The Budget left a lot of questions unanswered

Ulster BusinessSchool studentstop UK examresults in financeDenis O’Brien – KeynoteSpeaker at FPM/UlsterBusiness School leadershiptalkThe University of Ulster’s Business school iscelebrating double success as two of its financestudents have out-performed over 4,000 othercandidates across the UK in the CharteredInstitute for Securities and Investment’s (CISI)professional examinations. Mark McCoy fromNorth Belfast and Jonathan McAdam fromGreenisland, sat the external exams followingcompletion of the Ulster Business School’srecently introduced Graduate DevelopmentProgramme in Financial Services.Professor of Finance and Investment, PhilipHamill, who developed the programmeexplained: “The financial services sector isincreasingly seeking to employ graduates whohave the demonstrable skill sets to meet industryneeds. As a centre of excellence in the provisionof finance and accounting education, the UlsterBusiness School has taken the lead in deliveringthis bespoke course which is funded by theDepartment for Employment and Learning underits Assured Skills programme.”“In essence, the Graduate DevelopmentProgramme in Financial Services is an intensiveprogramme comprising three modules includingsecurities and investment, financial regulation,and global securities operations. Successfullycompleting the three modules leads to the awardof the CISI’s Investment Operations Certificateand professional membership of the Institutewhich is regarded as a must-have benchmarkqualification for many employers in the financialservices sector.”Professor Hamill continued, “By working inpartnership with DEL, Invest NI and CISI we arepractically implementing the corerecommendations of the Barnett Review andskilling up graduates with appropriatequalifications who can contribute positively toeconomic growth and help attract inwardinvestment. So it’s a win win situation foreveryone involved and Mark and Jonathan are tobe congratulated for their outstanding successwhich has been recognised at a national level.”One of the prize winners, Mark McCoy,commented, “the Graduate Diploma in FinancialServices is a wonderful programme that providesan opportunity for graduates like myself to fasttrack and gain the industry standard qualificationin Financial Services that makes us highlyemployable”. His fellow prize winner JonathanMcAdam is now working in the office of thePermanent Secretary in the Department ofAgriculture and Rural Development.Professor Alastair Adair, provost and pro-vice-chancellor, University of Ulster, FeargalMcCormack, managing partner, FPM Accountants, professor Marie McHugh, dean, UlsterBusiness School, Denis O’Brien, Gerry Kelly, professor Richard Barnett, vice-chancellor,University of UlsterDenis O’Brien was the Keynote Speaker atthe FPM 20th Anniversary Leadership Talk,held as part of the Management LeadershipNetwork, Management Month initiative inassociation with the Ulster Business School, atthe University of Ulster, Belfast Campus.Mr O’Brien, one of the world’s leadingentrepreneurs with extensive investmentsacross several sectors, is a serial investorrenowned for his ability to invest in difficultand often unstable developing countries.O’Brien suggested his business model in thesemarkets is simple – more for less, with hisgroup typically going head-to-head with stateowned companies or market leaders, andovertaking their market share within two years,by offering better networks, better service andlower prices.It was very evident as he talked tobroadcaster Gerry Kelly, that Denis O’Brien is aunique individual, whose impatiententrepreneurial drive is balanced by a deepseated belief in helping people in lessfortunate situations.His commitment to help people lessfortunate than himself, such as SpecialOlympics Ireland, was illustrated throughoutthe Talk and is currently manifest in Haiti,where he has pledged $5m of his personalmoney in aid following the 2010 earthquake.A strong sense of social conscience hasresulted in O’Brien overseeing the opening ofover 50 schools in Haiti since the earthquake.Rather than retreating from the earthquakezone, he and his business interests have spentclose to $250m since the event, on furtherbusiness investment in the region.Speaking at the event, which attracted a “fullhouse”, FPM’s managing partner, Feargal23McCormack stated, that Denis’sentrepreneurial experiences, vision and views,which were shared during a par excellencechat with Gerry Kelly, were inspirational, andthat he was confident that the Denis O’BrienLeadership Talk, would provide stimulus forthe creation of further significant economicand social capital growth.Reviewing the FPM life journey, over thepast 20 years, McCormack, a Visiting Professor,at the Ulster Business School, stated that theFPM brand was associated with a desire “toserve and care”, to deliver service excellence.He added that FPM’s motivation as trustedbusiness advisors, was to help others to win,and therefore achieve their dreams and qualityof life aspirations.Professor Marie McHugh, dean of the UlsterBusiness School at University of Ulster stated,“we were delighted to work with professorFeargal McCormack and his team at FPM inorganising this special event to celebrate 20years of excellent achievement at theCompany. As a Business School that iscommitted to developing the entrepreneurialflair, business, management and leadershipskills of its students, it was an honour towelcome such an inspirational figure as DenisO’Brien to the Ulster Business School to sharewith us his thoughts on his approach tobusiness.”www.businessfirstonline.co.uk