Let’s talk about something that’s quietly becoming a big deal in Northern Ireland’s business community — succession planning, especially in family-run companies.

NI has a rich tradition of family-owned businesses. From engineering firms in Mid Ulster to food producers in Armagh, these businesses have been built on hard work, strong values, and local pride. But there’s a challenge many are facing and not enough people are talking about it.

The Leadership Gap Is Coming

Many founders and long-standing business leaders are starting to think about stepping back. Some are nearing retirement, others just want to slow down a little. The question is: who steps in?

In some cases, the next generation is ready and willing. In others, they’ve chosen a different path or just aren’t quite there yet in terms of leadership experience. That’s when things get tricky.

Why It’s So Easy to Avoid the Topic

Succession planning can be uncomfortable. It’s personal. Emotions, legacy, family dynamics all of it comes into play. So, a lot of business owners quietly avoid it. Some hope it will sort itself out. Others assume that when the time comes, “we’ll figure it out.”

But here’s the truth: hope is not a strategy.

Without a plan, businesses can lose direction, stall growth, or worse fall apart just as they’re meant to thrive.

Where Executive Search Comes In

This is where a good executive search partner can make a real difference.

We’re not just about putting names on a shortlist. What we actually do is help business owners:

• Have honest conversations about what’s next
• Understand if internal talent is really ready
• Explore external leadership options, people who fit your culture and bring fresh perspective
• Think long-term: not just who leads today, but who sets the company up for the next 10 years

Sometimes, the answer is a family member supported by an experienced Chair or CEO. Other times, it’s about bringing in someone new entirely. Either way, having options matters.

The Bigger Picture for Northern Ireland

NI’s economy depends on strong, resilient, well-led businesses. Family firms are a huge part of that. If we want to keep these companies thriving for the next generation, we need to start treating succession planning as the strategic opportunity it really is.

So if you’re a business owner thinking, “I should probably deal with this at some point”, consider this your sign to start now.

You don’t have to figure it out alone. The right guidance can make all the difference.

The world of work is changing at a pace we’ve not seen before. While some roles are gradually becoming obsolete, others unheard of even five years ago are gaining real traction. The driving force behind this shift is the steady integration of intelligent systems into daily business and life.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept it’s a transformative force that is rapidly reshaping industries, workflows, and the global employment landscape. While automation may phase out some roles, it’s also creating entirely new career paths that didn’t exist a decade ago.

As we look ahead, a big question remains: Will these new roles be the preserve of large corporations with deep pockets, or can smaller, nimbler firms get ahead by embracing change early?

Here are five up-and-coming careers that are set to become more visible between now and the end of the decade.

1. Conversational Design Specialist

With the rise of smart assistants and tools that understand natural language, a new type of communicator is emerging someone who knows how to speak to machines so they respond helpfully to people.

These specialists are responsible for crafting effective instructions and questions that guide language-based tools to produce reliable, relevant responses. It’s a curious mix of writing skill, logic, and product insight.

People in this line of work are already in demand across advertising, education, tech support, and digital publishing. As more companies build tools powered by advanced language models, this role will only grow in importance.

2. Ethics and Risk Lead for Emerging Tech

As modern technology is applied to sensitive areas like policing, finance, and health, ethical concerns and legal compliance have become central to decision-making. Enter the ethics lead, part policy advisor, part compliance officer.

This job involves designing policies around the responsible use of smart systems, identifying bias or unfairness in their outputs, and helping organisations navigate new legislation such as the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act or the UK’s code of practice on algorithmic transparency.

Those with a background in law, philosophy, data protection, or public policy would be well suited to this role. Recent examples, such as the use of facial recognition in traffic policing in Iran or automated hiring tools challenged in court, show just how crucial this job is becoming.

3. Tech-Enabled Healthcare Supporter

In modern medicine, technology is helping to shoulder some of the burden on healthcare workers. New roles are opening up that sit between clinicians and digital tools, roles that blend people skills with technological fluency.

This could involve helping patients use mobile health monitors or interpreting digital scans flagged for attention by diagnostic software. In the UK, devices like KardiaMobile (a pocket-sized heart monitor) are already in use by the NHS to support remote care.

These new hybrid roles call for empathy, clear communication, and a basic grasp of how medical software works. It’s not about replacing doctors or nurses but supporting them more efficiently and helping patients feel confident with new tools.

4. Cyber Defence Analyst with Automation Focus

As hackers adopt more sophisticated methods, digital security has had to adapt. Specialists are now needed who can not only monitor for threats but work alongside systems that sift through huge amounts of data, spotting patterns that might be missed by the human eye alone.

These analysts don’t just wait for breaches they anticipate them. They set up alert systems, test vulnerabilities, and help design responses that kick in quickly when something seems off.

It’s a role that suits people with a strong background in IT or data, but who are also curious and cautious by nature. Banks, hospitals, and government departments are particularly keen to strengthen their security with these kinds of skills.

5. Digital Model Builder (Digital Twin Engineer)

Picture being able to test changes to a city’s traffic system or a jet engine without ever touching the real thing. That’s what digital twins offer: virtual replicas that update in real time based on data from sensors, logs, or other connected devices.

The engineers behind these models pull together information from various sources and use it to simulate, predict, and improve real-world systems. In industries like aerospace, construction, and energy, this approach is becoming essential.

The job requires a mix of programming knowledge, data handling, and a big-picture mindset. As more sectors lean into simulation and modelling for planning and problem-solving, demand for these professionals is expected to rise.

Change often brings uncertainty, but it also opens doors. These roles some already emerging, others just around the corner offer opportunities for those willing to learn and adapt. Importantly, they don’t all require coding or a background in science. Many rely on communication, ethics, problem-solving, and human insight.

Businesses of all sizes should be thinking now about how to prepare—through staff training, openness to new tools, and investing in the right people. As with any leap forward, those who embrace change thoughtfully will be best placed to thrive.