Sync NI

This week journalist Aoife McDowell chats with Andrew Fletcher, Principal Engineer at Civica Northern Ireland. They discuss Andrew's journey into technology, his current role and the exciting projects he's worked on while at the company.

This week journalist Aoife McDowell chats with Tom Keating VP, Essentials and Site Leader at Proofpoint Northern Ireland. They discuss the company's journey with diversity and inclusion and why it has now become such a vital part of the organisation.

This week journalist Aoife McDowell chats with Lorna McAdoo, Director of Operations & Business Development at Version 1 NI. They discuss the new integration between version 1 and Nueda, Lorna's journey and the importance of diversity and inclusion within the company.

This week journalist Niamh Campbell chats with Neil Allen, Catalyst's senior community manager, who has responsibility for enhancing the innovation community in its campuses across Northern Ireland. Catalyst is an independent, not-for-profit organisation focused on fostering innovation and developing Northern Ireland's tech industry. That's exactly what Neil discusses, along with his favourite parts about working with tech innovators. Check out Catalyst's own website for more info, at https://www.wearecatalyst.org/

This week, journalist Niamh Campbell chats with digital marketing strategist and expert, Andi Jarvis. He has recently launched a remote digital marketing strategy course with the University of Vaasa in Finland, and hosts his own podcast, Strategy Sessions, which is full of marketing hints and guidelines. Andi reveals some of those top tips on this episode, and pulls on his own marketing experience to advise businesses and individuals on how best to strategize in a post-lockdown world.

This week journalist Niamh Campbell chats with Columb Duffy, senior manager at Allstate NI and one of this year's curators at BelTech 2021. They discuss what attendees can expect from the upcoming virtual event and also talk about the evolving tech scene and its talent pipelines within Northern Ireland.

Journalist Niamh Campbell chats with Erin and Courtney from the Armagh Observatory & Planetarium. They talk about its ongoing online educational resources, the Intergalactic Craic podcast, astronomical news and out-of-this-world facts. You can find out more about AOP's facilities and resources by visiting its social media channels (@ArmaghPlanet on Twitter).

This week journalist Niamh Campbell chats with Elizabeth Bramson-Boudreau. She is the CEO of the MIT Technology Review who announced that they will be holding their annual European EmTech conference in Belfast over the next three years. The conference will be held virtually in 2021, but Elizabeth will explain a lot more about that in the episode and why Belfast was chosen to host such a reputable global tech event.

This week journalist Niamh Campbell chats to Lynne Rainey, PwC NI's Head of Place and Purpose. PwC recently released its Women in Work 2021 index, which shows that by increasing more women into the workplace, the Northern Ireland economy could gain £2.3bn. They delve right into this, along with the issues preventing more women from getting into work.

This week journalist Niamh Campbell chats with Ailís McCaul about a recent PwC survey that shows by increasing more women into the workplace, the NI economy could gain £2.3bn. But how do we encourage more women into work? More flexible working is one aspect and that's exactly what Ailís discusses. had a baby during lockdown and wanted to come back to a senior tech career that would allow her to work three days a week so that she could balance her new family life - although she now has this role as a Venture Architect at Belfast-based Whitespace, the journey to get there proved more difficult than she realised.

InterTradeIreland's Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition 2021, now in its 19th year, has been launched with a €100k cash award for the winning new start or early stage company. Seedcorn Programme Manager, Connor Sweeney and Shannon Beattie, Chief Operations Officer of the 2020 Seedcorn winner, GenoME Diagnostics explain more about the competition and why Northern Ireland's early stage firms should get involved!

This week journalist Niamh Campbell speaks with Dr Jayne Brady MBE, Belfast's Digital Innovation Commissioner. She has recently been appointed to the new UK Innovation Expert Group that will provide advice on how to drive up the UK's productivity through innovation. She discusses the future of Belfast's tech sector, its resilience during lockdown, and the digital job roles and opportunities that are being provided for people across the city.

This week journalist Niamh Campbell chats with Chris McClelland, Managing Director of IgniteNI. He talks about Ignite's latest global accelerator programme, the thriving start-up scene here in Northern Ireland, and offers advice for those thinking of starting their own tech/business journey.

In homage to International Women's Day, journalist Niamh Campbell speaks with Rachael Coulter, who has founded her own tech start-up, Animal Manager. Rachael is a former software engineer and current Grand Prix-level dressage rider. She combined both passions to create the Stable Manager tech platform, which helps horse owners from the ground up. Rachael shares her story as a woman in tech, a woman in business and a woman in sport, with some advice for fellow females hoping to gain success in the same sectors.

Journalist Niamh Campbell chats with Emer Maguire, the award-winning Strabane-born science communicator, presenter, TEDx speaker, event MC and musical comedian who recently gave up her job as a speech and language therapist to pursue all of these creative avenues full-time. Emer discusses how she got to where she is today, her passion for science, tech and communicating, and shares some advice for others hoping to take action in following their dreams full-time.

First Derivatives CEO Seamus Keating discusses the firm's past year, expansion plans and its KX streaming analytics platform with journalist Niamh Campbell. First Derivatives is the only NI company listed on the Irish stock exchange and Seamus also delves into how a bedroom start-up turned into a successful global tech and consultancy business.

Journalist Niamh Campbell talks to QUB virologist Dr Connor Bamford on where Northern Ireland is in terms of the Covid-19 pandemic currently (19 January 2021). He also discusses the danger of conspiracy theories when it comes to the virus, and hopefully answers any queries you may have when it comes to Covid.

Journalist Niamh Campbell talks with viral Derry sensation Adam B on social media stardom and surprising fellow Derry YouTuber Stewart O'Doherty with £5,000 worth of tech gifts, after finding out he was being bullied for making videos. Adam B has amassed three million followers to his YouTube channel and his fame has resulted in him becoming Blue Peter's 40th presenter.

This week, journalist Niamh Campbell talks to Public Sector Lead for PwC NI, David Armstrong and former NHS doctor, Luke Solon. They discuss a recent PwC report on how patients within Northern Ireland may continue to use virtual healthcare services even post-pandemic, and talk about the future of digital transformation within the NHS.

This week, journalist Niamh Campbell speaks to Ruth McGuiness. She is the new AI Business Development Director at Kainos and she will be the Chair of the AI in Public Sector / National Data Strategy Session at AI Con 2020, which takes place virtually on 3 and 4 December. Ruth talks about her pathway into tech, what we can expect from this year's AI Con in the midst of the pandemic, and coming into Kainos as a 'Covid joiner'.

This week, journalist Niamh Campbell speaks with Keith Farley, managing director of Aflac Northern Ireland. Aflac announced back in October 2019 that it will be creating over 150 jobs in NI over the next five years. Now, on the firm's one-year anniversary here, Keith discusses how his first year has been in Belfast, how recruitment is going and of course, how the business has dealt with Covid and its implications.

This week journalist Niamh Campbell speaks with Ciaran Murray, who has previously worked with Northern Ireland's Techies in Residence. It is an initiative that matches charities and social enterprises across NI with digital technology partners. Ciaran worked with the NOW Group, to develop a digital version of their JAM or Just a Minute) card for people who need extra support when communicating.

This week journalist Niamh Campbell speaks with Damien Caldwell from company, Damgeo. He has worked with Northern Ireland's Techies in Residence for the past few years, which is an initiative that matches charities and social enterprises across NI with digital technology partners. Damien also gives some advice for tech professionals hoping to apply to this year's programme.

This week, journalist Niamh Campbell speaks with Naomi McGregor, the 24-year-old STEM ambassador who recently won the Catalyst Invent Enterprise Software award. Naomi has a strong background in ballet and fitness, and thus developed Movetru, a digital home physio software. She discusses the importance of tech and the arts combined, and shares her passion for being a STEM role model to Northern Ireland's future females.

This week, journalist Niamh Campbell speaks to Northern Ireland's Fintech Envoy, Andrew Jenkins. Andrew discusses his career, his position as Fintech Envoy, and what the future of the sector will look like in a post-Covid world. He also talks about the launch of FinTechNI's new ecosystem research project.

Journalist Niamh Campbell talks with Angoka's Belfast site lead, Tim Harrison, to discuss the cybersecurity start-up's growth plans and new job roles. After being accepted onto numerous competitive accelerator programmes during lockdown, Tim shares advice for other tech start-ups and details the type of candidates they are looking for in their Belfast office.

A few weeks ago journalist Niamh Campbell spoke with Rob McConnell, director at Expleo. The tech firm has helped develop Northern Ireland's StopCOVID contact-tracing app, which at the time of recording had over 260k downloads. The app now has now been downloaded over 300k times, and Rob discusses the importance of quality assurance testing when it comes to creating software to help people amid a global health pandemic.

This week, our journalist Niamh Campbell spoke with Andy Fairchild, the European CEO of Applied Systems. In 2018, the insurance-focused software firm set up a base in Belfast with the promise of creating 50 jobs by 2021. Andy discusses how that growth has continued, and what the company's future plans are, with more new hires in Northern Ireland on the way.

Tim McKane started the Northern Ireland Business Facebook page in June with no idea of how large it would become. Now with over 8,000 members and a media partnership with Q Radio, the page is helping thousands of businesses across the country share advice and information about their organisations, bringing the business community closer together amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

This week journalist Niamh Campbell spoke with Sara McCracken, founder of Belfast charity Angel Eyes NI. It has been awarded a grant from The National Lottery Community Fund for its new, digital VisualEyes project, which incorporates the use of a virtual reality (VR) headset to simulate eye conditions to families, so the impact of sight loss is better understood. Sara discusses the tech and the innovations behind it.

This week our journalist Niamh Campbell spoke with Terry Robinson, the CEO of global consulting firm, Vox Financial Partners. Originally from Northern Ireland he now lives in the US. Terry discusses growing up as a gay man in Belfast and his journey into the tech and finance world, having now co-founded his own firm after 22 years of experience in the industry.

This week Niamh Campbell spoke with Tom Gray, Lead Curator of Beltech and Chief Technology Officer at Kainos, one of Northern Ireland's largest homegrown tech firms. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, BelTech is going virtual for the first time ever and will take place between Monday 22 and Thursday 25 June. Tom discusses with Niamh what attendees can expect, and also delves into the details of Northern Ireland's tech sector, as well as its potential future post-lockdown.

This week Niamh Campbell spoke with diversity and inclusion consultant, Deepa Mann-Kler following a surge of worldwide support for the Black Lives Matter movement. As a woman of Indian heritage living and working in Northern Ireland, Deepa discusses her own experiences and also delves into why diversity as a whole is so important within the tech and business sector.

This week Niamh Campbell spoke with Francesca Morelli, enterprise support officer at Queen's University Belfast and co-founder of new social media influencer agency, VAVA Influence. Fran discusses all things business and how she believes social media influencers can help any business, in any sector. She also gives advice on those thinking of creating their own start-ups, despite coronavirus fears, and talks about her own career journey.

This week Niamh Campbell spoke with Carol Rossborough, co-founder of start-up ESTHER, the pocket-to-pocket donation platform that allows you to give money directly to those in need living right in your city. Working with registered charities during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ESTHER team is busier than ever helping vulnerable families cope in the crisis.

This week journalist Niamh Campbell is joined by cybersecurity and online safety expert, Wayne Denner. He discusses some top tips for how everyone – from grannies right down to pre-teens – can stay safer online, especially during lockdown, with cyber scams on the rise. Wayne also touches on mental health issues within social media, keeping a good reputation online, and privacy concerns with the new proposed coronavirus contact tracing apps.

Journalist Niamh Campbell speaks to Sapphire Duffy, director at Women Who Code Belfast and software engineer at homegrown NI tech firm Kainos. Sapphire talks all things tech and helping women learn more about the sector's opportunities. There's also chat about cheerleading, dog bandanas and coffee! Women Who Code is a not-for-profit community organisation that aims to inspire women in excelling throughout the tech sector.

Suzi Murtagh, Director of CTS (Claims Tech Solutions) at Allstate Northern Ireland is now managing over 160 people remotely and PwC NI's Service Manager/ Digital Accelerator Alex Hughes oversees all of the firm's tech support operations. Journalist Niamh Campbell spoke with them regarding their own experiences and tips in regards to working at home while trying to balance family life amidst the 'new normal' caused by COVID-19.

Journalist Niamh Campbell talks with Mairead Moore, co-founder of recruitment company Whytematter, on their new wellbeing app that has been adapted for the COVID-19 crisis. After suffering from a brain aneurysm in 2015 and struggling with her own mental health, Mairead says that wellbeing is at the core of everything she does, both personally and professionally.

Journalist Niamh Campbell chats with mental health advocate Lee Chestnutt, on self-care in self-isolation and his own mental health journey. Lee tried to take his own life seven years ago after the breakdown of his marriage and loss of his mother, but is now studying counselling in university and wants to share his message as an Instagram influencer that it does get better.

This week journalist Niamh Campbell speaks with Adam Cree, CRO of Holywood-based 3EN Cloud Ltd (the Bangor-based Holywood, not the US one!)Adam discusses his career, which began with him being the youngest ever Belfast Giants ice hockey player. He is now the chief risk officer of "one of the world's leading NetSuite partners".

Journalist Niamh Campbell speaks with Jennifer Neff, co-founder of tech-for-good start-up Elemental Software. Its social prescribing platform people helps connect people in communities to key support and services, and right now they are busier than ever due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Niamh Campbell is joined this week by EY Ireland's chief economist Neil Gibson, who shares his thoughts on the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic across the UK and Ireland, with some business advice and thoughts on what the future will hold.

Candid Wueest is VP of Cyber Protect Research at Acronis, a global security and back-up firm. Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, he discusses with Niamh Campbell how cybersecurity should be a main concern with so many employees now working from home. He also offers some advice to help organisations and individuals prevent cyber attacks.

John Doherty from west Belfast is just 21 years old, but is the founder and CEO of TrueStock, a tech company that recently won the Northern Ireland regional final of the Start-up World Cup. He speaks to Sync NI's Niamh Campbell about his business journey and how the coronavirus is impacting the company's journey to the US for the official World Cup finals.

It is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2020, so Niamh Campbell spoke with Laura Juhas, who is using her social media platforms to promote health and wellbeing tips for those suffering with eating disorders, or those who have done so in the past. Laura has struggled with bulimia before and campaigns openly about her own experiences. Her Instagram handle is @laurah_hits

To mark International Women's Day this Sunday 8 March 2020, Sync NI sat down with Roseann Kelly, the CEO of Women in Business to discuss exactly what the organisation does and the importance of having diversity within Northern Ireland's business sector. Intro music (c) Purple Planet Music

The Innovation Station on how SMEs can unlock potential - the fifth episode in a new ‘Business Innovation' podcast series for small business owners by InterTradeIreland.

Dr. Peter Robbins of Dublin City University Business School is one of Ireland's foremost experts in innovation. In a masterclass held recently at Ryan Academy, he explains how the ‘Design Thinking' toolkit can harness innovation and radically improve processes for small businesses. Speaking to InterTradeIreland's Innovation Station podcast, Peter explains that Design Thinking can ‘de-risk' complex innovation projects by testing and prototyping the entire process, which in turn then maximises the return on investment at the end. “There is a tool book and methodology to Design Thinking as opposed to blue sky thinking or naval gazing. It is something that needs ‘top down' support, but Design Thinking is quite accessible and if companies commit, it is a process that delivers results.”

The Innovation Station on why open innovation makes good business sense - the third episode in a new ‘Business Innovation' podcast series for small business owners by InterTradeIreland “No matter how good you are, there are lots of other smart people out there. Collaborate with those outside your organisation and make use of their resources and skills to reach your customers.” That's the advice from leading expert Nuran Acur, Professor of Innovation Management at Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow, on why businesses should collaborate openly with partners and industry, in the latest episode of InterTradeIreland's ‘Innovation Station' podcast. In a masterclass held at NUI Galway, the award-winning scholar unravels the ‘collaboration conundrum'. Her advice for businesses to achieve open innovation success, is to adopt an ‘open-minded approach and culture' and to combine with ‘internal and external readiness' - pointing to the importance of SMEs to also collaborate more on their internal processes to help deliver results.

Creating a culture of entrepreneurship is a defining ‘success factor' of businesses that innovate to grow. That's according to Dr Lawrence Dooley, an enterprise and innovation expert from University College Cork. Sitting down with InterTradeIreland for its latest ‘Innovation Station' podcast episode, the leading lecturer makes innovation tangible for the small business owner, explaining in a masterclass at Queen's University Belfast that businesses who embrace the ‘centrality of the entrepreneur' and are close to market, develop a ‘sixth sense' and can spot the needs of customers before they become apparent to customers themselves.