£7million BioDevices Lab opens in Ulster University

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£7million BioDevices Lab opens in Ulster University.

Ulster University

Celebrating the opening of the new Advanced Biomedical Engineering Laboratory in Ulster University are (from left) Professor Brian Meenan, Ulster University; Tracy Meharg, Invest NI; Professor Jim McLaughlin, Ulster University; and Stuart McGregor, Randox Laboratories

The new Advanced Biomedical Engineering Laboratory officially opened today in Ulster University.

The laboratory is a strategic partnership between Invest Northern Ireland, Ulster University, Randox Laboratories and Heartsine Technologies. It will offer expertise and state of the art equipment to assist companies to develop prototypes for the biomedical, engineering, electronic device and aerospace sectors.

Welcoming the new lab, Tracey Meharg, Invest NI’s Executive Director of Business Solutions said: “The new BioDevices Lab is a welcome and exciting development for Northern Ireland’s Health & Life Sciences sector. The facility will open up opportunities for stronger innovation by hosting a suite of equipment which will allow companies to quickly develop prototypes and medical devices for testing.

“It is a great example of how partnerships between government, industry and academia can enhance Northern Ireland as a knowledge economy and boost the credibility and visibility of Northern Ireland as a global leader in connected health.”

The total investment is £7.3m. Invest NI has offered assistance of £3.7m through a Grant for R&D, with Ulster University contributing £2.9m and £716,000 invested through industry collaborations with Randox Laboratories and Heartsine Technologies.

Ulster University’s Professor Jim McLaughlin, overall project lead explains, “Developing technology platforms to help translate our world class science and discovery to a device format as promptly as possible is essential for the very best design and performance.

“In healthcare technology, Ulster University leads the way in the development of new patient monitoring systems, stimulation devices, wearable solutions and diagnostic sensing. The lab will enable our researchers to develop the strong leadership and innovation skills so critical to future industry growth, working in collaboration with our industry partners.”

Dr Peter FitzGerald from Randox Laboratories said: “As one of the UK’s leading life sciences companies, we are delighted to be a partner in this innovative collaboration and to promote Northern Ireland as a global life sciences hub.

“We believe the greatest improvements to patients’ lives are possible through the continuous development of new technologies. This unique laboratory will facilitate that, as it will allow the rapid development of test prototype devices and also assist us to expand our unique range of high-calibre analyser systems.”

Invest NI’s R&D support is part funded by ERDF under the EU Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme 2014-2020.

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Translink launches new Foyle Metro bus service in Derry~Londonderry

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New look Foyle Metro Buses

New look Foyle Metro Buses


Translink launches new Foyle Metro bus service in Derry ~ Londonderry with £3m investment

Translink has launched a new bus service in Londonderry. ‘Foyle Metro’ is a major development for the city’s public transport network. The new-look red bus fleet marks the end of an era for the Ulsterbus blue & white buses in the city. The new fleet of 19 buses represents an investment of more than £3 million. The service will operate from Friday across 14 bus corridors on a simplified route network.

Translink is working with the Department for Infrastructure and Derry City and Strabane District Council to deliver road infrastructure improvements in the city.

“The people of told us they wanted a modern and attractive bus service that reflects and supports the city’s prosperity,” said Translink Group Chief Executive Chris Conway. “We’ve used their feedback to design the ‘Foyle Metro’ experience, its new-look, routes and timetables. “As a major local employer delivering more than 270 jobs in the North West, Foyle Metro will also help secure a successful future for our business here.”

Tony McDaid, who has been a Translink bus driver in Derry for more than 30 years, said he had followed in the footsteps of his father, who worked as a driver, inspector and manager for 45 years. “I have been here since 1987 and the city was a lot smaller in those days. “In the old buses when I was driving they had no heat, no powered steering and hard plastic seats.”

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Derry tech firm, Elemental Software is scaling up its workforce

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Grainne McVeigh, Invest NI, is pictured with (L – R) Leeann Monk-Özgül and Jennifer Neff, Elemental Software.

Grainne McVeigh, Invest NI, is pictured with (L – R) Leeann Monk-Özgül and Jennifer Neff, Elemental Software.

Derry tech firm, Elemental Software is scaling up its workforce

Elemental Software, the ‘tech for good’ company operating within the health and wellbeing sector, is recruiting 10 additional jobs in Derry/Londonderry with support from Invest Northern Ireland. Elemental’s award winning Social Prescribing platform connects patients, health and social care professionals and community health and wellness providers.

Pilots of the platform garnered positive feedback from health and social care professionals, community providers and patients and resulted in Elemental Software securing its first contracts across the UK and private investment earlier this year. Now the firm’s founders, Leeann Monk-Özgül and Jennifer Neff, are expanding the team to help deliver a healthy pipeline of prospective customers and scale the business across the UK and Middle East.
Welcoming the investment during a visit to the company’s premises, Grainne McVeigh, Invest NI’s Director Life Sciences, said: “Elemental Software is a growing innovative digital health company at the forefront of Social Prescribing, an established model of integrated health and social care delivery. Its digital solution has vast growth potential globally and already its unique platform is rapidly being adopted across the UK and in Dubai.”
The platform makes it easier for any health and social care related professional to refer people with health risks to community based lifestyle interventions. Most importantly, it measures the impact of the referral so as to reduce demand in GP time and services and ultimately keep people out of hospital for longer.

“We have worked with this business from its inception. Elemental Software’s rapid progress is testament to the entrepreneurial flair and determination of the firm’s founders. Invest NI is pleased to support its investment in hiring 10 new key members of staff and implementing targeted market development. We believe this will enable Elemental Software to continue to scale and increase its market share,” added Grainne. Elemental Software’s founders have an ongoing relationship with Invest NI, participating in Propel as well as its Collaborative Growth Programme. The company has also benefited from Innovation Vouchers, research and development assistance to develop its digital platform, and trade support to undertake extensive market research. Discussing the company’s expansion plans, Co-Founders of Elemental Software, Leeann Monk-Özgül and Jennifer Neff, said: “Social Prescribing addresses one of the most pressing health and social care challenges of our generation and we have developed a solution that can support and empower lifestyle change for communities most at risk and those who play a key role in supporting these communities.

“We need to create a team which includes business and software development positions as well as marketing and communications and finance and administration roles to help take the business to the next level. Recruiting these key hires will give us the capacity to penetrate our target markets and enhance the functionality of the platform.

“Invest NI’s ongoing advice and support has been vital to progress to date. This support towards our planned recruitment and marketing investment will enable us to maintain the momentum being created as the ‘Go To’ platform for referrals into community based programmes and services that improve quality of life, establish a reputation in our target markets and secure new sales.”

Elemental Software is also the lead in a newly established Mental Health and Wellbeing network that will scope out the opportunities for NI companies in relation to developing skills, innovative solutions and services for preventative healthcare in mental health and wellbeing. Invest NI’s R&D support is part funded by ERDF under the EU Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme 2014-2020.

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Lithe IT chooses Londonderry for new sales and marketing team

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Des Gartland (left), Invest NI, is pictured with Brendan McNabb, Lithe IT.

Des Gartland (left), Invest NI, is pictured with Brendan McNabb, Lithe IT.


Lithe IT has set up a sales and marketing function in Londonderry to grow its business across Europe and North America.

Lithe IT provides a wide range of business process services and solutions targeted at improving a business’s effectiveness and efficiency. It specialises in providing process based software solutions aimed at addressing key business challenges across a number of industries. Customers include Transport for London and global businesses such as Canon, and Swiss Post Solutions. Its new Derry based team of four will include a Sales Director, Sales Executive, Marketing Executive, and a Software Engineer.

Welcoming the company to the city, Des Gartland, North West Regional Manager, Invest Northern Ireland said: “Lithe IT is growing its core Professional Services and Software Product businesses to meet the demand of its existing and new customers. The company considered a number of potential locations for its new sales and marketing team but chose Londonderry based on the availability of strong technical and industry specific sales skills. “They have moved very quickly to get the office up and running and have already recruited two people and will be looking to fill the remaining two roles by late autumn. The new roles have salaries in the £25k-£50k range and the company hopes to increase employment further in the future.”

Invest NI has offered Lithe IT £24,000 of support towards the new roles. Brendan McNabb, Chief Business Development Officer said: “This is an exciting time for Lithe IT in our ongoing global growth. We continue to invest in the business in response to the demand for our services and solutions primarily in the North America and EMEA regions.”Brendan McNabb is from the North West region and was a strong advocate for locating the project in Londonderry. “When we were considering where to place these new roles I was keen for Derry to be considered. As a local, I am very aware of the strong skill set here,” added Brendan. “We will be skilling up the team on new technologies and they will be working closely with me to identify new opportunities and provide support to our existing and new customers.”

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LacPatrick secures more than £1m in sales in the UAE

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The international dairy co-operative, LacPatrick, has secured over £1m of sales of its LP spray dried whole milk and skimmed milk powder in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following participation at Gulfood in February 2017.

Steve Harper, Invest NI (right) is pictured with Enda Gallen, LacPatrick

Steve Harper, Invest NI (right) is pictured with Enda Gallen, LacPatrick

Welcoming the deals, Steve Harper, Invest Northern Ireland’s Executive Director of International Business said: “LacPatrick has used Invest NI support to make impressive strides in securing this new export business in the UAE. As well as exhibiting on the NI stand at this major food event, the company has worked with our in-market team for a number of years to help identify new trade opportunities.

“Our participation in events such as Gulfood reflects our strategic focus to assist companies to grasp the opportunities that are clearly available in international markets to achieve faster, more profitable and sustainable growth.“LacPatrick is one of several Northern Ireland companies who have had great success in the region, including Antrim Hills and White’s Oats.”

LacPatrick is one of Northern Ireland’s major manufacturing employers, employing over 300 staff across its Ballyrashane, Artigarvan and Monaghan sites. Enda Gallen, International Sales Manager for LacPatrick said: “The UAE is a very important market for our business and we are delighted with our progress to date.

“Relationships are a very important part of the Middle East culture and participating at Gulfood was an excellent opportunity to nurture existing relationships and meet with potential new customers. We had been working on an number of deals in the weeks leading up to Gulfood and being able to meet face to face with customers allowed us to get the deals successfully over the line. Invest NI’s support in facilitating and helping to set up these meetings was extremely beneficial.

“Securing new customers is a very important development for our business and has opened new avenues with which to sell our product ranges, particularly the high quality milk powders which are produced at our new state-of-the-art dairy technology centre in Artigarvan. We have also been able to secure significant further orders with existing customers, which is an excellent development and something we will continue to build on.”

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Turley “plans ahead” with City of Derry~Londonderry North West office.

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Turley “plans ahead” with City of Derry~North West office and new appointments: Planning consultants Turley have announced plans to open a second regional office to serve the City of Derry and North West, and the creation of three new jobs in Northern Ireland.

Left to right: Michael Gordon, Brian Kelly, John Davison of Turley

Left to right: Michael Gordon, Brian Kelly, John Davison of Turley


The national planning and design consultancy currently has offices in 12 locations across the UK, including an office in Belfast led by Office Director, Michael Gordon.

The new City of Derry~North West office is to be led by fellow Director, Brian Kelly a native of Donegal and the lead planner on several major projects including the Titanic Quarter, Odyssey Millennium project and Altnagelvin Hospital’s Radiotherapy Unit. He said:

“As a resident of the North West, I am delighted Turley is investing in a new office. This demonstrates a further commitment to our clients operating in the North West cross border region. We are responding to their demand, and a recognised opportunity to use planning to catalyse investments and deliver projects.

“Our own investment builds on a track record of high profile projects in the region, including the Radiotherapy unit, regeneration of Fort George and Ebrington Barracks, several social and private housing schemes, retail and other major employment & leisure schemes, including the Three Rivers development in Strabane.

“We see this as a next step in our growth at a time when there is new focus on the border region and opportunities that may be created following a ‘city’ or regional deal. There is simply no comparable ‘place-making’ planning offer operating in both jurisdictions in the North West region, and we look forward to working with clients and planning authorities throughout the area.”

The office investment will be followed by the appointment of three new posts. Michael Gordon explained:

“In recent years we have seen investor confidence returning. Turley has responded by continuing to develop our business to better support development projects. We now combine town planning, urban design, sustainability, economics and engagement expertise to help shape attractive commercially-viable places.

“Our team has grown to 14, the largest professional planning service on the island of Ireland. Market confidence has continued to return and has spurred our growth as we continue to secure significant permissions across commercial, residential and employment developments. We are now seeking to recruit three new positions to continue this growth and service the ongoing client work; with a senior planner in the North West, an assistant planner in Belfast, and a senior engagement consultant.”

Director of Engagement, John Davison added: “We have adapted to a reformed planning system that now sees local councils taking responsibility for local policy, and councillors in control of decision making. Planning has become increasingly local and community focussed. The emphasis now is on being engaged with local communities, locally elected representatives and to deliver economic growth opportunities. Our new office and these three new posts are a strategic response to maintain our growth and to service our clients.”

The new City of Derry~North West office is located at 37 Clarendon Street, BT48 7ER.

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Major Derry~Londonderry construction project to create 750 jobs

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Major Derry~Londonderry construction project to create 750 jobs: A major construction project in Londonderry will see the creation of around 750 direct and indirect jobs over the next three years. Braidwater is the company behind the £60m investment, which will go toward building over 400 houses. Those houses will be built in the Birch Hill Belt Road and Skeoge areas of the city. They are set for completion in 2020. It forms part of a wider £300m investment plan in the north-west by Braidwater.

Joe McGinnis, Managing Director of Braidwater, said: “We plan to offer homes of distinction, designed to enhance lifestyles by creating places of respite and community. We are planning communities while responding to existing neighbourhoods and connecting these through crafted open spaces. “For every £1 spent in construction £2.84 will be generated in the local economy. This will support a strong local supply chain maintained and grown since the recession, alongside the trickle-down economic effect for services, suppliers etc generated through local spending when new homes are occupied.

“These projects and additional long term projects will deliver significant benefits to the local economy including developer led contributions to roads improvements, public transport, play parks, neighbourhood centres, landscape maintenance in conjunction with the Council, commercial and retail areas and schools.

“This will give the ability for the district to maintain a competitive and affordable housing market in the long term, providing communities and economic activity that will leave a lasting legacy.”

Laura Fox, the Head of Planning with Derry City and Strabane District Council says her team have been working in close partnership with a number of developers from both the social and private housing sectors, including Braidwater, on a wide range of development projects across the City and District.

“Collaborative working between the planning team and the developers is essential to successfully delivering sustainable communities throughout the Council area.

“Since the transfer of Planning powers from Central Government to the local Council two years ago, the Council has overseen the approval of approximately 3000 units, while in the past year alone, we have successfully delivered on 367 social housing units, the highest number in any Council in Northern Ireland.”

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Derry ~ Strabane Graduate’s fashion label goes from strength to strength

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Haus Of MowHawk

Lynsey McGarrigle from Haus Of MowHawk

For as long as Lynsey McGarrigle can remember she wanted to be a fashion designer. The 26 year-old North West Regional College graduate has hit the industry like a whirlwind since the launch of her Haus Of MoHawk label last year, showcasing twice at London Fashion Week and designing bespoke pieces for a host of well-known celebrities.

But it’s been far from an overnight success story.

“From a very young age I was interested in design,” she recalls. “My mother’s favourite story is about a time when our living room curtains were sacrificed to make Barbie’s new Autumn Winter wardrobe.

“My first year art teacher was a major influence too, she had such passion for art that as a student I couldn’t help but immerse myself in all things design.

“Although my label launched just over a year ago, I had been working in fashion since the age of 15 through working in retail, modelling and beauty pageants.

“I developed my own fashion brand after graduating from the North West Regional College in Derry in 2012 where I graduated with distinction in both my foundation degree in Art and Design and a Higher National Diploma in Fashion and Textile Design.”

Lynsey was already standing out by that point having picked up The Adria Award in 2010 for Best Fashion Design and The Desmond and Sons Award Cup for Best Textile Collection 2012.
Her career as a model and beauty queen was gathering pace too and after being crowned Miss Tyrone in 2011 she went on to claim Miss United Nations Ireland and Miss United Nations Europe titles.

She was slowly gathering the necessary experience and knowledge of the fashion industry to take the plunge and launch her own label last year but it was the start-up business expertise and advice she received through Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Go For It programme that allowed her to turn that lifelong dream into a sustainable reality.

“The Go For It Program assisted me greatly in overcoming the business related challenges of start-up,” she admits.

“The main obstacle I had to overcome while formally setting up the business was the business side of the company. I could do the creative, artistic elements and what I was qualified to do being a fashion designer but where things lacked was the integral business element of the business; the business plan, business banking, sourcing funding, learning to keep accounts, registering with HMRC.

“Without their support Haus Of MoHawk would not be where it is today and on a personal note I have learnt a lot through the program and have become much more business savvy.”
Haus Of MoHawk is a ladies occasional wear brand that caters for red carpet events and special occasions and now boasts clients across three continents of the world.
The label was resident in the Four Seasons Hotel in Beijing in conjunction with China Fashion Week and this year received the Best New Business title at the Strabane Chamber of Commerce and Industry Awards.

She couldn’t have asked for a better first 12 months in Business but she believes it is a success she has earned by remaining focused on her dreams in often challenging circumstances.

“Like many others in this industry, the journey hasn’t been an easy path to trudge,” she conceded. “At times it has been an uphill battle of determination, financial difficulties, self doubt and perseverance against all odds because the dream is too much to give up.

“It’s been a journey of education and in the end a leap of faith to just go out there and make things happen for the love of my art. I don’t believe in luck, I believe in creating destiny, that keeping focused on the end goal will be enough of a reckoning force to achieve my aspirations.

“From a very young age I always dreamt of owning and running my own empire. I wanted to be able to do what I love and be in the position to take charge, make decisions and choose the course of my own life’s destiny regardless of the obstacles.

“In the fashion industry you learn to move quickly, whether that be making decisions or physical work; time waits for no one so with everything in life you need to seize the opportunity when it presents itself to you. Essentially time is money.”

With major plans in the coming months, the pace of Haus of MoHawk’s progress shows no signs of letting up but a love of what she is doing coupled with an insatiable work ethic means Lynsey is up for the challenge.

“The business is still a work in progress,” she continued. “The luxury of the fashion industry is that you get out what you put in.

“I am a great believer that you cannot out work someone who refuses to be outworked and Haus Of MoHawk’s client list for 2017 is ever growing.

“I hope to continue developing the brand on a national and international scale whilst holding onto the strong roots within Northern Ireland that established it.

“I have a few exciting projects and shows in the next number of months and along with a few very busy months I hope to explore the possibility of manufacturing later this year.

“So the future is promising and I feel truly blessed to be able to wake each morning and do what I love.”

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Stratified Medicine Revolution in the UK and Ireland Takes Leap Forward as First Students Graduate Landmark Course

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The first cohort of students to study a cutting-edge degree in personalised medicine in the UK and Ireland are set to graduate today from Ulster University in a milestone which promises to deliver a new era of healthcare.

Based at the Clinical Translational Research and Innovation Centre at Altnagelvin Hospital, the Stratified Medicine students have been taught new approaches to managing chronic diseases such as Arthritis, Alzheimer’s Disease, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer.

The course explores how genes, lifestyle and environment can influence disease. The practice relies on the use of biomarkers, such as genes or proteins, to organise patients into groups of individuals who are at risk of developing a disease, or who are likely to respond better to one therapy over other alternatives.

Dr Catriona Kelly, Course Director at Ulster University said: “We are proud to see the first intake of students graduate from our Stratified Medicine course. It’s a key milestone moment as the next generation of medical experts can now take us a step closer to providing the right treatment, for the right person, at the right time. We believe this is the future of medicine, globally.

“Our course, which is the first of its kind in the UK and Ireland, has focused on the development of new technologies and systems to predict disease, select the best treatment, and reduce side effects for individual patients. We know that this approach to streamlining healthcare provides more accurate clinical decision making.”

Stephen Morgan, who will graduate in Stratified Medicine from Ulster University this week, said: “I knew from a young age that my career path would involve science or medical research in some form and the idea of this particular course really appealed to me. It has provided me with practical skills and valuable insight into personalised care plans. This has been supported by two summer placements with the Almac Group which gave me the opportunity to learn advanced techniques and practices.

“My goal now is to complete a Masters degree in Bioinformatics and Computational Genomics. In the future I would love to return to Ulster University, perhaps to study at a PhD level, to further research priority areas within Stratified Medicine and play a role in the development of this research globally.”

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125 civil service jobs announced for Derry~Londonderry

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A major contract for 125 jobs has been secured by the Department for Communities (DfC) with Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for Derry~Londonderry.

The £7 million contract will see the people employed locally delivering Universal Credit services to claimants in Britain. The posts will be based at the Lisahally Service Centre in Derry.

A spokesperson for the Department for Communities said: “This is good news for DfC and for Northern Ireland, bringing to 594 the number of new jobs secured by the Department over the past year to deliver DWP services. “This third major contract for DfC is testament to the continued confidence DWP has in our capacity to provide high quality services for customers in Great Britain.” While some of the posts will be filled in the first instance through internal redeployment, it is expected that a “large proportion” of the posts will be filled through external recruitment, the Department said. The contract is for an initial two year period worth just over £3.5 million per annum and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2017. It follows previous DWP contracts announced in September and December 2016, worth a combined £20 million.

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