WEALTH August 26, 2026 0 Comments

Allied Group’s Beyond Borders Summit: The Game-Changer Poised to Redefine Global Business—Are You Ready to Play?

Ever wonder how a tiny misstep in customs codes could cost you nearly half a million euros? Well, that’s exactly the kind of high-stakes puzzle Allied Group cracked wide open recently—saving an Irish steel importer from a potential €400,000 Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) headache. Now, they’re not just sitting on this win; they’re rolling out the Beyond Borders Summit, set to storm the ICC Belfast on October 1. Picture this: over 200 powerhouse business leaders, policymakers, and trade gurus coming face-to-face to decode how shifting customs rules, AI, sustainability, and supply chains are reshaping trade across the UK, Ireland, and Europe. If you’ve ever thought global trade was just about ships and trucks, think again—it’s a dynamic chess game, and Allied Group’s calling the shots. Ready to dive deep into tomorrow’s trade secrets? LEARN MORE

Customs, freight and trade compliance specialists Allied Group has announced the launch of the Beyond Borders Summit after helping an Irish steel importer to avoid a potential €400,000 Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) liability.

Sponsored by Danske Bank, AbbeyAutoline and Formation Works, the new national business summit will take place at the ICC Belfast on 1 October.

More than 200 senior business leaders, manufacturers, policymakers and international trade specialists are expected to attend.

The summit will examine the changes affecting how companies trade, invest and grow across the UK, Ireland and Europe, from customs and carbon border regulation to AI, sustainability and changing global supply chains.

Event Registration is now open. For further information or to get tickets, see here, email [email protected] or call 028 3066 0988

The launch follows a recent case in which Allied Group identified a potential €400,000 liability while delivering CBAM training to an Irish steel importer that had already researched the new requirements and carried out its own calculations.

A review of one of the company’s main commodity codes identified a potential carbon liability of approximately €400,000 for 2026, which Allied Group’s modelling indicated could rise to around €780,000 by 2028.

Further investigation found that an incorrect commodity code supplied by an international supplier had been applied to the goods.

Once the correct classification was established, Allied Group’s analysis found that the associated liability fell to zero.

Stephen McAneney, managing director of Allied Group, said: “Brexit fundamentally changed how businesses move goods across borders.

“While that created challenges, it also created a unique opportunity for Northern Ireland through its dual access to both the UK Internal Market and the EU Single Market for goods.

“We’ve already seen businesses demonstrate how companies based in Northern Ireland can compete and grow internationally by leveraging that position.

“The opportunity extends far beyond any one sector. Manufacturers, distributors and traders across the region can use this advantage to expand exports, attract investment and reach customers on a scale that many of their competitors cannot.

“That’s what led us to create Beyond Borders. We’re bringing together business leaders, policymakers and industry experts to have honest conversations about the future of trade, investment and competitiveness, and how Northern Ireland can make the most of its unique position.

“The challenge now is not whether the opportunity exists. It’s whether we have the ambition to seize it. The businesses that understand and embrace Northern Ireland’s dual market access today will be best placed to grow, invest and succeed in the years ahead.”

The launch of Beyond Borders comes during a period of significant growth for Allied Group, following a £500,000 investment, the creation of 25 new jobs and the company’s recent rebrand from Allied Fleet Services to Allied Group.

Founded in 2017, the Co Armagh business has grown into one of the UK and Ireland’s leading customs, freight and trade compliance specialists, supporting manufacturers, exporters, logistics providers and transport operators across the UK, Ireland, Europe and international markets.

Allied Group Beyond Borders — Pictured at ICC Belfast are (l-r) Michelle Irwin, Marketing Manager at AbbeyAutoline; Meagan Faulkner, Head of Communications at Allied Group; journalist and speaker Jim Fitzpatrick; Stephen McAneney, Managing Director of Allied Group; Ciaran May, Founder of Natural Resilience; Ian Harbinson, Director at Formation Works; and Conor McGivern, Senior Business Manager at Danske Bank.

Through its specialist divisions – Allied Customs, Allied Freight and Allied CBAM – the company has expanded in response to growing demand for customs, freight and carbon border expertise as businesses navigate increasingly complex cross-border trading requirements.

Photo: (l-r) Stephen McAneney, Managing Director of Allied Group; Jim Fitzpatrick, journalist and speaker; and Ciaran May, Founder of Natural Resilience.