34|Retail News|March 2020|www.retailnews.ie
IGBF Interview
An Appealing Proposition
As President of Appeals of the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund, Musgrave Director Sharon Buckley is very aware of the need for the Fund and the valuable work it does for those less fortunate within the grocery trade. She discusses her plans for 2020 and her hopes for the year ahead. SHARON Buckley is the latest in a line of Musgrave employees to take on the role of President of Appeals for the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund. The Musgrave Group Commercial Director is cognisant of the luminaries that have gone before her, names like Hugh Mackeown, Seamus Scally and current Musgrave CEO, Noel Keeley. “I was delighted to be asked and to take on the role,” Sharon admits. “I’m conscious that I’m following in the footsteps of many Musgrave colleagues who have been in the role over the years, most recently our new CEO, Noel Keeley. The IGBF is an organisation that we
really support as a business; we value the work of the Fund and support the events. “Way back before I joined Musgrave 23 years ago, I used to attend the Cork Ball, so I’ve been very aware of the Fund over the years. I’ve always been very conscious that the Fund is badly needed and that it does very good work. Now, as President of Appeals, I see more closely the support it provides to families and individuals and I’m even more impressed with the work that it does.” Striking the right balance One of the complaints levelled at the
IGBF over the years is that while event attendees enjoyed a great night out, they didn’t always equate the event with the work of the Fund. This was due to the fact that the charity has always been very private about the work it does, respecting the anonymity of beneficiaries. “It’s a fine balance between giving more detail on the actual support provided without identifying individuals,” Sharon muses. “I think it’s appropriate that the Fund operates in an understated way, but at the same time, I think we do need more awareness of the nature of the support the Fund provides and
