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We are award winning publishers of membership magazines in Northern Ireland. If you would like to get in touch, then you can do so by visitng our website (www.businessfirstonline.co.uk), send us a Tweet (), or contact us on Facebook.

LE Capital, a provider of stock funding solutions for used car dealerships, has announced its expansion into Northern Ir...
10/10/2025

LE Capital, a provider of stock funding solutions for used car dealerships, has announced its expansion into Northern Ireland, bringing its superfast and hassle-free stock funding product to support the region’s thriving automotive sector.

This strategic move follows a transaction earlier this year, in which the British Business Bank, through its ENABLE Guarantees programme, supported a £100m senior facility provided by Paragon Bank to LE Capital. The transaction has significantly boosted LE Capital’s funding capacity, enabling the company to extend its reach to more dealerships across the UK, including those in Northern Ireland.
LE Capital
George Stancliffe, CEO, LE Capital said: “Northern Ireland’s used car market is full of ambition and potential. This expansion is about enabling growth, improving access to stock, and helping dealers stay ahead of market trends.

LE Capital, a provider of stock funding solutions for used car dealerships, has announced its expansion into Northern Ireland,

Kinecx Energy, formerly firmus energy networks, has announced its official rebranding and renewed strategic focus at its...
10/10/2025

Kinecx Energy, formerly firmus energy networks, has announced its official rebranding and renewed strategic focus at its annual stakeholder briefing.

The event, held at Galgorm Hotel and Spa in County Antrim, welcomed industry experts and stakeholders to hear updates on the company’s transformative year and its ambitious plans for Northern Ireland’s energy transition.

The rebranding follows the successful sale of the company’s retail business in November 2024 and marks a strategic opportunity for Kinecx Energy to refresh its strategic ambitions as a standalone networks business with a bold new identity.

“Our new name and branding reflect our refreshed ambitions and reinvigorate our commitment to a lower carbon future,” said Niall Martindale, CEO. “While our name has changed, our core values and dedication to customer service remain stronger than ever.”

Kinecx Energy continues to operate from Antim with a team of approximately 65 employees.

Kinecx Energy, formerly firmus energy networks, has announced its official rebranding and renewed strategic focus at its annual stakeholder briefing.

Integrated marketing and communications agency Ardmore has been retained following a competitive pitch process to delive...
10/10/2025

Integrated marketing and communications agency Ardmore has been retained following a competitive pitch process to deliver all road safety campaigns Northern Ireland, a key strand of the region’s new Road Safety Strategy to 2030.

Ardmore – ranked among the Top 30 Regional Agencies and the Top 100 Creative Agencies in the UK by Campaign magazine – will provide the advertising strategy, creative and media for the Department for Infrastructure campaigns that aims to reduce road deaths and serious injuries and to encourage more sustainable travel choices.

First appointed to the brief in 2020, Ardmore has, working closely with the Department, developed a series of creative campaigns including ‘Roadwise Up’ designed to challenge all road users to think about their own actions when out and about, focusing on behaviours such as careless driving, speeding, drink and drug driving, and seatbelt use.

Ardmore has been retained following a competitive pitch process to deliver all road safety campaigns Northern Ireland

Historic Royal Palaces has announced the appointment of Caroline Walker as the new Head of Hillsborough Castle and Garde...
10/10/2025

Historic Royal Palaces has announced the appointment of Caroline Walker as the new Head of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, effective January 2026.

Caroline joins Historic Royal Palaces from Queen’s University Belfast, where she played a leading role in shaping key aspects of the university’s strategic external engagement and public affairs over the past three years. A seasoned senior manager and strategic project leader with extensive experience in government relations, cultural diplomacy, and stakeholder engagement, Caroline has built a distinguished career working across the political, civic, and cultural sectors in Northern Ireland and Ireland.

She has played a pivotal role in the planning and delivery of major events and stakeholder visits, including the Agreement 25 Conference (2023) and the GFCC Global Innovation Summit (2024).

Historic Royal Palaces has announced the appointment of Caroline Walker as the new Head of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, effective January 2026.

Jet2 has announced the appointment of David Hills as Chief Customer Officer.David joined the leading leisure airline and...
10/10/2025

Jet2 has announced the appointment of David Hills as Chief Customer Officer.

David joined the leading leisure airline and UK’s largest tour operator in September and as Chief Customer Officer he will lead Jet2’s customer marketing and brand management as well as their industry-leading customer service operation. He will also lead key strategic projects, including the development of myJet2, their customer loyalty platform, and the adoption of new technology to make Jet2’s marketing even more efficient and effective.

David has held a number of senior leadership roles throughout his career at companies including Aldi, Asda and Kellogg’s.

He will report to Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2. David is taking over from Gavin Forth who is retiring at the end of the year after 13 years at Jet2.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 said: “We are very pleased to welcome David to our innovative and successful business.

Jet2 has announced the appointment of David Hills as Chief Customer Officer.

The Sober Irish Drinks Company is set to play a leading role in the rapid growth of the alcohol-free and low-alcohol mar...
10/10/2025

The Sober Irish Drinks Company is set to play a leading role in the rapid growth of the alcohol-free and low-alcohol market in Ireland and the UK, which reflects a broader shift in consumer habits towards moderation, wellness, and choice.

The Sober Irish Drinks Company, trading under the brand The Sober Irish, will bring a premium range of alcohol-free and low-alcohol beverages to consumers across hospitality, retail outlets, e-commerce platforms, and consumer events, curating the best no- and low-alcohol products while developing its own-label range.

Later this month, the brand will launch in Belfast’s vibrant Cathedral Quarter, with a special debut at the city’s iconic Dark Horse, temporarily transformed as The Dry Horse to showcase its first curated alcohol-free experiences and products.

The Sober Irish Drinks Company is set to play a leading role in the rapid growth of the alcohol-free and low-alcohol market in Ireland and the UK

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About Business Firt

We are an award winning publisher of Northern Ireland’s business to business website. Our mission is to help Northern Ireland companies do business together and better. We bring your brand onto the desktops and mobiles of 15,000 of Northern Ireland’s business decision-makers to help you build your profile, your sales and your profitability.

If you would like to get in touch, then you can do so by visiting our website (www.businessfirstonline.co.uk), send us a Tweet (@bfonline), or contact us on Facebook.