Brian McConville speaks at Ulster University Leadership Event

“Our team is the best in the world- we don’t just say that, our customers do. This comes down to our company Values which include having a ‘can-do’ attitude. We work together as a team to deliver and to make things happen.”

These were just some of the thoughts towards achieving success shared with business leaders by MJM Group Chair, Brian McConville, as keynote speaker at the AAB Annual Leadership Talk.

The event was part of the 2019 MJM Management Month initiative, in association with Ulster University Business School held at the Belfast campus.

Brian set up his joinery business in Rathfriland 35 years ago. He has gone on to create of the world’s leading marine outfitting business’s MJM Marine with offices in Newry, Southampton and Poland. He then acquired world renowned interior and marine fitout business, Mivan and recently purchased specialist glass company Topglass- a long standing supplier to MJM Marine and Mivan. The businesses now employ more than 600 across the Group.

MJM Marine based in Newry, is one of the world’s leading cruise line refit companies and works in partnership with the largest cruise line operators in the world on their rolling refurbishment programmes. The company recently completed the fit-out of the Azamara Pursuit for Royal Caribbean at Harland & Wolff, the largest project of its kind in Belfast for many years.

In 2014, Brian acquired the assets of construction company Mivan, followed by further expansion four years later with the purchase of specialist glass supplier Topglass.

The McConville family also own an extensive property portfolio which includes Damolly Retail Park in Newry; Galwally House and Drumkeen Retail Park in Belfast; Clarence Chambers and Pearl Assurance House in Belfast city centre and a range of other commercial, retail and residential properties.

During the one-hour conversation with broadcaster Gerry Kelly, Brian gave a detailed overview of his career and talked about his charity work and love of horses.

Speaking at the event, which attracted a capacity audience, AAB Accountant’s Managing Director, Feargal McCormack, stated that Brian’s entrepreneurial journey should be an inspiration to everyone in business. “Brian has shared his business experience most generously and demonstrated how perseverance and sheer determination are the sure routes to success. The evolution of his company over 35 years has been remarkable and testament to his personal commitment to deliver both quality of service and value for money to his customers large and small across four continents.”

Professor Mark Durkin, Executive Dean of the Ulster University Business School, said, “We were delighted to work with Professor Feargal McCormack and his team at AAB in organising the now very well established Annual Leadership Talk. As a business school that is committed to stimulating entrepreneurial thinking and driving innovative approaches to doing business, it is invaluable to hear from leaders who have practical and real experience. Brian demonstrated that entrepreneurial flair in his talk and it was an honour to welcome such a successful business figure to share with us his thoughts on leadership.”

AAB win new ‘Professional Services Firm of the Year’ award

AAB were the inaugural winners of the new ‘Professional Services Firm of the Year’ category at the prestigious Northern Ireland BEFTA Business Awards in Belfast.

The awards, now in their 13th year and re-branded from the former UTV Business Eye Awards, were presented at a glittering ceremony attended by a 600 strong business audience at ICC Belfast. Sponsored by First Trust Bank, the awards honoured companies and business leaders across 18 different categories, rewarding growth, innovation and commitment to CSR, the environment and people development.

Describing the calibre of those shortlisted, Richard Buckley, Editor of Business Eye commented, “We had a record-breaking entry in 2018 and both the scale and quality of that entry illustrates the strength of the local business sector.”

Speaking at the awards, Adrian Moynihan, Head of First Trust Bank said;

“The BEFTAs are Northern Ireland’s longest running business awards and are an opportunity to celebrate the stand-out organisations and leaders in our business community, while very importantly recognising the value of their achievements to our economy and wider society.

Everyone who has been shortlisted and our winners should be very proud of their achievements.

The event is also an important platform to beat the drum for the Northern Ireland business community and given the uncertain times we live in, politically and economically, we must ensure our voices are heard loud and clear at this critical time of Brexit negotiations.”

AAB secures 3 sought-after UK Accountancy Awards accolades

NI Headquartered independent accountancy practice, AAB, proved to be leading their sector when awarded with three of the most sought-after honours at the British Accountancy Awards Gala, which took place on 26 September 2018 in Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London.

The magnitude of taking home all awards shortlisted for, namely: Mid-Tier Firm of the Year, Tax Team of the Year and Partner of the Year – awarded to Managing Partner Feargal McCormack, was further highlighted by the Judging Panel’s comments ‘never before have three categories been awarded to one firm’ especially when ‘the surge and calibre of entries in 2018 has been our most hotly contested year so far and this year’s shortlist is the strongest it has ever been!’

In expressing her delight for the awards, AAB Director Teresa Campbell added, ‘the success of these 3 awards reflects the collective passion of Team AAB, indeed such accomplishments have further energised the team for continuous improvement to exceed client expectations, delivering excellence in our industry.’

The Awards Ceremony, hosted by Mock the Week star, Josh Widdicombe, attracted upwards of 1,000 guests, including high profile leaders from the UK business and accountancy sectors.

Consistently at the top of their game and recognised as Best in Class by their peers in both Britain and Ireland, 2018 has proven to be a phenomenal year for AAB, as they were awarded Tax Team of the Year at the Irish Accountancy Awards and were listed on the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies to Work for UK Wide.

AAB were represented at the awards by a cross section of team members, including: Feargal McCormack, Paddy Harty, Teresa Campbell, Malachy McLernon, Caroline Preston and Lauren Quinn.

AAB shortlisted for three British Accountancy Awards categories

AAB have been shortlisted for 3 categories at the British Accountancy Awards, namely: Mid-Tier Firm of the Year; Tax Team of the Year; and Partner of the Year.

AAB recently won Tax Team of the Year at the Irish Accountancy Award 2018, against stiff competition and are current holders of the UK Mid-Tier Firm of the Year.

The only Northern Ireland practice to be shortlisted for the British Accountancy Awards 2018, Paddy Harty, Senior Tax Director, outlined his pride at the nomination stating, ‘The British Accountancy Awards attracts the very best in the industry and it is an honour to be selected as industry leaders in our respected fields and recognised for delivering excellence’

This year saw a surge in the calibre of entries for the British Accountancy Awards, with the judging panel commenting that ‘2018 has been our most hotly contested year so far and this year’s shortlist is the strongest it has ever been!’

The awards ceremony, which will be attended by over 1,000 guests, from industry, practice and the public sector, will take place in the prestige Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London on Wednesday 26th September.

AAB win Managing Talent Award at 2018 Workplace & Employment Awards

On what was the 12th year of The Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards, the judges described it as a, “spectacular year … which has shattered all previous records for entry numbers and quality of applications.”

Up against a mix of exceptional blue-chip companies, innovative firms and impressive public sector and educational bodies, AAB were delighted to be announced winner of Managing Talent Award for Large Companies at Northern Ireland’s premier business awards on June 14, when more than 600 guests gathered for the glittering bash in Titanic Belfast.

Congratulating AAB on their achievement, The Irish News stated “It’s been another momentous year for a company that, where managing its talents are concerned, has for years been a champion of evolutionary change. Its staff are continuously challenged to move outside their comfort zones, and the systems it has in place to develop its staff are constantly evolving and improving. Its training isn’t just good, it’s world class.”

At AAB our focus is to lead, mobilise and energise our most vital resources for orchestrating strategies and solutions for clients – our PEOPLE.

AAB Staff Director, Teresa Campbell, said: “We’ve been successful in building an exceptionally talented team here at AAB and I know that all of them will enjoy celebrating this award just as much as I will.  By connecting, coaching and inspiring staff, we empower Team AAB to be the very best that they can be. Watching staff grow and develop into exceptional practitioners and leaders is a major motivator for us. We’ve got big plans for the year ahead, where we’ll keep trying to be even better for our clients. We can’t wait for another great year.”

Over the past 12 months, we’ve invested heavily in our team and this award comes after winning Tax Team of the Year at the Irish Accountancy Awards 2018 and being placed in The Sunday Times 2018 100 Best Companies to Work For, earlier this year.

Chartered Accountants Ireland Elects New President

Feargal McCormack has been elected President of Chartered Accountants Ireland at its 130th Annual General Meeting in Belfast.

Addressing the Chartered Accountants Ireland AGM in Belfast today (18 May 2018), Mr McCormack highlighted the current political and economic uncertainty and expressed his view that delivering political stability is the vital factor in securing a positive economic future on the island.

He said: “At present the uncertainty around Brexit and the lack of a functioning Executive are very challenging. Put plainly, businesses are unlikely to make significant investment decisions in an uncertain environment. This uncertainty is putting jobs, economic growth and prosperity are at stake.

“We must recognise that the one factor which will make the biggest contribution to the international competitiveness is political stability. Stability should naturally incorporate an agreement on any Brexit arrangements going forward, given the evolution of the island economy and the land border.

“We have recently acknowledged the 20th Anniversary of the Good Friday/ Belfast Agreement which attempted to draw a line under the past and to set a vision for the future based on partnership, equality and mutual respect.

“Despite the best efforts of political parties and the British and Irish Governments, the reality is that the journey of implementation has been just a complex as Chairman of the peace negotiations, George Mitchell, envisaged they would be.

“Huge progress has been made, not only in terms of lives saved, but the economic and quality of life on the island has been transformed. Therefore, we must support and encourage our politicians to grasp the current opportunity to deliver political stability. We owe it to our, and to future generations, to ensure that political stability and mutual understanding are the norm.

Tax Team win Top Honour at 2018 Irish Accountancy Awards

Leading Ireland and UK based accountancy and tax consultancy practice AAB have won the Tax Team of the Year Award at the prestigious Irish Accountancy Awards Gala Banquet Ceremony which took place on Thursday 26th April 2018 at the Ballsbridge Hotel in Dublin.

In presenting the Tax Team of the Year Award to AAB, the judges highlighted the practice’s Cross Border Tax Centre of Excellence incorporating Irish and UK taxes.

The Awards Ceremony, hosted by Colm O’Regan, critically acclaimed stand-up comedian, columnist and broadcaster, attracted a very influential audience, including high profile leaders from the Irish business and accountancy sectors.

Padraig McManus gives speech at AAB Leadership Event

These were just some of the thoughts shared with business leaders by former Chairman of Eir and Mincon Group Plc, Padraig McManus, as keynote speaker at the AAB Annual Leadership Talk.

The event was part of the 2018 MLM Management Month initiative, in association with Ulster University Business School held at the Belfast campus.

Born of Northern Ireland parents in Co. Kildare, Padraig McManus graduated as an engineer from UCD in 1973. He then joined the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) following in the footsteps of his father who was also an ESB engineer.

Padraig worked in a number of roles with ESB including serving as CEO for almost 10 years. In 2010, he led the £1bn acquisition of NIE Networks overseeing the financial, political and general stakeholder issues of integrating the business into the ESB Group.

Chairman of Eir (Eircom Holdings Ltd) from 2012 to 2017, he was also Chairman of mining equipment manufacturer Mincon Group Plc from 2013 to 2017.

A Fellow of the Institute of Engineers in Ireland, Padraig is currently President of the Economic and Social Research Institute of Ireland, Chairman of the National Maternity Hospital Foundation and Chairman of the Curragh Racecourse. He is on the Council of Chartered Accountants Ireland and is a former board member of the Irish Management Institute and Business in the Community.

During the one-hour conversation with broadcaster Gerry Kelly, Padraig gave a detailed overview of his career and also talked about the many community projects in which he has been involved including voluntary trips to Ghana to rebuild primary and secondary schools.

AAB records record fee income in the UK & Ireland

The AAB UK&I network firms have posted an increase of [19%] in their fee income for the year ended 31 May 2017 to £154.8m.

This impressive expansion reflects healthy organic revenue growth across all AAB UK&I members with most firms experiencing double-digit top line increases. The numbers also includes some key strategic mergers by some of the firms.

AAB named Ireland’s Large & Overall Practice of the Year

AAB won the Overall Practice of the year at the prestigious Irish Accountancy Awards Gala Banquet Ceremony which took place on Thursday 18th May 2017 at the Ballsbridge Hotel in Dublin.

After winning the Large Practice of the Year earlier in the evening against stiff competition, the final award of the evening, Overall Practice of the Year, was presented to AAB with acknowledgement from the judges that AAB were innovative, caring business advisors with global expertise and local knowledge along with a strong cross border focus.