Ulster Business - March 2016

MARCH 2016 Price ÂŁ2.30 (â‚Ź3.75)

120 years and counting Law firm Tughans on serving the Northern Ireland business world, now and in the future

Interview: An economic chat with the Deputy First Minister

Retail: John Simpson tackles business rates

ISSN 1363-2507

9 771363 250005

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Home is‌ Lower prices Great discounts No. 1 customer service There’s never been a better time for your business to come home to Power NI Visit powerni.co.uk/welcomehome

The real home of Business Energy

Contents 6 News

25 Tourism & Hospitality

72 Business Breakfast

Michael O’Leary, takeover news and all the headlines you need to know

The lowdown on the best small food companies in NI, with the help of ArtisanNI

It’s a face off as we go head-to-head with food and PR maestro Joris Minne

12 Interview

40 ICT Quarterly

74 Word from the Wise

Martin McGuinness gives David Elliott his thoughts on the economy, Brexit and titles

Just how good is broadband in rural areas?

We find out

Estate agent Beth Robinson offers her insight into the business world

14 Cover Story

52 Tax & Accounting

76 Motoring

We talk to Belfast law firm Tughans which is celebrating 120 years in business

The latest changes to company law and accounting standards for small companies

Pat Burns, oh yes he does. Flat to the mat with our executive motoring guru

22 Viscount Awards

64 Retail

82 Appointments

The countdown is on to deadline day for entry into this year’s Aer Lingus Viscount Awards

Is the rating system for the retail sector in Northern Ireland outdated?

The who, what, where and when of the latest job moves

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25 40

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EDITOR’S COMMENT

Spring is in the air

W

elcome to the March edition of Ulster Business. We come to you at what feels like both meteorological and economic spring, one which has the promise of long sunny days in the future, but which isn’t without the threat of a late frost.

While the global economic picture remains somewhat jittery, the Northern Ireland economy is continuing its steady recovery with the latest purchasing managers’ index and other economic indicators pointing to an uptrend which is gaining momentum.

House prices are on the up, new car sales are rocketing, the commercial property market is having one of its busiest periods and we have the prospect of the devolution in corporation tax to come in a couple of years.

The great Brexit debate and global equity slide could be used as an excuse to put the process of readying ourselves on the back burner, but it shouldn’t because no matter whether we stay in or chose to leave the European Union we still need to get our economy up to fighting weight, to borrow boxing parlance.

We at Ulster Business have had an early spring ourselves as we come under the ownership of Independent News and Media (INM).

We are incredibly excited about the next phase in the magazine’s future, one which will be hugely enhanced under the INM umbrella and one which puts you, the reader, at is very heart.

All the ingredients are in place for a bonanza, it would seem, but much work still needs to be done to make sure we are ready to reap the reward which the cut to business tax will present us.

To James and Gladys Greer we offer our thanks for nurturing Ulster Business and its sister publications to this point and wish them well in the future.

From infrastructure to skills, energy to exporting, a lot of ground work needs to be carried out

David Elliott

Publisher Independent News & Media Ltd Ulster Business 5b Edgewater Business Park Belfast Harbour Estate, Belfast BT3 9JQ www.ulsterbusiness.com Tel: 028 9078 3200 Printer W&G Baird Greystone Press, Caulside Drive, Antrim BT41 2RS www.wgbaird.com

Independent News & Media Ltd © 2016. 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.

MARCH 2016

before the tax devolution in 2018, not just by government but by the private sector as well.

Editor David Elliott

Art Editor Stuart Gray

Manager Sonia Armstrong

Production Manager Stuart Gray

Deputy Manager Sylvie Brando

Cover Photography Khara Pringle

Sales Executive Susan Simpson

Free to download. Free to read. ulsterbusiness/app 5

NEWS

The Big Numbers 38,010 The number of people seeking Jobseekers Allowance in Northern Ireland in November 2015, down 10,380 on the previous year, according to the Department for Social Development.

O’Leary promises to be nice as Ryanair announce new routes

252,290 The number of people of working age claiming a key benefit, down 4,430 from a year earlier.

£7.1m The value of money which has been lying in dormant bank accounts in Northern Ireland which Finance Minister Mervyn Storey is redirecting to finance projects in local communities.

5.8% The unemployment rate in Northern Ireland in February, unchanged on a year earlier.

£118,014 The average price of a house in Northern Ireland, up 7% on last year, according to the Northern Ireland Statistical Research Agency.

7.23m The number of air passengers flowing through Northern Ireland airports in the year to September 2015, up 4% on the previous year, according to the Civil Aviation Authority.

Pictured at Davy Private Clients’ inaugural Belfast Conference are (l-r) Alan Werlau, Davy’s UK investment strategist, Michael O’Leary, chief executive, Ryanair, journalist and presenter Naomi McMullan, Stephen Felle, Director, Davy Private Clients, and Brian O’Reilly, Davy’s head of global investment strategy.

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ichael O’Leary sealed his airline’s return to Belfast last month with the announcement of another seven routes and a promise to business leaders that he will “be nice”.

The boss of Ryanair, in Belfast to speak at an event organised by Davy Private Clients, revealed it would base three aircraft at Belfast International Airport to service the start of flights to Alicante, Berlin, Krakow, Lanzarote, Malaga, Milan and Tenerife in time for the winter 2016 programme, as well as a ramp up in flights to Gatwick to five times a day.

He said the move will see a million passengers a year use the service, supporting 750 jobs at the airport and will be followed by the announcement of more new routes in the months ahead.

“This is great news for Northern Ireland and great news for Europe,” Mr O’Leary told a packed press conference in the Europa Hotel, adding that he was hopeful not just of boosting return journeys to the likes of Milan and Berlin from Belfast, but also of attracting leisure and business trips to Northern Ireland.

Ryanair announced its return to Belfast at the end of 2015 with the first service

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to Gatwick, choosing to fly from Belfast International Airport rather than George Best Belfast City Airport where it had operated from before upping sticks in 2010.

Mr O’Leary had previously referred to Belfast International Airport as “Lough Neagh International” but said he had since been “enlightened on the geographical, social and cultural aspects of Northern Ireland”

by Ryanair board member Dick Milliken, the former chief financial officer of Portadown company Almac and, although nailing his flag to the Antrim airport, said he had the “greatest respect” for Belfast City Airport.

Speaking after the press conference at wealth manager Davy’s annual conference, Mr O’Leary, a client of the firm, said that change in attitude has also helped boost profits at the airline.

“If I’d known 20 years ago that being nice to customers would have been so profitable then I’d have started do it a lot earlier,” he said.

On the subject of the UK referendum, Mr O’Leary was very clear on the airline’s position. “We fundamentally believe the UK economy is better inside a reformed EU economy.”

NEWS

Taking technology to the market

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orthern Ireland’s next generation of tech entrepreneurs enjoyed a night of innovation and celebration at St. George’s market in Belfast last month.

More than 200 teenagers attended the Generation Innovation Night of Ambition.

They were nominated by their schools and colleges for excellence in areas like science and technology, engineering, maths and entrepreneurship. The young people – many hoping to follow in the footsteps of tech leaders like Apple’s Tim Cook and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg – got the chance to meet the founders of 70 innovative local companies who were sharing their inspirational stories. Pictured are: Sean Vikingsson, Lagan College, Shannon Rowan, Priory College, Jessica Maxwell, Bloomfield Collegiate, Rebecca Johnston, Bloomfield Collegiate, Martin Wilson, Methodist College, Grace Parry, Priory College and Robert Sahakyan, Methodist College.

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MARCH 2016

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NEWS

Quotes of the month

INM buys Ulster Business from Greer Publications

“Politicians will just use this as a political football.”

Michael O’Leary, a firm EU stayer, on Brexit

“We are the fifth biggest economy in the world with a diverse and resilient economy. There is no reason we wouldn’t flourish after a vote to leave the European Union.”

A leave.EU spokesman

“It is critical that we have an informed debate. It’s clear that the majority – although not all – of our member companies wish to remain within a reformed EU. The single market gives access to over 500 million customers with common rules making it easier to do business across Europe. Being part of the EU Single Market means customers have a greater choice of products and services which drives more competitive prices.”

CBI Northern Ireland Director, Nigel Smyth

“There has never been a better time to invest in Belfast and we are keen to take that message to the world. We have a talented, highly-skilled and well-educated workforce but it is the hard work, enthusiasm and energy of the people of the city that sets us apart.”

Belfast Lord Mayor, Arder Carson

Richard McClean, Managing Director, INM Ltd (second right), and Simon Snoddy, Finance Director, INM Ltd (second left) pictured with Gladys and James Greer, Greer Publications.

U

lster Business has a new owner after Independent News and Media (INM) bought the magazine and its three sister titles from Greer Publications.

The deal, which was concluded on February 24, sees this magazine along with Ulster Grocer, Northern Woman and Hospitality Review NI join the INM stable, one which also includes The Belfast Telegraph, Sunday Life, Sunday World and Irish Independent.

INM, which is debt-free following the sale of APN, says it has up to €120m to acquire both digital and print businesses and will shortly appoint a dedicated head of mergers and acquisitions.

The company plans to grow the media group on foot of strong annual results, which saw it end the year with an increased cash balance of just under €60m.

The 10 staff currently working across the four magazines will be retained and for the next few months will continue to operate from the Belfast Harbour Estate premises.

INM posted pre-tax profits of €37.4m in the year ended December 2015, up 29.4% and enhanced by a 41.7% boost in digital advertising revenues to €12.5m.

They will move to the new Belfast Telegraph headquarters in Belfast once it has moved out of its current Royal Avenue base.

Following publication of the company’s financial results last Friday, chief executive Robert Pitt spoke to staff about the ‘Innovation Hub’ which has been established in the editorial department.

The Hub is looking at building new products, acquisitions and joint ventures.

INM Ltd Managing Director Richard McClean welcomed the acquisition: “We are delighted to add these flagship titles to our suite of publications,” he said.

“They are all very well established monthly magazines with an impressive readership across the business, food retailing, hospitality, consumer and lifestyle sectors.

“We look forward to further developing these already strong products in

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print and online as they become fully integrated within the INM group.”

Mr Pitt said digital advertising had become the key growth area for the business, offsetting declines in the print market. He insisted that the firm’s future investment and acquisition strategy would help extend the life of the print market amid ongoing consolidation in the newspaper industry.

NEWS

MJM Group buys former military base

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it-out company MJM Group has agreed a deal to buy the former military base at Ballykelly in Co Londonderry as part of a major investment plan that will take the company into new markets. MJM Group plans to create over 100 jobs in the short term on the 621.5 acre site and will provide a range of facilities “benefitting the local community�. MJM Group Chief Executive Jarlath Quinn is pictured with Group Chairman Brian McConville and Group Executive Assistant Naoimh McConville.

MARCH 2016

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NEWS

Growing economy offers allure for finance professionals

By John Moore, Regional Managing Director of Hays Northern Ireland

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Wallace High School pupils “Deloitted” to scoop place at business advisory

ood news for senior finance professionals – conditions are improving.

Salaries are rising, further professional development through study support is back and the concept of bonuses is now returning to conversations around remuneration packages.

Salary rises most clearly reflect the positivity in the marketplace. Where a newly qualified accountant entering Public Practice two to three years ago could expect a salary of £24,000-£26,000, it’s now £28,000-£30,000 – an uplift of around 15%.

So the perennial challenge for growing companies remains – that of sourcing the right talent and skillsets for their business.

Larger Public Practice employers are understanding how to bridge the gaps and be creative in their recruitment strategy. For example, some employers are prepared to offer sponsorship in order to select international experienced accountants.

SMEs are also becoming more proactive in reaching out for professionals who have made the move to London or further afield. In particular, there is strong demand in areas such as transactional tax inward investment. The fact SMEs can offer those candidates very persuasive incentives is another positive sign that the economy is moving in the right direction.

Looking ahead, businesses are identifying opportunities and thinking strategically about talent acquisition. The planned reduction in corporation tax has seen firms bringing in experienced specialists now so that they’re in place to advise clients and act in conjunction with professional bodies such as Invest NI. Northern Ireland has changed. We are seeing a shift in mindset from accountancy and tax professionals. They now view Northern Ireland once more as the place to work towards and achieve long-term career goals.

For further information about Hays in Northern Ireland log on to http://www.hays.co.uk/northern-ireland/ and log on to our website and twitter page (@haysN_Ireland) over the next few weeks to see our new suite of offices at Donegal Square, Belfast.

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Wallace High School pupils Callum Wardil, Sarah Mulholland and Timothee Bassett who have been accepted on to the “Brightstart Deloitte Belfast” scheme starting next year.

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hree current Year 14 pupils from The Wallace High School have have been accepted for the “Brightstart Deloitte Belfast” scheme starting next year.

Timothee Bassett, Callum Wardil and Sarah Mulholland are the successful applicants after completing a rigorous process and can now look forward to being employed by Deloitte whilst completing a Business Technology Degree with the University of Ulster.

They’ll also be paid a salary, whilst their five-year degree will be fully funded as part of the package.

Before Christmas, Wallace Principal, Mrs Deborah O’Hare had the opportunity to meet the Senior Partner from Deloitte, Jackie Henry, to find out more about the Scheme and Head of Careers, Mr Paul Beaton, took on the challenge after a member of the “Brightstart” recruitment team came to speak to sixth formers in the Lisburn school.

Mrs O’Hare has recently raised the issue of the increasing competition for traditional full-time undergraduate places in Northern Ireland, combined with the increased fees in British universities. She said it creates opportunities for businesses to entice capable young people at 18 into work or degree programmes.

“I wish to congratulate Timothee, Callum and Sarah on their success and wish them well for this exciting adventure with the Brightstart Deloitte scheme,” Mrs O’Hare said. “The recruitment process is rigorous and involved assessment centre interviews and tasks, interviews and psychometric testing.”

INSIGHT

Abbey Insurance Brokers buys Open + Direct

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locallyowned insurance company has bought competitor Open + Direct for an undisclosed sum.

Trevor Shaw, CEO of Abbey Insurance Brokers.

Abbey Insurance Brokers, which was founded in 1973 in Newtonabbey, has taken over the firm from Swinton Group.

The UK insurer has owned Open + Direct since 2009 and it now has over 200 staff operating in 13 branches.

They’ll be merged with the Abbey business which counts 220 employees across 15 branches.

The firm’s founder and chairman George Storey told Ulster Business it is an exciting time for the business.

“It is a big opportunity for us to grow the Abbey Insurance name,” he said. “We’re looking forward to the next chapter in the company’s history, one which provides opportunities for all the staff.”

He said the acquisitive route proved the best way to expand the company in such an ambitious manner, rather than through organic means.

“We became aware how expensive it is getting to grow our own new customers so looking for an acquisition made sense. The plans are to continue to grow the business expand the network further with four new branches.”

Mr Storey founded Abbey Insurance, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Prestige Insurance Holdings, in 1993 and said it is now Northern Ireland’s largest locally-owned insurance broker.

Trevor Shaw, CEO of Abbey Insurance Brokers welcomed the deal: “We are very pleased that through this acquisition, we have almost doubled the size of the Abbey Insurance Brokers business and extended our branch network right across Northern Ireland,” he said. “Over 40 years in the local market, Abbey Insurance has built a very strong business, focused on customer service.”

MARCH 2016

Holiday Pay case law saga continues

By Janet Kerrigan, Service & Development Director, Willis Consulting & Employment Services

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n February, the Employment Appeal Tribunal ruled that the Working Time Regulations can be interpreted to include commission payments within holiday pay.

It’s not surprising that ahead of this decision we received many queries from local employers concerned about potential claims and what it means for their salary bill (already one of the largest company expenses) going forward. Unfortunately, whilst the decision confirmed inclusion of commission payments, no guidance was given on how it should be calculated.

The judgement rejecting the employer’s appeal suggests that employers across the province will potentially face considerable financial implications. Whilst some of the employers we work with anticipated the outcome and have been proactive in reviewing their approach to holiday pay, others must now review their arrangements and seek to minimise risk.

We at Willis Consulting and Employment Services will continue to work in partnership with our clients to ascertain potential liability in respect of both underpayments and increased future holiday payments. We are taking a proactive approach, conducting reviews of current practices, procedures and pay structures, and helping to devise strategies to minimise contingent liability from retrospective claims. Importantly we’re also helping clients to plan ahead and budget for future staffing costs.

We have valuable experience working with local organisations, helping them to remain compliant and manage everyday HR matters. We work with managers offering them the support they need to manage employees confidently, whilst ensuring your organisation is legally compliant through the drafting of, and advice and guidance on, robust HR policies and procedures.

For more information, call us today on 028 9032 9042 or email info@willisconsulting.co.uk and a member of the Willis Consulting team will be happy to help

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MEET THE MINISTER

Business to the fore, Deputy First Minister?

Where does the economy sit in the list of the Deputy First Minister’s priorities? David Elliott spoke to Martin McGuiness to find out

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artin McGuinness is under pressure when Ulster Business arrives at Parliament buildings.

It’s the weekend after the Irish general election and he’s just back from a whirlwind trip to Dublin, Wicklow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Cork, before dropping into Ballymena to the announcement of a 200 bus order for Wrightbus from Transport for London where whirling dervish Boris Johnston was – literally – swinging from the rafters.

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He’s back at Stormont – the Deputy First Minister, not the Mayor of London; I don’t think the Executive is ready for Boris yet – for a pit stop before heading off to London later that evening but manages to fit in a quick interview with Ulster Business.

We want to talk about the importance of the Northern Ireland economy and, luckily, it seems the minister (although he’s quick to dismiss that particular moniker: “I don’t like titles, Martin will be fine”) wants to also.

He’s been meeting with business organisations from across Northern Ireland lately and is keen to set the record straight.

“People in the business community looking at the institutions here and the different political parties might have some sort of a notion that Sinn Fein isn’t business friendly,” he said. “I’ve been going out of my way to disabuse people of that notion because we understand, and I certainly understand, how important the business community are.”

MEET THE MINISTER

if we are to have a comprehensive approach to getting people into work there are two main planks: growing and supporting our own indigenous businesses and also attracting FDI.” And it would appear that those trade missions aren’t going to slow down now that Arlene Foster has taken up the First Minister role with Mr McGuinness heading with her in March to visit New York, Washington and Silicon Valley.

As well as wooing inward investors with visits, the impending devolution of corporation tax setting powers in 2018 is expected to bring with it a flood of FDI. Does Mr McGuinness believe we’re doing enough to prepare the economy here for that inflow?

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and Ulster Business editor David Elliott.

“They have been the backbone of our economy providing much needed employment and services so people shouldn’t be under any illusion as to where we’re coming from. There’s also been questioning as to why Sinn Fein wants this place to work.

“I say to that why would we not want it to work? We’re from here, we live in the community and we want jobs for our people and we want our business to be successful.”

To that end, he’s proud of the work carried out to win inward investment during his time in office.

“If you look at the number of visits Peter Robinson and I made to the US. That was during a time of global economic downturn but yet we managed to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI) than at any other time in the history of the state.

“I take great pride in that because

MARCH 2016

“There is already intense interest from the US at the prospect of a lower rate of corporation tax and that brings with it a number of challenges, the main one ensuring we have the adequate number of people with the right skills to meet the needs of these companies,” he said.

“Given that we’re projecting we can create up to 30,000 new jobs, that poses a huge responsibility to ensure we have the adequate number of skilled people.

“I think the decision that we took during the Fresh Start negotiations to reduce the number of government departments from 12 to nine – and in particular the amalgamation of the Department of Enterprise and the Department of Employment and Learning into the Department of the Economy – sends a very clear message about how interlinked those who are working to develop our economy have to be with our education establishment.”

Minister’s mind, having just come from Wrightbus which was announcing the bus deal with Transport for London.

Along with now dyed in the wool “out” campaigner Boris Johnston, also in attendance at the event was First Minister Arlene Foster and Secretary of State Theresa Villiers.

“I was very conscious that I was surrounded by a number of Brexiteers, as I call them,” he said. “I say that respectfully as everyone is entitled to their own issues, but I come from the opposite camp.

“I think exit from Europe would be very bad, not just for the North but for whole island of Ireland and for the business community, for our farmers, for the community and voluntary sector for educational institutions.”

And despite spending the morning those who want to leave the European Union, he believes support for staying in is strong.

“If you look at ourselves, the SDLP, Alliance and almost certainly the Ulster Unionists (UU) are coming on board (since this interview the UU have indeed confirmed their support to stay in the EU), that sends a powerful message to the community when they go to vote.

“There are so many powerful forces – be it political, farmers, business organisations etc, I think that makes a compelling case to people that they will vote to stay in.”

And he thinks we could have a big say on the issue.

“It is quite significant that the people who are leading Scotland, who are some of the most intelligent and innovative politicians on these islands, are arguing the same. The votes here and in Scotland could be critical.”

“We need to look at how we can best place our education establishments to produce the highly educated workforce the economy needs to deal with a change in society.”

With that it’s time to go, Mr McGuinness to meet with one of the most powerful business organisations in Northern Ireland which Ulster Business happened to bump into in the Great Hall.

The subject of Europe was also one which was at the forefront of the Deputy First

He’s a busy man, but is making time for business.

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COVER STORY

David McAleese and Fearghal O’Loan (Finance and Restructuring), James Donnelly (Corporate), Adrian O’Connell (Contracts and Technology), John McGuckian, Ciara Lagan and John-George Willis (Corporate), Anna Beggan (Employment), Tim Kinney (Construction), Maria O’Loan (Planning and Environmental), David Jones, Phyllis Agnew, James Pringle, John Mills, Joe Moore (Real Estate), Andrew Anthony and Alistair Wilson (Healthcare), Neil Cahill, Kathy McGillie, Toby McMurray, Patrick Brown, Michael McCord and Neil Smyth (Dispute Resolution).

All about the law A look at the people who lead Tughans Solictors as the firm notches up 120 years of service to business and the community in Northern Ireland

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ack in 1896, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was first calculated, technology company IBM was formed and the Wright Brothers were in the early stages of planning the first ever manned flight which didn’t take place until seven years later.

Already a busy year, it was also when Tughans Solicitors, one of the oldest law firms in Northern Ireland, started out on a legal path which Dow Jones followers would refer to as a long-term uptrend.

Mathematicians out there will note the firm is celebrating its 120th anniversary, one

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which comes at an apt time following one of the most successful years in its history where all departments were outperforming.

That could give the 125-strong firm licence to sit back and admire its handiwork, but that is not the Tughans’ way, and instead it has chosen to focus on service delivery and continued growth to support its clients which range from local ltds to international plcs. “The success of the firm has been built on the reputation of its lawyers and as a partnership we are proud to be driving Tughans forward in our 120th year. There is more optimism generally in the economy.

As a business we are seeing this through

the completed deals of the last 12 months and strong pipeline of work for the year ahead,” Managing Partner Patrick Brown told Ulster Business. “We have worked with our clients’ for many years, supporting their goals and objectives through developing our practice and offering tailored areas of law to suit their specific requirements. As they’ve grown, we’ve grown with them.

“Some of those companies have grown through acquisition and others have been acquisition targets themselves. Tughans has supported clients through all stages of their growth plans and successfully guided them through periods of change.”

COVER STORY

The Corporate team’s success – ranking top in the Experian league table of most active law firm for merger and acquisitions in Northern Ireland with one quarter of all deals recorded in 2015 – has already been well flagged with deals such as Totalmobile Holdings Limited and Sawyers Transport Group highlighted. This year looks set to follow a similar path with the team engaged in some of the most significant deals of 2016.

Led by John-George Willis, that team includes three additional partners James Donnelly, Ciara Lagan and John McGuckian and boasts a number of specialisms including venture capital and private equity funding and foreign direct investment.

While the Contracts and Technology team, headed by Adrian O’Connell, has brought an additional offering for corporate clients with its forte in the areas of contract and procurement law and in the field of intellectual property, working with clients such as Belfast Harbour Commissioners, Dale Farm and Texthelp, to name a few.

The recovery in the property market – both commercial and residential – over the last few years has seen activity in this department continue to increase as witnessed by some of the big property deals reported in the Experian survey such as the sale of Lough Erne Resort for £26m, which also involved the Insolvency and Corporate Recovery team headed-up by Toby McMurray, Bloomfield Shopping Centre for £54m and Erneside Shopping Centre for £34m.

“Tughans has supported clients through all stages of their growth plans and successfully guided them through periods of change.”

Moore busy and a number of new hires over the last year have helped expand the breadth of expert knowledge in the wider team.

Maria O’Loan joined earlier last year as partner with a focus on planning and environmental working with clients such as the GAA Ulster Council and Translink, while Tim Kinney, who specialises in construction law and projects, came north from Dublin to strengthen the firm’s construction offering which now supports both non-contentious and contentious construction matters in three jurisdictions. David McAleese, who although part of the Finance and Restructuring team, specialises in property finance – an area of rapid growth as the economy becomes progressively buoyant.

Such a spread now means Tughans Real Estate team is the biggest of any law firm in Northern Ireland, with the ability to service clients’ needs throughout RoI and England and Wales.

But the other Tughans departments have been just as active.

For two local property firms Corbo and Kilmona, the Real Estate team carried out transactions in excess of £250m over the last year alone.

Dispute Resolution is another part of the firm which can lay claim to being the biggest in the region and which counts a number of its partners as trained mediators.

The Real Estate team – headed up by Senior Partner Phyllis Agnew – is a case in point.

That has kept Phyllis and fellow partners John Mills, James Pringle, David Jones and Joe

It works both independently and as an adjunct to the other practice areas and

MARCH 2016

>

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COVER STORY

“The success of the firm has been built on the reputation of its lawyers and as a partnership we are proud to be driving Tughans forward in our 120th year.”

covers everything from professional negligence, employment disputes, insolvency, insurance litigation and commercial litigation including real estate.

The depth of experience and breath of expert areas of law within the Dispute Resolution team is the main reason for the firm’s eminence in this field with Kathy McGillie, Michael McCord and Toby McMurray heading up their own bespoke departments of insurance litigation, commercial litigation and insolvency & corporate recovery respectively, alongside partners Neil Cahill, Neil Smyth (both insurance specialists) and Managing Partner Patrick Brown making-up the formidable offering.

The team has acted and currently acts in a number of landmark cases in Northern Ireland, including the areas of financial regulation, judicial review and insurance and commercial disputes.

The success of the Finance and Restructuring department is a good indication of the

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general health of the economy. Banks are lending, businesses are investing and expanding and the team led by market leading Fearghal O’Loan is continuing to develop niche expertise such as invoice finance to ensure they are able to meet to growth needs of clients.

Anna Beggan’s Employment team, long rated as one of the best on these shores, provides clients with services across Ireland, England and Wales.

Working across all other departments they provide clients with advice on general employment law including TUPE, as well as employment disputes often representing clients at tribunal.

The Healthcare team carries a similar legal heft with partners Andrew Anthony and Alistair Wilson drawing business from across the island of Ireland. Noted by clients as “an extremely impressive outfit,” and “the top level of defence practitioners,” the team operate at the cutting edge of a dynamic area of law.

The sum of all those parts is an offering which stands out.

“Over the years we have concentrated on growing the firm in line with the needs of the Northern Ireland economy and have made sure we have specialists to cover the full breadth of legal needs from the corporate community,” Patrick Brown said. “Every team within Tughans is populated with the best legal minds in the land who go above and beyond the expectations of their clients.

“That is a level of service we’re immensely proud of and something which means our business continues to go from strength-to-strength. For 120 years we’ve been working in partnership with our clients and we look forward to continuing to do so.”

Having proved its worth since 1896, Tughans look set to play a leading role in the Northern Ireland economy long into the future.

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£1,374 + VAT

36

10,000

11.1p + VAT

150

19%

105g

£23,940.00

£1,554 + VAT

36

10,000

15.15p + VAT

190

21%

117g

£31,605.00

£2,952 + VAT

36

10,000

20.25p + VAT

225

27%

149g

£46,050.00

£169 per month* + VAT

S60 D2 Business Edition from V40 D2 R Design from

£229 per month

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V60 D3 Business Edition from XC60 D4 SE from

£209 per month* + VAT + VAT

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XC90 D5 Momentum from

£492 per month* + VAT

VAT payable at 20%

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LEADERSHIP

Taking the fear out of board financials

By Davy McAlinden, Programme Director at William J Clinton Leadership Institute

D

oes this scenario sound familiar? You have progressed well in your career and have earned your place at the leadership table. You are really looking forward to your first board meeting, which will allow you to make a significant contribution to the strategic direction of the company.

You take your seat at the table – you are congratulated by your colleagues and you’re good to go. Suddenly, you glance down at the agenda – item three: Review of Financial and Management Accounts – 45 Minutes.

Items one and two are over and in walks the accountants, suited, booted and looking very serious. The accounts are passed out – you are staring at a lot of numbers – and you hear the start of an overview, “Gross profit is down, EBITDA has increased, accruals, prepayment, payables, turnover...”.

Just as the theme music to Jaws starts playing in your head, you may start to feel that maybe, just maybe you shouldn’t be here but that thought couldn’t be further from the truth! Being on the board of any organisation brings lots of responsibilities.

We want to help you maximise your contribution to the board and add value.

With the Finance for Non-Financial Managers Programme, you will leave with the ability to read, understand and interpret accounts and be able to ask the tough questions that are required when reviewing the financial situation of your company.

With the Leading Effective Boards Programme you will understand your duties as a director but also understand and practise the skills, attitudes and behaviours you should demonstrate as an effective board member.

Both programmes are practical and delivered by people with extensive experience in finance and governance at board level.

So, you don’t have to listen to the theme from Jaws any more. Think of our programmes as the opportunity to end the theme tune forever.

Book now for these popular programmes. Tel: 028 9097 4394; email Davy McAlinden

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At the William J Clinton Leadership Institute we deliver world class experiential learning and executive education programmes that are designed to create immediate impact for you and your business.

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Ability to interpret financial data and ask the right questions Understanding of the risks that come with becoming a company director Confidence in budgeting for projects Capacity to forecasting financial trends Self-assurance in making informed and independent decisions

is short co a practical a urse provides n accounts k d comprehensive nowledge to Non-Finan c The two d ial Managers. ay program me will cover a wid e topics, esse range of finance n modern lea tial for efficient dership, in cluding financial la nguage, ca sh versus profi t, numbers, th interpreting the insolvency e role of audit, and much more.

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ENERGY

Building the Northern Ireland powerhouse

By Robin McCormick, General Manager, SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland)

N

orthern Ireland has a lot to offer potential investors. It’s a great place to live and work, it’s well connected with GB and the rest of Europe, and our local workforce is among the most talented anywhere in the UK and Ireland. Add to this a reduced rate of corporation tax to be introduced in 2018 and it will become very attractive to businesses and blue chip companies around the world.

When it comes to foreign direct investment; favourable business conditions and robust infrastructure go hand-in-hand. For those investors who are large energy users they will choose locations where the transmission network is strongest, electricity is stable and secure. Ireland has seen an influx of wellknown international companies like Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Intel; all creating high-end and well-paid jobs. They have been attracted by competitive energy costs and good electricity and telecommunications infrastructure. In Northern Ireland, business conditions are improving, but we need a solid and dependable electricity infrastructure to enable levels of investment and job creation similar to those being enjoyed in Ireland.

At SONI our key-focus on a day-to-day basis is ‘keeping the lights on’ across Northern Ireland; this means matching generation with demand every minute of every day. We also identify future needs and plan the development of the high-voltage transmission network.

We are currently progressing major transmission projects that will strengthen our network throughout Northern Ireland, including the Curraghamulkin and Brockaghboy 110kV projects, which

20

Robin McCormick

will both enhance local infrastructure and will also allow the connection of additional wind energy onto the grid, enhancing supply levels and reducing wholesale electricity costs in the process.

“At SONI our key-focus on a day-to-day basis is ‘keeping the lights on’ across Northern Ireland.”

However, in terms of giving potential investors the confidence they need regarding security of electricity supply, the proposed 400kV North/South Interconnector is a gamechanger. It will strengthen the backbone of our all-island transmission network and provide the capacity and reliable secure supply

absolutely fundamental to capitalise on future investment and job creation opportunities.

On all our current and future projects, we rely on the widespread support of the business community – those whose businesses derive the economic benefits of a strong and reliable transmission network. We need the leadership from political representatives at all levels. We have an on-going commitment to constantly improving the effectiveness of our community engagement. We work on each project to balance the local impact with strategic regional benefit.

In undertaking this work now and in the future, SONI is determined to play a key role in driving economic progress throughout the region in helping to attract job creation and foreign direct investment – providing the strategic transmission infrastructure required to build and grow the ‘Northern Ireland Powerhouse’.

in association with

Final call to board the 2016 Aer Lingus Viscount Awards Deadline for entries is Monday 21st March

B

usinesses across Northern Ireland are being reminded that the deadline for entries to the 2016 Aer Lingus Viscount Awards is looming.

Submissions must be received by Monday 21st March at 5pm, and with seven diverse categories, businesses of all sizes are encouraged to enter.

Andrea Hunter, Business Development Manager at Aer Lingus in NI said: “The Aer Lingus Viscount Awards, in association with Ulster Business, celebrate the wonderful spectrum of businesses here in Northern Ireland.

“Our award categories have seen a shake up this year and what we really want to see is a wider range of businesses enter to enjoy recognition for their achievements in the last 12 months.

“Best Business Start-Up’ is a new category that was created to recognise companies that have been recently established. In the past we noticed huge numbers of newer businesses applying for the ‘Best SME’ title but who found it difficult competing against the longer established companies.

“We’ve also added the ‘Employee Champion’ award to reward businesses that go above and beyond to create a positive employee culture.”

“With entries already coming in from across Northern Ireland, I’d encourage anyone who hasn’t yet submitted their entry to do so before we reach the entry deadline. I’m already looking forward to sitting down with our seasoned judging panel to go through the submissions – we always learn something new about the array of fantastic businesses we have here,” she added.

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The IoD headquarters in London where the Viscount Awards will be held.

The full list of award categories is: Innovator of the Year, Exporter of the Year, Best SME Award, Best Business Start-Up Award, Employee Champion Award, Business Person of the Year and the Award for Overall Excellence.

“These awards highlight and celebrate the very best in the private business sector,” said Jeremy Fitch, Executive Director, Business Solutions Group at Invest NI. “As a judge, the best advice I can give is for companies to carefully address each of the criteria for their specific category as we’ll be looking for like-for-like evidence that will allow us to easily make comparisons about who is the most deserving.

“Programmes such as this serve several purposes. Firstly, if you’re running a business you can see how well you’re doing from your turnover or your profit and loss, but it’s sometimes difficult to see how you’re doing from the perspective of excellence. The Viscount Awards allow

you to benchmark how you’re doing against other best in class businesses.

“Secondly, and just as importantly, it raises the profile of your business amongst both potential customers and potential employees – being part of an award-winning business is a great lure for top talent,” he added.

The 2016 Viscount Awards luncheon will be held on Tuesday 24th May at the IoD, 116 Pall Mall, London. Each shortlisted company will be offered one complimentary ticket to the event, which includes a three course meal and return flights with Aer Lingus from George Best Belfast City Airport to London Heathrow.

Guests will also be given access to the stateof-the-art Aer Lingus Business Lounge at London Heathrow.

Entry forms and criteria can be found at viscountawards.ulsterbusiness.com. All entries must be submitted no later than 5pm on Monday 21st March at 5pm

Travel, Flags, firebombs & & Tourism flashbacks Hospitality

Sponsored by

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere Diageo Northern Ireland: proud supporters of Northern Ireland‘s Year of Food & Drink 2016

DRINK RESPONSIBLY The BAILEYS, GORDON’S, CAPTAIN MORGAN, SMIRNOFF, TANQUERAY, BULLEIT, GUINNESS, SMITHWICKS, CARLSBERG, HARP and HOP HOUSE 13 words and associated logos are trade marks © Diageo 2016.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere

DRINK RESPONSIBLY The BAILEYS, GORDON’S, CAPTAIN MORGAN, SMIRNOFF, GUINNESS, SMITHWICKS, CARLSBERG and HARP words and associated logos are trade marks © Diageo 2016

TRAVEL, TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

The artisan army gets ready to take on the world David Elliott talks to ArtisanNI founder Jenna Stevenson to find out how she plans to bring the plethora of small food and drink producers together and double the size of the sector over the next few years

ArtisanNI is, in its own words, an “independent, publicly-owned, crowdsourced movement that showcases the artisan producers of Northern Ireland”.

Using the Year of Food & Drink 2016 as its launchpad, it wants to raise awareness of artisan food and drink producers and encourage consumers here to buy their products.

It’s doing that through social media under #artisanNI and by designing something so obviously useful you may wonder why nobody has done it before.

Jenna Stevenson

F

rom Newtownbutler to Rathlin Island; from Portaferry to Castlederg, Northern Ireland has a wealth of small, artisan food producers the length and breadth of the country.

They’ve risen to prominence over the last few years as shoppers turn their backs on mass produced and often imported food and actively search out locally-grown and processed products which are made on these shores.

Up until now, those small producers have made sporadic admirable appearances in the headlines and in local shops and supermarkets but haven’t been represented as a whole.

But that’s about to change.

MARCH 2016

The map of producers overleaf gives you an instant insight into who is producing what and where in every corner of Northern Ireland.

It highlights some producers you’ll be well aware of and some you might not have heard of and will hopefully boost demand for all those mentioned from both consumers and perhaps from buyers at larger retail outlets.

Jenna Stevenson provides the energy behind the campaign and told Ulster Business she hopes to double the value of the artisan food and drink sector here – from £10m turnover a year to £20m – through publicising the sector more and by enlisting the help of organisations such as Invest NI. But it doesn’t stop there; Jenna is also helping tackle some of the practical issues which small producers face, one which she knows

only too well through her own company Bitetosavour which sells gift boxes of Northern Ireland food and drink all around the world.

She’s planning a distribution centre to which a number of artisan producers deliver their produce, thereby offering shops and other buyers the ability to order a range of artisan products to be delivered in one go.

That gets over the problem of multiple small deliveries to shops which can be extra work for shops and costly for producers.

“Buyers don’t want to have 50 different deliveries but by bringing the produce together in one place we can cut that down to just one,” Jenna told Ulster Business. “If we can do that they’re much more likely to reorder.

“And it also means producers can keep doing what they do best: producing.”

Such a collaborative approach paves the way for a profitable future for producers here, she said.

“This could be a game changer for artisan producers. We will be able to facilitate stuff to all the delis out there, to London, even to Australia.

“We have some of the best artisan food & drink on the planet created by some of the most amazing, passionate producers,” Jenna said. “It’s time to put us on the world map.”

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Celebrating life, every day, everywhere TRAVEL, TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

24

DRINK RESPONSIBLY The BAILEYS, GORDON’S, CAPTAIN MORGAN, SMIRNOFF, GUINNESS, SMITHWICKS, CARLSBERG and HARP words and associated logos are trade marks © Diageo 2016

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere

DRINK RESPONSIBLY The BAILEYS, GORDON’S, CAPTAIN MORGAN, SMIRNOFF, GUINNESS, SMITHWICKS, CARLSBERG and HARP words and associated logos are trade marks © Diageo 2016

TRAVEL, TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

MARCH 2016

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Celebrating life, every day, everywhere

DRINK RESPONSIBLY The BAILEYS, GORDON’S, CAPTAIN MORGAN, SMIRNOFF, GUINNESS, SMITHWICKS, CARLSBERG and HARP words and associated logos are trade marks © Diageo 2016

TRAVEL, TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

Jorge Lopes, Country Director with Gary Simpson, Production Manager at Diageo’s bottling and packaging plant in East Belfast.

Diageo NI reaffirms commitment to hospitality and tourism sector

D

iageo NI is one of the major exporters in the food and beverage sector in Northern Ireland and employs over 300 people across three sites including the global Baileys facility at Mallusk, a bottling and packaging plant in Marshalls Road, East Belfast and the corporate headquarters in Belfast City Centre.

The Mallusk facility currently produces around 70% of all Baileys sold worldwide.

Over 80% of the ingredients and materials are sourced from local suppliers, including Encirc glass for bottles (Fermanagh); Smurfit Kappa in Lurgan for crates and

28

boxes and McBurneys transport (Ballymena).

Cream is supplied by Glanbia which sources milk from farms in Northern Ireland.

The Marshalls Road site is responsible for the bottling, canning and packaging of Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s, Budweiser, Carlsberg, Tuborg and other beers. Record volumes were produced in the last financial year with some 60% of output suppling the local markets in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, while 40% is loaded onto boats to supply the rest of the UK, US, Europe and Korea.

Jorge Lopes, Country Director of Diageo NI, said: “Through our employment and

production, Diageo is proud of its longstanding history and partnerships throughout Northern Ireland and we are committed to supporting economic growth through hospitality, increased tourism and job creation.

“There are visible signs of a sustainable recovery within the sector. Statistics released last year from Hospitality Ulster estimate that the industry as a whole has the potential to create up to 5,000 new jobs in the next 10 years and tourism figures released last month from DETI indicate that overall visitor numbers for the full year to September 2015 have increased by 5% when compared to the same period in 2014. This upturn

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere

DRINK RESPONSIBLY The BAILEYS, GORDON’S, CAPTAIN MORGAN, SMIRNOFF, GUINNESS, SMITHWICKS, CARLSBERG and HARP words and associated logos are trade marks © Diageo 2016

TRAVEL, TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

is reflected in the growth of the nighttime economy and we are committed to supporting this growth through investment in our brands, in the wider economy and community and with our strategic partners.”

One such strategic partner is Visit Belfast with Diageo NI committing financial support to their work in developing and promoting Belfast to both domestic and overseas tourists “Through our close partnership with Visit Belfast, we understand how food and drink experiences have become increasingly important to tourism here – about one third of what tourists spend is on food and drink. As a key player in the food and beverage sector, we very much welcome and support the NI Year of Food & Drink 2016 and believe it will provide a real platform for our customers to attract tourists into their pubs, hotels and restaurants.”

Sponsorship is also key for Diageo and its brands while providing real value for customers and their businesses. Whether it’s Carlsberg as the official beer of Euro 2016 or Guinness as the official sponsor of the RBS 6 Nations and the Guinness Pro12, the potential uplift in the hospitality sector is significant.

“We’ve an exciting summer ahead of us with the Euros! It will undoubtedly be a key time for hotels, pubs and retailers here as local fans and tourists get behind their teams.”

The company’s commmitment to the sector went a step further in 2015 with the launch of the Diageo Tourism and Hospitality Academy. Modelled on Diageo’s globally acclaimed Learning for Life programme, the Academy was designed and delivered by Belfast Met, supported by Diageo and FLU funded by the Department for Employment and Learning to provide real employment opportunities in the hospitality and tourism industry for 18-24 year olds.

The City and Guilds accredited 16-week programme last year provided nine young people with insight and experience of the hospitality and tourism industry including interview preparation, food and beverage

skills, customer care and communications and computer skills, followed by a three month paid placement with one of Diageo’s industry partners.

The Diageo Tourism and Hospitality Academy is returing in March 2016, once again through partnership with Belfast Met and, for the first time, North West Regional College in Derry~Londonderry has also come on board as an education delivery partner. It is hoped that 20 unemployed young people will benefit from this year’s programme which will open the door to a wide range of exciting career opportunities in the growing Northern Ireland tourism and hospitality industry.

“The hospitality sector is one of the largest employers in Northern Ireland and, as a key player in the food and drinks sector, we feel a responsibility to ensure that we’re not only supporting our customers but also the industry in general. The Diageo Tourism and Hospitality Academy provides a structured route and progression pathway to further education while offering young people the opportunity to gain employment. We’re essentially preparing for the future and that’s another vitally important facet to the NI Year of Food & Drink 2016,” added Jorge Lopes.

Smithwick’s Pale Ale with steamed mussels – one of Nikki MacCorquodale and Neil Ronson, both Diageo, pictured at a hospitality industry event that Diageo held for local publicans, hotel and restaurant owners in Derry~Londonderry.

MARCH 2016

the beer and food pairings at Diageo’s recent media event to celebrate the start of the NI Year of Food & Drink 2016.

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Celebrating life, every day, everywhere

DRINK RESPONSIBLY The BAILEYS, GORDON’S, CAPTAIN MORGAN, SMIRNOFF, GUINNESS, SMITHWICKS, CARLSBERG and HARP words and associated logos are trade marks © Diageo 2016

TRAVEL, TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

Chocolate inspires latest Mourne Mountains Brewery stout

O

ne of Northern Ireland’s newest breweries is launching a chocolate beer just in time for the end of Lent.

Warrenpoint-based Mourne Mountains Brewery’s latest stout has been created by Master Brewer Tom Ray using raw cocoa nibs in the mash to give a deep, chocolately flavour.

Chocolat Chaud follows the theme of seasonal beers from the County Down company which previously came up with its Pumpkin Porter in the autumn and The First Noel at Christmas.

Founder of Mourne Mountains Brewery, entrepreneur Connaire McGreevy said the latest offering is a robust and warming stout with plenty of body.

“We decided to get the ball rolling with Chocolat Chaud which is an intriguing brew with complex and somewhat unconventional flavours,” he said. “We think it makes an excellent alternative to Easter eggs for adults, or to a pint of Guinness this St Patrick’s Day!”

“You’ll have to get your hands on a bottle before it’s too late though, it is a one off, limited run brew and will only be available in bars, restaurants and off-licences across Northern Ireland while stocks last.

“It’s our aim to keep producing seasonal beers, creating opportunities for beer enthusiasts to taste unique brews that are produced locally and we’ll have at least a couple more specials later this year.

In addition to their seasonal specials, Mourne Mountains Brewery produces five core beers available in bottles and on draft: Mourne Gold pale ale, Red Trail red IPA, Big Rock wheat beer, Mourne Mist pilsner and the award winning East Coast IPA.

The RubyBlue tipple for St Patricks gift for their partners. We wanted to open up the range and launch a more mainstream spirit with the essence of Ireland at its core,” explained RubyBlue’s co-director Barbara Hughes.

Despite the island of Ireland’s association with potatoes and high quality drinks there has never been a quality spirit made from potatoes.

The Hughes’ first batch of RubyBlue potato vodka hit the shelves in early 2015 launched in Dublin airport Duty Free, and so far sales have been good selling almost 10,000 bottles to date at home and abroad.

Barbara and Stuart Hughes with Jonathan Magennis from Eipic Bar.

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ased in Co Antrim, Barbara and Stuart Hughes run Hughes Craft Distillery. Until now they’ve been known for their RubyBlue Fruit Liqueurs, which range from warm chilli and tart cranberry, to sweet blueberry and their bestselling blackcurrant cassis.

But their decision to create a small batch of RubyBlue Potato Vodka may just put a change all that. Their decision to diversify into Vodka is part gut feel, part commercial.

“Our liqueurs are loved by men and women – but in the main it’s women who buy it for themselves or men who buy it as a

30

“We’ve been championed by local restaurants such as Deane’s and Made in Belfast. We’re also available in Belfast, Shannon and Dublin Airports,” Barbara added. “Not surprisingly their sales data is showing us we’re most popular with passengers flying to the States and Canada, but we’re also pretty popular with Polish and Russian customers.

“We use local ingredients when we can. Even our RubyBlue Vodka signature serve has an Apple & Thyme garnish is to bring in another local ingredient as we have fab apple growers on our doorstep’.

To celebrate the RubyBlue team have released Limited Edition Illuminated Bottles for St Patrick’s Weekend and have enlisted the help of Jonathan Magennis of Michael Deanes’ Michelin star, Eipic Bar and Restaurant in Belfast to create a St Patrick’s Day cocktail.

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Food Heartland producers savouring opportunities

F

ood and drink producers in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon – the area known as the Food Heartland of Northern Ireland – are making the most of the opportunities presented by the NI Year of Food & Drink 2016.

The region is characterised by a rich environment of good agricultural land, making it the natural home to an abundance of specialist artisan food and drink producers and household names including: Tayto, Moy Park, Irwin’s Bakery, Cottage Catering, Linwoods, Fane Valley, White’s and Wilson’s Country. The borough is also uniquely home to two of the three world renowned products in Northern Ireland, namely Lough Neagh Eels and Armagh Bramley Apples (the third being Comber Potatoes).

Given this concentration of so many high quality firms, as well as a vibrant and growing base of specialist artisan food and drink producers, the council is supporting local producers in what is now termed ‘The Food Heartland of Northern Ireland.’

At the launch of the Food Heartland Brand for NI Year of Food & Drink 2016 is (L-R): John McGrillen CEO Tourism NI; Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Councillor Darryn Causby; Kevin and Oliver McCann of P McCann & Sons, and Roger Wilson, CEO Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

By championing local food and drink producers with great events throughout the year, the Forum hopes to enhance the tourism experience and expand local agri-food exports throughout 2016 for NI Year of Food & Drink and beyond.

The Food Heartland Forum The new borough of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon is vibrant and outwardlooking with a strong international focus, a wealth of exporting knowledge and is open for business on a global basis. The council has identified the agri-food sector as one of its priority growth sectors and has established The Food Heartland Forum – a network of people from all parts of the sector, support bodies including Food NI, DARD and Southern Regional College – who work together to drive the sector forward.

Food Heartland Forum Events

The Forum is developing the sector by highlighting the importance of food and drink competitions and awards, as well as encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship within the agri-food industry throughout the borough.

Armagh Bramley Apples

Renowned beer and cider writer Pete Brown was the guest speaker at the latest Food Heartland Forum event in Uluru restaurant, Armagh. Pete, who has been named Beer Writer of the Year twice and is a judge at the Great Taste Awards, was blown away by the quality of cider in the region, an opinion he shared in his review in the Publicans Advertising Review following the Richhill Apple Festival in October.

Pete is particularly impressed by the provenance of Armagh cider, “It is hard to fathom that every single apple in Armagh can be traced back to one single tree.

The provenance of the Armagh Bramley

Apple, particularly with its PGI status, makes Armagh cider very special indeed.”

The Future for Local Food and Drink With a Food Heartland Forum already in place and plans to roll-out a new Export Support Programme and workshops to specifically support the food and hospitality sector, 2016 is gearing up to be a great year for local producers in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon.

By tackling new markets and growing existing market share together, the Food Heartland’s vision is that the industry will be able to ‘dine out’ on its success for years to come.

To get involved with the Food Heartland Forum or to find out more information on support for the agri-food sector, please contact Sarah-Jane Macdonald, Economic Development Officer, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council on 028 3831 2572 or email sarahjane. macdonald@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk.

Date for the Diary: 25th May 2016 Event: The first Food Heartland Awards Where: Craigavon Civic & Conference Centre Details: Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is holding the first Food Heartland Awards. These awards will not only recognise excellence in the food and drink industry across the region but will provide the opportunity to showcase this growing and vibrant sector. Details of award categories and how to enter will be available on www.foodheartland.com from 16th March 2016.

The Food Heartland of Northern Ireland -

Internationally acclaimed brands Specialist artisan food & drink producers Home to world-renowned produce Great Taste & Irish Food Award winners Open for business globally

TRAVEL, TOURISM & HOSPITALITY

New hotel for Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter

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new 63-bed hotel will soon be taking shape in Belfast after two local business partners reinvested in the Cathedral Quarter.

Andre Graham and Seamus Sweeney aim to open The Waring, situated in the former War Memorial Building on Waring Street in the city, in late 2017.

They bought the building for £1.2m last year having sold their previous ventures – The Kremlin, Union Street and Shoe Factory – for £3m in 2014.

Planning has just been passed on the new hotel site and Mr Sweeney said he expected the four-star venue to be ready just in time for an uptick in demand.

“We are delighted that Planning has recognised the merit and potential of our scheme at a time when Belfast is on the very cusp of such significant growth,” he said. “With the development of the new Ulster University Campus well under way and the anticipated growth from changes to corporation tax in early 2018, plus other major developments such as the expanded Waterfront Hall, The Waring is perfectly placed to take advantage of the growing demand for hotel rooms.

He said the 63-beds will be spread over five floors and that the project with create upwards of 60 full-time jobs when it opens.

“Our aim is to create a designer hotel which will be as unique as the building itself – one of only two listed buildings from the fifties,” he said. “However, although that decade will permeate all facets of our marketing and while the temptation is to design a facsimile of a mid-century hotel, we also want to develop a unique timeless design

34

An artist’s impression of The Waring, the new hotel planned for Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter.

concept which will be something completely new for Belfast. And already we have some of the most exciting international designers investigating the possibilities for us.

“Indeed, the fact that the notoriously laborious planning process took just three months is testimony to the excitement felt by everyone involved in this project – from our award-winning architects McGonigle McGrath and consultant Barry Owens, through to the planners themselves and the Council.”

Mr Graham said four-star The Waring would be aimed at the younger end of the professional demographic.

“We’ll be targeting the regular business and weekend travellers coming to enjoy what’s been recently highlighted as one of Europe’s ‘must visit’ destinations,” he said.

“Belfast’s reputation as a young, cool, well-educated and vibrant city will be reflected in the laid back and keen to please culture that will be central to the hotel’s operation.”

Dating from the 1600s, bombed by the Luftwaffe in 1941 and finally blocked off in the seventies, the entry – between Waring and High Street – could once again be a bustling thoroughfare if it is opened by the developers as part of their hotel scheme, subject to planning.

The entry was made famous by its Dr Franklin’s Public House, where Henry Joy McCracken first formed the United Irishmen as a secret society called The Muddlers and from where he was betrayed by one of its barmaids, the beautiful Bell Martin as local lore has it, who was a government spy.

Picture by TODD Architects

Supersized portions of Belfast Waterfront

T

he new Belfast Waterfront promises to offer supersized portions of event space, support services and benefits to the city when opened in May this year.

New space brings new events The re-imagined award-winning Belfast Waterfront will feature over 30 awe-inspiring spaces which will accommodate up to 5,000 delegates at any one time.

The doubling of its event space to 7,000m2 has already attracted new events as well as facilitated the return of many which had previously outgrown the existing facilities.

In October this year, Belfast Waterfront will serve up the main dish for Northern Ireland’s Year of Food & Drink – the prestigious BBC Good Food Show Northern Ireland.

Over the three day event the region’s very best brands and producers of drink and artisan products will showcase their culinary delights in its two new multipurpose halls spanning over 2,500m2. Whilst in the venue’s stunning 2,000-seat auditorium, food fans can enjoy live cookery demonstrations presented by some of the nation’s favourite chefs.

Services to wow your guests As one of UK’s leading conference centres there will be more than extra helpings of flexible event space on the menu.

Its truly inspirational riverside setting, ceilings reaching 9m high, exterior terraces boasting stunning views, excellent AV technology and outstanding catering will add the all important wow factor to the whole experience.

Benefits to the city By 2020 Belfast Waterfront aims to generate £100m return for Belfast and create over 1,500 new hospitality and retail jobs, by attracting 55,000 conference delegates annually – twice the current rate.

2016 is already getting off to a good start. The venue has already secured over 30 international and national events for the next three years, generating 70,000 delegate days and bringing in over £34m for the city.

To find out more about the venue or to book your next event call 028 9033 4400 or email conference@waterfront.co.uk

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ospitality Ulster launched a campaign to force the Northern Ireland Assembly to modernise outdated liquor licensing laws recently. Launching the campaign is Hospitality Ulster Chair Olga Walls, Chief Executive, Colin Neill, and past Chair Mark Stewart. It wants the assembly to look into the matter as soon as it returns from the election period. Some of the current laws which govern Northern Ireland up to 20, 50 and even as much as 100 years old, according to Hospitality Ulster. The organisation said its members are getting increasingly angry at the slow pace of change by our politicians.

Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster, said the industry is being held back. “For years the hospitality sector has been pushing for changes to the outdated liquor licensing laws in Northern Ireland. We have been promised the introduction of a Bill at the Northern Ireland Assembly to make the necessary changes, however the Assembly has failed to bring it forward.”

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ENERGY

Come home to Power NI Alan Egner

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ith a recent price reduction, great discounts, an updated look for their online billing service and excellent customer service – there’s never been a better time for your business to come home to Northern Ireland’s leading electricity supplier, Power NI. Power NI recently announced a cut in small business and farm tariff rates of around 10%, saving a typical small business around £200 a year*. Alan Egner, Power NI’s Commercial Sales & Marketing Manager comments: “We promised that we would always look for ways to reduce prices and save our customers money. I’m happy to say that we can now deliver lower prices alongside our great Direct Debit and online billing discounts for small commercial customers.

“After nearly 15 years of competition, more business and farm customers choose Power

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NI than any other supplier, and they trust us to get it right. We currently have over 35,000 commercial customers and last year over 500 businesses returned from other suppliers. Power NI customers are assured of local, friendly service and according to Consumer Council NI, Power NI continually receives the lowest number of formal complaints per 100,000 customers than any other electricity supplier in Northern Ireland – now for four years running!

“New and existing customers are treated exactly the same when you’re with Power NI and you can be confident that you’ll always pay a fair price. We believe in offering discounts to every single one of our customers, year in, year out, whether you’re a small user on a published, transparent tariff or a larger customer on a personalised contract. Over 63,000 homes, farms and businesses have activated their Energy Online account and with a brand

new look we’ve made it even easier for customers to keep a closer eye on their usage and help cut down on energy bills.

Alan concludes: “At Power NI, after 80 years operating in Northern Ireland, we’re the real home of Business Energy. We’re still local, we’re still here and we’re still number one.” * New prices effective from 1st April 2016.

Applies to regulated small business and farm tariffs only, for customers using less than 50,000 units a year. Average price cut of 10% based on typical Popular tariff customer using 15,000 units a year. Actual savings dependent on customer tariff and consumption.

Whether you’re a small start-up business or an established larger user, call the Power NI Business Hotline today on 03457 455 455 or visit www.powerni.co.uk/welcomehome

Flags, firebombs & flashbacks

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Megabytes or mega slow?

Government has been promising fit for purpose broadband for every business in Northern Ireland, but how realistic is that for rural businesses? Joanne Sweeney finds out if there is a realistic option for companies which aren’t based near a fibre network and if the alternative satellite options are fast enough and good value

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ope, and financial help, apparently is at hand for rural businesses which require the 21st century version of life blood to any developing business – superfast broadband.

While a BT cabinet to provide fibre cable broadband to your small business may yet take several years to come to your area – if it ever does – communications regulator Ofcom is keen to get the message out that help is on its way.

Last November, the government stated its intention to introduce measures that will see every home and business have access to a service capable of delivering a minimum download speed of 10 Mbit/s by 2020 (a type of Universal Service Obligation or USO).

Ofcom’s own figures show that there is still some way to go and a more than a few obstacles to overcome if it is to reach that target in Northern Ireland.

According to Ofcom’s Connected Nations Report from 2015, 42% of premises in rural areas cannot achieve speeds greater than or equal to 10Mb, compared to just 25% in urban areas.

As well as working with Government on the broadband USO, Ofcom is planning other changes to the telecoms market that could help the rollout of broadband further.

It’s requiring BT Openreach to open up its

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telegraph poles and ‘ducts’ – the small, underground tunnels that carry telecoms lines. Using these, rival providers will be able to build their own fibre networks, connected directly to offices and homes.

That’s not only music to the ears of rivals such as Rainbow and EE but also to smaller providers.

According to Jonathan Rose, Ofcom Northern Ireland director, opening and extending the fibre cable network is a priority.

“People across Northern Ireland today need affordable, reliable phone and broadband services. Coverage and quality are improving, but not fast enough to meet the growing expectations of consumers and businesses,” he said.

However, the most immediate solution to providing broadband to challenging rural locations throughout the region lies mostly with satellite broadband – getting your service through the air instead of underground fibre cable.

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A number of satellite service providers are taking part in the UK wide Satellite Broadband Support Scheme which is run by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Industry here.

This will allow homes and businesses to get a subsidised satellite broadband connection if they are currently unable to obtain a broadband service of at least 2 Mbit/s.

Business can apply for a discount code to be used with one of a selected number of retail service providers to obtain a subsidised satellite broadband service, including in most cases, a free satellite dish and installation saving people up to £350. This scheme is due to run until the end of 2017.

Separately, another satellite pilot scheme has been launched in Counties Antrim and Fermanagh to provide superfast broadband in those areas. The faster speeds satellite service is being trialled by Avanti Communications and delivered across both counties by Service Providers Avonline Broadband and Europasat. The scheme is part of broader initiative by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport launched in 2014, to examine alternative broadband technologies that are particularly suited to rural areas.

Around 1,000 properties across both counties are eligible for the subsidised superfast broadband scheme.

But the concept is yet to really capture the business owner’s imagination, mainly due to expensive running and installation costs. ibub Communications is one of the number of satellite broadband providers supporting the scheme. It currently supplies around 200 businesses in Northern Ireland and that’s after two years in the Northern Ireland market.

So despite the discount scheme, ibub’s technical director Sean Og Brennan is well aware of the barriers for business customers into the satellite broadband market and feels some frustration that businesses are not quicker to pick on the offer.

The company is working closely with local councils to host information evenings in a

MARCH 2016

rural communities like Derrynoise in Co Armagh to give a visible demonstration of what ibub and its parent company B4B Telecoms can offer customers.

“The attitude for rural business customers is that they will try and manage as they don’t want to pay £70 a month so it will always be an uphill struggle to convince the likes of farmers.

Mr Brennan said: “The satellite broadband market is relative new and niche to Northern Ireland. The reason for that is that is technically difficult to do from an engineering standpoint and dealing with satellite operators, and it’s more expensive.

“But satellite broadband is a lot more affordable to businesses nowadays as we data cap the services and now have starting entry level prices for 25G at £70 per month.”

“Many rural business customers still do not realise that satellite broadband is an option for them. Perception of cost and installation is one such barrier and also the fact that satellite is twice as expensive in urban areas.

He argues that the big benefit of satellite is that it can be installed absolutely anywhere.

He says that it’s a win-win for the company as ibub will promise to provide their customers with fibre cable supply if, and when, it become available in their area provided they re-sign to a new service contract.

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Telecoms and connectivity for the future?

Ofcom is undertaking the biggest shake-up of the telecoms and broadband market in more than a decade. Northern Ireland director Jonathan Rose explains what it means for businesses and consumers in Northern Ireland

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he communications sector has changed massively in the last ten years. Back in 2006, fewer than half of us were connected to the internet. Of those that didn’t have internet access, four in ten said they didn’t need it or weren’t interested.

And back then the word superfast wasn’t part of our lexicon. Indeed, 2006 was the first year that “broadband” connections in Northern Ireland overtook “narrowband” or “dial-up” – remember that?

These days, the internet is regarded as essential, much like gas, water and electricity. The focus is not on whether I should have it but what speed can I get... or not as is sometimes the case. And that’s not just at home but increasingly while we are out and about, with the smartphone now our preferred way of going online.

This is a fast moving sector which has to continue delivering for businesses and consumers. To this end, we’ve looked at the sector afresh and recently set out plans to improve telecoms quality and coverage.

Firstly, we want rival operators to have access to BT’s network of telegraph poles and underground tunnels. This will give more providers the opportunity to build their own, advanced fibre networks, connected to homes and offices.

We are also proposing to reform Openreach, the division of BT that runs and manages its infrastructure and which wholesales services

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to BT’s retail arm, TalkTalk, Sky and others. It will still remain within the BT group but will be more independent and more answerable to those other, non-BT users of its network.

Ofcom is also proposing some potentially fundamental changes to the way BT operates in Northern Ireland.

Back in 2005, when we last carried out a review of this scale it was considered disproportionate to split BT’s small and geographically separate engineering workforce in Northern Ireland to form Openreach in Northern Ireland.

We will consider whether the existing arrangements in Northern Ireland remain appropriate as part of the next phase of our work but our starting position is that any new model should apply right across the UK. Furthermore, Ofcom intends to introduce tougher rules on faults, repairs and installations; transparent information on service quality; and automatic compensation for consumers when things go wrong.

Given the essential nature of fixed and mobile communications services, we believe that consumers should receive automatic compensation where their retail provider does not deliver certain service quality standards.

Finally, and crucially, Ofcom wants better broadband and mobile coverage, especially in rural areas. We are working with Government who are planning a new Universal Service Obligation that will make

Jonathan Rose

fast, affordable broadband available to every home and business in the UK. In mobile, the operators’ own plans should deliver significant improvements in mobile coverage, notably with the rollout of 4G. For our part, Ofcom intends to place new obligations in future spectrum licences to improve rural mobile coverage.

The measures, when implemented, are designed to make sure the UK has a world class digital infrastructure.

People need affordable, reliable phone and broadband services. Coverage and quality are improving, but not fast enough to meet the growing expectations of consumers and businesses.

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EOS Systems has designs on new super council design team at Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council improve the efficiency of its systems and current hardware.

Heather Love, one of the designers at the council explains.

“From a design perspective the merger of Antrim and Newtownabbey presented both opportunities and challenges. We have gone from one designer in each legacy council to a team of three with two sets of assets to work with, so linkages were a major challenge. We worked with Patrick from EOS Systems, who set up the centralised server using equipment we already had. As well as improving the flow of production, this has ensured a more robust storage and access to our assets, supporting business continuity with offsite backups.”

(L-R): Members of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Martin McGilton, Heather Love and Philip Parke with Patrick Fitzsimons of EOS Systems (second from right).

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he reform of local government is now well under way. Resources, approaches and administration within the new ‘super councils’ are being reorganised and rationalised in order to improve the efficiency and quality of service delivery across Northern Ireland. In some cases, the drive for improvements has extended into some unusual areas, as local IT support specialists, EOS Systems, can vouch. They have been helping the newly-formed graphic

Patrick Fitzsimons, Director at EOS Systems, picks up the story. “Our primary focus was on making the most of their existing IT resources.

Using a Drobo Raid storage system we were able to upgrade a largely unused Mac Mini server and connect three Apple iMac desktops and one PC to it. Not only was this a relatively painless procedure, but also a low cost solution that has transformed how Heather and her team now work.”

To find out how EOS Systems can update your ICT systems and infrastructure, call Patrick Fitzsimons today on 028 9045 9222 or email patrick@eossystems.co.uk

Hat-trick for Belfast IT company

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ovosco has completed a hat-trick with its latest accolade, a Deloitte Best Managed Companies in Ireland Award.

It adds to its Sunday Times Best UK Companies to Work For listing in February, and its appearance for an unprecedented 16th consecutive year in the Deloitte Fast 50 ranking of the fastest growing tech businesses in Ireland at the end of 2015.

Novosco, which is headquartered in the NI Science Park, Belfast and has offices in Manchester, Dublin and Cork, employs over 120 people. It provides IT infrastructure services to a range of top businesses, health trusts, housing associations and other organisations across the UK and Ireland.

In 2015, Novosco was also named Northern Ireland’s Outstanding Company of the Year by the Belfast Telegraph. Novosco Managing Director Patrick McAliskey, centre, is pictured receiving the Deloitte Best Managed Companies award from Brendan Jennings, Managing Partner Deloitte and Sasha Wiggins, CEO, Barclays Bank Ireland PLC.

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Oplan transforms Bridge Primary ICT suite Oplan Office Furniture reveals how it upgraded ICT learning for a Banbridge school

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e were recently contacted by Bridge Primary, an integrated, co-educational, all-ability primary school in Banbridge, which was looking to upgrade its ICT suite so it could make better use of the space and teach more children important basic computer skills needed.

At the time the ICT suite could only have half the class using laptops at a time with their backs to the teacher. With a tight budget the school’s parent group helped by holding fund raisers to acquire the money needed for the fit-out.

After a short on-site consultation to get a better understanding of what they required from the room, we were able to design a layout to make the most of their space.

Using our own Switch Bench Desking System we were able to maximise the space, not only to make sure all the children have access to their laptops but at the same time they are also able to face the front of the class. The screens give the children extra privacy as well as keeping the noise down. Under-desk cable baskets keep wiring out of harm’s way so there isn’t any health and safety issues.

The spacious layout of the suite allows pupils to work comfortably at each computer and enables them to have their books or research notes close to hand. The dividing screens in the centre of each desk helps the children focus on their work and reduces distraction.

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Going for the modern black desk finish and grey screens to match, their pupils have responded very positively to this beautifully equipped room and their comments are an expression of this: “Our new ICT suite is very cool and very modern; I’m looking forward to doing lots of research in it.” Jack, one of the pupils, said.

Another, Jessica, agreed: “There is now more space to put work down to copy from. It’s not as squashed as the last one.”

Kirsten was also pleased with the suite: “It is very well laid out and the colours go very well together.”

Morgan said it was helping with learning: “I really like our new ICT suite because I find I can concentrate far better and it is nice and bright and colourful.”

And Aston enjoyed the space: “It is beneficial because it feels so nice and spacious compared to the old one.”

The school principal, Mrs T. Devlin, was also very pleased with the changes: “The suite has made a huge difference to our school this bright and colourful learning environment creates a wonderful area in which to develop ICT skills. Thanks to Kyle McBride from Oplan for guiding us throughout the planning process and installation, giving us useful advice along the way.’’

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Pictured (l-r) are: Stephen Brown, Managing Director at NTD and Leslie Otterson, HR Manager at Foyle Food Group.

TECHNOLOGY

NTD installs new facial recognition system across all Foyle Food Group sites

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Managing Director of NTD, Stephen Brown, explained how the system works: “The North Time Pro system uses facial recognition technology for managing time and attendance and access control.

Spanning six sites in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and England, the new systems were part of a significant investment strategy by the group, into a more comprehensive employee time management system.

The wall-mounted terminal uses ground-breaking and innovative 3D-imaging technology to identify employees, enhance security and eliminate “buddy punching,” a costly expense for companies when employees clock in and out for each other. Employees simply look at the device and within two seconds, they are identified, clocked in/out or admitted into secure locations.

TD (North Time Data Ltd) has successfully installed over 30 state-of-the-art biometric facial recognition terminals for leading beef and lamb suppliers Foyle Food Group.

Praising the installation of the new facial recognition system, Leslie Otterson, HR Manager at the Foyle Food Group said: “As a growing business with over 1,100 staff, we needed a time management system that would deliver accurate, real-time data. We needed a supplier that had a dedicated and reactive support facility. Teaming this with a first-class, robust system for monitoring employee time across our six locations; we knew that NTD were to be our preferred partner.

“North Time Pro works beautifully,” added Leslie. “All our employees need to do is stand in front of the system and it clocks them in and out in an instant. We also like that the system is touchless, since hygiene is especially important in our business. No keypads, fobs or touchpads needed.

“The accuracy and dependability of the system makes it easy for employees to use, and their affordability and seamless integration with our payroll software makes it a smart solution for our business.”

“The system really is foolproof. It supports single or multiple terminals in local or remote locations, ideal for the Foyle Food Group. All data collected from the terminal is sent back to our North Time Pro software that allows for the editing of data, the running of reports along with the setup of exports to popular payroll providers. In addition, our North Time Pro software also incorporates HR, Absence Management, Asset Management and Employee Self Service; making North Time Pro a viable option for Foyle Food Group” “However the main advantages are that it helps businesses save time and money. It reduces time theft from late arrivals, early departures, over-extended breaks and eliminates unauthorised overtime. North Time Pro also calculates hours automatically meaning no manual calculations are needed which as a result eliminates the option of human error and also saves time.”

As with the Foyle Food Group, the North Time Pro terminals can also be customised to allow for installation in wash down areas.

NTD is based in Lisburn and was established in 1988. It has been providing effective solutions in time management systems, mailroom equipment and ID card products to a wide range of business sectors in Northern Ireland for 27 years. http://www.ntdltd.com/

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The power of the brand

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ew would argue that strong brands are very much a key element in today’s business world – never more true than in the busy word of insurance.

Allianz, one of the world’s largest insurers and Europe’s largest financial services group, was delighted recently to announce it has consolidated its position as the most valuable insurance brand in this year’s Brand Finance Global 500 ranking. Holding the pole position for three consecutive years, it has become the

only insurer to be included in the Top 50 of the world’s strongest brands in 2016.

against the risk of financial loss and to assist them recover quickly when loss happens.

On a global basis, about 85m private and corporate customers are insured by Allianz and rely on its knowledge, global reach, capital strength and solidity to help both avoid and to safeguard against risk.

Allianz insurance products and services help protect against a wide array of potential loss – ranging from residential property policies to retail type policies suitable for shops, offices and cafes going all the way up the spectrum to major commercial risks.

Based at The Gasworks in Belfast, Allianz provides business and personal customers in Northern Ireland with modern competitive insurance solutions to help them safeguard

Built on a strong customer centric ethos, Allianz insurance products offer flexibility in cover with the option to choose, where applicable, additional benefits and extensions.

This approach is underpinned by an extensive intermediary network that is ideally situated across Northern Ireland to help manage and satisfy customer requirements.

Helen Hutchinson, Allianz Business Development Executive, explains: “Developing and maintaining the trust our customers place in us is at the very heart of our operation in Northern Ireland. We do this by focusing on the quality and consistency of our products and service and work in close collaboration with professional brokers throughout Northern Ireland meeting the needs of our mutual customers. In addition, we have always prided ourselves on our fair and prompt settlement of claims and understand that efficient claims servicing is fundamental to trust and a strong relationship with our customers.”

Allianz Commercial Team: Seated (l-r) Sharon Stevenson and Michelle McGarry; standing (l-r) Juliet Flannigan, Helen Hutchinson and Roisin Monaghan.

In Allianz’s case, trust is a fundamental aspect of both the company’s brand and culture and is critical to both its organisational success and to maintaining its competitive edge. Within Northern Ireland’s dynamic insurance market, Allianz is actively consolidating its local offering mindful of its contribution to the company’s global brand ranking and success.”

Tax & Accounting

TAX & ACCOUNTING

Keeping on top of accounting law The rules surrounding accounting for small and medium-sized companies don’t sit still. Mark Kenny, Director of Representation & Technical Policy at Chartered Accountants Ireland, brings us up to speed with the latest developments to make sure your company doesn’t fall foul of the law as the year-end approaches

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ompanies across Northern Ireland will be at different stages in the preparation of their December 2015 year-end annual reports and financial statements. For many of those companies, it’s well worth bearing in mind recent developments in UK company law and accounting standards relating to small and micro companies.

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July 2015 saw the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) issue amendments to Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland – primarily the insertion of Section 1A ‘Small Entities’.

These amendments introduced a simplified financial reporting regime for companies

Mark Kenny

TAX & ACCOUNTING

also withdrawing the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (FRSSE) with effect from accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2016, though it will still be available for earlier periods, for example for 31 December 2015 year ends.

FRS 102 – small company requirements

Photo credit: Robert Owen-Wahl

which qualify as ‘small’ under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006. They are based on the UK Regulations (S.I. No. 980 of 2015), which came into force in April 2015, transposing the EU Accounting Directive.

Those regulations also increased the thresholds for qualification as small to £10.2m turnover and £5.1m balance sheet total. The average number of employees threshold remains at 50.

The regulations and the amendments to FRS 102 apply to financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2016, but may also be applied to financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

At the same time as publishing the 2015 FRS 102 amendments, the FRC also published FRS 105 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the Micro-entities Regime. This standard is intended for financial statements of companies which qualify for the UK’s microentities regime, introduced in 2013 (S.I. No. 3008 of 2013). The thresholds to qualify as ‘micro’ are: turnover not exceeding £632,000, balance sheet total not exceeding £312,000 and average employees not exceeding 10.

FRS 102, originally issued in 2013, replaced the old FRSs and SSAPs with effect from 1 January 2015. In accordance with the July 2015 amendments to the standard, a small company’s complete set of financial statements include a balance sheet, a profit and loss account and specified note disclosures. Small companies are not required to prepare a cash flow statement. The standard encourages the presentation of additional statements where there are gains or losses recognised in other comprehensive income or there are transactions with shareholders.

So, applying the small company requirements of FRS 102 means that qualifying companies are subject to the same requirements as other companies in terms of the numbers in the profit and loss account and balance sheet, but the disclosures that they are required to provide in the notes to the accounts are reduced significantly.

Apart from the mandatory disclosures, the standard also ‘encourages’ companies to include a number of other disclosures. This article is not the place to go into detail on the mandatory and/or ‘encouraged’ disclosures; readers should refer to Section 1A of FRS 102 for such detail.

Directors will probably consider these simplifications to be positive and helpful, though there is a ‘sting in the tail’ so to speak – company law continues to require that the annual accounts of companies give a true and fair view. Therefore, directors need to give due consideration to including non-mandatory disclosures with regard to material items if necessary in order to give a true and fair view.

Small company – choices As a result of the amendments to FRS 102 and the introduction of FRS 105, the FRC is

MARCH 2016

Small companies have the following accounting framework choices, therefore,

in preparing 31 December 2015 accounts: • The FRSSE (though for 2015 only); • FRS 102; • FRS 102 in accordance with section 1A for small entities; or • IFRS. In addition, if the company is a member of an IFRS group, FRS 101 may be a further option.

Further choices are also available to small companies in the Section 1A of FRS 102 in terms of adapting the formats of the profit and loss account and balance sheet.

“The thresholds to qualify as ‘micro’ are: turnover not exceeding £632,000, balance sheet total not exceeding £312,000 and average employees not exceeding 10.”

Micro companies – choices Based on simplifications included in the 2103 Regulations governing micro companies, FRS 105 differs in certain respects from FRS 102 in that certain of the accounting requirements are adapted to satisfy the legal requirements applicable to micro companies and to reflect the simpler nature and smaller size of micro companies.

Many micro companies are likely to choose to adopt FRS 105, though all of the above choices available to small companies are also, obviously, available to micro companies as well.

For example, micro companies with plans to grow beyond the micro company thresholds mentioned above may decide that adopting the accounting requirements of FRS 102 may be more appropriate for them in the long run, rather than having to transition from FRS 105 to FRS 102 when that growth is achieved.

Taking this all into account, there are plenty of changes to consider and choices to make for small and micro companies in preparing annual accounts during 2016.

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TAX & ACCOUNTING

Five ways accountants can be more productive As an accountant, it can sometimes feel as if there aren’t enough hours in the day. We find out how to make your financial time at the desk more productive with the help of Sage 1. Control meetings Meetings are known to take up long portions of the day without really helping you or anyone else get a lot done. By keeping a closer eye on your meetings and the time they take up, you can help to improve productivity in the conference room and the rest of your day. According to the Mompreneur Showcase Group Inc., you should work hard to only hold meetings when it’s absolutely necessary; keep meetings short and within the designated time frame and assign tasks to the meeting. Keeping everything planned out will help reduce the amount of time spent rambling in meetings, which can considerably increase the amount of time everyone spends in the conference room.

2. Schedule out and prioritise your day The same attention you devote to scheduling out your meetings can be spent on your everyday schedule. When you know what’s coming and what’s next, you won’t waste time figuring out what’s next. In addition to scheduling out your day it’s a good idea to prioritise the tasks on your schedule. Which ones need to be done first? What has to be done at certain times of the day? By answering questions like this, you’ll make sure to get the important tasks done.

small items out of the way, you’re eliminating tasks you’ll have to come back to later. Also, by doing this, you can gain some momentum and really feel like you’re getting things done.

This can be hard to practice with a prioritised schedule, so it may take you some time to find a balance. Between focusing on the right things first and knocking out small tasks as they come up, you can really get a lot done. Remember to prioritise first and then look for opportunities throughout the day to get small two-minute tasks done.

4. Use the right technology 3. Make the most out of small moments According to Inc., a lot can be done in a short amount of time. The publication suggested implementing the two-minute rule, meaning if you see something that can be completed in two minutes, do it right away. By getting

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Accountants have to utilise tools to do their jobs. The better the tools, the easier it is to get everything accomplished. If you’re serious about improving your productivity, consider purchasing new accounting software that will allow you to get more done throughout the day.

Cloud accounting software can be a smart investment if you haven’t already made the switch. This technology allows you to access important data and capabilities from anywhere and with any device. This means you can work in the location where you are the most efficient, or you can even move from one workspace to another if you get tired of a certain setting.

5. Take breaks Although it may seem counter-productive, taking occasional breaks can help you reset your mind and focus on upcoming tasks.

When you sit at your desk all day, it can be hard to work to the best of your ability.

Getting up and moving around can have a positive effect on your productivity and quality.

According to Inc., certain studies have shown that it is most productive to take breaks after you complete an especially difficult task. Your brain simply can’t function to the best of its ability at full-tilt all day long.

Directors: Are you aware?

Company directors need to make sure they are fully aware of their legal obligations. Darren McMath from Arthur Boyd & Company focuses on an upcoming change to company law which could impact you

Conor Walls

The Secretary of State will be able to apply to the court to make a compensation order against a director who has been disqualified.

The new power has been granted to ensure accountability for director actions if one or more creditors have suffered identifiable loss as a result of misconduct. It is hoped the new measure will bring greater transparency and improved confidence to the insolvency system as a whole.

A range of factors will be taken into account when calculating the level of compensation order, including:

Darren McMath

M

ost, if not all, directors will be aware of their duties under company law. They include maintaining proper books and records, safeguarding assets and acting in the best interests of members and creditors at all times. However, those duties can be easily overlooked and although there has always been a potential personal liability for directors under the existing legislation, things are about to become much tougher.

Legislative amendments aimed at strengthening the directors’ disqualification regime have been introduced by the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (“the Act”). The new regime will generally only apply to a director’s conduct where that conduct occurs on or after 1 October 2015.

• The amount of the loss caused.

• Whether or not the creditor(s) have received any other form of recompense or payment in relation to the conduct.

• The nature of the director’s conduct and the specific circumstances surrounding the director’s disqualification.

However, rather than applying to the court for an order, the directors could accept a “compensation undertaking”. This is an undertaking to pay a specified amount for the benefit of the affected creditor(s).

It will generally save the director costs and the penalty will be less severe.

The Secretary of State has two years from the date of the disqualification order or undertaking to apply for a compensation order. When added to the recently extended three year time limit for disqualification, this is a lengthy period for directors to await their fate, whereas a compensation undertaking would bring matters to a close more succinctly.

A further consideration to bear in mind is directors and officers liability insurance (D&O). A standard D&O policy may not cover a director for amounts paid under

a compensation order or undertaking.

Much will depend on the type of activity, for example whether it was deemed negligent or fraudulent, etc.

It would appear directors are in danger of becoming personally liable for company debt at any stage during their time in office, whether or not their actions are deliberate, or mistakenly taken in good faith. Although the intention of introducing the above is to deter misconduct as a director, and bolster public confidence in the system, this introduction is a serious threat to company directors’ personal finances and reinforces the need for all directors to adhere to their legal requirements when operating a company.

In order to protect themselves, directors should make themselves aware of their responsibilities and remain professional in all their dealings. All decisions should be documented and the highest standards of corporate governance should be maintained at all times. If in doubt, or indeed in any case, directors should seek professional advice.

Darren McMath can be contacted on 028 9032 9255 or darren@arthurboyd.co.uk

TAX & ACCOUNTING

How your business can Jumpstart into R&D tax credits with expert help R&D tax specialist Jumpstart says it has made great strides in Northern Ireland in recent months, helping companies across the province to make hundreds of thousands of pounds in tax savings as a result of its meticulous understanding of HMRC’s tax relief guidelines. So what is the secret behind this success?

“I

t’s very simple,” says Dr Gemma Craig, Team Lead and Technical Analyst at Jumpstart. “We focus our time exclusively on submitting research and development (R&D) tax claims for our clients. Specialising in this one particular area over the years has enabled us to gain an unrivalled, in-depth understanding of the complex nuances of HMRC’s tax credit guidelines.

“This, when coupled with the approach we have adopted in recruiting a large team of technical analysts with specific scientific and technical backgrounds and years of industrial experience, means we have an extremely high success rate in maximising the R&D tax credits secured for our clients, and minimising the risk associated with these claims.”

She explained that Jumpstart applies a tried and tested, scientific process to ensure that every claim submitted on behalf of a client is as accurate, defensible and reliable as possible.

“We are extremely confident in the process that we have developed over the years,” she said.

“A member of our client engagement team will usually initiate the process by meeting with the client to really get to know their organisation and their offering, as well as specifically discussing the activities for which they are keen to claim R&D tax relief. They will talk about the number and scale of internal projects, as well as the technology involved and any complexities or difficulties experienced along the way.

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“One of our technical analysts – each of whom are subject experts with industry experience in their respective field – then conducts a more thorough consultation to probe the client for as much information as possible. They will undertake an indepth assessment of the eligibility of the R&D – and this is really where their scientific expertise comes into play, since they are well-placed to ask questions to assess the minutiae of the steps taken by the client to improve their product. R&D is not just about being in a lab coat and this means that claimants should be looking across their entire business, and not just at one particular project, for processes or products that may encapsulate aspects of R&D. “If the R&D is deemed eligible by the technical analyst, they will then compile a detailed technical report based upon all of the evidence collated. They will also work with the client and their accountant to prepare an accompanying document that captures all costs attributed to the client’s R&D. It is important to note that the Jumpstart team endeavour to minimise the amount of time required from the client. We know that their time is precious, and are able to conduct assessments as efficiently as possible.

“Both of these reports then undergo a rigorous review by Jumpstart’s internal quality assessors, who scrutinise every aspect of the reports to ensure that any risk of overclaiming or under-claiming is minimised. This step in the process also greatly reduces the

chance of HMRC having to revert back to query a particular aspect of the claim.

“In the unlikely event of HMRC querying any of our claims, we will actively defend our work, as well as proactively working with the client to ensure accurate responses are provided to HMRC,” she said. “We stand by any claims we submit for our clients because of the quality of our due diligence.” She highlights that, unlike other providers, Jumpstart does not charge for this part of the process.

“Upon final approval of both reports by the client, we then work alongside the client’s company accountant for submission to HMRC and completion of CT600. After submission, HMRC usually processes a claim within three months.

“When a claim is processed, there are a number of ways a company can receive the tax credit. Dependent on the financial wellbeing of the organisation, funds could be provided in the form of a rebate or there could be deductions on the next corporation tax bill. But regardless of the form in which the tax credit is received, it is very much of benefit to the company.”

Ian Wolfendale, Client Engagement Manager for Northern Ireland, explained that Jumpstart does not replace the work your accountant has been doing.

“Jumpstart provides a complementary service to that of an accountant,” he says.

Gemma Craig

“It isn’t a case of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ by any means – in fact, we actively work alongside over 200 accountancy practices across the UK. We are able to add value to the service that an accountant typically provides by offering the technical and scientific knowledge they simply would not be expected to provide.”

example, we work alongside agricultural machinery businesses that have been able to demonstrate how their product developments have advanced technology in the field of engineering,” he said. “Even if the R&D in which a company has invested does not have the outcome hoped for, it may have the potential to qualify for R&D tax relief.”

Wolfendale suggested that of those companies claiming for R&D tax credits in Northern Ireland, many have been vastly under-claiming – simply because the HMRC guidelines have not been interpreted properly or the eligibility of the R&D has not been assessed correctly.

Mr Wolfendale has also found that nontraditional sectors are reaping the rewards of R&D tax credits, with a considerable number of concrete manufacturing firms in Northern Ireland having made extremely successful claims. “R&D tax credits apply to sectors outside of financial technology, precision engineering and biotechnology. I spend as much time with managing directors of quarries in Co. Armagh as I do with chief scientists of biotechnology firms in Co. Antrim. R&D tax credits are not consigned to niche markets.

“This is where Jumpstart adds real value, since our team possesses the ability to correctly identify eligibility of claims to ensure that a company is not under-claiming or putting themselves at risk by over-claiming.

“Our familiarity of HMRC’s guidelines, coupled with our industry specific experience, contributes to minimising the risk for our clients. Jumpstart has the experts with PhDs and degrees. No business wants to take part in something that could open them up to risk or scrutiny.”

According to Wolfendale, Jumpstart has noticed an increasing amount of software development organisations are contacting them for advice and support. “Having identified a surge in claims in this sector, HMRC is only now bringing in experts to scrutinise these. Yet Jumpstart has been working on these software tax credit claims for over seven years, knowing exactly how to compile reports fit for HMRC.” He went on to explain that HMRC wants to see R&D being used to create an improvement in a field of science or technology, not just an improvement for that company. “For

MARCH 2016

Ian Wolfendale

“My experiences have shown many manufacturing companies say to me, ‘That’s not R&D – that’s just what we do!’ This illustrates that many local companies do not understand the process, therefore are hesitant and cautious at first, but have since had a fantastic experience with Jumpstart.”

The scrupulous process that Jumpstart uses is fully appreciated by HMRC. Through taking a supportive, helpful and collaborative approach to working with HMRC, Jumpstart has delivered an excellent service that consistently exceeds expectations for its clients.

To find out more about how Jumpstart can help you to maximise your R&D tax savings, visit www.jumpstartuk.co.uk or contact Ian Wolfendale on ian.wolfendale@jumpstartkuk.co.uk

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TAX & ACCOUNTING

BDO Northern Ireland: the accountancy firm with a difference

P

ush open the door of any accountancy firm and you might expect to encounter stuffy suits, a sombre atmosphere and a determination to simply ‘get the job done.’ Not so on Callender Street, where BDO Northern Ireland is based and from where Managing Partner Peter Burnside and his senior management team advise local businesses in their own ‘BDO style.’

At BDO the emphasis is very firmly on people.

That means the 170 colleagues who now make up the Firm, alongside the clients with whom BDO work. Getting the balance right is, according to Peter Burnside, the key to managing a successful business advisory firm.

“We are very careful about the people we bring into BDO, be that as graduates, trainees and more recently as apprentices.

We are absolutely committed to delivering a top quality service for our clients, across a whole range of disciplines. We do it that by recruiting, training and promoting people who can match up to the BDO ethos whereby we effectively become part of our clients management team to the extent that we care as much about their results and their bottom line as they do.

“We deliver that service not in a robotic or formulaic way – each client has a different set of issues which require a tailor made response. That means we bring our own corporate personality to the table, we deliver our services with a human touch.

“That may mean our staff, and indeed our clients, find themselves at a James Bond or Star Wars premiere night, or embracing bizarre Halloween costume challenges. It

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Pictured launching the FD Network are (l-r): Naomi McMullan; Maggie Allen; Peter Burnside, Managing Partner BDO; Laura Jackson, Partner BDO; Karen Dundee and Allen Reid.

means our clients and friends can come and see a pantomime produced entirely from within the BDO client team.”

BDO also pride themselves on identifying challenges and providing solutions, often within the one movement. Just last month Partner Laura Jackson launched the BDO Northern Ireland ‘FD Network’ aimed at providing support and mentoring to Financial Directors, and not just those who are clients of BDO. “We carried out research with Financial Directors and it was clear that the role can sometimes be a lonely one, with FDs delivering some hard messages and taking some hard decisions. We wanted to create a platform where they could get together, share experience and learn from

one another, sometimes in a very informal setting. That’s the rationale behind the BDO FD Network which is now up and running, and already proving very popular.”

For Peter, the focus always comes back to people.

“Like all business people, we want to see Northern Ireland succeed as a business region. Growth is good for us, for our clients and for the wider community. So when a partner here announces they are going on a tour of secondary schools to encourage young people to pursue a career in business, as they have done, that’s ok with us. I regard that as an investment of time and resource in our collective future.

It’s the kind of activity which we promote, and which sums up the ‘BDO style.’

The benefits of cloud accounting to the cloud will revolutionise the overview you have of your business information.

How Xero changes accounting

Conor Walls

A

s a busy business owner, you will want the fastest, most efficient way to manage your finances and keep on top of your key business numbers.

In 2016, the place to do that is in the cloud, Exchange Accountancy has formed a strategic partnership with Xero, the leading global provider of cloud accounting software.

Exchange Accountancy is the leading local proponent of cloud accounting. The firm’s Practice Director Conor Walls, takes us through how moving your accounting

If you’re used to working with a desktop-based accounting system, Xero will be a huge mindset changer for you and your finance team.

Xero is cloud-based accounting software, which will allow you to log in from your web browser anywhere you have an internet connection and do all your accounting work online.

As all your accounting data is in the cloud, you are no longer restricted to working at your desktop plus you’re always working with the latest version of the software, safe in the knowledge that all your important financial information is stored securely in the cloud.

And having your data in the cloud brings a whole raft of benefits to the way you manage the business’ finances.

• Anytime, anywhere access • Automatic bank reconciliation • A clear business dashboard • Cloud file storage • Multi-currency functionality • Complete security • Get paid faster with online invoicing

Working with an experienced business adviser As the first, and to date, only locally based accountancy practice to achieve Xero Gold Partner status, we’ve seen at first-hand how combining cloud accounting with experienced business advisers provides direction and focus to businesses who wish to grow and become more profitable.

You can find out more about Conor and his team’s approach to modern, forward thinking business advice by visiting www.exchangeaccountants.com or call them on 028 9040 7470 or by email at info@exchangeaccountants.com

The Complete Accounting & Business Advisory Service    

Accounting & Audit  Taxation  Corporate Finance  Forensic Accounting Business Services  Computer Consultancy Business Recovery & Insolvency Business Planning  Consulting

T: 028 90 323466 for a free initial consultation E: accountants@bakertillymm.co.uk

www.bakertillymooneymoore.co.uk An independent member of Baker Tilly International Regulated for a range of investment business activities by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

MARCH 2016

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8 tips for creating a

collaborative work environment C

ollaboration has become a bit of a buzz word among office design, and with good reason.

As millennials occupy more and more of our workspace, they bring with them an aspiration to communicate and socialise across every facet. In turn, our work spaces need to meet these demands, warping into collaborative hubs, which also maximise on staff morale and productivity.

Free your staff Creating a space which bridges the gap between work and home is key. By allowing your staff to be themselves, decorating their desks as they please, perhaps even bringing their pets in to the office, can help to foster trust and community.

Observation When making decisions on layout which will impact your staff, rather than ask what they want, observe them. Through observation you may find out that there are certain zones or areas which get used more, and from this build a better picture of what your staff need.

Urban Zoning as with city planning, creating zones within your environment you will give purpose to key areas. If people congregate around the kitchen, it may not be a good idea to create a private booth beside this busy area.

Cultivate a buzz As in hospitality, density is key. If you want to create an energetic workforce who freely communicate, you need to cultivate a buzz. When people are talking, it gives others permission to do likewise. Picture a library versus a busy bar, and where of the two is easier to have a conversation.

Bring the outside in Nature can have a massive impact on a person’s creativity and well-being, so it only makes sense to bring some of that into our work spaces. This can be achieved simply by introducing grass-like surfaces, natural light, natural materials and even living walls.

Play some games Create an escape When you create a buzz in your office, you also need to create an escape from it. There will be times that someone will need a break from the buzz, and a well placed booth or set of sofa’s can easily give the more introvert a break.

It is amazing what a table tennis table or pool table can do to an office. Breaking from desks and playing a quick game has been proven to increase problem solving and creativity.

Don’t limit yourself to a desk Technology has rendered the idea of “one desk per person” outdated. Employees have never been more flexible in how they work. If all they need is a laptop and a phone, why not use a booth or a sofa?

Planning, one year on...

By Catherine Fearon, Solicitor, A&L Goodbody

A

pril 1 2015 saw the most significant change to Northern Ireland’s planning system in over 30 years, when planning powers were transferred from the Department of the Environment (DoE) to local councils. Decision making was handed over to councillors, meaning that decisions which affect local communities were being determined by local people with local knowledge.

This required councillors to become familiar with all aspects of the planning management process of regulating new development proposals, which many saw as a daunting, policy heavy task.

In our experience as legal advisors to a number of the new ‘Super Councils’, we have found that councillors have adapted confidently and quickly to this increased responsibility. The main concerns that we have seen amongst councillors are challenging the recommendations of planning officers and balancing the role as planning committee member (which requires compliance with the Councillors Code of Conduct) with their role as local councillors.

Challenging recommendations of planning officers The planning committee is made up of elected members who are responsible for determining planning applications put before them by the planning officers (experienced planners who moved across from the DoE into the local councils as part of the local government reform measures). While the planning officers can offer advice and their opinions

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in respect of the planning applications, it is the planning committee who ultimately make the decisions on the applications.

Members are reminded that a common sense approach is of considerable benefit when determining applications, however there have inevitably been occasions where the planning committee have different views from the planning officers and seek to overturn their recommendations. All decisions must be based on proper planning reasons and these reasons must be formally recorded when the committee overturn the planning officers’ recommendations, along with a list of which members voted against the recommendation. This is important as there is a risk of the decision being overturned on appeal to the Planning Authority Commission with the potential for costs awarded against the council if no proper planning reasons for the decision have been given.

Initially members were naturally apprehensive about the potential cost implications of overturning recommendations, however over the course of the year, members have developed a sound understanding of what constitutes valid planning reasons and consequently we have seen them confidently challenging officers recommendations where they feel it is necessary.

Balancing Planning Committee Membership and Councillor Role While the Northern Ireland Local Government Code of Conduct for Councillors (“the Code”) was approved by the Assembly in May 2014, Part 9 of the Code (Planning) came into force on 1 April 2015 in line with

the transfer of planning powers. Part 9 has been met with some concern by members as they see it being too restrictive and onerous in relation to the declaration of interests, lobbying and the decision making process.

The code prohibits members being seen to prejudge or demonstrate bias in respect of any decision regarding a particular planning application before hearing all evidence and arguments at the planning committee meeting. A number of members have argued that this impedes the normal processes of discussion and decision making, as they cannot be seen to support individual constituents or particular interests, nor can they act as an agent for applicants within their council area.

Members are also required to declare not only any direct or indirect pecuniary interest (which includes one where your employer may benefit as a consequence of the decision) but any significant private or personal non-pecuniary interest and withdraw from the meeting when the matter is being discussed and voted on.

The rationale behind the code is to ensure that all constituents are provided with the confidence that decisions are being taken in the best interests of the community as a whole.

The DoE advised in February 2015 that the guidance in respect of the application of Part 9 will be reviewed after the first year of operation to determine if any changes are required. We await this revised guidance to see which, if any, of the members concerns have been taken on board and whether any further changes will be implemented.

Flags, firebombs & flashbacks

Retail

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What to do about business rates?

By John Simpson

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RETAIL

P

aying rates based on property ownership or tenancy is popularly unpopular. The annual tax is both impersonal, unhypothecated, and unrelated to the profitability (or otherwise) of the business and an easy target for criticism.

After a consultation, the Minister of Finance Mervyn Storey has yet to decide what changes to make for possible application in 2017-18. Rates for 2016-17 are now in planning using existing rules.

Business rates should be seen as a tax with a disincentive impact on using or owning property. Rates are an incentive for businesses to minimise the use of property which combines a rational incentive with a good revenue earning platform.

Any plea for rates to be discretionary in order to favour selected activities should be challenged and accepted only with strong persuasive logic. However, pleas for discretion for farming, freight transport, charities, vacant property, sport and recreation, and religion are the most frequent responses to a consultation on how the rates system might be ‘improved’.

Current exemptions, or de-rating, cost over ÂŁ220m from taxpayers each year. The Minister should have a tough response: reduce the exemption categories and the scale of lost rates.

If the case to be made is that all businesses should face lower rates bills, then the challenge converts into one of how Stormont would offset a loss of revenue, or reduce other spending, to keep the budget in balance. If the case to be made is that some kinds of activity merit lower rates charges, relative to other property users, then the question becomes one of relative priorities.

Every business given a lower rates bill must be seen in the situation where this can be justified as robbing Peter to pay Paul.

That issue can be tested using an example.

Should all out of town multiple stores pay higher rates because of the (probable) lower value of out-of-centre property (and greater use of space) which creates an advantage for suburban stores. Caution is needed. >

MARCH 2016

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sources over 75% of all fresh food locally RETAIL

How is it determined that lower out-of-town costs more than offset the disadvantages of being out-of-town? Is there real evidence?

An example of misdirected good intentions has evolved in the treatment of charity shops. To allow charities to trade with an exemption from rates, moves into concern about the impact of their competition on normal commercial shops. Not surprisingly, there is a tension between those who wish to see business activity attracted to what might otherwise be vacant premises and those who perceive an undue and unfair competitive threat to other businesses which must trade to earn a profit after paying rates.

“If the case to be made is that all businesses should face lower rates bills, then the challenge converts into one of how Stormont would offset a loss of revenue, or reduce other spending, to keep the budget in balance.”

High street businesses and larger suburban businesses are central to the continuing debate about equity in setting rates. This question has become critical and will intensify as the scale of ‘high street’ activity falls because of the switch to internet trading. Logically, any distinction should be determined by the evidence of market values, as converted into the NAV (valuation).

NIIRTA, the retail trade association, says that it is open to a ‘targeted town centre rate relief scheme.’ That implies a judgement about a geographical centre v suburban differential that is disputable.

NIIRTA wants to see the cut off point for small business rate relief raised from £15k to £18k. This change may be acceptable if the argument is that (1) there would be a

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Finance Minister, Mervyn Storey

minimal loss of revenue, (2) there would be significant cost savings and/or (3) the marginal impact on others would be very low.

In a pre-election document, NIIRTA makes a large number of other recommendations for the local administration. Some of these have a justification in offering incentives such as time limited options for new business developments which might attract a percentage rates reduction following capital spending.

However, NIIRTA would attract less support for a suggested system where rates income varies within the economic cycle. Fairness, predictability and incidence effects offer nearly insoluble questions.

Also, a proposal that basing NAV on rental value is inappropriate for forecourts and online distribution centres opens up a dangerous challenge to the principles underpinning the NAV system. The temptation is to vary rates according to some measure of turnover per square metre rather than property rental values.

There are two other critical questions in the proposals from NIIRTA.

First, vacant property was, formerly, exempt from rates. More recently, the period of exemption was reduced to 12 months.

NIIRTA suggests that this should be reduced to six months. The logic of giving this negative stimulus to landlords makes sense. However, there is a danger that empty property that incurs charges may incentivise demolition. In areas in need of regeneration, demolition is not necessarily the wrong reaction. However, some positive stimulus to regeneration would also help.

Second, as a new aspect of the changes in local government responsibilities, NIIRTA asks for the local councils to have flexibility with rate relief (a) to target urban dereliction and (b) to offer support for new direct foreign investment. Both of these options need careful analysis to avoid unintended consequences or questions about fairness and equity.

The Minister has received 113 replies to his consultation. Particular attention should be paid to the thoughts of the School of the Built Environment at Ulster University.

That School has the advantage that it has offered some mould-breaking ideas.

RETAIL

The rating rollercoaster

By Colin Matthewson, Director of Retail at CBRE

M

uch fanfare was made of the non-domestic re-rating of property which was announced in November 2014 and became effective from April 2015. This was based on a revaluation of rental values for commercial property across Northern Ireland with values prior to that being benchmarked in 2001.

With this re-valuation process, the retail sector experienced the most dramatic changes which in very broad terms were split between town centre and out of town locations. The former experienced falls in rental valuation of 25%-50% and the latter increases of between 20% and 40% and therefore very significant, subsequent decreases or increases in rates payable by their occupiers.

Although clearly a property tax system can be argued as a fair basis to generate the required tax returns to assist with the running of the country, the key concern is the massive swings in value involved when rental values are only adjusted in a 10 or 15 year pattern such as the most recent exercise. In this particular instance, the time period in question saw one of the most dramatic property recessions in many generations with rental values falling significantly from 2007 onwards but this was not be reflected in the tax system until 2015, a period of some eight years later!

There is no doubt that this process caused some retailers to go out of business from 2007 onwards as the rates they were legally obliged to pay were too onerous for the economic conditions of the time, while other retailers continued to trade with an unfair advantage.

When you consider that rates bills for prime retail properties both in town centres and out of town can run to hundreds of thousands of pounds per annum, you can see how a delay in adjusting rental assessments can be catastrophic to some businesses.

Therefore, if we are to retain a property based tax system going forward, and it is difficult to envisage a suitable alternative, it is clear that the system needs to be able to reflect current market conditions and not lock in historic values. The challenge is from a practical point of view how we can achieve this with around 73,000 properties involved and each individual property having rights of appeal.

Property valuation in its very nature has a significant element of subjective judgement involved which cannot realistically be built into a computer model or index matrix. The logical conclusion is therefore that a properly resourced team of professionally qualified

MARCH 2016

Colin Matthewson

property experts needs to manage this process with revaluation taking place on a more regular basis – possibly every three to five years with the ability to reduce this time period should significant changes in market conditions require this. When you consider that the annual tax take from this sector annually is in the region of £600m this would not appear to be an unrealistic commitment.

It is clearly a complex issue with no easy alternative tax system to replace that which is currently in place. However, what is clear is that we cannot allow the experience from 2007 onwards to repeat itself with quality retail businesses destroyed on the back of an inflexible system. Retailing is a fast moving, dynamic business by nature and the property tax connected to it needs to be able to move at a similar speed.

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Protecting the Heart of Our Community Visit your local store to donate Visit your local store to donate PR OT EC

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OF OU R

www.heartofourcommunityni.com www.heartofourcommunityni.com #DefibDonate #DefibDo

www.heartofourcommunityni.com #DefibDonate PARTICIPATING STORES ONLY

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Henderson Group at heart of local communities Community and store fundraising at each outlet signed up to the initiative has to date and continues to fund these lifesaving devices with each store aiming to fundraise a total of £1,500 to purchase the product, its temperature controlled cabinet and installation.

The defibrillator device being installed at stores across Northern Ireland is automatic, so no training is required for use. As soon as it is activated, the user will be talked through the process by the machine and the Ambulance Service operator on the phone.

Members of local communities across the province have been championing local store’s fundraising campaign efforts by organising activities such as store fun days, marathon runs and bake-off sales.

Over 300 external defibrillators will be installed in SPAR, EUROSPAR and VIVO branded stores across Northern Ireland throughout 2016, thanks to a campaign launched by Henderson Group. Pictured are Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride who has given his full support to the campaign, with Henderson Group’s Head of Corporate Marketing, Bronagh Luke and Sales & Marketing Director Paddy Doody.

2

015 saw the Henderson Group launch plans to install Northern Ireland’s largest network of external, public access defibrillator devices; the largest network of its kind in the province.

With around 1,400 cardiac arrests occurring each year in Northern Ireland outside of the hospital environment , it is vital bystanders perform CPR, have access to and make use of an AED device if readily available to them, as it is this that can dramatically improve the outcome for a person in the event of a cardiac arrest.

This initiative to fund life-saving defibrillators is another example of how the Henderson Group are committed to improving the lives of local communities. To date the

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group have installed 100 new devices at stores across Northern Ireland and it is expected that a total number of 300 new devices will be installed and available for public use throughout 2016.

The Henderson Group has been working closely with Mark Bailie, a State Registered Paramedic and the UK & Ireland agent for one of the most prestigious AED manufacturers in the world, Physio-Control, to install fully accessible 24/7 defibrillators outside stores, in special temperature controlled cabinets.

The group are also working closely in conjunction with Northern Ireland Ambulance Service to ensure effective mapping of the devices that will allow communities across Northern Ireland to identify the specific locations of these lifesaving defibrillators.

Bronagh Luke, Head of Corporate Marketing at the Henderson Group, said: “We are delighted to see the installation of these devices outside stores across Northern Ireland.

Each store, their staff and communities have fundraised tirelessly for their defibrillator, so it is great to see the installation process begin.

By the end of 2016 we hope to have around 300 of these lifesaving pieces of equipment installed at our stores that will benefit the people at the heart of each of these communities and provide the largest network of its kind in the province.”

For more information on The Henderson Group’s Heart of the Community campaign please visit our dedicated website, www.heartofourcommunityni.com which houses information about the ongoing defibrillator campaign, providing life-saving information, and provides a list of other stores who are also taking part in the initiative.

OME GROWN SUCCESS

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sources over 75% of all fresh food locally RETAIL

Retailing: from evolution to revolution

By Frank Cassidy, Director, Osborne King Commercial Property Consultants

Frank Cassidy

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he world of retailing has changed exponentially over the centuries, particularly so in recent decades.

In practically all of our market towns, we have a market square or street which illustrates how this particular part of the town got its original name. Many of these converted over time to high streets where retail businesses were run from buildings and the markets were decanted or lost.

In the second half of the last century retailing changed fundamentally with the construction of supermarkets, hypermarkets and shopping centres resulting in a move away from the high streets. In recent years, shopping centres in Northern Ireland have developed into a recognisable hierarchy with centres such as Foyleside, Abbey Centre, Sprucefield and Rushmere dominating the retail market primarily because of their critical mass and their capacity to dominate the areas in which they are located.

In some senses, retailing has become the new religion with these shopping centres becoming the new cathedrals and customers their congregations.

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But it is not just the food supermarkets and shopping centres that provide opportunities for retail consumption.

Witness the phenomena of online shopping, Point of Sale, Click and Collect, Easy

Northern Ireland deal with the assets that they hold? Will they hold and develop these properties long term or is their intention to turn them at a profit in the short term?

Food 25p among others. A more recent retail phenomenon is a combination of convenience and online retailing offering a high-tech business model which digitally extends shop aisles into the warehouses of suppliers via interactive instore kiosks.

3. What will the continued impact of online sales be on bricks and mortar and will the evolution of online sales continue with shops digitally extending their aisles into the warehouses of suppliers via interactive in-store kiosks?

All of this is triggering new expectations from shoppers and leading to growing integration between retailers, developers and consumers.

4. What will the impact be of Brexit on the retail market and in particular the on-going relationship between border towns on the northern side of the border with the Republic of Ireland? Will there be any sort of tariff and border controls between say Newry and Dundalk and Derry and Letterkenny?

At a local level, the recession over the last eight years has precipitated significant changes in the retail environment. From a property perspective there has been no significant development of new shopping centres or retail opportunities, in part caused by reduced consumer demand, but also by the absence of funding from banks for developers.

Although secondary and tertiary locations and secondary shopping centres have been particularly badly affected, there is empirical evidence that prime shopping centres in Belfast city centre are recovering with a growth in demand and Zone A rents.

A number of interesting questions regarding the future of our local retail market are worth considering: 1. When will banks and lending institutions be in a position to fund development of new retail opportunities particularly in town centres?

5. Even if the UK stays in the EU, will the currency exchange rate between the Euro and sterling stabilise, and if so, will it favour trading going north to south or south to north? If the Euro weakens further against sterling will there be a continuous haemorrhaging of spending power to the Irish Republic and other Euro countries?

Obviously, these are challenging issues, separately and collectively and clearly demonstrate a constantly changing environment which is very difficult to predict.

Overall, the frantically dynamic nature of the retail market is showing no signs of slowing up and there is evidence to suggest that it will continue to evolve irrespective of the economic situation.

Frank Cassidy can be contacted on 028 9027 0000 or by emailing

2. How will the new international owners of shopping centre developments in

frank.cassidy@osborneking.com

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REVIEW

Business

Breakfast

By David Elliott

The column that doesn’t have time for lunch...

Diner: Joris Minne Company: Director at JPR and Belfast Telegraph restaurant critic The evening before your reporter was due to meet for this month’s Business Breakfast, Radio 4 started a new series of Chain Reaction.

It’s not a profile of the Ballyclare bicycle company – one which, by the way, is now the world’s biggest online cycle shop – but a half hour comedy show where the interviewee of last week’s show acts as the interviewer

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this week’s, who then becomes the interviewer for next week, and so on.

Arriving at Cast and Crew, the Titanic Quarter offshoot of Niall McKenna’s restaurant empire, it would have appeared to the casual onlooker that Business Breakfast was trying to pull a Chain Reaction.

Already there was last month’s interviewee Kieran Harte, Uber’s man on the island, on hand to greet this month’s subject Joris Minne.

While it would be easy to say that this column was trying steal BBC radio idea, in fact it was by pure chance that the app man was already having breakfast in our designated meeting place rather than a rare piece of organisation on behalf of your scribe.

Introductions and the breakfast baton handed over, it was straight into the interview, although it would perhaps be pertinent to spend a moment on the Minne, as it were.

Joris is a public relations man of some note, being a director of JPR and someone

REVIEW

who knows the corporate and media world inside out, and if there’s anything he doesn’t know he’ll know someone who knows. So, you know, he’s in the know.

He’s also the Belfast Telegraph’s restaurant critic and, as such, the man to be with if you want to make sure you receive the best service in any Northern Ireland eatery which keeps its ear to the ground.

Joris has been writing the Saturday restaurant review for over eight years now and is also the original Out to Lunch scribe, the column now in the Business Telegraph (previously in Business Month) which interviews a business person over lunch while rating the restaurant.

“The food sector is borne out of fiercely independent farmers and producers who are wary of putting their head above the parapet... Government needs take more of a grip of the sector and help turn small local producers into exporters of influence.”

Any commonalities to a column such as this, which interviews a business person over breakfast while rating the restaurant, are completely accidental, obviously, but we will draw your attention to our subhead.

Anyway, recent events have drawn Ulster Business much closer to the Belfast Telegraph so like a badly scripted scene from the Al Pacino and Robert De Niro film Heat, we thought it was time to sit down face to face.

“You know, we are sitting here, you and I, like a couple of regular fellas” Joris would have said were he Al Pacino’s character Vincent Hanna. “You do what you do,

MARCH 2016

and I do what I gotta do. And now that we’ve been face to face, if I’m there and I gotta put you away, I won’t like it. But I tell you, if it’s between you and some poor b****ard whose wife you’re gonna turn into a widow, brother, you are going down.”

He didn’t, obviously, because he’s not a homicide detective in a Michael Mann film and these columns aren’t often worth spoiling a good shirt over, but he does offer some good insight into the good old Year of Food & Drink 2016.

Overall, he agrees it has been a good initiative so far but believes there’s still work to be done to help push, and pull, the brilliant artisan producers in Northern Ireland up to the next level.

He points to the PR support Invest NI has recently been offering small producers as a bonus but said many are still struggling to grow under a weight of red tape and lack of a joined-up strategy which talks with one voice.

“The food sector is borne out of fiercely independent farmers and producers who are wary of putting their head above the parapet,” he said. “Government needs take more of a grip of the sector and help turn small local producers into exporters of influence.”

benedict – which comes with bacon rather than ham and which your reporter ordered crispy in following with the critic, who knows a thing or two about food – and a couple of flat whites.

The breakfast and service were excellent, topped off with visit to our table from the owner Niall McKenna nonetheless, who made it clear he has a lot to say about the food sector.

Come to think of it, he might make a good interview for next month.

Here we go again.

3x flat white £7.65 2x eggs benedict £13.00 1x tap water – Gratis 1x sparkling water £2.00 Total £22.65

Placing more importance on regional provenance may be the answer and Joris points to the Basque regions of Spain and the Bordeaux region of France as good examples of branding and marketing.

“We have some great products which have been able to promote their regions like Comber early potatoes, Armagh Bramley apples and Lough Neagh eels and there’s no reason why we can’t replicate it further.”

Joris also has some great words to say on the growing demand for good PR from Northern Ireland companies in today’s more digitalise word, but as usual this column’s overly long intro doesn’t leave room for the full interview so you’ll have to take my word for it on that one.

Foodwise, we both dined on the eggs

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PROFILE

Name: Beth Robinson Position: Managing Partner, Templeton Robinson Estate Agents

A word from

The Wise How did you start out in business?

I started in Brian Morton and Company in 1976, which was at that stage the largest firm of estate agents in Northern Ireland. I began as a secretary and worked my way into the sales department, discovering that I absolutely loved the work. My passion for selling property has never dimmed, and I didn’t hesitate when the opportunity arose to open Templeton Robinson in 1994.

business is so important and I still think I learn something new every week.

What have you found most challenging during your years in business?

The biggest challenge is being able to juggle all the balls in the air at the one time, the running of the business, being proactive and innovative as well as reinforcing the company’s position as one of the most trusted and respected Estate Agencies in Northern Ireland AND creating new business and earning fees.

How would you like your business career to be remembered?

Primarily, as a person who was successful at selling houses for the very best price. I do also believe the world moves on very quickly and that when I retire in a few years’ time it will be seamless and Templeton Robinson will continue to thrive and grow if I have left the right principles and strategies in place.

How would you describe your management style?

I believe I am a good communicator, something which is vital in all walks of life and especially this business. I also believe making the people who work with you feel valued and appreciated is crucial, and that is very much part of my management style.

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

I wish I had made the move to create Templeton Robinson sooner than 1994!

Although having said that, experience in

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The column with an ear for experience...

Have you done it all on your own?

Definitely not! Selling property is team work and you are only as good as your last sale. I have always enjoyed working as part of a team, and there’s no doubt that ten heads are better than one and a problem shared is a problem solved!

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

The world does not owe you a living, so be prepared to work hard but in a job you enjoy and get job satisfaction.

Flags, firebombs & flashbacks

Executive Motoring

By Pat Burns

Sponsored by

we are

EXECUTIVE MOTORING

Fleet Financial drives innovation with new online resource New Fleet Navigator tool helps to improve day-to-day operations and efficiency for companies

The launch of Fleet Navigator supports Fleet Financial’s continued success in Northern Ireland, its commitment to customers and to the development of new and innovative products which provide real solutions.

“With a dedicated account management and business support team, we listen to our customers all the time. We gauge them for feedback and we ask them how we can help them further. They told us that online support, which they could access on-the-go, was important. Also, after reviewing products already available in the marketplace, we decided that a bespoke product, designed and developed internally, was a greater proposition to our customers. Fleet Navigator now enables us to help companies use their experience and knowledge to improve their own performance.

Damian Campbell, Sales Manager, Fleet Financial, is behind a major drive to ensure its customers have round-the-clock support after launching an innovative new tool, Fleet Navigator, which is aimed at busy fleet managers and SMEs.

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orthern Ireland’s award-winning contract hire and vehicle management company, Fleet Financial, has launched an innovative new online management solution called Fleet Navigator, showcasing its growth and leadership in the sector.

The new, bespoke web-based product is designed to provide their customers with additional easy-to-access online support whenever they need it.

Boasting a fresh design, it is easy to navigate and can be accessed from any mobile or desk-based device.

The unique system complements Fleet Financial’s unrivalled customer service credentials and designated account management support and can be used to help make day-to-day vehicle management operations more effective and efficient.

Fleet Financial Sales Manager, Damian Campbell, said: “Managing company vehicles can be a challenging task. In an increasingly competitive business environment which is constantly evolving and with

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new rules, legislation and changing work practices to take into account, we found that our own customers could benefit from an online resource which is designed to deliver support on a 24-hour basis.

“Our customers already benefit from the dedicated one-to-one customer service arrangements provided by Fleet Financial but we hope that the new Fleet Navigator tool will be a welcome addition. It is already helping to revolutionise and improve fleet performance and drive greater efficiency among many of our users.

Fleet Navigator allows users to access resources including alerts and notifications for tax, servicing, MOT and licensing, secure storage and easy access to digital documentation such as contract information, driving licences, handbooks, p11d information, MOT reports and up to date reporting on maintenance and servicing. Users can also make direct bookings for windscreen repairs, servicing and short term vehicle hire, as well as carry our free driving licence checks for a UK mainland issued driving licence.

“This year, as we celebrate our 20th successful year in business in Northern Ireland, this new online tool marks the latest in a serious of innovations which Fleet Financial has delivered in its mission to transform the sector and further supports our belief that ‘Extra Comes as Standard,” added Damian.

The secure site works on any smartphone, tablet or PC and provides Fleet Financial customers with the tools they need to better access the virtual resources for company vehicles.

Damian said: “With a firm focus on customer experience, feedback and interaction, Fleet Navigator will remove much of the administrative weight for companies managing vehicles – so they can focus on what really matters. Driving efficiency, promoting growth and growing strongly.”

For more information on Fleet Financial, visit www.fleetfinancial.co.uk or phone Damian Campbell on 028 9084 9777 or by email at damiancampbell@fleetfinancial.co.uk

we are

EXECUTIVE MOTORING

Levorg replaces the Legacy engine speeds and perfectly matching the car’s remit as a sport tourer.

The Levorg accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 8.9 seconds, while returning nearly 40mpg on a combined cycle. Emissions are rated at 164 g/km.

The new model boasts a higher proportion of ultra-high tensile steel than other models in the Subaru range, such as the Impreza, with 50% of the body made up of strong, yet light steel alloys for the greatest possible crash safety performance.

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s a spiritual successor to the popular Subaru Legacy, the new Levorg is available in a single trim level called GT, with generous levels of standard equipment, including Subaru’s AllWheel Drive (AWD) drivetrain.

The Levorg is equipped as standard with the new ‘Subaru Rear Vehicle Detection’ system (SRVD), which alerts drivers to vehicles which are crossing behind. anything from sports equipment and bicycles to luggage and pets. The Levorg has been developed with ease-of-use and practicality in mind, and owners are unlikely to find themselves short on space, in spite of the car’s compact footprint.

The Levorg offers one of the company’s most refined cabins yet, with a greater use of high quality materials. Leather-trimmed sports seats come as standard, as will Subaru’s new factory-fit 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment, connectivity and navigation system.

The Levorg is available with one engine: a newly-developed 1.6-litre DIT (Direct Injection Turbo) Boxer petrol engine, a signature format for the Japanese manufacturer. Paired with Subaru’s smooth automatic (CVT) transmission, the Levorg offer buyers a refined powertrain.

Leather trim is used generously within the cabin, including the door trims, on the centre console and on top of the multifunction display on the dashboard.

The new 1.6-litre DIT power unit offers the same performance as Subaru’s existing 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated Boxer engine, despite being 36% smaller.

While the Levorg benefits from smaller exterior dimensions than the fourthgeneration Legacy Tourer, the new sport tourer offers buyers greater practicality.

Engineered specifically for its application in the Levorg, the all-new four-cylinder engine produces 170 PS and 250 Nm torque.

Not only do occupants enjoy greater leg, head- and shoulder-room than in the last Legacy Tourer, but the capacious 522-litre boot – rising to 1,446 litres with the back seats folded down – provides ample room for

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The all-new four-cylinder engine offers smooth, seamless power delivery and greater efficiency than existing Subaru engines.

Flexibility is core to its character, providing power over a wide range of

A comprehensive safety package, SRVD combines three technologies: Blind Spot Detection, which alerts drivers to cars sitting in their blind spot; Lane Change Assist, which warns drivers of fast-approaching vehicles behind when the driver indicates to change lane; and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, which detects vehicles passing behind when reversing out of a parking space.

Levorg also features SI Drive (Subaru Intelligent Drive) which allows the driver, via a switch on the steering wheel to chose between two modes according to their mood or the driving environment – Intelligent mode and Sport mode.

To ensure best-in-class on-road handling, the Levorg joins the WRX STI and new Outback in being fitted with Active Torque Vectoring (ATV).

ATV effectively brakes the inside wheels under cornering and apportions greater torque to the outside of the car, reducing understeer and oversteer to allow a more predictable and controlled course through corners.

Priced at £27,495.

we are

EXECUTIVE MOTORING

Citroën SpaceTourer unveiled in Geneva

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he versatile new Citroën SpaceTourer made its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show, where its ability to tackle the rigours of family and business life head-on, were on display.

The SpaceTourer combines comfort, practicality and good looks with dynamic performance and remarkable fuel efficiency. Cutting edge technology and a new platform provide top-level safety and a user-friendly experience.

Its new modular EMP2-based platform, a variant of the one used by the C4 Picasso and Grand C4 Picasso, provides more cabin space and boot volume, as well as superior manoeuvrability.

Available in three variants, including a 4.60m long model, a first in the market, which can seat up to nine people, the SpaceTourer is designed with both contemporary family and business life in mind. Features such as hands-free sliding side doors and a rear window that opens fully, are indicative of this practical vehicle.

The Citroën SpaceTourer is available with five powertrains, all featuring BlueHDi diesel engines. This new generation of engines, launched by Citroën in late 2013, considerably cuts nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions while reducing CO2 emissions.

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MARCH 2016

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we are

EXECUTIVE MOTORING

Vitara gets sporty...

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he latest version of the Vitara was launched last summer and within a few months it won the NIIB Finance Northern Ireland SUV of the Year.

Now, Suzuki is introducing the S model which provides a more sporting and dynamic character to the Vitara line up.

The S model is the first Suzuki to be launched that uses the new Boosterjet technology petrol engine which in Vitara is a 140PS 1.4-litre Direct Injection turbocharged unit (DITC). This new engine offers 220Nm of torque available from just 1,500rpm through to 4,000rpm.

Standard equipment for all Vitara models in the range is comprehensive and the SZ4 model includes seven airbags, alloy wheels, DAB Radio with USB and Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control with speed limiter, auto air conditioning and front and rear electric windows.

The S model is equipped with 17-inch Gloss black alloy wheels, unique grille design, satin silver door mirrors, rear upper spoiler and black side body mouldings. For the interior the sporting theme continues with red interior stitching, red air conditioning vent and instrument accents and aluminium alloy pedals.

The 1.4-litre engine offers strong benefits in performance too with a 0-62mph acceleration time of 10.2 seconds (for ALLGRIP models) for both manual and automatic transmissions and a maximum speed, where permitted, of 124mph.

A six-speed manual transmission is fitted as standard for the new 1.4-litre turbo engine, while a six-speed automatic transmission is available optionally.

The Vitara’s CO2 emissions are low thanks to the use of high tensile steel and other weight saving measures in the body. This has resulted in the Vitara being one of the lightest SUV’s in it class.

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An Engine Auto Stop Start system is also used which shuts down the engine when stationary.

Four-wheel drive is typically seen as detrimental to fuel economy and emissions performance. By contrast, Suzuki’s Allgrip system enables CO2 emissions that are remarkably low for a four-wheel drive SUV. CO2 emissions for the new 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine with its standard Allgrip system and manual transmission is 127g/km and just one gram higher for the optional automatic transmission.

Suzuki evolved its renowned four wheel drive technologies into a new generation that delivers driving pleasure and peace of mind in diverse conditions while promoting economy and limiting the burden four wheel drive cars place on the environment.

Suzuki’s Allgrip system is fitted as standard on the new S. It has four driver-selectable modes for safe, enjoyable driving on diverse surfaces.

Standard safety equipment includes seven airbags which includes a driver’s knee airbag as well as seat belt pre-tensioners and force limiters. Euro NCAP’s tests on the front seats and head restraints showed good protection against whiplash injury in the event of a rear end collision and a geometric assessment of the rear seats also indicated good protection.

The Vitara’s active safety equipment includes a Radar Brake Support (RBS) system on SZ5 and S models. When travelling above approximately 3mph and the system detects a risk of collision with the vehicle in front, it warns the driver to apply the brakes.

At higher speeds and if it senses the possibility of a collision, it warns the driver with a buzzer and also via a notification on the multi information display. The system warning can also be set for either Far or Near distance via a button on the dashboard.

The Vitara S is £20,899.

EDUCATION

Economic lessons

By David Elliott

T

aking a seat at the back of Mrs Vallelly’s Primary 5 class at Cairnshill Primary School, Ulster Business can’t help feeling a little inspired.

Despite struggling to fit under the pintsized desk while sitting on a pint-sized chair, this reporter spent a good hour witnessing a project which manages to get children as young as eight in this south Belfast school inspired and enthused about both micro and macroeconomics.

As if that weren’t enough, I was also treated to one of the best examples of political lobbying this side of The West Wing, one which those who hang about the Long Gallery at Stormont could learn from, but more of that later.

The main reason I was here was to learn about Mrs V’s Cairnshill Classroom Economy (CCE).

As well as educating this bunch of eight to 10-year-olds on maths, English and art, she is also runs the class as its own democratic economic ecosystem.

That means each of the pupils apply for a job – everything from banker to merchant, messenger to judge – for which they get paid a wage in Cairnshill Currency.

From those wages, which range from £1 to £5, they have to pay for expenses such as desk rental (which at the time of going to press was £4 a month) to chair rental (£4) and for any forgotten items such as pencils (£1 a day, a bit pricey if you ask me) Pritt Stick glue (£1 a day – better value in my eyes).

They can also be fined for having a messy desk (£2), missing homework (£1 – a bargain) or the worryingly subjective coverall headline “bad behaviour” (varies).

But it’s not all work and no fun because

MARCH 2016

Mrs Vallelly and her Primary 5 class at Cairnshill Primary School.

there is also a list of treats to spend their hard earned cash.

“They get a good experience of what it’s like to work and spend their money in the real world,” Mrs Vallelley said. “It’s amazing how the children have taken to it and how it has become part of their thinking.”

She implemented the CCE in both her own and a neighbouring classroom and it is truly amazing to see kids so interested and so understanding of the economics of life, and democracy.

And there were murmurs of discontent about the banker’s similarly high pay but, in a reflection of real life, that avoided the swingeing cuts and ended at £3, still the highest of all jobs, followed by the merchant at £2.50 (no sign of the business editor which is probably off the bottom of the scale).

In the midst of this discussion arrived the Education Minister John O’Dowd.

If he thought he was getting away with a smile and a handshake, he had another thing coming because this is no ordinary class.

When Ulster Business visited there a reshuffle of jobs about to take place with each of the children having to apply, via application forms for a new job.

“What would we like to ask the minister for children?” asked the shrewd Mrs V. “New toilets,” one said. “New changing rooms,” said another.

But before that an open and frank discussion was taking place about rates of pay.

This is only a snapshot of the exchange but the minister summed it up nicely when he said “ambushed”.

There was concern the judge was getting paid the top fee of £5, despite having had to do nothing over the last month.

A brilliant piece of lobbying capped a brilliant insight into how school children can be inspired to learn about skills which are essential in later life.

That post got swiftly knocked back to £2, although Mrs V managed to stop it dropping to £1 by pointing out that if the judge had to step in to sort out a playground dispute it would be a difficult task.

If the minister has any sense he’ll immediately give Cairnshill a complete new building and rollout the classroom economy across the country.

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APPOINTMENTS

Kirsty McManus has been appointed Head of Business Development at Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Paul Fox has been appointed Business Development Executive at Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Charles Hurst Group has appointed LarsErik Aaroy as the new Head of Business for Jaguar Land Rover following 26 years in the motor industry.

Matt Foster has worked for Wilsons Auctions, Mallusk for 8 years and has recently been appointed Car Auction Sales Executive.

Neville Bell is the newly appointed GM of Solmatix Renewables marking the start of a new phase of growth and expansion for the company.

Dr. Howard Hastings OBE, Managing Director of Hastings Hotels, has been appointed the new Chair of Visit Belfast.

Natasha Deeney has joined JPR as Digital Marketing Consultant. She will provide social media and digital marketing services to JPR’s clients across the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Eoin McGrath has joined the Hastings Hotels Group, based at Stormont Hotel in the role of Business Development Manager.

Hannah Orr has joined Gaelectric Developments Ltd as Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Project Officer.

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APPOINTMENTS

Sean Murphy has been appointed Regional Managing Director of Branch & Private Banking for Ulster Bank in Northern Ireland.

Amanda Costello-Harris joins the Mount Charles Group from Dover District Council, where she spent five years as an Environmental Health Officer.

Angela Maguire has been appointed as an Area Manager to the Catering Division at the Mount Charles Group. In her new role she will oversee the daily operational and management support.

Barry McLean has been appointed as Procurement & Compliance Officer at the Mount Charles Group. He will be responsible for the development of key policies, processes and procedures.

Leann Duffy has been appointed as Group Director of Catering at the Mount Charles Group. She will oversee the Mount Charles Group’s extensive portfolio of catering sites.

Energy supplier Vayu Energy has announced the appointment of Peter Girvan as Energy Services Manager for Northern Ireland. He previously held the position of Commercial Sales Manager for SSE Airtricity.

Claire Reid has joined 4c Executive Search as Head of Delivery. In her new role Claire will oversee the delivery of all assignments, leading and supporting the team.

Ian Davison has been appointed Assistant Manager at Grant Thornton Northern Ireland. He will manage the department’s portfolio of cases and will advise under-performing clients on turnaround strategies.

Gareth Latimer has been appointed Director at Grant Thornton Northern Ireland. A licensed Insolvency Practitioner, Gareth will lead the Recovery & Reorganisation department.

MARCH 2016

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PHOTOCALL 1. Catering company The Fatted Calf has won the contract to supply the Tea Room at Glenarm Castle. The firm is owned by chefs Justin Donaldson (pictured left) and Jason Bowen (pictured middle), alongside Nigel Campbell, Events and Marketing Manager for Glenarm Castle.

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2. Creative agency Wurkhouse has celebrated Social Media Week New York with the opening of a new sales office in Times Square. Pictured are Andrew Sheen, Wurkhouse Managing Director, Troy Armour, CEO Patral Group, and Paul Curran, Wurkhouse Social Media Director.

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3. Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Jonathan Bell has announced Maghera based Cunningham Covers is expanding, with 10 new jobs on the back of export success and new product development. Pictured with the Minister are David Cunningham and Briege Cunningham.

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4. Belfast law firm Cleaver Fulton Rankin has hosted a certified Mediation Training course delivered by The Mediation Academy of Ireland. Pictured are Jonathan Forrester, (centre) Director at Cleaver Fulton Rankin, with successful Mediation training course participants, Jarlath Kearney, Elemental Consultants, and Colin Conway, Director, Newell Stores.

5. Dillon Bass has launched a search for a new Powers Irish Whiskey Ambassador. Pictured are Joel Neill, Operations Director, Hospitality Ulster & Sarah Harvey, Powers Brand Manager at Dillon Bass.

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PHOTOCALL 6. Olenick has been awarded Investors In People accreditation.

Pictured with DEL Minister Stephen Farry and Northern Ireland Commissioner (UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES)) Mark Huddleston, are Claire McBride, Account Executive and Mark McGuinness, Delivery Manager from Olenick.

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8. A £1.5m Ulster Bank-backed investment in Ballyclare is creating 20 new jobs. The Hamilton family have modernised and expanded their nursing home with the support of the bank.

Pictured are Heather and William Hamilton with Nigel Walsh and Philip McNeill of Ulster Bank.

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10 MARCH 2016

7. The Institute of Directors has launched its search for Northern Ireland’s most successful director.

Previous winners, Marie-Thérèse McGivern, Principal and Chief Executive of Belfast Metropolitan College and Jeremy Biggerstaff of Flint Studios were joined

by Des Moore of First Trust Bank to launch the awards.

9. Moy Park has announced a £4m investment in its facilities at Craigavon positioning its ‘ready to eat’ cooked chicken production for further innovation and growth. Pictured L-R outside Moy Park’s Craigavon facilities is: Moy Park’s Craigavon Engineering Manager Neil Clarke with Engineering Co-Ordinator, John Davidson and Project Engineers Matt Foster and Fiona Finlay.

10. Specialist pension provider SSAS Solutions (UK) Ltd has created four new jobs as it celebrates its sixth year in business. Directors Michael Galway and Allison Chambers (middle) lined up with rugby star, Stephen Ferris and Darren Cave.

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PHOTOCALL 11. Atlas Communications has won a contract to provide public Wi-Fi at the ports of Kilkeel, Portavogie and Ardglass provide free wireless access for tourists, visitors and locals alike. Pictured testing out their new connectivity in Ardglass Harbour is (centre) local fisherman, Eamon Rooney with (L-R) David Smyth, NIFHA Project Manager, John Smyth Harbour Manager, and Richard Simpson, Managing Director of Atlas Communications.

12. Evie (6) and Oscar Miller are joined by Lorraine Anthony and Karen Malone from Power NI and Marie Curie Lead Nurse, Cindy Anderson to help launch Power NI’s support of the ‘Great Daffodil Appeal in Northern Ireland’.

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13. The Co-Investment Fund (Co-FundNI), created

by Invest Northern Ireland and managed by Clarendon Fund Managers has reached a milestone after investing alongside its 200th private investor. Pictured (L-R) are Brian Cummings, Investment Director at Clarendon Fund Managers with Kevin Donaghy, CEO of SaltDNA.

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14. Neil Ward, CEO and Brian McConville, owner of Mivan on board Belmond Grand Hibernian as work begins on the £2.5m fit out of Ireland’s first luxury sleeper train.

15. Newry-based Murdock Builders’ Merchants is set to save almost £1m thanks to the installation of new solar electricity systems at five of its outlets in Northern Ireland. The rooftop solar PV panels have been installed by Kingspan ESB.

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PHOTOCALL 16. CDE Global has launched its ‘Steps to Success’ initiative by giving all employees a FitBit tracker device and encouraging them to reach 60 million steps in 2016. Pictured at the launch of the initiative is (L-R) Ray Cooke, Operations Director, Ricardo Wong, Technical Business Graduate, and Lauren McMaster, Marketing and Sales Support Executive at CDE Global.

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17. The Stroke Association’s Charity of the Year partnership with Royal Mail has raised £1m to fund 5,000 Life After Stroke grants for stroke survivors.

Pictured is Kate Gorman with her Satellite Navigator which was funded after she applied for a Life after Stroke Grant.

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20 MARCH 2016

18. Pictured with his award for ‘Most Investible’ Company at the StartPlanetNI Demo Day in Hillsborough Castle is Matthew Large, CEO of specialist event software company Glistrr. He is joined by Alastair Hamilton, CEO, Invest NI; Bill Liao, Lead Mentor, StartPlanetNI and Diane Roberts from Xcell Partners.

19. Colum Egan (Old Bushmills Distillery); Aaron Ennis (Danske Bank); Ann McGregor (NI Chamber); Minister Jonathan Bell; Liza Hammond (Etihad) and David Gosnell (Old Bushmills Distillery) at the latest ‘Danske Bank Export First’.

20. First Minister Arlene Foster and Finance Minister Mervyn Storey help mark the 100th meeting of the Construction Industry Group NI Professionals Council (CIGNI PC) with a special event at Stormont. Pictured with them is, left, CIGNI PC Chairman Kevin McShane and, right, CIGNI Chairman Stephen Kane.

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PHOTOCALL 21. The Danske Bank Accountancy Award was recently presented to Monica Duffy at Danske Bank’s headquarters in Belfast. Monica is a trainee Chartered Accountant with John MacMahon & Co. Monica is pictured receiving her award from Danske Bank’s Chief Financial Officer, Stephen Matchett.

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22. Bloomfields Nursing Home is set to complete a £650,000 extension to its 30 bed estate, providing a welcome boost for the private healthcare sector.

The investment was part funded

by Danske Bank. Pictured are Des and Jean McLaughlin, Owners of Bloomfields Nursing Home and Austin Coll, Business Manager at Danske Bank.

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23. Titanic Belfast’s Chief Executive, Tim Husbands MBE and Director of Operations Judith Owens is pictured with Dr Tony Lenehan and Zhen Yao from Centre for Competitiveness Ireland, as Titanic Belfast is the first in Ireland to complete the Chinese Tourist Welcome Training Programme.

24. Louise McAleer, Progressive Building Society, highlights results of a recent survey into the savings habits of people in Northern Ireland. It shows that more people save money on a monthly basis in Northern Ireland compared to the rest of the UK.

25. Edgewater Contracts & Specialist Joinery Ltd have secured over £76m of contracts and created 19 jobs in two years since receiving a £300,000 loan from the Growth Loan Fund.

Pictured are Allan Campbell and Seamus Murray, with Andrew Gowdy (centre).

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PHOTOCALL 26. Cariosa O’Hare, Cormac McCarry, Maggie McBride and Kate McLaughlin from Loreto College are competing in the area finals of the ‘Target Two Point Zero’, the Bank of England and The Times Interest Rate Challenge by debating with Alan Bridle, UK Economist & Market Analysis Manager, Bank of Ireland UK.

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27. Northern Ireland’s elite research companies came together recently to establish a new local body to drive forward standards in market research. The Northern Ireland network of the Market Research Society aims to support, promote and protect market research in Northern Ireland. Delegates from the inaugural meeting are pictured.

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28. Lisney has appointed Fetherston Clements as the selling agent for apartments in the Obel property complex. Pictured are Ciaran O’Kane, Director of Property Management at Lisney, and Will Miscampbell, Partner, Fetherston Clements Estate Agents.

29. A major programme to engage young people in IT skills is being rolled out across Northern Ireland by IT3Sixty.

Enda McKenna and Clair Gheel of IT3Sxity, are pictured with pupils Oonagh Murray, Eoghan Fitzpatrick and Leah Prunty of St Mary’s Primary School Teemore.

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30. Belfast-born Steve Martin, CEO of M&C Saatchi Sport & Entertainment, has returned to his old school, The Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI) to award the school’s first Elite Sports Scholarship. He is pictured with Michael Lowry, who is the first recipient of the Stephen Martin Elite Sports Scholarship.

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EVENTS

Canapés and cocktails The cream of the last month’s business events SSAS Solutions sixth anniversary

Suppliers storm Asda HQ

Pension provider SSAS Solutions (UK) Ltd has created four new jobs as it lines up for a predicted 35% increase in its schemes under administration in the GB market this year. The company also marked its sixth anniversary of establishing the business by hosting a celebration party at its offices at Rivers Edge on the Ravenhill Road in Belfast.

Twelve food companies from Northern Ireland, which are taking part in the 2016 Asda Supplier Development Academy (SDA), visited the supermarket’s headquarters in Leeds recently to gain a better understanding of the systems and processes involved in trading with Asda.

John Houston, Houstons Banbridge, James Conlon, NIAVAC, with Stephen Ferris.

Pictured during their visit to Asda House in Leeds are (from l-r): Peter Geary, Antrim Hills Spring Water; Karl McCrum, Neill’s Flour; Lee Morrow, Morrow Foods; Graham Morrow, Morrow Foods; Jill Crawford, Just Live a Little; Michael Heaslip, Pop Notch Popcorn; Colin Ferguson, Avondale Foods; Michael McKillop, Glens of Antrim Potatoes; Jason Hempton, Dale Farm; Gemma Gray, Dale Farm; Eileen Hall, Cavanagh Eggs; Conor Daykin, Tasty Foods; John Weatherup, Brunch Box; Tim McVicker, Forest Feast.

Paul O’Brien, John McGuckian and Patricia Rooney from Tughans with Allison Chambers from SSAS Solutions.

Tom McKenzie, Trading controller, Hendersons Foodservice with Julie Hickey from Dart Mountain Cheese at IFEX 2014.

Hendersons Foodservice gets ready for IFEX Quadra Directors Brian Cave and Tim Branagh with Darren Cave.

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Hendersons Foodservice will be creating a ‘village’ dedicated to local food and drink suppliers at this year’s IFEX exhibition.

EVENTS

BNI celebrates power of network

Mount Charles wins gong

Over 60 local businesses from across a variety of sectors, gathered during International Networking Week to learn the power of networking. The world’s largest networking organisation, BNI marked its tenth annual International Networking Week with an event at the Clayton Hotel, Belfast centred around helping businesses achieve growth and success through effective networking.

Mount Charles is celebrating after winning the Chef Ireland Contract Catering Competition gold medal at the Food & Bev Live foodservice event, hosted by the Irish Foodservice Suppliers Alliance (IFSA) at the CityWest Dublin in February.

There was a large turnout at the International Networking Week, held recently in the Clayton Hotel, Belfast.

Andrew Dobbin, BNI Northern Ireland; Paul McCoubrey, Belfast Property Meet; David Elliott; Jody Browne, Women in Business and International trainer in Wordof-Mouth Marketing; and Executive Director of Chester and North Wales for BNI, Ewan Sturman.

Pictured are, from left, Janice Stewart, General Manager at Mossley Mill, Christopher Telford, General Manager, Fed & Watered at Belfast International Airport, Linda Rower, Chef at Ulster University in Coleraine, Harry Kennedy, Support Staff at Mossley Mill, Marcus Lemon, Head Chef at Waterfront Hall, Gareth Curran, Head Chef at Mossley Mill and Cathal Geoghegan, Managing Director of Mount Charles.

Pictured are staff from the Apple Tree Dental practice at the event.

Apple Tree Dental picks up award Newry dental practice Apple Tree Dental has been named ‘NI Dental Practice of the Year’ at the NI Healthcare Awards hosted at the Europa Hotel.

C03 celebrates leaders Voluntary, community and social enterprise chiefs were honoured recently at an awards ceremony at Stormont Buildings in Belfast.

More than 200 people from third sector organisations across Northern Ireland gathered in the Great Hall for this year’s CO3 leadership awards – Celebrating Champions 2016.

Pictured at the annual CO3 Awards at Stormont are (L-R) David Lane, Ireland Managing Director for lead sponsor, Ecclesiastical Insurance, Roseann Kelly, Women in Business Chief Executive and winner of Entrepreneurial Leader of the Year, Nora Smith, Chief Executive of CO3 and Nuala McKeever, comedian and compere for the night.

MARCH 2016

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TECHNOLOGY

Tech of the world

By Adam Maguire

Reviews MICROSOFT SURFACE BOOK The Surface line has been a reasonable success for Microsoft – now it hopes to extend beyond tablets and towards the world of laptops.

The Surface line has long been a showcase of Windows’ potential as a portable operating system. Given the fact that Microsoft has

tried to position the software as a cross-device platform, it should be no surprise that the line now includes a laptop-like device.

As the name suggests the 13.5 inch tablet that makes up the heart of this product is accompanied by a slimline keyboard – one that’s tethered through a unique accordion-like hinge (Microsoft calls it a Dynamic Fulcrum).

Perhaps most importantly, the device packs a decent punch – at least 8GB of RAM and an Intel Core i5 processor – while its flexibility allows it be used in a range of different ways.

Probably the biggest drawback is the same thing that has kept somewhat of a lid on a lot of other Surface products – the price. With the cheapest version coming in at well over £1,000, all of the functionality in the world is going to make this tablet a hard one to swallow for most.

The Microsoft Surface Book starts at £1,299.

MARSHALL MAJOR II BLUETOOTH Designer headphones are big business – and the heft of the Marshall brand is now being brought to the Bluetooth battlefront.

Generally speaking, the modern headphone market is generally more about brand than it is about audio quality. That makes it a good bedfellow to Bluetooth – which generally compromises somewhat on the sound front in order to allow for the convenience of wirelessness.

In the case of the Marshall Major II Bluetooth that compromise is less noticeable than some of its rivals, however, with the audio here holding up pretty well (and at a decent decibel level too). The look of the cans, which harks back to the brand’s classic amps, is pretty distinct too – though it does verge on gimmicky.

The stand-out feature of these headphones is the battery life, though, which checks it at 30 plus hours per charge. that puts it hours ahead of more expensive competitors and way ahead of similarly priced alternatives.

Marshall Major II Bluetooth headphones can be bought for around £130.

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TECHNOLOGY

Previews MICROSOFT LUMIA 650 The acquisition of Nokia Mobile has done little to make Microsoft a major player in the world of phones – but the company will hope its mid-range Lumia 650 will help turn things around.

Nokia was always known for well-made phones and first impressions of the Lumia 650 suggest that this has continued – even though it does not carry the Finnish giant’s name.

An aluminium frame holds the 5 inch screen in place, though at 122 grams the device is extremely light.

It is mid-range, however, meaning the specs are far from mind-blowing – though it will likely prove perfectly serviceable for most users... especially when it costs just over £150 SIM-free.

The Microsoft Lumia 650 is being rolled out in Britain during March.

Amazon Tap & Echo Dot Not content with monopolising your online spend, Amazon is increasingly keen on being a part of your everyday life – with the Tap and Echo Dot the latest part of its puzzle.

Not too long ago the online retailer introduced the Echo – which allowed users to make requests of its ‘Alexa’ digital assistant anywhere in the home. In theory; you could ask it questions, get it to play music or set reminders all through voice commands and from across the room.

The Tap and the Echo Dot are an extension of that idea – with each on filling a void on either end of their predecessor’s range.

The Tap, for example, is more of a portable music speaker with Alexa functionality built-in. The Echo Dot, meanwhile, is more keenly focused on the assistant part with very little of the speaker quality required for playing music.

The Amazon Tap and Echo Dot are US-only products for now, priced $130 and $90 respectively.

MARCH 2016

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Dubai’s Top 5 From skyscrapers and seven-star hotels to souks and even skiing, get insider tips on the top attractions in Dubai from local resident, Tripbod Alex and Skyscanner.net

2. The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding If you’ve always wanted to know about Islam but were too afraid to ask, this is your chance. Founded by an Emirati man who married a European woman and hosted by the charismatic general manager Nasif, the centre is a great place for a crosscultural experience, as the name suggests. Don’t be surprised if you leave with a whole new understanding and appreciation of the Muslim world. Traditional Emirati cuisine also makes it a treat for breakfast or lunch, or just to pick up a bar of Camel chocolate on the way out. If you’re feeling bold, when everyone has left, ask kindly if they would mind you climbing on to the roof to admire the views over the old Persian district, the Bastakia Quarter. Time it right and you can be up there when the call to prayer is sung at sunset – a real goosebumps moment.

3. Dubai’s public parks Parks might not be the first thing you associate with Dubai, but the city boasts some of the most beautiful, tranquil, clean, green parks anywhere. Pay a 5dhs fee to enter a place quite different

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to other cities’ public spaces, and see Filipino, Pakistani, Indian, Emirati, Arabic and European families barbecuing and playing ball games side by side. Try Safa Park on Sheikh Zayed Road for a sprawling 150 acres of lawns, waterfalls and hills made for jogging and sports like rounders. Mushrif Park Khawaneej Road is a good bet if you’ve got kids in tow, with its extensive woodlands and zoo (you might need to rent some wheels for this one). Pack a picnic, leave your stresses behind you and enjoy.

4. Ravi One for die-hard curry fans and among Dubai’s longest-serving restaurants, Ravi deserves a place of its own in our top ten.

Usually full with diners from all over the world, there are no white tablecloths, wine lists or snooty waiters, just honest Pakistani curry served up by friendly staff. Favourite dishes include chicken boti, mutton tika, daal and mutton kebab, and the bread is fresh, fluffy and hot. A whole family can eat here for less than 100dhs. Ravi has recently been refurbished, with the addition of a ‘family’ area, but it’s often more fun to sit outside or in the main area to soak up the atmosphere. Find it in the Khamees Building on Al Satwa Road.

1. Burj Khalifa Dubai runs on superlatives, from the glitziest, biggest malls on earth to the world’s tallest building – the Burj Khalifa. Check out the exhibit on the building’s history, then take the fastest (of course) lift in the world. Hold on to your hat – it only takes a few seconds. It’s not for the faint-hearted but is well worth it, as the views will blow your mind. If you’re a serious photographer, you can even take a tripod with you to capture the endless panoramas towards the beach and over the city. The building has its own Metro stop, the Burj Khalifa Station which is a ten minute walk away and you can book tickets online from 125 dirhams (around £25) in advance. Go at sunset if you can, as you get to see both day and night from the top.

TRAVEL

5. Dubai Creek After the dizzying, ultra-modern heights of the Burj, there’s nothing like the contrast of a simple abra ride on Dubai Creek. Take one of these beautiful old roofed boats from Bur Dubai Abra Station on the southern side, and ride across the creek for just one dirham at sunset, as the evening call to prayer is singing out across the mosque minarets. Close your eyes and you could be back in the 1960s when the city began. At the other side you’ll be met with the aromas of Dubai’s spice souk, the place to buy an incense burner and a handful of frankincense.

Make time for a stroll around the old area of Deira while you’re here, with its quirky alleyways and skinny alley cats. Talk about atmospheric! Didn’t think it was possible to do Dubai on the cheap?

MARCH 2016

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SPORT

NI’s sporting stadia: the law of the land In light of the ongoing development of local sporting stadia, as well as the steady flow of high-profile sporting events coming to Northern Ireland, in this month’s column sports lawyer Jonny Madill runs through some of the key issues to consider for advertisers and marketers, stadium designers and owners, sponsors, photographers and film-makers

distinctive shape or design for the image of the stadium to be successfully registered. Whether the architect or designer of a stadium, or the organisation funding the project or owning the building has the right to register the mark should ultimately be agreed when drawing up the contract for the stadium design.

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ven though sporting venues (just like any other buildings) are protected by copyright in the UK, selling and publishing photographs and films of venues (taken either from a public place, or from private property where the owner had no objection) is not an infringement of copyright. Making a graphic representation of a stadium such as a drawing or a painting, or by making a broadcast of a visual representation of it, is also permitted. Note, however, that filming inside venues will most likely require the owner’s permission, and will probably be prohibited under the terms of entry anyway.

One way for stadium designers and owners to protect the brand value of a venue and prevent third parties from profiting from their work (e.g. via unauthorised merchandising), is by registering the stadium (both its name and its appearance) as a trade mark. The stadium will, however, need to have a very

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he home of Irish rugby, the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, has signed a new contract with SSE Airtricity to supply all of its energy – both gas and electricity – needs through 100% renewable power. The stadium becomes the first of all of the stadia in the RBS 6 Nations to be fully powered by clean, green renewable energy. From left are Martin Murphy, Stadium Director, Aviva Stadium and Stephen Gallagher, Head of Business Energy, SSE Airtricity.

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Although there have been no cases of this in the UK, anyone involved in making images or films which feature sporting venues should proceed with caution, as this could potentially amount to a representation to the public that their image or film is associated with or endorsed by the venue owner or designer, which could amount to “passing off”.

If a photograph is to be used commercially (e.g. for advertising or marketing purposes), obtaining a property release might be necessary. UK advertising law says that marketers should obtain written permission before portraying members of the public or their identifiable possessions. Although any assessment would be on a case-by-case basis, it is possible that images of sporting stadia could be construed as falling into this category.

Jonny Madill is a sports lawyer at Sheridans, and advises sports clients including clubs, governing bodies, leagues, associations, agencies, athletes, sports tech companies and broadcasters. He specialises in digital sport as well as commercial, technology, regulatory, governance, dispute resolution and broadcasting issues in the sports sector. You can contact Jonny at jmadill@sheridans.co.uk and follow him on Twitter at @jonnymadill89

Business Diary April 2016

DATE

EVENT

VENUE

CONTACT

5 April 07.30 - 09.00

Sales Institute of Ireland Breakfast Seminar. ‘Refinancing for the Growth in the Economy’ Speaker: Paul Terrington, PwC

Hilton Hotel, Belfast Cost: FREE for members or £45 for non-members

For further information contact Melita Williams melita@salesireland.ie

7 April

Employment Law and Health & Safety Workshop Organiser: Peninsula Business Services

Radisson Blu, The Gasworks, Cromac Avenue, Belfast BT7 2JB Cost: FREE

For further information tel: 028 9031 4222 or email: events@peninsula-ni.com

11 April 13.30 for 14.00 start - 17.30

The Competent Non-Executive Director Workshop Organiser: IoD Northern Ireland

Riddell Hall, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5EE Cost: Members £200 +VAT Non-members £275 +VAT

To book contact IoD Northern Ireland on 028 9068 3224 or visit www.iodni.com

12 April 09.45 - 12.00

Employment Law and Health & Safety Seminar Organiser: Peninsula Business Services

Silver Birch Hotel, Gortin Road, Omagh BT79 7DH Cost: FREE

For further information tel: 028 9031 4222 or email: events@peninsula-ni.com

19 April 09.30 - 16.00

Engagement and Wellbeing at Work Conference Organiser: Carecall

Clayton Hotel, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast BT2 8HS Cost: FREE

For further information visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk

22 April 19.00 - late

Fleet Financial 20th Anniversary Gala Ball

Culloden Hotel, Belfast Cost: From £100 per person (5 course meal, wine and entertainment)

For further information contact Philip Miley on PhilipMiley@fleetfinancial.co.uk or tel: 028 9084 9777

27 April 09.45 - 12.00

Employment Law and Health & Safety Seminar Organiser: Peninsula Business Services

Fitzwilliam Hotel, Great Victoria Street, Belfast BT2 7BQ Cost: FREE

For further information tel: 028 9031 4222 or email: events@peninsula-ni.com

If you would like to promote an event or conference please contact Sonia Armstrong (soniaarmstrong@greerpublications.com)

MY DAY

Uncovering the 9-5

prospective companies to ensure they are aligned with our business model and vice versa. Our business model is commission based so it is essential for us to have a profitable client that we can market effectively. On the flip side the company must have the team and systems in place to get the most out of our technology and services in order to radically increase their sales and profitability.

We implement the IRP e-commerce platform, which is geared up to maximise international sales so a multi-channel retailer, distributor or manufacturer with these long-term goals is a good fit for us.

11:30am – 1:00pm Write up notes from morning meetings, follow up telephone calls and respond to any new emails.

1:00pm – 1:45pm I try to be healthy when I can so bring a packed lunch. Weather permitting I will get out for some fresh air and stretch my legs.

1:45pm – 3:45pm

Name: Graeme McCluskey Position: Head of Sales at Export Technologies

Early afternoon is my time for research and prospecting. Although it’s 23 years since I graduated with an economics degree, I still get a huge buzz from directly engaging with new prospects and because the early qualification process is so vital for both parties I continue to place a lot of emphasis on this. Our prospects respect the fact that although Export Technologies must be the right supplier for them, they in turn must be the right fit for us in order for our “shared revenue model” to succeed for both parties.

6:40am Alarm goes off and the morning routine begins. I usually find a large bowl of porridge with fresh fruit kickstarts my working day.

7:30am I live with my wife and two children who are getting ready for school as I leave for work. Every day brings fresh challenges and depending on my diary I will generally be office bound, enroute to a customer’s office or indeed meeting with partners. Before jumping into the car I review my daily “to do list” which is critical to ensure my productivity is maximised. Any urgent emails are actioned before setting off.

3:45pm – 4:30pm I find this is the best time of the day to schedule internal meetings with our software development team, business analysts and deployment team. With a relatively small team of 20 we can get decisions made very quickly and to maintain focus on what is important for our customers.

4:30pm – 5:30pm Attend to any outstanding emails and voicemails while also establishing what needs dealt with before close of play.

5:30pm – 6:45pm 8:45am Arrive at office. Having accepted that the M1 commute is not going to get any easier, I spend the one-hour plus journey to gather my thoughts.

9:00am – 11:30am As Head of Sales I am responsible for increasing our customer base across the UK & Ireland, but it is very much a team effort with our Pre-Sales team and Business Analysts heavily involved in the customer qualification process. The team and I meet with

The commute home and dinner with the family – if they can wait for me!

7:30pm Laptop back on to mop up anything outstanding from the working day and to plan for tomorrow. As a retired rugby player (with a few Ulster caps back in the ‘90s) I try to remain active. I have my sights set on completing a few more Triathlons this year after dipping my toes in to the water last year so with the lighter nights on their way I hope to get back out running, cycling and swimming.

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