Latest news with #InvestNI
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Media firm with base in Belfast to slash more than fifth of its global workforce
The announcement of the job cuts was made by Barbara Peng, chief of Business Insider's parent company. She added: 'We're also proposing changes that impact our UK team, but the process is a bit different there; separate communication will follow. 'We are reducing the size of our organisation, a move that will impact about 21% of our colleagues and touch every department. 'This will be a difficult day, and our first priority is to provide clarity and support to those colleagues whose roles are being eliminated.' Ms Peng said only those employees impacted would receive an email that included details for a meeting with the 'people and culture team', who would talk them through next steps and answer any questions. She added that the media industry 'is at a crossroads'. She said: 'Business models are under pressure, distribution is unstable, and competition for attention is fiercer than ever. 'At the same time, there's a huge opportunity for companies who harness AI first. 'Our strategy is strong, but we don't have the luxury of time. 'The pace of change combined with the opportunity ahead demands bold, focused action — and it's our chance to lead the pack.' Gordon Lyons visited Insider Inc's New York headquarters in 2022 in his role as Economy Minister to announce the new Belfast base. At the time it employed more than 1,000 people, with 10 global editions in six languages. He said then: 'Insider is expanding its engineering resource and is now establishing a technology and product hub in Northern Ireland, with plans to initially recruit 50 roles by the end of June 2024. 'The roles will include data engineering, project management and IT support. 'This was a highly mobile project with a number of locations in the running. 'As part of Invest NI's engagement with the company to help win this project, I first met the senior team in March. 'I am delighted to be back with the team to make this announcement. 'Invest NI has done a great job helping to secure this project, the new jobs and over £2m investment in our local economy through annual salaries.' Henry Blodget, co-founder of Insider Inc, added: 'Our team there will be focused on improving our data products, subscription services, content syndication and testing automation processes — all of which are so important to our business.'
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Space industry company announces expansion in Newry
Resonate Testing said it had scaled up its operations and applied for planning permission for a new facility on its site. It has also installed a testing system known as a thermal vacuum chamber (TVAC) used to simulate the harsh conditions of space. It has also added a 'shaker table' for electrical vehicle and space sector clients requiring large battery testing capabilities. Tom Mallon, managing director of Resonate Testing, said: 'The addition of TVAC significantly enhances our profile within the UK and Irish space sectors,' he said. "However, it's clear that further infrastructure is needed to support the long-term growth of this industry. "Our hope is that plans recently submitted for a new, purpose-built facility on our existing site, designed specifically to meet the future testing demands of the space sector, will ultimately serve as a centre of excellence not just for Resonate Testing, but for all of our colleagues operating in this industry.' The facility would serve clients across the UK, Ireland and wider EU. And Mr Mallon said the company had received support from the industry, and economic development agency Invest NI. He added: 'The positive response from the space sector has been overwhelming, and we're especially thankful for the continued support from our returning customers. "Their trust has enabled us to invest in new equipment, facilities, and skilled personnel. "We also must pay homage to Invest NI which has been steadfast in its support for us and our peers over the last number of years.' Resonate Testing is taking part in the ISAM conference on Wednesday and Thursday June 4 to 5 at the ICC in Belfast.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
ANGOKA chair says cyber security technology could create 'hundreds of jobs'
A Belfast-based cyber security firm is investing almost £2m in software to help prevent the advanced manufacturing sector from cyber which was set up in 2019 has developed the technology which could be used on the likes of drones, trucks and automated buses as well as manufacturing is being developed in partnership with the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), one of the Belfast City Deal projects, with financial support from Invest jobs will be created in the next 18 months, but chairman Steve Berry said it could create hundreds of jobs in the years to come. "This is a world leading project and the biggest in the UK in advanced manufacturing and as a result we have organisations like Thales, Rolls Royce, Airbus that are also advising us," he Berry said that the manufacturing sector in the UK alone totals tens of billions of pounds."If we could become an important contributor to make those systems safer, there's going to be a lot of export opportunities, who knows where this could go?" he added. 'Important' investment Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said this announcement will boost said: "We have a persistent challenge in terms of productivity levels compared to both the south of Ireland and Britain. "The reason that is important is productivity is linked to prosperity and people's incomes and the greater productivity we can drive in our economy, the better that is for ordinary people and that's why investments like this are really important."Archibald said Northern Ireland is known for its cyber security expertise around the world."We are a global leader and this announcement shines a spotlight on that and further enhances the offering that we do have here," she added.
Belfast Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
New NI-built pharmacy app can save NHS £1.7bn, claim founders
Neil Sharpe and Stephen Toland have launched ConsultTed following a six-figure investment and said it gives community pharmacies the ability to manage minor illnesses like sore throats, coughs and stomach bugs "directly and safely'. The app encourages patients to use pharmacies as a first port of call, therefore easing pressures on GPs and hospitals. It's already used in some pharmacies here, with a full roll-out planned across the island of Ireland by August. The co-founders said the platform could boost the UK economy by £350m a year by cutting workplace absences and providing pharmacies with up to £30,000 in annual added income but without increasing their workload. Mr Toland said: 'Community pharmacies have untapped potential to ease pressure on our healthcare system. 'With ConsultTed, we're giving them the digital tools to deliver safe, same-day treatment for minor illnesses without the need to see a GP.' The pair said that over 30 million GP and hospital appointments in the UK last year 'could have been handled by pharmacies without a prescription'. ConsulTed is in beta testing and launching pilot sites across the Republic in the coming weeks, while it's been showcased in London, Dublin and New York. The co-founders are part of the AMP Growth Incubator at Derry's Ebrington complex, and have secured a place on Invest NI's Founder Labs Programme. Mr Sharpe, who works in a pharmacist in Donaghcloney in Co Down, said: 'Our goal is to make ConsultTed the go-to minor illness platform across the UK and Ireland. 'We're actively seeking partnerships with healthcare providers, policymakers and pharmacy groups to help make pharmacy-first care the new normal.' Mr Toland, a pharmacist in Derry, was named Pharmacist of the Year at the Pharmacy in Focus NI Awards in March.
Belfast Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
NI software company agrees deal with European firm worth more than £1m
Allsop has announced the deal to 'integrate a dynamic pricing module' in order to ensure competitive pricing. The tech firm describes it's work as using artificial intelligence (AI) 'to improve efficiencies and productivity, digitally reducing business administration all leading to improved sales revenue'. Director Ian Topping said: 'Our goal is to empower our clients through intelligent technology that doesn't just streamline operations — it transforms them. 'By applying cutting-edge solutions, we give our customers the tools they need to lead their markets with confidence. Invest NI supports our innovative drive leading to new sales in Great Britian and Europe via the commercialisation of our AI platform. 'We work closely with each client to understand their unique challenges, then apply intelligent, cutting-edge technology to deliver solutions that offer measurable market advantage. 'It's about building smarter, more agile businesses. In this case we are providing a solution to integrate a dynamic pricing module into the distributor's operations which will help them ensure its prices are competitive and respond efficiently to customer enquiries.' Founded in 1996 by Trevor Allsop, the company provides software services to clients in the food, manufacturing and IT sectors. The latest deal was supported by Invest NI which provided a research and development grant and facilitated recruitment through its Graduate To Export Programme. Dr Vicky Kell, director of innovation, research and development at Invest NI, said 'Investing in R&D helps companies to succeed by driving innovation, increasing productivity and developing cutting-edge technologies that open up new markets and customers. 'At Invest NI we are supporting businesses right across Northern Ireland to do this. Allsop is an excellent example of this in action. 'Through our R&D support Allsop has been able to develop its innovative AI mobile platform that works across sectors; allowing the company to expand its customer base outside of Northern Ireland. Congratulations to the entire team on this success and their global reach.' Meanwhile Elaine Curran, director of trade and investment at Invest NI said: 'Allsop has built upon its success to date in the European market with this new contract.' News Catch Up - Thursday 22 May 'This is a significant achievement for Allsop and demonstrates the quality of its software and commitment to exceptional customer service. 'Supporting more companies to sell their products and services outside of Northern Ireland is a strategic priority for Invest NI and we would encourage any business with an interest in expanding to new markets to seek out our help.'
