Northern Ireland Sees Surge in Business Acquisitions

2024 was a significant year for business in Northern Ireland, highlighted by key mergers and acquisitions including the sale of Harland & Wolff to Navantia and a record £760 million acquisition of Phoenix Energy by a Hong Kong consortium. Other notable transactions included the sale of Mannok Holdings to a Turkish conglomerate and EPAM's £230 million purchase of First Derivative, which will integrate approximately 1,800 employees into its workforce. Meanwhile, in the U.S., the liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry faced mounting challenges as the Biden administration's pause on new export approvals was overturned by a federal judge, leading to a resurgence in LNG exports. Climate activists celebrated initial victories against LNG projects, but subsequent developments, including permits for major projects like Venture Global's CP2, sparked renewed controversy. The year also saw community efforts in North Carolina raise funds to support local nonprofits and address propane needs post-Hurricane Helene. Overall, 2024 was marked by a dynamic interplay of corporate growth in Northern Ireland and significant regulatory shifts in the U.S. LNG sector.