Business First January 2017 2017 volume 13 | Page 3

Cover Story Arthur Cox Partner Lynsey Mallon on why you can always expect excellence from the firm . Page 12

Thought Leaders Dawn Johnston , CAI , says Ministers need to tend to their creaking in-trays . Page 57

Best Practice Are you really an ethical leader ?, asks Olivia May from the Leadership Institute . Page 22

Economic Outlook Who is brave enough to gaze into the economic crystal ball for 2017 ? Find out from Page 25

NORTHERN IRELAND ’ S EMERGING LEADERS 40 UNDER 40 online nominations open . Details page 11

CONTENTS

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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP & COMMENTARY

Economic Schizophrenia requires flexible planning

Happy and Prosperous New Year greetings from us all here at Business First . Thanks for your support during 2016 and we look forward to continuing to be a part of your business life throughout 2017 .

But it has to be acknowledged that we enter the new year in something of economic flux . To highlight this here are two headlines from the same New Year ’ s Eve edition of a national newspaper : Consumer Confidence Hits The Buffers and UK Secures £ 16bn Of Investment Since Brexit Vote .

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK 2017

Divergence will be the theme for 2017 Richard Ramsey Ulster Bank

BEST PRACTICE

Investor confidence to continue in 2017 Richard Bowman Strategic Planning

Manufacturing : George Best the key to

Belfast City

economic growth Airport is ready for in 2017

2017

Stephen Kelly Brian Ambrose ManufacturingNI Belfast City Airport

The first refers to the drop in post­Christmas sales while the second refers to the new deals secured by the Dept . for International Trade .

Both are correct ­ but which one gives us an insight into our economic future ? Well frankly , neither do as economic schizophrenia continues ­ and will do so up to and beyond the March deadline for triggering Article 50 .

Which is why our Business First Economic Outlook makes for even more than usual interesting reading this year . Starting on page 25 the 20 + pages of the Outlook will give you food for thought as you make plans for 2017 .

Plans which must have flexibility at their core if you are to be in a position to respond to a rapidly changing economic road which will be littered with the potholes of disaster and the passing lanes of opportunity . Be ready to avoid the first and move into high gear on the second , and 2017 could well be a positive year for you and your business . But fail to be prepared to pivot quickly , and prepare to fail . That ’ s the chllenge and opportunity for the next twelve months . Good luck !

See you on the frontline !

Gavin Gavin Walker , Managing Editor

FRONT COVER IMAGE by Khara Pringle Lynsey Mallon , Arthur Cox See page 12 for the cover story

Are you really an ethical leader ? Olivia May William J Clinton Leadership Institute

northern ireland ’ s business magazine

BUSINESSFIRST

INFORM CHALLENGE INSPIRE JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2017

ARTHUR COX

DELIVERING EXCELLENCE

Pension planning and the family owned business Maybeth Shaw BDO Northern Ireland

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