Ulster Business September 2023

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Positivityin theair despitechallenges

Thiscertainlyhasn’t been a quiet endtothesummerintermsof newsoutput.

Headlinescontinueinthewakeofthe hugePSNIdatabreach,andsubsequent indiscretions,astheorganisationattempts todealwiththeongoingfalloutwhichhas growninthedaysandweekssinceitwas frstuncovered.

Butthere’s alsobeensomesubstantially positivenewsonthebusinessfront,with companiespostingbig results,announcing major recruitmentdrivesandinvestingtens ofmillions.

HendersonGroup,forexample,isnow a businesswith a turnoverof£1.23bn.That makesitNorthern Ireland’s third largest

company, accordingtoourownranking metrics,puttingitjustbehindW&RBarnett andMoyPark.

WelcometotheSeptembereditionof UlsterBusiness We feature BrittMegahey ofBarclayCommunicationsonthismonth’s cover, asthefrmlaunchesitsnewfagship BarclayBounceproduct,whichisaimingto bringfreshfexibilitytobusinesstelecoms here.

Whileit’s backtoschoolformanyofour youngones,there remainslittleintheway ofindicationthatit’s alsotimeto return to theclassroomforourpoliticianshere.

I’vespokentobusinesseshere inthelast fewdaysandinmultiplecasesthelackof anExecutivehas,andcontinuestohave,an

impactonday-to-dayoperations,whether that’s dueto a lackofring-fencingover funding,theabilitytogreenlightthenext stageof a keypolicydevelopmentwhich wouldhelpshape a burgeoningindustry, or a generallackofuncertaintywhich continuestoprevailhere.

We’re allsickofhearingandtalkingabout it,becauseitfeelslikeit’s goneonforever

Whenever I tookoveraseditorofthis magazinetheAssemblywasinitslongest periodofmodern-daysuspensionsincethe collapseofpower-sharingin2002.

Thisisourthird periodofstasissincethen, andit’s notacceptable. ■

JohnMulgrew

Publisher UlsterBusiness

c/oMediahuisUKLtd

Belfast TelegraphHouse,33ClarendonRoad, ClarendonDock,BelfastBT13BG

Printer W&GBaird

GreystonePress,CaulsideDrive, AntrimBT412RS www.wgbaird.com

Editor JohnMulgrew

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

Graphicdesign SusanMcClean,MediahuisIrelandDesignStudio

Coverphoto MattMackey/PressEye

@ulsterbusiness www.ulsterbusiness.com

UlsterBusinessMagazine

MediahuisUKLtd©2023.Allrights reserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybe reproduced,storedina retrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyform, orbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,photocopying, recording,orotherwisewithoutthepriorpermissionofMediahuis.

A month innumbers US law frm‘could expand furtherinNI’

£1.2bn

Turnoverat retail andwholesalegiant HendersonGroup accordingtoitslatest accounts.

£209m

Whattheinternational eventsandconference sectorcouldbeworth hereby2030.

88 Thenumberofyears sincewhiskeywaslast producedinBelfastup until TitanicDistillers beganmakingthe spiritjustlastmonth.

48.2

AUSlegalgiantcouldaddfresh operationsandcreateadditional jobshere, UlsterBusiness can reveal.

OgletreeDeakins,whichworksprimarilyin employmentlaw, has a teamofaround80in Belfast.

ButbossMattKeensaysthere is“roomfor furthergrowth”.Hesaysthefrm“maybeable toput a coupleofotheroperationshere”.

“We are certainlyconsideringotherbusiness professionalstosupportthefrm – we’vebeen abletofndgoodpeoplesowemaybeableto put a coupleofotheroperationshere aswell,” hesaid.

“There’s roomforfurthergrowth. We have addedclientsandprocessesso I thinkthere is roomtogrowfurther

“ThethingI’vebeenmostimpressedwithis justhowquickly[Belfast]havegelledas a team – it’sa veryenthusiasticworkforceandthey enjoywhattheyare doinghere andformgood client-basedteams,”hesaid.

MrKeensaidthe“reputationofNIinthe USas a businesscentre hasobviouslyimproved dramatically –I thinkit’s verystrongrightnow”.

“Theuniversitiesproduceundergraduatelaw programmeswhich[produce]studentswho are preparedtocomeinandperformparalegal workand I think,justbeingabletoobserve someofthesuccessotherfrmshavehad

theyhadallgrown,”hesaid.“We spoketo a coupleofthemandtheywere allpleasedwith thetalentbasetheywere abletofndandthe producttheywere getting.”

TheUSfrmopened a globalsolutionscentre inNorthern Irelandin2021,andisplanning togrowitspresencehere withatitsfrst permanentlocationinthecity

“OgletreeDeakinsis a labouremployment lawfrmbasedinAtlanta,Georgia,andisone ofthelargestlabouremploymentlawfrmsin theworld,”MrKeensays.

“We haveabout950lawyersintotalin 56offces,mostintheUS – Canada,three EuropeanoffcesandtheBelfastoffcewhich weopenedtwoyearsago.

“Ourfrmpracticeseveryaspectoflabour employmentlaw – primarily representing employers. We have a fairlylargebusiness immigrationpractice,about20%.It’s beenthe fastestgrowingpracticeoverthepastfveor sixyears.

“Asthatpracticewasgoingthrough signifcantgrowth a coupleofyearsagoin ordertomaintainthekindoftalentweneeded forclientservicesthatweare dedicatedto providing,wewere lookingforadditionaltalent poolsandwere contactedbyInvestNIabout someoftheactivitieswhichwere goingonin Belfast.”

Readthefullinterviewonpage22-23

ThelatestPMIindex fromUlsterBank whichshowsasmall slowdowninactivity, whereafgureof50 meansnochange.

MattKeen, managingpartner ofOgletreeDeakins

NI ‘risks getting left behindon AI’

NorthernIrelandmusthaveadedicatedstrategytodeal withartifcialintelligenceandmachinelearningorrisk gettingleftbehind,it’sbeenclaimed.

A raftofcompanies – largeandsmall – are alreadymakinguseof

a vastarrayofpermutationsanditerationsofwhattheemergingand burgeoningtechnologyiscapableof.

“[Firmshere]are usingAItodeliverservicestoclients,internally, orto furthermaketheexistingsolutionsmore effectiveoreffcient, Tom Gray, vicechairoftheSoftware AllianceandfounderandcuratorofAICon, told UlsterBusiness

ThatalsomeansNorthern Irelandtaking a strongapproachfrom a governmentlevel – somethingwhichisagainbeingpushedintothelong grasswithout a workingExecutivetoprogressanddevelopourown devolvedstrategyhere.

[There’s concern]thatlocalbusinessesare goingtoloseoutwhen comparablebusinessesinother regionswhichhaveperhaps a more aggressiveAIdiffusionstrategywilljumpaheadofus,” Tom says.“The RepublicofIrelandhasstrongerapproach.”

HesaidmovingnowwillbekeytoNorthern Ireland,anditsfrms’, successes.

“ThefearisthatAIis a veryruthlesstechnology,”hesaid.“Iwould considerittoberuthlessandpunishingtolateadopters.It’s stillearly daysandthere is a windowofopportunity.”

Readthefullfeatureonpage37-40

Manufacturercreating 120 new NIjobs

Analuminiummanufactureris creatingaround120newjobsas partofamajor£3.5mexpansion here,ithasemerged.

TechnicalMetalsGroup,whichowns TechnicalMetalsinNewtownardsand SpringcoNIinPortadown,providesaluminium manufacturingandfnishing requirementsto clientsaroundtheglobe.

Overthelastthreedecades,Springcohas suppliedspringsolutionsforseveraldifferent spacemissions.

TechnicalMetalsworksacrossindustries includingaerospace,defence,pharmaceutical, telecommunications,engineeringand architecture.

InApril,itsuppliedtheEuropeanSpace Agency’s(ESA)missiontoexploreJupiter anditsicymoons,whichwaslaunchedfrom Europe’sSpaceportinFrenchGuiana.

Thegrouphasappointed26newmembers ofstaffoverthelast18months,including KieronKentasitsnewgroupmanaging director.Andtherehasalsobeena£500,000 investmentinnewfactoryplantat Technical MetalsinKiltonga,includingtheinstallationof awaterborewell.

Itwasfoundedin1984byRaymond Callaghan,thelatehusbandofthecompany’s chair,AnneMarieCallaghan.Itthenacquired SpringcoNIin1999andAbbicoilSpringsin 2003.

It’snowembarkingonitsbiggestgrowth strategytodate,nearly40yearsafteritwas foundedbyMrCallaghan.

MsCallaghansaid:“Post-Covid,wehave enjoyedoneofthecompany’sstrongest

Quotes of the month

periodsofgrowthwitha23%increaseinyearon-yearsales.

“WearedelightedtohaveappointedKieron Kentasthenewgroupmanagingdirectorwho hasbeen responsiblefordrivingthestrategic growthofthe TechnicalMetalsGroupandhas beenpivotalinimplementinghugechangesto thebusinessthatensureswearewellplaced fortheyearsahead.

“Inadditiontothis,wehavestrengthened ourseniormanagementteamwithseveralkey appointmentsincludingUrsulaMageeasgroup fnancedirectorandConnorJordanasgroup operationsdirector.”

Shesaidthebusinesswasproudtohavea

“The prospect of driving forward ourinward investment proposition, supporting continued regeneration, and attracting more people to the city over the next few years isan exciting one.”

ClareGuinnessafter beingnamednewBelfast Chamberchief.

largenumberofwomenontheworkforce, includingaspartofseniormanagement, asfemalesareunderrepresentedin manufacturing.

“Iamveryproudoftheentire Technical MetalsGroupworkforceandwhattheyhave achievedtodateandwithournewstructure andstrategyinplace,weareworkingtogether withasharedvisionasweenteranewphase ofglobalgrowth,whichtheboardandIare veryexcitedabout.

“Wecurrentlyhavehighlyexperienced teamsmadeupof64employeesworkingatall levelsandastrategicplantogrowthatnumber to160overthenextthreeyears.”

“Justlike the summer weather, business conditions took a turn for the worse inJuly.. during the second quarter, localbusinesses started the third quarter with activit y falling.”

UlsterBankchiefeconomist inNorthernIreland,Richard Ramsey,speakingaboutthe latestPMI report.

“Thescale of potentialwhich exists inNIis one of the many reasons I amlooking forward to this role. I am confdent thatNIChamber iswellplaced to enableour brilliant localbusinesses to grasp the opportunitiesahead.”

NIChamberchiefSuzanne Wyliespeakingafterher recentappointment.

AnneMarieCallaghan,KieronKent,UrsulaMagee,andConnorJordan, TechnicalMetalsGroup

Three Co Antrim restaurants shutafter company ceases trading

Three restaurantsandcafescloseto a CoAntrimtourismhotspothave beenshut“temporarily”afterthe

saidLoughshore RestaurantLtdhasnow informedthemitceasedtradingonSunday, August6.

Itsaysthatas a resulttheBoathouse RestaurantandLittleSwancoffeeshopat theGatewayaswellasDiana’s Tea Roomsat

AntrimCastleGardens“willbetemporarily closed”.

“We hopetohavealternativearrangements inplaceassoonaspossible. We apologisefor anyinconveniencecaused,”thecouncilhas said.

A spokesmanforAntrimandNewtownabbey BoroughCouncilsaid:“Thecouncilwasadvised yesterdaybyLoughshore RestaurantLtdthat theywouldceasetradingatcloseofbusiness onSunday, August6,2023andhadinformed theirstaff ofthis.

“Thecouncilhasprovidedinformation tothecompanyin relationtoemployment opportunitiesintheboroughforemployees whohavebeenimpactedbytheirdecision.

“Thecounciliscurrently reviewingitsoptions foralternativearrangements.”

TheBoathouseislocatedattheGateway complexatAntrimLoughShore, firstopening itsdoorsin2019.

Greenlight for £26m Baileys plant extension

Diageohasgotthegreenlight foramajorextensionand redevelopmentofoneofitsmain sitestodealwithgrowingdemandfor Baileys.

It’s receivedthego-aheadfor a £26m extensionofitsBaileysglobalsupplysitein Mallusk.

Diageosaiditwelcomedthedecisionfrom AntrimandNewtownabbeyBoroughCouncil togivethego-aheadtotheextensiononthe site,onceofjusttwoontheglobewhere Baileysisproduced.

TheMallusksiteproduces,bottles,labelsand storestheoriginalBaileysIrishCreamLiqueur

Thecompanysaidtheapprovalwould improveitslogisticsandwarehousingfacilities onthesite,whichproducesover60million bottlesofBaileyseveryyearforexportto150 countries.

There are twootherDiageositesinNorthern Ireland –a beercanningandpackagingfacility

ineastBelfastanditscorporateheadquartersin Belfastcitycentre.

“We are delightedwiththecouncil’s decision toapproveourplanstoextendoursiteat Mallusk,”LesleyAllen,operationsmanagerat BaileysMallusk,said.

“Theextensionwillsupportthestorage, deliveryanddistributionofrawmaterialsand fnishedgoodsandweare lookingforward to theopportunitiesitwillcreateforus.

“Baileysmakes a considerablecontribution tothelocaleconomyinNorthern Ireland,and over97%ofouroutputisshippedaroundthe world.

“We are confdentthattheplanned extensionwillsupportDiageo’s widergrowth strategy, buildingonthe£40minvestment wemadeinopeningthesitein2003andthe ongoinginvestmentstofurtherdevelopthe facilityandtheBaileysbrand.”

Theinitialearlyplansforthedevelopment includedan80,000ftwarehousewithstaff

facilities,alongsidenewplantequipment,staff parkingandlandscaping.

ItcomesaftertheGuinnessowner revealed itwouldpump£24.5mintothe regenerationof itseastBelfastpackagingfacility

Theinvestmentispartof a £40.5mcash injectionintoitssiteatMarshallsRoad, Castlereagh,andanotherfacilityinRuncorn, following a surgeofsalesinGuinnessproducts.

ThisgrowthincludesitsGuinnessDraught, GuinnessZero andGuinnessNitrosurge products.

Workwillbeginimmediatelyatpackaging facilitiesineastBelfastandincludetheramping upofcanningproduction.

ThenewinvestmentwillnowseetheBelfast sitedoubleitscurrentproductionto72,000 cansanhour, Diageosaid.

Diageowillalsoconvertexistingwarehouses while a further£16mwillbeinvestedatthe Runcorn sitetosignifcantlyupgradeitsbottling lineandexpandwarehousingcapacity

RobertMurphyand LesleyAllenofDiageo

Clare Guinnessnamed BelfastChamber chief

Clare Guinness has be en name d as the new chief executive of Belfast Chamber.

She replacesformerDUPMinisterSimon Hamilton,whoannouncedhewasstepping

MsGuinnesstakesonthe rolehavingover 25yearsofexperience,includingsenior roles acrossbanking,business,andinfrastructure. Shesaidshewas“passionate”abouthelping tosecure investmentintoBelfast.

“BelfastistheeconomicengineofNorthern Irelandandplayssuchanimportant role,”she said.

“Likeeverycity, ithasitchallenges,but wefndourselvesin a uniqueandpositive positionin a wholemannerofways.The prospectofdrivingforward ourinward investmentproposition,supportingcontinued regeneration,andattractingmore peopleto thecityoverthenextfewyearsisanexciting one.

“Iamthrilledtohavebeenappointedchief executiveoftheBelfastChamber

“Belfastis a placethatI’mpassionate aboutand I amkeentomakesure thatwe canacceleratethecity’s economic,social,and environmentalambitionandmeettheneedsof ourmembers.”

downinJune.

BelfastChamber president,Gavin Annon,withnew chiefexecutive, ClareGuinness

Northern Irelandsandwich business creating200 jobsin fresh expansion

ANorthernIrelandsandwichfrmis creating200newjobsaspartofits latestmajorexpansionplans.

Newry’sAroundNoonwillopenamajornew factoryatSlough TradingEstatenearLondon.

Thecompany,which recentlyacquiredthe northLondon-basedSohoSandwichCompany, hasalsoenjoyedstrongorganicgrowthin recenttimes,includingsecuringaseriesof largecontractsinthetravel,foodserviceand coffeesectors.

Thefrmhasacquiredanew30,000sqft factoryatSlough TradingEstate,whichwill becomethegroup’ssixthmanufacturing facility.

“WehavegrownourrunrateatAroundNoon inSloughfrom£4mayearin2018toaround £30mayeartoday,”GarethChambers,chief executiveofAroundNoon,said.

“Wenowmanufactureover400,000products aweekattheexistingSloughfactoryandwe

are reallypleasedtohavesecuredadditional premisesatSlough TradingEstatetosupport ourongoinggrowth.”

AroundNoonproducesarangeof‘food-to-go’ itemssuchassandwiches,salads,wrapsand fruitpotsforleadingairlines,coffeechains andcaterers.Itsaysthenewfactorywillallow thecompanytoincreaseitsmanufacturing capacityinSloughalonebyaround£50m.

Thecompanywillalsobringitstotalheadcount acrossthegrouptomorethan1,000withthe 200newjobsbeingcreated.Around300of the1,000peoplewillbebasedinSlough.

Slough TradingEstateishometoawiderange ofdifferent-sizedcompaniesacrossmultiple sectors,includingMars,Ferrari,DHL,Lanes GroupandUCB.

JamesCraddock,managingdirector,Thames Valley,atSEGRO,theowner,manager anddeveloperofmodernwarehousesand industrialproperty,said:“Thisisawonderful exampleofhowthequalityandmanagement

ofourworkspacecombinedwithourfexibility andunderstandingofourcustomers’property needshasenabledusto retainandgrowour diversecustomerbaseontheSlough Trading Estate.

“AroundNoonisastrong,growingbusiness andwe’reverypleasedtohavebeenableto accommodatetheminthisupgradedfacility andenabletheirbusinessgrowth,particularly atatimewhenthevacancyrateatSlough TradingEstate remainsverylowat2.7%.”

Thenewfacilityisundergoingamajor renovationinlinewiththedeveloper’s ‘ResponsibleSEGRO’commitmenttochampion low-carbongrowth.

AroundNoonwasfoundedinNewrymore than30yearsagoandistodayoneofthe leadingfood-to-gomanufacturersintheUK. Itproducesanextensiverangeofchilled, hot,frozenandbakeryproductsfromfve manufacturingsitesacrosstheUKandIreland. IthasfacilitiesinNewry,Sloughandnorth Londonandemploysover800people. ■

GarethChambers, ofAroundNoon, and WesleyJenkins, operationsdirector

Whyemployersmustdo moretoensureknowledge ofolderworkersisn’tlost

Iwasamused–orshouldthatbe bemused–by recentcomments madebytheGovernment’s Workand PensionsSecretarysuggestingthatolder workersshouldlookforjobsdelivering takeawaysandotherfexiblejobstypically occupiedbyyoungerpeople.

MelStridemadehiscommentsonavisitto thefooddeliverycompanyDeliveroo,which hadsaidithasseenasurgeinthenumberof deliveryridersagedover50inthelastcouple ofyears.

Ofcourse,suchjobsshouldbefreelyavailable toworkersofallages,buttoputolderpeople inaboxlikethatincreasestheriskthat organisationscouldmissoutonthewiderangingskillsandexperiencepeoplecanbring fromtheirpastcareers.

I’vewrittenbeforeaboutwhatwasdubbedthe “greatunretirement”–thenoticeabletrend forolderworkers re-enteringtheworkforce becauseofthehighercostoflivingandthere hasbeenmuchcommentaryaboutpeople stayinginworklongerandtheopportunity allofthisaffordemployerswhenitcomesto addressingtalentshortages.

ButwhileIthinkmoreorganisationsare recognisingthevaluethatpeoplewith experiencecanbring, researchcarriedout byHayssuggestsmanyothersareeitherstill reluctanttospecifcallytargettheover50sor aren’tdoingenoughtomakesurethey retain theknowledgeofthosenearto retirement age.

Inoursurveyofover8,500professionalsand employersacrosstheUK,almostathird(30%)

ofworkerssaidtheyplanto retireinthenext fveyearsbutonly11%saidtheiremployers haddiscussed retirementplanswiththem.

Asa result,wethinkmanyemployersare losingoutonopportunitiestoholdontoskills, transferknowledgeorsupportlongerlife workingor reskilling.

Largeemployers(1,000stafformore)arethe leastlikelytobeintunewiththisasonly6% arecurrentlydiscussing retirementplanswith workersheadingfor retirement.Alackof communicationisalsoapparentinthepublic sector,withonly7%ofpublicsectoremployers currentlyhavingthesediscussionscomparedto 15%ofprivatesectororganisations.

Thisisquitesurprisinggiventhat55%of employerswesurveyedsaidtheywereactively hiringstaffovertheageof50,with42% sayingtheyofferpart-timeworktoolderstaff, 38%sayingtheyofferagileworkinghoursand 20%offeringsomesortofphased retirement.

The resultssuggestthatdespitethepush tohireand retainolderworkerslonger,lots ofemployersarestilllettingolderworkers disappearwithoutatraceratherthan supportinglaterlifeworking, reskilling,and passingknowledgedown.

It’simportantthatemployersspeaktotheir staffandcheckinontheirplansforthose whoareapproachingtheirlasttenyearsin theworkplace.Gonearethedaysofarigid retirementageandinsteadolderworkerscan stilloffervaluetoanorganisationandwork morefexiblythroughparttimeworkingas wellas reducedandagilehours.

Overhalf(57%)ofprofessionalsinoursurvey saidfexibleworkingopportunitieswouldbe themostimportantfactorforthemwhen consideringanew roleovertheageof50 but42%alsosaid retirementplanningwould beanimportantfactorforthem.Currently, only27%ofemployersareofferingthis.

I’mencouragedbythesurveyfndingthat 60%ofprofessionalssaystaffaretreated equallywithintheirorganisation, regardless ofage,butwestillhaveoneinfveofour respondentssaidtheyaren’t,whichistoo high.

Olderworkersareapivotal,experiencedpart oftheworkforcewhocontributetoamore diverseorganisationwithbreadthofideas andstrengths.

Employerswhocanharnessthisandoffer opportunitiesto reskillaswellasinitiatives suchas reversementoringwillnotonlymake sureworkersdon’tcometoahardstopat theendoftheirworkinglife,butalsoensure skillsgapswithintheirorganisationsdon’t widen. ■

ByJohnMoore,managingdirector,HaysNI

TOUR IS M& EVEN TS

TheArmaghObservatoryand Planetarium: historyandaneyeonthefuture

Northern Ireland’s astronomicalcredentialsandlonghistory havebeenforgedintheheartofArmaghformore than twocenturies.

Whatstartedoff as a workingobservatoryin1790hasdevelopedinto theArmaghObservatoryandPlanetarium –a stalwartinourtourism industryaswellascontinuingtoplay a key rolein researchhere.

AndwhiletheObservatory remains a working researchcentre–featuringtheworld’s oldesttelescopestillinitsoriginalsetting – andthe Planetariumwelcomessome70,000visitorseachyear, plansare under wayformajor redevelopment,includingboostingthecentre’s abilityto playhosttosignifcantconferencesandevents.

“We have a tremendoushistory,”ProfessorMichaelG.Burton,director oftheArmaghObservatoryandPlanetarium,says.

“Theoriginalbuildingismore than200yearsoldandistheoldest continually-runningobservatoryintheBritishIsles.

“We havethehistorical researchorganisationwhichhassomeofthe oldesttelescopesintheworldandisstillanactivecentre forastronomical research.

“Andwehave a vibrantplanetariumand a veryactivevisitorcentre–around70,000peoplecamethroughourdoorslastyear.”

Buthesaystheorganisationhopestodoubleortrebleitstouristnumbers aswellasopeninganddevelopingtheorganisationtohostinternational visitorsthroughconferencingandevents.

“We are constrainedbycapacity It’s thesameoriginaldomewhichwas installed,andwhilewehaveupgradedthetechnology, thedomeis a limitation. We are atcapacityandare essentiallyfully-bookedallthetime overthesummer.”

ThePlanetariumisholdingfourconferencesthissummer – bringingin a substantialnumberofinternationalvisitors.

ThatincludestheannualBritishAssociationofPlanetaria(BAP) Conference,AMCVn5,oncataclysmicvariables,sdOB11,whichis11th in a seriesofconferencesonhotsubdwarfsand relatedobjects,andthe fourthwillbeESOP42,lookingatoccultationofsolarsystemobjectslike asteroidsandisthe42ndESOPconferencetodate.

Theconferencesare supportedbyArmaghCity, Banbridge & Craigavon BoroughCouncil.

DuringthesummertheArmaghPlanetariumispackedas a visitor attractionforfamiliesandinschooltermtimeit’s predominantlyan educationcentre.

“Onepartofwhatwewanttodoistoimproveourabilitytotake visitors,”ProfessorBurtonsays.“We believewecandoubleoreven treblethenumberofvisitorscomingthrough.”

Hesaysoverallplansforthefuture includebringingininternational visitorsthroughconferencing,usingthedomeas a toolforeducation, improvingthevisitorexperienceanddevelopingtheheritageelement.

“We would redevelopthewholesiteandmoderniseit,connectingitinto theObservatorythroughthetopographyofthehill.

“Itwouldbe a muchlargerplacewithadditionalfacilities. We wantto developitfurthertobeabletoaccommodatemore conferences.”

TheArmaghPlanetariumhasnowsubmitted a businesscase,butplans remainatanearlystage.

Themajorityoftheorganisation’s currentfundingcomesfromthe DepartmentforCommunities.However, plansforthenextmajorstageof developmentcouldalsoincludesupportfromprivateorganisations,along withdrivingitsown revenue.

“There remains a lotmore detailedworktoturn theconceptplansinto reality – that’s thenextphaseofthedevelopment.

“We havealsostartedtheprocessofseeking a UNESCOaccreditation. That’sa decade-longprocess,butwebelievethisplaceissuffciently importanton a globalscale.” ■

ProfessorMichael Burton,directorat ArmaghObservatory andPlanetarium

Flexibilityiskeywhenitcomesto deliveringtop-tiertelecomsproducts tobusinessesandorganisationsright acrossthesectors.

BarclayCommunicationsnowintroducesits newbusinesstariff cameintofruition – Barclay Bounce

after reachingouttoitscurrent mobilecustomerstobetterunderstandtheir needs.

The researchpresentedBarclay Communicationswiththemajorityof customerswantingstrongerandmore reliable networkcoverage,whilesomeraisedconcerns overadditionalorunexpected roamingcharges acrossallthemajornetworks. A significant numberofcustomersexpressedaninterestin havingmore controlovertheirmobileaccount andclearerinvoicingforinternalmanagement.

UlsterBusiness caughtupwithBarclay Communicationsfounderandmanaging director, BrittMegahey, alongsidesalesdirector JohnRoulston,tolearn more abouthowthis latestproductwouldbenefit NIbusinesses.

“Flexibilitytraditionallyisn’ta word closely associatedwithtelecoms,especiallyintermsof contractsandnetworks”,BrittMegaheysays. “BarclayBounceisaimingtochangethat.

“It’s onetariff withonebill,thatallows businessestoswitchbetweenanyofthefour majorUKnetworks – O2, Vodafone,EEand Three,dependingoncoverageorbusiness needs.”

“We listenedtoourcustomers,”JohnRoulston says.“Regularfeedbackfrombusinesseshas beeninstrumentaltoourgrowthandsuccess andit’s somethingwe reallyvalue.

“Ifthepast27yearsintelecomshastaughtus anything,it’s thatonesizedoesn’t necessarily fit all.It’s seldomthatweengagewithcompanies where onenetworkisrightforeveryone.

“We wantedtoprovide a wayforcustomers toutilisemultiplenetworksdependingontheir needs.Forexample,20%ofemployeescould beon Vodafone,20%onEEandthe remaining

Barclay Bounce: the new business mobile tarif giving customers unlimited flexibility

Withagoaloftransformingtraditionalbusiness communications, BarclayCommunications isintroducingitsnewestsolution,‘Barclay Bounce’.It’saflexiblemobilesolutionwhich givesBarclaycustomerstheabilitytoswap betweenanyofthefourmajorUKnetworks, allwhileincontractandallononesinglebill

60%onO2.Givingabilityforcustomersto ‘bounce’betweennetworksmid-contract shouldtheirbusiness requirementschange.

“Particularnetworksprovideinclusive roaming data,whichisbeneficialforthosewho regularly travel,whileothersmayhavebettercoveragein a particulararea.Eachnetworkhasitsstrengths andmanyindifferentareas.Somehavewider 5G rollout,somehavemore internationaland Europeanagreements,whilesomesimplyhave improvedinfrastructure in remoteareas.

“It’s aboutgivingcustomersasmuch flexibility aspossiblewhilemaintainingstreamlined

processesforthebusiness.”

BarclayCommunicationsoperatesacross a rangeofcommunicationofferings,with mobileatitsheart,alongside a hostedlandline solution,its fieldservicesoftware, WorkPaland additionalITproductsandmanagement.

Thebusinessisknownforitseffortsin transformingthetelecomsspaceafteritsbidto end fixedlandlineauto renewalsin2021.Britt believesthisfreshoutlookontelecomcontracts willfurtherenhanceitscustomerexperience.

“Beinganindependentproviderandbuilding

strong relationshipswiththeUKnetworkshas allowedustoputthistogether”,Brittsays.

“Ournewcustomerportalputsthecustomer backincontroloftheiraccount.Theynowhave accesstomakechangeswhenevertheywant, viewinvoicesonline,changeusernames,add orupdatespendcaps,increasedatapoolsright throughtobeingableto requestadditional assistancefromourdedicatedsupportteam.

“We believeweare thefrsttomarketthis typeofproduct.Itwasdevelopedin-house whichaddstoitsstrength – we’vetailoreditto answertheneedsofcustomersandinvested

signifcantlytomakeitsimpleand robust.”

Themobileindustryhasseensignifcantchange inhowconsumersutiliseservices.Ithasbeen a drivingforcewithinthebusinesseconomyto stay relevantandprovide a solutionthatmeets theneedsofthebuyer

Brittgivesanexampleofhowthenewoffering willbeneftusers.“If a memberofstaff is travellingtoEuropeand requires a lotof roamingdata,then a networksuchasO2may workbetterforthem – asO2providesnodaily chargeinEurope.Similarly, ifanemployee moveshouseor a business relocatesandthe

coverageontheirexistingnetworkispoor, then wecanswapthemto a networkwithbetter coverageinthatarea.”

“We workindependentlyanddirectlywiththe differentnetworks”,Johnsays.“Thisallows ustobecreativeandsettheprice – we’ve negotiatedhard toenable a strongpricepoint, andonethat’s competitive.Bounceisnotonly fexiblebutextremelycompetitive.”

TheproducttargetsSMEs,largeenterprises, andpublicsectororganisationsalike.

“It’s completelyuserfriendly”,Brittsays.

BrittMegahey,founderandmanaging director,BarclayCommunications

“Smallerbusinessesneedmore fexibilityasthe marketchangesandlargeorganisationsthat are managinghundredsofconnections require greaterlevelsofcontrol.

“Peoplehatebeingtieddownandnothaving abilitytochangeifneeded,whetherit’s being tiedto a singlenetwork,data restrictionsor unabletopreventadditionalcharges.Barclay Bouncehelpstosolvetheseproblemsallunder onebill.”

Around50%ofmobileuserscurrentlydonot haveaninclusive roamingoptionorbundle whenabroadandinthepastyear a quarter ofBritishtravellershavebeensubjectedto roamingchargesaveraging£262perperson.

Johnsays:“It’s easytoseewhere users’ frustrationsare comingfrom.It’s ourjobto alleviatetheseforourcustomerssotheyhave thebestpossibleexperienceeverytime.

“Customershavealwaysbeenandwill continuetobeourpriority, bringing realvalue andcreativitytothemarketissomethingwe are veryproudtodeliver.”

BarclayCommunicationsalsocontinuesto expandits150,000+connectionswithdeeprooted relationshipswithcompaniessuchas Tayto,the WelshParliament,CancerFocusand theUniversityofCambridge.

With a headoffceinBelfastitprovides servicesthroughoutIreland,Scotland, Wales andEnglandwithcustomersalsonowinthe USAandCaymanIslands.

Andit’s continuingtosee“impressive growth”rightacrossthebusiness,Brittsays.

“Mobilecontinuestoseeyear-on-year netgrowth,whichissomethingwe really value.However a lotofour recentgrowth iscomingfromthefxedlinepartofour business.”

There’s alsosignifcantprogressacrosstheIT partofthebusinesswithitsmanagedservice productsbasedthroughoutNorthern Ireland andbeyond.

“We’veseen a hugeamountofinterestin security, maintenance,managementand support –a cradletograveapproachfroman ITperspective,”Johnsays.

“Customermobile,connectivityandlandline solutionsare nowdeeplybeddedintheirIT infrastructure. Withtheemergenceofmore readilyavailableandfasterspeeds,solutions suchas VoIP, Microsoft Teamsand really robustwi-fsolutionstoname a few – ourIT teamhaveaddedover350customersinthe past12months,aseithersolelytheirITteam orinadditiontobusinessescurrentteam,

suchasone-off projects.”

Andlookingattheperformanceofthe economyingeneral,BrittsaysBarclay Communications remains a bellwetherfor Northern Ireland’s widerbusinesssector Lookingahead,Johnsaystheimportant thingsbusinessesstillneedtoconsiderin thetelecomssectoristheswitch-off of traditionalcopper-basedlandlinesystemsto a modern digitalnetworkby2025.

“Theoldanalogueinfrastructure affects a widerangeofareas,notjustwhatyou regard asyourtraditionallandlinesystem. Traditionalcopperlinescanmanage businessesliftsoralarmlines.Inother instancesbusinesseshavemultiplebillsfor productssomearen’t evenaware whatthey are for We offer a freeaudittohelpprovide informationforcustomerstomakean informeddecision.”

AndonthenewBarclayBounceproduct, Brittsaysit’s settobe a gamechangerinthe B2Btelecomssectorhere.

“It’s uniqueinthemarketplace,mobile is a mature marketbutitdoesn’t have tobestagnant,wethinkitwillgivethe organisationalbuyercompletecontroland a bitmore comfort,”hesays. ■

Caption

AverageNIhouseprices climb2.7%inlastyear

AveragehousepricesinNorthern Irelandhaveclimbedby2.7%over thelastyeardespiteaslumpof morethanaffthinsales,agovernment reporthasshown.

TheNorthernIrelandHousePriceIndexfrom Land&PropertyServicessaidtheaverage housepriceherewas£173,898inthesecond quarteroftheyear,withtheindexclimbing nearly3%onthesametimein2022.

Andtheclimbhadtakenplacedespitea22% slumpinhousesalesoverthesameperiod, from6,102to4,776.

However,therehadbeenaslight recoveryon thenumberofhousesalesinthefrstquarter.

Atthatpoint,saleshittheirlowestlevelin aroundadecade–apartfrominearly2020 duringthefrstCovid-19lockdown–at4,517. Butnearly260moresalestookplaceinthe frstquarter.

Theaveragehousepriceindexalso reportedan increaseontheearlypartoftheyearof1.4%.

Butrisinginterestrateshavehadanimpacton thehousingmarket,withmortgagesbecoming moreexpensive.

Accordingtothehousepriceindex,which drawsitsinformationfrom recordsofstamp dutytransactions,all11councilareasinNI reportedanincreaseinpriceyear-on-year.

Thesteepestyearonyearincreasewasin DerryCity&Strabane,whichwasup6.7%to £160,175.

However,thelowestrateofgrowthwasin theaveragehousepriceinBelfast,up0.8%to £157,629.

Thissummer,theUlsterUniversityhouseprice survey reportedanaveragehousepricein NorthernIrelandof£204,331inthesecond quarter,up0.7%onthefrstfewmonthsof theyear.

DrMichaelMcCord, readerin realestate valuationatUlsterUniversity,saidthe report refecteda“cooling”housingmarketamid risinginterestratesandmortgage repricing.

Thebaseinterestratehasnowbeenincreased 14timesina rowbytheBankofEnglandto reach5.25%.

DrMcCordsaidpriceswere remaining resilient, butsaid:“Despitethis resilience,themarket facesongoingchallengeswithapotential

recessiononthecards,andwithincreasing signsofwaningbuyerdemandandincreased mortgageborrowingcosts,itlooksincreasingly likelythatthemarketwillcontinuetoslow downintothesecondhalfof2023asthe volatilefnancialsettingcontinuestoflterinto thehousingmarket.”

Meanwhile,risinginterestratesareleadingto a“cooling”oftheNorthernIrelandhousing marketeventhoughpricesarestillgoingup,a reporthassaid.

ThequarterlyhousepriceindexfromUlster Universitysaidtheaveragehousepricein NorthernIrelandbetweenAprilandJunethis yearwas£204,331.

Thatwasup0.7%onthefrstfewmonthsof 2023,andanincreaseof2.9%incomparison tothesecondquarteroflastyear.

ButUlsterUniversitysaidthatdespitethe impressioncreatedbyincreasingprices, risinginterestrateswerehavinganimpact bycurtailingactivityand reducingbuyer confdence.

However,itpredictedthatthescaleofanyfall inhousepriceswouldbelimitedbythelackof supplyofhomes. ■

‘There’s more room for growth… NIis very strongrightnow’

USlabourlawgiantOgletreeDeakins isoneofthelatestmajorfrmstosetup operationshereinNorthernIreland.Its managingpartner MattKeen speaksto JohnMulgrew aboutgrowingtoateam of80withfurtherexpansionplansand newoperationsoncards,andwhyNIis nowa‘verystrong’placetodobusiness

MattKeen,managing partnerofOgletreeDeakins

Northern Ireland’s positiononthe globallegalservicesleaguetableis certainlyincreasing.

GiantssuchasAllen & OveryandBaker McKenziehavecalledBelfasthomefor a numberofyears.

ButOgletreeDeakinshasalsofeltthesuccesses ofthelocalmarket –a labouremployment leviathanwithalmost1,000lawyersglobally, and a burgeoningteamof80here inNorthern Ireland.

Andaccordingtomanagingpartner, Matt Keen,furtherexpansioncouldbeonthe horizonasthepracticelookstoaddadditional operationstoitsbasehere.

“There’s roomforfurthergrowth,”hetold UlsterBusiness “We haveaddedclientsand processesso I thinkthere is roomtogrow further.”

TheUSfrmopened a globalsolutionscentre inNorthern Irelandin2021,andisplanning togrowitspresencehere withatitsfrst permanentlocationinthecity

“OgletreeDeakinsis a labouremploymentlaw frmbasedinAtlanta,Georgia,andisoneof thelargestlabouremploymentlawfrmsinthe world,”Mattsays.

“We haveabout950lawyersintotalin 56offces,mostintheUS – Canada,three EuropeanoffcesandtheBelfastoffce,which weopenedtwoyearsago.

“Ourfrmpracticeseveryaspectoflabour employmentlaw – primarily representing employers. We have a fairlylargebusiness immigrationpractice,about20%.It’s beenthe fastestgrowingpracticeoverthepastfveor sixyears.

“Asthatpracticewasgoingthroughsignifcant growth a coupleofyearsagoinorderto maintainthekindoftalentweneededforclient servicesthatweare dedicatedtoproviding,we were lookingforadditionaltalentpoolsand were contactedbyInvestNIaboutsomeofthe activitieswhichwere goingoninBelfast.”

Hesaidthestrengthofouruniversitiesand skillsetshelpedplay a strong roleinOgletree Deakins’decisiontosetupshophere.

“We learnedabouttheuniversitieshere which are producingverytalented,qualifedgraduates – weputanoperationinBelfasttosupport immigrationpractice,”hesaid.

“It’s primarilyworkingwithourUS-based immigrationpractice – providingvisas,primarily foremployeescomingintotheUS.There area lotoftechnology[frms],banksandotherlarge employerswhobringinforeignnationalsto performspecialisedwork.

“We have a teamofparalegals[inBelfast] whichworkwith a teamoflawyerstoprovide thatservice.”

Inthespaceoflittleoftwoyearsthefrm’s operationhere hasgrownfrom a teamof25to around80staff inBelfast.

“Theuniversitiesproduceundergraduatelaw programmeswhich[produce]studentswho are preparedtocomeinandperformparalegal workand I think,justbeingabletoobserve someofthesuccessotherfrmshavehad –theyhadallgrown,”hesaid.“We spoketo a coupleofthemandtheywere allpleasedwith thetalentbasetheywere abletofndandthe producttheywere getting.

“We’vebeenpleasedwithourexperience here.”

Since2021,OgletreeDeakinshasgrownits teamhere from25paralegalstomore than75 businessprofessionalsworkingacross a variety of roles.

Thecompanyhas recentlymovedinto a new baseattheCylinderBuildingattheGasworks inBelfast.

Buthesaysthere remainsfurtherscopefor growth.“We haveaddedclientsandprocesses so I thinkthere is roomtogrowfurther,”he said.

“Thelargestpart[ofthebusiness]isclearly theimmigrationsupportbutwehavealso

locatedthelikesofknowledgemanagement andinformationtechnologypeople – wehave a coupleofsmallteamshere.

“We are certainlyconsideringotherbusiness professionalstosupportthefrm – we’vebeen abletofndgoodpeoplesowemaybeableto put a coupleofotheroperationshere aswell.

“Likemostcompaniesweare aware ofwhat’s goingoninthelargereconomy Being a labour employmentpracticewetendtodofairlywell ingoodtimesandbad,withthebalanceofthe workwhichwedo.

“We are notasaffectedasmuchbytherise ininterestratesoreconomicconditions. We are in a clientservicesbusiness,sooursuccess iscompletelyderivativeofthesuccessofthe companieswhichwe represent,soweliketosee theeconomydoingwellaseveryoneelse[does].”

Askedwhetherhethinksthefrm,andotherlaw practicesuccesshere,couldattractyetmore US operationstosettinguphere,hesaid:“Ithink particularlyoverthelastfewyears,lawfrmsand otherindustrieshavelearnedthatyoucando thingsindifferentwaysandindifferentlocations.

“Allsortsofcompaniesare lookingathow theyare structured… I thinkdifferentfrmswill approachitindifferentwaysandwhatweare doinghere maynotworkfordifferenttypesof lawfrms.

“Ithinksomeoftheotherfrmswhichare here are predominantlydoingbusinesssupport operations,whichisveryconducivetobeing donehere.”

AndMattsaysthe reputationofNorthern Irelandas a placetodobusinesshas“improved dramatically”.

“ThethingI’vebeenmostimpressedwithisjust howquicklytheyhavegelledas a team – it’sa veryenthusiasticworkforceandtheyenjoywhat theyare doinghere andformgoodclient-based teams,”hesaid.

“The reputationofNIintheUSas a business centre hasobviouslyimproveddramatically –I thinkit’s verystrongrightnow.” ■

Thefve-strongtechteamhelping womenduringmenopause

Fiveelectricalengineeringstudentshaveestablished Feminatech andare developinganappcalledM-Powertohelpwomentrackanddealwithsymptomsof themenopause,andhavejustwalkedawaywithabigwinattheBelfast Telegraph Business Awards,inpartnershipwith UlsterBank

Winningastart-upconcept pitchattheBelfast Telegraph Business Awardsiscertainlyone waytokick-startyourentrepreneurial development.

Feminatechisthebrainchildoffvefriends studyingtogetheratuniversity–currently developinganappwhichhelpswomendeal withthemenopause–trackingsymptoms, temperature,medication,andutilising realtimedatafromsmartwatches,withultimate planstoalsoutiliseartifcialintelligence(AI) andmachinelearning.

EmmaStephenson,LaurenFegan,Kathryn Morrison,CaitlinMoneandZara Wilsonof FeminatechhavedevelopedM-Power,anapp tohelpwomentrackmenopausesymptoms.

“Wehadtodoaproductforoneofour modulesandwechosetodosomethingabout somethingwearequitepassionateabout–whichisfemalehealthcare,”teammember, LaurenFegan,said.

“Wedecidedtolookmoretowardsthe menopauseasitwasquitetopicalwith thingslikethedocumentarywithDavina McCall[DavinaMcCall:Sex,Mythsandthe Menopause]andwecameupwithaconcept forit.”

Fellowteammember,EmmaStephenson, saidtheywantedtodevelopasmarterwayof trackingkeymenopausesymptoms.

“Westartedoutbythinkingwewanted todevelopsomethingtohelptracktheir menopausesymptoms–whatcanwedothat

isdifferenttogivethemabetterunderstanding ofwhatisgoingon?”shesaid.

“Ourideaisanappwhichwillallowwomento inputandtracktheirownmenopausesystems

andanylifestylechanges,ormedicationthey aretaking,anditwillpairwithwearable technology–suchasApple WatchandaFitbit tophysicallyseewhatishappeningtoyour heartrate,temperatureorsleep–pullingin

EmmaStephenson,CaitlinMone, LaurenFegan,ZaraWilsonand KathrynMorrisonofFeminatech

Entrepreneurshipis attractiveoptionforour nextgeneration

ThroughoutthesummermonthsIwasfortunateenoughto speaktovariousyoungpeopleabouttheirplansforfuture studyandemployment.

WithGCSEandA-level resultsbeingissuedinAugustandanewcohort ofstudentspreparingforuniversity,suchconversationsatthistimeof yeararen’texactlyoutoftheblue.

WhatdidstrikemehoweverwasthatmanyoftheyoungpeopleImet wereactivelythinkingaboutentrepreneurshipandhowtheymight usetheirskillsandtalentstomakeapositivecontributiontothelocal economy.Regardlessofthepaththesestudentswerethinkingoftaking, theyalmostallexpressedaninterestinrunningtheirownbusiness.

Thefactthatentrepreneurshipnowfeelslikeavalidandevenattractive offertothenextgenerationisawhollypositivething.And,assomeone whoworksinthisfeld,somethingIwelcomeentirely.AttheUlsterBank EntrepreneurAcceleratorweareonlytoohappytoengagewithyoung peopleandencouragethemintothisfeld.

Thankfullywehaveagreatmanyambassadorswhohavegonethrough ourprogrammewhoareonlytoohappytohelpuscommunicate

thatdataandgettingabetterideaofwhatis reallygoingon.”

Thenextstepinvolvesdevelopingthatconcept furtherstill–bringingintheuseofartifcial intelligence(AI)andmachinelearningtohelp identifyandlearnaboutanindividual’sown experience.

Theappiscurrentlybeingdevelopedasa prototype,startingoutbyallowingwomen totracktheirsymptoms,and readdatafrom smartwatches.

“Wewouldtrialthatbeforeincorporatingthe AI,”Emmasays.

thismessage. Twoveryobviousexampleshavebeenintheheadlines recently.

EarlierthisyearwhenBelfastwasbuzzingwiththearrivalofJoeBiden andhisAmericanentourage,hewasintroducedtohiskeynoteaddress byGabrielleFeenan,anentrepreneurfromBanbridgewhospoke atlengthabouthowhertimeatUlsterUniversityandenabledand inspiredhertouseherdegreeinproductdesignasasteppingstoneto establishingherownsuccessfulcompanyandencouragingherpeersto thinkaboutthecontributiontheytoocouldoffer.

ThenattheBelfast TelegraphBusiness AwardsinpartnershipwithUlster Bankfourtalentedentrepreneurstooktothestagefortheannual pitchingcompetition.Thishotly-contestedandindeednerveracking exercisesawEmmaStephenson,founderofFeminatechtakethetop spotbuteachoftheparticipantsdeservepraiseand recognitionfortheir efforts.

Standingupandaddressinga roomfullofbusinessleadersandpeers isasdauntingasitsoundsbutthefourentrepreneursbroughtsomuch energyandpassiontothestage.They representedfourcompletely differentsectorsandinEmmawesawanothergreatexampleof someonewhowasusingherskillsandtechnicalitiesasanengineerand crossingoverintotheworldofentrepreneurship.

Aswehavejustwelcomedournextcohortoffounderstothe Acceleratorprogramme,wearegearingupforanotheryearofexciting prospectsandpossibilities.Thedeterminationthatexistshereamong thosewishingtostartorscaleabusinesscontinuestoinspireallofus andismakingBelfastagenuinelyexcitingplaceforentrepreneurship.

Thereismuchmoreworktobedoneandalongwaytogotofullyseize thesocialandeconomicpotentialbutthishasbeenatimely reminder ofhowmuchprogresshasbeenachievedtodate. Withsomuchenergy andenthusiasmonshow,itseemstomethatthisgenerationofyoung peoplehaveexactlywhatittakestodriveusfurtheronandtapinto somethingtrulyspecial.

Theteamsecureda£4,000investmentfrom UlsterBankaftertriumphinginalivepitching competitionattheBelfast TelegraphBusiness Awards.

Theprojectcapturedtheimaginationand supportof600businesspeopleattendingthe awardsceremony,hostedbyBBCNorthern IrelandjournalistMarkSimpsonattheCrowne PlazaHotelBelfast.

“Thatnightwasoverwhelmingafterwe pitchedandwon–wegotchattingtosomany people,bothwomentalkingabouttheirown experiencesofmenopause,andpeoplefrom businessesaskingwhattheycandotohelp

womenintheirworkplace,”Emmasaid.“We formedsomegoodconnections.”

LaurenFegansaid:“Oneofthethingswewant todoisincorporateitintobusinesses.Oneof themajorcohortsofpeopleaffectediswomen intheworkplace.

“It’stryingtokeepwomenempoweredand supportedandkeepingthemintheirjobsso theyfeelthattheycancope.

“Wearehopingtobuildgoodpartnerships withdifferentbusinessesandthenbranchout throughdifferentpartsofthecompanyandhave abusiness-to-consumerstrategyaswell.” ■

ByJohnFerris,regionalecosystemmanager,UlsterBank

Businessactivityslumps… butNIfrmsremainpositive

BusinessactivityinNorthernIreland hasslumpedbutfrmshere remain optimisticaboutthelandscapehere goingforward.

AlackofaworkingExecutive remainsa shadowovertheeconomyhere,and retail, constructionandmanufacturingactivityall declinedduringJuly.

That’saccordingtothelatestUlsterBank purchasingmanagers’index(PMI).

Butwhiletheprivatesectorsawsomethingof aslump,optimism remainshigh,accordingto UlsterBankchiefeconomistNorthernIreland, RichardRamsey.

“Businessconditionsmayhavetakenaturnfor

theworseinJulybutsentimentamongstlocal frmsfortheyearaheadhasactuallypicked up,”hesaid.

Demandwasfalteringintheeconomyoverall, butontheplusside,staffnumberswerestill goingup,andinfationarypressureswere beginningtoease.

“Theinterestrateoutlookhasimproved slightlybutthedarkcloudofnoStormont Executivelookssetto remainanchoredover theeconomyfortheforeseeablefuture,”he said.

“Whetherthenewriseinoptimismiswell foundedormisplaced–timewilltell.

“Followinganotablesofteninginneworders

duringthesecondquarter,localbusinesses startedthethirdquarterwithactivityfalling forthefrsttimeinsixmonths.

“Thedeteriorationwasbroad-basedwith threeofthefoursectorscontracting.Only servicesactivitymanagedtoholdupinJuly, albeitfatlining.

“Thenear-termoutlookisforafurther softeningindemandwithneworders decliningforthesecondmonthrunning.

“Allfoursectorspostedafallinorderswith thepaceofdeclinethemostmarkedwithin theconstructionand retailsectors.”

Theprivatesectorpostedanaverageof 48.2onthelatestPMI,where50meansno change.

NorthernIrelandsufferedthesecondlargest slumpoftheUK regions–sittingjustbehind thenortheastofEngland.Areassuchas London,thenorthwest,andScotlandallsaw anuplift.

Ontheupside,alongperiodofincreasing pricesisnowbeginningtoease.Overall,new ordersweredownforthesecondmonthin a row, fallingatasharperratethanJune, althoughnewjobswerestillbeingcreated.

“Inputcostinfationeasedtoa38-monthlow withmanufacturers recordingtheirsharpest fallintheirinputpricessincethesurvey began,”MrRamseysaid.

“Thishasledmanufacturerstolowerthe priceoftheirgoodsforthesecondmonth running.Infationarypressures remainmore stubbornwithintheconstructionandservice industries.Boththesesectors,unlike retailand manufacturing, reportedinputcostandselling priceinfationwellabovetheaveragerates pre-pandemic.Firms reliantuponimports fromabroadwillbepleased.” ■

Belfast’sBiopaxinvestsin new£20mprinter

Entrepreneur TerryCross’snew packagingfrmhasinvested£20m inatopofthelineprinteraspartof itslatestexpansion.

HisnewfrmBiopaxisnowbasedinwest Belfastaspartofa£46minvestment.

BiopaxLimited,basedinSpringvaleBusiness ParkinwestBelfast,willcreate169jobsover thenextfouryearswithfurtherinvestment plannedinasecondphase.

It’sfocusingonthefast-movingconsumer goods(FMCG)andfoodservicesectors–usingthelatestEuropean,USandChinese technology.

ThenewinvestmentwithHeidelbergwill seeBiopaxleadthewayingreenpackaging solutionsandexpandoperations.

BiopaxLimitedhasmadea£20mstrategic investmentwithHeidelberg,theworld’slargest makerofprintingequipment,tosupportits ongoingeffortstooptimiseitssustainable optionsforclients.

Thecompanyalsohasplanstoaddplastic-free papercups,tubsandsaladbowlstoitsproduct portfolioacrossinamovethatwillhelpputit atthetopofthesustainablepackagingfood chainhereandacrosstheworld.

Biopaxcurrentlyprovides‘green’packaging solutionstothefood,beverageandnon-food sectorintheUKandIreland,andhasstarted toexportintoEuropeanmarkets.Itsstrategic growthplansincludesettingupproduction capabilitiesforsustainablepackagingin Europe,IndiaandChina.

Biopaxalsosaidaswellastheperformance andoverallproductivityofthenew SpeedmasterXL106,anothersignifcant considerationforchoosingtheproductis itscarbon-neutralcertifcationwhichaligns

withitscompanyethostodeliverhighqualitypackagingthatisproducedwiththe environmentinmind.

“Inadditiontothegreenbenefts,wealso realisedthattheHeidelbergXL106with InpressControlwoulddeliverandexceed ourcustomers’expectationsin regards totheircompanybrandingandcolour managementstrategies,”Dr TerryCross OBE,chairman,Biopax,said.

“Weconsultedwithseveralexpertprinters beforewechoseHeidelbergasourprinting presssupplier.Theseexpertshavespent manyyearsworkingwithvariouslargeformatHeidelbergpressesinthefolded cartonindustry. We leanedontheir experienceandexpertisewhenmaking ourinvestmentdecision. To date,wehave invested£20minthelatestHeidelberg technologywithinour70,000sqftfactory.

“Wearecommittedtocreatingover170jobs atourBelfastfacilityandhavecommenced initialgroundworkonasiteexpansionplan whichwillseeusalmostdoublethesizeofour productionandstoragefacility.Thisexpansion willallowustoinvestfurtherintoultra-high volumefexographicprintinganddedicated rotaryconvertingforsomeoftheworld’s leadingbrands.

“Wearedelightedwiththe resultsandare awaitingdeliveryofasecondXL106presswith thesamespecifcations.

“Thiswillofferusandourcustomersahighqualityproductthatexceedstheirexpectations. Ourworld-classdesignsoftwaresystemsare fullyintegratedintoourHeidelbergproduction kit.

“Thishelpsustooptimiseourmachineoutputs while reducingdowntimeandwaste.” ■

TheBelfastBusinessPromise: bringingourorganisationstogether

Helpingtobuild a busyandbustling businesssectorinBelfastpostpandemic remainsanimportant keyinbringingthecitybackas a whole.

Andwith a hostofnewbusinessesopening uphere inthelastfewmonths,including retail andhospitality, BelfastCityCouncilisfurther developing a keyschemeandstrategyaiming tocreateandfoster a strongcommunityof companiesandorganisations – changingand improvingthewaytheydobusinesstogether

TheBelfastBusinessPromiseisaimingto makeBelfast a bettercity, helpingtohonour a commitmentinthecity’s communityplan,the BelfastAgenda.

It’s aninitiativewhichallowsorganisations tosignuptoanaccreditationscheme – built aroundeight‘PromisePledges’, representing bestpracticestandardssuchasprovidingfair wages,supportingthelocaleconomyand workinginpartnershipwithcommunities.

AnyorganisationthatisbasedinBelfastandis anemployercanjointhescheme.

Thatincludesthreedifferentaccreditation levels.Businessesandorganisationsstartas a ‘supporter’,committingtoworktosixpledges, before becoming a ‘member’,and finally, an ambassador’whensecuringalleightpledges.

Oneofthosekeyorganisationsinvolvedinthe BelfastBusinessPromiseis Translink.

“Asanorganisation, Translinkisintrinsicto whathappensinthecityintermsofmoving peoplearound,”DamianBannon,Belfast areamanager, Translink,says.“We have good relationswithBelfastCityCouncil,so developingthiswas a no-brainerforus.Itwas a perfect fit forourownstrategicobjectives.”

MrBannonsays Translinkwantstofurther developitssolidbaseof relationshipswith otherbusinessesandorganisations,aswellas being a greatplacetoworkforitsemployees.

“Theywalkedusthroughtheprocess,were receptivetoideasandmadeitstraightforward forus,”hesays.

Translinkiscurrently a ‘supporter’,having securedsixpledges,andisonthecusp ofachievingtheeightandleadingthe organisationtobecomingan‘ambassador’.

“Whileit’s stillearlyintheprocessthe immediatebenefitsincludethe reassurancethat wehavemeasureduptomanyofthepledges,” Damiansays.“We also recognisethe roomfor improvementandtheabilitytolearn fromother organisations.Itopensthosedoorsandallows thoseconversations.

“We are hopefulwewilllearn lessonsfrom otherorganisationsandhavealreadypickedup usefulinsights.AttendingthePromiseLearning Dayshasenabledustogetinto a roomwith ourpeersandcolleaguesfromacrossthecity, givingusthechancetonotonlyshare our ownexperiencesbutalsolistenandlearn from others.

“It’sa frameworktocollaborate – organisations inthefoldandpartoftheBelfastBusiness Promiseare veryvisibletoeachother.”

Damiansayssomeoftheareaswhich resonate particularlywith Translinkincludethepledge aroundclimatechangeandtakingaction.

“Onepledgearoundclimateaction – protecting theenvironment.Thatsitswellwithourown business. We are verymuchcommittedto leadingthetransformationoftransportin Northern Ireland. I wouldcertainlyencourage otherstojoin.”

OrganisationstakingpartintheBelfast BusinessPromisewillbeabletobenefit fromstrengthenedconnectionstocitizens, communitiesandbusinesses.

In return,thosegettinginvolvedwillbeable toaccessfreetailoredsupportfromthe BelfastBusinessPromisenetwork,accessto a communityoflike-mindedorganisationsand leaders,widespreadpublic recognitionand improved reputationwithstakeholders.

Bycommittingtomore inclusivebusiness practices,organisationsare doingtheright thingforthecityandalsomeetingmore of employee,customerandsupplierexpectations bybringingaboutpositivesocialimpact. ■

Damian Bannon

Cryptotriestostage a comebackascashrunsdry

Hasthecryptosectorlearneditslessonsandchangingforthebetter?

Theanswerappearstobeno,writes DavidChance

Bitcoinisback.Aftercrypto’sannus horribilisof2022,theworld’sbestknownandmostwidelytraded digitalcurrencyhasrisenmorethan70% ineurotermsthisyear.

Cryptoisneverdull,forsure.InJuly,XBTO rocketedtosuperstardomthankstoits$5m sponsorshipofInterMiami,struckin2021, whichhasnowputitslogoemblazonedacross thechestofLionelMessi.

MeanwhileinLondon,peoplewerequeuing uptohavetheiririsesscannedbyan‘orb’ toprovetheywerehumanaspromotionfor digitalcurrency Worldcoin,andformerUSFirst LadyMelania Trumpwas‘goingtothemoon’

withacollectionofApollo11-themednonfungibletokensat$75apop.

Therewerealsobraggingrightsforcrypto thankstoararecourtvictorybyafirmcalled RippleovertheUSSecuritiesandExchange Commission(SEC)–althoughtheruling liberalisingtradewasnowherenearasclearcut astheyclaimed–andthiswasfollowedbythe HouseofRepresentativespassinglegislation thatcouldlimittheSEC’sindustryoversight.

Earlierthisyear,Europeanlawmakers,who rarelyfindthemselveslionisedbyUStechfirms, werehailedfornewlawsfordigitalassets, althoughthatwaslikelyonlyusedasastickto beattheSEC.RipplehasappliedforanIrish

license.Gemini,thevehicleofthe Winklevoss twins,hasone,asdoesKraken. Withalicense fromIrelandyoucanpassportintothewealthy Europeanmarket.

So,isthisanindustrythathaslearntitlessons andischangingfor real?Theanswer,sadly,is no.

Cryptosurvivesbybeingshortonmemories andlongonhype.Noonehascomeupwith acompellinguse.Cryptocurrenciesareamong theslowestandmostexpensivewaysof shiftingmoneyaroundandasaninvestment andinflationhedgetheysuck,hence Warren Buffet’s“ratpoisonsquared”commentfrom 2018.

Thelobbyingeffortbuiltaroundunsupported claimsofcuttingedgetechnologyandfnancial inclusionisnothingmorethanabidtoincrease itsattractivenesstomainstreamcapitalat atimewhencryptodesperatelyneedsnew funds.Greaterfowswillbeneftthe‘crypto whales’,whohavelargeholdingsofdigital currencies,andhelpcreateanexitforthe venturecapitalbackers.

Interestincryptohasplungedandthesmart moneyhasmovedontoAI.Datashows venturecapitalfundingforthecryptospace fellbythree-quarterstojust$2.6bn(€2.36bn) inthefrstthreemonthsofthisyear,according todatafromPitchbook. Widerinstitutional

interestisclosetozero.Lessmoneychasing cryptomakesitharderforventurecapitaliststo exitataproft.

Someoftheexposuresareverylarge.The WallStreetJournalsaysAndreessenHorowitz –backersof Worldcoin–raised$350mfor cryptoin2018,$515min2020,$2.2bn in2021,and$4.5bnin2022.Ithasbeen trumpetingthebeneftsinitsStateofCrypto publicationinwhich“Web3advancesthe internetthroughcryptocomputers,notcrypto casinos”andwherewhatitterms“recent setbacks”areduetofailuresinopaque, centralisedsystems.

SadlyforthePRmachine,these‘setbacks’just keeponhappening.MollieWhite’s Web3is GoingJustGreatwebsitehasa‘GriftCounter’ thattotsuparunningtotalofthemoneylost bytheindustrytogriftsanddisasters.Ithashit $67.63bn,sofar.

Thosegriftersalsokeeponcroppingupjustto remindeveryoneofwhathappened.

SamBankman-Friedappearedbeforeajudge inNew Yorkaheadofacriminaltrialoverthe billionslostinthecollapseofFTX.AlsoinJuly, ayeartothedayaftercryptofundCelsius Networkdeclaredbankruptcy,itsformerchief executiveAlexMashinskywasarrestedinNew York.

Amonthearlier,courtsinMontenegro sentencedDoKwon,theSouthKoreanwhose Lunacointriggereda$300bncryptomarket meltdowninMaylastyear,tofourmonths injailoverpassportcharges.He’lllikelybe makingatriptoaKoreanorUScourtsoon.

Thishasalltakenatollontrading. Youmight expectanassetthathasrisenby70%tosee strongmarketvolumes,yetindustryspecialist CCDatasaystradinginthequarterendedin Junewasthelowestsincetheendof2019.It hadfallen40%fromthefrstquarterandwas down62%overayear.

Foranindustrythatneedsnewmoney,that’s adisaster.Cryptoitselfhasneverbeenabout democratisingwealth,ithasalwaysbeen aboutenrichingasmallminority.Astudy

publishedbytheUSNationalBureauof EconomicResearchshowedasmallnumber ofindividualscollectivelycontrolled8.5million bitcoins,almosthalfthoseincirculation,atthe endof2020.

Amore recentstudyfromtheBeckerFriedman InstituteforEconomicsattheUniversityof Chicagolookedatwhoholdscryptoandwhy.

Thestudyshowedthatthedeciderwasyour viewofexpected returns.Whenaskedto projectthoseforbitcoin(bythefrstquarter of2023),“crypto-owners reportedanaverage expected returnof22%forthenextyear whilenon-crypto-owners reportedanexpected returnof7%”.

“Whileownersofcryptocurrencyaremuch moreoptimisticaboutfuturecrypto returns thanthosewhoholdnocryptocurrency,no suchpatternarisesforotherassets.

“Whetherwelookatbonds,stocksorgold, thosewhoholdeach respectiveassethavethe sameaverageexpected returnforthatassetas thosewhodonot.”

Thatbearsallthehallmarksofacult. You mighthavethoughtanindustrybornoutof distrustoftraditionalfnanceafterthecrash mightwanttoadheretohighstandardsrather thanaggressivesocialmediaandPRhype,but no.

AsNobel-prizewinningeconomistRobert Shillernotesinhisseminal researchonfnancial marketsthereisnoneedforfraudulentstories tostokePonzischeme-likespeculativebubbles –“theyneedonlyemphasisethepositivenews andgivelessemphasistothenegative”.

“ThepathofanaturallyoccurringPonzi scheme–ifwemaycallspeculativebubbles that–willbemoreirregularandlessdramatic, sincethereisnodirectmanipulation,butthe pathmaysometimes resemblethatofaPonzi schemewhenitissupportedbynaturally occurringstories,”hewrote.

Unlesswebelievefnancial regulationshould betailoredtoenrichthegrifters,weshould keepcryptolockedinaboxuntilitdies. ■

TheSECisquiterighttoprotectinvestorsby targetingindustryleaderslikeGemini,Genesis, BinanceandCoinbase.

FTXfounderSam Bankman-Fried departsManhattan FederalCourtafter anarraignment hearingonMarch30 inNew YorkCity

‘Everyonestocksupon theirDairy Milkbeforeheadingnorth’

Applegreenisbecomingmoreofaroadsidehospitality business,whichisidealfor FionaMatthews asamanaging directorwhogrewupinfamilyretail,writes CaoimheGordon

FionaMatthewskeepsacloseeyeon who’sbuyingDairyMilkbars.“Our biggestDairyMilkpurchaserisour (M1)LuskNorthstore,headingnorth,” saysApplegreen’sIrishmanagingdirector.

“Everybody’sstockingupontheirDairyMilk beforetheygoacrosstheborder.”

Aninterestinwho’sbuyingwhatisahabit. Fiona,whooversees70Applegreensites withinanoverallApplegreennetworkof190 locationsinIreland,wasclosetothehustle andbustleof retailfrom“asyounganageas you’reallowed”,shesays.

“Igrewupinafamily retailbusinessin Mullingar.It’sover40yearsinbusiness,my dadandhisbrotherstillrunit.

“It’sknownlocallyasthe‘yellowshop’,”she laughs.“Iprobablydidn’t realiseatthetime, retailgetsintoyourblood.”

Beinginthejobsheoccupies,sheisalso nostrangertotheopen road.She regularly makesthecommutefromherhometown ofMullingartoApplegreen’sheadoffcein Dublin.

“It’sbusyathomebeingamumtothreekids andit’sbusyatwork,”shesays.“Itreasure thebitinthemiddle.”

Likehordesofdriversaroundthecountry, sheoftenpopsintodifferentApplegreen locations,althoughthisisn’tjustforamid-trip pick-me-up.

Instead,sheismeetingstaffmembersand gaugingconsumer reactiontonewinitiatives.

MatthewshasledtheIrishoperationsofthe roadside retailersinceApril2021afterfrst joiningthebusinessascommercialdirectorfor IrelandinOctober2019.

Theforecourt retailer’sfrstservicestation openedinBallyfermotin1992.

BobEtchingham,who remainsaschief executiveofthebusiness,foundedApplegreen, asPetrogas.Ayearlater,chiefoperatingoffcer JoeBarrettjoinedthebusiness.

While regularsonIrish roadswouldbe familiarwiththeApplegreenoffering–and the recognisablefrogbinsateachentrance–manywouldnotbeasawarethatthegroup’s operationsnowstretchfarbeyondIreland.

Intotal,Applegreenhasmorethan620 locationsacrossitsthreekeymarkets–Ireland, theUKandtheUS,whichitfrstentered almostadecadeago.

“Wecurrentlyhave190sitesinIreland,70of whichareourdealernetwork,”Fionasays.

Herjourneyfromthe“yellowshop”tothe worldofApplegreenalsofeaturedastint workingwithDisneyina rolethatwasthen createdsolelyforitsIrishoperations.

“Disneyhadmanagedtheir retailbusinessout ofLondonuptothatpointand recognisedan opportunitytoworkmorecloselywith retailers inIreland,”shesays.

Forfveyears,Fionawasthegroup’sheadof integrated retailfortheIrishmarket.

“Youweredealingwith retailersfromall

differentindustries,fromgrocerytothetoy businesstofashionandhomes,”Fionasays, pointingtomovie releasesaskeytimesfor Disneytoexpanditsofferingshere.

Shedescribeshereightyearswiththe entertainmentgiantasa“masterclass”inbrand management.

TheselearningsformpartofthevisionFiona hasforApplegreen’sIrishbusiness,withan increasedfocusonfoodratherthanfuel.

“Wearemovingfromafuelbusinesstomore ofa roadsidehospitalitybusinessandthat’s excitingtome,”shesays.

Thegrouptypicallyinvestsaround€20mayear onitsestatehere.Oneareaoffocusin recent monthswastocreateandmanageanew coffeebrand,nowavailablein100locations.

Braeburnwasthebrainchildofthepandemicas Fionaandtheteamfocusedonwhatconsumers weresearchingforin-store.Onedemandwas instantlyavailablebarista-stylecoffee.

“Youcannowpickupanicedlatteandallthe thingsthatgowiththat,”Fionasays.Oatmilk isalsoavailableinstantlyasmoreconsumers movetowardsnon-dairyalternatives.

Demandhasbeenstrong,shesays.Itsfrst coffeedrive-through recentlyopenedin Ashbourne,withtheforecourt retailerworking withinfuencerssuchasRozPurcelltodraw attentiontothemove.

Applegreenalso recentlyteamedupwithMarks &Spencerontwoseparateinitiatives–aclick andcollectserviceinfourstores,aswellasM&S

Foodwhichisnowavailablein18locations.

Meanwhile,the roadside retailerhasitsown foodanddelibrand,Bakewell,aswellas partnershipswithBurgerKing,Chopstixand Subwaythroughoutthecountry.

“Alotofpeoplearesurprisedthatpeople behindtheBurgerKingortheSubwayare actuallyApplegreencolleagues,”Fionasays.

Thetotalnumberemployedherenowstandsat 3,000,withafurther13,000peopleworking forApplegreenoutsideIreland.

“TheequivalentofthepopulationofKillarney or Tullamore,”shesays.

Thepandemicprovedtobeastrangetimefor theApplegreenbusiness–whilethemotorway serviceareademand“collapsed”dueto2km restrictions,localpetrolstationswerebusier.

Overall,transactionsarebacktopre-pandemic levels.This recoveryhasbeenultimatelydriven bysurgesinpurchasesoffoodandin-store offeringsratherthanfuel.

Sheattributesthisdeclinetothefactthatmany customersarenowembracing remoteworking,

requiringlesspetrolordieselonaverage.

Totalsalesacrossthegroupstoodat“north of€4bn”lastyear,shesays.Thisisupfrom €2.7bnintheyearfromDecember2020to December2021.

Applegreendelistedfromthestockmarketin 2021ina€718mtake-privatedealwithprivate equitygiantBlackstone.

AccountsfledwiththeCompanies RegistrationOffcelastyear revealedthatthe forecourt retailer’sholdingcompanyposted a€45mpre-taxlossin2021followingthe refnancingdeal.

Grossproft roseto€601.2min2021dueto strongfuelmarginsandincreasedfoodsales.

Withinthebusiness,Irelandisconsidered the“matureterritory”,Fionasays.However, aswellasnewbrands,siteexpansionhere remainsontheagendafortheIrishApplegreen team.

“Ourfocusonagloballevelisverymuch onmotorwayserviceareas,locationswhich wouldhavetwoormorefoodofferings.Areas suchasdrive-throughareevolvingandare

muchbiggerinterritoriessuchastheUS andtheUKandthereissignifcant roomfor expansionofthoseopportunitiesinIreland.”

InMay,thecompanysecuredplanning permissionforaserviceareaandelectric vehiclecharginghubofftheM3motorway inMeath.Thenewlocationwillcontaintwo foodoutlets,includingadrive-through,as wellas36EVchargingstations.

Fionasaysthebusinessneedsto“keepup” withthedemandforchargingasgrowing numbersofconsumersoptforelectric vehicles.

Thegrouphasmorethan700chargepoints acrossthethreemarketsitoperatesin,with theUKthefurthestalongintheadoptionof electricvehicles,shesays.

ApplegreenElectric,asubsidiaryofthe maingroup,focusesonthedeploymentof charginginfrastructure.Itestimatesthat60pc ofon-motorwaycharginginIrelandandthe UKisconductedatApplegreen-ownedsites.

“Bytheendofthisyear,there’llbe20of ourlocationswithultra-fastcharging,”she says. ■

FionaMatthews, managingdirector ofApplegreen

WhytheGreat Taste Awardsareyet moreproofNIremains a truefoodhaven

AhostofNorthernIreland foodproducersarevying forthetopspotatthis year’sGreat Taste Awards, writes JohnMulgrew

We’reasmallpartoftheworld, let’sfaceit.

Whetherit’sgeographicallyorbypopulation, NorthernIreland representsachunkofland measuring5,000sqmiles,with1.9million peoplecallingithome.

Butyoujusthavetolookatthebreadthofthis year’sGreat Taste Awardwinners–andthe NorthernIrelandbusinessesnowvyingforthe topGoldenForkaward–toseethatwepunch wellaboveourweightwhenitcomestofood andculinaryprovenance.

Thesuccessofourlocalfrmsinachieving eitherone,twoorthecovetedthreestars–andbeingshortlistedorwinningthetopgong –isatruebarometerfortheindigenousfood scenehere.

The30thannualawardssaw148awardsgo toproductsfromNIincluding93one-star,45 two-starsand10three-starawards.

Takeanimalprotein,forexample.Ofcourse, it’snosurprisemeatmogulPeterHannanhas anentryamongthefourNorthernIreland productsshortlistedfortheGoldenFork Award,andultimately,theSupremeChampion gong.

He’sbeenherebefore.He’shereagainthis year,withnolessthantwodozenofhisfock makingthestarlistin2023.

Butit’shisbuttermilkporkchopwhichhas gottenthetastebudsgoingforjudgesonthis occasion.

Ifyou’vetriedanyofthedry-agedGlenarm beef–mostlyacombinationofshorthornand longhorn–thenyou’llknowjustwhatyou’re dealingwith.It’saparagonofqualitybovine.

Twoicecreamstalwartsareamongthosevying forthetop regionalandoverallgongthisyear. IcecreamissomethingNorthernIrelanddoes particularlywell.

Andit’spistachiovarietieswhichhavewon overjudgesthistimearound.

It’safavourpopularinthe restofEuropebut hasn’tcurriedfavourhistoricallywithourown palates.

That’sobviouslychanged,giventhesuccess ofMorelli’sPistachioSwirlIceCreamand PistachioIceCreamfromMaudsIceCream.

Provenanceisalsosomethingwedowellhere. OurLoughNeaghEels,ComberNewPotatoes, ArmaghBramleyApples,andLoughNeagh

PollanareallprotectedfooditemsintheUK andEU.

Ourseafoodisalsosublime.Thebulkofour shellfshsuchaslangoustine,forexample, isexportedtootherpartsoftheworld–countriessuchasSpainandPortugalcracking openmillionsofthelittlepinkcrustaceans–andisarguablybetterthanlobsteritself.

CarlingfordOystersareanothertriumph. You’ll paylessthanatennerforsixofthem,sitting pertintheirownozonicjuicesovericeinthe townofwhichitgetsitsname.

AlsoshortlistedfortheoveralltopGreat Taste Award’sGoldenForkawardisSilverHillDuck’s conftducklegs.

So,canourlocalstalwartsfghtoffthe challengefromproducerselsewhereinthe UKandbeyond?TheoverallNorthernIreland winnerwillbe revealed–alongsidetheoverall SupremeChampion–onSeptember11. ■

PeterHannanofMoira’s HannanMeats

It’stimegovernmentsteppedup withdedicatedlitterstrategy

Some12millionpieceoflitterare strewnacrossNorthernIrelandatany giventime.

That’saccordingtoourLitterComposition Analysis2022/23,fundedbytheDepartment ofAgriculture,EnvironmentandRuralAffairs, releasedthissummer.

To producethatastronomicalnumber, wesurveyed1,100sitesacrossallcouncil areas,whichallowedustotheestimatethe staggeringlitterlevelsfor25,770kilometres ofpublic road.Whenwescratchedbeneath thesurface,weidentifiedanaverageof 20instancesoflitterforevery50metres examined,andthatincludedeverydayitems peoplecarelesslydiscard,fromdogfoulto scratchcardstocrispspackets.

Thesefiguresserveasaclearsignthatour litterproblemisoutofcontrol.Let’sfaceit, 11,983,664piecesoflitterareabigproblem.

We work reallyhard toeducateconsumers aroundlitterhabitsandwecreateopportunities forcommunitiestoimprovetheirconnectedness withtheenvironmentthroughour‘Adopt a Spot’programme.Buttacklinglitterloutsisjust thesharpendofthisescalatingproblem.

Otherscanandmustcontributesolutions.Our reportfoundthatjustfourproducersaccount forhalfofthebrandedlitteronour roads, andwebelievepackagingmanufacturerscan transformourlitterlandscape.

Afterall,theyhavesignificantinfluenceover thedesign,production,anddisposalofthe goodstheyproduce.

Our report revealssingle-useplasticsareour biggestproblem. We allknowtheperilsof disposableplastics,andthedamagethey causetoourenvironment,yetourlitteris madepredominantlyfromcigarettebutts andothereverydayplasticsincludingdrinks, confectionarypackaging,andchewinggum.

It’sbeyondtimeweusherinacircular economy. We lagbehindourEuropean counterparts,likeFranceanditsAnti-waste LawforaCircularEconomy,anddesperately needtoadoptthesimilarculturesofsharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing,and recyclingexistingmaterials.

Thismindfulethosisourbestchanceat reducingcostly,unsightly,anddangerous

waste.Andnow,againstthebackdropofthe risingcostofliving,doesn’titmakesenseto useanitemforaslongaspossible?

We areextremelydisappointedthatthe ExtendedProducerResponsibilitySchemehas beendelayeduntil2025,andwewouldstill liketoseetheoriginaltimescaleimplemented.. Whatwewouldliketoseeisadedicatedlitter strategyforNorthernIrelandthatincorporates moreproducer-targetedpolicies.Butforany litterstrategytobesuccessful,itshouldinclude threepillars:education,engagementand enforcement.

We encouragecouncilstoenforcethe strongestfinesavailabletotacklethosewho wouldlitterourstreets.

Butthereshouldbeaconsistentapproach acrossthe11councilstoavoidmixed messagingthatdilutesthepublic’s response. Furthermore,NorthernIrelandhasalready takenleadingactiononplasticbags,butlevies andbansneedtobeexpandedtootheritems thataffectourenvironment,especiallysingleuseplasticssuchassingle-usevapesandwet wipes.

We willcontinuetoadvocateforacleaner, greenerNorthernIreland,andarehopeful wecandomoretoclosethegapsbetween producers,policymakers,localcouncils,and consciouscitizensalike. ■

ChrisGourley,wasteandpollutionstrategicleadat KeepNorthernIreland Beautiful,saysmoremuchbedoneatagovernmentlevelwithadedicatedlitter strategytoensurethisregionremainsaslitterfreeaspossible

Chris Gourley

Sponsoredby

Theriseofconsumerandindustryartifcial intelligenceandmachinelearningisontherise, andit’sbeingusedbysomeofourmost-forward thinkingfrms.Butwithoutadedicatedstrategy andsomesectorsnotseeingtheopportunities, couldwegetleftbehind? JohnMulgrew speakstothoseattheheartofthesectorhere

Ifyouhaven’taskedChatGPTan intentionallyobtuseordaftquestion, ortriedtocreatesomesortofvisual monstrosityonDall-E2,thenyou’remore thanlikelyintheminority.

Thehands-on,consumer-friendlyfaceof thepowerofmachinelearningandartifcial intelligence(AI)wasthrustuponusand enteredthezeitgeistlittleoverayearago.

Andwhilemuchofitisverymuchjustonthe technologicalcuspofwhatAIiscapableof, itputafriendly(ornotsofriendly)faceto somethingaltogethermoreobtuse,complex anduseful.

Companieshere–largeandsmall–arealready makinguseofavastarrayofpermutations anditerationsofwhattheemergingand burgeoningtechnologyiscapableof.

AccordingtoPwC,UKGDPwillbeupto 10.3%higherin2030asa resultofAI–the equivalentofanadditional£232bn.

Butwhilemanyofthebiggestandmost ingenuousbusinessesareonthebandwagon, NorthernIrelandcouldgetleftbehindwithout adedicatedstrategytodealwiththerise inAI–somethingwhichourneighboursto thesouthalreadyhavestrongfoundations in,whilethere’salsothemoregeneralUK NationalAIStrategy,accordingtooneleading expert.

“[Firmshere]areusingAItodeliverservices toclients,internally,ortofurthermakethe existingsolutionsmoreeffectiveoreffcient, TomGray,vicechairoftheSoftwareAlliance andfounderandcuratorofAICon,tells Ulster Business

Thatincludesthelikesofourbiggestsoftware andservicesbusinesses,suchasAllstateand Kainos,forexample.

[AIandmachinelearning]isverygoodatfraud detection,forexample.Machinelearningis reallyprevalentincyber-security,” Tomsays.

Here, Tomsaystheuseoftechnologyisa strengthamongfrmsandsectorswhichhave growninNorthernIreland–cyber-security beingoneofthem.

“Therationaleisthethreatlandscapeis growingexponentially,”hesays.“There’sno wayanyhumanmindcouldcomputeallof therisks. Youneedsomethinglikemachine learningtolookatanorganisation’sinwardor outwardtraffc–learningwhat’snormal,and fagwhateverisnot.”

ButwhiletheITandtechsectorsare utilisingvariousiterationsofthetechnology, there’saconcernthatthoseinotherareas ofindustry–suchas retail–couldbeleft behind,particularlyifovertakenbythelarger businessesinthosesectorsjumpingonanearly bandwagon.

AnditalsomeansNorthernIrelandtakinga

strongapproachfromagovernmentlevel–somethingwhichisagainbeingpushedinto thelonggrasswithoutaworkingExecutive tohelpfurtherdevelopourowndevolved strategyhere.

[There’sconcern]thatlocalbusinesses aregoingtoloseoutwhencomparable businessesinother regionswhichhave perhapsamoreaggressiveAIdiffusion strategywilljumpaheadofus,” Tomsays.

“TheRepublicofIrelandhasastronger approach.Ithinkwhatweneedtodoas a regionisinvestinensuringthesmallto microbusinessesandsomeofthebigbeasts, thattheC-levelexecutivesareawareofthe potentialofAIandareencouragedtothink ofwaysofemployingthetechnology.”

HesaidmovingnowwillbekeytoNorthern Ireland,anditsfrms’,successes.

“ThefearisthatAIisaveryruthless technology,”hesays.“Iwouldconsideritto beruthlessandpunishingtolateadopters. It’sstillearlydaysandthereisawindowof opportunity.

“TheGovernmentisslowandthewindow willcloseshortly–wecouldloseouttomore agileforeigncompetitors.”

Buttherearesmallercompaniesherewhich aregrowingandexpanding,inpart,thanks totheirabilitytoutilisetechnologysuchas machinelearning.

“Therearesome reallyinterestingones, particularlyinthepharmaspace,” Tomsays. “Axial3Disa reallyinterestingcompany, usingmachinelearningtohelpcreate physical replicasoforganswhichclinicians canthenlookatbeforestartingwith [surgery].

“It’saround‘howdoyouunderstandand visualisehugeamountsofdata?’ Youcan starttosee[thistechnology]beingwellappliedinusingmachinelearningtointerpret scans,forbreastcancer,forexample.>

“Theycanlookatanumberofscansor MRIsandtheywillusemachinelearningto takeallofthosescansandeffectivelyturn themintoa3Dviewofwhateveritis.It’s fllinginalotofgapsbetweenwhathasto beafnitenumberofscans.”

IntermsoftheusageofAIandmachine learninghere, Tomsayspredictioniskey.

“Thatpredictionpieceiswhereweare seeingthemostvalue,”hesays.“The emergenceofChatGPT–it’sabig predictionengine.

“LargelanguagemodelsandChatGTetc –theyhavegottensogoodandthathas onlyhappenedinthepastfewyearswith improvementsinCPUsand reallyhighcapacitydatastorageinthecloud.

“Theonlywaytotrainlargelanguage modelsiswitha reallylargebodyofdata–suchastheinternet.

“Whenconsumerorbusinessusershear aboutmachinelearningorAI,theythink thatbenchmarkisperfection.Ofcourse,to getvalueit’sneverperfection,it’swhatan averagehumancando.

“ChatGPTwouldbeabletocreatecontent, orgenerativeart,butnotbeperfect.There aremistakes,butitiscertainlylesserrorfree than99%ofthepopulationandtherefore valueisadded.”

AnalyticsEnginesisaBelfast-basedAIand datasciencefrmspecialisinginAI-enabled searchanddiscoveryplatforms.

“Firmswe’respeakingwitharedeployingAI andmachinelearningsolutionstoautomate processesandtodrawgreatervalueand insightsfromthedatatheyhold,”Analytics Engines’headofdataanalyticssolutions, GeoffMcGimpsey,tells UlsterBusiness

“Typically,we’reusingAI/machinelearning technologiestomaketheexperthuman-inthe-loopbecomemoreexpertandto release themfromtime-intensive, repetitivetasksin ordertofocusonthehigher-valueactivities that reallycount.

“Hugelyexcitingopportunitiesareopening upwithlargelanguagemodelsand generativeAItechnology,particularlyin understandingand reviewing reamsoflongformdocuments.Thiswillbetransformative acrossindustry.

“Takelegal,thistechnologymakesitpossible toautomaticallygenerateconcisesummaries oflengthytexts,allowingpractitioners toconsumeandsearchvastamountsof informationquicklyandeffcientlyincritical serviceareassuchase-discovery.

“Rightnow,I’mspeakingwithpolicy,strategy, researchandmediaunitsinpublicandprivate sectororganisationswhereprofessionals needtoquicklyabsorbandunderstand hugevolumesoftext,ofteninapressurised environment.”

Meanwhile,theheadofartifcialintelligence atKainoshassaidNorthernIrelandcouldlead thewayinAIduetotheGovernment’snew whitepaper.

‘Apro-innovationapproachtoAI regulation’ waspresentedtotheGovernmentinMarch andupdatedinJune.

ItpresentstheUK’sapproachtoartifcial intelligenceinboththechallengesand opportunitiesitbrings.

ItstatesAIisalreadydeliveringwidesocietal benefts“frommedicaladvancestomitigating climatechange”. ■

OneofAxial3D’sprintedmodels

NorthernIrelandpaypacketsrise7.5%

RegularpaypacketsinNorthern Irelandhavegoneup7.5%inthe lastyeartojustover£2,100.

That’saccordingtothelatestdatapublished bytheNorthernIrelandStatisticsandResearch Agency(NISRA).

EarningsdatafromHMRC PAYE revealed employeesherehadamedianmonthlypay of£2,103inJuly2023,whichmarksariseof £147(7.5%)overthepastyear.

Thenumberofemployeesbeingpaidthrough HMRC PAYEinJuly2023was793,000–up 0.4%overthemonthand1.9%overtheyear.

Labourmarketdataforthesecondquarterof 2023showsthebiggestchangeinthenumber ofemployeesbyindustrywas recordedin services(2.2%)andmanufacturing(1.3%).

Thenumberofpeopleworkinginthe constructionsector remainedunchanged.

However,theunemploymentrateincreasedby 1.7%inJulywith37,000peoplehereclaiming beneftswhich remainsalmost24%higher thanthepre-pandemiccountinMarch2020.

TheDepartmentfortheEconomyalso saidithadbeennotifedof250proposed redundancieslastmonth,almostdoublethe monthlyaverage recordedduring2022of 130.

Itsaidthismonth’sfgurebroughtthelatest rolling12-monthtotalto4,370,thehighest sinceAugust2021andnearlythree-and-a-half timesthefgureof1,260forthepreviousyear.

Andtheproportionofpeopleaged16to64 whowerenotworkingandnotseekingor availabletowork,knownastheeconomic inactivityrate,increasedby0.4%overthe quarterbutfellby1.8%overtheyearto 26.6%.

MarkMcAllister,directorofemployment relationsservicesattheLabourRelations Agency(LRA),saideconomicinactivityneeded tobeaddressed.

“Throughourworking relationshipswith bodiessuchasEmployersforChildcareand MeltedParents,theLRAishighlightingthe importanceoffexibleworkingasameansof helpingthosewhoarecurrentlyeconomically inactivebackintotheworkplace.

“Intheabsenceoflegislationorchildcare strategiesmanyemployersarenowbringing inmoregenerousandwidespreadfexible workinginitiativesasamethodofboth recruitingand retainingstaff.

“However,thesefexibilitiesneedtogo beyondsimply returningonapart-time basis.Employersneedtoconsiderthecost ofchildcareandhowhybridworkingand othercreativeandfexibleapproachescan transformthe‘how’and‘where’ofwork.”

AcrosstheUKpeople’spaygrewby7.8% –thehighestannualgrowthratesince comparable recordsbeganin2001.

Butinfation–whichmeasuresthepaceat whichpricesarerising– remains relatively highat7.9%.

Newinfationfguresdueoutarealso expectedtoshowpricegrowthslowedagain duringJuly.

Someeconomistshavepredicteditcould fallto6.8%whichisstillfarhigherthanthe BankofEngland’stargettokeepinfationat 2%. ■

Securityoperationscentre: thefrst lineofdefenceagainstcyberattacks

Asbusinessescontinuetoembraceandrelyontechnologiestooperate, thescale andcomplexityofcyberattackscontinuestogrowandthat’s why a toptiersecurity operationscentre(SOC)canhelptackleitheadon,accordingto OutsourceGroup

Investmentinpreventionmeasures continuetobeafundamental requirementforeverybusiness,but increasinglybusinessesare realising thattheyneedtodomore,leadingto anincreasedfocusonthreatdetection, (fndingandstoppingthreatsbeforethey canattempttobreachyoursecurity)and theriseofsecurityoperationscentre(SOC) services.

Historicallythelevelsoftechnical sophistication,costofcutting-edgeanalysis tools,andexpertskillsets requiredtooperate atoptierSOCwereonlyfnanciallyviable forenterprisecustomers,howeverthatis changing.

We arebeginningtoseeSOCproviders offeringmorefexible,bespokeofferings,with serviceofferingsdesignedinpartnershipwith individualbusinessneedsandaffordability, allowingbothenterpriseandSMEstofndthe rightSOCand relevantservicesfortheirneeds.

TheprimarybeneftofusingaSOCisthat itusesintelligenttooling,moreextensive monitoring,massivedatacrunchinganda dedicatedtechnicalteamwhichproactively fndsthreatsandstopsattacks.

Otherbeneftsinclude:

•24/7/365protection–attacksarenot restrictedtoworkinghours.

•Speedof response–pro-activelydetected, investigatedanddealtwithearlier.

•Reducedcosts–itissignifcantlymorecost effectivetoprotectanddetercyberthreats, thanto reactanddealwiththeconsequences ofasuccessfulbreach.

•Proactiveratherthan reactivemodel–use ofintelligentthreat-huntingpreventsattacks happeninginthefrstplace.

•Skilledsecurityfocusedstaff–dedicatedand experiencedstafffullyfocusedonspecialised security roles.

•Improvedbusiness reputation–indicates tointernalandexternalstakeholdersthat thebusinesstakesdatasecurity,privacy,and regulatorycomplianceseriously.

SOCprovidersofferacomprehensiverange ofservices.InordertosecurethebestSOC andservicesforyourbusiness,someareasyou shouldconsiderinyourassessment:

•DoestheSOCusetoptiertechnology partnerswhichhavethecapacitytogrow withyourbusinessneeds–whattoolsare beingused,isthereanover relianceonone technologyorprovider.

•Whatsecurityincidentandevent management(SIEM)istheSOC relyingon, howdoesthemarketrateitsperformance, canitperform real-timeandhistoricalcross correlationatspeed?

•HowdoestheSOClogeventsanddeal withdata–eventlogandnetworkfowdata consolidationisaboutrawinformationand storage, requiredforauditingandcompliance purposes.

•Threatdetection–whattoolsareused

andwhatsourcesarecoveredintermsof geographyandsectors.Howmanyintelligence feedsaretypicallyanalysedandistheanalysis staticorcontinuouslylearning.

• Youarepayingforexpertise,notincidents,so considertheexpertiseandexperiencesofthe teamoperatingtheSOC,aretheydedicated SOCstaff.

•CantheSOCintegratewiththeway yourbusinessfunctionsandconvertthat intelligenceintoaction,anybeneftwillnotbe fully realised.

•Areconsultancyservicesavailableto undertakesecurityassessments,generate implementationplansandprovideholistic securityadvice.

OutsourceGroupdeliversawiderangeof SOCservices,withafocusonworkingwith customerstobothunderstandtheirbusiness requirementsbutalsotodesigntherightsuite ofSOCservicestosatisfytheirneeds. ■

IfyouareconsideringSOCservicesorwantto fndoutmoregetintouch.

CGICyberEscapeExperience headedforNorthernIreland

WithinmonthsofoutliningitsambitiousplansforNorthernIreland,theglobalIT andbusinessservicesconsultingfrm, CGI,hasestablishedits CentreofDigital Excellence inBelfastandisrapidlyprogressingitsstrategicplantodeliverdigital innovationandexcellencebothonhomesoilandinternationally

FoundedinCanadain1976,CGI ismadeupof91,000‘members’ (employees)across40territories. Thisglobalteamandinternational ethoswillbefurtherboostedthrough itspresenceinNorthernIrelandwhich willseeitaddatleast50NIbased professionalstoitsalready6000strong UKworkforce,oncethelatestphaseof expansioniscomplete.

Thecompany’slong-termgoalistoembed andprogressits‘deliver’ambitionwhichwill seeitmaximisethelocaltalentpool;increase itscustomerbaseacrossthepublicandprivate sectors;andcollaboratewithkeyplayers, includingthelocaluniversitiesandstartup communitiestodevelopIPRanddeliversocial valueoutcomes.

LaunchingitsplansfortheCentreofExcellence inBelfastinJune,thecompany’sclearrationale wastoinvestinandgrowitstalentteamand totapintothecompany’sglobalexpertisefor thebeneftoflocalcustomers.

“Itwasincrediblyexcitingtoshareourearly ambitionsforNorthernIreland,”Lindsay McGranaghan,CGIseniorvicepresidentand businessunitleaderforScotlandandNorthern Ireland,said.

“Ourpriorityistoattractanddevelopthetop localtalentandstrengthenourglobalexpertise evenfurther.This,inturnwillhelpusdeliver world-classITcapabilitiesandsolutionsto meettheevolvingdigitalneedsofour regional andglobalcustomers.

“NorthernIrelandoffersmanyattributes,and wecouldthinkofnobetterhomeforourlatest CentreofExcellencegivenitsleading-edge

universities,colleges, researchcommunities andindustrycollaborators.

“Weknowthatitalreadyenjoysastrong reputationforcyber-securityexpertise,andthis representsasignifcantsynergywithCGI’sown credentialsandaspirationsinthisspace.”

Whatevertheservice,CGIisalltooawarethat anyinvestmentinITmusthaveapurpose, delivervalue,andofferprotection.Itssimple philosophywhenitcomestocyber-securityis: assesstherisk,protectthebusiness,operate withconfdence.

“Cyber-securityisembeddedineverything wedo,”Lindsaysays.“Andconsideringthe ongoingdigital revolutionanditsimplications forbusiness,itismoreimportantthanever.

“Allorganisations, regardlessofsize,are vulnerabletosecuritybreacheswhichcan resultinservicedisruptions,fnancialloss,

reputationaldamage,datatheftand regulatory fnes.Thismeansthoseleadinganddriving theseorganisations–irrespectiveofsectorneedtointegratecybersecurityasastandard prongoftheirbusinessstrategy.

“Asacompany,wehelporganisationsadopt abusinessfocusedapproachtocyber-security tosupporttheiroperationsandproductivity. We understandsecurityfromallangles–technology,businessandlegal.

“We havealreadycreated10securityoperation centresacrosstheglobeandare proudto haveanincredibleteamofexperiencedand credentialedsecurityspecialistsintheUK.These servicesandsupportare ofcoursenowavailable totheNorthern Irelandmarketplace,andwe lookforward tocollaboratingwithothersinthe cyber-securityspacehere tofurtherstrengthen ourdefencesagainstsecuritythreats.

“Althoughcyberthreatsareglobal,security

LindsayMcGranaghan

requirementsandlegislationaredifferent inlocalmarkets.OurnewCentreofDigital ExcellencehereinBelfastensureswe’re providingthebestsupportpossible,totally bespoketospecifcneedsofeachprivateand publicsectororganisation.Thisiswhatwe meanbywhenwesaywe’reglobal,witha localtouch.”

Noescapingcyber-security

Recognisingthecomplexnatureofcybersecurity,andhowitcansometimesleadtoa ‘headinthesand’ response,CGIhasadopted aunique‘edutainment’approachtobringthe subjecttolifewhilestilldeliveringimportant securitymessages.

AspartofitscommitmenttoNorthernIreland, CGIhasconfrmedthatitwillbebringing itsuniqueCyberEscapeExperienceherethis autumnaspartofaUKwidetour.

TheCyberEscapeExperience representsa signifcantinvestmentbyCGIwhichcombines thefunofanescape roomwiththethemesof cybersecurity,tohelpusersbetterunderstand andappreciatewhyITsecurityneedstobea regularconsiderationinourwork,homeand life.

TheCyberEscapeExperienceliterallybrings theconceptofsecuritytolifeinawaywhich isimpactfulandfullyinclusive. Targetedat businesses,organisations,schools,universities, andcommunitygroupsitenablesusers tobettergrasptheconsequencesofIT securityandunderstandtheirowncyber responsibilities.Participantshaveadesignated timetolookforclues,solvepuzzlesand decipherriddlestoearntheirescape,allwhile learningaboutpotentialcyber-securityrisks andhowto reducetheimpactofacyberattack.

“This reallyisanITfrstfromCGI.First developedbyCGIFinlandandthen redesigned fortheUK,thewholeexperienceisengaging, entertaining, relatableanditworks–it’slike CrystalMazebutwithtechatitsheart,” Lindsaysays.“Sincewefrst rolleditoutin 2020,weknowithaschangedperceptions, enhancedunderstanding,andultimatelyhas encourageduserstobettermanagetheirITrisk –whilehavingfunatthesametime.

“The realityissecurityiseveryone’s responsibility,andallemployeesandmembers ofthepublicneedtoplaytheirpart.Most peopletrytodotherightthingwhenitcomes tocybersecurity,buttheymaynotknowwhat tolookoutfor.ThatiswhythisCGICyber EscapeExperienceissounique–itblendsfun witheducationandleavesalastingimpacton participants.

“WelookforwardtobringingourCyber EscapeExperiencetoNorthernIrelandinthe autumnandhopethatitwillhelppeople developtheirknowledgeandskillsthereby helpingthemtokeeptheirbusinesses,friends andfamilysafeonline.

“Wewillsharefurtherdetailsofthe programmeatalaterdate,butwewill welcomeparticipationfromlocalschools/ communitygroupsaswellaslocalbusinesses. Intoday’sdigitalworld,thereisnoescaping theimportanceofcyber-security,butwithour CyberEscape roompeoplearewelcometo try.” ■

TheCGICyberEscapeExperienceiscomingto NorthernIreland

KIERANKELLY UBLOQUITY

Howisbusiness?

Ourbusinessisgrowingrapidlyand newopportunitiesareemergingevery week.

We areworkingwithblockchain technologyacrossglobalsupplychains. We dothisbyoptimisingtheaccuracy andtraceabilityofcriticaldatato enablegoodsandservicestofowmore seamlessly.

Withourdeepsupplychainexpertise andexperience,weblendbest-in-class technologywithcuttingedgescience toprove,authenticate,validateand ensuresupplychainintegrity.Using multifactorverifcation,wecreatea singlesourceofthetruthandestablish newlevelsoftrustbetweenproducers, manufacturers,hauliers, retailers, governmentagenciesand regulators.

Howdidyougetstartedinthe industry?

Istartedoutinlifeasabutcher, followingmyfatherintothefamily business,learnedthepractice,thenstudiedto becomeamasterbutcher.

Intheearly1990stheBSEcrisisbegantohit thesectorhard,soIdecidedto retraininIT. Thenin2010thecryptographicspacefordata begantoemerge.

Afterspendingalmosttwodecadesdesigning anddeliveringenterprisesecuritysolutionsfor government,defenceandaerospaceclients,I begantofocusonthebeneftsofdistributed ledgertechnologies(DLT)andblockchainto supportandenhancesupplychainsecurityand digitalassetmanagement.

Typically,whoareyourclientsor customers?

We aretheexclusivesmartbordersblockchain partnerofFujitsuinEurope,andassuchwe arealreadycapableofunderpinningcritical nationalinfrastructure. We havealsotrialleda digitalchainofcustodyfortheworld’slargest producerofherbsandspiceswhichmeans theycanimmediatelytracethesourceofajar ofchillipepperontheshelfatthetouchofa button. We’realsoaleadpartnerofTETA,an internationalconsortiumofindustrybodies establishedto revolutionisesupplychain assuranceand regulatorychecksfortraders throughdigitalinnovation.

Entrepreneur ofthe Month

Doyouenjoywhatyoudo,andwhatin particular?

Ilovecollaboratingwithotherlike-minded individualsandcompaniesinNorthernIreland. OrganisationslikeFSBandInvestNIhave helpedcreatetheenvironmentandconditions requiredtoenablestart-upslikeubloquityto thriveandfourish.

We’realsofortunatetobephysicallybased withintheArmaghCity,Banbridgeand CraigavonBoroughCouncilarea–which meanswecanworkinnovativelyalongside otherlocalcompaniestoachieveaunitedgoal. Forinstance,ManfreightLtdinCraigavonis oneoftheleadinglogisticsproviderswho aretriallingourAtamaiFreightsmartborders solutionalongsideFinnebrogueArtisan–CoDown’spremiumfoodproducerwhich suppliessausagesforM&SintheUK.This collaborationhasbeen reallybenefcialtoall threecompanies.

We’realsocollaboratingwithseveral pioneeringlocallivestockproducerswithinthe area,includingtheBestfamilyfarm.JohnBest

andhistwosons,RoryandSimonpromote innovationandtechnologywithinlivestock provenance. Withtheirsupportwepioneered thesmarttaggingoflivestocktodemonstrate thepotentialofourtechnology.

Whatisthemostdiffcultpartofyourjob?

Beingpatient.Iwanttogetonandchangethe worldforthebetter,andsometimesIhaveto slowdownalittletoleteveryoneelsecatch up.

Whatarethechallengesfacingyoursector andtheeconomyingeneral?

We liveinanincreasinglycomplexworld thatlackstrust.Whichmakestheseamless movementofgoodsacrossbordersdiffcult. However, weare alsoonthecuspofsome revolutionarychangesintechnology We’re proudtobespearheadinganinternational consortiumofindustryleadersto revolutionise supplychainassuranceand regulatorychecks fortradersthroughdigitalinnovation.Our collectivegoalistomakethingsbetter, simpler, andcheaperforexportersofqualityNIgoodsto selltheirproductstointernationalmarkets.

FollowingthepublicationoftheGovernment’s newenergystrategyit’snowliaisingwith industrytodiscusshowdeveloperscanmakethe homesofthefuturegreenerandemission-free. Butwhatwillthatmeanforthosebuildingthem, thecostsinvolved,thefeasibilityandtimeframe?

JohnMulgrew takesacloserlook

Thestrandsandveinsofamuchneededfreshenergystrategyare nowmakingtheirwaydowninto thetributariesofourwidereconomyand societyasawhole.

WhileStormont’s‘PathtoNetZero’outlined a roughframeworkfortheworkand developmentneedingcarriedoutinthe monthsandyearsahead,theminutiaeand specifcsofsuchascheme–fromenergy generation,electricvehicleuseandfutureproofhousingandcommercialdevelopment–arenowgraduallycomingtothefore.

Housebuildingandourbuiltenvironment remainatthecoreofthisjourneytonetzero, andestablishingfuturepropertystockwhichis ftforpurpose.

Anewpre-consultationpaperfromthe DepartmentofFinance(Dof)setsouta rangeofissuesfordiscussionwithindustry–coveringeverythingfromemissionstocarbon commitments,electricvehiclechargingand building regulations.

Thatcouldseetheendofoilusedasafuel forhomes,orsimilarlyhighcarbondensity options,forexample.

“Theconsultationwillhelpprepareforquite signifcantchanges,includingstepsthatwould makeconventionalboilersusingthehighest carbonintensityfuels,suchashomeheating oil,unviableinmostnewbuildings,”the departmentsays.

“Itexploresexpectationsforlow-carbon heating,suchasheat-pumpsorheatnetworks fornewbuildingsandconsiderswiderissues,

suchasembodiedcarboninmaterialsand backgroundassumptionsinassessment methodologies.”

DavidFryisdirectorofExternalAffairsatthe ConstructionEmployersFederation,which representsmuchoftheconstructionand buildingsectorhereinNorthernIreland.

“Thepublicationofthisdiscussiondocument andpre-consultationisawelcomestepasit, inlinewiththeDfEEnergyStrategy,outlines thenextstepsinbuilding regulationsfor newbuildhousing,”hetold UlsterBusiness

“Betweennowandmid-Novemberwewill beengagingwithourhomebuildermembers toassesstheoptionsaslaidoutandthe proposedtimeframesforimplementation.

“Whilethedirectionoftravelonbuilding regulationsisclear–anditisonethat theindustryfullysupports–thefocusfor discussionwithinourmembershipwillbe aroundseveralimportantmatters.”

HesaysthatincludeswhetherNIshould bringforwardthepointatwhichnew dwellingswouldbeunlikelytobeableto utiliseconventionaloilheating.

“It’salsohowanychangesinthe‘coming intoforce’periodforchangedguidance wouldimpacthomebuilders,whether,in thecontextofcurrenteconomicconditions andourpre-existingchronicundersupply ofnewhousing,anyoftheproposals wouldadverselyimpactthecostsof homebuilding,”hesaid.

“[Andthere’salso]theinterlinkingof

proposedchanges,particularlyaroundPVand EVcharginginfrastructure,andtheneedto ensuretimelyandnon-costprohibitivegrid connections.

“Afteroursubmissiontothisphasetwo document,wewillthenlookforwardto furtherengagementwithDoFoncethephase threeconsultationispublished.”

CiaránFox,directoroftheRoyalSociety ofUlsterArchitects(RSUA),saysthepreconsultationdocument“providesavery importantearlysignalofwhatislikelyto comedownthelineasgovernmentseeks todecarbonisethebuildingstockthrough regulation”.

Buthesayswiththeincreasedelectrifcation, attheheartofourmoveawayfromfossilfuels andfossilfuel-generatedpower,theremust beabigfocusonaddressingcapacityand connectionissues.

“It’sessentialthatelectricityconnectionsdon’t becomeanadditionalblockondevelopment, especiallyasdemandforelectricvehicle chargingincreases,”hesays.

“Theheadlineintheshorttermistheintention tointroduceastepchangein2023/24thatwill makethehighestcarbonfuels,suchascoal andoil,unviableformostnew-buildsituations. Realisticallyatthisstageitwillbesometime in2024atearliestandofcoursethatis

dependentonhavingapoliticalset-upwhere decisionscanbetaken.

“Ineffectthismeanstheelectrifcationof heatingfornewpropertiesthroughtheuse ofheatpumpsinmostcasesandputsabig focusonaddressingtheelectricityexisting gridcapacityissuesandconnectioncharges. Developmentiscurrentlybeingheld-upall overtheplacedueinadequatewastewater infrastructure.It’sessentialthatelectricity connectionsdon’tbecomeanadditionalblock ondevelopment,especiallyasdemandfor electricvehiclechargingincreases.

“In relationtoexistingbuildings,government isproposingthat refurbishmentworkor

extensionsshouldtriggera requirementto upgradetheenergyperformanceofthe buildingand reduceitsin-useemissions.

“Theproposals recognisethecomplexity ofmakingbuildingsmoreairtightandthe dangersofpoorventilationandoverheating. Thisisextremelyimportantfromahealth perspectiveandthe regulationswilltake accountofprojectedincreasesinpeak temperatures.

“Inthelongerterm,thediscussiondocument touchesonpotential regulationofthe emissionsarisingfromthecreation,delivery andassemblyofmaterialsusedinthe constructionofabuilding.Aswithallof>

theseproposals,NIwillmostlikelyfollowalong thesamelinesastheotherjurisdictionsinthe UKandIreland.”

Intermsofthecurrentsituation,therehas alreadybeenaneasementfromgovernmentto upthenumberandspeedinwhichdomestic heatpumpscanbeinstalled.

TheDepartmentforInfrastructurehas announcedamendmentstopermitted developmentrightsfordomesticheatpumps, followingapublicconsultation.

“Planningplaysacrucial roleinfacilitatingthe uptakeof renewableandlowcarbonenergy technologiesandtheseamendmentswill helpaddressclimatechangeandprotectthe environmentbyencouragingtheuseoflow carbonheattechnologies,whileensuringthe provisionofsuchinfrastructureissitedand designedtokeepenvironmentalandamenity impactstoaminimum,”thedepartmentsays.

“The relaxationtothepermitteddevelopment rightswillnowmakeiteasierforenergy consumersandproviderstoutilise renewable energytechnologies,suchasairsourceheat

pumps,withouttheneedforplanning permission,subjecttocertainconditionsand limitations.”

However,withtheuptickinelectricvehicle usage–andthephasingoutofnewpetrol anddieselcarsby2030–andutilisingheat pumptechnology,increasedgenerationisalso key.

Thatmeansconsiderablymoreon-shorewind, solar,andalsoturningattentiontooff-shore schemes–potentiallycapableofgenerating upto1GWofpower.

Speakingataneventhosted recentlyby Ulster Business andA&LGoodbody,StevenAgnew, directorofRenewableNI,said:“Thepotential ishuge. We areinanenergypricecrisisand renewableshavebeenshowntobringdown prices.Thescaleofoff-shore–our reportsays 1.5GWcouldcreateanindustryof£2.4bn. To putthatintocontext,ourcurrently renewable capacityis1.7GW.”

Anumberofschemesareattheveryearly stages,includingNorthChannel Wind’splans forapotential400MWfoatingoff-shore

windfarmproposedforinstallationoffthe coastofeastAntrim.

Progresswasmadeattheendoflastyear, however,aftertheDepartmentforthe EconomyandTheCrownEstate(TCE) agreedastatementofintenttoexpresstheir commitmenttowardsestablishingoff-shore windleasingforNorthernIreland.

Itfollowsthedepartment’sconsultationonthe draftoff-shoreRenewableEnergyActionPlan (OREAP)forNorthernIreland.

“ThedraftOREAPisaclearsignalofintentby theDepartmenttocreatetherightconditions foroursectortogenerate1GWofoff-shore windenergy,enoughtopowermorethan aquarterofNorthernIreland’selectricity demand,”StevenAgnewsaid.

“Whilethisplanindicatestheaimtogenerate 1GWfrom2030,RenewableNImembersare workingtogethertoachieve80% renewable electricitygenerationinNorthernIrelandby 2030,”hesays.“Thiswill reduceclimate change,boosttheNIeconomyby£4.5bnand saveconsumersmoney.” ■

StevenAgnew,RenewableNI,MichelleMcIlveen,DUPMLA,Eóin

Tennyson,AllianceMLA,PhilipMcGuigan,SinnFéinMLA,PaulCarson,StrategicPowerProjectsatthelaunchof RenewableNI’sDeliveringZeroCarbonStrategicPlan

Sportsstoretocloseitsdoorsafter morethan50yearsoftrading

TheownerofoneofBelfast’s landmarkapparelshopshas announcedthatitwillcloseits doorspermanentlyafter54yearsof trading.

DionJackson,theownerandmanagerof JacksonSports,whichislocatedonHighStreet inthecitycentre,announcedonsocialmedia thatthecompanywouldceaseoperatingboth itsphysicalshopandonlinewebsiteafterthe familybusinessfailedtofndasuccessorto takeitover.

Theshop,whichspecialisesinwalking footwear,campingequipment,andoutdoor clothing,initiallybeganasahomebusinessin Portadownin1969,wherehisfathertraded specialisedoutdoorequipmentwithshoppers whostruggledtofnditemsinNorthern Ireland.

MrJacksonsaidthestoreisclosingsimply becauseithasfailedtofndasuccessorafter histwodaughtersmovedtoGB.

“It’salsosolelybecauseit’stime;Igotmybus passlastyear,andit’sbeen35years,soit’s timetomoveontonewadventuresandget outandenjoysomecycling,”hesaid.

“Mytwodaughtershavetheirownjobs andnowlive[outsideNorthernIreland],and weren’tinterestedincarryingiton,andthere wasnooneelseinthefamily.It’ssadwe’re havingtoclose,positiveintheaspectthatI’m freenowafter35years–I’vedonemytime.”

JacksonSportsphysicallyopeneditsfrst premisesonCollegeStreetNorthin1969and thenmovedtoBedfordStreetin1971,where itwasbombedtwiceduringthe Troublesin 1977.

ItfnallyfounditspermanenthomeonHigh Street,whereithasservedthepeopleof NorthernIrelandwithspecialistequipmentfor decades,aswellasfulfllingordersthroughits website,whichwaslaunchedin2004.

MrJacksonsaidhehasseveralcustomerseach daytellinghimhowsaddenedtheyarebythe newsoftheclosure,buthesaysit remainsa positiveaspectthatit’sclosingbecauseit’shis choice.

“We’vehadhappytimes–peoplewho havecomeinwiththeirparents,whoare nowbringingtheirchildrenandeventheir

grandchildrenin.Peoplearesorrytosee itgobecausewearethelastofthevery specialisedshopsinBelfast.

“They’reshocked,butpeoplearehappyI’m goingbecauseI’m retiringandnotbecause ofanyfnancialissues.

“Ourbusinesshasalwaysbeenverystrong, eventhroughoutCovid–ourmailorderskept going. We arefairlyimmunetoeconomic pressuresbecauseourcustomersalways wanttogetoutandenjoytheirsports.They maynotgoonexoticholidays,buttheystill travelallovertoclimbandwalk,”MrJackson said.

Theshopownersaidthatdespiteasuccessful onlineservice,thewebsitewillalsocease operatingattheendofthemonth.“We havehadgreatsuccessonline,andifIwere 10yearsyounger,I’dstillbegoing,butwe’re stoppingthataswell,”hesaid.

Duetobeingbasedatalandmarklocation inthecitycentre,MrJacksonsaidhehas watchedBelfast’s retailcommunitychange dramaticallyovertheyears. ■

JacksonSportsin Belfastcitycentre

Poweringthetransitiontoa smarterandgreenerenergyfuture

StrategicPowerConnect isdeliveringhome-growncleanenergysolutionsfor largecommercialandindustrialenergyusersinNorthernIreland

Seasoned renewableenergydeveloperStrategicPower Projectshaslongbeenakeyplayerinthegreeneconomy withdecadesofexperienceacrosstheIslandofIreland.

Workingtodrivedecarbonisationanddiversifytheenergymixwith increasedlevelsof renewables,StrategicPower’sgoalhasalwaysbeen simple,evenifthechallengesitfacedweremorecomplex:produce powerfromwindandsolarenergyandstoreitforwhenitwasneeded.

Then,inJune2022,seeingtheincreasinglychallengingconditionsin whichitscustomerswereoperating,thecompanymadethestrategic decisiontouseitsexpertiseandmarketknowledgetolaunchan extensionofitsenergyportfoliobyofferingsustainablepowertolocal largeenergyusersinthecommercialandindustrialsectors.

“Withgovernmentsstrengtheningsustainabilitypoliciesandsetting increasinglyambitious renewableenergytargets,itisimperativethatwe all,businessesdevelopersandgovernmentalike,takedecisiveaction,” PaulCarson,managingdirectoroftheStrategicPowerGroup,said.

“Weneedtophaseoutexpensiveimportedfossilfuelsandinsteadmake themostofourworld-leadinglevelsof renewableenergyproduction.

“WesetupStrategicPowerConnectasadirect responsetothe signifcantandvocaldemandfromlargeenergyusers,whomadeit unequivocallyclearthattheywantedasolutiontotackletheirrising energycostsandassisttheircommitmenttodecarbonisation.

Theofferingalsogivesalevelofcertaintywhichbusinessneedinthe currentvolatileenvironment,Paulsays.

“AtStrategicPowerConnectwedesign,installandmanageon-site renewableenergysystemstoenablemajorcompaniestobecomemore resilientandself-suffcientandenabletheirtransitiontonetzeroand securelongtermenergypricecertainty.”

StrategicPowerConnectoffersdirect renewableenergytoitscustomers, supplyingandinstallingsolarequipmentonsitewithabsolutelyno capitaloutlayasanoption.LiamFaulkner,StrategicPowerConnectchief executive,saidthecompany’sgoalhasbeentodeliveranimbleand affordablesolution.

“We recognisethatwithourconcurrentenergyandcostoflivingcrises, thatthebottomlineisalwaysgoingtobefrontandcentreofany business’decision-makingprocess,”hesaid.

“However,partneringwithussimplycouldn’tbeeasier,andcrucially,it makesbusinesssense.Customerscanpurchasetheirsystemoutright, ortakeadvantageofourfundedoptions,wheretheyonlypayforthe energytheyuseandwillneverpaymorethantheircurrentenergy supply.Solarisaquickandeasytechnologytodeploy,anditcanbe operationalinsixtoeightmonths. Wereallyfeellikebusinessesareno longerpressedtomakediffcultdecisions–theycangogreenand,in fact,savemoney.”

Anotherfeatureoftoday’senergylandscapeisthegrowing requirement forcompaniestoplaceEnvironmental,SocialandGovernance(ESG) considerationsattheforefrontoftheirbusinessplanning.

LiamsaidthatisanothervitalpartofStrategicPowerConnect’soffering.

“Wewanttohelpbusinessesandmanufacturersbeconfdentthat theycanstandbehindtheirgreencommitmentactivities,sureinthe knowledgethattheyaremeetingESGstandardsandenablingthemto accessfundingandinvestment,”Liamsaid.“Thisissomethingwecan adviseonandhelptoimplement.” ■

LiamFaulkner, StrategicPower Connectchief executive

Newcarsalessoarby 24%inNorthernIreland

Thenumberofnewcarspowering outofshowroomsinNorthern Irelandhassurgedbyaquarter, freshfguresshow.

Salesofnewvehicles roseby23.8%during Julywithsome3,415cars registered,according totheSocietyofMotorManufacturersand Traders(SMMT).

Overall,carsales rosebymorethan28% acrosstheUKasawhole,withEnglandseeing thebiggestbumpof29.5%.

Acrosstheyearcarsalesareup18.3%inNI.

TheoverallUKfguresshowedthebestJuly performancesince2020,whenpent-up demandfornewcarswasunleashedfollowing threemonthsoflockdownduringthe pandemic.

Electrifedvehiclesaccountedformorethan

athird(35.4%ofthemarket).Hybrid(HEV) volumesgrew,althoughtheiroverallmarket sharefellto11.3%.Plug-inhybrid(PHEV) registrationssawasignifcantupliftforthe secondmonthina rowasuptake rose79.1% toaccountfor8.1%ofthemarket.

However,thebiggestincrease,wasforbattery electricvehicles(BEVs),which recordedan 87.9%increasetoaccountfor16%ofallnew registrationsforthemonth,amarketshare broadlyconsistentwiththatseensofarthis year.

MikeHawes,SMMTchiefexecutive,said:“The industry remainscommittedtomeetingthe UK’szeroemissiondeadlinesandcontinuesto maketheinvestmentstogetusthere.Choice andinnovationinthemarketaregrowing,so it’sencouragingtoseemorepeopleswitching ontothebeneftsofdrivingelectric.

“Withinfation,risingcostsoflivingandazero

emissionvehiclemandatethatwilldictatethe marketcomingnextyear,however,consumers mustbegiveneverypossibleincentivetobuy. Governmentmustpulleverylever,therefore,to makebuying,runningand,especially,charging anEVaffordableandpracticalforeverydriver ineverypartofthecountry.”

Meanwhile,theUK’susedcarmarket rose by4.1%duringthesecondquarterofthe year,with1,832,267unitschanginghands, accordingtothelatestfgures.

Theincreaseequatestoanadditional72,583 transactionscomparedwiththesameperiodin 2022, refectingsustainedgrowthinthenew carmarketandimprovingavailability.

Theeasingofsupplychaindisruptionshas drivensalesgrowthineverymonthsofarthis yearand,althoughthequartertwomarket remains9.9%below2019levels,its recovery continuesapace,theSMMTsaid. n

Corporatedeals: thecommercial market

Sponsoredby

UlsterBusiness looksatthedealsdone hereinthelastfewmonths,themajorassets currentlyonthemarketandwhattheroad aheadlookslikeforthecommercialmarkethere

Whilethelastingeffectsofthe pandemicarestilldrip-feeding downintothedealsand commercialpropertymarket,there remain signsofbothoptimismandconsiderable assetschanginghandsandbeingoffered upforsale.

Commercialinvestmentvolumeheresatat £30.1mduringthesecondquarterof2023–thatwassome77%belowthatoftheprevious threeyearsandaround54%belowthefveyearquarterlyaverage,accordingtoLambert SmithHampton.

“Whileinvestmentvolumewassubdued, activitywasontrendwith10transactions recordedinquartertwo,”thefrmsaid.

Itsaysthatthesecondquarterperformance isin“starkcontrasttothefrstquarterof 2023whichwasthebusiestquartersincethe Covid-19pandemicbegan”.

Overall,volumeinthefrsthalfof2023of £161.6mstood20%abovethehalfyear fve-yearaverage,underpinnedbythestrong frstquarter,accordingtoLambertSmith Hampton.

Thelargestsingletransactioninthesecond quarterwasthepurchaseofBedfordHousein Belfastcitycentre.

The10-fooroffcebuildingwentonthe marketfor£24.3m,describedas“oneof themostprestigious”togoonsalehereina decade.

BedfordHouse,whichisownedbyUlster Estates,hastenantsincludingbusinessadvisers EY,builtenvironmentconsultancyfrmArup, investmentbankCowenandinsurancebroker andriskadviserMarsh.

Theglass-frontedbuildingisclosetoCityHall andashortdistancefromthenewtransport hubat WeaversCross.Ithas90,000sqftof gradeAoffceaccommodationontheupper foors,withfour retailunitsatgroundlevel.

Theinvestmentisletto14tenantsgenerating anannualnetincomeofnearly£1.6m.

“Theoffcemarkethasbeendisproportionally affectedbythelonger-termimpactofCovid-19 and recenttrendsinoffceinvestmenthave refectedthis,”accordingtoLambertSmith Hampton.

“Inachangeoffortune,offceinvestment accountedforthelargestshareofquartertwo volumeandstood34%abovethefve-year quarterlyaverageforthesector.

“Thelargestquartertwotransaction,and thelargestoffcedealsinceMerchant SquareinMarch2021,wasthepurchaseof BedfordHousebyalocalprivateinvestorfor anundisclosedpricefromalocalproperty company.”

The restofthedealstakingplaceduring thelastquarterwereallwithinthesub£5m category.Thatincludedthepurchaseofa TescodistributionunitatBoucherCrescent, purchasedbyaninvestorfor£1.4manda retailbusinessunitonUpperNewtownards Road,Belfastbyalocalprivateinvestorforan undisclosedprice.

“Localprivateinvestorsaccountedforthe largestproportionofvolumeandwerethe mostactiveinquartertwo,”LambertSmith Hamptonsaid.

Itsaidwhileprivatelocalinvestorsand propertycompaniesmakeupthebulkofdeals done,investorsfromtheUSandMiddleEast accountedforalmostaffth.

“Year-to-dateacombinationoflocalprivate investorsandlocal‘propcos’haveaccounted forovertwo-thirdsofinvestmentvolume, however,overseasinvestorsfromtheUSAand MiddleEasthavecompletedthreedeals(18% ofvolume).”

“PosttheendofCovid-19 restrictionsin NorthernIrelandtheinvestmentmarket showedmomentumwithastrongfnishto 2022andstartto2023.

“However,asouranalysisshowsthiswas primarilyduetothe resupplyofassetsin quarterthree2022.Themarketinquarter two2023hasbeencharacterisedbycaution amongbothinvestorsandpotentialvendorsin

responsetothesuccessiveinterestraterises, highinfation,andthecostofenergyand services.”.

Itsayslookingaheadandonamorepositive noteitbelievesinvestmentvolumeswill bouncebackinthethirdquarter.

Muchofthatisdownthenumberof signifcantassetsnowonthemarket.

ThatincludesForestsideinsouthBelfastand FoylesideinDerry.

“Onamorepositivenote,investmentvolumes willbouncebackinquarterthreewithover £110mofassetscompletedorexpected tocomplete,includingbothForestsideand FoylesideShoppingCentresandtheHilton Hotel,Belfast,”thepropertyfrmsaid.

“Theinterestshowninthetwo aforementionedshoppingcentressuggests thatthere remainskeeninvestorappetitefor goodqualityassetsincluding retail.Further, LegalandGeneralhavedemonstrated confdenceinthe regionwiththeirforward fundingofLoftLines,NorthernIreland’sfrst built-to-rentscheme.”

Supply remainsanissueforthewidermarket, however.“Itispossiblethatdistressedassets willbegintocometothemarketproviding opportunityforinvestors,particularlythosenot reliantonfnance.

“The recentcoolingofinfationandthe assumptionthatinterestrateswillriseless sharplythanpredictedmayalsomotivate potentialinvestorswho requirefnance.It isclearthatthereisstillgreatvalueinthe market,buttoharnessongoinginterestand activitywe requirenewstocktoemerge.

“Comparedwiththe restoftheUK,the currenteconomicheadwindshavetaken longertoimpactinvestmentvolumesin NorthernIreland.Thiswaspredominantly>

duetothe resupplyofqualityassetsthat occurredinquarterthree2022whichbuoyed activityandvolumesduringtheendof2022 andbeginningof2023.

“Thesignifcantslowdowninthesupplychain, however,isnowevident.

“Onthesurface,thevolumeofassetsbrought tomarketinthefrsthalfof2023looks relativelyhealthywith40propertiesofferedto market,atatotalof£122.4mandanaverage propertyvalueof£3.3m.

“However,twopropertiesaccountformore thanhalfofthefrsthalfof2023’svolume offered.

“Exclusionofthetwoshoppingcentres (ForestsideandFoyleside)fromtheanalysis revealsthattheaveragevalueofassets broughttothemarkethasfallento£1.5min halfyear2023.

“Intheshort-termthesmallerlotsizewillbe

attractivetothelocalprivatemarket,which continuestobeactive,untilhighervaluestock emergestoappealtoarangeofinvestors.”

Meanwhile,MartinPropertyGroupisplanning todevelopanew120-unitapartmentcomplex atMarlboroughHouseon VictoriaStreetin Belfast,afterbuyingthebuildinglastyear.

Plansincludepartialdemolitionoftheexisting MarlboroughHouseand refurbishmentof alistedbuildingtodeveloparound120 apartments,privateopenspace,landscaping andpublic realmimprovements.

Thegroupiscarryingoutapre-application communityconsultationprocessfortheir proposalsforamixofstudio,one,twoand three-bedroomapartments.

Outsidetheworldofcommercialproperty deals,therewassomesignifcantM&Aactivity inthemarkethereoverthelastfewmonths.

CardealershipLookers,whichownsCharles

Hurst,issettocomeunderCanadian ownershipaftertheboardandmajor shareholdersagreedtoanearlyhalf-billion poundtakeover.

Thebusinesssaidthatithadnegotiateda dealwithAlphaAutoGroup,anOntariobasedcardealershipchain.

The120p-per-sharebidvaluesthe Altrincham-basedbusinessataround £465.4m,ittoldshareholders.

Thatisaround35%morethanthe company’ssharesweretradingatbeforethe newswasannounced.

Thedealhasalreadygotbigbuy-in,with theboardunanimouslybackingitalongside investorswhohold42%ofthecompany’s shares.

LookerssaidthatTDRCapital,Artemis InvestmentManagement,JOHambroand Schroderhadallpromisedtovoteforthe deal. ■

Someofthecorporatepropertydealsdone thisyearincludethesaleofBedfordHouse

MRPappointedtobuild Translink’s£500m Weavers

Crosscitycentrescheme

ACo Tyronepropertydevelopment gianthasbeenappointedtobuild Translink’s£500m WeaversCross schemeintheheartofBelfastcitycentre.

WeaversCrossisanambitious1.3millionsq ftmixed-useschemewhichwillsitalongside Translink’snewBelfastGrandCentralStation, ofwhichworkisalreadywell-underway.

Now,MRPwilldevelopthe£500mas Translink’scommercialpartner.It’sthe developmentarmofthewiderMcAleer& Rusheconstructionandpropertygroup.

“WearedelightedtopartnerwithMRPonthis major regenerationprojectwhichwillbring signifcantbeneftstoBelfastandNorthern Ireland,”ChrisConway,groupchiefexecutive, Translink,said.

“Thisisthemostsignifcanttransportled

developmentprojectinNIandMRPshares ourvisionfor regenerationandplacemaking todelivertangibleandlastingpositivesocial, economicandenvironmentalbenefts.

“Theinternationalconnectivitywhichthe transporthubwillbring,alongwithan imaginativemixed-usedevelopmentwillcreate anexcitingnewcitycentreneighbourhood thatwillbeacatalystforeconomicgrowth.It willalsodriveamodalshifttopublictransport andwillplayamajor roleinhelpingachieve thecarbonemission reductiontargetssetout intheNIClimateChangeAct.

“Welookforwardtoprogressingthisscheme andthankallthosewhohavetakenpartinthe processfortheireffortandprofessionalism.”

Astheappointedmaster-development partner,MRPwilldeliverthe WeaversCross development,whichcouldincludemixed-

useoffce,lifesciences, residential,student housing,hotelsand retail/leisurespace, presentingauniqueopportunitytotransform and regenerateacurrentbrownfeldsiteand createanewdestinationintheheartofthe city.

Thestationisthecatalystforthewider regenerationofthe WeaversCrosssitewhich hasagrossdevelopmentvalueof£500m withMRPnowoffciallyappointedtoleadon deliveryoftheprivatesectorinvestment.

“Weareimmenselyproudtohavebeen appointedasthemaster-developmentpartner for WeaversCross,averysignifcantprojectfor Belfast’sconnectivityandeconomicprosperity,” StephenSurphlis,managingdirectorofMRP, said.

“Developingthesite requiresanexperienced andcreativeteamthathasatitscorethe strongsocialvaluecredentials requiredto deliveronthisambitiousprojectandwe aredelightedtohavebeenchosenasthat team.Thevisionfor WeaversCrossisabold one,marryingworld-classurbandesign thatincorporatestheverylatestsustainable practicestocreateanewneighbourhoodfor Belfastthatwillimpactpositivelyonallof NorthernIreland.

“Wearelookingforwardtocommencing thispartnershipwith Translinkandengaging withthecommunityandinterestedpartiesto makethisdevelopmenta reality,unlocking theproject’shugepotentialandhelpingto regeneratethelocalarea.” n

EamonnLaverty,groupchiefexecutiveofMRP,ChrisConway,groupchiefexecutive, Translink,andSeamus McAleer,founderandchairmanofMRP

Confict: approachiseverything

Itgoeswithoutsayingthatconfictof somedegreeisaninevitablepartof life.

Whenpartiesbelievetheirdifferenceshave becomeirreconcilable, relationshipsbecome damagedorevendestroyed.Whilewecan’t alwayspreventconfictfromoccurring,we canchoosehowtoapproachit.Havingafull understandingoftheoptionsavailable,we believe,isthekeytonavigatingchallenging times.

Acrossourmulti-specialismlegalteamsin MillarMcCallWylie,weguideourclients throughmanydifferenttypesofconfict,in boththeirprofessionalandpersonallives.

Confict resolutionisanareawesee evolvingasyearsgoby. We knowthata placeofconfictistenseandnotwhereany individualorbusinesswishestobe.Our approachistohelpclientsarriveatanend solutionasquicklyandsimplyaspossible throughstraightforward recommendations andnegotiations. We presentthemost appropriate,timeandcost-effectivecourseof action–andsetaboutachievingasatisfactory outcomeswiftlysoallinvolvedcanmove forward.

Resolvingcommercialdisputes,whilerarely apleasantexperience,canactasanimpetus forgrowthandultimately resultinimproved relationshipsinthelongterm.

Commercialdispute resolutionneednotbe drawnout,painfullyexpensiveorirreparably damagingtoabusiness,normustitbe unnecessarilyadversarial.Infact,litigation may,incertaincircumstances,beviewedas thelast resortratherthanthefrst.Itisthe roleofastronglegalteamtohelpabusiness determinewhichmodeofdispute resolutionis mostappropriategiventheircircumstances.

We haveseenasteadyriseinthenumberof employmentdisputesbeingbroughtforward overthelasttwoyears.Thesesituationscan betraumaticforboththeemployerandthe employee,particularlyiftheyinvolvethe Industrial TribunalorFairEmployment Tribunal process.

Aswellasdealingwiththe‘fallout’from escalateddisputeswearealso regularlyasked toprovideguidanceoninternalpolicies,best practiceandstatutoryproceduresasameans ofpreventativeaction.This requirestechnical legalsupportandpracticalguidanceto navigatethecomplexareasoflawinvolvedand minimisetheriskofnon-compliance.

Whendiffcultiesarisebetweenfamilies, spousesandpartners,solidand reassuring

legaladviceisextremelyvaluable.Where possible,webelieveinmediationto minimiseemotionalandfnancialpressure forourclientsthroughouttheprocessof separation,divorceandfnancial resolution betweentwoformerpartners. We also provideguidanceincomplexfamilycases involvingchildren,whichcanbeparticularly sensitive.

Throughoutanytimeofconfict,ifyou requirelegalsupport,trytoseekitearly. Yourlawyershouldalwaysprovide robust, strategicandcost-effectiveadvice,grounded inpragmatismandexperience.

Withtherightapproach,confictcanbe navigatedandovercomesoyoucanfocus onthefuture. ■

CarolinePrunty,director, MillarMcCall Wylie,looksatconfictresolution,its evolutionhereandwhytakingtherightapproachcanhelpyoufocusonthefuture

CarolinePrunty,director, MillarMcCall Wylie

Interestrates riseputting ‘further financialstrain’ onhouseholds

atemporaryswitchtointerest-onlypayments, atemporary reductionin repaymentsortaking outapartinterest-part repaymentplan.”

Householdsandbusinessesacross NorthernIrelandarefacingyet furtherfinancialstrainastheBank ofEnglandraisesinterestratesonceagain.

Thebaseratenowstandsat5.25%–a15yearhigh.Thatmeansborrowingbecomes increasinglymoreexpensive,pushinguploan paymentsandmortgageswhicharen’tona fixedrate.

Someforecastsindicatethatinterestrates could reach6%bytheendoftheyear.

Thebiggesthitwillbefeltbypeopleonfixedratemortgageswhoareduetomovetoa newdealthisyear.It’sestimatedthataround 40,000peoplehereareinthatposition.

Whilethevariableoptionshavebeengradually creepingup,thoseemergingfromratesinand aroundthe2%markarelikelytobegreeted withafigure,evenforfixed,ofupwardsof6% orbeyond.

SineadCampbell,headofmoney,debtand qualityatAdviceNIsaystheincreaseininterest

rateswillalsoaffectfamiliesandhouseholds not receivingsocialsecuritybenefits.

“Manywillbestrugglingtocopewitha suddensurgeinpayments,puttingthem atheightenedriskoffallingintodebtby prioritisingmortgagepaymentsoverhousehold necessities.

“TheBankofEngland’sdecisiontoraise interestrateswillundoubtedlyputadditional financialstrainonhouseholdsandforthose onvariableratemortgagesthehikewill immediatelyimpacttheirbudgets.

“Weknowmorepeoplewillturntocredit toeasefinancialpressureduringthistime, howeverthiswillonlyaddmorestressinthe longerterm.AdviceNIisheretoensurethat nooneisleftfeelingalone,overwhelmedor unsupportedduringthesechallengingtimes.

“Ifyouarestrugglingwithyourmortgage orotherfinancial repayments,pleasegetin touch.Ourexpertadvisorscanthefirststepin helpingfindasolutionandcanofferadviceon extendingthetermofyourmortgage,making

AngelaMcGowan,director,CBINorthern Ireland,said:“Withinflationhavingcome downquickerthanexpectedinJune,the pressurewaseasedontheMPCtodeliver anotherbumperraterise.But,withinflation closeto8%–quadrupletheBank’starget–andwagegrowtharound7%,interestrates arelikelytoheadhigherincomingmonths.

“Economicconditions remainchallengingfor householdsandbusinessesalike.Forfirms, thecostofinputsisathirdhigherthanprepandemic,thelabourmarket remainsvery tightdrivingupwageand recruitmentcosts, anddemandissluggish.

“Meanwhile realincomesarestillfalling forhouseholdsandhigherinterestrates aresqueezingspendingpowerfurther. To driveupgrowthandlivingstandardsinthe UKwithoutgeneratinginflation,weneed investmenttoincreasetheproductivecapacity oftheeconomy.Improvementsinthetaxand regulatorysystem–as recommendedinour recentlypublishedtax roadmapandgreen growth reports–canprovideaplatformfor transformingtheUKeconomy.” ■

Theglobalevents sectorcallingNI home

Eventsandconferenceshostedbyorganisations andbusinessesfromrightacrosstheglobearean increasinglyimportantpartofrevenuegeneration inNorthernIreland,withapredicated£209min economicgenerationby2030. JohnMulgrew speakstotheindustryandlooksatwhyBelfast, Derryandbeyondarebringinginthevisitors

Theconferenceandeventsbusiness isbooming.

Andit’sbigbusinessforBelfastandbeyond, especiallyifsomeoftheeconomicstatsareto bebelieved.

It’snowbeingpredictedthatNorthernIreland couldbringinsome£209minadditionalspend by2030–somethingwhichwouldhavebeen previouslyunheardofjustafewyearsback.

“TheNorthernIrelandIntegratedStrategy forBusinessEventswaslaunchedinMarch 2022anddemonstratedthepotentialgrowth andthenecessarystepstoincreasethedirect economicimpactofthisimportantsectorby afurther£209mby2030,”Naomi Waite, TourismNIdirectorofmarketing,toldUlster Business

NorthernIrelandissettowelcome177 conferenceswithmorethan60,000delegates, anda£76mspendhereoverthenextthree years,shesays.

“It’sastrongsignofthe recoveryofthis importantsector. We willbeworkingclosely withourpartners TourismIreland, VisitBelfast and VisitDerrytopresentNorthernIreland asanexciting,competitivebusinessevents destination”.

Laterthismonthmorethan100global investorsareconfrmedtoattendtheNorthern IrelandInvestmentSummit.

It’saimingtopromotelocalopportunitiesto oneofthelargestgroupsofglobalinvestors

andbusinesseseverseeninNorthernIreland, whenittakesplaceonSeptember.

NorthernIreland’sinnovativebusinesseswillbe showcasedtomorethan100investorsfrom theUS,MiddleEast,EuropeandAsiaPacifc regions.

“Businesseventsprovidewelcomemidweekandshoulderseasonbusinesssoplay avital roleinahealthytourismportfoliofor destinations,”Naomisays.“Furthermore, beyondtheimmediateeconomicimpactof hosting,theyprovideavaluableopportunityto showcaseNorthernIreland’ssectoralstrengths, helpingustopositionNorthernIrelandasa greatplacetonotonlyvisitataconference, buttolive,workandinvest,creatingapositive lastinglegacy.”

Thelatestsummitmarksasignifcant opportunitytodemonstrateNorthernIreland’s innovationandtechnologicalstrengthsacross itsinternationally renownedsectors,including advancedmanufacturing,softwareand technology,fnancialandprofessionalservices, andemerginghealthandlifesciences.

Breakingdownthefgures,thenumbersare onlygoingup.AndwhileDerryisgettingsome oftheactivity,themajority remainscentredin Belfast.

Thereweresome95conferencesinBelfastin 2022,accordingto VisitBelfast,andafurther 34inDerry.Thattotaleconomicimpactis estimatedtobearound£38m.

Andlookingahead,Belfastlookssetto

welcome147conferencesand55,000 delegates,overthenextthreeyears, amountingtoaspendofaround£74.8m.

MeanwhileinDerry,30conferencesareinthe diarywith4,700delegatesandaneconomic impactofaround£1.2m.

Accordingto VisitBelfastthere’sbeenan increaseof16%onthepreviousyear.

Thisyear,Belfastwillwelcomeanumber ofhighprofleandstrategiceventssuchas theOne Young WorldSummitinOctober, UKSpaceConferenceinNovemberandthe EuropeanAssociationofArchaeologists.

“Thisyearhasbeena record-breakingyear forbusinesstourismwithanumberof high-profile,significanteventsinthecity includingCyberUK,One Young Worldand UKSpace,”GerryLennon,chiefexecutive, VisitBelfast,said.

“Businesstourismisvitaltoasustainable visitoreconomyprovidingyear-round,midweekandhighspendvisitorsanditisan essentialpartofthetradingmixforhotels, venuesandthewiderhospitalitysector. Beyondtourism–theseeventsalsoplay animportant roleinsupportingeconomic development,educationand researchpolicy areas.

“VisitBelfast’saward-winningbusiness tourismteam,workwithover1,300business, academicandmedicalleaderstoattract businesseventstoBelfastandNorthernIreland inkeysectorsthatcanalsopromoteBelfast andNorthernIrelandasavibrantplaceto work,dobusiness,study,liveandinvestin.

“WorkinginpartnershipwithInvestNI, TourismNI,BelfastCityCouncil,ICCBelfast, Queen’sUniversityandUlsterUniversity,we havefivestrategicadvisorypanelsbringing togetherNorthernIreland’sleaderswithin lifeandhealthsciences,technology,agrifood,businessandprofessionalservicesand advancedmanufacturing.

“Thisensuresthatweareattractingevents thatnotonlydeliverimportanttourism revenue –butthataligntothe regions10xeconomic visionandshowcaseNorthernIreland’sworldleadingexpertise.”

Sucheventsarekeyinboostingour regionas aplacetodobusiness,aswellasputtingus ontheglobalmap,accordingtoNeilDalzell, managingdirectorofplannd.

“Internationaleventssuchasconferencesand tradeshows,attractprofessionalsandexperts fromdiverseindustries,creatingadynamic platformforcollaborationandinnovation,”he says.>

NorthernIreland eventsandconference numbersareontheup

“Hostingsucheventsenhancesacity’s reputationasahubforbusinessand innovation,attractinginvestmentand encouragingtheestablishmentofnew businessoperationswithinNorthern Ireland.Thishasinturnhasledtomy eventsmanagementagencyworkingwith internationalclientssuchasCiti,Allstateand Sandvik.

“Largeinternationaleventshavehadthe powertosignifcantlyboostsmallbusinesses withinBelfast.Theseeventsdrawadiverse andoftensizablecrowdofattendees,creating asurgeindemandforvariousgoodsand services.

“LocalshopssuchasBornandBred, restaurantsclosetohotelsandconference venues,andtransportationservicesexperience

increasedfoottraffcandsalesduringthese periods.Theincreasednumberofinternational eventshaspromptedlocalentrepreneursto innovateandtailortheirofferingstocaterto eventattendees,showcasingBelfast’sunique characterandfosteringeconomic resilience.”

Butit’snotjustthecitiesplayinghosttoevents here.Forexample,SeatingMatters,aglobally recognisedleaderinclinical,therapeutic seating,willbehostingthe TwoSecondLean Summit2023intheRoeParkResort,Limavady, onSeptember4-5.

Thesold-outeventhas receivedinterest worldwidewithdelegatestravellingfrom Japan,India,Europe,Argentina,SouthAfrica, NorthAmericaandAustraliaallduetoattend.

GerryLennonsaysturningtothefuture,

sustainabilitywillalsobeakeystrandin theappetiteforeventsandhostingmajor conferences–somethingBelfastisuppingits gamein.

“Lookingaheadtothefuture,sustainability willbeattheforefrontoftheindustryandthis isanareathat VisitBelfasthasinvestedinto ensurewecandeliversustainablegrowth,”he says.

“Belfastisnowrankedinthe Top10Most SustainableDestinationsinthe World(GDSIndex2022),81%ofourhotelbedroomsin thecityarenowsustainablycertifed. We also haveasustainabilityandimpactmanager withintheteamandhavelaunchedarangeof supportforeventorganisersandtheindustry tohelpthemmaketheireventinBelfastas sustainableaspossible.” ■

VisitBelfastwasnamed‘BestConventionBureau’atthisyear’s Micebookawards.PicturedareJuliaCorkey,ICCBelfast, Waterfront HallandUlsterHallandRachelMcGuckin, VisitBelfast

Choosingtherightsupplier canmakeorbreakyourevent

Whenitcomestoeventmanagement,pickingtherightsupplierscanmakethe differencebetweenagoodeventandagreatevent,writes NeilDalzell,managing director, plannd

Choosingthecorrectsuppliercanbe keytothesuccessofanevent.

Everyeventmanager reliesonanetworkof trustedsuppliersandgettingitwrongcanbe costly.

Ifsomeoneletsyoudownormakesamistake ontheday,itcouldeasily refectonyouand potentiallydamageyour relationshipwith yourteam,clientandothersuppliers.That’s whythoroughly researchingyouroptionsand understandinghowtogetthebestoutof yoursuppliersissuchanimportantpartofthe overalleventplanningprocess.

Herearemytoptipsforchoosingthebest possiblesuppliersforyourevent:

Refneyour requirements

First, reallyconsiderwhatyouwanteach suppliertodeliveronthedayoftheevent. Manysupplierscanoffervaryinglevelsof support–forexample,ifyou requirean AV companytoprovidesoundandlighting equipment,ensureyoucheckwhat AV is includedinthevenuehirepackage. Youdon’t wanttopayextraforequipmentalready providedbythevenue.

Don’tforgetthoughthatsometimesyour supplierwillhavetheexpertisetoknowwhat youneedbetterthanyouwill,soit’sgoodto bepreparedtotaketheiradviceonanything additionalyoucouldconsidertomakeyour event reallystandout.

Don’tbeafraidtoshoparound

Don’tgetaquotefromjustonesupplier,even ifyouthinkyouknowwhoyou’llbook,getting morethanonequoteisjustbestpractice.

Itmeansyou’llgettoseetheindustryprice standards,andaquotefromasupplieryou don’tendupbookingmayincludesomething yourpreferredsupplierhasoverlooked.If you’reaseasonedeventmanageryoumay haveasetofpreferredsuppliersyouworkwith timeandagain,andifthat’sthecasethenhave achatwiththemtoensureyouaregettingthe bestvalueforyour repeatbusiness.

Costisn’teverything

It’salwaysagoodideatogetabreakdown ofeverythingincludedinaquotesoyou canmakefaircomparisons.Costwillvary somewhatfromonesuppliertothenext, but rememberthatwhilethehoursonsite, equipmentonhireandsoonmaybeexactly thesame,youcan’tputanexactpriceon experienceandtalent.

Cantheydoalltheirowntricks?

Whenfrstspeakingtoasuppliermakesure theymeetallyour requirements,startingwith theiravailabilityonthedayofyourevent.If

theyneedtobringinadditionalequipmentor personnel,they’llmostlikelyhavetomarkup theircoststomakemoneyonthecontract.

It’snotajob,butgeta reference

Regardlessofthetypeofsupplieryou’re lookingfor,beitanaudio-visualcompany,a photographer,catererorvenue,ifyouhaven’t workedwiththembeforethengeta reference fromapastclientorcolleaguewhohas.

Finally,gowithyourinstinct

Armedwithyour research,it’sjustamatter ofweighinguptheoptionstochoosethe supplierthatbestalignswithyourneedsand withwhomyouhavethemostconfdence tosuccessfullydeliverontheday.Frommy perspective,oneofthemostimportantthings istoworkwithpeoplewhoareasenthusiastic abouttheeventasIam.

Formoreadviceandnewsfromplannd, visitwww.plannd.co.ukorcallNeilDalzell on02892444880.

NeilDalzell

Supermarket Wagyubeef –isitworththecash?

JohnMulgrew takesonsupermarket Wagyubeefandasks whetherthepricierbovineoptionistheworththemoney

Youcanspendanawfullotofcash whenyoustartgoingdown a bovinerabbitholeofhigh-endbeef.

Theinternetislargelyobsessedwith excessonline,and Wagyuis a buzzword which creepsupfrequently

Andwhileweseecomedically-marbledpieces ofdense,fattyJapanese Wagyu – I’mtalking upwardsof50%insomecases – muchofwhat istrailingas Wagyuissomethingaltogether a littlemore recognisable.

Forusmere mortals,A5 Wagyuislargely thestuff of fiction. You’lleasilypayaround £80foronesteak,whilethenumbersgoup considerablyifyou’re after a largercut.

Butwe’re nowstartingto findourownversion ofthe reveredanimalinbothonlinespecialist retailersandoursupermarketshelves.

IntheUK,muchofthe Wagyusoldissired beefwhichiscrossbredwithanotherbreed –typicallyAngusorHolstein.

M&Sisthelatesttogetinontheaction.The

particularribeye I setmyeyesoncomesinat £19.50.

It’safine-lookingpieceofmeatwithsome sizeablestriationsoffatrunningthrough theeye,andthecap – certainlymore than a standard supermarketorbutchersteak,and onparwithsomethingyoumight findfroman olderdairycow, butwithoutthatdeeper, dark magenta.

Treatthislikeyouwouldanyotherribeyeand gofor a shortdry-brine.Thisissimplyabout pattingthemeatdryandseasoningheavily with fineseasaltandblackpepper Leavein thefridge,lightlycoveredinkitchen rollbut allowingtheairtocirculate,untilyou’re ready tocook.

Anhourorsowilldoit.Removeatleast30 minutesbefore cookingandpatcompletely dry

Get a thickbottomedpanonthestoveuntil veryhot.Add a touchofvegetableoiltothe nowsmokingpan.Placethesteakawayfrom youandensure there’s someoilgettingunder it.

Moveeveryminuteortwoensuringthesteakis gettingbothfatunderitandthatit’s touching thehottestpartofthepan.Whenyou’re not farfromyourdesiredlevelofcooking,throwin a tablespoonortwoofbutter, tiltthepanand bastecontinuously

Removeandletit reston a dryingrack.Pour overany restingjuicesandserve.Itmightneed a touchof flakysaltbutifit’s beenwell-brined thatshouldsuffice.

Tastewise,thisiscertainly a decentpieceof protein.Animpressivenuttycrustmakesway for a verytenderbitofbeef.Thefatiswellrenderedbringingforthyetmore nuttiness, almondsand a buttery-liketexture inplaces where it’s meltedaway – notasmuchassome piecesofdry-agedshorthorn I’vehador retired dairycow, butsubstantiallymore thanmost.It’s a verytenderpieceofbeefwithlip-smacking fat.

ThisincarnationofBritish Wagyucertainlyis a bitof a stepabovemuchofwhatyou’ll find ontheshelvesand,treatedwellinthepan, succeedsinboththe flavourandtenderness camps. ■

ABritish Wagyu ribeyefromM&S

NewforgeSportsComplexandEvent Hub: idealforcorporateandbusinessneeds

Thenewly refurbishedNewforge SportsComplexandEventHubis basedinanideallocationfor a wide varietyofcorporateneeds.

Just a 20-minutedrivefromBelfastHarbour andGeorgeBestBelfastCityAirport,the conferencecentre islocatedat18bNewforge LaneinsouthBelfast,thegroundscloseto severalscenicwalksalongtheLagan Valley RegionalPark.

Thenewly-builtconferencecentre iscomprised ofsix rooms,thelargestofwhichhaving capacityfor90peoplein a theatre styleset up.Allthe roomsare fttedwiththefollowing desirableamenitiestocreate a comfortable experiencefor a group.

Thefacilityfeaturesdropdownorplasma screentelevisions,projectors(HDMI connection),highspeedwi-f,fipchartsand airconditioning.All roomsare fullywheelchair accessibleanddesignedtoenhancethenatural sunlightfor a brighterexperience.

A cateringserviceisalsoavailablewhen renting anyofthe roomswith a menuasversatileas thefacilities.

There are refreshmentpackagesavailable

offering a varietyofhot,savoury, orsweet food.Alongsidethisare twofngerbuffet packagestochoosefrom,eachplatteroffering a combinationofpopularchoices.

For a more substantialmealchoicethere isthe optionof a tea,coffeeandhotforkbuffet.

Newforgeisalsoproudtoofferaninclusive menuthatcaterstoanybodywhoprefers a glutenfreeorvegetariandiet.Forotherdietary requirementsnotlistedpleasecontactthe venuedirectlypriortobooking.

Thelargest room,theMalone,cancaterfor 66peoplewhenorganisedin a workshop fashionor90peoplewhenlaidoutin a theatre style.

Italsofeaturestwo rooms,theAdelaideand theBotanicwhichcanhaveanincreasedor decreasedamountofspacedependingonthe sizeofthepartyusingthe room.Thismeans thatyoucancomfortablygatherin a space thatisnottoobigortoosmallbutinstead, justright.

Theconferencecentre alsoproudlyholds twolargemulti-purpose roomsthatcanbe usedinthesetupoftheatre,workshopor boardroom.The roomsfeaturea carpeted foorwithlargewindowswhichlendsitselfto theneedsofboth a conference roomoryoga lounge.

All roomscanbe rentedforeither a fullday orhalfdaywiththeindividualcostdepending onthesizeofthe roomandthedurationof thehire. ■

To fndoutmoreinformationregarding facilities,availabilityandcateringoptions pleasecontactconferencing@newforge.com. Alternatively, youcanphone02890681027

Insidethenewlybuilt NewforgeSportsComplex andEventHub

Outsidethenewly builtNewforgeSports ComplexandEventHub

‘I’mproudasanNIman to leada world-class localbusiness’

ThompsonAeroSeatingboss KeithAnderson speaksto AlysonMagee aboutits newtestfacilityanddealingwithimpactoflockdownonaviationacrosstheglobe

Ithasbuilta reputationforinnovation inbusiness-classaircraftseatingover thelast20years.

Nowtheopeningofadynamictestfacility inOctoberisthenextstageforThompson AeroSeating,whichcounts VirginAtlantic, SingaporeAirlines,JetBlueandAerLingus amongitscustomers.

KeithAnderson,thenewchiefexecutiveat thePortadownbusiness,saidtheinvestment willelevatetheoperationtoafullycontained, world-classfacility.Ithasbeenpartofstateowned AviationIndustryCorporationofChina sincelate2016.

Duringhiscareer,KeithhasworkedintheUS and Wales.

“Oneofthethingsthathasbroughtmeback hereistobealeaderofaworld-renowned manufacturer,”hesays.“TobeaNorthern Irishmanleadingaworld-classNorthernIrish businessisaphenomenalthingandsomething I’veveryproudof.”

Withastrongorderbook,ThompsonAerois onthe reboundafterthepandemic.

Itssaleshadfallenfrom£132min2020to £55min2021ascustomersdeferredorders whenlockdownsparalysedaviationaroundthe globe.

Thefrmmadealossof£25min2021,but managedtoincreaseitsorderbookby£58m overtheyearto reach£382m.

Keithsaysthebusiness,started20yearsago byJamesThompson,tookoffasastrong competitorinthemarketplaceabout12years agowiththelaunchofits Vantageseat.

“They’reknownforfrst-to-marketcapabilities likesuitedoorsandlie-fatforsingle-aisle businessclass,”hesays.

“AsIengagedwithThompson,itbecame veryclearthattheproductcouldonlybe producedbythebestengineersandthe growthinmarketopportunitycouldonlybe createdbythebestleaders.Itishumblingthat IgettofollowinthefootstepsofNeilandhis predecessorswhohavetakenThompsonto thispoint.

“We’vegotastrongorderbookandwe’ve alsogotalotofinvestmentcomingtofruition.

“NeilandhisteamhaveinvestedinNorthern Ireland’sfrstdynamictestcentre,whichis adifferentiatingfactorforthebusinessand meanswearenowfullycontained.”

Withtestingahugelyimportantelementanda barriertoentryformanyaerospacecompanies, thenewcentre,whichissupportedbyInvest NI,meansThompsonnolongerneedsto outsourcecertifcation.

“Theypridethemselvesonbeingvery responsivetocustomersandhighly customisable.”

ThompsonAerooperatesfoursitesaround Portadownwithacombinedstaffof658 employees.Keithsayshisfrstobjectiveafter startingaschiefexecutiveonAugust1,after succeedingNeil Taggart,hasbeentoshakeas manyhandsaspossible.

“IwantedthemtohearfrommeonwhyI joined,”hesays,withfactorsincludingthe frm’sworld-classproducts,innovationpipeline andtalentedworkforce.

Keithhasworkedinindustrialmanufacturing since1999withhiscareerkickingoffat Caterpillar.

AssignedtoitsFG WilsonsiteinLarnefor workexperience,he receivedajobofferfrom thefrmonthedayhegraduatedfromUlster University.

Heprogressedthroughvarious rolesatits sitesinMonkstown,Springvale,Larneand Newberry,SouthCarolina,before returningto NIasplantmanageratSpringvale.

Highlightsofhistimeincludedbecomingone

“To be a Northern Irish manleadinga world-class Northern Irish business is a phenomenal thing andsomethingI’ve very proudof”

ofCaterpillar’syoungestproductionmanagers, andsettingupanewsiteintheUSin record time.

“Over13yearsIgotmarriedandhadthree kids,whichisthemostimportantpartofthat tenure.ButIalsolearntalotandgrewinterms ofmycapabilityandleadership.

“IwasintheStatesfortwo-and-a-halfyears, somytwodaughtersareAmericancitizens, whichtheylovetalkingabout.

“IfnishedupinCaterpillaratSpringvalein westBelfast,whichatitspeakhadabout750 people.

“It’snotoftenIwalkthroughBelfastanddon’t getasmileorashakeofthehandfromoneof the3,000or4,000peoplewehadacrossthe NIsitesatonepoint.”

In2012,KeithmovedtoCollinsAerospace, thenknownasB/EAerospace,inKilkeelas businessunitdirectorforCollins’business-class seats.

Hesays:“The reasonImovedthereisvery

similartomymovetoThompson.“B/Ehad aworld-classproduct,greatpeopleandIfelt thatmyskillsetwouldftandaddvaluethere.

“LikeatThompsonnow,wehadaverystrong orderbookandhadtogrowveryfast.”

AtCollins,hehelpeddriveathree-foldincrease in revenuethroughdeliveryofmultiplemajor seatingprogrammesincludingtheQSuite businessclassseatforQatarAirways.

“Iwasoneofthethreedirectorswhodelivered that.Iwouldsaytheimpactthatseathadon business-classtravelandthefactwedelivered itontimeandonbudgetwasaphenomenal achievementformyteamandI.”

AftersixyearsatCollins,anewopportunity thenemergedatIQEplcin Wales.

“Verytangentially,I gotintroducedtoIQE totalkaboutleadershipofchangeandthat conversationledto a coupleofotherchatsand I endedupbeingtheVPofopsandsubsequently theirchiefoperatingoffcer,”hesays.

“IQEisinthesemiconductorindustry,soIhad

workedinthreedifferentindustriesacrossthe spanofmycareeruptoMarchofthisyear.”

Atthe Welshfrm,“weneverquitescaledto whatwewantedtodo,butIwasveryproud ofthetransformationintheorganisationand alsotheexperienceIbuiltthereingetting toengagewithinvestorsataboardlevel,” hesays,boostingtheskillsethebringsto Thompson.

Travellinginternationallyforupto46weeksa yearinhis roleatIQE,Keithsaidhehad“an absolutelybrillianttime”,howeverhewas lookingforanewchallenge.

HisdecisiontostepdowninMarchafterfourand-a-halfyearsallowedhimtooffermore supportathomeastwoofhisthreechildren sattheirA-levelsandGCSEs.

Italsoaffordedmoretimetoindulgeinhis hobbiesofgardeningandgolf.

Keithhasalsoenjoyedvolunteeringasacub scoutleaderandaminirugbycoachinthe past,whilenotablepersonalexperiences includeappearingontheGenerationGame withhisauntin1999.

Whenhewasleavingoneofhisprevious roles,apeskycolleaguefoundtheoldfootage andhaditplayingonaloopintheoffce throughouthislastday. n

‘If revenueiscomingin then we’llmanagecosts’

GalgormCollectionnowhasthreeguestaccommodation venues,andradicalchangemightbeonthewayforone, managingdirector ColinJohnston tells MargaretCanning

Startingoutwithitsfirstandstillbestknownproperty,GalgormResort &SpaoutsideBallymena,Galgorm Collectionhasnowexpandedsignificantly.

Itadded Templepatrick’sformer Templeton hotelin2019andTheOldInnin Crawfordsburntwoyearslater.Butwiththat expansioncomessometrickyquestions,says managingdirectorColinJohnston.

Businessoverallisstrong,hesays.“Acrossthe board,it’spositivealbeitwiththechallenges ofcosts.The revenue’sholdingup,probably betterthanmaybethreeorfourmonthsago.

“Wehaveourinternationalvisitorsandgood demandfromtheRepublicbutthechallenges areallonthecostside.

“Myview’salwaysbeenifthe revenue’s comingin,businesswilldowhatitalways does,andmanagethecosts.”

Energycosts rosedramaticallybuthavenow flattened,hesays.“Foodistheonethat’smost challengingattheminute.Ourfoodcostshave goneup31%inthelast12months.

“That’snotbeingpassedontothecustomer sothechallengeismanagingthat. We haven’t seenapeakthereyetthoughhopefullyit’s gettingclosetoit.”

Focusingonseasonalityoffoodandworking withsupplierstofindnewmarketsispartofits strategytomanagerisingfoodcosts.

Buthesaystheconsistencyoflevelsof

businessacrossthegroup– restaurantsFratelli andParisieninBelfastandCastleKitchen& BarinBallymena,itsspa resortsTheRabbitin TemplepatrickandGalgormoutsideBallymena, andmost recentacquisition,TheOldInnin Crawfordsburn–haveshieldedit.

“Ifyouweresmallerandhadmoretroughsin yourbusiness,you’dhavetoslimbackmenus atdifferenttimesandwehaven’t reallyhadto doalotofthat.”

Hesaysthebusinesshadbeenplanningfor aneraofhigherinterestrates,althoughit hadpredictedthatbythispoint,thebaserate wouldbesittingat4.75%,andnot5.25%.

“Asasocietymaybewe’vesleptinabitand maybetheyshouldhavegoneupsoonerand theBankofEnglandwouldn’thavehadtogo soaggressivelyatitin recentmonths.”

Overallthebusinessisn’theavilyleveraged thoughhesaysthereareborrowingsonThe RabbitandTheOldInn.

AndwiththeGalgormCollectionmarket pitchedatthehigherend,hesaysitems haven’tbeentakenoffthemenu–unlike othervenueswhichhavedroppedkeydishes likesalmonandfilletsteak.Whilehesaysthey haven’tpassedonthefullhitoffoodcosts, itscustomerbasecancopewithpayingabit more.

“Filletsteaksarestillsellingatsamevolumesas ayearortwoyearsago.People’sviewiswhen theydogoouttheywanttoensurethey’re

Somecanapes ataGalgorm ginevening

stillhavingapremiumexperience.Butweare operatingtheluxuryendwhichmaybeslightly different.

“Maybegoingoutona Tuesdaynight willgivebutthey’llkeepspecialoccasions andweekends.Smallervenueswillcome undermorepressurethantheluxuryendof business.”

TheGalgormResortandSpahasnowadded 17shepherd’shutsand22cottagestoitsmain hotelaccommodation.

“Withthoseadditionalkeys,themarketisstill performingwhereweexpecteditto,whichis fantastic.Themarketisstrongandsolongas thatcontinues,we’llbeinagreatplace.”

Andit’sconsideringmoreaccommodation

whichwillbringitfurtherintotheforestvibe ofitsgrounds.

“WehavelandatthefarsideoftheRiver Maine.Theshepherd’shutsarethefrstdrive intonewertypeofaccommodationand they’vebeenverysuccessful.

“Next,we’lldoanofferingforpeoplelooking tobeabitmore removedagain.They’dbe outinthegreatoutdoorsbutcloseenoughto thepropertytouseitsspa,tohavebreakfast, foodanddrink.”

TheRabbitin Templepatrickhas33 rooms, andthebusinesshasstartedaddinganother 17.“It’sanewconceptforusanddifferent typeofoffertoGalgorm,morerusticand morelively. We’veseenalotofpropertieslike thatopeninthesouthofEngland,andthat’s

whatwefeltwecoulddeliver.”

Theadditional roomsareduetoopeninEaster 2025.

Andheadmitsthereisinternaldebate goingonaboutthefutureofTheOldInn. “We’reprobablyabouthalfwaythroughthe journey. We’ve refurbishedthe reception, bar, restaurantandaddedthespaandhave refurbishedaboutathirdofthe rooms.”

With32 roomsatthemoment,he’sthinking thecompanywilladdanother18tobringit to50.AndwhilemostofusassociateTheOld Innwithweddings,thatmaynotcontinueinto thefuture.

“We’vealotofdebateaboutwhetherwe shouldcontinuedoingweddings. We feel

ColinJohnston

theproperty’sjustnotbigenough.General beliefisalwaysthatwiththeGalgorm,you havealarge resortpropertyandyoucanoffer morethingstomorepeople.

“ThejourneywewanttoputTheOldInnon istoturnitintooneofthoseplacesyousee drivingintovillagesinDevonandCornwall, withthequintessentialthatched roof.

“Ifyou’vecheckedin,foralovelydinner,had anice relaxingtimeinthespa,orawalkinthe countrypark,havingaweddinguntil1amisn’t greatforbusiness.

ItsBelfast restaurantsFratelliandParisienare tradingwell,hesays,withthelatterenjoyinga strongerlunchtimetradeduetoitslocationin theheartofthecitycentrenexttoCityHall.

Anditsproposedpizzeriaandboutiqueguest houseonOrmeauRoadonthesiteoftheold HolyRosaryChurchisstill“progressingslowly throughwheelsofgovernment,”asheputsit. Itwasfrstconsideredbythecompanyin2017.

“We’restillcommittedtoitandwestillhavea teamworkingonit. We’restillhopingtogeta positiveoutcomefromplanning,whichwould allowustostart re-evaluatingthetimeframe.

“Thefrustratingthingiswecouldhavebeen openbynow.Aninternationalcompanywould havethrowninthetowelbynow. We think it’llbeatwoyearprojectsoifwegetword thisyearthatit’swonplanningpermission,we couldbestartingitnextyear.”

Aboutiqueaccommodationvenuewith20 roomsisstillpartoftheplans,butheadmits thatthesoaringnumberofpizzeriasonthe roadmeansthatthe restaurantvenuemayno longerbeapizzeria,asoriginallyintended.

IncreasingvisitorsfromtheRepublicofIreland remainsabiggoal.Atthemoment,the Republicaccountsfor“themid-20s”asa percentageshareofitscustomers.Hefeelsit’s vitalthat TourismNIhasenoughfundingto continuemarketingtheattractionsofNIinthat market.

It’saconcerntohimas TourismNIisfacinga cuttoitsbudgetastheDepartmentforthe Economyhastofndanoverall£130min savings.

“Youcan’tturnmarketingofforsomeoneelse willstepintothatspaceandmarkettothose people.”

InMay,thecompanyannouncedithad becomethefrsthospitalitygrouponthe islandofIrelandtoachievetheprestigious GreatPlaceto Workcertifcationacrossallits properties.

Hesaidthatwasaproudmomentforthe group,whichhas950staff.

“Theguysspentalotoftimeandeffortto beinGreatPlacesto Work.Forus,it’sabout startingthejourneynowthatwe’vebeen accredited,andnowwe’relookingtofeed backhowwecangetplacedevenhigherand continuethejourneyand removeanybarriers tostopthemdoingthegreatjobtheydo.” ■

AdeluxeguestroomatGalgorm

Motoring

ByPatBurns

Sponsoredby

Honda’snewhybridZR-V

LiningupbetweenHR-VandCR-V, thenewHondaZR-Visaimedat young,imageconsciousbuyerswho seekastylish,powerfulandfuntodrive vehicle.

Utilisingthesuperbhybridengineand transmissionsetupfromthenewCivic,the C-segmentSUVoffersablendofsophisticated styling,practicalityandaqualitydriving experience.

RevisedfortheZR-V,Honda’seffcientand powerful2.0-litre,four-cylinderdirectinjection Atkinsoncycleengineworksinconjunction withtwoelectricmotorstoprovidepunchy, responsiveacceleration.

Thechassishasbeenengineeredtodeliverthe drivingcharacteristicsandhandlingusually associatedwithsportshatchbacks.Steering isfnelytunedwhilstthemulti-link rear suspensionensuresacomfortabledrivethat boostsconfdenceandcomfortbehindthe wheel.TheZR-Vgivesastrong roadpresence thatcomplementsitsperformance.The slimlineheadlightsandglossblackgrillecreate asophisticatedlooktothehybridSUV.

TheZR-V’scompactpackageprovidesgood space,practicalityandcomfort.Thisistypifed byavastarrayoftraysandpockets,alongside a rearcargospacethatfeaturesaload partition, retractableparcelcoverandunder foorstorage,boostingtheZR-V’sload-carrying versatilityupto1,291litres.

TheSUV’sclass-leadinginteriorexperienceis furtherenhancedbyhighlevelsofcomfort andconvenience.Upmarketmaterialswith detailedfnishingcombinewithstylishlighting throughoutthecabintocreateapremium ambience.Inaddition,multiplechargepoints andthelatestHMItechnologykeepthedriver andpassengersconnectedtotheoutsideworld viaalargenine-inchtouchscreeninthecentre oftheupperdashpanel,whichstretches acrossthefrontofthecabintoenhancethe senseofspace.

Offeringagoodblendofstyling,practicality andsportydrivingexperience,allgradesofthe ZR-VfeatureHonda’saward-winninge:HEV fullhybridsystemasstandard–upgradedto increasepowerand responsiveness.

Startingwiththewell-equippedElegance

grade,thisfeatures18-inchgreyalloywheels, frontand rearparkingsensors,11airbags, a rear-viewcamera,andaneight-speaker audiosystem.Anine-inchtouchscreendisplay isavailableacrosstherange,completewith HondaConnectnavigation,andAppleCarPlay/ AndroidAutocompatibility,alongsideaseveninchdigitalinstrumentdisplaybehindthe leathersteeringwheel.

Sportgrades(from£41,095)comewitha uniquefrontbumperandgrilletreatment, glossblackmirrorsandwindowtrim,matte blackwheels,andafabricandsyntheticleather combinationinteriortrim.Sportspedals, ambientLEDlighting,hands-freepower tailgate,wirelesscharging,andadditionalUSB portsarealsostandard.

Range-toppingAdvancemodels(from £42,895)featurefullleatherseatswith perforatedinsertsandsilverstitching,aheated leathersteeringwheel,panoramicsunroof,and glossblackanddiamondcutalloys.Customers optingforthefagshipZR-Valsobeneftfrom apremium12-speakerBOSEsoundsystem,a 10.2-inchmulti-informationdisplay,andanew six-inchheads-updisplay. n

MX-5stillattop ofitsgame

TheMazdaMX-5hasestablished itselfasthebenchmarkfor affordabletwo-seatersportscars.

Firstlaunchedover30yearsago,theMX-5 enjoyscontinuousdevelopmentandthelatest modelandspecialeditionsendorseMazda’s claimthatthecaristheirbrandiconand embodieseverythingthatisgreataboutthe marque.

The2023MX-5rangehasbeenenhanced withthelaunchofthelimitededitionMX-5 Kizuna.Basedonthe1.5-litre132psExclusiveLineRoadster,the£30,265Kizunafeatures free-of-chargeDeepCrystalBlueorMachine Greypaintmatchedtoapremiumbluefabric hood.Dropthe roofandtheKizuna’sLight StoneNappaleatherfurthercomplementsthe exteriorcolourand16-inchbrightalloywheels.

Overthepast30years,specialeditionMX-5

modelshaveprovedpopularwithsportscar enthusiastslookingforacarwithunique details,extraequipmentandanaddeddose ofexclusivity.Soit’sappropriatethatKizuna translatesto‘enduringbond’inEnglish,as withjust250examplescomingtotheUK, thislatestspecialeditionfollowsthepopular traditionoflimitededitionMX-5s. Withthe Kizuna,170carswillbeinMachineGreywith the remaining80carsinDeepCrystalBlue.

TheKizunagoesonsalealongsidethe 10-modelMX-5line-upthatfeaturesthenewly namedPrime-Line,Exclusive-LineandHomura trimlevels.BoththeRoadsterandRetractable FastbackRFmodelscomewithachoiceof 1.5-litre132psand184ps2.0-litreSkyactiv-G petrolengines.

Forthe2023modelyearthe1.5-litreRoadster isavailableinPrime-LineandExclusive-Line grade.The184ps2.0-litreSkyactiv-GRoadster

ismatchedtoExclusive-Lineandrange-topping Homuragrades.AswiththeRoadster,the Prime-LineRFispoweredbythe1.5-litre engine,whileExclusive-Linemodelscanbe specifedwitheitherthe1.5or2.0-litreengine andtherange-toppingHomuraisexclusively matchedtothe184ps2.0-litreengine.In addition,2.0-litreRFsinbothtrimlevelscome withtheoptiontochooseanautomatic gearbox.

The2.0litreenginegivestheMX-5anextra edgewithasharperfeelandistheoneto gofor.The2.0litrecanaccelerateto60in justoversixsecondsandhasatopspeedof 136mph,yetfuelconsumptioninthemid fortiesisstillachievable.

Updatesforthelatestmodelsincludethe additionoftheZirconSandpaintcolourtothe MX-5forthefrsttime,whileHomuramanual modelswillfeature redBrembofrontbrake callipers.SowithadditionoftheKizunathere’s nowevenmorechoiceintherangeuntilall theexamplesofthislimitededitionMX-5are snappedup.

TheMX-5isstilloneofthemostfuntodrive carsaroundandits30year reignlookssetto continuelongintothefuture. n

Toyotagoes beyondzero

ThenamebZ4Xmightnotbethe catchiestmodelnomenclaturea carmakerhascomeupwith,but Toyota’snewelectricvehiclehasplenty goingforit.

ThebZ4Xis Toyota’sfirstall-newbattery electricvehicle(BEV)withbZstandingfor beyondZero(emissions).Itbreaksnewground inlaunchingthecompany’snewbZsub-brand whilebringinggenuineSUVoff-roaddriving capabilitytotheBEVmarketforthefirsttime.

Itsqualityandperformancearefounded on Toyota’sexperienceinelectrifiedvehicle technology,aheritagethatspansmorethan aquarterofacentury.Thecompanyhas alsoworkedwithSubaruasitsdevelopment partnerforbZ4X,benefitingfromthe manufacturer’s renownedexpertiseinareas suchasall-wheeldriveengineering.

Thisisnotanadaptationofanexistingmodel. Instead,itiswhollyoriginalandthefirstof whatwillbeaseriesofdifferentbZvehicles tobeconstructedonanew Toyotaplatform dedicatedtoBEVs.Thelatesttechnology

involvesintegratingthebatteryunitintothe chassis,entirelybeneaththevehiclefloor.The resultisastrongandhighlyrigidframework andalowcentreofgravity.Themodular designallowsittobeeasilyadaptedforuse inawiderangeofdifferentvehicletypes, spanningsmalltolargersegments.

Bothfrontandall-wheeldriveversionsare available.TheFWDmodelfeatures a 150kW front-mountedeAxlethatproduces201bhpand 266Nmmaximumtorque.The AWD modeluses frontand rear80kWeAxleswith a combined outputofupto215bhpand337Nmoftorque togaingenuineoff-roadperformance,giving secure andstableperformancewhenpulling away, corneringanddrivingonlow-grip surfacessuchasmudandsnow

Thefront-wheeldrivebZ4Xhasa0-62mph accelerationtimeof7.5secondsandatop speedof100mphwhiletheaccelerationtime from0-62mphis reducedto6.9seconds forthe AWDmodel.Theuseofpowerfrom thefrontand rearmotorsisoptimisedto achievebetteroverallpowerconsumption.For example,onlythefrontmotorisusedwhen

onlylowdrivetorqueisneeded.

Thelithium-ionbatteryunithasa71.4kWh capacityandcomprises96cellswhichare watercooledandconstantlymonitored individuallyforanysignsofabnormalityor degradation.

Toyota’sconfidenceinthequalityofthe batteryis reflectedinaguaranteeitwill retain atleast70%ofitscapacityupto10yearsor onemillionkilometres(620,000miles)subject toanannual ToyotaEVhealthcheck.

ThebZ4Xhasanofficialrange(WLTPstandard) of318milesfortheFWDversionand286 milesforthe AWDmodel.Thecarisequipped withan11KWon-boardcharger,enablingfast chargingfrom10%to80%capacitycanbe accomplishedinaround30minutes.

SincetheintroductionoftheoriginalPrius in1997,thecompanyhasputmorethan20 millionelectrifiedvehiclesonthe road.The bZrangeisthestartofanewgeneration of Toyotas.PricesforthebZ4Xstartfrom £45,710. ■

APPOIN TM EN TS

JoanKennedyjoinstheCalibro Workspace teamasbusinessdevelopmentexecutive withextensiveexperienceinsales managementandclientrelations.Herskills includesalesstrategy,peoplemanagement andclientrelationshipmanagement.

SarahMcCuskerjoinstheCalibro Workspaceteamasmarketingco-ordinator withovereightyears’experienceacross tech,non-proft,hospitalityandretailasset marketingintheAustralianmarket.

NiallQuinnhasbeenappointedasthenew chieffnancialoffceratHughesInsurance. HavingpreviouslyworkforNeurovalens andhavingheldseniorroleswithBarclays andPwC,hebrings28years’experience inaccounting,banking,andconsumer fnancialservices.

LornaCooley-Kellyhasbeenappointed assalesandmarketingsupportmanager ateirevoUK.Sheisresponsibleforthe runningofcustomerevents,socialmedia, documentmanagementandongoing processimprovement.

ArthurRichmond,SHSGroup’schief operatingandfnancialoffcer,has beenappointedasthenewgroupchief executiveoffcer.MrRichmondwilltake overtherolefromoutgoingheadElaine Birchall.

JennyCampbellhasbeenappointedas operationsmanagerofDobbiesnew Antrimstore,whichisduetoopenin October2023.Shehasprogressedthrough thebusinessbeginninghercareeras apart-timehouseplantadviser,then movingontocustomeradviserandvisual merchandiserroles.

ShelbourneMotorshasappointed AlanThompsonasthefrm’sfrstchief operationsoffcer.Theseniorexecutive appointmentispartofShelbourneMotors’ ambitiousgrowthplaninits50thyearof business.

SolicitorSarahLivingstonehasjoined BelfastlawfrmMillarMcCall Wylie, aspartofitsongoinggrowth.Having previouslyworkedwithnationallawfrms, shebringsexperienceinemploymentlaw andcommercialdisputestoMillarMcCall Wylie.

JadeJohnstonhasjoinedeirevoUKas seniorbidandbusinessdevelopment manager,andwillberesponsibleforthe end-to-endmanagementofmajorbid opportunitiesacrossNorthernIreland’s enterpriseandpublicsectors.

2. TheJunctionRetailand LeisureParkhashostedthe Tastesand Treasuresevent asapartofAntrim’sSixMile Festival2023.PicturedareShaw Harvey,Crispstix,GerardMagill, ShorthornKitchen,andAlanagh Chipperfeld,KeNakoBiltong.

3. Belfasthaswelcomed a mayoral delegationfromtheSouthKorean cityofSejongtoCityHallto signco-operationagreementsto supportbusinessgrowth,academic collaboration,andknowledge exchange.Picturedare Seung Won Lee, ViceMayorforEconomic AffairsinSejong,andLord Mayor RyanMurphy

4. TheOpenUniversityinIreland andManufacturingNIhave launchedanaccessiblefreeonline learningplatformthataimsto supportthedevelopmentofkey skillswithinthemanufacturing industry.PicturedareJohnD’Arcy, directoratTheOpenUniversity inIrelandwithMaryMeehan, ManufacturingNI.

5. BallymenaBusiness ImprovementDistrict(BID)isinfull celebrationmodethissummeras itproudlyboastsa11.4%surge infootfallduringthefrsthalfof 2023,surpassingthefguresfrom thesameperiodin2022.

1. Radius VehicleSolutions hasaddedathirdpremises atMallusktoitsNorthern Irishestatetosupportan ambitiousallIrelandgrowth strategy.PicturedareCiarán O’NeillandPaulMcGuireof Radius VehicleSolutionsat thenewpremisesinMallusk.

concernwithanaskingprice ofover£1.5m.Pictured aremanagingdirectorof SmithConcrete,JimSmith, managingdirectorofBradley NISmithConcrete,and

7. TheNorthernIrelandHotels Federation(NIHF)hasteamedup withUlsterBanktoannouncea competitionaimedatdiscovering ‘RisingStars’withinthehotel sector.PicturedareUlsterBank relationshipdirectorRichard Lusty,PamelaBallantineandNIHF presidentEddieMcKeever.

8. Some£160,000ofgrant fundinghasbeendelivered forinnovative,community ledsolutionstohousingand homelessnessatCommunity FoundationforNorthernIreland.

9. Arangeofambitiousnew targetstoimproveBelfastand tacklecurrentissueshavebeen includedintheBelfastAgenda, thecity’skeystrategicplan. PicturedisLordMayor Ryan Murphy.

10. Co-Ownershipismarking oneyearsincethearrivalofCoOwnforOver55s–aproduct specifcallydesignedtosupport peopletomovetomoresuitable housingastheyage.Picturedare GlynisHobson,andDenis Wilson.

6. Newryconcretemaker, SmithConcrete,including itssubstantialsiteand productionfacility,hasbeen putupforsaleasagoing

directorofSmithConcrete, NiallSmith.

12. TheArmaghObservatoryand PlanetariumscreeneditsCapcom Go!TheApolloStoryDomeShow inBritishSignLanguage(BSL)and IrishSignLanguage(ISL)forthe frsttime.PicturedareMatthew McMahon,JohnMcCordand MajellaMcAteer.

13. CitiBelfasthaspartneredwith Cara-FriendandTheIntegrated EducationFundtooffergrantsto threeschoolstosupportLGBTQ+ inclusion.PicturedareJillCaskey, JoMcParland,NaoimhBarrand OdhránDevlin.

14. TheBelfastCityCentreGift Cardiscelebratingachievinga £400,000salestarget,which directlycontributestothelocal economy.PicturedareChris McCracken,LinenQuarterBID, MajellaBarkley,BelfastOne, DamienCorr,DestinationCQ.

15. TheArmaghObservatoryand Planetariumhaslaunchedthenew astronomy-themedCosmoLostin Space routeforchildrenalongside AstroparkJourney,anaugmented realitytrailforadults.Picturedare EstherDobbin,RuthFoster,John McCord,ProfessorMichaelBurton andSineadMackle.

11. JohnMcClaughry(centre) haslaunchedhisown caricaturebusiness,John McClaughryArtist,thanks tothehelpoftheGoForIt programmeinassociation withArdsandNorth DownBoroughCouncil. He’spicturedwithMayor ofArdsandNorthDown, JenniferGilmourandMaeve Killingbeck.

17. Translinkhashostedavisit fromthemayoraldelegationfrom theSouthKoreancityofSejong. PicturedwithChrisConwayof TranslinkareSeung WonLee, Vice MayorforEconomy,Sejongand Nicola YatesOBE,Catapult.

18. EasyJethasmarkeda signifcantmilestoneatBelfast CityAirport,welcomingits 500,000thpassengersinceit launchedoperationsinJuly2021. PicturedareAbby Wood,easyJet’s 500,000thpassengerwithEllie McGimpsey.

19. HendersonRetailand independentSparandEurospar retailersfromacrossNorthern Irelandhavetaken42spotson theRetailIndustry Awardsshortlist for2023.

20. BelfastCityCouncilhasjoined charityHubbubtolaunchBelfast #CircleCity,a recyclinginitiative being rolledoutinBelfastwith fundingfromTheCoca-Cola Foundation.PicturedareAgnese Filippi,Coca-ColaIreland, councillorMickyMurrayandBeau Zilesnick,Hubbub.

16. TheBritishBusinessBank saysithasincreasedthe numberofequityholdingsto 591companies.Thisincludes NorthernIrelandcompany B-Secur.

22. SuzanneWyliehastakenup hernew roleaschiefexecutiveof theNorthernIrelandChamberof CommerceandIndustry,takingup the reinsfromoutgoingbossAnn McGregor.

23. AntrimandNewtownabbey BoroughCouncilinpartnership withtheRoyalNationalInstitute forDeafPeopleRNIDhas launchedanewhearingaid supportservice.

24. KayleighJesshaslaunchedFit PhysioHillsborough,withsupport fromtheGoForItProgramme withLisburn&CastlereaghCity Council.Sheispicturedwith MartinaCrawfordandAndrew Gowan,MayorofLisburn& CastlereaghCityCouncil.

25. ToddInsurancehasmarked 90yearsinbusiness.Pictured areMatthew Todd,managing director,Peter Todd,salesdirector and ValerieDoherty,operations director.

21. Translinkhasselected developerMRPasitsprivate sectorpartnerforBelfast’s WeaversCrossdevelopment. PicturedareEamonnLaverty, groupchiefexecutiveofMRP, ChrisConway,groupchief executiveoffcerof Translink, andSeamusMcAleer, founderandchairmanof MRP.

27. ClabbyfllingstationinCo Fermanaghhasbeenacquiredby theownersofRobinsonFuels. UlsterBankbusinessdevelopment managerPeterO’Hara(centre) ispicturedwithbusinessowners NigelandAndreaRobinson.

28. Anti-foodwasteapp,Gander, hasexpandedinternationally,with a recentlaunchintheQueensland and VictoriaareasofAustralia. PicturedareFrankSpano,chief executiveofSpano’sIGA,with GanderAustraliaco-founder, Tim Brown.

29. GarethCrawfordofBelfast restaurantCúwowedjudges withanextraordinarydisplay ofculinaryexcellencetowina thrillinglivecookeryshowdown andclaimthecovetedtitleof Ireland’sNext TopChef.

30. Ballyhackamore Traders Associationhasbecomethefrst groupto receivefundingthrough theSupporting VibrantBusiness Destinationsinitiative.Picturedare HughKillough,DoreenMcKenzie andchairofBelfastCityCouncil’s CityGrowthandRegeneration Committee,ClíodhnaNic Bhranair.

26. LawfrmClyde&Cois expandingitsBelfastbase after relocatingtonew,larger offcesinOrmeau Avenue’s Centrepoint.Picturedare JohnGuerin,Michelle McCullough,Cormac Fitzpatrick,PaddyConnolly andGraemeMoore.

32 33

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32. Translinkhasteamedupwith AustralianstreetArtistDanni Simpsontoprepareabespoke large-scalemural.Picturedare BronaghMcCarthy, Translink,Eva ForsterandDanniSimpson.

33. Jet2holidayshasannounced thatitsResortFlightCheck-in servicewillbeavailableinCyprus fosummer2024.PicturedisSteve Heapy,chiefexecutiveofJet2.

34. MusgraveNIhaslaunched apartnershipwithFareShare NorthernIreland.ConnorMartin fromFaresharecollectsfood productdonationsfromMusgrave NI’sdirectorofmarketing,Desi Derby.

35. Threeemployeesatdrinks frmUnited Wineshavebeen recognisedfortheirlongservice, havingworkedforthecompany foracombinedtotalof60years.

PicturedareArthur Watson, SiobhanMcSorleyandDarren Lynn.

31. BDONIhasbeen recognisedwiththeawarding ofaBronzeDiversityMark. PicturedareNualaMurphy, directoratDiversityMark, LorraineNelson,taxdirector withBDONIandLisa McAleerHRmanager,BDO NI.

3738

39 40

37. TinaMcKenzieMBE,the UKpolicychairofFSB,hosted the Taoiseach,Leo Varadkar,at a roundtablediscussionwith businessleadersinBelfast, focusingonbuildingtrading relationshipsthroughouttheUK andIreland.

38. Ballymena-basedUDSGroup hasopenedTheLogisticsBuilding atGalgormIndustrialEstate followingaperiodofsignifcant growthin recentyears.Pictured arePaulMulholland,Heron PropertyLtd,LisaMcAteer,CBRE NI,andChrisHutchinson,UDS Group.

39. Fibrushasallocatedthe entiretyofitsannual£60,000 CommunityFundaheadof schedule,duetodemand. PicturedareMargaretNeville, DavidKennedy,Community FoundationNI,SiobhanMurphy, ThomasReddickandCarol Grimley.

40. TheJansGrouphasacquired amajoritystakeinBlueMAC. PicturedareCiaranMcCarney, managingdirectorofBlueMAC, Simon ToalofSkala,Sean McBride,salesmanagerand MichaelRea,chiefoperating offcerofJansGroup.

36. NI Waterhasappointed thedeliveryteamforthe signifcantupgradeofBelfast Wastewater Treatment Works.PicturedareAdrian Petticrew,Kier-Bam,Narinder Sunner,Stantec,Sara Venning,NI Water,Stephen Harding,McAdamDesign, and TomStandring,MWH Treatment.

Thestarsalign foramodern interpretationofaclassic

Omega’sConstellationlinemaynotbeaswell-knownand recognisableasitsmorepopulardiversormoon-relatedchronographs, but JohnMulgrew paysavisittotheOmegaboutiqueatQueen’s ArcadeinBelfastanddiscoversthatthecurrentgenerationblends bothclassicart-decodesignwithamoderntwistandwearability

Whatstartedlifeasaquirkyand dressieraffairhascertainly evolvedoverthelastfew decades.

Intermsofitsowndesignandlineheritage, theConstellationactuallyprecededOmega’s trulyiconicSpeedmasterbyafullfveyears.

It’sgonethroughmanyiterationsinthelast sevendecades,fromasmallerdresswatch withthedistinctivefacetedconvexdial,to amodelwithquartzoptionsandintegrated bracelets,rightthroughtothecurrenthighendMasterChronometerversion.

Thedialissomethingtospendsometime takinginandadmiring.It’ssilk-embossed rhodium-grey,framedbyapolishedblack ceramic.Ithasmuchofthedepthand complexitytoitassomeofthehigher-end GrandSeikos– renownedfortheirdialdetail andfnishing.

There’smoreclassicalstylingwiththeRoman numeralspepperingtheblackceramicbezel withsimpledarksilvermarkersonthedial itself,alongwithsharprhodium-platedhands anddatewindowsittingatthesixo’clock position.

TheConstellationisalsocharacterisedbythe ‘claws’onthesizeofthecase. Twopiecesof highly-polishsteelframeeachsizeofthehead ofthewatchatthethreeandninepositions.

Theclaws,whilenowentirelydecorative, startedlifeasclampsinoldermodels–secured byscrewsrunningdownthroughthecaseback, theOmegaboutique’sknowledgeable managerAidaninformsme.

Specifcation-wisethismodernConnstellation comeswiththecurrentautomaticCoAxialescapementandCertifedMaster Chronometer,approvedbyMETAS,aswell asbeing resistanttomagneticfelds reaching 15,000gaussanda60hourpower reserve.

Itwearsverywellonthewristandsits comfortably,withsuffcienttaperingonthe strapandacleandeployantclasptomake removaleasyandensurethebandlastsaslong aspossible.Itconnectswithasmallspring barinthemiddleoftheheadofthewatch, meaningafushandintegratedlookoverall.

It’salsoacomfortablepiecetowearwhileat adeskorworking.Braceletstendtofoatand skidaroundonadeskbuttherubbermakes thewatchfeelplanted.

Thepiececomesinataverymanageable 111gthankstotherubberandleatherstrap combination,whiletheConstellationsits fairlyfushonthewrist,thanksinparttothe compactoveralldimensions,cominginat just44mmlug-to-lug,andthe13.4mmcase thickness.Theformeristhemeasurement, ratherthancasesize,whichwillultimately determinehowapiecewearscomfortablyon thewrist.

The41mmcasesizefeelsmorecompactand balancedthan,sayadiveorfeldwatchof similarproportions.IownaHamiltonKhaki which,despitethecasesizebeingjust1mm largerandthewatchwithoutbezel,50mm lug-to-lugwidth,meansit’sapiecewhich protrudesconsiderablytotheoutsideofthe wristandthereforenosuitableforthosewith smallerlimbs.There’salotofclevernessgoing onwiththestrap.Anyonewhohasworna watchonaleatherstrapforanylengthof timewillknoweventuallyit’llwear–with cheaperversionspeelingandcertainlybeing nofanofmoisture.Thismarriesarubberstrap withleatherinsertonthetop–abestofboth worldssituation.

TheConstellationalsoallowsforthehourhand tobechangedindependentlyoftheseconds

–snappingtothehourmarkerscleanlywitha lightturnofthecrown.

Thecrownitselfisfairlysmallbutlargeenough togetadecentgripon,sportinganetched Omegalogo.

Onthebackyou’regreetedtoaratherpretty andwell-fnishedCo-Axialmovement,thanks totheopencaseback.

Omega’sConstellationhasalongerand arguablyricherhistorythanmanyofitsmore recognisabletimepieces.

Onthewrist,thankstotheintegration ofthebandandthepunchydialitalso hashintsofthatcurrentcropofGentadesignedorinspiredsportswatcheswhich areparticularlyenvogue.

Whilelookingthroughthearchivesand vintagewatchforumsyou’llseetheline evokingclassy,art-decoandinteresting dresswatchvibes,thiscurrentiteration buildsonthosestylingtrendsandinstead presentssomethingaltogethermore balanced,modernanduseableonaday-todaybasis. ■

TheOmegaConstellation

“The dialis something to spend some time taking inandadmiring. It’sa silk-embossed rhodium-grey dial framed by a polished black ceramic”

Goldstarglamping in the Sperrins

Afewspecialnightsinthegreatoutdoorsarealongwayfromthesoggy tentsandcommunaltoiletblocksofchildhood,writes ChrissieRussell

“Ithinkthisisthebestoneyet.”

Oureight-year-oldsonisbeaming downfromthetopofasmall ladderinwhatwillbehisandhis brother’ssleepingspaceforthenight, readytogethisswimmingshortson andeyeingupthejarofmarshmallows destinedtobe roastedintostickys’mores overthecampfrelateron.

Ohtobeeightyearsoldandalreadyhavea favouriteglampingpod.

Earlieron,aswedroveawayfrom Cookstown,Co Tyrone, repletefromacarvery lunchandslabsofpavlovaattheGlenavon Hotel,wepassedDrumManorForestPark. “Ah,”Icriedwith recognition.“Weusedto gocampingthere.”I recalledourlittletourer caravan,pitchedinthetreeswithmytiny, usuallysoggyandsagging,tentalongside. Memoriesfoodedinofslow-to-startsmoky

barbecuesandchillymorningsscamperingto thecommunaltoiletblock.

Nowdon’tgetmewrong,thosearefond momentsfrommychildhood,buteasing myselfintothewarmbubblesofourpod’s privatehottubthatevening,safeinthe knowledgethatadrydoublebed,aspacious privatebathroomandanoven-bakedpizza wereallinmyimmediatefuture,Ihadto admit,modernglampingmostdefnitelyhas theedgeonthosebygonecampingdays.

Mymomentof recognitionatDrumManor wasnotable.Despitehavingspentmostofmy lifelivinglittlemorethananhourfromeast Tyrone,it’sanareaI’dlittlepersonalexperience of,andwhatahiddentreasureitis.

Within15minutesofleavingthebustleof Cookstown,TheSperrinsunfoldedinfront ofus,ajaw-droppingexpanseofwilderness,

undulatingmoorsandbogland,studdedwith knotsofdenseforest.Themountainrangeis Ireland’slargest,butalsooneofthecountry’s mostunspoiltandunexploredAreasof OutstandingNaturalBeauty.

Tuckedintheshelterofaformerquarrysits Sperrin ViewGlamping,itsfourpods–two withhottubs,twowithout–and‘hub’pod (whichhousesthe receptiondesk,alounge andkitchen),makingthemostoftheir wildernesssetting.Huge,slopingtriangular windowsdominatethefrontofthegeometric, Scandi-lookingstructures,specifcallydesigned forthesitewhichopenedin2020.

Thecleverlyangledglazingmeansguests cannotonlyenjoythestunningviewofthe landscape,butalsostargazefrombed,taking fulladvantageofthenocturnalviewsafforded bystayinginoneofIreland’sthreeplaces offciallyaccreditedwithDarkSkystatus.

Beforesettlingintoourhomeforthenightat Sperrin View,myhusbandandourtwosons, Tom(8)andFinn(5),droveonemilealongthe roadtoDavaghForestandtheOMDarkSky ParkandObservatory.

The£1.2mfacilityopenedinApril2020and wasaninstanthitwithourspace-obsessed eldest,wholovedgettingtoholdthemoonin hishands,chattingtothe residentastronomer andexperiencinglunarlifeviathemagicof aVRheadset.Ourguidewasknowledgeable withoutleavingusdrowninginfactsandthe centregaveagreatmixofinsightsonthe galaxyaswellasmoresite-basedtriviaon thearea’sancientpastandthewildlifeworth spottingthroughthebinocularsrightnow.

Finn,whohasadditionalneeds,hadother thoughts.Havingslippedthesurlyconfnes ofhisseatbelthewas readyforthegreat outdoorsandmerrilytoreoffalongoneofthe area’smanyhikingandcyclingtrials.Hewas delightedwhenhespottedavastplayparkand joyfullytooktotheswings,slidesandstepping podsunderthewatchfuleyeofthegiant

CeoldántheStargazernearby,oneofseveral hugewoodensculpturesliningthenewly launchedSperrinSculpture Trail.

Afterablissfulsleep,cocoonedinourcomfy pod,andwakinguptofndourbreakfast hamper–stuffedwithcroissants,freshorange juice,masonjarsofgranolaandyogurt,and bowlsofplumpberries–alreadyonour doorstep,wedrovefveminutesdownthe roadtoplayhideandseekintheNeolithic stonecirclesofBeaghmore.

Inthelate1930s,1,269stoneswere uncoveredduringpeatcutting, revealingseven mysticalcircles,and12carefullyarranged cairns,noneofwhicharchaeologistshave beenabletocompletelyexplainthemeaning of.IndeedawholewallinOMDarkSky isdedicatedtochildren’sguessesonwhat thestonesmighthavebeenfor,with Tom concludingitwasa“picturemadelongago”.

TheoutdoorexplorationcontinuedatAn Creagán,agorgeousvisitorcentre15minutes drivefromSperrin View,wherethekidsloved

duckinginandoutofthe replicaBronzeAge settlementandplayinginthe Wild Woods–a naturalplayareafullof ropeswings,mud kitchensanddiggerstheyhadalmostentirely tothemselves.Aboardwalkdanderoverthe boglandandwewere readyforlunch,none ofusabletopassthejuicylureofthehouse speciality,theAnCreagánBurger.

Lessthanhalfanhour’sdriveontheA29, broughtustotheoutskirtsofMagherafelt andTheJungle.Whenitopenedin2005,The JunglewasNorthernIreland’sfrstpaintball site,butwithanofferingnowincluding everythingfromzorbingandlamatrekking, treetop ropecoursestoquad-biking,it’snow theNorth’sleadingoutdooractivityprovider.

TheKidsAdventurePackage(£22pp)is suitableforchildrenagedfveto12andlets thelittleonestryoutsixdifferentactivities, accompaniedbyasupervisor,withinatwohourperiod.Ourladslovedit–thebungee trampolineandquadtrainbighitswiththe youngest,while Tomdiscoveredahiddenfair forarchery.

Evenmumanddadwereallowedagoonthe pedalosand rodeoride;althoughitswiftly emergedthatneitherofushadhiddenskillsin eitherpursuit.Ouractivityguide,Odhrán,was brilliant,quicklyabletoassesswhatbothboys weremoreinterestedinandadaptingthetime spentatactivitiesaccordingly,whileinstantly understandingandaccommodatingofFinn’s additionalneeds.

Justtwo-and-a-halfhoursfromDublin,and alittleoveranhour’sdrivefromourhomein CoDown,myhusbandandImusedagainat howcrazyitwasthatwehadn’texploredthis areamoreoften,fallingintothehabitinstead oftripstomorefamiliar(andbusier)tourist hotspotsliketheNorthAntrimCoastandthe Mournes,neitherofwhichareanycloserto getto.

“Canwecomebacksoon?”chirps Tom’svoice fromthebackseat,hisbrotheralreadyfast asleepbesidehim.It’sthesamequestionhe’s askedaftereverythingwe’ddoneinthelast36 hours.“Defnitely,”I reply.“We’lldefnitelybe backsoon.” ■

VolkswagenBuzz: puttingasmileonyourface

Adrian Weckler getsbehindthewheelof Volkswagen’s latesthigh-endall-electricvintageinspiredmodel

“Mam!Mam!Lookatthat van!”Ithappenedmorethan onceintheweekthatIwas drivingVW’sIDBuzzall-electricminivan.

Whenyouseeitupclose,it’snothardto understandwhy.Thistwo-tonevaninorange, yelloworgreenwithbigfriendlywheelsislike somethingstraightoutofakid’sstorybook. It’sa‘funmobile’,theclosestthingtoajolly conceptvehiclein reallifethatyou’llcurrently seeonIrish roads.

Minewasgreyish-yellow(“pomelloyellow metallic”)uptothedoorhandleswithoffwhite(“candywhite”)uptopandonthefront bonnet.Theinteriorwasasimilartwo-tone mixofgreyish-yellow(‘lemonmistral’)anda

lighttangrey.Itputasmileonmyfaceevery timeIsatintoit;itdidsomethingsimilarfor manypeoplejustseeingitpassby.

Otherthanitsshapeandcolours,theIDBuzz isnotthatdifferentinspaceorpracticality fromalargeSUV.Whileithasplentyofheight, it’slittlemorethanafootlongerthananID3, Volkswagen’sGolf-sizeelectriccar.

Mytestmodelwasafairlyconventionaland unvan-ishfveseaterpluslargeboot.Whilea seven-seaterversionisonthewaynextyear,an actualcampingconfguration–theCalifornia model–won’tcomeforatleastanothertwo orthreeyears.

Whenpeoplecameuptometoaskaboutit,

thiswastheonlybitofdisappointmentthat registered.Havingsaidthat,there’senough spacetosleepthereifyou reallywantto,as the rearseatsfoldfushwiththefalsefoor ontheboot.Butasidefromthat,thecurrent modelshavemuchthesame roleasanSUVor medium-to-largeestatecar.Theyjustlookway cooler.

Atleast,theydoifyougetoneofthetwotonevariations.Atthetimeofgoingtopress, therewasanissuewithavailabilityofthese two-tonemodels,withonlymonotoneversions availabletoorderinIreland.

Volkswagensaysitwillbesortedsoon;for thosewhocan’twait,anaftermarketthird partywilldoatwo-tonewrap.It’sdiffcultto

seewhatthepointofgettingamonotone modelwouldbe,though–thewholejoyof theIDBuzzisthefunkylooks.

Itmaylooklikeafuturisticmini-van,butmy testmodelfeltmoredrivinglikeacar.Itwas greatoncornersandtheturningcircle(it’sa rear-wheeldrivevehicle)wasexcellent.Itwas probablyalittlelouderinsidethandrivingan electriccar,butnowherenearasloudas,say,a dieseltaxi-van.

Intermsofpower,the204hpwasdecent, ifnotoverwhelming.Ihadlittletrouble overtakinginitanditwasveryzippyto acceleratefromalowspeed.

Theinteriorhadsomenicetouches(including randomsmileyfacesandbrandedpedals),but alsoafewdisappointments.Theautomated sliding rearsidedoorshavenowindowsto openorclose,whichisn’tperfectforthose sittingthere.

Thefrontseats,whileverycomfortableand confgurableforheightandlumbarsupport, discolourfartooeasily;my‘lemonmistral’ colourwasdarkenedinspotsbywhatwere probablyotherjeans-wearingdrivers.

Butthe realnigglesarewrappedupwith Volkswagen’siffy recordontech,softwareand sensors.

LikeotherIDmodels,mytestversionkept bleepingfalsepositivesforphantomtyre

pressureweaknesses.Itsvoiceassistantsystem was,asithasbeensincelaunch,awful.

Anda realirritantisthatitswirelessphone chargingsystemisill-fttingandoverheats.

Itwon’ttakeaniPhone14PlusorProMax witheventhethinnestcase,andifyoutake thecaseoff,thephoneshutsdownafter30 minutesbecausethechargerismakingittoo hot.

Thisoverheatingproblemisnotanisolated thing;I’veexperiencedthesameonthe smallerVWID3.Forallofitsexpertiseoncore motoring, Volkswagen reallystrugglesatsome ofthebasictechaccessoryissues.

DoestheIDBuzzhaveenoughrange?Sortof. The77-kilowattbatteryunderneathgivesit over400kmifyou’remostlydrivingaroundthe city.Thisismorethanenough.

Ontheotherhand,itgivesbetween250km and350kmonopen roadsandmotorway driving,whichmightbefnebutmightleave somedriverswanting.ItookittoBelmullet fromDublin,ajourneyof326km.

Itiscomprisedmostlyofspeedlimitzones of100kphand80kphwithonlyone70km stretchoffullmotorway(120kph),Itmadethat city-to-countrytripon92%ofbatterygoingat around5%underthespeedlimitineachzone.

Basedonthat,you’djustaboutmakethe

Obviously,thisisn’tideal. Volkswagensaysthat youshouldn’tactuallychargeitto100pcfor battery-health reasons.Butyouhaveto,ifyou wanttomakethoseintercitytrips.

Otherwise,you’releftatthemercyofIreland’s trulydreadfulpublicchargingnetwork,which cansometimesseeyouwaitinganhourjust togetontoadecentcharger,ortwohours waitingwhiletheslowercharger(byfarthe mostcommonvariant)givesyouameaningful top-up.

Itlookslikethecampingversionofthisvanwill haveamuchbiggerbattery(111kw),which shouldbegoodforatleastanother150kmin mostcircumstances.

TheIDBuzzstartsataround£58,000;thetest modelIhad(with21-inchwheelsandfancier interiorspecs)costscloserto£65,000.That putsitataroundthesamepriceasanID4GTX (seeprevious reviewonIndependent.ie)ora largeSUV.

Overall,it’sgreatfuntodriveandagenuine head-turner.Whentheseven-seaterscomein, itwillbeano-brainerfortaxidriverswiththe massivegrantstheygettoswitchtoelectric vehicles.

Asa regulardriver,I’ddefnitelywaituntilthe two-tonepaintversionisavailable. ■

260kmfromDublintoCorkcityatthe120kph motorwayspeedlimitonasinglecharge.

Uncovering the9-5

6.30am

Myalarmgoesoffat6.30ambutItrytoignore itforawhile.Mywifeisacouncillorandworks variedhours,andnowthatourdaughteris awayatuniversitythehouseisusuallyquiet inthemornings,soIhaveaquickshowerand breakfastbeforehittingthe road.

MycommuteisfromtheA1viatheM1and WestlinktoDargan–dependingonthetimeof yearitcanbe25minutesoranhour.It’salittle bitofthinkingtimewhilelisteningto2FM.I trytogetaheadofthetraffcandtotheoffce for8am.

8am

Thedaykicksoffbylookingatany operationalissueswhichhavecomeup overnight. We monitorwindturbines24/7 anddispatchengineersfromfrstthingin themorningtoanyfaultsthathaveoccurred overnight.Keepingturbineavailabilityhigh isakeygoalforourclientsandwehavea greatcontrolcentreandfeldteamwhofocus onthis.Oncefaultsaredealtwiththewind engineeringteamwillthenmoveontothe serviceprogramandanymajorplannedworks.

ElsewhereI’llcheckonplannedinstallationsfor thedayahead–weinstallenergyproductsto commercialcustomersincludingsolarPV,smart motorsforHVACsystemsandEVcharging points.OncethedayisupandrunningI’ll moveontoavariedtasklistbutgenerally supportingthemanagementteamonany challengesandplanningaheadbasedonour strategicplans.

10am

Ihaveavaried routinedependingontheday. Tuesdaystendtobeonetooneswiththe managementteam, WednesdaysandFridays aremorefocusedonplanning. We havea

monthlyboardmeetingwithourshareholders sotheweekthattakesplacetendstohavea morestrategicfocustoitaswelookahead atourthreetofveyearplans.I’lllookatthe salesandprospectnumberseverydayasthese willdictatetheoperationalimplicationsinthe weeksandmonthsahead.

12.15pm

AtlunchtimeItrytotakeawalkaroundthe Darganestatefor20minutestoclearmyhead, andthenit’sasandwichbackatmydesk.

1pm

Iusuallycheckmyemailsthroughouttheday butifanythingurgentcomesupmyteamwill usuallyfagittomeinperson.I’mgetting betteratnotsendingemailsthroughthe eveningalthoughwehaveashareholderon theUSwestcoastsowilloftengetmessages throughtheeveningandovernight.

6pm

I’musuallythelastoutoftheoffcefollowinga chatwithourheadofoperationsontheevents oftheday(oronthesubjectofthefootball season–he’sa ToffeeandI’malifelong

Liverpoolfan).

We haveasistercompany,Izon,whichdoes softwaredevelopmentandI’lloftentalkto mycounterpartthereastheyarebasedinthe samebuilding.

Iusuallywork8am-6pmandliketocloseup theoffceattheendoftheday.Butsince wehaveteamsworking24/7I’llusuallykeep aneyeonemail,chatfunctionsandour monitoringtoolsoutofhours.

7pm

I’llgoforarun(slowishjog)threetofourtimes aweek,either roundthelocalforestparkor onatreadmillinthegarage–Irunacouple ofhalfmarathonseachyearwithafewpals, mostlyasanexcusetotravelaroundEuropeto differentcities.

9pm

Mywifeisoftenatcommunityeventsor councilactivitiesintotheearlyeveningsoit willoftenby9pmbythetimewegettosit downandcatchup,andfnishoffthedaywith whateverboxsetisonthego.

NAME: MichaelThompson POSITION: Managingdirector,Everun