InBUSINESS Yearbook 2020 by Ashville Media Group

THE

2020

InBUSINESS CONNECTING IRISH BUSINESS

YEARBOOK

CHAMBERS IRELAND: A Year in Review

CHAMBER DIRECTORY: Full Network Listing

CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP: Why Your Business Should Join

Light end at the

tunnel ANDREW

of the

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2.70

BROWNLEE

CEO OF SOLAS ON HOW FURTHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING CAN PROVIDE A WAY FORWARD DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES

21/04/2020 12:59

The Dillon Eustace client list includes leading national and international corporates and institutions. From our largest to our smallest clients, the international quality of our service and expertise is assured. Banking

Dispute Resolution

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Litigation

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Mergers & Acquisitions

Compliance

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Regulatory Compliance

Corporate Finance

Insurance

Structured Finance

Corporate Recovery

Investment Funds

Tax

To discuss how Dillon Eustace can help your business, and learn more about our services, contact Mark Thorne, Managing Partner, on mark.thorne@dilloneustace.ie or phone 01-6670022. dilloneustace.com

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Editor: Adam Hyland Art Director: Alan McArthur

COVER STORY

Light

Editorial Assistant: Kiah Townsend (Chambers Ireland)

end at the

Editorial Contributors: Emma Kerins; Michaela Reilly (Chambers Ireland)

Managing Director: Gerry Tynan Sales Director/Chairman: Diarmaid Lennon

Published by: Ashville Media Group, Old Stone Building, Blackhall Green, Dublin 7 Tel: +353 1 432 2200 Email: info@ashville.com Web: www.ashville.com On behalf of: Chambers Ireland, 11 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, D02 FY84 Tel: +353 1 400 4300 Email: info@chambers.ie Web: www.chambers.ie

Maxwell Photography

Production Manager: Jane Matthews Production Executive: Nicole Ennis

tunnel

IRELAND IS A RESILIENT COUNTRY, AND I THINK WE CAN COME OUT OF THIS IN A BETTER POSITION THAN MANY OTHER COUNTRIES WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME CHALLENGES”

Design Assistant: James Moore

of the

SOLAS is providing the Further Education and Training strategies that will see businesses through the COVID-19 crisis.

he sudden and potentially catastrophic onset of the COVID-19 global pandemic will have a significant effect on our economy. The uncertainty surrounding the post-COVID business landscape has far-reaching consequences, but what is certain is that our world will be radically different, necessitating new ways of working, new skillsets and training, and new approaches to the jobs we already do.

Andrew Brownlee, CEO, SOLAS

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

[CHAMBERS NEWS] Andrew Brownlee, the recently appointed Chief Executive Officer of SOLAS, the Further Education and Training authority, says: “The key thing for me is not just that the world has changed, but Further Education and Training has also changed. We’ve found ways to deliver learning, and support learners, that will serve us well for years to come. This leaves us perfectly placed to respond to the damage done by this crisis, and to leverage the opportunities presented around the Future World of Work.” SOLAS, established under legislation in 2013, has come a long way in its short journey. Its function is to plan, fund and support the Further Education and Training (FET) sector in the delivery of vocational education and skills training through 16 regional Education and Training Boards (ETBs). Just as SOLAS was preparing to launch an ambitious new five-year Further Education and Training Strategy, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the game for everyone, but Andrew is confident that FET offers a path to recovery. PIPELINE OF TALENT “Fundamentally, what we offer businesses is a pipeline of talent,” Andrew explains. “We support the creation of the workforce of tomorrow, with a pool of graduates, most of whom have work or practise-based learning experience.” This has been a very successful strategy. “Our PLC courses generate over 90% positive outcomes with the person either going directly into a job or on to higher education, and over 80% of people who do our apprenticeships are still with the employer two years later,” Andrew says. “Employer satisfaction is also very high, over 80% according to our most recent HEA/SOLAS employer survey.” As well as preparing the workforce of tomorrow, SOLAS also supports the workforce of today, and built on this last year with the launch of their Skills to Advance programme, which targets those people who are in employment but need upskilling in order to meet the demands of the future of work. “For all that Ireland is talked about as a hotbed of talent and a highly-educated 35

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

COVER STORY:

Light at the End of the Tunnel

CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020

Chambers Ireland: The Year in Pictures

FOREWORD

A FRESH START Brexit has dominated the political and business headlines since the British voted to leave the EU in 2016. While negotiations about the future relationship between Britain and the EU have yet to be worked out, with Stormont sitting again Northern Ireland has an opportunity to make a fresh start. Following the result of General Election 2020 political parties need to prioritise the formation of a government. It is essential that the Dáil focuses on the pressing national issues which affect our quality of life and the Irish business environment. At the European level, Commission-President von der Leyen aims to revitalise the EU economy with a European Green Deal that shifts the continent onto an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable trajectory. Conditions, while more challenging remain good for continued economic growth and prosperity. But to achieve this continued investment and delivery of critical infrastructure is vital.

BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE Last year, Chambers Ireland, and our network of affiliated chambers, signed a pledge to support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, with our efforts focusing on the five goals most appropriate to us. The path towards a sustainable, circular economy will be challenging, but improving Ireland is something we should be aiming for, even if it wasn’t also competitively advantageous.

Redoubling

Efforts OUR

The Sustainable Development Goals provide a new framework for the economy to continue to develop and prosper, while also ensuring we don’t leave people behind. Business should grasp this opportunity to increase our competitiveness in the face of Brexit, skilled labour shortages and neglected infrastructure.

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

TAKING THE LONG VIEW As we review the last decade, Ireland has made incredible progress, returning to growth and full employment in a way that was unforeseeable in the opening months of 2010. However, the last few years are also a lesson on the costs of delaying action on housing, the environment and public infrastructure. We didn’t succeed in implementing a planning regime to hasten the development of renewable energy supply, public transport was neglected, and the opportunity to build up a substantial “Rainy Day Fund” to support investment through the next economic downturn has been missed. The European Green Deal creates a window of opportunity for the incoming government to act and build upon the long-term ambitions of the National Planning Framework and last year’s Climate Action Plan to create the productive and progressive Ireland that is good for both business and society. The suburban sprawl that we have become accustomed to is damaging quality of life and competitiveness on local, regional and national levels. Congestion already costs us hundreds of millions each year, and soon to be billions per annum. We need to provide people with viable options to the status quo if policies such as carbon taxes are to have their intended effect. Without reliable and frequent high-capacity alternatives to private transport, we are going to become increasingly less attractive to foreign direct investment. Effective transit systems broaden the options available to those already in the workforce and can create new options for people who are excluded. This results in a more efficient allocation of resources, promoting economic growth and reducing costs. Fortunately, the changes which we need to make as a country to become more environmentally sustainable are also the things which we need to do to make the country more competitive and efficient.

BREXIT’S CHALLENGES LIE BEFORE US Brexit’s effects make all these matters more pressing. Whatever the nature of the future relationship, we can expect that Britain, postEU, will continue to be an extremely ambitious country; a neighbour which sees itself as a challenging economic competitor rather than as a close collaborator. We will therefore have to redouble our efforts to be competitive, ensuring that people are skilled appropriately and that our workplaces are flexible and inclusive. We are lucky that our educational system trains our people to such a high standard, but we have to work harder to ensure access to the quality of life that people demand, because their skills are in demand internationally. We need to invest in our urban areas if we are to create the kind of cities and towns that attract the talent that our economy needs. Our cities and towns must become attractive, affordable places to live and work. While densification is an important element to this, so too is investing in place.

Policy Update

The Chamber Network: The Year in Pictures

Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland

THREATS OF NATIONALISM, TAXATION, DEMOGRAPHICS Internationalist organisations such as the EU, the UN, and the WTO benefit small countries like ours. There is strength and security in collaboration, but the large powers are increasingly disinclined to accept limitations on their power. As beneficiaries of the current order, Ireland should be doing all we can to support it. While we have strongly supported the OECD BEPS process, international taxation best practice will continue to evolve. We must ensure we continue to that the right actions which will facilitate the retention of our 12.5% tax rate. Finally, it may become the case that the level of economic growth which has been our experience recently can no longer be relied upon. With demographic pressures being felt throughout Europe and Asia, skilled labour is likely to become increasingly scarce, and we will have to work a lot smarter to secure the prosperity we enjoy.

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

CHAMBERS FOREWORD:

Redoubling our efforts

The path towards a sustainable, circular economy will be challenging, but improving Ireland is something we should be aiming for, writes Chief Executive Ian Talbot

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Chamber Membership

CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020

FOREWORD

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

About Chambers Ireland

InBUSINESS talks to SOLAS CEO Andrew Brownlee about how FET can provide a way forward post-COVID-19

All articles © Ashville Media Group 2020. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher. Opinion and comments expressed herein are not necessarily those of Ashville Media or Chambers Ireland. ISSN 20093934

Message from the President

Building a Sustainable Business Environment

Chambers Ireland Directory

21/04/2020 13:06

Mullan Lighting took the step into France That lightbulb moment; for Mullan Lighting, it was realising the untapped potential of the Eurozone. With the help of Enterprise Ireland, Mullan undertook detailed market research and identified France as a key market. They also received the support necessary to bring a group of French customers to Ireland to see their bespoke lighting up close. As Brexit approaches, the need for Irish companies to internationalise has never been greater. Enterprise Ireland has a comprehensive five-step plan and extensive supports to help businesses of every size and stage to enter new markets. Take the step into new markets with Enterprise Ireland. Visit globalambition.ie/steps to learn more.

#GlobalAmbition

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THE

2020

InBUSINESS CONNECTING IRISH BUSINESS

YEARBOOK

CHAMBERS IRELAND: A Year in Review

CHAMBER DIRECTORY: Full Network Listing

CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP: Why Your Business Should Join

Light end at the

tunnel

of the

CEO OF SOLAS ON HOW FURTHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING CAN PROVIDE A WAY FORWARD DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES

a2.70

ANDREW BROWNLEE

Go to chambers.ie for the online edition

Eurochambres Chambers Ireland continues to work with Eurochambres to ensure a stable, pro-trade and business-friendly environment

Mapping the Future

Chambers Ireland partnered with ESB in 2019 to host four events that enabled members to engage with the company about the future of electricity demand.

[ Local Government InBUSINESS ] Page

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Galway 2020 kicks off, Mayo looks to Mayo Day, and Sligo and Leitrim receive funding for development

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8 ULSTER

Limerick targets visitors, residents and filmmakers from across the globe with new marketing campaign and film initiative

CONNAUGHT

LEINSTER

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Kildare County Council takes home the top prize at the All Ireland Community and Council Awards

Building a resilient Belfast, LEADER funding for Donegal, and Cavan welcomes the diaspora in August

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Vincent Kelly and Seamie Moore at the All Ireland Community and Council Awards

LIMERICK’S FILM BOOST

GALWAY CELEBRATES

THE FUTURE OF BELFAST

Kildare wins Grand Prix

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

In Association with

Our Local Government InBUSINESS Supplement continues to look at the important role played by local authorities in Irish enterprise

In Association with

Champions in CSR

The 2019 Chambers Ireland CSR Awards Winners

Excellence on the Ground

The 2019 Excellence in Local Government Award Winners InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020 AFFILIATED CHAMBER LOCATIONS

the

Chamber

Network etwork

Letterkenny etterkenny

Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Industr Sligo Ballina Ballin CarrickCarrick On-Shannon Westport

Ballyhaunis

Cootehill Dundalk

Cavan Cava County Meath

Longfor ongford ongfor d

Drogheda & District

Mullingar A Athlone Galway

Tullamor ullamore & District Laois

Dublin South Dublin n County Kildare e

Ennis Shannon

County Carlow

Thurles

Fingal Dublin DÃºn Laoghaire Laoghair - Rathdown R Bray & District

Arklow & District

Kilkenny

Limerick County Tipperary Tralee

Waterford d Mallow

Enniscorthy & District Count County W Wexford

Dungarvan & West Waterford W

Cork Bantry

41 Affiliated Chambers

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Cobh & Harbour

8,000

1,235

business members represented across the country

Lobbying returns submitted by the Chamber network since January 2017

Further details of each affiliated Chamber can be found between pages 70 to 71 InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

21/04/2020 13:10

CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

As we enter 2020,

the Irish economy is once again performing strongly; with low unemployment and the trend of strong growth forecasts continuing for the year ahead. Yet throughout the country, several of our towns, regions and localities continue to feel left wanting for the heightened quality of life from this economic growth to reach them. Making progress in delivering key infrastructure projects to benefit our local and regional places at a national level remains a challenge to our competitiveness and a key concern for our Network. With the UK having now left the EU, we’ve only reached the end of phase one of Brexit. The transition period we have now entered allows extra time for companies both within the UK and beyond to prepare and get ready. Siobhan Kinsella However, a ‘cliff-edge’ scenario of the UK leaving without a trade deal before President, the end of 2020 is still a clear risk to businesses and our economy. Chambers Ireland Ahead of the General Election this year, we published our Manifesto in January, which addresses the need for investment in housing, transport and energy, calling for a balanced and sustainable economy that delivers to all parts of the country from the next programme of Government. Our priority is to see real progress in the capital projects identified in the National Development Plan which will make our urban centres and rural areas across the country more liveable, paving the way for business opportunities nationwide, and “THE YEAR TO contributing to the development of the Climate Action Plan. COME WILL BE Delivery of promised infrastructure must take its course. Supply of affordable housing FULL OF must be improved if we are to protect our national competitiveness. Investments in CHALLENGES, transport, our energy systems and in connectivity must also be a priority of the next BUT IT WILL ALSO Government, particularly if we are to transition to a low carbon future. BE FULL OF Our Manifesto recommendations also reflect the support which we and our OPPORTUNITIES. Chamber Network have given to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), WE LOOK pledging to support the Goals while also identifying five of them that we believe will FORWARD TO best advance sustainable economic development across Ireland. WORKING Throughout 2020, we will continue to advance the SDGs, by communicating them CLOSELY WITH throughout the Chamber Network and by enshrining them in the work we do for the ALL OUR benefit of business and society. The year to come will be full of challenges, but it will also be full of opportunities. MEMBERS, OUR CHAMBERS AND We look forward to working closely with all our members, our Chambers and STAKEHOLDERS, stakeholders, as well as our new Government. AS WELL AS On a final note, in my second year as President of Chambers Ireland, I continue OUR NEW to feel privileged to be surrounded by the many talented people across the Network, GOVERNMENT.” and to have the responsibility to serve them. I wish you all a successful year ahead.

A Message

from the

President InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020 FOREWORD

Redoubling

Efforts OUR

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CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020 FOREWORD

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Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland

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CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020 SPONSORS

SPONSORS Chambers Ireland wishes to thank its sponsors for their continued support.

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InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

21/04/2020 13:29

CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020 ABOUT CHAMBERS IRELAND

Who : we are

Chambers Ireland works to advance Irish businesses at home and abroad by empowering, lobbying, representing, growing and delivering for our network.

As Ireland’s largest business organisation, Chambers Ireland’s primary aim is to advance Ireland’s business competitiveness through developing the best business environment for all businesses at all levels while facilitating the growth of the Irish Chamber network. The Irish Chamber network consists of 41 local and regional affiliated Chambers, with Chambers Ireland acting as one voice on behalf of the network. Through engaging with business members across the country via our Chamber network, Chambers Ireland works to advance Irish businesses of all sizes - both at home and abroad, by encouraging better business practices to ensure long-term development at local, regional and national levels. Chambers Ireland monitors the relevant policy issues that businesses care about and are affected by. We represent the views of businesses across Ireland to Government through research, lobbying and representation on influential policy-making boards and councils, such as the National Competitiveness Council and the National Corporate Social Responsibility Stakeholder Forum. INTERNATIONAL PROFILE In addition to these various levels of domestic influence, Chambers Ireland also engages at a European and international level. Chambers Ireland is a member of both the Parisbased International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) - the largest business representative organisation worldwide, and EUROCHAMBRES - the association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry. As a member of the ICC, Chambers Ireland acts as the Irish national committee of the ICC, which allows us to advocate the interests of our members to the intergovernmental organisations that legislate on international trade. The work of the ICC includes arbitration and dispute resolution, promoting the importance for open trade, business self-regulation, fighting corruption and more. Chambers Ireland is also one of the national chambers of commerce members of EUROCHAMBRES, the voice of the business community at EU level, representing more than 20 million businesses across Europe. EUROCHAMBRES aims to improve the conditions of the Single Market to facilitate trade within, and beyond, the EU through engagement with EU institutions and coordinating projects to benefit businesses.

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THE WORK OF CHAMBERS IRELAND A glance at Chambers Ireland’s main areas of activity:

REPRESENTING IRISH BUSINESS INTERESTS

As a lobbying organisation, we represent Irish business interests at local, regional and national level to the Irish Government, while also exerting influence through our presence on key policymaking boards and councils.

SUPPORTING BUSINESS AND STRENGTHENING THE NETWORK Chambers Ireland supports SMEs and larger businesses in Ireland through the Chamber Network. We provide information and advice to businesses on a range of topics and issues.

INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE

Chambers Ireland is an active member of both EUROCHAMBRES and the International Chamber of Commerce, which represents businesses at EU, panEuropean and international level. Chambers Ireland engagement on these important business platforms ensures greater visibility and competitiveness for Irish business on a global stage.

21/04/2020 13:30

CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020 CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP

Chambers: The voice of

BUSINESS IN IRELAND By joining your local Chamber, you’ll receive members-only benefits, exclusive advertising, networking opportunities and increased publicity for your organisation, along with representation at a national level through Chambers Ireland.

With 41

accredited Chambers around Ireland, businesses in the Chamber Network are widely represented across the country. The Chamber Network is Ireland’s largest business representative organisation, working to promote the enhanced economic and social development of communities in order to make them a better place to work, live and do business. Local economic development is one of the Chamber Network’s core policy priorities. The strength of the local economy is vital for the success of any business. Chambers work to encourage and promote local economic development for their communities and deliver significant results for their members.

Chambers representatives gather for Budget Dialogue Day

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CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020 CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP

HERE ARE THE KEY AREAS WHERE CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP CAN BENEFIT YOUR BUSINESS:

OUR VOICE WITH Y GOVERNMENT

ESULTS THROUGH R COLLABORATION

Chambers around Ireland represent their members at meetings with local authorities and politicians and during events throughout the year. Have your say in local government through the Chamber advocacy efforts. Chambers lobby their Local Authorities on many issues that need to be addressed for their members.

Gain a competitive edge over nonmembers with exclusive training opportunities on current topics. Chambers organise training across a variety of topics. The Chamber should be the first place you approach with any businesses issue. With the resources and experience we have available in our network, we can supply you with the information you need in a timely manner.

EXPANDING YOUR MARKET

ELPING YOU GROW H YOUR BUSINESS

Having Chamber membership allows businesses to access new customers and the opportunity to diversify their supply chain. We can help businesses find potential new markets and where to get the resources they need to develop.

Enhance your reputation and increase awareness through membership. Chamber members have the benefit of the Chamber President, CEO, Board and staff promoting their business. At networking events, Chamber personnel always keep their members in mind when they are speaking to other business owners, whether they are national or international companies.

ETTER B NETWORKING Members of Chambers are invited to many networking events. This opens up opportunities for members to do business with other companies in their Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s network. It has been recorded that 60 per cent of members do business at Chamber events through meeting with other members and their contacts. You can connect and engage with a broader audience and expand your network through your local Chamber.

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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REPRESENTING YOUR BUSINESS INTERESTS Chambers play a key role in representing business at national and local level. We have developed relationships with key stakeholders and represent the views of business to them to ensure the environment for business is kept at a competitive level. We are a voice of business on the important issues of skills, costs for business, trade, housing, infrastructure and climate change.

21/04/2020 13:32

CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020 CHAMBERS IRELAND: THE YEAR IN PICTURES

CHAMBERS IRELAND: The Year in PICTURES

InBUSINESS looks back over the last 12 months with some snapshots of Chambers Ireland’s work in representing members both nationally and internationally.

JANUARY 2019 Our President, Siobhan Kinsella, addresses the audience at the Marie Keating Foundation’s ‘Back to Work After Cancer’ launch at The Cliff Townhouse, Dublin.

Irish MEPs join Chamber delegates at the launch of our EU Election Manifesto at the European Parliament in Brussels.

FEBRUARY 2019

JANUARY 2019 Our Chief Executive Ian Talbot (right) speaks with Commissioner for EU Budget and Human Resources Günther H. Oettinger at the Extraordinary EUROCHAMBRES’ Members Meeting in Brussels.

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MARCH 2019 BAM Ireland Chief Executive Theo Cullinane, along with our President, Siobhan Kinsella, and Chief Executive, Ian Talbot, launching the Chambers Ireland CSR Awards 2019 in St. Stephen’s Green.

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

21/04/2020 13:42

CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020 CHAMBERS IRELAND: THE YEAR IN PICTURES

APRIL 2019

Allan Shine, CEO, and Maureen Bergin, President, County Kildare Chamber with their award for the overall Chamber of the Year. Pictured here with Siobhan Kinsella, Chambers Ireland President, and Colm Blake, Head of Insurance Marketing, Zurich Ireland.

APRIL 2019

Launching the ‘Our Time to Vote’ Campaign at the Custom House in Dublin. Pictured left to right - Conor Healy, Cork Chamber; Shona McManus, Drogheda Chamber; Ian Talbot, Chambers Ireland; Mary Rose Burke, Dublin Chamber; Paula McCaul, County Meath Chamber and Peter Byrne, South Dublin Chamber.

Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee TD, meeting with Chambers Ireland to discuss the Chamber Manifesto for the EU Elections 2019.

MAY 2019

JUNE 2019 Ian Talbot, Chambers Ireland Chief Executive, speaking at the National Economic Dialogue 2019 in June.

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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JULY 2019 Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland, Richard Bruton T.D, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Emma Kerins, Head of Policy and Public Affairs meeting together in July to highlight the need to decarbonise the economy.

21/04/2020 13:42

CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020 CHAMBERS IRELAND: THE YEAR IN PICTURES

SEPTEMBER 2019 AUGUST 2019 Members of our network photographed at our Chamber Executive Forum, hosted in Cork Chamber in August.

Chamber Network delegates together at our Chamber Budget Dialogue Day, with copies of the Chambers Ireland Pre-Budget Submission 2020. The Dialogue Day also marked the public announcement of the jointpledge from Chambers Ireland and the Chamber Network to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SEPTEMBER 2019

Boots Ireland take home the Outstanding Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility Award. Pictured here are representatives from Boots Ireland with Minister of State, Sean Canney TD, and Chambers Ireland’s Ian Talbot.

Hon. Mr. Justice David Barniville; Tony Connelly, Europe Editor, RTÉ News; Patricia O’Brien, Irish Ambassador to France, Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland at the Paris Arbitration Meeting in September.

SEPTEMBER 2019

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CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020 CHAMBERS IRELAND: THE YEAR IN PICTURES

NOVEMBER 2019 OCTOBER 2019 Our Chief Executive, Ian Talbot, speaking at the EUROCHAMBRES Economic Forum in Rome following his re-election as Deputy President of EUROCHAMBRES.

Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, and Siobhan Kinsella, President, Chambers Ireland with John Paul Phelan T.D, Minister of State for Local Government and Electoral Reform, presenting the Local Authority of the Year Award to Fingal County Council, represented by Ann Marie Farrelly, Chief Executive, Fingal County Counci and Mayor Eoghan O’Brien, Fingal County Council at the Excellence in Local Government Awards 2019.

NOVEMBER 2019 Pictured after the Chambers Ireland’s Sustainable Business Breakfast in The House of Lords on College Green are our Chief Executive, Ian Talbot, Mary Robinson, Former President of Ireland and Adjunct Professor of Climate Justice, Trinity College Dublin and Gavin Kelly, CEO Retail Ireland, Bank of Ireland.

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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DECEMBER 2019

Ian Talbot, Deputy President, photographed with Arnaldo Abruzzini, CEO EUROCHAMBRES at a meeting in December.

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CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020 POLICY

W In 2020, against the backdrop of a new Government, Chambers Ireland will be working to ensure investment commitments are met and workable, beneficial trade agreements are secured writes Emma Kerins, Head of Policy and Public Affairs.

ith the new decade, we also saw a General Election, with candidates having gone to the polls on the 8th of February. The priorities of Chambers over the past several years have focused largely on the need for rapid strategic investment in infrastructure to make up for the “lost decade” years following the financial crash. Even though we’ve experienced successive years of economic growth, we continue to play catch-up in terms of capital investment, particularly in transport and housing. Over the past two years, Government has made notable progress through the development and publication of plans and targets to develop infrastructure and transition to a low-carbon economy. But now comes the difficult part. These plans, of which there is much to commend, must be translated into action, and targets must be met! Ensuring that a new Government retains the National Planning Framework, Climate Action Plan, and continues delivery strategic infrastructure will be critical if we are to ensure we make progress in improving the competitiveness and sustainability of the Irish economy. In the background to these challenges, we continue to face significant external crises, including rising international trade tensions that could have a devastating impact on an economy as open as Ireland’s. As of the 31st of January, the UK has now formally left the European Union, and while this has not yet had a dramatic impact on the Irish economy, there is unanimous acceptance that once we come to end of the transition period, particularly if we have not negotiated a new deal, the economy will take a hit, with many Irish businesses likely to suffer adverse consequences, including job losses and a reduction in growth. 2020 FOCUS In terms of the issues that the Chambers Ireland team will focus on for the year ahead, we want to build on our work from last year and ensure that the priorities of Irish business are taken into consideration by the new Commission in Brussels and by a new Government in Dublin.

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CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020 POLICY

AN AMBITIOUS FTA WITH THE UK The Irish business voice must be heard once the negotiations for a trade deal between the UK and the EU formally begin. This means leveraging our networks, both in Europe and the UK, to highlight the value of maintaining a close trading relationship. We’ll also be working with our member Chambers to prepare them for the possibility that a trade deal, frequently several years in the making, will not be in place by the end of the year. The message of “preparing for the worst and hoping for the best” continues to be the mantra for the business community. ACCOMMODATING WORKPLACES More productive, efficient approaches to managing the economy must also be matched with policies that support flexibility and inclusion. As of January 2020, we’re at 4.8% unemployment, meaning that the labour market is very tight and recruitment continues to be a challenge for many employers, particularly those outside Dublin. We must think strategically as to how we can support greater labour force participation. Supports for flexible, inclusive workplaces that are family and age friendly will support not only labour activation but improve health, well-being and productivity. While for many people employment is a positive element in their lives, providing purpose and financial independence, for others, the workplace is inaccessible for a variety of reasons. Whether through the inadequate supports for those with disabilities or the fact that 98% of those with caring responsibilities are women. Investment by the State in affordable, quality childcare needs to be sustained and increased over the coming years. This must be partnered with a strategy for flexible workplaces, which supports working families. In 2020, Chambers Ireland intends to work with partners to influence Government to publish a strategy to support remote and flexible workplaces. One such measure would be to establish a working group to develop a strategy to reform current workplace conditions so that practical remote and flexible working policies can be adopted by businesses of all shapes and sizes.

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URBAN LIVING Supporting more people to live in urban centres is a fundamental pillar to the National Planning Framework, essential to the Climate Action Plan, and vital to the domestic economy. Unfortunately, as the National Economic and Social Council has observed, “dysfunctional patterns, interactions and outcomes are hard-wired into our system of urban development, land use and housing”. Our priority focus for 2020 is to advance this agenda and work with Government to reform any obstacles to the provision of homes in urban centres. One such policy proposal includes the formation of an Urban Living Initiative for urban spaces across the country, focusing on the development of healthy streets, as in the London model. Specifically, what is now the Living City Initiative (LCI) should be expanded to include long-term vacant commercial properties built post-1915 in the cities and towns specified in the NPF and reformed to include acquisition costs of LCI qualifying properties. A new Government must also prioritise enacting the legislative framework for the Land Development Agency (LDA), which allows it active land management powers. SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY De-carbonising transport will be essential to meeting our 2030, and 2050 climate targets. We need significant investment in EV infrastructure and public transport, and we need more support for technologies such as biogas and CNG to reduce carbon emissions from heavy goods vehicles. Policies that support more sustainable modes of mobility do more than help us meet our climate targets, they also significantly improve quality of life. Our recommendations to legislators, at both local and national level, are to ensure that our Local Area Plans require the people-friendly pedestrian infrastructure, segregated cycleways, and rest spots that are needed to support active transit while linking our residential areas with our civic and economic centres. We also need to invest in public transport, both buses and rail, to support inter-urban and intraurban transport networks and extend train lines, where suitable, to connect freight to our trading seaports.

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CHAMBER FEATURE EUROCHAMBRES

CHAMBERS for

Europe CHAMBERS IRELAND CONTINUES TO ADVANCE EU TRADING RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH ITS PARTNERSHIP WITH EUROCHAMBERS, WRITES OUR POLICY AND RESEARCH EXECUTIVE, MICHAELA REILLY.

hambers Ireland continues to work and lobby for a more stable pro-trade, businessfriendly Europe. In doing so, we engage closely with our partners in the European Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, also known as EUROCHAMBRES, to advance EU trading relationships and the interests of Irish business. EUROCHAMBRES voices the interests of more than 20 million member enterprises across 46 European countries through a network of national, regional and local Chambers. Engaging across several policy portfolios, we have representatives on several policy committees including the SME and Economic Policy Committee; Skills and Entrepreneurship Committee; Sustainable Europe Committee; Global Europe Committee; and the Single Market Committee. Ian Talbot, Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland, is the Co-Chairperson of the Global Europe Committee. Mr Talbot was re-elected as Deputy President of the organisation by the EUROCHAMBRES Plenary Assembly in October, 2019.

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OUR WORK IN 2019 Throughout 2019, Chambers Ireland identified several key areas of importance to our members that required our focus. These were highlighted in our MEP election manifesto, published at the beginning of the year, which included calls for: • Prioritising investment in our cities and regions • An ambitious international trade agenda that supports SME and entrepreneur-friendly deals • A competitive and global approach to tax reform and corporate tax challenges • Completing the Single Market, particularly the Digital Single Market, that would enable a fully connected digital Europe that supports innovation • A business-friendly framework for a sustainable circular economy CHAMBERS IN BRUSSELS As part of our work to advocate for a more business-friendly Europe, a delegation from the Irish Chamber of Commerce Network, led by Chambers Ireland, visited Brussels in February, 2019, and met with key

officials from across the European Commission to discuss matters of importance to the Irish business community. During the visit, the delegation met with the Irish Ambassador to the EU and representatives from DG Trade, DG Taxation and Customs Union, DG Environment, and the Taskforce 50 Brexit negotiation team. The delegation also attended a breakfast at the European Parliament, hosted by Sean Kelly MEP and his team, where MEPs briefed the delegation on their current policy briefs, the work of their committees and the European elections. Also attending the breakfast were MEPs Mairéad McGuinness, Deirdre Clune, Matt Carthy and Brian Hayes. With the continued uncertainty of Brexit and the rise of fragmented politics in the EU, Chambers Ireland decided to launch its “Chambers for Europe” manifesto during the visit and to communicate the needs and challenges of businesses across Ireland. Following on from these meetings and the manifesto launch, the Chambers Ireland delegation met with Commissioner for Agriculture, Phil Hogan, and his team to discuss the future of Europe and how it relates to the

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CHAMBER FEATURE EUROCHAMBRES

outcome of Brexit. Commissioner Hogan emphasised the current push for more integration from France and Germany, and Ireland’s position within this push. The Commissioner also echoed some of the comments from MEPs earlier in the day by relaying that trade deals are essential to Irish business competitiveness in the future. EUROCHAMBRES ECONOMIC SURVEY 2020 Although the economy in which we operate has been performing well, it has become increasingly volatile. The UK’s departure from the EU, skills shortages and increased trade

in which the survey featured one question on the steps that individual businesses were taking to transition to a low carbon economy. Similar to 2018’s results, the results confirm that Irish businesses are once more feeling significantly more exposed to the impact of Brexit than businesses in the rest of Europe, with more than 76% of respondents indicating it as the main challenge for 2020. European businesses have looked beyond the uncertainties of Brexit and are more concerned with the lack of domestic demand (43%), lack of skilled workers (37.4%), and rising labour costs (36.2%). Many European companies think they

aiming to make the transition just and inclusive for all. Chambers Ireland welcomes this move and will work towards this policy goal in 2020, as part of its commitment to the UN SDGs. With the Withdrawal Agreement having passed a vote in the House of Commons in late December, the paper now goes on to further scrutiny in the Parliament with the remaining stages expected to be completed in January. Assuming the European Parliament also gives the green light, the UK will have formally left the EU on 31 January with a withdrawal deal. Chambers Ireland has been ensuring that its members are aware of all tools

Chambers Ireland launch their EU Elections Manifesto during the annual Chambers trip to Brussels in February 2019

tensions - most notably between the US and China - have created red tape and market uncertainty for many enterprises across Europe. Published in the autumn, the annual Eurochambres survey of more than 45,000 enterprises across Europe asked businesses to rank both their expectations of the European business environment and the main challenges they believed they faced in 2019. As climate change and the associated risks are impacting the day-to-day running of businesses right across the continent, this was the first year

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will face a challenging economic framework in 2020, with expectations of a decrease in revenues particularly from export sales. Nevertheless, the average business expectation is still largely positive for 2020. INTO 2020 The newly appointed European Commission, headed by Ursula von der Leyen, has set out an ambitious new European Green Deal for making the EU’s economy sustainable by transforming climate and environmental challenges into opportunities across all policy areas,

being made available to assess risks, and we will continue to advise that these notices and communications are acted upon. Beyond Brexit, Chambers Ireland will continue to engage with the ongoing debate surrounding the future of Europe with a view to ensuring that the EU continues to be a stable pro-trade, business-friendly environment.

21/04/2020 14:01

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31/03/2020 10:01

CHAMBER FEATURE CHAMBER NETWORK ENGAGEMENT

THE FUTURE OF ELECTRICITY DEMAND resenting at the roadshows were Ellen Diskin and Liam Walsh of ESB Networks’ Strategy, Regulation and Engagement team. At each event they outlined ESB Networks’ plans for the next five years (2021- 2025), and the roadshow gave businesses in attendance the opportunity to input and offer feedback on these plans. Specific topics covered by ESB Networks were:

Members of Dún LaoghaireRathdown Chamber at the ESB Networks roadshow

Mapping Chambers Ireland partnered with ESB in 2019 to host four events that enabled members to engage with the company about the future of electricity demand. ESB NETWORKS ROADSHOWS SB Networks and Chambers Ireland came together in the third quarter of 2019 to coordinate four events across the country. Each event in the ESB Network roadshow was hosted by one of our affiliated Chambers and provided a vital opportunity for Chambers’ business members to engage and participate in talks with ESB.

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the future

Their role in enabling a low carbon society under the Climate Action Plan

How ESB Networks engage with their stakeholders and understand their needs

The future areas of investment being planned

What’s important for businesses in terms of the electricity network

Members of Galway Chamber with ESB at their roadshow on October 24th

The events were as follows: 4 October: Galway Chamber 2 29 October: Dún Laoghaire – Rathdown Chamber 31 October: Sligo Chamber 19 November: Dungarvan & West Waterford

There were several open discussions held with attendees during each event, where members could contribute ideas and outline what they are looking for from ESB and their network. These discussions proved hugely beneficial to both ESB Networks and attendees.

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CHAMBER FEATURE INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

A Century Promoting

Global

Investment AFTER 100 YEARS, THE ICC CONTINUES TO MODERNISE GLOBAL TRADE AND PROMOTE INCLUSIVE GROWTH.

hambers Ireland supports the Irish National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). ICCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission is to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere through the promotion of international trade and investment as vehicles for inclusive growth and prosperity.

INCOTERMS n September 2019 the ICC launched the latest version of the IncotermsÂŠ rules. Recognised by UNCITRAL as the global standard in foreign trade, the new version can be purchased at www.chambers.ie

ICC 100TH ANNIVERSARY n 2019, ICC celebrated its 100th anniversary. A Centenary Summit was held in May bringing together global business leaders. At the Summit, the ICC also launched a Business Declaration on the next century of global commerce.

Business Declaration Key Points: We will push to preserve and modernise the global trading system by supporting governments to ensure the free flow of goods, services and data to developing and developed countries. We recognise that climate change is a growing emergency. Through our global network, we will advocate for policy frameworks that support business operations to reach the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. In the 21st century the capitalist model must enable these transformations; we will support private sector leaders to meet the calls of shareholders, governments and the public for more inclusive and responsible capitalism.

ICC RECOMMENDATIONS TO REFORM GLOBAL TRADE n October 2019, ICC unveiled a groundbreaking set of recommendations to guide the future of international trade. Recognising the challenges, criticism and unprecedented pressure faced by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) system, these recommendations seek to affirm the importance of multilateral trade and the WTO system and aim to enhance the functioning of the WTO and trade for all.

Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot with British Chambers of Commerce Executive Director Ronan Quigley at the ICC Centenary Summit in Paris

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Priority areas identified were: Strengthen WTO governance and accountability Review and update the existing WTO rulebook Accelerate new rule making Establish robust and trusted dispute settlement mechanisms Promote regime coherence

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CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020 CHAMBER NETWORK: THE YEAR IN PICTURES

CHAMBER NETWORK:

THE YEAR IN PICTURES

ARKLOW Former Arklow & District Chamber President Mr. Donal Murray handing over the chain of office to newly elected President Mr. Garrett Dempsey in December 2019.

2019 was another busy year for the Chamber Network. InBUSINESS highlights some of the events that took place around the country.

BALLYHAUNIS Pictured at Ballyhaunis National Seminar – Embracing Diversity - A Future Together – were speaker, Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, along with Ballyhaunis TY Students, Ballyhaunis Community School Jnr. Chamber and Anne Cunnane, Ballyhaunis Chamber.

BALLINA Ivan Yates and David McWilliams attending a ‘Support Your Local’ tour of Ireland, during Food Fleadh Ballina, hosted by Drinks Industry Group of Ireland at Connacht Whiskey Distillery. Also featured, Padraig McNamara and Dominic Geraghty of Hogan’s Bar Ballina; Hugh Rouse, President of Ballina Chamber; Mags Downey Martin, Manager, Ballina Chamber; David Stepleton, Founder of The Connacht Whiskey Distillery and Marcus Robinson, Founder of Reel Deel Brewery.

BRAY & DISTRICT Taken at the Bray & District Chamber of Commerce Endeavour Awards 2019. Keira Robinson from Maison Moli; Rob Moran, Person of the Year recipient; Martin Codyre; Minister of State, Andrew Doyle, and John Glynn of the Gavin Glynn Foundation.

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COBH AND HARBOUR Cobh and Harbour Chamber Networking Event hosted at the newly renovated Belvelly Castle in Cobh, Co. Cork.

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CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020 CHAMBER NETWORK: THE YEAR IN PICTURES

CARLOW County Carlow and Kilkenny Chambers joined together to welcome Ambassador Sultan Al Ali as part of the Chamber Trade Connections series to explore opportunities for trade and collaboration for companies in the region. Pictured - Marion Acreman, President of Kilkenny Chamber; Ambassador Sultan Al Ali of the UAE Embassy and Eileen Brophy, President of County Carlow Chamber.

DUN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown Chamber celebrated their 70th Anniversary in 2019. Pictured are Rachael Davies, Mike Hannigan, Dan Mulcahy, Liz Ferris; Gabby Mallon, CEO DLR Chamber; Aileen Eglington, President and Carmel Knight.

Dundalk Chamber hit sales of over a3 million in shop local gift vouchers.

DUNDALK

DROGHEDA Winners of the Annual North East Business Excellence Awards, which took place in the CityNorth Hotel last November, where Drogheda Chamber also celebrated their 125th anniversary.

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Niall Gibbons, President of Dublin Chamber; Mary Rose Burke, CEO of Dublin Chamber; An Tanaiste, Simon Coveney TD; Alan Joyce, CEO of Qantas Airways and Colin Hunt, CEO of AIB, pictured at the Dublin Chamber Annual Dinner in The Convention Centre Dublin on 10th of October, 2019.

DUBLIN

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CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020 CHAMBER NETWORK: THE YEAR IN PICTURES

Galway Chamber – “Get Galway Moving” Campaign Launch in Leinster House. Pictured (left to right) are Senator John O’Mahony, Dave Hickey, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, Elaine Brick, Kenneth Deery, Senator Pádraig Ó Céidigh, Senator Rose Conway Walsh, Breege Lynch, Senator Billy Lawless, Sinéad Ní Fhatharta, Frank Greene and Aisling Carney.

GALWAY

Visit of the German Ambassador to Kilkenny in September 2019. Pictured L-R: John Hurley, CEO Kilkenny Chamber; Her Excellency Dieke Potzel, German Ambassador; Marion Acreman, President Kilkenny Chamber; Ralf Lissek, CEO German-Irish Chamber; Fiona Deegan, Director, Kilkenny Local Enterprise Office and Padraig Treacy, HR Manager, Asgard Cleanrooms.

KILKENNY

COBH & HARBOUR

KILDARE County Kildare Chamber delegation with the Mayor of Quincy MA, Thomas P Koch, during a 5-day trade visit to Boston last October.

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At the Enniscorthy and District Chamber of Commerce Ball in The Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, in December were (from left) Jos Smith, Slaney Foods; Ger Mackey, Enniscorthy Town and District Manager; Paul Kehoe, Minister of State with Responsibility for Defence; Leone Grant, Grant’s Pharmacy; Rory Fanning, MD Slaney Foods and Martin Sinnott.

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CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020 CHAMBER NETWORK: THE YEAR IN PICTURES

NORTHERN IRELAND

Over 900 members of the business community joined Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry for its Annual Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Banquet at ICC Belfast. Pictured here are Ann McGregor, NI Chamber Chief Executive; John Healy, NI Chamber President; Louis Theroux and Paul Murnaghan, BT.

LIMERICK At the launch of Copenhagen Economics Aviation report were Christian Jervelund, Copenhagen Economics; Eoin Ryan, Limerick Chamber President & Dr. Catriona Cahill, Limerick Chamber Chief Economist.

LAOIS The launch of Laois Chamber took place in September 2019. Pictured at the event were John Mulholland, Chief Executive Laois County Council; Bernie Everard, CEO Laois Chamber; Martin Crowley, President Laois Chamber; Minister for Justice, Charlie Flanagan; Louise Phelan, Deputy CEO at Phelan Energy Group and Ian Talbot, Chief Executive Chambers Ireland.

MEATH

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TULLAMORE David Gleeson, Managing Partner RBK; athletes Liam Brady and Pauline Curley, along with Roger Guiney, President of Tullamore and District Chamber of Commerce pictured in Tullamore Harriers at the launch of the inaugural Midland Staff Relays race.

A unique opportunity for the business community of Meath to engage directly with EU Election Candidates as County Meath Chamber hosted the Meath European Election Hustings Event in May 2019

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CHAMBERS IRELAND 2020 CHAMBER NETWORK: THE YEAR IN PICTURES

Mick Guinee – Chairman, Chief Executive and Owner of EI Electronics – and one of the founding directors of Shannon Chamber pictured with Chamber CEO, Helen Downes and Chamber members at a Mid-West Lean Network workshop hosted in EI Electronics’ Centre of Excellence at Shannon Free Zone.

SHANNON

SLIGO

WATERFORD

Pictured at Sligo Chamber President’s Annual Dinner and Business Excellence Awards on 8th November 2019 were Aidan Doyle, CE Sligo Chamber; Geraldine Courtenay, Sligo Chamber Skillnet Network Manager; Conor McCarthy, Sligo Chamber President; Mairead McGuinness, MEP, Keynote Speaker; Mary Harty, Events Manager and Fiona Candon, Board Member.

An Taoiseach Leo Varadker on a recent visit to Waterford Chamber, pictured with Michael Walsh, Waterford Council Chief Executive; Kathryn Kiely, Waterford Chamber President and Gerald Hurley, Waterford Chamber CEO.

WESTPORT WEXFORD AirconMech – Winner of the Wexford SME of the Year Award (50 + Employees), sponsored by Wexford Chamber Skillnet – at Wexford Chamber’s Annual Business Awards 2019.

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Current and former Westport Chamber CEOs, Ms. Stephanie Columbani (former) and Ms. Geraldine Horkan (current), took part in the launch of the 2019 Mayo Business Awards in conjunction with the other Mayo Chambers, LEO Mayo and Mayo.ie. Also pictured are John McGee, Mayo.ie; Elaine Moyles, LEO Mayo; Ann Cunnane, Ballyhaunis Chamber; Brian Moran, Westport Chamber; Mags Downey Martin, Ballina Chamber; Patrick Broderick, Claremorris Chamber and Sylvester Jennings, Castlebar Chamber.

21/04/2020 14:14

CHAMBER FEATURE SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS

Building a

CHAMBERS IRELAND, ALONG WITH EACH OF OUR AFFILIATED CHAMBERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, SIGNED A PLEDGE SHOWING THEIR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SDGS OVER THE NEXT DECADE.

Sustainable BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”. Launched in 2015, they are an urgent call to action highlighting the need of civil society, the private sector and governments around the globe to collaborate and work together to improve the world as a whole. The 17 interlinking goals cover a number of key areas, including eradicating poverty; supporting communities and economic growth; protecting our planet and ecosystems, and improving the lives of everyone, everywhere on the planet. All UN Member States signed on to support the 17 Goals in 2015, and now with less than a decade to go to the 2030 deadline, Ireland still has quite a way to go.

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IRISH CHAMBERS’ PLEDGE In September 2019, on the fourth anniversary of the launch of the SDGs, Chambers Ireland, along with each of our affiliated Chambers across the country, signed a pledge showing our commitment to supporting the implementation of the SDGs over the next decade. Chambers Ireland and our members pledged to lead by example, adapting our business models to embrace the SDGs, as well as committing to communicate and educate a wider audience on the SDGs through the work carried out by Chambers across Ireland.

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CHAMBER FEATURE SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS

THE GOALS WE REPRESENT Chambers Ireland have committed to championing Goals 8, 13, 11, 9 and 5 – which best align with the work that the Chambers do across the country. OAL 8: G Decent Work and Economic Growth GOAL 13: Climate Action OAL 11: G Sustainable Cities and Communities GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure GOAL 5: Gender Equality Chambers Ireland are encouraging our Chambers network and their business members to become more sustainable, not just looking at how their businesses can become ‘greener’, but also focusing on their business models and how they are able to adapt them to the changes that this world requires. Chambers Ireland now aligns all of its policy work and submissions with the SDGs.

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SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth

SDG 13: Climate action

Promoting sustainable economic growth in towns, cities and communities across the country, as well as full and productive employment, are two priorities which Chambers Ireland has always advocated for, across the entire network. As Ireland verges towards full employment, it becomes increasingly important to make sure that our work force is afforded equal pay and decent work is available for all those who seek it. Technological change is a major driver of innovation, increased jobs and economic growth. The advancement of technology in the areas of e-commerce and new digital skills have given Irish enterprises increased trade opportunities and entries into new and emerging markets. However, this change has also contributed to the displacement of traditional jobs and industries. Chambers believes that, in order for economic growth to be sustainable for years to come, investment in life-long training and upskilling education are needed to provide decent work. Through the Chamber networks’ involvement with Skillnet Ireland and our Workplace and Skills Taskforce, we believe we are in the best position to safeguard decent work and economic growth across Ireland by championing SDG 8.

Climate change and its associated risks have become one of the major threats to the business community in Ireland. From increased flooding and more extreme storms, to the shift in customer behaviour, the focus on how climates are changing and affecting our planet is having a profound impact on Irish enterprises. Although there are many risks, there are equal opportunities to be seized by companies who actively adapt their business and becoming more sustainable. This year, Chambers Ireland has committed to leading the charge on facilitating the business transition to a low carbon economy. In light of this, our Low Carbon Economy Taskforce works to develop Chamber’s position on climate action and develop strategies for how the Chamber network can contribute to discussions on climate action, lead from the front when adopting low carbon policies and help to create a sustainable future for Ireland.

SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities In every major town and region across the country, there is a Chamber. Each Chamber strives to develop sustainable cities and economically vibrant communities in their area. If Ireland is to become a more sustainable society, the way in which we build and plan our urban environment needs to be revolutionised. We believe that cities and towns need a prolonged and intensive campaign to build more extensive and better pedestrian, cycling, and social infrastructure throughout the urban built environment. This campaign needs to integrate housing with transport hubs and civic spaces, including schools and recreational amenities. Due to the Chamber networks’ widespread geographic reach, we believe that Chambers can represent and support SDG 11 in developing sustainable cities and communities across Ireland.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

SDG 5: Gender Equality

Investing in infrastructure and innovation have been two crucial drivers of economic growth and development for industry in cities and towns across Ireland. Across the 40 Chambers in our network, we encourage the expansion of quality, reliable and sustainable infrastructure; lobbying for regional, national and transborder infrastructure to support economic development and human well-being. By working closely with local authorities, stakeholders and communities in our towns and cities, the Chamber network is well positioned to advocate for investment in industry, innovation and infrastructure to support SDG 9.

Chambers Ireland actively promotes the implementation of gender equality across our network, encouraging equal representation on our boards and through those who represent the Chambers on various forums. Through our Skills and Workplace Taskforce, we promote the importance and benefits of gender equality in the workplace, and also advocate for comprehensive policies and enforceable legislation which promotes gender equality and the empowerment of women at all levels in the workplace.

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CHAMBER FEATURE SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS

CHAMBERS IRELAND SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS COUNCIL Chamber Ireland’s Sustainable Business Council, which has evolved out of our previously long running Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Council, is made up of a number of Ireland’s top industry professionals in the fields of sustainability and citizenship. Chairperson: • S inéad Hickey Global Sustainability Manager, Abbott

Council Members:

• Bernadette Phelan, Head of Advisory Services, Business in The Community Ireland • Colm Bergin, Proposition Design Manager (Sustainable Finance), Bank of Ireland • D eirdre Kennedy, Corporate Citizenship Manager, IBM • F ergal Fitzgerald, Group CSR Coordinator, ESB • K arina Howley, Head of Corporate Citizenship & Diversity, KPMG Ireland •M ia Fahey McCarthy, Head of Sustainability, SSE Ireland & Northern Ireland • M ichelle O’Sullivan, Senior Public Affairs Executive, Cork Chamber • Y vonne Holmes, Head of Sustainability, AIB

“The Sustainable Business Council is comprised of professionals focused on corporate sustainability and citizenship, representing a diverse range of businesses across the country. We aim to help the Chambers and their members to address the greatest sustainability issues of our time, specifically to fulfil their pledge to implement the Sustainable Development Goals, both as individual companies and as a collective business community. We’re excited to work with Chambers across the country and look forward to meeting members through the various events we have planned in 2020.” Sinéad Hickey, Chairperson of Chambers Ireland Sustainable Business Council and Global Sustainability Manager, Abbott

The main goal of the Sustainable Business Council is to guide Chambers Ireland on specific approaches to Sustainability and SDG policy issues. The Council advises how best to highlight the work that Chambers Ireland are doing to champion the SDGs, and also works directly with Chambers to educate and equip the network with information that can then be used to promote sustainability and the SDGs to their business members.

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THE BUSINESS CASE FOR SUSTAINABILITY EVENT WITH MARY ROBINSON Earlier this year, Chambers Ireland invited former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, to address our members and the wider business community on the subject of Climate Action, and how Chambers could play a role in addressing its negative impacts and support our transition to a net-zero carbon future. The Sustainable Business Breakfast was held in conjunction with Bank of Ireland – who sponsored the event – and hosted at their historic College Green premises, the former House of Lords. The Breakfast was an ideal platform for key leaders within the

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CHAMBER FEATURE SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS

Members of the Chambers Ireland Sustainable Business Council at our Sustainable Business Breakfast with Mary Robinson in November 2019. Pictured left to right: Fergal Fitzgerald, ESB; Sinead Hickey, Abbott; Colm Bergin, Bank of Ireland; Former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson; Mia Fahey McCarthy, SSE; Bernadette Phelan, Business in the Community, Michelle O’Sullivan, Cork Chamber and James Kiernan, Chambers Ireland.

Irish business community to receive Mary Robinson’s insight on our collective responsibility to strive towards a low carbon economy. In her address, Mrs Robinson highlighted the severity of the climate crisis and the threat which it poses, not only to the competitiveness of our economy, but also to the sustainability and viability of communities the world over. Stating, “there are no jobs on a dead planet”, she called on the business community to take action and transition from the status quo to a more sustainable model, noting how businesses who take action sooner will benefit and become more competitive in the long term. On a more hopeful note, she welcomed the Chambers’ pledge and commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, acknowledging the significant role that the Chamber network can play in encouraging change for the better within the business community.

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Using the Tidy Towns as an example, she noted that through leadership and the creation of toolkits, organisations and communities on both a local and national level can support business, particularly SMEs, to ‘ingest’ the SDGs. In particular, she challenged attendees to re-imagine traditional business models and to come up with some more innovative, climate-friendly versions that will work towards building the kinds of societies, environments and economies in which we would like to live in by 2030, and for generations to come. On this note of hope, Mrs Robinson concluded her address to a standing ovation. This event, as well as our Chambers’ pledge, are only the first steps in what will be a much longer journey, as our Chamber network and members work together to build more sustainable local economies and communities across Ireland.

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CHAMBER SPOTLIGHT COUNTY KILDARE CHAMBER

Recognising

THE CHAMBER HOSTED MORE THAN 100 BUSINESS EVENTS IN ONE YEAR.

Best Practice

ounty Kildare Chamber was named Chamber of the Year at the Chambers Ireland Annual Chamber Awards, sponsored by Zurich on the 10th April, 2019. The awards were an opportunity to recognise best practice and to showcase the diverse activity taking place across the country led by Chambers. “It was an honour to accept the award on behalf of the staff, board and the membership of the Chamber. The Chamber network is the largest business representative body in Ireland and to be awarded Chamber of the year is testament to the work we carry out on a daily basis on behalf of the business community in Kildare” - Allan Shine, CEO County Kildare Chamber

Sir Ranulph Fiennes visiting the Athy Heritage Museum

OVER 100 BUSINESS EVENTS: including training workshops on GDPR, Brexit, Employment Law, Tendering, etc, business breakfasts with guest speakers Stuart Lancaster and Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Women in Business events, a summer business Expo, HR round tables, a Health & Well-being Symposium, Golf Days, a Corporate Dinner at Leinster House, and a Christmas lunch… to name a few!

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New Business Development Manager of the Chamber, Rachel Cooke

John Bercow

A GROWING WORKFORCE In October of 2019, County Kildare Chamber announced the appointment of Rachel Cooke as Business Development Manager of the Chamber, due to a growing membership which required the organisation to increase its workforce. Commenting on the announcement, Allan Shine, CEO of the Chamber said: “Our offering for business in the county has grown extensively over the past 12 months. We now provide over 120 seminars, training courses, business briefings and network events for our members annually. This, alongside the provision of Certs of Origin for Kildare exporters, managing a High Potential Start Up Hub in Naas, our continued lobbying on behalf of our members, and facilitating and organising international trade visits, has resulted in the appointment of Rachel Cooke as Business Development Manager.” Rachel Cooke said: “I am delighted to join County Kildare Chamber as Business Development Manager, and I look forward to working with the Chamber team, the board and the membership in driving the development and execution of the Chamber strategy and vision into the future.”

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CHAMBER SPOTLIGHT COUNTY KILDARE CHAMBER

BUSINESS BREAKFAST WITH HONORARY GUEST, JOHN BERCOW On the 14th November, just two weeks after stepping down as the speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow spoke at a Chamber Business breakfast in the K Club – the event was kindly sponsored by the Dooley Insurance Group. Bercow gave a refreshingly honest review of Brexit and his opinion on what it meant for Ireland and its future. You could hear a pin drop as the 360 attendees listened attentively to every word John spoke. The event was later featured on page three of the Irish Times.

Dick O’Sullivan (Punchestown), Winner of ‘Outstanding Contribution to Business’ Award at Kildare Business Awards

KILDARE BUSINESS AWARDS 2019 420 business leaders from across Kildare attended the Annual Kildare Business Awards in association with Kildare County Council and LEO Kildare on the 29th of November in The Killashee Hotel. In his opening address, Allan Shine, CEO of the Chamber, paid tribute to all the finalists and noted that this year the Chamber received a record number of applications for the category awards on offer. He outlined how 2019 to date has been a great year for business in Kildare with members of the Chamber continuing to create employment, enter new markets and business members continued to expand and diversify.

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KILDARE TO BOSTON 5-DAY TRADE MISSION A delegation of 20 people took part on a five-day trade mission to Boston in September 2019, comprising of Kildare Business leaders, Local Government and Maynooth University. The trade mission organised by County Kildare Chamber was timed perfectly with the prospect of a no-deal Brexit looming. Allan Shine, Chief Executive of the Chamber said: “Our trade mission to Boston was the first of a five-year commitment of visiting Boston annually. The Trade Mission is part of our ongoing efforts to raise Kildare’s profile internationally, to improve the already-strong bilateral trade and investment linkages with Boston, and to provide a forum for Kildare companies active in the Boston area to develop their relationships with customers, partners, and other stakeholders. The annual Trade Mission is also part of our business agenda to increase the export market penetration and diversification of Kildare companies post-Brexit.” During our trade mission to Boston, meetings were held with Connelly Partners (one of the world’s foremost digital marketing agencies), Boston Chamber, Northeastern University, City of Boston, Quincy Chamber and The Irish Consulate. The key event of the week was the hosting of the Inaugural County Kildare Diaspora Dinner which had 65 key stakeholders in attendance. Allan Shine said: “This dinner gave the Chamber the opportunity to promote Kildare as the ideal location of choice for businesses in Boston to locate their European Headquarters in Kildare.” The dinner was in association with Kildare County Council, and Chief Executive of the Council Peter Carey addressed the room and engaged the audience with the new and exciting developments that are underway across the county, which was of particular interest to those that are Kildare natives working in Boston. Companies that accompanied the Chamber on this trade visit found it beneficial: “The trade mission far exceeded our expectations, with high quality meetings that gave us a real feel for the Boston culture and future plans. Building on our current American customer base, VEI are close to signing an Alliance partnership with a major east coast Telecoms Provider to extend their services into Europe and are exploring options for setting up operations on the ground in the USA” - Lloyd O’Rourke, CoFounder of VEI Global “For Bank of Ireland Kildare this trade mission to Boston was of tremendous benefit. The 21 delegates took full advantage of the networking opportunity this trip afforded to them, which delivered significant value in itself. For me this trip was a great success. I have forged many connections with Boston-based businesses. I have raised the profile of Bank of Ireland Kildare with significant stakeholders both here in Ireland and in Boston” - Clodagh Hughes, Branch Manager, Bank of Ireland County Kildare Chamber will lead their second annual trade mission to Boston from 28th September – 2nd October, 2020.

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COVER STORY

Maxwell Photography

IRELAND IS A RESILIENT COUNTRY, AND I THINK WE CAN COME OUT OF THIS IN A BETTER POSITION THAN MANY OTHER COUNTRIES WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME CHALLENGES”

Andrew Brownlee, CEO, SOLAS

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Light end at the

of the

tunnel SOLAS is providing the Further Education and Training strategies that will see businesses through the COVID-19 crisis.

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Andrew Brownlee, the recently appointed Chief Executive Officer of SOLAS, the Further Education and Training authority, says: “The key thing for me is not just that the world has changed, but Further Education and Training has also changed. We’ve found ways to deliver learning, and support learners, that will serve us well for years to come. This leaves us perfectly placed to respond to the damage done by this crisis, and to leverage the opportunities presented around the Future World of Work.” SOLAS, established under legislation in 2013, has come a long way in its short journey. Its function is to plan, fund and support the Further Education and Training (FET) sector in the delivery of vocational education and skills training through 16 regional Education and Training Boards (ETBs). Just as SOLAS was preparing to launch an ambitious new five-year Further Education and Training Strategy, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the game for everyone, but Andrew is confident that FET offers a path to recovery. PIPELINE OF TALENT “Fundamentally, what we offer businesses is a pipeline of talent,” Andrew explains. “We support the creation of the workforce of tomorrow, with a pool of graduates, most of whom have work or practise-based learning experience.” This has been a very successful strategy. “Our PLC courses generate over 90% positive outcomes with the person either going directly into a job or on to higher education, and over 80% of people who do our apprenticeships are still with the employer two years later,” Andrew says. “Employer satisfaction is also very high, over 80% according to our most recent HEA/SOLAS employer survey.” As well as preparing the workforce of tomorrow, SOLAS also supports the workforce of today, and built on this last year with the launch of their Skills to Advance programme, which targets those people who are in employment but need upskilling in order to meet the demands of the future of work. “For all that Ireland is talked about as a hotbed of talent and a highly-educated 35

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FUNDAMENTALLY, WHAT WE OFFER BUSINESSES IS A PIPELINE OF TALENT. In September 2019, Andrew Brownlee was appointed the CEO of SOLAS, following the departure of Paul O’Toole the previous year. Formerly head of system funding at the Higher Education Authority, Andrew has been at SOLAS since early 2018 in the role of Executive Director of Strategy and Knowledge. He oversaw the successful implementation of a series of Strategic Performance Agreements with each of the 16 Education and Training Boards. The first of their kind for this nascent sector, these agreements set out targets for the delivery of education and training in Ireland.

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Maxwell Photography

STRATEGY While taking on the role of CEO to head the FET strategy just months before the COVID-19 pandemic brought immense changes to the economy may seem daunting, Andrew is adamant that this is also an exciting time. “None of us want to be in this situation, of course,” he says, “but in terms of FET, it is a really exciting time when we are developing and establishing our organisation and structure. There is now so much potential for FET to play a bigger role in serving the needs of Irish businesses, the economy, and society. Andrew Brownlee, CEO, SOLAS “We have an ambitious agenda and a new strategy that will be launched as soon as we get out of this current situation, and it workforce, there is a base of 900,000 people is about playing a bigger role for people, and who don’t have the equivalent of the Leaving for school leavers. There is a massive need now Cert, or a formal education qualification,” for ETBs to be an agile training and education Andrew points out. “We offer them a range provider that can offer short courses, online of free or close-to-free opportunities to courses, helping businesses to develop their upskill within FET, and we have had 5,300 workforces and respond to changing business participants engaging in courses in the first needs. We have a clear idea of what the sector year of the programme.” needs to do to aid the future growth of the Irish As well as upskilling, the rise in Apprenticeships, which lead to awards on the economy. The sector’s approach is perfect in National Framework of Qualifications from responding to the COVID-19 situation and to certificate to Masters level, is a success story economic and labour market challenges that across both Further and Higher Education businesses and employers will face coming out and Training. In 2019 alone, Apprenticeship of this crisis.” training provided more than 14,000 places, This includes the impressive move to open up while in total, over a606million was invested in the FET eCollege to everybody in the country. the sector across 33 skills clusters. A large portfolio of online courses, this resource Since 2016, under the umbrella of was previously accessed only by referral through Generation Apprenticeship, the number of the Department of Employment Affairs and national programmes has more than doubled, Social Protection. “Because so many people with 54 programmes now on offer and a were being laid off as COVID-19 took effect, further 24 programmes forthcoming. and learners couldn’t get access to education “There are many exciting work-based buildings, we took a decision to open up learning apprenticeships readymade for eCollege to everyone, whether they are in work businesses, and we want to see more or laid off,” Andrew explains. employers giving apprenticeship a chance,” “There is a portfolio of courses and the Andrew says. support to help people through them, and we The key to meeting current and future are seeing immense demand, with a 20-fold needs, according to Andrew, is flexibility. The increase in the first 12 days of its launch. We are new programmes are very flexible, with agile recognising that eCollege is a vital resource for approaches to the number of days of learning employers as well, and later this year we have per week, and using online learning approaches. a plan to outline the portfolio of upskilling The programmes are developed and based on courses that will help them respond to digital the demands of the industry,” he tells me. transformation. It has been an emergency InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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response so far, but it is very much part of our overall plan. “We are also working closely with the ETBs who deliver the courses to make sure they can transition all of their learning and training programmes online. We have been blown away by the dedication, commitment and innovation shown by them, and have seen demand for their courses up by 600%. They are also developing really interesting online courses, including a new course in infection control, which prepares people to go in and support healthcare efforts in tackling COVID-19, and we have had 220 enrolments for that course within a few days.” The skills and labour market research department at SOLAS is also working intensively to identify the most at-risk sectors and employers so that they can develop the support packages required as the economy comes out of the restrictive period we are in, and are best positioned to provide this support. This, Andrew outlines, is “because we understand the future of work and the sector are able to provide short, bespoke upskilling responses to the situation at hand, working with businesses to develop the courses needed to upskill staff.” EXPERIENCE FET also played a crucial role in Ireland’s economic recovery following the 2008 global economic crash, when the unemployment rate climbed to 16%. It enabled people out of work to upskill and reskill, and to return successfully to the workforce, and this was also down to the flexibility shown in creating the courses most needed at the time, and providing easy access to those who needed them most. Strategies to quickly upskill people and get them back to work, a focus on supporting entrepreneurs, and an apprenticeship redundancy scheme that enabled apprentices to finish their training off-site so they could enter the labour market all proved effective. “That is very much the ethos SOLAS and the ETBs live by,” Andrew says. “We are here to help society, help the economy, by providing the facilities people need as quickly as possible.” InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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TRANSITION There will, of course, be a time of transition and uncertainty once we emerge from the current crisis, but Andrew is confident that the outlook for our economy is a positive one. “We can’t assume that when the current situation ends, all of the people who have been laid off will immediately be able to go back into their jobs,” he points out. “In any economic challenge or recessionary period there will be structural changes, and because employers have recognised that work can be done remotely, there will be different ways of running their business, so there will be natural collateral damage, and there will be a base of employees who will need upskilling. “But I am very confident. Ireland is a resilient country, people adapt quickly, and I think we can come out of this in a better position than many other countries. We have a very strong FET system that can work in partnership with employers and business to support the structural changes that need to be made in the digital transformation process, and to make sure they have access to the workforce of tomorrow that will help them get back on track and plan for an exciting future.” POSITIVITY As our working lives have changed dramatically, it is, Andrew says, important that we take what we have learned and seize the initiative to provide better training frameworks. “We can’t waste the incredible transformation we have seen as a result of this crisis,” he says. “We have to use it to develop the work we have been doing, moving learning online, making sure our portfolio serves the existing workforce and employers, ensuring they are able to access it immediately, providing the range of courses that will help people upskill and work in a very different, new world we are all going to face. “We have the potential to engage with each other more effectively using the technology we have. It’s a big challenge for us all, the ETBs and ourselves in SOLAS to make sure we build on this transformation, and make sure we don’t default back to where we were before the crisis. We have an exciting opportunity to improve, and we will come out of this better.”

SOLAS Who We Are: OUR MISSION

To fund, coordinate, and monitor Further Education and Training provision in Ireland. We will play our part in supporting the development of a sector that is innovative, flexible and responsive to the needs of learners and employers.

OUR VISION

To create an FET sector that delivers quality education, training and skills to enable learners to succeed in the labour market and thrive in society.

CORE PRINCIPLES EVIDENCE-BASED: We ensure that there is a robust intelligence to inform the planning, funding and design of new and existing FET provision. FOCUSED ON EXCELLENCE: We maintain a central focus on standards and quality in FET, including excellence in programme development and the ongoing professional development of the FET workforce. RESPONSIBLE AND FLEXIBLE: We promote innovation and the funding of provision that meets identified needs. COLLABORATIVE: We focus on adding value by fostering collaboration across the FET sector, sharing learning and empowering delivery organisations. OUTWARD-LOOKING AND LEARNING-CENTRED: We are open to new ideas, proactive in seeking out evidence of what works in FET. We ensure that the learner experience is at the centre of decisionmaking.

AMBITION T o be the leading voice for FET in Ireland, and the leading hub of labour market intelligence T o provide best practice in corporate governance and excellence in everything we do T o support a positive impact on individuals, communities and businesses To be client-centred and outward-facing

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PARTNER PROFILE ZURICH INSURANCE

Harnessing the

Sport Power

Zurich’s sporting ties ensure they play an active role in the community.

With a

long-standing presence in Ireland, Zurich is one of the country’s leading insurance companies, and provides a wide range of general and life insurance products and services to customers. As a significant local employer, Zurich is proud to have a team of more than 1,000 people across locations in Dublin and Wexford. As well as supporting and delivering for its customers and employees, Zurich has always been committed to taking an active role in local communities. For Zurich, that

SPONSORSHIP means making a positive impact on the communities in which they operate and contributing to their wellbeing. Sport is certainly one area that enables Zurich to meaningfully contribute to community wellbeing, and it’s also an area that they are particularly passionate about. As a nation, we turn to sport to provide us with a real sense of community; a feeling that we are all sharing the same stimulating experience. “For us as a business, the value of sport as a medium to reach our communities is highly significant and is very much worth the investment of time and money,” says Michael Doyle, Zurich Insurance’s Direct of Sales & Distribution. “But it’s about more than stats and brand visibility. At Zurich, the opportunity to help transform communities through sport, raise the hopes and dreams of supporters, and create beneficial outcomes for society is what drives us.”

Tackle Your Feelings campaign, with Eimear Considine, professional rugby player, teacher and campaign ambassador.

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GAA And if there is one organisation that powerfully combines a love of sport with a love of community, it is the GAA. InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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PARTNER PROFILE ZURICH INSURANCE

Zurich employees at all levels of the business have strong ties to grassroots GAA. As a thank you to the people of Wexford for their support over the last decade and more since establishing its Centre of Excellence in the county, Zurich was incredibly proud to sign as headline sponsor of Wexford GAA last year. This sponsorship of both the Men’s and Ladies’ teams across hurling, football, camogie and ladies football will not only strengthen Zurich’s involvement in GAA across the county, but it is a true reflection of their values as a long-standing proud member of the Wexford business community. The sponsorship deal will run for an initial fouryear period and will facilitate investment in Wexford GAA’s games and infrastructure, laying the foundation for even more rewarding years ahead. WELLBEING Zurich’s commitment to supporting local communities expands beyond GAA and spreads across the island of Ireland through their unique partnership with Rugby Players Ireland. This powerful partnership has led Zurich to supporting the hugely influential Tackle Your Feelings mental wellbeing campaign, which continues to go from strength to strength. The campaign encourages people to take preventative measures to look after and maintain their mental and emotional wellbeing. As part of Tackle Your Feelings, Irish rugby stars past and present share their experiences of dealing with mental wellbeing issues, and how they proactively manage these challenges. Due to the unprecedented success of the initial campaign, and demand for further support programmes, Tackle Your Feelings recently launched a significantly enhanced service which allows people to test their wellbeing and mental challenges, and develop practical plans for actively managing their mental health. Michael Doyle says: “We passionately believe that being honest with how you are feeling is hugely rewarding, and we encourage all users of the initiative to explore Tackle Your Feelings as a means of improving self-confidence, resilience and overall happiness. This national wellbeing campaign is a great example of the positive influence sport can have on Irish society, and its message to ‘share the pressures of work before they become real pressures’ is universally applicable and something we’re very proud of and keen to promote.” Elsewhere, last year marked the momentous 30th anniversary of Zurich’s close association with Lansdowne FC in what is now one of the InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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longest running sponsorships in Irish rugby history. During this long period, Lansdowne FC has reinforced its positioning as Ireland’s premier rugby club, and Zurich is delighted to have developed such deep ties to this high-achieving club, as well as continuing to support grass roots rugby at Wexford Wanderers and Cork Con Minis. CORE VALUES While Lansdowne is undoubtedly a high-achieving club with an unwavering commitment to winning, importantly for Zurich, the club also places a huge emphasis on its core values, which include community, wellbeing and inclusion. It’s this dimension and close association that has allowed Zurich to engage proactively together in the wider community over the past year with initiatives that have made a meaningful difference, for example, their work with St. Tiernan’s Community School to help promote further education and life skills amongst students. Sport sponsorship has mutual benefits that both sponsors and beneficiaries can reap. At its core, it is a partnership fundamentally based on trust. This is utilised to not only build brand awareness, but to also meaningfully contribute and give back to communities. When done well, sport sponsorship provides an opportunity for sponsors to develop and embed its all-important company values throughout its business operations. Zurich’s sponsorship of Wexford GAA, Rugby Players Ireland and Lansdowne FC, among others, provides just a small insight into how they have unlocked the power of community collaboration to each party’s benefit. From supporting mental health initiatives, furthering investment in sport infrastructure, to enabling the development of life skills amongst young people, Zurich is committed to making a positive impact on their communities through sport sponsorship. Michael Doyle adds: “As we face forward and into a new decade, Zurich will continue to harness the power of sport sponsorship, making it an integral part of our business strategy, promoting unity, teamwork and community wellbeing.” Michael Doyle, Director of Sales and Distribution, GI Ireland

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PARTNER PROFILE AIB

energy

Efficiency IMPROVES THE BOTTOM LINE Alan Makim, Sector Specialist, AIB Business Banking, outlines how businesses can make significant energy savings.

he associated costs of doing business in Ireland are increasing for firms of all sizes. The costs of running a business are often outside the control of individual owners, whether it is rising insurance rates or attracting and retaining company talent during times of full employment. However, one area where business owners can reduce costs and improve company performance is through energy efficiency. LOW COST AVENUES OF CONSIDERATION: Behavioural change – by creating a culture of energy awareness in the work environment, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland estimate that businesses can reduce their energy consumption by 10%. This can be achieved simply by encouraging energy-conscious actions among your staff, such as powering off computers and equipment at the end of work shifts, reducing the volume of printing and ensuring heating and cooling systems are not in conflict with each other. nergy Costs – reassess your energy procurement and negotiate unit E prices, where possible. Savings can be made by businesses of all sizes. The first step is to look at the unit cost of energy – how much are you paying per kilowatt hour (“kWh”) of energy consumed with your current energy supplier? While rates vary by business size, there is often room for negotiation with your supplier or perhaps value in moving to a new supplier. Speak to your peers and businesses of similar operations and size to get an idea of what they are paying.

Alan Makim, Sector Specialist, AIB Business Banking

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Note: It is also important to understand the additional charges on your energy bill as well as your unit costs. An example of this includes the Maximum Import Charge (MIC). The MIC is the upper limit for power consumption by your business and is agreed with ESB networks. Ideally, a company’s MIC level should be set marginally above peak capacity, i.e. your highest point of energy consumption during the year. It is vital that your business does not breach its MIC limit, which can incur an excess capacity charge. Similarly, your company may need to adjust your MIC to a lower level of capacity to ensure you are not overpaying. InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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PARTNER PROFILE AIB

“THE COSTS OF

CAPITAL INVESTMENT Returns on capital investment in energy efficiency reach far beyond financial savings and improvements in company performance. Examples of capital investments that companies can make to improve their long-term energy efficiency and environmental impact include LED light installations, heat pumps or highefficiency condensing boilers. Reap the rewards of capital investment in your company:

RUNNING A BUSINESS ARE OFTEN OUTSIDE THE CONTROL OF INDIVIDUAL OWNERS, WHETHER IT IS RISING INSURANCE RATES OR ATTRACTING AND RETAINING COMPANY TALENT DURING TIMES OF FULL EMPLOYMENT. HOWEVER, ONE AREA WHERE BUSINESS OWNERS CAN REDUCE

ompany Reputation – improve how C your company’s operations and values are viewed by customers and employees or potential employees. Other stakeholders in your business such as suppliers, investors or business partners will look on these changes favourably and may provide opportunities to work with other stakeholders with commitments to sustainability.

COSTS AND IMPROVE COMPANY

PERFORMANCE IS THROUGH ENERGY EFFICIENCY. “

ustainability Credentials – if you are a S small business selling into much larger firms, they may have sustainability agendas of their own and will extend the parameters of their sustainability strategy to include their supply chain. This can lead to a preference for suppliers that demonstrate a greater level of awareness and activity in this area, and in some instances this may stretch to compliance with certain international standards on energy or environmental management. The other major stakeholder group that evaluates your sustainability is your employee or prospective employees, with millennials in particular viewing environmental and socially responsible companies as more desirable destinations.

CONVENIENCE STORE EXAMPLE Pre Energy Investment

Post Energy Investment

Turnover

a3,000,000.00

Gross Margin

a870,000.00

29.0%

a870,000.00

29.0%

Less

0.0%

Wages

a420,000.00

14.0%

a420,000.00

14.0%

Rent

a135,000.00

4.5%

a135,000.00

4.5%

Light & Heat (Energy)

a45,000.00

1.5%

a32,500.00

1.1%

Other Overheads

a195,000.00

6.5%

a195,000.00

6.5%

EBITDA

a75,000.00

2.5%

a87,500.00

2.9%

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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rants and cash incentives – There G are other benefits associated with this type of investment, with a range of grants and financial supports available to stimulate investment. The Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme is an excellent example of this. This scheme, which is less formally known as “energy credits”, is an obligation imposed on the larger energy suppliers to generate energy savings from business and residential projects. This has led many energy suppliers to offer a level of support to companies considering energy efficiency investment as an extra incentive, with this incentive often being a level of cash support per kilowatt hour saved. These cash incentives get paid to the end user very soon after installation of the project and with some energy solution providers they may even discount this value from the upfront cost. An energy efficiency project can have a material impact on a company’s financials. As an example, let’s review the impact of energy efficiency on an average mid-sized convenience store with turnover of a3m annually and a gross margin of 29%. Using typical performance metrics for this industry it is fair to expect the business to be paying approximately a45k per annum in energy costs. If the retailer decided to invest a25k in an LED lighting project with a simple payback of 2 years, it would result in a a12,500 annual saving that can flow straight to the bottom line. To deliver that same level of EBITDA uplift through sales growth would require approximately an increase in turnover of a500k, which in a mature sector such as retail revenue uplifts of 17% is highly unlikely without very significant capital investment far in excess of the a25k energy efficiency project. Alan Makim is a Sector Specialist in AIB Business Banking and leads a team of specialists across a range of SME sectors including Energy, Retail, Hospitality and Professional Services. 41

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PARTNER PROFILE ESB NETWORKS

Innovating

ESB Networks is ensuring that the changing needs of the environment, government and society are met.

electricity

for the

Network OF THE FUTURE ESB Networks

owns and operates the electricity distribution system in the Republic of Ireland. It is its responsibility to ensure that the electricity network is designed, built and operated in a way that facilitates the transition to the decarbonisation of the energy industry. As society moves towards a low carbon future, ESB Networks is committed to playing its part in enabling

Ireland’s journey towards transition. In order to achieve this, by 2030, ESB Networks’ electricity network will support: • circa 1 million electric vehicles on our roads • 600,000 homes equipped with e-heat capacity • 2.3 million smart meters in homes and businesses • 8,200 MW of onshore wind generation and 3,500 MW of offshore wind generation • 1,500 MW of solar PV-based generation • 1,300 MW of energy storage and 2,500 MW of customer flexibility ESB Networks has already developed one of the world’s most progressive and reliable electricity networks, which facilitates changes to how Ireland’s electricity is produced and consumed. To ensure that the changing needs of the environment, government and society are met, ESB Networks continues to work towards the model of innovating further and innovating faster. To meet this challenge and deliver a sustainable, low carbon energy network that will serve Ireland’s future energy needs, ESB Networks has developed an Innovation Strategy covering

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PARTNER PROFILE ESB NETWORKS

key areas for development and activities that support its ambition to deliver new and improved services. These key areas will focus on connecting renewables, boosting customer engagement, further developing the electrification of heat and transport, optimising the current network infrastructure, creating flexibility within the network, making the network more resilient and driving operational excellence across the organisation. As part of the Innovation Strategy, ESB Networks is actively involved in a number of innovation projects and trials, with some of the most significant trials focusing on innovating with communities in three locations in Ireland, the Positive City Exchange (+CityxChange), Limerick City, the Renewable Energy for selfsustainable island Communities (REACT), Inis Mór, Aran Islands, and the Dingle Project, Dingle. The Positive City Exchange project, in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council and other partners, is developing a series of demonstration projects on how today’s cities can become smart, positive energy cities of the future, through active citizen engagement. The focus of ESB Networks activities will be to support the integration of a Distributed Positive Energy Block and District (DPEB) in the distribution network and provide the regulatory and technical advice and guidance to enable concepts such as peer-to-peer energy trading and the Energy Community Utility (ECU) to be trialled. On Inis Mór, Aran Islands, the REACT project aims to develop a scalable ICT platform for cooperative energy management, reducing energy usage and CO2 emissions in the island communities. In collaboration with the project lead Veolia and other partners including the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), this project will enable ESB Networks to fully appreciate the role of the community and future energy needs of islands. The most significant community engagement project within ESB Networks’ Innovation Strategy is that of the work of the Dingle Project. Launched in April 2018, this three-year project has seen the deployment and implementation of a range of new technologies to assist in the development of a smart, resilient, low-carbon electricity network. These technologies include Solar PV Systems, Battery Management Systems, Air Source Heat Pumps, Peer to Peer Trading Devices, Electric Vehicles & Smart EV chargers, Smart Immersion Controllers, and Smart Home Devices. It has also included the rollout out of Smart Devices on the electrical network that will allow for increased reliability of the network. An important element of this project is InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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the opportunity it allows ESB Networks to collaborate with local communities as it explores the impact and capabilities of new low carbon and adjacent technologies, and how customers and communities interact with new energy systems. Through the involvement of the selected Dingle Project Ambassadors - five Dingle residents who are involved in the project and trial - ESB Networks is working with the community, to understand what drives customers to transition from traditional consumers to active energy citizens in a low carbon-society and their changing demands and expectations for the electricity network. The findings from this project will allow ESB Networks to build, maintain and operate the electricity network of the future for the whole of Ireland. Speaking about the Dingle Project, John Fitzgerald, Project Manager, ESB Networks said: “The Dingle Project’s findings will help inform us as to how Ireland’s electricity network will need to change in the decades to come. The new technologies we have deployed will help us demonstrate the use of clean electricity to power heat and transport, helping us create a more reliable and sustainable energy future. Our learnings and experience in Dingle have the potential to be replicated in every town, village and community throughout the country”. Through each of these projects and in collaboration with key projects partners, ESB Networks is exploring the impact and capabilities of new low carbon and adjacent technologies and how customers and communities interact with new energy systems. ESB Networks provides an electricity connection to over 2.3 million customers in homes, farms, businesses and communities across the country, enabling electricity to be supplied in a safe and reliable manner and supporting economic and social development. ESB Networks understand the importance of keeping our customers at the centre of everything we do. As the expectations and needs of our customers change, ESB Networks will continue to innovate and develop a future electricity network which empowers customers and provides a sustainable energy system for us all. For more information on ESB Networks and its Innovation Strategy, please visit www.esbnetworks.ie/innovation 43

21/04/2020 14:33

PARTNER PROFILE AN POST

‘T’

EVERYTHING STARTS WITH Digital transformation is driving An Post’s new financial services.

Everything starts with ‘T’ at An Post

these days as the State’s leading retail and communications company deals in a heady brew titled Transformation. And the man who can be said to ‘make the T’ is a focused member of An Post’s senior management team who is charged with transforming their digital business and delivering the benefits of that transformation to customers. Des Morley is An Post’s Chief Digital Officer, and has been leading their digital strategy since his appointment in January of last year. Des is one of Dublin’s leading experts in the field, having worked previously in eir, O2 Telefonica and American Express.

An Post Chief Executive and EU Trade Commissioner at the opening of the company’s automated Parcel Hub

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PARTNER PROFILE AN POST

And digital strategy is core to An Post’s transition from an old world to the new, becoming a leader in e-Commerce and Financial Services, and attracting new demographics to An Post’s range of services. Des has been working with An Post’s highly regarded Chief Information Officer John Cronin, An Post’s IT team and the product and marketing teams in the company’s two business units: Retail and Mail and Parcels. “An Post lies at the heart of communities throughout Ireland, delivering quality services across a wide range of products and services. But our customers live in a digital world and An Post needs to meet them there by providing effortless, always on and omnichannel experiences for their world,” he says. Des Morley says that An Post’s ‘Digital Vision’ is key to the company’s growth ambitions which are being developed with An Post’s ‘digital customer’ at its heart. “We are expanding our Digital ambitions with a number of big moves that will leverage that digital capacity’’ he adds. STRATEGY He outlines how An Post has set three main pillars for their strategy. “We want to grow our digital channel revenue by providing the best digital propositions and customer experience. We want to harness customer data and insights to deliver great omnichannel experiences and digitise our own systems, resources and ways of working to simplify our processes.” Morley’s description of ‘omnichannel’ typifies the scale of An Post’s ambitions. The company’s big number include 1.7 million customer visits each week to post offices and 2 million mail items handled by its mails infrastructure each day. Typically, customers would have several separate pieces of business with the company, each one treated almost as a separate once-off transaction. Des Morley and his team are charged with changing all that, building a structure that allows a personal relationship with customers, whatever and wherever they access An Post services. “We want to change the conversation we have with customers” he says, “we want to build a relationship with them InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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and enable them to deal with us whenever and however they choose.” He outlines how, in practice, that means a customer having a single point of access to the company to re-direct a parcel, sign up for financial services, etc. He describes it all as creating an individual ‘MyAnPost’ for every customer. Omnichannel then completes the picture to enable customers to deal with the company over the post office counter, face to face with postal staff, online or via Apps. Each with the same level of service and satisfaction. Des Morley, Chief Digital Officer, An Post

“AN POST LIES AT THE HEART OF

COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT IRELAND,

DELIVERING QUALITY SERVICES ACROSS A WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. BUT OUR CUSTOMERS LIVE IN A

DIGITAL WORLD AND

AN POST NEEDS TO MEET THEM THERE BY PROVIDING EFFORTLESS, ALWAYS ON AND

OMNICHANNEL EXPERIENCES

FOR THEIR WORLD”

AMBITION He explains how in the area of Parcels and Mail An Post has clear ambitions to become the backbone of ecommerce in Ireland. Here, digitalisation and process automation of the mails and parcels operation is key. As indeed are using online channels to increase both sales and levels of customer service. In the retail area, with An Post’s unrivalled network of post offices, digitalisation is driving An Post’s new financial services, enhancing the company’s role in National Digital Strategy and as a key provider of Government services. Des cites the announcement last year that An Post had attracted 40 million, 10-year European Investment Bank (EIB) funding as proof of An Post’s commitment to digital transformation. Visiting Dublin at the time, Andrew McDowell, European Investment Bank Vice President outlined how the loan will accelerate use of innovation and digitalisation to enhance access to financial services and improve mails, parcels and e-commerce services for customers. “We have been trying to encourage what I describe as a digital mindset here where Digital is part of everyone’s role not just the job of the Digital team,” Des says. The coming year will see greater use of data to speed the progress of digitalisation, greater use of digital throughout the post office network, and significant changes for An Post’s postal staff as a new generation of hand scanners extends service options for parcel customers. “We are innovating the last mile. Quite a time ahead,” says Des. 45

21/04/2020 14:35

PARTNER PROFILE DALRADIAN GOLD

DALRADIAN GOLD:

10 A mineral exploration company providing a source of investment and business in Ireland for decades to come.

alradian Gold are a mineral exploration and development company, and we’ve been working in the Curraghinalt area of County Tyrone since late 2009. Did you know that this area holds one of the most promising undeveloped gold deposits in the world? The first mineralised veins at the Curraghinalt deposit were discovered in 1983 in Curraghinalt Burn, triggering extensive exploration over the following years. Over 3,000 metres of trenching and 30,000 metres of drilling were completed by these companies up to 2009. From 1987 to 1989, 710 metres of underground development were completed at the deposit. Dalradian acquired the project in 2009 and over the last ten years we have invested £115+ million, employed more than 200 people, completed 170,000 metres of exploration drilling, provided 40 internships, and

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YEARS IN IRELAND... contributed £525,000 to groups across the community. In 2017, after several years of exploration, engineering and environmental studies, we submitted a planning application to build an underground mine between Rouskey and Greencastle in County Tyrone, one that will be committed to environmentally responsible practices that will bring economic benefit, employment and training to the county. In August, 2019, we submitted a package of Further Environment Information (FEI), including a number of enhancements in response to feedback from our stakeholders. This submission completed another significant and positive step in the planning process. The proposed mine at the Curraghinalt gold deposit will open a new chapter of economic development with contractors and suppliers throughout Ireland already availing of this unique opportunity. We will be Ireland’s first modern, underground gold mine – designed, built and operated using the latest technology and in accordance with global best practices and the most stringent regulatory standards. If successful, we will provide 350+ direct jobs with an average salary of £40,000 and 650 indirect jobs for the local area. The mine will have a lifespan of 25-30 years at present and will be one of the first carbon neutral mines in Europe, a source of investment and business for Ireland for decades to come.

“OVER THE

LAST TEN YEARS WE HAVE

INVESTED

£115+ MILLION,

EMPLOYED MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE,

COMPLETED 170,000 METRES OF EXPLORATION DRILLING,

PROVIDED 40 INTERNSHIPS, AND CONTRIBUTED

£525,000 TO GROUPS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.”

For more information please visit Dalradian.com InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

21/04/2020 14:37

PARTNER PROFILE

Brazil AT A

GLANCE

Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America and one of the top 10 countries in the world in terms of population, landmass and gross domestic product (GDP of US$ 1.88 trillion in 2018).

According to UNCTAD, Brazil remains among the top 10 recipients of FDI in the world and is the only Latin American country on that list. Inward FDI flows in Brazil totalled over US$ 1 trillion from 2010 to 2018, averaging US$ 122 billion per year, according to data from the Central Bank of Brazil.

Brazil is open to foreign direct investment and continues to attract leading and innovative international businesses thanks to profitable opportunities underpinned by robust domestic investor protection rules enforced by an independent, credible judiciary and a fair regulatory environment, providing security for investors.

A major player in international trade, Brazil has proven to be an open and vibrant country with a diversified economy, and one of the largest consumer markets in the world, with over 209 million inhabitants and a strong and steady domestic demand for services, goods and agricultural products. InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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Brazil’s economy does not rely on a small number of key industries, but rather on a wide range of economic sectors. The country is home to a competitive industrial sector, including Latin America’s largest aerospace, automotive, oil and gas, mining, capital goods, medical equipment, chemical and technology industries, among others.

Brazil is the 10th largest oil producer in the world and the largest in Latin America. The country is also one of the top producers and exporters of ethanol biofuel in the world. Renewable sources are responsible for over 80% of Brazil’s electricity generation, one of the highest levels in the world. With Brazil’s large supply of water, hydroelectric power provides over 60% of Brazil’s electricity needs. Wind, biomass and solar energy shares continue to grow.

With an active working age population of around 69% in 2018, which is above world average, Brazil’s domestic market offers good opportunities for companies seeking to hire. It has a young, dynamic workforce, supported by government professional training programs that can be implemented in partnership with businesses.

EMBASSY OF BRAZIL

With a young and dynamic workforce, leading technology, and a wide range of growing economic sectors, Brazil has fast become an important location for foreign direct investment. The country is not only a great place for business, it also serves as the gateway to Latin America. Here are 10 Reasons to consider doing business in Brazil.

In 2010, Brazil became a net external creditor, and by the end of 2018 had accumulated international reserves totalling over US$ 374.7 billion.

Brazil’s largest cities are consolidating their position as global investment destinations, not only for Brazil but also as a gateway for the entire Latin American region. Brazil has also signed Investment Facilitation Agreements with some 14 countries.

10.

Brazil is a founding member of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), which has free trade agreements with all South American countries and with Mexico. As a member of Mercosur, Brazil has recently signed a comprehensive FTA agreement with the European Union. This adds up to a number of other agreements signed by Mercosur with third parties, as well as to a few others being negotiated.

Representation in Ireland: The Embassy of Brazil in Dublin provides assistance to companies/individuals willing do to business with Brazil E: secom.dublin@itamaraty.gov.br T: 01 416 1216 Further information can be found at www.investexportbrasil.gov.br

21/04/2020 14:39

PARTNER PROFILE HOUSE OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL

Exacting

There is huge pride in the skill and craftsmanship of Waterford Crystal throughout Ireland.

standards of

Quality A

luxury collection of the finest crystal continues to be made by skilled craftsmen at the House of Waterford Crystal factory, situated in the heart of Waterford City, in Ireland’s Ancient East. A significant tourist attraction, the House of Waterford Crystal welcomes 210,000 visitors annually from across the world, and was recently named as the ‘Best Ireland’s Ancient East Tourism Experience (Large)’ at the ITIC Awards.

GUIDED FACTORY TOUR On the tour, visitors witness mould making – a technique at Waterford that has remained unchanged throughout the centuries. Master Blowers shape the molten crystal flawlessly with the use of these wooden moulds and hand tools. The next part of the tour is truly magical, as visitors enter the blowing department to watch glowing balls of crystal transformed into majestic shapes as they are put through the 1,400-degree furnace. Waterford Crystal pieces are hand marked for precision and accuracy, and are then cut, sculpted and engraved. Skills have passed from master to apprentice. Fresh ideas have reinvigorated iconic sparkling cuts in contemporary ways. While getting this behind-the-scenes sneak peek at this highly-skilled method of crystal manufacturing, visitors also see the high standards that the House of Waterford Crystal has for each piece that leaves the factory. Visitors next witness the cutting department. The Master Cutter must rely on his own skill to judge the amount of pressure required to hold the crystal to the wheel; too much pressure will cause a cut through to the other side. Each of our craftsmen has trained for a minimum of eight years to master their craft. They are responsible for giving each piece the clear and sparkling cut that is the distinctive hallmark of Waterford Crystal. The final stages of the tour are the engraving and sculpting departments. The Master Sculptors at Waterford work three-dimensionally, using their skill to sculpt 48

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the desired piece from a solid block of crystal. Days, weeks and even months can pass before a sculpted piece is completed. The type of copper wheel engraving used at Waterford Crystal is called ‘Intaglio’, which means reverse. It can take from hours to days to complete the engraving on many of our international sporting trophies and limited-edition inspiration pieces. RETAIL STORE & BRAND EXPERIENCE Visitors can experience over 12,000 square feet of crystal heaven in the largest retail and showcase of Waterford Crystal in the world. The retail store represents everything we make in crystal, including a showcase on golf and sport, which is a major part of our international business. CORPORATE & SPORTS Our corporate and gift awards program caters for rewarding your employees or clients. We can customise a piece from our core range that can allow you create your own unique message or logo on the item. Our worldwide shipping service allows you the flexibility to deliver 24/48 hours to Ireland, UK or USA. Our dedicated Sales Manager Tom Walsh can be contacted at tom.walsh@fiskars.com.

CONTACT For more information contact: waterfordvisitorcentre.com houseofwaterfordcrystal@fiskars.com Tel: + 353 (0)51 317000

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LACE · CHARITY · COMMUNICATIONS · COMMUNITY · DIVERSITY · ENVIRONMENT

•

CSR AWARDS

•

NT · INCLUSION · MARKETPLACE · PARTNERSHIP · VOLUNTEERING · WORKPLACE

2019 •

DRIVING CSR COMMITMENTS UPWARDS Boots Ireland take home the Outstanding Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility Award 2019

y demonstrating outstanding commitment to CSR in its company values, Boots Ireland was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award at Chambers Ireland’s CSR Awards 2019. The ceremony was held at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin on September 19th 2019, with each winner presented with a specially commissioned Waterford Crystal trophy. “Congratulations to Boots Ireland and the winners of the 14 excellence in CSR award categories, whom we recognise for their achievements,” Ian Talbot, Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland, said at the ceremony. “The programmes and activities developed by businesses of all sizes continues to evolve and have become ever more proactive at addressing current sustainability challenges. Tonight’s winning projects have also demonstrated engagement with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.” The 16th annual Awards ceremony was run in association with the Department of Rural and Community Development, partnered with Business in the Community Ireland and sponsored by BAM Ireland. The Environmental Protection Agency sponsored the Excellence in Environment Award and One4all sponsored the Excellence in Workplace Award.

THE CSR AWARDS 2019 CATEGORY WINNERS ARE: EXCELLENCE IN CSR COMMUNICATION ■ European Recycling Platform Ireland Batteries for Barretstown EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY – PARTNERSHIP WITH CHARITY - LIC ■ Gala Retail Gala Retails’ Platinum Sponsorship of Special Olympics Ireland EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY – PARTNERSHIP WITH CHARITY - MNC

Sponsored by One4All

■ VMware International The Cork Giving Network’s Mental Health Month EXCELLENCE IN MARKETPLACE ■ A&L Goodbody ALGs collaborative project with the Irish Refugee Council’s Independent Law Centre EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY & INCLUSION ■ Dublin Bus Workplace Gender Transition Policy and Guidelines EXCELLENCE IN CSR BY AN SME ■ Easytrip Easytrip support Blood Bikes

*LIC: Large Indigenous Company | *MNC: Multinational Company

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•

2019

•

CSR AWARDS

CHARITY · COMMUNICATIONS · COMMUNITY · DIVERSITY · ENVIRONMENT · INCL

INCLUSION · MARKETPLACE · PARTNERSHIP · VOLUNTEERING · WORKPLACE · CH

•

EXCELLENCE IN CSR COMMUNICATION European Recycling Platform Ireland Batteries for Barretstown

ERP Ireland worked with The Reputations Agency to create a communications strategy to increase the number of batteries recycled through its collection points. ERP Ireland devised a campaign to promote ‘Batteries for Barretstown’ that increased battery collections by 45%, surpassing the collection rate required for European member states and reaching a collection rate of 64%.

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY – PARTNERSHIP WITH CHARITY - MNC Boots Ireland Boots Ireland and the Irish Cancer Society

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY – PARTNERSHIP WITH CHARITY - LIC Gala Retail

Boots and the Irish Cancer Society are working in partnership with a vision that every person in Ireland will have access to the best possible cancer services. The project aim is to support people living with cancer in Ireland and to promote cancer prevention through the role of Boots Irish Cancer Society Information Pharmacist, while raising funds for the Night Nursing Service. Boots colleagues have raised 1.6 million to date.

Gala Retails’ Platinum Sponsorship of Special Olympics Ireland Gala retail entered its fifth partnership year with Special Olympics Ireland in 2019, supporting 8,000 Irish athletes in Special Olympics clubs, helping them to train, compete and grow. For many athletes, Gala Retail helped them to realise their dream of representing Ireland at the Special Olympics World Summer Games.

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LACE · CHARITY · COMMUNICATIONS · COMMUNITY · DIVERSITY · ENVIRONMENT

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CSR AWARDS

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NT · INCLUSION · MARKETPLACE · PARTNERSHIP · VOLUNTEERING · WORKPLACE

2019 •

EXCELLENCE IN ENVIRONMENT – LIC SPONSORED BY EPA Hotel Doolin Green Team Work Hotel Doolin is the only carbonneutral hotel in Ireland (confirmed by Green Hospitality). The hotel opened the Eco-Barn in March 2018. It is an A rated, 100% soundproof building with a sustainable heating and cooling system. Results for 2018 show that the hotel has reduced its Landfill per guest by 21% in the last 2 years.

EXCELLENCE IN ENVIRONMENT – MNC SPONSORED BY EPA Astellas Ireland Astellas Leading Light for Life - Striving for Sustainability The ‘Astellas Leading Light for Life – Striving for Sustainability’ project is an integrated project aimed at providing a better future for everyone through responsible management of all activities associated with the manufacture of lifesaving innovative pharmaceutical products.

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY – VOLUNTEERING - LIC KPMG KPMG’s Bold Girls initiative To address the lack of female role models in literature and to celebrate the centenary of women’s suffrage in Ireland, KPMG worked with Children’s Books Ireland (CBI) to develop a BOLD GIRLS workshop which consists of one class per week over a four-week period.

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•

2019

•

CSR AWARDS

CHARITY · COMMUNICATIONS · COMMUNITY · DIVERSITY · ENVIRONMENT · INCL

INCLUSION · MARKETPLACE · PARTNERSHIP · VOLUNTEERING · WORKPLACE · CH

•

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY – VOLUNTEERING – MNC Intel Ireland Intel Involved Volunteers Making a Difference The involvement of Intel Ireland employees volunteering in their local communities has made a huge impact on local organisations, clubs and schools. Intel Ireland employees have increasingly found opportunities to donate the skills that they have honed at Intel— providing legal, human resources, marketing, finance, and IT expertise to schools, non-profits, and NGOs.

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY – COMMUNITY PROGRAMME – LIC SSE Ireland Galway Wind Park Community Fund SSE Renewables and Greencoat Renewables through Galway Wind Park have set an industry benchmark for best in-class large scale project delivery. As Ireland’s largest wind farm, it is making the most significant contribution of any renewable development on the island towards greening national energy and decarbonising power generation.

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY – COMMUNITY PROGRAMME – MNC Tesco Ireland Tesco Community Fund in 2018

Launched in July 2014, the Tesco Community Fund has donated 3.7 million to 13,000 community causes to date. 2018 saw the fund achieve the all-important ‘one colleague, one project’ milestone, meaning that for every one of Tesco Ireland’s 13,000 colleagues, 13,000 local projects have been donated to.

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LACE · CHARITY · COMMUNICATIONS · COMMUNITY · DIVERSITY · ENVIRONMENT

•

CSR AWARDS

•

NT · INCLUSION · MARKETPLACE · PARTNERSHIP · VOLUNTEERING · WORKPLACE

2019 •

EXCELLENCE IN WORKPLACE – LIC – SPONSORED BY ONE4ALL Arthur Cox The Arthur Cox Work Experience for All Programme For the past eight years Arthur Cox has run a work experience programme aimed specifically at students from less privileged communities and backgrounds. The goal is to encourage students to continue in education and to help them explore the possibilities that exist for them.

EXCELLENCE IN MARKETPLACE A&L Goodbody ALGs collaborative project with the Irish Refugee Council’s Independent Law Centre

EXCELLENCE IN WORKPLACE – MNC – SPONSORED BY ONE4ALL VMware International The Cork Giving Network’s Mental Health Month The VMware Cork Giving Network’s Mental Health Month has promoted and encouraged positive well-being. With the daily themes focusing on positivity and self-assessment, VMware Cork has encouraged employees to become more and more aware of not just the feelings of people they’re surrounded by but their own feelings too. InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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In 2013, A&L Goodbody began a collaborative project with the Irish Refugee Council (IRC) Independent Law Centre to develop a unique pro bono service for people claiming refugee status in Ireland. Since the beginning of this collaboration, 118 ALG lawyers have delivered 5,432 hours working on 42 cases for clients referred by the IRC.

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2019

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CSR AWARDS

CHARITY · COMMUNICATIONS · COMMUNITY · DIVERSITY · ENVIRONMENT · INCL

INCLUSION · MARKETPLACE · PARTNERSHIP · VOLUNTEERING · WORKPLACE · CH

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EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY & INCLUSION Dublin Bus Workplace Gender Transition Policy and Guidelines

As part of its commitment to support diversity and inclusion among its workforce, Dublin Bus launched one of the most comprehensive and advanced Workplace Gender Transition Policy and Guidelines in the country. This is part of the overall Dublin Bus Diversity and Inclusion Strategy which sets out Dublin Bus’s commitment to promoting equality, accommodating diversity, and ensuring non-discrimination for Dublin Bus employees and customers.

EXCELLENCE IN CSR BY AN SME Easytrip Easytrip support Blood Bikes

Easytrip has been supporting Blood Bikes throughout Ireland since April 2017 by supplying ‘toll tags’ free of charge and covering toll charges for each of the charity vehicles. This initiative has allowed Blood Bikes to deliver lifesaving and time critical medical supplies for patients in need in hospitals, medical centres, neo-natal units and hospices across Ireland.

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT AWARDS WINNERS 2019

EXCELLENCE ON THE GROUND

Fingal County Council scooped the top accolade at the 2019 Excellence in Local Government Awards.

n November Fingal County Council was named Local Authority of the Year 2019 at the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards. The 16th annual awards ceremony was held in association with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and showcases and celebrates the best of Local Government in Ireland. Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland said: “Local authorities continue to make substantial efforts across multiple areas of Irish society with wide-ranging positive impacts for local communities and the local economy; the Excellence in Local Government Awards serve as the platform to highlight the irreplacable value and work of local authorities. “As ever, it’s an honour for Chambers Ireland to host these awards as well as a pleasure to highlight, while gaining insight into, the work and initiatives being produced at local level nationwide. Congratulations to Local Authority of the Year, Fingal County Council, the 16 category winners, the shortlisted organisations and to the people behind all of these excellent projects.”

THE WINNERS Supporting Active Communities Award Sponsored by EirGrid Cork County Council Blackwater and Creativity in County Cork Best Practice in Citizen Engagement Award Sponsored by ESB Network Fingal County Council Our Balbriggan - Imagine the Possibilities - Get Involved. Health & Wellbeing Award Sponsored by Healthy Ireland Cork City Council Cork Sanctuary Runners Supporting Tourism Award Sponsored by Fáilte Ireland *Joint Winners* Kerry County Council From Berlin to Kerry South Dublin County Council The Round Tower, Visitor Centre, Clondalkin - Brú Chrónáin Promoting Economic Development Award Sponsored by EirGrid Cork County Council Bridge to Masschallenge Cork Programme Local Authority Innovation Award Sponsored by TEKenable Cork City Council - Arus Mhuire Rightsizing Housing Project

Delegates of Fingal County Council receive their ‘Local Authority of the Year’ Award at the Excellence in Local Government Awards 2019 with Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot (far left), Chambers Ireland President Siobhan Kinsella (right) and Minister of State for Local Government and Electoral Reform John Paul Phelan T.D. (far right)

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Sustaining the Arts Award Sponsored by Zurich Wexford County Council Arts Ability Programme Disability Services Provision Award Sponsored by EirGrid Tipperary County Council Sign of The Times Festival of the Year Award Sponsored by Failte Ireland Fingal County Council Dublin Bay Prawn Festival Outstanding Initiative through the Municipal Districts Award Sponsored by LGiU Donegal County Council Hosting the DDF Irish Open in Inishowen Enhancing the Urban Environment Award Sponsored by Ervia Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Otranto Seaside Gardens Heritage and Built Environment Award Sponsored by AIB Monaghan County Council The Monaghan Spitfire Life on the Border with a World at War

Sustainable Environment Award Sponsored by ERP Clare County Council Banner Beekeepers Association Apiary at Doora, Ennis

Commemorations and Centenaries Award Sponsored by An Post Tipperary County Council Solohead Parish Centenary Soloheadbeg 1919

Best Library Service Award Limerick City & County Council Watch House Cross Community Library Autism Friendly Resource

Age Friendly Initiative Award Sponsored by Waterford Crystal Mayo County Council - Age Friendly Airport Guidelines

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT AWARDS WINNERS 2019

SUPPORTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES CORK COUNTY COUNCIL Blackwater and Creativity in County Cork

The Creative Ireland Programme in County Cork mobilises communities to undertake cultural and creative projects which make their localities better places to live and work. As part of the County Cork Pop-up Shop Scheme, the Blackwater Makers – a collective of craftspeople in North Cork – collaborated with Cork County Council to develop a successful pop-up shop in Fermoy. The initiative has increased awareness of art, craft, culture and design, and has encouraged people to shop local.

HEALTH & WELLBEING CORK CITY COUNCIL

Cork Sanctuary Runners

BEST PRACTICE IN CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL

The aim of the Sanctuary Runners initiative is to bring Irish people, permanent residents from elsewhere and those in Direct Provision together through running, fostering solidarity, friendship and respect, while having fun. Sanctuary Runners has resulted in 200 runners participating in the Cork City Marathon, 50 of whom were from Direct Provision. The initiative has gone nationwide, with projects in Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford, and many more towns and cities getting involved.

Our Balbriggan - Imagine the Possibilities - Get Involved

The future of Balbriggan is set to be transformed thanks to a plan shaped by the town’s residents. A Citizen engagement initiative by Fingal County Council led to 4,001 people completing a survey, with the Balbriggan Rejuvenation Plan 2019 – 2025 launched in May 2019. The event was streamed live on the “Our Balbriggan” Facebook page and was viewed by more than 2,000 people in the first 24 hours. Engagement is ongoing with citizens on the plan’s implementation.

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT AWARDS WINNERS 2019

SUPPORTING TOURISM (JOINT WINNER) KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL From Berlin to Kerry

To coincide with the launch of Ryanair’s Berlin to Kerry route, Kerry County Council launched a major international marketing campaign in Germany in 2017. Germany is one of the world’s largest outbound travel markets, and is an important source market for Irish tourism. This campaign was a collaborative initiative by Kerry County Council, Kerry Airport, Ryanair, the Irish Hotels Federation, Destination Kerry Tourism Forum, GoKerry, as well as local businesses and Tralee Chamber Alliance.

SUPPORTING TOURISM (JOINT WINNER) SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL The Round Tower, Visitor Centre, Clondalkin - Brú Chrónáin

The 7th century Round Tower located at the heart of Clondalkin Village is amongst the most well-preserved round towers in Ireland. The visitor centre comprises the conservation and refurbishment of 19th century Mill Cottages, a modern extension, and the installation of new gardens and a central plaza. The centre is operated in conjunction with The Happy Pear and also houses an interactive exhibition, café and retail area, offering visitors a unique cultural, historical and culinary experience.

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT AWARDS WINNERS 2019

SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL

Banner Beekeepers Association Apiary at Doora, Ennis

LOCAL AUTHORITY INNOVATION CORK CITY COUNCIL

Clare County Council facilitated the Banner Beekeepers in establishing an apiary with an outreach and education programme to engage the public in Beekeeping and Pollinators. It meets Clare Biodiversity Action Plan and County Clare Heritage Plan objections to promote the county as a refuge for native pollinators, and the All Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020. This initiative provides a bespoke facility where training can be delivered on the practical skills necessary, spreading beekeeping knowledge and activity countywide.

Arus Mhuire Rightsizing Housing Project

The Arus Mhuire Rightsizing Housing Project is a unique housing scheme addressing the issue of ‘empty-nesters’. ‘Rightsizing’ is an older person’s active choice to move home as a means of improving their quality of life, while simultaneously releasing larger housing to younger families. The Council procured and developed a 30-unit facility and managed the orderly transfer of occupants from their original homes – a sustainable solution and a model for future housing provision.

PROMOTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORK COUNTY COUNCIL Bridge to MassChallenge Cork Programme

Bridge to MassChallenge Cork was an accelerator competition for start-ups in the life science sector, with Cork County Council forming a strategic partnership with Boston-based MassChallenge (a global network of zero equity start-up accelerators) to deliver a bootcamp both in Cork and Boston to 20 start-ups. 12 start-ups were selected to participate in an intensive boot camp in Masschallenge HQ, with one, Biobind, an R&D company, selected to complete an intensive fullscale accelerator.

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT AWARDS WINNERS 2019

SUSTAINING THE ARTS WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL Arts Ability Programme

Running since 2003, Arts Ability is an exemplary arts programme led by the Arts Department of Wexford County Council in partnership with the Arts Council, HSE Disability and Mental Health Services and partner venues. The programme involves visual art, literature and music, and is an inclusive, person-centred arts programme which celebrates the artistic and creative imagination of people who experience mental health problems and / or intellectual, physical or sensory disabilities.

BEST LIBRARY SERVICE LIMERICK CITY & COUNTY COUNCIL

Watch House Cross Community Library Autism Friendly Resource

DISABILITY SERVICES PROVISION TIPPERARY COUNTY COUNCIL Sign of The Times

Watch House Cross Community Library in Moyross provides an inclusive space that encourages a love of reading, lifelong learning and promotes literacy. Over the last two years, the library has recognised the need to provide resources, support and an inclusive space to meet the needs of children, young people and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In line with the aims of their Corporate Plan, they are promoting a safe, healthy, inclusive and citizencentred Limerick.

“Sign of the Times” promotes Irish Sign Language (ISL). Primary partners are HSE Disability Gold Star, Tipperary County Council, members of the Deaf community and Gold Star volunteers. Supporting partners include Chime, Trinity Centre for Deaf Studies, Tipperary ETB, Abbey Secondary School, St Anne’s Secondary School and St Ailbe’s Secondary School Tipperary Town. The project creates an introduction to ISL video-based training resource tools and encourages the broader community to try it, with participants learning more sign language every day.

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT AWARDS WINNERS 2019

FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL Dublin Bay Prawn Festival

The Dublin Bay Prawn Festival is the ultimate celebration of Irish Seafood and has grown into one of Ireland’s largest food festivals. This gastronomic experience offers delicious food and craft beer, wine tastings as well as live cooking demos and street entertainment in the heart of the idyllic fishing village of Howth, with restaurants, bars and cafés hosting a variety of events music & entertainment, walks, talks, a vintage funfair and seaside activities.

OUTSTANDING INITIATIVE THROUGH THE MUNICIPAL DISTRICTS DONEGAL COUNTY COUNCIL

Hosting the DDF Irish Open in Inishowen MD - a place mobilised

ENHANCING THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT DÚN LAOGHAIRE-RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL Otranto Seaside Gardens

Ballyliffin Golf Club, in the Inishowen Municipal District, hosted the 2018 Dubai Irish Open golf tournament - the most rural setting ever for this event. The Golf Club, County Council and Fáilte Ireland reassured the organisers that they could safely manage the event, establishing a traffic management plan and an event implementation team. Their achievements demonstrate outstanding initiative, and have brought a great sense of pride and unity to Inishowen.

Framed by Scotsman’s Bay, Joyce Tower, and Sandycove Beach, Otranto Seaside Garden is one of Dublin’s smallest, but locally significant public spaces. The project emerged as a distinct placemaking initiative, planned, designed and managed by a team of landscape architects, project managers and horticulturists to provide a sustainable place to meet the needs of the local community, tourists, and public. The Garden is embedded in the county’s “Coastal Corridor”, one of six corridors in Dún LaoghaireRathdown’s Green Infrastructure Strategy.

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT AWARDS WINNERS 2019

HERITAGE AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT MONAGHAN COUNTY COUNCIL

The Monaghan Spitfire - Life on the Border with a World at War

COMMEMORATIONS AND CENTENARIES TIPPERARY COUNTY COUNCIL

Monaghan County Museum’s explosive exhibition: The Monaghan Spitfire – Life on the Border with a World at War, was developed in partnership with organisations north and south of the border, including the Royal Air Force, Queen’s University Belfast and the Irish Air Corp, as well as input from the Imperial War Museum in London. Using artefacts, images and first-hand accounts, it takes the viewer on a journey through life and death in the region during the turbulent years of World War II.

Solohead Parish Centenary Soloheadbeg 1919

The Solohead Parish Centenary was a community-led event marking the ambush at Soloheadbeg on 21st January 1919, widely believed to have been the first shots fired in the War of Independence. With the support of the Local Authority and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the community celebrated mass, followed by a procession to the monument at Solohead Cross where wreaths were laid, a minute’s silence was held, the proclamation was read, and a Flag ceremony was conducted.

AGE FRIENDLY INITIATIVE MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL Age Friendly Airport Guidelines

The aim of this project was to develop age friendly guidelines for Ireland West Airport, Knock, and for any airport across the globe. The project guidelines provide the opportunity to assess airport environments with the intention of addressing any issues that may cause difficulty for passengers, guaranteeing that customer services are of the highest standard so as to ensure that passenger experience in airports, regardless of age, is as stress-free as possible.

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ONE TO WATCH DHL EXPRESS

The first female CFO of DHL Express Ireland, Orla Thorne, on being a market leader, taking opportunities and understanding your team Q: How was your first year as CFO of DHL Express? A: I have had a great first year as CFO in DHL Express Ireland. It’s an

extremely busy role and I can’t believe that a year has passed already. My department and I have received great support from the network and everyone across DHL. In 2019, we achieved some of the best KPIs in our department’s history, which was a great way to celebrate a year in the job!

NE TO WATCH:

Orla Thorne

CFO of DHL Express Ireland

Q: What does it mean to you personally to be the first female CFO of DHL Express Ireland?

A: I am so proud to be the first female CFO. I have been with DHL for

13 years and was fully supported to take this next step in my career. DHL’s willingness to promote from within demonstrates that they believe in and trust their people, whether you are male or female.

Q: What has brought you to where you are today? A: I have worked in the finance department of logistics companies

for 20 years. Following a seven-year stint as a financial accountant, I joined DHL Express Ireland as financial controller in 2005. Since then I have gained so much business, network and financial knowledge. DHL ensure that all managers are trained as Certified International Managers through intensive leadership and people management training. I was also in the unique position of having 12 months’ notice of when my predecessor would be leaving. Therefore, I had the opportunity to focus on my key development areas and walk in his footsteps, so when the opportunity came, I felt ready to grab it with both hands.

Q: What are your responsibilities as CFO? A: I manage the core financial business activities across key areas such

as accounts payable, accounts receivable, controlling & billing. It’s my responsibility to ensure that the Finance department maintains a high standard of adherence to policies and standards. I also support key business initiatives and influence the strategic financial direction of the company.

Q: How is DHL positioned in the current economic climate and what is your role in improving it?

A: DHL is the market leader in express logistics. The Finance

department’s role is to make our customer and vendor experience as seamless as possible. Our customers have an extremely customer-centric experience, meaning that DHL remain the provider of choice.

Q: What are your business ambitions? A: My ambition is to put my stamp on the CFO position in DHL

Express Ireland. There have been people before me, there will be people after me, but I would like to be remembered for the changes and improvements that I brought during my time.

Q: What advice would you give women in leadership roles? A: I would strongly advise women in leadership roles to believe in

themselves, play to your strengths, and to continue to develop. Everybody should seek advice and meet regularly with a coach. It’s important to focus on understanding what motivates your team so that you can get the best from them: It pays dividends to take the time to invest in people.

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CHAMBERS AWARDS WINNERS 2019

Allan Shine and Maureen Bergin of County Kildare Chamber receive their Award for Chamber of the Year from Chambers Ireland President, Siobhan Kinsella, and Zurich’s Colm Blake

County Kildare named Chamber of the Year The Chamber Awards seek to recognise the outstanding work of Chambers around the country.

ounty Kildare Chamber was named Chamber of the Year at the Chambers Ireland Annual Chamber Awards in April. The awards, sponsored by Zurich, are an opportunity to recognise best practice and to showcase the diverse activity taking place across the country led by Chambers. “It’s fantastic to see such creativity and energy from Chambers across the country on display,” said Siobhan Kinsella, President of Chambers Ireland. “The winning projects, as well as all of the shortlisted projects, are a reminder of what opportunities, knowledge and skills are available of a national standard, which continue to be accessible through local Chambers. The utmost of congratulations to all the award-winning Chambers. “I would also like to congratulate County Kildare Chamber as the winner of the overall Chamber of the Year award,” the President added. “They have consistently proven themselves in supporting member businesses and raising the economic profile of the region both nationally and internationally.” In addition to the overall Chamber of the Year award, there were five other awards presented at the event. The full list of winners for each of the awards categories is as follows: InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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Overall Chamber of the Year County Kildare Chamber Event of the Year Waterford Chamber Toys4Engineers Conference & Expo Most Innovative Project Northern Ireland Chamber Learn Grow Excel – Business Support Initiative Most Successful Policy Campaign Cork Chamber & Limerick Chamber Gearing up for the M20 Cork – Limerick Motorway Local Authority Collaboration South Dublin Chamber Sustainable Business Partnership Programme with South Dublin County Council, South Dublin LEO & South Dublin Chamber Best Chamber Marketing Campaign Mullingar Chamber Winterfest Mullingar 2018

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CHAMBERS AWARDS WINNERS 2019

EVENT OF THE YEAR WATERFORD CHAMBER Toys4Engineers Conference & Expo

Toys4Engineers Conference & Expo brought 3,000 people to WIT Arena last year, seeing it grow to a national event. The event was organised by Waterford Chamber, with the support of Waterford Institute of Technology, and is designed to bring multi-national and indigenous companies together to showcase their innovations, network, and do business. Waterford Chamber also receive the backing of IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, SIMI, Engineers Ireland, Waterford Chamber Skillnet, Cobotics Skillnet and Waterford Local Enterprise Office, as well as financial sponsors. Key industry leaders speak on topics relevant to business, with more than 80 exhibitors on site throughout the day.

Waterford Chamber’s Gerald Hurley is presented with the Award for ‘Event of the Year’ by Chambers Ireland President, Siobhan Kinsella, and Zurich’s Colm Blake

MOST SUCCESSFUL POLICY CAMPAIGN CORK CHAMBER Gearing up for the M20 Cork – Limerick Motorway

South Dublin Chamber’s Margaret Considine collects the Award for ‘Local Authority Collaboration’ from Chambers Ireland President, Siobhan Kinsella, and Zurich’s Colm Blake

LOCAL AUTHORITY COLLABORATION SOUTH DUBLIN CHAMBER Sustainable Business Partnership Programme with South Dublin County Council, South Dublin LEO and South Dublin Chamber

In 2011, South Dublin Chamber, South Dublin County Council and South Dublin LEO formed the Sustainable Business Programme, empowering businesses to consider their sustainability and long-term future. It has a strong focus on job creation at the local level, achieved through strengthening local businesses. Supporting business development in the local community is driven through collaboration, providing one-to-one meetings with the SBP Executive, who links the business to agencies. South Dublin Chamber and LEO also provide joint training courses. The program has also developed the Gaelforce Dublin race, as part of the sustainability of tourism fostered by this event.

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The M20 campaign saw Cork and Limerick Chambers successfully build a case for the M20 to be given Government go-ahead. Targeting the National Development Plan and Ireland 2040, the campaign provided evidence for the economic, social and transport reasons to prioritise the motorway. The Chambers focused on the economic benefits to the area stemming from improved road connectivity to create more opportunities, highlighting potential jobs growth on IDA sites along the M20, better connectivity between Shannon Foynes and the Port of Cork, and labour market benefits arising from pooling talent and employment in Ireland’s second and third cities.

Chambers Ireland President, Siobhan Kinsella, and Zurich’s Colm Blake present Conor Healy, Cork Chamber and Dee Ryan, Limerick Chamber with the Award for their Chambers’ joint submission

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CHAMBERS AWARDS WINNERS 2019

BEST CHAMBER MARKETING CAMPAIGN MULLINGAR CHAMBER Winterfest Mullingar 2018

Colm Blake, Marketing Manager, Zurich Insurance addresses the audience at the Chambers Ireland’s Chamber Awards

Mullingar Chamber aimed to make Mullingar the primary Christmas destination in the midlands through the creation of Winterfest Mullingar, a six-week winter festival headlined by the launch of the town’s first ever ice-skating rink and a modernised Christmas Market, while also promoting local businesses and events. Mullingar Chamber implemented a cross channel campaign combining traditional advertising with social media and email marketing. The campaign was incredibly successful, with ice skating ticket sales far exceeding targets and over 100,000 people visiting Mullingar. The Chamber also generated national media coverage, showing the potential Mullingar has as a popular visitor destination.

Hannah Tyrrell, Irish Women’s International Rugby Player and Tackle Your Feelings Ambassador speaks at the 2019 Chamber Awards

Chambers Ireland Chief Executive, Ian Talbot, speaking at the Chambers Ireland Chamber Awards

Mullingar Chamber receive their award from Chambers Ireland President, Siobhan Kinsella, and Zurich’s Colm Blake

MOST INNOVATIVE PROJECT NORTHERN IRELAND CHAMBER Learn Grow Excel – Business Support Initiative

Learn Grow Excel is a suite of initiatives to support companies in their ambition to grow and export. The eight themed programmes recognise the commitment from the private sector to assist local companies in maximizing business growth and export opportunities. It is delivered across two themes:  CAPACITY AND SALES: support to develop business sales functions to achieve growth.  ADVISORY: one-to-one consultancy for businesses providing access to market knowledge, finance partners and connections.

Tanya Anderson, Northern Ireland Chamber is presented with the Award for ‘Most Innovative Project’ from Chambers Ireland President, Siobhan Kinsella, and Zurich’s Colm Blake

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It is supported by NI Chamber’s SME Partner, Power NI, and partners Bank of Ireland, Danske Bank, First Trust Bank, HSBC, Ulster Bank and Ulster Carpets.

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Unlocking potential through innovation Upskill your team to drive business growth.

Find out how Skillnet Ireland supports business growth. View our case studies: skillnetireland.ie/case-studies

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

Adapting to change Chief Executive Paul Healy discusses how Skillnet Ireland can help businesses plan, develop and innovate their workforce

s Benjamin Franklin said: “Change is the only constant in life. One’s ability to adapt to those changes will determine your success in life.” This quote is as true now as it ever was, especially for Irish businesses. We live in a time of unprecedented disruption, with numerous challenges facing businesses in Ireland, including the complexities of Brexit, and the accelerating rate of technological advancement. Many Irish businesses are reaching an inflexion point – to adapt or get left behind – and innovation and agility are key to overcoming these challenges, but how do businesses adapt while keeping an eye on the bottom line, satisfying customer needs and keeping staff engaged? For businesses to be more productive and innovative, they must place their people at the core of their vision and business growth strategy. Skillnet Ireland is here to help. We are a business support agency of the Irish Government, and through our delivery of industry-designed programmes we help businesses plan, develop and innovate their workforce. In partnership with industry, Government, training providers and educational institutes, we deliver workforce development initiatives that are subsidised and cost-effective. As our labour market tightens, businesses face skills shortages in ICT, engineering, science, construction, healthcare, and financial services amongst others.

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Paul Healy, Chief Executive, Skillnet Ireland We work with businesses to provide solutions to these skills gaps. One example is the award-winning Women Reboot programme from our Technology Ireland Software Skillnet, which addresses talent shortages in tech by encouraging women who have taken a career break to re-join the workforce through a specialized skills conversion programme. Skillnet Ireland plays an important role in developing human capital at a national level and supports Ireland’s foreign direct investment (FDI) proposition. With Ireland’s FDI model seeing challenges, with the trend for countries to reduce their headline corporation tax rates, we must remain competitive by boosting other pillars of Ireland’s FDI proposition, particularly talent. As well as driving workforce innovation within manufacturing, engineering, technology and medtech, we are driving innovation in creative sectors such as animation, through the

development of clusters in Dublin and Kilkenny. Another growing priority is small and medium enterprise (SME) productivity. Through our Skillnet Networks, we support 16,000 businesses each year, boosting competencies in strategic planning, digital transformation, process improvement, operational excellence and product innovation. The Digital Transformation is transcending traditional functions such as sales, marketing, finance, manufacturing and customer service. Skillnet Ireland is supporting industry adoption of digital technologies through a range of measures and industry led research. We have published several reports on digital transformation, in partnership with educational institutes and industry, that are helping to shape people strategies in organisations. Our ‘Enabling the Workforce of the Future’ research with IITD and DCU shows the impact digitisation, AI and Robotics are having in many sectors, a trend expected to increase in pace and intensity. Climate change also has implications for businesses as Ireland transitions to an environmentally sustainable economy. With goals set by the Government’s Climate Action Plan, Ireland must have enough workers with the skills to deliver on its targets, and Skillnet Ireland will play a central role in supporting businesses in this transition. Achieving balanced development between urban centres and regions is a key Government objective, aimed at nurturing a thriving regional enterprise base. With over 70 Skillnet Networks nationwide, Skillnet Ireland is strengthening regional enterprise through workforce development. We have over 20 regionally based Skillnet Networks working with businesses across many sectors, developing bespoke solutions to meet existing and emerging skills needs. Learn more about Skillnet Ireland and its Networks at www.skillnetireland.ie

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

Innovate, Diversify and Increase Competitiveness Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, predicts a challenging year ahead, and advises innovation is essential to remain competitive.

Q: How was 2019 for Enterprise Ireland?

A: In June, we announced that our clients recorded export sales of €23.8bn in 2018, representing a 6 percent increase on the previous year. We are on track to increase exports to the target of €26bn per annum by 2020. Employment and exports in companies supported by Enterprise Ireland are at the highest they have been in the 20-year history of the agency, with 66% of 2018 employment gains recorded in companies outside of Dublin. Now well over the halfway mark into our four-year strategy to Build Scale and Expand Reach 2017-2020, we are also on course to exceed the ambitious target of creating 60,000 new jobs by the end of 2020.

Q: What are the major challenges for you at the moment?

A: With ongoing international trade tensions and resulting tariffs we would anticipate

that 2020 will be a challenging period for Irish exporters. Together with the climate/ sustainability agenda the need for our clients to continually innovative to remain competitive cannot be underestimated. The ongoing ambiguity regarding the outcome of the Brexit negotiations remains a key concern for exporters. While 85% of our clients have taken Brexit actions we will continue to support companies to innovate, diversify and increase competitiveness so that Irish businesses are equipped to mitigate against the fallout from Brexit.

Q: How has Brexit affected trade over the last year?

A: Against the backdrop of Brexit uncertainty exports to the UK increased by 4% in 2018 and the UK remains our largest trading partner. Despite UK exports increasing by 50% over the last 10 years, however, the portion of Irish exports going to the UK in that period

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Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland

has reduced from 43% to 33% as trading with the rest of the world has grown at a faster rate. These record export results show the resilience of Irish exporters to progressively grow their global footprint in uncertain times, a key focus of our diversification strategy.

startups supported by Enterprise Ireland in 2018 were female-led. We will shortly launch a new Female Entrepreneurship strategy which will be broadening our engagement to further address the key challenges impacting on the growth of female-led business opportunities.

Q: How have Enterprise Ireland’s efforts to encourage female entrepreneurship worked?

Q: What does the Business Woman of the year award recognition mean to you?

A: In 2011 female led

receive this award. It is a reflection of the success that Enterprise Ireland has achieved with our clients and a testament to the activities undertaken by my colleagues across the organisation, on whose behalf I accept this award.

high potential start-up businesses represented only 7% of our supported start-ups. Further to the implementation of a strategy to increase this figure through tailored supports and initiatives over a fifth of the 132

A: I am delighted to

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Galway 2020 kicks off, Mayo looks to Mayo Day, and Sligo and Leitrim receive funding for development

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Limerick targets visitors, residents and filmmakers from across the globe with new marketing campaign and film initiative

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CONNAUGHT

MUNSTER

LEINSTER

Kildare County Council takes home the top prize at the All Ireland Community and Council Awards

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Building a resilient Belfast, LEADER funding for Donegal, and Cavan welcomes the diaspora in August

Vincent Kelly and Seamie Moore at the All Ireland Community and Council Awards

LIMERICKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FILM BOOST

GALWAY CELEBRATES

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THE FUTURE OF BELFAST

Kildare wins Grand Prix

In Association with

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN BUSINESS NEWS: LEINSTER

[ COUNTY KILDARE ]

KILDARE WINS GOLD AT COMMUNITY AWARDS

Pictured at the All Ireland Community & Council Awards at Croke Park are (from left) Seamie Moore, Vincent Kelly, Michael Hurley, John Clendennen, Aine Goodwin, Michelle Cullen, Majella O’Keefe, Marty Morrissey, and Micheal Anglim.

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2020/2021 RANKINGS

Fingal County Council became the first local authority in Ireland to launch a Mobility Hub to support accessible and sustainable travel on Main Street in Blanchardstown. Pictured at the launch is Mayor of Fingal Cllr Eoghan O’Brien, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council AnnMarie Farrelly, Director of Service for Operations Department David Storey and Grainne Carroll, Road Safety, Operations Department Fingal County Council

Dublin maintained its position as the Best Small Region of the Future in Europe in the fDi magazine 2020/2021 rankings and 2nd Overall Best Region. The Dublin region also entered the top 10 in Human Capital & Lifestyle for the first time. There was also a strong showing in City Rankings with Dublin ranked 3rd overall.

Kildare County Council in partnership with local access groups from Naas, Newbridge, Celbridge, Maynooth and Athy were winners at this year’s All Ireland Community & Council Awards, presented by IPB Insurance and LAMA (Local Authority Members Association). The Kildare group won in the category for Best Disability Access & Inclusion Initiative with “Working to Make County Kildare Inclusive and Accessible to All” before being announced as winners of the Grand Prix Award. “To win the Grand Prix from a field of 200 excellent entries is a testament to the extent and quality of collaboration between the community and council and an achievement of which all parties can be proud,” says Peter Carey, Chief Executive for Kildare County Council. Michael Hurley, Access Officer for Kildare County Council, adds: “I am delighted to accept these awards on behalf of the group and I believe the recognition we have received is a true testament to how active participation between the council and community groups can deliver real change. Winning both awards will be a great platform for the launch of our Access Strategy – A Universal Access Approach 2020-2022, which we plan on launching in early April.” InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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[ COUNTY MEATH ]

Meath Climate Academy’s first training event a success Over 60 participants took part in the inaugural Meath Climate Academy training event at Buvinda House. The event covered the science of the climate crisis as well as a range of actions that can be taken to address the climate emergency and covered the topic of climate justice, with Dr Cara Augustenborg acting as keynote speaker. Caroline Corrigan, Meath County Council Climate Action Officer, and Cllr David Gilroy, Chairperson of the Climate Action Forum (CAF) outlined the work of the Climate Action Team and CAF and plans for the future. The collapse of biodiversity was another area of interest and Padraic Fogarty, Campaigns Officer with the Irish Wildlife Trust, detailed the extent of biodiversity loss within Ireland and that up to a million species could be lost by 2030 if we don’t take action to protect our wildlife. Meath County Council is one of the first local authorities in Ireland to adopt its own Climate Action Strategy.

[ COUNTY DUBLIN ]

Fingal County Council opens Casino Model Railway Museum

ingal County Council opened the Casino Model Railway Museum in Malahide following the completion of a €4m restoration programme on the historic Casino building and conservation of the Fry Model Railway Collection. The Casino building is of significant historical importance to Fingal’s architectural heritage. It’s been carefully conserved, restored and extended to become a modern visitor attraction that is now the permanent home of the Fry Model Railway collection. The museum will also accommodate a large modern model railway layout depicting several railway scenescapes in Ireland, interactive displays, soundscapes, an education and exhibition space and historical interpretations and memorabilia from Irish railways. Fingal County Council has awarded the contract for the operation of the Museum to Shannon Heritage.

Emer O’Gorman, Director of Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Development, Fingal County Council, Cllr Eoghan O’Brien, Mayor of Fingal, AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive, Fingal County Council and Fionnuala May, County Architect

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[ COUNTY CORK ]

CORK COUNTY COUNCIL ADOPTS MIDLETON POLLINATOR PLAN

ne-third of Irish bee species are threatened with extinction due to a drastic reduction in the amount of food (flowers) and safe nesting sites in our landscapes. The All Ireland Pollinator Plan, managed by the National Biodiversity Data Centre, is about everyone – from farmers to local authorities, schools and businesses – coming together to create an Ireland where pollinators can survive and thrive. In February, members of Cork County Council’s East Cork Municipal District adopted the Midleton Pollinator Plan, which builds on the work already carried out in Midleton to support biodiversity throughout East Cork. Last year, the council’s East Cork Municipal District successfully implemented actions of the All Ireland Pollinator Plan in public parks, open spaces, road verges and ornamental planting beds. Deputy Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Martin Coughlan says: “It is great to see East Cork continue its pioneering commitment to pollinator-friendly policies and ideas. Cork County Council’s East Cork Municipal District is leading the way in biodiversity initiatives and I look forward to the innovations that they have led being replicated throughout the county.”

A3 MILLION [ COUNTY LIMERICK ]

Brian Arthur

2020 VISION FOR SCREEN INDUSTRIES

New Film in Limerick Co-Ordinator Paul Ryan at Troy Studios Limerick with Vincent Murray, Director of Economic Development, Limerick City and County Council.

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he mid-west is set to become a bigger hub for the screen industries in 2020 with the launch of new training initiatives and a drive to bring more film and TV productions to Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary. Film in Limerick’s Regional Film Manager Paul Ryan has set out his vision for the screen industries in the region that emphasises the development of filmmaking infrastructure, nurturing homegrown talent, and working to make the mid-west an attractive destination for Hollywood and other foreign productions. This comes at a time when film and TV have become a significant employer in the region with the success of Troy Studios in Limerick, which has generated hundreds of jobs for local residents. “Historically, Limerick, Clare and Tipperary have not benefited from film and TV production to the same extent as other parts of the country,” says Ryan. “Now, with Troy Studios, new tax credit increases, and a growing base of talented crew to support visiting productions, we expect even more films to come to the region to shoot as well as being made by local filmmakers.” The increased focus on film has already seen a boost in filmmaking and filming enquiries in the region with several productions in the works, including a major Apple TV+ production now filming in Troy Studios. InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN BUSINESS NEWS: MUNSTER

[ COUNTY LIMERICK ]

LIMERICK UNVEILS INNOVATIVE MARKETING CAMPAIGN Promoters of a new Life Sciences R&D Hub welcome news of more than a3 million in funding through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund as announced by Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys TD. The not-for-profit SynBioHub DAC (trading as CorkBioHub) will act as a one-stop shop for attracting and retaining early stage life science companies in the South West.

As part of the Library Service’s commitment to inclusion, Cork County Council libraries introduce Comfort Kits for neurodiverse children featuring ear defenders, a weighted lap blanket, dark glasses and scented pencils as well as a fidget toy – all selected to soothe the senses and give neurodiverse children a feeling of security.

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“Limerick: Atlantic Edge, European Embrace” is the first major branding of the city and county to promote it nationally and globally as a destination for inward industry investment, tourism, education and for people to live and work in. Developed by global creative agency M&C Saatchi, the new brand positioning will internationalise Limerick, capturing the sense of warmth and resilience of a historic city and county. “This is a real milestone for Limerick,” says Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Michael Sheahan. “We’ve had an economic transformation over the past decade and are now rightly going out proudly to the rest of Ireland and the world and inviting them to experience our vibrant city and county.” The character and culture of Limerick will be articulated through a roll-out of Limerick “heroes”, which will see inspirational people – including aeronautical engineer and author Dr Norah Patten – become faces of the campaign.

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN BUSINESS NEWS: CONNAUGHT

[ COUNTY GALWAY ]

GALWAY 2020 KICKS OFF WITH A BANG

alway 2020 European Capital of Culture kicked off with a series of events throughout the county. Events began on Sunday, February 2, when a mass of flame and sound flooded the town of Clifden in a special community cast procession, culminating in the lighting of the town sphere. Fiery celebrations as part of the Galway 2020 Opening Ceremony Fire Tour then continued to light up the towns of An Spidéal, Tuam, Ballinasloe, Portumna and Athenry over five consecutive nights, each culminating in the lighting of the specially commissioned town sphere, which represents the culture and heritage of the town. On each night of the fire tour, thousands of locals and visitors gathered, and were at the free open-air celebration by local emerging groups and performers from the Galway 2020 Livefeed project. These were followed by spoken word performances relevant to each town before the ceremonial lighting of the town sphere. Galway pop-rock band Rofi James completed the celebrations on each night with an energetic performance.

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[ COUNTY SLIGO ]

€246,010 FOR SLIGO HEALTHY PROJECTS Chairperson of County Sligo Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) Cllr Chris MacManus has welcomed an allocation of nearly a quarter million euro to the LCDC to promote “Healthy Ireland” initiatives throughout the county: “The funding will help support innovative projects in areas such as community mental health, physical activity and nutrition as part of the Healthy Ireland Fund 20192021 Programme.” LCDC Chief Officer Dorothy Clarke also welcomed the allocation and looks forward to seeing the roll out of projects over the duration of the programme: “As the local promoters of the programme, the LCDC is working towards a shared vision amongst public sector bodies, employers, sports and voluntary groups along with communities, families and individuals where everyone can enjoy physical and mental health and wellbeing to their full potential.” InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN BUSINESS NEWS: CONNAUGHT

[ COUNTY MAYO ]

Mayo Day 2020 will celebrate Creative Mayo Mayo Day, a celebration of the county’s vibrant culture and community spirit, returns for its sixth consecutive year on May 2, 2020. Over the last number of years, the Mayo Day campaign has been an enormous success, garnering worldwide attention with events taking place locally, nationally and internationally that pay tribute to the ingenuity, pride and accomplishments of Mayo people the world over. This year’s theme will be “Creative Mayo”. The campaign will give the people of Mayo an opportunity to explore and celebrate their creativity, ingenuity and talent, and will culminate in a flagship public event at the National Museum of Country Life in Turlough on May 2. Peter Hynes, Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, says: “Mayo Day 2020 is about cherishing our culture and giving people the chance to show their pride of place. It is an opportunity to celebrate what lies at the heart of County Mayo and its people – a natural passion for creativity; whether it be in the arts, music, business, or any other creative endeavour.” Plans are underway to host a Mayo Day Creative Conference – a chance to bring together some of Mayo’s most innovative minds from various backgrounds, occupations and locations.

A500,000 Carrick-on-Shannon in Co Leitrim will be allocated the maximum level of funding by Fáilte Ireland – a500,000 – to develop its potential as a tourism destination town. The funding has been allocated through Leitrim County Council as part of the a15.5 million Destination Towns initiative launched earlier this year by the National Tourism Development Authority. InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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Pictured at the tenth anniversary celebrations of Mayo Pink Ribbon, an annual fundraising campaign for the National Breast Cancer Research Institute which raised a1,057,732 for the charity over the last decade, are (front row, L-R) Yvonne Horkan, Mayo Pink Ribbon Comm; John McHugh, Lecturer in Translational Science; Dr Róisín Dwyer; Rachel Staunton; John Horkan; Aedin Horkan; (back row, L-R) Research Programme Director, National Breast Cancer Research Institute Prof Michael Kerin; Lourda McHugh, Director, National Breast Cancer Research Institute and Mayo Pink Ribbon Comm; Chairperson of the National Breast Cancer Research Institute Patricia McLoughlin; Tom Joyce, Chief Executive, Galway University Foundation; Mayo Pink Ribbon Patron Enda Kenny; Marita Staunton, Ann Gannon Smith, and John Feerick, Mayo Pink Ribbon Comm; and Fionnuala Kenny. Photograph by Martina Regan.

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN BUSINESS NEWS: ULSTER

[ COUNTY CAVAN ]

CAVAN CALLING SET TO DRAW VISITORS IN AUGUST [ COUNTY DONEGAL ]

Two National Heritage Week Awards for County Donegal Two Donegal Heritage Week event organisers were recognised at the National Heritage Week Awards in the Royal Irish Academy. The Hidden Heritage Award was won by historian Vincent Breslin for his event, Look-Out Post 76: An Hut ar Ghualainn an Chnoic, which explored the built and cultural heritage associated with Look-Out Post 76 at Bloody Foreland, which was constructed and occupied during “The Emergency” (1939-1945). The Heritage Communities Award was won by Rosses Radio for its Stories, Music and Traditions of Donegal event, comprising two days of heritage and pastimes-themed radio programming, bringing together heritage groups across the Rosses in west Donegal, and broadcast to Donegal diaspora worldwide. “These awards are a fitting recognition for the thought, planning and hard work that went into organising these events,” says Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer.

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avan Calling is a new homecoming festival for Cavan’s diaspora running August 20-23, 2020. The inaugural festival will be an exciting opportunity for Cavan people, those with ancestors from the Breffni County, or those with an affinity for Cavan, to come home for a weekend celebration of Cavan, its people, diaspora, culture, heritage, music, and landscape. An engaging programme of events has been lined up, with street concerts and performances, an American Wake, parade, fireworks, theatre, exhibitions, talks, ancestry events, a gala ball and much more, including the inaugural Cavan Day on Saturday, August 22. There has already been a hugely positive response to the festival since it was announced, with visitors already confirmed from across the globe, including the US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Germany and France. InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2020

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN BUSINESS NEWS: ULSTER

A820,000 Donegal Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) has approved a820,000 for 15 projects across Donegal under the LEADER Programme. Projects range from self-catering accommodation, supporting small SMEs, village development initiatives, water quality improvement, supporting family resource services and development of new tourism facilities.

Donegal Connect won Best Tourism Initiative at the All Ireland Community & Council Awards Ceremony in Croke Park. Pictured receiving the award are Garry Martin, Director of Service, Donegal County Council; Trish Hegarty, Inis Communications; Joan Crawford, Fáilte Ireland; Mary Daly, Donegal Tourism; Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Niamh Kennedy; Cllr Michael Anglim, Chairperson LAMA; and Michael Tunney, Donegal Local Enterprise Office.

[ COUNTY ANTRIM ]

Belfast City Council leading on actions to build resilient Belfast

eople from across Belfast joined the Lord Mayor to share their views on how to future-proof the city and what a resilient Belfast means to them. The event at Portview Trade Centre brought people together to give their feedback on Belfast City Council’s draft resilience strategy, currently out for public consultation. The strategy outlines three key areas for action – climate, children and young people, and connectivity. Lord Mayor of Belfast Cllr Daniel Baker says: “Our aim as a Council is to show leadership on taking the necessary actions to ensure we have a city that is resilient to future shocks and stresses – those we know are coming and can be prepared for, like the impact of climate change, and those which are unexpected.” As well as needing to ensure that the city’s infrastructure can cope with any future pressures, the draft document highlights the importance of building an economically resilient city and one that can bounce back from challenges. It also stresses the importance of addressing climate change and preparing for the impact it will have on Belfast. “Climate change has reached a point where we need to make urgent and concerted efforts to understand and prepare for its impact,” adds Cllr Baker. “Our goal is to transition Belfast to an inclusive, low carbon, climate resilient economy within a generation.”

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Enda Devine, IPB with the Clare County Council team, winner of Council of the Year and Cllr Micheal Anglim, Chairperson, LAMA

All Ireland Community and Council Awards 2020 T IPB Insurance was once again proud to be headline sponsor in partnership with the Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) of the All Ireland Community and Council Awards in Croke Park on the 15th of February.

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he awards, now in their 14th year, celebrated community and county councils working together across Ireland and focused on celebrating so many unsung heroes for their phenomenal contribution to their communities throughout the year. The event has become one of the leading national recognition awards bestowed upon many novel and progressive projects or developments that otherwise could go unacknowledged. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prestigious ceremony was hosted by popular RTĂ&#x2030; broadcaster Marty Morrissey. Over 600 participants from across Ireland gathered in a packed-out Hogan Suite at Croke Park for this much anticipated event. There were over 150 entries competing in 24 award categories, covering a wide variety of categories from Best Public Park to Best Social Enterprise. Entries were received from social enterprises,

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2020 WINNERS

BEST ARTS/CULTURE

(incl. festivals & events)

The Bingo Wings Project

BEST BUSINESS WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY Ray of Sunshine Morning & After School ltd BEST COMMUNITY BASED INITIATIVE ‘Community Car’ Age Friendly Sustainable Transport Service in Fingal BEST COMMUNITY HEALTH INITIATIVE Parkrun in West Dublin Area EST COMMUNITY B SPORTS TEAM/CLUB The Sanctuary Runners EST CONNECTED B COUNCIL

(Communication & Digital Marketing)

Monaghan Alerts

EST CSR COMMUNITY B PROGRAMME Applegreen Blossom fund EST DISABILITY B ACCESS & INCLUSION INITIATIVE Working to Make County Kildare Inclusive and Accessible to All EST EDUCATION / B TRAINING INITIATIVE Active Body Active Mind EST EDUCATIONAL B BUILDING

(Joint Winners)

New Third Level Campus for Limerick Institute of Technology in Ennis County Clare in collaboration with Clare County Council EST ENERGY SMART B INITIATIVE Kilkenny County Council – Streetlight LED Retrofit Pilot Project EST ENVIRONMENTAL/ B ECOLOGICAL PROJECT/ INITIATIVE Collaborative Action for the Natura Network (CANN) BEST HERITAGE PROJECT Cavan Townhall

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Marty Morrissey BEST LOCAL AUTHORITY INNOVATION FOR ATTRACTING INWARD INVESTMENT J17 National Enterprise Park BEST PUBLIC PARK Lough Key Forest and Activity Park BEST SOCIAL HOUSING INITIATIVE Feakle Social Housing Scheme BEST TOURISM INITIATIVE Donegal Connect BEST WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME Belturbet Zero Waste Initiative COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Sister Finbar Breslin BEST SOCIAL ENTERPRISE St Gabriel’s Orthotic Services

voluntary organisations, local enterprise projects and community-based individuals working in partnership with their local authorities. Local groups from every county and city council were represented on the night. As the mutual insurer to Ireland’s local authorities, IPB Insurance partnered with LAMA to present the awards, celebrating the unique, symbiotic relationship enjoyed by local authorities and their communities. Among the winners on the night included ‘Community Car’ Age Friendly Sustainable Transport Service in Fingal in the Best Community Based Initiative award; meanwhile, Best Business Working with the Community went to Ray of Sunshine morning and after-school nominated by Wicklow County Council. Of the local authority winners, the National Impact award went to Age Friendly Ireland local government shared service from Meath County Council, while the County Council of the Year was won by Clare County Council. The top award on the night, the Grand Prix, was awarded to Kildare County Council for their project ‘Working to Make County Kildare Inclusive and Accessible to All’. Addressing the attendees of the awards, Micheal Anglim echoed the message repeated throughout the night: “You are the people tonight is all about, the people that keep this country going through thick and thin.” A message that sums up the essence and purpose of the event. Speaking at the event, Cllr John Clendennen, IPB Insurance Board Member, acknowledged the importance of community volunteering to the Irish economy, saying, “To all our community volunteers here tonight, do not underestimate your contribution to the social and economic wellbeing of our country. According to CSO figures, it is estimated that the value of volunteering work amounts to more than €2 billion annually so it is very clear your contribution is vital to Ireland’s prosperity and social progress.” The All Ireland Community and Council Awards have gone from strength to strength and doubtless the 2021 awards will be even more competitive. The nominations for the 2021 awards will open in autumn. Further information together with the full list of winners is available on www.lamaawards.org.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSON/ TEAM OF THE YEAR Volunteers Supporting the Community COUNCIL OF THE YEAR Clare County Council GRAND PRIX AWARD Working to Make County Kildare Inclusive and Accessible to All NATIONAL IMPACT AWARD Age Friendly Ireland Local Government Shared Service

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