NEWS

Wrightbus CEO Axel J. Maschka meeting staff The newly appointed CEO of zero-emission public transport pioneer Wrightbus has brought together all 2,000 members of staff to share his strategic vision for the year ahead. Axel J. Maschka, who joined the Ballymena-based manufacturer from Hyundai Mobis at the beginning of December, addressed the workforce during a mass meeting on Wednesday (10 December). He opened by thanking employees for their contribution throughout 2025 but cau

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald and Invest Northern Ireland CEO Kieran Donoghue have welcomed confirmation that Boeing and Airbus have completed their long-awaited acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems — a move set to reshape Northern Ireland’s aerospace landscape and strengthen its global position. The deal, finalised on Monday 8 December 2025, brings two of the world’s largest aircraft manufacturers directly into Northern Ireland’s engineering ecosystem, including the Bel

Slemish College Students Scarlet Kerr-McKillop and Darragh Martin Two Slemish College students, Scarlet Kerr-McKillop and Darragh Martin , were among the young people given the chance to step inside NI Water’s laboratories as the utility company kicked off the second year of its hybrid work experience programme. The pair joined aspiring scientists from across Northern Ireland for an immersive mix of virtual and in-person learning designed to give students aged 16 to 19 real-w

Pictured (L-R) Wholetime Firefighters from Antrim area, Emma Hutchinson from Carrickfergus, Daniel Richey from Ballyclare and Emer McLernon from Ballymena. Ballymena’s own Emer McLernon is among 18 new Wholetime Firefighters who graduated today from the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Learning & Development College (LDC), marking the completion of an intensive 18-week training programme and the beginning of their operational careers serving communities across N

Professor Linda Kelly, NIPEC Chief Executive; Health Minister Mike Nesbitt; Professor Maria McIlgorm, Chief Nursing Office A new Career and Development Model designed to support professional growth and long-term workforce retention across Northern Ireland’s nursing and midwifery professions has been formally launched. The model, unveiled this week at the Northern Ireland Practice & Education Council for Nursing & Midwifery (NIPEC) annual conference, provides a clear and struc

Northern Ireland’s Health and Social Care (HSC) system has cut its spending on off-contract nurses, midwives and healthcare support workers by £120 million since May 2023, the Department of Health has confirmed. The reduction follows the introduction of the Nursing/Midwifery and Healthcare Support Framework, a procurement reform designed to curb high-cost agency spending and strengthen the long-term stability of the workforce. Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said the framework h

New Chief Executive of Wrightbus, Axel J. Maschka Zero-emission transport manufacturer Wrightbus has announced Axel J. Maschka as its new Chief Executive, marking a significant moment in the Ballymena-based company’s continued growth on the international stage. Maschka, an accomplished senior executive with decades of experience in the global automotive supply chain, joins Wrightbus after holding top roles at Hyundai Mobis, Valeo, Volvo, Continental, Leclanché, Bosch and Merc

Pictured are the latest cohort of students from the Supporting Communities Scholarship Scheme, Noah Hought, Michael Cushenan, Caoimhe Layland McGroggan and Jelisejs Sestakovs, alongside Stephanie McKilliop, far left and Sandra Ross, far right, from Supporting Communities.  The Gallaher Trust has announced a further three-year extension to its scholarship schemes, securing £99,000 in funding to support disadvantaged young adults pursuing business or STEM-based studies in the B

BT has announced a major new Future Technology Research and Innovation (FTRI) programme at the BT Ireland Innovation Centre (BTIC) in Belfast, signalling what is expected to be £45 million of investment in Northern Ireland over the next five years. Launched by BT Group Chief Executive Allison Kirkby, the programme will significantly expand the region’s tech research capacity through new industrial research streams, advanced engineering projects and deeper collaboration betwee

John Unsworth, EA Assistant Director; John Trueman, Director of Qualifications, CCEA; Angela Kane, Department of Education; and Sean Fearon, Education and Training Inspectorate; came together to host over 150 Early Career Teachers at Lagan Valley Island Conference Centre. More than 150 Early Career Teachers (ECTs) from across Northern Ireland gathered at Lagan Valley Island Conference Centre for a major professional development event jointly hosted by the Education Authority

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has reiterated her commitment to strengthening workplace protections for victims and survivors of domestic abuse, confirming that legislation to implement the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Act (NI) 2022 will be introduced before the end of the current Assembly mandate. The Act, passed in 2022, requires the Department for the Economy to create regulations enabling workers affected by domestic abuse to access at least 10 days of paid “safe l

Graduates of the Northern Ireland Hospitality School have doubled within the last year as support from the private sector also almost doubles. Pictured during the School’s graduation ceremony at Galgorm Resort are, from left, Djann Balmes, a former Bar Academy graduate who now manages the Conservatory and Gin Library at Galgorm Resort, Ashley Douglas, Northern Ireland Hospitality School Director of Operations and Brenda McGale, Britvic Ireland.  The Northern Ireland Hospitali

A County Antrim engineering company has been fined £10,000 after a worker suffered severe foot injuries during an unsafe lifting operation at its Coleraine premises. Maine Surface Finishing Ltd was sentenced today at Laganside Crown Court, Belfast, after earlier pleading guilty to a single health and safety offence following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI). The court heard that the incident took place on 29 August 2023, when an

Asda Antrim trolley porter, Tony Burns Customers at Asda Antrim say they are “in safe hands” thanks to porter Tony Burns , whose quick thinking and kindness have earned him a reputation as a car park hero. The father of seven, who has worked at the store for almost a decade, has helped a string of customers in need — from changing tyres to rescuing a baby accidentally locked in a car. Tony, described by colleagues as someone who always “goes the extra mile”, has become a fam

Gray’s Boutique Hotel & Brasserie in Bushmills Gray’s Boutique Hotel & Brasserie in Bushmills has announced the appointment of Andrew Orr as its new Hotel General Manager, marking an exciting new chapter for the elegant Causeway Coast destination. With more than three decades of experience in hospitality management, operations, and team leadership, Andrew joins Gray’s with a strong track record of success across the hotel and restaurant sectors. In his new role, he will over

Daniel Hunter at work with Stena Line The journey towards a job you love is not always smooth sailing – but with the right direction and support, it’s possible to reach your destination. That’s exactly what happened for Daniel Hunter from Carrickfergus, who has proudly worked with Stena Line since 2022 after years of determination and perseverance. Daniel’s story began over a decade ago when he was first referred to the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s Day Opportuniti

Finance Minister John O’Dowd has announced a new pilot recruitment drive aimed at filling around 200 Administrative Officer (AO) vacancies across government departments in the North West. The initiative marks a shift towards a more streamlined and responsive approach to Civil Service hiring, with applicants invited to register their interest and complete a self-assessment of their skills and experience via www.nicsrecruitment.co.uk . Following registration, approximately 600

Back row, from left, Matt Robinson, Volunteer Coordinator at ReStore Ballymena, Greg McKinley, Director of Operations at The Gallaher Trust and James Perry MBE, a Trustee of The Gallaher Trust. Pictured at the foreground is Isobel Kerr, ReStore Ballymena Manager.   The Gallaher Trust has announced a £170,000 commitment over the next three years to support Habitat for Humanity Ireland’s new Retail Ready at ReStore initiative in Ballymena — a project designed to equip local peo

The photo accompanying this release features participants who have successfully completed this latest academy, alongside key individuals from the project: Hayley Barr and Rhonda Lynn from Mid & East Antrim Labour Market Partnership (MEALMP), and Hannah Wilson and Naomi Hutchinson from Northern GP Federation Support Unit. The Northern GP Federation Support Unit (NFSU) has marked the successful completion of another Medical Administration Academy, delivered in partnership wi

Fairhill Shopping Centre’s £10 million redevelopment has reached a major milestone with confirmation that Primark will officially open its new Ballymena store on Friday 5th December at 10am. The long-anticipated arrival of Primark marks a turning point for Fairhill and a renewed sense of optimism for Ballymena’s retail sector. The major fashion retailer’s new 29,000 sq. ft store is set to become the centrepiece of Fairhill’s multi-million-pound investment programme, which has