Spotlight on: Iain Joannides, Head of Regional Business for the Eastern region
A version of this article was published in the Ballymena Guardian.
Iain Joannides is Head of Regional Business for the Eastern region at Invest Northern Ireland. In his role, he leads a team that delivers business growth support to hundreds of start-ups and first time exporters across the Eastern region.
We spoke to Iain about his ambitions for the region, its economic strengths, and how his team is working to support businesses in the area.
Q. What are your ambitions as Head of Regional Business for the region, and what do you hope to achieve in the role?
I’m focused on helping business in the Eastern Region become more competitive and to do this, we need more start ups and more existing businesses selling more of their goods or services into markets outside Northern Ireland. That means encouraging more export-orientated startups, particularly those in innovation-driven businesses that can scale, pay higher salaries, create more job opportunities and can export their goods or services across the globe.
Alongside startups, it’s equally important to help existing businesses become more export active, whether that’s helping them start their export journey, find new markets, or develop new products, process or services. I also want to help more businesses invest in skills and innovation, which, I believe, will lead to stronger and more growing businesses.
Q. What would you say are the greatest economic strengths of the region?
My team looks after businesses in the Mid and East Antrim, Antrim and Newtownabbey, Lisburn and Castlereagh, and Ards and North Down council areas, and each of these areas has its own strengths and opportunities. The region has a strong heritage of industry and innovation, for example, the first blast-proof safety lamp for coal miners was designed in Bangor by William Clancy. Harry Ferguson, the tractor pioneer was born in Annahilt, and Larne Port developed the world's very first Roll-On/Roll-Off cargo ships.
Nowadays the region benefits from proximity to Belfast, and has good infrastructure in most areas, with access to Belfast and Larne ports as well as both airports. Unemployment tends to be low, and the region has relatively high skills levels. There are strong pockets of entrepreneurship, with many people, particularly young people, starting their own businesses, which is great to see for the future of the region.
Manufacturing plays an important role across the region, creating career opportunities for residents across all skill levels – from young people deciding to pursue apprenticeships and entry‑level roles through to highly skilled, well‑paid careers.
At the same time, there are pockets of deprivation and skills gaps that aren’t always visible in headline statistics. I want to see more inclusive growth and, while we need to support high growth industries, we also need to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to access good jobs, which provide stability.
Q. What are the main challenges facing businesses in the region, and how is Invest NI helping to address them?
Challenges vary by district, but productivity is a common challenge across the region. In some areas, the levels of exporting and business investment in innovation are relatively low.
I believe that productivity can be addressed through stronger leadership, investment in skills, innovation, capital equipment and reducing energy costs. Invest NI’s Leadership programmes are fantastic at helping business leaders identify opportunities and weaknesses that can unlock business growth. Likewise, our trade development experts and in-market advisors are helping local business find new markets and grow their exports, which is driving new sales and boosting productivity.
Q. What industries or sectors is the region known for, and where do you see future opportunities?
There are many world-class manufacturers across the region in sectors like food and drink, engineering, advanced manufacturing, and aerospace.
Fantastic innovative companies are forming and scaling within the Eastern region. Investments by councils, such as Space in Antrim, are providing the infrastructure and support businesses need to scale without relocating. It is also brilliant to see so many businesses applying to our Ambition to Grow programme and beginning their export journey.
There are some hidden gems, such as the pharmaceutical cluster in the Larne, and research suggests that businesses operating within clusters are more productive, more innovative and pay higher salaries.
The City & Growth Deal investments, including the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre at Global Point and i4C Innovation Centre in Ballymena, are a great opportunity for businesses and will boost regional productivity. It is really important that businesses tap into the expertise within these new centres and leverage the benefits can bring.
Q. How has Invest NI supported businesses in the region recently?
We’ve supported hundreds of businesses across many sectors over the last number of years, from early-stage technology startups through to established manufacturers. Some of the most exciting support is early-stage seed funding and innovation support for innovation-driven startups coming through our programmes like Founder Labs, as well as investment projects helping established firms to scale, invest in capital equipment, invest in R&D, create jobs and grow their businesses.
We also work closely with councils, colleges, universities and the local enterprise agencies, to help businesses get the right support at the right time. Much of my time recently has been to helping develop the Local Economic Partnership Action plans and I have been very encouraged by the partnerships focus on investing in land, factory and office space that businesses need to grow and remain within their local areas.
Q. What support does Invest NI offer to businesses in the region?
My door is always open and I’m keen to speak to entrepreneurs, startups and scaling businesses, including those that have engaged with us in the past. Our teams are on the road every day, in every corner of Northern Ireland visiting businesses.
If you are interested in selling into markets outside Northern Ireland and meet our client criteria please contact our Business Support team.
If you don’t meet the requirements to become a client, there is still a wide range of support available, including our Business Information Centre, Access to Finance solutions, Innovation Vouchers, Business Innovation Grant and free technical consultancy to help reduce energy costs and cut carbon emissions.
Our nibusinessinfo.co.uk website is a free, comprehensive resource for local entrepreneurs, business owners, providing advice, guidance, information, as well as details on events and support available.
A final point is that investment in one part of Northern Ireland benefits the whole region. Jobs, skills and opportunities don’t stop at council boundaries. Business investment and a more balanced, connected economy is good for everyone, and that’s the message I’m keen to keep reinforcing.
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