The Gallaher Trust: Ballymena 400 event to shape town’s future as £400,000 funding call opens
- Love Ballymena
- Apr 20
- 4 min read
Gallaher Trust’s Chairman, Ian Paisley, alongside Trustees, Lauren McAteer and James Perry MBE.
A major funding push aimed at driving job creation and skills development across Ballymena has been launched, as The Gallaher Trust reopens applications for 2027 projects alongside a landmark event marking the town’s 400th anniversary.
Business leaders, social enterprises and charities are being urged to step forward with new ideas as £400,000 in funding becomes available, with organisers warning that sustained collaboration will be critical to securing Ballymena’s long-term economic future.
The funding call coincides with the upcoming Ballymena 400 – Building on Partnership and Progress event, taking place on Thursday 30 April at the Adair Arms Hotel, where key figures from business, industry and the third sector will gather to map out the next phase of the town’s development.
A milestone moment focused on the future
The event will celebrate Ballymena’s industrial heritage over the past four centuries, while placing a sharp focus on what comes next — particularly how innovation, partnership and skills investment can shape the town’s future.
Organisers say the event will highlight how collaborative approaches have already delivered tangible outcomes, including new employment opportunities, workforce upskilling and wider economic growth.
At the same time, it will challenge attendees to consider how these efforts can be expanded and replicated across other sectors.
£3.1 million invested with measurable results
Since its establishment in 2017, The Gallaher Trust has committed £3.1 million to delivery partner projects, generating significant local impact.
That investment has contributed to:
486 new jobs created
1,700 adults upskilled
Support provided to more than 2,100 disadvantaged adults
The Trust’s Chairman, Ian Paisley, said the figures demonstrate meaningful progress but stressed that further action is essential.
“There’s no doubt that the Trust has achieved a great amount of success, thanks to the support and dedication of our delivery partners, but there is so much more to be done,” he said.
“We’re keen to celebrate 400 years of Ballymena’s industrial heritage but if we want to secure the town’s future for the next four centuries and beyond, it’s important that we ask what more can be done in terms of collaboration for job creation and skills development.”
Hospitality School highlighted as model for growth
A key example of partnership-led success set to feature at the event is the Northern Ireland Hospitality School.
Established in 2021 by three local hoteliers to tackle recruitment and retention challenges in the sector, the initiative has already delivered strong results.
The School has:
Graduated 230 students
Attracted private sector funding
Built a model focused on practical skills and industry needs
Pictured are, from left, the Trust’s Chairman, Ian Paisley, alongside Trustees, Lauren McAteer and James Perry MBE.
Ian Paisley pointed to the project as a blueprint that could be adapted across other industries.
“Established in 2021 by three local hoteliers who saw a need to solve an industry wide issue of recruiting and retaining highly-skilled staff, the Northern Ireland Hospitality School is a great example of what can be achieved through partnership and ‘outside the box’ thinking,” he said.
“Recently attracting private sector funding, the School has made a huge impact locally so far with 230 students graduating since its inception and we believe this model could be replicated across other sectors as well.”
Business leaders and creative voices to take the stage
The event will bring together leading figures involved in the Hospitality School’s creation, including:
Eddie McKeever, Managing Director of the McKeever Group
Colin Johnston, CEO of Galgorm Collection
Ashley Douglas, Director of Operations at the School
They will share insights into how cross-sector collaboration helped deliver the initiative and how similar approaches could address skills gaps elsewhere.
Adding a cultural dimension to the discussion, Ballymena-born writer Declan Lawn — co-writer of the BBC drama Blue Lights — will take part in a fireside chat hosted by journalist Jo Scott.
The session will explore his personal journey as well as his perspective on Ballymena’s evolution and future potential.
Call for organisations to step forward
With applications for 2027 funding now open, The Gallaher Trust is encouraging organisations from across Northern Ireland to engage with both the funding programme and the event.
“I would encourage all businesses, social enterprises and charities from across Northern Ireland to attend the Ballymena 400 – Building on Partnership and Progress event,” Ian Paisley added.
“It will be a great opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come alongside driving thought leadership to help secure the future of our communities and ultimately, our economy.
“Attendees will also be able to learn more about the funding available for 2027 projects and how to apply. We’re ready to help eligible organisations and projects to bring their ideas to life.”
How to attend and apply
The Ballymena 400 – Building on Partnership and Progress event will take place on Thursday 30 April at the Adair Arms Hotel from 8:30am to 12pm.
Registration is available via Eventbrite at:
Applications for 2027 delivery partner projects are now open. Further details and application information can be found at:
At a glance
£400,000 funding available for Ballymena-focused 2027 projects
Applications reopened by The Gallaher Trust earlier this month
Ballymena 400 event to take place on Thursday 30 April at Adair Arms Hotel
Event runs from 8:30am to 12pm
Trust has invested £3.1 million since 2017
Projects supported have created 486 jobs and upskilled 1,700 adults
Over 2,100 disadvantaged adults have received support
Northern Ireland Hospitality School highlighted as a key success model
230 students have graduated from the School since 2021
Event to feature business leaders and Blue Lights co-writer Declan Lawn
