The Gallaher Trust backing helps Ballymena programmes support 359 businesses and create 121 jobs
Ballymena Business Centre is marking the achievements of two highly successful projects, Enabling Enterprise and 4i Innovation, funded by The Gallaher Trust. Pictured are, from left, Stephen Scullion, Ballymena Business Centre Manager, Ryan Burton from Peak Shaving, Ian Paisley, Chairman of The Gallaher Trust, Taig Brookes, from Airtac and Melanie Christie-Boyle MBE, Chief Executive, Ballymena Business Centre.
Monday 21 September 2026
Two Ballymena business support programmes have helped 359 companies and entrepreneurs and contributed to the creation of more than 121 employment opportunities since 2018.
The Enabling Enterprise and 4i Innovation programmes, delivered by Ballymena Business Centre with £438,000 committed by The Gallaher Trust, have supported people starting businesses as well as established micro and small firms seeking to grow and innovate.
Enabling Enterprise has also seen £125,000 in seed funding reinvested in the Ballymena economy through 250 start-up businesses, while 16 entrepreneurs have subsequently progressed into town centre retail.
Eight years of business support
The two programmes were established to provide in-depth support covering business start-up, innovation, value propositions and sustainable growth, with the aim of helping firms improve efficiency, profitability and competitiveness.
Among the outcomes highlighted by the organisations are 21 businesses achieving Innovate NI Certification and more than 121 employment opportunities being created.
The Gallaher Trust Chairman Ian Paisley said the results had been achieved against a difficult backdrop for businesses facing pressures including supply chain and rental costs as well as regulatory and legislative changes.
“What the Ballymena Business Centre has managed to accomplish through the Enabling Enterprise and 4i Innovation projects is absolutely brilliant and certainly no small feat,” he said.
“Businesses are the backbone of our regional economy, creating jobs and investment opportunities. It’s no secret that many business owners have been operating in an increasingly challenging and complex landscape, but this was exactly why we were keen to lend our support to Ballymena Business Centre and continued to work alongside this social enterprise over the last eight years.
“To see so many entrepreneurs supported, hundreds of businesses receiving seed funding, 21 businesses receiving Innovate NI Certification and more than 121 new employment opportunities created is a fantastic demonstration of what can be achieved when organisations work together.”
Ballymena firms put support into practice
Peak Shaving, a renewable energy and design consultancy has achieved remarkable success since completing Ballymena Business Centre’s 4i Innovation programme, funded by The Gallaher Trust. Pictured are, from left, Stephen Scullion, Ballymena Business Centre Manager, Ryan Burton from Peak Shaving, Ian Paisley, Chairman of The Gallaher Trust and Melanie Christie-Boyle MBE, Chief Executive, Ballymena Business Centre.
One business to complete 4i Innovation is Ballymena Business Centre tenant Peak Shaving, a renewable energy and design consultancy which has also progressed to receive support from Invest NI.
The company is developing technology to use second-life electric vehicle commercial and industrial waste batteries to store renewable energy. It works with customers across Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, including agricultural businesses, community energy projects and transport and logistics companies.
Ryan Burton, from Peak Shaving, said the programme and the company’s tenancy at the business centre helped turn an existing idea into a growing enterprise.
“My business partner, Robert and I had the idea for our company for quite some time, but it was through completing the 4i Innovation, and tenancy at Ballymena Business Centre, that we were able to expand our network and gain the knowledge and skills to really go for it.
“By leveraging advanced technologies, demand-side management strategies, and our in-depth expertise in renewable energy, we have been able to provide our clients with innovative solutions to help manage their energy conservation goals.
“This is a really exciting time for our company. We’re working on a range of projects for local businesses and indeed those overseas as well as providing highly skilled employment opportunities and apprenticeships, with our first apprentice recently starting. The 4i Innovation has allowed us to establish and scale-up our company at pace and we are looking forward to what the future brings.”
Airtac plans up to six more Ballymena jobs
Airtac, the first company of its kind in Northern Ireland, has expanded its footprint to service international markets since completing the Ballymena Business Centre 4i Innovation programme, funded by The Gallaher Trust. Taig Brookes, Production Director at Airtac is pictured alongside the Trust’s Chairman, Ian Paisley.
Another Ballymena Business Centre tenant, Airtac, designs and manufactures high-pressure air adapters for airsoft equipment and has expanded into international markets.
The company currently employs seven people in Ballymena and is fitting out a new manufacturing facility on the business centre estate which it says will nearly double its production capacity.
Production Director Taig Brookes said:
“The foundation we received through the 4i Innovation programme stood us in great stead when it came to growing our business.
“Over the last six years, we have scaled up our operations at Ballymena Business Centre currently employing seven people providing high-quality products to global customers.
“We’re really looking forward to continuing our vision well into the future. We’re just finishing off fitting out a new manufacturing facility on the Ballymena Business Centre estate to nearly double our production capabilities here in Northern Ireland. We’re set to receive a state-of-the-art Multi Jet Fusion 3D Printer from HP alongside a brand new Raise3D SLS Printer, both of which we are the first in Northern Ireland to receive. We’re looking forward to creating up to another six jobs here in Ballymena and will begin hiring very soon!”
Building a pathway for local entrepreneurs
Melanie Christie-Boyle MBE, Chief Executive of Ballymena Business Centre, said the programmes had provided entrepreneurs with support as they developed their businesses and connected them with education and economic development organisations.
“Enabling Enterprise and 4i Innovation, delivered over the last eight years, has provided essential wrap around support nurturing local entrepreneurs on their enterprise journey, achieving Innovate NI Certification and providing a clear pathway for businesses to connect and benefit from additional support provided by education and economic stakeholders. Establishing and growing a business is never easy, especially against a backdrop of rising costs and mounting pressures across many sectors.
“That is why collaboration and partnership with key stakeholders is so important ensuring the right formula of support is provided. To have assisted so many entrepreneurs and businesses that have created new employment opportunities is a fantastic result. The team at Ballymena Business Centre is hugely grateful to The Gallaher Trust for its continued investment in helping local entrepreneurs turn their vision into viable, growing and innovative businesses.”
The figures provide a snapshot of the programmes’ impact over eight years, while Airtac’s planned expansion could add up to another six jobs in Ballymena as it increases manufacturing capacity. More information about The Gallaher Trust and its work is available at www.thegallahertrust.org.
