NetWorks Issue 17: The Design Issue

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NetWorks

Editor: Laura Watkins, Events and Communications Manager

BITA Contributors:

Martin Mockler, Martin Mockler.

Naomi Thrower, The Brand Stratagist. Emer O’Neill, CARI.

Taylor Buck, Rev.01.

Hannah Fawdry MSc, Hannah Elle Interiors.

Design and Production: E jules@stimula.co.uk

Online version: https://bita.ie/magazines.html

Printer: Aquablue

Sales, Events and Marketing:

T +44 (0) 7587 035740

E laura@bita.ie

Published by BITA Ltd

HEAD OFFICE:

OneHub, Floor 3, Maitland House, Warrior Square, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2JY www.bita.ie

T +44 (0) 7587 035740

E laura@bita.ie

© BITA Ltd. All rights reserved

Terms and conditions

NetWorks is published by BITA Ltd. Its entire content is protected by copyright 2024 and all its rights reserved. Reproduction without prior permission is forbidden. Every care has been taken in compiling the content of the magazine, but the publisher assumes no responsibility in the effect arising therefrom. Readers are advised to seek professional advice before acting on any information which is contained in the magazine. Neither BITA Ltd or NetWorks accept any liability for views expressed, pictures used or claims used by advertisers.

WELCOME

Welcome to another issue of the BITA magazine, NetWorks!

One of my big themes this year has been sharing capital knowledge.

After all, that’s what we are really all about as a community. As we’ve grown, we’ve seen people develop, businesses grow, and supply chains strengthen. And it’s all down to those three words: sharing capital knowledge.

On pages 18 and 19, Adam Wood talks about the benefits he’s seen in joining BITA, and most importantly, how he can help your businesses. Jill Willis, on page 6, an incredibly engaged member of BITA, is sharing her knowledge about harnessing the power of LinkedIn. Nicola Barden, Aidan Scollard, and many more of our members are coming forward to the magazine, to get involved and share their insights to our members, who can then benefit from their shared experience and hard-won expertise.

The theme of this edition is ‘Design,’ something we’ve discussed before, but is ever changing and we thought deserving of another visit. Our members haven’t disappointed; we hope that you enjoy reading about all facets of design from rail to branding, and everything in between!

We are especially excited this issue to feature an interview with Tiago Russo, a multiaward-winning international designer, on how brands can capitalise on clever design, and the work that goes into his amazing creations. You can read this interview on page 26.

Success in business boils down to success in the community. Making sure that you are armed with the proper knowledge and more importantly, the willingness to listen and learn from others, is key to success.

I took the decision to share my story in this edition, and hope that you will gain a greater understanding of me, my ethos, and the ethos of BITA; where we want to encourage people to embrace our community and the expertise that lies therein.

PAUL WHITNELL President

PEOPLE WHO KNOW PEOPLE THAT HELP PEOPLE

You’re Wasting your Time on LinkedIn

Harnessing Colour

All Aboard

Ireland’s Research and Development Regime

Managing Trade Debtors

The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence

Building Investment

Racing Ahead

Talking to Paul Whitnell

Introducing CARI

Designing Luxury

Brand Evolution

Future-Proofing Railway Infrastructure

Designing an Experience

Design Innovation

What’s your Story?

A Transformative Journey

What about Workwear?

The Awards are open!

You’re Wasting Your Time on LinkedIn

Jill Willis from Attract & Engage considers whether you can still reach your audience and capture attention?

I recently had a discussion with a couple of business owners regarding leveraging LinkedIn’s professional platform to connect and network with potential prospects. The question they both wanted answered was, is LinkedIn dying? My quick answer was, NO. It is just changing. Here’s the thing. If you’re approaching LinkedIn as a place to sell to people, without knowing what problems they want help with, then you’re wasting your time. LinkedIn has evolved over the past two years to be barely recognisable for those of us who have been here since the start. Forget all the rules you learned and things that used to work.

This is where it’s at …

#1 Quality content

If you have been producing your own company content up until now on the fly, good for you, but your time is up. Unless you are a full-time creator (professional writer, a serious YouTuber, or a graphic designer), you need to give it up. Hire a team because the standards on LinkedIn have skyrocketed and it is clear this will only become stronger in 2024. Everyone is either a ghostwriter or has hired one. Check out the quality of the carousel posts and vertical videos and you’ll understand what you are up against in 2024.

#2 Video First

Traditionally, LinkedIn has not been particularly friendly to video. But this is changing: GenZ are arriving on LinkedIn and video is their preferred format to consume. With the rise of AI, people are looking for authentic content. Lastly, people’s attention span for reading is getting shorter – not so for video it seems (Average US Adult now spends 53 minutes a day watching videos on TikTok). Video gives you the best chance of capturing the attention of your Millennial and Gen Z business decision makers. This is important because attention is your most valuable marketing asset, without it none of your marketing efforts matter.

#3 Algorithm

In the old days of LinkedIn, one could still “wing it”, but in 2024, those days are long gone. The LinkedIn algorithm wants users of the platform to encourage genuine, meaningful conversations versus self-promotion and jargon. The algorithm (allegedly) does not favour a particular post format (think: text, images, video and so on) but it does want people to “post things that encourage a response” rather than simply drop links and expect engagement. Key take-aways for businesses are … If you want to make your time on the platform worthwhile its worth understanding these ‘guidelines’ and learning how to operate within them to boost reach.

Jill’s Rapid Fire Advice ...

Q: How often should I post?

Be Kind. Be Honest. Be a problem solver.

A: It’s different across all social platforms. On LinkedIn you should post once per day to gain the most followers and engagement. If you want to post on LinkedIn twice a day make sure you spread your posts by 7 hours. If you post them too close to each other, it affects the previous post’s reach.

Q: Should I use LinkedIn to pitch for sales?

A: Every day on social media I get 10 to 20 messages from people pitching me stuff. Likely you do too. Remember this, if you can’t add value, your sales pitch will fail. So, instead of using LinkedIn to pitch services, why don’t you try to build a relationship and provide value. Sure, it takes longer, but you’ll at least get somewhere.

Jill Willis is Founder of Attract & Engage the growth marketing agency for construction, landscape and B2B sectors.

WHarnessing Colour

Nicola Barden, BSF Solid Surfaces, unveils the vital role of colour in Interior Design

hen it comes to interior design, colour is not just a superficial touch; it’s what brings spaces to life. Even when every element of a space has been carefully selected, the wrong colours can make the space look unsettling or uninviting. Alternatively, judicious use of colour can enliven a boring space with mediocre furnishings, making it appear larger and inviting.

We all know about Feng Shui and the relevance of the placement of objects in a space; colour should be viewed in the same way.

Colour speaks volumes without uttering a word. It’s a silent communicator, evoking emotions and sentiments that resonate with people on a profound level. Understanding the impact of colour on us, as humans, is important.

Reds and yellows infuse spaces with energy, vitality, and cheerfulness. This is why McDonald’s use red and yellow in their branding, to create an energetic environment that encourages a quick dining experience.

Blue is often associated with calmness, tranquillity, and stability. Exposure to blue

COLOR PSYCHOLOGY

light has been shown to decrease systolic blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and improve endothelial function in humans. Used in hotel rooms, it may promote restful sleep.

Green is commonly associated with nature, growth, and harmony. It has a calming effect and is often used to create a sense of balance and renewal. Hospitals and healthcare facilities often incorporate green elements into their design to promote healing and well-being.

Colour theory isn’t just about the colour, it’s also about tone. Bright red and yellow makes the perfect design choice for a McDonald’s interior, but change the tones to a rich, earthy red, terracotta, or warming orange, and the space takes on a completely different feel.

Furthermore, colour can serve as a masterful tool for spatial manipulation, subtly altering perceptions of size and dimension. This aspect is particularly crucial in making design choices, where every inch matters.

Darker shades cocoon spaces, offering a sense of intimacy, while lighter tones open rooms up, flooding them with a sense of airiness and expansiveness.

Different colours may evoke different psychological responses, and understanding this can be powerful in various contexts such as interior design, branding, and marketing:

• Blue: Blue is often associated with calmness, tranquillity, and stability.

• Yellow: Yellow is often linked to happiness, optimism, and energy.

• Green: Green is commonly associated with nature, growth, and harmony. It has a calming effect and is often used to create a sense of balance and renewal.

• Red: Red is a bold and intense colour associated with passion, excitement, and energy. It can stimulate appetite and increase heart rate.

• Purple: Purple is often associated with luxury, creativity, and spirituality. Beauty brands often use purple in their packaging to convey a sense of elegance and prestige.

• Orange: Orange is a vibrant and energetic colour associated with enthusiasm, warmth, and creativity. It can evoke feelings of excitement and vitality. Sports teams and fitness brands often use orange in their branding to energize and motivate their audience.

The choice of colour for these elements can make or break a design and should be the subject of much discussion; whether choosing the colour palate for your brand, office space or bedroom.

Practically speaking, colour enhances functionality and comfort within interiors.

Where designs use Solid Surface for their worktops, reception desks, bar tops, tea points, wash troughs or other items, the issue of colour is often especially important, as these often feature as the focal point of a design and can be used as a statement piece.

Furthermore, colour acts as a unifying force, seamlessly tying together diverse design elements within interiors.

The essence of colour within interior design is multifaceted and deeply personal. It goes beyond mere aesthetics, serving as a powerful means of selfexpression and storytelling. Make sure you experiment, see what works together, but also make sure that you know what feelings you are trying to evoke in the people using the space. If in doubt, use a colour wheel to discover complimentary colours, or hire a professional!

All Aboard

Irish Rail’s Journey towards Sustainability

As part of our commitment to our members, BITA has recently launched a new Rail Division. The aim is to share best practice and create areas where rail specialists and leaders can raise and meet challenges faced by their industry.

There are many industries that feed into Rail, including construction and IT, and we are planning a calendar of events for 2024 where our rail and non-rail members can meet, network, and share insight and advice. Keep your eyes on our events page!

We are lucky enough to have Michael Danaher chairing our Rail Division for 2024. Michael is the Infrastructure Manager, Head of Programme & Projects,

Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail), and we have been learning more about what they have been up to, and their plans to meet the future head on.

Iarnród Éireann’s Dublin to Wicklow rail line stands not only as a pivotal artery in Ireland’s transportation network but also as a symbol of sustainable connectivity. Facilitating the transition to a low-carbon society, this vital route hosts an array of services, including southside DART, Gorey commuter, and Rosslare Europort Intercity operations, traversing through picturesque landscapes and serving as a lifeline for communities.

However, Iarnród Éireann has confronted an escalating challenge posed by climate change and rising sea

IT HAS BEEN CRITICAL BALANCING ENGINEERING EFFICACY WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION.

THE CORK AREA COMMUTER RAIL PROGRAM

The Cork Area Commuter Rail program, mentioned in Future-Proofing Railway Infrastructure, page 32, is an integral part of the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (CMATS) 2040, and aims to transform the Cork Rail Network. Led by the National Transport Authority (NTA), in collaboration with Cork City and County Councils and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), CMATS envisions a sustainable, integrated transport network to support urban growth and reduce reliance on private cars for improved living areas: less pollution, less road congestion, and less stress. Key initiatives include enhancing existing railway corridors, establishing a multi-modal transport hub at Kent Station, increasing rolling stock, and building new stations and Park & Ride facilities. This transformative rail improvement program, the largest investment in Cork’s rail network to date, focuses on increasing train capacity and frequency to foster connected communities and

levels, manifested through heightened frequency and severity of storm events. The resultant coastal erosion, wave overtopping, and flooding have necessitated extensive maintenance works, imposing disruptions on existing services and casting a shadow on the line’s future viability.

To address these pressing concerns, the East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects (ECRIPP) have been developed, aiming to fortify the railway against the ravages of coastal erosion and safeguard its operational integrity. Recognizing the imperative of proactive intervention, Iarnród Éireann embarked on a journey to ensure the long-term climate resilience of this critical infrastructure.

promote sustainable transport. The program encompasses infrastructure development, electrification, and re-signalling across major lines from Mallow to Cobh and Midleton. Progressing through various interrelated projects, the Cork Area Commuter Rail program aims to create a more efficient, low-carbon rail network to support Ireland’s emission reduction targets and enhance regional connectivity. We will look forward to hearing more about this project as it progresses at our upcoming Rail Division Events!

The study area, spanning from Merrion to Wicklow, has been meticulously dissected into six coastal cell areas (CCAs), delineating distinct stretches of railway facing similar vulnerabilities. These areas, identified as high-risk zones for coastal erosion by the Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS), demand targeted intervention to mitigate potential threats.

Understanding Climate Hazards and Projections

Climate resilience lies at the core of Iarnród Éireann’s strategy, underscored by a comprehensive analysis of anticipated coastal hazards up to a 2100 design horizon. Wave overtopping, coastal flooding, erosion, and cliff instability emerge as principal threats, projected to exacerbate in tandem with sea-level rise and intensifying storm events. Adopting a forward-looking approach, the project aligns with projections indicating a 1-meter rise in sea level by 2100, coupled with heightened storm and precipitation events.

Environmental Sensitivity and Mitigation Strategies

The coastal cell areas are not just vulnerable from an infrastructural standpoint but also harbour significant environmental sensitivities, marked by

the presence of protected habitats and species. To mitigate adverse impacts, a meticulous assessment of environmental constraints was conducted, integrating environmental criteria into the decisionmaking process. Stakeholder consultation with local authorities and environmental agencies ensured a comprehensive approach to option development, balancing engineering efficacy with environmental preservation.

Option Development and Multi-Criteria Analysis

A diverse array of coastal defence measures was explored, encompassing both structural and non-structural solutions. Through a rigorous MultiCriteria Analysis, options were evaluated across various dimensions, including economic viability, safety, environmental compatibility, and technical feasibility. The iterative process culminated in the identification of emerging preferred options, fine-tuned through stakeholder engagement and alignment with regulatory frameworks.

Looking Ahead

The East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects epitomize Iarnród Éireann’s commitment to resilience and sustainability in the face of climate

change. By proactively addressing coastal vulnerabilities and embracing innovative engineering solutions, the project not only safeguards critical rail infrastructure but also underscores the imperative of harmonizing infrastructure development with environmental stewardship.

As we navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing climate, collaboration and forward-thinking will remain paramount. Iarnród Éireann stands poised to continue its investments in enhancing rail services, aligning with national objectives outlined in Project Ireland 2040 and the Climate Action Plan. With a steadfast focus on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem protection, the company remains steadfast in its mission to foster sustainable development and connectivity across Ireland’s rail network.

The East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects herald a new era of resilience and adaptability in Ireland’s rail sector, serving as a beacon of innovation and environmental stewardship. Through concerted efforts and strategic investments, we can ensure that our railways not only withstand the challenges of the present but also emerge stronger and more resilient for future generations.

Thanks to all stakeholders, collaborators, and project partners whose unwavering dedication and expertise have been instrumental in shaping the East Coast Railway Infrastructure Protection Projects. Together, we are forging a path towards a more sustainable and resilient future for Ireland’s rail network.

For further information, please visit https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie/

LAURA WATKINS

Brendan Murphy, Tax Partner at Roberts Nathan, considers Irish R&D developments

Ireland’s Research and Development Regime

Over the past number of years Ireland has been committed to international tax reform being introduced at both EU and OECD level. This has led to the introduction of changes to Ireland’s corporation tax policy including the introduction of a 15% minimum corporation tax rate for large corporates, interest limitation rules for highly leveraged companies and more stringent transfer pricing requirements for intergroup transactions. Such changes can lead to fear about Ireland’s international competitiveness but the Government’s

€37.50 corporation tax deduction for every €100 of R&D spend. Where there was no corporation tax payable the tax credit could be claimed as a cash refund over three years leading to positive cash flow impact for new or smaller businesses in Ireland.

The Finance Act which was signed into law in December 2022 made some significant changes to the manner in which a qualifying R&D tax credit was refunded where it was not available to use against a corporation tax charge. It changed the refund being split equally over three years to being repaid in year

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE R&D REGIME WAS INTRODUCED IN THE RECENT FINANCE ACT WHICH HAS INCREASED THE TAX CREDIT FROM 25% TO 30%.

continued commitment to defending the prevailing 12.5% corporation tax rate along with the ease of doing business in Ireland has maintained Ireland as a leading destination for foreign direct investment.

Another key area of attractiveness for businesses establishing in Ireland is the Research and Development tax regime and the improvements made to this regime over the past two years.

Prior to recent changes the R&D tax credit allowed a tax credit of 25% of the qualifying R&D spend which could be offset against the corporation tax charge. This was in addition to the general corporation tax deduction for such spend which effectively gave a

one at the greater of 50% of the claim or €25,000 with the remainder being split 60% in year two and 40% in year three. This had a significant positive cash flow impact for SME’s with relatively small R&D claims. Further enhancements to this have been introduced from the beginning of 2024 to increase this first year refund to the greater of 50% of the claim or €50,000.

The most significant change in the R&D regime was introduced in the recent Finance Act which has increased the

tax credit from 25% to 30%. This has led to companies being able to obtain corporation tax relief for effectively €42.50 of every €100 R&D spend. Taking this positive improvement together with the increased year one refund could see companies incurring €166,667 of qualifying R&D spend claiming a cash refund of €50,000 from Revenue post year end. This increase in rate will apply for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024.

As is clear from the improvements noted, Ireland’s R&D tax credit regime is a key source of attractiveness for foreign direct investment and companies establishing in Ireland. It is also important to note that although it is more commonly claimed in the technology and pharmaceutical industries, the credit is not just limited to such companies and many companies in other industries can find themselves carrying out research and development work.

At Roberts Nathan we work closely with companies considering an R&D claim to advise on the qualifications of the claim and the appropriate documentation. If you think you may be entitled to make an R&D claim we would be pleased to discuss.

TManaging Trade Debtors

David Pickup, Sales Director – Trade Credit, asks why Trade Debtors are ignored, even when detrimental to a business.

rade debtors represent amounts owed to a business by its customers for goods or services provided on credit terms. While trade debtors are an essential aspect of business operations, they can also pose significant risks if not managed properly. As a specialist credit insurance broker, it always surprising to learn that the majority of businesses will insure all the assets on their balance sheet (such as stock, plant and machinery etc.) with the exception of the trade debtors item.

It is common for the trade debtor to be the largest single asset on a company’s balance sheet, and therefore by definition one of the largest risks to the business if it cannot be realised through customer payments.

Nature of trade debtors

When a business provides services or goods to another business customer, it is common practice for the supplier to have to offer open credit terms of payment to its customer – typically 30 or 60 days from the date of the invoice. This creates an automatic risk to the supplier since the service has already been provided and the goods have already been delivered, but no payment has been received. If the customer fails to pay the invoices as they fall due, this can create significant issues for the supplier.

1) Cash Flow – There will be an immediate impact on the suppliers’ cash flow. The supplier may be relying on the payment from its customer to pay its own overheads such as wages and suppliers.

2) Loss of profit – If a business operates with a margin of 10%, the non-payment of a £10k invoice means the business has to generate an additional £100k of sales just to stand still.

3) Reduced margins – This may lead to additional pressure on the operations of the business.

4) Insolvency – In extreme cases the supplier could face its own Insolvency. We quite often see a “domino effect” where a large company fails leaving its suppliers unpaid and unfortunately a number of the suppliers will then fail as well.

As a specialist credit insurance adviser, Verlingue can provide the expert advice and support to ensure the business enjoys the benefits of a credit insurance policy. Contact us to discuss how we can help your business: Dave.Pickup@verlingue.co.uk or visit us online at: https://www.verlingue.co.uk/

Looking into the ‘why’

So, why is it that businesses forget about protecting their largest asset? We explore some of the reasons below.

1) Lack of Awareness – many companies do not know about Credit Insurance and the benefits it can provide.

2) Complexity – the Trade Debtor balance will change daily with the raising of new invoices and the receipt of customer payments. For this reason, some businesses fail to monitor it effectively. Credit Insurance will provide up to date financial information on customers.

3) Misplaced Priorities – companies may chase sales and place this as more important than monitoring or insuring the Trade Debtor balance. High sales are only good if the customer payment is received.

4) Overconfidence – companies that have historically had minimal bad debts may become complacent. Equally we often hear that the customer base is too good to fail. This myth has been disproved many times with the likes of The Body Shop, Lloyds Pharmacy and Henry Construction going into Administration.

Cost and practicality of credit insurance

There is a preconception that credit insurance is extremely expensive, however it’s important that businesses consider the number of factors that impact the cost of a credit insurance policy before making this assumption. These are:

1) Sector – Currently the construction sector is experiencing extremely high levels of corporate insolvencies. As the risk of non-payment is significantly higher, we are seeing higher premium rates when compared to other sectors.

2) Bad Debt History – If the policyholder can demonstrate good credit control processes with low levels of bad debts in the past 3 years, there is a greater chance we can negotiate a reduced premium rate with the insurer.

3) Export Levels – If a business exports heavily, the risk of nonpayment is greater due to the lack of financial information on their customers. There are also political risks that insurers take into consideration here.

The premium for credit insurance is calculated as a percentage of the insurable turnover of the policyholder. This typically ranges from 0.1% to 1% and is normally much less than a business would have as its bad debt provision. The protection provided by the credit insurers is a multiple of the premium, so if the premium is

£20k, the policy could provide £800k of cover. In comparison, if the business put aside a £20k bad debt provision, this is all the protection the business would have.

Credit insurance for significant debtors

For some businesses they may have a significant exposure to one or two customers and may just want to insure these alone. This can be done and quite often the cost of this is economical in comparison to the amounts outstanding. If a business has multiple customers that all owe small amounts, a bad debt with one of those customers will have a minimal effect on cash flow, however the opposite is true if a single customer makes up a sizeable percentage of their trade debtors.

Credit insurance can be used as a tool to avoid the risk of a large exposure before it happens. The specialist insurers have access to a lot of up-to-date financials on companies and with the use of credit insurance, businesses can vet their potential customers before they trade with them on credit terms, thus reducing the risk of a bad debt.

Diversification of risks

A lot of businesses operate on the 80:20 rule in that 80% of turnover comes from 20% of its customers. It is common for the business to know its largest customers very well, but as it moves down its customer base it may know them less. With access to the specialist insurers’ market intelligence, a business can get to know its customers more intimately.

Some customers will be well known companies, however there will be several smaller companies that are less well known and may only file abbreviated accounts at Companies House. This makes it harder to assess them from a credit risk point of view. In the same vein, when customers are based overseas, it is harder for a

THE

TRADE DEBTOR IS OFTEN THE LARGEST SINGLE ASSET ON A COMPANY’S BALANCE SHEET, AND ONE OF THE LARGEST RISKS TO THE BUSINESS.

business to make a credit assessment due to lack of financial information. The credit insurers are global and have agents worldwide making it easier for them to access accounts for companies outside of the UK.

Monitoring and management

Quite often a business will assess its cutomer at the account opening stage, but this will be a one-off exercise. Credit insurance involves good disciplines such as efficient credit control, controlling late payments and monitoring a customer’s credit rating as it changes when they file more up to date accounts.

With the use of effective credit management practices, bad debts can be avoided.

Key takeaways:

If a comprehensive assessment is conducted, credit insurance can provide a cost-effective way to insure the trade debtor amount on the balance sheet.

The Evolution of Artificial Intelligence

Impacts on the United Kingdom Over the Next Decade

The United Kingdom stands at the precipice of a technological revolution driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Over the next decade, AI is poised to permeate various aspects of society, industry, governance, and daily life, reshaping the landscape in profound ways. This essay delves into the multifaceted impacts of AI on the UK, exploring its potential to drive economic growth, foster societal transformation, revolutionise governance, and address complex challenges.

1. Economic Growth and Industry Transformation:

AI holds the promise of driving significant economic growth in the UK by fostering innovation, enhancing productivity, and creating new job opportunities. With advancements in machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, businesses across sectors can leverage AI technologies to automate processes, optimise operations, and deliver more personalised products and services. This transformation is expected to lead to the emergence of new industries and business models, spurring entrepreneurship and innovation. However, it also necessitates investments in workforce reskilling and upskilling to equip individuals with the skills required in an AI-driven economy.

2. Industry Disruption and Innovation:

Various sectors in the UK, including finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation, are on the cusp of disruption and innovation fuelled by AI advancements. In finance, AI-powered algorithms can enhance trading strategies, risk management, and fraud detection, driving efficiency and security in financial transactions. In healthcare, AI applications span from predictive analytics and personalised medicine to robotic surgery and drug discovery, revolutionising patient care and treatment outcomes. Similarly, AI-driven automation and predictive maintenance are transforming manufacturing processes, while autonomous vehicles and smart transportation systems are reshaping mobility and logistics.

3. Societal Implications and Ethical Considerations:

The widespread adoption of AI raises important societal implications and ethical considerations that require careful attention and mitigation. Concerns related to job displacement, algorithmic bias, data privacy, and surveillance necessitate robust regulatory frameworks and ethical guidelines to ensure responsible AI development and deployment. Moreover, efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in AI research and application are crucial to mitigate biases and ensure fairness in AI-enabled systems. Additionally, there is a need for transparency and accountability in AI decision-making processes to build trust among stakeholders and mitigate potential harms.

4. Governance and Public Services:

AI has the potential to transform governance and public services delivery, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement. AI-powered analytics can enable

data-driven decision-making in areas such as urban planning, public safety, and healthcare provision, leading to more effective resource allocation and policy formulation. Furthermore, chatbots and virtual assistants can enhance accessibility to government services, providing timely information and support to citizens. However, the deployment of AI in governance also raises concerns regarding accountability, transparency, and algorithmic governance that must be addressed through appropriate oversight mechanisms.

5. Environmental Sustainability:

AI technologies offer innovative solutions to address pressing environmental challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion. AI-powered systems for renewable energy optimisation, environmental monitoring, and natural resource management can contribute to the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient future. Moreover, AI-driven predictive modelling can inform evidencebased policies and strategies for mitigating environmental risks and promoting ecological conservation.

6. Educational Transformation:

The integration of AI in education has the potential to revolutionise teaching and learning practices, fostering personalised, adaptive, and immersive learning experiences. AI-powered tutoring systems can provide tailored support and feedback to students, enhancing their academic performance and engagement. Furthermore, AI-driven analytics can enable educators to gain insights into student learning patterns and instructional effectiveness, informing educational decisionmaking and curriculum design.

In conclusion...

The next decade holds immense promise for AI-driven innovation and transformation in the UK. As AI technologies continue to evolve and proliferate, they are expected to reshape various aspects of society, industry, governance, and education. However, realising the full potential of AI requires addressing ethical, regulatory, and societal challenges while fostering a culture of responsible AI innovation and deployment. Through strategic investments in research, education, and infrastructure, the UK can harness the transformative power of AI to drive progress towards a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future.

iTrust Feedback Software Transform Your Company Culture

In today’s fast-paced business world, fostering a culture of openness, transparency, and continuous improvement is essential for success. That’s where iTrust comes in. Revolutionising the way businesses approach feedback and culture improvement, iTrust offers innovative feedback software designed to empower companies to thrive in a competitive market while prioritising the well-being and safety of their workforce.

Empowering Employee Voices

At the heart of iTrust is the belief that every voice matters. With our powerful feedback software, employees have a platform to share their feedback, concerns, and suggestions, ensuring that their voices are heard, regardless of hierarchy or position. By promoting open communication and fostering a culture of trust and accountability, iTrust helps companies identify areas for growth and development within the organisation.

Enhancing Productivity and Safety in Construction

In industries like construction, effective communication and teamwork are vital for success. iTrust’s software plays a crucial role in enhancing productivity, safety, and overall job satisfaction by providing a platform for employees to share feedback and suggestions openly. By promoting a culture of openness and transparency, iTrust enables construction companies to thrive while prioritising the well-being of their workforce.

Key Features of iTrust:

• Tailored Solutions: The iTrust app can be customised to match your exact requirements, ensuring a seamless user experience for employees.

• Workshops & Education: Our speak-up packages are tailored to suit your organisation’s needs, providing comprehensive training and education on the importance of feedback and culture improvement.

• Consultancy: We offer expert analysis of issues and opportunities, providing practical advice and recommendations to bring about positive change within your organisation.

Creating Healthy Speak-Up Cultures

iTrust was founded with the mission of allowing all voices to be heard in a safe, anonymous, and non-judgmental environment. Our software goes beyond whistleblowing, empowering employees to make suggestions and praise colleagues in a supportive manner, thus transforming organisational culture from within.

How iTrust Works:

• Anonymous Reporting: With our simple-to-use app, employees can send reports straight to your inbox while remaining completely anonymous.

• Evidence Attachment: Users can attach any evidence they may have on their phones to help progress inquiries or implement change.

• Optional Disclosure: While reports are anonymous by default, users have the option to provide their details if they choose.

Get Started with iTrust Today!

Ready to transform your company culture and prioritise employee feedback? Download our brochure today to learn more about how iTrust can help you create a culture of openness, transparency, and continuous improvement. Start your free, noobligation trial and see the difference iTrust can make for your organisation. With iTrust, every voice matters, and together, we can build a better workplace for everyone.

Visit: https://theitrustapp.com/ Special offer email: info@theitrustapp.com and quote BITA24

Building Investment

Talking with the Chapter Chair of Liverpool about his plans for the area, and how his business can help BITA members

When a business has a healthy turnover, many choose to funnel some of that profit into different investment opportunities. This can be to create a revenue stream, diversify income, grow the business, or expand coverage.

Investment in the right area can help fuel your business growth in myriad ways. Research and Development (R&D) Investment can develop new products, processes, technologies, or to improve existing ones. All this can lead to driving innovation and gaining a competitive edge in the market.

Businesses can invest in stocks and bonds issued by other companies or governments. Stocks offer ownership in a company and the potential for capital appreciation, while bonds provide a fixed income stream through interest payments.

Machinery, equipment, and technology investments can lead to operational efficiency, increase productivity, and reduce costs for businesses across various industries.

Allocating funds towards marketing and advertising campaigns promotes products, services and can build brand awareness and attract customers: driving sales and revenue growth.

Investing in hiring, training, and development of employees is crucial for businesses to build a skilled and motivated work force. Human capital investments can lead to increased productivity, innovation, and employee retention.

Businesses may choose to invest in acquiring or merging with other companies as a strategic growth initiative. This can help expand market share, diversify product offerings, or enter new geographic markets.

These and many other options are available to profitable businesses looking to grow their profits, grow their market share and expand into new areas.

We have been talking with Adam Wood, the new Chair of the Liverpool Chapter, and MD of Advantage Investment, about another potential avenue that businesses can funnel their profits – property.

As things get tighter and people want to guard against future difficulties, it’s becoming increasingly popular to want to make your business profits work for you and generate income for years ahead – rather than lining the pockets of the tax man.

“We work with a lot of businesses that are looking to make good decisions

and want to know more about how they can invest in property” says Adam.

March finds Advantage Investment busy, what with it being the end of the tax year. They can help businesses at any point, but it’s a lot easier to engage with businesses that get in touch and want to strategize early.

“We’ll be able to help out a business that approaches us and wants to invest at any point of the year” explains Adam. “However, when someone turns up in March wanting to invest in property before 4th April, it does limit options. Our ideal client will approach us in April and be interested in talking about investing for the next year. Businesses can expect around 8 – 15% ROI. It all depends on them, as it’s heavily based on length of investment and surrounding strategy.”

If given enough time, Adam can work with the business to consider strategic investments month on month to align

with their business plan, save money, and (hopefully) generate more profit.

There are varied benefits to investing in property with profit, and Adam works with individuals as well as businesses. One benefit is that when you have purchased a property, you can then count on rental income being generated for the time you retain that property. So, with a large enough portfolio, the business can have a sizable income from rent. And instead of paying a large tax burden on your annual profit, you only pay tax on the income that the property generates, after fees and improvements are considered.

Advantage Investment specialise in off-plan developments. This is where a developer has land, planning permission and is building, and they are selling off units as they are building them, to fund the development. “This is why we get such good rates. We have excellent relationships with developers, who know that we are reliable, and so we get access to great properties at a brilliant rate, so that the developers can carry on building.”

Although they work with all sectors of the property market, Adam particularly likes property in the city centre, where they can procure high yield housing.

“We work with 65 developers across the UK, four of which we met at, or were introduced to, through BITA. These four developers alone, have a GDV (Gross Development Value) of developments of c.£60m.”

Considering their consistent growth in the UK, the Liverpool based business has now expanded into Ireland, and have offices in Spain and Dubai. They can assist businesses and individuals here, as well as purchase properties, where they can offer

Advantage Investment won ‘The Best Property Investment Company’ and ‘Best Real Estate Company in the UK,’ and Adam won ‘Property CEO of the Year Award’, at the 2023 Business Awards. They have a 5-star Rating on Trust Pilot and Google.

advice, or a full ‘handholding’ experience for the less practiced investor.

A community minded business, they also work a lot with universities, and train students in marketing and sales, making sure that they have the skills, experience and confidence to get a job. Following training, these students attend job fairs where they are snapped up by employees or retained by Advantage Investment. This is how they found their current Head of Marketing, Lucy Slater.

If you are interested in hearing more about property investment, Adam can help. He is also keen to meet developers and is a strong believer in the BITA ethos of being part of ‘People who know people that help people’.

“I have really enjoyed working as the Chapter Chair of BITA Liverpool so far. I like the feel of BITA, and I like sharing my connections, whilst

ADVANTAGE INVESTMENT CAN WORK WITH A BUSINESS TO CONSIDER STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS MONTH ON MONTH TO ALIGN WITH THEIR BUSINESS PLAN, SAVE MONEY, AND (HOPEFULLY) GENERATE MORE PROFIT.

making valuable connections for myself!” Says Adam.

His plans are to really bring the chapter and members together, hosting lots of events to really build on their friendly business community. Events are planned at the new Tag Heuer store opening in Liverpool One, which has an incredible golf simulator in the back opened by Rory McIlroy MBE where people can try and beat his score! June 28th will see them at Gaucho for a big networking lunch, with a few special guests, and Adam also has planned for golf and wellbeing days.

“I just want to do the best I can in my role here for the businesses in Liverpool. I want to attract people from outside so they can see what we have to offer, improve the networking scene, and hopefully even develop great new relationships with businesspeople across the UK and Ireland.”

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Racing Ahead

Following up with F2 driver Zak O’Sullivan

I HAVE BEEN BOWLED OVER BY HOW PEOPLE ARE GETTING BEHIND ME TO HELP FUND MY F2 SEAT AND GET ME ONE STEP CLOSER TO MY F1 DREAM.

Those of you who attended our Construction networking Lunch in February at the Royal Horseguards, will remember hearing from Zak and his family.

An inspirational young driver, Zak is a 19-year-old racing driver just one step away from Formula One. A British racing driver with close family ties to Tipperary, Zak has raced in the Ginetta Junior Championship, the F4 British Championship, the GB3 Championship and the FIA Formula 3 Championship. Now the 2024 racing season is seeing him take part in the FIA Formula 2 Championship for ART Grand Prix team.

Zak joined the Williams Driver Academy in 2022, following his winning the Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Award in 2021, and is set on reaching his goal of joining the F1 line up.

In February at the lunch, we were lucky enough to talk to Zak and his father about his goals and aspirations, and what drives him to achieve his dreams. He was such an inspirational and impressive person, we at BITA were very keen to get behind and support him achieve his goals. We are thrilled that Zak proudly carries the BITA logo on his ART Grand Prix machine.

This is why we are excited to promote his 500:500 Club to our members, an inspirational fundraising effort appealing to 500 companies to contribute £500 sponsorship.

The campaign has really flown, but Zak is now looking for more companies to come onboard to help him achieve his fundraising goal of £250,000.

Like many aspiring Grand Prix drivers, the 19-year-old faces a huge challenge to reach the pinnacle of the sport – and it’s not connected to his ability behind the wheel. The high cost of elite motorsport is no secret, and this is the major hurdle Zak must overcome. 500:500 sponsorship provides businesses the opportunity to support a young sports professional as well as network and gain promotion for their business.

How does 500: 500 Sponsorship work?

• Company logos are featured on Zak’s 500:500 webpage with a direct website link.

• Everyone will be added to a Race Updates Newletter mailing list.

• 500:500 Members can interact through the club via the LinkedIn page as well as a very lively race day WhatsApp group.

• Once you sign up you will be entered into a prize draw for 2 Silverstone F1 BRDC Hospitality passes as Zak’s guests – Prize Draw at the end of May.

• You will be invited to an end of season ‘thank you” networking event hosted by Zak.

Above all, everyone that comes onboard will be playing a valuable part in Zak’s incredible journey.

“I have been bowled over by how people are getting behind me to help fund my F2 seat and get me one step closer to my F1 dream” explains Zak. “My whole family are working tirelessly to make it happen, but we still have a way to go and need more sponsors to come onboard.”

“My family has funded my career from eight years old with very little support, so now we’re appealing to others to get involved and help with that final push to make it happen!”

The campaign is gaining significant traction and has attracted new partners for the 2024 season.

“We wanted to make the 500:500 Business Club really affordable. Sponsorship at any level goes a long way and it is truly appreciated by me and my family. Anyone wanting to support, no matter how big or small – we’d love to hear from you.”

www.instagram.com/zak.osullivan or visit www.zakosullivan.com

Formula 2’s Zak O’Sullivan on track in his BITA-sponsored ART Grand Prix machine.

PTalking to Paul Whitnell

Naomi Thrower, the Brand Strategist, talks to Paul about Cultivating Community, Music, and Social Impact

aul Whitnell’s journey through life has been a tapestry woven with threads of community, music, and social impact. From his humble beginnings in a close-knit Irish family to his ventures in the music industry and forays into politics, every step has led him to where he stands today as President of BITA (British and Irish Trading Alliance). In this interview, he shares the essence of BITA, its origins, values, and aspirations.

Growing up in a family with limited means but abundant love, Paul imbibed the values of trust, honesty, and giving from an early age. Paul reminisces, “I couldn’t have everything other kids did, which really shaped me as a person.”

Not one for education, Paul went straight into work at 17; “I just knew studying was not for me, but I had drive, enthusiasm and an absolute hunger for life.” So, while all his pals had their sights set on law and politics, Paul got himself a shop delivering bathrooms. “I was always up for a chat and helping people out. What started as taking bathrooms from A to B would always end in a van full of other people’s stuff too. Helping whoever I could along the way. Well, I’d just talk to this person and that, and it grew from there”.

These values became the bedrock of his endeavours, shaping his approach to business, music, and philanthropy.

The Musical Interlude

Paul’s foray into the music industry was marked by his admiration for talented individuals and a keen eye for opportunity. Managing bands and organizing events propelled him into a world of creativity and collaboration. Yet, it was his heartfelt endeavours, such as crowdfunding an album for the late Irish singer Christy Dignam, that truly exemplified his commitment to using his resources for meaningful impact.

He also in 1999 started something called ‘Song School’, where he bought

recording artists who were on breaks between albums, into schools to teach kids how to write songs. “So we would go in with a recording machine and I would bring in someone from various bands like the Corrs, Picture House and Garratt Wall, and they’d be going: WOW.”

One time when the artists were running late, I sat with the kids and said, “let’s write a song about Kosovo. This was during the war, and we wrote a line; “Mother fell outside, Father had to hide” and I just went WOW.”

With the help of professionals, we built this song called Candle for Kosovo. And it was just fucking amazing. I was wetting myself in the studio as I was in control, I had all the buttons. I was with the kids and artists, and we were recording ourselves.

I sent it to Radio 2 and said, you’ve got to play this in the morning, because of what we’ve done here with the kids and all this stuff, this is just a fascinating thing to do.

RTE2 played it at 8am as they had a section about being mindful for Kosovo, and the next thing Grapevine records rang me and said, “OMG we’ve got to release this”.

I got permission to take kids on tour, release it we did, and we sold 5,000 copies

in one day, reached number 1, and built a school in Kosovo with the proceeds. This experience taught me the power of collective action.

Blood sports

Then I got involved in politics. Billy Kelleher didn’t get elected on the first election and I turned around to Billy and I said, I’ll get you elected. And I did, for 25 years. Every four years I used to come in for two weeks and run his election. It was like a blood sport, it was brilliant.

We ran a meticulous campaign, knocking on every door in the constituency. Sometimes people voting for the other guy would try and hold him up at the door, to stop him getting around. To those people I said, ‘blue shirt, stop playing game! To the point!’.

And that’s where my love of politics came in. Billy’s now a very successful politician. That’s how I learned about a common system in Ireland. Where you have a street boss, looking after different roads, then during an election, you bring all the commons together.

Launching BITA

BITA emerged from Paul’s desire to create a community rooted in these values. Unlike conventional networking organizations,

Naomi Thrower and Paul Whitnell at the BITA Kent office.

EVERYTHING I AM, I HAVE TURNED INTO AN ORGANISATION. IT’S VERY EASY FOR ME TO SPEAK ABOUT IT AND BE IT, BECAUSE I ACTUALLY AM IT. THAT’S WHY I NEVER NEED A SCRIPT. I WROTE THE SCRIPT!

BITA prioritizes giving over receiving, fostering a culture of trust and generosity. Paul’s disdain for bureaucracy and red tape led him to build BITA from the ground up, relying on the generosity and tenacity of its members to fuel its growth.

“Politics is where I learned how to structure BITA. I opened up chapters; they are the street bosses. In every area. We are not a member gatherer. We have around 850 people for that reason, and we have a drop off of around 20% as they are here for the wrong reasons.

They are takers. Not givers. The fox dressed in sheep’s clothing. I felt vulnerable to that as I was always a giver, I was always being taken advantage of,

By

until I created this community of givers. Of people who don’t do that. There’s honesty, there’s trust.”

Back to School

Noel Elliott introduced me to my now good friend, Niall Mellon, who was running a school’s charity and it needed help. I thought, I need to see this for myself, so we went out to South Africa and we saw the whole set up. We went to the townships, we went to the literacy hubs and then we spoke with some diplomats and just thought, this is part of BITA.

We decided on a collaboration. And this year we will bring 100 people to the project on the 16th November and we will build at least two schools if not three. From that, we will go and take 100x girls and guys from the township and bring them into the literacy hub. It will make such a massive difference as you are creating and breaking a culture.

The Ethos

We changed into greedy, commercial people. The more we got, the more we wanted. This is what they termed the Celtic tiger. They were going around with racehorses and BMWs, and I will always remember when the crash came in 2008. People who couldn’t live without money. There was depression, suicide. It was awful.

Thinking OMG if we don’t do something about this, we’re going to be in trouble. The demise of better practice was a serious worry to me. And I wanted to create an organisation that appreciated tradition, appreciated the values we were reared from like honesty, transparency, passion. And deliver on it.

The ethos of BITA extends beyond business networking, encompassing social responsibility and global impact. Initiatives like building schools in South Africa exemplify BITA’s commitment to creating positive change, both locally and internationally.

As BITA continues to evolve and expand its reach, Paul envisions a future where its legacy transcends his own contributions. Through initiatives like BITAx, he seeks to nurture a new generation of leaders who share his passion for community, integrity, and collective action.

In Paul’s words, BITA is more than just an organization—it’s a movement. A movement driven by the collective efforts of individuals who believe in the power of community, the value of integrity, and the importance of making a difference in the world.

This interview has been brought to you humbly and honestly, with awe and amazement of an incredible story.

Naomi Thrower, Freelance Marketing Director, Lover of People and Planet. BITA fangirl.

Paul and Philomena Whitnell working on a school with the Mellon Educate Program in South Africa.

Introducing CARI

As part of our mission to help more people and influence further, as a collective, we are delighted to announce that we have opened the Limerick Chapter of BITA. Alec Morrisey of The Limerick Post taking on the role as Chapter Chair in this exciting new chapter, and we look forward to becoming an important part of the local business community.

All BITA Chapter select a local charity to work with; raising awareness and sometimes fundraising. The Limerick Chapter have decided to support CARI, and we’d like to introduce you to this amazing charity, in their words..

For the past 35 years in CARI, we have been helping children under 18 years old, and their non-offending parents and carers, cope with the devastating impact of child sexual abuse. CARI provides specialised trauma-informed therapeutic support in a safe and trusted professional environment with access to experienced and accredited psychotherapists. We are there to help from the moment parents and carers first find out their child has been abused, until their children feel safe and confident again and are ready to face the world.

When a parent or carer first contacts CARI we offer advice and information and support them to manage their own trauma and shock. We enable them to start to begin to help their children to heal. We assess the needs of the family and decide which of our services going forward may be most beneficial. Our services include early intervention programmes for parents and children to

offer immediate coping strategies: longer term regular psychotherapy sessions; ongoing parental support, and therapeutic support groups.

Because CARI specialise in working with children, all our rooms are warm friendly places, filled with toys, symbols, books and craft and art materials. This is important, as it enables children and adolescents to communicate in ways that make sense developmentally to them. We first help them to feel safe and stable so they can share what’s going on in their internal worlds and show us their experiences, and then finally help them to integrate their new understanding and feelings.

Unfortunately, finding continuous funding and support for an organisation specialising in child sexual abuse can be very challenging. Child sexual abuse is not an easy topic, and one people often prefer to avoid. According to the Sexual Violence Survey 2022, almost 3/10 adults reported that they had experienced sexual violence as a child. As such it is likely we have all been impacted either directly ourselves or through someone in our family.

Whilst CARI get some government funding, to provide sufficient services to children and parents we also need to raise additional funds. To address what often feels like an epidemic of abuse, we need to expand our services. Outside of Dublin, CARI is the only organisation that provides specialised psychotherapy for children under

If you have been affected by the content of this article, or are looking for services for a child in your family you can call our helpline on: 0818 924 567

If you or your organisation would like to support CARI, please contact our CEO Emer O’Neil on: 061 582 224

12 years, and currently we only have premises in Dublin, Limerick and Wexford.

The impact of sexual abuse on children can be profound, leaving survivors feeling a sense of loss of being in charge of their internal lives. It can lead to terrifying flashbacks, nightmares, a feeling of disconnection from the world, their family, and their own body. It can leave feelings of self-blame, shame, and low self-esteem. Trust doesn’t come easy to any of the children and adolescents we work with. Whilst many of them of have experienced multiple traumatic events in their short lives, we as therapists are always left in awe at how brave they are in expressing their inner worlds and communicating their truth to us, and their drive and resilience in healing. Every day in CARI we witness children experience positive transformation through receiving the right support.

The mission of CARI is to ensure every child in Ireland who needs our services, wherever they live, is aware that there is support available to them. We want to ensure they can access the information, advice and therapy services we provide and that they deserve.

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Designing

Luxury

Exploring the Intersection of Artistry and Functionality with multi-award-winning designer, Tiago Russo

When we announced that this edition of NetWorks magazine was going to be focused on design, we were delighted to hear from The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., one of our sponsors. A leader in the field of design with their exquisite, limited edition whiskey releases, they offered the opportunity to interview Tiago Russo, their Chief Design Officer.

Great design is more than creating something eye-catching or beautiful, it is, in the words of Debbie Millman, “one of the few disciplines that is a science as well as an art. Effective, meaningful design requires intellectual, rational rigor along with the ability to elicit emotions and beliefs.”

Tiago captures this sentiment perfectly with his stunning, technical designs that balance luxury with efficaciousness. As a world-leading designer, I wanted to know not only about his skills and experience, but about his approach and how he incorporates function effectively into his award-winning designs.

Having worked as a designer with The Macallan, Bacardi, Louis Vuitton, Patek Philippe and McLaren (to name a few), Tiago has built an impressive portfolio of work, but how does his approach change with these different products?

“Every brand, and every product needs considering differently, and you need to have a different mindset for everything that you do” explains Tiago. “Different brands will have different types of target audiences, and they’ll want them to interact with the product in different ways.”

With luxury clothing, the tactile response from the consumer will be paramount, as the item will be worn.

WHAT DOES THE BRAND WANT TO CONVEY TO THEIR USERS, AND HOW CAN WE TELL THAT MESSAGE WITH THE PRODUCT WE ARE DESIGNING? NO MATTER WHERE I’VE WORKED, THE CHALLENGES ARE THE SAME...

How does it feel, how does it move, how does it hold up throughout the day? It’s incredibly personal, and therefore the consumer needs to be able to engage with it in that way. Compared to something that will be for display, and the elements that need to be considered are completely different. When it comes to items that you interact with, visual comes first, but the best design provides a complete sensorial journey. Even the sound that the product makes is important; “good design needs to encompass all your senses” says Tiago.

In his current role as the Chief Design Officer, Tiago is based in Portugal where he is responsible for creating the stunning designs available in The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. vault. From start to finish, the design may take two years which he breaks into 5 or 6 stages. The first is to pin down the mood of the product. Luckily enough for Tiago, this means he gets to sample the incredible whiskeys produced by The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. He didn’t start as the biggest whiskey fan when he started there, but now considers himself a connoisseur of the spirit.

Every product has a deep connection with Ireland, something that he is always mindful of. He will spend a lot of time in research and development at this stage, looking at the values of a product. The trick, he says, is to find something else that will tie in with the mood and intent of the product. In his current role, Tiago has incorporated whiskey glasses, obsidian whiskey stones and cigar cutters into his different designs.

After pinning down the mood of the product and brand, it’s time for pen and paper. At this stage, there are lots of sketches, doodling and ideas flowing with Tiago and his team. When an idea has been settled

LAURA WATKINS

THE ÉRIMÓN GLASS

“I really want to focus on the process of making the whiskey, and I want all the flavour profiles to be really noticeable.” This was the starting point for designing their unique, award-winning whiskey glasses.

Their Érimón Glass beautifully combines the results of 18 months scientific research and design excellence to create a product that won Gold at the 2023 NY Product Design Awards and was a recipient of the distinguished Red Dot Award.

As Tiago explains, although the aesthetics of the glasses were crucial, even more important was the material. “The glass itself is important. Just like different metal can change the tastes of different foods, so too can the composition of glass change the profile of a drink. We created glass made from soda-lime, and the material engages with the whiskey in a unique way.

The molecules of the glass aren’t completely solid, and when the whiskey deposits itself on the bottom of the glass, the material pushes and pulls the molecules against it. We have created a vortex point in the glass, a depression, which swirls the whiskey. They engage in a way that combats the ethanol in the drink, creating a smoother experience.”

You can see some of Tiago’s work on these pages, and by visiting

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co website: https://craftirishwhiskey.com/whiskey-vault/

WHEN IT COMES TO ITEMS THAT YOU INTERACT WITH, VISUAL COMES FIRST, BUT THE BEST DESIGN PROVIDES A COMPLETE SENSORIAL JOURNEY. EVEN THE SOUND THAT THE PRODUCT MAKES IS IMPORTANT.

on, it’s time to use CAD 3D modelling software, Solid Works. This program has a lot of engineering capabilities for checking feasibility of a job, and how it will work as a physical product. Next, to create something realistic, they use Keyshot to render the designs to look real.

“It’s important to create something that is 99.9% like the real version. We only really make one 3D printed version, just for confirmation of the ergonomics and feel of the product, as we’ve already made sure that everything works by that stage (except with the Érimón Glasses, see box out). We already know what the finished item will look like from the software we use.”

One of his favourite designs is The Emerald Isle, an ultra-rare release of just seven sets. This contains a triple distilled single malt, a watch, and Celtic Egg – both unique and sublime pieces developed exclusively by the famous jewellery house, Fabergé.

Tiago spent a long time in the research and development phase, wanting to really capture and showcase the beauty of Ireland. Deciding to focus on the seven wonders of the island, including The Old Head, Cliffs of Moher and Giants Causeway, Tiago created seven different luxury whiskey sets, each with different design elements.

“I created different line drawings of each of the different locations. They were then gold plate engraved into the whiskey cases, so each set is different and tied to a different area” says Tiago. “The designs were then incorporated across the set, so the Fabergé watch and egg that comes with the set is

completely unique, while maintaining harmonious design across the collection.”

Not only do Tiago’s designs adorn the watches and egg, but each of the eggs show the co-ordinates of the wonder that they depict, and open to show an uncut emerald – that Fabergé will make into jewellery of your choice. “I really wanted to think of something completely different, and completely addressing all the senses; a brand-new experience for our customers.”

The sets have broken records, the most recent selling for $2.8 million to American collector Mike Daley. You can check the Whiskey Vault at The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. Website to see these and more of his amazing designs. The kind of budgets required for something like this and the freedom that Tiago has for his designs, aren’t common. But Tiago has advice for designers whatever their product or budget.

“It’s always down to what and how the brand wants to position itself” he explains. “What do they want to convey to the users, and how can we tell that message with the product we are designing. No matter where I’ve worked, the challenges are the same, and there will be hundreds, or perhaps thousands of similar products competing against yours.” So how do you stand out, and reach your target audience?

Well – it depends, and what it depends on is who your target audience is, what your message is, and your budget. Some companies might want to sponsor bars or create an air of exclusivity. Others may want to go for market saturation, positioning themselves cheaply, or use pop-ups in popular areas. Each brand and designer will need to decide what they want to achieve, and how their positioning and actions can go about achieving that goal.

Of course, the smaller the budget, the less movement you will have with design options. Tiago gives examples of spirits. For people working with a smaller budget, perhaps paper labels could change to embossed or burned leather labels. Or you might want to leave the bottle naked and use metal foiling as a label. This is less material, potentially more sustainable, but would most likely be seen as a more elevated and elegant option. Always consider your position now, your desired position, and how you might get there. With the speed of technological developments, it’s important to be up to date, which is something that Tiago doesn’t struggle with.

“I am very tech savvy, I love technology, one of my first roles was working as a product analyst for tech companies so I would test new products from leading technology businesses, including Logitech and Microsoft. Software as well, so I’m always researching and trying to see what is new, any exciting (or boring!) software or hardware that can help with our work.”

If you aren’t naturally interested in technology, this might be more of a challenge, but with the tools available, it’s important to invest some time in making sure you know what’s available.

I speak with Tiago a few days before the latest winners of the A’Design Awards are announced, and he is waiting to hear if he has won their platinum award with his design for The Mulong, an upcoming release from The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.

There are three awards that are the highlight for any product designer, the A’Design Awards, The Red Dot Awards, and the iF Design Awards, founded in 2010, 1954 and 1953 respectively. Tiago’s department has won 27 design awards this year, and over 100 design awards, including the A’Design, Red Dot and iF Awards over the last three years. Tiago and his friends used to speak about winning these awards when they were in university, so achieving this dream already in his career, is a dream.

In 2021, the Devils Keep won a gold medal in the A’Design Awards, coming in just under Pepsi who had done a massive rebrand that year. After this success, Tiago wanted to win their platinum medal, which he achieved with The Emerald Isle in 2022, and again with their Storyteller release in 2023. Winning these extremely competitive, global awards is a massive achievement, and well-deserved recognition of the hard work and creativity that Tiago and his team embody.

The A’Design Awards focus more on packaging, but the Red Dot Awards recognise product development, so they submitted the Érimón and Finn Glasses, which won the award in 2023 (see box). The iF Awards recognise excellence in both product design and packaging, and Tiago’s team won their first iF Award in 2023, also with Storyteller, meaning they have achieved the triple crown of design awards.

Looking to the future, Tiago wants to continue to create great designs and innovate with every product. He doesn’t see the value in chasing a certain number of awards; “we want to have recognition, but most of all, we want to be excellent.”

LAURA WATKINS

WHISKEY & WEALTH CLUB PRESENTS

Whiskey as an Asset Masterclass and Tasting

Join Whiskey & Wealth Club for a Masterclass in ‘Whiskey as an Asset,’ where you’ll touch on the history of whiskey, gain insight into its potential as an investment vehicle, and learn about routes to market, risks, future market trends, and more.

Followed by a whisk(e)y tasting lead by CCO & Partner, Ian Duignan, you will have the opportunity to sample a range of different whiskies, gaining insight into tasting techniques, flavor profiles, barrel craft and more.

Hosted at BÓHA LONDON, you will enjoy a bespoke menu of elevated Irish and British cuisine.

ABOUT WHISKEY & WEALTH CLUB

Whiskey & Wealth Club is currently the largest independent wholesaler of whisk(e)y casks, dealing in the purchase and resale of New Make Spirit and matured casks to private clients. They offer clients the unique opportunity to own casks of Irish, Canadian, bourbon, and Scotch whiskey, at ultra-wholesale rates, providing secure storage in bonded warehouses and various exit strategies.

Clients primarily invest in the whiskey in a bid to take advantage of the world’s number one alternative investment according to the Knight Frank report. Single-handedly, Whiskey & Wealth Club has pioneered a previously untapped market, establishing dominance within its created niche. Whiskey & Wealth Club offers a gateway into this lucrative market and invites you to join a community of like-minded enthusiasts, guided every step of the way by a team dedicated to your journey in whiskey investment.

To register your interest for the masterclass, please contact laura@bita.ie Discover more about Whiskey & Wealth Club at 020 3129 1639 or via email at enquiries@whiskeywealthclub.com.

Brand Evolution

The Importance of Developing as your Business Grows

As your business grows, so does the importance of your brand identity. When focusing on the goal of growth, building a strong brand identity is crucial to establishing yourself in what can feel like a very competitive landscape. Many factors evolve as your success scalesfrom products and services to marketing strategies. A vital part of this journey is the evolution of brand identity. Constant brand development allows you to remain relevant, maintain connections with consumers and sustain growth, whilst maintaining the essence that attributes your success this far.

You already have an established business with a strong brand identity and client base, so why change it? Just because a brand is already established, doesn’t mean it can’t benefit from some adjustments to avoid becoming stale. Branding should be ever-changing and evolving to reduce the risk of becoming outdated and overlooked. Even the most established brands may lose traction as new, innovative brands surface.

CHANGING A BRAND IS NOT A SIMPLE PROCESS, IT REQUIRES THOUGHT, PLANNING AND CLEVER EXECUTION.

The need for constant shaping of brand identity has many purposes, including:

• Allowing the business to build deeper connections with its client base.

• Potential for expansion into new geographic and demographic markets.

• Opening opportunity to introduce new products and services.

• Remaining relevant with consumers as new trends come to fruition.

How do I implement brand evolution?

Changing a brand is not a simple process. It requires thought, planning and clever execution to avoid tarnishing existing consumer relationships: When it comes to brand development simplicity is key. The focus should be on subtle adjustments in visual styling and brand messaging as opposed to drastic changes. Implementing significant changes will push you into the realm of rebranding and at risk of losing loyal customers. It is important to remember core values throughout the process to maintain the existing brand.

The opinions of your customers can be both a blessing and a curse. Being receptive to feedback is crucial. Use it to your advantage to decide what works and what doesn’t as you implement new brand strategies. If the new brand identity fails to resonate with the target audience or is perceived as irrelevant or out-of-touch, it can lead to negative perceptions and backlash from consumers. If ignored, this can harm the brand’s reputation and market position.

What message are you aiming to convey? Having a clear understanding

of the purpose of development allows for concise ideas of the changes you want to make and their reasoning in conjunction with the business strategy. To avoid confusing messaging and diluted brand perception, changes should be implemented consistently to enhance brand recognition. A strong brand identity ensures that consumers can easily identify the business across various media and upholds a trustworthy appearance.

It is important to maintain effective communication, ensuring both employees and consumers have a strong understanding of the brand’s values/ identity. This should include the changes being implemented and the rationale behind them. Providing explanations for decision-making and highlighting the positive outcomes can help to build acceptance from your audience.

Brand development, while essential in aiding business growth and success, also comes with its share of risks and challenges that can directly impact a business’s success:

• Brand evolution can potentially end in wasted resources and significant financial strain if the new brand identity fails to yield the desired results.

• Competitors may react to a brand identity change by intensifying their efforts to capitalise on any perceived weaknesses or opportunities, leading to escalated competition.

• Employees and internal stakeholders may experience hindered productivity and feel disengaged from the new brand identity if they perceive it as disconnected from the company’s culture.

• Existing customers who have developed strong emotional connections with the old brand identity may feel alienated by the change. This can lead to a loss of customer loyalty and advocacy for the brand.

To avoid these risks, businesses should undergo thorough research to understand their target audience, market, and competitors before launching any brand identity development initiatives. In short, as your business grows, your brand identity should grow with it. By adapting your visual elements, messaging, and online presence, you can maintain relevance and continue to connect with your audience as you expand.

Future-Proofing Railway Infrastructure

Designing Rail for Connectivity, Climate and Communities

Railway infrastructure stands as the backbone of transportation networks worldwide, facilitating the movement of people and goods with efficiency and reliability. In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, the design of railway infrastructure must evolve to accommodate emerging trends and advancements while ensuring seamless connectivity. Rail is already one of the best ways to travel when considering environmental impact and sustainability, and it’s critical to future-proof designs for the demands of tomorrow’s transportation needs.

Embracing Technological Advancements

The advent of digital technologies has revolutionized the railway industry, offering opportunities for enhanced efficiency, safety, and connectivity. Modern railway infrastructure design must integrate these technological advancements seamlessly to optimize operations and improve passenger experiences.

A fantastic example of technology-driven infrastructure design is smart sensors and predictive maintenance systems. By deploying sensors along railway tracks and components, operators can monitor the condition of infrastructure in realtime, detecting potential issues before they escalate into costly failures. The Dutch railway operator ProRail utilizes sensors to monitor track conditions and predict maintenance needs, ensuring optimal performance and reliability. Following the positive results from testing in 2015, starting in 2017, the Dutch

railway manager decided for a nation-wide rollout of 1,500 sensors for point heating monitoring. This allows ProRail to optimise train schedules and maintain equipment – things that were more difficult or impossible with human analysis alone.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning presents new possibilities for optimizing railway operations. AIpowered predictive analytics can analyse vast amounts of data to forecast passenger demand, optimize train schedules, and predict potential disruptions. For example, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) employs AI algorithms to optimize train schedules and reduce congestion during peak hours, improving overall system efficiency, traffic flow, and passenger satisfaction.

Incorporating Sustainable Design Principles

As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and environmental sustainability, railway infrastructure design must prioritize sustainable practices to minimize carbon footprint and mitigate environmental impact. From energy-efficient stations to eco-friendly materials, sustainable design principles play a crucial role in shaping the future of rail transportation.

Irish Rail are investing in trains, infrastructure, stations and customer service as part of their National Development Plan, and sustainable design principles are at the heart of this. Out of the 790 new train carriages they are getting, 600 will be electric or battery electric. Accessibility will be improved, and the Cork Area Commuter Rail is intended to create an efficient, low carbon and

IN AN INCREASINGLY

INTERCONNECTED

WORLD, RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN MUST PRIORITIZE CONNECTIVITY AND ACCESSIBILITY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF DIVERSE POPULATIONS.

A prototype of the new DART+ fleet carriage, planned to be rolled out in Cork.

climate resilient network for workers across Cork. You can see more information about Irish Rail on page 10.

One notable example of sustainable railway infrastructure design is the King’s Cross Station redevelopment project in London. The project aimed to transform the historic station into a modern, energy-efficient transportation hub while preserving its architectural heritage. Features such as energyefficient lighting, green roofs, and rainwater harvesting systems were incorporated to minimize environmental impact and reduce operational costs.

Another aspect of sustainable design is the integration of renewable energy sources into railway infrastructure. Solar

panels installed along railway tracks can generate clean energy to power signalling systems, lighting, and other auxiliary systems, reducing reliance on conventional power sources. As part of India’s broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions and transition to more sustainable energy solutions, Indian Railways has embarked on a massive solar energy initiative. They are installing solar panels on station rooftops and vacant land to generate renewable energy for its operations.

Enhancing Connectivity and Accessibility

In an increasingly interconnected world, railway infrastructure design must prioritize connectivity and accessibility to meet the needs of diverse populations. From high-speed rail networks to last-mile connectivity solutions, creating seamless transportation networks is essential for fostering economic growth and social inclusion.

High-speed rail projects represent a prime example of infrastructure designed to enhance connectivity between cities and regions. Japan, China, and France have invested heavily in high-speed rail networks, offering fast, reliable, and sustainable transportation options for commuters and travellers. These projects not only reduce travel times but also stimulate economic development along railway corridors, driving job creation and investment. You can see comment about the UK HS2 project on the BITA news page, thanks to our Rail Division Vice Chair, Rob Cullen.

Moreover, ensuring accessibility for all passengers, including those with disabilities, is a critical aspect of modern

BITA RAIL DIVISION

We have launched the Rail Division at BITA, kindly sponsored by Circet, in response the the opportunities, and challenges, that we see in the industry. Our launch event in September 2023 at Kings Cross, has just been followed by another event in Dublin, where we welcomed keynote speaker Mr. Jim Meade of Irish Rail, who spoke on Ireland’s investment in rail infrastructure, which is intended to generate and spread economic prosperity and greatly assist in achieving Ireland’s 2050 climate target goals.

We have an incredible pool of talent on our Rail Division Board, which is chaired by Mick Danaher, Head of programmes and Projects at Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann). Mick is backed up by Vice-Chair Robert Cullen of PWM UK Ltd, and an energetic and rail-focused board.

Their mission is “to pioneer the rail industry, grounded in our values of integrity, innovation and collaboration. We unite professionals to foster a dynamic community where sharing capital knowledge, sustainable practices, and inclusive collaboration thrive; propelling us towards a more connected and sustainable world. Together, we are BITA Rail – building a brighter future for rail transportation and beyond.”

The Rail Division are planning to host more events as the chapter grows, and these will be held across Ireland and the UK, to make sure that all our members interested in working with the rail industry, have a chance to attend and get involved.

railway infrastructure design. Designing stations and trains with features such as wheelchair ramps, tactile paving, and audible announcements can improve accessibility and inclusivity for passengers with diverse needs. The London Underground has implemented various accessibility enhancements, such as step-free access and tactile maps, to make its network more inclusive and user-friendly.

The changes being embraced by the rail industry offers incredible opportunities to a wide range of industries. Solar panel providers, energy optimisation, battery storage, accessibility enhancements are all being utilised. Businesses offering innovative construction techniques to time-saving IT systems, and everything in between should be looking to the rail industry for a potential market.

Future-proofing railway infrastructure design for connectivity requires a multifaceted approach that incorporates technological innovation, sustainable practices, and a focus on accessibility. By embracing emerging technologies, such as smart sensors and AI, and integrating sustainable design principles, railway operators and designers can optimize operations, reduce environmental impact, and enhance passenger experiences. Furthermore, prioritizing connectivity and accessibility ensures that railway infrastructure serves as a catalyst for economic growth and social inclusion, connecting communities and fostering prosperity. As we look to the future of rail transportation, it is imperative that we continue to innovate and adapt our designs to meet the evolving needs of society and the environment.

Swinging Success: Business on the Fairway

Introducing RockSports – Your Partner in Golf Sponsorship

At the intersection of golf’s tradition and the dynamism of business networking lies an unparalleled opportunity for growth, community, and partnership. The world of fairways and greens is not just for golf enthusiasts but a fertile ground for businesses seeking to expand their visibility and weave into the community’s fabric. Enter RockSports, a vibrant global business making waves in the world of golf sponsorship, guided by the shared BITA/ RockSports mantra “Better Together.”

From the outset, RockSports has differentiated itself by championing emerging golf talent and creating mutually beneficial relationships that ripple through the business and sporting worlds. It’s not just about being present in the industry; it’s about moulding the future of golf while simultaneously paving a path for business success.

Why Different? The RockSports Edge

Recounting tales like that of a Navy SEAL’s pivotal role in transforming Lucas Glover’s career or Mac Barnhardt, often dubbed the Jerry Maguire of Golf, underscores RockSports’ unique approach. Each story is a testament to their ethos of turning potential into excellence, mirroring what they offer businesses –a partnership grounded in transformation and success.

Why Consider Sponsorship/Partnership?

The lush expanses of golf courses are more than just competitive arenas; they are storytelling landscapes where drama, ambition, and dedication unfold with every swing. Aligning your business with a golfer is endorsing an individual’s dream, and in return, your brand galvanises its standing by connecting with a sport with universal appeal and a reputation for excellence and discipline.

Benefits Beyond the Scorecard

The partnership between RockSports’ talent and businesses offers extensive benefits that are customised to suit the organisation’s specific requirements. This includes exclusive access to their sponsored athlete during golf tournaments, guest appearances at corporate events (2 days), participation in team building activities, and featuring in marketing materials. The RockSports team will collaborate with each partner to enhance ROI and deliver a distinctive marketing advantage.

Tangible Investment in Tomorrow

By choosing to sponsor an up-and-coming golf champion means you’re not just buying into what is but what could be. You position your brand alongside someone whose trajectory aims as high as your corporate ambitions, representing a proactive commitment that transcends the traditional sponsorship dynamics.

Values Aligned for Success

Sponsoring in golf is not a mere financial transaction; it’s a reflection of core values such as commitment, respect, and camaraderie. These values resonate deeply with BITA and RockSport’s belief in nurturing connections – “People that know people that help people.”

Craft your legacy with us on the fairway. Visit our website, explore the opportunities, and partner with an organisation where potential meets ambition, and business success is par for the course. info@rocksports.group www.rockempiresports.com

Crafting a Compelling Narrative Partnering with a golfer unfolds a narrative that can resonate with your brand’s vision. Each tournament, each win, each challenge they overcome adds depth to your brand story, offering a shared experience with your audience that goes far beyond logo placement on their attire.

A Stroke of Marketing Genius

• The Popularity Podium – With a fan base of approximately 450 million, none can deny golf’s global acclaim. Each event, each broadcast, each social media update is an opportunity for your brand to shine in the spotlight afforded by your golfing partner’s pursuits.

• Demographic Diversity – Target the affluent and influential through golf sponsorship. Gain visibility within a demographic renowned for its purchasing power and engage directly with stakeholders that matter most to your business growth.

• Community at the Core – In the golfing world, every swing can open the door to new connections, alliances, and partnerships. Sponsorship signifies stepping into a sphere where every handshake can lead to significant collaborations and business ventures.

• Driving Charitable Change – Many professional golfers serve as vanguards of charitable causes, aligning your brand with initiatives that matter. Sponsorship in golf can therefore amplify your corporate social responsibility footprint, making a positive impact while propelling the brand forward.

• The 19th Hole – RockSport invites you to extend your corporate reach, amplify your community engagement, and be associated with sporting excellence that mirrors your company’s aspirations. Our collaborative approach ensures that your sponsorship aligns seamlessly with your ESG values, allowing your brand to reap the rewards of a global platform while investing in the future of golf and business relationships.

Designing an Experience

Developments and Innovations in Hospitality

Hospitality has a reputation as a beleaguered industry, especially in recent years. Tom Kerridge recently warned that restaurants in the UK would be happy if they just break even over the next two years due to rising costs across the board, and recent Easter Holiday rail strikes in the UK costing their hospitality industry another estimated £387m.

The scene in the UK and Ireland is more challenging than perhaps elsewhere, as they experience rising costs, but stagnant wages in their client base – which means less disposable income for eating

out and stays. According to the ONS, households spend 7% of their income in restaurants and hotels, compared to 9% in 2012, and 10% in 2002.

Against this backdrop, it might be expected that hospitality businesses would be cutting costs as much as possible to save money. Some are. But many others are investing in upgrades to experience, service and technology to entice new customers and retain (and attract) talent to the industry.

Technological advancements have become a driving force behind transformative guest experiences in

hotels, and restaurants are looking for new experiences to offer diners. From intuitive smart room features to seamless contactless check-in processes, to repackaging nostalgia, the hospitality industry is looking for, and in some cases finding, an edge to keep them ahead.

Smart Room Features

One of the most prominent trends in hotel technology is the integration of smart room features designed to enhance guest comfort, convenience, and personalization. From voice-activated assistants to smart thermostats and

Hotels are leveraging smart devices to gather data and insights that enable personalized service delivery. By analysing guest preferences and behaviour patterns, hotels can anticipate guest needs and provide tailored recommendations and amenities, enhancing the overall guest experience.

Contactless Check-In and Digital Concierge Services

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving guest preferences for contactless interactions, hotels have accelerated the adoption of digital technologies for check-in and guest services. Contactless check-in solutions, powered by mobile apps and self-service kiosks, enable guests to bypass traditional front desk queues and complete check-in processes seamlessly.

The Marriott International’s Bonvoy app offers mobile check-in and keyless entry, allowing guests to check in remotely and access their rooms using their smartphones. Similarly, Hilton’s Digital Key feature enables guests to

lighting controls, hotels are embracing automation and connectivity to create intuitive and immersive guest experiences.

Marriott International’s Aloft brand has started introducing voiceactivated rooms equipped with Amazon’s Alexa technology. Guests can use voice commands to control room temperature, lighting, and entertainment systems, providing a luxurious and hands-free experience. Similarly, Hilton’s Connected Room concept allows guests to customize their in-room experience using the Hilton Honors app, adjusting settings such as lighting, temperature, and TV preferences.

check in, choose their room, and unlock their door using the Hilton Honors app, providing a secure and convenient alternative to traditional key cards.

Moreover, hotels are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and chatbot technologies to provide virtual concierge services and personalized recommendations to guests. Chatbots integrated into hotel apps and websites can assist guests with inquiries, room service requests, and local recommendations, enhancing the guest experience while reducing operational costs.

Implementing Innovative Design

The Henna Hotel in Japan, often referred to as the “robot hotel,” gained international attention for its innovative use of robotics and automation. The hotel features robotic staff members that assist guests with check-in, luggage transportation, and concierge services, providing a unique and futuristic guest experience, and a destination in itself.

On the other end is the YOTEL brand, known for its compact and technologically advanced “cabins.” YOTEL cabins are equipped with adjustable SmartBeds, monsoon showers, and mood lighting controls, offering

Robot receptionists on the Henna Hotel reception desk in 2019.

last year and paying €54.90 per person to indulge in an ‘as much as you can eat’ buffet comprised of French classics from foie gras to bœuf bourguignonne, and a Guinness record breaking cheese platter.

With those prices, you would think they would be making a loss, but in 2023 it was the highest grossing restaurant in France, with €24m in revenue. They have re-elevated dining to once again be an experience, with waiting staff trained in traditional types of service, with the chef Michael Guérard calling Les Grands Buffets ‘the greatest culinary theatre in the world’.

People eat at places where they aren’t just buying food. They are paying for the atmosphere, the ambiance, the exclusivity,

guests a comfortable and efficient space optimized for modern travellers.

Innovative design in hotel technology is revolutionizing the hospitality sector, offering guests unprecedented levels of convenience, personalization, and connectivity. From smart room features that enhance comfort and relaxation to contactless check-in solutions that prioritize safety and efficiency, hotels are embracing technology to meet the evolving needs and preferences of today’s travellers.

Looking to the Past

We will be hosting the BITA Awards and Gala Ball this year at Raffles, in the renovated Old War Office in London (on the 19th of October). Following a monumental six-year transformation, costing $1.7bn, this incredible venue is stunning, and blends exciting technology subtly with historic luxury.

Employing hundreds of specialist artisans and spending the GDP of the Soloman Islands on renovations is an impossibility for the average hotelier, but hotels lucky enough to have a rich history, or period features, may want to look at protecting, enhancing, and communicating these unique selling points to their potential customers.

Travellers look for an experience when making a booking. A bed for the night is fine when looking at the budget end of the travel industry, but offering guests something unique, that adds to their holiday or travel, is key when it comes to attracting guests.

Innovations in Gastronomy

The quest for an ‘experience’ is also seen in restaurants. People look to the new and stay if it’s done well. The famous restaurant Eleven in New York relaunched in 2021 as a 100% plant-based (vegan) restaurant. They faced pushback from diners; however, they remain popular with customers despite the niche cuisine and high prices, and retained their three Michelin stars for exceptional cuisine, and remain the first and only vegan restaurant with three Michelin stars.

The opposite of the minimalist vegan tasting menus on offer at Eleven, would surely be the gastronomical excess of Les Grands Buffets. A restaurant in the south of France, they are booked up months in advance and enforce a strong dress code. However, this didn’t deter nearly four hundred thousand people from visiting

and the spectacle. There are different ways of delivering this, and some forays into ‘delivering experience’, such as serving a breakfast on a shovel, or fries out of a shoe, have landed horribly. But to crack it is to inspire a loyal customer base and a buzz that entices new clients.

The surge in pop-ups and supper clubs are also experiencing a boom in popularity and offer opportunities for new chefs and restaurateurs to try new things, and gain cult followings.

The hospitality industry is facing challenges, but it’s also an incredibly creative and daring industry, that is quick to harness innovations, or dip into the past for ideas to resurrect. Those that find their niche and capitalise on it, enticing new customers with something different, will be more likely to thrive.

Les Grands Buffets in the South of France.

Raffles, Old War Office in London.

Business help when needed most

Running a business is never smooth sailing, especially navigating post-pandemic changes and a cost of living crisis which may have impacted trading patterns and income stream.

If you have defaulted on your Bounce Back Loan, there may be a number of options available for you. The key is to open a channel of communication with your lender and make them aware of the problem. If they cannot help, you may need to consider alternative ways of restructuring your company’s borrowing.

The sooner action is taken, the more options will be available. There is a range of business rescue and recovery solutions which can be used to turn a company’s fortunes around. This may include a process of financial and operational restructuring, creditor negotiations, or getting some breathing space if legal action is on the horizon.

If you are worried about the viability of your business we can offer sound and actionable advice on all matters of corporate, as well as personal financial distress.

Design Innovation

Bringing the virtual revolution into your home

The hottest word in design isn’t stripes or boucle, but immersive technology. With AI (Artificial Intelligence), VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality) becoming the forefront of many conversations it is important to understand the potential this can bring to your industry, be it fashion or construction.

This burgeoning technology has been making waves in the technology world for years but thanks to the introduction of tools such as Apple’s Vision Pro and the Meta Quest Pro, VR is becoming a lot more useful and applicable in the design and construction industry, particularly for the smaller and boutique consultancies.

Before a project even gets a spade in the ground there is so much work that goes into the design and planning right from the conceptual stage. For Interior Designers, VR can really enhance the experience for the end user, right from conception. VR provides an immersive experience of a room, space, or complete building so the user can consider the functionality and aesthetics of the space. For example, embracing VR for kitchens allows the user to walk around the space, ensuring they find the layout usable. All too often we look at 2D Drawings or 2D graphics and think you have enough space, and then it comes to installation, and you realise the space isn’t as functional as you’d hoped.

Embracing Virtual

In the past, VR was used only at the top level of design by large consultancies and agencies that could fork out for expensive headsets and in-house experts. Now, the technology has been democratised so it’s more accessible. There are a magnitude of technologies available to help make a vision come to life including SketchUp, Unreal Engine, Blender, Vray and Autodesk. With multiple options available it makes it more accessible for companies.

Reducing costs

Whilst there are multiple reasons for change during a design and build project the most common reason is client change. Although client change is inevitable, capturing the change at the right time is critical to the programme and budget. It can be incredibly costly to change a project mid-progress, not to mention wasteful.

VR can help designers make decisions that will have longevity and suit a client’s preferences. It can also prevent projects running over budget if everyone is happy with the design and reduce the need for changes, as well as eliminating waste. Particularly when the cost of materials has soared in recent years, keeping to budget is increasingly important, so designers need to use all the tools they can to keep work on track.

Reduced Waste

The issue of waste is something that is becoming increasingly important in design. There has been pressure to move away from fast fashion in the fashion industry in recent years and this is also the same for the interior design industry where there is an emphasis on using more sustainable materials and well-built furniture that will last for years. By using VR this will help users make better informed decisions, and therefore reducing the waste of changing furniture a year down the line.

Making decisions with impact

It can also help homeowners make big decisions with all the facts. For example, with making decisions on whether to have an extension or move house. By designing an extension in VR could be the difference between going through with a £70,000+ project or moving to a new home, or even the realisation that the space the user currently has just doesn’t work for them. VR would avoid the costly mistake of a project that would provide users little benefit.

Eliminating guesswork

Before any major project, it’s common to have a few misapprehensions. What if the vision in your head isn’t replicated in real life? This can be stressful as a client and stressful for the designer - you don’t want to let someone down and you don’t want the financial ramifications. But VR helps at all stages from conceptual design to project management, simplifying the process and making it easier to create beautiful, practical solutions that alleviate client stress.

Democratising this technology is opening new avenues for interior design and it’s becoming a whole lot more exciting.

https://bita.ie/members-directory/construction/interiors/hannah-elle-interiors/

You can reach Hannah Fawdry MSc, through Hannah Elle Interiors:

Importing &

Supplying Timber

to the Construction Industry

At The Timber Group, we import timber through 2 UK port terminals and process and manufacture timber at a state of the art mill to then operate and distribute from 6 branches in the south of England and London. We cover all aspects of the timber trade, including treatments and specialist machining and o er a variety of delivery options for all your timber needs.

Sheet Materials

Treated Carcassing Timber

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(Including timed, booked in & ‘out of hours’ deliveries)

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IWhat’s Your Story?

Judith O’Leary, Founder & MD of Represent discusses

Design is central to effective marketing for SMEs

n an era where consumer attention spans are fleeting, good design is necessary to achieve brand differentiation and customer engagement. It isn’t just how it looks; good design embodies brand values, communicates its positioning, and influences consumer perceptions. For SME Owners and marketing professionals seeking to capture and retain their market share, investing in good design is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity. Surrounded by strong visuals, customers are more discerning than ever. They don’t just want a product or a service; they seek an experience that reflects their values – and design is central to this.

Why Invest in Design?

Good design is essentially effective communication. It is the visual storytelling that hooks your audience before a single word is read. David Airey, a renowned graphic designer and logo design expert, states, “Design isn’t just what it looks like. Design is how it works.” It conveys purpose and intent and can elicit emotions that resonate with a brand’s values.

Design goes beyond the logo and typeface, it is central to all your customer interactions, including your website. A designconsidered online customer journey, with clear calls to action with ensure effective lead generation and lower bounce rates thereby converting customer visits into purchases.

Learning from Heritage Brands – The Case of Golden Syrup

Even established brands need to revitalise their design strategies to stay relevant. Tate and Lyle’s Golden Syrup, a quintessential brand brimming with heritage, recently underwent a logo and packaging revamp not to replace tradition but to attract a modern audience, exemplifying the fine line between innovation and preservation.

By honouring its rich history while subtly incorporating contemporary elements, Golden Syrup showed how a good design could accentuate brand values and appeal to new generations. It also generated significant PR coverage – a win-win for the design team.

The Represent Approach to Design-Led Marketing

My company Represent recently underwent a new logo and website revamp reinforcing we don’t just sell design – we live by it. Timed to coincide with the launch of our Dublin office, we wanted to demonstrate our investment in the business and attract the type of clients we want to work with.

For our clients, design plays an important part of our integrated marketing approach. For our client Chippendale International School of Furniture, we worked with the owners to update its branding and website to mirror the craftsmanship it is renowned for. Through thoughtful and design-led marketing materials, including logo, website and photography, the school now stands out in a crowded sector, speaking directly to an audience that appreciates refinement. This has significantly increased the school’s profile with the owner recently featuring

why Good

in the fashion brand Uniqlo launch campaign for the opening of their new Edinburgh store.

Similarly, for Irish jewellery designer, Inner Island, Represent worked with owner Gemma O’Leary, to create a brand look and feel that reflected her jewellery premium design-led, handcrafted positioning. Every aspect of the design from the typography to photography to its visual spacing mirrors the artistry of the pieces as can be seen on these pages.

For our clients, our success lies in our ability to intertwine brand ethos with design innovation, creating clear, engaging, and purposeful designs that drive business growth and brand recognition.

Tips for Reviewing Your Brand’s Design

For brands considering their design impact, here’s where to start:

1. Assess Your Visuals: Do your current visuals align with the image you want to project? If not, it’s time for a review.

2. User Experience Audit: Analyse your website and marketing materials from a user flow perspective. Is the path to conversion as seamless as it should be? This is something we do for clients on an ongoing basis.

3. Storytelling Consistency: Ensure your design tells your brand’s story coherently across all platforms.

4. Feedback and Data: Use customer feedback and Google analytics to understand what’s working and not.

Design revision leads to rejuvenation. It allows you to re-engage with your audience, reiterate your brand promise, and redefine your market position. It is not, and never should be, a decorative afterthought; it’s a marketing priority that warrants ongoing attention and investment.

GOOD DESIGN IS ESSENTIALLY EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION. IT IS THE VISUAL STORYTELLING THAT HOOKS YOUR AUDIENCE BEFORE A SINGLE WORD IS READ.

Represent is an award-winning integrated PR & digital marketing agency focused on driving growth across SMEs in Ireland and the UK. If you are considering a brand or website revamp contract Represent to discuss your requirements. www.representcomms.com Get 15% off the incredible Inner Island jewellery with code BITA15

Inner Island.

A Transformative Journey

Fighting Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) with Determination and Innovation

In a profound breakthrough that promises to redefine the landscape of Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) treatment, phase one clinical trials for gene therapy have yielded extraordinary results, evoking a spectrum of emotions for Ann Harding, Chair of HAE UK and Director of Quattro Road Services. HAE, a rare genetic disorder affecting 1 in 50,000 individuals, inflicts its victims with unpredictable bouts of swelling throughout the body, with the potential for life-threatening consequences, especially when the swelling encroaches upon the throat. For Ann, this scientific milestone strikes a deeply personal chord as her daughter, Sian, has endured the tumultuous journey of living with HAE since birth.

The trials had participants from across the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and the Netherlands, and the outcomes surpassed expectations, unveiling significant advancements in symptom management and a temporary cessation of debilitating attacks. Ann, overwhelmed with gratitude, acknowledges the collective efforts of medical professionals, trustees, donors, and pharmaceutical entities whose collaborative spirit propelled this groundbreaking research forward.

Dr. Padmalal Gurugama, spearheading the UK branch of research at Cambridge University Hospital, extols the transformative potential of this therapy in elevating the quality of life for individuals grappling with HAE’s relentless onslaught.

Dr. Hilary Longhurst, Senior Medical Officer at Auckland District Health Board, lauds the indispensable role played by patient organizations like HAE UK in not only facilitating treatment development but also in ensuring equitable access to these life-changing therapies.

The reverberations of this scientific breakthrough have resonated across esteemed publications such as The Times, The Guardian, and the BBC website, underscoring the global significance of the research. John Murphy, Managing Director of Quattro, reiterates his company’s steadfast commitment to supporting HAE UK, reaffirming their dedication to seeing the research through to fruition and making tangible impacts in the lives of those affected by HAE.

Amidst the backdrop of scientific triumph, Ann Harding’s appointment as Chairman of the Hereditary Angioedema Charity emerges as a poignant testament to her indomitable spirit and unwavering advocacy on behalf of the HAE community. Her journey, intricately interwoven with Sian’s, epitomizes the resilience and fortitude required to navigate life’s most formidable challenges.

Sian’s firsthand encounters with HAE unveil the stark realities of the condition, underscoring the imperative of heightened awareness and advocacy for improved treatment modalities. Her unwavering resolve, buoyed by Ann’s steadfast

support, embodies the power of familial bonds in surmounting adversity and instilling hope in the face of uncertainty.

As they traverse the intricate landscape of HAE, Ann and Sian remain steadfast in their commitment to championing the cause of those affected by this debilitating condition. Their unwavering resolve, coupled with a fervent dedication to driving positive change, serves as a beacon of hope for the HAE community and inspires others to confront life’s adversities with resilience and unwavering determination.

Through their collective efforts, Ann and Sian symbolize the transformative potential of unwavering advocacy and innovation in reshaping the narrative surrounding rare genetic disorders like HAE. Their journey epitomizes the triumph of the human spirit and underscores the profound impact of perseverance, compassion, and collective action in effecting meaningful change on a global scale.

For advice or support about HAE, please visit: https://www.haeuk.org/

What about Workwear?

Director of Image On, Neill Boatman, knows how to design the best workwear for your business needs

Workwear makes an immediate statement about your business, it is part of your brand identity, it’s your business DNA.

Designing and choosing uniform can be an overwhelming task but by taking some simple elements into consideration, you can ensure your team have what they need, feel comfortable in and most importantly how your workwear influences the perception of your brand.

Industry Regulations

If you work in a specific industry, are there rules and regulations for uniforms in that industry? This is the first thing you should take into consideration when choosing a uniform. Your top priority for workwear should be safety and that your business is compliant.

Comfort

Comfort is key, employees should feel comfortable when they are working, they aren’t going to want to wear their uniforms if it doesn’t fit properly. Consider the climate and working conditions your employees will be in and choose an appropriate fabric. For example, if your employees work in a hot, humid environment, breathable, durable moisture-wicking fabrics, such as cotton or polyester, would be ideal.

Keep it Simple and look Professional

Uniforms should be kept simple to ensure your team look professional, with a clean, modern design. Avoid loud colours and

designs on branded workwear, these can be distracting and unprofessional.

Colours

The colours of workwear should reflect your brand. choose a colour from your brand logo. However, make sure you consider how the workwear looks after a day at work. If your employees are working with messy substances, is a lighter colour really the best option?

Style

In addition to colours, the style of your workwear can also say a lot about your brand. Workwear style will also impact the way your customers perceive your employees, your business and your ultimately your brand. It may also be a consideration to have different employees in different workwear according to the do in the business Do you want your employees to look super professional (managers and office staff for example)? Or maybe a bit more casual and relaxed (hands on staff, trades, engineers etc?

Durability

You don’t want to be purchasing new uniforms more than is necessary, so durability of workwear is important to ensure they last as long as possible. Again, consider the roles your employees are carrying out and choose garments that durable. The quality and brand of the garments you choose will play a big part in durability, buying the cheapest you can get is usually a false economy as you will end up replacing your workwear more often than you need.

Adding a Company Logo or Emblem Workwear design is not complete without an embroidered or printed logo. Adding

your logo to workwear will create a cohesive, professional image for your business. The design should be simple, easy to read and in a prominent position on your workwear. Using the ‘KISS’ principle (Keep it simple, stupid) will ensure maximum impact for you and your brand.

Embroidery or Print?

There can be a misconception over the best type of decoration in regard to quality and that embroidery is superior to print etc. That may have been the case in the past, however processes and technology have changed enormously, and the consideration now is what is more appropriate for the job you are doing and the fabric of the garments.

For example, with the quality and durability of print being far superior than in the past, using print onto lighter garments such as T shirts may be more suitable. Embroidery onto a heavier material such as Sweats, Softshell etc. is much more appropriate.

In addition you may want to vary the decoration according to the role employees play in your business, A combination of Embroidered logo to left breast with larger logos, website and telephone numbers printed to back for staff out in the field and embroidered logo to breast, sleeve and back yoke (neck area) for customer facing staff, management.

Get it right first time!

Designing your workwear requires careful consideration of the work you do, the fabric and fit of the uniforms, and the overall professional appearance. Follow these simple guidelines and you will create workwear that your employees will be proud to wear and that will reflect positively on your business.

BITA Rail on Track Business Support from

BITA Divisions

Last year, I was honoured to be appointed as the Chair of the newly formed Rail Division in BITA. BITA is industry non-specific; but as they have grown as an organisation and welcomed more diverse businesses, they decided that they could best serve their membership by forming divisions, so that different industries have their own areas.

We hosted the first Rail Division event near Kings Cross London in September 2023, and followed that with the Dublin Rail Breakfast in April 2024. If you’re not involved in rail, there is also a Construction Division, Financial and Property Division and a Tech Division. I am now eager to support Michael Danaher, the new Chair of BITA Rail, and Infrastructure Head of Programmes & Projects at Irish Rail. The appointment of Mick as Chair underscores BITA’s commitment and progressive approach to the Rail Industry.

BITA Rail

Mick and I are joined by experts and leaders from across the rail industry who have come together to decide on a strategy, mission, and values for the BITA Rail Division.

The aim of the Rail Division is to spearhead the evolution of the rail industry, guided by principles of innovation, environmental stewardship, and social impact. Rooted in the BITA core values of integrity, passion, and the delivery of tangible outcomes, we harness our collective expertise to drive transformative change in the Rail Industry.

BITA Rail believes in the power of collaboration and communication to drive progress in the rail sector. We’ve created a platform for professionals to exchange insights and forge connections, fostering a

vibrant community focused on advancing the industry.

Our Rail Division emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making and innovation, promoting continuous learning and providing access to the latest research and trends. We empower our community to navigate current complexities and anticipate future needs.

Through curated events and partnerships, we facilitate learning, networking, and business growth, fostering trust and partnerships that challenge the status quo. BITA Rail is more than an organization; it’s a movement toward a brighter, more connected future.

Together, we’re driving innovation, sustainability, and connectivity in rail. Join us in shaping the future of rail connectivity, where integrity meets innovation and passion fuels progress.

BITA Rail Division Mission Statement:

“At BITA Rail, our mission is to pioneer the rail industry, grounded in our values of integrity, innovation and collaboration. We unite professionals to foster a dynamic community where sharing capital knowledge, sustainable practices, and inclusive collaboration thrive; propelling us towards a more connected and

sustainable world. Together, we are BITA Rail – building a brighter future for rail transportation and beyond.”

BITA Rail Division Values

• Integrity - Upholding honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct in all our endeavours.

• Innovation - Embracing creativity, forward thinking, and continuous improvement to drive transformative change in rail connectivity.

• Collaboration - Promoting open communication, mutual respect, and inclusive collaboration among diverse stakeholders within the rail community.

These values encapsulate the essence of BITA Rail’s mission and serve as guiding principles for our collective efforts to shape the future of rail transportation. If you are a member of BITA and think you should be included in a division, email Melisa@bita.ie. We hope to see you at a rail event soon!

PWM Design excels in tailored design services for Rail and Infrastructure projects, ensuring safe, efficient designs. We prioritize collaborative partnerships, innovative technologies, and continuous improvement.

PWM Consult offers comprehensive consultancy services, supporting clients to achieve specific objectives across major projects.

PWM Construct is committed to top-notch quality in installation and commissioning, fostering long-term partnerships and maximizing efficiency and safety.

PWM Recruit provides bespoke recruitment solutions across various sectors, delivering outstanding candidates within required timescales.

Rob Cullen Presenting at the BITA Rail Division Launch, September 2023.

The Awards are Open

We are thrilled to announce that the BITA Awards are now open!

For any new members, these are annual awards hosted by BITA to acknowledge the hard work, innovation and support that our members have demonstrated throughout the year. There are awards to suit most businesses, from BITA supporter to Growing Business, so we encourage you to have a look at the categories and apply if you think that you fit the criteria. All you need to do is go to the www.bita.ie website and click on the ‘Awards’ tab across the top, check through the awards and criteria, and click apply.

They are free to enter, you can enter as many as you like. Best of all, if you get through as a finalist, you’ll also get lots from free promotion from BITA as we celebrate our finalists, and eventually winners!

The BITA boards decide on the finalists in each category from all entries, and then the finalists are judged by impartial members of the BITA community, based on your entries, so make sure that they’re good!

The winners, including our special lifetime achievement winner, are then announced at the BITA Gala Ball and Awards Ceremony on the 19th October at Raffles, at the OWO! For details of the Gala Ball and to buy tickets, please go to the events page of the BITA website

There is no requirement to attend the Gala Ball to win, but it’s an incredible night with showstopping entertainment, and we are inviting all BITA members to attend.

The BITA Award categories this year are:

Emerging Young Leader:

This trailblazer is coming up with innovative business solutions. We are looking for someone who is a calculated risk taker and an innovator.

BITA Supporter:

This award is for companies or individuals that really ‘get’ BITA, and make sure that they are involved with the organisationgiving as good as they are receiving!

Growing Business Award:

This award is for companies who have been trading for a minimum of 3 years and who can show high growth revenue and profit over the last 12 months.

Sustainability Award:

This award is for businesses who put sustainability at the core of what they do, and how they operate. They will maintain an eye on the needs of the business while balancing the future health of the planet. These businesses will not just pay lip service to ESG but be true and committed sustainability champions!

The Charles Darwin Award for Innovation:

This award is for organisations that have successfully introduced a new product, service of process in response to a changing landscape. In the words of Charles Darwin; “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”

The BITA Awards are kindly sponsored by PIB Risk Management

BITA DIRECTORY

The BITA Directory is where you can access information about our sponsors, or those who have taken out a subscription to the BITA magazine. The below businesses can offer amazing coverage for most, if not all your business needs.

B

Ballymore

Ballymore is a distinguished family-run property developer known for awardwinning urban projects across Europe. Their commitment to originality and quality is evident in each development, challenging industry norms and setting new standards. They create remarkable places with soul, and a focus on living, working, culture, and leisure, Ballymore continues to shape the future of urban living.

Begbies Traynor Group

Begbies Traynor Group plc, a leading UK professional services consultancy, specializes in restructuring, insolvency, corporate finance, and real estate advisory. With BTG Advisory providing sector-specific insights, they enhance corporate value through a multidisciplinary approach.

Evans Mockler

A reputable firm of Chartered Certified Accountants and Registered Auditors, Evans Mockler prioritize delivering the highest quality service to clients, aiming to minimize stress and time. They position themselves as business advisors, offering a broad range of services beyond compliance. With a dynamic approach, they provide comprehensive support tailored to clients’ needs.

GGlencar Construction

H

Harris Group

Harris Group is one of Ireland’s foremost commercial vehicles import and assembly enterprises, renowned for its distinguished portfolio featuring well-known brands.

Following the visionary legacy of founder Pino Harris, the company prioritizes innovation and customer service excellence. With steadfast leadership and strategic investments, Harris Group is shaping a path toward sustainable transportation solutions.

K

Kerry London

C Circet

Circet Ireland & UK (Formerly KN Group) have built an ever-growing portfolio of specialist services. While achieving rapid growth in recent years they maintain an embedded tradition to satisfy our clients’ needs while delivering the highest standard of safety, quality and customer service.

E

Enterprise Flex E Rent

Enterprise Flex-E-Rent offers van, HGV, and specialist vehicle hire tailored to businesses’ needs. With evolving vehicle technology, legislation, and economic factors, flexible hire is crucial. Unsure of your needs? Contact them for guidance. Explore long-term, short-term, or flexible hire options to meet diverse requirements. They provide comprehensive solutions for your business needs.

Glencar’s co-founders, backed by seasoned industry professionals, leverage extensive expertise for exceptional project delivery. Their commitment to quality and service fosters strong client relationships, driving impressive business growth. Whether repositioning existing facilities or constructing new ones, Glencar prioritizes beneficial partnerships with supply chains and customers, ensuring excellence in every endeavour.

Go Green Office Solutions

Go Green specializes in eco-friendly design, supply, and installation of workspaces. Offering a comprehensive solution, they handle everything from design and office fitouts to furniture installation and staff relocation. Passionate about recycling, they collaborate with businesses to reduce waste, develop sustainable products, and promote resource efficiency, aiming to minimize environmental impact.

Green Box Recycling

Green Box Recycling specializes in delivering top tier skip hire and waste management services across Kent, Ashford, and East Sussex. Committed to excellence, they prioritize recycling to minimize landfill use. With extensive experience, they offer costeffective solutions for both commercial and residential waste disposal needs. Their range includes domestic, mini, commercial, and industrial skip hire.

Kerry London, a Lloyd’s of London accredited broker, specializes in insurance services since 1986, focusing on construction, property, manufacturing, and sports sectors. With over 100 staff and headquarters in London, they offer tailored insurance solutions, including surety bonds, professional indemnity, liability, and personal insurances like home, motor, property, travel, and art.

N

Nationwide Management Services

Nationwide Management Services has a comprehensive list of services to keep your business safe, secure and operational. These include Biometrics / Access Control Unit, Traffic Marshalls + Banksmen, CCTV & Alarms Hire & Monitoring, CCTV Self Powering Towers, Cleaning Services, Concierge Services, Static Guards, Drone Services and more.

O

Oliver Connell & Son Ltd

Oliver Connell and Son Ltd is a family-run business specializing in groundworks, civils, and concrete frames within the Air, Rail,

and Construction sectors. With 650 employees and an £80,000,000 annual turnover, their 40+ years of expertise enable cost-effective solutions for clients. Their extensive in-house plant includes excavators, low loaders, concrete pumps, and advanced formwork technology.

P PIB Risk Management

PIB Risk Management specializes in delivering simple, creative, and effective risk management solutions tailored to each client’s needs. Embracing risk in its entirety, they cover areas like Health & Safety, HR, Training, Business Continuity Planning, and Quality Assurance. Additionally, they offer online risk management software for efficient operational risk management.

Powerday

Powerday provides waste management and recycling services in London and across the UK. Providing a quality and value-for-money service, it’s easy for all clients to manage their resources sustainably. We invest heavily to maintain state-of-the-art facilities designed to maximise recycling and recovery of material, delivering 100% diversion from landfill and continually exploring sustainable and innovative solutions.

R Represent Comms

Represent, an award-winning PR and digital communications agency, serves Ireland, Scotland, and beyond, specializing in agriculture, food & drink, travel & tourism, education, technology, and professional services sectors. With a focus on driving growth and building credible brands, they offer strategic planning and implementation, providing tailored solutions to address specific challenges.

S Speedy

Speedy is the UK’s largest hire provider, offering a vast range of power tools, plant, and specialist equipment. With a vision to inspire innovation and sustainable growth, they cater to national infrastructure contractors, SMEs, tradespeople, and retail consumers. Their end-to-end services include professional training, support solutions, and online platforms.

U

Unitherm Heating Systems

Unitherm Heating Systems is renowned for innovative renewable heating products. With a dedicated team of experienced engineers, Unitherm tailors heating solutions for new builds and retrofits, ensuring compliance with regulations, with all system designs backed by certification and PI insurances, emphasizing quality and expertise in heat pump and ventilation systems.

BITA DIRECTORY

AArdent Tide

With over 30 years of experience in the Construction Industry, Ardent Tide is trusted by the UK construction sector for absolute certainty in CIS contracting and compliance. Their unique approach, informed by decades of knowledge and experience, saves clients valuable time and resources.

L

Laing O’Rouke

PPremier Contracts Supplies

K Krol Corlett

Laing O’Rourke, an international engineering enterprise with over a century and a half of experience, offers fully integrated solutions for prestigious organizations worldwide. With a mission to lead in innovation and excellence by 2025, they’ve shaped cities and economies across diverse sectors. Their 15,000-strong global team ensures engineering innovation and project certainty for complex projects globally.

With over five decades of experience, Krol Corlett excels in delivering exceptional work across various sectors, including Education, Health, Heritage, Commercial, and New Build/Residential. Their commitment to excellence has earned them numerous accolades, reflecting their dedication to high standards and positive community impact.

M

Maxwell Davies

Maxwell Davies recognizes the distress of facing potential business failure and emphasizes the importance of seeking help early. With extensive experience, they offer impartial guidance on business rescue plans or closure steps. Their approach involves listening without prejudice, discussing available insolvency tools, and providing clear explanations to empower informed decisions.

Premier Contract Supplies (PCS) stands as a reputable supplier of top-quality bathroom furniture and sanitary ware sourced from leading European manufacturers. Catering exclusively to professionals like Property Developers, Architects, and Interior Designers, they specialize in design, support, creation, and supply. With in-house design consultants and innovative products, PCS offers comprehensive solutions tailored to client needs.

T

The Craft Irish Whiskey

The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is dedicated to reviving traditional whiskey crafting methods, infused with modern expertise and meticulous attention to detail. Unlike massproduced whiskeys prioritizing quantity, they spare no expense in the pursuit of quality. Every aspect of their process is carefully considered, utilizing innovative techniques to enhance flavour and preserve richness.

The Timber Group

Leveraging profound timber industry expertise, The Timber Group ensures reliable supply of quality timber solutions for diverse projects. With strategically located branches they provide flexible delivery options and comprehensive services including sawmilling and specialist machining. Committed to sustainability, they prioritize environmental values, setting industry standards for construction and building with wood.

Unlock a safer tomorrow

As BITA platinum sponsors, PIB Risk Management offer a range of tailored construction training courses to support the health and safety and training requirements of your organisation.

Our wide range of training courses can support contract managers to obtain qualifications such as S/NVQ Level 6 for a black CSCS card, preventing site delays and ensuring you’re fully supported on first aid.

Services include:

> Wide range of accredited courses including CITB, IOSH, City & Guilds

> Virtual, face to face and blended options

> NVQs – supporting you to combat Grandfather rights (cost neutral opportunities available)

> Part of the National framework of instructors for site based training

> Fully managed training solutions, taking the pain out of site compliance

> National training provision from network of over 100 training locations