Featuring: SME News- Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2023
The Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2023, organized by SME News, is a brand-new awards programme designed to recognize and honour the outstanding achievements of businesses and entrepreneurs based in Northern Ireland. As a platform that celebrates excellence and innovation, these awards aim to spotlight the remarkable contributions made by companies, both large and small, in driving the economy and fostering a thriving business ecosystem in Northern Ireland. The Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2023 is open to all businesses across various sectors, ranging from startups, to established corporations which operate throughout the Northern Irish region. This inclusive approach allows businesses of all sizes and industries to highlight their accomplishments and be considered for these accolades! In 2023, Northern Ireland continues to thrive with impressive economic growth, estimated at 0.6% in the three months leading up to February. The region has experienced a 0.4% increase in the number of operating businesses, demonstrating a positive enterprising spirit. Particularly noteworthy is the flourishing manufacturing sector, creating jobs at a greater rate than the UK as a whole. Business confidence improved significantly in the region, especially when compared to the rest of the UK. With significant investment being pumped into a variety of different industries in the region, it is fair to say that the efforts of people in the region are starting to show the fruits of their labour and is leading the way for economic growth! Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2023 Phone: +44 (0) 203 970 0018 Website: www.sme-news.com Sofi Parry Senior Editor
Contents 4. Ken Irwin Class One Driver Training: Best HGV & LGV Driver Training Centre - Northern Ireland 6. HCA (Hannaway Corporate Advisory): Best Corporate Accounting & Finance Advisors 2023 - County Antrim 7. Complete Homecare 24: Best Home Care Company - Ulster 8. Grease Monkey Conversions: Most Dynamic Vehicle Conversion Business - UK & SME News Customer Service Excellence Award 9. Gav Noble Physiotherapy: Physiotherapy Clinic of the Year - Lisburn 10. Strategic Imperatives and X3T announce merger to accelerate connections between AltNets and ISPs 11. CIEE Announces 2024 Frederick Douglass-Daniel O'Connell Global Internship in Ireland 12. New technology overtakes ESG as a priority for British business
SME News- Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2023 | 4 Those new to professional driving or simply seeking out the means to further their professional careers in the HGV/LGV or even wider driving industry need look no further than Ken Irwin Class One Driver Training, a firm built on more than 30 years of experience in the haulage sector, particularly in the fields of learning, development, and training, where its expert team excel. Bolstered by three decades of relevant industry encounters, the company today serves as the premier choice for those in the area seeking driver training, from LGV/ HGV to ADR, car/trailer, or even bus and coach training. Alison Clarke tells us more about this array of driver training courses that are sure to demonstrably improve confidence and provide the necessary skills to succeed. Experts in providing training for various categories of vehicles and other such areas of safety or management, Ken Irwin Class One Driver Training (Ken Irwin) is a company built on its values, setting the gold standard for driving across Northern Ireland. An exemplary pass rate for driving tests undertaken by those new to the industry and seasoned veterans looking to expand their skillsets alike is representative of the team’s dedication and ability, with as much time as it takes being put into each and every client to aid them in passing whichever course they take first time, minimising the cost for them and solidifying the reputation of Ken Irwin simultaneously. Whether a prospective client is applying on behalf of their organisation or on an individual basis, Ken Irwin’s Craigavon site covers all of Northern Ireland, and its courses are not only available on-site, but also at a client’s business premises, should this be more convenient. For those visiting the site, Ken Irwin boasts a pair of extremely modern classrooms that have been designed specifically for training purposes, with each of these offerings equipped with comfortable seating and space for up to 25 delegates at any one time. These rooms are also conveniently located just 2 miles from the M1, in Portadown, and free on-site parking comes as standard. Although all of its training services are exemplary, it is the company’s prowess in HGV and LGV training that has ultimately won it this award. Across its courses of this variety, first class training solutions are present in abundance, with the best possible help available in aiding the obtaining of one’s HGV or LGV certification. While the regulation surrounding both of these vehicles has changed in recent years, the dedication of the team at Ken Irwin strive to remaining atop of such changes to ensure that its customers remain safe, legal, and qualified when it comes to hitting the road in a heavy goods vehicle or a light goods commercial vehicle. Existing hand-in-hand with this is ADR training, which provides the necessary legal qualification and certificate for those seeking to drive a vehicle carrying dangerous goods on an international scale. This is another area of training that Ken Irwin is an expert in providing to its customers, underpinned by years of experience. The courses that are available in this area are bespoke and can be expertly tailored to the specific requirements of an individual. Those partaking will be made aware of the hazards associated with carrying such goods, the steps they can take to minimise the risk of an incident taking place, take the relevant preventative safety measures, and garner the necessary practical experiences. Aside from just the quality of its courses, there are a number of elements that distinguish the business from its industry competitors, with word of mouth being the primary reason for the company’s continued success and acclaim. It is this reputation for excellence that echoes across Northern Ireland, and many candidates who seek out Ken Irwin’s services are family members or friends of those who did the same years ago, and still hold the brand in the highest regard all this time later. In the modern, digital world we live in, posting on social media is also key, as this, “helps with enquiries and [is] an easy way for people to get in touch”, wherever in the country they may be located. Staying ahead of the curve in the rapidly developing industry landscape of today has too been integral in fostering continued prosperity, and remaining acutely aware of developments that impact the whole of Great Britain, as well as Northern Ireland, and subsequently passing these on to others, is high on the priority list for the team so as to fortify its enviable position at the top. Numerous methods have been adopted in order to comply with this, such as keeping in close contact with government bodies to pass on the relevant information, excellent DCPC courses that enlighten those who undertake them, as well as sharing these developments through general enquiries and people visiting the company offices. Moreover, another key change that the sector is experiencing at present is an influx of women beginning careers as drivers, whether this be HGV/LGV, buses/coaches, or even in management positions. Ken Irwin is glad to be at the forefront of offering females the necessary skills to thrive in the industry through its excellent training programmes. An increasing number of women on its courses is something that Ken Irwin hopes to continue to foster into the future and ultimately leads quite nicely into its overall plan for 2024, which is simply to maintain its high standards, treating all clients equally and affording them with a high calibre of service that is sure to leave them satisfied. The firm’s distinction is paramount through a series of achievements, having previously Best HGV & LGV Driver Training Centre - Northern Ireland
been shortlisted for a number of Talent in Logistics awards, LGV Training Provider of the Year for 2017 and 2018, the only company from Northern Ireland to do so, as well as a finalist for the LGV Instructor of the Year 2018 award for its excellent pass rate of above 90%. A host of positive testimonials reinforce the quality on offer, with one such review from Eilish McAleenan referring to the team as, “the best in the business”, and “a great bunch of people who make you feel at ease,” and a series 5-star reviews on both Google and Yell further corroborate this. In closing, it is an amalgamation of all of these positive factors that have contributed to Ken Irwin Class One Driver Training receiving this award, recognising the tremendous effort consistently put in by the team as they aid people in achieving their industry dreams through a series of exceptional training courses. We wish Alison and the team the best of luck for the future and remain excited to see how they continue to adapt and streamline their courses to keep up to date with a sphere that never stops moving. Contact: Alison Clarke Company: Ken Irwin Class One Driver Training Web Address: https://www.classonehgv-lgv.co.uk/
SME News- Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2023 | 6 Best Corporate Accounting & Finance Advisors 2023 - County Antrim After retiring from his 34-year career, of which 25 were as a partner at PwC, John Hannaway established Hannaway Corporate Advisory (HCA) in 2013. HCA has grown and expanded over the years, enabling it to assist clients throughout all stages of their business cycle. We find out more as it is recognised in the Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2023 HCA's growth has developed organically through responding to client demand for its services. This led to the formation of two specialised subsidiary companies, HCA Business Recovery and HCA Corporate Finance. However, it didn’t just end there as in 2022, the online bookkeeping specialist firm, Magic Beans, joined its group, expanding the services it could provide even further. The success that has made it possible for the firm to grow the way it has resulted from John’s four ‘P’ principles. HCA’s advice must be professional and practical, personal to the client’s unique needs, and delivered passionately. All staff members have these qualities and that attitude instilled into their approaches so that clients are always the main focus. When HCA began, all decisions made were based on servicing clients' needs to the highest standard. To accomplish this, it purposely created its own staff structure that moved away from the traditional system and instead used a top-heavy approach. HCA has five directors each with their own specialism, and three Associate Directors enabling it to offer clients a level of expertise they would typically expect from a large firm. Through HCA, clients can access expert support in all business cycles through a wide range of services. Firstly, with HCA Chartered Accountants, its team can assist with audit, accountancy, and taxation compliance.. In addition, it also offers its expertise on Xero accounting, forensic accounting, expert witness, strategy, and taxation planning. HCA gets to know your business in detail in order to provide proactive advice and insight beyond meeting legal requirements. For example, in its taxation services, clients have access to a team of professionals with the knowledge and experience to ensure that you pay the least amount of the right amount of tax as possible. It maximises the efficiency of your business, wealth, and legacy. Meanwhile, HCA Corporate Finance assists shareholders and management teams in preparing for the next event within their business cycle. Its highly focused approach means it understands its client's aspirations and works with them to deliver an appropriately funded business plan. When facing difficult situations, you need to be supported; having the guidance of HCA Business Recovery can bring the most beneficial results for you and your business. Seeking to avoid formal insolvency wherever possible, HCA BR focuses on business turnaround. Its advisory services include financial health checks, business recovery, business turnaround, mentoring and board advice, corporate restructuring, performance improvement consulting, and much more. If formal insolvency services are required, HCA BR can facilitate individual, partnership and company voluntary arrangements, and provide administration, liquidation and nominee services, act as trustee in bankruptcy, and more. The broad network that HCA has established of senior banks, alternative lenders, venture capitalists, private equity firms, high-net-worth individuals, and corporate investors ensures that it can find the perfect solution that works with each client that seeks its services. It can advise on mergers and acquisitions, and provides private equity advisory, debt and capital advisory, financial and tax due diligence, and strategic advisory services. HCA's latest addition, Magic Beans, offers on line real time bookkeeping and management accounts services to a wide variety of clients. Whether you are self-employed, run a small business, operate a charity, or have just begun your business journey, it provides its expertise to you and your business. . You can seek advice when you need it, and its team guides you to understand the meaning behind the numbers to help you make informed decisions that drive business growth. Regardless of the position you find yourself in, or the type of business you have, HCA has services to suit the needs of a wide range of clients. You can benefit from its expertise, helping you incorporate solutions, manage finances to grow your business strategically, and much more. We are delighted to share that HCA has received the title of Best Corporate Accounting & Finance Advisors 2023 - County Antrim. Head over to Hannaway Corporate Advisory’s website and learn how it can direct your business in a way you didn’t imagine possible – whether it's managing your accounts to free up your time, assisting you during challenging situations, or acquiring or disposing of a business, its team of experts are dedicated to going above and beyond for you and your company. Contact: John Hannaway Company: HCA (Hannaway Corporate Advisory) Web Address: www.hca.group
Established during the unprecedented and incredibly tumultuous times of the Covid-19 pandemic, Complete Homecare 24 is a family business owned and operated by Roisin Austin and her brother, whose commitment to offer exemplary homecare services to everybody in need of them is a noble cause worthy of being championed. The team wholly understand both the importance and difficulty in maintaining independence through challenges such as dementia or palliative care, and this is why their service is tailored to the specific needs of an individual, with caring companions offering a bespoke service, all carried out in the comfort of a service user’s own home. We have the pleasure of catching up with Roisin, in order to find out more about the business. Best Home Care Company - Ulster With a guiding mission to provide better care in one’s own home in order to empower individuals to live an independent and fulfilled life as far as possible, Complete Homecare 24 places the uppermost emphasis on the power of family and being surrounded by the people that we love. As Roisin explains, “everyone works for their family, to provide for their family, to care for their family, and to be around the people they love and who love them.” This is why those who use the company’s services, and their families, are involved across every aspect of deciding the level and frequency of care that is to be provided, thus enhancing the support on offer and ultimately the quality of life afforded. Since operations commenced more than 3 years ago, this commitment to providing the best possible service has only intensified, with the team continuously learning, improving key elements of their service, and streamlining the way that they operate overall in order to yield better results. While this distinguishes the company and results in it being a beacon for positivity across the industry, Roisin believes that there is no element of competition between Complete Homecare 24 and any other companies operating in the field. As she describes, “the industry we are all in is a difficult business to manage”, thus there is nothing but mutual respect apparent for those also working within the sector. Across the company, there is also a determination to remain new and fresh, utilising the newest technologies to effectively maintain a robust management structure, and promote great relationships with carers on a consistent basis. This is of particular importance when navigating the broader industry, as staffing is something of an issue, in spite of the work definitely being available. In an attempt to remedy this, the team go above and beyond to make community care as appealing as possible, and luckily, this approach does seem to be working. Never content to settle, Roisin tells us that plans are in place to foster relationships with Southern trusts, as to bring care closer together and cut down long drives between calls. Wherever Complete Homecare 24 operates, it is bolstered by the kind-hearted nature of the Irish people, present throughout both its staff and those who use it services. As Roisin explains, “we have acts of kindness happening everywhere throughout the day, where carers are going beyond expectations, or service users are giving us feedback of how much we have helped improve the lives of their family.” It is this that ultimately spurs the team on, and this famed kindness is something that is also looked for when it comes to hiring new talent, with carers being employed who wholly embody what the company is about – providing service users with the highest calibre of care possible. High quality care is something that the company remains steadfast in achieving well into the future, but as for the immediate months, much of Complete Homecare 24’s plans are centred around expansion, and a desire to be contracted with all trusts across NI and beyond. Already operating firmly within the Northern trusts and receiving awards such as this for their high-quality homecare services, Roisin explains that these accolades, “give us the strength to move forward with the confidence that what we’re doing is right.” In summary, Roisin tells us, “we are very grateful to every single carer and manager who really does work tirelessly, and sometimes thanklessly, to help build our company, our reputation, and our care sector!” Contact: Roisin Austin Company: Complete Homecare 24 Web Address: https://completehomecare24.com/
SME News- Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2023 | 8 Most Dynamic Vehicle Conversion Business - UK & SME News Customer Service Excellence Award In 2017, ex motorcycle racer and British Championship Team owner Eddie Hamilton was faced with a monumental challenge – filling his days of retirement with an engaging and fulfilling endeavour. This endeavour took the form of none other than Grease Monkey Conversions, a dynamic vehicle conversion business that combines Eddie’s knowledge with the craftsmanship of his tight-knit team. Specialising in vehicle conversions, be it camper vans, race transporters, search and rescue support vehicles, or promotional vehicles, Grease Monkey promises to be the best the UK has to offer. Upholding a hands-on approach from the moment a consultation is made, Grease Monkey is a versatile vehicle business that boasts an astonishing mastery over the art of designing and building vehicle conversions. Regardless of the space available, Grease Monkey’s small team is beyond capable of engineering designs that truly capitalise on everything the client’s project has to offer. From producing its own furniture in-house using 3D scanning and CNC technology, to adapting its creative vision to suit whatever its clients may desire, Grease Monkey guarantees a faultless experience from start to finish. As a family owned and run business, Grease Monkey demonstrates an underestimated closeness that, in practise, serves to enhance the client experience tenfold. When interacting with individuals, the team is able to connect with them on a far more personal level, allowing it an insight into even the tiniest of details based on what it comes to learn about the person it’s working with. This clientbusiness relationship is part of what makes Grease Monkey so appealing – by keeping its team small, it can tighten its focus on elements that larger collectives may miss. It brings a certain personality to the business, essentially granting it the opportunity to experiment with its wealth of accumulated talent. Grease Monkey is among the few who are able to accurately realise its clients’ visions, and it takes great pride in this skill. However, what differentiates Grease Monkey from other businesses of a similar nature is its commitment, not just to its branding, but to its uncompromising approach to its build projects. No detail is too small, and it is determined to source only the best materials, components, and quality brands for its builds. As a result, clients receive a final product that will go on to set the standard that others within the industry should seek to follow. Upholding quality, all to see a client’s reaction upon revealing their finished project, is what Grease Monkey is all about, and it’s not difficult to understand why. After all, Eddie lives and breathes all things motor. Having past experiences in motorsport, he was able to inject a systematic approach into Grease Monkey – an approach that would reflect his meticulous eye for detail. Combined with his indepth knowledge of vehicle conversion – which began with his first race vehicle conversion all the way back in 1992 – Eddie has equipped Grease Monkey with all of the tools it needs to flourish. That way, he could ease himself into retirement knowing that his expertise would continue to persist throughout the years to come. Grease Monkey is the very personification of excellence. From its quality builds, to its exceptional customer service standards, the business has come leaps and bounds in earning the favour of vehicle enthusiasts across the region. Regardless of the sort of vehicle conversion a client may be looking for, Grease Monkey is beyond prepared to bring it to life, down to the last detail. As such, it’s unsurprising that it has earned itself such a prestigious place among Northern Ireland’s greatest businesses. We’re eager to see what new projects come out of Grease Monkey as we progress through the coming year. Contact Details Contact: Eddie Hamilton Company: Grease Monkey Conversions Web Address: https://www.greasemky.com/
It is the mission of those working at Gav Noble to help people aged 35 or above to get back to doing what it is that they love, without having to rely on painkillers or wait for an extended period to get GP appointments. Gavin excels in this area, since he is one of NI’s leading back pain specialists. Over the course of his career, Gavin has expertly devised his own training methods regarding spinal manual therapy and lower back injury recovery, something aided immeasurably by his status as a certified Pilates instructor, a tool he utilises in helping his clients through their lower back pain recovery programmes. Services offered by the company include physiotherapy, Pilates, orthotic insoles, shockwave therapy, and massages, designed to help those suffering with general back, knee, neck, or shoulder pain, Achillies tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and running/sports injuries. Across their services, the team at Gav Noble live by a series of core values, chief among these being an ethos that prides a client as a person first and a patient second. Through this mindset, the team are able to fortify their other values, creating a special experience, learning something new every day, being passionate and humble, remaining attentive to needs, achieving goals, maintaining stellar communication, and embracing change and innovation within the sector. The techniques employed by the team clearly work, since the clinic possesses more than 150 five-star Google reviews at present. If somebody is considering physiotherapy but is not sure if it can help or is right for them, Gav Noble is happy to offer a totally free discovery visit, which, as Gavin explains, “gives us an opportunity to find out what's going on and to see if we can truly help.” Those we do decide to go ahead with this fantastic service can expect a detailed assessment that gets to the root of the problem, followed by the prescribing of a unique treatment plan. Things do not end here, and the team provide free reports to their clients that hold a great deal of information and helpful tips about overcoming pain, as well as a YouTube channel, 10X Physio Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UC476VGFvwO0lOPj_rsy8AoA), that houses yet more information, tips, and advice through videos that are released weekly. Gavin sheds some light on the choice behind the name, telling us, “the information on there is designed to help and improve your health by up to 10 times!” Bolstered by these services, one can immediately see the unbridled commitment the clinic has to its patients, and it is this which truly sets it apart from the rest. It is increasingly important for Gav Noble to serve as a beacon of excellence on the back of the issues that are currently arising in the sector, stemming from the lengthening waiting lists of those seeking treatments from the NHS. Gavin explains, “We hear from our clients who have been to the NHS that they receive less and less hands-on therapy and are given pages of exercises to complete.” This has resulted in a renewed sense of purpose for the team, whose comprehensive assessment methods serve as a direct contrast to this. Moreover, continuous training and development is prioritised, undertaken weekly through training sessions. Central to maintaining high standards has been the fostering of a tremendous internal culture, with an annual planning meeting being held at the start of every new year in order to discuss the future of the business and establish a road map for the year ahead. Teambuilding events are also commonplace, such as axe throwing, bowling, Christmas lunch, and breakfast mornings. When it comes to the future of Gav Noble Physiotherapy and Gavin’s own career, he tells us that he is working on a book that is set to be released this year, and aside from this, continuous growth and consolidation are key priorities for not only this year, but way into the future, fortifying the clinic as Lisburn’s premier hub for all physiotherapy needs. Contact Details Contact: Gavin Noble Company: Gav Noble Physiotherapy Web Address: https://www.gavnoble.com/ Since its inception in 2017, Gav Noble Physiotherapy has served as a textbook offering for what a physiotherapy clinic should be, professional, knowledgeable, and boasting fantastic customer service. This five-person team is comprised of a manager, three therapists, and a receptionist, and they proudly serve those from Lisburn, Belfast, Hillsborough, Dromore, and the surrounding areas from their base in Lisburn city centre. Company namesake and Founder Gavin Noble provides further insight into the clinic and his own experiences operating within the field. Physiotherapy Clinic of the Year - Lisburn
SME News- Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2023 | 10 Strategic Imperatives and X3T announce merger to accelerate connections between AltNets and ISPs Strategic Imperatives, the UK market leader in SaaS provisioning, connectivity and monetisation solutions for the telecom industry has today announced its merger with X3T, the services and technology company on a mission to empower connections between AltNets and Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The two companies will commence a merger of their operations this month with a vision to make Strategic Imperatives' Fibre Café platform the dominant solution in the market for ISPs to access wholesale fibre networks. Founded in 2006, Strategic Imperatives quickly established itself as the principal provider of fixed line solutions into the Openreach network, provisioning, ceasing and migrating millions of connections. More recently, Strategic Imperatives has replicated this success in the UK's emerging fibre market with the development and rollout of Fibre Café, a SaaS platform transforming how AltNets and service providers collaborate to deliver the vision of full fibre connectivity. The platform already integrates over three million connections. Established by worldwide telecom investors Granahan McCourt Capital, X3T launched last year with heavyweight financial partners Asterion Industrial Partners, Oak Hill Advisors, Tetrad and Twin Point Capital. The X3T platform is purpose built for wholesale networks to facilitate a simple, seamless integration for ISPs, resulting in networks achieving extremely high (+90) Net Promotor Scores for customer on-boarding, provisioning, and service activation. Supporting National Broadband Ireland (NBI), widely regarded as one of the world's most ambitious rollouts of a national wholesale fibre network, the platform has supported the integration of 62 global and regional Internet Service Providers and customer take-up of over 50% within 18 months. Wail Sabbagh, Managing Director at Strategic Imperatives, said: "Combining forces with X3T provides us with a unique opportunity to bring together some of the industry's most experienced talent and state-of-the-art technologies to deliver exceptional value to our customers. Supporting our vision to expand our ground-breaking monetisation, billing and subscriptions platform, Elevate, and make Fibre Café the leading unified interface to the UK's fibre ecosystem and the gateway to a connected Britain, we're excited to accelerate our continued investment and rollout with the financial backing and global expertise that this merger provides." David McCourt, Chairman of Granahan McCourt Capital and X3T, commented: "For over 30 years, we have been building and operating large-scale networks all over the world, and we intimately understand the needs of wholesale operators. A decade ago, we built one of the first open-access networks in the world at a company called enet and quickly grew it to serve over 70 ISPs. In our next venture, NBI, we continued to build the next generation of our technology platform and now, at X3T, we've used our inherent knowledge of operating high performance wholesale networks to export our capabilities. "This merger with Strategic Imperatives means we can share this knowledge and accelerate our support for customers in the UK and beyond. As an investor, owner and operator, we know firsthand that the combined capabilities of X3T and Strategic Imperatives provides the blueprint for AltNets and ISPs to scale," concluded McCourt.
The Douglass-O'Connell Global Internship Program is a collaboration of Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs, the African American Irish Diaspora Network (AAIDN), and the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) designed to pay tribute to Frederick Douglass' transformative experience visiting Ireland and meeting the famous Irish reformer Daniel O'Connell more than 175 years ago. Full program cost, airfare, and a stipend will be provided to the Douglass-O'Connell Global Interns to support participation in an eight-week work placement in an Irish organization and participation in a credit-bearing academic course on Irish History and Culture with special exploration of the influence Daniel O'Connell had on Frederick Douglass and both men's lifetime legacies as successful businessmen and leaders of social change. The program honors the two iconic leaders' impact on the global movement for freedom, equality, and social justice by preparing students from diverse backgrounds for future personal and career success. The Douglass-O'Connell Global Internship in Ireland is designed for students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in an international experience that allows them to develop academic, intercultural, and professional skills simultaneously. Students must be Pell-eligible and have a demonstrated commitment to nurturing positive change in our world. The aspiring professionals selected for this competitive program will expand their understanding of Irish history and culture, while also gaining practical experience as they work alongside Irish co-workers during their CIEE Global Internship. Global internships are one of the most impactful study abroad experiences available, allowing students to develop the problem solving, intercultural communication, and self-leadership skills most valued by employers in today's globally interconnected workplace. Research shows that these critical skills are developed through real-world work experience where students receive coaching and feedback that promotes such growth. Students who participate in international internships not only stand out to U.S. employers, but also build a network of international contacts – personal and professional - that expand and accelerate global careers over the student's lifetime. "The Frederick Douglass-Daniel O'Connell Global Internship in Ireland celebrates these two distinguished figures' contributions to society and their notable business acumen," said James P. Pellow, Ed.D., president and CEO of CIEE. "We hope the program inspires young professionals to emulate their success and apply their principles in the modern world." Innovative program for students from diverse backgrounds combines professional training with an immersive intercultural experience. Applications are now open for the 2024 Frederick Douglass-Daniel O'Connell Global Internship in Ireland that will provide ten exceptional American college students from diverse backgrounds an eightweek culturally immersive program combining academic study and real-world work experience. CIEE Announces 2024 Frederick DouglassDaniel O'Connell Global Internship in Ireland
SME News- Northern Irish Enterprise Awards 2023 | 12 New technology overtakes ESG as a priority for British business Nine in 10 (91%) British business leaders are actively investigating ways to bring new technology into their organisations in the face of a rapid rise in tech options, such as the adoption of AI. Advanced's 2023/24 Trends Report – combining more than 6,600 senior executive voices from a cross-section of British business – indicates that technological advancement is outpacing longerstanding objectives such as ESG and DE&I for business leaders in the UK. These are reported as priorities for only around half of businesses, representing a significant fall from the company's 2022/23 report when three-quarters said ESG was a growing priority. The report illustrates a clear shift in strategic priorities and direction for businesses as they grapple with new challenges relating to the economy, political turmoil overseas and managing the rise of AI. The report indicates that ESG has had to be strategically deprioritised as businesses focus on day-to-day survival. Instead, businesses report focusing on top priorities including digital advancement, attracting and retaining talent, cybersecurity and data protection, cashflow and managing the cost of doing business crisis. Systems businesses are most likely to invest in include digital immune systems (75%); adaptive AI (51%) and applied observability (39%). Business owners reported seeking better systems integration; improved functionality, security and remote access; and increased business intelligence as a result of technological investments. Over half (58%) of business leaders say they are already using AI tools. Simon Walsh, CEO of business software firm Advanced, said: "Businesses are facing acute external pressures which are forcing many to make difficult decisions about where priorities lie in the fight to survive. "A massive 91% of business owners, CEOs and MDs told us that they plan to upgrade their digital systems, seeking benefits such as automation in data processing and more effective prioritisation of workloads from their digital growth. Digital transformation was signalled as a core business priority for 2024 for two fifths (41%) of business leaders around the UK. "Attracting and retaining talent is the number one challenge for organisations in the UK and addressing this is a priority for almost half (47%) of all respondents. Against a turbulent economic and political backdrop, business leaders are being forced to focus their efforts on future-proofing their operations with technical investment, alongside practical issues like talent retention and cashflow, at the expense of initiatives like ESG and DE&I." Of those operating an ESG strategy, maintaining compliance with legislation was a top motivator for two thirds (62%). Around half (53%) said their ESG was motivated by reputation, while 47% sought to make a positive impact on their communities. Meanwhile, ESG was more likely to be deprioritised outside of London. Six% of London businesses aren't currently prioritising ESG, compared to an average of 11.6% in England and Wales excluding London, 9% in Scotland and 15% in Northern Ireland. The latest Government policies have also indicated a broader reduction in the national focus on ESG – such as September's change to net zero policies. "British businesses are facing very real and pressing issues and are having to adapt and evolve at pace thanks both to the high-pressure backdrop caused by the economy and the rapid advancement of new technology such as adaptive AI. This high speed evolution brings with it its own challenges, for example with AI, understanding the safe and responsible use of this powerful new tool," added Simon. The Advanced Trends Report 2023/24 surveyed over 6,600 senior executives in the UK on the opportunities and challenges within their business. Now in its eighth year, the 2023/24 report canvassed insights from its largest ever sample size.
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