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Newry Junior Chamber will be hosting their annual event ‘April Fools But NO Fool in Business’ on Friday 31st March from 7.30am-9am in MJM Group, Carnbane Business Park, Newry.
This year, the NJC have secured two inspiring speakers, Gary Cranney, Associate Director at Haldane Fisher and Liam White, Director at Philip White Tyres.
Gary began his career as a trainee just out of school with the company back in 1979 when they were named Haldane Shiells. Over the years as his skills developed, Gary worked within various roles at the company including stores, counter sales, lorry loading, yard supervision, sawmill manager, buyer, sales rep, operations manager until he moved into his current role as associate director. From Philip White Tyres we will be hearing from Director Liam White about this family run business and how it was built to the success story it is today.
Come along for a morning of networking, breakfast and to hear more about the achievement of both businesses Haldane Fisher and Philip White Tyres.
Guests will also hear some information about Newry Junior Chamber and the benefits of becoming a member. Tickets are available Free to NJC Members and for a small fee of £5 to non-members. Numbers are limited for the event so book early to avoid disappointment via www.eventbrite.co.uk
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A business breakfast hosted by First Trust Bank in association with Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade has heard how Brexit Represents a ‘Clear and Present Danger’ to NI Economy.
The impending Brexit negotiations and the potential implications of changes in current trade structures, were the topics of discussion by local businesses in the Newry area at the event.
John Fahey, a Senior Economist at AIB provided an economic overview and insight which made it clear that a hard Brexit was most likely and that if that was to be the case, it would represent a clear and present danger for both the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland economies. He suggested that Northern Ireland risked being more isolated from Europe and increasingly dependent on the UK export market, which itself could be damaged in the short to medium term by Brexit, as any new trading arrangements would take some time to put in place.
He identified key sectors such as agri-food, manufacturing, tourism, and energy as being particularly vulnerable to the implications of a hard Brexit. While he noted the short term benefits in cross-border trade due to the weakened sterling and the potential for some RoI businesses to consider moving north to secure access to UK markets, he believed that NI would on balance be negatively impacted by a hard Brexit. He pointed to the loss of access to EU structural funds and other EU funding, the likelihood of NI being less attractive for foreign direct investment and the potential damage caused by any disruption and increased costs to trade as the main factors.
At the event, Johnny Hanna, Senior partner at audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG, also shared his thoughts on how businesses can navigate through the ongoing uncertainty and prepare themselves for the changes ahead.
Speaking at the business breakfast which was held in the Newry Conference & Banqueting Centre, Stephen Comer, First Trust Bank said; “While the economic forecast is for Northern Ireland to avoid recession in 2017 as consumers continue to provide support for economic growth, the key issue for both businesses and policy makers remains whether our strengths are sufficient to navigate the unchartered waters brought about by Brexit. We have particular reasons to be worried here in Northern Ireland and indeed on the island of Ireland. Against this backdrop of uncertainty, it is important that we bring as much clarity to the concerns of businesses as possible, so we can try and mitigate against the risks and help identify any opportunities that may be presented. We found the debate today very helpful and we will use the discussions and feedback to reinforce our planning and our ability to best support our customers as we navigate the months and years ahead.”
President Michael McKeown of Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade commented “With the looming uncertainty and challenges ahead, Newry Chamber is committed to informing, educating and representing businesses on the ground to navigate the unchartered waters ahead”.
First Trust Bank hosted a series of regional business Brexit events which also included events in Dungannon and Derry/Londonderry.
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Jane McAteer, from Newry, has celebrated success at the Ulster University Business School. A Student on the BSc (Hons) Business Studies degree course, Jane has won the Londonderry Junior Chamber for Industrial Practice prize for being the best placement student.
The award was presented by Catriona Donnelly from sponsors Londonderry Junior Chamber of Commerce at the annual Ulster University Business Schools’ student awards organised by the Department of International Business at the Magee campus.
Speaking at the Awards ceremony, Dr Lisa Bradley, Head of Department said, “These Awards recognise the top performers across the range of Business, Marketing and Accounting related programmes. These students have demonstrated academic excellence, innovative practice and critical thinking in their subject areas, preparing them well for graduate employment and helping address the skills gap in Northern Ireland. They are excellent ambassadors for the Ulster University Business School at Magee and we wish them every success in the future.”
A total of eleven employer sponsored awards were presented. Sponsors included, Schivo Group; McDaid, McCullagh & Moore; Peninsula; Londonderry Junior Chamber of Commerce; CIMA; Bank of Ireland/Diageo; Derry and Strabane District Council; and Anderson Spratt.
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Business owners from across the Newry and Mourne area who run a small fleet of vehicles or have employees who drive for the company are being urged attend a “How to manage your road risk” Seminar which will be held on Tuesday 14th March 2017 in the Canal Court Hotel.
The seminar will include presentations from leading industry figures. These will include what are your legal requirements, best practice in how to manage your vehicles and drivers and what to do if you have an incident.
The seminar is being hosted by the Road Safe NI Newry and Mourne Committee in association with Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade.
Patricia O’Neill from the Newry Committee said “It is estimated that up to 1/3 of those killed or seriously injured on the road each year are driving for work at the time of the incident. All companies have to comply with road risk legislation, so our aim is to educate business owners and provide useful resources to creating Driver and Vehicle policies.
“Similar fleet risk seminars have been held in other parts of Northern Ireland in recent years, but this is the first time such a seminar has come to Newry. This is exactly why we set up a local road safety committee last year and is just one of a series of events we will run this year. We focus our activity on vulnerable road users and major road collision causation factors.
Mary Meehan, Chief Executive of the Newry Chamber of Commerce and Trade, said “We are delighted to be working with the Road Safe NI Newry committee. Occupational Road Risk is a worry for our members and we are confident anyone who attends the event, will be better informed about how to manage their vehicles and drivers.
The seminar runs from 8.30am until 10.30am. Breakfast is provided and the event is free to attend. As places are limited, early booking is recommended. Please email info@roadsafeni.com for more information and to reserve your place.
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Marks and Spencer will open its brand new store in The Quays Shopping Centre in Newry later this year.
Commenting on the announcement, Parker Green’s Managing Director, Dr Gerard O’Hare said: “We are delighted to welcome Marks & Spencer to the Quays Shopping Complex which is already home to some of the UK and Ireland’s most prestigious retail brands.
“This latest 20 million pound investment will create many new jobs both during construction and when operational, provide our loyal customers with the highest quality of choice and reinforce that both the Quays Complex and Newry City Centre remains as the premier location for retail.”
Located in Buttercrane Shopping Centre at present, the M&S Newry store will relocate to newly built premises opposite the existing Quays Shopping Centre. The move is expected to create new job opportunities in addition to the 110 current employees who will all relocate to the new store.The new 30,000 sq. ft. store will offer customers quality M&S clothing and homeware, with a Foodhall that stocks over 5,000 food and drink products.The relocation means that customers will benefit from ample convenient and accessible car parking and extended opening hours.
The store will continue to offer the popular Collect in Store and Food to Order services. Collect in Store enables customers to shop online and collect their purchase in store the very next day. Food to Order offers customers great options for entertaining – from party platters to luxurious finger foods and sandwiches.
Siobhan Ruck, M&S Newry Store Manager said: “We’re always thinking about how we can deliver great service for our customers. In Newry this means relocating to The Quays which will provide our customers with more convenient, accessible car parking and extended opening hours. “All colleagues from our existing Newry store will transfer to the new store and we know they’ll continue to bring their passion, experience and dedication to serving local customers. “As a local girl, I am committed to working with residents and customers to make a difference locally and am keen to continue to work in partnership with local businesses to deliver a vibrant shopping experience at our new store.”
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Newry Business Improvement District is delighted to announce that they have recently commenced a partnership with The Welcome People to appoint a BID Ambassador for Newry City Centre. The Welcome People who already operate in 22 other cities and towns across the UK including providing 4 ambassadors for the Belfast One BID.
Mr Eamonn Connolly, BID Manager stated we are delighted to be working with The Welcome People. We particularly look forward to seeing our new BID Ambassador, Nicole McAteer, contributing to the BID Teams work in supporting members. The BID Ambassador will be the eyes and ears of the BID. Nicole will assist the BID team on a range of issues so that collectively we can ensure that Newry is the best it can be for businesses, shoppers and visitors to the City Centre. Nicole will be able to log and track members issues on The Welcome Peoples’ bespoke I.T. system through a hand held GPS PDA. This information, combined with the other evidenced based data being collected by The BID, will help to support efforts to secure more targeted support for Newry City Centre.
Our BID Ambassador will also provide information and a welcoming service for visitors, workers and residents. This will help to promote the City centre to visitors, signpost them to parking, cultural activities and locations, tourist attractions, shopping areas, places of interest and events, in order to make every visit to Newry City a pleasant and memorable experience.
The BID is establishing partnerships with various bodies including Council’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership and local PSNI Neighbourhood Policing Team, to highlight and seek to resolve issues that cause concern for businesses. These include parking, graffiti, illegal street trading, faulty street lights, broken pavements and anti-social behaviour. The Ambassadors ability to log and track these concerns with evidenced back-up will expedite solutions for members.
The BID Manager concluded that Nicole will be instantly recognisable by the trilby hat, huge smile and most importantly will be happy to help wherever she can. Currently undergoing training, Nicole will be taking to the streets in the coming weeks. The BID Team is delighted to welcome Nicole on board and when you see her out and about please say hello…..
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Twelve leading European journalists representing national newspapers such as Spanish newspaper ‘El Pais’ and French newspaper ‘Le Figaro’, met with representatives of Newry Chamber of Commerce at a press conference organised on Thursday 16th February by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Newry Chamber along with representatives of other regional Chambers, spoke very frankly and openly on the serious implications of Brexit for the border region and the Island of Ireland as a whole.
President of Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade, Michael McKeown welcomed the platform to let the business voice heard on a European level. He said “We are now at a very serious juncture where we need to let our European counterparts hear how the business community here could be affected. The economic transformation of the Newry region will be put at risk. Over the last 25 years, the Newry business community has taken advantage of the dissolution of the border as a barrier to the movement of goods and people – growing world beating, locally owned, innovative companies now employing thousands and making an enormous contribution to the NI economy”.
Dr. Conor Patterson also representing Newry Chamber made a very earnest plea on behalf of the business community for bespoke arrangements. He said “Our geographic situation, economic structure, as well as the political settlement as laid down in the Good Friday Agreement and St Andrews Agreement, mean that bespoke arrangements are essential”.
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Newry based business PKF-FPM held their Annual Leadership Talk yesterday in Belfast. The event was part of the 2017 MLM Management Month initiative, in association with the Ulster University Business School held at the Belfast Campus.
“Back yourself, believe in yourself, believe in your idea.” These are just some of the thoughts shared with business leaders by Cpl Resources plc Chief Executive, Anne Heraty, as keynote speaker at the talk.
Originally from County Longford, and now based in Dublin, Anne Heraty began her career in Xerox where she was one of Ireland’s first telesales workers. A move to Grafton Recruitment began a 30 year career in this sector and the creation of the now international company Cpl Resources plc.
Anne co-founded Computer Placement Ltd in 1989 with the aim of placing people in IT companies starting up businesses in Ireland. Three years later she was the 100% shareholder and by 1999 CPL Resources plc began trading on both the Irish and London Stock Exchanges. Today the company provides recruitment, staffing and outsourcing services through an international network of 32 offices across nine countries.
During the one hour conversation with broadcaster Gerry Kelly, Anne’s passion for business aligned to a clear set of values was evident as she traced her career from telesales to becoming the first female Chief Executive of an Irish company to float on the stock exchange. “Have no fear of failure. Success and failure are two sides of the same coin,” says Anne. “Both are just experiences and each set different challenges for you.”
Anne’s success in the business world has also been widely recognised by a raft of prestigious awards including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2006), Business & Finance Business Person of the Year (2014) and Image Business Woman of the Year (2015). In September 2016 she was elected the President of IBEC, the group that represents Irish business.
Speaking at the event, which attracted a capacity audience, PKF-FPM Accountant’s Managing Director, Feargal McCormack, stated that Anne’s approach to leadership underpinned by values of honesty, respect and accountability was truly inspirational. “Anne Heraty is a role model in so many ways and a person who has quietly and very effectively made a significant mark on Ireland’s economic landscape.”
Professor Mark Durkin, Executive Dean of the Ulster University Business School, said, “We were delighted to work with Professor Feargal McCormack and his team at PKF-FPM in organising the now very well established Annual Leadership Talk. As a Business School that is committed to nurturing both knowledge and skills in business, management and leadership the key dimension that enables that foundation to really add value in business is entrepreneurial thinking and action. Anne demonstrated that entrepreneurial flair hugely in her talk and it was an honour to welcome such a ground-breaking figure as Anne Heraty, to share with us her thoughts on leadership.”
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Newry's First Derivatives have formed a partnership with BGF, the UK’s leading investor in small and mid-sized companies.
The partnership will identify, support and grow entrepreneurial companies to develop services standardised on FD’s world-leading Kx technology. BGF provided £387m in funding to UK smaller and mid-sized companies in 2016, up from £257m the previous year, making the last 12 months its most successful to date.
Brian Conlon, founder and CEO of FD: “We have long since recognised the power and scalability of Kx. Having transformed areas of the financial markets, we are extremely excited about working with entrepreneurs, scientists, creatives and technologists in other fields to apply the technology into new areas.
“This is our first strategic partnership with an investment company. We wanted a patient partner that could provide long-term funding so that earlier stage innovations have the opportunity to reach their full potential. We share BGF’s passion for supporting the growth of British businesses, and are delighted to be working with them.”
The partnership will combine access to FD’s technology and support with access to BGF’s £2.5bn balance sheet and network of board level executives. The aim is to turn bright ideas into disruptive companies in some of the most exciting sectors of the economy.
Over the course of the last year FD has received increasing numbers of requests from established, start-up and scale up firms as well as researchers and incubators at academic institutions interested in understanding how Kx – FD’s ultra-high performance technology platform for the processing of real-time, streaming and historical data – could help them solve problems, build a business or even unlock entirely new markets.
These companies, working in areas as diverse as smart meters, personalised medicine, genome research and the interpretation of satellite data, have helped underscore the relevance of Kx to markets far removed from the financial services arena, where Kx has established a market-leading position.
In financial services, FD’s Kx technology, which analyses vast amounts of data and provides real-time insight to those analysing that data, has delivered orders-of-magnitude improvements across the capital markets and counts 19 of the top 20 global investment banks as customers.
Recognising the potential for Kx to disrupt markets beyond financial services, FD has already made moves to apply the technology to companies in the digital marketing, retail analytics and utilities sectors. Now, as an extension of those efforts, the partnership enables FD and BGF to support the growth of some of Britain’s most innovative, exciting technology businesses: advising, assisting and investing in those firms as they adopt Kx technology to achieve their ambitions. Target areas include cyber security, AI, blockchain, robotics, nanotechnology, life sciences, neurology and machine learning.
Stephen Welton, founding CEO of BGF said: “Taking a proven technology that has successfully disrupted one market and developing this for other markets is innovation in its truest sense.
“FD is a fantastic story of entrepreneurial success. The aim of this partnership is to create a multiplier effect around the Kx technology and support the growth of more businesses by providing access to knowledge, people and funding in a commercially sustainable way.”
Under the terms of the partnership, FD and BGF will work together to assess opportunities and support the growth of successful applicant companies. FD will provide resources and operational expertise for product innovation and development, while BGF will provide access to its extensive balance sheet and support network. The partnership will further extend BGF’s reach into earlier stage businesses, following the launch of BGF Ventures in 2015.
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