Trading Up

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.

In this episode of Trading Up Unpacked, hosts Jim Fitzpatrick and Richard Ramsey explore the startling new projections for Northern Ireland's demographics. After decades of continuous growth, the population is set to peak in 2031 before entering a steady decline, meaning the two million mark may never be reached.

We unpack the severe economic implications of this unprecedented shift, from a shrinking working-age population and tightening labor supply to mounting pressures on public services, particularly a looming tsunami of spending required for healthcare. With Northern Ireland facing the UK's sharpest decrease in children and largest surge in pensioners, what does this mean for businesses, taxation, and the future workforce?

We also discuss surprising factors driving global birth rate declines, including the rise of smartphones. Tune in to understand how these long-term demographic trends will fundamentally reshape the Northern Irish 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 compelling episode of the Trading Up podcast, host Jim Fitzpatrick sits down with three leading legal minds from Lewis Silkin in Belfast: Ciara Fulton, Katey Dixon, and Olivia O'Kane. Discover how this innovative firm leverages its historical, foundational values of bravery and kindness to disrupt the traditional business of law and foster genuine leadership.

We explore Northern Ireland's booming, location-agnostic tech startup scene, where artificial intelligence is drastically accelerating development timelines and global investment deals. The conversation also delves into the complex evolution of media law, unpacking high-stakes global tech disputes, SLAPP cases, and rising digital threats like CEO impersonation and IP theft.

Finally, we get a crucial breakdown of the proposed Good Jobs Bill and what its modernising employment regulations will mean for local employers. Whether you are a founder, media professional, or corporate leader, this episode offers essential strategies for thriving in an AI-driven 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.

Is the Northern Irish economy more resilient than the statistics suggest? In this episode of Trading Up Unpacked, Jim Fitzpatrick and Richard Ramsey sit down with Andrew Dolliver, Partner in Restructuring and M&A at EY, to uncover the surprising dynamism within the local market. Despite global "black swan" events like Brexit and COVID-19, Northern Ireland has emerged as a hotspot for mergers, acquisitions, and private equity investment.

Dolliver explains the shift from formal liquidations to creative, informal restructuring and how "war chests" of local wealth are fueling new opportunities. Discover why international funds are eyeing NI firms and the four essential pillars entrepreneurs need, including a strong management team and a clear growth story, to become truly "investable". Whether you are curious about the changing role of traditional banking or the rapid impact of AI on tech valuations, this episode offers an expert vantage point on the capital driving Northern Ireland’s future.

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.