The 2021 Belfast Telegraph Top 100 Companies in partnership with Grant Thornton has been launched at an event at Belfast’s Merchant Hotel to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the companies on the list.

Moving from 89th to 50th position in 2021, Heron Bros. are delighted to be named in the Top 100 companies which reflects the tremendous resilience in the face of unprecedented pressures resulting from the continuing Covid-19 pandemic.

Heron Bros. Ltd. was formed in 1956 by six brothers in Draperstown, and 65 years on, family values are retained as the core ethos of the business. The company’s principal activities are construction, joinery manufacturing, building suppliers, quarrying, property investment and development and it has developed a legacy of creating a positive impact across the construction sector throughout the island of Ireland and the UK.

The company’s growth continues to be driven through consolidation of existing operational sectors and the pursuit of new markets. The company controls and is responsible for the management and expansion of an extensive property portfolio which provides a sustainable annual profit, and the Directors are pleased to see a significant increase in rental income.

The company has diversified into the renewable energy sector through its HHT Renewables Division which is an integral part of the company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Strategy and their ultimate target of Net Carbon Zero.

Heron Bros is delivering landmark schemes in Northern Ireland, including redevelopment of the Northern Regional College, Coleraine; Belfast’s Paper Exchange Office Complex and the redevelopment of the iconic listed Templemore Baths, which is the fifth consecutive scheme secured as part of the £105m Belfast Leisure Transformation Programme.

Group Managing Director, Damien O’Callaghan stated, “We have an excellent pedigree in delivering world class sports and leisure facilities, which we have exported to Scotland in the delivery of the new Helensburgh Waterfront Development and Craigie Park Sports Development in Ayr”.


Group Managing Director; Damien O’Callaghan

In conjunction with Heron Property Ltd. they have recently extended their portfolio through the delivery of 70,000 sq. ft Grade A offices for AXA Insurance and have been awarded the development rights by the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minster to construct 80,000 sq. ft of world class riverfront office accommodation at Ebrington Plaza.


Ebrington Plaza

 

The company has strengthened its management structures with the introduction of Associate Directors as part of its ongoing succession planning. They have recently expanded into new state of the art company headquarters at Draperstown and continue to invest in new plant and equipment across all business operations. A particular focus has been the implementation of a digital transformation programme to enhance and streamline its business operations and ensure systems continuity and resilience.

The company has been decorated with numerous industry awards for both its projects, it’s people and its company ethos including the prestigious Investors In People Platinum Global Employer of the Year 2020, for their approach and management of the business and the welfare of its employees throughout the COVID pandemic.

 

Deputy Group Managing Director, Martin O’Kane commented “It is well recognised that the coronavirus pandemic is one of the greatest health challenges ever faced globally, requiring national and local governments to implement extreme measures to combat the spread of the virus. This had a significant impact on the economy as a whole. The health & wellbeing of our staff and their families is always our biggest priority and integral to our ESG Strategy.”