Other News In Brief

NI Businesswomen Recognised At 2023 Women In Business Awards

The achievements of Northern Ireland's top businesswomen has been recognised at the 2023 Women in Business Awards.

This year's Awards, now in their 11th year, brought together female entrepreneurs and businesswomen from all sectors to recognise, reward and celebrate the very best of local talent at the only ceremony of its kind in Northern Ireland.

Sponsored by Virgin Media O2 Business for the fifth consecutive year, the Awards received a record 201 submissions and honoured eighteen inspiring women and one outstanding business organisation.

The highly acclaimed Business Woman of the Year 2023 award, also sponsored by Virgin Media O2 Business, was presented to Jackie Henry, Managing Partner of People and Purpose at Deloitte UK. Under her leadership, Jackie has grown the company from 80 people to 1,300 and in 2017 was honoured with an MBE for services to the economy, including setting up the Belfast Delivery Centre and the creation of Deloitte's BrightStart Degree and Graduate academy programmes.

The Women in Business award winners 2023 are:

Award for Advancing Diversity in the Workplace (sponsored by Queen's University Belfast)

• Individual Winner – Sarah Balmforth – Hughes Insurance

• Organisation Winner – Fibrus

Award for Best Customer Service (sponsored by Irish News)

• Corporate Winner – Paula Mooney – Leckey

• Small Business Winner – Roisin O'Hare – Brand Elevation

Award for Best in Professional Services (sponsored by IQ&Co.)

• Corporate Winner – Joanne Alexander – Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

• Small Business Winner – Melanie Dawson – Origin 7 Ltd

Award for Best Marketing Campaign (sponsored by Kaizen Print)

• Corporate Winner – Claire Hale – Dale Farm Ltd

• Small Business Winner – Roisin O'Hare – Brand Elevation

Award for Best New Start Up (sponsored by Go For It)

• Winner – Rabab Flack – Causeway Clear Ears

Award for Best Small Business (sponsored by Danske Bank)

• Winner – Tracey McNally – Ecohog Ltd

Award for Outstanding Innovation (sponsored by Belfast Harbour)

• Corporate Winner – Gabriela Martin – Concentrix Europe LTD

• Small Business Winner – Ineke Rentmeesters – Ubloquity

Award for Best Green Business (sponsored by NIE Networks)

• Winner – Grainne O'Loane – Fish City

Award for Excellence in IT (sponsored by Wilson Nesbitt)

• Winner – Shannon Stronge – BT

Award for Outstanding Mentor (sponsored by Version 1)

• Winner – Lenore Rice, Wilson Nesbitt Solicitors

• Outstanding Management and Leadership (sponsored by Staffline)

• Winner – Tanya Martin – IQ & Co Ltd

Award for Young Business Woman of the Year (sponsored by Allstate)

• Winner – Niamh McCarthy – Niamh Designs

Award for Business Woman of the Year (sponsored by Virgin Media O2 Business)

• Winner – Jackie Henry, Deloitte

Jo Bertram, Managing Director at Virgin Media O2 Business, said: "At Virgin Media O2 Business we are committed to championing women and their impact within the local business community, which is why we continue to be proud sponsors of the Women in Business Awards. All of tonight's winners should be incredibly proud of their achievements which will inspire other businesswomen and accelerate the journey towards workplace gender parity."

Women in Business Chief Executive, Roseann Kelly commented, "It is a real honour for Women in Business to bring together this group of inspiring businesswomen who have each excelled in their field and made hugely significant contributions to the business ecosystem in Northern Ireland.

"Our 11th Awards was a true showcase of the amazing talent of businesswomen locally as Women in Business continues to celebrate, encourage and inspire women to achieve their ambitions. Congratulations to all of the winners and finalists, we look forward to seeing what the future holds for you and your business."

Alliance Choose Members To Contest Upcoming Council Elections

The Alliance party has selected a number of its members to contest local council elections, due to be held on 18 May, 2023/

At the party’s selection meeting local association members selected Alderman Yvonne Boyle to defend her Coleraine seat, while Peter McCully and Richard Stewart-Brown will run in the Causeway DEA. Meanwhile, local activists Joe Hutchinson will run in Bann, Amy Mairs will contest Limavady, Glenise Morgan in the Glens, and Lee Kane will run in the Ballymoney DEA.

Alderman Boyle said: "It is an exciting time for Alliance in Causeway Coast and Glens.

"At the last election, the party had two Councillors elected, while there was only a handful of votes preventing the first Alliance MLA in East Londonderry as well. The local association is expanding and I am delighted to see several of those talented young people put themselves forward to show people that when it comes to local politics, Alliance works.

"I also wish to pay tribute to the public service Councillor Chris McCaw has given the ratepayers of Causeway Coast and Glens since becoming a Councillor in 2018. He made history by becoming the first openly LGBT member of the Council, and worked hard to ensure the local area was a more diverse and equal place for all."

Councillor McCaw said it had been an honour to have been a Causeway Councillor, after he announced he would not be seeking re-election due to health reasons.

"I have loved every minute of representing people on Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council," he said.

"It is with deep regret that due to health reasons I am not able to defend the seat this May, but the party has my full support and I look forward to continuing to help out the local association in a different capacity.

"I am confident that if the people of Causeway Coast and Glens give their votes to Peter McCully and Richard Stewart-Brown, as well as other Alliance candidates standing across the borough, they will continue to provide that representation and provide strong leadership across the entire area."

Translink Move On Potential Reopening Of Knockmore Line Welcomed

The Alliance Party has welcomed a commitment from Translink to carry out a Feasibility Study on reopening the Knockmore Line.

Lagan Valley MLA David Honeyford said: "I met recently with Translink and am delighted to have received a commitment that a Feasibility Study will be carried out on reopening the Knockmore Line. This is great news and I am confident the study will show the benefits that could flow from reopening the line.

"An efficient infrastructure is a must for a thriving economy. For years I have been campaigning for better infrastructure, including the reopening of the Knockmore to Antrim railway line.

"The Knockmore Line has the potential to foster huge economic growth by connecting Lisburn, Ballinderry and Glenavy to the rapidly developing Eastern Economic Corridor. This will then increase the new opportunities for manufacturing that exist as a result. Businesses will always move to areas with good infrastructure to help reduce costs and travel times.

"Additionally, as these are areas of rising populations it will be important to encourage the use of public transport to ease road congestion.

"Translink already have plans to start construction of the new Lisburn West Halt at Flush Park with Park and Ride facilities, and I look forward to this important work starting. Reopening the Knockmore Line is the next logical step to improve connectivity and plan further advances, including links to the International Airport. At a time of financial crisis, government needs to be investing in infrastructure projects to give an economic boost to our area."