Ulster Business February 2026

IN FO CUS

MakingNI ah ighvalue touristdestinationfor newvisitors

FE AT URE Complexrulesstopping flowofcross-border workers

UlsterUniversityon reinforcingitsroleas ak ey driverofeconomicexpansion inNorthernIreland

Contents

News

Thelatestnewsandexclusivesfromacrossthe worldofNorther nIrelandbusinessandbeyond

18

Coverstory

We speakto Vice-ChancellorProfessorPaul BartholomewCBEabout2026andbeyond

22

InFocus

AliceManserghspeakstoJohnMulgrewabout TourismIreland’sgrowthplansforNI

28

Hospitality

JohnMulgrewspends aculinaryeveningatThe OldInnatCrawfordsburn 31

Energy &environment

UlsterBusiness takes acloserlookatsomeof thelatestbigenergystories 41 Officeenvironment

Whatisbiophilicdesignandwhyarefirmsand officesinNIintroducingit? 49

Jobs&recruitment

Complexemploymentrulesarestemmingthe freeflowofcross-borderworkers 55

Thetechhelpingworkersstaysafe

63

Healthcare

Ex-newsreaderDonna Traynorspeaksabout herhaemochromatosisdiagnosis

77

Motoring

PatBurnstakes alookatNissan’snewLeaf alongside anippyAlpineelectric

92

Lifestyle

JohnMulgrewgetshandsonwithOmega’s latestSpeedmasterMoonwatch

96 Technology

TheallureofAIinvestmentsshowsnosignof dimmingthisyear

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EDITOR’S COMM EN TS

Boilingfrogsyndrome hittinghospitality

You’dstruggle togetquiteas manypeopletospendtheir hard earned cashandvisitthese shoreswithoutthebars, restaurants, hotels,andcafeswhichhelpputuson themap.

Yet,thathospitalitysectorfindsitselfin aparticulartroublesomeperiod.It’snot onefuelledbytheintenseimmediacyand unprecedentednatureofa pandemic,but acaseofboilingfrogsyndrome.Andthat waterisabouttostartvigorouslybubbling away

NationalInsurancecosts,risingfoodprices, rent,and aVAT ratewhichisconsiderably higherthantheequivalentintheRepublic, hasnowbeenmetwiththelatestStormontledrates revaluation.Thisfreshassessment

Publisher UlsterBusiness c/oMediahuisUKLtd

Belfast TelegraphHouse,33ClarendonRoad, ClarendonDock,BelfastBT13BG

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

ofcommercialandbusinesspropertiessets anewNAV(netannualvalue),andwith that,rateswillthenbesetandpotentially amended.

We’vealreadyseenthatNAVincreasingtwo orthree-fold,andwhiletheactualratesrise willnotbequiteasexcessive,mostofthose willbegoingup.

Derry recentlysaw atrancheoffoodfirms shuttingupshop,includingthepioneering Pyke NPommes,whichhelpedpavethe wayfor aburgeoningstreetfoodscenein thecity

Andinthisedition,Dukeof Yorkowner, WillieJack,sayswe’regoingtolose businessesifwedon’tsupportthem,and moreisn’tdoneat agovernmentallevel.

WelcometoFebruary’seditionof Ulster Business.We’rewellinto2026now,but there’sconsiderablymoreonthecardsin a yearwhichislikelytokeepus readingthe newsandstayinginformedinordertokeep upwith ashiftingeconomiclandscape.

Inthisedition,wefeatureUlsterUniversity Vice-ChancellorPaulBartholomewonthe cover,speakingaboutitspositionin2026as acontinueddriverofeconomicgrowth.

Ialsospeakto TourismIrelandaboutits planstodoublevisitorspendinginNorthern Ireland,andwhyweneedtoposition ourselvesas ahighvalueoffertopotential visitors. ■

JohnMulgrew

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

Advertising JudithMartin,judith.martin@mediahuis.co.uk LouiseHenderson,louise.henderson@mediahuis.co.uk CharlottePrentice,charlotte.prentice@mediahuis.co.uk

Graphicdesign SusanMcClean,MediahuisIrelandDesignStudio

Coverphoto ElaineHill

@ulsterbusiness www.ulsterbusiness.com

MediahuisUKLtd ©2026.Allrights reserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybe reproduced,storedin aretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyform, orbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,photocopying, recording,orotherwisewithoutthepriorpermissionofMediahuis.

Amonth innumbers NImustsellitself as ‘high value’ destination fortourism

£1.3bn

Thenewvisitor spendingtargetfor 2035from Tourism Ireland,forNorthern Ireland.

£26m

The recentinvestment intoCathedralEye CliniconAcademy StreetinBelfast.

30

Theanniversaryof CoArmaghsnack brandForestFeast.

70

Thenumberofnew jobsaddedbyGrant Thorntonin2025as thefirmannouncesits movetoTheEwart.

NorthernIrelandmustsellitselfas a‘highvalue’tourismdestination asit’snolongerseenas alowcost option,it’sbeenclaimed.

AliceManserghischiefexecutiveof Tourism Ireland.It’ssettingoutitsstallalongsideour ownlocaltourismstrategy –aimingtogrow visitspendhereinNorthernIrelandto£1.3bn overthenext10years.

Theobvioussellingpointsaretherefor Northern Irelandas aplacetovisit,butinterms ofchallenges,whileconnectivityhasvastly improved,Alicesayswearenownolonger considered a“lowcostdestination”.

“Whenwesurveyedoverseas,Northern IrelandandIreland,areinlinewithother Europeandestinations,”shesays.“Thereare risingcostsonthegroundandeatinginto

margins.Peoplewanttostayprofitable,but remaincompetitive.

“Valueisn’tjustaboutprice –it’sdiallingup howmuchpeoplewanttocome,anddelivera high-valueproduct.”

ThatGBmarket remainskeytoNorthern Ireland’stourismsuccess.Alicesays anumber ofhigh-profilemarketingandbroadcast initiativeswillhelpfuelthat –includingDermot O’Leary’sTasteofIreland,and anewshowwith MartinandRomanKemp,filmedhere.

“Planswise,thegoalalignedatthetoplevel oftheMinister’sTourism VisionandAction Plan.Theeconomicgoalistodrivevisitorspend from£633min2024,todoublethatlevelby 2025 –a6.5%year-on-yeargrowthrate.”

But,whatattractsvisitorsin2026and beyond?Surprisingly,legacy, peace,andthe Troublesonlyaccountsforaround7%of visitingintentions,accordingtoAlice.

“Wedoresearchastowhatisattractive tooverseasconsumers,”shesays.“Themain reasonis,firstandforemost,thescenery, cultureandhistory

“Thereisarealmix –playingtothe strengths,thecoastlines,FermanaghLakelands, andTheMournes –weleveragethatwith socialmedia,advertising,andpublicity.”

Lastyear,overseastourismgenerated£633m fortheNorthernIrelandeconomyandthe sectorprovides70,000jobs

TheUShas remained aboomingmarketfor bothvisitorstoNorthernIreland,andtheisland as awhole.Accordingtothelastofficialfigures fromthestartoflastyear,seatnumberswere up16%.

But,willthecurrentlypoliticalclimateinthe US –ledbytheadministration’spublicpolicies, especiallyitsaggressiveandcontroversialuseof ImmigrationandCustomsEnforcementagents –have alegacyorimpactonvisitornumbers?

“It’sonetokeep acloseeyeintermsofthe consumerconfidence,”Alicesays.“Lastyear, despiteuncertainty,visitorsfromtheUStoNI increased.” Readthefullinterviewonpage22-23

NewDerry businesspark andeconomichub‘could create thousandsofjobs’

Aneweconomicdevelopmentareaandmajorbusinesspark inDerrycould“createthousandsofjobs”amidmillionsin investment,it’sbeenclaimed.

Thatcouldincludealmost200,000sqftofdevelopmentcloseto ElaghBusinessParkofftheBuncranaRoadinthecity.

Earlyplanscouldinclude anumberofcommercialindustrialunits, with alargeenterprisecentre,aswellastwo restaurants,andparking.

Thosebehindtheschemesayithasbeensubmittednowinlight ofthe recentlyadoptedcouncilstrategy –alocaldevelopmentplan–whichcallsfor aneweconomicdevelopmentarea.

“Theapplicantbelievesthattheapplicationsiteisthemost appropriatelocationforthenew[development],”itsays.

“[We]believetheproposalhasmassivepotentialtogenerate significantfinancialinvestment,newemployment,and regenerationof thewester nsuburbsandsurroundingenvironment.”

Itsaystheplanhasthe“potentialtoachievemillionsofpoundsin investmentinthecity”.

“[Itcan]createthousandsofnewjobsandaddresseconomic disadvantageanddeprivationofthewester nsuburbs,particularlythe BallymagoartyandGalliaghneighbourhoods,whichwillbenefitmost fromtheseproposals.”

Thosebehindtheschemesaytheyhavedevelopedaneconomic appraisalto“setoutclearlythescaleofthepotentialfinancial investment,thenumberofdirectandindirectnewjobs ,andother multiplierswhichwillhelpaddresseconomicdeprivationinthisareaof thecity”.

Thepre-planningapplicationhasbeensubmittedbyMKAPlanningon behalfofPatrickDoherty,PJDConstructionLondonLtd.

Restaurantsandbars‘will shut without governmentsupport’ says toppublican

Therewillbecontinuedclosure of restaurantsandbarswithout “meaningfulgovernmentsupport”, a toppublicanhastold UlsterBusiness. WillieJack,whorunstheDukeof York, DarkHorse,HarpBar,andFriendatHand,says “ultimatelyhospitalityneedstobevalued”.

“Hospitalityisfacingenormouspressure,” hetold UlsterBusiness.“Risingcosts,business rates,VAT disparitieswiththesouth,staffing challengesandchangingconsumerbehaviour alladdup.

“Peopleare goingoutearlier,drinkingless, andlookingforanexperienceratherthan alate night.Theindustryhastoadapttothat.

“Manyexperiencedpeoplesimplydidn’t comebackafterthepandemic.Otherswon’t worklatenightsanymore,and Idon’tblame them.Ifyouwantgoodstaffnow –and Imean reallygoodstaff–youhavetopaythem. We paywell,becauseexperiencematters.

“Wagesarehigher,costsarehigher,and that hastobe reflectedinpricing.I’mnotapologetic aboutthat. Youcan’tdemandqualityandthen complainabouttheprice

“Ultimately,hospitalityneedstobevalued. Withoutmeaningfulgovernmentsupport,there willbeclosures,particularlyamong restaurants andruralpubs.Thatwouldbe arealloss,not justeconomically,butculturallytoo.

“Belfastneedscontinuedinvestmentin events,concertsandtourismtodrivefootfall too.Whenthecityisbusywithconcerts,

Quotes

of the month

festivalsandmajorevents,everyonebenefits.”

Itcomesamidmajorindustrycallsto reevaluateproposedratesincreases,andassistthe widerhospitalitysectorhere.

Manybusinessesare facingincreasesintheir rates billsfollowingtheDepartmentofFinance’s revaluation.

That’sseentherateablevalueofproperties risingbyasmuchas280%.

“Therecomes atimewhenenoughisenough and,forthehospitalitysector, thattimeis now,”Clare Guinness,BelfastChamberchief executive,said.

“Thelatestratesrevaluationis aseriousblow to hundredsofbusinessesalreadyoperatingon thetightestofmargins.

“Hotels, restaurantsandbarshaveendured

“The Northern Ireland hospitalit ysector is trapped inaneconomicpincer movement,drivenbya valuation system thathas becomedetached from the realit yofrunninga business.”

MichaelCadden,chairman, HospitalityUlster.

morethanmostsincetheCovid-19pandemic –prolongedclosures,risingenergycosts,staffing pressures,andfragileconsumerdemand. Manywereonlyjustabsorbingtheimpactof recentBudgetmeasures,includingincreases toNationalInsuranceandtheminimumwage, whenthislatestcostshocklanded.”

Meanwhile,theSDLPhaslaunched a campaigntosavepubs,hotelsandother hospitalitybusinessesfollowingchangesto businessrates

TheNorthernIrelandFood To GoAssociation haswarnedthattherates revaluationrisks forcingtheclosureofdozensofsmallfood businesses,includingcafés,takeaways,food trucksandlocalproducersthatarecentralto communitiesacrossNorthernIreland.

“There comesa timewhen enoughisenoughand, for thehospitalit ysector,that timeisnow. Thelatest rates revaluationisa serious blow to hundreds of businesses.”

ClareGuinnessofBelfast Chamberspeakingabout the recentrates revaluation.

“Thelatest ratesincreases willbethefinalnailin the hospitalit yindustry’s cofn Havingwitnessedwhat happenedinEngland...we arestunned.”

ColinNeillofHospitality Ulstercommentingonthe rates revaluation.

Snack manufacturer planningfactory expansion

ACoArmaghsnackmanufacturer couldundergo amajorfactory expansionasitmarks30years,it canbe revealed.

ForestFeast,whichispartoftheKestrel Foodsbusiness,hassubmittedfreshplansto extenditssiteoutsidePortadown.

Thatcouldincludeanextensionfor additionalchocolateproduction,alongwith morespaceforstaff,andlargermarketing offices.

Overthelast30years,KestrelFoodshas seenimpressiveandconsistentannualsales growth,continuouslyadaptingtochanging markets,andpioneeringnewproducts,

processes,andtechnology.

ForestFeast remainsitsflagshipbrand, producingproductssuchaschocolate-dipped nuts,anddriedfruit.

Freshplansforthenewextensionsayit couldprovidean“extensiontoexistingfood

productionfacilitiestoincludeextensiontothe southwester nendforadditionalchocolate production,extensiontothefronttoprovide factorystaffchangingfacilities,extensionto thefrontnortheastcornertoprovideenlarged marketingofficesandassociatedsiteworks”.

Privateeyeclinic to start work onnewBelfast facilityafter £26m boost

ANorther nIrelandeyeclinichas saidit’sabouttostartconstruction workon anewfacilityafter receiving a£26mfundingboost.

CathedralEyeCliniconAcademyStreetin Belfastsaiditsnewpremiseswillbethemost advancedeyesurgeryclinicontheislandof Ireland.

Itfollowsanannouncementlastmonththat thebusinesshad received€30minfunding fromCardinalCapital,Ireland’sbiggestprivate equitycompany.

ThedealmeansCardinalnowhas amajority stakeinCathedralEyeClinic,whichwas foundedin2008andalsohas abranchin Birmingham.

Thebusiness,whichwasestablishedbyeye surgeonJohnnyMooreandhas23specialist consultants,carriesouttreatmentssuchas

cataract, refractiveandlaservision-correction surgery,retinaltreatmentsandglaucoma management.

MrMooresaid:“Belfasthasalwaysbeenat theheartofwhatwedo,andthisnewclinic represents amajorstatementofintentfor healthcareinNorther nIreland.

“Ourgoalissimple:tobuildthebesteye surgeryclinicontheislandofIreland,right hereinBelfast,offeringpatientsfasteraccess toworld-classtreatmentacrossthefullrange ofeyeconditions.”

CathedralEyeClinicsaidthesitewillbe themostcomprehensiveeyesurgeryfacility anywhereontheisland,doublingsurgical capacityandincorporatingthelatestclinical technology.

Itsaidthenewsitewas“a responseto growingdemandforophthalmologyservices

inNorther nIreland,wherewaitinglistsforeye proceduresstayundersustainedpressure”.

CathedralEyeCareisalsoplanningto developnewophthalmologyclinicsinDublin andintheMidlandsinEngland.

Speaking recently,JohnDolan,managing directoratCardinalCapital,said:“Ireland northandsouthisalreadyunderservedby ophthalmologyclinics,leadingtounnecessarily longwaitinglists,andthefourthlowest numberofcataractsperheadofpopulationin theEU.

“Withouragingpopulationsonbothsides oftheborderdemandforeyesurgeriesisset togrowsignificantly.

“WorkinginpartnershipCathedralEyeClinic andCardinalwilldevelopthemostadvanced groupofophthalmologyclinicsontheislandto meetthisgrowingneed.”

Onein five NI firms

‘still facingbarrier to accessingfinance’

Nearlyoneinfivesmalltomedium-sizedenterprises(SMEs) inNorther nIrelandhaveexperiencedbarrierswhen accessingfinance, areporthassaid.

The researchbyEnterpriseNorther nIrelandandtheBritishBusiness Banksaidnumbershadimprovedslightlyonpreviousyearsandwere similartolevels reportedin Wales.

Butat18%,thepercentageexperiencingbarrierswhenaccessing financewashigherthaninScotland,where13%facedthesameissue. TheAccesstoFinanceReport2026foundthatjustoverhalf(56%)of SMEsherewereusingexternalfinance,thelowestpercentageamong theUK’sdevolvednations.

However,demandforfunding remainedstrong,with42%ofsmaller businessesanticipating aneedforadditionalfinanceoverthenext12 months,whilejustoverhalfofthoseexpectedto require financefelt confidentaboutsecuringit.

SMEsinthesouther npartofNIweremostlikelyto reportusing

externalfinance,at61%,whilebusinessesinBelfastweremostlikelyto reportnothavingbarrierstoaccessingfinance.

Overall,SMEsherewerefoundtobethemostoptimisticabouttheir growthprospectsamongthedevolvednations,with56%expecting growth,comparedwith49%inScotlandand30%in Wales.

“Thisyear’sAccesstoFinance reportshowsthatwhilefewerSMEs arefacingbarrierstoaccessingfinance,significantchallenges remain, particularlyaroundconfidenceandcashflow,”MichaelMcQuillan,chief executive,EnterpriseNorther nIreland,said.

Jobsat food trucks and takeaways at risk amid ratesrevaluation

Thousandsofjobsatsmallbusinesses likefoodtrucksandtakeawaysin Northern Irelandarenowatrisk as aresultof arevaluationprocessto determinerates,it’s beenclaimed.

TheNorthernIrelandFood To GoAssociation warnedthat Reval2026,carriedoutbyLand & PropertyServices,wasputtingatriskbusinesses likecafés,takeaways,foodtrucksandlocal producerscentraltocommunitiesacross NorthernIreland.

Itwarnedthat“morethan100smallfood businessesandlocalproducerscouldcloseif ratesbillsrisesharply,placingthousands of localjobsatriskandacceleratingthelossof independenttradersfromhighstreets”

ChiefexecutiveMichaelHendersonsaidthe sectorfaceda “tippingpoint”.“Thisisabout small,independentfoodbusinesses.Theseare family-runcafés,takeawaysandfoodtrucks thatemploylocalpeoplewhoprovidean essentialservicetoourlocalcommunitiesevery day.”

DraftfiguresreleasedbyLPS,partofthe

DepartmentofFinance,showoverallNet Annual Values(NAVs)haveincreasedbyaround 15%,withsharprisesacrosshospitality-linked properties.

NAVsarecombinedbyLPSwithratessetby Stormontandcouncilsinordertodetermine levelsofbusinessrates.

“Formanyfood-to-gobusinesses,even arelativelysmallincreaseinratescouldbe enoughtopushthemovertheedgeand thiscould resultinclosureswhichcouldbe avoided,”MrHendersonsaid.

“Whensmallfoodbusinessesdisappear,they arerarely replaced.Emptyunitsfollow,jobsare lostandcommunitieslosefamiliarplacesthat peopledependoneveryday

“Thesebusinesseskeeptowncentresalive andsupportlocalemployment.Improved rental evidencedoesnotmeanimprovedviability, costs remainhigh,footfallisfragileandmany smallfoodbusinessesarehangingonby a thread.”

Hesaidtheassociationhasnow required anurgentmeetingwithFinanceMinisterJohn O’Dowdtodiscussthepotentialimpactof Reval2026.

“Thesebusinessesarenotjustbalance sheetsorvaluationfigures.Theyarethe heartbeatandbackboneoflocalcommunities, providingjobs,skillsandeverydayservices people relyon. We needtomakesuretheir voicesareheardbeforeit’stoolate.”

KieraCampbell,chairoftheNorthern IrelandFood To GoAssociation,said:“Our memberswanttokeeptrading,employing andservingtheircommunities,andit’sour role tomakesuretheirvoicesareheardasrates decisionsaretaken.

“Weare callingformeaningfulengagement toensureratespolicy reflectsthe realities facedbycafés,takeaways,mobileoperators andlocalproducersacrossNorthernIreland. We wanttoensurerates reformisfair, proportionateanddoesnotunderminelocal economies.”

AngelaMcGrath,thecommissionerof valuationforNorthernIreland, recently said:“LPSwill reviewanynewor relevant informationratepayerswishtobringforward nowandmakeupdateswhere appropriate beforethenewvaluationlisttakeseffectin April2026.” ■

Thehospitalitysectorsaysit’s strugglingamidnewratesbills andotherincreasedcosts

Pub owner‘in tears’ overprospect of ratesrisesinhospitalitysector

ACoAntrimpublicanhassaidhe mayhavetoclosehisbusiness comeAprilduetolooming increasesinratesbills.

Figuresfromthehospitalitysectorhavebeen expressingtheirconcer nfollowingthedraft rates revaluationofnon-domesticproperty here.

MichaelCadden,thechairoftradegroup HospitalityUlster,toldtheBelfast Telegraph thatonebusinessownerhadweptwhen talkingaboutanticipatedratesrises.

ItisunderstoodthattheboardofHospitality Ulsterwillholdanemergencymeetingon Wednesdaytodiscusstheir responsetothe expectedriseinratesinhospitality

Somepublicansareunderstoodtobe consideringprotestingagainstratesrises,and arereadytotake“tangible”action.

SourcesatHospitalityUlstersaythatwhile theindustryexpectedNAVstogoupfollowing Reval2026,thescaleoftheincreasehas shockedpeople.

Hotelsandpubshaveseenamongthe highestrisesinNetAnnual Value(NAV),a

measurementofexpected rentalincomeof abuildingthatgovernmentagencyLand& PropertyServicesusestocalculaterates.

NAVsareonlyonepartofthecalculation ofrates,andthemajorityofcommercial propertieswillnotseeanyriseintheirbills.

If apropertyisatorbelowthe15%average increaseinNAV, itisunlikelytoseeany increaseinratespaymentsnextyear.

HospitalitybusinesseswhichhaveNAV increasesabovethislevelareconcernedabout seeingincreasestotheirbillsandtherefore havingalreadytightmarginssqueezedfurther.

ThenetNAVofhotelsherehasgoneup 84%,whilethenetNAVofpubsincreasedby 47%.Thisisanaggregatefigure,andthereare hospitalitybusinessesbelow,atandaboutthis average.

CraigBlack,theowneroftheBush Tavern onMarketStreetinBallymoney,hassaidheis concernedhewillhavetoclosehisbusinessif hisratesincreaseinApril.

Hemade a“substantialloss”intrading lastyearbutsaidhisNAVhadgoneupby “146%”.

“ThelasttwoyearsI’vebeenlosing money.I’vebeenabletosustainthatbecause

ofagoodprevioustwoyears.Butit’snot sustainable.”

Hesaidfallingfootfall,increasesin employmentcostsand ariseintaxeslikerates havecontributedtohimputtinghisbusiness upforsale.

MichaelCadden,chairofhospitalityUlster andownerofPat’sBaronLustyBegIsland ResortandEnniskillenHotel,saidonepersonin theindustrycalledhim“intears”onThursday overconcernsaboutratesincrease.

“Wejustcan’tkeeptakingthesebody blows. We’reseeing alotofstuffinthe newsattheminuteaboutbusinesses,both hospitalityandothers,failing:whointheLPS [LandandPropertyService]thinksthisisa goodidea?”

TheLPScarriesoutrates revaluationsevery threeyears,withthelastcarriedoutwhenthe valueofhospitalitybusinesseswasartificially loweredbytheimpactofthepandemic.

MrCaddenbelievessomeoftheNAV increasesareovervaluingtheproperties’ rental value:“IfanybodyintheLPSwantsto rentany ofmybusinessesfortheNAVthatthey’veput onthem, Iwill renttothemtomorrow.They’re overvalued.” ■

Hays at 30: morethan arecruitmentbusiness

Atthestartofwhatwillbeits30thyearinNorthernIreland, Hays continuestoadvise firmsin arangeofsectorswith innovativetalentretentionandattractionstrategies

TheannualHaysSalary &Recruiting Trendssurveyofover5,100 professionalsandemployersacross theUKpaintsaninterestingpictureofthe talentandrecruitmentlandscapeaswe pushoninto2026.

It’soneofopportunitiesofcourse,butalso ofsignificantchallengesasemployersadaptto theimpactsofanuncertainglobaleconomy, and avarietyofissuesthatarecontinuingto make resourceplanningtricky.

Thesurveyfound adegreeofshorttermoptimism,withoverthreequarters ofemployersplanningtohireinthenext 12months,butmorethanhalfofthe

organisationssurveyedalsoexpectedtoface challenges recruitingtherighttalent,fromthe risingcostsofdoingbusinessandfromthe economicenvironment.

Over90%ofemployerssaidtheywere currentlyexperiencingskillsshortagesand over50%said retention remainsoneoftheir topinternalpriorityissuesfortheyearahead, suggestingthat finding, recruitingandkeeping therighttalentwillbeasimportantaseverin 2026.

Hays,whichcelebrates30yearsinNorthern Irelandthisyear,hasestablishedanunrivalled reputationas atrustedpartnerforemployers inboththeprivateandpublicsectorswhoare facinguptothesechallenges.

Butthesupportthebusinessprovidestoits clientsgoesbeyondsimplyplacingcandidates injobs,saysMark Wade,directorofHaysin Norther nIreland.

“Atthestartof anewyear,whentheneeds ofclientsindifferentsectorscanrampupor changecompletely,thedepthofexperience andcapabilityofourteam reallybecomes apparent,”hesays.

“Ourdirectorsandsectorleadsareexperts intheirfieldsandhavebuilt aleveloftrust and reputationsas reliableadvisers,sowhen clientsarelookingat resourceplanningforthe yearahead,theyknowtheywillgetstrategic

inputfromus,notjust atraditional recruitment placementservice,”addsMark.

“Weprovidecomprehensive,consultative resourceplanning,whichincludes marketinsights,salaryand remuneration benchmarking, retention reviewand consultation,brandevaluationanddigitaland creativemarketingsolutions.”

FromitsofficesinBelfast,Derryand Portadown,Hays’businessmirrorsthe sectorsthatarepillarsoftheNorther nIreland economy –constructionandproperty,finance, technology,engineeringandprofessional services –withdirectorsleadingtheirteams whohavemanyyearsundertheirbelts workinginthosespecialisms.

Thecompanyhasdeep-rootedpositioning withinallofitskeysectors,withthecompany’s seniorteamhaving acombined160yearsof experiencebetweenthem.

IntheConstructionandPropertysector, OliverSmith,Nicola TitteringtonandMichael DicksonworkcloselywithsomeofNorthern Ireland’sleadingcontractorsandsuppliers.

Inthewell-established Technologysector, RoisinByrneandJuliannDeeganhaveprovided expertadvicetosomeofthefastestgrowing teamsinNI,bothatindigenouscompaniesand internationalbrands.

Serviceprovidedtothe region’slauded manufacturingsectorandmarketleading EngineeringfirmsisspearheadedbyEamonn McCance.

LukeFullerandElaineMcCullaghlead thechargeforHaysinthehugelyimportant Financesector,whileCaraMarksisatthe forefrontofitsbusinessacrossProfessional Services,whichboastssomeofthebiggest employersinNorther nIreland.

ItisthebreadthofHays’keyserviceslines

EamonnMcCance,Michael Dickson,Nicola Titterington, RoisinByrne,Mark Wade, LukeFuller,CaraMarks, JuliannDeegan,OliverSmith, andElaineMcCullagh

thatthecompanybelieveselevatesitbeyond theserviceprovidedbymore traditional recruiters.Theyinclude:

• Earlycareers: helpingclientstocreatea resilienttalentpipelineandstrategiesfor bringinginnew recruits.

• Analyticsandinsights: providingclients withthedatatheyneedtosupporttalent strategyanddecisionmaking.

• Payand rewardbenchmarking: providingclientwithdatatosupporttheir renumerationand rewardstrategies.

• Assessmentanddevelopment: working withclientstodeveloptailoredassessment solutionstohelpclientspowertheirhiring decisions.

• Careertransition: expertadviceand tailoredsolutionsoninternalmobility,career developmentandsocialvalue.

• EmployerbrandandEVP: creating bespokesolutionstoincreaseshareof voiceinthemarketandencouragebrand advocacyfromemployeesandcandidates.

Mark Wade,whohasbeenwithHaysfor25 years,saysthescaleofitsteam,theexperience ofdirectorswhoaregenuinelyembedded withintheirsectorsandthebreadthofthe serviceofferingis apowerfulcombination, thatsetsthebusinessapartinitssector.The teamundertakesadvisoryworkwithandhas endorsementsfrom arangeof representative bodiesandinstitutesacrossthesectorswhich backthisup.

“What’sreallyimportanttome,and encouraginginthefeedback Ihearfrom clients,isthatweareseenastrustedadvisers byorganisationswhoaskforoursupportwith theirtalentattractionand retentionneeds,” hesays.

“It’swhatmarksHaysoutasmorethan arecruitmentbusiness,ourpeoplebecome anextensionof aclient’steamandprovide strategicadvicethat reallymakes adifference tothemachievingtheirobjectives.It’smore thanjust recruitment.” ■

To findoutmoreaboutHaysinNorthernIreland gotowww.hays.co.uk

Word FROMTHE Wise

Howdidyougetstartedintheindustry?

I’vespentmostofmyworkinglifein hospitality.Istartedveryyoung.When Iwas stillatschool, Iworkedpart-timeatwhatwas thenthe‘ThruppenyBitbesidetheKing’sHall. Fromthere,allmysummerholidayswerespent workinginhospitality,inPortstewart,Portrush, andScotland.

IwentontostudyattheLondonSchool ofEconomics,buteventhen, Iwasworking inpubsandhotels. Isawearlyonhowthat thiswasahardbut rewardingindustry -long hours,noshortcutsbuttherewassomething aboutitthatcapturedmyimagination.

Afteruniversity,ImanagedpubsinLondon for alargepubgroup.Eventually,Ireturned toBelfastandbuilt acateringbusinessacross majorvenueslikeDownRoyal,Ravenhill, HillsboroughCastleandCityHallwithmylate businesspartner,Bruce.Overtime, IrealisedI waspassionateaboutsmaller,well-runspaces whereyoucanbuild asenseofcommunity, andthat’swheremyfocushasbeenforthe past15years,withTheDukeof York,Dark Horse,HarpBarandTheFriendatHand.

Typically,whoareyourclientsor customers?

We’vealwayswelcomedeveryone –fromthe PrimeMinistertothe roadsweeper –andthat hasn’tchanged.Ourcustomerstendtobea bitoldernow,buttheycomefromeverywalk oflife –ordinarypeoplewhoappreciate asafe, respectfulenvironment.

We alsowelcome alottourists,particularly peoplewhoarelookingforsomething authenticratherthan acarboncopyofwhat theycangetanywhereelse.

Doyouenjoywhatyoudo,andwhatin particular?

Ido. Ienjoyeveryday.What Ienjoymostis seeingpeoplesmile,hearingsomeonesay they’vecomeallthewaytoBelfastjustto experiencethispartofthecity.Thatmakes itworthwhile. Ilikecreatingspacesthat feelwelcoming,safeandauthentic,where conversationmattersandpeoplefeelatease. What Idon’tenjoyareFridaysinDecember andpoorbehaviour.There’snoexcusefor disrespectingstafforothercustomers.That’s thekindofthingthatmakesyouquestionhow longyouwanttokeepdoingitinthemoment. Butwhentheatmosphereisright,when peoplecomeinsoberly,drinkmoderatelyand leavequietly,it’sapleasuretobepartofthat experienceand ahardfeelingtobeat.

Whatisthemostdifficultpartofyourjob?

Thehardestpartisdealingwithconflict.I don’tlikeitatall,whetherthat’scustomers breakingrules,behavingbadly,orstaffbeing abused.Hearingourteambeingshoutedat ordisrespectedisincrediblydifficult. We’ve createdbeautifulspacesandhavewonderful staff,andit’sdishearteningwhenpeopledon’t respectthat.

Whatarethechallengesfacingyoursector andtheeconomyingeneral?

Hospitalityisfacingenormouspressure.Rising costs,businessrates, VATdisparitieswith thesouth,staffingchallengesandchanging consumerbehaviouralladdup.

Peoplearegoingoutearlier,drinkingless, andlookingforanexperienceratherthan alate night.Theindustryhastoadapttothat. Manyexperiencedpeoplesimplydidn’tcome backafterthepandemic.Otherswon’twork latenightsanymore,and Idon’tblamethem. Ifyouwantgoodstaffnow –and Imean really goodstaff–youhavetopaythem. We pay well,becauseexperiencematters.

Wagesarehigher,costsarehigher,andthat hastobe reflectedinpricing.I’mnotapologetic aboutthat. Youcan’tdemandqualityandthen complainabouttheprice.

Ultimately,hospitalityneedstobevalued. Withoutmeaningfulgovernmentsupport,there willbeclosures,particularlyamong restaurants andruralpubs.Thatwouldbe arealloss,not justeconomically,butculturallytoo.Belfast needscontinuedinvestmentinevents,concerts andtourismtodrivefootfalltoo.Whenthe cityisbusywithconcerts,festivalsandmajor events,everyonebenefits. ■

WhyNIfirmsare turningto privateequitytofuelgrowth

Whilefamilyfirmshere havetraditionallyshied awayfromprivateequity tofuelgrowth,it’s increasinglybecomingan avenueforcompaniesto developthenextstageof theirjourney,according toEYpartners Andrew Dolliver, RoisinShanks, and JonathanForde

WhileNorthernIrelandis attracting agrowingnumber ofmultinationalcompanies everyyear,localentrepreneursandfamilyownedbusinesses remainthebackboneof NorthernIreland’s economy. Historically,manyofthesecompanieshave beenhesitanttoconsiderprivateequity,for avarietyofreasonsincludingconcernsabout dilutingfamilycontrolormisunderstandings abouthowfundsoperate.Inrecentyears,thisis beginningtochange.Acrossthe region,private equityisincreasinglyviewedas acredibleand attractive routeforfirmsseekinggrowthcapital orwishingto realisevaluewhile retaining influence.EYNorthernIreland’sStrategyand Transactionsteam,whichhasgrownrapidly in recentyearsin responsetogrowingclient demandandnownumbersmorethan50 peopleacrossEY’stwoofficesinNorthern IrelandinBelfastandDerry/Londonderry,has observed aclearriseininterestfromfamilyownedfirmsandSMEsexploringthisoption. AndrewDolliver,EYNorthernIrelandStrategy and TransactionsPartner,believesthisshift reflects abroaderchangeinmindset.“The numberoffirms,particularlySMEsandfamily businesses,usingprivateequityis growing Formanyowners,privateequityisbecoming a mechanismtoaccelerateplanstheyhaveheld foryearsbutcouldnotfundorganically.”

EYNIpartnersIanKelly,RoisinShanks,AndrewDolliver,IsaacMulholland,andJonathanForde

“Thisgrowingdemandissupportedbythe strengthoftheprivateequitymarket.Funds acrosstheUK,RepublicofIrelandandbeyond areactivelyseekingopportunitiesinNorthern Ireland,generatingstrongvaluationsforhigh qualitybusinesses.Dealstructureshavealso evolvedtobecomemoreflexible,allowing ownersto releasecapital, retain ameaningful stakeinthebusinessandpartnerwithan investorfocusedonlongtermvaluecreation. EYteamsacrosstheUKandIrelandarealso seeingincreasedappetiteamongprivateequity firmstoinvestinorganisationsinvolvedinthe greentransition,whichexpandstheopportunity forforwardlookingcompaniesinNorthern Ireland.”

Privateequityfirmshaveexperienceacross arangeofsectorsandcanprovideoperational insights,seniorleadershipconnectionsand guidanceonscaling,governanceandstrategic planning.ForNorthernIrelandfirms readyto takethenextstepintheirgrowthjourney,this expertisecanbetransformative.

RoisinShanks,EYNorthernIrelandStrategy and TransactionsPartner,notesthestrengthof investorappetite.“AtEYweworkextensively withmid-marketprivateequity,andtheyare keentofindopportunitieswithin arelatively untouchedmarketinNorthernIreland,” shesays.“Ourteamhasdeepexperience inmid-marketprivateequityinvestments

acrosstheUKandIreland,whichcanunlock substantialexpertise,including Csuiteaccess andinvaluableconnections.”Sheaddsthat EYsupportsclientsfrompreparationthrough torunning acompetitiveprocessdesignedto maximisevalue.

JonathanForde,EYNorthernIreland Strategyand TransactionsPartner,highlights animportantgenerationalshift.“Traditionally inNorthernIreland,familybusinesseshave preferredtokeepequitytightlyheld,”hesays “Butculturalshiftsaretakingplace. Younger generationscansometimesbelessinclinedto gointo afamilybusinessandtakeitover.In thesecases,privateequityis apracticalbridge, allowingfoundersto remainengagedwhile preparingfor amanagedandvalueenhancing succession.”

AccordingtoAndrewDolliver,forbusinesses beginningtoconsiderprivateequity,several themesemerge“Ownersshouldclarifytheir objectivesearly,whethertheyseekgrowth capital,partialderiskingor aphasedpathto succession.Financialinformationmustbe robust,andmanagementteamsshouldprepare acompellinggrowthstory,sinceprivateequity investsonfuturepotentialasmuchaspast performance. Astructuredandcompetitive processstrengthensthebusiness’sposition, ensuringitidentifiestherightpartnerand achievesthebestoutcome.” ■

Ulster University: agrowth engine for NorthernIreland

Withpeople,placeandpartnershipatitscore,Ulster Universityisexpandingitsreach,strengthening businesscollaborationandreinforcingitsroleas akey driverofeconomicgrowthinNorthernIreland. Ulster Business speaksto Vice-ChancellorProfessorPaul BartholomewCBE about2026andbeyond

People remainattheforefrontof UlsterUniversity’soutlookandits key roleinoureconomy,andwider society.

“Forus,in2026,it’saboutgettingbetter andbetter,” Vice-Chancellor,ProfessorPaul BartholomewCBE,tells UlsterBusiness

“It’saboutcontinuingourgrowthtrajectory: developingourstudents,theirskills,working withbusinessestodevelopflexiblelearning andapprenticeships,expandingpartnerships, research,andbuildingonourglobalfootprint.

“As auniversity, wearealwaysonmultiyearpath,and2026willbepartofthat rolling focus.”

TheUniversity –basedacrossitsthree campussites –remainsattheheartofthe Norther nIrelandeconomy,andwidersociety –developingcontinuedstrongandlasting relationshipswithbusinessandindustry,as wellasgrowingitspositionas aleaderonthe globalstage.

Andaspartofthat,Paulsaysit’sabout demonstratingtoourpoliticians,industry, andwidersociety,thatuniversities remainkey enginesforgrowth,andwhyfunding remains crucialtothatsuccess.

“It’saboutmakingcleartheessential rolewe playinsustainingandgrowinganeconomy,” Paulsays.

“UlsterUniversityistheonlyuniversityin Norther nIrelandwithcampusesbasedoutside ofBelfast,andthat’saspecial responsibility intermsof regionalbalance,andtheability toprovideopportunitiesacrossNorthern Ireland,forstudentsand researchers,helping thatknowledgetransferintocompaniesand industry,aswellasplaying akey roleincultural enrichment.”

ForUlsterUniversity,threetenetsareatits core:people,place,andpartnership.

Andaspartofthat,workinghand-in-hand withbusinessandindustry remainscrucialto itspositionas akeyleaderandeconomicdriver

here.UlsterUniversityhas along-established relationshipwithNorther nIreland’seconomy–workingtoassistbusinessesfromrightacross thesectorsindevelopingskills,training,and bespokeindustry-specificsolutionsthroughits leading research.

“Workingwithbusinessandindustry,across thesectors, remains akeyfocusforusin 2026,”Paulsays.

“Wealreadyhaveanexcellent reputation, andthat’ssomethingwewanttocontinueto buildon.

“It’salsoaboutsharingourexperienceand expertisewithourpartners,andwithour politicians –highlightinghowwehavehelped firmsachievethatcompetitiveedge.

“Weare people-first,andthat’swhatmarks usout.”

UlsterUniversityworkswith awidevariety ofcompaniesandsectorsdirectly,delivering

professionalaccreditations.

“Wecontinuetoprojectourselves,globally, acrossskills,thedevelopmentofstudents,and modesofdelivery,”Paulsays.

Thatincludesflexiblelearning, apprenticeships,workexperience,partnerships, andpost-graduatetrainingtoemployersto upskilltheirworkforces.

It’sleadingthewayacross avastswatheof sectors,includinginartificialintelligencewith theAICollaborationCentre(AICC) –helping supportNorther nIrishfirmswithAIadoption, itsCentreforFoodandDrugDiscovery,a £22mhubatitsColerainecampus,itsplanned £42mCentre forDigitalHealthcareTechnology, alongwithdevelopmentinotherburgeoning areas,suchasmedtech,sustainable technologies,cognitiveanalytics, robotics,and thecreativeindustries.

UlsterUniversity’sexpertsalsoprovide akey

roleaspartofitsStrategicPolicyUnit –helping ourpoliticalandindustryleadersmakebetter, evidence-baseddecisionsthrough researchand analysis.

“Businessknowthevalueofwhatthe Universitycanoffer,”Paulsays.“Sometimes, thatworkdoesnotnecessarilytranslateinto thepublicpsyche,andweneedtoincreaseour advocacyaroundthattogetthemessageout.

“Wehave averycloseandeffective working relationshipwiththeDepartment fortheEconomy.It’stherightdepartmentto hosthighereducationbecauseofthoseclear synergieswiththeeconomy.”

PaulsaysoneoftheUniversity’sstrengths ishaving reachrightacrossNorther nIreland –withcampusesinBelfast,Coleraine,and Derry~Londonderry.

It’salsoprogressingfurtherexpansionofits campusinNorther nIreland’ssecondcity –with

aDepartmentaltaskforceworkingtodevelop plansleadingtoitaccommodating10,000 studentsthere.

Pauliskeentoemphasisethe roleUlster Universityplaysinitscontributiontosociety, andthewidereconomy.

Whilelearningandskilldevelopmentis key,it’salsoaboutgettingpeopleintothe workplace –creatingemploymentand, ultimately,economicgrowth.

“Wehave reallygoodoutcomesin graduateemployability,”hesays.“That activityisdevelopinghighly-skilled rolesin specialistareas,rightacrossthesectors –from biomedicalscience,toengineering,creative media,andhealth.

“It’simportantthatwecontinuetospeak toindustryandbusinessabouttheUniversity’s rolehere.”

UlsterUniversitywasalsoawardedthe

titleof‘Universityofthe Year2024/25’,the mostprestigioustitleofallby TimesHigher Education.

Forthefirsttimeintheuniversity’shistory, UlsterUniversityis recognisedas TimesHigher Education’stophighereducationinstitutionin theUKandIreland.

“Oneyearonfrombeinggiventheaward, wehaveseveralprojectsunderway,”Paul says.“ThatincludestheDerry~Londonderry Expansion Taskforce,CityDealprojectsin ColeraineandBelfast,andwehaveopened thenewworld-classvirtualproductionfacility, StudioUlster,aswellascontinuedcapital builds,”Paulsays.

UlsterUniversitynowhasaround26,000 studentsinNorther nIreland,withthatnumber expandingtowellover35,000whenincluding partnercampuses,globally.

It’salreadypositioneditselffrontandcentre ontheinternationalstage,attractingstudents fromacrosstheglobe.

However,funding remainsatthecoreofthe challengestheuniversity,andothers,arefacing in2026,andtheyearsahead.

“Thereare challengingtimesin2026 –but theyaresimilartothoseacrossthesectorin theUKandIreland,”Paulsays.

“Thatincludesfinancialsustainability,as wellasgeo-politicalimpact.But,wedohave anadditionalcostburdenthat relatestothe runningofmultiplecampuses.”

ForUlsterUniversity,fundingfromStormont has reducedinthelast10years,whilestudent numbershaveincreasedbyaround1,200, meaningthattheincomeit receivesper studentismuchlessthanitusedtobe,despite havingtoabsorbinflationarycosts.

“Wehavegrownourincomesince Ihave been Vice-Chancellor,byaround£90m,”Paul says.

“Butithasnotbeensufficienttocoverthe additionalcostsandthedropingovernment income,butwewillcontinuetoexpandour activitiesandtrytoclosethefundinggap.”

Successinthefinancialspaceisintrinsically linkedtothe reputationoftheUniversity.“We areworking reallyhardtoensurethequality andcapacityoftheinstitution remainshigh,” hesays.

“Thereare otheruniversitiesmaking redundancies –weare aimingtonotdo that. We arealreadyveryleanandefficient, andeverypersonis acreditandassettothe University,and acriticalpartinwhatwedo.”

PaulsaysifNorther nIrelandwantstogrow itseconomyapace,theninvestmentmustbeat theheartofthat.

He’skeentopointoutthatbenefittocostis considerable –aroundeighttoone.

“ComparedtotheUKaverageforthesame measure,thatismuchhigher,”Paulsays.

“Ifwewanttheeconomytogrowand thrive,thenweneedtoinvest,becausesuch aninvestmenthas asocietal return.Partofthat equationisworkingmorecloselywithbusiness andindustry,anddevelopingstrongadvocates forusas auniversity,whilealsogenerating real valueforthem,andsociety.

“Weare verygoodatwhatwedobecause peoplearefirstandforemostinourminds. That’ssomethingwewanttocontinue.

Whatarehisambitionsfor2026?“Notone singularfocusareabutit’saboutbeingbetter andbetteracrossallthatwedo.”

BelfastTelegraph publisher makesmajorinvestment inlocalnewsreporting

ThepublisheroftheBelfast Telegraphisembarkingon amajor investmentinlocalanddigital journalismacrossNorther nIreland,with 11neweditorial rolesandtheopeningof anofficeinDerry/Londonderry.

Mediahuis,oneofEurope’slargest publishinggroupswhichalsoowns Ulster Business,saystheexpansionunderlinesits long-termcommitmenttolocalnewsata timewhenmanymediaorganisationsare scalingback.

Recruitmentisunderwayforeightdigitalfirstlocaljournalistscoveringthenorthwest, CoArmagh,CoDownandgreaterBelfast.

Inaddition,threenewjournalistcreator roles –focusedonproducingandsharing newsandlifestylecontentacrosssocialmedia platforms –willbeadvertisedinthecoming weeks.

TheBelfast Telegraph reachedanincredible

milestoneof16,500digitalsubscribersin 2025withthetitlenowenteringthenext phaseofitsdigitalgrowthstrategy.

EdwardMcCann,directorofpublishing operationsatMediahuisIreland,saidthe investmentwasaboutdeliveringonthe brand’scorepromise.

“ThemarketingsloganfortheBelfast Telegraphis‘WhereNorther nIrelandgetsits news,”hesaid.

“Wewanttoliveuptothatsloganby coveringaswide abreadthofstoriesas possiblefromthelocallevelup.

“Derry/Londonderryisthesecondbiggest cityinNorther nIrelandandwewanttomake sureit,andthenorthwest,iscentraltoour coverage.”

MrMcCannaddedthatMediahuis remains firmlycommittedtopublicinterestjournalism inthedigitalage.

“AtMediahuiswebelieveinthepower

oflocalnewsandpublicinterestjournalism inthedigitaleraandat atimewhenmany othersarepullingbackonlocalcoverage.

“Wehavedonethisinothercountriesand wantdotoithere.

“Wewanttobuildconnectionswith ouraudiencesand reflecttheirconcerns andinterests –whetheringreaterBelfast, Armaghorthenorthwest.”

MartinBreen,executiveeditor,described theexpansionas asignificantmomentfor thetitle.

“Thisisanexcitinganddynamicmovethat marks amajorstepforwardinourmissionto deliver relevant,engagingandcommunityfocusedjournalism.

“Itwillnotonlystrengthenourconnection with readersrightacrossNorther nIreland, butalsohelpus reachthenextgeneration ofaudiencesin arapidlyevolvingdigital landscape.” ■

‘The US isone to keep aclose eyeoninterms of consumer confidence’

TourismIrelandispushinganambitiousstrategy,alongsideEconomyMinister DrCaoimheArchibald’sowndepartmentalplans,todoublevisitorspendhereto £1.3bnby2035.Itschiefexecutive AliceMansergh speaksto JohnMulgrew abouttheareasofgrowth,thechallengesofnolongerbeing alowcostdestination, andkeepingoneeyeongeopoliticaleventsimpactingconsumersentiment

Thetourismindustryis“carefully watching”theongoingpolitical situationintheUSwhilevisitors fromacrosstheAtlanticremainontherise.

AliceManserghischiefexecutiveof Tourism Ireland.It’ssettingoutitsstallalongsideour ownlocaltourismstrategy–aimingto grow visitspendhereinNorthernIrelandto £1.3bn overthenext10years

“Werecentlymetwithindustryleaders… alongsideEconomyMinisterDrCaoimhe Archibald,and250tourismleaders –mapping outplanningforgrowingoverseastourisminto

NorthernIreland,”Alicetells UlsterBusiness

TheGBmarket remainsourmost robust, withtheUSandCanadabothfeaturingonthe topfivelist

Now,burgeoningmarketsarealsobeing targeted. TourismIrelandisoperatingbasesin China,India,andtheUAE.

“Planswise,thegoalalignedatthetoplevel oftheMinister’sTourism VisionandAction Plan.Theeconomicgoalistodrivevisitorspend from£633min2024,todoublethatlevelby 2025 –a6.5%year-on-yeargrowthrate.”

That’sslightlyaheadoftheislandas awhole

–eyeing atargetofaround6%.

But,whatattractsvisitorsin2026and beyond?Surprisingly,legacy, peace,andthe Troublesonlyaccountsforaround7%of visitingintentions,accordingtoAlice.

“Wedoresearchastowhatisattractive tooverseasconsumers,”shesays.“Themain reasonis,firstandforemost,thescenery, cultureandhistory

“Thereisarealmix –playingtothe strengths,thecoastlines,FermanaghLakelands, andTheMournes –weleveragethatwith socialmedia,advertising,andpublicity.”

Lastyear,overseastourismgenerated£633m fortheNorthernIrelandeconomyandthe sectorprovides70,000jobs

TheUShas remained aboomingmarketfor bothvisitorstoNorthernIreland,andtheisland as awhole.Accordingtothelastofficialfigures fromthestartoflastyear,seatnumberswere up16%.

But,willthecurrentpoliticalclimateinthe US –ledbytheadministration’spublicpolicies, especiallyitsaggressiveandcontroversialuseof ImmigrationandCustomsEnforcementagents –have alegacyorimpactonvisitornumbers?

“It’sonetokeep acloseeyeintermsofthe consumerconfidence,”Alicesays.“Lastyear, despiteuncertainty,visitorsfromtheUStoNI increased.”

TourismIrelandwillalsobeinvolvedinthe America250scheme,whichfocusesontyingin Ireland’ssharedhistoryandgenealogy

Theobvioussellingpointsare therefor

NorthernIrelandas aplacetovisit,butinterms ofchallenges,whileconnectivityhasvastly improved,Alicesayswearenownolonger considered a“lowcostdestination”.

“Whenwesurveyedoverseas,Northern IrelandandIreland,areinlinewithother Europeandestinations,”shesays.“There are risingcostsonthegroundandeatinginto margins.Peoplewanttostayprofitable,but remaincompetitive

“Valueisn’tjustaboutprice –it’sdiallingup howmuchpeoplewanttocome,anddeliver a high-valueproduct.”

ThatGBmarket remainskeytoNorthern Ireland’stourismsuccess.Alicesays anumber ofhigh-profilemarketingandbroadcast initiativeswillhelpfuelthat –includingDermot

O’Leary’sTasteofIreland,and anewshowwith MartinandRomanKemp,filmedhere.

Addressingthosegatheredatthelaunchof thenew2026marketingplans,atICCBelfast lastmonth,Alicesaid“whiletheworldis uncertainrightnow,consumersoverseasare lookingfortravelthatallowsthemtoexplore anddisconnect”.

“We’llbechampioningNorthernIreland’s iconiclandscapes,cultureandhistory,from festivalsandeventstoculinarytourism,using strategicmarketingandpartnershipstowin visitors.Healthygrowthisgrowthfrom a rangeofsourcemarkets;GBandtheUnited Statesarefundamentallyimportantfortourism toNorthernIrelandand,inadditiontoour activitiesthere,we’rerollingout anewstrategy

towinmorevisitorsfrommainlandEurope, we’reinvestingingrowthmarketslikeCanada andsettingupimpactfulpartnershipsforthe longterminChinaandIndia.

“Tourismisanindustrywithinspiring smallbusinessesandlocalprovidersatits heart –we’reexcitedtoprovide33%more promotionalopportunitiesoverseasfortourism SMEsin2026.

“Ourpartnershipswithairandseacarriers willinspirevisitordemandforkey routes, maximisingonincreasedconnectivity.We’ll be reachingoverseasvisitorsdirectlywith influentialadvertising,broadcastTVand streamingproductions,publicity,digital,social andAIactivity,towinyear-roundtourism,with benefitsacross regions.” ■

‘I’vegonefroma part-timecarer to managingdirector’

LorraineCor r, headofConnectedHealthin

NorthernIreland, speakstoMargaretCanningabout herjourneyinthefirmandchallengesinthesector

LorraineCorrhasworkedherway through araftofareasacrossthe ConnectedHealthbusiness since joiningin2012.

Andshe’snowhasbeenappointedNorthern Irelandmanagingdirectoroftheindependent homecareprovider

ButLorrainefirstjoinedas afrontlineworker, hopingthatdoingpart-timeworkas acarerin additiontoherfull-timejobas aPAwouldgive herextramoneyintherun-uptoChristmas.

Instead,Lorraine,who’sfromTwinbrookin westBelfastandnowlivesinLisburn,endedup givingupherjobasaPAtoworkfull-timein thebusiness.

Sheascendedthelevelsofmanagement inthecompany, withherappointmentasNI managingdirectorannouncedinDecember.

Rebecca VogelFaulkner,who’s fromLimavady, wasappointedmanagingdirectorof ConnectedHealthintheRepublic.

Thecompanynowemploys 2,000peopleon theislandandhasembarkedon adriveto hire 1,200newstaff,including400forNorthern Ireland

Lorraine,amothertotwodaughters,who nowhastwograndsons,describesher roleas “excitingandstressful”

“I’mjusttryingtogetusedtoallthefinancial side,budgets,anddifferentthingslikethat,but it’s reallyinteresting.

“It’sanincrediblehonourtostepintothe roleofmanagingdirector.Myjourneywiththe

organisationbeganwhenitwasestablishedin 2012 and Ijoinedas apart-timecarer

“Atthattime,itwas amuchsmaller organisationanditonlyhadabout40staff supportingaround60clients,and Inever imaginedthatonedayI’dbeleadingtheNIside ofthecompany

Thecompanyoffers anumberofservices, including‘packages’forprovidingcaretoolder people athomethroughcontractswithNI’s healthtrusts.

Anditoffers a‘rapid response’serviceto providecarepackages,whichareavailable morequicklythroughthetrusts –aswellas providingcarepackagestoclientsthrough private arrangements.

Italsoprovidessupportedlivingservicesto youngerpeoplewithlearningdisabilitiesor mentalhealthissues.

“Ibecame adirectorin2019,whichwas asignificantmilestoneforme…thisnew roleformeis aprivilege,because Igetto workalongsidetheseniorleadershipteam,” shesays.“Weworktogetherasoneandwe supporteachotherandchallengeoneanother, andmovingforwardwith asharedsenseof purpose.”

Herpreviousworkisfar removedfromwhat she’sdoingnow.“Iworkedinsolicitors’firmsin Belfast andintheRoyal VictoriaHospital(RVH) pathologydepartmentas aPA,sothatwasmy background.

“Ididthecareworkpart-timeforadditional

moneyontheside,cominguptoChristmas. Ifullyenjoyeditanddevelopedapassionand driveforthatworld.

“Iendedupleavingmyjobandgoinginto caringfull-time.Itwas asmallcarecompany calledCareCircleatthatpoint,thenwewere toldConnectedHealthwerepurchasingit.

“Thechiefexecutivehadapproachedmeto become amanagerofthe47staffConnected Healthhadatthattime,so Igaveupmy roleas acarer.”

OrganisationslikeConnectedHealthare paidbythegovernmenttoprovidecare,and theorganisationsusethefundingtopaystaff, withtheminimumlevelofpaysetbythe DepartmentofHealth.

Carersinthepublicsectorhavebeen awardedtheRealLiving Wageof£13.45an hour,higherthantheNationalMinimum Wage of£12.21,whichistoriseto£12.71inApril.

Butlastyear,HealthMinisterMikeNesbitt

wasaccusedof aU-turnona commitmentto paythesameratetocarersintheindependent sector. Thedepartmentsaidatthetimethat theMinister“remainscommittedtofundinga RealLiving Wageforindependentsectorsocial carestaff”.

Herpresentsenior roleisevidenceon howyoucanachieveyourpotentialwithout following aconventionalpath.“Ididn’t goto universityafterleavingschool,but Idid goback tonightclassesafter Ihadmytwogirlsanddid computersandbeautywork

“Atthatstage,mycareerwasallaudio typingandshorthand –I’mgivingmyageaway withthat. Inevercouldhaveimaginedthatone dayI’dbeleadingthiscompany

“I’m54now,andI’mnotdoneyetandI’ve alottogive.Thejobcan,atcertaintimes,be stressfulwithwinterpressures,andatdifferent timesofyear,liketheholidayseason,when a lotoffrontlineworkerswanttobeoff.

“Ourfrontlinearethebackboneofthe organisation,soI’mpassionateaboutensuring thattheyarerecognisedand rewarded appropriately

“I’malsoverydeeplycommittedto supportingwomeninleadership,asinour business85to90%ofourworkforceare female,soit’sextremelyencouragingtosee someofthemsteppingintosenior rolesin healthcare

“Iwasonceintheirshoes,soit’simportant tomethattheysee apathforwardand Ican inspire themintoseniorleadershippositions.”

Shewantsto recordhergratitudeto frontlinestaff,andtotheclientsandfamilies whoentrustthecompanytodelivercare.The requirementsonstaffcanbedemanding, includingthosedeliveringitsLiveConnected service –whichprovidescareforpeopleover 18withlearningdisabilitiesandmentalhealth needs.

Shehashadherown recentexperience ofcaring,followingthedeathofhermother fromcancer afewmonthsago.Lorraine hadmovedinwithhertotakecareofher Ithasbeentoughforthefamily,and particularlysoforoneofhertwosisters, whohas alearningdisability. Butfamily closenessishelping.“Ihavetwosisters,and threebrothers,andwe’rea very,verytight family.Mymumanddadalwaysbroughtus upthinkingthatyoursiblingsarethelove ofyourlife,andyouloveandadoreeach other.Ithinkweliveoutofeachother’s pockets.But Iwouldn’thaveitanyother way.”

Yetsheisalsotryingtolivelifetothe fullest.“Ilovetogoonholiday,andsince mymumpassed,I’vespontaneouslybooked twoholidays. IwenttoDubai,andonNew Year’sEve, IbookedNew York48hours beforegoingthere.” ■

TECH NOLO GY

Adrian Weckler saysthesocialmedia companieshavewonthe mediaandattentionrace

Atfirstglance,itmightlooklikeit’s been abadmonthforsocialmedia companies. X(Grok),Meta(scams), Snapchat(addictionlawsuit)andGoogle (monopoly)allappeartohavetheirfeet heldtothefire.

Butasagenre,they’renot reallyinserious trouble.Anyonesayingotherwiseiseithera lobbyistor afool.

Ifanything,they’re becomingmore entrenchedandmorepopular.Socialmedia remainsoncoursetowipeoutmuchofwhat’s leftoflegacymediahereandeverywhere else.

Children’sban?EU regulation?Boycotts? Irrelevant.

InIreland, YouTubeisnowwatchedmore on ordinarytelliesinliving roomsthanonphones, accordingtoresearchfromCore,thecountry’s largestmarketingfirm.It’sincreasinglynormal forGoogle’svideoplatformtobethemost watched“channel”inIrishhouseholds.Big events,suchastheOscars,are nowmovingto theonlinesocialmediaplatform.Lastweek, theBBCsigned a“partnership”touseitforits shows Othersocialmediaplatformsarehoovering uptherestofourattention.

Themost recentCSOfiguresshowthat75% ofususesocialmedia,risingto93% among youngadultwomen

Newsorganisationsknow thatiftheyputout anupdateorcommentaryvideoonFacebook, TikTokorInstagram,thatisincreasinglythe onlychanceithasofbeingseenby averylarge audience(sometimeslabelledas“viral”).

Indeed,socialmediaisincreasinglythe primaryplacefornews,ingeneral ResearchfromReuters andDCUshowthat it’s nowwayaheadofradio(47%vs36%)and catchingupwithTV(58%).

It’s time to face facts. .. the socialmedia firmshave won

Awell-paidprofessionalindustrycolleague ofminewhospecialisesinoneareaofbusiness recentlytoldmethathismainappealto thoseintheindustryhecoversishisLinkedIn audience,nothisactualnewsoutlet.

ThisisallhappeningaslegacyTV broadcastersarefading.Otherthannews andlivesport,stationslike RTÉhavefew watercoolermomentsanymore.Netflixandthe restofthebigstreamershavemostofthebig shows.Soon,they’llcomeforthesport.News can’tbefarbehind.

Theinternetisstillthenextbigthing,even in2026.

Anyonepayingattentionwillseethat

mediacompanies,orwhat’sleftofthem, arerespondingby revivinginitiativesaround puttingcontentoutonsocialmediaordigital ¬platformsthattheydon’townandcanonly commercialisethroughsponsorshipandother secondarymethods.Thisusedtobeconsidered existentialanathema.Buttheargumentthat anon-specialistmedia’soperationcanexist outsidesocialmediahaslargelydriftedaway

ManyofRupertMurdoch’snewinitiatives revolvearoundshowsbeingcreatedfor YouTubeandothersocialchannels. Ryan Tubridywillhostatleastoneofthese.Piers Morgan’sUncensoredshowisnowbased predominantlyon YouTube

The reasonthatonce-untouchableTVshows suchasLateNight WithStephenColbertare beingdiscontinuedisn’t,assomemightargue, becauseofpolitics.It’sbecausesomanyfewer peoplewatchnetworkTVanymore. Venerated USshowssuchasSaturdayNightLivenow see mostoftheirconsumptiononYouTube

Meanwhile,radioisclingingon. We don’t actuallyknowhowmanypeopleinIreland reallylistentoradio,asopposedtopodcasts. Measurementisdonebysurveys,ratherthan anythingyoucanactuallycount.

It’s notidealthatthemainradiosurvey, theJointNationalListenershipResearch (JNLR),isfundedbyadvertisers,agenciesand

broadcasters –allofwhoseinterestsarebetter servedifradioaudiencesappeartobeholding steadyathighlevels.

Asforprintnewspapers,theirextinction event–albeit averyslow,drawn-outone–is continuing,withweekdaysalesnow afraction ofwhattheyoncewere.Newspapershere nolongerprovideprintcirculationdetailsfor industry audit,whichtellsitsownstory

Noneofthisis reallynews.Butit’ssometimes worthsteppingbackto remindourselvesof what’swhat,amidswirlingnewsnarratives, outrageagendasandrisiblesuggestions,such asthepotentialof“dumbphones”.

So Xmayjustifiablybeprosecutedforits

Grokchatbotcreatingandsharing1.8million sexualisedimagesofwomen.Metacouldface consequenceshavingbeenexposedasprofiting fromscamads.California’s“addiction”lawsuit againstSnapchatmaynotbethelastonethe messagingappfaces.AndGooglecouldface continued regulatoryactionoverhaving a monopolyonsearch.

Butmostofthemaren’tleavingyourphones. Ifanything,you’llleaninmoretothemover thenexttwo,threeorfiveyears.

Thesocialmediacompanieshavewonthe mediaandattentionrace.Everythingelse isnowjustscramblingfor aspotontheir platforms. ■

TheOldInn: culinaryexploration with atruly historicbackdrop

JohnMulgrew pays avisittotheOldInnatCrawfordsburnforafoodanddrinks pairingevening,whiletakinginthegrandeurofoneofthehotel’stopjuniorsuites

It’sevident,justfromthefirstfootsteps throughthedoor,thatTheOldInnis ahigh-endhospitalityvenuewitha significantsliceofhistory.

TheCrawfordsburn-basedhotelandspa datesbackmorethan400years –withliterary linksincludingCSLewis,heofNarniafame, whowas afrequentvisitor,aswellasenjoying hishoneymoonthereinthelate1950s.

It’sbeensensitively restored,throughout –a warming,wooden-ladenatmosphere with suitableadornments,andswathesofcharacter.

Onthisparticularevening,theBay Tree

juniorsuiteishome.Openinginto araisedtier, you’regreetedwith acopperbath,straight ahead,with acoupleofsmallstepsleadingto themainsleepingarea.

It’sabeautifulmixtureofsolidwoodfloors, panelling,tastefuldécor,and,whilesporting moder nluxuries.Thesuperkingbed,while spacious,failstodominatethe room,whichis considerableinsize.

It’saluxuriousspace,withplentyof room for abedorcotfor asmallmemberofthe family,alongwith abrightandtastefullydecoratedbathroom.

Thespais aparticularattractionforvisitors. Butonthisoccasion,it’sprimarilyculinary.

TheOldInnhosts aseriesoffoodanddrink evenings,oftenspecialisingin aparticular beverage,orbrandtie-in,pairedwith atight tastingmenu.

Onthisoccasion,it’sgin.Andit’snotjust somethingofftheshelf,butanopportunityto tryTheOldInn’sown1614spirit –produced byShortcrossDistillery.

Seatedin agrandprivatediningarea,the eveningbeginswith azestyglassofprosecco, the1614gin,andStGermain.It’sclean,anda

strongopeningpalatecleanser.

Alittlespiraloflightlycuredsalmonis punctuatedwithcitrusandzest,andisequally assturdyas afirstbite.

Breadedanddeep-friedbrieorcamembert appearstobemakingsomethingof aslightly nostalgic renaissance,andI’mallthebetter forit.ThisiterationtakeslocalBallyliskand balancesthefatandsubtlefunkwitha blueberrycompote.It’sjoinedby,whatis essentially,agrown-upginandtonic.

Adaintycourseoflobsteristenderand clean,with alittlesweetnessfromthefruit, andsubtlefromsmokefortheaccompanying almonds,whichalsobringwarrantedtextural contrast.It’sservedalongside apeachand jasmineserve,whichisasequallyfresh.

AsliceofwildIrishvenisonupsthegame withtheunmistakableiron-rich,yetsubtle, gamedepth –aspicedgingerbreadsauce workingwellinthepassengerseat,alongside thetraditionalpairingofblackberryforsome

tartnessandsweetness.

The1614ginthistimeturnstowardsthe classicbramble –bringingforthsimilarfruit character,thistimeintheformofblueberry. Thecloserisanode,onceagain,tofruit. Thistime, acocktailwithstrawberry,blueberry, andsodajoins alatesummerberrytart,hay cream,andburntmeringue.It’sabalanced puddingwhichavoidsbeingcloyingorovertly heftywhen roundingofftheevening.

Andintomorning,breakfastbeckons.The OldInnservesup aplethoraofcolditems, self-serve,includingcheese,meat,smoked salmon,anarrayofbothsweetandsavoury bakedgoods,alongwithcleaneroptions,such asyoghurtandfreshfruit.

However,orderingoffthemenuwillbring forth awideselectionofwell-executed morningfare–thecookedbreakfastproving particularlystrong. ■

Post-Brexit‘IrishSeaborder’to blameforNI factoryclosuresaysMP

Theso-calledIrishSeaborder betweenNorther nIrelandandGreat Britainistoblameforthedecision ofmeatgiantABPtoshut afactoryinCo Tyrone,anMPhasclaimed.

ABPLinden,partofIrishfirmABP FoodGroup,announcedtheclosureofa Dungannonpackingsitewiththelossof338 jobs,lastmonth.

Itsaid“changestotheUKlandscape”had madeitnecessaryto reducethenumberof its retailpackingfacilitiesandclosethesiteat GranvilleIndustrialEstate.

Thecompanyaddedthedecisionhadbeen “averydifficultstep”butthatotherprocessing siteswerenotaffected.

ABP, whichwasfoundedbyIrish businessmanandso-called‘beefbaron’Larry Goodmanin1954,acquiredLindenFoodsin fullin2021.

ThedealgaveABPcontrolofaround40% ofthebeefandlambmarketinNorthern Ireland.

TUVleaderJimAllister,theleaderoftheTUV andMPforNorthAntrim,saidthejoblosses were“devastatingforthoseconcernedand theirfamilies”.

Buthesaidhehadbeeninformedbyan “industrysource”thatABPLindenwaslikely tohavebeen“profoundlyimpacted”by post-Brexitchangesenshrinedinthe Windsor Framework.

Theintroductionofchecksonitemssuchas meatenteringNIfromGreatBritain,madeto ensureNIremainsintheEUsinglemarketfor goods,hasimposedwhatunionistshavecalled “anIrishSeaborder”whichhasalsobrought addedcosts.

MrAllistersaid:“Whileitcontinuestomake senseforcompanieslikeABPtobuymeat producedonNIfarmsforsaleinNIortobe movedonewaytoGreatBritain, Ifearitno longermakesfinancialsenseforittotakemeat fromGBto apackagingfacilityinNI.”

Hesaid responsibilitywas“withthosewho imposedtheborder”asheblamedtheEU, RepublicofIrelandandtheUKGovernment.

Askedifpost-Brexitchangeshadplayedan roleinitsdecision,ABPFoodGroupsaid:“As theinternalconsultationprocesshasonlyjust commenced,outof respecttothosecolleagues whoarepotentiallyimpacted,itwouldnotbe appropriatetocommentfurtheratthistime.”

TheMPforFermanaghandSouth Tyrone saidtherehadbeen“massiveshock”atthe announcement.

PatCullensaidSinnFeinhad requesteda meetingwiththecompany.

“Whatwewillbeprincipallyaskingthe companytodo,isprioritising redeploymentfor thoseemployeesand –giventhattheyhave otherfactoriesthroughouttheconstituency

andfurtherafield –we’llbeaskingthemto giveprioritytomovingthosepeopletothose otherareas,firstandforemost,”MsCullen toldBBCNI.

ShedeclinedtoaddressMrAllister’s argumentthattheIrishSeaborderwasto blameforthejoblosses.

NiallManeely,presidentofDungannonand South TyroneChamberofCommerceand Industry,saidhewas“shockedanddeeply concerned”bythejoblosses.

“Thebusiness,locatedontheoutskirtsof thetown,hasplayedanimportant roleas oneofthearea’smajorfoodprocessors.The employmentithasprovidedovertheyearshas contributedsignificantlytothevibrancyand economicwell-beingofthetownandwider community.”

ENERGY & EN VI RONM EN T

Sponsoredby

ArranRutledge,McKinstryGroup, CharlotteMcCann,BankofIreland, PaulMagee,BankofIrelandand DarrenMcKinstry,McKinstryGroup

Wastemanagement fir mrevealsnew £16minvestment forrecyclingfacility

Awastemanagementcompanyis announcing a£16minvestment in anew recyclingfacilityinCo Antrim.

McKinstryGroupissettospendthemoney on anew recyclingfacilityatitsheadquarters inNuttsCorner.Thenewfacilityisintending to“specialiseinprocessingconstruction, demolitionandindustrialmaterials”whilealso incorporatingleading“technologydesigned toenhanceoperationalefficiency,minimise waste,andsupportsustainable,scalable growth.”

McKinstryGroupalsosaysthenewfacility isanimportantpartoftheirstrategyof “enabling real-timewastemonitoringfor reportingcapabilitiesforboththeGroupand itssupplychainpartners.”

McKinstrygroupwasfoundedas awaste disposalfirm,originallyknownasMcKinstry Skiphire.

Today,thecompanyoperatesnumeroussites alongsideitsheadquartersatNuttsCorner, including“satellitedepots”inBelfast,Belfast

Harbour,Lisburn,NewryandMallusk.

DarrenMcKinstry,managingdirectorofthe McKinstryGroupsaid:“As afamilybusiness withdecadesofexperienceinthisindustry,our objectivehasbeentodevelop aworld-class materials recyclingfacilitycapableofmeeting bothourcurrentandfuturerequirements.

“Thishasbeen acarefullyconsideredproject aswehaveworkedtoidentifypartnerswho sharedourvisionandvalues.

“BankofIrelandhasbeen avaluedfinancial partnerformanyyears.Theyhaveconsistently demonstrated agenuineunderstandingof ourbusiness,ourambitionsandhowtheycan supportusinachievingourcommercialand sustainabilitygoals.

“Thisfacilitywillbetransformational,not onlyforourbusinessandcustomersbutfor thewiderwastesector.

“Wehavecollaboratedcloselywith Kivercoandotherkeypartnersto realisea sharedvisionofcreatingthemostinnovative andefficientconstruction,demolition,and

industrial recyclingplantintheindustry.

“Theadvancedtechnologyintegrated throughoutthenewfacilitywillprovide real-time,waste-specificdata,improving wastemanagementpracticesandenhancing reportingcapabilitiesacrossourentiresupply chain.”

Theinvestmentisbeingsupportedbythe BankofIrelandvia a‘GreenCapexLoan’. CharlotteMcCann,associatedirector, corporatebankingNIatBankofIrelandsaid: “Weare pleasedtosupportMcKinstryGroup withthisimportantgreeninvestmentwhich willbetransformativefortheirbusiness, drivingefficienciesthroughautomationand deliveringsignificantenvironmentalbenefits.”

“AtBankofIreland,weareworkingclosely withourcustomerstohelpthemachieve theirsustainability-linkedgrowthplansand wehaveaccessto arangeofproductsand expertisetohelpcompanies,largeandsmall, makepositiveinvestmentstowards amore sustainablefuture.”

AldamarHoldingsistheparentcompanyof McKinstry’sskiphireandwastemanagement companies.

Itsmost recentaccounts,fortheperiod endingMarch31,2025,showthecompany broughtin£30.4minturnover,anincreaseof over£1.5mfromthepriorperiod.

ProfitsbeforetaxatAldamarfellslightly, from£1.4mto£1.1m,assomeotherformsof incomefellwhilecost rose.

Onthebalancesheet,thecompanywas owed£4.7mbydebtorsatthattime,while itowed£6.8mtocreditorsfallingduewithin oneyear.

EmployeesattheGroup rosenotably betweenthetwomost recentaccounting periods,goingfrom127to162.Employee costswentupfrom£6.3mto£6.8m.

Thestrategic reportattachedtothese accountssaidthe results“wereinlinewith expectations”andconsidered“satisfactory”, adding“thebalancesheet reflects astrong financialpositionandthis,togetherwith projectionsprepared,enablethedirectors toconcludethatthecompanywillbe profitable.” ■

Plansrevealedfornew Co Tyronewindfarm

Anenergycompanyhas submitted aplanning applicationtotheDepartment ofInfrastructurefor awindfarminCo Tyrone.

SSEhaslodgeditsplansforthe Tattymole WindFarm,whichcouldcompriseasmany astenturbinesof amaximumheightof 180metres.

Thecompanyclaims Tattymolewouldbe “capableofgeneratingaround60MWof new renewableelectricitycapacity”while theheadofthefirminIrelandsaidthat projectslikeitare“essential”ifNorthern Irelandistomeetitsclimatechange targets.

Tattymole WindFarmwouldbelocated around6.5kmsouthwestofthetownof Fintona,andSSEsaybuildingitwould “createmorethan50jobsatpeak delivery”,whilethecompletedproject wouldcontributeratespaymentsto FermanaghandOmaghdistrictcouncil.

Plansfortheprojectwentoutfor two roundsofpublicconsultationfrom autumn2024,andincluded responsesfrom

“communitiesinOmagh,Fivemiletownand thewidersouth Tyronearea”.

GhislainDemeuldre,headofprojects onshoreIrelandatSSERenewables,said: “Submittingtheplanningapplicationfor Tattymoyle WindFarmisanimportant milestoneforanonshorewindproject whichhasthepotentialtodeliver meaningfulclimate,economicand communitybenefitsforCounty Tyrone.

“Ifapprovedfordelivery,Tattymoyle wouldprovidevitalnew renewableenergy toNorther nIreland’selectricitysystem at atimewhenacceleratingtheenergy transitionhasneverbeenmore important.”

MarkEnnis,chairmanofSSEIreland, said:“Thisstepis reflectiveof recent policyprogressaround renewableenergy. Momentummustnotbelostasurgent actionisneededtotur npolicyprogressinto delivery.

“Projectslike Tattymoyleareessentialif Norther nIrelandistodeliveraffordable, sustainablepowerforhomesand businesses,meetitsclimatetargetsand strengthenenergysecurity.” ■

Newhybrid-power Stena shipenters service

Anewhybrid-powercommercial Stenashiphasbegunitsnew route betweenBelfastandHeysham.

StenaConnecta,thelatest purpose-built freightvesselcommissionedbyStenaLinefor theIrishSeaarrivedinBelfastHarbourshortly beforeenteringserviceattheendoflast month.

TheshipjoinsitssistervesselStenaFutura whichwentintoserviceontheBelfast-Heysham serviceinOctober2025andtogetherthey offeranadditional40%freightcapacityon theincreasingpopulartrade routebetween NorthernIrelandandBritain.

StenaConnecta,likeStenaFutura,is a ‘newmax’RoRoshipbuiltformaximised freightcapacity,with2,848lanemetresacross its147-metrelength.Ituses amulti-hybrid propulsionsystemenablingtheuseofbattery power,biofuel,andmethanol.

“OursignificantinvestmentinStena Connecta andStenaFutura –morethan£100m –demonstratesourstrong confidenceinthe continuedgrowthoftheIrishSea regionand ourcommitmenttostrengtheningtradeand connectivitylinks,”PaulGrant,StenaLineIrish

Seanorthtradedirector,said.

“In2025ourHeysham –Belfastfreight service recordeditshighestvolumesinthelast 5 yearswith113,000unitsbeingshipped.These vesselswerecommissionedin responsetothis increasingcustomerdemandforincreased freightcapacityonthis route.

“Customerfeedbackonthe recent introductionofStenaFuturahasbeenextremely positive,and IhavenodoubtStenaConnecta willbeequallywell receivedacrossour customerbase.

“Whenoperationalbothvesselswilloffer achoiceofupto24sailingsperweekonthe increasinglypopularBelfast-Heyshamservice. We areparticularlypleasedtointroducetwo ofStenaLine’smostadvancedvesselstothe IrishSea regionfurtherenhancingBelfast’s significanceas akeynetworkbusinesshub.

“Thesevessels representtheverylatestin maritimetechnologyandwillnotonlyplay a crucial roleinmaintainingessentialtransport linksinIrelandandtheUKbutalsomake a significantcontributiontooursustainability goalsof reducingCO2 emissionsby30%by 2030.”

MichaelRobinson,portdirectoratBelfast Harbour,said:“We’reexcitedtowelcomethe secondofStenaLine’snewhybridvessels, StenaConnecta,toBelfastHarbour.Coming sosoonafterlastyear’scelebrationof30years ofStenaLineinBelfastandthelaunchofsister shipStenaFutura,thisarrivalunderlinesthe strengthofourpartnership,whichisessential forconnectingpeopleandtransportingthe goodsweall relyon. TogetherwithStenaLine, we’reconnectingtheislandmorereliablythan everanddeliveringlongtermeconomicbenefits forbusinessesacrossNorthern Ireland.”

PhillipHall,MerseyPortdirector,PeelPorts Group,said:“Theadditionalfreightcapacity marks averywelcome reinforcementofthe strongtradelinksbetweentheUKandIreland. TheStenaConnectaanditssistervessel,the Futura,willalsomaketheIrishSeashipping corridorevengreener.TheNorth Westof Englandhasalwaysplayed abigpartin thisspecialtrade relationship,andwehave recognisedthiswithour£10mupgradeofthe PortofHeysham,whichwehopewillcontinue tosupportStena’soperationsforyearsto come.” ■

BelTechbringsindustry leaders back to cityfor topevent

MarkBrown,Unosquare,RyanBallantine,OptionsIT, KevinHiggins,Allstate,ShaunGanley,Kainos,JessicaBarr,AflacNI,andStevenMorton,Rakuten

Toptechnologyconference,BelTech, will returntoBelfastthisMarch.

Theannualeventat TitanicBelfastwill focusonthenew realityofsoftwareengineering in2026,exploringhowtheprofessioncontinues toevolvein responsetorapidtechnological change.BelTech2026willcelebratemodern engineeringintheageofAI,with afocuson principlesthatscale,end-to-endprocessesthat turnideasintoimpact,securitythatisbuiltin fromtheoutset,andAIsystemsinproduction thatareobservable, reliableandsafe.

Thisyear’skeynotewillbedeliveredbyDave Farley,aglobally respectedvoiceonmodern softwareengineeringandanaward-winning developerofsoftware.

Hiskeynote VibeCoding –IsThisReallythe Best We CanDo?TheFutureofProgramming, exploringhowAIisinfluencingprogrammingin practice,whyprogramminglanguagesexistas theydo,andwhatapproachesmayoffergreater controland reliabilityinthefuture.

Theconferencewillbringthetechcommunity togethertosharehard-wonlessonsfromthe frontline.Attendeescanexpectpracticalsuccess storiesusingmoderntoolsandprocesses,

alongsidecandid reflectionsonapproachesthat didnotdeliverasexpected,andtheinsights gainedas aresult.

Akeystrandoftheconference,BelTechEDU, willtakeplaceonMarch 6astheseconddayof theeventandwillfocusoninspiringthenext generationofengineersandtechnologistsby showcasingmoderncareerpathwaysandrealworldinnovation.

Around400post-primarypupilsandteachers areexpectedtoattend,with aprogramme featuringengagingtechnologydemonstrations andconversationalsessionsthatgivestudents theopportunitytoexplorethepowerof technology,experimentwithcutting-edgetools shapingthefuture,andgaininsightsfrom leadingindustryexpertsandguestspeakers.

CuratedbyKainosandinpartnershipwith Allstate,BelTechissupportedbyOptionsIT, AflacNorthernIreland,Rakuten,Unosquare, SoftwareNI,andBelfastCityCouncil.This year’s eventwillfeatureanimpressiveline-up ofspeakersfromacrossthetechnologysector, withfurtherannouncementstofollow

“Softwareengineeringhasentered anew reality,”curatorofBelTech,SíonaO’Reilly,

principalarchitectatKainos,said.

“AIisnolongerexperimental –itis embeddedinhowteamsdesign,buildand securesystemseveryday.BelTechexiststo bringthecommunitytogethertosharewhat isgenuinelyworkinginpractice,aswellasthe lessonslearnedalongtheway

“Thisyear’sconferenceisaboutpractical engineeringintheAIera,focusingon real-world delivery,resilientsystemsandtheskillsengineers needtostayeffectiveastheprofession continuestoevolve.”

DrStephenMcKeown,vicepresidentand managingdirectoratAllstate,said:

“BelTechismorethan aconference –it’s acatalystforinnovation.AtAllstate,we’re harnessingAI-drivenengineering,secure-bydesignprinciples,andadvancedautomationto deliver resilientsystemsatscale.

“PartneringwithBelTechallowsustoshare thesebreakthroughs,learnfrompeers,and inspirethenextgenerationoftechnologists. Together,we’reshapingthefutureofsoftware engineeringand reinforcingNorthernIreland’s positionas aglobalhubfortechnology excellence.” ■

Deliveringthegrid NorthernIrelandneeds

Asweapproachthekeymilestoneof2030andmoveclosertowardsthe endgoalofachievingnetzeroby2050,NorthernIrelandisenteringa criticalstageinitsenergytransition,which SONI isattheheartof

Movingawayfromusingfossil fuelsandpoweringourhomes, farms,businesses,schools,and hospitalswith renewableenergyis ahuge collectivechallengebutitwilldeliver immenseopportunitiesandbenefit.

Oneofthosestrategicbenefits,particularly importantintoday’shighlyvolatileworld, isenhancedenergysecurityand resilience. Recenteventshaveshownwhyenergy resiliencematters.

StormDarraghcausedseveredamageto Ballylumfordpowerstationand reducedkey generationcapacityformonths.

StormEowyndisruptedpartsofthe transmissionsystemandlimitedaccessto significantwindgenerationforweeks.

Inthesummerof2025,thepowerplantat Coolkeeraghdidnot retur nfromaplanned outageandremainedofflineforanextended period.

Eachincidenttightenedmarginsand underlinedthecriticalimportanceofensuring ourpowersystemissecureand resilientin thefaceof amorevolatileandchallenging environment.

SONIsitsattheheartofthateffort.

AsNorther nIreland’sindependentelectricity TransmissionSystemOperator,SONIrunsthe powersystemsafelyandsecurelyeverysecond ofeveryday.

SONIdoesnotgenerateelectricity,nordoes itsellit.Itsjobistobalanceconsumerdemand forelectricityin realtimeandmoveelectricity, viathehigh-voltagenetwork,fromwhereitis generatedtowhereitisneededrightacross Norther nIreland.

Inparallel,italsohasthecrucial responsibilityofplanningtheelectricitygridto meetNorther nIreland’sfuturecleanenergy

needsandupgradingthetransmissionnetwork somorerenewableelectricitycanflowto whereitisneeded.

Theleveloftransformation requiredis unprecedentedinscale,complexityandpace butprogressisalreadymeasurable.

Norther nIrelandhasbeenoneofthefirst regionsintheworldtohave75%ofelectricity flowingthroughthegridatanymoment comingfrom renewablesources.

Collaborationandpartnershipworking waskeytoachievingthissuccessandSONIis workinghardwithcriticalpartnerstocontinue thismomentumandaccelerateprogress towardsmeetinggovernmentenergyandnet zerotargetswhiledeliveringthebestvaluefor consumers.

Lookingbackat2025

In2025,SONIlauncheditsnewcorporate strategysettingoutitsenhancedstrategic ambitionandstrengtheningthefoundations requiredforfasterdeliveryand asharperfocus oncollaboration.

SONI,whichhassome180employees,has setout apracticalpathwayforthesystem changesandinfrastructureNorther nIreland needs.

‘ShapingOurElectricityFutureV1.1’ provides aroadmapforsystem-widechange, whilekeyprojectsaresetoutinthe10-year Draft TransmissionDevelopmentPlanfor Norther nIreland2025-2034.

InNovember2024,SONIhandedthe flagshipNorthSouthinterconnector,creating asecondelectricityconnectionbetween Norther nIrelandandIreland,overtoNIE Networksforconstructionandprogress continuestobemade.

Thisadditionallinkwillstrengthenlong-term

securityofsupplyandisexpectedtodeliver £19minconsumersavingseachyear.

With2030fastapproaching,SONIhasbeen clearthatprogressdependsonthewider systemworkingtogether.

Griddeliverytimescalesaredependenton multipledifferentfactors.Co-ordinatedaction acrossgovernment, regulators,planners, developersandcommunities,supportedbyan agilepolicyand regulatoryenvironmentthat matchesthescaleofthetask,isessential.

ThisapproachisembeddedinSONI’s Strategy2025–2031,builtaroundfourkey pillars:Advise,Plan,Operate,Deliver.Insimple terms,thattranslatesasevidence-ledadvice; aclearbuildpathway;secureoperation; and reformsandinfrastructurethatunlock renewableintegration.

SONI’snewStrategyisdesignedto acceleratedeliverythroughleverswithinits remit,whilecontinuingtooperatethesystem safelyandsecurely.

ThroughitsOperationalRoadmap,SONI outlinesthekeyoperationalactionsthatwill be requiredtotransformthepowersystem toachieveNorther nIreland’srenewable energyandclimatechangeambitionwhile continuingtoensurepowerflowssafely, securelyand reliablytoeveryhome,farm,and businessacrossNorther nIreland.Thisincludes transforminghowweoperatethegrid, reimagininghowweworkwithstakeholders andworkingwithpartnerstotransformthe market.

Aswellasdeliveringprogressonthe issueswithinSONI’sremitandcontrol,SONI iscommittedtousingitsexpertiseand experiencetohelpunlocktheleversthat partnershavetoaccelerateprogressinthe yearsahead.

EvenwithdecisiveactionbySONI,achieving netzerowill require awholeenergysystem, wholesocietyapproach.

Byworkingtogether,government, regulators,planners,developers,supplychains andcommunitiescanacceleratedelivery.

SONIiscommittedtoworkingwith governmentandtheUtilityRegulatortomake planningandconsentinggenuinelyplan-led andspatiallyanchored.

Projectscanmovefasterwhengrounded in aspatialplanthatexplainswhatisneeded, where,andwhy.

From agridperspective,aplan-ledapproach ensurestherighttechnologyisbuiltinthe rightlocation,enablinggovernmenttargets tobe realisedin amoretimely,efficientand cost-effectivemannerforNorther nIreland consumers.

ThePlanningandInfrastructureActin GBandIreland’sAcceleratingInfrastructure ReportandActionPlanofferimportant referencepointswhenitcomestolegal

reform, regulatory reformandsimplification, coordinationanddelivery reform,andpublic acceptance.

Norther nIreland’scontextdiffers,butthe lessonisclear: reformworkswhenitturns deliveryinto acoordinated,plan-ledsystem.

Theenergytransitionisoneofthegreatest challengesofourtime.Policyand regulation mustmatchthedeliverychallenge,which necessitatesanagileenvironment,andthe publicmustbeattheheartofthetransition accordingtoSONI.

SONIbelievespublicacceptancemustbe earnedthroughconsistencyandtangible benefit,whileengagementshouldbe sustained,transparentand responsive.

SONIunderstandsthecriticalimportance ofworkinghardwithcommunitiesand landowners -explainingbenefits,listening properlyandadaptingwherepossible.

Itisin recognitionofthecrucial rolehost communitiesplay,thatSONIisengaging withgovernmentandthe regulatoronthe

potentialof aCommunityBenefitmodelin Norther nIreland,asiscommonplaceinGBand Ireland.

Ultimately,thekeytestfortheenergy transitionwillbewhetherconsumersseea systembecomingcleaner,moresecureand bettervalue.

SONI’spositionisclear:progressdependson partnership.

Lookingat2026

The2026commitmentisthreefold –meet Norther nIreland’senergyneedsin real time,acceleratethepracticalactionsand deliverableswithinSONI’scontrolanduse SONI’ssystemexpertisetohelppartnerspull theleverstheyhave,includingplan-led reform, fasterconsenting,strongercoordinationand sustainedpublicacceptance.

Theoutcomewillbeanelectricitysystem thatcanintegratemorerenewables,withstand disruptionanddeliverbetterlong-termvalue forconsumersinNorther nIreland. ■

Review: Honor Magic 8 Protakescrown forbest telephoto cameraphone

Thereisonemain reason togetHonor’s recentlylaunchedMagic 8Pro smartphone:itstelephoto zoomcamera.

Adrian Weckler getshandson withHonor’slatestAI-focused phone,sporting asignificant telephonezoomcamera

Whileitcompeteswellinmost otherways –asuperbdisplay,veryfastengine and reallylonglastingbatterylife –these aren’tparticularlyuniquefeaturesin£1,000plusphones.

Butalmostnoneofitsrivalscanmatchthe Magic 8Pro’s 200-megapixeltelephotozoom camera.

IntheweeksI’vebeentestingit,I’vebeen takenabackbyjusthowmuchclearerand betteritisthantheestablishedhyper-powers ofsmartphones,particularlyApple’siPhone17 ProMaxandSamsung’sGalaxy25Ultra. Itissimplybetter,inalllightingconditions. Itsopticaltelephotolens,whichkicksinat 3.7x,isclearerandsharperthananythingelse onthemarket,withtheexceptionofXiaomi’s 15Ultra.

The reasonforthisismainlydowntothe hugetelephotocamerasensor(1/1.4”)that Honorputinsidethedevice.

Forcontext,thissensorsizeismuch,much biggerthanthe(1/2.55”)telephotozoom camerasensorontheiPhone17ProMax.

WhatthatmeansinplainEnglishisthatit letswaymorelightintothecamera, resulting inmuchbetterphotos.Thisis afarmore importantmetricthanmegapixels.

And asensorthislargeisveryrare.Premium smartphonestypicallyhavethree rearcameras. Usually,itisthe‘main’(1x)camerathat deliversthehighestqualityandtechnology, partiallybecausethat’stheonethatpeopleuse mostandpartiallybecauseit’smuchharder todeliversimilarhighqualityin atelephoto zoomlenswithintheconstraintsof aflat smartphone.(Toptelephotolenseson regular camerasarealwayshugebarrels, reflecting theopticalchallengesthatexisttodelivertop qualityon azoomphoto.)

Forexample,onboththeiPhone17Pro (andProMax)andSamsung’sGalaxyS25Ultra, itisthe1xcamerathathasbyfarthebiggest, mostpowerfulsensor.

Whiletheyalsoinvestintheirultrawide andtelephotolensesandsensors,they’refar smallerandnarrowerthanthe1xsensorsand don’tdeliver resultsanywhereclosetobeingas optically refined.

ButtheMagic 8Pro hasdecidedthatwe’ve allbeenmakingdowithtoolittlefortoolong. Soithaspackedin a(relatively)giantoptical sensorbehindthetelephotozoomlens.

Andthe resultsarejuststunning.From inside awindowwithinourofficeinDublin’s

TalbotStreetatdusk,when Izoominto25x,I canmakeoutthedetailsofengravingsbelow theclockatthetopoftheCustomsHouse,at adistanceofaround ahalf-kilometreaway.

Night-timeshotsarealsoexcellent,matching anythingelseonthemarket.

SodoesthismaketheMagic 8anautomatic must-buyas acameraphone?

Notnecessarily.Itsmain1x(50-megapixel) camera –whileadmittedlyexcellent –isn’t quiteasgoodasthebestofthe rest. ComparingitagainsttheiPhone17Pro,in particular,mytestssuggestthatApple’sphone isslightlyclearerandbetter.

AndwhiletheMagic 8Pro’s videocaptureis generallyvery,verygood –atupto120frames persecondin4K –itdoesn’tquitematchthe iPhonePromodelsforoverallbalance,stability andprocessing.

AsfortheMagic 8Pro’s 50-megapixel ultrawide(0.5x)camera,thatiscomparableto theotherpremiumflagships,whichmakesit goodenough.

Physically,HonorhascopiedtheApple iPhone’scamerabutton,whichletsyouquick-

ThenewHonorMagic8 smartphonepicturedon theproductionline

loadthecamerafeature,focusandvarythe zoom.

LiketheiPhonecamerabutton,thisis alittle awkwardtouseand Ifoundmyselfmostly avoidingit.

Oneotherconsequenceofhavingsucha goodcamerasystemisthatthere’sahuge circularcamerahousingunitonthe rearofthe phone.

Otherwise,thelookandfeelofthephone isprettynice,ifnothingspecial.Mytestmodel cameinthe‘sunrisegold’colour,whichisa muted,slightlyunadventuroustone.Butit’s alsoavailableinblack.

It’schunkyandheavyenough,though,at around230gand8.4mmatitsthinnestpoint.

Butit’sactuallyslightlysmaller,overall,than mosttopflagships.

ThedisplayisslightlydisruptedbyHonor’s versionofApple’s‘dynamicisland’front cameracutout,butthiscanbeveryhandyas itexpandsforshortcutstocertaincontrols, featuresandfunctions.

Otherwise,it’safairlytop-endOleddisplay thatmatchesmostofwhatyou’llseeonany

otherflagshipsmartphone.

There’sanunderscreenfingerprint readeron thefrontthatworksprettywell.

Honor’sMagicOS10interfaceskin –which islayeredontopofAndroid16 –isfine,but stillfindsitselfthirdorfourthchoicecompared torivalinterfaces.

Asyou’dexpectwith a2026flagship,there’s ahostofAIfeaturesbuiltintotheMagic 8Pro, includingstuffliketranslationandsubtitles,as wellasphotoeditingtools.Italsoadds anovel oneintheformofan‘AIdeepfake’detection tool,whichissupposedtohelpyousniffout potentialdeepfakesonactivitiessuchasvideo calls.

Thishasthelatesttop-endenginepower underthehood,with aSnapdragon 8Elite Gen 5chipand12GBofRam,meaningitwill cutthroughanythingyouthrowatitand, thankstotheefficiencywithinthatlatestchip, willalsogivethebatteryextralongevitytoo.

Itcomeswith512GBofstorage,whichis enoughformostpeople,thoughtheabsence of a1TBoption(availableontheMagic 8Pro’s mainflagshiprivals)willbeseenas adrawback

forpowerusersconsideringthisphone.

Asforbattery,youwon’thaveanything toworryabouthere.Thedayswhenbattery lifeontopsmartphoneswas achallengeare basicallygone.TheMagic 8Pro’s longevity isridiculouslygood,thankstoits6,270mAh siliconcarbonbattery.Inmyexperience,this usuallygottotwofulldaysofuseon asingle charge.Itwilllast adayforanyone,even with alotofgamingorintensiveuseofthe cameras.

Asifthemega-batterywasn’tenough,its chargingspeedisunfeasiblyquick,supporting 100-wattwiredchargingand80-wattwireless charging,farfasterthanmanyrivals.

◆ CONCLUSION

PreviousHonorflagshipphoneshavebeen hardtorecommendoversimilarly-pitched optionsfrom,inparticular,Samsung.The Magic 8Pro nowhasclearbluewaterbetween itandSamsungonatleastone –andmaybe two –features.ItsimplybeatstheGalaxyS25 Ultrasonthetelephotozoomlens.It’salso slightlybetteronbatterylife. ■

£1.25 weekly householdlevy

‘could resolveNIwatercrisis’

A£1.25weeklyhouseholdlevy could resolveNorther nIreland’s wastewaterinfrastructure problems,it’sbeenclaimed.

As ameasuretoincreasefundingfor wastewaterinfrastructure,a5%increase in regionalrateswasproposedinthedraft multi-yearbudgetfromFinanceMinisterJohn O’Dowd recently.

ButtheWastewaterInfrastructureGroup (WIG)saidtheproposalstofundwastewater infrastructurewouldstillleave a£1.3bn fundinggap.

FiguresfromacrossbusinessinNorthern Irelandhavebeencampaigningforadditional moneytobespentupdatingandexpanding wastewaterinfrastructure.

WIG,which represents“housing, constructionandbusinessorganisations”,says independentanalysislastyearfrombusiness advisoryfirmGrantThorntonandconsultants

Turley,alongwithfindingsfromtheFiscal Council,showedtherewas a£2bngapin fundingforwastewater.

Itsaysthattheratesrise,whilewelcome, willstillleave agapofbetween£1.29bnand £1.36bn.Thegrouphas reiterateditscalls fortheintroductionof awastewaterlevyon households.

WIGsaidthedraftbudget“doesnotclose thefundinggapthatisblockingnewhomes andbusinessdevelopmentacrossNorthern Ireland”.

“Amodest,progressivelevyof£1.25a week aaveragehousehold remainsthemost practical,affordableandfairwaytounlock essentialinvestment,supporteconomic growthandprotectourenvironment.

“Underthegroup’sproposal,households onbenefitsandhousingassociationtenants wouldbeexempt,whilecontributionswould scalewithpropertyvalue –ensuringthelevy

isfair,progressiveandaffordable.

“Forexample, ahouseinlessaffluent partsofBelfastwith amarketvalueof £109,000and aratesbillof£422would face alevyof£23 ayearorapproximately 44p aweek,whilstthosewithlargerhomes valuedabove£400,000inNorthDown,with aratesbillof£3,815,wouldpaymore–a levyof£204 ayearorapproximately£3.90 aweek.”

“Thedraftbudgetmakesclearthat theExecutivecannotmeetwastewater needsfromexistingcapitalenvelopes.Our proposalsetsout asolutionvia aprogressive investmentmodelwhichprotectsthemost vulnerablehouseholds.

“Foraround£1 aweek,Norther nIreland couldbetterprotecttheenvironment, unlockhousing,supportinwardinvestment, protectjobs,andendthedevelopment moratoriaaffectingdozensoftowns.” ■

OF FICE EN VI RONM EN T& FI T- OU T

Bringingthe outsidein

Whatisbiophilicdesignandwhyarefirmsand officesinNorthernIrelandintroducingittotheoffice workspace? PavelBarter takes acloserlook

Sinceitsconstructioninthe1850s, CustomHouseinBelfasthasseen manyoccupantscomeandgo:from theInlandRevenuetovariousgovernment departments.In recentyearsthe58,000sq ftbuilding,designedbyarchitectCharles Lanyon(whoalsodesignedQueen’s University),wasconvertedintoprivate officespace.

Thereare breakout rooms,meeting rooms, loungesandothercommunalareas,someof whicharenoticeablefortheirexoticplantlife.

“Whenthebuildingopenedwestartedout withfakeplants,”saysRichardWeir,facilities manageratCustomHouse.“We’vesince replacedthemwith realplants.” A2.6-metre BirdofParadiseflower(otherwiseknownas aStrelitzia)intheLanyonLoungeisonesuch

highlight.“Itmakes abigdifferencetothe space.Peopleget anicewarmfuzzyfeeling whenthere’ssomething realasopposedto somethingfakeandplasticbesidethem.These plantshave apositiveimpactonthepeople workinghere.”

CustomHouseisthelatest recruitto biophilicdesign.Biophilia, atermpopularised bytheAmericanbiologistEO Wilsoninthe 1980s,is athesisthatexposuretonature is rewardingforhumansonmultiplelevels. Biophilicdesignincorporatesnatureintoindoor spacesandhasbecomepopularinoffice

environments.“It’saboutintegratingnatural elementsintoitssurroundings,explainsRoisin Horgan,proprietoroftheGreenEast, aBelfastbasedindoorplantconsultancyservice.

Whatdoesbiophilicdesignlooklikeina workenvironment?“Mosswalls,cascading plants,officeplanters,generalplantsscattered aroundtheworkplace,”saysMichelle Turner, seniorinteriordesigneratCalibroWorkspace, whichdesignsandfitsoutofficeinteriors throughoutNorther nIreland.“Biophilia doesn’tjust refertoplants.It’severything relatedtonature andthenaturalenvironment:

naturallight,highceilings,organicforms, naturaltextures,anythingthatmimics outdoors.”

AlongsidetheBirdofParadiseStrelitzia, popularplantsoftodayincludeDracaena, Pathos,Aglaonema,andtheParlorPalm (“ChamaedoreaElegans”).Michelledescribes thepracticeas a“trendoverthelastfiveorsix years.Newofficespaceswantnaturallight, materials,patternsandforms.Biophilicdesign naturallyfitsintothedesignoftoday.”Custom House,forexample,incorporateswood andothernaturalmaterialsthroughoutits premises.Plantsarepartofthebiggerpicture. “Plustheytickanenvironmentalbox,” remarks RichardWeir.

Sectorsembracingbiophilicdesignrange fromhotelstoeventspaces,multi-office premisesandcorporatespaces -hospitality, commercialoffices, restaurants,cafes,and everythinginbetween.TheGreenEastfitted outMillarMcCallWylie, alawfirmatthe PrintworksbuildinginBelfast,withcascading philodendronsandsculpturalpalms.When Clockwiseopened alocationinBelfastit filledtheir rentalofficeswithBirdofParadise, Monstera,andotherplants.InBelfast’s RegencyHotel,theGreenEastscatteredZZ

Plants,ChineseEvergreens,andPhilodendrons aroundcorridorsandcommunalspaces.

Bringingnatureinto abuildingmakesa bigandpositiveimpact,believesRichard WeirofCustomHouse.“Wegetquite afew commentsabouttheseplants.”Michelle TurnerofCalibrohearsthesame.“Thefirst thingclientswanttodoistouch[theplants],” shesays.“Theyarequitetactile.Straightaway they’reinteractingwiththespace.”

Justasairpurificationandventilation areconsideredearlyinthedesignprocess thesedays,sobiophilicdesignisintroduced atconceptstage.TheGreenEasthas beeninvolvedwithclients“literallyfrom constructionsitevisitsrightthewayupto wheresomebodyismovingintoanoffice.” Michelle Turnerdescribesitas a“criticalpartof designdevelopment.”

Plantscanbebuiltintofurnitureandusedto zoneareas:line awalkway,bookmark arowof desks,border abreakoutor receptionspace.A clusterofliveplantsandmosspanelsmightbe usedtocreate amoveablelivingwall.There’s animmediatevisualimpacttobiophilicdesign, notesRoisin.“Astatementplantcandraw theeyelineto areceptionareaor aparticular architecturalaspectoftheofficethatyou>

OF FICE EN VI RONM EN T&F IT-OUT

maywishtohighlight.Itgatherspeople’s attentionfromthesecondtheywalkintoan office.”

Soundabsorptionisanotherfunctional outcomefrombiophilicdesign.“Plants reduce noiseingeneral,”Roisincontinues.“Evenat home,ifyou’vegot acoupleofleafyplantsin yourliving roomandyoutakethemout,the soundiscompletelydifferent.It’sthesame conceptasputtingcurtainsandcarpetinto aroom.Theleafiertheplant,themoreofan acousticbufferitbecomes” –usefulinopen planofficespacesandmeeting rooms.“More peopleareonlinenowon Teamscallssosound absorptionis reallyimportant,”saysMichelle. “Fernshavegoodsoundabsorptionquality.I useDevil’sIvy[EpipremnumAureum,otherwise knownasGoldenPothos)incanteenkitchen areas.It’slike adrapingplant.Mosswallsalso havereallygoodsoundabsorption.They’re 100%natural,butyoucanaddcoloursto them.”

Mosswallscanincorporate acompany’s branding: alogo,forexample,or amission statementemblazonedwithLEDlights.“We canuse acertaincolourof aplanttotiein

withbranding,”saysRoisin.“Forexample, if ateal-blueinteriorispartofyourbranding colour,adarkgreenplantis reallygoingtopop againstthat.”

It’snotjustaboutaesthetics.TheGlobal ImpactofBiophilicDesigninthe Workplace, areportfrom2015whichsurveyed7600 officeworkersaroundtheworld,foundthat biophiliacanimproveproductivityby6%and creativitybyupto15%.Otherstudieshave foundbiophiliacanlowerstressandcortisol (whichallowsthebraintoenter amore creativestate).Plantsareconsideredtobe beneficialtooforphysicalhealth.“Pothosand Dracaenaplantsinparticularareverygood airfilters,”saysRoisin.Michelle Turneradds: “Studiesprovethey removeharshchemicals fromtheenvironment.Theplantsabsorbthese chemicals.”

Whatkindofmaintenanceisinvolvedin abiophilicofficeenvironment?TheGreen Eastclaimstohave a“lowmaintenance,high impactmentality.You’renotgoingtoput afussyplantintoanoffice. We’relooking for retur noninvestmentforofficeplants tobemaximumandtheinputintotobe

minimum.”BusinesseslikeGreenEastoffer plantmaintenanceprogramsand replacement services. Atwo-meterplantmightgrowtoo wide,forexample,inwhichcasetheplant providerwilltakeitawayand replaceit.

Mosswallscanbesprayedwithwater, perhapsonce afortnight,orincludeselfwateringtechnologies.Fullysustainable preservedplantsexistthat requireminimal maintenanceandarecompostableattheend oftheirlives.“Youhavethelookandfeelof naturalplantsintheworkplacewithouthaving todoanythingtothem,”saysMichelle.

Biophilicdesignisthoughttobe contributingtopeople’sdecisionsto retur nto theofficeinaneraofflexibleyetdislocated workers.“Alotofcompanieswanttoentice theiremployeesbackandmaketheworkspace apleasantenvironment,”saysRoisin.“A greenvibrantofficeis aplacepeoplewill wanttocommuteto.”Ashumansspend moretimeindoors(upto90%oftheirlives, accordingtoone WorldHealthOrganization report),soemployersarereapingthebenefits ofimportingthenaturalworldintothework environment. ■

Theaveragemonth rentfora houseinNorther nIrelandhasnow passed£1,000forthefirsttime,a reporthassaid.

ResearchfromwebsitePropertyPalsaid thatinthelastfewmonthsof2025,tenants werepayingonaverage£1,001to renta house.

Accordingtoitshousingmarketupdatefor thefourthquarterof2025,thepriceto rent anapartmentwas£984,withtheaverage rentforhousesorapartments£995overall–up5.6%onquarterfourin2024.

That’sfarabovetheUK’srateofinflation of3.2%fortheyeartoNovember.

Butthe report revealsthathousepricesare growingat afasterratethan rents.

PropertyPalsaidtheaveragepriceofa homeinNorther nIreland –notincluding new-builds –wasnow£235,035,anincrease of6.4%ontheendof2024.

Just over £1,000a month to rent ahouseinNI

Itsaidhousingmarketactivityhadbeen steadyoverOctobertoDecember,with around5,500newly-agreedhousesalesover theperiod.

ThehousingmarketinNorther nIreland hasbenefitedfrom aseriesofinterestrate cuts,withtheBankofEnglandbaseratenow 3.75%followingfourcutsovertheyear.

JordanBuchanan,chiefexecutiveat PropertyPal,saidthehousingmarketended 2025“on astrongfooting”followingthe BudgetonNovember26.

“Overallsentimenthasimprovedfollowing increasedcertaintyfromthewinterBudget andtheBankofEngland’sinterestratecutin December,whichhasalreadybegunfeeding throughtomorefavourablemortgage conditions.

“Marketscontinuetopriceinfurtherrate reductionsoverthecomingyear,whichwill furthersupportaffordability.”

Hesaidrising rentshadbeen afeature forsomeyearsbutthatsupplyissuescould beeasedinBelfastlaterthisyearthanksto amajor residentialdevelopmentin Titanic Quarter.

“Lookingahead,2026willsee amajor boostto rentalsupplywiththelaunchof Loftlines,thefirstlarge-scalebuild-to-rent schemeinBelfastthatwilldeliveralmost800 newhomestothecityofwhichover600will supporttheprivate rentedsector.

“Onthedemandside,we’reseeingsome signsofmoderationin rentgrowth,but pressuretosecuretheproperty remainshigh. Onaveragetherewere52enquiriesper rentallistinginquarterfour,up13%onlast yearandnearly60%abovelong-termnorms.

“Weexpect rentstocontinuerisingin 2026,likelyinthe4%to5%range,as structuralsupplyimbalancescontinueto dominatemarketconditions,”hesaid. ■

Withtherulesaroundtaxableassetsundergoing majorchange,gettingprofessionaladviceonthe implicationsishugelyimportant,says Susan Smyth,taxdirectoratKPMG

IntheLabourBudgetinOctober2024, therewereanumberofsignificant announcementsaboutinheritancetax (IHT).Theproposedchanges representa seismicshiftintheUKIHT regime,one whichhaspromptedmanyfarmersand

businessownerstoconsidertheirIHT positioninanefforttominimisetheir exposuretooneofthemostemotive duties.

UnderthecurrentIHTrules,agricultural propertyandbusinessassetsmeetingcertain conditionsareexemptfromUKIHT,butthat situationisduetochangewithinthecoming months.

FromApril6,thegovernmentwillintroduce acapontheassetseligibleforIHT relief.For anyvalueabovethecap,aneffectiveIHTtax rateof20%willapply.While asignificantleap, it’sworth rememberingthatthisishalfofthe standard40%IHTratewhichappliestoassets whichdonotqualifyforanyIHTexemptions.

TheUlsterFarmers’Union (UFU)staged a‘saveour farms’rallyatWhitehall inNovemberlastyear

Attheendoflastyear,therewasthe welcomeannouncementthatthecapwould beincreasedfromthepreviouslyannounced £1mto£2.5mperperson.Theoverallimpact isthatspousescannowpassonupto£5m ofeligibleassetsbeforepayingIHT.While thegovernmenthasindicatedtheDecember announcementmayhalvethenumberoffarms affectedbythe reforms,thereare stillfarmers andbusinessownersnowfacingIHTliabilities postApril2026.

Forestatesabove£5m,withjustthree monthsuntilthenewIHTlawscomeinto force,thereisstilltimeforfarmersand businessownerstoactquicklytomitigatethe potentialimpactontheirestates.

Inthepast, a‘donothing’approachmay havebeenthedefaultoptionasnoIHTmay havebeenpaidondeathonagriculturaland businessassets,andsuchassetsareinherited with atax-freevalueupliftfortheheirs.

Theimpactofthe restrictionon reliefsis that,forthefirsttime,farmersandbusiness ownersmaybeexposedtoandhavetofund anIHTliability.InordertopayanIHTbillassets mayhavetobesoldoranIHTpaymentfund willhavetobesetaside.Whereinherited assetsarenotsoldbythebeneficiaries,other taxcostsmayarise.Thisislikelytohavea significantimpactonthebusiness,especially from acashflowperspective.

Forexample, afarmorbusinessvaluedat £10mwouldlikelyhaveaninheritancetax liabilityof£1m(20%ofthe£5m-worthof thebusinesswhichisliabletoinheritancetax, oncethe£5minheritancetaxexemptionis accountedfor). To create£1mincashtopay theinheritancetaxbill,thebusinessmustclear profitof£1.8mfromwhichincometaxat45% or£800,000ispaid.

Giventheproposedchanges, reviewing existingIHTandsuccessionplansisimperative. Keyconsiderationsinclude:

Reviewwillsnowtoensurethatthe potentialIHT reliefsareconsideredincluding thepotentiallyavailable£5mcapGiftsduring

lifetimemaynowbemoreattractive. Agiftto anindividualwillfalloutsidethescopeofIHT providedthepersonmakingthegiftsurvives forsevenyears.Thereisalso areducedrateof taxwhichapplieswherethepersonmaking thegiftsurvivesbetweenthreeandsevenyears afterthedateofthegift.

However,attimesthereisareluctancefor individualstolosecontrolofthegiftedassets. Thismaybeanemotivedecision,particularly thecaseinsomefamilybusinesseswhereagift mayalterfamilydynamicsorwherethereisno clearnextgenerationsuccession.

ConsidertrustplanningIntheabsence ofIHT relief,therewouldbe a20%upfront IHTchargeonassetvaluepassingintoa trust.BeforeApril2026,itmaybepossible topotentiallytransferqualifyingfarmand businessassetsinto atrustwithoutthis upfrontIHTcharge.Evenafter 6April,itwould bepossiblefortwospousestotransfera combinedvalueof£5mofeligibleassetsinto trust.Although atrustmay resultincertaintax complexitiestheyarealong-standingoption consideredbyindividuals.

Atrustcaninclude arangeofpotential beneficiariesandthiscandeferthedecision astowhoshouldultimatelycontrolkeyfamily assets.

Considerliquidityandfundingofpotential IHTliabilitiesHMRCallow ataxpayertopay anIHTliabilityover a10-yearperiod,however estatesmuststillplantomeetthecashflow. SeekinglifecovertohelpfundfutureIHT paymentsshouldbeconsidered.

Engageearlyprofessionaladvice. With detaileddraftlegislationalreadypublisheditis importantthatalloptionsareconsideredand aninformeddecisionismade.

The reformsmarkoneofthemost significantchangestotheIHT regimein recent years.Recalibrationoflong-termplansaround familyfarmingandbusinessassetsshould beconsideredtoensurethatallpartiesare clearastothepotentialimplicationsofthese changes. ■

Around 70%ofshopworkers say they have beenharassedon thejob

Sevenin10 retailworkersinIreland haveexperiencedabusivelanguage orbehaviourfromcustomerswhile atwork,accordingto research.

The researchledbyCircle Kandsupported byRetailIrelandfoundthat70%of retailstaff saytheyhavepersonallyencounteredabuse, withoneinthreeofthoseaffectedsaying incidentsoccuratleastonce aweek.

Thefindingssuggestthisis aregularfeature ofworkinglifefor retailemployeesratherthan anoccasionalproblem.

Foullanguageandverbalabusearethe mostcommonformsofharassmentbeing reported,asalmostsevenin10workerswho experiencedabuse reportedfoullanguage, while67%saidtheyhadbeensubjectedto verbalabuse.

Moreseriousbehaviour remains aproblem, with28%sayingincidentsinvolvedviolent, aggressiveorthreateningbehaviour.

Discriminatorybehaviourwasalsocited inthe research,withmorethan athirdof workers reportingharassmentlinkedtoraceor ethnicity,while34%experiencedissues related togenderorsex.

Age-relatedabusewasalsocitedas28% saidtheyhadwitnessedcolleaguesbeing targetedbecauseoftheirage.

Viewsamong retailworkersaredividedas towhethercustomerbehaviourisimproving. Whilesome reportedimprovementsoverthe pastyear,37%saidharassmenthadincreased duringthatperiod.

Theabusetendedtooccuratspecifictimes oftheday,with aquarterof retailworkers sayingincidentsaremorecommonbetween 5pmand8pm,while22pcpointedtothe periodbetween8pmand10pm.

Incomparison,only4%saidincidentswere morecommonbefore9am.

Busytradingperiodswerealsolinkedwith

harassment,withclosetooneinthreeworkers sayingabuseismorelikelyduringbusyperiods instore,while31%identifiedweekendsasa higher-risktime.

Incidentsareparticularlycommonduringthe busylead-intoChristmas,thesurveyfound.

“Anylevelofharassmenttowards retail staffisdeeplyconcerning,”ArnoldDillon,the directorofRetailIreland,said.“Theimpact onstaffissignificant,contributingtomental healthchallenges,burnoutandincreased absenteeism.

“Itisessentialthatthe retailsector remains anattractiveandsafeplacetowork,and achievingthis requires asharedeffort. Business,Governmentandthewiderpublic allhave aroletoplayinsupporting retail employeesandaddressingthisissuetogether.”

The researchcovered500employees acrossthe retailsectorandwasconductedin December2025andJanuary. ■

JOBS &R EC RU ITM EN T

Borderhopping

Complexandonerousemploymentrulesare stemmingthefreeflowofcross-borderworkers. Whatcanbedoneaboutit? PavelBarter writes

Businessesareincreasingly reluctant tohirecrossborderworkersdueto confusingemploymentrules.

AnnmarieO’Kane,whomanagestheBorder Peopleproject,whichprovidesinformation forpeoplecrossingtheborderforwork,told UlsterBusiness she“hearsfromindividuals whosejoboffersarebeing rescindedatthelast minutewhenevertheemployer,andit’susually theHR, realisesthecandidatelivesintheother jurisdiction. Taxissues,employmentrules, socialsecurity:allthatbecomestoocomplex andemployersaresteppingawayfromit.”

Areport releasedlastyearbytheNorthern IrelandStatisticsandResearchAgency(NISRA) andIreland’sCentralStatisticsOffice(CSO) foundthat18,318 regularlycrosstheborder forwork,7,777ofwhichtravelfromthe RepublictoNI.Annmariecontendsthestatistic isanunderestimateduetoimprovements intheroadnetworkandpublictransport

(newhourlytrain routesbetweenBelfastand Dublin).

Thelargestproportionofcrossborder workerstravelnorthtoworkinhumanhealth andsocialwork,accordingtotheNISRA-CSO report.13%workinwholesaleand retail tradesand11%areinmanufacturing.The majorityofworkersfromtheRepublictravelto theDerryandStrabanedistricts.

A2025surveyofDerryChambermembers foundthattwo-thirdsofbusinessesinthe districtemploycross-borderworkers.“It’s justthenaturalwayoflifeforushere,being theonlyUKcityontheEUborder,”said AnnaDoherty,LondonderryChamberchief executive.LocalexamplesincludeSeagate, aUS-ownedtechnologycompany.“They’re basedatSpringtownindustrialestate[two milesfrom]thebordersothatcross-border workforceis reallyimportanttothem.”

TheAll-islandLabourMarketStudy2024,

commissionedbytheLabourEmployer andEconomicForum(LEEF)andShared Island WorkingGroup,foundthatrules and regulationsaroundcrossborderwork areunsuitable,particularlyforsmaller organisations.“Employersarelessandless abletooffercross-borderworking,”Anna said.AngelaMcGowan,directoroftheCBI inNorther nIreland,attributesthisproblem to“complexrulesandaninabilitytoget information.Peoplearemaybenotapplyingfor jobsacrosstheborderasmuchbecausethey don’tunderstandhowitworks.Employersare reluctanttoo.”

Employersnorthoftheborderarerestricted fromhiringEUnon-Irishtalentsouthofthe borderwithout aFrontierworkerspermit. “UnlesstheyhaverightstoworkintheUK, wecan’thirethematall,”saysStephenKelly, chiefexecutiveofManufacturingNI.“Theycan freelytraveltogoshoppingandsocialising. Butwithinthecommontravelarea,they’renot allowedtoworkunlesstheyhave avisa.”

Afree-flowinglabourmarketisfurther blockadedbyconfusingtaxationrules,which

impactworkerswholiveononesideofthe borderandworkontheother.Pensiontax reliefandissuesaroundduelpayrollsforcross borderworkers,forexample,areheadaches foremployers.Problemsinitiallyemerged afterBrexitbutintensifiedwiththetrend towardremoteandflexibleworking.During thepandemictheIrishgovernmentprovided aconcessionforitscitizenswhoworked remotelyforNIcompaniesbutthisisnolonger ineffect.“Ifyouspendmore than25%of yourtimeworkingfromhome,thatchanges thejurisdictionastowhereyoushouldbe payingtax,”explainsAngelaMcGowan.“For cross-borderworkers,it’sa nightmareinterms oftryingtogettherightnumberofworking hours.”

DifferentrulesinNorther nIrelandandthe Republic,in regardtoflexiblework,causesan imbalanceforcross-jurisdictionworkersandin somecasesthreatenstheirlivelihoods.Inlate 2025,AlliedIrishBanks(AIB)notifiedstaff, livinginNorther nIrelandwhoworkinthe Republic,theymust“physicallyattendworkin thejurisdictionwhereyouarebasedforyour>

fullworkingweek”.“Workingfromhomeis notpermitted,”thebanksaid.

Arecent reportNewryNextsuggested makingNewry across-bordercommuterhub, inthemannerofMalmoinSweden(homefor commuterstoCopenhageninneighbouring Denmark).ButNewryNext,whichproposes theconstructionof6,000newhomesin theCountyDowncityoverthenextdecade, isthreatenedbybureaucracy:cross-border workersarebeing refusedmortgagesby banks.AnexecutiveforIntertradeIreland illustratedthisissueatanall-islandlabour marketconferenceinDundalklastyear.Only oneofthe65staffattheNewry-basedtrade promotionagencylivedintheRepublic,hetold theconference.

“Wedidactuallyhave alotmore.They all reachedtheageofmaturitywherethey weregettingmarriedandtheyfoundthey couldn’tget amortgageiftheywerefrom[the Republic]workinginNorther nIreland,sothey left.”

AnnmarieO’Kanesays:“Getting amortgage inNorther nIrelandwillbemuchmoredifficult ifyouhave aeurosalary.Therewillbeless preferentialterms –maybethehomebuyer willneedtohave a25%depositinsteadof

10%.”ThesituationinRoIisnotmuchbetter. DerryChamberhearsstoriesfromcross-border workerslivingintheRepublicandworkingin thenorthwhohavebeendeniedmortgages fromsouther nbanks.“They’vebeenadvised thatthey’dbebetteroffworkinginthe south,”saysAnnaDoherty.

Companyhealthcareplansarealsocomplex. “I’vehademployerscometometosaytheir insurancecompanieswillnolongerinsuretheir southern-basedemployeesinthesamewayas theirnorthern-basedones,”continuesAnna. “Theycan’tofferthesamepackageandhave tosetup aseparatepackage.”

SomebusinessesintheDerry region–suchas Vertiv(anAmericanmulti-national) andFinTrU –avoidcrossborderrulesby maintainingoperationsinbothjurisdictions. Butthisisnot asolutionopentosmaller organisations.Businessleadersarecallingfor governmentstoprovideclearandconcise information,helpandsupport,forcrossborder workersandemployers.

“Thereneedstobe aone-stopshopfor information,”saysAngelaMcGowan.Shealso wantstoseetheintroductionofanall-island workvisatoallowmoreEUworkersbeing employedinNorther nIreland.“Wewouldlike

DarraghMcCarthy’sFinTrUhasoperations inBelfast,Derry,andLetterkenny

tohaveaccessforpeoplefromanywhereon theisland,workinganywhereontheisland. We had askillsdeficitafterBrexitandare tryingtobuilditupagainfrom asmalllabour pool.Particularskills –engineering,IT,software –are inbigdemandandtopullthosefrom anywhereacrossanisland,wherethere’sa populationofoversevenmillion,wouldmake ahugedifference.Mymemberswouldlovean all-islandworkvisa.”

Adiplomatic resetbetweenUKand EU relationsisunderwayin2026andso immediatesolutionstothecross-border dilemmaareunlikely.“TheUKgovernment won’twanttogotothetablewithlotsofasks forNorther nIrelandbecauseitweakenstheir position,”Angelasays.“Butwearetryingto get aconversationgoinginthebackgroundso bothgovernmentsunderstandwhyit’sneeded. Thisischippingawayintothelongterm.”

Butbusinessleadersareencouraginga conversation.TheywanttheBritishandIrish governmentstocollaborateandmakeit easierforpeopletoworkononesideofthe borderwhilelivingintheother.“We need amovementforchange,”saysAnnmarie O’Kane.“Thisisn’trocketscience.Thiscanbe done.” ■

Modestjobsgrowthfor 2026 as ‘NI notimmune to globalpolitical events’

UlsterUniversity’s DrMylesPatton, GillianMartin,Cathy Gormley-Heenan, GarethHetherington, DrEoinMagennis, and ToddGowdy

Ongoing ge opolit ic al uncert aint y coul dlea dtoonlysli ghtjob s grow th this year,asur veyhas said.

AndGarethH etheringtonM BE of theUls ter Univer sity EconomicPolicy Centre’s (U UEPC), says Northern Irelandis“notimmune” to the global politicalevent s.

TheU UEPC says therecould be just 0.5% jobs grow th in 2026,w hile that may strengthen overtheyears ahead.

It warnsthatdecisions takennow on productivity grow th alongsid eloc al policy ac tionsw illshape theregion’sfuturegrowth.

Se ctoral fore cast sp oint to strong grow th in cons truction andprofes sional services, alongsid ehealthand so cial work.But, ongoingfisc al cons traint sfacingN or thern Irelandare ex pe cted to persis t, potentially influencing thepaceofgrowth.

“T he latest jobfiguresreflec tweakbusines s andconsumerconfidence combined with ongoinggeopoliticaluncer tainty,w hich Northern Irelandisnot immune to,” Mr Hetherington said

“W hile 2025 began strongly,contrac tions

b ec ameevident astheyearpro gres sed, with adeclining employ ment rate andrising unemploy ment.D espite this subduedend to 2025,early indicationsfor 2026 sugg es t progress,alb eitmod es t, with stronger grow th anticipatedoverthe longer term

“T hese fore cast sc an be realis ed through targeted policy andp olitic al ac tion in areas within Northern Ireland’scontrol.T he prop os ed multi -yearbudgetwouldprovide greatercer tainty formediumand long -term planning andshowthe potentialfor ashift towardsloc ally driven solutions.”

Akey factor shapingfuturegrowthis Northern Ireland’slongs tandingpro ductivit y challenge. Whilepro ductivit yisexp ec ted to improve, thelates tforec as ts have be en af fe cted by theO ffice forBudget Responsibility ’s downgrad ed UK productivity es timates, refle ctingbroad er structural challenges facing theUKe conomy.

“Unfor tunately,thisdow ngrade fe eds throughtoweakerpro ductivit ygrowthin Northern Ireland, reducing ex pe cted economic grow th with implic ations forfutureincome, profits andlivings tandards,” principal economis t, Dr MylesPat ton, said Andprincipal economis t, Dr Eoin Magennis,

s aid: “Regionalinequalit yhas be en persis tent resultingindif ferences in employ ment opportunities,productivity performance andearningsacros sN or thernI reland’s lo cal government distric ts.T hese disparitiesw ill be acutelyfeltinloc al places.S omeareas are playing‘catchup’ andaddressingthisrequires collab orationfromavariety of st akeholders foracommongoalalong with ‘place lead er ship’thatiswelcoming to newideas

“T hats aid, severalmeasuresofregional balancep oint to ageneral convergencein performance. Forexample,b et we en 2013 and2023every councilareaexp erienced an increase in employ ment rates, includingan impres sive 9.6p ercent agep oint rise in Derr y City &Strabaneagainst aN or thernI reland averageof6.5 percentage points

“I naddition, productivity improvements are also apparent,w ithMid Ulster andD erry City andStrabanedeliveringcompoundannual grow th ratesof1.4%and 1.3% resp ec tively between2012and 2022,comparedto 0.7% forN or thernI reland as aw hole over thes amep erio d. Import antlythough, post pand emic re covery hass talled in many areas, highlighting theneedfor innovative policy solutions.”

■

Michael O’LearyplanningFox News ads to putpassengercapon WhiteHouseagenda

Ryanairisplanningtotakeout advertisementsonFoxNewsinthe USintheweeksaheadofStPatrick’s Day, tohighlighttheIrishGovernment’s failuretoliftthepassengercapatDublin Airport

USPresident Trumpisknowntobeanavid FoxNewswatcherandthecampaignis timed aheadof TaoiseachMicheálMartin’sannualSt Patrick’sDayvisittotheWhiteHouse.

MichaelO’LearyexpectsUSairlines,including thelobbyinggroupAirlinesforAmerica(A4A), toalsointensifytheireffortsontheissueputting thepassengercap“frontandcentre”forthe Taoiseach’sUSvisit.

Thismonth,AirlinesforAmerica(A4A)made aformalcomplainttotheUSDepartment of Transport regardingthepassengercap.It hascomplainedto WashingtonthattheIrish governmentis restrictingtheirgrowthat Dublin Airport.

TheairlineswanttheWhiteHousetocurtail transatlanticflightsfromIrelandtoAmericain response,unlessthepassengercapatDublin Airportisremoved.

MichaelO’Learysaidhebelievesblocking flightsfromIrelandfor aperiodisnow alive possibility

“There’snodoubtUSairlinesarefurious, theyseeAerLingusaddingnewUS routes–rightly –butthey(Americanoperators)can’t get extraflightsintoDublin. Ithinkthereisareal prospecttheUSwillblockflightsbyAerLingus toNew Yorkfor adayorso,toforcetheissue.”

ThatwouldfinallycompeltheIrish Governmenttobringforwardlongpromised legislationtoscraptheairportpassengercap, hesaid.

The Ryanairbosswascommentingas Ryanair Holdingspublishedfinancial resultsforthethird quarterofits2026financialyear

Trafficforthe2026financialyear –which endsinMarch –issettorise4%toalmost208 millionpassengers,upfromthe207million predictedinNovember,R yanairsaid.

That’soncoursetogoto216millioninthe 2027financialyear –whichincludesthecoming summer –thankstodeliveriesofnewplanes fromBoeing.

TheairlineexpectsthefinalfourMax 8 modelstobedeliveredbyFebruary,whilethe newerMax10,whichhasn’tbeencertified

yet,issettocomeinto Ryanair’sfleetinspring 2027.

Thenewplanesmeanmoreseatsperflight andlowerfuelcosts.

Ryanairsaidit’s“cautiouslyguiding”for full-yearprofit,aftertaxexcludingexceptional items.of€2.13bnto€2.23bnforthecurrent year

Profitfellinthethirdquarter,to€115m, excluding aprovisionof€85mfor afinefrom Italy’scompetitionauthority

Theprovisionisaround athirdofthetotal sizeofthefine,which Ryanairisappealing. MichaelO’Learysaysthegroup’sItalianlegal advisorsareconfidentofoverturningthefine onappeal,whichheexpectstotakeonetotwo years.

The resultscomeafterMichaelO’Leary turnedanonlinespatwithElonMuskoverthe USbillionaire’sSpaceX’sStarlinkwi-fiservice into apublic relationsopportunitytoputaspot lighton Ryanair

The rowgenerated1,500newsarticlesin56 countries,MichaelO’Learysaid.

Heestimatedthatitgeneratedaround€30m offreepublicityfor Ryanairand a€20mboost inadditionalbookings. ■

RI SK MA NAGEMENT &S EC UR IT Y

Keeping peoplesafe

PavelBarter looksatthetechnologiesbeing developedtohelpworkersofallkinds,particularly thoseintheretailandhospitalitysectors,staysafe

Newtechnologiesarecreatinga frontlineinthebattleagainst retailcrimeandtheyareguarding workersacross anumberofsectors. AdvancesinCCTV, body-wor ncameras, facialrecognitionandartificialintelligence areamongthemeasures retailersare exploringtostopshoptheft,keep employersandcustomerssafe,andcatch criminals.

BetweenJune2024andJune2025there were8,500 reportedshopliftingincidencesin Norther nIreland,accordingtothePSNI,which although adropfromthe9,000incidences recordedthepreviousyear,hasforced retailers toinvestintechdefences.

“It’s notasbadasitisinEngland,Scotland and Wales,”saysNeilJohnston,directorofthe Northern IrelandRetailConsortium.“Butshops inNorther nIrelandareextensivelytargetedby organisedshoptheft.”

Organisedcriminalgangsareparticular tothis region,withgangsfromthenorth travellingtotheRepublicandviceversa.In January,2026, aknownshopliftinggangwas reportedtohave“crossedtheborderinto Norther nIrelandfromScotland”,according toStephanieKarté,chiefexecutiveof RetailersAgainstCrime, anot-for-profitcrime partnershipwhichhelpsdetectandprevent crime.

TherehasbeenadvancesinCCTVand in-storeinnovationslikeweightedshelvesin supermarkets,whichalertstaffifaproductis removedinabnormalamounts,andadvances inself-servicecheckouttills.“Inthepast, expensiveproductsweregettingweighed throughasbananasbecausebananasare cheap,”notesStephanie.“Astimehas goneon,we’renotseeingasmuchofthose reportsbecauseit’sbeenovercomebynew technologies.”

Somebarcodescannersnowuseartificial intelligencetodetectthesize,shapeand colourof aproduct,topreventcustomersfrom replacingthebarcodewiththatof acheaper product.AIandmachinelearningisbeing usedtoadvancedata-gatheringandintelligent analysis. Wearablesafetyequipment, meanwhile,isbecomingmorecommon.

HalosBodyCameras, acompanyfoundedin Belfastin2019,providesbusinesseswithbodywor ncamerasthatcontain apanicbuttonfor immediatebackup,GPSlocationtracking, realtimestreaming,andtwo-waycommunication. “TheHalosHorizonis arobustbodycamera preferredbyprivatesecurityfirms,”saysAlan Ring,chiefexecutiveatHalos.“TheHalos

Nanoisasmall,discreetcamerapreferredby retailcolleagueswhoputitonaspartoftheir uniform(theygenerallywearitontheirlapelor ontheirpocket).”

Traditionally,retailworkersdidnotwear panicalertsystems.CCTVhassometimes proveninadequate.“TheissuewithfixedCCTV camerasistheydon’tdetertheindividual who’scominguptoyou,ortheydon’thave thesameview[as ashopworker].”

If aworkerfeelsunsafe,theycantap theHaloscamerato recordfootage,which automaticallyuploadsanimageofthe perpetratorto aserver.(Halosisintegrated withsecurityoperatorsandincident managementplatforms,allowingitsusersto

immediatelytriageanincident).Recordings mightbeusedasevidence,capturing abusiveorviolentbehaviourin astore,for defamationclaims,orfordispute resolution withintheworkplace.Thecompanytakes afreshapproachtosecuritytechnology throughitssubscriptionmode,whichallows theirhardwaretobeaccessibletobusinesses smallandlarge.“Thereisn’tanupfrontcost associatedwithowningtheproduct,”Alan says.“Youpay amonthlysubscription,getthe camera,thesoftware,andyou’rereadytogo outofthebox.”

HaloscamerasemployAIto redactvideo andaudio(whichinpreviousgenerationsof bodywor ncameraswas amanualexercise)

andgenerate reports.AlanRingseesthe technologyaspartof awidertechdefence ecosystem.RetailersAgainstCrimeworkswith thePSNItoshareinformationwithitsmembers acrossNorther nIrelandviatheSentrySIS platform,accessibleviadesktopandthrough anapp.

“Whenweget reportsonincidentsof shopliftingorviolentoffences,wecirculate ittoour retailermembers,”StephanieKarté says.“Soifthereisaprolificoffenderwho’s knowntocarry aweapon,the retailersknow aboutit.”

RetailersAgainstCrime’steamofanalysts usefacial recognitiontoanalyse18,000 profilesonitssystemandidentifyoffenders>

forevidentialpurposes.“Wedon’tput[the information]outtherefor retailersorforour memberstouse. We passonany relevant identificationtothepolicetoenablethemto takeitfurtherwiththeirinvestigations.”

Lastyear,Sainsbury’sannounceditsdecision totrialfacial recognitiontechnologyto“alert trainedcolleaguestoknownoffenderswho havecommittedactsofviolence,aggressionor theft”.The retailgiant,whichpurportstobe thefirstUK retailertousebody-wor ncameras, waspartneringwithFacewatch, asecurity systemthatscansfacesagainst adatabaseof knownoffenders,toalertstaffaboutpotential shopliftersorviolentindividuals.

BigBrother Watch, aprivacyadvocacy group,describedthedecisionas“Orwellian” and“deeplydisproportionateandchilling”. NeilJohnstonunderstandsthat“alotof peopletakeexceptiontocamerasabovethe tills.Butwehavehad asubstantialincrease inhistoriclevelsofshoplifting.Retailersare sensitiveaboutbeingcastasbigbrother.But they’venoalternativegiventheamountof moneythey’re losing[tocrime].”Stephanie

KartéofRetailersAgainstCrime,said:“Stores aretryingtoprotecttheirprofitsbutthey’re tryingtoprotecttheircustomersaswell.There maybesomenegativitybutitisforthegreater good.Thesetechnologiesaredesignedto protectcustomersandkeepthemsafe,aswell asstaff.”

In2025,Haloscommissioned YouGov,a researchandanalyticsfirm,toconductan onlinepollof2,200adultstounderstand howthepublicfeelsaboutbody-worn cameras.52% respondedtheynoticedthese camerasbeingwor nbyemployeesinpublic settings.79%(nearlyfourinfiveadults)were “comfortableorindifferent”totheirpresence.

The report revealedthat“certain generationsperceivebodycamsaskeeping yousafe,whereasothergenerationsperceive bodycamsasinvadingyourprivacy”,saysAlan RingfromHalos.29%of18to24yearolds saidtheywereuncomfortablebytheideaofa staffmemberin astorewearing acamera;only 17%ofover55yearoldsthoughtthesame. “There’sanonusoncompaniestoensurethey haveclearpoliciesaroundtheiruseofthebody

camerawithintheorganisationandnottouse itas asurveillancetool,”addsAlan.“Itisa safetytool.Itisnottheretosurveypeople.”

Thereare otherwaysinwhichwearable bodycamerascanbeusedforsafetyinthe workplace.UKcompany Tended recently teamedupwith Translink,Norther nIreland’s publictransportprovider,togivetrackworkers wearabledevicesequippedwithgeofencing technologythatallowthemtonavigate hazards.

Thesecamerascanbeusedinanyhighriskworkingenvironment,notifyingworkers ofdangersthroughaudible,visualand vibrationalerts.AIislikelyto revolutionise staffsecurity,saysAlan,“andasweprogress Ithinkbodycamswillbecomemorecommon and astandardtool:partoftheuniformin certainenvironments.AIwilldriveittoensure thatyourworkplaceisefficient,cleanand compliant.”

“Itwon’teradicatethelossesfromtheftand retailcrime,”StephanieKartésays.“Nothing everwill.Butitwillsustainbusinesses alittle bitlonger.” ■

IrishITfirm tocreate350 jobs with newbaseinDublin

Dublin-basedITservicesfirm Originaistocreate350jobsin Irelandaspartofanexpansionof itsoperations,supportedbyEnterprise Ireland.

Thecompanysaidthenew roleswould bebasedprimarilyinDublin,whereOrigina isestablishing anewglobalheadquartersin Sandyford.

Theexpansionisexpectedtodeliverup to€28m(£24m) ayearindirecteconomic contributiontotheIrisheconomy.

Originaprovidesindependentsoftware supportandmaintenanceservicesforlarge enterprisesystems,includingsoftwaresupplied byIBM,HCLandVMware.

Thecompanysaidthenewjobswould spansoftwareengineering,security,data andartificialintelligence(AI),andenterprise technologyoperations.

Theannouncementwasmadealongside EnterpriseIreland’send-of-year resultsfor

2025,whichshowthattotalemployment acrosscompaniessupportedbytheagency roseto232,425lastyear.

Atotalof12,608jobswerecreatedacross clientcompanies, resultingin anetincreaseof 2,938positions.

EnterpriseIrelandsaidthat69%ofjobs createdbyitsclientcompaniesin2025were locatedoutsidetheDublin region,with employmentgrowth recordedacrossallnine regionsofthecountry.

Theagencysaiditdirectlyinvested€50m (£43m)inequityfundingduringtheyear, whichleveraged atotalof€440m(£382m)in overallinvestment.

Individualinvestmentsrangedfrom €100,000(£87,000)to€2m(£1.7m)aspart of afundingstrategyaimedatsupporting companiesastheygrow.

Employmentgrewacrossallthreeof EnterpriseIreland’smainsectorsin2025,it said.

Foodandsustainabilitycompaniesemployed 69,295people,whileindustrialandlife

sciencesfirmsaccountedfor101,747jobs,and employmentintechnologyandservices rose to61,383.

Sectoralgrowthwasstrongestinclimate technologyand renewableenergy,where employmentincreasedby6.5%,itsaid.

Jobsinthehousingsector roseby4%,while high-techconstructionemploymentincreased by2.5%,thefintechandfinancialservices sector recordedgrowthof4.9%.

OriginanotedthatIrelandwould remainits strategicbaseasitcontinuedtoexpandacross EuropeandNorthAmerica.

Separately,thecompanyannouncedthe launchof anewpredictivesoftwaresecurity product,whichitsaidwouldbemadeavailable tocustomersfromMarch.

“ThisinvestmentinourIrishoperations reflectsourambitiontogrowandscalethe companyoverthenextfiveyears,” Tomás O’Leary,chiefexecutiveofOrigina,said.

“I’mincrediblyproudoftheteamandthe innovation,dedicationandingenuitytheybring aswecontinueonthisgrowthjourney.” ■

‘Thesecretis salesandtrying togivecustomers whattheywant’

Thefounderandchiefexecutiveof WillowbrookFoodsJohnMcCann tellsJamesMcNaneyhowhehas grown afirmfromhisfamilyfarmtoone ofcontinentalaward

He’snow81,but WilliamJohnMcCann MBE,knownasJohn,isstilltheheadof WillowbrookFoods,thecompanyhefounded closetosixdecadesago.

WillowbrookFoodshasbeennamedthe inauguralwinneroftheFoodQuality Award attheEuropean Awards2025,describedas“a modelofexcellenceinthefieldoffreshand processedfoodproduction”.

Thecompany’s230-plusstaffmakemore than200products,includingvegetableside dishes,saladsanddeliproductsattwofactories inNewtownardsandKillinchy

Speakingfrom Willowbrook’sheadquarters inKillinchy, Johnsaysofthecompany’s beginnings:“Wherewe’resittingherewas a greenfieldwithsheepinit.

“Iwas afarmer’sson.We’reavegetablegrowingareaandmyfathergrewvegetables andhad amixedfarm.

“Istartedoff inmyfather’sfarmyard,then wemovedoverto afieldandwebuilt a specificshedthat Icouldpackvegetablesin.”

Despitehisbackgroundandeventualcareer inagriculture,Johndidn’taimfor alifeon a farm:“IwenttoDownHighSchoolandwent touniversityinMageeinDerry

“Ididn’twanttobe afarmeratthestart, becauseourfarmwasn’tabigfarm.Itwas about60or70acres. Youcouldseehowhard mymotherandfatherworked.

“Iwentonanddidbusinessstudiesandthen workedfor ayearinindustry.Idecidedtocome backtothefarmbecausemyinterestwasin growingvegetablesand Icouldsee agapin themarket,howtosellthevegetablesbetter thanmostfarmersweredoingatthetime.

“Istartedpre-packingvegetables,andfrom thatdaywestartedmovingslowlyforward.”

John’slastcommentis athemeinhis interview,ashehasadopted apatient approachtogrowingthebusinessoverthe years.

“Istartedoffverysmall. Igrewthe vegetables.Thefirstyearortwowasspent growingthecropsinthefield.”

Startinginthelate1960s,thecompany didn’tsecureitsfirstmajorcontractuntil1978. Expansionof Willowbrookcamewithtwo ordersfromthen-popularsupermarkets.

Supermac,locatedwhereLesleyForestside ShoppingCentre insouthBelfastistoday, wasoneofthesecustomers.ItwaswhatJohn describesas“thefirstsupermarketinNorther n Ireland,veryupmarket,verynew”.

“Becausevegetablesweresoldinbulkand indirtybagsandthings, Ipre-packeditandwe hadlabelswithbarcodes[which]wasneeded forthecheckouts.Supermacwasoneofthe

firstsupermarketsthathadscanningandall thattypeofthing.”

Johnalsobegantosupply ashopin BallyhackamoreineastBelfast,deliveringbags ofvegetablesbycarfromhisfather’sshed.

“Myfirstbreakthroughcamealongthrough Wellworths, aname alotofyourolder readers will rememberand apredecessorofthe multiplesinNorther nIrelandnow.Igotto supplysoup,vegetablesandsaladproductsto Wellworths.

“Wedeliveredallaroundthe Wellworths storeswithourownlorries.Thatgotus started,andthatgotusuptoaround30or40 employees.

“Onthegrowingsideofthefarm,itwas growingtoabout100acresofvegetables acrossaboutfourcrops.

“Itwas agrowingmarket,becausethe wayvegetablesandsaladswerebeingsold waschanging.Multipleswerejustcomingin, Norther nIrelandwasslowtoadopt.”

Whilehisbusiness remainedbasedin farming,John’s backgroundinbusinessstudies provedusefultogrowth.

“Productdevelopmentwas awordwe startedtolearn about. We werealways devisingnewproductsandnewtypesof vegetables,howyoupackthemandthe combinations.Thatwaspartofthekeyofhow wemovedforward.”

It wasagrowing market, because the wayvegetablesand salads were beingsold waschanging.Multiples were justcoming in, NorthernIrelandwas slow to adopt

Biggercontractskeptarriving,including amajordealwithnowdefunctsupermarket SuperquinntosupplyitsstoresacrossIreland, andthefirmexpanded.

Willowbrookboughtover asitein Newtownardsthatusedtobelongto aKorean ITfirmandconverteditinto afoodproduction site.

WillowbrookFoods’most recentcompany accounts,fortheyearendingJanuary31, 2025,showthefirmgrowingturnovertomore than£35mandprofitbeforetaxtomorethan £1.8m.

Johnattributestheirsuccesstobeing“a >

IN TE RV IE W

weebitaheadofourtime”.

“Wewentintopre-packingandthemethod ofbuyingvegetablesandsaladsandthe conveniencewaschanging.Norther nIreland wasaboutfiveor10yearsbehind,butwe caughtuprapidly

“Also, Ithinkpartofoursuccesshas beenthemarketingside. Ihadthegrowing sidesortedOK,butthemarketingwasvery important.Stilltoday,thesecretissalesand marketingandtryingtogivethecustomer whattheywant.”

Johnandhisteamconsider Willowbrook Norther nIrishfoodproduction’s“bestkept secret”,assomuchofitsproduceissoldunder ‘ownbrand’labels.

“Somecompaniesarebrand-ledand alot oftheirfocusisbuildingtheirbrand. We were neverthat.

“Wewerealmosttheotherway round. We supplya lotofthemultiplesandfoodservice, butit’stheirlabelsthat’sonit.

“That’swhypeoplehaven’theardofusas much.”

Thisrelativeanonymity contributedtoJohn’s

“totalshock”whenheheardinNovemberthat thecompanyhadbeenawardedthefirst-ever FoodQualityawardfromtheEuropean Awards

“Itwaslikethemorning Igot aletterfrom BuckinghamPalaceabouttheMBE.”

Atthattime,hewassodisbelievingthathe wasconcerneditwas ascam.

Instead,itwasaninvitationtobe recognised ata majorawardsceremonyinRomebythe ProfessionalandBusinessExcellenceInstitute.

Theprizewindescribes Willowbrookas offering“fresh,high-quality,innovative productswithfulltraceabilityfromfieldto customer”.

Itisfarfromthefirstpieceof recognition Willowbrookhas received,withthecompany winningawardsforitsfoodandbusiness practicesover recentdecades,butthe European Awardisanothersignofhowfarthe companyhasevolvedsinceitsfoundinginthe 1960s.

Reflectingonhowtheindustryhaschanged, Johnsaiditis“dayandnight”comparedto whenhestarted.

“Theway Ihavegoneisdownthe

convenience route:convenienceforthe consumerandquality

“Prior,itjustdidn’thappen.Itwasjustdirty bagsofpotatoesandcarrotsandvegetables.”

He rememberstakinglorriesofvegetables, alongwithotherfriendswhowerefarmers,to Belfast’sMay’sMarketonOxfordStreet.

“Thatallstartedtofizzleout,becausewhen thesupermarketcamein,andthesupermarket buyersandtheircentraldistributionoffices,it allchanged.

“Supermarketsbroughtin alotofnew qualityissues.Hygieneandallthisbecamevery important.

“From avegetable-growingpointofview, alotofsprays Iinitiallyusedarenowbanned, andyouhavetohavea degreevirtuallytogrow vegetables,tospraythemandsupplythem, andyouhavetobeauditedbymultiples.

“Smallfarmersaredisadvantaged,because thebureaucracyandbookworkinvolvedinit isveryhard.Unfortunately,alotofNIfarmers aresmall.

“Inthevegetablesector,it’schanged alot, andthesmallerfarmersarefindingithard.” ■

HE ALTHCA RE

‘Ifoundoutthat Ihaditbychance’

Ex-newsreader Donna Traynor tells DavidDornan aboutherhaemochromatosisdiagnosis,whichwas discoveredduring ascanfor abackproblem

BroadcasterandformerTVnews presenterDonna Traynorhas revealedsheissufferingfrom thehealthconditiondubbed“theCeltic curse”.

Shehassaidthatshewasdiagnosedwith theblooddisorderhaemochromatosissixyears agoandwantstouseherprofiletohelpraise awarenessofthecondition.

Talkingaboutitforthefirsttime,shesaid: “Ifoundoutthat Ihadhaemochromatosis bychance. Iwasinhospitalhaving ascan foranotherconditionwhentheydiscovered somethingonmyliver.

“Ithenhadtestsandwastold Ihad haemochromatosis,theCelticcurseasit’salso called.

“Inotherwords, Iwasholdingontotoo muchiron.

“Therewastoomuchferritininmybody, whicheventually,ifleftthere,couldrustthe vitalorgans.

“Ihadneverheardofitbefore.Now Iam treatedbytheBelfastHealth Trustand agreat teamattheambulatorycareunitintheRoyal VictoriaHospital,whotakea bigbagofblood frommeeverycoupleofmonthstogetridof theiron.

“Ithink alotofpeoplearenotawareof haemochromatosisandthefactthatitcanlead tootherchronicandpotentiallydangerous conditions.

“I’msogladtheycaughtitwhentheydid. Thisis alifelongconditionandI’mgoingto haveongoingtreatmenttocontrolit.

“Iknoweveryindividualwhohas haemochromatosisisdifferent.Levelsofexcess ironintheirbloodvary.Mylevelhasbeen reducedovertime,but Istillgetachesand

pains,sorefeet,sorehands,sorejointsand fatigue.Thereare symptomsthatpeoplecan experience.

“Ifearwhatcouldhavehappenedhad Inot beendiagnosed.

“Lookingback, Ihadputmysymptoms downtotheeffectsof astressfullifeatthat time.”

Thegenemutationthatcausesmostcases ofhereditaryhaemochromatosisisbelieved tohaveoriginatedintheCelticpopulationof Europe.

Itisthemostcommongeneticdisorderin Norther nIreland,mostlyfoundinpeopleof IrishandScotsancestry,andmeans apersonis moreatriskofabsorbingtoomuchironwhich canstarttodamageotherpartsoftheirbody.

Guidancestatesallclose relatives –siblings, parentsandchildren –shouldbescreenedifa familymemberisdiagnosed.

“I’vebeentolditisaninheritedcondition, thatit’smostlyinpeoplewhoareofCeltic origin,andit’salsopresentinNorthAmerica wherealotofpeoplehaveemigratedthrough theyears.Forwhatever reason,ourgene seemstomakethisconditionprevalenthere.

“Ihavetoldmyfamily,butsofarnoneof themhasthecondition. Icouldbetheunlucky one,ortheluckyonethathasactuallybeen diagnosed.

“Ihad ascanofmyback,whichwasgiving meproblems,in2019.Duringthescanitwas noticedthat Ihad adeteriorationintheliver.

“Theradiographersaidtome,‘Oh,it’s glistening’. Ithought,‘Oh,thatsoundsgood, aglisteningliver’Butitwastodowithdamage causedbytheferritin.

“Everythreemonths,sometimesevery month, Ihavetogototheambulatorycare

unitinthehospitalwheretheyinsert afairly largeneedleinmyarm.Thenursesaregreat andtheydoitverydelicately,butit’sstilla needleandwiththattheyextract abigbagof blood.Theprocedureiscalled avenesection.

“In removingtheblood,they’retakingout alotoftheiron.Mybodywillthengenerate newbloodwhich Ineedtobeabletofunction. Unfortunately,sometimesit’snotthatsimple forme.Oftenmyhaemoglobinistoolow. Takingout alotofbloodcanfloorme,soit’s importanttogetthebalanceright –getting ridoftheferritin,gettingridoftheiron,but makingsurethatI’mhealthyenoughforthe

removal.

“Ialsohavetowatchwhat Ieat. Ican’t drinkstout,notthat Ido. Ican’teat alotof beef,infact,anythingwithironinit. Iam alsonotallowedtotake amulti-vitaminthat containsironbecausethatwouldaddtowhat I’mtryingtogetridof.

“Unfortunately,thebloodthat’sremovedin thevenesectioncan’tbegiventoanybodyelse, forexamplesomeonewhoneeds atransfusion. That reallyannoysme.Itseemssuch awaste.

“Iknowmedicalstaffare tryingtowork onthatinthehealthservice,tocomeupwith waystoutilisethatironladenbloodinsome

waytohelpothers.

“Hopefullyovertimeandmaybewithnew technologiesand research,they’llbeableto putittogooduse.

“Thekeything Ihavelearnedisthat haemochromatosismeansthebodyholdson totoomuchironwhichcaneffectivelyrust vitalorganssuchastheliverorheartifitgoes undetectedanduntreated.

“Themonitoringisbrilliant,but Idothink thereisareallackofpublicawareness. Recently,IsawanadcampaignbythePublic HealthAgency,butthemorewetalkabout this,thebetter.

“Ihaveachesandpainsmostdays. Icanget veryfatigued,butI’mglad Iwasdiagnosed, albeitaftersomeliverdamage,and relatively early.

“Hopefully Iwon’tsufferanyfurtheror majorlong-termdamage.”

TheDepartmentofHealth’scurrentpolicyis toscreenforgenetichaemochromatosiswhen apatientshowssymptoms.

But recently,itwas reportedthat HaemochromatosisUKwillofferupto 23,500householdsfreegeneticscreening inIrvinestown,Portadown,Ballymenaand Magherafelt.>

HE ALTHCA RE

Previous researchbythecharitysuggests thatasmanyasonein10peopleareatriskin Norther nIrelandofgenetichaemochromatosis. Theypreviouslyran acampaigntofund andofferthousandsofhouseholdsinBelfast, CarrickfergusandLondonderrywithfreeselftestkitswhichusuallycostabout£130.

Donnasaid:“Themedicscouldseeonmy liverthattherehadbeensomedamage.The consultanttoldmethatifleftundiagnosed, haemochromatosiscanleadtocirrhosisofthe liver.

“Ihaveheardofpeoplewhodidn’thavea dropofalcoholtheirwholelives,butsuffered fromcirrhosisoftheliver.Coulditbethatthey livedwithundetectedhaemochromatosis?

“Unfortunately,there’snogeneral routine testingforferritininourbloodbyGPs.Ibelieve thisshouldbedonegivenourheritage.

“Iwouldthink,likeinmanyothermedical cases,earlydiagnosiscouldmake abig difference.

“Like alotofwomenofmyage,it’seasy toblameallailsonthemenopause.Butthat’s notalwaysthe reason.Itcouldbesomething else.”

TheformerNewslinepresenterwantedto stressthatwithdiagnosis,theconditioncan bemanaged.

Shesaidithasn’taffectedherbusywork schedule,whichincludesmediatraining, hostingconferencesandhernewventure,the launchofthe YouTubechannelDonna Traynor Conversations.

“Itnormallydoesn’timpingeonmy everydaylife,”shesaid.“Ijustgetonwith whatever Imustdoandtrytoputupwith feelingachyorfatiguedattimes.

“It’simportantthat IammindfulofwhatI eat,thevitaminsupplements Itakeandmake sureIattend regularappointmentsatthe hospital.

“It’smanageableandthankfully,compared tosomeotherconditions,inmycase,it’snot painful.

“I’veevengotusedtotheprocedureof removingblood. Iknowlotsofpatientshate needles.Forsome reason,I’mnowokaywith them.

“Knowingthat Ihavetheconditionis,ina strangeway,reassuringbecausetheprocess ofdepletingtheironlevelinmybodyis preventinglong-termorgandamage.

“Ihavetoacceptthatthereisalready damagepresent,butlet’sfaceit, achronic conditionleftuntreatedwouldbe amore worryingsituationaltogether.” ■

Weight-lossdrugs

‘willhave halo efect forhealthy foodindustry’

Weight-lossdrugssuchas Ozempicareanopportunityfor meal-in-a-pouchbrandFiid,as thenutrient-richdiets recommendedto userswillhave a“halo-effect”forhealthy foodbrands,accordingtotheIrishfirm’s newboss.

FoodindustryveteranJuliaKesslerwas namedchiefexecutiveoftheplant-based ready mealbrandlastyear,afterthefounder,Shane Ryan,stooddownfromthe role.He remainsa director.

Theshake-upatFiidcameafteritusedthe Scarpsmall-business rescueschemein2023, emergingfromtheprocesswithfundingfrom investorJohnConroy’sRedesdaleFoodand BeverageFund.

MsKesslersaidthatFiidcouldbenefitfrom thegrowingpopularityofGLP-1weight-loss drugssuchasOzempicandMounjaro.

Usersoftheseweight-lossdrugsare regularlyadvisedtoeatnutrient-densefoods highinfibreandprotein,asthedrugsmake peoplefeelfullerforlonger.

MsKesslersaidFiidwaswell-positionedfor

userslookingfornutrient-richmeals.

“Ihavedonequite alotofworkinthelast coupleofweeks,and Ilookedatthelikesof Marks &Spencerandother retailersintheUK andthesortofproductstheyhavelaunched,” shesaid.

“Youlookattheaverageportionsize,the proteinandfibrecontentofthosemeals. We areactuallyinquite agoodpositionforthat.

“Itisallabouthaving agoodmixoffibre andnutrition,andwedoofferthat.

“Iwouldn’twanttogointotheneed-state ofpositioningmyselfasthego-toproductfor that,”shesaidaboutweight-lossdrugs.

“Butitwillgenerallyhave ahaloeffectfor theindustry.”

MsKessleraddedthatweight-lossdrugs weregoingtohave a“massiveimpactonthe industryas awhole”.Shebelievedconsumers wouldbepromptedtopaymoreattention towhatisintheirfood,andthatthiswould extendtothosewhodon’tusethedrugs.

“Ithinkthemomentfortheproductis now,”shesaidofFiid.MsKessleralsosaid FiidanditsinvestorRedesdalehad“some excitingplanstopotentiallylookatfindinga co-investorlateronintheyear”.

“Itcouldbesomeonewhoisonthe journey,amanufacturer,someonewhowants tobreakintotheUKandIreland,”shesaid.

“Itis agoodwaytoboostsynergies.

“Thereisalotofopportunityrightnow, andweprobablyhavefirst-moveradvantage. We arealreadyinthatspace. We understand makingmealsin apouch.”

MsKesslerwasn’tsurehowmuchFiid couldraiseifitwentforinvestmentlaterin theyear.

Shesaidtherewas alargebodyofwork neededtobedoneatFiid,includinga rebrandingandshakinguptheproduct range.

“Even anewinvestorwouldbelike:‘OK, soisthenewbrandingworking?Arewe seeinganimprovementintherateofsale?’ ThatwilltakemeuntilprobablyJulyor Augustuntil Icanpullthattogether.

“Butthen Iwanttobeabletosay:‘Look, hereisthemarketingplaybook.Hereisthe salesplaybook. We knowwhatwearegoing todo.If Ihavemorecash, Iwillknowexactly what Iwilldo.’

“Rightnow,weare testingandlearning. Andwearelearningquite alot.” ■

My foodienew year resolutionsandthings I’dliketoseein 2026

JohnMulgrew looksatwhathe’dliketoseeacross thewiderhospitalitysectorin2026,andsomeofhis ownnewyearresolutionswhenitcomestofood

• WE WANTRESTAURANTSTOHANG AROUNDFORTHELONG-TERM

Anyonepayingattentiontowiderindustry newswillbeacutelyawareofthenumberof restaurantswhichwereshutteredin recent years.Whilesomemaybelessof asurprise thanothers,seeminglypopularspotswith strong reputationsareamongthem,whichis extremelyworryingforthesector.

Butwiththatbringsnewfaces,ideas,and

concepts,whichcanonlybewelcomed.

However,we’vealsoseenfairlynewspots, manyofthemparticularlygood,closingdown in ashortspaceoftime.In2026,I’dliketosee moreofourbesthangingaround.

Forthattohappen,thehospitalityand widerbusinessenvironment,hastobemore favourableforour restaurants,barsandcafes.

RisesinNationalInsurancecontributionsand wagesarelikelytomakethingsmoredifficult.

So,intermsofmakingsurethatour independentsandsmalleroperatorsgeta chance,itmaybetimeforsomeassistanceat alocal,or regionallevel,whetherthat’srates relief,orothermechanisms,toensureavariety ofcuisinesandtypesofcooking remainon offer.

• IT’STIMETOLEARNNEWTRICKSIN THEKITCHEN

Regardlessofhowkeen ahomecookyouare, it’sinevitablethatyou’llalsofallbackintoareas ofcookingwhichyou’remostcomfortable with,ordealingwiththingswhichcanbe easilyturnedaround.

Forme,I’mgoingtotryandstretchand expandmyown reachin2026. Alotofwhat Icookismeatfocused,andit’smycomfort zone.GivemeanoddcutofbeefandI’min myelement.

ButI’dliketoexpandthatfurther,spending moretimeonvegetables,particularlycooking withintheseasons,aswellastacklingsomeof themoretechnicalaspects,includingmessing arounda littlemorewithfermentation,curing, andthelike.

• LET’SNOTLOSETHEHIGHSTREET TOCHAINS

There’s nothinginherentlywrongwithgiving abigchainafewquid. Idoit,andevidently, manyothersdo,too.Theyserve apurpose, andthebetterbusinesseshave amoreethical approachtosourcingandhowtheytreattheir staff.

Butassomeonewhoenjoysthelocalfood scene,cooking,andthecastofcharacters andentrepreneurswhogooutoftheirway totakerisksandinvestinourcitiesand towns,oftenmakingsizeablesix-figurebets

infoodofferingswhichdon’tnecessarilyhave ‘mainstream’or‘scalable’ontheirCVs,slick socialmedia(includingtheuseofAIslop)and fauxluxurydoesn’tmakeupformediocre orsub-parfoodamongsomebiggerfood groups.Economiesofscale,marketing,and international reachareamongthestrengthof thechains.It’ssomethingmostofthesmaller operatorsjustcan’tcompetewith.

So,supportyourlocalbusiness –whileyou stillcan.

•

IT’STIMEFORTHEFINALNAILIN THECOFFINFORDUDEFOOD

While ayoungergenerationseemstohavean affectionforit,andthat’sfairenough, Ifeelwe needtocalltimeonloadedfries,andpoorly madestackedburgers,piercedwithwoodenhandledsteakknivesandoozingstickymaroon barbecuesauce –apaltrycarbonisedpuckof over-cookedandover-groundproteinnestled inthecentre.

There’slotsofgreatcasualstreetfoodtobe hadinBelfastandbeyond –considerablymore thanjust ahandfulofyearsago.

However,thereare stillpubsand restaurants producingplatesofclunky,carby,andsugarladenmesses –muchofwhichhascomeout ofthedeepfreeze.

You’llfindabominationsonsomemenus, allwhilestillasking aprettypennyforthe privilege.Dobetter.

• GETOUTOFTHECITYMOREOFTEN

With atoddlerand anewborn,thisiseasier saidthandone.Butas2026progressesI’dlike toexploremoreoftheinterestingfoodspots wehavehere.

Socialmediadoes aparticularlygoodjob atshowcasingsomeofthemoreremote,yet seeminglydestination restaurants,andI’m allinfavourofpayingthem avisit…time, logistics,andfinancespermitting.

Atthemoment,I’mluckyif Igetdownthe OrmeauRoad –just ashortwalkawayfrom thefrontdoor.

Butasweprogressfurtherinto2026,I wanttotakeasmanyopportunitiesas Ican toexplorethewiderNorther nIrelandfood scene. ■

Recipes: warmingbraised oxtailandcrispy lambbreast tacos

JohnMulgrew looksattworecipesto fuelyouthroughthecoldermonths

• BRAISED OXTAILWITHCOCONUTRICE

Youcanthanktheprevalenceandpopularityof televisionchefsoptingforthisoncecheapand cheerfuloff-cutfordrivingpricesuptothose closetoprizedleansteaks, abutchertoldme notlongago.

Oxtailwasoncethepurviewofanolder generationofhomecookslookingtosave afewquidwhilestillgettinginsomemuch-

neededprotein.Now,it’subiquitous.It’s thesortofthing ahipbistrowillpackinto croquettesonits‘snacks’sectionandcharge you atennerfortheprivilege.

Itis,however,anoddlittlecutthatpackslots of sticky, collagen-richbovineflavour.It’sfar fromtheleanest,andyou’llnotgetanywhere near asmuchmeatasyouwillfromsomething likebeefshin,butit’sworthitforthecharacter

anddepthofflavour

Startbybrowning acoupleofbigpiecesin a littleoilin aheavy-bottomedpotuntilyouget somecolour.Thenadd afew roughlychopped onionsandcarrots,gettingmorecolour

Addin agoodsqueezeoftomatopuree, a littlegarlic, atouchofginger,astickoflightly bruisedlemongrass,and agoodglugoffish sauce.

Add alittlechickenstockandenoughliquid tocovermostofthemeatandcookforfourto fivehourson alowheat.

Whenyou’redone,taketheoxtailoutand removethemeatfromthebones.

AddsomefreshThaibasiltoyour remaining liquidalongwith alittlecoconutmilkandblend untilsmoothandunctuous.

Addyoumeatbackinandserveupwith coconutrice.

Fortherice,cookbasmatiorjasminericeas younormallywould,butadd adashofcoconut milkandsomedesiccatedcoconutwhileit’s cooking.

To finishoffthe,add afewsomecrushed peanutsandscallionsfortexture.

• CRISPYLAMBBREAST TACOS

Youcan’t gofarwrongwith ameat probe.It’s changedtheway Icookwholepiecesofmeat, whetherthat’sonthebarbecue,orintheoven

It’s especiallyimportant ifyou’respending afewquidonsomethingspecial,likea rib ofbeef.Andbelieveinthescience. Ionce splashedouton agooseforChristmasand mymumcouldn’t believethatitreached thecorrectinternaltemperaturesoquickly, thereforewekeptitinlongeranditwas overcooked.Thenumbersdon’tlie

Turningtolambbreast,there aredifferent waystotreatthiscut.This rolledroastis essentiallylayered,withlotsoffat,andmeat whichrequiressomeslowcookingandtime Butwhileyoucanshootforaround96C, whichwouldmeanitshouldshredinto somethinglikepulledpork,I stillwanta little bite.So,cookingtoaround80-85Cwillgetyou

pastwelldone,cookingitallthrough,butstill retainingsometexture.

Startwith asimplerub.Combinesalt,black pepper,cumin,coriander,cinnamon,and instantcoffeeandcoattheexterior,pushing somedownintothe rolledlambbreast.

The roast Ihadwasjustunder akilo, andtookaroundtwohours,butcheckthe temperatureasyougo. Iwentforlowand slow, between130Cand140C.

Removewhendoneand restfor30minutes Fortheaccoutrements,keepitsimplewith a littlesalsa,forexample.

Buttoaddsomesoftnessandrichness, make asimpleguacamolewithripeavocado, fine shallots,limezestandjuice,oliveoil,salt

andpepper,and ateaspoonofgochujangfor somsesweetness,chilliwarmth,andumami.

Youcanalso roast awholegarlicbulb,oiled, intheairfryerfor20minutes.Thenmashinto somemayonnaiseandseasonwithlimejuice.

Whenyourmeatis rested,sliceverythinand thencrispenand renderdownthatfatin apan on amediumheat.

Heatyourtortillasin apanwith alittle lambfatoroil,thenplateupwithyoursalsa, guacamole,mayonnaise,lamb,andtopwith somepickledshallots.

Ideally,makeyourowntortillas,butyou canfindgoodqualitycorntortillasinspecialist retailers,orgofortheflourvarietyiftheyeasier tofind. ■

This reverse-seared ribofbeef will helpbeat thosenewyear blues

Aslow-cookedreversed-searedribofbeefmightbeonthepriceyside, butit’sthebestbovineshowcasethereis,writes JohnMulgrew

Iappreciatethatspending afairfew quidon apremiumcutofbeefdoesn’t exactlyalignitselfwithwhatfeelslike thelongestofmonths.

Manywillbegivingtheirsystem acleanse, whetherthat’sthroughhealthiereating,or knockingthebeerandwineontheheadfora coupleofweeks,ormore.

I’meatingporridgewith adaboforganic roastedpeanutbutteras Iwritethis. Aweek agoitwaslikelyleftoversfromthenight before,someonebringingmesomething,due

to alackofanyculinarymotivation,orclearing outthelastofthecuredmeatfromthefridge.

But,weneedsomethingtogetusthrough thedrudgeofthestartoftheyear.

Whilethebankbalanceislikelylooking decidedlysparse,thechancesstrongthat there’snow aminusbeforethatfigureonyour app,looktowardspaydayandspending afew quidonsomethingwhichwillbothimpress andsatisfyinequalmeasure.

I’dstill recommend,financespermitting,that youhelpoutourhospitalitysectorduringthis driestofperiods.

Butgettingbackintothekitchenisalso somethingwhichwillhelpbothliftthespirits andimpresstheappetite.

Aribofbeefwillcertainlydothat.Itcanbe truebovineperfectionifhandledwell.And you’llwanttohandleitwell,giventheprice tag.

Youhavetwooptions –bone-inorboneout.Theformeristhemostvisuallyimpressive, andstructurallyintegral. Alotofitisforshow. Whethertheboneadds asizeableflavour

boostisdebatable,butafteryou’vecarved your roast,you’llhavethosedeliciouslittlebits ofdeckedribmeattognawon.

I’vegonefor abone-outoption,andhefty capattached –thetastiestleancutonthe animal.

Agoodbutcherwhoishappytocutyou whatyouneedisyourbestbet.Something dry-agedwouldbenice,butit’snot required. Youcanalsogetrib roastsinmost supermarkets.Alwayslookatthepriceper kilo,ratherthantheoverallpackagedprice, andcomparewithwhatothersarecharging.

It’snotcheap, Iknowthat.Thisis aspecial occasion roastandnotthesortofthingyou’ll ikelytoknockouteachandeverySunday.

Thefocusofthispreparationisbothcooking throughat averylowtemperature,and reverse-searing.

Whatyouendupwithis amoist roast,with edge-to-edgepink(ifpreparingtomediumor

mediumrare)andhaving realcontroloverthe cooking.

Keepthingssimpleintermsofflavours. Iopt for asimplerubofcrushedpeppercorns(black and afewpink), agoodhelpingofsalt(thisis alargecutofmeatafterall),andsomeOldBay seasoningtoadd alittlewarmingspice.

Removeyour roastfromthefridgeatleast anhourorsobeforecookingandcoatwell inyourrub.Now,cover,andleavetogiveita dry-brine.

Ideally,youcouldalsodothis afewhoursin advance,leavingthemeatlargelyuncoveredin thefridge.

Beforecooking,usekitchentoweltodryoff theexterior.

Setyourovento100-110C.Thistakestime, butit’llworkwonders.Itshouldtakeanywhere betweenanhourandthree,dependingonthe sizeof roast,andtheconsistencyandaccuracy ofyouroven.

Placeinyourpreheatedovenandcook.This isn’tonetouse astopwatch. Awirelessmeat thermometerisideal,buttheyaren’tcheap. Ifyoudon’thaveone,use ameatprobe, andcheckthecentredonenessevery15to 30minutes,andmorefrequentlywhenyou

approachyourdesiredinternaltemperature. Givenhowmuchthe roastissettingyouback, investinone.

Formedium, removingataround58C shouldseeyouright.

Andbecauseyou’vecookeditsoslowly, you’llgetnexttonocarryover –thecontinued cookingyounormallygetwhenyoutakea steakoutofthepan.

Now,weletitsitout.Restfor45minutes atleast.

Thenextstepis reallyonlytoget alittlebit ofcolour,crust,andsearontheexterior.

Crankyourovenashighasit’llgoand,once thebeefhas restedand relaxed,stickitbackin forjust afewminutes. Youdon’twanttoheat thecoreanyfurther,orriskthejuicesrunning. Removeandthensliceasdesired.This shouldbeperfectlypink,withtexture,yetable tocutwith abluntknifeontheplate. Youcan gosteak-thick,oraround acentimetreorso. Finishoffwithsomeflakysaltatop.

Youcanservethiswithanythingyoudesire, whetherit’sdouble-cookedchipsanda bearnaisesauce,orwithsomebeautiful roast potatoesand agravymadefromthedrippings, redwine,andemulsifiedwithbutter. ■

From LA wildfires to ‘Time’top 100: GoFundMe boss on whywegive

TimCadogan,chiefexecutiveofGoFundMe,says affordabilityissuesmeanmoreandmorepeopleare askingforhelp,writes AdrianWeckler

TimCadogancan rememberthe wildfirescomingforhishousein LosAngelesintheweeksafter Christmasin2024.

”Weevacuatedthenightthatithit,”hesays oftheEatonfire,oneofseveralconflagrations toravagetheneighbourhoodsofLAinJanuary last.

With19liveslostandover9,000buildings destroyed,hehadnochoicebuttofleethe infernoengulfinghisLosAngelescommunity ofAltadena.

”Ourneighbour’sbackyardwasonfire.Our frontyardwasburnedtoo –thewholething. Iwentbackatdawnandfoundwhat Ican onlydescribeascompleteinsanity.Therewere carsblowingup.Therewerepropanetanks blowingup.And Ididn’trealisethis,buttrees explodeat acertainpointtoo.Palmtrees.It wascrazy.”

Somehow,Cadogan’shousesurvived.But hewasabletoseefirst-handtheeffectof thecompanyheleads,theglobalfundraising platformGoFundMe.

”Around abilliondollarswasraisedafter thosewildfires,”hesays.“Wehad10,000 familiesandlocalbusinessesinpartsofLA.It wasthefirstmoneytohelpwiththingslike rent.

“Obviouslyyouneedthebiggermoney–frominsuranceandfromgovernmentsupport

–butthatcanbeslow.Iwasproudoftheearly support,andalsojustthemoralsupportthat wewereabletogive.”

Thingstook abettertur nforCadogan afew monthslater.Hewaspickedasoneofthe100 mostinfluentialpeopleintheworldin Time Magazine’sannuallist.

Thismeant atriptoNew Yorktomeetthe otherhonoreesonthelist,whichincludedAlex KarpofPalantir,ElonMusk,MarkZuckerberg, ScarlettJohanssonandJavierMilei.

“IchattedwithSnoop[Dogg]andNavalny’s wifeandsomeamazingNobelPrize-winning scientists.WhileSimoneBilesisverysmallin stature,herhandissopowerfulwhenyou shakeitthat Iwas abitsoreafter.”

Didthey recognisehimrightaway?“No, thereare amillionbaldguysintheir50s.Look, itwasmoreofarecognitionofourcompany, oftheworkwedo.Andifithelpsusshare whatwedoandhowwecanhelpmore peoplehelpeachother,that’swhatI’mhere for.”

Ifthelatestfiguresareanythingtogoby, GoFundMehasbecome apermanentfixturein Irishlives.

Accordingtoitsmost recently released figures,thisyearinIrelandover€50mwas raisedby560,000Irishdonorssupporting 28,000campaigns,makingthiscountrythe platform’sbiggestconcentrationofper-capita

donorsintheworld.

Thelargestindividualcampaignsthisyear weretosupportpeoplewithhealthorinjuryrelatedcosts,including€730,000forFéile O’Sullivan, a13-year-oldgirlwhounderwent adoublelegamputationafter afarmaccident with atractor,and€430,000raisedforFiadh Ronan, asix-year-oldgirldiagnosedwithstage 4neuroblastoma.

Butit’sawidemix.Othercurrentcampaigns includeanex-conventinArdeeraising€78,000 toupdateitsheatingsystemintimeforwinter; amanraisingfundstocontinueprotesting against avulturefundthatheclaimsruinedhis life;and€2,000raisedfor residentsprotesting anewapartmentdevelopmentplannedfor

CabrainDublin7.

Arguablyitshighest-profileIrishcampaign of recentyearswasthe“buy apint”fundraiser thatraised€370,000forCaioBenicio,the Deliverooriderwhocametotheaidofthose attackedintheParnellStreetstabbingsof November2023.

Politicalfundraisingisbecomingmore prevalent,withseveralcampaignsfor councillors,fromtheGreenPartyto independents.Someofthesecampaigns includefringeactivities,includingmultiple GoFundMepagessetup(insideandoutside Ireland)tosupportEnochBurke,aswellas separatecampaignsseekingfundingtooppose “tyrannicalglobalistforces”inIreland.

Agrowingtheme,though,isthebasiccost ofliving.Anincreasingnumberofcampaigns onGoFundMeareforsurvivalessentials,like paying rentorfood.

Cantheplatformbemeasuredas aproxy forpoverty?Oristhismetricgrowingsimply becausemorepeopleknowhowtostarta GoFundMepage?

“I’llleaveittoaneconomisttosayhow statisticallysignificantourplatformisversus others,”saysCadogan.

“Butthereare definitelymorepeopleasking forhelpintheseareas, roughly20pcincreases year-on-yearforthiskindoffundraising.These arewhatwecallthecategoryessentials,such as rent,groceriesandutilities.Andthatisan

expressionthatpeoplearestrugglingwith affordabilityandthecostofliving.

“Whatisstrikingaboutitisthatwe’re seeingthistrendinalmostallthecountrieswe operatein,includingtheUS,theUK,Ireland, Australia,CanadaandGermany.Thisisa challengeformuchofthewester nworld.

“Butit’salsotruethatmorepeopleare awareofGoFundMeas aplacethatyoucan askfor –and receive –help.Andthere’salso thegrowingperceptionthatthisisactually OKtodo,assomethingtobringyourfriends, familyandcommunitytohelpwithwhatever’s goingoninyourlife.”

Somecombinationofthetwophenomena hascombinedtoincreaseactivityonthe

TimCadoganpictured atthe2025 Time100 GalaatJazzatLincoln CenterinNewYork >

platform.Overthelast18months,theamount itsaysithascumulativelyraisedhasgonefrom $30bnto$40bnworldwide.

GoFundMeis afor-profitcompany,with itsDublin-basedEuropeanheadquarters responsiblefor recording revenueandprofit forlocationsoutsidetheUS.Themost recent reported resultsshowthatitmade aprofitof €27.7min2023,though€11.3mofthatwas dueto aVatdecisioninitsfavour.

GoFundMecharges2.9%tothose donating,whichiswhatonlinepayment companieschargeGoFundMe.Theplatform thenchargesanextra25cperdonationforsite andcompanymaintenanceandalsoasksfora voluntarydonation.

Cadoganhasbeenchiefofthecompany since2020.The50-something,whohails fromDorsetinEngland,attendedtheLSE, anddidmastersinOxfordandattheStanford GraduateSchoolofBusiness.Heworked as aconsultantandthenspent20yearsin Californiabuilding asuccessfulcareeras atech founderandchiefinSilicon Valley.

In2008,heco-createdandbuiltupthe

programmaticadcompanyOpen Xhaving previouslyspenttimeasanexecutivein Yahoo andOverture.

In2020,heacceptedanapproachto becomechiefexecutiveofGoFundMe,saying hewantedtoshifttoanactivitythatmade moreofanimpactonpeople’slives.

Hespendssomeofhissparetimeasa rescuevolunteer,beinghelicopteredintosave waywardhikersandday-trippersinsouthern Californianmountainrangesaspartofthe localSierraMadreSearchandRescue Team. Ayearago,heorganised afundraiserforthe team.

Thecampaignhadanedge –because Cadoganknewfromexperiencewhat worksandwhatdoesn’twhenlaunchinga GoFundMepage.

“Firstly,usepictures,”hesays.“Inmycase, Iwasraisingfor asearchand rescueteam.So goodphotosshowingpeopledoingthatis powerful.

“Secondly,andthisis reallyimportant,when youfirstsetupthefundraiser,writedowna listof10,15or20peoplewhoyouthinkare

TimCadoganspeakingduring theClintonGlobalInitiative 2025AnnualMeetingatNew YorkHiltonMidtown

mostlikelytosupportyou.Thentextthem orWhatsAppthemoneonone, reachoutto themdirectly.Thatone-on-oneconnectionis incrediblyimportant.

“We’recurrentlybuildingmoretoolstohelp peopledothatmoreeasily.Becauseithelps tobuildmomentum –andthenyoucanshare yourfundraiserwithyourbroadercircleof familyandfriends,andthenwithyoursocial medianetwork. We findthatpeoplewho runthosefundraisersinthatwayarereally effective.”

Theotherkeypieceofadvice,hesays,is tobesureandthankdonorsandkeepthem updated.

“Ideallypersonaliseitasmuchasyoucan, anddo alotofupdates,becausepeopleare nowinvestedinyourstory,”hesays.

”Keeppeopleengagedandencourage someonewhodonatedtosharewiththeir10 friendsorintheirRedditthreadorontheir Instagram.”

Cadoganpractisedwhathepreachedand theSierraMadreappealraised$27,900outof atargetof$28,000. ■

Motoring

PatBurns

Turningover anewLeaf

Nissan’snewLeafhasjustgone onsalewithpricesstarting from£32,249,includingthe government’s£3,750electriccargrant.

With arangeofupto386mileson asingle charge,thenewSunderlandbuiltLeaf75kWh representsthelatestdevelopmentsinNissan’s 15years’experienceinbuildingelectric vehicles.

The2026Leafhas arangeofadvanced featuresincludingGooglebuilt-in, adimming panoramic roofwithLeafdetailing,3Dtaillight designandflush-mounteddoorhandles.The newLeafwillbeavailableinfourtrimlevels: Engage,Engageplus,AdvanceandEvolve.

Asecondversionwith a52kWhbatterywill alsobeavailable,with arangeofupto271 miles.Pricingofthismodeltobeannouncedat alaterdate.

StandardequipmentfortheLeaf75kWh

Engagemodelincludes aheatpump,Propilot withNavi-link,18-inchalloywheels,AC chargeranddual12.3-inchdisplayscreens. TheEngageplusmodeladdsGoogle AutomotiveServiceswithGoogleMaps, GoogleAssistant,GooglePlayStore,heated frontseats,heatedsteeringwheel,14.3-inch CombimeterScreen,14.3-inchMultimedia displayscreen,15Wwirelessphonecharger

Sinceitsdebutin2010,theNissanLeaf hassoldcloseto700,000unitsworldwide, earningitsplaceinhistoryastheworld’sfirst mass-marketelectricvehicle.Theall-newthird generationmodelmarksthestartof anew chapterforthisfamousnameplate,having been re-designedand re-engineeredtomeet theneedsofmoder nEVcustomers,while remainingtruetoitsinnovative roots.

Itfeatures asharpnewlook,integrated technologyand ahostofnewdriver assistancefeatures.

AsNissan’smostaerodynamicproduction cartodate,thecaroffersenhancedcharging speedsand asuiteoftechnologiestomake drivingeasierandEVownershipmore rewarding,includingGoogleBuilt-In,which givesaccesstoGoogleMapswithout aphone, plusappandgamedownloadsfromGoogle Play.

The75kWhbatteryoptiongivesdrivers confidencethanksto real-worldautonomy that’samongthebestinthesegment.The 75kWhversionfeatures arangeofupto 269milesat70mphon amotorwayandan energyconsumptionaslowas4.5miles/kWh, ensuringlongerjourneyscanbeaccomplished withfewerchargingstops.Whenyoudoneed toplugin,the2026Leafoffers150kWDC fastcharging, recoveringupto273milesin30 minutes.

AttheheartoftheLeafis arefined electricmotordeliveringimpressivelevelsof performance:160kw(215hp)ofpowerand 355Nmoftorquepropelthecarfrom 0to 62mphin7.6secondsinSportMode. ■

RockupinthisVW

Thesecond-generation Volkswagen T-Rochasjustgoneonsalewith pricesstartingfrom£31,620.

The T-Rocisalreadyoneofthemostpopular modelsinthe Volkswagenrange.More thantwomillionunitshavebeensoldsofar globallysinceitsdebutin2017 –makingit Volkswagen’smostsuccessfulSUVafterthe Tiguan –andithasanimpressivelistofawards underitsbelt.

Thesecond-generation T-Roclauncheshere withLife,StyleandR-Linetrims.Thelatest modelbuildsonthesuccessofitspredecessor withadistinctivedesign,high-qualityinterior andmorespaceforluggageandpassengers. Assistsystemsandtechnologiesfromhigher vehicleclassesareincludedand,inthefuture, itwillfeature acompletelynewfullhybrid powertrain

Withitscoupé-like rearand‘hockeystick’C pillar,thenewmodel’sdesignis12cmlonger andslightlytallerandwiderthantheprevious version.Alloywheelsupto20inches –afirst forthe T-Roc–andboldcolourssuchasthe newCanaryyellow,FlamedredandCelestial

bluecompletethesportylook.

Thelightingisalsoupdated,withlightprojectingmirrorhousingsandnewLED headlightsfeaturedasstandard.IQLight LEDmatrixheadlightsareoptionalandare connectedtothewhiteilluminated Volkswagen logobyanarrowlightstrip.Thenew T-Roc’s rearalsofeatures acontinuousLEDcrossbar with aredilluminated Volkswagenlogo.

Anewlydevelopeddashboardupholstery combineswithbackgroundlightingwhich matchesitspremiumqualityinterior.Italso includes alarge12.9-inchinfotainmentscreen asstandardandanoptionalwindscreenheadupdisplay

Thenew T-Rocadoptsnumerousfeatures fromthelarger Tiguanand Tayronmodels, suchasthelatestdrivingexperiencecontrol whichcan,amongotherfeatures,selectdriving profilesandcontrolinfotainmentvolume Othercabinhighlightsincludewirelessphone charging, a10-inchdigitalcockpitpro(from Styleupwards)andmassageseats(Styleonly) Morespaceisalsoavailable,bothinthecabin forpassengersandinthe475-litrebootfor

luggage –30litresmorethantheoutgoing T-Roc.

Two1.5eTSImildhybridturbochargedpetrol enginesareavailableinitially,withoutputsof 116PSand150PS,andtheywillbefollowed bytwoall-newfull-hybriddrivesystems.All variantsarefront-wheeldriveandhavean automaticseven-speeddirect-shiftgearbox (DSG).

Thenew T-RocisthethirdSUVtobebuilt on Volkswagen’ssuccessfulMQBevoplatform, afterthe Tiguanand Tayron,andsoitbenefits fromhardwareandsoftware alreadyseen inthesehigher-classmodels.Theyinclude optionalfeaturessuchastravelassist,which supportsautomaticlanechangesand reactsto variationsinspeedlimit,andparkassistpro–anotherfirstforthe T-Roc.Itusesthememory functionforautomaticparkingoverdistances ofupto50metresandallowsasmartphone tobeusedtodrivethevehicleintoandout ofparkingspaces.Theexitwarningsystemis alsoavailableasanoption,towarnoccupants beforethedoorsareopenedthatcarsor bicyclesareapproachingfrombehind. ■

FreshAlpineelectric hitstheslopes

ThenewAlpineA390isanelectric sportfastbackandthesecond modelintheFrenchmanufacturer’s EVrange.

FollowingonfromtheCarofthe YearwinningA290 –theA390bringsthebrand’s stylingintoanentirelynewsegment,delivering theagilityandemotionof asportscarwiththe everydayversatilityof afive-seatfastback.

Threeversionswillbeavailablefromlaunch, eachbuiltaroundAlpine’sall-newoptimised electricset-up.TheGTdevelops400PSand acceleratesfrom0–62mphin4.8seconds, whilethemorepowerfulGTSproduces470PS andupto824Nmoftorquefor a0–62mph timeofjust3.9seconds.ThePremiereEdition, basedontheGT,sitsbetweenthetwoasa high-specmodellimitedtojust390examples.

AllmodelsfeatureAlpine’suniqueActive Torque Vectoringsystem,madepossibleby placingtwoindependentmotorsontherear axle,givingtheA390theabilitytoprecisely controltorqueateachwheel.The resultis exceptionalagility,balanceand responsiveness, withthedevelopmentteamdirectly benchmarkingitsbehaviouragainstthelighter AlpineA110toensureadrivingexperience centredonfeelratherthansoftware.

TheA390’shigh-performance89kWh batterydeliversupto345milesofrange (WLTP,subjecttohomologation).Charging performancehasbeenoptimisedfor realworlduse,withDCchargingofupto190kW allowing a15–80%chargeinaround25 minutes.An11kWACbidirectionalcharger isstandard,with a22kWunitavailableasan optionandfittedasstandardtothePremiere Edition.

Inside,theA390introduces arefinedcockpit with astrongfocusondriverengagement. Twohigh-definitionscreens –a12.3-inch instrumentclusterand12-inchcentraldisplay –integrateAlpine-specificgraphics,Google built-inservices,anEV routeplannerand over-the-airupdates.Despiteitsperformance focus,A390 remainspractical,offeringseating forfiveand a532-litrebootwithanoptional doublefloor.

TheA390GTstartstherangewithits20inchdiamond-cutalloywheelswithMichelin SportEVtyres,anodisedAlpinebranded six-pistonmonoblocfrontbrakecalipers, adaptiveheadlightswithLEDMatrix Vision technology,abody-coloured roof,power tailgate,and a11kWthree-phaseACcharger withbidirectionalcharging.

Itsinteriorfeatures atwo-tonecombination ofAlcantaraandNappaleatherindeep blueandgreywithdoublestitching, ablack headliner,heatedsix-waypoweredmemory AlpineSportseats,dual-zoneautomatic climatecontrolwithairpurificationfunction, powered,heated,auto-foldingsidemirrors withpuddlelampsandprojectedAlpinelogo, heatedsteeringwheelinNappaleather,a framelessauto-dimminginteriormirror,centre consolewithtransmissionbuttonsinspiredby theA110,andinteriorambientlightingwith Alpinemonogram.

Thestandardtechnologypackageincludesa 12.3-inchdigitaldriverdisplay,12-inchmultimediadisplaywithAlpinePortalandGoogle servicesbuilt-in,Alpine Telemetrics,Devialet audiosystemwith13speakers,andwireless smartphone replicationwithAndroidAutoand AppleCarPlay.

Advanceddriverassistanceandsafety systemsacrosstherangeincludeautomatic lightsandwiperswithrainsensor,intelligent adaptivecruisecontrolandspeedlimiter, safedistancealert,emergencybrakeassist, advanceddistraction recognitionwith emergencystopassist,lanekeepingassistant, blindspotwarningandintervention,safe occupantexitalert.

TheA390ispricedfrom£61,390on-theroadwithfirstcustomerdeliveriesofthe electricsportfastbackbeginningthisspring. ■

Volvounveilsnew long-rangeelectricSUV

Volvohaveunveileditsnewelectric SUVthathasthelongestrangein itsclass –with aclaimedrangeof upto500miles.

Thefive-seater,family-friendlyEX60willsit alongsidetheexistingXC60lineup,andwill effectivelyendrangeanxietyforthoselooking tomaketheEVtransition.

Being aVolvoitwillalsowrapyouina comfortblanketofknowingyouandyour preciouscargoareinapremiumSUVheaving withstate-of-the-artsafetytechwhilealso throwingintheadded reassuranceofallwheel drive.

“Withthiscar, we removeall remaining obstaclesforgoingelectric.Thisfantastic newcarisalso atestamentofwhatweare capableofat Volvo,withanall-newproduct architectureintroducingnewkeytechnologies –megacasting,cell-to-bodyandcore computing,”HakanSamuelssonsaidduringits worlddebutinStockholm.

Seniorexecutiveswenttogreatlengthsto showcasethelatestAI-drivensoftwarethat

issuretoappealtoyoungercustomerswho incorporatethatleveloftechnologyintotheir dailylives.

Infact, VolvohasteamedupwithGoogle, NVIDIAandQualcommtomakeittheirmost advancedvehicleever.Somuchso,thatthe EX60isbeingbilledas“thecaryoucanhavea naturalconversationwith”.

Gemini,thenewAIassistantfromGoogleis linkedtothecar’scamerasystemandasyou travelalongyoucanaskittoidentifycityland markslikemonuments,fountainsorelaborate sculptureson roundabouts.

TheAlexa-stylevoicewillgiveyou abrief historyofthestructure–likeyourown personaltourguide.Italsocontainsthemost responsiveuserexperienceinany Volvocarto dateofferingseamlessandno-laginfotainment system,screensthat respondquickly,maps loadinstantlyandvoiceassistantsunderstand passengersbetter.

Thatsameno-compromisesapproachis reflectedinhowfastitcharges. Withsuper quickDCcapabilitytheEX60canaddupto

340kmofrangeinjust10minuteswhen using a400kWfastcharger.

ThenewEVisavailableinIrelandwith threedifferentpowertrainvariants.The entrylevelP6getsan83kWhbatterythat drivesthe rear-wheelsandgenerates ameaty 369bhpandthesinglemotorcancoverup to620kms.NextupistheP10whichsees thebatteryincreaseinsizeto95kWhand addinganextramotorfor AWD.Thisbumps thegruntto503bhpandupstherangeto 660kms.

ThetopendP12gets amonster117kWh packthatbangsout astonking671bhpwhile achievingthat recordgoanywhereinIreland andpossible retur nrangeof810kms.All modelscomewith a10-yearbatterywarranty or240,000kms,whichevercomesfirst.

In abidtocutproductiontimes,the Swedeshavesimplifiedthetrimlevelsto justtwo –PlusorUltra –anddependingon colourandupholstery,youcantakedelivery ofyournewcarin amatterofdays,weeksor months,dependingonyourpreference. ■

TM EN TS

AlanMcDaidhasjoinedARCRegulatory toleadthefinancefunctionduringa pivotalperiodofexpansion,bringinghis experienceingrowthstrategyandvalue creation.

TheConstructionEmployersFederation (CEF)hasappointedGailKinkeadasits newheadofmembership.Shewilllead thedevelopmentofCEF’smemberservices, engageandrecruitnewmembers,and deepenindustryengagement.

TheBritishCouncilhasappointedNewry man,ColmMcGivern,asitsnewdirector forNorthernIreland,bringinghomean internationallyrespectedleaderincultural relations,diplomacyandinternational education.

HannahWroblewskihasbeenappointed taxmanagerinSumerNorthernIreland’s innovationtaxreliefteam.Shehasa strongfoundationinfinancialservices andutilisesherskillstofocusonfinancial accuracy,controlsandHMRCcompliance acrossR&Dclaimsforclients.

TheGrandOperaHouse Trusthas appointedCathalGeoghegan,managing directorofHendersonFoodserviceLtd,as itsnewchair.HesucceedsJanetteJones whoservedintherolefortwoyears.

UpstreamABLhasappointedGerard Donnellyasbusinessanalystin afurther expansionofitsteam.Formerlyof DevenishNutrition,hehasenjoyeda strongcareerinfinanceandinsurance withintheagri-foodandmanufacturing sectorsandasanunderwriterat aleading bank.

QuinnEstateAgentshasappointedKerry Saundersaspropertyassistant.Withover 15yearsofestateagencyexperience acrossmultipleroles,alongwithasset managementandadministrativeexpertise, shebringsstrongindustryknowledgeto theposition.

NormanMcBridejoinstheMcKeeverHotel Groupboardunderthenewly-created positionofgroupoperationsdirector. MrMcBrideisresponsibleforoverseeing operationsacrossthegroup’ssevenhotels.

JohnClarkhasbeenappointedasa managerinSumerNorthernIreland’s innovationtaxreliefteam.Hehasa backgroundinmicrobiology,molecular biologyandpublichealthwithindustry experienceintheagri-foodsector.

1. EPICFuturesNI, alocal policyinnovationpartnership ledbyUlsterUniversity,has announcedfundingawards totalling£440,000toeight pioneeringorganisations andtheirpartnersaspart ofthephasetwopolicy commissioningcall.

2. Artistsfromthe Veridian Collective:DeborahAdair,Vicki Maguire,PatriciaFinlay,and Joanne Wells,picturedatthe launchoftheBetween Worlds exhibitionatNorthDown Museum.

3. StephenMcAneney,founder anddirectorofAlliedGroup,with Ebby Toal,AlliedGroup,following theannouncementof a£500,000 investmentcreating15newjobs, and arebrandtoAlliedGroup.

4. TheGrandOperaHouse Trust hasannouncedtheappointment ofCathalGeoghegan,managing directorofHendersonFoodservice Ltd,asitsnewchair.Hesucceeds JanetteJones,whoservedinthe rolefortwoyears.

5. AntrimandNewtownabbey LabourMarketPartnership(LMP) haslaunchedtheCleantech UpskillingElectrical Training AcademywithETTNI.Picturedare TinaMcMullan,ETTNI,Mayorof AntrimandNewtownabbey,Leah KirkpatrickandJessicaSmyth, LMP.

6. LidlNorther nIreland isgearinguptogivea ‘Kickstart’tolocalfoodand drinkproducersasitlaunches its2026LidlKickstart SupplierDevelopment Programme,designedto supportsmallandmedium sizedsuppliersintothe industry.

7. LawfirmArthurCoxNorthern Ireland(NI)hasannouncedthe appointmentofDavidBlackas headofitslitigationanddispute resolutionpractice.Heispictured LynseyMallon,managingpartner ofArthurCoxNI.

8. PicturedisCircle KIreland managingdirectorCiaraFoxton (centre)withPIPSchiefRenee Quinn(left)andLisaAbell-Farrelly, fundraisingmanager,PIPS(right) announcing anewthree-year charitypartnership.

9. McKinstryGroupwillinvest £16minvestmentin arecycling facilityatitsNutt’sCorner headquarters,withfundingfrom BankofIreland.PicturedareArran Rutledge,CharlotteMcCann,Paul Magee,andDarrenMcKinstry.

10. ShaneHouricanofBusiness Exhibitions(BizEx)Ltd,organiser oftheAll-IrelandCaravan, CampingandMotorhomeShow inDublin,aheadoftheevent, whichtookplacelastmonth.

11. NISpaceisspearheading effortstopositionNorthern Irelandcompaniesat theforefrontoftheUK’s burgeoningspacesector, throughthelaunchand deliveryoftheNISpace ReadyProgramme.

12. DaleandAaronBecketthave officiallyopenedthedoorsof SparStormont.Theyarepictured withRachelErvine,Henderson Wholesalebusinessdevelopment manager,andstoremanager, PatrickMcGinnis.

13. FragrancecompanyThe JAQGrouphasexpanded itsoperationalfacilitiesin Randalstown,CoAntrimto supportitsincreaseindemandof theThomsonCarterbrandintothe USandbeyond.Picturedare Mayor ofAntrimandNewtownabbey, LeahKirkpatrick,andmanaging director,ConnorMartin.

14. RaymondDuncan,James McGinn,andDamian Tumiltyof HastingsHotels,arepicturedas thehotelgroupannouncesithas achieved‘Safeto Trade’approval, anaccreditation recognisingbest practiceinfoodsafety.

15. PicturedinDownpatrick, wherethedevelopmentofthe newAsdasuperstoreisunderway, areRobertScott,CelparkLtd, Tom Irving,OBConstruction,Ciara Smith,generalstoremanager, AsdaDownpatrick,andMichael McFadden,seniordirector,Asda NI.

16. TitanicBelfastisseeking newcrewmemberstofulfil part-timeandfull-timefixedterm rolesthisyear.Positions willbeavailableinvarious departments.

17. DAERAMinisterAndrewMuir isseekingviewsfromthepublic on anewstrategicapproachto themanagementof resourcesand wasteinNorther nIreland.

18. JonathanAdair,Maria Hourican,andMaureenLedwith fromBusinessExhibitionsLtd (BizEx)cuttheribbontoofficially openthe33rdannualHoliday WorldShowBelfastattheICC Belfast.

19. Morethan1,000additional low-incomehouseholdswill benefitfromwarmer,more energy-efficienthomesthanks to anew£2.17minvestment announcedbyEconomyMinister DrCaoimheArchibald.

20. EugeneMcKeever,founder andgroupchair,welcomes NormanMcBridetotheboard ofMcKeeverHotels.His appointmentisalignedwiththe group’sstrategywhichprioritises furthergrowth,performanceand sustainabilityforthenextfive years.

21. Picturedarethe committeemembersof BelfastFlavours: Ryan Crown,CrownCreative, KylahDittmar,OuiPoutine, LauraAnneBradley,Indie Fude,LesleyMaltman,The Eventor,CamilleThompson, Thompson Tea,andPaul Kane,BelfastWhiskey Week.

22. BelfastHarbourhas announced a£350,000 CommunityFundProgramme for2026tofurthersupport localcommunities.Picturedare JoeO’Neill,BelfastHarbour, CommunitiesMinisterGordon Lyons,andDrTheresaDonaldson, BelfastHarbour.

23. MichaelDonnelly’slatest movesseeshimtakeonthe role ofchairmanofprivateGPprovider DualityHealthcareandwithit,the challengeofsupportingoneof Norther nIreland’smostinnovative businesses.He’s picturedwith JohnMcEvoy(left).

24. TheIrishExportersAssociation (IEA)hasannouncedthe appointmentofLiamHyland aspresidentoftheAssociation. MrHylandisdirectorofexport andinternationaltrade,FoodEx Ireland,partoftheMusgrave Group.

25. Anewsurveypublishedby GalviaDigital,inpartnership withBelfastChamber,has revealed agapamongfirms, betweenenthusiasmforartificial intelligenceandthegovernance structuresneededtouseitsafely. PicturedareLisaComerton, BelfastChamber,andMartin Naughton,GalviaDigital.

26. ChoiceHousinghas become acorporatemember of WomeninBusiness(WiB) Norther nIreland,meaning femalecolleaguescanaccess arangeofprofessional development resources.

27. A&LGoodbodyNorthern Irelandhasannouncedthe appointmentofKeithDunnas apartnerinitscommercialand technologydepartmentinBelfast. He’spicturedwithMichaelNeill, headofoffice.

28. CoreElectricalhasdonated over£5,000inmaterialsto Norther nRegionalCollegeto supportfutureelectricians.

PicturedareGarethBradfordand CarlaByrne,CoreElectrical,with IainMcCart,Norther nRegional College.

29. FootAnsteyMcKeeshas expandedinBelfastwithtwo newpartners.ChrisRoss(centre), partnerandheadofBelfastOffice atFootAnsteyMcKeesisjoined bythefirm’stwonewpartners, ChrisMilliganandMichaelKelly.

30. NIENetworkshasopened applicationstoitsApprentice Academyforthoseinterested in acareerintheenergysector.

Picturedisapprentice,Kathryn.

31. TheNorther nIreland Food To GoAssociation andHospitalityUlsterhave welcomed apositiveand constructivemeetingwith StormontMinisters,where bothministerslistened carefullytotheconcerns raisedbythesectorandfully backedthecasefor VAT reform.

32. DanskeBankhasappointed DrFionaBrowneasitsfirsthead ofartificialintelligencetoleadthe strategicdevelopmentanduseof AIacrossthebank.Picturedare LiamCurran,FionaBrowne,and LyndsayShields.

33. ArdsArtsCentrein Newtownardsispleasedto welcometwonewexhibitions, Ensoulment, agroupexhibition byRosalindLowry,SheenaDevitt (pictured)andRozziKennedy,and What We Can’tSeeNow WillLast Forever,asoloexhibitionbyKim Montgomery.

34. DAERAMinisterAndrew MuirMLAhasannouncedhis Department’s2025-2026Social FarmingCapitalGrantScheme hasawardedover£120,000in grantaidto15eligibleSocial FarmsacrossNorther nIreland.

35. Norther nIreland’selectricity TransmissionSystemOperator, SONIhasbeenawardedthe DiversityMarkaccreditation, recognisingtheorganisation’s progressinadvancingequality, diversityandinclusion(EDI)within theworkplace.

36. MountCharlesGroup hasinvested£2moverthe last12months.Picturedare TrevorAnnon,founder,Barry Byrne,chiefexecutive,Stacey McAlister,operationsdirector, andchiefstrategyofficer, GavinAnnon.

37. Norther nIrelandisentering 2026withitsstrongest constructionperformanceina decadeand ahalf,accordingto thelatestfindingsfromAECOM. PicturedisNickPerrin.

38. PicturedatthelaunchofLidl Norther nIreland’slandmarkfibre commitmentareElaineO’Connor, headofsustainabilityatLidl IrelandandNorther nIreland,and registereddieticianOrla Walsh.

39. Maxolhascompleteda £1.5m redevelopmentatMaxol BallyholmeinBangor.Pictured areBillyMoore,groupfinance directoratHendersonGroupwith BrianDonaldson,chiefexecutive, TheMaxolGroup.

40. Anewcommunitygrantfund hasbeenlaunchedtosupport grassrootsorganisationsacross thegreaterLurganandCraigavon area,celebratingthelegacyof theformerGoodyearSportsand SocialClub.Picturedare Stephen MooreandRichardRodgers.

Omega’s new‘panda’ Moonwatchmeeting themarketheadon

JohnMulgrew getshandsonwiththelateststeelSpeedmaster MoonwatchattheOmegaboutiqueatQueen’sArcadeinBelfast –thistimesporting adeepblackdialandsetwhitesub-dials

Therewasprobablyaninitial conversationamongthebigcheeses atSwatchGroupthatthedilutionof itsmostfamous referenceto acheapand cheerfulplastic-casedquartzwatchwould hamperinterestinthe‘realthing’.

Cuttoalmostfouryearslater,andwhilethe hypeovertheMoonswatchhaseased –the collaborationof aseriesofbudgetSwatchmadeSpeedmasters,inplastic,for atouchof £200 –theSpeedmasterlineitselfcontinues togrow.

Itwasthewhitevariationoftheclassic Moonwatchwatch,launchedin2024,which gavetheline akickintherightdirection,justa fewyearsafterOmega released ahigher-spec versionofthemain reference,with aCo-Axial movementandbetterbracelet.

Thisnew‘panda’versioniscertainlyplaying uptomarketdemands,especiallyat atime whenoldRolex referencescommandsix figures,andthemoder ninterpretationsare hardtoacquire,duetointerest.

Thismarks anotabledeparturefromthe classicall-blackorall-whitedialsthathave dominatedthesteelMoonwatchofferings, givingcollectorsanewvisualtwistwhile retainingthemodel’stimelesslines.

Attheheartofthese releasesaretwonew references:oneinstainlesssteelandonein 18KMoonshineGold.

Meanwhile,thesteelmodelfeatures a42 mmcasewith apolished,lacqueredblackdial thatservesasthebackdropforcrispwhite lacqueredsub-dials.

Ablackceramicbezelwithwhiteenamel tachymeterframesthedial,enhancinglegibility andvisualcontrast,whilerhodium-plated handsandappliedhourmarkerswithwhite Super-LumiNovalendnighttime readability. Mechanically,thesewatchesarepowered bytheOmegaCo-AxialMasterChronometer Calibre3861, ahand-woundmovementthat offersaround50hoursofpower reserveand moder nanti-magneticperformance.

Andformanyenthusiasts,thesteelblack andwhiteMoonwatchis abigdeal.

It’sthefirsttimethisdialaesthetichasbeen offeredinthepermanentsteelMoonwatch collection,ratherthanas alimitededition, anditbroadensthemainstreamappealofthe

Speedmasterwithout strayingintooverly preciousorniche territory.

Onwrist,while 42mmisonthe mediumtolarge sizefor acase thesedays,it continuesto wearbeautifully –thedimensions matching theclassic Moonwatch.Ithas substantialpresence, butthelug-to-lugisn’t overkillandeverything feelsbalanced.

Thenthere’sthatdial,which issetinlayers –thewhitesubdialssetintothemainfaceofthe watch,addingdepthandyetmore visualappeal.

Omegauppeditsgameconsiderably whenit rejiggedtheMoonwatch afew yearsback.Whilethepricealsoshotup,the qualityandfinesseofthebraceletdidto.

Insidebeatsthemanual-winding chronographmovementwithCo-Axial escapement.ItsCertifiedMasterChronometer, approvedbyMETAS, resistanttomagnetic fields reaching15,000gauss,withfreesprungbalancewithsiliconbalancespring, rhodium-platedfinish,bridgeswithstraight Genevawaves.

Thisisn’tacheapwatch,eveninthe Speedmasterlineitself.Retailonthe braceletis£8,700,and astepabovethe coreSpeedmasterMoonwatch.

Butcomparedto,andndcontrastedwith thesomewhatvisually-similarRolex,it reads asgoodvalue.

Thefairly recentwhitedialiterationofthe Moonwatchhasalreadyprovedpopular,and somethingI’vespottedonmorethan acouple ofwristsoverthelastyearorso.

Thispandadial referencefeelslikeit’sgoing togoin asimilardirectionamiddemandfor ahigh-endSwisswatchwiththisparticular aesthetic. ■

Dubaianoasisoffive-star spa experiences

Glitzandglamourwereexpectedin UAEmetropolis,butitswellness cultureisanotherlevel,writesElle Gordon

I’lladmitit,Dubaiwasn’tthefirstplacethat cametomindwhen Ithoughtaboutwellness destinations.Knownforgloss,glamourand askylinebuiltforspectacle,thecityhaslong beensynonymouswithextravagance.

However,what Ifoundwassomethingmore considered, aDubaithathaspositioneditself as aworld-classsanctuaryforwell-being. Here,longevity,self-careandmindfulness

aren’tjusttrends;they’rethenewcurrencyof luxury.Astheoldadagegoes,youcan’tputa priceonhealth.

Dubaiisthemostpopulouscityinthe UnitedArabEmirateswith aresident populationofnearlyfourmillion,around92% ofwhichareexpatsfromacrosstheglobe.

Whizzingpastglitzyskyscrapers,malls and residentialneighbourhoodsalike,my staybeganatthefive-starJumeirahMarsa AlArab, aresortthatopenedearlierthisyear andwhosesweepingcurvestaketheirdesign cuesfromyachts.It’severybitasluxuriousas

youmightimagine –11dining“experiences”, fourbars,andimmaculate rooms.Butwhat impressedmemostwasthewellnessoffering.

The TaliseSpaisbathedinnaturallight, withfloor-to-ceilingwindowsoverlookingthe waterandalsothefamousBurjAlArab,which riseslike apostcardcometolife. Treatments spanthecuttingedgeofbeautyandwellness: cryotherapyforfaceandbody,ahyperbaric oxygenchamber,aninfrarediDome,lymphatic drainagetherapiesandmore.

Ifthatallfeels alittlefuturistic,there’safull suiteofclassicfacials –IenjoyedtheSwissline

–andbodytherapiestochoosefromtoo.I wasalsodelightedtospotGround Wellbeing, abelovedIrishbrand,ontheshelves.Prices onthespamenustartatAED450(£91)for a30-minutefootmassage,withthemore advancedtherapiespricedaccordingly.

After adeep,delicioussleep, Iventured beyondthehotel’sserenebubble.Firstupwas Blended Wellnessat WDubai,MinaSeyahi,to indulgein amassage.Loungingbythepool inthelateSeptembersunshineafterwards, sippinganice-colddrinkwhilegazingata high-risebackdrop(from ablissfullyshaded

spot)isanexperience Iwon’tforget.

LunchatThreeBrosfollowed, apopular neighbourhoodspotonAl WaslRoad,which runsparalleltoJumeirahBeachRoad(coastal) andSheikhZayedRoad(megahighway).The Greeksaladwasfreshandbright,whilethe Wagyubeefkebabwastenderandsmoky.

AnotherstandoutwasNaraDesertEscapes SonaraCamp,aboutanhour’sdrivefrom downtown,whereIdinedunderthestars.Set withintheDubaiDesertConservationReserve, Sonaraoffersaneco-friendly,solar-powered, zero-wastediningexperiencethatfeelsalmost otherworldly –superbfood,liveentertainment and anightskysowideitmakesyoufeelsmall inthebestpossibleway.

Surroundedbysandandsilence,youseea completelydifferentsideofDubai,one rooted innature,stillnessandquietmagic.

Thenextmorning Iskippedbreakfastin favourofbrunchatNETTE,famedforits combinationofFrenchandJapaneseflavours andnourishingcuisine.Everythingtherewas vibrantandhealthy,butformethestarwas thesignaturematchalatte –rich,frothyand delicious.

Laterthatday,Itookanabra(traditional woodenboat)acrossthemanmadecanalsthat linktheJumeirahhotel resorts,toexperience RedLight Yogaat TaliseSpa,thistimeatthe MadinatJumeirahhotel.

OriginallydevelopedbyNasatohelp astronauts recoverfromthephysicaltollof spacetravel –muscleatrophy,jointstiffness andskindamage –infraredlighttherapyhas sincegonemainstream.LEDmasksarenow commonplaceinspasandasat-homedevices.

ButRedLight Yogaas aconceptwasentirely newtome. YogamatsaredottedwithLED bulbsthatemit agentle redglow,saidtoboost muscle recovery,increasecirculation, reduce inflammationandsupportmetabolism.

We movedthroughoursequences,feeling thewarmthandlight.Thenourinstructorled usoutsidetofinishtheclassintheopenair, intotheeveningsunandgentlebreeze.

Bytheend,mybodyfeltenergisedyet deeply relaxed,andmymindhadquietened. Groupsessionshereare AED250(£51)per personor aprivatesessionisAED550(£112).

Thateveningbroughtanotherhighlight: dinnerat Avatara, astandalone restaurantin theDubaiHillsEstateBusinessPark.ThisIndian fine-dining restaurant,ledbyexecutivechef Omkar Walve,istheworld’sfirstvegetarian Indian restauranttoear naMichelinstar.The AvataraExperiencemenuisAED750(£152) perpersonandfeatures17courseswitha drinkspairingmenuavailableaswell.

Thenextday,avisittotheSEVAWellness Centre,toitsplant-basedcafe.It’slocated onJumeirahBeachRoad(behindMagrudy BookstoreandtheJumeriahCentre)andhas become acornerstoneofDubai’swellness community,foritsnourishingfood,gentle music,yoga,meditationandsoundhealing classes,and ascreen-freeethos.

Anotherexperiencetoaddtoyourlistis theHypnoHealingtreatmentat AwakenSpa inAtlantis,ThePalm.Craftedto realignbody andmind,itblendsthehumofsoundbowls withslow,hypnoticmassagetechniques,a combinationunlikeanythingI’veexperienced. Andwithsoundtherapycelebratedforits abilitytomelttension,it’satreatmentI’d gladlytryagain.

MyfinaleveningunfoldedatGerbou,a celebratedadditiontoDubai’sdiningscene. The restaurantembracesEmiratiheritagein itsflavours,designandwarmatmosphere.I alwaysthinkit’sagoodsignwhenlocalsare thronging aplace,andGerbouwasexactly that. Adiningexperiencethatfeltlikethe perfectfinalchapter.

IcametoDubaiexpectingskylinedrama andhigh-octaneglamour.I leftwithsomething unexpected –clarityandcalm.

Ifyouaskmenow,Dubaiisfastbecominga globalwellnesscapital, aplacewhereleading technologymeetsserenity.It’slessabout escapeandmoreaboutfeeling restoredto yourbestself. ■

Theallure of AI investments showsnosignof dimmingthisyear

Mostofthoseintheknowagreeartificialintelligence willcontinuetobeamassivefeaturein2026,with potentiallyhugeupsides,writes SeanPollock

Thespectreofassetbubbles, geopoliticalpolicyshocksand electionsintheUSareamong thekeytrendsinvestmentanalystswill closelymonitorin2026astheartificial intelligenceinvestmentboomcontinuesto gatherpace.

Withglobaleconomicheadwindspersisting, thefocusintheyearaheadwillbeonhowAI optimism,tradefrictionsandevolvingpolitical risksdefineopportunitiesforIrishinvestorsat homeandabroad.

We askedanalystsfromIrishstockbrokers DavyandGoodbody,wealthmanagementfirm Fordel,andUK-basedinvestmentbankBarclays abouttheirpredictionsfor2026.

Thehugeboominartificialintelligence investmentswas adominantinvestmenttheme headingintotheyear.

MostanalystsagreedAIwouldcontinue tobe ahugefeaturewithpotentiallyhuge upsides.

“WeexpectAItobethemostimportant macrofactorin2026,astraditionaldrivers suchasmonetarypolicyandtradepolicy fade,”saidEmmanuelCau,headofEuropean equitystrategyatBarclaysInvestmentBank.

“Thefocusisincreasinglyshiftingfrom puretechnologybuilderstowardcompanies enablingandadoptingAIatscale.”

Therearerealfearsof apotentialAIbubble,

withtechfirms’valuationssoaringinvalue.

Anysubsequentcorrectiontothose valuations,ifprofitsfailtomaterialise,could resultinswingeinglossesforinvestors.

Mostanalystsagreedfearsof abubblewere overblown,butbeingcautiouswaskey.

OliverMoloney,chiefinvestmentofficerwith Fordel,saidinvestorsshouldbecarefulwith areasofthemarketthathavebecomevery expensiveorheavilyconcentrated,particularly someindividualtechnologyandAI-related stocks.

“Whilewedon’tbelievetheoverallmarket isin abubble,sharppullbacksarealways possible,”hesaid.

“Amarketsell-offislikelytobefocusedon thoseareasofthemarketthatareover-valued. We havealreadyseenthisplayoutsomewhat inthesecondhalfof2025.

“AgoodexampleisBitcoin –inourview,a risksentimentbarometer –whichfellby32% betweenOctober 6andNovember21.

“Oracleisanothergoodexampleofan individualAInamethatfellby42%atitsworst inthesecondhalfof2025.”

DudleyShanley,headof researchat Goodbody,believesthebigfocusforglobal equitymarketsin2026isAIandwhetheror notthetechnologyhas resultedin abubblein theequitymarkets.

MrShanleyhashisdoubts.

“Unlikethedot-combubble,theso-called AIhyperscalerssuchasAmazon,Google,Meta andMicrosoftareallgeneratingbothprofits andcashflowtofundtheirAIinvestments,” hesaid.

“Thereisnodoubtthatsomeofthis investmentwillnotdeliverthe returnsexpected intheshortterm,butputtingitalltogether, webelieveitistooearlytocalltheburstingof anAI-relatedbubble.”

MrShanleybelievesanIrish-listedfirmcould benefitfromAI.Thereare markettrendssetto boostotherstoo.

AsidefromAI,whatelsearetheexperts keepinganeyeon?

Trump’stradetariffswereexpectedtopose significantchallengesforEuropeanfirmsover thelastyear.

Sofar,manyofthepredictionsofdoomand gloomhaveyettomaterialise.

Barclays’MrCausaidthemarket reaction suggestedsomeoftheworstfearswere overblown.

“Policyuncertainty remains asourceof volatility,particularlyaroundtariffsand industrialpolicy,”hesaid.

“However,marketshaveturnedthepage ontariffs, reactinglesstoeachheadline, suggestingsomeadjustmenthasalready occurred.”

MrMoloneyagreedthemarketshaveshown theycan“lookthroughpoliticalnoisewhen economicconditionsarestable”.

However,withUSmid-termelections comingup –andtwowarsongoing –politics andgeopoliticswilllikelybetheforcesthat bringaboutvolatility.

“Areassuchasdefence,energyand infrastructurecouldbenefitfrompolicy priorities,whilesectorsthat relyheavilyon globaltrademayfacemoreuncertainty,”Mr Moloneysaid.

Themid-termelectionsintheUSarealsoset tohaveramificationsfarbeyondtheStates.

AidanDonnelly,headofglobalequitiesat Davy,said Trump’sapproachtotheelections

carriesriskforthemarkets.

“Themid-termelectionshappenin November,andwhile Trumpwillwanttolet theeconomyrunhotintothese,inthehope thattheRepublicanscanavoiddefeatinone orbothHousesofCongress,theriskwillbeif thebondmarkettakesfrightandweseeyields movinghigher.

“Thiswouldhave aknock-oneffectto investorsentimentinthestockmarket,but alsotoconsumersentimentintheeconomy.”

Lookingaheadto2026,Diarmaid Sheridan,headof researchatDavy,believes thefundamentalsforIrish-listedbusinesses remainedsupportive.

HenotedtheIrishStockExchangewasup around30%thisyear.

“Keysectorssuchashousebuildingare expectedtobenefitfromsustaineddemand and recentgovernmentinitiativesaimedat addressinghousingsupply,”hesaid.

“Airlines,notably Ryanair,continueto pursueanambitiousgrowthtrajectory,while

thebankingsectoriswellpositionedto maintainsolidperformanceintonextyear.”

OneofthekeytrendsfortheIrishStock Exchangehasbeencompaniesshiftinglistings tothemorelucrativeUSmarkets.

ThelikesofSmurfit Westrock,Flutterand CRHhavedonejustthat,hopingshareprices wouldbenefitthankstovastlygreaterliquidity.

DamianRoddy,headofcapitalmarkets atDavy,saidmorecouldbedonetomake EuronextDublincostcompetitiveand encouragesmallerIPOs.

“Continuedfocuson reducingbarriers toinvestmentandfostering asupportive environmentforlistingswillbekeytoensuring thatIrishbusinessessecureglobalcapital toscaleandgrowintogloballeadersto replicateexistinglistedentitiessuchas Ryanair, KingspanandKerryGroup,”hesaid.

“ThecapitalmarketsecosysteminIreland hassupportedthegrowthandscalingof CRH,SmurfitandFluttertobecomemajor internationalstocks.” ■

my day

John-FrancisCollins Salesmanager,3TPower

6.30am

Iwakeupwiththechildren. With anearlytwoyear-oldsonand athree-month-olddaughter themorningsarebusyandchaoticinthebest way.Betweenchasingthechildrenabout Itake aquicklookatmydiarytoplanmydayand checkmymeetingsas Itypicallyhave amixture ofcallsandin-personmeetingsthroughout theday.

8am

IfI’mworkingfromhome,I’lldothenursery runandgrab acoffeefrommyfavourite drive-throughspot,UppercutCoffeein Coalisland.Ifit’sanofficeday,I’llhitthe road to3TPower’sheadquartersinOmagh.Some daysare spentdoingoff-sitemeetingsorvisits whichcouldtakemetoSMEsandbusinesses acrossNorther nIrelandwhoarepoweredby renewableelectricityfrom3TPower.These includecouncils,manufacturingcompanies, sportingfacilities,bakeries,hotelsandmore. Thediversityofourclientbasemeansnosite visitsarethesame.

9am

Thephoneisusuallyringingfromabout8am, butwhen IgettomydeskI’llcheckemailsand make aplanfortheday,respondingtoany customerqueriesthatmayhavecomethrough

sinceloggingoff. Ilikeclosingoffasmany queriesas IcanbeforeIgetstuckintomy dayasithelpstostartthedayoffwithsome momentum.

10am

Itrytokeepmeetingstothemorning,sowill usuallyhave acouplehoursofcallsorfaceto facecatchupswithexistingandprospective customers,stakeholders,orevenour marketingorfinanceteamsbeforelunch.

1pm

Lunchcanvarydependingonwhetherit’s anofficeorworkfromhomedayorI’mon the road. Itrytoeataswellas Icanwhen timeallows,butwhenjumpingbetweena busymeetingscheduleormultiplesitevisits oftenlunchis aquicksandwichorsomething convenientonthe road.

2pm

We areinaperiodofsignificantgrowthfor 3TPoweronboththegenerationsideand throughourgrowingbaseofcustomers. Asignificantamountofmytimeisspent developingclientproposals,workingwith themtounderstandtheirbusiness’sunique energy requirementsandsustainability objectives,andworkingontenders. Itry

toblockmyafternoonsoutforbusiness developmentworkaswellasspendingsome timecoldcallingandprospecting;thesearethe basistosalesandcansometimesbeforgotten about.

5pm

Itendtofinishuptheworkdaywith alastminutepricingorcontracttobegeneratedand areviewofthemarketforthatday.Ialsolike todo arecapofsalesandquotesandnoteany follow-ups requiredtomorrow.

5.30pm

Thispartofthedayis reservedforfamilytime. With atoddler,aninfantandtwoadultsin thehousethereare multiplemealtimes,bath times,andbedtimes,soit’sajuggletokeepto everyone’sroutine.

8pm.

Oncethekidsaretuckedupinbedit’sfinally timeto relax. Typicallymywifeand Iwillhave acatchupontheday’shighlightsandmake plansforthenextdayortheweekendahead. Sometimeswe’llshareacheekydessertwhile catchingthelatestepisodeof ashowbefore goingtobed.Sleepispreciousforuswith anewbor ninthehousesothedaysoflate nightsandlie-insarewellandtrulyover. ■