NI Chamber and Pinsent Masons

NI Chamber: Government’s ability to move at speed key to success of future NI Energy Strategy

Patrick Anderson, Chair of the NI Chamber Infrastructure Committee and Chief Financial Officer at Translink.

The government’s ability to move at speed, particularly in making key strategic planning decisions, will be key to the success of Northern Ireland’s future Energy Strategy.

Responding to the Department for the Economy’s Energy Strategy consultation, which closed on 2 July, NI Chamber has also stressed the need for a dedicated budget for the Strategy and a strong pathway of actions, timelines and measurable achievements – commenting that a failure to do so will risk the Strategy’s chance of success and impact on Northern Ireland’s attractiveness as an inward investment location.

Patrick Anderson, Chair of the NI Chamber Infrastructure Committee, commented: “NI Chamber strongly endorses the draft Energy Strategy’s detail and ambition in driving forward the net zero agenda for the Northern Ireland economy and society. Everything that is set out in the Energy Strategy sends a clear signal locally, nationally and internationally about Northern Ireland’s commitment to achieving net zero through energy reform. This in our view can only enhance Northern Ireland’s attractiveness as an investment location and is something that will be increasingly demanded as part of that competitive environment to attract sustainable businesses and sectors.

“The planning process will be key to the successful delivery of this Strategy. Northern Ireland needs to accelerate what we are doing if we are to keep up with our peers nationally and internationally. There are projects in the system that can be ready for 2024/25 – projects which will support the 70% 2030 renewable electricity target – therefore the ability to move through key strategic planning decisions at speed, for all aspects of the Energy Strategy, including projects and grid infrastructure, is extremely important.

“There also needs to be consideration given to the budget allocated to deliver the Strategy. The fact that it will sit within the various stakeholder Departments makes it more difficult to focus funding to the areas of the strategy that need it most such as a transport transformation and to decarbonise to more indigenous renewables, keeping people better connected for a cleaner, greener future and a thriving competitive economy. A more effective mechanism for budget/resource exchange should be considered to ensure that funding is available quickly. We need to think beyond budget and policy cycles to make this Strategy work.

“Finally, we would like to see a much more explicit focus on the business economy in the final Strategy. This would set out more clearly the role of business in driving the vision and priorities of the Energy Strategy forward in terms of innovation, investment and skills and provide a better understanding of what Government will do to support the indigenous business community to maximise the opportunities presented.”

NI Chamber and Pinsent Masons announce new international partnership

NI Chamber has announced that Pinsent Masons is its newest International Champion.

This partnership will see the professional services firm support NI Chamber’s International Division over the next 12 months. Pinsent Masons joins current Champions Grant Thornton and Queen’s University Belfast. Together, they will help NI Chamber members to grow their international footprint with a mix professional expertise, technical advice and access to global business networks.

Welcoming the announcement, Tanya Anderson, Head of International and Business Support at NI Chamber said:

“Pinsent Masons has come on-board at a really critical time for anyone who trades internationally from Northern Ireland. Whilst we are continuing to provide importers and exporters with important practical support under new trading arrangements, our International Division is also helping businesses across all sectors to confidently think and grow globally.

“Encouragingly, businesses are looking at new markets and are making inroads in target markets such as the USA and Asia. NI Chamber is the lead private sector provider of export support and in partnership with our Champions, we are leveraging our combined international networks to introduce local firms to new markets, territories and customers.

“As a highly regarded professional services firm with a truly global reach, we are delighted that Pinsent Masons has come on-board and know that our members will benefit enormously from what they have to offer.”

Andrea McIlroy-Rose, Partner and Head of Office at Pinsent Masons Belfast, added:

“As a multinational professional services business we are delighted to become NI Chamber of Commerce’s International Champion. With 26 offices across the world, Pinsent Masons is able to bring a truly international outlook to businesses operating in Northern Ireland. We look forward to working with Chamber members and sharing our experience to help them grow their international footprint.”

For more information on the advice, technical training and events offered by NI Chamber’s International Division, visit the NI Chamber website.

Laura Gillespie (Partner, Pinsent Masons); Ann McGregor (Chief Executive, NI Chamber); Andrea McIlroy-Rose (Partner and Head of Office, Pinsent Masons); Tanya Anderson (Head of International and Business Support, NI Chamber) and Joanna Robinson (Partner, Pinsent Masons).

CREATING THE FUTURE WORKPLACE - HOW WILL THE OFFICE ADAPT?

Article written by Almanzo Peel

The pandemic has become a catalyst for change in how businesses operate. As disruptive as Covid-19 has been to businesses, it has also highlighted the benefits of a more flexible working environment and wellbeing in the workplace.

As your company plans to return to officebased working, now is a perfect opportunity to consider how those benefits can reshape your workplace.

OFFERING EMPLOYEES A CHOICE OF WORKING ENVIRONMENTS WILL IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY

People-focused workplace designers know that offering employees a choice of working environments will improve productivity.

Height-adjustable desks or a combination of traditional desks and standing-height worksurfaces that allow them to regularly change posture will improve blood circulation and oxygen absorption. In the standing position and with the chair moved out of the way, a height-adjustable desk can also create a convenient place for teams of two or three to collaborate.

Comfortable lounge seating in breakout areas encourage creative thinking and more open communication whilst providing an informal space to work away from the desk. This is also useful for field-based salespeople who spend little time in the office, but need somewhere to work when they do come in.

Booths help small teams to focus on project collaboration without distraction, and solo pods create the perfect environment for intense short-term projects, videoconferences, or webinars.

64% of employees believe their office environment enables them to work productively.

TEAMWORK IS THE SECRET TO ALL BUSINESS SUCCESS

Teamwork is the secret to all business success, so it’s important to create areas where your teams can meet easily and collaborate efficiently in the post pandemic workplace.

If a boardroom is used frequently, meetings may need to be scheduled ahead of time, and interrupted by another meeting if they overrun. A series of small booths that can accommodate groups of six to eight people is more spaceefficient, less formal and more accessible.

A whiteboard wall or interactive widescreen is excellent for daily team huddles, presentations, brainstorming sessions and other collaborative groups.

A small auditorium area with soft bench seating surrounded by standing room can keep presentations short or longer presentations comfortable, bond small gatherings and accommodate larger ones.

STAFF THRIVE WITH SOCIAL INTERACTION & SUPPORT

Humans are social beings and need social interaction to thrive. This has been highlighted during the lockdown period and is only increasing as we consider the return to the workplace where staff will want to catch-up and socialise with their colleagues in a supportive environment.

Breakout zones such as coffee points, canteens, dining and soft seating areas will let your people switch off, recharge and socialise during break and lunch times, and then return to their work revitalised.

65% of employees say socialising is what they miss most when they work remotely.

How can you plan the right office for your company? Book your workspace consultation with our team of space specialists today: +44(0)28 9442 5200 hello@calibroworkspace.com