Strengthening of Irish and UK business relations
Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited Manchester recently to mark the strengthening of Irish and UK business relations in the North of England. The trade visit was led by Enterprise Ireland.
During the visit to Manchester, Taoiseach Micheál Martin met with the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Mayor of Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram, building on existing strong relations with both Mayors which commenced prior to Enterprise Ireland opening its office in Manchester in 2019. Taoiseach Micheál Martin also met with nine Irish companies active in the region, including John Sisk & Son, PM Group, KPC International, ESB, TTM Healthcare Solutions, CRS Refrigeration, Spectrum Life, Crest Solutions and Future Ticketing. He also met senior Healthcare and Lifesciences representatives from the North of England following a knowledge-sharing exchange hosted by Enterprise Ireland.
Cork headquartered company, KPC International, a key supplier of specialist project-related services to the global Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Industries, has announced the establishment of a new office in Manchester. The opening of KPC International’s office in Manchester will serve the strong manufacturing industry in the North of England. The expansion of their business with the UK, will further strengthen the company’s operations in Ireland. KPC International now have six global offices.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “The UK is our long-standing trading partner and the Irish Government, through Enterprise Ireland, is committed to consolidating and growing our exports to the UK market. The North of England is a dynamic region of the UK, with major infrastructure projects, and significant investment happening at a local level. We have strengthened our presence in the region, with the establishment of Enterprise Ireland’s Manchester office in 2019 and the presence of a new consular general to the region.”
Leading the trade visit for Enterprise Ireland, Kevin Sherry, Executive Director of Enterprise Ireland, said: “Enterprise Ireland’s Manchester office has played an important role in further increasing exports and providing support to clients to expand their reach in the Midlands and Northern UK region. Over 100 clients now have presences in the region and are realising considerable business opportunities, particularly in areas including construction, manufacturing and local authority spending.”
The UK market continues to be a strategically important market for Irish exporters, with significant opportunities, helping UK organisations meet their sustainability goals and digitalise their businesses. Business opportunities also remain in established sectors including infrastructure, aerospace, healthcare, logistics, financial services and retail.
Exports by Enterprise Ireland clients to the UK reached their highest levels in 2021, growing by 15% to €8.4 billion and account for 31% of total exports. Over 1,600 Enterprise Ireland clients export to the UK, including 112 first time exporters to the market.
CAPTION:
Pictured (L to R): Des O’Toole, Digital Clinical Innovation Lead, HSE; Dr Seamus O’Neill, CEO, Northern Health Science Alliance; Dr Tanya Mulcahy, Director Health Innovation Hub Ireland; An Taoiseach Micheál Martin; Dr Kath Mackay, Director of Life Sciences for Bruntwood SciTech; Professor Thomas Walley, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Clinical Research and Professor, University of Liverpool; Professor Ian Bruce, Director of the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre and Academic Director of Health Innovation Manchester; and Marie-Claire Henry, Senior Market Advisor, Healthcare & Lifesciences, Enterprise Ireland UK.
