NW RegTech ambitions top of the agenda during City of London Visit

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The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Alastair King, was in Derry on 9th December for a series of engagements building on the North West’s strong connection with the City of London.

Alderman King and the visiting delegation were welcomed to the Guildhall by the Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr, who took the opportunity to discuss shared interests in business, the adoption of technology and innovation. The City of London is a global leader in the Financial and Professional Services sector, and the visit was a timely opportunity to highlight the City Deal projects that will bring about growth, investment and prosperity for the region and ongoing collaborative work locally to establish the world’s first multi-sector RegTech Supercluster here in the North West to the City’s international ambassador.

Welcoming the Lord Mayor on his first visit to Derry, Councillor Barr said: “I was delighted to welcome Alderman King to the city, building on the strong ties we already enjoy with the City of London. We discussed the many strategic advantages of living and working here in the North West, in particular the work that is going into developing our RegTech proposition. “We offer a compelling package for global investors, which is why it’s so important to get the message out there through our partners in the US and the City of London, who can assist in tapping into RegTech global market opportunities.”

Speaking after the meeting, Alderman King said: “It was pleasure to meet the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Lilian Seenoi Barr, policymakers and business leaders across Derry today to discuss how we can further grow our already strong relationships, build on the Northern Ireland’s excellent work in the RegTech sector and on bringing out further regulatory reform.

“Northern Ireland is a leader in financial services and we look forward to continuing the conversation on how to grow the financial and professional services sectors across the UK.”

The delegation went on to attend a special RegTech Forum event led by Council, Invest Northern Ireland and Ulster University where the Lord Mayor and London City representatives met with partners from DCSD Council, Donegal County Council, Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Ulster University, and Catalyst, and over 100 industry leaders, regulators, academics, and innovators. 

The Forum was chaired by Invest N. Ireland Chair John Healy, and during the event Council’s Investment Manager Rosalind Young, launched a special Innovation Challenge in partnership with the City of London Corporation. The initiative encourages local companies to generate creative solutions for regulatory challenges which could contribute to shaping the future of RegTech.

Speaking afterwards Ms Young said: “We are inviting innovators to showcase their ideas and help address critical ESG and AI issues with support from global experts. It’s an exciting opportunity to foster collaboration between cutting technology companies to address the challenges faced by the financial services sector and contribute to developing new technologies and identifying solutions that could assist businesses by addressing real-world regulatory challenges.”

To find out more about the RegTech Supercluster and how local companies can get involved, go to https://www.regtechsupercluster.co

RegTechForum Members with Lord Mayor of the City of London
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Economy Minister Conor Murphy announces £55m investment in the Future Medicines Institute

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Economy Minister Conor Murphy has launched the Future Medicines Institute (FMI), a £55million industry-led collaborative initiative aimed at advancing the North’s Precision Medicine sector. 

Backed by a consortium of leading companies in Precision Medicine and supported by leading academics from Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University, FMI will drive innovation and productivity in Precision Medicine, building on Northern Ireland’s strong reputation in diagnostics and therapeutics.

Minister Murphy said: “This £55 million investment in the Future Medicines Institute is a landmark step for Precision Medicine in the North which will strengthen our Life and Health Sciences sector and reinforce the region’s role in global healthcare innovation.

Pictured (L-R) are Conor Murphy, Minisiter for the Economy; Wendy Moore, Director of Data Analytics, Diaceutics PLC; Professor Sir Ian Greer, Vice Chancellor, Queen’s University Belfast.
This £55 million investment in the Future Medicines Institute is a landmark step for Precision Medicine in the North which will strengthen our Life and Health Sciences sector and reinforce the region’s role in global healthcare innovation
Conor Murphy
Minister for the Economy

“FMI will foster collaboration across industry, academia, and healthcare to accelerate the development of new drugs and diagnostics, driving growth in our economy. It will provide a vital pathway to speed up patient access to personalised treatments, streamline drug development processes, and bring innovative solutions to market at pace.” 

The industry consortium has been offered £35m from the Northern Ireland Executive towards FMI, with the consortium members contributing an additional £20m. This will fund a wide range of collaborative R&D activities between the companies and universities. It will also create a shared lab within Queen’s University Belfast, where industry and academics can come together to collaborate and access leading edge technologies.

Professor Ian Greer, Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, said: “Queen’s is proud to be hosting this initiative, working in partnership with industry experts and Ulster University to advance novel therapeutics and diagnostics. The FMI will stimulate the creation of a cluster for innovation, talent development, and global partnerships within Northern Ireland’s Life and Health Sciences sector.” 

The industry consortium is made up of Diaceutics PLC, Fusion Antibodies PLC, Randox Laboratories Ltd, Almac Group, Sonrai Analytics, Exploristics and ProAxsis. Ryan Keeling, CEO of Diaceutics PLC said: “The Future Medicines Institute represents a pivotal step forward for Precision Medicine. At Diaceutics, this collaboration provides an opportunity to harness data-driven insights and cutting-edge technology to improve outcomes across the healthcare sector. By joining forces with other local companies through FMI, we’re reinforcing Northern Ireland’s role as a leader in Precision Medicine.”

The FMI will also focus on skills development, leveraging the local universities and colleges to address talent gaps in the sector, foster spinouts, and drive job creation, supporting the broader Northern Ireland economy.

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) will manage the delivery of the projects within FMI. Dame Jessica Corner, UKRI SRO for Place and Chair of SIPF, said “We are delighted to welcome the Future Medicines Institute to the Strength in Places Fund programme. Funding from the Northen Ireland Executive for the Institute has enabled a very strong project from the initial competition to join the other UKRI Strength in Places Projects and demonstrates how highly the programme is regarded. 

“We look forward to supporting the Future Medicines Institute to benefit very quickly from all the experiences and insights we have gained from the programme and all the other projects to deliver real benefits for the Northern Ireland economy and widely for society.”  

By joining forces with other local companies through FMI, we’re reinforcing Northern Ireland’s role as a leader in Precision Medicine. Ryan Keeling, CEO, Diaceutics PLC
Ryan Keeling
Ryan Keeling, CEO, Diaceutics PLC
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Over 50 North West businesses benefit from Invest NI Lunch & Learn events

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More than 50 businesses from the North West have taken vital steps to grow their business by participating in Invest Northern Ireland’s Lunch & Learn workshop series held recently in Derry. 

The Lunch & Learn workshops offer businesses guidance on a range of topics, from Research & Development (R&D) and innovation, to market research, intellectual property, access to finance and embracing digital transformation.

Pictured (L-R) are: Christian Kotey, CEO, Nupitch Productions; Carolann Doherty, Business Officer, Derry City Strabane District Council; Mark Johnston, Director, Johnston Financial Solutions; Des Gartland, North Western Regional Manager, Invest NI.
Today’s workshop offered invaluable insights into the funding options available for businesses like ours aiming to scale and grow.
Christian Kotey, NuPitch Productions
Director

Highlighting the value of Lunch & Learn workshops to the local economy, Des Gartland, Invest NI’s North Western Regional Manager, said: “Our Lunch & Learn series is a fantastic platform for businesses in the North West to connect, gain valuable insights from industry experts, and explore fresh opportunities for growth.  

“We have offered businesses five workshops over the last three months covering a diverse range of business critical topics, with sessions designed to empower businesses to strengthen their competitive edge, boost efficiency, and unlock new pathways to success. Invest NI is dedicated to supporting the ambitions of businesses in this region and I strongly encourage local companies to take full advantage of the support we offer.” 

Christian Kotey, Director of Derry based multi award winning production company NuPitch Productions, participated in the latest workshop in the series which focused on Access to Finance. Hosted at Invest NI’s North West regional office at Timber Quay, the event provided an overview of Invest NI funding solutions and highlighted how accessing funding can propel businesses to the next level.

Our Lunch & Learn series is a fantastic platform for businesses in the North West to connect, gain valuable insights from industry experts, and explore fresh opportunities for growth. Des Gartland, North Western Regional Manager, Invest NI
Des Gartland
North Western Regional Manager, Invest NI

Christian said: “As a small business, securing funding is vital for turning our ambitions into reality and helping us drive innovation. Thanks to previous funding from TechStart supported by Invest NI’s Proof of Concept grant, we successfully tested and developed our AI driven presentation software for filmmakers, and secured strategic partnerships to further enhance our platform.

“Today’s workshop offered invaluable insights into the funding options available for businesses like ours aiming to scale and grow, and was also an excellent opportunity to connect with other local businesses. I would highly recommend these workshops to any business seeking to strengthen their operations and position themselves for future growth.”

To register for the Lunch & Learn workshop series visit investni.com. Lunch & Learn is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

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AVEVA to expand its operations as it invests £1.4million in Derry/Londonderry site

Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced that AVEVA, a global leader in industrial software, is investing £1.4 million to establish a Research and Development (R&D) centre in Derry which will double its workforce.

Pictured (L-R) are Brendan McGuigan, Director of Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Invest NI; Conor Murphy, Minister for the Economy; Caoimhe Keogan, Chief People Officer, AVEVA.
Pictured (L-R) are Brendan McGuigan, Director of Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Invest NI; Conor Murphy, Minister for the Economy; Caoimhe Keogan, Chief People Officer, AVEVA. 

Headquartered in Cambridge, AVEVA first established a presence in Derry in 2015. AVEVA is a global leader in industrial software. The company’s secure industrial cloud platform and applications enable businesses to harness the power of their information and improve collaboration with customers, suppliers, and partners.

This strategic expansion by AVEVA is a strong testament of its confidence in the North West’s skilled workforce.  

Conor Murphy, Minister for the Economy

During a visit to AVEVA’s premises at the Innovation Centre, Derry, Economy Minister Conor Murphy welcomed the significant investment: “This strategic expansion by AVEVA is a strong testament of its confidence in the North West’s skilled workforce. Supporting R&D is a key priority for me as we work to enhance productivity across the north. This investment and the creation of 23 new jobs is a significant boost for the local economy and aligns perfectly with my regional economic action plan, which aims to promote balanced economic growth across the north.

“AVEVA’s long-term investment in Derry reinforces the region’s potential as a leading technology and innovation hub and I am confident this investment will deliver lasting benefits for both the local economy and the north’s position in the global tech landscape.”

The expansion will focus on the development of products to support AVEVA’s global growth, including the growth of its flagship Asset Information Management (AIM) solution. This software plays a key role in managing vast data sources for AVEVA’s customers, and the new site will also allow the company to scale its cloud-based solutions to meet growing demand.

By combining our local talent pool with Invest NI support, AVEVA has chosen Derry as the strategic location for its second UK R&D hub, securing a bright future for the company’s operations here.

Brendan McGuigan, Director of Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Invest NI

Iju Raj, Executive Vice President, R&D, AVEVA added: “Innovation and investment in technology are central to AVEVA’s strategy. We have multiple R&D locations throughout the globe and have chosen to expand within Northern Ireland due to its strong talent pool, associated links to local universities and successful placement and graduate schemes.

“Our decision to expand in Derry is a testament to the wealth of talent available in the North West and the support, advice and guidance we’ve received from Invest NI. This R&D centre will be crucial for developing products that keep us at the forefront of technological advancements, enabling us to maintain our competitive edge in the global market.”

Brendan McGuigan, Director of Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering at Invest NI welcomed the announcement: “This project is an exciting addition to Northern Ireland’s thriving software sector. By combining our local talent pool with Invest NI support, AVEVA has chosen Derry as the strategic location for its second UK R&D hub, securing a bright future for the company’s operations here.” 

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Vertiv invests in manufacturing facility in Northern Ireland to support growing demand driven by AI and digitalisation trends

Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, today announced that it is making a significant investment in a manufacturing facility in Campsie, Derry / Londonderry, creating approximately 200 skilled jobs and contributing to the Northern Ireland economy.

Supported by Invest Northern Ireland, Vertiv’s investment will further strengthen Northern Ireland’s highly developed and advanced manufacturing and engineering sector.  

Speaking about the investment, Karsten Winther, president of Europe, Middle East and Africa at Vertiv, said: “We are delighted to be making this investment which will support our EMEA and global business growth and help us to meet strong market demand for our infrastructure solutions, mainly driven by digitalisation and AI adoption. Vertiv’s focus is on solving the most important challenges facing today’s data centres, communication networks and commercial and industrial facilities with a portfolio of power, cooling and IT infrastructure solutions. This new investment will support our goal.” 

Philip O’Doherty, Managing Director for the E+I business at Vertiv, added: “Derry was not the only location we considered for this facility, but it came out on top when we realised the quality of the local workforce, the cost-competitive business environment and the ease with which we can establish links and work with colleges and universities to support our research and development plans. The support from Invest NI was also crucial to our decision to choose Northern Ireland.”  

The Department for the Economy’s Assured Skills Academies will assist in filling 72 of the jobs by providing training across skills areas in Electrical and Mechanical Installation.

Mike Brennan, Permanent Secretary at the Department for the Economy, welcomed the investment by Vertiv, saying: “This announcement of new jobs by Vertiv is excellent news for the North West, endorsing Northern Ireland’s place in the Advanced Manufacturing sector and further developing our sub-regional economy. 

“Assured Skills Academies have a track record of equipping participants with the skills employers need to flourish and grow. Furthermore, participants on these Assured Skills Academies who complete the training are guaranteed a job interview for a role with Vertiv and will be strongly positioned for success.”  

Welcoming the investment, Mel Chittock, Interim CEO of Invest NI, said: “September’s Investment Summit showcased Northern Ireland’s innovation and technological strengths across a number of sectors. Today’s announcement by Vertiv demonstrates the attraction of Northern Ireland for international companies that are seeking an optimal location for growth.  

“Invest NI is working to realise the Department for the Economy’s 10x Vision of creating a productive, innovation-based, export-driven economy in Northern Ireland whilst also achieving a fairer distribution of opportunities for all our people through regional balance. This investment in the advanced manufacturing sector in the North West, which is one of our priority clusters, takes us a step closer to achieving this.”  

Vertiv is actively recruiting for vacancies in engineering and other roles. The company has a robust diversity and inclusion strategy and is welcoming and encouraging women to apply for positions, with the goal of attracting more women into STEM careers at Vertiv. It will also use this opportunity to build on its already successful apprenticeship programme to attract graduates and apprentices into full-time skilled roles. 

This announcement is the latest development in Vertiv’s global manufacturing footprint. The company operates in more than 130 countries, providing an extensive portfolio of power, cooling, and IT infrastructure solutions and services that extend from the cloud to the edge of the network.  

For more information about Vertiv and recruitment in Derry / Londonderry visit Vertiv.com

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AquaQ continues Derry expansion plans

Software development company AquaQ Analytics has praised the North West’s “great pool of talent” as it progresses with plans to open a new Derry office.The Belfast-based specialist software, consulting and data services, which employs more than 250 people globally, is recruiting around 40 roles for the new location.AquaQ’s Chief Technology Officer, Jonny Press, said the Derry branch would give staff a flexible mix of home and office working.“Covid has torn up the rule book a bit for businesses.

It’s shown that staff don’t have to be in the office five days a week, and you don’t have to set up in those huge capital cities to attract great people and clients,” he said.“We’ve already got a number of staff from the North West, we know that their tech scene is thriving, and there’s a great pool of talent up there to tap into.“

It opens us up a bit more to those people who want to stay close to family and keep that work-life balance, people in the border counties too, and existing employees who don’t want to have to travel to Belfast.”Founded in 2011, AquaQ Analytics is one of Northern Ireland’s fastest growing companies. It provides specialist consulting, software and data services, cloud solutions and more, to clients working in sectors including capital markets and Tier One investment banks. In November, AquaQ held an insight event in Derry’s City Hotel to help potential employees and new graduates find out more about the business and speak with staff.

To find out more about vacancies at AquaQ Analytics, visit https://www.aquaq.co.uk/careers. 

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Spotlight interview – Alastair Cameron

Alastair Cameron is the Derry-based co-founder of @iamstartacus, a company which informs, inspires and connects startups and entrepreneurs. He is also Head of Startup Programmes at Digital DNA HQ, and he and the Startacus team recently organised BIG IDEAS, an in-person and live-streamed business event as part of Derry and Strabane Enterprise Week 2022.

Originally from Suffolk, Alastair moved to the North West in 2004 and worked in recruitment before redundancy led to a change of career path. A champion of the startup community, he was previously named as one of the UK’s game-changing entrepreneurs in the Sunday Times Maserati 100 list.

How did Startacus come about?

Startacus aims to make startup life easier, better and more connected. We do that by reporting on the startup news that matters, by partnering with brands and organisations that also care about startups, and by organising, arranging and hosting events, startup programmes, pitch competitions, and networking socials that bring all those good people together.

The Startacus concept was actually born out of redundancy. I had been working for Reed Recruitment in London and as they were expanding rapidly and my wife is from Derry, I put together a business plan for them to open a service office in the city. They agreed and I moved to Derry in 2004, eventually opening a city-centre office and growing a team of 5 staff. However, the economic recession of 2007-8 and a company restructure led to us unfortunately being made redundant.

In the final week of work, myself and Leigh, my Reed colleague and Startacus co-founder, got out a whiteboard and started brainstorming. There was some trial and error along the way, but we eventually came up with the concept of Startacus. Now, looking back, redundancy was actually a blessing if I’m honest.

How has Startacus evolved over the years?

As we’ve grown in the startup space, we’ve created more and more ‘offline’, physical events – from mini-conferences to pitch competitions. In the past few months, we’ve been working on a number of different projects – Enterprise Week, Exporting Founders, a programme helping early-stage founders understand more about cross-border and international sales and growth, and an exciting STEM project with the NI Science Festival. We’re also collaborating with Derry’s Revolve Comics to teach school children about local tech champions through the visual medium of comics.

There are typically no charges or fees for startups to work with us and that, I think, is where our true value lies.

We’re really interested in supporting entrepreneurs, linking them to people, joining the dots. The thing that’s often most challenging for business founders is knowing what support is actually available to them, finding the time to do something about it and building the right network. That’s where we can help and by partnering with brands and organisations that can enable us to help support founders on their journey.

Tell us about your involvement in Enterprise Week; what do you think it achieves?

As a city which is relatively small in terms of size, I think we have the potential and inherent desire to show real ambition. I think that’s what we deliver well at Enterprise Week. It allows people to think really bravely about what they would really like to do, to listen, learn, be creative and come up with good ideas for businesses.

How has Covid impacted the startup space?

There aren’t many positive things about Covid of course. However, just as remote working has opened up opportunities to work from home, and work across different time zones, the same applies to startups. Even though we did occasionally use Zoom etc before all this, there was definitely more of an obligation to be in certain places and meet people in-person much more. Now, you don’t have to get on a plane or a bus, you don’t have to travel to Belfast or Dublin –  there are fewer barriers.  So, I think in that sense, it’s given equality to people and for that reason the entrepreneurial scene should become more diverse.

In-person meetings are still hugely important though. To win business, you need to have that trust with someone, and I think that a face-to-face meeting helps to build that trust.  I just think that 80% of the stuff you have to perhaps do before that – the Skypes, the Zooms, the calls, the Google Hangouts – all that can happen online.

What’s the best thing about living in Derry?

Once people visit Derry, they generally always want to come back – which tells you a lot about a place really. Ultimately, I think the people make this place. As a whole, the people here are so welcoming, outward-looking and inherently caring. I think there’s still an opportunity to be further ahead in terms of equality and inclusion, sustainability and environment and become a leader in those things. You don’t need to be a big city to be leaders in change. I think that’s where Derry has a unique opportunity because of the passion of the people here and the history they’ve been through.

And of course there’s the quality of life. I love the beaches – I wish I could say I’m a surfer, but I’m not! As a family, myself and my wife and three kids love being out and about. I think that’s one of the things lockdown has taught us: how much we should value where we live.

https://startacus.net

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New businesses invited to RE:IMAGINE their future through Pop Up scheme

An exciting new opportunity for local entrepreneurs goes live today, with the launch of the RE:IMAGINE Pop Up Shop initiative, which will be delivered by The Fashion & Textile Design Centre (FTDC) in Derry and BID in Strabane. The initiative is part of the new Start Up Accelerator Programme being delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council, Enterprise NW and Strabane Enterprise Agency, who have secured £240,000 to assist individuals who have participated in the Go For It Programme, to take their business ideas further and develop their business skills. The programme is funded by the UK Government through the Community Renewal Fund, which aims to support people and communities by investing in skills, local business and supporting people into employment. Applications are now open, and local entrepreneurs will be in with the chance of pitching their products to secure one of six places to trade their merchandise in two top retail locations in Derry’s Foylside and the Pagoda, Strabane. The Pop Up Shops will run until June, with five spots available in Derry and one in Strabane. The wider package of support also includes bespoke mentoring, promotional marketing campaigns and technical assistance. 

  Speaking ahead of the launch, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Graham Warke, welcomed the support for local businesses. “This is a fantastic opportunity and one that will appeal to many of our budding local entrepreneurs. It has been a period of unprecedented challenge for commercial businesses, and the package of practical support on offer through the Pop Up Shop Initiative will make a huge difference to any new enterprise trying to get off the ground.”There is a wealth of entrepreneurial talent here in Derry and Strabane and this is a great incentive to showcase some of the creative new product lines that are being developed locally.” Deirdre Williams, Business and Development Manager from the Inner City Trust’s Fashion and Textile Design Centre, will be bringing her creative expertise to the scheme, and said it would enhance the commercial potential of local brands. “There is a strong creative community here in Derry and this initiative will open up opportunities for designers and creatives to tap into new networks and establish a strong customer base. It’s also a great opportunity to utilise our city centre retail space, opening it up to local entrepreneurs and rejuvenating our high streets, putting our local businesses front and centre.”I’m looking forward to working with these new businesses to help them make the most of the commercial opportunities on offer through the new Pop Up shops, and bringing their brand and ideas to new audiences.” In Strabane the initiative will be led by the BID, and Chair, Kieran Kennedy, said today that he looked forward to working with the successful candidates. “We are proud of the progressive business network here in Strabane and the successful candidate in this initiative will have the opportunity to become part of this network at an early stage in their business journey.”We appreciate the many challenges faced by fledgling entrepreneurs but the expertise will be on offer through mentoring and one to one support to help progress their plans and become established as a successful and recognised brand. It’s a fantastic opportunity, and it will be great to welcome a new business to Strabane town centre.” 

The scheme is open to anyone who is self-employed, working in fashion, textile, homeware and lifestyle and operating within the Council area. Applications must be submitted by Thursday January 6th and participants must be available to pitch on Thursday February 3rd 2022, with the shops launching at the beginning of March. Applicants must also have completed the ‘Go For It Programme’ with Strabane Enterprise Agency or Enterprise NW within the last six months, or be willing to go through the Go For It Programme.To find out more about how you can apply for the RE:IMAGINE Pop Up Shop Initiative, and more about the Start Up Acceleration Programme go to https://www.derrystrabane.com/Business/Business-Support/RE-IMAGINE-Pop-Up-Shop-Opportunity

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Derry’s Favourite Circus Festival Is Back! Carnival Of Colours Hits The City For 2021

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In Your Space Circus (IYSC) is bringing its flagship Circus, Arts and Music Festival, Carnival of Colours to the City Centre for the 14th edition of one of Derry’s favourite headline events. Carnival of Colours, which usually takes place in St Columb’s Park, has up-rooted and relocated to Derry’s stunning City Centre. Taking place on the 4th and 5th September, the programme for the weekend will be jam-packed with circus-themed treats featuring the very best of International Street Theatre, IYSC’s own walkabout characters, workshops in circus and roller-skating, graffiti arts demos, portrait painting, music right across the city and much, much more! The headline shows will include acrobatics, juggling, diabolo, clowning, comedy, physical theatre and some crazy dance moves thrown in for good measure! Acts will include Mimbre (all-female acrobatic troupe), Nakupelle (world renowned clown), Jitterbug Jackson (Master of all things circus) and Tumble Circus (acrobats who achieve near impossible feats of gravity!).

Carnival of Colours, 4th – 5th September, Derry/Londonderry City Centre

Incredible local artists will also be showcasing their talents and bringing a weekend of pure joy to the people of the North-West and visitors to the City! Tying in with the Cathedral Quarter Weekend event, we will be breathing life into the Cathedral Quarter area of the City with a stage located at Society Street Carpark, and walkabout characters entertaining those who will be roaming the traffic-free streets around St Columb’s Cathedral.

Lots of other activity will be taking place in the area including ‘Sounds of the City’ a music and performance trail featuring the best of the best local musicians, programmed by Music Capital. Carny Corner, in the Garden of Reflection, will immerse you in the world of circus with IYSC Youth Circus shows, circus skills workshops, portrait painting and screen printing at the Derry Print Workshop.

The Festival attracts people of all ages from right across the Derry-Londonderry area and visitors to the city; it brings people together from all walks of life for a shared cultural experience. It also highlights Derry City as an exciting, beautiful and progressive destination for events and arts activity.  Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Graham Warke, said: “We are delighted to be working with In Your Space Circus on delivering the fantastic Carnival of Colours.”The Carnival puts smiles on lots of faces and adds such a fun, upbeat atmosphere to our city centre as we slowly return back to normal life. “There are loads of elements to the Carnival of Colours so there will be plenty of entertainment for both kids and adults alike. I would really encourage everyone to visit the city centre, check it out and support our local businesses in the process! “In 2021 the Festival is supported by Tourism NI, Derry City and Strabane District Council, and The Arts Council of Northern Ireland. A number of local cafes and restaurants are also supporting the event by feeding and watering our artists and volunteers!  

Noirin McKinney, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, added, “It’s truly heart-warming to see the Carnival of Colours back for 2021, spreading amazement and joy across the city.  Once again the IYSC team have curated a fabulously fun programme with something to suit all tastes, from the very young, to the very young at heart!  I would encourage everyone to get outdoors this September and enjoy everything that this terrific celebration of circus has to offer.” IYSC is particularly proud to be bringing the Festival back to the city after an extremely challenging 18-months for the arts and events industry. The organisation and local artists, who rely on the Company for income, have suffered great losses due to the pandemic. All activity will be delivered in line with Covid guidelines and every precaution will be taken to keep audiences and participants safe.

Carnival of Colours is a showcase and celebration of In Your Space Circus’s year-round work including the Circus School and its street theatre and performance work delivered across Northern Ireland. Cath McBride, IYSC’s Company Director said: “We are thrilled to be back and at it this year. We have so greatly appreciated the support of our funders and the general public in helping us to recover and bring this unique event back to its audience. We aim to ensure that the 2021 Carnival of Colours is a celebration of the city, of our artists and participants, of circus, and of our wonderful audiences. We are confident that there is something in the programme for everyone and that it will give families a fabulous opportunity to spend some quality time together!”   

For the full Carnival of Colours programme visit: www.inyourspaceni.org/carnivalFor more information on events happening on 4th & 5th September, visit summernorthwest.com

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Version 1 teams up with Aware NI to support Work Life Balanced ethos

Version 1, the global IT services company currently recruiting remote working staff in the North West, has teamed up with mental health charity Aware NI to help ensure that its employees are fully supported during COVID-19.     Invest Derry Strabane – which recently launched the Work Life Balanced campaign in association with Version 1, aimed at promoting the North West as a premium remote working destination – has welcomed the company’s initiatives which also include supporting the local community where their staff are based.  

Version 1 took the decision to support a mental health charity when the consequences of the pandemic became overwhelmingly apparent during the last 18 months. People were forced to adapt to significant lifestyle changes, such as working from home and limiting social interactions. This in turn led to an increase in people experiencing isolation, anxiety, stress, and grief at losing loved ones.   Additionally, the tech firm’s commitment to supporting the local community is a critical element of its core values. Community First is Version 1’s main Corporate Social Responsibility initiative and is driven locally by the employees. The aim of this scheme is to improve employment opportunities in communities by supporting awareness, education, and access by leveraging technology and skills.  

Community First is locally driven, enabling each Version 1 office to support causes they care about in their particular area. Some of the Community First initiatives include mentoring, helping local schools, grinds, tackling youth homelessness and community engagement.   Version 1 has also been officially recognised as a Healthy Place to Work. This was achieved by engaging employees in the completion of a robust survey covering four pillars – purpose, mental resilience, connection and physical health – which gathered insight into their experience of work. From the results, the company was able to put together a plan identifying paths to improvement, which subsequently led to the prestigious certification.   Lorna McAdoo, Director of Operations and Business Development NI at Version 1, said: “Our support for Aware NI stemmed from a wish to highlight the mental toll that the pandemic has been inflicting on so many people. The charity helps people realise that it is okay not to be okay, and this service has proved to be invaluable. We have also benefitted from online sessions held by Aware NI to help us all with various tools to use during this time to reinforce resilience and ensure we have been adapting well to the working from home model.   “We are also extremely proud of the visible efforts the company has made to reach out to local communities, and our Community First activities have enabled many people to access education and skills that drive employment opportunities.   “In addition, Version 1’s recognition as a Healthy Place to Work in Northern Ireland was a significant milestone for our company.

Being spread across five countries presents its own set of challenges and it has been absolutely critical to ensure our employees are happy and healthy. We have been able to benchmark our progress through the data provided during the process and are now updating and creating initiatives and strategies across our operations to ensure our workforce is the healthiest it can be.”   Rosalind Young, Investment Manager at Derry City and Strabane District Council, said: “Version 1’s approach to dealing with the impact of COVID-19 is exemplary. The company’s commitment to providing mental help and support is evident through their partnership with Aware NI, and their track record of maintaining a community-focused approach is also welcomed as they expand their workforce in the North West.   “I would also like to congratulate Version 1 on their official recognition as a Healthy Place to Work. With the company bringing many highly skilled new jobs to the Derry City and Strabane District Council area, we are delighted that their staff will benefit from our Work Life Balanced campaign.”  

For more information on the Version 1 roles available in the North West and to apply, visit the Invest DS jobs portal at www.investderrystrabane.com/worklife

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