Explore the findings from the NI Enterprise Barometer 2025 Survey.
Explore the findings from the NI Enterprise Barometer 2025 Survey.
Stakeholders highlighted growing concern that there is currently no certainty around the future funding and structure of the Northern Ireland Enterprise Support Service beyond March 2027. At the same time, governments and economies internationally are rapidly redesigning enterprise systems around artificial intelligence, digital connectivity, hybrid delivery and new business models.
Enterprise leaders warned that if Northern Ireland fails to act decisively now, the region risks falling significantly further behind competitor economies, with potentially irrecoverable long-term consequences for economic growth, productivity, entrepreneurship, and local communities.
It is proposed that future-proofing enterprise support services will require a combination of experienced business adviser support alongside advanced digital and AI-enabled systems. Together, these capabilities can create a more responsive, personalised and efficient enterprise support ecosystem for entrepreneurs, start-ups, and growing businesses.
The next 8-12 weeks are considered particularly significant, with key stakeholders across local government, central government, and the wider enterprise support sector already working to shape future approaches and priorities.
Discussions also referenced the forthcoming SME Entrepreneurship Action Plan, which has been developed through a six-month co-design process involving a broad range of enterprise stakeholders. Participants welcomed the collaborative approach led by the Minister for the Economy and supported by Department for the Economy officials and expressed hope that the plan will be published in the near future.
John Stewart MLA, chair of the All-Party Group on Micro and Small Business, said: “Northern Ireland now has a very short but hugely important opportunity to get enterprise support right for the next generation. If government, councils and enterprise stakeholders fail to coordinate over the coming weeks, we risk locking ourselves into outdated structures at precisely the time other economies are accelerating ahead through AI, digital innovation, and modern business support models. The consequences for our economy, our entrepreneurs and our local communities could be profound.”
John McGrillen, chair, Enterprise NI, explained: “This is about creating a modern enterprise support system that is fit for the future, delivers real value for money, and genuinely improves outcomes for entrepreneurs and small businesses across every part of Northern Ireland. There is broad agreement that the current system must evolve, and we now need leadership and coordination to make that happen quickly and effectively.”
Michael McQuillan, chief executive, Enterprise NI, continued: “The next 8-12 weeks are critical. Key decisions are already beginning to take shape across local government, the Executive and the UK Government. Without an urgent collaborative co-design process, there is a real danger of fragmentation, duplication, and missed opportunity. Northern Ireland cannot afford to fall further behind at a time of such significant global economic and technological change.”
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