InBUSINESS Summer 2019

TV EXECUTIVE AND MEDIA EXPERT MENTORS SERIES FORMER KAY HUTCHINSON ON WORK-LIFE BALANCE

InBUSINESS USINESS CONNECTING IRISH BUSINESS

SUMMER

2019

IN-STORE

EVOLUTION NEXT GENERATION RETAIL

WELL CONNECTED DIGITAL HEALTH DRIVE

InBUSINESS SUMMER 2019

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Refreshing CHANGE NATURAL AND FUNCTIONAL DRINKS

on design ICONIC OFFICES FOUNDER AND CEO

JOE McGINLEY

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ON REVOLUTIONISING WORKSPACES

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Editor: Sorcha Corcoran Deputy Editor: Sinéad Moore Art Director: Alan McArthur Editorial Assistant: Leona Murphy (Chambers Ireland)

Eye

COVER STORY

Designers: James Moore

Winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the All-Ireland Business Awards in May, Joe McGinley, CEO and founder of Iconic Offices, is on the crest of a wave with the opening of two more breathtaking flexible workspace office buildings in 2019.

Infographics: www.flaticon.com

F

design

rom its impressive glass-roofed courtyard with three-storey mural by street artist Aches to the adaptable meeting rooms and bright communal areas, The Masonry on Thomas Street in Dublin 8 really does have the wow factor when it comes to workspace design. Right down to the trios of ornamental ducks wearing wellies here and there and the brass door handles in the bathrooms, it is an environment that continually stimulates and feels conducive to creativity.

Formerly the IAWS headquarters and a seed warehouse dating back to 1780, The Masonry is the latest building to be opened by flexible workspace provider Iconic Offices, bringing its portfolio of buildings in Dublin up to 15. Work on the project from a design, planning and structural perspective started over two years ago. Contemporary features such as black walls and aubergine and yellow seating have been combined with reminders of the building’s heritage, including exposed brick and a seed drawer running the length of one wall, which was found in the original warehouse.

“The Masonry is one of our most exciting and largest locations to date, spanning over 70,000 sq ft and six floors and with a capacity for 900 work stations. We have 50% of the project delivered in the first phase, including the large reception area, Vandal our onsite café, restaurant and event space, two internal courtyards, all of the meeting rooms and most of the breakout spaces,” says Joe McGinley, CEO and founder, Iconic Offices, who started the business in 2013. “After a month of opening, half of our capacity is filled now with a diverse range of companies signed up, from sole traders to an electric scooter manufacturer, software developers and a legal firm. Our belief is that a healthy business community is diverse and this will foster collaboration.”

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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 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 2019.

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

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Joe McGinley, CEO and founder of Iconic Offices @ The Masonry on Thomas Street Artwork by Ominous Omin

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InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

COVER STORY:

An Eye on Design

InBUSINESS speaks to Joe McGinley, CEO and founder, Iconic Offices on revolutionising workspaces and two new buildings

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Entrepreneur

Founder of PlaneConsult and Dublin Aerospace Conor McCarthy on building on experience

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Words: Grainne Rothery

Industry

Words: Sorcha Corcoran

INNOVATION AND TECH

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“WE HAVE A WHOLE RANGE OF REALLY INTERESTING START-UPS DEVELOPING APPLICATIONS AND PRODUCTS TO HELP ADDRESS ISSUES AROUND TREATING AND MONITORING AT

HOME AND TAKING PRESSURE OFF THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM.”

records (EHR) and ePrescribing; telehealthcare and telemedicine; digital therapeutics; and consumer digital health.

“We’ve gone from a stage of having paper for everything and needing go to the doctor or visit a hospital to using technology to allow us as patients to manage our health,” says Tanya Mulcahy, National Manager, Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI). “Connected health is all about using technology to make healthcare better.”

An already sizeable market, the sector is currently experiencing substantial growth – Transparency Market Research (TMR) anticipates the value of global digital health to increase by an average of over 13% per annum from US$179.6bn in 2016 to US$536.6bn by the end of 2025.

With the

scope to relieve some of the pressure from increasingly burdened health systems while at the same time delivering positive and very personalised outcomes for individuals, digital technology is in the process of transforming the healthcare landscape.

In its 2017 Sláintecare Implementation Strategy, the Government noted that digital health solutions can “support more efficient processes, empowering patients in managing their care and accessing their own medical records, as well as facilitating the provision of services in more appropriate care settings closer to the patient’s home”.

The HSE describes digital health as being “the integration of all information and knowledge sources involved in the delivery of healthcare via information technology-based systems”. This covers patients and their records, caregivers and their systems; monitoring devices and sensors as well as management and administrative functions.

In a recent report on the digital health sector in Ireland, the Irish Medication and Surgical Trade Association (IMSTA) divides it into a number of categories. These include: electronic health

Snapchat

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

TECH

The future of healthcare is digital and – despite some challenges – Ireland has an opportunity to be an important player in a burgeoning global market, writes GRAINNE ROTHERY.

WELL

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Stephen Costello, Managing Director and Co-Founder, Spectrum.Life

Well Connected

In response to global healthcare demands, significant activity is happening in Ireland in the area of digital health solutions

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How Irish entrepreneurs are tapping into the rising demand for functional drinks

INNOVATION & TECH:

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InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

IMSTA divides the digital health sector in Ireland into a number of categories.

www.imsta.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ IMSTA-Digital-Document-2019-FINAL.pdf

Production Executive: Claire Kiernan

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

INNOVATION

Photography: Paul McCarthy Photography iStock Photo

IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT WATCHING PROFITABILITY AND MAKING SURE EVERY BUILDING IS SUCCESSFUL IN ITS OWN RIGHT, WHILE MAKING INCREMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS AND CONTINUING TO INNOVATE ALONG THE WAY.

on

Front Cover Photography: Paul McCarthy Cover Art Director: Jane Matthews

AN

Paul McCarthy

Editorial Contributors: Grainne Rothery

STRONG POSITION Ireland seems well placed to take a piece of this action. Per capita, the country has more startups and established FDI companies in the digital health space than anywhere else in Europe, according to Clare Harney, executive director, digital health transformation at IMSTA. “We have a hotbed of innovation and talent here,” she says.

Alan Hobbs, Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-ups Manager (lifesciences and industrial) agrees. “I don’t think we’ve ever seen as high quality start-ups as we have in the past three or four years,” he says. “We have a whole range of really interesting start-ups developing applications and products to help address issues around treating and monitoring at home and taking pressure off the hospital system.”

Several factors are driving innovation in this space. For example, Harney stresses the importance of IDA Ireland success in attracting international digital healthcare companies and digital organisations with an interest in healthcare. On the other side, there is the availability of funding and support for new startups in this area through Enterprise Ireland.

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09/08/2019 10:53

FORMER TV EXECUTIVE AND MEDIA EXPERT MENTORS SERIES KAY HUTCHINSON ON WORK-LIFE BALANCE

InBUSINESS USINESS CONNECTING IRISH BUSINESS

SUMMER

2019

IN-STORE

EVOLUTION NEXT GENERATION RETAIL

WELL CONNECTED DIGITAL HEALTH DRIVE

InBUSINESS SUMMER 2019

Eye AN

Refreshing CHANGE NATURAL AND FUNCTIONAL DRINKS

on design ICONIC OFFICES FOUNDER AND CEO

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ON REVOLUTIONISING WORKSPACES 9

772009 393018

a2.70

JOE McGINLEY

Go to chambers.ie for the online edition [WORKPLACE WOW FACTOR] The summer shoot with Iconic Offices’ Joe McGinley took place in The Masonry in Dublin 8, the latest design-led coworking building to be opened by the company.

With plenty of nods to its heritage, including seed drawers and exposed brick, the six-floor building offers state-of-the-art facilities in a stimulating and contemporary setting.

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MENTORS:

Kay Hutchinson

Kay Hutchinson learned invaluable life lessons after going through a series of major life changes.

In her first book, My Life in 37 Therapies, she highlights the business benefits of therapy and remembering to put yourself first Words: Sinéad Moore

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Media & Marketing

Finbarr Clarkson, Managing Director of Gaelite Signs, discusses the emergence of next generation retail stores in Ireland

SMALL BUSINESS FEATURE

Founded by friends Diarmuid McSweeney, Karl Swaine and Niall Horgan in 2017, Gym+Coffee is a brand that represents the growing active lifestyle in Ireland.

The company recently signed rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll up as its Head of Community.

Q. How did you come up with the concept for Gym+Coffee?

DMcS: People don’t want to hang out in pubs and bars as much and are looking for active things to do at the weekends.

Cafés are becoming the new places to meet and socialise. We all spent time in Australia and San Francisco where these trends are a bit more prominent and we could see Ireland catching up with this. So we wanted to create a brand that encouraged this lifestyle.

We also saw the big

Skills & Talent 108 INNOVATION The latest and greatest in wellness tech 110 TRAVEL A guide to the uniquely beautiful city of Dubrovnik 113 BOOKS A new vision for Ireland and advice on looking after your mind and body

Book Extract

An extract from Fragile: Why We Feel More Anxious, Stressed and Overwhelmed Than Ever (and what we can do about it) by Stella O’Malley

[REGULARS]

13 Opportunity Ireland 14 Start-Up Central 47 Chambers Catch Up 116 The IB Index

Diarmuid McSweeney

Karl Swaine

things. We get tagged in amazing photos on Instagram - if we think there is a story there, we message the person and then write a blog on our site about them. If the blog gets a lot of views, we sometimes make a video about that person for our social channels. This again is all about authenticity – it is not about global sports stars, but rather real people in our community and celebrating their achievements.

Q: What are the biggest challenges you face as a small business?

DMcS: We have taken the approach of just saying ‘yes’ to opportunities and seeing where they take us. However, a big lesson in recent times is to know when to say ‘no’.

It’s becoming clear that we can’t take the business in every direction that presents itself. There must be a trade off and we have to focus on our priorities.

Another big lesson we learned recently is the importance of timing and planning. Being in early start-up mode, we are constantly reacting and changing to the most pressing needs of the business. However, through a number of instances, it’s obvious that forward planning is

Niall Horgan

everything, particularly in terms of product design and the supply chain.

Q: How is the athleisure market growing and do you see international potential for your brand?

DMcS: The athleisure market has been booming for the past number of years. It is worth about a300bn globally and has increased 42% in seven years. These numbers are only anticipated to go up in the next three to five years. We have seen a lot of interest internationally in a very organic way from customers and other businesses. The feedback is that people love our inherent Irishness but also that our name and the values we encourage are universal. We believe markets such as the UK and Australia will be massive for us in the coming years.

Q: How do you deal with competition?

DMcS: That is an interesting question and something we think about a lot in terms of pricing, product strategy and

marketing. For obvious reasons, there is a lot we can’t do in terms of competition from the major international players. So, what we do instead is focus on what we are doing, play to our strengths and give our community the best possible customer experience. Being small and nimble is an advantage when you’re interacting with customers who expect a consistent experience across all channels and seamless integration between physical retail outlets and online.

Luckily, we can provide that.

Q: Any other news or expansion plans you can share with us?

DMcS: The next few years will be massive for us in terms of international growth plans. Our aim is to open a store in the UK by the end of this year and that in 2020 we will have a presence in five markets with an overall team of 48 people. Another key element of our growth will be developing the experiential part of the business which is so important to our brand message. We have already held our first-ever US event, in New York.

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InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

SMALL BUSINESS:

Lifestyle Choice

Words: Sorcha Corcoran

Our Local Government InBUSINESS supplement continues to look at the Years 03 Five important role played by local authorities in Irish enterprise 2

Wicklow County Council declares ‘climate and biodiversity emergency’.

Page

3

Pfizer celebrates 50 years in Ireland and Limerick’s economy is booming.

Page

Page

4

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Galway County Council doubles funding for Galway 2020 with additional a2m.

ULSTER

10 Movers & Shakers

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

“BEING IN EARLY START-UP MODE, WE ARE CONSTANTLY REACTING AND CHANGING TO THE MOST PRESSING NEEDS OF THE BUSINESS.”

Gym + Coffee spotted the opportunity to combine athleisure clothing with the growing cafe culture

Page

5 Business News

Q: What is the community aspect of your brand all about and why is it so important?

DMcS: Community is at the absolute heart of what Gym+Coffee is all about.

It’s important to everything that we do because it is something we’re very passionate and authentic about. Anyone who interacts with us online or has come to our events will we hope agree with that. We can’t say we’re the most innovative, technical brand in the world because people know that is an inauthentic message – we clearly don’t have the resources that Nike has.

What we prefer to do is celebrate our community, which is made up of real people doing incredible

we have grown an online audience of over 60,000 across social media and email. This time last year our clothing was only exclusively available on our own website and there were just the three of us founders on the team. Today, we have a store in Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin and Mahon Point in Cork and there is a team of 24 people.

The business has developed significantly in the past few months with a much wider range of products and experiences.

We have gone from beanies, T-shirts and hoodies to a

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CONNAUGHT

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Q. How have you grown and developed the business?

DMcS: In 2017, we ran our ten-week #SummerStretch programme, which was a free outdoor exercise events series. We ran ten different classes, at ten different locations, with ten different trainers and collaborated with ten independent start-up cafes to host coffees after the training. This was a huge success for us and we did it all again for the third summer in a row in June.

In just over 24 months

MUNSTER

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

Words: Sinéad Moore

rise in athleisure clothing – people everywhere wearing hoodies and yoga pants. Again, this is something you’d really notice in Australia and the US. We felt there was an opportunity here for an Irish brand and thought this could be the way to connect to an active audience.

Regarding our name, we feel the two most important things to make time for are: exercising and socialising, so the ‘Gym’ stands for the exercise element and ‘Coffee’ covers the social aspect.

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Q: What does the appointment of Brian O’Driscoll as your Head of Community mean for Gym+Coffee?

DMcS: Brian brings a wealth of experience leading teams and building communities and his new role with Gym+Coffee will be integral to the growth and development of the brand both in Ireland and abroad. His role as advisor and advocate for the Gym+Coffee community will see him championing our ‘Make Life Richer’ initiatives and increasing the involvement of the broader Gym+Coffee family.

Brian O’Driscoll

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SMALL BUSINESS FEATURE

full collection of jackets, tank tops, leggings and merchandise. Gym + Coffee has been the official clothing partner of Ireland’s largest health, fitness and wellness festival, WellFest, for three years running.

Enniskillen awarded Purple Flag quality assurance in recognition of thriving nightlife.

In Association with

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In Association with

Clare Local Enterprise Office created 752 jobs in its first five years.

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

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We’re financing your future Need help to finance your business?

Talk to us about our small business loans.

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Microfinance Ireland (MFI) benefits from a guarantee funded by the European Union under the programme for Employment and Social Inclusion (EaSI)

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An Roinn Gnó, Fiontar agus Nuálaíochta Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation

23/05/2018 10:53 14:14 09/08/2019

NE WS

TOURISM BUSINESSES GET ‘CHINA READY’

E

ight Irish tourism businesses were recently awarded the Fáilte Ireland China Ready COTRI Certification Award after successfully completing a new training programme on meeting the specific needs of the Chinese visitor.

The businesses are: The Knightsbrook Hotel, Meath; Causey Farm, Meath; Dublin hotels The Sandymount Hotel and the Temple Bar Hotel; Carton House in Kildare; The Savoy Hotel Limerick; The Galmont Hotel in Galway; and Hastings Grand Central Hotel in Belfast.

The Get China Ready Programme is an initiative developed in partnership with Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland and jointly delivered by Fáilte Ireland with the support of the Centre for Competitiveness, the licensed provider of COTRI (China Outbound Tourism Research Institute) programmes in Ireland. The specialised programme provides tourism businesses with insights into the Chinese visitor and how to meet their cultural service and culinary needs, as well as in-depth knowledge on routes to market to support businesses to win business from the Chinese market.

Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, Heather Humphreys, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation and Terence O’Rourke, Chairman, Enterprise Ireland

A45M BOOST FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys TD has announced she will be making a further a45m available under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF). The call is now open for applications for funding under three streams with varying investment levels: • Strategic Change Projects – to support major collaborative initiatives with high impact on regional development with funding of up to a5m per project.

• Regional Strengthening Projects – designed to stimulate new local community-based or regional initiatives to address identified gaps in the enterprise ecosystem with funding of up to a500,000 per project.

• Enterprise Clustering Projects – the scheme is designed to stimulate enterprise clustering and support the further growth of established industry clusters regionally; by sector and nationally with funding of up to a350,000 per project.

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

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FREE PUBLIC WIFI ROLL-OUT Ten local authorities around Ireland are set to roll out Wifi4EU hotspots in the coming months.

Ireland secured 22 vouchers worth a330,000 in total to install free public WiFi hotspots in centres of public life in Galway, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Meath, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, Westmeath and Wicklow.

Under the scheme, the successful local authorities will receive EU Commission grants worth a15,000 each to install WiFi transmitters in public urban areas.

Each successful local authority has 18 months to select locations for the WiFi4EU hotspots and complete their installation to be ready for public use. These locations need to be ‘centres of public life’ where no other free WiFi service is already available. The service will be free of charge, free of advertising and free from commercial re-use of data.

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09/08/2019 09:35

BUSINESS NEWS

IRELAND’S IMD RANKING

IMPROVING Ireland ranks seventh among the countries benchmarked in the 2019 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, up from 12th place in 2018.

Ireland also ranks second in Europe in terms of competitiveness.

The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook compares the competitiveness of 63 nations on the basis of over 300 criteria.

According to the 2019 data, Ireland ranked sixth for Economic Performance (11th in 2018), 11th for Government Efficiency (13th in 2018), third for Business Efficiency (10th in 2018) and 23rd for Infrastructure (21st in 2018).

BUSINESS SENTIMENT STAGNANT DESPITE CONSUMER RISE

The Bank of Ireland Economic Pulse came in at 90.7 in June 2019. The index, which combines the results of the Consumer and Business Pulses, was up 0.5 on May’s reading but 7.4 lower than a year ago.

The June results show that consumer sentiment was up slightly, with 37% of Irish consumers feeling that it is a good time to buy big ticket items. The Consumer Pulse stood at 90.6 in June 2019, up 1.8 on May but down 8.3 on a year ago.The Business Pulse was broadly unchanged in June but at 90.7 was down 7.1 on a year ago. The Services Pulse recovered some lost ground this month whereas the other sectoral pulses posted lower readings.

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PICTURE

THIS

LinkedIn is creating 800 new jobs at its EMEA HQ in Dublin.

Pictured (l-r) are: Sharon McCooey, Head of LinkedIn Ireland; Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys TD and Martin Shanahan, CEO of IDA Ireland.

Business

BITES

WELLBEING BUDGET In May, New Zealand unveiled a NZ$2.5bn wellbeing budget, focused on mental health services, child poverty and measures to tackle family violence.

MAZARS ANNOUNCES MERGER WITH OBI Limerick-based OBI Accountants has merged with Mazars Ireland.

Founded in Limerick, OBI specialises in serving small and mid-sized businesses in the mid-west region. The OBI team comprises two Leo Hudson, Mark Kennedy, partners, Leo Hudson and Managing Partner and Richard Peter Blair, and 12 staff, all Maguire, Mazars Limerick office of whom will join Mazars, working from the existing Mazars office in Limerick City. Mazars Managing Partner Mark Kennedy said: “Leo, Peter and their team have built and led a strong business dedicated to providing excellent service to their clients over many years. We look forward to adding their expertise to our team, as we focus on providing the highest quality service experience to our clients in the mid-west region.”

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

09/08/2019 09:35

BUSINESS NEWS

PESTLE & MORTAR SCOOPS

TOP ENTERPRISE AWARD Kildare-founded skincare company, Pestle & Mortar, has won the top prize at this year’s National Enterprise Awards, organised by the Local Enterprise Offices to celebrate Ireland’s best small businesses.

The Newbridge-headquartered company, launched by Sonia Deasy in 2014, is now a global skincare brand and stocks its products in 13 countries. Backed by Local Enterprise Office Kildare and Enterprise Ireland, Pestle & Mortar is the first skincare company to win the overall title in the competition’s 21-year history. The cash prize for winning the award was a10,000.

Meanwhile, ice-cream manufacturer, Ice Cream Treats, won the ‘Innovation’ award, Kilkennybased Mechanical Modular Solutions took away the ‘Best Export Business’ award and Clean Cut Meals secured the ‘Best Start-Up Business’ award.

Each of these three businesses was awarded a5,000. In addition, eight regional awards were also presented, each winning a2,000.

Sonia Deasy, co-founder and CEO, Pestle & Mortar

ROBOT TAKEOVER

FDI BOOST

ZERO EMISSIONS

Robots are expected to take over 20 million manufacturing jobs worldwide by 2030, according to a study by Oxford Economics.

Ireland attracted 205 foreign direct investments in 2018, a 52% increase from 2017, according to the 2019 EY European Attractiveness Survey.

Dublin and Cork Airports have committed to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest.

ABBVIE TO ACQUIRE ALLERGAN IN US$63BN DEAL Pharmaceutical company AbbVie is set to buy Botox-maker Allergan in a deal worth $63bn.

AbbVie will continue to be led by Richard A. Gonzalez as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer up until 2023. Two members of Allergan’s Board, including Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brent Saunders, will join AbbVie’s Board upon completion of the transaction.

Saunders commented: “With 2019 annual combined revenue of approximately US$48bn, scale in more than 175 countries, an industry-leading R&D pipeline and robust cash flows, our combined company will have the opportunity to make even bigger contributions to global health than either can alone.”

The transaction is expected to close by early 2020.

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

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“Although office design trends come and go, one thing that won’t change is the impact the office environment has on employee health and wellbeing.”

Joe McGinley, CEO and founder of Iconic Offices

COVER STORY

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THE LAST WORD Insight and advice from four interviewees.

CONOR McCARTHY Founder of PlaneConsult and Dublin Aerospace “An entrepreneur is someone who no longer can or wants to work for someone else. However, if you chase the money, you might not ever reach the goal. Money is not a goal. Use your knowledge and experience – don’t plan on success in an area you have never worked in.”

Entrepreneur - Page 16

KAY HUTCHINSON Founder, Belle Media and Belle Kids “I was very focused on business, very dedicated and extremely hardworking. But I think one of the things that came out of my change of life and of career was the importance of remembering that you’re not a robot and that your health and wellness is just as important as your knowledge, talent, skills and drive.”

Mentors - Page 30

DIARMUID MCSWEENEY Co-founder, Gym + Coffee “The athleisure market has been booming for the past number of years. It is worth about a300bn globally and has increased 42% in seven years. These numbers are only anticipated to go up in the next three to five years. We have seen a lot of interest internationally in a very organic way from customers and other businesses.”

Small Business - Page 34

FINBARR CLARKSON Managing Director, Gaelite Signs “There is a lot more effort being put into presenting products in an appealing manner in retail stores. Those retailers that will be successful will be the ones that create environments that stimulate the senses and offer more of an experience to consumers.”

Media & Marketing - Page 40

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NEW INNOVATION AND ENTERPRISE

‘PREFERRED BIDDER’

Trinity College Dublin has launched a regional postgraduate certificate aimed at aspiring entrepreneurs, and/ or those who wish to bring innovative solutions to their organisations. It will be offered through four new regional centres in Waterford, Tipperary, Cavan and Longford from 9 September 2020.

According to the Global Entrepreneurship Report, less than 50% of people in Ireland believe they have the skills and knowledge to start a business.

In response to this, the new level 9 postgraduate course in innovation and enterprise development is being offered

by Tangent, Trinity’s Ideas Workspace, in partnership with Springboard+ and supported by Bank of Ireland.

The course is open to jobseekers and aspiring entrepreneurs as well as those wishing to pursue further study. The course aims to facilitate personal and professional growth and enable the translation of knowledge and ideas into innovative products, services and policies of the future.

In May, the Government announced the appointment of a preferred bidder to deliver the National Broadband Plan (NBP), the final step in the NBP procurement process before a contract is awarded and deployment begins in the State intervention area. The bidder, Granahan McCourt – a consortium led by US businessman David McCourt – has incorporated a new Irish registered company to be known as National Broadband Ireland to build, operate and maintain the network in the NBP State intervention area over a 25-year contract. That procurement process concluded that the cost to the State will be a3bn over 25 years. The Department of Communications said the rollout of the plan will commence in the fourth quarter of 2019 with significant pre-mobilisation activities ongoing over the next number of months.

Eir has since said if the Government decides not to proceed with the signing of the NBP contract with Granahan McCourt, Eir would be interested and could deliver the plan for under a1bn.

DEVELOPMENT COURSE

FOR NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN ANNOUNCED

DIAGEO IRELAND ROLLS OUT 26-WEEK PAID PATERNITY LEAVE

Diageo has announced that it will begin offering 26 weeks of fully paid paternity leave to all male employees in certain markets, including Ireland.

The policy applies to all those working for the firm here, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or how people become parents – via birth, adoption or surrogacy.

Mairéad Nayager, Chief HR Officer at Diageo, commented: “We are committed to creating a fully inclusive and diverse workforce and we strongly believe that businesses play a significant role in shaping the future of society. Global businesses like Diageo must make bold moves on policies and the environments in which their employees work to ensure that the progress people deserve happens.”

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

09/08/2019 09:35

WINNERS ANNOUNCED Congratulations to all the winners at the Energia Family Business Awards

See the full list of winners at www.familybusinessawards.ie

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

M vers

NEW APPOINTMENTS IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY NATIONWIDE

SHAKERS

PATRICK O’BRIEN

SHARON DONNERY

PETER JELKEBY

JOHN BRENNAN

NEW TITLE: Global Head of Funds EMPLOYER: Intertrust PREVIOUS ROLE: Head of Fund Services, Ireland and Head of Offshore Sales, Citigroup

NEW TITLE: Acting Governor EMPLOYER: Central Bank of Ireland PREVIOUS/EXISTING ROLE: Deputy Governor, Central Banking

NEW TITLE: Country Retail Manager UK and Ireland EMPLOYER: IKEA PREVIOUS ROLE: Acting CEO, Clas Ohlson

NEW TITLE: Chief Executive Officer EMPLOYER: WestBIC PREVIOUS ROLE: Financial Controller, WestBIC

Intertrust has appointed Patrick O’Brien as Global Head of Funds. He joins from Citigroup where he was Head of Fund Services, Ireland and Head of Offshore Sales. O’Brien will lead Intertrust’s global fund strategy and expand its client base among private capital fund managers and investors in Europe, North America and APAC. He will continue to develop Intertrust’s tailored and holistic funds offering and focus on delivering a market leading solution.

The Central Bank Commission has appointed Sharon Donnery as Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland for the period 1 June – 31 August 2019. Under the Central Bank Act, the Acting Governor has all the responsibilities and powers of the Governor. During this period Donnery will also continue to perform her role as Deputy Governor, Central Banking.

TOP CAREER TIPS 10

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IKEA has appointed Peter Jelkeby as Country Retail Manager with responsibility for the UK and Ireland.

Jelkeby joins IKEA from Swedish retailer Clas Ohlson where he held the roles of Executive Vice President/ Chief Operating Officer, and most recently Acting CEO. Prior to this, Jelkeby enjoyed an extensive career of over 20 years with IKEA in Sweden, Russia, Vietnam and the UK and Ireland.

WestBIC has appointed John Brennan to the role of Chief Executive Officer. Brennan previously held the position of Financial Controller, WestBIC. Brennan has led a number of EU innovation and internationalisation initiatives and is currently Chair of the Special Interest Group on Internationalisation, which was set up under the auspices of the European Business Innovation Centre Network.

Sarah Carter is Director of Franchising and Operations for McDonald’s in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This market-based role involves Carter equipping and enabling McDonald’s 29 franchisees to deliver outstanding customer, employee and business performance across McDonald’s 123 restaurants on the island of Ireland.

Prior to this role, Carter held a number of positions at McDonald’s including roles within its People Relations team.

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

09/08/2019 09:36

MOVERS & SHAKERS

TOM BARRY

JO ASTON

MICK SWEENEY

OLIVER SURDIVAL

NEW TITLE: Chairman EMPLOYER: New Ireland PREVIOUS ROLE: Chief Executive, Canada Life

NEW TITLE: Managing Director EMPLOYER: SONI PREVIOUS ROLE: Director of Wholesale Energy Regulation, Utility Regulator

NEW TITLE: Chief Executive Officer EMPLOYER: PineBridge Investments PREVIOUS ROLE: CEO, Bank of Ireland Wealth Management

NEW TITLE: Head of Cloud Services EMPLOYER: Arkphire PREVIOUS ROLE: CEO and Founder, CloudStrong

Tom Barry has been appointed as Chairman of the New Ireland Board of Directors. Barry, who has been on the New Ireland Board since April 2014, was previously Chief Executive of Canada Life (Ireland) and has extensive non-executive director experience, together with being a former President of the Irish Insurance Federation. He assumed the chairmanship following the scheduled retirement of Pat Healy as Chairman/ Director after nine years on the Board.

Northern Ireland’s independent electricity transmission operator SONI has appointed Jo Aston as its new Managing Director. Aston joins SONI from the Utility Regulator, where she most recently served as Director of Wholesale Energy Regulation for more than five years.

Prior to her work in the regulation of electricity, Aston was director of water regulation for seven years.

PineBridge Investments has appointed Mick Sweeney as Chief Executive Officer of PineBridge Investments Ireland Ltd. Based in Dublin, Sweeney reports to Klaus Schuster, Head of Europe at PineBridge Investments and will be PineBridge’s main contact with the Central Bank of Ireland. Sweeney has over 31 years of financial services expertise. He was most recently CEO of Bank of Ireland Wealth Management as well as Interim CEO of the group’s New Ireland Assurance unit.

Arkphire has appointed Oliver Surdival as Head of Cloud Services.

The move follows Arkphire’s acquisition last year of CloudStrong, a specialist cloud solution provider, which was founded by Surdival.

Having consolidated the CloudStrong business into a new Cloud Services division within the Arkphire Group, Surdival’s latest role will see him take overall responsibility for leading Arkphire’s Cloud Services.

1.

Be authentic – Be yourself. It will help to build relationships, respect and trust with your colleagues.

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

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2.

Add value – Make a cup of tea for your colleagues, go the extra mile for customers and take the time to invest in yourself.

3.

Get a good mentor – They help you plot out your career path and provide a sounding board for your ambitions.

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09/08/2019 09:36

When it comes to supporting business in Fingal we even take care of the little details.

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09/08/2019 10:54

JOB CREATION COMPANY: BDO

COMPANY: LogMeIn Inc.

SECTOR: Accountancy

LOCATION: Limerick

ANNOUNCEMENT: Accountancy firm BDO is set to create 50 new jobs after opening a new office in Limerick following significant expansion over recent years. The new roles will be across audit, tax and advisory services and will come on stream over the next three years.

SECTOR: Software LOCATION: Dublin ANNOUNCEMENT: LogMeIn has opened its new international headquarters in Grand Canal Dock and announced plans to create over 1,000 new jobs globally over a three- to five-year period. The new facility will allow LogMeIn to establish a management decision making centre in Europe.

COMPANY: JRI America Inc. SECTOR: Technology LOCATION: Tralee ANNOUNCEMENT: JRI America, Inc. has announced plans to further expand its Technology Centre in Tralee, Co Kerry, creating 100 new jobs over five years. The expansion will include the creation of a Security Operations Centre involving around 25 roles across a range of security-related functions.

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

COMPANY: XOCEAN SECTOR: Data collection

COMPANY: Tyndall National Institute SECTOR: Research LOCATION: Cork

LOCATION: Louth ANNOUNCEMENT: Ocean data collection company XOCEAN plans to recruit an additional 60 employees in the next year to meet increasing market demand having recently opened its new Technical Centre near Carlingford, Co Louth.

COMPANY: Indeed

SECTOR: Recruitment

LOCATION: Dublin

ANNOUNCEMENT: Global job site Indeed has announced plans to create 600 new roles at its Dublin-based headquarters for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Indeed currently employs over 1,000 people in Dublin city centre. Recruitment has already started for the new roles across marketing, finance, strategy, operations, sales, client services, HR and business development.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Tyndall National Institute plans to create up to 100 new research posts in the coming year following recent success securing multi-million euro funding from EU programmes and international industry, as well as significant competitively won national funding awards.

Government launches Springboard+ 2019 The Government has launched more than 9,000 free or subsidised places on 285 up-skilling and re-skilling courses, with an emphasis on the importance of the digital economy as part of Springboard+ 2019. Many courses focus on future-proofing the skills of people already in employment, particularly in roles that may be impacted by digitalisation. Springboard+ courses are free for people who are unemployed, those who were previously self-employed and returners to the workforce. Courses are also free for people in employment, on NFQ Level 6 courses. For employed participants on courses NFQ level 7 – 9, 90% of the course fee is funded by the Government, with participants required to contribute just 10% of the fee.

For more information visit www.springboardcourses.ie.

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

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Four areas of critical importance: 1. Digital Skills 2. Soft Skills 3. Management and Leadership 4. The Workplace of the Future.

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09/08/2019 09:36

START-UPS

Start-Up Central

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

new companies were formed in Ireland in Q1 2019 - the highest Q1 figure in 13 years.

HOW IT ALL STARTED

INVESTMENT IN IRISH TECH STARTUPS DOWN 6% Investment in tech startups in Ireland fell by 6% in 2018, according to the Life is Growth report

by Stripe and Tech.eu.

While the report shows that investment in European growth-stage technology companies is at an all-time high, Ireland is lagging behind its European counterparts. In total, Irish tech start-ups raised 265m last year while UK tech start-ups raised 3.4bn, those in France raised 2.4bn, and 2bn was invested in German tech companies. Across the sectors, fintech led the charge in growthstage investment in European start-ups, followed by medtech/ healthtech, SaaS and transportation.

DR ANN SHORTT

Founder and Medical Director, Full Health Medical How did you fund your business initially?

We funded the business from savings and by not taking any salaries ourselves. That meant we were able to make supports and finance like the Enterprise Ireland Competitive Start Fund go a long way.

Dr Ann Shortt

What’s the best advice you were given?

We’ve really been fortunate in surrounding ourselves with great people both on the team and as advisors. That’s the best advice we acted on and were given. You’re going to need a lot of good people for the journey.

What was the most important lesson you learned starting out?

Be as well funded at the start as you possibly can be. Too often, people underestimate what it really takes.

Your biggest make or break moment?

This was definitely when we had the first 2,000 users come through the platform in the early months and hoping that after so much effort and investment, that they would value the customer experience and realise the benefits. They did and to this day many of them still use the product to track and improve their health.

Would you change anything in hindsight?

We took our time to get a lot of things right. We would have the confidence to go to market sooner next time! If you can deliver an outstanding customer experience and see into what people want in the future, regardless of the business, you are on the right track.

Company: Location: Product: Staff: Website:

Full Health Medical Ltd The Digital Hub, Thomas St, Dublin 8 A product for ensuring people understand their health 10 www.fullhealthmedical.com

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MID-EAST AMONG TOP 10 START-UP ECOSYSTEMS FOR AGRITECH Ireland’s mid-east region, comprising counties Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow, has been ranked among the world’s top 10 start-up ecosystems for supporting agritech and food innovation, according to the Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER). The report examines the support structures in countries around the world that enable start-ups to grow and scale. Ireland’s mid-east also tops the leaderboard, together with Chicago, in terms of the representation of female entrepreneurs. Over 25% of the entrepreneurs in both regions are female. The region’s inclusion in this year’s GSER report is a pilot project spearheaded by Meath Enterprise.The overall top five start-up ecosystems in the world are Silicon Valley, New York City, London, Beijing, and Boston.

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

09/08/2019 09:36

START-UPS

Left to right: Oran Mulvey (Co-Founder), Shane O’Sullivan (Co-Founder), Conor Flynn (Software Developer), and Robert Lucey (Technical Director) of Glimpse

DUBLIN START-UP WINS

BOLTON TRUST-PWC INNOVATION AWARD

15 IRISH START-UPS CHOSEN FOR GOOGLE PROGRAMME 15 Irish tech start-ups have been selected to join the latest Google Adopt a Startup Programme. The companies selected for the Spring Adopt a Startup programme are: Allergy Lifestyle, Change Donations, ConstructionBOS, Coroflo, Danalto, EdgeTier, FarmHedge, Limtz, Moby, PepTalk, RideShair, SureSitter, Teemie, Wrkit and VRAI. The eight week start-up mentoring programme comprises a series of lectures and workshops, one-to-one guidance from Google experts and industry networking opportunities with the aim of helping ambitious start-ups to scale their business further. The curriculum focuses on an accelerated growth plan covering four priority growth areas: Understand Your Customer, Build Your Brand, Grow Globally and Scale Your Organisation.

Following the completion of the programme, each start-up will have the chance to pitch its own unique growth plan to a panel of select judges. The prizes up for grabs include 10,000 in Google Ads credit and eligibility for the Google Cloud Programme, which includes US$100,000 in Anne Walsh, Allergy Lifestyle Google Cloud Credit.

Ciaran Walsh, founder, Dog Internet of Things

NE TO WATCH: DOG INTERNET OF THINGS

Glimpse, a digital advertising software company, has been awarded the 2019 Bolton Trust-PwC Innovation Award. Led by Shane O’Sullivan, Glimpse has developed an ad-tech offering called Consensys, which analyses the demographic profile of visitors as they walk past digital advertising displays. Having successfully convinced the judging panel that their venture represents the strongest potential for global expansion and return on investment, O’Sullivan and his team secured a prize of 10,000 in the hunt for a 3.4m investment. Announcing the winner, John Lauder, Chairman of the Bolton Trust said: “Our awards aim to help highly innovative start-ups along the sometimes difficult road to securing investment.

Combined, our three shortlisted finalists this year were seeking in the region of 3.5m, and I am very glad to report that our three most recent winners have raised 4m since their success in the awards.”

Dog Internet of Things is a rapidly growing canine internet company that provides affordable one-to-one online dog training instruction to customers across Ireland, the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Services include advice and instruction from qualified dog training and canine behavioural experts, dog talks, free training webinars and local dog training events.

According to founder Ciaran Walsh, the smart pet learning space is currently booming in Ireland. “The canine internet economy is growing at about 10% a year. A shift to a more caring pet culture will push demand for innovation and knowledge requirements. All of this is opening enormous opportunities for fintech and blockchain applications.”

Walsh adds: “In Ireland, less than 2% of the 500,000 dog owners have ever engaged with a professional dog trainer.

The hourly cost of 60 to 100 is a major prohibitive factor.

Having changed both price and the nature of market delivery, we are seeing a slow, steady demand for real-time consultations. We also use internet platforms to organise many ‘real-world’ events such as Dog Talks and advisory clinics.”

with James Allen from Google

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

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09/08/2019 09:37

ENTREPRENEUR

ON A flight ENTREPRENEUR: CONOR MCCARTHY

Describing himself as “an accidental entrepreneur”, Conor McCarthy has gone from being an aircraft technician nearly 40 years ago to starting and running two successful businesses serving the Irish aviation industry.

path

Q: How is life and how is business at present?

Conor: Life’s always good. Business is

Q: How has PlaneConsult grown over the

challenging but in good health. I have two businesses, PlaneConsult, which is a specialist airline consultancy focused on the low cost carrier model and I am founder and Executive Chairman of Dublin Aerospace, an aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) business.

Conor: With 18 years in a range of positions

Q: Would you say you always had a

business head on your shoulders?

Conor: Not at all. I have always had

an aviation head on my shoulders and everything else happened by (happy) accident! I worked with Aer Lingus for 18 years, having started as an apprentice aircraft electrician and finished up as Chief Executive of Aer Lingus Commuter before joining Ryanair as Director of Group Operations for about five years.

When I left Ryanair I wanted to stay in Ireland with my family so starting an advisory business (PlaneConsult) was about my only option. That worked out well for me and when my first place of employment was closed down in 2009 (by SR Technics) it seemed only right to try re-starting an MRO in Dublin Airport. That’s how Dublin Aerospace was born.

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past 19 years? in Aer Lingus and five running operations for Ryanair, I knew there were lots of opportunities worldwide to replicate the ‘Ryanair model’ whilst understanding the ‘legacy airline model’.

One of my proudest achievements is co-founding AirAsia in 2001 and helping to build it into what is now Asia’s largest and most successful low-fares airline, with 170 aircraft and carrying 50 million passengers a year. AirAsia is a client of PlaneConsult.

In almost 20 years we’ve worked with some other great airlines, but more importantly, some truly wonderful people. I am also a founder of AirAsia X, Jetstar (with Quantas) and vivaAerobus (Mexico).

Q: What drove you to establish Dublin

Aerospace and what has been the secret of that company’s success?

Conor: When the 75-year old maintenance business at Dublin Airport was being closed in the dark days of 2009 myself and my wife, Anne, discussed it and we decided to try to buy the tooling and equipment and start a new business (with a new business model) from scratch.

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ENTREPRENEUR

“We had the two most important ingredients for any successful business: a small team of dedicated professionals and a never-say-die attitude.”

Conor McCarthy, Executive Chairman of Dublin Aerospace and Managing Director of PlaneConsult

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

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ENTREPRENEUR

‘Never say die – find a way’.

Every morning is a key moment when running a business – you can’t turn the clock back but today you can turn it around.

Q: How important are role models

for entrepreneurs?

Conor: I’m not far gone on

Conor McCarthy

NEW FACILITY Dublin Aerospace, one of the companies established by Conor McCarthy, is investing a10m in a new facility in Co Meath that will service landing gear and mean the hiring of additional staff. The 60,000 sq ft facility in Ashbourne will double the size of Dublin Aerospace’s landing gear maintenance activity in the next 18 months. McCarthy, who was EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2011, expects to increase the number of workers maintaining landing gear from 60 to 100 people in two years’ time. Aside from Landing Gear Services, Dublin Aerospace has two other business divisions: Aircraft Overhaul and Auxillary Power Unit Services. The firm’s operations are focused on two major aircraft types, the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family of aircraft. In addition to this, the company leases out landing gear auxiliary power units and provides training to engineers within the airline industry.

It was really tough getting the finance, approvals and initial customers but we had the two most important ingredients for any successful business: a small team of dedicated professionals and a never-say-die attitude.

Today our annual turnover at Dublin Aerospace is over a50m and we make just over a4m in profit a year with over 430 people working here during our winter peak months.

In that number is a constant stream of over 100 apprentice aircraft engineers and trainee aircraft mechanics. That gives me more of a kick than anything else. Our training is now respected and renowned throughout the industry.

Q: What are your mantras in business and

how have they kept you going and your businesses growing?

Conor: Focus (Keep it Short and Simple – KISS), Discipline (success is 90% work) and Customers (keeping customers is ten times easier than finding new ones). Others would be ‘Discover the supremacy of sales’ and 18

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entrepreneurs as role models per se but all of us have people in our lives that made us who we are. The most influential people for me tended to be those who had high standards and lived by them no matter how difficult that might be. Integrity, honesty and a deep interest in other people are three essential qualities for me.

The term entrepreneur is a misnomer as it refers to an individual, whilst there is no such thing as an entrepreneur who did it all on their own - it’s about a team effort and team building. An entrepreneur is someone who no longer can or wants to work for someone else.

However, if you chase the money, you might not ever reach the goal. Money is not a goal. Use your knowledge and experience – don’t plan on success in an area you have never worked in.

Q: What are your thoughts on

entrepreneurship and the types of startups emerging here in recent years?

Conor: I love it! Young people today are fearless and I find them very hardworking – the more of them who join or found start-ups the better.

“THE MOST

INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE FOR ME TENDED TO BE THOSE WHO HAD

HIGH STANDARDS

AND LIVED BY THEM NO MATTER HOW DIFFICULT THAT MIGHT BE. INTEGRITY, HONESTY AND A

DEEP INTEREST

IN OTHER PEOPLE ARE THREE ESSENTIAL

QUALITIES FOR ME.”

Q: Do you have any advice for

budding entrepreneurs hoping to get a business off the ground?

Conor: Make a plan, focus on something you know (and are half good at), put a likeminded team together and then go do it! The key to success is to adapt, adapt, adapt.

Q: Where would you like to be in five

years’ time with PlaneConsult and Dublin Aerospace?

Conor: I’ll probably reduce my involvement in PlaneConsult in terms of travel and focus more on Dublin Aerospace and other projects. We should get to a100m+ turnover in Dublin Aerospace in that timeframe with a corresponding growth in the team and bottom line.

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

09/08/2019 09:37

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09/08/2019 10/03/2016 12:10 26/01/2016 10:55 09:04

Eye

COVER STORY

AN

on

Winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the All-Ireland Business Awards in May, Joe McGinley, CEO and founder of Iconic Offices, is on the crest of a wave with the opening of two more breathtaking flexible workspace office buildings in 2019.

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F

design

rom its impressive glass-roofed courtyard with three-storey mural by street artist Aches to the adaptable meeting rooms and bright communal areas, The Masonry on Thomas Street in Dublin 8 really does have the wow factor when it comes to workspace design. Right down to the trios of ornamental ducks wearing wellies here and there and the brass door handles in the bathrooms, it is an environment that continually stimulates and feels conducive to creativity.

Formerly the IAWS headquarters and a seed warehouse dating back to 1780, The Masonry is the latest building to be opened by flexible workspace provider Iconic Offices, bringing its portfolio of buildings in Dublin up to 15. Work on the project from a design, planning and structural perspective started over two years ago. Contemporary features such as black walls and aubergine and yellow seating have been combined with reminders of the building’s heritage, including exposed brick and a seed drawer running the length of one wall, which was found in the original warehouse.

“The Masonry is one of our most exciting and largest locations to date, spanning over 70,000 sq ft and six floors and with a capacity for 900 work stations. We have 50% of the project delivered in the first phase, including the large reception area, Vandal our onsite café, restaurant and event space, two internal courtyards, all of the meeting rooms and most of the breakout spaces,” says Joe McGinley, CEO and founder, Iconic Offices, who started the business in 2013. “After a month of opening, half of our capacity is filled now with a diverse range of companies signed up, from sole traders to an electric scooter manufacturer, software developers and a legal firm. Our belief is that a healthy business community is diverse and this will foster collaboration.”

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

Joe McGinley, CEO and founder of Iconic Offices @ The Masonry on Thomas Street Artwork by Ominous Omin

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

Paul McCarthy

IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT WATCHING PROFITABILITY AND MAKING SURE EVERY BUILDING IS SUCCESSFUL IN ITS OWN RIGHT, WHILE MAKING INCREMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS AND CONTINUING TO INNOVATE ALONG THE WAY.

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MY MINDSET AS A BUSINESSPERSON WAS ALWAYS TO BUILD BUSINESSES THAT WERE COMMERCIALLY SOUND AND NOT FUELLED BY DEBT. I HAD TO ENSURE THE BUSINESS MODEL STACKED UP FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. Members of The Masonry can rent a single desk right up to an entire floor to accommodate 200 people. They can take part in Iconic Offices’ monthly programme of events, rely on world-class IT infrastructure and avail of flexible options to facilitate expansion and growth. Phase 2 of The Masonry project will involve the warehouse space at the back being converted into 30,000 sq ft of office space with exposed bricks and beams. Around 50 old framed pictures will be hung along the staircase, which feels more like one you would find in a hotel than an office building.

“We always start the design concept around the original building, its individual characteristics and location. This building was essentially derelict and needed to be brought back to life,” says McGinley. “We made a 22

bet two years ago that there would be a wave of occupiers coming to Dublin 8 looking for value and more space and it seems to be coming true. With the Digital Hub, Guinness Enterprise Centre and Fumbally Exchange, it was already a digital area. And now the huge Guinness urban quarter is also on the way.”

WELLNESS BREAKTHROUGH Hot on the heels of The Masonry launch is Iconic Office’s opening of The Lennox Building on South Richmond Street in August, which will house up to 350 workstations spanning around 27,000 sq ft over five floors.

With interiors akin to a luxury boutique hotel, the design approach for The Lennox Building was to maximise the great city views and create an environment that is eclectic

Paul McCarthy

Joe McGinley, CEO and founder of Iconic Offices @ The Masonry on Thomas Street Artwork by Andrew Greaves

and striking where “contemporary urban design meets roaring 1920s glamour”. The lobby is defined by a bespoke brass and crystal chandelier and there is a five-metre cherry blossom tree in the corner glazed window of the reception area.

First-class facilities in the pipeline include a modern conference centre, breakout spaces and a new restaurant on the ground floor operated by Press Up Entertainment.

While this building will impress as the other Iconic Offices locations have in terms of premium office design, it goes one step further.

The Lennox Building is on track to becoming the first flexible workspace in Europe to achieve the Well V2 certification – a building standard that represents the future of office design.

“In the past 20 years, the modern office has undergone numerous evolutions. The early 2000s saw the demise of mass cublicles and the rise of open floorplans, while 2016 brought foosball and ping pong tables to tech offices everywhere,” InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

notes McGinley. “Although office design trends come and go, one thing that won’t change is the impact the office environment has on employee health and wellbeing."

The Well V2 certification explores how design, operations and behaviours within the places where we live, work, learn and play can be optimised to advance human health and wellbeing. It covers seven core concepts of health and hundreds of features.

“To be granted this certification, you have to comply with a lot of different features while building, such as using the right materials in terms of people’s health, light fittings that deliver the optimum amount of light, wellness programmes and healthy food displaying all the ingredients.

Cleaning products must be organic and non-chemical based. The list goes on,” explains McGinley.

“Only a couple of companies in Ireland have achieved any kind of wellness certification before. This will definitely set us apart. The Masonry and The Lennox Building increase the capacity of the business by 50% in terms of size and income. They are taking the Iconic Offices product to another level, with The Lennox Building being unique both in function and design. The building will literally perform for its occupants, providing a comprehensive range of first-class amenities any business could require.”

BOOSTRAPPING TO SUSTAINABILITY A Property Studies graduate, McGinley first spotted a gap in the flexible workspace market for a design-led approach while running his first business Bespoke Estate Agents in 2010. He evolved this into Ireland’s first flexible workspace brokerage company, Bespoke Serviced Offices, which focused on referring potential tenants to flexible worksplace operators in exchange for a fee.

“There was a natural progression from there having seen the opportunity of going from InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

brokering into actually running and operating the buildings as well,” he says. “My mindset as a businessperson was always to build businesses that were commercially sound and not fuelled by debt. I had to ensure the business model stacked up from the very beginning.

With Iconic Offices, if the first or second building didn’t work, there were never going to be any more buildings. So, instead of having a five-year plan and raising capital, all of our energy went into making sure the first building – 127 Lower Baggot Street – got its occupiers fast, that the service was delivered to the highest possible standard and that the business commercially just made sense.”

McGinley designed and projectmanaged the first seven or eight buildings with the support of a small team. At that stage, the business was reaching maturity and he started to look at the bigger picture. “We had reached that pivotal point where we could either knuckle down and take things to the next level or sit back and enjoy the fruits of what was developed,” he says.

“That was really when we looked at what the next three years would look like, how would we fund the business and what type of people we needed to grow.” Iconic Offices currently employs about 80 people across various functions and its internal design team works with external contractors on scheme design and implementation. It has around 3,000 members across its portfolio of locations, including FDI companies, start-ups and services businesses.

“We are working on other locations and looking at opportunities in Europe. Most of our efforts at the moment however are on making sure we deliver our existing locations to the best of our ability. I learned a lot of lessons from being bootstrapped.

For me, it’s always about watching profitability and making sure every building is successful in its own right, while making incremental improvements and continuing to innovate along the way."

THE EXTRA MILE Iconic Offices strives to offer its members a comprehensive five-star experience, including a full reception service, meeting and greeting of clients, conference facilities and in-house catering for events. It prides itself on being more than just a workspace, offering a variety of premium amenities and entertainment, including: In-house private cinema/ screening room (THE GREENWAY *Coming Soon) Vandal onsite café, restaurant & event space (THE GREENWAY AND THE MASONRY) Comprehensive events programme each month exclusive to members (ALL ICONIC LOCATIONS) 40+ design-led meeting rooms across 16 iconic locations 2,000 sq ft outdoor rooftop terrace with expansive views of the city accommodating wellness and events programmes providing facilities such as yoga, pilates and meditation (THE LENNOX BUILDING) An Iconic Members Store providing unique offers with local and global providers; from local health & wellness offerings, software subscriptions to travel discounts.

(ALL ICONIC LOCATIONS) ‘Passport To Roam’ offering coworking members the flexibility to “roam” between six Iconic Dublin City Centre hot-desking locations (ALL ICONIC LOCATIONS).

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INDUSTRY FEATURE

Raising a to glass your HEALTH

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The appetite for all things health and wellness hasn’t passed the drinks sector by and canny Irish entrepreneurs are looking to tap into this growing market, writes GRAINNE ROTHERY.

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

09/08/2019 11:23

INDUSTRY FEATURE

A

n increased focus on health and wellbeing globally has been driving a surge in demand for innovative and healthy food and drink options. Innovative Irish companies responding to this trend look well placed to benefit from this growing market.

One such company is KO Kombucha, which was set up in 2017 by Tracy Armstrong and her partner Ronan Coughlan. KO Kombucha is a raw, organic, fermented tea that’s brewed and bottled by hand. Part of the fermented foods group, kombucha is widely believed to improve gut health, aid digestion and boost immunity.

Armstrong and Coughlan were living in London when they first came across kombucha and they saw the drink as a positive addition to their lives. Coughlan was so taken with it that he started studying fermentation, brewing the drink and developing his own recipes. “We were selling that to friends, family and colleagues in London and getting repeat purchases,” Armstrong says.

Coughlan’s background is arts and business management, while Armstrong was in marketing, including spending five years as a marketing manager at Hello magazine.

“We knew we wanted to set up Tracy Armstrong & Ronan Coughlan, our own business founders, KO Kombucha but didn’t really know what it would be,” she explains. “The Brexit vote happened and that gave us the push to go back home. We looked at what was available in Ireland and saw an opportunity to bring a premium offering to the market.”

They returned to Moate in Co Westmeath in 2017 and started the business in their spare bedroom before moving to a unit in Ferbane Food Campus six months later.

Armstrong describes KO Kombucha as a healthy alternative to sugary soft drinks and to alcohol. “It’s a functional drink, which is what a lot of people are looking for these days,” she says.

“People are way more conscious of what they’re putting into their bodies.”

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“THE BREXIT

VOTE HAPPENED AND THAT GAVE US THE PUSH TO GO BACK HOME. WE LOOKED AT WHAT WAS AVAILABLE IN IRELAND AND SAW AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING A PREMIUM OFFERING TO

THE MARKET.”

That functionality doesn’t come at the expense of taste, she says. “A lot of people think anything that’s good for you is not going to taste good – and a lot of kombuchas don’t. Our aim was to create something that was healthy but also delicious.”

Kombucha KO is now available in three flavours and stocked at around 120 places across the country, including in speciality food shops, health stores, cafes and restaurants.

And the couple has plans for expansion. “We are looking to go overseas and Germany, France and Scandinavia would be our first targets. We’d also like to see it on tap in bars. Every time we do a tasting, at least two or three people tell me they’d love to see it available in pubs as an adult soft drink. I don’t think Irish bars are ready for that yet, but down the line I think we’ll see it popping up in places on tap.”

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MARKET OPPORTUNITY

INDUSTRY FEATURE

Karen O’Neill, founder, Beekon

HIVE OF ACTIVITY One beverage that has already made its way into bars is Karen O’Neill’s honeybased alcohol drink, Beekon. After over 15 years working in marketing roles in large drinks companies, O’Neill had “a burning desire to do something different” and was keen to tap into what she saw as a growing trend for more natural products.

As well as working for Diageo and Gilbeys, O’Neill spent over 10 years at Heineken, four of those as head of global cider, based out of Amsterdam.

“Much as I genuinely adored Heineken and my life in the company, there are limitations to what a corporate entity can do,” she says. “I could see what was coming around the corner – not necessarily what was in the line of sight – and that was people fundamentally changing how they were eating and drinking.”

Looking at what was happening in response to this trend internationally convinced O’Neill that she had to do something based around honey.

“Fermented honey or anything to do with honey in terms of brewing or distilling has been the fastest growing 26

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According to research company Euromonitor, the market for fortified and functional beverages in Ireland will increase in value from 188.5m in 2018 to 195.5m this year. And it is forecast to continue to grow to just over 227m in 2023.

Bord Bia says recent years have seen continuous growth and development of foods and drinks across a breadth of functional platforms addressing a range of systems needs, from gut health to mental wellness.

“With markets in growth – for example, for probiotics, prebiotics and more recently synbiotics – and as more research is being done on the full life cycle of probiotics and digestive systems and the links with gut and brain health, new discoveries are being made all the time which will have implications for the food and drinks we consume and the benefits for brain health and beyond,” says the agency.

“We are also seeing a range of foods and drinks emerging addressing a wider range of functional needs such as sharpness, mental wellness and calmness. The result is the emergence of new products and processes (such as fermentation) often using unique and bespoke ingredients designed to tackle these growing ‘systems’ needs.”

category in the world for the past four years,” she says.

She was confident enough to quit her job in 2015 and spend the next four years developing her ‘honey refresher’ drink, which launched at the beginning of May. The production process, which she has outsourced to Alltech, is almost identical to that of beer. It uses a sizeable amount of honey, is fermented to 5% alcohol level and is carbonated.

“It’s like a combination of Pimms, prosecco and cider,” O’Neill says. “And it’s not as sweet as you’d expect from a honey drink.”

Developing the liquid took around a year and a half. “It took time to get the taste balance because I wasn’t adding any additives or flavours or enhancers, which a lot of beverage products do. I hired a brewer for the past four years who has been working on product development for me. It was painstaking but I have no regrets.”

“I COULD SEE

WHAT WAS COMING AROUND THE CORNER – NOT NECESSARILY WHAT WAS IN THE LINE OF SIGHT – AND THAT WAS PEOPLE

FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGING HOW THEY WERE EATING AND DRINKING.” O’Neill says the product is defined as much by what’s not in it as what is.

“I can see a future where people are starting to count chemicals. With this product, I’m really proud of the fact that there’s nothing in it – no sulphites, no additives, no preservatives, no colourants and it’s naturally gluten free. That ticks a lot of boxes.”

She’s also particularly proud of the bottle, which again took some time to perfect. “It’s genuinely one of the most unique bottles in the marketplace. That’s borne out of a real hunger to provide something that’s differentiating, that pays homage to the bees and is innovative.”

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INDUSTRY FEATURE

O’Neill’s plan is to concentrate on Ireland initially and to then run a parallel track with one or two export markets. “A lot of my focus is on Ireland but I am having distribution conversations in the US and in mainland Europe,” she says.

“I probably have about an 18-month window in terms of somebody with credibility catching up with me and I need to make that count.

In truth, while I have no doubt that this will work in Ireland, at its heart it will truly excel in mainland Europe and in Mediterranean countries that understand that modern, refreshing, light, accessible drinking proposition.”

AN EYE ON FITNESS Trying to find an answer to her own health problems was the starting point for Rosalind Beere’s newest venture, Chi Fit Tea. With a PhD in strategy, Beere lectured in the National College of Ireland for 13 years and has been setting up businesses since the age of 16. She sustained serious injuries when she was hit by a car in 2015.

“I wasn’t able to exercise so my health was

suffering,” she says, adding that her long-time addiction to sugar-free caffeinated drinks wasn’t helping matters. “It started to dawn on me that the Diet Coke thing was not working in my body with all the heavy drugs.

“I knew green tea was really good for me but I didn’t like the taste so I started mixing it with mint.

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“I HAVE MONEY COMING IN BUT IT’S NOT ENOUGH FOR ME TO ATTACK THE UK MARKET. I HAVE FOUR DISTRIBUTORS READY TO ROLL BUT IT NEEDS A BIT OF MONEY BEHIND IT. RUSHING IT IS NOT NECESSARILY THE BEST GROWTH STRATEGY.” started blending them with spices in my kitchen.”

Within a couple of months, Beere says she had more energy, was losing weight and felt healthier. “Colleagues started trying it and they had more energy. And that one change was helping them to improve other parts of their lives.”

Seeing a gap in the market in this area, she identified an organic tea producer in China and developed the Chi Fit brand, which was launched in January 2018, one month before giving birth to her third child.

She has since developed six more products – including tea, coffee and latte blends –and will be introducing a new Calm Tea Blend and Choco-Matcha Latte later this year.

Beere is also working on expanding the range to include other health and wellbeing products.

The range is stocked in various pharmacies and health food stores across Ireland, including over 50 Boots stores, Meaghers Pharmacy, The Health Food Shop and Donnybrook Fair.

Having recently completed Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers programme, Beere is now looking Rosalind Beere, at taking the brand founder, Chi Fit outside Ireland. “I was going to move into the UK in May but I felt I wasn’t ready and it was too fast. I also felt it was most important to consolidate the Irish market.”

She is now looking to secure investment to enable her expansion plans. “I have money coming in but it’s not enough for me to attack the UK market. I have four distributors ready to roll but it needs a bit of money behind it. Rushing it is not necessarily the best growth strategy.”

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FEATURE

SNAP

CHAT Stephen Costello, Managing Director and Co-Founder, Spectrum.Life

“We pride ourselves on advising our clients on the latest and best approaches and tech and wellness initiatives to ensure the best return on investment and higher standards of wellbeing.

Spectrum.Life officially launched in March this year, having previously operated as Spectrum Wellness. The corporate wellness provider has helped hundreds of companies over the past five years, providing wellbeing services to over 500,000 employees.

Spectrum.Life is an integrated solution for workplace wellness, designed to make wellbeing programmes easier to manage and more rewarding for employees.

Investing in your employees’ health and wellbeing is investing in your business. There are mountains of evidence that highlight the business benefits of effectively implementing a workplace wellbeing programme.

It’s not just about doing it because it’s expected, it’s about doing it because it really will make a difference to the work and home lives of employees.

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If a company wants its employees to value working there, it must show that it values its employees; well-managed employee wellbeing programmes are an incredibly effective way of doing this.

We work with global businesses such as Microsoft, Vodafone, Accenture and home-grown organisations, including the Irish Aviation Authority, Dublin Airport Authority, Musgrave Group and Irish Distillers Pernod-Ricard.

“In November 2017 we launched a nationwide health

It’s really rewarding to see the positive impact the work that our teams do has on the employees of these companies.

and wellness initiative with Laya Healthcare.”

We’re currently establishing our base in the UK. Hopefully in the not too distant future, we’ll be considering our opportunities in Australia and New Zealand as well as Canada and the US. InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

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09/08/2019 11:05

MENTORS

MENTOR: KAY HUTCHINSON

TAKING STOCK Kay Hutchinson has worn many hats in her career, from TV producer and executive to businesswoman and author. One of the biggest lessons she has learned is the importance of looking after your body and mind. In her first book, My Life in 37 Therapies, she highlights the business benefits of therapy and remembering to put yourself first.

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MENTORS

A

fter studying Music and French at Glasgow University, Kay Hutchinson began her career in radio at Decca Records in London and later BBC Radio before moving to TV and taking up the role of Network Director at Channel 4.

As her career continued to go from strength to strength, Hutchinson went on to lead the on-air launches of the Disney Channel and Channel 5.

She later moved back to the BBC and was involved in the preparation and sale of BBC Broadcast. After the sale, Hutchinson was promoted to Director of Partnerships, which involved looking at new streams of business for the company, now called Red Bee Media.

“My role was about looking forward at new business and developing relationships with companies, but in 2008 there was a crash and I don’t know of any company that wasn’t just looking at immediate wins at the time,” Hutchinson explains.

As a result, Hutchinson was made redundant in 2009, forcing her to reassess everything.

“In some ways it was awful for me because my job and my career were so important to me. But on the other hand it led to a whole new opportunity and goodness knows what I would have done if I’d stayed there and just done more of the same.

It wouldn’t be half as interesting a life as I have now,” she reflects.

Hutchinson founded her own company, Belle Media, in 2009, and in 2015, launched Belle Kids, a small independent publishing company producing multi-platform content for children.

Familiar with a lot of the challenges of starting up new companies, Hutchinson got involved in an organisation called Tech London Advocates, a worldwide advocacy group that started off in London.

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030 InBUSINESS Summer 2019_Mentors_V1.indd 31

and start-ups grow and be successful with their digital ideas, new apps etc. I ended up running two groups within that advocacy group which is quite unusual – the creative tech group and the health tech group,” says Hutchinson. “Those organisations were there to bring together lots of entrepreneurs, business funders and mentors to help companies to succeed. I have been knee-deep in entrepreneurs in recent years.”

A competition run by Tech London Advocates gave Hutchinson insights into the qualities needed to be a successful entrepreneur.

“The ones that seemed to be together, relaxed and confident but not overly anxious, desperate and full of themselves tended to be more successful. The people that have lots of ego – they’re just on their own and that’s never really going to work.”

“THE ONES THAT SEEMED TO BE TOGETHER, RELAXED AND CONFIDENT BUT NOT OVERLY ANXIOUS, DESPERATE AND FULL OF THEMSELVES TENDED TO BE MORE SUCCESSFUL.”

DEFINING SUCCESS

In the build-up to the 2012 London Olympics, Kay Hutchinson successfully led a legacy partnership of 50+ companies seeking to deliver a long-term future for the multi-million pound Olympic Broadcast Centre.

“There’s this huge buildup and huge investment and so many countries end up having nothing after the games have finished,” Hutchinson explains.

“When it came to London, I was determined to do whatever I could once I got into this leadership role to make sure that at least the Broadcast Centre - something I knew a lot about - actually delivered some value for young people in the east end of London and for businesses.”

After serving as a reporting hub for media outlets and broadcasters throughout the Olympic Games, the vast media ‘village’ is now home to BT Sport and many new tech and media companies.

“That’s probably the thing I’m most proud of,” Hutchinson reflects.

London Olympic Park in Stratford, East London

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MENTORS

KAY HUTCHINSON ON...

BURN-OUT “I see lots of entrepreneurs now running around, really pushing themselves hard.

I totally recognise it but if you’re really going to do well in today’s pressurised world you have to avoid burn-out. I think it’s really important to remember you’re a human being and that you need to eat well – yes you need to keep fit but it doesn’t necessarily need to be a ridiculous workout at the gym, you also need to take time to yourself to feed your mind, give yourself a rest and actually look after yourself.”

YOGA “I think one of the great things about yoga is that it does actually teach you to balance your physical exercise with your mental exercise, switching off, being mindful, letting things go and not always reacting to everything. We always react to things but yoga is exactly the opposite. It is accepting things as they are, who you are, and going with the flow. I think if people learned to approach business with a little bit more calm they would probably do much more in a much shorter space of time because they would be thinking more clearly.”

ROLE MODELS “My business partner at Belle Media Richard Dikstra is one of the most influential people for me. We’re extremely different characters and have different talents but we are a brilliant team together. He’s much more considered and detailed than I am. He likes doing all the spreadsheets and working out the detail of things. He has been a fantastic mentor to me, but I would say so have people I’ve worked with in Tech London Advocates and entrepreneurs I’ve worked with over the years.”

My Life in 37 Therapies, published by RedDoor Publishing, is available now, priced £9.99.

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if this was the life she actually wanted, despite working so hard for it. Unsure what to do or where her life was going, she turned to therapy.

In her first book My Life in 37 Therapies, published in July 2019, she recounts her quest for answers to a question she couldn’t quite articulate. “I think I was trying to find out what went wrong,” she explains. “It took a long time, a lot longer than I thought,” she adds.

Kay Hutchinson

“I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAME OUT OF THIS CHANGE OF LIFE AND OF CAREER WAS THE

IMPORTANCE OF REMEMBERING THAT YOU’RE NOT A ROBOT AND THAT YOUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS YOUR KNOWLEDGE, TALENT, SKILLS AND DRIVE.”

SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS In the same period that Hutchinson lost her job – a role that in a way defined her – she sadly lost her mother to cancer and then supported her partner through his cancer treatment in what was a very challenging time.

“All of those things change you,” she explains.

“I was running around trying to keep everyone else happy – the business, my husband, my parents, my family – and actually, I think I just lost sight of myself completely until my body said, ‘enough’,” she confides.

This series of work and personal events left Hutchinson wondering

LESSONS LEARNED Through this tumultuous time, Hutchinson learned a valuable lesson in knowing when to stop and take stock.

“I was very focused on business, very dedicated and extremely hardworking. But I think one of the things that came out of this change of life and of career was the importance of remembering that you’re not a robot and that your health and wellness are just as important as your knowledge, talent, skills and drive,” Hutchinson reveals. “It’s not all about working harder and harder. It’s about balance.”

While Hutchinson’s experience is unique to her, she says anyone who reads her story will be able to relate to it in some way.

“I think the key takeaway is to make sure in the day, whether it’s in the morning or the end of the day, that you take stock of where you’ve got to and you give your mind a rest. It could be as simple as going for a walk in the park or listening to music. It could be taking off for a weekend to actually really unwind.

In the business world you really need to be a bit more mindful about what you’re doing every day so that you don’t burn yourself out.”

She adds: “I don’t think I was doing that at all before I went through this period. The shock of redundancy made me consider what might help me in the future to be a better businessperson and remember that I’m in there somewhere.”

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23/11/2011 15:05:50 09/08/2019 10:56

SMALL BUSINESS FEATURE

Brian O’Driscoll

Founded by friends Diarmuid McSweeney, Karl Swaine and Niall Horgan in 2017, Gym+Coffee is a brand that represents the growing active lifestyle in Ireland.

The company recently signed rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll up as its Head of Community.

Q. How did you come up with the concept for Gym+Coffee?

DMcS: People don’t want to hang out in pubs and bars as much and are looking for active things to do at the weekends.

Cafés are becoming the new places to meet and socialise. We all spent time in Australia and San Francisco where these trends are a bit more prominent and we could see Ireland catching up with this. So we wanted to create a brand that encouraged this lifestyle.

We also saw the big

rise in athleisure clothing – people everywhere wearing hoodies and yoga pants. Again, this is something you’d really notice in Australia and the US. We felt there was an opportunity here for an Irish brand and thought this could be the way to connect to an active audience.

Regarding our name, we feel the two most important things to make time for are: exercising and socialising, so the ‘Gym’ stands for the exercise element and ‘Coffee’ covers the social aspect.

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Q. How have you grown and developed the business?

DMcS: In 2017, we ran our ten-week #SummerStretch programme, which was a free outdoor exercise events series. We ran ten different classes, at ten different locations, with ten different trainers and collaborated with ten independent start-up cafes to host coffees after the training. This was a huge success for us and we did it all again for the third summer in a row in June.

In just over 24 months

we have grown an online audience of over 60,000 across social media and email. This time last year our clothing was only exclusively available on our own website and there were just the three of us founders on the team. Today, we have a store in Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin and Mahon Point in Cork and there is a team of 24 people.

The business has developed significantly in the past few months with a much wider range of products and experiences.

We have gone from beanies, T-shirts and hoodies to a InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

09/08/2019 09:43

SMALL BUSINESS FEATURE

full collection of jackets, tank tops, leggings and merchandise. Gym + Coffee has been the official clothing partner of Ireland’s largest health, fitness and wellness festival, WellFest, for three years running.

Q: What does the appointment of Brian O’Driscoll as your Head of Community mean for Gym+Coffee?

DMcS: Brian brings a wealth of experience leading teams and building communities and his new role with Gym+Coffee will be integral to the growth and development of the brand both in Ireland and abroad. His role as advisor and advocate for the Gym+Coffee community will see him championing our ‘Make Life Richer’ initiatives and increasing the involvement of the broader Gym+Coffee family.

Q: What is the community aspect of your brand all about and why is it so important?

DMcS: Community is at the absolute heart of what Gym+Coffee is all about.

It’s important to everything that we do because it is something we’re very passionate and authentic about. Anyone who interacts with us online or has come to our events will we hope agree with that. We can’t say we’re the most innovative, technical brand in the world because people know that is an inauthentic message – we clearly don’t have the resources that Nike has.

What we prefer to do is celebrate our community, which is made up of real people doing incredible

“BEING IN EARLY START-UP MODE, WE ARE CONSTANTLY REACTING AND CHANGING TO THE MOST PRESSING NEEDS OF THE BUSINESS.” Diarmuid McSweeney

Karl Swaine

things. We get tagged in amazing photos on Instagram - if we think there is a story there, we message the person and then write a blog on our site about them. If the blog gets a lot of views, we sometimes make a video about that person for our social channels. This again is all about authenticity – it is not about global sports stars, but rather real people in our community and celebrating their achievements.

Q: What are the biggest challenges you face as a small business?

DMcS: We have taken the approach of just saying ‘yes’ to opportunities and seeing where they take us. However, a big lesson in recent times is to know when to say ‘no’.

It’s becoming clear that we can’t take the business in every direction that presents itself. There must be a trade off and we have to focus on our priorities.

Another big lesson we learned recently is the importance of timing and planning. Being in early start-up mode, we are constantly reacting and changing to the most pressing needs of the business. However, through a number of instances, it’s obvious that forward planning is

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Niall Horgan

everything, particularly in terms of product design and the supply chain.

Q: How is the athleisure market growing and do you see international potential for your brand?

DMcS: The athleisure market has been booming for the past number of years. It is worth about 300bn globally and has increased 42% in seven years. These numbers are only anticipated to go up in the next three to five years. We have seen a lot of interest internationally in a very organic way from customers and other businesses. The feedback is that people love our inherent Irishness but also that our name and the values we encourage are universal. We believe markets such as the UK and Australia will be massive for us in the coming years.

Q: How do you deal with competition?

DMcS: That is an interesting question and something we think about a lot in terms of pricing, product strategy and

marketing. For obvious reasons, there is a lot we can’t do in terms of competition from the major international players. So, what we do instead is focus on what we are doing, play to our strengths and give our community the best possible customer experience. Being small and nimble is an advantage when you’re interacting with customers who expect a consistent experience across all channels and seamless integration between physical retail outlets and online.

Luckily, we can provide that.

Q: Any other news or expansion plans you can share with us?

DMcS: The next few years will be massive for us in terms of international growth plans. Our aim is to open a store in the UK by the end of this year and that in 2020 we will have a presence in five markets with an overall team of 48 people. Another key element of our growth will be developing the experiential part of the business which is so important to our brand message. We have already held our first-ever US event, in New York.

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INNOVATION

TECH

The future of healthcare is digital and – despite some challenges – Ireland has an opportunity to be an important player in a burgeoning global market, writes GRAINNE ROTHERY.

WELL With the

scope to relieve some of the pressure from increasingly burdened health systems while at the same time delivering positive and very personalised outcomes for individuals, digital technology is in the process of transforming the healthcare landscape.

In its 2017 Sláintecare Implementation Strategy, the Government noted that digital health solutions can “support more efficient processes, empowering patients in managing their care and accessing their own medical records, as well as facilitating the provision of services in more appropriate care settings closer to the patient’s home”.

The HSE describes digital health as being “the integration of all information and knowledge sources involved in the delivery of healthcare via information technology-based systems”. This covers patients and their records, caregivers and their systems; monitoring devices and sensors as well as management and administrative functions.

In a recent report on the digital health sector in Ireland, the Irish Medication and Surgical Trade Association (IMSTA) divides it into a number of categories. These include: electronic health

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INNOVATION AND TECH

“WE HAVE A WHOLE RANGE OF REALLY INTERESTING START-UPS DEVELOPING APPLICATIONS AND PRODUCTS TO HELP ADDRESS ISSUES AROUND TREATING AND MONITORING AT HOME AND TAKING PRESSURE OFF THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM.”

records (EHR) and ePrescribing; telehealthcare and telemedicine; digital therapeutics; and consumer digital health.

“We’ve gone from a stage of having paper for everything and needing go to the doctor or visit a hospital to using technology to allow us as patients to manage our health,” says Tanya Mulcahy, National Manager, Health Innovation Hub Ireland (HIHI). “Connected health is all about using technology to make healthcare better.”

An already sizeable market, the sector is currently experiencing substantial growth – Transparency Market Research (TMR) anticipates the value of global digital health to increase by an average of over 13% per annum from US$179.6bn in 2016 to US$536.6bn by the end of 2025.

www.imsta.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ IMSTA-Digital-Document-2019-FINAL.pdf

IMSTA divides the digital health sector in Ireland into a number of categories.

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STRONG POSITION Ireland seems well placed to take a piece of this action. Per capita, the country has more startups and established FDI companies in the digital health space than anywhere else in Europe, according to Clare Harney, executive director, digital health transformation at IMSTA. “We have a hotbed of innovation and talent here,” she says.

Alan Hobbs, Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-ups Manager (lifesciences and industrial) agrees. “I don’t think we’ve ever seen as high quality start-ups as we have in the past three or four years,” he says. “We have a whole range of really interesting start-ups developing applications and products to help address issues around treating and monitoring at home and taking pressure off the hospital system.”

Several factors are driving innovation in this space. For example, Harney stresses the importance of IDA Ireland success in attracting international digital healthcare companies and digital organisations with an interest in healthcare. On the other side, there is the availability of funding and support for new startups in this area through Enterprise Ireland.

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INNOVATION AND TECH

TANGENT PROGRAMME The second iteration of a two-month bespoke incubator programme run by Trinity College Dublin’s innovation hub Tangent and involving 15 digital health start-ups from across Europe concluded recently. The aim of the Validator programme, which launched in 2018 and is backed by the EU, EIT Health and Trinity College, is to identify and develop new technologies promoting healthy living, active ageing and innovative healthcare systems.

Participating teams got to test their business concepts via partner test beds within the integrated digital health ecosystem. And, with the help of expert mentors and training sessions, bootcamps held during the programme focused on bringing the start-ups from the initial ideation phase through to launch.

Irish participants among this year’s cohort included Wellola, developer of a software system offering in-house and video consultation scheduling; Zendra Health, a platform that allows healthcare professionals to build connected health apps with significantly reduced costs and time to market; InjurySense, a wearable device for athletes that provides muscle injury prediction in real time using wireless sensors and a mobile app; and Kids Speech Labs, a platform that uses data and artificial intelliegence to help parents assess their child’s speech and language development and also provides intervention tools.

As well as having the opportunity to validate their technology and the market potential of their businesses, the teams engaged with Tallaght and St James’s Hospitals for focus group sessions. They also visited the highimpact health tech hubs of Grenoble Ecole de Management, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid and Newcastle University.

The 15 start-ups which took part in the Validator programme at Trinity College Dublin

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“We have a lot of the supports coming on stream now for people starting out that maybe weren’t available during the crash,” she says. “Most of the major academic institutions run postgraduate level 9 and 10 courses tailored towards people setting up their own startups. And Enterprise Ireland is poised and ready to help them get to the next stage once they get to commercial viability.”

When providing support to early-stage companies in the digital health space, Enterprise Ireland has three key criteria, says Hobbs. “They have to be offering something innovative that’s meeting a currently unmet clinical need.

Typically, they will be addressing a huge market opportunity. And, ultimately they’re going to achieve better patient outcomes.”

“WE’RE IN DANGER OF GOING DOWN THE PATH OF REPLICATING THE PAPER SYSTEMS THAT ARE

INEFFICIENT WITH ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS THAT ARE MORE EFFICIENT BUT

STILL SILOED. ”

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES But there are big challenges, including around the integration of systems and the continuously changing regulatory environment.

“People are progressing very quickly in the area of devices and technology to manage health,” Mulcahy says. “Connecting them all up is a little bit more problematic.”

Interoperability is vital, says Harney. “We’re in danger of going down the path of replicating the paper systems that are inefficient with electronic systems that are more efficient but still siloed. We need to break down the silos and ensure that all systems are talking to each other.”

Also, according to the recent IMSTA report, access to the health system can be a challenge for digital health solution providers. “Quite often their first contracts are from outside of Ireland,” says Harney.

“We see it as part of our role to try to improve market access for companies here.”

IMSTA has recently launched its Digital Health Leadership Forum, chaired by Intel’s Sales Director, Distribution, Partner and Programs, Colin Mac Hale, to provide a single voice for industry in this space. This group intends to “add real value in addressing industry concerns regarding the health system’s capability to implement change, the changing regulatory landscape, open versus closed IT systems, lack of value outcomes experience and little to no access for SMEs to the health system”.

Dealing with the market access problem is one of the goals of the HIHI consortium, which is led

by University College Cork and incorporates Cork Institute of Technology, NUI Galway, Trinity College Dublin and their associated hospital groups, and supported by Enterprise Ireland and the HSE. “HIHI helps companies – generally small Irish players – that have developed solutions and now need to test or trial these in a healthcare setting,” Mulcahy explains.

The HIHI issues calls for companies and individuals to InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

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INNOVATION AND TECH

AT THE CUTTING EDGE Innovative digital health products from Irish companies include TICKERFIT, a cloud-based application that allows health professionals to provide personalised lifestyle programmes and remote support to cardiac patients after they leave hospital via a secure platform and wearable devices. It’s the first product developed by Dublin-based Innerstrength, which was co-founded by physiotherapist – and former Ireland under 21s hockey player – Avril Copeland and technologist Greg Balmer. The winner of a number awards, TickerFit is currently being used by the HSE and NHS. Working with HIHI and with support from Cork County Council and the Enterprise Ireland Small Business Innovation Research programme, Athenrybased social enterprise INDEPENDENT LIVING IRELAND is currently piloting a technology-based platform in Mitchelstown aimed at enabling older people to leave hospital sooner and stay in their homes longer. As part of the pilot, movement-detecting sensors have been installed in the homes of people in the town who need support. These sensors are monitored by a communityoperated hub in the town, which will notify volunteer service Friendly Call Cork to carry out a follow-up call if anything unusual is noticed.

Already making substantial waves is Dublin-based PHARMAPOD, developer of a cloud-based system that allows healthcare professionals to record, review and analyse safety incidents quickly and securely in order to reduce medication errors, which account for around 2 million deaths each year, according to the European Medicines Agency. Set up by chief executive Leonora O’Brien in 2012, the company last year raised almost 2m in investment from the Canadian Pharmacists Association. It was already the mandated system for a medication safety programme in Canada involving over 4,500 pharmacies.

In recent months, Pharmapod and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) signed a partnership to offer an infrastructure for effective incident management and continuous quality improvement for pharmacists internationally. FIP has 144 member organisations around the world.

Also Dublin-based, JINGA LIFE is a GDPR compliant cloud-based platform that enables family members to record and share their medical records with each other. The main aim of the app is to empower primary carers within families to access, manage and update the records. Users can upload test results, medical images and prescriptions. They can discharge summaries, as well as input personal health information such as medical issues, medications and allergies.

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submit their innovations and identify the kind of help they require, which is typically accessing the healthcare system or patients, or getting feedback from researchers.

Calls made during 2018 have resulted in a 24-strong group of companies – the class of 2019 – that are at precommercial, demonstration or late development phase and are seen as having the potential to significantly impact healthcare. HIHI is now matching these companies with clinical teams and overseeing a study of each product in an Irish clinical setting. The process will conclude with an independent clinically validated report that offers leverage for products in international markets, enhances distribution opportunities and informs further development, according to HIHI. Another valuable initiative is the Enterprise Ireland Small Business Innovation Research tool, which invites “technologyrich” companies to solve real-world problems identified within the public sector. “By going through that process and being successful, small businesses achieve a fully paid-for implementation of the solution in the Irish health system,” says Harney. “We need more and more of those initiatives.”

Tanya Mulcahy, National Manager, Health Innovation Hub Ireland, David Sheahan. CEO of Fastform Research and Minister for Health Simon Harris. Fastform has developed a novel polymerbased alternative to plaster resin.

It’s lightweight, breathable and once wet, can be easily dried. HIHI completed a pilot project between Fastform and University Hospital Waterford.

They are now developing new products to address diabetic foot issues.

The Health Innovation Hub Ireland team at work

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09/08/2019 09:44

MEDIA & MARKETING

Finbarr Clarkson, managing director, Gaelite Signs

DOWN THE

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040 InBUSINESS Summer 2019_Media & Marketing_V1.indd 40

AISLE

A new breed of retail stores is emerging around Ireland in response to high consumer expectations and the popularity of online shopping, writes SORCHA CORCORAN.

IG: @dexaldesign

T

he Spar store at Jervis Street Luas stop in Dublin which was extensively redesigned last year is an example of next generation retail stores appearing around Ireland with a view to enhancing the customer experience. Rather than simply having products on shelves and selling pre-packaged sandwiches, it has a stimulating layout with a food offering including a Subway and a trendy cafĂŠ area at the front.

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MEDIA & MARKETING

Gaelite Signs was the company responsible for the multimedia signage in the store, which is all part of the new concept being rolled out across Spar stores around the country.

Managing director of Gaelite Signs Finbarr Clarkson sees the trend towards next generation stores accelerating in Ireland, having worked on early projects in the UK for Tesco.

“Six or seven years ago Tesco in the UK was a pioneer in this area. One of its stores in Watford almost went too far with its Giraffe restaurant where customers could have stir-fry duck and a couple of cocktails before shopping,” says Clarkson. “It was like going into a nice, modern department store. Those trends filtered into other areas to the point where so many stores are now making statements about what sort of customer they want to attract, for example by going packaging-free.”

PwC’s Retail and Consumer Report 2018 noted that bricks and mortar stores need to ensure that they are continually evolving and remaining relevant by focusing on enhanced customer services and experiences.

“To effectively make this shift, businesses need to focus on a number of key elements such as having suitably trained staff with deep knowledge of products, as well as additional last-mile services such as the availability of ‘click & collect’ and in-store ordering services,” it said.

“Tesco was a leader in driving the business towards ‘click & collect’ and incorporating online aspects. There are four or five different ways to shop at Tesco, including home delivery.

The message to consumers is ‘whatever way you want to interact with us, that’s what we will do’,” notes Clarkson.

PURPOSEFUL PRESENTATION A recent development in Ireland is that there is a lot more effort going into presenting products in an appealing manner in revamped stores. “In Dunnes Stores you’ll find vegetables displayed on hessian material to give the impression they have been freshly picked from a field,” says Clarkson. “Retailers are trying to paint a picture for consumers and appeal to all the senses. There is theatre involved. James Whelan Butchers at Dunnes Stores Cornelscourt has full carcasses moving on a conveyor belt behind a floor to ceiling glass frontage.”

Moving away from grocery and food, Clarkson highlights Arnotts and TK Max as stores that have thrived because they have successfully adapted to the new shopping environment. “They are continually making their offering more appealing. In Arnotts, a teenage boy is presented with 20 brands each InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

040 InBUSINESS Summer 2019_Media & Marketing_V1.indd 41

with their own concession area within 100 metres. All his boxes are ticked. The staff at Arnotts are more suited to a much younger customer base than was historically the case and it is very dynamic in terms of sales and special events.”

FROM NEON TO NOW Gaelite was set up in 1933 in Abbey Street in Dublin to manufacture and install neon.

This was Ireland’s first venture into this display medium and was quickly put to use decorating Dublin’s early cinema fronts and interiors. It wasn’t long before advertisers and other businesses spotted the potential for neon. This was the basis for what Gaelite does today.

Currently employing 45 people spread across production, design and project management, Gaelite has two factories – one in Sandyford Industrial Estate specialised in bespoke signage and digital printing and a second in Clondalkin, which is more focused on light engineering and the traditional skills of the signage industry. With clients including Maxol and Kia Motors, the company has tripled its turnover in the past ten years. Providing the permanent branding fixtures internally and externally for next generation stores has become a major part of its work.

PEOPLE POWER The role of staff in the next generation retail store movement is very important. According to the PwC report, while the store remains the most important shopping channel for Irish consumers, with 73% shopping in-store monthly or more frequently, only 36% of Irish consumers are satisfied with their in-store shopping experience. In particular, they are becoming less satisfied with in-store sales associates’ knowledge of products (51% in 2018 compared to 63% in 2017).

“This decline represents growing consumer expectations of the retailer and the service they provide. This is likely to be an area that is going to continue to challenge retailers and therefore needs to be a key focus in 2018 and the coming years,” the report said.

“The thing about retail is that if you stand still you’re going to die. You have to find out what this new generation of consumers want and what is going to press their buttons,” argues Clarkson. “In China, people are buying milk online, that’s how far they have gone. And Asics has rolled out stores in New York and Barcelona that are more like showrooms, where people can try out its trainers on treadmills in a boutique-hotel type setting.”

In Clarkson’s view, the retailers that are going to survive are those that blend their online strategy well with some physical presence. “When you look at the book industry, consumers have gone so far with online shopping and Kindles. Physical book sales are rebounding and people are going into bookshops again. Meanwhile, Amazon’s recent acquisition of Whole Foods has given the e-commerce giant an immediate physical presence in the US,” he says.

The PwC report notes that this move

by Amazon demonstrates the continuing value of the physical store but also how acquisitions can provide companies with quick access into new channels. In addition, Amazon Go stores, the first of which opened in January 2018, offer checkout-free shopping.

“While its strategy to break into the brick and mortar space is still in its infancy, Amazon’s physical presence could provide a major shift as to how consumers shop in the future,” the report warned.

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SKILLS& TALENT

YOUR

of stress-related illness,” said Dr Helen Russell, an author of the ESRI report.

The Vhi Health Insights report published in 2018 also identified that a high proportion of corporate employees in Ireland suffer from concerning levels of stress, anxiety and depression with one in three more stressed than they were two years previously. One in five has missed work in the past year due to stress, anxiety or depression and 33% of people surveyed said that the stress in their jobs would cause them to consider moving jobs.

A separate report by Laya Healthcare found that work environment and work-life balance are among the top ten things that negatively impact workers’ mental wellbeing.

HE

ALT

H IS

H T YOUR WEAL

The focus on employee wellbeing has become increasingly popular in recent years with organisations around the world recognising the power of workplace wellbeing strategies as a way to attract and retain staff and ensure their workforce is happy, motivated and productive.

T

he world of work has gone through some major changes in recent decades with workloads increasing and job security and autonomy decreasing in order to keep pace with globalisation and technological advancements. These changes have increased the exposure of employees to work-related stress.

According to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, psychosocial risks and musculoskeletal disorders are the main causes of work-related ill health among European workers. A report by the agency found that 10% of workers found their jobs stressful all of the time and a further 17% found their work stressful most of the time. The largest group, 41%, found work stressful sometimes.

A study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) revealed that job stress in Ireland doubled from 8% in 2010 to 17% in 2015.

Employees who experience high levels of emotional demands, time pressure and bullying, harassment and violence experienced the highest levels of job stress. Those working more than 40 hours a week were twice as likely to experience job stress as those working 36-40 hours.

“Job stress is becoming a more important issue in the Irish workplace as the economy becomes increasingly service based. Employers need to manage these risks to prevent the significant individual and organisational costs

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SEA CHANGE Organisations across the globe are beginning to recognise the important role they play in their employees’ overall wellbeing with increasing numbers now offering support services for employee mental and physical health.

One in seven firms (68.4%) now has a strategy in place for monitoring employee wellbeing - more than double the figure for 2016 (29.8%) according to data from the Reward & Employee Benefits Association (REBA).

In addition, a new market has emerged with corporate wellness providers, such as Spectrum.Life in Ireland, on the rise (see more on page 28). These specialised service providers offer increased efficiency and customisation for organisations looking to introduce effective workplace wellness programmes.

The Government’s Healthy Ireland body is also currently working on a Healthy Workplace Framework, which will provide guidance, support and tools that can be adapted to any workplace setting to help create and sustain healthy workplaces throughout the country.

Healthy Ireland’s Healthy Workplace initiative recognises that workplaces directly influence the physical, mental, economic and social wellbeing of workers and in turn, the health of their families, communities and society. The framework aims to encourage and support the development of health and wellbeing programmes in all places of employment.

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SKILLS AND TALENT

Meanwhile, the Health and Safety Authority published its ‘Strategy Statement 2019-21’ earlier this year.

Dr Sharon McGuinness, Chief Executive Officer of the Health and Safety Authority commented: “Occupational health can be a challenge for many organisations where the long-term or hidden nature of some health issues – for example in relation to stress or exposure to carcinogens – can be difficult to identify and manage. The authority will focus resources in this area in an effort to ensure that employers and employees are aware of the issues and have the information and knowledge to meet their responsibilities.”

The Health and Safety Authority provides a free online risk assessment tool, Work Positive CI, which allows organisations to anonymously carry out risk assessments for psychosocial hazards. It is available on workpositive.ie.

BUSINESS BENEFITS According to Work Positive CI, in Ireland stress accounts for roughly 20% of all working days lost due to workrelated ill health. Taking steps to reduce stress and boost employee wellbeing can therefore bring significant business benefits, including improved productivity; reduced absenteeism; and greater commitment and engagement.

Brian Crooke, founder of Office Worker Health noted: “Organisations

of all sizes are switching on to the fact that healthy and happy employees have a positive impact on company culture, morale, engagement and productivity.

Ensuring the wellbeing of staff can increase employee attraction and retention, reduce levels of absenteeism, improve team spirit and reduce costs.”

Crooke, whose background is in management consultancy, founded Office Worker Health in 2014 after watching colleagues and friends develop unhealthy behaviours and ill health due to their sedentary and stressful jobs. He has first-hand knowledge of how the modern workplace can create stress, bad habits, injury and ill health resulting in many people not performing at their best.

As employers look for new and innovative ways to attract and retain talent in an ever-evolving employment landscape, wellbeing initiatives are a great place to start.

A new generation of employees now entering the workforce look for more than just pay and job security in order to stay motivated and satisfied, and wellbeing programmes can boost an organisation’s ability to attract these young talented workers.

From remote and flexible working hours to free fruit and fitness classes, small changes can make a big difference when it comes to improving employee wellbeing and overall job satisfaction and ultimately, productivity.

STEPS TO SUCCESS Office Worker Health provides the following eight steps to take to achieve a successful workplace wellness programme.

1.

COMMITTED MANAGEMENT Senior management leading by example and supporting initiatives with their communication, participation and financial backing is crucial.

2.

CREATE A TEAM OF WELLNESS CHAMPIONS Establish a network of champions spread throughout the business to support the coordinator with the preparation, promotion, communication and evaluation of wellness activities.

3.

LISTEN TO THE POPULATION Activities you create and organise will have a greater chance of engagement and success if they are based on the wants and needs of employees.

4.

DEVELOP AN OPERATING PLAN The wellness operating plan should reflect the values, vision and purpose of an organisation.

5.

CHOOSE INTERVENTIONS Choose activities (based on resources available and feedback gathered) that will form the basis of your wellness programme and schedule these activities across the duration of your programme.

6.

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION Once the interventions have been chosen, it’s important to market them appropriately to the workforce.

7.

CULTIVATE A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT Think about what foundations you can put in place to foster a supportive work environment for employee wellness.

8.

EVALUATE, CELEBRATE AND ITERATE Track your progress over time, celebrate your successes and iterate and improve your programme by incorporating the lessons learned from all of your failures and successes.

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BOOK EXTRACT

“BUSYNESS IS WRONGLY ASSOCIATED WITH SUCCESS AND FULFILMENTAND BEING IDLE IS WRONGLY ASSOCIATED WITH DISSIPATION AND FAILURE.”

In her newest book, Fragile: Why We Feel More Anxious, Stressed and Overwhelmed Than Ever (and what we can do about it), psychotherapist Stella O’Malley highlights the most effective approaches to combat anxiety and stress, also pointing out how the media, society and the world in general misguidedly promote the worst possible strategies for managing anxiety.

Through strategies, tips and case studies, readers will learn how to withstand feelings of worry and panic, and not become overwhelmed.

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ack in the day we used to have set times – nine to five, five days a week or whatever times we were offered – but now we are always semi-working and seldom properly ‘off ’. We now work in an infinite time-space continuum and it has created stress and pressure. Work can call us anytime; we are literally never finished. No sooner do we clear out our inboxes but more messages arrive; no sooner do we read an interesting article on the internet, another five linking articles are recommended.

The whole system is rigged so that we never actually feel ‘done’. If you’re good at your job, you’ll find more work is passed your way. If you get on top of your email or social media, you’ll almost immediately be sent more. It’s relentless and it’s bad for the psyche – the feeling of being ‘done’ is mentally good for us but these days it seems unattainable.

Many people may be officially working fewer hours and yet we feel much, much busier. Society, with its emphasis on expectation, appearance, materialism, branding and judgement, means that even when we are following more leisurely pursuits, we’re finding them more stressinducing. We are digesting overwhelming amounts of information and, thanks to WiFi, we are always ‘on’, continuously interrupted by random pings from our tech to tell us that yet another message has come through.

Advances in technology have resulted in information overload and blurred the boundaries between when we should or shouldn’t contact people. Twenty years ago a phone call late at night or early in the morning constituted an emergency but nowadays we can send and receive messages any time of the day or night – and so we do.

TECH STRESS: REDUCING THE PINGS The message from society that being ‘in demand’ and busy is inherently a good thing has created a situation where most of us feel guilty if we have nothing to do. Busyness is wrongly associated with success and fulfilment and being idle is wrongly associated with dissipation and failure.

Indeed, the only palatable way to be idle, according to society today, is to meditate or practise mindfulness – something as simple and pleasant as just kicking back and spending the InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

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BOOK EXTRACT

day pottering around the house is often frowned on these days.

All this effort creates a backlash in the body and so, as a direct result, we tend to ‘relax’ by vegging out in front of screens. Although it is often more accurate to call it ‘collapsing’. And then the screens sell us pictures of perfect lives as we mindlessly scroll down and down in a never-ending loop of wired exhaustion. Social media is pitched perfectly at the tired and wired generation who haven’t the mental brain space to engage with anything more challenging than clips of cute cats and funny memes.

Of course, other sites are focused on style and beauty, which can feel like a visual holiday for our brains, but it is often hours later when we realise that we have wasted most of the evening and cut in on our much-needed hours of sleep, yet again. We then feel guilty about behaving like a slob, never mind that we’ve worked our heads off and this is more a state of mental collapse than slobbery. It’s a vicious cycle and we need to be aware of it if we’re to do anything about it.

Are you in charge of your phone or is your phone in charge of you? Take a moment to go into the settings on your phone and turn off the notifications. You don’t need to know when your emails arrive; you don’t need to know when someone has sent you a message on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram or anywhere else. You can check in once or twice a day or week, depending on your usage, to see if there are any messages you need to attend to and leave it at that. If the very idea of this makes you want to throw up, choose just one social media stream that notifies you and let that be your go-to – for instance, let your friends know that you are just communicating on WhatsApp and limit your messaging on the other platforms. If you are to save your mental health, you need to be willing to reduce the pings.

WHAT DOES TECH DO TO OUR BRAINS? A fascinating study by the psychologist Dr Aoife McLoughlin showed us how using modern gadgets like smartphones can actually make time appear to go by faster. McLoughlin’s research looked at groups of people who are always connected to technology compared to people who rarely use technology and she found that those who were always on tech overestimated the amount of time that passed compared to the luddites.

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044 InBUSINESS Summer 2019_Book Extract_V1.indd 45

“It’s almost as though we’re trying to emulate the technology and be speedier and more efficient,” McLoughlin told Science Alert. “It seems like there’s something about technology itself that primes us to increase that pacemaker inside of us that measures the passing of time.” Using fast technology makes us process information faster – we literally speed up. That might seem good on the face of it, and yet, if we are all becoming anxious wrecks as a result of all this speed maybe it’s time we learned to slow down?

According to Dr McLoughlin, as our pace of life increases, our subjective feeling of our available time decreases and this creates that all-too-familiar feeling of time pressure within us. It’s as though we’re all living in one of those thriller-type movies that has a timer on how long we have left to live and we’re constantly trying to fight against the clock.

Now the common advice to relax by switching off our mobiles and getting off the internet is completely backed by science. “What I’m arguing is that there is a genuine quantifiable cognitive basis for this advice, rather than it simply being about taking a step back,” said Dr McLoughlin. “It’s a scientific reason to stop and smell the roses.”

This is an extract from Fragile by Stella O’Malley published by Gill Books, priced 16.99.

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Pat McDonagh, Owner Supermac’s, Trócaire Supporter.

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09/08/2019 10:56 05/09/2016 09:51

Chambers

CatchUp

Dublin’s rail network under pressure Reacting to the news that Iarnród Éireann has begun the process of buying 600 new electric/battery-electric powered carriages, Dublin Chamber said the expansion of Ireland’s fleet was long overdue. There is currently a lack of capacity across Dublin’s rail network, with commuter and DART trains full at peak times.

The situation is only going to get worse without ambitious investment in the fleet, the Chamber warned.

“Dublin’s rail network is currently creaking at the seams,” said Dublin Chamber CEO Mary Rose Burke. The need for new carriages is particularly pressing given the plans to expand the DART network via the electrification of the Maynooth and Balbriggan lines and also the addition of new stations such as Cabra and Pelletstown.

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

CHAMBER COMMENT “Businesses must continue to examine and strengthen their existing models of operation against the possible impacts of a ‘no-deal’ scenario and make use of every opportunity and resource which is available.”

Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot following the publication of the revised Brexit contingency action plan from the Irish Government

Belvelly Castle in the spotlight

O

n 3 May, Cobh & Harbour Chamber organised a business event for over 40 people at the newly renovated Belvelly Castle, Cobh, Co Cork. The event was hosted by new owners Garry and Anne Wilson, who have spent in excess of a5m over three years transforming the 500-year old tower into a breathtaking home.

The event included a mix of local businesses, town councillors and other organisations working with the people

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of Cobh. Chamber president Michael McCormack complimented the owners on the phenomenal job they had done in transforming the castle ruins. A successful entrepreneur, Gary Wilson is keen to build relationships with Cobh town and to be involved in local activities.

The redevelopment of Belvelly Castle was the focus of an episode of ‘The Great House Revival’, which aired on RTÉ 1 earlier this year.

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CHAMBERS NEWS

Julia Dalton, Mullingar Chamber

Welcome to the network There have been two new CEO appointments in the chamber network in recent months – Julia Dalton of Mullingar Chamber and Kenneth Deery of Galway Chamber.

Dalton joins Mullingar Chamber having previously held the position of General Manager at St Patrick’s Festival in Dublin. Involved in the local community for years, she brings a wealth of experience including human resources, event management, finance and marketing.

A native of Achill, Deery has a strong background in retail banking, business and community development, innovation and tourism. He has been a board member of a number of organisations in the community and tourism sectors in counties Mayo and Galway.

CHAMBER CAPTION

At a workshop in April, participants heard from International Chamber Counsel, Tunde Ogunseitan (pictured) about opportunities in the field of international arbitration. Irish ICC Court Member and barrister Louise Reilly BL (pictured) was also a speaker.

Sophie Hackford wows at Shannon conference

W

orld-renowned technology futurist Sophie Hackford was the keynote speaker at a recent conference themed ‘Shaping the HR & People Landscape: An Unfolding Future’, which was organised by Shannon Chamber in association with Adare Human Resource Sophie Hackford (centre) with Management. “Machines are our Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes and Derek McKay, managing director, Adare new reality; we need to get into Human Resource Management the headspace of a robot. Things that were never data before are now data points. This will result in machine earth getting better as we feed it more data,” she said. She envisioned a world where autonomous companies could become a norm, predicting that advertisers will need to assess who they are in reality advertising to, humans or avatars.

CHAMBER COMMENT “Emerging skills gaps and increased competition for talent have been identified as some of the priority issues for Chambers Ireland this year. Ensuring that more women can both remain in and return to the workplace is one way we can address these challenges.”

Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot on the CSO Labour Survey which showed an increase in the number of women at work Kenneth Deery, Galway Chamber

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CHAMBERS NEWS

Paul Flynn closes Waterford programme Left to right: Conor Healy, CEO Cork Chamber, Dr Siobhan Bradley, Policy & Research Projects Manager, Cork Chamber, Lord Mayor of Cork, Catherine Clancy, Minister for Agriculture, Food & Marine, Simon Coveney, Gillian Keating, President, Cork Chamber and Conall McAongusa, Chair Cork Chamber Agri Working Group

Agrifood and drinks strategy for Cork

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inister for Agriculture, Marine and Food Simon Coveney TD launched Cork Chamber’s Agrifood and Drinks Strategy for the Cork region in May. Strategic recommendations are made across five major opportunity areas to: • Embed Cork’s positioning as a competitive knowledge economy and leading global innovator in agri-R&D; • Ensure Cork’s positioning as a leading provider of cutting-edge talent; • Position Cork as the optimum environment for growing agri-business to incentivise agri-

entrepreneurs, start-ups and scale-ups; • Globally market Cork as a food region through co-ordinated marketing campaigns; • Prime the region for long-term agri-growth by ensuring quality foundations and prime conditions through consensual regional strategic plans.

Waterford Chamber’s second Regional Leaders Programme drew to a close in June with Paul Flynn of the Tannery and Waterford Ambassador of the Year as guest speaker.

He shared his own personal journey, which involved leaving Dungarvan aged 18 and returning from running Michelin-starred restaurants to going it alone.

“There’s no doubt it was tough and there were very lean years along the way but my wife Maire and I had a vision to create a restaurant that offered great food in my home town,” he said.

“You have to be driven to always want more, to be better and you need a bit of luck thrown in. For me that bit of luck came when I was asked to write for the Irish Times. From there came the books and TV shows and while I never sought out the limelight, in some ways it was what saved us.”

Left to Right: Mark Fitzgerald, Bausch & Lomb, Sarah Mullally, Skillnet, Paul Flynn, The Tannery, Jonathan Earl, Jackie Roche, Bausch & Lomb and Mark Hennessy, Bausch & Lomb

New Honorary Consul of France for Limerick At an official event hosted by Limerick Chamber, Dr Loïc Guyon was welcomed as Honorary Consul of France. He intends to regenerate twinning relationships between Limerick city, Limerick, Tipperary and Clare towns and counterparts in France.

“There are no less than 12 such twinning agreements [in the Mid West].

Some of them are over 30 years old and need to be revived in some cases,” he said. “The other thing I’m going to work on is on the food industry in the region.”

Limerick Chamber CEO Dee Ryan said the appointment of Dr Guyon will help deepen diplomatic, cultural and economic ties between the Mid West and France. “There are on average 70,000 French visitors to the Mid West every year. And that’s on top of the growing attraction of the Wild Atlantic Way, which draws people down the coast-way and into this region.”

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Left to Right: Eoin Ryan, Vice President, Limerick Chamber, HE Stéphane Crouzat, French Embassy, Dee Ryan, CEO Limerick Chamber and Dr Loic Guyon, French Embassy

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CHAMBER OPINION

The key to sustainable growth Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot discusses the state of the economy and outlines the key areas that need to be addressed in Budget 2020.

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he priorities of Chambers over the past several years have focused largely on the need for rapid strategic investment in infrastructure and the facilitation of labour force growth to make up for the “lost decade” during the years following the financial crash.

The message coming from our members this year remains the same. Implementation of the National Development Plan and timely, efficient delivery of key infrastructure projects will be critical if we are to

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ensure the competitiveness and sustainability of the Irish economy into the future.

Unemployment is at its lowest level since the height of the Celtic Tiger of 4.4%, and as of May 2019, we are now in the territory of what policy experts deem “full employment”. Continued growth, driven by a jobs-led recovery, has returned the kind of prosperity to Ireland that would not have been imaginable only a few years ago.

However, Ireland in 2019 is also a tale of two economies.

While industry is experiencing a boom, the underinvestment in infrastructure, particularly housing, is a significant threat to our competitiveness and to the sustainability of our economic recovery. The shortage of affordable housing is impacting both employees and employers and having negative consequences on quality of life for many.

This impact is being increasingly felt countrywide.

In addition, past Budgets have not delivered for SMEs and entrepreneurs. Budget 2020 must include credible reforms on tax and additional investment to support those businesses driving economic growth in communities all across the country. Further, increasing the training options available for businesses and SMEs will be important in addressing skills challenges. Investing in training and education for SME exporters that want to up-skill in areas such as customs and logistics will be crucial in preparing businesses for Brexit.

WHILE INDUSTRY IS EXPERIENCING A BOOM, THE UNDERINVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE, PARTICULARLY HOUSING, IS A SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO OUR COMPETITIVENESS AND TO THE SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR ECONOMIC RECOVERY. InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

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LOW CARBON ECONOMY Along with the need to see improvements in much needed investment in public transport, roads, broadband and water infrastructure, urgent steps are required to support a rapid transition to a low carbon economy.

Our collective inaction in introducing measures that would support Ireland to be a climate resilient and decarbonised economy now means that we require an urgent strategy and significant financial investment to ensure that we can catch up with competitor economies, meet our 2030 targets and that in the long term we can limit the impact of climate change.

This will include the need to make significant investment in the energy grid, introduce a planning framework that supports offshore renewable wind energy and ensure there is support for additional innovative research projects that will support our decarbonisation targets. Above all we need a focus on implementation, as we have now used up any time that we may have had available for prevarication.

EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT It is in our power to address the infrastructure and housing deficit, but in order to do so, we will need to make a series of reforms that will support how we manage land, build homes and deliver infrastructure. In short, we need to ensure that productivity and efficiency is at the heart of how the State supports the construction and delivery of these necessary projects. More effective management of projects, through more regular reporting on project progress programme management, is essential.

More productive, efficient approaches to managing the economy must also be matched with policies that support sustainability and inclusion. With unemployment now just over 4%, we must think strategically as to how we can support greater labour force participation.State investment in affordable childcare InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

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Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland

WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY IS AT THE HEART OF HOW THE STATE SUPPORTS THE CONSTRUCTION AND DELIVERY OF THESE NECESSARY PROJECTS. must continue if we are to support greater participation of women in the workplace. In fact, investment in flexible, inclusive workplaces that are family and age friendly will support not only labour activation, but improve health, well-being and productivity.

In the background to these challenges, we continue to face significant external crises. These include rising international trade tensions – which could have a devastating impact on an economy as open as Ireland’s – and the ongoing uncertainty and brinkmanship posed by the UK’s departure from the EU. The UK’s decision to leave the EU in 2016 has not yet had a dramatic impact on the Irish economy. However, there is unanimous acceptance that once the UK departs, particularly if it leaves without a deal, the economy will take a significant hit with many Irish businesses likely to suffer adverse consequences

including job losses and a reduction in growth.

Even though threats such as Brexit continue to cast a shadow, we have an opportunity in Budget 2020 to make a range of strategic investments and introduce a range of innovative policies that will support infrastructure delivery, decarbonisation and a transformation to a more futurefocused, inclusive economy.

Our Budget 2020 Submission makes a series of proposals to address these challenges. These recommendations include measures that will support promised infrastructure investment and delivery of affordable homes, investment that will support the transition to a low carbon economy, supports for SMEs and entrepreneurs and recommendations that will support greater labour force participation through targeted investment in affordable childcare, broadband and education.

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CHAMBER FEATURE

Chamber Executives launch the “Our Time to Vote” campaign for the 2019 Local and European elections.

(Left to right) Peter Byrne, South Dublin Chamber, Paula McCaul, County Meath Chamber, Mary Rose Burke, Dublin Chamber, Ian Talbot, Chambers Ireland, Shona McManus, Drogheda Chamber and Conor Healy, Cork Chamber

The winds of Change Shane Conneely, Senior Policy & Research Executive, Chambers Ireland, analyses the local and European elections and what the possible consequences of their outcomes are.

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or the 2019 local and European elections Chambers Ireland was tasked by the Chamber network with promoting election awareness and supporting them with voter-registration and “Get out the vote” activities.

At the European level we worked with our Eurochambres peers to promote regional investment, a co-operative internationalist approach towards taxation, expanding trade, the digital single market, and a framework for the circular economy.

At home we worked with our network on the “Our Time To Vote” campaign, creating local and European policy manifestos which were distributed countrywide. Parallel campaigns featured us in national and local newspapers. The #OurTimeToVote social media campaign reached tens of thousands of people and chambers held hustings in all three EU constituencies.

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Local Government Manifesto 2019

LOCAL ELECTIONS 2019 OVERVIEW At the major party level, both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael made gains with the Greens and Social Democrats making even stronger gains, from a far lower base. Independents held their own with little change in their number of seats.

Meanwhile 2019 was a disaster for Sinn Féin and the hard-left as the vote they mobilised in 2014 failed to deliver again.

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For Fine Gael, the gain in seats nationally didn’t reverse its 2014 losses and largely arose from the reduction in large Local Electoral Areas (LEAs). Of the nine local authorities that make up the National Development Plan (NDP) growth cities, Fine Gael won a role in the majority coalition of only three.

The reduction in the average size of LEAs also benefitted Fianna Fáil which is now a coalition partner in all the NDP growth cities, excluding Waterford and Galway county.

The soft-left parties made gains in urban areas but their lack of national reach and a shortage of candidates saw them underperforming on polling day, while the Labour party was static.

Finding their vote cut in half, the local elections were a disaster for Sinn Féin and Solidarity/PbP.

LOCAL ELECTION 2019 CONSEQUENCES Nationally, the issue emerging from 2019’s local elections is the Greens’ role in shaping urban planning across the NDP growth cities.

Local governments’ role in the planning system faces a challenge in the near term.

Project 2040’s national planning strategy removed much of the autonomy previously exercised by local authorities. Councils create Local Area Plans (LAPs) for local districts which shape how planning departments make decisions there. The Office of the Planning Regulator now reviews all LAPs, changing them if they’re incoherent with the NDP. This creates a trade-off for Councillors, particularly in NDP cities. They can court populism with their LAPs knowing that the bureaucracy will amend them, but losing their opportunity for applying focused planning responses to local needs.

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NDP and tailor it to local needs, with planning payoffs accruing over decades.

Project 2040 will see most of the development occurring in Ireland happen in and around the NDP growth cities. This will mean huge investment, population increases, and a transformation of the transport networks and infrastructure these cities are embedded in.

Urbanisation and denser housing are important features of Project 2040 and significant factors in how we transition to a low carbon society. Except for Limerick, the Green party is now a member of all the governing coalitions in all the growth cities, which leads to the question: How will the Greens balance localism, urbanisation, and environmentalism?

If the Greens follow through on their ideological policy choices, they risk antagonising change-resistant local electorates.

Alternatively they can be populist, aware that the blunt bureaucratic response will lead to less-than-best local planning decisions.

THE IRISH MEP ARITHMETIC The European elections saw the Sinn Féin vote suffer a similar collapse. Both Lynn Boylan and Liadh Ní Riada received barely half of their 2014 first preferences.

Regarding the European Parliament arithmetic, Sinn Féin’s GUE/NGL seats move to the Independents4Change for no net difference, the Greens gain of two seats sees the Greens/European Free Alliance (EFA) pick up seats at the expense of Nessa Childers’ Socialists & Democrats (S&D) seat and Marian Harkin’s liberal Renew Europe (formerly ALDE) membership. Post-Brexit, Deirdre Clune will see the European People’s Party (EPP) gain a fifth seat, and Renew Europe a second through Fianna Fáil’s Barry Andrews.

Chamber Manifesto for Europe - Elections 2019

EUROPEAN COALITIONS AND THE COMMISSION

Project 2040 will see most of the development occurring in Ireland happen in and around the NDP growth cities. This will mean huge investment, population increases, and a transformation of the transport networks and infrastructure these cities are embedded in.

At parliament, the grand centrist coalition of the EPP and S&D is no more. Greens, liberals and nationalists ate into its majority.

However, regardless of the Brexit outcome, any parliamentary majority requires both the EPP and the S&D as members, with either Renew Europe or the Greens/EFA acting as kingmakers. The Greens/ EFA seem more stable partners with the EPP and S&D and hungrier to influence the incoming Commission.

While EPP will be the largest party, the success of its nominee for Commission President, Manfred Weber, seems unlikely. Of the five major EU roles, only one is a woman and according to Donald Tusk, “at least two” of the senior roles should go to women in the upcoming cycle.

But EU negotiations are an art of compromise and consensus and votes on the incoming officials occur until November. There will be much waiting before we have clarity regarding the increased Liberal/Green influence on the European agenda.

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CHAMBERS FEATURE

Getting Connected InBUSINESS caught up with Dee Ryan, CEO of Limerick Chamber, to hear about latest developments and rejuvenation in the Mid West region.

Dee Ryan, CEO of Limerick Chamber

Q: You have been CEO of Limerick Chamber since August 2018. How is Chamber life?

A: Chamber life is busy!

Limerick Chamber is the largest business representative body in the region with 455 member companies and over 1,600 contacts in Tipperary, Clare, North Kerry, Cork and Limerick so we really are a Mid West Chamber.

Q: What are the burning issues currently facing businesses in Limerick and how is Limerick Chamber addressing them?

A: Connectivity and

skills are the biggest issues for my members.

Together with our Chief Economist, Dr Catriona Cahill, I am very focused on monitoring the progress of key regional infrastructural projects like the M20 LimerickCork motorway.

The chamber has also commissioned a significant piece of research with Copenhagen Economics on aviation connectivity, to support the lobbying

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that I am doing for funding for the international airport at Shannon, which is a key economic driver for the whole of the West of Ireland and we believe is not being utilised to its maximum potential.

Our members are still fighting the same ‘war on talent’ as is being experienced throughout the country.

To address this, we have developed a digital campaign and website to provide information on everything someone locating to the region might need to know including links to live jobs – on our newly launched movemidwest.ie website.

Q: Can you tell me what the recent upsurge in investment in the area means to business in Limerick?

A: Things are really

moving forward in the region, with lots of exciting projects in the pipeline including the work Limerick 2030 are doing at the Opera site, developing retail

and office space in Limerick City centre.

The announcement of significant investment

by Edwards Life Sciences at Castletroy is adding to the growing pharma/medtech cluster in the region, not to mention the innovative work being done by Jaguar Landrover and General Motors on autonomous vehicles.

But arguably one of the biggest announcements recently was confirmation that the University of Limerick will be developing a City Centre campus having acquired the old Dunnes Stores site on the Shannon River at Sarsfield Bridge.

Q: For any business considering locating in Limerick, what would you say the region has to offer?

A: Lifestyle combined

with cutting edge technologies being used in really interesting, ground breaking ways. The region is big enough to welcome

I REMEMBER THE NUGGET “FIND THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB – THEN LET THEM DO IT” AS BEING REALLY HELPFUL ADVICE WHEN I WAS MOVING FROM BEING AN EXECUTIVE TO BEING A MANAGER.

new companies, we have a steady supply of excellent talent and there are many new residential projects underway which make the Mid West an affordable choice for talent. But ultimately it’s the connectedness in Limerick that makes this an easy place to do business. All the regional stakeholders are in communication and supporting each other in order to maximise the region’s potential.

Q: What is the most valuable piece of advice you have been given?

A: I remember the

nugget “find the right person for the job – then let them do it” as being really helpful advice when I was moving from being an executive to being a manager.

More recently, “you can’t please everyone”, something I’ve taken on board when critically analysing my own performance and making decisions around where to apply my resources and selecting goals to set for the team.

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CHAMBER FEATURE

All’s well that ends well

ways, including offering flexible work schedules and providing an Employee Assistance Programme to employees.

3. Communications All of your company’s communications need to answer the following questions: •w hat the program entails • how it works • what’s in it for the employee, and • ways to get involved.

Chambers Ireland’s CSR Policy Forum provides insights and advice on the importance of having a workplace wellness programme and how to design one.

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ccording to the Global Wellbeing Institute, global economic output is reduced by 10-15% due to an unwell, disengaged workforce, whereas only 9.8% of the world’s workforce is covered by workplace wellbeing programmes. This represents a significant opportunity for businesses to invest in their workforce and see it benefit the bottom line.

BENEFITS OF AN EMPLOYEE WELLBEING STRATEGY Reduced sick leave The cost to the exchequer and businesses due to employee sick days is substantial. In the UK last year sick leave due to stress accounted for nearly half of all sick leave. A good, well-resourced employee wellbeing programme can help address the growing trend of stress leave and will help both employers and employees.

Staff retention and talent attraction As the competition to attract and retain the best staff continues to intensify, employees are looking beyond the traditional metrics of salaries and bonuses when choosing the company they want to work for. Companies implementing employee wellbeing programmes are standing out from the crowd as a result. Take a look at the annual Best Places to

4. Smart incentives There is strong evidence that proper incentives can drive engagement with employee wellbeing programmes. The challenge here is keeping colleagues engaged in the long term, i.e. to get employees from participating for a reward to a place where the new behaviour or habit is sufficiently satisfying and worth maintaining.

Work survey and you will see a list of companies that are most in demand by millennials.

“Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough, so they don’t want to” – Richard Branson.

Designing an employee wellbeing programme According to the Harvard Business Review, there are six key elements that must be part of all employee wellbeing programmes to ensure they meet the needs of the employee and the employer.

1. Senior leadership and public commitment For any organisation looking to embed a strong ethos of wellbeing, it is important to get and demonstrate senior leadership support for the strategy. This will encourage employees throughout the organisation to get involved.

A publicly stated target around certain wellbeing key performance indicators, such as a reduction in the amount of sick leave, can again demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to employee wellbeing.

2. Culture of health It is important to integrate a company’s employee wellbeing programme into all aspects of the company’s operations. This can be done in a number of different

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5. Measuring the right things It is important to consistently review and update the employee wellbeing programme. As your colleagues get fitter and learn more about their preferences, it is important to take these things on board to ensure the wellbeing strategy remains fit for purpose and best in class.

TRAIN PEOPLE WELL ENOUGH SO THEY CAN LEAVE, TREAT THEM WELL ENOUGH, SO THEY DON’T WANT TO. – Richard Branson

6. Ask for help The thing to remember is, you don’t have to start with a blank page. You can ask your colleagues what type of support they want and what the employee wellbeing programme should focus on. You can also reach out to peers in other organisations to ask for help.

Chambers Ireland’s CSR Policy Forum is made up of corporate social responsibility (CSR) experts from a range of different industries. SMEs can meet with one of the forum’s members for a one-on-one CSR consultation and guidance session, including on employee wellbeing programmes. To find out more, contact info@chambers.ie.

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CHAMBER FEATURE

Leading the charge Pauline Lowe, Policy and Research Executive, Chambers Ireland, discusses the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals and highlights five which are most relevant to the business community.

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n 2015, the United Nations (UN) adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and identified 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals are based on 169 targets and provide a global blueprint for people and the planet in achieving dignity, peace and prosperity.

The SDGs build on the Millennium Development Goals established in 2000 and aim to go further to end all forms of poverty by calling for action by all countries to promote prosperity while protecting the planet.

The goals call on the business community to work with the Government to solve sustainable development challenges and achieve the goals. As Chambers Ireland is the largest business network in the state with members in every geographic region and economic sector in Ireland, we are in the right position to embrace and achieve the SDGs. This year, Chambers Ireland has placed a large focus on identifying which goals we can contribute to and how we can spread the word of SDGs across Ireland. Not only is our work reflected at the national level, but we work with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), which has obtained UN Observer status on realising the SDGs at an international level.

We believe there is a clear business case for Irish enterprise to support the SDGs and use them as a framework for how they do business.

According to a report by the Business & Sustainable Development Commission, SDGs could create economic opportunities worth up to US$12tr and increase employment by up to 380 million jobs by 2030.

Business leaders internationally are stepping up on the goals as they see the competitive advantage to be gained by promoting sustainable development. While all the SDGs reflect an array of work that enterprises across Ireland do, we have identified five SDGs that we believe the business community can champion and contribute significantly to.

We believe that by leading by example and embracing the SDGs, we can gain critical mass in advocating for how our future towns, cities and regions will be shaped. The SDGs have been agreed by all governments, yet their success relies heavily on action and collaboration by all actors.

We believe that Chambers Ireland, with its large regional and national reach, is in a strong position to do so. By taking part, we can contribute to the global challenges we face in areas such as poverty, inequality, peace and justice, climate and prosperity so that no one is left behind.

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FIVE KEY SDGS SDG 8: A central objective of chambers of commerce is to secure sustainable investment, growth and jobs in the cities and towns in which they’re based. When companies thrive, whether they are SMEs or multinationals, they can create more jobs, better work and improve the quality of life for people in the community. Our network of Chambers believes that sustainable growth in local economies will support the prosperity of that area. Our mission in this area directly supports the ambition of this goal, making us best placed to work in collaboration with Government to achieve it for communities all across Ireland.

SDG 11: Business thrives when society thrives. From public transport to affordable housing, providing sustainable infrastructure supports the development of the communtiy. Businesses across Ireland make major contributions to developing sustainable and economically vibrant local communities. When cities and communties are not invested in, it becomes harder to do business and attract investment, which subsequently impacts quality of life for the people who live there.

Chambers have been working with Government for decades to secure the right kind of investment in cities and towns. When cities in particular have poor infrastructure and are difficult to access, it can negatively impact quality of life. All companies benefit from sustainable cities and communities that are liveable in as it attracts talent. Therefore, we believe that business can majorly benefit from advocating for SDG 11.

SDG 13: Climate change and its associated risks impact the future growth and stability of how we consume, live and function in Ireland. Implementing sustainable practices that oversee a transition to a low carbon economy has become a top priority for government, citizens and businesses across the country. Not only have enterprises adapted their operations to incoporate climate risk but they also have enshrined this awareness into their products and services to cater for the change in consumer behaviours. Contributing to SDG 13 will be key for businesses as we transition to a low carbon economy.

We believe there is a clear business case for Irish enterprise to support the SDGs and use them as a framework for how they do business.

According to a report by the Business & Sustainable Development Commission, SDGs could create economic opportunities worth up to US$12tr and increase employment by up to 380 million jobs by 2030.

SDGs 9: Building resilient infrastructure and investing in innovation is crucial for growth and development in Ireland. We must ensure that industry takes an innovative approach to planning and that infrastructure is durable enough to be able to cope with the increased demographic pressures. Enterprises in Ireland are currently well-positioned actors in ensuring that government investment in these areas takes place.

SDG 5: Gender equality is a prerequisite of a successful society and work culture. When there is greater equality in the workplace, and greater equality of opportunity in society, the economy benefits. In Ireland, women have a lower participation rate than men. By supporting women to remain and thrive in the workplace, we are supporting women to achieve gender equality and supporting the economy to grow.

Through our policy advocacy, we believe that measures such as affordable childcare, actions to boost female labour market participation and flexible working all contribute towards achieving gender equality. Businesses are well positioned to adopt measures to ensure gender equality within workplaces, marketplaces and communities.

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CHAMBER PARTNER PROFILE

airports, roads, railways, and ports are the main sectors in the pipeline.

The Brazilian government has also appointed a highly skilled task force to form a special Secretariat which works as a PPP (Public Private Partnership) delivery unit, in charge of the coordination and of the offering of those projects to the market.

The combination of this twolayer shield, the political and the technical, is expected to guarantee the sustainability of the PPI projects. Since the very beginning, this governance body was designed to act closely with the private sector, to engage with all stakeholders, to improve the regulatory framework, to refine risk allocation and to achieve international best practices in project structuring.

As a result, PPI has accomplished 147 projects so far, which represent over U$65bn in investments for the near future. These investments will generate income, thousands of new jobs, and will therefore boost economic growth.

ROADS, RAILWAYS, AIRPORTS, OIL AND GAS

A program to be proud of Introduced three years ago, Brazil’s Investments Partnerships Program aims to boost infrastructure development in the country.

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n May 2016, the Brazilian government created the Investments Partnerships Program (PPI, the acronym in Portuguese) with the aim of ensuring economic stability and legal certainty, both of which are necessary for attracting private long-term investment in Brazil. Predictability, credibility, and transparency are values embedded in the PPI mission.

The PPI has the full commitment and support of the Brazilian Presidency. A Council of Ministers was designated to select strategic investment projects as national priorities for the program. Power plants, transmission lines, oil and gas,

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Under the program, over 16,000km of roads are expected to be gradually granted to private operators and investors over the next three years. Part of the PPI’s strategy is to invest in 1,800km of greenfield railway projects, which will increase this mode of transport’s share in cargo transportation from 15% to 30% by 2025. This will reduce the cost of freight and consequently enhance the country’s competitiveness.

All federal airports are set to be under private operation by 2022. The oil and gas sector is set to particularly benefit from the PPI when it comes to the amount of investments, where over U$400bn will be targeted at the pre-salt area alone. This is one of the largest oil and gas exploration frontiers in the world.

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One of the most emblematic projects under the PPI was awarded in March 2019: the North-South railway, commonly referred to as the future backbone in cargo transportation. This auction reverses a trend of decline in the railway network in the country in recent decades.

The rounds of concessions and privatisations under the PPI flag have so far attracted 55 foreign companies from 16 different countries. Considering the investments by country, the biggest investors have been the UK, followed by China and the US.

REINFORCED ROLE The newly elected government not only fully endorsed PPI, but also reinforced its role by introducing two important elements to its structure: i) environmental licensing and land expropriation issues; and ii) strategic public civil works and assistance for regional PPP programs.

Thus, it is now possible to state that PPI has a green-label portfolio. PPI reassures investors of its post-sale support regarding environmental licensing and land expropriation matters through a team of qualified personnel experienced in structuring activities and feasibility studies.

The program is also in a position to provide regional states and municipalities with funds and technical assistance in building up models and terms of reference, and in structuring pilot projects. This will enable them to achieve largescale goals in social infrastructure such as sanitation, urban mobility, public lighting and prisons.

In addition, the government proposed a bill intending to modernise procurement procedures for feasibility studies and consultant services acquisitions. Inspired by multilateral institutions and the European community, the Brazilian Government wishes to focus on InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

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As a result, PPI has accomplished 147 projects so far, which represent over U$65bn in investments for the near future. These investments will generate income, thousands of new jobs, and will therefore boost economic growth.

The Brazilian Investments Partnerships Program (PPI) has attracted the attention of many companies around the world. Out of the 147 accomplished projects, 55 of them were granted to foreign companies individually or in a consortium with Brazilian companies.

quality when it comes to these unique and complex projects that depend on skilled labour and expertise.

Another policy supported by PPI is the structuring of a fund to finance feasibility studies at the federal level, the FAEP. This fund will be managed by the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) and has as its main objective the creation of a pipeline of projects for long-term development.

PPI is one of a series of ongoing public initiatives, both on the federal and regional levels, designed to improve the environment for doing business in Brazil. It brings

together public and private sectors with a view to delivering public services of better quality and to providing satisfactory logistics, vital for the competitiveness of the Brazilian economy.

Authors: • Pedro Bruno Barros de Souza – Secretary of Energy and Airports Coordination at the Investment Partnerships Program (PPI) • Renan Essucy Gomes Brandão – Director of Highways • Rafael Henrique Fortunato – Special Advisor

In November this year, a delegation from the Special Secretariat of the Investments Partnerships Program (SPPI) will be visiting Dublin to meet with potential investors based in Ireland. To request further information on the Brazilian federal government’s Investments Partnerships Program (PPI) or to organise to meet with the SPPI delegation, please contact the Embassy of Brazil in Ireland by e-mail secom.dublin@itamaraty.gov.br

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CHAMBER PARTNER PROFILE

HEALTHIER SNACKS Everyone experiences a bit of a slump during the day, and lots of employers provide snacks and drinks to help with that. But are they making things worse?

Instead of providing sugary energy bars, caffeinated drinks and carb-heavy pastries, try putting out healthier alternatives. Nuts, seeds, slow-release energy and cereal bars are all great alternatives and fruit is the best of all. Fresh, cold water makes a great alternative to coffee, but not everyone wants to give up the hot drinks, so provide decaf options.

ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SAY ‘NO’

Looking after people Experts at health and wellbeing services provider Health Assured provide simple suggestions and tips on how to encourage the maintenance of wellbeing in the workplace.

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t’s certainly true that personal wellbeing is an important part of life.

But the same is true in work - after all, people spend the majority of the weekday waking hours in the workplace.

All that time in the same place, even in the happiest offices, can be a little wearing. You need to be sure that your people’s mental health is a priority. Almost half of the population admit to rarely talking about mental health — it’s an issue that needs to be addressed.

The best organisations are finding and implementing ways to encourage their people to open up and take control of their mental health. Looking after your staff means better retention, higher productivity and a much more pleasant atmosphere. Here are a few ways you can encourage better wellbeing.

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One of the biggest causes of stress, anxiety and mental ill health in the office is overwork. When your inbox is piled high, and people are pressuring you, it’s easy to get sick.

Let staff know that while hard work is appreciated, overwork is harmful. Saying ‘no’ to tasks you know you won’t be able to do in time is positive. Encourage a culture that plays to strengths, and works around its weaknesses.

EXERCISE You don’t need to run a 10K every lunchtime, but getting up and moving around will help immeasurably. Set up yoga classes, running clubs, encourage people to take their lunch away from their desk. Simply moving about helps to release endorphins, reduce stress hormones, and encourages people to be fitter and happier.

EDUCATION Knowledge is power. This applies to wellbeing just as much as it does to anything else. Display posters and literature covering health and wellbeing topics. Healthy eating, work-life balance and managing stress are good subjects.

Ask your staff to suggest ideas.

Do you want to look out for your staff’s wellbeing, but don’t know where to start? Speak to a wellbeing expert at Health Assured today. Call 01-8860324.

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CHAMBER PARTNER PROFILE

Top Class Trophies Each sport has its great events and championships, and each has its great trophy to mark them. And in many sports around the world, these great trophies originate with the craftsmen of Waterford Crystal.

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t the House of Waterford Crystal factory, we just created the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open trophy, which was presented to the winner in Lahinch Golf Club in Co Clare. Waterford Crystal has a great tradition in world sports awards and is celebrating 44 years manufacturing the Irish Open Trophy. Over this period, it has designed four distinct trophies for this major event on the PGA European Tour.

The tour commissioned the House of Waterford Crystal to design a new trophy for the 2012 Irish Open, developing a spectacular concept, which was brought to life in Waterford Crystal’s manufacturing facility.

Over six weeks, the manufacturing team were to craft and sculpt what would turn out to be a stunning piece of crystal.

A lot of work went into producing the piece, including a great deal of expertise in design and manufacture. This magnificent piece features a beautiful and unique design of flat and diamond cutting, with an exquisitely crafted crystal

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sphere, which makes a reference to the golf ball and showcases the expertise and skill of Waterford Crystal artisans.

The House of Waterford Crystal has manufactured a large array of sports trophies for the top American and European sporting events over the past four decades and is renowned for its sporting trophies around the world. In the US, it produces the trophies for many tournaments

including the Phoenix Open, the AT&T Pebble Beach National ProAm, The Barclays, The Memorial, The Tour Championship and The Honda Classic.

CORPORATE GIFTS & GOLF PRIZES Our dedicated Sales Manager Tom Walsh caters for corporate gifts and golf prizes. We can customise a piece from our core range that can allow you create your own unique message or logo on the item.

Our worldwide shipping service allows you the flexibility to deliver 24/48 hours to Ireland, the UK or the US. Tom can be contacted at tom.walsh@fiskars. com or +353 (0)87 120 9143.

TAKE A TOUR Why not visit the factory located in the centre of Waterford city and take the opportunity to witness the manufacture of these and many other Waterford crystal products? The guided factory tour is a unique and captivating experience that enthrals visitors of all ages, both national and international. The tour – which takes about an hour – allows visitors to understand each stage of production. They witness how Waterford Crystal pieces are crafted from initial design right up to the final engraving of the piece.

Every year the House of Waterford Crystal melts more than 750 tonnes of crystal, using traditional and cutting-edge manufacturing techniques. On completion of the tour, visitors can experience over 12,000 sq ft of crystal heaven in the largest retail and brand showcase of Waterford Crystal in the world.

For further details on the tours available all year round visit www.waterfordvisitorcentre.com or call 051 317000.

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CHAMBERS CSR AWARDS 2019

2019 CSR Awards: Shortlist The shortlist for Chambers Ireland’s 2019 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Awards has been announced, with over 70 shortlisted projects across the 14 award categories recognised for CSR activities and initiatives which are ambitious, innovative and practical in scope.

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• Amgen Technology - Amgen Dun Laoghaire’s CSR Programme • GSK Dungarvan - Making a Difference • Intel Ireland - Pride of Place • Tesco Ireland - Tesco Community Fund in 2018 • VMware International - Kickstart – Cloud Careers Program

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING – MNC

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP WITH CHARITY – LIC*

• Boots Ireland - Boots Ireland and the Irish Cancer Society • Cisco Systems - Partnership with A Charity • Dell - Creating Brighter Futures with Barnardos • Lidl Ireland and Jigsaw – One Good Adult • Qualtrics - 5 For The Fight • Tesco Ireland - Tesco Ireland raising funds to save lives at Temple Street

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY COMMUNITY PROGRAMME – MNC*

• A&L Goodbody -Volunteer Housing Law Clinic with Focus Ireland and Mercy Law • Bank of Ireland - The Great Bank of Ireland Backyard Blitz • Earth’s Edge - Explore, Experience, Evolve • KPMG - KPMG’s Bold Girls initiative

• Applegreen - Driving engagement and awareness in our communities • Coca-Cola - #YouthEmpowered • Energia - Energia’s Charity Starts at Home • European Recycling Platform Ireland - Batteries for Barretstown • Microsoft Ireland - Digital Skills for All

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP WITH CHARITY – MNC*

• A&L Goodbody - A&L Goodbody’s Step Up Community Programme • Deloitte - Deloitte’s Difference in Dublin 8 • Gas Networks Ireland - Energize • Holmes O’Malley Sexton - HOMS Solicitors Transition Year Programme • Law Society of Ireland Diploma Centre - Public Legal Education • Mason Hayes & Curran - Engage & Educate Fund • National University of Ireland, Galway Community Knowledge Initiative • SSE Ireland - Galway Wind Park Community Fund

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING – LIC

EXCELLENCE IN CSR COMMUNICATION

• A&L Goodbody - A&L Goodbody partnership with Social Entrepreneurs Ireland • Cork International Hotel - Cork International Hotel & BUMBLEance Charity Partnership • Dalata Hotel Group - Dalata Digs Deep • Earths’ Edge - KPAP Equipment Lending Programme • Gala Retail - Gala Retails’ Platinum Sponsorship of Special Olympics Ireland • Linesight - Maths-Whizz a virtual maths tuition programme • Primark - Our Promise. Their Future • RSM Ireland - The 2018 RSM Ireland charity partnership with Peter McVerry Trust

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY COMMUNITY PROGRAMME – LIC*

• Dell - Legacy of Good, Making a Real Difference 2017-2018 • Intel Ireland - Intel Involved Volunteers Making a Difference • Microsoft Ireland - Microsoft Empowering Transformation at the Simon Community • Workday - Giving & Doing

EXCELLENCE IN ENVIRONMENT – LIC

JUDGING PANELS The independent judging panel is made up of respected individuals working in various fields.

The panel acts independently at all times.

• Carbery Group - Every Drop Counts • Dawn Meats - Dawn Meats Origin Green Strategy • Gas Networks Ireland - Biodiversity Enhancement Programme • Hotel Doolin - Green Team Work

EXCELLENCE IN ENVIRONMENT – MNC • Astellas Ireland - Astellas Leading light for life - Striving for Sustainability • Aldi Ireland - Aldi Carbon Reduction Project • Fidelity Investments Ireland - Fidelity Ireland’s Go Green Initiative • FoodSpace - FoodSpace Ireland making a difference.

• Tesco Ireland - Tesco Ireland Waste Management Strategy ‘No Time for Waste’

EXCELLENCE IN MARKETPLACE • A&L Goodbody - ALGs collaborative project with the Irish Refugee Council’s Independent Law Centre • Arthur Cox - Arthur Cox and Amicus – Fighting for Justice on Death Row • Dawn Meats - Dawn Meats sustainable sourcing • EirGrid - Pilot EirGrid Community Fund, Mullingar-Kinnegad • Energia - Energia Netatmo

EXCELLENCE IN WORKPLACE – LIC • Arthur Cox - The Arthur Cox Work Experience for All Programme • Collins McNicholas - In Pursuit of Excellence in our Expanding Workplace • Energia - Energia’s Values in Action Employee Awards • Gas Networks Ireland - Walking the Talk – A study of the impact of coaching while walking

EXCELLENCE IN WORKPLACE – MNC • Fidelity Investments Ireland - The Fidelity Ireland Well4Life Program • Veolia Ireland - Mental Health First Aiders • VMware International - The Cork Giving Network’s Mental Health Month • Workday - Workday Wellbeing

EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY & INCLUSION • Dublin Bus - Workplace Gender Transition Policy and Guidelines • ESB - ESB Traineeship Programme for People with disabilities • Fidelity Investments Ireland - Inclusive Workplace - Fidelity Ireland • Johnson & Johnson - J&J Campus Ireland WiSTEM2D • Microsoft Ireland - One Microsoft Diversity and Inclusion • Version 1 - The Version 1 Diversity & Inclusion Initiative

EXCELLENCE IN CSR BY AN SME • Acorn Regulatory - The Empower Initiative • Earth’s Edge - Carbon Emission Offsetting • easytrip - Easytrip support Blood Bikes • Himalaya Yoga Valley Cork - Yoga Outreach Programme • M KO - Cope Helping Hands Project • SECAD Partnership CLG - Wild Work • Swords Pavilions Shopping Centre - Make Nutrition Your Goal, Fuelling Your Futsal • Tico Mail Works - Tico Mail Works Corporate Social Responsibility Improvement Campaign

For further information on the CSR Awards 2019, www.csrawards.ie

*LIC – Large Indigenous Company *MNC– Multinational Company

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

Dublin Enterprise Zone unlocking economic opportunity in Fingal Emer O’Gorman, Director of Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Development at Fingal County Council, highlights the important role the Dublin Enterprise Zone plays in the Fingal region and beyond.

Emer O’Gorman, Director of Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Development, Fingal County Council

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s Global Vice-President of Operations at PayPal EMEA, Louise Phelan has been a big supporter of the Dublin Enterprise Zone since it was launched in 2015. From the outset she saw it as an opportunity to promote Dublin 15 as an investment location globally because it is an ideal business location with fantastic talent, a nearby international airport, an excellent road network and very easy access to Dublin city centre.

She predicted that the Dublin Enterprise Zone would help unlock future economic opportunity for Dublin 15 and four years later that’s exactly what is happening as both foreign direct investment and indigenous companies are located side by side in what is now one of the single largest economic entities in the State.

The Zone consists of 1,571 hectares of industrial land and is zoned for office, research & development, high technology manufacturing, industrial, general enterprise and employment. It consists of 20 individual business parks, 1,100 businesses, 19,000 employees and 1.18 million square metres of building floor area.

Seventeen of the top 20 companies located in the DEZ represent Foreign Direct Investment and employ over half of the employees who work in the Zone.

They include some of the biggest names in the IT and life science sectors like IBM, PayPal, Symantec, Helsinn-Birex, Mallinckrodt, Bristol-Myers Squibb, West Pharma and Alexion Pharma.

One of the reasons the Dublin Enterprise Zone has been so successful in attracting top companies is because of a three pronged approach adopted

by Fingal County Council for stimulating the local economy and providing jobs for our citizens.

The Council collaborates closely with state agencies, the private sector and others in

promoting Fingal as a prime location for inward investment. We also work hard to put in place the conditions and structures necessary to support local indigenous businesses and actively

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support, foster and encourage our small enterprises and entrepreneurs.

One example is the recently launched Fingal Skills Strategy which represents the first cross sector skills strategy to be developed at Local Authority level in Ireland, reflecting the changing role of the local authorities across Ireland. This innovative project brought together education providers, policy makers and industry and will be crucial to positioning Fingal, not only as an attractive place for FDI, but also as a location from which indigenous companies can base themselves.

Fingal County Council is also focused on growing the companies of tomorrow and the Dublin Enterprise Zone includes the BASE Enterprise Centre, which is one of three such centres located in key locations across the county. The BASE Enterprise Centre plays a strategic role in helping the development of small businesses, and creating local enterprise awareness in the Dublin 15 area. Its resident companies come from a wide variety of businesses including technology, food, education and manufacturing.

A major attraction for companies wanting to locate in Fingal is the partnership approach they find when they deal with the Council. We work with them to realise their plans and have been able to turn around planning within eight weeks because pre-planning meetings are detailed and involve full teams from both the applicant and the Council.

Through our Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Development Department, we market the Dublin Enterprise Zone at home and abroad while our Operations Department is on the ground each day ensuring the area is well presented.

It all adds up to an attractive package that has the potential to create a further 20,000 jobs on the 716 hectares of undeveloped zoned and serviced land still available within the Dublin Enterprise Zone. It is a prime, proven and progressive location that is only going to become more important to the Irish economy in the years ahead.

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

Global thinking Irish firm DPS Group has steadily grown from a local operator into a go-to engineering and construction player for the global pharma and biotech and semi-conductor sectors.

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PS Group’s growth continued in recent weeks with the announcement of the opening of a new project design office in Cary, North Carolina comprised of over 40 biopharmaceutical professionals across the areas of engineering, construction and validation. DPS has had a presence in North Carolina since 2013, and this expansion demonstrates the firm’s commitment to the region.

Established over 45 years ago, DPS has been led on an international expansion strategy for the past ten years by its CEO Frank Keogh.

Chief Operating Officer Brian Donohoe sees the firm’s achievements as very much part of a wave of growing Irish success abroad in the wider construction industry.

“It is not so widely known but the Irish engineering and construction sector has built a really strong reputation in Western Europe over the past decade,” he says.

“We are focused on complex highend process engineering sectors. We are now a global company, but we are an Irish success story, because we have acquired a lot of our technical ability through working with clients in Ireland and used that to expand in Europe and the US.” That expansion has seen DPS grow staff numbers in the past five years from 700 to 1,700 people. DPS has grown by a mixture of organic growth and acquisition. For example, last year it made an acquisition in Belgium, which Donohoe says is a particularly interesting market for the firm.

“There is a very large and wellestablished pharmaceutical sector there. We have had an operation in Belgium for a number of years.

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THERE IS AN EXCITING NEW AREA CALLED NOVEL THERAPIES, INCLUDING CELL AND GENE THERAPIES, THAT DPS IS DOING A LOT OF WORK IN AND THIS WILL GROW STRONGLY IN THE FUTURE. It was our second location in mainland Europe, having been in the Netherlands for 20 years.”

DPS also has operations in the UK, Switzerland, Sweden and Germany.

INTO THE US In 2011 the company made its first US move with an acquisition in Boston, where biotech is very strong. It followed that deal with an acquisition in North Carolina, followed by the opening of offices in New York, New Jersey and Arizona.

Donohoe says DPS is looking at further expansion in the US.

Turnover has risen steadily as the company has expanded and is expected to reach €180m this year.

The pharma sector is, of course, changing fast, notes Donohoe. “There is an exciting new area called novel therapies, including cell and gene therapies, that DPS is doing a lot of work in and this will grow strongly in the future.”

The key issue DPS clients in both the pharma and semiconductor sectors are concerned with is safety. After that it is schedule, followed by cost. “We use lean construction techniques to manage the schedule and reduce cost.

That concept originally came out of the car industry and slowly found its way into the semiconductor and pharma industries,” says Donohoe.

For Donohoe the bottom line is, DPS’s continued growth into the future will be down to successfully delivering projects for its clients.

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Galway County Council doubles funding for Galway 2020 with additional 2m.

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Pfizer celebrates 50 years in Ireland and Limerick’s economy is booming.

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Wicklow County Council declares ‘climate and biodiversity emergency’.

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Clare Local Enterprise Office created 752 jobs in its first five years.

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Carne Group has announced major regional expansion. The company is opening a new financial services centre in Wexford, with recruitment currently underway for 50 highly-skilled professionals.

Further expansion and recruitment is expected at Carne Group’s Kilkenny financial services centre with plans to grow its regional workforce by an additional 250 people by 2021.

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OpenSky recently announced a a2.5m investment in its own expansion and the creation of 80 jobs, which will see the organisation double in size by the end of 2021. Pictured at OpenSky’s offices in Naas, Co Kildare, are (l-r): William Flanagan, Commercial and Technology Director, OpenSky; Pat Breen TD, Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection; and Michael Cronin, Managing Director, OpenSky.

[ COUNTY WICKLOW ]

Wicklow County Council declares ‘climate emergency’ Wicklow County Council has become the first council in Ireland to declare a ‘biodiversity and climate change emergency’.

A motion on the issue passed unanimously in Wicklow County Council following a presentation by local students who participated in recent school strikes for climate action.

The motion also calls on the council to publish a climate action plan and an updated biodiversity action plan. The motion stresses that the council should report regularly on the progress of both action plans. The council also agreed to acknowledge and support the demands of the school strike movement driven by young people and families in Greystones, Bray, Arklow and Carnew.

The motion sates: “Wicklow County Council has listened and understood the deadly urgency felt by the young people and their demand that all stakeholders and representatives act immediately to ensure that young people have a liveable future in Wicklow, in Ireland and on planet Earth”.

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[ LEINSTER ]

Go-ahead for Leinster Greenways

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inister Shane Ross TD and Minister of State Brendan Griffin TD announced the award of a40m in funding for 10 Greenway projects around the country under Project Ireland 2040.

Minister Ross said: “The projects funded through these allocations will provide safe, substantially segregated Greenways that give users access to the beautiful scenery that Ireland is renowned for. This will bring new visitors to the many attractions there are to see around the country.”

Counties Kildare, Offaly, Wexford and Wicklow were among those awarded funding.

Wexford County Council welcomed the a8m in funding for the South East Greenway project. The 24.3km Greenway will be constructed along the disused railway line and passes through counties Waterford, Kilkenny and Wexford as it links

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Ferrybank, Co Waterford to New Ross, Co Wexford. Overall project costs are estimated at a13.3m, with Waterford, Kilkenny and Wexford local authorities providing the balance of a5.3m in matching funding.

Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Councillor Michael Sheehan described the Southeast Greenway as “transformational” for the whole area.

“This regional Greenway will provide a significant economic and jobs boost for South Kilkenny as well as the town of New Ross and Waterford City. I welcome the many opportunities that it will create along the route for new businesses in the areas of sports and recreation as well as hospitality and transport services,” he said.

Offaly County Council was granted a2.35m to complete the Tullamore to Daingean route.

The application was secured after successful collaboration between Offaly County Council and Waterways Ireland. This project will complete the Tullamore to Daingean stretch and link Daingean to Boora with 38km of Greenway.

Offaly’s Tourism Officer Olive Farrelly said: “We are extremely excited on receiving this funding to further continue our works on the Grand Canal Greenway. As the greenway develops further we hope to see an increase in our visitor numbers. It’s also an important asset for the Offaly natives; it will not only boost the local economy but also benefit the health of our community.”

A further a1.7m was granted to extend the Kildare section of the Grand Canal Greenway 13km from Hazelhatch Bridge as far as Sallins.

In addition, Wicklow County Council secured a5m to invest in a 42km Greenway around the Blessington Lakes, incorporating Russborough House and the villages of Valleymount, Ballyknockan and Lacken.

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[ COUNTY CLARE ]

Clare LEO created 752 jobs in five years The Local Enterprise Office in Clare has made a significant impact in its first five years with the creation of 752 net jobs locally, 3.4m in funds approved and over 4,000 people trained.

The figures were announced by Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation and Pat Breen TD, Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection at an event in Russborough House, Co Wicklow, celebrating five years of the Local Enterprise Offices.

Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Clare, said: “Clare County Council, through Local Enterprise Office Clare, has played a key role in fostering entrepreneurship in the area and is very much at the fulcrum of the local business community. That positioning has come through trust, expertise and the ability to help businesses over the toughest of hurdles. Looking to the future, we have an opportunity to help shape policy and supports that we believe will only increase these impressive figures in the next five years and give our entrepreneurs and small businesses an even greater advantage in the market.”

Pictured at Russborough House, Co Wicklow, celebrating five years of the Local Enterprise Offices, are (left to right): Minister Pat Breen TD; Minister Heather Humphreys TD; Padraic McElwee, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Clare; Liam Conneally, Director of Economic Development, Clare County Council; and Mark Christal of Enterprise Ireland

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15,000 jobs have been created in Limerick over the past five years and the number of start-ups in Limerick reached a new high of 820 in 2018, according to the Limerick Economic Monitor, prepared for Limerick City and County Council by EY-DKM.

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Pictured alongside Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD during her visit to Pfizer Ringaskiddy are: Seamus Fives, Vice President Leadership, Pfizer Global Supply and Paul Reid, Country Manager, Pfizer Healthcare Ireland. The Minister toured part of the large-scale manufacturing site, visiting the New Product Technology Lab, a state-of-the-art US$30m facility. The visit is part of a series of events to celebrate the company’s 50th anniversary in Ireland.

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[ COUNTY CORK ]

WELCOME JOBS BOOST FOR TRALEE JRI America has announced it is to further expand its Technology Centre in Tralee, Co Kerry, creating 100 new jobs over five years. The Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Norma Foley and Chief Executive Moira Murrell have warmly welcomed the announcement.

Cllr Foley said it was wonderful news for the town and for Kerry, representing a significant employment and economic boost. “The news that JRI America is to recruit 100 additional staff is hugely positive news for Kerry,” she said. “Kerry County Council continues to work closely with all agencies to promote investment and economic development in the county and I wish JRI America continued success into the future.”

Murrell added that JRI America is a valued employer in Kerry. “Tralee and Kerry offer companies wonderful facilities and a highly skilled workforce. Today’s announcement will further enhance the reputation of the town and county as a great place to invest and do business,” she noted. “This is a further boost to the local economy and will provide welcome employment and the associated benefits for the wider economy.”

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Bantry is Ireland’s ‘Best Kept Small Town’

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antry has been named Ireland’s ‘Best Kept Small Town’ and also scooped the ‘Overall Winner’ award at Ireland’s Best Kept Town Awards.

Ireland’s Best Kept Town is an all-island competition run by the Northern Ireland Amenity Council and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. It involves some of the best towns in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition pitting themselves against their counterparts in Northern Ireland’s Best Kept competition.

Entrants are marked on cleanliness, the outward appearance of buildings, the presentation of roads and public facilities, and the natural environment.

Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Christopher O’Sullivan said Bantry was a “very deserving” winner.

“It is a place of great natural and cultural heritage and this is maintained excellently by a strong community. It’s the people of Bantry who guarantee that the council’s investment here is well spent. Bantry Tidy Towns deserve special congratulations. Their work has ensured Bantry is getting the recognition it deserves as one of Ireland’s Best Kept Towns.”

Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey added: “The infrastructure of Bantry town has vastly improved over the past few years and the Best Kept Town Awards recognise this. Cork County Council will continue our high level of commitment to the enhancement of Bantry.”

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[ COUNTY MAYO ]

Mayo County Council announces ‘sustainable agricultural strategy for Mayo’ Mayo County Council has announced the publication of ‘A Sustainable Agricultural Strategy for Mayo’ in conjunction with its partners: Teagasc, the Department of Agriculture & Food, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Irish Farmers Association and the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association, the Mayo Agricultural Working Group and the Planning, Environment and Agriculture Strategic Policy Committee.

The purpose of the strategy is to set out a series of actions that will guide the sector to capitalise on its opportunities and overcome the barriers to developing this significant component of the Mayo economy.

In Mayo around 13,500 people are employed at farm level. Farm income amounts to a128m a year and farm output is estimated at a250m year and is worth an estimated a500m to the county’s economy.

The strategy aims to improve farm incomes in the long-term; maximise the value of all food produced; ensure farmers are encouraged to play a key role in the county’s future development; support continued investment in the sector; and ensure sustainability from an environmental perspective.

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Annie Buick and Enya Hughes, second-year students from Mercy College in Sligo secured third place overall in the Intermediate Category at the Student Enterprise Programme National Finals in Croke Park, organised by the Local Enterprise Offices for secondary schools. Pictured (left to right): Oisin Geoghegan, Chairperson, Network of Local Enterprise Offices; Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen TD; Enya Hughes, Annie Buick and Michael Nevin, Chairperson, Local Enterprise Offices Enterprise Education Committee.

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Galway County Council has doubled the amount of funding that it is providing to Galway 2020 with the commitment of an additional a2m to the Capital of Culture project.

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[ COUNTY WESTMEATH ]

[ COUNTY GALWAY ]

ECONOMIC STRATEGY FOR ATHLONE

Expansion for Boston Scientific Galway

Tenders were recently sought for the preparation of an Economic Strategy for the Regional Centre of Athlone.

The services are being jointly procured by Roscommon County Council and Westmeath County Council.

The Economic Strategy is intended to serve as a blueprint for the future development of the regional centre of Athlone to 2040, and its overarching purpose will be to inform and drive the economic, social and physical development of Athlone. It is intended to promote increased employment and enterprise opportunities in Athlone and its hinterland, and is expected to deliver an ambitious, distinct and wholly achievable vision for the regional centre over the next 20 years.

The Economic Strategy will also include a marketing plan, which will promote Athlone and the wider area as a unique place to live, work and invest.

All queries regarding the tender may only be dealt with through the questions and answers facility on www.etenders.gov.ie

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oston Scientific Galway has officially opened a new facility at its Ballybrit site. The expansion facilitates increased capacity to support global product demand and also includes an industry-leading Equipment Technology Centre. The new facility is at the site of the former digital building and the company is investing a60m in this phase of development, with over 250 people expected to be based in the new facility by the end of 2019.

Mike Mahoney, Chairman and CEO of Boston Scientific, officially opened the new facility, saying it reflected the company’s ongoing commitment to Galway and Ireland. “Our highly skilled workforce has made a significant contribution to the development of many innovative medical solutions, with our Galway site playing a key role in products in areas such as interventional cardiology, endoscopy and peripheral interventions,” he said.

The opening of the new facility is part of a programme of celebrations for Boston Scientific’s 25th anniversary in Galway.

James Lyons, Vice President of Operations at Boston Scientific Galway, said: “Given the scale of our campus and workforce here, the support of the wider community has been especially important.

I would like to acknowledge the contribution in turn that our employees have made to the local community, including raising over a2.6m for local charities and organisations since 1994.”

Martin Shanahan, CEO, IDA Ireland (centre) with James Lyons (left) and Mike Mahoney of Boston Scientific

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[ COUNTY DONEGAL ]

a4.95m Sliabh Liag Strategic Development Project opened The new 4.95m Sliabh Liag Strategic Development Project was officially opened by Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD in association with Cllr Seamus O’Domhnaill, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, on 13 May. The project incorporated the construction of the Transportation Hub and Visitor Centre. The capital works also included road improvements from Carrick village, a ranger station with car park and toilet facilities, which have been open since August 2017, and the mountain path works completed in May 2018 with 2.5km of new path installed.

Minister Joe McHugh TD said: “There’s no match for a place like Sliabh Liag, sitting right on the edge of Donegal’s Gaeltacht. We have a huge opportunity to grow the spectacular location to become a major flagship tourism project for the county.

“I would like to acknowledge the commitment of all the backers of this project and all those in Donegal County Council, Fáilte Ireland and Special EU Programmes Body who saw the potential in this iconic site.”

Donegal County Council in association with Donegal Tourism has developed a website and social media presence for Sliabh Liag and Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Seamus O’Domhnaill believes that all of these developments will create jobs locally and stimulate local investment.

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Celebrating the official opening of the new Sliabh Liag Development in Co Donegal is Minister Joe McHugh TD and Cathaoirleach Cllr Seamus O Domhnaill with invited guests

15m

£

Local councils across Northern Ireland are set to receive £15m in funding to further boost fibre availability across Northern Ireland.

The funding comes from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport through its Local Full Fibre Networks Programme.

Enniskillen has been awarded the Purple Flag quality assurance for the eighth year running in recognition of the town’s thriving evening and night-time economy. Pictured (left to right) are: Ryan Hannah, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC) Events Officer; Noelle McAloon, Enniskillen BID Manager; Cllr Siobhán Currie, Chair of FODC; Gemma McCaffrey, Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism; and Tara Farrell, FODC Tourism & Development Officer.

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[ COUNTY ANTRIM ]

Antrim Festival Group given Royal Award

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HEALTH AND WELLBEING EVENT COMES TO ARDGLASS The Downpatrick District Electoral Area (DEA) Forum, in partnership with County Down Rural Community Network and the Ardglass Festival Association (AFA), is offering residents within the Ardglass and the surrounding areas the opportunity to come along and have free basic health checks. The Action Cancer Big Bus will be in the grounds of The Meadows Playing Fields on 7 August between 12pm and 3pm. Women between the ages of 40-49 and 70+ can also avail of a breast screening service. Appointments for either of these services can be arranged by contacting Action Cancer directly on 048 9080 3344 or online at www.actioncancer.org/appointments. The Downpatrick DEA is also encouraging people to get involved in a range of free activities suitable for people of all ages on the day. There will be a climbing wall, mountain biking and archery as well as taster sessions of Step, Zumba and Yogalates. The AFA will also be hosting their first 10k and 5k road race beginning at 7pm from St Nicholas’ Primary School. Entries are available through www.sientries.co.uk

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he Antrim Festival Group was presented with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at a presentation ceremony held at The Old Courthouse, Antrim in June. The group was one of 22 recipients from Northern Ireland to receive this award which recognises the outstanding work of volunteers.

The Antrim Festival Group is a team of 12 local volunteers who aim to encourage greater community involvement and create a sense of pride in the town which participants live and work in. The group organises a variety of events, including the annual Antrim Summer Festival, which this year had 30,000 visitors over its ten-day run.

Peter Dalton, Chair of Antrim Festival Group, commented: “It was an honour to be nominated for this prestigious award and to achieve it has delighted us all! We have been in existence for seven years and the time, effort, learning and expertise displayed by a team of 12 has borne fruit, in that the festival has grown year on year.”

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman John Smyth, congratulated the Antrim Festival Group: “I am delighted to see the Antrim Festival Group receive this award for their exceptional work they deliver throughout the year. They are worthy recipients of this award and great ambassadors for the town of Antrim.”

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Spotlight on Monaghan Communities in County Monaghan have been coming together to carry out fantastic social enterprise work for years. The county was recently recognised for its tireless work by the Social Enterprise Development Fund.

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he Social Enterprise Development Fund is a €1.6m fund created

by Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI) in partnership with Local Authorities Ireland and funded by IPB Insurance and the Department of Rural and Community Development. The objective of the fund is to find and back social enterprises that add to the social and economic fabric of their community by way of social impact. The fund provides critical support to the chosen social enterprises across Ireland, helping them to increase their social impact, increase their traded income, create more jobs and develop long-term, effective and sustainable social enterprises.

In 2019, the fund is supporting 16 social enterprises with cash grants and a place on the National Accelerator Programme. This year two out of the 16 chosen social enterprises are from Monaghan – the Peace Link in Clones and Teach na Daoine located outside Monaghan town.

“For two winners to be chosen from a small county is quite significant,” according to John Evoy, Social Enterprise Development Manager at SIFI. Evoy praised the two social enterprises for the innovative work they are doing and acknowledged the instrumental help and support of the Local Authority, in particular Fintan

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McPhilips who works in the Community Development Section of Monaghan County Council.

“A staff member in each Local Authority works with us to push out the application form and promote the fund and I think Fintan goes above an beyond and I believe it’s his work and extra energy that’s made sure we’ve had two winners in Monaghan. We’ve only 16 across the whole country and Monaghan is quite a small county so to have two winners in Monaghan is a little bit of an anomaly really,” Evoy highlights.

TEACH NA DAOINE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE The Teach na Daoine Family Resource Centre is situated in the Mullaghmatt / Cortolvin area just outside Monaghan town. The resource centre provides family and community supports primarily to the residents of Mullaghmatt and Cortolvin, but services are also open to the wider community.

In August 2014, Teach na Daoine Family Resource Centre developed Monaghan town’s first ever Not For Profit Community Shop and provided employment for the local community. The shop is a social inclusion project providing a key local service as well as providing jobs for local people, particularly those who find it hard to get into the workforce.

Evoy adds that this is a model that could be replicated nationwide.

THE PEACE LINK The Peace Link is a state of the art sporting facility on the edge of Clones, Co Monaghan.

The facility caters for the Fermanagh/Monaghan border area and aims to build better relationships between people in the Clones (Co Monaghan)/Erne East (Co Fermanagh) area, using sport as the medium.

The Peace Link facilities include: a 400m tartan running track with field facilities, an in-field soccer sized grass pitch, a multi-purpose full size playing pitch, outdoor multi-use games area, a sports centre with accommodation for indoor sports such as bowling, karate, archery, badminton, soccer, basketball, boccia and many more; changing facilities, a state of the art gym and other functional complementary facilities.

Evoy regards the facility as “one of the leaders in Ireland in terms of integration or community development through sport”.

“They include all the community and that’s the social impact - the social cohesion and community building,” he adds.

“We look at all the social enterprises we support in terms of the enterprise piece that underpins it. They’ve got solid trading income and they’re really a proper community enterprise that shows how communities can do things for themselves,” he highlights.

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IPB Pride of Place The IPB Pride of Place competition, organised by Co-operation Ireland and sponsored by IPB Insurance, has seen a number of Monaghan communities recognised for their efforts over the years.

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he IPB Pride of Place competition promotes and celebrates the best in community development and recognises the selfless efforts of people in making their local neighbourhoods better places to live, work and socialise.

Local authorities from across the island of Ireland are encouraged to nominate groups in their communities who they feel have made a significant contribution to improving their neighbourhood, working collectively.

The competition is based on communities demonstrating directly to the judges their pride in their place by oral presentation, exhibitions of community activities and culture and a tour of the area highlighting the aspects of which they are particularly proud. It is also important that the community demonstrates real partnership with their local council and shows that all sectors of the community are included.

MONAGHAN SUCCESS Monaghan has had significant

success in the competition down through the years.

2017 Latton & Bawn in Co Monaghan secured the IPB Pride of Place Award for the 300-1000 population category in 2017. Latton Social Services started out over twenty years ago by training local volunteers to carry out a door to door needs survey in the area. This uncovered a range of needs, which the group has been slowly working to address ever since. Successes include a model rural transport scheme, a peace

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and reconciliation project, high quality community facilities and an extensive child care facility.

2015 In 2015, Largy College in Co Monaghan won the award for Young People in the Community Initiative. A group of students from Largy College in Clones set out to educate students on the effects of homophobic bullying and to make them more empathetic towards the LGBT community. They developed a campaign, called ‘LGBT-Let’s Get

By Together’ and delivered a range of initiatives aimed at getting their message of tolerance and inclusiveness across to young people.

2014 The community of Tydavnet won the award in the 750-1500 population category in 2014. Tydavnet is a thriving community in north county Monaghan with a deep sense of identity and respect for local heritage and culture.

The people of Tydavnet take great pride in ensuring that newcomers are brought into the heart of community activity and that the next generation grows up with the strong sense of contributing to their locality. This community of “do-ers” previously came together to restore and refurbish the derelict Cornagilta School, which now hosts regular storytelling and ceili nights.

The community of Clones also won a special award in 2014 having demonstrated the steely determination of the leaders of the community to overcome obstacles over time. Faced with the closure of multiple local

businesses and widespread dereliction, the community came together in 1999 to form Clones Community Forum.

Clones Community Forum set about identifying all the needs of the local community – social, economic and cultural – and as a result, the town streetscapes and centre have been totally transformed, community meeting places have been improved, and facilities for young people and people with special needs have all been put in place.

2013 The dispersed rural community of Donaghmoyne won the award in the 200-500 population category in 2013. Lacking a true village centre, the community has worked to make a crossroads into a focal point.

Volunteers lay kerbing provided

by Monaghan County Council to upgrade the appearance of the roads and original gates and piers were restored, adding a sense of unity to the area. The disused parish church was also restored as a community centre and land adjacent to the church was purchased and transformed into a children’s playground. A strong sense of community is fostered through social events such as dancing at the crossroads and variety concerts.

IPB PRIDE OF PLACE 2019 Kilkenny County Council will host the 17th Annual All-Ireland Pride of Place Gala Awards Ceremony which will take place in the beautiful medieval City of Kilkenny on Saturday 30th November 2019.

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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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IB PARTNER PROFILE: ACCESS TO FINANCE

Fast and efficient Mike O’Halloran, CEO Fexco Asset Finance, shares his views on access to finance for SMEs and what makes the Fexco Asset Finance offering different.

Mike O’Halloran, CEO, Fexco Asset Finance

Q: What is your opinion on the current situation in relation to access to finance for SMEs?

A: Undoubtedly, the lending environment for SMEs has improved, largely due to the influx of new players and products in the market – ultimately providing more choice and competition. We’ve seen an increase, for example, in the numbers of direct finance providers, like ourselves, but also in the numbers of specialised lending products direct from manufacturers providing finance directly to the SME. However, things can still be improved for the end customer. Decision times on finance applications remain unnecessarily slow and there can be a lag to the release of funds.

At Fexco, we deliver a decision within 24 hours of the application and the speed of completion of a deal is on average 48 hours.

Q: What are the objectives of your organisation in relation to access to finance for SMEs?

A: We know that timing

can be critical when it comes to realising an opportunity and often our customers need access to finance to progress. At Fexco, we have the market knowledge and insight to discuss and propose a variety of tailored and flexible solutions to an SME. We do this quickly ensuring all transactions are completed in a rapid timeframe. A cornerstone of our business is in providing personal customer service to our clients; we do this with honesty and integrity.

Quite simply, we want to offer an efficient service and competitive product to our customer that in turn helps them to grow their business.

Q: In your experience, what are the main reasons for SMEs needing access to finance at the moment?

A: Favourable economic conditions in the country, along with more competitive financing options in the market, have prompted more and more SMEs to seriously consider expanding their business now.

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Often this expansion needs to be supported by access to finance. What our customers want is to increase opportunities for growth while decreasing costs for their business, something we at Fexco deliver every day.

Q: What progress have you made in this area in the past year?

A: 2019 has already been a successful year for Fexco and the next 12 months look increasingly promising.

Q: Can you outline the ways that you help SMEs in this area that perhaps are different to others in the market?

A: Unlike many other providers in the market, Fexco is privately owned.

Our agility and flexibility allows us to make decisions quickly and efficiently. The company has demonstrated an unrivalled tenure of over 30 years’ experience supporting SMEs through challenges and opportunities.

A CORNERSTONE OF OUR BUSINESS IS IN PROVIDING PERSONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE TO OUR CLIENTS; WE DO THIS WITH HONESTY AND INTEGRITY. The diversification of our business model presents interesting partnership opportunities. We have recently expanded into the brokerage market for example, further increasing the reach of our suite of products.

We are also in the process of identifying and securing partnership agreements with multiple providers of specialised equipment into different SME sectors.

Over the past five years we have significantly increased the Asset Finance division, growing the team by 300% and expanding our presence into new verticals such as tourism and healthcare.

We pride ourselves on our turnaround times for applications, moving quickly from the underwriting stage to processing and release of funds.

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Enabling future growth Nick Ashmore, CEO of the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, explains what the new Future Growth Loan Scheme is all about and what businesses are eligible for it.

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eveloped by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) on behalf of Government, the Future Growth Loan Scheme (FGLS) is designed to support investment in Irish businesses and help narrow the competitiveness gap between Irish and EU firms.

The scheme, which was launched in April this year, offers low-interest loans of up to €3m for terms of between eight and ten years to Irish businesses, including those involved in primary agriculture production and in the seafood sector.

The initial maximum interest rate is capped at 4.5% for loans up to €249,999 and 3.5% for loans more than €250,000 for the first six months. The rates thereafter are variable and will be dependent on the cost of funds at that point in time. However, the credit margin component of the price has been capped. These rates represent a significant saving compared with the prevailing rates that are otherwise being offered for similar loans on the market.

• Investment in tangible or intangible assets for process and organisational innovation; • Investment in tangible and intangible assets on agricultural holdings linked to primary agricultural production; and • Investment in connection with the processing and marketing of agricultural products.

The scheme is offered through the SBCI by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, with support from the EIB Group’s Guarantee Facility. It recognises that there is currently a funding gap in the Irish market – a gap between the finance that is available and the finance that is required to drive the strategic, long-term, sustainable growth of Irish businesses. If this is left unchecked, it will limit the ability of Irish businesses to keep pace with EU firms and compete effectively in an increasingly global economy.

Against that backdrop, if your business

KEY FEATURES OF THE SCHEME INCLUDE: •€ 100,000 up to €3m for eligible applicants; •€ 50,000 up to €3m for eligible applicants in the primary agriculture sector; • I nitial maximum loan interest rate of 4.5% for loans up to €249,999 and 3.5% for loans equal to or greater than €250,000; •T erms ranging from eight to 10 years; and •L oans unsecured up to €500,000.

Eligibility is aimed at viable micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and small mid-cap enterprises – more details on eligibility are available through the SBCI website www.sbci.gov.ie or the SBCI Future Growth Loan Scheme Helpline 1800 804 482.

Nick Ashmore, CEO of the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland

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THE SCHEME IS AIMED AT SUPPORTING STRATEGIC LONG-TERM INVESTMENT AND LOANS CAN BE USED FOR: • I nvestment in tangible or intangible assets to increase productivity and/or efficiency, set up a new establishment or extend an existing one; •D iversification into new products or a change in a production process;

has set its sights on investment in research, development, process innovation, expansion or premises improvement, or equipment and machinery investment, the SBCI FGLS can help.

The procedure to apply for the scheme is straightforward, comprising of a two-stage process.

Firstly, visit www.sbci.gov.ie and use the guidelines to assess if your business is likely to meet the eligibility criteria. If yes, complete the eligibility form and return it to the SBCI by email or post. The SBCI will assess your application quickly (generally within 48 hours).

Eligible applicants will be provided with an eligibility reference number which is valid for six months.

Secondly, by presenting the eligibility reference number (along with your updated business plan for loans of €250,000 or more) to your preferred finance provider, you can begin the credit application process.

The SBCI is finalising its FGLS partner banks and more information will be published on its website. It has been recently announced that the first scheme partner is Bank of Ireland.

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IB PARTNER PROFILE: ACCESS TO FINANCE

Assessing the health of business loans Irish banks are continuing to sell bundles of nonperforming loans to meet regulatory requirements but businesses may not be aware of what nonperforming means, or that your business loan(s) could be affected, writes Catherine Collins, Deputy Credit Reviewer, Credit Review Office.

www.creditreview.ie www.creditreview.ie www.creditreview.ie

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he majority of non-performing loan sales are residential mortgages, but they also include SME and farm loans. A loan is classified as non-performing when repayments are more then 90 days past due or the debtor is assessed as ‘unlikely to pay’ in full without realisation of collateral for the loan.

However, it is important to know that any connected borrowing must also be taken into account by the bank. So, while you might have made all repayments on one of your loans, a default on another can cause both loans to be non-performing.

As an owner of a small business in this situation, what can you do? Firstly, ask yourself if there was any period when your business went through a rough patch where you missed or reduced payments.

Perhaps there were a number of breaches of your overdraft conditions, or dishonoured payments or cheques? Also, check who your guarantors are and ensure they’re not in difficulty.

If you think there are any issues you need to talk with your bank. Take

Catherine Collins, Deputy Credit Reviewer, Credit Review Office

advantage of your bank’s offer of an annual review of facilities. If assessed as nonperforming, arrange a formal meeting with your bank to agree what is required to return the lending to ‘performing status’.

Contact the Credit Review Office in good time before meeting the bank to ensure that you’re fully informed on the credit issues relevant to your situation.

For more information, visit www.creditreview.ie or Lo-call 1850 211 789

Ask The Credit Review Ask The Credit Review Ask The Credit Review look at the decision. look at the decision.

If your business has had credit facilities refused, reduced look athasbank*, the decision. your business had we’re credithere facilities orIfwithdrawn by your to help.refused,If reduced you’re a

or withdrawn by your bank*, we’re here to help. If you’re a If your business has had credit facilities refused, reduced getting credit or loan facilities of up to €3,000,000, or has had an or withdrawn by your bank*, we’re here to help.

If you’re a getting creditchange or loantofacilities of up to €3,000,000, or conditions, has had an unfavourable your existing credit terms and unfavourable change to your existing credit terms Our and process conditions, get in touch with us for an independent review. is getting credit or loan facilities of up to €3,000,000, or has had an get in toucheasy withtouscomplete for an independent review.

Our process is independent, and covers all applications for new unfavourable change to your existing credit terms and conditions, independent, easy to complete and covers all applications for new loans or restructured credit facilities. get in touch with us for an independent review. Our process is loans or restructured credit facilities. independent, easy complete *banks covered are AIB, BOI,to PTSB and Ulsterand covers all applications for new *banksor covered are AIB, BOI, PTSB and Ulster loans restructured credit facilities. *banks covered are AIB, BOI, PTSB and Ulster

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

Supporting A Wellness in the Workplace

s Ireland approaches full employment, company culture has never been so important.

Employees expect to work in an environment that not only makes them feel appreciated, but also one that benefits their professional and personal development.

PayPal is a company that is fully committed to engaging and empowering teammates, an approach that has helped it to foster an innovative culture, transform the world of money and become a global industry leader.

PayPal discusses the value of creating a positive work environment; one which encourages wellness and enables people to fulfil their potential.

VALUING PEOPLE With offices in Dublin and Dundalk, the company understands that people are central to progress and success. That’s why it has significantly invested in its facilities and workplace programmes to continually enhance the working lives of teammates.

PayPal Gives 2019

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

CSR & WELLNESS

Annette Hickey, Vice President of Global Customer Services for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, PayPal

“The employee experience is vitally important and we pride ourselves on understanding what motivates our people,” explains Annette Hickey, Vice President of Global Customer Services for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, PayPal. “We have invested a lot of time in creating a positive and proactive workplace in which everyone is treated with respect and encouraged to excel. It also enables us, as an organisation, to be productive and innovative both within and outside of the workplace – not only benefiting the lives of teammates but also the lives of customers,” Hickey adds.

MINDING TEAMMATES One of the initiatives that PayPal has introduced for employees is a wellness programme, ‘Mind Yourself’, designed to educate teammates on mental health issues and promote mental health awareness in the workplace.

As part of the initiative, PayPal provides training for managers, equipping them with the skills and resources to support any team member experiencing difficulties.

The programme also encourages staff to be open with each other about mental health and wellness issues.

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Speaking about the difference it has made, Hickey says: “We have really noticed improved engagement, greater positivity and reduced absenteeism as a result of ‘Mind Yourself’. It’s great to be able to support teammates through the challenges they face and help them sustain positive mental health.”

INVESTING IN WELLNESS To encourage healthy minds and bodies, PayPal provides all teammates with health insurance and 25 days of annual leave, as well as four weeks of paid sabbatical leave to celebrate every fifth year with the business.

It has also invested in a gym at its Dublin site, including an onsite physiotherapist, and quiet rooms where teammates can take time out during the day. At Dundalk, a mindfulness garden has been created to provide employees with the space to relax.

Hickey explains: “We take wellness very seriously at PayPal. From spaces where they can enjoy time alone or exercise, to healthy eating options and sit-stand desks, we relentlessly invest in our teammates. In turn, they invest in us with their creative ideas and hard work.”

PayPal is committed to being a socially responsible employer and runs various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities throughout the year in order to give back to the communities in which teammates work and live.

From hosting hackathons that help charities overcome digital challenges, to the PayPal Gives programme, the company is passionate about making a difference and supporting employees in making a positive and lasting contribution.

Recently, PayPal donated a57,000 to nine Irish charities as part of its PayPal Gives and Ireland’s Financial Inclusion Charity Grant programmes. The six charities nominated by teammates as part of PayPal Gives were the Dogs Trust, Women’s Aid, Inner City Helping Homeless, Sickle Cell Society, Ruhama and Educate Together.

Three more charities received funding as part of Ireland’s Financial Inclusion Charity Grant programme.

This year, The Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities, Junior Achievement Ireland and Cuidiú were selected for their innovative ideas.

The Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities received a donation from PayPal to fund a programme aimed at equipping students with education and training for future employment.

In a bid to teach young people life and career skills, Junior Achievement Ireland will use its contribution to roll out its Junior Achievement programme, focusing on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, employability and the value of STEM education.

Cuidiú also received a donation which will be put towards support services and events for parents to enable them to make informed choices about pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding.

Maeve Dorman, Vice President of Global Merchant Services, PayPal, said: “PayPal Gives is one of the standout events of the year and the initiative really embodies the culture within PayPal as a whole.

“Both PayPal Gives and the Financial Inclusion Charity Grant create ways through which we can support the causes and organisations that our teammates are passionate about. All of these charities do such incredible work in the communities where we work and live, so it’s an honour for us to be able to get involved and help to make a real difference.”

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ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Getting Warmer Irish SMEs are becoming increasingly aware of their role in tackling climate change and a new scheme focused on renewable sources of heat will help them to address this challenging area.

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n May, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment Richard Bruton TD opened the second phase of the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH), which will provide operational support for biomass boilers and anaerobic digestion heating systems.

“If we are to cut greenhouse gases, we must replace fossil fuels by renewable sources. This scheme is designed to replace fossil fuel heating systems by heat pumps and by heat from biomass or anaerobic digestion. These are sustainable and renewable sources,” he said.

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This round of the SSRH will support businesses and farms for up to 15 years for the installation and ongoing use of biomass and anaerobic digestion heating systems.

The first phase of the SSRH, an installation grant for heat pumps, opened in September 2018. Overall, the projects supported will increase renewable heat use in Ireland by three percentage points and decrease emissions in the non-ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme) sectors by roughly 300,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.

THIS SCHEME IS DESIGNED TO REPLACE FOSSIL FUEL HEATING SYSTEMS BY HEAT PUMPS AND

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ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

HEATING – TOP TIPS The SEAI’s SME Guide to Energy Efficiency provides the following advice in relation to heating, often the biggest energy cost for most businesses and where they can make the biggest savings.

TIMERS AND THERMOSTATS Not only does over-heating and cooling waste money, it also has an impact on staff morale and productivity, so it’s worth a little investment. Sometimes thermostats are just in the wrong place and need to be relocated. These low cost actions are worth considering:

Why not?

• Relocate thermostats to areas that aren’t affected by local heating or cooling from radiators, draughts or direct sunlight.

• Upgrade to modern, electronic thermostats which are much more accurate. These thermostats can be wireless, making fitting easy.

• Fit additional thermostatic controls in problem areas where comfort levels are difficult to maintain.

Integrating lessons learned from similar schemes in other jurisdictions, the SSRH is being administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). It will include important protections to ensure that the heat supported is sustainable, used for useful purposes and represents value for money for the taxpayer.

“Across Europe, heating remains one of the most challenging areas in which to achieve carbon emission reductions,” said Jim Gannon, CEO of SEAI. “This scheme is a vital component part of the Government’s overall policy framework to decarbonise heat.”

Recent research by SEAI has revealed that the majority of SMEs believe they do have a role in tackling climate change with more organisations than ever investigating energy efficiency options.

Among the most common actions currently being taken by businesses to reduce their energy costs are switching energy providers and installing energy saving lighting. Only 20% of organisations believe they have already done all they can do.

According to SEAI, the average SME could reduce its energy bill by up to 30% by implementing energy efficiency measures. Typically, 10% saving can be achieved with little or no capital cost. Some investment may be required to get the remaining 20% but the payback is generally around 1.5 years.

There are new sections on the SEAI website relating to bioenergy and a new calculator for businesses to calculate how much they could save by switching and indeed if they’re suitable to switch.

See: •h ttps://www.seai.ie /sustainable-solutions/renewable-energy/ bioenergy/bioenergy-story/ • https://www.seai.ie/resources/tools/bioenergy-calculator/

DOORS AND WINDOWS Put simply, the larger the opening, the bigger the cost. A systematic look at all the windows, doors and other sources of draughts will enable you to significantly reduce the amount of cold air entering your building, while still ensuring adequate ventilation where needed.

Why not?

• Identify all sources of drafts and fit appropriate draught proofing • Separate areas which have different temperatures with swing doors that allow easy access, or fit PVC strip curtains to reduce draughts.

• Fit spring-loaded door closures to minimise the amount of time doors are open.

• Interlock heating controls with warehouse door opening, so heaters only work when doors are closed.

Heating costs increase by around 8% for every 1ºC increase. Turning the temperature up high on your thermostat does not warm the room up quicker!

Turning it down 2ºC would save around a160 on a a1,000 bill.

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KELLY’S HOTEL, WEXFORD

Situated along the sandy beaches of Co Wexford, Kelly’s Resort Hotel and Spa has made the switch from oil to biomass to heat its buildings.

This popular four-star hotel with 126 rooms has been in operation since 1895 and is managed today by the fourth and fifth generation of the Bill Kelly, proprietor Kelly family.

Kelly’s Resort Hotel Proprietor Bill Kelly and Spa is very conscious of the needs and aspirations of his guests. “More and more customers are very green aware. They are looking to visit hotels that are working on a sustainability plan for the future,” he says.

“We decided to go with a wood chip boiler because it was carbon neutral and because there were serious cost savings to be made. We were using 175,000 litres to 200,000 litres of oil per annum. We are now using less than 50,000 litres of oil per annum.”

Kelly adds that the important thing to note about the use of the biomass is that it is not visible to the customer and he can operate his hotel every bit as well using biomass as by using oil or gas.

Kelly’s Hotel has put a huge amount of effort into keeping the hotel green. It has a sustainability plan which Kelly describes as an “ongoing process”. With the woodchip boiler, the hotel is saving 260 tonnes of carbon per annum.

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IB PARTNER PROFILE: ENERGY AND THE ENVIROMENT

Creating a brighter future Peter O’Shea, Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at ESB, explains how ESB is leading the transition to a low-carbon future and the benefits this will bring to the communities and people it serves.

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ast year, Dingle, Co Kerry was selected as the pilot location to help understand how evolving technologies will interact on the electricity network of the future. With over 4,700 homes, farms and businesses on the peninsula, Dingle is at the heart of many smart network research projects and trials. The aim is to see how best ESB Networks can facilitate all of the new demands on the national network in the most efficient way in the coming decade.

The three-year project involves working with local people and businesses to explore energy efficient measures and installing smart devices on the electricity network to help monitor and predict network events better – thus ensuring fewer outages and more system resilience.

Each of the five ambassadors selected will receive technologies in their home including an electric vehicle charge point, an air source heat pump, rooftop solar panels and a smart meter.

The Dingle project epitomises the type of activity involved in ESB’s Brighter Future strategy, which is focused on leading the transition to reliable, affordable lowcarbon energy.

“Today and over the next decade, we are transforming our generation portfolio with significant investment in renewable technologies complemented with high efficiency gas,” explains Peter O’Shea, Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs

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Peter O’Shea, Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, ESB at ESB. “This will cut the carbon intensity of our generation mix by over two thirds and provide flexible back-up to allow more renewables to come onto the system. By 2030, about 40% of ESB’s generation will be from renewable sources such as wind, solar and biomass.”

In 2019, the Castlepook Wind Farm in Co Cork (an ESB joint venture with Coillte) and Oweninny Wind Farm in Co Mayo (an ESB joint venture with Bord na Mona) will both come into operation, adding a further 200MW to the system. Collectively, they will provide clean energy to around 120,000 homes, farms and businesses in both regions.

“ESB believes that offshore wind will also play a significant part in

LIVE ELECTRIC CONFERENCE - DESIGNING A LOW CARBON FUTURE Being held on 23 September 2019 at the Round Room in the Mansion House, Dublin 2, the ‘Live Electric – Designing a low carbon future’ conference is jointly hosted by ESB and the Institute of International and European Affairs. It will feature a distinguished line-up of international experts on climate leadership, electrification, sustainable design, architecture, city planning and low carbon transport. This unique event will focus on smart and sustainable cities and buildings, and electric transport to show how consumer engagement with emerging technologies will transform the way we live.

See here for more information: https://esb.ie/brighter-future/liveelectric-conference

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IB PARTNER PROFILE: ENERGY AND THE ENVIROMENT

As part of its Generation Tomorrow programme, ESB works with the RDS to deliver ESB Science Blast, a non-competitive programme that invites children to investigate the science behind a simple question that interests and excites them

our future zero-carbon electricity.

For this reason, we are collaborating with international developers such as Parkwind and investing in the Galloper wind farm,” notes O’Shea.

Regarding solar power, ESB recently signed a co-development agreement with Bord na Mona to develop solar power in four locations in counties Roscommon, Offaly and Kildare, which will provide renewable energy to power the equivalent of 150,000 homes.

Working closely with all energy supply companies, ESB Networks will progressively deliver the smart meter replacement programme over the next six years, so that all electricity customers can be part of the sustainable energy future.

INNOVATION INITIATIVES ESB is a founding member of Free Electrons, a global accelerator that connects worldwide utilities with

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entrepreneurs to refine and test their products with the potential to reach 73 million customers in over 40 countries.

This year, Dublin and ESB hosted the selected entrepreneurs for a three-day bootcamp where they competed for 15 final spots.

The finalists, including Irish company GridBeyond, have so far taken part in modules in Ohio and Hong Kong. The winner will be selected in the final module in Portugal in September.

“ESB continues to work closely with a number of recent finalists, including Climote, the Dundalkbased heating control specialists, and e-mobility experts Driivz,” says O’Shea. “We are also undertaking pilot projects with Sterblue, the French drone software start-up, solar companies HST Solar and BEON, smart grid experts DEPsys, as well as artificial intelligence and

block chain specialists Jungle AI and Verv.”

Recognising the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) in supporting the next generation of innovators and creators, ESB launched a dedicated programme called Generation Tomorrow and has invested €7.5m in it to date. ESB supports a number of initiatives through this programme such as ESB Science Blast, TechSpace and The Cool Planet Experience. And this investment in tomorrow’s generation is paying off. Almost 500 schools and just under 15,000 students participated in ESB Science Blast events this year, marking a 50% increase in new entrants and a 45% increase on numbers compared to last year.

“By developing scientific literacy and critical thinking skills through programmes that encourage curiosity and discovery, we can help young people to not only become creative and innovative problem solvers, but also active and engaged citizens, capable of making informed choices to tackle climate change and other global challenges,” says O’Shea. “Because we all have a part to play in creating a low-carbon future.”

PROGRESS WITH ECARS

Over the past ten years, ESB has rolled out one of Europe’s most comprehensive charging networks for electric vehicles through its ecars division. Today, there are over 1,100 charge points dotted across the island of Ireland.

To help meet the expected growth of electric vehicles in the coming years, ESB will begin a a20m programme later this year to expand and enhance the charging network across Ireland as part of the Government’s Climate Action Fund.

“We are currently assessing suitable sites on motorways and national road networks, which will see over 50 high-power charging hubs being funded on such sites,” explains Peter O’Shea, Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs at ESB. “These hubs will be able to charge between two and eight vehicles simultaneously and are capable of providing up to 100km of electric driving range in as little as six minutes.”

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IB PARTNER PROFILE: ENERGY AND THE ENVIROMENT

Being green and lean Kathleen O’Regan, Lean & Environmental Advisor, Enterprise Ireland, explains how the agency’s green and lean business programmes help to increase company competitiveness globally.

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ith current market uncertainties around Brexit and across the world, how can you make your company more competitive? How can you do business better? How can you operate more efficiently and more sustainably?

One way of enhancing company competitiveness is by improving environmental performance. This results in reduced energy, waste and water costs and improved green credentials, ultimately resulting in more successful tenders and better business.

Introduced in 2012 to complement Enterprise Ireland’s Lean programme, the Green programme focuses on developing capability within companies to improve environmental performance.

There are three levels of green support: First Steps to Green Competitiveness Guidebook (nonfinancial aid), the GreenStart grant and the GreenPlus grant.

Free to download, the guidebook is a simplified guide to help companies begin their environmental journey through the use of a basic environmental management tool.

The GreenStart grant is a seven-day assignment, delivered by an external environmental service provider over a period of eight to 12 weeks. Its aim is to enable client companies to

develop a simplified environmental management system to improve environmental performance through greater resource efficiency.

Delivered by an external environmental service provider over a period of six to 12 months, GreenPlus aids companies to develop their internal capability to match international best practice.

Eligible GreenPlus projects include embedding environmental management practices in the company through dedicated training programmes.

Environmental training may also be supported under Enterprise Ireland’s Lean programmes​: LeanStart, LeanPlus, LeanTranform and Operational Excellence.

Lean focuses on effectiveness and efficiency across all areas of a business from raw material in to product out, including environmental improvement initiatives.

CROSS-SECTORAL SUPPORT Companies from a wide range of sectors, including food, engineering, construction and life sciences have been supported by the Green programme.

Celtic Chocolates, a manufacturer of chocolates based in Co Meath, used GreenStart to prepare its Bord Bia Origin Green Sustainability plan and carried out a resource efficiency

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Kathleen O’Regan, Lean & Environmental Advisor, Enterprise Ireland savings project, which generated water, waste, and energy savings.

Meanwhile, John Sisk & Son used GreenPlus to implement an energy management system, which is helping the construction firm to reduce costs, price future work more accurately and deliver measureable reductions in its environmental impacts.

From 2012 to 2016, most projects undertaken under the Green programme focused on environmental management and from 2017 to 2018 there was a shift towards energy management projects.

More and more companies are now taking responsibility for the impact of their processes and products across the entire life cycle rather than only dealing with issues inside their factory gates.

Going forward, it is envisaged that the Green programme will continue to be used to support companies in environmental and energy management, but also increasingly in the area of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), e.g. Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Water Stewardship.

EPDs can be used in the strategic marketing of products, particularly those that are exported. They allow companies to be more competitive with tendering as the environmental credentials of projects often form part of tenders, for example, in the construction sector this information is often required by architects and engineers.

For more information see www.enterprise-ireland.com/ en/Productivity/ and www.leanbusinessireland.ie/

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IB PARTNER PROFILE: ENERGY AND THE ENVIROMENT

A little goes a long way Geoff Byrne, Chief Operating Officer, Tesco Ireland, outlines the retailer’s key initiatives and achievements in addressing social and environmental challenges.

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t Tesco, we believe that every little help makes a big difference. As a leading food retailer, we are one of the biggest private sector employers in Ireland employing over 13,000 colleagues. We can make the greatest contribution to social and environmental issues by focusing on our people, our products and our places.

Our Little Helps Plan sets out how Tesco will make a difference to the social and environmental challenges that matter most to our customers, colleagues and communities. The plan helps us create a business where colleagues can get on, whatever their background; it helps customers make healthier choices and enjoy good quality, sustainable products, at affordable prices; ensures no food that could be eaten is wasted; reduces the environmental impact of our packaging; and supports the communities we serve.

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT Our target is to become a zero-carbon business by 2050. Since 2016, we’ve made significant energy efficiency upgrades to the fridge, lighting and heating systems across our stores.

100% of the electricity used in our operations is from renewable sources, and our energy-management strategy has delivered an overall reduction in electricity consumption by 24% over five years.

We’re one of 50 leading Irish companies to have signed the Business in the Community Ireland

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Tesco is one of 50 leading Irish companies to have signed the BITC Ireland Low Carbon Pledge. Pictured are: Feargal O’Rourke, managing partner, PwC, Kari Daniels, CEO Tesco Ireland with Tomás Sercovich, CEO Business in the Community Ireland Low Carbon Pledge. As such, we’re committed to halving our direct carbon footprint by 2030.

Earlier this year, we were awarded a Green Award for our work in waste management across the business. These awards recognise the extraordinary contribution and commitment that companies make towards growing a greener future in Irish business today.

We’re delighted to have been recognised for our waste management achievements. We’re particularly pleased to be recognised from an end-to-end waste management perspective, including our work on food waste in our business. At Tesco, we’re committed to achieving maximum sustainability in all our operations and are proud to be recognised with this award.

Tesco was the first national retail partner of Irish social enterprise FoodCloud, which launching a ground breaking partnership to donate surplus food from the business in

2014. To date, we’ve donated a total of eight million meals to over 350 community groups across Ireland, diverting perfectly edible surplus food to help those in need. This is equivalent to an environmental saving of 9,339 tonnes of CO2 emissions associated with waste processing.

PACKAGING Our target is to ensure we never use more packaging than is needed, and what we do use is from sustainable sources and goes on to be reused or recycled. We only use packaging where it serves a clear purpose.

We have set challenging targets that will deliver a step change in how much plastic waste we generate.

By the end of 2019 we will end the use of hard to recycle materials (for example PVC and polystyrene) from our own brand packaging, and by 2025 all our packaging will be fully recyclable, all our paper and board will be 100% sustainable and we will halve packaging weight in our business.

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

Research funding, but not as we’ve known it Science Foundation Ireland is redefining challenge funding with its a1m SFI Future Innovator Prize.

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hen President John F Kennedy promised to put a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s, he was not only laying down a challenge to the American scientific community, he was backing it with the funding required to make this great technological leap forward.

This is quite possibly the best-known example of challenge-based scientific research funding in modern times.

The concept of challenge-based funding has actually been around for millennia and has been used by kings and governments to apply the greatest minds of their eras to the most pressing problems of the time.

The traditional model has been a cash prize payable to the first to solve a particular problem. The most famous example of this being the ÂŁ20,000 prize offered by the British Commissioners for the Discovery of the Longitude at Sea in

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

the 17th century for the discovery of a reliable method for sailors to calculate longitude.

Its name lives on in the current UK Longitude Prize, a £10m fund which challenges researchers to invent an affordable, accurate, fast and easy-to-use test for bacterial infections that will allow health professionals worldwide to administer the right antibiotics at the right time.

This exciting form of research funding has now been introduced to Ireland by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and six teams of researchers are competing for its €1m SFI Future Innovator Prize.

But this is challenge funding with a twist, as SFI Science for Society Director, Dr Ruth Freeman, explains: “In the traditional model, the government or sponsoring organisation defined a particular challenge, put up a prize and waited for the solutions to come along.”

“What we have done with the SFI Future Innovator Prize is set out a broad theme and allow the research

projects, including the development of an artificial intelligence-based system to tackle hospital waitinglists, the use of gene editing technologies to treat rare diseases, a novel chronic pain treatment, and improved breast cancer diagnostics.

A final round of judging will take place towards the end of the year when one of the teams will be selected to receive the €1m, which will be used to develop and deploy their solution.

Such has been the success of this first challenge-based funding competition that SFI has already launched two others on the themes of AI for Societal Good and Zero Emissions.

“We have again gone for a bottom up approach with these two competitions,” Freeman notes. “We are going out to the country’s best and brightest scientific minds to create novel, potentially disruptive technologies in these two vitally important areas. It could be a genetics-based solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from

YOU CAN SEE HOW CLIMATE CHANGE HAS NOW REACHED A TIPPING POINT WITH YOUNG PEOPLE, BUT WE NEED TO ASK THEM IF THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE ADDRESSED. WE NEED TO CAPTURE THEIR IMAGINATION TO HELP GUIDE WHERE WE GO IN FUTURE. teams to define the problems they want to solve,” she says.

There is another fundamental difference in terms of how the research effort is funded. Instead of a winner takes all prize, the competition calls for proposals from research teams. Teams which get approved at this stage receive funding to develop their ideas and concepts further. The teams then go through a second round of evaluation with the final six receiving €200,000 each to further validate and prototype their proposed solutions.

These six teams are currently working on a range of different

Ireland’s cattle herd or a means to use AI to validate and ensure free and fair elections or any of a range of other solutions which have value to society.”

That societal value is critically important. “Each research team must include a Societal Impact Champion as part of its leadership.

Their role is to provide a strong societal perspective for the team as they develop their solution.

They will look at the potential deployment of the technology and ask if it is the right solution in the right place at the right time. They will also help the teams avoid technology push, creating solutions

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Dr Ruth Freeman SFI Science for Society Director and then looking for problems for them to solve,” Freeman highlights.

The next step in Ireland’s challenge-based funding journey will see a move towards top down problem definition. “In the first phase we are tapping into the amazing brainpower of the Irish scientific research community to define the problems and come up with the solutions to them,” Freeman adds. “In the second phase we will reach out to other stakeholders such as leaders across government about the issues and problems that our scientific community can help with. It could be transport, energy, housing, medication use, anything at all – we know we have the world leading scientific research talent to address them.”

And it will ultimately reach beyond those mainstream stakeholders. “I would like to reach out to the wider community and to students in Irish schools and ask them what they would like their national science funding agency to look at,” Freeman concludes. “You can see how climate change has now reached a tipping point with young people, but we need to ask them if there are other things they would like to see addressed. We need to capture their imagination to help guide where we go in future.”

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

DHL Express turns 50!

Over the last 50 years DHL Express has gone from strength to strength. The celebrations are already well underway to ensure this milestone doesn’t pass unnoticed!

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n 1969 the first man walked on the moon and three men founded a company that would change the way the world did business. Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom and Robert Lynn’s pioneering spirit saw DHL expand from a few men couriering documents in a banged up Plymouth Duster and on flights from San Francisco to Honolulu into the world’s most entrepreneurial logistics business.

Delivering in over 220 countries and territories around the world, DHL is truly the ‘Most International Company in the World’. But to build and grow a market leading global company, you need amazing employees - over 120,000 employees to be more precise! From DHL’s pioneers who established the company’s footprint in countries around the world in the early 1970s to staff members who bring their best to work every day, DHL intends to celebrate with these employees in style this year.

The celebrations are already underway on a global and local level; even the company’s global partnerships for 2019 reflect DHL turning the big 5-0! It was the “Summer of ‘69” – the year that inspired rock ‘n’ roll legend Bryan Adams’ ode to an era, and the year that saw the founding of the DHL brand, too. Now, half a century later, Adams is partnering with Deutsche Post DHL Group on his “Shine A Light” world tour. The ultimate rock ‘n’ roll roadies, DHL is managing the transportation services for Adams and his band across more than 20

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countries throughout 2019. DHL employees can get in on the action too as Bryan Adams will be headlining the DHL 50 Year Anniversary Party in September and employees can enter a competition to be in with a chance to win a VIP experience at the concert at its global HQ in Bonn, Germany.

HIGHS AND LOWS There have been some memorable moments in DHL’s journey and it was important that these moments were

remembered at this pivotal point in the company’s history. As part of the celebrations, DHL has created a book entitled 50 Years which was gifted to every employee across the globe. This comprehensive record of the history of DHL covers the global transformation of the company as well as the challenges faced on the journey. It also highlights some of the great lengths that DHL employees have gone to in support of their customers, from delivering thousands of pieces of the knocked Berlin wall to collectors across the world, to an enterprising courier storing 100kg of shipments in his apartment for four years until the Balkans War had ended and then delivering the shipments to the astonishment of the recipients. As the DHL company song

FROM HUMBLE WHITE AND RED BEGINNINGS IN SAN FRANCISCO TO A BRAND REVAMP TO VIBRANT YELLOW AND RED, DHL IS NOW A RECOGNISABLE BRAND ACROSS THE GLOBE. DHL CONNECTS PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD AND ENABLES INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TO THRIVE.

Adrian Dalsey with his well worn Plymouth Duster in the 1970s

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

goes, ‘there ain’t no mountain high enough’ to stop DHL employees displaying their passion for their customers.

This unbelievable account of the 50 years of DHL also recounts turbulent and scary times in the company’s history; the advent of the fax machine that put the innovativeness of the DHL workforce to the test, the terrifying near death experience of three DHL pilots when their aircraft was hit by a land-to-air missile over Iraq in 2003 or DHL being the ONLY aircraft in the skies over Europe during the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud in 2010. It has been five decades of ground-breaking achievements.

CHARITABLE CELEBRATIONS As part of the DHL’s Got Heart initiative, employees across the world consistently go the extra mile both inside and outside of work to contribute to charitable causes.

DHL Ireland wanted to play its part, while also celebrating turning 50. Working in partnership with Kevin Rowe Events, the company is planning the glitziest birthday party of them all - its very own OsKaRs event. Over 50 employees from across the business will be participating in recreating some of the most iconic movie moments from the last 50 years. The films will be pre-recorded and shown at the 50th birthday bash in September where over 400 guests are expected. An awards ceremony will take place on the night to recognise the Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Movie etc. and all of this will be done to raise money for DHL’s charity partner Pieta House.

And just in case DHL Ireland employees weren’t full to the brim of celebrations, the branch has been running an internal competition throughout the year where one lucky employee will win an all-expenses paid trip for two to San Francisco

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DHL Express Ireland has made the list of Great Places to Work for the last five years

DHL employees getting involved in the celebrations

- where it all began for DHL 50 years ago. All the proceeds from this competition will also be donated to Pieta House and the winner will be announced at the 50th birthday bash in September.

From humble white and red beginnings in San Francisco to a brand revamp to vibrant yellow and red, DHL is now a recognisable brand across the globe. DHL connects people across the world and enables international business to thrive. The global brand has thrived in unknown situations, including major growth and expansion, natural disasters, global training platforms and the impact of technology on the world of business. Through all of this, one factor remained consistent – DHL’s superstars. DHL considers its people to be the best in the business and no matter where the future takes the company, DHL customers are in safe hands, with DHL ensuring it delivers the best logistics solution for their needs. Here’s to the next 50!

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DUNDALK CHAMBER OVERVIEW

Destination

Dundalk Following the launch of the M1 Corridor Project in February aimed at highlighting the advantages of the Drogheda-DundalkNewry region, it is an exciting time for Dundalk Chamber and surrounding areas.

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Vibrant thriving

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DUNDALK CHAMBER OVERVIEW

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uXi Biologics’ recent ₏325m investment in a state-of-the-art biologics facility in Dundalk is a major departure for the region, which already has thriving clusters in many sectors, including life sciences, international financial services and food manufacturing.

With its technological centre of excellence based around Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), the Dundalk area plays host to world-leading companies such as Coca Cola, Diageo, PayPal and Heinz. There is active collaboration between industry and research centres in third-level institutions such as DkIT and Dublin City University.

Impressive indigenous businesses have grown out of Dundalk and the North East to compete successfully on the international stage, including Horseware and Glen Dimplex. The region has a long history of fostering enterprise and innovation through business supports and incentives and has a vibrant start-up community.

Beautiful scenery such as at Carlingford Lough gives the region the edge in terms of attracting tourism and topclass amenities including Marshes Shopping Centre and the fastest broadband connectivity in the country make it the ideal place to visit and live.

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M1 Corridor motors ahead A new era has dawned for the M1 Corridor region, which has compelling advantages in comparison to Dublin or Belfast as a location for investment, including unrivalled access to talent and superior connectivity.

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ast February, Minister for Planning, Housing and Local Government Eoghan Murphy TD launched the M1 Corridor Project in Bellingham Castle, Co Louth, further to the region being included in the Government’s Project 2040 plans in 2017.

The M1 Corridor region connects the island of Ireland’s two largest cities, Dublin and Belfast, with its two largest towns, Dundalk and Drogheda at its centre. Involving several years of collaboration between stakeholders, the M1 Corridor Project is a business-led initiative, spearheaded by Dundalk Chamber, Drogheda & District Chamber, the Mill Enterprise Hub and Oriel Hub Enterprise Centre.

“The region has so much going for it that is just sitting there unused. We want to change the mentality from turning right when leaving Dublin Airport to turning left,” says Paddy Malone, PRO of Dundalk Chamber, whose accountancy practice in the town is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.

“The Brexit vote in 2016 was one of the impetuses for us to start work on this project as well as the national 2040 plan. We could see scope for British companies which need a presence inside the EU to come to Dundalk, particularly in the area of financial services.

“Tier 1 banks in the IFSC need a huge amount of back-up, but companies specialised in supporting

At the launch of the M1 Corridor Project were: Shona McManus, President of Drogheda and District Chamber, Paddy Malone, PRO of Dundalk Chamber & Chairman of Dundalk Enterprise Development Company Limited (Oriel Hub), Pat McCormick, President Dundalk Chamber of Commerce and Minister Eoghan Murphy

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them employing 30-40 people don’t need to be in the City of London or the IFSC. Co Louth has the fastest broadband connectivity in Ireland and, located only 20-35 minutes drive from Dublin airport, fulfils that brief.”

The region is already a recognised centre of excellence in the area of payments, mirroring the payments corridor ‘Transaction Alley’ in Atlanta in the US. PayPal was the first significant investor in this space, setting up operations in 2012 and now employing around 1,000 people at the Xerox Technology Park in Dundalk. It was since joined by National Pen, which has now over 1,000 employees there and other companies followed. “There is definitely a cluster effect in international financial services, with over 38,000 people now employed in this area in the region,” notes Malone.

The M1 Corridor Project aims to highlight the enormous potential of the region to two other target markets – foreign direct investment (FDI) companies generally, which are looking for Greenfield sites, and any company already established in Ireland which is expanding and needs a second location.

IDEAL FOR FDI “Any new FDI company coming into the country faces high commercial property prices and housing challenges in Dublin. Commercial property prices are much lower in the M1 Corridor region than in Dublin and there is an abundance of available, high quality office, industrial and warehousing facilities here,” notes Malone.

A prime example of the investor-ready property solutions available is the IDA Science and Technology Park, Dundalk, where China’s leading biologics medicine manufacturer WuXi Biologics is investing €325m in a new biopharmaceuticals contract manufacturing facility.

“WuXi Biologics was a major win for Dundalk, but it didn’t happen by accident. The infrastructure in Dundalk is unrivalled and over 100,000 sq ft of offices are currently being built there,” says Malone. Specialised in sophisticated packaging for pharmaceuticals, Wasdell was

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DUNDALK CHAMBER OVERVIEW

the first company in this space to announce an investment in Dundalk, 18 months ago. It is creating 300 jobs at the site.

“For 15 years, there was nothing but lampposts in this business park, which IDA Ireland established in 2003 specifically for pharmaceuticals. Wasdell was the first sign of things changing and WuXi Biologics arrived a couple of months later,” says Malone. “WuXi Biologics is really significant because the average wage it is paying would be about twice the average wage at PayPal. But as well as high quality jobs for graduates, the investment is creating jobs from cleaners right up to executive level as this will be WuXi Biologics’ European headquarters. It is spectacular what it can do for the region. Everything is in place for growth in biopharmaceuticals in Dundalk.”

PRIME POPULATION Access to talent was a major pull factor for WuXi Biologics, which is already in discussions with Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkiT) about matching skills needs to its degree courses.

Around 35% of the population of the island of Ireland lives within 60 minutes of Dundalk/ Drogheda. With a student population of 87,000, the region accounts for 58% of all university enrolments in 12 higher education institutions in the Republic of Ireland.

“This is a bigger region than Dublin within a population of 2.3 million people with an hour’s drive from Dundalk/Drogheda, compared to 2 million people within an hour from O’Connell Street in Dublin City Centre. There are seven universities within an hour’s drive from Drogheda/Dundalk, including Queen’s University, Belfast,” says Malone.

“Over 80,000 people commute out of the 30 minute catchment area of Dundalk/Drogheda, mostly to Dublin. This is half the working population of the region and an incredible waste of resources. Every day you see a huge line of traffic heading into Dublin and a relatively empty laneway in the other direction. There is a strong case for the ‘reverse commute’, particularly for companies looking for a second site.”

INDIGENOUS INITIATIVE Neglected for many years compared to other parts of the country, the North East region has mostly relied on indigenous business for development, which has made companies based there very innovative and outward-looking.

In the 1960s, Dundalk was built on four pillars: cigarettes (the Carroll’s factory), shoes (Clarks and Connolly’s), drinks (Macardles, Harp, Budweiser

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2.25m

Population within 60 minutes of Dundalk/Drogheda

66%

Aged between 20-44 years Over

80,000

Resident workers who commute out of the catchment

406,000 The number of thirdlevel graduates living in the region, 40% of the country’s total

250,000 Non-national residents, 47% of foreign language speakers in Ireland

30/60

Minute drive from both Dublin and Belfast

Office space ¼ the cost per sq m

than Dublin city and ½ the cost of Dublin suburbs

86%

Of the region has access to highspeed fibre-enabled broadband

3

International airports, accounting for 80% of all-island air traffic.

4

Deep sea ports within 60 minutes

and Carlsberg) and heavy engineering (Great Northern Railway). The biggest indigenous company in the region is Glen Dimplex and it is also the location for Fyffes, the world’s largest importer of bananas and Anglo Irish Beef Producers, the world’s largest producer of meat.

“Because of The Troubles, the four pillars pretty much went. However, a number of engineering companies were spawned from Great Northern Railway, including Bellurgan Precision and Multihog, and the Great Northern Distillery is now on the site of the former Harp factory,” says Malone, who was personally instrumental in keeping the Harp site alive. “Businesses here have always been innovative; the border forced us to think differently.

This attitude meant that as a region we managed to create a lot of industries ourselves.”

Examples include Horseware Ireland, which produces all the tackle and clothing required for equine pursuits and sells worldwide and Matthews Coaches, which won the contract for the London 2012 Olympics and was the first coach company to introduce an alcoholic tracking device for drivers.

The former Carroll’s factory is now part of DkIT’s impressive innovation centre, which has led to the creation of a number of outstanding businesses. Among these are STATsports, the world’s leading provider of GPS trackers for sport, which sealed a £1bn deal with the US Soccer Federation in 2018 and cybersecurity start-up Nova Leah, which recently secured €2.25m in venture capital investment.

The M1 Corridor has a long history of fostering enterprise and innovation through business supports and incentives. There are incubation facilities and business supports for start-ups and established businesses at The Mill, Drogheda, Ardee Business Park and RDC, Oriel Hub and Creative Spark in Dundalk.

“Dundalk had to reinvent itself and has done so successfully. Brexit will have a hugely negative impact, but there will be winners and the M1 Corridor region is perfectly placed to get something out of it,” says Malone.

President of Drogheda & District Chamber Shona McManus echoes Malone’s passion and belief in the region. “The M1 Corridor Project is a truly ground-up initiative that has been developed and supported by local stakeholders across the region.

The M1 Corridor has enormous potential and offers unrivalled advantages to FDI, second-site and startup companies, including a growing and educated population, easy access to three airports and four deep-water ports and faster broadband speeds than the IFSC.”

For more information go to www.m1corridor.ie or email hello@m1corridor.ie.

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our many events and engaging with the Chamber regularly,” notes McCormick.

Launch of the Dundalk Chamber’s Shop Local Gift Vouchers in November 2017

Keeping money local Dundalk Chamber has launched a new bespoke cloud-based package to record Shop Local Gift Vouchers, following their increasing popularity among local retailers.

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undalk Chamber President Pat McCormick is delighted that over €2m worth of Shop Local Gift Vouchers have been sold to date since their launch two years ago, which he says is an unbelievable amount of money being put back into the local economy. Plans are in place to sell another million this Christmas.

“These sales would not have happened if it had not been for the goodwill of the business community who see the value in keeping money in the locality,” says McCormick.

“The remarkable success of the vouchers has benefited over 330 local shops and businesses, which

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signed up to redeem the vouchers.

Dundalk Chamber is confident that this initiative will continue to boost retail opportunities locally and help sustain jobs into the future.” The Chamber makes no money from the sale or redemption of these vouchers.

The Dundalk Chamber Shop Local Gift Vouchers have no expiry date and do not charge any commission to the shops redeeming them – unlike with other vouchers and cards, the shops get the full amount back. Dundalk Chamber charges each shop €50 per annum to be part of this scheme. “The vouchers have been a real asset to our chamber as they have led to retailers attending

SECURE SYSTEM Dundalk Chamber has brought in a cloud-based voucher system to help with the recording of the Shop Local Gift Vouchers. It’s a secure, webbased platform that will make the management of chambers voucher sales and the redemption process extremely simple.

All the data is stored in an easyto-use system with the core elements being: vouchers, companies, shops, sales, redemptions and reports. A central dashboard lets you know where you are at any point in time with key data and you can see exactly what you have in stock, sold, yet to be redeemed and stock out at resellers.

The system enables you to check the financials at the click of a button, seamlessly telling you what your bank balance should be. There is a full bank reconciliation function and the ability to see what values of sales you have sold to each company you deal with over time.

There is currently an add-on app in development to run side by side to assist with sales and redemptions during busy periods before and after Christmas, which can also be used out on site at shops to do redemptions.

The system is currently in use in Dundalk and Mullingar Chambers with two other chambers in the process of committing to the bespoke package. It is available in two versions, Lite and Platinum, and can be tailored to suit individual chamber needs, where possible.

If you would like to learn more about this bespoke package to record your existing vouchers or if your chamber is thinking of introducing a voucher system please contact Brenda McGeeney in Dundalk Chamber on Tel: 042 933 6343 or email brenda@dundalk.ie or visit www.shoplocal.dundalk.ie

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The Right Mix Marshes Shopping Centre’s range of brands, food and beverage offering, community focus and bright environment has helped shape its success.

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ocated just miles south of the border, Marshes Shopping Centre has bucked retail footfall trends with a 2.1% increase in shoppers to four million in 2018. In the critical Christmas period, footfall rose by 1.1% on December 2017.

“Even with fluctuations in consumer sentiment, overall personal spending has been positive in the past couple of years, boosted by an increase in numbers employed in the region,” said Manager Seán Farrell. “With Brexit looming, Marshes has implemented a marketing strategy for 2019 that has local customer needs at its core.”

The centre has an active community experience programme, involving customers and retailers, and featuring

regular events such as Little Monsters kids club and support of various charity events. The Marshes Community Fund, which supports local causes put forward by customers, recently donated 20 Chromebooks to Dundalk’s St Louis Secondary School.

As a central destination, there is a duty and responsibility to serve in ways which go far beyond retail.

Opened in 2005, Marshes was built at a cost of €150m, and hailed as one of the most modern, high quality shopping environments in Ireland, aimed at transforming the commercial heart of Dundalk.

The 350,000 sq ft centre sits on a 28acre site with over 1,700 surface car park spaces and directly employs over 900

EVEN WITH FLUCTUATIONS IN CONSUMER SENTIMENT, OVERALL PERSONAL SPENDING HAS BEEN POSITIVE IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS, BOOSTED BY AN INCREASE IN NUMBERS EMPLOYED IN THE REGION. people. Key tenants include Penneys (the largest Primark outlet in the North East), Dunnes Stores, Carraig Donn, H&M, Peter Mark and Starbucks across 46 units, which also accommodate a number of local traders.

There will always be an attraction to bricks-and-mortar shopping in a pleasant environment.

marshes SHOPPING CENTRE

Opening Hours Monday

9am-7pm

Tuesday

9am-7pm

Wednesday 9am-8pm Thursday

9am-9pm

Friday

9am-9pm

Saturday

9am-7pm

Sunday

11am-6pm

Telephone: (UK 00353) 042 93 95250 Website: www.marshesshopping.com Marshes Shopping Centre, Marshes Avenue, Dundalk

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An illustration of the WuXi Biologics factory of the future

Factory of the future takes shape A major boost to the North East and foreign direct investment in Ireland generally, WuXi Biologics’ state-of-the-art biologics facility in Dundalk, Co Louth, is on track for commercial production by 2020.

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ork is on schedule for the new €325m state-of-the-art WuXi Biologics facility in Dundalk, Co Louth, to be complete in time to begin test production runs in April 2021. At 48,000 sq m in size, the new facility will be the world’s largest single-use biologics manufacturing plant. Steelworks are now near complete following siteworks involving moving some 200,000 tonnes of earth, the pouring of 2,900 cubic metres of concrete and the erection of near 7,000 tonnes of steel on site since the beginning of the year.

Headquartered in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China, and with three manufacturing sites located in Wuxi, Shanghai and Suzhou, WuXi Biologics is the main player in China’s biologics services market. The company also holds leading market positions globally and is quoted on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

WuXi Biologics works with 200 partners worldwide, including 13 of the 20 largest global pharma companies. The company’s mission is to accelerate and transform biologics discovery, development and manufacturing to benefit patients worldwide. With world-class research expertise, state-of-the-art technologies and access to proprietary single-use and flexible scale-out manufacturing technologies, WuXi Biologics helps partner companies

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identify candidate drugs for the full spectrum of disease areas.

“The Dundalk project is moving at ‘WuXi speed’ and we are enormously pleased with progress to date,” says WuXi Biologics Ireland Site Head and VP Manufacturing Brendan McGrath. “We are on target to have all of the buildings weather tight by January 2020. That will enable us to move ahead with the installation of the processing plant and equipment to bring us into full commercial production on schedule by 2022.”

The rapidly advancing schedule will see the number of construction workers on site rise to 500 by year-end. Peak construction employment on the project is expected to reach 2,000.

“Our rapid progress has been made possible by the performance

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IB PARTNER PROFILE: DUNDALK CHAMBER OVERVIEW

of our partners Wills Bros, Jacobs Engineering, IPS and a number of other contractors who are working with us on the facility,” says McGrath. “We have enjoyed tremendous support from IDA Ireland and Louth County Council as well as from the local community and this is greatly appreciated.”

EUROPEAN INVESTMENT The Dundalk facility is WuXi Biologics’ first European manufacturing investment outside of China and represents a major vote of confidence in Ireland as an international centre of excellence for the fast-growing biotechnology industry. The Dundalk facility is WuXi Biologics European manufacturing investment outside China and represents a major vote of confidence in Ireland as an international centre of excellence for the fast-growing biotechnology industry. It will have the capability to run multiple production batches simultaneously to deliver biologics medicines at a lower cost than traditional systems can provide.

“The significance of biologics for the future of medicine was grasped

by IDA Ireland two decades ago and has helped create the rich biologics ecosystem which today makes Ireland a global hub for the production of these medicines,” McGrath explains.

Dundalk’s location was an important factor in its selection for this exciting new investment

by WuXi Biologics. Its strategic location on the M1 motorway links it directly to Ireland’s two largest cities, Dublin and Belfast, both less than 90 kilometres away. In addition, some of Ireland’s largest towns including Swords, Drogheda, Dundalk, Newry and Armagh are within easy reach.

This places the new campus at the heart of economic activity on Ireland’s east coast.

The key requirements of the international biopharma manufacturing industry include the availability of a highly-skilled workforce; a stable industrial and business environment; access to

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Brendan McGrath, Site Head and VP Manufacturing, WuXi Biologics Ireland markets and suppliers through a sophisticated transport and logistics infrastructure; proximity to leading third-level education institutions, and the availability of a suitable site with the right support infrastructure.

Dundalk is in the happy position of being able to fulfil all of these requirements.

Companies located in Dundalk are within easy reach of 10 universities and third level colleges; three international airports serving 290 destinations, an intercity rail service, an uncongested motorway, deep seaports, and 35% of Ireland’s young and highly educated workforce.

The availability of a shovel-ready greenfield site in Dundalk acquired from IDA Ireland was another key factor in the decision to locate in this country.

BIOLOGICS MEDICINES Biologics are drugs that are developed within living cell cultures and manufactured in bioreactors from genetically engineered microbes. One of the key differentiating features of the Dundalk campus will be the deployment of single-use and flexible scale-out manufacturing capability.

“The growing sophistication in the development of highly specialised biologics medicines often involves the manufacture of relatively small quantities of highly specialised drugs,” McGrath explains. “Generally, it is neither practical nor economical to manufacture small volumes of specialist biologics medicines in traditional large-scale biopharma facilities. But the scale-out technology and processes which we will operate on the Dundalk campus will allow for cost-efficient scale-out of biologics production from small to large volumes as required.”

Drugs produced at the facility will be manufactured on a contract basis for some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. “As a contract and manufacturing business, we currently count over 50% of the world’s leading biopharma companies as customers,” says McGrath. “Reflecting our commitment to breakthrough innovation in supporting the production of new medicines at effective cost, we are working with about 12% of all the currently known large molecules in the global biologics pipeline, while also actively pioneering technologies for continuous production processes. This is laying the foundations for exciting biopharma innovation in Dundalk.”

WuXi Biologics will employ 400 staff in Dundalk when it enters full production in 2022. Recruitment for senior roles has already commenced and mainstream recruitment is planned to begin later this year.

“A greenfield biologics campus presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for great talent to join us to develop a full-scale integrated capability to produce some of the world’s most innovative biologics medicines,” says McGrath. “We are inviting experienced local and international talent to consider if the WuXi Biologics operations in Dundalk, or indeed in China, might provide the exciting career opportunities and challenges they are seeking at the leading edge of biopharma innovation and production.”

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Riding high

Tom MacGuinness, owner of Horseware Ireland, talks about his innovative global equestrian products business which has grown out of Dundalk, Co Louth.

Q: When and why did you establish Horseware Ireland?

A: I established Horseware Ireland in 1985 but it was a culmination of years of development and hard work. My family owned a riding school in Dundalk and I’ve always been very interested in both horses and the way the world works. In the early 1980s, I figured, if we could send a man to the moon, we can do a better job than the horse rugs of the time which were always falling off, getting dirty and ripping. I set out to create a blanket that wouldn’t slip, didn’t leak and wouldn’t make the horse sweat. I taught myself to sew and my wife and I developed a prototype rug at our kitchen table. I’ve been developing equestrian products ever since.

Q: How did the business grow and develop over the years?

A: Our most famous and well-loved product is the Rambo Original rug, which revolutionised the equine industry with the introduction of Ballistic Nylon. There are many imitations now as it’s

the best rug a horse can get but we use a very specific Ballistic Nylon, called N66, exclusive to Horseware Ireland. It is this unique element that ensures the rug’s strength and durability. The iconic Rambo Original turnout was a revolution in the design, fit and quality of horse rugs and that really helped to drive the business to where it is today. One of the best things about this is that the Rambo Original continues to be produced here in Dundalk and is exported around the world, to countries like North America, the UK, Sweden, Germany, and Australia.

The company is run closely by my family and I, ensuring the same passion and drive from when we first started. We’ve expanded the range of products we offer over the years and have acquired a number of businesses to drive our growth.

For example, in 1997, I acquired Triple Crown Custom, an American company known for producing a fantastic range of the highest quality horse blankets.

This label is doing very

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Tom MacGuinness, owner of Horseware Ireland well for us and we’ve big plans for it in the future.

We’ve grown to employ over 700 people, with facilities in Ireland, Cambodia, China, and North Carolina.

Q: How important is innovation and what is your approach to this?

A: What sets Horseware Ireland apart is how we constantly strive for innovation. This is reflected across all of our product lines, from our Rambo rugs, to our growing clothing lines, therapy ranges and our range of products for the pet sector. All of our products continue to be designed and developed here in Dundalk and we’ve

THE COMPANY IS RUN CLOSELY

BY MY FAMILY AND I, ENSURING THE SAME PASSION AND DRIVE FROM WHEN WE FIRST STARTED.

won numerous awards for our ground-breaking, innovative products.

I am still involved in the business and work closely with the R&D team to explore new ideas and concepts. One of the products we’re launching this autumn is our new Amigo Reflectech. This turnout is made from a strong 1200D polyester with a waterproof and breathable outer and reflective yarn woven into the polyester outer. We made this rug so people are able to see their horse in lowlight conditions.

Whether it is a phone’s flash or the headlights of a car, the reflective weave is clearly visible from a distance or close-up.

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IB PARTNER PROFILE: DUNDALK CHAMBER OVERVIEW

An Active Partner Nearly 70 years in business, Malone & Co is at the heart of the community in Dundalk, Co Louth and dedicated to working closely with its clients to address their problems.

E

stablished by Jim Malone in 1950, accounting firm Malone & Co has been run by his son Paddy Malone since 1996 with a strong commitment to the SME sector in the North East and to giving back to the local community in Dundalk.

Jim was Secretary of Dundalk Chamber and Paddy has also served in various positions since 2000.

“Our philosophy has always been that the client’s problems were ours. We believe in finding solutions and being proactive. The old saying of a problem shared is a problem halved,” says Paddy.

Paddy trained in the international practice of Arthur Andersen, the world’s largest accounting firm, specialising in taxation. He has a BComm from University College Dublin, is a Fellow of The Institute of Chartered Accountants and an Associate of the Institute of Taxation. Having also spent several years in Dublin working in a top tier firm, Paddy has maintained a strong working relationship with former colleagues.

The expertise he has brought with him to his own Dundalk practice has enabled the firm to identify and address issues early.

“The firm continues to employ the same attitude it had at the beginning. It is here to be an active partner by working with clients to find solutions,” he says. “An example of this is our answer to the new problem of Brexit, offering advice and support as accredited advisors for InterTrade Ireland and Louth Local Enterprise Office.”

many importing and exporting on a daily basis – Paddy believes strongly in preparing for Brexit as comprehensively as possible, keeping in mind the obvious budget constraints that all SME businesses face.

As the majority of the firm’s clients are based in the North East with close proximity to the Northern Ireland border – and with

The practice is licensed to carry out audit and therefore offers a full range of accounting and audit services.

Warning: The cost of your repayments may increase

Paddy Malone Chartered Accountant, Malone & Co.

Dundalk Credit Union Supporting Business - Supporting YOU.

*Loans subject to status. Lending Criteria and Terms and Conditions apply. Dundalk Credit Union Lts. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

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Your national TEAM BUILDING and TRAINING partner

· Website: www.TeamBuild.ie · Email: info@teambuild.ie · Cork: 021 202 1047 · Dublin: 01 539 4875 · Galway: 091 396 356

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TEAM BUILDING

Time to bond Clara Delea, Marketing Executive at Celtic Careers, outlines the benefits of team building and highlights various activities which the staff at the recruitment firm have tried out for themselves.

T

hrough teamwork, organisations accomplish the overall objectives and goals of the business. It is a meeting of minds that ignites endless possibilities.

There are examples of great visionaries in history whose determination and drive got their idea off the ground but you can be sure it was a team that carried it through.

Team building has endless benefits. It allows teams to get to know each other and it builds bridges through departments within larger companies. It solidifies relationships and trust between two or more people working together.

It develops problem solving skills by improving communication. It raises morale and a sense that work is an enjoyable place to be. Ultimately it increases idea generation and productivity.

There are a wide range of possibilities when it comes to introducing team building to your workplace and it doesn’t have to make a big dent on the budget. For regular in-house team building, there is a diverse selection of low-cost options you can try out. If you are planning something outside the office, there are some excellent locations you can venture to. Don’t be afraid to try something different and be creative. Here are seven tried and tested activities guaranteed to get your team collaborating, interacting, competing and working as a team while having loads of fun.

TEAM BUILD Based in Dublin and Cork (Bandon), Team Build is a team building and training powerhouse operating across Europe, the Middle East and Far East. It strives to match the unique needs of every team and offers an impressive spread of activities and training. Events can be tailored, so if you need something specific for your team you can create your own combination of activities or day of events. Team Build also runs training activities in specific areas such as sales, HR and leadership.

JENGA WITH A TWIST This activity takes the classic game of Jenga and adds another dimension. Draw up a list of 54 questions. Personal questions work well for a game aimed at team bonding like this.

Examples include: What skill would you like to master? What’s the best way to start the day?

What’s worth spending more on to get the best? Pick a brick from anywhere on the stack and carefully pull it out. Have a look

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GIVE US YOUR PEOPLE, WE’LL GIVE YOU BACK A

TEAM

EVEREST PROGRAMME TEAM BUILDING, LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT Call: 095 42101 Visit: www.DelphiAdventureResort.com/teams

BENEFITS ENHANCED HEALTH & WELL BEING

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CLAIM A FREE TRIAL FOR YOUR WORKPLACE No contracts. No delivery charges. No problem.

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TEAM BUILDING

under the brick for a number from 1 – 54.

Answer the corresponding question. Place the brick on top of the stack to continue building the tower up and avoid knocking it over.

This game is great for team members getting to know each other on a personal level and encouraging communication.

DELPHI RESORT Situated along the Wild Atlantic Way in the heart of the stunning Delphi Valley, Co Galway, Delphi Resort hosts a fantastic range of activities for your team including kayaking, high ropes courses, archery, bog obstacle courses and climbing. The friendly staff at the resort make this location a pleasure to spend the day there. The games encourage responsibility, identify strengths, build trust and create a unity among employees at different levels within your business.

GO BEYOND ADVENTURE ‘INTO THE WILD’ This fantastic company hosts adventure holidays in various locations in Europe. You can delve into a wide variety of team challenges at an idyllic location in the Wicklow hills. The team building day consists of two parts. During part one, teams will be tasked with completing several challenges such as river bridge building, raft rolling and swamp crossing. Teams will compete against each other to gather as many points as possible. The challenges are aimed at unlocking skills and are designed to promote personal and team development, problem solving, collaboration and creative thinking.

During part two, teams learn essential ‘natural living’ skills for surviving in the wild – a refreshing change from Microsoft Excel and key performance indicators in the office. The company also offers an exciting overnight option where team members can stay in Nordic tipis or in tree tents.

DUBLIN BARISTA SCHOOL Chances are there are a few coffee lovers on your team. What better way to bond as a team than by having fun learning how to create your favourite caffeine fix. Team members will learn a variety of brewing methods, taste the creations and go head to head in a latte art competition. Don’t underestimate the skill and challenge involved here – team members will improve organisational skills, attention to detail and the standard of coffee in the office after this will be at another level.

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The team at Celtic Careers trying out ‘Jenga with a Twist’

TEAM BUILDING HAS ENDLESS BENEFITS. IT ALLOWS TEAMS TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER AND IT BUILDS BRIDGES THROUGH DEPARTMENTS WITHIN LARGER COMPANIES. IT SOLIDIFIES RELATIONSHIPS AND TRUST BETWEEN TWO OR MORE PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER.

GAOL QUEST IN CORK CITY GAOL The City Gaol is a location steeped in history and a unique and sensational way to spend your team building day. Your group will first get a tour of the gaol and learn about the spine-chilling stories buried in the walls. After this your team will compete against each other and carry out a series of challenges that will get everyone collaborating and thinking on their feet. The winning team is awarded with a prize and everyone is served some delicious food and drinks.

HEADS-UP Created by US TV host Ellen Degeneres, this is an app you can download for just a euro. To play, choose a category. Options include Superstars, Blockbuster Movies and Impressions. The guessing team member puts their phone to their forehead with the screen facing to their team. Their partner or team members then have to give the guesser clues as to what’s on the screen without saying the word(s).

If you guess correctly, you tilt the phone down and the next title comes up. If you want to pass, tilt the phone upwards. The app records your team mates’ reactions, which makes for more giggles afterwards.

This game is great for encouraging creative thinking and strengthening morale.

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LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICES #MAKINGITHAPPEN

WWW.LOCALENTERPRISE.IE

Representatives from Local Enterprise Offices, Local Authorities, Enterprise Ireland and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation joined Minister Heather Humphreys and Minister Pat Breen for an event in Russborough House to mark the fifth anniversary of the Local Enterprise Offices.

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LEOs operated on a partnership basis by Enterprise Ireland and Local Authorities

18,640

Net jobs created by LEO-supported clients

5,080

MAKING IT HAPPEN In April, Minister Heather Humphreys T.D. and Minister Pat Breen T.D. hosted an anniversary event in Russborough House, Co. Wicklow to mark five years of the Local Enterprise Offices.

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Projects approved for funding by the LEOs

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ver the past five years, every one of the 31 Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) has played a key role in fostering entrepreneurship in its area and is very much at the fulcrum of the local business community, according to Oisin Geoghegan, Chair of the network of the LEOs. “I truly believe that LEO supports are best-in-class in both a European and global context. LEOs are working closely and collaboratively with Enterprise Ireland, through the local authority system, to achieve ambitious targets through the rollout of enterprise development plans that collectively incorporate a national, regional and local focus,” he says.

“One of the keys to the success of the LEOs in my opinion is that while they operate at local level – which is essential for local businesses – the services are coordinated nationally and best practice is continually promoted.”

FIRST STOP SHOP Lots of people come to their LEO with an idea for a new business. They all need guidance, knowledge and sound advice on how to go about exploring their idea so they can determine its potential.

“It is very important that we foster an entrepreneurial culture in Ireland which provides a supportive environment for anyone who has the potential to start their own business,” says Geoghegan. “People need to have easy access to support services so they can make informed decisions about whether or not to start a new business and how to go about it. The first step

a81.5m Direct financial assistance to LEO clients

17,587

People who have taken a Start Your Own Business course with LEOs

144,830

People who engaged in training with their LEO

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LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICES #MAKINGITHAPPEN

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in accessing these supports is through the LEO.” All 31 LEOs have reported a consistently strong demand for their services and this is reflected in the take-up of courses such as Start Your Own Business, mentoring and other training programmes. In the past five years, over 144,000 people have participated in LEOrun training programmes and over 40,000 people have received business mentoring.

“Some clients approach their LEO because they’re not clear on what supports are available to them, so in some cases they just need information – a ‘signposting’ service and an introduction to the organisation that can help them,” explains Geoghegan.

“In many cases, the LEO has a programme or an initiative that will be of real value to the business, whether that is by providing funding directly or enabling the business to access funding, or a management development programme or networking opportunity.

“Being an entrepreneur and running a small business can be a lonely place and the LEO is a real lifeline to enable owner-managers to network and plug into the local business support ecosystem.”

ADDRESSING GAPS The most successful entrepreneurs are those that are acutely aware of the skillsets that are needed in their business, in Geoghegan’s experience. So, identifying knowledge and skills gaps, and addressing those gaps, is crucial to achieving business success.

“If you’re standing still in business today, you’re moving backwards,” he notes.

“Technological changes in the business environment are massively changing the focus and skills needs for SMEs. Small businesses, in particular, have to keep ahead of the curve or they will lose out or even worse, get left behind.”

An example of this is in marketing, which has been revolutionised in recent years with the advent of social media, online trading and digital communications. This is a gap the LEOs have been helping small companies bridge with social media training, mentoring, the trading online voucher scheme and digital marketing expertise.

ACCELERATING GROWTH One of the key metrics LEOs are focused on is enabling and accelerating the growth of businesses so that they can progress into the Enterprise Ireland portfolio. The LEO will typically support an eligible business financially

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752

Companies were approved for Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters grants

40,577

People who availed of specialist mentoring through their LEO

5,227

Companies were approved for Trading Online Vouchers

7,371

Entries to Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur Competition

1,687

Applications were submitted for Microfinance Ireland loans

432

Companies availed of the LEAN for Micro programme through LEOs

until it reaches ten employees, at which time it may then be eligible for further Enterprise Ireland supports.

“While not all small businesses will become global players, some do, and an increasing number of LEO-funded companies progress into Enterprise Ireland,” says Geoghegan. In 2018, 171 LEO-supported companies employing 796 staff transferred to Enterprise Ireland.

That’s up from 80 LEO-supported companies the year before.

EVOLVING OFFERING Given the fast-changing business landscape, the supports on offer through LEOs are continually reviewed and updated. Brexit supports have been hugely important over the past two years and comprise: scorecards to help with planning, one-to-one mentoring, specialist training and consultancy, financial supports and access to worldwide support networks.

New initiatives that have gained a lot of attention and have proven to be hugely successful include the Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition and the Trading Online Voucher scheme.

One other programme rolled out over the past two years is LEAN for Micro, which has been extremely helpful for small businesses that want to become more lean, efficient and competitive, according to Geoghegan.

“While the majority of programmes and services provided by LEOs are available throughout the country, all LEOs are continually innovating locally to find solutions to address local challenges, for example sectorspecific programmes or initiatives to encourage SMEs to internationalise,” he notes.

“Looking to the future, I expect this evolution in our offerings to continue over the next five years. We will be increasingly focusing on helping SMEs to innovate, become more competitive and productive; to exploit technology and embrace green competitiveness and sustainability.”

Local Enterprise Offices are operated on a partnership basis by Enterprise Ireland, Local Authorities, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, supported by the Government of Ireland.

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FACILITATORS OF CHANGE Kildare: PESTLE & MORTAR

Sonia Deasy, co-founder and CEO, Pestle & Mortar

Cork: ACADEMY CRESTS

Phil Cone (on the right) with family members and the team at Academy Crests.

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Much-needed supports and advice from their Local Enterprise Offices in recent years has helped these four very different companies to grow, expand and shift their strategies.

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o-founder and CEO of global skincare brand Pestle & Mortar Sonia Deasy discovered that Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are not just about helping people to start businesses, they are also proactive in supporting entrepreneurs to grow and scale existing companies.

In 2017, after appearing on QVC in the US, which led to supply deals with Bloomingdales, she was approached by Jacqui McNabb, Head of Enterprise at LEO Kildare, who asked what areas of the business she needed to expand.

Following McNabb’s advice, she successfully applied for a Business Priming Grant and subsequent Business Expansion Grant, both of which provided financial support that enabled and facilitated fast growth. “At the time we employed five people. The Priming Grant helped us to employ the next eight. It provided us with a contribution towards the cost of the first year’s salary for each staff member,” says Deasy. “That was hugely helpful, because we knew that if we got them for a year we could hold onto them.”

The Business Expansion Grant was also a game-changer, allowing the company to install a high-tech phone system and upgrade hardware to high performance Apple Mac computers, vital for a business that does its own design work.

“LEO Kildare helped reaffirm that we had something special. They really believed in the business and knew we could go global,” says Deasy.

Now supported by Enterprise Ireland, Pestle & Mortar employs nearly 30 staff and has sales around the world. It was through LEO Kildare that Deasy entered and won the overall title at the National Enterprise Awards this year.

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he Lean for Micro programme delivered through the LEO in Cork City has made a huge difference to Academy Crests, which provides specialist embroidered and printed branded clothing to schools, clubs, companies and individuals. Owner and Managing Director Phil Cone first enrolled in the course in 2015, after moving to new premises in Northpoint Business Park in Cork, and the company took part in it again in 2018 and 2019 as he was so pleased with the results.

“Lean was a process that allowed me to step back and have a fresh, critical look at the business and where I could find efficiencies in how we were doing things and where and how we were spending money,” says Cone.

Involving the staff of ten people from the start, some great ideas emerged.

“We moved machines, we moved how we did things and we changed the workflow. A change that might save one person five minutes doing one particular job is huge if it’s a job they do 50 times in a day,” notes Cone.

By implementing more efficient production processes, improving time management and communications and reducing waste, Academy Crests made annual savings of almost €50,000.

“We changed a lot of things last year and we’re still tweaking to refine the process. One notable benefit of making all of the changes so far is that we’ve ended up removing a lot of our processes. Whereas we used to have two units, we’re now wholly contained in the biggest unit and I’m subletting the other one,” says Cone.

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Galway:

SKYLARK ELECTRIC ATTIC STAIRS

Peter Morrow, founder, Skylark Electric Attic Stairs

Westmeath:

DEAD CENTRE BREWING

Liam Tutty, founder, Dead Centre Brewing

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eter Morrow, founder of Skylark Stairs, contacted his LEO in Galway for help in 2016 as his company’s UK sales had dropped to zero for two months after the Brexit vote. Up until that time, 95% of sales came from the UK. A Business Priming Grant, a Start Your Own Business Course and a Business Expansion Grant, all delivered through his LEO, gave him the vital back-up he needed to diversify and eventually move to his current, larger premises. Further to being granted a US patent in August of 2016, he secured an order to send a shipping container of product to a US stairs specialist. The LEO helped him to build capacity for that large order, encouraging him to participate in its Lean for Micro initiative. “A suggestion the Lean consultant made about a component that took me 32 minutes to make cut the time to 15 minutes. What it has done for the business has been incredible,” says Morrow.

Skylark Stairs launched in the US in January 2017, supported by LEO funding to develop and localise its website. Today 25% of its sales come from the US. The UK market, which has since rebounded, now accounts for 50% of Skylark Stairs’ business – with geographic diversification mitigating risk. A further 25% of sales come from Australia.

On the back of a recent LEO national ad campaign featuring the company, Skylark Stairs was spotted by a German TV producer who did a piece on it. Within one hour of the piece airing, Skylark Stairs had received 100 email queries from Germany, a market it was not previously in. This extended to Austria and Slovenia as the show aired there too.

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inancial supports from LEO Westmeath since 2016 have allowed founder of Dead Centre Brewing Liam Tutty to turn redundancy into a positive and make his craft brewery idea a reality.

A Business Priming Grant enabled him to secure a long lease on a former pub overlooking the Shannon in Athlone. He developed plans for a microbrewery, bar and pizza restaurant, including installing a glass wall so that customers could see where their beer was made. The grant also meant he could hire staff.

Last February, the Dead Centre Taproom opened and the brewery became fully operational this summer. This is allowing Tutty to move from contract brewing to producing all of his own beer and retaining much more revenue. Exporting to the UK is also now on the cards.

“The UK was always part of our projections but exporting only makes sense once we’re producing the liquid ourselves because the overheads are higher than with contract brewing,” Tutty explains.

A Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters Grant from his LEO in 2018 enabled Dead Centre Brewing to take a stand at the Alltech Craft Beers & Food Fair in Dublin. “The market I’m in is very competitive. Being able to take a stand at Alltech got me in front of international buyers and distributors,” says Tutty. “There have been so many things from the LEO along the way that have made a big difference. I can honestly say I would not be where I am at all today without all of this support.”

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LOCAL ENTERPRISE OFFICES #MAKINGITHAPPEN

BREADTH OF ACTIVITY

WWW.LOCALENTERPRISE.IE

Local Enterprise Offices deliver innovative programmes and initiatives in communities across the country, as these images show.

The Local Enterprise Village at the National Ploughing Championships in Carlow (17 to 19 September, 2019) will be home to more than 30 LEO-supported companies, with products and services aimed at rural and farming communities. Pictured (from left to right) are: Anna May McHugh, NPA Managing Director with Alexandra Kieldanowicz of Irish Socksciety, supported by LEO Galway.

Ahead of Brexit, the first ‘Prepare Your Business for Customs’ workshop took place in Cavan in February 2019. These workshops are taking place throughout the country in 2019 with details of upcoming courses available from LocalEnterprise.ie/Brexit. Pictured at the Cavan workshop (from left to right) were: Mark Christal (representing Enterprise Ireland), Minister Paschal Donohoe TD, Marcella Rudden (LEO Cavan), Minister Heather Humphreys TD, Tommy Ryan (Cavan County Council) and Minister Regina Doherty TD.

The hugely successful Food Academy Programme is now in its sixth year and this LEO training initiative for food start-ups is run in partnership with SuperValu and Bord Bia. Pictured (from left to right) are: Oisin Geoghegan, Chair of the network of LEOs, Minister Michael Creed TD, Tara McCarthy, CEO of Bord Bia, Minister Pat Breen TD and Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of SuperValu.

Professional rugby star Josh van der Flier (pictured) was unveiled recently by the LEOs as the Ambassador for the Student Enterprise Programme. When Van der Flier was a student at Wesley College in Dublin, he participated in the programme, which now involves more than 26,400 students from 490 Irish secondary schools.

IBYE (Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur) is a a2m investment competition organised by the LEOs every year, supported by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Enterprise Ireland, Google and local authorities.

The 2019 IBYE National Final takes place on 15 September, involving 24 finalists from across the country aged between 18 and 35.

National Women’s Enterprise Day (NWED) is taking place on 17 October and the 2019 theme is ‘Making It Happen’. This will be the 13th annual NWED with events being organised by every LEO around the country.

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At the publication of the 2018 Annual Employment Survey, the Local Enterprise Offices announced that there were now more than 36,000 people in Ireland employed by over 7,000 LEO-supported companies. Pictured (from left to right) are: Paul Reid (representing the County and City Management Association), Mark Christal (representing Enterprise Ireland), Minister Heather Humphreys TD, Minister Pat Breen TD and Oisin Geoghegan (representing the network of Local Enterprise Offices)

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

Calling all young professionals Nominations are now open for the Lincoln Recruitment Irish Early Career Awards 2019.

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he Lincoln Recruitment Irish Early Career Awards 2019 in association with KBC Bank Ireland were launched in July as the only business awards targeted at the young professionals of Ireland.

Ireland has the youngest population in Europe with one-third of the population under 25 years of age, so entries are expected to be high.

Winners will be celebrated at a blacktie event on 24 October 2019 at The Ballsbridge Hotel, Dublin.

Now in its fourth year, the awards aim to identify, acknowledge and reward young professionals (aged 35 or under on 31 December 2018), in Ireland that are making a difference

in their chosen career. With over 400 nominations last year, each year these awards prove how Ireland’s young workforce is capable, highly adaptable, educated and committed to achievement.

Ireland has one of the most educated workforces in the world (the share of 30-34 year-olds in Ireland with a third-level qualification is 53.5% compared to an EU average of 40%). Ireland ranks in the top 10 globally for quality of education system and university education that meets the needs of a competitive economy.

Launching the awards, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys TD, said: “I welcome the launch of the 2019 Irish Early Careers Awards as an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of brilliant young professionals in Ireland. Innovation

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(L-R) Fergal O’Riagain, KBC Bank Ireland’s Director of Products, Minister Heather Humphreys, Emma Walker, Winner of Special Recognition Award 2018 and Shay Dalton, Managing Director of Lincoln Recruitment is a core quality for the success of business across sectors.

Therefore, I encourage employers to make nominations, to support innovative excellence and champion the bright young minds within their organisations.”

Lincoln Recruitment is the title sponsor for the second year, and as an industry leader in talent selection for Ireland’s young professionals, this is a natural and welcomed step for the company’s continued involvement.

Shay Dalton, Managing Director of Lincoln Recruitment and chairman of the judging panel, said: “This is the fourth year that Lincoln has partnered with the Irish Early Career Awards and we are, once again, delighted to support this event as the title sponsor.

“The Lincoln Recruitment Irish Early Career Awards provide a platform for formal recognition of the individuals themselves and also for organisations which promote and

develop these young professionals.

The success of the outstanding professionals we have moving up through the ranks of Irish business should be acknowledged, and at Lincoln we want to celebrate that.”

KBC Bank Ireland has also returned as Premium sponsor for 2019. KBC Bank Ireland’s Director of Products Fergal O’Riagain commented: “This is the third year that KBC has partnered with the Irish Early Career Awards and we are, once again, delighted to support as platinum sponsor. At KBC, we understand the importance of nurturing young talent and our sponsorship of the Early Career awards allows us to celebrate blossoming talent and support those who have made a significant impact in their chosen industry at a young age.”

Nominate through the website www.earlycareerawards.ie

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IRISH LAW AWARDS 2019

THE LAW OF THE LAND

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ver 100 Irish law firms, legal practitioners and in-house legal teams descended upon the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road for the eighth annual black tie gala Travelers Irish Law Awards.

Hosted by Newstalk’s Ivan Yates, the awards set out to identify, commend and honour excellence and achievement in Irish Law. The awards showcase the best of Irish law firms, legal practitioners and in-house legal teams throughout the four provinces of Ireland.

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored

by RSM, was presented to The Hon. Ms. Justice Catherine McGuinness in recognition of her remarkable contribution to the legal profession in Ireland over the last 40 years.

Cashel solicitor Cian O’Carroll won the Special Merit Award for his unrelenting quest for the rights of women negatively affected by cervical cancer misdiagnoses.

The coveted Law Firm of the Year, sponsored by

LEGAL PROFESSIONALS CONTINUE TO RAISE THE BAR AT THE 2019 TRAVELERS IRISH LAW AWARDS. Travelers, was awarded to Philip Lee, one of Ireland’s leading and fastest growing commercial law firms which also has offices in London, San Francisco and Brussels.

The firm is a recognised leader in several areas of law, including competition, construction, data, employment, energy, environmental, EU, intellectual property, PPP, procurement, real estate and tax.

Commenting on the win, Managing Partner Philip Lee said: “I am immensely proud of our people and the firm we have built. Winning Law Firm of the Year 2019 is a significant acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication I see every day in the office. Our lawyers are ranked as top tier experts in their fields. They use their expertise to shape society and make a difference. By working with some of the most interesting organisations from both the private and public sectors, we can attract brilliant people and grow our practice areas. I look forward to continuing to grow the firm with my fellow partners long into the future.”

Pictured are Terry Dinnigan of Travelers with Alice Whittaker, Philip Lee, Sophie O’Connor and John O’Donoghue of Philip Lee, recipients of the Law Firm Of The Year award, sponsored by Travelers Insurance.

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IRISH LAW AWARDS 2019

To find out more or get in touch to discuss your insurance and risk management solutions, please visit travelers.ie InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

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LIST OF 2019 WINNERS

HEADLINE SPONSOR: TRAVELERS INSURANCE

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ravelers was the lead sponsor of the Irish Law Awards 2019 as well as the sponsor of the highly coveted Law Firm of the Year award.

Vice President of Travelers Ireland, Terry Dinnigan, commented: “All of us here at Travelers are extremely proud to be involved this year as the lead sponsor of the Irish Law Awards. Congratulations to all the recipients, your excellence, hard work and dedication has been recognised by your peers in the legal profession.”

Travelers is part of The Travelers Companies, Inc. group – the third largest commercial property casualty insurer in the US and has been protecting businesses in Ireland since 1993.

According to Travelers, a law firm’s success and good name depend on its ability to confidently prepare for the future. The team at Travelers understands and appreciates that the legal profession is going through a variety of changes. Technology advances, regulatory shifts and revised working structures are bringing fresh opportunities, but also new risks. With this in mind, Travelers ensures it has a deep understanding of the ever-changing legal sector – as well as the knowledge, practical experience and international scope to support firms through these changes.

Travelers’ services are shaped around insuring the requirements and ambitions of today’s law firms.

The firm’s enlightened approach to risk and enhanced level of claims management assistance helps customers to thrive and continue to do what they do best whatever the future may hold. Travelers offers an array of insurance solutions for the legal sector to protect its property and employees, along with its Management Liability products including its CyberRisk solution.

Law Firm of the Year

Law Firm Innovation Award

PHILIP LEE

RICHARD GROGAN & ASSOCIATES SOLICITORS

(sponsored by Travelers):

Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by RSM):

THE HON. MS. JUSTICE CATHERINE MCGUINNESS

Special Merit Award: CIAN O’CARROLL

(sponsored by Practice Evolve):

Law School of the Year: SCHOOL OF LAW, NUI GALWAY Law Student of the Year

(sponsored by Bloomsbury Professional):

MARK O’BRIEN O’REILLY, UCD

Corporate/Commercial Law Team/ Lawyer of the Year

Legal Executive of the Year: DEIRDRE O’DONOVAN, MCCARTHY + CO.

BEAUCHAMPS

Personal Injury/Medical Negligence Law Firm/Team/Lawyer of the Year

(sponsored by Courtsdesk):

Criminal Law Firm/Lawyer of the Year: MICHAEL J. STAINES & COMPANY Diversity & Inclusion Law Firm of the Year: MCMAHON & WILLIAMS SOLICITORS Employment Law Firm/Team/ Lawyer of the Year

(sponsored by Sunday Business Post):

ANNE O’CONNELL SOLICITORS

Connacht/Ulster & Munster Employment Law Firm/Team/Lawyer of the Year: ALASTAIR PURDY & CO SOLICITORS Leinster (incl. Dublin) Employment Law Firm/Team/Lawyer of the Year: ANNE O’CONNELL SOLICITORS Excellence & Innovation in Client Service (sponsored by Ormond Meeting Rooms):

TRACEY SOLICITORS

Excellence & Innovation in Client Service Dublin: TRACEY SOLICITORS Excellence & Innovation in Client Service Leinster: JOHN A. SINNOTT & CO SOLICITORS Excellence & Innovation in Client Service Munster: JRAP O’MEARA

(sponsored by MedLaw):

ORPEN FRANKS SOLICITORS (MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE DEPARTMENT)

Pro Bono/Community Law Firm/ Lawyer of the Year: PUBLIC INTEREST LAW ALLIANCE (PILA) Public Sector In-House Legal Team/ Lawyer of the Year: ESB LEGAL DEPARTMENT Service Provider to the Legal Profession: LEAP LEGAL SOFTWARE Sole Practitioner of the Year (sponsored by LEAP):

BERNADETTE BARRY, BERNADETTE BARRY & CO

Sole Principal of the Year (sponsored by LEAP):

SUSAN COSGROVE, COSGROVE GAYNARD SOLICITORS

Law Book of the Year: RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES, LAURA FARRELL Probate Law Firm/Team/ Lawyer of the Year: SWEENEY MCGANN SOLICITORS Law Firm of the Year (Regional Recipients) (sponsored by Travelers)

Excellence & Innovation in Client Services Connacht/Ulster: O’DONNELL MCKENNA

Connacht/Ulster Law Firm of the Year: MACSWEENEY & COMPANY

Excellence in Marketing & Communications

Dublin Law Firm of the Year: REDDY CHARLTON SOLICITORS

(sponsored by Financial Times):

DILLON SOLICITORS

Family Law Firm/Team/Lawyer of the Year: DEIRDRE BURKE, BURKE LEGAL Connacht/Ulster & Munster Family Law Firm/Team/Lawyer of the Year: MACSWEENEY & COMPANY Dublin Family Law Firm/Team/ Lawyer of the Year: KEITH WALSH SOLICITORS Leinster Family Law Firm/Team/ Lawyer of the Year: DEIRDRE BURKE, BURKE LEGAL In-House (Non-Civil Service/Public Sector) Legal Team/Lawyer of the Year: RACHEL CURRAN, ULSTER BANK Lawyer of the Year: SINEAD LUCEY, FREE LEGAL ADVICE CENTRES (FLAC) Connacht/Ulster Lawyer of the Year: DAVITT GERAGHTY, GERAGHTY & CO., SOLICITORS Dublin Lawyer of The Year: SINEAD LUCEY, FREE LEGAL ADVICE CENTRES (FLAC)

Leinster Law Firm of the Year: POE KIELY HOGAN LANIGAN SOLICITORS Munster Law Firm of the Year: KEATING CONNOLLY SELLORS SOLICITORS Litigation Law Firm/Lawyer of the Year: CIARÁN LEAVY, LAVELLE SOLICITORS Connacht/Ulster Litigation Law Firm/ Lawyer of the Year: GERAGHTY & CO., SOLICITORS Dublin Litigation Law Firm/ Lawyer of the Year: CIARÁN LEAVY, LAVELLE SOLICITORS Munster Litigation Law Firm/ Lawyer of the Year: SWEENEY MCGANN SOLICITORS Property Law Firm/Team/ Lawyer of the Year: PHILIP LEE Connacht/Ulster Property Law Firm/Team/ Lawyer of the Year: BLAKE & KENNY

Leinster Lawyer of the Year: ALVARO BLASCO, BLASCO SOLICITORS

Leinster (incl. Dublin) Property Law Firm/ Team/Lawyer of the Year: PHILIP LEE

Munster Lawyer of the Year: THOMAS DOWLING, HOGAN DOWLING MCNAMARA

Munster Property Law Firm/ Team/Lawyer of the Year: PIERSE FITZGIBBON SOLICITORS

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IRISH LAW AWARDS 2019

SPONSORED CATEGORY WINNERS

LAW STUDENT OF THE YEAR Law Student of the Year recognises and celebrates the academic legal achievements and other overall achievements of a student studying law in a third-level college or university.

WINNER: Mark O’Brien O’Reilly, UCD SPONSOR: Bloomsbury Professional Ireland provides top quality legal and tax information and scholarship in a range of formats including online services, books, ebooks and looseleafs. Its carefully curated book list includes some of the cornerstone texts of Irish legal scholarship such as Kelly: The Irish Constitution, and McMahon and Binchy’s Law of Torts.

Damien Murran of RSM with The Hon. Ms. Justice Catherine McGuinness and Ken Murphy of the Law Society of Ireland

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Eoin Molloy of Bloomsbury Professional with Mark O’Brien O’Reilly of UCD

EXCELLENCE & INNOVATION IN CLIENT SERVICE This award honours a firm which has implemented a programme or an initiative which demonstrates innovation and a commitment to continued client care.

WINNER: Tracey Solicitors

Peter Moloney of Ormond Meeting Rooms with Marie Crawford of Tracey Solicitors

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SPONSOR: Ormond Meeting Rooms is a premium meeting room facility providing a 24/7 service to the legal profession.

Conveniently located adjacent to the Four Courts, it can cater for up to 60 people in a variety of different room layouts with superb facilities, state-of-the-art technology, free wifi and exceptional service.

This award recognises and honours an individual lawyer’s outstanding contribution to the law in Ireland over a significant period of time. The nominee should have an exemplary reputation in the legal profession and have significant accomplishments in the law to his or her credit.

WINNER: The Hon. Ms. Justice Catherine McGuinness SPONSOR: RSM Ireland is one of the fastest-growing accounting firms serving the midmarket and is part of the RSM network, the sixth-largest global network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms in over 120 countries. Its multidisciplinary team has an established track record of working with solicitors to add value and provide solutions to clients.

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IRISH LAW AWARDS 2019

LAW FIRM INNOVATION AWARD The Law Firm Innovation Award seeks to recognise a law firm that has broken new ground (in terms of innovation) in the delivery of legal services.

WINNER: Richard Grogan & Associates Solicitors SPONSOR: Practice Evolve has the same goal today as when it first installed its first license – to provide a quality legal practice management software, value for money and excellent support.

The company’s promise is to continue to evolve with ever-changing technology, keeping firms competitive in the legal landscape.

Professor Sean Carroll of MedLaw with Claire Flavin and Rachel Liston of Orpen Franks Solicitors

PERSONAL INJURY/MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE LAW FIRM/ TEAM/LAWYER OF THE YEAR This award honours a law firm, a team within a law firm, or an individual lawyer who has demonstrated a sense of excellence in the provision of legal services relating to personal injury/medical negligence matters.

Dave McCarthy of Practice Evolve with Michelle Loughnane and Richard Grogan of Richard Grogan & Associates Solicitors

CORPORATE/COMMERCIAL LAW TEAM/ LAWYER OF THE YEAR This award honours a corporate/commercial law team or lawyer who has demonstrated a sense of excellence in the delivery of corporate/commercial law services during recent times.

WINNER: Orpen Franks Solicitors (Medical Negligence Department) SPONSOR: Medlaw is one of Ireland’s leading medicolegal firms boasting the largest panel of medical experts covering all specialties nationwide. Medlaw has a unique knowledge of and access to medical experts and ensures the fastest possible and most appropriate appointments.

WINNER: Beauchamps SPONSOR: Courtsdesk offers digital search, tracking and analytics of all tiers of the Irish courts, including the only searchable archive of the Circuit Court, and the most advanced search and alerts for Irish judgments on the market. It is also the first company in the world to supply a full Companies Registration Office search which links related litigation to corporate profiles.

Emer Moriarty Crolley of Beauchamps and Enda Leahy of Courtsdesk

Jarvis Joslyn of LEAP Software with Bernadette Barry & Co

John Donigan of LEAP Software and Susan Cosgrove of Cosgrove Gaynard Solicitors

SOLE PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR/ SOLE PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR Sole Practitioner of the Year honours an outstanding sole practitioner. The winner demonstrated in an exemplary manner an exceptional achievement or achievements in law. Sole Principal of the Year rewards a firm of solicitors headed by a sole practitioner demonstrating in an exemplary manner an outstanding achievement or achievements in the law.

WINNERS: Bernadette Barry, Bernadette Barry & Co (Sole Practitioner of the Year) and Susan Cosgrove, Cosgrove Gaynard Solicitors (Sole Principal of the Year) SPONSOR: Focused on the needs of sole practitioners and small to mid-sized law firms working across the common areas of law, LEAP helps law firms across Ireland to streamline their processes, work more efficiently and provide a better quality of service to their clients.

Providing everything you need to run a law firm.

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IRISH LAW AWARDS 2019

“The work for which this acknowledgment is given was not done by me, it was a team effort led by Siobhan Ryan in particular, a brilliant solicitor in our office. Being honest though, we were just fortunate that the truly extraordinary Vicky Phelan asked us to represent her. Without her courage and determination, others would have died without knowing and without having the opportunity to put in place essential care, educational and financial provision for children or their own care.

“Along then came Ruth Morrissey, a woman who believed the word of a Taoiseach that said she would not have to go through what Vicky had endured before her. Yet ultimately, she spent 40 days at the trial against the State and the labs.

“So in accepting this award, and acknowledging the great work of the legal team, I do so on behalf of our brave and terribly wronged clients. For those women and their families, those grieving and those yet to grieve, I know you all join me in wishing them well in the uncertain and frightening future that they and their much-loved families face.”

JUDGING PANEL

SPECIAL MERIT AWARD

C

ashel solicitor Cian O’Carroll picked up the Special Merit Award for his significant and noteworthy contribution for his quest for justice for the women negatively affected by cervical cancer misdiagnoses.

On the night Cian delivered a moving speech:

DR EAMONN G. HALL CHAIRMAN OF THE IRISH LAW AWARDS JUDGING PANEL BART DALY MANAGING DIRECTOR, FRONTIER LEGAL RESEARCH LTD. ARRAN DOWLING-HUSSEY BARRISTER, ARBITRATOR, ADJUDICATOR AND MEDIATOR STUART GILHOOLY PARTNER, H.J. WARD & CO. SOLICITORS & PAST PRESIDENT, LAW SOCIETY AOIFE HENNESSY PARTNER, SWEENEY MCGANN RICHARD HAMMOND PARTNER, HAMMOND GOOD, SOLICITORS & NOTARIES PUBLIC & COUNCIL MEMBER, LAW SOCIETY OF IRELAND ROBERT HERON GENERAL COUNSEL, DUNNES STORES EAMONN KENNEDY FORMER DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AFFAIRS, RTÉ ROSEMARIE LOFTUS JOINT MANAGING PARTNER, BOURKE, CARRIGG & LOFTUS FIDELMA MCMANUS PARTNER, BEAUCHAMPS COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TEAM HENRY MURDOCH BARRISTER AND WRITER ANNE NEARY SOLICITOR AND MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT MICHAEL V. O’MAHONY SOLICITOR & NOTARY PUBLIC, PAST PRESIDENT LAW SOCIETY MICHELE O’BOYLE PARTNER, O’BOYLE SOLICITORS, SLIGO & COUNCIL MEMBER, LAW SOCIETY OF IRELAND

Dr Eamonn Hall, Chairperson of the Judging Panel with Cian O’Carroll of Cian O’Carroll Solicitors

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KEVIN O’HIGGINS PRINCIPAL, O’HIGGINS SOLICITORS, PAST PRESIDENT LAW SOCIETY KEITH WALSH PRINCIPAL, KEITH WALSH SOLICITORS

InBUSINESS | SUMMER 2019

09/08/2019 10:02

Dundalk Chamber Shop Local Gift Voucher Scheme

â‚Ź2 million in vouchers accepted in over 330 outlets

Sales of over

Is your Chamber is thinking of starting a voucher scheme?

Our New Cloud based software and app can reduce admin time by over 70%

Contact Dundalk Chamber Brenda@dundalk.ie 042 933 6343 www.shoplocal.dundalk.ie www.facebook.com/DundalkShopLocal

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my gift to the world Together, we can continue to create a future that is fair for everyone. And make a world without poverty our legacy.

For more information contact OXFAM Ireland Tel: (01) 672 7662 Email: friends@oxfamireland.org Oxfam Ireland is a member of Oxfam International, a world-wide development organisation that mobilises the power of people against poverty. Charitable co. limited by guarantee. Reg. No. 284292, CHY5988

www.oxfamireland.org/legacy

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LIFESTYLE: innovation

INNOVATION NATION InBUSINESS looks at the latest innovations and technologies that are shaping our future.

In this issue: WELLNESS PRODUCTS.

NEOM ORGANICS WELLBEING POD The Neom Organics Wellbeing Pod has been designed to deliver the perfect amount of scent in minutes with the power to fragrance your home and improve your wellbeing as well as humidifying the air around you.

The sophisticated and elegantly designed pod creates high frequency vibrations that break down the water and oil into tiny particles which are effectively diffused into your surroundings.

The 100% natural essential oil blends help you achieve better sleep, less stress, a mood lift or more energy. Equipped with low energy LED lights and a night light, the Pod is perfect for both day and night. neomorganics.com

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LIFESTYLE: innovation

AMAZON is rolling out machines to pack customers’ orders, automating thousands of warehouse jobs.

WITHINGS SLEEP TRACKING MAT

SMARTMAT INTELLIGENT YOGA MAT SmartMat is a portable, responsive yoga mat that communicates to a smart device via in-mat, high precision sensors, recognising your yoga practice and offering real-time feedback and personalised instruction.

The product guides you through a series of audio and visual indicators, offering adjustments on position, balance, alignment and other important aspects of your practice.

Withings Sleep is a Wi-Fi enabled pad that fits under the mattress. The device tracks your sleep patterns, including sleep duration and interruptions; light, deep and rapid-eyemovement phases; and heart rate and snoring. It then sends the data to the brand’s Health Mate app, where you can analyse how well you’re snoozing each night. The mat also charts breathing disturbances over time and provides educational content to help users recognise the signs of sleep apnea. withings.com

Female-gendered digital voice assistants such as SIRI and ALEXA entrench gender-bias, according to a report by Unesco. The report puts forward ideas to begin closing the growing digital skills gender gap.

GOOGLE is restricting Android updates to Huawei amid a US trade war with China. The restrictions will not apply to people who already own Huawei products.

ILC DOVER, the company responsible for the protective suit worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin for the moon landings, has opened a new manufacturing facility in Cork, creating 70 jobs.

smartmat.com

PHILIPS SOMNEO SLEEP AND WAKE-UP LIGHT The Sleep and Wake-Up Light gradually turns on before the alarm, mimicking a natural sunrise to stimulate your body. www.philips.co.uk

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LIFESTYLE: travel

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LIFESTYLE: travel

KNOW before you go

CURRENCY The Croatian currency is the Kuna.

As Dubrovnik is a popular location for cruise operators many of the shops and market stalls will accept euros but be aware that you may not get the best exchange rate and it is advisable to pay in the local currency.

Fort Lovrijenac

Cable car, Dubrovnik

ACCESSIBILITY

Lokrum Island

If you are staying in a hostel or B&B inside the city walls prepare to climb several steps to reach your accommodation (note: there are no hotels located inside the city walls). This is important to consider if you have heavy luggage or accessibility needs.

Sea kayaking, Dubrovnik

FESTIVALS If you are visiting in the summer, do not miss the world-renowned Dubrovnik Summer Festival, with music, theatre and dance performances. The festival is held every year from mid-July until the third week in August.

WEATHER June, July and August are peak season so expect large crowds and high temperatures. May and September are quieter but the restaurants and attractions are all open and temperatures are warm and pleasant.

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LIFESTYLE: books

InBUSINESS looks at the latest business books offering great insights for executives, budding entrepreneurs, and other professionals as well as some of the latest lifestyle books on the market, aimed at promoting wellness and personal development.

AN IRELAND WORTH WORKING FOR

A

century after the first Dáil Éireann, during which a new Democratic Programme was announced and then swiftly abandoned, Tom Healy, director of the Nevin Economic Research Institute, explores the economic policies of both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and meticulously shows how they failed generation after generation.

Proposing an alternative economic order for the next 100 years, An Ireland Worth Working For tackles the major challenges – technology, demographics and environment – facing the island of Ireland in a changing EU. With radical goals for work and wages, public services and taxes as well as new enterprises, Healy presents a credible vision for Ireland in the 21st century that maps out a radical path to a better future; a place where every citizen of this island can enjoy a life of dignity, security and respect.

Healy’s shared vision for Ireland is sure to ignite an island-wide debate.

YOUR TRAVEL COMPANION

Milkman

AUTHOR: Anna Burns PUBLISHER: Faber & Faber AVAILABLE: waterstones.com

Winner of the 2018 Man Booker Prize for Fiction, Milkman is set in Belfast in the 1970s but the city, much like the protagonist, is never named. It is a tale of gossip and hearsay, silence and deliberate deafness.

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AUTHOR: Tom Healy PUBLISHER: New Island Books RRP: 14.95 AVAILABLE: newisland.ie

Mediterranean Mood Food Focusing on the link between food, mood and mental health, author and AUTHORS: dietitian Paula Paula Mee Mee outlines how PUBLISHER: Gill Books a Mediterranean RRP: food plan can 19.99 improve your AVAILABLE: mental health, easons.com boost your mood and help you live a longer, healthier life.

Mee pinpoints the beneficial traits of a traditional way of eating and presents a straightforward Mediterranean Mood Food Plan (MMFP), with over 70 easy-to-prepare recipes - rich in healthy fats, wholegrain, unrefined carbs, and proteins.

With a foreword by Ted Dinan, Professor of Psychiatry at UCC, Mediterranean Mood Food also contains easy to follow advice on how to create and adapt your own MMFP as a sustainable, long-term approach to your mental and physical health.

Mediterranean Mood Food is the perfect book for anyone who wants to improve their mental health, boost their mood and live a longer, healthier life while still enjoying delicious food!

The Professional Worrier In The Professional Worrier, counsellor, psychotherapist and self-confessed worrier Stewart Geddes examines how creating greater awareness around anxiety can change the way we deal with everyday stresses. Using tried-and-tested methods developed over years in practice, Geddes has created a guide to help you improve the way you deal with everyday anxiety and challenges at work and at home. It advises on how to ultimately take control of your worry and manage its effects on your concentration, mood and self-esteem.

AUTHOR: Stewart Geddes PUBLISHER: Hachette Ireland AVAILABLE: dubraybooks.ie

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WE DON’T WANT TO SAVE CHILDREN’S LIVES Children’s lives shouldn’t need saving from entirely preventable causes. Every day tens of thousands of children worldwide die needlessly from illnesses such as measles, tetanus and diarrhoea. UNICEF wants you to help prevent these deaths. We believe that one child dying is one too many. We believe in zero and we desperately need your help.

Call 01 878 3000 or visit unicef.ie today to give your support.

Believe in zero.

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LIFESTYLE: podcasts

EAR TO THE

THE IB

What is the message of Owning It – The Anxiety Podcast?

It’s about empowering listeners who are dealing with anxiety by giving them the skills, tools and coping mechanisms that I have learned - along with lots of expert input and various perspectives - so that they can own the anxiety rather than have the anxiety own them.

Why do you think this topic is so important?

So many people are struggling with anxiety, unable to identify it, unable to cope with it and finding that it’s getting in the way of their day-to-day lives. It was crucial for me, in owning my own anxiety, to educate myself around the brain and the body and the stress response in order to feel empowered, and I want to pass that on to other people.

InBUSINESS SPEAKS TO CAROLINE FORAN ABOUT HOW HER BESTSELLING SELF-HELP BOOKS OWNING IT AND THE CONFIDENCE KIT INSPIRED HER TO CREATE A WEEKLY PODCAST OFFERING PRACTICAL ADVICE AND INSIGHT ON MENTAL HEALTH AND ANXIETY.

Who has been your most interesting guest so far?

I love hearing from other people about how anxiety has manifested for them and how they’ve managed to own it in their own ways but for me the best guests are the experts for example Orla Walsh who is an incredible dietician and Dr Rosie Plunkett who’s a psychiatrist.

GROUND

InBUSINESS RECOMMENDS THREE PODCASTS TO SUBSCRIBE TO THIS QUARTER.

MADE IN IRELAND

THE REAL HEALTH PODCAST WITH KARL HENRY Personal Trainer Karl Henry cuts through the noise and unsubstantiated facts about healthy living and tells listeners what they need to be doing to live healthier lives. He speaks to experts and provides helpful tips and practical advice on topics including mindful eating and the power of self-belief.

Is there anyone you would love to get involved?

I would love to do something with Blindboy around anxiety and men. I’m really interested in how gender plays a role in our respective experiences of anxiety and I think he’d be a very interesting guest to discuss this topic with.

What challenges do you face when making the podcast?

Definitely the technical side of things. I am so focused on the content that the tech aspect often frustrates me. I really need to take some time to up-skill so that I feel as confident about the recording and editing process as I do about the content.

What are the key ingredients that make a great podcast?

I think real human stories are essential, but also a bit of structure. I want to come away from a podcast with a few key learnings.

What can we expect from Owning It in the future?

I will probably begin to introduce topics from my second book, The Confidence Kit. This goes a little broader looking at the fear of failure, imposter syndrome, why we feel fear, the confidence gap between men and women, confidence as a skill versus a personality trait and lots more.

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NOT TO BE MISSED

HAVE YOU HEARD GEORGE’S PODCAST? This unique podcast-series by George the Poet discusses current affairs topics such as the Grenfell Tower fire, poverty and music. It’s no surprise this completely unique mix of music, news, storytelling and poetry cleaned up at the recent British Podcast Awards.

THE BUSINESS PICK

THE DAVID MCWILLIAMS PODCAST Economist David McWilliams recently launched a weekly podcast in order to make economics easy, uncomplicated and accessible in a time when economics has never been so important to all of us.

Each week, McWilliams teases out some big economic or political issue facing us, not just here in Ireland but in Europe and further afield.

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SING APO RE

TOP 10 including MALDIVES

CAM BOD IA

Canada scores highest in the ranking with strong health spending, high life expectancy, high happiness levels and low blood pressure and sugar.

OREA TH K SOU

G N I R U S A E M

PHILIPPINES Asian countries dominate the

S LAO

NUM BER

THE InBUSINESS INDEX

While rich countries feature in the top 25, there are many emerging economies that are doing better than advanced nations.

In this issue, InBUSINESS explores the findings of the Indigo Wellness Index, which ranks Ireland as the 47th healthiest country in the world.

FOUR

h h p ighes l a y a ce t GDP rankin nd , hel g ina d ctiv ity.

The Maldives comes in at fourth place despite having a GDP ranking of 169th place, proving that wealth does not equal health.

hfift 6t e h t at 1 it s with The U K, mes in f obe o o c , y s globall ate igh r back by h

The US scores surprisingly low, and sits outside the top 25, held back by poor scores on obesity and blood pressure.

ABOUT THE INDIGO WELLBEING INDEX

South Africa was ranked last out of the G20 nations due to its high rates of depression, smoking and alcohol consumption and low scores in the happiness and exercise categories.

The Indigo Wellness Index tracks the world’s healthiest countries across ten key measures. The Index is one of the first comprehensive global wellness indices to be published, covering over 150 countries. The Indigo Wellness Index draws on findings as diverse as the World Health Organisation, the World Happiness Report and public health data. The Indigo Wellness Index focuses on ten key metrics: blood pressure, blood glucose, obesity, depression, happiness, alcohol use, tobacco use, exercise, healthy life expectancy, and government spending on healthcare.

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09/08/2019 10:05

In Association With

Now Open For Nominations The Lincoln Recruitment Irish Early Career Awards in association with KBC Bank Ireland celebrate excellence and recognise the achievements of young professionals in Ireland

Visit our website www.earlycareerawards.ie/ to nominate For more information contact Event Manager Michael O’Donoghue Phone: 01 432 2224 Email: michael.odonoghue@ashvillemediagroup.com

Thank you to our 2019 Sponsors

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Future Growth Loan Scheme How do I apply for the scheme?

Complete the Eligibility Form at www.sbci.gov.ie and return to the SBCI by email/post The SBCI will assess the application and determine if you are eligible/not eligible Eligible applicants will be provided with an Eligibility Reference Number Provide the Eligibility Reference Number - along with your updated Business Plan for loans of €250,000 or more - to your preferred finance provider when completing the loan application form The SBCI is currently finalising its FGLS partners. More info will be published on www.sbci.gov.ie as soon as they are available

Who can apply?

The scheme is available to: 1. SMEs (including farmers) and Small Midcaps 2. Applicants that meet the scheme criteria

Key features of the Scheme €100,000 up to €3 million for eligible applicants €50,000 up to €3 million for eligible applicants in the Primary Agriculture sector Initial max loan interest rate of 4.5% for loans up to €249,999 and 3.5% for loans equal or greater than €250,000. Variable interest rates are subject to change Term ranging from 8 years to 10 years Loans unsecured up to €500,000 Optional interest-only repayments provided at the start of the loans

Loans can be used for Long-term investment in tangible or intangible assets

For further queries on the Future Growth Loan Scheme and assistance with the Eligibility Form, please contact applications@fgls.sbci.gov.ie or call 1800 804482

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09/08/2019 08/05/2019 10:49 15:07