ulster university

The podcast that keeps you up to date with what is happening economy-wise in Northern Ireland.  Telling you what you need to know but not necessarily what you want to hear. It is better to be prepared for the economic environment we are operating in and not the world we would like to be in.

Featuring Anastasia Desmond, Assistant Economist at Ulster University Economic Policy Centre

Accessing and keeping the right talent is one of the most challenging issues currently facing businesses today. Join our special guests to explore the strategies leaders can use to build more engaged and energised workforces.  Featuring René Carayol MBE, globally recognised keynote speaker and executive coach, Caroline van der Feltz, HR Director, Danske Bank, and Judith Wylie, Senior Lecturer, Ulster University Business School. 

The podcast that keeps you up to date with what is happening economy-wise in Northern Ireland.  Telling you what you need to know but not necessarily what you want to hear. It is better to be prepared for the economic environment we are operating in and not the world we would like to be in.

Episode 25 - Unhappy Anniversary with Mark Magill, Senior Economist at Ulster University's Economic Policy Centre.

In this episode, Wendy Austin sits down with Justin Urquhart Stewart, Co-Founder of Seven Investment Management and Business Commentator, Professor Gillian Armstrong, Associate Dean, Development and Partnerships (Domestic), Ulster University Business School and Kevin Kelly, Co-Owner of the Management and Leadership Network to explore leadership trends and what this means for managers and leaders in Northern Ireland. This episode was recorded live at Ulster University's new Belfast campus ahead of the Management and Leadership Network's 20th Anniversary Gala.

The podcast that keeps you up to date with what is happening economy-wise in Northern Ireland.  Telling you what you need to know but not necessarily what you want to hear. It is better to be prepared for the economic environment we are operating in and not the world we would like to be in.

Featuring Gareth Hetherington - Director of the Ulster University Economic Policy (NICEP) at Ulster University.

What is the future for a sustainable higher education?

In this episode recorded live at the new Academy Restaurant (Ulster University), Wendy Austin speaks to Stephen Spinelli, President of Babson College, Tina Mc Kenzie, Chair, FSB, Roger Pollen, Head of External Affairs NI, FSB and Professor Mark Durkin, Executive Dean at the Ulster University Business School to discuss the future of higher education and the value of strategic partnerships in this new era.

From bridging higher level skills gaps to improving organisational productivity, Degree Apprenticeships provide valuable opportunities to recruit new talent and upskill in key sectors of the economy. In this episode, host Wendy Austin speaks to Deborah Stevenson, People and Operations Director at PwC UK, Judith Wylie, Senior Lecturer at Ulster University Business School, Dermot Dempster, Managing Director, Clonallon Laboratories LTD and former apprentice, Johnny Mooney, Consultant, Deloitte to help demystify the world of degree-level apprenticeships for young people and businesses.

Whilst positive strides have been made in new business creation in Northern Ireland in recent years, studies show that entrepreneurial activity is typically lower for females than males, with men three times more likely to start their own business than women. In this episode, Wendy Austin speaks to Chris Shannon, Student Enterprise & Entrepreneurship Manager, UUSU Enterprise Centre, Leona Donaghy, Founder, Wholehearted Environments and Gabi Burnside, Entrepreneur Acceleration Manager, Ulster Bank. We hear of the work being done to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs and the inspiring start-up journey from one successful female business owner.  

The Ulster Economix Podcast. The podcast that keeps you up to date with what is happening economy-wise in Northern Ireland.  Telling you what you need to know but not necessarily what you want to hear. It is better to be prepared for the economic environment we are operating in and not the world we would like to be in.

It could be said that we have a Ketchup bottle economy at the minute. Shake a ketchup bottle and nothing happens. But eventually we will get covered in red sauce as the blockage is worked free. Something similar is happening in global supply chains at present and this is impacting on all of our lives.

Inflation has been the buzzword in recent weeks around the world. Households are experiencing a pick-up in both consumer prices and house prices. Meanwhile businesses are reporting soaring input costs such as increased freight costs and rising raw material prices. These additional costs will be passed onto firms’ customers in due course. 

It's no secret that small-medium sized businesses form the backbone of the Northern Ireland economy, with family-run enterprises making up seventy-four percent of businesses across the region and contributing significantly to employment opportunities and the welfare of local communities. Wendy Austin is joined by Ian Smyth, Lecturer in Human Resource Management at Ulster University Business School, Darren McDowell, Senior Partner at Harbinson Mulholland and Paul Black, Chief Executive at Alpha Group, to discuss how SMEs, in particular family-owned firms, have fared over the last year and how business leaders can acclimatise to this new reality.  

In the first episode of series two, Wendy Austin is joined by Diane Dodds, Minister for the Economy, John Healy (OBE), Vice President & Managing Director, Allstate NI and Professor Mark Durkin, Executive Dean at Ulster University Business School to discuss how increased investment in skills development and research and innovation will help power Northern Ireland's rebuilding agenda.

In this special edition podcast, hear sector-specific perspectives from NI business leaders; Stephen Kelly (UUBS Visiting Professor and Chief Executive, Manufacturing NI) Seamus Leheny (Policy Manager, Logistics UK), Aodhán Connolly (Director, NI Retail Consortium) and Dr Trevor Cadden (Senior Lecturer at UUBS) on the key implications on cross-border trade for NI businesses, practical steps that can be taken now to mitigate disruption in 2021 and potential opportunities in a post-Brexit landscape.

The pandemic has challenged businesses across all sectors to think differently and create new value in imaginative ways. In this episode, Wendy Austin speaks to Natalie Nixon, President Creative Strategist at Figure8 Thinking and Author of the Creativity Leap and Dr Michael Brennan, Senior Lecturer in Strategic Management at UUBS about how creativity can pave the way for innovation and open up a new world of possibilities for businesses.

Traditionally a month renowned for its beer festivals and socialising, October is shaping up to be quite the opposite, with the second wave of restrictions hitting the hospitality sector.  These have been applied to varying degrees across the UK and in the Republic of Ireland. With the daily COVID-19 cases surging across much of  Europe, any hopes of a V-shape recovery have been snuffed out.

So what the local economy in Northern Ireland? what is the incoming economic data and news telling us about the economy and the strength of the recovery?