Congratulations to 84 year old Billy Austin for this terrific painting. Thumping good fight, that wee boy with the black hair means business with his right uppercut! Billy is a master of his craft, his portraits hang round the world, his landscapes around Europe all created at his kitchen table in Brackagh near Tandragee, they grace many homes, fine houses and cottages. This delightful modest man inspires many, myself included. You can see his work on Facebook.
The BBC are at it again.
Relentressly culling the talent and I’m really annoyed that our Annita McVeigh has been given her marching orders. This young woman has excelled in her service to both her employer and the public, so many times I have applauded her in her reporting of tragic and happy stories alike. She never failed in her professionalism and I hope and trust she will be snapped up by someone worthy of her talents.
WOMEN POWER
Are women more competent when it comes to taking control, making decisions, being able to divide jobs into workable compartments? After all we run our own companies when it comes to bringing up a family, organising a household, we’re financial controller, nurse, doctor, carer, chef, marketeer, advisor – my goodness the list goes on. Now the unthinkable, women are packing football stadia with their skilful game, even refereeing top of the league men’s games, women conduct international orchestras, head up trades unions and of course they are now leading huge business deals and international organisations.
One of our most important areas of industry is tourism, for the first time in 2019 bringing in one billion pounds to our economy. Obviously the results of the pandemic were devastating to this sector but there are signs that things are picking up again thanks to dedicated men and women, unique attractions like Game of Thrones, Giant’s Causeway and above all, The Titanic Experience winner of World Leading Visitor Attraction, at present undergoing a £4.5 million upgrade and due to open to the public in March.
And who’s in charge?
A woman with an office in the most iconic workplace in the world, a specular view from every window and the spirit of the Titanic at her feet.
When we were opening our Christmas presents and admiring books and jumpers, wine and roses, Judith Owens was happy to unwrap a high vis vest and a hard hat, just what she wanted as she watched over interior demolition and rebuilding, even there at 2.30 a.m on one recent occasion.
Dedication To A Memory
Judith was involved from the beginning, director of operations and deputy CEO before taking over the reins of the entire organisation in November 2017. Her’s is a massive responsibility. But how does she find interacting with men who still dominate working life. “Recently I was in a meeting with 34 men, I was the only female. It wasn’t a problem, we were all professionals and that’s the way it works. However I do find more and more women are heading up big business especially when it comes to tourism.”
In her early 20s she was in charge of reception and security at Ulster Television. “It was interesting but I realised there wasn’t a future there, however it did open my eyes to the potential.” There followed 14 years working with Belfast City Council at the Waterfront Hall and the Ulster Hall and it was there she honed her skills and learned about the entertainment and tourism industry. One of the initiatives to come out of the Good Friday Agreement was to put tourism throughout Ireland on the map, to become a big player on the international stage and Titanic Belfast was born with Judith the midwife, the mother and now the matriarch.
Because of the ongoing work in the building we are meeting in the Titanic Hotel across the paved walk way. One of her staff was in the hotel organising a tour, he comes over to say good morning and leave his tribute : “Judith I love your passion.”
She left Sullivan Upper School at sixteen to join an advertising company and then the Belfast Telegraph but she was aware that she was being passed over for promotion, not getting short listed because she didn’t have any qualifications. So she took action and tackled third level education in business and international marketing.
“It was good to have some experience before hand, to live a bit and know yourself and your possibilities and it worked for me. People believe in serendipity,” she continued, “things happened for a reason the trick is what you do with it.” This was tested during the covid pandemic when she faced having to cut the work force but she’s delighted that many have come back to work with her again now that life is returning to some normality.
Advice Based On Experience
Don’t say no, it shuts too many doors she says. “Think about possibilities before making a decision. You have to be kind. Determined but have empathy, value staff, be honest and up front.” Her advice to young women going into senior rolls is to surround yourself with good people, face the challenges and don’t pay heed to jealousy and accept responsibility.
Her own responsibilities are wide ranging. With a senior team of seven and 200 full time staff, everything is done ‘in house’ from worldwide negotiations, to the kitchen often catering for events of up to 750, to welcoming thousands of visitors through the front door where the experience all begins.
There have been many highlights but outstanding is the day she played host to the late Queen Elizabeth. “An hour and a half showing the Queen and her husband around the Titanic when it opened, a special experience. And then to be invited to lunch at Buckingham Palace, just 15 of us including the Queen, that was intense! The Queen and her party were just a few of the seven million visitors over ten years, with 900 thousand in one year. Judith Owens takes it in her stride. “I see Belfast as a gateway to Northern Ireland with Titanic Belfast a welcoming host.”
Surely ambition has been realised by this delightful woman who is modest and committed, who received an MBE for services to tourism in this years New Years honours from King Charles, yet has no airs and graces. “I’ve never worked away from home and I would like to tackle one more big project, perhaps in the Far East, a visitor attraction to build and open something to put your soul into and be completely absorbed.” With a smile she promised, “And then come home.”
What annoys you most? I have a couple of gripes. I wish shops, offices and private houses would display their numbers on or above the door. It’s impossible sometimes to find where you’re going because there is no indication where you are on the road. Also, I get really frustrated when sports news reporters on radio chat on with their results but don’t always tell you what sport they are talking about, that goes for newspapers as well. A report on Conor McGregor who is something in UFC – what is UFC? Sometimes I can’t understand if we’re talking about cricket or golf, table tennis or darts! There’s an obsession with initials and the assumption everyone knows what they stand for. Well we don’t.
Finally for now, politicians. They are getting bigger and fatter than ever, just look at the stuffed shirts in the House of Commons – red faced and corpulent, living high on the hog with little concern for the likes of you and me hoping for better representation. Derivation of high on the hog refers to the rich being able to afford the choicest cut of meat, which, from a pig, is higher up on the animal!
There are many more things in the sky rather than a Chinese spy balloon – just look at the moon tonight (thank you again to Susie Harkin for the pic) or, if you have a James Webb telescope, this most beautiful ‘cosmic spider’.
I’m off now to look up UFC. Have a good day. Enjoy Happy Valley if you can and three cheers for the Ireland rugby team.