Significant Funding for North West Digital Skills

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Funding for the North West Digital Employment Pathway Training Hub (NW DEPTH) initiative was included in a total of €46,064,915 of PEACEPLUS funding announced recently to improve equal access to inclusive and quality services in education, training and lifelong learning in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.

This project – supported by the PEACEPLUS Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) – will be led by Atlantic Technological University, in partnership with Ulster University, North West Regional College, and Donegal Education and Training Board via their well-established strategic collaboration, the North West Tertiary Education Cluster (NWTEC).

The Area Based Regional Skills Development Programme, through the PEACEPLUS Delivering Socio-Economic Regeneration and Transformation theme, will develop and upskill 10,000 people to engage on key growth sectors, which will boost economic growth and create a more balanced regional economy. The NW DEPTH proposal aims to deliver a digital skills framework targeting the North West City Region (County Donegal and the Derry City and Strabane District Council Area). The NW DEPTH project will develop and deliver a portfolio of upskilling and reskilling programmes to ensure 2,000+ people advance up the qualifications’ framework via digital and cybersecurity skills courses.

The NW DEPTH project will run for a four-year period and will see close to a €10 million investment in digital skills in the North West. A target of 2,000+ participants will have access to high-quality employment-focused digital and cybersecurity tertiary education programmes free of charge. To ensure a lasting legacy, the funding also includes provision for the development of a NW Digital Strategy aimed at supporting the growth of the many innovative digital enterprises operating in this cross-border region and improving the attractiveness of the region for the establishment of new smart enterprises.

PEACEPLUS is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and represents a funding partnership between the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.

NWTEC partners recognise the strong support that this represents from the funders and the responsibility it confers on NWTEC to deliver on the transformative potential that this funding has in conjunction with other recent funding announcements, such as the Derry and Strabane Growth Deal.

Dr Orla Flynn, President of ATU, stated that “securing PEACEPLUS funding for the NW DEPTH project will empower a significant number of individuals to thrive in an increasingly digital world of employment. It will not only enrich individual lives, but this funding will also strengthen regional industries by better facilitating innovation as well as providing support for economic growth. I want to congratulate those who worked on this bid and look forward to seeing successful outcomes being achieved in the years ahead.”

Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor at Ulster University said “Ulster University is delighted to be a key project partner on the North West Digital Employment Pathways Training Hub (NW DEPTH) initiative. This is a strategically important investment in the skills profile of the NW region and complements other major investment plans enabled by the Derry and Strabane City Deal and Shared Island funding. This project builds on existing collaboration and co-operation established through the North West Tertiary Education Cluster and this PEACEPLUS investment in digital skills is a further endorsement of the value placed on, and importance of, developing education and capacity to support economic and social development across the region. The overall objective of DEPTH is to develop a Digital Skills framework for individuals to support re-entering, remaining or progressing their role in the NW region workforce, which is particularly important as we work with partners across the region to expand Ulster University’s campus in Derry~Londonderry. We look forward to continuing to work with partners on the digital skills development, upskilling and reskilling provision in the region targeting 2000 participants across the four years of the project.”

SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “This PEACEPLUS funding supports five area-based approaches, designed to address evidenced skills gaps, which will result in increased productivity and employment and higher levels of cross-border labour mobility. The programme and the joined-up approach will enable cross-community and cross-border collaboration between education and training-based collaborations that maximise the capacity of the programme area to address existing and emerging skills gaps, and opportunities for reskilling. Economic development in post-conflict regions is vital in underpinning peace. Investment in the economy, providing support for SMEs, research, and innovation in specific areas of need are among the key focus areas for the PEACEPLUS Delivering Socio-Economic Regeneration and Transformation theme.”

Leo Murphy, Principal and Chief Executive of North West Regional College (NWRC) said: “We at NWRC are delighted to be involved as a partner on the NW DEPTH project. This is a validation of the excellent work of the North West Tertiary Education Cluster by building digital and cybersecurity skills sets within our NW region. The partnership with Mastercard allows the region to develop an enhanced presence on FinTech and cyber expertise at a tertiary skills level. This will allow us to build competitive advantage and lead to the potential for more inward investment and indigenous growth in this sector.”

Anne McHugh, Chief Executive of Donegal Education and Training Board expressed delight that the NWTEC will be providing this much needed digital skills training in the region. “Our cross-border region is unique and full of opportunities and promise. This funding will significantly raise the chances that its promise will be fulfilled as we continue to seek to provide opportunities which will allow the region to compete on an all-island basis. Donegal ETB plays an enormously important part in the skills development area within Co Donegal and the cross-border region and the PEACEPLUS funding will contribute to this ongoing work in a really positive way.”

Paul Hannigan, Head of College ATU Donegal and VP for Cross-border Engagement at ATU, noted: “NWTEC is a strong partnership, and through our industry engagement via the NWTEC Smart Industry Board together with our links to community groups, this consortium is committed and well placed to deliver on the full potential of this critically important PEACEPLUS support for the North West City Region.”

We at NWRC are delighted to be involved as a partner on the NW DEPTH project. This is a validation of the excellent work of the North West Tertiary Education Cluster by building digital and cybersecurity skills sets within our NW region. The partnership with Mastercard allows the region to develop an enhanced presence on FinTech and cyber expertise at a tertiary skills level. This will allow us to build competitive advantage and lead to the potential for more inward investment and indigenous growth in this sector.
Leo Murphy
Principal and Chief Executive of North West Regional College
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Alchemy Technology Services Presented with King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade

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On Friday, 27th September, Alchemy Technology Services reached a significant milestone in our journey. We were officially presented with the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade, marking a proud moment for both our company and the Derry / Londonderry community. The King’s Award for Enterprise is one of the most esteemed accolades for UK businesses. It recognises outstanding achievements in areas such as international trade, innovation, and sustainable development. Specifically, the King’s Award for International Trade honours companies that have demonstrated substantial growth in overseas earnings and commercial success. This recognition places Alchemy among a top group of businesses, being one of only four recipients from Northern Ireland and among 252 organisations nationally recognised this year. Our success in international markets brings valuable revenue back into our local economy, showcasing the potential of Derry / Londonderry as a hub for global business.

The ceremonial presentation took place at the Mayor’s Chamber in the historic Guildhall, symbolising our strong commitment to our local roots. The award was presented by Mr Ian Crowe MBE CStJ, HM Lord-Lieutenant for the County Borough of Londonderry, with Deputy Lieutenant Mr Gavin Killeen MBE DL in attendance. The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Ms Lilian Seenoi-Barr, hosted the event.

Mr Ian Crowe MBE CStJ commented: “Congratulations to Alchemy on winning the King’s Award for Enterprise. This is an incredible achievement that highlights hard work, innovation, and dedication to excellence. Alchemy’s commitment to pushing boundaries and making a positive impact is truly inspiring. Here’s to continued success and many more accolades in the future! Your achievement should inspire many other local companies to put themselves forward for the prestigious King’s Award.”

Mayor Lilian Seenoi-Barr added: “I was delighted to host this ceremony and be part of presenting this internationally recognised award to Alchemy Technology Services. It represents a fitting recognition for their dedicated work to grow their business across the world and establish themselves in a number of key overseas markets. Since their inception in 2018, Alchemy have quickly evolved into one of the city’s biggest employers and are a shining example of the benefits our Council area offers as a location to live, work and do global business in.”

John Harkin, our CEO, emphasised the local impact of this achievement: “Receiving the King’s Award for Enterprise is not just an honour for Alchemy, but a testament to the talent and potential of our community. This award reflects our unwavering commitment to Derry / Londonderry and Northern Ireland. Our success is intertwined with the growth and prosperity of our local area.”

Since our inception in 2018, we’ve been a driving force for local economic development, creating over 200 highly skilled jobs primarily filled by local talent. Our in-house Graduate Programme, now in its third year, continues to provide valuable opportunities for graduates from local universities. Additionally, we maintain ongoing recruitment for senior roles, reinforcing our dedication to nurturing homegrown talent and contributing to the region’s professional landscape at all levels. Alchemy remains committed to balancing our global expansion with a strong focus on local impact. We view our international success as a means to further invest in and develop the Derry / Londonderry region, ensuring that as we grow, so too does the community we call home.

This commitment is further exemplified by our acquisition of r10 consulting, now known as Alchemy London Market, which has driven growth by expanding our offer to clients and creating better opportunities for our people. This King’s Award stands as a proud achievement for Alchemy and a powerful affirmation of the potential within the Derry / Londonderry community. It represents not just business success, but a model of how companies can drive positive change and create opportunities at a local level while competing on a global stage.

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FAST Technologies’ Dreamaker Drives Efficiencies in U.S. Production

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Londonderry/Derry based FAST Technologies has secured a multi-million-pound contract with the USA production site of Bloc Blinds.

The contract will see the integration of FAST’s advanced manufacturing technologies, incorporated into ‘Dreamaker’ at Bloc Blinds’ production facility in the US, transforming and streamlining the customisation and manufacturing of window blinds.

It will enable Bloc to dramatically scale up the production process and offer a 24-hour fulfilment time to customers across North America. The investment in FAST’s ground-breaking technologies reflects escalating demand for Bloc’s customised window blinds.

With a strong focus on intelligent manufacturing systems, FAST is at the forefront of revolutionising production processes across a wide range of sectors, through seamless implementation of automation technologies. By integrating advanced robotics, machine learning, and real-time data analytics, its ‘Dreamaker’ system enhances precision, reduces repetitive tasks, and maximises efficiency at every stage of production. This technology can empower workforces, enabling employees to focus on the more skilled and value-added tasks.

Speaking about the contract, Colin Spence, Technical Commercial Director from FAST, said:

“What sets FAST apart is our ability to push the boundaries of what is possible in industrial automation. Our solutions not only improve speed and scalability but also enables an end-to-end quality control, even across high-volume orders. This contract highlights FAST’s reputation for delivering advanced automation technologies that can adapt according to their customers’ needs.

“We believe this is a groundbreaking advancement in automation for the North American market and we are extremely proud to be part of this progressive partnership. FAST has over 25 years’ experience in industrial automation, allowing us to provide best in class automation solutions to industry leaders. As an advanced manufacturing company, our team have expertise specialising in automation, robotics and software solutions for companies worldwide.”

FAST is well-positioned to secure additional high-profile contracts and deliver on ambitious growth plans as its customer base has grown significantly in recent years, coinciding with the launch of their A2Hub, located in Catalyst Innovation Centre, Derry. This automation accelerator hub is an innovative space, whereby FAST can collaborate with companies on their digital transformation journey, developing and implementing custom solutions, unique to their business operations, which in turn supports sustainable business growth.

Cormac Diamond, Bloc Managing Director added: “Our facility is pioneering the production process, and this will be enhanced thanks to the innovative robotic systems and automated technologies delivered by the experts at FAST. We’re now best equipped to meet growing customer demand, drive efficiencies and manage issues such as labour shortage and spiralling energy costs which are common to all manufacturers today.”

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Alchemy Technology Services Announced As First Tenant of Ebrington Plaza in Derry/Londonderry

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Alchemy Technology Services, a leading software implementation and consultancy firm in the global insurance technology industry, has been announced as the first tenant of the new Ebrington Plaza building in Derry/Londonderry. This move is part of a multi-million pound investment in the North West region by Alchemy, signalling its ongoing commitment to the local economy.

The state-of-the-art, grade A office space in Ebrington Plaza will serve as Alchemy’s new permanent headquarters, supporting the company’s commitment to long term growth in the region.  Founded in the city in 2018, Alchemy currently employs over 150 people in Derry/Londonderry, providing consultancy and software implementation services to the global insurance industry.

John Harkin, Founder and CEO of Alchemy Technology Services, expressed his enthusiasm for the move: “We are thrilled to be the first tenant in Ebrington Plaza. This new cutting-edge office space will allow us to continue our expansion and to create an exceptional work environment for our employees. The move supports our mission to create a centre of excellence for the transformation of the global insurance industry by attracting and retaining top talent in the North West. It reinforces Alchemy’s position both as a leading player in the global insurance industry and an employer of choice in Northern Ireland.

Harkin added, “Following the recent opening of our City of London office in the iconic Lloyd’s of London building, we’re confident our new headquarters will play a pivotal role in continuing to expand our customer base. It’s a testament to our development as a company over the past 6 years and to the hard work and dedication of our talent.”

Jeremy Fitch, Executive Director of Business Growth at Invest Northern Ireland said:“Invest NI has proudly supported Alchemy since it first established a presence in Northern Ireland in 2018, helping the company grow and create high-quality jobs.

“Today’s announcement reflects Alchemy’s confidence in the North West’s skilled talent pool. Companies like Alchemy play a vital role in strengthening our regional economy and reinforcing Northern Ireland’s reputation as a prime destination for business and investment.”

Paul Mulholland, Heron Group Property Director, commented ‘We are delighted to welcome Alchemy, a thriving local technology business, to Ebrington Plaza. Alchemy’s decision to choose Ebrington Plaza is testament to the quality of space on offer and the appeal of Ebrington as a business location. Alchemy has established itself as a leading player in its field and Heron Property are excited to deliver best-in-class office accommodation for their growing business.’

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi -Barr, added

“Best wishes to all at Alchemy Technologies for this exciting new chapter in their journey.

“It represents another significant milestone for the firm who have expanded significantly since they were founded in 2018.

“Their decision to locate their headquarters in the heart of the city is a ringing endorsement of the North West as an attractive location to work, live and do business in.”

The move to Ebrington Plaza in spring 2025 marks a new chapter for Alchemy Technology Services as it continues to grow its presence in Northern Ireland and expand its services to the global insurance industry.

About Alchemy Technology Services 

Alchemy Technology Services is a software implementation and consultancy firm driving the digitisation of the global insurance industry. Alchemy was founded in Derry/Londonderry in 2018 by John Harkin with a mission to create a centre of excellence that would offer world class careers for the talent of the North West. It currently employs 200 people in both Derry/Londonderry and in its London operation, Alchemy London Market, based in Lloyd’s of London.

About Ebrington Plaza 

Ebrington Plaza is a new, multi-million pound development in Derry/Londonderry, offering grade A office space designed to attract and support businesses in the North West region of Northern Ireland. The development is set to play a crucial role in the area’s economic regeneration and growth.

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Ulster University marks 40 years of computing in Derry~Londonderry

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Ulster University has brought together students, faculty, industry experts, and members of the local community to mark the milestone of 40 years of computing at its Derry~Londonderry campus.

In an anniversary celebration on 20 November, the School of Computing brought together stakeholders to explore current innovations and imagine what the future may hold for computing and wider society.

The day featured a Pitch and Judge competition for secondary school students across the North West who were challenged to ‘Envisage 2064’ and imagine what computing may look like, and how it will change society, 40 years from now.

With participation from over 60 students, the young people explored future transformative changes in technology, society, and sustainability through computing, before presenting for a panel of judges.

After four decades innovating from the heart of Derry~Londonderry, the School of Computing also opened the doors to the Intelligent Systems Research Centre for public tours that provided a glimpse into Ulster University’s ongoing projects and future aspirations, underscoring the University’s commitment to advancing technological innovation and contributing to breakthroughs that impact industries, healthcare, and daily life.

The event concluded with a public lecture by Professor Michaela Black, Professor of Artificial Intelligence at Ulster University, on ‘Demystifying the Hype of AI’.

Professor Black shared insights on AI’s trajectory, its societal impact and what the future holds in this exciting field, unpacking the often-misunderstood aspects of artificial intelligence, examining its societal impact, ethical implications, and the potential challenges and breakthroughs we may see in the years to come.

“I was delighted to meet up and share some insights of AI with colleagues and visitors celebrating this fantastic event. The excellent attendance highlights the great public interest in AI and the eagerness of everyone to share and discuss how citizens can benefit from responsible AI, delivering a collective good for all of society and the environment.
Professor Michaela Black,
Professor of Artificial Intelligence at Ulster University,

Ulster University is working to foster greater AI adoption in business through the Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC), a project based across Belfast and Derry~Londonderry and delivered in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast.

Launched as part of a £16.3 million investment by Invest Northern Ireland and the Department for the Economy in March 2024, the AICC is dedicated to advancing AI awareness and adoption among businesses in Northern Ireland, with a focus on ethical and responsible innovation.

This 40th anniversary celebration of Computing in Derry~Londonderry reflects Ulster University’s dedication to community engagement, academic excellence, and vision for the future. With events designed for schoolchildren, students, colleagues, industry professionals, and the broader public, the celebration highlights our inclusive commitment to computing and innovation. We look forward to an exciting future ahead for Computing at the University.
Professor Colin Turner
Pro Vice Chancellor & Executive Dean of the Faculty of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment,
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£16.3 million investment in Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre

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Invest Northern Ireland and the Department for the Economy have announced a £16.3 million investment in a new state of the art Artificial Intelligence Collaboration Centre (AICC), to be based at Ulster University in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast. 

Pictured (L-R) are Archie Clements, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Research and Enterprise, Queen’s University Belfast; Dónal Durkan, Executive Director of Strategy and Partnerships, Invest Northern Ireland; Professor Liam Maguire, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Research, Ulster University; Keith Forster, Director of Innovation, Research and Enterprise, Department for the Economy.

The Centre will focus on increasing business awareness and adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to boost competitiveness and productivity across all industries including logistics, finance, life-sciences, manufacturing and Agri-Tech. 

The AICC was formally launched at an event on Ulster University’s Belfast campus today. As well as speakers from both Universities and Invest Northern Ireland, attendees heard reflections from Brian Hills, Chief Executive of The Data Lab, on their journey to setting up a similar AI centre in Scotland. There was also a panel discussion on the opportunities and challenges for AI adoption in Northern Ireland with contributions from Kainos, FinTrU, Analytics Engines, Whitespace and both Universities.

“We are in the midst of an AI driven revolution and through this investment we will harness the transformative power of AI, ensuring its potential is diffused and applied to a broad business base which will encourage economic growth and be of great benefit to our people and society.

“This collaborative project, with bases in Belfast and Derry, will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together research expertise and industry professionals to collaborate on cutting-edge projects and solutions.

“The centre, the people who work there and the important work it will deliver will be an important contributor to my wider economic vision as we aim to raise productivity, promote regional balance, reduce carbon emissions and deliver good jobs.

“As part of today’s announcement, the Department has offered almost £2.5 million to support additional AI and Data Science postgraduate qualifications to be delivered by Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast to expand the capacity of our talent pipeline to meet industry need.”

Economy Minister: Conor Murphy

The AICC, with bases at Ulster University’s Belfast and Derry/Londonderry campuses and Queen’s, will also encourage greater industrial innovation and collaboration with academia to increase both local and FDI investment. The provision of additional training and professional qualifications in AI will also be delivered through both Universities.

“Our support of £13.8 million over the next 5 years is to increase business knowledge and adoption of AI technology. AI is one of the most important technological developments of the modern era and has the potential to deliver important benefits such as R&D excellence, skills development and increased competitiveness. With some 100 local companies already currently using AI technologies in their operations we have an excellent foundation to build upon our capabilities locally.

“As a region we are already recognised as an area of excellence in the realm of Big Data and data analytics. We now have the opportunity to make our mark in the AI arena and to realise the economic benefits that will come from adopting AI right across our business landscape to improve productivity, deliver good jobs, reduce costs and enhance sectoral competitive positioning.”

Dónal Durkan, Executive Director of Strategy and Partnerships at Invest NI,

“As an academic institution we are proud to be leading the way in cutting edge research relating to the application of AI in business settings. The AICC represents a new resource of 25 dedicated staff who will use their existing knowledge and expertise to inform, educate and empower businesses to adopt AI, as well as stimulating new research and innovation for the responsible adoption of AI.

“In partnership with Queen’s University Belfast we will deliver 390 funded Postgraduate AI qualifications and also classroom-based or online skills training to thousands of workers across Northern Ireland over the next five years. 

“The AICC looks forward to working in conjunction with industry to increase adoption of AI while simultaneously creating the AI workforce of the future through the development of new qualifications.” 

Professor Brian Meenan, the Ulster University AICC Principal Investigator,

“AI and machine learning are evolving at an amazing rate and major developments are occurring at a monthly level. It offers enormous potential to transform business operations, so university-industry interaction is vital to ensure effective and fruitful engagement. Queen’s academics can provide insights into productivity improvements and help create innovative solutions for challenging problems using state-of-the-art AI approaches.”

Professor Roger Woods, the Queen’s University Principal Investigator

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Spotlight Interview – Brendan McNabb, CCO of Lithe

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Spotlight interview – Brendan McNabb, CCO of Lithe

Brendan McNabb is Chief Commercial Officer at Lithe, a global intelligent automation software company. The firm, which counts some of the world’s biggest brands as customers, has a base in Brendan’s hometown of Derry in addition to a Glasgow headquarters.

Brendan has more than 20 years’ experience in the IT industry; before setting up Lithe with two former colleagues in 2014, he completed stints with local software company Singularity, and the California-based multinational Kofax. He now lives in Derry with his family.

What does an average work day look like for you? 

I’m not sure there is such a thing as an average day anymore! In my role, even the best laid plans seem to get disrupted on almost a daily basis. That said, an average working week for me usually involves some home-based working, lots of remote meetings and video calls with colleagues and customers, an in-office day meeting with my team to catch up on plans and priorities, and regular overseas trips to meet with existing and prospective customers in the UK, EU and US.

Why did Lithe decide to set up a base in Derry?

Having spent more than 20 years working with colleagues, customers and partners across the globe, I have a great appreciation for the talent we have here in Derry and the North West. There is a very strong heritage here in the products and services that Lithe specialise in, so I was keen to build a strong team around me here to support our growth plan. We have around 10 people in Derry of a total team of approximately 35.

Most of our staff here are hybrid working, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive in terms of its impact on work-life balance. Certain elements of the job still require in-person working, such as meeting with customers or partners, and we have regular in-office days for our various teams, to maintain the human side of those relationships.

What makes Derry and the North West attractive to investors?

Derry has so many amazing assets which make it a very strong proposition for investors. A lot of these are very well documented – its location as a key gateway to both UK and EU markets, a university city with a top-class talent pipeline, a strong established base of companies and investors across a range of sectors, and a rich culture and heritage, among the best in the world. The common thread through all of these are the people. Having worked with thousands of people on a number of levels around the world, the people of Derry possess a fiercely strong work ethic, resilience and creativity; all of which contribute to a highly skilled and competitive workforce.

Your work involves a lot of travel. What do you miss about home when you’re away?

I love visiting new places, especially big cities, but I’m at my happiest surrounded by friends and family in Derry and Donegal. Derry is a wonderful city to call home and a brilliant place to bring up a family. There has always been great community here and Derry people have a natural kindness and empathy towards each other which creates a real sense of belonging. So, although I could list out quite a few things that I love about home – the restaurants, pubs, schools, a packed Brandywell on a match night – at the heart of it all are the people.

What message would you give to people considering a move back to the North West?

I love seeing people moving back to Derry to set up home. The world post-pandemic has become a much smaller place and it is now much easier for people across a wide range of roles and industries to work from their preferred destination. Even for those jobs which require a regular commute to the rest of the UK, Derry is very well connected to major UK cities, as indeed is Belfast International Airport. We have some stunning landscapes and coastlines – you’ll regularly find me coasteering with my friends and family all year round, or floating in the freezing Atlantic off the Donegal coast. We also have a relatively low cost of living compared to other large cities, so it’s a great place for young people and families to put down some roots.

What next for Lithe?

We’re in the midst of some really exciting developments. Our core document processing software product has continued to go from strength to strength and in the past couple of years we have added some more stellar logos including Deutsche Bank, Amazon, Zurich, BNY Mellon and Sainsbury’s to a long list of amazing companies using our product. We continue to invest in our technology and our people as we see this growth trajectory continue across the globe. We have also been embracing many of the exciting innovations in the technology market, including AI and working with our customers and partners to help them realise the amazing benefits these present. It’s a very cool time to be in the IT space, with so many fast-moving technological advancements and high-growth opportunities. Lithe are delighted to be right in the epicentre of it all and I’m very excited about what the future holds.

litheit.com

If you’re interested in moving back to the North West, check out the companies recruiting and explore what the region has to offer at https://investderrystrabane.com/worklife. Your journey home starts here! 

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North-West Ireland City Region selected for the Intelligent Cities Challenge

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‘Innovative solutions that will place the city region at the forefront of the green and digital twin transition through Local Green Deals’

The North-West Ireland City Region has been selected for the Intelligent Cities Challenge (ICC) 2023-25 edition, a support programme spearheaded by the European Commission.

A spokesperson for ICC said the city region, which consists of Derry / Strabane and Donegal, will now start its “two-year journey to create an impactful strategy and develop innovative solutions that will place the city region at the forefront of the green and digital twin transition through Local Green Deals”.

“The ICC programme will help cities to harness the power of cutting-edge technologies, while improving their economic competitiveness, social resilience, and the European citizens’ quality of life.

“They will receive high quality, tailored guidance, expert support, access to advisory and city peer networks, and capacity building tools, to drive their city closer towards the twin transition.”

Derry City and Strabane District councillor Conor Heaney (Sinn Fein) and vice chair of ERNACT (European Regions Network for the Application of Communications Technology) said: “I welcome this opportunity for the City Region to continue on the Intelligent Cities Challenge journey, to access expert guidance for green-digital transition and to learn from other EU cities.

“These supports will help us to face increasing constraints on resources and progress our desire to provide attractive, enjoyable places to live, work and visit, in an inclusive, sustainable way.”

Commenting on the announcement, Donegal County Council Cllr Rena Donaghey (Fianna Fáil), chair of ERNACT, said: “We look forward to being part of the ICC and boosting our progress towards a sustainable and low carbon region guided by our Local Green Deal, the North West Regional Energy Strategy of Derry City and Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council.”

The previous ICC edition (2020-2022) saw €1.9 billion earmarked for ICC cities’ actions and €247 million in public funding from EU, national and regional sources was leveraged which helped facilitate 336 actions planned by the 136 Core cities.

This new edition will build on the success of the previous ICC programme (2020-22) and Digital Cities Challenge (2018-20) and provide an extensive high-profile network, solid methodology framework and strong support mechanisms.  

Dana Eleftheriadou, Head Cities and Proximity Team, DG GROW at the European Commission, said: “Cities are the beating heart of Europe’s economy.

“The new phase of the Intelligent Cities Challenge offers cities with the prime opportunity to put themselves on the map as a European Intelligent City and to turn their sustainability and technological ambitions into action, especially by launching their own Local Green Deals across city departments and with the local businesses.

“These will put your cities firmly on the path towards making the European Green Deal and the Green Deal Industrial Plan a reality, while scaling-up Europe’s net-zero industry.”  

For the latest developments and more information, visit intelligentcitieschallenge.eu. 

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‘We’ve been blown away by Derry’ – Paul Nelis, ChallengeCurve

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Paul Nelis is founder and director of ChallengeCurve, a quality assurance and software testing consultancy. Originally from Creggan, Paul left the city in 1985 to study a degree in Maths and Computer Science and then pursue a career in IT. He specialised in sales, strategy and development in London before launching ChallengeCurve with his business partner, Chris Bean. This month marks a year since the business established its centre of excellence in Ebrington Square’s AMP building, where it now has a team of 19 people.

Paul Nelis founder and director of ChallengeCurve

How did ChallengeCurve start out?

I’ve known Chris practically all my career. At our previous organisation we both got promoted through to Director level but we were getting further away from being “hands-on” and enjoying our work, so we decided to found ChallengeCurve to work at senior level with organisations and advise them on their QA and testing frameworks and processes.

Usually, we work with FinTechs and challenger banks. We help get them live, hand over to permanent members of staff and then disengage. We liked the cut and thrust of launching a new bank; it’s very exciting. But we decided, instead of leaving behind a good relationship after all that hard work, why don’t we pitch a long-term managed QA & Testing service? To enable to do this we needed to hire our own staff.

Why did you choose Derry as its headquarters?

I live in Reading and have spent most of my working life commuting in and out of London. Pre-pandemic, we always had to be on the client site. But Covid-19 and IR35 [a legal change to off-payroll working rules] created a tectonic shift in ways of working. Applications such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams were also coming of age to enable remote working to become a norm. For ChallengeCurve, this meant we didn’t have to be based in a costly business capital such as London or Dublin.

We considered a few different locations, but we were won over by Derry. We met with Rosalind Young, investment manager at Derry City and Strabane District Council, and chief executive John Kelpie to find out, ‘Has Derry got a talent pool to support our business sustainably, is there business network, what support mechanisms are in place, what’s the WIFI infrastructure, office logistics – can we do this?’ The Council were absolutely brilliant.

The Council organised a mini tour of the city for Chris and Yann Gloaguen (our business advisor) and myself. Over the years I’d always come back to visit with my wife, who’s from Yorkshire, and our children, who liked getting over to spend time with their cousins. But Chris and Yann had never been before. Walking over the Peace Bridge and visiting Ebrington Square, they were both amazed at Derry’s potential.

How did you start building your team?

We are self-financed, we don’t have any venture capital, so it was a bit of a risk. But as a consultancy, people are our business, so we have to invest in them.

We built our own four-week intensive training programme in testing and quality assurance with the North West Regional College, funded nine people through it and supplied them with MacBooks and iPhones to test our client’s online banking application.

The candidates were an eclectic bunch – we had a former barman, a taxi driver, and a costume designer from Game of Thrones. At the end of the course, we decided to make Derry our centre of excellence and employed all of them as consultants. We then successfully pitched our managed service to Nomo, a Kuwait-based banking app in English and Arabic, targeted at high-net-worth individuals. Our team bridges the gap between auditor, the business and IT by providing the evidence that the banking platform is fit for purpose. 

We currently have 19 people in Derry, based in the AMP business incubator in Ebrington Square: 17 consultants, an office manager, and a sales and marketing consultant. 

ChallengeCurve is one of many thriving tech companies in the North West. How helpful has it been to be a part of Derry’s tech hub?

By basing ourselves in Derry, ChallengeCurve can contribute in our small way to help Derry punch above its weight. There’s a culture of networking and collaboration here which we have fostered from day one. Since we moved into the AMP, we’ve given business to a local web design agency, engaged a local law firm, a local head-hunter, and a Derry accountancy firm. We’re doing work for another start-up from the building, who is looking at the traceability of biofuels, and we put money into the local hospitality sector through hotel bookings and social events.

What Ryan Williams, founder of the AMP, has done is brilliant. We need those office spaces, and entrepreneurs and visionaries like him to create the infrastructure and encourage more people to stay in the city or come back and build successful companies here.

What do you do in your spare time?

I was going through my fourth midlife crisis and decided to get into my running big time! I find it very therapeutic, and love running marathons. My children persuaded me to try and get into the Guinness World Records at the London Marathon. I managed to break the world record for fastest male marathon runner dressed as a nun! If I’m doing something, that’s it, I’m going to do it to the best of my ability. I don’t do things half-heartedly. 

I enjoy coming back to Derry regularly. The quality of life in the North West is a big factor; your money goes a lot further, we have great beaches, and I think the stigma of the Troubles is becoming a fading memory for many. I try and catch the occasional Derry City FC game too. 

What advice would you have to others considering moving to – or investing in – Derry?

On a general point – don’t be afraid to ask for help as everyone from the local businesses, community and institutions are keen to see greater investment in the area and they will be very supportive. At a strategic level, I would recommend engaging with the local chamber of commerce and the council.https://www.challengecurve.com

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Businesses Surge ahead with £1m digital programme

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North West firms can now boost their digital capabilities by signing up for a £1million support initiative.

The Digital Surge programme introduces small and medium-sized local businesses to a range of digital tools through workshops, mentoring, masterclasses and network cluster events.

Derry City and Strabane District Council’s head of business, Kevin O’Connor, said the NI-wide programme would complement the range of support initiatives already being offered by the Council.

He added: “The Surge Programme equips businesses with the knowledge to harness the potential of the most innovative digital tools, which have the capacity to catalyse their growth and development.

“I would really encourage local businesses to check out the range of areas being explored, from Big-Data to Machine Learning, and how they can effectively use these exciting new technologies to fast track their way to success.”

Businesses completing the programme will come away with an Innovation Roadmap and Digital Acceleration Plan and will be onward routed to more intensive supports in the ‘digital innovation ecosystem’.

Find out more about the Surge Programme here.

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