Invest NI to open new north west office at Ebrington Plaza

Invest NI is to establish its new north west regional office at Ebrington Plaza in Londonderry.

Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said it would serve as a base for driving economic development across the region.

Invest NI has been based at Timber Quay in Derry since 2006 but has been seeking a new location following Ulster University's purchase of their building.

The economic development agency hope to move into the new premises in early 2027 and has agreed a 10-year lease.

Archibald said would strengthen Invest NI's regional presence and improve its accessibility to businesses across the north west.

The minister said she looked forward to the office officially opening and using it as a base to meet local businesses and inward investors.

Invest NI has previously faced criticism over the level of inward investment in the north west.

An independent review led by Sir Michael Lyons in 2023 found "profound divisions" at the top of Invest NI were having a damaging impact on the organisation.

In 2025, Strabane business leader Kieran Kennedy resigned from the board of Invest NI after alleging discrimination against the north west.

In July 2026, Invest NI gave a presentation to Derry City and Strabane District Council, which provided a breakdown of the organisation's performance across all 11 council areas since 2021.

The figures from 2021–22 to 2025–26 showed a significant disparity between Belfast and Derry City and Strabane.

Belfast recorded 8,733 new jobs, almost half of the 17,932 recorded across Northern Ireland, compared with 1,176 in Derry City and Strabane.

Speaking earlier this year, Aeidin McCarter, who was announced as Invest NI's head of regional business for the north west in May, admitted "mistakes have been made" in the past but regional balance is now "front and centre" for the organisation.

Invest NI chief executive Kieran Donoghue said stimulating further economic development in the north west and across Northern Ireland was a key priority for the agency.

Last year, Invest NI said they supported 263 projects in the north west, which are expected to result in more than £80m of investment and create more than 400 new jobs.

Donoghue said the Ebrington Plaza location would place the agency close to some of its most significant clients in the region while providing access to the wider city.

Aeidin McCarter, Invest NI's head of regional business for the north west, said the premises would provide a modern and welcoming space for businesses, entrepreneurs, partner organisations and potential investors.

"Now we have a lease agreed we now need to move to fit-out phase," she said.

"We hope to be in a position to move into the office in early 2027."