Trading Up

In this episode of the Trading Up podcast, host Jim Fitzpatrick is joined by Johnston Bell, partner at ARCEN—a firm uniquely blending architecture and engineering. Bell shares the strategic advantage of bringing creative architects and practical structural engineers together early in the design process to deliver better, more cost-effective solutions for clients.

He reflects on his journey from a rural farming background to leading a business that competes internationally from its Mid-Ulster base. Bell explains how the daily problem-solving and resilience required on a farm translate perfectly into managing the complex, unpredictable variables of construction projects.

The conversation also explores continuous leadership development, drawing inspiration from industry giants like Sir John Parker to step outside one's comfort zone. From designing the Dark Sky Observatory in Davagh Forest to planning future expansion into the Republic, this episode offers invaluable insights into leadership and business growth.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Trading Up podcast, hosts Jim Fitzpatrick and Richard Ramsey dive into the biggest economic threats and opportunities facing Northern Ireland today. From the global ripple effects of US and UK political instability to rising inflation and defence spending, the hosts unpack how global geopolitics directly impacts local business.

Locally, they examine the severe consequences of political stagnation at Stormont. They highlight the urgent wastewater infrastructure crisis surrounding Lough Neagh, revealing how this failure is stalling an estimated £13 billion in housing and economic development. Can Northern Ireland adopt regional devolution models like Manchester to improve planning and infrastructure, or will local politics continue to stall growth?

Whether you are a business leader or an investor, tune in to discover key geopolitical risks, the hidden potential of public sector AI transformation, and bold economic predictions for the year ahead.
Brought to you in association with EY. The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not reflect the views or positions of EY or its other member Firms. EY proudly sponsors the Trading Up podcast but does not endorse or take responsibility for any statements made by individual guests. The Trading Up podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

Supported by - Queen’s Business School at Queen’s University Belfast offers world-class undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive education. The mission of Queen’s Business School is to educate and explore for the benefit of business and society. QBS is triple-accredited, an accolade which puts it in the top 1% of business schools in the world. As a member of the Global Business School Network, the School is connected through strategic partnerships across the globe. QBS engages with the business community to develop principled and effective leaders, provide student and graduate talent, and harness innovation through academic expertise.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Description: In this episode of the Trading Up podcast, host Jim Fitzpatrick sits down with Louise Doyle, co-founder of Needi, a corporate gifting concierge platform that went from a standing start to turning over millions. Discover the deep psychology behind why we give gifts and how Needi is disrupting the generic corporate merchandise market with hyper-personalised experiences that support local businesses.

Louise shares her incredibly inspiring personal journey—from overcoming childhood tragedy and bootstrapping her startup, to securing £2.4 million in VC funding as a first-time female founder. Learn how leading brands like DPD use bespoke gifting to boost employee retention, how AI can scale human connection rather than replace it, and the reality of navigating the "seesaw" of a demanding CEO role alongside motherhood.

Whether you are an entrepreneur seeking investment tips or a business leader wanting to maximize your team's motivation, this episode delivers invaluable insights.

Brought to you in association with EY. The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not reflect the views or positions of EY or its other member Firms. EY proudly sponsors the Trading Up podcast but does not endorse or take responsibility for any statements made by individual guests. The Trading Up podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

Supported by - Queen’s Business School at Queen’s University Belfast offers world-class undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive education. The mission of Queen’s Business School is to educate and explore for the benefit of business and society. QBS is triple-accredited, an accolade which puts it in the top 1% of business schools in the world. As a member of the Global Business School Network, the School is connected through strategic partnerships across the globe. QBS engages with the business community to develop principled and effective leaders, provide student and graduate talent, and harness innovation through academic expertise.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A decade after the historic Brexit referendum, Trading Up Unpacked hosts Jim Fitzpatrick and Professor Richard Ramsey dissect the real-world economic and political fallout of leaving the EU. Rather than a sudden crash, the UK economy has suffered a "slow puncture" with a hit to GDP; stifled business investment; and record-high tax burdens.

This episode unpacks the stark contrast between the Leave campaign's promises and today's realities. Discover why UK net migration soared to a record 891,000 in 2022 despite pledges to "take back control" of borders. The hosts also explore Northern Ireland’s unique post-Brexit landscape.

Benefiting from dual market access, Northern Ireland has experienced a remarkable all-island trade boom—with cross-border goods trade topping £10.6 billion in 2024—and record-low unemployment.

Tune in to understand the true impact of the Brexit decade and what it means for the future of the economy.

Brought to you in association with EY. The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not reflect the views or positions of EY or its other member Firms. EY proudly sponsors the Trading Up podcast but does not endorse or take responsibility for any statements made by individual guests. The Trading Up podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

Supported by - Queen’s Business School at Queen’s University Belfast offers world-class undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive education. The mission of Queen’s Business School is to educate and explore for the benefit of business and society. QBS is triple-accredited, an accolade which puts it in the top 1% of business schools in the world. As a member of the Global Business School Network, the School is connected through strategic partnerships across the globe. QBS engages with the business community to develop principled and effective leaders, provide student and graduate talent, and harness innovation through academic expertise.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Trading Up, host Jim Fitzpatrick sits down with Gareth Kelly, the partner leading Data and AI for EY in Northern Ireland, to demystify artificial intelligence for modern enterprises. Rather than simply using AI for small productivity bumps, Kelly explains how companies must completely redraw their business processes to stay competitive.

The conversation explores how AI can be leveraged to achieve three core objectives: making money, saving money, and managing risk.
They explore the critical differences between generative AI and "agentic" AI, alongside practical use cases showing how AI is currently transforming traditional finance departments; empowering enterprise sales teams with AI co-pilots; and cutting costs in procurement.

Beyond the technical adoption, Gareth details the necessary ethical guardrails for data security and explains why human creativity and business acumen are more vital than ever. Whether you lead a lean startup or a large PLC, this episode provides a strategic roadmap for navigating the AI revolution.

Brought to you in association with EY. The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not reflect the views or positions of EY or its other member Firms. EY proudly sponsors the Trading Up podcast but does not endorse or take responsibility for any statements made by individual guests. The Trading Up podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

Supported by - Queen’s Business School at Queen’s University Belfast offers world-class undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive education. The mission of Queen’s Business School is to educate and explore for the benefit of business and society. QBS is triple-accredited, an accolade which puts it in the top 1% of business schools in the world. As a member of the Global Business School Network, the School is connected through strategic partnerships across the globe. QBS engages with the business community to develop principled and effective leaders, provide student and graduate talent, and harness innovation through academic expertise.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.