Accountancy and advisory firm Baker Tilly Mooney Moore announces series of senior appointments

Audit & Assurance Partner at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore Joanne Small pictured with newly appointed senior managers to the firm. From Left to Right: Simona Paldaviciute, Orla Quigg, Glenn Murray, Joanne Small, Karen Kirk, Michael Boylan, Victoria Bates and Jamie Treacy.

Belfast accountancy and advisory firm Baker Tilly Mooney Moore has announced a series of senior appointments amid a period of significant growth and expansion across its Audit and Business Services departments.

The firm has appointed two Senior Managers together with a Manager in Audit, a Manager in Business Services and three Assistant Managers in Audit.

It comes after the company, which delivers a range of advisory services across the public, private and voluntary sectors announced the appointment of Michael Branniff as Business Services Partner in January and Eimear Brown as Head of Audit in August.

Baker Tilly Mooney Moore specialises in Audit & Assurance, Business Services, Taxation, Consulting and Restructuring & Insolvency.

Continuing its expansion following significant growth throughout 2021, the firm has appointed Glenn Murray and Karen Kirk as Senior Managers in Audit, while Michael Boylan becomes Audit Manager.

Jamie Treacy is now Manager in Business Services, Simona Paldaviciute is Assistant Manager in Internal Audit and Victoria Bates and Orla Quigg have both been promoted to Assistant Manager in Audit.

Five of the seven team members recently promoted began their time at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore on the Graduate Trainee Programme.  This supports graduates through their professional Accountancy exams with either the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI).

Audit & Assurance Partner at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore, Joanne Small, welcomed the appointments:

“This latest group of key promotions and appointments across Audit and Business Services is in recognition of the first-class service delivered by our team members and their continued commitment to their own professional development. It gives us great pleasure to see younger members of the team, many of whom joined us on the Graduate Trainee Programme, progress throughout the firm as they continue to deliver trusted and reliable business advice.”

“At Baker Tilly Mooney Moore, we recognise that the success of the firm is directly linked to the continued success and advancement of our teams, and we are thrilled to have made a number of senior appointments in recent weeks. This is a demanding but hugely exciting time for us as we grow and expand across all areas of service. I am delighted to see these talented advisors step up a level and wish them every success going forward.”

Councillors urge NI Executive to deliver for local government in 2022

Cllr Robert Burgess, President, NILGA

Local government representatives in Northern Ireland have called on Executive ministers to deliver for councils ahead of and after the upcoming Assembly Election and treat local government here as an equal and full partner in the democratic makeup of Northern Ireland.

Representatives of the Northern Ireland Partnership Panel met on Wednesday for the first time this year to discuss a number of issues including Covid recovery, the upcoming Assembly Election, planning, remote council meetings, and rates.

The Partnership Panel provides a formal mechanism for political and strategic liaison between Executive Ministers and local government elected members on policy matters of mutual interest and concern.

Council representatives urged Executive ministers to properly back local government ahead of the Assembly Election in May, with an all-encompassing Devolution Bill which devolves further powers, resources, and finances to the 11 local councils across Northern Ireland, including a more sustainable financial footing for councils and long-promised powers like regeneration.

The panel also expressed concern over the status of the 2022-2025 Budget, which Finance Minister Conor Murphy confirmed this week cannot progress without a full Executive in place. Members also agreed changes to the way the panel functions after suggestions were raised that the Partnership Panel could work more effectively.

The meeting was attended by representatives from local government and chaired by Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA. It was also attended by Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon MLA; Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA; Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA; and Junior Minister Declan Kearney MLA.

Speaking after the meeting, NILGA President Cllr Robert Burgess said:

“The Partnership Panel is a welcome and timely opportunity to engage with our colleagues in the NI Executive and central government. The Panel is an important mechanism which brings local and central government closer together on issues of mutual concern for both sectors. Engagements like these have been especially vital during the pandemic as everyone in our society has grappled with the challenges in front of us.

“The removal of Covid restrictions from law to guidance earlier this week was a welcome decision by the Health Minister and hopefully signals the end of major restrictions on our lives brought about by the pandemic. Local government has led with distinction since March 2020, delivering for our communities and our constituents, and providing key public services under some of the most difficult circumstances many of us will ever face. However, this has left local councils in a perilous financial state and now is the time to prioritise recovery and local government sustainability.

“The clock is now ticking down to polling day in May. This Assembly Election is a major opportunity for local government in Northern Ireland. NILGA has made the case for a number of years for councils here to be granted more finances, more powers, more resources to deliver for communities in times of political instability. A new, all-encompassing Devolution Bill for local councils would ensure that they are fully funded, properly resourced, and have the ability to deliver even more on a local level.

“Ahead of the election, we will continue urging our parties and candidates to ensure they commit to lifting up local government in the next mandate. This means finally devolving key powers like regeneration, which have been too long promised to councils in Northern Ireland, and creating a new way of funding our councils, a more sustainable and long-term funding model which ensures confidence in the services we provide.”

'A reset on advancement of skilled learning needed when transforming education system' - by Brian Doran, Chief Executive and Principal, Southern Regional College

Brian Doran, Chief Executive and Principal of Southern Regional College

As originally appeared in Irish News, 15 February.

When looking at how we must transform our education system for the future of our young people, real consideration must be given to the skilled sphere and how we must encourage the next generations of workforces to consider vocational pathways when looking at their post-school options.

The post-pandemic era labour shortages, which are becoming more and more apparent, are a clear indicator of the gap which long existed in our education system. But within the gaps and shortages stands an opportunity for our young people to be the catalyst of change for skills in Northern Ireland and be part of the new emerging workforce of skilled talent who can deliver the economy growth and transformation envisaged in the 10X Economic Strategy.

The Independent Review of Education must address the emerging skills gaps, the so called ‘Brain Drain’, and focus on how educational institutions need to work together to create a new education eco-system where vocational pathways are promoted and valued by all.

Across the six Further Education Colleges in Northern Ireland, we are providing people of all ages with skills and adaptable knowhow which will enable them to access jobs in these key pockets of the economy which are currently struggling to retain staff. This could be multiplied across sectors if the right investment and joined-up approach to skilled learning was applied.

However, shortfalls and silos must be broken down to enable young people across Northern Ireland to have full access to information and guidance that will help inform their next steps when leaving the school system at key transition points including completion of GCSEs and A-Levels.

Collectively, the six Further Education Colleges have brought forward recommendations on how schools and FE colleges can work in a new spirit of partnership that places the needs of the young person first. This includes a formal agreement between schools and FE colleges for post primary schools to work to provide more effective careers information, labour market information and access to a new and emerging vocational education and training system.

This new vocational education system based on Traineeships and Advanced Technical Awards should be progressed within colleges and will provide opportunities for transitioning to apprenticeships and progression to higher education.  The strong connection that colleges have with many hundreds of businesses across Northern Ireland places colleges in an ideal position to provide the future workforce in areas including FinTech, Software Development, Cyber Security, Advanced Manufacture and Engineering and Health Care.

There is a real opportunity to provide all young people with access to vocational education and training within the wider education system in Northern Ireland. Our six colleges have the tools, courses and expertise to train and upskill people of all ages to play their role in the new economy. We hope that all those in the education sector are as determined to break down barriers and achieve a system fit for all.

Baker Tilly Mooney Moore reacts to the removal of all remaining Covid-19 restrictions

Stephen McConnell, Business Services Partner at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore

Reacting to the announcement that all remaining Covid-19 restrictions will be removed, Stephen McConnell, Business Services Partner at leading accountancy and advisory firm Baker Tilly Mooney Moore said:

“Today’s decision to remove the remaining Covid-19 restrictions is a welcome and entirely necessary step forward. Businesses, particularly in the retail and hospitality sectors, have been operating under a number of legal requirements that, while important to manage the public health crisis posed by the Omicron variant, have ultimately stifled their ability to truly rebuild from the pandemic.”

“As the situation eases, the removal of all restrictions will allow business owners to maximise their operations at a time when profit margins are being reduced from all angles. Cost bases have reached unprecedented levels as gas and electric tariffs continue to skyrocket, government support schemes are winding up and the return of the 20% VAT rate is just around the corner. Many businesses are now also making repayments to the Bounce Back Loan Scheme and various other support measures, meaning their ability to operate free from legal restrictions is vital to help pay off debts. Almost two years into the pandemic, what we do know is that business owners here are resilient and resourceful and will no doubt emerge from this latest phase ready to continue contributing to the economy and creating jobs for people in Northern Ireland.”

Brown O’Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 14 February 2022

Forward Look                                

  • The Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections and Petitions of Concern) Act 2022 has become law, increasing the one-week period to nominate a First and deputy First Minister to six weeks.

  • Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis MP confirmed that the upcoming Assembly Election will take place on Thursday 5 May 2022.

  • The Finance Minister will bring forward a 2021-22 Budget Bill in the coming weeks to deal with the absence of an agreed Executive draft Budget. This will allow departments to spend 45% of their mandated yearly spend.

  • Health Minister Robin Swann MLA has received legal advice stating he cannot lift Covid-19 restrictions alone. He has written to his Ministerial colleagues regarding the advice, asking for their responses by 1pm on Monday.

  • Assembly Speaker Alex Maskey MLA has written to MLAs regarding the passage of legislation. He expects that all Executive bills will complete their passage before the end of the mandate.

  • The Department of Finance intends to bring forward a legal framework to the Fiscal Council in the next Assembly mandate.

  • Department of Finance officials confirmed the £100 million block grant consequential and unallocated funds from January monitoring can be carried forward to next year.

  • Belfast City Council is to bring forward legal proceedings to compel the Government and Department of Agriculture to implement the Northern Ireland Protocol.

  • The UK Government intends to bring forward legislation on culture, identity, and language in Northern Ireland ahead of the Assembly Election.

  • The Irish Cabinet is establishing two Citizens’ Assemblies. One will assist the State respond to biodiversity loss and the other will examine local government structures in Dublin.

  • The Belfast Telegraph has launched its Business Awards for 2022. The deadline for nominations is 11 April. Enter here: LINK.

  • The School Age Bill and the Adoption and Children Bill will have their Consideration Stage on Monday.

  • The Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (Amendment) Bill will have its Consideration Stage on Tuesday.

  • Question Time will take place for the Communities Minister and Economy Minister on Monday. The Education Minister will face questions on Tuesday.

  • On Wednesday, the Economy Committee will receive a briefing from NIC-ICTU on the Employment (Zero Hours Workers and Banded Weekly Working Hours) Bill. The Infrastructure Committee will receive a departmental briefing on the review of the Planning Act 2011.

Other Stories this week

  • EY Ireland Chief Economist Neil Gibson has been appointed as Permanent Secretary for the Department of Finance. Colum Boyle will take up the role in the Department for Communities.

  • Sir David Sterling has been appointed as the Chair of Northern Ireland Screen.

  • The Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Bill and the Organ Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill have both passed their Final Stage and await Royal Assent.

  • PwC’s NI Economic Outlook Report found that Northern Ireland businesses need to exploit the opportunities created by the NI Protocol.

  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson appointed Jacob Rees-Mogg MP as the Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency.

  • Samantha Jones was appointed as the interim Permanent Secretary for the new Office of the Prime Minister.

  • The NIO is relocating from Stormont House to Erskine House, expanding the UK Government Hub in Belfast City Centre.

Upcoming key political and business events 

  • 20 February, SDLP Conference, Seamus Heaney Homeplace, Bellaghy

  • 23 February, In Camera with the Department for Infrastructure

  • 23 February, CO3 Leadership Breakfast

  • 25 February, Women in Tech Conference, Titanic Belfast

  • 26 February, DUP Conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast

  • 3 March, Londonderry Chamber President’s Annual Lunch, City Hotel, Derry

  • 9 March, Post-Brexit Conference: Sustaining and Building Cross-Border Cooperation and Trade, Newry and Dundalk Chamber

  • 10 March, Women in Business awards

  • 14 – 15 March, InterTradeIreland Venture Capital Conference

  • 15 – 18 March, MIPIM, Cannes

  • 24 March, Belfast Chamber’s BelFastForward Conference

  • 26 May, Belfast Telegraph Business Awards, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast

Consultations

Justice Committee expected to be warned that proposed cuts will impact on the most vulnerable

(L-R) David Mulholland, Chief Executive of the Bar of Northern Ireland and David A. Lavery CB, Chief Executive of the Law Society of Northern Ireland

Representatives from the legal profession are expected to tell the Assembly’s Justice Committee of their growing concerns that the proposed cuts to the Department of Justice budget will leave areas of Northern Ireland without legal aid services and representation.

The stark warning of ‘legal aid deserts’ follows concerns previously raised by both the Law Society and Bar of Northern Ireland about the future of solicitor firms and barrister practices who would be forced to restrict their services because of proposed cuts to the Justice budget.

The Law Society and the Bar will express deep concerns that the real impact of proposed budgetary cuts coupled with the huge backlog in the justice system will significantly affect the network of lawyers resulting in access to justice being severely curtailed or non-existent in many local towns.

The representative bodies will argue that the proposed cuts will hit the most vulnerable in society the hardest as they will struggle to fund legal proceedings or get professional legal advice and support on life changing issues.

The Law Society and the Bar have been calling on political decision makers to urgently review the proposed cuts and to consider the real implications on their local communities and constituents.

Commenting David A. Lavery CB, Chief Executive of the Law Society in Northern Ireland said:

“Lawyers are all too aware of the significant pressures the Justice System is currently operating under. It has been estimated that it may take until 2027 at the earliest for these backlogs to be cleared. The current proposals by the Department will cause further delays.”

“Solicitor firms in Northern Ireland tend to be relatively small, with over a quarter comprising only one solicitor while there are relatively few firms in the South and West of the province. It is these small, rural practices which are most under threat and the closure of those firms would be very damaging to the communities they serve.”

“This budget proposal must be reconsidered to ensure the network of legal representation throughout Northern Ireland is maintained and that communities can easily access the Justice System.”

David Mulholland, Chief Executive of the Bar of Northern Ireland added:

“Many people across Northern Ireland rely on Legal Aid to gain help on important issues including, the care of vulnerable children, family separation, domestic violence and the functioning of the criminal justice system.”

“It is difficult to stress the importance of Legal Aid to people until someone they know has to access a legal representative for help. It is usually a time of untold stress, anxiety, and worry. Without the proper support, our profession’s ability to do so will be severely limited.”

“The proposed budget creates the very real risk of forcing solicitors in many towns across Northern Ireland to cease practice. It will also massively reduce the availability of barristers to represent cases in court as the viability of taking on Legal Aid cases becomes unsustainable. Justice delayed is Justice denied. These proposals will see ordinary people being left behind and deserted by the Justice system.”

Community pharmacy reaches milestone of over 820,000 Lateral Flow Testing Kits distributed throughout Northern Ireland

Community Pharmacist, Lesa McLoughlin

It is estimated that the sector has supplied as many as 5.7 million individual tests in total

Northern Ireland’s community pharmacies have this week reached the important milestone of supplying over 820,000 lateral flow testing kits. Coming in kits of seven, it is estimated that a total of 5.7 million tests have been distributed via the sector.

Community Pharmacy NI has welcomed the figures, highlighting that having the kits available from an accessible location has been essential to breaking the chain of transmission within our communities.

Lateral flow tests can be collected from 580 locations across Northern Ireland, including 500 community pharmacies.

Peter Rice, Chair of Community Pharmacy NI said:

“Reaching this significant milestone is a testament to the entire community pharmacy network who have worked tirelessly to distribute lateral flow tests to patients. Facing increased demands from patients as well as workforce pressures associated with the transmission of the Omicron variant, our community pharmacy teams have remained steadfast in their efforts to distribute Lateral Flow Tests among communities. It has been a huge logistical undertaking to get to this point and community pharmacy has played an integral part.

“Over the festive period, as transmission of the Omicron variant rose sharply and demand for Lateral Flow Tests increased as a consequence, in many instances community pharmacy was the only collection point available to members of the public. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown community pharmacy’s value as a key component in our health system, ensuring accessible healthcare and solidifying the link between pharmacies and their communities. I would encourage the Department of Health to consider this milestone when planning for healthcare transformation. Access to local, community-facing primary care is vital and I hope we can consolidate on this.”

Lesa McLoughlin, community pharmacist at Dundela Pharmacy, Belfast said:

“Working in a community pharmacy throughout the pandemic, I have seen first-hand the role my colleagues have been playing each day to support patients. We have continually stepped beyond our everyday role to take on additional services to support those living in the community. The rollout of Lateral Flow testing kits is an essential part of this as patients have come to rely on community pharmacy as part of their test, trace, and isolate routine.”

You can collect a free lateral flow testing kit from community pharmacies: https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/

NI Executive instability will severely impact the most vulnerable, warns charity sector

Anne-Marie McClure, Chair, CO3

Northern Ireland’s charity and voluntary sector has warned the political instability caused by the First Minister’s resignation will have serious consequences for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

CO3, the organisation which represents charity and voluntary sector leaders in Northern Ireland, is calling on political leaders and parties to commit to working together and supporting our government officials to protect the most vulnerable from any fallout of last week’s resignation, and ensure key legislation like the three-year Budget can progress without delay.

There are serious concerns about other outstanding legislation currently progressing through the Assembly, like bills on autism, domestic abuse, climate change, and other important subjects.

Several charities are also anxious over the future of the European Structural Fund (ESF) programme. The Executive match funding, which is yet to be agreed by the Department for the Economy, is due to run out in March 2022 while ESF funding is to end completely in March 2023.

Anne Marie McClure, Chair, CO3 said:

“At a time when the cost of living and rates of poverty within our communities are rising exponentially, it is extremely disappointing this political impasse has occurred and effectively stymied the work of the Executive. Charities and voluntary organisations across Northern Ireland are now rightly very concerned about the future and sustainability of the local political institutions and what this means for the work they do and people they support.

“Political instability and horse-trading like this does nothing to help the most vulnerable in our society. It’s now crucial that outstanding legislation at the Assembly is given every chance to pass and become law, bills dealing with domestic abuse, climate change, stalking, welfare payments. These are laws which will improve the experiences of some of the most vulnerable and marginalised in our communities. 

“We are calling on our political leaders and all political parties here to commit to working together for the good of everyone in Northern Ireland. Ahead of the election, it’s important that our leaders also commit to forming an Executive after the election, regardless of the result or outcome. This Assembly term was also cut short by three years, meaning missed opportunities to pass vital pieces of legislation. Coming out of the pandemic, it’s unthinkable that any new Assembly term would be cut short again. We are calling on all parties and all leaders to work in collaboration to ensure this does not become a reality.”

Jacinta Linden, Vice-Chair, CO3 added:

“Over the past number of days, we have engaged with members across Northern Ireland and across a number of different sectors. One key message has shone through from feedback from our members – charity and voluntary leaders are frustrated, disappointed, and worried at the lack of political stability in Northern Ireland yet again. With the cost of everything from fuel and food to rent and childcare on the rise, households are feeling the squeeze and the services of charities and voluntary groups are more in demand than ever before.”

'Tough measures to fight white collar crime needed urgently' by Matthew Howse, Partner - Dispute Resolution and Litigation, Eversheds Sutherland

As originally appeared in the Irish News, 8 February

Matthew Howse, Partner - Dispute Resolution and Litigation, Eversheds Sutherland

The dramatic resignation of Lord Theodore Agnew in the House of Lords towards the end of January has thrown a renewed focus on corruption, financial and economic crime, and fraud. Lord Agnew, a Conservative Minister in the Treasury and Cabinet Office with responsibility for ‘counter-fraud’ and cross-government efficiency, left the government due to its decision to write off over £4.3bn in fraudulent Covid loans. 

While the controversy around these pandemic support schemes, and ensuring that much-needed cash reached businesses as soon as possible during the pandemic (often prioritised at the expense of due diligence) was the touchstone for Lord Agnew’s resignation, it has shone a light on fraud, corruption, and economic crime more generally.

The government’s decision to scrap (or at least delay) the so-called Economic Crime Bill was also cited by Lord Agnew in his resignation letter to the Prime Minister, calling the decision “foolish”. Pressure is now growing on the government to commit to reintroducing this legislation which will properly tackle economic crime. The bill was expected to bring forward measures to improve oversight of the UK’s business register, Companies House, and finally bring in a public register of beneficial ownership of property – revealing the individuals behind offshore companies used to hold valuable UK homes and land. 

An Economic Crime Bill would, according to transparency and anti-corruption campaigners, help address the UK’s – and in particular, London’s – role as a “global hub for dirty money”. It’s clear that white collar crime across the UK and Ireland is on the rise, including in Northern Ireland. This legislation would be vital in tackling economic and financial crimes like fraud, corruption, bribery, and money laundering, and would in turn strengthen our economy and increase trust in our economic institutions and systems.

While exact data is scarce for Northern Ireland, a problem in itself, PwC’s most recent Economic Crime Survey found that over half of Irish businesses have experienced economic crime in the last 24 months, while 13% of respondents said they had lost over €5m to fraud in the same period. Perhaps most worryingly, however, a fifth of businesses said they didn’t know how much they had lost to economic crime.

It is positive that the Law Commission, which reviews legislation and recommends reforms where needed, has confirmed it is pressing on with its proposals to reform the UK’s criminal liability laws, expected to be published this spring. If white collar crime is to be treated as the serious crime that it is, then a strong legislative framework is necessary to tackle it.

International scandals like the recent conviction of Theranos’ Elizabeth Holmes, who defrauded investors out of millions of dollars, have thrust white collar crime into the public consciousness again. Corporate greed, bribery, and fraud – which have traditionally been described as victimless crimes – can have a huge impact on our economy and our local businesses. A comprehensive Economic Crime Bill would go a long way to addressing these issues and giving authorities the tools to properly punish the worst offenders.

Year Nine girls battle it out in NI final of UK cybersecurity competition

Northern Ireland winners of the UK CyberFirst Girls Competition, St. Catherine’s College, Armagh

St. Catherine’s College, Armagh crowned the winners in Northern Ireland competition supported by Allstate NI                                                                                                                                          

Girls aged 12-13 have battled it out in the Northern Ireland final of the UK CyberFirst Girls Competition, the UK’s flagship cybersecurity competition for schools.

Now in its sixth year, the CyberFirst Girls Competition, supported by Allstate NI, introduces students to cybersecurity and helps them understand what a career in the field might look like.

Established by the National Cyber Security Centre, which is a part of GCHQ, ten teams of Year Nine girls from schools across the region took part in the Northern Ireland final at the Titanic Hotel, Belfast on Saturday.

As the official sponsor and one of Northern Ireland’s largest employers in the field, Allstate NI hopes the competition will address the continued underrepresentation of women in the local cybersecurity workforce. Northern Ireland is the top international investment location for US cybersecurity firms and a renowned location for research and innovation in cybersecurity.

After a challenging online qualifying round, the 10 top scoring teams competed in a series of puzzles covering topics from cryptography to AI to logic. Regardless of their ability, the competition was an opportunity to learn why cybersecurity matters, where it could take them in future, and that they already possess many of the attributes needed for a successful career in the field.

Year Nine pupils from Strathearn School, Belfast compete in the Northern Ireland final of the UK CyberFirst Girls Competition

Several individual and team prizes were awarded. A grand prize giving and celebration day for all finalists, including the overall winners St. Catherine’s College, Armagh, will be held later in the year.

Keith Lippert, Vice President and Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at Allstate NI, said:

“The CyberFirst Girls Competition is a fantastic initiative that fits with our commitments at Allstate NI to address gender diversity and inspire the incoming generation of cyber technologists. We are in an incredibly exciting time for the cybersecurity industry in Northern Ireland, and it is vital that we encourage more females to enter the sector and launch their careers at the cutting edge of this industry.”

Catherine McHugh, Principal of St. Patrick’s College Dungannon, an Allstate NI Silver CyberFirst school, commented:

“Initiatives like the CyberFirst Girls Competition are important not only in today’s recruitment climate, but in the face of growing cyber threats and the heightened exposure of our young people online. Our girls have enjoyed every second of this opportunity to compete and were all intrigued and engaged by the challenges and puzzles. We would like to thank Allstate NI for hosting this event and educating our pupils about the incredible opportunities that cybersecurity presents for their futures.”

Lindy Cameron, National Cyber Security Centre CEO, said:

“Congratulations to all the girls who took part in this year’s final of the CyberFirst Girls Competition in Northern Ireland – and a special well done to St. Catherine’s College Armagh for their success. The UK’s growing cybersecurity industry needs more female representation so it’s great to see thousands of girls nationwide taking part in the contest, many for the first time. I thank Allstate NI and teachers for their work helping us uncover new cyber talent and I hope for many of the girls this will be just the start of their interest in this area.”