3rd May our teams will run and walk the Belfast Marathon 2010 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. With your help, we are hoping to raise as much money as possible so that the Trust can fund the research need to find effective treatments for this life threatening inherited disease.

Please give generously, as many as 5 babies are born with this disease every week in the UK. It’s a charity that’s very close to our hearts and we would appeal to all our friends and family to support them.

Click here to donate to this great cause

We will all be familiar with this saying but for Jack McIlduff it has become part of who he is. As a young lad Jack would work with his bookmaker father at the races. At the end of a busy day Jack would look at the receipts and say to his father that they had a good day! His father would point to the money bag and say ‘its not a good day until it is in the bag!’ The lesson….business is not business without profit

This early lesson in managing profit and cash has been the compass for a career which took Jack from Belfast to London where he learned his trade at Lloyds and back home to establish a multimillion pound business in the insurance industry. Now MD of Europa General, Jack has agreed to share his thoughts on profit, cashflow and the importance of knowing your business.

Followed by…….

The Golden Rules of Insurance

Following Jack’s presentation Europa General will set out some of the ‘golden rules’ for businesses to consider when putting their insurance in place. It is a very practical approach to making sure you have the proper protection in place and a must for those who find this aspect of business both daunting and expensive.

Date: 13th May 2010
Time: 6.00pm – 7.45pm
Venue: Park Inn Hotel, Clarence St (Just off Bedford St), Belfast

Space is limited so early booking is advised and registration is essential. To register email info@mln.org.uk

It was a great chance for all staff to reflect on the company’s history both globally and in Ireland. A reminder of the strength of the business and an opportunity in today’s uncertain economic climate to look forward with confidence to what we know will be a very bright future.

Since the creation of the Sun Fire Office in London in Seventeen Ten, our company has been on an interesting journey – a very proud journey – supporting businesses and people as they planned for the future, and helping to secure that future by providing essential insurance protection. We have kept businesses and people moving across the centuries and we have touched the lives of literally millions of policy holders.

The celebrations commenced simultaneously in RSA offices in Galway and Dublin and also, depending on time zones, across the globe.

The staff in Europa had a great day of celebration and here’s to another 300 years!!!

MLN – or the Management & Leadership Network – is a business initiative offering free support and resources to managers and leaders in Northern Ireland. Existing and new members will have free access to best practice resources and up-to-date local expert guidance in key business issues through regular e-zines, supported by the MLN website;  www.mln.org.uk.

Jack McIlduff, MD at Europa General said, “As MLN’s Insurance champion we totally support the aims of MLN to build a stronger economy through more capable management and we look forward to playing our role as a champion firm. ” 

Brian Ambrose, Chief Executive of George Best Belfast City Airport is one of MLN’s ‘ambassadors’.  He said: “My fellow ambassadors and I recognise the value MLN can deliver for owners and managers. It is great to see the champion firms taking the initiative and a great encouragement for the future. Together, we have a deep understanding of the real pressures facing businesses along with a desire to provide real solutions.”

Managers, owners and directors within the public, private and voluntary sectors can register with MLN for free on http://www.mln.org.uk/register.asp

Wendy Cree of Europa General (centre) with the Hawarden duo of Amanda Leeman & Heather Rose

Hawarden is a quaint, three all-weather court club tucked in behind Knock Fire Station in Clonlee Drive. The club is family-centred and famous for its welcoming atmosphere but it can still produce the goods when it comes to providing quality competitors. Current Ulster representatives include Gareth McGreavy (Senior), Megan McGreavy (Junior Ulster and Irish rep) and Steven Marshall (Junior Ulster). Junior Veteran Ulster players include Amanda Leeman, Steven Leeman and Wendy Cree (Junior Veteran Irish rep).

Semi-finals

The first semi-final of the Over 35 men’s doubles was contested by the first time partnership of Steven Leeman (Hawarden) & Godfrey Gaston (Ballymena), against local rivals Roy Wilson & Greg O’Rawe (Windsor). The other semi-final in this section was between John Maguire (Irvinestown) & Andy Moore (Omagh), against Jim Watt & Paddy Taylor (Larne).

Amanda Lee of Hawarden

Hawarden duo of Amanda Leeman & Heather Rose contested the first Over 35 semi-final against the newly formed partnership of Fiona Ludlow (last year’s winner from Ballynafeigh) & Julie Maguire (Belfast Boat Club). The other semi-final in this section saw Bangor ladies Jenny Lyall & Cathy Law take on Gilnahirk player Julie May Noteman & Larne’s Kathy McCandless.

Russell Connell of Hawarden took part in the first men’s Over 50s semi-final alongside Malcolm McKibbin from Belfast Boat Club. Their opponents were the long-term partnership of Fred McNabb and Dennis Cairns from Whitehead.

The first semi-final of the ladies Over 50s was contested by Letty Lucas (Downshire) & Liz Thompson (Belfast Boat Club), against Irene Hewitt (Belfast Boat Club) & Eileen Morrison (Ballynafeigh). Lurgan ladies Donna Gilpin & Cherry Kirkpatrick faced Muriel King (Civil Service) & Rosemary Edgeworth (Bangor) in the other.

Finals

Gents finalists at Hawarden

Over 35 Men’s Doubles – Steven Leeman & Godfrey Gaston v Jim Watt & Paddy Taylor

This match was the tightest of all finals with Jim Watt and Paddy Taylor taking the first set 7-5 with only one break in serve. This was the wakeup call that Steven Leeman and Godfrey Gaston needed who then raced through the second set taking it 6-0 and taking the match to a championship tie break. Steven and Godfrey raced to a lead in the tie break and with some devastating net play and passing shots, eventually running out 10-4 winners.

Over 35 Ladies’ Doubles – Kathy McCandless & Julie May Noteman v Amanda Leeman & Heather Rose

This match provided some good tennis from both teams with some great attacking play. The local pairing of Amanda and Heather, being used to the court surface and each other’s play, ran out winners with a score of 6-3, 6-2.

Over 50s finalists at Hawarden

Over 50 Men’s Doubles – Malcolm McKibbin & Russell Connell v Stephen Cutherbertson & Jimmy McCutcheon

First on court after lunch, Malcolm and Russell’s volleying was just too strong for the opponents who put up a great fight. Special mention must go to Malcolm McKibbin for his successful ‘Federer shot’ in an important rally. Malcolm and Russell won the match in a comfortable scoreline of 6-2, 6-2.

Over 50 Ladies Doubles – Liz Thompson & Letty Lucas v Donna Giplin & Cherry Kirkpatrick

This match provided some long rallies and lobbing at the net, however the experience of the long-term partnership of Liz and Letty was the dominating factor and they won in a convincing scoreline of 6-1, 6-1.

Following the presentation of prizes, the tennis committee thanked sponsor Europa General for their support again this year. A massive thank you and presentation was made to Wendy Cree, the tournament director, for all her hard work and efforts in overseeing the tournament and thanks were also directed to all the helpers from Hawarden Tennis Club who were great throughout the week. Finally a thank you was made to all the competitors for supporting the tournament again this year.

The President of Tennis Ireland, Mrs Letty Lucas (who won the Over 50 ladies section) made a short speech and thanked all the players and Hawarden Tennis Club for hosting the successful tournament.

With a change in date from October in 2008 to June in 2009 the organisers were hoping to get good weather to facilitate a great day of socialising and competition.

We were fortunate to have a good day with some showers mixed in but this all added to what turned out to be a fantastic event.

Well supported by our brokers and suppliers we went for a two tee start to ensure we got everyone out on time and also back in for the dinner and drinks afterwards and helped by the members of Belvoir we were able to do this.

With Tee off fast approaching it was easy to tell the difference between the pros and the amateurs – the pros were on the putting green warming up whilst the amateurs were in the club house enjoying a cup of tea and a bacon butty – well you need the energy before 18 holes!!

With nine teams competing for the overall team prize it was John Mac Manus (Willis Ltd), Gareth Morgan (Curran Connolly) and Gerry Traynor (Europa General) who emerged victorious and walked away with a Callaway Diablo Hybrid Wood to show for their efforts.

But with prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd placed teams as well as best Front and Back nines, Nearest the Pin and Longest Drive awards, there were few people who didn’t pick up a prize.

The day was once again well supported by the assistant pro’s who competed in there individual tournament as well as part of their team and it is always useful when they can give some hints and tips to the amateurs throughout their rounds. This year Peter McClelland came out on top representing his club – Portadown.

With a great meal in the clubhouse after and enjoying the great views out over the course it was a fitting end to a great day.

Each year we look to improve and grow the event and this year was no exception. We now look forward to 2010 with anticipation.

Related press articles

Belfast Telegraph Article 16.10.08
News Letter Article 17.10.08

Nuala McKeever, William Murdock from Henderson Wholesale winner driver of the year & Elaine Carr Operations Director Europa General

“Insurance is always topical within the Logistics industry and where better to place your business than with your local insurance provider.

With over 20 years experience within the Northern Ireland Market, Europa General provide specialist tailored products such as Commercial Motor and Liability insurance along with Non Conventional self insured products.Europa General prides itself in the service it provides to all its customers and its approach to insurance; that is developing policies to suit the needs of the customer and to deliver niche insurance products.

They’re innovative skills have helped build long standing business relationships with many organisations throughout Northern Ireland and being here today sponsoring the Driver of the Year award helps them reward those who also strive for excellence within their chosen industry.”

Presented by Elaine Carr, Operations Director of Europa General

William Named Top Driver

Henderson Wholesale employee William Murdoch has been voted ‘Irish Driver of the Year’ at the prestigious annual Export & Freight Transport & Logistics Awards.

William picked up his award, sponsored by Europa General, at a glittering ceremony held recently in Belfast before a packed audience of leading players in the industry.

He had to compete against some of the best truck drivers in the country following a record entry for this year’s awards battle.

Chief tester was the highly experienced Ronnie McCabe, Senior Driving Instructor from one of the leading training organisations in Northern Ireland, Transport Training Services at Nutts Corner.

“This year we had the largest ever number of entries and the competition had to take place over two weekends. All the contestants competed over the same route incorporating a variety of road conditions and hazards as well as an identical manoeuvre.

“We were looking for the driver who offered a high standard of skills, had an excellent driving record and was dedicated to his profession. Points were awarded on the assessment of three key areas of competence: Control, Planning and Roadcraft.

“The standard of driving was extremely high with only a handful of points separating the finalists. William had a near perfect drive achieving an overall score of 95.5%.”

The Transport & Logistics awards ceremony – now in its eighth year – is organised annually by Export & Freight, Ireland’s leading transport magazine, and is recognised as the premier event in the Irish transport calendar. There are 16 categories covering every aspect of the transport and logistics sectors, with the aim of identifying the best in the industry.

The magazine, and its sister publications, ‘Plant & Civil Engineer,’ which covers the plant, construction and quarrying sectors, and ‘Sustainable Ireland’ covering the energy, environmental and waste management markets, is published by Hillsborough based 4Square Media.

A big thanks to the staff who had to endure numerous moves and reallocations between the 3 floors in our building while the works were carried out and especially to Creative Commercial Interiors who project managed the whole programme of works with not one day of business down time during the project.

The newly refurbished offices were officially opened on Thursday 20th November 2009 by the President of the Chamber of Commerce  John Moore and attended by all staff and invited guests and the day proved a great success for all concerned.

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