Issue 65 - July/August

MAGAZINE OF NORTHERN IRELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

ISSUE 65 £2.95

JULY/AUGUST 2024

LET’S SHOUT LOUDER NI Chamber’s new President Caitroina McCusker on partnership, prosperity and Northern Ireland’s USPs

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JULYY/AUGUST 2024 ISSUE 65

Contents

CIPR NI MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR FINALIST 2024

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Blue Lights Cast Headline NI Chamber's Annual Lunch

Managing Editor: Olivia Stewart Interviews: Emma Deighan Publisher: Chris Sherry Advertising Managers: Lorraine Gill & Julie Patterson Editorial Assistant: Joanne Harkness Email addresses: olivia.stewart@northernirelandchamber.com / l.gill@ ulstertatler.com / j.patterson@ulstertatler.com Websites: www.northernirelandchamber.com / www.ulstertatler.com Publisher: Ulster Tatler Group, 39 Boucher Road, Belfast, BT12 6UT Tel: 028 9066 3311 Printed by: W&G Baird, Antrim.

Front Cover Photo by: Khara Pringle.

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At a Glance NEWS: 08 Member News 10 Member News 12 Member News 60 Member News

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You Can Knock The Door, But No One's Home Financing Ambitions Lessons From North Carolina Diversity & Inclusion at Work NI Man Putting The Magic Back Into Corporate Events Hitting The High Notes Ulster Bank Reports Sharp Rise in New Orders

65 66 70

38

76

88 89

COLUMNISTS: 14 Jane Shaw 16 Matt How 00 Kate Marshall 56 Alex Bunting 64 Lesley McGrogan 72 Robert Godwin 74 Kate Marshall 80 Ian McConnell 82 Anne-Marie Roddy 96 John Campbell

APPOINTMENTS 78 Deloitte Appoints New Audit Partner in Belfast

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LIFESTYLE: 83 Business Class Motoring James Stinson 95 Dine & Wine Gavin Murphy

NI CHAMBER: 25 CEO Update 26 New Faces on NI Chamber Council 28 Annual Lunch 30 Chamber News 32 Events Gallery 34 Manifesto Preview

62 22 Cover Story MAGAZINE OF NORTHERN IRELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

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JULY/AUGUST 2024

FEATURES: 18 My Ambition is to...

38 Five- Year Milestone 42 Empowering Future Female Leaders 46 At the Forefront of Solar Battery Technology 50 A Focus on Leadership 52 Stairway to Seven 54 Navigating Challenges With High-Quality Renewable Systems 58 Five Years of Excellence

MAGAZINE OF NORTHERN IRELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

76 5

ISSUE 65 £2.95

JULY/AUGUST 2024

LET’S SHOUT LOUDER NI Chamber’s new President Caitroina McCusker on partnership, prosperity and Northern Ireland’s USPs

EDITORIAL

President’s Perspective

Looking Ahead

I

n late May, I had the enormous privilege of hosting NI Chamber’s annual lunch in the magnificent surroundings of Belfast City Hall. It was my first official engagement as president of NI Chamber, a role I am hugely excited for and one which I feel very honored to take on.

With special guests from the cast and crew of BBC drama Blue Lights, that very special lunch was a fitting opportunity to talk about Northern Ireland’s depth of talent and the breadth of creativity that is abundant in businesses in all sectors across the province.

On the day, we placed a special spotlight on Northern Ireland’s creative industry and were very proud to acknowledge both its considerable economic contribution and its broader social impact.

But the screen industry isn’t the only sector coming up with big, new ideas and nurturing the best talent. It’s happening in many other sectors all over Northern Ireland, too.

This is the UK’s fastest growing region for start-ups and there is incredible innovation happening in high-growth areas like health and life sciences, advanced manufacturing, tech and financial services, as well as in aerospace, agrifood and greentech. Our talented people and their proven propensity for innovation are two of Northern Ireland’s greatest advantages.

When combined with an abundance of natural resources to support the secure supply of clean energy and unique dual market access, it makes for a hugely compelling investment proposition which we must all work together to articulate and shout so much louder about.

With the Executive at Stormont now functioning as it should and a new government in place at Westminster, there has never been a more important time to build momentum around our unique strengths and untapped potential. As president of NI Chamber, that is something I am absolutely committed to and look forward to doing in collaboration with policy makers and our member companies.

Caitroina McCusker, President, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry

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NEWS

Henderson Group launches pilot scheme to support reduction of carbon emissions Henderson Group has announced a Carbon Accounting Pilot programme that will aid its fresh food suppliers in their mission to understand their carbon footprint and create action plans to reduce carbon emissions.

It is part of the wholesaler and retailer’s ambitious net carbon zero targets, which have been set in line with the British Retail Consortium, alongside those set by the UK Government for 2040.

Neal Kelly, Category Development Director at Henderson Group made the announcement during the annual Henderson Wholesale Fresh Supplier Breakfast at the 2024 Balmoral Show. Mr Kelly explained; “As a business, we have made huge strides in recent years on our net zero journey, however working with hundreds of suppliers, especially in the fresh foods sector, we need to ensure they are not left behind on this journey and are as committed to futureproofing their businesses as we are.

“This pilot offers a small number of suppliers to enjoy a below cost carbon accounting service, so that we can better understand whether a broader programme will be useful and feasible for the business and our suppliers.”

Vital role of battery energy storage showcased at Banbridge event An information session took place at new Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) site in Banbridge, bringing key stakeholders together to one of the first fully operational sites of scale in Northern Ireland.

The facility is owned and managed by Heron Energy, with the session focusing on the critical importance of renewable energy storage in helping the region towards its ambitious targets for 2030.

Heron Energy is a subsidiary Heron Group, which has been a leader in the construction, property development and manufacturing industries for nearly 70 years, highlighting the expertise involved in leading and delivering BESS projects for Northern Ireland’s energy future. During the visit, attendees were given a comprehensive tour of the Banbridge BESS site, gaining first-hand insights into the cutting-edge technology and strategic site management that will drive Northern Ireland’s progress in the renewable sector.

Ulster Rugby launches its premium Business Club in association with A&L Goodbody

Bloc Blinds opens window of opportunity in USA Bloc Blinds is expanding its international operations, through investment in a new production facility in Texas, USA. The company has also formed a strategic partnership with Rollease Acmeda, the largest independent engineered component and systems manufacturer and distributor in the window blinds industry, following the agreement of a multiyear 100% supply contract. With Bloc Blinds’ manufacturing facility opening Summer 2024, adjacent to Rollease Acmeda’s new distribution centre in Fort Worth, Texas, the partnership will provide production efficiencies and benefits to the sector across North America.Speaking about the strategic partnership, Cormac Diamond, founder of Bloc Blinds, said: “With the manufacturing industry facing labour shortages, spiralling energy costs, and supply chain challenges, our pioneering technologies are driving change, and utilising leadingedge robotics to streamline and automate the most complex, customised processes.”

A 150-strong crowd came together in the A&L Goodbody Lounge at Kingspan Stadium, home of Ulster Rugby, to celebrate the launch of the club’s new business network.

The newly-launched Ulster Rugby Business Club, in association with long-term partner corporate law firm A&L Goodbody (ALG), is a unique network for local businesses and corporate members from across the province.

The launch gave an insight into what members can expect from the quarterly events across the year, which will be hosted from next season onwards and form part of the 2024/25 package – with international business leaders and speakers set to share their experience and learnings.

Tommy Bowe, former Ulster, Ireland and British & Irish Lions’ winger, hosted the event Q&A panel with Hannah Bowe, Six Nations Chief of Staff and former Ireland international hockey player; Paul Magee, Head of Corporate Banking NI, Bank of Ireland; and Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive of NI Chamber.

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NEWS

ASM Chartered Accountants expand into north-west The move represents a significant milestone for the company, which will take up residence at its new office in the Ulster Bank building at the Da Vinci Complex on the Culmore Road.

Founded in 1995, the firm provides a wide range of services, including comprehensive tax advice, corporate finance, and insolvency services.

Michael McAllister, Managing Director of ASM, said: “We are excited to expand into the north-west, signalling our intent and reaffirming our commitment to playing a key role in this exciting chapter for the area.

“Our significant growth in recent years is a testament to our reputation as a dependable and reputable business that adds significant value to our clients. This move will make it easier for clients in the north-west to benefit from our comprehensive range of services. We look forward to further engagement with existing and prospective clients in the weeks and months ahead.”

SONI seeks views to shape future strategy SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) has launched an extensive engagement process for its new multi-year strategy and regulatory funding submission at its annual business breakfast event with the leaders of Northern Ireland’s main business representative organisations.

To commence the engagement programme, the grid operator launched an in-depth survey to ensure the views of consumers, partners and stakeholders fundamentally shape the organisation’s new multi-year strategy and funding submission to the utility regulator.

SONI’s next business strategy and price control submission will be delivered in the context of Northern Ireland’s 2030 statutory renewable energy targets and the grid operator is expected to prioritise a programme of work which supports the delivery of government policy in a way which balances the needs consumers, partners, stakeholders and customers.

As an independently licenced Transmission System Operator, which does not own any grid assets or generate or sell electricity, SONI hopes to utilise its expertise and experience as a trusted adviser to policymakers to support Northern Ireland’s net zero journey.

SONI Chief Executive, Alan Campbell, said: “We’re entering into a new, exciting phase on our journey as Northern Ireland’s Transmission System Operator. The targets – to ensure 80% of all electricity consumed comes from renewable sources by 2030, and our wider 2050 net zero obligations – are hugely challenging in their scale, pace and complexity, but they also offer great opportunity. Achieving them will require a further deepening of the collaboration that has made our region a world leader in the past.”

Belfast Harbour enhances contribution to NI with record £65m investment in major capital projects in 2023 Belfast Harbour reported strong financial results for 2023, with annual turnover and operating profits both rising despite a challenging global trading environment. Expenditure on major capital projects also reached record levels, with an investment of £65million.

While there was ongoing uncertainty in the global economy during the year, port trade remained steady, with total tonnage through Belfast Harbour reported at 23.9m tonnes, down just 2% on the previous year, in line with its expectations, despite the high inflationary environment.

Dr Theresa Donaldson, chair of Belfast Harbour, said: “I am confident that we can reflect on 2023 as a year in which this organisation strongly evidenced its dedication to the economy and wider society. Our landmark capital investment of £65 million demonstrates our ethos as a Trust Port. We strive to make this organisation the success it is, and we share that success, investing our profits in projects and partnerships that enable economic growth and create tangible social value.”

Construction starts on factory of the future to reinvigorate Northern Ireland’s industrial potential

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Construction has started on a state-of-the-art Factory of the Future at Global Point in Newtownabbey, led by Queen’s University Belfast, which is key to an exciting future for advanced manufacturing in Northern Ireland.

US Special Envoy to NI for Economic Affairs Joe Kennedy III joined Queen’s University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Ian Greer and Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor Neil Kelly on a site visit along with key representatives from industry, government and academia, who are driving forward the ambitious project.

They marked a major milestone for the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) through a £100m investment, expected to create up to 1,500 jobs across Northern Ireland, contribute £1bn to the economy and train 300 apprentices by 2050.

The Factory of the Future is being delivered in partnership with industry, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Ulster University as part of a wider £230m transformational programme of innovation led

by Queen’s and supported by the UK government and Northern Ireland Executive through the Belfast Region City Deal.

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NEWS

750 young people participate in Catalyst programme

Dale Farm profits rise for third year running Dale Farm has recorded strong results for the financial year ending March 2024. Net profit before tax is up at £29.8m (previous year £26.8m), an increase of 11%, while the cooperative’s EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) have also increased, rising to £44.9m (previous year £43m). With group turnover of £631.4m for the past financial year, Dale Farm has improved its turnover to profit ratio.

In May 2024, Dale Farm announced a major investment of £70m in its cheddar processing facility at Dunmanbridge, Co. Tyrone, one of the largest investments of its kind by a Northern Ireland agri-food company.

The results mark the third successive year of increased profits for the farmer-owned dairy cooperative, something Group Chief Executive Nick Whelan puts down to strategic decision making, the collective efforts of the 1,200 people employed by Dale Farm, and the farmers who supply the business with high quality milk.

Nick Whelan said: “Every decision we take as a cooperative is about ensuring the profitability and sustainability of our members’ farm businesses. Through strategic investment, we are delivering growth while paying a competitive milk price to the 1,300 farmers who own the business and supply us with healthy, nutritious, quality milk.

“Through our strategy – a focus on research and development and investing in the strongest areas of our business – we are growing, and these results show that strategy is working. We have developed a high-performance culture at Dale Farm where our team members across the business are stepping up to the challenge, using their creativity and diligence to ensure we are the best that we can be.

“Our ambition is to lead the sector, not just in Northern Ireland but across Europe. Our £70m investment in our cheddar processing facility at Dunmanbridge will ensure we remain at the cutting edge of innovation and build on our reputation for quality, consistency and sustainability.”

Over 750 young people took part in Catalyst’s free work experience programme, Generation Innovation, the highest number of participants since the programme was established in 2018. Running across three locations in Northern Ireland, the programme for 17and 18-year-olds empowers, enables and upskills young people for the workplace of tomorrow and gives them a real-world working experience by pairing them with 41 of Northern Ireland’s most exciting businesses such as headline partners EY and Bank of Ireland. Over the course of the four- or five-day programmes in Derry ~ Londonderry, Belfast and Dungannon, participants worked together to solve a real-life company challenge, develop a solution and pitch the final idea to the company and their peers, allowing for constructive feedback and potential future employment introductions. Ally Armstrong, Generation Innovation programme manager at Catalyst said: “The Generation Innovation programme has grown immensely since it began six years ago, showing the demand and real interest from young people to learn more about innovation, entrepreneurship and how the business world works here in Northern Ireland.”

NovoGen Engineering secures major contract with Dublin power plant Newtownabbey-based NovoGen Engineering Solutions has secured a £400,000 contract to act as project managers for the construction of a power plant in Kilshane, County Dublin, within the Fingal County Council area. Formed in 2021, NovoGen focuses on providing high value, specialist engineering support services principally within the aerospace and hydrogen technology sectors. It will use its expertise to oversee the build and installation of the 300 MW turbine and generator which will power the plant, including the commissioning and testing stage, before it is connected to the EirGrid network. Welcoming the company’s success, Conor Murphy, Economy Minister, said: “Growing the green economy is a key component of my economic vision and I am delighted that NovoGen has secured this contract. NovoGen’s success shows what can be achieved by local enterprise agencies, councils and Invest NI working together to support local businesses.”

NovoGen Engineering’s success comes after the company received support through Invest Northern Ireland’s Ambition to Grow programme, which helps small businesses to create quality jobs and sell innovative products or services outside Northern Ireland. Karl Conlon, technical director, NovoGen Engineering, said: “This is a significant win for our company and a major export contract for us. Our long-term aim is to use our unique mix of experience, certifications and expertise to become leaders in green economy technologies.”

Denroy Group achieves clean sweep of the British Isles as Manufacturer of the Year

Fibrus Broadband allocates £60,000 to community groups across NI Over 30 Northern Irish community groups are receiving grants this year to help people across the region access the internet and digital technology, thanks to funding provided by local broadband provider, Fibrus.

The Fibrus Community Fund, which was launched in 2021, has to date provided £175,000 worth of funding across Northern Ireland to support digital inclusion projects, with an additional £120,000 committed in Cumbria.

Delivered in partnership with The Community Foundation Northern Ireland, the Fibrus Community Fund was established to address digital poverty in Northern Ireland and in total the Fund has now provided grants to over 100 community groups across the region.

Denroy has announced its achievement in securing the Manufacturer of the Year title at three prestigious awards ceremonies: the Manufacturing Excellence Awards Ireland; the Insider Media NI Awards and most recently, the Insider Media UK Awards. This accomplishment underscores Denroy’s commitment to manufacturing excellence, innovation, and the steadfast dedication of its workforce. “We owe this incredible recognition to our hardworking team,” said Kevin McNamee, CEO of Denroy.

“Our employees are the lifeblood of Denroy, and their passion, creativity, and dedication have been fundamental to our success.

By fostering a family-oriented work culture, we have created an environment where innovation thrives, and hard work pays off.”

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WRITE HISTORY, NOT JUST YOUR WILL.

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Columnist Jane Shaw The Elmfield Institute

The Gift of Wholeness S

o often we want to banish our imperfect nature and hide our wounded parts that make us behave in less than perfect ways.

What if we were to accept all our parts, which add up to make our whole self? What if we were content with our imperfections? It is more self-sustaining to practice selfcompassion towards our wounded, embarrassing, shameful, weak parts.

Yet more often we want to be perfect, and not let others see our weaknesses and vulnerabilities. But humans are made up of lots of different imperfect parts and it is only in our wholeness that we are perfect.

In my one-to-one health coaching and therapeutic work, often clients talk about wanting to release old patterns or traumas. They want rid of challenging parts. I prefer to reframe it so that we try to find a different relationship to these less acceptable patterns of ourselves, relating to them with compassion, as we might do to an injured child. By being conscious of these wounded parts, they don’t take control of our lives. I might get anxious in certain situations, but I can see that it relates to a childhood trauma. Once I can see this root and feel it occurring in my body, I have strategies to be with my anxiety so that it doesn’t become overwhelming. I accept that I have anxious parts and that I also have strong confident parts.

Human beings are complex interconnected systems, so it helps to be aware of what supports us to feel well and the parts that connect to form the whole.

Interestingly, the etymology of the word ‘health’ is whole, meaning a state of unity.

If health and wholeness are one and the same, how can we find more wholeness in our lives and what does this mean?

Physician and trauma expert, Dr. Gabor Maté, whose Compassionate Enquiry practice evolved out of working for many years in Vancouver’s downtown East Side with people challenged by severe drug

addiction, describes health as an ability to be with pain. In other words, from his perspective, being well is a capacity to hold our pain in relationship to the whole of our lives. The pain he refers to is physical, emotional, or social.

This corresponds with my own clinical practice of supporting clients to develop capacity in their neuroendocrine system, to allow more adaptable responses to any given situation. Expressing anger or irritation is appropriate in certain situations but we don’t want to get stuck there. Rather than being stuck in a chronic defence state, practices to give flexibility in the nervous system allow greater capacity for difficulty. The more capacity we have for the pain, the fear, the anger, the more we can experience joy, passion, and pleasure. This self-acceptance might also be seen as a form of radical acceptance of what is.

The concept of radical acceptance originates in Buddhism and was highlighted through the work of psychologist Carl Rogers, but the idea is very simple. Acknowledge what is here in the present moment with a light curious attention but do not get attached to the current difficulty, nor the story behind it.

It is not an easy practice, but to my mind, one worth pursuing. Radical acceptance is not about giving up or giving in, rather acknowledging and accepting what is happening in the present moment. This is not to say we don’t strive to improve ourselves, learn new skills, work on our personal growth and development, rather it is to not diminish ourselves unnecessarily. We are a continual work-inprogress, evolving and growing as a plant might. A tree doesn’t worry about what other trees think of it. It grows to be the best tree it can be given the environmental conditions.

A practice to orient to inner wholeness by noticing different body rhythms • Follow your breath. Try sitting for 5 minutes following your inhale and

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exhale. If possible, allow your exhale to be a little longer than the inhale.

• As you follow your breath, can you notice your heart beating? Without judgement, or trying to change anything can you notice the relationship between your heart and your breath.

• Can you drop down a layer in the body to notice the fluid nature of your body?

Your body has fluids within and between the cells. If you sit quietly, you might notice rhythms within these fluids.

• Do you notice any stillness underneath these rhythms of breath, heart, and fluids?

The next time you are suffering or hating a part of yourself, you might ask ‘how does this part serve the whole?’ Wait and listen for an answer from your inner voice.

We might learn from Leonard Cohen who said,

“Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything That’s how the light gets in.”

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Columnist

Matt How Head of Data Science and AI at Telefónica Tech UK&I

AI: A Force For Good?

A

rtificial Intelligence, AI for short, has never been so much of a hot topic as it is right now. The term ‘AI’ was first used in the 1950s and has evolved from being used to play chess, to uses such as a generative AI tool, ChatGPT, which launched at the end of 2022. New capabilities are continually being harnessed by businesses and individuals like never before.

AI is achieved by allowing computer systems to learn from data, provided by data scientists. Modern AI systems learn from vast amounts of data, including large proportions of the public internet, and exhibit capabilities akin to genuine intelligence.

Whether many realise it or not, AI is everywhere. Most of us have smartphones which have a host of AI functionalities, as well as an ever increasing number of apps which integrate AI. It’s one thing for a music app to learn your listening habits and suggest other songs it believes you may also enjoy, and another thing entirely how that type of tooling is brought into the work environment.

Whilst some remain skeptical about AI, due to privacy and ethical concerns, the opportunities for automation and efficiency mean there is an increasing willingness and curiosity around AI’s position in today’s businesses.

Telefónica Tech UK&I is actively supporting organisations in understanding and implementing AI. Because organisational AI use-cases are so compelling, businesses must harness this capability strategically to avoid rushing into AI adoption without the necessary foundations and plans in place to ensure success. So, how can AI actually help our customers? Take the financial services industry, for example.

AI can improve operational efficiency by detecting fraudulent behaviour. Machine learning models can recognise and flag suspicious activity such as the fraudulent use of a credit card. For customer facing organisations, AI chatbots could be used to ensure 24/7 support is available through an intuitive and user-friendly interface. By combining traditional machine learning algorithms with modern day conversational, agentic AI, businesses

can streamline processes and avoid reputational damage. AI can also be used in marketing campaigns and business proposals, as well as building out product documentation, job descriptions and even contracts.

The possibilities for AI to improve the customer experience are limitless.

AI-powered systems identify patterns from demographic data and purchase histories to group similar customers together allowing customers to have the right information in front of them at the right time. AI can automate tasks like online returns, which speeds up the process for customers, ensuring that the customer receives a refund in a timely manner. AI can also be used to summarise user reviews: instead of having to scroll through reviews to try to pick out key details, why not let AI do it for you? This enables the customer to see a concise summary of key points from user reviews to help make an informed decision; without spending too much time reading through reviews.

AI is a tool to pivot around uncertainty, human error and provide a betterinformed indication of potential outcomes. For example, Telefónica Tech UK&I is working with a global logistics company to develop a chatbot to help customers with their shipping queries: this saves time for all involved, and means simple queries can be resolved almost instantly – with the important caveat that humans are always in the loop, and will review AI generated content to ensure a responsible AI system.

However, despite all of the potential that AI has to drive innovation and positive change, there are still a number of concerns around the widespread adoption of AI. Ethical considerations must be taken into account, for example, bias within the data and therefore the resulting model. AI algorithms are only as good as the data they are trained on, which is why it is of crucial importance to ensure that the data paints a whole picture of the scenario the algorithm is learning from. AI hallucinations are incorrect or misleading results that AI models can generate. It is therefore essential that AI training data is accurate

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and unbiased to avoid this. Another concern is around sustainability. The technologies utilised in AI consume a lot of computer power and organisations want the ability to assess their options and make sustainable choices around AI. Telefónica Tech UK&I is committed to helping customers make conscious sustainable decisions when adopting AI initiatives. The subject of privacy is never far from discussion when it comes to AI conversations. Very few AI providers continue to collect data from users, due to privacy concerns. The latest area we’re seeing discussions on is where organisational tools, such as Copilot, may inadvertently have access to sensitive company data, and share it with any (internal) user who asks. Nowadays, most companies wouldn’t allow the use of public tools, like standard ChatGPT, so deploy organisational AI that’s protected by their trusted security processes, with a security-first approach, such as with Microsoft Azure.

Another area of concern in the public discourse is the potential for job losses based on automation powered by AI. However, when used correctly, AI has the potential to deliver exceptional business value to organisations, improving job efficiency for employees. Instead of seeing AI as a barrier, employees should see it as a valuable tool to work alongside to help improve their job performance.

Despite the concerns, one thing is clear: the rise of AI brings with it a new era of possibility, reshaping the way we live, work and engage with the world around us and, whether we like it or not, it’s something already deeply embedded into our everyday lives. AI is a force for good, as long as you know what good looks like and have the right support from trusted partners to help you on your journey.

Telefónica Tech is a leading organisation in driving digital transformation.

Telefónica Tech has a wide range of services and integrated technological solutions for cyber security, cloud, data & AI, modern workplace and business applications. For more information, please visit: https://telefonicatech.com/

SETTING FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE

AWARD-WINNING CIVIL ENGINEERING COMPANY – UK AND IRELAND

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FEATURE

MY AMBITION IS TO...

Louise Maguire, Manager of Operations Ionic Technologies

D

epending on the organisation, the manager of operations role can cover a myriad of responsibilities.

At Ionic Technologies (IOT), the remit is broad. I lead a team that covers HR, commercial projects, HSEQ and administration. As a start-up, every day presents a different challenge and as manager of operations, you roll up your sleeves and you do what needs to be done. Thankfully my experience to date has equipped me with the skills to deal with whatever comes my way.

With a primary degree and an MBA in international business and languages, I think my plans for travel were always clear to me. My career over the past twenty years has enabled me to marry my passion for travel with the various roles that I’ve held.

In 2006, after seven years and various account management positions at Vodafone Ireland, I took a leap into the unknown and found myself on the sandy shores of St. Lucia in the Caribbean.

However, unlike everyone else around me, I was not on honeymoon – I was there to take up a role as head of special projects for Digicel, a mobile telecommunications company owned by Irish billionaire, Denis O’Brien.

After the successful delivery of the integration of an acquired business (Cingular), I quickly moved into a new role within Digicel Head Office, based in Jamaica. As business manager to the CEO, I managed the commercial defence plan in advance of the launch of a new competitor into the market.

After several years in the Caribbean and plenty of sunshine under my belt, it was time to look for a new challenge. An opportunity arose with an Irish mobile marketing company called Brandtone. I took the role of country manager based in Istanbul. I was responsible for all aspects of the launch of the Turkish operation, including company set-up, all local legal, accounting and tax compliance, negotiating commercial contracts and developing a sales pipeline.

After successfully finding a local country manager to replace me, it was time to take a short (ten year!) break from my career to focus on my most challenging role to date, mum of three.

From there, I became head of operations for Digicel Group, looking after 26 markets, carrying out operational reviews and developing commercial strategy for markets facing changing competitive environments.

Getting back into the workforce after a career break can be daunting. I added some strings to my bow and trained as an executive business coach, hoping to combine my corporate experience with my aptitude and passion for people to help others excel in their careers.

Working in the Caribbean was a wonderful and challenging period of my career. Learning to work in an environment and a culture that is so different from your own helps you to hone your skills, become more resourceful and challenge your thinking.

My plans changed when I was introduced to IOT. Based in the Harbour Estate in Belfast, IOT is leading the way globally in permanent magnet recycling.

Our patented process enables the creation of the world’s first sustainable magnet that meets specification for

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electric vehicles, wind energy, military and aerospace applications.

A spin out from Queen’s University in 2022, IOT has scaled quickly from lab scale to pilot scale, and we now have a custombuilt demonstration plant.

We are close to finishing a feasibility study for a commercial plant that we are planning to build on the Harbour estate. IOT has a current staff of 28 and will bring close to 100 new jobs when the commercial facility is built.

I am surrounded every day by wonderfully smart people, mainly chemists, chemical engineers, plant operators and technicians. To say that I am out of my comfort zone is an understatement but my experience has taught me that most of our skills are transferable and industry knowledge can come with time.

It’s extremely exciting to be involved in a Belfast start up that is soon to be a global success story. The best part is knowing that IOT are creating supply chains that will bring us closer to net zero and a more sustainable world. It’s a privilege to lead a team of ambitious brilliant people who are united in their determination to make this a reality.

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SPONSORED FEATURE

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING DYNAMICS 365 IN YOUR BUSINESS?

By Ciaran McIvor

Ciaran McIvor is a Manager in the Business Applications team at Endeavour Information Solutions, a Microsoft Solutions Partner based in Belfast, and he specialises in designing and implementing Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement solutions (previously Microsoft Dynamics CRM) providing effective business/case management, and business process automation solutions using their extensive client project experience and Cloud First approach.

In today’s competitive market, businesses must leverage every tool at their disposal to stand out and thrive. Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement, is a robust customer relationship management (CRM) solution by Microsoft, offering a multitude of benefits that can transform any size/type of business by enhancing relationships, streamlining operations, and driving growth.

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Assuming the Chain of Office FEATURE

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FEATURE

New NI Chamber president, Caitroina McCusker and the new vice president, Kailash Chada.

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FEATURE

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aitroina (Cat) McCusker, the regional market leader for PwC in Northern Ireland, has taken up the helm as the new president of NI Chamber. She will be supported in the role by new vice president, Kailash Chada, group chief executive officer at Phoenix Energy. Here, the 178th president talks exclusively to Ambition magazine about assuming the chain of office and why partnership will be a central theme of the year ahead.

“It is an honour to be appointed NI Chamber President, an organisation which is held in such high regard locally, nationally and internationally. Taking on the chain of office, which has been worn by some of this region’s most esteemed business leaders over more than two centuries, is a privilege and certainly a career highlight for me.

“In preparation for the role, I have had some brilliant support and advice from my predecessor, Cathal Geoghegan, who as members will know, was a hugely enthusiastic and committed president during this past year. He has definitely set the bar high.”

As regional market leader, Cat heads up a team of more than 3,700 PwC employees in Northern Ireland. Appointed in 2022, she is the first female to hold the prominent role.

At international level, she is also the education consulting leader for PwC’s Europe, Middle East and Africa region, a position which requires her to work at a global and local level to drive innovative work, including helping universities to reimagine their student and staff experience.

That vast experience is the driving force behind her special interest in skills, ESG and technology transformation.

“We know that member businesses face a raft of challenges right now; rising costs, low productivity, skills shortages, gaps in infrastructure and decades of underfunding all contribute to a challenging trading environment. I’m pleased that as president of NI Chamber, I will be in a position to contribute positively and proactively to solutions, especially in relation to skills and education, which is a professional passion of mine,” she says.

A graduate of Ulster University, Cat, who grew up in Banbridge has always been a passionate advocate of Northern Ireland’s potential, saying: “There is a wealth of untapped potential in our regional economy. With the right combination of strategic direction from policy makers and collaboration with businesses, there is so much we, business leaders and politicians can achieve in partnership. So, this year, I am really looking forward to working with the

board, executive team and members across Northern Ireland to ensure that the experience and ideas of business leaders are heard and acted upon and that some of the game-changing measures needed to support high-growth sectors are prioritised.”

According to Cat, those game-changers are something we need to shout much louder about. “This is the UK’s fastestgrowing region for start-ups, and there is incredible innovation happening in high-growth sectors like health and life sciences, advanced manufacturing, tech and financial services, in aerospace, agrifood and greentech.

“We’ve got huge advantages – our talented people and propensity for innovation, an abundance of natural resources to support the secure supply of clean energy and unique dual market access. At NI Chamber, we’re very clear about the need to agree and articulate what Northern Ireland’s investment proposition looks like and to shout so much louder about it.”

“With the right combination of strategic direction from policy makers and collaboration with businesses, there is so much we, business leaders and politicians can achieve in partnership”.

With a restored Executive in Stormont and a new government in Westminster, the Chamber President says now is the time to get going.

“It is a great relief to see Stormont functioning as it should because we know that economic prosperity and stable politics go hand-in-hand. Similarly, it is good to see the new prime minister indicate that his government is really focused on growth, which of course, correlates strongly with NI Chamber’s overall mission.

“In preparation for this new government, NI Chamber has been working hard for many months to drive home the policy priorities and solutions of our members, culminating in the publication of a business-led manifesto, focusing on Westminster policy levers which can supercharge sustainable economic growth here in Northern Ireland and across the devolved regions of the UK. It’s a really comprehensive,

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pragmatic and solutions focused plan of action, which has already been incredibly well received by policymakers across the board.”

Turning to some of the specific asks and immediate priorities, Cat says: “Northern Ireland needs a new and ambitious fiscal framework. One which not only sets a workable fiscal floor for Executive spending, but also enables investment to boost the economy. To instill confidence and drive more efficient public services, NI Chamber has also called for the Executive to agree an independent review of public spending, which could inform future transformation.

“We have a unique opportunity to position this region as a leader in clean energy. Using strengths in our natural energy resources, we can help the UK reach agreed international targets.

“And we must provide the right economic environment for our businesses to be competitive here and across the globe, which includes all we can do to keep costs to business as low as possible, addressing skills gaps, boosting innovation and maximising our trading opportunities.

“We want to see the new government working with business across the UK to tackle near-market red tape in trade with GB, the Republic of Ireland and Europe and provide greater support for our businesses to access international markets.

“Critically, access to the right people with the right skills must be facilitated if we’re to develop the workplace and the workforce of the future. So effective migration and mobility policies aligned with regional economic needs are a top requirement, along with support for childcare and reform of the apprenticeship levy.

“And we are clear that, as a business community, we also need a renewed partnership and better ways of working with government. Because economic growth is a mission which requires a team effort.

“The theme of partnership is woven into almost every page of the manifesto document – stressing the need to bring businesses into the room earlier and involve us in the design and delivery of solutions from the start.”

Whilst acknowledging that business conditions continue to be challenging, Cat is optimistic about the future.

“In all sectors, this region is teeming with creativity, incredible talent and potential to go down a storm on the international stage. With the right combination of strategic direction from policy makers and collaboration with businesses, there is so much we can achieve by working together.”

NI Chamber Chief’s

UPDATE Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive, NI Chamber

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fter a decisive general election result, the new government and Northern Ireland’s MPs are back in Westminster.

With a clear majority, we hope Keir Starmer’s government will use the early days to prioritise the economy and take business up on its offer to work in genuine partnership.

Welcome New Members

Prioritising new and better ways of working with business is key, which for us means helping the Labour government to quickly develop a comprehensive understanding of Northern Ireland’s unique challenges and abundant strengths – work we have already begun with new front benchers and the NI Secretary of State. As former Shadow Secretary, Hilary Benn starts with an understanding of this place, its people and potential, so can hit the ground running.

We know that key issues including support for innovation, an economic response to climate change and interventions to deliver the workforce of the future require this government to make some significant changes across the UK, with regional variations to match needs. So going forwards, we want to see Northern Ireland’s business expertise involved in policy development early.

With the right approach, this UK government, working in partnership with the Executive and business community, has a window of opportunity to create a prosperous, productive and competitive regional economy. At NI Chamber, we’re absolutely committed to playing our full role in facilitating that collaboration and reinforcing the delivery of the business priorities in our own business manifesto, Mission: Business Growth.

In addition to those important early policy engagements, we have recently launched a brand-new Summer Schedule, with a combination of webinars and in-person networking events to help members stay connected and up-do-date during the holiday period. Preparations are already well underway for events in the second half of the year, including the Festival of Business on 18 September – mark that one in your diary and stay tuned for details of a packed calendar for the second half of the year, coming soon.

Barnardo’s NI

Bangor Aurora AEM BauWatch Belfast Junior Chamber Belleek Pottery Benergy Breakfast Boran-Mopack Canal Court Creative 3 Media EORI (UK) EPIC Design Group Forge Female Fitness Foundry Marketing Partners Green Field Marketing Hayward Hawk HNH Group IntrinsicAi Ireland Craft Beverages Lucille Cassidy Retreats Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade Northern Ireland Food to Go Association

* To become a member of NI Chamber join online at www.northernirelandchamber.com or phone the membership team on 028 9024 4113

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FEATURE

New Faces on NI Chamber Council

Kailash Chada - Phoenix Energy

Ruth McGuinness - Kainos

Kailash has been appointed to NI Chamber’s board and council and has been elected as vice president. He has been group chief executive officer at Phoenix Energy since April 2023, having previously been the group chief finance officer.

Ruth McGuinness, who is head of data & artificial intelligence (AI) at Kainos Group plc has been appointed to the board and council. A prominent leader in the field of AI, she oversees Kainos’ AI practice of over 150 people.

Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan Ulster University

Sarah Orange Artemis Human Capital

Professor Gormley-Heenan is the university provost at Ulster University, playing a major role in institution-wide strategic leadership and planning. She has worked in higher education for 26 years, with previous roles including deputy-vice-chancellor, pro-vicechancellor and Research Institute director.

A new NI Chamber Board member, she is a professor of politics.

Sarah Orange is the founder and managing director of Artemis Human Capital and oversees both the executive search and professional recruitment divisions.

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Patrick Anderson - Queen’s University, Belfast Patrick Anderson, vice-president and chief finance and resources officer at Queen’s University Belfast, has joined NI Chamber’s board and bouncil. A bhartered accountant with a PLC background, Paddy was previously group CFO at Translink.

David Quigley - Coca-Cola HBC David is sales director at Coca-Cola HBC, where he has worked since 2004. Prior to his current position, he was the convenience channel director.

FEATURE

At the most recent annual general meeting, NI Chamber welcomed 12 new council members, four of whom have also joined the board of directors.

During their tenure, council members will perform an important consultative role, helping to shape NI Chamber’s policy priorities.

Maria Doyle - Deloitte

James Dowds - Dowds Group

Kieron Millar - H&J Martin

Marie is a partner based in the Northern Ireland public sector practice and is an economist by background. She specialises in large scale, technology-enabled public sector transformation.

James has been at the helm of Dowds Group for over ten years, overseeing substantial growth and diversification.

Kieron Millar is managing director at construction, fit-out and asset management specialist, H&J Martin.

Nigel Cunningham - Microsoft

Naoimh McConville - Rathbane Group

Ian Campbell - Translink

Nigel Cunningham is Northern Ireland regional lead at Microsoft. He has a strong history in developing commercial, personal and technical relationships with key suppliers and customers.

Naoimh McConville is group managing director (joint) at Rathbane Group, the company behind global brand names including MJM Marine, Mivan and Topglass.

Ian is the director of service operations at Translink, with responsibility for the delivery of its bus and rail services and the development of strategies aimed at delivering zero emission clean air public transport to Northern Ireland.

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EVENTS

Blue Lights Cast headline NI Chamber’s Annual Lunch More than 400 businesspeople gathered in Belfast City Hall for NI Chamber’s 2024 Annual Lunch. The sold-out event was hosted by NI Chamber’s new President, Caitriona McCusker, Regional Market Leader, PwC NI. This year’s lunch included a special focus on creative industries, including a panel session with the cast and crew of Blue Lights including writer Declan Lawn and lead actress Sian Brooke.

NI Chamber’s 2024 Annual Lunch was delivered with the support of sponsors BT, Cleaver Fulton Rankin, Cushon and GMcG, well as drinks reception sponsor, Dell Technologies.

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Caitroina McCusker, Stuart Sproule, Suzanne Wylie, Paul Murnaghan, Susan Dunlop, George Maybury, Sian Brooke, Andrew Sutcliffe.

Cathy Gormley-Heenan, Caitroina McCusker, U.S. Consul General James Applegate and Suzanne Wylie.

Cathal Geoghegan and Caitroina McCusker.

Guests enjoyed drinks reception thanks to Dell Technologies.

Claire McCollum interviewed the cast and crew of the BBC series, Blue Lights.

Caitroina McCusker gives her first address as NI Chamber President.

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EVENTS

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7. Paul Murnaghan NI Regional Director from BT, addressed the audience.

8. Susan Dunlop and guests from GMcG Chartered Accountants.

9. Jeremy Hinds, Keith Liggett and Dwayne Nixon (Legacy Wealth Management).

10. Guests enjoying the panel discussion featuring the Blue Lights cast.

11. Chief Executive of NI Chamber, Suzanne Wylie addressed over 400 people at Belfast City Hall.

12. Lord Mayor Micky Murray welcomes the sold out room at Belfast City Hall.

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NEWS

Chambers of Commerce lead collaborate efforts on ‘Economic Game Changers’ NI Chamber has hosted a delegation of businesses leaders from Cork and Dublin, who visited Belfast as part of a first-of-its-kind collaboration, focused on enhancing all-island connectivity and fostering collaboration in areas of strength.

Delivered in partnership with Dublin Chamber and Cork Chamber, the mission was focused on connecting people, places and businesses in pursuit of economic prosperity. A forty strong group, which included senior representatives from airports, ports, tourism, business and public transport agencies in both jurisdictions visited key development sites, including Belfast Harbour and the new Grand Central Station, to discuss what future investment in infrastructure could deliver for economic growth. They also heard from innovative businesses clustered in the focus areas, as well as how universities and colleges play a key role in developing key growth sectors. The Chambers have agreed to continue to look for opportunities to work together.

The two-day dialogue was welcomed by elected representatives including the then Economy Minister, Deirdre Hargey, Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd and Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital & Company Regulation, Dara Calleary TD who led a specially convened Ministerial meeting to discuss key policy asks from this group to both governments, including better rail connectivity, the possibility of restoration of flights between Cork and Belfast, further investment in ports, enhanced tourism links and the promotion of collaboration through allisland innovation clusters.

Addressing the group, the Economy Minister said: “My department is already driving all-island collaboration in key economic areas, such as tourism and sector

Translink hosted a site tour of Belfast Grand Central Station.

Conor Healy and Rob Horgan (Cork Chamber), Siobhan O’Shea and Mary-Rose Burke (Dublin Chamber) with Cathal Geoghegan and Suzanne Wylie (NI Chamber).

clusters, and I’m keen that this all-island approach continues and grows.

“We have much to gain in sharing our skills and learning across the island, to ensure we have a buoyant workforce – both north and south – ready to support local businesses to grow, or indeed, foreign direct investment firms, who are always impressed by our home grown talent.

“By supporting innovation in local companies, creating clusters of excellence, and driving initiatives such as the Fintech Corridor, we will not only be improving the productivity of the North, but further enhancing an island-wide reputation which is already attracting international acclaim, and leading globally.”

Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd accompanied the delegation to the new Grand Central Station site, which will open later in the year.

He said: “Connecting our island North to South and East to West is the key to the economic prosperity and the social well-being of our people. Infrastructure development on the roads, through rail connections and our ports, will support the ongoing efforts to develop trade and tourism. Grand Central Station, which is a fantastic new transformative transport asset, will be a game-changer and will play its part in enhancing connections. I look forward to this important collaboration continuing for the benefit of everyone on the island of Ireland.”

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Minister Dara Calleary, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation emphasised the significance of this mission, saying: “We have seen phenomenal growth in North South trade in recent years, which is one of the key achievements of the peace process. Combined cross-border goods and services trade has seen a threefold increase since the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. The Government is committed to protecting and bolstering these trade links and to building on the economic dividends of the peace process to the benefit of all parts of our shared island.”

Speaking about the collaboration, Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive, NI Chamber said: “Across so many sectors, the business community is leading out with great

Suzanne Wylie addressed the 40-strong delegation, hosted by NI Chamber.

NEWS

ambition to strengthen all-island trade.

In multiple cases, our member companies are already ahead of the game, so this is about how we, as three Chambers of Commerce can elevate it further by finding the synergies which currently exist and making the strongest business case possible for future investment in economic game changes which will deliver mutual and shared benefit.

“Over the course of these two days, we will be profiling the role that ports play in driving regional economies, discussing how we can incentivise more innovative business clusters and create a shared ecosystem. Our guests have seen for themselves the development of the largest integrated bus and train station on this island and together, we have conferred around our mutual aspirations for faster trains and more connected air routes. We are also focused on how to realise the potential for much greater impact from tourism development.

“It is an exciting initiative and has been a real privilege for NI Chamber to host the first delegation along with our members including Translink, Belfast Harbour and B-Secur, showcasing this region’s unique strengths and capabilities, as well as its vast growth potential. Our intention is that this will grow into a solid partnership, driving forward the fundamental tenets of prosperity and competitiveness.”

Joe O’Neill, CEO at Belfast Harbour Commissioners hosted the delegation, telling them that: “Belfast Harbour is Northern Ireland’s primary gateway to the rest of the world, so it Joe O’Neill welcomed plays a hugely the delegation to Belfast Harbour. significant role as an economic enabler for the region. The same applies to major ports in Dublin and Cork, which are also maritime gateways for trade on the Island.

“Over decades, our ports have supported evolving industrial landscapes and changing tourism patterns. As we race to decarbonise energy systems, our port infrastructure must stay a step ahead.

At Belfast Harbour, we are committed to building a truly sustainable, clean, Green Port which plays a pivotal role in a highly connected infrastructure eco-system.

This visit by Chambers of Commerce has been a timely opportunity to combine our experiences and shared aspirations.”

Conor Healy, Cork Chamber CEO said, “Northern Ireland’s unique position as part of the UK internal market while, at the same time, having unique access to the EU’s single market of nearly 450 million people provides a solid opportunity for growth. Enhanced rail services, improved port connectivity and the re-establishment of the Belfast-Cork flight are essential to harnessing opportunities in trade, tourism, education and innovation. By building relationships and connectivity, it will ensure that Belfast and the surrounding areas, Dublin and Cork can prosper and grow together, using these unrivalled opportunities as key economic engines of the island.”

Mary Rose Burke, Dublin Chamber CEO said: “The collaboration between our chambers is a testament to the shared vision we hold for an interconnected and thriving island economy. Dublin, as the economic hub, will benefit immensely from enhanced connectivity with Cork and Belfast, driving not just economic growth but also cultural exchange. We in Dublin Chamber have long advocated for a greater degree of cross border cooperation and this visit is a continuation of that. Our island economy can only continue to grow and this will be aided significantly by further investment in infrastructure such as the Narrow Water Bridge, including €600million towards the proposed upgrade of the A5 road, and key to this will be a high speed rail link from Cork to Dublin and onto Belfast and beyond. This initiative represents a bold step forward in leveraging our geographic and economic strengths to create a cohesive strategy that benefits all our communities.”

Together, the NI, Cork, and Dublin Chambers are focused on progressing five key aspirations which are: • Better Rail Connectivity for CorkDublin-Belfast: Aiming to create seamless higher-speed rail links that will significantly reduce travel times and enhance regional connectivity.

Guests were welcomed to B-Secur

by CEO, Alan Foreman before a round-table on innovation clusters.

• Restoration of Cork-Belfast Flights: Restoring domestic flights between Belfast and Cork will enhance business and tourism links, making the island of Ireland a more attractive destination for visitors and investors.

• Funding Allocation for Ports: Securing investments to future-proof the three major ports, ensuring they can support economic growth and industrial advancements.

• All-Island Innovation Clusters: Promoting collaboration between industry and education to foster innovation and create competitive clusters across the island.

• Enhancing Tourism Links: Developing strong tourism links by harnessing regional strengths, place branding, and evolving the story of Ireland to represent a modern island.

Ellvena Graham, Chair of Tourism NI.

KPMG hosted a dinner event, specifically focused on tourism.

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EVENTS

Events Gallery

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Sean Óg Coyle (Keystone Group), Suzanne Wylie (NI Chamber), Jemma Ison (Keystone Group) and Julie Skelly ( Danske Bank) at the GROW with Danske Bank event.

Guests listened intently to Keystones sustainability growth journey.

Representatives from the five parties spoke on the impact of the UK General Election on the NI business environment.

The room was full at Ulster University for the launch of NI Chamber’s Business Manifesto.

Fermangh members enjoyed some networking at a Successful Sustainability event in Lough Erne Resort.

Jonathan Campbell (NI Chamber), Rebecca Dilworth (Encirc), Fiacre O’Donnell (Encirc), Gareth Kirk (GLL), Seamus McGuckin (AIB).

Colin Johnson (Galgorm Collection) discussed the role apprenticeships have played in the hospitality industry.

EVENTS

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8. Attendees from a range of sectors gathered to hear about Furthering Apprenticeships.

9. Suzanne Wylie (NI Chamber), Bryon Graham (Queen’s University Belfast), Hangfei Guo (Queen’s University Belfast), Neil Bowden (Dell Technologies), Joanne Mallon (Queen’s University Belfast).

10. Attendees gathered to hear from expert speakers from Queen’s University Belfast on advanced analytics and GenAI. 11. Bill White (Lucid Talk), Suzanne Wylie (NI Chamber), Kailash Chada (Phoenix Energy), Anna Mercer (Stratagem), Andy Sawford (Connect Group).

12. Delegates at the Public Affairs forum listened as speakers provided analysis to help NI businesses navigate the Westminster landscape.

13 A business roundtable on Workforce Health Challenges, discussed how businesses can support employees health.

14. Gillian McAuley (Eakin Healthcare), Christopher Rocks (The Health Foundation), Susan Cummings (NI Chamber).

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FEATURE

Mission: Business Growth A business manifesto for the new UK government

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head of polling day in the recent UK general election, NI Chamber published a business-led manifesto, prioritising the Westminster-based policy levers which will best support business and economic growth in Northern Ireland.

The policy priorities identified in this document will form the basis of NI Chamber’s direct engagement with the Labour government, MPs, cabinet ministers, officials and the opposition during this new term of parliament.

Created along with Stratagem and developed in partnership with member businesses and trade bodies in a variety of sectors, ‘Mission: Business Growth’ was launched in front of an audience of business and political leaders at a special

event in Ulster University, Belfast.

That launch event, which was delivered with the support of sponsors NIE Networks and Phoenix Energy, saw a panel of local politicians reflect on the mission including John Finucane (Sinn Féin), Phillip Brett (DUP), Stephen Farry (Alliance), Claire Hanna (SDLP) and Doug Beattie (UUP).

Better working with government is at the top of the list, with the manifesto recommending a number of practical reforms which will help develop a better shared understating of both challenges and strengths.

It also prioritises a “new, ambitious long-term fiscal framework for Northern Ireland, which supports the Executive to stabilise public spending and unlock sustainable economic growth.”

NI Chamber has called for strategic interventions which strengthen Northern Ireland’s competitive proposition including support for dual-market access, tackling the corporation tax question and sector-specific asks for high-growth industries such as health and life sciences, advanced manufacturing and digital and creative industries.

As well as a series of practical supports, the document calls on government to work with businesses to tackle near

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Kailash Chada (Phoenix Energy); Suzanne Wylie (NI Chamber); Gillian Armstrong (Ulster University) and Gavan Walsh (NIE Networks).

market red tape in trade with Great Britain, Ireland and Europe. With wider geopolitical uncertainty, it also asks for greater collaboration between the UK and Europe in meeting common challenges including energy and climate change, health and wellbeing and food security, specifically calling for an ambitious SPS agreement.

And with access to people and skills a persistent challenge, there are specific requests for the next government regarding access to international talent and cross-border workers, including an all-island mobility taskforce, reform of the apprenticeship levy and action on tax-free childcare.

Speaking about the launch of ‘Mission: Business Growth’ Suzanne Wylie, chief executive, NI Chamber said: “NI Chamber has been working hard for many months, to prepare businesses and political leaders both ahead of polling day and for the next government.

That has led us to the publication of ‘Mission: Business Growth’, a thoughtfully and constructively curated document prepared with one mission in mind – a prosperous, productive and competitive economy which serves business, society and the next generation better.

FEATURE

“The collective aspiration of business leaders across Northern Ireland is a stable and flourishing economy; one which is sustainability funded and supported by government policies which deliver clarity and certainty for investors and indigenous firms alike. Now more than ever, businesses across all sectors need help to realise their growth potential through policies which match the scale of their own ambition.

“Business wants to play a pivotal role, investing and innovating alongside a UK government which is committed to delivering in partnership. Developed in consultation with our members and partners, our recommendations are designed to incentivise innovation, improve productivity and enhance Northern Ireland’s reputation as a global leader.”

NI Chamber’s business manifesto ‘Mission: Business Growth’ is available to read online now. Its top priorities are detailed under six categories:

John Finucane (Sinn Féin); Phillip Brett (DUP); Stephen Farry (Alliance); Claire Hanna (SDLP) and Doug Beattie (UUP) reflected positively on NI Chamber’s policy priorities.

• A RENEWED PARTNERSHIP Better working with government • A NEW FISCAL FRAMEWORK A new ambitious fiscal framework for Northern Ireland • BUILDING A COMPETITIVE PROPOSITION Enhancing Northern Ireland’s reputation as a global leader • GROWING BEYOND THESE SHORES Access to international markets • REDUCING NEAR MARKET RED TAPE Easing access to our nearest markets Business leaders at the launch event in Ulster University.

• A WORKFORCE AND WORKPLACE OF THE FUTURE Creating sustainable working environments

Suzanne Wylie welcomed guests to the launch of Mission: Business Growth.

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NEWS

Legacy Wealth Management is new NI Chamber Patron Legacy Wealth Management has joined NI Chamber’s growing list of patrons. The financial planning experts have partnered with the organisation in a demonstration of commitment to business and economic growth across Northern Suzanne Wylie (Chief Executive, NI Ireland.Welcoming the partnership, Chamber); Keith Ligget (Managing Suzanne Wylie, chief executive, NI Director, Legacy Wealth Management) Chamber, said: “We are delighted and Gillian Rea (Operations Director, to welcome Legacy Wealth Legacy Wealth Management).

Management to our esteemed list of patron organisations. As important members of our business network, we are pleased that they have chosen to build on the existing relationship through patronage. Their support will be a vital facilitator of our work. As well as championing our mission, Legacy’s partnership will help NI Chamber to deliver valuable services in support of business and economic growth to member companies in all sectors, right across the province.”

Keith Ligget, managing director, Legacy Wealth Management, added: “Legacy Wealth Management is proud to become the latest patron of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Our commitment to supporting Northern Ireland businesses to thrive and grow, through bespoke and practical financial advice, aligns perfectly with the Chamber’s mission. In partnership with the Northern Ireland Chamber, we look forward to contributing to the robust business environment and fostering economic prosperity within Northern Ireland and beyond. Together, we will empower business owners, management and individuals to seek the appropriate financial guidance and strategic support needed to achieve enduring success.”

H E A D L I N E SP O N SOR

Award win for NI Chamber At the 2024 Chamber’s Ireland Awards, NI Chamber picked up the award for ‘Lobbying & Policy Campaign of the Year’.

The accolade was in recognition of proposals to reform the region’s planning system, published earlier this year.

Developed in partnership with Turley, the report’s recommendations are designed to accelerate Northern Ireland’s progress towards net zero, facilitate economic growth and deliver much needed affordable housing. Among the recommendations are a far-reaching combination of system improvements, legislative and regulatory changes and proposals which would ensure that in future, the planning system is held to account for its performance.

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FEATURE

Aflac NI: Supplemental insurance giant reaches five-year milestone in Belfast As the company marks five years since its Northern Ireland operations were first established, Aflac Incorporated Chairman and CEO Dan Amos and Aflac NI Managing Director Mark McCormack spoke to Ambition magazine about the firm’s commitment to Northern Ireland, and the impression the region has made on the Fortune 500 supplemental health insurance giant.

Aflac’s link to Northern Ireland is illustrated on a feature wall that adorns the wide corridor in the centre of the Grade A office in City Quays 3, featuring images of iconic landmarks from Belfast alongside those of Aflac’s global headquarters in Columbus, Georgia and Tokyo, Japan.

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During a recent visit to Aflac NI’s Belfast headquarters, Dan Amos, chairman and CEO of Aflac Incorporated, addressed the company’s more than 170 employees, remarking on the important contributions the team makes to the wider business as a whole and the impact the region has made on him and the company.

Amos was speaking as he and other Aflac employees officially opened the firm’s

FEATURE

Aflac Chairman and CEO Dan Amos (front right) visited with the technology team at Aflac Northen Ireland to help open the firm’s offices in City Quays 3, further solidifying the Fortune 500 company’s commitment to Belfast.

offices in City Quays 3, as the business further establishes its commitment here, marking an important milestone in its Belfast story.

Joining Aflac NI’s Managing Director Mark McCormack, Amos spoke to Ambition as he reflected on the visit and what the Northern Ireland team means to the company.

“Belfast and Northern Ireland play an important role in our global operations.

The team that has been assembled in the city is making vital contributions, delivering innovative solutions, and driving the development of world class technology and digital solutions that enable Aflac to support customers in their time of need,” Amos said.

PERFORMANCE Among the longest-serving and most successful CEOs in the Fortune 500, Amos has led Aflac for more than three decades.

The company is an international leader in the supplemental health insurance industry, covering customers in both the United States and Japan.

“As a leader in supplemental insurance, investing in technology and developing industry-leading expertise remains a top priority,” Amos said. “I am pleased by the employees’ performance in Northern Ireland and appreciate the support of Invest Northern Ireland and the wider business community. Our decision and ongoing commitment to invest in this region, our people and culture, was the right one.”

That investment began in 2019 when the company, backed by Invest Northern Ireland, set up its Global IT and Cybersecurity Innovation Centre.

Among the earliest employees was Mark McCormack who joined the business at the beginning as Head of Technology, before being appointed to the position of Managing Director of Aflac NI in 2022.

“Having been with Aflac NI from day one in 2019, I have witnessed first hand the rapid expansion of our Northern Ireland presence, each year contributing more to Aflac’s business goals,” McCormack said. “We have established ourselves as a world-class, award-winning technology employer of choice, that leverages adaptability, reinvention and resilience to provide global solutions for our customers. It has been a tremendous honour to have Dan join us in Belfast to mark our five-year milestone this year, and officially open our new office.”

PHILANTHROPY Aflac NI has worked to expand the company’s primary philanthropic cause of supporting the treatment and research of childhood cancer and blood disorders here in Northern Ireland. The company established a relationship with the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity (CCUC) and the Children’s Cancer and Haematology Unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and, along with its employees, has to date raised more than £45,000 here. In the U.S., since 1995, Aflac has contributed more than $182 million to childhood cancer and blood disorders causes and has provided significant resources in Japan as well, including the funding of Parents’ Houses that provide places for families to stay while undergoing treatments.

In addition, Aflac provides – free of charge, to children three and over – its

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award-winning My Special Aflac Duck®, a smart, robotic companion designed to help children cope with a cancer diagnosis and treatment. To date, Aflac NI has donated over 80 My Special Aflac Ducks to children right here in Northern Ireland.

“Helping families cope with children’s cancer is incredibly important to us and has been the focus of our philanthropic efforts for almost 30 years. We would love to see the day when childhood cancer and blood disorders are eradicated, but until that day, we will continue to support these children and families. My Special Aflac Duck is our gift to these courageous families and is making a huge impact, including a recent clinical study showing that it greatly helps to reduce anxiety for children and their caregivers,” Amos added.

In Northern Ireland, the business has collaborated with both Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University to provide bursaries, through the Queen’s Pathway Opportunity Programme and Belfast Community Scholarship respectively, which assist in removing financial barriers to students who may not have had access to further education. Widening access to educational pathways for more young people helps to grow the pipeline of talent, building the workforce of the future as Northern Ireland establishes its global reputation.

“Belfast and the region are part of the Aflac team, so of course we want to give back. I am very pleased at what has been achieved in Aflac Northern Ireland’s first five years and it feels like we’re just getting started,” Amos said.

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Musgrave NI Trading Director Julie Cherry and Marketing Director Desi Derby launch the new Good Food Locally Sourced range for SuperValu, Centra and Mace.

GOOD FOOD LOCALLY SOURCED Musgrave Northern Ireland, part of the wider Musgrave Group, operates brands including SuperValu, Centra, Mace and Musgrave MarketPlace, and is Ireland’s leading retail, wholesale and foodservice business.

Each year Musgrave spends £166 million on local food, supporting 3,000 farmers and 240 local food and drink suppliers. This year, the business reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local with a £14 million investment in a new range for Northern Ireland – Good Food Locally Sourced.

At the helm of the new product range is Julie Cherry, Musgrave NI’s Trading Director. With over 25 years of retail experience including roles in Asda and Sainsbury’s, Julie joined Musgrave in 2011, moving into the Trading Director role in 2021. She is responsible for leading the development and implementation of the commercial strategy for the business.

Speaking about the Good Food Locally Sourced range, Julie said: “It has been a concept in development for the past 12 months.

We wanted to create a new own-label range that would encompass the authentic promise of taste, quality, and value, while at the same time deliver a range that is sourced from

here, reflecting our firm commitment to supporting local. We are extremely proud to see it come to fruition.”

The new Good Food Locally Sourced range, which features the tag line, ‘ooh so good!’, comprises almost 150 products, offering a variety of everyday wholesome tasty food, including meat, poultry, dairy and meal solutions - all sourced from local suppliers across the island of Ireland.

“We have brought this exciting range to market in partnership with suppliers that we have worked with for many years, including Strathroy Dairies in Omagh, McAtamney’s Gourmet Kitchen in Portglenone, and Doherty and Gray in Ballymena, who like us, believe in high quality products,” Julie continues.

The range has been made available to more than 200 SuperValu, Centra and Mace stores across Northern Ireland and customers can shop from fresh

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milk, a selection of meat cuts, as well as delicious readymade offerings such as lasagna, pies and bakes. Global cuisine influences include the popular honey chilli chicken, chicken tikka masala and an NI favourite - the peppered chicken stack – all with the quality assurance of local.

As well as excellent quality, the Good Food Locally Sourced range offers great value to consumers, with mix and match offers across the range.

“This range offers not only convenience, but also the sought after value for money that doesn’t compromise on quality,” says Julie.

“Value continues to be important to consumers, and we remain focused on helping shoppers save money.”

This year Musgrave has significantly increased its investment in value across its brands with £6 million pledged to ensure shoppers save more money on their weekly shop than ever before.

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FEATURE

Gillian McKeown and Ella Rourke, SistersIN.

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FEATURE

Empowering Future Female Leaders SistersIN is on a mission to bridge the gender gap in leadership by empowering the next generation of female business leaders. Ella Rourke from SistersIN tells Emma Deighan why women in business here are essential to this mission.

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argeted at girls aged 16-18, SistersIN offers a leadership program designed to instil confidence and foster essential leadership skills. As Ella Rourke, executive assistant at SistersIN, explains, “our mission is to empower female leaders of tomorrow.”

SistersIN was the brainchild of Peter Dobbin, principal of Assumption Grammar School, who launched the program as a pilot in 2019.

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the program gained significant traction in 2021. “We got some funding and took on 10 schools in our first year,” Ella recalls. The program’s rapid success led to a remarkable expansion: 28 schools participated last year and this year, that number has grown to 52 and counting.

The SistersIN program is structured around three key components: Curriculum-based leadership training – girls receive a tailored curriculum in their schools, which includes modules designed to develop leadership skills, Passion projects – participants are encouraged to identify and lead projects they are passionate about, providing practical leadership experience and Mentorship – each student is paired with a female leader mentor, offering guidance and industry insights.

Among the esteemed mentors are Suzanne Nicholson from BT, Sara Hamill from KPMG, and Kerri Pollock from NIE Networks who have had first-hand experience of the mutual benefits between mentor and mentee.

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SistersIN works closely with participating schools to ensure the program’s success. Those schools typically send around 20 pupils, selected through an application process. “The schools cap it. It’s open to any pupil in the school and decisions come down to the participating teacher,” Ella explains.

“The pupils are getting taught various leadership skills to succeed in industry,” she continues, adding that the program also includes a job shadow day, where students spend time within an organisation, gaining hands-on industry experience.

Additionally, SistersIN organises networking events, offering students opportunities to connect with professionals and broaden their skills.

What’s most interesting is SistersIN’s influence, which extends beyond individual participants, contributing to the broader economy by fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs. It also empowers and educates the very mentors taking part.

“There are such synergies for businesses to take part in SistersIN. The program not only fulfils corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals but also provides mentors with valuable insights into the next generation of talent. Some mentors might have children who are up and away and have no access to collaborating or understanding the next generation, but being a mentor in SistersIN gives you that insight. It’s beneficial for everyone involved,” Ella adds.

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Mentorship is a cornerstone of the SistersIN program, and the contributions of mentors like Suzanne Nicholson from BT are invaluable.

These accomplished leaders bring diverse perspectives and a wealth of experience to their mentees, offering guidance that goes beyond textbook knowledge.

For example, Suzanne Nicholson from BT leverages her extensive background in telecommunications to help students understand the dynamic nature of the tech industry. She says: “The impact to my company has been fantastic, we had 29 matches in this academic year and it created such a buzz in our office. Not only did it improve the leadership skills of each wonderful mentor, but it expanded our own networks within BT and externally by meeting other professional women from various industries and sectors.

“It has been special to be part of such an amazing program, showing BT’s commitment to support the next generation of female business leaders, giving back to the community and providing continued support for the mentees as they navigate themselves through their early career path.”

Mentors participate in five one-onone virtual sessions, offering guidance and coaching related to the students’ leadership projects. The mentorship experience also includes a job shadow day and participation in a celebration event where pupils share their learnings.

Suzanne adds: “There is often a gap between academic learning and starting out in the business world. Understanding of the business world itself can be difficult to grasp with lack of exposure. Job shadow days are a great way to give a flavour of this but it would be great to see the schools allowing more of these opportunities over a number of academic years.

“With the focus on academic achievement, the development of soft skills can often take a back seat. Communication, leadership and the growth mindset are all skills equally important to be successful in the business world – it is great to see programmes like SistersIN addressing these skills for the next generation of business leaders.”

Ella continues: “For the students, it’s about learning about the world of work in their chosen field and exploring different career options available to them.”

The statistics underscore the program’s effectiveness. Over the past year, 40% of mentors were at or above director level, and mentors represented 71 different professions across 192 companies.

Notably, 53% of mentors were in STEM

fields. Among students, there was a 40%

“There are such synergies for businesses to take part in SistersIN. The program not only fulfils corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals but also provides mentors with valuable insights into the next generation of talent.” increase in confidence levels, and 99% felt that the SistersIN program was a worthwhile investment of time.

Since its inception, SistersIN has worked with 379 pupils across 28 schools, with 25% of these schools coming from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The program has engaged 450 mentors, with 379 still active, and seen an 80% increase in mentorship applications in the past year.

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“The girls participating amaze us every

year,” Ella says. “The projects they come up with, the confidence that they have and how that grows towards the end of the year, often seeing them stand up in the Waterfront Hall in front of 1,000 people is something else.”

She adds: “We are looking for leaders from all different kinds of businesses, professions, or walks of life to provide a broad range of perspectives and diversity to the mentees.”

The program offers a rewarding opportunity for seasoned professionals to give back, make a meaningful impact, and gain fresh perspectives from the next generation of leaders. Being part of it allows you and your organisation to become a real catalyst for change, nurturing young women to become confident, capable leaders.

SistersIN is shaping a future where gender disparity in leadership roles is a thing of the past. As Ella aptly puts it: “The number of female leadership positions speaks for itself, and that gap is what we want to be instrumental in helping bridge in the future.”

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FEATURE

Duracell, the world’s leading battery brand, known by 90% and trusted by 79% of people the world over, has now merged with PureDrive Energy, a UK leading solar battery manufacturer to develop a new range of products to add to a solar array. Branded ‘Duracell Energy’, the HomeEco range includes batteries, inverters, car chargers and a water diverter alongside a new smart app.

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he new range has just been launched across the UK and Ireland and is being distributed exclusively in Ireland by EEL Greentech, and installed by Future Renewables as Duracell Energy Platinum Partners.

With the recent launch, we caught up with NI Chamber corporate members, Neil Elliott, owner of Future Renewables, and Ian Dornan, regional manager of EEL Greentech, who are at the forefront of the new product range in Ireland.

HOW ARE YOU INVOLVED WITH THIS NEW PRODUCT RANGE? Neil: Not only have Duracell Energy upped the performance of these products, they have completely changed the selling model in the sector too. They have been very selective in where the products are available. They have also been very choosy in who they trust with their customer experience. Future Renewables are delighted to

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FEATURE

At the Forefront of Solar Battery Technology 47

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be selected as ‘Platinum Partners’, who Duracell Energy consider to be the top 1% of installers.

Such an iconic brand wants to be sure customers are getting excellent experiences and have thought through the hurdles to getting bespoke estimates and the barriers to making an investment in them. As a Platinum Partner, we get the best training in the industry and Duracell Energy push the local enquiries to us, free of charge.

Ian: EEL Greentech are at the forefront of distribution of this category and see the new Duracell Energy range as a gamechanger in the solar PV ranges. Mainly because it brings together global brand trust and quality products. There really is no other household name in this sector and we are really excited about the potential of this bold move by Duracell to bring the solar PV market into the mainstream.

WE KNOW ALL KNOW THE ICONIC BUNNY AND THE RUSH AT CHRISTMAS FOR THE AA BATTERIES, SO WHAT HAS DURACELL BROUGHT TO THE HOME BATTERY MARKET? Ian: Duracell have been clever in developing products where the technology development is the most straightforward to enter. Not that it is easy, with all the different jurisdictions and compliance certifications the products have to be tested and approved for, but the huge investment shows their commitment to the sector and willingness to stay for the long term.

Launching these products with their brand automatically brings trust, which is a problem for an unregulated market and its mix of installers and products.

Neil: The new range combines market leading performance at new benchmark prices, all backed up with excellent performance and warranties, synonymous with the Duracell name.

There is excellent tech behind the whole system with one app to control it all. The products themselves are market-leading; for example, Duracell Energy batteries, which are better, faster and in some cases, longer lasting. The Dura5 battery has a warranty for 10,000 cycles – that’ll last most households at least 10 years.

“Not only have Duracell Energy upped the performance of these products, they have completely changed the selling model in the sector too. They have been very selective in where the products are available. They have also been very choosy in who they trust with their customer experience.”

SO, A BIG BRAND AND TECH – WHAT’S IN IT FOR CUSTOMERS? Neil: The Duracell Energy HomeEco system includes batteries to store what your solar panels generate or energy you buy from the grid; an inverter to control the whole system; plus add-ons such as an EV car charger and a water diverter that means you can heat water whilst your system produces during the day for use at other times.

One of the challenges with batteries is that they have been extremely bulky and heavy so installing them in homes can be a challenge, especially if they weigh 100 kilos and need to be fitted in a roof space! The new Duracell Energy batteries are much lighter at 40 kilos and can be easily linked together to support bigger systems, so they are easier to place in the home.

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The installations are straightforward as all the components have been designed to work together and the systems offer intelligent features that allow the customer to maximise the efficiency of their system. For example, by storing generated energy and intelligent purchasing from the grid when it’s at its least expensive, and having all this controlled from an app on your phone – its automated and gives you maximum savings, hassle free. And did I mention the UK-based tech support?

Ian: Well, by being selective, Duracell are highlighting where to buy, both through distribution and installation. They only work with the best, indicating where to find professional and proven players in the solar PV market.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THIS NEW ENTRANT TO BRING TO YOUR BUSINESS? Ian: Quality and the brand recognition of the first major household battery name to enter the mainstream market, which is a must for us to drive sustainability in domestic energy generation and improve the investment decision these systems represent. Already we’ve had a great response from our customers who are selected to sell it. The main challenge at our distribution centres in Belfast and Dundalk is keeping up with demand.

Neil: Yes, the brand is a big attraction and shift in selling to an initial digital experience is a first for us too. Busy people and those curious about how much it all costs can get an estimate of a tailored solar PV system cost in 30 seconds through an online quotation tool at futurerenewables.net. There is an online follow-up with customers that saves people time but also means they get a highly-considered system design that is right for their needs now and in the future.

The Duracell Energy HomeEco system will be fully available by Q3 this year, with batteries, inverters and car chargers available now.

Get a quote in 30 seconds: www.futurerenewables.net

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

A NEW ERA FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT Better. Connected – transforming the way we travel and opening up new opportunities for Northern Ireland companies and commuters.

BELFAST GRAND CENTRAL STATION Belfast Grand Central Station – a state-ofthe-art integrated transport hub for trains, coaches and buses and a destination leisure attraction – will open its doors this autumn.

This flagship project being delivered by Translink marks a significant step forward in Northern Ireland’s public transport system and is an important new asset for Northern Ireland businesses with its potential to create new opportunities.

The fully inclusive hub will be a major international gateway to and from the rest of the world with enhanced connectivity across Northern Ireland, cross border and local airports, creating a better connected, cleaner and healthier region for everyone.

Additionally, the cross-border Enterprise services will relocate here with an hourly timetable planned for autumn likely to boost cross-border business and the tourism and leisure industry across Northern Ireland.

Ten times larger than current facilities and the largest on the island of Ireland, it will be able to cater for up to 20 million customer journeys annually.

With a clear focus on active travel it will be a game changer, helping inspire and reimagine the region where more people travel on public transport, walk, wheel and cycle.

Beyond transportation, this new facility will be a new destination in the heart of the capital city where people meet thanks to a range of popular hospitality and retail outlets.

A world-class facility for the region will help grow business • Double the number of rail platforms from 4 to 8 and an increase in bus stands from 16 to 26 increasing capacity and paving the way for increased service frequency across NI. • Enhanced accessibility with changing places toilets, sensory spaces, innovative wayfinding systems, assistance dog spending area and wheelchair-accessible vehicle parking.

• Adjoining streets will give more space to pedestrians and cyclists with parking for more than 200 bikes.

• Outside will be new public realm space, Saltwater Square, with a strong emphasis on arts and culture.

A COMPLEX PROJECT NEARING COMPLETION Recognised as one of the most complex infrastructure projects in the UK this year, construction has progressed with minimal impact on passengers and the public.

While some rail and road disruption during the final construction stages is anticipated, any short-term pain will provide long-term gain to Belfast and the region at large.

Suzanne Wylie, chief executive, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry

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(NI Chamber) has called Belfast Grand Central Station, “a game changer, not only for Belfast but all of Northern Ireland”.

Clare Guinness, chief executive of Belfast Chamber of Commerce, explained: “We want to boost footfall and encourage people to visit the city centre… We do appreciate there will be short-term disruption but in the medium to long term this will be well worthwhile”.

Over the summer there will be extensive track works to connect the rail line to the new station, alongside safety testing and training to get everything ready to open to passengers.

A phased opening will see operational opening in the autumn with public realm street works continuing through to 2025.

Enhanced bus timetables are being introduced to keep passengers moving into and around Belfast including enhanced park and ride services with some 10,000 spaces. Bus substitutions will be in place for when the rail line closes between Belfast and Lisburn.

Passengers should plan ahead using Translink’s website or journey planner and leave some extra time for their journeys.

To see more about Belfast Grand Central Station visit: www.translink.co.uk/bgcs

FEATURE

A Focus On Leadership C

atherine McGuigan is Head of Leadership and Capability in Invest NI’s Skills & Competitiveness Division. She sets out here why strong leadership is critical to the success of your business.

The world of business is highly competitive. No matter which industry you are in, how to stay ahead of the competition is a regular topic at boardroom or executive meetings. One of the areas that can sometimes be overlooked when debating this issue is the importance of strategic leadership and management capability. Business owners often don’t realise how much their leadership approach can impact the performance of the company and set it apart from the competition. Great leaders don’t just inspire and create a positive work culture, they also provide the confidence to take risks which can lead to greater levels of innovation and ultimately higher levels of productivity.

The Minister for the Economy recognised this connection in his Economic Vision. Increasing productivity is one of the Minister’s four main objectives, and he cites improving work-relevant skills and management practices as one of the ways to achieve this. A recent report – “Do Managers Matter? - Management Practices in post COVID Northern Ireland” – highlights the importance of leadership to productivity. Its research demonstrated that firms with better leadership and management practices had greater digitalisation of operational processes and were exporting more than peers.

The report also recommended both firms and government focus their attention on upskilling managers by putting them through appropriate leadership and skill development interventions.

“The Leader Programme has been an invaluable resource and support to our business. Having both a business coach

and a mentor at your fingertips has been so helpful. Our business improved in more ways than we could have imagined, adding structure, process and growth across all areas,” said Mark McGillon, founder and MD of Triex, Coleraine.

“There are compelling commercial and economic arguments for investing in leadership and management skills.

However, many businesses, especially smaller companies, find the cost of investing in leadership development a barrier.

“We are trying to remove this barrier by offering an extensive range of training and development programmes that cover strategic business mentoring, leadership coaching, peer learning sets, internationally focused ‘thought leadership’ workshops and high-quality executive education.

“As well as the financial and economic benefits leadership development can deliver, there are also a multitude of non-monetary benefits. More confident leaders, a more cohesive top team, greater influence, a transformed culture and improved people management, engagement and retention are just a few.”

HOW INVEST NI CAN HELP STRENGTHEN YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS Invest NI recently launched a new suite of Leadership and Capability Development support, to help managers and employees improve their skills.

HERE’S AN OVERVIEW OF EACH PROGRAMME: The Leader Programme is targeted at business owners or managing directors to support them to develop strategic leadership capabilities and drive greater levels of business growth. The Leadership Team Programme aims to develop the skills, strategic focus and relationships of the top team of any business in order to achieve business growth. Leadership teams will gain a deeper understanding of how to develop and implement strategies that drive sustainability and international growth.

The Leading Within a Group Programme focuses on developing strategic leadership growth. It is primarily aimed at site leads or senior executives

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of companies with a subsidiary located in Northern Ireland and a parent company based elsewhere.

The International Sales Leadership Programme is targeted at sales or commercial directors to support them to drive sales in international markets.

Participants will be guided on how to develop and execute an international sales strategy, and build leadership, sales and negotiation capabilities. The programme is accredited by the Institute of Sales Professionals.

The Non-Executive Director Scheme is designed to help SMEs strengthen their leadership capability by supporting the appointment of an experienced, independent non-executive director (NED) to the company board.

The Mentoring Scheme offers specific support for businesses to engage a business mentor to provide expertise, support and challenge, guiding businesses to make the best decisions for their individual needs.

For more information on how your company can get involved in one of Invest NI’s excellent Leadership Programmes, visit investni.com.

WHAT PAST PARTICIPANTS HAD TO SAY “We had a great mentor with vast experience of our industry who was an invaluable support to us. As a result of the programme, we now have a more ambitious growth plan, a framework to use to keep momentum and a skill set that we can use time and time again.”

Paul Breen, managing director of SFM Engineering, Armagh “The Leadership Team Programme has helped us shape our approach to strategy and focused the senior management team on the direction we are taking the company on a short, medium and long-term perspective.”

Roger McCracken, CEO of Foods Connected, DerryLondonderry “The Leading within a Group programme was an opportunity to step out of the day to day and get to the heart of what is important in my business. I found all aspects incredibly useful. I would enthusiastically recommend this course to business leaders interested in improving their business and their leadership skills for now and for the future.”

C. Houlborn, plant manager, Smurfit Kappa, Lurgan.

Incredible food, wonderful staff, an AMAZING experience.

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FEATURE

Stairway to Seven

2. RELENTLESS PURSUIT Every move our business makes aligns with our overarching goal, which is firmly agreed by both directors. And we relentlessly channel every effort to achieve it. From coining and registering our company name, to cementing our values, to building our team, to compiling our product offering, to identifying our ideal clients; and even establishing the terminology we use (such as ‘Growth Agency’) etc. – the end goal was always, and remains, front and centre. The late author and management consultant Stephen Covey put it very succinctly: “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing” and we’ve found that a very helpful reference when looking at any aspect of our business.

3. TAKE CARE OF CASH The number one best piece of advice we received when starting out in business was to always have enough cash in the bank to cover all expenses for an absolute minimum of three months.

That is an absolute redline — we owe it to our team, our clients, and our own personal wellbeing. Having six months plus is a much healthier, happier and altogether responsible place to be for every business, although admittedly that is tough to maintain in times of high business growth.

No business, no matter how great the idea or high performing the team, can succeed without good cash flow.

My seven steps for business success

Ian Cullen is a PR consultant, former journalist, and director of digital growth agency Grofuse.

He co-founded Grofuse with marketing expert Denis Finnegan in 2017 to fuel the growth of ambitious businesses through results-focussed digital expertise and a premium service that clients can always rely on.

Grofuse’s commitment to client growth is founded in the company’s values: dedication to customer empathy; ensuring prompt and clear communication; commitment to developing skills and expertise; and using the right technology for each job.

1. ESTABLISH THE KEY GOAL To succeed, it’s firstly important to define what success looks like. What’s the big end goal? Authoritative figures we consulted, from mentors to authors, were all clear that answering this question for ourselves was going to be vitally important when starting our business. They were right! Our business strategy at Grofuse is based on achieving that one key goal – and we’ve distilled that strategy into a single and simple-to-understand one-phrase strategy: ‘Growing globally one fan at a time’. We may not be there yet and there’s been some bumps along the way, but so far, so good!

4. AN ENGAGED TEAM At Grofuse, strong team engagement is an absolute priority. Having a team that’s fully aligned with our culture and values has been essential to our growth.

That’s because client satisfaction starts with positive team engagement. We’ve found that a carefully managed company meeting rhythm helps promote such engagement, and maximise efficiency and excellence in operations. Achieving an engaged team means discovering what motivates each team member and working on that together. It means having clearly outlined and explained job roles, company policies, standards, and procedures. It’s generally a good rule that everyone is aware of the importance they play in the bigger picture – in achieving the company’s end goal. Another, very important maxim to remember is to ‘praise in public and criticise in private’.

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5. LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND Empathy is a core value at Grofuse and we believe it is one of the most essential ingredients for success in business and in life. Having a strong ability to metaphorically place yourself in another’s shoes and truly understand their position is a very powerful tool. It is a key factor in engaging teams, winning clients, keeping clients, and so much more. Along with clear communication (another of Grofuse’s core values), a strong ability to empathise means you can listen to and fully understand people – what makes them tick, and what their purposes and goals are. This, in turn, provides a firm footing whether you are motivating people or delivering results for customers.

6. PRIORITISE LITTLE BIG THINGS When communicating with people, whether team members, clients or the public, we strive to always remember the little big things. These are things that require minimum effort but may be very detrimental if ignored. Again, empathy plays a role here. A good example is as follows: you receive a holiday request from an employee when you are knee-deep in priority tasks. Consequently, you delay responding in a timely manner. All the while, the employee gets more and more agitated waiting to coordinate with others on choosing dates for their holiday, which is increasing in price as time passes. This may be a little thing to you, but it is a very big thing for the team member who will be disgruntled by the delay. Put this example with others such as forgetting to give credit when credit is due, failing to say thanks when it’s appropriate, and you may soon have a disengaged team member.

Beware of ignoring little big things as that can instantly undo the hard work invested in achieving strong engagement.

7. REPUTATION Building a solid reputation for results and reliability at Grofuse has its foundations in adherence to our company values to help us grow ‘one fan at a time’. Growing and maintaining a good reputation is critical to attracting and retaining talent, clients and admirers. To become an oversubscribed business, having a good reputation is everything. However, good reputations can very quickly be turned on their heads. Most businesses will face a public relations crisis of some kind at some stage. A negative murmur online can quickly transform into a fill blown PR disaster. The best advice is to be prepared through crisis management planning. Both reputation management/ PR professionals and sound legal instruction may be required should disaster strike, and these may often be at odds. The most important thing is to weigh up what really needs to be said publicly and what doesn’t. But make no mistake, while losing a big court action may cost you dearly, losing big in the court of public opinion will shut you down.

First Choice Selection Services

028 9031 3693 info@first-choice-rec.com www.first-choice-rec.com

MAKE US YOUR FIRST CHOICE FOR RECRUITMENT We are a diversified staffing organisation dedicated to providing the highest quality staffing services with the greatest quality to our clients.

We offer temporary, permanent and contract staffing solutions to a range of companies throughout Northern Ireland within the commercial, healthcare, industrial and professional sectors.

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FEATURE

Navigating Challenges with High-Quality Renewable Systems

Neil Collins, managing director of Bassetts.

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FEATURE

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orthern Ireland has witnessed significant changes in building regulations, emphasising the importance of energy and emissions performance standards for new buildings. This shift has given rise to the need for updated building regulations and technical guidance, creating a favourable environment for adopting renewable heating solutions.

Homebuilders are now compelled to consider energy-efficient alternatives, increasing the demand for products and services offered by heating and plumbing merchants like Bassetts.

Concurrently, the construction industry faces higher borrowing costs and evolving regulatory and legislative environments, leading to a slowdown in planned start dates for new projects and impacting profitability. Bassetts has emerged as a reliable partner in this challenging landscape, focusing on providing high-quality renewable systems through a direct supply chain and a team of heating engineers specialising in project design.

Neil Collins, managing director of Bassetts, emphasises the importance of design in renewable projects: “The role of design is the key to the success of the renewable projects we cater for. Our dedicated team ensures that each project is tailored to meet

the specific needs of our clients, resulting in optimal energy efficiency and sustainability.”

Northern Ireland’s Energy Strategy aims to achieve significant energy savings from buildings and industry by 2030. Recent data from the Department for the Economy indicates that nearly half of Northern Ireland’s total electricity consumption is now generated from renewable sources, with ambitious targets set for further increases by the decade’s end.

Despite these goals, Northern Ireland needs more domestic grant schemes. For instance, in the Republic of Ireland, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland offers grants for retrofitting heat pumps to domestic properties. In Great Britain, the Home Upgrade Grant, local authority delivery schemes, and the Energy Company Obligation schemes support energy efficiency, heating, and renewable energy in homes.

Recognising the potential of renewable heating technology, Bassetts has positioned itself as an industry leader and a catalyst for growth and innovation in this sector. The company’s commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions is evident in establishing their groundbreaking facility, the Heating Innovation Centre. This state-of-the-art centre serves as a hub for customers interested in exploring the latest advancements in plumbing and heating technology, with a specific focus on renewables.

The Heating Innovation Centre offers extensive products, including heat pumps, solar, and underfloor heating.

Bassetts caters to its customers’ diverse needs, ensuring that they have access to a comprehensive selection of topquality, energy-efficient solutions. By offering a one-stop shop for all plumbing and heating requirements, Bassetts has become the go-to destination for those seeking innovative renewable heating options. Additionally, Bassetts have trained over 125 installers in Northern Ireland on this specialist heating technology, further underscoring their commitment to excellence and sustainability.

Neil shared his perspective on the company’s unwavering commitment to renewable heating technology, stating: “At Bassetts, we understand the importance of staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving industry. The demand for renewable heating solutions in Northern Ireland has grown exponentially, and we are dedicated to providing our customers with the latest products and knowledge to meet their needs. Our Heating Innovation Centre is not just a facility but a testament to our commitment to sustainability and future-proofing homes for years to come.”

For more information, visit bassettsonline.com

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Columnist Alex Bunting Group Director of Therapeutic and Wellbeing Services, Inspire Wellbeing

The Role of Business in Supporting Health I

t wasn’t that long ago when organisations thought that meeting or maintaining health & safety requirements was their main responsibility in terms of employee wellbeing. However, we have come a long way since then with the CIPD 2023 Health & Wellbeing at Work report stating that, over half (53%) of the organisations in the UK who replied to the survey now have a stand-alone wellbeing strategy, as well as over two-thirds of respondents (69%) reporting that their senior leaders have employee wellbeing on their agenda.

The NI Context There is no doubt that in the UK and across the World we are in the midst of growing and compounding political and socio-economic crises. But in Northern Ireland, we are feeling the impact much more acutely. As a recent article in The Economist put it; ‘People still love the NHS. Increasingly, however they admire a service that no longer exists.’

According to a recent NI Audit Office report Northern Ireland is reported to have the highest prevalence of mental ill-health in the United Kingdom (25% higher than England) and yet conversely mental health funding in Northern Ireland is the lowest in the UK. The same report noted that there were 16,000 people on mental health waiting lists as of 31 March 2022 and that almost half of these were waiting longer than the 9 and 13 weeks target to be seen. More generally, there has been an 81% increase in people waiting between one and two years for a consultant-led appointment (212,000 people in 2023) with many waiting 2+

years following their initial consultation for treatment to commence.

What this means for workplaces is that they are ultimately having to better manage and support their employees through longer periods of mental and physical ill-health due to their inability to access the much-needed interventions statutory services should be providing.

This can be evidenced by sickness absence rates now being at their highest in over a decade, sitting at an average 7.8 days per employee, with musculoskeletal and mental ill health cited as the two top causes (CIPD, 2023). Furthermore, these systemic issues look likely to increase in the years ahead due to factors such as higher retirement age, limited access to services, and widening health inequalities.

Importance of Investing More and/or Investing Wisely Taking all the above into consideration, we have significant challenges ahead in Northern Ireland to help maintain positive physical and mental health across the region – at a personal, community and societal level. And workplaces have a key part to play. Whilst previously perhaps more focused on the prevention agenda (e.g. health promotion and online support), now organisations are finding themselves having to consider and/ or step more into the treatment and intervention space. This can include more specialist mental health training for senior and operational managers given the complexity they are dealing with from a line management perspective as well as in their interactions with customers and clients through to providing longer-term, and often more tailored, therapeutic

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interventions.

In the absence of readily available, highquality mental health support via the health and social care system in NI, it falls to workplaces to really consider, and plan for, how they will best ‘invest to save’ to ensure that their managers and broader employees can access the right support, at the right time – and to really ask of themselves – and more importantly their staff – what role can we play.

“According to a recent NI Audit Office report Northern Ireland is reported to have the highest prevalence of mental ill-health in the United Kingdom (25% higher than England) and yet conversely mental health funding in Northern Ireland is the lowest in the UK.”.

FEATURE

Five Years of Excellence

Killeavy Castle Estate, a four-star hotel nestled in the scenic Slieve Gullion, Co. Armagh, is proudly celebrating its fifth anniversary this summer.

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he current ‘AA Hotel of the Year Northern Ireland’ is a forty-five room, four-star luxury boutique hotel with a spa, farm store, castle, residences, and events pavilion in South Armagh. In its entirely, the expansive estate comprises 365 acres of farmland and mountains running from near the summit of Slieve Gullion through open heathland, native woodlands and farmland.

Mick and Robin Boyle returned home from Australia to purchase the historic estate in 2013 and since then have overseen its complete restoration, establishing Killeavy as a premier destination for weddings, occasions and corporate events. In doing so, the couple and their team have not only grown a thriving hospitality business but have developed a sustainability blueprint for the tourism and hospitality industry.

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PRIME LOCATION The success of Killeavy Castle Estate is mirrored by the rising prominence of the Mourne and Gullion region, now recognised as a UNESCO GeoPark.

The Castle proudly compliments the area’s natural beauty and geological significance, attracting visitors from around the world to explore its wonders and experience all that the Ring of Gullion has to offer.

FEATURE

positive, far ahead of its original target of 2027, a milestone which underscores its absolute commitment to regenerative tourism.

SUSTAINABILITY IN PRACTICE The hotel build incorporates smart seasonal design concepts to reduce reliance on artificial lighting, heating and air conditioning. This includes window positioning to maximise sun exposure and quality insulation throughout. Energyefficient lighting and sensor systems further reduce electricity usage and plans are in place to install solar panels for renewable energy production in the near future. Keeping the supply chain for these works local means that a majority of key contractors and suppliers for the construction are from the surrounding region.

Five years since its redevelopment, sustainable principles continue to be a priority in the day-to-day running of the hotel. A particular focus is the use of local produce and suppliers to reduce cost and transportation emissions. Menus and catering plans are meticulously prepared to prioritise seasonal produce from the estate farm and walled garden as well as ingredients that can be foraged from the surrounding woodlands. Quantities are strictly determined to reduce food wastage and food waste is collected for compost and farm usage.

Considerable efforts have been made to keep plastic waste to a minimum.

This means no takeaway coffee cups or plastic straws, no one-off bathroom items and no plastic water bottles in rooms or restaurants. No products on site contain plastic microbeads. Cleaning products used on-site are environmentally friendly and housekeeping procedures encourage guests to reuse towels and bedding, while office systems have been designed to minimise paper usage.

CARBON NEUTRAL At Killeavy Castle Estate, the team say they aim to be be “closer to what’s important” which means striving to not only minimise the negative impact of tourism on the region but to actively contribute to the regeneration of local ecosystems, economies and cultures. The goal, they say, is to “leave a destination better than it was found.”

Indeed, the estate is already climate

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS Killeavy Castle Estate has a sustainability plan in place based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This internationally recognised framework focuses on 17 key goals and guides the setting of targets and measures for each. It is a living document which management say is added to and evaluated on a regular basis.

Speaking about the estate’s fifth birthday and sustainability milestone announcement, Adrian Martin, director of hospitality at Killeavy Castle Estate, said: “We are incredibly proud to celebrate five years of Killeavy Castle Estate with the announcement of such a remarkable

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Killeavy Castle Estate owners Mick and Robin Boyle with Adrian Martin, Director of Hospitality.

achievement in sustainability. Becoming climate positive well ahead of our target date is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our owners, Mick and Robin Boyle, and the entire team at the estate.

“As we look to the future, we will continue to build on this success, driving our mission to make Killeavy Castle Estate a premier eco-tourism destination.

We are excited for the journey ahead and remain committed to providing exceptional experiences for our guests while championing sustainability and promoting the natural beauty that surrounds us in the Ring of Gullion.”

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE In preparation for the next five years, Killeavy Castle Estate is already growing its leadership team. Adrian Martin has been named director of hospitality, and Sherryl Murphy has been appointed director of sales and marketing. Both bring a wealth of experience and a shared vision for the future of Killeavy Castle Estate. Together with the senior management team, they are poised to oversee operations and elevate the estate to even greater success.

Their leadership will ensure that Killeavy Castle Estate continues to be at the forefront of the Irish hospitality industry while maintaining its steadfast commitment to sustainability and excellence.

NEWS

Biggest celebration of craft on island of Ireland returns for 2024 The anticipated month-long celebration of Irish craft has officially launched. This year’s August Craft Month brings together an array of talented makers hosting over 300 events, with representation that is set to include every county on the island of Ireland.

With events taking place across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, August Craft Month provides unique opportunities for people to get involved as well a supporting makers by buying products and learning more about their work. Led by Design & Crafts Council Ireland and Craft NI, the annual celebration is once again part of an all-island wide summer programme. There is a packed itinerary of over 300 events currently planned, which is continuing to grow, with a whole range of crafts from ceramics to carving, glass to sewing available to be explored. There is something for everyone, of all ages, and all levels of expertise. This year has seen makers come together to form more established communities and crafting events, as August Craft Month become more established.

Katherine McDonald, director of Craft NI, said: “August Craft Month is a fantastic platform to honour and acknowledge the skilled makers we have right on these shores. “This year’s programme has shaped up to be one of our best, with a really diverse range of craft disciplines including ceramists, textile makers, glassblowers, designer-makers and many more. It’s a great opportunity to try a craft for yourself. “Handmade pieces are often a one-of-a-kind and make the most thoughtful and considerate gift or an excellent way to show some self-care.”

Musgrave to invest £16m in northern store network in 2024 Musgrave has announced its 108th Centra store in the north will open in Co Antrim following a £3 million investment.

The new 3,400 sq ft store and petrol forecourt on Frosses Road, Cloughmills, will be operated by experienced retailer Oran McCloskey. It comes as Musgrave, which operates the SuperValu, Centra and Mace brands in the north, confirmed plans to invest £16m across its store network in 2024.

The programme will include new stores, refreshment schemes and new energy saving initiatives.

Trevor Magill, managing director for Musgrave NI, said: “At Musgrave, we are ambitiously focused on growing our store network and continuing to innovate to provide our shoppers with what matters to them – not just excellent customer service and value for money but an extensive range of quality products, with an emphasis on local, alongside new technologies for a seamless shopping experience.”

Cleaver Fulton Rankin announce Menopause Matters at Work conference Over the Bloody Moon, a global menopause training agency, has partnered with commercial law firm Cleaver Fulton Rankin to deliver the Menopause Matters at Work Conference on 6 September 2024.

The event, hosted at The MAC, Belfast, will bring together 100 NI employers and professionals involved in HR and Diversity, Equality & Inclusion for a day of insights and guidance on how to create a menopause inclusive workplace culture. Attendees will hear from speakers including Over the Bloody Moon’s Client Services Director Karina Todd, Cleaver Fulton Rankin Associate Director Florence Smith, NHS GP Dr Marie-Louise Thornton, and Head of Group Employee Relations at Bank of Ireland Joanne Healy. The inaugural Menopause Matters at Work conference will cover practical solutions for developing an effective menopause workplace strategy, case studies from clients of Over the Bloody Moon, the legal issues for employers, and information on implementing reasonable adjustments.

Henry Brothers Managing Director attends Windsor Castle to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise Henry Brothers Managing Director David Henry attended The King’s Award for Enterprise Reception at Windsor Castle to celebrate Henry Brothers achieving its Kings Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development. The award is testament to Henry Brothers’ dedication to acting as a responsible business and its commitment to building on this legacy through sustainable growth and development. Henry Brothers was one of only two Northern Ireland companies to be honoured with the Kings Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development in 2024.

Asda Foundation announces over £1million in funding to transform community spaces The Asda Foundation has announced that funding of over £1 million has been made available through its Investing in Spaces and Places grants, to enable groups across the UK to transform local community spaces.

In 2023, The Asda Foundation awarded 31 community groups with grants totalling over £600,000, and Bangor Foodbank and Community Support was one of the recipients. The group was awarded a grant of £20,250 to help upgrade the premises.

This included adding an extension to the food bank offering, as well as creating a baby bank and computer suite, to provide essential wrap-around services for food bank clients. Ken Scott, manager of Bangor Foodbank and Community Support, said: “We are profoundly grateful for the very generous grant from the Asda Foundation.

This support plays a crucial role in our efforts to combat food insecurity and provide essential resources to those in financial crisis.”

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HISTORIC VENUE CONTEMPORARY FACILITIES NOW TAKING CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS

Elevate your next event into an experience The 4 Star Ebrington Hotel in the heart of the Northwest provides a unique venue for corporate events and business meetings offering a range of versatile spaces that can accommodate up to 300 guests.

Our Ballroom is simply breath-taking with a state-of-the-art audio-visual system & Art Deco Styling. This historic but new venue is perfect for your next event or conference.

Additionally, the adjoining bar and reception area provide an excellent space for pre-function drinks and entertainment with views across the city.

For more intimate gatherings, our Boardroom and 1st Floor Lounge with Terrace provide an elegant and individual backdrop for smaller events, private dining and meeting spaces.

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Hotel

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4 Meeting Spaces to facilitate meetings/events from 4-300 guests State of the Art AV System Stage, Mic and Lectern Onsite Secure Parking 89 Bedrooms – Discounted Delegate Rate

To plan your next corporate event or conference, please call 028 71 220700 or email events@theebrington.com

FEATURE

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ou might think that the team at NI Property Girl spends a lot of time looking for empty homes, for potential client-buyers to buy. Finding the right property is the challenge, but finding an empty one?

Well I’m sad to say, it’s actually not that difficult.

The housing crisis in Northern Ireland – and it very much is a crisis – is a complex issue that affects far too many families across the region. With an alarming number of homes sitting empty, currently estimated at around 22,000, there is a significant gap between the demand for housing and the available supply. The difference raises several questions about why these homes remain unoccupied and what can be done to address the crisis effectively.

Several factors contribute to the empty home crisis in Northern Ireland.

From changes in tax relief, coupled with higher mortgage interest rates and rising maintenance costs – it’s all come together to make property ownership less attractive for many landlords. Often that’s where we come in, to offer guidance and support.

Additionally, while there is a real effort to develop new housing projects, this focus often overlooks the potential of existing structures. New developments

You Can Knock the Door... But No One’s Home come with high costs due to land acquisition, construction, and associated fees. These costs inevitably drive up rents and property prices in the area, making new homes less affordable for many potential buyers and renters.

I have always believed that a shift in focus towards reworking existing homes could provide a more immediate and costeffective solution to the housing crisis.

Bringing old houses back to life not only makes economic sense but also has the potential to rejuvenate communities, preserving historical architecture and revitalising communities. However, this approach requires concerted efforts from various stakeholders, including Stormont, developers, and even – property investors.

Several obstacles slow down – and often stop – the process of bringing empty homes back into use. Red tape, such as planning permissions and building regulations, can be time-consuming and costly. Moreover, financial incentives for property owners to renovate and rent out these homes are often lacking. Without adequate support, many property owners are unwilling or unable to invest in the necessary renovations.

To address these challenges, in my opinion there are several measures that could be implemented to make better use of existing housing stock.

Government incentives, such as tax breaks or grants, could encourage property owners to invest in the renovation of empty homes. These incentives could help offset the costs of repairs and improvements, making it more feasible for owners to bring their properties up to habitable standards.

Simplifying the planning and approval processes for renovations can reduce the time and expense associated with bringing empty homes back into use.

This could involve revising building regs to make them more accommodating for renovation projects.

Collaboration between various agencies and private investors can bring about the resources needed to tackle the empty home crisis. By pooling resources and expertise, these partnerships can create innovative solutions that benefit both property owners and the broader community.

Local communities also have a part to play, and should be involved in identifying and prioritising properties for renovation.

Community-led initiatives can help ensure that the revitalisation efforts align with the needs and desires of local residents, fostering a sense of ownership and pride in the process.

The empty home crisis in Northern Ireland represents a significant challenge but also an opportunity. By shifting the focus from solely building new developments to revitalising existing homes, we can address the housing shortage more effectively and sustainably.

It requires a collaborative effort, involving policy changes, financial incentives, and community engagement.

So, here’s to knocking some different doors and asking for a solution, sooner rather than later.

Eimear Gourley is managing partner at NI Property Girl and NI Property Academy.

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Columnist Lesley McGrogan Course Director of BSc Management Practice, Ulster University

Maximising Managerial Impact

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esley McGrogan, Course Director of BSc Management Practice at Ulster University Business School, discusses the evolving role of the manager and identifies the key skills necessary for effectively guiding teams to success.

From upper management setting the strategic direction and vision, to middle management executing operational plans, managers are the cornerstone of organisational success. Their strategic insights, operational expertise, and leadership capabilities are essential for achieving long-term sustainability and business growth.

One of the key ways in which managers influence their organisations is through their leadership style, often described as “setting the weather.” Just as weather patterns can create a conducive or challenging environment, so too can a manager’s approach shape the organisational climate.

The role of the manager, at both a strategic and operational level, has developed considerably over the last number of decades. For over a century, management practice has been guided by five fundamental functions described by management theorist Henri Fayol: planning, organising, staffing, directing, and controlling. These areas provide a solid framework for organisational management, traditionally defining managerial tasks, and helping leaders effectively coordinate their efforts to achieve organisational goals. While these core tasks remain relevant today, their application has changed significantly with technological advancements, the changing nature of workplaces, shifting workforce demographics, and new leadership styles impacting how they were once performed.

For instance, traditional hierarchical organisational structures have given way to more flexible and flat structures, reflecting the need for greater agility

and enhanced collaboration in the workplace. Technology is revolutionising how companies organise and staff their operations. Nowadays, businesses need their managers to lead in new ways as they manage hybrid and remote teams, all whilst fostering an environment where employees feel valued and empowered.

Key characteristics and concepts such as proactive relationship building, virtual facilitation, innovation, adaptability, inclusion, and emotional intelligence have become critical for leaders. This changing leadership style and approach means that managers must develop a broader, more nuanced skill set that goes beyond conventional management responsibilities.

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2023 report highlights the rapid pace of change in the workforce. Businesses expect that 44% of workers’ core skills will face disruption because of technological advancements, with analytical thinking, creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, agility, and AI/big data among some of the top in-demand skills by 2027. This era of change demands leaders who can pivot quickly, embrace innovation, and guide their teams through periods of uncertainty and transformation.

At a local level, the need for effective management skills is more pressing than ever. A report by the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre in 2022 found that the skill levels of Northern Ireland managers lag behind their international peers, with around 7% deemed not fully competent in their role. Good leadership skills are in high demand across all sectors, with motivating, influencing, and handling others’ feelings amongst the skills needing most improvement. The Ulster Bank’s Jobs Index (2023) supports this finding, identifying management skills among the top three areas of demand in Northern Ireland.

Recognising the critical role of managers in shaping organisational

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success, Ulster University’s BSc Management Practice flexible degree programme has been designed to empower working professionals aiming to advance into management roles and to enhance the effectiveness of current managers by developing essential skills.

This part-time programme is tailored to address the specific challenges faced by managers and offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers the latest in management theory and practice. Through studying topics such as the future of work, contemporary leadership, digital transformation, project management and people development, learners will develop skills in leadership, managing people, collaboration and problem-solving. One of the unique aspects of this programme is that, depending on experience, learners can complete it in as little as two years using their work experience or previous qualifications to join the degree in year two. Alternatively, students can choose a shorter programme of study, completing three modules for an Advanced Certificate or six modules for an Advanced Diploma.

All modules are also available as a micro credential comprising a single module.

Effective management in today’s world requires a distinct and diverse set of skills – a skill set that includes traditional managerial expertise coupled with technical acumen and competencies in leadership, creativity, flexibility, communication, empathy and adaptability. By investing in learning and development programmes like the BSc Management practice, businesses can ensure that their managers are not only setting the weather but are also steering the ship towards a successful future.

If you are interested in learning how Ulster University can support your career development or organisational upskilling strategies, please get in touch at engage@ulster.ac.uk.

FINANCING BUSINESS AMBITIONS WITH BANK OF IRELAND Insight and expertise from Mark Cunningham, Head of Regional Business Centres; Liz McKee, Head of Commercial Finance, and Paul McClurg, Head of Belfast Business Banking, Bank of Ireland.

Mark Cunningham, head of regional business centres, Bank of Ireland, says: “Bank of Ireland has been a champion of enterprise and entrepreneurship in Northern Ireland for almost 200 years. “Our all-island offer ensures that our customers can be supported by our people, our products and our services across Ireland and Northern Ireland, and we can help businesses throughout the rest of the UK, too.”

Multi Award Winning company dedicated to producing the finest free range eggs in the industry

Deposits With many businesses holding strong levels of liquidity postpandemic, Bank of Ireland is keen to support business with their cash management. Mark continues: “We have dedicated deposit experts who can provide bespoke solutions to help any business to maximise the return on their money whether they are in the private, public or not-for-profit sectors. “We also have a very experienced global markets team in Belfast, which can provide multi-currency solutions to businesses, guiding and supporting them as they trade across the world.”

Multi award winning, including Great British Food Awards, Great Taste Awards, Irish Quality Food Award and Blas na hÉireann Awards.

• Family run business • Farm to fork • All hens are free range • High welfare standards • British Lion accredited

Business development Paul McClurg, head of Belfast business banking, Bank of Ireland, says: “Our experienced business banking teams support local business ambitions with a range of financial products, along with tailored and flexible debt structures to support growth.”With experts across the motor, retail, hotel, hospitality, manufacturing and agri-food sectors, we have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of sectoral trends, challenges, and opportunities, and put that knowledge to work for our customers.”

Commercial finance for day-to-day funding and growth Liz McKee, head of commercial finance, Bank of Ireland, says: “Our commercial finance team has been providing customised funding solutions to our customers for more than 30 years.

We help our clients access funds quickly to increase their purchasing power. We proactively identify their changing funding needs based on seasonal and sectoral trends and provide advice to help them flexibly manage their funding elements.”

Cavanagh Free Range Eggs Ltd.

A local team Liz concludes: “We offer our customers the convenience of online banking for their day-to-day needs with the guidance of our local team when they need it. Our business banking colleagues can offer help with everything from business development through to new and increased banking facilities, making local decisions to support our customers’ success.”

58 Clonkee Road, Cavanagh, Newtownbutler Co. Fermangh, BT92 8FH Website: www.cavanagheggs.co.uk Email: hello@cavanagheggs.co.uk Twi er: @cavanagheggs Phone: 028 6773 7889 Mobile John: 078 5796 4436 Mobile Eileen: 078 5796 4468

To find out how our dedicated business team can support your business, find your local Bank of Ireland business banking manager at bankofirelanduk.com/business-team.

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FEATURE

Lessons from North Carolina

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FEATURE

I

n March this year, NI Chamber formalised an exciting new partnership with NC Chamber, which will see both parties committing to work together to promote international trade, investment and co-operation.

In 2023 and 2024, CNBC announced North Carolina as its top state for business. With a population of 10.8 million people and growing, it is the fifth-fastest growing state in the United States. Located in the middle of the East Coast, in 2023 more than $42 billion worth of goods were exported from North Carolina and the state’s agricultural industry surpassed $100 billion in economic activity in 2023.

But how does a state become the top state for business with the nation’s strongest economy? And, what can we learn?

It is not one issue that moves the needle but a consistent focus on education and talent supply, a competitive business climate and infrastructure. The NC Chamber has prioritised these focus areas together to achieve a strategic regional, national, and global competitive advantage for North Carolina. It’s a formula for success and here is how it was implemented.

EDUCATION AND TALENT A skilled and educated workforce is the cornerstone of a strong, healthy economy.

Empowering North Carolinians through excellent education is essential to securing a skilled talent pipeline and achieving a competitive, diverse and world-class workforce.

The NC Chamber Foundation led the Hire Standards, NC coalition to educate North Carolinians on the importance of high academic standards, which are still in place today.

At this time, the NC Chamber Foundation is developing talent pipelines that can be adapted and are responsive to the pace of innovation and reality across urban and rural areas. It is also identifying employerled policies, funding mechanisms and education and training programs that will increase access to a wide range of employment opportunities in high-growth fields offering good wages, and ensure employers have the quality talent they need.

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FEATURE

COMPETITIVE BUSINESS CLIMATE Tax often leads the competitiveness conversation and North Carolina is no different.

A decade ago, the corporate income tax rate was 7% and the personal income tax rate was 8%. Comprehensive reform of North Carolina’s tax code had not occurred since the 1930s. Today, the corporate income tax rate sits at 2.5% and the personal income tax rate is 4.75%. Pre-reform, the Tar Heel State’s tax system ranked 44th in the country – meaning that only six states had less-competitive tax codes than North Carolina. Today, that same ranking puts it 11th in the country.

Tax is more than the corporate and personal rates. Ten years ago, North Carolina had a growing, multi-billiondollar debt to the federal government to cover its unemployment benefits. The system received the worst scores in the nation for determining whether someone is initially eligible for benefits and tracking when those getting benefits are no longer eligible. The benefit is funded exclusively by employers, and they were paying a surcharge to cover the cost of borrowing money to pay some of the best benefits in the nation with poor oversight. Following NC Chamber-championed reforms, the employer surcharge is eliminated, there is a $4 billion surplus in the fund, benefits are competitive with neighboring states and there is a focus on reemployment.

Workers’ compensation is an area where years of collaboration from all stakeholders yielded results for North Carolinians. The NC Chamber was key to an effort to modernise North Carolina’s workers’ compensation laws to ensure greater certainty for businesses while providing for injured workers’ medical needs, getting employees back to work as soon as possible and ensuring that those permanently disabled receive needed benefits.

Protecting North Carolina’s environment while ensuring we can continue to grow at the speed of business is a fundamental balance the NC Chamber advocates for daily. A decade ago, the state’s regulatory environment included regulations that were duplicative and inconsistent with federal regulations, hindering growth and investment. A frequent, consistent focus in this space has created a balanced, modernised regulatory environment, including significant reforms to the onerous State Environmental Policy Act,

which had not been updated since the 1970s.

The NC Chamber advocates for policies that will foster certainty and predictability in the state’s legal system, providing job creators the transparency and clarity they need to do business.

Erratic court decisions, shifts in the courts, changes in policy, and the growing influence of personal injury attorneys in state government all have an impact on a state’s competitiveness, as well as a fluctuating ranking. To restore confidence in the state’s civil justice system, the NC Chamber established the NC Chamber Legal Institute. As North Carolina’s organised voice for legal policy development and analysis, the NC Chamber Legal Institute is charged with developing legal strategies to protect North Carolina businesses at the legislature and in the courts.

The one area where North Carolina has never drifted from the leaderboard is its right-to-work status. North Carolina always has one of the lowest rates of private-sector union membership in the nation and the RTW law declares that the right to live includes the right to work, which shall not be denied or abridged on account of membership or nonmembership in a union. The NC Chamber will work tirelessly to protect that right.

INFRASTRUCTURE Sufficient physical infrastructure – including transportation, water and sewer, energy and broadband – is key to competitiveness, particularly as North Carolina continues to experience rapid population growth.

In 2015, the NC Chamber helped secure more than $1 billion in transportation revenue for the state, including millions in recurring revenue – the first true long-term transportation funding reforms passed in North Carolina since 1989. Continued efforts in 2019 and 2020 helped

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pass legislation that infused almost $300 million into DOT by way of the Highway Trust Fund and Build NC bonds.

In 2022, Chamber-backed policy made it into the state budget, allocating a percentage of the total sales tax collected for transfer from the state’s General Fund to the Highway Fund and the Highway Trust Fund, ultimately transferring more than $600 million annually. This sustainable revenue stream for key infrastructure investments is a huge step in the diversification of transportation funding. North Carolina is second only to Texas in its number of state-maintained roads.

QUALITY OF LIFE North Carolina’s rapid population growth shows no signs of slowing, with the state’s exceptional quality of life being a critical decision point for many. A low cost of living, 300 miles of beaches, scenic mountains, and a moderate four-season climate attract families from all over the world. Combine that with a diverse industry base that powers the state’s booming economy, and it is no wonder the Old North State is coming out on top of so many rankings.

WHAT’S NEXT? North Carolina is not finished. The mission and vision of the NC Chamber are laserfocused on the state’s success. Every effort is about people. Jobs and a strong economy keep communities healthy.

Other states are no doubt watching and the NC Chamber team is focused on staying ahead of the competition.

FEATURE

Special Focus:

Diversity & Inclusion at Work

ALLSTATE NI Inclusive diversity and equity (IDE) is one of Allstate’s core values. In 2023, it was the first company in Northern Ireland to be awarded the Diversity Mark Gold standard.

At Allstate, embracing collective differences leads to a culture of inclusion, belonging and equitable opportunities for all, designed to make sure that every employee feels that they #BelongAtANI. Employee network and engagement groups are critical to the strategy, providing support, education, signposting and advocacy across a wide range of IDE characteristics.

This year, Allstate NI’s Pride celebrations will exemplify that collaborative nature, with more than 100 employees set to participate in the festival, along with their friends and families. Under the theme of ‘Love Your Mind’, Allstate’s own mental health first aid team has put together a varied programme of events for employees including a keynote from Leo Varadkar, who is set to speak about his life, career, managing mental health, reverse

mentorship and much more. Employees who are members of the LGBTQ+ community will talk through their lived experience as part of a panel event, raising awareness and understanding.

Year-round, extensive community engagement means Allstate’s IDE strategy extends beyond its employees and direct customers. For example, a strategic partnership with Women’s Aid is now in its fourth year, while sponsorship of the Rainbow Project has helped fund community space in Belfast for two years.

HERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) is one of the world’s leading law firms. Its CEO, Justin D’Agostino believes in fostering a culture where everyone feels valued, empowered to contribute unique perspectives, and can thrive.

The firm’s approach to diversity and inclusion is driven by the principle of ‘leading for inclusion’ – a strategy setting out its vision to be the leading global law firm for diversity and inclusion. The

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firm’s view is that when people feel they belong and can be themselves, they are more likely to collaborate and bring forward the different perspectives that are needed to create optimal solutions for clients.

One of the many ways in which the firm is moving towards this goal is through the activities of the ‘Inclusion Respecting Identity and Sexuality’ (IRIS) Network.

The IRIS Network aims to promote a culture of inclusion and respect for LGBT+ people, whilst providing a shared space for individuals to connect, find support, share information and ideas, and promote LGBT+ visibility and inclusion.

The IRIS Network’s most significant ongoing initiative is a partnership with the Queer Straight Alliance or ‘QSA’ at Lagan College – a safe haven group designed to support LGBT+ students founded by teacher Richard Gray.

Together with the QSA, Herbert Smith Freehills will participate in the annual Belfast Pride Parade proudly wearing t-shirts designed by a member of the QSA reflecting the theme of this year’s Pride, ‘Love Your Mind’, and, in the coming academic year, the IRIS Network will support the QSA in ally education and engendering inclusive thinking and action in the wider school community.

Ultimately, it aims to foster a culture where everyone can thrive, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, ability, social background, or any other aspects which make them who they truly are.

BAKER MCKENZIE Baker McKenzie’s Belfast Centre, the global business services hub for this leading law firm, has been a fixture in the city for ten years. From its first local hire, the Centre has been dedicated to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in Northern Ireland. This commitment is evident in a wide range of initiatives that create a welcoming and supportive workplace for all employees.

FEATURE

A key aspect of this mission is the Baker Pride Committee, which advocates for LGBTQ+ rights throughout the year.

The committee organises the Centre’s participation in the annual Belfast Pride parade and invites new joiners to sign an ‘allies’ pledge’. This pledge underscores the Centre’s commitment to creating an environment where everyone can live and work as their authentic selves.

The Belfast Centre also supports gender equality through its very active Gender Committee. This committee provides opportunities for female colleagues to build professional networks, learn new skills and access additional career support. With strong representation of women in leadership roles, the Centre demonstrates its dedication to fostering a balanced and inclusive workplace.

In addition to these efforts, the Disability Committee plays a crucial role in raising awareness about visible and invisible disabilities. By sharing resources and personal stories from team members, the committee aims to create a culture of understanding and inclusion. This initiative ensures that all employees, regardless of their abilities, feel valued and supported.

Through these initiatives, Baker McKenzie’s Belfast Centre not only supports its diverse workforce but also sets a positive example within the broader business community. By prioritising diversity, equity and inclusion, the Centre is helping to shape a fairer and more diverse future for Northern Ireland’s workplaces.

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ALCHEMY TECHNOLOGY SERVICES At Alchemy Technology Services, fostering an environment where individuals can embrace their authentic selves is central to company culture, cultivating a workplace that celebrates diversity and champions inclusivity as a strategic imperative for innovation and growth.

Diversity without inclusivity is merely a gesture, which is why Alchemy goes beyond numbers, creating meaningful initiatives to ensure every voice is heard.

From inclusive language workshops with Stonewall UK to educational sessions on workplace communication, its team is empowered to cultivate understanding and respect.

Employee resource groups, like the Alchemy Community and Allies group, are crucial. Formed in consultation with LGBTQ+ employees, this group shapes inclusivity initiatives by actively challenging biases, amplifying marginalised voices and cultivating psychological safety.

Alchemy’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is reinforced from the top down, reflected in its Diversity Mark Bronze Award. Its goal is to achieve Silver status in the Diversity Mark by 2025, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to authentically represent and serve a diverse global community.

Columnist Robert Godwin Chief executive officer of Lamington Group

Sustainability in Hospitality A

s part of real estate investment and development group, Lamington Group, my brother Stuart Godwin and I developed the innovative room2 brand in 2015 as the UK’s first eco hometel brand.

Combining the best elements of serviced apartments and boutique hotels with the comforts of a home, the room2 brand was designed with a vision to offer both leisure and corporate guests a ‘home away from home’, ideal for both short-term and long-term stays.

Born with a sustainable vision to set a new global standard for the hospitality industry and operate with an unwavering commitment to become net zero by 2030, Stuart and I created room2 with a vision to showcase that new openings can be made sustainably, without compromising on style, convenience or comfort. We are dedicated to creating a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of our guests, staff and our planet at every one of our locations in Chiswick, Southampton, Hammersmith and most recently, Belfast. All hometels operate on low carbon, low energy and zero waste operations, offering the perfect solution for the new generation of eco travellers.

One of our most successful achievements to date has been the launch of room2 Chiswick, which opened in December 2021. This pioneering opening set a new industry standard for environmental responsibility as it was verified in 2022 as net zero for operational carbon. As part of the Net Zero Claims Verification Report, room2 Chiswick is working towards

going beyond the removal of carbon emissions by also including greenhouse gas emissions. The emissions from the hometel’s conception through to disposal will be equal to zero, which applies to both operational and embodied carbon.

As well as this, room2 Chiswick has been designed to consume less energy than the average hotel in the UK through carefully selected technology. The overwhelming success of room2 Chiswick can now act as a stellar example for other hospitality professionals and companies trying to improve their sustainability credentials.

Our most recent opening, room2 Belfast, has already made its mark on the Northern Ireland hospitality scene since its opening in October 2023 and we are proud to have achieved a gold rating in the Green Tourism Award and platinum in the Greengage ECOsmart Accreditation. room2 Belfast runs on 100% electric and low carbon energy and is committed to a circular economy, whereby the property eliminates waste and pollution through circulating products and materials. We are passionate about supporting the local community as part of all of our hometels, and therefore we decided to partner with a range of local and eco-conscious artists, suppliers and businesses to create a vibrant and unique design throughout room2 Belfast.

In November 2023, our brand journey hit the gold standard in sustainable operations by becoming B Corp certified. The entire team and I are incredibly proud to have achieved this monumental milestone that reaffirms our commitment to environmental and

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social responsibility. We were awarded thanks to our pioneering initiatives and achievements including our Net Zero Roadmap which encourages other industry leaders to work together to take collective action for our planet, our circular economy design principles, the ‘team planet’ initiative which includes climate debates and zero waste workshops for all employees and our support of local communities at each hometel. Stuart and I have always seen our business as a force for change and this B Corp status firmly puts us on the map for our positive contributions to honouring our company values of ‘People, Places and Planet’. Other key achievements in the last six months include winning the prestigious Serviced Apartment Awards 2024 for both Chiswick and Belfast as well as the Mix Interiors Awards 2024 for our innovative design principles.

In the coming years, I am thrilled to announce exciting expansion plans including the launch of room2 York in 2026, our first opening in the North of England which will continue our net zero commitment, and also a new sustainable tower hotel opening in Manchester – the first of its kind – which will be our most unique and exciting opening yet. room2 is an ambitious brand dedicated to making a positive impact on the people around us as well as the planet, and we hope to inspire other hospitality businesses to follow in our footsteps and drive the industry towards a better future for us all as we spearhead the way towards a healthy future for our planet.

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Columnist Kate Marshall Coach, Speaker, Author, Facilitator

The Leadership Trio W

e are inundated with articles, speakers, coaches, and books promising the secrets of leadership and not doubt there is some value in many of them. As someone who has spent a career around leaders, there are three qualities that I always look for: they won’t guarantee a leader’s success but their absence, luck notwithstanding, nearly always indicate an unwillingness or inability to lead. This inevitability leaves people ‘stuck’.

Call it a ‘leadership trio’ – three characteristics that support what it means to be a leader.

You know that a great leader is more than just a title or position, it’s being the leader that people would follow without a title. It’s someone who inspires, motivates, and guides their team toward success. They are like a magnet: people are drawn to them and want to be part of their tribe. But what exactly makes a great leader? How will you know you’re in the presence of one? While there are various practical examples that define what a great leader is or does, let’s explore these three key elements that set apart Good Leaders from Great Leaders.

1. They are extremely curious Curiosity is a fundamental human trait that drives exploration, innovation, learning, and the desire to understand the world around us. In psychologically safe workplaces, curious people play a crucial role in sparking new ideas.

By asking questions and seeking answers, curious people are motivated to challenge existing knowledge and look for better solutions. This exploration often leads to discovering new perspectives, insights, and opportunities. Albert Einstein explained his genius by famously saying: “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” The good news for the majority of us who

fall well short of Einstein-esque IQ is that curiosity is a quality most of us can activate within ourselves. It is the secret sauce to lifelong learning and growing. Studies published by the Greater Good Science Centre, reveal that curious people have better relationships and connect better with others. Other people are more easily attracted and feel socially closer to individuals who display curiosity. This also implies they are great at asking questions and then empathic listening – listening to understand not listening to reply.

2. They focus on the present While it might seem obvious, many leaders get caught up thinking about where they want to be rather than focusing on the right now. While creating a clear vision and strategy for your business, your career and your life are essential, the key to delivery is to stay present and build a track record of success at every stage. When you do this, people will trust and invest in you and want to do business with you. Good leaders don’t waste time worrying if they’re on the right track. Instead, they make the most of whatever path they’re on, learning valuable lessons from all their experiences. They look for opportunities and explore with a blue ocean mindset. They are personally open to opportunities that help them grow and advance, knowing this will help them grow and advance their business.

3. They show up Good leaders push themselves, talk to lots of people, do lots of things, and participate and get involved.

When they show up like that, something happens. When I started my speaking career, I was invited to speak to a group of CEOs, owners and professionals here in Northern Ireland.

I took the invitation in faith to expand my network and get my message out, and was not expecting much to come

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out of such a small event with no more than 16 attendees. Twelve months later, I had landed engagements across UK and further afield. My work as a speaker has taken me all over Europe, North America and Canada, which catapulted the rest of my career.

From little acorns large oaks grow.

I showed up, and brought myself to the room, sharing my thoughts on what it takes to lead well and live an extraordinary life.

Whatever your level or experience, get in the game and keep your hopes up. Something good will come of it, but you’ve got to show up. That first speaking event sparked my passion for working extensively with owners and CEOs and now, twelve years later, I chair my own Thrive CEO peer advisory boards and Thrive leadership groups. That all came from a small event with 16 people in the room.

At a recent speaking session for a group of young professionals, I titled the session ‘Stand up, look up and speak up’.

Stand up for what you believe in – Know who you are, stay aligned to your values and beliefs and work hard.

Look up – Continually look for ways to improve and get better, seek and be open to feedback.

Speak up – Give your views and opinions, ask for help, be prepared to make mistakes and learn from them.

Hopefully we can all embrace the ‘leadership trio’ and become GREAT not just good leaders.

BRAND NEW SHOWROOM FOR STAIRLIFT SOLUTIONS

Brand new showroom for Stairlift Solutions

A business that started from working out of a garage has just ADVERTISING FEATURE expanded into Northern Ireland’s biggest stairlift and mobility showroom in Newtownards, bringing an economic boost to the town. Stairlift Solutions’ new location was recently unveiled, offering its lifechanging products to those with mobility issues, from stairlifts to high specification and portable scooters, riser recliners, wheelchairs and more. Moving into premises at Quarry Heights in Newtownards, the business brings something new, fresh and exciting to the lively, bustling town. brings something new, fresh and A BUSINESS that started from Stairlift Solutions began life as a father-and-son exciting to the lively, bustling town. business working out of a garage, has Stairlift Solutions life as by the late Ken Wallace, with thebegan award-winning just founded expanded into Northern afather and son business founded by Ireland’s biggestnow stairlift and led by customers because we can then install a stairlift from as little as company being son Michael, who is the theKen’s late Ken Wallace, with the awardmobility showroom in winning companynow now provide being led by £950, including installation,” he said. managing director. Stairlift Solutions a whole range Newtownards, bringing an managing director, Ken’s son Michael.

“That’s half the price of a new stairlift and it’s a big part of our of other products which superbly showcased in their Stairlift are Solutions now provide a economic boostmobility to the town. whole range of other mobility products business because working hard towards sustainability brand new showroom, with their range of stairlifts which He we saidare customer service is about its having the opportunity to purchase a many varied products.

Stairlift Solutions’ new location wasalong which are superbly showcased in their paramount, carrying the ethos started “The stairlifts come with full cut-price reconditioned product. recently unveiled, new showroom, along with their through recycling,” he said, adding, “We aim to have electric are still at theoffering core of its the brand company. by his father. warranty and servicing plans and we Michael said their products enable lifechanging products to those with range of stairlifts which are still at the dadfew was always very aware that even have a 24/7, 365 days a year people with mobility issues chance the“My vansthe within next years.” for stairlifts their stairlifts areof very competitive, and installation mobilityPrices issues, from to high core the company. he was working with elderly people and aftercare service for our 5000+ adapt their own homes to help them specification portable Prices for their stairlifts veryto to customer service is paramount, the we ethos can beand done veryscooters, quickly, with customers evenare able rent that sometimes he was the only person carrying customers. Plus, also provide free maintain independence He and said a better riser recliners, wheelchairs and more. competitive, and installation can be may have spoken thatday.

It was very delivery, assembly and he demonstration quality of life. started by his they father.

“My dadtowas always aware that them, well asathaving opportunity tocustomers purchase a cut-price Moving into as premises Quarry the done very quickly, with “The stairlifts allow people to stay in never a case of a hard sell but instead for all our mobility products right even able to rent them, as well asenable Heights in Newtownards, the business Michael working people andneeds that sometimes healways was strive the to go reconditioned product. said their products he tookelderly the time to listen to their across N.I, so we their own homes, andwas out of nursing with and may that was the spoken ethos he to always that extra mile for our customers.” homeshomes and the pandemic us they onlyshowed person have that day.

It was never a people with mobility issues the chance to adapt their own worked with,” he said.

Call Stairlift Solutions on 028 9188 the importance of that.” case a hard sell instead he took the time their to help them maintain independence and a better quality Thebut dedication to customer service 2249 to or listen visit to their website – He of alsolife. explained how the of recycling continues today, through www.stairliftsolutionsni.com of and stairlifts part ofand his that was the ethos heassurances always worked with,” he said.

“The stairlifts allow people to stay in their own homes, out is needs business’spackage and overall aims of nursing homes and the pandemic showed us the importance towards sustainability. The dedication to customer service continues today, through “We offer a buy-back service which about its many varied products. assurances of that.” suits a lot of our customers because we come with full warranty and servicing plans and He also explained how theinstall a stairlift“The can then from asstairlifts little aspart £950, including installation,” he said. we even have a 24/7, 365 days a year aftercare service for our recycling of stairlifts is “That’s half the price of a new 5000+ customers.

Plus, we also provide free delivery, assembly of his business’s package stairlift and it’s a big part of our business because we are working hard and demonstration for all our mobility products right across N.I, and overall aims towards towards sustainability through so we sustainability. recycling,” he said, adding, “Wealways aim to strive to go that extra mile for our customers.” have electric vans within the next few Call Stairlift Solutions on 028 9188 2249 or visit their website “We offer a buy-back years.”

–www.stairliftsolutionsni.com. service which suits a lot of our

NEW SHOWROOM NOW OPEN SATURDAYS!

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FEATURE

NI Man putting the Magic back into Corporate Events Magician, internet sensation and Blue Peter presenter, Joel M has been beautifully disrupting the business events circuit. He has dazzled everyone from senior royals to Hollywood stars and top CEOs, and his diary is filling up quickly.

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FEATURE

F

rom performing table magic at local cabarets to dazzling the world’s most influential celebrities, Joel M has become a sensation in the entertainment world.

The Northern Ireland native has been wowing everyone from King Charles to Hollywood actor Jared Leto and corporate giants including Netflix and PwC with his magical prowess.

Joel was named ‘Northern Ireland’s Celebrity of the Year’ in 2022 and is the 41st presenter for the BBC’s iconic Blue Peter.

His rise in the world of magic is nothing short of extraordinary. He has accumulated over four billion online hits and more than 20 million followers across multiple platforms, making him one of the fastest-rising figures in magic. And, off the back of his own BBC and Sky TV series, Joel M has also become a constant guest on channels such as CBBC, RTE and ITV. The latter accomplishments have made him a man very much in demand.

His journey into magic began early. “I started practising magic when I was five years old,” he recalls. “My grandfather was a huge fan of Paul Daniels, and that absolutely rubbed off on me. I landed my first proper gig when I was around 11, performing close-up magic around tables at a local cabaret.”

This early start ignited a passion for live performance that has only grown over the years. “I totally caught the bug for performing live. And since then, I’ve had the joy of performing all across the world,” he divulges.

His transition into the corporate world has been a seamless one, thanks to his unique approach and, as a result, corporate events organisers are falling over themselves to sign him up for their next diary date.

“Magic is a beautiful thing: it has no age or language barrier, which has allowed me to perform for all types of audiences,” Joel continues. “Most of my work in the corporate space is for audiences of highly intelligent people, which really pushes me to keep innovating and improving, to stay ahead of their logical minds.” His appeal to corporate clients extends beyond his magical prowess to include his engaging personality and approach.

A quick watch of his YouTube videos reveals not only his ability to amaze, but also his charisma and captivating presence. It’s easy to see why he’s become so big, so rapidly. “I think what has set me apart is that I don’t pretend to be somebody else. The corporate space is beginning to tire of the classic ‘dark, mysterious’ styled magician. My goal has always been to have a laugh, and to amaze at the same time. I’m 100% myself.

And I think that appeals to the corporate market,” he says.

One of Joel’s standout moments was performing in The Mac last Christmas. “I have been away from home so much over the last two years, that I dearly missed the humour a Northern Irish audience brings. I remember the days when I couldn’t sell seven tickets for a stage show, so to have the chance to perform for a full house in a lovely theatre with amazing people was just fantastic.”

For corporate events organisers looking to break the monotony, Joel brings a refreshing change. “At the end of the day, I believe that really good corporate entertainers and speakers bring people together. I do everything I can to bring a really fun element to any event I attend, and magic just happens to be a great way to do so. My shows aim to be uplifting, light-hearted, and extremely memorable!

“My clients know that they’re going to get a good mix of amazing magic and mentalism, but without the silly seriousness. And as much as possible, I try to make my shows about the audience members on stage. At the end of the day, that’s what people connect with.

“The truth is, most corporate events are boring. Elephant in the room! And that’s usually down to too much information, and not enough infotainment. Sometimes, the biggest challenge us corporate entertainers have is waking up an audience after a long slog of speeches.

It’s so important to break up the day with something engaging and different. That’s always my goal.”

One particularly successful corporate

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event, he recalls, was with YouTube in London. “I was brought in to break up the day with a speech that was 50% informative (talking about the keys to going viral online) and 50% fun (magic with the crowd). It worked so well and mixing the two elements let me sneakily educate, without just being another talking head.”

He emphasises the importance of tailoring performances to fit the specific needs of different corporate events and it’s this approach that has seen him turn the ordinary event into the extraordinary.

Asked what advice he would give to event organisers, he responds: “Most good entertainers will have their tried and tested material which absolutely works.

That should be trusted by the client.

But wherever possible, it’s absolutely worth having a chat with the speaker or entertainer, to see if they can tailor their act to the event itself. I always make sure to wrap up my corporate shows with a magical spectacle that’s custom-tailored to the message of the event. Little things make a huge difference! Communication is key.”

As Joel continues to captivate audiences worldwide, he remains in high demand. “I’m certainly available for bookings over the next year or so, including in Northern Ireland. If you have an event that you really want to stand out from the rest, absolutely reach out to my team at info@morejoel.com. With filming for Blue Peter year-round, I don’t get to say yes to many opportunities, but when the stars align, it’s my favourite type of work.”

APPOINTMENTS

A

NEW

PPOINTMENTS IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY

LEE CAMPBELL

ROD HAWKINS

BRIAN MAGENNIS

Business Development Manager, Woodmarque Architectural Joinery Ltd

Commercial Manager, Star Rentals

Commercial Director, GM Marketing

ELAINE HARKIN

IRIS HOUSTON

SHELLEY STEENSON

Group Revenue Manager, McKeever Hotel Group

General Manager, Adair Arms Hotel

Executive Assistant, NI Chamber

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APPOINTMENTS

Deloitte Appoints New Audit Partner in Belfast

Deloitte’s Senior Partner in Belfast, Jackie Henry, new Partner Grace Cartin, and Belfast Partner Aisléan Nicholson.

Deloitte has announced that it has appointed Grace Cartin as a partner in Belfast in the firm’s annual round of promotions.

Cartin, who is part of Deloitte’s audit and assurance team, joined Deloitte as a graduate trainee. She now has more than 12 years’ experience working with a range of large private and multinational companies, providing audit and advisory services across a wide range of business sectors, with a focus on banking, energy, technology, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.

Grace Cartin, partner at Deloitte, said: “As a partner I am looking forward to continuing to work with a wide network of local and global companies, and as we look to realise our ambition of growing the audit team here in Belfast, I am passionate about helping to build and retain the amazing talent we have in Deloitte.”

Deloitte Northern Ireland has made 190 promotions in total across the business. Mark Cree and Leanne Morris have been promoted to the position of senior director and David Sloan, Emma Blair, Chris Sutton and Ryan Woodburn have all been promoted to director.

Across the UK, Deloitte has promoted 81 people to partner.

Of the new promotions, 27 (33%) are women, increasing the total number of Deloitte’s women partners to 412 (30% of partners). This year’s promotions include 19 new partners from ethnic minority backgrounds, equating to 23% of the promotions. The number of UK partners now stands at 1,369.

Deloitte also recruited 36 new external hires at partner level in the UK during the financial year from June 2023 to the end of May 2024.

Sarah Swann, James Mulligan, Abigail Cairnduff, Aoife Quinn, Patrick Brown, Karen Mc Kenna, Ben Simms and Emma McKee.

Tughans Announces Seven Key Promotions Amidst Period Of Further Growth As part of the firm’s continued growth, Tughans LLP has announced a number of promotions within the organisation.

Included in these promotions is the appointment of two new Partners: Ben Sims – Corporate Law, Paul Eastwood – Contracts & Technology.

The firm was also pleased to announce the appointments of five new associate directors: Abigail Cairnduff – Real Estate, Aoife Quinn – Dispute Resolution, Emma McKee – Dispute Resolution, James Mulligan – Real Estate, Sarah Swann – Healthcare.

Patrick Brown, managing partner, commented: “These promotions are recognition of the exceptional talent and expertise within our team. We are proud to promote such capable and committed individuals who have contributed significantly to our firm’s continued success. The promotions are not only well-deserved but vital as we continue to grow and meet the evolving needs of our clients.”

Tughans has experienced a period of growth over the past year, broadening its client base and enhancing its service offerings. Tughans has ranked number one in the Experian M&A Review for the ninth consecutive year, an indication of its continued success and leadership in the legal industry. The recent promotions are a strategic step to strengthen the firm’s expertise and capabilities, which will support its future growth in the months and years ahead.

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Columnist Ian McConnell Partner, Managed Services Lead, PwC UK

Boosting Regional Business Growth O

rganisations across Northern Ireland are facing growing operational challenges as they try to keep up with accelerating digital transformation, the implications of AI, and recruiting the talent they need during a global skills shortage. In fact, nearly half (44%) of organisations in our region are reporting worrying skills gaps and a lack of confidence embedding AI and green technologies into their businesses, according to recent data published by The Open University and British Chambers of Commerce. This was also reflected in our recent CEO Survey, where 78% of UK CEOs reported skills shortages within their organisation, particularly in the area of technology, with one in five CEOs saying their organisation will not be viable within 10 years on its current path.

These ongoing challenges are causing more and more leaders from both private and public sectors to seek alternative ways of accessing the skills and capabilities they need – when they need them – with increasing urgency.

In turn, this is causing a rise in demand for ‘managed services’ – when a strategic partner takes on the running and transformation of core business functions for an organisation when they don’t have the right skills or capabilities to do it themselves.

Headed up in our Merchant Square office in Belfast, our teams are already partnering with hundreds of clients on a broad range of managed services, from managing Cloud migration, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity and data analytics to running finance, tax and HR functions, among many others, on our clients’ behalf.

Supporting regional growth and innovation Crucially, this gives our clients access

to the talent they need while cutting the overheads associated with hiring, training, and maintaining in-house teams. Pricing models are predictable and can flex to meet a company’s needs, making budget management easier.

Furthermore, by delegating non-core operational functions – such as finance, tax, IT, data and cloud functions – organisations can concentrate on their primary goals and strategies, driving competitive advantage forward. All of this can help local businesses, and the wider economy in Northern Ireland, stay focused on growth and innovation, despite economic uncertainties and operational challenges.

Unlocking transformation with technology Managed Services might also be the key to unlocking transformation across Northern Ireland’s business community.

The blend of expertise within our hub in Belfast, combined with our access to the latest technology, not only allows us to take on the running of our clients’ business-as-usual operations. It also allows us to transform them at the same time. For example, we recently took over the running of a major insurance company’s claims management operations while implementing the latest cloud-based technology to transform their whole claims function, resulting in a 30% increase in efficiency.

Additionally, last year our partnership with Sage, the UK’s largest listed tech company, provided 150 of our managed services clients with crucial financial insights needed to optimise day-today operations while streamlining them in the process and reducing long term running costs. A managed service approach can also help clients meet escalating ESG reporting and compliance responsibilities by leveraging Cloud technology and AI to transform

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their reporting processes for the future.

These are just a few examples of how managed services can propel business transformation.

A catalyst for sustainable business growth in Northern Ireland By offering access to specialised expertise, advanced technology, and scalable solutions, managed services can empower businesses to navigate complexities, optimise operations, and achieve sustainable growth. An important part of this is upskilling our clients’ people, meaning that we leave their organisation better off than when we started, ready to face future challenges. This focus on providing long-term, sustainable outcomes is a key difference to simply outsourcing problematic areas to a third party.

As more organisations in the region, and around the UK, recognise the potential of managed services to realise their business growth goals, we are proud to be working with many of them as a trusted partner in driving economic development and business success in the years to come. And while managed services may not solve every organisation’s challenges overnight, many are finding the flexible access it gives to sought-after talent and technology to be an innovative solution to solving operational shortfalls and keeping transformation goals on track while boosting the local economy, accelerating innovation and tackling Northern Ireland’s skills shortage.

AFTER A ROBBERY & ARSON ATTACK AT OUR BANGOR PREMISES IN JUNE. WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP

We are planning to reopen as soon as possible but it may take up to a year before we are back to normal We hope to open a pop-up shop in Bangor soon but for now please keep donating your clothing and houshold items to our Bangor furniture store at:

6-8 MARKET STREET BT20 4SP

PLEASE SCAN ME TO HELP

WITH YOUR HELP WE CAN GET BACK ON OUR FEET SOONER ACTION CANCER

20 Windsor Avenue, Belfast BT9 6EE

Columnist Anne-Marie Roddy Associate Director, Carbonfit

The Letter of the Law I

n today’s world, sustainability is a key focus for everyone – businesses, governments, and individuals alike. Adhering to sustainability regulations is crucial, especially for businesses in Northern Ireland. These rules not only set the foundation for protecting the environment but also drive innovation, ensure accountability, and create a culture of responsibility.

Sustainability regulations are essential for environmental protection.

They provide clear guidelines that organisations and individuals must follow to reduce their environmental impact. For Northern Ireland businesses, policies like the Northern Ireland Climate Change Act 2022 set targets for lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 100% by 2050. These regulations require companies to adopt sustainable practices, such as improving energy efficiency, reducing waste, and conserving resources. Meeting strict environmental standards requires businesses to develop new technologies and processes. For example, the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS Phase 3) mandates energy audits for large businesses in Northern Ireland, helping them identify ways to save energy. This not only ensures compliance but also encourages investment in sustainable solutions.

Compliance with sustainability regulations helps create a culture of responsibility within organisations. It shows a commitment to sustainable development and ethical practices.

When employees see their company taking concrete steps to comply with environmental laws, they are more likely to support and champion sustainability initiatives. This shift can lead to higher employee engagement, improved morale, and a stronger sense of purpose. Additionally, businesses

that prioritise sustainability often find it easier to attract and retain talent, especially younger workers who value environmental responsibility.

Reporting requirements have evolved into a powerful tool for transparency and accountability. The United Kingdom has introduced stringent carbon reporting requirements to measure and manage greenhouse gas emissions, providing transparency, reducing carbon footprints, and transitioning towards a more sustainable future.

The primary carbon reporting requirements in the UK and NI are: • Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) – This applies to large UK-incorporated companies and large limited liability partnerships (LLPs) if they meet at least two of the following conditions: 250 or more employees, an annual turnover of £36 million or more, or a balance sheet total of £18 million or more.

Organisations must report Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and related intensity ratios in their annual reports.

• Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) – This requires all large UK companies with over 500 employees and £500 million in turnover to report on how they assess and manage climaterelated risks and opportunities, including governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets.

• Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) – This applies to large enterprises that meet specific criteria.

Organisations must carry out an energy audit every four years, assess

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energy consumption, identify costeffective energy-saving opportunities, and notify the Environment Agency of compliance.

• Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 06/21: PPN 06/21 mandates that suppliers bidding for major government contracts over £5 million annually must commit to achieving net zero by 2050. Suppliers are required to publish a carbon reduction plan that details their current emissions and outlines the measures they will take to achieve net zero.

Understanding these reporting thresholds and compliance criteria is essential for organisations to ensure they meet their obligations. By complying with these reporting frameworks, businesses contribute significantly to national and global efforts to combat climate change, enhance energy efficiency, and foster a more sustainable future. With these guidelines in mind, companies can take proactive steps to reduce their carbon emissions, optimise energy usage, and build a reputation as responsible corporate citizens in the fight against climate change. Keeping a close eye on emerging regulations, such as the Green Claims Directive, is important to ensure that your sustainability claims are transparent, verifiable, and compliant with the latest standards. This vigilance helps maintain the credibility and trustworthiness of your environmental initiatives.

Supplement

BUSINESS CLASS MOTORING. MOTORING WITH JAMES STINSON

In association with

Leasing for Everyone 028 9038 6600

agnewleasing.com

LIFESTYLE

James Stinson

Surge in Plug-in Hybrid Sales Plug-in hybrids provide a stepping stone to all-electric motoring, writes James Stinson.

from most public rapid chargers will take 26 minutes, while a typical 7kW home wallbox will fully recharge the battery in under four hours.

The regenerative braking – with automatic, low and high strengths to choose from – also feeds energy back into the battery when the car slows down.

There are three modes for the plug-in hybrid powertrain as well, which determine how the petrol engine and electric motor work together. E-Mode prioritises pure-electric driving, with the Kodiaq iV always starting off in this setting, so long as the battery has enough juice.

Skoda says Hybrid mode continuously assesses how the car is being driven to determine whether to use the e-motor, the engine or both in order to minimise fuel consumption, making it the better choice on long journeys. Finally, Sport mode gets the maximum power output from both power sources.

The one obvious downside of the plug-in Kodiaq over the petrolpowered version is that it only comes with five seats, unlike the regular models which are offered with seven seats.

The new Skoda Kodiaq iV is offered in SE and SE L specifications.

Entry-level SE trim comes equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail lights, keyless start, heated front seats, 3-zone climate control and several safety systems like blind spot detection and front cross traffic assist.

The interior specifically features a 13-inch touchscreen with sat-nav, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit digital driver’s display and Skoda’s new customisable ‘Smart Dials’. These can be used to control the cabin temperature, drive modes, and numerous other functions.

SE L models start from £44,635 and add larger 19-inch rims, adaptive matrix LED headlights with cornering function, black artificial/real leather upholstery, electrically adjustable driver’s seats, keyless entry and a powered tailgate.

T

he transition to a future where we are all driving electric cars isn’t proving at all straightforward. Sales of battery electric vehicles have stalled in recent months as many buyers express concerns about price, range and charging infrastructure.

At the same time, sales of plug-in hybrids are booming. Sales of all-electric cars were up 6% in May compared to a near 33% rise for plug-in hybrids.

Buyers like the flexibility plug-in hybrids offer: hybrids offer some of the benefits of battery-powered cars but owners don’t suffer from range anxiety in the same way electric car users do. There are enticing tax benefits, especially for company car drivers.

There are also a lot more and better plug-in hybrids coming to market – like this new Skoda Kodiaq iV, which offers a 75-mile EV range, with prices starting from £41,935.

Skoda’s latest plug-in hybrid powertrain consists of a 148bhp 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor, which alone produces 114bhp and 330Nm of torque.

Combined, the total power output is 201bhp and 350Nm of torque.

Importantly for fleet drivers, thanks to the Kodiaq iV’s pure-electric driving capabilities and subsequently low CO2 emissions, it falls into the very low 5% benefit-in-kind (BiK) company car tax bracket. For context, EVs attract a 2% BiK rating.

The Kodiaq iV’s e-motor is powered by a 25.7kWh battery that’s located under the rear seats. With a maximum charging rate of 50kW, a 10-80% top-up

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MAKE LEASING WORK FOR YOU.

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LIFESTYLE

James Stinson

T

he battle for customers in the market for a luxury, all-electric SUV is about to get a little hotter with the imminent arrival of this new Audi Q6 e-tron.

Sitting somewhere between Audi’s existing electric SUV offerings – the Q4 and Q8 – the new Q6 is a direct competitor for the likes of the BMW iX and Mercedes EQE. At launch it is being offered in two guises: the Q6 e-tron quattro, which offers typical Audi sporty performance with a system output of 382bhp, and an even meatier SQ6 quattro version which has a system output of 483bhp.

Both feature a sizable 100 kWh battery and four-wheel drive, with the Q6 e-tron quattro costing from £69k and the sportier SQ6 weighing in at more than £93k.

But if your company car allowance won’t run to that, there are also cheaper rearwheel drive versions, known as Q6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron performance. These feature a smaller 83kWh battery but still offer zesty performance.

This Q6 e-tron performance version produces 301bhp and is good for a 0-62mph time of 6.7 seconds. When launch control is engaged, the system power output increases to 322bhp and the 0-62mph time is 6.6 seconds. Entry level prices for these rear-wheel drive versions start at just under £60k.

Stung by the rapid growth of upstarts like Tesla and BYD, established manufacturers like Audi are in a race to catch up but there’s plenty here to suggest the Germans aren’t beaten yet.

Audi’s new electric car platform is built with efficiency in mind. The electric motors weigh 20% less than they do on the older Q8 e-tron and take up less space too. The Q6 e-tron charges at an impressive

Audi’s New All-Electric SUV Breaks Cover rate – up to 270kW from a suitably powerful charger and means a 10-80% charge in just 21 minutes.

The Q6 e-tron has a 526-litre boot, which compares favourably with rivals. It’s a wide, unobstructed space, and the rear seats drop totally flat. They fold in a 40:20:40 split, allowing you to carry long thin items in between two rear passengers. There’s also space underneath the floor to store the parcel shelf, which is a useful touch.

Also very handy is the addition of a 64-litre ‘frunk’ taking the space where an engine would go in a combustion car, which is handy for storing charge cables.

With up to 392 miles on a single charge, the Audi Q6 SUV e-tron performance is also among the best in its class for electric driving range.

GTI Still Packs A Punch

F

or drivers of a certain age, the letters G, T and I mean the hottest of hot hatch performance. And while there aren’t as many hot hatches around as before, there’s still plenty of demand for VW’s performance focussed Golf.

VW has just given the latest Mk8 Golf a major refresh, including VW’s latest infotainment system – complete with ChatGPT integration – plus a sharper design that incorporates an illuminated Volkswagen logo at the front. There are also new hybrid drive systems, including plugin hybrids with an increased all-electric range of more than 60 miles.

VW hasn’t forgotten about the GTI either. With 261bhp – an increase of 20 bhp over the previous GTI – the latest sporty Golf is capable of sprinting from zero to 62 mph in just 5.9 seconds.

A raft of other enhancements includes Volkswagen’s latest IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights, which have a range of 500 metres. There is also an illuminated Volkswagen logo at the front, as well as redesigned LED tail light clusters and striking 18-inch Richmond alloy wheels.

The impressive cabin space includes a revamped infotainment system that is controlled via a visually free-standing 12.9-inch touchscreen or the latest Volkswagen IDA voice assistant with ChatGPT integration.

Premium sports seats featuring the distinctive GTI check pattern, along with additional red decorative stitching, emphasise the fact that this interior is unmistakably a Golf GTI. The car is equipped with a seven-speed direct-shift gearbox (DSG) as standard; gears can also be selected manually using paddles on the GTI-badged multi-function steering wheel – which now has physical buttons in response to customer feedback.

Other standard features include keyless access, heated front seats, three-zone Climatronic air conditioning, rear-view camera, adaptive cruise control, Lane Assist, Traffic Jam Assist and Emergency Assist.

Prices start from £38,900.

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ULSTER BANK REPORTS SHARPEST RISE IN NEW ORDERS SINCE FEBRUARY 2022 The latest Ulster Bank Northern Ireland PMI Growth Tracker report signalled that the Northern Ireland private sector ended the second quarter of the year comfortably inside growth territory. New orders increased at the fastest pace since February 2022, feeding through to a marked rise in business activity. The rate of job creation was only modest, however, amid some reports of difficulties sourcing new staff.

The headline seasonally-adjusted Business Activity Index posted 55.8 in June, down from May’s reading of 56.4 but still signalling a marked increase in output during the month. Business activity has now risen in each of the past seven months, with only London seeing a faster expansion in June. Particularly sharp increases in activity were seen across the manufacturing and service sectors, while growth was also recorded in construction and retail. Rising output was mainly a response to higher new orders, which increased at the fastest pace since February 2022.

Growth of new orders and the prospect of further improvements in the months ahead supported job creation in June. Although new business increased rapidly, the pace of job creation eased to a four-month low amid some reports of difficulties finding suitable staff. As a result, backlogs of work increased slightly. Rises in wages and transportation costs resulted in a further marked increase in input prices in June, with the pace of inflation ticking higher. In turn, companies also increased their output prices at a faster pace.

Commenting on the latest survey findings, Richard Ramsey, chief economist Northern Ireland, Ulster Bank, said: “The latest PMI wraps up the first half of 2024 and shows that NI’s private sector is in a much better condition than it was in January.

Most of the key indicators have improved significantly in that period, with output, new orders and employment all markedly higher in the second quarter against the first. Growth in order books has been accelerating almost every month in 2024 and June represented the fastest rise in 28 months. Indeed, new order growth in Northern Ireland was the strongest of the 12 UK regions in June. Notably, export orders fell for the 14th month running, meaning that the overall new order growth is being driven by domestic demand.”

MANAGE YOUR FLEET WITH AGNEW LEASING At Agnew Leasing they can provide any sort of commercial vehicle you require for your business. Whether it’s a small to medium panel van, electric van, Pick up, dropside or tipper. They make leasing a commercial vehicle both simple and affordable.

With Agnew Leasing Fleet Management services, they can handle all your tedious, daily tasks, so you can focus on your business. Taking the hassle out of managing your fleet, they will take care of parking fines and MOT arrangements, as well as providing 24hr accident and breakdown services.

For a small monthly fee, you will receive full support from their dedicated fleet coordinators, providing a cost-effective method to ensure your fleet meets all regulatory standards.

Fleet Management Benefits: • Reduced administration duties • 24hr Driver Helpline • Parking Fine and Fixed Penalty Administration • MOT/PSV Arrangements • Vehicle Taxing administration • Discounted prices on servicing, parts, and tyres • 30 days credit • 24hr Breakdown service • 24hr Accident Management • Rental Vehicle (if necessary) If you have a fleet of vehicles, Agnew Leasing can manage your fleet, while you manage your business.

For more information on Fleet Management call the team on: 028 9009 7282

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FEATURE

Hitting The Right Notes C

hildren at Craigavon Area Hospital have been enjoying unique music sessions thanks to a long-term relationship between the Ulster Orchestra and Ulster Carpets.

These special two-hour sessions at the Blossom Children’s Ward are a mixture of music making workshops for children who are able to gather in their reception area, as well as some bedside visits for those children who can’t leave their ward/room.

Linzi Hughes, ward manager at Blossom Children’s Ward, said: “These sessions have been so beneficial to our patients, their parents and even our staff and we want to thank the Ulster Orchestra and Ulster Carpets for making this happen.

“Those waiting in reception can be

feeling anxious ahead of an appointment, but the beautiful music created a real sense of calm. For our long-term patients and those with complex sensory needs, they benefit from this wonderful music therapy.”

Ulster Orchestra freelance musician, Cecily Smith Nesbitt, who regularly delivers learning and community engagement activity for the Orchestra, leads this wonderful project which forms one part of the Orchestra’s wider learning and community engagement activity across Northern Ireland.

Lucy McCullagh, Ulster Orchestra’s head of community engagement and grants, explains: “We’re delighted to have this opportunity to connect with children,

their caregivers and staff on the Blossom Ward in Craigavon Hospital. Listening to and actively participating in live music has a healing quality that can improve wellbeing and mental health which is so important for children and their caregivers during a hospital stay of any length.

Thanks to Ulster Carpets for their support in making this possible.”

As part of their ongoing commitment to community projects, Ulster Carpets have been supporting the important outreach work of the Ulster Orchestra for over a decade.

Nick Coburn, managing director, Ulster Carpets, comments: “It is a real privilege to see the connections that Ulster Orchestra’s amazing music creates with the children on the Blossom Ward as part of this wonderful new initiative.

“We have supported the work of the Ulster Orchestra for many years and as a local employer we are proud to help extend important engagement like this that makes a tangible difference within the community.”

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

LEADING THE CHARGE TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY McKinstry Skip Hire Ltd Acquire the First Volvo Electric Skip Loader in Northern Ireland.

Waste Management company, McKinstry Skip Hire Ltd, has acquired the first Volvo Electric Skip Loader in Northern Ireland. This revolutionary vehicle, supplied by Dennison Commercials Ltd, represents a significant step forward in McKinstry’s commitment to sustainability and renewable energy.

The Electric Volvo FE , with four batteries has a range of up to 275km on a full charge, combining cutting-edge technology with environmental consciousness. With zero tailpipe emissions, reduced noise levels and enhanced safety features this vehicle offers a cleaner, quieter, and more cost-effective alternative to traditional dieselpowered vehicles.

McKinstry Skip Hire’s dedication to environmental stewardship is further demonstrated by their ‘Green Agenda’ initiatives. Notably, they recently installed 1,133 Solar Panels at McKinstry Biomass Ltd, located in Belfast Harbour installed

by Solmatix, solidifying their position as Ireland’s largest biomass provider with a capacity of 0.5 MW. McKinstry’s will be able to process over 100,000 tonnes of biomass annually, this investment underscores McKinstry’s mission to reduce their carbon footprint and embrace renewable energy solutions.

McKinstry’s Biomass Plant at Belfast Harbour mirrors Belfast Harbour’s commitment to developing a world-leading regional port using cutting edge technology and sustainable energy solutions.

Gary Hall from Belfast Harbour said, “As part of Belfast Harbour’s ambitious decarbonisation target of achieving Net-Zero Green House Gas emissions by 2030, we are already utilising 100% renewable electricity, adopting low carbon alternative fuels in our marine vessels, and electrifying our vehicle fleet and landside assets.

Collaboration is key to achieving our goals and we congratulate the forward thinking and class-leading approach McKinstry has taken to embracing the local clean energy transition”.

By choosing the Electric Volvo Skip Loader, McKinstry Skip Hire Ltd are setting a new standard for the Waste Management industry, showcasing how businesses can thrive while prioritising environmental responsibility. This investment not only benefits McKinstry’s operations but also highlights their leadership in adopting innovative technologies that pave the way for a greener future.

Rob Ireland (Sales Director, Dennison Commercials Ltd): “Volvo Trucks are at the forefront of the drive towards Net-Zero Emissions & we are delighted to be a part of that journey in supplying the first Volvo Electric Rigid Skip Loader in Northern Ireland.

We have worked closely with McKinstry Skip Hire Ltd for over 20 years now and we are proud to support their journey towards zero emissions.

This new vehicle has been meticulously planned over the past 12 months to align with McKinstry’s unique business requirements, including extensive simulation testing across various routes.

I am equally encouraged for the future of zero emission vehicles following the news recently published by the Department of Infrastructure (DFI).

The DFI will bring forward amended legislation to increase the weight limit for N.I. hauliers to align with the changes introduced in G.B. in July 2023”.

Darren McKinstry (Managing Director, McKinstry Skip Hire, Ltd): “Purchasing the Volvo Electric Skip Loader was all part of our strategy in reducing our carbon footprint. Our Biomass Plant based in Belfast Harbour is operating entirely on green energy. Our offices, material handling processes and now this Skip Loader are all powered through renewable energy sources.

We believe it is our duty as a responsible Waste Provider to ensure we drive a positive change towards a greener, more sustainable future”.

Interested in exploring the benefits of Electric Heavy Vehicles? Contact our team at Dennison Commercials Ltd today to learn more and embark on your journey towards sustainable transportation solutions.

Call us on 028 9335 2827

ARSON ATTACK AT ACTION CANCER BANGOR

FUNDING THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION

Action Cancer’s mission today is to save lives and support local people through cancer awareness, prevention, detection and support.

With all money raised for Action Cancer staying in Northern Ireland to support local people, they need to raise £4 million every year to deliver their vital services.

Relying on donations from the public and the local business community to deliver their life-saving and support services to local people, their retail shops across Northern Ireland also help to raise over £1,000,000 annually.

The loss of one shop can impact income by as much as £60,000. By scanning the QR code and donating they can get back open as soon as possible.

Having dedicated her career to further and higher education, Queen’s legacy pledger Lorraine Lavery has always placed great value on learning and recognised the opportunities it can present: “Pledging a gift in my Will to provide student bursaries at Queen’s feels like a fitting way for me to give back. A bursary can provide that bit of encouragement a student might need to take the next step in their education a decision that can be life-changing. Having written my Will, I feel such a sense of relief that my affairs are now in order.

Knowing my family has been looked after and that my gift will do something substantial for others is very fulfilling.”

For more information on legacy giving at Queen’s, contact Louise Carey at l.carey@qub.ac.uk or visit go.qub.ac.uk/ legacy-gift2.

MUSGRAVE NI NAMED JAM PARTNER OF THE YEAR Musgrave NI is delighted to have been named JAM Partner of the Year by the NOW Group, following a roll out of training across its SuperValu and Centra stores.

Developed in 2012 by multi-award-winning social enterprise, NOW Group, the JAM Card is a discreet way for those with learning difficulties, autism, or any communication barrier to ask for ‘Just A Minute’ of patience in any social situation in a non-verbal way. Shoppers who are JAM Card holders, can simply show their physical card or app, and store staff will be able to assist in ensuring the customer receives the support they need in store.

Caroline Rowan, Head of Retail Operations at Musgrave, said: “We are committed to providing an open, inclusive, and accessible shopping experience for all our customers. The JAM Card initiative has improved accessibility for customers, and ensures our colleagues are all equipped to provide great customer service to everyone.

“We are thrilled to have been named JAM Card Partner of the Year. More than 80 of our stores have already pledged their support by completing training and we are working with the Caroline Rowan (right), Head of Retail Operations for SuperValu and NOW Group as we continue to get more on board.”

Centra and Nicola Tipping, JAM Card Business Development Manager Nicola Tipping, JAM Card Business Development Manager, outside Centra Foxes Glen in Dunmurry. said: “We have 165,000 JAM Card and app users and support more than 2,500 organisations participating in training to become JAM Card friendly.

“We are delighted to recognise Musgrave as our JAM Card Partner of the Year. The addition of SuperValu and Centra stores across Northern Ireland is fantastic and will help to make a significant step towards improving inclusivity and accessibility across the retail sector.”

All JAM card friendly SuperValu and Centra stores are featured on the JAM app and on the SuperValu and Centra websites via store locators. www.supervalu.co.uk

www.centra.co.uk

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DUBLIN AIRPORT COMMIT TO REDUCING EMISSIONS More than 10% of Dublin Airport’s current annual electricity needs will soon be provided by a new 9MWp solar farm under construction on the airport campus.

So far, 11,000 solar panels have been installed on the site by Enerpower, one of Ireland’s leading providers of renewable energy solutions, with a total of 15,000 overall to be installed by the end of September. The solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are a clean and renewable energy source, converting sunlight directly into electricity. Once completed this autumn, the solar farm is expected to generate 7.46GWh per annum, which is 11.8% of Dublin Airport’s annual consumption and the equivalent of powering approximately 1,600 houses for a year. This is sufficient to cover the electricity needs of the entire airfield, with excess electricity contributing to the energy needs of the airport terminals and campus.

This renewable energy source will help Dublin Airport meet its commitment to reduce its direct emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 51% by 2030, which aligns with the public sector targets set as part of the National Climate Action Plan, and ultimately towards achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest.

OFFICE TO LET

LEADING THE WAY

MODERN

OFFICE

TO LET

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Innovation and new technologies are at the heart of their offering, benefiting their partners, customers, and the local economy. They work closely with suppliers and customers who share their vision to transform and digitise the supply chain.

Their mission is to provide complete transparency across their operation, giving their customers peace of mind and integrity of product from collection to delivery.

The brand new state-of-the-art Manfreight Warehouse Facility, nestled in the heart of Belfast Port, is their latest step in this mission. This symbolises a transformative stride as the inaugural purpose-built chilled distribution centre in Northern Ireland within the last quarter-century. A masterpiece of intelligent storage and distribution, it’s poised to redefine temperature-controlled logistics in the UK & Ireland.

Through investment in technology and their people, they are changing not only the way they do business but the industry as a whole, reshaping the landscape of logistics while creating new job opportunities and supporting the local community’s growth.

• Modern office suite to let within Ulster Tatler Group at 39 Boucher Road, Belfast BT12 6UT. • Approximately two miles from Belfast City Centre and in close proximity to the Westlink and M1 junction at Broadway.

• The office suite is finished to a high specification to include carpeted floors, plastered and painted walls and gas heating.

• Ideal for 2 to 4 people • Includes communal reception, kitchen and toilet facilities, as well as a private meeting room.

• Externally there is car parking available for 3 vehicles.

• Flexible rates/terms available • c.36.45 M2 (392FT2)

For further details email info@ulstertatler.com or phone 028 9066 3311

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N O R T H C O A S T P I L AT E S & PHYSIOTHERAPY

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WELL MUM™ Specialist Physiotherapy Post Natal Assessment & Pelvic Health Physiotherapy

Leading provider of Physiotherapy & Physiotherapist led Pilates in the Coleraine and North Coast Area.

WELL SCAR THERAPY™ A Specialist treatment that can help with pain, itching, numbness, redness, overhang, pinching, tightness or a raised appearance.

11 Somerset Road, Coleraine BT51 3LL tel: 028 7032 1477 Email: info@northcoastpilates.co.uk www.northcoastpilates.co.uk

SPARKLING CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHTS AT CROWNE PLAZA® BELFAST Join us for an unforgettable Christmas party night or private party! With delicious feasts, merry drinks and festive entertainment.

VISIT WWW.CPBELFAST.COM/CHRISTMAS2024 OR SCAN THE QR CODE TO BOOK

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Nuala Meenehan visits the newly renovated ibis Coleraine Riverside.

Northern Ireland’s north coast is a must-visit for anyone who loves walking, nature, ancient history, great food and dramatic coastlines. Overlooking the River Bann, Northern Ireland’s longest river, is the newly renovated ibis Coleraine Riverside, the perfect base from which to explore the region. Steeped in ancient history, Cúil Raithin or Coleraine – meaning “Nook of Ferns” (St Patrick gave the town its name) - is one of the three coastal towns that make up what is locally known as the “Triangle”: Portrush, Portstewart and Coleraine – each about five miles apart. Coleraine itself is seen by many as the informal capital of the Causeway coast and has great historical significance; it also offers all the modern amenities you could need to explore this beautiful part of the world.

I recently spent 24 hours with my husband in this newly refurbished, welllocated hotel (depending on how you plan it you can pack a lot or a little into 24 hours here!). Modern, well-connected and affordable, the Ibis Coleraine Riverside positions you at the heart of must-see attractions and heritage sites. The hotel is perfectly located just off the A37 and

A54, so getting there by road is a breeze; Coleraine train station is less than two miles away. It is a stone’s throw from Royal Portrush Golf Club; Riverside Retail Park and the Jet Centre; on the doorstep of the Giant’s Causeway and UNESCO World Heritage Site; home to much of the Game of Thrones; and just a 20-minute drive away. This is the ideal location for guests visiting the north coast’s iconic landmarks.

The hotel itself has 50 rooms fitted with all the necessities for a comfortable stay including TV, tea and coffee-making facilities and hair dryers in every room.

Affordable nightly and short break rates are available throughout the season with breakfast included (I’d highly recommend fuelling up on the full Irish including vegetarian options or a continental buffet before you start your day) and children stay free. Rooms have Ibis ‘Sweet Beds’; spacious double, quad, twin and accessible rooms; and scenic riverside views are available. Free onsite car parking and free wifi are available; the hotel is also pet-friendly. The staff are warm and welcoming, making each guest feel immediately at home.

The hotel’s cosy Sandpiper Restaurant

3 Riverside Park, Coleraine, BT51 3GE 94

and Riverside Bar offers a two-course meal deal at £18 (Monday to Friday) with a graded wine list and cocktail menu (prices may vary seasonally). I had the riverside steak sandwich and sticky toffee pudding with ice cream while my husband tucked into an Atlantic prawn cocktail starter followed by fish and chips with crushed peas and homemade tartar sauce – all delicious. Our restaurant companions, including French and Italian hotel guests, seemed equally delighted with their menu choices.

The bar offers nooks and live music at the weekends, including on some Sundays.

Beyond the confines of the hotel, there are lots of amenities on your doorstep.

For guests who enjoy exploring local restaurants and cafés, there is a great selection within walking distance. Awardwinning new restaurant, LIR at the marina is a must-visit! Book in advance. Dunluce Castle is also an easy car ride from the hotel.

If you’re looking for comfortable value-for-money accommodation in a great location, you won’t find better! The downside to a 24-visit, however, is that it just leaves you wanting more.

T: 028 7051 1575

Gavin Murphy Executive Head Chef

SLOW COOKED LAMB SHOULDER, “OSSO BUCO” CRUSHED NEW POTATOES, HERBS, SPRING VEGETABLES

For the lamb: 1kg Lamb Shoulder Boned and Rolled (ask Butcher) 2 Large Onions Peeled and Chopped Roughly 3 Large Carrots Peeled and Chopped Roughly 4 Celery Stalks Chopped 3 Cloves Garlic Finely Chopped Bunch of Thyme Bunch of Rosemary Half Bottle Red Wine 2 Litres Chicken Stock Salt and Pepper

For the potatoes: 1.5kg Baby Potatoes 200g Salted Butter 150ml Crème Fraiche Salt and Pepper 50g Chopped Soft Herbs For the spring vegetables: 8 Baby Carrots Washed, Peeled and Trimmed 200g Fine Beans Topped and Tailed 200g Tender Stem Broccoli 100g Broad Beans out of husk 100g Salted Butter Salt and Pepper

Method for the lamb: 1. Put all the ingredients into a large pot, cover with tinfoil and put on lid.

2. Place in oven at 77oC and leave overnight or at least 10 hours.

3. Next day remove lamb shoulder from pot along with half the vegetables.

4. Press lamb shoulder between two trays and refrigerate until completely cool.

5. Purée the vegetables you have removed, strain the cooking liquor, put into clean saucepan, and add the purée vegetables. Put on heat to reduce and thicken.

Method for the potatoes: 1. In a pot with hot water add the potatoes with a pinch of salt and pepper, cook for approximately 15 min or until tender.

2. Drain and put back into same pot, add the butter and crème fraiche, break up with a fork a little, check the seasoning, leave aside and keep warm.

Method for the vegetables: 1. Put the butter onto a large pan, add all the vegetables and cook slowly without colour, until tender.

2. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Leave aside and keep warm.

To serve: Remove lamb from fridge, cut into 4 even pieces and drop into liquor to heat. Meanwhile add the soft herbs to the potato and divide evenly into 4 large bowls. When lamb is hot add a piece on top of each potato. Spoon on some of the sauce. Divide the spring vegetables evenly between the 4 bowls and serve.

theoldinn.com

THE LAST WORD

Columnist John Campbell BBC NI’s Economic & Business Editor

Light After The Storm I

t’s been a miserable summer. Not just wet but properly cold at times too. However, some seasonal cheer can be found in our economic statistics: they suggest things might be warming up. Most obviously, it now looks as though the worst of the inflationary surge is behind us.

In the past two years, inflation has defined our economy: it crushed household spending power, curtailed investment and stoked industrial disputes. It is still probably premature to describe inflation as beaten, in fact it may tick up again – but it is getting close to target in most developed economies and central banks have begun to cut interest rates as a result.

That creates a series of positive dynamics. One chief executive I spoke to recently told me that for his clients it’s not really the pace of interest rate cuts, or even where the rate settles, that matters. It is the fact that there is confidence that the direction is now downward which creates a much more benign environment for investment decisions. Lower inflation also means that household finances are starting to be repaired. The cash increases in salaries agreed over the past two years are now starting to translate into real increases: in other words, some workers will see their pay increase by more than the rate of inflation.

In the Republic both the Central Bank and the ESRI think-tank have forecast rising real pay over the next two years.

The ESRI expects real pay growth of 2% this year and 3% next year.

“For the first time in two years, Irish households will see an increase in real wages in both 2024 and 2025,” said Kieran McQuinn of the ESRI as he launched their summer forecast. “This

will support increased consumption levels in the domestic economy.”

Increased consumption may already be happening on this side of the border when you look at the most recent official data on the services sector. It suggests that the broad retail and hospitality sector expanded by 2.2% in the first quarter of this year. That was the best quarterly performance since the middle of 2021 and the third consecutive quarter of growth.

We can also look at industry data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders on new car sales. That can help give us a rough idea about consumer willingness to commit to big ticket items. It shows that 4,871 new cars were registered in Northern Ireland in June, up nearly 20% on the same month last year.

Looking at the first six months of this year, sales are up 10% on last year.

There may also be a bump in consumption to come when the public sector pay settlements actually start to show up in wage packets. It’s worth remembering just how much of a hit public sectors workers have experienced – the typical full time public sector worker in Northern Ireland saw their real pay fall over by 7% between 2022 and 2023.

Another reason to be optimistic is – it looks as though inflation has been tackled without doing any significant damage to the jobs market. A crude description of traditional inflation fighting is that some people’s jobs need to be sacrificed to suck demand out of the economy and temper price rises. But so far that seems to have been avoided.

Unemployment in Northern Ireland remains around record lows and the employment rate is at its highest since the eve of COVID. If you look closely

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enough, there is some evidence that the wider UK job market is slowing but nowhere near as much as expected after 14 interest rate increases.

Looking at UK GDP, the monthly figure for June was much better than expected; a 0.4% increase compared to a 0.2% forecast. The less volatile quarterly measurement also surprised on the upside for the first quarter of the year, expanding by 0.7%. That was the fastest quarterly growth in two years. The picture locally was even better: Nisra’s composite economic index saw first quarter growth of 1.4%.

Services continued to lead the way though perhaps most notable was the evidence of recovery in construction output after a difficult period. This all adds to be a more optimistic short term picture. Perhaps it shouldn’t be too surprising as it is effectively a recovery from what was a sort of recession. But we shouldn’t get carried away. The long term weaknesses of the NI and UK economies remain: investment is too low, productivity growth has stalled and public services are creaking.

The new government in Westminster has arrived with a mission to improve these structural problems. We’ve already seen their intention to unblock the planning system in England. These sorts of reforms will take time to show results but they may just get lucky in the meantime if this recovery momentum continues.

MMM MULVENNA VISION V V V The ultimate eyewear destination 3 Pump Street, Cathedral Quarter, Derry/Londonderry BT48 6JG 028 7126 5425

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Bank of Ireland UK is a trading name of Bank of Ireland (UK) plc. Registered in England & Wales (No. 7022885), Bow Bells House, 1 Bread Street, London, EC4M 9BE.

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