Ulster Business - September 2020

"'"' " !' " '

& & #

# "' &

& % %

$ #

14

25

06

35

86

68

Contents 06 News The latest news and exclusives from across the world of Northern Ireland business

14 Cover story Britt Megahey of Barclay Communications on the evolving future of telecoms

20 In Focus Roseann Kelly on what’s needed to ensure women don’t lose out in the workplace

35 72 Employment law & dispute Hotels resolution We pay a visit to two of Northern Ireland’s What’s next for our firms after furlough?

leading hotels post-pandemic

45 Conferences & event management

77 Motoring

The hybrid model and the return of the event

57 Energy, waste & environment

The return of a hybrid, a hi-tech saloon and a chance to take one off-road

86 Photocall

A crisis fuelling the climate change challenge

The world of Northern Ireland business is getting back up-and-running

25 IT & technology

68 Pubs and restaurants

96 Technology

Connectivity has never been as important to our way of life. We take a closer look

John Mulgrew looks at how some of our bars and restaurants have adapted to reopen

Adrian Weckler reviews the latest affordable home hub and true wireless earbuds

Ulster Business is a part of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). If you believe you have been unfairly treated, you can contact IPSO in writing via its website for guidance on what to do. The service is free. IPSO can then advise on whether it’s likely you have grounds for a complaint and what to do about it. The normal procedure is for the complainant to then contact the publication’s editor directly. If no agreement is reached, the complainant can go back to IPSO to look for an adjudication, or for it to take over the complaint.

Full details are available at www.ipso.co.uk. Alternatively, email complaints@ipso.co.uk, or inquiries@ipso.co.uk, or telephone 0300 123 2220, or the out-of-hours emergency number: 07659 152 656.

Or write to: IPSO, c/o Halton House, 20-23 Holborn, London EC1N 2JD

SEPTEMBER 2020

3

EDITOR’S COMMENTS

A return to the city but changes remain

I

don’t think I’ve ever been as happy making the long and blustery walk along the banks of the Lagan towards our Harbour-based offices as I was recently.

Like many others, a five-month stint of home-working was my new day-to-day.

But a small return to a workplace, although significantly different to the one we’d left behind just a few months ago, has been an important step in some form of normalisation in an otherwise far from normalised wider world.

A walk through Belfast city centre and it’s apparent that things have improved, certainly from a footfall perspective, and the widespread mask-wearing now feeling like the status quo, whereas just a few weeks

ago putting a blue and white surgical face covering on before entering a shop often drew looks from some as if to infer that the tinfoil hat was next.

That normalisation of what’s required in order to both try and get on with our lives, prevent significant breakouts and thus potentially another lockdown, is something which hopefully brings solace for many.

Dousing our hands in all manner of alcohol sprays and santisers so many times during any given day that the boozy and phenolic whiff barely stirs the olfactory system, temperature checks and continued social distancing are just part and parcel of everyday life for the foreseeable future, as they should be, as we try and get a hold on an invisible infiltrator which has

Publisher Ulster Business c/o Independent News & Media Ltd Belfast Telegraph House 33 Clarendon Road, Clarendon Dock, Belfast BT1 3BG

caused havoc here and across the globe.

In this edition of Ulster Business I speak to Britt Megahey of Barclay Communications about the ramping up of demand for digital telecoms and the growth of remote working.

It’s also a chance to showcase how our hospitality sector is dealing with reopening amid tighter regulations and restrictions – showcasing some of the best bars, restaurants and hotels here.

The September edition is once again packed with a host of features, profiles, analysis and interviews. You can also catch up with the Ulster Business Podcast with Bank of Ireland UK on our website. ■ John Mulgrew

Editor John Mulgrew Magazine sales manager Mark Glover Sales executive Sarah-Ann Gamble Sales executive Judith Martin Production manager Irene Fitzsimmons

Printer W&G Baird Greystone Press, Caulside Drive, Antrim BT41 2RS www.wgbaird.com

www.ulsterbusiness.com

Graphic design Susan McClean, INM Design Studio Contact: 028 9026 4262/028 9026 4260 Cover photo: Matt Mackey, Press Eye

@ulsterbusiness

Ulster Business Magazine

Independent News & Media Ltd © 2020. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of Independent News & Media Ltd.

SEPTEMBER 2020

5

NEWS

month IN numbers A

5.7%

The percentage in the increase in footfall among Northern Ireland’s high streets at the beginning of August.

95

The number of jobs which could be set to go here at aerospace giant Bombardier. It comes after the company announced it was cutting 600 roles here, following a difficult period amid the coronavirus crisis.

230

The number of jobs being created

by IT firm Neueda. The new roles are part of a £20m investment by the firm here.

54.5

The Ulster Bank purchasing managers’ index for July, where 50 means no change in economic output.

6

Belfast City Hall

NI braces for more restrictions

N

orthern Ireland continues to brace itself for increased restrictions amid a surge in the number of Covid-19 here.

And it comes as sectors such as hospitality are calling for rules and regulations to be adhered to here in order to curb the spread of coronavirus and also “avoid a total closure of the hospitality sector”.

“These additional measures will hurt what are responsible businesses, but it is our understanding that these are the high-risk areas and acting now may save lives and also avoid a total closure of the hospitality sector,” Colin Neill, chief executive of Hospitality Ulster, said.

redundancies, with the end of furlough and government assistance.

“Looking at the three calendar months of furlough, when that government subsidy diminishes, the margins are so tight that they will be initiating redundancy planning,” he said.

“Most businesses have effectively written off 2020 and are looking at growth and budget wise towards 2021 onwards.”

For Northern Ireland’s hotels sector, while more than 85% of the region’s rooms are now open, occupancy rates are as low as little over 20% in Belfast.

Meanwhile, for city centre retail, Belfast Chamber boss Simon Hamilton says following the swathe of major high street job cuts and business closures that there “is a fear of more to come”.

“As predicted, rural locations have led the way with stronger performances reported in Fermanagh, the North Coast and the Mournes,” the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation said.

“It would be a very different looking Belfast city centre at the end of this, and that’s why we need to focus not just on short term supports, but long term intervention, such as increasing the residential population of Belfast city centre,” he said.

“Derry came in at 31.9%, with Belfast recording a 21.4% occupancy level. It is important to note that not all properties were open for the full month. Room rates have fallen but not to bargain basement levels and are strengthening as the summer progresses.

And for firms having to deal with taking staff off furlough or planning for the future, Gareth Walls of A&L Goodbody, says the single biggest concern for firms here is many businesses are yet to initiate a plan in dealing with

“There is little doubt that the winter will be tough. In 2019, Tourism spend was in the region of £1bn and the industry consensus is that the sector would be exceptionally lucky to reach half of this.”

Bombardier bellwether for the wider global economy

NEWS

Bombardier’s Belfast base

With the loss of up to 700 jobs announced in the last few weeks, and having already suffered a rollercoaster of peaks, combined with more troughs, Bombardier is unfortunately becoming an increasing bellwether for the devastating impact Covid-19 is having on industries directly impacted by a global shutdown, writes John Mulgrew

B

ombardier is as fascinating a company to write about as it is to marvel at the sheer global-leading expertise workers here have.

But it’s been one fraught hurdle after the next in recent years – from international legal challenges, billions pumped into its most ambitious foray into the passenger aircraft market, and now, a global grounding of planes as international passenger numbers reach unseen levels. Writing about it at times recently, unfortunately, hasn’t been an enjoyable one. The bad news has far outweighed the good.

It’s put the blame firmly at the door of the Covid-19 crisis, what it says are the “extraordinary” challenges caused by coronavirus. The latest swathe of cuts will see up to 95 people losing their jobs. That’s on top of 600 announced in June.

Bombardier’s aerospace operations, which include its Northern Ireland base, are in the process of being sold off to US-owned Spirit

SEPTEMBER 2020

AeroSystems – which first agreed to buy the company in 2019.

But at the beginning of August, Spirit’s chief executive said the firm was talking to Bombardier about “the conditions needed for closure of the deal”. Whether a shedding of staff amid the pandemic fallout was part of that, we can’t be sure, but when the deal does complete it’s likely Bombardier will be a much contracted and leaner animal.

The survival of the aerospace business – which produces the wings and part of the fuselage for the Airbus A220, formerly Bombardier’s flagship C Series passenger jets – is dependent on the confidence returning to the skies.

There are some positive numbers from the larger international carriers – Cathay Pacific seeing a 4% uplift from June. But the yearon-year declines in overall figures are so large that a rounding error would put them close to 100% at their peak.

However, it’s dependent on the delivery of

aircraft to Bombardier’s customers here in Europe and the US – across airlines such as Delta, airBaltic and Air Canada.

In its latest announcement of cuts, the giant says that “following our June announcement of a workforce reduction as a result of extraordinary industry interruptions and challenges caused by Covid-19, we have completed another review of our Belfast requirements for all our aircraft programmes” and “an additional 95 Bombardier core employee jobs in Northern Ireland are at risk of redundancy”.

“We deeply regret the impact this will have on our workforce and their families, but it is essential we align our business with current market realities to ensure we have a sustainable long-term future.”

That long-term future is far from clear, but hope remains that the delivery of aircraft continues, the coronavirus crisis eases and a return to some form of normality ensues and we return to the skies, once more.

7

NEWS

House prices stabilising but divergence across Northern Ireland

H

ouse prices in Northern Ireland appear to be stabilising after the market reopened post-lockdown but there remain divergences across areas here.

The latest Ulster University House Price Index shows the average price for a property during the second quarter stood at £175,551, a 5.8% growth from a year earlier. However, it represented a fall of 1.6% from the previous quarter.

Certain areas saw prices falling substantially, while others saw growth. Fermanagh and Omagh saw the cost of a home increasing by 23.4% while the decrease stood at 19.4% in Antrim & Newtownabbey.

And prices have risen and fallen, depending on property type. Apartments have seen an 11.5% fall across the quarter, while terrace and semi-detached sectors have also decreased. But the average price for detached houses has increased by 5%.

8

“Considering the ongoing economic climate and uncertainty entering into the second half of 2020 and the associated implications for the housing market going forward over the next six months, a number of estate agents indicated that the lending environment is key to ensuring housing market stability,” the report says.

“Estate agents commented that they had seen a flurry of activity and a high volume of new listings and viewings, and a number noted that viewings were translating into firm offers often via ‘bidding wars’ as the market progresses out of lockdown.”

Dr Martin Hinch, research associate in performance and analysis of residential property markets at Ulster University, said: “The second quarter of 2020 has been dominated by the pandemic, and the resultant restrictions imposed upon sales transactions for the majority of the period.

“Despite the challenges imposed by the

‘lockdown’ the Northern Irish housing market has re-emerged displaying the same buoyancy and demand that was apparent in the first quarter, most likely due to an accumulation of delayed transactions from pre-lockdown sales and new interest generated during the period of inactivity.

“Moving forward, market stability and resilience appear to be continuing, with only a slight reduction in price over the quarter, and annual increase compared to Q2 2019.”

Michael Boyd, deputy chief executive and finance director, Progressive Building Society, said: “Infrastructure projects and the housing market will play an important role in the recovery, as a catalyst for the wider economy. The housing market in Northern Ireland is resilient, it is in a much better position to face economic upheaval than it was 10 years ago and it remains one of the most affordable regions in the UK to purchase a home.”

NEWS

‘More women to lose jobs’ due to Covid-19

M

ore women face losing their jobs than men here due to Covid-19 and the impact on females has been greater due to major issues such as childcare, it’s been warned.

Roseann Kelly, chief executive of Women in Business, says it “will be mostly women that are losing their jobs” in Northern Ireland as sectors such as customer-facing retail and hospitality face significant cuts here amid pandemic pressures.

And she says female entrepreneurs are suffering badly as a result of the crisis, with childcare issues becoming the biggest barrier for businesses.

“It will be mostly women that are losing their jobs,” she told the Ulster Business Podcast with Bank of Ireland UK. “I feel that the impact is mostly being felt by women. Look at retail, the customer service end is going and growth is in the deliveries, which predominately go to males. Women are going to lose their jobs in retail and hospitality.

SEPTEMBER 2020

Roseann Kelly

“Some of the creche facilities… I know of one which is not going to reopen. The margins are very tight in that industry and therefore the pay is quite low, so it’s very difficult.”

Read the full interview with Roseann Kelly on page 20-21

9

NEWS

£455m public sector contract revealed

By John Mulgrew

T

he construction sector here has been dealt a much-needed boon with a major new £455m public sector work contract, it can be revealed.

The huge Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) contract, which could run over the course of seven years, would see a host of tenders being issued for a range of fit-out and maintenance roles across the public sector body.

Early pre-tender plans for work were put on hold earlier this year as Covid-19 effectively shut down all non-essential work amid the outbreak of the pandemic across Northern Ireland and beyond.

But it is now undertaking a market consultation before posting a range of tenders for the work. A spokesman for the NIHE said the contracts will both allow it to “undertake essential improvements to our housing stock” as well as “provide a much

10

needed boost to the sector, which will secure employment, apprenticeships and training opportunities”.

It is understood at this early stage the tenders will be broken down into 13 regions, with a firm being able to successfully win one of them. The tenders includes bathroom and kitchen replacements, door\window replacement and rewiring.

“Due to Covid-19, we suspended all tendering activity at the end of March,” a spokesman told Ulster Business. “This included our major planned maintenance procurement.

“With the easing of some of the Covid-19 restrictions, which allows maintenance work to recommence, we have reviewed our requirements and are now in a position to proceed with procurement for our major planned maintenance works.

“The value of these works are approximately £455m over seven years. We are currently

engaging with the construction sector on our proposals.

“We have asked them to provide relevant feedback before the end of August. As can be appreciated, due to the current uncertainty, everything is subject to change. We are proposing to bring these contracts to market by the end of September, in the hope of awarding them by the end of January 2021.

“As a major contributor to the NI construction industry, we understand it is essential to ensure there are sufficient work streams to support this sector through these challenging times.”

Meanwhile, the NIHE has also now awarded a series of “interim response maintenance contracts”, due to the impact of Covid-19, worth around £16m a year.

Firms Greenview Gas, Combined Facilities Management, CTS Projects Ltd, PK Murphy Construction and JMC Mechanical and Construction Ltd have been awarded the contracts.

NEWS

City of Derry increases frequency of its flights

F

light frequency is beginning to soar again at City of Derry Airport with boosted numbers.

City of Derry Airport’s regular flight schedule has taken off with Loganair’s London Stansted service increasing in frequency.

Loganair’s Glasgow service is returning along with the recommencement of Ryanair’s Edinburgh and Liverpool services.

“The resumption of more regular flight services from City of Derry Airport marks a positive step in the recovery phase for the travel and tourism industry, and Northern Ireland as a whole,”

SEPTEMBER 2020

Steve Frazer, managing director, City of Derry Airport, said.

confidence to travel, when they feel ready, and reassure them that they will be safe throughout their airport journey.”

“We take the well-being of our passengers and staff very seriously, and subsequently have introduced a number of new measures at the Airport to protect all persons passing through.

“We want to provide our passengers with the

Loganair’s London Stansted service is now operating every day with double daily flights available on busier days of the week, and the Glasgow service is currently available four days a week.

11

RECRUITMENT

Demand for tech skills increases as pandemic planning gets underway

By Roisin Byrne, IT digital recruiter, Hays Northern Ireland

T

Roisin Byrne

he Covid-19 crisis has accelerated the digital transformation of most businesses. As such, IT roles have become even more integral to ensuring organisations are able to adapt in an agile and effective way throughout each stage of the crisis.

In Northern Ireland there were some companies who hit the pause button and others who grew exponentially or maintained resilience, primarily in areas such as medical tech, education tech, food manufacturing and banking.

This is a constantly changing environment, but as we emerge from lockdown there is a more confident outlook with many companies proceeding with the recruitment plans they had in place before the pandemic struck.

THE IT JOBS THAT WERE NEEDED MOST DURING LOCKDOWN When lockdown first hit, businesses worked at breakneck speed to ensure entire workforces could work well from home, thus cloud architects and engineers were in the greatest demand across both contract and permanent roles.

The need for cloud architects went far beyond mobilising workforces though, as the need for VoIP (voice over internet protocol) and video conferencing apps like Zoom rose exponentially for personal and business use.

As these communication technologies impacted personal and professional lives, cyber-security professionals and the cyber-security industry as a whole, saw a surge in demand as businesses wanted to make sure their new models now in place were robust enough to deal with any new threats. Those technologies that had seen rapid expansion wanted to protect themselves from security breaches as well – where even Zoom, as one of the greatest business success stories during lockdown, had its challenges.

PIVOTING BUSINESS MODELS USING TECH DURING COVID-19 After the initial business needs were appeased during the first stages of the pandemic, businesses and public bodies then started thinking about how they could operate successfully under Covid-19 conditions.

They were in need of data analysts, data scientists and machine learning experts to model the impact of the pandemic in their respective fields.

The number of roles within ‘medtech’ saw huge growth because of this, as countries developed Covid-tracking apps and began to understand the impact the pandemic may have on local hospitals or health services, for example. Private businesses, like insurance companies, also saw the need to recruit these specialists, to understand the impact Covid would have on their customers’ risk profiles.

12

Entire business models saw changes that required tech specialists too, as they further digitised services for their customers. For example, with lockdowns forcing the closure of high streets and shops, businesses were forced to move their retail operations online, hiring developers to build applications.

This would then mean a knock-on effect for supply chain and logistics businesses, as supermarkets and companies like Amazon and Alibaba dealt with the influx of online orders that they were now seeing.

DEMAND FOR TECHNOLOGY JOBS IN THE NEW ERA OF WORK Organisations around the world quickly adapted to the challenges of country-wide lockdowns and made the necessary alterations to their operating models in the short-term to react to the changing environments. Now, they are starting to take a more proactive look at their futures, and need the help of project managers, change management specialists and those with experience in agile methodologies to assist them with this transition, as well as developers to build the digital applications required by their employees and customers.

Employers are also taking the time now to proactively review the actions they took during the early stages of the pandemic, for example improving and enhancing their remote working systems. After all, it’s looking increasingly likely that a higher proportion of remote or hybrid working will be a key element of the new era of work.

If you are an IT professional with any of the skills mentioned above, get in touch with us to find out more about the opportunities that are available to you across a multitude of exciting industries. π For further information visit hays.co.uk or contact Roisin directly at roisin. byrne@hays.com

COVER STORY

Barclay Communications: The past, present and future of telecoms

O

ver the past few months businesses have had to fast forward their communications solutions to adapt to a new working world; one in which people have adopted new communication methods, office flexibility and workflows.

These changes have brought to the fore a new requirement in the workplace; communication solutions which are reliable and allow employers, their teams and clients to connect seamlessly no matter where they are based.

“While we will continue to get our usual requests, it is evident that the needs of our customers have changed dramatically in recent months,” Britt Megahey says.

“They now look to us to underpin how their business communicates as reliably and effectively as possible in these new times.

“Costs, reliability and service delivery will always be a priority for businesses however the solutions offered must now also be flexible, efficient and future-proof and I think the Covid-19 situation has certainly pushed the need for the technology that serves these demands by five to 10 years.”

14

Barclay Communications has been at the forefront of business-to-business mobile, hosted and fixed-line telecoms for more than 20 years. Here, founder and managing director, Britt Megahey talks about how one of the most challenging years yet has pushed its operations forward five years

COVER STORY Britt’s firm, Barclay Communications, is pioneering these solutions which include topend communication tools including hosted/ cloud landline (VoIP – Voice over Internet Protocol), on-premise landline solutions, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) trunking, leased lines, job management software using its in-house solution WorkPal along with a range of IT solutions such as Microsoft Teams and Office365, cyber-security, mobile device management and all aspects of general build, training and install across all products.

It’s a hearty list of the most sophisticated communications solutions on the market today. “Since the start of the Covid-19 crisis, the demand for intelligent, next generation telecoms has accelerated as companies of all shapes and sizes were forced to adjust to allow for flexible and remote working,” Britt says.

“In response to these unprecedented changes we have been working hard to help them utilise the latest technology to ensure their businesses stay connected no matter where staff or clients are located. Our biggest growth has most certainly been in the hosted landline area (VoIP).

“A lot of what we do is inform or educate businesses about that technology and how it can make a huge difference to how they operate, and those solutions were a relief for many who were forced to readjust their entire infrastructure at short notice.

“To be able to manage your entire infrastructure immediately

and from anywhere with ease has been a relief to many.”

Whether Barclay Communications is setting a new call attendant, moving a user from office to home, video calling, managing call stats, recording calls, adding new users or new hunt groups, to something as simple as out of hours settings, the latest technology and core services at the firm has hugely helped businesses operate effectively during Covid-19.

“We have seen needs of all shapes and sizes,” Britt says. “For example, those who own or manage an estate agency and want to manage their employees’ busy diaries. This would ensure they never miss a call as they can include twinning staff mobile devices with their DDI or run a report to show any unreturned calls. There is also the option to have voicemail to email or simply re-route calls.

“Separately you could have a business that may contain a mini call centre; taking orders or making sales. Resilience, call stats, CRM integration and recording would most likely be at the forefront of your needs.”

The landline/VoIP arm of Barclay Communications occupies around 35% of business. “It’s certainly the buzzword at the moment,” Britt says.

He adds that Government support and the nurturing of NI’s broadband service has made such solutions more accessible to businesses here.

“NI has one of the largest full fibre availabilities in the UK. This further bolsters the advantages and benefits that VoIP can bring to businesses. >

Britt Megahey

SEPTEMBER 2020

15

COVER STORY

We have seen businesses situated in what

well-delivered can transform a business to

And speaking about his team, Britt says: “We

would be thought as remote benefit from stronger connectivity than some in areas of London.”

adapt in any environment.”

have one of the best and most experienced customer and service delivery teams in the UK with a tremendously attentive sales team.

When I receive a call or email complimenting them it still fills me with pride. Our leadership and senior staff are aligned and driven and I’m thankful to be surrounded by a formidable team.”

Britt says VoIP will overtake traditional analogue lines, which are set to be phased out by 2025.

“The flexibility that VoIP offers makes it so relevant in the rapidly shifting and evolving societal and business landscape in which the traditional office nine-to-five may be a thing of the past.

“For example, many businesses are still and will continue to operate on a flexible home vs office routine. With concerns of more lockdowns it is comforting to know that the speed of going fully remote and functional is achieved in only minutes,” Britt says.

With no installation, training, hardware or maintenance costs, customers benefit from competitive prices and it’s all part of the service. “Costs matter more than ever in these challenging times and we are proud to offer our forward-thinking solutions without unnecessary expense,” Britt says. “We want to take customers on this journey and help ensure their businesses prosper as much as possible.

For me this has been great to see, and an ambition shared by our team.”

And feedback has been very positive, according to Britt. “Only a few weeks into lockdown we received an email from a customer thanking the team for taking him from completely dormant to fully trading and operational. It was fantastic feedback as it demonstrated that technology

16

He adds that mobile remains a significant part of the overall Barclay Communications business – the area in which the firm began its life more than 20 years ago and is very much the heartbeat of its success.

“We do an amazing job with it, and it remains such an important part of the company. We support a wide range of businesses from a sole trader, charity, public sector through to our largest customer, which is 5,500 handsets for Cambridge University. Mobile will always be vital and our suite of solutions simply complement it.”

Barclay Communications also continues to expand its WorkPal business – the firm’s job management system, which has been designed and developed in-house.

WorkPal experienced a 340% increase in the first half of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. “It’s a job management system which revolutionises any business with field workers,” Britt says.

“Remote workers don’t need to come back into the office because everything is captured using WorkPal and sent back to the office in real time. They don’t need to come in with things like paperwork, invoices, or timesheets. Add to that the ability to now sign for a completed job using a contactless method is current but extremely favoured by our customers and theirs.”

Looking to the future, Barclay Communications, which operates from offices in Belfast, Dublin and Glasgow and is presently eyeing up a new London base, Britt believes NI’s robust nature will continue to be the foundation of its success.

And he is confident his own company’s resilience and ingenuity will see the businesses through choppy waters.

“I can’t say it hasn’t been challenging,” he says. “We have staff that have returned to the office on rotation, with many working from home, many of which were instrumental from the beginning to support our customer’s needs. The team has worked tirelessly to support every customer.

“Having the complete wrap of IT and communications technology helped ensure that the solutions we recommend made it possible for not only ourselves to successfully adapt but our customers also.” ■ You can contact Barclay Communications on 028 90 960366 or visit the website at www. barclaycomms.com

HEALTHCARE DIAGNOSTICS

Northern Ireland’s leading laboratory needs you to help combat Covid-19

R

andox is calling on experienced scientists, engineers and additionally those without lab experience to play a role in fighting the virus.

Northern Ireland’s leading laboratory in healthcare diagnostics and other vital clinical products is seeking new talent across a number of disciplines to help its fight against Covid-19.

Already a major player in the global effort to extinguish the virus, the company, which has more than 1,500 staff at its home base in Antrim and worldwide, is about to ramp up its efforts even more.

To do this it has begun a campaign to find the best people in NI across a number of fields

including science, engineering and admin.

no previous science experience.”

Covid scientists to Covid technologists and Covid support operators will come together to fast track its pioneering diagnostic tests during the pandemic.

These support roles include the technologist and Covid support operator posts which do not require experience.

The temporary positions offer a competitive salary with a “strong possibility of being made permanent for those available long term,” Paul Kenna, senior recruitment consultant supervisor at Randox, says.

“We have already made a high percentage of scientists and other support staff permanent.

“Now we are looking for those who hold a scientific qualification or equivalent experience.

We also have other lab-based roles that require

Among the company’s current Covid-19 offering are home tests, antibody tests, and a Covid-19 testing service for businesses.

Already Randox’s Covid-19 testing service has helped many organisations get back to business by facilitating a timely and efficient return. This includes many top sporting associations including the Irish Football Association (IFA) and Premiership Rugby.

Every year 5% of the world’s population is diagnosed using Randox products while more than 100,000 laboratories globally use Randox products.

Its international presence in the healthcare sector is widely felt as it manufactures 15% of all cholesterol tests and 10% of all clinical chemistry tests. It is also the world’s largest provider of External Quality Assessment. π For more information on current roles and to apply, visit: randox.getgotjobs.co.uk

18

IN FOCUS

‘Everybody back to work’ sounded to me more like ‘lads back to work’ 20

IN FOCUS

The impact of Covid-19 has hit everyone here, but Roseann Kelly, chief executive of Women in Business, is concerned about the bigger hit to females, with childcare issues and greater potential job losses. She speaks to John Mulgrew about the sections falling through the cracks and how now is the time to act for the future

oseann Kelly is concerned that the impact of coronavirus is, and will, have a disproportionate effect on women, and women in the workplace.

R

managers or entrepreneurs is childcare.

Childcare is a huge issue and it does fall predominately on women, and it shouldn’t be a female issue in this day and age.

That could see more women facing losing their jobs than men here due to Covid-19 and the

“We have had members furloughed who have had to take on schooling of

impact on females being much greater due to major issues such as childcare – something she’s keen to see addressed in the wake of the crisis.

children, and issues with that. That is key and the biggest issue we have. Even prior to Covid-19... we haven’t got a childcare strategy in place. It is key for women’s development.”

women at senior management level.

Roseann says a recent survey pointed to a large proportion of discrimination cases around the issue of childcare.

She says she’s hopeful now is the time for change, but it’s one that has to happen as a culture. “I would be very hopeful, but it is a culture change and it really needs a shift from the top,” she says.

The chief executive of Women in Business, says it “will be mostly women that are losing their jobs” in Northern Ireland as sectors such as customer-facing retail and hospitality face significant cuts here amid pandemic pressures.

And she says female entrepreneurs are suffering badly as a result of the crisis, with childcare issues becoming the biggest barrier for businesses.

“It will be mostly women that are losing their jobs,” she told the Ulster Business Podcast with Bank of Ireland UK. “I feel that the impact is mostly being felt by women. Look at retail, the customer service end is going and growth is in the deliveries, which predominately go to males. Women are going to lose their jobs in retail and hospitality.

“Some of the creche facilities… I know of one which is not going to reopen. The margins are very tight in that industry and therefore the pay is quite low, so it’s very difficult.”

And she says there must be a new strategy to deal with childcare to ensure women are able to progress within their careers and help shift the balance of the volume of top jobs being held by men.

“The biggest issue for our corporate senior

SEPTEMBER 2020

“That was expecting people to work from home while they have children there and the pressure that brought, or they were asking people to come back in to work when they had no childcare,” she said. “There have been a lot of issues around that and it has to be addressed.

“Childcare was always a barrier. When this came about it was like, this is great, as employers can see that it can be done, and so I would have been excited about that. I still am.”

She says there’s also now an opportunity for some of Northern Ireland’s firms to help address the low number of females in charge of our biggest businesses.

“It’s disappointing that just so few Top 100 business leaders are female,” she said. “It doesn’t reflect the talent of the businesswomen that we have here, at all.

“When we first went in to lockdown, and there was a realisation that we could work from home, that was a time for me to think

‘something positive is going to come out of this in terms of women’.

“The reason we only have a couple of women in the Top 100 is because the pipeline is not there. When we’ve lost those other women (in top jobs) there hasn’t been the quantity of

“If we can sort out the childcare and flexibility that will take out a lot of the issues that are there.”

Roseann also says that while there was a strong level of government assistance in ensuring companies stayed open, there was something severely missing from the approach to the help.

“Looking at some of the support programmes from government, they didn’t really take into account women or having any gender lens on them – that was a bit disappointing,” she said.

“When they said ‘everybody back to work’ it sounded to me like ‘lads back to work’. It didn’t move in tandem. It just looked as if women were not really being valued, or taken in to the equation as to how important they actually are.”

“There were an awful lot of female entrepreneurs that fell through the gaps. Even in terms of the income support there were issues there in terms of it being the average of three years (of accounts). Some women were on maternity or had taken maternity. That would have impacted on that.” ■

21

ANALYSIS

Forecast from university gives a relatively positive outcome to Covid-19 crisis Unemployment in Northern Ireland may increase to a peak of 13% later this year. But an otherwise optimistic assessment by the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre (UUEPC) suggests that the Northern Ireland economy could recover the lost output and incomes caused by the current recession by late 2023 or in 2024, writes John Simpson

T

he economists from Ulster University have outlined what they assess are possible outcomes of present actions by business managers and by government policy makers.

Looking ahead to gauge how the economy may change is a hazardous task. There have been no precedents for the type of recession that has been, in part, a consequence of the Covid-19 pandemic. The UUEPC has usefully compared the experience in NI from previous downturns in the economy including the financial crash earlier this century.

The UUEPC describes a ‘pathway to economic recovery’ where, interestingly, it quotes partial evidence to suggest that before the end of 2020 the worst of the fall in output, incomes and jobs may have ended and some recovery will have begun to be evidenced. Even that conclusion should be qualified since a major second spike in Covid-19 would make matters worse.

A scenario that NI might recover the lost output of the Covid-19 recession by either late 2023 or 2024 is better than many have expected. There is no comparable economic and political crisis affecting NI since the experience of the 1930s.

If this scenario is, as it may be, too optimistic, there is a danger that the need for more interventionist actions will be obscured. An over-complacent reaction may be the basis for too passive a response, for example, from the UUEPC and the NI Executive.

The Covid-19 induced recession is wide-ranging and combines an intense market shock with major behavioural changes affecting economic and social outcomes. Redundancies are taking place on a large scale.

22

John Simpson

International trade linkages are being disrupted.

Savings and spending by households are under strain both because household incomes are often lower than just a year ago and because households are more likely to be cautious about spending.

Add Brexit to Covid-19 and the degree of uncertainty and concern about instability increases further. The protocol on Ireland and NI, now agreed in an international treaty, still awaits a clear statement of the way in which it is to operate. The expected advantage to NI of the decision to allow it to remain within the EU market arrangements for goods has not been convincingly demonstrated.

Quite the reverse, the perception of a customs advantage in the Irish Sea has been portrayed as a deterrent rather than a benefit (which it should be).

Since the UUEPC takes what may be a too optimistic view of the impact of the Covid-19 induced recession, a consequence is that the UUEPC does not feel that major policy additions

should now be considered by the Executive.

It outlines a series of priorities for the medium and longer term including keeping young people in education for longer; reskilling opportunities during and after furlough; accelerated government investment plans; returning public sector staff to their town and city centre offices; adapting to changing tourism patterns; adapting the near-shoring search for foreign direct investment, and that normal business of government must continue.

These suggestions are a complex mixture of ideas. Since Stormont has the devolved authority over many areas of economic policy, the Executive might be better served if the UUEPC had been more specific in choosing potential policy changes. In the last phrase of the pathways document, the UUEPC asks the Executive to tackle the broader competitiveness of the NI economy.

Rather than being the final thought, perhaps that might have been a theme setting opening statement. â–

RETAIL

‘We’re starting to recover but a plan is needed’ Retailers are beginning to bounce back as the number of shoppers hitting the high street rose by a quarter in July, writes Claire McNeilly

B

argain hunters are turning out across all shopping destinations in Northern Ireland following the savage three month shutdown, although there are still much fewer shoppers than in the days before the Covid-19 pandemic.

And as the retail sector continues its uphill battle for customers over the coming months, shops are being warned to brace themselves for a difficult trading period ahead.

Springboard, a data firm that monitors footfall in shops, said Northern Ireland saw the shallowest shopping centre decline of all regions. The good news offers light at the end of a dark tunnel that has blighted the local retail sector recently.

It follows the cessation of trading for bookshop Eason, while Tesco Metro on Royal Avenue plans to close within the year.

“But figures are still almost a quarter lower than they were last year which is bad news for an industry that relies on footfall to convert to sales.” Mr Connolly said the loss of some big high street names has hit home hard.

“Unfortunately over the past few weeks we have seen some households names in retail stumble and tumble,” he said. “This shows not only how hard the operating environment is for the industry but the need for continued support from the Westminster Government and the NI Executive.

“We need a high street recovery plan immediately. But most of all we need the public to support our industry.” Meanwhile, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

DW Sports and Fitness announced it will close seven of its stores and three of its gyms by the end of August in Northern Ireland.

Aodhan Connolly, director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, said that although Northern Ireland’s bounce back was better than elsewhere in the UK, there was no room for complacency.

“It is great news that Northern Irish shoppers are leading the way in returning to our shopping centres,” he said. “It is a testament to the hard work of retailers and those retail destinations to show that the safety of staff and customers is their key priority.

24

Aodhan Connolly

has set our six ways of coping in the event of a local lockdown.

The organisation’s Northern Ireland director Angela McGowan said it’s about building confidence if new temporary restrictions are implemented.

“Businesses know that if infection rates spike in an area then new local lockdowns may well be required to protect public health,” she said. “Local lockdowns are how governments manage the risk of infection and reopening the economy safely, so we must get good at them.

“The local Executive will need to act fast on new information, so there may be limited notice, but we must aim for a ‘no surprises’ approach as far as possible.” ■

TITLE

IT & technology

SEPTEMBER 2020

25

IT & TECHNOLOGY

Conal Henry

Accelerating the technology evolution From the accelerated need for strong, reliable and fast connectivity and IT, to fresh app development, point of sale and online presence, Ulster Business looks at the booming areas of technology buoyed by a year like no other

26

‘C

ovid-19 It has made the case that people need full fibre broadband and it has accelerated people’s understanding of it’ That’s according to Conal Henry, co-founder of full-fibre broadband business Fibrus. He says an initial £100m investment could double to £200m as the firm rolls out its network to towns and villages across Northern Ireland.

The last few weeks have not only brought the importance of high-speed home internet connections to the fore – as home working becomes part-and-parcel of many lives – but has also accelerated both the ingenuity

for short-notice solutions to unparalleled problems, and ramped up demand for other tech which has become a requirement across our hospitality businesses, retailers and other sectors.

From an infrastructure perspective, anyone will know from experience in the last few months that trying to access a work virtual private network (VPN) or host a Zoom webinar using an unreliable or slow connection is as unproductive as it is frustrating.

“Our focus is a way from the big cities. It’s more rural and regional,” Conal says.

IT & TECHNOLOGY

100 apprentice engineers across the region between now and March 2021.”

But technology has also been at the forefront in the adaptation needed among many of our businesses, with Covid-19 creating a demand for creative solutions which would have seemed either excessive or unnecessary just six months ago. That includes the use of smartphone apps to allow customers of hospitality businesses to browse, order and pay at their tables – avoiding menus, cash and physical contact with card machines, along with simplifying the process of table service.

“Bar serving areas are traditionally the busiest point of any establishment, and by utilising our app, businesses can move that congestion from physical to virtual seamlessly and effectively,” Eunan McConville, founder of B Express says.

“I would encourage any bar, pub or restaurant business to check out the app and see how we can cost effectively support your business in the coming months.”

The app has already been rolled out across a number of restaurants and bars, including Cargo by Vertigo, located in the Titanic Quarter.

Denis Finnegan

“Those are the places that need it. If you look at the way investment goes in telecoms, we talk about it going in twos – people in Belfast and Derry have access to two top quality networks, whereas people in places like Omagh and Strabane have access to none.”

Fibrus has announced a plan to plug any remaining gaps in coverage here so that 100% of Northern Ireland homes have full fibre by 2025.

And BT’s engineering arm, Openreach, has also now announced an equally ambitious roll-out of full-fibre to almost 100 towns and villages across Northern Ireland.

SEPTEMBER 2020

“This is important to us as we look to play a role in the economic recovery and long-term growth of NI,” Mairead Meyer, director of Openreach Northern Ireland, said.

“Ensuring that we’re balanced in our build programme is central to this and our engineers are building to over 750 homes every day in both rural and urban areas. In addition, we also have schemes in place, such as our ‘Community Fibre Partnerships, which is bringing broadband to areas that are harder to reach and making sure no one gets left behind.

“To support the build programme, we’ve also announced that we’re recruiting over

“With social distancing set to be a central feature within the hospitality sector for some time, our locally developed app can help venues adhere to regulations, keep their customers safe and ensure efficient order and payment for food and drink, right from the comfort of their table or designated area,” Eunan says.

Elsewhere, brothers, Ryan and Mark Fegan from Keady in Co Armagh have developed DrinkApp, which allows pub and restaurant owners to accept drink orders from patrons without ever having to go near their table or serve them across a crowded bar.

Meanwhile, Covid-19 has sparked an “e-commerce revolution for traditional local retailers”, according to a Northern Ireland digital growth agency. >

27

IT & TECHNOLOGY

Mairead Meyer

Grofuse says that 80% of smaller, independent, grocery retailers surveyed say they have been “adapting to online trading or actively exploring e-commerce” following the pandemic outbreak.

home delivery. Having quickly discovered the shortfalls of social media for online trading, many retailers are now turning to or at least exploring cost-effective online ordering platforms like Mercury Order.

And of the 50 small retailers surveyed, more than half (58%) turned to taking orders using social media as a stop-gap trading solution when in-store footfall plummeted during the spring-summer lockdown.

“The fear of losing customers to larger competitors which offer online shopping for collection and/or delivery services, is driving many smaller retailers to finally cross the online shopping Rubicon.”

“The mindsets of retailers have been changed in huge numbers by the pandemic fallout,” Grofuse digital director, Denis Finnegan, says.

And looking at the expansion of the fullfibre networks – on top of the increased development of 5G technology – Conal Henry of Fibrus said while the firm is initially targeting 150,000 homes, that number could rise to more than 200,000 with additional investment.

“When footfall dropped, many retailers – including butchers, farm shops, artisan bakers, off licences, delis and others – turned to social media to take orders for collection or

28

“We are targeting 150,000 homes with that

£100m but we are probably going to go beyond that,” he says.

“Expanding on the £100m, we announced that having the target project we had been looking at gaps… that will probably take another £100m. We are still working through that but it could be as many as 200,000 homes done here on our own investment. “(Covid-19) has made the case that people need full-fibre broadband,” he says.

“This is a long run investment and we would have always seen that uptake in demand happening in the long run, but it has probably accelerate people’s understanding of it. Particularly towards the older end of the demographic.” ■

IT & TECHNOLOGY

Brendan Monaghan, Neueda, Kevin Holland, Invest NI, Economy Minister Diane Dodds, and Paddy O’Hagan, Neueda

Neueda creates 230 NI jobs amid £20m investment

By Margaret Canning

N

orthern Ireland IT company Neueda has announced a £20m investment bringing 230 new jobs paying an average salary of around £43,000.

The Belfast firm said it is now intending to repay the government after furloughing eight members of staff during lockdown. Its expansion is being supported by economic development agency Invest NI with funding of £2.2m.

The new roles – which include software engineers and cloud solution experts – are to be filled over the next three years, bringing job numbers to around 450.

Chief operating officer Paddy O’Hagan said furloughing had been a “prudent” measure at the onset of lockdown but that all staff were now back in their jobs.

The company will be repaying the furlough money to the government. And he said homeworking would continue in the short-term though its offices at Lanyon

SEPTEMBER 2020

Towers would be kept to provide a base for employees. But he said he did not expect the company to need bigger offices in future as use of homeworking would continue.

While the average salary for the new roles would be around £43,000, he said the more senior roles would have salaries of up to £80,000. He said the expansion had come about despite economic uncertainty and fears about the coronavirus pandemic.

“Everyone is fearing a second spike and what’s going to happen around Brexit but there is a point in time where we just have to dust ourselves off and get on with it, and look beyond to what next year looks like,” he said.

“With Brexit there is so much certainty, particularly as to whether services are covered in whatever deal we get, as well as access to talent as we need people with specific skills to come into Northern Ireland to augment the people we already hire.”

Economy Minister Diane Dodds said Neueda was a business “to be proud of”. “The jobs will be created in a sector which our

economic recovery plan has identified as an area where Northern Ireland can lead. The digital sector currently underpins many other sector and has the potential to grow rapidly providing more and better paid jobs.

“These jobs will contribute over £10m in additional annual salaries to the local economy.

I would like to commend Neueda on taking further steps to grow its business in such challenging times and I wish it every success for the future.”

Mr O’Hagan said the company was aiming to use the new investment to grow customer numbers outside Northern Ireland. “We hope to drive sales in the US, Great Britain, mainland Europe and eventually into Asian markets where we see an abundance of opportunities for our services.”

The company also has premises in Athlone in Co Westmeath, as well as in Malaga, New York, London and Riga.

Company clients include the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). The business reported revenues of £23.4m in its latest accounts. ■

29

ECONOMY

Restaurants call for Eat Out scheme extension With HMRCs Eat Out to Help Out Scheme helping boost the number of people eating out across Northern Ireland, Emma Deighan finds out restaurant owners here are keen to see it extended

Niall McKenna

R

estaurants in Northern Ireland are calling on HMRC to continue its Eat Out to Help Out Scheme to allow the trade to claw back some of the earnings lost over lockdown.

It comes as Frankie and Benny’s said it had permanently closed its site at Sprucefield Retail Park.

And the industry believes such losses reinforce a longer-term need for more governmental incentives to support the sector worst hit by Covid-19.

Belfast Telegraph restaurant critic, Joris Minne, said larger format chains like Frankie and Benny’s cannot react to environmental challenges like Covid-19 as quickly as independent businesses, which could mean even more losses in the pipeline.

“It looks like the larger chains just don’t have the flexibility to change their business models quickly and to suit the new economic climate,” he said. “Northern Ireland’s sector is largely independently owned and made up of small businesses who are proving more resilient and able to flex with the very turbulent times they face.”

Restaurateurs here now say HMRC should extend the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme and

30

say the programme had “very positive” uptake in August. It gives diners a £10 discount a head from Monday to Wednesdays in August on food and soft drinks.

Some of the most popular venues here revealed they are reaching full capacity on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings

thanks to the scheme.

And there are reports that Belfast’s most popular spots are now fully booked on Monday to Wednesday from now until the first week in September. Over 1,500 restaurants, not including bigger chains, signed up to the scheme in Northern Ireland.

ECONOMY

Tony O’Neill

As a result the number of people eating out surged while businesses who initially hadn’t signed up to the scheme joined later in the month to avail of its tried and tested pulling power.

Chef and restaurant owner Niall McKenna, who owns James Street South and Hadskis in Belfast, said: “We decided to participate as many of our customers were calling to book and I felt it would be remiss not to give them the opportunity to avail of the offer.

When you look at the restaurants, Monday to Wednesday, it really has created an offer that customers want to avail of which is good as it is getting customers out and about.

“It’s a super deal and not just good for restaurants but all our local suppliers who we are able to buy from.”

Tony O’Neill, owner of restaurants Coppi and Buba in St Anne’s Square in the city said he has extended his opening hours to take advantage of the scheme. “It has been very positive for business. It’s brought a lot of people back out on Mondays Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We’ve opened an extra night with Coppi and Buba is opened seven days a week,” he said.

“It would be good if it continues. It has been a brilliant incentive to get confidence

SEPTEMBER 2020

back and getting people out but I do expect September and October to be hard months for the restaurant businesses.”

Meanwhile in Ballycastle, Nigel McGarrity, who runs The Salthouse Hotel, said the scheme was important in driving footfall. “Government incentives such as these also encourage people to sample the local produce that is on offer and provide a boost for the hospitality sector and for suppliers. They also help to sustain employment in these industries,” he said.

In Co Armagh, Jason Foody, general manager of Killeavy Castle, said: “There has been a marked difference in trade at the beginning of the week than at the end of the week because of the scheme.

“We are in a great position because we are benefiting also from the staycation market but the scheme has definitely got more people out and about.”

Comparing numbers to last year, Mr Foody said: “Customer numbers are higher than last year. In hindsight I think we thought it would’ve been much harder to attract people back but now we’re realising the scheme would work better in the quieter months like September and October and, today, looking at that, it would be very beneficial to continue the scheme.”

HMRC said that there were “no plans at the moment to extend the scheme” beyond August 31. It also said that across the UK more than 10 million people availed of the scheme in its first week.

While it did not have a regional breakdown for Northern Ireland, the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), said that UK-wide the number of people eating out on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays so far in August was 26.9% higher than on the same days a year ago.

It quoted data from Open Table, the restaurant booking app, which is used by restaurants including Belfast’s Edo, Jospers at Ten Square and The Merchant.

Nina Skero, chief executive of CEBR, said: “The goal isn’t just for people to eat in restaurants, but also to get back into the habit of socialising, making non-essential journeys and being surrounded – albeit not too closely – by groups of strangers. It is arguably this push towards normality that will prove the biggest benefit of the scheme,” she said.

Tony O’Neill said: “This incentive is brilliant in that it also allows people to get used to socialising while keeping their distance and following safety measures.” ■

31

ECONOMY

Neil Gibson

NI economy ‘will take more time to recover than Republic’

N

orthern Ireland will take longer to recover from the impact of Covid-19 than the Republic, with recovery here not expected until 2024, according to a report.

In contrast, the EY Economic Eye anticipates that the Republic’s economy will recover to 2019 levels a year earlier.

In Northern Ireland, it forecasts that nearly 70% of job sectors face taking longer than five years to recover – across the border it is 40%.

EY predicts 38,000 job losses in Northern Ireland this year, and 25,000 next year. And while the toll of job losses is steeper this year for the Republic – with 9.7% of jobs going instead of 4.2% – it predicts that the Republic will return to growth in jobs next year.

But it adds that “for many markets across the world, the hardest yards are still ahead and the fear of a second wave and future economic disruption is prevalent”.

In addition, 76,000 people in self-employed roles have received support from the government’s selfemployed income support scheme. Overall, it said that Covid-19 had a more widespread impact than most commentators expected.

It has made its predictions on the basis that there will be no further national lockdowns, though it remarked that localised lockdowns were likely.

Slump in GDP for NI this year

While it forecasts a steeper slump in GDP for the Republic – 10.8% while Northern Ireland is at 10.4% – it warns that Northern Ireland’s economy will take longer to recover to 2019 levels.

Predicted job losses in NI in 2020

had been clouded by the widespread use of the furlough scheme, which has preserved the jobs of 240,200 people over lockdown.

10.4%

38,000

The report from business advisors EY is written by its chief economist Neil Gibson

32

and manager Eve Bannon. It says economic recovery has begun across the island of Ireland as people return to work and start spending again.

The southern economy is predicted to rebound by 6.6% next year, although Northern Ireland’s bounce-back will be more muted at 5.5%. The report also said the picture for unemployment in Northern Ireland

It noted the Republic’s economic recovery in the last five years had left it in a good position to spend to support the economy.

Recent GDP figures showed that the UK entered recession in the second quarter of the year, with a 20.4% slump – its steepest-ever fall. Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the figures “confirm that hard times are here”. ■

PROPERTY

What’s next for the office?

By Neil McShane, director of commercial property consultancy INPRIO

T

he debate is daily. But the reality is, no one knows for sure. We can only speculate about what will happen to the office sector.

well in a remote way, but I still believe there is no substitute for meeting in person.

So here are my thoughts. It will survive.

Why? Well, for a start, we need each other, in a physical sense. Zoom calls are great.

Mobile calls are essential. But we really need

The likelihood is that employers and employees will offer and experience a hybrid model of office and home-working in the future.

Employers will be more open to offering employees a choice in where they undertake their work. The office will remain important for face-to-face meetings, but other tasks such as emailing, report-writing and research can be easily accomplished from home.

that physical connection – that face-to-face engagement in person. There really is no substitute. When we can, many will return to our respective offices and it will be fantastic for us to reconnect in person.

However, companies will need to examine their technological and collaboration tools to ensure that those working from home feel wellconnected despite the physical separation.

But let’s not deny what has happened. The office sector will experience a structural change. More than ever before, people have realised how well they can work from home.

Also, many companies will now realise that not only can they drive-down their occupational costs but also offer, and even encourage, flexibility to both their benefit and, importantly, that of their employees.

When possible, lots of people will rush back to their offices, but lots won’t. Many workers, employers and employees, will be delighted to continue working from home, and understandably so. The extra lie-in. The handy commute and no rush-hour traffic.

Reduced fuel expenses.

But, like me, many crave the physical interaction of coffee and lunch meetings and a more clear cut distinction between work and home. Many sectors can function perfectly

Neil McShane

34

Generally, the office sector in Belfast has been resilient since the 2008 financial crisis with growing demand and considerable rental growth. While development had been hampered by lack of development finance, and high quality refurbishments were the norm, there has been a recent return of speculative development with three major schemes coming out of the ground.

However, with the pre-existing turbulence, confirmation that we have fallen into recession and an inevitable bumpy road ahead, we could see prospective developers rein-in their aspirations on scale and timing, if indeed they still go ahead.

Should these flexible working space operators be worried? I don’t think so – I believe flexible office space is here to stay, and, in years to come, I believe it will become more valued and appreciated than ever before.

Who are the winners and losers? Clearly there are mixed-messages with supporting views for a return to pre-Covid normality, but also for flexibility to be the new norm.

As I see it, change is already happening and I believe both employees and employers will benefit. Office landlords may take some short-term pain, but good quality well-located office space will always be needed and desirable. Flexible working space is here to stay and will be very much on the radar for employers as they recover from the financial strain of the pandemic and need extra flexibility to adapt. In the long run, I believe it will be a win-win for all, but only time will tell. ■

Employment law & dispute resolution Sponsored by

EMPLOYMENT LAW & DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Redundancy, planning and the end of support As redundancies more than double, the global economy heads into a deep recession and the Government’s Job Retention Scheme approaches an end, John Mulgrew speaks to the experts about the challenges facing both staff and employers, and why extending the furlough system may not be the best course of action

I

think, around a decade on after the real effects of the last recession were being truly felt, we were somewhat positive about both the future ahead, a strengthening Northern Ireland economy and one with plans for diversification and expansion into new booming markets.

But we’re now looking at the doubling of redundancies here – hitting 9,000 over the last year as coronavirus and lockdown take their toll on the economy, while steeper job losses are anticipated when the Government’s

36

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – which in June was paying the wages of 240,200 people here – is wound down at the end of October.

planning for potentially pending redundancies, attracting staff back to the workplace, and coping without the furlough system in place.

We’ve already lost several big industry names, while others have announced hundreds of job cuts, and whole sectors continue to lobby for full reopening and additional support in order to protect their entire future.

For Gareth Walls of A&L Goodbody, the single biggest concern for firms here is many businesses are yet to initiate a plan in dealing with redundancies, with the end of furlough and government assistance.

But legal experts are pointing to a fresh range of problems and issues for companies, and their staff, including not undergoing sufficient

“Looking at the three calendar months of furlough, when that government subsidy diminishes, the margins are so tight that

EMPLOYMENT LAW & DISPUTE RESOLUTION

they will be initiating redundancy planning,” the partner and head of the A&L Goodbody Employment and Incentives team, said.

“That’s all sectors and industries, and businesses of all sizes. It’s to do with the global recession, and the downturn.”

Gareth says one of the challenges is also firms trying to get staff back to the workplace, especially those who have been on furlough.

“Where staff are given technology to work from home, it does make some less keen to go back,” he says. “(As for) the death of the office narrative, I think employers will have an obligation to be more flexible. That will be forced on them to facilitate as many people returning to the office, that will have a resolution – that’s a good thing and should be embraced. But to go to the extent of the end of the office?

Absolutely not.”

Looking back at the latest official job figures, in July last year, there had been 90 proposed redundancies – a fraction compared to the 1,904 potential redundancies announced in July this year. Since lockdown, thousands

SEPTEMBER 2020

of people have faced redundancy in sectors including aerospace, hospitality and retail – with department store giant Debenhams the latest to announce another round of job cuts.

Economic inactivity is also increasing, with the female rate of 31.2% up by 1.9% over the year, while the male rate fell slightly.

With the latest official job statistics, Ulster Bank chief economist Richard Ramsey said young people are being disproportionately affected by job losses. The labour market report from the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) showed that there were 7,000 fewer 16 to 24-year-olds in work in the second quarter, compared to earlier in the year.

It points to another challenge for companies with employees considered business leaders who need to be hands on and in the office in order to flourish, while at the other end, junior staff, new starts and apprentices also need real-time assistance.

“It’s about the reassurance and the confidence of structure. That’s the same for any industry,” Gareth says. A lack of face-to-face networking is another missing element of lockdown and

an easing back into society.

“It’s very difficult to do in lockdown, or working from home,” he says. “Zoom and other platforms are great but they are very limited as well – people are tired of tech and want to see them face-to-face.”

Another challenge facing both staff and employers is child care, and if parents are returning to workplaces how they cope.

“If they want to come back they simply can’t just leave,” Gareth says.

“Then, there are the general issues in the economy. Some firms are doing quite well and there is a desire to get back to work. Everyone recognises it and everyone is equally affected – there has been comradery between people who would otherwise have been competitors.”

But while the edge of the cliff around furlough is something firms will have to deal with in the coming days and weeks, Gareth says there must be a clear end to Government subsidies at some stage, and a long-term reliance on them is actually detrimental to the economy and job security. >

37

EMPLOYMENT LAW & DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Lisa Bryson

“We have to adopt a very different mechanism to the ending of the furlough scheme,” he says.

“The Chancellor has made it clear it ends on October 31… there has to be an end to Government subsidies. (We are) too reliant and need to encourage people back to work as fast as possible to safeguard jobs.

“While it needs to end, to focus on the future, there are some industries which need other means of support. There are other things that can be done which are novel and new.

Furlough was seismic, generous and the envy of most of Europe.

“Most businesses have effectively written off 2020 and are looking at growth and budget wise towards 2021 onwards.”

But he’s optimistic that while there will be more casualties throughout this crisis, that there may not be as many as first anticipated. “(Many) of them are approaching this in the right way,” he says. “Unless the market turns,

38

firms are saying ‘I can hold on to Nov 1’. It’s not massive redundancies.”

and novel considerations for employers to the fore.

He says while we will see the loss of some household names due to the crisis, “a lot of businesses are equally basing smaller numbers (of job cuts) based on gradual return to work and people spending”.

“Navigating this initial period was tough for both businesses and individuals alike and we are not out the other side yet. Despite the reopening of many sectors of the economy many businesses are now starting to realise the true impact of the pandemic on the future viability of their operations.

Lisa Bryson, partner, employment and immigration, Eversheds Sutherland, Belfast, says “the year is not yet over, and I expect many more difficult challenges are ahead”.

“In January, the overarching focus for the year ahead was Brexit, the immigration proposals put forward by the UK Government and changes to IR35. In Northern Ireland, there was some anticipation that the employment law changes that had been stalled with the collapse of Stormont would be back on the agenda with the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ agreement.

“These issues have largely been clouded by the impact, and aftermath, of Covid-19 which has brought a whole host of different, complex

“One unanticipated issue at the start of this year has been the high number of redundancies that have already been announced as a direct consequence of Covid-19. The furlough scheme provided a lifeline in the early months but as financial assistance under the scheme starts to reduce through to October, additional job losses and business failures are to be expected.

“Now, perhaps more than ever, the value in human resources and people management should be recognised as a critical lifeline to business and should be regarded as a core part of the recovery strategy to not only survive but, in time, thrive.” ■

NEWS

Sports Direct ‘eyeing up Debenhams stores’

T

roubled high street retailer Debenhams may be sold off storeby-store with fashion chain Next and retail giant Frasers Group among possible suitors, according to reports.

But its owners are also looking at the possibility of liquidating the business if no buyer can be found, Sky News reported.

There are five Debenhams stores here in Belfast, Craigavon, Ballymena, Newry and Londonderry.

The company has announced plans to cut 2,500 posts, with around 70 expected to go locally. With 4,000 jobs lost in May, it has reduced its workforce by 30% since lockdown.

The Times reported that Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group, Next and a Chinese consortium are among potential store buyers. Frasers Group would take only a couple of floors of the department stores, splitting them between Sports Direct and its upmarket Flannels fashion brand.

However, such an arrangement may not suit the Belfast outlet, as Sports Direct already has

SEPTEMBER 2020

a large unit in nearby High Street, as well as a Flannels in House of Fraser.

Meanwhile, Sports Direct has opened up in Newry’s Buttercrane Shopping Centre, rival of The Quays, where Debenhams has its large store in the city. However, Sports Direct does not have a store in Rushmere Shopping Centre, where there is a large Debenhams.

Investment bank Lazard is carrying out the process of identifying possible buyers for the business, which went into administration four months ago. But Debenhams has also confirmed that retail insolvency expert Hilco has been appointed to advise on a liquidation process if all other possibilities are exhausted.

Cathal Austin, manager of The Quays, said: “It’s not a secret that Debenhams has been struggling financially, and lockdown hasn’t helped, and it still seems to be trading reasonably well here, from what they are saying to us.

“But landlords are often the last to know when retailers are up against it.” Mr Austin said the centre had been trading at around

80% of its footfall for last year but that good weather had brought footfall down to around 70%.

“Lockdown has caused a couple of things – people looking online, but also bricks and mortar stores have cut back on stock orders for this year.”

Debenhams has insisted that the appointment of Hilco does not mean that liquidation is on the cards, adding that the administrators were obliged to consider it as a contingency plan.

A spokesman said: “Debenhams is trading strongly, with 124 stores reopened and a healthy cash position. As a result, and as previously stated, the administrators of Debenhams Retail Ltd have initiated a process to assess ways for the business to exit its protective administration.

“The administrators have appointed advisers to help them assess the full range of possible outcomes, which include the current owners retaining the business, potential new joint venture arrangements (with existing and potential new investors) or a sale to a third party.” ■

39

CORPORATE LAW

Crucial support key to next step in dealing with crisis

By Jan Cunningham, partner, Millar McCall Wylie

Jan Cunningham

OUR EMPLOYMENT LAW TEAM After qualifying as a solicitor in Northern Ireland in 2006, Millar McCall Wylie was seeking to expand its expertise in employment law. I was given the opportunity to both develop my knowledge base and grow a department. Thankfully, the investment has paid off and since being made partner and head of Employment in 2011, the department has experienced considerable growth. The team now includes two solicitors, Louise McNally and David Mitchell; trainee solicitor, Niamh McMonagle; paralegal, Eimhear Kearney and legal secretary Ellen Evans.

OUR SERVICE OFFERING In recent years, the firm has increasingly gained employer instructions on contentious and non-contentious matters, demonstrating our continued ability to meet large, complex workloads within stringent deadlines.

Perhaps unusually for a city centre-headquartered practice, we also represent employees in the Industrial Tribunals and Fair Employment Tribunal. I believe we have gained a reputation as effective negotiators and advocates through every stage of the Tribunal process.

COVID-19 AND EMPLOYMENT LAW It would be fair to say that the demand on our Employment Law department over the last few months has been unprecedented. Readers would not be surprised to learn that we have been assisting numerous clients in dealing with the HR issues created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The strength of our team puts us in a solid position to assist our clients during these difficult times. Unusually, the nature of this assistance is the need to advise in ‘real time’. The challenge has been to keep up to speed with the latest government guidelines and provide fully informed advice as the situation has unfolded before our eyes. In the absence of a bank of precedent to refer to, these are certainly unchartered waters for us all.

Despite these challenges, our Employment Team has continued to practically support our clients and local businesses with online webinars and monthly newsletters, primarily focusing on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) which introduced ‘furlough’ payments as a result of the ongoing crisis. We found that many businesses needed advice and practical tips on the intricacies of the application and implication of the CJRS, particularly as furlough was an entirely new concept to employers and employees alike. In fact, from being an almost unknown term, furlough has become the key word in employment law and HR in 2020. We have been advising clients on the interaction of furlough and a range of issues, primarily redundancy, notice pay and issues with returning to work.

40

THE MONTHS AHEAD Unfortunately, there is little doubt that there will be further redundancies in NI over the coming months. It is essential that employers carry out redundancies in an appropriate and transparent manner. Particular care must be given when dealing with multiple (known as ‘collective’) redundancies as particular consultation obligations arise. We anticipate a surge in instructions once the CJRS tapers off in October. We are also mindful that HMRC will be reviewing payments made to employers under the CJRS and other coronavirus grants. Inevitably, those who have received payments and were not eligible for the scheme, or those who received more than they were due, will be issued with financial penalties.

We will be providing a package of assistance to our clients to deal with these HMRC audits. Initially we will assess their entitlement pursuant to the CJRS legislation. Once we have done so, we can assist employers with making any required disclosure to HMRC to ensure compliance with the scheme. It should be noted that the proposed deadline for notifying HMRC of any overpayments received is the later of October 20, 2020 or 90 days from the receipt of a CJRS payment. HMRC has up to 20 years to pursue investigations in relation to deliberate noncompliance, six years to pursue any careless non-compliance claims and in any other circumstances, they have four years to investigate claims.

Given the huge level of public funds devoted to the CJRS, it would seem reasonable that HMRC will prioritise the recovery of same.

All this considered, it is clear many employers are facing increasingly difficult times and are likely to be for an extensive period of time. Our team is equipped, available and ready to help. ■

PLATFORM

Women’s livelihoods must not be sacrificed after lockdown Dr Lisa Wilson, senior economist, Nevin Economic Research Institute, looks at the challenges ahead as we return to offices and workplaces across Northern Ireland and why the underlying issue of childcare remains an increasing problem for families here

T

he lockdown, put into place back in March in efforts to get the Covid-19 pandemic under control, effectively shut down a number of sectors of our economy and led to enormous and sudden changes in the way in which work was carried across the parts of the economy which were allowed to remain open.

As Governments across the world were putting into place such restrictions, they knew all too well of the profound impact which this lockdown would have on the economy and people’s livelihoods.

It is for this very reason that the UK Government put into place policy interventions such as, for example, the job retention scheme, stimulus grants and loans for businesses, VAT reductions and rates relief for businesses and increases to state benefits such as statutory sick pay.

economy and data start to feed through, that we will get a true sense of its full economic consequences. And really, we will only be able to fully get to grips with the economic consequences of lockdown with time.

Some sectors remain unable to open at all, while others are unable to operate as normal due to on-going public health restrictions.

We recently saw the first full quarter of official labour market data released which covers the full lockdown period. This data offers one of the first opportunities to analyse the impact of lockdown.

At first glance, this data paints a remarkably buoyant picture of our labour market that initially is somewhat of a struggle to understand.

In this sense, the purpose of such policies was to prevent a catastrophic economic collapse and stabilise the economy in the hope that such intervention would stomach the economic shock and maintain resilience in the economy as it emerged out of lockdown.

Indeed, had one been living under a rock for the year to date and knew nothing of the Covid-19 crisis nor our economic lockdown and emerged just in time for latest labour market data release from the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency (NISRA), they might be fooled into thinking that it is business as usual.

While the Government did know that the lockdown would negatively impact on the economy what they did not know was just how severe that impact would be. And in truth, we still do not. It is only now, that as we emerge out of lockdown and reopen our

For example, the headline unemployment figure at 2.5% continues the medium-term trend of Northern Ireland’s unemployment figures remaining below that of the United Kingdom as a whole and having some of the lowest rates since records began. In addition,

42

when we look to the other headline figures a similarly unexpectedly optimistic picture emerges.

That is, while the employment rate decreased by 0.5% and the economic inactivity rate increased by 0.6%, over the quarter to June, it is nowhere near to the scale that we may have anticipated given that we effectively shut down our economy for the period for which the data covers.

So, what then explains the inconsistency between what the data is telling us and what we might have expected the data to show?

Is it that the labour market has survived and we have weathered the storm on the jobs front? Is it that the lockdown did not impact upon the labour market?

The answer, of course, is no. Rather than the data showing us that the lockdown did not impact on the labour market, the data are showing us the impact of successful Government policy interventions.

PLATFORM

In particular, the relatively small employment falls show just how important the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has been in protecting jobs and preventing immediate job loss during this crisis.

Still though, looking behind the headline labour market data gives us some sense of the impact of lockdown and shows us that all is not rosy.

For example, decreases in employment are not leading to increases in unemployment but rather increases in economic inactivity. This is particularly worrying because it could lead to people losing contact with the labour market and reductions in human capital.

Furthermore, data on total hours worked shows a fall of 5.3 hours worked on average per week over the period March to May as compared to December to February. This reduction in hours means weekly wages will have fallen for many people who are still in employment and so living standards are likely to be taking a hit.

SEPTEMBER 2020

What is more, the latest data from Nisra show a sharp increase over the quarter in the claimant count and the number of confirmed and proposed redundancies as the full furlough scheme has drawn to a close and the flexi-furlough scheme takes its place.

A closer look at the data shows us that the lockdown has not had a uniform effect across all groups of workers in the labour market.

Indeed, one of the most striking changes in the labour market over the quarter has been the significant increase in economic inactivity for women. There are now 7,000 more women economically inactive than there was in the previous quarter, of which close to 60% want to work.

The fact that so many of those women who have become economically inactive want to work, but are not seeking employment and so are not classified as unemployed points to the likelihood of an underlying issue

which is preventing women from being able to participate in the labour market.

This underlying issue we know is childcare.

Back in May the Neri published a Research InBrief in which it warned about the misalignment between the reopening of many sectors of our economy while access to childcare remained so limited.

This, we argued, was going to leave many mothers, who are most often the primary caregiver, with no option but to exit the labour market.

The labour market data released last week now shows this prediction to be true. If the furlough scheme can show us just how much Government interventions can do to support our economy and peoples lives, the lack of policy action on childcare shows the impact of a lack of or a hesitation to action can have.

One can only hope that the lesson to be learned is of the power of policy, rather than women’s livelihoods being once again written into history as the price worth paying. â–

 AGRI BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Fane Valley Finnebrogue Artisan

AWARDS

 BEST LARGE COMPANY Edge Wilsons Auctions First Derivatives Henderson Retail  BEST USE OF DIGITAL/SOCIAL MEDIA Scaffold Digital STATsports Gander/Rumour Mill  EXCELLENCE IN MARKETING Wood Floor Warehouse Beyond Skin Henderson Wholesale  BEST ESTABLISHED SMALL/ MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESS KME Steelworks Axial 3D Outsource Solutions (NI) Ltd Margaret Canning, Belfast Telegraph business editor, and Mark Crimmins, head of Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland

Shortlist revealed for Belfast Telegraph Business Awards

T

he shortlist for this year’s Belfast Telegraph Business Awards, with Ulster Bank, has now been revealed.

ceremony in April as planned, it is right that the many outstanding businesses who entered this year’s awards have their good work recognised.

The judging panel has held a remote judging session to select finalists in 12 hotly-contested categories, spanning all sizes of businesses in a range of sectors.

“The shortlisted companies are some of Northern Ireland’s most resilient, well-managed and innovative, and they will no doubt play an important role as the local economy seeks to recover.

The winners of this year’s awards will be announced in the autumn along with the recipients of two special awards, Overall Company of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Ulster Bank is once again the headline sponsor of this year’s awards programme.

Kenton Hilman, head of corporate banking at Ulster Bank, said: “Congratulations to all of the companies appearing on the shortlist.

“While we were unable to hold the awards

44

“We hope that this year’s awards will allow businesses the opportunity to reflect on and achieve inspiration from their many impressive accomplishments, and we look forward to announcing and recognising the winners in the months ahead.”

Category sponsors for the awards include law firm Wilson Nesbitt, Retail NI, retail giant Asda, Ulster University Business School, Hastings Hotel Group, Sparq, MCL Insure Tech, Hillsborough Castle & Gardens and law firm McKees. ■

 EXCELLENCE IN CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Musgrave Henderson Wholesale Musgrave  EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH AND WELLBEING Simon Community Smurfit Kappa K4 Consultancy  EXCELLENCE IN EXPORTING AES Global Ltd Cubis Henderson Technology  EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION Precept IT Salt DNA MRP Lowden Guitars  EXCELLENCE IN MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP Henry Group Grafton Recruitment  RETAILER OF THE YEAR EUROSPAR Ballyhackamore Wood Floor Warehouse JC Stewarts  YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR Conal McGarrity, PA Duffy Solicitors Stephen Kissick, Donite Plastics Samantha Kirk, Dynamic Signal  EMERGING BUSINESS/START-UP OF THE YEAR K4 Consultancy See Me Hired

Conferences & event management

CONFERENCES & EVENT MANAGEMENT

Hybrid: the future of the events industry?

The black tie, formal awards ceremony and annual industry bashes have been put on physical hold amid the coronavirus crisis. But what’s next for the events sector in the coming months and years, is the ‘hybrid’ model the future of the industry and could it be almost a year before we see a return to the gala? John Mulgrew speaks to the experts

S

they did pre-lockdown but the only difference being that the audience watches the speakers or presenters from home,” Neil Dalzell, ND Events, told Ulster Business.

But what I wouldn’t give for one now. That being said, our events industry is evolving and using digital solutions to replicate and replace the once burgeoning event spaces – filled with the best and brightest from across the world of Northern Ireland business and beyond.

“Looking to the future, it will be difficult to see the return of live events such as gala dinners and awards ceremonies within the next six to nine months. There will be big challenges with new hygiene requirements at venues and social distancing, but most importantly, it will be regaining public confidence to attend large scale events that will be the key for a return to normality within our industry.”

And the word now being thrown around is ‘hybrid’. We’ve already seen it in events like TEDx talks here, technology events and other awards ceremonies – whereby a smaller event takes place in a face-to-face environment, while the majority of the guests tune in online using platforms such as Zoom.

The events sector has taken a “major knock as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, but we remain a resilient and creative bunch so we have taken this downtime as an opportunity to look ahead and plan for what is to come in the future”, according to Anna Connor, head of events, MCE Public Relations.

“(My company) has recently delivered virtual events from a purpose-built studio for clients.

The events have the same look and feel as

The issue remains social distancing and a strict limit on the number of people who can gather.

And with the number of cases slowly on the

ometimes the sheer number of formal morning, day or black tie soirées can overwhelm a magazine editor’s calendar. It’s all part of the job, though, and a crucial part of the networking that the Northern Ireland business community is so good at.

46

CONFERENCES & EVENT MANAGEMENT

rise here at the time of print, and the next phase of reopening – including wet-only pubs – pushed back, that loosening of restrictions is unlikely to change any time soon.

“This year we have seen most annual events being either cancelled or shifted to a new virtual set up – and I think it is fair to say that some of those virtual options have been more successful than others,” Anna told Ulster Business.

“Online events can offer your business the chance to reach a larger, more global audience and similarly they can give new delegates the option to tap into learnings from new markets.

With this in mind you want to make sure that

SEPTEMBER 2020

you are making the right impression with a very slick delivery.

“It is easy to think that because an event is online that perhaps you don’t need to prepare for it as much as if it were in person, but that simply isn’t true. Virtual events can be costly and you need to have the right platform, software and technical support in place. It can be difficult to hold the attention of your attendees for long periods, speakers can find it hard to engage with a virtual audience and finding networking solutions for attendees can be challenging.”

Of course, much of this negates the overwhelming importance of the social

>

47

CONFERENCES & EVENT MANAGEMENT

element, as well as revenue for many of those companies which normally count such events as key elements of their business.

“The past few months have been challenging times in the world of events,” Neil says. “We have seen a huge number of cancellations and postponements, putting a pause on companies and organisations being able to deliver conferences, awards events, and team-building days.

value it helps deliver,” he says.

And so attention turns to the ‘hybrid’ model – bringing together the production element of a traditional event with the ease of connectivity through digital means.

“But on a positive note, many clients are embracing change and adapting to produce virtual events. The immediate reaction has been to turn a live event into a virtual one using packages such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

“As we move forwards out of lockdown in Northern Ireland we are likely to find that there is a blend of in person and virtual events,” Anna says. “In fact some digital only events have already been incorporating in person elements by arranging food and drink drop offs for everyone to enjoy together. These have been particularly useful for corporate team bonding activities, as businesses adjust their internal communications to suit remote work from home scenarios.

“While this works for some events, a lot of companies are experiencing ‘webinar overload’, and live events cannot simply be replaced with generic video communication packages.”

“The most innovative businesses continue to look for inspiration about how they can deliver hybrid events – a blend of digital and in person events – in a way that will make meaningful connections with their customers and clients.

He says while technology is a “fantastic enabler” to help connect people it should not be confused with the live experience itself”.

“All too often the focus is the novelty factor that technology brings, rather than the real

“And this in itself presents a very positive opportunity. Those who are willing to attend your events in person will have the opportunity for face to face contact, and those who are unable to travel will still benefit from the

48

content provided on an online platform. This option offers the organiser more flexibility in content and the opportunity for more variety in the format and agenda, making it a more engaging experience for the attendee.

“Bringing people together for an event, even a hybrid one, will need extensive consideration and management in the future. Whatever your plans for your events calendar this year, health and safety will need to be a key priority.

Everything from the way we register, the way we eat and the social distancing rules we will abide by will make the experience a very different one from what we are used to.”

And as Neil Dalzell believes it could be at least nine months before we begin to see a return to larger scale events, a blend of both the real world and traditional is “the future of the events industry”.

“This will cater for both sets of audiences,” he says. “Event management companies have to embrace the world of virtual events and be as competent in their delivery as they are with live event management. Those companies that do not adopt virtual events as an integral part of future event management will struggle and find it difficult to adapt to this new world.” ■

NEWS

What the new aquarium could look like

Ireland’s biggest marine life attraction due to get green light

By John Mulgrew

A

major £12m aquarium which could create more than 50 full-time jobs for Belfast looks set to get the green light.

The new tourist spot could see as many as 300,000 visitors each year, according to those behind the attraction, at its Titanic Quarter site.

It’s set to be the biggest attraction of its kind on the island of Ireland. Belfast City Council planners had recommended the new development is awarded planning approval.

The firm behind it, reefLIVE, says around 80 to 100 construction jobs could be created during its construction, with 51 full-time posts created when it opens its doors, subject to getting the planning green light.

The aquarium would be a two-storey building, based across more than 30,000 sq ft, and include a cafe, coral reef ocean tank, with the main exhibition space across five zones on the first floor – themed as Ireland, Deep Ocean, Azores, Pacific and Arctic.

50

It’s expected that visitors would spend between one and a half and two hours on-site, with tours offered such as dive experiences, behind-the-scenes tours and virtual reality ice dives.

Around 13 representations were received in relation to the planning application, including 10 letters of objection. Concerns included the impact to traffic and travel, the impact on heritage for both listed buildings and monuments, flooding and the potential negative impact on the Portaferry aquarium in Co Down. A decision on granting approval was deferred in the middle of August.

The aquarium’s exterior building has been designed by Ethos Architects while the interior has been devised by aquarium design team led by Kay Elliott Architects. Those behind the tourist attraction say it is “anticipated that the reefLIVE Aquarium will be the largest marine-life visitor attraction on the island of Ireland and in bringing another internationalstandard attraction to the Titanic Quarter, will help to boost the length of each tourist visit to the city”.

Keith Thomas, managing director, reefLIVE, said: “reefLIVE Aquarium Belfast will be part of a new generation of aquaria that offer visitors a truly unique and educational experience of ocean life, its creatures and their habitats. We believe that this kind of fully involved experience can help influence or challenge behaviours, and shape the attitudes of a generation that already has so much access to information that they are no longer interested in generic or passive experiences.

Brian Kelly, a director at the project’s planning consultants, Turley, said: “We are delighted to have supported the reefLIVE planning application it is an exciting attraction that fits with the emergence of Titanic Quarter a primary leisure quarter in the city. Investment in Northern Ireland’s tourism and leisure sector will prove vital for the region’s recovery in a post-Covid world. The aquarium plans have been enthusiastically welcomed by the general public, and city stakeholders, and we welcome the recommendation for approval

by Belfast City Council officers.” ■

INTERVIEW

From crisps to creating a theme park Tayto Park founder Ray Coyle is not afraid of taking a risk, he tells Ailish O’Hora of the challenges he’s faced and successes he has enjoyed

T

ayto Park, Ireland’s biggest zoo and theme park near Ashbourne, Co Meath, celebrates its 10th birthday this year. However, when it opened in October 2010, its founder and majority owner Raymond Coyle wasn’t sure it would make it to its first birthday. It nearly didn’t.

In hindsight, Raymond said there were two ‘no nos’ around its opening. With the majority of the rides being outdoors, the business is seasonal and dependent on the weather – so a winter launch might not have been one of his best ideas.

In addition, it opened in turbulent times. A month after Tayto Park’s 2010 opening, Ireland entered a bailout programme and the ECB, IMF and European Commission troika came to town. It was a winter of major discontent.

“You don’t open an amenity park in October, in the depths of winter and when I think about it, it was in the middle of a recession too.

People didn’t start to come until 2011 and it was a worrying time. But things did pick up in 2011,” he said.

Raymond, it seems, is not risk averse – as is the case with many entrepreneurs. Nor is he afraid to admit to past business mistakes and is sanguine when he recalls some of his misadventures.

A decision to enter the crisp market in war-

52

torn Libya was a lesson learned, he said. The 80,000 sq ft factory in Tripoli was built in 2008 and Raymond pumped about €2m into it.

in Enniscorthy on the way back from making a delivery and I saw a poster where a guy was raffling a boat,” he said.

For nearly three years, it churned out Tayto products and, according to Raymond, it became profitable in its last few months before violence erupted in February 2011. The rest is history, as they say.

That was his eureka moment. He decided to raffle off a farm. He sought the necessary legal and financial advice and decided to sell 4,000 tickets at £300 a pop.

“I met this fella who was supposed to be well connected. It never worked out – I lost money,” he said. He recalls another decision to launch a pre-cooked spud range called Potato Cuisine 20 years ago, which didn’t work out either. However, today supermarket shelves are stocked with different sorts of pre-cooked potato products – it’s big business.

If there’s one theme in the Raymond’s story, it’s potatoes, in one form or another. He was born into a medium-sized tillage farming family. The family also owned a small pub, O’Donoghue’s in Kilbrew, near Ashbourne.

“My people were farmers. It’s what I came from. They grew crops and grains. But before I turned my hand to the potato business, I spent a couple of years working in the US before I came back. In 1975, potatoes were a very cheap product to produce and the timing was lucky for me. We grew to over 1,000 acres at one stage. But then the third year was dreadful and I owed the bank £1.2m punts. I managed to get some of the money together, but not nearly enough. I was sitting in a café

So instead of growing spuds, he started making crisps. “We started off small in the early 1980s. There were seven people working in the business in a 6,000 sq ft factory. The first brand was called Cottage but it wasn’t up to it. It was unknown and going nowhere and it wasn’t until I bought the Perri brand that things took off. I was on the road all the time, selling crisps to shops around the country. It was a difficult time though. Because of the previous debt, it was five years before we could access bank loans again. We bought the Sam Spudz business in Donegal and we came up with Hunky Dory brand and ran very good marketing campaigns,” he said.

Raymond remained busy with the brands he had bought up, but his eye was still on the prize – the Tayto brand — which he wanted to add to his Largo Foods business.

He couldn’t afford to buy Tayto when it first came onto the market but he acquired it when drinks firm C&C offloaded it in 2006 for over €60m. He had also been involved with a Czech snack company which he sold before buying Tayto.

INTERVIEW

Raymond Coyle

German snack firm Intersnack acquired a 15% stake in Largo for €15m back in 2007 but Raymond only sold off his remaining 25% stake in the company back in 2017.

That same year he terminated his relationship with both Largo Foods and subsidiary Tayto Crisps when he resigned as chairman and director at Largo, which has since been rebranded as Tayto Snack under the ownership of Intersnack.

The brand is still important to Raymond and his family though, as he still owns the naming rights. And he literally faces a constant reminder of it every day – Tayto Park is located

SEPTEMBER 2020

across the road from the Tayto factory.

Raymond had been eyeing up the amenity park business for a good while before Tayto Park opened. Tayto Park is located on 141 acres, including running and walking paths.

“We came up with the design ourselves, with the help of some consultants. Because of Covid, we’re on 30% capacity but we are lucky most of the rides are outdoor.

“Last year 750,000 people visited the park and the business generally grows at a rate of 7% to 8% per year. We employ over 400 people both full- and part-time and are planning our next phase of expansion. But the most important

part of it is the visitor experience, you could probably spend a full day here and still not have the time to enjoy everything,” he said.

The park boasts the biggest wooden roller coaster in Europe – the Cú Chulainn – as well as a major water ride, dubbed the Viking Voyage and many other attractions, including a zoo. While plans for a new €15.5m roller coaster hit a setback recently after local residents lodged an appeal to An Bord Pleanála against a decision by Meath Co Council to give the project the go-ahead, Raymond is hopeful the issue can be resolved as he is keen to get on with the next phase of investment at the park. ■

53

CONFERENCES & EVENT MANAGEMENT

Many suffering behind the scenes of the concert industry With our theatres and venues due to be able to reopen on September 1, will it be too little too late for many of those working back stage, asks Emma Deighan

A

number of theatres and concert halls have been given the goahead to reopen for the first time since the Covid-19 lockdown. But for many behind the scenes, a string of cancelled events could mark the end of their business.

A resumption date of August 8 for the concert and theatre sectors was set out by the Department For Communities, which would allow for rehearsals with the hope of audiences returning to venues on September 1.

It leaves little time this year alone for gigs to be planned and most of 2020’s schedule of events has either been moved to 2021 or cancelled. That has forced an ecosystem of contractors and support staff to lose out on almost a full year of business.

The director of an audio consultancy, who did not want to be named, said: “Given the lead time for organising large events I am now resigned to my company having no work at all this year, and therefore no income.

My business will inevitably be wound up or become bankrupt.”

In Belfast, the annual Belsonic Gig at Ormeau

54

Park has rescheduled its entire event to next summer with headlining acts including Liam Gallagher, Lionel Richie and Lewis Capadli. It’s a move that will hit many suppliers hard.

PR professional and events promoter Michelle McTernan says she is heavily reliant on the live performance and events sectors.

“Because of Covid-19 eight of the festivals I was working on had to be cancelled despite months of work already going into promoting them,” she said.

“My job means I’m paid upon completion of the event so for all eight events I received around 50% of what I usually would be paid.

It’s a devastating time for professionals like myself. We were marketing events in vain, lost ticket sales and we are facing really uncertain times.”

Meanwhile the SSE Arena, which hosts the bigger music events here, said it doesn’t foresee any concerts being held there in 2020.

The Script was one of the last live bands to perform there in March before lockdown.

A spokesman for the Odyssey Trust, which operates the complex containing the arena, said: “It is our understanding that the guidance released last week (at the start of August) relates to the opening of some smaller theatres and concert venues. A return to larger events in an arena setting will require more guidance and clarity around the measures required around mass gatherings.

Ms McTernan has been behind the PR for events like Dearg Fest and Friends Goodwill Festival in Larne featuring Hothouse Flowers and Eddi Reader. She said Covid-19 has had a “frightening” impact.

“We are working towards re-opening the SSE Arena Belfast as soon as we can safely do so.

At present, we anticipate this may be possible by the end of this year, subject to advice from government and health authorities. Reopening also needs to be economically viable.

Ms McTernan said she has rescheduled The Younique Aesthetics Festival Of Love twice.

Headlined by Brian Kennedy the festival will take place on September 25 and 26.

“We anticipate that even when we can reopen, levels of business and how we interact with customers will have changed significantly. There is a significant lead in time

CONFERENCES & EVENT MANAGEMENT

The Script performs at the SSE Arena in Belfast in 2018

in order to prepare for larger events and many international promoters have already chosen to cancel or reschedule tours until 2021.”

A spokesman for the Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall said the venues would work with a “phased re-opening”. “Since the beginning of March, we have worked closely with promoters to reschedule over 70 shows.

This will ensure that the Waterfront and Ulster Halls will continue to set the stage for some of the biggest names in the arts. Patron and staff safety is our top priority,” she said.

Other victims of rescheduled music events include lighting and sound technicians, equipment suppliers and providers of safety and site management.

It’s feared that the losses suffered will impact the sector’s ability to resume in the long-term.

As well as calls for more funding for the sector, musicians and others in the industry are calling for tax relief and a ban on ticket VAT for the next three years have also been made to safeguard the industry’s immediate future in the aftermath of the virus.

SEPTEMBER 2020

Music Industry, a UK-wide support body for the sector, says 50% of those involved behind the scenes at the concert sector only “have four month’s worth of liquidity”. And further figures reveal that 60% of the 200,000 roles that support the live music sector are at risk.

And the continued difficulties have been highlighted by high-profile performers in the industry like Ed Sheeran, the Rolling Stones and Coldplay who have written to the UK Culture Secretary for more funding.

Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher also wrote: “Amazing gigs don’t happen without an amazing team behind the stage, but they’ll all be out of jobs unless we can get back out there doing what we love.”

In a parliamentary publication it was revealed that the concert sector alone generated £1bn UK-wide, reaching an audience of 25 million.

The National Arenas Association projects that the 23 UK arenas it represents will lose almost £235m worth of ticket sales over a six-month period while many smaller grassroots venues

are facing closure.

In Belfast the Oh Yeah Centre has joined a nationwide campaign to protect its future. The #saveourvenues Crowdfunding drive, its says, will “support our plans to invest in alternative ways to support local music until the venue can open again.”

A report on the Impact of Covid-19 on the Digital Media Culture and Sport (DMCS) Sector says: “The UK’s thriving festival and live events sector has been particularly badly hit, with UK Music estimating that 90% of all festivals in 2020 will be cancelled. The Association of Independent Festivals says that 92% of its members face permanent collapse and 98.5% are not covered by cancellation insurance, despite having already incurred an average sunk cost of £375,000 per event.

“The seasonality of the industry means that cancellations over spring and summer mean a complete loss of income for the year ahead, which could have devastating consequences for the SMEs and self-employed workers in the live events supply chain.” ■

55

BREXIT

NI only UK region that can make wine with EU produce post-Brexit

By Christopher Woodhouse

N

orthern Ireland will be the only part of the UK where you can make wine with EU-grown grapes after Brexit.

When the so-called transition period ends on December 31 this year, wineries in Great Britain will no longer be allowed to make wine with grapes imported from the remaining 27 member states.

However, due to Northern Ireland’s unique position post-Brexit wine producers, if they are based here, will still be allowed to buy grapes from the continent.

The new regulations were revealed in a parliamentary question to George Eustice, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) by Labour MP Neil Coyle.

In an answer provided by Defra junior minister Victoria Prentis, she said: “UK-produced wine has a growing international reputation and the government is committed to supporting a thriving UK wine industry.

“After the transition period, the effect of the

56

European Union (Withdrawal) Act means it will not be possible to use grapes from third countries (including those from the EU) for the purpose of producing wine in Great Britain.

“It will continue to be possible to use grapes from EU countries for the purpose of producing wine in Northern Ireland. During the transition period, production of wine in the UK from grapes imported from the EU is permitted. This period allows GB operators time to adapt their practices in readiness for our departure from the single market and customs union.

“The government will keep the rules on the production and marketing of wine under review.”

Mr Coyle, who opposed Brexit, said the different rules on wine production in Northern Ireland and Great Britain is “problematic on many levels”.

“The leave campaign said they would be protecting the integrity of the United Kingdom, when actually Defra’s policy looks set to inhibit Great Britain while Northern Ireland remains separate,” he said.

“It is small but it is a growing and significant sector, the majority of the producers are in the south east of England and Kent in particular. The Wine and Spirit Trade Association is in my constituency and it is instituting an inquiry into policy postBrexit, in particularly affecting the wine industry.

“Instead of just making it harder to import wine from Australia or the Americas, it will become harder to import wine from anywhere and there are lots of other issues in there including grapes.

“There is an increasingly well established and respected wine growing sector in the UK but it has faced very difficult problems in cold winters and there has been the need to use grapes from elsewhere, it wouldn’t take too much of a cold winter for the need to import more. Having laws that prevent that happening could, with two cold winters, we would no longer have an industry.

“I hope Defra sees sense and realise this is more damaging than it acknowledges so far and there is still a window in which to correct this.” ■

Energy, waste & environment Sponsored by

ENERGY, WASTE & ENVIRONMENT

A crisis fuelling the climate change challenge In the space of just a few weeks and months, the green issue of tackling change and heading towards a new Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland centred around a net zero carbon target ramped up amid a crisis like no other. John Mulgrew looks at why it’s important and the work being done to get us there

‘T

he climate emergency is very real, and its effects are gripping the world, globally and here in Northern Ireland.’

That was the opening line in an open letter from a wide swathe of politicians and academics to Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots.

Some of those in his party have had a tempestuous relationship with the idea – former Environment Minister (yes, Environment Minister) Sammy Wilson has previously said climate change is a con.

Mr Poots then fell into somewhat a war of words over the use of the word ‘emergency’ or ‘crisis’ by department officials when referring to it, thus, prompting the Green Party led open letter to the DUP man.

58

That letter, along with many others in the Assembly, is pushing for the establishment of a formal Climate Change Act for Northern Ireland – something which comes as the Executive is expected to soon produce its new Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland, aiming to set out our green energy and renewable agenda at both home, work and travel, over the next decade.

The last strategy set out a renewable energy creation target of 40%. That’s something which we’ve managed to crack already. But experts have their sights on much more – from energy efficient homes to increased wind and solar generation, a structure to allow electric vehicles to thrive, the decarbonisation of heat and transport and pushing towards electric and hydrogenpowered public transport.

Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA during a visit to Movanagher Fish Farm in Co Antrim

“Northern Ireland is the only devolved administration up to this point which does not have its own climate change legislation and emissions targets in place,” Shauna Forbes, director, 3T Power told Ulster Business.

“The Act will require the entire economy to switch away from fossil fuels, as well as developing technologies for carbon capture and energy storage locally. This will mean

ENERGY, WASTE & ENVIRONMENT

generating even more renewable energy, making the switch to electric vehicles earlier, making buildings more energy efficient, and cutting emissions from agriculture, aviation and transport.”

3T Power is a renewable electricity provider which is working with a range of businesses in Northern Ireland, supplying 100% locallygenerated electricity to local businesses.

SEPTEMBER 2020

The company says renewable energy reduces our reliance on energy sources imported from overseas, and drives down the cost of energy which will reduce expenses for consumers and businesses, increasing disposable income that can be spent in other ways.

It’s something which NIE Networks is also keen to see increased green energy generation, and is working with both the

systems operator SONI and the Executive around the next Energy Strategy. It has undergone investment of around £365m in the network to facilitate generation.

It’s also actively contributing to the Department’s ‘Northern Ireland Strategic Energy Framework to 2030’, which will define the government’s approach to the evolution of the energy sector here over the next >

59

ENERGY, WASTE & ENVIRONMENT

Translink’s Chris Conway

decade working towards a 2050 net zero economy.

Meanwhile, speaking on the Ulster Business Podcast, Translink chief executive Chris Conway is pushing for the rolling out of green buses – working with Bamford, formerly Wrightbus, on its new hydrogen buses.

Chris says that the Translink fleet could include 50% of hydrogen or electric vehicles in the space of just a couple of years.

Looking at the overall green energy agenda and the push for a much greater use of renewables, Shauna Forbes cites the example of how Iceland has embraced the power of renewable energy generation.

“Iceland is the world’s leader in generating renewable energy, producing more green electricity per person than any other country on earth,” she said.

60

“By embracing renewable energy, Iceland has contributed to its picture postcard clean landscapes and healthy environment and has become a great role model for us here in Northern Ireland where we, too, can utilise renewables to help preserve our landscape and do our part to combat climate change.

“We need to develop technologies for energy storage.

“When we reach a point where we can store any excess renewable generation and release it when it’s needed, that’s when we will have really made steps forward.”

Interestingly, two small islands off the coast of Ireland are already ahead of the game when it comes to heading towards a greener future utilising hydrogen.

Rathlin and Valentia are both looking to develop a low carbon future. Hylanders is an energy project that seeks to drive major

changes in how we produce, manage and consume energy for remote communities.

Rathlin’s 2020-2030 energy plan envisaged piloting hydrogen powered vehicles on Rathlin, and is exploring the idea of upgrading the ferry connecting it to the Co Antrim coast with a new, greener, hydrogen version.

“Looking into the future there is huge potential for hydrogen to be used for reconversion to electricity as needed,” Colum O’Connell, of the Valentia Energy Group, says.

“Combine this with the ongoing developments of micro grid, you have a solution to have a robust continuous supply of electricity at a community level. This aligns with our strategic goal of energy independence. Being a relatively small island we are a good fit for innovation trials in these areas to demonstrate the viability of such solutions.” ■

ENERGY, WASTE & ENVIRONMENT

Heading towards a greener energy future and net zero With a new Energy Strategy due from Stormont next year, aimed at how best to create a greener future for Northern Ireland with the goal of a net zero carbon target by 2050, Randal Gilbert, head of network strategy for Northern Ireland Electricity Networks, speaks about what’s needed to get us there, and the part his organisation can play along the way

F

or Randal Gilbert a long-awaited new Energy Strategy, Climate Change Act and a focus on the decarbonisation of both heat and transport, are at the core of the required

thinking needed to ensure Northern Ireland’s greener energy future.

The head of network strategy for Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIE Networks) believes that it’s about a change in thinking for everyone here, with a long term goal of hitting a net zero target by 2050.

NIE Networks is the owner of the electricity transmission and distribution networks in Northern Ireland, transporting electricity to over 880,000 customers including homes, businesses and farms.

Employing around 1,200 people, it contributes almost £150m to the economy each year, and has invested over £365m in the network over the past decade to facilitate renewable generation.

“We have done some strong work in examining and building on what we see as key elements of the energy strategy, going forward,” Randal says.

That includes working directly with the Stormont departments to help develop policy options for setting ambitious decarbonisation targets for the power, heat and transport sectors over the next 30 years against the backdrop of UK net zero legislation..

NIE Networks is actively consulting with key policy makers and stakeholders on Northern Ireland’s energy future as one of four members of the Energy Strategy Electricity Stakeholder Group, a group led by the Department for the Economy.

And for Randal, the key areas of focus include securing a new Energy Strategy, a Climate Change Act, a focus on the decarbonisation of heat and transport, a commercially viable electric car network and pushing forward with the new North-South Interconnector – thus enabling further accommodation of renewable generation and more efficient operation of the market.

“Firstly, In Northern Ireland, we need a specific Climate Change Act

62

Randal Gilbert

and sectoral climate reduction targets,” Randal says. “That allows us to develop sectoral but coordinated strategies and outline clear pathways going forward.

“Secondly, the cornerstone of the energy strategy must be a focus on energy efficiency. The most valuable unit of energy is the one not consumed and this presents quite a significant challenge for Northern Ireland.

“We need to ensure that new housing stock is as energy efficient as possible through setting new standards, and retrofitting those already built to a standard compatible for low carbon heating solutions.

ENERGY, WASTE & ENVIRONMENT

However, more than 45% of the total annual electricity consumption in Northern Ireland is now being generated from local renewable sources.

NIE Networks has led the way in connecting that renewable generation to the network with over 23,000 customers in Northern Ireland now generating energy from renewable sources.

The decarbonisation of heat remains one of the most significant challenges for NI, and electrification has a significant role to play in decarbonising the sector. There is a current high reliance of customers on fossil fuels with a predominant reliance on oil, a relatively young natural gas network and a significant proportion of NI customers with no access to natural gas as an interim step.

Randal also says a crucial step to conservation of energy and greater efficiency is the phased roll out of smart metering. “Smart meters allow customers to assess and manage their energy needs more efficiently and it’s something which we’d like to see in homes and businesses across Northern Ireland.”

As for electric vehicles, with only around 3,000 in Northern Ireland, Randal says it’s a “chicken and egg” situation, and that people aren’t buying them in large volumes due to the lack of charging infrastructure and there isn’t the commercial interest from companies to enter the infrastructure market whilst numbers remain low.

“It is critical that those changes are made and that we have near zero energy buildings which are future proofed with low carbon heating,” Randal says.

NIE Networks is actively contributing to the Department’s ‘Northern Ireland Strategic Energy Framework to 2030’, which will define the government’s approach to the evolution of the energy sector here over the next decade working towards a 2050 net zero economy.

As distribution system operator, NIE Networks is working collaboratively with other stakeholders to generate a range of different energy pathways to 2050 by assessing the potential future deployment of various technologies such as renewable generation, electric vehicles, photovoltaic cells, energy storage and demand management technologies.

“We need an appropriate funding structure to make sure electric vehicle infrastructure is provided and is commercially viable,” he says. “The barrier is the commercial one - it isn’t presently commercially attractive to invest in that infrastructure. That is something we feel needs some urgency from the Government departments in Northern Ireland, to attract players into that market.”

And a key issue for Randal and NIE Networks is getting the final green light for the North-South Interconnector – which would see enhanced connectivity between the power grids between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

“That will have huge benefits for us, allowing the increased connection of renewables to meet targets, having a more secure grid and better access through the I-SEM for greater competition in electricity, making it a better deal for customers,” he says.

“We launched our consultation ‘Greater Access to the Distribution Network’ in 2019, seeking input from our stakeholders and customers on exactly how our future model and operating structure will evolve.

While Northern Ireland’s green credentials have come a long way in the last decade through the decarbonisation of power production, there remains significant work to be done.

“Our Innovation Strategy will be centred on meeting the low-carbon future challenge head on by seeking to provide, faster, cheaper and smarter connection solutions.”

Approximately 65% of Northern Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions come from power, transport, residential and industrial demand such as heating. Therefore renewable energy alone will not deliver Northern Ireland’s contribution to the UK net zero by 2050 decarbonisation targets, so collaborative working is needed to develop complementary energy strategies.

Essentially, energy efficiency should become part and parcel of everyday life here – at home and at work, as well as getting around.

SEPTEMBER 2020

“As NIE Networks makes plans for the future of the network we will ensure a customer centric approach that minimises costs for customers while providing a system that is flexible, reliable and cost effective.” ■

63

ENERGY, WASTE & ENVIRONMENT

Translink: building back greener Translink has been on the front line amid the coronavirus pandemic as an essential and key service. Its chief executive, Chris Conway, says passenger numbers are on the up and now is the time to focus on a greener future for the organisastion and Northern Ireland as a whole

C

ovid-19 has obviously had a huge impact on everything we do in Northern Ireland, from the economy to our social life, and public transport has not been exempt from that.

From several years of record passenger numbers, culminating in close to 85 million passengers in 2018/19 (a 20-year high), public transport is starting to rebuild as lockdown is lifted across our community.

The last few months have been challenging for everyone, but as we recover, we have a chance to advance a ‘green recovery’ in Northern Ireland, with sustainable travel options like walking, cycling and public transport having a massive role to play in the ‘new normal’.

As travelling habits potentially change – for example, less peak-time travelling as more people work from home or start and finish work later could be balanced out by

64

increased leisure and evening travel – there is an opportunity to change the dynamics and encourage people to use the bus or train for weekend or off-peak journeys, or to walk and cycle for shorter journeys, with associated positive impacts on our environment.

Translink is prioritising investment in low and zero carbon technologies for our bus fleet – we are on course to move towards a zero-carbon fleet in both Belfast and Derry/Londonderry by 2030, By the end of 2020, we’ll be trialling hydrogen powered buses in Belfast, powered by hydrogen supplied from a Co Antrim windfarm.

This investment sits alongside the low emission vehicles we’re already using on the Metro fleet in Belfast, as well as our eco-hybrid Glider fleet. We’re also taking steps to ensure that our existing infrastructure is even more pedestrian and cyclist friendly, including bike

parking facilities on the Glider network and at main stations.

We’re also examining options for rail including the possibility of electric and bi-modal trains and potential electrification of the network to help reduce emissions even further. In the immediate term, we will be increasing capacity on the NI Railways network by taking delivery of 21 new carriages in 2021, providing an additional 2,000+ more seats a day.

Lockdown has emphasised the human impact on the environment, with significant global improvements in air quality and emissions being recorded during the period. It is worth remembering that this occurred when public transport continued to operate, not just in Northern Ireland but around the world, reinforcing the need to reduce reliance on the car and increase our focus on sustainable transport.

ENERGY, WASTE & ENVIRONMENT

Significant investment will be required in sustainable transport initiatives to ensure that current progress can be built upon. Public transport across the world has suffered as a result of the pandemic, but ensuring its long term security is essential if we are to build a greener future.

We’re continuing to advance in our efforts to make environmentally sustainable transport the first choice for travel, with key projects like the Hydrogen Bus pilot, the North-West Transport Hub, the Belfast Transport Hub and Future Ticketing System, which will allow bus and rail passengers greater choice in how they pay for their travel, including additional contactless and cash-free options, in keeping with what’s now a worldwide trend.

Energia group chief executive Ian Thom, Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon, Wrightbus chairman Jo Bamford and Translink group chief executive Chris Conway pictured as Belfast is set to receive the first ever hydrogen-powered double decker buses in Ireland before the end of 2020

Translink is committed to a focus on sustainable transport and to the positive impact such a focus can bring to our

SEPTEMBER 2020

environment, and it will require a huge collective effort on the part of everyone in the community.

It is critical that major projects like these continue to drive forward if we’re to tackle the climate emergency effectively and help make public transport and other sustainable modes the first choice whenever we’re travelling. ■ For more details on how we’re helping to build an environmentally sustainable future for transport, please visit www.translink.co.uk

65

INTERVIEW

Garret Flower: Parklife As his firm grows worldwide, Parkoffice founder Garret Flower tells Samantha McCaughren how parking space is the final frontier

J

ust over four years ago, Garret Flower bought his first car – egged on by his then girlfriend, now fiancée, who was “sick of getting the bus”. Still in his 20s, he was already running a successful business having co-founded Dublin retail and whole bakery business Krust, which claimed to have brought millennial favourite ‘the cronut’ to the city.

66

“I was driving through Ranelagh and I couldn’t find a parking space anywhere. And I got so frustrated that I was like ‘this is the worst purchase ever, why did we not get the Luas’,” Garret says.

He could see plenty of spaces in the driveways of people’s homes and having done a stint knocking on front doors during a sales role in

Airtricity, he decided to take matters into his own hands.

“Knocking on doors is something that’s really tough but something I learned how do. So I knocked on the door, said ‘I hope you don’t mind, I am just so stressed out, I can’t find parking anywhere, we’re late is there any chance I can leave the car here for a few hours

INTERVIEW

and I’ll be back straight away’ and she said ‘no problem’.”

He brought back some chocolates and €10 to say thanks and the woman laughed that she should do it more often. “That’s when it just hit me. Why don’t people do this all the time?” he says.

Garret quickly went about assembling a team, bringing co-founder and chief technology officer Daniel Paul on board to set up Parkpnp.

Offering people parking spaces ranging from residential spaces to unused hotel spaces, its early backers included Sean Melly’s Powerscourt Capital and Enterprise Ireland.

The firm has since evolved by launching Parkoffice, which is aimed at managing car parking spaces for businesses and large organisations. The company is heavily focused on the US, having just signed up its tenth Fortune 500 customer. More will follow, with an as yet unnamed big tech firm in California becoming one of its latest signings.

The US accounts for about 70% of its business at the moment, where it manages close to 50,000 spaces, and Australia is the company’s next high-growth market, where it launched nine months ago. Adoption in Ireland has been slower than in the US and other markets, with Irish companies appearing to be less willing to take a chance on a small new Irish business.

“We’re talking to a number of banks here at the moment that haven’t pulled the trigger, even though it makes total sense,” Garret.

Big names which have already adopted the technology include Indeed and CBRE. He moved to New York last September to oversee the growth of the business in the US and was home for a visit in March when lockdown kicked in. He has been in Longford, where he’s from, since then.

As a child, his Puerto Rican mother and Longford farmer father dabbled in entrepreneurial ventures such as a fruit juice business when he was growing up.

SEPTEMBER 2020

He brought back some chocolates and €10 to say thanks and the woman laughed that she should do it more often. “That’s when it just hit me. Why don’t people do this all the time?” he says Garret had ambitions to become a professional rugby player but after school studied at the Dublin Business School, where he continued to seek out opportunities to make some extra money.

He noticed that his apartment in Temple Bar was constantly filled with friends before heading out for a night. So he decided to start charging people €10 to come in, offering food and drinks in the price as well as entry to a night club. Up to 40 people would pay the cover price.

During this time he met Devan Hughes, the founder of Buymie, the fast-growing grocery app which has recently launched in the UK. Both aged just over 20, the pair began working on business ideas together and settled on a solar farm plan for the farmland in Longford.

The solar farm never materialised, but it set the pair on an exciting business adventure in the US. His grandfather was close to President John F Kennedy, playing a key role in garnering support for him from the Hispanic community.

Through his US connections, he was put in touch with Diego Bellmonte, a leading US sustainable energy consultant who introduced the pair to LED lighting company Noribachi.

“They ended up inviting us to be part of their pre-IPO round,” he says.

He and Devan spent two months trying to raise money to invest, pulling together €50,000 only to be told €500,000 was the minimum amount. They returned to Ireland as agents for Noribachi but 10 years ago, they struggled

to convince big business of the savings which could be made with LED lighting.

After one more short-lived business venture – selling golf equipment imported from China – Devan and Garret decided to go their separate ways and get jobs.

He took up a role back at the Dublin Business School where he tried to set up an entrepreneurs’ society. He emailed around an invite to all the students, which turned up only one response. That person, Rob Kramer, turned up to meet Garret carrying a basket of pastries.

“He ended up becoming my partner in the new business, Krust bakery.”

Garret sold his stake 18 months ago as he focused on Parkpnp and Parkoffice. When he set up Parkpnp in 2016, the business raised €500,000 from Enterprise Ireland, Powerscourt Capital and a number of high-net-worth individuals. They grew the business to 15 people quickly and began to scale up. Parkpnp was growing organically with 25,000 parking spaces in Ireland alone.

That then led Garret think there must be a solution to managing the spaces more efficiently – leading them to establish Parkoffice, which is now the main business which has “scaled phenomenally” over the last 18 to 24 months.

With the way people work being changed by Covid-19 and the seeming inevitability of more remote working, does this have the potential to make pressure on car parking spaces less of an issue? He says managing car spaces has become more complex than ever.

“There is actually a spike in demand for our services,” he says. “Where traditionally you would have been working five days a week in the office, you might now have two or three days a week in the office. How do you manage who gets parking on those days they do get into the office? And who manages how many car-pooling spaces there are, how many bike spaces, how many electric vehicle spaces? That is where Parkoffice is now. You can manage it all seamlessly through our algorithm.” ■

67

HOSPITALITY

Pubs and restaurants: a guide to eating and drinking after lockdown With a date being pushed back for the reopening of non-food pubs, John Mulgrew has taken on the hard task of checking out some of those spots that can open and how they are coping with the necessary new changes  The Sunflower Union Street, Belfast Normally a heaving venue, both in the small inside bar and large outside beer garden, The Sunflower has had to adapt to the changing rules and regulations around both opening, and distancing. It benefits from having the large outside area, and the table set up is very different than before to allow distancing, while there are also now outside urinals and hand sanitiser. Larger tables have been split down the middle with sheeting between each. It’s now table service, as with other establishments. Food wise, it also plays host to The Boxing Hare – an outdoor wood-fired pizza business offering up a range of variations from as little as £7, delivered to your table.  The American Bar Dock Street, Belfast The second pub from stalwart Pedro Donald, The American has a small level of seating outside but is now also serving food in the form of soup and fresh bread from a nearby supplier. Since reopening, tables are wellspaced out, with soft semi-transparent plastic sheeting hanging from the ceiling to separate tables. Soup and sourdough comes in generally at just £3 so it’s a solid option for a cheap bite while still availing of a solid range of decent Irish brews and a couple of interesting guest taps.  Deanes at Queen’s College Gardens, Belfast Michael Deane’s south Belfast bistro – headed by former Great British Menu winner Chris Fearson – was one of the first restaurants

68

Manager Bob McManus outside The Sunflower in Belfast

to reopen in the area. Already a fairly large restaurant, some tables have been spaced out further still to make way for appropriate distancing. There’s a new hand sanitiser station on the way in and menus are of the single use printed variety. Bookings are recommended as it was almost a full house during our visit, with the usual wide variety on the menu including the classic chicken liver parfait and salt-aged sirloin steak from Moira meat merchant, Peter Hannan.  Nonnas Wood Fired Pizza Shipquay Street, Derry Located close to the city centre and nearby Bishop’s Gate Hotel, Nonnas offers up a range of wood-fired pizzas and, like many others, has adapted its set up post-lockdown. It’s visors for staff serving customers, with booths

given greater separation with the addition of perspex screens along the top. Menus are out in favour of a QR code which takes you to the menu. That’s also the point of sale – you can place your order through the app, paying by card, with food then brought to your table.

It’s licensed, too, so any additional drinks can also be purchased directly using the online platform.  Brunel’s Downs Road, Newcastle One of the top spots for food in Co Down, Brunel’s sits just across the gate from the Slieve Donard hotel in Newcastle. Visiting on a Sunday, it boasts an extremely good value menu – two courses for £20 or three for £25.

It’s a lot of very high level cooking. A prestarter of pig’s head croquettes, followed by a

HOSPITALITY

The new Cargo by Vertigo outdoor bar

The Tap Room at Rathmullan House now located outside

liver parfait taken to the next level with malt and homemade sultana brioche. The usual sanitising is available for customers and staff are wearing face shields when bringing food and drinks to the table.  The Errigle Inn Ormeau Road, Belfast The Errigle, one of the best-known and largest watering holes in the south of the city, reopened its doors at the end of July, later than others in the area. But in that time it has undergone significant changes. That includes new bathroom facilities in the main bar and updated décor, as well as coronavirus-related modifications. That include temperature testing on entry, bookings for inside (at the time of writing), and large perspex screens separating the outside area, where food doesn’t have to be consumed. Inside, The Pinewood bar has greater separation between booths and tables, with screens and table service. A reliable lasagne is a good option.  Northern Lights Ormeau Road, Belfast Northern Lights benefits from a large and open space inside, and has taken precautions to space tables out more widely to ensure social distancing is maintained, while larger groups can still sit at the large banquet table in the centre of the bar. The double doors at the front tend to be open, limiting contact, with a sanitising station on the way in. There’s a requirement to purchase a main meal – more or less in line with regulations of owner Galway Bay’s other bars in the Republic – which can constitute wings and fries, or

SEPTEMBER 2020

The Hot Honey pizza at Nonnas in Derry

something more substantial. Space permitting, patrons can sit outside at the front without ordering food – an area which has since been expanded post-lockdown.  Cargo by Vertigo Titanic Quarter, Belfast Perhaps what will become the first of many businesses to seize on the benefits of using large, outdoor spaces to serve and accommodate customers, while maintaining social distancing. Located behind Spud Murphy’s – also owned by Gareth Murphy, behind the nearby We Are Vertigo activity centre – part of a disused area and former car park, Cargo is now a huge outdoor beer garden, with app-based table service and pizzas. It’s a mixture of entirely outdoor areas,

covered sections, and picnic tables under a large canopy.  The Tap Room at Rathmullan House Rathmullan, Donegal While Rathmullan House itself is a high-end hotel and dining experience, its popular Tap Room – home to Kinnegar beers – has now taken itself out of the basement area, and to the emerald lawns outside. It does one thing – more or less – and one thing very well.

The wood-fired pizzas attract large crowds from local and visitors to the popular Donegal summer spot. Once a smaller inside venue, it’s been transformed to a large outside area with a range of seating options available which are covered to deal with the unpredictable weather. ■

69

CORONAVIRUS

How is the public dealing with compulsory mask-wearing?

As of August 10 face masks are now compulsory in shops right across Northern Ireland. Claire McNeilly went on the ground on the first day to see how the public were dealing with the new changes to our retail landscape

I

t wasn’t so long ago that most of us were self-conscious about wearing face masks in public.

Now the opposite is true – and, especially in shops, you dare not be seen without on. From August 10, you could be fined up to £60 for not covering up in retail outlets. But did this deter Belfast’s hardy shoppers? Retail NI boss Glyn Roberts doesn’t think so.

Many of the independent traders he represents were pleasantly surprised on day one of the new normal in the physical retail world. Early indications suggest that a vast majority of people complied with the new ruling, but Mr Roberts said there was “still work to be done”,

70

adding that complacency is Northern Ireland’s biggest danger in the ongoing battle against the spread of Covid-19.

He warned that we could be heading for another lockdown unless we keep the reproduction, or ‘R’ number, down, with infections here tripling since July. His comments come after shop owners and staff in the areas of Belfast we visited reported “at least 90%” compliance with the new regulation announced.

Although there is concern among some retailers that the imposition of face coverings will drive shoppers online instead, yesterday’s footfall may help allay those fears. However,

it’s still very early days.

Exemptions to the new regulations do exist – for staff, children under 13 and anyone with an illness or impairment. And, bizarrely, you don’t have to wear one in a bank, gym, solicitor’s office or cinema.

The Department of Health said it would be an offence to ignore the regulations without a “reasonable excuse”, adding that the fine may be a fixed penalty notice of £60, reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days. It is unclear if this can, or will, be enforced.

On the first day, shoppers in Belfast were wearing face coverings in almost all retail

CORONAVIRUS

beside one another on benches so there’s absolutely no social distancing anymore. The two metre rule has gone out the window.

“I’m not a scientist but common sense tells me that this is too little to late. Surely it would have been compulsory from the start of lockdown if it was that important?”

Retired hospital security guard Daniel Donnelly (83), from Belfast, said he has been wearing his mask since it became mandatory on public transport.

“I’ll be glad when the whole coronavirus episode is all over,” he said. “Wearing a mask makes me feel safe but I’m not wearing it for myself; I’m doing it because I believe I’m protecting others. In my opinion the decision to enforce face mask wearing now is too little too late, but I suppose it’s better than doing nothing.”

Niamh O’Reilly (26), who works in human resources and lives near Magherafelt, was shopping with her three-year-old daughter Roise. She said she finds herself “wearing my mask all the time” but admitted that it all feels “surreal”.

“When I see everyone covering up their faces it looks like something out of The Handmaid’s Tale (dystopian American TV series),” she said.

Nurse Holly McGeary (33), from Moy, said face masks should have been compulsory “a long time ago”. outlets, with staff at premises on Boucher Road saying they were impressed with the uptake.

There was a similar response in the Connswater area and around Cornmarket, although some staff did report cases of noncompliance. And when we canvassed the opinions of some people in the city centre, we found there was a mixed reaction to the restriction.

Lisburn teacher Collette Massey (50) was sporting a fashionable light pink mask that her husband bought for her. “I have to admit that I find wearing a face mask uncomfortable,” she said. “It prevents any kind of proper communication but I’ve got through it so far.

SEPTEMBER 2020

“I had to wear one for the duration of an appointment at the hairdresser recently and it wasn’t a pleasant experience at all. It’s hard to know why we all have to wear them all of a sudden when it wasn’t thought to be essential at the start of the pandemic when the virus pushed us into a lengthy lockdown.”

Belfast health and social care worker John Paul Murphy (32) said he believes it is “ridiculous” to force people to wear face masks in shops.

“Obviously I’m going to put one on if I’m going into a shop because it’s mandatory and I don’t want a £60 fine, but this whole thing is descending into farce,” he said.

“Look around and you’ll see strangers sitting

“We could’ve avoided the situation we now find ourselves in, where the R number is over one, if wearing a face covering had been mandatory from the start of lockdown. It’s that simple.”

Self-employed investor Chiara Zin (29), who lives in Belfast, wears a visor outdoors and doubles up with a face mask indoors. “I’m originally from Italy and after seeing what happened there I was probably the first person in Belfast to wear a face mask,” she said.

“Covid-19 is no joke. Everyone should have been doing so much more to protect themselves from the beginning.” ■

71

HOTELS

The new hotel experience

Bishop’s Gate Hotel

From plastic wrapped remote controls and slowly unintentionally becoming a sanitiser aficionado, John Mulgrew pays a visit to two of Northern Ireland’s luxury hotels to relax and unwind amid a slightly new way of doing hospitality

J

ust a few months ago the very idea of heavily disinfected rooms, a litany of perspex, sealed doors and an aroma of alcohol often lingering in the air as part of a luxury hotel experience would be scoffed at.

But as with almost every other element of day-to-day life, Northern Ireland’s hotels and hospitality sector have had to adapt in order to welcome guests back through their doors – something which many of us across Northern Ireland are more than happy to have to deal with for both personal safety, and the chance to luxuriate for at least a day or two in a bid to

72

stave off some of the monotony of staring at the four walls of a home office each day.

There’s been a general sense, already, that many here are keen to help and support local businesses, as international tourism numbers fall off a cliff and visitors from GB are also significantly down.

Many have already set aside previous plans for a sun-drenched getaway in favour of something a little closer to home, and one such trip included a chance to take in one of Derry’s leading top-end hotels again – a much-welcomed stop off before an onward

journey to Donegal.

The Bishop’s Gate Hotel in Shipquay Street was recently named among the top 25 hotels in the UK, according to Tripadvisor, and has been a benchmark for luxury hotels in the city centre since opening its doors.

While things aren’t drastically different at the 31-bedroom spot, the requisite hand sanitising station is the first port of call – greeting you on the way through the revolving wooden and brass-clad door, bringing you towards the grand staircase and perspex-clad reception desk.

‘Your room door has been sealed’ I’m told as I check in. That’s a new one, but again, something which some spots are rolling out to ensure customer confidence. I should say, it’s a sticker over the keycard entry to highlight no one has been in the room since it was cleaned down.

HOTELS

Some of the changes are minor, but they quickly remind you that we are living in a different landscape to the one we were used to just a few months ago. Television remote control cleaned and then wrapped in plastic, anyone?

But aside from the inevitable changes, it’s still the efficiency and friendly warmth you can come to expect from the Bishop’s Gate.

We’re in the penthouse suite on this occasion – a large living room with separate master bedroom (which can be closed off with sliding doors) and bathroom. It’s a grand affair. This room approaches the £300 mark for most nights, but rooms can be found here from as little as around £100.

Downstairs in the restaurant, the same sort of coronavirus-related changes are visible – perspex screen and a one way system through the bar area.

On this occasion, two courses start at £21.50 – with a supplement for steak. I opt for a confit duck, the crisp skin and fat juxtaposed with some acid from the accompanying pickled vegetables.

A well-charred piece of bone-in ribeye had a decent mineral flavour, but might have needed a touch more cooked towards the bone. A well-balanced Old Fashioned also helped with digestion.

And while the weather wasn’t playing ball, the confines of the penthouse provide more than enough solace from the dampness outside the window.

The penthouse suite at the Bishop’s Gate Hotel

Slieve Donard Hotel

There was also the chance to visit one of the Co Down’s most luxurious and prestigious getaway spots. Nestled in the shadow of the peak from which it takes its name, the Slieve Donard sits right on the Newcastle coastline, and has played host to names such as Charlie Chaplin in its more than 120 year history.

The boozy hand sanitiser is the first sign of the changes – this one has a hint of the cheaper end of the blended whiskey about it, so I’d imagine may have come from one of the distilleries playing its part in the fight back against Covid-19. A hand sanitiser aficionado is not a role I’d thought I’d ever have the pleasure of undertaking.

There’s the usual social distancing upon check in, as well as a firm attention to disinfecting and wiping down the reception after dealing with each group of guests. Also, it’s your own pen sealed in a plastic wrapper… and you get to keep it.

Our room is a long and spacious affair – a large king-sized bed with a small living room-like seating area framed by bay windows which look over the Irish Sea. At the time of the visit, it was food-only bars or outside venues which could open. That meant small plates being ordered in the Chaplin Bar

SEPTEMBER 2020

to accompany a cocktail. It’s all well spaced out and doesn’t feel cramped. The drinks prices are certainly that of a hotel venue as grand as this one – just shy of £10 for a large glass of wine.

Food options include the Oak Restaurant, in the hotel itself, and the Slieve Donard’s bistro, the Percy French – located just at the entrance to the resort – but on this occasion we opt for a dander across the way to Brunel’s.

Breakfast is served in the Oak Restaurant in the morning, and includes the usual list of hot options – from Eggs Benedict to a hefty full fry. But it’s table service only, now, so gone are the queues for the hot breakfast station.

It’s been good to spend time in two of Northern Ireland’s best hotels at a time when the entire sector is struggling, with tourism even from GB taking a battering, and international visits now through the floor as borders remain closed, routes reduced and self-quarantine in place.

And while there are small concessions that have to be made in order to make the hotel and hospitality experience possible, they are worth it to both support our economy and get our businesses up-and-running through the most difficult times they’ve ever faced. ■

73

PODCAST

The Ulster Business

Podcast with

With more than 20 episodes now live, we take a look back at some of the latest highlights of the Ulster Business Podcast with Bank of Ireland UK EPISODE 20 – JOHN AHERN

T

hose opposed to a huge £240m incinerator plant for Northern Ireland “need to understand the bigger picture” or offer up a suitable alternative, one of those behind the proposed development has said.

It’s been more than a decade in the making, but a £240m waste-to-energy plant for Mallusk is now on the desk of Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon.

John Ahern, one of those behind the Arc 21 scheme – business development director Indaver UK and Ireland, the private sector investor behind the Becon Consortium – says those opposed to the development must “understand the bigger picture”.

He says it remains necessary to deal with 300,000 tonnes of black bin waste from six Northern Ireland councils, while he understands that residents would prefer not to have a facility close to their homes. “(People) need to understand the bigger picture... either give us an alternative or support the project,” he told the podcast.

74

PODCAST

“People would prefer to not have the facility near them, that’s not unusual, unfortunately that applies to most things nowadays.

“We rarely take short term views. The long term disposal of waste management is what we are talking about here.

“We’d be hopeful in the next two months that the Department for Infrastructure have all the info they need and be in a position to make a decision.

“There will be steps along the way. Do I think it will be over by Christmas? No. A decision one way, whichever way, there is likely to be an appeal. We could come back in a year’s time and still be talking.”

He said he’s reasonably confident about getting the go ahead for the scheme.

“We are reasonably confident about a decision. It is not unusual for projects of this nature to take a long time. The average development time of a waste-to-energy plant in Europe is 10 years. It’s been an interesting journey.”

Asked how he would respond to the thousands of residents opposed to the scheme, he said: “To residents I would like them to understand what we are building… to come and see existing facilities to see we are good neighbours in existing communities.

“The project is to serve 1.1 million people in the eastern part of Northern Ireland. When we see 3,000 or 4,000 people (objections) the project is to serve more than one million people – that’s what everyone has to think about.

“In terms of politicians, I’m always interested to hear what their alternative is. Not doing something with waste is not good policy. Politicians are there to lead people, not to follow them.

“It has to have a home. We can either pretend it doesn’t exist… the somewhere for Northern Ireland for now is landfill.

I would think it would be amazing if someone said landfill was a good option.” ■

SEPTEMBER 2020

EPISODE 17 – CONAL HENRY

A

new fibre broadband business says it could double its spending to £200m rolling out top-end connections across Northern Ireland.

Conal Henry, co-founder of full-fibre broadband business Fibrus, says an initial £100m investment could double to £200m as the firm rolls out its network to towns and villages across Northern Ireland.

“Covid-19 has made the case that people need full-fibre broadband and it has accelerated people’s understanding of it,” he said.

“Our focus is away from the big cities. It’s more rural and regional.

“Those are the places that need it. If you look at the way investment goes in telecoms, we talk about it going in twos – people in Belfast and Derry have access to two top quality networks, whereas people in places like Omagh and Strabane have access to none.”

Looking at the expansion of the full-

fibre networks – on top of the increased development of 5G technology – Conal Henry of Fibrus said while the firm is initially targeting 150,000 homes, that number could rise to more than 200,000 with additional investment.

“We are targeting 150,000 homes with that £100m but we are probably going to go beyond that,” he says.

“Expanding on the £100m, we announced that having the target project we had been looking at gaps… that will probably take another £100m. We are still working through that but it could be as many as 200,000 homes done here on our own investment. “(Covid-19) has made the case that people need full fibre broadband,” he says.

“This is a long run investment and we would have always seen that uptake in demand happening in the long run, but it has probably accelerate people’s understanding of it. Particularly towards the older end of the demographic.” ■

Listen to the podcast at www.ulsterbusiness.com/interview, on Spotify, SoundCloud and iTunes

75

ADAM CREE 3EN GROUP LTD

How is business?

It’s going well. For the last three years, we’ve doubled our revenue and headcount and we hope to do it again in 2020. We’ve also achieved three-star partnership certification with NetSuite – the first for any company in Ireland. NetSuite is software that incorporates ERP, financials, CRM and e-commerce. We are one of Europe’s leading NetSuite providers and if we continue on our current trajectory, we’re on track to achieve five-star certification this year, reserved only for a handful of select partners worldwide.

How did you get started in the industry?

It’s been a winding, weaving path to say the least. My passion at school was art, but I pursued a career in sport. I joined the Belfast Giants at 16, becoming the youngest Elite Ice Hockey League player signed in the UK. I loved my time with the Giants but I wanted a new challenge. I started freelancing part-time in web and graphic design. From there, I was brought into 3EN Group Ltd as a digital marketeer, and it’s grown since then.

Typically, who are your clients or customers?

Usually a large organisation or enterprise that

76

Entrepreneur of the Month is looking to move its business to the cloud.

We cover a wide range of industries, from advanced engineering businesses to client services, software and event management companies. We like to say that we take an organisation’s processes and streamline them to be more efficient, leaving clients to do what they love doing most.

Do you enjoy what you do, and what in particular?

I love my job, despite never thinking that this is what I’d be doing. The best thing about the job is the people I work with. We hire specifically on behavioural and cultural fit, and I enjoy seeing people growing, achieving and doing better.

What is the most difficult part of your job?

Keeping up with our rapid growth has been a challenge. My availability is incredibly tight, which can be tricky to manage as I’m so people focussed. Getting to the end of a day

with an empty inbox and a completed to do list almost never happens now – but it’s great when it does.

What are the challenges facing your sector, and the economy in general?

The IT and software industry is constantly evolving, with increasing competitors and innovators, and it’s a challenge to keep up to date with those. It’s great because it’s not monotonous and there’s always a new challenge to face, which I particularly enjoy.

Economically, speaking in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, we’re facing abnormal external pressures, unlike anything we’ve seen before. At a human level, it’s affecting individuals in a very profound way, and the economic knock-on effect is going to be seen widely. Thankfully, we feel we’re in a good position to weather the storm and are doing everything we can to support and guide our staff and our clients through these difficult times. ■

Motoring

By Pat Burns

Sponsored by

MOTORING TITLE

The New Octavia vRS iV

B

eing environmentally responsible is not something you would typically associate with tire-shredding performance. The new SKODA Octavia vRS iV begs to differ.

Only the hottest of SKODA’s attain the vRS standard and this first ever hybrid model is no exception. Powered by a 1.4 litre TSi turbo petrol engine mated to a 114bhp electric motor the vRS iV produces a combined output of 242bhp and 295 foot pounds of torque.

That’s good for a 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 152mph.

With performance figures similar to its predecessor you could be forgiven for thinking this is simply a handsome facelift but you would be way off the mark. For starters, the new combined hybrid drive produces a mere 30g/km of CO2 and can be driven in electric only mode for up to 37 miles.

Oh, and did we forget to mention it’s a plug-in as well? This means you can top up the battery

78

from home or for free at any public charging station.

Aerodynamic in design, the new Octavia range boasts the lowest drag resistance in its class and while official MPG figures are yet to be released, you’d have to imagine this to be the most fuel-efficient SKODA to ever carry the vRS badge.

It’s bigger too. Measuring in at 4.7m long and 1.8m wide it’s both longer and wider than the old model. In addition, boot space, which was already class leading, has been increased to 600 litres in the hatch and 640 litres in the estate with both featuring an electric tailgate.

On the exterior the vRS exudes aggressive sports styling including 19in alloy wheels, twin tailpipes, a wider front bumper, a black grille, air curtains and rear apron that includes a black diffuser. Black door mirrors also feature and the hatch receives a black rear spoiler. Black wheels hide

red-finished brake callipers, while full-LED matrix headlights, LED tail-lights and dynamic indicators come as standard.

Upgrades inside include Alcantara vRSbranded seats that are electrically adjustable and heated for both driver and front passenger. The headlining and dashboard trim feature Alcantara as well.

A new 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system replaces the majority of buttons making the dashboard clutter free and extremely elegant. A 10-inch virtual cockpit digital instrument display also features, as does adaptive cruise control, heads-up display, tri-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors and keyless entry.

The new SKODA Octavia is available to buy now from £20,965 OTR with the vRS due in the autumn. ■ To find out more, contact John Mulholland SKODA Randalstown or Campsie.

MOTORING

S-Cross roads S

uzuki originally created the S-Cross by combining its compact car knowledge with technologies honed for sport utility vehicles. The new model has been further developed with a revised Boosterjet engine now matched to a hybrid system.

The S-Cross has a distinctive crossover style, class leading space for passengers and luggage, 4WD performance and one of the lowest CO2 emissions in the segment.

effortless drive and genuine driving pleasure.

Boosterjet technology is Suzuki’s own development in turbocharging and this is now enhanced even further with the adoption of the 48V hybrid system.

The new 1.4-litre engine offers benefits in performance too with a 0-62mph acceleration time of 9.5 seconds (2WD models) and a maximum speed (where permitted) of 118mph.

Standard equipment for all models is comprehensive and the SZ4 model includes seven airbags, LED projector headlights for low and high beam, radar brake support, auto headlights and wipers, DAB radio and adaptive cruise control as well as dual-zone auto air conditioning.

Similar in basic principle to the 12V hybrid system that Suzuki pioneered in 2016, which is now fitted to all manual transmission Ignis models and all Swift models, the newly developed 48V Hybrid Powertrain for S-Cross remains lightweight in design adding less than 15kg to the overall weight of the vehicle.

The 1.4-litre engine has now been developed further for the 2020 S-Cross model and is fitted to all three model grades. It incorporates a new electric variable valve timing (VVT) system as well as new fuel injectors. Offering the same level of power and torque of a much larger capacity normally aspirated engine, it delivers an

The new and higher-powered Suzuki system consists of a 48V lithium-ion battery, integrated starter generator (ISG) and 48V-12V (DC/DC) converter to power components requiring lower voltage including lights, audio and air conditioning.

The ISG acts as both a generator and starter motor, is belt driven and assists the petrol

80

engine during vehicle take off for a higher level of torque with 235Nm available from 2,000rpm and up to 3,000rpm.

The compact and high-performance lithium-ion battery stores electrical energy recovered from deceleration and braking and incorporates an idle stop function operated via the ISG. This battery, as well as the DC/DC convertor unit, are located under the front seats to assist overall weight distribution.

The 48V system also has new additional features which are Torque-fill control to raise engine response and torque boost to make acceleration even smoother. These features enhance driving feel by adding torque from the electric motor to engine torque during acceleration. Based on engine speed and throttle position, the engine ECU judges when the driver will accelerate and then uses electric motor assist to add additional torque and thereby improve acceleration.

CO2 emissions for S-Cross with the new K14D 1.4-litre Boosterjet petrol equipped with Allgrip are just 110g/km when tested under NEDC regulation. Prices for the new S-Cross start at ÂŁ20,749. â–

MOTORING

A3 Saloon goes hi-tech W hile the A3 Sportback has traditionally been the high achiever of the A3 family here, the A3 Saloon has also been quietly carving out a very respectable niche for itself among business users.

with a wi-fi hotspot and also makes a broad spread of web-based Audi connect services available as standard, including online traffic information, news and additional information such as photos, opening times, and user reviews relating to points of interest.

Compared with its predecessor, the new A3 Saloon is now four centimetres longer, while its wheelbase remains unchanged. Its width has increased by two centimetres and it is now one centimetre taller. This has helped to expand elbow room and has yielded an increase in headroom of two centimetres in the front, helped by the repositioned driver’s seat.

Later this year, the Amazon Alexa voice assistant will also become available, opening up access to a wealth of additional information and also offering the opportunity for remote control of home devices while on the road.

The third-generation modular infotainment platform (MIB 3) is the processing powerhouse behind the new A3 Saloon’s advanced MMI Navigation plus system, which is a standard feature in all models. MIB 3 provides ten times more computing power than the previous system and runs at LTE Advanced speeds.

It provides passengers with internet access

SEPTEMBER 2020

The new A3 Saloon is available with a choice of three engines – two 1.5-litre TFSI units and one 2.0-litre TDI – all of which major on efficiency. The 35 TFSI, a 1.5-litre direct injection engine, incorporates cylinder-ondemand technology and delivers 150PS. In conjunction with a newly developed six-speed manual transmission, it is capable of returning up to 48.7mpg with CO2 output of 132g/ km in an A3 Saloon equipped to Sport specification, according to WLTP test data.

This 1.5-litre TFSI combines cylinder-ondemand efficiency with a 48-volt mild hybrid system capable of recovering energy during deceleration, supporting the engine with up to 50 Nm of additional torque under acceleration from low engine speeds and allowing the A3 Saloon to coast with the engine switched off in many situations. The fuel savings it affords help to increase the WLTP-ratified economy potential of the A3 Saloon 35 TFSI Sport S tronic to up to 50.4mpg while paring back CO2 to 128g/ km, despite an identical power output to the ‘standard’ 1.5 TFSI.

The 2.0 TDI with 150PS in the A3 Saloon 35 TDI also works in conjunction with a seven-speed S tronic, and offers the potential to return up to 62.8mpg with CO2 emissions of 119g/km.

Later in the launch cycle a 116PS version of the four-cylinder TDI linked to the highly efficient new six-speed manual transmission will power a 30 TDI version of the A3 Saloon.

Prices start from £26,870 OTR for the 35 TFSI Sport with manual transmission. ■

81

MOTORING

Two’s company M

azda’s supermini has been revamped with the new model displaying a sportier design along with new technology and improved interior.

This popular supermini is now offered with a simplified five-model range, exclusively powered by Mazda’s familiar 1.5-litre Skyactiv-G petrol engine – which for the first time is matched to Mazda’s M Hybrid mildhybrid system. With prices starting at £15,795 it might be a little more expensive than a Fiesta or Corsa but it has a much more classy feel about it.

Visually, the Mazda2 is marked out by the adoption of the latest evolution of the company’s Kodo design. There’s a new grille which features a mesh pattern along with new wings, headlights and bumpers.

Inside, revisions to the dashboard and the instrument hood are examples of how improvements to materials and design have enhanced the Mazda2’s already upmarket interior. Highlighting Mazda’s driver centred focus, the new front seats feature a more

82

advanced design and structure that better supports the body.

result manual versions of the 2020 Mazda2 emit 94-95g/km depending on trim level.

The comfort of all occupants has also been considered with a host of upgrades designed to improve refinement and interior quietness. New damping materials have been added in the cabin and a reduced gap around the base of the B-Pillar further upgrades sound insulation, as do revised sealing rubbers between the roof panel and the boot.

The 75ps SE-L entry point to the range features standard equipment that includes rear parking sensors, 15-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, climate control and cruise control. SE-L Nav, Sport Nav and GT Sport Nav models are powered by the 90ps version of 1.5-litre Skyactiv-G engine and feature Mazda Connect navigation with a seveninch colour touch-screen, plus Apple CarPlay and Android AutoTM. In addition, the safety equipment tally is enhanced with Front Smart City Brake Support and Lane-keep Assist.

Already a supermini well-regarded for its handling, subtle updates have enhanced its driver appeal with changes to the rear suspension and revisions to the power steering to improve response and feel.

The new 2 benefits from mild-hybridisation with the debut of Mazda M Hybrid. Using a belt-integrated start generator (B-ISG) and brake regeneration it uses the power generation to make the most of the energy stored in the capacitor to reduce load on the engine and enable quick restart to help lower emissions and improve fuel economy with extended auto engine stop time. As a

From Sport Nav onwards the 2 is marked out by 16-inch alloy wheels, gloss black grille treatment, rear privacy glass, shark-fin antenna and a chrome exhaust trim, plus it benefits from the smart keyless entry. At the top of the range, the flagship GT Sport Nav trim features high-end features normally the preserve of more expensive sectors, including a reversing camera, leather seats and a colour head-up display, plus heated front seats and steering wheel. ■

The column with an ear for experience...

How did you start out in your business?

I left Ulster University in 1999 with a business studies degree, and a solid understanding of the fundamentals of business operations. I was keen to explore the opportunities in the tech sector. Instead of going down the Master’s route, I applied to the Rapid Advancement Programme (RAP).

The programme (run by BIC Systems and Ed Vernon) gave me an accelerated learning path in software development. It allowed people from a non-technical background to bridge into a career in technology. My initial roles were technically focused, allowing me to gain an in-depth knowledge of software development and architecture.

What have you found the most challenging during your career so far?

There’s a question and a half. Earlier in my career, I’d have answered – technological challenges that face every high-tech company.

But my biggest challenge, and any business’s biggest challenge and opportunity are our people.

John Hume spoke after the Good Friday Agreement, saying that ‘difference is the essence of humanity… we are all different, let’s celebrate our differences’.

No one is perfect, humans are messy and flawed and complex, and each person is very different in what drives them. But there is an underlying passion in everyone, and the real challenge is bringing out that passion and magnifying their potential.

How would you describe your management style?

I think my leadership style has probably evolved over time. Today, I think very simply in terms

SEPTEMBER 2020

Name: Seamus Cushley Position: Belfast site lead, Bazaarvoice of helping people. I’m a firm believer in trying to empower my team and support their career growth.

I believe that by focussing on the individual, and establishing an environment where learning and growth is at the heart, our overall performance improves. It’s a balance between equipping my people to grow and staying close enough to the projects to offer guidance and direction. I don’t believe in micro-managing the details. It’s about empowering the team to own their role fully, and challenging them to look at things differently.

What would you change if you could go back and do it all again?

As the saying goes, life is a learning curve and sometimes its vertical. I’ve never been one to shy away from a difficult decision, and I can’t say with any certainty that I’ve made all the right decisions, but they’ve got me to where I am today. I’d prefer to look to the future over dwelling on the past.

Have you done it all on your own/who has helped you on the way?

‘If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to

go far bring a team’.

I’ve no idea who originally said that, but I came across it a good few years ago, and it’s stuck with me since. Back then, working alongside some extremely talented people, I could clearly see the importance of bringing a mix of skills to the table. Now, as site lead in Belfast, I’m even more passionate about the power of building the right team, and finding the balance within that team to deliver for our clients.

How would you like your company to be thought of?

I want Bazaarvoice Belfast to be seen as a great place to work, where you get the opportunity to learn, be challenged, and try new things. In doing that, we will continue to grow.

What piece of advice would you give to a 20-year-old you?

Say ‘yes’ to new opportunities, and work out how to do it when you get there. Not knowing is an advantage because you look at things differently, ask questions and learn fast. ■

83

APPOINTMENTS

Alastair Hamilton, has joined the board of Danske Bank UK as a non-executive director. Mr Hamilton led trade and investment agency Invest NI for over 10 years, leaving the post last year.

David Rea has taken up the position of vice chairman with Dale Farm. He is a qualified veterinary surgeon and has served on the Dale Farm board since 2008. Mr Rea is a member of the TB Eradication Partnership group.

Seamus McCaffrey has taken up the role of chairman of AgriSearch. He specialises in taxation in the agricultural sector for clients on the island of Ireland.

Belfast Central Mission, one of Northern Ireland’s longest-running charities, has appointed Lynne Kavanagh as its new deputy chief executive.

Savills Ireland has announced the appointment of Mark Reynolds as its new managing director with immediate effect. Outgoing managing director, Angus Potterton, will take on the role of chairman.

John Henning continues to serve on the AgriSearch board as senior vice chairman.

Following a career in agricultural banking, he now holds a number of senior positions within the UK agricultural industry.

John French has been appointed as chief executive of the Utility Regulator. Mr French took up the role of chief executive of The Consumer Council in July 2015, having previously served as director of regulation and pricing at firmus energy.

James Davies is the new Diageo Northern Ireland country director. Mr Davies, who will also lead the customer marketing team across the island of Ireland, has worked with Diageo in Great Britain and in Europe for over 13 years.

Fred Allen has been appointed chairman of Dale Farm. Mr Allen runs a dairy herd of pedigree Holstein cows in partnership with his wife Helga and son Mark, on their farm near Randalstown.

84

APPOINTMENTS

Cathal Geoghegan has been appointed to the board of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber).

Mr Geoghegan is managing director of Henderson Foodservice.

Brendan Gribben has been appointed to the board of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NI Chamber).

Mr Gribben is managing director of dairy company Greenfields Ireland Ltd. Donna Daniels has been appointed operations director at Urban HQ, Belfast’s latest flexible workspace offering based in Eagle Star House. She will be responsible for all operational activity at Urban HQ.

George Mullan, managing director, ABP Northern Ireland, has been appointed as vice chairman of the The Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA).

Peter Morrow has been appointed as vice chairman of AgriSearch. From a dairy farming background in Co Down he moved into television before founding a marketing communications business in 1985 which now offers a range of creative services to leading agri-food brands.

Trevor Magill has been appointed as managing director for convenience retailers and wholesale supplier, Musgrave NI. He previously held the roles of Mace sales director and more recently NI wholesale director.

The Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) has appointed Nick Whelan as the new chairman of its board.

Mr Whelan is group chief executive of dairy co-operative Dale Farm and takes over from past chairman Brian Irwin.

Michael Stewart, has been elected as the new President of Belfast Chamber. He is the director of House Belfast, the hotel, bar and restaurant in Botanic Avenue, as well as running his own consultancy and training business for the hospitality trade.

Paul Henry, director of Osborne King and president of Chartered Accountants Ireland has been named as chairman of the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB).

SEPTEMBER 2020

85

PHOTOCALL

1

1. Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín and Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots have jointly launched this year’s Access and Inclusion Programme, which provides capital grant funding, through local councils and the Northern Ireland Museums Council.

2. Lidl NI has added a new range home-grown products from top food and drink suppliers across Northern Ireland. Pictured launching the campaign is a new supplier, Sarah Matson of Natural Umber.

3. Hagan Homes has started construction on its £4.75m Ballyoran Heights development in east Belfast off the Upper Newtownards Road. Pictured are Jim Burke, director of sales and acquisitions, Hagan Homes and Liam McMahon, DB Building Contracts.

4. Communities Minister Carál Ni Chuilín MLA along with Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Lord Mayor Kevin Savage and Eddie Quinn, chairman of Dromore Traders Association during a visit visited the public realm works in Dromore.

2

3

5. More than 25,000 businesses here are now benefitting from the 12 months rates holiday introduced by the Executive to help businesses impacted by Covid-19. Pictured are Finance Minister, Conor Murphy pictured with Gary Keenan of Bogart Menswear.

4

86

5

6

PHOTOCALL

6. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has resumed its daily service between Belfast City Airport and Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. Pictured are members of the crew at Belfast City Airport with Frank McCaffrey (right), KLM account manager for Northern Ireland.

7. Boost Sport is giving amateur clubs across Northern Ireland the chance to receive a share of £5,000 with its new Boost Sport Grant initiative. Pictured is two-time world boxing champion Ryan Burnett.

8. Hovis Ireland’s business unit manager, Billy Thompson, and transport operations manager, Warren Cosgrove delivering bread donation to Simon Community NI’s chief executive, Jim Dennison.

7

8

9. Ministers Edwin Poots and Carál Ní Chuilín have visited Via Wings in Dromore to thank them and other voluntary and community groups. They are pictured with founder Gail Redmond.

10. Student Beth McGann, Barry Neilson chief executive, Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI), and student Caelan Fisher.

The organisation has launched a new bursary award aimed at encouraging school leavers to consider a career in construction.

9

SEPTEMBER 2020

10

87

PHOTOCALL

11

11. IT firm Neueda is creating 230 jobs for Belfast in a £20m investment. Pictured are Brendan Monaghan, Neueda, Kevin Holland, Invest NI, Economy Minister Diane Dodds and Paddy O’Hagan, Neueda.

12. Deloitte has said its ‘One Million Futures’ initiative has reached its goal a year ahead of target, with over £21m and 115,000 volunteer hours contributed to UK charities, schools and social enterprises since its launch in 2016.

Pictured are Peter Allen, partner at Deloitte NI and Simon Community NI’s Jim Dennison.

13. The Bishop’s Gate Hotel in Derry has been awarded a TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award. It’s been ranked as the sixth best hotel in the UK. Pictured are Amanda Doherty, Ciaran O’Neill, Laura Davies and Gary Kennedy.

14. Stephen Kelly, Manufacturing NI, Maureen Treacy of Perceptive Insight and James Donnelly, Tughans. The latest Tughans/ Manufacturing NI survey revealed the extent to which Covid-19 has impacted on Northern Ireland’s private sector.

12

13

15. Christine Cunningham of Danske Bank and Veronica Gray of safer ageing charity Hourglass. Danske Bank is encouraging customers to consider what would happen if they were no longer able to do their own banking, and to act now.

14

88

15

16

PHOTOCALL

16. The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Trevor Cummings, with Arthur and Isla Mulgrew and their sunflowers. Ards and North Down Borough Council has launched a Tallest Sunflower competition.

17. Errigal Contracts has announced it has purchased a significant site in Co Antrim following three years of growth and international expansion across Europe. Pictured is managing director Cormac McCloskey.

18. New burger chain Bun Bros has opened its first store in Northern Ireland, creating 12 new jobs in the Coleraine area after a ÂŁ50,000 investment. The store will offer made-to-order burgers produced using Irish beef.

19. Dungannon-based petfood manufacturer,

17

18

Mackle Petfoods is investing ÂŁ5.7m and creating 31 new jobs in a major expansion plan in efforts to double its turnover. Pictured is John Mackle, managing director, Mackle Petfoods alongside Kevin Holland, chief executive, Invest NI. 20. Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon is joined on her cycle on the new Blaris Greenway by Caroline Bloomfield, Sustrans Northern Ireland director.

19

SEPTEMBER 2020

20

89

PHOTOCALL

21

21. Rainbow Communications is celebrating a full 10 years of growth delivering mobile telephony and data services to thousands of companies. Pictured are Stuart Carson, Eric Carson and Martin Hamill, Rainbow Communications.

22. Four Star Pizza has opened its first takeaway in Craigavon with a £120,000 investment which will create 10 new jobs in the area. Pictured are store owner Lorne Greene and store manager Conor Fearon.

23. Professional services firm Grant Thornton has held its first virtual 5K challenge race series. The series, which includes the Runway Run, is taking place virtually for the first time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

24. Communities Minister Minister Carál Ní Chuilín and Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots have announced £11m to support town and city centres in their economic recovery from the impacts of Covid-19. They are pictured with Karen Steele of Newtownabbey Borough Council (centre).

22

23

25. Office building Merchant Square has been handed over to its new tenant PwC, from developer Oakland Holdings. Pictured are Geoff Sharpe, Danske Bank, Adam Dickson, Oakland Holdings, and Brian Loughran, Radius Corporate Finance, at Merchant Square.

24

90

25

26

PHOTOCALL

26. Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Ann McGregor is pictured with Cathal Geoghegan, David Henry and Brendan Gribben. Mr Geoghegan and Mr Gribben have been appointed to the organisation’s board.

27. The Department for Communities’ Historic Environment Division (HED) in partnership with The Prince’s Foundation has launched the NI Heritage Skills Programme. Pictured are blacksmith Owen Mort with Iain Greenway and Philip O’Neill.

28. Portview Trade Centre on the Newtownards Road in Belfast has been awarded a grant of £221,200 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Pictured are Portview Trade Centre chairman Brendan Mackin and Ralf Alwani from Urban Scale Interventions.

27

28

29. River House Business Centre has experienced a 30% growth in new business during lockdown. Pictured are Carly Lindsay of Causeway Coast Therapies which is located within River House alongside the River House management team, Nigel and Gillian Wilson.

30. Meet the Buyer, Tourism NI’s biggest travel trade platform, has taken place as a virtual event. Pictured at the Merchant Hotel are Paula Stephens, Merchant Hotel and Eimear Callaghan, Tourism NI.

29

SEPTEMBER 2020

30

91

The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

TRAVEL

The Northern Ireland attractions to explore this year With many museums, exhibition sites and gardens once again welcoming visitors following the easing of lockdown restrictions, we take a look at what’s worth a visit right here on our doorstep  Ulster Folk Museum, Co Down Step back in time and experience what life was like in Ulster over 100 years ago. Wander Ulster Folk Museum’s rolling countryside and bustling town filled with authentic, period buildings.

You’ll find an old-time picture house, post office and corner shop on streets inhabited by people in period dress. Try your hand at basket weaving or see a blacksmith hard at work.

Take a ride on an old bus into the countryside, where whitewashed farmhouses dot the fields.

Meet some of the horses, donkeys and hens that kept the rural world turning. Book tickets online in advance to guarantee your timeslot, with a range of ticket options available.  Ulster American Folk Park, Co Tyrone Immerse yourself in the story of the emigrants who made the journey across the Atlantic to America hundreds of years ago. Wander

92

the well-trodden pathways of rural Ulster, complete with a bustling street and welcoming farmhouses. Become part of family life in thatched cottages, learn lessons in the schoolhouse, see traditional crafts brought to life and taste some good old-fashioned fayre.

Board a full-scale emigrant ship and experience the cramped quarters where hundreds of people lived during their 12-week Atlantic crossing. Book tickets online in advance to guarantee your timeslot, with a range of ticket options available.  Ulster Transport Museum, Co Down The museum has an impressive collection of steam locomotives, passenger carriages and goods wagons to explore. Be transported back in time and explore one of the most comprehensive transport collections in Europe.

You’ll find majestic locomotives, horse-drawn

carriages, vintage motorbikes, and cars at the museum, along with exhibits of historical materials including photographs of the Titanic.

Book tickets online in advance to guarantee your timeslot, with a range of ticket options available.  Titanic Belfast Titanic Belfast is the biggest and best experience of the most famous ship in the world. Take your time and enjoy the journey over nine interactive galleries featuring special effects, dark rides and full-scale reconstructions. Walk through Victorian Belfast and meet the men who spent four years building the ill-fated ship before visiting the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, her final resting place. Prices include adult £19, children between 5-16 £8.50, children under five go free, family ticket £46.50.

TRAVEL

Titanic Belfast

 Ulster Museum, Belfast Everywhere you look in Belfast there is history to be seen and The National Museums are a great place to start. The Ulster Museum, a world to captivate the curious, this treasure house of the past and present offers something for art lovers, history buffs, excited children and the simply curious. Dive into the discovery zones of art, history and science as the museum’s impressive collections take you across Ireland to all corners of the globe.

Admission to the Ulster Museum is free.

Ulster Museum

 Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, Co Down On a 45-minute tour of the elegant Georgian castle, in the charming village of Hillsborough, you follow in the footsteps of world leaders and meander through plush and lovingly restored State Rooms. There are many layers

SEPTEMBER 2020

of stories here, and your guide will share hundreds of years’ worth of tales, about celebrations, entertainment, diplomacy and negotiations. You can also enjoy the beautiful craft giftshop and award-winning food from the Yellow Door cafe. You must pre-book your ticket.

 Navan Centre & Fort, Co Armagh For a place where myth and reality meet, visit the Navan Centre & Fort home of the legendary Emain Macha, an ancient ceremonial monument. Learn the skills of an ancient warrior or enjoy the great tradition of storytelling. Tours are free for the month of August (open Thursday-Sunday 10am-5pm), although pre-booking is essential. Throughout the month, every week their living history team will showcase a new theme on Celtic life with full details available on social media. ■

93

TRAVEL

Happiness equals reality minus any expectations on Achill Just 36 hours and one magical moment were enough to show Colm O’Regan that island life is all about mainlining the essence of the Wild Atlantic Way

W

e were on Co Mayo’s Achill for less than a day and a half. The weather was stormy. We had brought a baby and a toddler with us.

On the face of it, it might not seem like a reason to make a place special. And yet it is.

We went there for New Year’s Eve 2017. We never go anywhere for New Year’s Eve, least of all with babies. But there was a bit of a freebie at a festival and people do odd things for something free.

Expectations were low. Not because we didn’t think we would enjoy ourselves. It was because when you do go somewhere with small children, expectations are placed neatly on the floor. Outings are measured purely in terms of whether they were successful and disaster-free or ‘Well, we’ll learn from that anyway’ and ‘I’ll text them later to apologise’. And yet, by any metric, the day started badly.

Somewhere on the N5, the toddler got sick on herself while strapped in the car seat. The khtokh-plokh noise she made also woke the baby. There was stereophonic howling inside and outside the car, as we parked near an abandoned building, that might or might not have been a growhouse.

We were frantically changing children’s clothes and assessing how much of a smell would the newly regurgitated Aldi mango pouch make. The ambient light was the colour of ‘TV Reconstruction of a Serious Crime’.

94

But a couple of hours later, having crossed the Achill Sound, there was a moment that made it all worthwhile. Sometimes that is all you need. Five minutes of sheer, almost tearful joy. I wasn’t expecting it. I was just driving somewhere to give The Two a nap. But there it was. At a bend in the R319, the road from Keel to Keem, we saw it.

There was no warning. As the road rose steeply out of Keel, suddenly it appeared, nestled between two headlands, Keem beach.

It could have been a setting for a Game of Thrones scene. We drove down the hill to the beach, got out and just stood watching the squalls form offshore. We had the beach to ourselves. The toddler galumphed and squealed as she scampered away from incoming waves. And we knew it didn’t matter what happened for the rest of the time we were there. We were already mainlining the essence of Atlantic Way-ness.

And so began about 36 hours in Achill, some of the most enjoyable we’d had in a while. Our then six-month-old had been born with a heart defect. She had needed an operation at three weeks, so we hadn’t been too many places as a family that hadn’t involved ‘tests’. But here we were now, whooping and being silly on a beach.

Our B&B belonged to a woman who knew how and when to offer biscuits and tea at the right time. My wife went and did yoga in the afternoon and then settled herself in with a

blissful pint and a sandwich in a dusking pub while I went on another stunning cliffy drive to ‘our’ beach. She was nearly lamped after one sip, such was the release of tension. Tension that we may have been holding in for a while.

Later that evening, the four of us had dinner out and it was… successful. We went back to the B&B for more B&B landlady sympathetic chats and biscuits and child-dandling.

We put the children to bed. As per our negotiated agreement, I went out for my solitary pints. The first New Year’s Eve without cans in about eight years. The ‘10 degrees West’ festival was going on Down the Town and off I went.

Such unlikely pleasure. Standing in a tent watching electro-trad, slowly supping pints from a plastic glass by myself and thinking about nothing. I wanted to contact teenage me and tell him that adulthood is not what he thought it would be.

Obviously, there’s only so much staring into space you can do at a hooley. At one point,

TRAVEL

I realised my eye-line was accidentally in the direction of a couple in mid-shift, so I rotated away.

The mood in the place was friendly and exuberant. It was that perfect a mix of oul lads in the main area of the pub and Rockshore advert-types out the back. But crucially, no bolloxes. I had the kind of non-committal chats you can have when you’re on your own but not trying to latch. As if I were a big Hollywood star appearing in my own low-budget arthouse vanity project.

Around midnight, I came out of the pub and the village of Keel was surrounded by sheep. It must be a New Year’s thing. They walked through the town, blocking traffic, unintelligible, only a few of them knew where they were going. A sort of well-wrapped-up stag-party. And clearly it had taken them ages to leave the house and they were only getting to town now. Using the rainfall radar maps on the Met Eireann website to avoid the showers, I walked back from Keel to the B&B. I was elated.

SEPTEMBER 2020

I wasn’t alone on the walk. The different Achill pipe bands leave Keem and Keel respectively and meet in the middle at a church. It feels like a truce of sorts. As if they had been warring for ages but now they resolve their differences at a pipe-off.

The moon shone every now and then as showers scudded by. I stood outside the B&B composing myself and calming down in case I woke the whole place with all my elated insights on the human condition, sheep and pipe bands.

The following day, we went for a walk and ended up in sheltering from squalls that threatened to knock over the double buggy like it was a high-sided truck on a motorway. But even that was exciting.

Again, happiness equals reality minus expectations. The children giggled at the buffeting. The gales blowing away any questions.

I appreciated the way Achill reminds you that the weather doesn’t mess around in

winter. A local woman told us that people from abroad have fallen in love with the place in summer and moved there, only to flee in February, the grimmest of months.

Because there’s no romanticising winter in the west. Go hard or go home. With our remaining time, we drove around the technically-not-an-island and fetched up around Claggan – sort of Achill’s heel on the map – to look northwest along the cliffs of Ashleam. It was a good place to the see the storm surge. There was a sort of handover taking place between Storm Dylan and Storm Eleanor. A frothy white stormy coast of massive splashy waves.

Just another casual bit of raw, powerful beauty. Again we felt that scenery joy. It was enough to sustain us on the nearly four-hour trip home. We were only there a short while, yet it was memorable.

In a way, Achill was like a stranger you met when you were in a tizzy, and whose kindness you don’t forget. ■

95

TECHNOLOGY

For smart home simplicity, this is the Nest best thing

I

f you’re thinking of a smart speaker to replace a radio or something to connect up other ‘smart’ gadgets you have in the house, a smart screen makes a lot of sense. The visual aide makes controlling things like lights or calendars a lot easier.

But in terms of other things you might expect them to do, they’re a mixed bag for functionality. Google’s new Nest Hub is handy as a fancy bedside alarm clock or a kitchen counter-top radio that plays YouTube videos and reminds you of lists you’ve made, but it misses out on some things that could make it a compelling home gadget.

Its audio quality is relatively basic and, because it doesn’t have a camera, you can’t use it for things we really need to stay in touch right now, like video calls.

It also falls victim to the turf wars between tech giants, meaning you can’t get services like Netflix or Amazon Prime on it, let alone things like Disney Plus. Indeed, just about the only commonly used third-party service you can get on it is Spotify.

On the other hand, it’s very aggressively priced. Here’s a seven-inch smart display with a creditably smooth, bright, vivid screen, a working speaker and very decent voice controls for €90. That’s at least €20 cheaper than its direct Amazon rival, the Echo Show 8, even if the Echo has undisputedly better audio quality as an actual speaker.

This is probably handiest for someone who already has a couple of other Google smart

96

It also falls victim to the turf wars between tech giants, meaning you can’t get services like Netflix or Amazon Prime on it, let alone things like Disney Plus

devices set up – such as a security Nest, for example – or who just wants something cheap and cheerful for a handful of specific purposes, like a radio that also plays YouTube videos.

There are actually hundreds of physical devices, from lights to TV controls, that now work with the Google Assistant. Many of these are accessible directly from the Nest Hub (although they’re also usually accessible from your phone’s ‘Home’ app, too).

For anyone who already has any Google smart

TECHNOLOGY

REVIEW

Google Pixel Buds 2 £179

devices set up, it’s a fairly seamless process to integrate this one. Switch it on and finish your settings within the Google Home app.

It’s a reasonably elegant little screen, too, with fairly thick white bezels. It has ambient lighting control, meaning it adjusts to whatever brightness is in the room.

I think it bears repeating, though, that in terms of audio quality, this is basic. It’s fine, but not noticeably any better than Google’s small Nest mini or equivalent £50-ish smart speakers.

It’s certainly not a patch on Amazon’s (slightly pricier) Echo Show 8.

E

very tech manufacturer now has its own brand of wireless, in-ear ‘buds’.

Increasingly, it’s getting more difficult for each brand to introduce something different.

Active noise-cancelling? Done.

Sweat resistant? Plenty of options. But Google’s edge has always been rooted in the software. So for its new Pixel Buds 2, there’s a combination of virtual intelligence and audio power that’s genuinely impressive.

So if you plan on using it frequently for Spotify, Google Music or YouTube Music, or for internet radio stations through the likes of TuneIn, there’s a low ceiling on quality.

Arguably the most notable element is its real-time translation. Say “Hey Google, help me to speak Spanish” and, as long as you have an Android 6 phone, it will start translating what you say into Spanish.

For those new to smart displays, there are also hard walls when it comes to the kind of content you might think of watching on a smart screen. For example, you can’t play Netflix on it. Or Amazon Prime Video or Disney Plus or Apple Plus or any other major video services. (American buyers of the Nest Hub can watch some other video selections such as CBS, HBO Now or Starz.)

This isn’t a brand new feature, but it’s the first time it’s been integrated so seamlessly into a pair of wireless in-ear headphones.

The new Buds 2 also does a good job of adjusting the noise depending on where you are. While it doesn’t have active noise cancellation on board, it does still interpret what you’re listening to, to improve your own audio experience.

Arguably the biggest disappointment of the Nest Hub is that it doesn’t support some of Google’s-own video calling services. You can’t participate in a Google Meet or Hangouts meeting on this device, mainly because it doesn’t have a camera. Instead, you have to hope that others are using Google Duo (almost no-one I know uses this regularly) and start a group voice call within that application.

But the biggest plus to the Buds 2 is the audio quality. I’m slightly taken back by just how good they are at the thing you’re really buying them for. They sport 12mm dynamic speaker drivers, but I’m not sure that this is what’s doing it. It may just be good engineering on the physical rubber tips and Buds themselves. In my ears, which often don’t play well with in-ear headphones, they sit neatly and don’t budge.

So if this is an important part of what you want in a standalone large screen, the Nest Hub isn’t really a substitute for a tablet.

Instead, it’s more like a visual radio that can also visually remind you of things like shopping lists and alarms. ■

SEPTEMBER 2020

Once you twist them in properly, the audio quality is simply superb (relative to umpteen other in-ear headphones I’ve tried over the

last year). The bass is comparatively rich and warm with voices completely clear. The only quirky thing that some people might experience is an odd airlocked feeling within the ear, given that the rubber tips seal it up so completely.

The Pixel Buds 2 are very easy to set up: the minute you take them out their case, they’re ready to pair. I did it with both an iPhone and Android phone and experienced zero problems.

Like almost all such buds headphones, they come in a pill-style recharging case which gives them at least three or four hours of battery life for each Buds charge, up to around 20 hours before you need to charge the case (with USB-C). That white case is elegantly designed and, I found, is relatively scuff-proof. Call quality is also good and it has no problem picking up your voice clearly.

Lastly, the Buds are somewhat rain and sweat resistant, although you wouldn’t want to be out for a while in a deluge.

Overall, these are well worth buying and will provide serious competition for both Apple’s AirPods and AirPods Pro. ■

97

Uncovering the 9-5 NAME: Joanne Liddle POSITION: Managing director, IPC Mouldings

certification and internal audits. It is great to see the engagement from our people and their attitude in embracing change.

It reaffirms my belief that we are a strong 7.45am My mornings pretty much always start the same way. Our business runs 24 hours a day, interacting with customers and suppliers all over the world so after a quick look at the news headlines, I check through emails and loosely plan my day around my original schedule. I like to be in the office for 8.30am and start the day with a walk around.

As managing director, my responsibility is on strategy, leadership and governance and right now, my focus is on ensuring the safety of our people and continuing operations by having robust procedures in place to ensure social distancing and a safe working environment for all.

9.30am Communication and the flow of information is key to the success of our business so the morning production meeting is followed by coffee with the management team incorporating finance, engineering and operations where we discuss the status on projects, new product introductions and quotations, agreeing outputs and timelines.

10.30am I will discuss, debate and deliberate any issues and responses with our general manager.

Thankfully, he has been with the company 18 months now as part of our 2018 – 2020 growth plan and as a fellow director makes my life much easier, especially now. His technical expertise compliments my skill set on the financial and strategic side of the business.

98

As our business pivots to other sectors including medical, we have responded to Covid-19 by aligning to current demand in a challenged aerospace sector, which continues to be significantly impacted. At IPC’s core, we are injection moulders and while excelling in aircraft interiors, we can manufacture anything from micro products to larger components and assemblies across a wide range of industries and there is opportunity out there in re-shoring goods back to UK and Ireland manufacturers.

12pm I generally have a call with our financial controller who is currently working from home to discuss order intake, costs, cashflows and all things financial. Of course, Brexit is often a key talking point and we are still contending with a lot of uncertainty.

1.30pm After a quick lunch, I check progress on my todo list and generally follow up on emails and telephone calls. In a fast-moving environment, I like to keep on top of emails and I find this a good time to clear anything outstanding.

2pm With a number of our people out on furlough and a significant decrease in production, we are continuing to invest in the business for the future. We are taking this opportunity to improve our quality and management systems and encourage our people by reassessing skills and training. In this respect I have joined the continuous improvement team as a mentor, focusing on our quality systems,

business, with a strong team, looking to the future and protecting ourselves during such a difficult period in UK manufacturing as the world adapts to the continuing threat of the pandemic.

3.30pm Our customers in the US start to come online throughout the afternoon so there are multiple telephone calls, conference calls and webinars during this time. We pride ourselves in the management of relationships with both our customers and suppliers and I am delighted that we have secured the SC21 Gold Performance Level for Operational Excellence for the second consecutive year. This reinforces our commitment to providing high quality service and products to the aerospace supply chain and other customers.

6pm My working hours can vary depending on how the day goes, but I am usually home for 6.30pm. It gives me an opportunity to put work aside and find out how the family have got on. With a husband on furlough, two teenagers and a very spoilt dog at home, I often find that my day pales in comparison and it’s great to get some perspective from family life.

10.30pm A last check on emails and quick plan for the next day allows me to get a good night’s sleep, not always possible in today’s environment, but welcome and necessary to keep me on top of my game.