The delivery of an effective partnership approach across the economy, co-designed by government, local councils, Invest NI, and the Local Enterprise Agency network, is the key to getting enterprise support right in Northern Ireland and unlocking the potential of the local economy, Michael McQuillan, Chief Executive of Enterprise Northern Ireland, has told an audience of MLAs, senior executives from the Department for the Economy, councils, Invest NI, Enterprise NI, and the wider economic development ecosystem.
Speaking at a business breakfast hosted by Enterprise NI, which featured speakers from the Department for the Economy, Solace, Invest NI, and local entrepreneurs who talked about how their journeys have been aided through engagement with various supports, McQuillan stressed: “We need, collaboratively, to get enterprise support right, if we are going to deliver the local economic growth Northern Ireland needs.’’ He echoed the Minister for the Economy, Conor Murphy, who has indicated the need for the business community to work in partnership to create more good jobs, increase productivity, promote regional balance and reduce carbon emissions.
With the breakfast also serving as the launch of Enterprise NI’s sixth annual NI Enterprise Barometer, McQuillan also took the opportunity to encourage business owners to engage with the Barometer at it serves to be one of the strongest sources of evidence and data on Northern Ireland’s start-up, micro, and small business population.
McQuillan stressed the critical importance of taking the present opportunity for key stakeholders to work together to build and deliver an improved service for start-ups and local micro and small businesses. He stated the importance of engagement with the Barometer as a deep source of data that helps government and key support stakeholders adjust policy can help shape exactly the supports and interventions that startups and local businesses need.
Paul Grocott, Deputy Secretary at the Department for the Economy, addressed the Business Breakfast audience outlining the importance of cross-organisational partnership to ensure the Minister’s four economic development priorities are delivered. He also emphasised the value of the Enterprise Barometer and encouraged key stakeholders to ensure there is strong survey participation this year.
At the event, hosted by broadcaster Jo Scott, attendees also heard from Alan McKeown, Executive Director of Regional Business for Invest NI; Jonathan McAlpin, Chief Executive of East Belfast Enterprise and Chair of Enterprise NI; Marie Ward, Chair of Solace and Chief Executive of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council; Adam Murphy, co-founder and CEO of Shnuggle Clever Baby Products; Sarah-Jane Murray, founder of Vocus Vit; and Nicole O’Connor, co-founder and EdTech Lead for Learning Me.
Michael McQuillan, Chief Executive, Enterprise NI, said:
“There is an entrepreneurial spark that has returned to Northern Ireland in recent times. We have seen that through record numbers in both our Start Up Loans and our NI Small Business Loan Fund in the last financial alongside a strong pipeline of new starts and local small and micro businesses emerging locally with growth potential. To capitalise on this energy we see, the next step is immediately focussing on getting enterprise support right with government, councils, Invest NI and Enterprise NI working together now to shape and deliver a more effective and impactful service for start-ups and local businesses.
“I would echo the Department’s call for those SME owners to engage with our Barometer, launched today, in order for organisations such as ourselves to represent them as best we can in talks with government and local councils. The Barometer is the only such survey that is broken down on a basis of council areas, allowing us to acutely understand how challenges differ in different areas and design bespoke solutions to benefit everyone and improve our local economic offering.”
Minister for the Economy, Conor Murphy MLA, said:
“Since taking office, I have been focused on four key objectives for our economy. These are creating more good jobs, increasing productivity, promoting regional balance and reducing carbon emissions. A partnership approach is key to addressing these challenges.
“I encourage Councils, Invest NI, Enterprise NI, and its Local Enterprise Agency network to work together now on co-designing what comes next for local enterprise support. This will result in an improved service for start-ups and local small and micro businesses.
“The Business Barometer is a key evidence source for my Department. Please make sure your voice is heard by completing this year’s survey.