City Deal Spotlight Interview

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The Derry-Londonderry and Strabane City Region City Deal has celebrated a major milestone with the signing of a Financial Deal to unlock more than £290 million of investment in health, life science and digital projects and bring transformational change to the region.

Derry City and Strabane District Council Chief Executive John Kelpie explains the key benefits of the City Deal, and what it could mean to people hoping to return to the North West.

Congratulations on the signing of the Financial Deal. How will the City Deal change people’s day-to-day lives in the Derry City and Strabane region?

The Derry City and Strabane City Deal will improve people’s quality of life by creating more job opportunities, a safer, more vibrant city and town centre, and a focus on education and skills. It has the potential to bring up to 6,300 jobs by 2033 and lever additional millions in investment over the next decade. We aim to increase our output growth with a GVA (gross value added) of £230m per annum, which should see a significant rise in wages. People can expect to see real growth in sectors such as health and life sciences, digital industries and SMART technology that will support economic investment and regeneration, and also boost tourism and culture.

As someone who has been working on the City Deal since its inception, what aspect of the deal are you most proud of?

This is a once in a generation deal; its impact will be felt by the people of the city and district for many years to come. Personally, I’m proud of the collaboration between all the key partners who worked tirelessly to get it across the line. It’s been a joined-up approach which has seen us harness collective resources, expertise and passion for the North West. The investment from the UK government and NI Executive, plus the input from all the delivery partners, allows us to leverage additional private sector investment and make a real, positive difference to local people’s lives.

What type of jobs will be created?

We anticipate jobs will be created across all City Deal projects – including Smart Cities and digital enabling infrastructure, the School of Medicine and C-TRIC expansion, Strabane town centre’s regeneration, the Derry riverfront regeneration, Walled City tourism and the DNA (Derry North Atlantic) Museum in Ebrington.

Sustainability, inclusivity and employability are crucial and partners are already working to create a skills pipeline for the employment opportunities created by the City Deal – helping people upskill, reskill and boost digital skills.

The investment will also boost confidence and stimulate additional private sector activity and jobs. We anticipate an overall increase of 12% in the labour market, with large increases in areas such as healthcare and tourism.

What benefits will the City Deal bring for potential investors?

The North West is already an attractive proposition for investors, thanks to our unique cross-border location, our talented, well-educated workforce, and our fantastic quality of life. The City Deal, with its emphasis on innovation, digital infrastructure and regeneration will transform our local economy, and make the city and district an even greater place to do business.  

What are the next steps for the City Deal?

The official signing of the Financial Deal means Council and its delivery partners can now access funding to progress to the next stage of delivering the projects, once the full business cases are approved. The next phase of the City Deal will focus on detailed design and delivery. This work will include a wider awareness and engagement process, as the designs are developed.

What message would you have for anyone looking to return or relocate to the North West?

If you grew up here, or are considering a move here, you’ll already know that there’s nowhere quite like the North West. Our location, the friendliness of our people and our rich cultural heritage are second to none. There’s an energy and excitement here, and economic growth in recent years means we are already seeing diaspora return to live, work and raise their families. The City Deal will supercharge that prosperity, innovation and regeneration. There’s never been a better time to come home. I would encourage anyone considering relocation to visit investderrystrabane.com and sign up to the Derry Strabane Global newsletter for job and investment updates, and help planning their move.

When will City Deal projects be visible on the ground?

The pledge by the UK and NI Governments with the signing of the Financial Deal allows us to progress to the delivery phase of the projects, which will be on a phased approach over the next 10 years. The first visible project will be the DNA Museum being on site by early 2025 and the Museum opening in late 2026. All of the projects are at different stages of delivery, and these will be implemented in phases. With the financial deal in place, we will now be moving at pace to bring the other projects such as the Strabane Strategic Leisure project, a key element of the Strabane Regeneration, to the next stage of delivery. There will also be a focus on creating designs and drawings ahead of engagement with the public and partners.

What legacy do you hope the City Deal will leave for future generations?

With its focus on sustainable growth and lasting change, the positive impacts of the City Deal will be felt for generations to come – from health and wellbeing, to job prospects and economic prosperity. It’s about fulfilling Derry City and Strabane’s potential as a thriving, prosperous and inclusive region for all its inhabitants.

Where can the public find out more and be kept informed about progress?

People can visit www.derrystrabane.com/citydeal and keep an eye on Derry City and Strabane District Council’s social media channel for updates.

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‘There’s something very special happening in the North West right now’

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Derry entrepreneur Jennifer Neff co-founded social prescribing start-up Elemental, now Access Elemental, in 2013. The company supports over 20 million people across the UK, Ireland and Australia, helping them access personalised support and care in their own communities, and tackling health inequalities. Jennifer, who was recently awarded the Society Award at this year’s TechUK President’s Awards, shares her story, and her advice for people considering a relocation or investment in the North West.

“Winning the TechUK President’s Award was of those pinch me moments. The competition was high, so I was under no illusion that it would be an easy win. When they called out my name in the packed conference hall in central London, full of the UK’s leading tech companies and Thought Leaders, I put my head in my hands and sat still in total disbelief as everyone cheered. I asked myself, ‘Has a non-technical co-founder just won overall tech UK President’s Award for Society?’, and the answer was ‘Hell, yes!’

It is one of my career highlights to date and is great for women in tech, tech for good and for Derry! Any chance I get to talk about Derry and how wonderful Derry is and Derry people are, I am in there. 

When I co-founded Elemental with Leeann Monk-Ӧzgül in 2013, we took the story of Derry to every city, town and village we could (even Dubai) and talked about what was so great about Derry, but also how we were tackling health inequalities here, to help others tackle the avoidable issues affecting their localities. As a result, we were invited to participate in the regeneration and improvement of other places and spaces. The Access Elemental platform was created and implemented across communities so people could get more personalised support and care to improve their health and wellbeing in their own communities.

Leeann and myself always had total belief in what we were doing and why we were doing it – I think that is part of being a Derry Girl, and the strong generations of Derry Women down the years. We surrounded ourselves with the best mentors and the best people we could find in the region, and learned from them. 

We were bought out by the UK’s largest UK-based tech company, The Access Group, in August 2021, five years after we first launched Elemental Software. There’s been lots more investment in the team and the Elemental product which has enabled us to expand into Australia and develop new products across the NHS and local Councils throughout the UK. Over 20 million people are now engaging in services such as debt advice, mental health support, physical activity and befriending support via Access Elemental. We’ve developed a unique marketplace product, Access Elemental Marketplace, that community and voluntary groups and services feature on and receive referrals via that is accessible by commissioners, clinical leads and community leaders. It’s been rolled out across cities as we speak.

I would say to everyone living/working, or considering returning to the region, to think about starting their own business. We’re a resilient, creative and caring bunch of people here in Derry and Strabane; all the right qualities for starting and growing successful businesses. There are lots of opportunities and support here from me and others. The FEED programme for example – funded by NatWest and based at The Amp, Ebrington Square – is one of many programmes available to help people spark ideas and take their ideas to the next level.

I was also asked to be the Entrepreneur in Residence, one of three experienced mentors, and the only female mentor, in the Founder Labs, an accelerator programme to support early-stage innovation businesses in Northern Ireland. We’re keen to get as much representation from the North West as possible. The next cohort of participants will be starting the programme in mid-November. 

There’s something very special happening here right now with high growth start-ups. Having received angel funding over the years for Access Elemental, I have now become an investor myself and made my first investment recently in a Derry-based start-up. It makes all the difference to the company, job creation opportunities and building the social and economic potential of the region. I would encourage other firms and individuals to invest in Derry and Strabane-based businesses.

The business landscape is changing here. It’s not just about the accountants, solicitors and insurance companies anymore. We have animation, gaming, renewable energy, creative, tech for good and clothing brands operating on an international level, all based in Derry and Strabane. There are more women, young people and ethnic minority groups taking the step into entrepreneurship than ever. 

Having lived abroad in Edinburgh, Manchester and the United Arab Emirates, I feel so fortunate to be home. I can walk to work, my kids walk to school, cold-water dip and surf within a 20-minute drive. I get to give back and mentor others coming through social entrepreneurship journeys and I can be in London, Manchester and Birmingham for meetings within 90 minutes.

And I’m able to pop into see my mum and dad for a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit; you can’t put a price on that.”

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Seven days of activity across 50 venues revealed for Derry and Strabane’s 2024 Halloween celebration

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The overall programme for the City and District will run over seven days from Friday October 25th to Thursday October 31st 2024 and will feature activity in over 50 venues.


The Derry Halloween celebrations, the largest festival of their kind in Europe, will focus on ‘Awakening the Walled City’ trail within the streets of the city centre from Monday 28th until Wednesday 30th October and will climax with a ‘Carnival of the Dead’ themed Halloween parade and fireworks display on Thursday October 31st.


Strabane’s Halloween celebrations will include trick or treat trails, street theatre, food stalls, dinosaur shows, magicians and much more in Castle Street, Abercorn Square and the Alley Theatre.


The activity begins with the Castlederg Apple Fair on Friday October 25th and Saturday October 26th and includes various community events across the district including the Halloween Hoolie in Castlederg and Newtownstewart’s Scarecrow trail.
A number of key elements to the Derry Halloween programming were highlighted for Members including In Your Space Circus’ Witchy Wonderland on the City Walls, Haunted Projections by Guildhall Production Studio on the Austins and Bishop Street Court House buildings, the LUXE hosted Elemental Garden in Ebrington Square and Rodafonio – a travelling street theatre act created by renowned American designer and musician Cesar Alvarez.


Other highlights will include Stelzen Art Time Travelers in the grounds of the Cathedral Quarter, Studio 2’s Hocus Pocus sisters in the City of Bones, a Back to the Future themed street performance by New Gate Arts, interactive performances by the North West Regional College’s Music and Performing Arts students as well as Magical Science Shows in the Guildhall.


The Haunted Harvest Market will feature LegenDerry Food in Guildhall Square and will give the public the opportunity to sample the best of locally sourced and home-grown food from across the district.

“Officers have been working closely with local providers, creatives and performers as well as international level acts to develop a dynamic and comprehensive programme for Halloween 2024,” explained Head of Culture at Council, Aeidin McCarter.

“Activity is planned across the district from Friday October 25th and climaxing on Thursday October 31st with the city’s Carnival of the Dead Halloween Parade featuring some of the city’s finest performers and culminating in the festival finale fireworks display where all eyes will be on the River Foyle for a deathly display of pyrotechnics.


“We are confident that programming for 2024 will build on our reputation as Europe’s largest Halloween Festival and an internationally renowned visitor experience at this time of year,”


Other programming elements revealed at this week’s meeting are the return of the Hay Bale Sculpture Trail in and around Strabane which will see over 12 groups and community organisations get involved in Halloween activities by creating their own Hay Bale Sculptures using a perfect blend of creative charm and spooky thrills.

Other Derry Halloween highlights include the Monster Fun Fair at Ebrington, Spark Drummers, Uncle Doom and his organ of Doom, Pop Up Choir Performances, Street Walkabouts, Haunted Houses, Live Music, Arts and Crafts, Kids Halloween Disco, Ghost Tours on the City Walls, Wailing Nuns, Wicked Windows, City Centre Dressing, City Dance’s Walter on the Dance Floor and a city centre trick or treat trail.

Members also heard that Officers have been working closely with local creative and community sectors which will also see programming from the Playhouse, Echo Echo, Nerve Centre, An Cultúrlann and Glen Community Development.

Council’s Culture and Business teams are organising a Halloween Business Engagement event on the 2nd October, to allow the business, tourism, retail and hospitality sectors to receive practical support on how to leverage the Halloween activities to enhance their business.


Marketing activities for Derry Halloween will include digital initiatives, broadcast, print, consumer engagement and collaborative campaigns with Visit Derry and Tourism Northern Ireland.

New approaches for the 2024 Derry Halloween campaign include podcast advertising, additional digital channels, a media drop, and the use of Augmented Reality to enhance engagement.


The campaign aims to work closely with Tourism Ireland to position Derry as the Capital of Halloween in their global drive to position Ireland as the Home of Halloween.


The full Halloween programme can be found at www.derryhalloween.com.

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UK and NI Executive Ministers sign financial deal for Derry- Londonderry and Strabane City Region

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Over 6,000 new jobs could be created thanks to City Deal and Inclusive Future Fund

UK Government and NI Executive Ministers gathered at The Guildhall in Derry today to sign the Financial Deal for the Derry-Londonderry and Strabane City Region City Deal that will unlock in excess of £290m of investment in health, life science and digital projects, and help bring about transformational changes and benefits to the region.

The UK Government has provided £50m City Deal funding and £55m via the Inclusive Future Fund, which has been match funded by the Northern Ireland Executive with contributions by Derry City and Strabane District Council and its project partners of £83m.

The funding marks the single largest investment by the UK Government and NI Executive in this region, and today’s signing of the Financial Deal represents a significant step forward in the City Deal journey. This will ultimately enable progress and the successful delivery of key infrastructure, regeneration and tourism projects.

The Derry~Londonderry and Strabane City Region City Deal and Inclusive Future Fund will see more than £250m invested in the city and district with a focus on innovation, digital and health projects together with regeneration, tourism and renewal initiatives, creating up to 6,300 new jobs by 2033 and allowing the region to attract investment, enable regeneration and boost tourism.

The Derry~ Londonderry and Strabane City Region City Deal partners – Derry City and Strabane District Council, Ulster University, the North West Regional College, the Western Health and Social Care Trust and Clinical Translational Research Centre (C-TRIC Ltd) – have been working intensively with the NI Executive, UK Government and industry partners and are hugely proud of the success of this collaboration in reaching this landmark stage of the process following the signing of the Heads of Terms in 2021.

Today’s official signing of the Financial Deal sets in motion the next stages of the process for Council and its delivery partners to work to deliver the projects, once the full business cases are approved.  The focus for the next phase of the City Deal is the detailed design and delivery. The signing of the financial deal will allow access to funding to undertake this work which will include a wider awareness and engagement process as the detailed designs are developed.

Among the attendees at today’s event were the First Minister, Michelle O’Neill; deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, MLA; the Secretary of State for NI, Hilary Benn MP and the Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald. There were messages of support from the Minister of Health, the Minister for Infrastructure, the Minister for Economy and the Communities Minister, acknowledging the significance of the event.

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr, who hosted the event, acknowledged the importance of the investment.

She said: “This is a momentous day for the Derry and Strabane region. Thanks to cross-party political support, private sector backing and unprecedented levels of collaboration from all the partners, we’ve succeeded in securing this significant, long-term commitment to transforming the NI economy in the sectors where we have the potential to become world leaders.

“This City Deal provides us with an opportunity to be vibrant and exciting, and to provide us with so much potential for growth and prosperity. Today, with the signing of the Financial Deal Agreement, we have reached a major milestone, unlocking £290m of capital investment from the UK Government, the Northern Ireland Executive and our local delivery partners.”

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn said: “I am delighted that the Derry-Londonderry and Strabane City Region City Dealis proceeding as planned, and proud to sign the deal on behalf of the UK Government.

“It’s going to provide support to so many important initiatives which will positively impact the lives of local people, including the regeneration of the waterfront in Derry, and of Strabane town centre.

“The digital and innovation projects which the UK Government is investing in through this deal will deliver a fantastic economic boost and opportunities for residents of the entire North West region. Exciting projects such as the £39 million new combined Cognitive Analytics and Digital Robotics Centre (CADRC), will deliver cutting-edge research and innovation. A new School of Medicine/ Personalised Medicine Centre will develop research capabilities at Ulster University’s Magee Campus, complemented by educational facilities at Altnagelvin Hospital campus.

“I congratulate everyone involved for their hard work and dedication over many years to reach this important milestone. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this investment will have on local people and businesses.”

John Kelpie, Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council, on behalf of the delivery partners said: “This once in a generation City Deal would not have been possible without the successful collaboration between all of the partners involved who have worked tirelessly to get it over the line. This joined up approach has seen us using our resources, expertise and determination to secure this funding for our area so that we can make a real and positive difference to the lives of people who live and work here. The significant investment from the UK government and NI Executive with additional input from all the delivery partners allows us to leverage additional private sector investment to deliver a programme with an overall value well currently standing at £290m.”

The Mayor added that the City Deal will strengthen the region’s offer in growth sectors such as life and health sciences, digital and creative industries and will also support next generation digital capabilities, boost tourism by creating world-class visitor experiences and enable regeneration, underpinned by infrastructure developments and investment in skills to connect people to jobs and services.

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Taoiseach Simon Harris Visits Ulster University in Derry~Londonderry

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Taoiseach Simon Harris T.D. visited Derry~Londonderry to discuss the University’s vision for growth in higher education provision in the North West.

Ulster University welcomed An Taoiseach Simon Harris T.D. to its campus in Derry~Londonderry where he met with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Bartholemew to discuss the University’s vision for growth in higher education provision in the North West.

The Taoiseach also delivered the 2024 John Hume and Thomas P. O’Neill Chair Peace Lecture, co-hosted by the University with the John and Pat Hume Foundation.

As the new academic year begins on the campus, a thriving hub for health sciences, creative industries, computing and the arts, the Taoiseach visited the site on which a new teaching and student services building will be developed, supported by cross border investment from the Irish Government and University reserves.

Announced in 2023, the €44.5 million investment at Ulster University’s campus in Derry~Londonderry by the Government of Ireland through the Shared Island initiative will expand higher education in the North West region.

Providing additional lecture and seminar spaces, computer labs and on-campus student services, the facility will also underpin research and teaching cooperation between Ulster University and Atlantic Technological University in Donegal, while also enabling the four North West Tertiary Education Cluster institutions to work more closely together in the provision of further and higher education in the region.

During the visit earlier today, Taoiseach Simon Harris T.D. said:

“I was pleased to visit Ulster University in Derry once again today, with its thriving campus alive with new and returning students on their higher education journey.”

“It was a priority for me as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science, to agree and move forward in June 2023 with the major Shared Island Fund investment by the Irish Government in Ulster University’s campus, fulfilling our commitment under the New Decade, New Approach agreement to support the expansion of student numbers in Derry and economic opportunity for young people across the North West.”

“As Taoiseach, I affirmed with Vice-Chancellor Bartholomew today the Government’s partnership with Ulster University, including on the new teaching building project and funding of student healthcare training places in Derry. We also discussed Ulster University’s wider development and expansion plans and commitment to cross-border cooperation, in delivering a world-class institution that attracts students and researchers from across the island of Ireland, Great Britain and around the world.

“The Government will be working to see cross-border tertiary education and research links, both North/South and East/West, reach even greater heights in the time ahead.”

Ulster University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Bartholomew said:

“We were delighted to welcome Taoiseach Simon Harris to Ulster University in Derry~Londonderry to showcase our thriving campus and our ambitious plans for growth as we look ahead to the development of the new teaching and student services building supported by the Government of Ireland, through the Shared Island initiative.

“The Taoiseach has been a long-standing supporter of our work here in the North West, both during his time as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and now, as Taoiseach. Today’s visit was an opportunity to further discuss our distinct regional mission and our shared commitment to transform education and support economic growth in the North West.”

“In Derry~Londonderry, we are providing the most comprehensive healthcare higher education offering in the UK and Ireland. This is a campus that is addressing key challenges in the healthcare sector head on, whether that be through training the next wave of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to combat staff shortages across the North West and beyond, or with our pioneering research into personalised medicine. It was a pleasure to discuss this with the Taoiseach and share our plans for continued investment in Derry~Londonderry.”

The visit comes as Ulster University is nominated for University of the Year by Times Higher Education and recognised as the highest-ranking UK university for outreach activities, and fifth in the world overall, in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024.

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Mayor hosts Taoiseach Simon Harris T.D. on his first official visit to Derry

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Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr hosted the Taoiseach Simon Harris T.D. on 16th September when he visited Derry as part of an official visit to the city to attend several engagements.

The Taoiseach received a tour of the Guildhall and met with officials from Derry City and Strabane District Council where he heard about the range of exciting initiatives being taken forward by Council and its delivery partners as part of the City Deal Project. As part of the meeting, the Taoiseach also received an update on the regional growth priorities for the North West City Region, in particular the positive collaborative work being done through the North West Regional Development Group in partnership with Donegal County Council and strategic partners in central government on both sides of the border.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr said she was extremely proud to welcome the Taoiseach on his first official visit to the City and District. She said it was an excellent opportunity to highlight to the Irish Government the strong level of engagement and collaboration that is taking place on a cross-border basis and the commitment by everyone to work collectively for growth and economic prosperity.

She said: “It was a great honour to welcome the Taoiseach Simon Harris to the City and the Guildhall and to give him an overview of the very many positive activities and initiatives we are working on with a focus on maximising the full potential of our region so that people in both jurisdictions can see and feel the benefits. The meeting was a very positive one and a great opportunity for us to acknowledge the level of support received to date and the important role the Irish Government can continue to play in facilitating further regeneration and investment in this region. I want to acknowledge the Irish Government’s funding towards the new teaching block at Ulster University and the ongoing positive engagement in relation to further expansion of the university in Derry, as well as the level of support provided for the NW territory education cluster.”

The Mayor welcoming the Shared Island Wild Atlantic Way/Causeway Coastal Route Tourism Brand Collab Project announcement said she was delighted to see this collaborative approach to promoting the tourism product and was very keen to see the Walled City positioned at the centre of where the Wild Atlantic Way meets the Causeway Coast Route.

John Kelpie, Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council said the visit of the Taoiseach was an opportunity for Council to acknowledge the Irish Government’s commitment to the region to date through the North West Strategic Growth Partnership and the NW Regional Development Group whilst also highlighting the importance of a continued shared approach to sustainable growth, economic development and infrastructural regeneration and the need for continued funding to support the North West region.

Among the issues discussed at the meeting was the Irish Government’s ongoing support on the A5 project and continued engagement to advance the Derry to Dublin airlink as well as Shared Island funding support for a range of joint initiatives with Donegal County Council such as the Sli Colmcille pilgrimage route project, a North West De-carb Exemplar Decarbonised Public Building and Transportation project as well as a NW Regulatory Technology Cluster.

“The Council took the opportunity to reinforce the message around collaboration and the success we have experienced of working together and how it has allowed us to develop programmes to support the economy such as support programmes for SMEs and start-ups, joint FDI/investment trade missions, greenways, cultural and heritage programmes, tourism development projects and destination marketing campaigns. Going forward we highlighted the need for a continued joined-up approach when it comes to investment in road, air, rail and sea connectivity in our region as well continued focus to enhance tertiary education provision, improved job and skills opportunities and investment in our tourism and cultural offerings as well as our North West Technology clusters.”

The Taoiseach was in the City to attend a number of events and meetings including projects to develop tourism on a collaborative cross-border basis in the North West; community engagement and reconciliation, and investment in higher education provision in the region through the Government of Ireland’s Shared Island Fund, while also delivering the John Hume and Thomas P. O’Neill Chair Peace Lecture at Ulster University’s campus.  

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Mayor speaks at annual Congressional Black Caucus Conference

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The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr, has been in Washington, D.C. in recent days, where she was invited to speak at the 53rd Annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) Legislative Conference.

The theme of this year’s event, ‘From Vision to Victory: Amplifying Black Voices’ focused on critical issues impacting education, health, technology, civic engagement, and equity. One of the key topics of discussion was the growing attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The CBCF Annual Legislative Conference, held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, is a premier gathering of policymakers, thought leaders, activists, and community members dedicated to advancing the global Black community. The agenda included a National Town Hall on equal economic opportunity, as well as diverse panels aimed at securing and sustaining progress for Black people across the globe.

Mayor Seenoi Barr was among a number of international delegates invited to speak at this high-profile conference. In addition to addressing key issues affecting the Black community, this year’s discussions challenged rising authoritarianism, global anti-Blackness, and explored pioneering legislative and policy solutions.

In the lead-up to the conference, Mayor Seenoi Barr participated in a series of meetings with officials from the U.S. State Department, the Irish Embassy in Washington, and various members of Congress. These engagements provided an opportunity to advocate for economic opportunities in Derry City and Strabane district, with a focus on tourism, trade, and investment.

Speaking after the conference, Mayor Seenoi Barr said: “I was honoured to be invited to address the Annual Legislative Conference. It was a fantastic platform to highlight Derry and Strabane’s efforts in promoting racial equity and inclusion, and to showcase some of the incredible work being done to connect communities and address inequality.  

“I also had the opportunity to engage with some visionary academics, politicians, policymakers, and potential investors, making the case for Derry’s economic growth through tourism and trade.”

The CBCF’s mission to advance the global Black community by cultivating leadership and informing policy resonates strongly with Mayor Seenoi Barr’s vision for inclusive economic growth. She emphasised, “As someone who believes in shared growth and economic prosperity for everyone, I know that by supporting the most vulnerable in society, we ensure benefits for all. I look forward to building on the connections made during this trip to further our goals of racial equity and economic development for Derry and Strabane.”

“The Annual Legislative Conference is more than just a conference; it is a catalyst for change,” said a CBCF spokesperson. “Our mission is to uplift, empower, and advance the Black community by cultivating leadership, informing policy, and educating the public.”

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Hunter Apparel wins multi-million contract following investment in state-of-the-art equipment

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Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced that Derry based professional clothing company Hunter Apparel Solutions has won a £3.5million contract with Dublin Fire Brigade. 
 
The contract follows a £1million investment in new machinery by Hunter which is enabling it to offer a revolutionary PPE decontamination service. 
 
During a visit to the company, Minister Murphy said: “Hunter has embraced technology and innovation to develop from its origins as an apparel manufacturer to become a leader in the design, supply and maintenance of technical professional clothing.
 
“This contract with Dublin Fire Brigade highlights the opportunities that exist in the all-island economy. As a result of its investment and subsequent contract success, Hunter has created three new jobs in Derry. Its new decontamination service is also helping to safeguard the health of key workers as well as reducing wastage by maximising the lifespan of uniforms. All of this is in keeping with my vision of creating a regionally balanced and sustainable economy.”
 

My department and Invest NI will be working closely with businesses to ensure they understand the unique dual market access opportunities and the regulatory environment, so they are well placed to take advantage of our export growth potential.

Conor Murphy, Minister for the Economy

The Minister added: “Trading with the south can be a catalyst for businesses to grow into new export markets. My department and Invest NI will be working closely with businesses to ensure they understand the unique dual market access opportunities and the regulatory environment, so they are well placed to take advantage of our export growth potential.”

With Invest NI support, Hunter Apparel Solutions purchased new decontamination machinery which uses liquid carbon dioxide (LC02+) to eradicate contaminants and carcinogens from fire service clothing. The contract with Dublin Fire Brigade involves fully neutralizing the toxins in the protective clothing of its firefighters, ensuring that harmful substances do not build up in the garments leading to serious ill health. 
 
Located in Springtown Industrial Estate, Hunter Apparel Solutions employs 53 staff. It was founded in 1936 and is now managed by the third generation of the Hunter family. The company supplies its garments and services across key market segments – blue light and security; rail and other transport utilities; and specialist PPE and workwear.

CEO, Simon Hunter, said: “Hunter is the technology leader in the professional clothing sector. We were first to market with a specialised digital service, along with a platform for tracking and tracing personal protective equipment to ensure safety protocols are followed. We have also launched an artificial intelligence-based sizing tool and introduced robotics to our R&D centre and warehousing.
 

Invest NI has worked with Hunter over many years providing both financial and advisory support and we will continue to be a trusted partner as it enters its next phase of growth.

Jeremy Fitch, Executive Director of Business Solutions, Invest NI

“Our new LC02+ decontamination service is the next step in providing our clients with a 21st-century professional clothing service. It removes 99% of carcinogens from firefighters’ PPE and prolongs the lifespan of the clothing in a single wash environmentally friendly process. On the back of this continuous research and development and our passion for innovation, we anticipate that our turnover will continue to grow well into the future.”

Congratulating the company on its new contract, Jeremy Fitch, Executive Director of Business Solutions at Invest NI, said: “Hunter continues to invest in its future, ensuring it maintains its competitive position as a technological leader in its field. The company’s LC02+ system investment has been rewarded with this significant four-year contract with Dublin Fire Brigade adding to many other export successes.
 
“Invest NI has worked with Hunter over many years providing both financial and advisory support and we will continue to be a trusted partner as it enters its next phase of growth.”

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Ulster University Derry~Londonderry Officially Launches Expanded International Nursing Competence Test Centre Addressing Workforce Shortages

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The Nursing Competence Test Centre at Ulster University is one of just five Nursing Midwifery Council approved CTCs in the UK.

Ulster University has officially opened the doors to its newly expanded and reimagined Nursing Competence Test Centre today, located at Foyle House in Derry~Londonderry. This significant development aims to address the growing global demand for nursing and midwifery healthcare professionals in the UK.

The Ulster University School of Nursing and Paramedic Science hosts and operates this vital Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC) Competence Test Centre (CTC) which has, over the years, expanded to meet growing demand.

Earlier this year the university purchased a new site that shares a border with the University’s Duncreggan Student Village, a very short walk from campus buildings, and began expansion plans.

The development will enable over 8,000 internationally educated nursing and midwifery candidates per year from around the world, to take their NMC Test of Competence Part 2 Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) assessment in order to join the NMC Register of nurses, midwives and nursing associates.

The CTC on the Derry~Londonderry campus is one of just five NMC approved CTCs in the UK – and the only one in Northern Ireland, reflecting the University’s expertise and leadership in nursing.  First established in 2017, the test centre has not only helped to alleviate pressures on the health sector but has also become an economic driver for the North West with businesses across the city reaping the many benefits of increased visitor numbers.

Marking the significant expansion, Ulster University hosted a celebratory launch event at Foyle House. People from across the UK were welcomed to explore the new facilities, highlighting an important opportunity to support nursing capacity and alleviate pressures on the health service in the UK.

Esteemed guests included representatives from the NMC, Healthcare Trusts, the Independent Sector, the Royal College of Nursing, the Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Darren Guy, and Northern Ireland’s Health Minister, Mike Nesbitt.

Mr Nesbitt said:

“The test centre here at Ulster University has gained a reputation as the preferred choice for many candidates. This speaks volumes for the efforts made by Ulster University, not only to support the development of the workforce to meet the healthcare needs of our population, but also their unwavering dedication to academic excellence and professional integrity. 

“To the candidates embarking on this journey, I encourage you to view this Centre not simply as an examination stage but as a stepping stone towards a fulfilling career in healthcare. You are joining a community that values compassion, excellence, working together and openness and honesty. The skills you acquire here will not only be instrumental in your personal journey, but will enable you to make a significant contribution to Northern Ireland.”

Shahneela Grygiel, Assistant Director of Registration and Revalidation at the Nursing and Midwifery Council, said:

“We are delighted to be in Derry-Londonderry to explore the new Foyle House site at Ulster University. This expansion is good news for people who use health and care services, helping even more skilled and knowledgeable professionals from all over the world to join our register safely and quickly.  

“We’re seeing more nursing and midwifery professionals on the NMC register than ever before – 826,418. The expansion at Ulster University will play a vital role in this continued growth, enabling internationally educated professionals and those returning to practice, to provide the high-quality care everyone across the UK has the right to receive.”

About the CTC
Nurses and midwives are required to undergo comprehensive assessment in order to confirm their competency before they can practice in the UK. The designated test centre on the Derry~Londonderry campus delivers the OSCE, which tests candidates’ skills, knowledge and behaviours in a simulated practice environment. This is the final test that candidates must pass in order to gain registration as a nurse, midwife or nursing associate in the UK.   

With a responsive approach to meeting the needs of individuals and organisations, the School of Nursing and Paramedic Science at Ulster University facilitates much needed registered nurses and midwives, who have been recruited from overseas, in their journey to registration. This enables them to move forward in establishing their career in the UK whilst making a valued and essential contribution to the health of the public through their knowledge, expertise, and experience.   

Since opening in 2017, over 32,000 nurses from countries including Canada, Japan, Philippines, India, Africa, and Barbados have undertaken the OSCE at the Ulster University Competence Test Centre (CTC) and are now working in healthcare settings across Northern Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland.

Professor Carol Curran, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Life and Health Sciences at Ulster University commented:

“This significant development signifies our continued commitment to the Derry~Londonderry campus and our ambitions for momentum in development here. This allows us to expand our campus footprint into a neighbouring site and importantly, benefits the local economy in the North West by boosting international travel to Derry~Londonderry with associated bed nights in local hotels.” 

“Additionally, some 90 staff – most of whom are local nurses – are employed in the CTC as assessors and patient role players so this CTC allows us to support the local economy though employment too. We have plans for further recruitment now that our CTC has expanded on the Foyle House site.”  

Professor Neal Cook, Professor of Nursing and Head of School of Nursing and Paramedic Science said

“We are delighted to see our CTC provision expand from 12 to 20 testing bays at our new site, maximising the responsive provision to facilitating internationally educated nurses, midwives and nursing associates from all over the globe to enter the NMC live register. This enhanced provision will expand on our ability to support these nurses and their sponsors as well as provide our team with bespoke facilities to maximise the quality of our provision, complementing our continued commitment to a person-centred approach. The community support and hospitality the candidates receive on their visit to the city also enhances their positive experience. This is a team and service to be proud of, particularly given the impact on health services nationally”.

Ulster University has an international reputation for nursing excellence and is rated top 10 in the UK for nursing (QS World Subject Rankings 2023 and Complete University Guide 2024).

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Ulster University Hosts Celebration for Northern Ireland’s First Ever Paramedic Science Students

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On 22nd August, Ulster University marked a historic moment for Northern Ireland, as the first cohort of BSc Hons Paramedic Science students celebrated ahead of graduation in December 2024 from the region’s first ever BSc Paramedic Sciences programme.

Forty students attended an official celebration ceremony, recognising their successful completion of all elements necessary to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This milestone marks their readiness to contribute significantly to the future of healthcare delivery across Northern Ireland.

With funding support from the Department of Health, the three-year course launched in September 2021 with 40 students and three dedicated lecturers. Due to its growing popularity, the programme now accommodates 130 students across all year groups and boasts a teaching team of 10 academics. This expansion emphasises the courses’ vital role in supporting Northern Ireland’s healthcare workforce and easing pressures on the health service.

Throughout the course, students completed a comprehensive range of academic modules focused on the fundamentals of emergency and urgent care. They completed 60 weeks of practice-based learning in various community health and social care settings, hospital services, and ambulance services.

In addition to classroom-based learning, students benefited from hands-on experience within Ulster University’s cutting-edge facility Skills Suite featuring hospital wards, clinical rooms, and a unique simulated ambulance custom-built for the School of Nursing & Paramedic Science at the Derry~Londonderry campus – the only one of its kind in the region.

Graduates have developed the knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary to become a competent and confident paramedic who provides safe person-centred care.

This groundbreaking course, based within multi- award-winning School of Nursing & Paramedic Science is a significant step forward in the development of the paramedic profession in Northern Ireland and beyond. Until 2021, aspiring paramedics from Northern Ireland were required to travel to the south of Ireland or across the Irish Sea to complete a BSc Hons programme in Paramedic Science.

Ben Malone a student on the course always wanted to be a paramedic since the age of 8 years old after his Nanny experienced a stroke, he remembered feeling relief and reassurance as the Paramedics arrived, he said:

“I’ve always wanted to be a paramedic. We have been at the forefront of this programme, pioneering its development over the past three years. The friends I have made, skills and knowledge I have learned from expert lecturers and the experience I have gained through practice learning, will stand to me in years to come.

“Whilst it has been challenging and demanding at times, both academically and throughout practice learning, I am glad to say that I have successfully completed the course, passed all modules and received a conditional offer of employment from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service HSCT (pending my registration in the coming weeks).  “I look forward to what the future holds, embarking on a career as a paramedic and witnessing the success of future cohorts from the BSc programme at Ulster University.”

Professor Neal Cook, Head of School of Nursing and Paramedic Science at Ulster University said:

“We are immensely proud of our paramedic science students reaching this important and historic milestone as the first cohort to graduate with their BSc Hons Paramedic Science. Their success is testament to their dedication to the profession and their studies and also testament to the support and expert education they have received from their course team and practice partners, without whom we could not deliver this quality provision. The success of their programme is the culmination of valued partnerships and collaborative endeavours across a spectrum of stakeholders, including all six health and social care trusts in Northern Ireland as well as the Department of Health and the independent and voluntary sectors. We have every faith that these graduands will have long and impactful careers as paramedics, we are so proud of their achievements”.  

Mr. Andrew Chambers, Course Director BSc Paramedic Science at Ulster University said:

“Despite often being the first, and sometimes the crucial medical contact for people within the community, paramedics have lacked the credibility that they deserve.  However, the introduction of this degree programme and the recent elevation of paramedics to Allied Health Profession (AHP) status helps to further cement the position of paramedics as healthcare professionals in their own right, capable of operating across a wide variety of healthcare environments.  The students from our course represent the future of the paramedic profession and the wider Health Service here in Northern Ireland and I have no doubt that with the diverse learning opportunities they have received as part of this programme that they will go on to have a profound impact on the delivery of prehospital care within the province for years to come.”

Neil Sinclair, Chief Paramedic Officer, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said:

“We are delighted to join Ulster University, and all of the other partner organisations, in congratulating the first cohort of UU Student Paramedics as they complete their BSc (Hons) programme. They have been on a journey through academic and practice-based learning over the past 3 years, and they will soon embark on the next phase of their careers as they transition into employment. We are looking forward to welcoming many of them to NIAS in the very near future; where they will be able to utilise the knowledge and personal attributes they have developed over the last 3 years, alongside their new colleagues in NIAS, to provide the best possible pre-hospital care to people across all of Northern Ireland. The arrival of this large number of highly-skilled new recruits will bring benefits and welcome support, not only to NIAS, but across the entire health and social care system, and most importantly to the local community.”

If you are interested in studying BSc Hons Paramedic Science at Ulster University Derry~Londonderry, or would like more information on the course, please visit – Paramedic Science BSc (Hons) at Ulster University 2024/25 entry – Full-time Undergraduate Study

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