We are looking for an enthusiastic Property & Office Administrator that would like to develop their career in facilities and property field.

The Facilities & Office Administrator will play a vital role in ensuring the smooth, safe, and efficient day-to-day  building and office operations. Acting as a central point of contact for tenants, contractors, staff, and visitors, this role supports high standards of service, compliance, and professionalism across the organisation.

The postholder is responsible for coordinating facilities and property administration, managing Health & Safety records and compliance, and managing the administration of contractor activity, as well as providing essential office and administrative support. With a strong focus on organisation, communication, and problem-solving, the Facilities & Office Administrator helps ensure our working environment is well-managed, compliant, and welcoming at all times.

This role is ideal for someone with experience in facilities, property, or office administration who enjoys variety, takes pride in attention to detail, and is comfortable managing multiple priorities in a busy environment.

Job Description

Send a CV & Cover Letter to recruitment@downbc.co.uk

The post We Are Recruiting appeared first on Down Business Centre.

Down Business Centre is inviting expressions of interest from motivated and experienced individuals to join our Board of Directors.

As a Local Enterprise Agency, we play a central role in supporting entrepreneurs, start-ups, and growing businesses across the Newry, Mourne and Down District and beyond. From managing 34,000 sq. ft. of modern workspace to delivering the Go Succeed NI programme on behalf of Invest Northern Ireland, we are proud to be at the forefront of enterprise development in our region.

Why join our Board?

Becoming a Board Member at Down Business Centre offers you the opportunity to:

• Contribute to the strategic direction and governance of a respected local organisation

• Support inclusive enterprise and innovation in the community

• Influence how we develop and modernise facilities to meet future business needs

• Be part of a dedicated team shaping the economic future of the area

Who are we looking for?

We welcome interest from individuals with expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Finance and governance

• Business growth and innovation

• Property and facilities management

• Community and economic development

More importantly, we are seeking people who share our passion for supporting entrepreneurs and strengthening the local economy.

How to Apply

If you are ready to make an impact and bring your skills to our Board, please get in touch.

To express your interest, email recruitment@downbc.co.uk by 17th October 2025.

Together, we can continue to build a thriving, resilient business community.

The post Recruiting New Board Members appeared first on Down Business Centre.

Down Business Centre is delighted to announce the appointment of Mary Lou Press, Partner at Alexander Reid & Frazer, as the new Chair of the Board.

In addition, heartfelt thanks go to Linda Beers, who has served on the Board since 2007. Linda’s dedication and insight over the past 18 years have left an enduring legacy that has strengthened the organisation for the future.

The post Down Business Centre Welcomes New Chair as Part of Exciting New Chapter appeared first on Down Business Centre.

Department of Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald visited Down Business Centre this week to meet with staff and board members to hear first-hand about the Centre’s achievements, ongoing challenges, and ambitious plans to support enterprise and inclusive economic growth across the Down District.

Welcomed by Chief Executive Emma Bohill, the Minister was given a comprehensive overview of the Centre’s pivotal role as a regional hub for entrepreneurship. For nearly 35 years, Down Business Centre has been a cornerstone for new and growing businesses, managing 34,000 sq. ft. of workspace across 35 industrial units and 31 offices — all currently at full occupancy.

“We’re delighted to host the Minister today and show how local enterprise support is driving opportunity here,” said Emma Bohill. “From start-up guidance to growth-stage mentoring, our services are designed to meet businesses where they are — and help them move forward.”

Driving Local Impact Through Go Succeed

As a delivery agent for the Go Succeed programme started in November 2023, Down Business Centre has provided targeted enterprise support across the full business lifecycle. Since the programme’s launch, the Centre has support the set up and mentoring of over 380 local businesses, creating an estimated 81 jobs and providing businesses access to grants and business loan funds.

Beyond the numbers, the Centre is building a thriving business community where local people can access decent work, business ownership, and shared prosperity.

Facing Challenges Head-On

During her visit, Minister Archibald heard directly about several key challenges facing the organisation:

• Ageing buildings requiring investment in modernisation, digital infrastructure, and accessibility
• Limited land and premises for expanding out-of-town workspace to meet rising demand
• Lack of employer support incentives for apprenticeships, especially in construction trades

The importance of ensuring rural areas are fully included and visible in future Local Economic Partnership (LEP) investment plans, so that all parts of the region can contribute to and benefit from economic growth

Unlocking Future Opportunity Through the LEP

The Centre sees the newly formed Local Economic Partnership as a major opportunity to align regional strategy with local delivery — provided rural areas remain central to its scope.

“We’re enthusiastic about the potential of the Local Economic Partnership and are delighted to have a seat at the table,” said Ms Bohill. “As an established voice for rural enterprise, Down Business Centre is well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to shaping this new agenda. It’s vital that funding is distributed proportionately across the Down District, recognising the unique strengths and needs of our rural communities. By embedding local insight and business-led thinking into decision-making, the LEP can unlock innovation, strengthen resilience, and ensure inclusive economic growth is shared right across our region.”

The visit concluded with a guided tour of the facility.

The post Minister of Economy visits Down Business Centre appeared first on Down Business Centre.

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Down Business Centre recently attended the Access to Finance event held on 29th May 2025—an insightful and practical workshop designed to demystify the wide range of funding options currently available to micro and small businesses.

This event provided valuable tools, tips, and resources for business finance and growth. One of the key takeaways was just how many funding options exist for small businesses—yet many entrepreneurs remain unaware of what’s available, or unsure of what’s most appropriate for their specific needs.

A Positive Outlook for Business Finance

The overall message from the event was clear: there is a very active borrowing market at the moment. Lenders are open for business, and there is genuine appetite to support the growth of micro and small enterprises. However, understanding what lenders are looking for is crucial. Businesses must be well-prepared, with a clear business plan, accurate cash flow projections, and a solid understanding of their own financial needs.

Getting professional advice is vital—whether through the Go Succeed programme, your accountant, or a financial advisor. Go Succeed, in particular, plays a key role in helping businesses get “lender ready” by providing guidance and support on planning, cash flow and forecasting.

Overview of Available Finance Options

Here are some of the key funding options discussed during the event:

• Start-Up Loans: Personal loans for new businesses ranging from £500 to £25,000.

• Northern Ireland Small Business Loan Fund: Aimed at businesses trading for two years or more.

• Upstream ABL (Asset-Based Lending): Offers loans secured against company assets, ideal for businesses seeking to release cash to fund growth.

• Asset Finance (via providers like Simply Finance): Supports the purchase of vehicles and machinery—everything from commercial vans to agricultural or construction equipment. Both start-ups and established businesses are welcome to apply.

• Upstream Finance (Supply Chain Finance): A useful option for purchasing stock, with a 90-day repayment window to help with cash flow.

• Invoice Finance: A type of debt purchase agreement that allows businesses to access funds immediately based on outstanding invoices, helping to smooth cash flow.

• WhiteRock: A managed debt fund offering loans and equity investment for growth-focused businesses.

Final Thoughts

A recurring message throughout the event was the importance of telling your story to lenders. Having a strong narrative, supported by clear financials, is key to securing finance. With the right support and guidance, small businesses in Northern Ireland can confidently navigate the funding landscape and access the finance they need to grow.

For businesses unsure of where to start, Down Business Centre and the Go Succeed programme are here to help.

These events are tailored to entrepreneurs in the Ards and North Down Borough Council, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council areas.

This is an NI-Wide initiative delivered by Enterprise NI, with and through the network of 27 Local Enterprise Agencies, and in partnership with British Business Bank , supported by Department for the Economy NI.”

To register for the next event to find out more: bit.ly/FFGSeries.

Contact us for more information 028 44616416

The post Funding for Growth: Micro and Small Business Series appeared first on Down Business Centre.

Understanding the market so you can compete

Sourcing tenders and deciding whether to bid

How to win tenders

How to complete and submit tenders

How to make tendering success a key part of your business

Register now to attend https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0jCw2r0

The post Public Sector Tendering Workshops appeared first on Down Business Centre.

Details

An Introduction to Biodiversity Open Workshop

Join this open workshop to gain the baseline knowledge your organisation needs to start making nature-positive decisions.

Business in the Community has developed the “Introduction to Biodiversity” workshop in response to growing demand for nature-positive actions within sustainable business. Nature-based solutions go hand in hand with combatting climate change, and businesses have a responsibility to protect and enhance our natural environment. However, an understanding of biodiversity and its interactions with the environment, society and business is required to drive forward the necessary changes.

The session has been designed to provide that baseline knowledge for professionals working across all sectors and departments and is suitable for beginners.

The workshop provides an overview of the following topics:

●What is biodiversity and why is it important?

●Threats to biodiversity

●Business and biodiversity

●Practical steps for businesses

●Case study

Price:

Members: £40 + VAT per person | Non-members: £60 + VAT per person

Carbon Literacy Training

Business in the Community’s Carbon Literacy Training is externally accredited training on climate change, its causes and consequences.

10 Jun 2025

• Date:

  10 Jun 2025

• Time:

  1:30 pm – 5:00 pm

• Location:

  Microsoft Teams

• Price:

  BITC Members: £125+VAT PP | Non-members: £175+VAT PP

Training dates

Training takes place online (MS Teams) from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm OVER TWO sessions, Tuesday 10 and Tuesday 17 June 2025. A maximum of five people from an organisation can attend and there will be no more than 15 people in the training group.

About the training

Business in the Community’s Carbon Literacy Training is externally accredited training on climate change, its causes and consequences. The training raises awareness of the core elements of climate change and carbon literacy, and of how individuals and organisations can make a positive difference through their choices and actions.

Participating in the training is a great first step on your climate journey or a useful way to refresh your knowledge on environmental issues.

To become accredited, you must commit to a full day of learning and for this online Carbon Literacy Training we will cover the content over two half days.

The training is accredited to meet the Carbon Literacy Standard and is independently verified by The Carbon Literacy Project.

Each participant will receive a certificate as proof of their ‘Carbon Literate’ status.

Training cost

£125per person for members of Business in the Community and £175 for non-members.

Click here for more information or email environment@bitcni.org.uk

Book Now

The post UPCOMING BIODIVERSITY EVENTS & WORKSHOPS appeared first on Down Business Centre.

Wednesday 28th May

11:30am – 12:30pm

via Zoom

How to develop a simple, useful impact framework

Practical tools for collecting and communicating impact data

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Real-world examples from other social enterprises

Registration link below

https://us02web.zoom.us/…/reg…/AF6r7XhKTle3gIC7hQLSUw…

The post Telling the Story of Change: Practical Impact Measurement for Social Enterprises appeared first on Down Business Centre.

Succession Planning for Volunteering

Leading & managing volunteers can be very fulfilling, but it also comes with some notable challenges.  Even the best planned volunteering projects can struggle to attract and retain volunteers for the long term, leading to the need for repeated rounds of recruitment and the potential for burn-out in those volunteers who do remain.

This is where succession planning for volunteering teams comes to the rescue – by allowing to you to pre-plan and prepare for the movement of volunteers (especially those in key & leadership roles) in and out of your organisation in a smooth & managed way.  In this session we will look at what succession planning is, why it is vital to running successful volunteer teams, and how best to go about creating and implementing a succession plan that works for you organisation.

Joining information will be sent out the day before the session.

Course info

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