NI Connections

RESPONSIBLE is a company that is headquartered in Belfast, Northern Ireland and that exists to fight for circularity in the fashion industry. The company aims to create a platform for sustainability and circularity in fashion by incentivising brands and consumers to buy, sell and trade clothes.

In March 2022, RESPONSIBLE announced it was investing over £1.2million in its business to support innovation and business development, creating 13 jobs at its new Belfast headquarters.

Mark Dowds, Founder and CEO, RESPONSIBLE left Northern Ireland in 1998. After living in Canada and San Francisco for a number of years he returned to Northern Ireland 6 years ago. As well as founding RESPONSIBLE Mark is a founder of the Ormeau Baths co-working space for local innovators and entrepreneurs.

Mark is passionate about the start-up scene in Northern Ireland. Mark says “If you're in Belfast and you've got a good idea, you can now get good advice, you can get good capital and it's a phenomenal place to grow a business”.

We spoke to Mark about moving back to Northern Ireland and why he thinks Northern Ireland is a great place to do business.