From literally nothing the Flax Trust has:

• Delivered the former Brookfield linen mill from a state of dereliction into a 232,000 sq ft Business Centre in which it accommodated over 70 small buinesses, acted as a business incubator for all of Belfast creating over 400 businesses;
• Provided training and personal development for several hundred people each year through Brookfield Business School Ltd (Investors in People) and Community Aid 2000 Ltd (Investors in People);
• developed an International Arts Centre comprising a Theatre, Art Gallery, Dance Studio and the Pittsburgh Bar & Steelers Restaurant;
• initiated a local Community Association and health programmes;
• built a Medical Centre housing the Ardoyne Community Healthcare Centre Ltd, Ardoyne/Shankill Healthy Living Centre, Doctor’s Surgery, Dental Surgery, Day Care Centre for the elderly;
• built a Shopping Centre which includes a supermarket, post offi ce, pharmacy, fancy goods store, fl orist, community based organisations and an internet cafe, coffee shop, offices and workshops providing services to the local communities;
• developed affordable housing projects;
• assisted Bannside Development Centre, in Portadown, a socio-economic regeneration initiative which also serves to bridge the religious divide and promote mutual understanding;
• initiated the Foyer Project which assists homeless and unemployed young people age 16-25, providing accommodation, independent living and developing skills to enhance employability;
• in the late 1980’s in a joint venture with Bombardier Aerospace redeveloped the derelict Belfast Co-operative department store in York Street into an 180,000 sq ft excellent ‘neutral’ city centre block. Interpoint has housed the Northern Ireland Forum for Reconciliation; the Patton Police Commission; the Northern Ireland Injuries Compensation Review; the Northern Ireland Justice Review; was home for the Novatech initiative which developed new technology-based ventures through a unique process of technology transfer and licensing. It continues to house a range of new technology based businesses including Bombardier Aerospace; Aepona; School for Social Entrepreneurs in Ireland (SSEI); Northern Ireland Office; Department of Culture Arts & Leisure (DCAL). Interpoint is now owned and managed by the University of Ulster;
• in the mid 1990’s initiated the creation of Ulster Community Investment Trust Ltd providing dedicated financial and monitoring support to socio-economic enterprises in Northern Ireland and the Border Counties. Government recognises UCIT as a critical factor in the development of the socioeconomic sector. UCIT is the largest financial instrument of its kind in Ireland and England;
• in 2003 initiated Belfast Local Television (BLTV), a new local cable network based in North Belfast providing a multi purpose television studio, production and post production facilities. It produces a weekly schedule of programmes made locally which reflect recreational and religious activities, personalities young and old, politics, sport and the Arts. BLTV is presently working with local schools and colleges in North Belfast;
• initiated the School for Social Entrepreneurs set up in 2003 by Flax Trust in partnership with the University of Ulster in response to the need for high quality education, training and development for the growing social economy sector. It held its fi rst International Conference at the Belfast Science Park in the Titanic Quarter in 2006. The Social Economy Network in conjunction with SSEI held its Social Enterprise Day 2007, as part of Invest NI’s Enterprise Week. SSEI continues to play a major role in professionalising the social economy sector on the Island of Ireland.

Historical Overview

This year, three Board Members of Flax Trust/America who are associated with Investment Banking, carried out a Due Diligence investigation of UCIT with a view to preparing it to receive U.S. investment and 15 graduates of SSEI will receive an intensive immersion week at Fordham University, New York.

In North Belfast, Flax Trust has been grant aiding local schools and helping them, both Catholic and Protestant, to come closer together. It is also financing a consultation document on Primary and Post Primary Education in the North of the City, in the aftermath of the 11+ being removed.