Spending Review announcement provides a prime opportunity for Executive to address underinvestment in pharmacy

Community Pharmacy NI is urging the Northern Ireland Executive to use its block grant to provide the necessary investment to stabilise the community pharmacy sector and support services following the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Community pharmacy has to date experienced a legacy of significant underfunding and workforce difficulties, and faces unprecedented winter pressures over the next months. Community Pharmacy NI is calling for an immediate and multi-year funding plan to be put in place to allow the sector to continue to respond to the pandemic.

According to the industry, the three-year funding settlement through the Spending Review offers one of the best opportunities to address the long-term funding shortages which have impacted community pharmacy over the last decade. Investment is also required to help with the sector’s response to immediate winter challenges. 

 As the only open-access health care provider in primary care during the Covid-19 pandemic, community pharmacy, like other sectors of health care, has a workforce that is left exhausted from the challenge. Increasing workforce pressures have led to staff moving away from frontline community pharmacy and into other parts of the health service.

In addition to everyday pharmacy services including the safe supply of over 40 million prescription medicines to patients annually across Northern Ireland, the network is now the main provider of primary Covid-19 vaccinations in Northern Ireland and will deliver booster jabs as well as an enhanced flu vaccination programme.

Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy NI, Gerard Greene said:

“Community pharmacy has long operated under significant financial constraints with services having to make do with ad hoc injections of funding for too long. We now have an opportunity, through the Executive’s block grant settlement, to take a multi-year approach to resourcing the sector so that it is placed on a more sustainable footing, allowing for long-term planning, and further service provisions to be added.

“The reality is we are starting to see the effect that years of underinvestment is having on our community pharmacy sector. Added to this is the ever-rising cost-base for community pharmacy contractors seen principally with dramatically rising staff costs and energy costs to give just two examples. Whilst the Chancellor has signalled his intent to also use tax increases to account for rising health and social care costs, we are calling on the Executive to ensure that community pharmacy is included within all the budgetary allocations made available to the Northern Ireland Executive. 

“Community pharmacists have been proud to play an instrumental role in the Covid-19 and winter flu vaccine roll-outs. However, these run alongside all other pharmacy services and this requires detailed planning and resourcing to ensure safe staffing levels, supply of medicines and regular services.

“With our health service under huge pressure, it was encouraging to hear Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA speaking recently of his intention to use the Executive’s block grant to prioritise health. It is imperative that funds are quickly allocated to the Department of Health to ensure recurrent investment for community pharmacy. 

“On the ground, community pharmacists have been at breaking point, but have kept their doors open to look after patients over the past nineteen months. Our services have enabled patients to be cared for and maintained in their own home environment, freeing up hospitals, GPs and care homes for the most unwell and vulnerable. It is time that the dedication and work of our sector is matched with the correct funding and resourcing.”

Leading accountancy and advisory firm Baker Tilly Mooney Moore in two new tax appointments

Eugene Moore, new Tax Manager at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore with Tax Director Angela Keery and Naomh McGrann, new Tax Technician at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore

Leading accountancy and advisory firm Baker Tilly Mooney Moore has made two appointments to the Taxation Department amid a period of sustained growth and development.

Eugene Moore joins the firm as Tax Manager, while Naomh McGrann has taken on the role of Tax Technician.

The appointments mark another step forward for the Belfast-based team, which specialises in Audit & Assurance, Consulting, Taxation and Restructuring & Insolvency, following a busy period across all areas of the business.

From beginning his career in Portadown, Eugene brings over 16 years’ experience at both local general practice and large corporate tax team levels. Initially delivering Tax and Audit services for clients across multiple sectors including agriculture and medicine, Eugene has specialised in Corporate Tax Advisory and Compliance over the last six years.

Also starting off at local level, Naomh brings five years’ experience in personal tax from both a smaller practice in Lisburn and within the ‘Big 4’ bracket.

The appointments follow the addition of Eimear Brown to the well-known accountancy brand as its new Head of Audit in August.

Welcoming Eugene and Naomh to the team, Angela Keery, Tax Director at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore said:

“This is an important milestone for the firm as we welcome two consultants with a wealth of expertise to our growing Taxation Department. As our new Tax Manager, Eugene brings experience working with clients across Northern Ireland. Eugene has a corporate tax focus, working with local family businesses on company reorganisations and associated tax planning.”

“Naomh, who joins us as a Tax Technician, will apply her expertise and insights initially in managing personal tax cases to our varied client base of both established and new business. We are thrilled to have them both on board and believe their energy and attention to detail will bolster the team as we seek to deliver for our clients in this post-pandemic environment.”

Eugene Moore, new Tax Manager at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore said:

“Joining the team at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore during a period of expansion and growth was an opportunity not to be missed as the firm goes from strength to strength. I look forward to applying my experience across various sectors to this all-encompassing role and contributing to the success of the Tax department and the firm overall.”

Eugene Moore, new Tax Manager at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore

Naomh McGrann, new Tax Technician at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore added:

“I am delighted to have been appointed to the Tax Department at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore, which brings all the comfort of a smaller firm while operating on a higher level. As our clients navigate their post-pandemic recovery, it is both motivating and reassuring to join an expanding team. I know there will be an endless number of opportunities, particularly through the Baker Tilly International network, and feel encouraged by all that is going on.”

 

Naomh McGrann, new Tax Technician at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore

Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 25 October 2021

Forward Look

  • Please find attached a rundown of legislation currently passing through the Assembly. Of particular note are the two Climate Change Bills and the Health and Social Care Bill.

  • The Northern Ireland Assembly will rise for its Halloween recess on Monday. The next plenary session is scheduled for Monday 1 November.

  • The Executive has agreed that face coverings can be removed when eating, drinking or dancing in any indoor setting in anticipation of further relaxation of restrictions facing the hospitality sector on 31 October.

  • The Executive published its Autumn/Winter Covid-19 Contingency Plan. In the event of cases rising the plan sets out four contingency measures. These include more focused communications, Covid-19 status certification in high-risk settings, strengthened self-isolation rules and the re-imposition of legal requirement for minimum social distancing. To view the plan: LINK

  • The Boundary Commission published its Initial Proposals Report for the 2023 Parliamentary Constituency Boundary Review. Proposals include renaming two constituencies and moving twenty local government wards to other constituencies. The proposals will be subject to several consultations and a public hearing before final recommendations are made by 1 July 2023.

  • Applications for the High Street Voucher Scheme will close on Monday. Economy Minister Gordon Lyons MLA has encouraged those who have not applied to do so.

  • A High Court judge overseeing legal action against the DUP’s boycott of the North South Ministerial Council has suggested that the Attorney General could be consulted on the case in the coming weeks.

  • Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has launched a consultation on a proposed new affordable rent model that will increase affordable housing options. The deadline for responses is 14 January 2022.

  • Economy Minister Gordon Lyons MLA has launched a competition to appoint a new Chair to the Board of Northern Ireland Screen. The deadline for applications is 11 November.

  • Green MLA Rachel Woods has introduced the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Bill. Its Second Stage is to be scheduled in the coming weeks.

  • Before stepping down, Fra McCann’s Hospital Parking Charges Bill had its first stage in the Assembly. Its Second Stage is to be scheduled in the coming weeks. Fra McCann’s replacement Aisling Reilly MLA is expected to take over the sponsorship of the bill.

  • The Autumn Budget and 2021 Spending Review will be published on Wednesday. The Spending Review will set out the devolved administrations’ block grants for 2022/23 and 2024/25.

  • Northern Ireland Questions will take place on Wednesday in Parliament. Secretary of State Brandon Lewis MP will also appear before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on the Governments legacy proposals.

  • Belfast City Council has issued a call for tenders to develop an economic strategy to support sustainable and inclusive growth in Belfast for the period 2022-2030. Deadline for applications is 12 November.

  • Belfast International Homecoming will go green for its seventh annual conference on 4 November focusing on the climate emergency and the need to transition to a carbon neutral economy. For more information: LINK

Other Stories this week

  • Aisling Reilly was officially signed in as the new Sinn Féin MLA for West Belfast, replacing Fra McCann.

  • The Communities Committee has launched its ‘Call for Views’ on the new Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Bill which will amend the 1985 legislation.

  • The Northern Ireland High Court refused to quash planning permission for the North South Interconnector despite identifying a legal flaw in the ministerial decision-making process.

  • SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has reshuffled the party’s frontbench Assembly team. Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin has been appointed Chair of the Executive Office Committee, Colin McGrath MLA has moved to the Health Committee, and Matthew O’Toole MLA has been appointed deputy Chair of the Economy Committee.

  • A survey published by the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce has found that one in three businesses are performing better than before the pandemic, but 80% of respondents are finding it difficult to gain staff.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA opened a new £3 million Cancer Care Unit at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald.

Upcoming key political and business events

Consultations

 

FinTech and Further Education leaders unite to inspire the workforce of the post-pandemic economy

(Left to Right): Vice-President and Managing Director, Allstate NI, John Healy, FinTru Associate & former North West Regional College student, Tracey Gillen, Belfast Metropolitan College’s Director of Curriculum, Damian Duffy, Broadcaster Clodagh Rice, HMT FinTech Envoy for Northern Ireland, Andrew Jenkins, and Chief Executive & Principal of North West Regional College, Leo Murphy.

The leaders of the FinTech and Further Education sectors met in a panel event on Thursday to examine how both industries can work collaboratively to provide the skills and talent needed to boost the Northern Ireland Economy.

The event, held at North West Regional College, saw insightful discussion on the important role of the Further Education colleges in training and developing skilled talent for the FinTech sector, and how FinTech companies can work more closely with the Colleges to maximise the opportunities that exist in this growing sector.

‘FinTech and Further Education: Creating Skills for the new Economy’ panellists included Northern Ireland FinTech Envoy, Andrew Jenkins, Vice President and Managing Director of Allstate NI John Healy, Belfast Metropolitan College’s Director of Curriculum, Damian Duffy and former North West Regional College Student and current FinTru Associate, Tracey Gillen.

The Further Education colleges across Northern Ireland offer a range of courses for learners seeking a career in the Financial Technology services including Foundation Degrees in Business, Higher Level Apprenticeships in Accounting and the Assured Skills academies with businesses including FinTru, Deloitte and Alchemy.

The event follows the publication of a dedicated three-year strategy for the FinTech sector in Northern Ireland, which found it to be worth an estimated £392 million to the local economy. Expected to attract an additional £25 million in Foreign Direct Investment by 2024, the strategy identifies skills and talent as a key workstream to safeguarding the future of the industry.

Northern Ireland FinTech Envoy and Chair of the FinTech NI Association Andrew Jenkins said:

“As the world of work changes dramatically and we continue to battle the brain drain of talented professionals from Northern Ireland, now is the time to promote the opportunities on offer here on our very doorstep. Following the launch of our three-year FinTech Strategy and roadmap, we know that the sector has the potential to bring in over £25 million in Foreign Direct Investment by 2024. With ambitions to reach 100 local FinTech firms in this period also, it is essential that we turn our attention to the future innovators, who we will soon be reliant upon to fill a growing list of vacancies.”

“With this in mind, we are working to demystify what the FinTech sector is and communicate the opportunities and earning potential that exist. Uniting with the Further Education sector to promote the opportunities available in FinTech is a vital avenue of this work and a useful step forward in our efforts to address the skills imbalance and safeguard the pipeline of future talent our sector relies upon.”

Chief Executive and Principal of North West Regional College, Leo Murphy said:

“For the past decade, we have been working with excellent businesses including Allstate, FinTru, Alchemy and Deloitte to ensure that we are producing skilled, experienced talent for the FinTech sector who are work ready and prepared to fulfil the role required. We are thrilled to join our FinTech colleagues to further boost our collaborative working and showcase how this partnership is elevating and boosting the skilled workforce and in turn, the wider economy.

“The FinTech sector has soared across Northern Ireland in the past years, with countless lists now recognising us as one of the world’s most attractive destinations for FinTech. This ringing endorsement for the sector, including the companies that operate here in the North West, is a testament to the hundreds of students who have worked incredibly hard to be part of this expanding industry. We are excited to see the new peaks both our sectors will reach together as we look to the economic bounce back following the pandemic.”

New cross border survey shows that conditions for North South cooperation have deteriorated due to political instability

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

The report published today by the Centre for Cross Border Studies, as part of their third quarterly survey on the conditions for North-South and East-West Cooperation, shows that political North-South cooperation has not improved.

It follows a previous report earlier this summer that found 51% of civil society organisations felt that the conditions for political North-South collaboration had deteriorated due to growing political instability surrounding the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol.

The report covers data that was collected via a survey of self-selected respondents between 17 and 30 September. Over 60 civil society organisations and local authorities responded to the survey.

Respondents pointed to politicisation of Brexit and the implementation of the NI Protocol as a cause of this stagnation due to the erosion of relations.

The report authored by the Centre, whose role is to promote cross border cooperation, also showed that levels of East West cooperation has stayed the same, but respondents indicated a lack of trust in the British government and local politicians to address issues.

Today’s publication helps the Centre to assess how the necessary conditions for cross border cooperation are being maintained, and how relations between organisations on the island of Ireland and Great Britain are being safeguarded since Brexit and the partial implementation of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol.

The survey is published in the context of ongoing political frictions surrounding the Northern Ireland Protocol and North South Ministerial Council.  

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

“I am increasingly concerned that there has been no improvement in the political conditions for North South cooperation since our previous findings in July.”

“Whilst it is expected that cooperation may dwindle occasionally, it is alarming that cooperation has stagnated during a period when we need it most. Cooperation across these islands is the only solution to the problems we face.”

“I believe we can improve the political conditions for cooperation across these islands, but this can only be done through honest and respectful dialogue between all parties to deal with the sensitivities surrounding the Northern Ireland Protocol.”

“Since becoming Director of the Centre for Cross Border Studies in 2019, it is apparent to me that there is a willingness from society to cooperate across our islands for the benefit of all. That is why our decision makers should strive to find solutions to the barriers of greater cooperation.”

On the forward work of the Centre, Dr Soares added:

“Stability is needed for cross border cooperation and collaboration; all parties must come to an agreement on the working of the Protocol and governments must engage on cross cutting issues.”

“We note and welcome the negotiations currently taking place between the British Government and the European Union to find an agreement.”

“As a Centre we will work to continually promote dialogue and cooperation to ensure the vision of a reconciled and peaceful society, underpinned by all three strands of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement is a reality.”

Inspire crowns winners at Workplace Wellbeing Awards

Ian Reeves, Jennifer Rogers and Eamonn Murphy of the Gaelic Players Association join John Conaghan, Group Director of Therapeutic and Wellbeing Services at Inspire to celebrate the Association’s special recognition award at the Inspire Workplace Wellbeing Awards 2021.

Mental health charity Inspire has celebrated the importance of building positivity, resilience and mental wellbeing in work at its third Workplace Wellbeing Awards.

The virtual event took place on Wednesday 20th October and was organised to recognise the efforts made by the many organisations that go the extra mile to nurture the mental health and wellbeing of their employees.

Broadcaster Tara Mills hosted the ceremony, which was sponsored by Bank of Ireland UK.

The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) was awarded a special recognition award for its long-standing and ground-breaking commitment to employee wellbeing.

John Conaghan, Group Director of Therapeutic and Wellbeing Services at Inspire, said:

“We are thrilled to have hosted these awards and acknowledge the organisations that are going the extra mile promote and strengthen staff wellbeing. It has been a difficult 19 months for everyone, but it is great to see employee wellbeing being prioritised by employers from all sectors. At the awards, we celebrated organisations who are ensuring that staff wellbeing is of the highest importance. We congratulate our nominees and winners, all of whom really showcase the best of those creating a culture of employee wellbeing.

“We are especially pleased to award the Lifetime Achievement Award to the Gaelic Players Association. The GPA’s 4000 elite inter-county players represent, or have represented, their counties at the highest level in football, hurling and camogie. The GPA is very much aware that while the public may see players first, it sees the person first. The GPA knows that playing at a high level can be challenging, with players balancing the demands of sport, family life, education and work.

“Inspire has been providing mental health support to the GPA for a decade now and, during that time, we have seen first-hand the organisation’s passion, commitment and dedication to supporting the mental health of its members. The GPA is very aware that what happens off the pitch can greatly affect what happens on it. It takes seriously the mental health struggles that some players may have, from anxiety, low mood and addiction to family issues and bereavement. The GPA, and its members, also act as significant role models for the public. We know that when a player speaks publicly about his or her mental health, this encourages members of the public to come forward for help. Inspire is delighted to award the Lifetime Achievement Award to the GPA. It is a true ambassador for mental health awareness and the provider of much needed support to past and present players.”

Accepting the award on behalf of the GPA, CEO Tom Parsons said:

“It is a great honour to see the work the GPA has done in the area of mental health recognised in this way by Inspire. Inspire has been a very important supporter of inter-county players in this area and I want to thank them on behalf of each and every player they have helped over the course of the last decade. Be in no doubt that were it not for those brave individuals who have spoken out about their own difficulties, others would have struggled more and for longer in silence. By seeking help and speaking out, they have helped lessen the stigma that unfortunately still exists around mental health and made the path to support easier for others. This award is truly for them.

“Players are at the heart of each and every decision we make or policy we pursue. While sport is often associated with physical health, our members are people first and mental health is something we all have and something we all need to look after. The GPA has consistently encouraged our members to prioritise their mental health and are proud to have provided supports to enable them to do this. We take pride in the fact that we offer inter-county players a range of services, including a confidential counselling phone line, face-to-face counselling, a text support service, and an online wellbeing support platform, as we help them to deal with times of crisis and also encourage them to look after their mental health on an ongoing basis.

“If I could get one message out there today for players it is that we look after our physical health through exercise, eating and sleeping well, and training. We need to treat our mental health in the same way and we have services and tools there for players to do just that, so please make use of them and never be afraid to avail of help should you need it. Many of your fellow players have done so and have seen the benefits.”

Kerry Hinks, HR Manager at Bank of Ireland NI, which is sponsoring the awards, said:

“At Bank of Ireland, our Wellbeing Strategy is aligned to our ambition and purpose of “enabling our colleagues, customer and communities to thrive”. Wellbeing is about thriving as an individual, about being happy and healthy. We are delighted to support these awards, which recognise the other organisations in Northern Ireland that are aiming to embed a strong culture of workplace wellbeing and ensure that this important area continues to be prioritised.”

The winners for each category were:

Excellence in Challenging Stigma in the Workplace

Winner: Mates in Mind

Excellence in Health Social Care Sector

Winner: NI Hospice

Excellence in Public Sector

Winner: Translink

Excellence in the Education Sector

Winner: Education Authority

Excellence in Private Sector:

Winner: KN Circet

Excellence in Voluntary Community or Social Enterprise:

Winner: EBCDA- East Belfast Community Development Agency

Outstanding Employee Led Initiative:

Winner: BSO

Promoting Positive Wellbeing Culture:

Winner: Clúid Housing and NI Water

Allstate NI wins gold at both UK and Northern Ireland Contact Centre Awards

Gold winners for Allstate NI Sean Benson and Stephen Lomas

The contact centre team at Allstate Northern Ireland have achieved four gold and two silver awards across both the local and national contact centre awards events.

At the London ceremony of the UK National Contact Centre Awards last month, the team took gold in the Contact Centre Manager of the Year and Unsung Hero categories, and silver in the Best Diversity and Inclusion Culture award.

Employees at the Allstate Technology Support Centre (ATSC) celebrated further last week with three awards at the Contact Centre Network Northern Ireland Awards, winning gold in Support Team of the Year and Large Contact Centre of the Year and silver for Senior Manager of the Year.

Allstate’s Unsung Hero was Senior Division Leader Sean Benson, who was recognised for playing a key role in moving the company’s operations online in a matter of days due to the pandemic, while himself at risk due to a serious health condition.

Stephen Lomas was also celebrated as Contact Centre Manager of the Year for his outstanding leadership capabilities, unique approach to employee engagement, and his work at the forefront of Allstate’s digital transformation strategy.

Locally, the silver award for Senior Manager of the Year went to Sabrina Lynch, Senior Division Leader at the ATSC who has responsibility for over 250 contact centre operators across bases in NI, the US and India.

Sabrina Lynch, Senior Manager at Allstate NI presented her award by John Nesbitt of Jabra

With a focus on inclusive diversity and dedication to creating a culture of continuous improvement in the workforce, Sabrina was nominated for her determination across all areas of the business, including in driving initiatives to boost employee engagement. Sabrina led the team that established the ‘Flex It Up’ model, an employee-led flexible working approach, and spearheaded Allstate’s Digital First Strategy.  

Hosted by TV and radio presenter Vernon Kay, the London awards event saw the ATSC team recognised for their innovative approaches to achieving a culture of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The Silver win in the Best Diversity & Inclusion Category follow’s Allstate’s Silver Diversity Mark NI award that made it the first NI company to be recognised for its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Welcoming the awards, Managing Director of Allstate NI John Healy said:

“The response of our teams right across the Allstate operation to the changing ways of work could not have been possible without the service desk team at the ATSC. In four days, we had the entire NI operation equipped to operate from the comfort and safety of their homes thanks to an efficient mobilisation led by Sean, Stephen, Sabrina and the 300 strong service desk team.”

“Despite the challenges this caused, I am proud to have employees who continued to support their local communities by modifying our business practices and ensuring we live up to our people, community and environmental goals. Covid-19 may have changed how our working practices look, but our volunteering initiatives and participation in community events remain the same. These are exceptional leaders, and I am immensely proud to see Sabrina, Sean, Stephen and the wider ATSC team recognised on both a national and local level.”

Occupational Burnout is a hazard that can be fixed - by John Conaghan, Group Director of Professional Services, Inspire

As originally appeared in the Irish News, 19 October

As we reflect on another year of workplaces shifting, with many either still working from home or trying to find the rhythm on hybrid working, there are still clear challenges for both employees and employers. The issues posed by Covid-19 have impacted on us all including in the workplace which for many become kitchen tables and spare bedrooms. The increasingly blurred lines between work and home have resulted in people burning out which the World Health Organisation has defined as ‘a syndrome conceptualised from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.’ I have no doubt this description will resonate with many.

Burnouts occur when we become overwhelmed with stress, both in our working and personal lives, when we cannot seem to escape the all-consuming sense of burden and worry. It can be caused by a variety of reasons, including too many responsibilities or excessive workload. The pandemic has only exacerbated factors leading to burnout, and it is important that people are aware of this and act to reduce the effect.

To ensure the positive wellbeing of staff, Inspire Workplaces believe it is vital that employers and employees can spot the signs of a burnout, and act to ensure staff can take a break and feel supported within their workplace which ultimately diminishes the chances of further burnouts occurring.

Some helpful tips to prevent burnout include;

  • Root out the problem – take a moment and reflect on what is troubling you.

  • Take care of yourself – simple steps like exercise and a healthy diet can have a big impact on mental wellbeing and stress levels.

  • Reach out to other people – meaningful conversations work well to help us feel supported.

  • Change the way you view your job – seeing purposeful action in what you do can change your outlook on you job, and in turn create a positive mindset.

  • Remember to prioritise yourself – by taking time for yourself, and separating that work-life balance, you are giving your head space to breath and calm to set in.

At Inspire Workplaces, we look to champion those workplaces who value and look out for employee wellbeing. We provide online resources giving advice on how best to deal with workplace stress and guidance for employers on how to support employees wellbeing.

This week, we will celebrate employers through our Workplace Wellbeing Awards, as we mark those who go above and beyond for employee wellbeing and ensure that mental health is as importance as physical health in the workplace.

The Awards are a further opportunity for Inspire to encourage other employers to look into how best to encourage workplace wellbeing. Through dedicated mental health and wellbeing programmes which include counselling and talking therapies, employers can help contribute towards the positive emotional wellbeing of their team, which in turn can help to nurture and develop employees and create happier and more productive workplaces.

This is not only possible but necessary. Organisations across Northern Ireland are already committed to the wellbeing of their staff and have been delivering excellent health and wellbeing programmes to deliver on this commitment rather than paying lip service to it. This is the embodiment of ‘we are all in this together’ and this must continue.

Belfast International Homecoming goes green for city's response to COP26

Belfast International Homecoming - the leading conference connecting Belfast with its global diaspora – will go green for its seventh annual conference in a hybrid event focused on the climate emergency.

Taking place at Titanic Belfast on 4 November during COP26, Belfast International Homecoming — The Green Edition, will be addressed by Pekka Timonen, Mayor of the EU’s 2021 Green Capital Lahti, Finland, who will be making his first visit to the city.

CEO of Plug Power, the world’s leading $20 billion hydrogen fuel company, Maria Bos and Assemblyman Mike Cusick, Chair of the Energy Committee in the New York State Legislature will also address the conference virtually.

Supported by Ulster Bank, Phoenix Natural Gas, Ulster University, Belfast City Council, Belfast Harbour and MRP, the one-day event will focus on opportunities from the shift to a more sustainable economy, including the creation of green collar jobs in clean energy, electric vessels, and hydrogen fuel.

A gala celebration in City Hall will follow, including the ‘installation’ of a new cohort of Belfast Ambassadors who have been promoting the city globally.

Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Kate Nicholl said:

“Belfast City Council is committed to becoming a carbon-neutral organisation and, as a council, we want to take the lead in setting a positive example for our residents to cut emissions. Engaging with our partners around the world is essential to this and we commend Belfast International Homecoming: The Green Edition for creating this valuable opportunity.”

Gabi Burnside, Entrepreneur Acceleration Manager at Ulster Bank said:

“As a conference sponsor, I am thrilled that Belfast International Homecoming will turn its focus to the climate emergency and the need for a transition to a green economy and society. With more and more businesses starting to contribute to the green economy, I am excited to see how we can learn from our diaspora to give Northern Ireland a cutting edge internationally.” 

Jonathan Martindale, Director of Business Development at Phoenix Natural Gas said:

“Belfast International Homecoming has always been an event which showcases the very best of Belfast. Each year, it provides the opportunity to hear from the Belfast diaspora sharing real-world experiences. I look forward to hearing from speakers talking about how they are promoting the awareness of the environment through their businesses and community advocacy work.”

The SDLP Reshuffles its Assembly Frontbench Team

Updated Twitter Card 1.jpg

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has announced a reshuffle of the party’s frontbench Assembly team. The Party Leader has also created new roles for the party’s MLAs to “reflect urgent political priorities”, with the creation of a Covid Recovery Spokesperson, a Climate Champion Spokesperson, and a New Generations Spokesperson.

The Foyle MP said the changes to the party is about “holding Ministers to account” and aim to deliver better outcomes for the people of Northern Ireland.

The appointments are as follows: