Write a comment
Ongoing concerns about the future of some jobs at Teleperformance in Newry has led SDLP Assembly Member for Newry and Armagh Dominic Bradley MLA to seek an urgent meeting with Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster.
Mr Bradley explained, 'over recent days I have been contacted by staff within Teleperfomrace at the Quays in Newry expressing concerns for their jobs in at the Contact Centre in Newry. I understand that one of the companies clients, Samsung have opted to move their contact centre operation elsewhere.'
'In informing staff of the move, Teleperformance have given assurances that every effort is being made to redeploy staff to other work within the company, yet there still remains a lot of anxiety and concern among the workforce. I have raised the issue with the Chair of the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee at Stormont and it will be raised at today's committee meeting. I have also spoken directly with the Chief Executive of Invest Northern Ireland who is working with Teleperformance and he has assured me that Invest will conrtune to work with the company to ensure all current staff are retained within the company.'
'The contact centre market is by its very nature a constantly changing environment and I want to see Invest Northern Ireland and indeed the Department of Enterprise work with the sector, particularly in places such as Newry to ensure the sector is getting all the support possible to ensure jobs are retained here. Invest and the Northern Ireland Executive are working hard to attract inward investment in this sector and other back office support services, and I want to see Newry and Armagh benefiting from that investment.' '
'I have written to Minister Arlene Foster and asked for an urgent meeting to discuss the Teleperformance jobs and what support her and her department can offer the sector locally to ensure these jobs are retained in Newry and that more jobs are promoted and delivered for Newry and Armagh.'
Write a comment
Over forty local business people attended the Newry Chamber of Commerce "Fit for Business" networking event in the Well Fit Café at Greenbank, Newry recently.
Tom Hughes from the Well Fit Café offered delegates advice on good nutrition and eating a balanced diet.
Colm McCann from Crossfit Newry advised on how to keep active even with a busy schedule and Mary Doran from Health Matters advised on how to effectively deal with and manage stress.
Delegates were provided with free blood pressure tests and cholesterol checks from Health Matters and BMI and body fat readings from Curves Newry. Exhibitors at the event included Harvest Health Store and Curves Newry.
Write a comment
If you are between 18 and 29 and you are thinking of starting a business or have an idea you would love to explore but might need a little help to get to the next stage then this is for you and its FREE.
The Hub Newry is hosting an Ideation Camp through The Bright Ideas Programme in partnership with Brilliant Red Consulting on the 4th of March 2014 from 6pm to 9.30pm.
The aim of the Ideation Camp is to help participants experience and develop skills that can increase the relevance, scale and impact of their business ideas and then follow through onto the Bright Ideas Programme which will give them access to specialist mentors in their industries. The camp will follow the thought process which successful ideators, innovators and entrepreneurs have used around the world. Participants will be given the opportunity to work together on real life challenges and problems through case studies, which will illustrate a situation which could be improved through business venture and social innovation solution. All together this will help to develop the business idea and innovation skills of the participant.
The programme is free and is open to anyone with a business idea aged between 18-29 years old.
For more information and booking see www.eventbrite.co.uk or www.thehubnewry.com
Write a comment
Mervyn Storey MLA, Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Education Committee officially launched the newly revamped local careers website C.O.I.N. (Careers Opportunity in Newry) in the MJM Interior Build yesterday with many representatives from Schools and Businesses there.
COIN is an exciting and innovative website targeted at providing information on career paths and opportunities within the local job market. It features videos of 150 local employees across a range of business sectors describing their careers and job roles. With recent funding secured from SELB under the CEIAG STEM Programme, the new site features STEM companies, such as Norbrook, MJM Interior Build, BE Aerospace, McAllister Bros, REGEN and Daisy Hill Hospital.
COIN will be promoted through the local post primary school network as a key tool in providing careers advice and guidance. The website is mobile enabled to allow users to access the site anytime, anywhere and on any mobile device.
COIN was delivered by Newry & Mourne Labour & Education Forum; the Forum which comprises of representatives from the local business community and the education sector is managed by Newry Chamber of Commerce. Speaking at the event, Forum Chairperson, Peter Murray stated, ‘We, in the Forum are delighted to deliver this valuable career’s resource for our young people. The online interviews with local employees provides users with a unique insight into real life career choices and experiences; and will help our young people make informed decisions about their future career paths’.
The COIN website address is www.newrycareers.com
Write a comment
A night that promises to be one of the most entertaining business networking events held in Newry this year takes place at the Canal Court Hotel at 7pm on the 2nd of April.
Newry Chamber of Commerce, Davys Stockbrokers and First Derivatives have organised the evening of money spinning on the global markets.
Teams of four will be pitched against each other as they play the stock market game. Specially filmed and televised news bulletins reporting on global events will provide the perfect backdrop for teams to make decisions on simulated stocks and shares – will you buy or will you sell??
President Deborah Loughran said, 'we are delighted to be partnering Davy Stockbrokers and First Derivatives to host this unique and exciting 'Night on the Trading Floor.' Whether you have an interest in the stock exchange and global markets or just have a competitive streak this event will provide an insight into how world events can influence market trends and fluctuations. It will certainly be a fun way to test your decision making skills as you and your team decide when and where to invest. This event is open to Chamber and non Chamber members.'
Frank O’Connor, speaking on behalf of First Derivatives stated,‘we are delighted to support Newry Chamber in hosting this event. First Derivatives works closely with leading global financial institutions to enable systems to cope with the demands of high volume, complex trading. This event provides local businesses with the opportunity to play the stock market in an enjoyable evening of entertainment.’
Prizes will be awarded for teams making the most profit from their transactions in this unique, interactive evening of networking and healthy competition between local businesses. A team of 4 costs £75 or £20pp (includes a three course meal). This event will be hosted by Davys Stockbrokers and is sponsored by First Derivatives. Numbers are strictly limited. Reserve your place now to avoid disappointment. Contact Newry Chamber: 028 3025 0303; email info@newrychamber.com
Write a comment
Al Forno a new eaterie recently opened by husband and wife team Sharon and Gjibo Mula on Francis Street in Newry, joins their portfolio of established restaurants in Newcastle (Vila Vinci) and Portadown (Zio). The new outlet employs 12 local staff.
Director Sharon Mula said the city was one she had always earmarked for a restaurant. “I’ve always wanted to open a restaurant in Newry – for meit has always had a great buzz about it and we’re delighted that BestProperty secured this location for us. It’s a very social town and it has a great dining out culture so for us it an ideal city for Al Forno.
“We’ve been really pleased with how things are going for only opening a few weeks with busy weekends and booked out Saturdays so that’s a great indication that Newry was the right move for us,” Sharon adds.
Congratulating the couple Daragh Mallon, Commercial Surveyor Best Property Services said “This letting was one of several transactions in the first quarter of 2014 which demonstrates confidence in the city as a good location for businesses which is a very welcome shift in market attitude.”
Write a comment
Family businesses from the Newry and Mourne area can now access a new business support programme designed to increase the sustainability and survival rate of family run businesses in the South East Economic Development (SEED) region in Northern Ireland.
The Family Business Programme is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.
In Northern Ireland 74% of companies are family run, predominantly small companies employing less than 10 people, and they represent an extremely important core of the local economy.
Beyond the everyday issues of managing any business, which the programme will help with, family businesses face increasingly complex issues that affect not only the future of the business itself, but also that of its owners, their family and their employees. Always, the owner must reconcile their own and their family’s aspirations with the commercial goals of the company.
With only 3.2% of family businesses surviving beyond the third generation (BDO Report, The Contribution of Family Businesses in Northern Ireland, 2012), one of the biggest risks facing any family-owned business is the transition from one generation to the next. To manage this transition successfully companies need to explore options and to be open to challenge.
Firms that survive a change of ownership are usually those that have developed good plans, outlining how the succession will take place and what criteria will be used to judge when the successor is ready to take over the reins. Under this programme it is intended that an appointed business mentor - through providing relevant support along with a robust challenge function - will be to assist the family / family business to develop an agreed forward plan, which may need to address a range of business improvement / development issues, including succession.
When a family business is handed over to the next generation, this is the time when the survival of the business is at its most critical. Where there is a change of ownership of a family business, it is those businesses that have developed good plans that have the best chance of success.
Feedback from members of the Down District Council ‘Beyond’ business support programme and from other SEED councils’ Economic Development Departments has shown that a very significant proportion of the local businesses are family owned. These businesses have indicated they have concerns that they have no succession plan in place beyond the current generation of owners. There is a need and an appetite amongst businesses in both Down district and across the SEED region to adopt a strategic approach to growth and succession planning for their family run business.
Managed by Down District Council, on behalf of the SEED group of Councils (Ards, Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon, Down, Newry and Mourne, and North Down) the SEED Family Business Programme is delivered by consultants FPM Accountants LLP.
Speaking at the launch of the programme at the Downshire Civic Centre, Downpatrick on 10 April 2014, Down District Council Vice-Chairman, Councillor Gareth Sharvin said, ”Small businesses make up 98% of all business in Northern Ireland, the majority of whom are family run businesses. A recent socio-economic profile commissioned by Down District Council confirms that business death rates have significantly increased. SEED Councils need to act, not to prop up failing companies but to identify and work with those family businesses who can, with appropriate assistance, develop resilience and manage their way forward in challenging times. This new Family Business Programme has been designed to meet that need.”
Mark Bleakney, Invest NI’s Southern Regional Manager, said: “The growth of family businesses is extremely important for the future of the Northern Ireland economy. Family owned or managed businesses face a unique set of challenges including establishing a clear business strategy, succession planning and developing management talent. This Family Business Programme will offer family owned or managed businesses located in the SEED region with the opportunity to improve their business performance.”
A total of 42 companies across the SEED region will be supported. Recruitment is taking taking place now. Interested family businesses should therefore contact FPM Accountants immediately to be considered for the programme.
Please contact Michelle Hawkins at FPM on 02830261010 or email m.hawkins@fpmca.com.
Write a comment
Businesses from the Newry and Mourne area who want to improve their sales capability are now able to access a new programme.
Sales 4 Success programme is here to help local businesses increase their sales, profitability and growth, and their long term sustainability. It is part funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.
The Sales 4 Success Programme is designed to improve businesses’ bottom line by developing the sales skills of owner/managers working within small and micro-businesses. Crucially, it is aimed at non-sales people within local businesses who have had to take on the role of sales person without any past sales experience.
This may be due to the owner-manager nature of their business, recent redundancies in the sales department, new market focus, slowing order numbers and the rapidly changing business environment in which local businesses must operate. This programme is designed to turn business owners, individuals whose skills may be in the technical/operational area of their business into sales people prepared to bring their business forward through the sales process.
Managed by Down District Council, on behalf of the SEED (South East Economic Development) group of Councils (Ards, Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon, Down, Newry and Mourne, and North Down) the programme is delivered by consultants Brilliant Red Ltd.
Speaking at the launch of the programme at the Downshire Civic Centre, Downpatrick on 10 April 2014, Down District Council Vice Chairman, Councillor Gareth Sharvin said,
“This programme is a fantastic opportunity for local businesses to improve their selling skills, build their sales, and improve their sales management so they are stronger and able to compete more effectively. We are delighted to be working with SEED Council partners, with Invest Northern Ireland and with delivery agent Brilliant Red Ltd to make this business development programme available to our local companies.”
Mark Bleakney, Invest NI’s Southern Regional Manager, said: “Invest NI is committed to working with the SEED group of Councils to help local businesses enhance their competiveness and grow sales. The Sales 4 Success programme will be a valuable resource to help companies boost their bottom line by improving their selling skills.”
A total of 42 companies across the SEED region will be supported, with recruitment for the first 21 currently taking place now. Places are therefore limited and expected demand means that selection criteria are in place. Interested companies should therefore contact Brilliant Red Ltd immediately to be considered for the programme.
Please contact Brilliant Red on 028 30821100 or email paul@brilliantred.co.uk or avril@brilliantred.co.uk
Write a comment
Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland yesterday visited the WIN Business Park in Newry to review the recently completed £400,000 refurbishment works.
The refurbishment works involved improvements to the main building to provide adequate facilities for conference events. The IT system for the Business Park was upgraded to provide a superior service for tenants.
In addition the funding was used enhance the overall appearance of the park, by upgrading the fencing, signage, lighting and road surfaces.
Minister McCausland said: “The WIN Business Centre is an excellent example of how local people can come together to address the problems associated with economic downturn. Since its establishment in the early 70’s it has gone from strength to strength and has made a massive contribution towards the regeneration of Newry providing accommodation for 70 businesses employing around 400 people.
“This project, which complements earlier work carried out in 2009, will ensure that the WIN Business Park can continue offer fit for purpose premises which provide an opportunity for small local businesses to trade, develop and flourish.”
 |
 |
 |