New Resilience Programme to help businesses impacted by COVID19

With local businesses facing uncertain times in the coming weeks and months, Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Business Support Team have been working on a special Resilience Programme to help local companies to continue to grow and develop.With COVID19 already having a significant impact on the business world, the programme includes a series of workshops and mentoring opportunities geared towards equipping businesses with the skills and resolve to adapt to the challenges ahead.The Business Resilience Programme is open initially to 15 local companies and will be delivered remotely and safely, using all modern technologies. This will allow businesses to participate fully, whether working from home or from workplaces.

The Programme is part-funded by Council, Invest NI and the European Regional Development Fund under the Investment for Jobs and Growth [2014 – 2020] Programme.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Michaela Boyle, encouraged local companies to avail of the support at this challenging time. “Although there is thankfully some financial support now in place for local businesses, many will still face a very difficult time in terms of continuing with the provision of regular products and services.”There are some ways to mitigate against the impacts and Council aim to help where possible in assisting businesses navigate their way around these challenges. It’s so important that we all work together to protect and sustain the NW economy as best we can, and prioritise the small local companies who may be struggling at this very uncertain time.”

The programme will link companies with one one of Council’s dedicated Business advisors to assess the current positioning of their business as a result of the Covid19 situation. This initial assessment will be followed by four remote workshops; Building personal resilience in tough times; Leading others in crisis situations; Looking after your mental health; Managing time and managing projects.Afer this participants can avail of mentoring support to help apply the key learning points to individual companies.Council’s

Business Development Manager, Louise Breslin, said: “These are unprecedented times and naturally many within the business community are daunted by the prospect of an uncertain future – that includes both the young and the experienced, the struggling and the successful.”We want to help build and encourage the mindset that will be needed to adapt and survive, to consolidate and grow. This will demand emotional resolve, a willingness to think outside the box, and  openness to re-invention, innovation and diversification. We want businesses to build on their resilience, seriously consider the options that are realistically open to them and ultimately make firm decisions about the way forward.”We are here to help in whatever way we can, and I would really encourage local enterprises to find out how they could benefit.”


Eligible businesses must be based in the Derry City and Strabane District Council areas and employ less than 50 people.To register, simply contact Jacqui at Full Circle – jacqui@fullcircle.eu.com to express your interest in the Programme. The deadline for submission of expressions of interest is Thursday April 9 @ 12noon

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Limerick tech firm sets up new Derry hub in response to Brexit

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LIMERICK-based tech firm Deveire has set up a new software development centre in Derry’s Ebrington Square, as it looks to guarantee access to the UK markets post-Brexit. The Irish web solutions company has said it expects to create 15 new jobs at the site over the next three years. Invest NI has offered the firm £97,500 in support.

Set up over 10 years ago, the company specialises in building web solutions for enterprises and large organisations looking to use the latest technologies for their digital presence.

Deveire has delivered platforms that power the systems behind over 50 globally-renowned companies including Johnson & Johnson, Cisco, Walmart, Coca-Cola, Amazon and the Special Olympics. It has also developed National Geographic’s and Hallmark’s video platforms.

Welcoming the company to Northern Ireland, Steve Harper, Executive Director of International Business, Invest Northern Ireland, said: “Deveire’s decision to locate its new centre in the North West is based on the many advantages this region has to offer international companies, particularly in the software and technology industry.

“With our support for 15 new jobs, the company will be able to build upon its innovative ambitions and expand in new markets. The new centre will also create economic benefit for the local economy, with £582,000 of additional annual salaries.”

Invest NI is offering the company £97,500 to support the creation of the new jobs.

Cathal Murtagh, Chief Operating Officer of Deveire, said: “When we began the process of expanding our team, we were eager to create a base where we had access to a strong talent pool of software developers; we believe Londonderry is the right place to find the talent we need.

“Also, as a part of our Brexit strategy, the Londonderry office gives us access to the UK markets. Invest NI’s support has been invaluable, helping us to build a team whose innovative expertise will allow us to develop new products and grow and explore success in global markets.

“Our Software Development Centre will focus on advanced computing and innovative technical approaches, to build next generation application solutions. It will have a strong focus on culture and people, through our working environment, but this will also be a key objective of our software solutions. Our aim is to create software that meets the users’ needs to allow for seamless experiences that are personal to a user, allowing people to reach their full potential.” The company’s new centre will be based in Ebrington Square, Londonderry

Pictured (L-R) are Steve Harper, Executive Director of International Business, Invest NI, with Cathal Murtagh, Chief Operating Officer, Deveire.

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Hawthorn Heights awarded ‘Exemplar’ status by InterTradeIreland

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InterTradeIreland’s Fusion programme has awarded “Exemplar” status to five businesses across the island, two of which are Northern Ireland based.

The Fusion initiative supports business development by collaborating companies with a research institution and a graduate project manager, funded by InterTradeIreland.

The graduate then works directly with the business to deliver new products or improved processes over 12 to 18 months.

Operations manager Alan Morrow said: “All of these Fusion projects were in very different areas. However, all of the companies involved were open to new products and processes. This is what the Fusion programme is about – giving firms the tools to boost their business through innovative collaboration.”

The five businesses have reported sales of more than £2.2m between them and savings of over £150,000 during their Fusion projects.

They have combined anticipated sales upwards of £14m and savings of £400,000 over the next three years.

Belfast medtech Axial3D makes custom 3D printed replicas from medical scans, to improve outcomes for patients through better surgical planning. 

The company started its Fusion project to improve its capability of printing paediatric cardiac anatomy in 3D. It paired with Professor Kathleen Curran in University College Dublin and graduate James Fitzpatrick.

It has now developed new technology, entered a new market its staff has grown from 14 employees to 24. The company was also recently named ‘Health Technology leader’ in the 2020 Global Digital Health 100 list.

Hawthorn Heights in Eglinton, Derry/Londonderry specialises in the design and installation of play parks, sports pitches and landscaping.

It worked with Sligo Institute of Technology and graduate Ciaran Farren. The company said it has since doubled its turnover and has had to move to bigger premises.

Margaret Hearty, Director of Operations at InterTradeIreland concluded: “All of these companies have showcased the success and commercial benefits that come from collaboration. The results speak for themselves and we would encourage other SMEs who want to build innovation into their business to apply for our Fusion programme.”

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International Students from Changchun visit Derry ~ Londonderry

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On 28th Jan 2020, 7 students and 2 teachers from the Changchun City, Jilin Province, China traveled to the Derry City and Strabane Region to learn more about our culture; education techniques and to improve their English language skills.

International Language Students from Changchun City, Jilin Province, China, meet with the Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District Council

Working in partnership with the Mandarin Speakers Association in Derry, a number of students traveled to Derry to undertake an intensive English Language course and learn more about our culture.  This year’s students from the city of Changchun/Jilin Province spent 3 weeks in the city undertaking lessons at both Ulster University and North West Regional College. The students and staff also integrated into 2 primary schools (The Model Primary School & Oakgrove Integrated Primary School) during their time in the city and hosted the Mandarin Speakers Association Chinese New Year Celebration in Ulster University on 26/01/20.

These students then returned to China and act as informal ambassadors for our city. The visit of the international students takes place annually and is part of Derry City and Strabane Council’s ongoing international engagement in China.

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Princess Anne opens Ulster University’s new Spatial Computing and Neurotechnology Innovation Hub.

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On 17th Jan 2020, The Princess Royal visited Ulster University’s Magee campus to officially open the new state-of-the-art Spatial Computing and Neurotechnology Innovation Hub (SCANi-hub).

The Princess Royal officially opens the new state-of-the-art Spatial Computing and Neurotechnology Innovation Hub (SCANi-hub).

The SCANi-hub uses cutting edge technology to determine the body and brain’s responses to stress, fatigue, achievement, awareness, error and threats in complex training and performance assessment scenarios simulated in virtual environments. Established by Professor Damien Coyle and Dr Karl McCreadie at the Intelligent Systems Research Centre, the new SCANi-hub will also build on award-winning neurotechnology research at the centre enabling research and education in the next wave of human-computer and human-machine interaction for able-bodied and physically impaired people.

The Princess Royal officially opened the facility which contains multiple mobile wearable EEG headsets, functional near-infrared spectroscopy brain imaging, an advanced car/flight simulator and various new AR and VR spatial computing technologies, vibrotactile stimulation suits and ultrasonic haptic interfaces. Further technologies include those that enable walking in virtual environments (virtual treadmills) as well as a state-of-the-art Smartglass façade to adapt the room for various experimental situations and public engagement activities.

The tour of the Magee campus continued with the Princess Royal meeting with staff and students including Professor Louise Dubras, Foundation Dean of the School of Medicine to discuss how the Graduate Entry Medical School at Magee will provide medical training to help address the skills and workforce challenges felt by the health care sector in Northern Ireland. Nursing students and recent graduates were commended by the Princess Royal for their work in their local communities and the tour concluded with a visit to view the £1.3 million Magee library transformation.

Welcoming The Princess Royal back to the Magee campus, Vice-Chancellor Professor Paddy Nixon commented:

It is with a great sense of pride that we welcome The Princess Royal today to the Magee campus to officially open the SCANi-hub and meet with our students and staff who are making a significant contribution to the health service and healthcare locally, nationally and internationally. Building on our world-class infrastructure and pioneering scientific research at the Intelligent Systems Research Centre, the SCAN-i hub will equip the next generation of graduates and researchers with the skills and knowledge to merge bio-inspired computing and AI and SCAN technologies to address many research and industry led challenges that help define how humans interact with technology in the future.

SCANi-hub is funded by the Department for the Economy through the Higher Education Research Capital Fund.

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New manufacturing facility and new jobs as Derry engineering firm, Gallagher and McKinney, expands

Gallagher and McKinney Limited has built a new manufacturing facility at Skeoge Industrial Park, and is creating 14 new jobs.

The Derry mechanical engineering and piping firm provides contractor and sub-contractor project management on piping projects, which include the manufacture and installation of steel work support systems.

“We have ambitious plans for the business with a focus on key sectors including pharmaceutical, waste to energy and data centres in both GB and Europe. This investment in both our new facility and new people places Gallagher & McKinney in a strong position to deliver against these plans”  (Seamus Mellon, Managing Director of Gallagher and McKinney)

Pictured (L-R) are Seamus Mellon, Managing Director, Gallagher and McKinney with Bill Montgomery, Director of Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Invest NI.

Welcoming the company’s latest investment, Bill Montgomery, Director of Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering said: “The company bought its first one acre site on our Skeoge Industrial Park in 2017, with the option to further expand onto an adjacent three acre site, which it has now done.

“The new manufacturing facility has now been built and includes a new 10,000 ft stainless steel pipe fabrication workshop and a 2-acre laydown area. This will significantly increase the company’s capacity to bring more work in house and secure larger projects to meet the growing needs of clients.”

In addition, the company is expanding its workforce with 14 new jobs. The company is keen to build internal digital expertise with BIM/CAD operatives and junior engineers, along with skilled fitters and welders. It is also committed to investing in its apprentice training scheme with five new apprentices being hired each year.

Seamus Mellon, Managing Director at Gallagher and McKinney said:

“Historically we have worked as a sub-contractor on large piping projects but we have recently acted as principal contractor on substantial projects with Seagate Technology and are now looking to build on this element of our business. Investing in our team is crucial to our strategy to grow our business and bid for larger contracts and we are grateful for Invest NI’s support to recruit and get these positions in place quickly. “We have ambitious plans for the business with a focus on key sectors including pharmaceutical, waste to energy and data centres in both GB and Europe. This investment in both our new facility and new people places Gallagher & McKinney in a strong position to deliver against these plans.” (Seamus Mellon, Managing Director of Gallagher and McKinney)

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Strabane £1m walking and cycling route approved

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A new £1m cycling and walking route is to be constructed in Strabane.

Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Planning Committee approved the project on Thursday.

The project will see the district connected with Buncrana, Lifford and Muff

It will involve a 3.5km route connecting the A5, Derry Road, Canal Basin, River Mourne Flood Wall and Strabane Retail Park.

The project is being funded by Stormont departments, the Irish government and the Special EU Programmes Body.

Jonathan Henderson, Programme Manager for the North West Greenway Network, said it is “fantastic that planning has now been approved”.

“Council will now proceed to appoint a construction company with the aim of completing the project this year.”

The council says the project is a ‘key aspect’ of the Strabane-Lifford greenway which will help connect the district with Buncrana, Lifford and Muff in County Donegal.

Councillor Christopher Jackson, chair of the council’s planning committee said: “The completed project will offer cyclists and walkers a wider, safer and more user friendly experience and can play a key role in encouraging the public to get out into the fresh air and reap the health and wellbeing benefits of physical activity.”

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