Deloitte and Catalyst have announced a new partnership to create a hub for entrepreneurs in the heart of Belfast’s city centre. The new innovation hub, named Catalyst Bedford Street, will be located on the ground floor of Deloitte’s new offices in the historic Ewart Building in the Linen Quarter.
This initiative is designed to attract local start-ups and scaling companies, providing them with a modern coworking space in one of Belfast’s most iconic buildings. The hub will feature over 90 desks in open-plan and studio areas, along with meeting pods, call booths, a presentation and events space, and a café. The café will be operated by the award-winning social enterprise, the NOW Group.
Deloitte has a long-standing collaboration with Catalyst and shares a vision for inclusive growth in Northern Ireland. The creation of this innovation hub reflects Deloitte’s regional strategy and its commitment to making a positive impact on the local economy and community.
Jackie Henry, managing partner for people and purpose at Deloitte, and office senior partner in Belfast, said: “At Deloitte, our purpose is to make an impact that matters. In Northern Ireland we continue to make bold choices and lead the way when it comes to fostering collaboration, driving innovation and shared prosperity. Deloitte is always looking for ways to maximise value and this exciting new venture with Catalyst is the latest demonstration of our commitment to playing an active role in the growth of our local economy and further development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem here in Belfast.
“Our new office brings Deloitte’s expertise in Belfast together under one roof in a building designed to foster even greater collaboration between teams. Partnering with Catalyst to establish the innovation hub in our building perfectly aligns with that aim and will be of huge benefit to our people and clients. Deloitte also has a long association with NOW Group and I’m delighted they will be operating the new cafe.”
Steve Orr, Chief Executive of Catalyst, commented: “Catalyst is committed to identifying and investing in opportunities that empower entrepreneurs and drive innovation across Northern Ireland. We remain focused on fostering an environment where innovative companies can thrive and make a lasting impact.
“We have considered a number of options to expand our footprint into the city centre but when Deloitte offered us the chance to partner and establish Catalyst Bedford Street here it made perfect sense. Once a cornerstone of the world-leading linen industry, the Ewart Building has witnessed the ebb and flow of entrepreneurship for generations.
“It will be a bridge between Belfast’s entrepreneurial past and its future, a nod to the pioneers who built industries that changed the world and a platform for those who will shape tomorrow’s economy.”
In the future, Catalyst plans to host aspects of its entrepreneurship programmes from the new hub, including workshops for INVENT, CoFounders, and Hello Possible.
The NOW Group, which will manage the café, is a social enterprise dedicated to supporting people with learning difficulties and disabilities by providing training and sustainable employment opportunities. The group operates Loaf Catering, a catering service that offers high-quality food while creating jobs.
Maeve Monaghan, CEO of NOW Group, said: “Loaf Catering being named as the new cafe operator for the Ewart Building is the latest exciting step in NOW Group’s partnership with Deloitte, which began five years ago and has already created multiple social value and supply chain opportunities.
“This new cafe venture will provide training placements for individuals with disabilities, helping them gain the skills needed to succeed in hospitality and catering. These training opportunities will enable trainees to secure roles with local employers, advancing NOW Group’s mission of supporting jobs with a future.”
