascontinuedtodeepen thisyear,withthenumberofhouseholdswith homelessnessstatusrisingabove30,000in June.
Commentingontheirsuccessfulapplication forCitiFoundation’sGlobalInnovation ChallengeDavidsaid:“Weare reallypleased tohavebeenchosenforthisfundingand incrediblyexcitingtopartnerwithCitiin NorthernIreland.Fundingofthisnatureallows ustoevolveandadaptourservicesandmeet ourserviceuserswiththesupporttheyneed
whentheyneedit.Inthiscasethefunding willenableustoincreaseourspecialiststaff forserviceswhichcatertowomenleavingthe prisonserviceinNorthernIreland.”
ReflectingonCitiFoundation’s2024Global InnovationChallenge,PeterHoldensaid:“In January2024,theCitiFoundationissued itsGlobalInnovationChallengeRequestfor Proposalsandcommittedtograntacollective $25mto50communityorganisationsaround theworldwhoareadvancingsolutionsto homelessnessandarecreatingmeaningful impact.
“WearedelightedthatDepaulhasbeen awarded$500,000tosupportindividuals, familiesandcommunitieslocally.Thesefunds willhelptoenhancetheimportantwork Depauldoestosupportthoseexperiencing homelessnessinNorthernIrelandandacross Ireland.
“UnderpinningCiti’sethosof‘livinglocally, workingglobally,’theCitiBelfastteamhave beeninspiredbyDepaul’sworkandhave proudlycommittedtofurtherstrengthening our relationshipthroughaddedvolunteer support.
CitiBelfastiscommittedtoinvesting inlocalcommunities,workingtocatalyse positivesocialimpact.NorthernIreland’s largestfinancialservicesemployer,Citihas continuouslyworkedtoensurethatcompany policiesarealignedwithbestpractice, workplacesareaccessibleandwelcoming,and thattheircultureenablespeopletocometo workastheirauthenticself.
ThroughinitiativeslikeCiti’sGlobal CommunityDay,Citicolleagues,friends, family,alumni,communitypartnersandclients haveservedmorethan5.5millionvolunteer hoursacrossover90countriesandterritories inover450cities,withover325CitiBelfast volunteerscontributingover1500hoursto benefitlocalcharitiesandworthyorganisations acrossNorthernIrelandin2024.
Thevolunteeringevents,connectionsmade andstoriessharedeachyearareacelebration ofthepositiveimpactthatcanbemadewhen individualsandorganisationsleveragetheir time,skillsandtalent. ■
Formoreinformationvisitwww.citigroup.com/ globalandsearch‘GlobalInnovationChallenge’.
DavidCarrollofDepaul withCitiBelfastsite headPeterHolden
FD Technologies agrees to sell First Derivative for£230m AnAmericancompanyhasacquiredtheNewryfoundedconsultingbusinessFirstDerivative. James McNaney takesalookatthedeal,exploringwhereit willnowplaceitsfocusandambitionsforgrowth
FD Technologieshasagreedtosellits consultingbusinessFirstDerivative for£230mtoanAmericanfrm.
Thedealwas repletewithbest-known namesintheSquareMile:Rothschild&Co,JP MorganandInvestecbank.
Thecompany’sfrstbusinesspartner,when itwasfoundedasFirstDerivatives,wasthe NewryCreditUnion,whoprovideda£5,000 loan.
Evenifhewasuncommonlyoptimistic,the lateBrianConloncouldhardlyhavepredicted thenthatjustonesliceofhisnewenterprise wouldbeworth46,000timesthemoneyhe borrowed.
EPAMSystemsisanAmericansoftwarefrm whichhaslocationsonfvecontinents.
FD Technologiessaythesalewillcreate “synergiesforKX”,theportionofthe companytheywillnowfocuson.
FirstDerivativeprovidesconsultingservices forcapitalmarkets,andhasaround1,670staff basedinmultiplecountries,aswellasitsbase inNewry.
ItisasubsidiarycompanyoftheFD TechnologiesGroup,whichalsoownsKX.The parentcompanyispubliclylistedonAIM,the LondonStockExchange’smarketfor“small andmediumsizegrowthcompanies”.
Thedealisexpectedtobecompletedinthe fourthquarterofthisyearandissubjectto approvalbyshareholders.
Thedivestmenthadbeenplannedforsome time,withthesplitwithKXbeingpartofthe movetowardsasale.
Speakingtothisnewspaperyesterday,FD
TechnologieschiefexecutiveSeamusKeating saidtheannouncement represents“the achievementofthethingswesetout”.
“Weareverypleasedwiththetransaction. We thinkEPAMisagreatbuyerandgreat ownerforthebusinessgoingforward,”he said.
“TheyseeFirstDerivative’scapabilityand knowledgearoundcapitalmarkets,theriskof the regulatoryenvironment,theclients,they seeallthatskillandknowledgehelpingto drivegreatersoftwareengineeringwork.”
Thecompany’sbottomlinehasworsened inthepasttwoyears.Itmadepre-taxlosses of£400,000and£7.7min2022and2023 respectively.
Markets respondedwelltothenewsofthe divestment.Thecompany’ssharepriceonAIM
atthecloseofbusinessonFridayhadbeen £16.12.
Afterwordofthesalespreadyesterday morning,thepricejumpedtoahighof £17.62,beforesettlingdownat£17.10.
Ifitwastostabilisenearthatprice,itwould representa12-monthhighforthecompany’s fortunesonthemarket,havingpreviously fallenaslowas£8.12lastOctober.
MrKeatingsaidthatthefrmwantedto reorientitselftofocusonthedataanalytics workdonebygroupcompanyKX.
Hesaid:“Goingforward,we’vegotthe clarityoffocusthatisthestandalonebusiness, withadequatecapitaltodeliverontheplans thatwe’vesetoutoverthelastcoupleof years.”
MrKeatingacknowledgedthattherewillbe change,asthebusinessgoesfrombeingone “withanumberofdifferentoperations,spread betweenconsultingandsoftware”toone
Seamus Keating
thatis“very,veryfocusedonthehigh-growth softwarebusiness”.
ButthedecisiontofocusonKXisarisk,as thenow-soldFirstDerivativebusinessforms themajorityofthegroup’sincome.
Ofthe£248.9mof revenuethegroup broughtinduringthelastaccountingperiod, £169.7m,oraround68%,camefromthem.
TheupdateissuedyesterdaydescribedKXas havingthe“largestvaluecreationpotential”.
ByturningtheirfocustoKX,thecompany hopestomakeitcashgenerative,aswellasto growitintargetmarkets.
KXhasincorporatedAIintoitsoffering, givingclientsthechanceto“transformintoan AI-frstorganisation”,anddescribesitsproduct as“anAI-readyanalyticsplatform”.
ThepotentialofAIhasdrivenhugeamounts ofinvestmentaroundtheworldinthepast18 months,andturnedcompanieslikeNvidiainto someofthemostvaluablestocksaround.
However,doubts remainabouttheuse-cases ofAI,andthepathfromthecurrentlossmaking realityofthetechnologyintogenuine productivitygainsin real-worldwork.
MrKeatingwaskeentostressthatKX’s businessisnotsolelybasedaroundAIto becomeproftable.
“BeforeanyoftheAIhype,wewere deliveringimportantandbigvalueto customers,givingthemtheabilitytoget massesofdata,differentsourcesofdata, historicdata,plusstreamingdata,allofthat,” hesaid.
“SoIguesswe’vebeendoingallthatbefore generativeAIstarted18monthsago.There’s noshortageofdemandforthat.
“Howdoweseeourgrowthaccelerating? Aswe’vesetoutthatit’snotaboutsomething newandshiny.
“It’sactuallycontinuingtodothethings thatwe’vealwaysdonewellforcustomers;
makeiteasierforthemtouseourtechnology, easierforthemtogettovaluequickly,deliver oncloudplatforms,anddeliverontheirown premises.”
FirstDerivativeisalodestarinNorthern Ireland’sbusinessworld,nomoresothanin thecitywhereitwasfounded.
Newryisstillakeylocationforacompany thathasanincreasinglyglobalcharacter. Whenaskedifyesterday’snewsimpactedthe commitmenttothecity,MrKeatingstressed the“opportunities”createdforalllocationsby thedeal.
“Wehavegreatpocketsofsignifcantskills. Thoseoffces,Newryincluded,wherewe havebeenandcontinuetodeliverhigh-value servicestocustomerslocally.
“Giventhatthistransactionisaboutgrowth everywhere,itsimplymeansthatthereisan opportunitytogrowthosepocketsofskills morequickly,toexpandthem.”
HeaddedthatEPAMwastakingover propertiesinNewryandBelfast,which hedescribedasa“goodindicationofthe importanceoftheskillbaseinNorthernIreland forthefuturegrowthplans”.
InvestecBankisactingasanadviserand brokerforFD Technologiesinthesale,while GoodbodyStockbrokersUCisactingasajoint corporatebrokerandEuronextGrowthadviser forthesaleofFirstDerivativetoEPAM.
BalazsFejes,presidentofglobalbusiness andchief revenueoffceratEPAM,said: “BringingtogethertheFirstDerivativebusiness andEPAMmarksthebeginningofadistinctive enterprisethatwillnotonlyenhancevaluefor ourclients,butalsofostersubstantialgrowth opportunitiesforourteams.
“Leveragingtheirstrongbusinessand technologyservicesheritage,especiallyin capitalmarkets,allowsustoexpandour fnancialservicessolutionsportfoliotoour clients,whoneedtoevolveandscaletheir digitalecosystems,gaingreaterdatainsights andenhanceoperationswhileminimisingrisks andmaintaining regulatorycompliance.
“Andweareenthusiasticaboutenhancing ourpartnershipwithKX,focusingsignifcant resourcestostrengthenthiscollaboration.”
MICHAELHENDERSON CHIEFEXECUTIVE, NIFOOD TO GOASSOCIATION
Howdidyougetstartedintheindustry? Istartedinthefood-to-goindustry10years agowhenItookonthe roleofNorthern Ireland regionalmanageratJustEat.During thistime,Igainedinvaluableinsightintothe challengesandopportunitiesfacedbysmall, independentfoodbusinesses.One recurring themeIheardfromownerswastheuniversal concernofnothavingadequatesupportor acollectivevoiceto representtheirinterests. Recognisingthisgap,Idecidedtotakeaction andcreatetheNorthernIreland Takeaway Association,whichistodayknownasthe NorthernIrelandFood To GoAssociation.
Thisorganisationwasdesignedtoprovide aplatformforsmallbusinessestoaccess resources,sharetheirchallenges,andhave theirvoicesheard.Overtheyears,we’ve growntobecomeavitalsupportnetwork, advocatingforindustryimprovements,offering guidance,andhelpingbusinessesnavigate regulatorychangesandmarkettrends.Our mission remainstoensurethatthefoodto gosectorinNorthernIrelandthrives,and thatsmallbusinessescancompeteonalevel playingfieldwithlargerplayers,ensuringthey areequippedwiththetoolsand representation theyneedtosucceed.
Typically,whoareyourclientsor customers?
We aretheofficialtradeassociationforthe food-to-goindustryofNorthernIreland, representingfast-foodtakeaways,delis/cafés, coffeebars,cateringtrucks,andbakeries. With astrongmembershipbaseofover900,we
Entrepreneur ofthe Month activelypromoteindustrystandards,advocate forourmembers,andprovidevaluable resourcestohelpbusinessesthrive. Ourmissionistosupportinnovation,foster collaboration,anddrivegrowthwithinthis dynamicsector,ensuringthatNorthern Ireland’sfood-to-goindustry remains competitive,sustainable,andsuccessful. We workcloselywithgovernmentbodies, suppliers,andindustryleaderstoensure ourmembersbenefitfromthelatest trends, regulations,andopportunities.Our motto,‘Unite,Support,Grow’ reflectsour commitmenttobringingtogetherdiverse businesses,providingessentialsupport, andmaintainingsustainablegrowthwithin NorthernIreland’sfood-to-goindustry.
Doyouenjoywhatyoudo,andwhatin particular?
WhatIenjoymostaboutmypositionis gettingtomeetandsupportpeoplefrom differentbackgroundsandcultures. Watching thefoodtogoindustrystarttogrowand gain recognitionatawiderlevelafteravery challengingfewyearsisincredibly rewarding. It’sinspiringtoseethe resilienceandcreativity ofbusinessowners,andbeingpartoftheir journeygivesmeimmensesatisfaction.Seeing theirhardworkpayoffandcontributetothe localeconomyissomethingItakegreatpride in.
Whatisthemostdifficultpartofyourjob?
Themostdifficultpartofour rolehasbeen getting recognitionforoursmallfood businessesinNorthernIrelandanduniting anindustrywithmanydiversecultural backgrounds.Balancingtheuniqueneeds ofeachbusinesswhilecreatingasenseof sharedidentityandcollaborationhasbeen challenging.Overcomingbarrierssuchas limited resources,differing regulations,and raisingawarenessaboutthevaluethese businessesbringtothelocaleconomy requires ongoingadvocacy,communication,and support.
Whatarethechallengesfacingyoursector andtheeconomyingeneral?
Theincreasingcostoflivingcrisiscontinuesto hurtoursmallbusinesses.Theyarepayingthe highestbusinessratesintheUK,facingenergy priceincreasesofover300%inthelastthree years,andgrapplingwithrisingfoodcosts. Thesefactorshaveforcedmanybusinessesto close,whileothersare reluctantlyincreasing pricesjusttosurvive.
Additionally, recruitmentandtraining remain majorissueswithinourindustry,withmany storescurrentlyoperatingunderstaffed.In response,weestablishedtheNorthernIreland Food To Go Training&Recruitmentservice, whichhassuccessfullyplacedover200people injust16months. ■
Whyadiverse workforceisgood forbusiness PavelBarter speaks totheexpertsonwhy equality,diversity andinclusioninthe workplaceisnotjustthe rightthingtodo,it’sthe smartthingtodo
Workenvironmentsarenotalways hospitableplacesforemployees withneurodiverseconditions likeADHDorautismbutExploristics,a biotechnologycompanyfounded15years agoinBelfast,saysithasalwaysgone outofitswaytocaterforpeoplewith additionalneeds.
FrancesDenny,headofbusinessoperations atthefrm,offerstheexampleofone neurodiverseemployeewhofeltuncomfortable inhispreviousworkenvironment.Exploristics notonlygavetheemployeeaforumto openlyexpresshimselfandhisneeds,butthe companyallowedhimtowork remotelyona fulltimebasis.
“Ultimatelythebusinessfeelsthebeneft ofthat,”Francessays.“It’satwo-waystreet becauseyou’recreatingasenseofloyalty. You’rehelpingtheemployeeratherthan workingagainstthem.Idon’tthinkwe wouldbeanywherewithoutourEDI(equality, diversityandinclusion)initiativestobehonest. Ithelpsusworkasateamandinturnworks wellforourclients.”
Accordingto researchfromHRDive,aUS recruitmentwebsite,companiesthatprioritise EDIare12timesmorelikelytoengageand retainemployeesand8.5timesmorelikely tosatisfyand retaincustomers.Thisisnota boxtickingexercise,insistsChristineWhite, directorofDiversityMark,says.“Countless globalacademicstudieshaveshownthatthisis morethansimplytherightthingtodo.Itisthe smartthingtodo.”
Thiswaspartofthemessageatthe inauguralDiversityMarkSummitinOctober, 2024.Over300businessanddiversity leadersgatheredinBelfasttodiscussways inwhichmorebusinessesaroundNImight creatediverseandinclusiveworkplaces.
“Theevidenceisgrowingthatamore inclusiveeconomyisalsoabetterperforming economy,”EconomyMinisterConorMurphy, whoattendedtheevent,said.
AchievingEDIwithinaworkenvironment isnotaneasytask,though,particularlyforan SMElikeExploristics.“Youareconstrainedin somewayscomparedtobiggerorganizations, butyoudoitbecauseyouknowyouneedto doitforthebusiness,”Francessays.
ButevenlargerorganisationslikeNIE Networks,whichhas1,600employeesand servicesover910,000customersaround NorthernIrelandayear,mustworkhard tomeetitsEDItargets.Whatifthereisan imbalanceofdiversitywithinanorganisation andashortageofapplicantsforjobstocorrect
thisposition?EDIshouldbeaboutchanging perceptionsoutsideanorganisationaswell aswithinit,believesPaulaLeathem,head ofhuman resourcesatNIE.“Wetrytofocus onouroutreachprogrammesandother initiatives.”
ExploristicsandNIENetworksareboth accreditedbyDiversityMark,which recognises abusiness’sEDIcommitments.“Weask organisationstodeveloptheirowntargets andinitiatives,”ChristineWhitesays. “Organisations receivedetailedfeedbackfrom ourpanelofexperts.Ifthereisaparticular areatheywanttofocuson–forexample,race orethnicity–weintroducethemtoanother organisationthataremaybefveyearsdown thelineontheirEDIjourney.Thereisalotof
peersupportforbusinessesinvolved.”
DiversityMark recognisesmultipleareasof differencewithinworkenvironments:ethnic background,age,gender,disability,sexual orientation,etc. WithinNorthernIrelandwhere manufacturingisacoreindustrythegender gapisaglaringissueandmenoutnumber womeninSTEMsubjectsbythreetoone. “VeryfewgirlsgoontostudySTEM related qualifcationstothepointofemployment,” Christinesays.
Butthatischanging.“Manufacturing companiespredominantly[inthepast]had mendoingheavyworkandheavyliftingbut roboticsandautomationarechangingthat perception.”
CompaniessuchasExploristicsarepaving
theway.Atthebiotechnologycompany, 56%ofteammembersarewomenand 60%ofthosefemalemembersareat middlemanagementlevelandabove.“For us,it’salwaysabouttherightpersonfor the role, regardlessofgender,”Frances says.“We’vetriedto removebarriersand createopportunitiesforpeopletomoveinto managementpositionsthatmaybedidn’texist before.”
NIENetworkshasbeen“heavilyinvolved” inpromotinggenderdiversityformanyyears andwontheSpecial AwardforDiversityand InclusionattheDepartmentforEconomy(DfE) Apprenticeship Awards2023.“TheDiversity Markaccreditationgaveusawider,broader structuretolookatalltheareasin relationto
age,disability,gender,LGBTQ+,ethnicity.”
DiversityMarkaccreditedbusinessescreate employeegroupsinordertoforgeagreater awarenessaroundinclusivity.Thesemight includegroupsforwomenintechnology, LGBTQ+colleagues,carersandmental healthsupportteams.NIENetworkshasa programmeofpoliciesaimedatpromotingand safeguardingafairandinclusiveworkplace andithasnetworksandinitiativesto encouragestaff.
NIE’selectricitythemed resourcegroups includeSparkUnity(anethnicitygroup), EmpoweredAbilities(adisabilitygroup),Pride Connect(LGBTQ+)andEqualEnergy(gender). Thesegroupsarenotonlyaboutcreating employeeinclusionwithinacompany,they>
canalsohelpinformthedirectionabusiness istaking:changingpolicy,strategy,and improvingoperationalperformance.
DiversityMark,aspartofitsaccreditation process,examinesEDIatdifferentlevels withinabusiness.“Ourassessorsencourage organisationstoidentifyanypotentialbarriers [todiversity].
Forexample,thereisoftenastereotypical boardcompositionmadeupofmenofa certainage,”ChristineWhitesays.Research fromMcKinsey,aUSconsultingfrm,suggests thatorganisationswithdiverseleadership teamsare39%“morelikelytooutperform basedonproftability”.Thereislogictothis. “Ifwe’reall robotsandinthesamemould[a business]isnotgoingtowork,”PaulaLeathem ofNIENetworkssays.“Youneedinnovation, differentvoicesaroundthetableandpeople thatthinkdifferently.”
AcultureofEDIallowsabusinesstoattract
talentfromawiderpoolofcandidates, accordingtoitsproponents.AndrewMills,a statistician,saysthisiswhatattractedhimto workatExploristics.
“Ifthereisabarriertoentryintoacompany, orifyoufeelthatsomekindofdifference mightimpacthowthecompanydictates yourperformance,whywouldyoutowant toworkthere?”Furthermore,ifaclientsees themselves refectedinanorganisationthenan EDIattitudecantobettercustomerexperience. DiversityMarkdoesappeartobemaking animpact.Organisationsthatjoinedthe programmehaveseena40%increasein womeninleadership roleswithintheirfrst 12months.Butthereisalong roadahead. “Weareseeingthedialmovingintermsof theorganisationsonboardbutthereare thousandsmorethatdon’tgetityet.Our nextphaseistothinkabouttheSMEmarket andsupportandenablethemtogoonthis journey,”ChristineWhitesays.
Atthe recentDiversityMarkSummit, TimSoutphommasane,headofEDIat OxfordUniversity,talkedaboutthepolitical polarisationthathasledtoabacklashto EDI.IncidentsofracialhatredinNorthern Irelandduring2024alsoharmedthe region’s reputation.Thereisasocialimperativeto EDIwithintheworkplace,believesChristine. “Workplacesarehelpingtobringaboutmore understandingandempathyforthosethat maybearenewcomerstoNI.”
Ultimately,EDImakesbusinesssense.“It’s veryclearthatcompanieswhohaveadiverse workforcearestronger,”Susan Walker,who leadstheequality,diversityandinclusion strategyforAllstateinNorthernIreland, says.“They’remore resilienttomarketforces becausetheyhaveadiversegroupofpeople lookingatthebusiness.They’remoreattuned toriskmitigation.Whenyouhaveagroupof like-mindedpeoplelookingatabusinessinthe samehomogenousway,theydon’thavethe same readinessof resilience.” ■
STAF F& WORK PL AC
PaulaLeathem ofNIENetworks
ChristineWhite ofDiversityMark
Moy Park becomesNI’s first£2bn company ByMargaretCanning
PoultrygiantMoyParkhasbecome NorthernIreland’sfirst£2bn company.
Salesatthefirmbrokethe£2bn,according toitslatestaccounts.
Andpre-taxprofitsmorethanquadrupled atthefoodbusiness,thebiggestprivate sectorcompanyinNorthernIreland,rising from£18.7mto£70.3min2023.Butthe annual reportandfinancialstatements for2023,whichhavejustbeenfiledat CompaniesHouse,showtheworkforce declinedfrom9,619to8,978overtheyear–adropof641,ornearly7%.
MoyParksuppliespoultryproductsto retailersandfoodserviceprovidersaroundthe UK,IrelandandEurope.Italsomakesbeef andporkproducts,vegetarianfoodsand desserts.
ThebusinessisheadquarteredinCraigavon andhasbeenpartofUSfoodgiant,Pilgrim’s Pride,since2017.It’snowincludedina newly-createdEuropeandivision.
ResultsforlimitedcompanyMoyPark Holdings(Europe)coveractivitiesacross12 facilitiesinNorthernIreland,England,France andtheNetherlands.
Speakingto UlsterBusiness earlierthisyear, directorJustinColemansaidhebelievedthe firmwasoncoursetocrackthe£2bnmark.
IvanSiqueira,presidentofPilgrim’sEurope, said:“We’reproudtobeNorthernIreland’s first£2bn+companyaswegetbackontrack topre-Covidlevelsacrossthebusiness.
“SincebringingtogetherMoyPark,Pilgrim’s FoodMastersandPilgrim’sUKunderthe Pilgrim’sEuropestructureearlierthisyear,we havetakenfurtherstepstodriveoperational excellencetobecomeamorecustomerfocused,efficientorganisation.
“Thesemoveshave reinforcedourabilityto returntoprofitablegrowthinpartnershipwith keycustomers.”
Hethanked“customers,teammembers, farmersandpartners”fortheirsupport towards reachingthe£2bnsalesmilestone.
Thecompanypaybilldeclinedfrom £325.1mto£316.5m,andthehighest-paid director received£1.6m.
Ofits£2.04bnturnover,whichwasup9% on2022,£1.5bninsalescamefromtheUK andIreland,with£585mgeneratedinthe rest ofEurope.
ThecompanysaidthatbeingpartofNorth America’sPilgrim’sPrideGroupprovidedgreat opportunitiestodeliverfurthergrowthand
operationalefficiency Inastrategic reportfiledwiththeaccounts, thecompanysaidithadseensustainable growthacrossitsfreshproducts, retailpreparedfoodandfoodservicechannels.
“Withanexperiencedmanagementteam, astrongproductportfolio,awell-invested assetbaseanda robustfinancialposition,we remainconfidentinthecontinuedsuccess anddevelopmentofthebusiness,”itsaid.
Butitsaidmuchofitscostsweredown toingredientsusedinfoodproduction, whichcanbeaffectedbyglobalsupplyand demand,weatherpatternsandgovernment policies.
“Thegroupmonitorsfeedpricecarefully, takingadvicefromexpertcommoditytraders andusingforwardpurchasingagreements tomanagetheimpactofadverseprice movementswhenappropriateandwhere possible.“
Itsaidthatovertheyear,ithadmademajor improvementsbyfocusingonoperational improvementsandsecuringcontractswith keycustomers.
“MoyPark’stradingmodelsandcustomer negotiations,togetherwithcommodity deflationtowardstheendof2023,off-set higherlabourcosts,”itsaid. ■
JustinColeman, directoratMoyPark
Wind-poweraims ‘ambitious’ but Republic ‘on track and targets willbemet’ ‘Somereallygoodsteps’havebeentakentoembracerenewableenergy,and BudgetIrelandheadingina‘positivedirection’, TJHunter,Orsted’ssenior directorofonshorefortheUKandIrelandtells CaoimheGordon
I’vebeenfortunate tohave a career thathasalwaysbeencentred inCork,” TJHunter, Orsted’s seniordirectorof onshore fortheUKandIreland,tellsme.
Itis a Thursdayafternooninthecentre of Corkcityandwemeetin a conference room inOrsted’s Irishbase.The room,locatedinthe ffthfooroffce,offersus a viewovertheRiver Lee.
MrHunterisopenabouthisloveofworking inhishomecounty “Alotofpeopletendtotry tostickaroundCorkandiftheygoaway, they tendtocomeback,”hesayswith a smile.
HisCVtodateincludes a stintdesigning aircraftseatsandoverheadlinesbefore
hefoundhimselfmovingintheworldof renewables.
“Windenergyseemedverynicheforan industrythatwasbuiltupontryingtotransition fromcoalbutintogasandotherthingslike that,”hesays.“Itwasveryinterestingandvery excitingandfastmovinganditjustfeltlikeyou were partof a change.”
In2021,Orsted,theDanishenergygroup, purchasedCork-headquarteredBrookfeld RenewableIreland,where MrHunterwasthen chiefoperatingoffcerfortheUKandIreland.
Brookfeld’s windfarmassetshadpreviously beenacquiredin2014fromBGE, a subsidiary ofBord Gáis.Followingthe2021deal,Mr
Huntermovedintohiscurrent role,overseeing Orsted’s onshore businessinboththeUKand Ireland.
“Eachmarkethassimilarbutsubtlydifferent challenges,”hesays.“Howyouinteractwith thelandowner, howyougetyourplanning, howyougetyourgridconnection,whatyour routetomarketwillbeandthenhowyou operateitontheotherside.”
Orstedcurrentlyoperatesanonshore-wind portfolioof378megawattsinIreland,which isenoughtopower246,000homeshere, accordingtothecompany Duringthesummer, thebusinessalsostartedconstructiononits frstsolarfarminIreland,whilethegroupalso
develops,buildsandoperatesoffshore wind farms.
“We’venearly400megawattsoperatingin Irelandfromtoptobottom.Somedaysyou’re lookingatourturbinesintheNorthandupin Donegal reallyturningandgeneratinggreat andyou’re lookingatturbinesinKerrythat aren’t doing a wholepile,right?
“Youmayget a weatherfrontcomingfrom somewhere thatwillgeneratehere andnot there.Similarly, youwillseethesunshiningand lowwindandsolaris reallyimportant,”hesays.
Solarenergybecomesmore of a focus duringthesummerwhenwindsare low, Mr Huntersays.
“Datacentresneedcoolinginthesummer sothey’re quiteenergyhungryduringthat timeoftheyear,”heoffersasanexample. Thegrowingenergydemandsofartifcial intelligenceare also a factor Thegrouphas a totalof24advancedoroperationalprojects inIreland,butMrHuntersaysthere isnoideal number Hismindisfocusedinsteadonthe Governmenttargets.
“IrelandInchastohitninegigawattof onshore wind, a gigawattofsolarandfve gigawattsofoffshore windby2030and that’s justonestepinthejourneytowards decarbonisationandnetzero,”hesays.
MrHunterisconfdent.Whilethetargets are “ambitious”,hesaystheywillbemet. However, giventhelifetimeof a projectinthe renewableenergyspace,2030is“borderingon rear-viewmirror”.
“Youhavetodoyourstudies,youhaveto get a planningapplicationtogether, that’lltake a coupleofyears.Thenyouneedyourgrid. Thenyouneedtogooutandengageallyour consultants,engagewhoisgoingtoprovide yourturbinesoryourpanels,”hesays.
Inordertochoose a location,hesaysthe companyconsidersconstraints,including proximitytohomesandto a gridconnection. Foroffshore projects,there’s evenmore to ponder
“You’re lookingatseabedsandyou’re lookingatwhatdepthisthat,”hesays “Someoneissayingtoyou,welltheNorthSea behavesdifferentlytotheAtlanticortheIrish Seabecause,youknow, thewavesare bigger Andyou’re going‘isthat a thing?Isthat important?’Itisbecauseyounowneedtoget a boattotheturbinesonowweneed a different designofboat,”headds.
Forsolar, thisentire process – fromplanning toenergygeneration – couldtakefveyears, whileonshore windcouldbearoundseven,he estimates.Offshore windprojectshaveproven tobethelengthiestataround a decade,he adds.
“We havetobelookingatwhatweare doingin2035,2040and2050,”hesays.
Whilethere are certainchallenges,Mr Hunterhasexperiencedinprogressingprojects todate,hehasnoticedsomeimprovements overthepast18months.
“Irelandhasmadesome really, really goodstepsafterwhatI’dcallmaybequite a considerablefallowperiodin reallytryingto embracewhat renewableenergyneedsinorder tobedelivered.”
Hesaysthe recentBudgetshows a “positive direction”followingplansforincreased investmentinEirgrid.
Around€750mwillbeinvestedinthe developmentoftheIrishelectricitygrid.
“Ithinkthatthere hasbeen a probleminour transmissionsystemthathasbeenfaggedfor manyyearsandit’s reached a criticalpointin thelastfewyears,”hesays.
“Idon’t wanttosingleoutdatacentres because,youknow, there’s plentyofother industryinIrelandthatare strugglingtosecure a connection,right?
“Sothisisnot a datacentre issue,thisis anIrelandindustrialissueandit’s onethatwe really, reallyneedtogetontopof.”
Headdsthatthecompanyhasalsonoted improvementsduringtheplanningphasesof projects.
“We’veseenstepsbeingmadetotryto makeamendsto a planningprocesswiththe newPlanningandDevelopmentAct,”hesays. There hasalsobeenanincreasein resourcesat AnBord Pleanála,whichhasbeenhelpful.
“Theseare biginfrastructuralprojects, biginfrastructuralproblems,”hecontinues. “We have a resourcehere thatwehavethe opportunitytouseandwehaveindustrythatis tryingtouseit. We needtojointhosedots.”
Healsothinksthecompany’s locationin Irelandmakessense.“From a renewables perspective,Corkhasbeenstellarwhenyou lookattheotherorganisationsthatare located here andwhatwe’re doingtodrivethisenergy transition.
“IthaseasieraccessthanDublinintermsof gettinginandoutof a city, itissmallerbutit’s stillgrowing.There’s housinghere at a price levelthatisn’t attheelevatedlevelsinDublin,” hesays.
MrHuntergesturesbehindhimtothecity below
“It’s been a veryinteresting20yearsfor Cork. We canlookoutsidethewindoworeven thebuildingthatwe’re intoseetheprogress thathasbeenmade.” ■
Lidlishostinganewwine sensoryexperience
Lidlunveilsnew Belfast wine tasting experience in the dark GermandiscounterLidlhasunveiled a new‘sensory’experiencewhich willseewinebuffstastingin completedarkness.
Itsnew VinoSensoriawillseeguestsbeing “treatedto a fullsensoryexperience”,hosted byLidlNorthern Ireland’s masterofwine, Richard Bampfeld.
Thepop-upwilltakeplaceatBelfastExposed atDonegallStreetinthecitycentre,from November22to24.
“Guestswillexperiencetheshockandthrills ofthe‘Discombobulator’where senseswill beheightenedasbuddingwineenthusiasts embarkon a journeytodeconstructthe experienceofvisuallyappraisingwinesand engagein a scentsafarithatwilltantalisethe senses,”itsays.
“Movingtotheshadowsofthe Tasting Room,guestswillbeplungedintodarkness and a worldwhere tastebudsare tingledand perceptionschallenged.Guestswillsiptheir waythrough a carefullycuratedcollectionof sparkling, red,whiteand roséwinebyLidl
Northern Ireland,guidedbyRichard Bampfeld, whilesubmergedcompletelyindarkness.”
Itsaystheexperienceculminatesinthe ‘Lumina’ room,where winesare revealedand visitorscanselecttheirfavouritetippletoenjoy “Theaimof VinoSensoriaistodispelsome ofthemythssurroundingthebuyingand servingofwine,”Richard Bampfeldsaid.
“Bytastingintotaldarknesswithno distractions,tasterscanconcentratefully onthewineintheglassand reach a better understandingoftheirowntastesandpalate.
“Guestswillleavefeelinginspired,challenged andtheirtastebuds reawakened.Andwith a new-foundappreciationofhighqualitywine selectionsthatwon’t breakthebank”.
Ticketsfortheeventare nowavailable online.
Meanwhile,Lidlhasnowannounced a net zero commitmentby2050.
The retailer, whichhas42storesacross Northern Ireland,saysitis“signifcantly intensifyingitscommitmenttosustainable businesspracticesandclimatemitigationas
partofitsinternational‘ABetter Tomorrow’ sustainabilitystrategy”.
“Lidliscommittedtonet-zero by2050 acrossallbusinessunitsandsupplychains. To date,ithasalready recorded a 17% reduction ingreenhousegasemissionsinNorthern Ireland(comparedto2019)aspartofLidl’s commitmentto reduceoperationalemissionby 46%by2030.”
Ivan Ryan, regionalmanagingdirectorforLidl inNorthern Ireland,saysthattheorganisation remains“frmlycommitted”tooffering customersacrossNorthern Irelandproductsat affordablepricesthatare inlinewithitsclimate targets.
“Lidlhasalreadymadesignifcantprogress inclimatemitigationinNorthern Irelandand weare committedtodoingmuchmore inthe comingyears,”hesaid.
“Climatechangeisoneofthegreatest challengesofourtimebut,withambitious goalsanddeterminedaction,weare takingon thistaskandplayingour roleinbeingpartof thesolution.” ■
CH RI ST MA S PL AN NER UlsterBusiness takesalookatwhatevents,menusand specialstaysarehappeningacrosssomeofourleading hotelsandhospitalityvenues
Whilemuchoftheattentionwill bedrawntotheplethoraof Christmasmenus,overnight staysandSantaClaus-relatedexperiences –therearealsoeventstakingplacefora goodcausethisfestiveseason.
LarchfeldEstatewillhostitsChristmas intheBarnwiththeKinnairdsevent.The event,whichtakesplaceonNovember4-5, willshowcasesome50stalls–fromfood, tocraftsandartwork–alongsidedrinksand nibbles,raisingmoneythroughdonations. ThisyearthosedonationswillgototheDSM Foundation.
“Wehopetobeabletoraiseenoughto givethemaspringboardintolaunchingtheir incredibleworkhereinNorthernIreland,”the venuehassaid.
ForthoseaftersomeChristmasfood,many ofourleadinghotelshaveawideselectionof experiencesonoffer.
ThatincludestheGalgorm,whichishosting itschildren’slunchfor£25.95ahead,which includesagiftfromSanta.
There’salsoa‘Santa Weekend’,which includesafestivelunchbeforehoppingaboard theGalgormExpresswherechildrencanvisit Santainhisenchantedgrotto.
Alongsidefestiveafternoonteaand Christmasmenus,there’salsothe‘Winter Wonderland’–whichseesvisitorsenjoying atwo-nightstayandarangeoffood experiences,startingonChristmasEveand endingwithbreakfastonBoxingDay.It’s pricedfrom£785perpersonsharingand£250 forachildunder12.
Elsewhere,TheMerchantHotelhasawide rangeofeventsandChristmasexperienceson offer.
Thatincludesafestivespinonitstraditional afternoontea–inthebackdropoftheGreat RoomRestaurant.
Forthosewishingtoforgothecookingon thebigdayitself,TheMerchantoffersamulticourselunch.Thatincludescanapes,anamuse bouche,starters,suchasconftduckterrine, maincourse,dessert,cheese,teaandcoffee, andmincepies
Thelunchcomesinat£345foranadultand £200forachildunder12.
TenSquare,locatedjustbehindBelfastCity Hall,hasarangeofeventsthisChristmas. ThatincludesChristmaspartynights,along witharangeofmenusacrossbothitsJospers RestaurantandLoftBar.
Outsideofthecityandupthe roadnotfar fromAntrim,theDunadryhasaselectionof Christmas-themedmenusonoffer.
ThatincludesaChristmasmenu–two coursesfor£33andthreefor£40–alongwith a‘ChristmasCrackerPartNight’,comprising ofafour-coursemealandanight’sstayfrom £48ahead.
Belfast’sTheEuropa,likemanyofHastings Hotelsvenues,hasahostofdifferent Christmas-relatedeventson.
ThatincludesitsDineandDisco–which includesameal,aDJanddiscoevening,for £45ahead,whiletherearealsoCabaret Lunchesforsimilarmoney.
TheEuropaalsohostsFestivePartyNights, offeringupa“sumptuousfeast”alongsidelive music.
There’salsoaplethoraofotherChristmas fare,includingFestiveAfternoon Teaanda ChristmasDay“grandbuffet”lunch,for£145 ahead,£85forchildren,whileunder3sgo free.
HastingsHotels’GrandCentralalsohasa rangeofChristmasfoodonoffer,including diningattheSeahorse restaurantorGrand Café,alongwithfestiveafternoonteaoptions, andChristmasEveandChristmasDaydining.
It’salsomarketingstaysovertheChristmas
periodfrom£200anight,includingbedand breakfast.
Novelli’sattheACHotelintheharbourarea ofBelfastoffersupafewdifferentChristmas menusthisyear.
Thatincludesalunchfrom£39ahead, dinnerfrom£49alongsidea‘Titanic View’ diningexperience,withthreecoursescoming inat£55ahead.
There’salsoaChristmasEvebrunchfor£25 ahead,whichincludesaglassofsomething
fzzyonarrival.
Elsewhere,the TitanicHotelhasarange ofdiningoffersonthroughouttheChristmas season,includingaChristmasDayorBoxing Daylunch.
There’salsoaSantaexperience,with childrenpresentedahandpickedgiftwrapped upbySanta’selves.Seasonalcuisinewillbe enjoyedinthesurroundingsofThe WolffGrill restaurant.
Forsomeentertainmentduringthefestive
period,theUlsterHallishostingitsChristmas byCandlelightonDecember10.
Itsaysa“spectacular WestEndcastand incrediblelivebandperformyourfavourite ChristmasHits,asyouhaveneverheardthem before.
Itfeaturessing-alongclassicssuchasWhite Christmas,LetItSnow!LetItSnow!LetIt Snow!,SantaBaby,OHolyNightand Winter Wonderland.
TitanicBelfastwillalsoplayhosttoavisit
fromFatherChristmasaspartofitsMagical ChristmasExperience.
“VisitMrsClausinhercosykitchentohear Christmastales,stopbythebustlingpostoffce towriteandpostyourChristmasletterand peekintothetoyshopwheretheElveshave beenhardatwork,beforelettingyourcreative juicesfowwithsomeartsandcrafts.”
Youcanwrapuptheeveningbyhavingyour namecheckedoffthe‘naughtyornice’listby thechiefelf. ■
Belfast-basedITfrm sees 60% profts rise OneofNorthern Ireland’s biggest ITemployershas reported a 60% jumpinpre-taxproftsto reach £10.1min2023.
LibertyIT, partofLibertyMutualInsurance inBoston,also recorded11%growthin turnoverto£72.7minaccountsfor2023 whichhavejustbeenpublished.
Thebusiness,whichprovidesITservices andsoftware developmenttotheFortune 100insurancegiant,openeditsBelfastoffce in1997.LibertyMutualoperatesmainlyin NorthAmerica.
TurnoveratLibertyIT, basedatAdelaide ExchangeinBelfast,hadincreasedfrom £65.7min2022,whilepre-taxproftswere upfrom£6.4m.
Operatingproftsclimbedfrom£6.3mto £9.8min2023,whileemployeenumbers rose 8.7%to reach712.Costofsalesclimbed from£49.7mto£51.6m,thecompany accountsshow, withstaff costsclimbingfrom
£44.9mto£50.1m.
Bothproductionandadministrativestaff numbershadcontributedto a 57-strong increaseinheadcount.There were 40staff addedtoproduction,bringingitto644,while numbersofadministrativestaff grewfrom51 to68.
Turnoverwasmadeupof£72.7mwas madeupof£66.1minfees receivable,upfrom £56.1min2022,whilethere was£6.6min contractors’ revenue, a fallofjustunder£3m ontheyearbefore.
A strategic reportfledwiththeaccounts said:“Thecompanycontinuestoshowstrong operatingproftsfortheperiod.Investmentin new resources,projects,projectdeliverymodels andnewtechnologiesputsthecompanyin a strongpositiontomeetdevelopingcustomer needsandembracefuture technological developmentswithinthesector.”
Butinthelongerterm,itsaidthatgrowth dependedontheabilityofthecompanyto
retainandattracthigh-qualitypeople.
Overall,there was“suffcient resources tocontinueinoperationalexistenceforthe foreseeablefuture,andthecompanycontinued tobecashgenerative”.
Speakinglastyear, managingdirector Tony Marronsaidthebusinessnowhad a signifcant legacyinthe region.
“We were defnitelyoneofthefrstsoftware engineeringcompaniesfromtheUSin Northern Ireland,”hesaid.“We’re incredibly proudbecauseifyoulookatthesoftware industryacrossNorthern Ireland,manyofthe siteleadsare ex-LibertyITpeople.”
LibertyIT recentlyannounced a recruitment drivetohire 20newintern software engineers. Thepostsare aimedatthird leveleducation studentsinterestedinpursuing a careerin technology EmmaMullan,seniordirectorof talentatLibertyIT, said:“We investheavilyin thecontinuouslearninganddevelopmentof ourteamsateverystageoftheircareer.” ■
TonyMarron ofLibertyIT
‘Belfast’s LinenQuarter canbealternative to Cathedral Quarter fornightlife’ PeterRingland tells MargaretCanning ,AmeliaHall,thelatestvenueinBelfast openedbythecompanyrunbyhimandhisbrother,isjustatasteofthingstocome
Stillonlyintheirearly30s,the Ringlandbrothershavealready amassedanimpressiveline-upof hospitalityvenues.
Peter,whois34andmanagingdirector ofRinglandGroup,consideredgoinginto bankingafterstudyingbusinessandfinanceat Heriot-WattUniversityinEdinburgh.
Instead,heleftthatworldto returnto Belfastandthegrowingapartment rentals businesshe’dsetup.
AfewyearslateryoungersiblingBen(32) joinedhimtorunoperations.
NowtheyoperatehotelsincludingTheFlint onHowardStreetandThe1852onBotanic AvenueinBelfast,aswellasbar-restaurants AmeliaHall, TownSquare,alongsideSouthside Social(incorporatingChinesetakeawayLucky Duck).
AmeliaHall,apizzeria,terraceandbeerhall venueonHowardStreet,openedlastmonth. It’sphaseoneofatwo-stagedevelopmentof TheFlint.
Petersaysthelaunchhasbeen “remarkable”,withthenumberofstaff requiredrisingasa result.
“It’sbeen relentlesssincethedayandhour
weopened.It’sbeenalotbusierthanwe thoughtitwasgoingtobe,”hesays.
“Itwasabitchaoticforthefirstweekor twountilwehiredmorestaff,becausewe’d hadabout45inthefinish-up,butwe’reon70 now.”
Openingapizzeriaseemedlikeagood move.Hesays:“ThetrendsUK-wide,and especiallyinNI,areawayfromveryexpensive diningwiththebackdropoftheeconomic climate.
“We’reseeingmoreandmoredemandfor informaldining.Don’tgetmewrong,people stillwantanexperience,butthere’swaystodo thatwithouthavingtospendalotandthat’s whatwe’refocusedon.”
Hefeelsthedevelopmentisastrongpartof theLinenQuarter,thetermfortheclusterof streetsaroundthebackofBelfastCityHall.
InphasetwooftheFlintHoteldevelopment, RinglandGroupwilladd62 rooms,a rooftop barand restaurant.
TheFlintsufferedasa resultofracistriotsin August.Heestimatesahitofupto£20,000as customdiedoffintheaftermath.
However,thehumanimpactofthe disgracefuloutpouringofhatehasbeenthe
mostdistressingaspect.
Hesays:“Weweredevastatedwiththe attacksthathappened. We havedonated heavilytogetthebusinessesbackupand goingfromamoralpointofview,andfrom thepointofviewthatit’sbadforbusinessif Botanicisnotathrivingcommunity.”
Andtherehasbeenstronggrowthforthe brothers’business.
ParentsIreneandNevin,awell-known leaderinthethirdsectorhere,sitonRingland Group’sboard,butarenotactivelyinvolved.
Peter’sinterestinhospitalitystartedin the2010s.Theexperienceoflettingoutthe family’sholidayhomeinPortballintraeinspired himtoventureintoshort-termapartment rentalsinBelfastwithanAirbnb-stylecompany, Holidaylets.com.
Nowthebusinessisneatlydividedbetween PeteronthestrategysideandBenon operations,assistedbyoperationsmanager AndrewMcWhirter.
He’sexcitedattheprospectoftheextension joiningothernewdevelopmentsinthearea liketheBedfordHotelattheScottishMutual BuildingandTheDeanHotelplannedfor BedfordStreet. ■
PeterRingland
VolumeofIndustrial Court disputes betweenfrmsand unions ‘has tripled’ SarahHavlin isnowchairoftheIndustrialCourthere. Itdealswithdisputesbetweenfrmsandtradeunions, particularlywhereaunionisfghtingforrecognition fromanemployer. JohnMulgrew speakstoherabout theworkit’sdoing,howmoresenioremployeesare takingdisputesandhowthecaseloadcouldhavemore thantripledinthelastcoupleofyears
Thenumberofcasesbetween businessesandunionsbeing handledby a specialistindustrial courthere overareassuchaspaydisputes has“doubledifnottripled”here inthelast coupleofyears.
That’s accordingtoSarahHavlin,whoisnow chairoftheIndustrialCourthere.
Andit’s nowdealingwithmore casesfrom majortechfrms,whichhave a basehere butare headquarteredelsewhere,aswellas dealingwiththoseinseniorandhigher-paying roles.
“I’dsaywehaveprobablydoubled,ifnot tripled[thenumberofcases] – certainlyinthe last18months,”shetells UlsterBusiness
“Ithinkthat’s becausethegeneralclimate isintenseandthescopefornegotiation isdiffcult.There havebeen a lotofhard decisionstakenbyemployers.”
Itsmainfunctionistoadjudicateon applications relatingtostatutory recognition andderecognitionoftradeunionsforcollective bargainingpurposes,where such recognition orderecognitioncannotbeagreedvoluntarily
It’sa highlyspecialisttribunalwhichdeals withareassuchaspayandhoursdisputes betweentradeunionsandbusinesses.
Sarahisin a fve-yearpostwiththeIndustrial Court – whichis a tribunalbodywithstatutory powers.
Itwasoriginallysetupin1919toprovide arbitrationinindustrialdisputesanditstill carriesoutthisvoluntaryarbitration role.
“It’sa nicheareaasit’sa narrow remitwhich wedealwith.It’s collectivebargainingandthe areaofpaybargaining,”Sarahsays.
“We onlygetinvolvedwhenthatcannot beachievedbyagreement.Usuallyunionsand employersare strongonagreement,butifthey can’t weofferthestatutory route. We deal withcontestedapplicationswhere unionsare seeking recognition.”
Thecourtdealswithcontested recognition, wherebyif a groupofworkerswant a unionto representthem,theemployermaynotagree thattheunionhassignifcantpresenceor representationamongitsworkforce.
“We willputitthroughstagestolookat levelofsupportontheofworkers.Ifitmeets
thestatutorytestthenitcanget recognition fromIndustrialCourt
Somecases recentlyinclude a decisionby theIndustrialCourtearlierthisyear, whenit ordered a balloton recognitionofUniteat SeagateinDerry This resultedinthecourt declaring recognitionofUnitetobargainon behalfofallmanufacturingspecialistsatthe plant.
“[Speakinggenerally]oftenwhenweare involvedin a contentiousapplicationfor recognition,there maybelotsofotherthings goingoninthebusiness,suchas redundancy
“Thoseotherconditionsandsituationsmight befeedingintohowtheworkersare feeling andwhythestrengthoftheunionisgrowing.
“Itcanbe a complicatedprocess.
“Anemployermightsaythattheconditions for recognisingtheunionare notappropriate andthatthestatutorycriteriacannotbe metbecauseit’s anunrealisticpicture ofthe workplace.
“Ourjobintermsofdeterminingthe supportfor a unionisverymuchbasedon a fxedpointintime. We are checkingthelevel
ofsupport.”
Shesaystheprimarytestfortheacceptance ofanapplicationisthattheunionhasatleast 10%membershipwithinthebargaininggroup whichtheyare seeking recognitionfor
A secondiswhether a majorityofthe bargainingunitwouldfavour recognitionof theunion,butmaynotbemembers.
“Quite a lotofemployersdowanttotest verystronglywhethertheunionhasthe supportoftheworkersfor recognition,”she says.
ButSarahsayscasescanalsobebroughtby unions“prematurely”wherebytheyhaven’t properlyunderstoodorassessedthelevelof support.
“It’s importantthatemployersare giventhat opportunitytotesttheunion’s applicationand assertionthattheyenjoysupport.
“Thediffcultthingforemployersisthey havenowayofknowingwhointhebargaining unitis a memberof a tradeunion,becauseit’s confdentialinformation.”
UK-wide,Sarahsaysthere are lotof recent casesfromtechfrmswhichhaveoperations
here which“are notmindedtoagreeto recognise a union”.
“Somecompaniesmayhave a culture which isaboutdirectengagementwithemployees andnotwantingto recogniseorgetinvolved withtradeunionsonpaybargaining.
“Thatsaid,there area lotofemployersout there whoare verysuccessfulandwealthy, who doengage reallyproactivelywithtradeunions – theyseethemas a partnerand a useful presenceintheworkforce.
“Tradeunionsare goodatsellingdiffcult messagestotheworkforceandwhenworkers feeltheirunioniscontentandhasprobedallof theinformationprovidedbytheemployer, they are perhapsmore inclinedtoaccept a union recommendationaroundpay
“Alotofemployersdo recognisethatand workinpartnershipwithtradeunions”.
Lookingatothertrends,shesaysthere are anincreasednumberofhigherpaidand more seniorworkersfocusingontradeunion representation.
Thatincludes a recentcaseinvolving a fnancialorganisationanditsseniorstaff.
“Higherpaidworkersandtechworkers seemtobefocusingquite a lotonhavingthat tradeunion representativevoice,”shesays.
“On a UK-widelevel,theCAChasseen somethinglike a 100%increaseand I think it’s similarhere.Noteverycasewillgothefull way There willbecontentiouscaseswe receive whentheygointoconciliation,aswework closelywiththeLabourRelationsAgency(LRA).
“Iwouldoften refercasestotheLRAwhere I canseethere is roomformore discussion. I doliketoempowerthepartiesasmuchas possibletoarriveatanagreed recognition agreement.
“Ithinktheunions realisethatthere are more workerswhoare keentohavetrade unionmembership.Butofcourse,there are lots ofworkplacesoutthere where staff are union membersbuttheunionisn’t recognised.The unionwillbuildonthatandstart a recognition campaign.
“…it’s quitediffculttodothatiftheyaren’t intheworkplace.Theyhavetodothatoutside theworkplace – thattakes a lotofworkand organisationandtimetobuildthatsupport.”
Ismutualisation instoreforfuture ofNI Water? TakingalookatthemutualisationoptionforNI Water wouldenableorganisationtoborrowagainstrevenues andexistingcapitalassetsinordertofnance investmentprogrammes,writes PaulGosling
Capitalinvestmentisessential foreconomicgrowthandto upgradeourinfrastructure.Thisis especiallythecasewithNI Water,whose worksbacklogisconstraininghousing andindustrialdevelopmentandurban regeneration.
Publicspendingoninfrastructureislimited byspendingrulesself-imposedbytheUK Government,concernedaboutfscalcredibility inglobalmarkets.Highlevelsofborrowing–orperceptionsoflackofcontrol–canleadto acollapseinconfdenceandconsequentrises ininterestrates.(Liz Trusscouldtellyouabout this.Orshecouldifshehadanyhumility.)
Movingborrowingforpublicinfrastructure offthepublicsectorbalancesheetisaway
aroundthis.Privatisationachievesthis,butUK privatisationofmonopolyutilitieshasbeen disastrous.Thenewgovernmentiscurrently bringingtherailservicesinEnglandand Wales backintopublicownership,whilecouncilswill bepermittedtodothesamewithbusservices. Thecrisisinsewagedischargesbywater companiesinEnglandisanotherexampleof privatisationgonewrong.
Theprivatefnanceinitiative(PFI)isan alternativeapproach.Thisconvertscapital expenditureintoanongoing revenuecostpaid toaprivatecontractor–equivalenttoleasing propertyinsteadofbuyingit.
Thecostscanbephenomenal,while comingwithinfexibleanddisadvantageous contracting relationships.TheUKentered
intoaround700PFIcontracts,delivering capitalprojectsvaluedat£57bn,butwithan outstandingliabilityof£160bnforuseand maintenance.
Anotheroptionis‘mutualisation’,which hasbeensuggestedforbothNI Waterand theHousingExecutive,toenablethemto borrowagainsttheir revenuesandexisting capitalassetsinordertofnanceinvestment programmes.Thisshouldacceleratespending onwatersupplyandwastewaterdischarge management,aswellthebuildingofsocial housing.
Mutualisationinvolvesownershipofan institutionbeingtransferredtoitscustomers. ThiswouldnotbeanewprincipleforNorthern Ireland,astheMoyleelectricityinterconnector
betweenNIandScotlandisoperatedby MutualEnergy,asisthegastransmission pipelinefromGreatBritaintoNI.TheCooperativeGroup,oneoftheUK’slargest grocery retailers,isalsoamutual,ownedbyits retailcustomers(includingme).
Thewatersupplybusinessformostof Wales isanothermutualisedoperation,calledGlas Cymru.Itborrowsagainstits revenuesand assets,enablingittohaveinvested£6bnin itswatersupplyandsewerageinfrastructure since2001.Itproposestospendafurther £4bninthenextperiod,including£2.5bnon environmentalimprovements.
Thestrongadvantageofthemutualisation modelcomparedtotheprivatelyowned watercompaniesofEnglandisthatproftsare
notextractedforpaymentsasdividendsto investors,norcanborrowingbeundertaken fromassociatedcompaniesathighinterest ratestoadditionallygenerateproftsfor investors.
GlasCymruisunusualasaUKutilitythatis acompanylimitedbyguaranteeandwithout shareholders;isfnancedthroughthecapital markets,withoutgovernmentsupport;and usessurplusesforthebeneftofitscustomers. ItdiffersfromScottish Water,which,likeNI Water, remainswithinthepublicsectorand mustfnanceitsinvestmentfrompublicsector borrowing.
Thewholeofthewaterindustryfaces seriouschallenges:muchoftheexisting infrastructureis150yearsold;climatechange
isincreasingincidentsoftumultuousrainfall, whichdischargesystemscannotcopewith; demandforwatersupplyhasincreased;and theconstructionofnewhomes,industryand roadsover recentdecadeshas reducedground capacitytoabsorbrainfall,leadingtohigher levelsofwaterdischargesthroughsewerage.
Consequently,allwatercompaniesin Englandand Wales,includingGlasCymru, aresubjecttoenforcementcasesfromthe regulator,Ofwat,withall11accusedof notfulfllingtheirobligationstoprotectthe environmentfromtheirdischarges.
NI WaterisnotsubjecttoOfwat regulation, butitseemslikelythatifitwere,ittoowould befacingenforcementaction regarding discharges,includingin relationtoLough Neagh.(Openingenforcementactiondoes notinitselfdemonstratethatacompanyhas breacheditslegalobligations.)
Whethermutualisationistherightapproach forNI Water–andtheHousingExecutive–is adecisionforMLAstotake.Butitisclear thatsomethinghastochange,withwater infrastructurecompetingwithtransport schemes(includingtheA5upgrade),the schoolbuildingprogrammeandhealthand socialcareinfrastructureforcallsonStormont’s capitalbudget.
AccordingtotheConstructionEmployers Federation(CEF),weneedtospendinexcess of£640mayeartocatchupwithwater underinvestmentinNI.Inthe2022/23year, lessthanhalfthis(£309.5m)wasinvested innewassetsandthenetwork.NI Water confrmedinastatementthatit recognises thatitneedstospendatleast£500mperyear forthenextdecade“tomeetthecurrentand risingenvironmentalstandardsandfacilitate economicdevelopment”.
Sara Venning,NI Water’schiefexecutive, wroteinitsmost recentannual report:“We havedraftpublicexpenditurelimitsfrom Governmentfor2023/24whicharebelow thelevels requiredandhavenovisibilityof fundingforthefnalthreeyears(2024/25to 2026/27)ofPC21[pricecontrolssetbythe UtilityRegulator].Suchapositionwouldnotbe toleratedinanyotherpartoftheUK.”
Atthetimeoftheannual report’s publication,theAssemblywasdown andministerswerenotinplace.Butthe underfundingcrisis remainstoday.
ThebigquestionforNI Waterthenis–ifnot mutualisation,thenwhat? ■
Threetasty piggyrecipesto welcomeinthe wintermonths JohnMulgrew takesalookatthreepork-related recipestohelpdealwiththewinterchillsahead
1
Slow-cookedsmokedporkshoulder withgreensauce
Ifyoucangetyourselfadecent-sized pieceofporkshoulderwithasuitablelevel offat,thenyou’llhaveamuchbetter result withthisdish.Ideally,you’llwanttogetthe charcoalsfredupforthisintermsofthe smokeandfavour.
Startbyrubbingalittlemustardalloverthe porkbeforesprinklingwithagoodbarbecue rub. You’llwantsomethingwithalotofblack
Dependingonthesize,thiscantakeanywhere fromtwotofvehours. Youdon’twantpulled pork,butatenderpieceofmeatwhichcanbe sliced.
Whenfnished, remove,coverand rest.
Forthegreensauce,blitzfreshparsley, tarragonanddillwithacloveofgarlic,capers, alittlelemonjuice,saltandpepper,while addinginsomegoodoliveoil.Oncewellcombined, reasonablysmoothbutwithsome texture,you’redone.
Sliceyourporkandtopliberallywith thegreensauce,addingalittlefakysaltif required.
pepperandsomesuitablespicing.It’sall personalpreference,though.Muchofyour favourwillcomethroughthecooking.
Now,placeofftothesideofyourcoals (ensuringtheyareattheoppositesideofthe grill)onthebarbecueandtryandgetitdown toaround130°C-140°C.Thiswillletitgently cookandpickuplotsofthatsmoke.Iusea wirelessmeatthermometer,whichisfarfrom required,butyou’llideallywantevenacheap onetoknowhowfaryourmeatisalong.
2Spicedporkbellysandwichwith curriedslaw
We knowporkbellyisfarfromthe healthiestmixtureoflean(ish)muscleand heftylinesandlayersoffatontheanimal. You canseethat,evenfromagreatdistance.But ifit’sonoccasionandyoudon’toverindulge, thenitshouldbetopofyourlistforyour suidae requirements.
Youcancookbellyonthebarbecuebutthis worksjustaswellinanoven.
It’llalsoworkverywellasawholebelly
Pork,tomato andcaramelised alliumorzo
Graduallyaddacleanoil(sunflowerworks well)andcontinuetocombineandblitz. Eventually,it’llcometogetherinathick,rich mayonnaise.Checkforseasoning.
GetasharpknifeandslicesomeChinese cabbageintofinestrips,alongwithonevery thinlyslicedbananashallot.Justbeforeserving, mixsomeofyourmayonnaiseinwiththe vegetables.
Removetheporkbellyfromtheovenand sliceintotwoorthreepieces.Placeona submarineorsimilarsoft roll,addinginyour curriedslaw. To finish,toastinasandwichgrill untilitgetsalittlecrispyontop.
3
Porksausage,tomatoand caramelisedalliumorzo
joint,butslicesarebotheasiertocomebyand quickertocook.
Getafewchunkyslicesandsprinkleon amixtureofgarammasala,alittleturmeric, currypowder,blackpepper,saltandsugar. Placeinanoven-proofdishandcoverwithtin foilbeforestickingina140°Covenforaround twohours.
Whilethat’stickingover,it’stimetomake themayonnaise.Getahandblenderandadd intwoeggyolksandonewholeegg.Now, blitzandaddinateaspoonofcurrypowder, adashofwhitevinegar,asprinkleofsugar,a teaspoonofDijonmustard,saltandpepper.
Orzoisagoodlittlestarchtohaveinthe cupboard.It’spasta,butduetoitsdiminutive formyoucaneasilyaddittoasaucetocook it,orstartfromscratchandtreatitlikeyou’re makingarisotto.Thisisaheartyanddeepdish whichispackedfullofrich,deepflavours,but issomethingyoucanpulltogetherlargelywith cupboardstaples.
Startwithsomehalfdecentporksausages andsqueezeoutthemeatintoapot,cooking downinalittlelardoroil. Youcanbreakthe meatdownasyougoandtrytogetsomenice caramelisationandcolouronit.
Nextup,it’syouralliums.Addinsomefinely choppedwhiteonion,slicedleekandthreeor fourbananashallots.Addalittlemoreoilif neededandcookdownatamediumtohigh heat. Youwantitalltogetalittlemaroon andcaramelised,withoutthingsburningand becomingtoobitter.Deglazethebottomof yourpanwithalittlewhitewine,vermouth orwater,ensuringyougetallthelittlebrown craggilybits.
Now,addinhalfatubeoftomatopuree andalittlegarlicandcookitoutforfive minutes.Next,addinadollopofmustard, agoodglugof Worcestershiresauceand chickenstock,beforeaddingacanofchopped tomatoes.Addinsomefennelseeds,abay leaf,astalkoffresh rosemaryandthyme, alongwithagoodcrackofblackpepper.Cook downforatleast45minutestoanhourbefore addinginyourorzoandalittlewater(orwine) ifyouneedittobelooser.Cookuntilthepasta isdonethenfoldthroughadollopofbutter andagoodhandfulofgratedparmesanand serve. ■
Spicedporkbellyand currymayosandwich Slow-cookedsmoked porkshoulder
ClipperQuay Street Foodisbringing the best ofstreetgrub to Derry JohnMulgrew pays avisittoDerry’sfrst dedicatedfoodstreetspot andseeswhythecity’s becominganincreasingly strongspotforfoodand drink
Derryhashadabitofathorninits sideoverthelastfewyears.
Whileit’sacitysteepedinhistory, alongsidethedarkestdarkofThe Troubles,it’s seena relatively recentculturalheydaythanks toitstermasCityofCulture,hostofthe2013 TurnerPrizeandexporterofoneofourmost successfulsitcoms.
Butthosewhoknowitbestfeelit’sbeenleft failingintheeconomicandsocietalcoattailsof theBigSmoke,some70milesdownthe road.
Whetherbecauseit’stheworstperforming areainNorthernIrelandintermsofthehighest levelsofunemployment,companiessettingup shop,oranoveralllegacyofunderinvestment ineducation,thenorthwestingeneralhas oftenfeltlikethe regionleftbehindamidrapid expansioninBelfast.
AndwhileStormontisturningitsattention toaddressingsomeofthisemploymentand investment rebalance,muchwork remainsto boostthesecondcity’scredentialsontheworld stageasaplacetolive,work,anddobusiness.
And,perhapssomewhatunfairly,it’snot positioneditselffrmlyasoneofNorthern Ireland’smust-visitsforaculinaryexperience.
IanOrrhelpedthecity’scredentials immenselywhenhesetuphisoriginalBrowns restaurantinthe Waterside,andwhilethere areaplethoraofaffordablebistrospots,it’s
onlyinthelastfewyearsinwhichDerryhas reallyexerteditspresenceasaplacetovisits foritsplates.
ItnowboastsPhelimO’Hagan’sArtisinthe Craft Village,sushiandAsianfusionspotUmi, andEl TapasGrá,amongothers–extending thebreadthofcuisineavailableinacitywhich seemedtobecryingoutforit.
Andit’snowturneditsattentiontothe globalboominstreetfood.Butpop-upvans arequicklybeing replacedwithabricksand mortarapproach,bringingdifferentbusinesses underone roof.It’sbeendoneinotherareas, notablythenowextinct Trademarket,and CommonMarket,inBelfast.
I’massumingit’sthecity’shostingof theClipperRoundthe World YachtRace –althoughitdidn’tmakea returnthisyear–whichhasinspiredDerry’scontributiontothe
scene,orthatClipperQuayStreetFoodsitsin aformerhairdressers–betweentheRiverFoyle andStrandRoad,bringingtogetheraselection ofeateriestacklingallmanneroffare.
ThegoodfolksatPykesandPommes–locatedjustafewmetresawayfromthenew spot–wereatthevanguardofstreetfoodin thecity,bringingdecentburgersandtacosto Derrywhenitneededitmost.It’sexpandedto abricksandmortar restaurantontheStrand Road,too–showingthere’sanappetite.
ClipperQuayStreetFoodisahandsome spot,andinthechillysunshineofalate Septemberweekend,forgoesadarkened warehousevibelikeotherstreetfoodlocations infavourofabright,fully-fttedcasual restaurant.
Insidetherearetwoorthreestallstothe left,afulltable-servicebar,seatinganda
ClipperQuayStreetFoodinDerry
handfulofothereateriestotheright,along withadditionalseatingontheupperlevels.
Onbothvisits,whilenotheaving,itwas buzzingwithacombinationofyoungfamilies, friendsandcouplesmakingthemostofthe lastfewdaysofaverylatesummer.
Amongtheoutletsis WokHay.It’sanAsian spotwithanextensiveandvariedmenu,anda focusonwokcooking.
Anorderforduckspring rollsgoesinwhile IawaitanotherbeepergoingoffforadishI’m waitingforatanearbystall.
Threeplumpcrispycylindersarrivehot onabedofasweetandtartPekingsauce, andalittlelettuce.Inside,it’sallfresh,green vegetables,appearingtobespringonions andleeks,withsizeablechunksofduck.Allis perfectlyseasoned,rich,yetastepabovethe normandentirelydelicious.
NotoriousStreetFoodsitsjustbeside Wok Hay,withitsbirriatacosoneofthedishes worthordering.
Whilethere’snoaccompanyingjusor
consommé(probablybesttomakethings edibleonthego),theyareastellarexample ofthisburgeoninginterpretation.Thebeefis unctuousandappearstobefromacutwith enoughfattokeepthingsentirelymoist.It’s supremelydeepinflavour,withallthoselittle subtletouchesofspice,smokydriedchillis; timeandeffortshiningthrough.
Thetrioofflourtortillasarealsoa revelation. Slightlypuffy,aerated,soft,butwiththat addedtexturalcrispcontrastontheoutside.
TwolittleslidersfromETGStreetFoodcome perfectlyformed,alongsideafewfries.The meatisalittledenseandover-compressed buthasagoodcrust,howeverit’sallabit claggy,letdownbythebunswhichareatouch
dryanddesiccated.Thefries,however,are perfectlysharp,crispandwell-seasoned.
Aheftysliceofbuffalochickenpizzafrom neighbouringCuigo’sbringsforthaslightly crispyetaeratedbasewithsizeablepiecesof poultryatop,alongsidecheese–whichhas abitmorefirmnessandlessflopthanyou’d wish–withabalanced,slightlyacidicsauce withjustahintofchilliheat.It’sadecent packageforafiver.
ClipperQuayStreetFoodisworthyour time.It’saplacetospend20minutesat lunch,oracoupleofhoursgrazingand enjoyingsomethingchilledandboozyona Saturdaydanderintothecitycentre.Putiton yourlist. ■
Slidersandfries fromETGStreetFood
Buffalochickenpizza atCuigo’s
Duckspringrolls from WokHay
Howdidyoustartoutinyourbusiness?
I wascalledtotheBarin2000andafter a periodofpractice I reallystumbledupon theconceptofmediationwhen a colleague recommended I take a placeon a mediation trainingcourse.Once I researchedtheconcept ofmediation, I washookedandthetraining courseopenedmyeyesto a newwayof applyingmyskillsas a barrister Asmypassion foralternativedispute resolutiongrewoverthe nextdecade I furtherdevelopedmyskillsetby qualifyingasanarbitrator
I have recently refocusedmyonlinepresence toward explainingwhatmediationisandwhat advantagesitcanprovideasanalternate togoingtocourt. I believeeducationabout mediationisimportant.
Whathaveyoufoundthemost challengingduringyouryearsofbusiness, sofar?
Likemanyofus,theCovidyearswere bothchallengingandinspiringforme;the challenges,ofcourse,beingthehealth worriesforourselvesandourfamiliesas wellasthedropinbusiness revenue,when in-personinteractionsdroppedoff of a cliff. Theinspirationcamewithproblemsolving a differentwaytowork remotely
Howwouldyoudescribeyour managementstyle?
I wouldliketoconsidermyselfapproachable andsensitivetootherpeople’s needs.PostCovid, I thinkwehaveall refocusedonwhat the reallyimportantissuesinourlivesare. Differentpeoplehavedifferentneedsand priorities,andaccommodatingthesein a sensitivebutpracticalwayiswhat I strivetodo.
Inmostproblemsthatare identifedor discussedwithin a mediation,there isoften both a humancauseandsolution. A business runsonitspeopleandmanagingpeople’s
needseffectivelycanoftenunlockeitherthe causeof a problemorprovidethesolution entirely
Whatwouldyouchangeifyoucouldgo backanddoitallagain?
Notmuch really I’dcertainlytellmyyounger selftotakemore timeandnotbeinsuch a rushtogotouniversity, getqualifedandget working –I imaginemyyoungerselfmaytell methat I justwanttomakesomemoney topaythebills.But reallifeexperiencesare invaluableandmosteasilyachievedwhenwe are younger ThisissomethingI’mtryingto encouragemyolderkidstoconsider, butlike mynotionalyoungerself,I’mnotsure theyare listening.
Haveyoudoneitallonyourown?
Being a barristeror a mediator, aftertheinitial training,isverymuch‘learntonthejob’.It isstill a verycollegiatecareerinNorthern Ireland,so I havehadgreatsupportfromfellow barristerswhohavebeenselfesslywillingto provideadviceandsupport.Coupledwithan
amazinglysupportivewife,anysuccess I have enjoyedisverymuchdownto a teameffort.
Howwouldyoulikeyourbusinesstobe remembered?
I hope I helpedpeoplemakediffcultdecisions in a waythatleftthemcontentedorhappier I wouldliketobethefrstportofcallfor potentiallitigantslongbefore theyrush towardscourt,orattheveryleast,thatmy businesswaswellsignpostedforlitigantsso theyknewthere was a healthier, confdential cost-effectivealternative.
Whatpieceofadvicewouldyougiveto a 20-year-oldyou?
I’vetouchedonthis,but reallyI’dencourage my20-year-oldselftoslowdown.Exercise more,eatwellandgetoutsidemore.Ifyou don’t lookafteryourmind,thenhowcanyou lookafteryourbody
Ittook a nationalpandemictogetmeto switchontothis,I’dliketothinkmy20-yearoldselfcouldgetaheadofthecurveonthis approach. ■
Name: MichaelBready
Thecolumnwithan earforexperience...
Motoring ByPatBurns
KiaPicanto: affordableexcellence Startingfromjust£15,595on-theroad,thenewKiaPicanto remains oneofthemostaffordablenewcars onsalehere.
Thenewmodelbringsnewlevelofstyle, comfortandtechnologytothesmallcar segment.
Thenewmodelfeaturesamajorexterior redesignandsignifcantupdatestotheinterior, echoingelementsofKia’sfagshipEV9and other recentKiamodelsinsideandout.New verticalheadlightsandanewlightbarleading intothefrontairintakesgivethecaramore sportingappearance.
Thecar remainsascompactasever,but continuestoofferdriversarangeofadvanced technologiesandfeatures.Inside,thePicanto offersAppleCarPlayandAndroidAuto,an eight-inchtouchscreennavigationandmultiple USBchargingports,allofwhicharestandard oneveryvariantofthenewPicanto.
ThenewPicantocomeswithachoiceoftwo
engines:athree-cylinder1.0-litre(62bhp)or four-cylinder1.2-litre(77bhp)petrolengine, bothofferingeffcientandcapablemotoring withlowerCO2emissionswhencompared withtheoutgoingmodel.Afve-speedmanual transmissionisstandardthoughanoptional fve-speedautomatedmanualtransmissionis alsoavailableonallversions.Itmightnotbein ‘hothatch’territory,buttheengineiswilling to revandthecarisquiet,smoothandwell balanced.Itstilloffersthefuntodrivefeeling thatsmallcarspossess.
AsstandardoneverynewPicanto,Kiaoffers automaticheadlightcontrol,highmounted brakelightsand rearfoglights,bodycoloured bumpers,sidesills,wheelarchesanddoor mirrors,rainsensingfrontwipers,electric frontand rearwindows,airconditioningand automaticdefogsystem, rearparkingsensors anda reversingcamerasystem.
ThenewPicantoalsocontinuesits predecessor’slegacyasoneofthesafestcars
initssegment,witharangeofpassive andactivesafetyandsecuritysystemsas standard.AllPicantomodels receiveheightadjustablefrontseatbeltswitha reminder warning,all-roundthree-pointseatbelts, all-roundheightadjustableheadrests,front, rearandsideairbags,centraldoorlocking, ISOFIXchildseattoptethersandanchor fxings,childlock,lockingwheelnuts,visible vehicleidentifcationnumber(VIN)anda ThatchamCategory2securityalarmand immobiliser.
ThePicanto‘2’at£15,595istheentrypointintothebrand’ssmallestcar,while the‘GT-Line’at£16,745featuresLED headlights,LEDdaytimerunninglightsand LED rearlights,16-inchalloywheels,GT-Line styling,electricallyadjustable,heatedand foldingdoormirrorswithLEDindicators.
ThePicanto‘3’from£17,545addsheated frontseats,heatedsteeringwheeland wirelessmobilephonecharging.
ThePicantomakesupahealthy proportionofKia’ssalesintheUKandthis newmodelwillseetheirshareofthemarket increaseevenfurther.Itlooksrightupdate butstill retainsthecharacteroftheprevious model. ■
SealthedealwithBYD Youmightnothaveheardmuch aboutBYDcarsbutyou’regoingto hearalotmoreabouttheminthe nextfewyears.
BasedinChina,BYDistheworld’sleading manufacturerofnewenergyvehicles(NEVs). Foundedin1995,thecompanyhasover28 yearsinbatteryexpertiseandisaglobally renownedpioneeringnameintechnological innovation.
BYDhasfocusedonmasteringadvanced technologiesspanningbatteries,electric motors,electroniccontrolsystemsand semiconductors.BYDistheonlymanufacturer todesignandmanufacturethecore componentsoftheelectriccar,owningthe verticalsupplychainforseamlessintegration andtotalmanufacturingcontrol,includingthe productionofsemiconductors.
BYDpreviouslyintroducedtheAtto3 C-SegmentSUVandDolphinhatchbackinto theUKin2023,butitisthestunningnew allelectricSealsportssaloonthathas really gotthemarkettalking.Sleekandathleticin appearance,fromadistanceitwouldpass foraMercedesora Teslaanditiseverybitas goodasbothofthese,ifnotbetter.
ItisbuiltonBYD’se-Platform3.0with aneight-in-onepowertrainandisthefrst vehicletouseBYD’sinnovativecell-to-body technology,deliveringunprecedentedlevels ofsafety,torsionalrigidity,drivingdynamics andintelligence.TheSealalsohasthenew cobalt-freeLFPBladeBattery,apioneering batteryinnovationthatprovidessuperior levelsofsafety,durabilityandperformance, aswellasoptimisingbatteryspace.TheSeal alsohastheadvantageofanimpressive intelligenttorqueadaptioncontrol(iTAC) system,developedexclusivelybyBYD,for improvedhandlingandstabilitytomatchits poweroutput.
Thereisachoiceoftwopowerfuldrivetrain options–theBYDSealExcellence(AWD)and theSealDesign(RWD)bothwithabattery capacityof82.5kWh.Thesingle-motor version(Design)with rear-wheeldrivehasa poweroutputof313PSandacceleratesfrom 0-62mphin5.9seconds.Therangeis354 miles(WLTPcombined).TheSeal‘Excellence’ isthefour-wheeldriveversionwithelectric motorsonthefrontand rearaxles, resulting inatotalpoweroutputof530PS.This powerhouseacceleratesfrom0-62mphin
just3.8seconds,whiletherangeisanequally impressive323miles(WLTPcombined).
The AWDExcellenceversionofferssemiactivesuspensionforbetter responsiveness. Whenthe roadconditionsaresmooth,the dampingis relativelyhigh,allowingformore stablevehicledynamicsandbetterhandling. Whentherearepotholesor roughsurfaces, thedampingautomatically reducestoabsorb theimpactofthe roadbetter,assuringahighqualityride.
Inside,it’saclassact.Superbseatsand animpressive15.6-inchcentralscreenthat controlsmostfunctionsarethemainfeatures, butthere’salsotheairofambientqualitythat onlysomecarscanachieve.Obviouslyit’svery quietinsideandtherideseemsespeciallygood atmotorwayspeeds.
TheSealoffersan11kW3-phaseon-board chargerforACchargingasstandard,andcan befastchargedwithamaximum150kW. Withthisamountofpower,thebatterycanbe chargedfrom30%to80%injust26minutes.
TheSealcomeswitha6yearmanufacturer warrantyandaneightyearwarrantyonthe batteryandelectricmotor.Pricesare£45,695 fortheSeal RWDand£48,695forthe AWD. ■
NewHybridMG3 movesupmarket Overthepastfewmonths,MGhas introducedarangeofnewmodels deliveringgoodvaluerightaswell asastylishnewEV roadster.
InadditiontotheMG3Hybrid+,the companyhasjustintroducedtheZSHybrid+ compactSUV,newpetrolandplug-inhybrid versionsofthesuccessfulMGHSSUVandhas returnedtoitsperformance rootswiththe two-seat,electricCybersterconvertible.
UlsterBusiness hadashortruninthenew MG3Hybrid+whichfeaturesanew1.5litre enginematchedtoathree-peedautomatic gearbox.ThisnewMG3isamuchmore sophisticated,upmarketcar,withvastly improvedtechnologyandperformance. Total poweroutputbetweenthepetrolunitandthe hybridsystemisahealthy192bhp.
DriverscantailortheMG3’s responsiveness totheirneedswiththechoiceofthreedriving modes:Eco,StandardandSport.TheMG3has asprightly0-62mphtimeof8.0seconds.Midrangeaccelerationisgood,covering50-70mph injust5.0seconds.
AvailableinSEand Trophyspec,theMG3 Hybrid+modelsunderlineMG’scommitment toofferingdriversgoodvalue,withstateof-the-arthybridtechnologyavailablefora comparablepriceorlessthanmanyother petrolsuperminis.
TheMGHybrid+SEstartsfrom£18,495 OTRwiththewellequipped Trophymodel availablefrom£20,495.MGalsooffersaseven year/80,000-milewarranty.
BothMG3Hybrid+modelscomewith dualscreentechnology,16-inchalloywheels,
satellitenavigation,AppleCarPlay/Android Auto,MGPilotanda reversingcamera.MG PilotSafetyincludesautonomousemergency braking,frontcollisionwarning,lanedeparture warning,emergencylanekeepassist,and adaptivecruisecontrol.
The TrophyMG3Hybrid+deliversevenmore comfort,styleandconvenienceincludinga360 degreecamera,heatedfrontseatsandsteering wheel,keylessentry,privacyglass,rainsensing wipersandLEDprojectorheadlights.
AdvancedfeaturesoftheHybrid+includea driveandchargesystemthatallowsthepetrol enginetodrivethewheelswhilstalsocharging thebatterythroughthegenerator.TheHybrid+ returnsimpressiveeconomyfguresof64.2mpg and100g/kmofCO2.
TheMG3Hybrid+chassisandsuspension hasalsobeenspecifcallytunedforUK roads –similartotheagileMG4–bythecompany’s Longbridge-basedengineeringteam.
Thenewmodelalso recentlysecuredtheBest ValueCaratTheBusinessCar Awards,forits modernlooksandfrugalfuelconsumption. ■
NIcarsalesovertake otherUKregions Newcar registrationsinNorthern Irelandhavemotoredaheadof otherUKnationswithanincrease of8.5%in2024sofar,a reporthassaid.
AndtheKiaSportagehasbeenourmost popularcarwith1,432sold – followedbythe Ford Puma,Hyundai Tucson, VauxhallCorsaand HyundaiKona,inorderofpopularity
LatestmonthlyfguresfromtheSocietyof MotorManufacturersand Traders(SMMT)said there hadbeen39,197newcarssoldhere in thefrstninemonthsof2024.
Theriseof8.48%onthesameperiodin 2023wasmuchstrongerthanthatinEngland, Scotlandand Wales,where newcar registrations were upby4.1%,5.8%and3.2% respectively
ButlookingatSeptemberalone,Northern Ireland’s newcar registrationgrowthwasless impressive.At4,617,newcar registrationswere up1.27%comparedtoSeptember2023.
Thatcomparedwithanincreaseof3.2%in Scotland,andgrowthof0.99%inEngland.
However, there was a fallof4.8%innew car registrationsin Wales – bringinggrowth intheUKas a wholeto0.98%.Septemberis
traditionally a bumpermonthfortheindustryin GreatBritainduetothe releaseofnewnumber plates
TheSMMTsaidthatUK-wide,private demandfornewdieselcarswasgrowingfaster thanforpure batteryelectrics.
Itsaid registrationsofnewdieselcarsfor privatebuyersinSeptembergrewby17.1% comparedwiththesamemonthin2023,up 1,367units.
Thatiscomparedwith a 3.6%year-on-year riseforpure batteryelectrics – up410units –despiteheavydiscountingbymanufacturers.
TheSMMTsaidcarmakersare oncourseto “spendatleast£2bnondiscountingelectric vehicles(EVs)”thisyearinanefforttooffsetthe “underlyingpaucityofdemand”.
TheSMMTandseniorUKleadersatmajor vehiclemanufacturerssuchasFord,Stellantis, JLRand VolkswagenGrouphavewrittento ChancellorRachelReevescallingforurgent supporttoencouragemore consumersto switchtoelectricmotoring,aheadofher BudgetonOctober30.
Thesignatoriescalledformeasuressuchas
halving VAT onnewEVpurchasesand reducing VAT onpublicchargingfrom20%to5%to matchthehomechargingrate.
Meanwhile,vansandothernewlight commercialvehiclesalesgrewforthesecond monthrunninginSeptember, up8.5%to record thebestperformanceforthemonthin fouryears,acrosstheUK.
“Growingoveralldemandfornewvansis encouragingasthesector,a barometerofthe UKeconomy’s health,continuesto recoverpostCovid,”MikeHawes,SMMTchiefexecutive, said.
“Butwhilemanufacturershaveinvested hugesumsdeliveringzero emissiontechnology andincentivisingitssale,consistentlylow demandisconstrainingindustryfrommeeting Britain’s ambitiouszero emissionvehiclessales mandates.Forvanfeetstogogreenatpace theyneedtheimmediateencouragement – and long-termcertainty – offscalincentivesand van-specifccharginginfrastructure. Without these,UKdecarbonisationambitionscannotbe achievedattheworld-leadingspeeddemanded by regulation.” ■
APPOIN TM EN TS
TourismIrelandhasannouncedthe appointmentofMaxineHandstothe positionofheadofglobalmediaand digital.Shewillberesponsibleforleading theorganisation’sglobalmediaanddigital team.
AkshayaBhargavaisnowchairmanand governorofBankofIreland.Hehas previouslyservedasadirectoronthe boardsof WealthifyGroup,Mindtree, BarclaysAssetManagement, Vahanna,and Avendus WealthManagement.
SHSGrouphasannouncedthereturnof BernieOrraschieffnancialOffcer,akey appointmentaimedatdrivingthegroup’s strategicinitiativesandfosteringfurther businessgrowth.
Atlantic AviationGroup,aleadingaviation servicesproviderbasedinShannon,has announcedtheappointmentofHughFlynn toitsboardofdirectors.
JonathanMcMillanisnowseniormanager withSumerNorthernIrelandwithinits internalauditteam.Hehasworkedwithin anumberoflargeinternalauditteams, mostrecentlyjoiningSumerNorthern Irelandfroma‘BigFour’frm.
AlmacPharmaServiceshasannouncedthe appointmentofSamanthaFitzpatrickas vicepresidentoffnance.Shewilloversee fnancialplanning,analysisandaccounting forthebusiness.
NorthernIrelandfnancialadvisory companyHNHhasappointedPamGillies asanewpartnerandheadofstrategic planningandbusinessadvisory.
BankofIrelandUKhasappointedFergal McCuskerasbusinessdevelopment managerwithinitsbusinessdepositsteam. Hehasmorethan25years’experiencein thebankingindustry.
BankofIrelandUKhasappointed Tanya Andersonasheadofbusinessdeposits,a newlycreatedpositiontoleadthenext phaseofthebank’sbusinessdeposit growthstrategy.
1. USConsulGeneralJames Applegate,UlsterUniversity’s PaulBartholomew,First MinisterMichelleO’Neill MLA,USSpecialEnvoy toNorthernIrelandfor EconomicAffairs,Joe KennedyIII,DeputyFirst MinisterEmmaLittle-Pengelly, KimSawyerandProfessor CathyGormley-Heenan ataspecialeventaUlster University’sBelfastCampus.
2. USSpecialEnvoytoNorthern Ireland,JoeKennedyIIIwith RebeccaKelly,MichaelKelly, FionaKellyandClareKellyduring aneventhostedatthefexible workspacebusiness.
3. AfacNorthernIrelandhas markedfveyearssinceitfrst openeditsGlobalITCyber-security CentreinBelfast.Economy MinisterConorMurphy,right, isjoinedbyAfacNImanaging directorMarkMcCormack.
4. ProfastGrouphasagreeda fundingpackagewhichincluded a£500,000loanfromthe InvestmentFundforNorthern Ireland.PicturedareProfastGroup chief,StephenClarke,withBritish BusinessBankdirectorMark Sterritt,andWhiterockinvestment director,RhonaBarbour.
5. BelfastCityCouncilhas unveiledanewaugmented reality experienceaspartofBelfast CityHall’sfreevisitorexhibition. PicturedareLoraLargey,council chiefJohn Walsh,LordMayor MickyMurray,andJanetBurns,BT inNorthernIreland.
6. DiaBetaLabsLtdhasbeen namedtheoverallwinner ofthe2024Invent Awards, aftersecuringtopspotof thenewBioBreakthrough category.PicturedareFiona Bennington,Catalyst,Dr RyanLafferty,DiaBetaLabs, GeorgeHigginson,Bankof IrelandUK,andSteveOrr, Catalyst.
7. NathanDawsonfrom MagheralininCoDownofthe FitzwilliamHotelwasnamed ‘Chefofthe Year’bytheInstitude ofHospitality.He’spicturedwith generalmanagerCianLanders.
8. EconomyMinisterConor Murphyhasoffciallyopened NorthernRegionalCollege’s£46m CausewayCampusinColeraine. He’spicturedwithClaudia McLaughlin-Hunt,MelHiggins, KenNelson,BenMcMullanand OliverHiggins.
9. Maxolhascompletedits redevelopmentofMaxolBelvoir ServiceStationontheMilltown RoadinBelfastfollowingan investmentof£3.6m.Picturedare MarkMcCammond,Henderson Group,PeterMailey,Barry McMullan,TheMaxolGroupand BrianDonaldson,chiefexecutive, TheMaxolGroup.
10. BelfastFilmFestivalhas returnedforits24thedition showcasingthebestflmsfrom acrosstheglobealongsidesome ofthebestfromhome-grown talent.PicturedareThe Wise GuydirectorSamO’Mahonyand FréwakadirectorAislinnClarke.
11. InterTradeIreland hasintroducedeight newentrepreneurship programmesdesignedto empowerwomenandhelp themcollaborate,learn,grow andscaletheirbusiness. PicturedareAnna-Marie Turley,ElainePatterson, AlisonCurrie,andKaren Finlay.
12. MLAshaveshownsupport forthehospitalityindustryata Stormontevent.PicturedareColin Johnston,managingdirector, GalgormCollection,Communities MinisterGordon Lyons,Colin Neill,chiefexecutive,Hospitality Ulster,andCherylBrownleeMLA.
13. AIConhashostedhundreds businessleadersinBelfast.Pictured are MickyMurphy, Lord Mayor ofBelfast,DrLollieMancey, programmedirectoratUCD InnovationAcademy, Economy MinisterConorMurphy, and Tom Gray, groupchieftechnicaloffcer, Kainos.
14. EconomyMinisterConor Murphy(centre)haslauncheda new£11mClusterAcceleration Programme.He’spictured withLindaJamison,InvestNI’s collaborativegrowthmanager, andSteveHarper,executive director,internationalinvestment andskills.
15. CommunitiesMinisterGordon LyonsandEconomyMinister ConorMurphyhaveoffcially openedthenewly refurbished libraryinBallymoney.Theyare picturedwithLibrariesNIchief executiveDrJimO’Hagan,chair BonnieAnley,andMayorCiarán McQuillan.
16. AttheBelfastChamber ProductivitySummitare MarkRegan,Kingsbridge Healthcare,GavinAnnon, BelfastChamberPresident, EconomyMinisterConor Murphy,ClareGuinness, BelfastChamberchief executive,andDrDavid Jordan.
17. Mercedes-BenzNorthern Ireland(MBNI) Truck& Vanhas openedanew£6maftersales facilityinDungannon,withthe creationofanadditional20jobs forthearea.PicturedarePauline McKeating,groupchief,and MartinMahon,MBNIDungannon depotmanager.
18. TheDeluxeGrouphas receiveda£10mfundingpackage providedbyDanskeBankand guaranteedbyUKExportFinance (UKEF).PicturedarePaulMackle, DominicO’Neill,ColmO’Farrell, BernieKerr,andColmConnolly.
19. Kilrea-basedHutchinsonis makingasignifcantinvestment innewequipmentandcreating 57newjobs.PictuedareJeremy Fitch,directorofbusiness growthgroup,InvestNI,Mark Hutchinson,EconomyMinister ConorMurphy,andRichard Hutchinson.
20. BelfastInternationalArts Festivalhaslauncheditsnew corporatemembershipscheme for2024withFinTrU,becoming itsinauguralmember.Pictured arePhillipaO’Hara,withRichard WakelyandConorDonnelly.
21. TheEastside Awards,in associationwithBelfastCity Airport,haslaunchedwith newcategoriesto recognise thebestofeastBelfast.Ithas alreadycelebratedthetalents andachievementsofmore than250eastBelfastpeople fromallwalksoflife.
22. Drinksbrandbottlegreenhas returnedforfzzandfashionat DownRoyalLadiesDay.Pictured areAliceQuinn,commercial executiveatDownRoyaland CourtneyCameron,national accountmanageratSHSdrinks.
23. ValerieGardnerhaslaunched aneventstylingbusinesscalled QuirkyKitten,specialisingin theprovisionofbackdropsfor bridalparties.She’spicturedwith MalluskEnterpriseParkchief EmmaGarrett.
24. TheCloverGrouphas acquiredthefreeholdofits White’sComplexinBelfastcity centreina£5mdeal.Picturedare StephenAllen,BarclaysandClover Groupdirectors,JimConlon,Paul LangsfordandMarkBeirne.
25. EastSidePartnershiphas unveileditsstrategicframework forthenextfveyears.Pictured areNicholaCreagh,Department forCommunities,MicheleBryans, EastSidePartnership,Damien Martin,BelfastCityCouncil.
26. Lisburn-basedASSA ABLOYOpeningSolutions UK&Irelandhasannounced itssponsorshipofthe BallymacashRangersFootball ClubUnder8steam.
27. EYdirectorofsocialvalue JoMcGinley,EYconsulting partnerJudithSavageandGillian McKeown,SistersIN,pictured attheannouncementofEY NorthernIreland’spartnership withSistersIN,whichwillsee femaleEYleadersactingas mentors.
28. SocialFarming Awareness Weeksawmorethan60people cometogetheronfarmsthat deliverSocialFarming.Pictured are TimDaviesfarm,JubileeFarm, Aoibeann Walsh,RuralSupport andJohnWhite,Departmentof AgricultureandRuralAffairs.
29. The28thNorthernIreland FoodandDrinkAssociation (NIFDA)annualdinnerhasbeen heldinBelfast.Picturedare RussellSmyth,UrsulaLavery, MichaelBellandIvan Ryan.
30. Guestsattendedthelaunch ofFreixenetBrutRoyalwineatan eventinHouseOfZen restaurant inBelfast.PicturedareSallyBoyd, CiaranMeyler,United Wines,and CaoimheScullionfromBoyd’s ServiceStationin Toomebridge.
31. Aircoachhasbeen announcedasoffcialtravel partnerofDerryHalloween. Picturedatthepartnership announcementareKim Swan,managingdirector, Aircoach,AeidinMcCarter, headofculture,DerryCity andStrabaneDistrictCouncil, withDerryHalloween’s WalterDeBurgh.
32. NorthernIreland’sleading businessvoiceswillexplorehow purpose-drivenleadershipcan deliverasustainablefutureat the2024 WomeninBusiness VoicesofLeadershipConference. PicturedareKarenMcCloskey, PaulaLeathem,andLorraine Acheson.
33. GlassbottleproducerEncirc playedhosttoPrimeMinister KeirStarmerforamajor announcementoninvestment ingreenenergyatitsplantin Chester.KeirStarmerispictured withEncircmanagingdirector SeanMurphy.
34. Hospitalityandeventbar cateringcompany,NightcapEvent Grouphas relaunchedTheFoxes Den,witha£50,000investment innewbrandingandft-out. Picturedareoperationsdirector, DeanMcFarlandandmanaging director,DeclanHolmes.
35. JohnMcClaughryfrom Bangor, haslaunchedhis owncaricature business,John McClaughryArtist,thankstothe helpoftheGoForItprogramme. He’s picturedwithMayorof ArdsandNorthDown,Jennifer Gilmour, andMaeveKillingbeck, NorthDownDevelopment Organisation.
36. BelfastHarbourhas beenawardedtheSilver DiversityMarkbyDiversity Markin recognitionofits commitmenttopromoting andsupportingdiversity andinclusion.Pictured areStephanieBuchanan, ChristineWhite,Mike Dawson,and LynneSavageWatson.
37. McKillop’sSpar,Ballymena tookhometheawardfor IndependentRetailerofthe Year (upto3,000sqft)atthe2024 RetailIndustry Awards.Pictured areNadelleMcKillopandEamon McKillop.
38. EconomyMinisterConor Murphy(centre)hasoutlinedhis commitmenttodevelopinga regionallybalancedeconomyas partofhisSub-RegionalEconomic Plan.He’spicturedwithInvest NIchief,KieranDonoghue,and InvestNIchairman,JohnHealy.
39. Thefrststageofa£25.6m re-developmentofBelvoirPark Hospitalhasbeencompleted bypropertydeveloper,Alskea. Picturedareprojectdirectors ConorMaguireandShane Maguire.
40. JohnstonHoustonhas announcedthatithasbeen acquiredbyDrees&Sommer UKLtd.PicturedareMichael Johnston,JohnstonHouston, Kenneth Wood,Drees&Sommer, andKerrHouston,Johnston Houston.
Navitimer takesfight with classiclook TheBreitlingNavitimerisachronographwithseriousheritage inaeronauticsandremainsoneofthemostvisuallystunning watchesonthemarket. JohnMulgrew spentaweekonthe wristwithoneofthelatestvariantsafteravisittoBreitling’s Queen’sArcadeboutiqueinBelfastcitycentre
IrememberthefrsttimeIspotteda previousgenerationoftheNavitimerin thewindowofanairportjewellers. Whilethedialitselfisasbusyastheycome –duetothetechnicalelementsandoriginal aeronauticalusesofthepiece–it remains incrediblybalanced.
Breitling’sfagshipchronographisits Speedmaster,DaytonaorElPrimero.Itstarted offlifebackintheearly1950swhen Willy Breitlingwasapproachedbythe renownedUS AircraftOwnersandPilotsAssociation(AOPA) andaskedtocreateanewchronographforits members.
Andwhileitscasesizeincreasedoverthe years,thecurrentiterationcomesinatthe originalsizeof41mm.Thatwashugeback inthe1950s,butisnowahappymedium betweenwristpresenceandpracticality.
WhileBreitlingadaptedtheoriginal logarithmicslideruleofthe1940sChronomat foraviationpurposesandintegrateditintoa rotatingbezel,surroundedbysmallbeadsto makeiteasiertomanipulate,you’reunlikelyto useitin2024.Thatbeingsaid,youcan,and thefunctionality remainstoday.
Therearemoreruggedorclassicallypaired downvariationsoftheNavitimerinBreitling’s currentline-up,butthispistachioonbrown leatherstrapoffersupsomethingalittle different,especiallywhengreenisthecurrent colourwayenvogue.Askanyonethathadthe fortuneofbuyingaRolexSubmariner‘Hulk’at
retailpricewhenitfrstlaunched.
Thedialisamasteryofbothcomplexity andbalance.There’sacleansheenoffthe ‘mint’sunburst,althoughitappearscloserto somethinglikepistachio,withthreesubdials atthree,sixandnine,withthedatenestled withinthebottomdial,keepingthingsfairly clean.
Handsaregoldwithapopof redonthe chronographhand,alongsidethetechnical outerandinnerbezel.
Thecaseitselfsitfushonthewristandisn’t overtlychunk,withacombinationofpolishing onthebezelandtopofthecase,withbrushed sidesandacombinationofbothonthe pushers.
It’sahandsomepiece,withthebrown leatherbalancingwellwiththatpunchy greendial.There’sadeployantstrapensuring comfort,convenienceandthatyourleather shouldlastlongerthanonatraditionalband.
Thefunctionalityofthechronograph remainsinlinewithmanyothersonthe market,andthein-housemovementoffersup ahefty70hoursofpower reserve.
Fitandfnishisastobeexpectedwitha Breitlingasthispricepoint–thebrushingis smoothanduniform,whiletheblendinginto polishingiscleanandcrisp.
There’sthatopencasebacktohighlight themovementwithin–somethingmany manufacturersareoptingforthesedays, especiallywhenshowingoffsomethingin
MODEL:BreitlingNavitimer
B01Chronograph41
MOVEMENT:Breitling01
CASESIZE:41mm
MATERIAL:Stainlesssteel
PRICE:£7,400
house.Thefnishingiscleanwithalittlebitof decoration.
TheNavitimerisawatchwithasmuch, ifnotmorehistoricalpedigree,thanother majorplayersinthemarket.Notonlywasit apioneeringfightwatch,italsomadeitinto space.
AvariantwasdesignedforastronautScott Carpenterwith24-hourmarkers–inorder tohelphimdifferentiatefromnightandday wheninspace.
It’supagainstsometoughcompetition, though.TheOmegaSpeedmaster remainsan attractivepropositioninandaroundthisprice point,oryoucouldgoslightlyleftfeldwith Zenith,orsavebyoptingforsomethinglike Tudor’snewbluedialBlackBayChrono.
ButtheNavitimerisanattractive proposition.It’sahandsomepiecewithagood movement,functionalityandprovenance.It’s alsoavailableinawiderangeofiterations–so ifthemintdoesn’tworkforyou,there’sthe classicblueorblackvariants,amongothers, orahefty43mminsold rosegold–complete withaperpetualcalendar–ifyourpocketsare deepenough. ■
Afleeting hop to Madridlingers far beyond Amother-daughtertrip totheSpanishcapital tookinthebestoffood, shoppingandart,writes MadeleineKeane
LikemanyIrishpeople,Ihave visitedSpainnumeroustimes.I’ve partiedinPuertoBanus,cruised intoBarcelona,and‘Caminoed’inGalicia. DownthedecadesI’veenjoyed romantic weekendsinSitgesandSalou,house
partiesinIbiza,afamilytripto Tarragona andagoldenholidayontheCosta Dauradawithmymotherthreeweeks beforeshedied.
OneofmymostmemorableSpanish sojournswasatourofthecentralplain,the territoriesofCastillayLeonandCastillaLa Mancha,borderingMadrid.IntheheartofDon Quixoteterritory,wesampledtheparadorsof theetherealcitiesof Toledo,Cuenca, Avila, SegoviaandSiguenza:uniquetoSpain,these arethepalacesandmonasteries,conventsand castlesthathavebeen renovatedand restored, andarenowrunbythestateashotels.
Andyet,mymanySpanishstepshadnever
happenedinthismarvellouscountry’scapital. So,withmydaughterJulia,weplotaspring break.She’saJanuarybabybutwedecideto pushherbirthdaycelebrationsforwardtoApril whentheweathertherewillbeatitsmost clement–warm,butnotbaking.
ThePavilionsisstylishandsuperblylocated. SetonaquietstreetadjacenttoPlazade ColonandPaseodelaCastellana,thiship hotelfeelsfarfromthemaddeningcrowds. However,aswe’llfindout,it’sashortwalk fromthecentreoftheactionandthere’sa handymetro(Colon)aroundthecornerand thesystemischeapandveryeasytonavigate. SituatedbehindtheInteriorMinistry,with
policemendottedonseveralcorners,this localealsofeelsassafeashouses.
Thehotelitselfisartyandcharmingwith comfortablebedrooms:twoofmyaddictions cateredtointheformofaselectionof books(localhistoryandart)andaNespresso machine.
We’reona“DineandDream”package (bedpluslunchordinneratalocal restaurant) so,unpackedandbearingsgot,westartthe unwindingprocesswitha restorativevino verdejoontheterraceatnearbyRobuchon, watchingthepaseo–beautifullydressed Madrileñostakingtheireveningstroll–before headingto restaurantBar Tomate.
The delight to feel the warmth of the Spanish sunonour faces aftera long, wet Dublin winter isbeyond compare Thiseateryhasthesamecoolvibeasour nearbylodgings,towhichthearrayofstylish localspackingintofeasthereattest. Tomato tartarecevichefollowedbyperfectlycooked steakisfrstclass.
Thedelighttofeelthewarmthofthe Spanishsunonourfacesafteralong,wet Dublinwinterisbeyondcompare.Still,while we’rein T-shirtsandlinens,thelocalsare buttonedupinwinterjacketsandbootswhen wearriveatParqueDelRetiro,thegorgeous greenheartofthecity.
Onceusedexclusivelybythe royalfamily,it waspartiallyopenedtothepublicinthe18th century(withtheprovisothatvisitorswere formallydressed)andopenedfullyin1869.
Cruciallyforthisartlover,it’salsoastone’s throwfromthePrado,Madrid’sleading attraction.Therearelonglinesofpeople everywhere(thegreatMuseosThyssenBornemiszaandReinaSofaarenearby.
HometothegreatestcollectionofSpanish paintings,thePrado(namedafterthemeadow whichonceoccupiedthisspace)alsohas impressiveexamplesofFlemishandItalianart. ThoughIcouldeasilyspendthedaywalking throughtheseglorious rooms,I’veonlyan hour,soIgazeinraptureatitsgreatesthits: notablyRuben’sThreeGraces,Goya’sNaked Maja,TheGardenofEarthlyDelightsby HieronymusBoschandthefabledLasMeninas de Velazquez.
WereuniteandheadforGran Via,thecity’s mainshoppingthoroughfare.Ithasallthebig names–Zara,MassimoDutti,Stradivarius, UrbanOutftters–and(there’snoescapingit) italsoboaststhelargestPrimarkinEurope.
Juliamakesasuccessfulpurchase (sunglasses)inAle-Hop(aSpanishversion of Tiger),butmyimpulsebuyofaswimsuit doesn’ttravel(notetoself:trythestuffon).
We headwestside,passingthroughthe PuertodelSol,wherethousandsof revellers gatheronNew Year’sEveandeat12grapes foreverystrokeoftheclock,atradition reputedtobringgoodluckforthenext12 months.
Thissunnyspringafternoon,thePlaza Mayor–thecapital’shistoriccentre–bustles withtouristsand,withtheMadridOpen startingacoupleofdayslater,twoguysare havingaknock-uponwhatappearstobea pop-upclaytenniscourt.Allhumanlifehas playedoutonthisgrandarcadedsquare–fromcanonisation,executions,andbullfghts toplays,coronationsandChristmasmarkets.
Afve-minutewalkbringsustothe legendaryMercadodeSanMiguel.Oncea simpleneighbourhoodmarket,thisisnow amodishfoodcourthousedinastunning century-oldwroughtironconstruction. Saturdaylunchtime,it’sheavingsowe return laterasduskfalls.It’slessmanic,thoughstill fzzeswithfunandglamourandItoastmy lovelygirlwithcava,aplateofjamoniberico, patatasbravasandolives.
Ouryoungconciergehasmarkedourcards thatLaLatinaistheplacetogoforSaturday nighttapasandcervezas.Likeeverywhere inthisstellarmetropolis,it’saquickhop away.Theoldestbarrio(district)inMadrid, it’sawildlyevocativeplace,itsnarrowstreets thrummingwithcolour,musicandart.
OurSundaymorningisspentsoakingup theinsouciantcharmofthisbeguilingcity. We enjoyafnalcafeconlechewhileobserving a10kmarathontakeplacewithminimalfuss andtotaleffciency.
Intheinterestsofeconomyand research we’vedecidedtotakethecheapestwayback totheairport.Expressbusesfromthecity centreare regularand reliableandit’safver eachforasmooth40-minutejourney.
Thisvisithasbeensofeeting(lessthan48 hours)butparadoxicallyI’mglad.I’vefallen headoverheelsforthisplace–itisexquisite, easytogetaround,compact,andyetthere’s somuchsosee.AndtheMadrileñoare delightful;open,vivacious,warm.Iknowfor certain,myloveaffairwithMadridisonlyjust beginning. ■
Bunq goes for growth asdiversity inbanking opens yet more doors Bunq,theself-styled‘bankfordigital nomads’nowregardsIrelandasacore market,writes Adrian Weckler
BiancaZwartisneveroffduty.“I askedtheDublinAirporttaxidriver, whowascalledJames,whetherhe hadheardofBunq,”saystheDutch-born chiefofstaffofBunq,sittinginDublin’s SASRadissonHotel.
“Hehadn’t.Butbythetimewegottothe hotelherehehadopenedanaccount.”
Whileherpersonalcustomerconversionrate islimited,givenshespendsmostofhertime betweenAmsterdamandRome,her“bankfor digitalnomads”ishavingamomentinIreland.
Thenumberofusersherehastrebledin thelastyear,shesays,withoutdisclosinga number.Ithasbecomeproftableforthefrst timesinceitopenedin2012.
AnditsacquiredIrishsubsidiary,CapitalFlow, islendingouthundredsofmillionsinSMEand propertyinvestmentloans.
Nowit’sgoingforgrowth.AcrossEurope, Bunqhas14.5millioncustomersanddeposits of€8bn.ItiscurrentlyopeningaNew York offcetoexpandintotheUSmarket,aplace wherefvemillionpeople regularlytravelback andforward,toandfromEurope,accordingto thebank’s research.
ButBianca,aformerkickboxerandcurrent marathonrunner, remainsobsessedwiththe
smallerdetailsofwhattheysellhere.That includes recommendationsfromtaxidrivers likeJames.
“Thequestionheaskedmewhenhewas openingtheaccountwas‘doyouautomatically reportmytaxesforme?’
“Iwaslike,Idon’tthinkthatwedo.SoI textedacoupleofengineerstosaywhydon’t wedothat?Shouldwefxthat?Andnow we’refxingthat,”shesaid.
Ireland,shesays,isa“core”market.Despite notgivinganyfguresaboutthenumberof depositorshere,BiancasaysthatitisBunq’s thirdlargest.
“We’vegrownquiteorganicallyhere,”she says.“Dublinisatechhubandpeopletravel alot,notjustforfunbutalsooutofnecessity. Soforpeoplewho regularlydocross-border shopping,itftsourproductfairlywell.Irish peoplealsoseemtoloveoursavingsaccount becauseithasaverycompetitiverate.”
Asanonlinechallengerbank,insomeways BunqisfollowinginthefootstepsofRevolut, whichhasaround38millionusers.ButRevolut wantstobecometheeverythingbankfor Irishcustomers,fromloansandmortgagesto roamingmobileservicesandtradingstocks.
DoesBunqholdanysimilarambitions?Not
somuch,shesays.
“Ithinkwhatgotussofarisourabilityto focus,sowe’dratherdosomething reallygood foraspecifcsetofpeople,thanofferingalot ofproductsanddomaybeapoorjob,”Bianca says.
“Butthenagain,wealsolistentoourusers. Soasanexample,weintroduced(trading) stockslast Tuesday.Itwillhopefullybeavailable inIrelandsoon.
“We’redoingthisbecauseourcustomers toldusthatthey’dliketostartinvesting, butsimplydon’tknowhow.It’sjusttoo complicated. We wantedtointroduceawayof investingthat’seasy,thatanyonecando.
“SowelaunchedwiththemostpopularEU andUSstocks,butalsoETFs.”
OnethingRevoluthassaidbeforeisthat
itssuccessinIrelandishelpedbytheslow, rudimentaryconversionofthetransitional bankstofexible,modernonlineapps.Bianca saysthatwhilesheagrees,itwon’tstaylike that.
“IntheNetherlands,thetraditionalbanks’ appshadbeenquitepoorforalongtime.
“Whenwejoined,they reallystarted investinginthatandtheirappsare reallygood now.Ithinkthat’sagoodthing.”
Bunqishiring17peopleinIrelandand,for thefrsttime,willhaveaphysicaloffcehere, sharingitssubsidiary’sspaceinDublin’sBaggot Street.
Itmeansthatforthefrsttime,Bunq employeesherewillbe requiredtoturnup, physically,atanoffcethreedaysaweek.Is thattransitionfromfully remotetomajority
offcetimeatypicalindustryone?
“Imean,therearedifferentnuancestoit,” Biancasays.“Asacompany,webelievein hybrid.Theworldhaschangedandpeople wantmorefexibility.
“Theyalsotravelmore. We’vealways beentech-frst,evenwhenwewereworking fulltimeintheoffceyearsagoourmain communicationchannelhasbeenemailor Slack.Sointhatsense,thewayofworking doesn’t reallymatter.
“Butatthesametime,wedothinkthatwe needtoconnectwitheachother,sometimesto getcertainthingsdone.Sothat’sthegeneral view.”
Bunq,shesays,alsohas“specifcperks orpolicies” relatedtohowlongstaffhave workedatthecompany.Thelongeryou’re
there,themore“digitalnomaddays”you get,meaningapasstoworkfromanywhere intheworld.
Irelandis,paradoxically,botha conservativeandanadventurouscountry whenitcomestobanking.WhileBankof IrelandandAIBmaintainalockonmostof thecountry’sconsumerbusinessas“pillar banks”,Revolutandsmallerrivalssuch asN26andBunqhavegained reasonable traction.
Biancasayssheseesafuturewhere “diversity”willcontinuetogrow.“Wesee morepeoplenowwhohavemovedoverto usastheirmainbank,gettingtheirsalary paidintotheirBunqaccounts.
“Butwethinkdiversityisagoodthing.It willliftthewholesector.”
TECH NOLO GY
BiancaZwart
Uncovering the9-5 NAME: MicheleBryans
POSITION: chiefexecutive, EastSidePartnership
7am
I havetwochildrenatschool,somymornings tendtobebusypreparingthemfortheday ahead. We liveoutsideofBelfastandschoolis a 20-30minjourneyaway Myhusbandworksin constructionsoheisawayveryearly Ifthey’re gettingtheschoolbus I willjumpontheGlider, whichmeans I amavoidingthebusytraffic, travellingin a more sustainablewayand I can alsogetsomeworkdone. I alsohave a quick scrollonourworksocialmediaand a checkof emailstoseeifanythingurgentwhich required myattention.
9am
Assoonas I getintheoffice,firstthing I do isgrab a coffee.If I don’t have a meeting firstthing, I willcheckmyemails, respondto anythingthatneedsurgentattentionandflag anythingupanythingthat I cancomebackto laterintheday
9.30am
I meetwithourexecutiveteamwhichisour directorofstrategicdevelopmentandthe companyaccountant.EastSidePartnershipis a regenerationcharityandwehavejustunveiled ourstrategicframework2025to2030which outlinesour roleinsupportinganddeveloping a thriving,connectedandwelcomingeastBelfast. Thedirector, havingoversightofEastSide Partnershipprojects,willprovideanupdate onengagementwithournewframework andotherprojectactivityanddeliveryandthe accountantwill reportagainstthefinances oftheorganisation. We willalsoidentifyand discussopportunityforstrategicgrowthand developmentaswellasensure theteamare beingsupportedtofulfilltheir roles.
10.30am
TimefortheEastSidePartnershipBoard meeting,Theboard ismadeupof19directors andiscomposedof a crosssectormembership includingcommunity, privatesector, elected membersandthechairsofoursubsidiary projects.Theboard meetson a quarterlybasis andischairedbyAndrewHassard,who retired nineyearsagofromBelfastCityCouncil. I provide a chiefexecutive reportonmyactivity duringthepreviousquarterwhichincludes engagementsandmeetingswhichhelpto influenceourstrategicdirectionandgrowth. I reportagainstthestrategicdeliveryofthe organisationwhichincludesour roletolead onthe regenerationofeastBelfasttocreate a thriving,connectedandwelcomingeast Belfast.Thisincludesactivitysuchasfacilitating andcoordinatingpartnerstoworktogether, improvingandanimatingthenaturaland builtenvironment,developingandcelebrating culture,creativityandheritageaswellas improvinglifechancesofthosemostinneed.
12pm
I meetwithourboard chairandhave a debrief ontheboard meetingtoensure weare clearon requiredactions. I grabsomelunchbefore my nextengagementormeeting.
1pm
We haveaninternalmeetingwithsomekey projectstaff,weare preparingtolaunch a newstrategycalled‘You Vision’forthe
NewtownardsRoad.Thelaunchaccumulates a yearlongengagementprocesstoshape a new visionwhichisactionfocusedto regeneratethis keyneighbourhoodineastBelfast.
2.30pm
As a VisitBelfastboard member I jointhelatest board meeting. I havebeen a board memberfor justover a year Theboard recentlylaunched a newstrategyofwhichneighbourhoodtourism is a keypriority.I havetheopportunitytoshare expertiseandlearningtopromoteandposition theneighbourhoodtourismofferforBelfast.
4pm
I joinBelfastCityCouncilfor a meetingabout a capitalprojectweare developingatCSLewis Square,whichisanextensiontoEastSide Visitor Centre and a tourismaccommodationproject. Anarchitectis redesigningtheschemesothe meetingprovidesanopportunitytoupdate ontheprogressanddiscussnextstageof development.
5.30pm
Quickcheckonemailsandensure theyare clearedandactioned.If I don’t have a work engagement,whichcouldsometimesbe attending a businessorculturalevent, I always maketimetogotothegymor a swimbeforeI gohome.I’m reallyluckytohavegoodleisure facilitiesineastBelfastandusethebeautifully restored Templemore Bathsseveraltimes a week. ■
