Jonathan Bell has been appointed as Northern Ireland’s new Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. Following his appointment, Mr Bell said: “I am very honoured to be appointed as the new Minister, and I look forward to building on the excellent work of my predecessor — Arlene Foster — in what is an extremely busy and diverse portfolio.

“This is a time of great potential for Northern Ireland, and it is important that this potential continues to be given every opportunity to be fulfilled to the maximum. Great progress has already been made in terms of job creation and attracting foreign direct investment, and I expect Invest Northern Ireland’s end-of-year figures will be further proof of that when they are published at the end of this month.”

Speaking about the wide range of issues facing the department, Mr Bell added: “The DETI plays a crucial role in formulating and delivering economic development policy in terms of enterprise, innovation, energy and telecoms. I look forward to working with all of the department’s partners and stake-holders.”

Two days after his appointment, Mr Bell launched an initiative designed to help “high-potential start-ups” in Northern Ireland access early-stage support and investment. The Start Planet ‘seed accelerator’ (www.startplanetni.com) will focus on attracting both international and indigenous businesses with technology-based ideas in the knowledge-economy sectors.

Mr Bell said: “Helping ambitious entrepreneurs to develop innovative start-ups is critical to building Northern Ireland’s next generation of world-class businesses. The Start Planet accelerator will help to build a community of high-potential start-ups in Northern Ireland. Entrepreneurs will have access to intensive mentoring, a co-working space and seed capital funding.”

Wayne Murphy, Start Planet NI programme director, said: “The accelerator is focused on entrepreneurs looking to transform their start-ups into high-value businesses. Applications will be invited until 16 July.”