Sumer NI event encourages greater uptake of innovation incentives to strengthen the region’s economic competitiveness
Businesses across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to make greater use of research and development (R&D) tax incentives and innovation supports following a major industry summit aimed at unlocking the region’s innovation potential through fully embracing the whole NI innovation ecosystem.
More than 120 business leaders, academics and policymakers gathered in Belfast for the inaugural Sumer NI Innovation Summit: Driving Change, an event organised to highlight the opportunities available to companies investing in innovation and to address the region’s low uptake of R&D related tax reliefs.
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The summit was launched in response to a decline in claims for R&D and Patent Box relief in Northern Ireland, with submissions for the 2023/24 tax year falling by 22 per cent to 1,670 pointing to a significant opportunity for businesses that are already undertaking innovative work but may not realise that their activities qualify for support.
Caroline Keenan, Head of Tax at Sumer NI, said the event was designed to help close that gap by increasing awareness and understanding of innovation incentives among local businesses.
“As part of Sumer NI’s Innovation Tax Relief team, we regularly encounter innovative companies in Northern Ireland that are not availing of the support mechanisms in place and that really needs to change,” she said.
“Events like this are about raising awareness, increasing education and encouraging eligible companies to avail of the assistance that can help them grow. We wanted to create an opportunity for representatives from across industry, academia and government to come together to examine how Northern Ireland can strengthen its innovation ecosystem and ensure businesses are equipped to compete in an increasingly global and technology-driven economy.”
Chaired by journalist, Jo Scott, the Innovation Summit welcomed eminent keynote speakers including Dr Adrian Johnston MBE, Belfast Innovation Commissioner; Professor Sam Turner, CEO, AMIC and David Stewart OBE, Head of NI Corporate Tax Office (NIrCTO) and Tim Brundle, Director of Research and Impact, Ulster University and Chief Executive of Innovation Ulster Limited.
Presentations highlighted how Northern Ireland already possesses many of the foundations required to develop a thriving innovation hub, including a strong university research base, growing advanced manufacturing capabilities and emerging expertise in sectors such as technology and life sciences. Speakers explored how closer collaboration between industry, academia and policymakers can help transform research and ideas into commercial outcomes that support business growth.
The programme also examined the role universities and research institutions play in supporting industry, particularly in helping companies accelerate product development, adopt new technologies and improve productivity. Strengthening these partnerships was identified as a key factor in ensuring Northern Ireland businesses can successfully compete in international markets.
Policy and financial incentives formed a central theme of the discussions, with contributors highlighting how R&D tax relief, Patent Box and other innovation supports are designed to help companies offset the cost of developing new products, services and processes.
Professor Helen McCarthy, Chief Scientific and Technology Advisor (CSTA) at the NI Executive Office, Chair of Nanomedicine at Queen’s University, Belfast, discussed her insights on innovation, strategy and science.
During a panel discussion on Accelerating Innovation in Northern Ireland panellist including John Irwin, Managing Director at Kiverco; Dr Vicky Kell, Director of Innovation, Research and Development Division at Invest NI and Dr Phil Chambers, Associate Partner at Sumer NI explored some of the barriers preventing businesses from accessing these supports, highlighting that many companies, are often unaware that improvements made in areas such as manufacturing processes, software development or operational efficiency may qualify as research and development.
Closing the event, Caroline Keenan emphasised that increasing awareness of innovation support is essential if Northern Ireland is to realise its full economic potential.
“Providing recognition and support for innovative companies is imperative for securing and enhancing Northern Ireland’s future growth and competitiveness,” she said. “Across Northern Ireland there are many businesses undertaking innovative work without realising that they could qualify for support through mechanisms such as R&D tax relief or Patent Box. In many cases, innovation is embedded in day-to-day operations, particularly in manufacturing and process-driven industries, and businesses simply don’t recognise it as R&D.”
She added that improving engagement with available incentives could unlock significant benefits for both businesses and the wider economy.
“These incentives are designed to encourage product development, create highly skilled employment opportunities and attract further investment. If more businesses engage with the support available, it will strengthen Northern Ireland’s innovation ecosystem and help ensure sustainable economic growth for years to come. This Innovation Summit reflects Sumer NI’s commitment and other organisations and institutions in supporting local companies and helping ensure Northern Ireland businesses have the knowledge, confidence and connections required to pursue innovation and growth.”
For more information visit: www.sumerni.co.uk.
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