Ulster Business June 2025

IN FO CUS

JohnMulgrewsitsdown withMinisterLi zK immins

FE AT URE

Indianowonradarfor

whiskeyandginmakers

Contents

Thelatestnewsandexclusivesfromacross Norther nIrelandandbeyond 18

Coverstory

EdelCreeryofNIENetworksonputting customersatthecentreofitsjourney

22

InFocus

JohnMulgrewsitsdownwithInfrastructure MinisterLizKimmins

35

TheUK-Indiadealopensup awhiskeymarket

43

IT &technology

ThestoryofhowFD Technologieswentfrom humblebeginningstoglobalfortune 51

Tourism

JohnMulgrewplaystheOpencourseatRoyal Portrushaheadoftheglobalgolftournament 66

Interview

KennyJacobsonwhy60millionpassengersa yearwouldmakeDublinAirport agoldmine 77

Motoring

KiaupdatesitspopularEV6whilePatBurns looksatthenewMercedes-BenzCLA

84

Photocall

Alookatwhat’sbeenhappeningacross Norther nIrelandoverthelastfewweeks

92

Review

JohnMulgrewspends aweekwith TagHeuer’s latest retroadditiontotheFormulaOneline

94

Travel

CatherineMurphyfocusesontheSilverState’s history,cultureandnaturalbeauty

96 Technology

AIhashugesustainabilityissues:canweafford theenvironmentalprice?

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EDITOR’S COMM EN TS

Tradedeal good start forushere

Anewagritradedealbetween theUKandtheEUhasbeen secured

Itshouldmeananimprovedenvironment forourfarmingandfoodproducingsectors, removingchecksandpaperworkforgoods movingfromGBtoNorthernIreland

It’snotquiteassimpleasthat,ascustoms declarationswillstillbe required

However,it’slargelybeenwelcomedby thebusinesssectorhere,includingUlster Farmers’UnionPresident WilliamIrvine, whodescribedtheagreementas“a significantbreakthrough”.

Intheweeksandmonthsaheadwe’lllearn moreabouttheintricaciesofthedeal,

andhowitwillactuallyworkwhenfully implemented.But,inshort,it’sanimproved positionforusall.

WelcometotheJuneeditionof Ulster Business.It’shardtobelievewe’realready inthesummermonths,althoughthelast fewweeksofblazingsunshinehascertainly helpedpavethewayfor achangein seasons.

Inthisedition, IsitdownwithInfrastructure MinisterLizKimmins.There’sanawfullotof keytopicswithinherportfolio.

It’sanotherpackededition.PavelBarter speakstothewhiskeymakersaboutIndia becominganewmarket,post-tradedeal, andalsotakes aretrospectivelookatNewry techgiant,FD Technologies,asthefirm

issettobesoldofftoanewUSowner OurcoverstoryfeaturesEdelCreeryofNIE Networks,lookingattheorganisation’s journey,andputtingthecustomeratthe centre.

Ialsospent adayplayingthisyear’sOpen courseatRoyalPortrush,soyoudon’thave to.Manygolfballswerelost,manyshots weretaken,andmanyduffsoffthetee werewitnessed.Butlet’sputitlikethis –the world’sbestgolfersareinfor atreatnext month.

We’renowworkingonourflagship Top100 doublesummeredition,dueoutatthestart ofAugust –chartingthesuccessesofour biggestandbestfirms. ■

JohnMulgrew

Publisher UlsterBusiness c/oMediahuisUKLtd Belfast TelegraphHouse,33ClarendonRoad, ClarendonDock,BelfastBT13BG

Printer W&GBaird GreystonePress,CaulsideDrive, AntrimBT412RS www.wgbaird.com

Editor JohnMulgrew,john.mulgrew@mediahuis.co.uk

Advertising JudithMartin,j.martin@mediahuis.co.uk

Graphicdesign SusanMcClean,MediahuisIrelandDesignStudio

Coverphoto ElaineHill

@ulsterbusiness www.ulsterbusiness.com

Amonth innumbers Irishlanguagesignagerow ‘verydisappointing’:minister

4.25%

ThecurrentBankof Englandbaserateafter thelatestcut.

£100m

Thepotentialcapital investmentfora new11turbinewind farminCo Tyroneby developerRES.

10%

Theriseinhouseprices acrossNI,according tothelatestofficial figures.

50

Thenumberofjobs beingcreatedbyfood servicefirmSysco.

ArowovertheinstallationofIrish languagesignsatthenewBelfast GrandCentralStationwas“very disappointing”asitshouldbe a“shared space”,theInfrastructureMinisterhassaid.

LizKimminsconfirmedattheendofMarch that bilingualdisplayswouldincludepassenger informationandsignageonticketvending machines.

But afewdayslateritwas revealedtherehad beenalegalchallengebyloyalistactivist,Jamie Bryson.

“What Iwillsayisthatit’s actuallyvery disappointingthatwe’reevenhavingthese conversations,”shesays.

“Ithinkitshouldhavebeensomethingvery, verypositive –Irishlanguageisthriving.

“…Ijusthopecommonsensewillprevail here. We haveseenhowit’s beendoneinother jurisdictions. Irecentlymetministersfromacross England,Scotland, Wales,andotherareaswhere there’sbilingualsignagealreadyandthey’re actuallysayinghowgooditwasfortourism.”

“It’sasharedspace,andformeitshouldn’t betheissuethatitis.”

In awide-ranginginterviewwith Ulster

Business,speakingaboutthelong-awaitedA5 roadupgrade–whichisnowsubjecttoanother legalchallenge –MsKimminssaid“toomany people”havealreadylosttheirlivesandshe’s bothcommittedtothescheme,andconfident initssuccess.

“It’sabsolutelynecessarythatwegetthe workdone,”shesays.

“Officialsandmylegalteamhaveworked extremelyhard toprovide averystrongcase, and Iwouldbeconfidentthatwehavebeen abletodothat –butitisessentiallyinthe court’shandsnow

“…getworksstartedandgetitdelivered beforeanymorelivesarelost.”

AndonwastewaterandfuturefundingforNI Water,MsKimminssaid:“[Theissueshavebeen there]as aresultofyearsandyearsofchronic underinvestment,”shesays.“Forme,there’s notenoughinvestment.

“Theonlyoptionsthathavebeenpresented tome,otherthanwhatI’mdoing,areoptions thatwillleadtowatercharging…andthat’snot somethingthat Iamwillingintodo”

“Ijustdon’tthinkit’s righttoputthaton additionalhouseholds.”

Readthefullinterviewonpage22-24

Infrastructure MinisterLiz Kimmins

JohnMulgrew

Indian market

‘now on radar’for

NIspiritmakers

WhiskeyandginmakersheresayIndiais“nowonthe radar”followingtheUK’smajornewtradedeal.

Underthetermsofthedeal,tariffsonwhiskeyandgin willbehalvedfrom150%to75%, reducingto40%withinthenext10 years.

TheIrishWhiskeyAssociation(IWA)saysthedealis“agreat opportunityforNorther nIrishproducers”.

TheIndia-UKtradedealhas refocusedexporteffortsontheIndian marketamongsmallerlocalwhiskeymanufactures.MourneDew DistilleryinCoDownmakesblendedandsinglemaltwhiskiesalongside arangeofgin,poitínsandvodkas.

“WestartedtalkingtopeopleinIndialastyear,”DonalFarrell, managingdirectorofMourneDew,toldUlsterBusiness.

“Itgroundto ahaltbecausetheadministrativecomplexityofshipping toIndiawasdifficultandthetariffsweren’thelping.Afterthisdeal, Indiaisonourradar.”

India, acountryof1.44billionwithaneconomycurrentlygrowingat over7%,isconsideredtheworld’sbiggestwhiskeymarket.Itconsumes anaverage2.4billionbottleseveryyear.

DatafromHMRC’sOverseas TradeinGoodsstatisticsdatabaseshows 1,500%growthforNIexportsofwhiskiestoIndiafrom2020to2024:a riseof£100,000to£1.6minvalue.

Readthefullfeatureonpage35-38

DonalFarrell

Kainos’ profitsdrop15% amid year of ‘indirect’UStrade tarifimpact

ITservicesgiantKainoshassuffereda 15%dropinprofitsinayearinwhichit cutitsheadcountandfeltthe “indirect” impactofUStradetariffs.

BrendanMooney,chiefexecutive,saidthe changeingovernmentadministration“caught usa littlebysurprise”

Buthesaidtheongoingtariffnegotiations didn’thaveadirectimpacttheservices business,buthadan“indirect”impactthrough itscustomerbase.

Kainosalsosawitsworkforce reducefrom around3,000to2,835.

Thelatest resultsshow revenuefellby4% duringtheyear, fallingto£367.2m,while pre-taxprofitsfell 15%to£65.6m,fortheyear endingMarch2025.

KainossaidinMarchit“madethedifficult decisionto reduceourworkforce,with 190peopleleavingKainosaspartofthe organisationalchanges”.

ButMrMooneysaysthefirmwillstart hiring againthisyear

Speakingaboutthelatestresults,Mr Mooneysaidtherewere“differentfactors”at play

“Thechangeofgovernmentcaughtus a littlebitbysurpriseandreflectedinthe results,” hesaid

“Wedidn’trealisehowlonggovernment wouldtakeonbudget.”Hesaid Workday

Quotes of the month

servicesdroppedasitincreaseditspartner network,from64to112.

Ontheimpactoftariffsonthewider business,MrMooneysaiditwas“indirect ratherthandirect”.

“Ourcustomers,especiallyour Workday segment –40%ofbusinessisoutsidetheUK.

“Forsomecustomers[therehasbeen]scaling backspendingplans,ordelayingdecisions.”

Buthesaysfirmsarenow“picking apath” andtryingnottobeswayedbytheongoing flowofnews.

MrMooneysaid acoupleofcustomershave beenimpacted,duetotheirUSAIDfunding.

“The only optionsthathave been presentedtomeare optionsthat willlead to water charging… andthat’s notsomethingthat Iam willingintodo”

Infrastructure MinisterLiz Kimminsinthisedition speakingaboutwater infrastructurefunding.

Onthejobsfront,MrMooneysaidheis“not anticipatinganyfurther reduction”.

“Weare planningtohireinthesecondhalf oftheyear…weareseeinggoodgrowthin quarterfourandintoH1aswell.”

MrMooney rejoinedKainosaschief, followingthedepartureofRussellSloanin December2024.

Hesayshe’ll remaininpost“forthe foreseeablefuture”andhas“noparticularend date”insight.

“I’vealwaysenjoyedworkinginKainos…I’m gettingbackintoit. Ihadtogetmyselfbackup tospeedtowork aproperninetofiveshift.”

“Consumer confidencein thefirstquarterof2025 remained consistentwith howweended theyearin 2024.”

DanskeBankeconomist HannahMartinspeaking aboutsomeofthe results ofitslatestConsumer ConfidenceIndex.

“Talksgroundtoa halt because theadministrative complexity ofshippingto Indiawasdifcultand the tarifs weren’thelping. After thisdeal,Indiais on our radar.”

MourneDewdistillery founderDonalFarrellonthe newUK-Indiatradedeal.

Brendan Mooney ofKainos

JohnMulgrew

W&R Barnettseespre-tax profits rise to £67m

One of Nort hern Ir elan d’slar ge st firms ha sp oste drisin g pr e-ta xp rofit sof£ 67.3mwhile turnover ha sdropp ed to £1.57b n.

Family-owned multi- generational W& RBarnett sawits salessit ting at £1.57bn–dow nfrom£1. 81bn ayearearlier,according to accounts for W& RBarnett LtdendingJuly2024.

It remainsone of Northern Ireland’smos tsuccess fuland bigg es t family-owned andrun business es

Thefirm said turnover dropped“duetofalling commodit ypricesof both paperand fe ed ingredient s, with volumess tableyear- on -year”

It said profits rose “due to improved tradingconditions”

During theyear, thefirm to ok on afulls take in ChallengePackaging Ltd, throughits subsidiary Lo gs on Holdings Ltd.

Anditals odisposedof50% of shareholding in it sjoint venture, Andean Life LLC, to thegroup’s jointventure partners in exchange for an 85%shareholdinginA ndeanL ifeL LC’s subsidiary,A ndeanL ifeLtd, throughits subsidiary United Molass esMarketingLtd

Thecompany also said thegroup acquired 10 0% of shares in K- Bins Ltd, throughits subsidiary Boxes&Packaging (U K) Ltd.

W& RBarnett grew it ss taff numb er sto1,8 06 –upfrom1,703 ayear earlier.

Thecompany to ok thenumbert wo position in the Ulster Business Top100 Northern IrelandCompanies 2024 list,w ithK PMG.

Thegroup wasformedin189 6and is currently head ed by William Barnet t.

WilliamBarnett

JohnMulgrew

CocoJanssen,cabincrew,HarrydeGroot,KLMCityhopper, KatyBest,BelfastCityAirport,PaulvanderZee,captain, JeromeSalemi,AirFrance-KLM,ChantalHorst,cabincrew

Belfast to Amsterdamairlink ‘fuellinginternational connectivity’

AnairlinkbetweenBelfastand Amsterdamhaswitnesseda doublingofpassengernumbers aswellasfuellingonwardsinternational connectionstoChinaandSouthAfrica.

KLMismarking adecadeflyingtoandfrom BelfastCityAirport.Itadded aseconddaily flightinOctoberlastyear.Sincethen,bookings tolonghauldestinationshavegrownby159% year-on-year.

ThatincludesbookingstoChina,whichhave seenthebiggestsurgewith a751%surge.

“Weare presentin18airportsintheUK,” JeromeSalemi,generalmanagerofAirFranceKLMintheUK&Ireland,said.“Regional footprintisourstrategy, astheUKmarketisa firstfeederofKLM.

“It’sagreatachievement. We increased

capacitysincelastOctober,withdoubledaily flights –morethandoublingtraffictoand fromBelfast.

“It’snotonlybetweenBelfastcityand Amsterdam,butviaAmsterdam.KLMhasa widenetworkof160destinationsandweare boomingtoChina,toSouthAfricaandthe US,thankstothisbetterconnectivity.”

AndMatthewHall,chiefexecutiveat BelfastCityAirport,said:“Sincedoubling thecapacityonourservicetoAmsterdam in2024,thegrowthininternational travelthroughBelfastCityAirportisan extraordinary reflectionofwiderglobaltravel trends.

“Itunderscores astrong resurgencein internationalconnectivityanddemand, showcasingtheimportanceofkeeping

Norther nIrelandconnectedtothe restofthe world,andweareproudtoplay akey role inmakingthisglobaltraveleasier,faster,and moreaccessibleforourcommunity.

“KLMis ahugelyvaluedpartner,andweare pleasedtocelebratethisimportantmilestone withthem.Aswelookahead,weareexcited tocontinueworkingwithKLMtosupport the region’seconomicgrowthandglobal connectivity.”

KatyBest,chiefcommercialofficer,Belfast CityAirport,said:“WeseeKLMas astrategic partner.Almost80%ofNIpeopletravelling throughhubsstartinBelfastcity,sothatisa reallystrategicpartofourgrowth.

“Weneedtokeeponeeyeonmakingsure wearefocusingontheinboundtraveltoNI aswell.”

FormerStormont Ministerlands newcorporatejob

FormerStormontministerandBelfastLordMayorNichola Mallonhastaken anew roleatNorther nIreland’selectricity gridoperator.

FormerInfrastructure MinisterNichola Mallon

TheformerSDLPMLAandInfrastructureMinisterwilltakeover asheadofcorporateaffairsatSONI(SystemOperatorforNorthern Ireland), replacingGarethBrown.

She’scurrentheadoftradeanddevolvedpolicyatLogisticsUK.

“At acrucialtimeinNorther nIreland’senergytransition, Iamexcited totakeupthisimportant rolewithSONI,”shesaid.

“AsNorther nIreland’sgridoperator,SONI’sworkisvitalforenabling acleaner,moresecureenergyfutureforeveryoneinNorther nIreland.I lookforwardtoworkingcloselywiththeteamatSONIandcolleagues acrossgovernment, regulatoryauthoritiesandindustrytodeepenthe collaborationthatissoimportantforachievingourcollectiveambitions.

“Asweseektodecarboniseoursocietyandeconomy,wemustalso redoubleoureffortswithlocalcommunitiesandconsumerstoensure theyareattheheartofourplanstotransformthegridandtheyfeelthe benefitsofthisonce-in-a-generationtransition.

MsMallonwillworkas asenioradvisertoAlanCampbell,SONI’schief executive,theboardofdirectorsandtheexecutiveteam.

Shewilloverseethesystemoperator’scommunicationsand engagementfunction,includingSONI’sengagementwithgovernment, political representatives,industry,localcommunitiesandthemedia.

Speakingabouttheappointment,SONIchiefexecutive,Alan Campbellsaid:“Weare delightedtowelcomeNicholatothisimportant roleinourseniorleadershipteamatSONI.”

£126bn fundundertradedeal

‘good’forNI weapons factory

UKaccessto a€150bn(£126bn) EU rearmamentfundunderthe termsoftheirnewtradedeal wouldbegoodnewsforweapons manufacturerThales inBelfast,it’sbeen claimed.

Thedealannouncedis expectedtoallow theUKtoparticipateinthefundcovering ammunitionandmissiles,althoughUK taxpayerswillhaveto makecontributionsto theEU budget.

UKcompanieswillbeabletobidfor65% ofthefund reservedformemberstates,with Thalesinastrongpositionasitis aFrench companywithoperationsintheUK

AsecuritypactwithUKandEUofficials meetingtwice ayearfortalksondefence andforeignpolicyhasalsobeenagreed.

It’s hopedthepactcouldultimatelybear fruitforThales,whichemploys800peoplein eastBelfast.

Thecompanyisexpectedtocreate

EngineersattheThales factoryinBelfast

another200jobsaftertheUKGovernment announcedinMarchthatitwouldbe investing£1.6bninthefactoryaspartof anorderfor5,000airdefencemissilesfor Ukraine.

PhilipIngram, ajournalistspecialisingin securityandintelligence,said:“Anyinitiative

toeaseaccesstothewiderEuropeandefence marketis agoodthing…

“DefenceindustriesinNorthernIrelandare in auniquepositionbyalreadyhavingaccess totheEUmarketsaswellasthepowerofthe UKdefencemarketthroughbeingUK-based andoftenUK-registeredcompanies.”

Tribecadeveloper withdrawsfour applicationslinked to overdue £500m Belfastscheme

Thedeveloperbehindthelong-awaited Tribecaschemehaswithdrawnfourmajor applicationslinkedtothescheme,writes JohnMulgrew

Thefirmbehind along-overdue £500mBelfastcitycentre regenerationschemehaswithdrawn severalplanningapplicationsto renew permissionforthedevelopment,itcan be revealed.

CastlebrookeInvestmentsisthecompany behindthe Tribecaprojectinthecity –formerly referredtoasRoyalExchange.Itwouldseethe regenerationofmore than10acresclosetoSt Anne’sCathedral.

Butlittleworkhasstarted –almost a decadeaftersubmittedplanslinkedtothe development.

Anddespitebeinggrantedplanning permissionfortheschemein2020,no constructionhastakenplace.

Itwaspreviouslygrantedplanning permissionin2020forseveralapplications linkedtothescheme.

Now,fourplanningapplicationsfor renewalofpermission,onbehalfofPGLtd–a companylinkedtoCastlebrooke –are listedas withdrawn.

Castlebrooke Investmentshasbeen contactedforcomment.

ABelfastCityCouncilspokesperson said “Theapplicanthaswithdrawnitsplanning applicationsassociatedwiththe renewalofthe Phase1Bpermissionofthe Tribecasite.The site retainsoutlineplanningpermissionwhich wasgrantedin2020.Thecouncilwillcontinue

tohavedialoguewiththedevelopersandtheir agents.”

Theapplicationsfor renewalofmajorparts ofthedevelopment –assignificantworkhad notyetbegun –weresubmittedlastyear

Followingthat, atrust representingmultiple organisationsintheCathedralQuarterareaof Belfasthasformallyobjectedtothe renewal plans.

In aletter, CathedralQuarter Trustsaidthat as“theorganisationchargedwithprotecting, promoting,andenhancingBelfast’sCathedral Quarter,thetrustcannotstandonthesidelines andallowonedevelopertodictatethepace andtypeofdevelopment,ornon-development, withinthisimportantarea”.

Thecompanyhaspurchased anumber buildingsinandaroundthedevelopmentarea, someofwhicharenotcurrentlyinuse.

Acouncilcommitteelastyearagreedthat thelocalauthorityshouldexplorevesting oracquiringthesite,duetothelackof developmentbyCastlebrooke.

Theproposedschemeincludes residential, hotel,office, retail,cultureandleisureuses

Visualsofwhatpartof theproposed Tribeca schemecouldlooklike

acrossRoyal Avenue,LowerGarfieldStreet, NorthStreet,DonegallStreetandRosemary Street.

BelfastCityCouncil recentlysaiditwas consideringpurchasingthehistoricAssembly RoomsfromLondon-basedpropertyfirm CastlebrookeInvestments.

Theprospectwasfloatedduring ameeting inthecityinFebruary

Earlierthisyear,Belfast’sAssemblyRooms werebeenplacedalongsidebuildingsin GazaandUkraineon alistofglobal“atrisk” heritagesites.

Castlebrookehadpreviouslylookatturning theAssemblyRooms,whichdatesbackto 1769,into aboutiquehotel

In2023,Castlebrookesaiditwasstill tryingtodeliver a“commerciallyviable development”,addingthat“nobodyismore frustratedthanusatthepaceofprogresswith thisscheme”.

CastlebrookeInvestments renamedthe scheme TribecaBelfastinNovember2018. A similarschemeunder apreviousdeveloperwas calledRoyalExchange. ■

Isjobhoppingabadlook… or asignofthetimes?

JohnMoore,managingdirector,HaysNI

Theconceptof ajobforlifebecame prettymuchobsolete anumber ofyearsago,andin recenttimes therehasbeen alotofpredictionsabout howmanyjobseachofuswillhaveinour lifetime.

Dependingonwhatsourceyou read,current thinkingisthattheaveragepersonmaynow haveanythingfromthreetosevencareersand asmanyas adozenjobsduringthecourseof theirworkinglives

ResearchconductedbyHaysearlierthisyear, basedonover8,000survey responsesacross theUK,foundthat40%ofprofessionalsunder 30nowexpecttochangejobseverythreeto fouryears, reinforcingsuggestions thatthedays oflongstintsinoneorganisationwilleventually becomelesscommontoo.

Butwhilethetrendfor“jobhopping”is undoubtedlybecoming prevalentasmore professionalsdecidethereare advantagesto changingjobsfrequently,ithasalsobecome apparentthatsomeemployersdon’tviewthat as apositivewhenitcomestomakinghiring decisions.

Fourin10(42%)employerstoldusthey wouldbelesslikelytohireanapplicantwho hasregularlyswitched rolesthroughouttheir career,comparedtojustover athird (37%) whosaidknowinganapplicanthadpreviously jobhoppedwouldhavenoimpacton a decisiontohirethem.

Significantlymoreemployersintheprivate sector(47%)saidthatjobhoppingcoulddeter themfromgiving aprospectiveemployee a chance,comparedtohiringmanagersinthe publicsector(37%).

Andintermsofdifferentattitudesacross generations,employersovertheageof 50 (45%)wouldbelesslikelytohiresomeone whohasfrequentlymovedjobsthanemployers undertheageof30(35%),accordingto our survey results.

Thishesitancyamongstemployerstohire someonewhohashadmultiplejobsin ashort spaceoftimeisperhapsnothingnew,but lookingattheemployeesideofthings,it’s clear thatemployersaregoingtohavetobecome moreopenmindedwhenitcomestojob hopping.

Almost aquarter(24%)ofprofessionalstold ustheyhadmovedjobsinthelastsixmonths and41%consideredtakingtheplunge,while nearlyhalf(45%)ofprofessionalsanticipate theywillnextmovejobswithinsixmonths

Interestingly,over aquarter(27%)ofworkers believetheywillmove roleseverythreetofour years –higheramongstyoungprofessionals.

Sowhatdoesallofthismeanforthosewho are seeking amoveintheircareer?Isthere an optimum amountoftimetostayin ajob?The researchshowsthatmanyemployersdefinitely valueloyaltyandstabilityandfrownupon jobhopping,particularlywhenthere’snoreal explanationastowhy apersonhaschanged rolessooften.

Comparedwithpreviousyears,wedonow seegreatermovementonmanyCVs,but employerstodaymust rememberthatthisis

sometimesduetofactorsbeyondthecontrolof professionals,suchasongoingimplicationsof theCovidpandemic,widespread redundancies insomesectorsoftheeconomy,and reduced jobsecurityin achallengingmarket.

Lookingatwheremuchofthechange iscomingfrom,itisvitallyimportantthat employerscometotermswiththeincreasein professionalsmovingaroundmoreoftenthan before,especiallywithGen Zenteringthe workforce.

Intoday’smarket,loyaltytocompanieshas shiftedasprofessionalshavebecomemore awareoftheattractivebenefitsthatchanging jobs regularlycouldbringabout.Ontopofthis, jobsecurityevenatthebiggestorganisationsis oftennolongerguaranteed.

Workerswhomovearoundeverythreeto fouryearscouldbenefitfromsalaryincreases, networkgrowthand awiderrange of experiencetoultimatelybroadentheirhorizons.

Butpeopleapplyingfor rolesshouldsimilarly bepreparedtojustifyhowanygivenmove ontheirCVhassupportedtheirpersonaland professionalgrowthandwhytheychoseto moveonsosoon. ■

Deloitte creating 500new Belfastjobs

EconomyMinister,DrCaoimheArchibald,deputyFirstMinisterEmmaLittle-Pengelly,HarryGoddard,chiefexecutiveofDeloitteIreland,RichardHouston,seniorpartnerandchief executiveofDeloitteUK,FirstMinisterMichelleO’NeillandJackieHenry,officeseniorpartneratDeloitteinBelfast

ProfessionalservicesfirmDeloittehas announceditwillcreate500new technology-focusedjobsinBelfast overthenextthreeyears.

Thefirmsaidthe roleswillincludesoftware engineers,appdevelopersandcloud engineers,aswellasopportunitiesforpeople fromnon-techbackgrounds.

Nosalarydetailshaveyetbeensharedfor the roles.

DeloittemadetheannouncementasFirst MinisterMichelleO’NeillanddeputyFirst MinisterEmmaLittle-Pengelly,alongwiththe firm’sseniorleadersfromtheUKandIreland, openeditsnewofficeatTheEwartinBedford StreetinBelfastcitycentre.

Thefirmsaidtheadditionof500newtechfocusedjobswouldtapinto“therichvein oftalent”inthe regionandwas aresponse togrowingclientdemandforspecialist technologyexpertise.

ItsaidBelfastwillbethebiggestoffourUK technologycentresaroundtheUK,withthe othersinCardiff,Manchester,andNewcastle

alsoannounced.

Belfast’stechnologycentrewillstartwork onJune 1onworksuchasdesigningappsand embeddingartificialintelligenceintosoftware, devicesorsystems.

AndDeloittesaiditwilllaunchnew technicaltrainingprogrammestoupskillnew joiners,welcomingnon-technologygraduates, careerswitchersandthose returningtowork aftercareerbreaks.

RichardHouston,seniorpartnerand chiefexecutiveofDeloitteUK,madethe announcement,joiningJackieHenry,office seniorpartneratDeloitteinBelfast,andthe FirstMinisteranddeputyFirstMinister.

MrHoustonsaid:“Thefirm’sinvestmentin BelfastunderscoresourconfidenceinthelongtermeconomicprospectsofNorther nIreland andourdedicationtoitscontinuedsuccess.

“Alongsideournewofficebuilding,we’re creatingexcitingjobandtrainingopportunities forthe region’stalenttohelpbuildcareersfor thefuture.

“Thecreationofournewtechnologycentres

reinforcesourcommitmenttodigitalskills,as wellasoursupportfortheUK’swiderambition tobe aglobaltechnologyleader.”

MsHenry,alsoUKmanagingpartnerfor peopleandpurposeatDeloitte,said:“Itwas aprivilegetowelcometheFirstMinisterand deputyFirstMinistertoourBelfastofficefor ourofficialopeningaswesharedourvisionfor thefuture.

“TheinvestmentDeloittehasmadein ournewNorther nIrelandheadquartersis testamenttothehighqualityofourteams inBelfastanddemonstratesourongoing commitmenttoactivelycontributingto Norther nIreland’seconomyandwiderbusiness ecosystem.

“Wehavesomeamazingtalentand technologyskillsinBelfast,makingitanideal locationforoneofDeloitte’snewflagship technologycentres.

“Welookforwardtowelcomingnew colleaguesandcreatingexcitingopportunities forourexistingtechnologiststocollaborateon brillianttechnologysolutionsforclients.”

EdelCreeryiscustomerand operationsdirector,responsiblefor thecustomer-facingelementsof NIENetworks –fromthecontactcentre, togridconnections,homemetering,and interactionswiththeSingleElectricity Market(SEM)andwiderindustry.

Havingbeenheadofcommunicationsand stakeholderengagementforfiveyearsprior, shehas afirmgraspofwhatstakeholders arelookingforfromthecompany.These engagementprinciples remainunchangedin hernewpost –customer-led, representative, open, responsiveandaccessible.

AtNIENetworks,thecustomerisatthe heartoftheongoingtransformationjourney. Thecompanyiscommittedtodeveloping strongercustomer relationships,simplifying connections,embracingtechnology,and maintainingface-to-faceinteractionswith stakeholders.

To deliveronitsobjectivesduringthecurrent pricecontrolperiod,whichrunsuntil2031, NIENetworkshasdeveloped anewbusiness strategyfeaturingthreestrategicprogrammes. Thefirstofthese‘ANewConnectionsModel’ aimstostreamlinetheconnectionprocess.

“TheNewConnectionsModelfocuses onenablingquickerandmoretransparent connectionstothegrid,”Edelsays.

“Thiswillbenefitbusinessesofallsizes, whethertheyarelocalshopslookingto expand,majorfactories,or renewableenergy customers. We plantoenhanceourcustomer engagementthroughinitiativessuchas webinars,connectionclinics,andstakeholder eventsoverthecomingyear.

“Wehavealwaystalkedandlistened topeopleandbusinessesacrossNorthern Irelandtounderstandtheirviews.Listening wasessentialtounderstandexpectationsand addressthechallengesof arapidlychanging energylandscape.Ithasalsohelpedusbetter understandattitudes,currentexperiencesand relativeprioritiesandthen –mostimportantly–applywhatwelearnedtoourbusinessplans.

“Ourgoalistodeliveranexceptional

NIE Networks: putting customers at thecentreof transformation journey

NIENetworks isfocusingonthe transformationanddevelopingofthe electricitynetworkhereaspartof amajor investment,aswellasinvestinginthelatest technologyasweheadtowardaclean energyfuture –andit’sputtingthecustomer experienceandconnectivityatthefore. Ulster Business speakstoNIENetworks’ Edel Creery aboutthejourney

customerexperienceforwhateverservicewe aredelivering. We wanttodrive acustomer centricethosandexcellenceinthedeliveryof ourservicetocustomers. We areonajourney and realisethereissomuchmorewecan do;wewillneedtocontinuallylistentoour customersand respondaccordingly.”

“Thekeyforusismakingsureweare aheadofourcustomer requirements.It’sabout beingonthegroundandtaking agrassroots approachtohowwe’reimpactingcustomers. So,whetheryou’reabigwindfarmdeveloper whowantstoconnectintothegrid, ahigh

street retailerhopingtoexpandoperations oryou’readomesticcustomerbuildingyour dreamhome –that’ssomethingthatmyteam and Iareresponsiblefor.Weneedtoensure everycustomer’sspecificneedsareunderstood andcateredfor.

“We’reveryconsciousthatthereare 929,000homes,farmsandbusinesseswho rely onusfor asafe,secureand reliablesupplyso it’simportantthattheyareattheforefrontof ourongoingtransformationjourney.”

Thetransformation referstotheircurrent pricecontrolperiodandwillsee arecord

£2.23bninvestmentintheelectricitynetwork thatwillsupportNorther nIreland’sjourney tonetzero.Preparationforthatinvestment includesstructuringtheNIENetworksbusiness sothattheycandeliverinthemostefficient waypossiblewhilemeetingthechanging needsofboththeirbusinessanddomestic customers.

“Todeliverthatinvestmenteffectively,we mustmakebusinessdecisionstoimproveour customerexperienceandincreasecustomer satisfactionlevels,”Edelsays.

“Ultimatelyweneedtoalsotransform

our relationshipwithourcustomerssothat weapproachourdecisionsnotjustfroman engineeringperspectivebutfrom acustomer perspective.

“Thiscustomerengagementwillbekey aswestartourRebuildingtheNetwork programme.Thisisthelargestpieceofwork sinceruralelectrificationinthe1950sand couldpotentiallybedisruptivetohomesand businesses.

“HoweverthisgivesNIENetworksthe opportunitytouseinnovatingengineering solutionswiththecustomerinmind. We

cantrynewapproaches,newtechnologies andengagewithindustryleaderstoapply newengineeringsolutionsthatwillminimise disruptionforourcustomers,it’sanexciting time.”

Enablingbusinessestowardscleanenergy

Over recentyearsenergyhasbecomemuch moreofaboardroompriorityandbusinesses seektodecarbonisetheiroperationstomeet sustainabilitytargetsand remaincompetitive.

“Weare anenablertowardscleanenergy growthand,assuch,wewanttoimprove

EdelCreery

COVE

theprocesstoconnecttotheelectricity networkforbothdomesticandbusiness customers,”Edelsays.“Makingiteasierand moretransparentis astrategicfocusforNIE Networkssothatbusinessesknowupfront whatopportunitiesareavailable,howthey canmakeanapplicationandcantrustthatthe connectionprocesswillbesmoothandswift.

“It’saverychallenginglandscapefor businessescurrentlywithvolatiletrade markets,increasingwagecostsanda requirementbysocietyandinvestorsto decarbonisetheiroperations.Thereare opportunitiesforbusinesseswithinthe networkcurrentlyandit requiresustowork muchcloserwithbusinesstolistentotheir specificneeds,makethoseopportunitiesclear andtoexplorecreativesolutions.Thekeyis collaborationwithcustomersandmakingmore informationavailabletobusinessessotheycan makemoreinformedchoices.”

ADepartmentforEconomyconsultationon anewsocialisedconnectionmodelclosedin April.NIENetworkswelcomesthismodeland hasfedintotheconsultationprocessas“when implemented,”Edelsays.“Itwillcreategreater accesstotheelectricitynetworkandmakeit easiertodecarbonisethroughelectrification.

“Withtherightinformationandinsightwe canmaketheelectrificationprocesssimpler andmuchmoreefficientforbusinessesbut thechallengeforusishowweprovideexpert insightandadvicetoallbusinesseson acase

bycasebasis.Ourstrategicfocusinthisarea willalsoinvolvescopingthemainchallenges businessesarehavingandprovidingasmuch informationaspossiblein awaythatworksfor businesses.”

Digitalisation

Partofthesolutionliesindigitalisationand newtechnologies.Edelsays:“Ouraimisto drive acustomercentricethoswherethe customerjourneyisassimpleaspossible. Digitalis akeyenablertothischange,helping tostreamlinethecustomerjourney,make interactionswithussimpleandstraightforward andmakeiteasyandconvenienttodo businesswithus.

“Forexample,weareimplementingan omnichannelapproachtocustomerservice, toprovide aconsistentandpersonalised experienceacrossalltouchpoints.Thisincludes managingthecontactcentre,socialmedia,and adedicatedteamforvulnerablecustomers, ensuringcustomerscancommunicatewith usintheirpreferredway.Butthisisjustthe start. We arealsoempoweringourteams tothinkoutsidetheboxandtakechargeof improvingNIENetworksthroughharnessing theadvantagesofdigitaltools.It’screatingan excitingculturechange –driving ashiftfrom ‘doingdigital’to‘beingdigital’.

“Weare transformingthebusiness. Akey partofthatisexploitingtechnology –rather thanincreasingthesizeofourteams,ordoing

thingsaswehavealwaysdone,it’sabout taking anewandinnovativeapproachtoour business. We wanttobeabletoseamlessly connectde-centralised renewablegenerations likesolarandwindtothenetworkalongside traditionalpowergenerations,leveragingthe latesttechandartificialintelligence(AI)to harnessvastamountsofdata,andcreatea modern,digital-drivenenergysystemthatputs customersattheforefront.”

However,Edelisquicktoidentifythat technologywillnotbethesolutioninallareas. “Fromthecustomerperspective,it’sabout balancingthosewhowant awarmvoice,ora knockonthedoor,rightthroughtosomething moredigitally-focused,”Edelsays.

“Havingpositiveinteractionswithour customersiscritical. We alsowanttomake surewe’rehearingfromourcustomers–whetherthatis asmall retailer,adomestic customer,oramajorbusiness.Thatfeedback is reallyimportantsothatwecancontinually improveourbusinessandweneedtomake surewe’reaccessibleandprovidingthose opportunities.”

Aswellasprovidingmoreandmore solutionsforcustomerswithcommunication challenges,Edelsaysthey’realsokeento explorenewchannelstomakesuretheyare communicatingaccordingtotheircustomer needs.“Ourdoorisalwaysopen,”shesays. “Wewanttohearfromyou,continueonthis journeyandkeeplistening.” ■

EdelCreery

‘I want work to startonA5 beforemorelivesarelost’

InfrastructureMinisterLizKimmins hastakenoveroneofthemost variedandchallengingportfoliosatStormont.Shesitsdownwith John Mulgrew todiscussideasforplanningreform,whywaterchargesand mutualisationareoutforNI Water,Belfastcitycentretrafficwoes,theideaof ‘greenlanes’forrenewableenergyschemes,startingworkingontheA5,and the‘disappointing’responsetoIrishlanguagesignsatGrandCentralStation

LizKimminssayssheplansonmaking a“markedchange”totheplanning systemherebefore the remaining twoyearsofherpostasInfrastructure Ministerendsbefore thenextelection.

Andonthelong-delayedA5 roadupgrade –nowthesubjectof alegalchallenge –she wantsworkstostart“before anymorelivesare lost”.

TheMinisterhasnowbeeninpostforfour months.HerportfolioatInfrastructureisa variedone–withmanyofitsstrandspushedto thefore overthelastnumberofyears –from planning,to roads,transport,andwastewater Onthelatterpoint,waterchargesarenot on thecards,andMsKimminsisn’t sold on mutualisationasanoptionforNIWater

“[Theissueshavebeenthere]asaresultof yearsandyearsofchronicunderinvestment,” shesays.“Forme,there’snotenough investment.

“Theonlyoptionsthathavebeenpresented tome,otherthanwhatI’mdoing,areoptions thatwillleadtowatercharging…andthat’s not somethingthat Iamwillingintodo”

“Ijustdon’tthinkit’s righttoputthaton additionalhouseholds.

Butbasedoncaseselsewhere,shedoesn’t believemutualisationisthewayforward, either, totackletheissuesaroundfundingand wastewaterinfrastructure.

“[There’sa]redflagthatthatmodelisn’t working,”shesays.

LizKimminshassatas anMLAsincethe 2020,co-optedthenelectedin2022, buthas

beenaSinnFein representativeformorethan 20years,previouslyservingas acouncillorfor Newry, MourneandDown.

Askedaboutearlyplanswhichcouldsee developerscontributing,eithervoluntarily payingtooffsetthecostsofupgradingor replacingthewastewaterinfrastructure,or introducing acompulsorylevy,shesays“let’s seewhatcomesback”fromthecurrent consultation.

Andaskedwhetherthere’saconcern developerscouldfocusdevelopmentoutside Northern Irelandas aresult,shesaid“wehave tolookatwhat’savailabletousandfind away forwardthatispalatabletoeverybody”.

MsKimminssaidshedidn’tbelieve introducingchargescouldseeanincreasein housepricesas aresult.

“Inthedraftcapitalbudget, Ihavebeen allocatedjustshortof abillionpounds,” shesays.“Now,it’sstillnotenoughtodo everythingthatweneedtodo,butwithin that…we’vebeenabletogetringfence money,£105mforNI Water.”

IndustryhaslongbemoanedNorthern Ireland’splanningsystem –thetimetaken tomakedecisions,delayedappeals,and overcomplexity

TheMinistersaysbythetimeher rolecomes toanendaroundtwoyears,shehopestosee a “markedchange”inthesystemhere.

“Thereare consistentmessagescoming fromacrossthe11councilareasofwhere the keychallengeslieintermsofprocessingtimes, staffing,havinggoodqualityapplications,and

whatisleadingtobacklogs

“Ithinkthere’sbeen ahugeamountofwork done…we’re10yearsonfrom[devolution ofplanningpowerstocouncils]…butwe recognisethatthereare stillchallenges.”

Shesaysthereremainissues,includingstaff shortages,withinplanningdepartmentsacross councilshere

“Wehavebeenengagingwithcouncillors, officials,andapplicants,withrepresentatives acrossthesector.”

Onthelong-awaitedA5 roadupgrade –whichisnowsubjecttoanotherlegalchallenge –theMinistersays“toomanypeople”have alreadylosttheirlivesandshe’s bothcommitted tothescheme,andconfidentinitssuccess.

“It’sabsolutelynecessarythatwegetthe workdone,”shesays.

“Officialsandmylegalteamhaveworked extremelyhardtoprovide averystrongcase, and Iwouldbeconfidentthatwehavebeen abletodothat –butitisessentiallyinthe court’shandsnow

“…getworksstartedandgetitdelivered beforeanymorelivesarelost.”

AndwhileBelfast’sGrandCentralStation openeditsdoorstothousandsofpassengers latelastyear,themonthssincehaveseen itembroiledin aspatoverintroducingIrish languagesignage.That’snowsubjectto alegal challengebyloyalistactivist,JamieBryson.

LizKimminsconfirmedattheendofMarch thatbilingualdisplayswouldincludepassenger informationandsignageonticketvending machines. >

IN FOCU S

“What Iwillsayisthatit’sactuallyvery disappointingthatwe’reevenhavingthese conversations,”shesays “Ithinkitshouldhavebeensomethingvery, verypositive –Irishlanguageisthriving.

“…Ijusthopecommonsensewillprevail here.Wehaveseenhowit’sbeendonein otherjurisdictions. Irecentlymetministersfrom acrossEngland,Scotland, Wales,andother areaswherethere’sbilingualsignagealready, andthey’reactuallysayinghowgooditwasfor tourism

“It’sasharedspace,andformeitshouldn’t betheissuethatitis.”

TrafficwasfrontandcentrelastChristmasin Belfastcitycentre,inpart,linkedto roadworks inandaroundthenewGrandCentralStation.

“When[formerInfrastructureMinister]John O’Dowdwasinposttherewas aworking groupsetupwithbusinesses,BelfastChamber andofficials,toaddressthat.Thatworkwas ongoing.

“Thingsseemtohavesettled agoodbit now. Whatwe’retryingtodonowisplan aheadforlaterintheyeartolookatwhat potentialimpacttherecouldbe –becausethere isstillworktobedone.”

NorthernIreland’sambitious renewable generationtargetof80%by2030is aphrase manyofourpoliticianshavebeen regurgitating overthelastfewyears.

Butbecauseitappearsthattargetisalmost entirelyunachievable,givenwe’vejustover fouryearstoalmostdoublegeneration,it’s

quotedlessandlessoften.

So,doestheMinisterbelieveit’snow apipe dream?

“Ihave apaperinwiththeExecutiveat themoment,andI’mhopingwecanget agreementonthat,”shesays.

“I recognisetheimportanceofthisbut givenallofourobligationsaroundourClimate ChangeActandnetzerotargets,wehaveto moveinthatdirection.

“It’shavingthatpipelineofwork.Ifthat policy reformisagreedandwecangetthat out,then Iwouldseethatas avehicletotry andopenitup abitmoretoensurethatwe canstarttomovetowardsthosetargets.”

Ontheideaof‘greenlanes’toprioritise renewableschemesthroughthesystem,Ms Kimminsdidn’truleitoutandsaidshewas “happytolookatit”.

“[Wehaveto]lookateverything…allthe options,”shesays.“Wehaveobligationsand statutoryobligationsto reachthesetargets. So, Ithinkit’simportanttoconsiderwhatwe cantohelpusachievethemin averybalanced way.”

Politiciansherehavebeenbangingthegreen energyandelectrictransportgongforsome time.

Butit’slargely reliedontheprivatesector heredevelopinginfrastructureandconnectivity aroundelectriccars,ratherthanhavingany significanthelpfromthepublicsector

Shouldthepubliccoffersbeusedtohelp growanddevelopthenetworkhere,or

incentivisepeopletochooseanEVover traditionalpetrolordiesel?

“Weare engagingwithministersacross thejurisdictionsaswell,because Ithink collectively,there’sanobligation,”Ms Kimminssaid.

“Thatworkisongoingintermsofhowwe getthere[netzero]. Ithinkthereare things wecandotoincentiviseandhelptosupport peopletomoveandtransitiontoelectric vehicles,andthatworkisongoingastohow wegetthere.”

Andshesaysan“experimentalscheme”to pedestrianisetheheartofBelfast’sCathedral Quartercouldgetunderwaysoon.

Plansweredelayedintheyearssinceitwas firstfloated,andsignificantprogresshasyet tohappen.

Shesaidthedelayswerenotdowntothe physicalcostofthescheme,thoughttobe around£5,000,butduetostaffshortages.

“Officialswillbestartingworkonthat I’veinstructedthemtoengagewiththe stakeholders,”shesaid.

“Staffhavebeen redirectedto[areassuch as]aroundGrandCentralStation,suchas thetrafficcongestionissuesinBelfastcity centre...wearetryingtoprioritisewherestaff resourcesaredirectedto.”

Shesaidit’sa“schemethatthere’sbeen hugesupportfor”butsays“thereare still thingswhichneedtobelookedatand discussed”.

“I’mkeentogetitdelivered,”shesays. ■

InfrastructureMinister LizKimmins

Expert employmentlaw advice –backedbya growingteam

AndrewEdwards, seniorassociate, employment,Kiera Lee,partnerand headofemployment, andAnnaHaughian, solicitor,employment

TheEmploymentteamatleading BelfastlawfirmMillsSeligcontinues togofromstrengthtostrength –with agrowingcaseloadandclient base,thefirm recentlywelcomednewly qualifiedsolicitorAnnaHaughiantothe team.

Thedepartmentisledbypartnerandhead ofemployment,KieraLee,anemployment lawspecialistwhobringsovertwodecades ofexperienceactingforemployersacross contentiousandnon-contentiousmatters. Sheadvisesoneverythingfromday-to-day HRissuestomorecomplexlegalmatters, includinghandlingemploymentmatters relatedto;high-valueacquisitions,large-scale restructures,TUPEtransfersandtheexitof seniorexecutives.Kierais atrustedadvisorto someofNorther nIreland’slargestemployers andisknownforherstrategicthinkingand straightforward,practicaladvice. Kieraissupportedbyseniorassociate,

AndrewEdwards,whohasbuilt astrong reputationadvisingclientsacrossthefull spectrumofemploymentlaw.Andrew regularlyadvisesontheemploymentaspects ofcorporatetransactions,aswellasIR35 compliance,bespokeexecutiveservice agreementsandtribunallitigation.Knownfor histechnicalexpertise,commercialapproach andattentiontodetail,Andrewplays avital roleinguidingclientsthroughemploymentlaw matters.

AnnaHaughianjoinedtheteamearlierthis yearhavingcompletedherlegalqualifications atanotherestablishedfirminthecity –shehas beenworkingcloselywithKieraandAndrew on awiderangeofmatters,fromcontract draftingandlegal researchtoassistingwith casemanagement.Anna’sadditionmarksa keymilestonefortheteam’songoinggrowth andambition.

MillsSelig’sEmploymentteamis recognised foritspractical,solutions-drivenapproach,

technicalexcellenceandcommercial awareness.Theteamadvisesbusinesseson everythingfromdisciplinaryprocessesand flexibleworkingtocollectiveconsultation, redundancyproceduresandpost-termination restrictions.Thefirmalsooffershelpline-style supporttoemployers,deliveringprompt, dependableadvicewhenitmattersmost.

Aswellashandlingcomplexandhighvaluematters,theteamiscommittedto keepingclientsinformedandaheadofthe curvethroughtheir regular‘IntheKnow’ employmentlawbriefingsandwebinars–helpingbusinesses respondtolegislative changesandstaycompliantinanever-evolving legallandscape.

MillsSelig’sEmploymentteamis atrusted choiceforbusinesseslookingforclear,practical andstrategiclegaladvice. ■

FormoreinformationonMillsSeligvisit www.millsselig.com

Diageo: exceptional leadershelpingdrive Belfastbusinessforward

Agloballeaderinthepremiumdrinkssector,withover200brandsandsalesin nearly180countries, Diageo hasanoutstandingportfoliowiththededication, passionandinnovationofitsteam,keytothebusiness’globalsuccess

HereinNorthernIreland,Diageoisan integralpartofthecommunityboth as amajorexporter and employer andisbestknownfor awiderangeof brandsincludingGuinness,Harp,Hop House13,Rockshore,Smithwick’s,Baileys, Johnnie Walker,Smirnoff,Gordons and Tanqueray.

Itslong-standingcommitmenttoNorthern

Irelandisfirmly rootedinitsfacilitiesandthe qualityofitsteam.Employing320people, Diageohasthreesiteshereincluding abeer packagingoperationineastBelfast,its corporateheadquartersinBelfastcitycentre and aBaileysglobalsupplyplantatMallusk. Thebusinessattributesbothitssectoral leadershipandeconomiccontributiontothe skillsetofitsemployeeswhothrivein aculture

ofinnovationandcollaboration,wherethey areencouragedtochallengeconventionsand contributetothecompany’sgrowth.

Achampionofinclusionanddiversity, Diageo’scultureensuresthateveryoneisvalued andheard.As aresult,thecompanybenefits from arangeofdiverseperspectivesandideas –withwomeninparticular,having astrongvoice ateveryleveloftheorganisation.

DolapoOshiegbu,operations manager,BelfastPackaging

Nowhere is thatmoreevidentthan here inNorthernIrelandwherethebusinesshas recentlyappointedtwoexceptionalleaders. DolapoOshiegbuhasjoinedDiageo’spackaging facilityineastBelfastasoperationsmanager, andFeliciaKuunangasoperationsmanagerat BaileysMullusk –buildingonthelegacyleftby theirpredecessorsDeirdreDelaneyandLesley Allen respectively

DolapotookupherpostatDiageo’s packagingfacilityatMarshalls Roadin Belfast lastsummer.Inher role,Dolapocontinues tofocusonaddingoperationalvaluetothe businesswhichcompleted a£24.5minvestment in2024,enablingittodoubleitscanning productioncapacityto72,000cansanhour Thesiteproducesover20brandsincluding: Guinness0.0,DraughtGuinness,Harp,Hop House13,Smithwick’sandRockshore. Anew warehouseiscurrentlyunderconstructionas partofthelatestphaseofDiageo’sinvestment inthesite.ItwillbehometoDiageo’sfirstfully automatedfinishedgoodsrackingsystem. Dolapowaspreviouslysitemanagerof Diageo’sbreweryinOgba,Nigeria.Shejoined Diageoas agraduatetraineein2008,gaining significantexperienceacrossthesupplyfunction inbrewing,packaging,governance,production

planningandscheduling,continuous improvementandsitemanagement.

FeliciaandDolapohaveexemplaryskillsets andvastexperience,whichareaperfectfit forDiageo’sfast-pacedmanufacturingsitesin MalluskandeastBelfastwhichoperateinan excitingglobalindustry

FeliciajoinedtheteamatMalluskin December2024andhassincethrivedinthe fast-pacedfacilitywhichproduces,bottles, labelsandstoressome60millionbottlesof Bailey’severyyearwhichisexportedto150 globalmarkets.TheMallusksiteitself reached its20-yearmilestonein2023withtheBaileys brandcelebratingits50thbirthdayin2024.

LikeDolapo,Feliciabeganhercareerin Diageoas agraduatetrainee.Shehasexcelled withinDiageo’sbusinessin acareerspanning 16years.Her roleswithinthebusinessincluded laboratorytechnologist,qualityassurance manager,brewingmanager,andbrewingand packagingmanagerbeforebecomingthefirst femalebrewerymanagerinthebusinessat GuinnessGhana.

AcommonthemewithbothFeliciaand Dolapo’scareersisDiageo’sunwavering commitmenttosupportthegrowthand developmentoftheiremployeesandthe

opportunitiesitcancreate.

Commentingonhernew role,Dolaposaid: “AtDiageoourcultureisbasedontheprinciple thatweworkinanenvironmentwherewecan thrive,whereourcontributionsarevalued,and whereweare celebratedforwhatmakesus unique.

“Thathasbeencoretomypersonaland professionalgrowthwithinthebusiness,which hasseenmegain,notonlyvaluableexperience across arangeof rolesbutiskeytotheskillset requiredas Idevelopinthisexcitingnew opportunityatDiageoinEastBelfast.”

Feliciasaid:“Ithasbeenanamazingjourney withDiageooverthelast16years,whereI have beengiventhefreedomtosucceedandgrowin diverseways.While Ihaveonlybeeninpostfor lessthan ayear,Iamalready afully-fledgedpart oftheBaileysfamily,withtheteammakingme feelverywelcome.

“Asthenumberoneliqueurbrandinthe world,Baileyscontinuestogofromstrengthto strengthanditis aprivilegetoworkwithsuch agreatteamthatisoperatingoneofDiageo’s bestperformingsites,deliveringcreativityand outstandingefficiencyon adailybasis.” >

FeliciaKuunang, operations manager,Diageo BaileysMallusk

PROF IL E

DolapoOshiegbu

operationsmanager,BelfastPackaging

HowhasDiageosupportedyourpersonalcareerjourney?

OvertheyearswithDiageo, Ihavebeengivenfreedomtosucceedand opportunitiestoexperimentandlear ninarangeof roles.Aspartofthat process, Ihavebeeninvolvedinmentorshipprogrammesandleadership developmentcoursessponsoredbythecompany.

Whatelementofyournew roledoyoumostenjoy?

Ienjoytheabilitytointeractwith arangeofcolleaguesacrossthesite sharingourperformanceambitionandworkingwiththemdailyto

deliverthecontinuousimprovement requiredforbothbusinessand personalgrowth.

Whatareyourambitionsinyourcurrent role?

BelfastPackagingis astrategicsiteforDiageoandmyambitionforitis tobethebestpackagingsiteinDiageo, areferencesiteforexcellencein deliverytocustomerdemanddrivenbystrongemployeeengagement, greatcostefficiency,withanamazingsafety,andqualityculture. Sustainableperformancegrowthyearonyeariscentraltotheambition.

WhathaveyouenjoyedmostaboutmovingtoNorther nIreland?

Norther nIrelandissuch abeautifulpartoftheworldwithwelcoming andaccommodatingpeople.Thewillingnessofpeopletoshare informationand recommendplacestovisitinmyleisuretimeis tremendous. We visitedGlenariffe recentlyanditconfirmedwithmethe naturalbeautyofthe region. Ilookforwardtofurtherexploring.

Whatchallengesorobstacleshaveyouencountered?

ThefamousBelfastweather.IsawthesignintheCathedralQuarter that read‘Thereare seventypesofraininBelfast,Monday,Tuesday, Wednesday...’,andit’strue. With relocationalsocomessomecultural shocks(Icomefrom averyfastpacedenvironment). Iamlearningto influence,manage,andfindbalance.

Whatpersonallymotivatesyouorinspiresyou?

Mypassiontobethebestversionofmyselfandputting asmileonthe facesofpeople Iencounterfuelsandenergisesme.Manypeoplelook uptomeand Iwanttobethebest referencepossiblesotheyknowthat greatthingscanhappenfrom asmallplaceandtheirdreamsaretruly valid.

FeliciaKuunang operationsmanager,DiageoBaileysMallusk

HowhasDiageosupportedyourpersonalcareerjourney?

IowemuchofmycareergrowthandjourneytoDiageo.Thecompany offers alotofopportunitiesfordevelopmentandifyoucareaboutyour personaldevelopmentandgrowth,you’reintherightplace.Thereare offeringslikecareerassessments,training,developmentopportunities, mentorship,andcoaching.Allofthesehavehelpedshapewho Iam.

Whatelementofyournew roledoyoumostenjoy?

Ienjoysupportfrommyteamandmymanager.Theabilitytocoachand supporttheteamtoimprovebusinessperformanceandpersonalgrowth isanotherelement Icherish.

Whatareyourbiggestambitionsinyourcurrent role?

MydreamisforMallusktobethe referencesiteinDiageofor operationalexcellence;todevelop atalentpoolforcareerprogression andtoco-createwiththeteam aworkculturethatdrivessustained businessperformance.

WhathaveyouenjoyedmostaboutmovingtoNorther nIreland?

Norther nIrelandis abeautifulplacewithlovelyscenery,andverywarm andwelcomingpeople.

Whatchallengeshaveyouencountered?

Themainchallenge Iwouldprobablycalloutisthatitwasdifficult tohearsometeammembersandcolleagueswhenevertheyspoke, becausetheyspoke reallyfast.Butitisgettingbetternow.

Whatpersonallymotivatesyouorinspiresyou?

Newchallengesofferopportunitiesforgrowthandthatinspiresme. Iamalsoinspiredbytheopportunitytomake apositiveimpactin people’slives.Knowingthat Iamcontributingtosomethingbiggergives mesatisfaction.

BankofIreland: Richinhistory andambitious forastrong andsustainable future

As BankofIreland marksitsfirstNorthernIrelandbranchtocelebrateits200yearanniversary,itschiefexecutiveandseniorteamspeaksto UlsterBusiness aboutcelebrating arichhistory,investingforthefuture,makingbusinesssimplerfor customers,growingsustainablyandworkingwithpurposetosupportcommunities acrossNorthernIreland

GeorgeHigginson, GailGoldie,and NiallDevlin

BankofIrelandisanorganisation with arichhistory –helping customersacrosstheislandof Irelandformorethantwocenturies.

Butwhileit’smarkinganimpressive200 yearsinbusinesslocally,it’sfirmlylooking towards asustainablefuture,workingwith personalcustomersandbusinesses,investing £100moverthenextthreeyears,andplaying akey roleinhelpingcommunitiesandwider societytothrive.

“Aswemarkthisanniversarythereisa realsenseofstrengthandheritage,butwe’re lookingforwardwith realambitionandan appetitetoinvestinandcontinuetogrow thebusinessinNorther nIrelandandacross theUK,”GailGoldie,BankofIrelandUKchief executive,said.

GailjoinedthebankinJanuarylastyear, toleadthedeliveryofthenextphaseofits strategy –amulti-yearstrategictransformation programmetodeliverimprovementsto productsandservices.

For200yearsthebankinNorther nIreland hasbeenadaptingandinnovatingtomeet thechangingneedsofitscustomersandthe broaderfinanciallandscape.

Itnowhas1,500colleagues,13branches –withitsfirstlocalbranchopeninginNewry backin1825 –andsupportsaround300,000 customershere.

Andfromitsearliestdaysitcontinuesto evolvetoassistbusinessesofallsizesand sectors,justasithasdonefortwocenturies.

Partofthatsustainablegrowthjourney includes a£100minvestmentoverthenext threeyearstoimproveEverydayBanking productsandservicesandexpandits sustainablelending,mortgage,andbroker offerings.

“Wewantto reallycelebrateand reflecton ourhistoryandheritage,butwe’vealsostarted thenextphaseofourstrategy,with aclear ambitiontogrowourbusinessandcontinue tostrengthenourofferingforcustomers,”Gail says.

“Wehavebeeninvestingcontinuouslyover anumberofyears,includinginourmortgage offering,and acomplete refurbishmentofour branchand ATMnetwork.

“Akeyfocusofthe recentinvestmentisin ourofferinglocally –providingbetterproducts, bettersolutionsforcustomers,andbetter digitalcapability.”

The retailbankingbusinessprovidesdeposit andcurrentaccountsandmortgages,along withbusinessloanstohundredsofthousands ofcustomerswhilethecorporatebanking businessprovidesbankingandtreasury servicestolargebusinessesinNorthern Irelandin arangeofsectorsincludingenergy, manufacturing,hospitality,transport,and housing.

AcrossGreatBritain,BankofIrelandUK alsooffersmortgagesthroughintermediaries, savingsproductsthroughitspartnershipwith thePostOffice,aswellasitsfleetandcar financesolutionsthroughMarshallLeasingand NorthridgeFinance.

Wealthmanagementservicesareprovided throughDavy,whichispartofBankofIreland Group,withofficesinBelfast,Londonand Dublin.

AndBankofIreland’sall-islandpresence

makesbankingeasy,especiallyforfirmswith cross-borderwork.

BankofIrelandknowshowimportant arole itplaysincustomers’lives –frombigfinancial goals,suchasbuying afirsthouse,investingin astart-upbusiness,throughtosimple-stepsto startsaving.

GeorgeHigginson,managingdirector, EverydayBanking,leadstheteamthatsupports customersacrossthebank’sconsumerand businessbanking,andpartnershipservices.

“Forus,it’saboutsupportingcustomers alongtheway –frompersonalcustomers,to microenterprisesrightuptomid-sizedand largerbusinesses,”hesays.

“Our roleistohelpcustomers –enabling themtoachievetheirobjectives.”

BankofIrelandcontinuestooffercustomers arangeofchannelstoaccessservices.It’s abouthavingtherightbalance,accordingto George.

“Differentcustomersusedifferentchannels atdifferenttimes,accordingtotheirneeds,” Georgesays.“Thatcanincludeanappand>

GailGoldie

PicturedattheBankofIrelandNewry200yearcelebrationevent:StephenCromie,ownerandfounder, ExactCNC(NI)Ltd,EdwinaFlynn,president,NewryChamberofCommerce, GeraldineO’Hagan,seniorbankmanager,BankofIrelandUK,JacintaLinden,chiefexecutive,BolsterCommunity,GailGoldie,chiefexecutive,BankofIrelandUKandSteve Pateman,interimchair,BankofIrelandUK

digitalforday-to-daytransactions.

“Butthey’llcometobranchesformore complexneeds.”

BankofIrelandcontinuestoinvest,evolve, andchange,ensuringithastherightpeople, productsandservicestomeetcustomerneeds.

That’s embeddedinitsstrategyandiscentral asitlookstowardsthenext200years.

Andwithsomeuncertaintyintheglobal landscape,Gailsaystrust,andtheabilityto dealwiththebankdirectly,remainskeyinits relationshipwithcustomers.

“Whatmattersforusisthatweareproviding whatourcustomersneed,inthewaythatthey needit,andatthetimethattheyneedit.

“Wedothatthroughourbranchnetwork, businessadvisorsandmarketinsights,including ourEconomicResearchUnitandDavy.

“It’saboutthattrustednetworkof colleagues –it’snotjust adigitaloffering,our peoplehavebeenpartnersforcustomersfor manyyears.”

NiallDevlinheadsBankofIreland’sBusiness

We have customers, businesses,and families, whohavebeen with BankofIreland for generations, Gailsays.

BankingteaminNorther nIreland –leadingthe bank’sBusinessBankingstrategy.

HeworkswithsomeofNorther nIreland’s topfirms,fromthesmalltothelarge,right across arangeofsectors,withcompanieslike GreenEnergyEngineering,DeaneryDemesne, LoughErneResort,and YellowMoon.

Firmsarealsosupported regionallyby expertsincommercialfinance,aswellas havingaccesstoanexperiencedGlobal MarketsteambasedinBelfast,whichprovides multi-currencysolutionstobusinesses,guiding andsupportingthemastheytradeacrossthe world.

“Ifyou’reabusinessandyouwishtoinvest asignificantamountingrowingyourbusiness, orifyouencounteranobstacleor achallenge andyouneedhelpandsupport,youwillwant

todealwithsomeoneinperson,”Niallsays.

“Ourbusinessandourcorporatebanking teamsarebasedacrossNorther nIreland, andtheyspendtimewithcustomersontheir premisestogettoknowandunderstandtheir requirements.

“Businesseshavebeenvery resilient,and havehadtodealwithmanychallengesover thelastfewyears.

“Now,manyaretakingtheearningsthat they’vegenerated,whichthey’veheldontoto buildtheirbalancesheets,andtheyarenow preparedforthenextphaseofgrowth –and wecanhelpthemalongintheirjourney.”

There’sacommitmenttobeinghere,on theground,whilestillofferingmodern,digital solutions.

“Weare investingheavilyinourdigital offeringbecauseweknowthat’simportantto customers,”Gailsays.

Eyeinggrowthiskeyforthebank,achieved sustainably.

It’sinvesting£3mto replaceits ATMfleet acrossNorther nIreland,enhancing ATM servicesand reducingenergyusagebyhalf.It’s alsoput£600,000intoenergyefficientlighting acrossitsbranchandheadofficenetwork.

Thebankwasalsothefirstbanktohaveits emissionstargetsvalidatedbytheSBT i–49% reductioningreenhousegasemissionsfrom ownoperations(Scope1&2)by2030.

BankofIrelandtakes astrong rolein workingwithlocalcommunitieshere–forgingkeystrategicpartnerships,supporting colleagues,being achampionofdiversityand inclusion,andworkingwithcharities.

Italsoensuresthatvulnerablecustomer needsareputtothefore.

ThatincludesitsJAMCardaccreditation, whileithasalso recentlypartneredwithSign Video, adigitalinterpretingservicewhich enablessignlanguageuserstocontactBankof Irelandcontactcentresdirectly.

BankofIrelandtakes awiderangeofsteps toprotectcustomersfromalltypesoffraud, including resourcing adedicatedfraudteam whichworks24/7tocatchfraudattemptsand alertandprotectcustomers,ensuringthey speakwith apersonandnot abotwhenthey areworriedtheymayhavebeenthevictimof fraud.

Drivingfinancialinclusion,theBank’s CommunityEngagementteamdelivers financialliteracyandwellbeingpresentations

toschools,communitygroupsandcompanies.

In2024,colleaguesdeliveredmorethan 4,300hoursoffinancialliteracyinthe communitiesitserves.

Someofitsstrategicpartnershipsinclude supportingtheNorther nIrelandChamberof CommerceandIndustry’sBusinessBreakfast Series, astrategicsponsorshipwithINVENT, supportingBankofIrelandOpenFarm Weekend,being along-standingpartnerof YoungEnterpriseNI,andheadlinepartnerfor Catalyst’sGenerationInnovation.

Thatfocusoncustomerandcommunityis embeddedinthemulti-generationaljourney formanyofBankofIreland’scustomers.

“Wehavecustomers,businesses,and families,whohavebeenwithBankofIreland forgenerations,”Gailsays.

“AsthecurrentcustodiansofBankof Ireland,our roleistoinvest,evolveandmake surethatwecontinuetobeourcustomers’ trustedpartnerandmeettheirneedsnowand intothefuture.

“It’saboutcontinuingto retainandkeepthe thingswhichmakeBankofIrelandspecial–ourpeople,branchnetworkandourpresence inthecommunity.” ■

GailGoldiewithJAMcard ambassadorLouiseMcBride atBelfastcitybranch

Break-upofSpirit AeroSystems ‘putting 2,000 jobsat risk’

WithAirbusbuyingpart ofSpiritAeroSystems focusedaroundthe buildingofwingsets foritsA220passenger jets,thereremains alack ofbuyerforthefirm’s otherBelfastsites,writes MargaretCanning

Morethan2,000jobsareatrisk fromthebreak-upofSpirit AeroSystems,ithasbeenwarned.

UnitetheUnionsaiditbelieved atotalof 10,000jobsinIrelandweredependentonthe eastBelfastfirm.

Airbusconfirmedithad reachedagreement withBoeingandSpirit(formerlyBombardier)to takeoverthefacilitywherewingsforitsA220 aircraftaremanufactured.

ButUnitesaidthelackofbuyerforthe firm’sotherBelfastsitesmeanttherewasan “unprecedented”threattotheaerospace sectorandwidereconomy.

Airbusisalsolineduptotakeoverthepart ofSpiritAeroSystemswhichmakesthemidfuselagefortheA220.

Thejobsofthe1,000staffwhomakethe wingswillbetransferredtoAirbus,whilethose ofaround400whoworkonthemid-fuselage willalsotransferifnootherbuyerisfound.

Butthefutureof2,000Spiritstaffisstill uncertainasnobuyerhascomeforwardfor thosepartsofthebusiness.

Recently,companyaccountsforSpirit AeroSystemsconfirmedthatBoeing,whichis buyingSpiritin awiderdeal,willtakeoverthe otherpartsofthebusinessifnobuyerisfound.

EastBelfastDUPMPGavinRobinsonsaid:

“Mypreferencewasalwaystosee asingle buyerfortheentiresite.Thecurrentdealstill leavessignificantuncertaintyforthosestaff inthenon-Airbusoperations...itisimportant thereisclarityquicklyaroundtheentireBelfast operation.Thisissignificantemployer,notjust withineastBelfastbutNorther nIreland,witha highlyskilledworkforce.

“Thereisacontinuedneed,however, tobuildonpreviouseffortstobringmore investmenttothissector.”

Unite’sSharonGrahamsaidhundreds of“highlyskilled”workerswerefacingan uncertainfuture.

“TheUKGovernmentmustnowintervene tosecurenotjusttheworkersbutthefutureof Norther nIrelandaerospace,”shesaid.

UnioncolleagueSusanFitzgeraldsaid: “Aerospaceis acriticalandhigh-valuesector attheheartofNorther nIreland’seconomy. ProductionatSpiritiscentraltothatwitha supplychainextendingacrossthe region,and

indeedthewholeisland.

“Thepotentialbreak-upofSpiritisnotjusta hugethreattoourmembers’livelihoods,butis anunprecedentedthreattoNorther nIreland’s economyandsociety.”

Representativesoftheworkforcewilltravel to Westminsteron Wednesdayformeetings withministersandMPs,theunionsaid.

Airbussaidthedeal reinforcedits“longtermcommitmenttotheUK’saerospacesector andmaintainingstabilityacrossthesupply chain”.

WorkcarriedoutbySpiritinPrestwick, Scotland,willalsobetransferredtoAirbus,but willbeoperatedasanaffiliatebusiness.

Underthetermsofthedeal,expectedto becompletedlaterthisyear, Airbuswillbe compensatedbypaymentof$439mfrom SpiritAeroSystems.

AirbusisalsoacquiringotherSpirit operationsinKansasintheUS,Moroccoand France. ■

SpiritAeroSystemsinBelfast

MA NU FACT UR ING& ENGI NEER ING

Toastingthetradedeal

WhytheUK-Indiatradedealopensup anewmarket forlocalwhiskeyproducers,writes PavelBarter

WhiskeyproducersfromNorthern Irelandarewelcomingthe introductionof anewfreetrade agreementbetweentheUKandIndia. Underthetermsofthedeal,tariffson whiskeyandginwillbehalvedfrom150% to75%, reducingto40%withinthenext 10years.

Theagreementincludesspecificities aroundrulesoforiginwhichallowNI whiskeyproducerstosourceingredients andmaterialsfromothercountries.TheIrish WhiskeyAssociation[IWA],anall-island

tradeassociation,whichcounts20%ofits membershipinNorther nIreland,describethe dealas“agreatopportunityforNorther nIrish producers”.

TheIndia-UKtradedealhas refocused exporteffortsontheIndianmarketamong smallerlocalwhiskeymanufactures.Mourne DewDistilleryinCoDownmakesblendedand singlemaltwhiskiesalongside arangeofgin, poitínsandvodkas.

“WestartedtalkingtopeopleinIndialast year,”saysDonalFarrell,managingdirectorof MourneDew.“Itgroundto ahaltbecausethe

administrativecomplexityofshippingtoIndia wasdifficultandthetariffsweren’thelping. Afterthisdeal,Indiaisonourradar.”

India, acountryof1.44billionwithan economycurrentlygrowingatover7%,is consideredtheworld’sbiggestwhiskeymarket. Itconsumesanaverage2.4billionbottlesevery year.

Thenation’sbiggestwhiskeysellerisits indigenousbrands,whicharemadeofout molasses(in asimilarproductionprocessto rum).Irelandlargelyexportsitsbrands –95% oftheproductdistilledontheislandissent overseas –butalthoughIrishwhiskey’sbiggest market remainstheUS(ataround45%of exportvalue) regionslikeIndiaareexperiencing greaterthirst.DatafromHMRC’sOverseas

AbottleofMourneDew’sIrishwhiskey

TradeinGoodsstatisticsdatabaseshows 1,500%growthforNIexportsofwhiskiesto Indiafrom2020to2024: ariseof£100,000to £1.6minvalue.

FamousdistilleriesfromNorther nIreland includetheOldBushmillsDistillery,Hinch Distillery,RademonEstateDistillery,Killowen Distillery,andTheEchlinvilleDistillery.

“BushmillsisoneofthetopthreeIrish whiskeybrandsworldwide,”saysEoinÓ Catháin,IWAdirector.“Itismoreestablished innewandemergingmarkets.Oftenit’sthese [larger]companieswhohavethebackofan internationalor amulti-nationalcompanyand havethescopeandthe resourcestoenterinto achallengingmarketlikeIndia.Anyeaseof accessto amarketsuchasIndia,wherethe

populationishighandopportunitiesarevast, hasgreatpotential.Norther nIrishwhiskey producershavebeen recognisedbythe governmentfortheiruniquenature.”

IrishwhiskeytraditionallysoldinIndiaunder the150%tariffwas“targetedattheupper, uppermiddle,premiumorsuperpremium categories,”Eoinsays.“Oftentimesbrands candoquitewell,evenwith a150%tariff, becauseitraisesthepricesohighitcanbe seenas asignofwealth.”Thedecreaseto 75%,however,hasthepotentialtoexpose Irishbrandstonewaudience.“A75%tariff mightseemveryhigh,butbelieveme –that’s abigdifference.Itmightallowsomesmaller companiestostartlookingatIndia.”

TheNIwhiskeyandspiritproductionsupply chainisintegrationist.TheexampleofBailey’s IrishcreamwasoftenbroughtupduringBrexit negotiations.“Thisis aproductthatcrossed theborderupto10timesbeforeitmadeit

ontotheshelves,”Eoinsays.“Weneedto makesurethatinthesefreetradeagreements aproductthathascertainpartsoftheprocess undertakeninRoIcanstillbeconsidereda Norther nIrishproduct.”

Accordingto aspokespersonfromNI’s DepartmentfortheEconomy(DfE),during negotiationsaroundtheUK-Indiatrade deal,DfEofficials“workedcloselywiththe DepartmentofBusinessand Tradetoensure theinterestsoftheeconomyinthenorthwere fullytakenintoaccount,includingourunique tradingpositionwithdualmarketaccess.”

TheIndia-UKdealsecuresrulesoforigin forproductsfromNI,allowingproducers andmanufacturers“tosourceingredients andmaterialsfromothercountries”.The DepartmentforBusinessand Trade’sconclusion summaryforthedealcitestheexampleof “whiskeydistilledinNorther nIreland[which] canusebarleyorneutralgrainspiritfrom>

MA NU FACT UR ING& ENGI NE ER ING

Eoin ÓCatháin

theRepublicofIrelandandcanbebottledin transit,onthewaytoIndia.”

IrishwhiskeydistilledintheRepublic continuestoface atariffof150%butRoI producersareunlikelytouproot.Theidentity ofwhiskeybrandsareusually relatedtotheir placeoforigin.“Theprovidencebehind theliquorisimportantforpeople,”says DonalFarrellofMourneDew,whichusesan unconventionalcolddistillationtechnologyfor theproductionofitsgins,poitínsandvodkas. “Wehave abackstorywhenitcomestoour manufacturingprocesses.”

India remains amarketwithchallenges. Thecountryhasdifferentimportcharges spreadacrossits28statesandeightunion territories(unliketheUKwhichhas asingle system).However,theopeningof anew IndianconsulateinBelfastisexpectedto easebusinessbetweenthe regions. ADfE spokesmandescribedtheconsulateas “anotherwelcomesteptostrengthening connectionsandcreatingopportunitiesfor ourlocalbusinessestoengagewiththeIndian systemdirectly.”

Eoin ÓCatháinsaysoftheconsulate: “Thisdeepeningofdiplomatictiesshowsthe affinitybetweenourtwopeoplesandthe determinationtostrengthenthebusinesslinks betweenourtwonations.Irishwhiskeycan helpwiththis.”

TheUK-Indiadealcomesat atimewhen Irishwhiskey’sbiggestmarket,theU.S.,is undersiegefromtariffs.MourneDewexports itswhiskiestothe regionandspentmuch of2024tryingtoorganisenewbusiness. However,sincePresident Trumpintroduced thethreatoftariffs“it’sallovertheplace” accordingtoDonalFarrell.“Importersdon’t knowwhat’shappeningon amacroeconomic perspective.Istheregoingtobe arecession? Aretheygoingtobehitwith a50%,5% or10%tariff?They’rehedgingtheirbets anddoingnothing. We justwanttosell ourproduct. Trump’sbehaviouriscreating uncertaintyinthemarket.”

MourneDewisnowconsidering avisitto IndiainOctoberforProWineMumbai,the country’slargestspiritsandwinetradeshow. “CanadaandtheEUareprobablyourmain

exporttargetsatthemoment,”Donalsays. “Butafterthat:India. We’realsotryingtoget intoThailandandChina.Butit’saresource issueforus. We’retiny.

Somedetailsare“stillbeingworked througharoundthenewtradedeal”,theDfE spokespersonsays,“butitisanticipateditwill be apositiveforourwhiskeysectoraswell asourpharmaandmanufacturingsectors.” Norther nIrelandexported£55mofgoodsto Indiainthe12monthsendinginSeptember 2024.Beveragesaccountedfor£7.4min exportsales.Chemicalmaterialswerevalued at£5.9mandspecialisedmachineryat£3.6m. NI’smedtechandmedicaldevicessectorsare alsolikelytobenefitfromthedeal.

AnemergingIndianmarketmightopen upnewbranddevelopmentforwhiskey producers.MourneDew,forexample,is makingplansfor acoffeeliqueur.Theboss, DonalFarrell,wouldnowliketoseepoliticians followIndia’sleadandseeksimilardealswith otherlucrativeterritories:“Hopefullythis isn’tjust aone-off,”hesays.“Hopefullyit’sa trend.” ■

MA

DonalFarrell

Word FROMTHE Wise

Thecolumnwithan earforexperience...

Howdidyoustartoutinyourbusiness?

Myfatherfoundedthecompanyin1969as apaintinganddecoratingbusiness,andI joinedfull-timearound1990.After Ijoinedthe team, Iwantedtotakethebusinessin anew direction. With abitofconvincing,myfather agreedandsupportedthosechanges,andover theyears,wehavecontinuedtoevolve.

Whathaveyoufoundthemost challengingduringyouryearsinbusiness sofar?

Theeconomiccollapsein2008wasbyfarthe mostdifficulttimeofmylife. Istillcarrythe mentalscarsfromthepressureanddifficulties ofrunningabusinessduringthatperiod. Protectingthecompanyandeveryone’sjobsin thefaceofpotentialcollapsewas adreadful task. Today,theconceptof‘entitlement’ amongpeopleishardtocomprehend,asisthe diminishingworkethicplaguingoursociety andtheshortageofskilledlabour.

Howwouldyoudescribeyour managementstyle?

DuringmyearlydaysatDeluxe, Iattendeda businessmanagementprogramwhereIwas told Iwouldnevergrowthecompanyif Ididn’t delegateresponsibility.Thatadvicestayedwith me. Iwantpeopletogrow,learn,andprogress withinthecompany, fromtheshopfloorto seniormanagement,soI’vealwaystriedto encouragethis.Mymanagementstyleisquite laid-back,butyou’dhavetoasktheteamfor theirperspective.

Whatwouldyouchangeifyoucouldgo backanddoitallagain?

Ihadalloureggsinonebasketwiththetype ofworkweweredoingin2008,whichproved tobe amistakeasthatsectorgotwipedout.

ColmO’Farrell TheDeluxeGroup

Now,withfourdivisionsinDeluxe:specialist joinery,marine,themingandshopfitting,our risksarespreadintheeventof adownturn. I’veprobablybecome abittoorisk-averse becauseofthe2008financialcrisis. Ishould havebuilt alargerfactoryandexplored differentmarketssooner.Iwish Iwereten yearsyounger,knowingwhat Iknownow!

Haveyoudoneitallonyourown? Absolutelynot.Myfatherwasthefounder ofthecompanyand agreatmentor,and hecontinuestosupportmetothisday. Additionally,Ihave afantasticteamofpeople whoaretrulyspecialandhavebeenwithme for alongtime. Withoutgreatpeoplearound you,achievingbusinesssuccessisverydifficult.

Howwouldyoulikeyourbusinesstobe remembered?

Aftervisiting WaltDisney WorldandUniversal

Studioswhen Iwasyoung, Ifellinlove withthestunning‘wow’factorofitall.The experienceblewmeaway.Itwas afarfetched dreamfor akidwhoattendedDrumcreeHigh SchoolinPortadowntosteer acareertowards thethemingindustry.However,Ipursuedmy dream,andDeluxeisnowoneoftheworld’s leadersinthatindustry.Iwouldlikeustobe rememberedas agreat,innovativeandcreative UKcompanythatledthewayinthemingand achievedtheincrediblefeatofdeliveringsome oftheworld’sbestthemedattractions.

Whatpieceofadvicewouldyougivetoa 20-year-oldyou?

Takeyourdreamandrunwithit –itmightjust cometrueifyouworkhardenough.Nothing isimpossibleifyouhavetherightteam, commitment,anddesiretosucceed.Oh,and youalwaysneed alittleluckandheapsof faith. ■

USEL: theNIorganisationhelping change thousandsoflives

USEL (UlsterSupportedEmploymentLimited)has amorethancentury-longlegacy ofhelpingthosewithdisabilitiesandlearningdifficultiesgetkeyskillsandtraining, andfindemployment. ScottJackson,chiefexecutive,looksatthecrucialworkthe organisationisdoinganditswidersocietalimpact

Thelegacyoftheworkbeingdoneby USELinNorther nIrelandishardto fathom.

Withitsinitialworkdatingbackmorethan 150years,UlsterSupportedEmployment Limited(USEL)nowworkstohelpthosewith learningdifficultiesanddisabilitiesfindtheir wayintotheworkplace,aswellasoperating itsownsubstantialmanufacturingandservices socialenterpriseatitsBelfastbase.

It’sanorganisationwhichisquietlychanging thousandsoflivesincommunitiesrightacross Norther nIreland.

Andit’sthepeople –fromthestafftothose involvedinthevariousschemesandinitiatives –whichareattheheartofUSEL.

Theorganisationhas ateamofaround185 staff,andsupportsaround1,000peopleeach year.

“Ourmissionissimplebutpowerful:to supportpeoplewithdisabilitiesandhealth conditionsintomeaningfulemployment,” ScottJackson,chiefexecutiveofUSEL,says. “Thisworktouchesalmosteveryworkplace becauseanyorganisationofanysizewillhave peoplefacingthesechallenges.It’snotniche; it’severyone.”

ForScott,theheartofUSELisitspeople. “Thestaffandthosewesupport –that’swhat makesUSELwhatitis.Theyarethekeytoour success.”

USELdelivers awiderangeofemployment servicesacrossNorther nIreland,including WorkableNI,Empower,andSkillsforLifeand Work.Theseprogrammeshelpindividuals buildconfidenceandcapabilityinCVwriting, interviewtechniques,essentialskillslike EnglishandMaths,andevennewerareaslike

podcasting –allunderpinnedbyprofessional andpersonaldevelopment.

“Wecombineessentialtrainingwith practical,on-the-jobexperience,”Scott says.“Thatmightmeansomeonegaining warehousingexperiencehereatUSEL,which thenhelpsthemtransitiontoemploymentin theopenlabourmarket.”

USEL’s WorkableNIprogrammesupports bothemployeeswithdisabilitiesandthe employerswhohirethemofferingtailored, on-the-jobsupportthathelps retaintalentand buildinclusiveworkplaces.

Theorganisationhasdeep roots,tracing backtosocial reformerMaryHobson,who originallyestablishedworkshopsforblind workers.

Today,USELoperatesfromitsBelfastbase ontheShankillRoad,with regionalofficesin

LondonderryandPortadown,andstaffbased acrossNorther nIreland.

“We’re workingtoshiftemployerattitudes toprovethatwiththerightsupport,people cananddothriveinwork,”Scottsays.

Onthesocialenterpriseside,USELis akey manufacturingand recyclingplayer.Itproduces specialistbagsandcarriersusedbyemergency servicesacrosstheUK,andoperatesNorthern Ireland’sonlymattress recyclingfacility.

“We’veundergone amajortransformation,” Scottsays.“Wemakeproductsforbluelight services,partnerwithcommercialclients,and drivecirculareconomythinking.Ourshredding business,UShredNI,isgrowingsteadilyasa securewasteprovider.”

USELalsorunstheAbilityCafésocial enterprise,withoutletsontheShankillRoad

andinSirThomasandLadyDixonPark.

WalkingthroughUSEL’s Shankillbase, thescaleofoperationsbecomesclear–fromclassroomsand apodcastingsuiteto warehousingand recyclingareas. Anew buildingprojectisalsounderwaytosupport futuregrowth.

WhileUSELis anon-departmentalpublic bodyundertheDepartmentforCommunities, themajorityofitsincomeisself-generated throughcommercialcontracts.“Webid competitively.Nothingishandedtous,”Scott says.“Thatcommercialfocusdrivesinnovation andsustainability.”

Lookingahead,heseescontinuedgrowth onthehorizon.“We’reincreasingbrand awareness,enteringnewmarkets,andalways measuring retur noninvestment.Everypound

weear nhelpsus reachmorepeopleand delivermoreprogrammes.”

USELsupports awidespectrumof individuals –fromthosewho’veneverworked andneedfoundationalskills,topeoplealready inemploymentwhoneedtargetedsupport duetonewhealthconditionsordisabilities.

“Let’ssaysomeonedevelops adisability afteranaccident,”Scottsays.“We’rethere forboththeindividualandtheemployer, ensuringtheygettherightsupporttostayin work.”

Ultimately,thegoalisbroaderthan employmentit’saboutboostingeconomic participationandcreatingmeaningfulsocial impact.

“Thisisaboutpeople.It’saboutjobs.It’s aboutbuilding amoreinclusiveeconomy.”

ScottJackson

DavidBeckhamand Gary NevillejoinIrishadvisory

firminbuyingSalfordCityFC

Anadvisoryfirmwith abasein Belfasthasjoinedex-Manchester UnitedstarsDavid Beckhamand GaryNevilleinbuyingSalford CityFC. TheclubwillbeledbyDavidBeckham, alongsideConsellopartnerandchairmanof ConselloSportsintheUK,GaryNeville,and newclubco-chairsDeclanKelly,founder, chairmanandchiefexecutiveofConsello.

MrKelly, founder,chairmanandchief executiveofConsello,wasUSSpecialEconomic EnvoytoNorthernIrelandfrom2009to 2011.

ItalsoincludesLordMervynDavies,chairman ofLetterOne,chairmanoftheLawn Tennis AssociationandchairmanofConsello’sadvisory board.

“Thisnewownershipgroupcomprisessome ofthebestintheworldatwhattheydoand hasbeenputtogetherforthesolepurposeof drivingtheclubforward,”DeclanKellysaid.

“Utilisingtheknowledgeandskillsofthis group,ourgoalistocreate apathtoachieve newandsustainablesuccessforSCFCbothon andoffthepitch.”

FormerManchesterUnitedcaptainand Salford Cityco-owner,GaryNeville,said: “Havingbeen apartofConselloforover a yearnow,I’veseenfirsthanditsabilitytodrive businessandcommercialsuccessandhowit cantranslatetosport.I’mexcitedtopartner witheveryoneinvolvedonthisjourneyto support aclubwe’reallsopassionateaboutin Salford City.”

Andco-chair,LordMervynDavies,said: “Consellohasconvenedtherightpeopleatthe righttimetoensurethatthisclub’sremarkable storyoverthepastdecadecanbemaintained andbuilton.

“Whenyoucombinetheunmatched business andsportexpertiseofthisgroup,the fanscanlooktothefutureoftheclubwith confidence. Ilookforwardtoworkingwith Declan andthe restoftheownershipgroupto bringoursharedvisiontoSalfordCityFC.”

Conselloisanadvisoryandinvesting platformwithofficesinNew York,Atlanta, Miami,London,Barcelona,BelfastandDublin. TheLanyonGroup,foundedbyKatieDoran

andJonathanIreland,wasboughtbyConsello attheendoflastyear

JaneyWhiteside,chiefgrowthofficerof Consello,said:“We’rethrilledtobepartnering withSalfordCityand Ilookforwardtohelping acceleratethebroadercommercialopportunity fortheclub.

“We’rebuildingsomethingspecialhere–I’m excitedtoleaninaswetransitiontowarda digitallynativemodelandgivefansmoreaccess totheclub.

MsWhitesidewillleadthedevelopment of anewcommercialstrategyforSalfordCity FC.Shebringsextensiveoperatingexpertise inthisarea,havingservedas Walmart’s chiefcommercialofficerandhavingspent over20yearsinseniormanagement roles acrossbusinessdevelopment,marketing,and operationsatAmericanExpress.

Andherefforts,coupledwithConsello’s investment,underscorestheshared commitmenttothelong-termsuccessof SalfordCityFCwhile recognisingthegrowing intersectionofbusinessandsport. ■

GaryNevilleand DavidBeckham

Thestoryofa

ThestoryofhowFD Technologies, alistedtechnologyfirmfromNewryestablished bylatefintechpioneerBrianConlon,wentfromhumblebeginningstoglobalfortune anditssaleto aUSprivateequityfirm,writes PavelBarter

There aremanystoriesaboutthe birthofFD Technologies,the companyformerlyknownasFirst Derivatives,butoneofthemiscertainly true.“Ididstartitupinmymother’s house,”thefirm’sfounderBrianConlon toldBelfast Telegraphin2011.Andonone occasion,“mymotherdidtell aclientthat Iwasinthebath.”

ThejourneyofFD Technologies,froma bedroominConlon’sfamilyhometobecome oneofNorther nIreland’sbiggesttechnology companies –viaanoldconvertedcorn warehousenexttothecanalinNewry –is remarkable.Thesoftwarespecialistbusiness

–whichprovidedproductsandconsulting servicestolargeglobalfinancial,technology andenergyinstitutions –evolvedfromthat bedroomtothestockmarketsofLondonand Amsterdam.

NowanotherchapterinFD’s30-yearjourney hasbeenwritten.InMay,2025,thecompany, whichisheadedbySeamusKeating,accepted atakeoverbidfrom aprivateequityinvestor fromBostonwhichvaluedthebusinessat £550m.Donna Troy,chairwomanofFD,said theboardunanimouslythoughtthedeal, basedonanofferfor£24.50pershare, “deliversappropriatevaluetoshareholders”. Overthelast30years,FD(oneof ahandfulof

listedcompaniesfromNorther nIreland),grew fromitsNewryhomeacrosstheAmericas, EuropeandAsia.Andithascome alongway togethere.

BrianConlonwasbor nin1966inNewry. HestudiedaccountancyinQueen’sUniversity whileplayinggaelicfootballforhisnative Down.In1987hesustained akneeinjury during amatchforQueen’s,forcingearly retirementfromthesport.Hethenturnedhis attentiontothecapitalmarketssectorwhere hetrainedwith amajoraccountancyfirm. “Ispentthefirstyearcountingconcreteand pick-uptrucksandwantedsomethingmore challenging,”hetoldtheSundayIndependent

inaninterviewin2008.Likemanyofhis generation,ConlonmigratedtoLondon wherehejoinedtheriskmanagementteam inMorganStanley.Fromthereheworkedasa capitalmarketsconsultantinSunGard, aglobal derivativessoftwarehouse.

RatherthansettleinEngland,heopted to retur nhomeandbringhisexperience withhim.Therewas agapinthemarket,he realised,forsoftwareconsultancy.“Mostof thesoftware firmswerefocusedonselling thelicencesandnotonservices.Therewasan openingtohelpbankswritefinancialmodels andhelpthemwithquantitativeanalysis,” Conlonsaidin2008.

HeestablishedFirstDerivativesin1996in thesparebedroomofhismother’shomein Newry,using a£5,000loanfromtheNewry CreditUniontohelphimgetstarted. Years oforganicgrowthfollowed.Intheautumn

of1998, afewmonthsafterthesigningof theGoodFridayAgreement,BrianConlon tookhisfledglingteamon atrademissionto California’sSilicon Valleyalongside ahandful ofotherlocalsoftwarecompanies,including Kainos.

Californiawas receptive.Thefollowingyear KxSystems, asoftwarecompanyfromPaolo Altowhichspecialsedinfinancialmodelling anddataanalyses,solditsmarketingrights toFDandthetwobusinesseswouldprovea perfectcoupleoverthefollowingdecades.

By2002,FirstDerivativeshadjust26 employeesand a£2mturnover,butConlon decidedtofloathisbusinessontheAlternative InvestmentMarket(AIM)intheLondonStock Exchange(LSE),initiallyofferingfourmillion sharesat apriceof50ppershare.“FDatthe startwassmallofscalebutthevisionattracted investors,” RyanPreston,thecompany’schief

financialofficer,toldUlsterBusinessin2022. “Youhavetofollowupanddeliverthevision. WhenwefirstfloatedontheLSEweattracted aninvestorbasethatwasprimarilydrivenby revenuegrowthanddividends. We delivered onthatverysuccessfullyovermanyyears.”

Annual reportsoverthenextdecade reportedconsistentprofitgrowth.The companysteadilyincreaseditsstakeinKx Systemsandaddedmorestringstoitsbow, includingtheacquisitionin2008ofMarket ResourcePartners(MRP), aPhiladelphia-based businesswhichemployeddataanalytics forsoftwareandtechnologyfirms.Bynow Conlon’soperationsspannedtheglobe –from SingaporetoSydney,ViennatoVancouver, LondontoLosAngeles.Thecompanyeven purchased residentialforitsstaff.

“Wehaveupto60peopleworkingin Londonand25inNew Yorksowedecided>

IT &T EC HNOL OGY

thatratherthanpay rentswewouldbuy apartments,”Conlonsaidin2008.“Itworked becauseweonlyboughtinniceplaceslike MayfairandKensingtoninLondonandaround Chelseaorthe VillageinNew York.”

TheworldwasitsstagebutNewry remained homeforFirstDerivatives.“Brianspotted globalopportunitywherenooneelsedid,” saidJustinMcNulty,anSDLPMLAwho workedatthebusiness.“Butontopofthat hecombinedprideinhishometownofNewry withhisknowledgethatthepeopleofthe Northhavetheeducationanddrivetoexcel.” Thebusinessleaderwaskeentospreadsome ofhisknowledgeandin2012established TheFirstDerivatives TradingRoom,NI’sfirst financialtradingfacility,atQueen’s.

InJune2019,FirstDerivativesannounced ithadtakenentireownershipofKxSystems for$53.8m(£39.9m)incash.Thiswasan importantmilestone,Conlonsaidatthetime: “Sinceweacquired acontrollingstakeinKx inOctober2014wehaveinvestedheavilyto delivertheperformanceadvantagesofour combinedsolutions,brandedasKxtechnology, to arangeofend-markets.”Sadly,thiswas hisfinaldeal.Thefollowingmonth,July2019, BrianConlondiedinNewrynotlongafter beingdiagnosedwithcancer.

ButhisbabyFirstDerivatives –which changeditsnamein2021toFD Technologies (toincorporateitsthreeoperations,First Derivative,KxandMRP) –hadgrownwings ofitsown.Thecompanywasbynowa technologypowerhouse,providingsoftware andservicestomajorbanksandservicing marketingtechnologyandtheautomotive industry.In2020thecompany“recognised therewas ahugeopportunityinKx,our softwarebusiness,andwecamebackto marketwithanacceleratedgrowthstrategy,” said RyanPreston.

FDultimatelydecidedto restructurethe businesstofocusonKx,whichusesan approachtodataanalysisthathelpscompanies predictand respondtomarketconditions

SeamusKeating

in realtime.Inearly2024,itmergedMRP, itsmarketingtechnologydivision,with Contentgine, aUSfirm.FD retained49% ofthismergedentity.Latein2024itsold itsconsultingwingFirstDerivativetoEPAM Systems, aUSsoftwarecompanyfora reported£205m.Sincethen,thecompanyhas focusedongrowingsubscriptionsalesofKx products.Followingitssaleto TA Associates, aninvestmentfirmwith reportedassetsunder

managementofover$60bn,willFDhaveto partwayswithNewry?Notnecessarily.TA Associatessaiditintendstokeepheadquarters inNewry.Somejobscouldbesubjectto “reorganisation, reductionor redeployment butthedealwill“creategreateremployment opportunitiesforexistingandfutureemployees overthelongterm”.FDhascome along waytogethere–anditlooksasthoughthe journeyisnotoveryet. ■

EncircnamedNorthernIreland’s Outstanding Businessof theYear

TheBelfast Telegraph BusinessAwardshas recognisedtheeffortsof someofNorthernIreland’s leadingcompaniesfrom rightacrossthesectors

AFermanaghfirmhasbeen recognisedasNorthernIreland’s OutstandingBusinessofthe Year

AndthechiefofpharmafirmAlmachas wontheLifetimeAchievementaccoladeat the2025Belfast TelegraphBusiness Awardsin partnershipwithUlsterBank.

ThecelebrationonThursdaydrewaround 500businesspeopleandwasattendedby EconomyMinisterCaoimheArchibald.

Atotalof19winnerswererecognisedat the prestigiousevent,whichmarkedits 25th anniversaryat aglitteringceremonyhostedby BBCjournalistMarkSimpsonattheCrowne PlazaHotelinBelfast.

Co FermanaghcompanyEncirc, a manufacturerofglassbottleswithnearly 1,500 staff,wastheOutstandingBusinessoftheYear AlmacbossAlanArmstronghashelped growtheCraigavon-basedmanufacturerinto aglobalbusinessemployingaround6,500 people.

The remainingcategorywinnersincluded WoodsideLogisticsGroupasFamilyBusinessof the Year,with HammyObikoyanamed Young Businesspersonofthe Year

MarkCrimmins,headofUlsterBankin NorthernIreland,said:“Onceagain,theBelfast TelegraphBusiness Awardsinpartnershipwith UlsterBankwas afantasticshowcaseforour localbusinesscommunityandhighlightedthe breadthoftalent, resilienceandinnovationof businessownersacrossthe region.

“Congratulationstoallthewinners and finalists,youshouldbevery proudofyour achievements,andwelookforwardto followingyourcontinuedachievementsinthe future.

“OnbehalfofUlsterBank,I’dliketothank ourpartnersattheBelfast Telegraphfor deliveringsuch agreateventandtoeveryone whomadetheawardssuch afantastic celebrationoflocalbusinesssuccess.”

EoinBrannigan,Belfast Telegraphand SundayLifeeditorinchief,said:“Wewere delightedtohostthe2025Belfast Telegraph Business Awardsonthe25thanniversaryofthe mostprestigiouseventofitskindinNorthern Ireland.

“Congratulationstoallourwinners,and inparticularAlanArmstrongofAlmacforhis LifetimeAchievementaward,andEncirc for theirwinasOutstandingBusinessofthe Year

“ThankyoutoUlsterBankfortheirsupport asheadlinesponsor,andtoallourcategory supporters.”

EconomyMinisterDrArchibaldsaid:“It isgreattobepartofthiscelebrationofthe achievementsofourbusinesscommunity

“Theseachievementsareallthemore remarkablegiventheeconomicchallenges facedover recentyears.

“Icongratulateallthewinnersandnominees forhelpingtoshowcasetheambition, innovationand resiliencethatourlocalbusiness communitydemonstrateseachday.”

RemarkingonMrArmstrong’saward,the judgingpanel,chairedbyClareGuinness, chiefexecutiveofBelfastChamber,said:“The judgesweredelightedtonominatehimforthis award.

“Hisprinciplesaresecondtononeandhe hasgrownAlmactosuch asignificantglobal company –butstayedtruetothelegacyleftby founderSirAllenMcClay.”

AndthejudgespraisedEncircasa companythatdemonstrated“perpetual innovation,agilityandadaptability,wasstrong onemployeeengagement,has astrong sustainabilitystory,andwasclearontheir businessobjectivesandgoalsaswellassuccess metricsandproofpoints”.

“Thecompanyis averyworthywinner ofour2025Belfast TelegraphOutstanding Businessofthe YearinpartnershipwithUlster Bank,”thejudgingpanelsaid. ■

MarkCrimmins,UlsterBank,picturedwithSeanMurphyfromwinningcompany, Encirc,andBelfast Telegraph businesseditor,MargaretCanning

Peoplehave fallen backinlovewith workingintechfirms –sowhathappened?

Arethegoodtimesbackinthetechsector?Thisyear’s resultsfrom asurveyof12,000employeesacrossfirms intheRepublicofIrelandseemtosuggesttheymight be,writes Adrian Weckler

Ofthe37techcompaniescounted amongthetop200bestemployers inIreland,morethantwiceas many(24) roseintherankingsasfell(11), withtwo remaininglevel.

That’smarkedlybetterthanlastyear,when therewereroughlythesamenumberofrisers asfallers.Thestrongestperformersinclude Apple(first,upfrom24th)and,somewhat surprisingly,Intel(13th,upfrom70th),with work-from-homespecialisteBay remaining constantinsixthplace.

Butequallyimpressiveisthenumberof gainerswhohave rocketedintothetop200 asnewentries.Thisincludessoftwaredesign firmCadence(30th),‘nocode’company ServiceNow(50th),Seagate(60th),IT consultancyPresidio(74th)andPFH(130th).

Itmayalsobe asignoftheindustry’srelative resurgenceinpopularitythatsomevenerable

Meta’sEuropeanheadquarters atGrandCanalSquareinDublin

stalwartshave re-enteredthetop200after slippingdowntheranksin recentyears.This includesMcAfee(96th),HP(103rd),VMWare (149th)andSAP(157th).

Ifthereisanoteofcaution,it’sthatthere arefewertechcompaniesinthetop10this yearthanatanypointpreviouslyduringthis surveyseries;onlyAppleandeBaymake it,comparedto roughlyhalfthetop10in previousyears.

And ahandfulofverylargetechemployers havefalleninemployeesatisfaction,including Microsoft(42ndfrom19thlastyear)andits subsidiary,Linkedin(77thfromninthlastyear).

Butoverall,thepictureemergingis arosy one:peoplearebackinlovewithworkingfor techcompaniesinIreland.

Sowhat’sgoingon?

Themostobviousfactoristhatthemajority ofpost-Covid redundanciesarenowfinished, withtechfirmsresettingtheiroperations. Thatlifts alingeringsenseofuncertainlyor discontentfromstaffsensibilities.

Thosewho remainstillenjoysomeof thebestlevelsofpayandperksintheIrish workforce.

It’snormalfor a25-year-oldinantech engineeringjobtobeearningclosetodouble theaverageIrishindustrialwage.

Byage30, asix-figuresalaryis relatively common.Thatputsyoungertechworkers, inparticular,inaveryadvantageousposition whenitcomestothemostimportantsocioeconomicissueofourtimes:housing.

Now,€2,500to€3,500permonthfor atwo-bedapartmentisaffordabletotech professionalsin awaythatisn’ttruefor ahuge numberofsimilarly-agedworkers.Forcouples onsuchsalaries, a€650,000two-bedroom cottageonDublin’ssouthsideissimilarly doable.

Theremaybeadditionalfactors,otherthan stabilityandsecurity,thatareenergisingtech workersatpresent.

Oftheeighttop-placedtechcompaniesin thisyear’slisting,sixofthemhavesome rolein buildingorshapingAIfeaturesaspartoftheir productsorservices.Whileit’struetosaythat theAIhype-cycleisgettingboringtothe rest ofus,insidetheindustry,it’sverymuchalive andkickingasanincentive.Peopleliketothink they’rebuilding,workingon,orsupporting, thelatestshinything.

Sowhetherthat’sAppleIntelligence, Google’sGemini,Amazon’sgenerativeAI ecosystem,orevenIntel’spivottoAI-friendlier chips(someofwhichwilllikelybemadein Leixlip),thepeoplewhoareworkinginthis environmentappeartobehappierandmore excitedthantheaverageworker.

It’salsoworthpointingoutthatofthe11 techcompaniesthatfellinthisyear’srankings, fivestillscorebetterthantheydidlastyearin theeyesofstaff.

Forexample,Galway-basedmultinational LibertyITslippedfrom61stto73rdinthelist butitssatisfactionscoreamongemployees actuallywentup,from7.37to7.44outof10.

Similarly,theFrenchITconsultancyfirm Expleo,with abaseinDublin,fellfrom92nd to119thbutsawitsactualscoreratingamong staffrisefrom7.15to7.17outof10.The samethinghappenedtoPayPal,whichsanka littleintherankings.

Evenslightlysteeperfalls,suchasCisco’s slidefrom15thto37th,cameamid agenerally unmovedsatisfactionlevelamongstaff–Cisco scored7.78lastyearand7.66thisyear;not muchof agap.

Thisisaneasy-to-missstatisticaldetailwhich indicatesthat,overall,peoplemaybeslightly happierwiththeirworkingconditionsinmost techcompanies,whicheveronetheyworkat, regardlessofwhethersomeonesomewhere elseishappier.

Thisisimportant,becauseitsuggestsa growthinconfidencebetweenstaffandtheir techemployers,generally,afteryearsoflayoffs

anduncertainty.Whatthefiguressuggestis thattherehasbeen arisingtideofemployee satisfactionoverthelast12monthsthathas liftedallboats,evenatthosefallingdownthe rankscomparedtotheirrivals.

On amoremacrolevel,thereappearsto beconfidenceintheenduranceofthetech sector,evenamongthechaosofthetariffladen Trumppresidency.

Earlierthisyear,theIDAlaunched anew five-yearstrategypromising75,000new jobsfrommultinationalsinareassuchasAI andsemiconductorswith avalueofaround €250bntotheIrisheconomy.

Itsrationaleispartlybasedonthecold market realitythatcompaniesneedEuropean basestoeffectively,profitablytradeinthe EU. Trumpcanimpose100%tariffsifhe likes –forglobalfirmstomakemoneyin Europe,theybasicallyhavetobesomewhere inEurope.

SoforallMarkZuckerberg’srecentmacho posturingtoimpressMAGAandintimidate theEU,thereisactuallynoshrinkageofthe Dublinoffice.

Whenthecompanyannouncedthat around100peoplewouldbeletgohere, theyclarifiedthatallofthose roleswouldbe backfilledwithnewstaff.

Meta, acold,ruthlessmoney-making machine,needs abaseheretocashinon Europeanusersandadvertisers.Andthatis thesameformosttechcompaniesinIreland. It’sasolidindustrialbasethatisn’tgoing anywhere. ■

OneofGoogle’soffice buildingsinDublin

BelfastjewellersMcNeilly’s shutting doorsforfinaltime

Adecades-oldjewellersinBelfast citycentrehasannounceditwill closeitsdoorsforthefinaltime attheendofJune.

McNeilly’sjewellerystoreonLombard Streethaslaunched aclosing-downsale whichisseeingsomeproductsbeingsoldat halfprice.

In asocialmediapost,thebusinessurged customerstosnapuponeofthebargainson offer.

“AfterdecadesofservingtheBelfast communitywithluxurywatches,designer bagsandfinejewellery,ourstoreisclosing forgood,”it read.

“Thisisn’tjustanothersale –thisisthe finalchancetoownsomethingtrulyspecial at aonce-in-a-lifetimeprice.

“OurfinaldayopenisJune28th.That’s thelastpossibledaytowalkthroughour doorsandshopbeforeweclosepermanently.

“Noextensions.No restocks.OnceJune28 passes –we’regone.

“Comeandvisitusinstore.”

Thepriceofsomeitemshasbeenslashed by50%withsignificant reductionstoother pieces.

Theshopfronthasbeenadornedin prominentsignsdeclaringthesalein abidto lureshoppersinside.

OnFridaymorning,severalpeoplecould beseenwindowshoppingandbrowsingthe discounteddisplay.

AmemberofstafftoldtheBelfast Telegraph thecurrentownerhasplanstoopen anew storeunder arebrandedname.

Theysaidthatitwas anecessarymovefor

thefamily-runbusinessafteroneofowners decidedto retire.

Theemployeedescribedtheclosureassad andsaidmanyloyalcustomerswhohavecome insincetheannouncementhaveexpressedthe samesentimentattheimpendingclosure.

Thebusiness,runby WilliamFerris,whois alsothedirectorofAMPMLuxuryGoods,has been afixtureofthecitycentreformanyyears. AMPMwasfoundedinAugust2020. ■

McNeilly’sjewellersonLombardStreetinBelfast

TOUR IS M

Takingon theOpencourse

Withjust afewweekstogobeforethegreatestgolf tournamentdescendsonNorthernIreland, John Mulgrew got achancetoplaytheOpencourseat RoyalPortrushandexperiencesomeofthechallenges aheadforthebestplayersintheworld

Therewerefew(no) roarsasI walkeduptowardsthe18thgreen atRoyalPortrush.

Thestandswerefullyconstructed,yetempty –myduffingtheballofftheteeandlosing asecondintothethickgorsewassuitably microcosmicofmyentireroundon abaking Tuesdayafternooninthenorthcoastsun.

Injust afewweeks,RoyalPortrushwillplay hosttothegreatestgolftournamentinthe world –TheOpen,andsee roughly250,000 peopledescendontheseasidetown.

Whenitlasthostedit,itattracted237,500 visitors,generating128,019commercialbed nightsacrossNI,anddeliveredcombined economicandmediabenefitinexcessof £100m. Welloverhalfofthoseattendingwere fromoutsideNorther nIreland.

Andwithplanswell-progressed,thecourse prepared,andmuchoftheinfrastructure alreadyondisplay,therewas achanceto experiencewhatthisworld-leadinglinkscourse willoffertheworld’stopgolfers.

I’m ahigh,veryhigh,handicapgolfer.My formativeyearswerespentalongsidemy dadontheequallychallengingandbeautiful

PortstewartStrandcourse,comerainorshine –andduffingtheballintothethickswathesof grassandgorseliningmanyoftheholes.

Therewas alonghiatus,until Iputtogether asetofclubs afewyearsagoandstarted goingoutmoreoften.Butwith asmallman inthehousethesedays,it’dhadbeen ayear sinceI’dbeenoutforevennineholes,untila coupleofweeksbeforemyPortrushdebut.

Arriving,theinfrastructurewasalready evident –someofthelargerstands,including the18thalreadyup,whilethefirstwasbeing built,andworkcontinuingonthehospitality tents.

Thiswon’tbeablow-by-blowaccountof how Iplayed,howmanyballs Ilost,orthe odddecentshotthatmadeupforallthemess duringwhatwas atrulywonderfulexperience.

Aphotographerandprobably acoupleof dozenpeopleinandaroundthefirstteedidn’t helptheinitialshot. Aslicedhybridintothe gorseontheright.Outofbounds. Asecond? Knockedfewerthan50yardsinfrontofme afterhittingthegroundbehindtheball. Time togetmoving.

Theconditionofthefairwayswasstunning.

Theyblendbeautifullyintothesnookertablelikeputtingsurface,whichmakesputting offthegreen apossibilityforthehigher handicapperlikeme,worriedaboutthinninga wedgefrom40yards.

Eachholehasitsownpersonalityand challenge.Thisis acoursewithsomelengthy holes,butit’saboutkeepingitstraight,onthe fairway,anddealingwiththewind –which, fortunately,wasonly abreezeonthisoccasion. Ourteamcaddykeptusrightwithyardages andwheretotryandlandtheball.

Onseveraloccasions,thismeansme

Theviewlookingtowards the18thgreenandstands

listeningandthenhittingitpoorly,thus defeatingthepointoftheadvice.

Butitalsomakesallthedifference.Ontwo occasions IthinkI’vearound100yardstogo, andwouldgrab apitchingwedge.Butour caddyMarksaysit’s playinguphillandwith atouchofwindintous,soit’llbe130yards. Ioptfortheeightironontwooccasionsand landitonthegreen.

Thereare acoupleofparputtsalongthe way,and Ipost ahandfulofbogeys.The challengewithsomewherelikePortrushis whenyouhave abadhole,itcanbecomevery

badindeed.

Forme,it’sabouttheexperience. Adecent driveonthefinalparfive,Dhu Varren,a fairwaywoodand asevenironnotfarfrom thegreengetsmeinforsixshots,andone overpar.

Thenthere’sthe16th –alongand rough parthreecalledCalamityCorner,with asteep ravineontheright.I’mnotgoingtogeta driveronthegreenwithmyaccuracy,soa hybridtotheleftlaysmeupfor asecond fromthegorse,ontheedgeofthegreen,and walkingoffwith afive.

It’sthequalityofgolfwehaveonour doorstepherethatmakesussoattractive forvisitors. We have aplethoraofcourses, rightacrossNorther nIreland,which remain someofthebestintheworld.Whiletheless high-profilespotsthatmanyofusplayare considerablybetterthancomparablespots elsewhere.

Newfigures releasedby TourismNorthern Irelandshowtheoverallvalueofgolftourism reached arecord£86.2min2024.

ResearchconductedbySportingInsightsfor TourismNI’sannualGolf TourismMonitor>

The15th‘Skerries’ parfourhole

showthevaluehasrisenbyalmost66%since 2019,whenThe148thOpenwasheldatRoyal Portrush.

Inaddition,thevaluehasmorethandoubled inthepastdecade,from£33.2min2014.

“TourismNIhasbeenworkingwithlocal governmentstakeholderstoensurea successful deliverytoensurethisyearisanevenbigger successthan2019,”EimearHone,major eventsmanager,said.

“Planninghasbeenwellunderwayforsome time. TourismNI,localstakeholders,andthe R&Aarereallyhappywiththeprogresstodate andweareraringtogoforJuly.

“…forus,it’sabouttheweeks,months, andyearsafterthat,andtheimpactthatwill have.”

Atotalof29,400non-domesticgolfers visitedNorther nIrelandtoplayin2024,which was agreatyearforgolfthankstomoreNorth Americanandinternationalgolfersanda notableincreaseinluxurymarketspendingand longerstays.

The TourismNIresearchfoundthatNorth America remainstheprioritymarketforgolf

visitors,accountingfor70%ofvisitors,who generated£44.3mtothetourismsectorlast yearcomparedto£36.2min2023.

Therewasalso ariseinthespendofgolfers fromthe restoftheworld –predominantly Australia –risingfrom£3.1min2023to £11.6mlastyear.

GBgolfersgenerated£12.5mintothelocal tourismsectorin2024,upfrom£11.9mthe previousyear.

Onaverage,golfersspentaroundninedays ontheirvisittoNorther nIreland,playingfive roundsondifferentcoursesduringtheirstay.

Thevisitinggolferisdefinedbytheprimary purposeoftheirtravelbeingtoplaygolfin Norther nIreland.

Andwhilegolfwouldbethepurposeof thetrip,forevery£1spentongreenfees,a further£4isspentonancillaryservicessuch asaccommodation,transportandfoodand beverage.

Thevastmajorityofgolfersratedtheir experienceinNorther nIrelandasexcellent.

Thefigureshavebeen releasedjusttwo monthsbeforeThe153rdOpenisduetotake

placeatRoyalPortrushGolfClubfromJuly 13-20.

SheffieldHallamUniversityhasestimated thattheeventwilldeliver acombined economicandmediabenefitof£213mto Norther nIreland.

“TourismNIis reallyencouragedbythe figuresinthisyear’sGolf TourismMonitor, whichshowtheappealofNorther nIreland as aleadinggolfdestination,”Naomi Waite, directorofmarketingat TourismNI,said.

“Norther nIreland remains ahighlysought afterdestinationforgolfersfromNorth America,whoconsiderthistobe abucketlist golfingexperience.The retur nofAustralian visitorspostpandemicisverypositivenews, alongwithourclosetohomemarketsinGreat BritainandtheRepublicofIreland remaining strong.

“The153rdOpen,whichistakingplace atRoyalPortrushinJuly,willcontinueto showcaseourexceptionaldestinationtoa hugeinternationalgolfingaudience.Thiswill buildonthecurrentdemandformanyyearsto come.”

ThefifthholeatRoyalPortrush lookingoutoverthecoast

BelfastHarbourchiefJoeO’Neill andchairDrTheresaDonaldson, withLeoMartin,Graham,civil engineering,managingdirector

Work beginson £90m Harbourdevelopment aimedatboostingtourism

Aboostincruisetourismfor Norther nIrelandisnowbecoming realityasworkstartson a£90m deepwaterterminalinBelfastHarbour.

Thedualpurposedeepwaterquaywill meanmoreturnaroundcruisecallscancome toBelfast,sothatasonesetofpassengersget off,anothersetcansetoffontheopenseas onthesameday.

It’stheharbour’sbiggestsinglecapital investmentprojectyet,withthequayable toaccommodatesomeoftheworld’slargest cruisevessels.Itwillalsoexpandtheport’s capacityforoffshorewindturbineassembly andinstallation.

CivilengineeringcontractorGraham Constructionhasbeenannouncedasthe maincontractorfortheinitialphaseofthe build.

Stageoneisexpectedtobe readyfor

the2028cruiseseasonwhilestagetwo isanticipatedby2030tostrengthenthe infrastructureforoffshoreturbines.

Theharboursaidthatwith146cruisevessels duethisyear,itwasalreadythebusiestcruise portontheislandofIreland,andthesecondbusiestintheUK.

Itsaidthedeepwaterquaywould futureproofitsstatusforcruisetourismand enablethe£25mindustrytogroweven further.

Whenthenewquayis ready,theexisting cruisehubwill reverttoitsoriginaluseasa full-timefacilityforoffshorewind.

DrTheresaDonaldson,chairofBelfast HarbourCommissioners,said:“Having announcedourambitiousnewadvance regionalprosperitystrategyonly afewmonths ago,itisexcitingtobepartneringwith Grahamtocommenceworkonthesingle

biggestinvestmentprojectinBelfastHarbour’s history.

“As atrustport,ourprimary responsibilityis tomaintainanddeveloptheportforthegood ofeveryoneinthe region,andthisproject deliversonthatmission.

“Itwillhelpustoattractmoreturnaround cruisecallstoBelfast,boostingtheeconomic contributionofcruisetourism,whilealso providing apathwaytoourlonger-term ambitionsoffacilitatingtheconstructionof thenextgenerationoffloatingoffshorewind farms.”

JoeO’Neill,chiefexecutiveofBelfast Harbour,said:“Thiswillhave amultipliereffect onvisitornumbers.

“Asoffshorewindtechnologyevolves BelfastHarbourisuniquelyplacedtobe akey enablerofthepowerstationsofthefuturein theIrish,CelticandNorthSeas.” ■

EuropeanCouncilPresidentAntonio Costa,UKPrimeMinisterKeirStarmer andPresidentoftheEuropean Commission,UrsulavonderLeyen

EUdeal ‘a majorbreakthrough’

Anewlandmarkdealbetweenthe EUandUK represents“amajor stepforwardforNorther nIreland’s agri-foodindustry”,theUlsterFarmers’ Union(UFU)hassaid.

Thesanitaryandphytosanitary(SPS) agreement relatestoaspectsoffood,fishing, defenceandpassportsandwillseefewer checksonsomegoodsmovingfromGreat BritaintoNIaspartofthePrimeMinister’s Brexit reset.

MichelleO’Neillwelcomedthedealshortly afteritwasannounced,howevershestressed thatthe“devilwillbeinthedetail”.

SpeakingatStormont,FirstMinisterMichelle O’Neillwelcomedwhatshedescribedasan “improved relationship”betweenLondonand Brussels.

“Anythingthatprotectstheall-island economy,anythingthatmaximisesouraccess tobothmarketsintermsoftrade,anything that removesbarriersfortrade,thenthat’s somethingthatwewouldobviouslyverymuch welcome,”shesaid.

“Therewasnothinggoodtocomefrom Brexitandallofthis resetcomesas adirect resultoftryingto repair alotofdamagethat

hasbeendone.”

DUPleaderGavinRobinsonsaiditisnot yetknownhowexactlythedealwillimpact Norther nIrelandashewarneditwillbe assessedthrough“theprismoftheunion”.

Whileacknowledgingthatsomeprogress hasbeenmade“insuperficialterms”, theEastBelfastMPsaiditistooearlyto understandthedefinitiveoutcomeofthenew arrangements.

“Wewilllookattheseissuesthrough theprismofwhatisbestforthepeopleof Norther nIreland,withinthecontextofthe UnitedKingdom,”MrRobinsonsaid.

ButtheUlsterFarmersUnioncalledit“a significantbreakthrough”.

UFUpresident WilliamIrvinesaid:“Ahuge amountofworkhasgoneinatUFUlevelover manyyearstogettothispoint.

Themajorityofwhatwehavebeen lobbyingforisnow reflectedinthis agreement.Itbrings real,long-termcertainty forourmembersandthewideragri-food industry.

“AnendtoburdensomeSPSpaperwork, removalofchecksongoodsmovingto Norther nIreland,inclusionofsecond-hand

machinery,progressonthemovementof livecattle,pesticide regulationsandruleson organics –theseareallkeywins.

“Whiletheagreementdoesnotinclude veterinarymedicines,whichare currentlynot classifiedasSPS,theUFUacknowledgethat thisisthebeginningof adetailedprocess ratherthantheconclusion.

“Thisdealisn’tgoingto removeallobstacles overnight –itwilltakeupto18monthsto implement,andmuchofthecontentwillbe complexand requirefurtherclarification.But it’sastepintherightdirection. We mustnow getintothedetailandensureitdeliversin practice.”

TUVleaderJimAllistersaidthedealagreed bySirKeirStarmerandtheEUhandedtoo muchcontroltoBrussels.

“AtonelevelthesurrenderofUKfishing watersforanother12yearstotheEUisthe mostvividillustrationofthegovernment’s agendatosabotageBrexit,”hesaid.

HoweverSDLPleaderClaireHannahailed theagreementas“muchneededprogress”.

“Wewereaskingforambitionandhope goingintothis.Thereisalottogainandnot verymuchtolose,”shesaid. ■

Havewe reacheda plant-based foodspeak?

Salesofprocessedmeat alternativesandplantbasedreadymeals havefallenhere. John Mulgrew askshave wereachedthepeakfor processedveganfoods?

Havewe reached apeakforplantbasedfoodalternativeshere?

Or,are wein aperiodofdietary transition? We’retalkingaboutprocessed veganproductsinparticular.Thatwider industryhasseensalesfalloverthelastfew years,inparticulararoundthingslikemeat substitutesand readymeals.

AtaneventatBalmoralShow recently,a Tescobosswasspeakingabouthowbrands oncehadabigfocusonprocessedvegan productsandsections.

He’dpointedtothefactthatsupermarkets havehadsuchareasforyears –thefruitand vegetablesection.Salesofsuchitems remain strong.

So,veganismandvegetarianismisn’t goingaway,butarewemovingawayfrom someoftheprocessedmeatand readymeal alternatives,andfocusingonfreshgoods instead?

Thefigureswouldsuggestthatwe’renow pastthecrestofthewaveformanyofthe moreprocessedveganalternatives,withsales falling.

TheUK retailmarketforplant-basedfood wasvaluedat£942min2023,andtheannual salesvalueofplant-basedfoodsfellby2.8% between2022and2023,accordingto areport fromGFIEurope.

It’smeatand readymealswherethebiggest dropsarehappening.Readymealssawan almost20%fallinsalesin2023,year-onyear,whilealternativemeatproductsdropped

Meatalternative andplant-based readymealsales havefallen

6.3% –but representthesecondlargestarea ofproduction,on£372.7m,justbehindmilk productson£403.7m.

Butitseemsit’salternativedairyoptions whichareprovingstrongerandmorerobust –helpingkeepthesalesvaluedropmore modest.

Milkalternativesactually roseby0.8%, accordingtovalue,butfell8.8%,accordingto salesvolume.

Bighighstreetbrandshaveaxedsome veganproducts,or reducedthevolumeoflines –especiallythoseinvolvingmeatalternatives.

Plant-basedalternativesarenowan establishedpartoftheUKgrocerysystem.But lookingatsomeofwiderfallsinsales,wecan seewhichareashavethegreatestembedding inoursociety.

Meatalternativesaretaking adip,along with readymeals.

Buttheideaofputtingoatoralmondmilk inourcoffeeinthemorningseemstobe atrendwhichiscontinuingtoexpandand becomealmostasnormalisedasaskingfor

skimmed,overfull-fat.

Takethisperiodof alitanyofthingsbeing slappedwithveganbranding,including everythingfrom aheftysteakburger,toa processedlasagne,as amomentintimefor ourmeat-freefoodjourney.

We’relearningwhatworks,andwhat doesn’t.There’llcome atimewhenthe productlinesbeingmarketedasveganbecome lessof afad,andfocusonthefoodwhich actuallyworks,andperhapsevenbenefits, frombeingmeatanddairy-free.

Thesomewhathorrendousportmanteau word‘flexitarian’iscertainlyheretostay. Peoplewhostillconsiderthemselvesmeateatershave adifferentapproachtocuttingout animalproteinanddairy.

Meatanddairyisn’tcheap.Butitstill remainspartofthemajorityofthepopulation’s diethere.Butifwearetoreducemeat consumption –whetherit’sforhealthor environmental reasons –wecando alot worsethanourgreengrocerorthefruitand vegetablesectioninourlocalsupermarket. ■

EamonnLaverty,groupchiefexecutive ofMRP,ChrisConway,groupchief executive, Translink,andSeamus McAleer,founderandchairmanofMRP

Family-runNI construction firmposts£491.5mturnover

McAleer& Rushe’smostrecentaccountsshowstronggrowthoverthelastyearas thecompanyapproachessixdecadesinbusiness. JamesMcNaney takes acloser lookatitslatestaccounts

NorthernIrelandconstructiongiant McAleer &Rusheiscontinuing toimproveitsperformanceand expanditsbusinessevenasthefamilyownedconstructionfirmapproachessix decadesinbusiness.

Itsaccountsfor2024havejustbeen released,andshowamarkedimprovementin manyofthekeyareasofthebusiness,withpretaxprofitsupbyaround athird from2023.

McAleerandRusheContractsUKLimited reported aturnoverof£491.5minthe12 monthsendingonDecember31,lastyear.This wasa12.6%risefromthefigureof£436m theybroughtinfor theyearendingDecember 2023.

Costsalsoincreasedatthecompany, althoughtheywereproportionatelysmaller relativetothehigherincome.Costofsales

wentup11.5%from£409mto£456m,while administrativeexpensesincreasedby17.5% from£22.4mto£19m.

Thecompanyincreaseditsaveragenumber ofemployeespermonthin2024from358to 384withmostofthatincreasecominginthe formof20additionaladministrativestaff.

Employmentcostsalso rose,goingupbyjust over£2m,or9%,from£25.9mto£28.2min thesameperiod.

McAleer &Rushealsoimproveditsposition intermsofcashatbankandinhandlastyear, asit rosebyalmost£20mto£71m,something thecompanydescribesas aresultofits “controlledgrowth.”

Overall,thecompanymanaged a37% growthinitsprofitsbeforetaxinitslatest accounts,risingfrom£9.3min2023to£12.9m in2024.

Theperformancein2024isevenmore notablewhenitiscomparedtothecompany’s accountsfrom adecadeearlier

In2014,McAleerandRusheContractsUK Limitedhad aturnoverof£104mand apre-tax profitof£3m.

Thismeansthatturnoverhasalmost quadrupledinthepast10years,andprofits havegoneupmorethanfourtimesinthesame timeperiod.

McAleer &Rushewasfoundedin1967by SeamusMcAleer,andEamonnLavertyjoinedthe companyfouryearslater

Thecompanyhascontinuedtoexpand thesectorsitworksinoverthedecades.The early1980ssawitbranchoutintocommercial developments,themid-90shadexpansioninto thehotelsectorwhilethe2000swas aperiodof “significantgrowthwithmixed-useprojects.”

Astimehasmovedon,sohas thespreadof thecompany.Whileitisstillheadquarteredin Cookstown,ithasofficesinBelfast,Dublinand inLondon’sDruryLane.

MuchofMcAleer &Rushe’srecent improvementcanbeattributedtoitsmajor expansionintoLondon,whichhasbecomean importantpartofthebusiness,asevidencedby theextensionand refurbishmentworkcarried outatitsbaseCoventGardenbaseinthecity.

Now, 50%ofthecompany’sworkloadis locatedintheUKcapitalcity,withcurrent projectsincluding a£220m residential schemeinBermondsey,a£105mstudent accommodationschemeintheCityofLondon and acontractfor a15-storeybuildingin SouthbankPlace.

Londonprojectsarenotable,but theorder bookandlistofcompletedprojectsalso takein otherlocations.

Accordingtotheaccounts,inthe2024 accountingperiod,thecompanycompleted a 36-storeyresidentialprojectinExchangeSquare inBirmingham,theCitySquareHouseOffice BuildinginLeeds,“hotelsinLiverpooland Manchester”and“studentschemesinLeeds andNottingham”.

Thestrategic reportlocatedinthecompany’s accountssaysthattheturnoverfiguresfor 2024“areinlinewiththeexpectationsofthe directors”.

Itaddsthat“buildingoncontractssecuredin 2024andsinceturnoverfor2025isprojected to reach£550m”.

“Thecompany remainsfocusedonstaff retentionandcontinuingtoexpanditssupply chainonanongoingbasisbutnottomaterially expanditsnumberofactivesites.

“Thecompany’scontinuedfinancialstrength leavesitwellpositionedtosecurefurtherwork andmaintainincreasedturnoverlevelsgoing forward.”

Thedirectorsconsiderthemainrisksthat faceMcAleer &Rushetobe“marketriskand healthandsafetyrisk.”

Thecompanymanagesthemarketrisk ofpotentialdownturnsinthemarketand demandby“regularandongoingworkload reviews.”

“Thecompanyhashealthandsafetysystems thatapplytoallsiteactivities,staffatalllevels areinvolvedwithand responsibleforensuring thatsafesystemsofworkaremaintainedonall sitesandalllegislationisfullycompliedwith.

“Thecompany’spriorityandfocusisto ensurethesafetyofallthoseworkingbothonsiteandintheoffice.”

Thegeographicandsectoralspreadof thecompany’sprojectsarestriking:ithas recentlycompletedoriscurrentlyworkingon hotelprojectsintheNorth WestofEngland andDublin, residentialschemesinLondon, a

retirement-livingprojectinthesouthofEngland andstudentaccommodationacrossmuchof England.

Thevarietyofbothgeographiclocation andprojecttypewouldplace astrainonany company’ssupplychainsandstaffing,however, itcouldwellalsoserveasaneffectivehedge againstfutureuncertainty

Fluctuationsinthemarketcansqueezethe marginsofconstructionsectorbusinesses,and byhaving avariedportfolio,thecompanycan protectitselfagainstdownturnsinanyonearea ofconstruction.

Announcingthe2024 results,Eamonn Laverty,groupchiefexecutive,said,“Ourlatest construction results reflectourpositionas a trustedandcompetitivedeliverypartner,driven bysustainedactivityacrossthe residential, studentaccommodation,office,andhotel sectors.

“Wehaveseen anotableupliftinthe build-to-rentandprivatesalemarkets,while 2024hasalsomarkedgrowthinthelaterliving sector,astrategicareaofopportunityforthe businessgoingforward.

“Thestrengthofourlong-standing supplychainpartnershipstogetherwith thecommitmentofourverydedicated managementandstaffremainscentraltohow wedeliverhigh-quality,efficientandsustainable schemesforourclients.” ■

McAleer &Rushe

Thebusinessgift-givingservice withthepersonaltouch

Thewell-travelledco-founderofNeedi, LouiseDoyle,tells JamesMcNaney aboutthefirm,andlifeinhernewfamilyhomeinArmagh

LouiseDoyledescribesmuchofher professionallifeasthepursuit ofpersonalconnectionand authenticity.Thatjourneyhastakenher fromtravellingtheworld, workingasa salesdirectorfor atravelfirm,tonow running astart-uptechcompanyfromher newhomeinMiddletown,southArmagh.

Justlastmonthshewasrunner-upinthe on-stagepitchingcompetitionattheBelfast TelegraphBusinessAwardsinpartnershipwith UlsterBank.

Louise(38),co-founderofNeedi, agift-

givingserviceprovidingmorepersonalised presentsthanpeopleusually receivefromtheir employers,saidithadbeen a“nerve-racking butfantasticopportunitythat’salready resulted in anewclientforNeedi”.

Itis abusiness-to-businessservice,which LouiseandStephanieScholessetuptohelp companiesgivegiftsthatholdmeaningfor staff,insteadofendingupasclutterinpeople’s cupboards.

Shehasextensiveexperienceinbusiness, startingworkatage19.Growingupin Devon,shebrieflyattendedtheUniversityof

Winchesterbeforebeingforcedtodropoutto “earnsomemoneyandlookaftermymum”, whowasunwellatthetime

Louisehadalreadyseen abitoftheworldon agapyear,usingmoneyshesaved“doingbar workandbabysittingandwhateverelse Icould get”totravelaroundAustralasiaandIndia.

Herexperienceshelpedhermaturequickly, assheprogressedwithin ayearorsoto a positionin arecruitmentfirmwhereshewas managing130temporarystaff.

Sheusedher“decent-sizedsalary”tofund moretravels,beforebecominganexpedition

coordinatorwithCampsInternational.

“Inthesummerholidays Iwouldgoout toAfrica,Asia,SouthAmerica. Iwouldtake groupsofstudentsandgotrekkingaround thejunglesofBorneo,livinginhammocks, teachingorangutanstoswing.

“InthetermtimeI workedmywayupfrom being asalesexecutivetothesalesdirectorfor thegroupoftravelcompanies.”

Itwasinthat roleshemetbusinesspartner Steph,andthetwodevelopeda strongworking relationship.

“ShewasmyUKsalesmanager,andthen Ihadallofmyglobalteams.Between us,we helpedtogrow revenuesbyaboutthreetimes in afewyears.

“Wedidthaton ashoestringbudget, becauseitwas asocialenterprise,soobviously youhaven’treallygotmuchmoneytogive peoplebonusesorincentivesorthings “Weknewthatthebestwayofdoingthat wasthroughhumanconnection. Werealised

thatsendinglittlegiftsorthingsthatwerereally meaningfulhad amuchbiggerimpactthan sendingthem ahamperor abrandedrucksack.

“Mostofthetimewetookourtime,we understoodwhotheywere,wesentlittlethings with agiftmessage.

“Theproblemwecameupagainst,apart fromthefactthatwewerespendinghoursof ourowntimeandourownmoney,wasthat quiteoftenthey(thegifts)wouldn’tarriveon time.

“Sometimestheywouldhavethe receipt andcostofthegiftinthereaswell,which takesawayfromit. We thought:‘We’reonto somethinghere’.

Alreadywehadmanagedtogetthehighest staffretentionratethatthecompanyhadever seen.Wehadthehighestclient retentionrate.”

Theybothfelttherewas abusiness opportunityin aserviceprovidingpersonalised giftsto staff,andsoin2020thepairlefttheir jobstofoundNeedi.

EarlyonNeedifaced a“gazillionnoesanda fewyeses”,somethingwhich required“bloody hardworkand aheapof resilience”toget through.

“Webothcrossedour‘awkwardline’100 times,”shesaid.

“We’vestillgotfriendsandacquaintances thatwecanbarelylookintheeye,becausewe feellikeweharasspeoplesomuchtotryour gift-matchingservice.

“Anybodythatdidn’tbuytheirChristmas presentsthroughuswasnoted.

“Westartedoffnetworkingwithanybody thatweknew,andthensuddenlyitstarted snowballing.

“WemanagedtoattractJonathan McGregor,he’stheex-chiefmarketingofficer ofNotOnTheHighStreet.Hewasoneofmy biggestcompetitors,heledmarketingineBay, JohnLewisandotherplaces.

“Weknewthatwecouldn’taffordJonathan atthetime,butweputthisadvertout,and he’d responded.

“And Isaid:‘Look,atsomestage Iwould like afull-timechiefmarketingofficer,butright nowwecandopart-timeandequityand a promiseskindofthing’.

“Andhe’sstillwithustoday,andhe’sbeen amazing,openingdoorstousandhelpingus growthecompany.”

Thecompanyaltereditsstyleofsales,while alsoestablishingitselfas atechfirminsteadof

thelifestylecompanyitwasoftenassumedto be.

“Weveryquickly realisedthatitwasthe largercompaniesthatneededourhelp, becausetheirstaffjustfeltlikenumbers,and theywantedtobemorethoughtful.”

Neediisstill asmalloperation,butitis growingquickly,withalmost10staff.

Louisesaysthereare somekeyprinciples tofollowwhentryingtomake agiftfeel personal,includingthemethodofthedelivery, personalisationandcontext

“Alotofitcomesdowntothewaythatitis deliveredandthemessagethatcomeswithit,” shesaid.

“Personalisationisanotherkeyone…and thentheotherthingisthecontext.I’mthinking aboutmaternitygifts,and Iknowthatsome ofthebestmaternitygiftsthathaveevergone downhavebeen,insteadofhampersand babygrowsandflowers,thingslikefreshly cookedmealsthathavebeendelivered.”

Thesearchforauthenticityandhuman connectionis adeeply-heldvalueforLouise, drivenbyherownexperienceoftragedy “Mymumtookherownlifewhen Iwas21,” shesaid.

“Ilearnedvery,veryearlyhowimportantitis totellpeoplethatyoucare,toshowthemthat youcare,andtobeauthentic.

“Iwearmyheartonmysleeve abit,andif someonedoes abrilliantjob, Iwanttoshout outfromthe rooftopsandmakethemfeel reallylovedforit.

“Starting agiftingcompany,that’sallabout showingpeoplethatyoucareandconnecting people.”

SheandhusbandKieranareraisingdaughter Ella(7)andtwinsChristopherandSophia, whoareafewmonthsawayfromtheirsecond birthday

“IgrewupinDevon,inthecountry.So, forus,havingthespaceandbeingoutinthe countrywiththekids,andhavingKieran’s parents10minutesdownthe road,hasbeen anabsolutegodsend.

“It’sthatcommunityfeelaswell. Within a fewweeksofmovinghere,weworkedout thatwehadspokentomoreofourneighbours –andourneighboursdefinitelyknew moreaboutus –thanallofourneighbours combinedthatwe’dlivednexttofor10years inBournemouth.Peoplejustcome roundyour house,it’slovely.” ■

LouiseDoyle, founderofNeedi

DAAchief: ‘Itlooks

like we’refighting everybody... are we?I don’t thinkso’

DAAchiefexecutive KennyJacobs is aretailer atheart –andhethinks60millionpassengersa yearwouldmakeDublinAirporta realgoldmine, writes FearghalO’Connor

KennyJacobspointsoffinto thedistancetowards abigold shedthatservedastheRyanair headquarterswhenhefirstmadehis movefrom retailintoaviationtobecome MichaelO’Leary’smarketingdirector,back in2013.

ThesedaysMrJacobsistheDAAchief executive,andhisoffice –aglazedcorner inthestate-ownedcompany’s swishnew DublinAirportCentraldevelopment –hasa panoramicviewoftheairport. Youcansee thetwoterminals,thebusyrunwaybehind, thehalf-builtnewSofitel,and,furtherinthe distance, acollectionofolderbuildingsthat MrJacobshopestodemolishtomakewayfor newpassengerpiers.

“I rememberweusedtowalkbythatAer Lingusoffice,”hesays,pointingtowardsthe airline’soldpersonnelandcateringbuilding, “andalwaysgivethemthefinger.”

Headmitsthathehasbrought a“take-nos**t”attitudefrom Ryanair.But,hesays,it

isinhisDNA,ratherthan astrategyhehas deployedsincetakingthetopjobatDAAin January2023.

“Iwouldbestickingmyelbowsout,because Ithinkwe’vetakens**tinthepast –andI thinkwenowneedtolookafterourselvesand dowhat’srightforourbusiness.”

Theongoingwarofwordsheisengaged inwithFingalCountyCouncil –whichhas includedlegalwranglingandplanning enforcementactions –isactuallyhealthy,he says.

“Idon’tthinkthere’sanythingwrongwitha localauthorityand asemi-statehaving agoat eachother.Idon’tthinkwe’reateachother’s throatsyet.Butwearestandingupforwhat we’vebeenaskedtodobyourshareholder, whichistogrowconnectivityforIreland.”

HesaystheDAAcannotdothat,unless airportplanningdecisionsaremadefaster.

“Wehave averycapableplanningteam here.They’vegottheirplannersandwe’vea differentpointofview.Andwe’renotafraidto

expressit.Plannerscangetitwrong.Theyare notinfallible.Theykeepmovingthegoalposts –andthat’swhywe’reatthisdeadend.

“Iknowitlookslikewe’refighting everybody.Itdefinitelydoes.Arewe? Idon’t thinkso.”

Theyare.Hedoesn’tdenythattheDAA’s relationshipwiththeGovernmentisperhaps theuneasiestonewithinthesemi-sector portfolio –andhe’sunapologeticaboutit.

“We’rehighperforming,”hesays,crossing hislegsto reveal adazzlingpairofpinksocks beneathhisjeans.“We’vehadtwo record years,backtoback. Yeah,we’restickingour elbowsout –andI’mcomfortablewithus havinganuneasy relationship –becauseof ourambitionandbecausewearereally,really performingquitewell.

Hewouldlike alongerleashfromthe Governmenttoachievehisambitions.He wantstheDepartmentof Transporttosign offonallofDAA’s investmentdecisionsand thenleavethemtogetitalldone.Hisultimate long-termgoalistoputinplaceeverything neededsothatDublincanhandle60million passengers.

“Idon’twanttoleavethisjobuntilwe’ve gottheplanningapplicationfor60million approved.Thatwillnot requireathirdterminal. Itwillneedbothterminalstobebigger –with newpiers,includingnew remotepiersonthe wester nside,accessedvia atunnel.”

That,hesays,iswhatis requiredtomake Dublintrulyworld-class.

“We’re workingonthe60¬millionmaster planandthat’swhatweshouldbetalking

about,notthepassengercap. Aviationdrives connectivity.Itdrivestourismandbusiness. We shouldjustgetonandbuildit. Iwould lovethistobe aworld-classairport. We’vegot aworld-classteam.Butit’snot aworld-class airportyet. We needtobeabletobuild.”

Airlinesareinterestedinnewlong-haul routestoDublinfromSaoPaulo,Delhi, Shanghai,Bangkok,Cape Townand Singapore,hesays.

ButthedebateoverDublin’sannual passengercapof32million –now a“zombie” capbecausethecourtshaveeffectivelysetit aside –hasspookedpotentialnewcarriers.

“I’vemetairlineswhocouldoperatethose routes,buttheytellusthey’renotgoingto applyfor aslotbecauseofthecapsituation. Airlineswantcertaintybeforetheyinvestina

newmarket.”

MrJacobsisnostrangertoachievingbig numbersinaviation.Duringhissevenyearsat Ryanair,itgrewfrom80millionpassengersto 150million.

“Ryanairwasepic.MichaelO’Learyis incredible,thebestaviationchiefexecutivein theworld.Learningfromsomeonelikethat wasgreat. Ryanairisfamedforitslow-cost approach,butits‘keepitsimple’approachis justasimportant.”

Duringhistimeat Ryanair,hewas sometimestippedas apotentialsuccessorto O’Leary.

Aretailerbyheartratherthananoperational guy,heneverthelessfocusedentirelyonhiring andontheoperationforthefirstsixmonths.

“Iunderstood,thatifyoucangetpeople

DAAbossKennyJacobsin frontofthe TerminalTwo buildingatDublinAirport. >

throughsecuritywith asmileontheirface–preferablyinhalfthetimetheythinkit’sgoing totake– thentheywillbe reallyhappy.” Happycustomersequalsmoresalesinduty free.

“It’sthosesimplethings.Theairportisan opportunity-richenvironment,butwehadto getthatcore processingright.It’sthatfactory element...havethe resourcesandgetthe throughputonthelane. We haven’tlooked

Youcanlift thelid and youcan change things.We’re allentitled to question thesystemif thesystemisproducing wrongand very slow answers.

backsince.”

In recentweekshehasannounced a€200m investmentatDAA’s otherbig –andfast growing –Irishasset,CorkAirport.Themood thereisdifferenttoDublinandtheairport investmentisjustpartof awiderpushtoturn Corkinto acityof amillionpeople,hesays.

“Wehave agreat relationshipwiththe stakeholdersthere,”hesays.Inthecapitalit’s different.

KennyJacobs

“Yeah,it’stensewithFingal. Idon’twantto fightanybody,includingFingal.Buttheissue aroundplanning... Ithinkwe’refightingthat oneforIreland.Andit’safightworthhaving. It’snolongeraboutgettingthecaplifted.It’s aboutgettingfasterplanning.”

TheDAAhasthreekeyapplicationsin –and fornow,allareinlimbo.Onewouldsimply liftthecap,thesecondseekspermissionfor thedemolitionand rebuildingjobthatMr

Jacobssaysis requiredtoallowDublinhandle 40millionpassengers. Athirdplanningissue revolvesaroundnight-timeflightsandthe operationofthenewrunway.

Withoutclarityontheseplanningissues, DublinAirportsimplywillnotbeabletohandle thatgrowingnumberofpassengers.

MrJacobswondersiftheplanning departmentinFingalcan,orwill,deliverwhat’s needed,intimetoallowDAAbuildthenew piersitneeds.

“Iknowsomepeoplesayyoucan’tquestion thesystem.Buthangon,thisisn’taKafka novel.It’sanislandoffivemillionpeople.And wecreatedthesystem.

“Youcanliftthelidandyoucanchange things. We’reallentitledtoquestionthe systemifthesystemisproducingwrongand veryslowanswers. We aregoingtobeat36 millionpassengersthisyear.”

MrJacobsbelievesthatputtingapplications forairportinfrastructurethrough alocal authorityplanningofficemakesnosense.He saysitshouldinsteadbedealtwithdirectlyby AnBordPleanálaasstrategicinfrastructure. TheAirportNoiseCompetentAuthority(Anca), whichwassetupundertheauspicesofFingal CoCouncilasanindependententity,shouldbe movedtotheIrish AviationAuthority,hesays.

“Idon’tthinkFingalisincompetent,butI thinkit’swrongthatourapplicationsgointo Fingal –becausethisisstrategicinfrastructure. IthinkDublinAirportshouldbe reclassified strategicinfrastructure.”

That,headmits,would requirelegislative change.

“Idon’tthinkwearetalkingpagesand pagesoflegislation.It’sprettysimple.It shouldn’ttakeyears,”hesays.“Soit’soverto theGovernmentonthat.Ifwearewaitingfor legislativechange,thenitcouldbeanother two-and-a-halfyearsbeforewegetthegreen lightonplanningfromFingalandthenAn BordPleanála,andthenitwillbeanother18to 24monthsbeforewegetstuffbuilt.”

That,hesays,wouldbe“ashameanda loss”forIreland.

“We’regoingtodoover36million passengersin2025.Themaxwecantake operationallyis38to39million.Soifwecan’t

opennewcapacitybefore2030,therewillbe aperiodoftwotothreeyearswherewewill absolutelybeturningbusinessaway.”

Allowinggrowthtocontinueunderthose circumstanceswouldlandtheairportbackin asituationsimilartothechaoticsummerof 2022.

Alternatively,hesays,iftheGovernment designatestheairportasstrategic infrastructure,expansioncanhappenmuch morequickly.

Ofcourse,theplanningmessinwhichthe DAAfindsitselfisultimatelylargelyofitsown making.

MrJacobsdefendshispredecessorsinthe office.HearguesthatDAAdidapplytoFingal tohavethecap removedin2019butwas advisedbythelocalauthorityandothersthat thiscouldnotbehandledatthesametimeas theapplicationforthenewnorthrunway.

TheCovidlockdownsaveditfromhittinga capacitycrunchsooner.

“Ifyouhadyourtimeagain,youwould say:‘No,sorryguys,we’vegottodoboth,’” hesays.

“I rememberbeingin Ryanair10yearsago, doing apressconferenceandtellingDAA: ‘Youneedtogetonandstartplanning.’ We hadaddedanextramillionpassengersin Ryanairinboth2014and2015andDublin hadgrownto31million.Mathematically,the timeframetoapplyfor40millioniswhen you’reat27or28million –notwhenyou’ve hit31million.”

MrJacobsbelievesthecompanyname–changedfromDublinAirportAuthorityinto theall-smallletterdaaacronymin aprevious brandingexercise –nolongerworks.

“Whenyouarestillexplainingthename thenthere’ssomethingwrong.Andthis companyisaboutmorethanjustDublin–andtheword‘authority’iskindofOrwellian. We’renot aregulator.”

Buthesayshehasnointentionofpaying amarketingagencyfor anewname –andis insteadrunning astaffcompetition.

“Ienteredtwosuggestionsmyself,but they’retopsecret,”hesays.

AswithmuchelseattheDAA,wewillhave towaitandsee. ■

FromCo Armagh eggfarmto quirkyBelfastboutiquehotel

MelanieHarrison tells JamesMcNaney howshe turnedher£212,000‘buyofthecentury’ontheMalone Roadinto aluxuryboltholefordiscerningguests

Growingupasthedaughterofan eggfarmerandstartingoff life infoodscienceissomethingof anunorthodoxcareerpathtobecoming thepurveyorof aluxuryboutiqueBelfast hotel.

TheHarrisonChambersofDistinction onthe MaloneRoadis asought-afterplacetostay becauseofitsquirky, butluxuriousstylings AndownerMelanieHarrison’spersonalityis a keypartofitsappeal.

Heroriginsarefar-removedfromwhatshe’s doingnow

“I’mfromRichhill,nearArmagh,”shesaid. “It’snottoofarfromtheborder. Mydadwas likeaneggfarmeroriginally.

“Iwouldhavehelpedout alot,butthenI leftwhen Iwas18andbasicallythatwasme gone,Iwastravelingfromthenon.”

Melaniefound awaytosecure herfirstjob abroad,contactingtheAmericancompanythat madesomeofthefarm’sequipment.

“Iwasdoingfoodtechnologyathomeand I wasdesperatetotravel,”shesaid.“Irangthe manufactureroftheeggmachineinPhoenix, Arizona,andtoldhim Iwouldcomeoutand workforjustboardandlodgingsandpaymy ownway

“Iwas afoodscientist, Iwasdoing acourse inthat,andIwentandworkedatanegg pasteurisationplantinUtah,doingtheirquality control.

“Andthen Iendedupstudyingthereas well,IwenttotheUniversityofMinnesotain Minneapolis.”

Melanie’sloveoftravellingwascateredfor, withheremployersendinghertoCalifornia, Mexico,NewZealand,Australia,Italyandmore.

Bythetimeshedecidedtomovehomeshe was asinglemumoftwoboys,BenandJake.

Aself-confessed“risk-taker”,Melaniewas hookedwhenshesawformerofficesforsale ontheMaloneRoad.

Shesaid:“Iwasjustlookingforsomewhere tolive. Ifellinlovewiththis row. Oneofthe buildingswasupforauction,and Ithought, well, Icouldgetthat. Icouldgetthathouse and Icouldliveabovetheoffices.

“Peoplewerehorrifiedandsaid:‘Youcan’t dothat. Youcan’tbring ababyand atoddler upthere’. Youknow,theydidn’tunderstand. Everybodythought Iwascompletelybonkers becausetheyjustsawthemasoffices.”

Shebeganbyowning16 rooms,andnow has arowoffivetownhouses.

“Iboughtthewholeblockfor£212,000. Thatwas2012,soitwas agoodbuy.I think thatwasthebuyofthecentury.Iwasableto have ahomeand abusiness,anincome,and thatwasthespringboard.

“Inever,everwouldhavedreamtthat I wouldhavefivehousesonthisblock.Itwasn’t even athing.

“Iwasdoingitjusttoput abitoffoodon thetableandforsomethingthatwas alifestyle business.

“Mydadand Ididupthetopthreefloors ofthehouse,andtheneventuallytheoffices actuallymovedout.”

Withnewlyvacantspace,Melaniewas intriguedbynewdevelopmentsinthe hospitalitymarket.

“Istartedwithone room,andthought:‘Oh, I’lltrythisAirbnbthingthatseemstobethe newthing’.

“Thatwasactually rentedimmediately

Andthen Ihadfivelodgers’ rooms,andthen theywerejust rentedout100%ofthetime. Iwasrunningthatonmyown,doingallof thecleaningandwashingthelinensandthe entertainingandallthe rest

“It’shardoldgraft,but Ilovedit,and I metpeoplefromallovertheworld,and Ijust thoughtthisisthebestthingI’veeverdone.

“Ilovetravelling.That’smyrealpassionin life.Butyoucan’tjustdothatallthetime, especiallywhenyou’reasinglemum.

“Thatwasthetravellerscomingtome. That’sthenextbestthing...I’mmeetingthese interestingpeoplewithamazingstories.”

Shehasnowembarkedon a£750,000 investmentatHarrisonChambers,andis gettingtheoutsidelandscaped.Melanieis workingwithsculptorJillMorrowon apiece forthegarden.

Thebuildingswerepreviouslyhometowellknown residents,includingpoetJohnHewitt andfiguresassociatedwithdepartmentstore CleaverandRobinson.

Melaniewantstosharethishistoryandthe cultureofBelfastwithhercustomers.Shealso wantstopointthemto restaurantsinthecity theymightnototherwisefind.

Sheadded:“I’mquiteaware ofthepeople here.I’mquite aluxuryplace,andpeopleare comingwhoarehigh-endcustomers.

“They’vealreadygot reallynice restaurants wheretheylive,sowhynotgivethem something aweebitdifferent?

“Iwouldsendthemsomewherelike HolohansonUniversityRoadfortheboxty, and IwouldsendthemmaybetoStockatSt George’sMarket.

“I’malwaystryingtosendthemsomewhere

thattheycan’tgetathome,thatisauthentic andlocal...there’sastory

“IthinkthatpeoplelovecomingtoBelfast andit’sallaboutourstories.Nobody’scoming fortheweather,they’re comingforthepeople, really

“I’mcapturing avibehereofthatkindof culturallycuriouscustomer... Iget alotof musiciansandwriters,mixedinwithpeople whoare justgenerallyinterested.Theydon’t wanttostayin achainhotel,theyarejust lookingforsomethingdifferent.

“Andthisisquiteanimmersiveexperience. Youcanactuallycomeandhavequite arelaxed day,butyoucanstilltakein alotofthehistory

andcultureofBelfast.

“There’sincrediblepeoplehere,and Ithink thatwasmypassionbehinddoingthis. Icame homefromlivingabroadforallthoseyearsand went:‘Peoplefromhereare amazing,Belfast isamazing,we reallypunchaboveourweight and Iwanttoshowpeopleandcelebrate.Let’s bereallyproudofourcityinsteadofbeing embarrassedallthetimeandtryingtobelike America,ortryingtobelikeEngland –let’sbe likeourselves’.”

Herfamilyhaveplayed abig roleinthe business.Herbrotheris apropertydeveloper andMelaniesayshehasbeen“key”togetting helpwithbuildersandtradespeople.

AndherfatherDerekHarrisonhasbeenso importantthatthehotelhasbeennamedafter him.

“He’slike ateenager,buthe’sgoingtobe80 inthreeweeks’time.Hehasmoreenergythan most18-year-olds,he’dgivethem arunfor theirmoney

“Mydad,being afarmer,hashad abitof propertydevelopmentexperience.He’sreally hands-on.

“He’shereallthetime.He’splantingthe gardensandpickingthingsupanddropping thingsoffforme.Heproject-managedthe wholething,and Icouldn’thavedoneit withoutmydad.”

MelanieHarrisonofTheHarrison ChambersofDistinctionhotel

Howdidyougetstartedinthe industry?

IgraduatedfromEdinburgh’s Heriot-WattUniversityin2009with adegreeinestatemanagementand anambitiontoworkincommercial property.Thiswasanunfortunate timetobegraduatingandlooking for ajobinthepropertysector,just monthsaftertheUKpropertymarket crash. IaskedmyfatherDaniel Clarkeifhewouldmindif Icameandworked inhisbusinessRoss’sAuctioneersfor afew monthstokeepsome routineandfocuswhileI consideredmyoptions.In responsetodifficult marketconditions Iimmediatelyidentified whereIcouldaddvalueandfoundmyself immersedinlookingatinnovativewaysof digitisingtheauctionprocessandsoonbecame engrossedintheworldofauctioneering.The innovationsideofthebusinesscontinuestobe afocus.Just recentlyweacquiredIrishauction houseAdamsBlackrock,whichdatesbackto 1947,followinganinvestmentof£500,000. Aswellasmovingtheauctionhousefrom southDublinto asiteinthecitycentre,in earlyMaywebecamethefirstauctionhouse ontheislandofIrelandtoofferdualcurrency throughoutoursales,meaningbuyersnorth, southandacrossEuropecanbidineuroor sterling.

Typically,whoareyourclientsor customers?

Entrepreneur Month

OFTHE

andtimeagain.Theauctioncanbecome addictivetopeoplewholovegrabbinga bargainorfinding aspecialitemtoaddtotheir collection.

Doyouenjoywhatyoudo,andwhatin particular?

Asagentsweattractsellersthroughexecutors windingupestates,sellersdownsizing,aswell asprivateandcorporateclients.Purchasers rangefromartcollectors,jewelleryfanatics, antiqueloversanddealersacrossallgenres. We see alotofthesamefaces returningtime

Ilovethebuzzoftheauctionhouse! Iam mainlyinvolvedinthebusinessmanagement sideofthingswith afocusonbuildinga greatteamaroundmetoensurewecan deliverthebestcuratedauctionseverysingle month. Iamfocussedonensuringourindustry leadingsoftwareisconstantlydevelopingand deliveringthebestauctionexperiencefor ourclients. Withthedualcurrencybidding systemwe’veintroducedtocoincidewithour acquisitionofAdamsBlackrock,itwillbea clearprocessforcustomersasthey’reinvited tobidfromthecomfortoftheirownhome throughourbespokeonlineauctionsoftware.

Whatisthemostdifficultpartofyourjob? Themostdifficultpartofmyjobisensuringwe

alwaysstay astepaheadofthecompetition andensuringthebusinesscontinuestogrow. Ross’shas recentlycelebrateditscentenaryand wecontinuetoseeknewwaystoapproach whatisanancientprofession.Acquiring AdamsBlackrockinDublinhasbeena significantstepinthis respectasweexpand intotheRepublicofIreland,wherethereis lotsofhealthycompetitionintheworldof auctioneering.It’simportanttokeeppushing forwardwiththewaywedothings,andthis is averyexcitingdevelopmentforeveryonein thebusiness.

Whatarethechallengesfacingyoursector andtheeconomyingeneral?

Recentgeopoliticaluncertaintieshave cemented alackofconfidenceinbuyersand investors.Locally,the WindsorFrameworkhas generatedconsiderableobstaclesforRoss’sto negotiate.Inparticular,thereisasignificant lackofclarityinhowtherulesneedtobe implementedandlittlehelpavailablefor complexquestionswhichcontinuetoarise. ■

AngusClarke Ross’s Auctioneersand ValuersandAdamsBlackrock

EY unveilsnew Derryofce

EYIrelandmanagingpartnerFrankO’Keeffe,MayorofDerryCityandStrabaneDistrictCouncil,Lilian-SeenoiBarr,EconomyMinisterDrCaoimheArchibald,FirstMinisterMichelle O’NeillMLA,deputyFirstMinisterEmmaLittle-Pengelly,EYUK&IregionalmanagingpartnerAnnaAnthony,andEYNorthernIrelandmanagingpartnerRobHeron

ProfessionalservicesfirmEYhas praisedthe“exceptionaltalent”in Derryandsaiditwasimportantfor thecompanytoalignwiththe region’s growthplansasitofficiallyopenedan officeinthecity.

FirstMinisterMichelleO’Neill,deputyFirst MinisterEmmaLittle-PengellyandMinisterfor theEconomyCaoimheArchibaldattendedthe openingofthenewoffice.

EYjoinsAlchemyintheofficesatEbrington Plazainwhatisviewedas afurtherboostfor the Watersidesiteandwidercity.

Thefirmhopesthenewofficewillplayan “importantrole”inexpandingitspresencein Norther nIrelandandwillhelpaddressgrowing clientdemandsintheareaasthey“leverage theexceptionaltalentavailableacrossthe northwest.”

RobHeron,EYNorther nIrelandmanaging partner,saidthefirmemploysmorethan1,000 peopleinBelfast.

InSeptember2023,thecompany announcedthatitwouldcreate1,000new jobsinNIandhassince recruited300new employeestowardsthattarget.

Hesaidtheplanwastoopenanoffice

inthenorthwestbyJune2026buthaving “witnessedthequalityofthetalenthere, we’veactuallyacceleratedthatandwe’re openinguptwelvemonthsaheadof schedule.”

MrHeronexplainedthattheofficecan accommodateupto120people,but“the reallyexcitingthingisthatbecauseofthe world-classfacilitiesatEbringtonPlazaisthere is roomtogrow –sothereisreallynolimiton theamountofpeoplethatwewanttoemploy uphere”.

Hespokeabouttheimportanceofhaving askillspipelinefromUlsterUniversity’sMagee campus amatterofmilesawayandtobe “aligned”withcoursesthere.

“UlsterUniversitysetup agroupof peopletoexplorehowthecitycancreatean infrastructuretobuild auniversityherethat canaccommodate10,000studentsinareas likefinance,dataanalytics, roboticsandthey’re allexactlytheareasfromwhichwewantto recruitandemploypeople,”hesaid.

“We’rereallywellalignedwiththegrowth plansforthecityand region.”

ButhealsomadeclearthatEYis a“training organisationwithveryclearcareerprogression

anddevelopmentpathways”andworkwith theEconomyDepartmentaroundAssured SkillsAcademies –theseprovidethenecessary supporttodeliver askilledworkforcethrough thedeliveryofshortpre-employmenttraining courses.

EbringtonwasalsoattractiveforEY,he said,duetoitbeinganhistoriclocation andonecurrentlyatthecentreofthecity’s regeneration.

“Wehad asoftlaunchandtheinitial feedbackfromourstaffhasbeenincredibly positive;thisis aplacethattheywanttobe.”

SpeakingtotheBelfast Telegraph recently, the WalledCityBreweryandEbringtonHotel ownersmentionedthebenefitsofcompanies fillingtheofficespaceandhowthose businessescanallcomplimentoneanotherand workcollaboratively.

MrHeronsaid:“Weabsolutelywantto comeheretoattracttalentandworkwiththe brilliantlocalbusinesses,we’vealreadyworked withsomeofthemandwebelievewe’llwork withmoreovertime.

“Wewanttobepartofthecommunityas well,notjustaroundtheEbringtonsitebut alsorightacrossthenorthwest.” ■

Turf wars, graphic tees,and teaching paramilitaries: Thestory of NI’s printingqueen

PhyllisNiblock,ownerof T-ShirtCityinPortrush,saw agapinmarketin1972forhertypeofbusiness.Inthe yearssinceshehassuppliedpop,rockandsportsfans withuniqueitems,writes AbdullahSabri

OnarainyEasterin1972,armed withnothingbut apapersign, aprintingpress, T-shirtsanda dream, aBelfastwomantookthefirst stepsinanadventurethatwouldspan morethanhalf acentury.

For53years,PhyllisNiblockhaspavedthe waywith auniquebusinessidea,runningthe region’soldestclothingprintenterprise.

Theself-proclaimed“hardestworking womaninNorther nIreland”spentcountless days,side-by-sidewithherlatehusbandHugh, ontheenterprise.

From TaylorSwifttoStatusQuo, T-ShirtCity hasbeencreatingcustomclothingofbands, figuresandeventseversince.

However,sheispreparingtosaygoodbye, withplanstoselltheshopshedescribesas “like achild”toher.

Phyllis’storystartedin asmallcaféon America’seastcoastwheresheworkedwhile visitingheraunt.Itwasheretheseedwould beplanted.

“Isaw agirlwearing aT-shirtthatsaid‘Kiss me,I’mIrish’andI’dneverseensuch apretty

T-shirtbefore,”shesaid.

“So IboughtanOpusClub T-shirtasa memoryofmyholiday.

“Iwentto adiscointheNorther nCounties inPortrushwiththis T-shirtonmeandnobody hadeverseen aprinted T-shirt.”

Thewheelsbeganturningandshestartedto seepoundsigns.

ShepitchedtheideatoherbossatKelly’s NigthclubinPortrush,DesmondKelly.

“Isaidtohimoneday:‘Desmond,what aboutgettingKelly’sPortrushputon aT-shirt?’

“Andhejustclickedhisfingerslikethatand said:‘Yougetthem,I’llsellthem’.”

However,Desmond,whowas“likea brother”toPhyllis,wouldnevergettoseethe finalproduct.Hepassedawayonthedaythey weredelivered.

Whenthe T-shirtsquicklysoldout,she decidedtotakeon akioskneartheArcadiaon GoodFridayin1972.

“Iwas26atthetime.Thesignwashalfan A4paper:‘T-shirtsprintedatanyrate.Have yournameprintedon aT-shirt’.

“IstuckitupwithSellotapeandeverything,

anditwas asoakingwetday.”

Buttherewerebumpsonthe roadahead. Whenshe returnedforbusinessthe followingsummershefoundthatherkiosk haddisappeared,withtheowneremploying someoneelsetosellcustom T-shirtsinitsplace.

“Itwaslikesomebodyhadstolenmybaby,” shesaid.

“IwentupMainStreetand Icriedandcried. Ithought Ihavetogetsomewheretoprintthe shirts.

“Hehad abig,giantshop,hewasa millionaire,andheusedmyidea.”

Itwouldn’tbethelasttime T-ShirtCityfaced aggressivetacticsfromrivals.

Themother-of-sixwaslateropposedbya manwiththesamebusinessmodel.

Therivalry reachedboilingpoint,leadingto hernormallycomposedhusbandpunchinghim –“theonlymanHugheverhit”.

Despitethis,noonecoulddampenPhyllis’ spirit,andafterfindingthe“cutestweeshop” sheeventuallysetupbaseonMainStreet,

PhyllisNiblock of T-ShirtCity inPortrush

whereshehasbeeneversince.

Shehasalsorun astallatmajorevents,from dodgingbombscaresattheOuldLammas FairinBallycastletoservinghundredsof membersofthe Travellercommunityattheir nationalmeetsinGalway,theentrepreneurial grandmother-of-18hascreatedcustom requestsforlocalsandvisitorsacrossIreland.

Shesaysshe“knewshewasinbusiness” duringoneofherfirstmajorevents,theNorth West200 roadraces.

“They(thespectators)wererunningacross the roadsandanannouncementoverthe speakerssaid:‘Willpeopleplease refrainfrom goingacrosstheclosed roads’.

“Theywererunningacrosstheclosed roads toget T-shirtsfrommystall.

“Thatevening Icamebackwith abigwad ofnotesthatIneverhadinmylife.Itwas somethinglike£190,whichisequivalentnow toabout£1,900.

“Ihadsomethingnovel,somethingnew.”

AcareerhighlightforPhylliswaskittingout

TyronefansfortheirfirstAll-Irelandfinalin 1986againstKerry.

Thewordsofthe RTÉcommentatorstill bring asmiletoherface.

Shesaid:“Tyronelostthematchand therewasthisweeboywearinghisdaddy’s sweatshirtthatsaid‘Comeon Tyrone,you’re onyourown’,andthereweretearsrunning downhisface –Iwascryingtoo.

“Thecommentatorsaid:‘Ihaveneverinmy lifeseenGaelicfanskittedoutliketheway they’rekittedout’.”

DuringthoseearlyyearsPhyllisalsotaught threenights aweekintheMazePrison,where shewouldhelpeducateparamilitariesfrom bothsides.

Shesaid:“Iwasinthelong-termend. Idid Officialsonenight,Provosthenextnight,and theUVFandUDAthethirdnight.

“Theymademehandbagswithmyname onitandeverything.Theywereallfondofme andlookedforwardtomecomingin.”

Therewereanumberofunforgettable

incidentswhileshewas“behindbars”.

Onenightafterenteringthejail,the alarmwentoff–amanvisitinghisbrother hadbroughtinsimilarclothesforhimto wearandattempttomakehisescape.

OnotheroccasionsPhyllisstumbledin onuproarandprotestswhereshe“would begoingaroundwithmyjeanspulledupto mykneestrippingthroughbakedbeansand dollymixturesandallthefood”thathad beenthrownaroundtheplacebyinmates.

Aftermorethan53years,tradeisstill goingstrong.However,theendofanerais nowlooming.

“Tosellmyshopisveryemotional,it’slike myfirstchild,”shesaid.

“Like achild,themoreyoulove,nurture, dressitupandguideitintherightdirection, themorejoyandsatisfactionyougetfrom it.

“I’msoproudofmyshopandI’llmissit. Ihavesalesallovertheworld,myshirtsare allovertheworldnow.” ■

RossLazaroo-HoodofClearerGroupwithIrish FA presidentConradKirkwoodandIrish FA chiefexecutive PatrickNelson,alongsideClearerGroup’sSitkiGelmen

Clearer Twistsecures Windsor Park namingrights

Thehomeofinternationalfootball inNorthernIrelandwillnowbe knownastheClearer TwistNational StadiumatWindsorParkamid afresh sponsorshipdeal.

ThedealwillseetheBelfaststadium renamedforthenexteightyears.

Clearer TwistisClearer Group’spremium mixerbrand.Thecompany isbased outside Larne.

“Ourstadiumis aplaceweareproudtocall home,”IrishFAPresident,ConradKirkwood, said.

“Thisnewnamingrightsdealmarksa new era forit,andwillhelpusmaintainittoensure wecontinuetostriveforafirstclassexperience forfansandguests,nottomentionthemany teamsthatplayherefromrightacrossour footballingcommunity

“TheClearerGrouphasstrong,honest valueswhichalignwithoursand,as alocal company,wehopeNorthernIreland’sandthe widerfootballfamilywillseethevalueinthis partnershipand reallygetbehindit.”

RossLazaroo-HoodofClearerGroup,said: “IgrewupinLarne,and Iampassionateabout Northern Ireland aplacewhichis,andalways willbe,closetomyheart.And Ialwaysstrive togivebacktothelocalcommunitywhenever andwherever Ican.

“Whentheopportunityaroseto rename thenationalstadiuminthecountryofmybirth itmadeperfectsense.Overthecomingyear, we’llbesupportingthenationalteamwhile alsoinvestingingrassrootsinitiativesandlocal sportingeventsacrossNorthernIreland.Our goalistobringfansanexcitingnewchapter –onethatembraces anewtwistwhilehonouring theproudtraditionsofNorthernIrishfootball

“TheClearer TwistNationalStadiumat WindsorParkwillbe acommunity,ashared spaceandwelookforwardtocelebratingthe nextgameandseason,aswellaswelcoming everyoneinNorthernIreland -bothhome growntalentplusthoseinternationalplayersto competeinournationalstadium.”

AndIrish FA chiefexecutivePatrickNelson said:“We havesought anamingpartner

forourbelovedhomeformanyyears.But a partnershipwhichmetallthe requirements wasn’tavailableuntilnow

“Our relationshipwiththeClearerGroupis alreadyoneofcollaborationandteamworkand thisnewpartnershipenhancesthat.

“And,theIrish FA,asanon-profit organisation,willinvestthesevitalfunds backintofootballatalllevelsofthegamein NorthernIreland.”

InSeptember2023thegroup,underits Clearer Waterbrand,becametheofficialwater partnerfortheNorthernIrelandnationalteams andtheexclusivewatersuppliertotheNational Stadiumfor10years.

Underthenamingrightsdealforthestadium itwillalsobecometheofficialmixerpartnerof theNorthernIrelandseniormen’sandwomen’s teams.

AdditionallyinSeptember2023thecompany agreedtobecomethemainsponsorofthe IrishFootballAssociation’sChallengeCup –commonlyknownastheIrishCup –for10 years. ■

Motoring

ByPatBurns

Kia’ssixappeal

Kiacontinuestoridethecrestofa wavewiththelaunchofthenew EV6.

Thesignificantly revisedEV6featuresa refreshedexteriordesign,improvedbattery performanceand abroaderrangeof conveniencefeatures.Poweredby anew 84.0kWhfourth-generationbatterypack, itboastsanextendedrangeofupto361 mileson asinglechargebasedontheWLTP standard.

ItoffersstrongEVperformance,fast chargingandloadsofinteriorspace.TheEV6 isavailabletopurchaseinthreetrim-levels: ‘Air’,‘GT-Line’and‘GT-LineS’,eachwith varyinglevelsofonboardtechnologyand stylingcues reflectiveofthegrade.TheEV6 alsooffersultra-fastcharging,goingfurtheron asinglechargeandchargingfasterthanever before.Coupledwiththis,theflatcabinfloor makestheEV6oneofthemostspaciousand

comfortablemodelsinitssegment,offering aroomyinteriorandlarge,versatilebootfor families.

TheEV6isfittedasstandardwith a225bhp singlemotordrivingthe rearwheels,delivering maximumtorqueof350Nm.Customerscan alsoupgradetoanall-wheeldrive,dualmotor configuration,producingupto320bhpand 605Nmforsuperiorperformance.

Performanceisimpressivenomatterwhich versionoftheEV6ischosen,with rear-wheel driveeditionscapableofacceleratingto 62mphin7.7seconds,with atopspeedof 115mph.All-wheeldriveversionscompletethe 0-62mphdashinjust5.3secondsandhavea topspeedof116mph.

Aswellasgoingfurtheron asinglecharge, italsochargesfaster.W iththe800-volt technologyand apeakchargingperformance of258kW,thenew84.0kWhbatterycanbe rechargedfrom10to80%in18minutesand

customerscangainupto214milesinjust15 minutes.

Alsofeaturedisthelatestgenerationof Kia’ssmart regenerativebrakingsystem. Operatedbypaddleshiftersbehindthe steeringwheel,driverscanusethetechnology toquicklyandeasilyslowthecar,recuperating kineticenergytomaximisedrivingrange andefficiency.Driverscanchoosefromsix regenerativebrakinglevels.

LikeallKiamodels,theEV6issoldas standardwithKia’squalitypromise: asevenyear,100,000-milewarranty.AndlikeallKia EVs,thebatterypackandelectricmotors arecoveredbyaneight-year/100,000mile warranty.

PricesfortheEV6‘Air’startfrom£45,575 andstandardequipmentincludes19-inch alloywheels,LEDheadlights,six-speaker audiosystemandfrontand rearparking sensors. ■

Newplug-in hybridsfor AudiA6

After redevelopingtheA6Saloon and Avantmodel linesusingnew enginetechnology, Audiisnow reinstating aplug-inhybridversionineach rangethatissimilarlyprogressive.

ThenewA6SaloonandAvante-hybrid quattromodelsbuildonthestrengthsoftheir TFSI epredecessorsandare availablewitha 220kW(299PS)drivetraindeliveringplentiful performanceandthepotentialforanelectriconlydrivingrangeofupto64miles.Sport, S lineandEdition 1specificationoptionspriced from£60,980.

ThenewA6SaloonandAvante-hybrid quattromodelsare poweredbya2.0TFSI enginewithanoutputof252PSandanelectric motorthatdeliversupto105kW.W ithatotal systemoutputof299PSand450Nmoftorque, thesenewmodelscanacceleratefrom 0to 62mphin6.0secondsand reacha topspeed of155mph.

Theheartoftheplug-in-hybridtechnology isthehigh-voltagebattery,thecapacityof whichhasbeenboostedto25.9kWh, again of around45%comparedwithprevious generations.

Recuperationperformancehasalsobeen improved.Thedegreeof recuperationinelectric drivingmodecanbeadjustedtothreedifferent levelsusingpaddlesonthesteeringwheel.The newA6e-hybridrunsonelectricpowerfor as longaspossibletofullyutilisetheavailable batterychargetothedriver’sdestination.

Combinedwithquattroultradriveand standard all-wheelsteering,theelectrified dual-clutchtransmissionplays amajor rolein thedrivingexperience:itboosts responseat lowspeedsandprovidesevenmorestabilityat higherspeeds.Thisenhancesdrivingcomfort, asdothe redesignedwindowanddoor seals,whichcontributetosoundinsulation improvementsofupto30%,makingforeven

morepleasantin-caracoustics.

Fittedasstandardtoalle-hybridquattro variants,theall-wheelsteeringsystemboosts agilityincitytrafficandtightbendsbyturning the rearwheelsuptofivedegreesinthe oppositedirectiontothefrontwheelsatspeeds ofupto37mph.Athigherspeedsthe rear wheelsturninthesamedirection,makingfor precisehandling.

Comparedtoitspredecessors,Audihas significantlyincreased regenerativebraking performanceinthenewA6e-hybridquattro. Whenthebrakepedalispressedduring deceleration,theA6plug-inhybridmodelscan recoverupto88kWofpowerastheelectric motoraccountsformorethan90%ofall decelerationprocesses.

Theintegratedbrakecontrolsystemensures smoothbrakingandthebestpossibleenergy recovery.Thestandardhydraulicbrakesareonly usedforharderbrakingmanoeuvres. ■

Mercedesunveils latestCLA

ThenewMercedes-BenzCLAis claimedtobethemostefficient, intuitiveandintelligentMercedesBenzever.

PricesfortheCLA250+withEQ Technology inSportEditionspecificationstartfrom £45,615,withAMGLineEditionandAMG LinePremiumEditionspecificationsavailable from£49,3751and£51,7701 respectively.

TheCLAisthefirstmodelin acompletely newfamilyofvehiclesunderpinnedbythe flexibleMercedes-BenzModularArchitecture (MMA),whichhasbeendesignedto accommodatebothelectricandhigh-tech hybriddrivetrains.InitiallytheCLAisavailable asanall-electricmodel:theCLA250+withEQ Technologyisequippedwithan85kWhhighvoltagebatteryand a272hpelectricdriveunit mountedonthe rear-axle.TheCLA250+can acceleratefrom 0to62mphin6.7seconds and reach atopspeedof130mph.Additional batteryandmotorconfigurationswillbe availableinthefuture.

ThenewCLA250+hasarangeofupto

484milesinSportEditionspecificationand canbe rechargedatupto320kW –meaning over200milesofrangecanbeaddedin just10minutes.Thisismadepossibleby numerousinnovationsincludingthe800-volt electricalsystem.Developedentirelyin-house byMercedes-Benz,thesystemfeatures atwospeedtransmissionthatbenefitsperformance andefficiency.TheCLA’s lowdragcoefficient of0.214,thestandardair-to-airheatpump, intelligent recuperationandoptimised route guidancewithMercedes-BenzNavigationwith ElectricIntelligencealsohave asignificant positiveimpactondrivingefficiency.

LaterthisyeartheCLAwillbeofferedasa hybridwith anewfour-cylindercombustion engineand48-volttechnology,withanelectric motorintegratedintoitsneweight-speed dual-clutchtransmission.

ThenewCLAisequippedwiththenew Mercedes-BenzOperatingSystem –thefourth Mercedes-BenzUserExperiencegeneration. ThenewAI-enhancedsystem,developed in-house,makesitpossibletoequipevery

CLAwith asupercomputerconnectedtothe Mercedes-BenzIntelligentCloud.Thisenables regularover-the-airupdatesforthemost importantvehiclefunctions,includingdriving assistancesystems.

EveryCLAisequippedwith a14-inchcentre displaywithsmartphoneintegrationandan integratedvideocamera,poweredhighperformancechipsand real-timegraphicsfrom.

AllelectricCLAsfeatureanilluminatedfront panel. Atotalof142individuallyanimatedLED chrome-effectstarscreate adistinctivebrand signature.Theilluminatedgrillegreetsandbids farewelltothedriverwithvariousanimations. Underthebonnetis a101litre‘frunk’,adding additionalluggagecapacitybeyondthe405 litreboot.

Additionalstandardequipmentincludes alargepanoramicglass roof.Thereisno needfor arollerblind:aninfraredfilm250 nanometresthickprotectsagainstglare,while a200nanometrelow-emissivitycoatingonthe insideoftheglassprotectsagainstexcessive heat.SportEditionmodelsarealsoequipped withautomaticclimatecontrol,heatedfront seatswithfour-waylumbarsupport,LED highperformanceheadlampswithadaptive highbeamassist,18-inchalloywheels,heatinsulatingdark-tintedglassand360-degree vehicleprotection. ■

MOTwaitinglistback at‘pre-Covidlevels’

AveragewaitingtimesforanMOT inNorther nIrelandarenowat “pre-Covidlevels”after arecord breakingyearfortheDriverand Vehicle Agency(DVA).

Accordingtofigurespublishedtodaybythe DepartmentofInfrastructure(DfI),theDVA carriedoutmorethan1.6millionvehicletests betweenApril2014andMarch2025.

DuringthatperiodwaitingtimesforanMOT alsofellfromanaverageofaround100days toaround30days.

Speakingat atestingcentreinLisburn, wheremorethan88,100MOTtestwere carriedout,InfrastructureministerLizKimmins, welcomedthedropinwaitingtimes.

“Itis apleasureformetohavethe opportunitytovisitDVA’sLisbur ntestcentre, whichplayeditspartinachievingthese remarkablefiguresandtomeetandthank someofourexaminerswhoworksohardto deliverthesecriticalfront-lineservices,”she said.

Itfollows achallengingperiodfortheDVA duringwhichitwasplaguedby anumber ofissues,includingcracksinvehiclelifts,the Covidpandemicandincreaseddemand.

Delaystotheservicebeganinlate2019 whencrackswere foundinvehicleliftsacross Norther nIreland.Areportlaterfoundcracking in48outof55lifts.

TheCovid-19pandemicin2020contributed to agrowingbacklog.

To dealwiththebacklogintroduced temporaryexemptioncertificates(TECs)were introducedmeaningdriverswereabletokeep theircarsontheroad.

AndinJanuary,DfIlaunched aconsultation seekingviewson reducingthefrequencyof MOTteststoeverytwoyears.

Itfollowedanearlierconsultationcarriedout in2021bytheninfrastructureministerNichola Mallon,whichdidnotleadtothemovebeing implemented.

“Iamveryawareofthefrustrationthere hasbeenin recentyearsaroundMOTwaiting timeswhichiswhythissignificantnewstoday

fromtheDVAshouldbewelcomedbyall,”Ms Kimminssaid.

“Itookthedecisiontoextendtheuseof TECsfor afurther12monthstominimise inconveniencetountilnewtestingfacilitiesat HydebankandMalluskopen.

“Thesecentreswillhave acombined capacitytotestmorethan200,000additional vehiclesannually.”

Itisyettobeconfirmedwhenthenew testingcentreswillopen,andtheHydebank

siteinparticularhasfacedmanydelays.

MsKimminssaid:“Regrettably,however, thenumberofvehiclesthatfailtoappear fortestinthe2024calendaryear remained stubbornlyhighwithover45,000in2024or approximately870everyweek.

“Therewillbemanygenuine reasonswhy somecustomersfailtoattendtheirMOT appointmentsbutthisplacesaddedpressure ontheDVA’svehicletestingcapacity,asthese testappointmentscannotbe reallocated.” ■

InfrastructureMinister

LizKimmins

APPOIN TM EN TS

Fiona Waikatoisnowheadofretailand hospitalityat TitanicBelfast.Shehas30 years’experienceinhospitalityandtourism operationsandhasheldrolesinNorthern Ireland,LondonandNewZealand.

ConnorMcAnallenhasbeenpromotedto associatedirectorwithinthedealadvisory teamatHNHinBelfast.MrMcAnallenhas been akeymemberofthedealadvisory team,supportingclientsontradesales, acquisitions,debtraising,andprivate equitydeals.

ChristineAltimashasbeenpromotedto associatedirectorinthetaxteamatHNH. Joiningthefirmin2022,MsAltimashas sincebeenattheforefrontofitsgrowing taxdiligenceservice.

SeanGilmourisnowchieftechnical officeratARCRegulatory.MrGilmour isanaccomplishedtechnicalleaderand innovatorwithextensivemultidisciplinary experiencespanningtechnologies.

PeterGrahamhasbeenpromotedto directorinthedealadvisoryteamat Belfast-basedcorporatefinancefirmHNH. MrGrahamhasledsomeofthefirm’smost significantandcomplexassignmentsin recentyears.

KylieDonnellyhasbeenpromotedto associatedirectorwithinthedealadvisory teamatHNHinBelfast,whereshe worksacross awiderangeofmergers andacquisitionstransactionsincluding companydisposalsandacquisitions.

VodafoneIrelandhasappointedSabrina Casaltaasitsnewchiefexecutive.Ms Casalta,whomostrecentlyservedasthe interimchiefexecutiveandchieffinancial officerof VodafoneItaly,succeedsAmanda Nelson.

TheBritishIrishChamberofCommerce hasannouncedtheappointmentofPaul Lynamasitsnewdirectorgeneral.He bringsextensiveexperienceinBritishIrish relationsandtradepolicy.

DamienMcDonaldisnowdeputygeneral manageroftheGrandCentralHotelin Belfast.HehasbeenwithHastingsHotels forover20yearsandinthistimehehas held anumberofmanagementpositions acrossthegroup.

1. UlsterUniversityhas appointedfournewvisiting professors.Picturedare ProfessorIanMontgomery, EimearMontague,Barry McCarron,Heather McLachlan,KieranHarding, andMarie-LouiseGaile.

2. TheHealthandSafetyExecutive forNorther nIreland(HSENI) encouragedvisitorstodropby itsstandattheBalmoralShow tolear nmoreaboutitshealthier workplacescampaign.Picturedis chiefexecutiveRobertKiddand RachelHamill.

3. BelfastCityCouncilhasagreed thefinalgrantsforits£1m Vacant to Vibrantcitycentrescheme. PicturedarecouncillorSamNelson withGarethKellyandLinda McBurneyof VaultArtistStudios.

4. DownRoyalRacecoursehas announcedthe retur nofBritvicNI assoftdrinkspartnerforitsMay Dayfixture.PicturedareCathy Fox,headofsales,BritvicNIand ChloeFerris,commercialdirector atDownRoyal.

5. LaunchingtheInternational FestivalofNeuroscience,tobe heldatICCBelfastinApril2027, areLauraO’Kane,marketing campaignmanager,ICCBelfast, PhilAdair,productionmanager, ICCBelfast,LauraAjram,chief executive,BNA,JessicaMooney, eventmanager,ICCBelfast.

6. MusgraveNorthern Ireland’sMACEstoresand MusgraveMarketPlace branches,alongwith wholesalesisterbrandDrinks Inc,have recentlyhita milestoneofraising£418,000 forNorther nIrelandChest Heart &Stroke.

7. EconomyMinisterDrCaoimhe Archibald(right)haslaunched plansforchangesinemployment lawaspartofherGoodJobs agenda.SheispicturedwithDr Lisa Wilson.

8. DigitalCatapulthasopened theUKDigital TwinCentrein theheartofBelfast.Picturedare SusanBowen,DigitalCatapult, deputyFirstMinister,EmmaLittlePengelly,LordMayorofBelfast, MickyMurray,andDeanCook, InnovateUK.

9. AgricultureMinisterAndrew Muir(secondleft)hasannounced RuralBusinessDevelopmentGrant awardsof£2.6m.He’spictured withRoryMartin,MayorofArds andNorthDownBroughCouncil, AlistairCathcartandChristine Martin.

10. GCD Technologieshas helped rebuildMcCausland’s onlinebookingandcarpark managementsystem.Pictured areConorOwens,Emma McCausland,andRichardHill.

11. OscarDaly,NI ApprenticeshipSociety, PaulaLeathem,NIE Networks,Economy MinisterDrCaoimhe ArchibaldandRichardKirk, Workplus,launchthePulse apprenticeshipsurvey, sponsoredbyNIENetworks.

12. TheCullodenEstate &Spa’s generalmanager,CormacFadden and restaurantandlounge manager,MichaelCampbell,join StacyHooper,generalmanager oftheCultraInn,tocelebratethe openingofthehotel’sBollinger ChampagneGarden.

13. GlentoranFCchiefexecutive Tony WebsterandRouteMedia keyaccountmanagerEdward Irvinemarkthelaunchof Norther nIreland’slargestdigital out-of-homeadvertisingsiteon Belfast’sSydenhamBypass.

14. MalachyMcLernon,Feargal McCormackand TeresaCampbell withtheawardsfor TaxTeam ofthe Year,Outstanding ContributiontoAccountancyand Employerofthe Year,andtheIrish Accountancy Awards.

15. HarpLagerand Taytocrisps haveannounced acollaboration aspartof anewpromotional marketingcampaign.Picturedare HarpbrandmanageratDiageo, CharitiniNtini,comedianAndrew Ryan,and Tayto’smarketing director,EllyHunter.

16. BelfastChamberis marking adecadeofits BelfastBusiness Awards. PicturedareClareGuinness, BelfastChamber,Paul McClurg,BankofIreland, GavinAnnon,Belfast ChamberandPeteSnodden, CoolFM.

17. Katye-LouiseRichardson isthewinnerofthe Translink BelfastSchoolofArtStudent PublicArtCompetition,partof theuniversity’s landmark175th anniversarycelebrations.

18. Employmentlawbusiness HR Teamhaslaunched anew softwareplatformcalledHRLeave Hub.PicturedareIanCullen, Grofusedirector, BredaScott andMartinaMcAuley,HRTeam directors,andDenisFinnegan, Grofusedirector.

19. DeloitteinNorther nIreland (NI)hasbeenawardedthe prestigiousGoldDiversityMark Award.PicturedareHarriet Brennan,Deloitte,Christine White,DiversityMarkNIand KerrieIrvine,Deloitte.

20. United Wines’sales administratorHelenaSmith andmanagingdirectorMartin McAuleycelebrate40years ofsuccessforthecompanyin Norther nIreland.

21. Helpinglaunchthe2025 ActiveTravelChallengeare SharanDustagheer,Deborah Erskine,ChrisConway, InfrastructureMinisterLiz Kimmins,AndrewCarson, CalliePersic,andClaire Pollock.

22. FirstMinisterMichelleO’Neill anddeputyFirstMinisterEmma Little-Pengellyhaveofficially openedthefirstphaseofa £100minvestmentprogrammeat BelfastInternationalAirport.

23. Marks &Spencerhas returned totheBalmoralShowforthe 25thtime,thisyearas aplatinum sponsor,with arefreshed exhibitionstandandanothertop programme.

24. LucyRennie,managing directoratMintedMindsfrom OmaghAcademy receivesthe Export AwardatYEA25from, VeraMcWilliam,IOEFoundation, and YoungEnterpriseNIchief executive,CarolFitzsimonsMBE

25. Translinkhashosted aBelfast BusinessPromiseeventatBelfast GrandCentralStationwitha focusonsustainabilityandclimate action.PicturedareProfessor CathyGormley-Heenan,Chris Conway,councillorFionaMcAteer, andProfessorSirIanGreer.

26. EducationMinisterPaul Givan(centre)hashostedthe TransformEDSchoolLeaders’ conferenceinBelfast.He’s picturedwith TimOates,Nina Hood,HardipBegol,Bradley Busch,LucyCrehan,Daisy Christodoulou,KeirBloomer, andHaroldHislop.

27. TheDeluxeGroup,basedin Portadown,hasbeenhonoured withtheKing’sAwardfor EnterpriseinInternational Trade.PicturedisColmO’Farrell, executivechairman,TheDeluxe Group.

28. Ross’sAuctioneersand Valuers,hasacquiredIrishbrand AdamsBlackrock.Picturedare DrRachelHealy,withmanaging directorAngusClarkeatAdams Blackrock’snewsiteinDublin.

29. EconomyMinisterDrCaoimhe Archibald(secondleft)has welcomednewtradesuccessesby localcompaniesintheUSduring atriptoChicago.She’spictured withAnneBeggs,InvestNI, ErinNixon,TheFoundationand AndreaHaughian,InvestNI.

30. PinnacleGrowthGrouphas announcedthelaunchofNarrativ, anewintegratedcommunications agency.LaunchingNarrativischief SamanthaLivingstone,andRobert McConnell,PinnacleGrowth Group.

31. EconomyMinisterDr CaoimheArchibaldand InfrastructureMinisterLiz KimminsMLA(centre)have visitedBelfastHarbour,tosee theplannedlocationof a50acreoffshorewindterminal andnewhomeforvisiting cruiseships.Theyarepictured withtheharbour’sJoeO’Neill andDrTheresaDonaldson.

32. Accessibletransportisa cornerstoneofsocialinclusion, InfrastructureMinisterLizKimmins hassaidat arecentdepartment event.Sheispicturedwith departmentalofficials,Joanne BestandBertBailiefromIMTAC, anddisabilitycampaignerJoanne Sansome.

33. PadeliscomingtoeastBelfast following amajorexpansion announcementatShorts RecreationandSportsClubby Let’sGoPadel.PicturedareJack Edmonds,secretaryofShorts RecreationandSportsClub,with PeteBoyle,Let’s GoPadel.

34. Picturedattheunveilingof thenewOmaghAcademygirls’ footballkitareNicolaMonaghan, OmaghAcademy,Rebecca GeorgeandEmilyHemphill, pupilsandplayersontheOmagh Academygirls’footballteam,and ColinPower,HeronEnergy.

35. Anew reportby InterTradeIrelandhighlights thescaleoftheopportunityin offshorewindforSMEsinIreland. PicturedareDavidThomason, Everoze,EconomyMinisterDr CaoimheArchibald,Margaret Hearty,InterTradeIreland,Minister forEnterprise, Tourismand EmploymentPeterBurke,and StuartMatheison.

36. NewEversheds SutherlandpartnersChelsey O’DohertyandNuala Maguirewithmanaging partner,AlanConnell,and newpartnersCorrinaCassidy andAonghusMcClafferty.

37. ASharedIslandEnterprise Schemeismarking asignificant stepasthreeoftheeconomic developmentagenciesinIreland havepartneredtodeploythe initiative.PicturedareEconomy MinisterDrCaoimheArchibald, withMinisterforEnterprise, Trade andEmployment,PeterBurke.

38. Entriesnowopenasthe Norther nIrelandMotorIndustry Awards returnstoBelfast.Pictured areheadjudge,SandyBurgess, CoolFM’sCurtisMcCosh, EmmaMarley,UsedCarsNI,and eventhost,CoolFM’sRebecca McKinney.

39. ChoiceHousinghas announcedthemobilisationof aninnovativenewmulti-supplier plannedmaintenanceframework. PicturedareColinBunting, AndrewLamont,andBusco Lyons.

40. DanskeBankhasannounced IanRussell(left)asitsnewhead ofprivatebankinginNorthern Ireland.He’spicturedwithAisling PressandGrahamLapsley.

Retro TagHeuerharks back to olddays of FormulaOne

AsTagHeuerisannouncedasthenewofficialtimekeeperforFormulaOne,it’s released asmaller-casedretro-inspiredflashbackfromthe1980s,with asmallercase thanothermodels,and awiderangeofreferences. JohnMulgrew spent aweek withit,thanksto avisittothe TagHeuerboutiqueatQueen’sArcadeinBelfast

Retroand aharkbacktothepast issomethingwatchbrandshave alwaysturnedto.

Someofthemostfamoustimepiecesare essentiallyupdatedversionsoftheiroriginal designs,whilebrandssuchasDoxahave broughtbackdiversfrom agoldenage,and Tudor’sflagshipdivewatchlanguageisstill

rootedinitsoriginstory.

TagHeuerhasalreadypulledonitsvintage motoringpedigreeformanyofitshigher-end Carrera‘glassbox’chronographmodels –even revertingbacktotheoldHeuerlogoinsome cases.

Andwithnewsthatit’snowtheofficial timekeeperforFormulaOne,takingoverthe

reinsfromRolex,somethingwaslikelyon thecardstotieinwiththatnewcommercial relationship.

Smallerwatchesareverymuchbackon trend. We’veluckilygottenthroughthe‘bigger isbest’period,wherecasesizesofanything lessthan43mmor44mmweredeemed diminutive.

FACTFILE Model: TagHeuer Formula

OneSolargraph

Movement: CalibreTH50-00

Casesize: 38mm

Material: Stainlesssteel Price: £1,650

You’llseetheoddpersonstillsportinga reallybigwatch,whichtheyboughtyearsago whentheywereenvogue,andtheycanlooka littlebrashandgaudy.

TheoriginalFormulaOnerangefrom Tag Heuerwasasmallwatch,evenbytheday’s standards,at35mm.

Andwhilethatwiderrangehasgrownout ofitsretrocacheinthedecadessinceitwas first releasedinthemid-80s,into alargeand moremoder nentry-levelpiece,it’snowbackin aversionofitsoriginalform,albeitwith afew tweaksalongtheway.

The35mmcasesizemakeswayfor38mm thistime,alongwithninevariations –someon steelbraceletsandothersonplasticbands.

Thisiterationhas aclassicdeepbluedial, withindexessuchastheTagHeuershieldat

six,12andninenowapplied,with astandard datewindowatthethreeposition.

Themarkersareclearandstandoutwitha decentcoatingofSuper-LumiNova.

Thebezelisclearandsmoothtooperate, withothermodelssportingcontrastingblack options,whilethismatchesthedial.

Thebraceletissolidandfeelscomfortable onthewrist.Itoptsforpushpins,ratherthan screw-inlinks,andsports ablastedfinish onthesteel,makingitfeelalmostsimilarto titanium,justwithouttheweightsaving.

Thisisstill anon-mechanicalwatch.Butit goesonestepfurtherthanitspredecessorwith asolarmovement,theCalibreTH50-00.

Thisistechnologywhichhasbeenusedon watchessuchasCitizenforyears,including insideitspopularPromasterdivers.

Essentially,afewminutesofdaylightshould keepyourwatchgoingallday,andthebattery, accordingto TagHeuer,willonlyneed replaced every15years.It’sarobustoptionforpeople who’daren’tkeenon reasonably regularand potentiallyexpensiveservices.

Thisis aplayfulwatchandaneasyoneto wearonwrist.Asidefromthestainlesssteel versions,thereare also referenceswiththe TH-Polylightcase, alightcompositematerial, whichalsosportbrighterhues.

It’snotnecessarilygoingtobe aonewatch collection,butit’sthesortofthingwhichwill appealtothosewith afewhittersalready, thosewith apenchantforolder,simplerdays ofracing,oraneasytowearandsmallerpiece with abitoflight-heartednessandamusement atitsheart. ■

Nevada trek forexplorers anddreamers

PuttingasideUSpolitics, Catherine Murphy focusesontheSilverState’s history,cultureandnaturalbeauty

Recently,asUSpresidentDonald Trump’s100thdayinoffice approached, Itook aroadtripalong theGreatBasinHighwayinruralNevada, oneof10 routesdesignedtoattract visitorstothenaturalwondersofthe SilverState.

Theendof Trump’shoneymoonperiod offered apoliticalbackdroptomyvisit, alongsidethelarger-than-lifelandscapesof America’smostmountainousstate.

HavingvotedDemocratinthepreviousfour elections,thebattlegroundstateofNevada votedRepublicanlastNovember.

Itwastheonlystateinthecountryto changeitsvotefrom2016.

OnmainstreetofPioche,290kmnorth-east ofLasVegas,localwomanEmilyLomprey invitedmeintothetownmuseum.Justas theHistoricSilverCafeacrossthe roadwas loadedwithtastysandwiches,LincolnCounty HistoricalMuseumbulgedwithsilvermining history.

Alivingghostminingtownwhichbecame theworld’slargestsilverproducerduringthe late1800s,thehistoricbuildingsofPioche offer aglimpseinto19thcenturyNevada.An intactmineshaft remains,asdoes atramway withhangingorecarsunusedsincethe1960s.

Thetown’swildwestpastisfascinating.One ofitsmostinfamousgun-slinging residents wasCahirciveenmanRichardHartigan(also knownasMorganCourtney)whometagrisly end.WyattEarpandButchCassidypassed throughhereand144saloons(withnumerous bordellos)oncelinedthemainstreet.

Thepresentisequallyinteresting.Situated inconservative,sparsely-populatedLincoln Countyandknownforoutdooractivities likehiking,fishingandoff-roading,Pioche turnedtoagriculturewhenminingended.It alsovotedoverwhelminglyRepublicanlast November,inlinewithLincolnCountyvoting patternssince2000.

Aslocalmenplayedtheslotsinthe OverlandHotelandSaloon, Imovedonfrom Pioche,alongside abunchofHarley-Davidson bikeriders.

Ihadleftthesky-scrapingconstructsof Las Vegastoexperiencethedarkskiesand unforgettablesceneryofNevadaduring afourday,570km roadtripalongRoute93andthe GreatBasinhighway.

Nevadais repletewithstateparks,quirky historicruraltownsandbothNativeAmerican andMormonhistory.W ithlower retailtax ratesthan Vegas,pricesonthegroundcanbe cheapertoo.

TheGreatBasinHighway routetookme fromspectacular redrockspinesandsandstone canyonstohighalpinelakes,peaksand star-studdedskies,throughbasinandrange landscapeswheremountainsappearedonthe horizon,juttingoutofvastplainslikemirages.

RuralNevadawasdescribedtomeas a“no frills”destinationwhereIcouldmixsimple motelaccommodationwithcasinohotels andstar-gazing retreats.Andit’strue –this is aroadtripfornatureandoutdoorlovers, explorersanddreamerswhoaren’tlookingfor glamourbutwanttoexperiencethefeeland cultureoftheplace, regardlessofitspolitics.

InNevada,theluxuryliesinthelandscapes. Myfirstbigstopwasatthe ValleyofFireState ParkthroughAlamo.

ThisiswhereIfirstheardaboutArea51,the militaryairbasewhichhasspawnedendless UFOsightingsandalientheoriessincetheCold War.

ThecoloursofruralNevadaareconstantly changingand Iwascaptivatedbybeautiful NavajoSandstoneformationsinthe Valleyof Fire.AttheBeehivesarea, Iclamberedup red rockformations.

Fromthe ValleyofFire, Itravelledon toCaliente, atowncreatedfollowing constructionoftheSaltLakeCitytoLos Angelesrailline.Knownforcoppermining, itfeltlike aone-horsetownbutsomehow managedtohaveanIrishbar, theShamrock. It’sworthnotingthatcasinosandbarswhere nofoodisservedallowsmoking.

FromCaliente,itwas a30-minutedriveto CathedralGorgeStatePark.InEly,Istumbled acrosstheProspectorHotelandGamblingHall,

oneofthemostentertaininghotelsI’vestayed inforawhilewithcowboyartliningcorridors, fantasticwildwestsculpturesand astore sellingnativeAmericanjewellery.

Themaingoaloftaking aroadtripalong theGreatBasinHighwayisto reachGreat BasinNationalParknearthetinytownof Baker.Ontheday Ivisitedsometrailswere closedso Ioptedtohike700mupthehigher LehmanCreek Trail.

GreatBasinNationalParkis awonderfully diverseplacewhereaseaofsagebrushrisesto alpinelakesand‘halftheparkisafterdark’for star-gazing.

It’shometothealmost4,000mhigh WheelerPeak,theLehmanmarblecavesand auniquesystemofrivers,streams,marshes andmudflats. WaterfallsintheGreatBasin buthasnooutlettotheseaandeventually evaporatesinthedryNevadadesertair.

ComparedtoUtahparkslikeZionwhich getmillionsofvisitorseachyear,GreatBasin NationalParkgetsaround140,000annual

visitors.The ValleyofFiregetsaroundhalfa million –goodnewsforthosewhowantto avoidverybusydestinations.

Thelaststoponmy roadtriptookme acrosstheborderintoUtahforlunchatthe BorderInn, a24-hourhotelandgamblinghall whereonemiddle-agedwomanwasdown athousanddollarsontheslotsbymidday. BarmanJoefrom Texasservedupthehouse speciality(chickenwings)with asmile,thenI crossedtheborderbackintoNevadaforthe finalstoponmyadventure.

Awell-maintained10kmgravelpath(with steeperlowersections)anddreamyviewstook metotheHiddenCanyonRetreat.Owners RobinandRonCrouchhavecreated a375-acre ranchwheregoldeneaglessoaranddeer mulesandwildturkeys roam.Theyraisebeef andsellfresheggsin awell-stockedmarket store.Standardroomscostfrom$79 anight andarewell-equippedandcomfortable. Nevadaisoneofthethreebestplaces intheUSfordarkskiesandstar-gazing.At

HiddenCanyon,lightswentoutat9pmso thatguestscouldgazeattheMilky Way, constellationsandgalaxieswiththeirnaked eye.

Ichattedwithtwoguests,aneminent Virginiaimmigrationlawyerandhiswife. Modern-dayhobbyprospectorsor“gem hounds”,theyhadspentthedaysearching forextremelyrareredberylemeralds.

Intotal,theGreatBasinHighwayinvolved aroundsevenhoursofdriving. To breakmy retur njourney,whichincluded anine-hour flighttoDublin, Ispent anightinLas Vegas. IcheckedintoElCortezcasinohoteloff thestrip(roomsarebasicandcostfrom$71 anightplustax),atedeliciousItalianfoodat Esther’sKitchenanddrank$3beersatReBar intheartsquarter.

IexploredtheNeonBoneyardMuseum andFremontStreet’spartyzone,bothnear thehotel,andshookmyheadattheabsolute contraststhatthestateofNevadahadjust offeredme. ■

CathedralGorgeinNevada

AIhashuge sustainabilityissues:

can we afordthe

environmentalprice?

Theuseofartificialintelligencedevoursenergy,socan businessesdoanythingtolessenthedamagethatitis doing? Adrian Weckler takesacloserlook

AIhasrisentotopoftheagenda inbusinesstech,withmostIrish organisationssayingthatthey’ll investinitsomehow.

Butitcomeswith aheftyenvironmental price. AsimpleChatGPTquestionusesabout thesameamountofenergyas afewminutes’ illuminationfromanLEDlightbulb.

WithOpenAISamAltmanadmittingthis monththat800millionpeopleuseit,it’snow takinguptheequivalentelectricityofhundreds ofthousandsoftypicalhomes.Andthat’s justonesinglelargelanguagemodel(LLM) generativeAIplatform.

ThrowinGoogleGemini,Meta’sLlama, Perplexity,Grokand ahandfulofothers –not

tomentionthebackendandbespokesystems thataremultiplyingeverymonth –andthat’s aserioussustainabilitychallengefacingthe world.

InIreland,around27%ofthecountry’sgrid isnowtakenupbyAI-hungrydatacentres, withthatfiguresettoincreasetoabout athird inthecomingyears.Thatwillbemorethanall thecountry’surbanandruralhomescombined.

Thishasprovoked amoratoriumonnew datacentres –and asenseofpanicoverwhere ournationalgridwillgeneratenewelectricity from.

Sowhatcanbusinessesdotoprevent themselvesbeingpartof agrowing environmentalscourge,whilenotmissing

outontheproductivityfeaturesthatmost rivalswillbeharvestingfromAItoolsthatare becomingincreasinglystandardisedineveryday softwareandonlinesystems?

WhileGoogleclaimsthatitsDeepMindAI technologymakesitsdatacentresupto40% lessenergy-intensive,wheredoordinaryIrish set-upsstart?

SomeIrishcompaniesofferAItechnology thattheyclaimmaketheoperationsoftheir userslessenergy-intensive.

Dublin-basedFoodClouduses alightformof AItomatchunusedfoodfrom restaurantsand otheroutletstoplacesthatcanacceptit,so thatit(andtheenergyusedtomakeit)doesn’t gotowaste.ItsFoodiverseappisusedbythe likesofsupermarketworkerstofind recipients.

Galway-basedCitySwiftmakes aplatform thatletstransportcompaniesoptimisethe mostefficient routes,takingintoaccount thingslikeweatherpatterns.

Meath-basedHanleyEnergyusespredictive maintenanceand real-timeoptimisationto predictwhenmachineswillbreakdownbefore theyfail.Sensorstrackhundredsofpoints, suchastemperature,humidity,machinespeeds andpowerloads.ItsAIthenlearnsfromthis data,figuringoutwhendifferentsystems arerunningtoomuchornotenough.Ithas severallargedata-centreclientsthatuseits technology.

Dublin-basedGridBeyonddoessomething similar,usingsensorsoncustomers’factory machinesthattrackand reportonenergy usage,sometimeseventakingactionbasedon itsfindings.

Anarguablymoreadvancedversionofthis ideaisusedbyDublin-basedEcocem,which usesAItohelprunmachineryinplantswith aclaimed reductionofaroundhalfinCO2 output.Thisis abigdealforthecement industry,whichis responsibleforabout8%of theworld’scarbondioxidepollution.

ForIrishbusinesseswhowanttothinkabout thismoreconcretely,thereare somefinancial incentivesandgrantsavailable.Enterprise Irelandhas aslewofthem,asdoestheSEAI andeventhelocalenterpriseboards.WhereAI canclearly resultinefficiencyandsustainability, thecostofdeployingitincreasinglyqualifies forsupportfromnationalagencies.

OtherthantryingtobendAItohelping withtherationalisationof resourcesorsmarter planning,somelessconventionalapproaches havebeenmootedtolessentheenvironmental impactofAI.

IntheLLMworld,onetentativeoptionisto choosetheChineseLLMDeepseek,insteadof usingChatGPTorGemini.DeepSeekusesfar lessenergythananyofitsUScounterparts.It canalsobecontainedandusedin afarsmaller system;thewholethingcanbestoredon,and runfrom, amaxed-outversionofApple’slatest MacStudiowithitsM3Ultrachip(whichwill costover€10,000permachine,butthat’sstill comparativelycheapandefficient).

Noteveryonethinksthisis agoodidea, though. ASwissAIsoftwarefirm,LatticeFlow, toldBloombergthattwoversionsof DeepSeek’sR1model“ranklowest”among otherleadingsystemswhenitcomestocyber security.DeepSeek’smodels,thecompany claimed,wereespeciallyvulnerableto“goal hijacking”andpromptleakage –whenanAI canbetrickedintoignoringitssafetyguardrails andeither revealsensitiveinformationor performharmfulactionsit’ssupposedto prevent.

Another responseis aradical reconsideration ofenergysources.WhileIrelandgrapples withtheprosandconsofallowingnewliquid naturalgasdevelopmentsorwherewind turbinesshouldgo,severalbigtechfirmsare consideringsmallnuclear reactors.

Lastyear,GoogleandAmazonannounced theywouldback awaveofnewnewly-built small reactorstopowertheirdatacentresfrom 2030.Microsoftisdoingsomethingsimilar. Thesearequitedifferenttotheconventional imageof anuclearpowerplant,withnolarge, fatfunnel.Theymoreresembleindustrial buildingsandarecapableofputtingout around athirdofthepowerof alargernuclear installation,butarequickertobuildand–thepowercompaniesclaim –alsoeasierto decommission.

Regardless,ourhistoricalaversiontonuclear power,onourownterritory,meansitmight bedecadesbeforeIrelandis readytoseriously considersuch amove. ■

TECH NOLO GY

my day

aimstoprovideourvaluedcustomersand potentialcustomers,withhands-onsupport andexpertiseintheever-evolvingworldof bakingandfoodproduction.Theyareworking onnewtraybakeconceptsusing apistachio cream,whichis amassivesocialmediatrend. MyfavouriteistheDubaichocolatebrownie.

12.30pm

Dependingonhowbusy Iam, Iusuallytry andgetoutfor adecentwalkatlunchtime, stoppingtoget acoffeeandlisteningtoan Audiblebookorpodcast.

1.30pm

Ialwayskeeponeortwohoursoffreetime inmyworkdiarytodealwithemails,make callsandhavechatswithourteam.It’seasyto fillthedaywithmeetingsbutit’shardtobe productivewithtoomany.

2.30pm

JohnGraham, Managingdirector,AndrewIngredients

7am

After acoupleofsnoozebuttonpresses, Iget upat7am. Iletthedogout,puttogetherthe kid’slunchbagsandemptythedishwasher.My wifethenhasthehardpartofgettingthekids outofbedwhile Igetshowered.

8.03am

Idropmy12-year-oldsontohisfriend’shouse forhislifttoschoolandthenheadtomy 10-year-olddaughter’sprimaryschooltowait forthegatestoopenat8.30am. We playcards orpracticespellingswhilewewait.

9am

IdrivefromSaintfieldtoLisburn,catchingup withthelocalnewsonthewayandgetting intotheofficeshortlyafter9am. Itrytokeep thefirsthalfhourofthedayfreetoclear emailsanddealwithanythingonmyto-dolist fromthepreviousday.

10am

Imake acupofcoffeeandthenintomyfirst meeting. Today,it’saplanningmeetingfor our‘BakingHistory Together’exhibitionto celebrate80yearsofAndrewIngredients beinginbusinessaswellasshowcasingnew productsandinnovationsfromoursuppliersto ourcustomers.Allthehardworkisbeingdone byourmarketingandeventsteambut Ioffer supportandguidancewhereIcan.Theevent hasbeen ayearintheplanningbutit’snow only afewweeksaway(June25-26)sothe pressureison.

11.30am

Idropintoaproductdevelopmentsession thatourbakeryapplicationsteamaredoing with acustomeratouron-sitetestbakery(Bill’s Bakery,namedafterourfounder,BillAndrew). Thisispartofour WorkWithsupportsolution forthebakeryandfoodbusiness,which

It’sicecreamseasonso Imeetwithour brandmanagerandoperationsmanager for astrategysessiononourhoneycomb manufacturingbusiness,whichwebought lastyear.Thebusinesssupplieshoneycombto icecreammakers,chocolatiers,confectioners, barsand restaurants. We arere-brandingit asHector’sHoneycomb. We arecurrentlyin planningfor aformallaunch.

5pm

Thisismy‘goldenhour’attheendoftheday whenmostoftheteamhavegonehomeand Icangetmoretimetofocusandthinkabout innovationsorimprovementstothebusiness.

7pm

Afterdinner,there’susuallysomecombination ofhouseworkandschoolhomeworktodofor anhourbut Itrynottodoany‘workwork’in eveningsif Icanavoidit.

8.30pm

Itakethedogfor awalkoverthefieldsbefore gettingthekidstobedandeither readingthe papersorwatching aboxsetbeforeourown bedtime. ■