Annual Report 2019—2020
Contents Thanks to our sponsors
03
Message from the President
04
Message from the CEO
06
Board of Directors
08
Team
09
Events
10
New Members
11
Policy Advisory Panels
12
Tramore
13
Lobbying & Representation
14
Waterford Business Awards
15
Skillnet
16
EU Projects
17
The year at a glance
18
Strategic Plan 2019—2022
22
Financial Report
23
* Statistics and data in this report are for the period 26th May 2019 to 26th May 2020, except the Financial Report which relates to the period 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2019.
2
ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
Thanks to our sponsors Waterford Chamber is very grateful to members who have continued to support us, and to the many companies that sponsor all the events and initiatives organised by the Chamber during the past 12 months. We would like to thank all the companies that supported various other Chamber initiatives, advertised in our Network Magazine, and thank all the speakers and attendees at our events. We would like to thank local media Beat 102 103, Munster Express, Waterford News & Star, Waterford Today and WLR FM for their continued support.
A|P|B|S
Accounting Payroll & Business Services Ltd.
FitzGerald Life & Pensions FITZGERALD LIFE & PENSIONS THE QUAY, WATERFORD
Hi-Lite Television Productions
ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
3
Message from the President It’s time to support the Chamber
A
s one of Ireland’s longest established Chambers it has been a genuine privilege for me to serve you as President of Waterford Chamber of Commerce, in what was its two hundredth and thirty-second year. It’s been the best of times and the worst of times; I think during this uncertainty, personally and professionally, it is important to remember that while our lives have been turned upside down, there’s been good to be taken from the experience too. We’ve worked from our kitchen tables, we’ve worked online, and those have been the lucky ones, those who have still had an income. Plenty have not, plenty have lost their customers, lost their livelihood and have had to shut their doors. Though at the same time, we’ve developed a stronger sense of community, of a shared struggle, we’ve been more aware of the value of our front line workers, the importance of our neighbours and those in the community who need our support, the most vulnerable in our society. The ‘busy’ generation has been forced to step back and spend time with those closest to it. I have been involved in the Chamber since I joined the retail committee in 1996. In the 25 years I’ve worked in Waterford I have
4
witnessed significant changes in our City and county. Waterford emerged from being an industrial City to a post-industrial climate with the evolution of our tourism offering, service industry and the growth of our tech, pharma and life-science sectors. That work has not ended, nor is it diminished by recent events. But we all have our roles to play, the Chamber, Skillnet, the Council, businesses, home grown or foreign direct. We have all chosen to live, work and do business here. I firmly believe the Chamber has stood out as a leader in business over the past twelve months, particularly since March. While we have not been able to see or meet as many people as we have wished to — our customers, friends and colleagues — we have kept that important relationship between the Chamber and its members as strong as ever. Through vital and informative webinars, helping business through this pandemic, partnering with the Local Enterprise Office, endeavouring to keep some continuity of business activity, reopening at the right pace and with the correct measures taken. The Chamber has been a voice and support for Waterford business. That is why I call for businesses in Waterford to support their Chamber over the next 12 months. That
is when it will need you the most. Gerald, his team and Danette, your incoming President will make sure the Chamber plays its part. Now more important than ever is time for this ancient organisation to fulfil its promise if we are going to ‘Winter this one out’. But thoughts only become actions through people. The management, staff, board and executive of the Chamber have made these aspirations a reality but can only continue to do so with the support of the business community. If any organisation is placed and primed to chart us safely through the next few years, it is the Chamber. Only as President have I had the opportunity to witness the breadth of the Chamber’s reach. From lobbying Finance Ministers before a budget to creating new international opportunities with ambassadors, promoting mental health in business through exercise, learning how Skillnet enhances our labour force, charting a path for a new University, finding ways to boast retail, tourism, the arts, and everything in between. It has been an education and challenge. I always said I’d be glad I did it, and I am. Jonathan Earl President
ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
5
Message from the CEO
W
hat unprecedented times we are living in. Just a few short months ago we had never heard of Zoom, staff braced the morning traffic and popping out for the shopping on your lunch break was the norm. Now it’s webinars, remote working and for many a realisation that all the hustle and bustle of daily life as we knew it was not actually necessary. If anything, Covid-19 has taught us to work harder, be more efficient with our time and to take stock of our lives, being grateful for the little things. INNOVATION What has impressed me is that Waterford has actually made a huge difference during this crisis and I want to take this opportunity to compliment our business community on their sterling effort in keeping this virus at bay. It’s great to see Waterford companies like Sanofi, NearForm, Cartamundi, Azzurri, TablePay, Ordee, SEAM and others stepping up to the mark, reacting and adapting to provide innovative solutions to help combat this pandemic. The work being done in Waterford will make a real difference to
6
the lives, not only of Waterford people, but nationally and internationally. And then of course there are the projects we are working on ourselves, including the Big Little Ideas campaign where we are asking the public to be authors of their own destiny; e-waterford. com where we are endorsing a single platform for all retailers and shoppers in Waterford, and the Waterford Business Hub which is a one-stop-shop for all business related information. COLLABORATION For me, one of the best things about these past few months has been the willingness for collaboration. We see it daily among the various stakeholders, including Waterford City & County Council, Waterford Local Enterprise office, Enterprise Ireland Waterford Business Group, ourselves and Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber and many more. We have a common purpose — to beat this thing and come back better than ever. It has afforded us the opportunity to engage with our members, be more creative, to get back to basics in wanting to support our business community and to genuinely help those around us who are the lifeblood
of the economic life in Waterford. At this juncture I am appealing to businesses to support the Waterford Gift Voucher initiative. If you are considering rewards or bonuses for your staff, make a conscious effort, at a minimum, to using the Waterford Gift Voucher, ensuring that money will stay in the local economy and drive it forward in these extremely difficult times. I can’t stress enough how the business community needs your support and this is just one way you can make a difference. I certainly hope this sense of collaboration can now grow beyond the current crisis and that we can continue to work together for a better Waterford. At Waterford Chamber we have taken this time to grow relationships with our members, by keeping them informed of important updates, providing webinars to answer their questions, devising relevant training through Waterford Chamber Skillnet and of course continuing to support their business needs. 2019 CHAMBER REVIEW Membership is at the heart of our services here at Waterford Chamber and I would especially like to thank those who have stuck with us during these tough times. I ap-
ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
preciate a subscription fee can sometimes feel like a disposable expenditure, but we have been humbled by the levels of support we have received, through payments, sponsorship, emails and calls. When we began our new year after the AGM last May, we had so many plans. For the remainder of 2019 everything went according to plan and we saw record numbers attend our many events. Networking and connecting people in business is to the core of what we do and our free Business After Hours, Business Expo, President’s Lunch, Race Night, Golf Classic and Annual Dinner enjoyed large attendances. Our Toys4.0Engineers event, in association with WIT, moved from a regional event to a national one with companies coming from all over Ireland and also from the UK. We were delighted to work with Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland on our Meet the Buyer offering which brought together multi-national companies and indigenous companies with the view to do business together. We are leading the way in terms of hosting events post-Covid and Toys4.0Engineers, I am delighted to report, will go ahead on Thursday, 17th September in WIT Arena. Of course the safety of our exhibitors and attendees is our priority and we have a full event policy in place in that regard. We see this as an opportunity for businesses to have a shop window in a safe environment, in a time when networking and connecting with others is seriously restricted. We are also looking at other events in line with Government guidelines and will keep you posted on same as they arise. A lot of our work has now moved online, whether it is through the Regional Leaders Programme or our popular webinars and we will continue in this vein for the foreseeable future. Waterford Chamber is determined to add value for members, be it through our Policy Advisory
ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
Panels, Promotion, Information Briefings, Certificates of Origin, and the Member Affinity Scheme, while also focusing on training and development. Waterford Chamber Skillnet continues to grow its offering and support for industry through their various programmes and also through their customised, subsidised training across a broad range of disciplines. They too have moved online and access to training has never been easier. The fourth year of our Regional Leaders Programme will be launched shortly and because the programme is now predominately digital, we have been able to reach out to new leaders nationally and internationally who were only too delighted to come on board. The Regional Leaders Programme, with the support of Bausch + Lomb and Waterford Chamber Skillnet, offers a meaningful contribution to the future managers and leaders of Waterford, and Skillnet will be offering 25% funding again this year, reducing the cost of the ninemonth programme from €350 to a mere €262.50 which I think you will agree is incredible value for a programme of this calibre. The Waterford Shop Local Gift Vouchers have been a big priority for us in recent months as we join Waterford Council in the Shop Waterford Support Local campaign. We have seen an increase in the orders, but more is certainly needed to ensure the viability of over 160 businesses across Waterford and Tramore who accept the vouchers. Therefore, I am asking again, to please consider the vouchers and help is make a difference. THE TEAM Before concluding I need to pay tribute to my own team who worked tirelessly throughout lockdown. We are proud to say we didn’t stop our service for even one day and that is down to their commitment to Chamber and the wider business community.
As a team, we have never been more determined, creative and united and that is certainly one positive to come out of Covid. I was extremely proud to see their work rewarded by being nominated for four Chambers Ireland Awards and also for an IITD Award. We look forward to bringing even more new offerings to our members into the future and as always the team are on hand to support in any way we can. I would also like to acknowledge our outgoing President Jonathan Earl who has steered the ship with a clear vision, in his inimitable way. I want to wish him all the best in the future and thank him for being such a great support to me over the past twelve months. I would also like to welcome Danette Connolly as incoming President. As always there is plenty of work to be done and I have no doubt that Danette will hit the ground running and bring her own flair and enthusiasm to the role. Danette and I, along with the Board of Directors will continue lobbying on your behalf on pertinent issues as they arise. Our door is always open should you need our assistance in this regard. The past year has resulted in us meeting the Taoiseach and various Government Ministers, Oireachtas members and important stakeholders and the message that Waterford is open for business has been delivered loud and clear. Finally and most importantly, I would like to especially thank you, our members, who make Waterford Chamber what it is — a growing network of people who are determined to see their city and county reach its full potential — and we will be with you every step of the way. Gerald Hurley CEO
7
Board of Directors
8
Jonathan Earl President B2B Communications
Danette Connolly Deputy President Home Instead Senior Care
John McSweeney Vice President AIB Bank
Derek Lowry Secretary Almega Business Consulting
Martina Curtin Treasurer PwC
Brian Devereux EY
CiarĂĄn Cullen HandHeld.ie
Jacqui Kielthy Fieldmaster
Kathryn Kiely Glazik Ltd
Kieran Walsh The Munster Express
Ken Thomas Waterford Institute of Technology
Niall Griffin Metalman Engineering
Niall Harrington Fewer Harrington & Partners
Nuala Browne-Treacy Meraki Marketing
Pamela Pim Bank of Ireland
Paul Nolan Dawn Meats
Richard Hurley The Granville Hotel
Valerie Farrell Nolan, Farrell & Goff Solicitors
ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
CHAMBER PRESIDENT & BOARD
FINANCE, RISK & AUDIT COMMITTEE
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
CEO & STAFF
POLICY ADVISORY PANELS
CONNECTIVITY, INFRASTRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT
HEALTH & WELLBEING
VISIT WATERFORD
RETAIL
TRAMORE
FINANCE & SERVICES
EDUCATION, INDUSTRY & TECHNOLOGY
Team Gerald Hurley Chief Executive T: 051 872639 gerald.hurley@waterfordchamber.ie
Sara Mullally Skillnet Network Manager T: 051 311131 sara.mullally@waterfordchamber.ie
Lynda Lawton Operations Officer T: 051 311130 lynda.lawton@waterfordchamber.ie
Kelly Cummins Skillnet Programme Coordinator T: 051 311135 kelly.cummins@waterfordchamber.ie
Michael Lynagh Office Co-Ordinator T: 051 311132 michael.lynagh@waterfordchamber.ie Lisa Power Office Administrator T: 051 872639 lisa.power@waterfordchamber.ie Donal Nolan Strategic Projects Executive T: 051 311134 donal.nolan@waterfordchamber.ie
ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
Tramore Office Anne Grimes John Legg Sinéad Reil Johnny O’Grady Mike Walshe
9
Events EVENTS
WEBINARS
President’s Lunch 21st June 2019
Annual Dinner 8th November 2019
Golf Classic 11th July 2019
Regional Leaders Programme Lunch with Gerry Cahill 13th November 2019
Chamber Race Night 16th August 2019 Business Breakfast with Permanent TSB 4h September 2019 Business After Hours @ Tramore Golf Club 12h September 2019
Business After Hours @ Musgrave MarketPlace 14h November 2019 Women in Business Lunch 6th December 2019 Tramore Christmas Festival 5th, 13th & 20th December
Corporate Evening with AIB 19h September 2019
Dublin Event December 2019
Regional Leaders Programme Launch 26th September 2019
Business After Hours @ WIT Arena 23rd January 2020
Budget Breakfast with PwC 9th October 2019
Pre-Election Debate 4th February 2020
Toys4.0Engineers 10th October 2019
Waterford Business Awards Dinner 28th February 2020
Saudi Arabian Delegation Visit to Waterford 16th October 2019
10
Waterford Retail - A Fresh Look 3rd March 2020
COVID-19: Your HR questions answered #1 12th March 2020 COVID-19: Your HR questions answered #2 18th March 2020 COVID-19: Your banking questions answered 19th March 2020 Tax measures and supports for business during Covid-19 15th April 2020 Health, safety and well-being when working remotely 22nd April 2020 ‘Getting E-Commerce Ready’ 23rd April 2020 COVID-19: Financial Supports to Save, Stabilise, and Grow Your Business 24th April 2020 Finances during Covid-19 19th May 2020 Navigating Uncertainty with Resilience 28th May 2020 ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
New Members • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
3to5 Club Advantage Engineering Aiséirí Apex Fire The Arch Barber Artform School of Art ATPO Azzurri Sport B&M Quinlan Beautorium Beauty Salon & Training Academy Blackfriars Coffee Brady & Co Café Lucia Carron + Walsh CBD Ireland CC Solicitors City Denture Clinic Clannad Care DFDS Dr. Hemp Me Ellickson Engineering Emagine Euro Tachograph Solutions Falcon Real Estate First Citizen Finance Floral Symphony Forest Group Fumbally Exchange GDPR Audits Generations Hair Salon
ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
• The Haven Hotel • Health and Wellness International • HelloWorld Marketing, Web & Graphic Design • HiSpeed Wireless Broadband • Hive Insurance • Home from Home Creche • Irish Management Institute • Jack Molloy & Son • James Ivory Consulting • Jemma Kehoe Nutrition • Keating Construction • Kelly Refrigeration & Air Conditioning • Keystone Procurement • Kidspace Learning • Laurence Farrell • Lighthouse IT • Loko Restaurant • M&M O’Shea • Mark Kennedy & Co. Accountants • Mattress Shop Ireland • Maxi Zoo • MegaBites & An Caifé • MJ Technologies • The Natural Health Store • Palmer Auctioneers • Parker Law Solicitors • The Playhouse Tramore
• • • •
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Polly & Andy Ramen Rapid Exec Ray Wall & Co, Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors Ria White HR & Training Richmond House RoundHouse Video The Sands Hotel The Shanty & Terrace Bar Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Spirit Beauty Spa STS Group Suir Analysis Sure Valley Ventures Taylor & Associates Tir Na Nog Photos TQS Integration Tramore Furniture Treacy’s Hotel, Spa & Leisure Centre Uluru Velocity Advertising Ireland Vitamin Creative The Walls Project Whitford Properties Wild Honey Hair Salon Woodpecker Floors & Tiles
11
Policy Advisory Panels Waterford Chamber operates Policy Advisory Panels utilising subject matter expertise from within our members to inform and guide our positions and lobbying activities — ensuring we adequately represent the voice of our members. TERMS OF REFERENCE:
• • • • • • • •
Inform, guide and lobby on behalf of Chamber Define Chamber policy on various topics Visibly demonstrate relevance of Chamber Voice for business on local and national level Mentoring and advice to members Quarterly meetings Each panel will have a Chairperson Panels consist of directors and members
CONNECTIVITY, INFRASTRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT Chair: Ciarán Cullen – Handheld.ie
EDUCATION, INDUSTRY & TECHNOLOGY Chair: Ken Thomas – Waterford Institute of Technology
RETAIL Chair: Jacqui Kielthy – Fieldmaster
FINANCE & SERVICES
Sectors: • Education • Manufacturing • Technology
VISIT WATERFORD
Sectors: • Shops, Jewellers, Fashion • Motors • Pharmacies/Beauty Salons • Shopping Centres
Sectors: • Tourist attractions • Hotels • Restaurants, Cafes, Pubs • Travel agents • Arts & Leisure
TRAMORE Chair: Lynda Lawton, Waterford Chamber Sectors: • All businesses in Tramore
12
Chair: Danette Connolly – Home Instead Senior Care/Waterford Hospice Sectors: • UHW • Waterford Hospice • Human Resources • Age Friendly Business Recognition Programme • Healthy Ireland / Waterford Healthy Cities
Sectors: • Economic Development • Airport/Roads/Port/Rail • Construction, Development, Property, Estate Agents • Transport & Logistics • Architects, Engineers, Engineering Consultants • Telecommunications
Chair: Richard Hurley – The Granville Hotel
HEALTH & WELLBEING
Chair: TBA Sectors: • Accountants, consultants, insurance, solicitors • Audio visual, photographers • Banks & financial institutions • Printing, graphic design, household & interior design, web design • Funeral directors • HR, marketing, media • Services, cleaning services, security
ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
Tramore
F
ollowing the merging of Tramore Chamber and Waterford Chamber, a vibrant business network has begun to emerge in Tramore. Waterford Chamber now acts as the voice of the business community in Tramore and has enhanced the lines of communication between the business community and the Local Authority. Plans are in place to further enhance collaborative efforts in Tramore, following the success of various initiatives that we introduced throughout the year. We look forward to working in earnest to support the economic development of the town in conjunction with Waterford City & County Council. RETAIL STRATEGY REVIEW As part of our submission to the Waterford City & County Council Retail Strategy Review for Tramore we addressed concerns by businesses regarding the planned Urban Renewal Works, called for marketing and promotion of the town’s retail offering and more signage for Riverstown Business Park, as well as support for initiatives such as Taste
ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
Tramore. Based on a survey, we recommended the implementation of paid parking for the town centre, with a minimum of one hour free parking allocated to facilitate shopping with paid parking thereafter. Our submission also included all the suggestions we recevied from our Tramore members. CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL Responding to the concerns of our Tramore members about impending road closures and disruption as a result of Urban Renewal Works, and the effect it would have on the Christmas trade, Waterford Chamber, with the financial support of Waterford City & County Council, devised the Tramore Christmas Festival. Running over three weekends on the lead up to Christmas, the festival was designed to encourage footfall into the main shopping area of Tramore, encouraging people to shop locally over Christmas. Enhancing the town centre, despite the impending road works, we created a winter wonderland for the whole family. Highlights included our purpose-built Fairy House, a giant
snow globe stage, interactive parades, festival markets, Santa, snow and musical performances by schools. We also had a fairy trail with the support of retailers running along Main Street and a letter box encouraging children to post their Christmas Wishes to the Fairy Snow Queen, who collected them each evening as an opening to the parade. Tramore Christmas Festival brought thousands of people onto the streets and ultimately provided the business community with an event which brought them together to work for a common cause under the umbrella of Waterford Chamber and collectively promote shop local policy.
13
Lobbying & Representation Submissions WATERFORD CHAMBER GE2020 MANIFESTO In advance of General Election 2020, Waterford Chamber fully supported the Chambers Ireland Manifesto and its recommendations to Government therein. There were also a number of key priorities which Waterford Chamber highlighted for Waterford as the Capital of the South East Region. HEALTH Specialist resources and investment in the provision of acute care including 24/7 cardiac care, A& E and maternity services in Waterford University Hospital. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Appoint a Minister for the Regions to ensure that balanced regional development as outlined in Project Ireland 2040 is achieved. INFASTRUCTURE Delivery of infrastructure projects already promised, including North Quays, to ensure a sustainable, balanced economy.
14
CONNECTIVITY The route analysis for proposed M20 (Cork to Limerick should be extended to include alternative routes, including the upgrading of the existing N24 from Waterford to Limerick, connecting the M8 to Limerick at Cahir. TRADE & TOURISM Delivery of Waterford Airport to maximise on international trade and the growing tourist market. EDUCATION Prioritise the upgrading of WIT to University status in order to retain and attract talent, to create and sustain high quality jobs, to provide for lifelong learning requirements of the workforce and attract FDI. CHILDCARE Increased and sustained investment in childcare services and early education infrastructure so that quality childcare is affordable and accessible to working parents.
• Letter to Dept of Housing, Planning & Local Government Ref: Regeneration Application for Waterford City Centre (May 2020) • Letter to Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe regarding the Technological University of the South East (May 2020) • Waterford Chamber GE2020 Manifesto (Jan 2020) • Letter to Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe regarding the Technological University of the South East (Nov 2019) • Submission to Draft Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy (Oct 2019) • Submission to Draft Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy (Sept 2019) • Submission on Retail Strategy Review for Tramore (July 2019) • Submission on Retail Strategy Review for Waterford (July 2019) • Letter to Taoiseach reWaterford Airport Funding (June 2019) • Proposal to connect Waterford Greenway (Bilberry) to City Centre (June 2019)
ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
Waterford Business Awards
T
he Waterford Business Awards, organised by Waterford Chamber and partners Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber and WLR, celebrated the successes and contributions of thirty-nine companies who were shortlisted for the 13 award categories at a gala event in the Tower Hotel, with Bausch + Lomb being announced as Overall Waterford Business of the Year and the Queally brothers taking home the title of Waterford Ambassadors of the Year. The shortlisted businesses were nominated by the public and also through self-nomination for all eleven categories. An independent judging panel, under the Chairmanship of Frank O’Regan, and including David Breen, David M Breen & Co; Lena Murphy, WLR; Tina Darrer, Dooley’s Hotel; TV Honan, Spraoi; Louise Grubb, Q1 Scientific, Richie Walsh, Waterford Local Enterprise Office, Irial Mac Murchu, Nemeton TV and Noel Kelly, Inspired Leaders Shape Success, carried out the difficult task of selecting the finalist shortlist and category winners
ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
after a rigorous judging analysis of each application. A special presentation was also made to outgoing Chair of the Judging Panel, Frank O’Regan, to acknowledge his hard work over the past six years. Waterford City and County Council sponsored the Overall Waterford Business Award, while category sponsors include Morgan McKinley, Permanent TSB, EirGen Pharma, TOTEM, AIB Bank, Faithlegg, KBC Bank, City Enterprise Centre, PwC, Waterford Institute of Technology, Port of Waterford, Waterford Local Enterprise Office, Waterford Chamber Skillnet and Dawn Meats. WINNERS
Environmental Excellence Ashleigh Environmental Food & Beverage Cliff House Hotel Marketing Excellence Flahavan’s New Business of the Year Everett’s Restaurant Retail Excellence Fresh Food Courtyard Small Business of the Year Dunmore Adventure Centre Technology & Innovation Bausch + Lomb
Ambassador of the Year Peter and John Queally
Tourism Activity/Attraction of the Year House of Waterford Crystal
Community & Social Enterprise GIY Ireland
Training & People Development Hartley People
Corporate Social Responsibility Quish’s SuperValu
Overall Winner Bausch + Lomb
Entrepreneur of the Year Rob Leslie, Sedicii
15
The year at a glance
President’s Lunch with Paul O’Neill, Editor, The Irish Times
President Jonathan Earl with Belgium Ambassador to Ireland
Gerald Hurley with the Chairman of Ireland Saudi Arabia Business Council, Joseph Lynch and Consultant Samiha A. Alshaikh of ISABC.
Business Breakfast with guest speaker Alan Quinlan, former Irish Rugby Player and broadcaster Waterford Chamber EY Golf Classic @ Waterford Castle
President Jonathan Earl with Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, Chamber CEO Gerald Hurley and Senator Paudie Coffey
16
Indian Ambassador to Ireland H.E. Mr Sandeep Kumar during this visit to Waterford Chamber
ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
Saudi Arabia business delegation visit to Waterford
Lynda Lawton, Waterford Chamber, Jockey Rachael Blackmore and President Jonathan Earl at the Chamber Race Night.
Saudi Ambassador visit to Waterford Chamber Business After Hours at Musgrave MarketPlace
Toys4Engineers Conference & Expo @ WIT Arena
Annual Dinner at the Tower Hotel: Dan Mulhall, Ambassador of Ireland to the US; Mayor of the City & County of Waterford, Cllr John Pratt; Chamber President Jonathan Earl and John Treacy, CEO Sport Ireland.
Tramore Christmas Festival
ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
17
The year at a glance
Pre-Election Debate at the Theatre Royal
Business After Hours at WIT Arena: President Jonathan Earl, and Anne Woodworth, Chair, Symphony Club of Waterford. Launch of Chamber ‘Netwalk’
Waterford 2040 Breakfast Briefing
18
‘Waterford Retail — A Fresh Look’ at the Granville Hotel
ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
Pre-Election Debate at the Theatre Royal
Waterford Business Awards Dinner at the Tower Hotel
ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
19
Strategic Plan 2019—2022 Waterford Chamber conducts a strategic review and creates a Strategic Plan every four years, the purpose of which is to ensure a consistent service to our members. Our Strategic Plan 2019—2022 is the result of a process which involved consultation with Chamber Directors, staff and members.
The Voice of Business Strategic Plan 2019—2022
Through several workshops facilitated by RIKON, WIT School of Business, the thoughts of our members in relation to the Chamber’s role within Waterford over the next three years were extracted and a review of what the Chamber it is doing well and what can be improved upon was conducted.
OUR VALUES
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
Member Centric We are driven by our members’ needs and dedicated to the growth and success of our business community.
#1: Be the leading voice of business in Waterford.
Ambitious We take a stand with confidence. We deliver on smart actions that propel our business community, city, county and region forward. Collaborative and Diverse We value the diversity of our business community and encourage participation, inclusion and collaboration. Innovative We encourage proactive and forward thinking to overcome challenges and capitalise on opportunities.
#2: Build a dynamic and relevant organisation that delivers real value for our members. #3: Promote and enhance a vibrant, diverse and sustainable economy in Waterford, supporting the growth of existing businesses and attracting talent, investment and new enterprise to Waterford. #4: Position Waterford Chamber as a Thought Leader.
Progressive We motivate businesses to be their very best by encouraging continuous professional development through leveraging educational opportunities and connecting people, community, resources and commerce. A full copy of the Strategic Plan 2019—2022 is available on www.waterfordchamber.ie
20
ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
Financial Report INCOME STATEMENT
2019
2018
€
€
455,478
393,521
(410,751)
(357,406)
Operating Surplus
44,727
36,115
Interest payable and similar expenses
(2,761)
(2,491)
Surplus before tax
41,966
33,624
Tax on surplus
(5,405)
(1,481)
Surplus for the year
36,561
32,143
Surplus brought forward
73,227
41,084
Surplus for the year
36,561
32,143
109,788
73,227
2019
2018
€
€
Tangible Assets
654
676
Investments
908
908
1,562
1,584
Debtors
129,441
180,347
Cash and cash equivalents
361,719
240,343
491,160
420,690
(382,934)
(349,047)
Net Current Assets
108,226
71,643
Net Assets
109,788
73,227
FINANCED BY: Retained surplus
109,788
73,227
For the year ended 31 December 2019 st
INCOME EXPENDITURE
Surplus carried forward STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION As at 31 December 2019 st
FIXED ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Note to accounts: Cash at Bank and in Hand includes an amount of €100,700 (2018: €101,195) held in Bank of Ireland in connection with the sale of Waterford Gift Vouchers, €104,971 (2018: €25,852) in connection with Skillnet, and €10,732 (2018: €NIL) in connection with EU projects income. AUDITORS: MK Brazil
ANNUAL REPORT 2019—20
SOLICITORS: Peter O’Connor & Son Solicitors
21
VISION An influencer for growth, offering practical membership support, ensuring a vibrant economic environment in which to live, learn, work and do business. MISSION To be the ‘Voice of Business’ in Waterford dedicated to supporting, promoting and advocating for our members while being the catalyst for creating a vibrant and sustainable economy.
2 George’s Street Waterford Tel: 051 872639 info@waterfordchamber.ie www.waterfordchamber.ie
EDCQM
