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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.

HS Renewables, a County Derry-based renewable energy company, is setting its sights on further expansion across the isla...
20/04/2026

HS Renewables, a County Derry-based renewable energy company, is setting its sights on further expansion across the island of Ireland after receiving support from the Go Succeed business support service.

HS Renewables, based in Ardmore just outside Derry, was founded in 2021 by Shea Higgins and specialises in solar energy systems, battery storage, heat pumps and insulation solutions for domestic, commercial, and agricultural customers.

Since launching the business, Shea has grown HS Renewables into a trusted provider of sustainable energy solutions, driven by increasing demand from customers seeking to reduce both their energy costs and carbon footprint.
HS Renewables
Before establishing the company, he worked as an automation engineer across the UK and Europe. However, a desire for greater control over his future, and a growing interest in renewable technologies inspired him to start his own venture.

HS Renewables, a County Derry-based renewable energy company, is setting its sights on further expansion across the island of Ireland

Driving new ideas to secure Ballymena’s future through additional job creation and skills development will be the focus ...
20/04/2026

Driving new ideas to secure Ballymena’s future through additional job creation and skills development will be the focus of an upcoming event hosted by The Gallaher Trust, as funding applications for 2027 projects officially reopened earlier this month.

Taking place on Thursday 30 April at the Adair Arms Hotel, the Ballymena 400 – Building on Partnership and Progress event will mark the town’s 400th anniversary, celebrating its industrial heritage, whilst also looking firmly to the future.

Bringing together business leaders, innovators and third sector representatives, the event will demonstrate how collaboration has already delivered measurable results, including job creation, skills development and securing economic growth, alongside posing vital questions around how different sectors can work together to effect positive change and help secure the town’s future development.

Driving new ideas to secure Ballymena’s future through additional job creation and skills development will be the focus of an upcoming event hosted by The Gallaher Trust

The Northern Ireland Food to Go Association (NIFTGA) has welcomed the expansion of German Doner Kebab (GDK) into Norther...
20/04/2026

The Northern Ireland Food to Go Association (NIFTGA) has welcomed the expansion of German Doner Kebab (GDK) into Northern Ireland, describing it as further evidence of growing confidence in the region’s fast-evolving food-to-go sector.

The international brand has announced plans to open its first restaurant locally, with ambitions to roll out up to 30 outlets across Northern Ireland in the coming years. The move is expected to create significant employment opportunities while adding further diversity and innovation to the local food landscape.
Northern Ireland Food to Go Association
The announcement is the latest in a series of high-profile investments in the sector, with several global and national brands recently confirming plans to open new outlets across Northern Ireland. These include the arrival of a major US fried chicken chain, the continued expansion of established brands such as Wagamama, and the introduction of new concepts like Taco Bell to the local market.

The Northern Ireland Food to Go Association (NIFTGA) has welcomed the expansion of German Doner Kebab (GDK) into Northern Ireland

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is hosting a public consultation event to allow residents, businesses and visitors t...
17/04/2026

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is hosting a public consultation event to allow residents, businesses and visitors to view the latest designs for the £42.2M Carrickfergus City Deal Regeneration Project, taking place on Thursday 23 April 2026 at Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre.

The free drop-in event, which will run from 4pm to 8pm, will provide the community with an opportunity to view the latest design developments for the project and see how ongoing feedback from the public has influenced the proposals as the scheme progresses through the next stage of detailed design.

The consultation will run as an open, informal session with a series of exhibition boards, updated visualisations and information displays. They will outline proposals across key areas of the town including the castle and harbour area, public realm improvements and enhanced connections between heritage sites and the town centre.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is hosting a public consultation to view the latest designs for the £42.2M Carrickfergus City Deal Regeneration Project

The search is on to find Northern Ireland’s top HR talent and employers leading the way in driving better jobs, workplac...
17/04/2026

The search is on to find Northern Ireland’s top HR talent and employers leading the way in driving better jobs, workplaces and investment in their people, following the launch of the CIPD Awards in Northern Ireland, 2026.

Taking place on 1 October 2026 at the Titanic Belfast, the annual awards are Northern Ireland’s biggest celebration of HR excellence. They recognise the outstanding achievements of HR professionals and people teams who are delivering impactful initiatives to build high-performing, productive and healthy workforces.

Business professionals from a range of organisations attended the launch event - held on 16 April at The Ewart building in Belfast - where this year’s categories were announced. Former winners from organisations such as Continu and Thales also shared their success stories and Judges for this year’s awards shared tips for making a stand-out entry.

The search is on to find Northern Ireland’s top HR talent following the launch of the CIPD Awards in Northern Ireland, 2026.

The Young Leaders Conference returns to Riddel Hall, Belfast, on Friday 12th June, with entrepreneur and Untapped podcas...
17/04/2026

The Young Leaders Conference returns to Riddel Hall, Belfast, on Friday 12th June, with entrepreneur and Untapped podcast host Spencer Matthews confirmed as this year’s keynote speaker.

Now in its 13th year, with Carson McDowell returning as headline sponsor, the conference is recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s leading events for young professionals, attracting attendees from across industry keen to progress their careers and expand their networks. Each year, the conference delivers practical leadership insights, real-world experience, and access to influential speakers shaping business today.
Young Leaders Conference
This year, David Meade returns to host the event, which will also feature Dr Hannah Crithlow, internationally acclaimed neuroscientist, broadcaster and tech commentator, with further speakers to be announced soon.

The Young Leaders Conference returns to Riddel Hall, Belfast, on Friday 12th June, with entrepreneur and Untapped podcast host Spencer Matthews

With events such as the FIFA World Cup, Commonwealth Games, and high-profile boxing fixtures all planned for 2026, Advic...
17/04/2026

With events such as the FIFA World Cup, Commonwealth Games, and high-profile boxing fixtures all planned for 2026, Advice NI is warning that more people may be tempted to gamble, often without fully recognising the risks.

The charity says Northern Ireland is facing a growing but hidden issue, as gambling is increasingly revealed as a factor in problem debt. The number of people approaching Advice NI’s debt service for help with gambling has increased by 67 per cent in the last three years. The accumulative debt owed in the cases is £2,279,742, with the average debt per case over £12,000. Gambling debts are largely owed across personal loans and credit cards, but Advice NI is also starting to see a worrying upward trend in the number of people struggling to pay their mortgage, with many relying of family and friends for help.
Advice NI
Sinead Campbell, Head of Money, Debt and Quality at Advice NI, said, “The reality is that gambling presents an urgent issue for Northern Ireland.

Advice NI is warning that more people may be tempted to gamble, often without fully recognising the risks.

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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.