Ulster Business October 2022

Next generationis key to industr y

It’s certainlybeen a periodto rememberoverthelastcoupleof weeks

ThepassingofQueenElizabethIIdominated theheadlinesforthemajorityofSeptember, alongwithKingCharlesIIIpaying a visitto Northern Irelandforthe firsttimeasking.

Itwas a momentousoccasionformany people,includingthosecompaniesand leaderswhohavemetthemonarch,or those firmsholdingRoyal Warrantsandthus haveanevendeeperassociation.

WelcometotheOctobereditionof Ulster Business Inthismagazinewespeakto MidandEastAntrimaboutwhatit’s doing toputitselfoutinfrontwhenitcomesto hydrogenandcleantech.

I’vealsotaken a closelookatthedemand forconstructionapprenticeshere andhow certainkeytradesinthesectorarefinding itverydifficulttogetthenextgeneration ontosites.

Thechallengesaroseduring a coupleof daysofjudgingforthisyear’s Construction Excellence Awards,runbytheConstruction EmployersFederation.

Itwashard nottobeimpressedbythe quality, confidenceand resilienceofthe youngworkersandapprenticeswhichwere shortlisted,coveringeverythingfromproject managementandengineering,tojoinery

Whatalsoaroseduringdiscussionswas aroundtheneedtogetmore ofouryoung peopleintolucrativetradeshere,from

post-GCSElevelorA-leveltoensure thatthe sectorhasenoughpeopleandthatschool leaversare abletosecurea strongcareer path,whetherthatinvolvesfurtheron-thejobacademicstudyorotherwise. You can readmuchmore aboutitelsewhere inthis edition.

TheOctobermagazineisalsopackedwith theusualplethoraofnews,interviews, profiles,analysisandfeatures,including a lookattheknifeedgemanyofour hospitality firmsare restingonduringwhat isundoubtablyoneofthemostchallenging periodsforthesector

Andwiththat,enjoythiseditionandwe’ll catchupsoon. ■

JohnMulgrew

A month innumbers NI retailsees slumpbut productionoutputup

£26m

TheturnoverHalliday’s ofBushmillsaims to reachoverthe nextfewyearsamid expansionplans.

30Thenumberofjobs beingcreatedbyAnn’s NursingCareinthe northwest.

£24m

Thevalueofa Innovationand CleantechCentre, whichisplannedfor Ballymenain2027.

2.4%

Thepercentagefall inoutputinNorthern Ireland’s retailsector duringthesecond quarterof2022.

NorthernIreland’s retailsectorhas sufferedaslumpwhileproduction herewitnessedabump,fresh offcialfguresshow.

Overall retailoutputfellby2.4%during ApriltoJune,andwasdown2.1%overthe year.

Meanwhile,GBoutputexperienceda decreaseof1.4%overthequarteranda decreaseof6.1%overtheyear.

NorthernIrelandoutput remains3.6% belowthepre-coronaviruspandemiclevelseen inquarterfour2019,whileGB retailoutputis now0.8%aboveitsquarterfour2019level.

NIservicesoutputis3.8%higherthanthe lowestpoint,duringquarterone2021,since theseriesbegan.

However,productionlevelsinNorthern Irelandsawanimprovementduringthesame period.

ThequarterlyincreaseinNIproduction outputof0.5%hasbeendrivenbyincreases intwoofthefourmainsectors,with manufacturing(0.6%)andwatersupply, sewerageandwastemanagement(0.5%).This waspartiallyoffsetbydecreasesinelectricity, gas,steamandairconditioningsupply(8.7%)

andminingandquarrying(3.2%).

Duringthesameperiod,NorthernIreland’s servicessectorsawasmalldecreaseof0.3%, butanincreaseof2.7%overtheyear.

Meanwhile,UKoutputexperienceda decreaseof0.4%overthequarterandan increaseof3%overtheyear.

NorthernIrelandserviceoutputisnow4.4% abovethepre-coronaviruspandemiclevelseen inquarterfour2019,whileUKserviceoutput is1.2%aboveitsquarterfour2019level.

Whenthemost recentfourquartersare comparedtothepreviousfourquarterstheNI servicessectorincreasedby7.4%whiletheUK servicessectorincreasedby6.9%.

The retailsectorhasalsomore recentlyfelt thebruntofyetanothermonthofprivate sectorslowdownacrossNorthernIreland, accordingtothelatestUlsterBankNorthern Irelandpurchasingmanagers’index(PMI)for August.

Businessesheresawaprotractedsummerof contraction,witheconomicoutput reducingin August–thefourthmonthina row.

Meanwhile,frms remainedpessimistic abouttheyearaheadoutlookandtherateof jobcreationsoftenedtoan18-monthlow.

Planning appeal decision times ‘double’

Decisionmakingtimesonplanning appealsherehavealmostdoubled sincestartofthepandemic, Ulster Business can reveal.

ThePlanningAppealsCommission(PAC) saysthat“thedeliveryofappealdecisionshas notbeentoalevelthatwilladdressbusiness volumes”.

The PACsaidit received315appealsduring 2021/22,upfromjust209duringtheheight ofthepandemicayearearlier.

Processingtimes rosefromamedian averageof27weeksin2019/20,risingto38a yearlaterandthen50during2021/22.

Accesstothe PAC’sappealsanddecisions hasalsobeendownsinceJuly.Anewversion wasduetogolivethissummerbutatthetime ofprinthadstillnotgonelive.

Itmeansaccesstoappealsanddecisions mustbedonethroughemail.The PACsays “responsetimesmayvarydependingon resourceandlevelofdemand”.

The PACsaysthatitis“planningto implement(it)laterthismonth(September) andfurtherupdateswillbeprovidedonthe websiteinadvanceofgolive”.

Italsosays“ourprioritywithinourappeal workstreamintheincomingyear,willbe tofocusonthequantumofcasesbefore addressingtimelinessissues”.

Readthefullpieceonpage26-27

New plan couldbanmost vehicles fromBelfast’s York Street

Anew sche me is bein g prop osed that woul d se e almost all ve hicles banne d from a major thoroughfare in the ce nt re of Be lfast.

The Department for Infrastruc ture (D fI )has launched a fresh consultationon the plans that would bar all vehicles except for buses, bic ycles and blue badge holder s– from the length of York Stre et, out side the new Ulster Univer sity campus

It would also remove mos t on -s treet parking in the area If it go es ahead, the scheme would be in place for an initial six months, althoughit could be made permanent.

A consultationon the plans was launched last month, and will run for thre e we ek s. It is likely the scheme would not be in place until the new year It is being billed as an ‘E xperiment al Traf fc Control Scheme’.

As time ticks down towards the op ening of the new Ulster Univer sity campus, concerns haverepeatedly been rais ed aboutthetraf fc situation out side it s front do or s. It is one of the busies t thoroughfares in the city, with several lanes that pedestrians ne ed to cros s safely

With tensof thousands of new students spilling into the area in the comingwe ek s,the impac t of such an infu x remains to bese en Roads ex pert Wesley Johns ton branded the plans “radical” and said he think s theyare inresponse to the aforementioned concerns

Quotes of the month

regarding road safety out side the new univer sity

“T here has beena lot offuss lately regarding whatis going to happ enout side the new campus, becaus e it is a very busy road and the area is not really designed to have thatmany people cros sing the roadback and forth at all hour s of the day,” he said “York Stre et may not be one of the major routes out of the city, but it is a route of the city thatis well -used. If this go es ahead it wouldprobably divert the traf fc towards the

likes ofFrederick Stre et and Dunbar Link.” It will not bewithoutit s problems, however, Mr Johns ton said

“M y main concern aboutthese plans is how on earth it is going to be enforced IsDf Ijust going to put up signs? In Northern Ireland we’re very good about putting up signs and all that, but not so much whenit comes to enforcement,” he said

“T here is no mention in the consultation do cuments of how exac tly it will work in that regard.”

“In realit y wewouldneed to seeanincreasein turnover in excess of 25%just to keep pace with costinfation.”

“Her devotion to dut y and commitment to the nation remainaninspiration and we extendour condolences to her familyat this time.”

“We are in the midst of a cost of living and cost of doing business emergenc y with rising energy costs the primar y driverbehind the squeeze.”

UlsterBank’sRichard Ramseyspeakingfollowing thepublicationofthelatest PMI report.

ColinNeillofHospitality Ulsterspeakingaboutwhat thesectorneedstodoto battlerisingcosts.

NickCoburnofUlster Carpetsspeakingfollowing thedeathofQueen ElizabethII.

‘Synergy needed’ across Executive to boostapprenticeships

ByJohnMulgrew

Theremustbesynergyacrossschools, educationandtheExecutiveto pavethewayformuch-needed apprenticesintheconstructionsector here,it’sbeenclaimed.

Theindustryasawholesaysmoremust bedonetoattractyoungpeoplefrom schooltowardseverythingfromtradesand engineeringtoprojectmanagement roles,as manyfrmsarefacingasevereshortageof talent.

“Weareatcapacity…wedon’thave room todoanymore,”saysChristopherRobinson, CentreforExcellencemanagerforworkbased learningatSouth WestCollege.

“Gettingaccesstothosestudentsis challengingandtheonlythingcanwork

issynergybetweenthetwogovernment departments(EducationandEconomy, thelatterdealingwithfurthereducation colleges)…therearetwocompetingagendas anExecutivelevel.”

AndMarkSpence,managingdirectorof theConstructionEmployersFederation(CEF), said:“Teachers,headteachersandparentsall infuencetheyoungpeopleanditisstrongly oursensethattheyarenotsuffcientlyaware ofthemodernandlucrativeopportunitiesour industrypresents.

“Asanindustrywemustdomore,butwe alsoneedtheExecutivetobefunctioningand workingtogethertowardsjoined-upstrategies forallsectors.

“Weneedajoined-upapproachinvolving thedepartmentsoftheEconomy,Education, CITB,alllocalcouncilsandindividualschools

andcollegestoensureaconsistenttraining experienceandclearlysignpostedcareer pathways.Onlyinsodoingcanwecompete headonwithdigital,fntechandagrifood sectorsandovercome resistancetoconsider theindustryasacareerpath.”

Readthefullarticleonpage55-58

The NI firms honoured with Queen’s sealofapproval

From Northern Irelandwinnersofthe

Queen’s AwardsforEnterprisetothe threefrmswhoholdRoyal Warrants, manybusinesseshere received a sealof approvalfromthelateQueenElizabethII.

Oneofourmostfamouscompanies,Ulster Carpets,whichisbasedinPortadown,has perhapsthegreatestnumberoflinkstoHer Majestyandsignifcantly, hersuccessoras monarch.

UlsterCarpets received a prestigiousRoyal Warrantearlierthisyearandmanufactured a specially-commissionedrugtomarkthe PlatinumJubilee.

Andsixyearsago,theformerDukeand DuchessofCornwall nowKingCharlesIII andtheQueenConsort visitedthepremises

inPortadown.TheQueen’s deathmeansthat thecompanieswiththeRoyal Warrantcanno longerusetheRoyalArmsinconnectionwith theirbusiness.

TheRoyal WarrantofAppointment demonstratesthat a companyhas a trading relationshipwiththe royalhouseholdandis alsofoundtomeetthehighestofstandards following a lengthyprocessofapplication.

Butthedeathof a monarchmeansthatthe frmshavetodiscontinuetheuseoftheRoyal Armswithintwoyears,andthen reapplyonce again.

TheEPOSBureauinIrvinestown,Co FermanaghandBotanicain Warrenpoint,which suppliesnaturalherbalproductsand remedies, alsoholdRoyal Warrants.

A spokeswomanforBotanicasaidithad beensupplyingtheRoyalhouseholdsfor

aroundeightyears.“BeingawardedtheRoyal Warrantwas a greathonourand a hugesealof approval.

“We workwiththeRoyal WarrantHolders Associationinallwedoand,yes,wewillbe reapplyingfortheRoyal Warrant.”

NigelBogle,themanagingdirectorofThe EPOSBureau,saidithadbeen a long,formal processbefore hisbusinesswasgranted a Royal Warrantin2012.

“Itinvolvedcarefulscrutinyofthequality ofourproduct,serviceandenvironmental credentials.Itquicklybecameclearthat attaining a Royal Warrantwouldnotbeaneasy process.”

Thecompanymakessoftware forfoodand gardencentre retailers.Itssystemisusedby thefarmshopontheDukeandDuchessof Devonshire’s ChatsworthEstate.

ByMargaretCanning

Encirc namedNI Responsible Company of the Year

CoFermanaghglassmakinggiant EncirchasbeencrownedNorthern IrelandResponsibleCompanyof the Year.

Thefrm,whichhasamajorbaseinDerrylin aswellasoperationselsewhereinttheUK, wasawardedthetitleatthe2022Responsible Business AwardsinNorthernIreland.

Theaccoladeisoneof10awardswhich formpartofBusinessintheCommunity’s annual recognitioneventthat recognises and rewardsfrmsinNorthernIrelandthat areembracingthejourneytobuildbetter workforces,createasustainableeconomyand healthycommunities.

Thewinnerswereannouncedatagala celebrationeventatICCBelfastlastmonth.

Encirccameoutontopfollowinga robust three-stagejudgingprocess.Apanelof independentjudgesfeltEncircwasmost deservingofthisprestigioustopawardfor demonstratingaclearcommitmenttodoing business responsiblyforitspeople,theplanet, andtheplaceswhereitoperates–andfor

demonstratingleadershipbyinspiringothersto dothesame.

“Theawardsbringthegreatworkof NorthernIreland’s responsiblebusinessesinto thespotlightandcelebrateinspirationaland impactfulorganisationsgoingbeyondproftto makeNIabetterplacetoworkandlive,”Chris Conway,chairofBusinessintheCommunity NorthernIrelandandgroupchiefexecutiveof Translink,said.

“Thegalaeventisalwaysinspirational andgivesgueststheopportunitytolearn aboutwhatothersaredoingacrossarange of responsiblebusinessthemes.Everything fromhealthandwellbeingtoenvironment, volunteering,inspiringandengagingyoung people,andmore.

“Congratulationstothe10companieswho wenthomewithan Awardonthenight–a commendableachievement.”

Entertainmentonthenightincludedan openingperformancefromPeterCorry Productionsandanimpressiveaerialshow fromIrishcircusperformancecompanyFidget

Feet,bothonthethemeofcommunity, connectionandkindness.

The2022winnersare:

•NIResponsibleCompanyofthe Year, sponsoredbyHenryBrothers– Encirc

•DiversityandInclusion Award,sponsoredby

UlsterUniversity– NorthernIreland Water

•EducationPartnership Award,sponsoredby Allen&Overy– ABP

•ClimateAction Award,sponsoredbyHeron Bros– Translink

•FairChanceforAll Award,sponsoredby BelfastHarbour– NorthernIreland Water

•Investingin YourCommunity Award, sponsoredbyArthurCox– Henderson Group/SPAR

•ResponsibleDigitalInnovation Award, sponsoredbyAllstateNI– HeronBrothers

•One-to-Watch Award– FoyleFoodGroup

•ResponsibleProduct/Service Award, sponsoredby Translink– Wrightbus

• Wellbeingat Work Award,sponsoredby LarnePort– HeronBrothers

IanHenry,HenryBrothers,JamesCurrieand PaulMcKenna,EncircwithKieranHarding, BusinessintheCommunityNorthernIreland

Quietquittingnottheanswer fordissatisfedworkers

ByJohnMoore,managingdirector,HaysNI

AquicklookbackatthecolumnsI’vewrittenfor Ulster Business overthepastcoupleofyearswouldleaveyouin nodoubtthattheworldofworkhaschangedconsiderably becauseofthepandemic.

Workplaceculture haschanged,whatemployeeswanthaschanged andthemethodsemployersare usingtoattractand retainstaff in a competitivejobsmarkethavealsochanged.

Aftertheinitialshocksthatcamewiththeenforcedadjustmentto workingin a pandemic,someofthechangestohowandwhere we workhaveactually resultedinpositiveprogress forexampleinhow majoremployersnowthinkaboutfexibleworking,worklifebalanceand employeewellbeing.

Butonenewtrendthatpoppeduponmyradar a fewweeksagois a bitmore worrying –a practisethat’s beentaggedas“quietquitting”. Originatingfrom TikTokandquicklybecoming a hottopiconsocialmedia, quietquittingisn’t aboutwalkingoutonyourjobwithouttellinganyone, it’s aboutdoingonlywhatisinyourjobdescription,andnomore.

Itwasdescribedinonenewsstoryas“nomore goingtheextramile toimpressyourboss”andnotworkingextrahours, replyingtoemails outsideofworkortakingontasksthataren’t reallypartofyourjob.

Thepeopleoptingtotakethisapproachseemtobedoingsobecause they’vegrowntiredofnotgettingthe recognitionorfnancial reward for puttinginextrahoursandseeitas a wayofprotestingagainstthelonghoursculture thatstillpervadesinmanysectors.

Older readersmayscoff andsaylonghoursisallpartofgettingahead, especiallyifyou’re atthestartofyourcareer Butpost-pandemic,it’s no surprisetohearthesesentiments.

Hays’What Workers WantSurveyandAnnualSalarySurveyhave increasinglyfoundthatemployeesnotonlyvaluegoodcompetitive salarypackagesandcareeradvancementopportunities,butnowactively avoidemployerswhodon’t genuinelyprioritisethework-lifebalanceand mentalhealthoftheirstaff,don’t have a positiveculture orlack a clearly defnedpurpose.

Whatis a bitstrangetomeisthat a movementwiththeadmirablegoal of reducingburnoutseemstobeencouragingpeopletostillshowupfor workinorganisationstheyare clearlyunhappyworkingfor The reasons peoplecanfeeldis-satisfedwiththeirworkplacecanbewide-ranging: pay, benefts,hours, responsibility, careertrajectory, trainingprovision,lack ofpurpose,workingenvironment,culture,failingsindiversityandequality it’sa longlist.

Butifemployeescan’t resolvetheissuesthatmakethemunhappywith theiremployer, our researchshowsthatthevastmajorityofpeoplesimply choosetomoveon,particularlyincompetitivesectorswhere certainskills are inhighdemand.

Inoursummersnapshotsurvey62%ofNIemployeessurveyedsaid theyhadhadaninterviewfor a jobintheprevioussixmonths(overhalf promptedbydesire for a highersalary)and57%ofthemwere successful andtookthejob.Ofthosesurveyed,53%ofprofessionalsplannedto movejobsinthenextyear

Interestingly, while57%ofthosesurveyeddescribedtheircareer prospectsasgood,thatnumberwaslower(45%)amongthosewhohad beenwiththeiremployerfor10-15years.

It’s crucialthatemployerstakeactive responsibilityinensuringthey retain staff byempoweringtheirworkforce,offeringskillsdevelopmentand investingintalent.Andthere’s more acceptancenowthat“workisnot yourlife” whichwasthestartpointforthe TikTokkerwholaunchedthe “quietquitting”conversation.

ButI’mnotsure thatshowingupforworkbutonlybeingpreparedtostay strictlywithintheboundariesofyourjob requirementsisgoodforanyone.

Ifyou’re considering“quietquitting”,frstarrange a careerdiscussion withyourmanager, explore yourcareeropportunitieswithinyour employerandevaluateyourpersonalaspirations,yourprofessional developmentoptionsandifthetimelinetoachievethemis realistic.

Ifafterthisyoustillaren’t satisfed,speakto a recruitmentspecialist.There are plentyofopportunitiesoutthere.

Fromfamilybusinessto foodfirm withglobalreach

TheHMHomegrown Top50 campaignshowcasestheleading employerswithinourSME sectorwhowerefoundedandarestill headquarteredinNorthernIreland.

MashDirectwasfoundedby Tracyand MartinHamiltonin2004andhasgrownfrom supplyingitsproductstotwoindependent localstores,tonowprovidingtheirproducts toover9,500storesacrosstheUK,Ireland andinternationally.

Employing240people,thecompanyhasa turnoverof£24mfromtheirsinglesitein Comber,CoDown,usingtheirhigh-quality rawmaterials,suchasthecomberspudto createinnovativeproductsintheirfactory. JackHamiltonwasspeakingaboutthefirm’s ambitiousgrowthplansandthechallengesof expandingafactoryduringaglobalpandemic

Discussingsomeverypresentbusiness issuesonthe UlsterBusiness Podcast,Jack, alongsideDarrenMcDowell,seniorpartnerat HarbinsonMulhollandtalkaboutthecostof doingbusiness,theimpactoftheNIProtocol ontheirbusinessandwhat’snextforMash Direct,forthesecondinourHomegrown chats.

“It’snosurprisethatthebiggestcosttousas presentisenergy,”hesaid.“Thegovernment interventioniswelcomebutattheminute, wedon’tyetknowwhatthatlookslikeand weneedtokeepfoodpricesattheirmost manageable.

“We’vehadagoodharvestthisyearthanks tosomegoodweatherwhichhelpsuscontrol ourprices–butthere’sonlyacertainprice thatpeoplearewillingtogouptowhenit comestofood.”

Darren,whoadvisesSMEsacrossNI, reflected onhisfirm’sexperienceswithclientsoverthe past12monthsandsaid:“Althoughweare facingyetanotheronceinalifetimeexperience withthemovementofenergyprices,we continuebealerttothepowerofourSME communityandtheadvantagetheyaregiven

FleetFinancialdrivesoffwith prestigiousUK-wideindustryaccolade

FleetFinancial,partofLookersplc, hasdrivenoffwithaprestigious UK-wideaccoladeafterbeingnamed 2022UKLeasingOperatorofthe Yearby industryexperts.

Thelocalcontracthire,leasingandvehicle managementcompany,basedinMallusk outsideBelfast,pickeduptheprizeatthe 2022AM Awardsafterthesuccessful roll-out ofthebusiness’innovative‘eMotive’and‘Your Preference’productofferings.

Withelectricandhybridvehiclesaccounting forover65%oftheFleetFinancial’svehicle orders,thecompanylauncheditseMotive

productin2020tosupportSMEsand corporatecustomerssuccessfullytransitionto electricandhybridvehicles.

ItseMotiveproducthelpsbusinessesnavigate someofthekeyconsiderationsofmakingthe switchtoelectricorhybrid,includingfnancial incentives,mileage,charging,vehiclechoice andcosts.

Thelaunchofadedicated‘YourPreference’ personalleasingwebsiteinSeptember2021 hashelpedthebusiness’personalleasing divisiongrowbyover70%withthesite accountingforover25%ofitspersonal contracthireorders.

‘YourPreference’allowsnon-business customerstousePersonalContactHireto acquireanewcarbyselectingtheirmake, model,mileage,andmonthlybudget.

FleetFinancialemploys25full-timestaffat itsBelfastheadquartersandmanagesalmost 4,000vehiclesfor1,300clientsacrossGreat Britain,NorthernIrelandandtheRepublicof Ireland.

DamianHughes,managingdirectoratFleet Financial,said:“FleetFinancialisdelightedto be recognisedastheUK’sLeasingOperatorof

the Yearbyindustryexperts.

“Iwouldliketothankourteamfortheir hardwork,dedication,andcommitmentto delivering‘ExtraComesasStandard’toour loyalandever-expandingcustomerbase.

“Weareoperatinginachallengingand competitiveenvironment,andto receivethis national recognition refectsthestrength andgrowthofourbrandandtheinnovative productsthatweoffer.

“Wearedeterminedtobuildonthissuccess byutilisingthesupportofLookersplcandits nationwidedealergroupaswecontinueto deliveramixofexcellentcustomerservice, technologyandinnovativeproductsdesigned tosupportcustomersfromSMEstocorporates andpersonalcustomer.

“Andwithlocalexpertiseacrossallmakes andmodelsofcarsandvans,andoureverexpandingelectricvehicleandhybridoffering, wearedeterminedtosustainour reputationas aleadingvehicleleasingcompanyacrossGreat Britain,NorthernIrelandandtheRepublicof Ireland.”

FormoreinformationonFleetFinancialvisit www.feetfnancial.co.uk

Retailbearsbruntofcontinued businesscontractioninNI

ByJohnMulgrew

The retailsectorborethebruntof anothermonthofprivatesector slowdownacrossNorthernIreland, anew reporthasshown.

Businessesheresawaprotractedsummerof contraction,witheconomicoutput reducingin August–thefourthmonthina row.

That’saccordingtothelatestUlsterBank NorthernIrelandpurchasingmanagers’index (PMI).

Meanwhile,frms remainedpessimisticabout theyearaheadoutlookandtherateofjob creationsoftenedtoan18-monthlow.

However,manufacturersherebuckedthetrend –postingasmallrise.

The reportsaysa“stronginfationary environmentledtoafurtherdecline inneworders,thefourthinas manymonths”.

“Concernsaboutthe ongoingimpactof infationondemand meantthatcompanies remainedpessimistic regardingtheyear-ahead outlookforactivity.”

RichardRamsey,chiefeconomistNorthern Ireland,UlsterBank,said:“NorthernIreland’s privatesectorcontractioncontinuedlast monthwithoutput/salesandneworders fallingforthefourthmonthrunning.While thepaceofdeclineinordersandoutputeased relativetoJuly,therateofcontractionwasstill marked.NorthernIrelandwasoneofnineof the12UK regionsto reportfallingbusiness activity.

“Onceagain, retailersarebearingthebrunt

ofthedownturn,postingthesteepestfalls indemandasthecost-of-livingcrisis continuestoimpactonconsumers. Retailisalsotheonlysectornot toincreasestaffnglevelslast month.Ontheotherhand, manufacturingbuckedthewider trendastheonlysector experiencingarise inbusinessactivity, postingamarginal increaseinoutputin August.

“Infationarypressurescontinue tobecitedasakeyfactorcurbing demand.However,therateofinput priceinfationeasedtoitsweakest ratesinceAprillastyear.Butitisworthnoting thatthepriceincreasesthatarenowbeing experiencedarestillstrongerthananything reportedpriortoMay2021.

“Positiveswerethinonthegroundinthe

latest report.Althoughemploymentgrowth continued,itwastheweakestpacein18 monthsandmanyfrmscontinuedtostruggle tofndsuitablecandidatestofllvacancies. Theonesilverliningwiththedownturnin demandisthatithaseasedthepressures onoverstretchedsupplychains.However, thiswon’tbemuchconsolationto mostcompanieswhofacean increasinglyhostileeconomic environmentandoutlook.

“Weareinthemidstofa costoflivingandcostof doingbusinessemergency withrisingenergycosts theprimarydriverbehindthe squeezeondisposableincomesand proftability.TheUKgovernmentannounced arangeofmeasurestomitigateagainstthe worsteffectsofthesurgeinenergycostsand wewaittoseeandhearhowsimilarmeasures willbeappliedtoNorthernIreland.Theclock isticking.”

MidandEastAntrim is continuingtopioneerthe developmentofthecleantech sectorthroughinitiativessuch astheHydrogen Training Academy,tonotonlyfocuson cleanersourcesofenergy,but alsoensureapipelineofjob creationforNorthernIreland’s growinggreeneconomy

Fuelling the hydrogen and cleantech revolution

Acleantechandmodernhydrogen revolutionishappening–and it’shappeninginMidandEast Antrim.

Thecouncilandbusinessesinthewider boroughareundertakingaseriesof ambitiousandforward-thinkinginitiatives andinvestmenttoleadthewayinNorthern Ireland,andthroughouttheUK.

MayorofMidandEastAntrim,alderman

Noel Williams,said:“MidandEastAntrimis uniquelyplacedwithinNorthernIrelandin termsofthekeystrengthsandassetsweboast inenergyandcleantechthatalignwiththe ambitionofnetzeroby2050.”

Atthecentreofthiscleantechfocusis hydrogeninnovation,trainingandsupport –somethingwhichMidandEastAntrim BoroughCouncilhasdedicated resourcesto overthelastfewyearsthroughahostofmajor developmentsandpioneeringinitiatives.

Thisincludesthenew£23.5m,7,000sqm i4CInnovationandCleantechCentre,which isplannedforBallymenain2027,aspartof theBelfastRegionCityDeal.

Housedwithintheproposedi4CInnovation andCleantechCentrewillbeaniLAB workshop,designedtoprovideaflexible combinationof‘makerspace’,ICTAR/ VRsuite,meetingandcollaborationareas togetherwithdemonstrationandtraining spacewithaprimaryfocusonsupportfor

thecleantechnologysector. MidandEastAntrimboastsasuccessful, firstofitskindintheUKHydrogen Training Academy,(pictured),developedwithapublicprivateinvestmentofalmost£700,000from theUKGovernment’sCommunityRenewal Fund,theDepartmentforCommunities’ Covid-RevitalisationFundandEPUK Investments,deliveredinconjunctionwithkey academicpartnersincludingtheUniversityof Birmingham,BelfastMetropolitanCollege, NorthernRegionalCollege,Queen’sUniversity BelfastandUlsterUniversity.

MidandEastAntrimBoroughCouncilhas alsobeensuccessfulwithajointbidtotheNI ComplementaryFund,tocreateaNIHydrogen AcceleratorandBallymenaGreenHydrogen Hub.

Thejointprojectinvolvingcouncil,Queen’s UniversityBelfastandindustrypartnerscould leverupto£20minvestmentinsupporting thehydrogeneconomy.Aspartofthis projectcouncilanditslocalindustrypartners willfocusondevelopingaseriesofpractical hydrogeneconomytest-bedsinheating, transportationandskillstraining.Theaimis togivelocalfirmsaheadstartinthe rollout ofthehydrogeneconomyandinthelonger termprovideNIplcwithsolutionsaroundnet zeroandenergysecurity.

SmithsPrecisionEngineeringLtd,a Ballymena-basedengineeringSME specialisinginthesupplyofhigh-quality machinedcomponentsandakeymemberof council’sManufacturing TaskForceisthelead companyona recentlyestablishedCleantech CollaborativeGrowthNetworkwhichhas

receivedalmost£40,000fundingfromInvest NItoappointafacilitatortosupportcompanies inthissector.

Thenewcleantechnetworkgroupingwhich includesacollaborationbetweenanumberof SMEsandlargercompaniesacrosstheBorough isfocusedonmeetingthechallengesthat companieswillfaceinthetransitiontonet zerocarbonandonexploringandexploiting thesignificantopportunitiesthatwillarisefrom thistransition.

Councilhasstronglinkswith Wrightbus, basedinBallymenawhichisattheforefront ofhydrogenfuelcellandelectricpowered vehicles.“IbelieveMidandEastAntrimis fastbecomingthehydrogenhubinNorthern Ireland,”ButaAtwal,outgoingchiefexecutive of Wrightbus,said.

“Throughtheinvestmentbeingundertakenby council,alongwithourpioneeringworkand technology,thisjointgreengrowthapproachis puttingtheareafirmlyonthemap.

“Withthesuccessof Wrightbusindeveloping zeroemissionproducts,especiallyinthe fieldofhydrogen,weneededsupportwith thetraininganddevelopmentofthenext generationofpeople.

“Therearen’tanybuscompanieswhichhave deliveredmorehydrogenbusesthanusand therearen’tmanycouncils(acrosstheUK) whichhavedevelopedaninfrastructurelike thistosupportit.”

MidandEastAntrimBoroughCouncil’snew i4CInnovationandCleantechCentrewillserve asahubforeconomicgrowthandforthe developmentofawidersmartandsustainable ‘InnovationDistrict’forthearea.

MrAtwalsaid:“It reallyhelpsbusiness developmentwiththesetypesofcompetency focuscentresaswecanshowsupplychainand customersthefullsupportpackageonoffer.”

TheMayorsaid:“Investmentssuchasthe i4CInnovationandCleantechCentreandthe Hydrogen TrainingAcademywillmaximisethe opportunitiesassociatedwithhydrogenas anemergingsustainableenergysolutionand willcontinuetobuildupontheborough’s

ButaAtwal,Wrightbus chiefexecutiveand Mayoralderman NoelWilliamsat theHydrogen TrainingAcademyat SilverwoodBusiness ParkinBallymena

reputationasacentreofexcellenceandafocal pointoftheemergingNorthernIrelandwide hydrogeneconomy.”

Meanwhile,theoryandpractical-basedtraining attheH2GasSafeLabatSilverwoodBusiness Park,BallymenahasbeendeliveredtoGasSafe registeredtrainersfromBelfastMetropolitan CollegeandNorthernRegionalCollege,with dozensofparticipantsalreadygainingaccess tohydrogentraining,includingaLevel5 Trainthe TrainerinHydrogenProduction.The H2FuelCellSkillsLabatNorthernRegional College,Ballymenahasalsosupportedthe practicaldeliveryofLevel5andLevel3courses aspartofthePilotHydrogen TrainingAcademy project.

“Hydrogenforbusesseemedliketherightfit forusandIbelieveitwillbethetechnologyof thefuturefortransportbuthavingtheskills tosupporthydrogenisequallyimportant,that knowledgeisvital,”MrAtwalsaid.

TheHydrogen TrainingAcademy:Fuelling FutureH2Skillsevent recentlytookplaceatthe EcosHubinBallymena–thiseventprovided astrongopportunityforkeystakeholders withinthecleantechnology,energyand hydrogeneconomiestolearnmoreaboutthe PilotHydrogen TrainingAcademyandthetwo practicaltraininglabsdevelopedaspartofthe projectwhicharesupportinghydrogenskills trainingtobenefitlocalbusinessesandthe greeneconomy.

Aspartoftheevent,MrAtwal,sharedan engagingkeynoteaddress‘Drivingagreener future’whichoutlinedhowembracing hydrogentechnologyhastransformed Wrightbustoaglobalbusinesscontender, whileapanelofindustryexpertssharedtheir knowledgeandexperiencesofthewider greeneconomyhereinNorthernIreland,the importanceofhydrogenskillsandtheleading innovationbeingundertakeninthisarea.

But,it’snotjustBallymenainwhichmajor plansareunderwayforsignificantenergyrelateddevelopmentsandschemes.

Theboroughisalsohometotheproposed developmentofKilrootEnergyPark,which

aimstoprovideanarrayoflowercarbonand renewableenergytechnologiestobedeployed onthesite,withatotalexpectedoutput capacityofover700MW.

“Considerableinvestmentisbeingmade toestablishtheKilrootEnergyPark,while the‘Power-to-XProject’inBallylumfordwill convertpowerfromwindturbinestogreen energy,harnessinglongerdurationenergy storageandultimatelycreatingafull-cycle hydrogeneconomyfromproduction,storage anddistributiontousage,”BoroughGrowth chair,councillorRobinStewart,said.

Aschallengescontinuetoariseacrossthe widerenergysector,MidandEastAntrimis cementingitspositionasahubforSMEactivity withinthecleantechandgreentechindustries.

Thereisa recognitionoftheneedtonotonly supportthecleantechsectorbutalsoinvest indevelopingemergingskillswithinitiatives suchastheHydrogen TrainingAcademy whichwillplayafundamental roleintraining andupskillingexistingemployeesaswellas creatingnewtraineesforthefuture.Midand EastAntrim remainsfirmlyfocusedonclean energyinnovationandadvancementswith afirmeyeonthefuturetoensurethewider ambitiontoachievenetzerocarbontargetsis met.

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Formoreinformationoncleantechandother investmentopportunitiesinMidandEastAntrim visitinvestmideastantrim.comoremailinvest@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk

‘We’restill relatively small… but we’reon anupwards trajectory’

PhilipO’Meara,regionaldirectorwithtelecomsfrm eirevo,speaksto JohnMulgrew aboutitsnextbig moveintheNorthernIrelandtelecomsmarket,growing itsheadcounttomorethan50andwhyhe’spositive aboutthebusinesslandscapehere

Whileit’sstilla relativeminnowin theNorthernIrelandtelecoms market,eirevo’sexpansionhere hasbeenrapidoverthelasthandfulof months.

Thefrmisanewly-brandedbusiness,formerly eirBusinessNorthernIreland,andpartofthe widerIreland-wideeirgroup–acompany whichemploysaround3,500people.

Thecompanysaysithasalreadyinvestedmore than£10minthelast18monthsbuildingits network,whichcompletedconstructionearlier thisyear.

“Itstartedoutaseir,buildingafbrering acrossNorthernIreland,”PhilipO’Meara, regionaldirector,says.“Thatwas15-20 yearsagoandinthattimethefrmbuiltupa reputablebusinessworkingwithgovernment andalargebusinesscustomerbase.”

Thecompany rebrandedtoeirevolastyear followingitsmergerwithEvros Technology Grouptoformapartnershipofferingend-to-

endsolutionsacrosstelecomsandITservices.

“Thepipelinehasgrownfour-foldsinceour launch(earlierthisyear).Thenextstepis investinginournewoffcespace. We wantto extendandgrowandhavesignedanewlease.

“Iwantourworkingenvironmenttobegood, withanareasetasidefromthecustomer experience.”

Eirevonowhasmorethan50staffbasedhere inBelfast,buthasplansforthatnumber,and its reach,togrow.

“Sincelastyearbetweeninternalappointments (wehavecreated)about20jobsandareonan upwardstrajectory. We are relativelysmallin thespacebutthekeyisallthecustomershave beenverypraiseworthyofwhatwedo.

“Thismergerhasbeenafantasticopportunity foramoveintothecloud,”Philipsays.“You areabletoovereverythingasaone-stop-shop.

“Intermsofwherewearetodaywehadhuge

successwithourlaunchinAprilandhave receivedalotofinterestfromcustomers.The feedbackhasbeenphenomenal.”

Philipsays,despitewhat’sgoingonatamacro level,he remainspositiveaboutthefutureof theNorthernIrelandbusinesslandscapehere.

“I’mveryoptimisticforNorthernIreland,” hesays.“Thereareopportunities–thetech sectors–aswegrowinthefuture.”

Ofcourse,majorchallengesandconcerns

remain.NorthernIreland,likethe restofthe UKandmuchofEurope,isfacingahugecost oflivingcrisisamiddouble-digitinfationand recordenergyprices.

“Thelevelofinfationisabigconcernand affectingsomeinvestmentdecisions…butwe haveagreatopportunity.PlacessuchasMid Ulster–there’smedtech,greenandenergy businesses,forminghubs.“

AndonBrexitandtheNIProtocolandits impactonbusiness,Philipsays:“Idon’thave

afrmviewonthat.Businessesareworking throughwhat’sthereandmakingthebestof what(they)have.”

Eirevoboatsanextensivepartnershipnetwork ofglobally recognisedtechnologybrands, achievingpremiumpartnerstatuswith Microsoft,Cisco,HPE,Dell,Citrix,PaloAlto andFortinet.

“BusinessesacrossNorthernIrelandare facingunprecedentedpressuretoinnovateby embracingdynamictechnologiesinorderto

drivegrowth,productivityandvalue,”Philip says.

“Goingdigitalisnolongerachoice,itisa necessityandtechnologyisessentialtodrive growth.eirevohasaportfolioofservices whichleveragesthelatestinnovations acrosscloud,cybersecurity,networking, infrastructure,connectivityandmore. With anexpandednewteaminNorthernIreland, eirevoisperfectlyplacedtoservebusinesses whichquiterightlydemandthebestadvice andpartnershiptodeliverontheirgoals.”

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Martin Wells,eirevo managingdirector, PhilipO’Meara,eir evoregionaldirector forNorthernIreland andeirchiefexecutive OliverLoomes

Apersonaljourneytoa healthtechstart-up

MichelleConnor hasdevelopedanewappcalledKinvawhichaimstobring healthprofessionalsandpatientstogetherinone,globaltechnologyplatform. Shespeaksaboutthepersonalroadtostartingabusinessandthehelpfrom SheGenerate,fundedby UlsterBank,alongtheway

MichelleConnor’s journeyfrom workinginhealthcare policyhere todeveloping a newappaimed atbringingprofessionalsandpatients togethercameaboutfrom a verypersonal journey

She’s thefounderofKinva –a newsecure platformallowingalliedhealthcare and otherprofessionalstoconnectdirectlywith theirclientsandpatients,providingthem withbespoke,tailored,outcomes-focused therapeuticplans.

“Thestorybehindtheplatformwasourown personalexperience,”shesays.“Mydaughter isnotwellandhas a rare geneticsyndrome. We hadtofndexpertstoworkwithinsomany countries.

“Withthechallengeshealthservicesfacein differentcountries,there are massivewaiting lists,staff shortages, requirementsto reduce theircarbonfootprintandface-to-faceclinics. Kinvaisanall-encompassingplatformto connectpeoplewiththeirpatients,digitally, andcreate a bespoke,tailoredandfocused therapy.”

Thesoftware platformconnectstherapists andcoacheswithclientsandpatientsacross theglobe.“It’s aboutmakingtherapymore effective,”Michellesays.

Michelle’s entrepreneurialjourneystartedwith herbackgroundas a formeradvisertothe HealthMinister

“Idealtwithhealthcare strategy…whenthis happenedwithmydaughter,I leftmyjobto become a full-timetherapistforher,”Michelle says.“Iendedupworkingwithexpertsinthe USandthatthenbecame a full-timejobfor threeyears.

“We knew a digitalsystemlikeKinvawould havebeensouseful.There wasnothingwe foundthatpulledinlotsofprofessionalstoone place.It’s aboutconnectingtheprofessionals

outthere withthepeoplewhoare desperately lookingforcare andsupport.It’s aboutcreating a communityaroundit.”

Michellesaysthatcommunityelementis a key strandofwhattheappandtechnologyistrying toachieve.

“Itcanbeveryisolating.Having a community aroundyouandfeelingsuffcientlysupportedis a bigaspectofwhatwedoaswell.

MichelleConnor

Supportingourunderrepresentedentrepreneurs

ByJohnFerris,regionaleco-systemmanager,UlsterBank

Recentlyweannouncedanumberofexcitingnew partnershipswithlocalorganisationsonamissionto championdiverseentrepreneurship.

ArtsEkta,EnterpriseNorthernIreland,and AwakenHubhaveeach beenawardedgrantsthroughUlsterBank’sEnterpriseFundtosupport projectsaimedatinvestinginunder-representedentrepreneurs.

ThishasbeenanareaoffocusforsometimenowatUlsterBankanda challengewearetacklingheadonthroughourday-to-dayworkatthe bank’sfullyfundedAcceleratorprogramme.Partofourpurposeisto encourageentrepreneurship,butwearealsocommittedtoincreasing representationforwomen,ethnicfounders,andthoseentrepreneurs withadisability.So,it’swelcometohavenewpartnersonboardwho canelevatetheworkwearealreadydoingandintroducenewideasand enthusiasmtohelpusleveltheplayingfeld.

ThislatestgroupoforganisationsbringsthetotalfundingUlster Bankhasprovidedinthepastfouryearsto£220,000across12social enterprises,charities,andeducationalestablishments.Intheprevious threeyearsthoseorganisationshavesupported1,605peoplewith97 newjobscreatedandanadditional84businessesstarted.

Eachoftheorganisationswillputthismoneytowardsdelivering programmesfornewandpotentialentrepreneurswhohaveambitions

tostartabusiness.Theideaisthatourpartnerscanputinplacea tailoredpackageofsupporttomeettheindividualbusinessowners’ needs.Theyunderstandthechallengesandbarriersthesegroupsmay faceandcanthereforeofferhelptobreaksomeofthesedownand createanecosystemofentrepreneurshipwherebusinessownersare givenspacetothrive, regardlessoftheirbackground.

ThishasbeenthedriverbehindtheEnterpriseFund,whichcameonthe backoftheRoseReportintofemaleentrepreneurshipin2019andthe recentCREME TimetoChange reportonethnicminorityfounders.

ThelatestSpringboardtoRecoveryReportpublishedbyNatWest highlightedthatincreasingtheparticipationofethnicminoritiesinthe workplacewould resultinanadditional£20bnfortheUKeconomy andthatmoresupportforwomencouldhelpcreateafurther260,000 female-ledbusinesses. Withsomuchatstake,inactionissimplynotan option.

Sowhatcanweexpectfromourpartnersthroughoutthecourseof theyear?Artsorganisation,ArtsEkta,hasputtogetheranentrepreneur developmentprogrammedesignedtocreateinclusionfordiverseethnic minorityentrepreneursrightatthebeginningoftheirbusinessjourney. Theaimistohelpfulfltheskillsgapwhichwill,inturn,seeanincrease indiversecommunitystartupsandgrowthforpre-existingbusinesses.

EnterpriseNorthernIrelandisfocusingoncreatingmoreengagement withwomentobuildtheirawarenessoftheopportunitiespresented byself-employmentandstrengthentheircapabilitiesandconfdence tostartorgrowtheirownbusiness.Andfollowingthesuccessofan initialpilotprogramme, AwakenHubisdeliveringSheGen2.0toanother cohortofentrepreneursfromacrosstheislandofIrelandandequipping themwiththeknowledge,communityandmentorshipneededtoget theirbusinessofftheground.

UlsterBankwillprovidesupporttoeachofthegroupsthroughoutthe yearandweareexcitedtowatchthesedynamicprojectsdevelopand createpositivechangewhereitisneededmost.Keepaneyeonour websiteandsocialmediachannelstolearnmoreabouttheimpactof thisworkandifyouareanentrepreneurseekingtogroworscaleyour business,youcanalsoapplytojoinournextAcceleratorProgramme.

“We are atMVP(minimumviableproduct) stageandthenweare piloting.Peopleare currentlyusingitinfourdifferentcountries.

“Oncethepilotisfnishedweare looking forfundingandinvestment. We are having conversationsforsomeVCsandare movingto getinvestor ready.”

MichellesaysKinvaisbootstrappedandalso received a grantfromInnovateUKinorderto

helpgetittowhere itistoday

It’s also received a boostthankstoits involvementwiththeSheGenerateprogramme, whichisfundedbyUlsterBank.

UlsterBankhasonceagainpartneredwith AwakenHubtodelivertheseconditerationof itspopularSheGenerateprogramme.

“Itgave a muchmore professionaloutlook

tothings…itgotmebusinessfocused. You needthatcommercialelementaswell.It’sa signifcantchallengeforfemalefoundersto raiseinvestmentinNorthern Ireland.

“To realisethatthere are otherwomenout there onthisislandon a similarjourney other womenwhoare furtherintheirjourneyandare alreadyrunningsuccessfultechfrms.It’s nice tohavethatconnectionwiththemandhave thoseconversations.” ■

BU

Planningappeals decisiontimes doublesincestartof Covid-19pandemic

JohnMulgrew

ThePlanningAppealsCommission(PAC)says

ofthepandemicayearearlier.

decided–downfrom183ayearearlierand 277during2019/20.

Processingtimes rosefromamedianaverage of27weeksin2019/20,risingto38ayear laterandthen50during2021/22,according

Accesstothe PAC’sappealsanddecisionshas alsobeendownsinceJuly.Anewversionwas duetogolivethissummerbutatthetimeof printhadstillnotgonelive.

Itmeansaccesstoappealsanddecisions mustbedonethroughemail.The PACsays “responsetimesmayvarydependingon resourceandlevelofdemand”.

The PACsaidit

The PACsaysthatitis“planningtoimplement

laterthismonth(September)andfurther updateswillbeprovidedonthewebsitein advanceofgolive”.

AndfromthestartofCovidthetimetakento dealwithenforcement-relatedappealsnowsits at58weeks.

“TheimpactofourinitialCovid response measuretosuspendthesubmissionof evidencebetweenMarchandJune2020has affecteddeliverytimesbyaminimumof16 weeks,”the PACsaidinits report.

“Alternativemeasureshavebeenintroduced toensurethatsuchdelaysdonotoccurin thefuture.Thiscombinedwiththe resources availableduetocompetingprioritiesand traininghave resultedinincreaseddecision

makingtimelines.”

The PACsays“ourprioritywithinourappeal workstreamintheincomingyear,willbe tofocusonthequantumofcasesbefore addressingtimelinessissues”.

Accordingtothelatest report,annualtotal salariesamongcommissioners roseto£1.546m in2021/22–upfrom£1.335min2020/21. Meanwhile,overallcosts roseto£2.293m,up from£1.94mayearearlier.

“Itisacknowledgedthatthedeliveryof appealdecisionshasnotbeentoalevelthat willaddressbusinessvolumes,” PACchief commissioner,AndreaKells,saidintheannual report.

“Thisisduetoacombinationoffactors namely,thecontinuedimpactofthe suspensionofsubmissionofevidenceat thestartofthepandemic,hearingsbeing delayedduetoappellantspreferencefor physicalhearingswhich recommencedJune 2021,diversionof resourcestoassistonthe ITproject,timingofappointmentstothe commissionandasignifcantamountofthe commissionercohort remainingintraining meaningthatthe PACWAC(ThePlanning and WaterAppealsCommissions)hasbeen operatingat reducedcapacity.

“Despitethepoorfgures referredto…we havecontinuedtoprovideasuccessfulLocal DevelopmentPlanprogrammewiththefrst IndependentExamination reportprovidedto theDepartmentforInfrastructureinSeptember 2021.

“TherearecurrentlyfourfurtherIndependent Examinationsinhand. PACWACalsosawan increaseinthenumberof reportsdeliveredin ourhearand reportworkstream.”

The PACsays“thenext12monthswillsee theonsetofmanynewchallengesincluding theimplementationofelectronicworking, thedevelopmentofanewoperatingmodel, addressingthebacklogofappealcasesand referredwork… PACWACwillasalways endeavourtodelivertothebestofourability inlinewiththe resourceswehaveavailable.”

Aspokesmantold UlsterBusiness:“Weare completingfnaltestinginpreparationforthe launchofthenewcasemanagementsystem andcustomerportal. We arenowplanning toimplementlaterthismonthandfurther updateswillbeprovidedonthewebsitein advanceofgolive.

“Appealscanstillbesubmittedviaemailto info@pacni.gov.ukduringthisperiodorby hardcopyviapost.

“…theonlineappealsearchfunctionisalso temporarilyunavailableuntilthenewITsystem goeslive.Enquiriesaboutpastdecisionscan bemadebysendinganemailtoinfo@pacni. gov.ukbutpleasenotethat responsetimes mayvarydependingon resourceandlevelof demand.” ■

Businessesarefacingaperfectstorm ofcostincreasesincludingenergy, NationalInsurance,infationand Covid recovery,aswellasfallingconsumer confdence.

Withmanyconsumerspayingmoreforenergy, mortgagesandloan repaymentstheyareleft withevenlessdisposableincome.

Thisishavingaclearimpactonspendingwith local retailerswhichunderlinestheneedto helpstrugglinghouseholdsinthecurrentcost oflivingcrisis.

Whileitisnosilverbullet,itisdisgracefulnot tohaveafunctioningExecutiveinplaceduring thisescalatingcrisis.

Makenomistake,thisisaboutsavingjobsand businessesoverthecomingmonths. We need immediateactionandleadershipfromour politicalparties.

Thesix-monthcaponenergycostsfor businessesannouncedonlastmonthisa positivefrststepinprovidingsupportforour membersanditiswelcomethatthenewPrime MinisterLiz Trusshasgivenacommitmentthat thiswillequallyapplytoNorthernIreland.

However,Governmentneedstogomuch furthertoprovideadditionalsupporttosmall businessesstrugglingwiththisenergycrisis.

Thisshouldincludebusinessrates relief, VAT reductionsandthe reversaloftheNational Insurancehike.

RetailNIand14othertradegroupsand chambersofcommercehaspublishedan 18-pointplanfortheUKGovernmentandNI Executivetoaddressthecostofdoingbusiness crisis.

Governmentmustalso recognisethatthecost ofdoingbusinesscrisisisplacingjobsand businessesatriskaswellasaddingtothehigh infationrate.

Itisvitalthatgovernmenthelpprotectthejobs andbusinessesthatmakeuptheinfrastructure

Helpisnow needed with the costof doing business

We arenolongerjustexperiencingacostof livingcrisisbutalsoacostofdoingbusiness crisis,whichthreatensjobsandbusinesses acrosseverysectorofoureconomy,writes GlynRoberts,chiefexecutiveofRetailNI

oftheNorthernIrelandeconomyand recognise theimportant roletheyplayinsupporting workingfamiliesduringthiscrisisanditsvital roleinthe recoveryprocess.

Togetherthe15groupssupportingthisplan representtensofthousandsofbusinessesin NorthernIreland’seconomy.Theycontribute billionsofpoundstothelocaleconomyand sustainhundredsofthousandsofjobsacross everylocalvillage,townandcity.

Ourjointproposalsinclude:

reversaloftheNational Insurancehike.Thiswaswithoutdoubta poorlytimeddecisionandwasthewrongtax increaseatthewrongtime.

reformofthebusinessrates

businessesarepayingthesamerateashigh streetbusinesses.Reducingthehighstreet burdenandpassingontheonlinetaxincome tothedevolvednationswouldsupportarates reduction.

reduceinterestratesashigherrates

disproportionatelyimpacttheSME retail andhospitalitysectorandpeoplewithlower incomes.

shouldrununtilApril2023todirectassist

withconsumerconfdencefalling,drivenby highinfationandthelargesteverdropin householddisposalincome.

£93.50aweekversustheUKaverageof£204 aweek.

AlllevelsofGovernmentshouldnowbe mobilisedtosupportfrmsandfamiliesas seektonavigatethroughthisperfectstormof economicchallenges.

Ifwecanadoptthesamecollectivefocusthat webroughttocombatingtheeffectsofthe pandemic,wewillgetthroughitandbounce back.

BelfastCityCouncil helpingbusinessestogrow

Foundedjustoversixyearsago, ValueStreamMachinery(VSM) boastsover100yearsofcombined operationsandengineeringexperience inthefoodandpackagingindustries throughouttheUKandIreland;its directorshavingworkedforblue-chip foodproducersinengineering,operations andseniormanagement roles,priorto identifyingtheopportunitytocreateVSM.

VSMdrawsonthisvastexperienceand technicalknow-howtoofferend-to-end engineeringsupport,adviceandspecialistfood processingequipmenttofacilitateoptimum effciencyfortheirfoodandpackaging customerbase.

BasedinBelfast’sDuncrueIndustrialEstate, VSMnowemploysover20engineers,and holdsexclusivedistributionrightsforleading machinerymanufacturerstothefoodindustry, includingScanveagtSystems,Frimaq, Velteko and Yamato.

“We’refortunatetocountsomeofthebiggest globalandnationalplayersinthefoodindustry amongourloyalclients,”RichardStewartMaunderofVSM,says.

“Theyknowtheycan relyonourengineers’ skillsand‘cando’attitudetodeliverthe supporttheyneed24hoursaday,365daysa year.”

VSM’ssupportspansmechanicalandelectrical services,fabrication(CEmarked),maintenance, andspecialistmachinerysupply,installation andcommissioning;allprovidedwiththeaim ofoptimisingclients’performance.

“We’recontinuingtoexperiencestrong organicgrowthandwe’rehungrytobuildon this,especiallywithinexportmarkets.Aspart ofourcompanygrowthstrategy review,we reachedouttoBelfastCityCouncilfortailored growthsupport.

“Theapplicationprocesswasverystraight-

forwardandthesupportbeganveryquickly –startingwithanumberofworkshopsand webinarswhichwereextremelyvaluable.

“Ultimatelythough,itwastheone-to-one mentoringthat refnedthefocusforouroverall longertermstrategicaims.

“ThesupportwegainedfromBelfastCity Council reallyhelpedustogrowthebusiness–frombusinessanalysistoidentifyinganyareas forimprovement,tocapitalinvestmentand resourceplanningtomatchgrowth.

“Istrongly recommendthatanyBelfastbased start-upsandbusinessowners reachoutto

BelfastCityCounciltodiscussthewiderange offreesupportprogrammesonoffer.Business isallaboutaddingvalueandworkingsmarter, notharder,andBelfastCityCouncilhasa wealthofexpertisethatcansupportandguide youtodojustthat.”

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Formoreinformationgoto www. belfastcity.gov.uk/business andfollow @belfastcc on Twitter.Thisprojectispart fundedbyInvestNorthernIrelandandthe EuropeanRegionalDevelopmentFund undertheInvestmentforGrowthandJobs NorthernIreland(2014-2020)programme.

RichardStewart-Maunder, ValueStreamMachinery(VSM)

EntriesnowopenforDeloitte

TechnologyFast50 Awards

Someofourleadingandfastestgrowingtechfrmsnowhavethe chancetocompeteinthisyear’s Deloitte TechnologyFast50 Awards.

RankingIreland’s50fastest-growing indigenoustechnologycompaniesbased on revenuegrowthoverthelastfouryears, theawardscelebratetheinnovationand entrepreneurshipoflocalfrms.

Lastyear,eightcompaniesfromNorthern Irelandmadetheprestigiouslist,which wastoppedbyDublinhealthtechcompany LetsGetChecked.

Meanwhile,Belfast-basedleadgeneration andmarketingintelligencesoftwarecompany SciLeadsandBallymena-basedcemetery softwarebusinessPlotBoxbothmadetheir frstappearanceintheranking,alongside companiessuchasDatacticsandAquaQ

AnalyticswhichhadalsomadetheFast50in previousyears.

“Thetechnologysectoriscontinuingtoboom inNorthernIrelandandthatisatestament totheingenuity,talentand resilienceoflocal companies,whohavefoundwaystothrive despitetheeconomicandsocialchallengesof thepastfewyears,”Fast50leadpartnerin Deloitte’sBelfastoffce,AisléanNicholson,said.

“We’veseentremendousgrowthacrossa broadrangeofsectorsasa resultinevolving consumerandbusinessesdemands,for examplegreentechandsustainability,cybersecurity,andmedtech,tonameafew.

“Deloitte’sFast50 recognisesandcelebrates thesuccessbutalsothefutureambitionsof thecompaniesinthesefelds,puttingthe spotlightonthepotentialtheyhavefornew opportunitiesandfurthergrowth.”

Top100 NorthernIreland Companies unveiled

Leadersfromacrosstheworldof businessandindustrydescended onBelfastforthelaunchofthe UlsterBusiness Top 100Northern Ireland Companies2022,withA&LGoodbody

DozensgatheredattheDarkHorsetomarkthe publicationofthisyear’s doublesummeredition andbusinesslist.

Thelisthasshowcasedtheperformanceof thebiggestfrmsfromrightacrossNorthern Ireland,rankedbyturnover, formore than30 years.

UlsterBusiness haspartneredwithcorporate lawfrmA&LGoodbodyforthelastsevenyears withthe Top 100.

Thisyear’s Top 100showscombinedpre-tax proftsamongourbiggestfrms roseby46%to almost£1.4bn,basedonpreviousaccounts. Salesamongour Top 100companies roseby 2.6%duringthesameperiod,from£26.1bnto £27.7bn.

Butofthe100companiesmakingthelistjust eightdeclaredlossesfortheirlastfnancialyear

MoyParkhastoppedthelistonceagain,

followedbyW&RBarnettwithturnoverof £1.27bn,cominginthesecondspot.

There are also a hostofnewcompaniesmaking thisyear’s list,witharound a dozenbusinesses joiningin2022.

Thosegatheredheard fromA&LGoodbody partnerPeterStafford and UlsterBusiness editorJohnMulgrew

“Manyofthebiggestfrmsonthisyear’s list, likeprevious,are long-running,family-owned, multi-generationalbusinesses,severalofwhich

are closetocrackingtheonebillionpound markintermsofsales,”MrMulgrewsaid.

“We alsohavehugelysignifcantlyarmsof internationalgiantsofindustry, andhomegrowncompanieswhichare nowlistedonthe stockexchange.

“Andthe Top 100isalsoaboutthemyriadof frms,manyofwhichare inthis room,which continuetoworkwithsomeofourbiggest businesses,SMEsandothers.”

PicsPeterMorrison

PeterStafford,partnerA&LGoodbodywithUlsterBusinesseditorJohnMulgrew

GuestsattheUlsterBusiness

Top100NorthernIrelandCompanies

SarahPannasch

SENIORDESIGNER,BIGMOTIVE

Howmuchfreetimedoyouhaveoutside ofwork?

AsaseniordesigneratBigMotive,Idohave aprettybusyschedule. We manageourtime wellsousuallyfnishwithinworkinghours.My freetimeisthendividedbetweenlookingafter ourone-year-oldandescapingtothehorses.

Isitdiffcultseparatingyourworkand homelife?

Sincethestartofthepandemic,BigMotive committedto remote-lifefrst.Iamluckyto haveadesignatedspaceforworkinourhome whichmeansIcanclosethedoorandgetin afow.Ifndworkingfromhomeisperfect forproductionphasesonprojects,whereas forotherphases,like‘ideation’,Istillpreferto meetinpersonattheoffceandhaveface-tofaceconversationsandabitofbondingtime withtheteam.

Whatdoyoudoinyoursparetime?

Iamahorsewoman.Horseshavebeen mypassionsincechildhood.Iamoriginally fromGermany,whereIlearnedthebasicsof horseridingandtraining.Thereisasayingin German‘DashöchsteGlückderErdeliegtauf demRückenderPferde’whichtranslatesto somethinglike‘theluckoftheearthlieson thebackofhorses’andformethathasalot oftruthinit.

BeforeIstartedtoworkfull-timeasadesigner, IworkedwithtwohorsetrainersinLisburn (VumbaStables)andgottolearnabout trainingyounghorses.Igotthechanceto pickupsomecompetitiveridingineventing(a horseandridertriathlonacrossdressage,cross-

countryandshowjumping)andhavelovedthe challengeofthesporteversince.Atthisstage, IhavetwohorsesthatItrainforabitoffun andam reallyenjoyingthejourneywiththem.

Communicatingwithhorsesdemands empathy,listeningskillsandallowsyoutotake yourselflessseriously.Ifndmyselfusingthose skillsinmyworkasadesignertoo.Whenyou createasolutionforacomplexproblem,you havetotryandfeelwhatyouruserneeds. Ridingistheperfectcontrasttomyprofession, Igettobeoutside,getmyhandsdirty,focus entirelyontheanimalwhilebeingawayfrom screens.Itisformewhatothersgetfromyoga, itclearsmyhead.

“Feel,don’tthink”iswhattheJedisayin Star Wars.AllhorsesareJedimastersasthey caninterprethowyoufeelby readingyour

muscles,yourposture,yourfacialexpression, andyoursmell.Theyhavetheskilltoteach meaboutmyself,mystrengthsandmy weaknessesbutgivemetheopportunityto havemomentsofincrediblehappinesswhen somenon-verbalcommunicationbetweenus happens.

Istheresomethingyou’dliketostart doingortakeup?

Thereissomuchtodoandlearnbutnot enoughhoursinaday.Family,friendsand horsesaremypriorityfornow.

It’sholidaytime–wherearetravellingto? IhavehadacoupleoftripshometoGermany thisyearandwearenotplanninganything else. We dotendtogetalotofvisitorsover thesummerthoughwhichmakesbeingat homejustasnice.

Food, drink& agriculture

Andas

Inonecase,Craigavon

Pubs,barsand

Ahostofsmallerbusinessesarealready

is reachinga retailpriceceilingascosts continuetosoarandiscallingforgovernment intervention.

Whilepubswereshutteredformuchof2020, manywereopen–amid restrictionsincluding onlyservingoutdoors–during2021.

Some95%ofoutletssaytheyhave resumed trading,butsalesfallshortwith reduced consumptionleadingtolag.

That’saccordingtointernal researchcarried outbyHospitalityUlsteralongsideCGA,seen by UlsterBusiness

Itshowsontradedrinksales,whichincludes alcoholandsoftdrinks,weredown£233m

in2021comparedto2019,beforeCovid-19. That’safallofalmost40%.

Butsince2021,confdenceinthepublicin visitingbarsand restaurantshassoaredfrom just42%sayingtheywereveryorquite confdent,lastyear,to82%in2022.

Andinternal researchshowssalesarebouncing backwith2022salestrackingat83%of equivalent2019levels.

“Post-Covidconsumerconfdencehas improved,whichinitselfis reassuringas consumers returnandenjoyourgreat hospitalityoffering,”ColinNeill,chief executiveofHospitalityUlstersays.

“…trendsshowconsumersarelookingfor asocialexperienceandproductsthatonly

hospitalitycanprovide.

“However,thesefguresdonottakeaccount ofthecurrentcostofdoingbusinesscrises, whichhasleftbusinessesstrugglingtobreak even,withconsumerconfdenceshowinga downturnasweapproachautumn.

“In realitywewouldneedtoseeanincrease inturnoverinexcessof25%justtokeep pacewithcostinfation.Butwehave reached a retailpriceceilingandsimplycannotpass onthecosts,whicharenowincreasing almostonadailybasis.”

Intermsofconfdenceinparticulartypes ofvenues,thepublicismostcomfortable visiting restaurants(88%),followedbypubs on84%,barson83%andnightclubson 73%.

ColinNeill

FOOD, DR IN K& AGRICU

UR E

And35%ofpubsandbarssaytheyhave been“severelyimpacted”bythe recentcost oflivingcrisis,with58%impactedtosome extent.

Despitecurrentcostoflivingconcerns,over athirdofconsumerssaidtheyplantospend morethantheyusuallywouldonfoodand drink,justbehindholidaysabroad.

Almosttwothirdsofconsumerssaytheyare ‘very’or‘quite’likelytopayextraforabetter qualitydrinkinapuborbar.

ColinNeillsays:“Ascostpricescontinueto riseandconsumerspendingpower reduces itisaverybleakpictureunlesswesee substantialinterventionsbyGovernmentfor boththestrugglingfamiliesandthestruggling businesseslikehospitality,thatprovidealiving for72,000people.”

Thehospitalitytradeandotherhighenergy usersarecontinuingtofacesoaringcosts, especiallysurginggasandelectricityprices.

MrNeill recentlysaidhefearshisindustrywill

bebadlyhit,withvenuesshuttingdownor slashinghours.

“Thecostoflivingpressurewhichhas beenhighlyimpactedbythemassivehike in residentialenergycostsmeansthatany disposableincomepeopleoncehadtoallow themselvestogooutforapint,amealor alocalweekendbreakhasnowsadlybeen obliteratedashouseholdincomeisimmediately redirected.”

The researchfromHospitalityUlsterandCGA alsoshowstheoverallaveragerisingpricefora roundofdrinkshere.

That’sseenatypicalsample round,including apintofstout,lager,twomeasuresandspirit andtwosoftdrinks,risingto£20.15in2022–upfrom£18.55pre-pandemic.

Researchseenby UlsterBusiness from HospitalityUlsterandCGAsaystheaverage roundofdrinksisup8.6%sincepreCovidto £20.15.

Meanwhile,onepublicaninafamily-run

businesssaidhiselectricitybillhadmore thandoubledandthepriceofapintwas somethinghe’dbegivingalotofthought to.

“It’schallengingtimesforeverybody. Electricityisthebiggestoneatthemoment, andourbillinaugustwas£8,866,which wasupfrom£3,681ayearago.

“Wehaveusedlesselectricityandless kilowatthoursandwehavesignifcantlycut thatback.Thebillisalmosttrebleandthis hasbeengoingonforsolong.

“It’s£5.50withusnowandwe’llholdoff foraslongaswecan.It’sgoingtotake greatthought,andrightfullyso.Itshouldbe passedon,butyoucan’tpasseverythingon. Theyweresomeincreasesthatgotpassed onawhileagocomingoutofCovid.

“Costsarerisingsignifcantlyandit’sgoing tobeadiffculttimeforallpublicans.Idon’t haveacrystalballbutIwouldbehopeful thatsomethingcanbedonebecausethere’s aperfectstormattheminute.”

Musgravecontinuing growthandreachacrossNI

Food retail,wholesaleand foodservicegiant,Musgrave,is proudtobeoneofEurope’smost successfulfamily-ownedbusinesseswith a146-year-oldheritageinfoodandbrand innovation.

With11marketleadingfoodandbeverage brandsincludingSuperValu,Centra,Mace, FrankandHonest,MusgraveMarketPlaceand DrinksInc,Musgrave’sfundamentalpurposeis GrowingGoodBusiness.

BarryHolland,newbusinessandacquisitions manager,whose roleistodrivethe retail brandsinNorthernIreland,says:“Weare focusedoncreatingasustainable,proftable businessthatbeneftsourshareholders,our people,partners,localcommunitiesandthe widerlocaleconomy.

“Thisisunderpinnedbyourvaluesthatare aboutlong-termstable relationships,working hard,notbeinggreedy,achievementand honesty.”

Aswellassupportingitscurrent retailpartners todevelopandgrowtheirbusiness,fromone storetotwo,threeormorestores,thebusiness developmentteamwelcomesentrepreneurs whoareinterestedinjoiningthelargest convenience retailgroupontheislandof Ireland.

OnesuchentrepreneurialfamilyistheConway familywho,in2021,openedtheirfrstCentra storeinCookstown.Thiswasalsoalandmark

momentforthebrand–asitmarkedthe 100thCentrainNorthernIreland.

“Wehadavisionofwhatwewantedourstore tobeandpartneredwithMusgraveaswesaw themastheperfectft,”PeterConwaysays.

“Withtheirsupportwesuccessfullyopeneda storewhichhasamarket-leadingfoodtogo offeringandprovidesaone-stop-shopforthe customer.

“Musgrave’ssupportwasinvaluablefromthe planningstagerightthroughtoopeningday andnow,morethanayeartrading,westill havethatcontinuedsupporttohelpusdeliver asuccessfulstore.”

Barrysays:“Wehaveastrongpartnership withtheConwayfamilyandtogetherhave delivereda£1.4mstorethatoffersthebestin modernconvenience retailing.It’soneofmany examplesofhowMusgravecanhelpavision becomea reality.”

ThestrengthoftheSuperValuandCentra brandsisevident. Withnumerousawardwins undertheirbeltsincludingthetopaccoladesat theprestigiousRetailIndustry Awardslastyear. Woods’SuperValuFruitfeldinRichhilland

Lilley’sCentraDublinRoadinEnniskillenwere honouredwiththetitlesofBestIndependent Retailerintwosizecategories.

Thebusinessandits retailpartnerseagerly awaitthe resultsofthisyear’sawardsin whichtheyhavebeenshortlistedfor15 awardsincludingbestsymbolgroupforboth SuperValuandCentra.

“Redefning retailisourmantra,”Barry says.“Wehavea£14mstoreinvestment programmeunderwaythisyear,including ourSuperValu rejuvenationwhichlaunched atourPortstewartstoreandtakesmodern convenience retailingtothenextlevel. We arealsoinvesting£5.6minvalue,helping shoppersmanagetheincreasingcostof livingandwesupportlocal,spending£160m annuallyonlocalfoodanddrink.

“Wearealwayslookingfornewopportunities whetherthatbeanewdevelopment, changingtheuseofanexistingbusiness orcompetitorconversions–andwould encourageanyinterestedpartiestogetin touch.” ■

BarryHollandcanbecontactedon07795 965204oratbarry.holland@musgrave.ie

BarryHolland

Workbeginstoexpand capacityatDiageo’sBelfast packagingfacility

Diageoisanintegralpartofthe communityinNorthern Ireland bothas a majorexporterand employerandisbestknownfor a wide rangeofbrandsincludingGuinness,Harp, HopHouse13,Rockshore,Smithwick’s, Baileys,Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff,Gordons and Tanqueray

Employingover320peopleacrossthreesites inNorthern Ireland,thecompany’s footprint includes a beerpackagingplantineastBelfast, a globalBaileysfacilityatMalluskandcorporate headquartersinCapitalHouse,Belfast.

Beergrew25%globallyforDiageoin2022 (fullyear resultsfortheyearJuly1,2021 June 302022).Growthwasprimarilyduetothe strong recoveryofGuinness,up32%,drivenby IrelandandGreatBritainasontrade restrictions easedpostCovid-19.

Growthlikethisin recentyearshas resultedin a seriesofinvestmentsacrossIrelandandGBto supportdemand.

DiageoannouncedinJulythatitwouldinvest €200millioninIreland’s frstpurpose-built carbonneutralbreweryon a greenfeldsitein Newbridge,CoKildare.Thenewfacilitywill brewlagersandalesincludingRockshore, Harp,HopHouse13,Smithwick’s,Kilkennyand Carlsberg.

Astheproductionoflagersandalesis transferredtothenewsiteitwillenable St.James’s Gatetobrewmore Guinnessto meetglobaldemand.Additionally, itwillalso supportthedeliveryofDiageo’s Society2030 commitmentsbycreatingthephysicalspace requiredfortheuseof renewabletechnologies atthebrewery

Diageoalsoannouncedthatitwouldinvest £40.5minitsbeerpackagingfacilitiesin BelfastandRuncorn tomeetglobaldemand forGuinnessproductsfromdomesticand exportmarkets.Theexpansionwillsupport acceleratedproductionandproductinnovation, whileenhancingeffciencyandcompetitiveness atbothsites.

Diageo’s facilityineastBelfastwillseeits canningproductionmore thandoublewith a £24.5minvestmentthatwillconvertexisting warehousesinto a newtopoftherange packaginglinecapableofproducing72,000 cansanhour

“ThisisanexcitingtimeforoursiteinBelfast,” Deirdre Delaney, operationsmanagerat Diageo’s Belfastpackagingsite,”says.

“We’vebeenoperatinghere forover30years, withapproximately145directemployeesand

packagingover20brands,includingGuinness Draught,ExtraStoutandForeignExtra Stout,Harp,HopHouse13,Smithwick’s and Rockshore.

“We’re anextremelybusy24/7operationwith some60%ofouroutputsupplyingthelocal marketsinNorthern IrelandandtheRepublic ofIreland,while40%isloadedontocontainers andshippedtothe restoftheUK,USA,Europe andKorea.

“Diageohas a highlyintegratedsupplychain acrosstheislandofIreland.

“BeerisbrewedatStJames’s GateinDublin andisbroughttothesitehere inBelfastfor packaginginbulktankers,whicheachholdup to30,000litresofbeer

“£24.5mis a signifcantinvestmentandit’s greattoknowthatas a 12-acre sitehere in

Belfast,weare playing a key roleinsupporting thecompany’s globalgrowthambitionsfor Guinnessandthewiderbeercategoryin general.Itwillalsohelpusdeliverend-to-end productinnovation,specifcallyinsupporting demandfor recentinnovationsincluding GuinnessZero andGuinnessNitrosurge.

“We contributeconsiderablytothelocal economyandthisinvestmentwillfurther supportoursupplychainsandlocal communities,aswellas reinforcingourability tomeetconsumerdemandandprovide excellentservicetoourcustomersaroundthe world.

“Constructionworkhasalreadybegun,with a warehouseclearedtoallowspaceforthenew canninglineandweexpectthenewfacilitiesto befullyoperationalin2023.

“OursiteinBelfasthasalsobeenkeyto

Diageo’s plasticpackagingambition. We replacedplasticringcarriersandshrinkwraps frommultipacksofourcannedbeerswith 100% recyclable,sustainablysourcedand biodegradablecardboard.Sinceweswitchedto thesenewbeerpacks,wehave removed600 tonnesofplasticfromouroperationseachyear, andwe’re lookingatthenewopportunitiesin termsofmakingourbusinessmore sustainable.

“As a fast-pacedmanufacturingsiteinan excitingglobalindustry, wehave a diverse employeebasewith a focusonscience, technology, engineeringandmathematics (STEM)skills. We wanttoincreasediverse representationinSTEM rolesbothat Diageoandinthebroaderindustrythrough apprenticeshipsand‘returnships’andhelpto create a more inclusiveandsustainableworld.

“We are currentlyofferingopportunitiesfor bothapprenticeengineersandapprentice

DID YOUKNOW?

•Diageo’sbeerpackagingsiteat MarshallsRoadinBelfasthasbeen operatingfor36years,formerlyasthe IrishBondingCompany.

•TheBelfastsiteproducesinnovations likethecansforusewithGuinness NitrosurgeandMicroDraughtunits aroundtheUKandIreland,including GuinnessZero,andtherecentlylaunched GuinnessNitroColdBrewcoffee.

•BeerthatispackagedinBelfastissent aroundtheworld,includingcountrieslike Canada,theUS,Japanand Korea.

•BeeristransportedfromtheStJames’s GatebreweryinDublintoBelfastin‘silver bullet’tankers,eachcarrying30,000litres. packagingoperatorshere atBelfastpackaging andwefrmlybelieveDiageoapprenticeshave thebestofallworlds.Theon-site,hands-on, fast-learningprogrammesare perfectfor peoplewhoare curiousandhave a willingness tolearn.Ifyouwanttogainanindustry recognisedqualifcationthatwillsetyouup for a careertobeproudof,you’re intheright place.”

■

FOOD, DR IN K& AGRICU LT UR E

Tackling the skills gap in NorthernIreland

Asconstructionandmanufacturingsectorssuffer fromaskillsshortage,fuelledbythecombinationof Brexitandthepandemic, DavidClark,manufacturing directoratSpanwall Facades,looksathow,inthefaceof unprecedentedpressure,frmsmustadaptorriskextinction

Infgures reportedfromMakeUK,The UKistheninthlargestmanufacturing countryintheworld,withanannual outputof£183bn.

Theskillsshortageacrosstheindustryhasbeen welldocumentedandasfrmscontinuetoface unprecedentedchallenges,thestark reality isthattimeisrunningoutformanufacturing frmswhohopetogrow. To futureprooftheir business,frmsmust rethinkhowtheyoperate whileadjustingtoanewnormalinthewake ofmasschange.

Advancementsintechnologyhaveshaken uptraditionalindustryexpectationsand, manufacturingfrmswhohavealwaysbeen attheforefrontofinnovation,arecertainly embracingthis,creatingintelligentsolutions thataretransformingthedesignlandscape. However,ifthetechnologyistobeharnessed toitsfullesteffect,weneedpeoplewiththe rightskills–thisiskeytodrivingtheindustry forward.

Thecauseofthemanufacturingskills shortage Brexithascertainlyhadaprofoundimpacton theskillsgapasfrmslostaccesstothousands ofworkersalmostovernight.Likeallindustries, manufacturingis reliantonalabourpoolthat canmeetitsdemands,howeverasbusinesses continuetonavigatethemurkywatersofa

post-Brexitlandscapeitisclearthatthingshave changedsignifcantly.Thisisputtingpressure onthegovernmentto relaximmigrationrules inabidtocombatthegrowingcrisisasfrms areforcedtostallgrowthplansduetolabour shortages.

Another reasonisthatworkersaren’tentering theindustryasfastasexperiencedworkers areleaving,leadingtounflled roles.Aswell asthisthereisstillanoutdatedperception thatacareerinmanufacturingequalswork thatismonotonousandlow-paid–meaning ithaslowappealforyoungpeopleplanning theirfuture.Infact,quitetheoppositeis true,withmanymanufacturers,including thoseinNorthernIreland,leadingthewayin technologicaladvancementsas robotics,AI, automation,and3Dprintingbecomeintegral partsofthedesignandmanufacturingprocess. Thesemorelucrative rolescertainlyprovide bettercareerdevelopmentopportunities. However,aswestandcurrently,therearen’t enoughpeoplewiththeskillstomeettheevergrowingdemand.

Aninnovativeapproach

Previouswhispersoftechnology-driven processeshaveevolvedintoconversations withthingslikegenerativedesignand robotic constructionbeingputonthetablefor consideration,asmanufacturerslookforbetter waysofdoingthings.

Technologyisdevelopingatapacenever seenbefore,providingthemanufacturing sectorwithmassiveopportunitiestochange howweconsiderdesign,anditispredicted wehavenotevenscratchedthesurfaceof what’sultimatelypossible.Byinvestinginthese advancements,itallowsfrmstoautomate manylower-levelpositions, replacingthem with rolesthat requireahigherlevelofskill andcompetence.

Althoughthisleadstotheage-olddebateof ‘are robotstakingourjobs’thesimpletruth isthatwestillneedpeopletoco-existand complimentthetechnologicalinvestment, thereforeitshouldbeseenasacatalystforthe creationofnewjobs.

Aswellasthis,technologyenablesfrmsto increaseproductivitylevelsandcreatesmarter productsleadingtoincreasedcustomer satisfaction.

Expectedly,theseadvancementswillproduce anewskillsbarrierasfrmsfndthemselves requiringanewskillsetfromtheirworkforce–showcasingthecriticalimportanceofupskilling anddevelopingemployees.

Creatingamulti-skilledworkforce Iffrmsaretosurvivetheskillscreditcrunch, theymustlookwithintheirownbusiness.The pulseofanyfrmisitspeople.Implementing

bespokein-housetraining,willenablefrmsto tackletheskillscrisisbyupskillingemployees. However,theyshouldalsofocusoncreating multi-skilledemployeeswhocancarryout arangeofactivitieswithinthebusiness. Followingthispathwillenableorganisations tobuildtheskillstheyneedaswellashelping to retaintalentthroughtheircommitmentand investmentinemployees’development.

Conclusion

ManufacturersinNorthernIrelandhave proventhemselvestobe resilient,innovative, andadaptableinthefaceofrapidchange.

We certainlyhavethetoolstonavigatethese unprecedentedwaters.However,iffrmsare tosucceed,theymustactnow,embracing technologicalinnovationsandinvestingin theirworkforce. Trainingandupskillingare notnewideas,withmanyfrmshavingfrm policiesinplaceforemployeedevelopment. However,theydonotcomewithouttheir ownchallengeswithbusinessescitingtime constraintsandlackof resourcesassomeof thebarrierstosuccessfulupskilling. Onethingisevident,thereisnoquickfx fortheskillsgapwithmanyissuesneeding

addressed.Whattheindustryneedsis collaborativeactionacrosseducation,business, andgovernmenttocreateaviable,longtermsolution.Onlybyadoptingacollective approachcombinedwithintroducingnew measuresinternally,canweemergefrom thiscrisis,strongerandbetterthanever.By failingtodoso,frmscouldsufferdamaging consequences,orevenextinctionasthey combatto remaincompetitiveinaneverincreasingmarket,whichwillbeparticularly importantintheupcomingmonthsasthe UKlearnstothelivewithouttheprotective embraceoftheEU.

DavidClark

PETERDUNLOP BATHSHACK

Howisbusiness?

Businessisverygoodforus. We are experiencingstronggrowthonlastyear, helped bytheadditionofnewshowroomsatBoucher Road,BelfastandRiverside,Coleraine.Our onlinesaleshavecontinuedtogrowpost-Covid lockdown,whichisvery reassuring,andwith theopeningofourlatestshowroominAntrim, weare confdentthebusinesswillcontinueto growinto2023.

Howdidyougetstartedintheindustry?

I wasborn intoit.Myfatherhad a kitchen manufacturingbusinessandeventuallymoved intobathrooms.Growingup, I wasinvolved ineverythingfromworkingalongsidehim inhisworkshop,tohelpinghimonsitewith installationsorevenwatchingandlisteningto himsellandclosesales.Inmyteens, I worked summersandweekendsinhisshowroom whereI dealtwithcustomers,and I eventually decidedthatratherthanpursuefurther education I wouldgointothebusinessfull time.After a fewyears, I hadtheideaofselling onlineandwithmyfather’s support, I builtthe frstversionoftheBathshackwebsiteas a side project.Itgainedtractionquitequicklyand in2009,aroundsixmonthsaftergoinglive, I madethedecisiontodevoteallmytimeto growingBathshack.

Typically, whoare yourclientsor customers?

Ourcustomersrangefromsomeonewhois

Entrepreneur ofthe Month

lookingtoimproveorupgradetheirexisting bathroomtosomeonewhohasjustbought theirfrsthouseandhas a full renovation tocomplete.Commercialprojectsare also continuingtogrow Ourcompetitiveedgein themarketallowsustocatertoallbudgets, frombudget-friendlyrightuptothehigher end. We alsooffer a bespokecustom-made furniture rangewhichismanufactured locallyandallowsourcustomersto customiseunitstotheirexactcolourandsize specifcations.

Doyouenjoywhatyoudo,andwhatin particular?

I lovewhat I do,and I lovethevarietyofmy workasnotwodaysare everthesame.In particular,I loveworkingondesigningor improvingproducts,sourcingnewproducts andfactories,andworkingwiththefactories togetnewproductstomarket,rightdown todisplayingandmarketingtheseproducts. A bigpartofmyjobisidentifyingnew locationsforshowrooms,negotiatingwith agents,planninganddeliveringtheft-out.

Seeing a showroomcometolifegivesme a realsenseofsatisfaction,andthehigh

standard ofourshowroomsissomethingthat I am reallyproudof.

Whatisthemostdiffcultpartofyourjob?

Managingmyselfisthemostdiffcultpartof myjob. I saythatbecauseI’mnot a fanof talkingabouttimemanagement. Withsuch a varied roleandsomuchtodo,itcanbeeasyto spendtimeonthewrongthingswhicharen’t addingvalue.Thisissomething I trytoimprove uponallthetime,toensureI amworkingon thethingsthatonly I candoanddelegatethe rest.

Whatare thechallengesfacingyoursector, andtheeconomyingeneral?

Ourindustryisfacingchallengeslikeevery otherincludingrisingenergycosts,rising materialcost,risingshippingcosts,Brexit andthecostofliving. I tryandlookforthe opportunityinthesesituationsthough,andthe realityisallourcompetitorsare facingthesame problems,whicheffectivelymeansweare on a levelplayingfeld.Thebusinesseswhoare most resilientandadaptivetochangewillnavigate thesechallengesandbecomestronger, andthat iswhat I aspire todoas a businessleader ■

Business fnance& banking

Investing inourlocal businessesandbeyond

Whilethelastcoupleofyearshavebeenextremelychallenging,companiesand otherorganisationsarecontinuingtogrowandseesignifcantinvestmentfrom manyofourleadingbanksandfunds. UlsterBusiness looksatsomeoftherecent investmentsacrossthesectors

OldMillSaddlery

Carrickfergus-basedOldMillSaddleryinvested around£1.6mtobuildanewwarehousewith roboticsortingtechnologyandwillconstruct anewwindturbineonsite.Theinvestment, whichwillassistwiththecompany’scontinued growth,hasbeenpart-fundedbyDanskeBank.

Establishedin1985,OldMillSaddleryhas becomeoneoftheUK’sleadingequestrian retailers.Supplyinghorsetack,suchas saddlesandbridles,horsecareandgrooming products,ridingwearandmore,thecompany haswelcomedtopcustomersworldwidein disciplinessuchasracing,eventing,dressage andshowjumping.

Duringthepandemic,OldMillSaddlerysaw itssalesincreaseexponentially. To meetthat demanditinvestedinasecondwarehouse fttedwithpickingandsortingtechnology fromGeek+,thefrstofitskindintheisland ofIreland.

“Thestrengthofourbusinesscomesfrom ourcorevalues,providingourcustomerswith aqualityshoppingexperience,outstanding customercareandsellingqualityproductsat excellentvalue,”RobertPatton,managing director,OldMillSaddlery,said.

“Duringlockdown,westruggledalotwith staffngissuesasourbusinessgotincreasingly busy. To ensurewewerecontinuingtodeliver thebestservicepossible,wehadtocomeup withasolution.”

MarkBrown,businessacquisitionmanager atDanskeBank,said:“Introducing robotics intothistraditional retailsettinghighlights

OldMillSaddlery’scommitmenttoinnovation andexcellenceandwillhelpfutureproofthe businessasitseekstomaintainitspositionasa leaderintheindustryandachieveitsexpansion plans.”

 Anvil TyreCentre

TwobrothershaveexpandedtheirDromore tyrebusinessthankstosupportfromUlster Bank.

Anvil Tyre Centre,ownedandmanagedby brothersDanielandKyle Wethers,hastaken up residenceinanewMOTservicingandtyre repairdepotinDromorefollowingasix-fgure investment,alongsideUlsterBank.

It’sthoughtthecentrewillcreatetwonewfull-

timeequivalentjobswhenfullyoperational.

Themoveseesthesibling-runbusinesswrite anewchapterinthefamily’sentrepreneurial legacy,asAnvil Tyre Centrevacatesitsformer tradingpremisesontheLurganRoadandtakes up residenceinthenew,purpose-builtunit.

Forthepast15years,Anvil Tyre Centrehas tradedfromfamily-ownedproperty.Originally builtbybrothersDanielandKyle’sgreat,great grandfather–ablacksmithandfarrierserving thelocalagriculturalcommunity–ithasbeen incontinuousoperationforover170years. Tyre fttinghasbeenitsprincipalactivitysince the1960s.

UlsterBankbusinessdevelopmentmanager

MarkBrown,business acquisitionmanager, DanskeBankand RobertPatton, managingdirector, OldMillSaddlery

PhilipMcNeillsaid:“DanielandKyleare theffthgenerationofanentrepreneurial familythathasbeendeliveringa reliableand dependableserviceinthelocalareaformany years.Family-ownedbusinessesliketheirsare attheveryheartofoureconomyandUlster Bankiscommittedtosupportinghardworking companiesdrivingjobcreationandeconomic growthinourruralcommunities.”

 MartinHurls

Randalstown-basedsportinggoods manufacturer,MartinHurls,isoneof191 companiesinCoAntrimtoavailofsupport fromtheNorthernIrelandSmallBusinessLoan Fundsince2013.

ThefundismanagedbyUlsterCommunity FinanceLtd(UCF)onbehalfofInvestNI

anddeliveredinpartnershipwithEnterprise NorthernIreland.UCFisasubsidiaryofthe socialenterpriseorganisationCommunity FinanceIreland.

EmmetMartinestablishedMartinHurlsin 2017afteridentifyingamarketforhigh-quality hand-craftedhurls.Asachildheworked alongsidehisfather repairingbrokenhurleys andthenbeganusingashtreesfromthefamily farmtomakethem.

MartinHurlshassecured£10,000fromthe NISmallBusinessLoanFundforworking capitalallowingthecompanytokeepupwith demandforproductsandtopurchasestock.

“Emmetisaninspiringyoungentrepreneur whohastakenhishobbyandloveofsport

andturneditintoaviablebusiness,”“Ulster CommunityFinanceLtdchiefexecutive,Dónal Traynor,said.

“Hispassionanddrivehavealreadyledto impressivegrowthand reach.Thefastand fexiblefnancethattheNorthernIrelandSmall BusinessLoanFundoffersisperfecttosupport thenextstageofhisbusinessjourneywhich willallowhimtofocusmoreonsalesand relationshipbuildingwhileensuringproduction levelscanmeetdemand.”



Antrim’sChristianFellowshipChurch(CFC) hascompletedasix-fgureinvestmentinthe purchaseofitsnew,permanenthomewith fundingsupportfromUlsterBank.

BasedontheLoughRoad,theformerBritish Legionpremiseshasundergoneamajor refurbishmentprogrammetoenableCFCto servetheneedsofitschurchandthewider community.

Alongsidetheloantoacquirethepremisesthe fundswereusedtodeliveratransformation programmewhichhasseenthedevelopment ofa200-seatauditoriumforworship, completewithon-sitecrechefacilitiesand anopen-planwelcomeareafromwhichCFC hopestodevelopitsworkasalocalfoodbank collectionpointforThe Trussell Trust.

CFChasalsoconvertedpartofthefrst foorintoastorefromwhereitisactingasa distributionpointforthelocalschooluniform bank.

BU SI NES S FI NA NC E& BA NK ING

HERONBROS,WELLBEING

Thecolumnwithan

Howdidyoustartoutinbusiness?

Ididamastersinmechanicalengineering andIwasluckyenoughtogetasponsorship throughmydegreewithBritishAirwayswhich wasanincredibleintroductionandaccelerator toworldofwork.Iwasalsoveryluckytoget totravelandspenttimelivingandworking inScandinavia.AfterleavingBritishAirways Itookupapositionasamathematician andprogrammerforaderivativescompany. BasedinAntrim,Igotexposedtotechnical consultancyworkandsoonfoundapassion forsolvingengineeringproblems.Afterthree yearsIdecidedtodedicatemyselftobecoming abettersoftwareengineerandjoinedLibertyIT becauseofits reputationfordevelopingpeople intoexceptionalsoftwareengineersandIhave beenhereeversince.

Whathaveyoufoundthemost challengingduringyouryearsofbusiness, sofar?

Themostdiffcultthinginbusinessisfrstly gettingsomeone’sattentionandsecondly communicatingclearlywhatyouhaveto sayandhavingtheotherpersonunderstand anddigestingit.Inbusiness,peoplearebusy andeveryoneistryingtoaccomplishthings. Everyonehasalistofthingstodo.Thehardest thingisgettingsomeonetostopforafew minutesand reallylistentowhatyouhaveto sayandtoconsiderit.Themorepeopleyou aretryingthecommunicateaconceptoridea tothemorediffcultitbecomes.

Howwouldyoudescribeyour managementstyle?

Trustandaccountabilityareacorepartof howIoperate.WhenIworkwithpeopleit’s reallyimportantthatthereistrustonboth sidesandwiththattrustcomeshighlevelsof accountabilityfortheir responsibilities.Ilike

Name: TonyMarron

Position: Managingdirector,LibertyIT

tofndtheirstrengthsandturntheminto superpowers.Ithinkit’simportanttohelp peopleovercomeissuesthatholdthemback. Collaboration,empathyandpartnershipare behavioursthatIliketoseeeveryday.

Whatwouldyouchangeifyoucouldgo backanddoitallagain?

Thetwogreatpassionsinmylifearemy familyandmywork.OvertheyearsIhave struggledattimestomaketimeforboth andforalongtimeIusedtotryandachieve abalanceandIlivedwiththeguiltofnot spendingmoretimewithmyfamilybutas IhavegotolderI realisedthattheideaofa perfectworklifebalanceissilly.

Haveyoudoneitallonyourown?

Absolutelynot.Ihaveanamazingly supportivefamily.Inparticularmywife Bronagh.She’sbeenmy rock,has real wisdomandbagsofcommonsensewhich Ihavecometo relyon.Ihavealsobeen soluckywiththemanagersandmentorsI havehadovertheyears.EarlyonIdecided Iwasgoingtotryandlearnonethingfrom everyonethatmanagedme, regardlessof the relationshipwehadandthatmindsethas reallyhelpedme.ThisissomethingIwould encourageeveryonetodo.

Howwouldyoulikeyourbusinesstobe remembered?

IfIthinkofLibertyITit’ssomewherewhere lifelongfriendshipsaremade,somewhere weremarriageshavehappened,it’saplace wherepeoplehavehadincrediblecareers, gainedworldwideindustry recognition.It’sa placewherewemakesocietyabetterplace andimprovetheworldarounduswhether it’sthroughourgreenactivities,doing ourbitforeducation,orsupportingour LGBTQ+community.It’sdevelopedincredible technologyandbusinessleaderswhohave goneontoleadmanyothercompaniesacross NorthernIrelandandglobally.It’sanincubator foroutstandingtalentandsomewherepeople haveaconnectiontoforthe restoftheirlives whethertheyhaveworkedthereforayearor 20years.LibertyITisaveryspecialplace.

Whatpieceofadvicewouldyougivetoa 20-year-oldyou?

Makethingshappen–manypeoplehave greatideasbutthepeoplewhoactually makethemhappenarethetrulyspecialones. Drivetoexecute. Youareonlyassuccessful asyournetworkandit’simportanttotreat everyonewellandworkhardatbuildinglong lasting relationships. Yournetworkisyour differentiator. ■

Commercial property & construction

Thegreat construction apprenticeship shortage

Thepictureisveryclearandconciseacrossour constructionsector–weneedmoreapprentices,we needthemnow,andweneedmanyofthemstraight outoftheirGCSEs. JohnMulgrew speakstothe experts,frmsandeducatorsabouthowNorthern Irelandmusttakeamorejoinedupapproachinorderto ensurewehavethebest,andenoughpeopleworking acrossthetradesandprofessions

Somethingveryevidentcameto theforeduringanawardsjudging experienceacoupleofweeksback.

Satinfrontofme,andtwofellowjudges, wereahostofsupremelytalented,confdent andambitiousyoungpeople–working theirwaythroughbothahostofcomplex, in-demandtrades,projectmanagementand engineering roles.

Andtheonethingwhichshonethrough duringthosetwodayswasthepathwhichgot manyofthemthere.

Thewordapprenticewasbandiedaboutin bothapositive,andnegativemanner–positive inthatit’sasuperbwaytogetpeopleinto long-term,well-paidandlucrativecareers, negativeintheinstancethatwedon’thave enoughofthem,andnotenoughisbeing doneinordertoboostnumbers.

Andspeakingtotheindustryaboutits challenges,thenextgenerationofworkers wasthekeyissueonalmosteveryone’smind.

“Weareatcapacity…wedon’thave room todoanymore,”saysChristopherRobinson, CentreforExcellencemanagerforworkbased learningatSouth WestCollege.

It’soneofourleadingfurthereducation establishmentswhichiscontinuingtohelpfuel theconstructionsector’sburgeoningneedfor talentedworkers,acrossarangeofdisciplines. Itoffersuparangeoftrainingacrossawide rangeofstages–fromlevelonetolevelsix, acrossthetrades.

“(Somestudents)startoffat16.Thenfve yearslatertheyarethewholewaythrough sitesand(getting)adegree,”Christopher says.“Thatnetworkwithemployersiskey–

withoutthemwehavenothing.”

Andgettingstudentsstraightfromschoolat theageof16 remainsoneofthechallenges forcollegeshere.Christophersayswhileit hasstrong relationshipswithsomeschools, thereoftenisn’twider“synergy”withothers –wantingtokeeppupilsuntiltheyfnishtheir A-levels.

“Thereareschoolswhichwillwelcomeus inandwanttotalkaboutapprenticeships… othersinthesamespacewantto retainthose students(toA-level).

“Gettingaccesstothosestudentsis challengingandtheonlythingwhichcan workissynergybetweenthetwogovernment departments(EducationandEconomy, thelatterdealingwithfurthereducation colleges)…therearetwocompetingagendas anExecutivelevel.”

Andthechallengetoattractandengagewith thenextgenerationoftalent“mustbegin earlierintheeducationsystem”,according toMarkSpence,managingdirectorofthe ConstructionEmployersFederation(CEF).

“TheCEFiscurrentlyworkingwiththetrades unionsonajointstudyoftheobstacles andbarrierstojoiningourindustryandthe consensusisthatwemustfocusmoreonearly yearswhenheartsandmindscanbewon.

“Teachers,headteachersandparentsall influencetheyoungpeopleanditisstrongly oursensethattheyarenotsufficientlyaware ofthemodernandlucrativeopportunitiesour industrypresents.Whenyouaddtothisthe attractionsofbetterpayinDublinorLondon andthelackoflocalpoliticaldirectionon investmentininfrastructure,itislittlesurprise manyofthemosttalentedvotewiththeir feet.

“Asanindustrywemustdomore,butwe alsoneedtheExecutivetobefunctioningand workingtogethertowardsjoined-upstrategies forallsectors,notjustthosethathaveinmore recenttimestakenthelimelight.Construction isourthirdlargestemployerandittoo offersdigitalcareers,diverseworkforcesand opportunitiestotravelandgainexperience. WhatwedoinNIconstructionisofastandard thatisacknowledgedworldwide,wenow needtoconvincethenextgenerationthatthey shouldbepartofit.

“Weneedajoined-upapproachinvolving thedepartmentsoftheEconomy,Education, CITB,alllocalcouncilsandindividual schoolsandcollegestoensureaconsistent trainingexperienceandclearlysignposted careerpathways.Onlyinsodoingcanwe competeheadonwithdigital,fintechand agrifoodsectorsandovercome resistanceto considertheindustryasacareerpath.”

COMME RC IAL PROP ERTY & CONS TRUC TION

plastering,bricklaying,ITandhorticulture.

“Throughoutourworkwechallengegender stereotypesandarepassionateabout broadeningthecareerchoicesofwomen andgirls,particularlyacrosstheconstruction industry,”shesays.

“The#NotJustForBoyscampaign,a Women’stec initiative,collaborateswithschools,further educationcollegesandthewiderconstruction industrytoallowwomenandgirlssample trades,undertakeOCNqualifcationsand accessworkexperienceandplacements.”

RichardKirkischiefexecutiveof Workplus, whichmakesiteasierforbothemployers andapplicantsbyprovidingasingleplacefor applicantstoapply.

“Recent researchcommissionedbythe DepartmentfortheEconomyinNorthern Irelandshowedthatsocietalstigma remained regardingvocationalcourses,”hesaid.

“The researchwasa reminderthatthereisstill worktodowithyoungpeople,careersteachers

andparentstoshowtheoptionsavailableand themanybeneftsofapprenticeships.Aswe looktowardsfutureskillsandpotentialgaps, wealsoneedtothinkaboutamorestructured andinformativeapproachtoworkexperience. Forexample,at Workpluswearecurrently partneringwith WallaceHighSchooltopilota coordinatedworkexperienceprogrammefor year12.ThereisalsopositiveworkbyCITB takingplacearoundoutreachandencouraging andsupportingfutureskillsspecifctothe constructionindustry.

“Weknowthereisstillmuchtobedoneto engagemoreemployers.InNorthernIreland only10%ofcompaniesemployapprentices. Therearemany reasonsforthat,notleastthat SMEsandmicrobusinessescanencounter barrierstotakingonanapprentice,perhaps feelingthatthereistoomuchrisk,particularly iftheytendtoworkonshort-termorprojectbasedcontracts.

“InEngland,theDepartmentforEducation iscurrentlypilotingafexi-jobapprenticeship approachtotryandhelpaddresssomeof barriers,witheitherthetrainingprovideror

afexi-jobagencybecomingtheemployer oftheapprenticeandworkingwitha rangeof‘host’employerstoofferafexi apprenticeship.SuchanapproachinNorthern Irelandcouldpossiblymakeapprenticeships feelmoreaccessibleforsmallbusinesses.

“At Workplus,wearepassionateabout thebeneftsofapprenticeships.Thepicture isnotbleak–weareengagedwithmore schoolsandemployersthaneverbefore. We areworkingacrossthesectorstoprovide acoordinatedandconsolidatedapproach tomakeiteasierforemployerstofnd apprentices. We havedevelopedaplatform tostreamlinetheprocess–astraight-froward applicationprocessfortheaspiringapprentice andathorough,user-friendlyselectionprocess fortheemployer.

“Webelievethisco-ordinatedapproach, somewhatlikeUCASbutforapprenticeships, iscentraltothelong-termsuccessand growthoftheapprenticeshipculturein NorthernIreland.Ultimately,it’saboutmaking apprenticeshipsattractiveandaccessiblefor bothemployersandaspiringapprentices.”

RichardKirkof WorkpluswithEconomy MinisterGordon LyonsalongsideEvie BorelandandOscarDaly

Housepricesriseagain butstormcloudsgathering

Enquiriesfromwould-behouse buyersfellattheirsteepestrate sincetheearlydaysofthepandemic duringAugust,accordingtoanew report.

TheRoyalInstitutionofCharteredSurveyors (RICS)andUlsterBankResidentialMarket Surveyfoundthatthecost-of-livingcrisisand widereconomicchallengeswereimpactingon marketconditions.

Infationhashit10.1%,leadingtotheBank ofEnglandincreasingthebaserateto1.75%, whileconsumersarealsofacingheftyincreases inenergybills.

TheRICSwarnedthatthepictureformarket activitywaschallenging,eventhoughhouse prices roseinAugustandwereexpectedto keeprisingintheshorttomediumterm.

AseparatesurveyfromHalifaxputtheaverage NorthernIrelandhousepriceat£185,505–up 12.5%year-on-year.

TheRICSsaidinterestfromnewbuyersfell forthesecondmonthina rowandataneven steeperratethaninJuly.Itwastheweakest monthforbuyerdemandsinceMay2020. ThenumberofagreedsalesfellinAugust, althoughsome respondentsexpectedthe numbertoincreaseoverthenextthree months.

Theoutlookforsalesamongsurveyorsfor12 months’timewasthemostdownbeatithad beensinceApril2020.Itwasalsothethird monthina rowthatsurveyorsindicatedthey expectedsalestobelowerinayear.

Respondents reportedthattherewasa shortageofpropertiesonthemarket,although someindicatedtherehadbeenaslight increaseinavailablehomesinAugust.

Thatapparentlackofsupplyhasbeenpushing upprices,withthemajority reportingan increaseduringAugust.

Alargenumberoflocalsurveyors–more thananyotherUK region–expectpricesto behigherinayear’stime,despitethefearsof salesslowing.

“NorthernIrelandisseeingscalingbackof enquiriesanddemandfromextremelyhigh levelsearlierintheyear,”SamuelDickey, RICSNorthernIreland residentialproperty spokesman,said.“Thiswasveryexpected, butwhilelowerthanitwas,demandisstill outstrippingsupply.

“Wecontinuetoseepropertiessellingand askingpricesbeingmetandsometimes exceeded. We arelikelytoseethislackof supplybeasignifcantfactorinthemarketfor theforeseeable.[This]explainswhysurveyors

expectpricegrowthoverthecoming12 months.”

TerryRobb,headofpersonalbankingatUlster Bank,said:“Mortgagedemandhasbeenvery good[inthe]yeartodate,andourexpectation isthattherewillcontinuetobegooddemand fromhomebuyers.

“With regardtoexistingmortgagecustomers, wecontinuetoseeastrongdemandforfxedratemortgagesasmoreandmorecustomers arelookingforcertaintyatthistime.”

AccordingtotheHalifaxhousepricesurvey, theaverageUKhousepriceincreasedby0.4% month-on-monthinAugusttohitanew recordhighof£294,260.Thatwasalsoan annualincreaseof11.5%.

Butthelender’s reportwarnedthat“amore challengingperiodforhousepricesshouldbe expected”.

KimKinnaird,directorofHalifaxMortgages, saidthemonthlyincreasewas“relatively modest”comparedtoothers recorded recently.

“Overthelastyear,therateofmonthlyhouse priceinfationhasaveragedaround0.9%. However,theannualrateofgrowthdropped to11.5%,from11.8%inJuly,thelowestlevel inthreemonths.”

■

Propertymarketheading forbumperfnalquarter?

ByDavidMcClure,managingdirector, OsborneKing

Therecanbelittledoubtthat wearecurrentlylivinginquite extraordinarytimes.

We haveyettoseethebackofaglobal publichealthemergencyintheshapeofthe Covid-19pandemic,anever-shiftinglocal politicallandscape,thecomplexitiesofour divorcefromtheEU,spirallinginfationand eyewateringenergypricesprimarilyfuelledby thewarinUkraine.Asimplyastonishingsetof circumstancesthelikeofwhichnoneofushas witnessedinlivingmemory.

Itseemswesimplylurchperpetuallyfromone crisistothenextandthereareasyetnosigns oftheseheadwindsabating.Incrediblyinthis context,ourlocalpropertymarkethasfared remarkablywellin recenttimes,predominantly buoyedbyanewwaveofcashrichprivate investorskeentodabbleinbricksandmortar, andofcoursewemustn’tforgetsomehardy perennials.

We estimatethatmorethantwothirdsofthe investmentactivity recordedtodatein2022 hasbeentransactedbysuchindividualsand they remainthedominantbuyergroup,atrend thathasprevailedoverthepastdecadein particular.

Thissaid,onecouldarguethatwehaveor areperhapsabouttoarriveatsomethingof acrossroads.Thereisarashofinvestment producteithercurrentlyonthemarketor headingtowardsitcurrentlytotallingaround £250m. To putthisinsomecontext,thisis around£50mmorethanthetotalvolume transactedoverthefrstthreequartersof 2022.

Theproductisvaried,straddlesallsectorsof

themarketandincludessomebiggerticket itemssuchasRushmereShoppingCentre inCraigavonwithanaskingpriceof£57m, theSoloistoneofBelfast’smosticonicoffce buildingsat£35mandtheMalluskPark IndustrialComplexat£16m.

Suchassetswhilstallattractivewillbeout of reachformostofthetraditionalbuyer pooloutlined(certainlywithoutfunding)and newinwardinvestmentwillthereforelikely be requiredto‘mop-up’thesupply.Thisis ofcoursenothingnew,withthe required introductionof‘newmoney’happening periodicallythroughthemarketcycle.

In regardstoourtypicalmarketcharacteristics, sellerswithgoodqualitywelllocatedproduct haveprobablylittletofearastheirassetswill continuetocommandstrongpricing.This hasalready recentlybeendemonstratedin lastmonth’ssaleofImperialHouse,aprime mixedoffce/retailinvestmentonDonegall SquareSouthoverlookingCityHallwhichwas

acquiredbyalocalprivateinvestorfor£7.1m, refectinganetinitialyieldofsub6%.

However,thereisanoteofcautionasatthe otherendofthespectrumpricingforinferior oreventhoseslightlylessattractiveassets islikelytocreepoutandwillneedtobe consideredas representinggenuinevalueto attractbuyersaswemoveforward.

Ihavecommentedmanytimesbeforeinsuch articles,abouttheskill, resilienceandappetite ofourlocalentrepreneurandtheirunwavering commitmenttoourmarket,butquitesimply theywillnotbesuffcientinisolationtodeal withthecurrentsupplyofproduct.Froma professionalperspectiveitwillbefascinating towitnesshowthecomingmonthsunfoldand inparticularwherethewiderdemandcomes fromintheperiodthatfollows.

DavidMcClure Tel:02890270000Mobile:07740393756 E-mail:david.mcclure@osborneking.com

DavidMcClure

“Overthelasttwoyears,ithas beenencouragingtosee signifcantactivitywithinthe NorthernIrelandpropertymarket,despite acontinuedbackdropofuncertainty,” PeterMcCallsays.

“The residentialboomwasofcoursedrivenby remoteworkingandthestampdutyholiday butthecommercialpropertymarket remained buoyantthroughoutthistimealso.

“The retailsectorstayedactive,showingits resilienceinthefaceofthelockdownsand pressurefromon-linecompetition.Froma legalservicesperspective,atMillarMcCall Wyliewenotedasignifcantincreaseinlease renegotiations,astenantssoughtto reduce

theirliabilitieswhilstlandlordssoughtto protecttheirinvestmentvalues.

“Furthermore,aconsiderableamountof shoppingcentresand retailparkschanged hands.

“Wewerepleasedtoactforajointventure includingtheBallymena-based Walkerfamily intheacquisitionofFairhillShoppingCentre andforotherlocalinvestorsintheiracquisition ofConnswaterRetailPark.Seeingtheseassets beingacquiredbylocalinvestorsfurther refectsthestrengthofthemarket.” Thistrendextendedtootherpartsofthe investmentmarket,SimonFlemingsays.

“ThisJuly,weactedforalocaldeveloper/ investor,intheacquisitionoftheFourCorners site,includingthePremierInnandMuddlers’ ClubintheCathedralQuarterfromaLondon basedinvestmentfund.Duringtheearlypart ofthepandemic,weactedforalocalinvestor intheacquisitionofGoodwoodHouse,one ofthehighestvalueoffcedealstohave transactedoverthelastfewyears.

“Encouragingly,theindustrialandlogistics sector remains robust,withalackofavailable stockhelpingtokeep rentsbuoyant.Last year,weactedforajointventureheadlined bytheCPGGroupintheacquisitionofKilroot BusinessPark,thelargestcommercialpark inNorthernIrelandundersingleownership, whichwaswidelyseenasasignifcantvoteof confdenceinthesector.

“Wehavealsoactedinasignifcantnumberof lettingswithinthesector,includingnewleases for Yodeland TataSteel,”Simonsays.

Theoffcemarkethasclearlybeenaffected bythepandemicandtheriseofhybrid working.Althoughsomeoccupierswillseek todownsize,mostorganisationscontinueto requireanappealingcentraloffcesolution. Thishasencourageddeveloperstobringnew, highqualityoffcespacestothemarket.

“SeveralgradeAschemeshavebeen completedorarecurrentlypending completion,”SimonFlemingsays.

“WearedelightedtobeactingforMRPinthe initiallettingswithinThe Vantage,thenewly refurbishedlandmarkoffceblockinBelfast citycentre.

“Propertydevelopmentwithinhospitality ismakingawelcomebouncebackpost lockdown.Demandforhotelsisindicatedby thenumberof recentlyapprovedschemes, notablytheformerNambarrie Teafactory andthe256hotel/’apart-hotel’,plannedfor Belfast’s TitanicQuarter.

“Wehavealsoseensustaineddemandfor theacquisitionofestablishedhotels.Last year,weactedforajointventurebetween DuneaneAssetManagementandPortbannis intheacquisitionoftheformerParkInnby RadissonintheCityCentre.

“Wehavealso remainedactiveinthefood anddrinkindustry,actingfortheownersof White’s Taverninthe redevelopmentand regenerationofthehistoricWhite’s Tavernin thecitycentre,amongothers.

“Wewouldhopetoseethepublicsector soonfollowtheprivatesectorin returning intocityandtowncentres,providingamuchneededboosttohospitality,”Simonsays.

Thecommercialpropertymarkethas remained resilientinthefaceofmajor headwinds,anachievementtheteamat MillarMcCallWylieputsdowntoambition withinthesector.

“Thestrengthofthesectorisundoubtedly thankstotheambitious,determinedand highlyskilledpeoplewithinit,”PeterMcCall says.

“Despitethemanyeconomicfactorswe collectivelynowface,we remainoptimistic thatthis resiliencewillcontinueoverthe monthstocome.

“AtMillarMcCallWylie,wehaveseen ourmarketshareincreasesincetheonset ofCovid-19.Thisis refectedintherapid expansionofour12-strongpropertyteam andwewouldexpectthisexpansionto continueinto2023andbeyond.”

MillarMcCallWylieisamulti-specialismlaw frmbasedinBelfast.Itscommercialproperty teamhastransactedinover£250mofdeals withinthe retail,industrial,offceandleisure sectorsinthelasttwoyears. ■

To fndoutmoreortogetintouchvisit www.mmwlegal.com

Farrans launches new mental health training initiative

Construction giant Farrans has launched new internal training courses aimed at tackling issues around mental health.

The civil engineering and building contractor has partnered with Action Mental Health and Dan Long Associates to launch its new Have the Conversation sessions. They aim to provide staff with the correct training to manage situations arising from these conversations.

Employing more than 550 people, Farrans aims to treat mental health with the same responsiveness and training that it does physical health.

The in-person half day training involves actors from Dan Long Associates role playing relevant scenarios with the audience offering their thoughts on how to approach certain conversations or how to direct the discussion in the most helpful way.

The company says the actors replay the

scenarios and the participants are able to learn from the changes and know how to better handle these situations should they arise.

The training also includes advice on seeking help from a panel of experts, Action Mental Health and representatives from the company’s HR team.

“We are proud to have already had 90 employees taking part in Have the Conversation,” Lisa Haycock, training and development adviser, Farrans Construction, said.

“Several years ago, we found a gap in support for our employees. Feedback from managers offered us a better understanding of their openness to conversations around mental health but a lack of training was holding people back, specifically on how to best manage potential situations arising from these conversations.

“Have the Conversation helps us to create

a space where our people feel they can reach out to seek help and we want to ensure the training is in place on how to react should those conversations happen. In addition to this, we have trained mental health first aiders on over 30 of our project sites, a 24/7 counselling and support health line, GP anytime and a wellbeing app, all of which form part of our holistic Well Together strategy.”

Shelly Wilson, works manager at Action Mental Health, said: “Collaborating with Farrans on Have the Conversation has been excellent. Action Mental Health Works is delighted to be part of a ground-breaking and innovative workshop that helps support managers to recognise the signs of mentalill health and signpost those affected to appropriate sources of support.

“We are very encouraged to see leading employers such as Farrans adopt such a proactive approach to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of their staff.” ■

Lisa Haycock, Farrans Construction and Shelly Wilson, Action Mental Health

DowdsEnergySolutions: Helping industrysavemoneyand gogreen

Establishedover40yearsago,Dowds Groupis a leadingmulti-discipline specialistcontractorhavingbuilt a solid reputationbydeliveringcomplex engineeringprojects.

Renownedintheindustryfordelivering exceptionaltieronemechanicalandelectrical engineeringprojectsthroughoutNI,GBandthe RepublicofIreland,DowdsGroupcontinues toexpandtheiroffertonewandexisting clientswith a truly‘onestopservice’including construction,facilitiesmanagementandenergy solutions.

DowdsGroup’s ongoinggrowthinthe increasinglycriticalenergymarket, fitsits multi-discipledcompanyperfectly Thecompany continuestoprovidenewandexistingclients withend-toendenergysolutions,intheirdrive tobecomemore energyefficient, reducetheir carbonfootprintandmeettheirobligationsin respectoftheGovernment’s netzero targets by2030.

DowdsEnergySolutions’turnkeyoffersolution willhelpcustomersestablishtheircurrent energyusageindetail,throughenergyauditing andanalysis,identifysolutionsto reduceenergy, designandinstall renewabletechnologiesand where requiredsourcecapexfundingforclients. ThroughitsalliancepartnershipsDowdsEnergy Solutionsoffersclientsadditionalservicessuch asongoingenergymonitoringandenergy aggregationif required.

DowdsEnergySolutions’offer

DowdsEnergySolutionsiscurrentlyworking withseveralmajorcompanieswhohavetasked themwiththeturnkeyprojectmanagement oftheirenergyinitiativesandnetcarbon targeting,withseveral renewablesolutions readytocommenceonsite.

Atpresentitstargetsectorsrangefrom,large commercial,heavyindustry, quarryfacilities, agri-food,throughto refrigeratedwarehousing, howeveritishappytooffertailoredsolutions forotherhighenergyusers.

WhatmakesDowdsEnergySolutions’offer uniqueisbeing a multi-disciplinedorganisation itcanexecuteallaspectsoftheenergyprojects, includingaftercare andservicethroughits FacilitiesManagementdivision,ensuring itscustomershaveonepointofcontact throughoutthewholelifecycleoftheir project.

“We expecttheenergymarkettogathereven more momentumoverthemediumtolong termandweare positioningourselvestobethe preferredprovideroftheservices requiredby industryandexpecttoexpandsignificantlyover thecomingmonthsandinthenext fiveto10 years,”BrianCunning,director, said.

“Ourcommitmenttothisofferisclearly

recentlymadetwo

EnergySolutionsDivision.”

Expandingandgrowingthe fundingmarketplaceinNI

“A

sthefundinglandscape broadens,brokersexistto provideoptionsforbusinesses.”

ThefundinglandscapeinNorthernIreland isconstantlyevolvingandbusinessescanbe overwhelmedwiththewealthofoptionsthat areoutthere,particularlygiventheeverchangingappetiteoffunders.

Locally-ownedfundmanagerWhiterock Financehasprovided£100mmezzanine fnancetobusinessesoverthelast10years havingpreviouslyidentifedalackofalternative optionsinthisspace.

Observingafurthergapinthemarketin relationtofundingenquiriesthatdidn’tft thecriteriaoftheirexistingfunds,Whiterock launchedthePropertyandCommercial Financearmofthebusinesswhichsawthe appointmentofClareStokes,headofproperty fnanceand RyanMurphy,headofcommercial fnancein2021whobothbringthebeneft ofstrongcorporatefnanceandcommercial bankingbackgrounds.

“Itwasapparentfromtheoutsetthat therewasagapinthelocalmarketfor borrowersseekingassistancewithfundraising requirements,”Claresays.

“Our roleistounderstandthefundingneeds ofourclientsandleverageourexisting relationshipswithfunderstoallowusto presentarangeofoptions,manyofwhich theymaynotevenhavebeenawareof.”

Ryansays:“Recentlywe’vebeenworking onsecuringpropertyfnancefor residential developmentschemes, residentialinvestment portfolios,landbanks,commercialproperty andhotels. We havealsoassistedlocalSMEs

andcorporateclientswithboth refnancesand growthcapitalraising,helpingthemnavigate thechallengesthatcomewithfndingthebest longtermfundingpartner.”

Withmostnewclient relationshipsbornefrom word-of-mouth referrals, Ryansaysthatthey areconstantlybuildingnew relationshipswith borrowersandfundersalike.

“Wedon’tsimplytaketheborrowers informationandsharethatwiththefunder. We investinourclient relationshipsand seektoaddvalue,callingonour respective experience. We lookateachclient’s situationindividuallyandhaveopen,honest conversationswithborrowersabouttheir potentialoptionswhichthenallowsustotake amoretargetedapproachtofunderswhoare bestsuitedtothetransaction.”

Claresaysbusinessescannotbeexpected tohavefullvisibilityofthediverserangeof fundingoptionsavailableinthemarket.

“Ofcoursecompaniescansourcetheirown funding,butourvalueaddisourexpertise andnetworkoffunders,withwhomweare in regulardialogue.

“Thissavesseniormanagementteamstime allowingthemtoruntheirbusinesswhile wenotonlysourcethefundingoptionsthat theymaynothavehadthetimeor resource tofndthemselves,butalsoactivelymanage theprocesstoensureasmoothandtimely completion.

“RyanandIhavebothbeenontheinside. We knowwhatfundersarelookingfor,how creditfunctionstickandwhattheirappetite forriskislikelytobe. Withover30years’ experiencebetweenus,wehavestrong relationshipswithtraditionalandalternative fundersacrossNorthernIreland,GBand Irelandandwefocusonhelpingbusinesses source,notjustanyfundingpartner,butthe bestpossiblepartnertomeettheirspecifc requirements.”

RyanMurphyand

Office environment &fit-out

Pivoting amidchanging demands for ft-out

Whiledemandhasreturnedforhigh-endoffceand retailft-outs,someofourleadingfrmsherehavealso pivotedtowardsnewareasofbusiness,enteredfresh partnershipsandshoneastronglightongoinggreen.

UlsterBusiness takesacloserlook

Theattentionhasbeenfocusedon whatthefutureoftheoffcecould looklikeoverthelastfewmonths.

Nolongerjustaplaceinwhichyouhaveto parkyourselfeachdayfollowingachunky commute,butsomewherewhichcanhelp developideas,boostproductivityandattract workerstoonefrm,oranother.

Butwhilemanytopfrmshavecontinuedon thatpathandarenowworkingwithahost ofcompaniestodeveloptheirownoffcesof thefuture,othershaveusedthepandemic’s impactonbusinesstopivotandtarget newmarkets,aswellasalsoturningfresh attentiontowardssocialgovernanceand goinggreen.

Andsomeofourleadingfrmsarealso developingandfttingouteverythingfrom major retail,totelevisionstudiosandcruise ships.

“Thepandemichighlighteda realnecessity toconstructforthefutureandcreatelong-

lastingbuildsthatmeettheneedsofthenext generations,”IanHenry,CSRdirector,Henry Brothers,said.

“Thiscomesatatimewherebusinessesand individualshavemoreofa responsibilitythan everbeforetochangeourbehaviourand protectourenvironment.

“Followingthelaunchofourjourneyto netzero,weareconstantlyexpandingour portfolioofsustainablebuilds,withourfrst net-zerobuilding, WoodlandsForestand NurseySchoolforStaffordshireUniversity, completedearlierthisyear.

“ThiswillbefollowedbyLoughborough UniversityScienceandEnterprisePark,which isbeingbuilttoPassivhausclassicaccreditation tosignifcantly reduceCO2emissions.

“Theseprojectswillstandasablueprintfor newclients,helpingtoshapeupcoming lowcarbonschemesandshowcasingthat sustainablecanstillmeangoodvalue,costeffectivebuilding,andinnovation.

“Itisessentialthattheindustry,asacollective, isfuture-proofngbuildstoensuretheyare suitableformanyyearstocome.

“Whilethe roadaheadmightpresentits challenges,thereisasignifcantopportunity forustoworktogetherandmakeachange.”

Antrim-basedCalibro Workspaceisabusiness whichhascontinuedalongsideastrong pipelineofwork,despitethechallenges broughtforthbyCovid.

“Offcedesignandftoutexpert,Calibro Workspace,whichhasalwaysnarrowedits focusontheworkplacesectorthroughout

Ireland,stuckbyitscorebusinessduring thepandemicandfocussedonbuilding newcontacts,developing relationshipsand supportingcompanieswiththeir returnto workplans.

“Despiteenduringsomediffcultmonths,this hasbeenadecisionthatappearstohavepaid off,withalargepipelineofoffceprojectsand itisnowexpandingtheteaminnumerous areas.”

Newry-basedMJM,setupbyBrianMcConville, isacompanywhichputNorthernIrelandon themapformarineft-out,anddeveloped newpartnershipsandtargetednewofferings,

becomingkeypartsofitsbusiness,postpandemic.

“Collaborationbetweenoperators, destinations,shoreexcursionprovidersand outfttershasalwaysbeenintegraltothe successofthecruiseindustryandmaybeeven moresofollowingthepandemic,”thefrm said.

“Recognisingthis,MJMenterednew partnershipsthatcombineitsinteriorexpertise withhygiene-focusedproducts.

“Thefrstpartnershipwaswith Vyvwho offerarangeofantimicrobiallightsolutions

thatcontinuouslycleantheenvironmentin whichtheyareinstalled.Thisoffersasense ofsafetyandsecuritytocustomersand staffatatimewhenpassengersdemand higherenvironmentalwellnessstandards. Vyv’ssolutionsuseLEDlightingtocreate environmentsthatareinhospitabletobacteria, mould,fungiandyeast.Thelateststudy confrmseffectivenessagainstnon-enveloped viruses,whicharethemostdiffcultclassof virustodestroy.

“MJMhas recentlybeenawardedamultimillion-poundcontractwithMarellaCruises, forsignifcant refurbishmentworkonboard MarellaDiscovery.>

OF FICE EN VI RONME NT & FI T- OU T

“Thecompanyhaspreviouslyworked withthecruiseoperatoraboardMarella Explorer,inpartnershipwithVYV,supplying antimicrobiallightingsolutionsforthe public restrooms. Worksonthisnewproject willinvolvetheinstallationofthelighting technologytothewetunitswithinthe MarellaDiscoveryaspartofthecabin refresh project.”

ItssecondpartnershipwaswithIlimex, producerofairsterilisers.Thedevicesuse acombinationofsterilisationtechnologies toeliminate99.9%ofairbornepathogens, includingcoronavirus.

“Thesecomplementarytechnologies helptoimprovetheoverallprotectionof passengers,”thefrmsays.“Althoughthe pandemichadanoverwhelmingeffecton

themarineindustry,webelievethatweare uniquelypositionedtohelpourclientsinthe futuredeliveryofboth refurbishmentand newbuildworks.Thesepartnershipswerejust onewaythatMJMhasbeendoingitsbitto helpshipoperatorssafely returntoservice.”

MJMMarinechiefexecutiveGaryAnnett said:“Wearecontinuallyadaptingand enhancingourofferingstomatchthenew waysofoperatinginthecruiseindustry,postpandemic.

“Throughourpartnershipwith Vyv, wecan presentsolutionstoclientssuchasMarellathat facilitatessafeguardingmeasuresalongside thedeliveryofourbespoketurnkeyoutftting expertise,allwithoutcompromisingonthe qualityandcraftsmanshipsynonymouswith ourcompanyvalues.”

Andaccordingto WorkSpacedirector,Richard Cheevers,thecompanyutilisedlockdownasa chanceto reviewitsbusiness.

ThecompanyispartofthewiderMcLaughlin

“Usinglockdownasanopportunityto

ITgiantAllstateposts61% dropinpre-taxprofts

OneofNorthernIreland’sbiggestIT companieshas reporteda61%fall inpre-taxproftsastheeffectsof anunexpectedpandemicbounceworeoff.

AllstateNI,whichprovidesITandbusiness processservicestoUSinsurancegiantthe AllstateCorporation, reportedafallinturnover of7%from£128.4mto£119.6mfor2021.

Meanwhile,it’sunderstoodmanagingdirector JohnHealyisleavinghis roleatthetopofthe frm’sNorthernIrelandarm.

Itspre-taxproftdroppedfrom£8.8mto £3.4m.Itsaveragenumberofemployees alsodecreasedslightly,from2,298to2,266. However,notwithstandingtheslightfallin staffnumbers,thecompanypaybill rosefrom £99.9mto£101.5m.

Inastrategic reportfledwiththeaccounts, thecompanysaid:“Thebusinessperformed inlinewithexpectationsin2021,compared to2020whichhadbeenbetterthanexpected duetounforeseenpandemic-relatedbenefts.

“Theturnoverdecreasewasduetoa reduced needforthirdpartycontractors,whichisa variable requirement,adecreaseinemployee headcountandastrengtheningofthepound todollarexchangerate.Theproftmargin derivedfromtheturnoverwasintheexpected range.”

Itaddedthatthebiggestrisksfacingthe companywereexchangeratevolatilityand accesstotalent.

“Exchangeratevolatilityismonitoredby managementaspartoftheiroversightofthe exchangerate,”thecompanysaid.

“Tradingactivitieswithinafnancialyearare notimpactedbythisvolatility,duetothe exchangerateriskmitigationprogrammes.” Anditsaidtheissueofaccesstotalentwasa UK-widechallenge.

“Thestabilityofthecurrentworkforceand accesstotalentmaybebeimpactedbypostpandemicinfationandmobility.Thisisan uncertaintyfacedbyallUKcompaniesand particularlyinthetechnologysector.”

ItaddedthattheCovidpandemic,warin Ukraineandclimatechangehadallcreated uncertaintiesforbusiness.However,inthe short-termtheriskshadnotimpactedonthe abilityofthecompanytodobusiness.

“Theramifcationsofimpactsinthemedium tolongtermcouldaffectthecompany inthefutureandisbeingmonitoredby management.”

Thestrategic reportsaidthattheextensive useoftechnologyhadenabledittodealwith thedisruptioncausedbyCovid,andtherehad beennoimpactontheabilityofthecompany totrade.

Thecompanystartedanewhybridworking policyfromApril.Lookingahead,the companysaidit“expectstoseegrowthin somebusinessareasand reductionsinothers in2022,whileoverallheadcountshould remainstable”.

“Thereisacostadvantagetodoingbusinessin NorthernIreland,theworkforceisskilledand experienced,andourtechnologicalcapability ishigh.

“Thesearekeyfactorsintheabilityof thecompanytohelpdeliverAllstate’s transformativegrowthstrategy.”

Whilethecompanyhasnobusinessinterests inUkraineandisnotdirectlyimpactedby theconfict,“thereareindirectimpactsdue torisingenergypricesandwageinfation pressures”.

Overall,the reportsaidthatthecompany waswellplacedtomanageitsbusinessrisks, despitetheuncertaineconomicoutlook.

“Thecompanyhassuffcientfnancial resourcesfornormaloperations…intheevent ofanextremedownturnoftheUSdollarto sterlingexchangerate,thecompanycanavail ofaparentcompanyloanfacility.”

Thecompanyhadpaidaninterimdividendof £5minDecember2021althoughtherewould benofnaldividend.AllstateNIsaiditwould notbeprovidinganyfurthercomment.

JohnHealy

TheFuture Workplace: Q&AwithCalibro Workspace

Howhastheworkplacechangedandhowmuchwillitdevelopfurtherinapostpandemicworld? AaronPatton of Calibro Workspace answerssomeofthe bigquestions

Whathaschangedin recentyearsinthe officeindustry? ESG(economic,social,governmental)isthe wordofthemoment.Certaincompanies arestartingtoimplementstandardsforthe minimumESGcredentialsthatthey’llaccept forspacesthey’relookingtotakeandthe onusandchallengewillbeonlandlordsand propertydeveloperstosupplythestocktosuit. Thisiswhydemandisgrowingforhighquality officespacethathelptenantsworktowards theirsustainabilitygoals.However,withmany investorslikelytositontheirhandswhilst inflation rendersmanyprojectsunviable,it remainstobeseenhowthismayleavesupply ofqualitygradeAspaceinthecomingyears andchallengescouldthenappearforthe occupiersshoulddemandcontinue.

Alongsidethis,therehasalsobeenincreased

appetiteto retro-fitor refurbishexisting spacesasopposedtotheconstructionof newofficebuildings.Despitethechallenges thatcancomewithmajor refurbishments, suchaspotentiallongerprojectdurations, higherpreliminarycostsduetoincreased management requirementsandhigherrisks, thesechallengesarebeingoff-setmorenow bythedesireto reducethecarbonemissions associatedwithnewbuildprojects.Thesame appliesonasmallerscalewhenitcomesto companieslookingatmakingamendstotheir officelayoutorchangingtheirfurniture–the commonthemeislookingatwhatmaterialsor productscanbe re-purposedor re-usedinany changesthatcompaniesdoimplement.

Hasthe‘deathoftheoffice’materialised? Certainlynot,themoodis relativelypositive, manybusinessesarecommentingthatthey

havebeennoticingaconsistentuptakein officeusagesincethey’ve re-openedtheoffice overthepastsixmonths.Itisalsoclearthat occupierdemandisstillpresentandis relatively buoyant.Theviewingsandinterestinproperty isverymuchaliveandalthoughitmaybe takinglongerforcompaniestoformalisetheir plansandmakedecisionsduetouncertainty, thefactthattheinterestisstillthereindicates that reportsthattheofficeisdeadhaveturned outverymuchfalseandthisinterestshould ultimatelyturnintomoredeals.

Thereisnodoubtthatpeoplewillcontinue tolookforflexibilityintheirworking arrangementshoweverthe requirementforthe office remainsasimportantormoreimportant thaneverasahubforsocialinteraction, collaboration,innovationandultimatelyattract and retaintoptalent.

Whatarestafflookingfornowfromthe offce?

Peoplehaveworkedfromhomeforthepast coupleofyears,newworkinghabitshave beenformedandessentially,itisnowcommon knowledgethatitcanwork.Moreover,habits takeweekstoform–inthemain,people havebeenformingnewhabitsforovertwo yearswithworkingfromhome,thesehabits won’tbebrokenovernight(andtheyprobably neverwillbe).Theyhavemoretimeintheday withoutthecommuteintotheoffceandmore fexibility,therefore,whywouldtheycomeinto theoffceiftherewasno reasontodoso?

However,whenyoulookatitfromthe employerside,theyneedpeopleintheoffce fornumerous reasons–asmentionedinthe previousquestion–butultimatelyforthe cultureofthebusinessinviewof remaining relevant.Therefore,morehastobedoneto encourageemployeesbacktotheoffceand tomakeitworthwhileforpeopletomakethe commute.Thetypeofamenitiesonofferinthe offceorinthesurroundingarea,eventsthat aregoingonintheoffceorevenassimple aswhatcolleaguesmightbeintheoffceon acertaindayareallfactorsthatwillimpact onwhetherstaffwillfeelit’sworthwhile comingintotheoffceornot,orwhetherthey feelthey’vemissedoutiftheyhaven’tcome

in.Providingavarietyofworkingareasfor completingvarioustasksproductivelyisvital forencouragingpeoplebackintotheoffce also.

Howhasthischangedthedesignprocess andjourney?

Whatwe’reseeingandhavealwaystriedto stressinourprocessisthatalotmorethought and researchisgoingininaconsultativeway tothedesignprocesspriortocommitting toaspaceandindeedbeforeft-outworks commence.Theimportanceofworkspace consultancyandtrulyunderstandingthe needsandwantsofthepeoplewho’llbe usingthespaceisimperativetogettingthe location,sizeofspaceandultimatelydesign andft-outofthespaceright.Thisiswhyit’s actuallysoimportanttobeengagingwith aworkspacepartnerattheearlystagesin theprocesstogivetheconfdencethatwhat you’recommittingtoistherightmoveforyour business.

Qualityoverquantityofspaceisnowmore importantthaneverandincorporating elementsofthecomfortofthehomeintothe design,aswellascreatingmorefexibleand adaptablespacesarenowattheforefront, whileensuringsustainablechoicesalongthe way.

Lookingahead–whatdothenextfew yearslooklikefortheoffce?

We’llprobablybehearingthesethreewordsa bitmore–fexibility,adaptabilityandchange. Somuchhaschangedinthelastfewyears, behavioursandprioritieshavechangedand Idon’tthinkanyoneintheindustryorinany businesswouldsaytheyhavealltheanswers. Therecertainlyisn’taone-sizeftsallapproach totheoffceandthat’swhatmakesitsofun. Ourpassionistrulydrillingdeepdownand understandinghoweachbusinessworksand tolistentothe requirementsofyourteam.

Themajorityofbusinessesarestillonthe journeyof rollingouttheirhybridworking arrangementsandtryingtobottomoutwhat thismightmeanfortheir realestateportfolio. Therefore,thereisaneedto remainfexible, watchthetrendsandkeeplisteningtowhat yourpeoplehavetosaywhenlookingat thedesignofoffcesofthefutureaswellas puttingsustainabilityattheforefront. Ultimately,amoreconsultative,co-ordinated, thought-throughapproachpriortocommitting toanyprojectiswhatwe’reseeingwhen workingwithclientsandismostdefnitely whatwe’dbe recommendingintoday’s market.

■

OF FICE EN VI RONME NT & FI T- OU T

Gettingback toa modern offce and workplace

What’sneededtoencouragestaffbacktotheworkplaceandhowhasthepandemic shiftedexpectationsamongstaff,manyofwhomhavebeenbasedathomeformore thantwoyears? Innov8 takesalookattheoffcelandscape

Canweencouragestaffbacktotheoffce?

Theworkingworldhasevolvedandchanged rapidlyin recentyears.Beforethepandemic, wewereaccustomedtoseeing rowsand rows ofdesks.Duringthepandemic,wefound comfortinworkingfromhomeanddiscovered thatoffcesarenottheonlyplacepeoplecan beproductive.Nowthatthepandemichas passed,thepurposeoftheoffcehaschanged, andemployeeexpectationsarehigher.

Expectationsofemployees

Nowthatpeoplehavediscoveredandbecome accustomedtothecomfortofworkingfrom home,manyare reluctantto returntothe offcefull-time.Employerfexibilityisexpected, andpeoplearenolongercontentwith‘free teaandcoffee’beingabeneftofworking foranemployer.GenZhasthehighest expectationscomparedtooldergenerations.

Havingenteredtheworkingworldduringthe pandemic-eraofworking,theirexpectationis tocontinueworkingfromhomeforindividual worktasksandwillonlycommutetotheoffce tolearnfromexperiencedgenerationsand completeworkasateam.

Howcanemployersmanagethesehigher expectations? Employersneedtoadaptandacceptthatthe pre-pandemicwayofworkingisinthepast. The requirementforstafftobeintheoffce full-timeisnolongernecessarynoraccepted byemployees.Hybridworkingandtrustare expectedbyemployees.Peoplewillchooseto workforcompaniesthatofferafexiblework environmenttoallowforabetterwork-life balance. Youroffcespaceneedsto refectthis changeandbecomeaplaceofcollaboration forenhancedteamworkandlearning.

Thenewoffce–aplaceofcollaboration

IfIamproductiveandhappyworkingfrom home,whyshouldItraveltotheoffce?

Thereisonethingmostofusstruggle withwhenworkingfromhome:building relationshipsandworkingincollaboration withcolleagues.Bycreatingacollaborative workenvironmentandencouragingteamwork withintheoffceemployeeswillbemorelikely to returnforthepurposeofcollaboratingand buildingprofessionalwork relationships.

We havehelpedemployers reducetheiroffce sizesandcreatespacesforcollaborativework.

Thereareeasysolutions,suchasincorporating groupworkelements,forexample,moveable interactivescreensandwhiteboardswithin

communalspaces.Thisencouragesteamwork inallareasoftheworkplace.Mostofyour commercialspaceshouldbededicatedto differentsizesofcomfortablegroupareasto allowfordifferenttypesofcollaborativework. However,itisalsoimportanttoincorporate somequietindividualworkstationsorpodsfor thosewhowanttobreakawayandcomplete someindividualwork.

Turningyouroffceintoacollaborationspace doesnotneedtobeadiffculttask.Thisis

wherewecanhelpshedknowledgeandclarity oncommercialinteriorindustrytrends.Our uniquedesignprocesswillmakethischange afunexperience.Fromthebeginningof yourproject,youwillworkdirectlywithour designteamandworkspaceconsultants. We willgettoknowexactlywhatyourneedsare andcanworkwithyourbudget,brand,and team.Thefutureworkplaceishere,letus helpyou redesignyourspacetoencourage acollaborativeworkenvironmentthat employeeswillwanttocommuteto.

Alpha: Marking50years withamajorrebrand

Whenwebeganthinkingabout theanniversary,wehadnoidea thatwewouldallsoonbehit byaglobalpandemic,orthatitwould completelychangethewayweallwork.

AlphaweatheredtheCovidstormbetterthan wecouldhaveimaginedwhenthepandemic frsthit.Atthatstage,everyonewasbeing senthometoworkandwewonderedwhere ourfuturelayasoffceexperts.But,afterthat shortinitialperiod,our rolebecameclear. Companiesandorganisationswouldneed ouradviceandservicesmorethanthey’dever done. We tooktheopportunityduringthe CovideratoplanforAlpha’sfuture,including the rollingoutofanew,simplifedand rejuvenatedAlphabrand.

Themarketwasabitconfused. We hadthe AlphaOffceFurniturebrand,butwealsohad the1080brandandaseparatebrandname (Matrix)intheRepublicofIreland. We asked ourcustomersandtheemphaticanswerwas thatmostofthemknewussimplyasAlpha.

ThecompanyworkedwiththeexperiencedIan BenningtonandhisteamasPart TwoDesign inBelfasttocomeupwithasharpnewAlpha logoincorporatingthenumberone,which refectsthatweareasingle,unifedcompany ofmanyfacetswithaverypowerfulblend ofexpertiseandknowledgeacrossfurniture, ft-outanddesign.Thenewcorporateidentity wasoffciallylaunchedinMayofthisyear.

Thenewsingle-brandalsomeantthatoursales teaminDublincouldbecomeanintegralpart ofa£30mcompanyandnotan€8mdivision.

Rebrandcomplete,theheadcountacrossthe

company’sfourbasesintheUKandIreland hasalsogrownbysixtoatotalof105. We are excitedaboutthefuture,thepipelineislooking strong.Notably,theteamhavejustcompleted amajor refurbishmentandft-outprojectat ESB’sheadquartersoffDublin’sStStephen’s GreenandtheCentralBank’soffceelsewhere inthecity.

Organisationsarecomingtousforadviceall thetime.Thekeythingwe’retellingthem isthat,wheretheyusedtosqueezein100 desks,gofor60instead. Today’sworking environmentsareallaboutspaceandthey’re allaboutcommunalareas.

Peoplearemuchmorelikelytomovearound abuildingnowandworkindifferentareas, ratherthansitatthedeskdayin,dayout.It’s aboutcaféareas, restareas,outdoorspaces, andmakingspaceasfexibleaspossible.

We understandthatbigoffceinvestmentsare bigticketcapitalspendsforourcustomers. They’renotsomethingthattheyembarkon lightly,sotheywantalltheadvicetheycanget andtheywanttogetitright.That’swherewe comein–rightatthestartoftheprocess.

ForAlpha,it’sacaseofbuildingonthe momentumthatwe’vealreadybuiltup. We’re astrong,outward-lookingbusinessandwe’ve nowgotastrong,simplifedbrand.Changeis agoodthing,andthechangebroughtonby thepandemichasbeengoodforus.Butit’s alsobeengoodforanyonewhoworksinan offce.

Overthewintermonths,wearepredictingan infuxofpeople returningtotheoffceasthe costoflivingcontinuestorise. Withthisin mind,we’reonamissiontohelpbusinesses gettheiroffces readyforthistransition.

Motoring ByPatBurns

Rally inspired Hyundai hothatch

Havingwontwo recent roundsof the WorldRallyChampionship,the Hyundaii20Nhasthepedigreeand credentialsofatophothatchback.

ItbuildsonthestrengthsoftheKorean manufacturersestablishedperformance focussedNbrandandtheengineeringvalues ofthei20CoupeWRCcar.It’sequallyathome providingperformancebothonthe roadand track.

Thei20N’spin-sharphandlingandimpressive turn-iniscombinedwithmotorsport-inspired styling,infotainmenttechnologyandadvanced safetyfeatureswiththeabilitytostillbea practical,fve-doorhatchback,suitablefor everydaydriving.It’supagainsttheSTFiesta andcanmatchtheBlueOval’shothatchin termsoffunandhighperformancehandling.

Powercomesfromanewgeneration1.6 T-GDiturbochargedfour-cylinderengine, whichproduces204PSand275Nmoftorque. Hyundai’sfatpowertechnologydeliversmore torqueandpoweratlowerengine revstouse moreoftheengine’spotentialineveryday drivingsituations.Thesprintfrom0to62mph canbeachievedin6.7seconds.

Anumberofmotorsport-inspiredfeatures comefttedtothei20Nasstandard.These includeamechanicallimited-slipdifferential that regulatesthetransmissionofthe engine’spowertothefrontwheelsand providesoptimumgripandtractioninall conditions.Alaunchcontrolsystemensures amaximum-poweraccelerationstarttoevery trackdrive.Apressofthe redbuttonon thesteeringwheelinitiatesHyundai’sRevmatchingtechnology,providingcontrolled geardownshiftwithadouble-declutching function.Fivedrivingmodes,Normal, Eco,Sport,NandNCustom,areoffered byHyundai’sNGrinControlSystem,andthe drivercanalsocreatetheirpreferredexhaust note,thankstothevariablemuffercontrol system.

Newlydesignedgreymattefnish18-inch alloywheelsand redbrakecalliperswithN logosaccentuatethecar’ssportingfeelwhile the rearofthevehiclefeaturesabumper withbuilt-indiffuser-likeelements,alarge exhaustpipe,LEDlightningfashstyletail lampsandatriangularfoglight.Italsohas WRC-inspired roofspoiler.

Insidethecabin,themotorsport-inspired

themecontinues.Exclusivefrontsportsseats infabricandleatherprovidegripandsupport whilethealuminiumpanelonthegearknob andthealuminium-stylepedalscompletethe rallycarcabinlook.Seatsandsportssteering wheelarebothheated.A10.25inchcentre consolescreensuppliesalltheinformation andwillalsochangecolouraccordingtothe drivingstyle.

‘Trackdaycoaching’canbeprovidedby thecar’sPerformanceDrivingDataSystem tomonitorandimprovethedriver’strack skills.Thisfeaturesavesanddisplaysdriving data,includinginformationonPS,torque, turboboost.Italsocomeswithalapand accelerationtimer.

Theall-newi20Nisequippedwith HyundaiSmartSenseadvanceddrivers assistancesystemfeatures.Standard-ft safetytechnologyincludesfeaturessuch asautonomousemergencybraking(AEB), forwardcollisionassist(FCA)withpedestrian monitoringandcycledetection,e-call (emergencycallbutton),lanekeepassist (LKA)withlanedeparturewarning(LDW)and tyrepressuremonitoringsystem(TPMS).The i20Nispricedat£25,250.

Civicservanthits50

It’s 50yearssincethefrstCivicappeared onour roadsandwithperfecttiming, Hondahaslaunched a newmodel. Nowmuchbigger, sleekerandwith a more upmarketfeel,thelatestCivicisnowonly availableas a petrolhybrid. A Type R Civicwill follownextyearbutthere are noplansfor a dieselmodel.

Since1972,theCivichassoldover27.5 millionmodelsacross170countries.The11th generationCivicbuildsonthislonghistoryof success,withanevolutionindesign,driving dynamicsandpowertraintechnologythatwill appealtobotholdandnewCiviccustomers.

Thecarwillfeature themostadvancedversion ofHonda’s e:HEVfull-hybridpowertrain. Thiscombines a lithium-ionbatteryandtwo electricmotorswith a newly-developed2.0-litre Atkinson-cyclepetrolengine,whichfeatures a directfuelinjectionsystemoptimisedforfaster andmore effcientcombustionandgreater torqueoutput.

Mosthybridsuse a continuouslyvariable transmission(CVT)thatcanbenoisyandmake thecarsoundlikeitisover-revvingallthetime, butHondahasdeveloped a newtransmission systemfortheCivicthatismuchquiter, refned andmore responsivetouseandmakesthe Civicstandoutfromotherhybridsonthe market.

The resultofthesetechnologicaladvancements is a WLTP‘Combined’CO2emissionfgure of just108g/km(WLTP),withfueleconomyan equallyimpressive4.7l/100km.Thiseffciency iscombinedwith a maximumpoweroutput of135kW/PSand315Nmmaximumtorque, ensuringtheallnewCivicis a populardriver’s carwithintheC-segment.

TheCivicisfamedforbeingthedo-it-all hatchbackandthe11thgenerationisno exception,providingmore spaceandusability thaneverbefore.The35mmlongerwheelbase hasalloweddesignerstocreate a more expansiveandcomfortablecabinspaceas wellasimprovingdynamicperformanceand straight-linestability Theconstructionofthe lightweighttailgateisnow resin, a frstforthe Civic.

OnceinsidetheCivic,thestyleofthe dashboard emphasisesthewidthofthecabin which,whencombinedwith a widerfeld ofvisiongivesanairyandopenfeeling.The interioralsobeneftsfromnewtactile,highqualitymaterialsthroughout,including a metal honeycomb-pattern airventdetailrunningthe widthofthedashboard.OnAdvancegradethe drivers’displaynowfeatures a 10.2-inchHD colourLCDpanelforimprovedvisibility

Therangestartswiththe£29,595Elegance

grade,whichfeatures17-inchalloywheels, fabricseats,frontand rearparkingsensors and rearcamera, a seven-inchmulti-info displaybinnacle,andaneightspeaker, AppleCarPlay/AndroidAutocompatible infotainment,andnavigationsystemas standard.AswithallnewHondamodels, allCivicgradesare equippedwithHonda Sensing, a comprehensivesystemofclassleadingsafetytechnologiesanddriveraids includinglanekeepingassistantsystem, andthenewtraffcjamassistfunction.PCP pricesstartat£349 a monththroughHonda Finance.

Startingat£30,595,theSportgradegains a fabricandsyntheticleathercombination fortheseats,sportspedals,LEDfoglights anduniqueglossblackmirrorsoffsetagainst low-glossblackwindowsurroundsaswellas striking18-inchblackalloys.

ThetopoftherangeAdvancegradestarts from£32,995,andincludesanupgraded, premium12-speakerBOSE‘CentrepointTM’ soundsystem.Advancegradecarsalso featurea panoramicsunroof,AdaptiveDriving Beam(ADB)headlightsandanupgraded 10.2inchmulti-informationdisplaybinnacle. Additionalfeaturesalsoincludetwo-tone blackanddiamondcutfnished18-inchalloys, leatherseatsand a heatedsteeringwheel.

Mazda’snewSUVout

tobeatcompetition

DesignedtobeattheGermans attheirowngame,Mazdahas launchedanewlargeSUVto challengethelikesoftheBMWX5and AudiQ5.

ItistheJapanesemanufacturer’smost powerfulandlargestSUVyetandmarksthe startofafundamentalshiftintheproduct rangethatwillseeanumberofhybrid,plug-in andelectriconlyvehicleslaunchedinthenext fewyears.

TheCX-60flagshipSUVislaunchedwith Mazda’sfirstplug-inhybridsystemandis poweredbyanew2.5litreengine.Thenew model reflectsthelatestinKododesign–a designphilosophythatmadeitsdebuta decadeagowiththelaunchofthefirstgenerationCX-5.

Conceivedundertheconcept‘noble toughness’,Mazda,unlikeotherPacificRim manufacturerswhodesigncarsspecially fortheEuropeanmarket,iscelebratingits Japanesedesignculturebothinsideand outsidetheCX-60.

TheCX-60lookslargeandimposing,butfrom thedriver’sseatitfeelsmuchmorenimbleand theeight-speed4WDtransmissionmakessure thatthepowerisdeliveredsafelyandwithout

anylossoftraction.Ithandlesandperforms remarkablywellforitssizeandiseasyto manoeuvreintightspaces.Theinterioris stylishandcontinuestheJapanesedesignfeel throughout.

ThedrivetraincombinesaSkyactiv-G2.5-litre four-cylinderpetrolenginewitha100kW electricmotoranda17.8kWhhigh-capacity battery.Thiscombinationofengineand motordeliversatotalsystemoutputof327ps andanabundanttorqueoutputof500Nm. Mazda’sfirstPHEValsodisplaysoutstanding environmentalcredentialswithWLTPcombined fuelconsumptionof188mpgandWLTP combinedCO2emissionsofonly33g/km.It heraldsanewchapterinMazda’ssuccessful SUVhistory.

Itisavailableinthreehighlyspecifiedtrim grades:Exclusive-Line,Homuraand Takumi, therearetwooptionpacksacrossallgrades: ConveniencePackandDriverAssistancePack, withaComfortPackavailableonExclusiveLine.Anadditionaloptiontospecifya Panoramic roofonHomuraand Takumimodels isalsouniquetotheCX-60.

Withanentry-levelpriceof£43,950,the CX-60Exclusive-Linecanbematchedtoall threeoftheoptionpackstooffermaximum customerchoiceandcomplementthe

extensiveCX-60standardequipmenttally.The £46,700Homuraisvisuallydistinguishedfrom theExclusive-Linebybodycolouredwheelarch mouldings,while20-inchblackalloywheels finishthestandoutexteriorlook.

Inside,theHomuragradefeaturesseatheating fortheouter rearseatsandambientlighting, plusit’sequippedwiththeMazdaDriver PersonalisationSystemthatwill recognise theoccupantofthedriver’sseatusingfacial recognitionandautomaticallyadjustthe surroundings–seatposition,steeringwheel, mirrors,head-updisplay,eventhesoundand climatecontrolsettings–tofittheirphysique aswellastheirpersonalpreferences.There’s alsotheoptiontoaddtheConveniencePack andDriverAssistancePacktotheHomura model.

Atthetopoftherangeisthe£48,050 Takumi, whichfeatures20-inchblackmachinedalloy wheelsandbody-colouredmirrors.

TheCX-60isthefirstoftwonewmodels fromthecompany’slargeproductgroupto beintroducedhereduringthenexttwoyears, withthesecondbeingthesevenseatCX-80.In addition,joiningthe2.5-litree-SkyactivPHEV modelwillbeastraight-six3.0-litrepetroland 3.3-litredieselengines,whichfeatureMHybrid BoostMazda’s48Vmildhybridsystem.

ClanmilHousingGrouphasappointed MaeveMonaghanasitschair.Ms Monaghan,whoischiefexecutiveofNow Group,issettoleadtheClanmilboard astheorganisationdeliversafve-year strategy.

BoostDrinkshasappointedAnjnaMistryto theroleofbrandcontroller.Shejoinsfrom JohnCotton,wheresheheldtheroleof seniormarketingmanagerformorethan fouryears.

KathrynHollandhasbeenappointed ascommercialmanageratDownRoyal Racecourse.Shebringswithheradecade ofexperienceinsales,marketingand eventsandhasspentmostofhercareer runningarangeofdiversecampaignsand projectstoaidbusinessgrowthacrossthe publicandprivatesectors.

BoostDrinkshasappointedSteve Armstrongassaleschannelcontroller forconvenience.MrArmstrongbrings signifcantconvenienceexperienceacross abroadrangeofsectorsandcategories, includingsoftdrinks.

SashaMcKnighthasbeenappointedto theboardofASG&Partners.MsMcKnight joinedASG&Partnersin1996andbecame headofpublicrelationsinJanuary2021 withresponsibilityforexecutingclient campaigndeliveryandnewbusiness development.

RachelRichardsonisnowadirectorwith DWF.Withextensiveexperienceinall aspectsofemploymentlawsheleadsthe employmentteamatDWFinBelfastand undertakesabroadmixofcontentiousand non-contentiousmatters.

JulieMcKeownhasbeenappointedtothe boardoftheConstructionIndustry Training Board(CITB).AstheHRdirectoratHenry Brothers,MsMcKeownhasover33years’ experienceintheconstructionindustry.

LauraMenaryisnowaseniorassociate withDWF.Asheadofthehealthcareteam atDWFinBelfastshedefendscliniciansin relationtoclinicalanddentalnegligence claims,actingontheinstructionsof medicaldefenceorganisationsandglobal insurers.

JenReahasbeenappointedasheadof marketingandsalesattheGrandOpera HouseinBelfast.Shetakesuptherole followingtherecentcompletionofamajor £12.2mrestorationanddevelopment projectatthehistorictheatre.

YoungEnterpriseis

returnto theclassroom.Picturedare LorraineAcheson,Gordon Milligan,Christopher Morrow,CarolFitzsimons, ColinJess,JennyMoore, andMichaelMcQuillan withpupilsfromStJoseph’s PrimarySchool,DownHigh School,Downpatrick,Bangor IntegratedPrimarySchool andLaurelhillCommunity College.

Vikela

andSteveOrr,Catalyst.

for2023.PicturedareAnkita AdhikaryandNiallCampbellfrom FarransConstruction.

andKerryMacDougall,

Belfast recruitment agencyNectoSearchand Selectionisexpanding intotheUSjobsmarket, launchingitsservicesin Philadelphia.Picturedare NectodirectorsAaronLinden andPaddyMcDadewith InnovationFactoryCentre directorNeilAllen(centre).

itsnew,permanenthomewith fundingsupportfromUlsterBank.

Ruth WallacewithUlsterBank businessdevelopmentmanager LeeWhite.

Omega 2022: a Speedmaster with bling and burgeoning colouroptions

Omegahasunveiledahostofnewwatchesaspartofits2022collection, includingafewupdatedclassics,granderofferingsandaheftywrist monstercomfortablycapableofdealingwiththedepths. JohnMulgrew gothandsonwiththecollectionduringarecentvisittoLunn’sinBelfast andtakesasnapshotofsomeofthosenewmodelsonoffer

Let’sstartbysayingthatthere’s alottolikeaboutOmega’s2022 collection.

I’llavoidusing referencenumbersonthis occasionasOmega’saresolengthytheylook likesomeonetryingtowriteoutasmanydigits ofPiastheycan remember.

We’llstartoffatthetopofthepyramid.Asolid goldwatchonabraceletisatoughonefor mosttopulloff,pricetagaside.It’saboutas brashandbrazenasyoucanget,butthelatest Speedmasterrange,withOmega’sproprietary Moonshinegold,isabalancedbeauty.

Yes,there’sheftonthewristbutthedeep, darkgreendialsitsmodestly,whilemuchof thecaseandbandarebrushed,ratherthanall polished–inlinewiththeclassicsteelversion. Omega’sowngoldmixtureisalsolessshouty thanatraditionalversionandtemperssomeof that‘bling’.

However,therubberstrapversionfeelslike thebestofbothworlds.Therich,goldhue, punctuatedbyblacksub-dialsandamuch sportierandcleanblackstrapwithdeployant clasp.It’sathingofbeauty,andboastsastrong viewofthatmovementthankstothesapphire casebackandlackof rotor.

I’llstopspoutingonabout Speedmastersbutit’shardnot tomentionthenewversionsof the57variant.Thismodelharks backtosomeoftheoriginal modelsandfeaturesasmaller 40.5mmcasewhichsitsfusheron thewrist.Allofthemodelsfeature theOmega9906manualchronograph movement,whichlikethemajorityofthe movementsintheirfagshipmodels,isa CertifedMasterChronometer.

Thenewsteeloptionwithagreendialisa balancedandeye-catchingthing.Crispand precise,thankstothesharphandsandjusttwo sub-dials.Thedatewindowatthebottomfeels likeanunnecessaryadditionalbutdoesn’tget inthewaytoomuch.

Omega’sclassicAqua Terra,acleanandsimple sportswatch,hasalsogottenavisitfromthe colourfairyandanewrangeof reducedcase sizes–meetingdemandforthatcurrenten voguesweetspotof38-40mmcasesizes.

Thenew38mmoptionscomeinahostof coloursincludingapunchy red,anorange/gold and,aseveryoneseemstobedoingitthese days,agreendialvariant.Eachcontainsthe Co-AxialMasterChronometercalibre8800,

whilethere’salsoasmaller34mmoption.

Now,if38mmistoodiminutiveforyourliking, andyouhaveapenchantforsomeofthe engineeringmarvelsourwatchmakersareup tothenthenewSeamasterPlanetOceanUltra Deepcouldbeoneoption.

Aswatchmakerseachtryandbeatthe competitionintermsofeverythingfrom accuracytocomplicationsanddepthratings, Omegahasproducedaheftypiecerated to6000m.That’s20timesthecapabilityof itscoreSeamaster300mand,whileentirely unnecessary,it’sanotherfeatherintheSwiss frm’scapforcapabilityandengineering.

Thereseveralvariations,includingatitanium versiononaNATOstrap,whichhelpstake awayfromoftheweightofthe45.5mm. There’snotakingawayfromthefactthat

thisisalargepiece(especiallyconsideringits 18mmcasethickness),howeverthedesign ofthelugscertainlymakeitcomfortableon thewrist,especiallyforthosewhotendto favourbiggerwatches.Andyou’llcertainlynot gounnoticedwalkingintoa room(ordiving scenario)whilewearingthesteelversionona bracelet.

SpeakingoftheSeamaster300m,adeep, forestgreendialversiononmatchingrubber strapisanoptionwhichIthinkstandsout abovethecrowdandforgoestheslightly

chunkierbracelet.Judgingbythedemandfor everythinggreen,thisistheoneyoumight havetroublegettingyourhandson.

Aleftfeldnew releasefor2022isthe SpecialitiesCK859.Thisvintagestyle timepieceisinspiredbyaclassic1939OMEGA wristwatch,whichhousedthe30-T2manualwindingsmallsecondscalibre.

Witha39mmcaseitsitswellonthewrist,the bluedhandsworkingwellwiththesimpletan strap.It’ssomethingwhichcouldworkinboth

aformalandinformalenvironment.

Therearealsoahostofnewsmaller Constellationvariantsaimedatthefemale market(andthelarger41mmoffering) includingblue,greenand redonmatching leatherbands,withamixtureofsteelcases andgoldbezels,alongwithadiamondbezel version.

■

YoucanfndoutmoreaboutOmega’new watchesfor2022bypayingavisittotheOmega boutiqueatQueen’sArcadeinBelfast.

Friedgreen tomatoes in thehistoricstates

Virginia, WashingtonandMarylandofferadiversearrayof charmsfromarttoaxe-throwing,writes MadeleineKeane

Ourfrstday, wenearlygetarrested. We’re strollingaroundleafyGreat FallsPark where themighty PotomacRiverhurlsitselfoverjagged rocks delightingin red cardinalsand eastern bluebirds,when a burlypark policemanbawlsusoutfornothaving mediaaccreditation.

On a tri-stateexpedition,visitingMarylandand WashingtonDC,we’vestartedin Virginia,the

birthplaceofAmerica:thePowhatanIndians hadlongbeenhere whenEnglishmanJohn SmithsailedupChesapeakeBayinMay1607 andestablishedJamestown. Tobaccofarming wouldeventuallymakethefoundingfathers rich,andoneofthem George Washington willdominatethistrip.

After a stern admonition,theoffciousoffcer dismissesus.Thisisfamouslyhorseandwine country, sowetaketheedgeoff with a tasting

at a wineryrunbyyounglocalcoupleNateand Sarah Walsh,thenheadtoLoudounCounty seatLeesburgfor a tourofitsburgeoning artscene(RafoPark’s innovativesculpture park,vividmuralsatKingStreetBridge,and a bronzemilitarytableauinfrontofthetown’s courthouse)before craftcocktailsandlipsmackinglobsterpastain19th-centurycarriage houseTheDocket.

En routebacktoFairfaxCounty, itmakes

completesensetostopforanaxe-throwing session.Thecrazehastakenoff here andAxes & Os(axesandos.com)is a warehouse-style venueopenedby(I’mnotmakingthisup) nurse-turned-axewoman TaraHampton,who givesus a lesson(servedwithbeer),informing thisbaffedjournalistthatit’sa popularchoice forhenparties,babyshowersanddivorce bashes.

Themoodmusicchangesthenextmorningat the WorkhouseArtsCentre (workhousearts. org).Inaninspiring repurposingofthepast, this remarkableprojecthastransformedgrim LortonPrisoninto a dynamicspacewhich hostsexhibitions,performancesandclasses, andprovidessuperbstudiosforprofessional artists.AlsohometotheimpressiveLucy BurnsMuseum(namedforthefame-haired suffragistwhowaslockeduphere in1917for herpassionateadvocacyofwomen’s rights), it recallsthedarkdecadesanddisturbing conditionsenduredbytheinmates.

OurfnalstoptakesinMount Vernon (mountvernon.org),thecountry’s mostvisited historic residenceaftertheWhiteHouse. George Washingtonlivedhere withhiswife Marthauntilhisdeathin1799.

Originallybuiltbyhisfatheras a farmhouse, itgrewwhenthefrstPOTUSaddedwings, colonnades, a cupolaand a river-facingportico, currentlywrappedinscaffoldingaswestroll throughgardensandoutbuildingspeopledwith actorswhodemonstratehisfarminginitiatives. A slavecabin,blacksmith,smokehouse,frstrateeducationcentre andfnally, movingly, his tomb,completethemeticulouslypreserved picture.

Onwardsthentothecapitalestablishedby andnamedforhim.Over a decadehaspassed since I boarded a GreyhoundinNYCwith mytwodaughters destinationDC.Then Washingtonwasblanketedinsnow Nowearly summer, we’vejustmisseditsfabledcherry blossomseason,butwithitsexpansiveparks and refectingpools theworkofgreatcity plannerFrenchmanPierre L’Enfantwho rests inArlingtonCemeteryacrosstheriver itstill catchesthebreath.Where tostartisalwaysthe question. You couldspend a weekaroundthe Mallvisitingthe(freeentry)museumsofthe SmithsonianInstitute.

LasttimeitwastheunforgettableHolocaust MemorialMuseum.ThisMayday, we’re atthe Hirshhorn (hirshhorn.si.edu).Thecylindrical galleryhasoneofthecountry’s greatest collectionsofmodern art.Lotsoflegendsare onshow LaurieAnderson’s wildexhibition silencesusallwithitsdazzlingenergy, while nonagenarianJapaneseartist YayoiKusama’s infnitymirror roomswiththeirnever-ending vistasofspottedphalliandmonumental pumpkinsare sensational.

Downatthewaterfront, I stumbleacross coolindiebookshopPolitics & Proseand pickup a copyofHernanDiaz’s novel Trust (lateritwillappearontheBookerlonglist). Thenit’s allaboard TheMonuments Tour fromtheWharf, a 45-minutecruisewhich carriesusalongthePotomac,offeringnew perspectivesofDC’s iconiclandmarks the ThomasJeffersonandLincolnmemorials,the WashingtonMonument before depositing usingorgeousGeorgetown,home,withits tree-linedsidewalksandcosmopolitanbistros

andboutiques,totheplayersofthispowerful place.

OurlaststopisMaryland,capitalAnnapolis, however, we’re stayinginbiggerBaltimore–knownasCharmCity Themonikerisinstantly understandable.Anedgymetropolis(manywill knowitfromThe Wire),ithas retaineditscred whilemodernisingtodynamiceffect.

Ourstylishhotel,CanopybyHilton,sitsby Fell’s Point, a quaintcornerwithcobblestoned streetsofhipbars,vintagestoresandshades ofthepast.EdgarAllanPoediedandwas buried(twice)nearby;themuralsofLadyDay Way markthespotwhere BillieHolidayplayed withherjazzpals,and a hugebronzehead commemoratesabolitionistFrederickDouglass whoboughtlandhere in1892tobuild rental propertiesforAfrican-Americans.

Ifyou’re travellingwithchildren,theNational Aquarium(aqua.org)isconsideredoneofthe US’s fnest,andourgangspend a joyoushour wanderingthroughitssevenstoreysofrain forests,Antipodeangorgesandcoral reefs, viewing a smorgasbord ofsharksand a jawdroppingcollectionofjellyfsh.Followthiswith a tourofthepier’s historicships,amongthem a coastguard cutterfromPearlHarbourand oneoftheUSNavy’s lastsail-poweredwarships theUSSConstellation.

ThebestseafoodoftheEastCoastcomesfrom thisgrittycity We feastonbluecrabsbefore touringtheAmerican VisionaryArtMuseum (avam.org)nearFederalHill,whichputson a spiriteddisplayofso-called‘outsider’ selftaught art,whilethecity’s MuseumofArt (artbma.org)hasanimpressivecollection, includingmore than1,000HenriMatisseworks amassedby a pairoflocalsiblings,thewealthy Conesisters.

Mybusy, brilliantweekhasmanydelights: farmers’markets,friedgreentomatoesand mimosasatfetedMissShirley’s Cafe,theSpring JazzSeriesin WashingtonCanalPark,watching icehockeyon a giantscreenwhile a tangerine sunsetsoverCapitolHill Onthepenultimate day, alreadyhighfndingmyselfinAnne Tylercountry,I happenupon a bookfestival indowntownB’more (aslocalscallit):The Lost Weekendishosting a varietyofwriters amongthem,HernanDiaz.Here’s tomany more lostweekendsinthismagicalplace.

Tentechnologies to helpyoutopreparefor blackoutsduringwinter

Worriedaboutblackoutsthiswinter?It’snolongerjustUS-style‘preppers’whoare anxiousabouthavingtosurviveofftheelectricitygrid,writes

Are thereanytech-relatedthings thatcanhelp?Thereareindeed. Hereare10suchsolutions,from humblepowerbankstopowerfulsolar panels.

1

Largepowerbank

Probablythesinglemostusefuldeviceyou canhaveinanoutageisadecent,backuppowerbankwithenoughunderthehoodto powernotjustportabledevicessuchasphones andlaptopsbutappliancessuchasinternet routers,kettlesandmicrowavestoo.These comewithUSBportsandplugsockets.

2Mini-powerbanks

Ifyoucan’taffordalargeportable battery,asmallercheaponecanstillbe veryusefulforchargingthefamily’sphones incaseofemergencies.Abasic10,000mAh powerbankfromany retailertypicallycosts around£20andcanfullychargeatleasttwo largesmartphonesfromempty.Powerbanks generallyholdtheirchargesforalongtime (months)andusuallynowcomewithan indicatorlighttotellyouwhattheirback-up levelis.

3Solarpanels

Thisisthemotherofall responsesto energyinsecurity,butit’salsothemost expensive.Puttingyourownsolarpanelsona roof(orfenceorwall)guaranteesyouatleast asmallamountofenergyduringmostdaylight hours,allyear round.Addingaback-up batterytothemmeansyoushouldneversuffer ablackoutagain,otherthanacatastrophic nationalincidentthatlastsdays.Peoplewho areinstallingsolarontheir rooftendtoputup betweenaroundfveand15.Rememberthat

solarsystemsareweakenergygeneratorson rainy,cloudydaysandareuselessatnight.For thosewho reallywanttoknowthey’llhave someelectricityatalltimes,back-upbatteries forsolarpanelsareveryeffectivebutvery expensive.

4

Diesel/petrolpowergenerators

Ifyouwanttogothewholehogwith aback-upgenerator,basiconesstartat around£500.OnesuchunitisHonda’sGX200. Itwillgocontinuouslyfor13hoursonafull tank(15litres)ofunleadedpetrol.Forthat, you’llgettwosockets(thoughyou’lllikely needanadapterfor3-pin)poweredbyafourstrokeengine.Obviouslyit’llneedtobeplaced outsideanditwillbealittlenoisy.

5

Satellitewi-f

Otherthantheobviousissues,oneof thebigconcernsinablackoutiswi-f.

Dependingontheextentofthegeographical outage,youmayormaynotstillgetcellular coverageforyourphonefromnearbymasts. Thiswouldpotentiallyaffectthoseusing mobile(sim-card)broadbandintheirhome, too.Theprepper’schoicehereisprobably satellitebroadband,whichcanbeswitched fromthemainstoyourback-uppower generatororlargebatterypack.Forexample, mostbighomeback-upbatterypackswillbe abletokeepStarlink’ssystemrunningforat leastanhour.

6

Handcranklampsandlights

Forunder£30,there’savarietyof manuallycrankedlampsandtorchesthat willholdalightforashortwhile.Forexample, Thorfre’sLEDcampinglanternwillgiveyou upto40minutesoflight(orupto18minutes ofbrighterlight)ifyoucrankit120timesina minute.Thesamepowersourcecanalsobe

usedtomakeitintoaphone recharger.Ifyou prefer,youcanalso rechargethelampthrough a regularchargingport,whereitwillgiveyou uptofourhoursoflight.

7Domesticwindturbine

Forthosewhohaveanacreortwoof landaroundtheirhome,adomesticwind turbineisapossiblesourceofelectricityand isalotcheaperthansolarpanels.Domestic modelscostfromaround£500fromavariety ofIrishoperatorsandtypicallydon’tneed planningpermissionifunder10metresinsize andatleast10metresawayfromanybuilding orneighbouringproperty.(Theyalsoshouldn’t beconsideredanundulyvisualdistractionor

createtoomuchnoise,asperthe regulations.)

Whenoperatingwiththewind,youcanexpect themtopowermostofatypicalhousehold’s appliances,althoughyou’llprobablyneed aninverteraccessory.Whilewindbeatssolar inbeingabletoproducepoweratnight,it’s sometimesuselessasthewindisn’tguaranteed toblow.Anyoneconsideringoneoftheseas anoff-gridback-upoptionshouldalsogeta back-upbattery(whichwillprobablycostmore thantheturbine).

8

Rainwaterharvestingtech

Forsome recentlybuilthomes,thewater systemsarepoweredbyanelectrical pump.Whenitgoes,sodoesmostofthe

watersupply,oftenincludingthetoilet. Whileyou’lloftenseerainwaterharvesting systemsinuseintropicalislandsthathaveno localfreshwateravailable,it’sraretoseein Ireland.Thereareacoupleofdifferentsystems availabletoadomesticuser. Tanks.iesellsa 1,500-litregravity-basedsystemthatcollects, storesanddivertsrainwatertoahome’stoilets andwashingmachines.

9

Solarftnesssmartwatch

It’snotgoingtobethefrstthingyou worryabout,butifyousimplymust haveyourhealthandftnessmonitoredfor some reason,Garmin’sInstinctSolarisabout theonlysolar-powersmartwatchthat really worksindefnitelyoffitssolarpanels–itcan rechargeupto15%ofitsownbatteryevery dayfrombeingoutsideinthesunshine.Given thatitgoesforalmostamonthanyway,you shouldonlyneedtochargeitahandfulof timesfromawallduringtheyear,makingit lessofarisktoanyblackout.It’salsoagreat rugged,waterproofftnesswatchwithallof thesensorsattachedforfairlyadvancedhealth monitoring.

10Superser

Yes,it’sbacktothe1980swego withaback-upSuperser. Youmay feellikeyou’reinyourgranny’shouse,but thesedeviceswillkeepa roomtolerablywarm. Theyoperateoffcanistersofbutanegas. ■

Uncovering the9-5

NAME: RobertPatton

POSITION: Managingdirector, OldMillSaddlery

6.45am

Iwakeupbrightandearlyeverymorningto ensureIam readytogoforabusydayatOld MillSaddlery.Thefirstthingonmymorning agendaistogetupandhavebreakfastwith mywifeandtwosons,onewho’s15andthe otherjustsixweeksold.Mygotobreakfastis porridge,banana,andseasonalfruitswithlots ofnuts,seedsandfullfatmilk.Ratherthana coffee,Ioptforagreenteawhichgivesmethe extraboostandagoodstarttotheday.Imake suremyfamilyiswellandorganisedfortheday beforecheckingmyemailsandschedulingfor thedayahead.

8am

Ataround8amIheaddowntothefarmto checkonalltheanimals. We have200cattle and300sheepsoit’simportanttheyareall fedandaccountedforbeforeIheadtowork.I chatwithamemberofstaffonthefarmevery morningtomakesureeverythingisOKand assistthemwithanytaskstheymightneedmy helpwith.

9am

IarrivetoOldMillSaddleryataround9am everymorning.Istartmyworkingdayby walkingaroundallthedepartmentsandsaying goodmorningtoallofthestaff.Thisgives themanopportunitytodiscussanyissues intheirdepartments.AfterI’vemetwith

everyone,Iheaduptotheofficeandbegin workingmywaythroughemailsandcalls.

10am

At10amwehaveseniorstaffmeetingswhere wediscussthingslikeperformance,planning, staffing,issues,newideasandnewproduct lines.It’salwaysgoodtogetfeedbackfromthe staffandthemeetingsgivethemachanceto shareanyideaswithmeinanopenandhonest way.Theycanalsoupdatemeonanyongoing projectsandraiseanyissuesthatneedtobe resolved.Oncethemeetingisover,Iheadback tomydailytasks,sortthroughemailsandtake anyphonecalls.

12pm

12pmmeansthatit’stimeforlunch.Luckyfor meIcangohomeforlunchasmyhouseisonly ashortdistanceaway.Iliketohaveaquick sandwichandacupofteawhilespending somequalitytimewiththefamily.Ithenhead backtotheofficefor1pm.

1pm

EveryafternoonatOldMillSaddleryisvaried. Itendtotalktocustomers,haveface-to-face meetingswith reps,takephonecallsandmeet withstaff.Ilovechattingwithcustomersasit

givesmeachancetomeetthelovelypeople whoaresupportingourbusiness,weareso gratefulforthem.Ioftendosaddle-fittingsin theafternoontootohelpcustomersgetthe bestsaddlepossibleforthemandtheirhorse. Aseveryhorseisadifferentshapeandsize, thisinvolvesthembringingtheirhorseintous wheretheycantestandtryoutnewsaddles. Whilethey’reriding,Icanmakeassessments onhowthesaddleisfittingwhenthey’reon themove.

5.30pm

Thisiswhenthingsbegintoslowdownasthe stafffinishuptheirworkdays.Onceeveryone isgonehome,Imightdoanother45minutes intheofficeandthenclose.

6.30pm

At6.30pmIgobacktothefarmandmake sureeverythingisokbeforeheadinghome, helpingwiththedinnerandtheweeman.

8pm

Iusuallytakemyeldestson Tomtorugby training,footballpracticeoryoungfarmers dependingontheday.Oncehe’sfinished,we headbackhome,havesomefamilytimeand watchTV.By11pmit’stimeforbed.