Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 13 September 2021

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Forward Look

  • The first plenary sitting of the new Northern Ireland Assembly term will take place on Monday.

  • Chancellor Rishi Sunak MP will deliver a Comprehensive Spending Review alongside an Autumn Budget on 27 October 2021. The three-year review will set out the devolved administrations’ block grants for 2022-25.

  • Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP has suggested that the DUP could pull-out of power-sharing in Northern Ireland “within weeks” triggering a snap election if the NI Protocol remains. The party will also boycott North-South ministerial meetings.

  • Following the UK Government’s decision to indefinitely extend post-Brexit grace periods for goods entering NI from GB, at the end of September the EU is expected to bring forward new proposals in response to a UK Command Paper on the issue.

  • The Department of Health has launched a new ten-year alcohol and substance use strategy. Work will now be taken forward on Minimum Unit Pricing for Alcohol with a view to having a full public consultation.

  • The Northern Ireland Office will host a Business and Innovation Showcase on Wednesday 15 September, in partnership with the Department for International Trade and Invest NI.

  • Sinn Féin have selected Pádraig Delargy and Ciara Ferguson as the new MLAs to be co-opted to represent Foyle in the Assembly. They replace Karen Mullan and Martina Anderson who have taken new roles for the party “at national and regional level”.

  • Former First Minister, Arlene Foster MLA will step down as an MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone at the end of the month. Former DUP Press Officer, Deborah Erskine is expected to be co-opted as her replacement.

  • According to The Times, Prime Minister Boris Johnson MP is considering a reshuffle of his cabinet, potentially before the Conservative Party Conference in early October. It is speculated that among those to be demoted are Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson MP, Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab MP and Home Secretary, Priti Patel MP. International Trade Secretary Liz Truss MP and Cabinet Secretary Michael Gove MP have been tipped for promotion.

  • The Executive has agreed that from 5pm today, the current requirement for table service in hospitality settings will be eased both indoors and outdoors.

  • On Monday, the First and deputy First Ministers and the Justice Minister will take part in Question Time. On Tuesday, the Agriculture Minister will face questions.

  • On Wednesday, The Executive Office Committee will receive oral evidence from Clare Bailey MLA on her Private Members’ Climate Change Bill. As part of the committee’s scrutiny of arms-length bodies, it will consider a written briefing from the Victims and Survivors Service. Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA will update the Infrastructure Committee on current issues facing her department.

  • On Thursday, the Health Committee will scrutinise the Autism (Amendment) Bill, the Adoption and Children Bill, and the Health and Social Care Bill.

  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis MP will give evidence to the NI Affairs Select Committee on Thursday on the work of his department.

Other Stories this week

  • The UK Government has won a vote to increase national insurance contributions by 1.25% to fund health and social care reforms. Northern Ireland is expected to receive £400 million by 2024-25.

  • The Assembly was recalled on Thursday to debate a Sinn Féin motion on rising absences in schools due to Covid-19.

  • Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA has held talks with Green Party leader Clare Bailey MLA on the potential amalgamation of Stormont’s two Climate Change Bills.

  • North West-based E&I Engineering has been sold to US firm Vertiv in a deal valued at $2 billon.

  • Innovation City Belfast (ICB), a partnership between key institutions including Belfast City Council, has appointed Professor Mark Gillan as Digital Innovation Commissioner and Clare Guinness as Innovation District Director.

  • Professor Siobhan O’Neill has been appointed by Health Minister Robin Swann MLA as Northern Ireland’s permanent Mental Health Champion.

  • Royal Portrush has been named at the host venue of The Open 2025 after a successful 2019 tournament.

  • Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA has extended emergency protection for business tenants having difficulty paying rent on commercial leases as a result of the pandemic until March 2022.

  • Economy Minister Gordon Lyons MLA has said that there are “no plans at present” to introduce ‘right to disconnect’ legislation.

  • A recent report from Northern Ireland think tank, Pivotal has concluded that “serious shortcomings” exist for The Executive to deal with during the remainder of the mandate, including health waiting lists, long-standing school budget issues, the absence of a climate strategy, and difficulties in operating collectively.

  • Shauna Corr is the new Environment Correspondent for Reach Ireland. The BBC is currently recruiting for five roles, including three in radio, one in TV and a multi-platform journalist.

  • Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has officially launched a bid for Ballymena to be awarded with city status as part of a UK-wide competition to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Upcoming key political and business events

Consultations

Rio Ferdinand Youth Ambassador delivers powerful TEDxStormont talk on adversity in sport

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Local footballing star, Leo Brown, who is one of three Youth Ambassadors for the Rio Ferdinand Foundation across the UK, has delivered a powerful TEDxStormont Studio talk on dealing with adversity in sport.

Leo Brown, from Bangor, is an athlete, accountant and tech enthusiast who represented Northern Ireland as a teenager in its u19s team and left Northern Ireland at the age of 16 to play professionally for Birmingham City FC.

Due to injuries in his early career, he moved back to Northern Ireland and now plays for Ards FC and has founded his own tech company.

In his insightful TEDxStormont Studio talk entitled ‘Embracing Adversity’ Leo reflects on his injuries in his professional footballing career and shares his perspective on the setbacks and how he made them work in his favour.

This year, TEDxStormont is publishing 12 standalone TEDx Studio talks by speakers from many disciplines and backgrounds to share new and fresh ideas.

This series of talks is aimed at encouraging the public to have a better understanding of themselves and the world around them, while also bringing together brilliant minds to change attitudes on some of today’s hot topic issues.

Leo’s talk will be live across TEDxStormont social media channels from today.

Speaking ahead of the publication of Leo’s talk, Gary Stannett, Chief Executive of the Rio Ferdinand Foundation said:

“Leo has been a leader within the Rio Ferdinand Foundation in Northern Ireland and is currently working with our team to develop a series of workshops for young people on developing resilience and overcoming challenges.

“Leos’s story and his ability to overcome adversity is a story we hope will inspire others, and I would like to thank TEDxStormont for their support in sharing what is a great example of a young person taking a lead in their community.”

Curator of TEDxStormont, Eva Grosman said:

“Each year we aim to showcase the incredible lives of people from across Northern Ireland and provide a platform to share ideas and innovative thinking. Leo’s talk is a fantastic example of passion, resilience and leadership in sport and we are thrilled that he joined us for this year’s TEDxStormont Studio talks.”

TEDxStormont Studio talks can be found on TEDxStormont YouTube channel. Follow TEDxStormont social media channels for regular updates.

North West firm E&I Engineering Group acquired by US-based Vertiv

E&I Engineering’s electrical switchgear manufacturing facility.

E&I Engineering’s electrical switchgear manufacturing facility.

North West firm E&I Engineering has been acquired by Vertiv, a US-based infrastructure solutions and services company.

The electrical switchgear manufacturer, which has plants across Derry and Donegal and employs over 2,100 people worldwide, has entered into an agreement to join the publicly traded company via acquisition.

With all current roles to be safeguarded in the takeover, E&I says it will be followed by the recruitment of approximately 100 new staff across its three locations in the North West in the next year.

Headquartered in Ohio, Vertiv offers power, cooling and IT infrastructure solutions and services to customers in the data centre, communications, commercial and industrial markets. It employs over 20,000 people across over 130 countries.

The acquisition completes Vertiv’s data centre offering by adding a leading independent provider of switchgear and modular power solutions. Founded in 1986, E+I Engineering trades with over 32 countries, pioneering unique in-house integrated power solution designs and technology tailored to individual client project needs.

Founder and Chief Executive of E&I Engineering, Philip O’Doherty said:

“This transaction brings together two highly complementary businesses and represents a great outcome for E&I’s employees and customers.”

“We are excited to join the Vertiv team and continue to grow our business through Vertiv’s global reach, strong channel presence and great customer positioning in critical digital infrastructures.”

Philip O’Doherty, Founder and Chief Executive of E&I Engineering

Philip O’Doherty, Founder and Chief Executive of E&I Engineering

Chief Executive Officer of Vertiv Rob Johnson said:

“The acquisition of E&I represents a key milestone in Vertiv’s strategy, completing our portfolio of in-building power train offerings for data centres and vital Commercial & Industrial markets.”

“We look forward to adding E&I’s highly skilled team members to the Vertiv family. Our companies share a strong culture of engineering excellence and innovation and a passion for serving our customers with differentiated products and service.”

Electronic Communications Code spells headaches for landowners, by Eversheds Sutherland Partner Matthew Howse

As originally appeared in the Irish News, 7 September

Eversheds Sutherland partner Matthew Howse

Eversheds Sutherland partner Matthew Howse

A recent announcement by three mobile telephone networks that they have agreed a deal to build and share masts in order to improve 4G coverage in rural Northern Ireland, as part of the UK government's £1billion ‘Shared Rural Network’ programme, has been broadly welcomed.

This does however bring into sharp focus a developing issue in relation to electronic communications in Northern Ireland. In December 2017, The Digital Economy Act 2017 inserted a new Schedule to the Communications Act 2003, which in turn introduced a revised and updated electronic communications ‘code’.

These updates were introduced to reflect the significant and accelerated changes to electronic communications over the past 20 years. The Code, which brought its predecessor, originally developed in 1984, into the 21st century, aimed to better facilitate the installation and maintenance of electronic communications networks, and to provide network operators the ability to expand and improve their networks with more freedom. This of course reflects the dominance of mobile and internet networks today, and the enormous changes that modern technology has brought to our business and personal lives over the last number of years.

However, the interplay between the provisions of the Business Tenancies Order 1996 (the legislation which regulates the relationship between landlords and tenants) and the Code in Northern Ireland, is becoming a serious cause for concern for landowners and landlords.

Landowners both large and small have reported that some mobile network operators are trying to use the Code to force landowners not only to accept greatly reduced rents on tenancy renewals, but also to accept the mobile network operators’ standard form of tenancy agreements. Put simply, a mobile operator operates a mast or piece of communications infrastructure on a piece of land owned by a farmer or other landowner. The operator pays the landowner an agreed rate of rent each year to use their land for their mobile mast and apparatus.

In a situation however where such a lease or tenancy is approaching the point of expiry or renewal, the tenant operators are interpreting the current legal position as giving them greater power to negotiate or, in many cases, demand a much lower rate of rent from their landlord.  Up to now, these rents have often been quite substantial and a vital stream of income for independent farmers or other small landowners, amongst others. Naturally, landowners and landlords do not favour this interpretation of the law as it stands, and in many instances are finding that the mobile network operators are bringing proceedings against them in the Lands Tribunal in Northern Ireland in the absence of agreement.

While no one will argue that mobile and internet infrastructure is not vital to the wider community and society generally, landowners who are not properly apprised and aware of their legal rights could find that their erstwhile good tenant is seeking to impose much more onerous restrictions and a lower rent on them. Landowners have helped to facilitate the growth and expansion of the mobile network across the country, and should not feel that they have to take this lying down. There is a variety of legal options available to them, in what is very much a developing area of law in Northern Ireland.

However, if an agreement cannot be reached, a dispute can be taken to the Lands Tribunal to be resolved.

What is beyond dispute is that litigation regarding this issue in Northern Ireland is on the increase, as landowners and tenants find themselves increasingly at loggerheads over these issues.

Brown O'Connor Communications One Page Brief: Subsidy Control Bill

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What is it?

·        On 30 June, the UK Government introduced the Subsidy Control Bill, the post-Brexit framework for a new, UK-wide ‘subsidy control’, or state aid, regime. The bill’s second reading is yet to be scheduled.

·        This regime will enable “public authorities, including devolved administrations and local authorities, to deliver subsidies that are tailored and bespoke for local needs to deliver government priorities such as levelling up and achieving net zero carbon, as well as supporting the economy’s recovery from COVID-19.”

·        Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng MP has said the government was using its “newfound freedoms” following Brexit to “empower public authorities across the UK to deliver financial support – without facing burdensome red tape”.

What will it do?

·        Dubbed “the most important bit of post-Brexit legislation yet”, the new and complex bill will replace EU-wide state aid rules, which require member states to seek approval for government assistance to firms. The Subsidy Control Bill will crucially bypass the need to gain unanimous approval from 27 EU member states to release financial supports to failing businesses or industries.

·        Ministers say the new bill allows for more agile, targeted, rapid, and timely interventions, but warned it does not “signal a return to the failed 1970s approach of government picking winners or bailing out unsustainable companies". The EU, however, is concerned the UK may distort competition by failing to ensure firms operate on a level playing field. However, government officials have said they don’t expect the overall level of UK state aid to increase significantly.

·        However, the new subsidies scheme will be a pillar of the Tories’ ‘levelling up’ agenda and supporting fledgling industries like clean energy and green tech. How this plays out with Tory backbenchers who are more ideologically opposed to state intervention remains to be seen, though.

·        The new Subsidy Advice Unit, within the Competition and Markets Authority, will monitor and report on the regime and report on certain subsidies and schemes.

What does it mean for Northern Ireland?

·        Northern Ireland was a net beneficiary of EU funding as a member. EU structural funds helped support cross-border, cross-community, and large-scale capital investment projects. Sectors like agriculture especially benefitted from EU funding.

·        Coupled with the loss of EU structural funds, and with the UK’s proposed replacement the Shared Prosperity Fund likely to be much less generous, a new and more agile state aid regime may be crucial in supporting a Northern Irish economy coming out of the pandemic. Blooming sectors like hydrogen or suffering industries like aviation – which are vital to the wider NI economy – could potentially be in line to benefit from the Subsidy Control Bill.

Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 6 September 2021

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Forward Look

  • The Executive is expected to meet next week for further discussions on Covid-19 measures. Economy Minister Gordon Lyons MLA has said they must now set a path for the removal of all restrictions.

  • The Northern Ireland Assembly returns from Summer Recess on Monday 6 September. The first Plenary Sitting will take place on Monday 13.

  • MPs will return to Westminster on Monday 6 September.

  • Nominations for the two Sinn Fein Assembly seats in Foyle will close on Sunday 5 September. A selection convention will be held in the city on September 8, with those expected to take their Assembly seats by September 13.

  • Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has held a series of talks with political and business leaders in Belfast and Newry, dominated by post-Brexit arrangements and Covid recovery. DUP Leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP urged Mr Varadkar to take a fresh approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

  • PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne is facing calls to resign following the publication of the South Armagh Policing Review which contained 50 recommendations, including the closure of Crossmaglen police station within five years.

  • A public inquiry in relation to the clinical practice of a consultant urologist in the Southern Health Trust will begin on Monday 6 September, led by Christine Smith QC.

  • Mike Nesbitt MLA will brief the Finance Committee on the Defamation Bill on Wednesday, ahead of its Second Reading.

  • The Health Committee will receive briefings from the Department of Health on the Health and Social Care and Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bills on Thursday.

  • The Communities Committee will receive a briefing from NIPSO on a review of Personal Independence Payments. Department officials will also brief MLAs on the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Bill.

  • The DAERA Committee will receive oral evidence from the Federation of Small Businesses on the Climate Change No.1 Bill.

  • The Irish Cabinet has agreed a plan to end most Covid-19 restrictions by 22 October. A phased return to the workplace will begin on 20 September, and Taoiseach Micheál Martin has expressed hopes that all legal requirements to provide proof of vaccination to access indoor hospitality will be removed on 22 October.

  • The Republic of Ireland has assumed the presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of September.

Other Stories this week

  • The Honourable Dame Siobhan Keegan has been sworn into office as Lady Chief Justice for Northern Ireland. Former Lord Chief Justice Declan Morgan retired this week after more than a decade at the helm.

  • Jayne Brady has taken up her position as Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

  • Paul Narain has replaced Elizabeth Kennedy Trudeau as the United States Consul General to Northern Ireland.

  • The Troubles Permanent Disablement Payment Scheme for people severely and permanently injured during the conflict opened for applications this week.

  • Education Minister Michelle McIlveen MLA has announced a £21m investment in special schools. The funds will benefit 17 schools with 61 additional classes, the recruitment of approximately 60 additional teachers and 145 additional classroom assistants.

  • A Pharmacy Collect service to enable individuals to collect rapid Covid-19 tests from 420 selected community pharmacies has launched.

  • The latest LucidTalk poll for the Belfast Telegraph has revealed a decline in support for the DUP to 13%. The poll placed Sinn Fein on 25%, the UUP on 16%, the TUV on 14% and the DUP, Alliance and SDLP each on 13%.

  • The Centre for Democracy and Peace Building has welcomed 24 mid-career political and civil leaders to the inaugural Fellowship programme.

  • IFTA-winning film WILDFIRE, brought to the screens by Wildcard Distribution, has launched in cinemas across Northern Ireland.

Upcoming key political and business events

Consultations

Expert led cross border conference set to health check pressing issues in a post Brexit environment

Dr Anthony Soares, Director of the Centre for Cross Border Studies

Dr Anthony Soares, Director of the Centre for Cross Border Studies

On Friday 24 September, the Centre for Cross Border Studies is set to host its highly anticipated 22nd Annual Conference on post Brexit cooperation, bringing together policy experts, leading academics, government officers and Ministers from across the world. 

Entitled “Testing the health of conditions for post-Brexit cooperation: The evolving political and social contexts”, the Conference will bring together a range of key decision and policymakers as well as leading civil society representatives from across the island of Ireland, Great Britain, Europe, and America.

This year’s Conference includes experts in healthcare, cross-border research, and infrastructure focusing on the social and political implications as we emerge as a post-Brexit society and explore how we can maintain and strengthen relations in the challenging context of Brexit.

The Conference is expected to explore pertinent issues in cross border infrastructure and healthcare across three panels. The first of which will address the evolving political context of Brexit, the second panel will discuss the social context, and a third panel will measure the cross-border impacts of healthy cooperation across a range of sectors, part of a larger piece of work supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Reconciliation Fund.

Following the success of last year’s online Conference, the 2021 event will also take place virtually.

Speakers at this year’s Conference include:

  • Director of Public Policy at the Institute of Public Health Ireland, Dr Helen McAvoy.

  • Assistant Professor at the Trinity Centre for Global Health, Ann Nolan.

  • Director of the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Irish Studies, Professor Pete Shirlow.

  • Minister for Infrastructure, Nichola Mallon MLA.

  • Permanent Secretary of the Northern Ireland Office, Madeleine Alessandri.

  • US Consul General to Northern Ireland, Paul Narain.

The Conference will also launch the renowned 2021 ‘Journal of Cross Border Studies in Ireland’ which brings together written contributions from academics and cross-border practitioners. Contributors to this year’s edition include the deputy Director of the Institute for British Irish Studies, Paul Gillespie; founder of the Scottish Centre on European Relations, Dr Kirsty Hughes; Director of Longfords’ Women Link, Tara Farrell; Writer and Commentator, Sarah Creighton and Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, Aodhán Connolly.

Each year the Journal brings together a range of contributions which focus on a range of timely and pertinent issues from the world of cross border cooperation on the island of Ireland, Great Britain and further afield. This year’s Journal includes articles focusing on the state of relations at a political level between governments across these islands, the challenges and opportunities facing business in the post-Brexit context, and how communities are reacting to a changing landscape.

The Centre for Cross Border Studies is now offering new sponsorship opportunities, with packages available for future policy seminars, the Annual Conference, and the Journal. The sponsorship packages provide a range of benefits and give organisations and individuals the opportunity to work with the Centre to enhance our own research and work.

Chairperson of the Centre for Cross Border Studies, Dr Helen Johnson said:  

“We have faced a global pandemic whilst trying to tackle the fall-out from Brexit and it is now crucial that the island of Ireland, the UK, and the EU work together to ensure the political and social conditions in which we operate are at full strength.”

“As governments across the world look towards economic recovery following the pandemic, our Annual Conference has never been as important to foster ideas, solutions and better policy to address the challenges we are currently face.” 

“The Conference marks a new 12-month calendar of events that aims to influence change, shape policy, and debate crucial issues. The Centre invites policy experts and leading academics to engage in discussion about matters affecting this region such as healthcare, infrastructure, and education.”                                                   

Director of the Centre for Cross Border Studies, Dr Anthony Soares said:

“The Centre for Cross Border Studies’ high-quality research is recognised as an essential resource for policy-makers and decision-makers. Since our foundation we have sought to promote the prosperity of all through our engagement with prominent politicians, policymakers, and academics.   

“Part of the process of influencing change involves discussion and debate on the significant issues impacting the island of Ireland, the UK, and the EU. We encourage our stakeholders to discuss these issues and use their different outlooks to create solutions.

“The Centre offers great opportunities to those looking to get involved in a wider conversation about the key issues impacting this region. We encourage anyone interested in taking part in this conversation to attend, or sponsor, our Annual Conference to gain an understanding of how the Centre facilitates these important discussions.” 

Lack of vital therapy in schools for children and young people

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70% of occupational therapists are not currently able to provide adequate occupational therapy that children and young people need, a survey carried out by The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has found.

Some of the key barriers cited for this significant figure include:

  • Restricted access to schools

  • Workforce issues, including understaffed teams

  • Increased demand for occupational therapy and a backlog of cases

  • Family concerns, or struggles to access telehealth or face-to-face support

Other key findings are that:

  • 62% of occupational therapists have encountered schools that are reluctant to allow therapists to visit.

  • Of these, 83% had encountered reluctance from mainstream schools and 48% from special schools.

  • Workforce pressures are a significant factor when it comes to being able to provide therapy support, with over 50% of respondents reporting understaffing.

Commenting on the survey results, Steve Ford, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, added:

“Occupational therapists have played a vital role in helping people recover from the pandemic, and this includes working on a daily basis with children and young people across Northern Ireland.

“The pandemic has proved a huge challenge for children and young people over the past year and a half. Whether dealing with loss of education or the mental health crisis as they return to education children and young people need as much support as possible, including that offered by occupational therapists.

“These survey results are truly concerning, and with over 70% of respondents reporting an increase in demand, we need the provision, funding and workforce to be fit for the future and deliver for the children and young people of Northern Ireland.”

The Royal College recently met with Vicky Ford, Minister of State for Children and Families, to discuss access to therapies, and we will continue to work with governments across the UK to address the findings of the survey.

IFTA-winning film WILDFIRE opens in Northern Ireland cinemas this week

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Newry-born Cathy Brady’s IFTA-winning film WILDFIRE will screen in cinemas across Northern Ireland and Ireland from Friday 3 September.

WILDFIRE is Cathy Brady’s feature debut starring Nora-Jane Noone (Brooklyn, The Magdalene Sisters) alongside the late Nika McGuigan (Philomena, The Secret Scripture). The six-time IFTA nominated film received its world premiere to critical acclaim at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival.

Brought to the screens by Wildcard Distribution, WILDFIRE tells the story of “Irish twins” Lauren (Noone) and Kelly (McGuigan) and their life on the fractious Irish border. When one of them, who has been missing, finally returns home, the intense bond with her sister is re-ignited. Together they unearth their mother's past but uncover secrets and resentments which have been buried deep, that threaten to overwhelm them.

WILDFIRE is produced by David Collins for Samson Films, Charles Steel for Cowboy Films and Carlo Cresta-Dina for Tempesta Film. An Irish-UK co-production, WILDFIRE is supported by the BFI, Screen Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen and the Wellcome Trust.

Director of WILDFIRE, Cathy Brady said:

“I am so proud WILDFIRE will be screened in cinemas across Northern Ireland and Ireland. The success of the film and the support I have received is overwhelming and I cannot wait for people across Northern Ireland.

“This has been an extremely special film to write and direct. Shot across a number of locations in Northern Ireland including Belfast, Newry and Downpatrick, it was really important to me to showcase the beauty and tragedy of our local environment. I am so privileged to have worked with Nika and Nora-Jane, along with the rest of the cast, crew, producers and financiers, who have all been so committed in helping me achieve this. I’m thrilled to welcome audiences to the cinema to enjoy Wildfire from Friday.”

New Fellowship programme for political and civic leaders to launch with Stormont event

(From Left to Right): John Healy, Managing Director at Allstate NI and Chair of the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building Fellowship Advisory Board alongside Karise Hutchinson, Professor of Leadership at Ulster University and Vice-Chair of the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building Fellowship Advisory Board launching a new Fellowship Programme for Mid-career Political and Civic Leaders here.

(From Left to Right): John Healy, Managing Director at Allstate NI and Chair of the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building Fellowship Advisory Board alongside Karise Hutchinson, Professor of Leadership at Ulster University and Vice-Chair of the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building Fellowship Advisory Board launching a new Fellowship Programme for Mid-career Political and Civic Leaders here.

A new Fellowship programme to support, develop and build the capacity of 24 of Northern Ireland’s mid-career political and civic leaders will launch live from Parliament Buildings on Thursday 2 September.

The Fellowship aims to strengthen democratic institutions and ensure that the current and future cadres of political and civic leaders in Northern Ireland are best placed to lead into the next decade and navigate through complexity. Streamed online live from Parliament Buildings, this event celebrates the launch of the inaugural Fellowship class, giving attendees the chance to meet the Fellows themselves.

Featuring present and future leaders from Northern Ireland and beyond, the event will include discussions from leading policymakers, business leaders and public figures on the collective challenges facing our region. The speakers include the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Kate Nicholl, Sir David Sterling, former Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, and Margaret Ritchie, former MP and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick.

The leadership symposium is the first step in the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building’s ambitious effort to spark a new conversation exploring the Spirit of Possibility in Northern Ireland. The Fellowship’s Advisory Board, which includes prominent Northern Irish business and academic leaders, will host panel discussions with a range of guest speakers.

The event includes an address from John Healy, the Fellowship Advisory Board Chair and Vice President of Allstate NI, and Professor Karise Hutchinson, Advisory Board Vice Chair and Professor at Ulster University. Through collaboration across the political, local government, business and civic society realms, this launch event seeks to spark a new conversation that realises Northern Ireland’s potential for progress and innovation.

The Fellowship is delivered by the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building (CDPB), working with key stakeholders and facilitators from the business sector and leading academic institutions. The programme is supported by Allstate NI, Devenish, FinTrU, Fujitsu NI, Ulster Carpets, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Fellowship’s Advisory Board, who will speak at the launch event, include:

  • John Healy, Managing Director at Allstate NI (Chair)

  • Professor Karise Hutchinson, Professor of Leadership at Ulster University (Vice-Chair).

  • Darragh McCarthy, CEO, FinTrU;

  • Owen Brennan, Chairman, Devenish;

  • Deepa Mann-Kler, CEO, Neon and Visiting Professor, Ulster University;

  • David Clements, Managing Director, Fujitsu NI;

  • Nick Coburn, Managing Director, Ulster Carpets.

Guest Speakers for the Fellowship launch event include:

  • Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Kate Nicholl;

  • Claire Sugden MLA, MLA for East Londonderry;

  • Louise Warde-Hunter, Principal and CEO of Belfast Metropolitan College;

  • Margaret Ritchie, former MP and Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick;

  • Tara Grace Connolly, UN Youth Delegate;

  • Sir David Sterling, Former Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service;

  • Amanda Ferguson, Journalist and Broadcaster.

John Healy, Vice President at Allstate NI and Chair of the Fellowship Advisory Board, said:

“I am thrilled to be speaking at the launch of the Fellowship in what will be a special event live from Parliament Buildings. This symposium celebrates the beginning of the first Fellowship programme which promises to give our emerging political and civic leaders the knowledge, skills, and relationships they require to lead Northern Ireland into the next decade.”

“The chosen 24 candidates will be joined by a group of esteemed business, political and civic society leaders who will discuss the collective challenges we face in NI and abroad. The speakers include experienced policymakers, influential public figures, and esteemed business leaders from the Fellowship Advisory Board.”

“I am looking forward to what promises to be a fantastic occasion and hope to see many attendees tuning in online to join the event.”

Karise Hutchinson, Professor of Leadership at Ulster University and Vice-Chair of the Fellowship Advisory Board, said:

“Given our troubled past in Northern Ireland, we often neglect to be ambitious for the future. The Fellowship programme seeks to start a new conversation here, one that explores the Spirit of Possibility in Northern Ireland. From Covid-19 recovery to continued political instability, the societal challenges we face require a new, innovative method of thinking. This leadership symposium is an ambitious event gathering business, political and civic leaders to discuss how, through strong collaboration, we can achieve meaningful results.”

“I am very proud to be supporting the launch of this year’s fantastic programme alongside my colleagues in the Advisory Board. I would encourage all those interested to register for this excellent event.”

The Fellowship Launch and Leadership Symposium will take place on Thursday 2 September, 2021 between 9.30am-12.45pm. The event will be streamed live from the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

To register for the event, visit: LINK.