BREAKING NEWS..........
Arts sector buoyed by Belfast Harbour support
Ahead of Culture Night Belfast, Northern Ireland’s largest cultural event, (Friday, 21st September), its principal corporate sponsor, Belfast Harbour, has revealed that it has provided £70,000 to local arts organisations this year. Pictured at a drop-in arts programme at The Black Box is Jenni Barkley, Belfast Harbour’s Communications and Corporate Responsibility Manager. The funding comes […]
Roe Park Says ‘I Do’ to Wedding Investment
The four-star Roe Park Resort in Limavady is investing £500,000 in its award-winning facilities in response to growing demand for its range of wedding and event services. This follows a recent £1million investment in the transformation of its 18-hole parkland golf course. Already well-established as an event, conference and wedding venue, the investment in the […]
Tourism NI hosts event showcasing the best of Northern Ireland to coach and group tour operators
Over 40 influential coach and group tour operators from across the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England were recently hosted in Belfast as part of the annual Coach and Group Workshop facilitated by Tourism NI in partnership with Tourism Ireland. The Coach and Group Tour Operators Workshop, held this year at Belfast Cathedral, is […]
CBI NI MSB Business Insight Conference aims to boost local productivity agenda
Local business leaders gathered on Thursday and Friday at the Slieve Donard Resort, County Down for the annual CBI NI MSB Business Insight Conference. Challenged to address Northern Ireland’s lagging productivity levels, business leaders are being tasked to look inside their own organisations to say what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to […]
Leonie Oliva, Heritage-led regeneration specialist to headline event in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough
Leonie Oliva, one of the UK’s foremost experts on heritage-led regeneration is to speak at an event organised by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council to lay out its strategic vision and plans. Leonie Oliva, an author of Heritage Works, a report considered an authority on heritage regeneration, will address an audience at Armagh […]
Get funding of up to 50% towards the salary of your next sales person with the InterTradeIreland Acumen Programme
Colm Gribben (pictured) remembers very clearly his first project in the Republic of Ireland. His company Viltra, based in Newry, was tasked with solving the waste water problems for the new visitor centre at Fanad lighthouse in Donegal. It turned out to be a crucial juncture for the business when he learned about the InterTradeIreland […]
FEATURE ARTICLES..........
Mazda MX5 Just Got better
by Ian Beasant, Business First Motoring Correspondent The Mazda Mx5 is one of the best if not the best sports car on the road. The MX5 continues to outshine many more expensive Sports cars, and the secret for me as a simplicity that has evolved over the years but never has gone away. On the […]
Former MLA Dawn Purvis announced as new Chair of HIV Charity, Positive Life
Dawn Purvis has been announced as the new chairperson of Northern Ireland’s only dedicated HIV charity, Positive Life. The former MLA takes up the post after serving on the board of Positive Life for several years. She replaces Colum Conway who has been appointed as head of Social Work England. Approximately 100 new cases of […]
GLL boosts management team with new appointments
Social enterprise GLL has made a number of senior appointments to its Better team in Belfast. The not for profit organisation works in partnership with Belfast City Council to run its entire leisure operation across 14 leisure centres in the city under the ‘Better’ brand. It has appointed three new General Managers and a new […]
Northern Ireland tech visionary Colin Reid joins board of Analytics Engines
Colin Reid, the CEO who led TotalMobile to a successful exit and a past winner of the British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association NI’s ‘CEO of the Year’, has been appointed to the board of leading data analytics firm Analytics Engines. Colin Reid, who served as CEO of Consilium – later rebranded as TotalMobile […]
Choice Housing celebrates 35th Anniversary with £800k upgrade
Friends and family recently joined residents and staff from Choice Housing to mark the 35th anniversary of Elm Court, a sheltered living scheme located in the heart of Belfast. Opened in 1994 by then MP Chris Patten, Elm Court is comprised of 48 self- contained apartments. This includes; 25 single bedroom apartments, 13 double bedroom […]
Milesian Manor launches Dementia Café
People living with Dementia in Northern Ireland are to benefit from a new Dementia Café which will take place monthly at ‘Lifestyle Care Home’, Milesian Manor. In partnership with Dementia NI and the Mid-Ulster Council, the café is launching on Thursday 20th September ahead of World Alzheimer’s Day (Friday 21st September). This unique offering will […]
THOUGHT LEADERS..........
Rocketing fuel prices – how to tackle rising fuel costs without compromising on employee mobility
Mark Maguire, Northern Ireland Sales Manager for Europcar UK offers advice to fleet managers in the wake of pump prices soaring. Prices at the pumps reached a four-year high according to the latest figures from the RAC. August 2018 saw yet another increase, with the average cost of unleaded petrol going up 1.65p to 130.59p […]
Collaboration is key to Derry’s economic growth
Strong collaboration is fuelling Derry’s economic growth and will play a critical role in the future prosperity of the North West region, according to Jennifer McKeever, President of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce. The benefit of key stakeholders working closely together was showcased perfectly at the city’s first Regional Economic Summit which took place in […]
The public sector can lead the way for digital transformation – if we listen to what people really want
Everyone knows the old mantra that ‘the customer is always right’. Of course, most people also know that the customer isn’t always right – but the broader point still stands that if you’re providing someone with a service then you should be listening to and serving their needs, not dictating them, says Patrick Stephenson, Fujitsu. As services become increasingly […]
Get a Property Lawyer, You Need One For Investment Deals
This article is not aimed at stating the obvious fact that lawyers are very important in, perhaps, every type and aspect of business. Lawyers study and understand the law and work hard to enforce it or exploit weaknesses as situations may warrant. They fiercely defend the interest of their clients. If you are interested in […]
5 Cool WordPress Website Ideas To Start Your Own Platform
Building a new WordPress website is an exciting endeavor. You have the opportunity to create your own presence online and become one of the most influential sites online. Whether you are creating this website for a class or for your own ambitions, a WordPress website has endless possibilities. This is your chance to make something […]
Future Screens NI to generate over £6 billion and create 3000
Cross sector creative partnership, Future Screens NI – a collaboration between Ulster University, Queen’s University Belfast and local industry partners – announces £13 million investment to secure the future of the creative industries in Northern Ireland. Professor Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, Professor Paddy Nixon, Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University are pictured with […]
MOVERS & SHAKERS...
fscom has appointed Elaine Tighe as Head of Marketing
Elaine Tighe has over 17 years’ experience working as a marketing and business development professional in the B2B marketplace in the UK and Ireland. Elaine will be responsible for developing and implementing the marketing strategy for fscom.
Jago Grows Award-Winning Team appointing Victoria Nicol as Director
Belfast-based national and international communications and PR practice, Jago, has added to its senior team with the appointment of Victoria Nicol as a Director, as part of its continued growth. Victoria Nicol has joined the multi-award-winning practice, bringing over 8 years of ‘Big 4’ management consultancy experience gained in senior roles on major transformation programmes […]
Bernard Branagan, Branagan Construction Limited: 40under40 Profile
Bernard Branagan – Partner, Father of 3 and Owner & Director of Branagan Construction Limited (BCL). Self employed at the age of just 18 with just GCSE’S behind him, Bernard has grown BCL to what it is today. Highly driven, opportunistic, ambitious, determined are just a few words to describe Bernard. BCL are an experienced […]
Aideen Duggan, Keenan Healthcare: 40under40 Profile
Aideen Duggan is the Founder and Director of Keenan Healthcare – a top tier, multi-award winning Employment and Recruitment Agency in Belfast. Until December 2017 Keenan Healthcare sourced temporary Qualified Social Workers, Allied Health Professionals and Support Worker’s for the NHS. Since January 2018, winning another 3 contracts with the NHS, doubling business, they now […]
Tina McKenzie seals the deal as Grafton Recruitment joins the Staffline Group
Tina McKenzie has led the largest acquisition of a recruitment business in Ireland, with the £80m turnover business Grafton Recruitment joining Staffline Group’s portfolio. Staffline Group plc is a leading outsource company providing Recruitment, Training & HR services to both Government and commercial customers. Staffline has acquired Grafton’s Recruitment and HR businesses in Northern Ireland […]
Morrow Communications grows Design Team
Morrow Communications has expanded its Design Team once again welcoming both Claire Ball and Matthew Roddy to the team. Clare Ball has been appointed Senior Graphic Designer. Claire works closely with clients to develop creative solutions for print and digital formats. As well as graphic and web design, Claire develops brands, creates event exhibition materials and […]
FAMILY BUSINESS..........
Could Your Business Become Insolvent? Here are The Warning Signs
It is not uncommon for a business to take on debt. There are a number of scenarios in which taking on new debt, on either a short or long-term basis, can ultimately be advantageous for a business. But it is important that business leaders keep an eye on their debts and obligations and ensure that […]
Getting The Most From Google Optimize
You’ve hopefully heard of Google Optimize by now, Google’s integrated tool for User Experience testing. There is more to Google Optimize than simply creating and running tests however, and we’re here to help you get the most out of using Google Optimize. Here are three Google Optimise features that you might not have been aware […]
How to Speed up Your Product Delivery Process
The speed at which you get your products off your shelves and into the possession of your customers has a huge impact on your chances of making money going forward — in fact; it has the ability to make or break your business’s chances of continuing to trade whatsoever. Quite simply, when you deliver with […]
4 Easy Ways To Market Your Business
For any business owner, being able to market your business effectively is an important element in seeing your business grow and expand for the better. If you are a start-up and are just beginning your business journey, ensuring you have developed your marketing strategy is a vital component to give your business the best chance […]
Best practice for preventing an accident at work
Whatever your job, working hours or days, working life can often become a monotonous routine. Every person around you at work is busy going about their own tasks for the day and it can be easy to become complacent. As you become more skilled, experienced and quicker at your role you might start to feel […]
Small Business SEO- A Beginner’s Guide
Nowadays, it is common to heed numerous new exhortation and acronyms being thrown around when it comes to online marketing. SEO (search Engine Optimisation) is one among the most common and admired terms to understand the online marketing. As the term Search Engine Optimisation suggests, it means optimizing the rank your business website that it […]
HR ADVICE & IDEAS.....
The Effects of Bullying in the Workplace
With work being a such a huge part of our daily lives, it is important to find a job that makes you feel happy and satisfied. There is nothing worse than that sinking feeling on a Sunday night when you dread going to work, particularly if you work in a negative environment. Over time, it […]
Three ways to keep your staff happy
Running a small business is never easy, no matter how well you’re doing with clients and turning profits. There’s so much that’s constantly evolving and changing, so many challenges that seem to be never-ending. For many entrepreneurs, that’s the reason they do it – they like the stimulation and the pressure of getting things right […]
Bridging employee wellbeing health and productivity: Willis Employment Services
Colin Willis, Employee Benefits Director Willis Employment Services, explains the importance of closing the gap between the wellbeing of employees and organisational productivity. Bridging health and productivity within an organisation is essential in ensuring a healthy and successful workforce. Therefore, many companies are working to create and implement wellbeing programmes to help their employees maintain […]
5 Ways to Boost Office Efficiency
We all want to get the most from our employees. There are plenty of bombastic perks out there to motivate your team, but sometimes it is the simple things that can increase productivity and get everyone working more efficiently. If you’re looking for ideas to give everyone a boost, here are some to try out […]
Top 5 workplace benefits and how they affect staff morale
Employee morale is based on the views and opinions of those people who work for you, how they feel about the environment in which they work in and their overall level of satisfaction. It has a huge effect on engagement, productivity and retention. With high levels of morale throughout a workforce, satisfaction will rise but […]
5 Ways to implement learning at work
To show up every day being the best version of yourself is a journey of ongoing improvement, marginal gains which you achieve every day, says Royston Guest. Asking the questions; what have I learnt new today? Or more specifically, what have I learnt new today which is going to help me to be even better […]
