InBUSINESS Spring 2022 by Ashville Media Group

MENTORS SERIES

WASSIM DERGEUCH, CO-FOUNDER, FUTURE MOBILITY CAMPUS IRELAND, ON THE NEED FOR A COLLABORATIVE ECOSYSTEM

SPRING

2022

CONNECTING IRISH BUSINESS

VIDEO VISIONARY

AXONISTA’S ABILITY TO TAP INTO GLOBAL TRENDS

InBUSINESS SPRING 2022

SUPPLY &

DEMAND Tech tackling disruption

ASPONSORSHIP SPORTING CHANCE ACTIVATION RAMPING UP

€2.70

WORK-LIFE WOW FACTOR

EMMA KENNEDY, FOUNDER AND CEO OF GRAFTER: LUXURY FLEXIBLE WORKSPACES, ON PUTTING THE ‘LIFE’ BACK INTO WORK

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Editor: Sorcha Corcoran Creative Director: Jane Matthews Editorial Assistant: Eva-Marie McNamee (Chambers Ireland) Designer: Lenny Rooney Neasa Daly

Contents

Photography: iStock Photo Infographics: www.flaticon.com Production Executive: Nicole Ennis Sales Director: Diarmaid Lennon Managing Director: Gerry Tynan Chairman: Diarmaid Lennon

Published by: Ashville Media Group, Unit 55 Park West Road, Park West Industrial Park, D12 X9F9 Tel: +353 1 432 2200 Email: info@ashville.com Web: www.ashville.com

WORK-LIFE WOW FACTOR

InBUSINESS speaks to Emma Kennedy, Founder and CEO, Grafter: Luxury Flexible Workspaces on its high-end buildings and unique work-lifestyle offering.

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 All articles © Ashville Media Group 2022. 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

COVER STORY:

Industry Latest developments in commercial property in light of the return to offices

Words: Eithne Dunne

Entrepreneur Claire McHugh, Co-founder and CEO of Axonista, which is achieving global success with interactive video

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

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In Association with

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SOCIAL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT FUND 2018 - 2021

4 YEARS OF IMPACT

752

Applications Received

112

Social enterprises supported

Supported social enterprises in 31 Local Authority areas

16,507 Volunteers mobilised

270K+

209

Jobs have been created within the sector

Services delivered to people throughout Ireland

512

People supported into employment

Rethink Ireland would like to thank Local Authorities Ireland, IPB Insurance and the Department of Rural and Community Development for their continued support of this Fund.

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Contents Go to chambers.ie for the online edition

MENTORS:

Wassim Dergeuch

[LIFESTYLE] 84 INNOVATION Modern solutions for hybrid working

SMALL BUSINESS

Followers of fashion

88 PODCASTS Coach James Rankin and the Buacast podcast

Thriftify is on a mission to put charity

shops at the forefront of sustainable fashion

[REGULARS]

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Business News

The Hot Topic

Opportunity Ireland

Start-up Central

Keen on Green

37 SnapChat 43 Movers & Shakers 45 Chambers Catch Up

Co-founder and COO of Future Mobility Campus Ireland Wassim Dergeuch shares his insights on advancing the future of transport

Words: Sorcha Corcoran

INNOVATION & TECH How tech developed in Ireland can help with global supply chain disruption

MEDIA & MARKETING John Trainor, Founder and CEO of Onside, discusses the rising levels of sponsorship activity

13/04/2022 15:57

BUSINESS NEWS

Integrity360 makes UK acquisition

“When our members come through the door, we want them to feel that it’s a home away from home. “

Irish-headquartered cybersecurity specialist Integrity360 is acquiring UK cybersecurity services provider Caretower. Following the acquisition, Integrity360 expects to achieve revenues of over €85m in 2022. The two organisations share many of the same partnerships with the world’s leading cybersecurity equipment and software manufacturers and have 1,500 customers between them. “With over 300 employees, including 200 cybersecurity engineers, analysts, consultants and specialists, the enhanced group provides a one-stop shop for business organisations for all their cybersecurity needs,” said Ian Brown, Executive Chairman at Integrity360. “In a world where security threats to businesses are increasing daily, having a trusted cybersecurity partner has become a critical boardroom issue.”

Ian Brown, Executive Chairman, Integrity360

AMERICAN APPROVAL

COVER STORY PAGE 20

Emma Kennedy, Founder and CEO, Grafter: Luxury Flexible Workspaces

More than 95% of US multinationals have a positive view of Ireland as an investment location, according to a survey of American Chamber of Commerce Ireland members.

Manufacturing boost for Limerick

Minister Niall Collins with John Fitzgibbon, Johnson & Johnson Vision in Ireland and Mary Buckley, IDA Ireland

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Johnson & Johnson Vision is to invest €35m in its facility in Limerick, with the potential to create up to 200 new jobs over the next three years, including in construction. Currently employing 1,600 people, the site in Limerick is one of the organisation’s largest manufacturing operations for its contact lens business. “Nearly 2.2 billion people around the world face impaired vision and around 200 million people worldwide suffer vision impairment or blindness caused by cataract or uncorrected refractive error,” said John Fitzgibbon, Operations Director, Johnson & Johnson Vision in Ireland. “With the growth of our manufacturing operations in Limerick we are committed to changing these statistics, helping to solve a lifetime of eye health needs with our intraocular lenses.”

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BUSINESS NEWS

Digital drive at BofI up a gear Bank of Ireland is looking to hire 100 technology professionals to further accelerate the delivery of its digital agenda. “Banking is changing fast. Last year alone, our mobile app log-ins grew 63% compared with 2020. We processed 244 million contactless transactions, up 43%. And 94% of our everyday product applications are now digitised,” said Eimear Harty, HR Director, Group Technology & Customer Solutions. “These new roles will further support our progress and momentum as we build a world-class, diverse technology team.” Applicants can be based anywhere on the island of Ireland, working from a combination of home and central office locations, and with access to 11 remote working hubs.

CARBON NEUTRALITY

A DataSolutions survey reveals that while 78% of tech companies have plans to achieve carbon neutrality, 65% have not yet measured their carbon footprint.

PICTURE

Guinness is undertaking an ambitious regenerative agriculture pilot focused on highlighting opportunities for reducing the carbon emissions of barley production. Pictured are Grainne Wafer, Guinness Global Brand Director, Diageo Ireland and Walter Furlong, Cooney Furlong Grain, Co Wexford.

THIS FEMALE FOUNDERS

Last year funding into female-founded start-ups surged 120% to reach a record €230m, according to a TechIreland report published to coincide with International Women’s Day.

FIBRE BROADBAND

New data published by Comreg has revealed that fibre-to-the-premises technology in the Irish market is now on a par with cable broadband subscribers for the first time.

SHIFT TOWARDS IRISH E-COMMERCE

Maeve Dorman, Senior Vice President, PayPal

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Irish consumers increased their average spend on websites based in Ireland by 41% to €503 in 2021 – more than the average spend on international sites, which was €329, according to PayPal’s Retail Trends & Spends Study. The study highlighted the increasing appetite for online shopping, with 62% of Irish people revealing they plan to shop online more this year. “It’s great to see how Irish people are prioritising their online spending on Irish businesses,” said Maeve Dorman, Senior Vice President at PayPal. “Regardless of where we buy from though, it’s clear that online shopping has become a critical convenience for Irish people, not only during the pandemic but as part of our regular, busy lives.”

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BUSINESS NEWS

ONUS ON BUSINESS TO IMPROVE SOCIETY The 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer Ireland survey has revealed that the general population views employers and the Government as the most believable information sources, with 65% of respondents believing information from employers after seeing it twice or less. However, 72% of those surveyed feel government and business should work closely to solve social issues. “The findings show by a huge margin that there is an expectation for business to engage more, not less, to address societal challenges such as climate change. Trust served us well during the pandemic, but it requires constant renewal if it is to serve us well post-crisis,” said Joe Carmody, CEO, Edelman Ireland.

David Walsh, Chairman, and Sarah-Jane O’Dwyer, CEO, HaloCare Group

HaloCare Group appoints new CEO Carlow-headquartered start-up HaloCare Group has announced changes to its senior management team as it looks to expand in Ireland and internationally. Current CEO and Co-Founder David Walsh, one of Ireland’s most prominent entrepreneurs, is to become the company’s first Chairman while Sarah-Jane O’Dwyer has been appointed CEO. “In the 12 months since our foundation, we have crystalised our offering and have no doubt that HaloCare’s eldercare assistive technologies will transform the delivery of safe, patient-centred care to senior people,” said Walsh. “Sarah-Jane is bringing over 20 years’ experience in leading and advising international private and public health care organisations across Europe and the Middle East to the group.”

AVAILABILITY OF FLEXIBLE WORK ROLES ON THE RISE IDA’s recently published Labour Market Pulse in partnership with Microsoft and LinkedIn has revealed that nearly one-fifth of Irish job postings on LinkedIn in December offered the option of remote work, up from one in seven postings the previous quarter. This represents a 118% increase year-on-year, placing Ireland second highest for the availability of flexible work roles across eight markets monitored by LinkedIn. “It is very much a jobseeker’s market. In order to continue to attract the best talent, employers need to continue to offer the same level of flexibility that people have become accustomed to over the past two years,” said Sharon McCooey, Head of LinkedIn Ireland.

GREEN LIGHT FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Andrew Edwards, Managing Director, Go-Ahead Ireland, Lorraine Gibney, Go-Ahead Ireland and Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan

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Go-Ahead Ireland is seeking to recruit 180 staff in line with its ongoing expansion and to meet the requirements of the implementation of the new BusConnects network redesign in Dublin. Appointed by the National Transport Authority in 2018, the public transport provider’s total workforce in Ireland will be close to 800 people across all functions once the new hires are made. It currently operates 25 Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area routes, and five Dublin commuter routes, with a fleet of over 200 buses. The company also operates services on the recently launched ‘C-Spine’ BusConnects network. “This is an important milestone for Go-Ahead Ireland. Since entering the market, we have steadily increased our presence,” said Managing Director Andrew Edwards.

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TOP TRENDS

RUSH ON RECRUITMENT

THE HOT TOPIC

According to research released by

Talent Shortages

Hays Ireland, 91% of employers faced recruitment problems in the past 12 months. Of those surveyed, 50% said skills shortages have impacted productivity, while 30% said business growth and expansion also suffered as a result. One fifth of respondents identified skills shortages as undermining profitability. Competition from other employers was cited by 68% as being the primary reason for their recruitment difficulties. Other reasons were a shortage of new talent entering their industry, individuals leaving to work in other industries and people moving to other geographical regions. Over the next 12 months, 84% of employers intend to take on new people, representing the highest level of recruitment activity in

Commentary and findings on the latest skills and recruitment trends impacting Irish businesses

five years, Hays Ireland notes.

“This year has gotten off to a particularly heated start. All indications so far are that talent shortages will be a major threat to the Irish economy in 2022 with double-digit wage inflation across all sectors. Demand for talent remained at an all-time high throughout 2021 across all sectors. Job placements in December were the highest for the same period in our 20-year history, going against the typical seasonal trend of pre-Christmas abatement, but rather accelerated right through the month. Current demand for both permanent and temporary talent is unprecedented, indicating continued growth at a similar trajectory for the first half of 2022 at least.”

Robert Mac Giolla Phádraig

Robert Mac Giolla Phádraig, Founding Director and Chief Commercial Officer, Sigmar, commenting on a record number of job placements by the recruitment firm for 2021, up 48% on the previous year.

Work permit challenge While globalisation allows for a larger pool of potential employees, 23% of Irish companies say that their growth over the next 12 months will be hindered as a result of difficulties in securing work permits, while 23% also pointed to the lengthening processing time for non-resident employees. This is according to the latest Grant Thornton International Business Report, which found that 63% of Irish businesses report access to a skilled workforce as a significant constraint to the growth and development of their business; a notable increase on the 37% of businesses that reported the same in the first half of 2021.

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JOB CREATION COMPANY: Analog Devices COMPANY: Kneat SECTOR: Software solutions LOCATION: Limerick

SECTOR: Semiconductors

LOCATION: Limerick

ANNOUNCEMENT: Analog Devices is to create 250 jobs in the Irish market by 2025 as part of a €100m investment in ADI Catalyst, a 100,000 sq ft facility for innovation and collaboration at its campus in Raheen Business Park in Limerick.

COMPANY: Ultra Clean Holdings SECTOR: Services LOCATION: Cavan

ANNOUNCEMENT: A developer of validation solutions for the life sciences industry, Kneat is to create up to 100 new jobs with the opening of its new office in Limerick. The new roles will be in sales and marketing, R&D and customer success.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Ultra Clean Holdings is to establish an advanced technology cleaning centre in Cavan, creating 100 jobs when fully operational. The centre will provide ultra-high purity tool chamber parts cleaning and coating, as well as analytical services to chip makers and equipment providers.

OpportunityIRELAND InBusiness highlights some of the companies that are expanding operations and generating new employment opportunities across the country.

COMPANY: Concentrix SECTOR: CX solutions LOCATION: Co Donegal

COMPANY: Okta

ANNOUNCEMENT: Customer experience solutions and technology provider Concentrix is to create 50 remote working roles, initially focusing on Co Donegal. Employing over 4,300 people across the island of Ireland, Concentrix has offices Dublin, Belfast and Derry.

SECTOR: Technology LOCATION: Dublin

COMPANY: Gaeltec Utilities

SECTOR: Utility contracting

ANNOUNCEMENT: Further to securing significant contracts in the utility sector, Gaeltec Utilities is to create 150 new jobs, mostly at its Kilkenny HQ. Overall, 60 of the 150 new roles will support SIRO, the fibre broadband roll-out joint venture between ESB and Vodafone.

Pandemic effect on office jobs Almost half (48%) of Irish workers believe the pandemic has improved job opportunities, according to survey results released by Auxilion. Conducted by Censuswide and involving around 1,000 office workers in Ireland, the survey also found that 22% of respondents started and finished a job during the pandemic. The top reason respondents left their last job was because a better opportunity arose (32%). The other main drivers were cited as insufficient salary (29%), wanting a change (28%) and poor management (26%).

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LOCATION: Kilkenny

ANNOUNCEMENT: Okta is to open a new office in Dublin’s Docklands in April, with plans to create 200 new jobs there by 2024. Its cloud-based solutions are used by over 15,000 organisations to help protect the identity of their workforces and customers.

“The expectations of workers are high and have changed dramatically because of the pandemic. The job landscape has also completely opened up and is even more fluid than before.” Niamh Cray, Head of People and Talent, Auxilion InBUSINESS InB USINESS | SPRING 2022

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Skills to Advance Make skills work for you

Developing Leaders for Hospitality and Tourism Boost the retention and development of key talent Avail of highly subsidised training for enterprise Contact your local Education and Training Board or visit skillstoadvance.ie

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START-UPS

NEW €90M FUND FOR EARLY-STAGE START-UPS

NEWS, VIEWS AND PROFILES ON THE LATEST START-UPS IN IRELAND

63%

of companies feel Ireland is a better place to start a business than five years ago, according to early responses to the TechIreland Innovation Island Pulse 2022 survey.

HOW IT ALL STARTED

The Government has launched a new €90m fund for Irish start-ups, prioritising areas such as climate change and female entrepreneurship. The Irish Innovation Seed Fund Programme will provide capital to innovative Irish companies at the seed stage. It brings together three partners, each allocating up to €30m – the European Investment Fund, Enterprise Ireland and the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund participating as a coinvestor. “We’re looking for companies working in a number of areas we’ve identified as strategic opportunities for Ireland but have traditionally struggled in attracting earlystage investment,” said An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar.

CHARLIE GLEESON, CEO AND FOUNDER, ZIPP MOBILITY How have you funded the business to date?

We have raised over €2.1m from private individuals/angel investors, a venture capital fund, Enterprise Ireland, as well as a crowdfunding campaign run through the Spark platform.

What’s the best advice you have been given?

To be patient. It is a long time from ideation to actually launching. Patience is key to make sure you’re making the right long-term decisions for the business.

What was the most important lesson you learned starting out?

I’ve certainly had to learn to delegate. There has been great learning in hiring a team that complements my own strengths and weaknesses.

Your biggest make or break moment?

Winning our very first licence in the UK’s scooter-sharing trials in 2020 was a huge moment for the business. It legitimised the early work we had done to build our vision of ‘mobility done right’ and enabled us to convince councils to choose us over our much larger incumbent competitors.

Is there anything you would change in hindsight?

I would have started thinking bigger, earlier. We only looked internationally when university campuses, where we had secured our very first trials, closed due to the pandemic. Now that we’ve launched internationally, our confidence in our ability to scale is much higher.

Company: Zipp Mobility, founded in 2019 Location: NovaUCD, Belfield Innovation Park, Dublin Product: Ireland’s leading micromobility provider Staff: 25 Website: https://www.zippmobility.com/

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INTEREST RISING IN ANGEL INVESTMENT Halo Business Angel Network (HBAN) business angels have invested an average of €200,000 each in start-ups on the island of Ireland, with the majority preferring to invest as part of a syndicate, rather than alone. The survey of 114 HBAN investors revealed that the average angel has invested in 6.3 companies and the industries that attracted the largest number of angel investors in the past 12 months were ICT, fintech, medtech and life sciences. Angels will continue their interest in these sectors this year, while also considering sectors including engineering, manufacturing and electronics; food, beverages and agriculture; and business services.

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START-UPS

Raymond Heneghan, CEO and Co-founder, Izario; Jack Cotter and Nick Cotter, Co-founders, Cotter Agritech and Dr Jerome O’Connell, MD and Co-founder, ProvEye

First crop of UCD agritech winners

Equal1 in acceleration mode Chief Operating Officer of Equal1 Laboratories (Equal1) Jason Lynch has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer of the company so that Co-founder Dr Dirk Leipold can focus on accelerating development of its quantumenhanced processor technology in the role of President. With research and development teams based at NovaUCD in Dublin and Silicon Valley, California, Equal1 has secured a total of €20m investment to date through the European Innovation Council and a venture capital funding round. Leipold founded Equal1 with Mike Asker and Prof Robert Bogdan Staszewski as a spin-out from University College Dublin with the aim of addressing a major challenge for the quantum computing industry: to scale the number of qubits so that a quantum computer can tackle real-world problems.

Prof Robert Bogdan Staszewski and Dr Dirk Leipold, Co-founders, Equal1

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Paul McCarthy, Founder, Snapfix

NE TO WATCH: SNAPFIX

Cotter Agritech, ProvEye and Izario were announced as the winners of the inaugural AgTechUCD Accelerator Programme in January, scooping the titles of AgTech Start-up 2022, Most Innovative AgTech Start-up 2022 and One to Watch 2022, respectively. A Limerick-based start-up, Cotter Agritech was founded by brothers Jack and Nick Cotter with a vision of dramatically reducing chemical use in agriculture while improving productivity and profitability. UCD spin-out ProvEye uses first-to-market intellectual property to process and analyse UAV and satellite imagery to obtain insights into the efficiency and sustainability of the agricultural industry. Meanwhile, Izario has developed an autonomous robot that operates in broiler-breeder and commercial egg-laying hen barns.

Founded in 2019 by Paul McCarthy, Snapfix has developed a maintenance platform “as simple to use as WhatsApp”, allowing users to share photos and messages relating to tasks to be completed and issues to be resolved. The software solution is being used as in various settings, including hotels and manufacturing facilities. “The management and maintenance of buildings is a massive global problem, with many still using old and inefficient solutions, including pen and paper. Snapfix is mobile-first, with a relentless focus on simplicity, instantly turning every building into a ‘smart building,” says McCarthy. Snapfix recently secured €1.75m in funding, backed by US investment group Sator Grove Holdings. The investment will be used for further technical development and international expansion, particularly in the UK and US where progress has already been made. “Over time, we believe the reach of the company and its products is almost limitless,” says Paul Buser, Co-Founder and CoCEO of Sator Grove Holdings.

31/03/2022 12:40

EXPERT ADVICE

Creating a Seamless and Secure Technology Environment Facing up to the challenge of the new hybrid working model, Cisco Meraki technologies allow staff to do their jobs securely from the office or at home, writes Jack Michelmore.

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Jack Michelmore, Territory Account Manager, Cisco Meraki

they are. They want to choose their devices and require them to connect quickly and effectively to corporate networks, assets, and authorised partners. It is the responsibility of leadership to deliver these capabilities and more.

HYBRID CHALLENGES The key challenges for technology leaders to keep in mind when making decisions around hybrid work include: network security and cybersecurity, maintaining company culture, onboarding new team members, upgrading and updating applications, and technical support. Increasingly business users want the same procedures and tools to access networks and data, wherever

KEY FEATURES To meet these requirements, Cisco Meraki technologies offer a number of key features and advantages. With Rapid-Fire Security, configuring and connecting Meraki VPNs takes mere seconds. Recognising the popularity of ‘bring your own device’ (BYOD) policies in the workplace, Cisco Meraki technologies make it simple to provision, monitor, and secure devices via one intuitive dashboard. Real-Time monitoring provides visibility and transparency across the network and devices while advanced analytics deliver actionable insight into business-critical applications and network links. It also offers native integration for service management and trouble tickets, which boosts productivity. Secure Next-Generation Wi-Fi ensures all touchpoints get online quickly and easily. Open APIs allow an ecosystem of partners to develop applications for vertical and horizontal use-cases. When thinking specifically about returning to the corporate

usiness leaders in 2022 are faced with the enormous challenge of making sure that staff can do their jobs safely, and securely, from either the office or at home. According to one survey, only 11% of businesses expect to have all staff back to the office on a full-time basis; this means IT leaders need to create a technology environment for staff that is seamless and secure on a network infrastructure which is ready for the next challenge. While there are many benefits to adopting a hybrid work model— including improved employee satisfaction, the opportunity to employ a more diverse team, easier to recruit and retain staff, reduced real estate costs and enhanced productivity—there are also challenges associated with this new way of working.

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EXPERT ADVICE

office, it’s imperative businesses question how the use of their network and physical spaces will differ drastically compared to prepandemic. It’s crucial now that high performing and secure connectivity is available to everyone, particularly with the increased use of conference calling platforms. This requires the assessment of physical spaces to expand available hot desks and rooms for hybrid workers. It’s also equally as important to combine onpremises and cloud security systems to enable responses to intruders and cyber security threats. PRODUCT PORTFOLIO As a full stack vendor, Cisco Meraki can help businesses achieve all of these objectives with our expansive product portfolio: ● Cisco Meraki Wi-Fi6 Access Points: Next generation Wi-Fi6 access points are key to managing all the demands hybrid workers will put on your wireless network. ● Cisco Meraki Next Generation Firewalls: Ensure end-to-end security via VPN and access Cisco’s industry leading security services. ● Cisco Meraki Smart IOT Devices: Creating smart spaces with MV cameras and MT environmental sensors. For nearly two years IT leaders have had to ensure their colleagues can work efficiently and securely from home. Now with staff beginning to return to the office, there is the additional difficulty of enabling people to work seamlessly both in the office and from home from one day to the next. This creates myriad challenges, particularly providing complete connectivity and coverage for multiple locations and devices, finding alternatives to on-site onboarding procedures for new employees, and overcoming the complexity of integrating physical and network security.

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WITH STAFF BEGINNING TO RETURN TO THE OFFICE, THERE IS THE ADDITIONAL DIFFICULTY OF ENABLING PEOPLE TO WORK SEAMLESSLY BOTH IN THE OFFICE AND FROM HOME FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT. Cisco Meraki also has a range of products which addresses these specific challenges: ● Cisco Meraki Z3 Teleworker Device: Optimise connectivity and deliver to experiences of next-gen Wi-FI with the Z3 teleworker gateway. ● Cisco Meraki Systems Manager: Securing devices and data at scale while also accelerating onboarding by automating provisioning. ● Cisco Meraki Insight: Gain complete transparency across your network performance.

For more useful information make sure you check out Cisco Meraki’s excellent Hybrid Workforce Guide here and the company’s equally excellent remote work resources at meraki.cisco.com/remotework-resources/ For enquiries email: ireland.Cisco@exertis.com

SCAN ME

There are many considerations for business leaders around hybrid work, and each organisation will have their own unique requirements. Cisco Meraki’s full stack, intuitive platform is the foundation that can allow businesses of all sizes to create and support productive hybrid workforces at scale.

07/04/2022 15:36

SUSTAINABILITY

InBUSINESS

KICKING FORWARD WITH SOLAR PLANS Munster Rugby is seeking planning permission for a 400kW peak solar installation at Musgrave Park in Cork as part of a 10-year partnership with Pinergy. Last November, Munster Rugby became one of a number of signatories to the Sports for Climate Action Framework, which is run by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The club has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2040. Pinergy already supplies 100% renewable energy to Munster’s Thomond Park and Musgrave Park. “This solar photovoltaic project is a significant milestone on our sustainability journey as we look to become one of the most sustainable clubs in world rugby,” said Ian Flanagan, Munster Rugby Chief Executive Officer.

GREEN TALK

Former Munster and Ireland International Niamh Briggs

Energy transmission imperative A fully-connected, pan-European energy transmission system could reduce energy costs by 32% compared to a ‘businessas-usual’ approach, according to a study by University College Dublin’s (UCD) Energy Institute and commissioned by SuperNode – the tech development company founded by Eddie O’Connor in 2018. The study evaluated the capabilities of Europe’s transmission system based on the ‘SuperNode Energy Scenario for Europe 2050’. It found that removing the restrictions on power flows would allow the location of renewable generation to be optimised – which would significantly reduce the total installed capacity. “The existing transmission system is not fit for purpose for Europe’s energy future,” said Prof Andrew Keane, Director, UCD Energy Institute. “The imperative to keep the lights on and the requirements of the energy transition make it clear that a more advanced approach to transmission is required.”

Prof Andrew Keane, Director, UCD Energy Institute

HP Inc has introduced an initiative in Ireland called HP Amplify Impact as part of its goal to become “the most sustainable and just technology company by 2030”. Launched a year ago in California, it’s an assessment, resource and training programme, which provides partners with the opportunity to join HP in its efforts to generate meaningful impact on climate action, human rights and digital equity.

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Ireland’s Environment Ireland’s

An Integrated Assessment 2020

Environment

The EPA’s seventh state An Integrated Assessment 2020 of the environment report is out now.

The EPA has called for a The EPA’s seventh seventh state state The EPA’s decade of action in the of the environment environment of the 2020s as report outoverall now. report isisthe out now. quality of Ireland’s

The TheEPA EPAhas hascalled calledfor a environment is not decade of action in the for a decade of action what it should be, 2020s the overall in theas2020s as the and the outlook is quality Ireland’s overallof quality of not optimistic unless environment is not Ireland’s environment we accelerate action. what itwhat should be, is not it should and the outlook is be, and the outlook not optimistic unless is not optimistic unless we accelerate action. we accelerate action.

Read the report, Ireland’s Environment: An Integrated Assessment 2020 or

Read Ireland’s Environment: An Integrated Assessment view the thereport, accompanying video, Key Messages or eBook. Visit: 2020 or view the accompanying video, Key Messages or eBook. https://www.epa.ie/irelandsenvironment/stateoftheenvironmentreport/ Read the report, Ireland’s Environment: An Integrated Assessment 2020 or Visit: https://www.epa.ie/irelandsenvironment/stateoftheenvironmentreport view the accompanying video, Key Messages or eBook. Visit: https://www.epa.ie/irelandsenvironment/stateoftheenvironmentreport/ www.epa.ie #SOER2020 #stateoftheenvironment2020 www.epa.ie #SOER2020 #stateoftheenvironment2020 Untitled-8 1 1C_EPA_Lama Awards 2021 Brochure_ND_V1.indd 1

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RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION

Next-generation

Collaboration

Latest developments among multinationals, SMEs, start-ups and academia highlight that Ireland continues to be a hotbed for research, development and innovation of global relevance.

key feature of meaningful foreign direct investment (FDI) is when multinational operations become embedded in a location, particularly through dedicated research and development (R&D) activity. This is something which has been evident in Ireland for years now and the trend is continuing in 2022.

CEO of IDA Ireland Martin Shanahan noted recently that of the 249 investments made in 2021, 104 were from new-name investors coming to Ireland for the first time and that this, along with a significant investment in R&D, demonstrates “a level of future-proofing of FDI”. One of the most significant announcements this year was from semiconductor company Analog

Devices, which is to invest €100m over the next three years in ADI Catalyst. Located at its campus in the Raheen Business Park in Limerick, ADI Catalyst is a state-of-the-art, 100,000 sq ft, custombuilt facility for innovation and collaboration. It is essentially a collaboration accelerator where ecosystems of Analog Devices customers, business partners and suppliers engage with ADI to rapidly develop industry-leading solutions. “ADI is our latest investment in the future of innovation, not just in Ireland or Europe, but globally. It provides the ideal environment for experts in their fields to connect, collaborate, test and pilot new technologies, business models and ecosystems,” said Vincent Roche, President and CEO of Analog Devices. “Opening ADI Catalyst enables us to share ideas, capabilities and resources with teams in Europe and around the world for the greater good.” The 250 jobs that will be created with this investment will primarily focus on the development of software-enabled solutions and artificial intelligence (AI) innovations in areas such as Industry 4.0, sustainable energy, automotive electrification and next-generation connectivity.

Vince Roche, President and Chief Executive Officer at Analog Devices

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RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION

For example, one of Catalyst’s projects at the moment is focused on supporting the migration of healthcare from a mass-market approach to one of customised treatment and therapies. ADI is working closely with its customers and their wider ecosystem to create modular manufacturing systems that enable the rapid changeover of production lines needed for personalised treatments. PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS Also in the healthcare space, global player Medtronic recently announced it is to support research into ventilator supply chains and pandemic preparedness in partnership with Science Foundation Ireland’s (SFI) Insight Research Centre for Data Analytics. This critical project is led by Insight and the global health team in the School of Medicine and School of Nursing at NUI Galway. One of the largest healthcare technology companies in the world, Medtronic rapidly multiplied its production of ventilators at its facility in Galway to meet global demand during the pandemic. The company released full specifications of one of its ventilator designs in a bid to overcome global shortages. The new collaborative project will analyse the performance of ventilator supply chains over the past two years and develop tools to enhance supply chain resilience for health emergencies to come. It involves a €300,000 investment by Medtronic. “Events of the past two years have demonstrated the absolute necessity for investing in projects like this to ensure that we are prepared for future pandemics,” said Prof Noel O’Connor, CEO of Insight. Fidelity Investments is another multinational strengthening its Irish research capability through investing in collaborations with Insight. The centre’s researchers are working on three separate Fidelity projects in sites at NUI Galway and Dublin City University focusing on knowledge graphs, natural language inference and computer vision. As Ireland is the eighth-largest exporter of financial services in the world, R&D collaborations serve to strengthen the relationship between Ireland and the global companies that work here. EXCELLENT ECOSYSTEM “The ecosystem in Ireland provides a unique opportunity for mutually beneficial collaboration between business and academic centres such as Insight. The combination of business and research expertise is truly symbiotic in surfacing progressive, applied opportunities,” said Lorna Martyn, Fidelity Investments Ireland’s Senior Vice President and Head of Technology. InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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Ricardo Simon Carbajo, Head of Innovation and Development, CeADAR, Leo Clancy, CEO, Enterprise Ireland and Mitchell O’Gorman, CEO, xWave Technologies

“ADI CATALYST PROVIDES THE IDEAL ENVIRONMENT FOR EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELDS TO CONNECT, COLLABORATE, TEST AND PILOT NEW TECHNOLOGIES, BUSINESS MODELS AND ECOSYSTEMS.” INDIGENOUS ACTIVITY At the end of March, indigenous telecoms and financial services R&D company Zinkworks announced the establishment of a software engineering hub in the CoLab facility on the Letterkenny Institute of Technology campus in Co Donegal. Founded in 2018, Zinkworks employs 180 people at its head office in Athlone, Co Westmeath. Its focus is primarily in telecommunications R&D, particularly on 5G, which involves working with leading clients and delivering its own portfolio of products to market. The Letterkenny hub will provide software development services, including 5G network consulting, 5G network deployment, telecommunications R&D and ICT consultancy. It will create 50 new jobs over the next 18 months. There is plenty of innovation activity of global interest going on in the Irish start-up community as well. For example, Healthtech start-up xWave Technologies is to start an innovation project with CeADAR, Ireland’s Centre for Applied AI at University College Dublin. Funded through the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership Programme, the project will research the use of AI to predict the best medical diagnostic test for a patient based on a range of input data. “It is estimated that 30% of the world’s data is being generated by healthcare alone. xWave and CeADAR have identified a way to use AI and machine learning to unlock some of this data to ensure that patients are getting referred for the best test for them,” said Mitchell O’Gorman, CEO, xWave Technologies. “This research will support the development of the next generation of clinical decision support systems, delivering hyperpersonalised recommendations to achieve xWave’s mission of ensuring that patients get the best test first.”

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

Making the most of the RDTC The R&D tax credit is a valuable tax-based incentive that’s designed to encourage investment in R&D by SMEs and larger companies alike. KPMG’s Ken Hardy explains what SMEs can do to get the most out of it and how it could be improved.

&D drives significant economic growth in the Irish economy, not only in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical devices sectors, but also in ICT, heavy and light engineering, food, drink and other related areas. As a result, it’s critical for companies conducting R&D to be aware of the valuable R&D Tax Credits (RDTC) and claim what they are entitled, to support further growth and potential in their business. The Irish RDTC plays a vital role in providing SMEs with additional funding for their R&D activities. It provides companies with up to 25% of their R&D

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expenditure as a tax credit or as cash (subject to certain conditions being met). This 25% credit is made available in addition to the 12.5% corporation tax which currently exists for all companies operating in Ireland. In essence, companies may be entitled to a net subsidy of 37.5% (ie 12.5% corporation tax deduction + 25% R&D tax credit). ‘VALLEY OF DEATH’ The process whereby an innovative idea is translated into a profitable endeavour is often a lengthy and challenging process. It requires a significant investment in personnel and infrastructure. In industries that

are highly regulated, development of new products and systems can take even longer to achieve. SMEs, in particular, are exposed to the dreaded ‘valley of death’ in the development cycle, a critical period where the probability of failure is highest and attracting funding is at its most critical and difficult to come by. RD&I grants can be leveraged from the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to support companies during this critical phase, as well as RDTC funding from the Revenue Commissioners. DO SMES CLAIM THEIR FAIR SHARE OF RDTCS? We often find that SMEs are unaware they qualify for the RDTC, or if they are claiming, that they are not claiming their full entitlement. In 2019, the latest year for which statistics are available, the Irish Government supported businesses with €626 million in RDTC funding (cost to the Exchequer) and SMEs accounted for the significant majority of the claims made (89%), but only a fraction of the total RDTC funding provided (28%). It’s important to bear in mind that two thirds of claims made each year are for €100,000 or less (ie

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

1,080 claims out of 1,601 in 2019) and 80% of claims are for €200,000 or less (1,270 out of 1,601 claims in 2019). So, there are a large volume of relatively low value RDTC claims being made by SMEs each year. It’s also important to note that while the RDTC is a cost to our Exchequer, it is also a pull factor for companies considering coming to Ireland and for existing companies considering expanding their reach. Encouraging investment in R&D and the use of new technologies and innovations is also important for society as we grapple with challenges such as climate change, housing issues and greater demands on health services. WHY ARE SMES NOT SUBMITTING MORE CLAIMS AND LARGER CLAIMS? We often find that SMEs believe that there is a significant staff burden and cost in claiming the RDTC and as result, are discouraged from claiming it. This does not necessarily need to be the case. If the appropriate systems are established at the outset of the R&D project, the information required to meet what the Revenue call the ‘Accounting Test’ and the ‘Science Test’ should fall out in a reasonably straightforward manner – it’s all about planning for the claim. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MAKE THE RDTC MORE ACCESSIBLE TO SMES?

The Irish RDTC is competitive and compares well with similar reliefs in other jurisdictions. However, it could be improved and made more accessible to SMEs, with limited cost to the Exchequer. Modest improvements, as outlined below, would be impactful, and at a modest and controllable cost:

The Finance Act 2019 proposed a regime for small and micro companies, however it ran into a number of challenges from the European Commission and did not proceed. The suggestions we are making above should however be acceptable, as the measures would be available to all eligible taxpayers.

● Increasing the RDTC rate from 25% to 35%, for all qualifying R&D expenditure up to a threshold of say €500,000, with the existing 25% rate applying to all expenditure in excess of that ● Increasing the existing outsourcing restrictions from 15% of all qualifying R&D expenditure, or €100,000 whichever is the greater, to say 25% of all qualifying R&D expenditure up to a threshold of €300,000, whichever is the greater. This would particularly benefit smaller innovative businesses that would not have resources for substantial onsite R&D activities ● An acceptance that rent and other general overheads, which are a significant drain on cash for SMEs and which are a necessary cost for carrying out the R&D work, be treated as qualifying R&D expenditure, subject to a

WHAT SHOULD SMES DO BEFORE CLAIMING RDTCS? Get informed. The RDTC is a valuable source of funding and just like many other areas of business, appropriate time and effort will need to be invested in making a claim. Taking advice at the right time can however make your time investment more efficient and targeted to maintaining the right types of records and evidence from the get-go. Also, it is a tax relief, and SMEs should expect that the Revenue Commissioners may want to understand the details of their claims. It’s a good idea to factor this into your claim preparation process, so that you are ready to share the relevant details when needed. This is a specialist area and SMEs should ensure that they and their advisors fully understand and document thoroughly the Accounting Test and Science Test mentioned earlier. This can be a complex area and professional judgement and experience are often necessary. KPMG recognised the importance of this specialism in 2004 when we established our dedicated R&D Tax Credit practice – a multidisciplinary practice comprising of finance, tax professionals, scientists and engineers who exclusively work

capped amount ● A new provision should be introduced to allow SMEs claim the credit before trading begins, allowing more SMEs to see an earlier return on R&D investments.

on RDTC claims. Our SME team have filed RDTC for companies of every size and scale and in all industry sectors.

Ken Hardy, Tax Partner and R&D Incentives Practice Leader, KPMG Ireland

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Find out more at kpmg.ie Ken Hardy is a Tax Partner and R&D Incentives Practice Leader, KPMG in Ireland

14/04/2022 14:08

COVER STORY

Work-life

Factor WOW W

Emma Kennedy founded Grafter: Luxury Flexible Workspaces in 2021 with a vision to establish Ireland’s first work-lifestyle brand. With two beautifully restored Georgian buildings in Dublin, the business is already proving that its unique offering is just what the market needs – to bring the ‘life’ back into work.

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hen Emma Kennedy was developing the concept behind Grafter, one thing that was really important to her was that it wouldn’t be simply about taking high-end buildings onto the market. “Absolutely I wanted to provide the same high service levels as other flexible workspace operators, but I wanted to take it in a different direction – focusing on the fact that people should be able to work and thrive both inside and outside the office,” she says. “With the challenges of working from home during the pandemic, I could see there was a need for people to connect in a meaningful way and have different places to bond.” “With the challenges of A partnership secured with leading leisure and working from home during hospitality brand Press Up Hospitality Group in the pandemic, I could see there was a need for Spring 2021 was key to turning this keen observation people to connect in a into a tangible offering, unique to the flexible meaningful way and have workspace market in Ireland. It means that members different places to bond.” occupying its two Dublin City Centre locations – Forty-One Leeson Street and Ten Ely Place – gain access to 65 different venues throughout Dublin and Ireland for meetings, events, entertainment and leisure at exclusive preferential rates. These include The Grayson and Angelina’s restaurants, Dean Hotels, Power Gym facilities and the iconic Stella Cinemas in Rathmines and Ranelagh.

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Emma Kennedy, Founder and CEO, Grafter: Luxury Flexible Workspaces

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COVER STORY

“We want to tailor solutions to every member, from the office space itself right up to helping to navigate the local culture. A lot of businesses have just entered the Dublin market and don’t know where to go with clients or employees.”

“The idea of Stella Cinemas being a venue to host large business presentations came to me at the start. The setting allows companies to be really creative, wow their clients and boost staff morale. Our team has gone to lots of venues over the past few months and are well versed on the different options and what will work for our members,” notes Kennedy. “We want to tailor solutions to every member, from the office space itself right up to helping to navigate the local culture. A lot of businesses have just entered the Dublin market and don’t know where to go with clients or employees.” THE LIGHT-BULB MOMENT With a background in residential property in London, Kennedy made a bold move to Sydney for a unique opportunity to work for Servcorp, Australia’s leading premium office provider with 5-star facilities and 150+ locations worldwide. When an opportunity presented itself to look after sales for a flexible workspace provider in Ireland, she returned home to further develop her career within the serviced office industry where she worked for the next five years.

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“I always had it in my head to do something myself and the international exposure I got gave me the courage to do it. During the pandemic, everybody was moving jobs and reevaluating their lives and suddenly the opportunity I needed was put in front of me,” Kennedy explains. That opportunity was Forty-One Leeson Street being brought to the market by premium property developer Oakmount in March 2021. Having been vacant for 40 years, it had been fully renovated and sensitively restored to the highest standard to create 5,000 sq ft of Georgian office space. “Oakmount had done a fabulous job in re-developing the building but it was a challenge to get a single tenant to take the lease. This opened my eyes to the possibilities for flexible workspace,” says Kennedy. “We were successful in securing tenants quite quickly. The standard of the redevelopment was unusual; it stayed true to the original characteristics of the building, with the sash windows, cornicing and stone floors carefully restored by skilled craftsmen and there is a lot of marble in communal areas and bathrooms. This was something flexible workspace tenants hadn’t seen before.” With room for 100 Grafter members, Forty-One Leeson Street is currently at around 90% capacity. “Usually within this market a tenant will sign up for a year, but we have secured companies for two years or more. Equally, the flexible terms we offer have been very appealing to companies wanting to bring their staff back into an office environment for short periods at a time. Whatever a client needs to help them to acclimatise to hybrid working, we can InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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COVER STORY

accommodate them. We have one client based in Leeson Street who has taken six desks but has 20 different employees rotating in and out,” notes Kennedy. “Anybody can come in and book a desk or a meeting room for a day or half day. Our aim is to bring value for money with high-end design.” Within a few short months, Kennedy had identified a second location for Grafter – Ten Ely Place, the former Dublin design studio of internationally renowned designer John Rocha, also offering 5,000 sq ft of flexible workspace. Further to opening last December, ten of its 13 rooms are already occupied by Grafter members. “Many moons ago this Georgian building used to be a bank with heavy iron doors. We were surprised at its size and scale as a design studio when we moved in. The beautiful restoration retained original features such as the wooden floorboards, sash windows and ceiling roses. It’s a very cool and exclusive location with artwork by local Irish artists sourced from Kerlin Gallery,” Kennedy explains. TICKING ALL THE BOXES In both of Grafter’s locations, there is no mistaking the luxury and service, which feel more akin to a world-class boutique hotel than a workplace. Members are met by a front-of-house concierge who will look after their every need. There

“Building a company culture and hiring and retaining staff are challenges for a lot of businesses at the moment. We can give them a nice environment for the recruitment process to make that important first impression.”

are showers, a towel service, bicycle racks and a fully-stocked kitchen; top-of-the-range video conferencing facilities, communal break-out spaces and an outdoor terrace. “When our members come through the door, we want them to feel that the location is a home away from home. The frontof-house team act like an extension of their business and we want to take away all of their pain points,” says Kennedy. “Building a company culture and hiring and retaining staff are challenges for a lot of businesses at the moment. We can give them a nice environment for the recruitment process to make that important first impression and help to organise team weekends away. A lot of teams haven’t been able to meet for a considerable time; we can facilitate them to reconnect in different ways, like maybe a round of golf, instead of all going straight back into the office.” The ergonomic tech spec is very impressive; Grafter has even sourced sit-stand desks that can be controlled by an app on your phone. “We wanted to do something different to promote wellness. The app prompts you when you’ve been sitting down too long. It allows co-workers to track their calories and set each other challenges, which can be fun and builds camaraderie,” Kennedy notes. “The debate on whether the office is dead keeps going back and forth. I think it is more about the fact that the ways in which people use the office have changed. In general, larger companies and even SMEs will still acquire the same square footage but want to create more break-out areas and meeting rooms to bring people together. I think break-out areas will account for larger proportions of office spaces as trust builds about people working certain days from home.” As to the future for Grafter, now that occupancy is high in both of its locations, Kennedy is actively looking out for new buildings, is keen to grow the team of eight people and is exploring the possibility of bringing hospitality in-house.

ROOM FOR GROWTH The market for flexible workspaces in Dublin is going to become more competitive, and that’s a great thing, according to Founder and CEO of Grafter Emma Kennedy. “When I first started in Iconic Offices in 2015, the only other players were Glandore and Regus. In the past few years, international operators have arrived such as WeWork, Spaces and Huckletree as well as Irish providers such as ourselves. This has all helped to educate the market on what is possible within the flexible workspace model,” she says. “I believe there is room for more operators. The market in Dublin, for example, is small but demand is increasing. Click Offices’ latest market report found there is 1.5m sq ft of flexible workspace in Dublin and this is predicted to grow by 9% this year.” Kennedy has observed the broadening appeal of flexible workspace among different business types and sectors. “Initially, it was mainly local SMEs and professional services firms; then pharma and tech companies really grabbed hold of the idea. We have a real mix in our two locations, including tech, legal, aviation, wealth management and recruitment companies.”

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ENTREPRENEUR

Claire McHugh, Co-founder and CEO, Axonista

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ENTREPRENEUR

VIDEO

VISIONARY ENTREPRENEUR:CLAIRE McHUGH

Axonista’s technology turns video from a passive, one-way medium into a fully-interactive, immersive experience for the viewer. CEO Claire McHugh co-founded the business in Dublin in 2010 with Daragh Ward. Their original vision is reaping rewards internationally with clients including home shopping pioneers QVC and HSN.

Q: How did your background influence the founding of Axonista? Claire McHugh (CMcH): Daragh and I founded Axonista from a shared vision that one day all video would be interactive via touchscreen devices. I was working at Setanta Sports and could see that TV was evolving away from cable into something more Internet-like. Daragh, who already had two tech start-ups under his belt, was inspired by the iPhone and its potential to make video into something much more interactive and personalised than watching TV. We had lots of ideas about how interactive video could be used for all sorts of video storytelling – news, sports, game shows, documentaries and shopping – but we also knew we were early to market, and there was still a lot to figure out.

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ENTREPRENEUR

PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY

An active participant in the Irish start-up community, Claire McHugh is an advisor to Tech Ireland and Grow Remote and has been a lead entrepreneur for the female entrepreneurship programme Going for Growth. For her, tapping into the wider ecosystem has been a great way to continue to develop her own leadership skills and keep learning. “Without a large network of people, it’s very hard to scale a business. That goes for hiring, sales, investment, through to just navigating the day to day. It’s so important to build a network of peers that you can bounce ideas off, get a recommendation for a supplier from, find out how they implemented something at their company or get an introduction to a great new hire,” she says.

Q: What is the secret to the success and growth of the business? CMcH: We created a strategy from the start of doing innovation services work for video companies. This would fund our company, build a strong international network, and enable us to build out our platform. Over time our vision gradually became reality and we recorded revenue growth of 83% year-on-year between 2020 and 2021. We earned a place in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 last year and our workforce has doubled in size to a remote-first team of 50 people across multiple countries. The video commerce market is heating up with the rising popularity of livestream shopping. What sets us apart from competitors is our years of experience and understanding that video commerce is ‘commerce plus storytelling’. A frictionless, entertaining viewing experience for the shopper is an incredibly important piece of the equation. Media companies and brands trust us to help them navigate that space. Q: What have been the key milestones on Axonista’s journey? CMcH: In the early stages, we established some innovation partnerships with global brands that were also mapping out the future of video. Our first one was with MTV in New York, where we worked on innovation projects around music video on mobile devices. Closer to home, we had an innovation partnership with TV3 and jointly brought a second-screen companion app called Showpal to market in 2013. We then partnered with Aol, also in New York, on a range of interactive video prototyping and research projects across its brands. Our first video commerce customer came along in

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2014, when QVC chose Axonista’s technology and team to support its consumer video products. That relationship has continued to be very strong and strategic for us. All of these projects informed the roadmap of our technology platform. We’ve built streaming services for huge global brands across a multitude of viewing devices, so our technology and design expertise is really deep – as is our knowledge of and appreciation for video storytelling. As well as the large media companies, we have customers such as the Irish Film Institute, impact platform WaterBear and Fashion Relief TV, which raises funds for Oxfam Ireland. Q: Can you outline your international strategy? CMcH: We have been international since Day One, with a strong focus on the US. We’ve spent a lot of time building our network there, in particular in New York and Los Angeles. Leaning on advisors in Enterprise Ireland international offices has been especially helpful in nurturing leads and showcasing Axonista. It’s been like having an extra set of boots on the ground. Bank of Ireland gave us office space and event space in its Start Lab in New York.

“A FRICTIONLESS, ENTERTAINING VIEWING

EXPERIENCE FOR THE SHOPPER IS AN

INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE EQUATION.

MEDIA COMPANIES AND BRANDS TRUST US TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE THAT SPACE.” Q: What is your view on entrepreneurship in Ireland? CMcH: Over the past few years, I’ve taken the opportunity to deepen my understanding of the start-up ecosystem through getting to know other founders and providing any help and guidance I can, while also learning a great deal about how other people think about solving the problems we all face. I recently joined the board of Scale Ireland, an Irish not-forprofit with a mission to support, represent and advocate on behalf of Irish tech companies and to create the most advantageous conditions for them to succeed. Ireland as a place to start a tech company has a lot of great things going for it, but there are tons of opportunities to shape policy to make it an even better and fairer ecosystem. Personally, I’m glad to see the number of female-founded Irish tech companies increase over the past few years. We have some excellent female-focused entrepreneurship programmes such as AwakenHub and Going for Growth, which are clearly getting results. Q: Where do you plan to go from here with Axonista ? CMcH: We’ve just started into what is already shaping up to be another growth year for Axonista. We’ll be expanding the team in product, engineering and marketing this year. We’re also bringing a new product to market for media companies, specifically focused on video commerce and, for the first time, we’re raising an investment round to support that. InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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LET’S GET SET with Healthy Ireland

Let’s get set with a healthier routine. Search healthy Ireland at gov.ie for easy to follow advice.

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10/27/21 PM 29/03/2022 15:57 17/11/20214:12 14:41

AnotherDAY at the OFFICE

INDUSTRY FEATURE

Corporates are practically scrambling for office space now that some semblance of normality has returned to working life, with many buildings in Dublin being pre-let long before they are completed, writes EITHNE DUNNE.

The Tropical Fruit Warehouse, Dublin 2 – 7,454 sq m office building due for delivery in 2022. CGI courtesy of IPUT Real Estate Dublin

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INDUSTRY FEATURE

KPMG’s planned HQ, Harcourt Square, Dublin 2

ccording to CBRE’s Outlook 2022 report, published in January, the Irish commercial property market performed better than expected in 2021, particularly in the second half of the year when restrictions eased. As office workers tentatively start returning to work, it will be interesting to see how this plays out in terms of the development and occupancy of office space. Of the €5.5bn invested in Irish real estate last year, 30% went into offices – second only to residential at 41%. Needless to say, when the pandemic first arrived, it decimated demand for office space overnight – which was quite a change, considering where the “If you’re an occupier market was pre-Covid-19. looking for a high“The market was at its highest ever level in Dublin quality space of before the pandemic, with a huge amount of leasing about 20,000 sq ft going on,” says Marie Hunt, Executive Director and your options in Head of Research, CBRE. “When Covid-19 hit, Dublin City Centre companies put their expansion plans on ice.” would be thin on the ground and you’d find Since the middle of last year, however, activity yourself being has been picking up, with some companies that had pushed out towards offloaded excess space at the start of Covid-19 looking the suburbs.” to take it back. “Companies are in growth mode again and looking to increase their footprint,” says Hunt. Shane Duffy, Director of Offices at Savills Ireland, says the office market is “a million miles away” from where it was this time last year: “If you’re an occupier looking for a high-quality space of about 20,000 sq ft tomorrow, your options in Dublin City Centre would be thin on the ground and you’d find yourself being pushed out towards the suburbs.” Very little happened in the first quarter of last year, with around 23,000 sq ft of take-up in Dublin – the lowest level on record. But there was a real shift in momentum from August 2021 onwards, adds Duffy.

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INDUSTRY FEATURE

Sorting Office in Dublin’s South Docklands, let to TikTok in 2021

According to the CBRE report, the increase in demand in the latter half of 2021 has taken time to trickle down. “The stop/ start nature of government guidance on working from home had a definite impact on the urgency of office requirements and the length of time taken to complete transactions,” says Hunt. Therefore, despite a rebound in the latter half of the year, annual leasing volumes remained well below average overall, reaching 153,000 sq m during the year. Keeping up with the burgeoning demand for space is no small ask. As the CBRE report notes, the closure of sites in 2020 and 2021 impacted delivery dates of various office schemes, with the result that, of around 240,000 sq m of offices due for completion in Dublin this year, 56% are already pre-let. Examples of recent activity include TikTok’s lease of the 216,000 sq ft Sorting Office in Dublin’s South Docklands, which was completed just before Christmas. This was one of the largest two deals of last year, the other being KPMG’s pre-letting of Hibernia REIT’s Harcourt Square development (see panel). Both deals were done in the final quarter of last year. Duffy says that KPMG had initially sought space of about 300,000 sq ft before the pandemic. “Everyone assumed that they would have reduced this post-Covid-19, but they took time out to revisit their plan, and came back to the market looking for essentially the same amount of space.” Meanwhile, the Eight Building at Newmarket Square in Dublin 8 will span from basement level up to a fifth floor and comprise over 75,000 sq ft of offices. Due for delivery this year is the Tropical Fruit Warehouse in Dublin 2, an 80,000 sq ft office building, while a postponed deal by An Post for the 80,000 sq ft Exo Building in the Point Village on the North Quays is also back on the cards. Enquiries about space are coming thick and fast, says Duffy. Among the bigger players looking for

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somewhere to hang their hat, for example, is Stripe, which is seeking up to 200,000 sq ft for 1,500-2,000 staff.

“A lot of the space that came available during the pandemic when companies offloaded fittedout space – what we call ‘grey space’ – has been taken up.”

A new approach Underlying everything that is happening in the market at present is the fact that the way people are using offices has changed irrevocably. “Most companies are adopting some form of hybrid approach, which means the ways offices will be configured and used will be very different,” says Hunt. “For example, there may not be a set desk for everyone or a set amount of space per person. While the overall footprint might not change, there will be fewer desks and much more openplan space.” That’s because, she says, with many people working remotely some of the time, they will want to use their time at the office to collaborate. “There will be investment in meeting rooms to allow for Zoom etc, and more in the way of movable furniture and microbial fabrics – akin to what you might find in a hospital.” Since the pandemic there is also a move towards fewer touchpoints, with swipe access to lifts and so on. Duffy says plans are including much more in the way of breakout areas/interactive space, but there are other nuances too. “We are seeing, for example, InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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INDUSTRY FEATURE

HARCOURT HQ One of the biggest office developments in Dublin City Centre over the next few years will be KPMG’s new headquarters at Harcourt Square, which will house all of the company’s Dublin-based employees under one roof. The professional services firm has pre-let the 288,500 sq ft building and will occupy it in 2026. The thinking behind the move is to harness new ways of working for employees, as well as make better use of technology and improve client engagement. According to KPMG Managing Partner Seamus Hand, it is “one of the most exciting steps” in the firm’s history. “Technology and the pandemic have had a huge impact on the nature of our engagement with clients as well as the way our people work and how ideas are exchanged. Our office will be designed to capture these changes in a forwardthinking and creative way,” he says.

more internal staircases to encourage people to use stairs as well as an emphasis on outdoor space as a prerequisite.” For companies unsure about making major commitments, there are flexible options, notes Hunt. “If you’re in desperate need of a few desks or a floor but don’t necessarily want to commit to a 20-year lease, you can find them,” she says. “You can shrink and grow as you need to.” (See Cover Story page 20). Meanwhile, environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles have been steadily creeping up the agenda for many companies. These are expected to gain momentum this year, with growing evidence of a green premium for the most sustainable buildings. The increased focus on carbon reduction will also lead to more refurbishment of older office buildings instead of replacing them.

“Buildings that demonstrate the highest standards of sustainability, wellness and placemaking and provide the best communal facilities and amenities in campus-style environments will ultimately fare best.”

What does 2022 hold? According to CBRE, this year will see greater divergence in performance and pricing between prime and secondary office buildings, with occupiers and investors alike favouring newer,

more sustainable buildings. “Buildings that demonstrate the highest standards of sustainability, wellness and placemaking and provide the best communal facilities and amenities in campus-style environments will ultimately fare best,” its report states. Overall demand will continue, however, choice will be limited for companies seeking space as the market soaks up all available supply, says Hunt. “A lot of the space that came available during the pandemic when companies offloaded fitted-out space – what we call ‘grey space’ – has been taken up. While we will continue to build and see demand, we are not likely to go back to the pre-pandemic levels of activity until at least next year.” She adds that many companies are likely to take a ‘wait-and-see’ approach. “It will take three to six months for occupiers to see how things are playing out. It would be rash to make decisions now when they don’t know how many people will be coming into the office etc. So this will take time to bed down, with many holding off on major decisions.” The market is generally expected to be dominated by small-to-medium lettings this year, with landlords facilitating multiple lets. And while the tech sector will continue to be the biggest source of demand, it’s also anticipated to come from the professional and financial services sectors.

Eight Building, Newmarket Square, Dublin 8

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13/04/2022 16:04

SMALL BUSINESS FEATURE

Second-hand fashion available on Thriftify.ie

Followersof

FASHION Rónán Ó’Dálaigh, Founder and CEO of Thriftify, is on a mission to put charity shops and impactful organisations at the forefront of the sustainable fashion movement. The e-commerce start-up announced a rebrand in January, including an overhaul of the website and user experience.

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SMALL BUSINESS FEATURE

Q: How did you come up with the idea for Thriftify? RÓD: Initially Thriftify was born from my passion for bargains and sustainability. Getting great gems in charity shops has been something I’ve loved since I was teenager. Having nabbed a lot of items for much lower than their value I felt there was an opportunity for the charities to make more money. As well as that, selling more used products online really helps lower our environmental impact. The seed for the business was planted in 2014 when I entered into a partnership with the National Council for the Blind of Ireland to research the value of its donations. From there, we began to develop the technology to help charities sell online. Since we launched the website in 2018, there has been growing demand for used, impactful goods. Currently 98% of Ireland’s charity retailers are present and selling on our site. The vision we now have is about changing not just how the world shops, but why. Q: What are you doing with Thriftify that is compelling? RÓD: The big value-add of what we’re doing is in connecting technology and community. We have a very powerful and innovative system that is enabling charity shops to quickly and easily list their items for sale online. But that is only of any use if we can connect them with the right community, ‘Thrifters’ – people who want to be a part of a movement to change the world and are ready to embrace a different way of shopping. So our big challenge is to use tech to facilitate those people.

731,000 visitors in 2021. But that’s no good if it’s not matched by sales and a growing community. So we try and serve the community, giving them content, campaigns and sales that will keep them with us. In 2021, Irish charities uploaded a total of 56,538 items. Out of these, there were 23,026 orders from shoppers. In addition, we’ve tried to stay very lean. Every service provider we engage with gets the hard sales pitch about why we deserve their service at a cheaper price. In the early stages of a start-up, survival is a serious consideration, especially when you’re investing to grow, like we are. You can’t just rely on the growth or income though; you need to focus on scale and getting finance from funders who are confident enough in your team’s abilities that they’ll spend their money on building something big. Q: Where are you at in terms of outside investment? RÓD: So far we’ve raised a total of €550,000 in investment from Elkstone Partners and Enterprise Ireland. We’ve used this to achieve a lot over the past year, including the rebrand, our new enterprise solution, a lot of new customer acquisition and launching in the UK. We’re now fundraising again and actively looking for the right investors who share our passion for transforming the fashion industry.

Q: What exactly did your rebrand in January involve? RÓD: The rebrand has been something we’ve wanted to do for a long time, but keeping things lean also means doing Q: How have you grown and developed the business? the right things at the right times. So, initially we focused RÓD: Ultimately for us it’s been about focusing on the things on serving charity shops more than our direct-to-consumer that work and trying to leverage them to the best of our website – primarily because without great quality charity shop ability. For example, we have a big base of shoppers who gems it doesn’t matter how snazzy the website is. We felt that visit our site regularly, so retention is a massive focus for we were there or thereabouts with our enterprise solution so us. We’ve seen our traffic grow more than 350% in a year to the timing was right to revamp our public-facing site. We have a very big mission and the old site just didn’t represent that. Our new site is much more compelling. All of the pictures are from real Thrifters in our community so it makes our vision more realistic. One of the best aspects of a rebrand is that it’s an opportunity to create a coherent and data-driven approach. For us, that meant looking at all of the use cases and search queries as well as figuring out where the big bottlenecks were and why we were losing users on certain pages. It’s still early days Currently 98% of Ireland’s charity but we’ve already seen that our bounce rate across the retailers are present and selling site is down massively. Our worst page had a 35% bounce on our site. The vision we now rate; now that’s down to below 2%. have is about changing not just

how the world shops, but why.” Rónán Ó’Dálaigh, Founder and CEO of Thriftify

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Q: What potential do you see for Thriftify going forward? RÓD: We aim to generate around €3m for charities selling on the site in 2022. We now have 35 charities signed up in the UK, including big names such as Age UK, and are actively trialing in other markets and working on major contracts. We are laying the foundation for substantial growth as the second-hand fashion market is predicted to double in value globally to reach US%77bn within the next five years (according to ThreadUp’s 2021 Resale Report). This year, we plan to increase our team from 26 to 36 people and launch a business-to-consumer app that will position Thriftify alongside the likes of Etsy, Depop and other secondhand shopping apps.

08/04/2022 13:51

MENTORS

DRIVINGAHEAD Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Future Mobility Campus Ireland Wassim Dergeuch is determined to build a collaborative ecosystem to shift Ireland into a new era of smarter, safer, more sustainable transport.

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MENTORS

hile working as a senior software engineer at Jaguar Land Rover in Shannon in early 2019, Wassim Dergeuch was part of a team looking at how to manage realtime data from vehicles in the cloud. “I was involved in innovative projects focused on creating unique experiences. At the time Jaguar Land Rover was leading the testbed working group for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Ireland, the multi-stakeholder forum exploring the business opportunities for these technologies,” he recalls. “I could see the need for a structure allowing access to all sorts of data from various partners, with the right infrastructure and a complete data centre capability onsite to apply machine learning and artificial intelligence [AI] features to vehicles.” Dergeuch had come to Ireland in 2009 to work as a research scientist at the Insight Centre for Data Analytics, NUI Galway. There, he got his PhD which was focused on the use of emerging technologies to manage variability in business processes. “This triggered my interest in the Internet of Things and data analytics and management. On leaving NUI Galway, I worked at the spin-off company Derilinx, which specialises in open-data solutions for clients such as the Irish Government, the HSE and the World Bank. From there, I decided that whatever I would do should be aligned with making Ireland a centre of excellence for innovation and data management,” explains Dergeuch, who is a member of Robots, Cobots and Robotics Technical Committee TC49 at the National Standards Authority of Ireland. CEO of Future Mobility Campus Ireland (FMCI) Russell Vickers was employed at Jaguar Land Rover in Shannon at the same time as Dergeuch. Together, they worked to bring the concept for the campus to fruition. Key to this was securing Regional Enterprise Development Fund funding as well as wide-ranging support for the idea, including from IDA Ireland, University of Limerick, Insight, Cisco and county councils.

“I could see the need for a structure allowing access to all sorts of data from various partners, with the right infrastructure and a complete data centre capability.”

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“Part of FMCI’s mission statement is to become the destination for testing and validating advanced mobility and future mobility. There are other testbeds in Europe and the UK, but most are privately owned by original equipment manufacturers [OEMs] whereas we are not-for-profit and State-funded. It is very rare to find this type of structure around the world, especially in relation to the type of collaboration involved,” notes Dergeuch. STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY Located in the Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area at the Shannon Free Zone in Co Clare, the FMCI will comprise a 12km road network that is retro-fitted with interconnected, state-of-theart sensing and telecommunication technologies. It is currently working with Shannon Commercial Properties to build the necessary infrastructure for this, including roadside equipment, smart traffic lights and a dedicated fibre network in the area. Construction of the data centre building is also underway. “Fully-accessible and controlled via a dedicated control centre, FMCI will facilitate the test and validation of mobility innovations – on the road and in the air – so everyone involved can trial, test and innovate in a laboratory with real-life conditions,” Dergeuch explains. “If you want to be competitive and make an impact in this space, you need access to the most advanced emerging technologies as well as the technical infrastructure. No one player can do this alone. We see FMCI as an enabler, hosting all the necessary technologies and allowing multinationals to speak to and work together with other multinationals, start-ups and researchers to develop new innovations.” Dergeuch describes FMCI as being “like a smart-city environment focused on transport and connectivity and with all the necessary computing capability for machine learning and AI”. “The way I see this working, for example, is giving a start-up with an idea for how to manage certain vehicle data access to all the capabilities required at a fraction of the cost,” he says.

Land Rover Defender at Future Mobility Campus Ireland

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MEDIA & MARKETING MENTORS

DISRUPTIVE FORCES “Four main disruptive forces will fundamentally change how people and goods move in the future: connected vehicles, autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles and shared mobility.” FUTURE SKILLS “As the new Steering Group Chair of Shannon Chamber Skillnet, I want us to build a suite of learning programmes covering sustainability and future technologies.”

Wassim Dergeuch, Co-founder and COO, Future Mobility Campus Ireland

LOGISTICS OPPORTUNITY “Advancements in robotics and autonomous vehicles have the potential to make a huge impact in terms of reducing the amount of trucks in towns and cities and the disposal of dangerous waste.”

“Each of these vehicles costs half a million euro, but we can make them available on a rental basis to give companies hands-on experience with the equipment.” As a partner of FMCI, Jaguar Land Rover has loaned it two vehicles, a Jaguar I-Pace and Land Rover Defender. These have been kitted out with the latest technologies, including sensors, cameras, radars and data processing. “Each of these vehicles costs half a million euro, but we can make them available on a rental basis to give companies hands-on experience with the equipment,” notes Dergeuch. “Limerick-based Provizio is currently using one of these vehicles to test its new technology for accident prevention using long-range radars.” SUCCESS STORIES While FMCI’s main focus at the moment is on building the campus infrastructure, it has already achieved success in terms of encouraging foreign direct investment. Last year, American automotive data management software company Renovo Motors announced the establishment of its EMEA headquarters and software development hub on the site. Another key development in 2021 for FMCI was the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Skyports, Avtrain and Shannon Group to establish Ireland’s first passenger and cargo vertiport. Skyports is the world’s leading passenger air taxi and cargo drone vertiport provider while Avtrain is Europe’s leading drone training and certification body. Expected to encourage R&D activities and investment in

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Ireland’s advanced aerial mobility industry, the long-term goal of this partnership is the establishment of Ireland’s first air taxi service and routine beyond-visual-line-of-sight drone operations. “Phase I of the vertiport for drone testing and pilot training is currently being built, involving a piece of land being turned into a small advanced aerial mobility hub. We want to progress innovation in the drone space in terms of logistics but also more advanced inspection, for example, using drones to inspect the local estuary and see where certain birds come to nest,” says Dergeuch. “In addition, we are currently trying to link with Avtrain to develop a training programme for advanced mobility in Shannon.” NEED FOR COLLABORATION Jaguar Land Rover recently announced a partnership with gaming graphics and chip technology company Nvidia to make software for autonomous driving features and connected services in cars, starting in 2025. Software experts from both companies will collaborate to develop new technologies for Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles, including safety, automated driving and parking systems as well as driver-assistance systems. According to Nvidia, its software-defined Drive platform would serve as the “brain” and “central nervous system” of the cars. It is already being used by companies such as Volvo, Mercedez-Benz, Hyundai and a number of Chinese electric vehicle start-ups. “While FMCI is not directly involved, it is no surprise for us to see engagements such as the one announced between Jaguar Land Rover and Nvidia, as both are leaders in their respective domains. Joining forces can only help both companies drive the innovation space further towards the delivery of future mobility,” says Dergeuch. In January, Mercedes partnered with self-driving company Luminar to enable autonomous driving for its next generation of vehicles. Autotech deals were also recently signed by Google and Ford and Amazon and Stellantis. “Such engagement between large companies shows the need for collaborations between multiple partners to develop new and disruptive innovations. This does not exclude the involvement of other partners from start-ups, SMEs and academia. That is why, and following the same path, we are working with Nvidia to provide both in-vehicle configurations and compute capabilities to support other potential partners in the development of their products.” InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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FEATURE

Brian O’Sullivan, Founder, Max Life Fitness

“Rolling lockdowns over a year made it really difficult to establish ourselves. But during the closures, I decided I would put my energy into an idea I had been toying with and used this time to bring MaxLife Apparel to life.”

Having opened his first gym outlet at the start of the pandemic, Cork-based entrepreneur Brian O’Sullivan has recently launched a luxury athleisure-wear range – MaxLife Apparel – and plans to open a second gym in the next six months.

Since July 2021, once restrictions were lifted, Max Life’s gym membership grew at an increasing pace. The Wilton location currently has around 1,100 members and is on target to sign up 2,000 members this year. We plan to open a second location in the Little Island area and are looking to expand into a 20,000 sq ft warehouse.

“The plan is to expand into a franchise model. Low-cost, highperformance gym models are my inspiration – high volumes are key, and Max Life is enjoying rapid growth in this area.”

Max Life is an official Hammer Strength Training Centre, one of the first in Cork to be certified in this way. We give members access to bespoke and premium training equipment with affordable pricing, which sets us apart from other gyms. We are committed to continuously investing in state-of-the-art, best-inclass equipment.

For MaxLife Apparel, we sampled from China, Turkey and other countries looking for the right fabrics, quality and materials. After a year of research, the product development and testing phases were complete. We have faced hurdles as a result of the InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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global logistics crisis, but managed to launch our first line in time for Christmas 2021. We are currently recruiting and expect to increase the workforce from seven to 20 people in the next 12 months. The plan for the fitness side is to begin with expansion throughout Munster and then broaden our scope across the country in the next two to three years. We want to expand globally with MaxLife Apparel.

08/04/2022 13:55

INNOVATION & TECH

Having developed a cutting-edge solution to addressing inefficiencies in procurement, Cork-based company Keelvar was ideally placed to tap into global demand for ways to tackle supply chain upheaval brought on by Covid-19.

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ransportation disruption has been one of the main headaches for business since Covid-19 hit, particularly in ocean freight where port shutdowns and congestion have caused chaos. It stands to reason then that the companies that can quickly re-orchestrate their supply chain and find alternative routes and suppliers will have a significant competitive advantage. Enter Keelvar, a Cork-headquartered company, which is helping many of the world’s largest players in various sectors to achieve this and more through intelligent sourcing optimisation and automation. It has created autonomous software agents, or ‘sourcing bots’, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, that can automate most of the tedious tasks associated with procurement activities.

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INNOVATION & TECH

A survey released by Keelvar last October revealed that managing supply chain disruption is the top priority for 90% of procurement and sourcing executives. Its first annual ‘Voices of Sourcing’ report was based on feedback from over 100 procurement leaders in a number of industries, around 75% of whom worked for US$1bn-plus enterprises. “Procurement leaders are facing severe capacity and labour limitations, a spike in canceled contracts, supplier risk and more while trying to balance priorities such as sustainability and reliability. With complexity at an all-time high, organisations must have the ability to make quick sourcing decisions to ensure continuity and resiliency,” says Keelvar CEO Alan Holland, who founded the company in 2012 as a spin-out from University College Cork where he was a lecturer in AI. He first started studying supply chains and procurement while working part-time at his parents’ chemical company. “I could see that procurement was stuck in the dark ages with Excel spreadsheets and badly needed a more sophisticated solution. When a link in a supply chain network is broken, Keelvar sourcing bots work quickly to discover alternative pathways and carriers and can autopilot those negotiations.” Holland cites the example of one manufacturing client, which couldn’t get its medicines into hospitals in the US during the Covid-19 crisis. The usual routes it relied on such as the bellies of aircrafts were gone. “The sourcing bots were able to discover alternative pathways with capacity much faster than humans could, negotiate rates and get the order out quickly – it was so tight and included sending goods by road for a few hundred miles through France and Spain and using a truck to Memphis,” says Holland. “Supply chain dynamics have shifted forever. The carriers that own vessels and aircraft are in a position of power now as they have the key assets needed to make supply chains operate well. Retailers and pharma companies are going to have to work on terms that are more amenable to their carriers and work with them. They also need to be able to measure performance and know when to switch routes.” RAPID GROWTH TRAJECTORY Further to securing US$18m in Series A funding in June 2020, Keelvar has been growing rapidly with “huge demand” for its software-as-a-service solutions across all major industries, according to Holland. Among its 60 clients are household names such as Coca Cola, Samsung and Tesco. Headcount currently stands at 80 people and Holland expects this to reach close to 200 within a couple of years. “We are a young vendor compared to most of our competitors which are over 20 years old. Having adopted AI from the start, many of the team are experts in this and we’re working with a more modern technology stack than other vendors,” he says. “The great thing about technology InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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“Many of the world’s top brands turn to us for their largest projects as we have developed a reputation as the best of breed when it comes to powerful sourcing technology.” that cracks an important real-world problem is that you can scale up so much faster than in asset-heavy industries. We doubled in size last year and expect to do the same this year. Many of the world’s top brands turn to us for their largest projects as we have developed a reputation as the best of breed when it comes to powerful sourcing technology. “Customers such as Siemens have automated over 90% of procurement tasks using our technology and have found it improves speed and agility and the timeliness of deliveries because the sourcing bots can be objective. They can be used to measure many of the qualitative aspects of the process such as reliability rates and transit times – they’re better at tactical buying than humans as so much more data can be injected into them.”

PROCUREMENT DRIVE The seeds for Keelvar were sown in 2008 while Alan Holland was working in the 4C research laboratory in the Department of Computer Science, University College Cork. He and his team helped Cork City Council to run a €6m tender for an eclectic fleet of 250 vehicles using the novel auction technology they had developed. “Our best-practice solution allowed suppliers to describe bundles of lots, conditional discounts and capacity constraints; then used optimisation to find the most efficient allocation. It reduced Cork City Council’s bill by 15-20%,” Holland explains. “The next vehicle suite we worked on four years later was for a global multinational going to market with €6bn in spend for 250,000 vehicles, which resulted in a saving of €1bn. I circulated a research paper and others came knocking. I decided then there were definitely the makings of a strong company.”

08/04/2022 13:58

MEDIA & MARKETING

“This year, a lot of thinking will be done around sponsorship activation and how to win in that space. Demand will be high for unique experiences and early signals are that demand might outstrip supply in terms of the availability of hospitalitytype experiences.”

John Trainor, Founder and CEO, Onside

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aSPORTING chance

MEDIA & MARKETING

It’s shaping up to be an interesting year for sponsorship, with growing support for women’s sport, new venue naming rights opening up and an increased emphasis on social media and fan experience, writes SORCHA CORCORAN

or the first time in its history, the Women’s Six Nations rugby championship has a title partner this year, following the announcement of a landmark partnership between entertainment platform TikTok and Six Nations Rugby in January. The deal also involves TikTok being an official partner to the Guinness Six Nations and Autumn Nations series through to 2025. John Trainor, Founder and CEO of sponsorship consulting firm Onside, sees TikTok as the “one to watch” in the sponsorship landscape in general, which has been buzzing with new activity in recent months. “TikTok dipped its toe in the water as a global sponsor of the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament, which was not necessarily groundbreaking but well executed. The Six Nations Rugby deal is a game changer for the visibility of women’s sport.” Onside’s annual Irish Sponsorship Industry Outlook published in January stated that the success of women’s sport in Ireland “marks it out as by far the biggest growth platform in sport in the near to medium term”. It found that nine out of ten sponsors see women’s sport as a significant opportunity this year, up from eight out of ten last year. Nearly two-thirds of industry professionals surveyed selected a female as their most marketable personality for 2022, up 28% on 2021, with Kellie Harrington, Katie Taylor, Ellen Keane and Rachel Blackmore leading the way. KPMG recently announced a fouryear extension to its existing partnership with Irish professional golfer Leona Maguire, who was on the winning team for Europe at the Solheim Cup in the US in September. ACTIVATION ADVANTAGE For Trainor, TikTok’s partnership with Six Nations Rugby is about much more than the boost it gives to women’s sport. “TikTok will show up across the calendar with its category rights. It will be an

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innovator and bring in a fresh way to show where sponsorship can fit in with a sport or space,” he says. The TikTok move also represents a departure from the “usual suspects” involved in sponsorship deals, such as supermarkets, banks and insurance companies – a trend which Trainor expects to continue. To date, TikTok has amassed more than 5.1 billion views for its #rugby content, with #SixNationsRugby a rapidly growing hashtag on the platform. As part of the deal with Six Nations Rugby, dedicated TikTok “rugby creators” post rugby-themed content, which fans are encouraged to access from respective tournament and rugby union accounts. In-app activations will include ‘Hashtag Challenges’ to enhance the experience for the fans. The Onside outlook report found that 68% of brands expect to use social media more in 2022 – making it the highest of all activation channels. The next highest is content marketing, followed by video sharing platforms. The use of experiential marketing (+28%) and hospitality (+24%) is expected to increase significantly as fans return to venues and live events. “This year, a lot of thinking will be done around sponsorship activation and how to win in that space. Demand will be high for unique experiences and early signals are that demand might outstrip supply in terms of the availability of hospitality-type experiences and the ability to fulfil them. Brands need to have a Plan A, B and C, depending on how things evolve over the months ahead,” says Trainor. “In the first half of the year, there will be a hybrid model, with a mixture of experiences at home and

08/04/2022 14:00

MEDIA & MARKETING

supporting communities during and post the pandemic. “With more and more organisations seeking to jump on this trend, it will be those that truly and authentically deliver on their promises that will benefit. Partnerships in this area also require more activation than other sponsorships. For brands, this will often involve really supporting specific community or sustainability activities in addition to standard promotional tactics,” the report states.

Irish women’s rugby union player Cliodhna Moloney

in more places beyond the stadium and arena than ever before. Whether it’s incorporating new technology into experiences or establishing a Web3/metaverse presence, there is a clear opportunity for first-mover advantage.” PURPOSE-DRIVEN PUSH Although there is a swing happening towards music and entertainment, sport continues to dominate as a sponsorship option in Ireland, commanding three-quarters of investment and spend. The hottest area of interest for brands this year will be finding ways to integrate sustainability, cause and community into whatever sponsorship arrangements they have, according to Trainor. “There is a genuine desire among brands to do something more purpose-driven in their sponsorship alignments. In the past few years there have been some good benchmarks in Ireland, such as Focus Ireland’s Shine a Light supported by Bord Gáis Energy and Aldi working with the IRFU and Barnardos to develop a cookbook. Increasingly, examples such as these have been presented in boardrooms and this will build further as the swing continues towards the non-sporting space,” he says. Environmental sustainability platforms have emerged as the Number 1 strongest growth opportunity for 2022, identified by 42% of sponsors in the Onside report; while community-based opportunities are growing in appeal through the Covid-19 recovery, at 28%. GAA is still seen to be the strongest growth opportunity within sport due to its ongoing potential in

INDUSTRY REBOUND The Irish sponsorship industry grew by 6% to reach €180m in 2021 and the Onside report estimates further growth of 8% for this year. Over half of the sponsors surveyed will be increasing their sponsorship investment levels in 2022, up from 41% in 2021. “The pandemic affected all marketing activity, but sponsorship has once again proved its worth, accounting for 21% of marketing and communications investment in 2021, up from 16% in 2020. The immediate decline was less steep than in advertising and other parts of the marketing mix and its recovery has been steady and sustainable. The fact that sponsorship agreements are long term in nature contributes to this. We expect two out of three deals built in 2022 to have three- to four-year terms,” says Trainor. “The appeal of sponsorship has endured because of its ability to be embedded in live content. Particularly with sport, it is about deepening an affinity with the consumer and hitting a passion point. When cause and community are added into the mix, it scores even more highly. “No doubt the Russian/Ukrainian conflict will have some impact on all markets but sponsorship is a long-term play and the effect if any will be spread over time. Our experience of Q1 has been of a relatively active one to date with lots of strong new deals done and a good mix of buyers looking for new assets. Brands that went relatively dark over the past two years are returning to active engagement and consumers are ready to engage with sponsors too.”

VENUE NAMING RIGHTS There were some notable new Irish venue naming rights in 2021, including 3Olympia Theatre and provincial stadia such as the NUI Galway Connacht GAA Air Dome. According to Onside, pitch and club ground naming rights for rugby and GAA looks set to continue, with three in 10 rights holders exploring options around selling venue naming rights in 2022 – a level higher than in 2019. Already in 2022, FBD Insurance has announced that it is to support Tipperary’s Semple Stadium for the next five years, in a deal that will see the stadium renamed as ‘FBD Semple Stadium’.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

NEW APPOINTMENTS IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY NATIONWIDE

TOM O’BRIEN

XAVIER DE BUSTOS

TREVOR COYLE

MARTIN BREEN

NEW TITLE: Managing Partner

NEW TITLE: Director for Life Sciences and ERD

NEW TITLE: Chief Technology Officer

NEW TITLE: Customer Care Manager

EMPLOYER: Typetec

EMPLOYER: Wellington IT

EMPLOYER: Expleo

PREVIOUS ROLE: Senior Technical Architect, Arkphire

PREVIOUS ROLE: Service Delivery Manager, Terex Corporation

Dublin-based managed IT and cyber security solutions provider Typetec has appointed Trevor Coyle as its Chief Technology Officer. Coyle brings more than 20 years’ technical and consultancy experience to this newly created position having worked with many leading Irish and multinational tech companies, including Vodafone, Dell and Microsoft. He holds a wide range of industry-specific accreditations from leading technology vendors.

Tech partner to the credit union sector Wellington IT has appointed Martin Breen to the newly created role of Customer Care Manager. He will be responsible for streamlining and standardising customer support processes and proactively managing the relationship between customers and the support team. In his previous role at Terex Corporation, he managed the IT support function for its European sites.

EMPLOYER: Mazars in Ireland PREVIOUS ROLE: Head of Advisory Services, Mazars

PREVIOUS ROLE: Director of Life Sciences, Capgemini

Professional services firm Mazars has elected Tom O’Brien as its new Managing Partner for Ireland. He will lead the continued growth and expansion of the firm, which employs over 500 people in Dublin, Limerick and Galway. A member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland, O’Brien joined Mazars in 2000 and has been Head of Advisory Services since 2014.

Engineering, technology and consulting service provider Expleo has appointed Xavier de Bustos as Director for Life Sciences and Engineering, Research and Development (ERD). He will be responsible for bringing engineering excellence to digitally transforming businesses, while also expanding Expleo’s market share in Ireland’s life sciences sector. Previously, de Bustos ran his own innovation and management consulting firm for ten years.

SALARIES ON THE RISE AS ‘THE GREAT RESIGNATION’ CONTINUES

InBUSINESS | SPRING 2021

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Irish-based tech and finance salaries have increased by up to 20% in 12 months, according to the Hays Ireland Salary & Recruiting Trends Guide 2022, which surveyed a total of 1,500 Irish-based employers and employees. The report reveals that tech roles experienced some of the most significant salary increases in 2021, accounting for ten of the top 20 salary increases in the past 12 months. Accounting and finance roles and construction and property roles each accounted for five of the remaining top 20 positions.

08/04/2022 14:03

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29/03/2022 18/11/2021 15:54 12:17

A ROUND-UP OF ALL THE NEWS AND EVENTS FROM THE CHAMBER NETWORK NATIONWIDE

CHAMBERS NEWS

Gillian Bergin, Chairperson of it@cork (centre), Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber and Kevin O’ Regan, Radius Technologies with Garrett O’Rourke, Cork Chamber Skillnet and Annette Coburn, it@cork Skillnet Network Manager

Tech seminar series for Cork SMEs Cork Chamber has joined forces with it@cork, which represents nearly 200 organisations in the South West region, to develop a specialist seminar series on technology for SMEs. The first of these, on 15 March, focused on ‘Technology for a Hybrid Work Environment’. In a recent survey of its members, Cork Chamber found that 70% of respondents were offering hybrid working options to new hires and 30% had hired for a fully remote role. “Businesses are taking the time to plan for the longer term and implement lasting systems to support the new ways of working that have emerged,” said Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber.

Ei Electronics on carbon neutral quest

CHAMBER COMMENT

“Expanding the capacity of our planning authorities – and as importantly our local authorities –is essential if we are to succeed in maintaining the momentum that will fund nationally important projects such as ‘Housing for All’.” Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland welcoming the announcement of further resourcing of planning authorities across the country

InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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EI Electronics Chairman and CEO Mick Guinee with Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes

Shannon Chamber member company Ei Electronics recently published its first annual sustainability report. It charts the progress the company has made in the past 12 months in its quest to become carbon neutral by 2030 – an ambitious target set by Ei Electronics Chairman and CEO Mick Guinee. The company has set up a green team and progress so far includes: 1,523 trees saved in 2020, based on reduced paper consumption; 52 tonnes of packaging reduced since 2019; 200 jobs created at its Shannon headquarters in the past 12 months; and €1m donated to charities, communities and educational establishments in recent years.

08/04/2022 15:02

CHAMBERS NEWS

CHAMBER COMMENT It is vital that we broaden our access to international supply chains which will ensure that our businesses and homes will have access to the goods and services we need.” Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland, commenting on the renewal of St Patrick’s Day ministerial missions

Digital advances in Dungarvan Funding of almost €1.4m was announced by the Department of Rural and Community Affairs for the development of a new digital transformation hub in Dungarvan, Co Waterford. It will involve the development of an incubation, innovation and commercialisation hub and the creation of a digital knowledge facility to support new and existing companies. Dungarvan Digital Transformation Hub will also provide training facilities enabling up-skilling through various programmes, while a digital incubator programme will assist established enterprises or start-ups to deliver a proof of concept. The Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber is part of the steering group for the project.

PR push in Tipperary A member of Tipperary Chamber, Red PR, recently launched an on-demand blended learning programme designed for Irish SMEs that want to learn how to roll out simple PR campaigns for their business. It combines online video lessons with interactive task submissions and one-to-one consultation and feedback from the course creator and practising PR professional Carey-Ann Lordan. Red PR’s half-day marketing strategy workshop has proved popular among businesses seeking a post-pandemic communication kickstart session.

Cross-border co-operation

Launch of the cross-border conference at InterTradeIreland

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A major cross-border trade conference, jointly hosted by Dundalk and Newry Chambers, was held virtually on 9 March. With sponsors including InterTradeIreland, it focused on sustaining and building cross-border cooperation and trade. Case studies demonstrated how businesses, both North and South, have overcome significant challenges, using the supports available to navigate the changes in trade flows and identify opportunities for growth. Government ministers and senior council officials from both sides of the border set out their priorities for the region. InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

08/04/2022 15:02

CHAMBERS NEWS

The 2020 Laois Jobs Fair organised by Laois Chamber

Jobs Fair making a comeback Laois Chamber has announced that the Laois Jobs Fair is returning again in 2022, following on from the success of the inaugural 2020 event, which attracted 2,500 attendees. This year’s event will take place again in the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise on 12 April from 12-8pm with the tag line ‘Get a New Laois of Life’. The 2020 event saw over 300 jobs on offer from 40 companies. Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board and apprenticeships body Solas also exhibited on the day as well as the Laois Hub Collective showcasing remote working hubs across the county.

CHAMBER CAPTION

Waterford Chamber teamed up with healthcare provider UPMC and Breast Cancer Ireland to deliver breast health awareness during the chamber’s Wellness Month. Pictured are David Beirne, Managing Director, UPMC in Ireland, Aisling Hurley, CEO, Breast Cancer Ireland and Anne Mynes, Outreach Coordinator.

InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

Chambers Ireland golf event Chambers Ireland will be hosting its inaugural golf competition on 20 October in the K Club, Co Kildare. This competition is open to the winning teams of participating Chamber golf competitions around the country. These teams will represent their Chamber at this national competition with the overall winners on the day taking the title of All Island Chamber Champions.

CHAMBER FEATURE

Meeting Luc Frieden Chambers Ireland Chief Executive, and Deputy President of Eurochambres, Ian Talbot speaks with the new President of the umbrella organisation which represents the interests of Europe’s industry and services sectors.

Luc Frieden has taken office as President of Eurochambres, the association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry, succeeding Christoph Leitl, the former President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. A long-time Finance Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and current President of the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, Frieden is a strong advocate of European integration. Q: As you begin your presidency, how would you describe your role in one sentence? A: I will be an ambassador of European companies in Brussels and an ambassador of the European project vis-a-vis the corporate world. Q: With the EU Green Deal due to be a foundation of Europe’s climate and sustainability response, what must be done to help business support its goals? A: The EU faces major challenges - both at political and economic level. The transformation to a climatefriendly and CO2-free economy requires great efforts from all companies in Europe. The EU can help businesses by providing favourable and predictable framework conditions to operate and make the EU Green Deal a success. Q: In an increasingly globalised world, how do you think European companies can become more competitive? A: I would encourage companies to make better use of the opportunities offered by the EU’s internal market. Free and fair international trade is indispensable for the competitiveness of European companies – and only they can contribute to growth and prosperity for all. Q: Is there a particular initiative that you would like to highlight at Eurochambres? A: The creation of an EU capital markets union as a source of financing for companies is high on the Chamber's list of priorities. Promoting investment and increasing prosperity will be pushed by Eurochambres under my presidency.

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Luc Frieden, President, Eurochambres

Europe needs ESG and business-friendly frameworks that encourage investments in digitalisation, sustainable growth and technology.

Q: In this decade of change, how important do you see intra-European cooperation? A: Europe needs ESG and business-friendly frameworks that encourage investments in digitalisation, sustainable growth and technology. Therefore, we need close cooperation between public institutions, businesses and citizens to make Europe a successful continent. Q: While there is clearly a strong EU focus in the work of Eurochambres, do you see opportunity to build ties beyond the 43 member countries? A: Certainly. I would like to use this platform to further develop complex trade relations with the EU’s neighbouring countries, particularly Switzerland and the UK, as well as with other key international trading partners, especially the US and China. Q: In conclusion, everyone in Chambers Ireland would like to wish you every success for your forthcoming term and we will work with you to help you achieve your goals. A: Thank you Ian and I look forward to working with you all too. InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

08/04/2022 15:08

CHAMBER CEO Q&A

Central to growth InBusiness caught up with Gerry McInerney, Chief Executive Officer, Athlone Chamber, who has a positive outlook for the region for this year and beyond.

“The aim is to deliver a hub as a location for digital enterprises and to collaborate with TUS to deliver entrepreneur programmes and research and development projects.” and The Midlands. It will attract more employers and keep more students in the region.

Q: How is life and business in Athlone? A: Athlone is busy following the lifting of restrictions. All pharma, medtech, ICT and manufacturing operated at full employment during lockdowns. Indeed, IDA Ireland recently acquired more land in the area. A number of highprofile retailers are opening new stores in the town. All hotels are receiving a lot of business and personal bookings for the year ahead. The leisure options for Athlone have increased with new entertainment centres, upgraded hotels, new walking trails and improved sporting facilities. InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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Q: Any developments in your region which should stimulate business growth? A: With Athlone having been designated as a centre for growth in the National Planning Framework, there are a number of regeneration projects for the town in the planning phase. Athlone has very good transport links, with regular trains between Dublin and the West as well as motorway and bus services. The housing situation is greatly improving locally with over 1,000 homes either in construction or the planning phase. The new TUS university is a major boost for Athlone

Q: What are the burning issues facing your members at the moment? A: An issue for many businesses especially in hospitality is recruitment of staff. Wage inflation is a concern for some sectors. Remote working is an issue in that some workers in sectors such as ICT can work locally for Dublin-based companies for bigger salaries. Also a shortage of office space for start-ups is a problem. With this in mind, Athlone Chamber is leading a group consisting of Westmeath County Council, IDA Ireland and TUS in trying to develop a digital co-working hub. We recently completed a feasibility study with the help of Just Transition and a town-centre building has been identified. The aim is to deliver a hub as a location for digital enterprises and to collaborate with TUS to deliver entrepreneur programmes and research and development projects. The hub will also provide landing space for IDA Ireland clients and have a community focus. The next phase is to secure funding to complete the project. Q: Any other interesting initiatives you would like to highlight? A: At present we are facilitating meetings between TUS and large employers looking at how best to ensure students have the right skills to work in local companies. The Chamber also recently helped with a number of webinars with business, planners and students on how to make the best use of our streets and make them more attractive to visitors and employees.

08/04/2022 15:16

CHAMBER FEATURE

Challenging times Shane Conneely, Director of Policy and Communications, Chambers Ireland, discusses the effect of the Russia/Ukraine war on inflation and what this means for business.

arlier this year, Chambers Ireland had hoped we would be able to turn our policy focus back towards improving the general Irish business environment rather than continue with crisis management and mitigating the impact of macroeconomic events. Even if it is over quickly, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will unfortunately materially affect businesses and communities throughout Ireland – and will do so for years to come. At the turn of the year, Chambers Ireland was concerned about how the increase in energy prices was impacting businesses and our national competitiveness. Our sense was that growth would return to the global economy in 2022 and that the challenge for government and business would be to remain competitive while our economy heated up. Growth is still likely for Ireland (for as long as the conflict remains within Ukraine’s borders). But, as with Brexit and Covid-19, crises amplify pre-existing problems while undermining our capacity to deal with them. There were three underlying components to 2021’s inflation: energy; rebound prices for goods that had been in low demand during the

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lockdowns; and the supply-chain effects arising from transport disruption and input bottlenecks. The inflation that our economy experienced in 2021 was always likely to continue for much of 2022; the war means that it will be more difficult to manage at least two of the causes of inputfactor inflation. Energy costs have climbed higher still and will remain high for the foreseeable future. Disentangling the EU from Russia’s energy web has become a matter of existential risk for economies such as Germany and Italy. Central European countries are likely to rely on greater use of coal-fired power plants, but the advanced economies will have to source their gas from other markets. This will require a considerable investment in ports and storage facilities for liquefied petroleum gas; it also means a price hike for gas where the origin is outside of sanctioned regimes.

Further disruption The hope was that the rebound in prices would have already abated by the New Year. We had expected that our supply chains would adapt and find a new equilibrium over the coming year too. However, the conflict has led to further disruption InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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CHAMBER FEATURE

of supply chains, particularly in the commodities markets. Not only is Russia an enormous supplier of oil, gas and associated products it is also a leading exporter of timber, iron ore and nickel. The loss of these raw materials is likely to have consequences for many firms. Even more importantly, Russia is the largest exporter of wheat, and a significant exporter of nitrogenous fertiliser. Ukraine is a major exporter of corn, wheat, vegetable oils, iron ore and steel. Very large energy-consuming sectors will suffer cost inflation as a result of the increasing cost of electricity. Industrial products that require high-quality heat such as chip production, pharmaceuticals and cement manufacturing will become more expensive. Combined with the supply chain problems, this will see the costs of construction in particular climb. For households, the increased cost of fuel and electricity is going to lead to lower levels of disposable income which is likely to depress the service sector – and hospitality especially. This is a considerable concern given the tough years that sector has gone through as a result of Covid-19. The wheat and fertiliser supply shocks are likely to dampen down the consumer economy too. Russia will soon be harvesting its winter wheat, but will not have a market to sell into, whereas Ukraine is unlikely to be able to harvest its current crops and will be unable to plant its summer crops. Even supplying seed for its winter planting is unlikely, given the disruption of the war. Out to 2024 this is likely to lead to increased difficulties in Middle-Eastern and North-African polities – European consumers will have to deal with increased costs of food, whereas people in those areas will be coping with hunger.

“The inflation experienced in 2021 was always likely to continue for much of 2022; the war means that it will be more difficult to manage at least two of the causes of input-factor inflation.”

from the wider availability of staff that remote working offers, however that is putting them in competition with businesses in regional towns that rely on workers from their locality. Other businesses are operating remote-only business models, which is leading to individuals taking up residence in regional areas, increasing property costs there. This suggests that there will be a higher labour input cost in regional areas and also a reduced pool of workers for those operating office-only businesses in cities – which in turn is likely to create a more competitive marketplace for attracting talent in the urban zones. While the cost of living is likely to rise and high energy prices are expected to persist, there is a risk of stagflation emerging in both the anglophone and eurozone areas (where the cost-of-living increases erode domestic consumption, causing an economic contraction even as prices continue to rise). Ireland is far better placed to manage the impact of these effects than most of our peer nations, but the coming years are unlikely to be as buoyant as we hoped.

Staffing pressures Beyond the immediate concerns for Irish businesses arising from Russia’s invasion, our economy will continue to struggle with the availability of highdemand skills. Staff acquisition and retention is already presenting as a problem for many of our members. Should growth projections continue as anticipated, we will be heading towards full employment by mid-2024 which will increase staffing pressures on businesses further still. Some city-based businesses are profiting InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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08/04/2022 15:21

CHAMBER FEATURE

All things considered Shane Conneely, Director of Policy and Communications, Chambers Ireland, discusses the opportunities and challenges remote working presents to businesses and individuals.

emote working offers huge opportunities for businesses and individuals throughout the country. For people with disabilities or mobility issues it can afford them access to roles they would otherwise be excluded from. It allows people with caring duties to maintain engagement with the workforce, ensuring that their skills do not atrophy. For businesses, it provides access to deeper pools of talent and facilitates their operation with reduced capital requirements. The Government recently published its ‘Right to Request Remote Working’ Bill. This legislation will seek to regularise and formalise some of the workplace processes that emerged over the Covid-19 crisis. In parallel, Chambers Ireland helped to launch Grow Remote’s ‘Remote Playbook for SMEs’, which guides SMEs through the

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pathway to successfully implementing an internal remote working policy. How to move forward with remote working is a question that many businesses are struggling with. There are three primary modes that firms are looking towards: fully onsite, hybrid and fully remote. The Chambers Ireland perspective is that it would be best for individual businesses to determine what mix suits their operations – even within businesses that are open to making remote work a permanent element of their working practices, it will likely be appropriate for certain parts of the business and less so for others.

Varying requirements Businesses that rely on graduates, or firms where staff are engaged in training such as in the legal and accountancy professions,

may find it impossible to onboard and up-skill such staff if they’re not embedded in an office environment. Meanwhile in the same businesses administration and support staff might be more effective if they were to be working remotely. Multi-disciplinarily teams, such as in the design and consultancy world, often rely on interpersonal interaction to facilitate the cross-pollination of ideas. In areas where teamwork is a core element of work practices, it can be a challenge to facilitate the nurturing of teams outside of an environment which facilitates frequent interactions between individuals. Where inter-personal conflict arises, it can be more difficult to de-escalate issues within a team where one-to-one bonds haven’t had the chance to form. Different people are often best suited to different work practices, with some favouring office-based environments, InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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CHAMBER FEATURE

others preferring remote and a third group that sees a mix of the two as their ideal. This lends to the scenario where a hybrid model is often the first option that businesses consider. But this is not without its own challenges. For a business this can offer the worst of all worlds, where they have the cost of maintaining an office, but also carry the costs associated with supporting remote working. Co-ordinating who does what, where and when can lead to HR issues: in some instances, employees may feel that they’re not being treated in the same way as others. Another scenario is that people working from home may not be afforded the same opportunities for progression and skills development as they’re not physically close to the decision makers in the business.

InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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Female participation One of the most welcome features of the shift to remote work over the pandemic was the increase in women’s participation in the labour force, a process that was largely driven by women being able to go from part-time work to full-time roles. Meanwhile women who were outside of the workforce were able to find new opportunities. The increase was particularly marked in women beyond their late fifties – a working cohort that has historically been very difficult to reactivate once these women left the workforce. Unless pathways to career development are available to remote workers, there is the risk that poorly implemented remote working strategies can reinforce existing structural challenges for women, people with disabilities, and those with caring duties. Remote working allows incomes to grow in regional areas, but this has second-order effects too. The remote working revolution saw people who were finding housing

“Different people are often best suited to different work practices, with some favouring office-based environments, others preferring remote and a third group that sees a mix of the two as their ideal.”

unaffordable in cities move to regional areas, increasing demand (and prices) for homes in those areas. The ability to earn city wages while working from home in the regions is hugely attractive to many workers who are currently working for the businesses that already exist in remote locations. Staff retention is driving up costs for those firms in a way that may undermine their business plans, and in the longer run their viability. There are enormous possibilities that can potentially arise from remote working: For some businesses that can go entirely remote it delivers enormous cost savings from a business operations perspective. For other sectors is allows recruitment to occur from a broader pool of locations helping to fill skill gaps in sectors where labour is mobile, even if the workers aren’t. However, remote working is only one part of the puzzle when it comes to creating a legislative framework that facilitates economic growth but also recognises the need to treat workers decently. The Chambers Ireland approach is that remote working is not a simple area to legislate within as there is an overlap between employment law, health and safety, and optimum business practices. Our argument is that remote working should sit within a wider flexible working framework which has labour force activation and improving productivity as its goals. The rush to legislate in this area, when regulation would be more flexible, seems to be a response not to the concerns of the business community, but to the pressures within the civil service.

08/04/2022 15:23

CHAMBER FEATURE

Push for planning reform The Government needs to make reform of our planning system a central pillar to its activities this year if we are to make a success off the 2020s, writes Shane Conneely, Director of Policy and Communications, Chambers Ireland.

s a nation, we have to make good on the infrastructure gap that underinvestment over the past decade has caused while at the same time retooling our society and our economy to make the shift away from fossil fuels. In taking on these challenges, planning will become an even greater issue for the State over the coming decade. With the revision to the National Development Plan we are going to see a significant increase in State investment over the next few years. Supporting this, our cities and towns need to be transformed into attractive places to live and work if we are to make a success of our National Planning Framework. The alternative to this densification process is to continue with the system that has led us into the ongoing housing, quality-of-life, environmental crises that we know today. In addition to this improvement of the public realm, over 300,000

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08/04/2022 15:24

CHAMBER FEATURE

new dwellings are to be built as part of Housing for All. This will require a massive investment by Irish Water to increase the capacity of our water supply network so that it can meet the additional demands of these new households along with general industrial demand. As importantly, Irish Water needs to improve the wastewater treatment capacity. The lack of adequate treatment facilities in many parts of the country is not only polluting our waters it is also limiting where and when development can occur. Our energy system is also going to see enormous changes before 2030. If we are to be able to meet the renewable electricity targets needed to keep within our emissions limits we’re going to have to double the size of our onshore wind turbine fleet. We will also need to create approximately 2GW of solar energy supply, which is likely to require hundreds more projects throughout the country.

More ambition needed Even if Russia had not invaded Ukraine, Chambers Ireland has been arguing that we, as an island, should be more ambitious about our plans for the energy sector. We are decades behind our international peers when it comes to renewable energy – and offshore renewable energy in particular. Offshore, we need to create 5GW of new wind supply – as large a source of energy as the entirety of our existing onshore wind turbine fleet – from a standing start, with a new legislative framework and a new planning authority. Meanwhile EirGrid will need to link these energy sources, which are disproportionately in rural regional or remote areas, to places where high demand for energy exists (typically our urban East). Our lack of ambition means that if even one project fails to be developed, we will not meet out 2030 targets. In contrast, ScotWind has leased 17 new sites for offshore wind in its latest round of projects. Its target is to have an extra 25GW of offshore energy added to the British electricity system by 2033, up from 15GW today. Two-thirds of the new projects will be floating offshore, the largest of which will generate 3GW of electricity. In contrast, in Ireland floating offshore projects will not begin to be considered until beyond 2030. Russia’s war on Ukraine has highlighted the EU’s vulnerability to supply-side fossil fuel energy shocks. Even if Russia’s attack is shortlived, the consequences will persist. Fossil fuel InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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prices will be higher and more volatile that we had previously experienced. The appropriate response to this, from the EU bloc perspective, is to increase the production of renewable energy so that we can reduce our dependency on Russian oil and gas. Ireland is uniquely positioned to benefit from the increased focus on renewables and Irish businesses will benefit from reliable energy, at cheaper prices than our European peers, if we take the necessary actions.

Investment imperative Unfortunately, it will not be possible for our creaking planning system to accommodate these demands. We have deferred too many decisions for too long, and so our planning system needs to see significant investment if it is to be able to keep pace with the investment that our country needs. There is a school of thought that we should create an alternative route for planning permission that avoids the pressures of Judicial Review. Unfortunately, this ignores the lessons of the failed Strategic Housing Development process. When a process to avoid the courts is created, the process involved in avoiding the judicial process inevitably gets tested in the courts. This leads to the delays that the alternative route was supposed to evade. It would be far better if the planning authorities were adequately resourced – at every level – to ensure that the planning decision making processes are correctly applied so that when they are challenged, as always happens, that they can withstand the scrutiny that is applied to them. If, by 2030, public investment is to be in excess of €165bn, if another €100bn is to be invested in housing, and at least €40bn more is to be invested in commercial property, then we should be making sure that there are no resource constraints which inhibit the development of infrastructure. We should require that decisions are made speedily and any reviews or appeals can be processed in a timeframe which will ensure that costs and planning risk are minimised. Complementing this, before the summer recess, the Government must institute a dedicated Environment and Planning Court which would create capacity within the review process to deal with the enormous volume of work that will be needed if our national ambitions are to meet our potential.

“If we are to be able to meet the renewable electricity targets needed to keep within our emissions limits we’re going to have to double the size of our onshore wind turbine fleet.”

08/04/2022 15:25

CHAMBER FEATURE

Security in cyberspace With the recent initiation of two important processes at the UN, Rene Summer, Lead of the ICC Global Digital Economy Commission Working Group on Cybersecurity, outlines the need to transform talk into action.

he importance of security in cyberspace is becoming an increasing focus for governments. In December, the first substantive meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on security of and in the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) was held. This was followed in January with the ad-hoc intergovernmental committee hosting the first meeting of its three-year mandate to develop a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of ICTs for criminal purposes. With these processes now dominating policy dialogues around safety and security in cyberspace, it is imperative that governments recognise that their responsibility to protect citizens also applies in the digital world. In 2020, the cost of global cybercrime was estimated at €5.5tr, up from €2.7tr in 2015. Should this trend remain unaddressed, we can reasonably expect another doubling of this to €11tr by 2030, corresponding to the combined nominal GDP of Germany, France and Japan in 2020. Alarmingly, cybercriminals are not the only nefarious actors against which citizens and the business community must defend themselves with a growing number of states investing in cyberspace activities to target critical infrastructures and other vital societal functions. Looking beyond disruptions to critical infrastructure and the monetary losses of cybercrime, non-monetary costs are also on the rise. In 2020, citizens in 28 countries surveyed stated their fear of cyberattacks was on par with their fear of contracting Covid-19 at the peak of the pandemic.

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Concrete actions Governments must take action to control and help reverse the tide of deteriorating cybersecurity and cyber safety conditions, fully implement international and national instruments, and undertake concrete actions. These include: • upholding commitments to international law and norms of responsible state behaviour in cyberspace • bolstering cross-border cooperation to effectively tackle cybercrime • implementing and enforcing legal instruments that deter malicious cyber activity • curtailing the proliferation of offensive cyber tools, instruments and cyberweapons. • Crucially, increased government action must be based on broad multistakeholder dialogue to avoid negatively impacting entrepreneurialism, innovation and prosperity. The private sector is expanding preventive actions such as the security of the software supply chain and critical infrastructure protection. Spending on cybersecurity will surpass US$150bn in 2021, an increase of 12.4% over the previous year. In addition, businesses spend significant time supporting and collaborating on initiatives to promote the responsible use of technology and information. To avoid instability, a safe, secure, resilient and peaceful cyberspace is a necessity. Undermining the security of ICT supply chains, attacking healthcare organisations, threatening energy and transportation and jeopardising food resources cannot become activities that are normalised due to inaction. This blog was originally posted on iccwo.org.

“Crucially, increased government action must be based on broad multistakeholder dialogue to avoid negatively impacting entrepreneurialism, innovation and prosperity.”

InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

08/04/2022 15:27

CHAMBER FEATURE PARTNER PROFILE

Grand scheme

James Doyle, SME Market Engagement, AIB Business Banking, discusses the current business environment and how the Credit Guarantee Scheme is a funding option worth considering.

ver the course of 2021 we saw a strong performance in indigenous sectors such as food and agriculture and manufacturing, and also our multinational sector, supported by a strong rebound in services, construction and core retail. A number of important sectors for the economy such as hospitality have faced substantial challenges. Navigating the range of supports, schemes, and services available to your business as we re-emerge from the pandemic is no mean feat. Your bank can be a source of information and share insights with you on the government finance schemes that are currently in the market. Having been renewed during the peak of the pandemic, the Credit Guarantee Scheme is an effective way for business to borrow to fund investment and working capital needs without the need to provide security. With a term of up to five-and-a-half years and a straightforward online end-to-end application process in AIB, eligible businesses can apply for a loan of between €10,000 and €1m. The maximum amount

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“The Credit Guarantee Scheme is an effective way for business to borrow to fund investment and working capital needs without the need to provide security."

that can be borrowed on an unsecured basis is €250,000. The interest rate is competitive, alongside a premium payable to the State.

A range of uses The scheme is aimed to help businesses that have experienced an adverse impact of a minimum of 15% in actual or projected turnover or profit due to the impact of Covid-19. Some of the most compelling examples of how the scheme is being used relate to businesses availing of it to invest in their future growth. We have seen firms in a range of sectors from food production to professional services doing this. The swiftness of AIB’s online process, and the competitiveness of the rates on offer, has made this scheme an attractive one, enabling these businesses to tap into new opportunities. Businesses that availed of tax warehousing may seek alternative options to Revenue’s repayment terms, and the Credit Guarantee Scheme is a useful mechanism to spread out the repayments over a longer period in a cost-effective manner. Equally the scheme can be used as an option to fund commercial rates or other similar expenses. AIB is one of a number of financial institutions that are offering this scheme. It is due to conclude on 30 June 2022 or until fully subscribed, whichever is sooner. You can apply for the funding and find full details at www.aib.ie/sbci.

08/04/2022 15:30

EMBASSY OF BRAZIL IN IRELAND PROFILE

Irish investments growing in Brazil Paper-based packaging solutions provider Smurfit Kappa is a prime example of an Irish company that is committed to investing in its operations and in innovation and sustainability activity in Brazil.

n recent years, Brazil has been ramping up efforts to attract international investors across several priority sectors. The country is considered to be one of the most attractive destinations for foreign direct investment (FDI). In 2021, it was the seventh-largest destination for FDI globally, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development; preliminary figures estimate that inflows reached close to US$60bn. Brazil’s investment-friendly environment has attracted an array of Irish companies, including Smurfit Kappa, one of the leading providers of paperbased packaging solutions in the world. In January, Smurfit Kappa revealed plans to invest US$33m in its operation in Fortaleza in the Northeast region of Brazil to meet the growing demand for sustainable packaging. Tony Smurfit, Smurfit Kappa Group CEO, commented: “Brazil is a very important part of our Latin American footprint. Since we entered the market in 2015, we have grown our operations and built up a solid reputation for innovative and sustainable packaging. “Our investment in the Fortaleza Plant will significantly enhance our customer offering in the region and is a very positive next step for our Brazilian operations. I’m proud of what our team has achieved there so far.”

that is required for shelf-ready packaging solutions for fast-moving consumer goods customers. The technologically advanced new equipment will also strengthen the company’s e-commerce capabilities to meet the rapidly growing demand of this market in Brazil. For Smurfit Kappa, however, the investment in the Brazilian operation goes beyond increasing production capacity and installing new equipment. The planned improvements, including a state-of-the-art innovation centre, will enable the company to support its customers even more and contribute to their growth in the market. “We believe that by combining a centre of innovation with cutting-edge technology we will be able to provide greater opportunities for collaboration with customers to deliver innovative, inspiring and sustainable solutions,” highlights Manuel Alcalá, CEO of Smurfit Kappa Brazil. The company has also been operating in a customercentric model, bringing customers into the day-to-day business to co-create innovative solutions to add value to their businesses.

Rise of the Brazilian market Smurfit Kappa entered Brazil in 2015 through the acquisition of two family businesses with operations in three different states: Minas Gerais (Central-West region), Bento Gonçalves (South region), and Ceará (Northeast region). Since then, it has been showing growth, year on year, and gaining market position through its sustainable and innovative packaging solutions.

Investment in innovation and technology The expansion, which includes the installation of a new corrugator, will significantly extend the plant’s capacity to serve customers in a range of sectors, including fresh fruit, home appliances and pharmaceuticals. Several high-end printers will also be installed to provide the high level of precision and quality

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“Smurfit Kappa recently announced a further investment of US$33m in Brazil’s Northeast region to expand production capacity.”

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Artist’s impression of Smurfit Kappa’s Fortaleza plant extension

The company views the local market with optimism and has proven this through the investments in people, technology, security, infrastructure and innovation that it has made over the past six years. “Brazil is a key market for Smurfit Kappa and we are excited to dedicate significant resources from the company's global investment plan to expand our presence in the Northeast. It is clear proof of Smurfit Kappa's commitment to this market,” said Laurent Sellier, CEO of Smurfit Kappa, The Americas. The Northeast region, in particular, is seen as a growing market that has attracted several industries with varied profiles. “Almost 30% of the total Brazilian population resides in the Northeast region and Fortaleza offers the perfect platform to strengthen our presence in this attractive and fast-growing part of the country,” added Sellier.

Next steps for Smurfit Kappa According to what the company has been observing in the packaging market, 2022 should follow the trend of recent years and maintain the rapid pace of expansion. For Smurfit Kappa, much of this growth can be InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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explained by the fact that packaging is no longer seen just as a means of transporting products but has a more active role in the consumer experience and brand perception. Increasingly, customers recognise the potential of packaging due to its essential role throughout the entire supply chain, from the logistics process to the supermarket shelf or during the unboxing experience within the e-commerce channel. In this context, certain trends have been gaining strength in the market, such as the visual identity of brands and logos and the introduction of novel elements that surprise the customer when opening packaging. With all this in mind, Smurfit Kappa plans to continue investing in its operations which are currently spread across 36 countries. For Brazil, the planned investments include technology, innovation, infrastructure and safety – a move that reinforces Smurfit Kappa’s sustainable growth strategy and circular business model. Companies willing to learn more about investments and partnerships in Brazil may contact the Brazilian Embassy in Ireland at secom.dublin@itamaraty.gov.br.

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CHAMBER PARTNER PROFILE

Craftsmanship in action

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.

Guided Factory Tour

A significant tourist attraction, the House of Waterford Crystal welcomes 210,000 visitors annually from across the world. 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 wooden moulds and hand tools. The next part of the tour is truly magical – visitors enter the blowing department watching 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 they are then cut, sculpted and engraved. Visitors next witness the cutting department. The master cutter must rely on his own skill to judge the amount of

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pressure that is 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. 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 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 and brand experience

Visitors can experience over 12,000 sq ft of crystal heaven in the largest retail and showcase of Waterford Crystal in the world. The Crystal Café offers a delicious menu of breakfast and lunch options and a selection of homemade cakes, pastries and treats are made in-house. Visitors can enjoy a beautiful afternoon tea experience, served in Wedgwood’s ‘Butterfly Bloom’ fine-bone china collection.

Corporate and sports

Our corporate and gift awards programme 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 within Ireland and to the UK or the US. Our dedicated Sales Manager Tom Walsh can be contacted at tom.walsh@fiskars.com. Go to waterfordvisitorcentre.com, email houseofwaterfordcrystal@fiskars.com or call 051 317000 for more information. InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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CHAMBER AWARDS

Chambers Ireland Awards now open! EXCELLENCE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AWARDS The Excellence in Local Government Awards showcase best practice in local government and recognise the skills, hard work, innovation and enthusiasm within local government that can often go unrecognised. These awards are held in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The deadline for applications is May 5.

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS IMPACT AWARDS The Sustainable Business Impact Awards showcase best practice in sustainable development and social responsibility undertaken by companies of all sizes across Ireland. The UN Sustainable Development Goals are at the heart of these awards, celebrating sustainable business practices and championing Chambers Ireland’s alignment with the Goals.The deadline for submissions is 12 noon on Wednesday, 27 April.

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There’s a name you may not know behind many Irish business successes

Their secret? GeoDirectory, Ireland’s leading data intelligence expert. To find and keep customers, you need every edge you can get. Our powerful data toolkit can drive your business forward. Verify addresses. Identify opportunities. Win customers. Follow success.

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FUTURE OF EMPLOYMENT

Planning for a Work-From-Anywhere future Hybrid or fully remote working models are here to stay, and with the right planning in place, agile organisations can reap the rewards.

ybrid models of work are here to stay, as emphasised by the forthcoming Right to Request Remote Working Bill 2022. Navigating the new challenges of managing remote and hybrid teams is daunting but offers many exciting opportunities for businesses looking beyond traditional urban ofﬁce models. If your organisation is planning for this, business leaders must consider key areas such as taxation, HR, IT and data security, and the impact remote working will have on these and the wider organisation. The are many advantages to becoming a more agile organisation, and with the right advice and planning, you can make the transition smoothly.

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IB PARTNER PROFILE: RETURN TO WORK

Midlands Hubs Ready for Business With the move away from coastal cities, the Midlands offers great quality of life, proximity to Dublin and a great network of quality co-working facilities.

ith the work landscape altering dramatically over the past couple of years, Michael Newham, Business Development Manager with Midlands Network of Co-working Facilities has recently noticed a marked uptick in corporate enquires regarding availability of hub space for employees. “This came as no surprise,” says Newham, “Pre COVID, 24k people were leaving the Midlands daily for work or study.” Reacting to the growing interest, close to 20 Hubs in the Midlands (with 12 more in the pipeline) offer a work / life balance while also facilitating face-to-face round-trip meetings in city offices. Newham says, “From ‘hotdesking’ to ‘own-door offices’, hubs

on the services offered. Light, heat, adequate ventilation, fast broadband, ergonomic furniture and a safe/secure work environment remain the basic offering for all hubs,” explains Newham. Larger hubs, such as the e-Working Centre in Mullingar, the Junction in Tullamore, or the Webmill in Mountmellick - envisage their hubs at the centre of an enterprise ecosystem - offering both business acceleration services and state agencies introductions. “Managers of every hub aim to create a helpful, supportive environment where start-ups, freelancers, corporate employees and investors can be brought together. The net effect is both positive and dynamic,” states Newham. The MNCF facilitates this peer-to-peer

MANAGERS ENVISAGE THEIR HUBS AT THE CENTRE OF AN ENTERPRISE ECOSYSTEM OFFERING BOTH BUSINESS ACCELERATION SERVICES AND STATE AGENCIES INTRODUCTIONS across the entire Midland region of Longford, Westmeath, Offaly and Laois provide solutions to fit the hybridworking lifestyle.”

learning with additional insights from the wider business community and agencies such as the Local Enterprise Office or Enterprise Ireland.

A HUB FOR HUBS Details for all Midlands Hubs can be found on our MNCF Directory on www.midlandsireland.ie. Additionally, if you wish to reserve a space at any particular hub then www.connectedhubs.ie is the best platform to use. “Daily charges for attending hubs vary considerably and this depends

RETAINING EMPLOYEES In its January 2022 ‘Pulse Survey’, the CSO revealed that 88% of employees working remotely wanted to continue doing so, even after the lifting of COVID restrictions. In the age of the ‘Great Resignation’ employers who show flexibility around the ‘designated place of work’ are the ones to gain the most. Indeed, those workplaces

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Co:Worx - Longford

e-Hive - Offaly

BloomHQ - Laois

e-Working Centre – Mullingar

offering hybrid-working roles will find themselves one step ahead of the competition. “Provision of a ‘third space’ between the main office and the employee’s home, undoubtedly drives productivity and success,” says Newham. “A recognition of this by employers, plus their appreciation for the variety of Midlands amenities, recreational activities, and shopping options, is clearly a trend that is set to continue.” To find out more about the MNCF, visit our landing page at www.midlandsireland.ie or contact Michael over email: mnewham@laoiscoco.ie. Funded through the Just Transition Fund and the Carbon Tax Fund

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Source: ConnectedHubs.ie Longford Hubs 1 Co:Worx coworx.ie Westmeath Hubs 2 E-Working Centre Mullingar westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/business/ business/e-working 3 Business Development Centre actathlone.ie 4 Mullingar Enterprise, Technology & Innovation Centre meag.ie 5 Midlands Innovation & Research Centre ait.ie/research-and-innovation/midlandsinnovation-research-centre

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

Planning for Safe and Healthy Remote and Hybrid Working As employers and employees adapt to the challenges of working remotely, they each have responsibilities to ensure adequate health and safety standards and employee wellbeing.

lanning for more stable remote and hybrid working arrangements has come in to sharp focus for many employers and employees as public health restrictions relating to the pandemic have been lifted on a phased basis. As employers and employees adapted to the challenges of working remotely overnight, now the challenge is different. Employers should now plan for the future in a way that works for their business and meets the needs of employees keen to realise new and more flexible working arrangements. Remote working can bring both positives and challenges for business. The upsides for employers can include: ● fewer accommodation pressures at the workplace ● perhaps less rental space needed ● wider access to talent, and ● better morale amongst employees who now have more flexible working lives. The benefits for employees can include: ● a better work / life balance ● less commuting time

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● fewer distractions and interruptions and greater productivity, ● greater job opportunities where job location is less important.

BLENDED WORKING OR DIVIDING THE WORKING WEEK BETWEEN WORKPLACE AND HOME MAY BE MORE DESIRABLE FOR EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES SO THAT THEY CAN STAY CONNECTED WITH COLLEAGUES, CUSTOMERS AND CLIENTS. HEALTH PERSPECTIVES From a workplace health and safety perspective, remote working can bring other challenges and they need to be planned for and managed to be successful in a sustainable way. Psycho-social challenges of remote working to business and employees can range from:

● i solation from co-workers and customers ● blurring the lines between work and home life and not being able to switch off at the end of the day ● teamwork or team creativity can be difficult and it may be difficult to mentor or coach staff without face to face contact People can miss the benefits of the informal contact that working together brings. This can result in remote working stress for some. Blended working or dividing the working week between workplace and home may be more desirable for employers and employees so that they can stay connected with colleagues, customers and clients. LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES Responsibility for health and safety at work rests both with the employer and the employee even if that work is being done remotely e.g. at the employee’s home. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 outlines key duties for both employers and employees. Employers are responsible for the equipment they provide, for example, the workstation, chair, computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse, task lighting. They must ensure that a safe system of work, and good communication with clear roles is defined. Employers must conduct a remote working risk assessment to

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

FIGURE 1 - FIVE KEY STEPS TO MANAGING REMOTE WORKING

ensure that any areas that need attention are addressed with employees and identified issues are remedied. Risk assessments can be done remotely using SMART devices, incorporating video technology. Employers also need to make sure employees are aware of any specific risks regarding remote working and that the workspace is suitable for the work they are doing. Employees who are remote working have a responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves and must:

Employees outlines a step by step guide to planning on working from home on a sustainable on-going basis. See Fig.1

● co-operate with their employer and follow their instructions; ● protect themselves from harm during the course of their work, for example take care of any equipment provided and report any defects immediately to the employer ● report any injury arising from the work activity to their employer immediately and ● follow procedures that have been put in place by their employer.

2 Consultation Consult with your employees when developing your remote working policy. It is important for employees to feed into the policy and to be clear what is involves.

MANAGING REMOTE WORKING The HSA’s Guidance on Working from Home for Employers and

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1 Develop a Remote Working Policy This is a critical policy to be developed by employers and it should set out the criteria and requirements for remote working. It will outline the process, expectations and responsibilities of the employer and employee as part of the arrangement.

3 Equipment and Resources Required Employees must identify a suitable space for remote working. Employers must identify what equipment/ resources employees need to work remotely and to agree these with the employee.

4 Risk Assessment / Checklist Remote Working The employer is responsible for risk assessing the remote working environment and workstation and must appoint a competent person to carry out this task (either internal or external). The risk assessment will identify possible issues that could cause injury or ill-health. They must put suitable controls in place to manage workplace risks through the provision of appropriate equipment, training and good two-way communication. This will help reduce future problems. 5 Monitor, Review and Communicate Working from home can result in employees feeling isolated, working longer hours and blurring the lines between work and personal life. It is important that employees know they have support at all times during working hours. It is essential to maintain regular contact and good communication for employees working remotely.

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

Skills to Advance Upskilling programmes from Solas and ETBs are helping to support the hospitality and tourism sector

he 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) around Ireland provide a broad range of training programmes speciﬁc to the hospitality and tourism sector to deliver upskilling and reskilling opportunities for employers and their employees. In 2021, two new highly subsidised ‘Skills to Advance’ programmes were introduced to complement existing provision, delivering critical team leadership and supervisory management skills to the sector. Over the past two years, 243 Skills to Advance courses were delivered to 1389 employees in the sector, with employers

availing of training and upskilling in a wide variety of areas such as Training Needs Identiﬁcation and Design; Implementing Food Safety Management Systems; Patisserie and Confectionery; Barista, Customer Service & Hospitality Skills; Fifty Shades Greener and Social Media for Business. In 2021, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, launched two national upskilling programmes for employees in the sector, which were developed by SOLAS and the ETBs in consultation with the Irish Hotels Federation, Failte Ireland and the Regional Skills Fora. The Developing Leaders for Hospitality and Tourism programmes are positively received by the sector, with employers recognising that investing in their employees and providing career development is a vital element in both

attracting and retaining key talent. These are also critical factors in rebuilding the industry. Skills to Advance works collaboratively with the ETBs, employer bodies and key stakeholders to design, develop and cascade targeted regional and sectoral initiatives to provide agile and relevant upskilling opportunities. These initiatives include Leadership and Management, Developing Leaders for Hospitality and Tourism, Green Skills and Digital Skills for Business Improvement. ETBs work with employers to help them identify their future skills requirements and to encourage them to avail of training programmes to upskill their teams, which will positively impact their business recovery. Find your local ETB contact at skillstoadvance.ie

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

CX Powered by Tech Creating strong partnerships with our customers in the technology sector enables DHL to imagine and enable new approaches and solutions; we understand that innovation is key

t DHL we understand that dynamic technology markets demand dynamic solutions, so we seek strong partnerships with every customer, envisaging and creating the connections to achieve business success. You can rely on our unrivalled global reach, experience and engagement. We’ll help you to imagine and enable new approaches and solutions. Together we push the pace of change—and we will always enrich your experience with our industry-leading logistics services. TECH LEADERS Would it surprise you to know that Ireland is the second largest exporter of computer and IT services in the world? The Technology sector generated €35bn in Irish exports in 2021 alone. A market growing at this speed needs a trusted partner that understands the sector. Working with many of the world’s leading consumer electronic brands, contract manufacturers, component producers and distributors, we understand that innovation is key to maintaining your competitive edge in the fast-paced technology world. If you are a business in the Technology sector, DHL we can support you by:

health check of your e-commerce channels to ensure you enter the most profitable international markets. We’ll also help you optimise your site for Express deliveries.

WE SEEK STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH EVERY CUSTOMER, ENVISAGING AND CREATING THE CONNECTIONS TO ACHIEVE BUSINESS SUCCESS. ● Providing access to new and emerging markets via our extensive network that makes us the most international company in the world. ● Understanding the requirement for fast inbound deliveries of components or finished products to your production facilities, distribution centres or retail outlets. ● Maximising your sales: we have extensive experience in international e-commerce, helping you to increase your conversion rates and basket values. In a world where product life

cycles are becoming shorter, margins are tighter and your customers are demanding the latest innovations, you cannot rely on the domestic market to grow your business. By partnering with DHL Express you can expand your business to over 220 markets around the globe, enabling you to maximise your sales beyond Ireland. ● Tailoring your customer experience: our On Demand Delivery service enables your engineers, inventors, procurement teams and consumers to receive goods at their convenience in over 100 international markets. ● Offering green solutions - today, businesses and their customers are becoming more environmentally conscious. These GoGreen solutions can support your company’s sustainability goals and help you demonstrate your environmental commitment to your customers and shareholders. ‘Connecting You’ is the inspiration behind everything that we do at DHL. We connect people, ideas, and businesses from around the world, sharing insight and best practice to deliver game-changing solutions and competitive edge. Wherever the future is heading, we’re going there with you!

● Providing peace of mind to know that our TAPA certification ensures that we are protecting your Intellectual Property and safeguarding your inventory and R&D investments through the use of our secure, closed network. ● Facilitating the fastest speed to market on our trusted and reliable network. Our door-to-door timed delivery services enable you to reach your international sales channels with the speed your customers demand. ● Conducting a comprehensive website

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

Small Changes, Big Improvements The Environmental Protection Agency is here to support businesses move towards a low carbon economy, says Programme Manager Warren Phelan.

he Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has in place a seven-year Circular Economy Programme from 2021 to 2027, focused on different sectors and priority areas over its course. It is a strategic national programme to prevent waste and drive the circular economy in Ireland. Warren Phelan, Programme Manager at the EPA, advises that big changes are imminent with regard to incentivising businesses to segregate their waste and recycle more.

estimated at €2bn. Emissions from food waste are currently estimated at 3.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. In its efforts to raise awareness the EPA are planning to update the existing Food Waste Charter, which businesses can sign up to, and begin to track and measure their food waste—an illuminating exercise, which can lead them to make changes and cost savings. “By 2030, the challenge to Ireland as a member state of the European Union,

THE CHANGE IS GOING TO BRING IN A GREATER INCENTIVISATION MODEL—SIMILAR TO THE MODEL THAT’S THERE FOR HOUSEHOLD WASTE—TO ENCOURAGE BUSINESSES TO SEGREGATE MATERIALS THAT COULD BE RECYCLED. The programme’s characterisation work— essentially a study of what is going into bins— shows that businesses are still putting a lot of recyclables into the general waste bins. “The evidence that the EPA has collected shows that our recycling rate is in decline, and that’s very worrying for an economy that’s trying to transition fully to the circular economy, because recycling is an important step in that transition,” Phelan notes. WASTE SEGREGATION “Within the next year, commercial waste charges are going to change. That’s important for businesses to know; currently some are paying a flat fee structure for their waste collection. The change is going to bring in a greater incentivisation model—similar to the model that’s there for household waste—to encourage businesses to segregate materials that could be recycled and organic, or food waste.” Warren Phelan, Programme Manager, EPA

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FOOD WASTE In Ireland over 1 million tonnes of food are wasted every year, with a cost to industry

is to reduce the volume of food waste by half,” says Phelan. “That’s a very significant challenge, and we really need all of the actors in the space—from the householder to businesses, industry, hospitality and food processors—to have an awareness of food waste.” SUPPLY CHAIN Another issue which is going to impact more businesses in years to come is green procurement. No matter what size a business, or where it sits in the supply chain, it needs to get up to speed. Phelan advises that: “Public purchasers of goods and services are increasingly looking at using green criteria in procurement.” The EPA has produced a detailed national guidance on green procurement, which is available on its website, along with a library of other resources for businesses looking for advice on the Circular Economy, Green Enterprise, Food Waste and more. For more information, visit www.epa.ie

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

Ensuring viable SMEs get access to Bank Credit Making a business plan and telling the story of your small business can improve your chances of making a successful credit application.

ith the lifting of Government restrictions and business activity increasing, many SMEs will be considering their finance and funding needs, and approaching the banks for credit for working capital or investment purposes. To improve your chances of making a successful credit application, tell the story of your business and ensure the bank understands it well. You should have a business plan which includes trading records showing what your business trading was like pre-Covid and during Covid, and credible cash flow projections for your business going forward. Businesses that demonstrate they were profitable and viable pre-Covid will get a much better hearing from their bank. If your business changed substantially during Covid, your business

plan should address these changes. For example, if you negotiated rent concessions from your landlord that will have to be paid back. Similarly, if your business warehoused its tax debts, indicate your repayment plan with Revenue. These payments will impact your cashflow and your ability to repay the bank you are seeking finance from, and the bank will want you to show that you can make all repayments comfortably. More detailed information is available in the information note ‘How to Apply for a Loan’ which can be found at www.creditreview.ie in the ‘Resources’ section. If you are refused business credit by your bank, or have your existing facilities reduced or withdrawn, Credit Review can help you to appeal this decision. Set up by the Minister for Finance in 2010, Credit Review’s mission is to ensure viable SMEs and Farms access the bank finance they need for their businesses. For more information on our independent appeals process, visit creditreview.ie or call 087-1217244.

Credit where it’s due. Having trouble getting a business loan from your bank? Have your credit facilities been reduced or declined? Credit Review is here to help. Call our helpline on 0818 211 789 or visit creditreview.ie

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

WONDR deliver 30% conversion uplift for KBC Bank WONDR Digital Product Practice helped KBC Bank Ireland increase their online conversion rate by 30% and increase call centre efficiency by eliminating pain points online.

WE DESIGNED AN EXPERIENCE THAT WOULD MAXIMISE GOOD EMOTIONS, ELIMINATE PAIN POINTS AND FEEL FAMILIAR TO THE CUSTOMER. O’Shea, Founder of WONDR. WONDR works by harnessing its in-house expertise across innovation, brand, UX, design, media, technology, research, AI and neural networks to create beautiful and effective digital products that deliver financial uplifts for clients.

elivering a great digital customer experience is no easy task, but it’s all in a day’s work for the people at WONDR, a results-focused Digital Product Practice which delivers accelerated innovation to its clients. WONDR Digital Product Practice helped KBC Bank Ireland increase their online conversion rate by 30% and increase call centre efficiency by eliminating pain points online. THE WONDR APPROACH The WONDR approach is based on listening to what customers want. “By delivering a new website that lives true to KBC’s brand ethos of being ‘the bank of you’, at all points in the digital experience the user journey is focused on the customer,” explains Dermot

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WORKSHOP FEEDBACK To ensure the new website represented and delivered for each unit within KBC Bank, WONDR hosted a series of workshops allowing them to deep dive into the needs of stakeholders. “This allowed us to collaborate in defining the vision, needs and functionality of the experience, encompassing customer journeys, challenges, compliance requirements and technology and infrastructures,” notes O’Shea. The customer feedback showed that the old KBC site had too much jargon and used language that did not relate to the customer. Feedback from customers also indicated that calculators on the bank’s website were hard to use and finding the information they were after was difficult for them. Taking this on board, WONDR worked with KBC to define customer personas with needs and goals. “We designed an experience that would maximise good emotions, eliminate pain points and feel familiar to the

customer,” states O’Shea. “Essentially we made the complex, simple.” WONDR’s work on KBC’s website meant that the customer experience was simpler, easy to understand and use, getting them to the information they wanted with ease. EXCELLENT OUTCOMES The new solution delivered by WONDR was very well received by KBC bank and its customers. “Customer feedback highlighted that the new experience was really easy to use and helped them make decisions,” says O’Shea. In addition, he says, “The call centre staff were saving time because customers gave them the right information.” Another benefit for WONDR’s clients is that with the new and improved website providing a more user-friendly experience, it became a more efficient marketing tool. This leading to increased business and revenues, so in effect the whole exercise essentially paid for itself. “The new website outperformed the old one with a 30% higher conversion rate, so the project paid itself back really quickly,” O’Shea concludes. For more information on what WONDR can do for your customer experience see wondr.io.

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78 Towns and villages revitalised across Ireland, Mayo wins €4.8m Sports Capital Funding, Sligo heritage buildings get upgrade, and Leitrim sees funding for Manorhamilton Space.

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Cork leads €53m Public Lighting Project; Limerick welcomes Mid-West Regional Enterprise Plan and €180m fund; and plans get underway for N/M20 Cork to Limerick.

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Trees and Connected Hubs planted across Fingal; Dublin Lord Mayor signs partnership with Belfast, Liverpool and Manchester Mayors; and women’s caucus launches in Meath.

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Donegal travel infrastructure and Repowering Buncrana get funding; Belfast women’s centre construction begins; and councils join forces to celebrate the Best of the North West.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Sean Drew with author Brian Gallagher, Chief Executive Jackie Maguire, County Librarian Ciaran Mangan, and Executive Librarians Tom French and Dympna Herward.

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Two Meath schools participate in Decade of Centenaries project Award-winning children’s writer Brian Gallagher is working with two Meath primary schools – Boyerstown NS, Navan and St Patrick’s NS, Slane – over a two-month period to increase pupils’ understanding of the revolutionary period in their local areas. The project is an initiative of the Meath County Council Decade of Centenaries programme and managed by the county library service. Gallagher is also one of the featured writers in a new publication, Class Novels: A Guide for Primary School Teachers, produced by Meath County Council Library service. The 68-page guide highlights the best of juvenile fiction, including many titles which deal with the period 1912-1923. “We’re delighted to be able to offer this new resource to teachers to support them in their very important work in the classroom,” says Cllr Sean Drew, Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council. “It is wonderful to see young people engaging with history through fiction,” adds Jackie Maguire, Chief Executive of Meath County Council. The printed guide has been distributed to all primary schools across the county. InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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[ COUNTY MEATH ]

Meath Women’s Caucus launched

he Meath Women’s Caucus, launched by Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council Cllr Sean Drew in the Solstice Arts Centre, has been established to promote women in politics and enhance female participation in local government, with the objective to further gender equality among elected members of the council and in society. Women continue to be underrepresented in local government. Nationally, 226 women took seats in the local elections in 2019, making up 24% of all councillors across the country. In Meath, 28 women, out of a total of 78 candidates, ran in these elections; 14 were successful, meaning just 35% of the current elected members on Meath County Council are women. The mission of the caucus is to bring together women and gender minority councillors from all parties; to advance networking opportunities and supports; and promote the visibility of women’s leadership in the council and local community. It will also work to encourage and support other women in the community to seek leadership roles and produce consensus-based motions and policies to Meath County Council to improve issues faced by women councillors and women constituents.

Meath Women’s Caucus Chairperson Cllr Maria Murphy, Vice Chairperson Cllr Aisling Dempsey, Secretary Cllr Sarah Reilly, PRO Cllr Yemi Adenuga with caucus members Cllr Gillian Toole, Cllr Deirdre Geraghty Smith, Cllr Emer Tóibín, Cllr Elaine McGinty, Cllr Sharon Tolan and Cllr Amanda Smith

[ FINGAL COUNTY ]

Fingal sets out ambitions to increase tree cover across county

Brendan, Molly and Sarah Jane Muldoon

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Fingal County Council unveiled a new ten-year strategy it hopes will boost the number of trees across North Dublin. Mayor of Fingal Cllr Seána Ó Rodaigh launched the “Forest of Fingal” tree strategy at a special community tree planting event in Skerries to mark the culmination of National Tree Week. Across the week, the council distributed some 16,000 free trees to residents of Fingal to plant at home, including native species Alder, Hawthorn and Birch. With the overall cover of tree canopy in Fingal currently sitting at 6.5%, the council wants to significantly increase the number of trees in the county and ensure it delivers a tree population that not merely survives but thrives.

InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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[ CO DUBLIN ]

Dublin Lord Mayor signs partnership with Mayors of Belfast, Liverpool and Manchester Lord Mayor of Dublin Alison Gilliland signed an agreement in Belfast with the Mayors of Belfast, Liverpool City and Greater Manchester establishing a new co-operative partnership that will develop practical approaches to accelerate the delivery of net-zero commitments in each of the four cities and city regions, which have a collective population of over 5 million. “Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge facing our nations and our planet,” says the Lord Mayor. “That is why we have developed ambitious climate agendas to become more equitable, fairer, prosperous and greener cities. Each of us is committed to the protection of our people and our economies and we are firmly of the view that working together will give us the best chance of realising the benefits of transitioning to a low carbon economy.”

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[ FINGAL COUNTY ]

New Connected Hubs open in Community Centres across Fingal Fingal County Council opened a number of new Connected Hubs across the county to help the community access facilities to remote work, study or undertake digital skills training. Being able to use high-speed connectivity in easily accessible community locations is a key driver for the council to help improve the Fingal County Council Community Officer Linda options available to people in Fingal and is essential for creating Ennis, Digital Strategy Manager Aishling Hyland, and Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly at the remote a digitally inclusive society. The working hub in Applewood Community Centre. Council received e40,000 from the government’s Connected Hubs Scheme and has used the funding to enhance and add capacity to remote working infrastructure in existing Community Centre BCPs: Fingal Liam Rodgers, Applewood, Tyrrelstown and Luttrellstown Community Centres. Connected Hubs provides a space for remote workers, students, start-ups and SMEs to study or conduct business. Facilities include meeting rooms, co-working and collaborative spaces and hot desks that can be booked for a day, week or longer-term. Facilities also host online meeting technologies including smart screens and high-speed broadband.

€25.5M funding for Active Travel in Fingal The Department of Transport announced €25.5m in funding granted to 44 Active Travel projects across Fingal. Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan confirmed that the National Transport Authority (NTA) has allocated these funds as part of a national annual spend of €289m on walking and cycling infrastructure in 2022. InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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Artist Uisce and Mayor of Fingal Cllr Seána Ó Rodaigh at the launch of the Women of Fingal Tapestry in Rush Library. Created by artist Agnieszka “Uisce” Jakubczyk, the tapestry captures aspects of Fingal’s women throughout the ages, from finds uncovered on the Drumanagh excavations to revolutionary women. The project was funded by Creative Ireland and overseen by Christine Baker, Fingal County Council Heritage Officer.

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€1,000,000 funding for Limerick under Town and Village Renewal Scheme

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Gillian Coughlan officially opened a new plaza in Watergrasshill, Co Cork. Funded by Cork County Council and the National Transport Authority, the new plaza is a joint project between the council and Watergrasshill Community Association who identified the area by means of creating a focal point for community events.

Three towns and villages in County Limerick are to benefit after Limerick City and County Council was successful in the latest round of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Projects in Askeaton, Doon and Patrickswell will share funding of €1m in the scheme which focuses on projects that can help to enhance rural towns and villages, with a particular emphasis on stimulating economic development.

[ COUNTIES CORK AND LIMERICK ]

Details of preferred transport solution for N/M20 Cork to Limerick project published

multi-modal transport project, which includes active travel infrastructure for walking and cycling, improvements to public transport, new and improved safe road infrastructure and environmental integration for communities along the N20 transport corridor between Cork and Limerick, is now proposed. Eighty kilometres of new and improved dual carriageway road between Cork City and Patrickswell, Limerick will address the existing road’s safety deficiencies, which contribute to a fatal collision rate four times the national average. The road design, including cross section, road type (Protected Road or Motorway), junction strategy and accommodation works will be developed during the next phase of the project, within the 500m-wide preferred road-based option. The project will deliver 80 kilometres of transformative active travel (walking and cycle) infrastructure, connecting together the communities of Cork, Blarney, Grenagh, Rathduff, Mallow, New Twopothouse, Buttevant, Charleville, Bruree, Banogue, Croom, Patrickswell and Limerick.

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“[This] is an important step forward in progressing a range of transportation solutions connecting Limerick and Cork as identified in the government’s National Development Plan 2021-2030, that will incorporate public transport and active travel infrastructure for walking and cycling from its inception, as well as to the upgrading of national road infrastructure which will deliver needed safety improvements for all users,” says Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD. “The importance of this project has long been acknowledged as critical for the delivery of proper connectivity between the second and third cities in the country and along the Atlantic Economic Corridor,” adds Dr Pat Daly, Chief Executive of Limerick City and County Council. InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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[ COUNTY CORK ]

[ COUNTY LIMERICK ]

Cork County Council leads €53m Public Lighting Energy Efficiency Project for South West Region

Limerick City and County Council welcomes new Mid-West Regional Enterprise Plan, alongside €180m national fund

ayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Gillian Coughlan has welcomed the contract signing of the Public Lighting Energy Efficiency Project for the South West Region (PLEEP-SW) which will see five local authorities invest a53m in upgrading their public lighting. Led by Cork County Council, PLEEP South West will upgrade 77,162 public lights across the region’s local authorities, Cork County Council, Clare County Council, Kerry County Council, Limerick City & County Council and Waterford City & County Council, as well as Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). Part of a National Public Lighting Energy Efficiency Project, 21 local authorities will collaborate in the upgrading of approximately 220,000 public lights to LED. Once complete, the project is set to reduce CO2 emissions by 22,000 tonnes each year, while saving the local authorities a12m in energy and maintenance costs annually. “Once complete, the South West regional project is predicted to reduce CO2 emissions by 5,000 tonnes each year, while saving the five local authorities a5m in energy and maintenance costs annually and helping to meet energy efficient targets,” says Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Gillian Coughlan. “The project will also survey and collect data on the condition of the public lighting infrastructure to enable local authorities to plan and invest in the upgrading of public lighting for our communities into the future.”

€1.8M InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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The Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Daniel Butler has welcomed the launch of the new Mid-West Regional Enterprise Plan, along with a national fund of up to e180m to support projects aimed at boosting regional enterprise development. The plan has been developed by a Regional Steering Committee, chaired in the Mid-West by Professor Eamonn Murphy and including the Enterprise Agencies, Local Enterprise Offices, the Local Authorities, Regional Assembly, higher and further education bodies and local industry leaders among others.   The new Mid-West plan outlines a number of actions and strategic objectives for delivery between now and 2024.

fund announced for community and voluntary groups in Cork Following another challenging year for the community and voluntary sector, Cork County Council announced over €1.8m to support local communities in 2022. The annual Community Fund Scheme is administered locally by the eight Municipal Districts and provides financial assistance to a range of different community, sporting and voluntary organisations under three distinctive fund types: The Capital Fund, Community Contract and Amenity Fund.

€400M

Noel Cummins, Contracts Director, Le Cheile Consortium (LCC) Enerveo, Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Gillian Coughlan, and Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey

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Lilly investment endorses Limerick as biopharma hub Eli Lilly and Company is to invest €400m in a new manufacturing facility in Limerick with the creation of more than 300 jobs for highly skilled workers such as engineers, scientists and operations personnel at its new facility in Raheen. In addition, an estimated 500 jobs will be created during the construction phase of the manufacturing centre.

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[ COUNTY SLIGO ]

€1.3m announced for Sligo’s Town and Village Renewal Scheme projects

inister Heather Humphreys announced major funding for County Sligo under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. “With an allocation of €1.3m, Sligo has received the largest funding of any Local Authority in the country,” says Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Cllr Paul Taylor. “This is great news for the people of Sligo and is due to the outstanding work of the Council’s project team and the local communities they work alongside. In recent years, we have transformed our county with a number of exceptional walkways, trails and recreation areas, and the funding announced for projects in Aclare, Calry, Kilglass, Ballygawley, Keash and Ballymote will further enhance our range of facilities for the local communities and the visitors to these areas.” Sligo County Council’s Chief Executive Martin Lydon believes the delivery of these projects “confirms our status as a major centre for economic growth. The Council’s elected members, staff and the various project teams are committed to delivering for our county. These projects will be a major addition to our recreational infrastructure and will further improve our tourist offering in this key area.”

Sligo County Council Parks Department in conjunction with Sligo Tidy Towns announced its participation in Host in Ireland’s Orchards in the Community initiative. Orchards play a key role in providing an early food source for struggling bees. To help protect the bees and increase pollination, Sligo County Council Parks Department is part of 52 pledgers and over 90 schools and community groups planting in excess of 1,000 mixed fruit orchards all over Ireland. The department planted six mini orchards at various locations around Sligo town: Grounds of Regional Sports Complex, Cleveragh Park, Mitchell Curley Park, and Roger Eames Road and Green Areas.

[ COUNTY LEITRIM ]

€1.1m announced for Leitrim under Town and Village Scheme The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD announced almost a18.5m to benefit rural towns and villages the length and breadth of the country. The funding is being provided under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme as part of Our Rural Future and places a strong emphasis on projects which tackle vacancy and dereliction by bringing landmark town centre buildings back to life. The Minister announced a total of a1,102,167 for County Leitrim for the following projects: Redevelopment of the derelict Mohill Station House (a500,000) into a multi-purpose facility to be used by community, arts and heritage organisations, Carrick-onShannon (a238,804), Dromahair (a250,000), Keshcarrigan (a88,245), and Rossinver (a25,118).

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Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Biodiversity and Land Use at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine turned the sod and planted the first tree to mark the development of the 105-acre Cloonamahon Native Woodland Park, Sligo. This site is being 100% funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under its Woodland Creation on Public Land scheme, introduced by Minister Hackett in 2020 to encourage public bodies to use their lands for the creation of public lands. The HSE Cloonamahon complex is a circa 200-acre site owned by the HSE, bordering approximately 15 acres of forest owned by Coillte and 23 acres of land owned by Western Forestry Co-operative. From left: Paul Reid, CEO, HSE; Dermot Monaghan, A/Chief Officer, HSE CHO 1; Edel Quinn, Head of Service, Disability Services CHO 1; Marina Conway, CEO Western Forestry Co-operative; Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Biodiversity and Land Use at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Paul Taylor, Cathaoirleach, Sligo County Council; Deborah Meghan, Director of Stewardship & Risk, Coillte; and Frank Feighan, Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Public Health, Well Being and National Drugs Strategy.

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[ COUNTY LEITRIM ] [ COUNTY SLIGO ]

Funding of €44,100 announced to develop plans for an Outdoor Public & Cultural Exchange Space in Manorhamilton

Yeats Memorial Building, Hyde Bridge, Sligo

€96k announced for Sligo’s heritage buildings

inister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD announced that 512 heritage projects across every county in the country will benefit from a total of €4m under this year’s Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) administered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Of this fund, €96,000 has been allocated to 20 projects in Sligo, ranging from historic shopfronts to larger country houses. Through grants of up to €15,000, the BHIS assists owners of heritage structures – those on the local authorities’ Record of Protected Structures and those in Architectural Conservation Areas – to meet their obligations to care for their properties. The scheme is not limited to private dwellings and also provides assistance to a wide range of other important heritage buildings. “I very much welcome this year’s grant allocation of €10,000 for Hazelwood House, €8,500 for the Yeats Memorial Building, €3,300 for the Beehive Lodge Entrance Pillars Union, Collooney, and €4,900 for Dolly’s Cottage, Strandhill, to name just a few,” says Cllr Dónal Gilroy, Chair of Sligo Heritage Forum. “Works such as these are a really good example of how the Built Heritage Investment Scheme can support owners to carry out a phased and prioritised programme of conservation works.”

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Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD announced over €850,000 in funding to support 19 rural regeneration projects across the country. The investment, under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, aims to breathe new life into rural communities, support remote working, tackle vacancy and dereliction, and enhance town centre living. This strand makes funding of up to €50,000 available to local authorities to assist them to contribute to a pipeline of significant, well-developed projects which will subsequently progress to construction stage with the help of more investment in the future. Leitrim County Council announced that €44,100 has been awarded to Manorhamilton. This funding will be utilised to carry out development work for an Outdoor Public & Cultural Exchange Space in Manorhamilton. “Funding such as this helps to develop and improve the public spaces in our towns and villages and thereby bring vibrancy back to these communities and in doing so further strengthens the ability of towns such as Manorhamilton to attract new residents, further investment, and visitors,” says Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council Cllr Paddy O’Rourke.

Sports Capital Funding allocated to Mayo Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin, and Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport Jack Chambers announced an overall package of €150m in new capital grants under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP). Sixty-three projects for Mayo received an allocation of €4,816,511. 79

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[ COUNTY ANTRIM ]

Work commences on €6.5m women’s centre

onstruction started on the new Shankill Shared Women’s Centre to coincide with International Women’s Day 2022. The a6.5m EU-funded centre for women and their families near Lanark Way will be the new home for Shankill Women’s Centre. It will be shared with Clonard Women’s Group, enabling a broad range of services to be delivered jointly to women and families from both communities. “This will be an incredible new asset for the local community when it opens. It will provide education, training, health awareness, childcare and a range of other activities for women and their families in a welcoming, safe and comfortable environment,” says Lord Mayor of Belfast Cllr Kate Nicholl.

€70M funding for Donegal roads and cycling and walking infrastructure The Department of Transport confirmed allocations of more than €35m for Donegal for 2022. When added to the Transport Infrastructure Ireland funding of €29.5m confirmed in December and National Transport Authority funding of €5.6m confirmed in January, this equates to a total allocation of approximately €70m for maintenance and upgrades to the county’s roads and cycling and walking infrastructure in 2022. 80

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[ COUNTY DONEGAL ]

Councils join forces to celebrate the Best of the North West Anne Marie Conlon, Head of Economic Development, Donegal County Council; Odhran Dunne, Chief Executive at Visit Derry; Cllr Graham Warke, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council; Cllr Jack Murray, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council; Sarah Nolan, Marketing, Donegal County Council; Aeidin McCarter, Head of Culture with Derry City and Strabane District Council; Garry Martin, Director of Economic Development, Emergency Services and Information Systems, Donegal County Council

he Best of the North West will be showcased widely as part of an exciting new collaborative tourism campaign launched by Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council, working in partnership with Visit Derry and Donegal Tourism CLG. The £90,000 domestic marketing initiative is aimed at encouraging local people and visitors across the island of Ireland to book a staycation. This campaign is funded through the North West Development Fund, in conjunction with the Executive Office and the Irish government. The campaign is part of the North West Regional Development Programme, which aims to grow the value of the visitor economy. It follows on from the North West Tourism Product Development Programme, which was launched last year, supporting 30 tourism businesses on both sides of the border in developing new collaborative, bespoke products to enhance the region’s tourism offering, which will now feature within the marketing campaign. The campaign captures the ease of exploring both destinations on one trip, highlighting the vast range of unique attractions available under four themes of nature, culture, adventure, and relaxation. It will strongly focus on the North West’s unique location on the island as a gateway to exploring both the breath-taking Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway Coastal Route. InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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€1.46M An Taoiseach Micheál Martin attended a meeting of the North West Regional Development Group in the Guildhall in Derry to hear first-hand the positive impact the fund is having on regional growth across the North West City Region and the need for continued support from his government to maintain the collaborative approach to developing the region on both sides of the border. He was welcomed by An Leas-Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr Martin McDermott, the Mayor of Derry and Strabane Alderman Graham Warke, and members of the North West Regional Development Group.

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for Repowering Buncrana Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys announced that €1.17m has been awarded under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF), supported by €292k match funding committed by Donegal County Council, for the Repowering Buncrana regeneration project, which proposes a suite of interventions that will work to strengthen the shore front and counter the disconnect with Main Street, address vacancy and deliver new employment opportunities in the town centre.

[ COUNTY ANTRIM ]

Multi-million-pound transformation planned for Belfast’s Cathedral Gardens

n urban forest, a large multi-use events space and a permanent memorial to the Belfast Blitz are just some of the features included in ambitious plans unveiled for the multi-million-pound redevelopment of Cathedral Gardens. Belfast City Council aims to transform the area between St Anne’s Cathedral and Ulster University’s Belfast campus into a unique world-class public space. Building upon the historic Cathedral area, other proposed features in the redevelopment include garden ‘rooms’ located under the canopies of the mature trees in the urban forest, public art, interactive audio-visual water and lighting features, outdoor dining areas and a range of play features for young children. “These are extremely exciting and innovative plans which reflect our aim to create an exceptional urban space for families, students and visitors to enjoy all year round, night and day,” says Cllr Áine Groogan,

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Chair of Belfast City Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee. “Alongside Ulster University’s investment in its new campus, the landmark £100m Belfast Stories project which we recently announced and other significant projects already underway in the area, this part of the city centre is undergoing a radical transformation. We hope that Cathedral Gardens will play its part in breathing new life into the area.”

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Informing you about the work of local authorities in supporting the business needs of their community... To tell us what your local council is doing for business email sorcha.corcoran@ashvillemediagroup.com

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08/04/2022 13:06

Unleash Productivity With the new DC-648

The all-new DC-648 is here to revolutionise your print finishing process. Like the other DC family, the DC-648 has been designed to allow one operator to fulfill multiple finishing processes in one pass. Speed, durability, and versatility have been enhanced, but where the DC-648 stands out is through its greater automation, ease of use, and connectivity into the user’s workflow. To find out more go to: go.quadient.com/3ityc5U or Scan the QR code.

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29/03/2022 25/03/2022 17:09 15:22

INNOVATION

Are you back in the office, still remote or availing of a hybrid option? Wherever you call the office these days we have simple low-tech upgrades and little luxuries that traverse the newly blurred lines of home and office.

HYBRID INVESTMENTS

Mandatory breaks Returning to an onsite office does not mean you should neglect your selfcare routine. These weighted lavender eye pillows by Irish textile designer Liz Walsh can restore a sense of calm wherever you may be. Luxury Lavender Weighted Eye Pillow, €32,00, lizwash.ie

Staying alive No more coming back in to lifeless plants. Air plants are the perfect option for the hybrid office and what better way to display them than in these funky handcrafted stoneware airplant holders with signature bubble glaze by Irish company Ceramique. Now based in Ballyvolane, these ceramics are the product of a collaboration between French artist Jean-Philippe Levillain and Irish artist Jennifer Ahern who met in 2011 in Crawford College of Art and Design in Cork. The discs come complete with airplant and can be wall mounted. Air plant discs, €42.00, ceramifique.com

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Take your seat This rocking chair is a rejuvenated design classic. Utilising clean lines to create a single frame, the timber is carefully chosen within each component to create a uniform flow throughout the overall design. The depth of the chair’s frame is complemented by the streamlined design of the seat. Made from a moulded birch plywood, the upholstered seat is firmly suspended within the frame to create a sturdy and durable chair. You can choose from a number of beautiful timber and fabric options for a truly bespoke piece. Coolree Rocking Chair, www.coolree.com

InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

13/04/2022 09:59

INNOVATION

Clock watching Keeping track of time isn’t such a chore when its one of these simple, beautiful Spun clocks from Coolree Design. Furniture designer Wayne Hayes uses sustainablysourced solid timber and imbues all his creations with a mid-century, Shanki chicness. Spun desk clock, €60.00, coolreedesign.ie

Make everyday tea break special Clean and simple styling, these handthrown stoneware mugs come in glossy white with coloured matt slip. Created by Thomas Diem, a second generation designer and potter, these mugs are designed to be functional and beautiful. Diem Pottery stoneware mug, €19

Light the way

Make a stand Few industries were more disrupted than the events and entertainment business. Easily assembled and dismantled, this desk was the response of Irish stage design company Flying Elephant to the global crisis. Born out of the desire to keep its skilled workforce employed, these desks are the perfect solution for offices everywhere. The desks are sustainably produced with a lower carbon footprint and don’t require any tricky assembly. Standing Desk, €215.00, flyingelephant.ie

InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

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Copperfish is a family business that creates small-batch light fixtures and lamps from old timber selected for its provenance and character. Each lamp tells a story through the materials chosen for its creation, from salvaged wood used as ballast on convict ships returning from Australia to custom- designed LED bulbs carefully tinted to remove glare. Eoin Shanley designs and crafts each piece by hand in his studio for your enjoyment. Each lamp comes with a handwritten label describing its particular provenance and the Copperfish stamp of authenticity. All bulbs are long-life LED and have an expected lifespan of 30,000 hours/10 years approx. Belfast Dock Table Lamp, €260.00, Copperfish.ie

13/04/2022 10:00

LIFESTYLE: books

InBUSINESS looks at the latest books offering insights for executives, budding entrepreneurs, and other professionals, seeking to acquire business skills and knowledge. AUTHOR: Chip Heath & Karla Starr PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster AVAILABLE: easons.com

Making Numbers Count The art and science of communicating numbers

HOW TO F*CK UP YOUR STARTUP: The Science Behind Why 90% of Companies Fail– and How You Can Avoid It

This book offers a journey through the pitfalls that cause 90% of companies to crash—and the crucial remedies entrepreneurs can use to avoid (or fix) them. Kim Hvidkjaer was 29 years old when he became a millionaire. Two years later, after a cluster of disasters, he found himself basically broke. Now, having rebuilt his fortune as the founder of several successful enterprises and studied thousands of failed startups, Hvidkjaer has become an expert in failure: what it means, what it looks like, and the strategies that business owners can use to prevent it. Hvidkjaer fleshes out a tangible, usable blueprint for entrepreneurs looking to learn (the easy way) from the mistakes of businesses gone before. This down-to-earth guide offers crucial, actionable advice for seasoned business owners and startup founders alike. A masterclass in failure, How to F*ck Up Your Startup is required reading for reaching success.

HOLIDAY READ

Glory

AUTHOR: Noviolet Bulawayo PUBLISHER: Viking AVAILABLE: easons.com

An exhilarating novel about the fall of an oppressive regime, and the chaos and opportunity that rise in its wake. Inspired by the unexpected fall by coup in November 2017 of Robert G. Mugabe, Zimbabwe’s president of nearly four decades, Glory shows a country’s imploding, narrated by a chorus of animal voices that unveil the ruthlessness required to uphold the illusion of absolute power and the imagination and bulletproof optimism to overthrow it completely.

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AUTHORS: Kim Hvidkjaer PUBLISHER: Matt Holt AVAILABLE: amazon.co.uk

Across industries from business and technology to medicine and sociology, numbers and data are fundamental to the next big idea. In Making Numbers Count, Chip Heath argues that it’s crucial for us all to be able to interpret and communicate numbers and stats more effectively so that data comes alive. By combining years of research into making ideas stick with a deep understanding of how the brain really works, Heath has discerned six critical principles that will give anyone the tools to communicate numbers with more transparency and meaning. These ideas - including simplicity, concreteness and familiarity reveal what’s compelling about a number and show how to transform it into its most understandable form. And if we can do this when we’re using numbers, Heath tells us, then the idea of data won’t drive people to panic. We’re not hungry for numbers - there’s an unfathomable amount of information being generated each year - but we are starved for meaning. The ability to communicate and understand numbers has never mattered more. AUTHOR: Daniel H Pink PUBLISHER: Penguin

The Power of Regret Everybody has regrets, Daniel H. Pink explains. They’re a universal and healthy part of being human. And understanding how regret works can help us make smarter decisions. Drawing on research in social psychology, neuroscience, and biology, Pink debunks the myth of the “no regrets” philosophy of life. And using the largest sampling of American attitudes about regret ever conducted he lays out the four core regrets that each of us has. These deep regrets offer compelling insights into how we live and how we can find a better path forward.

AVAILABLE: bookdepository .com

InBUSINESS | SPRING 2021

13/04/2022 09:14

Partnering with businesses, communities and Local Authorities to grow tourism in a sustainable manner throughout the country.

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EAR TO THE Could you tell us about Buacast and what kind of listeners it is aimed at? The BuaCast stemmed from my overall curiosity and love of podcasts. I listen to a range of podcasts and have learned so much and wanted to share my knowledge with more people through BuaCast. I believe an audience interested in health, ﬁtness and personal growth will still ﬁnd lots of value in it. What is the message/goal of the Buacast podcast? The foundational message is one of growth. I believe we all have the potential for greatness and through my work as a coach (and a podcast host), I hope to help people in some form to get closer to their greatest potential.

GROUND

InBUSINESS RECOMMENDS THREE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE TO THIS QUARTER.

MADE IN IRELAND

YOU OK?

InBUSINESS SPOKE WITH COACH AND PODCASTER JAMES RANKIN, HOST OF THE BUACAST PODCAST, ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH, REACHING OUT TO HELP ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS AND SHOWING UP TO BRING RESULTS.

As a crossfit coach, your role is to understand the best way to communicate to help your clients achieve their goals. How have you developed your approach to your communication skills? There are two main ways I’ve developed my communication. Firstly I’ve spent years coaching and making mistakes. Taking on board feedback from clients and colleagues has helped the development of my communication skills. Secondly, I’m a curious person and love to learn. I read books, listen to podcasts, and seek out those who are much smarter than I am to learn from their mistakes and add some elements to my arsenal. Do you believe there are lessons, philosophies and goals that people learn through fitness that can benefit and can be introduced into their day-to-day lives? In a word - yes. I believe physical exercise is a great way to practise overcoming obstacles once thought impossible, while simultaneously learning great levels of patience through delayed gratification. Going to the gym once will not make you become super lean and strong, but showing up consistently while working hard will bring results.

James Rankin

The Buacast podcast is brought to you by CrossﬁtBua and is available to download online.

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What is the first step your listeners can take to make a beneficial change? Take some time to figure out what you really want, and why. Reach out to people who are experts in what you want to achieve, or have come from your position and are an example of what you want to achieve. What are the ingredients that make a great podcast? Genuine curiosity and relationship between host and guest. Along with a fine balance from the host of being prepared, and ready to improvise where necessary.

Hosted by Jan Ní Fhlanagain, You Ok? deals with re-entry anxiety, offering a safe space to engage with your emotions and to take a moment in the madness, to mind our mental health.

NOT TO BE MISSED

QUEEN OF THE CON: THE IRISH HEIRESS Reality TV producer Johnathan Walton, shares his experience of Marianne “Mair” Smythone, an international con artist who has scammed him and a slew of other victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, from Los Angeles to Belfast.

THE BUSINESS PICK

HOW TO PIVOT The pandemic has prompted people to reassess their lives and how they make a living. Broadcaster Aideen Finnegan talks to those who have taken the leap to pivot and change their careers and find out how they achieved it.

InBUSINESS | SPRING 2022

07/04/2022 08:51

Tackle climate change with a home energy upgrade

Now more than ever is time to get on board with climate change initiatives. In line with the government’s climate action plan announcement of the Local Authority Retrofit Programme, Energia can help and guide local authorities to upgrade your local housing stock by offering upfront funding from our deep retrofit scheme, which is additional to that offered by SEAI. With our years of expertise as a one-stop-shop, we can help you choose the right energy efficiency improvements for your housing stock, giving the occupants an enhanced level of comfort in their home whilst benefiting from lower fuel costs and energy bills. We have an experienced and dedicated team to complete the grant submissions, design the energy efficiency upgrades, carry out pre and post BERs and we manage and execute the work onsite for the entire project. We can be there for you from start to finish and we can manage as much of the process as you need us to.

Email energyservices@energia.ie to find out more or see energia.ie

Proud Sponsor of the Best Energy Smart Initiative Award

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cyclescheme.ie

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InBUSINESS Spring 2022

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