09/01/2026
Danske Bank Appoints Dr Fiona Browne As Head Of AI
Danske Bank has named Dr Fiona Browne as its inaugural head of Artificial Intelligence (AI), with responsibility for directing the bank's AI strategy and adoption across the organisation.
Browne joins the bank from fintech firm 9fin and brings more than 18 years' experience in AI and machine learning across industry and academia. She was previously Chief Technology Officer at Datactics, where she led the delivery of AI-driven solutions for banking and government clients.
In the new role, she will establish and lead an AI centre of excellence in Belfast and work alongside Danske Bank’s Head of Data & Analytics, Lyndsay Shields, as part of the bank’s targeted investment in AI and data. The centre, together with the bank’s data strategy and market-leading technologies, is intended to create additional value for customers.
Liam Curran, Danske Bank's Chief Information Officer, said: "We've been leveraging AI for some time and more recently, exploring potential applications of Generative AI, investing in upskilling and making significant progress in adoption, simplification, and the development of new solutions. Yet we're really only scratching the surface. Fiona's expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning will strengthen our capabilities and help us unlock the transformative potential of both AI and data to drive innovation, make daily banking more convenient, and ultimately free up time for our colleagues to spend time on the things that add the most value."
Browne added: "Danske Bank has demonstrated real leadership in adopting Generative AI responsibly and driving innovation. I'm delighted to join the team at Danske at a time of significant digital development and investment and look forward to helping the bank realise the opportunities AI offers to provide an even better banking experience for our customers and to help colleagues in their roles."
Browne joins the bank from fintech firm 9fin and brings more than 18 years' experience in AI and machine learning across industry and academia. She was previously Chief Technology Officer at Datactics, where she led the delivery of AI-driven solutions for banking and government clients.
In the new role, she will establish and lead an AI centre of excellence in Belfast and work alongside Danske Bank’s Head of Data & Analytics, Lyndsay Shields, as part of the bank’s targeted investment in AI and data. The centre, together with the bank’s data strategy and market-leading technologies, is intended to create additional value for customers.
Browne added: "Danske Bank has demonstrated real leadership in adopting Generative AI responsibly and driving innovation. I'm delighted to join the team at Danske at a time of significant digital development and investment and look forward to helping the bank realise the opportunities AI offers to provide an even better banking experience for our customers and to help colleagues in their roles."
Latest Northern Ireland News
09 January 2026
Danske Bank Appoints Dr Fiona Browne As Head Of AI
Danske Bank has named Dr Fiona Browne as its inaugural head of Artificial Intelligence (AI), with responsibility for directing the bank's AI strategy and adoption across the organisation. Browne joins the bank from fintech firm 9fin and brings more than 18 years' experience in AI and machine learning across industry and academia.
Danske Bank Appoints Dr Fiona Browne As Head Of AI
Danske Bank has named Dr Fiona Browne as its inaugural head of Artificial Intelligence (AI), with responsibility for directing the bank's AI strategy and adoption across the organisation. Browne joins the bank from fintech firm 9fin and brings more than 18 years' experience in AI and machine learning across industry and academia.
09 January 2026
Met Office Issues New Snow And Ice Warning Across NI
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for a risk of snow and ice across NI. The warning comes into effect from today, 9 January, at 5pm to Saturday, 10 January, at 11am. The forecaster said: "Friday evening will be dry and frosty with clear spells.
Met Office Issues New Snow And Ice Warning Across NI
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for a risk of snow and ice across NI. The warning comes into effect from today, 9 January, at 5pm to Saturday, 10 January, at 11am. The forecaster said: "Friday evening will be dry and frosty with clear spells.
09 January 2026
Police Appeal After Bus Driver Robbed In West Belfast
Police are appealing for information and witnesses after a robbery in the Lagmore Avenue area of west Belfast on Friday 9 January. Shortly before 5am, a bus driver on a parked bus was confronted by a man wielding a crowbar who stole a sum of cash before heading towards White Rise.
Police Appeal After Bus Driver Robbed In West Belfast
Police are appealing for information and witnesses after a robbery in the Lagmore Avenue area of west Belfast on Friday 9 January. Shortly before 5am, a bus driver on a parked bus was confronted by a man wielding a crowbar who stole a sum of cash before heading towards White Rise.
09 January 2026
Fluid AV Shortlisted For AV Reseller And Integrator Of The Year
Fluid AV, a leading provider of smart audio-visual integration solutions, has been named a finalist in the AV Reseller and Integrator of the Year category at the AV News Awards 2026, placing the company alongside some of the most established names in the global professional AV sector.
Fluid AV Shortlisted For AV Reseller And Integrator Of The Year
Fluid AV, a leading provider of smart audio-visual integration solutions, has been named a finalist in the AV Reseller and Integrator of the Year category at the AV News Awards 2026, placing the company alongside some of the most established names in the global professional AV sector.
09 January 2026
Investigation Launches After Carryduff Burglary
Detectives are appealing for information following a burglary at a property in Carryduff on Thursday evening, 8 January. The incident happened at around 7.15pm at a house in the Black Quarter Meadow area, where three men are reported to have smashed the rear patio doors to gain entry.
Investigation Launches After Carryduff Burglary
Detectives are appealing for information following a burglary at a property in Carryduff on Thursday evening, 8 January. The incident happened at around 7.15pm at a house in the Black Quarter Meadow area, where three men are reported to have smashed the rear patio doors to gain entry.
09 January 2026
RenewableUK Appoints Tara Singh As CEO
RenewableUK has appointed Tara Singh as its next Chief Executive, with her tenure beginning on 23 February. Singh brings more than two decades of experience across government, global energy companies and public affairs. She currently leads a major public affairs practice at Burson, advising organisations in renewable energy and infrastructure.
RenewableUK Appoints Tara Singh As CEO
RenewableUK has appointed Tara Singh as its next Chief Executive, with her tenure beginning on 23 February. Singh brings more than two decades of experience across government, global energy companies and public affairs. She currently leads a major public affairs practice at Burson, advising organisations in renewable energy and infrastructure.
09 January 2026
Man Charged Following Hammer Assault In Newtownards
Police have charged a man in connection with an assault involving a hammer in the Blenheim Drive area of Newtownards.
Man Charged Following Hammer Assault In Newtownards
Police have charged a man in connection with an assault involving a hammer in the Blenheim Drive area of Newtownards.
09 January 2026
Asda Seals Deal For Larger Downpatrick Store
Asda has reinforced its long-term presence in Downpatrick by signing contracts with site owner Celpark Ltd to deliver a new superstore in the town centre. The development will rise on Asda's former site at Ballydugan Retail Park, replacing the temporary, smaller outlet that has served customers since January 2024.
Asda Seals Deal For Larger Downpatrick Store
Asda has reinforced its long-term presence in Downpatrick by signing contracts with site owner Celpark Ltd to deliver a new superstore in the town centre. The development will rise on Asda's former site at Ballydugan Retail Park, replacing the temporary, smaller outlet that has served customers since January 2024.
08 January 2026
NI's First Motor Neurone Disease Specialist Research Nurse Appointed
The Western Health and Social Care Trust has unveiled Northern Ireland's first specialist research nurse for motor neurone disease (MND), a role based at Altnagelvin Hospital and fully funded by the Motor Neurone Disease Association. The position forms part of the Association's £7.
NI's First Motor Neurone Disease Specialist Research Nurse Appointed
The Western Health and Social Care Trust has unveiled Northern Ireland's first specialist research nurse for motor neurone disease (MND), a role based at Altnagelvin Hospital and fully funded by the Motor Neurone Disease Association. The position forms part of the Association's £7.
08 January 2026
Lidl Northern Ireland Unveils Fibre Strategy And 2030 Targets
Lidl Northern Ireland has become the first supermarket on the island of Ireland to set out a dedicated fibre strategy, pledging to raise the tonnage of total fibre sold by 20% and to ensure wholegrains account for 20% of all grains sold by 2030.
Lidl Northern Ireland Unveils Fibre Strategy And 2030 Targets
Lidl Northern Ireland has become the first supermarket on the island of Ireland to set out a dedicated fibre strategy, pledging to raise the tonnage of total fibre sold by 20% and to ensure wholegrains account for 20% of all grains sold by 2030.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.