NOW Group and Lidl Northern Ireland launch new Retail Skills Academy to support people with autism and learning difficulties into retail careers
Top employer Lidl Northern Ireland and leading social enterprise NOW Group today launched a pioneering employability programme – the first of its kind with the supermarket retailer - to support people with learning difficulties and autism into a retail career.
The announcement is the latest move by the retailer in demonstrating its commitment to diversity and inclusion as part of its award-winning and globally recognised People Strategy. Lidl has also supported the autism community over the past number of years, having already implemented a number of dedicated in-store customer initiatives including autism-friendly evenings and becoming the first JAM Card friendly supermarket in Northern Ireland in 2021.
The newly launched Open College Network Northern Ireland (OCN NI) approved Retail Skills Academy with Lidl Northern Ireland will support NOW Group participants in “host” stores across the region, to gain new skills and on-the-job training with Northern Ireland’s fastest-growing supermarket retailer.
Launched in 2018, NOW Group’s dedicated Skills Academies span key industries including Tourism, Catering, Hospitality, Cleaning, Digital, Warehousing, and Business Administration, to meet growing demand for jobs in these sectors and to ensure participants have the opportunity to gain skills and employment in jobs for the future, matching training needs to areas of high job opportunities.
Combining theoretical classroom learning over 15 weeks, which sees successful candidates graduate with OCN NI Level 1 Award in Retail Business - an equivalent GCSE-level qualification - with real world experience provided by Lidl Northern Ireland, students will benefit from an in-store retail placement of up to 40 hours, across its network of 41 stores in Northern Ireland.
Sean Hanna, Director of Services at NOW Group, commented;
“The new Retail Skills Academy is a pioneering initiative which allows participants to experience a real working environment and gain knowledge of industry specific skills, whilst also encouraging their independence, resilience and enhancing employment opportunities.
“We’re delighted to expand our Skills Academy offering into the retail sector and to extend our existing partnership with Lidl Northern Ireland. As a certified Top Employer, Lidl Northern Ireland is an ideal strategic partner to help us deliver this first-of-its-kind programme to support more people living with autism and learning difficulties into a pathway to employment.
“Our dedicated Skills Academies are focused on providing our participants with training into jobs of the future, so we’re delighted to partner with a company which, as market leader, truly represents a dynamic industry with huge potential in terms of life-long careers and opportunity.”
Participants will benefit from access to a dedicated Lidl Northern Ireland mentor who will support their training and professional development. Students will also have the opportunity to learn a wide range of skills through in-store placements across customer service, health and safety, sales and merchandising, distribution and monitoring and problem-solving within retail business.
Conor Boyle, Regional Managing Director at Lidl Northern Ireland, said:
“As a certified Top Employer by the Top Employer’s Institute, and Business Eye’s Employer of the Year in Northern Ireland, we place accessibility and diversity at the heart of our People Strategy. I’m thrilled to launch this new Retail Skills Academy programme and build upon our established relationship with NOW Group to further support people living with autism and learning difficulties.
“We continually strive to create an exceptional place to work and to build a suite of industry-leading career development opportunities, and the new Retail Skills Academy further demonstrates our commitment to enabling equal employment opportunities for all.
“Lidl Northern Ireland is perfectly positioned to support academy students to thrive in this exciting and hugely rewarding industry by providing comprehensive on-the-ground training and mentoring in an inclusive environment. We’re excited to meet the students and see what fresh perspectives they will bring to our stores whilst supporting more people into employment within the retail industry.”
Lidl Northern Ireland’s latest, innovative employability programme announcement comes just a few months after the retailer confirmed the creation of 200 new local jobs and pay increases worth £3 million for all employees.
Named Employer of the Year at the Business Eye Awards 2022 and a certified Top Employer for 2023 by the Top Employers Institute for the third year running, Lidl Northern Ireland has developed a number of industry-leading career development schemes including its Leadership Academy and Manager Development Programme.
For more information on Lidl Northern Ireland visit https://jobs.lidl-ni.co.uk/
For more information on the employability and training schemes available with the NOW Group, please visit nowgroup.org
Ardmore Group establishes strategic advisory and consultancy business
Former Stormont Minister and Belfast Chamber Chief Executive Simon Hamilton to head up a new strategy and advisory firm designed to help business and government work better together
Integrated marketing, public relations and eCommerce group Ardmore has launched a new, standalone consultancy as part of its core services.
The group, which incorporates creative advertising company Ardmore, public relations specialists LK Communications and eCommerce industry leader Built for Growth (BFG) Digital, and employs over 80 staff, said the new business will support companies and government as part of a partnership approach to advance and progress shared agendas in an increasingly complex, challenging world.
The new business, Confluence Consulting, will operate within the Ardmore Group of companies, supporting existing and new clients, and will be led by former Economy, Finance and Health Minister Simon Hamilton, who will be departing from his role as Belfast Chamber Chief Executive after almost four years.
After graduating with degrees in history, politics and law from Queen’s University of Belfast, Simon started his career at global business consultancy PwC in Belfast. Simon began his political career in 2005 and served as Minister of Finance, Minister of Health and Minister for the Economy in the Northern Ireland Executive before joining Belfast Chamber in 2019.
He has been widely acclaimed for his work successfully influencing policy makers and championing and supporting the needs of business throughout the pandemic and beyond.
Ardmore Group Chief Executive Officer John Keane said:
“In a rapidly changing, challenging and often confusing world, businesses – and government – need powerful, impactful engagement, greater understanding and more meaningful partnerships to tackle issues and to find solutions that drive economic growth and investment, and support positive societal development.
Our new consultancy division, Confluence, which I’m delighted is spearheaded by one of the region’s most experienced and insightful leaders in business and politics, Simon Hamilton, will be a powerful linchpin, platform and conduit between business and government that will drive positive, impactful change and progress.”
Confluence Consulting Head, Simon Hamilton, said:
“At times, politics and business can seem like they operate in entirely different worlds, but what I've realised during my over 20 years working in both, is that industry needs to interact closely with government and that success in our society is frequently constructed upon foundations built by both the public and private sectors.
Despite that important interface, business and government can struggle to work together effectively to achieve our shared aims. Confluence Consulting is about working with leaders in the public, private and third sectors to help them work better together.
I am delighted to be able to combine my experience in government and business and channel that into working with Confluence’s clients to define, inform, and strengthen decision-making. Ultimately, it will improve the understanding between businesses and their stakeholders and help organisations seamlessly navigate their way to rebuilding, recovering and preparing for emerging challenges.
Northern Ireland feels like it is on the cusp of an exciting period. We have issues to overcome, but there is renewed international interest in our region as well as new economic opportunities. Confluence is passionate about realising this potential and I look forward to working with our clients to achieve that common goal.
Ardmore is one of the UK and Ireland’s top, multi award-winning integrated creative agencies, committed to enhancing reputations, improving bottom lines and sparking behaviour change that drives results through strategic advertising, media, social and digital marketing and design.
Campaign magazine placed Ardmore as one of the top UK creative agencies in 2022.
Founded in 2005, CIPR Northern Ireland ‘PR Consultancy of the Year’ LK Communications, is a multi-award-winning strategic communications, media relations and content management specialist delivering high impact results for a range of businesses, industries and professional services organisations in the private, public and voluntary sectors.
BFG Digital, UK eCommerce Agency of the Year, was founded in 2000 as Export Technologies, and has grown to become one of the north's top digital marketing agencies, representing more than 50 high-profile clients and brands in the UK and Ireland.
With an 80-strong team, the Ardmore Group of companies is a recognised industry leader and represents some of the UK and Ireland’s largest public and private sector organisations and brands including Belfast City Council, Dale Farm, eir evo, Gas Networks Ireland, Lidl, Lookers Plc, The Northern Ireland Executive Office, Network Rail, Phoenix Energy, Stena Line, Translink and Visit Belfast.
The Group is also a longstanding partner and shareholder in Worldwide Partners Inc (WPI), a global network of 83 independent agencies in 44 countries, who collaborate and work together as one to harness their creativity, local expertise and diversified capabilities to deliver meaningful campaigns for a range of international brands.
NI sporting stars team up to tackle youth mental health with Lidl Northern Ireland’s Sport For Good Schools Programme
Sporting greats in call out for nominations for secondary schools to win place on Lidl Northern Ireland’s coveted mental health athlete mentorship programme
An innovative educational programme aimed at equipping school students across Northern Ireland with invaluable tools to manage and improve their mental health through sport has been launched, supported by a stellar line up of some of the country’s most successful sporting stars.
Following on from Mental Health Awareness Week which ran from 15-21 May, Lidl Northern Ireland’s Sport for Good Schools Programme, in partnership with the UK’s leading children’s charity the Youth Sport Trust, and championed by six-time Paralympic gold medallist swimmer Bethany Firth OBE, European Championship 1500 metre silver medallist Ciara Mageean, and World Champion gymnast Rhys McClenaghan, launched at a special event held at Queen’s University Malone Playing Fields in Belfast.
Nominations are now open for the 2023/24 programme which will see 25 secondary schools across the region receive £1,000 in funding for new sports equipment and delivery of a series of mental health workshops, led by the Youth Sport Trust’s specially trained athlete mentors
The esteemed group of athlete mentors help young people to think like an athlete to tackle declining emotional wellbeing and resilience, and attitudes to learning. The team, which includes Paralympics athletics champion Michael McKillop MBE, Olympic hockey hero Shirley McCay MBE, and Olympic steeplechaser Kerry O’Flaherty, joined the programme’s ambassadors to launch this year’s initiative.
Returning for a third year, Lidl Northern Ireland’s Sport for Good Schools Programme educates students on the power of sport for positive mental health, boosting young people’s social skills, self-esteem and body confidence, and the positive effect it has on their mental health.
The initiative was developed by the retailer in partnership with Youth Sport Trust after research found that 45% of young people here said their mental health had deteriorated during the pandemic.*
Feedback survey results from last year’s programme revealed that 83% of participants felt that the programme had boosted their overall confidence, 75% reported an improvement in resilience and self-belief and two thirds said it increased their enjoyment of exercise. All teachers participating in the programme confirmed their commitment to making improvements to their school’s mental health curriculum as a result of the initiative.
Speaking at the launch of the 2023/24 programme, Lidl Northern Ireland Sport for Good ambassador, Rhys McClenaghan said;
“Empowering our young people to manage their mental health is more important than ever, and I’m honoured to continue being an ambassador for a mental health initiative that delivers such real benefits to local school students as the Lidl Northern Ireland Sport for Good programme.
“After winning the pommel horse gold medal at the 2023 European Gymnastics Championships and now training for the 2023 World Championship, I know how important it is to have a healthy mindset as well as a healthy body. Sports participation can be truly life-changing in building confidence, developing resilience and managing mental health challenges and I hope my experience can inspire students right across Northern Ireland to get into sport.
“I’m excited to launch this year’s programme and to use my platform to reach the next generation with this message, inspiring positive change amongst those who may need it most.”
Martin Moreland, Principal at Mercy College in Belfast, who participated in the programme last year, commented;
“We’re very grateful for the Lidl Northern Ireland Sport for Good programme and for the mental health workshops which have provided our students with such fantastic role models in the athlete mentors, and in doing so supporting them with the skills they need to get up, get active, and improve their mental health.
“With the recent £14m budget cut to education and the loss of key mental health initiatives, it’s impressive to see a local retailer like Lidl Northern Ireland continue to champion their own programmes to help plug gaps in our education sector as part of their wider contribution to the local community.
“I encourage every school to nominate themselves for this exceptional programme which has had a truly lasting impact on our students and will set them up with the skills they need to manage mental health challenges well into the future.”
Louise Gray, Development Manager at Youth Sport Trust said;
“We know unhappy, unhealthy children don’t learn as effectively, and with only one in ten young people achieving recommended guidelines for 60 minutes a day of physical activity, this initiative is vital to boosting young people’s health and wellbeing.
“We’re proud to be working with Lidl Northern Ireland, athletes and schools to take preventative action and ensure this generation grow up healthy and happy. We must turn the tide on the increasing number of children who are feeling lower levels of happiness, life satisfaction and worthwhileness.”
Since 2019, the Sport for Good programme has supported more than 120 sports clubs and schools across Northern Ireland and provided more than £400,000 in funding and equipment to encourage more children to connect with sport.
Joe Mooney, Senior Partnerships Manager for Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland said;
“Supporting young people within our communities is something we are passionate about at Lidl Northern Ireland so it gives me great pleasure to launch this year’s Sport for Good Schools Programme alongside our ambassadors Ciara, Bethany and Rhys and our fantastic athlete mentors Michael, Shirley and Kerry. They truly represent the best of Northern Irish sport and they have been instrumental in delivering this programme to more than 5,200 pupils to date across the region. The real-world experience they bring makes such a difference to the lives of these young people, by providing practical advice and techniques to improve their mental health, and by motivating them to engage in sport as a meaningful way of improving their overall wellbeing.
“We look forward to building on the already strong foundation of the Sport for Good Schools Programme which has benefited so many young people across the region, and to encourage the NI public to nominate their local secondary school to be in with a chance of reaping the rewards of the programme.”
Lidl Northern Ireland shoppers can nominate their local secondary school to win a place on the Sport for Good programme, as well as £1,000 worth of brand-new sports equipment, by visiting their local Lidl store and making a purchase using the Lidl Plus Rewards App to receive a qualifying Lidl receipt containing a 10-digit code. Receipt codes must be submitted online along with the secondary school nomination for a chance to win. Entries can be made via the dedicated Sport for Good online entry form at lidl-ni.co.uk/lidl-community-works. The competition is open now until Sunday 25th June 2023.
Galgorm Collection checks out as a Great Place to Work
NI’s award-winning collection of luxury hotels and restaurants becomes first hospitality group on the island of Ireland to achieve official certification based on exceptional employee experience.
Major Northern Ireland employer Galgorm Collection has become the first hospitality group on the island of Ireland to achieve official Great Place to Work certification across its entire portfolio of award-winning luxury hotels and restaurants.
The prestigious endorsement by Great Place to Work, a global authority on workplace culture and wellbeing, was awarded following an extensive independent employee survey which engaged Galgorm Collection’s workforce of around 1,000 team members.
Employees voted across all six properties - including the globally renowned Galgorm, AA Hotel of the Year The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat in Templepatrick, Ireland’s Blue Book recommended property The Old Inn, Crawfordsburn, and its collection of restaurants Fratelli and Parisien in Belfast city centre - and concluded that their workplace is a great place to work.
The only hotel group on the island of Ireland to achieve the exceptional standard, the distinguished certification rewards outstanding employers who demonstrate a high-trust, ‘people-first’ workplace and cultivate a culture which embodies values such as credibility, fairness, respect, camaraderie, honesty and pride.
Laura Millar, HR Associate Director at Galgorm Collection said:
“What makes this accreditation so important to us is that it’s based on authentic employee feedback which is rigorously analysed using data-driven methodology and can be confident that staff feel trusted, valued and supported in their roles and enjoy the many benefits of working with the region’s premier hospitality group.
Our success has always depended on our great people. From chefs to bar tenders, spa therapists and managers, to facilities staff, housekeepers, drivers and night porters, our people are what makes us famous for our warm welcome and unforgettable hospitality experience. Through our dedicated People Strategy, we work hard to ensure we offer the most competitive benefits and lead in the development of skills, training and career development opportunities.”
Based solely on rigorous and validated employee feedback gathered by Great Place to Work – the global authority on workplace culture – the accreditation signifies that employees have a consistently positive experience in the workplace.
“At the heart of every organisation are its people, and looking after their wellbeing should be a priority for every employer,” Great Place to Work managing director Benedict Gautrey said. “We know when employees feel genuinely contented and at ease within their roles, they are much more engaged and productive, which leads to better results for everyone.”
A major local employer, Galgorm Collection has dramatically scaled up its hospitality footprint and workforce over the last decade following a £90 million investment into the ongoing expansion and refurbishment of its flagship property Galgorm, with its latest investment project aiming to add new accommodation types and spa facilities by 2027.
Since 2020, Galgorm Collection has acquired and opened two major new hotels, The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat in Templepatrick and The Old Inn, Crawfordsburn, growing its workforce by 30%.
“Galgorm Collection’s award-winning customer excellence and reputation for first-class hospitality is down to the dedication, skills and professionalism of our team and that’s why we continually invest in our workplace culture, training and development and in enhancing career prospects for everyone to make this a great place to work. We’re thrilled that our team voted with their feet to endorse what we do, and we are grateful for the superb work they deliver for our customers and the group every day,” Galgorm Collection managing director Colin Johnston said.
As an officially certified Great Place to Work, Galgorm Collection will automatically be entered into the prestigious Best Workplaces ™ list which recognises organisations which demonstrate an effective management culture that focuses on the individual, their strengths and potential. All of this promotes innovation in the company and their associated economic success.
With sustainability at the heart of its business, Galgorm Collection last year announced a commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030, with a bid to become the first premier hospitality group on the island of Ireland to go fully green.
A year earlier, Galgorm Collection has also committed to the rollout of an enhanced benefits package for all eligible team members, including a £1 million investment into premium private health care cover over the next five years as part of its ongoing commitment to investing in its people.
In March 2021, Galgorm Collection announced 180 new roles across its range of hotels and restaurants to meet anticipated post-pandemic demand and announced its investment of more than £5m in annual wages in creating the new roles.
For more information on current roles available across Galgorm Collection, and to apply, visit galgorm.com/work-with-us.html
LK Communications reveals Northern Ireland’s Top 100 Twitter accounts for 2023
CIPR Northern Ireland PR Consultancy of the Year LK Communications launches social media Influencer Barometer series
CIPR Northern Ireland PR Consultancy of the Year LK Communications, has unveiled details of the region’s Top 100 Twitter account holders for 2023 in the first of a series of reports on the development and reach of social media platforms in the region.
Published exclusively in the Belfast Telegraph, the Top 100 Twitter list reveals a stark gender divide, with male-owned accounts leading women by a factor of three to one.
A vital source for news, sport, politics and comment – and everything else – Northern Ireland’s sporting legends lead the way in a list that confirmed that golfing great Rory McIlroy topped the poll at number one with over three million followers, trailing second-place broadcaster Eamonn Holmes with just over 1.1 million, ahead of third-place golfer Graeme McDowell with over 683,000 fans on Twitter.
Using data provided by Twitonomy, a leading social media analysis tool and extensive research, the Top 10 list also included golfer Darren Clarke, boxer Carl Frampton and horseracing legend Sir AP McCoy.
Only two women – Christine Lampard and infrequent tweeter Nadine Coyle – featured in the Top 10. Derry-born Glee actor Damian McGinty was the most prominent Maiden City entrant at number six.
BBC broadcaster Stephen Nolan was the first media and news personality to appear on the Top 100 list at number 10.
Nikki Larkin, Managing Director at LK Communications, said:
“Already 17 years old, Twitter has made a big impact in the global struggle for online influence and Northern Ireland has its fair share of influence, particularly in sport and entertainment.
“Though it has its flaws, and its long-term future under new leadership appears uncertain, Twitter still packs a punch, delivers and creates news, buzz and often controversy. In 2023, Twitter remains a powerful tool to engage online, to create awareness, debate and impact.
“Other fast-emerging platforms, including Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn are already eating into Twitter’s market share, and we look forward to revealing new insights and analysis for these important social media channels later this year.”
Politicians remain popular on Twitter, with Gerry Adams taking the top spot ranked at 15 on the top 100 as the most followed political figure with 207,288 followers, ahead of Baroness Kate Hoey at number two and Sinn Fein leader Michelle O’Neill at number three.
Former Sinn Fein president Adams is known for his cutting humour on the website, with several of his recent tweets having gained viral success. He also routinely retweets Sinn Fein press material, including recent campaign videos from his party’s vice president Michelle O’Neill.
In the world of media, TV and radio broadcasters lead with Eamonn Holmes, Christine Lampard, Stephen Nolan and Colin Murray ahead of sports pundit Joe Brolly, RTE’s Tony Connelly, BBC weather presenter Barra Best and Belfast Telegraph correspondents Sam McBride and Alison Morris.
In business, former BBC Apprentice winner Dr Leah Totton is way out in front with around 116,000 followers.
To request a copy of the full report, email insights@lkcommunications.co.uk
Lookers embarks on £1.8m transformation plan for Kia Chester
Redevelopment set for completion later this year as site remains open to customers
Lookers has embarked on a significant £1.8 million transformation of its Kia Chester site as the company, one of the UK’s leading automotive and aftersales service groups, continues to boost its nationwide network of dealerships.
The redevelopment, which will be completed later this year, will see a full state-of-the-art internal refit, as well as the introduction of a brand-new indoor handover bay and exterior integrated valet bay.
Built to exacting and sustainable specifications and packed with modern designs and digital innovations, the Sealand Road site will be a powerful showcase of Kia’s expanding range of electric and hybrid models, along with a wide selection of quality used cars.
Incorporating the new Kia brand concept, the transformed site will reflect Lookers’ committed focus on sustainability and quality customer service provision, with four new rapid electric vehicle charge points added, as well as a stylish and comfortable customer zone, a service reception and a dynamic, tech-laden display zone for seven new cars.
Scott Innes, General Manager at Lookers Kia Chester, said:
“This significant redevelopment affords us the opportunity to create a once-in-a-generation, modern retail facility for our customers, allowing us to uniquely showcase Kia’s expanding and award-winning range of vehicles in world class surroundings.
“Lookers’ investment reflects our commitment to the local community and economy in Chester, as well as our long-established and successful brand partnership with Kia.
“We’re incredibly excited to be embarking on this transformation and look forward to sharing a new and compelling retail experience with all our customers soon.”
Duncan McPhee, Chief Operating Officer at Lookers, added:
“Lookers’ relationship with Kia is one we value strongly so we’re delighted to announce that work is now well under way in what will be an exciting transformation for this prominent and well-located Chester site.
“Kia is an outstanding, ambitious franchise to work with and we’re confident this transformation will provide an excellent retail and service offering for our customers and staff.”
With construction currently under way the Kia Chester dealership will continue to operate as usual, with customers still comfortably accommodated on site.
Kia is one of the UK’s Top 10 best-selling car brands, with a record-breaking 100,000 sales recorded in 2022, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Electrification has been key to Kia brand’s success, with the brand nearing half of all sales consisting of hybrid or electric models.
Last year also saw the introduction of new models including next-generation versions of the popular Kia Sportage and Kia Niro. Kia’s cutting-edge electric and hybrid models are designed to maximise fuel efficiency and minimise or even produce zero emissions. These include the fully electric and technology packed EV6 and the all-new Niro EV.
Founded in Manchester in 1908, Lookers represents more than 30 leading car manufacturers in more than 150 dealerships, employing 6,500 people across the UK and Ireland.
Campaign magazine places Ardmore in prestigious Top 30 agency list
Ardmore advertising and marketing agency is the only Northern Ireland entrant in prestigious Top 30 list of UK regional agencies
Campaign magazine has placed Ardmore in its top creative agencies for 2022 in its latest list of the best UK marketing and advertising businesses.
The magazine – a bible for the global ad industry – also confirmed that multi-award-winning Ardmore was the only agency in the Northern Ireland region to appear for a second year running.
Campaign magazine compiles the prestigious list of creative businesses according to exclusive Nielson billings figures, to shine a global spotlight on the Top 30 UK Regional Agencies. Since the agency first appeared in the coveted list in 2019, Ardmore has risen seven places to sit proudly at position 21 for 2022.
Ardmore is a recognised global industry leader in behaviour change, recruitment marketing, tourism and transport, food, retail and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), representing a range of premier clients including Belfast City Council, Brand USA, Dale Farm, Destination British Columbia, eir evo, Lidl, Lowden Guitars, Lunn’s Jewellers, MCS Group, National Trust, Network Rail, Phoenix Natural Gas, Progressive Building Society, Rushmere, Starplan Furniture, Stena Line, The Executive Office and Translink.
The Ardmore Group - comprised of advertising agency Ardmore, public relations agency LK Communications, and eCommerce specialists Built for Growth (BFG) Digital - offers local, national and international brands a truly integrated communications service spanning strategy, design, film, digital, media, PR, reputation management and eCommerce marketing, all coordinated and delivered under one roof by more than 80 marketing and communications experts.
Ardmore Chief Executive Officer, John Keane, said:
“To have consecutively appeared in Campaign’s list of Top 30 UK Regional Agencies is an incredible achievement for our team and demonstrates our commitment to growth across the Ardmore group. We have incredible talent here in Northern Ireland to rival any global agency and are pleased to be standing shoulder to shoulder with the very finest in the marketing and communications industry across the UK.
“The talent and expertise of our team, coupled with the insight we have from our international networks and partnerships, is what makes us so unique. It’s also what allows us to provide a world class service for our diverse range of clients in Northern Ireland and across Europe.”
Ardmore’s listing in Campaign Magazine’s Top 30 UK Regional Agencies is the latest in a number of accolades from the Ardmore Group. In 2022, BFG Digital won UK eCommerce Agency of the Year and earlier this month was awarded eCommerce Project of the Year at the prestigious Digital DNA Awards, whilst LK Communications was recently named PR Consultancy of the Year at the Pride Awards from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). Ardmore has also just been shortlisted for Media Agency of the Year and Best Long Term Media Strategy, in The Media Awards.
In 2022 Ardmore announced its plans to work towards net zero status, after cementing a new partnership with Planet Mark, a globally-recognised certification for progress and excellence in sustainability. The agency has been a member of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising for over 20 years and is also a longstanding partner and shareholder in Worldwide Partners Inc (WPI), a global network of 83 independent agencies in 44 countries, who collaborate and work together as one to harness their creativity, local expertise and diversified capabilities to deliver meaningful campaigns for a range of international brands.
Volunteer Now launches new campaign to celebrate and inspire more volunteers ahead of Volunteers’ Week 2023
With just over two months to go until Volunteers’ Week 2023, taking place 1-7 June, Volunteer Now is calling on communities and businesses to give volunteering a go and be the change that we want to see as it gears up for this year’s Volunteer’s Week festivities.
Now in its 39th year, Volunteers’ Week is an annual event which sees charities, voluntary groups, social organisations, and volunteers themselves come together to recognise the incredible impact that volunteering has in communities around the UK.
With the theme set for this year’s week-long celebration - ‘Celebrate and Inspire’ – volunteer organisations across the UK will aim to highlight diversity in volunteering and demonstrate the many ways everyone can get involved with volunteering.
Each year, the annual celebrations recognise and reward the work and efforts of volunteers who are active at the heart of every community, whilst acknowledging their important contribution to our local communities, the voluntary sector and society as a whole.
As with previous years, hundreds of events, both online and in-person, will take place across the UK and Northern Ireland to celebrate Volunteers’ Week and the huge range of ways in which volunteers give their time. From volunteer recruitment events to open days, celebrations to recognition events, there are many ways for everyone to take part and come together for this year’s campaign.
Ahead of the celebrations, Volunteer Now, the lead organisation for volunteering in Northern Ireland, is calling out for new volunteer recruits and encouraging everyone to give volunteering a go this spring.
Denise Hayward, Chief Executive at Volunteer Now commented:
“Volunteers have continued to give so much time, energy, commitment and skills to the communities and organisations that they have supported however it is now more important than ever that we encourage more people to give a little bit of time to the wonderful organisations that make such a positive difference to our Northern Ireland community. It is fitting that Volunteers Week 2023 will give everyone the opportunity to Celebrate the ongoing commitment but also to encourage more people to say that all important ‘yes’.”
With around 282,000 formal volunteers carrying out work with designated organisations and 470,000 informal volunteers, volunteering plays a significant role across the region.
Each year, volunteers across Northern Ireland carry out work worth more than half a billion pounds and contribute £504 million to the local economy. Voluntary organisations in Northern Ireland do work worth more than half a billion pounds a year.
For more information on how to get involved, please visit volunteernow.co.uk and follow #VolunteersWeek and @volunteernow1
Armagh launches dynamic new tourism campaign for spring 2023
Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council has launched a fresh and dynamic campaign to drive visitors to Armagh and the wider borough this spring to enjoy its history, heritage and culture portrayed through an established jam-packed spring events programme, visitor attractions and an unrivalled hospitality offer.
Following the sell-out success of Armagh’s flagship Home of St. Patrick Festival, which ran over nine days until 19 March, the reinvigoratingly fresh spring programme aims to generate demand amongst audiences across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and further afield, driving visitor bookings for short breaks, day trips and longer stays to the fast-growing visitor destination by showcasing the best it has to offer for every traveller and budget.
Recognising the potential of its outstanding tourism assets, the council is committed to building on its world class heritage, culture and hospitality experience, as well as its natural beauty.
With a complementary tourism offer which takes in the iconic and historic Armagh City, abundant apple orchards, thriving artisan cider farms, a unique linen heritage, top class arts and visitor attractions and award-winning chefs, restaurants, cafes and bars, the borough is also widely recognised for the quality and provenance of its food produce for which it has earned the right to be known as Northern Ireland’s official Food Heartland.
The new ‘Spring into Armagh’ promotional campaign will demonstrate Armagh’s unrivalled appeal as a must-visit destination and showcase its unique assets through a digital-led campaign comprising social media, e-marketing, digital advertising, partnership promotions and a range of Out of Home advertising over the coming weeks.
Supported by council cooperative funding from Tourism Northern Ireland, Visit Armagh’s spring offering complements its wider ‘Embrace a Giant Spirit’ campaign which focus on promoting the borough’s most important and vibrant tourism destinations, including the world-renowned Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Banbridge.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Councillor Paul Greenfield said:
“The entire borough of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon offers our overseas visitors a wide range of compelling reasons to visit – from the historic, Georgian city of Armagh and its rich orchard countryside – to superb food, hospitality and events, as well as the new world-class attraction that is the Game of Thrones Studio Tour just outside Banbridge. More recently, Armagh City has gained great international acclaim for its tourism credentials, which are up there with some of the best cities in the world. Steeped in history with abundant apple orchards, thriving artisan cider farms, top class arts and visitor attractions, Armagh has a world of experience to offer visitors from near and far.
“Not only that, but the borough is home to stunning scenery and award-winning chefs, restaurants, cafes and bars. We’re a powerhouse for tourism and I’m delighted to launch this new campaign to promote our borough by doing what we do best – providing memorable and unique visitor experiences, showcasing our culture and stories, celebrating local food and orchard produce and delivering world class signature events to a domestic, national and international audience.”
Visitors can get involved with the campaign by sharing social media posts using the campaign hashtags #VisitArmagh and #EmbraceAGiantSpirit as well as tagging @visitarmagh
For more inspiration on what to see and do in Armagh and beyond this spring, jump into www.visitarmagh.com.
Tarasis Enterprises sets new growth goals with £10m investment and plan for 300 new jobs
Award-winning entrepreneur Mairead Mackle builds on £10m investment in housing and renewables sectors to power new five-year growth plan
Tarasis Enterprises, comprised of four key business divisions focused on healthcare, support services, housing and renewables, was officially launched under a new brand identity today (Wednesday 22nd March 2023), streamlining operations to meet new five-year growth goals.
With offices in Belfast, Dublin, Sligo and Armagh, the 28-year-old company, which has invested more than £10 million in the housing and renewables sector over the last number of years, also announced plans to invest a further £10 million across all its divisions.
Confirming its significant scale-up plans for five years of growth at its headquarters at Callan House, the company said it will create more than 300 new jobs across its businesses on the island of Ireland as part of its five-year growth strategy.
In 2021, Tarasis Enterprises generated revenues of more than £30 million across its island-wide operations, up from £26 million in the previous year.
Its longstanding and successful charitable programmes iCare and Evolve will now sit under Tarasis Foundation as part of the strategic reorganisation, consolidating its collective philanthropic programmes to drive its “business for good” mission.
The company said the new Tarasis Enterprises brand, which incorporates Tarasis Healthcare, Tarasis Support Services, Tarasis Housing and Tarasis Renewables, creates a powerful new visual identity for a future-focused alliance of divisions.
Founder and CEO of Tarasis Enterprises, Mairead Mackle MBE, said:
“Following a strategic review of our operations, we decided to streamline, consolidate and renew our key business divisions under the Tarasis Enterprises brand which unifies our experience and allows our compelling offer to stand out as part of our exciting growth ambitions.
With new goals and investment, Tarasis Enterprises is perfectly placed to continue building real value for its growing client base and for its dedicated teams which deliver on our mission to provide innovative solutions, whilst also building on our established partnerships across the island of Ireland.”
Established in 1995 and strategically led by an agile and values-based multi-disciplinary leadership team, the vision for Tarasis Enterprises is to always think “beyond business”, creating sustainable, innovative solutions for the future of living that tackle real social and environmental issues including social care, healthcare, homelessness and energy.
“With new investment, new jobs and new approaches, we plan to make a real and positive impact on the many pertinent social issues and crisis of our time which include housing, social care and climate change,” Mairead said.
Mairead Mackle received an MBE in the New Year Honours list last year for her contribution to economic development. In 2019, Mairead was recognised as NatWest Entrepreneur of the Year.