Pictured at the start of his series of mentoring sessions is the winner of the Craigavon Business Award’s “Sir Allen McClay Young Entrepreneur of the Year”, Garth Cairns from Craigavon based SlurryKat. The award includes mentoring sessions with a wide range of senior business figures in Northern Ireland including (pictured), Brendan Mulgrew, Managing Director, Stakeholder Communications, Philip Diamond Vice-President, Almac, Jim Fitzpatrick, Below the Radar Productions, and Michael McDonnell, Partner, BDO. Garth will attend monthly sessions between now and January 2011. Other mentors include Prof. Peter Gregson, Vice Chancellor Queen’s University Belfast, & Robert Garrett, Head of Corporate lending, Northern Bank.

Staff from First Trust Bank, accompanied by their trade union representatives from the Irish Bank Officials Association (IBOA), today met the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in Belfast to outline their serious concerns about the potential implications of the proposed sale of the bank by AIB plc. Today’s meeting follows earlier engagements with Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson MP MLA, and the NI Assembly’s Finance Committee.

Speaking before the meeting, IBOA General Secretary, Larry Broderick, said:

“The surprise decision by the AIB Group to put First Trust Bank is irresponsible, short-sighted and damaging for jobs and the Northern Ireland economy. First Trust Bank has existed in Northern Ireland in one form or another for decades and is a vital part of the community. The staff of FTB – the vast majority of whom are IBOA members – have worked hard to serve businesses, home-owners and personal customers for many years. However, their loyalty and hard work is being repaid by rash decisions based on expediency and short-termism following the appalling mistakes made by the senior management of AIB Group  in Dublin.

“Forcing a sale of First Trust Bank at a time when international financial markets are in the doldrums will almost inevitably result in a fire sale – which would be an open invitation to an asset stripper with little or no commitment to FTB’s branch network, to its current levels of employment or to the wider economy of Northern Ireland.

“The future economic prosperity of Northern Ireland relies on a strong local banking sector, committed to lending, businesses and employment. A sale of First Trust Bank in the present climate could see the Bank’s presence reduced significantly, both in terms of employment and in terms of providing credit to the economy which would in turn result in less competition and longer dole queues.

“At today’s meeting we will be inviting the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to add their voices in support of our efforts to lobby the AIB Group Board and the Department of Finance in Dublin, as AIB’s biggest share-holder, to rescind this short-sighted decision,” he said.

Fearless is the new youth brand that introduces young people to the service provided by Crimestoppers. It consists of the website, www.fearless.org, where young people can get information about crimes that affect them and also gives them the opportunity to pass on information about crime anonymously.

Local celebrities have been getting behind the campaign by confessing to their innermost fears. Apprentice Star Ben Clarke is petrified of needles, Sports Anchorman Graham Little can’t stand mice, while Model Katie Larmour has no problem scuba diving apart from her fear of boats.

Crimestoppers Northern Ireland Regional Manager Susan Brew said: “Young people are one of the most important audiences for Crimestoppers to communicate with, but they haven’t always understood or been willing to interact with the charity. The new brand will empower young people to be ‘fearless’ in passing on information about crime anonymously, safe in the knowledge that their identity will never be revealed and they will never have to speak to the police.

The event, held at Belfast’s re-opened Ulster Museum, was attended by over 50 young people. There were interactive presentations on the new website and brand before a Q & A session for the young people with Olympic Medal Winner and newly-crowned European Champion Boxer Paddy Barnes on a theme of the importance of having courage to conquer fears and achieve success.

Paddy Barnes said; “When I step into the ring I have to conquer any fear and stay focussed. Fearless is a great website for young people to encourage them to do the right thing, and give them the confidence that no-one will ever know they contacted Crimestoppers.”

A number of stakeholder organisations who work with young people also came along for a more detailed look at how the brand will operate in Northern Ireland. 

Susan Brew concluded: “We want to reassure young people that information they give us about crimes is taken seriously; everyday 20 people are arrested and charged as a result of information given to Crimestoppers which proves our service is effective in fighting crime. It’s vital that everyone realises that they can play an important role in helping make their communities better places to live.”

Therese Rogan, fdf NI Regional Director, with Francis Martin, President of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, and Hugh Black, Manager of Victoria Square, at Tuesday’s Masterclass on the future of Retail by Hugh Black

To celebrate the development of Northern Ireland’s first ever Retail Foundation Degree, launched in January 2010, students involved in the innovative development were given a masterclass on the future of the sector by Hugh Black, Manager of the jewel in Belfast’s retail crown, Victoria Square.

The event was organized by fdf (Foundation Degree Forward) in partnership with Skillsmart Retail and the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium. The development of this Foundation Degree has been funded by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) and is provided by a consortium of representatives from the six Northern Ireland Colleges and the University of Ulster.

Speaking at the event, held in Victoria Square’s Viewing Dome, Thérèse Rogan, NI Regional Director at fdf, said:

“This Foundation degree in Retailing has been validated as a two-year work based programme for people employed in the sector. This mode of delivery evolved to meet the management and leadership skills needs of employees, employers and the wider community – with 11% of the workforce employed in retail in Northern Ireland this is a very important sector within the Northern Ireland economy.

“The development draws upon an extensive consultation with national and regional employers. Locally, Tescos, Henderson’s and Supervalu are participating in this first programme. It is an intensive but achievable study programme supported by employer mentors and specialist tutors employed by the six Northern Ireland regional colleges. Employees participating on the programme study via blended learning, making use of a technology supported ‘online classroom’, as well as some attendance at their regional college

“We are extremely grateful to Victoria Square for hosting today’s event and to Hugh Black, the manager of this magnificent centre, for providing the masterclass and passing on his knowledge.  Retail employees have gained invaluable lessons today from one of the biggest names in the sector, which will serve them well in what we hope will be successful retail careers.” 

Employers and staff who are studying for the qualification were joined at today’s event by Francis Martin, the new President of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber President Francis Martin, who addressed the masterclass, said:

“I am delighted to see that the Retail Foundation Degree has got off to such a good start in Northern Ireland and, with participants in the first year progressing so well, it further demonstrates that retail is becoming a profession in its own right.

“The retail sector is becoming increasingly more important to the Northern Ireland economy and it is a tremendous boost that, on completion of this degree, retail employees will have the skills to make effective management decisions within a retail business and propose critical and effective solutions to complex problems within a business context.”

The Consortium has developed a co-operative model of delivery for the Retail Foundation Degree programme which has seen the first cohort of students enrolled by Northern Regional College, the Consortium’s lead college. However, the delivery of the modules will be shared by the colleges in accordance with their particular areas of expertise.  The programme is validated by the University of Ulster.

 Roisin Loughran, from Tesco, said:

“The fact that businesses have contributed to the development of the degree programme means it is mutually beneficial to employers and employees. The timetable of the modules means there are no interruptions to employers’ needs in terms of trading patterns at busy times, such as Christmas and Summer, while the workplace mentoring system sees employees receive support from store and personnel managers. The study process is intensive, but achievable, and values the workplace as a learning environment.”

Zoe Young, from Henderson’s, said:

“The programme provides an approach to learning that stimulates critical thinking and reflection in the workplace, which are exactly the skills that employers are seeking from their staff. Upon completion of the Retail Foundation degree students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and vocational understanding of the retail industry, as well as be able to apply critical thinking to the analysis of a range of operational methods.”

Recruitment for the next cohort of retail foundation degree students is now underway – contact your local regional college for more information.

THE WEEK THAT WAS….

“Thorn in my side, you know that’s all you ever were. A bundle of lies – you know that’s all that it was worth.  I should have known better, but I trusted you at first.  I should have known better, but I got what I deserved….”

The recent murder of Bobby Moffett on the Shankill , apparently by individuals “linked to the UVF”, has reminded everybody that it’s not just dissident Republicans who like to dip into the ‘physical force’ tradition when it suits.  Maybe, just maybe though the paramilitaries may have overstepped the mark this time.

The ‘balaclava brigade’ have always thrived as parasites on the backs of their ‘host communities’ – ‘thorn in my side’ wouldn’t begin, however, to describe the extortion, criminality and summary justice which the self-styled protectors of the community like to inflict upon their own areas.  Problem is, it was easier to get away with murder when you could do it under the cover of full blown inter-community strife.  Strip that away and it allows the light to shine that bit more brightly on the seedy underbelly of life.

Apart from spurring significant numbers on the Shankill to stand up to the various text threats which have been issued against those who were appalled by the murder, Mr. Moffett’s death has also left the UVF-linked PUP without its leader, Dawn Purvis (Belfast East) who has quit over the incident to sit as an independent in the Assembly. 

Given the recent disastrous electoral performance of Unionist leaders in the TUV, DUP and UUP perhaps she was feeling left out?  The move will, however, enhance Ms Purvis’ already good reputation among the chattering classes; those left wondering why she didn’t make the move earlier will have to wait for an answer.

Talking about ‘thorns in my side’, mainstream Unionists will have been mightily disappointed to learn that the TUV ‘haven’t gone away’.  The party confirmed this week that reports of its demise are premature.  Looks like all those hopes that the poor performance in the General Election would finish off the loquacious Mr. Allister were – how would Annie Lenox put it? – just ‘Sweet Dreams’.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Oral Answers

The DARD Minister received a surprisingly gentle ride over the £60m fines from the EU over all those ‘confused’ claims by local farmers, nor was she overly concerned about the impact on farmers of vesting 100,000 acres along the route of the new A5 in Tyrone.

Over at DCAL the Minister was happy to talk up the benefits of Ulster-Scots funding, the new PRONI HQ at Titanic Quarter and the potential of the Creative Industries (as opposed to Creationism).  The Education Minister continued to be a source of aggravation; this week over the role of churches in the controlled sector and the availability of pre-school places.

Written Answers

A less than exciting list of questions this week to peruse.  OFMDFM noted that over 58,000 pensioners live in relative low income poverty, Education has spent £68K on translations / publications for Irish and £35 for Ulster Scots, while DETI estimated that between 120K and 150K people attended this year’s NW200.

DoE confirmed that Belfast Council spent £9m on economic development last year, Derry was next with £4.7m while Ballymoney spent just £200K.  Justice revealed that there are 16 juveniles in custody and that its aim is to cut the legal aid budget by 25%.

COMMITTEES

DCAL was totting up its figures, DARD had the joys of the EU’s Amateur Vegetable Directive to savour, DEL is still ‘NEET-picking’ and DFP is inquiring after public sector efficiencies.  DRD was traversing some of its major road upgrades, OFMDFM was updated on developments at the Maze (that must have been short) and DoE considered the needs of children as part of the Road Safety strategy.

Language strategy was getting DCAL tongue tied, DETI plunged into the red with consideration of the Debt Relief Bill and Justice threw itself on the mercy of officials to brief them on the upcoming Justice Bill.

AND FINALLY….

If you’re struggling at your desk this beautiful Friday afternoon waiting for the weekend to arrive, spare a thought for our poor MLAs who have been recalled for a special debate this afternoon on the Gaza crisis. 

Given the plethora of home-made problems sitting unloved on Stormont’s doorsteps, one would have thought that a foreign affairs issue may not have been the best reason for a special recall.  Mind you, as the rest of us have to suffer 9 – 5, five days a week, sympathy for MLAs is likely to be limited.

I accepted the challenge months ago, when the 5th June was ‘ages away’ and there seemed to be loads of time for training, learning how to swim properly and getting the aul bike out on the open road. That time has flown by and, a mere 4 pool sessions later, the prospect of the swim – in open water - is daunting. Scratch daunting, it frankly scares the life out of me. Tom Kelly’s promise to buy a pair of water wings doesn’t help.

Anyway – life is supposed to be a challenge right? Tomorrow we embrace it, eyes wide open and a stopwatch on the wrist. Ready? Steady? Go……………

The Exceptional Item related to a £13.9m contribution towards the new Titanic Signature Building in Titanic Quarter.  Other capital investment projects with a value of £24m, including the development of the island’s longest deep-water berth, were also completed. 

Overall trade during 2009 fell by 4% to 15.7m, reflecting the continuing impact of the difficult trading environment in the economy generally.  Belfast, however, outperformed other Irish ports such as Dublin and Cork, and increased its market share of the Irish Sea Roll-On / Roll-Off sector to 20%.  

Trades associated with the agri-food sector recorded double digit growth and passenger numbers rose strongly by 3% to 1.33m. Looking forward, trading figures from the start of 2010 suggest that there has been an upturn in business activity.

Commenting on the results, Len O’Hagan, Belfast Harbour’s Chairman, said: 

“2009 was a difficult year for the economy, but initial figures from quarter one of this year suggest, however, that economic activity is on the up with both imports and exports through the Port increasing.  

“While economic uncertainty has slowed down the pace of investment by Belfast Harbour, a number of major projects have been initiated or completed, not least the Titanic Signature Building which is also supported by the Northern Ireland Executive, Belfast City Council and Titanic Quarter Ltd.  The project is the single most important regeneration project underway in Belfast Harbour Estate and will help drive significant tourism and investment interest in Northern Ireland generally.

“Maritime related projects included a major upgrade of the Harbour’s road access at Dargan to Northern Ireland’s motorway network; an extension of our deep-water facilities which were used by 35 cruise ships; a 70% increase in handling capacity for paper imports and a new £6m storage facility for the agri-food sector.  Over the past few years Belfast Harbour has invested heavily in new infrastructure and we will continue to upgrade and develop new facilities to meet the long-term demands of the local economy.”

The report noted other regeneration projects within the Harbour Estate such as the completion of a 50,000 sq ft facility by the Northern Ireland Science Park and ongoing work at Belfast Metropolitan College’s new campus and PRONI’s new headquarters, all within Titanic Quarter. 

Mr. O’Hagan also praised Harbour employees who contributed 10,000 employee hours towards the planning and hosting of the Tall Ships Festival which attracted up to 500,000 visitors to the Harbour Estate in August 2009, making it Northern Ireland’s largest ever outdoor event.  A further 10,000 people visited Belfast Harbour Office, attending charitable, education and business-related events facilitated by the Harbour Authority as part of its community programme.

Malcolm Corbett, CEO, INCA

INCA, the UK-wide body for the promotion of Next Generation Broadband infrastructure, willbe hosting its first ever Northern Ireland Roadshow in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter on June 17th.  The group has warned that broadband provision in the UK already lags behind its competitors with many countries making faster progress towards Next Generation services.

The event, which is aimed at local businesses, local government and community leaders, will provide an opportunity to help shape the UK-wide debate on how best to roll-out direct fibre connections to every home and business, and learn about its economic and community development potential. 

INCA (Independent Networks Co-operative Association) is organizing the event at Titanic Quarter to help explain how Next Generation Broadband can help boost economic recovery and improve community life.  Malcolm Corbett, INCA’s CEO, said: 

“BT’s welcome announcement to extend Next Generation coverage to 60% of the UK population is great. It makes clear that we need to work on the final 40% and on the problem of extending the reach of fibre to all premises.  

“Currently many people in Northern Ireland can’t get the minimum 2mbps broadband, a problem which affects about 11% of the UK population. While the Belfast event will look at some technical issues, we will also discuss how communities themselves can get involved in developing Next Generation Broadband networks by using public and/or private partnerships to boost both innovation and economic competiveness. 

“Next Generation Broadband has huge potential.  It will bring much faster speeds to homes and businesses, expanding the scope and choice of services available, particularly in areas such as health provision, education, entertainment and business services.  It will unlock innovation and it is important that Northern Ireland has the infrastructure to exploit these new opportunities.“  

Speakers at the event will include some of the UK’s leading broadband experts such as Sinclair Stockman, BT’s former Chief Scientist, as well as experts from continental Europe. Edgar Aker, Director of Marketing & Product Management, EMEA, Draka; Klaus Kammermeier Exec. Director Marketing Carrier, EMEA, Corning, and Christer Karlsson, Vice President Strategy & Business Development of Swedish Netadmin are among those attending.  A keynote address will also be given by BT’s Frank McManus.  

Delegates will have the opportunity to learn what action is already taking place in Northern Ireland as well as nationally and internationally, and discuss the future needs of both local businesses and communities for Next Generation Broadband. 

Michael Graham, Titanic Quarter Ltd’s Director of Corporate Real Estate, added: 

“We are delighted to host this event.  Titanic Quarter already has advanced plans to deploy one of the UK’s most significant Open Access Carrier Neutral Network projects with fibre direct to every occupant, providing access to a wide choice of Next Generation Broadband services.   

“It’s important, however, that Northern Ireland as a whole makes the most of projects such as Project Kelvin which provides a direct fast-fibre link to North America. Without high quality local access networks, however, the economic and societal advantages may not be realized.  The INCA roadshow is part of a UK-wide initiative which will help shape the roll-out of better broadband access networks across the entire country.” 

The event will include a number of workshop sessions offering discussions and insight into topics such as fibre to the home, building partnerships as well as new applications and services.  There will also be specialist meet-the-experts ‘advice clinic’ sessions looking at issues such as technology, how to get projects off the ground and how to choose the right business model. 

For a more detailed overview, please visit: http://www.inca.coop/events/nextgen-roadshow-northern-ireland. Delegate places are limited and free.  Please register at: http://www.regonline.co.uk/Checkin.asp?EventId=853823 selecting the ‘invited guest’ option.

THE WEEK THAT WAS….

Politics isn’t what it used to be.  The sight of Messrs Paisley and McGuinness chuckling all the way to the Division Lobbies was unsettling enough, but the new Nick & Dave show now airing on Channel No.10 is possibly even more bizarre.  If the ‘season launch’ of this Rom Com is anything to go by, this mightn’t be the flash-in-the-pan dalliance the cynics are predicting.

Karl von Clausewitz said that war is merely the continuation of politics by other means.  One rather suspects that coalition government is merely party politics by an alternative method.  Peter Robinson predicted that Government with Sinn Fein would be a ‘battle a day’ – the Tories and Liberals aren’t there yet, but the time will surely come.  The mutually self assured destruction which would ensue from an early election held in the after burn of stinging public sector cuts and tax rises should, however, be incentive enough to keep the show on the road until those elusive green shoots start appearing.

The emergence of the Coalition has, though, put pay to the prospects of Northern Ireland MPs (at least those who show up) punching above their weight in a hung Parliament.  The somewhat fanciful and grubby notion that we were going to be spared the pain of the rest of the UK by selling our votes to the highest bidder (£200m was apparently the asking price) now looks as likely as Gordon Brown giving classes on voter empathy.  The message from the Treasury is now likely to be ‘Suck it up’.

To compensate, MLAs were getting rather excited about cutting Corporate Tax in much the same way as those who discovered the wonder drug that is penicillin. MLA after MLA regurgitated the findings of the Economic Reform Group’s report that cutting the rate was NI’s only way to break its addiction to the public sector (a bit like enjoying Whopper Burgers too much – nice at the time, but ultimately unsatisfying and artery clogging).

Finance Minister Sammy Wilson, was on hand, however, with a suitably large bucket of cold water.  Over six years the scheme would cost the Executive £1bn and take 11 years to pay for itself. Even the magical powers of ‘New Politics’ doesn’t extend to creating something out of nothing.  Back to the drawing board boys.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Oral Answers

Jnr Minister Gerry Kelly addressed queries about Children & Young People, the Deputy First Minister reiterated his opposition to any cuts in the block grant, revealed that his and the FM’s recent trip to Washington cost £58,455.  He also declined to specify what exactly “sectarian harassment” means in the upcoming parades legislation.

The DETI Minister confirmed that she has no plans or powers to interfere with the sale of First Trust Bank by AIB and noted that Invest NI has spent £73m supporting the local agri-food sector since 2002.  The Environment Minister couldn’t confirm if RPA would happen next year and Assembly Commission questions revealed that up to 25 Bills could be introduced at Stormont over the coming months.

Written Answers

Not much this week; MLAs have been too busy canvassing to ask questions.  OFMDFM noted, however, that the Maze Development Corporation is still to be formed, DCAL revealed that Belfast’s library services cost £5.5m annually to run and DEL disclosed that apprenticeships have almost doubled in the past five years to c.7,000 places.

According to Health almost nine out of every thousand children in Belfast are on the Child Protection Register, Justice confirmed that 53 prison officers were assaulted last year and DRD confirmed that NI Water faces an eye watering £1.65bn bill over the next twenty years to bring its infrastructure up to EU standards.

COMMITTEES

DRD strapped itself in to consider a Roads Bill, Environment was concerned about Planning Service staff redeployment and DSD bunkered down for two sessions on the Welfare Bill.  DEL was picking NEETs out of its hair, DFP was reviewing the Budget process and OFMDFM was still dawdling along over the Older People’s Commissioner Bill.

DETI got out the popcorn for NI Screen’s strategy, DCAL pondered library provision in Belfast, DARD decanted to the Balmoral Show while Justice considered Tribunal Reform along with a briefing on the Prison Service.

AND FINALLY….

Owen Patterson, the new NI SoS, is promising that Northern Ireland will take its fair share of upcoming cuts in the UK’s budget, but that they won’t be drastic. He’s also confirmed that Dave ‘PM’ Cameron is still planning to visit Northern Ireland shortly to view the wreckage of our bloated, state subsidized economy- still, that’s in marginally better shape than his pact with the UUP.

Tales of UCUNF’s demise may, however, have been premature.  Despite running a campaign which would have embarrassed a Jnr High Classroom President election, UCUNF still managed to attract over 100K votes.  With more new faces, some more time and an Idiots’ Guide to Electioneering, they might actually do quite well at next year’s Assembly election if the much vaunted Dave effect comes back into play.

Last Thursday I went along to vote in south Belfast, Harberton school polling station. My name was marked as already having voted, a simple mistake I assumed. After a lengthy period of confusion (during which I imagine the staff were quietly wishing I would go away) I was given a pink ballot to mark my vote on, sign and seal in an envelope which the presiding officer witnessed. I was assured categorically that my vote would be counted along with all others that night.

In discussion with another presiding officer today it transpires my vote may not have been counted unless the election was very close and only then under a court order. Naturally I am unhappy at the prospect of being disenfranchised, and at the lack of clarity among the staff at the polling station.
I have contacted the electoral office. I’ll let you know how I get on…..