Ulster Business April 2024

Contents

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SMEscontinuingto fueloureconomy

There’s littledoubtthatSMEs, andmicro businesses, remainthe core driversofNorthern Ireland’s economy

Whilewehaveleviathansofindustry employingthousands,thosewith international reach,andhighstreet businessesmostofususeweeklyifnot daily, it’s thecompaniesfromrightacross thesectorsinthatSMEmarketwhichmake upthebulkofourworkforce.

Thisyear’s Next200,inassociationwith GoSucceed,showcasestheperformance ofthosefrmsoverthelastyearortwo. Itfollowsonfromoursummer Top 100 edition,andhighlightsthefrmswhich manyofuswill recogniseasfamiliar householdsnames,alongsidethoseless

familiar, whichstillcontinuetoemploy dozens,orindeedhundredsofpeople, postingsalesinthetensofmillionsand enjoyingsizeableprofts.

Thisyear’s listshowssalesare uparound a ffthinthespaceofyear, withpre-taxprofts uparound11%.It’sa similartrendtowhat we’ve recentlyseenwithour Top 100list andhighlightsthebuoyancyand resilience ofthosecompanieswhichhelpdriveour economyforward.

Inthisedition,wealsofeature capital growthinvestorBGFasourcoverstory It’s anorganisationwhichhasalready investedinseventopNIbusinesses,buthas aspirationstogrowthatnumberandhead towardsinvestmentofaround£100minthe comingmonthsandyearsahead.It’s eyeing

furtherexpansionhere andhasalready successfullyexitedtwofrms.

We’re seeingthecogsofgovernment slowlyturningintheweekssincethe reestablishmentof a fullyworkingExecutive, andit’sa positivestep,seeingfnancial committments,announcements,and politiciansheldtoaccountforsomeofthe thingswhichhavepassedusby

Inthisedition I alsositdownwithCBI director-generalRainNewton-Smithfor a lengthychataboutNorthern Ireland,trade andthewiderUKeconomy

I hopeyouenjoythiseditionandwe’llcatch upsoon. ■

JohnMulgrew

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A

month innumbers CBI chief: fresh optimism thanks to dual-market ‘foothold’

5.25%

TheBankofEngland baseratewhich remainsunchanged followingthelatest meetingofthe MonetaryPolicy Committee.

200

TheleadingSMEs makingupthisyear’s Next200listof companies,featured inthiseditionof Ulster Business

36%

Theincreasein electricvehiclesalesin NorthernIrelandover thelastyear.

£100m

Theinvestmenttarget ofcapitalgrowth investorBGFherein NorthernIreland.

ByJohnMulgrew

NorthernIrelandcompaniesnow havefreshoptimismthankstoa “footholdanduniqueposition” withdual-marketaccesstothe restofthe UKandEU,atopbusinesslobbychiefhas said.

ButRainNewton-Smith,director-generalof theConfederationofBritishIndustry(CBI),said there remainchallenges.

“Ithinkitdefnitelyfeelslikethere’samore optimisticstarttotheyear–fromsomeofthe businessesI’vespokentohere,”shesays.

“ThedualaccessgivesNorthernIrelanda realcapability.

“Butaretherechallenges?Absolutely. We needtoseemoreinvestmenthere.It’s commontootherpartsoftheUKbutwe needbetterinvestmentininfrastructure,for example.”

TheCBI representsaround170,000 businessesthroughouttheUK.

AskedabouttheCBI’sown recentchallenges –whichincludedsettlinglegalactionbrought byitsformerdirector-general TonyDanker whowasfredlastyearfollowingallegations abouthisbehaviour,andtheorganisationalso dealingwithallegationsagainstotherstaff–shesaidithadbeena“reallydiffcultyear”but therewas renewedsupport.

“Yeah,absolutely.It’ssobrillianttobeback doingtheworkthatwelove,andwe’vehadso manybusinessesstandbyusandtodaywe’ve gotalmost400visitorsgatheringtocome togethertohearabouttheeconomyto refect asabusinesscommunity.

“Ithinkforusasanorganisationit’sbeena reallydiffcultyear,butIthinkthethingthat’s reallyinspiringisthehardworkthatallour peoplehaveputinto reallyaddresstheissues wehadasanorganisation.”

MsNewton-Smithwasspeakingto Ulster Business aheadoftheorganisation’sannual lunchat TitanicBelfast.

OnBrexittradingchallengesfromGBto NI,whichhasseensomefrmsfacingbarriers acrosstheIrishSea,shesaid:“WiththeEU therearesomebarriersthatbusinesseshaveto getusedto.

“Ithinkmostofourmembersandour businessesoftenoperateacrossdifferentparts oftheUKandIthinktheydocertainlysee thevalueofhavingaccesstothemarketin NorthernIreland.”

Oninterestrates,MsNewton-Smithsayssigns arepointingtowardsasofteningandshift, withnomembersoftheMonetaryPolicy Committeevotingforariseduringthelast BankofEnglanddecisiontokeepthebaserate at5.25%.

“…soitmeansthatcertainlythenextmove willbedownratherthanupandgettingthe timingofwhenratesare reducedtozeroisa reallydiffcultone,”shesaid

Readthefullinterviewonpage14-15

CBIdirectorgeneralRain Newton-Smith

Salessurge by 20% among NI’s top SMEs

NorthernIreland’sleadingSMEshaveseensalessurging bymorethan20%alongsiderisingprofts,the Ulster Business Next200can reveal.

Formorethan30yearsthe UlsterBusiness Top100,andNext200, sponsoredbyGoSucceed,havebeenprovidingameasureofthe performanceofNorthernIreland’sbusinesscommunity.

TheNext200showcasesNorthernIreland’sleadingSMEs,andfollows ondirectlyfromthe Top100.

Saleshavegrownby21.6%to£11.3bnfrom£9.3bnandproftability hasalsogrownby11.2%to£771.6mfrom£690.4m.

Therewerestrongperformancesthroughoutthelistinghighlightedby thefactthatthetop17companieswithinthelistwouldhave reached thecriteriaforinclusioninthe2023 Top100listingbyexceedingthe £88.8mturnovervalueofthecompanyatthefnalpositioninthe Top 100.

Fivefrms,CharlesBrandGroup,CircleKEnergy,Kingsbridge HealthcareGroup,SeatruckFerriesandSkeaEggFarmsallposted turnoversinexcessof£100mandasagroupshowedsalesgrowthof 49.7%.

TheNext200showspre-taxproftsamongfrmsmakingthisyear’slist total£771.6m–up11.2%from£690.4m.

This representsapre-taxproftmarginof6.8%slightlydownonprior year,whichshowedamarginof7.4%.

“Whiletheproftincreasefgurehas reducedsubstantiallyfromthe 2023listingfgureof50.5%neverthelesstheoverallperformance ofcompaniesisextremelyencouraginginwhat remainschallenging economictimes,”analystJonathanCushley,whocompiledthelist,said.

ReadthefullNext200listonpage37-53

Jonathan Cushley

ByJohnMulgrew

NorthernIrelandhaswitnesseda sizeableboostinbusinessgrowth butmustmarketitselftobringin freshinvestorsandfundingstreams,it’s beenclaimed.

InvestmentguruJustinUrquhartStewart saidhehasn’tseenbusinesschangeinother regionsintheUKaspositiveasinNorthern Ireland.

Andhesaid“NorthernIrelandhastogo outandmarketitselfandbring[investors]in” andcannot relysolelyontraditionalfnance methods.

“Ulsterhastogothroughthisand realise thatthisisn’tjustachange,butacontinuous process.Theyoungsters realisehaveto realise, theydon’tjustjoinacompany,theyhaveto bechanging.Everyonewillbeworkingfor themselvesinoneformoranother.

“Ihaven’tseenachangelikethisinother areaswhichI’vebeenattalks.Therehasbeen consistentchangeoveradecade.”

Hewasspeakingto UlsterBusiness after hostingthisyear’sMLNSummit.Itbrought ahostoftopspeakersandbusinessleaders to TitanicBelfast,focusedonleadershipand management–includingSirAPMcCoy,Gerry HusseyandentrepreneurBobbyHealy.

“You’vegotpeoplewhohavebeendoing itandlearningfromthemselves,”MrStewart, whohasfamilyconnectionstoBallymoneyin CoAntrim,said.

“Foralotofthesmallbusinesseshere,they cansitdownandactuallysay‘wecandosome ofthis’.

“[Firms]areusingpropertechnologyand developingthingsthemselves.They’veactually maturedintosomethingwhichcanbealarger size–scalingabusiness.”

Quotes of the month

NI ‘mustmarket itself to attract fresh investors’

MrStewartisaBritishinvestmentmanager whowastheco-founderandheadof corporateDevelopmentattheinvestmentfund 7IM.

“[TheMLNevent]isnowdevelopedinto somethingwhichisshowing realgrowth,”he said.“Youcanseemorevisitorscomingtothis.

“Iwouldliketoseesomeofthenumbersin termsoftheturnoverandthemoneytheyare making.

“Thenextthingtheyhavetodoisgetmore fnancein.There’slotofmoneywhichcanbe used…therearemoremethodsoffunding thesedayssoweneedtomakesureweare

“I feel sustainabilit y and regeneration issomething which Northern Irelandis going to graspinnext four to fveyears.”

MicheleShirlowofFoodNI speakinginthiseditionof UlsterBusiness

bringingthosein.Somorecompaniescanget localfunding,faster.”

HesaidNorthernIrelandshouldbelooking atattractinginvestorsfromelsewhereinthe UKandoutsideourshores.

“Howdotheyfunnelin?Ifthere’sa mechanism,whetherit’scrowd-fundingor whetherit’sthroughaformofelectronic exchange,tobeabletogetthemintothatso theycaninvestandexitinduecourse.

“That’sthebitthatismissingatthe moment.Relyingupontraditionalmethods offnanceisn’tgoingtobegoodenough,so that’sgoingtotakesomeinitiative.”

“We’re notyetat the point where we can cut interest rates,but things are moving in the rightdirection.”

BankofEnglandgovernor AndrewBaileyspeakingas itvotedtokeepthebase rateat5.25%.

“Now that there is a degree of political certaint y on our trading arrangements itis time tofullygrasp the opportunities.”

JustinUrquhart Stewart

EconomyMinisterConor Murphyspeakingabout cross-bordertrading.

CharlesBrand eyeing tenders for £3bn power network upgrade

CivilengineeringfrmCharlesBrandsaysit’sindiscussions withNIENetworkstoplayapartindeliveringitsmajor £3bninvestmentinthegridhereoverthenextdecade.

Itsaysit’salsotargetingmajorpublicsectorworkandframeworks, alongwithitsprivatesectorbusiness.

Thefrm,whichcomesinatthenumberonespotinthisyear’s Ulster Business Next200,inassociationwithGoSucceed,hasseensalessoar from£52mto£137m,accordingtoitslatestaccountsendingMarch 2023.

It’salsoseenpre-taxproftshitalmost£6mduringthesameperiod.

“Mygoalistoformthese relationshipsforthefuture,”managing director,NiallMcGill,said.

“WithNI Water,forexample,weareononeframeworkandwe’ve beenacceptedonanother.IwanttobuildonthatandbeoneofNI Water’strustdeliverypartners. Translink,also.”

HesaidCharlesBrandisalsoindiscussionswithNIENetworksahead ofitsmajor£3bninvestmentoverthenext10years.

“NIEismassiveandthat’sonewhichI reallywanttogetinto,”Niall says.

“Thewholenetworkneedsupgradedtodealwiththecarbontargets wehave,theEVnetworkisprettypoorandwewanttobeinvolved inthat.RP7,whichNIENetworksis rollingout,weareverymuchin discussionswiththemandaregearingourselvesupforsomegood work.

“Wearetrainingandsettingourcompanyupthatwe’llbeinagood positiontobidforit.”

Readthefullinterviewonpage50-51

NiallMcGillof CharlesBrand

Interest rates unchanged butcutonhorizon

TheBankofEnglandhasvotedto keepinterestratesunchangedbut there remainstrongsignsofacuton thehorizon.

The bank ’s Monetary Policy Committee (M PC) voted by a majority of eight to one to maintain the rate at5. 25%, ke eping the cost of borrow ings steady

Bank governor Andrew Bailey saidthe economy is “not yet at the point” where rates can be lowered, but thingsare “moving in the right dire ction”.

For thefirs t time since September 2021, noone on the nine- person de cision -making body that sets interest rates voted for an increase

Whilea vote to ke ep rates steady had been widely ex pec ted, in asurprise move two member s who last month voted to ke ep hiking rates chang ed their minds.

“I n re cent we ek s we’ve seen further encouragingsigns that inflation is coming down We’ve held rates again to day at5. 25%

becaus e we ne ed to be sure that inflation will fall back to our 2% target and stay there,” Mr Bailey said

“We’re not yet at the point where we can cut interest rates,butthingsare moving in the right dire ction.”

Jonathan Haskell and Catherine Mannhad in February ’s me etingargued that rates should rise to 5.5% , but on Thur sday they joined the majority to vote for 5. 25%.

The Of fice for National St atis tic s (O NS ) announced last month that Consumer Prices Index (CPI ) inflation fell to3.4% in February, down from 4% in Januar y and the lowest level since September 2021, thanks to the cost of fo od and eating outrising more slow ly

The data from show s annual fo od price inflation fell to it s lowest level for two year s, at 5% in February However, the 3.4% rate is still ab ove the Bank ’s target of 2%

Nathan Emer son, chief executive of es tate agents’ profes sional bod y Prop er ty mark, said :

“T heBankof England is sued an optimistic projec tion last month that inflation could fall back down to pre Covid-19 levels by this summer

“T here are signs that interest rates are not deterring people from buying theirfirs t home.

“Propert ymark’s ow n Housing Insight Report found that therehas beena 120% increase in thenumber of potential buyers registered so now that optimism and momentumis gaining in the market, we now ne ed to see interest rates start to fall so that buyers’ af fordability can further increase, op ening up the market and providing more options for thos e looking to move home.”

Meanwhile, a member of the MPC, Swati Dhingra,voted to cut rates to 5% , repeating her vote from the last sitting.

Inflation, measured by the Consumer Prices Index, has been very high in the last two year s fora series ofreas ons including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Moy Park chiefleaves top role ‘to pursueotheropportunities’

Thehead of Nort hern Ireland ’s large st co mpany ha s left hi s role at the helm, Ulster Business can reveal.

Chris Kirke has left his post aspresident of poultr y giant Moy Park, which heheld for the last six year s.

“Following a successfulsix year s withthe business where he demons trated out standing leader ship, Chris Kirke has chosen to leave the company to pursue other opportunities,” a spokesperson said

“We thank Chris for his exceptional contribution, dedicated service and commitment to Moy Park’s success and we wish him ever y success on his next endeavour.”

Moy Park forms part of Pilgrim’s Europe, which is headed by IvanSiqueira

Mr Kirke was named president of Moy Park in May of 2018, bringing with him more than

26 year s of foodsector experience across the UK and US

He was formerly chief of Greencore US, responsible for driving grow th across a business with some 6,0 00 staff in 14 locations.

Moy Park posted recent sales of more than £1.8 bn rejoined the top spot as Northern Ireland’s bigges t business

The poultr y processor saw pre-ta x profits reduce to more than a thirdof a previous recent high of £82m in 2020, falling to £25.6m.

Thefirm, which employs almost 9,30 0– the majority of which are based in the UK and Ireland– saw overallturnover rising byjus t over £300 m in the space of a year, according to accounts for Moy Park Limited.

Moy Park saidit s overall performance during the yearwas impac ted by “high cost inflation which af fected the whole of the poultr y industry”.

But it saidthat “unrelenting focus” on cost s, cus tomer relationships anda “cultureof cons tant innovation” mitigated some of those challenges.

“M oy Park remained profitable in 2022 despitea year of unprecedented cost increases in feed, utilities, and labour,” it said

Moy Parkheldonto the top spot as Northern Ireland’s bigges tfirm in the Ulster Business Top 10 0, in association with KPMG, for nine year s in a row, before being knocked of f by W& R Barnet t.

But withit s lates tfilings of £1.8 bn Moy Park has regained it s title asour larges t business, ranked by sales

It s headcount reduced slightly over the last year, falling from 9,657 to 9, 29 6.

“M oy Park’s trading models and cus tomer negotiations, together withthe recovery of the foodservice segment partially of fset some of these cost s,” it said in it s lates t accounts

FormerMoyPark presidentChrisKirke

‘Dual-market access gives Northern Ireland a realcapability’

CBIdirector-general RainNewton-Smith sits downwith JohnMulgrew totalkaboutthe economy,howNIhasimproved,the“unique position”wehavewithdual-marketaccess, howtheorganisationisemergingfromitsown challengesandwhatchallengesbusinessstillfaces

Acursoryglancethroughthesharp, angularglassofthetopfoorof TitanicBelfastonaparticularly brightsunnydayandRainNewton-Smith andIcanobservethechangeinthecity frsthand.

Thereareswathesoftouristsduetovisitthe attraction,cargoshipsandnewoffcestothe left,ahugecruiseshipinthedistance,aworldleadingflmstudio,conferencecentre,movie set,sciencepark,heavyindustryandtheedges ofHarland& Wolff’sfamouscranespokingtheir headsout.

“Ithinkitdefnitelyfeelslikethere’samore optimisticstarttotheyear–fromsomeofthe businessesI’vespokentohere,”thedirectorgeneraloftheCBItellsme.

MsNewton-SmithsaysNorthernIreland companiesnowhavefreshoptimismthanksto a“footholdanduniqueposition”withdualmarketaccesstothe restoftheUKandEU.

However,shealsosaysthere remainchallenges. “ThedualaccessgivesNorthernIrelanda real capability,”shesays.“Asawholetherearestill challengeswhicharesharedacrosstheUK–whetherthat’sconstrainedpublicfnances,and thathasimplicationsinNIaswell.

“Butaretherechallenges?Absolutely. We needtoseemoreinvestmenthere.It’scommon tootherpartsoftheUKbutweneedbetter investmentininfrastructure,forexample.”

TheCBI representsaround170,000businesses throughouttheUK.

AskedabouttheCBI’sown recentchallenges –whichincludedsettlinglegalactionbrought byitsformerdirector-general TonyDanker whowasfredlastyearfollowingallegations abouthisbehaviour,andtheorganisationalso dealingwithallegationsagainstotherstaff–shesaidithadbeena“reallydiffcultyear”but therewas renewedsupport.

“Yeah,absolutely.It’ssobrillianttobeback doingtheworkthatwelove,andwe’vehadso manybusinessesstandbyusandtodaywe’ve gotalmost400visitorsgatheringtocome togethertohearabouttheeconomyto refect asabusinesscommunity.

“Ithinkforusasanorganisationit’sbeena reallydiffcultyear,butIthinkthethingthat’s reallyinspiringisthehardworkthatallour peoplehaveputinto reallyaddresstheissues wehadasanorganisation.”

MsNewton-Smithwasspeakingto Ulster

Business aheadoftheorganisation’sannual lunchat TitanicBelfast.

OnBrexittradingchallengesfromGBtoNI, whichhasseensomefrmsfacingbarriers acrosstheIrishSea,shesaid:“WiththeEU therearesomebarriersthatbusinesseshaveto getusedto.

“Ithinkmostofourmembersandour businessesoftenoperateacrossdifferentparts

oftheUKandIthinktheydocertainlysee thevalueofhavingaccesstothemarketin NorthernIreland.”

Oninterestrates,MsNewton-Smithsayssigns arepointingtowardsasofteningandshift,with nomembersoftheMonetaryPolicyCommittee votingforariseduringthelastBankofEngland decisiontokeepthebaserateat5.25%.

“…soitmeansthatcertainlythenextmove

willbedownratherthanupandgettingthe timingofwhenratesare reducedtozeroisa reallydiffcultone,”shesaid.

AndintermsofwhatshebelievesanewlyrestoredExecutiveshouldfocuson,shesaid:

“Ithinkthatit’safewthings,one,just makingsurewehaveathinkabouttheoverall landscapeforinvestmentand reallysetout thepitchforNorthernIreland…it’sabsolutely

CBIdirector-general RainNewton-Smith

thinkingaboutskillsandinvestinginyoung people…andthinkingaboutinfrastructureand gettingonwithdecisions.”

Speakingabouttheeconomyingeneral,she saidwhilethereisoptimism“there’sasense thatwhiletherearestill realchallengesfor business,growthisobviouslythatsortofholy grailthatbusinessesarestill reallyfocusedon butIandit’sstillIthinkoneofthechallenges defnitelyisaroundfndingpeopletogrow theirbusinessandtoinvest”.

“ButIthinkdespitethat,Ithinkthereisthere’s asenseofoptimismthatIpickedupherein Belfastparticularlythinkingaboutthedual accessthatbusinesseshavehereand,and almosthavingafootholdaspartoftheUnited KingdombutalsoafootholdintoEuropeputs NorthernIrelandinainauniqueposition.

“Ithinkundoubtedlytherearestillchallenges andIthinkbusinesses,I’msureinNorthern Ireland,butalsopartsoftheUKwillsay, youknow,therearestillmoreadministrative burdensthanwherewewerepreviously–and that’ssomethingthatbusinesseshavetoadjust to.

“FromprevioustimesI’vebeenhere…with agovernmentbackinplaceitgivesasense ofoptimismthatsomeofthedecisionsthat havemaybebeenoniceforawhilecannow [restart]andpeoplecancrackonandIthink thatgivesalifttobusinesses.”

Lookingtowardschallenges,shesaidfrms hereandacrosstheUKarecontinuingto struggletofndtherightpeopleandaccessto atalentbasetogrowtheirbusinesses.

ButshesaysBelfastandNorthernIreland’s progresshasbeen“noticeable”inthelastfew years.

“Ithinktome,itabsolutelyisnoticeableandI thinkeverytimeIcomebacktoBelfast,itfeels liketherearenew restaurants,newactivities andareasthathavebeen redeveloped,soit feelsveryvibrant.” ■

Accessingalternativetalentpools canhelpcrackthecodeonskills

ByJohnMoore,managingdirector,HaysNI

Everyorganisationhashadtogetcreativewhenitcomesto attractingand retainingtalentoverthepastfewyears.

Over90%ofemployerscovering a rangeofindustrysectorstoldus inHaysannualSalarySurveythattheyfacedskillsshortageslastyear It’sa hugechallenge,butonepositiveconsequenceofthetightlabour markethasbeenanincreasedwillingnessbythosewhoare hiringtolook beyondtheirtraditionaltalentpools.

I wasintriguedby a storythatemerged a fewweeksagoabout a new recruitmentcampaignforGCHQ – theUK’s governmentintelligenceand securityagency – whichisdoingjustthat.

FarfromthespynovelsbythelikesofJohnleCarréandIanFleming, where brightyoungpeopleattopuniversitieswouldget a taponthe shouldertoenter a careerinthesecretservices,theagencyinsteadwent digitalandturnedtoLinkedInto recruititsnextgenerationofproblem solvers.

It released a newvisualpuzzlewith13cluesofletterstobebrought togethertospelloutanencryptedmessage. A nodtoitscodebreaking past,thepuzzlewasdesignedtoappealtopeoplewithstronglateral thinkingskills,butwhowouldn’t haveconsidered a careerinintelligence, securityorcyberbefore.

Theysaidtheywantedto recruitnewpeoplefromdifferentbackgrounds, withdifferentskillsandexperiences,differentinsightsanddifferent knowledgetohelptackleitstoughestchallenges.

Theideathatattracting a diverserangeoftalentwillbeneftyour organisationisnot a newone,butweare seeingmore organisations nowpreparedtolookbeyondthetypicalCVheadlineinfo – educational attainment,specifcqualifcationsandtechnicalexpertise – andinstead hiringforpotential.

Nearlythree-quartersofemployerssurveyedinHays’annualsalarysurvey (73%)nowbelieveanemployee’s willingnesstolearn ismore important thantheirexistingskillset,withnearlyhalf(45%)notconsidering a degreetobeanimportant requirement.

Whileindustrytenure andqualifcationsmaylookimpressiveonpaper, theycomeat a costanddon’t guaranteethebestftfor a role.Butcore skills – suchasempathyandproblemsolving – willonlygrowinvalueas AItoolsandautomationshakeuptheworkplace,andmore employers looktobuildagileteamswhocanweatherchange.

Thetechnicalskillsthatanorganisationneedscanchangeeveryyear –sometimesevenfaster – sothemostimportantskill a newemployeecan

demonstrateis a willingnessandabilitytolearn newthings.

Theexample I usedabove,askingprospectivecandidatestosolve a quirkypuzzletoenteryour recruitmentprocess,was a cleverwayto piquetheinterestofpeoplewith a problem-solvingability, tellingthe employersomethingaboutthepoolofpeoplebefore theyevenlooked attheirqualifcations.

Aswelooktohire fromthenewgenerationofprofessionals,wemust remembertoothattheyhavefacedunprecedentedchallenges.The pandemic,followedbyaneconomyin recession,causedsignifcant disruptiontoboththeireducationandaccesstothelabourmarket, impactingtheirconfdence,and resultinginchangedmotivationsand expectationsoftheworldofwork.

However, employerswillingtotapintothetransformationalbenefts ofGen Z andgraduatetalenthave a lottogain;proactivelyengaging withthiscohortisvitaltoensuringworkforcecontinuityanddriving innovation.

Onthecandidateside, researchforHays’SalaryGuidesuggeststhatan engagingandsupportiveteamculture isanimportantfactorinchoosing a jobfor62%ofpeopleand38%say a clearcommitmenttodiversity, equalityandinclusionisessential – sotheonusisonorganisationsto demonstratetheirwillingnesstoinvestinindividuals.

Offeringapprenticeships,internshipsandgraduateprogrammesare allgoodstartingpoints,butprovidingmentors,enablingaccessand engagementopportunities,andbuildingyourownbespokedevelopment pathwaysare alsoessentialtocrackingthecodewhenitcomesto attractingfreshtalent. ■

BGF: a growing presence inNIand a£100m ambition

BGF isoneofthelargestandmostexperiencedgrowth capitalinvestorsintheUKandIreland,withagrowing portfolioinNorthernIreland.BGF’s ChrisNixon speaksto UlsterBusiness abouttheresilienceofNI entrepreneurs,theevolvingequityfundinglandscape here,BGF’sambitiontoreach£100minvestedinNI inthenextyear,andwhatsetsBGFapartfromother investorsinthemarket

BGFiscontinuingtoexpand,grow anddevelopkey relationshipswith someofNorthernIreland’sleading SMEsandburgeoningbusinesses.

Thegrowthcapitalinvestorisaimingto reach morethan£100moffundinginNorthern Irelandinthenextyearandtocontinueits strongtrack recordofsuccessfulexits.

ChrisNixon,wholeadsBGF’sinvestment effortsinNI,says:“Weopenedouroffcein Belfastin2015.Ittookusawhiletobuildour presencehere–therewasalotofshoeleather expendedintheearlyyears. We’vegradually builtastrong reputationandhavegainedtrust inthemarketandhopefullya reputationasa highquality,supportiveinvestmentpartner.

“Todate,wehaveinvestedineightcompanies inNorthernIrelandtotallingaround£75m deployed,supportingthousandsoflocaljobs. We’reproudofwhatwe’veachievedinNIso far,butwewanttodomore.”

Inthelast18monthsBGFhasalsosuccessfully

exitedtwoportfoliocompanies–waste managementcompanyRiverRidgeandkitchen furnituremanufacturerUform–bothdelivering “strongoutcomes”forallshareholders.

“Demonstratingatrack recordof returnsisa fundamentalfocusforusandultimatelythe litmustestofaneffectiveinvestmentfund. Theseexitsalone representaround£150mof valueforstakeholdersandhavehelpedtoset thosebusinessesupforthenextphaseoftheir growthjourney,”Chrissays.

BasedinBelfast,withanoffceinUrbanHQ onUpperQueenStreet,Chrisisactiveinthe marketalongsidethewiderBGFteam–led byPaddyGraham,headofBGFinNorthern IrelandandScotland–andfellowinvestors GemmaHamiltonandJohnDevine.

BGFhastodateinvested£4bnincloseto600 growingSMEsfromits15 regionaloffces –makingitthemostactivegrowthcapital investorintheUK&Ireland.

Fundingisusedtosupportgrowthinamyriad

ofways,includingacquisitionfunding,capital expenditure,salesandmarketingandworking capital,inadditiontode-riskingexisting shareholdersandhelpingwithsuccession planning.

Asaminoritypartner,BGFprioritisesbuilding strong,long-lasting relationshipswithowners andmanagementteams.“We’reexclusivelya minorityinvestorsowe’reverypeoplefocused andour relationshipwithmanagementteams isparamount,”Chrissays.“Aboveallelse theremustbethatmutualtrustandalignment withthepeoplewe’rebacking.Aroundhalf ofourportfoliocompaniesarefamilyowned, sowe‘get’familybusinessesandthedynamic thatgoeswiththem.

BGF’sJohnDevine,ChrisNixon, GemmaHamiltonandPaddyGraham

“It’saverypersonalthingforacompanyto bringaninvestoronboardandcommittingto workwiththemlongterm.Theyarelettingus intotheirworld. We areveryconsciousofthat.”

BGFworkswithawiderangeofcompanies acrossdifferentsectorsoftheeconomy.“We seeourselvesasmulti-sectorspecialists,”

Chrissays.BGF’sportfolioinNorthernIreland spanswindowcoveringmanufacturerMzuriGroup,constructionbusinessClarkeFacades, independentcoffeeshopchainBoband Berts,housebuilderBraidwater,alongwith softwarefrmAuditComplyandcarboncapture technologydeveloperNuada.

Sectorswhicharecurrentlywitnessingasurge

ininterestincludetechnology,healthcareand thosedevelopingandembracingartifcial intelligence(AI),butChrissaysothermore traditionalindustries,suchasmanufacturing, engineering,andservice-basedbusinesses remainextremelystrongandattractiveinNI.

Forexample,oneofBGF’sportfolio companies,ClarkeFacadesfromBallymena, has recentlyseenproftsgrowbymore than50%inthefrst12monthspostBGF investment.

“Intermsofthestageofbusinesseswhich weareinvestingin,ourbreadandbutteris growthcapitalcompanies–businesseswhich aremakingaproft,generatingcash,but

withstillsomewaytogoontheirscaling journey,”Chrissays.

“However,we’refexibleandinvestin everythingfromearly-stage,cleantech businesses,suchasNuada,tomoremature manufacturingbusinesseswithalready strongmarketpositions.”

ChrisjoinedBGFin2016andisinvolved inallaspectsoftheinvestmentprocess, includingidentifyingandexecuting investments,throughtoworkingwith managementteamsofinvesteecompanies, post-investment.

BGFis“differentbydesign”,according>

toChris,includingbeingbothaminorityand long-terminvestor.

“That’sourmantra.Whatdowemeanby that?”Chrissays.“Firstly,beingexclusivelya minority, relationshipfocusedinvestorisinour DNA. We understandhowtobeaneffective minoritypartnerworkingalongsideteams inacollaborative,additivefashion. We back ambitiousteamstodelivertheirplan,butassist themalongwithwaywithstrategicinput, leveragingtheexperiencegainedacrossour widerUKportfolioandglobalnetwork.”

BGFhasacentral ValueCreation Teamthat supportsitsportfolioinarangeofoperational andstrategicareas,includingESG,sales andmarketing,HR,fnance,talentadvisory, technology roadmappingandexit readiness preparation.

ButforBGFit’snotjustaboutmakingan investmentupfront–asanevergreenfund, follow-onfundingisanimportantpartof itsoffering,whereaportfoliocompanycan receivefurtherinvestmentwhen requiredto takeadvantageofopportunitiesthatmayarise postinitialBGFinvestment.

“Ifsomethingcomesalongtwoyearsafter ourinvestment,likeanacquisitionopportunity –that’ssomethingnotmanyotherfunds areabletodo,”Chrissays.“Approximately 30%oftheinvestmentsBGFmakestoday isintocompanieswherewe’realreadya shareholder.”

Thisinherentfexibilityasanevergreenfund extendstobeingabletosupportcompanies throughchallengingmarketenvironments, suchasthoseexperiencedin recentyears duetoCovid.“We’reabletoinvestthrough thecyclesandturbulenttimesinthemarket becausewearen’tconstrainedbyasettime frame–that’s reallyimportant,”Chrissays.

ChrisbelievesNorthernIrelandasa region isprimedfora“hugeopportunity”inthe monthsandyearsaheadgiventhesettling economy,theadvantageouspositionafforded bythe WindsorFramework,andalsoa growingawarenessofequityfunding.

“Overall,theequitymarketinNIhastaken longertomaturethanperhapsotherpartsof theUK.Untilthepastfvetosixyears,there wasn’tmuchofalocalinvestmentecosystem.

Thathaschanged–thereisanincreasing fowofequityfundinginNI. We onlysee thisasapositivethingforthelocaleconomy andareproudtobeawell-establishedplayer here.”

Chrissayswhileastablepoliticalenvironment doeshelp,NorthernIreland’sentrepreneurs havebeen“gettingonwithbusiness” regardlessofwhatishappeningatStormont. “Thereisanadmirable resilienceandhumility inNorthernIrelandborneoutofourhistory. ButIthinkthenarrativeischangingand morecompaniesarenowlookingforward ratherthanbackwardsandstartingto really demonstrateambitionnotjustinNIbut scalingbeyondhere.”

AsBGFaimstomatchthatambitionby hittingthe£100minvestmentmarkhereover thenext12-18months,Chrisisconfdentit isinastrongpositiontosupport.

“We’veneverbeenbusierinNorthernIreland andarehopefulthiswilltranslatetosome furtherminoritypartnershipsin2024. We’ve goodmomentumandwe’rehereforthe longterm–watchthisspace.” ■

A renewedsense ofurgency requiredtomeetour renewable energygoals

AlanCampbell,chief executiveofNorthern Ireland’sgridoperator, SONI (SystemOperator forNorthernIreland), looksaheadtoour ambitiousrenewable targets,thefutureof generationandthe transitiontocleanenergy

NorthernIrelandhashistorically beenaleadinglightwhenitcomes totheenergytransition.

We metour40% renewableenergytarget ayearaheadofschedulein2019andour powersystemwasamongthefirstintheworld toachievethemilestoneofbeingableto handle75% renewablegenerationatanyone momentintime.

Thenew2030targetof80%setbythe ClimateChange(NorthernIreland)Act2022 isunprecedentedinboththescaleand complexityofthechange requiredtoour energysystem.Fromtheperspectiveofthe powersystem,itisthebiggestchangetothe gridandhowitisoperatedsinceelectrification itself.

Withlessthansixyearsuntil2030,nowisthe timetoinjecta renewedsenseofurgencyinto thiscollectiveambition.The restorationof theNorthernIrelandExecutiveandAssembly offersanopportunityto refocusourmindson removingthebarrierswhichriskusfallingshort andproactivelyidentifyingopportunitiesto accelerateprogress.

NickWinserCBE,theElectricityNetwork’s CommissionerforGBpresentingatthe SONINIChamberEnergyForuminBelfast

Presently, renewablesaccountfor approximately50%ofourgeneration. Achievingthe80%markisbothcomplexand significantinscale.Itnecessitatesunlocking thefullpotentialofwind,solarandother greentechnologieswhilesimultaneously modernisingandexpandingourgrid infrastructureatanacceleratedpace.Thistask mustbeexecutedwhileensuringastableand securesupplyofelectricitytoNorthernIrish consumers, renderingthepathtosuccesseven moreintricate.

Asourpopulationgrowsandoureconomy expands,thedemandforelectricityispoised tosurgeoverthecomingyearsanddecades ashomes,farmsandbusinessesswitchfrom oilandgastocleanermodesofheatingand transport.However,thispresentssignificant investmentopportunitiesforindustriestostep upandgeneratethelevelsofgreenelectricity requisiteforourfuture.

Astheurgencyoftheclimatecrisisloomslarge andournetzerocommitmentsbeckon,the transitiontoaclean, renewableenergyfuture hastransformedfromagradualshifttoa

sprinttowardsacriticalfinishline.

AsNorthernIreland’sgridoperator,weare keenlyawareoftheformidablechallenge athand.Accordingly,weareinvestingin gridupgrades,investinginthetoolsand technologythatallowustooperateaworld classyetincreasinglycomplexpowersystem andelectricitymarket,fosteringcollaboration withstakeholders,andadvocatingforpolicies thatexpeditethetransition.However,therace towardsnetzeroisonethatcanonlybewon throughcollaborativeeffort.

Inworkingtowardsourcollectivegoals,itis importantto recognisethemultifacetednature ofourenergylandscapeandtheshort-term challengesthatthispresents.Renewable energysourcessuchaswindandsolarare inherentlyintermittent,meaningtheygenerate electricitybasedonweatherconditions. To ensureastableand reliableenergysupply, weneed robustgridinfrastructurecapableof balancingsupplyanddemandin real-time.This necessitatesinvestmentsingridmodernisation, smartgridtechnologies,andenergystorage solutionslikebatteriesandpumpedhydro.

Butinfacingthese challenges,weknowwhat needs tobedone

Inour recent roadmaptitled‘ShapingOur ElectricityFuture’,SONIoutlinedthepathways essentialforachievingthistransformation.Our draftoperational roadmapsand Transmission DevelopmentPlanoutlinetheinfrastructure neededtomeetour2030targetsandaim forustobeabletomanageapowersystem fundamentallybasedonelectricitygeneration whichisvariable.

Achievingour renewableenergytargets requiresacoordinatedeffortacrossmultiple fronts.Itdemandscollaborationbetween government,industry, regulatorsandlocal communities.It requiresinnovativefnancing mechanismstoattractinvestmentin renewable projectsandovercomebarrierstodeployment. Itcallsforpublicawarenesscampaignsto educateconsumersaboutthebeneftsof

renewableenergyandencourageenergy conservationpractices.

Thechallengewefaceisaraceagainst timeandweneedtoexplorealloptionsfor changeifwearegoingtocatchup.While commendableprogresshasbeenmade,the timehascometoaccelerateourpaceacross everyfacetofthisrace.

AsNorthernIreland’sgridoperator,thatwas ourmessagetotheNorthernIrelandAffairs Committeeonits recentvisittoSONIaspartof aninquiryinto renewableenergyandnetzero targetsinNorthernIreland.

Ashifttowardsaplan-ledapproachto developingthegrid,timely reformofNorthern Ireland’splanningsystemandanewapproach tocommunitybeneftandlandowner compensationarepotentialpolicyinnovations whichcouldacceleratedelivery.

Theimplementationofthesesolutionswill undoubtedlytestusall.Still,theprospect ofpositioningNorthernIrelandasaglobal leaderindecarbonisation,whileconcurrently poweringitselfsafelyandsecurely,isan aspirationworthpursuing.

Thisapproach,coupledwitha renewed urgencyforcollaborationamongall stakeholders,isthesolepathwaytomeeting theambitiousyetnecessarytargetssetbefore us.Everybusinessandeveryindividualhasa roletoplay,whetheritinvolvestheconsidered

useofelectricityduringpeakdemand periodsorembracingthenecessityofnew infrastructure.

AsNorthernIreland’sgridoperator,SONIisup tothechallengeofchangeandwe’reexploring alloptionsastohowwecancontributetothis accelerationeffort.

Andwe’renotalone–everycountryaround theworldseekingtodecarboniseitssociety andeconomyisonthesamejourney. We shouldbeagileandopen-mindedinlooking elsewheretoseewhatwecanlearnandwhat couldbe replicatedhereinNorthernIreland.

That’swhywe recentlyhostedGreatBritain’s ElectricityNetworksCommissioner,Nick WinserCBE,inNorthernIrelandtodiscuss hisindependent,wide-ranging reporton measuresthatcouldbetakentoacceleratethe developmentofthegrid.

Inrisingtothemoment,itisalsovitalthat we redoubleoureffortswithconsumersand localcommunitiesand re-makethecaseasto whythisaccelerationisneededandhowthis once-in-a-generationtransitionwilldelivera cleaner,cheaper,moresecureenergyfuturefor everyoneinNorthernIreland.

InNorthernIreland,weworkbestwhenwe workasawholesystem.That’swhyweneed torisetothischallengetogetherandintensify thecollaborationthatledtoNorthernIreland oncebeingaworldleader.Thetimeisnow. ■

TheNorthernIrelandAffairsCommittee(NIAC)visitedtheheadquartersofSONI.PicturedareBobStewartMP,Claire HannaMP,SirRobertGoodwillMP,AlanCampbell,chiefexecutive,SONI,SirRobertBucklandMP,CarlaLockhartMP andDerekHynes,managingdirector,NIENetworks

AlanCampbell,chiefexecutiveofSONIpresentingtothe NorthernIrelandAffairsCommittee(NIAC)

RestaurantBlueChicagototransform formersouthBelfastbankbuilding

ByJohnMulgrew

Aformercinematurnedbank buildinginsouthBelfastis beingtransformingintoanew American-stylediner,itcanbe revealed.

NorthernIrelandchainBlueChicagoisopening anew restaurantattheformerBankofIreland building,whichwasoncethesiteofthe Curzoncinema,ontheOrmeauRoad.

Andmorethan25fullandpart-timejobsare settobecreatedwiththenewhospitalityspot. It’stakingtwoofthethreeunitsattheformer bankbuilding.

BlueChicagogroup,whichisownedbyKevin MeahandOliviaHall,hastwospotshere, includingoneinDundonaldandasecondin Bangor.

It’snowawaitingachangeofuseplanning application–whichwassubmittedalmost ayearagobeforeBlueChicagosignedup totakeachunkofthebuilding–togetthe greenlightbeforeitcanstartft-outonthe restaurant,withtheaimofopeningintimefor summer.

“It’sbringinganicefamily restauranttothe areaandcreatingsomejobs–itcanbediffcult tofnd restaurantswhichappealtochildren andeveryoneelse,”aspokesmansaid.

“The restaurantisgoingtobeverysimilarto ourothers restaurants.

“It’sbeen refnedovertheyearsandweare famousfordishes,suchasourchickenstacks. Whatwearetryingtosoisbringsomething abittimeless–bringingfamiliestogetherfor celebrations.It’ssomethingforeveryone.”

Thenew restaurantwillboastaround100

seats,includingprivatebooths,witha “Chicagofeel”includinginspirationfromblues andjazzbars.

BlueChicagoistakingaround3,300sqft oftheformerBankofIrelandbuilding,with theentirefootprintofthegroundfoorunits spreadover4,700sqft.

The restaurantwillbeslightlysmallerthan thefrm’sotherspotsinabidtobe“more dynamic”.

Thefrmsaysthenew restaurantwillcreate around10-15full-timejobs,withthesame numberofpart-time roles.

“Weare readytogoandwanttobeopen beforeJunewith regardstoconcerts,the schoolsbreakingupandwiththeEuroson–wewanttobeopenforthatsummervibe,”a spokesmansaid.

“Wearetalkingaroundasixtoeightweek ft-outandarelookingatfrstweekinJune,if notmidMay.”

Intermsofthemenu,thefrmsays“it’sgoing tobethefavourites”buttherewillbemore ofafocusonthebarandcocktailofferingsto “lendmoretothenighttimeatmosphere”in theOrmeauRoadarea.

BlueChicago’sDundonaldandBangor locationshaveextensiveAmerican-inspired menuswithawiderangeoffood.

Thatincludesburgers,sizzlingmeatplatters, pizzas,steaksanditschickenstack–which includesfriedchickenflletssittingonabed ofchampwithbrandyandpeppercornsauce, toppedwithtobaccoonions.

Italsooffersachildren’smenualongsideahost ofdessertsandicecreamsundaes. ■

BlueChicagoin Dundonald

Powerfulsavingsforbusinesseswith PowerNI’sLEDLightingSolutions

Withsustainabilityatthetopof theagendaforbusinessesin NorthernIreland,manylocal companiesarechoosingenergyeffciency andinvestmentintechnologytohelptheir greencredentials.

PowerNIoffersbusinessesthechanceto upgradetomoreeffcientlightingthrough theenergysupplier’sLightingSolutions programme.Commercialcustomerscan retroft anypremiseswithnewLEDlighting,spreading thecostoftheinstallationovertheirelectricity billsinsteadofpayingforitupfront,makingit amuchmoreaffordableoptionforbusinesses. Notonlydoestheschemehelpbusinesses reducetheircarbonfootprint,buttheycan alsosaveontheirelectricitybillsandlighting maintenancecosts,withmany reportinga savingofupto70%.

Thelightingupgradesareprojectmanaged byPowerNIfromtheinitiallightingaudit, orderingtheLEDequipment,associated installationand recyclingoftheoldfttings. Thecostoftheupgradeisspreadacrossa numberofyears,dependingontheagreed contract,managedbyyourdedicatedPowerNI Keyaccountmanager.Thismeanstheupgrade isfullyfnancedthroughyourelectricitybills ratherthanhavingtopayupfrontcapex.

Asapartofthelightingupgradeprocess, PowerNIwillarrangeandcarryoutanenergy consumptionaudittoassessthecurrentlight levelsofyourpremises,togetafullpicture oftheamountofenergybeingused.This informationwillenabletheexpertPowerNI lightingteamtoprepareanupgradedLED lightingdesignandcalculatethepredicted savings.

Allproposedlighting redesignsareinlinewith theCharteredInstitutionofBuildingServices Engineersguidelines(CIBSE),andenergy effciency,lightingdistributionandquality thresholdsareallmettoensurethebest possibleuserexperience.PowerNIwillalso checkcurrentlightlevelstoseeifitcomplies

withBS5266-1:2016,thecodeofpracticefor theemergencylightingofpremises.

Manybusinesseshavelightsonalldayand night,which resultsinhigherelectricitybills, sothenewmodernLEDlightingisnotonly cheaperthantraditionalbulbsandfrstand secondgenerationLEDfttings,butitwill lastupto20-25timeslonger.Upgradingto modernLEDlightinghelpsbusinessesmake long-termsavingsandcutdownonthecostof replacementbulbsandinstallationcosts.

ModernLEDsarethemostenergy-effcient lightingsolutioncurrentlyonthemarketfor businesses.Lessenergyisneededtolightan LEDbulb,substantiallyloweringenergybills forbusinessesandas90%ofelectricitycan betransformedintolight,lessenergygoesto waste.Incomparison,traditionalincandescent lightbulbsonlyuse10-15%ofthepower effcientlyandthe restiswastedasheat.

Finally,LEDlightingalsoimprovesvisibility insideandoutsidetheworkplace,making

businessesamoreattractiveandsafer environmentforbothcustomersand employees.

PowerNI,partofEnergiaGroup,hascarried outLEDlightingupgradesforlocalcommercial premisesalongsideitssistercompany,Energia, including TyroneGAA’s HealyPark,SuperValu Edgeworthstown,MurphyGroup,Beacon SouthQuarterand WexfordCreditUnion.

Most recently,PowerNI’slightingupgradeat HealyPark,Omagh, resultedinthestadium reducingenergyconsumptionbyover60%. Withtheirannualconsumptionnowdecreased byover24,000kWh,around5.8tonnesof carbonwillbesavedannually.

Forbusinesseslookingforanopportunityto becomemoresustainableandsavemoneyon bills,thenPowerNILightingSolutionsisthe perfectsolution. ■

To fndoutmoreinformationaboutPowerNI’s LEDLightingSolutions,visitpowerni.co.uk/ lightingsolutionsoremaillighting@powerni. co.uk

PowerNI’skeyaccountmanager,JohnEdgar,ispicturedwith TyroneGAAtreasurer,NiallMcKennafollowingits PowerNILEDLightingSolutionsupgradeatO’NeillsHealyParkinOmagh

Elevatingleadersto navigatebusinesssuccess

Queen’s UniversityBelfast’s MasterofBusinessAdministration(MBA)iscreating thebusinessleadersofthefuture, focusingonexperientiallearningandallowingsome ofourbeststudentsandmanagersaccessto a £30mfacilityatQueen’s Business School – whichsitsalongside a listedred-brickRiddelHall,providinganenhanced socialandeducationalexperience

Unlockingleadershippotentialand preparingstudentsfortopsenior rolesacrosstheworldofenterprise isattheheartofQueen’s University Belfast’s leadingbusinessprogramme.

“We are lookingforleaderswhoare abletosee newpossibilitiesandnewwaysofdrivingtheir organisationforward,”DrMartinKelly, Queen’s MBAprogrammedirectorsays.

Theuniversity – whichispartoftheprestigious RussellGroup – hasbeendevelopingand nurturingleadingbusinesstalentwithits Queen’s MBAprogrammeformanyyears.

“It’s pivotalforusatQueen’s– aiding a transformationaljourneythatunlocks leadershippotential,preparesstudentsfor seniorandstrategic roles,andaccelerates businessgrowth,”Martinsays.

“Thatisparticularlyimportantwithinthe more complexglobalbusinessenvironment thatwelivein – withmajorchallengesaround sustainability, technologydisruptionandsocial innovation.”

Martinmaintainsit’s aboutdevelopingmindsets andcreatingfuture leaderstotakeNorthern Ireland’s burgeoningprivatesectorforward.

“We area global,world-classuniversity –ranked85thintheworldforimpact(The Times HigherEducation WorldUniversityRankings 2023) – andoneof24world-class research-led universities.Queen’s BusinessSchoolisallabout educationandexplorationforthebeneftof businessandsociety

“TheMBAprogrammesitswithourmission

andourpositionas a globalandworldwide brand,”Martinsays.

Recently recognisedbyCorporateKnightsas oneoftheworld’s top40MBAprogrammes, partofitsstrength,alongsideitsAMBA(The AssociationofMBAs)accreditation,isthelevel ofexperientiallearningthatstudentsenjoyand learn from.

“Studentswillworkonmodules,butinseveral ofthose,theyare takinglearningbacktothe workplace – applyingtheirlearningsin realworldscenarios,”Martinsays.

Thatcanincludechallengessuchasworking with a clientondeveloping a designsprint, andwithinthestrategicmanagement research project,carryingout a real-worldconsulting challenge – tackling a liveissueorpotential problem.

“Allstudentsneedtohave a minimumofthree years’workexperience,withsomeformof management/leadership role,”Martinsays.

“Thatpriorexperience reallyhelpsclassroom debateasanintegralpartoftheMBAisto share experiences,networkandtoseehow othersectorsdealwithcomplexchallenges.

”Queen’s BusinessSchoolisoneofonly 300businessschoolsworldwidetohave theprestigiousAMBAaccreditation.This demonstratesourcommitmenttoachieving thehigheststandard ofteachingandlearning, curriculumdevelopmentandemployability.”

Martinsaystheprogrammeisfocusedontalent buildinganddevelopmentofimpactfulfuture businessleaders – bringingsolutionsbackto

employersandboostingorganisationalgrowth, butalsosettingupanentrepreneuriallandscape.

TheQueen’s MBAsees a hostoftopbusiness speakersvisitingtheuniversity, alongwithsite visitsatbusinessesfromrightacrossthesectors.

MBAstudentsalsowillparticipateinone-toonecoachinganddelvedeeperintosomeof thechallengesfacingbusinesswithcore and electivemodulesthatcovertopicssuchas ‘Leading Transformationin a Digital World’, ‘Entrepreneurshipinthe21stCentury’,‘People ManagementandtheFuture of Work’,and ‘SustainabilityandSocialInnovation’.

Andthere’s alsoanemphasisonthe transformational roleofdigitaltechnology –somethingwhichiscontinuingtoevolve.

“We recently redesignedtheprogrammeto include a focusondigitaltransformation, entrepreneurship,andsustainability – themes thatrunrightthroughtheMBAprogramme.”

DrMartinKelly

MISexpandsseniormanagement teamfollowing30thanniversary

Followingtheir30thanniversaryin September2023,MISGrouphas announcedithasexpandeditssenior managementteamasitlookstowardsits nextmajormilestone.

JoanneMaguire,DavidReid,LindsayLee andJessicaCrawford havebeenappointed asassociatedirectors,joininganalready establishedandstrongseniormanagement teamofmanagingdirector, JonathanOgilby, anddirectors,DebbieLennonandStuart McClean.

Likemostbusinesses,MISGrouphasfaced challengesinthepost-BrexitandCovidworld withoneofthebiggestchallengesbeingthe sourcingand retentionofskilledstaff.

MISsaysit’s gratefultohave retained a workforceoftalentedanddedicatedstaff and statethatthefournewappointeesare refective ofthecalibre ofitsworkforceingeneral.

Thenewassociatedirectorshave a diverseskillbase,rangeofexperienceandqualifcations.

Theirhard work,dedicationanddetermination over a numberofyearshavemadetheir appointmentanobviousnextstepinthe developmentofthegroup.

ThebusinessethosofMISistoprovidethe highestqualityserviceinthemosteffcient manner Thenewassociatedirectorswillbring a freshinputtoaidthecontinuation,adaptation, andexpansionofthisethosasthebusiness continuestogrow

MISGrouphasseenitsturnoverincreaseby 39%inthelasttwoyearswhichitsayscould nothavebeenachievedwithoutthehard work andcommitmentoftheexistingteam.

JonathanOgilby, managingdirector, said:‘’I amdelightedtowelcomeournewassociate directorswhoseappointmentwillstrengthen relationshipswithourcurrentbusinesspartners andwillassistusasweexpandintonewareas ofbusiness.‘’ ■

MISmanagingdirectorJonathanOgilby,associatedirectorsJessicaCrawford,JoanneMaguire,DavidReidandLindsayLee,anddirectorsDebbieLennonandStuartMcClean

NewlyappointedassociatedirectorsJessicaCrawford,JoanneMaguire,DavidReidandLindsayLee

Newhotelandbaropening inheartofCathedralQuarter

Anewhotelandbarisbeing developedintheheartofBelfast’s CathedralQuarter–creating around40jobs.

ThesiteoftheoriginalHarpBarinBelfast’s CathedralQuarterisundergoingamultimillionpound redevelopment,whichwillsee itbecomeabar, restaurantandhotel.

ItwillbecalledTheFoundry–ahomageto theoriginalstreetname,nowknownasHill Street–andwillopenthissummer,creating 40jobs.

ThisDucalesGroup’sinvestmentwillseethe launchofa350-capacitybarand restaurant, aswellas20boutiquehotel roomsacross threefoors.

JimCrawford-Smyth,generalmanagerofThe Foundry,said,“Weareveryexcitedto reinvent thishistoricBelfastsite.

“Wehavespentalotoftimecuratingthe conceptofthehotel,whilestillensuringthe siteitself retainsitslegendarystatus.

“WithTheFoundrywearechallengingthe traditionaltakeofaboutiquehotelwhilealso refectingandaccommodatingthebustling socialscenewithinBelfastcitycentre.

“Itisourhopethatthenewbarand restaurant willpresenttheperfecthangoutspace,witha relaxed,sophisticatedatmospherewithgood foodanddrinksonoffer.”

TheDucalesGrouphasbroughtonboard GordonDevenney,principleofO’Donnell O’NeillDesign’sBelfaststudios,todesign thebuilding’sinteriors.Thegrouphasalso commissionedcommercialstreetartist, Visual Waste,tohelpwiththebuilding’sinteriorsto ensureTheFoundrywillbea realheadturner.

“Thismulti-millionpoundinvestmentwillsee

newlifeinjectedintotheCathedralQuarter, witha350capacitybarand restaurant,as wellas20boutiquehotel roomsacrossthree foors,”thosebehindtheplanshavesaid.

Speakingabouttheinteriorofthenewhotel, bar,and restaurant,GordonDevenneysaid:“A lotofhistoryhashappenedonthissitethat wewantedtomakesurewedidn’tforgetand sohavetriedtoencapsulatewhatthatwasall aboutwhilststillinjectingamodernyetclassic twistwithTheFoundry.

“Ithasbeenalotoffuntoworkwiththeguys onthisproject.TheFoundrywillbelikeno othervenueorhotelinBelfast.”

Inthelate1970sandearly1980,theHillStreet sitehousedtheHarpBar,knownforbeingthe go-tofortheNorthernIrelandpunkscenewith manypopularbandssuchasTheUndertones, TheOutcasts,andStiffLittleFingers regularly comingthroughitsdoorstoplay. ■

JimCrawford-Smythpictured atTheFoundrysiteinthe CathedralQuarterinBelfast

Figuresrevealscaleofchecks ongoodsenteringNIfromGB

Thousandsofchecksongoods enteringNorthernIrelandfrom GreatBritainunderWindsor Framework regulationsaretakingplace everymonth,fguresshow.

Underthe WindsorFrameworkchecksare requiredonsomegoodscomingintothe regionfromacrosstheIrishSea.

Whilethedealto restoreStormontmayhave removed“routine”checksongoodsfrom GreatBritainmovingintoNorthernIrelandwith theintentiontostaythere,someinspections andpaperworkarestill required.

LastOctobertheNorthernIrelandRetail MovementScheme(NIRMS) replacedthe existingSchemefor TemporaryAgrifood MovementsintoNI(STAMNI).

UndertheSTAMNI,inJanuaryoflastyear 5,948documentaryandcontainerseal checkswerecarriedoutongoodscoming intoNorthernIrelandfromGB,aswellas159 identifcationchecks.

InJanuarythisyear,underthenewerNIRMS scheme,6,095documentaryandseal checkswerecarriedout,inadditionto592 identifcationchecksand13post-movement assurancechecks.

BetweenFebruary1andFebruary22–the latestfguresavailable–4,584documentary andsealcheckstookplace,aswellas471 identifcationchecksandsixpost-movement assurancechecks.

TUVleaderJimAllistersaidthefgures“very clearlyestablish”thattherehasbeen“no diminutionofchecksundereitherthe Windsor FrameworkortheDonaldsonDeal,despitethe contrarypromisesin respectofboth”.

“TherigouroftheIrishSeabordercontinues unabated.This,ofcourse,isbecausethecause ofthechecks,namelyNI’ssubjectiontothe

EUCustomsCode,isuntouchedbyboth(the Framework)andtheDonaldsonDeal,”hesaid.

“ItisthisCustomsCodewhichdecreesGBa foreigncountrywhosegoodsmustbechecked comingintotheEUterritory,whichNIis deemedtobeundertheunalteredProtocol.”

Earlierthisweekitemergedthatpermanent post-BrexitborderinspectionpostsinNorthern Irelandcouldcostupto£192.3m.

SinceJanuary2021checksongoodshave beentakingplaceattemporaryfacilitiesat NIports,whilepermanentpostsarecurrently underconstruction.

ThecostofthesepostsemergedafteraHouse ofLordsquestiontabledbyUlsterUnionist peerLordEmpey.

“TheconstructionoftheSanitaryand PhytosanitaryInspectionFacilitiesinNorthern Irelandissupportedbyanagreedbusinesscase whichprovidesafundingenvelopeofuptoa maximumof£192.3m,”LordDouglas-Miller, ParliamentaryUnderSecretaryofStateatthe

DepartmentforEnvironment,FoodandRural Affairs,said.

“Thisfgureisjustanenvelopeandisnot guaranteedasthedepartmentalwaysaspires tocomeinunderbudget.”

LordEmpeysaidhewas“genuinelyshockedat the revelationofthehugecost”.

“Howanybodycansaywithastraightface thattheborderintheIrishSeaisgone,escapes me.It’sallspinanddoingseriousdamageto thecredibilityofthosemakingsuchclaims,” hesaid.

EarlierthisyearSirJeffreysaidthedealwhich restoredStormont removed restrictionson goodscomingintoNIfromGB.

“Zerochecks,zerocustomspaperworkon goodsmovingwithintheUnitedKingdom,” hesaid.

“ThattakesawaytheborderwithintheUK betweenNorthernIrelandandGreatBritain andthatissomethingthat’sveryimportant.”

FigureshaverevealedthethousandsofchecksongoodsenteringNorthernIrelandfromGreatBritainunderthe WindsorFramework

We areGrandCentral: thewomen engineeringBelfast’snewstation

BelfastGrandCentralStationwillhelptransformpublictransportinthecityand beyondwhenit’scompleted. Translink takesalookbehindthescenestomeet someofthewomenbringingthisdestinationtravelhubtofruition

BelfastGrandCentralStation,on trackforoperationalopening thisautumn,willbethelargest integratedtransporthubinIreland.

LouiseDoylehasbeenatthehelmofthe projectasstationmanagersincejoining TranslinkinOctober2021with responsibility fortransitionandoperational readinessto ensurebothasuccessfulopeningandfuture success.

However,bringinglargeinfrastructureprojects tolifeisnothingnewforLouisewhohasan illustrioustrack recordinlargevenueand publiceventspacesmanagementincluding WembleyStadium.

Closertohomesheplayedalead rolein thelaunchofBelfast’sSSEArenaandas formerstadiumdirectorfortheIrishFootball AssociationattheNationalFootballStadium at WindsorPark.Inthislatter role,sheledon eventsthroughoutthebuildperiodthroughto completionandopening,overseeingstrategic planning,commercial,healthandsafetyaswell asoperationalmanagement.

Asseniorprogrammemanager,LouiseSterritt is responsibleforprovidingleadershipinthe

It’sa game changer, notonly for Belfastbut allof Northern Ireland.

design,construction,commercialmanagement andprogrammedeliveryforBelfastGrand CentralStation.Shemanagesthecollaborative projectdeliveryteamincludingassociated consultantteamsandcontractors.

Louiseisacharteredcivilengineerwithmore than20years’experienceofmulti-disciplinary constructionprojects.

Sincejoining Translinkasaprojectmanager in2006shehasmanagedlargeproperty constructionandparkandrideprojects.

Inadditiontoaprogrammeofstation upgradeprojects,shealsoledtheprojectand programmemanagementofthehighprofile

LouiseSterritt,seniorprogrammemanager, LouiseDoyle,stationmanagerandLisa McFadden,programmemanagerforthenew BelfastGrandCentralStationdevelopment

Portrush TrainStationproject,completedin advanceofTheOpengolftournamentin 2019.

MeanwhileLisaMcFadden,acharteredcivil engineerwithmorethan15years’experience inlargeinfrastructureprojects,isprogramme managerforBelfastGrandCentralStation.

Shefrstjoined Translinkin2018asproject managerfortheNorth-West TransportHub projectforPhase1oftheconstructionstage afterworkingforHighSpeed2(HS2)and NetworkRailinEngland.

“Duringmytimeat TranslinkIhavehadthe opportunitytobeinvolvedinand responsible forawiderangeofprojectsincludingthe restorationofthegradeBlistedoldrailway stationbuildingand1.8kmoftrack renewal whichincluded6,500cubicmetresofballast deliveredby roadthroughonesharedaccess point,”Lisasaid.

“Inmycurrent roleasdeliveryprogramme manageronBelfastGrandCentralStation myworkhasbeenvariedandhasincluded responsibilityforthenewbusfacilities.”

BelfastGrandCentralStation

Designedtobefullyinclusiveforall,the impressivehigh-qualityBelfastGrandCentral Stationwillofferanenhanceduserexperience foraround20millioncustomerjourneysevery year.

Therewillbedoublethenumberofrail platformscurrentlyavailablefromfourtoeight andanincreaseinthenumberofbusstandsto 26signifcantlyincreasingcurrentcapacity.

Themodern,spacious,transportfacilitywith mezzaninelevelwillalsobeadestination retailspacewithadedicatedpublic realm

space,SaltwaterSquare,forarts,cultureand communityeventsandactivities.

Stakeholder response

BelfastGrandCentralStationhasbeen welcomedbystakeholderssuchasThe ConsumerCouncil, VisitBelfast,BelfastCity Council,BelfastChamberofCommerce, BelfastCityClimateCommissioner,ClimateNI, theInclusiveMobilityand TransportAdvisory CommitteeandSustrans,asprovidingsocial, economicandenvironmentalbeneftsto Belfastandtheentire region.

Thisisan excellent project that willbring many socio-economic benefts.

ClairePollock,headofSustransNorthern Irelandsaid:“Thedevelopmentofthenew BelfastGrandCentralStationpresentsan opportunityforpeopleto rethinkhowthey travelandtochoosesustainablemodes.Active andsustainabletravelhassomanybenefts tohealth,householdbudgets,wellbeingand theclimate,wewouldencourageeveryone tobuildactivetravelintotheirdailytravel routine.”

NoyonaChundur,chiefexecutiveofthe ConsumerCouncilforNorthernIrelandsaid: “BelfastGrandCentralStationisanexcellent projectthatwillbringmanysocio-economic beneftstoconsumersinNorthernIreland. Itisanambitiousplanwhichwillstrengthen connectivityacrossallpartsofBelfastand beyond,improvethecustomerexperienceand offergreaterchoiceforpassengers.”

Similarly,SuzanneWylie,chiefexecutive, NorthernIrelandChamberofCommerce

BelfastGrandCentral Stationwillbea modern,spacious, transportfacility withadedicated publicrealmspace

andIndustry(NIChamber)hascalledthe newBelfastGrandCentralStation“agame changer,notonlyforBelfastbutallof NorthernIreland”.

“Foranyonewhohashadaglimpseofthe scaleofthedevelopmentunderway,theywill haveasenseofthis.Butwehavenodoubt that,whenthestationopensthepeopleof NorthernIreland,businessesandtouristsalike willbewowedbyitsqualityandthepartitwill playin regeneratingthesurroundingareas–improvingpassengerexperiences,numbersand servicessuchastheplannedimprovementsto theBelfast-Dublinserviceandattractingmore investment.”

TheEnterprisecross-bordertrainservice TheEnterprisewill relocatefromLanyonPlace tothenewBelfastGrandCentralStationwhen itopensmovingthiskeyserviceclosertothe citycentreanddeliveringmoreconnectivity withotherbus,coachandtrainservicesacross NorthernIrelandandbeyond.

InFebruary,theIrishgovernmentannounced €25minfundingtoprovideforanhourly EnterprisetrainserviceundertheSharedIsland initiativewhichwilldoublecurrentfrequency andsignifcantlyenhancesustainabletransport connectivitybetweenthetwolargestcitieson theislandofIreland.

ThefagshipEnterpriseservice representsa tremendousopportunityforgrowthwith some3.3millionpeoplelivingwithina40-mile commutedistancefromtheBelfast–Dublin railwaycorridor.Thisisprojectedtogrowto overfourmillionby2030 representingaround halfoftheisland’sentirepopulation. ■

Why£100m fromBudgetis onlyalimited winforus

TheBudgetcontainednosurprisesandfeltdistinctlyuninspiringforanelection year,sowinsandlossesalikearefairlymuted,writes

MargaretCanning

TheheadlinemoveoftheSpring Budgetendedupbeing a 2pcutin nationalinsurancecontributions, whichhadbeenextensivelytrailedin advance.

Butitwasn’t even a freshidea:it repeated a moveintheautumnstatementinNovember

Intotal,thetwocutstogetherwillsave workers£900 a year It’sa winforthem,albeit not a hugeone,asincometaxthresholdshave notbeenmoved.

Whatwas remarkablewastheextent ofChancellorJeremyHunt’s jibesatthe opposition –a sure signthatanelectionis coming.

AfterLabourPartygrandeeLord Mandelson mischievouslysuggestedthatpartyleaderSir KeirStarmerneededtolose a fewpoundsto gethimselfelected,theChancellorgotthe motherofalldigsinatLabour’s reputationas a partyofhightaxes.

“Ordinaryfamilieswillshed a lotmore than a fewpoundsifthatlotgetin,”MrHuntsaid.Sir Keir’s dignitywasdefnitely a loserafterthat.

There were somegiveawaysforNorthern Ireland,withwhattheChancellorsaidwasan extra£100mfortheExecutiveunderBarnett consequentials – thesystemofensuringallUK regionsgetthesamesupportasEngland.

TheNIDepartmentofFinancethenclarifed thatthesumisactually£99m – andthe Treasurystatementsaysit’s “around£100m”.

Butitwouldn’t be a Budgetdaywithoutsome quibblingbetweenthetwo.

Soitis a limitedwinforNI – limitedbecausewe can’t spenditoncapitalprojectslikehospitals andschools.

It’s alsocomplicatedtolookatthe £99m/£100mandwhatitcandoforusin thecontextofthe£3.3bnpackageto restore devolution,nottomentiontheoverhanging requirementtoraise£82min revenue.

Thedetailed Treasurydocumentshowsthat resourcedepartmentexpenditure limits(DEL) forNIin2023/24willbe£14.8m,but£13.9m in2024/25.

However, the2024/25DELtotalsdonot

includeanyfundingfromthe£3.3bnfnancial packageto restore theExecutive,whereasthe 2023/24DELtotalsdo.

Thefundingfromthefnancialpackagewas £846min2023/24,whichaccountsforthe majorityofthedifference.

Theupdatetochildbeneft,whichhaslifted thethresholdforfulleligibilityfrom£50,000 to£60,000,is a great reliefforfamiliesinthat bracket,sotheywillhappilytakethatwin.

Meanwhile,theendoftax reliefsonshorttermholidayletsforfurnishedhomesshould bewelcomeinareassuchasthenorthcoast, where aninfuxofsecond-homeownershas madepricesunaffordablefor residents.

But,ofcourse,it’sa lossforthosesecond-home ownersandcouldmakethosenorthcoastpads a littlebitlessaffordable.

Overall,nooneiscrackingopenthe champagnein responsetotheBudget, particularlyasthelong-termfreezingofincome taxthresholdsmeansthatmanyofusare still payingmore tax, regardlessofthecutsto nationalinsurance. ■

Chancellorof theExchequer JeremyHunt

35-68

NEXT 2OO

102-134

NorthernIreland’sleading SMEsseesalessurgeby21%

The UlsterBusiness Next200,with Go Succeed,chartsthe successstoriesofour leadingSMEshere,and followsonfromour Top 100summeredition. Analyst Jonathan Cushley,whocompiled thelist,breaksdownall thekeynumbers

NorthernIreland’sleadingSMEs haveseensalessurgingbymore than20%alongsiderisingprofts, UlsterBusiness can reveal.

Formorethan30yearsthe UlsterBusiness Top100,andNext200havebeenproviding ameasureoftheperformanceofNorthern Ireland’sbusinesscommunity.

Thefnancial resultsoftheNext200Northern IrelandCompanies,withGoSucceed,highlight performanceacross,sales,andpre-taxproft andtangibleshareholdervalue.

TheNext200listingincorporatesthe results ofNorthernIreland-basedcompanies, eitherNorthernIreland registeredorwhena signifcantportionoftheirbusinessisdriven andtransactedthroughthe region.

Summary

Saleshavegrownby21.6%to£11.3bn from£9.3bnandproftabilityhasalsogrown by11.2%to£771.6mfrom£690.4m.

Whiletheproftincreasefgurehas reduced substantiallyfromthe2023listingfgureof 50.5%neverthelesstheoverallperformanceof

companiesisextremelyencouraginginwhat remainchallengingeconomictimes.

Sales/revenue

Revenueistheincomethatabusinessderives fromitsnormalbusinessactivities,usuallyfrom thesaleofgoodsandservicestoitscustomers. Revenueisalso referredtoassalesorturnover.

ThestrongperformanceoftheNext200 companiesingenerating revenuegrowthof 21.6%isexceptional.

Therewerestrongperformancesthroughout thelistinghighlightedbythefactthatthe top17companieswithinthelistwouldhave reachedthecriteriaforinclusioninthe2023

Top100listingbyexceedingthe£88.8m turnovervalueofthecompanyatthefnal positioninthe Top100.

SinceitsinceptiontheNext200wascompiled toshowtheperformanceofthosecompanies bubblingunderthe Top100andthisyear’s fgureof17havingthepotentialtobreakinto thepre-eminent Top100istestamenttothe qualityofbusinessesoperatinginNorthern Ireland.

Fivecompanies,CharlesBrandGroup,Circle KEnergy,KingsbridgeHealthcareGroup, SeatruckFerriesandSkeaEggFarmsallposted turnoversinexcessof£100mandasagroup showedsalesgrowthof49.7%.

JonathanCushley

Conversely,only21ofthe200companies posted reducedsalesfguresduringtheirlatest fnancialyear.

Proftability

Firmsoftenmakethemistakeoffocusing solelyonsales,operatingunderthe assumptionthatgreatersales/revenue meansgreaterproftability–whenthisis notnecessarilythecase–theirproftability isprobablythesinglemostimportantkey performancemetric.

Thecompaniesthathavebeenidentifedas theNext200achievedproftabilityof£771.6m intheirlastfnancialyearstrading,up11.2% from£690.4m.

This representsapre-taxproftmarginof 6.8%slightlydownontheprioryear,which showedamarginof7.4%.Thefgureof6.2% howeverishigherthanthe Top1002023pretaxproftmarginof5.2%andindicatesthat theNext200arecontinuingtoperformwellin comparison.

Itshouldbenotedthat21companiesoutof thelistingactuallypostedlosses–theselosses totalledsome£71.6m.

Tangibleshareholdervalue/networth Tangibleshareholdervalueisthevalueenjoyed byashareholderbypossessingsharesofa

TOP10MOSTPROFITABLECOMPANIES

company–itisthevaluedeliveredbythe companytotheshareholder.

Initssimplestformthisiscalculatedasthe shareholdersfunds(issuedcapital)plus retainedearnings–intangibleassets.

TheshareholdervalueoftheNext200

companiescurrentlysitsat£5.24bn.The shareholder returnfortheNext200listing equatestoproft/shareholdervalueandasa percentagesitat14.7%.

Thesalestoequityratiodefnedassales/ shareholdervalueprovidesanindicatorofhow muchmoneyisgeneratedbythebusiness

witheachpoundinvested–fortheNext200 listingthisamountsto2.15.

TwelveoftheNext200listinghaveanegative shareholdervaluemeaningthatthecompany’s liabilitiesoutweighitsassets–cumulatively amountingto£148.3m.

Employees

TheNext200companiesemployatotalof 48,422people.Thisfigurehasbeenpulled fromthelatestsetsofaccountscurrentlyon fileatCompaniesHouseandissubjecttoa highdegreeoffluidity.

EachemployeewithintheNext200accounted for£233,262sales–sales/employeeandfor £15,935profit–profit/employee.

PraxisCareemploys1,652people,Bryson CharitableGroup1,071,FinTrU1,039with JMCRestaurants967andRadiusHousing848 makingupthetopfive.

AsperhistoriclinestheeastofNorthern Ireland remainsthepredominantheadquarter locationforbusinesseswith121business locatedinBelfastandcountiesAntrimand Down–79businessesarelocatedinthewest.

NOTES

AdateofFebruary28,2024hasbeen usedasacut-offforthefilingofaccounts fortheNext200listing.

Thelistinghasbeencompiledusingdata sourcedfromCompaniesHouseand coversfilingsprimarilyfrom20022and 2023companyfinancialyearends.

Whenaggregatinginformation,attempts havebeenmadenotto replicateturnover withingroupstructures.Wherever possibledatapertainingtoholding companieshasbeenusedattheexclusion ofsubsidiaries.

 MCMUHoldingsLtdisacompany incorporatedon10/06/22andassuch hasonlyfiledaccountscoveringfirst yearoftrading.

 OakleafContracts(Europe)Ltd accounts relatetoa16-monthperiod.

 McAvoyModularBuildingsLtdprior yearaccounts relatetoasix-month period.

 AerLingus(U.K.)Ltdaccountsarefiled inEuro,forpurposesoftheNext200 listingamountshavebeenconvertedto sterlingatthe relevantexchangerate.

 ViberoptixOpcoLtdaccounts relateto a15-monthperiod.

TOP10HIGHESTSHAREHOLDER VALUE

GEOGRAPHICLOCATION

IsBitcoin heretostay?

Bitcoinisheretostayandreaching avalueof$500,000isn’toutofthe question,writes Adrian Weckler

Is itsafeyettosaythatBitcoinismore than a scam?

Andisitinevitablyheadingforhistoricallyhigh pricesof$100,000,oreven – intime – $1m?

Theseare thequestionsthatevenhardened scepticsare nowasking.

Recently, Bitcoin’s pricehasrisenby40%.And it’s goneupby170%inthelastsixmonths,by 213%inthelastyearandby1,748%inthelast fiveyears.

From a purely financialperspective,it’s been a farbettermedium-termbetthanApple, Google,Metaoralmostanyotherhigh-growth techstock;onlyNvidiahasperformedbetter, andonlymarginallyso,atthat.

Whyhasitdefiedthedoubters,whichinclude Ireland’s CentralBankgovernorGabriel Makhlouf,whohascalledcrypto a Ponzi scheme?

Thesimpleansweristhatenoughpeoplestill believeinitforittobe a thing.

AnyonewhousesRevolut – whichis2.5 millionofusinIreland – willknowthatit’sa simpletaptobuyBitcoinor a hostofother

cryptocurrencieswithintheapp,outofyour Revolutbalance.

It’s stillseenas a fast-tracktohackthe investmentgame,oftenbyyoungmenwhoare impatientand restlessandwillingtobet.

There is,too, a residualtypeofpersonwho is a longtimecryptoinvestorforsociopolitical reasons,whodistrustsgovernmentsandis lookingforanalternativestore ofvaluethatisn’t state-controlled.(Sadly, withthepolarisedage we’re in,thatcategoryofpersonisgrowing.)

Butthere isalsoincreasingly a white-collar respectableinvestor, thetypeofpersonwho mightalsobuybondsorblue-chipstocks.

Indeed,partofBitcoin’s currentsurgeisthe recentnodof respectabilityitgainedfromUS financialauthoritieswho,inJanuary, gaveit the regulatorystatusofanexchangetraded fund(ETF).Insimpleterms,thisletsbanksand brokersbuyit,sellitandtradeit.Itgivesitan officially recognisedcategorisation,ofsorts.

ButinBitcoin’s case,anotherspecific eventis playing a key roleinitspricerise:theupcoming ‘Halving’eventinApril.Inbasicterms,thisis whenthe reward forBitcoin‘miners’halves(this

time,from6.25to3.125)per‘block’mined.

Everyprevioustimethishashappened,the valueofBitcoinhasgoneup.Ifthisonefollows thepattern oftheothers,thepriceofBitcoin haseitheralreadygoneupbecauseofitorwill risefurther

Thisis,ofcourse, a big‘if’.Bitcoin – aswellas almosteveryothercryptocurrency – hasfallen bylargepercentagesmany, manytimes.

In2017,whenBitcoinwastradingat$4,000, anexpert I interviewedpredicteditwouldgo to$100,000becauseofthefundamentals underlyingthetechnologyandthelong-term appetiteforit.

Threeyearsago, a US financialexperttoldme hethoughtitwouldgotobetween$300,000 and$500,000. I wasscepticalthenand remain scepticalnow But I nolongerthinkit’s outof thequestion.

Cryptocurrenciesstillhavesomebigproblems. They’re complicated,still relativelyunregulated andcangoupinsmokequickerthanother thingsyoumightinvestin.Buttheymaynot beastransitoryastheirworstcriticscharge. Bitcoinlookslikeit’s here tostay ■

Placing Northern Ireland’sSMEs ontheroadto ‘GoSucceed’

GoSucceed,sponsorofthe UlsterBusinessNext200,isa

£17mschemeaimedatdrivinglastingimpactonthebusiness landscapeacrossall11councilareasinNorthernIreland

It’softensaidaboutusinNorthern Irelandthatwewouldratherhideour lightunderabushelthanshinealight onoursuccess.Modestyisofcoursea virtuebutwhenitcomestobusiness,we havesomuchtoshoutabout.

The UlsterBusiness Next200presents afantasticopportunitytodojustthat, showcasingtheverybestofoursmalland mediumsizedenterprises(SMEs)asthey lieonthecuspofthe region’sleading100 companies.

AndatGoSucceed,we’rehelpingmanyof themonthejourney,superchargingtheir growthplansandbuildingthemupto reach thenextlevel.

A recentlylaunchednewenterpriseservice, GoSucceedispartofa£17mschemebacked bytheUKgovernment’sDepartmentfor LevellingUp,HousingandCommitteesaimed atdrivinglastingimpactonthebusiness landscapeacrossall11councilareasin NorthernIreland.

Theprogrammeisnotjustsupportingstart

upsorthoseconsideringsettingupanew company,butitisalsohelpingtoscaleand growbusinesses,largeandsmall,throughout theirlifecycle,throughour‘Start’,‘Grow’and ‘Scale’offerings.

Itcouldbethatyourbusinessisalready establishedandwhileyouarenow readyto expand,growthisslowandyou’renotsure howtoprogress.Forthosewishingtogrow,it couldbeaboutincreasingyourworkforce,new productcreationorembracingnewtechnology withinyourbusiness.

Oryourcompanymayalreadybewellahead onitsgrowthjourneybutyouneedguidance, supportor resourcestotakeittothenext level,locallyandinternationally.Inthese cases,ourexpertswillprovideyouwithone tooneintensivesupport,includinghelpfor engagementwithpersonnelintheonward referralorganisation.

AssistanceisfreeofchargeandGoSucceed hasbeendesignedtoprovideentrepreneurs andbusinesseswiththerighttoolstohelp makethathappen,growtheirorganisations, andboostthewidereconomy.

Thesetoolswhichincludementoring, masterclasses,peernetworks,aswellas opportunitiestoaccesstograntfundinganda businessplan,aretailoredtosupporttheneeds ofthespecificserviceusers.

Allofthisistodesignedtocreatethevery bestconditionsinwhichNorthernIreland’s SMEscanthriveandgrowoureconomyin theprocess.Thisisgoodforallofus,helping jobcreation,raisinglivingstandards,and improvingthelevelofpublicservices.

We wantourbusinessestobeexploringnew marketsandcreatingnewproductswhile alsodevelopingandimplementingnew,more efficientwaysofworking.

BeingnamedamongNorthernIreland’sNext 200meansyouarealreadywellaheadon yourgrowthjourney.Letusworkwithyou toacceleratethoseplans,empoweringyour businessto reachthenextlevel. ■

To findoutmoreaboutGoSucceed,thehelpon offer,andtoseeacalendarofupcomingevents andworkshops,visitwww.go-succeed.com

CharlesBrand 1

CharlesBrandisaNorthernIreland civilengineeringbusinesswhich actuallyboastsanalmosttwocenturyheritagewithitsoriginsin Scotland.

Butinthelastfewyearsit’sbeenverymuch rebornintoamajorplayerintheconstruction sectorhere,workingonbigongoingprojects suchastheBelfast TidalFloodAlleviation Scheme.

“Ithasagreathistoryofdeliveringhigh-end projectsthroughoutScotland–theaqueducts andthroughintothe1960swiththeLondon Underground,”managingdirector,NiallMcGill, tells UlsterBusiness

“Here,it’sdeliveredlotswithinBelfastHarbour, rightthroughtotheSilent ValleyReservoir. SomeoftheprestigiousjobsinNorthern IrelandincludingtheQueenElizabethBridge andcurrentlywearedeliveringtheBelfast FloodAlleviationrightthroughoutthecity.

“Thenamehasbeenaboutforalmost200 yearsandIstartedwithCharlesBrandin 2001,”Niallsays.

Hesaidthecompany,whichsitswithinthe overallLaganSpecialistContractingGroup, was relaunchedin2019andthat’swhat’s nowdrivingthecompanytoworkonmajor schemeshere,aswellasseeingitssalesshoot upfrom£52mto£137minthespaceofa year.

CharlesBrandcomesinatthenumberone spotthisyear,postingpre-taxproftsof almost£6mfortheyearendingMarch2023.

ThebusinessisheadquarteredinBelfastbut alsohassatellitebasesdependingonthe work requiredelsewhereintheUK.

“It’s reallyourconcentratingonwhatwe aregoingtodo. We haveagoodhistory inutilities,anddiversifedfromwaterinto telecommunications. We deliveredthebig endofProjectStratum(ruralbroadband scheme),forexample.

“Wediversifedintorailagainandlookedat afewmarketsectors. We’vetenderedand aregettingontoalotofframeworks.That’s ourstrategywhichweadopted.”

Lookingahead,Niallsaysgrowthislikely tobewithinamixtureofbothpublicand privatesectorwork.

“Mygoalistoformthese relationshipsfor thefuture. WithNI Water,forexample, weareononeframeworkandwe’vebeen acceptedonanother.Iwanttobuildonthat andbeoneofNI Water’strusteddelivery partners. Translink,also. We areonone frameworkandarelookingtobesuccessful onanother.That’sthesortofworkIwant tobedoing–it’sallbuiltfromdoinggood, high-qualityworkontimefora reasonable priceandhavinggood relationshipswithyour clients.”

HesaidCharlesBrandisalsoindiscussions withNIENetworksaheadofitsmajor£3bn investmentoverthenext10years.

“NIEismassiveandthat’sonewhichI really wanttogetinto,”Niallsays.

“Wealsohaveourprivateclients–weare currentlyinagoodpositionforamarinejobat thePortof Tyne,forexample.”

CharlesBrandhasaround100full-timestaff butNiallsaysit’slikelythatwillincrease,inpart duetoabroadband roll-outbidinEngland.

Andlookingaheadhesaysgrowthisabout “buildingonwhatwearedoing”and expandingintosectorsherealongwith elsewhereintheUKandintheRepublic.

“There’snot reallyatargetinmind…the keytooursuccesshasbeenonhighmargin specialistsectors. Weretainaskilledand highly-motivatedcoreteamandit’soffering theself-deliverymodeltomaximiseour proftabilitybutvalueformoneytoourclients.

“It’snotaboutaracetothebottomwithsilly bids…wehaveourmodel,ourplanandit’s allaboutsustainabledeliverywiththeright margins,andyou’llseethatinourfgures.”

Niall’sownlengthyCVacrosscivilengineering, inwhichhespecialisedinmarinework,took himtoCaribbeanislandofSaintLuciafora handfulofyears.

“It’sverygoodanditgivesyouverygood experienceforwhatyouaredoing,”hesays. “Youareworkinginfairlyprimitive areasandwewerebuilding roads throughajungleorrainforest.

“Forexample,Idida roadinSaint Luciawhichwas28kmthrougha jungle. We tookamobileasphalt plant,concreteplantsandtrucks.

“Beingacivilengineer,tobatcha cubeofconcreteinBelfast,Ilift thephoneandringoneofthe suppliersandthey’llarrivewitha trucktothehigheststandards.

“InSaintLuciaformeto buyconcreteIhadtoquarry thestone,shipthecement, quarryandscreenthe sand,batchtheconcrete andtesttothestandard [required].Onceyou’ve donethat,itmakes comingbacktoBelfast thatbiteasier.” ■

NiallMcGill

ShelbourneMotors 19

It’sagoodtimetobeinthecartrade. SalesofnewcarsoverFebruary climbed14%year-on-yearto84,886 vehicles–thehigheststatisticforthe monthintwodecades.

ShelbourneMotors,afamily-ownedcardealer, isnobackseatdriverinthisauto revolution. Salesforthefrstcoupleofmonthsof2024 atthebusinesswere“record-breaking”,Paul Ward,directorofShelbourneMotors,says, onaccountofa“dramatic”increaseinused andnewcarsalesthroughfeetandbusiness channels.

“Wewerejustshortof5,000[newandused carsales]lastyearandwehavetargetsof 6,000for2024,”Paulsays.

Thefrmcomesinatthenumber19spot inthisyear’sNext200,withGoSucceed. Turnoversitsat£85.4mfortheyearending December2022,upfrom£77.9mayear earlier,withpre-taxproftsof£1.3m.

Shelbourneisnotmerelysurfngmarket trends,however,butmakingwavesoftheir own.AtthestartofMarch,thetraderopened anexpandedsiteinNewry:adedicatedvan andusedcarcentrespreadacrosssevenacres.

The renovationispartofa£3mcapital investmentprogrammeacrossitssitesin PortadownandNewry,whichincludesa transformationofitsfranchisesforNissan, Renault,Kia,DaciaandMaxus.

“WecompletedourNissan refurbishment lastyearwithanewlookinthePortadown showroom. We’vejustcompletedourKia refurbandwe’reabouttoembarkona RenaultDacia refurb. Toyotawillfollow.”

Shelbournecurrentlyemploys160people acrossitsfranchises,usedcarbrand (Autoselect)andvehicle rentaldivision,

accordingtothedirector.“We’re recruiting morestafffortheworkshops.Ourparts businesshasbeen reallybusythisyearas well.”Thebusinessisnoovernightsuccess. Itwasfounded51yearsagoin1973byFred Ward.Asecondgenerationofthe Ward familynowstrivetomaintainFred’sethos.

“Our reputationiseverything,”Paulsays. “Wewanttodeliverthebestcustomer satisfactionlevelsandbethebestoutthere. Thefoundationthatdadhasgivenusisa greatgrounding.Customersareparamount inourjourney.Soaretheteams–ourstaff. We treatourteamswiththeutmost respect andwewantthemtotreatourcustomers thesameway.Thatwasinstilledintous whenwewerecomingupthroughthe business.”

AccordingtoSMMT,feetsalesofelectric vehicles(EVs)wereinstrumentalinthe industry’sFebruaryperformance.Paul Ward describesShelbourneMotorsas “earlyadopters”intheEVmarket,having installedEVinfrastructureacrosstheirsites inPortadownandNewry.EVisidealforcar ownersontheislandofIreland,hebelieves. AstudyconductedbyShelbourneMotors suggestedtheaveragejourneyfordriversin NorthernIrelandis16miles.

“Wearenotdoingtwoandthreehour journeyslikeelsewhereintheUK,”hesays. “SoifEVisgoingtoworkanywhere,itis goingtoworkhere.”Furthermore,battery lifeisimprovingallthetime:“WhenEVsfrst begantobesold,thebatterytechnology wasbetween60to80milesrange. We are nowat300miles.”

However,thereareconcernsaboutthe availabilityofchargingpointsandthe costofelectricvehicles.SMMThascalled ongovernmenttocut VATonnewEV purchaseswhichcouldsavecustomers

around£4,000ontheupfrontprice.Changes tovehicleexcisedutyin2025mayalsomake EVcarpurchasesmoreexpensive.

Government,Paulsays,“coulddomoreto supportEVsalesandhelpEVbecomemore affordableforeverybody,ratherthanjust companycardrivers.”

“AgrantwasavailablewhenEVsfrstcame out[theUKplug-invehiclegrant]butthat’s notavailableanymore. We areallinfor reducingourcarbonfootprintandmaking abetterenvironmentbutweneedhelpto allowpeopletomakethatjourney.22% ofthe retailcarssoldintheUKthisyear mustbeEVorelsethereareheftyfnesfor manufacturers.Howdoweget22%of customerstoturntoEV? We havetomake itanaffordablestepforthemtomovefrom adieselorpetrol.Thatiswheregovernment canassistus.”

ShelbourneMotorsisintentonleadingrather thanfollowingtheautoindustry.Its£3m capitalinvestmentprogrammewillcontinue withmodernisationofthePortadownsite, whichwillincludeanadditionalusedcar display.

Wherecanyoutakeabusinessthat’s beenaroundfor50years?“We’realways ambitious,”Paulsays.

“Inthelastfveyearswedemonstratedthat byopeningagreenfeldsiteinNewryand transformingitintowhatitistoday:thereare over200vehiclesonthatsite,threebrands, abiggerusedcarcentre,a rentalcentre,and a28-bayworkshopwhichisnownearlyat capacity. We’vedemonstratedwecando thatinfveyearssowatchoutforthenext fve. We’realwaysexploringwaystoimprove ourcommunicationwithcustomersandstaff, evolveandbeaheadofthecurve.Idon’t thinkthatwillchange.” ■

£6mpartnershiptodeliverfast fibrebroadbandforNIfirms

Telecoms firmBarclay Communicationsisteamingup withBTWholesaleaspartof a £6m schemelaunchingfreeultra-fast fibre broadbandbusinessesinNorthern Ireland.

Thepartnershipmeansbusinesseshere which haveaccessto‘Fibre To ThePremises’(FTTP) technology – around91 % of firms – can converttoitatnoextracost.

The£6mschemestreamlinestheconnection processforbusinesses, a significantnumberof whichare unaware oftheiraccesstohigherspeedbroadband.

Thecollaborationhopestoconnect50,000of thosebusinessesbytheendof2024.

BarclayCommunications – whichworksacross businessmobile,landline,andITservicing around11,000 firms – hascollaboratedwith BTWholesaletolaunch a ‘FreeUltra-FastFibre’ initiativeaimedattransformingthedigital landscapeofNorthern Ireland’s businesses.

“Businesseswillalsobenefit fromourtop-tier, localcustomersupport,”JohnRoulston,Barclay Communications’salesdirector, said.

“We handletheentire installationprocessand continuetoworkcloselywiththecustomer thereafter, ensuring a seamlessexperience.Our goalistosimplifytheprocessforourcustomers, asweunderstandthatcomplexityoftendeters them. We’re committedtomakingthetransition assmoothandstraightforward aspossible.”

Theinitiative,knownastheFreeUltra-FastFibre program,aimstoassistbusinessesgrappling withinadequatebroadbandservicesandthose seekinglargerbandwidthoptions.

“Participantsintheinitiative receive complimentaryinstallation,FTTPdelivery,a new line/ONTbox,and a serviceupgrade,allwithout anyadditionalchargestotheirexistingmonthly fees,”itsays.

Unliketraditional fibre connections,which relyoncoppercablesforthe finallegofthe journey, FTTPensuresthatbusinessesare directly connectedtothemostadvancedand reliable networkinthecountry, withnocoppercableor sharingwithneighbours.

“Businesseshere inNorthern Irelandhavethe bestopportunitytoaccessthefastestspeeds availabletothem(FTTP),yetitstillshocksme

howmanyorganisationsstrugglewithpoor internetspeeds,”Johnsays.

“OurFreeFastFibre initiativeinpartnership withBTWholesale represents a significantstep towardstransformingthedigitallandscapeof Northern Ireland,”BarclayCommunications’ founder, BrittMegahey, said.

“We aimtoempowerbusinesseswiththe fastestavailableinternetspeeds,bridgingthe digitaldivideanddrivingeconomicgrowth inthe region. Withourdedicatedteamsand BTWholesale’s expertise,weare confident thatthisinitiativewillbe a game-changerfor Northern Irishbusinesses.”

AndKatrinaO’Mahony, seniorsalesmanager, BTWholesale,said:“We are pleasedtobe workingwithBarclayCommunicationsto deliverthisinitiativetosupportNorthern Irelandbusinesseswithfree,ultrafast connectivity

“Aspartofourinvestmentintheprojectwe haveprovidedtheinitialupgradetoFTTPand thecollaborationmeanswecanmake a huge differenceforNorthern Irelandbusinessesof allsizes.” ■

BrittMegahey,Barclay CommunicationsandKatrina O’Mahony,BTWholesale

Tacklingthe northwest’s economy

Fromtourismtostart-upsandhospitality, Londonderryandthewidernorthwestoffers astrongeconomiclandscape,butwhyhasit takenthislongandwhat’sneededtoboostjob creation,businessessettingupshop,productivity entrepreneurship? PaulGosling takesacloserlook

Derryis,hopefully,a citywith a greatfuture.ItsCityDeal shouldproduce a substantialand attractive regenerationoftheriverfront area,alongwiththecompletionofthe conversionoftheformerEbrington barracks.

Whilethere isconsiderableirritationwithin thecitythatithastakennearly a quarterof a centuryto reachthisstage,progressisnow signifcant.

Thefour-starEbringtonHotelopenedlastyear, containing a spa, restaurantandbar, structured aroundthebarrack’s oldclocktower Adjoining itisthe WalledCityBrewery,a restaurantand bar AcrosstheplazaandjustopenedisStitch + Weave,another restaurantandbar The piazzaalsocontainsanothercafé,plusoffces. Planningpermissionhasbeengrantedformore offces,plusapartments,while a largegrade A offcedevelopmentisnearingcompletion.

Alastheothermainintendedriverfront regenerationsite – FortGeorge – showslittle progresssincetheturn ofthecentury There isalsofrustrationinthecityattheslowspeed inachievingtheintendedexpansionofthe universitycampus.

Derryis a beautifulandfriendlycitythathas notachieveditspotential.Locationisone reason – itisattheendofthe roadforthose leavingBelfastandliterally a cross-bordercity withsuburbslocatedintheRepublic.And Donegalhasthesouth’s worstunemployment statistics,justasDerryhasthenorth’s.

Butthatcross-borderlocationprovidessome ofthebestopportunities.Derryisthepoint atwhichtheRepublic’s highlysuccessful WildAtlantic Way connectswiththeNorth’s beautifulCausewayCoast.There are surely businessopportunitiestoexploitthis,justas hotelsinDerrypromotethemselvesasbeing withineasy reachofsomeoftheworld’s most

highlyratedgolfcourses –

Overtime,theNorthern IrelandProtocol and WindsorFrameworkshouldalsobeneft thecity Theairportandseaporthavelarge amountsofadjoininglandthatcouldbe usedformanufacturingandlogisticshubs. Ideally, thispotentialwillbemarriedtothe opportunitiesforlowcost renewableenergy productionfromtheadvantageousgeography Wind,tidalandgeothermalexploitationare all possiblewithinthewider region.

Despitethis,itwouldbewrongtoignore the challenges.Atpresent,there are insuffcient visitorattractionsfortourists.Thecouncil hopesthiswillbeaddressedbytheDerry NorthAtlanticMuseum,locatedwithinthe EbringtonBarrackssite.Thiswillexplainthekey roleofthecityduringtheSecond World War, withtheGermanU-boatfeetsurrendering andscupperednearbyintheRiverFoyle.The

onbothsidesofthe border

sinkingofpartoftheSpanishArmadaclose byisalso recordedinwhatisnowthe Tower Museum,whosecollectionwilltransfertothe newfacility, constructionofwhichbeginslater thisyear

Whetherthisissuffcienttosparkthesizeof tourismmarketthatis requiredisuncertain. Otherproposalshavebeenmade,including a whiskeydistilleryvisitorcentre.Thehospitality infrastructure isdisadvantagedbythenumber ofvisitorswhoatpresentstayforjustone night.Italsohastonavigate a signifcant divergencebetweenthevisitorand resident demographics.Whiletouristsseekqualitymeals andentertainment,thecityhaslowerthan averageincomes – sopartsofthehospitality sectorstruggletosurvivethewinter There is signifcantchurn amongcafes,forexample, whilethere are highlevelsofvacancyamong retailproperties.

Seagateisthelargestprivatesectoremployer,

whileseveralfntechandothertechnology businessesprovidewellpaidemployment. Someofthesewouldliketoexpandfurther, butstrugglewithlocallabourmarketskill shortages.

Withonly a smalluniversitycampus – itisset togrowto6,500students – Derryhastoo fewgraduatesinitspopulation,alongwith notenoughpeoplewithhighlevelvocational qualifcations.Forthecitytodevelop a really strongandwellpaideconomy, itisessentialto growthenumberofpeoplewithlevel 4 to 6 qualifcationsandskills.

SirMichael Lyons’ reviewofInvestNImade clearitneedstopaymore attentiontothe northwest.Promotionofthe regionshould surely recogniseitscross-borderlocation, inwhichthelabourmarketandtravelto workareasitsacrosstwojurisdictions.This wouldpromote a largerpoolofhighlyskilled labour, whilecreatingopportunitiesfor InvestNItoworkcloselywithIDAIrelandand otheragenciesacrosstheborder Thismight potentiallyinvolvethegovernmentsworking togethertopromotethe region.

Derryhascomparativelylowproductivity –there isnogreatmysteryaboutwhy Theskills baselineisinadequate;transportinfrastructure ispoor, withslowtravelconnections,whether bycar, busortrain;whilemanyoftheexisting jobsare insectorswhichthemselvesare

inherentlyweakinproductivity Muchof thelocalemploymentisinthepublicsector, includinghealth,whileprivatesectorjobsare oftenin retail – whichisindeclineandpoorly paid.

Where Derryhasbeneftedisfromthenumber ofentrepreneurswhohave returned‘home’to thecityhavingdevelopedskillsandexperience elsewhere.Theyhavecomebacktothecity becauseoffamily, thefriendlyenvironment andthebeautyofDerry, thenorthcoast andDonegal.Insomecases,these returnees havecreatedhighlysuccessfulandverylarge businesses.

However, self-employmentinthecityis notablylowerthaninNorthern Irelandas a whole – 13%,against16%.Thisisanother areathatshouldbetargetedforexpansion. LivingcostsinDerryare lowerthantheNI average,whilethequalityoflifeishigherin termsofthebeautyofthelocalcountryside, whiledigitalinfrastructure inthecity(though notinallthenearbylocations)istypically excellent.Thishasledtothecitybeing promotedasanidealplacefordistanceand homeworking –a sectorthathasthepotential toexpandsignifcantly

Derryoffersexcitingopportunities.But itslocationalsoprovideschallenges. Entrepreneursconsideringthecityand region mustweighupboth. ■

Derry’sGuildhallin thecentreofthecity

TheDerry Walls lookingtowards theBogside

YellowDoorextendshospitality contractwithUlsterRugby

Cateringbusiness YellowDoorhas securedanextendedhospitality contractwithUlsterRugby.

Thefrm,ownedbytheArmagh-based DouganFamily,hasextendeditstermsasthe cateringpartneratKingspanSeasonuntilat leastJune2025.It’sheldthecontractforthe last11seasons.

Itsaysit’sinvesting£100,000innew equipmentforthestadiuminitsbidtoextend itshigh-qualityfoodandservicesatevents.

Thecontractincludesprovidinghospitality servicesinthestadium’sSpiritof’99lounge, A&LGoodbodyLoungeandexecutiveboxes, aswellasinthenewRavenhillSuiteinthe AbbeyAutolineFamilyStandwhichseatsupto 35guests.

“AvenuesuchasKingspanStadiumnever standsstill,”directorAndrewDougansaid. “Forus,matchdaysareunique,andstillhold averyspecialplaceinourcommunity.Allofus

involvedwantthevenueutilisedallyear round, includingthroughthecorporateeventswerun onnon-matchdays.

“Ourfocusinthestadiumandacrossour businessiscontinuingtopracticeassustainably aspossible.Thekeythingforusisfrstlybuying everythingwecanlocally,notleastbecause ourfarmersandgrowersproducesomeofthe bestfoodintheworld,developingseasonal menustoeliminateasmanyfoodmilesand asmuchpackagingfromoursupplychainas possible.

“Sustainabilityhasrisenrighttothetopofthe corporateagenda.Luckilythecoreprinciples andethics,which YellowDoorfoodisbased on,iswheremostfoodproducersandcaterers wouldliketobe. We focusoninstillinga passionforlocalqualityinourkitchenteams whichforusisthebiggesttoolinbeinga sustainablefoodbusiness.

“We’vedevelopedafantastic relationshipwith UlsterRugbyovertheyears,andweanticipate

evenmoresuccesstocomefromourfruitful partnership.”

YellowDoorcurrentlyemploysover300fulltimeandcasualstaffacrossitsdeliandevents functionswhichincludeweddingcateringand outdoorevents.Italsoholdsthecontractwith Catalyst,theInnovationCentreinBelfast.

Thefrmisalsocurrentlyjointpartnerwith MountCharlesinHospitalityBelfast.

DavidEdwards,salesexecutiveatUlsterRugby, said:“AtKingspanStadium,we’recommitted toprovidingaworld-classexperienceforour spectatorsandvisitorstothestadiumand, aspartofthisambition,wewanttooffera top-qualityfoodandcateringserviceacrossour variedhospitalityspaces.

“Wearelookingforwardtocontinuingour partnershipwith YellowDoor,aswe’reconfdent that,asateam,wecancontinuetodelivera topnotchofferingtothosevisitingthehomeof UlsterRugbyonmatchnightsandbeyond.” ■

AndrewDougan,Sam Netherton,andClodagh Meylerof YellowDoorwith UlsterRugby’sDavidEdwards

Thecolumnwithan earforexperience...

Howdidyoustartoutinyourbusiness?

Mycareerpathevolvedorganically.Iworked foralargecorporationfor20yearsand eventuallywenttoworkformycurrent employer,leadingITservicesprovider, Qualcom.

Thiswasverymuchanaturalprogression.I wasinstrumentalinsettinguptheUKarmof thebusinessandamnowitsmanagingdirector andaShareholder.

Whathaveyoufoundthemost challengingduringyouryearsofbusiness, sofar?

Likemanybusinesses,wefoundtheCovid yearsdiffcultaswehadtopausealotofour retailservicesandadjusthowweworked. We’regrowingquicklynow,andthisalsohas itschallenges.

Howwouldyoudescribeyour managementstyle?

AtQualcom,wehaveateamofover75 professionalsthatpartnerwithmorethan500 clientssituatedacrossNorthernIreland,the RepublicofIreland,the restoftheUK,andthe ChannelIslands.

Ifostertrustbyprovidingguidanceand supportwhileempoweringmyemployees tomaketheirowndecisionsandlearnfrom theirmistakes.Ialwaysmaintainasupportive distancetoallowthemtoshowcasetheir abilities.

Whatwouldyouchangeifyoucouldgo backanddoitallagain?

Notathing.I’mdelightedwithhowmy careerpathhasunfoldedandenjoyhelping toleadanorganisationthatiscommittedto

Name: LeeannSaunders

Position: Managingdirector,Qualcom

redefningtheITexperienceandtoensuring thatbusinessescannavigateandexcelinthe ever-evolvingdigitalworldwithconfdenceand ease.

Haveyoudoneitallonyourown?

Absolutelynot,Icouldnothavedoneanyof itwithouthavingthebestpeoplearoundme, pastandpresent. We areonlyasgoodasthe peoplethatwesurroundourselveswithandI havebeenincrediblyluckytohavethesupport andunderstandingofmyfamily.

Howwouldyoulikeyourbusinesstobe remembered?

IwouldhopethatQualcomis rememberedas astrategictechnologypartnertoeverytypeof business. We deliver round-the-clock,tailored

supportandseamlesslyintegratetechnology intoourcustomers’operations,fostering growth,effciency,andsustainedsuccess.

We wanttoempowerbusinessestonot justsurvivebuttrulythriveinthemodern digitallandscapeandarefrmbelieversthat innovationand reliabilityarethecornerstones ofsuccessintoday’sdynamicbusiness environment.

Whatpieceofadvicewouldyougivetoa 20-year-oldyou?

Iwouldtellmy20-year-oldselfthateverything happensfora reason.Stormswillalwayscome buttheywillalsopass,anditishowwedeal withthemthatmakesthedifference.It’sall about resilience. ■

NOELDOYLE FASTTECHNOLOGIES

Howisbusiness?

It’sbusy. We’reworkingonsomevery excitingprojectsandwe’regrowingindirect responsetoincreasingdemandfromthe smartmanufacturingindustry.OurA2Hub, basedinDerrycityisagoodexample.It’s anindependent,creativespacewherewe canworkwithourcustomersonaone-ononebasistofullyunderstandtheirdigital transformationneeds.I’malsoworkingonthe developmentofourFastSoftwarebrandand puttingthestructuresinplacetodrivegrowth withinthiskeypillarofourbusiness.

Howdidyougetstartedintheindustry?

Igraduatedinmathematicsandthen completedapostgradinmarketing–a slightlystrangemix.So,Istartedmycareer inamarketing rolewithinamanufacturing business,howeverIsoon realisedthatI couldaddbestvaluebyidentifyingprocess improvementsintheorganisationand lookingforsolutionstomeetthoseneeds. FormostofmycareerI’vebeenluckyenough tobein rolesthatallowmetousecreative solutionsandtechnologytotransform practices,processesandprocedureswithin anorganisationtodeliversuccessfulbusiness outcomes.

Typically,whoareyourclientsor customers?

Fastisaleadingproviderofautomationand technicalsolutions.Ourclientsaretypically attheearlystagesofadigitaltransformation journeyandtheirgoalistofndoptimum solutionstoincreaseoperationaleffciencies andimprovedatacontrol.Ourbusiness modelenablesustopartnerwithbothglobal organisationsandlocalmanufacturingSMEs, takingthetimetofullyunderstandtheirneeds beforeadvisingthemontherightsolution-be that robotics,automation,orsoftware.

Doyouenjoywhatyoudo,andwhatin particular?

Therehasn’tbeenadaywhenIhaven’t enjoyedbeingpartofFast.Iworkwith agreatteamoflike-mindedpeopleina companywhichisinvestingand recruiting inanever-expandingsector.Thecompany

Entrepreneur ofthe Month

hasalsogivenmethe responsibilityand autonomyfordevelopingitssoftwaredivision whichisafantasticchallenge.Asaseasoned ‘wantrepreneur’,I’m relishingthechance tobringthebusinessplantogether,identify opportunitiesandnurturepartnershipswithin theindustry.

Whatisthemostdiffcultpartofyourjob?

Assoonaswepartnerwithclientswecan delivervalueforthem.Probablythegreatest challengeisgettingthismessageoutto prospectiveclients.Somemayhaveworked withothersandtriedsolutionswhichfailed, makingthemapatheticor reluctanttotry again.Therecanbeaperceptionthatsome oftheIndustry4.0solutionsaretheluxuryof largerenterprises.Ourmarketingteamhas beenchangingthismindsetandsomeofour most rewardingworkhasbeenpartnering withlocalSMEstosuccessfullyacceleratetheir digitaltransformationpathway.

Additionally,I’mfullytrainedinSIRI(smart industry readinessindex).Astheworld’sfrst independentdigitalmaturityassessmenttool ithelpsmanufacturers– regardlessofsize andindustry–tostart,scale,andsustaintheir transformationjourneys.MycolleagueMark andIaretheonlytwocertifedSIRIindustry assessorsontheislandofIrelandwhichisa hugebonusforourcustomers.

Whatarethechallengesfacingyoursector andtheeconomyingeneral?

TheNorthernIrelandeconomyisgoing throughaperiodofchangeandisfacingmany challenges–particularlyincreasingenergy costsandlabourshortages.Businessesknow theyneedtoaddressthisbyengagingin digitaltransformation,butdon’tknowhow orwheretostart.There’salotofinformation oninnovativetechnologiessuchas‘Industry 4.0’butitcanbediffculttofullygraspwhich solutionisthebestft. ■

The Australiantransforming acastleandestatebusiness inCoArmagh

MickBoyle,ownerofKilleavyCastle,isn’t quitedoneyetworkingonhislandmark property,hetells MargaretCanning

AtfourinthemorninginSydney, March2013,Killeavy-bornMick Boyle restoredalinkwiththe villageofhisparents’birthbybuyingits neglectedcastleandestate.

Justoveradecadelater,thankstoworkled bythecivilengineer,theestatenowhasa well-established,four-starhotelinanewlyconstructedbuildinginthegrounds,itscastle restoredasavenueforprivateevents.

ItwasnamedNorthernIrelandHotelofthe YearbytheAAlastyearbut60-year-oldMick, hereonatwo-weekvisitfromSydney,says there’smuchfurthertogo.Iinterviewthe softly-spokenAustralianinthedrawing room

ofthecastle,withthefrecracklingawayin thebackground.

“It’slovelyseeingit renovatedlikeitisnow, andpeopleenjoyingit,”hesays.“It’savery satisfyingfeeling.ButIstillfeelthatI’m onlyhalfwaythroughthe renovationand restorationprojects.

“Forthenext10years,we’refocusedon theupperfarmlandandthewoods. We’rein theprocessatthemomentof removingthe plantationsprucetimberthat’sonthehigher partoftheestateandwe’llstartlaterthis yearplantingitoutwithnativewoodland… it’lllookverygoodin20yearsbutit’lllook wonderfulin200years.”

Mickboughttheestatefor£1.19m,ashort timeafterfndingoutitwasforsale.“Ihad someonebiddingformeandwassittingatmy diningtableinSydneytalkingitthroughon thephone.Itstartedatabout1amformein Sydneyandwentthroughtillaboutfourinthe morning.”

Hedescribesitasa“greatprivilegeanda great responsibility”toownthecastle,builtin theeighteenthcenturyasalodge,andlater convertedintoacastle.It’sbeenoccupiedby threefamiliesupuntilnow–theFoxalls,who builtit,theGillespies,who rentedit,andthe Bells.

Mickwasnostrangertomassiveconstruction

andinfrastructureprojectswhenwork beganto restorethecastle.Heisexecutive chairmanofAbergeldieComplex Infrastructure,abusinessheandRobin foundedinNewSouth Walesemploying800 people.Itsaimistoimprovecommunities throughinfrastructure.

HisparentsMichaelandPaulinewerefrom KilleavybutmetinLiverpool.Theymarried andstartedafamilythere,beforeemigrating toAustraliain1968andlivinginamigrant hostelfortwoyears.ThathasshapedMick’s viewoftheworld.“Youdounderstandhow luckyyouaretobeabletobeamigrantand startanewlife,andAustraliahasbeenvery goodtome.Itisverymulti-cultural.”

Withthecastleandestatebought,work startedtoseekplanningpermission,followed byatwo-yearbuild.Bothhissonanddaughter joinedtheirfatherinCoArmaghwhilethe workwastakingplace.

Thedelicate restorationofacastlewasa changefromtheworkMickandRobinhave ledatAbergeldie.

“Wedocomplexinfrastructure,allupand downtheeastcoastofAustraliaandNew Zealand.Atthemoment,ourbiggestjobis inAucklandinNewZealand,installingwater treatmentplantsandtunnelsinamajor upgradeoftheseweragesystem. We doquite abitofthatsortofwork.

“We’reprobablyoneofthelargestlocallyownedconstructioncompaniesinAustralia.”

Alongwiththosecommitmentsbackin Australia,he’skeepingacloseeyeonhowhis NorthernIrelandbusinessisperforming.

“It’sperformingquitewellforanew-start business. We’rejustgoingfveyears,andone andahalfofthoseyearswasCovid.It’sstill quiteayoungbusiness,andwe’rebuilding awarenessandknowledge,andpeopleare learningaboutus.

“It’sdoingwellbutitwilldoalotmore,and itwillbeaplacepeoplewillcomealloverthe worldtofnd. We’renotthereyetbutwe’ve gotambitionstobeoneofthosedestination hotelsthatpeoplewanttogotoontheisland ofIreland.”

He’spleasedtoseethe restorationofdevolved governmentinNorthernIreland,andtheday beforeourinterview,hewelcomedEconomy MinisterConorMurphyonavisittothehotel–locatedinhisNewryandArmaghconstituency.

“Youknow,it’sabigstepforwardforbusiness andforallmannersofthingsthatyouhavea governmentinplace,”Micksays.

“TherearehugeopportunitiesforNorthern Ireland.

Themigrantstoryofbuyingabusinessback hometokeepintouchwithyour roots mightbeoneweassociatemorecloselywith AmericansthanAustralian.ButMicksays Australianscanharbourjustasmuchfondness intheirheartsfortheir roots.

“AustraliansborninIrelandalwayshaveavery softspotforit,andIthinkyoucanlovetwo places,sameasIdo.Ithinkyoumustbeable to,youcanlovetwochildren,soyoumustbe abletolovetwocountries.”

Hesaystherecouldbefurtherbusiness opportunitiesforhimelsewhereinIreland.

“ItravelledwiththeIrishAustralianChamber ofCommercelastyear,andwehadsomegood discussions,andwedidtravelnorthandsouth lookingatbusinessopportunitiesbetweenthe twoplaces.Therearealotofconnections.

“There’sno reasonwhynorthandsouth can’ttradetogetheralot.It’s reallythe governments’jobtomakeitaseasyas possible,becausetradeishowyougenerate wealthandwealthishowyoulookafterthe people.”

HehasdevelopedabusinesscalledArdent Underground,whichharnessesAbergeldie’s expertiseinproductionofdeepshafts–and thatcouldhaveanapplicationinNorthern Ireland,Micksays.

“About20yearsagowedevelopedaworldleadingabilitytodeveloplargediameter deepshafts,andthey’vegenerallybeenfor ventilationshiftsforcoalmines.

“Abouteightyearsagowestartedtolook athowwecouldusethatcapabilityfor theenergytransitionsowe’vedevelopeda technologytobuildundergroundhydrogen storagetanks.”

Fornow,the restofhistwo-weekstayon KilleavyCastleEstatewastoinvolve“working withtheteamhereandseeinghowIcan help”. ■

MickBoyleof KilleavyCastle Estate

Signsofoptimismbutwecan’tmiss windowtogetenterprisesuppor t right

EnterpriseNI andtheLocalEnterpriseAgency(LEA)networkstandreadyas theon-the-groundforcedeliveringtherightsupportattherighttimetolocal entrepreneursandbusinesses,whichiscriticalifwearetoachievethethriving regionallybalancedeconomyenvisagedbyEconomyMinisterConorMurphy, writes MichaelMcQuillan, EnterpriseNIchiefexecutive

There remains a needforaccelerated collaborationandpartnership betweengovernmentandkey economicdevelopmentstakeholders,with localbusinessesandentrepreneursatthe centre,inordertocapitaliseontheseeds ofpositivitycurrentlyfeltwithinthelocal smallandmicro-businesssector

EnterpriseNI’s 27memberorganisations(LEAs) manage64locationsthroughoutNorthern Ireland,providingsupportedworkspaceto more than2,700localstart-up,micro andsmall businesses.

WithandthroughtheLEAnetworkENI engageswithmore than3,500localbusinesses everyweekplacingus,critically, atthecentre oflocalsocio-economicdevelopment. Withthis levelofconnectivity, weare ideallypositioned todeliver a highlyeffectivelocalenterprise supportservice,providingtherightsupportat therighttimetolocalstart-ups,establishing andgrowingbusinesses – providingthelocal start-upandenterprisegrowthnecessaryto achievethe regionallybalanceddevelopment ConorMurphyhasmadeoneofhisfour priorities.

Thecomingofspringcoincidingthe return of theinstitutionshaveundoubtedlybrought a senseofoptimismwithinthestart-up,small andmicro-businesssectorthathasnotbeen feltforsometime.

AtEnterpriseNI,weare alsoseeingthat enthusiasmandoptimismthroughthehealthy pipelineofenquiriestothenewGoSucceed programme,andweare justabouttosign-off 2023/24asthebiggestyearforStartUpLoans disbursementinNI,sincetheinceptionofthe fundin2013,theministerhasoutlinedthe needforco-creationandpartnershipworking

amongkeyenterprisesupportorganisations.

TheENInetworkwelcomesthisapproachas ithasthepotential,iftrulyimplemented,to unlocksignifcantlymore valueintermsof therightsupportsforlocalbusinessesatless cost. Withthisinmind,theappointmentofDr ConorPatterson,chiefexecutiveatNewryand MourneCo-OperativeandEnterpriseAgency, andoneofENI’s foundingmembers,asan advisertotheminister, on regionalbalance,is a welcomemove.

However, despitetheoptimismundoubtedly beingfeltamongemergentstart-upsright now, thecostofdoingbusiness remains a concern.EnterpriseNI’s EnterpriseBarometer 2023foundcostpressuresare affecting52% of respondents’businesssustainability In this regard,the recentlyannouncedSpring Statementcouldhavegonefurtherinits supportofstart-upsandsmallandmicrobusinesses.

Forexample,measuressuchasincreasing the VAT thresholdfrom£85,000to£90,000

are welcome,however, infationarypressures and a seven-yearfreezeontheratepreviously willmeanthatmanylocalsmallandmicrobusinesseswillhavealreadycrossedthisnew threshold.

Thisyearwewillbeworkingintensivelywith centralgovernment,localgovernment,and keysupportecosystemorganisations,using thestrengthandaccuracyoftheBarometer fndings,tocontributeconstructivelytoshaping howlocalstart-upandbusinesssupportis delivered,goingforward.

DuringtheStPatrick’s Day WashingtonDC engagementsthere seemstohavebeen a renewedwaveofoptimismpointedinthe directionofNorthern Ireland.

We must,collectively, notmissthisopportunity togetlocalenterprisesupportright.The EnterpriseNILEAnetworkstands readytoplay itspart. ■

For more information,get intouchat www.enterpriseni.com

AmyJunkin,EnterpriseNIwithLEDCOMchiefexecutiveKenNelson,EnterpriseNIchiefexecutiveMichaelMcQuillan andCatherineAnderson,LEDCOM,picturedattheirhotdeskingfacility,The WorkCubeinBallyclare

O’Reilly’sWholesale: marking65 yearsasanaward-winningbusiness

O’Reilly’s WholesaleLtdisanawardwinningwholesalerwhichwill sooncelebrate65yearsinthe wholesaledistributionbusiness.

Inthiscelebratoryyearitwillunveilan ambitious10yeargrowthplanasitembarks on a numberofprojectsthatwillachievethose ambitions,expanditsnetworkthroughoutthe islandofIreland,the restoftheUKandfurther exportmarkets.

DerekO’Reilly, long-standingmanaging director, isveryproudofwhathisbusinesshas achieved,especiallywhenthehurdlesofthe lastfewyearsare considered.

“Thecompanycontinuestoincorporatethe highlevelskillsetsofourpeopleacrossthe business,”hesaid.

“We have a superworkforcesupportedat alltimesbyourtopmanagementteam. We employ114peopleandtheykeepthecogsin ourwheelsconstantlyturning.”

DerekO’Reillyhasaneaseinhisapproachto hisdaily routineatthebusiness.Hearrives before mostandleavesaftermost.Itishislife. Hehaslivedandbreatheditsincehejoined thefamilycompanyattheageof16.Henow has49yearsofwholesalenotchedonhisbelt. Derekhasleadhisbusinesstobringittowhere itistoday – nowsittingamongthebestofthe Next200listinthiseditionof UlsterBusiness Thisthird generationbusinessisshowing greatyear-on-yearperformance.Providing employmentto114peoplefromthegreater Newryarea,O’Reilly’s hasitssightsonbuilding theirnewoperatingfacilitynottoofarfromits currentfacility

Inordertoimplementthefrm’s 10-yeargrowth plan,twonewappointmentshavebeenmade.

SineadLavery, previouslyheadoffnance,has beenappointedfnancedirector Shehasbeen

withthecompany10yearsandhasplayed a verysubstantialpartinthedirectionofits fnancialgoalsandgovernance.

AnneO’Reilly, headofbusinesshasbeen appointedcompanydirector Annehasbeen withthecompanyforeightyearsandwill overseeandmanagethestrategyofthe ambitiousbusinessprojectsandseethatthe10 yearplaniskeptontrack.

“Idon’t thinkthere isanymore elasticityinthe wallsofourcurrentwarehouse,”shesaid.“We havesqueezedeverylastinchofspace – the wallshavebeenstretchedtotheirlimits”.

Sixtyfveyearsis a milestoneinanybusiness andassuchneedstobeshoutedaboutand celebratedespeciallywhentheyear-on-year growthiscontinuallyexceedingtheprojected growth.

Althoughturnoverof£42m(upfrom£36m 2021)islistedinthecurrentNext200and

relatesto2022fgures,themost recent September2023turnoveris£55m – an increaseyearonyearofover30%.

AnneO’Reillysaid:“Whileexpansionand growthisattheheartofourfuture strategy plans,wearea responsibleemployerandour engagementwithourworkforce,especiallyin relationtotheirhealthandwellbeingishighly importanttous.

“We recognisethatinparticular, mentalhealth issuescanvisitanyoneofusatanytime. I am proudtosay I havetrainedas a MentalHealth FirstAider, ashavethreeofmycolleagues. We seethissupportashaving a positiveimpacton ouremployeesandtheirfamilies.”

DerekO’Reillycontinuesday-to-daytolead thebusiness,hissightsalwaysonsomething biggerandbetteranditcertainlylookslike heisachievinghisambitionsforthecompany startedbyhisfather, BobO’Reilly, some65 yearsago. ■

O’Reilly’sthanksstaffmembersPaulKeenan,JohnChambers,DerekO’Reilly,RaulReganandBryanO’Harewhohave acombined105yearsofexperiencebetweenthem

Bushmillsunveilslimited editionspecialreleaseonlyon saleatBelfastwhiskeyshop

Bushmillshasunveiledatopend speciallimited release36-year-old singlemaltwhiskey–theoldest soldintheEuropeanmarket.

TheBushmillsHillStreetEditionwascreated forBelfastwhiskeyshopTheFriendatHand –ownedbypublican WillieJack,whoisalso behindtheDukeof YorkandHarpbars.

It’salimited release,onlyavailableatthecity centreshop–whichalsohousesoneofthe world’sgreatestcollectionsofIrishwhiskey–withsome208bottlesproduced.

“Belfast’sproudindustrialpastandrich whiskeyheritagepavedthewayforacraft that,centurieslater,continuestostandthetest oftime,” WillieJacksaid.

“WeareproudtopartnerwithBushmillson thisexceptional,36-year-oldwhiskey,which payshomagetothehard-workingpeopleof

HillStreet.It’sfttingthatoursharedheritage andspiritofcollaborationarecommemorated inthisspecial release,which,withjust 208bottlesavailable,issuretobeinhigh demand.”

BondedwarehousesoncelinedHillStreet,and Bushmillsbarrelswouldhaveonce rolleddown itsnowiconiccobblestoshipsdockedonthe FarsetRiver,tobetransportedtodestinations aroundtheglobe.

Over135yearson,theBushmillsHillStreet Editionwillmakehistoryastheoldestever Bushmillsexpressiontobe releasedinEurope. Thespiritwasdistilledin1986and re-caskedin asherryhogsheadcaskinMarch2001.

“IneverybottleofBushmills,wehonourour pastandtheimmensepassionandpatience requiredtocrafttheworld’smostexclusive singlemalts,”Bushmillsmasterblender,Alex Thomas,said.

“Itismyprivilegetobringthisexceptional whiskeybacktoBelfast,tothesiteof Bushmills’formerheadquartersonHillStreet, inwhatisamilestonemomentforthebrand.

“Itsexceptionallysmoothcaramelisedfruitand honeyfnishandrichgoldenchestnutcolour isatestamenttothetimeithasspentincask. Thisisaonce-in-a-lifetimewhiskey.”

Presentedinahexagonalbox,handcraftedin blackAmericanwalnut,andadornedwithan intricatemapofBelfastetchedingold,the BushmillsHillStreetEditionwilltakeprideof placeinTheFriendatHand,inafttingtribute tothebrand’sformerheadquarters.

TheBushmillsHillStreetEditionisbottledat 48%andispricedat£5,000for700ml.

Thelimited-edition releaseofjust208bottles isavailableexclusivelyforpurchasefromThe FriendatHandinBelfast. ■

NI’sagri-food sustainability challenge

AGRI BUSI NE SS

Sustainabilityandregenerationmustbefrontand centreforNorthernIreland’shugeagri-foodsector, accordingto FoodNIchief MicheleShirlow.She speaksto JohnMulgrew aboutputtingusonthe worldstage,whyproductslikebeefcanbepart ofasustainablefoodfuturehere,andhowfarour hospitalitysectorhascomeinthespaceofadecade

Northern Ireland’s agri-foodsector has a “challenging”sustainability and regenerationjourneyaheadin thenextfewyears,accordingtooneofthe region’s foodleaders.

“Ifeelsustainabilityand regenerationis somethingwhichNorthern Irelandisgoing tograspinnextfourtofveyears,”Michele Shirlow, chiefexecutiveofFoodNI,told Ulster Business

Butshesayswhilemuchwillbedoneto promoteNorthern Irelandon a globalstageas both a topproducerandonewhichisleading thewayintermsofsustainabilityandabilityto tackleitsimpactontheenvironment,as a small region,itcanachieveit.

“At a farmlevel[weare lookingat]mapping everyfarmtolookatcarbonfootprint,”she says.“We needtoseethatacrossthesupply chain.Northern Irelandissmall,butwecando

thosethings – fromfarmtofork.”

Michele’s acutelyaware ofjusthowfar Northern Irelandhascomeinthelastdecade –intermsofthequalityandrangeoffoodand drinkbeingproducedhere.

“We’vemovedontremendously, particularly intermsofinnovationandproduce,withnew businessescomingalong.

“Northern Irelandhospitalityissufferingat themomentbecauseofthingslikeincreased electricitycostsandstaff,butweare stilllucky tohave a fourishingindependent restaurant scene.

“Onething I loveiswedon’t have a lotof chains – wehavegoodquality restaurantsand hotels,owner-operated.

“There’sa wholenewgenerationofchefs

comingalong.Theotherthingmaking a differenceisthevolumeoflocalproduce.

“Tenyearsagoyoudidn’t havefarmhouse cheeseandicecreams,forexample,andnot therangeofbeers,ginsandwhiskies.

“Theresanexcitingbunchof restaurantsout there,comingthroughinthingsliketheGood FoodGuideandMichelin –I thinkweare very blessed.”

Michelesayswhilethepandemicsetusback, Northern Irelandhasfrmlysetitselfupas a fooddestinationforvisitors.

“Adecadeagoyoudidn’t have restaurantslike OX,Muddler’s CluborEdo,forexample – we wonBestFoodDestinationon2018.

“Thepandemicsetusback a bit,butwe are movingforward againmore tourism

experiences. A lothashelpedwiththechanges inlegislation,especiallyaroundlicensing.”

Northern Irelandhospitalityisstillsuffering from a rangeofchallengeswhichhasseen manyspots,especiallyinBelfastcitycentre, openingjustfourdays a week.

“Restaurantsare doingtherightthingandnot losingmoney – openinganddoing a goodjob withthestaff theyhave,”Michelesays.

AndMichelewilltraveltoRomanianextmonth tohelpsellNorthern Irelandtothewiderworld, withaneventfocusingonthefuture offood anditssustainability

UlsterUniversityisco-hostingthefrst RegenerativeHospitalitySummit,whichwill takeplacein Transylvania,Romania,next month – with a bigfocusonsustainability

“It’s aboutgettingoutthere andnotbeing insularaboutfoodanddrinkhere,”shesays.

“Regenerationismuchmore important thansustainability… I feelsustainabilityand regenerationissomethingwhichNorthern Irelandisgoingtograspinnextfourtofve years.”

Intermsofherownday-to-day roleaschief executiveofFoodNI,shesaidit’s comeback strongfollowingthepandemic,working on a numberofcampaigns,includingthe ‘PowerofGood’,alongwithfuture ongoing developments.

AndtheBalmoralShow remains a keypart inFoodNI’s yearanditsopportunitytohelp showcaseourtopproduce.

Shesaidaround100companiesand80buyers willbeinvolvedwithFoodNIattheshowthis year

“We’vequitequicklyturned a corner – from thecost-of-livingcrisisand recession,inthelast month – weare nowseeing a lotofinterestin retailerslookingfornewproducts.Thatcomes inlinewiththetrendinsustainabilityaswellas innovation.”

WithNorthern Irelandhaving a hugeagrisector, withtraditionally a bigfocusonmeat anddairyproduction,thesustainabilityand

greencredentialsofareaslikebeefandlamb productionwillundoubtedlycometothefore.

“Beefispasture fed,”Michelesays.“…we don’t havemanybigintensivestore houses. Beefisgoingtoemergeas a relatively sustainable[foodproduct]asthere isn’t grain feeding.

“Ithinkweneedtheevidencetoshowthat. Theotherencouragingthingisthere hasbeen somuchdiversityinthesectorwithpeople addingvalue.”

ShesaysthatincludescompaniessuchasMash Direct,Gilfresh,Milgro and AvondaleFoods, whichmake a rangeofaddedvalueproducts usingtheirownproduce.

“Whenwesetoutwewere beefanddairy dominated,butthere area lotofnewsectors emerging – there is a lotofscopeinagritourism,”Michelesays.

Butshesaysthattransition“willbe challenging”.“Ithinkwewillbeinprime positionas a qualityproducerofbeef[on a globalscale].”

Asforthenextbigthinginagribusinessand hospitalityhere,Michelesaysitwillbeabout “positioningNorthern Irelandas a regenerative placeforfoodanddrink”.

Andontheshowcasewhichisthisyear’s BalmoralShow, CormacMcKervey, senior agriculture managerwithprincipalsponsor totheshow, UlsterBank,saidhe’s “looking forward toexhibitinginthenewsustainability villageandshowcasingourrangeofsupportin thisareatoanyvisitorswhoare interestedin transitioningtogreenerbusinesspractices”.

“Withsomuchonoffer, thefour-dayshow demonstratesjusthowsuccessfulourlocal agrifoodsectorisandwithvisitorscomingfrom allovertheworld,showcaseshowNorthern Irishfoodandfarmershaveearnedtheir reputationforexcellenceon a globalstage.

“Ofcoursetheshowisjustoneaspectofour supportfortheagrifoodindustrybutit’sa reallyimportantfourdayswhere weallputour bestfootforward andcelebratethewealthof innovationandtalentweare sofortunateto haveonourdoorsteps.” ■

MicheleShirlow

It’simportanttosupportourlocal suppliersnowmorethanever

HendersonGroup’s supportforlocal producerscanbetracedbacktothe organisations rootswhenitwas foundedin1897,andthatlegacycontinues todaythroughthecompany’s SPAR, EUROSPARand ViVObrandsanditsmore than500storesacrossNorthern Ireland.

NealKelly, categorydevelopmentdirector atHendersonGroupsaystheyhavealways prioritisedlocalwhenitcomestosourcing, withover75%ofitsfreshfoodsourcedonthe islandofIrelandthrough180suppliers.

“Itisimportanttosupportourlocalsuppliers nowmore thanever,”Nealsays.“We have beennurturingourlocalmarketofproducers fordecadesnow, helpingsmallercompanies intomarketandcreatingbrandnewproducts withfarmersandproducersacrosstheisland, includingTheKitchen,ourownbrandrangeof fresh,pre-preparedmealsforalloccasions.

“We havealwayssaidthere issimplyno reason tolookanyfurtherthanourownlandforthe highestquality, whichinturn,helpsthelocal economyasoursuppliersfacecontinuedhigh costsaroundfeedandfuel.

“Simultaneously, shoppersare continuingto battleagainst a costoflivingcrisis,soweare puttingeveryefforttopositionourlocally sourcedproduce,meat,poultry, sandwiches andpre-preparedmealsfrontandcentre within ourstores, reflectedinmanyindependentand company-ownedstore openingsandupgrades in2023,whileinvestinginourpricingfor2024.

“Ourfreshpropositionwillbebackedby investmentsinmarketingtohelpshoppersget themostoutofthehundredsofmealsand freshproductsavailablein-store throughour MealInspirationscampaign.”

HendersonRetailopeneditssecondinstore productionkitcheninEUROSPAR VictoriaRoad inCarrickferguslastyear, withexcitingplansto openthenextkitcheninthenewEUROSPAR Downpatrick,whichwillopeninApril.

“Ourin-store productionkitchensinHenderson Retailstoreshave a fullteamofchefscooking upthelikesoffreshchickencurry, beefstew, spaghettiBolognese – thosefamilyfavourites whichare madefreshdailyin-store,andare readytoheatandeatathome,”Nealsaid.

“Freshsalads,sidesandevenpastriesare cookedandbakeddaily, allusingthelocal producethatissourcedforourshoppers.It complementsouroutstandinghotfoodtogo offering,plusourrangeofsandwiches,wraps andsaladsinourDelishrange,whichisalso producedlocallybyAroundNooninNewry.”

HendersonGroupwillonceagainsupport Northern Ireland’s biggestagriculturalevent, theBalmoralShowwhenit returnstoBalmoral ParkinMay, withSPARNIas a platinum sponsorforthe13thyear Theon-siteteamwill putlocalproducersatthetopoftheagenda, showcasingown-brandsSPAREnjoyLocaland TheKitchen,createdincollaborationwiththeir localsupplierswithexclusive recipesthroughout

TheKitchencreatedbytheirin-housechef, CarlJohannesson.

SupplypartnersincludingDailyBake,K&G McAtamney, Davison’s PudsandBigPotare all usedwithintheranges,whichcanbesampled byvisitorsthroughoutthefourdays.

“Onceagain,wewillhave a hugepresence atBalmoralShowwhere wecannotonly engagewiththeagri-businessandfarming communities,butalsoconnectthemwithour shoppersandvisitorstotheShow,”Nealsaid.

Visitorscanexpectthe return oftheBigRed Stetsonsthatwillonceagainraisemoneyfor SPARNIandEUROSPARNIcharitypartners, MarieCurieandCancerFundforChildren, while a selfie-stationwillbesetupforvisitors toshare theirStetsonselfies.There willalso be a hostoffunactivitiesforthefamily, with W5andonceagain,theon-siteSPARstore will bepackedwitheverydayessentialsforboth exhibitorsandshow-goers. ■

CarlJohannesson,executivehead chef,HendersonKitchen

Coffeechain Traitopeningsouth Belfastcafeandcitybakery

ByJohnMulgrew

Aboutiquecoffeechainislaunching anewconceptcaféinsouth Belfastandcitycentrebakery–creatingupto26newjobsaspartofa £500,000investment,itcanbe revealed.

Traitcurrentlyhasthreelocations,includingon theLisburnRoad,CollegeSquareEastandits originalcaféinComber.

Itspecialisesina rotatingrangeofhomemade bakedgoods–includingclassicalmond croissants,sweetoptions,andpotato dauphinoiseandconftgarlicbake.

It’snowtakingontheformerMichael ChandlerEstateAgentsbuildingonOrmeau Road–transformingitintoanewcaféwith alargecentralbararea,which Traitsayswas inspiredbyotherspots,includingthosein Korea.It’shopedthenewcaféwillbeopen laterthisyear.

And Trait,whichisownedbyMarkMcAllister andMichaelO’Neill,willalsocreateanew, largebakeryatHighStreetinBelfastcitycentre aspartofthatnewcafélocation,attheformer JacksonSportsstore–whichwillbeopenand viewabletothepublicandcustomers.

“Thebakeryisonthelefthandsideasyou lookinfromHighStreet,andontherighthand sideyou’llbelookingintothebakery,”Michael O’Neillsaid.

“WelookedatanumberofbarsinKorea andAsia[forourOrmeauRoadcafé],”Mark McAllistertoldtheBelfast Telegraph.“We believeacentralbarisunique…wecanhave stoolsaroundthebar,allowingsomeoneto enjoyanespressoandalsohavethatability toseemoreV60andpourovercoffeebeing made.So,there’satransparencythere.

“It’sagreatlittlecommunity. YouhaveIndie

Fude,The VineyardandMemento…there’sa nicehubthere.

“We’vebeenlookingatthisareaforanumber ofyearsandI’mfromthereoriginally.So, there’sthesentimentalfeel.I’mahugefanof theOrmeauRoad–it’scontinuingtogrowas adestination,notjustforfood,butforaday out.

“Weareexcitedaboutbringingsomething differenttotheOrmeauRoad.Ourbiggest uniquenessiswebakeourownitemsin Combereverymorning.”

Marksays Trait’sstrengthandoneofitsmain sellingpointsisthatitproducesallofitsown high-qualitybakedgoods,fresheachday.

“Thebakesarebeingcreated,bakedandfresh from3.30am,”hesaid.“Wehaveabout14 itemsamonthalongwithveganandgluten free[options],savouryandsweet.

“Westartedin2017inComber.Thatwasour platformforbiggerandbetter…let’sgetthe buildingblocksstarted.

“Acrossthestores,theaestheticsarethe same–thefoundationsarelong-lasting. We havesycamorewoodfromCardy Timber,for example. We areinitforthelong-term.It’s abouthowyoufeel–wearetryingtocreatea niceambience.”

Andhesaysanotherkeyelementforthe businessishavinggreatstaffwhohelp createawarmandwelcomingexperiencefor customers.“Ourbiggestaspectispeople,and makingyoufeelgood,”Marksays. ■

Trait’scafeatCollegeSquareEastinBelfast

Manufacturersandretailsector seebiggestbusinessbump

NorthernIreland’smanufacturing sectorhasseenitsfastestgrowth inexpansioninalmosttwoyears amidanoverallmodestspikeinbusiness activityhere,afreshsurveyhassaid.

Manufacturersandtheservicessectorsawan upliftinoutputinFebruary,accordingtothe latestUlsterBankpurchasingmanagers’index (PMI).

However,theconstructionand retailsectors sawasmall retractionduringthemonth.

Andthe reportsayswhileneworders expandedattheirfastestpaceinalmostayear, therewasacontinueddeclineinexports–indicatingthepick-uphasbeenlargelydriven bydomesticbusiness.

Overall,NorthernIreland’sbusinessactivity growthsatjustbehindLondonandtheEast Midlands.

“NorthernIreland’sprivatesectorcontinued tobeneftfromincreaseddemandinFebruary. Businessactivityandnewordersboth expandedlastmonthattheirfastestpace inelevenmonths,”RichardRamsey,chief economistNorthernIreland,UlsterBank,said.

“However,thecontinueddeclineinexport

orders–10consecutivemonthsofcontraction –indicatesthatthepick-upindemandis largelydomesticallydriven.”

Onthejobsfrontfrmsheresawonlyasmall increasetostaffnglevels,the reportsaid.

“Resourceconstraintsand recruitment diffcultieswerecitedasfactorslimiting employmentgrowth,”MrRamseysaid.

“Servicesfrmspostedthesteepestrisein businessactivityinFebruaryandalongside manufacturing, recordeditsfastestrateof expansioninactivityintwenty-twomonths. Meanwhile retailsaleswerebroadlyfat,with constructionactivitydecliningmodestlyin February.Constructionwastheonlyoneofthe foursectorsnottoexperienceapick-upinnew orderslastmonth,extendingitsrunoffalling demandto32months.

“Infationarypressuresandsupplychain disruptionmadeanunwelcome returnin February’ssurvey.Risingwagesandhigher shippingcosts resultingfromtheRedSeacrisis helpedpropelinputcostinfationtoaninemonthhigh.

“Thiswasmostnotableamongst manufacturers.Manufacturersand retailers reportedamarkedlengtheninginsupplier

deliverytimes.Encouragingly,thisisnotthe casewithinconstruction.Indeed,construction frmscontinuedto reportashorteningintheir supplierdeliverytimesandinputcostswithin thebuildingindustryeasedtotheirlowestrate inforty-fourmonths”

MrRamseysaidthe returnofaStormont Executivehas“undoubtedlyboostedbusiness confdence,withNorthernIreland’sprivate sectoritsmostoptimisticaboutfutureactivity in33months”.

“Somesurvey respondentssaidthatan unblockingofpreviouslydelayedworkis helpingtobuildapipelineofnewactivity. Sentimentwasparticularlystrongamongst manufacturers,withoptimismaboutfuture outputata recordhigh.Eventhebeleaguered constructionindustryisnow relatively optimisticaboutoutputin12months’time.”

SebastianBurnside,RoyalBankofScotland chiefeconomist,said:“TheselatestPMI fguresbuildonthepositivestarttotheyear we reportedlastmonth,withbusinessactivity risinginthemajorityofnationsand regionsin February.Encouragingly,growthinmostcases isbeingsupportedbyincreasinglevelsofnew business,indicatingapick-upinunderlying demandandhintingthattheupturnashas legs. ■

NorthernIreland’smanufacturing sectorhasseenitsfastestgrowth inexpansioninalmosttwoyears

ThenewMercedes-BenzCLE Cabrioletisnowavailabletoorder, withpricesstartingfrom£52,995.

CombiningthedesignoftheCLECoupé withamulti-layerfabricsofttopthatcanbe raisedorloweredinaslittleas20seconds, thenewCLECabrioletcontinuesthetradition ofelegant,four-seatopen-topvehiclesfrom Mercedes-Benz.

InitiallythenewCLECabrioletisavailable inAMGLine,AMGLinePremium,AMG LinePremiumPlusandPremierEdition specifcations.Atlaunchtherangeof powertrainsincludesfour-cylinderandsixcylinderpetrolenginesandafour-cylinder diesel–allwithmild-hybridtechnology.

ThenewCLECabrioletisequippedwithan electricallyoperatedfabricacousticsofttop. Theinsulatedmulti-layerstructurecanbe raisedorloweredin20secondswhilethe vehicleistravellingatupto37mph.When lowered,apowereddividerautomatically separatesthefoldedsofttopfromthe remainingluggagespace.

Mercedesunveilsits newclassycabriolet

Theyear-roundusabilityoftheCLECabriolet isfurtherenhancedbytheAircapelectricwind defectorsystemandtheAirscarfheating system,bothfttedasstandard.Aircap consistsoftwoelements:thewinddefector abovethewindscreenextendsatthetouch ofabuttontodirectairfowoveroccupants’ heads,whiletheautomaticwinddefector behindthe rearhead restraints reduces turbulence.Airscarfcirculateswarmair aroundfrontseatoccupants’necks,keeping themwarmincoldorwindyconditions.

Beyondthesofttop,theCLECabriolet beneftsfromthesamecomfort,convenience andsafetytechnologiesastheCLECoupé. Forinstance,standardequipmentonall modelsincludesthelatestMBUXinfotainment systemwithafree-standing12.3-inchdigital instrumentclusterand11.9-inchdriverorientedcentraldisplay,inuser-friendly portraitformat.IntheCLECabriolet,the centraldisplaycanbetiltedelectricallyfrom 15to40degreestopreventglarewhenthe softtopislowered.

PremierEditionmodelsaddtheNightPackage –including20-inchAMGmulti-spokealloy wheelsinblack–aheatedsteeringwheeland Nappaleatherupholstery.

Therangeofpowertrainsavailableinthenew CLECabrioletincludesfour-cylinderpetrol, six-cylinderpetrolandfour-cylinderdiesel engines.Allenginesarepairedwiththelatestgenerationnine-speedautomatictransmission and48-voltmildhybridtechnology,witha second-generationintegratedstartergenerator (ISG)toprovideupto17kW/200Nmof supportinthelow-speedrange.

The2.0-litrefour-cylinderpetrolengineis availableintwooutputlevels:with204hp astheCLE200andwith258hpastheCLE 300.TheCLE450isequippedwitha3.0-litre straight-sixpetrolenginewith381hp,while theCLE220dispoweredbythe2.0-litrefourcylinderdieselenginewith197hp.

TheCLE300andCLE450areequippedwith variable4Maticall-wheeldrive. ■

IconicRenault5goeselectric

TheRenault5isback, reinventedto bringabitofsparkletotheworld ofcompactelectricvehicles.

TheoriginalRenault5soldover5.5million unitsacrossfivecontinentsfrom1972to1985. Itwasevenavailableinanelectricversionas farbackas1974.Itwasvisionarytotheend, markingthebeginningsofeco-designwitha roofmadefrombondednaturalfibres.

TheRenault5E-Techelectric,faithfultothe 2021conceptcar,harksbacktothepastyetit isalsotheepitomeofmodernity,fromitsallelectricAmpRsmallcarplatformthroughtoits agilehandlingandnewtechnology.

Thestandard18-inchwheelsareakeyfeature intheproportionsofthenew5E-Techelectric. The195/55R18tyrescomewithalloywheels acrosstherange.The‘Techno’wheelfeatures thesamedesignasthe2021showcar.

Thenew5willbeavailablewithtwolithiumionbatteries.Thebiggest,whichwillbethe onlyoneavailableatmarketlaunch,hasa capacityof52kWhandarangeofupto248

milesWLTP.Thesecondhasacapacityof40 kWhforarangeofupto186milesWLTP. BothuseNMC(nickelmanganesecobalt) technology.

Thesebatterymodulesaredesignedtoimprove energydensitywithoutincreasingsize.The 52kWhbatteryincludesfourlargemodules initscasing,comparedwiththe12smaller modulesfoundonMeganeE-Techelectricand Zoe.Thisdesignbringsweightsavingsof20kg comparedwithZoe.The40kWhbatteryhas threelargemodulesinthesamecasing.

Forimprovedperformanceinallconditions, thebatteryisequippedwithaliquidcooling systemto regulateitstemperature.Forgreater safety,thecoolingfluiddoesnotcirculate insidethecasingbutthroughtheextruded floor.Whenchargingthevehicle,charging timecanbeoptimisedbypre-conditioningthe batteryandplanningthejourneyusingGoogle Maps.

Theelectricmotorofthe5E-Techelectric usesRenault’spreferredtechnology:wound rotorsynchronousmotors.Asithasno

permanentmagnets,itusesnorareearths, thereby reducingitsenvironmentalimpact.The magnetsare replacedbycoppercoils,withthe wiresbeingorderedand routedinsuchaway astowithstandthecentrifugalforceofthe rotor.

Themotorisavailablewithtwopowerratings: 110kW(150hp/245Nm)or90kW(120hp /225Nm).The110kWmotorispairedwith the52kWhbattery,whilethe90kWmotoris pairedwiththe40kWhbattery.

Forthe110kWversion,Renault5E-Tech electricacceleratesfrom0to62mphinunder eightsecondsandfrom50to75mphinunder sevenseconds.

Withan11kWACchargingpoint,the52kWh batterywilltake4hrs30minutestocharge from10%to100%.The40kWhbatterywill takeanhourless.

TheRenault5E-Techelectricisplannedto arriveintheUKinquarterone2025,with specificationandpricestobeannouncedin duecourse. ■

Happyinthe V-Cross

ThenewIsuzuD-Maxhasbeen givena refreshwithsmartnew stylingandanupgradeinsafety equipment.

Thebrandisnowchasingawideraudienceof adventureseekers,outdoorenthusiasts,and thrill-seekers,expandingbeyonditstraditional segmentsofconstructionandfarming.

TheIsuzuD-Maxappealstoawidevariety ofdrivers,fromfleetoperatorstofamilies, andthemodelrangeisstructuredinto threesegments:Business,All-Purposeand Adventure.Thenewline-upoftruckssit withineachrangetosuiteverycustomer’s requirements.

Isuzuonlymakecommercialvehiclesandthey focusonmakingtheirpick-upstough,strong andbuilttogothedistance.

ThisdevelopmentinIsuzu’sbrandpositioning stemsfromtheirexperienceofthechanging consumerlandscapeandagrowingappetite forlifestyle-drivenvehicles.Thebrand’s decisiontoembracethelifestyleandadventure markethasbeenmetwithsuccess,especially withitssignaturemodel,theaward-winning

IsuzuD-Max V-Cross,fallingwithinthe Adventurerange.

Withitsblendofruggednessand refined features,ithasbecomeatopchoiceforthose seekingavehiclethatcomplementstheiractive andadventurouslifestyle. V-Crossispacked withallyouneedtoshakeofftheworking week.Thissubstantialpick-upfeaturegun metalexteriorstyling,leatherupholstery, heatedfrontseats,anine-inchmultifunction colourtouchscreen,and reversingcamera. Thepremiuminteriorispracticalandfuss-free: entertainmentisprovidedbyaCDplayerand eightspeakers,thereisanauto-dimming rearviewmirrorandautomaticheadlightlevelling, andthesmartleatherinterioriscomplemented with V-Crossbrandedcarpetmats.

Witha4x4powertrainanda reardifferential lock,itboastsexceptionaloff-roadcapabilities, providingcomfortonadailycommutewiththe abilitytotackleadventuresportsatweekends whilestillappealingtofarmersandbuilders.

Sincethebrand’spivottowardsthelifestyle andadventuremarket,Isuzuhaswitnessed a remarkablesurgeinD-Max V-Crosssales. Thebrand’scommitmenttoproducing reliable

anddurablevehicles,combinedwithafocus onenhancingthedrivingexperienceon-and off-road,hasstruckachordwithcustomers, leadingtoasignificantincreaseindemandfor theAdventurerange.

TheD-Maxoffersthesameworkhorse practicalitiesthatIsuzucustomershave becomeaccustomedto,withaone-tonne payloadandupto3.5tonnestowingcapacity.

ThewheelbaseoftheD-Maxis30mmlonger whichhasallowedforalargerandmore spaciouscabin.Rearseatoccupantshave morespacethanksto20mmmoreshoulder room,higherhippointsandmore reclined seatbacks.TheB-Pillarispositioned25mm furtherforwardwhichmeansthe reardoor aperturehasincreased,allowingforeasier access.

Equippedwithaturbodieselengine,the IsuzuD-Maxpick-upisleadingthecharge –delivering164PSand360Nmoftorque. Eachnewmodelcomeswith125,000mile/ five-yearwarrantyandfiveyearsUKand European roadsideassistance,withtowing capabilitiesof3.5tonnes,amaximumpayload of1,120kganda4x4drive. ■

Newcarsalesrise9%inNI

Newcar registrationsinNorthern Irelandclimbedalmost9%yearon-yearinJanuaryandFebruary,a reporthassaid.

AndtheKiaSportageisthemostpopularnew carsoldin2024sofar, with304drivenoff forecourts,accordingtotheSocietyofMotor Manufacturersand Traders(SMMT).

TheSMMTsaidthatinthe firstfewmonthsof 2024,there were 8,890newcars registered inNI,anincreaseof8.9%onthesameperiod lastyear

InFebruaryalonethere hadbeen3,691new cars registered,up6%onthesamemonthin 2023.

FollowingtheKiaSportageinpolepositionare theHyundai Tucsoninsecondplaceandthe Ford Pumainthird,with300and257sales respectively

Thethreemodelswere alsothemostpopular inFebruary, with136,119and102sold, respectively

ButgrowthinthenewcarmarketinNorthern IrelandisbeingdwarfedbytheUK’s more rapid expansion.

AcrosstheUK,newcar registrationshaveshot

up14.2%to reach84,695,markingthe strongestFebruaryintwodecades.

Andamongdevolvednations,Northern Ireland’s 6.1%growthinFebruarywas anaemiccomparedto15%growthin England,11%inScotlandand12.9%in Wales.

However, the region’s 8.9%newcar marketgrowthinJanuaryandFebruarywas surpassedby10.6%expansioninEngland and10.3%expansioninScotland.

ButNorthern Ireland’s JanuaryandFebruary growthwashealthierthan Wales,where the marketgrewby8.6%.

TheSMMTsaidFebruaryhadbeenthe19th consecutivemonthofgrowthinnewcar registrationsUK-wide.

However, itsaidtheexpansionhadbeen drivenby fleetsinvestinginthelatestvehicles, ratherthanbyprivateowners.Fleetand business registrationsaccountedforgrowth of25.2%and15.5% respectively

Incontrast,privateuptakecontinuedto struggle,with a 2.6%declinegivingthe market a 33.7%marketshare.

UK-wide,electrifiedvehicles recordedstrong

growth,withhybridelectricvehiclesalesup 12.1%.Plug-inhybrids recordedthelargest proportionalgrowthforthemonth,rising 29.1%to reach7.2%ofthemarket.

Batteryelectricvehicleuptakesimilarly outpacedthe restofthemarket,rising21.8% toaccountfor17.7%of registrations,an improvementonlastyear’s 16.5%.

AndtheSMMTsaidtheBudgetcouldhave giventheChancelloranopportunityto stimulatetheEVmarket“byhalving VAT on newEVsforthreeyears,amendingproposed VehicleExciseDuty(VED)changes,and reducing VAT onpubliccharginginlinewith homecharging”.

Itsaidthatwhileconsumersdonotpay VAT ontechnologiessuchasheatpumpsandsolar panels,privateEVbuyerspaythefull20% VAT onallcars.

TheSMMTsaidhalving VAT onnewEV purchaseswouldsavetheaveragebuyer around£4,000off thepurchaseprice.

MikeHawes,SMMTchiefexecutive,said: “Thenewcarmarket’s abilitytodeliver growthcontinueswithitsbestFebruary for20years,andthisweek’s Budgetis anopportunitytoensure thatgrowthis greener.” ■

AoifeMcCluskeyisnowclientaccounts administratorwithSpringCo.Shejoined SpringCoaftergraduatingandholds adegreefromUlsterUniversityanda foundationdegreeinhealthandsocialcare fromSouthEasternRegionalCollege.

Curtis Yorkisnowanestimationexecutive at TechnicalMetalsGroup.Hehas10years’ experienceinstockcontrol,procurement andbuying,studyingmediaand photographyatSouthEasternRegional College.

AngelShekissupplychainadministrator withSpringCo.Shehaseightyears’ experienceintheretailindustryand graduatedfromtheUniversityofCumbria withadegreeinretailmarketingand management.

PaulQuinnisnowgeneralmanagerat DunadryHotel&Gardens.Hejoinedthe McKeeverHotelGroupin2023andis responsiblefordirectingandoverseeing thedailyoperationsandrunningofthe hotel.

SianMcConnellhasjoinedBelfastlawfrm MillarMcCall Wylie.Shejoinsthefrm’s expandingemploymentlawteamasa specialistinthisarea.

GerminalhasappointedDavidLittleas agriculturalproductmanagerforIreland.It willseehimcarryouttheresponsibilities ofhisnewpositionalongsidehiscurrent NorthernIrelandsalesmanagerrole.

Baker TillyMooneyMoorehasappointed KarenCorryasseniorHRconsultant. Shebringsexperienceinstrategic andoperationalHR,organisational developmentanddesign,change management,andeffciencyreviews.

GaryMcCruddenisdeputygeneral manager,DunadryHotel&Gardens.He isresponsibleforsupportingthegeneral managerinday-to-dayoperationswithin thehotel.

LeeMcDermottjoinstheCalibro Workspaceteamassitemanager,having spentseveralyearsinthecommercialand residentialftoutsectorsacrosstheUKand Ireland.

1. AbbeyAutolinehas unveileditsnewpartnership with YoungEnterpriseas anImpactBusinessBacker. PicturedareGaryMcKinley, StPaul’sHighSchool,Julie Gibbons,AbbeyAutoline, CarolFitzsimonsMBE, Young Enterprisewithstudents fromStPaul’sHighSchool, Bessbrook.

2. FaceTherapyNIhasjoined forceswithCuraHealthtoprovide accesstoGPs.PicturedareGeri Duffy,DrSiobhánMcEntee,Dr ConorBradley,DrJohnDiamond andLisa Waring.

3. EdMcDonald,FoodStandards AgencyNIandAndyQuinn,head oftheNationalFoodCrimeUnit (NFCU)atthelaunchofFood CrimeConfdential,afreephone numberto reportfoodfraudin NorthernIreland.

4. HinchDistilleryhaslaunched itsnew15-Year-OldOloroso SherryCaskFinishedIrishwhiskey, introducedbyNorthernIreland actorJamesNesbitt.

5. Fit-outfrmCalibro Workspace hascompletedvariousfundraising activitiestoraisefundsforInspire Wellbeing,thecharityandsocial enterprisewhichaimstoenhance wellbeingacrossallaspectsof people’slives.

6. LiveHereLoveHere, NorthernIreland’speoplepoweredcampaigndedicated topromotingcivicprideand fosteringenvironmental stewardship,hasannounced the recipientsofits2024 Community Awards.

7. NicolaMarshallandher daughterFiadhpicturedgetting thekeystotheirnewhomein ApexHousingAssociation’sBlack Ridge Viewdevelopmentinwest Belfast.Theyarepicturedwith HarryDyerfromApexHousing Association(left).

8. Charlie’sBarEnniskillenhas raised£23,000tohelpAgeNIand theSouth WestAgePartnership (SWAP)intheirworktohelp combatloneliness.Picturedare RosalindCole,AgeNI,UnaBurns, Charlie’sBar,andAllisonForbes, SWAP.

9. TheCommunityFoundation forNIhashostedaneventto supportgrassrootswomenfrom localcommunitiestoamplifytheir voicearoundtheirhealthcare needs.PicturedareJuniorMinister PamCameronMLA,Roisin Wood, DawnShackels,andJunior MinisterAislingReillyMLA.

10. EconomyMinister ConorMurphy,Margaret Hearty,InterTradeIrelandand DeirdreO’NeillofHertility picturedopeningthe2024 InterTradeIreland VentureCapital Conferenceat TitanicBelfast.

11. Wovensaysitaimsto investmorethan£150minto newdevelopments,stock upgradesandenhanced housingservices.Pictured areJasonHardy,Peter O’Reilly,KatrinaSmyth,Paula Ewart,RuthMulholland, JudithMcNameeandDerek Johnston.

12. YellowDoorhasextended itshospitalitycontractatthe homeofUlsterRugbyuntilat leastJune2025.Picturedare AndrewDougan,SamNetherton, andClodaghMeylerof Yellow DoorwithUlsterRugby’sDavid Edwards.

13. GordonMcAtamneyfrom K&GMcAtamneyWholesale MeatsispicturedwithchefPierre Koffmann,thenamebehindthe Koffmann’srangeofpotatoesand friesbyTheFoodHeroes.

14. PicturedatthefrstFood TourismConnectionSummitat WatermanHouseinBelfastare councillorClíodhnaNicBhranair, DepartmentofAgriculture, EnvironmentandRuralAffairs MinisterAndrewMuirand MichelleShirlow,chiefexecutive ofFoodNI.

15. Around300delegateshave attendedtheNewryandDundalk Chambers’AnnualCross-Border Conference.PicturedareNeale RichmondTD,MinisterofState forBusiness,Employmentand Retail,EdwinaFlynn,Newry Chamber,UnaMcGoey,Dundalk Chamber,andEconomyMinister ConorMurphy.

16. MidandEastAntrim’sNet ZeroBusinessproject,aimed atsupportinglocalbusinesses indeliveringsustainable futureshasbeenoffcially launchedattheEcosHubin Ballymena.

17. NorthernIreland’sprivate andpublicsectorshavejoined togethertotargetinvestorsinthe RepublicofIrelandwiththeoffer ofuniquedualmarketaccess.

PicturedareJohn Walsh,Belfast CityCouncil,MarieHunt,ULI Ireland,andJoeO’Neill,Belfast Harbour.

18. Body TalkLiveisanew one-dayconferencebringing togethermedicalmindstodiscuss gynaecology,hearthealth,mental health,ftness,guthealthand muchmore.PicturedareDrCarla Devlinwithco-founderSarah Weir andeventhost,PamelaBallantine MBE.

19. HendersonGrouphas been recognisedwithaGold GroceryAidawardforitssupport forthecharitythroughout2023. PicturedareJenniferMaheffey, NatashaMcDonald,Maria JenningsandAshleighConner Brown.

20. TheBone Yard beergarden has reopenedfollowinga redesignwhichwillseethevenue partneringwithleadingfood operatorsOrto, Wingit,and HiBurger.

21.TheRenewableNI all-femaleevent Women InRenewableshastaken placetomarkInternational Women’sDay2024.Pictured areEimearO’Reilly,Everun, KateNichollMLA,Ruth Forbes,A&LGoodbody,Jane Fleming,andJudithRance, RenewableNI.

22. BelfastHarboursaysthefund forthisyear’sBelfastHarbour Community Awardshasbeen increasedto£100,000,an increaseof£20,000onthetotal fundlastyear.PicturedareZach Elwood,LaurnaBurnsandAmy Price,withJenniBarkley,Belfast Harbour.

23. Catalystand Techstart Venturesareteamingupto offerfveteamswhoparticipate inCatalyst’sCo-Founders programmethechancetowina £10,000proofofconceptgrant. PicturedareKathleenGarret, Techstart VenturesandPauline Timoney,Catalyst.

24. LorraineAcheson, Womenin Business,withBusiness Woman ofthe Year VickyDavies,chief executiveofDanskeBank,andIan Bailey,NorthernIrelandcountry leadwitheventsponsor Virgin MediaO2Business.

25. Ahostofinnovatorsand expertsfromacrossIreland haveconvenedattheinaugural InnovateIslandevent,whichwas heldatKilleavyCastleEstateand supportedbyInterTradeIreland.

26. ThefrstCyberFirst EmPowerGirlseventtobe heldinNorthernIreland, whichtakesplaceatthe NationalFootballStadiumat WindsorParkthismonth,is aimingtoencourageyoung girlstoconsideracareerin technology.

27. HelplinesNI,anetworkof telephoneandonlinesupport servicesfundedbythePublic HealthAgency,hashosted itseighthannualHelplines AwarenessDay.Picturedare RobbieButlerMLA,Clodagh CroweandClaireO’Prey.

28. YoungEnterprisehas announcedanewpartnership withMusgraveNI.Picturedare CarolFitzsimonsMBE,chief executiveof YoungEnterprise, TrevorMagill,managingdirector ofMusgravewithstudentsfrom BelfastBoys’ModelSchool.

29. LawrenceJackson(second left)fromChoiceHousing picturedwiththethree recipients oftheUlsterUniversityChoice Scholarship2024.

30. BelfastLordMayor, Ryan Murphy,welcomesSouthKorean ambassador Yeocheol Yoonto BelfastCityHallonhisfrstvisitto Belfastlastmonth.

31. NorthernIreland executiveministers, departmentalpolicyleads, academics,industryleaders andcommunitygroupshave cometogethermarkthe launchofEPICFuturesNI,a £4.8mpolicyactiongroupled byUlsterUniversity.

32. AIB’sSeamusMcGuckin, TanyaAnderson,JohnFaheyand RoisinKeenanarepicturedatthe MerchantHotel,Belfastaheadof thelatestinaseriesofeconomic briefngs.

33. WelcomingthenewGuide ‘EliminatingSexualHarassment fromthemodernworkplace’are ClareMoore,equalityoffcer, ICTU,EconomyMinisterConor Murphy,andClaire Webb, equality,diversityandinclusion manager,LabourRelations Agency.

34. AntrimandNewtownabbey BoroughCouncilhaswelcomed 250youngwomenfromschools tomarkInternational Women’s Day.PicturedareMayorofAntrim andNewtownabbey,MarkCooper withMarissaCallaghan,Northern Ireland Women’sFootballCaptain anddeputyMayorofAntrimand Newtownabbey,RosieKinnear.

35. Spar,Eurospar, Vivoand VivoxtrastoresinNorthernIreland arethankingshoppersfortheir generosityafterraisingmorethan £616,000fortheannual Tearfund appeal.PicturedareBronagh LukefromSparNIwithChris Thompson, Tearfund.

36. Puddleducks,aprominent Belfastcitycentredaynursery provider,hasclinchedthe topawardinitsfeldatthe FamiliesFirstSpringEarly Years Awardsheldin Titanic Belfast.

37. Anewfast-chargeIonitycar chargingstationhasopenedup attheKennedyCentreBelfastin westBelfast.PicturedisKennedy Centremanager,JohnJones,with thenewIonitychargingstation.

38. NISpaceissetto receive fundingfollowingan announcementatSpace-Comm Expo.PictureareJohnWhaley, RobertHill,NISpace,Rosie Cane,Space WalesandStuart Catchpole,SpaceEast.

39. CyberexpertAngokahas providedactiveprotection fortheoperationofthe SunderlandAdvancedMobility Shuttle(SAMS),markinga signifcantmilestoneinthecity’s journeytowardsself-driving transportation.

40. GateleyLegal(NI)says Warren Polly(secondfromleft)willbe representingtheInstituteof ProfessionalLegalStudiesBelfast (IPLS)attheStetsonInternational EnvironmentalMootCourt Competition.He’spicturedwith BenLowry,CaitrionaFitzpatrick andThomasStewart.

TagHeuer: new stunning vintage-inspired Carrera is a thing ofbeauty

TagHeuer’slatestiterationofits

‘Glassbox’Carreratakessomethingof alessismoreapproachwhenitcomes tofunctionality,butmakesupforitin manymorewaysandisoneofthemost stunningwatchesfromthebrand’sstable inrecentyears,writes JohnMulgrew

Sometimesovert style and jawdroppinglybeautiful designcan trumpfunctionality

Whilethechronographisinfactoneofthe watchworld’s more detailedandadvanced complications,somewouldarguemore so thanthosecommandingastronomicalprices, Tag Heuer’s latestiterationofits‘Glassbox’ vintage-styledrangefeelssomewhatlimitedin itsvarietyandadditionalfunctionality

The‘Dato’isthebrand’s latestspecialedition Carrera.Andit’s notonlyoneofthemost stunningandbalancedpiecestofnditsway ontomywristthisyear, butalso a lessoninthe powerofasymmetry

Thisisstill a 39mmchronograph,boastingthat superbbulbousdomedsapphire crystalwhich givesit a vintagefeelbutwithallthetechnical heftandprecisenessof Tag’s ownCalibre TH2007movementintheback.

Butwhere thisdiffersisinthelackofsubdials. Thesixandninehavetakenthedayoff, instead,there’s just a 30-minutedialatthe threeposition,with a datewindowsitting adjacent.

Itmeansthere’s norunningsecondshand,so you’re only reallygoingtoseethemovement runningwhenthechronographisengaged.

Andyet,itdoesn’t matter Notonlydoesitnot matter, butitkeepsthingscleanandperfectly simple.Forexample,thatdial,whichebbsand fowswiththelight,sometimescomingacross as a rich,metallictealandothertimes, a little bitmore forestgreen,isstunning.Andit’s that lackofbalanceinthesubdialswhichisarguably itsgreateststrengthfrom a visualperspective.

The39mmcasesizeand46mmlug-to-lug ensuresthisissomethingwhichwillworkon a varietyofwrists,whiletheblackleatherstrap brings a littlemore formalitytoit,alongside a

soliddeployantclasp.

Backtotheheadofthewatch,thewhite markingsandnumericalsoftheinnerbezel add a littledetailandsymmetrytoproceedings, withchunkyappliedsilvermarkersandhands keepingthepalateallaboutthatpunchy, almostviridian,dial.

There’sa signedcrownandopencasebackto showoff thatchronomovement,whilethe pushersarea combinationofpolishingand brushedcentres.

Thecaseitselfisanothermixture of a polished

FACTFILE

Model: TagHeuerCarrera

Chronograph‘Dato’

Movement: CalibreTH20-07

Casesize: 39mm

Material: Stainlesssteel

Price: £6,000

andbrushedstainlesssteel,cominginjustshy of14mmthick.

Wearingthisonthewristfor a week,the Datofeltlikeittrulyftintotheday-to-day, yet remainingextremelyspecial.Whileother, almostperfectwatches – intermsofthat balanceofsize,functionality, appearance andprice – sometimesbegintoblendinand takeuppositionatthebackofyourmind, thisconstantlycaughtmyeye,whetheritwas sittingatmydesk,atmeetingsordrivingtothe offce.

It’s alsoanotheronewhichgarnersattentionin

a seaofhabitual roundedsquare smartwatches, it’s hard toignore,andatleasttwoorthree peopleaskedmeaboutitduringmyfewdays wearingit.

The‘Glassbox’hashelped Tag Heueras a brand elevateitspropositionontheluxurySwiss stage.Whileitstilloffersthatmore affordable quartzofferingatthelowerendofthemarket, watcheslikethisarea reminderoftheheft ofthepedigreeof a brandwitharguablythe strongestassociationandhistorymotorsport, andmodern chronographtimepieces.

Pricewiseitcomesinwellabovemanyof

a considerablepieceof watchmaking.

It’s considerablylessthanitsRolexrival(ifyou cangetyourhandsonone)andisonpar withtheSpeedmaster, butwhiletheformer hasarguablythemostimpressivehistoricalCV ofanychronograph,it’s relativelyubiquitous inthewatchworld.

Thisissomethingtohelpyoustandoutfrom thecrowdandimpressboththewatchheads, andthenormalfolkamongus. ■

Tag Heuer’s core ranges – TheAquaracers, Formula1sandevenentry-levelCarreras – butthisis

Winchester’s greatness claimsare well founded

Thestunningcathedralcityof Winchesterboasts royalpedigree,literaryleaningsandatruly enthrallinghistory,writes IsabelConway

There’spoetryinmotionwalkingin thefootstepsofJohnKeats,toa cacophonyofbirdsonganddancing sunrayswhilefollowingtheRiverItchen throughwatermeadowsontheoutskirts ofthesmallcathedralcityofWinchester.

Thepoetwouldstrollthroughthesevery meadowseverydayforacoupleofmiles onthesamewalkwhile residingin“the pleasantesttownIwaseverin”,havingmoved to Winchesterto restorehishealthandhave accesstoagoodlibrary.

ItwasaftersuchawalkinSeptember1819 thathepennedhisode To Autumn,oneof themostoftenanthologisedpoemsinthe Englishlanguage.

ThiscountytownofHampshireonEngland’s southcoastoffersaperfectshortbreak thatcombinesurbanwithruralsightseeing. Literarygreatsassociatedwiththecityalso includeJaneAusten,whoisinterredinside WinchesterCathedralhavinglivedthelast sevenyearsofherlifeinthenearbyvillageof Chawton.

Visitorsconstantlystepbackandforthintime here,passingthebronzestatueofKingAlfred theGreat,standing17fthighattheentrance to Winchester,England’s¬Anglo-Saxoncapital whichissteepedinArthurianlegendand medievalhistory.

It’smyfirstintroductiontothisquintessential ‘OldEngland’thathasitall,beautifully restoredbow-frontedRegencyandElizabethan architecturetakingprideofplaceonalong pedestrianisedHighStreetthatwasoncethe Romans’seast-to-west routethroughthecity.

Oldmoneyandwell-heeledblow-ins,drawn todesirablegreenbeltcommuterland,lookas ifthey’vesteppedoutofaBarbourwaxedjacketsadvertisementintheirclassiccountry wear.Realestatewindowpricesareeye-

wateringlysteepforhistoricmanorhouses, largearchitect-designedvillasandonce modestfarmoutbuildingsconvertedtoluxury hideaways,allnestledin rollingcountrysideyet convenienttoLondon.

Latemorningqueueshaveformed¬outside artisanalbakerieswhilegroupsof‘ladieswho lunch’arealreadygatheringtobagaseaton theterracedgardenofHoteldu Vin&Bistro, housedinabuildingdatingbackto1715.

AsluckwouldhaveitIhaveafreerunofthe city’scharityshops,whereavintagebargain caneasilylurkaswellasarich¬harvestin hardly-worndesignerlabelsandlastseason’s highstreetfashion.

AfteralongwalkIarrivefamishedatthe

Georgian-erapub,WykehamArms,inthe centreof Winchester,tuckingintoaheartyale beefstewandmeatyWykePie.

Mytableisa repurposeddeskfrom Winchester College,England’soldestpublicschool(annual fees£50,000/€58,400)thatwasironically designatedforthepoorbackinthe14th century.Ithassinceeducatednumerous politiciansandleadersofindustry,including BritishprimeministerRishiSunak,overthe centuries.Isearch(invain)foranRSamong alltheinitialscarvedbystudentswholoved vandalisingtheirformerdesks.

Topofvisitors’sightseeinglististhe magnifcent WinchesterCathedral,which boaststhelongestmedievalnaveintheworld andbrimswithextraordinarystories.Numerous flmsandTVseries,includingthelateHilary Mantel’s WolfHallandTheCrownhavehad scenesshothere–itwasthesettinginthe latterforCharlesandDiana’sweddingand WinstonChurchill’sfuneral,addingmuchneeded revenuetoitsheftymaintenancebill thatcosts£15,000aday.

SimonApplegarth,asprightlysenior,isoneof thevolunteerguideswhohasus¬enthralled bythecathedral’sdramatichistory.Hetells howthe remainsofStSwithin,theninth centuryBishopof Winchester,weremoved againsthisdyingwishesfromtheirfnal restingplaceinasimpletombinthecathedral groundstoasplendidshrineinside.Itrained heavilyfor40daysafterwardswhichwasseen asasignofhisdispleasure.

Theterm‘stinkingrich’wasapparentlycoined hereduringtheBlackDeathwhentherewas abuild-upofcorpsesasonlythewealthyhad theprivilegeofburialwithinthecathedral.The stenchgotsobaditwasdecidedthey’dhave tojointhepoorandbelaidto restoutside.

DuringtheReformation,OliverCromwell’s soldiersstabledtheirhorsesinsidethe cathedralandsetaboutbeheadingstatuesand smashingeverystainedglasswindow.After theRoundheadswere-routedparticlesofthe mostspectacularwindowwere retrievedand itsbiblicalfguresandscenes reset.“Lookup,”

urgesSimon.“You’llseethebodyofStJames andthefeetofStJohn.I’mnotsurewhich apostle’sheadisthere.”

Thebuilding’smostvisitedpartisthegrave ofJaneAusten,whoisburiedtwo-feet underfootinthenaveandwhoseinscribed stonemadenomentionofherliterary achievements.OnlyfourmembersofAusten’s familywereallowedtoattendherfuneral“so nottodisruptthemorningserviceandthere wasnothingaboutherbeinga renowned writerbecauseitwasn’tconsideredproper thenforawomantoearnherownliving,” Simonsays.

Ittookafurther50yearsbeforeAustenwas honouredwithabrassplaqueandstained glasswindowabovethegravestone.

From WinchesterImakeapilgrimageto Chawton,apeacefulbackwaterlessthanhalf anhourbycarandtheonlyoneofAusten’s homesthatbothsurvivesandisopentothe public.Whilelivingherefrom1809to1817, Austenwrote, revisedandhadpublishedsix ofhernovels.

Thehouse,simplyfurnishedandkeptas originalaspossible,isfullofdelights:her writingdesk,afadedlockofherhair,and giftedjewellery.

Mosttouchingofallisthepatchworkquilt madeoftinysquaresfromolddresses, samplesandpiecesbeggedfromfriends. Alltheladiesofthehouseworkedonit.Its designisascarefullycontrivedastheplotsof Austen’snovels,theplacingofitscontrasting coloursandpatternsasminutelythoughtout asthesocialminuetsbetweenhercharacters, theintricatestitchingasexquisiteasher choiceofwordsandturnsofphrase.

IthinkAustenwouldhaveheartily¬approved ofthegiftshopalso,flledwithintelligent, ironicandusefulmemorabilia:aneedlework starterset,chinafeaturingalltheBennets, andadryingclothandaproncarryingfamous Austenquotessuchas:“Youknowhow interestingthepurchaseofasponge-cakeis tome.” ■

Winchesterisa perfectshortbreak whichcombines urbanwithrural sightseeing

From Walmart trials to anIPO: what’snext forIrishdrone firm Manna?

IrishdronedeliveryfrmMannahasambitiousplanstolandthe biggestprizesintheglobalmarket,writes Adrian Weckler

BobbyHealy’smantrawithManna, thedronedeliveryfrmhefounded inDublinsixyearsago,hasalways beento“gobigorgohome”.

That–aswellasaround€40mofventure funding–hasgottenthe55-year-oldDubliner toapointin2024wherehe’slaunchingthe company’sfrstlegitimatelycommercial,nontrial,serviceinBlanchardstown.

Therearenohuman‘spotters’needed anymoreduringthedronefights.Thereareno major regulatorysafetyharnessesleft.It’snow afedglingdeliverybusiness,hesays.

“Everywhereelsewe’veoperatedsofar,we’ve hadtheseobservers,”Bobbysays.“We’dsend acarchasingthedrone.Andwewouldhave someoneonthe roofwitheyesonthedrone.

“That’sallgonenow. We havea[higher grade]licence,sothedroneisfully autonomous. We canhaveanynumberof aircrafttooperators.”

Bytheendoftheyear,Bobbyexpectstobe coveringmostofDublin,rainornorain,and fortheoperationtobe“cashfowpositive”.

Butevenbeforethat,theBlanchardstown setupaloneisnowonapathtoachieving upto,andmaybemorethan1,000drone deliveriesaday–thanks,hesays,toahuge waitinglistandpartnershipswithover20local restaurantsandbusinesses.

“That,initself,wouldbebyfarthebiggest deploymentintheworldofdronedelivery,” hesays.

DespitehisplansforIreland,andwhathe describesasthecountry’samenable,proenterpriseclimateinwhichtodevelopadronedeliverybusiness,Bobby’ssightsare reallyset ontheUS.

HehassetupatrialinasuburbofDallas, deemedoneofthemostliberaliseddrone deliveryareasintheUS.

There,heexpectstodobetween400and500 deliveriesadaytobeginwith.

Butthat’snotall.Thecompanyiscurrently doingtestdeliverieswith Walmart,theUS retailgiant,whichhasalreadyannouncedthat itplanstodeliverto75%oftheentireDallas Fort Wortharea–apopulationzoneaboutone andahalftimesthesizeofIreland’s.

Walmarthasalreadypubliclyannounced Google’s Wing–whichhasspent$2bnonits dronedeliverydevelopment–andthebilliondollarfundedstartupZiplineasitsestablished deliverypartners.

“We’vegotourteamoverthereatthe momentdoingtestdeliverieswiththem,with Walmart,”Bobbysays.

Manna,heestimates,iscurrentlysecondin theUSbehind Wingintermsofapathwayto success.

Whatevertheaccuracyofthatcontention–bothZiplineandpossiblyAmazon’sPrimeAir mighttakeissuewithit–Bobby’spubliclystatedambitionforMannaisarguablythe loftiestanyIrishstart-uphasarticulatedin recentyears,ifever.He’snotjusttryingtobea

unicorn.Hewants,andexpects,tobeaglobal mega-giant.

“Wedon’twanttobeoneplayeramong500 differentdronecompaniesdoingdifferentuse cases,”hesays.“Wewanttobethebiggest thingtheworldhaseverseenwithdelivery. We wanttobeineverysinglesuburban householdontheplanet.”

Thatisdone,headds,throughgeneral deliveriesatscale.Sowhile Wingiscurrently testingmedicaldeliveriesinsouthDublin, whichmaybemoreproftableperfight,the realprizeisinbeingthemass-marketdelivery service.

“Thebiggestspacebyfar,atleastatrilliondollarmarket,istheonewe’reserving,” hesays.“Andthat’sdeliveryoffood…and perishables.

“DoorDash,UberEatsandtheothertopthree orfourcompanieslikethat,theydo5.2billion deliveriesayear,growingannuallyat15%. That’sthesizeofthecurrentindustry.Itwill soonbe10billion.That’sthe[industry]we want.”

IrelandandEuropearepavingthewayto buildthisintoapropermodel,hesays.Butit’s onlyintheUSwhereitcan reallycomeofage. Andthat’sbecauseit’sonlytheUSmarketthat willattractthekindofmega-fundingManna willultimatelyneedtobuildoutitscapacity.

“We’reprogressingintermsofhowfarwe areaheadofeveryoneelse,andtheEUhas gonefasterthanwethoughtitwould,”he says.

“Butintermsofcapitalisation,we’reway behind. We’veraised$45m,whichisatiny amountforthistypeofbusiness,Googlehas spent$2bnontheirprogramme.Amazon hasspent$3bn.Ziplinehaveraised$950m. Andhere’susinIreland,beatingthemall,but scrapingthebarrelwith$45m.That’sbadfor us.

“Weneedmorecapitalforabusinesslikethis, becauseit’sverycapitalintensive.”

Bobbyestimatesthatwhilethecompanystill hasplentyofmoney,it’sspendingabout$1ma month.

“Weshouldbespendingmaybe$2mamonth. We’reunderinvesting,”hesays.

“We’reinverygoodshape.ButIthinkvery soon,particularlyattheendofthisyear,we’llbe readytotakeonhundredsofmillionsofdollars andspenditwelland returnmoneyonit.”

Anotherwayofraisingmoney,whichBobbyis keenonatsomepoint,isthroughanIPO.

“Intermsofinvestmentsize,Mannawould neednotfaroffabilliondollars,justto rollout intheUKmarketalone–intermsofcapital investment,debt,allthatsortofstuffthatwe needtoputtogether.

That’sjustonemarket.“Soyouneedeither giganticfunds–inthetensofbillions–oryou needthestockmarket.Andthereagain,in ordertofoatthecompany,youneedcrossover fundsthatinvestatthisstage,pre-IPO,toget you readyforIPO.”

IsthisthewayheandMannaarethinking? “It’s100%thewaywe’rethinking.”hesays.

“Wewanttogetto$100m revenue,sowe canIPOthebusiness.Ihaveabsolutelyno interestinIPO-ingthebusiness–otherthan thatitunlocksunlimitedcapitalforthegrowth

thatwe’dneed.Becauseotherwise,it’sjusta painintheasstobeanIPO-edbusiness.

“Thisbusinessneedstobeapubliccompany assoonaswecan,inordertogetthecapital weneed.Nowthatwe’reafewstepsaway fromthat,butwehaveapathtothat.

“AndIthinkifwe’resuccessfulwiththis currentstage,whichI’mprettyconfdent of,thenwehaveonemoreriskstage.I’m hopingtheUSA regulatorypositionunlocks inthenextyearortwo.Andifitdoes,it’ll changeouropportunity–becausethen we’reaUScompany,andwehaveabigUS opportunity.”

AndyoumoveoutofIreland?No,hesays. “We’llalwaysbeheadquarteredhere,in Ireland.There’snodisadvantagetobeing here.Ithinkwehaveallthetalentweneed. Like,literally,there’snodisadvantageto beinghere.” ■

BobbyHealy

Uncoveringthe9-5

NAME: CarolineMacLaughlin

POSITION: Bankingpartner,TLTinBelfast

7.15am

ThealarmgoesoffandIspringintoaction gettingmytwoboys readyforschool.My eldestCameronis11andhisyoungerbrother isCharliewhoisnine.MyhusbandandItake itinturnstotakeourcockerspanielMurphy forhismorningwalkandgetabitofspaceto cleartheheadforthedayahead.

8.40am

OnthedaysIamgoingintotheoffceIwill dropthekidsoffatschoolandthenheadinto ourRiverHouseoffceinthecentreoftown, makingaslightde-tourtopickupacoffeeto setmeupforthedayahead.Igenerallygo intotheoffcetwotothreedaysaweek.

9.30am

Mydayscanbeveryvariedbutonatypical morningIgetthroughemails,makeclient callsandcatchupwithothersintheteam.At TLTweverymuchembracehybridworkingso oftentherearesomeoftheteamintheoffce andothersathome.Icheckinwiththemall toensureeveryoneisok.Ioftenoverseeand supervisetheworktheteamareinvolved in,ensuringthatcompletionsaregoing toplan.

12.30pm

Imakeaconsciousefforttogetoutfor somefreshairtoclearmyhead.Idoa quickwalkaroundtheblockandoften grabasandwichtoeatbackatthe offce.

1pm

We havea regularpartnermeetingwith theotherpartnersintheBelfastoffce dealingwiththefnancial,operational andHRsideofthebusiness andgenerallykeeping intouchwithwhatis goingonthroughout theteamswithin theBelfastoffce.

2.30pm

Ithenspendmostoftheafternoonon clientwork,whetherthatbedraftingfacility documentation,transactionstructuringor jumpingontoclient Teamsmeetings(with theoddinpersonmeetingthrowninpost pandemic).Ioftenneedto reviewcapability statementsandfeeproposalsforclients ortargets,workingalongsideourbusiness developmentteam.

5.30pm

EachdayisdifferentbutIaimtoleavethe offcebetween5.30pmand6pmallthings goingwell.OnthedaysI’mintheoffce theboysareoftenlookedafterbytheir

grandparents,soInip roundtotheirstopick themup.

6pm

MyhusbandandIthenjuggletheevening activitiessuchasrugbyandswimmingclub andthensqueezesometimeintohelpwith homework.

8pm

Fittingallofthatinmeansthatweofteneat quitelate.OnthedaysI’mworkingfrom home,wewilleattogetherasafamilyabit earlierintheeveningbutondaysIaminthe offce,theboyswilloftenhaveeatenwith theirgrandparents. We taketurnsonchef dutiestorustleupsomethingbeforetheboys’ bedtime,andsomepeaceforus.

9.30pm

AfterthepandemicTLTintroducedTLT World. Thismeanswehaveagenuineculturethat allowsustoembracefexiblehours,fexible location,andfexibleworkplace,sowe canworkatourbest.Thebenefttome isthatIcanbethereformychildren whentheyneedmeandworkftsin aroundthat.Itmeansthatnodayof theweekfollowsexactlythesame routineforme–Iseemoreofmy childrenforatleastanumberofdays duringtheweekbycuttingoutthe rushhourcommutesandsharing dinnertimestocatchupontheir day.ItalsomeansthatIamoften foundbackonlineintheevening pickinguponemailswhen neededandplanningforthe followingday. ■