Deloitte partners with Catalyst for Belfast innovation hub

Deloitte and Catalyst have teamed up to establish a new hub for entrepreneurs in Belfast city centre. Deloitte is partnering with Catalyst, an independent, non-profit science and technology hub, to turn the ground floor of Ewart Warehouse, part of its new 210,000 sq ft Northern Ireland headquarters in The Ewart, into co-working space. Catalyst Bedford Street, as it will be known, will feature more than 90 desks in open-plan areas and studios, a number of meeting pods and individual call booths, a presentation and events space and a cafe. Jackie Henry, managing partner for people and purpose at Deloitte, and office senior partner in Belfast, said: “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.” She added: “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.” Catalyst chief executive Steve Orr said: “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.”