'Headline tax cuts, but limited relief offered by the Chancellor’ says Neil Armstrong, Tax Director at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore in response to today’s Autumn Statement

Tax Director at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore Neil Armstrong

“Today’s Autumn Statement delivers a range of measures aimed at easing the pressure on personal and business finances, but in reality, represents little in the way of immediate change.”

“Certainly, there are some takeaways for businesses, mainly the decision to convert Full Expensing to a permanent measure. A tax break that was introduced in the Spring Budget to replace the Super Deduction, the Full Expensing Scheme allows companies to deduct spending on investment from profits by a maximum of 25p on every £1, meaning they then pay lower amounts of corporation tax. The conversion of this measure to permanent will extend this relief for businesses, however with the availability on Annual Investment Allowance, it is only generally applicable to the largest companies.”

“On the personal finance side, the 2% reduction in the National Insurance rate on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270 will make employees slightly better off at the end of each month. Once implemented in January, it will allow a maximum saving of £754 per annum for employees, while for sole traders and partnerships the abolishment of Class 2 NICs and decrease in Class 4 NICs will save a maximum of £569 per annum. These measures are a step in the right direction, but they represent only minor progress towards easing the financial pressures individuals are facing. With the National Minimum Wage increased by 9.8%, the Chancellor has presented a combination of measures that on the surface appear significant, but in reality, include little additional relief and may in fact leave some small and medium sized businesses worse off.”

Local cancer charity funds first pancreatic biobank

This World Pancreatic Cancer Day, local charity, Cancer Focus Northern Ireland, has announced the creation of NI’s first pancreatic tumour tissue resource.

The £245k funded research project at Queen’s University Belfast, made possible after a three-year charity partnership with Belfast City Marathon, has reviewed over twenty years of pancreatic patients’ tumour samples to create a biobank. This resource will allow for better investigation into the role of the immune system in pancreatic cancer prognosis and support the development of early diagnostic testing in the future.

Speaking of the creation of the biobank, Dr Richard Turkington, Clinical Reader (Medical Oncology) at Queen’s University Belfast commented:

“This exciting research provides a true population-based patient cohort across all Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland. What that means for local people is that we can begin to investigate the role of the immune system on diagnosis of pancreatic cancer with a longer-term goal of seeing the biobank support the development of early diagnostic testing. Thank you to everyone who ran, walked, or jogged for Cancer Focus NI, your generosity goes a long way in helping to fund local, and vital, cancer research projects.”

Speaking about the importance of funding local research, Richard Spratt, Chief Executive at Cancer Focus NI detailed:

“Earlier this year, our charity announced an ambitious and innovative five-year strategy with a vision of wanting local people to live their most fulfilled lives with access to world-leading, equitable cancer support, treatment, diagnosis, prevention, and research. Championing local research has always been a defining strategic objective for our charity, and I’m delighted that, thanks to a wonderful charity partnership with Belfast City Marathon, we have been able to fund such an important project that will make a lasting difference to pancreatic cancer patients for years to come.”

To help the charity fund future cancer research projects, visit  https://cancerfocusni.org/fundraising/gift/ or email hello@cancerfocusni.org.

Sinn Féin Ard Fheis 2023

Introduction

• The Sinn Féin Ard Fheis kicks off this evening at 6pm in Athlone with TDs, MLAs, MPs and a heap of Councillors making their way to the middle of Ireland for the annual assembly.

• Around 190 motions will be proposed and voted upon over the two days, before the Ard Fheis draws to a close on Saturday evening with the Presidential address from party leader Mary Lou McDonald.

What’s the context?

• Sinn Féin go into their Ard Fheis in a position of strength both North and South of the border.  The latest Lucid Talk poll shows the party has maintained its position as the most popular in Northern Ireland with 31% vote share, although the DUP have closed to within three points recently.

• In the Republic, things are looking even better, with a Red C poll showing Sinn Féin’s current share of the vote at 32%, however the party lies a full 12 points ahead of closest rivals Fine Gael.

• According to Politico’s ‘Poll of Polls’, support for Sinn Féin has wavered by two points from this time last year in the Republic, and according to Lucid Talk by one point North of the border.

• This stability at the top of the popular vote puts them in a very good place ahead of the next Irish general election which must be held before March 2025, but is expected earlier.

• Focus is likely to be on the Republic at this Ard Fheis with local and European elections on the horizon.

Business from the Clár

• The Clár reinforces Sinn Féin’s intention to lead the Irish Government following the next general election. It lays out plans to deal with the crises in housing, addiction, and the cost-of-living.

• First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill MLA will make her keynote speech at 6.50pm on Friday.

• Within the Clár, Sinn Féin commits to pursuing the expansion of Magee University, improving infrastructure links and making access to the North West easier.

• Elsewhere in infrastructure, the party has reaffirmed its commitment to the Narrow Water Bridge project, recognising the positive impact on tourism in South Down/North Louth.

• The crisis in Legal Aid funding in Northern Ireland has been noted by the Ard Fheis as an ongoing challenge to access to justice.

• There’s a call for a review of the Housing Growth Indicators 2016–2030 to adequately reflect the housing needs of the North and take account of Sinn Féin’s ambition to see 100,000 plus homes delivered over 15 years.

Key Moments in Ard Fheis Agenda

Friday Evening

• 18:00 Opening Address – Sorca Clarke TD

• 18:50 Keynote Address – Michelle O’Neill MLA, Leas-Uachtarán

• 20:00 Keynote Address - Pearse Doherty TD

Saturday Morning

• 10:00 Investing in the Future: Climate Action and Energy Security (Motions 78-95)

• 11:00 A Better, Fairer, Stronger Country: Planning for Irish Unity (Motions 96-102)

Saturday Afternoon / Evening

• 12:00 Time For Change – Keynote speeches carried by RTÉ

• 18:30 Presidential Address – Mary Lou McDonald TD, Uachtará

On the Economy

At a recent Sinn Fein business breakfast in Cookstown, likely incoming Economy Minister in the North, Conor Murphy MLA, stated that SF had 4 objectives for the Department for the Economy - Good jobs; Promote regional balance; Raise productivity; Reducing carbon emissions.

He also outlined what he called their ‘Comprehensive Policy Framework’ which would include the likes of:

• New network of regional offices of Invest NI

• Working better with startups and Further Education colleges

• Need to do more to address shortages of workers and skills

• High cost of childcare - developing a scheme

• Skills academies - more / better careers advice connected to local businesses

• Wider remit for InterTrade Ireland

• Greater focus on cluster development across a range of businesses

• Taking advantage of post Brexit dual access All-island economy

Families of ‘Lost Boys: Belfast’s Missing Children’ documentary launch legal action

KRW LAW act on behalf of the families of three young boys killed during the early years of the Troubles.

The bodies of two of the boys, David Leckey, and Jonathan Aven, have never been found after they went missing in 1969. The dismembered remains of a third boy, Brian McDermott, were recovered in September 1973.

The recent release of a powerful groundbreaking documentary, ‘Lost Boys: Belfast’s Missing Children’ exposed the full extent of the investigative failures on these and two other cases of missing boys from the same era. Legal action is now planned against the State over a cover up which went right to the top of the political establishment.

Owen Winters of KRW LAW Historic Abuse Redress Dept said:

“It was a poignant moment when the families met for the first time in our offices to discuss all the complex legal issues arising from these incredibly sad narratives. It’s always a difficult undertaking when families try to turn the clock back and seek some long overdue justice for the loss of loved ones. That task is made all the more difficult when obstacles are placed in the way to try and prevent that happening.”

“The documentary makes it glaringly obvious there was no attempt to link up all the cases in one themed investigation. We say that omission was deliberate and calculated to make sure there would never be a proper inquiry into what happened.”

“We are making applications to the Coroner for a conjoined inquest on all the cases. We will also file complaints with PONI over the systemic failures by police to investigate these missing body cases, treated as connected murder inquiries.”

“In addition, we are issuing high court civil proceedings against the State for misfeasance, negligence, and conspiracy over the cover up.”

“Over and above this, we say there is now clearly a case for PSNI to start a thematic investigation into all the cases. As a starting point police would do well to engage immediately with the makers of the programme.”

‘Lost Boys: Belfast’s Missing Children’ documentary Producer, Ed Stobart, and Director, Des Henderson

“There’s something inherently wrong with a justice system that places over reliance on the far-reaching work of investigative journalists before a meaningful inquiry can look at why suspects were protected from prosecution.”

“Even though all the main suspect perpetrators are dead that doesn’t mean work shouldn’t start immediately. The passage of time ought not to prohibit a full-scale inquiry into the institutional failings which occurred here. That includes looking at links between the cases and the notorious Boys Home at Kincora.”

“State agencies including MI5 were alleged to have prevented the full truth about Kincora historic abuse of boys during the 1970s, all of which happened in the same geographical area and time span as these missing boy cases.”

“MI5 were never compelled to attend nor provide information to the Hart Inquiry into historic institutional abuse in the jurisdiction. We now want to try and address that failure by calling on the Secretary of State to authorise an independent inquiry into the “Lost boys”, with full powers to access hitherto concealed documents.”

“The families of the missing boys and Brian McDermott are long overdue some semblance of justice. We call on all engaged state agencies to do the right thing and help them to get just that.”

Woodvale Inspires local people to ‘Mo Your Own Way’ this November to raise vital funds for health and wellbeing service

L-R: Kerry Anthony, CEO of Inspire Wellbeing joins broadcaster Liam Beckett and Woodvale Manager Lesley-Ann Beckett to launch a campaign to raise funds for Inspire’s Woodvale Centre in Ballymena.

L-R: Woodvale Manager Lesley-Ann Beckett joins broadcaster Liam Beckett and Kerry Anthony, CEO of Inspire Wellbeing to launch a campaign to raise funds for Inspire’s Woodvale Centre in Ballymena.

Inspire Wellbeing is urging Ballymena locals to get behind a new fundraising drive to refurbish the community mental health and wellbeing service in the town.

Inspire Wellbeing’s Woodvale Centre has been supporting people with mental health needs for more than 50 years and is now in line for a much-needed revamp.

Inspire have already secured funding from the Community Ownership Fund but must also match fund this grant and is now appealing to local people and businesses to get behind the appeal and ‘Mo Your Own Way’ in the month of November.

The money raised will help transform Woodvale into a fully refurbished multi-purpose community wellbeing hub, accessible to the whole community and sustainable for future decades. 

Inspired by MOVEMBER

The campaign is inspired by none other than moustachioed broadcaster and football manager Liam Beckett who is lending his support to the campaign and calling on others to play a small part and lend a hand.

Some of the activities that the charity is suggesting include:

• Rack up some MO miles with a static bike ride, a sponsored walk or a swimming challenge. 

• Grow a MO - for the more daring, growing their own moustache.

• Buy a brick for a minimum donation of £100.

For more ideas and inspiration on fundraising, visit:  http://www.inspirewellbeing.enthuse.com/cf/woodvaleballymena

Liam Beckett said:

“The Woodvale Centre is a vital part of the fabric of Ballymena and I’m thrilled to be able to lend my support to the campaign. It’s flattering that people might think of growing their own moustache but it’s a lot of work, so I’d personally suggest a golf day as a much more enjoyable alternative. In all seriousness though, I have seen the difference this centre makes to people’s lives and every single donation will help us make this building fit and serve our community.”

Kerry Anthony, Chief Executive of Inspire Wellbeing said:

“We are confident that with the goodwill of the people of Ballymena we can raise the funds needed to transform Woodvale and give it a new lease of life. Liam has a super moustache that has been carefully styled over the years and we want to see some local people try their hand at growing their own ‘MO’ during Movember. For those who cannot grow a mo, its fair to say we are not short of ideas – buy a brick that we will put your name on, arrange your own golf day, or even get the hiking boots on and put the hard yards in to raise some money. Every little bit will go a long way towards us hitting our target”.

Belfast Chamber Economic Forum to return with the support of Deloitte

Partner at Deloitte Marie Doyle (left) and Belfast Chamber Chief Executive Clare Guinness (right) launch the Belfast Chamber Economic Forum 2023, which returns with the support of Deloitte on Friday 17 November.

Belfast Chamber is set to host its second annual Economic Forum next month with the support of Deloitte.

Taking place in W5 Belfast on Friday 17 November, the half-day event will bring together leading industry figures and economists to examine the state of the city’s economy.

Speakers will blend economic experts from London Economics, PropertyPal, and the Northern Ireland Civil Service, with leaders from the key institutions across the city including Belfast Harbour, Invest NI, Queen’s University Belfast and private sector companies including Denroy, Lacuna Developments and Halo Bodycams.

Supported once again by leading global professional services firm Deloitte, the conference will explore both the macroeconomic environment and the opportunities in Belfast’s microeconomic environment, including dual market access, internationalisation, and key transformative investments. The conference will also hear from Deloitte’s AI futurist Varvn Aryacetas.

The forum will explore the economic impact of the student community on the city of Belfast and innovative ways to attract and retain talent to the city.

The Belfast Chamber Economic Forum is an informative and valuable opportunity for local businesses navigating a challenging economic landscape. Belfast Chamber is thrilled to again unite the local business community with key city stakeholders next month.

For further information and tickets, please visit: https://belfastchamber.com/events/upcoming-events/belfast-chamber-economic-forum-w5-belfast-17-nov-2023/.

Chief Executive of Belfast Chamber, Clare Guinness commented:

“Belfast is a dynamic city full of businesses that are well equipped to handle the economic pressures that surround them. We are rich with ingenuity and innovation with big opportunities for growth thanks to a number of large, committed investments and a vibrant student community who are now well into the new academic year.”

“With the support of leading economists and industry figures, we will explore some challenges whilst focusing on untapped potential when the Belfast Chamber Economic Forum returns on Friday 17 November, with a particular focus on harnessing the economic impact of our student communities and how regeneration can help to attract and retain new talent.”

“We are thrilled to partner with leading advisory firm Deloitte once again as a major employer and stakeholder in our city and an active member of Belfast Chamber. With a packed programme of valuable and informative sessions, I have no doubt this event will be full of fantastic insights.”

Partner at Deloitte, Marie Doyle added:

“The Belfast Chamber Economic Forum is about providing city stakeholders with knowledge and solutions to some economic challenges and opportunities. Deloitte is committed to playing our part in growing the economy and as a large employer in the city, we know it is vital we work closely with the wider business landscape. This year’s programme includes our AI Futurist Varvn Aryacetas who will round up the event with some fascinating insights.”

“Following a sell-out event last November, we are delighted to support the Belfast Chamber Economic Forum once again and hope many more businesses will make use of the opportunity to have an informed, robust, and practical conversation about what’s next for the city of Belfast.”

DUP Party Conference 2023

Introduction

• The DUP Party Conference will take place tomorrow at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in South Belfast.

• The conference comes just a week after a Party Executive Meeting, in which Donaldson told journalists that there was no dissent in the party.

• The party conference takes place 20 months into the DUP boycott of the Stormont institutions, in protest at post-Brexit trade rules brought into place in Northern Ireland.

• The DUP is the second largest party in Northern Ireland and remains the largest unionist party.

What’s the context?

• The DUP have refused to take their seats at Stormont since February 2022, amid the fall out over the Windsor Framework. The party have set out seven tests which the Framework must meet before they return to Stormont.

• Just last week, the DUP Executive met in Lurgan where Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP updated his party members on the progress of his negotiations with the UK government surrounding the post-Brexit trading arrangements implemented in Northern Ireland.

• This is Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP’s second party-conference as leader, having ousted Edwin Poots in the summer of 2021.

• The DUP are under increasing pressure from many of the other Northern Irish parties and the UK Government to return to power sharing. On the other side, they are under severe pressure from hardline players such as the TUV to maintain their boycott of power sharing, until the seven tests on the Windsor Framework are met.

What’s the agenda?

• A panel discussion on legacy issues chaired by Emma Little-Pengelly MLA will take place at 3pm today.

• A pre-conference dinner will take place at 8pm tonight, also at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

• On Saturday, former BBC Political Editor Mark Davenport will chair two panels, firstly, ‘The DUP at Westminster’ at 9.45am and later ‘Restoring Fairness in Policing’ at 11.55am.

• DUP Deputy Leader, Gavin Robinson MP, will make his speech at 11.15am.

• The Leader’s speech from the RT Honourable Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP will take place at 12.25pm.

• Following lunch, three breakout sessions will be held at 1.45pm. The breakout sessions will focus on ‘Charlotte’s Law,’ ‘Toward a More Prosperous Future for Northern Ireland,’ and ‘Health: Investing for the Future.’

Baker Tilly Mooney Moore: Strategic Talent Management can accelerate charity sector stability

Writes Ryan Connor, Senior Management Consultant at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore. Article first published in the Irish News, Tuesday 10 October.

Ryan Connor, Senior Management Consultant at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore

Today’s economic challenges present a different set of symptoms in the third sector.

The charity funding landscape was vastly altered in March 2023 when we transitioned from European Social Funding to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Though the UKSPF is a replacement for some organisations, further reductions in other funding streams mean the overall funding level falls well short of what was previously available.

At the same time, the cost-of-living crisis has squeezed disposable incomes to the brink, adding to demand for the services operated by local charities, while the charities themselves face significant hikes in their operating costs.

Though inflation has currently stabilised at 6.7%, demand is expected to grow at a time when charities, just like the wider business community, face significant recruitment and retention issues.

This challenging environment has forced many organisations to shelve their recruitment and growth plans, instead focusing on balancing the books, protecting the staff they do have and, in some cases, taking the redundancy route to stay afloat.

Finding a way through this situation was one of the areas of discussion at this year’s CO3 Annual Leadership Conference, where it was clear staffing pressures are among the top concerns of third sector leaders.  

To be a progressive employer with the right people to achieve success, the same principles apply no matter the structure, maturity, or scale of an organisation. Proactive workforce planning and employer branding are crucial to attracting the right people, but the work only starts there.

To retain and develop staff, charities must consider their culture, employee engagement and recognition processes, as well as salary, benefits, and work life balance.

Leadership development along with functional or technical training play a vital role in supporting talent to grow and evolve within an organisation, rather than looking outside of it.

Leaders must also consider whether employees can be developed as generalists across the organisation or in a specific area and should invest time in succession planning to ensure key roles are filled in a timely way. Behind all of this are the metrics and data that support an organisation to track performance and engagement while ensuring development initiatives, over time, are embedded and making a positive strategic impact on organisational goals.

Though the challenges and symptoms may be different, the overall principle of aligning talent management to the strategic goals of an organisation is as relevant to the public and private sectors as it is across the charity landscape. Organisations must consider their people and processes and be clear about the type and level of talent required for success if they are to adequately build their workforce for the future.

AI Con returns to explore the continued evolution of Artificial Intelligence

(L-R): Colleen Murray, Marketing Executive, Options Technology; Mark Boyle, Head of Tech, Digital Catapult NI; Ruth McGuinness, Data & AI Practice Lead, Kainos; Robert Grundy, Chair, The Matrix Panel; Cllr Clíodhna Nic Bhranair, Chair of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee, Belfast City Council, and George McKinney, Director of Technology & Services, Invest NI, pictured at the launch of AI Con Hosted by Kainos 2023.

Leading tech conference AI Con hosted by Kainos will return on Thursday 09 November, in person at Titanic Belfast with speakers from LEGO, Woebot Health & Manna Drone Delivery.

Taking a two-track approach, the conference will explore both the ethics of Artificial Intelligence and the latest technological advancements including autonomous vehicles and ChatGPT.

AI Con, the leading Artificial Intelligence conference hosted by Kainos, will return to Titanic Belfast on Thursday 9 November to lead the conversation on the responsible and sustainable implementation of AI.

Over 400 technologists and business leaders will come together to hear from global leaders in the Artificial Intelligence space, including from LEGO, Woebot Health, Tortoise Media, and Manna Drone Delivery.   

Now in its fifth year, AI Con will explore the use of AI in autonomous transportation, architectural design, and the evolution of Generative AI and services such as ChatGPT, amongst other topics. This year, the conference will explore the potential for AI to enhance creativity in areas such as film, music, and art.

Returning to its twin-track approach, the conference will feature two programmes running simultaneously on each stage, with the ‘Societal’ track focusing on the power and perils of AI’s potential to impact wider society, while the ‘Technical’ track will examine recent advancements and how these can be practically applied. Attendees can tailor their experience across both tracks.

The conference will explore the critical aspects of trust, fairness, and transparency in the AI world, and, for the first time, the agenda has been shaped by the local technology community following a public call for speakers. 

Alison Darcy, Founder and CEO of Woebot Health will deliver the keynote address, sharing her experience of bridging the gap between health and technology with the creation of an AI powered chatbot which directs individuals to accessible mental health care and support. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Woebot offered tailored psychological tools to deliver free and safe emotional support. 

Also addressing the conference will be Dr George Graham, Head of Data Science at HM Land Registry, and Jim Fleming, Co-Founder and Director of Marketing of Fusion Processing, which leads the consortium currently developing Europe’s first full-sized autonomous bus for CAVForth.

Alan Hicks, CTO of Irish drone delivery start-up Manna Drone Delivery will take part in a panel discussion on autonomous vehicle technologies, while Dr Jan Cudzik, Co-Founder of OutlineAI and Researcher at Gdańsk University of Technology, will deliver a session on the transformative potential of AI in architectural design and greenery planning.

AI Con 2023 is hosted by Kainos and supported by Matrix NI, Digital Catapult NI, Options IT, Belfast City Council, and Invest NI, and has been designed to contribute to the debate on the responsible advancement of the technology, by bringing global examples of the risks and opportunities of AI to life in Belfast.

For further information or registration details please visit: https://ai-con.ai/.

Kainos Chief Technology Officer, Tom Gray said: 

“It is great to welcome AI Con back for another year in Belfast. As AI continues to advance, the conversation has broadened from a technical standpoint to a societal debate as we consider how the technology shapes how we live and work. With this in mind, we are bringing back the twin track approach to AI Con to allow these big issues to be discussed, and a diverse range of issues to be heard.”

“The societal track will focus on the potential of AI to benefit the economy when used responsibly and sustainably, while the technical track will focus on the technical insights and accelerators that can enable AI adoption. Through our recent call for speakers, we have ensured the vibrancy of the local ecosystem is reflected and look forward to reconnecting with the technology and wider business community in Belfast next month.”  

Financial services consultancy firm fscom wins big at Compliance Register Platinum Awards

fscom Managing Director Jamie Cooke; Senior Compliance Associate Andrew Johnston; Associate Director Azariah Nukajam; Associate Director Heather O’Gorman and Director Alison Donnelly collect the ‘Best Consultancy Firm’ Award at the Compliance Register Platinum Awards. 

Governance, risk, and compliance consulting firm fscom has achieved three major industry awards at the Compliance Register Platinum Awards.

The Belfast-based firm, which specialises in GRC solutions for financial services institutions across the UK and Ireland and has virtual offices in London and Dublin, was named Best Consultancy Firm at the London awards ceremony on Thursday 28 September.

Heather O’Gorman, Associate Director at fscom, achieved the Compliance Rising Star award, while Azariah Nukajam, fscom’s Head of Investments, was named Best Compliance Consultant.

Judged by the Academy of Compliance Excellence, the Compliance Register Platinum Awards celebrate the achievements of firms and individuals who demonstrate exemplary service to Compliance and Regulation.

Now in their 20th year, the awards are based on client nominations and are voted by industry, with fierce competition across the UK and Irish financial services and compliance consultancy landscapes.

The recognition continues fscom’s success after Director Alison Donnelly was named ‘Fintech/Payments Leader of the Year’ by the European Women in Payments Network in December 2022. The company was also named Best Consultancy for Regulatory Compliance at the Compliance Register Platinum Awards (2022 and 2019), and Boutique Consultancy Firm of the Year (2021 and 2020) at the Global Advisory Experts Annual Awards.

fscom Associate Director Azariah Nukajam said:

“It was an honour to pick up the Best Compliance Consultant award last week. These awards are particularly important to us as they are client nominated, and I am thrilled to be recognised alongside some exceptional companies and consultants. Thank you to my clients, colleagues and peers across the industry for their continued support and congratulations to Heather and the wider fscom team.”

fscom Managing Director Jamie Cooke said:

“We are delighted to have secured three prestigious awards at the Compliance Register Platinum Awards in London and I am thrilled to see Azariah and Heather’s work recognised by industry. As a consultancy that operates across the UK, Ireland and European jurisdictions, the accolade of Best Consultancy is a fantastic endorsement of our compliance and regulatory expertise and would not have been possible without our remarkable team and the continued trust and support of our clients and partners.”