InBUSINESS Yearbook 2017 by Ashville Media Group

THE

2017

InBUSINESS USINESS YEARBOOK

A SENSIBLE

APPROACH

CONNECTING IRISH BUSINESS

BRIEF FROM

BRUSSELS WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FROM THE EU IN 2017

CHAMBERS IRELAND CEO ON THE POLICY AREAS OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE

InBUSINESS YEARBOOK 2017

MAXIMISING MEMBERSHIP How being a Chamber member can benefit your business

Energy

Bord Gáis Energy MD Dave Kirwan on the business of energy efficiency

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2.70

@ChambersIreland

Smart 14/02/2017 15:27

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28/11/2016 12:05 15/02/2017 29/11/2016 09:47 15:10

Editor: Joseph O’Connor Managing Editor: Mary Connaughton Editorial Assistant: Susan McDermott (Chambers Ireland), Tiernan Cannon

I’M A CUSTOMER OF MANY UTILITIES AND NOTHING TICKS ME OFF MORE THAN THE NEXT BIG OFFER TO SOMEONE WHO’S COMING THROUGH THE DOOR WHEN YOU’VE BEEN WITH THEM 18 MONTHS. WE DON’T WANT TO GO THERE.”

Art Director: Alan McArthur Front Cover Photography: Jason Clarke Production Manager: Mary Connaughton

The

Smart Side

of Energy

InBUSINESS spoke with Dave Kirwan, Managing Director of Bord Gáis Energy, about putting the customer first, the business of energy efficiency and getting smart in technology.

Production Executive: Nicole Ennis

Jason Clarke

Sales Director: Paul Clemenson Managing Director: Gerry Tynan

Chairman: Diarmaid Lennon

Published by: Ashville Media Group, Old Stone Building, Blackhall Green, Dublin 7 Tel: +353 1 432 2200 Email: info@ashville.com Web: www.ashville.com On behalf of: Chambers Ireland, 3rd Floor, Newmount House, 22 - 24 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 400 4300 Email: info@chambers.ie Web: www.chambers.ie

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

ave Kirwan is not about to get complacent. The managing director of Bord Gáis Energy has seen the business transform from a semi-state company – having brought it through an 18-month long rigorous sale to UK energy giant Centrica in 2014 – to a business operating in what the Commission for Energy Regulation cites as one of the most competitive energy markets in the world. The Carlow native is something of an energy industry veteran having racked up 25 years’ experience in the sector – 18 of which have been spent at Bord Gáis – beginning right after he graduated from UCD with a degree in electronic engineering. He plied his trade at ESB International, which included stints in Vietnam and Texas, before joining Bord Gáis Éireann as business development manager in 1999, which set him on the path to where he is today. We meet in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre’s Circle Club where, sitting in plush surroundings, Kirwan outlines the importance of remaining focused on the customer. “Last year was a good year for us,” he reflects. “The Irish energy market continues to be among the most competitive energy markets in the world. We have the most switching for residential customers in gas in Europe, and the second most in residential electricity. What that means for businesses like us is that we absolutely have to be on our game – there can be no complacency when it comes to our customers – whether or not they want to stay with us, or whether they’re going to switch. It is that challenging!” Last year was a reasonably good one for the energy company, during which time it delivered further growth in customer accounts. Figures from parent group Centrica show that its Irish arm generated gross revenue of £402m (a467m) in the first six months of 2016, and an adjusted operating profit of £24m (a28m); incremental increases on what was a strong performance in 2015. “We’ve grown in all our categories,” says Kirwan. 43

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

The Smart Side of Energy

CHAMBERS IRELAND 2017

Trends in Trade

A Strong Voice in Europe

CHAMBERS IRELAND 2017

FOREWORD

Taking

The Brief From Brussels

a Sensible Approach Throughout 2017 Chambers Ireland will continue to work to support Chambers on key policy areas of national importance and celebrate the strength that lies in our network, writes Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland.

The Irish economy

recorded another strong performance in 2016 with buoyant tax receipts and declining unemployment. However significant political events which took place during 2016 have thrown up many unanswered questions that will impact 2017 and many subsequent years. While there may be uncertainty ahead for Ireland, there are also many great opportunities for the Irish economy to continue to grow and for businesses in Ireland to perform strongly. The change of leadership in the US indicates that there will be some major policy changes in the coming months and years under a Trump presidency, many of which will affect international trade with the US but the extent to which this will impact Ireland is yet unknown. Similarly, the result of the Brexit referendum in the UK has meant Ireland and Irish business has to begin to prepare for the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union but the exact implications remain uncertain. That uncertainty is likely to continue for quite some time and create volatility particularly as

markets and commentators seek to interpret negotiating positions as end case scenarios rather than as a part of what is likely to be an extensive and complex process to ultimately agree the shape of the UK’s relationship with Europe for the future. The potential threats to the global economy may take years to unfold and in many ways are largely beyond our control. In the meantime, the Irish Government should focus on what it is within its control; competitiveness and the sensible management of our economy. Investment in capital infrastructure is essential for our future economic competitiveness and for Irish business to thrive. It is imperative that Government takes the opportunity to expand capital investment while the economy is growing strongly as the infrastructure deficit from the barren years of 2009 to 2015 must be made up in addition to the need for additional infrastructure our economy so badly needs for continued, sustainable longterm growth. By addressing the challenges that face our economy, Ireland can prepare itself for potential future downturns and be better placed to deal with a slowdown in economic growth in other jurisdictions. With so much still to play out in terms of

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

Backing Drivers of Growth

policies that can help to weather any storms. We can and should expect plenty of support from our EU partners.

Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland

President Trump’s policy actions and what a “hard” Brexit could mean for the Irish border with Northern Ireland, it is difficult to predict the full impact that either will have on the Irish economy. The global economy is not going to fall off a cliff overnight and Ireland must continue to focus on delivering

ON THE DOMESTIC FRONT While international political events seemed turbulent in 2016, domestically there was much positive news to report with another strong year for the Irish economy with only minor signs of slowdown and some negative impact for certain sectors due to currency fluctuation following the Brexit referendum. The end of year exchequer returns showed a record tax intake beating the previous record reached in 2007. However, if comparing our tax intake to record figures from 2007 we must also address the reality that in 2007 the cost of servicing on our national debt was a2.1 billion compared to the a6.8bn it cost the state to service the national debt in 2016. Legacy issues from the economic collapse remain and strong performing tax receipts should not signal a Government ability to dramatically increase current expenditure. Our recent past should be a warning that the State should not commit to increased tax revenues on public sector pay or other day-

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

CHAMBERS FOREWORD:

Taking a Sensible Approach

Throughout 2017 Chambers Ireland will continue to work to support Chambers on key policy areas of national importance, writes CEO Ian Talbot.

001 InBusiness YB 2017_Contents.indd 1

Chambers on the International Stage

COVER STORY:

InBUSINESS spoke with Dave Kirwan, MD of Bord Gáis Energy, about putting the customer first and getting smart with technology.

All articles © Ashville Media Group 2017. 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

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

[CHAMBERS NEWS]

COVER STORY

Going Full Circle

Making CSR Work

15/02/2017 11:39

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GO TO CHAMBERS.IE FOR THE ONLINE EDITION

THE

2017 YEARBOOK

BRIEF FROM

BRUSSELS WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FROM THE EU IN 2017

MAXIMISING

THE

2017

Energy

YEARBOOK

BRIEF FROM

BRUSSELS

WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FROM THE EU IN 2017

MAXIMISING

Bord Gáis Energy MD Dave Kirwan on the business of energy efficiency

Energy Bord Gáis Energy MD Dave Kirwan on the business of energy efficiency

Commercial Property Forecast

13 About Chambers Ireland

Marie Hunt, Executive Director of CBRE Ireland, looks at what 2017 holds in store for the commercial property market.

14 Chambers Ireland: The Year in Pictures

The Equity Option

AIB is helping Irish companies grow through its equity finance offering.

Chamber Membership 18 Policy Update

Building on the Olympic Legacy

Brazil needs to capitalise on the knowledge gained from staging global events in recent years.

[ Local Government InBUSINESS ] Page

Page

LEINSTER • MUNSTER • CONNAUGHT • ULSTER IT funding for Laois, strong uptake of bike schemes, and Mullingar start-up bags LEO award.

Jobs announced for Shannon, I WISH asks girls to build a business, and public consultation on Killarney building.

Taoiseach announces funding for marine body, progress on ferry operations, and Leitrim distillery extension proposed.

Employment boost for Donegal Gaeltacht, EU funding for Monaghan, and plans to expand Cavan museum.

CMYK: 83 / 0 / 8 / 0

CMYK: CMYK: 49 / 0 / 100 / 0 0 / 0 / 0 / 100

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DELIVERING SKILLS FOR

SUCCESS Michael Moriarty, General Secretary of Education and Training Boards Ireland, outlines the vision for ETBs in acting as the lead agencies for skills development in Ireland.

PENNEYS TO ANCHOR CARLOW CENTRAL Page 2

BUILDING ON A SUCCESSFUL YEAR InBUSINESS spoke with Paul Reid, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, on the back of a positive 2016.

In Association with

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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

In Association with

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

001 InBusiness YB 2017_Contents.indd 3

Wellbeing Matters at Zurich The Tackle Your Feelings programme seeks to emphasise the importance of preventative measures in maintaining good mental wellbeing.

Ireland’s Energy Transformation

ESB is seeking to be part of a transition in the Irish energy sector that future generations will regard as a turning point in the development of a sustainable electricity system.

PAGE

102

Building the Backbone of Ireland

Ervia is committed to leading and delivering the investment and transformation necessary to ensure safe and reliable gas and water infrastructure for Ireland.

Sky’s the Limit

For almost 60 years, BAM has delivered many of Ireland’s landmark building and infrastructure projects and demonstrated that growth can come from sustainable practice.

Crystal Clear Quality

The House of Waterford Crystal welcomes 180,000 visitors annually to witness the production of some of the finest crystal collections in the world.

MEMBERS DIRECTORY

DIRECTORY

[CHAMBERS IRELAND 2017]

PAGE

105 CORPORATE PARTNERS

PAGE

106 STRATEGIC PARTNERS

PAGE

106 CORPORATE PATRONS

PAGE

109

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

USEFUL CONTACTS

101

[CHAMBERS NEWS]

Supporting our Start-ups

Chamber Network: The Year in Pictures

Celebrating Industry Leaders

CSR Awards 2016

Local Government Awards 2016

Chambers Ireland Directory

15/02/2017 11:41

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Call Dave McLaughlin, Head of AIB Private Banking, on 087 799 1112 or visit privatebanking.aib.ie Allied Irish Banks, p.l.c. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Typically our clients have investable assetsorofincome >€1million. an annual salary which exceeds €250,000.

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European Pensions Law Firm of the Year European Pensions Awards 2016

15/02/2017 09:50

CHAMBERS IRELAND 2017 AFFILIATED CHAMBER LOCATIONS

Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry

County Kildare

County Carlow

Clonmel & County Tipperary

Killarney

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

007 InBusiness YB 2017_Chamber Map.indd 7

Further details of each affiliated Chamber can be found between pages 102 to 104

14/02/2017 17:10

CHAMBERS IRELAND 2017 FOREWORD

Taking

The Irish economy

recorded another strong performance in 2016 with buoyant tax receipts and declining unemployment. However significant political events which took place during 2016 have thrown up many unanswered questions that will impact 2017 and many subsequent years. While there may be uncertainty ahead for Ireland, there are also many great opportunities for the Irish economy to continue to grow and for businesses in Ireland to perform strongly. The change of leadership in the US indicates that there will be some major policy changes in the coming months and years under a Trump presidency, many of which will affect international trade with the US, but the extent to which this will impact Ireland is yet unknown. Similarly, the result of the Brexit referendum in the UK has meant Ireland and Irish business has to begin to prepare for the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union but the exact implications remain uncertain. That uncertainty is likely to continue for quite some time and create volatility, particularly as

008 InBusiness YB 2017_Foreword.indd 8

markets and commentators seek to interpret negotiating positions as end case scenarios rather than as a part of what is likely to be an extensive and complex process to ultimately agree the shape of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relationship with Europe for the future. The potential threats to the global economy may take years to unfold and in many ways are largely beyond our control. In the meantime, the Irish Government should focus on what is within its control; competitiveness and the sensible management of our economy. Investment in capital infrastructure is essential for our future economic competitiveness and for Irish business to thrive. It is imperative that Government takes the opportunity to expand capital investment while the economy is growing strongly, as the infrastructure deficit from the barren years of 2009 to 2015 must be made up in addition to the need for additional infrastructure our economy so badly needs for continued, sustainable longterm growth. By addressing the challenges that face our economy, Ireland can prepare itself for potential future downturns and be better placed to deal with a slowdown in economic growth in other jurisdictions. With so much still to play out in terms of

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

14/02/2017 17:09

CHAMBERS IRELAND 2017 FOREWORD

policies that can help to weather any storms. We can and should expect plenty of support from our EU partners.

Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

008 InBusiness YB 2017_Foreword.indd 9

ON THE DOMESTIC FRONT While international political events seemed turbulent in 2016, domestically there was much positive news to report with another strong year for the Irish economy with only minor signs of slowdown and some negative impact for certain sectors due to currency fluctuation following the Brexit referendum. The end of year exchequer returns showed a record tax intake, beating the previous record reached in 2007. However, if comparing our tax intake to record figures from 2007 we must also address the reality that in 2007 the cost of servicing on our national debt was a2.1 billion compared to the a6.8bn it cost the state to service the national debt in 2016. Legacy issues from the economic collapse remain and strong performing tax receipts should not signal a Government ability to dramatically increase current expenditure. Our recent past should be a warning that the State should not commit to increased tax revenues on public sector pay or other day-

14/02/2017 17:09

CHAMBERS IRELAND 2017 FOREWORD

to-day expenditure that would have to be reversed again in the event of a downturn. The shortage of housing in our main cities and large urban areas continues to be a big challenge for the current Government and a major socio economic challenge for the country. Attention must be paid to the issues that are constraining supply. Each year the problem continues to grow and the gap between supply and demand widens, as demand continues to increase while supply is not coming close to reaching the increasing levels of demand each year. It is an issue that is likely to continue to dominate political attention and remain a high priority for Government throughout 2017. The CSO unemployment figures in December showed a continued decrease in unemployment across the board with a 1.7 per cent decrease on December 2015. The slowly decreasing youth unemployment figures have begun to show an increase in employment opportunities for young people but the rate of 14.5 per cent remains undesirably high. The declining unemployment rate offers the Government an opportunity to focus its attention on the youth unemployment issue, unlike many European countries who are not in a position to address this issue until the wider unemployment rates fall further and employment opportunities increase. If done correctly, Ireland has an opportunity to develop traineeships, apprenticeships and workplace training programmes providing opportunities for those starting out in the workforce, and to reduce youth unemployment rates while at the same time helping to address emerging skills gaps in certain sectors of the economy. CHAMBER HIGHLIGHTS The annual Corporate Social Responsibility Awards and the Excellence in Local Government Awards were two highlights of 2016 for Chambers Ireland. There was a great atmosphere on both nights with a real celebration of the range of really positive work being undertaken by large and small companies as well as local authorities across Ireland. It is important to take the time to properly acknowledge the energy and commitment being given to help local communities around the country. We look

008 InBusiness YB 2017_Foreword.indd 10

â&#x20AC;&#x153;OUR RECENT PAST

SHOULD BE A WARNING THAT THE STATE SHOULD

NOT COMMIT TO INCREASED TAX REVENUES ON PUBLIC SECTOR PAY OR OTHER

DAY-TO-DAY EXPENDITURE THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE

REVERSED AGAIN IN THE EVENT OF A DOWNTURN.â&#x20AC;?

forward to 2017 where we hope to build on the success of these awards and continue to share the inspiring work which happens in business and local government every day of the week, year round. My first year as Deputy President of Eurochambres was an interesting one and you can read more about our ongoing policy work with Eurochambres later in this yearbook. Attending the Eurochambres meetings of deputy presidents gave me an important platform for raising the concerns for Irish business regarding Brexit and highlighting to our European colleagues the challenges and potential impacts of UK withdrawal from the EU. It quickly became apparent that Brexit is simply not yet a priority for most businesses in other European countries. The Eurochambres Economic Survey 2017 backed up this view with results showing that Brexit is the second biggest challenge facing Irish business in 2017 while only 9.6 per cent of European businesses identify it as a challenge at all. Chambers Ireland and the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced a formal affiliation in 2016 agreeing to strengthen cooperation between the two organisations. The first year of this new working relationship led to useful engagement and interaction. When the affiliation was agreed, the outcome of the UK referendum on Brexit could not have been predicted but helpfully the context for future interaction and cooperation between the two organisations was bedded down before the result allowing a strong voice from the business community across the island in the uncertain aftermath. Throughout 2016 Chambers Ireland and the Irish Chamber Network worked together on key policy areas of national importance, with highlights including a manifesto for the 2016 General Election raising many issues of importance for the business community and Irish society. The strength of the Chamber Network was shown through the collaborative policy work which also took place with groups of Chambers working together on a geographic basis on projects that will benefit a particular region. Chambers Ireland will continue to work to support Chambers in such collective efforts and celebrate the strength that lies in our network.

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

14/02/2017 17:09

CHAMBERS IRELAND 2017 SPONSORS

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

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

011 InBusiness YB 2017_Sponsors.indd 11

14/02/2017 17:09

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15/02/2017 09:51 08/12/2016 16:35

CHAMBERS IRELAND 2017 ABOUT CHAMBERS IRELAND

WHO

Creating the best possible environment for business and encouraging smarter business practices is the cornerstone of Chambers Ireland’s activities.

ARE WE

hambers Ireland is Ireland’s largest business organisation with a network of Chambers of Commerce in every major town and region in the country. We facilitate the growth and development of the Irish Chamber network and enable the Chambers in the network to effectively promote the long-term development of their locality on behalf of their members as well as working towards creating a better environment for business by lobbying the Government and other stakeholders on key policy issues. Chambers Ireland is a member of the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the largest business representative organisation in the world. As a member, Chambers Ireland acts as the Irish national committee of the ICC, which allows it to communicate its views on international trade on behalf of its members to the intergovernmental organisations that legislate on international trade. ICC activities cover a broad spectrum, from arbitration and dispute resolution to making the case for open trade and the market economy system, business self-regulation, fighting corruption or combating commercial crime. Chambers Ireland is also a member of the association of European chambers of commerce, Eurochambres, which represents over 13 million businesses across the continent. It is also a member of the World Chambers Network and enjoys close links with the British Chamber of Commerce and the United States Chamber of Commerce. Chambers Ireland has also formed an accredited framework for bi-lateral chambers which is endorsed by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. WHAT DOES CHAMBERS IRELAND DO? Chambers Ireland’s mission is to represent the interests of member companies; to promote business competitiveness in Ireland and to enable the development of the Chamber movement throughout the island. Its main areas of activities are as follows:

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

013 InBusiness YB 2017_About Chambers.indd 13

REPRESENTING BUSINESS INTERESTS

Chambers Ireland is a lobbying organisation which focuses on representing Irish business’s interests at a national and international level. One of Chambers Ireland’s key functions is representing the views of Irish businesses to the Irish Government. Along with this, Chambers Ireland is a member of both Eurochambres and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) which represents businesses at a European and international level. This enables Chambers Ireland to ensure that the organisation is doing their part at keeping Ireland competitive.

SUPPORTING BUSINESSES Chambers Ireland supports SMEs and larger businesses in Ireland through the Chamber Network. Chambers Ireland provides information and advice to businesses on a range of topics and issues.

INTERNATIONAL SERVICES

Chambers Ireland is an active member of both Eurochambres and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Chambers Ireland’s close association with both organisations brings many opportunities to the Chamber Network and its members. Chambers Ireland, through its membership of Eurochambres and ICC, provides consultancy to overseas governments and national chambers.

STRENGTHENING THE CHAMBER NETWORK

Chambers Ireland offers many supports to Chambers which strengthens the Chamber Network. Chambers Ireland offers advice and assistance to Chambers on a wide range of issues on a daily basis. It also implements a ‘Chamber brand’ which is used by Chambers throughout the Chamber Network. This helps show a national brand when Chambers Ireland develops national public relations and marketing campaigns on behalf of the national network.

15/02/2017 11:40

CHAMBERS NEWS THE YEAR IN PICTURES

CHAMBERS IRELAND:

THE YEAR IN

PICTURES

TOWN AND VILLAGE RENEWAL SCHEME

Through events, debates, lobbying and more, Chambers Ireland continued to be the voice of businesses across the country in 2016, a year of the unprecedented and unexpected. We take a look at some of the work carried out.

Ian Talbot, CEO, Chambers Ireland pictured with Minister Heather Humphries at the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in Clones, Co Monaghan, August 2016. The Town and Village Renewal Scheme invested 10 million into the regeneration of rural towns and villages in 2016. Chambers Ireland supported the aim of the scheme to improve the living and working environment of local communities and their potential to increase economic activity.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT OF ENTERPRISES 2016

Andrea Carroll, South Dublin Chamber MEPE for Ireland speaking at the European Parliament of Enterprises October 2016. A delegation from Irish Chambers attended the 2016 European Parliament of Enterprises in Brussels where Chamber members and business representatives from across Europe acted as Members of Parliament (MEPEs) for the day, debating issues affecting business throughout the EU.

LAUNCH OF GUIDE TO LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Conor Brennan, Zurich and Ian Talbot, Chambers Ireland at the launch of ‘Initiatives to Support Local Economic Development’, a guide highlighting best practice in local economic development.

CHAMBERS IRELAND APPOINTMENT

BUDGET 2017 SUBMISSION

Representatives from the Chamber Network at the launch of the Pre-Budget 2017 Submission outside Government buildings.

014 InBusiness YB 2017_Year in Pictures.indd 14

Niamh Boyle, Managing Director of the Reputations Agency, was elected President of the Chambers Ireland Board in September 2016, succeeding Clive Bellows, Country Head of Northern Trust Bank who was President from 2014 to 2016.

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

14/02/2017 17:09

CHAMBERS NEWS THE YEAR IN PICTURES

AFFILIATION WITH NORTHERN IRELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GENERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN 2016

Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland pictured along with representatives from the Irish Chamber Network launching ‘A Vision for 2021 – A Manifesto for Ireland’s Future from the Irish Chamber Network’. The launch in January 2016 kicked off a campaign across the Irish Chamber Network, feeding into the ongoing General Election campaign and calling on the political parties hoping to form the next Government to focus on long-term policies to achieve the goal of sustainable economic growth and a vision for Ireland in 2021.

Pictured are Martin McGuiness, then Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Ann McGregor, Chief Executive, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Charlie Flanagan. Chambers Ireland and the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced a strengthening of cooperation between the two organisations to help improve engagement between the business communities North and South.

EU EVENT

Speakers from ‘Making the EU work for Irish Business’, hosted by Chambers Ireland in the Stephen’s Green Hibernia Club, May 2016. Front row (L-R): Noelle O’Connell, Executive Director of European Movement Ireland, Prof John O’ Brennan, NUI Maynooth, Lucinda Creighton, Former Minister for European Affairs. Back row (L-R): Ian Talbot, Chambers Ireland, Graham Stull from the European Commission Representation in Ireland, Ben Butters, Director of Policy with Eurochambres.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH IRISH AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

Ian Talbot, Chambers Ireland, with Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Pascal Donohoe TD, who addressed the Chambers Ireland National Advisory Board meeting, October 2016.

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

014 InBusiness YB 2017_Year in Pictures.indd 15

Rob Clifford, IACC President, Brendan Ó Caollaí, Department of Foreign Affairs and Ian Talbot, Chambers Ireland pictured at the launch of the Irish Chapter of the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce. In May 2016 Chambers Ireland and the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen the links between the two organisations and the Irish and Australian business communities. Through collaboration, Chambers Ireland and the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce will offer access and support to members hoping to increase the trade and investment between Ireland and Australia.

14/02/2017 17:09

CHAMBERS IRELAND 2017 MEMBERSHIP

Commerce Means Business:

Maximising Membership The strength of the local economy is crucial to the success of any business, new or established. LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS ONE OF OUR Chamber network’s core priorities. Nationwide Chambers work to promote and encourage local economic development in their regions which have significant results for their members. The Chamber Network is the country’s largest business representative organisation. We promote the economic and social development of communities in order to make them a better place to work, live and do business. Chambers are aware of the challenges that face businesses in cities, towns and rural areas of Ireland. It is the Chamber network’s first priority to try and address those issues on a local and national level. By joining your local Chamber you are supporting the representation we provide for your business. You can input into this representation at a local level to have your say. You will also receive member-only benefits, exclusive advertising and networking opportunities, and increased publicity for Speakers at a mediation briefing hosted by Waterford Chamber, your organisation. There Anne Marie Blaney, Chairperson, are a number of key CIArb Ireland and Siobhán areas where Chamber Fahy, Chartered Engineer and membership can benefit Chartered Arbitrator your business:

016 InBusiness YB 2017_Membership.indd 16

NETWORKING By joining a local Chamber, members are invited to many networking events. This opens up opportunities for members to do business with other companies in their Chamber’s network. It has been recorded that 60 per cent of members do business at Chamber events. Network with members and their contacts. Connect and engage with a broader audience and expand your network.

SUPPORT Chambers provide their members with support in a variety of areas. This includes, but is not limited to, business development and offering knowledge and skills to members on issues that might be affecting their business. Chambers also act as an advisor to businesses in their network whether they are early stage start-ups or established enterprises.

REPRESENTATION AND LOBBYING Chambers around Ireland represent their members locally. Chamber members are also represented on a national level by being a member of the Chamber Network. Chambers Ireland lobbies the Irish Government on national issues on behalf of Chambers that affect businesses across Ireland. Chambers Ireland is an active member of Eurochambres and the International Chamber of Commerce. Through these organisations, the Chamber Network is also represented on a global level.

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CHAMBERS IRELAND 2017 MEMBERSHIP

Representatives from the Chamber Network meeting with Irish MEP Mairead McGuiness during the Network trip to Brussels in October 2016

EVENTS By joining a local Chamber, members are invited to the many events that their local Chambers organise throughout the year. Chambers are fully committed to planning successful events whether they are workshops, informative seminars or award ceremonies.

PROMOTION AND REFERRALS Chambers have also become an information centre to businesses that may or may not be members. Chambers will always recommend Chamber members to businesses that fit the requirements.

DISCOUNTS ON PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Chambers offer their members a number of different products and services. Exclusive services that Chambers provide to their members include discounted business services from member to member and access to a membership directory.

SOCIAL NETWORKING

Chief executives and representatives from the Chamber Network and Chambers Ireland board at the launch of the Budget 2017 Submission

LEARNING Gain a competitive edge over non-members with exclusive training opportunities on current topics. Chambers organise training across a variety of topics.

VISIBILITY Stand out and generate awareness within your local community. Being a member makes you part of an active business group within your community.

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

Chamber members can participate in members only groups for updates.

HAVE YOUR SAY FIND NEW SALES TARGETS Chambers believe that people do business with people they know. By joining your local Chamber youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re making new business connections with contacts you can trust.

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

15/02/2017 11:40

CHAMBERS IRELAND 2017 POLICY

Policies & PLANNING While there is a good measure of uncertainty facing Irish business, with the right economic policies and effective future planning, we are in a good position to face the challenges ahead, according to the Chambers Ireland Policy and Public Affairs team.

REFLECTING ON 2016, IT WAS, FOR BETTER or worse, a year full of surprises, the results of which will continue to be felt this year and well into the future. From an Irish perspective, 2017 brings with it a number of important developments which have the potential to significantly impact upon our national economic development over the next decade. Last year Chambers Ireland was focused on promoting the interests of Irish business over the course of the General Election and the formation of Government, and we were pleased to see many of the policies we had been advocating for included in the Programme for a Partnership Government, and later in Budget 2017. Looking ahead for this year, a number of the perennial issues remain, while we will also be faced with a new set of challenges that we have not encountered before. In light of the decision of the United Kingdom to exit not only the European Union but also the Single Market and Customs Union, it is now vital that Ireland maintains and improves upon our competitiveness and attractiveness as a location in which to do business. Brexit poses a huge threat to Ireland’s economy, and businesses engaged in cross-border trade are especially exposed. Chambers Ireland will continue to work closely with the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and

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Innovation on developing initiatives that can assist Irish business through these uncertain times. A return to a focus on increased investment in infrastructure, enhancing the business regulatory environment, increasing the supply of housing and managing wage demands will be required if Ireland is to support indigenous business and remain an attractive location for FDI. At the same time we face issues which require long-term thinking on the part of policy makers such as Ireland’s transition to a circular economy, planning and spatial strategy, education and skills policy, and pension reform. PRIORITIES One of the major priorities this year for Chambers Ireland and the Chamber Network will be the development of a new National Planning Framework (NPF). This is being developed under the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and will determine spatial planning strategy in Ireland up until 2040. This framework will be vital in driving the economic development of Ireland’s regions and will seek to answer important and difficult questions such as “what should Ireland look like in 20 years?” and “how do we ensure that every region realises its potential for economic growth?” Chambers Ireland is a member of the National Planning Framework Advisory Group and will engage continuously over the next year with both the department and our network on how the NPF can work best to support Ireland’s sustainable economic development. In order for the NPF to succeed

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CHAMBERS IRELAND 2017 POLICY

it cannot be viewed as a zero-sum game with one area or region gaining at the expense of another; this must be seen as an opportunity to develop a strategy that can support the development of every region and the island as a whole. The support of all stakeholders, particularly community groups and politicians will be required if the framework is to have a real positive impact on Ireland’s economic development. Chambers Ireland believes that through harnessing the assets and distinctiveness of each region and city the NPF can promote more balanced, longterm development of the country as a whole. PENSIONS Pensions are an issue which we expect to gain more prominence this year as it becomes increasingly apparent that the current model for private pension provision is untenable. As Ireland’s population ages it is becoming clear that pension provision among private sector workers is one of the biggest threats to Ireland’s future prosperity and the wellbeing of its citizens. Chambers Ireland is in favour of reform of the current system with greater tax incentives to join pension schemes being introduced and some form of auto-enrolment so that the default position is that a worker has some form of pension cover. For SMEs and their employees, pensions need to be flexible and administratively simple so that they can be universally accessible and allow employees and employers to plan for a future in which the State pension will likely not be sufficient for a decent quality of life in retirement. EDUCATION AND SKILLS The education and skills of Ireland’s young people and workforce continues to be a major priority for business and we are pleased to see some constructive developments in this area. On a positive note, the youth unemployment rate, while remaining high is now decreasing at a faster rate than it has done in the past. This year Chambers Ireland looks forward to the introduction of a new range of national apprenticeships and traineeships and the opportunities these will bring for young people and businesses. We also look forward to further engagement with the Department of Education and Skills on their development of a Further Education and Training Framework for those already in the workforce and the

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continuing work of the various Regional Skills Fora around the country. These are significant and positive developments in this sphere; however issues remain in the area of capital funding for educational facilities, the skills gap still facing Ireland and the wider EU economy, and the need for more effective career guidance for students. Through our Education, Workplace and Skills Policy Council and our interaction with the business community, Chambers Ireland will continue to focus on education and skills in 2017. Great strides have been made and Ireland cannot afford to stall progress in an area so important for Irish businesses, our attractiveness for FDI and for Irish society. There is no doubt that the future will be challenging for the Irish economy, but overall Chambers Ireland is positive about the year ahead. While there is definitely a good measure of uncertainty facing Irish business, with the right economic policies and effective future planning Ireland is in a good position to face the challenges ahead. Chambers Ireland will be working throughout 2017 on behalf of our members to ensure that such policies and plans are implemented.

14/02/2017 15:43

CHAMBERS NEWS ICC

Chambers on the

INTERNATIONAL STAGE Chambers Ireland acts as the Irish National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce, the global body working to strengthen commercial ties among nations.

THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (ICC) is a global organisation based in Paris, of which Chambers Ireland is a member. The ICC provides a forum for businesses and other organisations to examine and better comprehend the nature and significance of the major shifts taking place in the world economy. The ICC’s key areas of work include policy advocacy, promoting international trade and investment, and working to fight corruption and piracy throughout the world economy. The ICC is a steadfast rallying point for those who believe that strengthening commercial ties among nations is not only good for business but good for global living standards and good for peace. As the umbrella body for Chambers of Commerce in Ireland, Chambers Ireland acts as the Irish National Committee of the ICC, or ICC Ireland. The ICC provides us with valuable information throughout the year including the results of the World Economic Survey which measures economic outlook and

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expectations in the eurozone. At present, ICC Ireland is actively involved in several areas it has identified as being of importance to Irish businesses and the wider Irish economy; these are arbitration, customs and trade, taxation, digital economy, environment and energy, and corporate responsibility and anticorruption. Commission on Arbitration and ADR The Commission on Arbitration and ADR is ICC’s rule-making body and unique think tank in the field of international dispute resolution. The commission drafts and revises the various ICC rules for dispute resolution, including the ICC Rules of Arbitration, the ICC ADR Rules, the ICC Dispute Board Rules, and the ICC Rules for Expertise. Commission on Customs and Trade Regulations The central objective of the Committee on Customs and Trade Regulations is to overcome practical obstacles to the free flow of goods, services and investment

across borders – in particular those related to customs policies and procedures. Commission on Environment and Energy The Environment and Energy Commission makes recommendations for business on significant regulatory and market issues concerning energy and environment. The Commission helps the ICC act as business’s primary interlocutor and partner in key intergovernmental negotiations and dialogue, including at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, and the UN Environment Programme. Commission on Corporate Responsibility and Anti-Corruption A growing number of companies across the world increasingly recognise that doing business with integrity is the only right way of doing business. The ICC is on the forefront in the development of ethics, anti-corruption and corporate responsibility advocacy

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CHAMBERS NEWS ICC

codes and guidelines, providing a lead voice for the business community in this rapidly changing field. Commission on Digital Economy The Commission on the Digital Economy seeks to realise the full potential of e-commerce by developing policy and practical tools that encourage competition, growth, predictability, compliance and the secured, free flow of information in cross-border trade, via the internet and information and communication technologies. Commission on Marketing and Advertising The Commission examines major marketing and advertising related policy issues of interest to world business via issues-specific task forces and working groups. Its mandate is to promote high ethical standards in marketing by business self-regulation through ICC international marketing codes. ICC IRELAND IN 2016 Throughout the course of 2016, the team in ICC Ireland worked with our partner organisation in Paris to further the goals of the International Chamber of Commerce. Trade Matters Campaign At a time of growing populism and moves towards increased protectionism, the ICC, supported by ICC Ireland, launched a campaign to promote why trade matters to the global economy. The campaign focused on promoting how trade supports jobs, growth, small business and sustainable development. Evidence shows that protectionist policies are bad for economies in the long run. The ICC will be prioritising de-bunking these myths and promoting the benefits of increased trade in the months and years to come.

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ICC Ireland Arbitration Committee Visit to Paris In November, members of the ICC Ireland Arbitration Committee visited the ICC international Court of Arbitration and met with President of the Court, Alexis Mourre. They also received presentations on the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR and on the ICC International Centre for ADR. The event was moderated by the Secretary General of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, Andrea Carlevaris. Observer Status at the UN 2016 was a landmark year for the International Chamber of Commerce as it was officially granted Observer Status by the United National General Assembly on December 13th. This gives the ICC a unique platform to represent its members at the world’s greatest international forum. ICC is the only private sector organisation to have been granted Observer Status at the General Assembly in the

history of the United Nations. This achievement will – for the first time – provide a direct voice for business in the UN system to promote policies that foster sustainable and inclusive growth, job creation and economic cooperation. Anti-Corruption and Ethics Chambers Ireland has made a number of tools, developed in association with the International Chamber of Commerce, freely available on its website for companies that are interested in developing anti-corruption policies and developing responsible business policies. These tools include: • An ‘anti-corruption clause’ for contracts •G uidelines on gifts and hospitality • A copy of International Chamber of Commerce rules on combating corruption For more information on the work of the ICC, please visit www.iccwbo.org.

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CHAMBERS NEWS TRADE POLICIES

Trends IN TRADE Emma Kerins, International Affairs Executive, Chambers Ireland, looks at what we can expect from the year ahead in the area of international trade. PROMOTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR business through increased transatlantic trade was amongst our top priorities for 2016, where our focus has been to push for an SME-friendly trade deal between the EU and the United States. Chambers Ireland has been a strong supporter of the TTIP negotiations, where economic studies project that Ireland, including its SMEs, will benefit more than any other EU country. Furthermore, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), between the EU and Canada, was signed on October 30th 2016. The EU-Canada trade deal promises to remove over 99 per cent of tariffs between the EU and Canada and will create sizeable new market opportunities for Irish business. The next step is for the agreement to be ratified by the European Parliament and parliaments in all 28 member states, including Ireland. However, the efforts made by both the European Commission and member states to support increased transatlantic cooperation in trade and investment have been negatively impacted by the political events of the past 12 months. The UK’s decision to leave the EU is likely to pose a number of threats to the EU’s future trade agenda. The election of Donald Trump as US president is also likely to have an enormous impact on global trade policy. Both the Brexit referendum and Trump presidency campaign found support

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from groups that favour a more inwardlooking approach to government. Trade, or opposition to trade, is also likely to feature as a mobilising election issue throughout the coming year, likely preventing any further progress on the TTIP negotiations. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT IN 2017? With Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty expected to be triggered in the first half of the year, attention in both Dublin and Brussels will likely be focused entirely on Brexit and on negotiating the UK’s exit from the European Union. Beyond Brexit and TTIP, a number of broader issues will be focusing the minds of Trade Commissioner Cecelia Malmström and her officials: • The ratification of the EU-Singapore free trade pact and the EU-Vietnam trade agreement are expected in 2017. However, the ratification processes may be delayed as the Court of Justice of the EU is expected to rule some time in the spring on whether the Singapore trade pact is a mixed agreement and requires ratification by all member states. • The European Parliament is also expected to vote on the ratification of the CETA agreement in 2017. However, this process may be far from straightforward where, similarly to the Singapore agreement, commentators note that Belgium is likely bring a case to the Court of Justice on the

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legality of the investment dispute settlement mechanism in CETA. • Both the EU and Japan are expected to meet in early 2017 to discuss the ongoing trade negotiations, with a deal expected to be concluded later this year. • The EU is also expected to formally open negotiations with Australia and New Zealand, along with beginning the process of updating and revising the current agreement in place with Turkey. • There will continue to be discussions in Brussels on how to approach the matter of China’s market economy status and how to reform the trade defence instrument. • Investment protection regimes and investor state dispute settlements as part of future trade agreements will be the subject of a Commission consultation which is open until mid-March. • New regulations on conflict minerals and export controls are due to be introduced in 2017, bringing the subject of trade compliance back into the spotlight. • Following on from the publication of the Commission’s ‘Trade for All’ strategy in 2015, which focuses on three principles of effectiveness, transparency and values, the broader debate on social, environmental and human rights as part of trade policy will likely continue. CHAMBERS IRELAND TRADE POLICY IN 2017 With opposition to the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada growing across Europe, severely diminished support for TTIP and the UK committing itself to a “hard” Brexit, (which may result in them leaving the Single Market and the Customs Unions), economies like Ireland are left severely exposed. In the face of such risks, what can Irish business do to prepare for and mitigate against these threats? While it may not be possible to shield the Irish economy from the consequences of growing protectionism and the loss of the UK from the Single Market, we can take some steps to protect business from the full impact of these risks. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade recently held a consultation on its new trade, tourism and investment strategy, “Trading Better”. As part of the Chamber Network’s submission, Chambers Ireland

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urged Government to prioritise maintaining the competitiveness of our economy by rapidly investing in infrastructure. Furthermore, in the wake of Brexit, increased resources should be allocated to the objective of diversification of export markets in the short term. Ireland’s exporters are reliant on a relatively small number of countries, and with increased uncertainty as to trading conditions in the future, it is crucial that the objective of market diversification for SME exporters is both given attention and resources by Government in this strategy. Government can also support business by introducing financial supports for exporting SMEs, like an Export Working Capital scheme, which provides additional trade finance to SMEs wanting to process new order or service new clients. Last of all, our elected representatives must continue to support the European Commission’s trade strategy. As Ireland is a small open economy, our exporters and investors will only grow if the EU continues to pursue ambitious trade and investment agreements that will give increased and cheaper access to growing market. For more information on our work to promote trade and investment on behalf of Irish business, please visit our website at www.chambers.ie

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CHAMBERS NEWS EUROCHAMBRES

A Strong

VOICE Chambers Ireland continues to work closely with Eurochambres to develop a business-friendly and competitive economic environment in Europe and beyond.

s part of our work representing the interests of Irish business, we work closely with the European Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, also known as Eurochambres. Founded in 1958 it forms one of the key pillars of business representation to the European institutions. It voices the interests of over 19 million member enterprises in 45 European countries through a network of national, regional and local Chambers. The mission of Eurochambres is to represent, serve and promote European

Chambers of Commerce and Industry, strengthening the voice and position of European Chambers as significant, respected and valued influencers of European affairs on all major economic issues. Chambers Ireland has representatives on a number of policy committees established by Eurochambres, including the Trade and Investment Committee, the Better Regulation Committee, the SME Policy Committee, and the EU Single Market Committee. Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland, Ian Talbot, was appointed Deputy President of Eurochambres in 2016 and is the Chairperson of the Eurochambres Finance and Economy Committee. OUR WORK IN 2016 In 2016, Chambers Ireland identified a number of key areas

The European Parliament of Enterprises plenary session 2016

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IN EUROPE of importance to our members that required our focus. These included: • Completing the Single Market • Better regulation • Helping more SMEs to export • Promoting the need for increased trade and investment With the objective of communicating our work to the broader network, Chambers Ireland hosted an event on May 12th in St. Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club to discuss how EU policy works, and in some cases does not work, for Irish business. The event was moderated by Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot. As part of the event, there were two panel discussions on a broad range of EU policy issues. The first panel focused on the topic of whether Ireland’s economic future is stronger in Europe. The guest speakers – Lucinda Creighton, Former Minister for European Affairs, Noelle O’Connell, Executive Director of European Movement Ireland and Ben Butters, Director of Policy with Eurochambres – discussed the future of Europe and whether Ireland is stronger within or outside the EU. The second panel then had a robust debate on how Europe can work better for Irish business, potential EU reforms and the future of the EU. The guest speakers on this panel included Graham Stull from the European Commission Representation in Ireland, Ben Butters, Director of Policy with Eurochambres and Prof John O’ Brennan of NUI InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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CHAMBERS NEWS EUROCHAMBRES

Maynooth. The key points of discussion throughout the event included many positive benefits for business, particularly SMEs, and the untapped potential to be gained from membership of the single market, the need for investment, the threat of growing extremism in European politics, on both the left and right, and how this will impact European institutions. BRUSSELS DELEGATION Following on from May’s event, and in light of the subsequent referendum result in the UK where the British public voted to leave the EU, a delegation from across the Irish Chamber Network travelled to Brussels on October 12th to meet with Irish diplomats and key officials from the European Commission. The chambers of commerce represented included Cork Chamber, Fingal Dublin Chamber, Galway Chamber, Athlone Chamber, North Kildare Chamber, Shannon Chamber, South Dublin Chamber, Waterford Chamber and Wexford Chamber. As part of the day’s itinerary, the delegation met with the Irish Ambassador to the European Union, representatives from the Irish Regions Office and representatives from DG Trade, DG Growth and the Executive Agency for SMEs (EASME). The Chamber Network visit to Brussels informed our delegation of the necessity of trade deals like TTIP and CETA progressing if European business is to remain competitive and the importance of the Irish business community clearly communicating to stakeholders that Ireland will remain a strong partner in Europe. Irish business leaders from across the Chamber Network have forged stronger relationships with colleagues in the European Commission, the Irish Regions Office, the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union, our elected representatives and business leaders from across Europe. InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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Prof John O’ Brennan, NUI Maynooth, Lucinda Creighton, Former Minister for European Affairs, Ian Talbot, Chamber Ireland and Ben Butters, Director of Policy with Eurochambres pictured at a Chambers Ireland event in May 2016 which addressed issues relating to EU policy and Ireland’s membership of the European Union

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT OF ENTERPRISES As part of the same trip to Brussels, our delegation, including entrepreneurs from across the network, participated in the European Parliament of Enterprises (EPE). The EPE is organised by Eurochambres, with the support of the European Parliament once every two years, with the objective of bridging the gap between the EU institutions and entrepreneurs. The event allows business people from all over Europe to become Members of the European Parliament of Enterprises (MEPEs) for one day, giving them a unique insight into how one of the most powerful bodies in Europe goes about its decision making process. The delegation of representatives from the Irish business community participated in the debates and votes held on issues including

trade, the Single Market, sustainability and skills. THE YEAR AHEAD Preparing Irish business for the consequences of a UK exit from the EU will be top of our agenda in the months ahead. At this stage, it remains to be seen what a UK exit from the EU will mean for Irish business, for our land border with Northern Ireland and for trade with the UK. Therefore, in the interim, we must focus our attentions on the areas of policy we can influence that will drive Ireland’s competitiveness in the years ahead. In order to advance these goals, our objective is to work with Chambers and policy makers across the EU and in Brussels to ensure that Irish business interests are taken into consideration when the EU begins negotiations with the UK after the triggering of Article 50 in 2017. 25

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15/02/2017 09:51

CHAMBERS NEWS EU AFFAIRS

The Brief from

BRUSSELS Emma Kerins, International Affairs Executive with Chambers Ireland, looks at what we can expect to be on the EU agenda for 2017.

s the business community looks at the year ahead, many challenges loom on the horizon. The consequences of Brexit have yet to become clear, the issues of migration and the subsequent integration of migrants is becoming ever more important across the EU and unemployment is still a major issue, where European Commission “THE statistics record INTERRUPTION AND a 10 per cent LIKELY rate overall and a 20.8 per cent REDUCTION OF rate when it TRADE BETWEEN comes to youth IRELAND AND THE unemployment. UK WILL HAVE A Furthermore, DISPROPORTIONATE growth across the IMPACT ON eurozone is still OUR slow, although INDIGENOUS Ireland continues FIRMS, ESPECIALLY to be the fastest OUR growing economy in the EU. EXPORTING WHAT TO WATCH These challenges make for a difficult year ahead for both the business

SMES WHO ARE HUGELY RELIANT ON THE UK AS

• Supporting the European Commission’s trade agenda, particularly with regard to increased transatlantic trade • Reducing administrative burdens for business • Completing the Single Market, particularly in ways that support Ireland’s growing digital economy • Supporting SMEs The Commission’s proposals to reform the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCTB) into 2017 will also be a brief that the Irish business community will be following closely.

THEIR PRIMARY MARKET.” CHALLENGES

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community and the European Union. Malta takes over the European Council Presidency for the first half of 2017, to be followed by Estonia in the second half of the year. When outlining the priorities for the presidency, the Maltese government said its overarching objective is to restore trust in the EU. In the European Commission’s Work Programme for 2017, several areas will inform the work of Chambers Ireland for the duration of 2017. This includes:

The UK’s exit from the EU is almost certain to be the most

pressing challenge for Irish business. Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty is likely to be triggered by the British government in the first half of 2017, thus beginning the process of the UK’s exit from the EU. Ensuring that Ireland’s interests are taken into consideration during this process will be a difficult task. The UK has committed itself to a hard Brexit which may see them leave not only the Single Market, but the Customs Union. The interruption and likely reduction of trade between Ireland and the UK will have a disproportionate impact on our indigenous firms, especially our exporting SMEs who are hugely reliant on the UK as their primary market. This will leave an economy like Ireland very exposed. With crucial general elections in the Netherlands (March), France (April/May), Italy (April or May) and Germany (September/October) likely to dominate the political picture in the months to come, business can expect a slowing down of political decision-making in the EU for a large part of 2017. Preparing Irish business for the consequences of a UK exit from the EU will be top of our agenda in the months and years ahead. Our objective is to work with Chambers and policy makers across the EU and in Brussels to ensure that Irish business interests are taken into consideration when the EU begins negotiations with the UK after the triggering of Article 50 in 2017. 27

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CHAMBERS NEWS NPF

Backing

DRIVERS OF GROWTH By harnessing the assets and distinctiveness of each region and city, the National Planning Framework can promote national growth and more balanced development.

rom a policy perspective, one of the most important initiatives for the longterm development of Ireland is currently being drafted and will be published this year. The National Planning Framework (NPF), under the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, will be the successor to the 2002 National Spatial Strategy (NSS) and will set out to deliver a national plan for the sustainable development of Ireland. The National Planning Framework will seek to answer important and difficult questions such as “what should Ireland look like in 20 years?” and “how can we ensure that every region realises it’s potential?” The Department has outlined that it will be developing the Framework in parallel with the three Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies which will come from the Regional Assemblies, thus ensuring joinedup policies and consequently more effective planning, investment and decision-making. One key function of the NPF must be to facilitate and support the effective and sustainable economic growth InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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of Ireland’s regions. Through effectively leveraging Ireland’s cities we can ensure they act as drivers of economic development for the regions. Chambers Ireland believes that through harnessing the assets and distinctiveness of each region and city, the NPF can promote national growth and more balanced development. The Framework, which will be vital in ensuring the increased investment in infrastructure which is now needed to keep up with Ireland’s growing economy and population, is planned in a way that will maximise economic benefit to the regions and “THE to the country as a GOVERNMENT whole. Following MUST the failure of the ENSURE THAT NSS to be properly THERE IS implemented, POLITICAL Chambers Ireland COMMITMENT, takes the view NATIONALLY that full political AND support is LOCALLY, required for the FOR THE NPF to succeed. IMPLEMENTATION Chambers Ireland, OF THE NPF SO which sits on the Government’s THAT IT DOES NPF Advisory NOT SUFFER Committee, THE SAME is engaging in FATE AS THE submissions to the NATIONAL SPATIAL Department on STRATEGY.” the NPF, and will continue to engage constructively on

this important piece of policy which aims to decide on major infrastructure projects and highlevel development strategy for Ireland to the year 2040. It will be important for the success of the NPF that economic development planning is not seen as a zero-sum game with one area or region gaining at the expense of another. The Government must ensure that there is political commitment, nationally and locally, for the implementation of the NPF so that it does not suffer the same fate as the National Spatial Strategy. If regional economic development is seen as ‘winner-takes-all’ the NPF will not succeed; the emphasis must be on supporting drivers of growth for the benefit of the regions and the country as a whole. Chambers Ireland is hopeful that by clearly articulating the strategic case for national infrastructure projects, their benefits and the logic for their locations, the Framework will build public trust and support amongst politicians, citizens and communities for nationally important infrastructure projects. Considering that over the next 20 years Ireland’s population is expected to grow by up to one million, there is a greater need than ever to effectively plan for this future and the increased demands on our already strained infrastructure stocks, which this will mean. 29

15/02/2017 11:40

IN 2016, CORRIB NATURAL GAS SUPPLIED 55% OF IRELANDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GAS REQUIREMENT.

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15/02/2017 09:55

CHAMBERS NEWS CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Going Full

CIRCLE Elisha Collier O’Brien, Research and Policy Executive with Chambers Ireland, examines how Irish companies can engage in the circular economy and what they stand to gain from reducing waste in their businesses.

hile the fate of the Paris Climate Agreement remains somewhat uncertain given recently inaugurated President Trump’s apparent lack of commitment to it, at a European and national level climate commitments remain firmly in place and Ireland will continue to progress with decarbonising our economy. With 2016 having been reported as the world’s hottest year on record, tackling climate change and the engagement of actors, both public and private, in changing their business as usual approach to operations has never been more critical than it is now. Essential to addressing climate change and creating a more sustainable economy is the concept of the circular economy. At a European level the Circular Economy Package has been adopted by the European Commission and is listed second on the Commission’s list of key initiatives for implementation in 2017, thus we can expect to hear a lot more about it in the coming months. InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

031 InBusiness YB 2017_CN_Circular.indd 31

So what is the circular economy and how can Irish businesses play a part in it? Essentially, the circular economy involves moving away from our current linear model where goods go from production to consumption to landfill, towards a system in which products and materials are highly valued and where the emphasis is on creating goods which are long-lasting or which can be repaired, re-used or repurposed. A circular economy involves more sharing, lending and repairing; changes which we are already seeing enabled by online peer-to-peer businesses. Shifting to renewable sources of energy, waste minimisation in the production of products and designing goods which are longer-lasting and repairable are also fundamental in moving towards a circular economy. The throw-away culture of modern consumerism is not sustainable and we cannot continue to treat resources as though they are infinite; greater value must be placed on both raw materials and final products. Business has a huge role to play in transitioning the country towards a circular economy and greater resource efficiency in production is one way in which business can make a start: currently in Ireland industrial waste accounts for 80 per cent of waste generation. The circular economy can encompass existing business models

while also making room for new and innovative business types which embrace sustainability and waste reduction as part of their core functions. Behavioural and process changes are just one part of the move towards the circular economy; there is huge scope for new business models in this sphere, creating jobs, offering solutions and driving innovation. The European Circular Economy Package includes ambitious targets on recycling and waste reduction along with measures that seek to promote innovation and ‘ecodesign’ in the private sector. Under the package there are economic incentives for producers aiming to introduce greener products and innovative production processes. A study commissioned by Veolia and undertaken by Imperial College London found that the shift to a ‘closed loop’ economic system has the potential to contribute 1.65 billion (0.7 per cent) of GDP and create 5,000 new jobs in Ireland. Public consciousness is increasingly recognising the importance of sustainable and ‘greener’ products and business models, meaning there is now real scope for SMEs to differentiate themselves amongst competitors by engaging in the circular economy and highlighting the benefits of resource efficiency and waste reduction for their businesses. Similarly, the benefits of creating higher quality, durable and repairable products should be easily recognisable to customers and such reputational value will speak for itself. Chambers Ireland is a member of the National Waste Prevention Committee and works with the Environmental Protection Agency to bring information and guidance to SMEs interested in waste management, waste prevention and environmental issues more broadly. 31

14/02/2017 17:11

CHAMBERS NEWS CSR

Making

CSR WORK In 2017 Chambers Ireland will continue to promote the practice of socially responsible business and increase awareness of the benefits of CSR to both business and society.

hambers Ireland firmly believes that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is good for business and good for the society in which business operates and we strive to promote CSR in Ireland through a number of channels. From our annual CSR Awards, the work of our CSR Policy Council and through engagement with our network of local chambers, Chambers Ireland

is heavily involved in the Corporate Social Responsibility landscape of Ireland. In particular, given that most businesses in Ireland are small in size, Chambers Ireland focuses on encouraging and assisting SMEs to engage in CSR. Often we find that these businesses are already engaged in some type of CSR activity without defining it as such and without any promotion of their initiatives. In our CSR

Neil McDonnell, Chief Executive, ISME, Catherine Heaney, MD, DHR Communications and Chair of the National CSR Stakeholder Forum, Minister of State for Employment and Small Business Pat Breen and Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland at the launch of the online CSR Tool for SMEs in December 2016

032 InBusiness YB 2017_CN_CSR.indd 32

Awards last year we saw highquality and varied entries in our SME category, reflective of the excellent work SMEs are engaged in with their local communities and even further afield. 2016 Reflecting on CSR in Ireland over the last year, Anne Cooney, Group Corporate Social Responsibility Coordinator at ESB, the company which won the Overall Excellence in CSR Award in 2016, outlined that “the last year has seen public expectations of business continue to increase. The public has become increasingly aware of the importance of the social and environmental impact of business. Companies are expected to contribute to society in a much more meaningful and positive way.” We saw these heightened expectations reflected in the increasingly high standard of entries to our awards and from a Chambers Ireland perspective, 2016 was a busy and productive year for CSR in Ireland. From the work of our Policy Council to the productivity of the National CSR Stakeholder Forum on which Chambers Ireland sits, we are greatly encouraged by the CSR work being undertaken by both indigenous Irish firms and multinationals based here. Last year the CSR Stakeholder Forum launched an online tool for SMEs to evaluate their CSR work and direct them to engage further on CSR. This tool helps to measure a company’s engagement InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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CHAMBERS NEWS CSR

with CSR and offers feedback and guidance on the next steps for further engagement. This resource is an excellent way of guiding SMEs on the path to both getting involved and improving upon existing CSR plans. The Stakeholder Forum also began publishing a quarterly newsletter in 2016 with updates and information on CSR in Ireland. Meanwhile, Chambers Ireland’s CSR Policy Council, made up of experts in the field, has been continuously working hard to engage more with SMEs on CSR. Chair of our CSR Policy Council and Head of Corporate Citizenship at KPMG Karina Howley outlines that the Council “strives to raise awareness of best practice on CSR, supporting SMEs on how they can engage on CSR activities and give advice on CSR policy.” In 2016 through our Policy Council and our network of local chambers we began offering SMEs the chance to meet with a CSR expert from the Council for guidance on how to get started in CSR or how to progress with their existing CSR programmes. Chair Karina Howley describes InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

032 InBusiness YB 2017_CN_CSR.indd 33

the aim of this as being “the transfer of knowledge, leveraging relationships and embedding CSR in SME thinking”. We have so far had uptake from a number of SMEs in a wide variety of fields, from a communications firm to a construction company, which shows that CSR can work for every business type and size. This initiative has proven very successful for the companies and council members involved and we will continue to coordinate such guidance sessions for SMEs in 2017. 2017 At the most recent National Stakeholder Forum meeting in November, Business in the Community (BITC) Ireland outlined CSR priority areas for the year ahead, which fall under the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Bernadette Phelan from BITC explains that “the UN’s SDGs are a key framework as they provide Government, business and society with a common agenda”. Delivering progress in Youth Employment and Gender and Diversity are among the priority

areas highlighted as vital for CSR “WE in Ireland. These issues correspond HAVE SO FAR greatly with the HAD UPTAKE work Chambers FROM A NUMBER Ireland is engaged OF SMES IN A in at a policy level WIDE VARIETY as well as our OF FIELDS, CSR Awards and FROM A Policy Council. For COMMUNICATIONS example, in 2016 FIRM TO A we introduced a CONSTRUCTION new category in COMPANY, our annual awards WHICH on promoting youth employment, SHOWS THAT which will be CSR CAN continued this WORK FOR year reflecting EVERY BUSINESS the fact that it is TYPE AND still a significant SIZE.” issue in Ireland and it is also an international trend in CSR with the SDGs and the European Pact for Youth focusing on youth unemployment issues. We have also been active in our policy work promoting a higher number of apprenticeship places, enhanced skills and training opportunities and better career guidance at second level. Through our various channels we will continue to promote the practice of socially responsible business in Ireland and increase awareness of the benefits to both business and society of CSR. Looking to the year ahead, Anne Cooney says: “CSR will continue to evolve and develop. What I see coming down the line for CSR is increased partnership and collaboration, further compliance with global best practice but also a renewed focus on local issues and priorities”. Chambers Ireland expects 2017 to be an even more fruitful year for CSR in Ireland. For more information on the National Stakeholder Forum and CSR in Ireland, check out www.csrhub.ie. 33

14/02/2017 17:11

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15/02/2017 09:53

CHAMBERS NEWS START-UPS

SUPPORTING OUR

Start-ups Elisha Collier O’Brien, Policy and Research Executive with Chambers Ireland, explores some of the measures needed at national level to enable Irish start-ups to thrive.

aving recently attended the Global Entrepreneurship Network’s Startup Nations Summit, which took place in Cork in November 2016, start-up policy has been on our minds at Chambers Ireland. The benefits which start-ups bring to the economy and to society are manifold: from job creation to innovative products and disruptive business models. At the Startup Nations Summit delegates from all over the world converged on Cork to share ideas on how policy-makers can support start-ups to grow and succeed. While policy-makers often tend to speak in terms of SME-friendly policies, and though they are often grouped together, start-ups are not the same as SMEs: they have distinct needs and challenges which are different to those facing already established small and medium sized businesses. Given the demanding and often insecure nature of managing a start-up, these businesses are generally not organised at a national or European level in the same way that established businesses are. As such it can be difficult to engage with start-ups on policies and regulations that impact their businesses. We must ensure that the voice of the start-up community is heard and their needs considered if we are to InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

035 InBusiness YB 2017_CN_Start-ups.indd 35

foster an environment in Ireland where new and innovative businesses can make it past the initial phase and begin to scale. There are a number of actors such as Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices and Startup Ireland carrying out excellent work in this area at present, but there are measures that could be taken at a national level to improve Ireland’s ability to support early stage businesses and entrepreneurs. A significant problem facing Irish start-ups is access to early stage risk capital and investors. Incentives for angel investors such as a tax relief on investment may be one way to increase the funding available to start-ups. Italy is one of the few countries to have introduced a comprehensive piece of legislation known as a ‘Startup Act’ which offers such incentives for investors, along with other start-up-friendly measures such as allowing startups free online incorporation and registration through selfcertification. Such legislation, which clearly defines and distinguishes start-ups from other businesses, would give Irish start-ups a better chance of success and moving to the next stage of business through removing red tape at a crucial time in the life cycle of a business. Meanwhile, any policies which improve the business ecosystem in Ireland are beneficial to businesses

of all sizes including start-ups. The delivery of the National Broadband Plan as well as the completion of the Digital Single Market at a European level stand to offer Irish SMEs and start-ups the opportunity to “WE MUST enter new markets ENSURE THAT THE and carry out VOICE OF more trade from a THE START-UP distance. Similarly, COMMUNITY IS access to talent for HEARD AND businesses of all sizes THEIR NEEDS is vital and must be CONSIDERED IF fostered through WE ARE TO skills provision and FOSTER AN entrepreneurial, ENVIRONMENT IN digital and IRELAND managerial WHERE NEW education. Finally, one thing AND that stood out from INNOVATIVE an Irish perspective at BUSINESSES CAN the Startup Nations MAKE IT PAST THE Summit was the clear INITIAL PHASE message that policyAND BEGIN TO makers should not SCALE.” try to replicate Silicon Valley or other places where start-ups have thrived. Rather we must embrace and improve upon our own unique ecosystem which has already seen some successful start-ups emerge. We should play to our strengths and understand our weaknesses; sharing knowledge and policies from other countries and adapting these to fit Ireland’s economy and society will be key in improving conditions for start-ups to thrive. 35

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CHAMBERS NEWS THE YEAR IN PICTURES

CORK

LOCAL CHAMBERS:

THE YEAR IN

PICTURES

2016 was another busy year for the Chamber Network. InBUSINESS highlights some of the events that took place around the country.

Pictured are a selection of the successful placements from Cope Foundation’s ‘Grand Job’ campaign, run in partnership with Cork Chamber, which promotes the equal participation of people with disabilities in the workforce.

DUBLIN DROGHEDA

BBC Journalist John Simpson speaking to an audience of 1,600 at the Dublin Chamber Annual Dinner in the Convention Centre Dublin in October 2016.

NORTH KILDARE North Kildare Chamber hosted several business briefings in 2016. Speakers included Padraig McManus, Chairman of Eir, ERSI and the Curragh Racecourse and Peter Carey, CEO Of Kildare County Council. Pictured are the Mayor of Kildare County Council Cllr Brendan Weld with Padraig McManus, Peter Carey and President of the Chamber Vivian Cummins.

036 InBusiness YB 2017_Network Year in Pictures.indd 36

David Fitzsimons, CEO of Retail Excellence Ireland, speaking at the Drogheda Chamber Business Expo 2016 on the future of retail.

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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CHAMBERS NEWS THE YEAR IN PICTURES

SOCIAL MEDIA

WATERFORD Waterford Chamber hosted its fourth annual Industrial Technologies conference on October 13th at the Tower Hotel in Waterford city. The conference, hosted in partnership with Waterford Institute of Technology and sponsored by Vodafone Ireland, saw a number of experts in the technology and industrial sectors take to the stage to discuss technologies such as the Internet of Things, metal 3D printing, collaborative robotics and energy generation. Pictured left to right are Laurent Borla, Waterford Chamber President; Carol Stafford, Vodafone; Leo O’Leary, Vodafone; Jonathan Downey, Schivo Group; Lauren Morris, Vodafone; Nick Donnelly, Waterford Chamber CEO.

@ChambersIreland now has over 7,000 followers. Follow us for daily news from Chambers Ireland and for information from across our Chamber Network.

Chambers Ireland has a company page on LinkedIn where we share our latest news stories and blog posts. Follow our page to connect with us and our Chamber Network.

LETTERKENNY Pictured at Retail – The Winning Formula event, jointly run by AIB and Letterkenny Chamber, are Barry Naughton, Regional Director, AIB; Mairtin Kelly, Kelly’s Centra; John Bowe, President, Letterkenny Chamber; Simon Healy, Guest Speaker; Toni Forrester, CEO, Letterkenny Chamber; Gordon Burke, Donegal Local Enterprise Office.

NEW ROSS Pictured from left to right at the Live Talk with Sean Gallagher event on October 4th 2016 were John McSweeney, AIB Manager, Tom Banville, Head of Local Enterprise Office, Cllr Michael Whelan, Wexford County Council, Sean Gallagher and Niall Bennett, President, New Ross & District Chamber.

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

036 InBusiness YB 2017_Network Year in Pictures.indd 37

NAVAN To celebrate Navan town being awarded the purple flag accreditation in 2015, Navan Chamber worked with Meath County Council and local businesses to hold a purple flag weekend in October 2016. The weekend consisted of three nights of music, cultural events accompanied by award winning restaurants and late night eateries offering discounts on great food. The weekend was a huge success and further strengthened Navan Chamber’s relationship with its members.

14/02/2017 15:52

CHAMBERS NEWS THE YEAR IN PICTURES

BALLINA

KILKENNY Kilkenny Chamber launches the Medieval Mile Pass, May 2016. Pictured from left to right were Grace Fegan, Rothe House; Martin Hanrahan, Smithwicks Experience; Cllr Fidelis Doherty; John Hurley, CEO, Kilkenny Chamber; Deirdre Shine, President, Kilkenny Chamber; Colette Byrne, CEO, Kilkenny County Council; Martin Costello, Kilkenny Chamber; Elizabeth Keyes, St Canice’s Cathedral.

Pictured from left to right at the Promotions Office Networking event Meet Mayo North were Daithi O’Gallachoir, Gnó Mhaigh Eo; Mags Downey Martin, Ballina Chamber; Brian Hopkins, Mayo Chamber; Gerry Luskin, Ballina Chamber; Killian Rogers, Performance Artist; Anne-Marie Flynn, Mayo North Promotions; Paul Regan, Ballina Chamber President; Billy Lewis, Moy Valley Resources.

SHANNON MEATH

Pictured from left to right at the launch of Meath Chambers at the Ardboyne Hotel Navan on April 13th 2016 were Cllr Alan Tobin, President of Ashbourne Chamber; Paul McGlynn, Vice President, Meath Chamber; Bill Sweeney, President, Kells Chamber; Joe Giltinane, General Secretary, Meath Chamber; Jackie Maguire, Chief Executive, Meath County Council; John V Farrelly, President, Meath Chambers; Donal O’Brien, CEO, Aramark Ireland; Cllr Brian Fitzgerald, President, South East Meath Chamber; Donna Farrell, President, Navan Chamber; Cllr Noel French, Trim Chamber; Joe English, Chief Executive, LEO Meath.

036 InBusiness YB 2017_Network Year in Pictures.indd 38

Three dynamic leaders from the worlds of business and sport took to the stage at Shannon Chamber’s President’s Lunch in Dromoland Castle Hotel to be quizzed by broadcaster Seamus Hennessy on all things leadership. Pictured from left to right were Sean Flannery, Executive Vice President Technical, GECAS; Julie Dickerson, President, Shannon Chamber; Michael Ryan, Tipperary hurling manager; and Helen Downes, Chief Executive, Shannon Chamber.

ENNISCORTHY Enniscorthy & District Chamber hosted The Happy Pear Cooking Demonstration on December 22nd in the Riverside Park Hotel. Pictured are Catriona Murphy, Chamber CEO; David Flynn, The Happy Pear; John Burke O’Leary, Chamber President, Stephen Flynn, The Happy Pear; Maree Lyng, Chamber VP.

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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CHAMBERS NEWS THE YEAR IN PICTURES

WEXFORD Pictured at the official opening ceremony of the new Wexford Chamber offices at Hill Street, Wexford and its new boardroom and training facility at the Datapac Business Resource Centre, on June 9th 2016 was the Mayor of Wexford Cllr Ger Carthy; Madeleine Quirke, CEO of Wexford Chamber; Karl Fitzpatrick, President, Wexford Chamber; Tom Enright, Chief Executive, Wexford County Council; Jean-Pierre Thébault, Ambassador of France; Caoirthearleach Tony Dempsey; Cllr Frank Staples, together with Chamber staff and members.

ENNIS Ennis celebrated a hugely successful week of Irish tradition and culture at the 2016 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The streets were taken over with scheduled and impromptu concerts, jigs and reels and colourful characters. The atmosphere was festive, wholesome and spontaneous reactions were felt in the vibrations of the traditional music. History was made when the Kilfenora Céilí Band and Tulla Céilí Band whipped the crowd into a dancing frenzy.

WEST CORK The Pulse Christmas Spirit was a community art project, in workings with the Chamber and Pulse Bantry. Pulse Bantry has been slowly bringing creativity and the arts out onto the streets with support from Bantry Chamber. Pictured from left to right are Billy Coakley, Aoife Doolan, Áine Florence, Sarah Kennedy, Phyllis O’Connor, Bernie O’Sullivan, Winnie O’Sullivan, Tracey Wilson and Neill Clarke.

GALWAY DUNDALK Dundalk Chamber hit sales of just under 700,000 in shop local Gift vouchers since their launch in May 2015.

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

036 InBusiness YB 2017_Network Year in Pictures.indd 39

Galway Chamber welcomed Taoiseach Enda Kenny to its offices in October 2016 for a meeting on matters of concern to Chamber members. Pictured left to right are Chris Coughlan, Maeve Joyce, Mike Devane, President Conor O’Dowd, Maurice O’Gorman, Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister Sean Kyne, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, Sean Keenan and Frank Greene.

14/02/2017 15:52

CHAMBERS NEWS CHAMBER BUSINESS AWARDS

CELEBRATING

INDUSTRY LEADERS

DROGHEDA & DISTRICT

Chambers across the country hold annual awards recognising the entrepreneurialism and talent of local businesses across all sectors. InBUSINESS takes a glance at some of the ceremonies over the past year.

Winners of the Drogheda & District Chamber 12th Annual Business Excellence Awards held on November 26th at the CityNorth Hotel. With over 250 local business people and dignitaries in attendance it was a fantastic night of celebrating new and long standing businesses in Drogheda & District.

GALWAY

DUNDALK Stephen Kenny, Manager of Dundalk FC, receiving a special recognition award from David Minto, Vice President, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce at the Louth Business Awards 2016.

LIMERICK

Barr Feabhais sa bhFiontraĂocht, the Galway Chamber Business Awards in association with Shannon Airport, were presented in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway on Saturday November 19th 2016. Pictured from left to right are Matthew Thomas, CEO of Shannon Group, Colm Feeney, MD of SSL Source and Supply Logistics, Business of the Year 2016 Overall Winner, and President of Galway Chamber Conor Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Dowd.

KILDARE

Dr James Ring, CEO, Limerick Chamber, Catherine Duffy, Limerick Chamber President, Minister Leo Varadkar Department of Social Protection at the Limerick Chamber President Awards 2016.

040 InBusiness YB 2017_Bus Awards.indd 40

The Kildare Business Awards were held in November 2016 at a gala ball in The K Club with over 300 business leaders in attendance. The awards honour industry leaders through the acknowledgement of innovative business processes, product development, enterprise, sustainability and overall business success. The recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Business Award for 2016 was Stan McCarthy, CEO of the Kerry Group.

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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CHAMBERS NEWS CHAMBER BUSINESS AWARDS

LETTERKENNY

MAYO

Eddie Tobin, proprietor of Tobin’s Service Station in Letterkenny, was named Business Person of the Year for 2016 by Letterkenny Chamber.

Pictured at the annual Mayo Business Awards are Joe Kennedy, Chairman, Ireland West Airport Knock, Neill O’Neill, President, Westport Chamber and Joe Gilmore, CEO, Ireland West Airport Knock. Ireland West Airport Knock won the Special Contribution to Business Award, a trophy awarded to the board, management and staff. The 2016 Mayo Business Awards were held in Ballina in the Twin Trees Hotel on Friday November 4th.

CORK

The Glucksman Gallery in full celebratory mode, with Aoife Dunne, Jennifer Bryan and Barrie O’Connell from Cork Chamber, after being announced as Grand Prix winners at the Cork Digital Marketing Awards run by the Cork Chamber Business School.

NEW ROSS

KILKENNY Kathleen Moran receiving the President’s Award at the Kilkenny Business Awards 2016 from Chamber President Deirdre Shine.

WEXFORD

Pictured from left to right at the 2016 Wexford Business Awards ceremony in Clayton Whites Hotel were Josephine Dunlop, Catherine D’Arcy, Katie O’Connor, David Murphy, Madeleine Quirke, Karl Fitzpatrick, Shauna Doyle, Denise Farrell (all of Wexford Chamber), Geraldine Doyle, GD Accounts Training and Claire O’Rourke, Wexford Chamber.

ENNIS

WATERFORD

Winners of the 2016 New Ross District Business & Community Awards, which celebrate the achievements of local business.

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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Jean McCabe, President and Rita McInerney, former CEO of Ennis Chamber, enjoy a night at the 2016 FBD Clare Business Excellence Awards where Clare businesses meet to network and celebrate entrepreneurship, innovation and business activity in county Clare.

Pictured (second from right) at the Waterford Business Awards Dinner in March 2016 are Cian O’Maidin, nearForm, accepting the Waterford Business of the Year Award from Mayor of Waterford, Cllr John Cummins.

14/02/2017 15:51

Jason Clarke

042 InBusiness YB 2017_Cover Story.indd 42

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

14/02/2017 15:35

COVER STORY

The

Smart Side

of Energy

InBUSINESS spoke with Dave Kirwan, Managing Director of Bord Gáis Energy, about putting the customer ﬁrst, the business of energy efﬁciency and getting smart in technology.

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

042 InBusiness YB 2017_Cover Story.indd 43

ave Kirwan is not about to get complacent. The managing director of Bord Gáis Energy has seen the business transform from a semi-state company – having brought it through an 18-month long rigorous sale to UK energy giant Centrica in 2014 – to a business operating in what the Commission for Energy Regulation cites as one of the most competitive energy markets in the world. The Carlow native is something of an energy industry veteran having racked up 25 years’ experience in the sector – 18 of which have been spent at Bord Gáis – beginning right after he graduated from UCD with a degree in electronic engineering. He plied his trade at ESB International, which included stints in Vietnam and Texas, before joining Bord Gáis Éireann as business development manager in 1999, which set him on the path to where he is today. We meet in the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre’s Circle Club where, sitting in plush surroundings, Kirwan outlines the importance of remaining focused on the customer. “Last year was a good year for us,” he reﬂects. “The Irish energy market continues to be among the most competitive energy markets in the world. We have the most switching for residential customers in gas in Europe, and the second most in residential electricity. What that means for businesses like us is that we absolutely have to be on our game – there can be no complacency when it comes to our customers – whether or not they want to stay with us, or whether they’re going to switch. It is that challenging!” Last year was a reasonably good one for the energy company, during which time it delivered further growth in customer accounts. Figures from parent group Centrica show that its Irish arm generated gross revenue of £402m (a467m) in the first six months of 2016, and an adjusted operating profit of £24m (a28m); incremental increases on what was a strong performance in 2015. “We’ve grown in all our categories,” says Kirwan. 43

14/02/2017 15:35

CV:

Jason Clarke

me off more than the next big offer to someone who’s coming through the door when you’ve been with them 18 months. We don’t want to go there.”

Dave Kirwan ROLE: Managing Director, Bord Gáis Energy LIVES: South Dublin FAMILY: Married to Catriona with four children CURRENTLY READING: Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen FAVOURITE FILM: Miller’s Crossing (1990) HOBBIES: Watching sport, underage GAA coaching, guitar, music, reading

042 InBusiness YB 2017_Cover Story.indd 44

“We hit the 40,000 business customer mark at the end of 2016 – something that we hadn’t achieved since 2011. I’m very proud of that and very proud of the team that got us there.” When it comes to customer loyalty the Irish energy market is quite unique. A new trend among consumers of regularly switching providers comes – for the most part – as a result of the ‘quick win and lock them in’ approach being taken by some of the energy companies eager to gain market share. Despite the acquisition offer war taking place, Kirwan is reluctant to engage in the frenzy. “We’ve got to show customers that staying with us is better in the long haul,” he says. “That’s why we put as much investment into the tariffs that our customers are on forever as with the acquisition. If you get that balance wrong, you’re communicating to your existing customers that you don’t care about them as much as the new guy coming through the door. For me that’s not a sustainable model. I’m a customer of many utilities and nothing ticks

THE BUSINESS OFFERING So how about Irish businesses’ attitude to energy? Are they seeing the benefits of being energy efficient and what is Bord Gáis Energy doing to help them get there? Kirwan is under no illusion that it features high on their list of priorities but he is witnessing a sea change in awareness levels regarding not only the savings that can be made, but also a consciousness about their carbon footprint. “You can see in our brand proposition – which is a fancy word for how we present ourselves to the outside world – we recognise that energy isn’t the number one topic of conversation for our customers. Across our business customers, the number one topic of conversation is ‘where’s my next customer? How am I going pay the bills? Is there potential to grow? Will the bank give me money?’ That’s what worries them and our job is to take one less worry off the table.” With this in mind, Bord Gáis Energy ran a retention campaign last year whereby they contacted their customers to assure them that they were being placed on the tariff that most suited their needs and one which saved them money. “That’s our job,” insists Kirwan. “The marketing people will call energy a ‘low interest category’. We’re fine with that, as long as our customers are getting what they need from us, and we’re not that pretentious to think we’re that important. It’s our job to be there when they need us and not to be bothering them when they don’t.” BACKING ENERGY PROJECTS Where business customers won’t mind Bord Gáis Energy ‘bothering’ them is when it involves the latter providing funding towards the capital cost of one of their energy efficiency projects. It’s something that Bord Gáis Energy has been investing in recently and last December, for InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

14/02/2017 15:35

example, the company supported the development of a state-of-the-art 3.3MW Combined Heat and Power unit (CHP) at Bausch + Lomb’s Waterford facility, which is predicted to save the company up to a1 million per year on energy costs. To apply for such funding, companies make an initial enquiry to Bord Gáis Energy, which is then followed up by one of their experts. If approved, the value of financial support available is based on the total volume of energy savings made by each project, and the types of projects supported include lighting, boiler or chiller replacements, high efficiency pumps and renewable energy technologies. As well as providing funding, Bord Gáis Energy also acts as an advisor to businesses on energy efficiency. The company has partnered with Irish start-up UrbanVolt to offer businesses an opportunity to dramatically reduce their energy costs through LED light upgrades, without having to make any upfront investment. “We can go in and help survey your business, install the LED lighting, you’ll get the efficiencies and pay back over time,” explains Kirwan. “These are the options that are available today and we’ll be extending these kind of offers, whereby we go into businesses to make them more energy efficient, in the next three to four years. That’s what we’re exploring at the moment, and over the next six months, you’re going to see more of that from us.” GETTING SMART Indeed, technology will undoubtedly shape the energy industry as a whole in the coming years, and it’s something we’re already starting to see with the Internet of Things whereby everyday devices can connect with an on and off switch to the internet (and/or to each other). This includes anything from mobile phones, coffee makers and washing machines to lamps and wearable devices. It’s something Bord Gáis Energy’s parent company has already invested heavily in through its innovative technology, Hive. This smart device connects with your InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

042 InBusiness YB 2017_Cover Story.indd 45

phone enabling you to receive data about your use of energy in the home or in business. It’s the future, according to Kirwan, and one which he believes will benefit the customer much more than the provider. “More and more customers are in the driving seat to determine what they want, when they want it, how they want it, how much they want to pay for it. For every industry in the world, that’s where it’s gone. Customers are determining their taxi service through Hailo, how they want to book their hotel room in Brazil without ever being there, cutting out a lot of people in the chain. We feel that energy is going to go the same way. I know it sounds ridiculous, but you could be sitting in your office in three or four years’ time and you could get a signal from us that says ‘it’d be a good time now to put on that washing machine that you loaded before you left because you’re going to pay one-third less than if you do it the traditional way when you get home.’ That’s the kind of direction in which our energy business needs to travel to be with our customers, enabled by the smart technologies that we’re developing across the Centrica group.” On a personal level, when it comes to an interest in technology, Kirwan sees himself as neither an anorak nor a dinosaur, but somewhere in the middle. A bit like his philosophy as an energy provider, he knows when it’s the right time to keep out of the way. “We’ve a load of early adopters, and they’re all there ‘gadgeting’ away. But still, I wouldn’t call myself a dinosaur – I love the idea that we’re in an industry that can change and completely turn itself on its head. And I’m very proud to be a part of a company that is interested in innovating on behalf of the customers and asking the question ‘does it matter?’ For me, there’s two types of technical innovation, there’s technical innovation because it’s cool and there’s technical innovation because it will change your customers’ lives for the better. And I think we’re in the latter camp.”

NO LONGER THE COMPANY

‘THAT DOES THE GAS’

ne day prior to InBUSINESS meeting with Kirwan, Bord Gáis Energy announced that it had become a new official sponsor of the GAA Hurling AllIreland Senior Championship for the next three years, building on its sponsorship of the Under-21 Championship originally signed in 2009. Kirwan, who himself is involved in coaching his local GAA club at under-age level – believes that the partnership with the GAA – and indeed any of the sponsorship that Bord Gáis Energy has become involved with – is a crucial step in redefining what the company stands for, particularly after being regarded in the past as “that company that does the gas”. Kirwan says: “The Under-21 Hurling Championship gave us a new platform to be associated with a sport that people loved, in areas where we didn’t always have something to say. Natural gas is something that customers in big cities in Ireland have. People in rural areas have less because the network just isn’t there. We needed a voice, we needed a presence. The Under-21 Hurling Championship gave us that. We’ve tried to connect with our customers to say: ‘This is our sponsorship. But it’s your sponsorship. You get involved with the game you love through us.’”

14/02/2017 15:35

PARTNER PROFILE CBRE

COMMERCIAL

PROPERTY FORECAST

Marie Hunt, Executive Director, Head of Research, CBRE Ireland, looks at what 2017 holds in store for the commercial property market.

Attempting to predict what

Marie Hunt, Executive Director, Head of Research, CBRE Ireland

046 InBusiness YB 2017_PP_CBRE.indd 46

the year ahead holds for the Irish economy, and in turn its commercial property sector, is not without its challenges considering the extent to which the global economic and political landscape has changed over the last 12 months. Despite the fact that Ireland remains on course to be one of the best performing economies in the eurozone for the fourth year running in 2017 and now has more than two million people employed, a combination of seismic events has muddied the waters, to the extent that the trajectory of the Irish real estate sector remains somewhat uncertain. Economics, tax and politics will all have a huge bearing on the market over the course of the next 12 months. Considering the a1.2-a1.4 billion of trade between Ireland and Britain each week and the fact that Ireland is the only country sharing a land border with the UK, Brexit is a particular concern for Ireland, with potential implications for jobs, economic growth and Government finances. Meanwhile, political risks in the eurozone have

â&#x20AC;&#x153;ECONOMICS,

TAX AND POLITICS WILL ALL

HAVE A HUGE BEARING ON THE

MARKET OVER THE COURSE OF THE

NEXT 12 MONTHS.â&#x20AC;?

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

14/02/2017 17:18

PARTNER PROFILE CBRE

risen following President Trump’s victory, heightening perceived risks of populist parties gaining power in other countries in Europe. Encouragingly, market fundamentals in the Irish commercial real estate market remain compelling. Demand remains strong across all of the occupier markets (office, industrial and retail) and where new supply is viable and being developed, it is coming on stream on a controlled basis in this cycle. There is understandably some concern about the sustainability of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Ireland from the USA following last year’s surprise election result and expectations that corporate tax rates in the US will be lowered in an effort to encourage some occupiers to remain in the US. We don’t see this having an adverse impact on multinationals that are already operating successfully out of Ireland, and in any event many corporations will still need to have an EMEA presence to service their European customer base. This bodes well for Ireland, particularly considering that our 12.5 per cent corporate tax rate remains intact. However, we may see some deceleration of FDI in 2017 as potential occupiers take time to reflect, which could potentially negatively impact take-up volumes in the office, industrial and logistics sectors of the market in Ireland. Ironically, even if this materialises, there is potential for an expected increase in occupier demand from the UK in 2017 as a result of Brexit, compensating for any deterioration in appetite from US occupiers. We expect to see a notable increase in Brexit relocation activity in 2017 although for the most part we expect this to take the form of a number of mid-sized job announcements as opposed to large-scale relocations. TAX RATE RELIANCE We expect to see increased tax competition globally over the coming years, so it is now imperative that Ireland reduces its reliance on the 12.5 per cent corporate tax plank of our offer and ensures that the other elements of Ireland’s attractiveness to overseas occupiers and investors are given appropriate focus. For the most part, we are encouraged by the range of measures introduced by Government in the last 12 months in an effort to stimulate the delivery of much-needed housing in our capital cities, which is so critical to our ability to attract international occupiers and investors. InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

046 InBusiness YB 2017_PP_CBRE.indd 47

We expect to see a meaningful improvement in the delivery of new “WE housing supply in Ireland this year, albeit from a relatively low base. In EXPECT TO addition to ensuring Ireland’s main SEE A cities have sufficient affordable housing, MEANINGFUL the focus for the Government now IMPROVEMENT firmly needs to be on the provision of IN THE other necessary infrastructure including DELIVERY schools, transport and broadband. OF NEW Regardless of the economic or HOUSING political backdrop, returns from Irish commercial real estate have SUPPLY IN been slowing for some time now IRELAND following the extraordinary growth THIS YEAR, experienced in 2014 and 2015. This ALBEIT FROM A easing is expected to continue in 2017, RELATIVELY particularly considering the unexpected LOW BASE.” tax changes announced in Budget 2017, which are likely to impact negatively on pricing this year. Although good rental growth is still forecasted to be achieved in some sectors of the market this year, the pace of rental inflation has eased and we are now approaching the peak of the current rental cycle at the prime end of the office sector. Prime yields are expected to remain relatively stable in 2017 and as a result returns from Irish real estate will be largely generated from income from this point forward. We expect to see increased focus on ‘alternative’ forms of investment in 2017 as investors and developers alike focus attention on undersupplied sectors such as student accommodation, purpose-built residential rental accommodation, nursing homes and healthcare facilities. Now that deleveraging activity is slowing down, we expect transaction volumes in the hotel sector of the market to decline a little in 2017, following two extraordinary years in which more than a1.5 billion of hotel assets traded in the Irish market. With much-needed new supply due to come on stream in the Dublin hotel sector over the next few years, we believe that 2017 will prove an opportune time for some hoteliers to capitalise on the very strong demand currently prevailing for hotel properties in the capital. Meanwhile, we expect to see an increase in the volume of Dublin pubs trading in 2017 with a number of suburban pubs expected to change hands this year. As we start what promises to be another busy (albeit different) year in the Irish commercial property market, there are certainly more clouds on the horizon than heretofore. However, as pricing normalises and we move further into the development phase of the current cycle, this will also give rise to opportunities. Irish real estate remains a sought after investment class although considering the more uncertain backdrop, from this point forward, investors will be focused on achieving safe, reliable returns as opposed to putting capital at risk. 47

14/02/2017 17:18

PARTNER PROFILE AIB

EQUITY

THE

AIB is helping Irish companies grow through its equity finance offering.

One of the most significant

developments in the Irish financial services sector in recent years has been the growth in alternative sources of finance for Irish companies seeking to expand their business. While bank debt continues to account for the lion’s share of finance provided by the banks to SMEs, the growth in the equity finance market over the last ten years has led to the creation of a vibrant ecosystem with numerous venture capital and private equity firms now operating in the Irish market. The Irish banks have played an important role in supporting this growth, says Ray Fitzpatrick, Head of AIB’s Equity Investment Unit. “AIB, for example, has committed a130 million to ten active funds since 2007. Between them they have raised around a692m, which has been invested in approximately 150 companies to date and between them these firms have created around 3,600 jobs,” he says. In addition, he points out that “the State, through the likes of the Irish Strategic Investment Fund and the various Seed and Venture Capital (VC) Schemes run by Enterprise Ireland, has played a significant role in helping to develop the equity finance market in Ireland, and this has been important to its recent development.” By its very nature, equity finance expands the sources of capital available to a business so that larger transactions can be contemplated, according to John Fogarty, Managing Director, AIB Corporate Finance Limited. “The reality is that only so much can be financed from cash flow, and unlike bank debt, which is the starting point for companies when they want to expand, equity helps maximise the range of other finance options that they can bring on board. And it also offers a degree of comfort to lenders when they see that a company has taken the steps to raise private equity,” he says.

048 InBusiness YB 2017_PP_AIB.indd 48

OPTION MAINTAINING CONTROL A common misconception among business owners contemplating equity finance as an option is that they will end up ceding control of their business to the equity provider, according to Fogarty. “Naturally, there is a fear of the unknown and owners may have concerns about giving up control. The idea of bringing another shareholder into a business, which the owner has spent decades building, can be difficult at first but in practice the new equity investor is not trying to take over the business. “The reality is that they are investing in the business and the management because they believe it has a profitable future ahead and they see the potential. Generally, new equity investors are not seeking to come in and run the business, rather they are backing the owner and management team; and they will work with them, to grow the business and to generate returns for the benefit of all shareholders,” he says. “From the outset, however, it’s also important that the interests of the equity investor and the business owner are aligned and that they InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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PARTNER PROFILE AIB

John Fogarty, Managing Director, AIB Corporate Finance Limited

Ray Fitzpatrick, Head of Equity Investment Unit, AIB

share the same view of the company’s future and the direction it should take. If their respective interests are not aligned, it can be disastrous. “So it’s imperative that all the red line areas in terms of valuations, the percentage of the shareholding the owner is prepared to give over, the structure of the board and the voting rights are all agreed upon well in advance. It’s also important that owners of the business take advice or appoint specialist advisers to help them through the process,” says John. “It should also be remembered that private equity investors are not going to be there for the long term either. Typically, they might have a four to six-year horizon before they want to exit because they too have their own shareholders and investors to return capital to. Family offices or private high net-worth individuals, on the other hand, might take a slightly longer term view, depending on the company.”

Finance, AIB. “Mezzanine finance essentially “THE bridges the gap REALITY IS between debt THAT ONLY SO and equity in MUCH CAN BE a company’s FINANCED capital structure. FROM CASH It is a second FLOW, AND ranking security UNLIKE BANK instrument and DEBT, WHICH is subordinate IS THE to senior debt STARTING but more senior POINT FOR in terms of COMPANIES its ranking to WHEN THEY equity. As such, WANT TO it’s an attractive and cheaper EXPAND, alternative to EQUITY equity for some HELPS companies as it MAXIMISE THE allows a business RANGE OF reduce its cost OTHER of capital and FINANCE boost its return OPTIONS THAT on equity,” he THEY CAN says. AIB is BRING ON currently the only BOARD.” Irish bank that has a dedicated mezzanine finance unit. In effect, Mezzanine debt is cheaper than equity and is not shareholder dilutive, which are both very important to Irish business owners, but the reality is that it may not be suitable

MEZZANINE FINANCE While the availability of institutional equity has played a significant role in boosting the pool of capital available to Irish businesses, it is by no means the only option available. In recent years, the availability of Mezzanine Finance, for example, has played an increasing role in the capital mix at the disposal of businesses, says Ronan Burke, Head of Mezzanine InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

048 InBusiness YB 2017_PP_AIB.indd 49

Ronan Burke, Head of Mezzanine Finance, AIB

for every business. “It’s not suitable for start-ups or companies in the early stages of their development,” says Burke. “Apart from having good cash flows and a stability in its earnings profile, the company generally has to have a strong market position within its sector in addition to a strong management team and committed shareholders who are likely to have a defined exit strategy,” he says. Typical sectors where Mezzanine finance may be deployed include the hospitality sector (including hotels and pubs), nursing homes, pharmacies and other asset-backed sectors like prime commercial real estate, wind farms and solar energy projects. “Generally it’s used by companies to fund growth opportunities like acquisitions or leveraged management buy-outs,” Burke adds. As increasing numbers of good businesses have funding requirements beyond the confines of senior bank debt, through its corporate finance and specialised finance departments, AIB seeks to work with its corporate and SME customers to provide bespoke and innovative financing solutions and specialised advice on raising capital (both equity and debt) to assist businesses in achieving their growth objectives. For more info visit corporate-finance.aib.ie 49

14/02/2017 17:18

PARTNER PROFILE EMBASSY OF BRAZIL

BUILDING ON THE

OLYMPIC LEGACY

Brazil needs to capitalise on the knowledge gained from staging global events in recent years and turn the country into a worldwide tourist power, writes Vinicius Lummertz, President of Embratur (Brazilian Tourist Board).

In 2016, Brazil organised spectacular Olympic and Paralympic Games, despite pessimistic forecasts to the contrary. We received thousands of tourists in a new Rio de Janeiro. None of the initial issues (Zika, safety, mobility) appeared on the agendas of the demanding international press. A survey carried out by the Ministry of Tourism during Rio 2016 showed that 98 per cent of the visitors thought that the main factor in its success was the hospitality of the people of Rio. Good humour, friendliness and readiness to help were always evident. However, it was something more that happened in Rio and spread throughout the country. The federal, state and municipal governments mobilised and organised creative teams capable of staging spectacles of the highest order, seen by more than five billion people around the world. Seldom has so much been invested in infrastructure in a major city of this country, as during the last few years in Rio de Janeiro. These works constitute a fundamental legacy for improving the tourist offering in the country. This includes modernisation of the airports, installation of the Rio de Janeiro Light Rail (VLT) as part of the BRT system, extension of the metro to the Barra, Rio’s new tourist destination, and rejuvenation of the Praça Mauá, in the historic centre of the city. All in all, there’s a new Rio, thanks to the efforts of the government and private enterprise.

050 InBusiness YB 2017_PP_Brazil.indd 50

MORE THAN A BEAUTIFUL DESTINATION Brazil as a tourist destination, best known for its beautiful beaches, cultural diversity, gastronomy and natural resources, has now set the benchmark as a world leader for hosting large events and attracting foreign direct investment. This achievement justifies our wish to be seen with respect for who we are today and with an eye on the path we will be following. The legacy is there but now comes the challenge. If, on the one hand, the moment in which we are living is unique for the energy and visibility of Brazil’s address to the world, it is also one of reflection. After all, in 2007, with the staging of the Pan American Games, we embarked on a virtuous circle of mega events, followed by Rio+20, the Military World Games, World Youth Day, the Confederations Cup, the FIFA World Cup, culminating in Rio 2016. Brazil now has to capitalise on all the knowledge gained in staging these events and ensure that the improvements in infrastructure, mobility, environment, urban renewal, sports and science are properly taken advantage of. In addition to the progress achieved in the quality of life of the population, one of the sectors which has benefited most from investment during the last few years has been Brazilian tourism, which is also the area with the greatest potential for providing an immediate response in resuming the country’s growth. Tourism is sixth on the list of exports behind soya, iron ore, oil, chicken and sugar – the only one on the list which is not InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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PARTNER PROFILE EMBASSY OF BRAZIL

a commodity – and it is expected that by the end of 2016 we will have reached 6.6 million international visitors, and R$7 billion in exchange earnings. Embratur continues to work on presenting upcoming and surprising Brazilian destinations, which are ready to receive international visitors, including those with any type of incapacity or reduced mobility. Through aggressive strategies in the markets, public relations exercises, advertising and digital campaigns, we are striving to maintain our competitive position and develop on the international tourism stage in a safe and consistent manner. We believe in attracting foreign investment in order to maintain the rate of development and raise the profitability of the sector. We have adopted initiatives which have produced solid results for Brazilian tourism, such as removing the visa requirement for citizens of countries with a strong Olympic tradition (United States, Canada, Australia and Japan) – a measure which proved to be extremely important during Rio 2016, and by studying the model used by the international organisations responsible for promoting their countries across the global market. We are working pragmatically to obtain resources and investment in international tourist promotion. A new market approach will be taken in 2017, focused on extending the length of stay and average spend of the foreign visitor. We also plan to be increasingly digital, with the strengthening of Visit Brasil (www.visitbrasil.com), the global platform for promoting Brazilian tourism abroad, in line with what is happening in the world and with the behaviour of potential consumers. Another important step is the creation by the Brazilian government of a package of measures to encourage the flow of international tourists into Brazil. By 2022 we want to achieve 12 million visitors InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

050 InBusiness YB 2017_PP_Brazil.indd 51

Vinicius Lummertz, President of Embratur

and US$19bn in exchange earnings, an unprecedented level in the growth of the sector in Brazil. NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS Among the proposed measures are the adoption of tax free outlets, deregulation of casinos, opening the market to foreign airlines and the concession of national parks to the private sector. We also support the Brazilian government, which has already acknowledged the strength of the sector in the recovery of national growth, in coordinating a project between the public sector and private enterprise to promote Brazil as a tourist destination. Brazil is clearly dedicated to developing tourism in all its dimensions. Following on the trend adopted by similar tourist destinations that identified tourism as an important driver of growth, Embratur has embraced the challenge to assist Brazil in internationalising its economy further through tourism and in transforming the country’s current great potential into a worldwide tourism power.

“WE ALSO PLAN TO BE INCREASINGLY

DIGITAL WITH THE STRENGTHENING OF VISIT BRASIL (WWW.

VISITBRASIL. COM), THE GLOBAL PLATFORM FOR

PROMOTING BRAZILIAN TOURISM ABROAD, IN LINE WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE WORLD AND WITH THE BEHAVIOUR OF POTENTIAL CONSUMERS.”

14/02/2017 17:18

PARTNER PROFILE ZURICH INSURANCE

WELLBEING

MATTERS

The Tackle Your Feelings initiative highlights the importance of preventative measures in maintaining good mental wellbeing, writes Elaine Hayes of Zurich Insurance.

AT ZURICH

With a long-standing presence

in Ireland of over 30 years, Zurich is one of the country’s leading insurance companies, and provides a wide range of general insurance and life insurance products and services to customers. As a significant local employer, we have over 1,000 people in jobs across locations in Dublin and Wexford. At Zurich, we’ve always prided ourselves on a commitment to making a difference in the local communities in which we operate, supporting a number of important causes across the country. We’ve proudly contributed to charities such as Aware, Pieta House and the Windmill Therapeutic Unit in Wexford over the past number of years through a series of fundraising and volunteering initiatives. Through the global Z Zurich Foundation, a long-term cooperative approach is taken to support Zurich companies worldwide in developing meaningful responses to challenges in their local communities. The Foundation makes a valuable contribution to sustainable social and economic development, with initiatives such as our wellbeing agenda in Ireland, combining Zurich’s global experience with non-profit organisations’ local knowledge and development expertise. WELLBEING AGENDA One key focus for Zurich over the last couple of years, both amongst employees and in local communities, has been continuously driving a wellbeing agenda. The goals for our Wellbeing Matters programme are guided by the Zurich People Vision which states our ambition to create a culture where people ‘show compassion and care and make a difference to those around them’, and to create a workplace that ‘brings out the best in everyone’. These are supported by the Zurich Commitment, a guiding principle that captures our commitment to our people and other stakeholders. With CSR becoming increasingly important, we not only demonstrate our compassion and care to our colleagues, but we firmly believe in resulting operational benefits. Whether this is achieved through awareness of an active lifestyle or stress management, each of our initiatives focuses on both our responsibilities as an employer and as a corporation. 52

052 InBusiness YB 2017_PP_Zurich.indd 52

PRIORITISING OUR PEOPLE Our Wellbeing Matters programme is a holistic, peoplefocused, employee wellbeing programme, incorporating fitness, nutrition, personal budgeting and mental health. It takes a three-pronged approach to supporting the wellbeing of employees, providing them with the knowledge, resources and opportunities to make positive changes in their lives, influencing their physical and mental health and wellbeing. The programme keeps the employee experience at its core and makes wellbeing engaging and fun while having a serious impact in bettering the lives of Zurich employees. We have transformed employee wellbeing into a way of working with effective wellbeing campaigns and by embedding wellbeing into Zurich’s DNA to enable a truly compassionate environment; one that achieves business goals by helping people to be at their best. TACKLE YOUR FEELINGS Through our work, we’ve become increasingly conscious of mental health. Although an increasingly InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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PARTNER PROFILE ZURICH INSURANCE

Zurich’s marketing manager Colm Blake and CR spokesperson Elaine Hayes with Ireland and Leinster rugby star Tadhg Furlong at the Tackle Your Feelings launch

prevalent issue in Ireland, mental health issues can be positively managed with the right support. Taking our internal learnings in the area, we partnered with IRUPA to establish Tackle Your Feelings. Tackle Your Feelings is a three-year all island mental wellbeing campaign which sees national and international rugby stars come forward to tell their own personal stories of the issues they have faced off the pitch. Tackle Your Feelings seeks to emphasise the importance of preventative measures in maintaining good mental wellbeing. By asking people to be honest with themselves about how they are feeling and to take appropriate action, the campaign aims to encourage people to resolve emotional challenges before they escalate into a crisis. The campaign website, www.tackleyourfeelings.com, hosts a number of practical resources to help people develop their emotional self-awareness and proactively work on their mental and emotional wellbeing. Tackle Your Feelings allows us to reach a larger audience and make further inroads into breaking down stigma around mental wellbeing. InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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“THE

BENEFITS OF THE CAMPAIGN NOT ONLY

EXTEND TO OUR EMPLOYEES AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES

HERE IN IRELAND, BUT ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PERFORMANCE

OF THE ZURICH BUSINESS.”

THE BUSINESS CASE In line with our commitment to employee wellbeing, Tackle Your Feelings has allowed us to find new ways to strengthen the mental health supports for employees across Ireland. Through its internal rollout, the campaign is being used to facilitate discussion around mental health, educating employees and driving positive change in their lives. The benefits of the campaign not only extend to our employees and local communities here in Ireland, but also contribute to the performance of the Zurich business. Internally, wellbeing initiatives such as this see a direct impact on business performance drivers such as employee engagement levels. From an external perspective, investing in your employee wellbeing serves to enhance the company’s employer brand, which is key to attracting and retaining the top talent. A HEALTHY FUTURE While we’re only entering year two of Tackle Your Feelings, the campaign is already seeing a significant positive impact in Ireland. While it has helped to facilitate open narratives about mental health, the wider discussion has only begun. With a number of exciting new initiatives planned for 2017 and with sporting ambassadors regularly driving debate, Tackle Your Feelings is set to positively impact mental health in Ireland over the coming years. Zurich’s wellbeing agenda will continue to drive positive change in local communities across Ireland. For further information, please visit www.zurichinsurance.ie. 53

14/02/2017 17:18

PARTNER PROFILE ESB

ENERGY

IRELANDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

TRANSFORMATION ESB is seeking to be part of a transition in the Irish energy sector that future generations will regard as a turning point in the development of a sustainable electricity system.

054 InBusiness YB 2017_PP_ESB.indd 54

Energy and the future of energy is a

constant feature of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s news cycle given the critical role it plays in our daily lives, and indeed the wider economy. In Ireland, the development of the energy system, particularly electricity, has paralleled our economic development, bringing secure, reliable energy to every home and business, and setting the groundwork for the modern, high-tech economy we have now. But Ireland and its energy system face significant challenges. On one hand, our population is growing. By 2050, we are expected to have 30 per cent more people living here, necessitating some 500,000 additional homes to be built and putting about one million more cars on the roads. At the same time, Ireland has signed up to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change which seeks to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2100. In this context, Ireland has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy by 80 per cent - equivalent to a drop from 40 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year to seven million a year. As a nation, we will need a very different energy system to meet the needs of our growing population and economy. The eventual elimination of fossil fuels will not be achieved through tweaks to current technologies, or through the continuation or expansion of current energy efficiency and renewable energy policies. It will need radical new thinking and fundamental changes in the way that we consume energy, particularly in those sectors where emissions are highest. InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

15/02/2017 11:40

PARTNER PROFILE ESB

THE SMART GRID The electricity industry currently accounts for about 20 per cent of Ireland’s carbon emissions, and a low carbon electricity system will be a key part of the transition. We will also need a future transport system with much lower emissions and buildings that need less energy and are powered by low carbon fuel. These requirements are linked; by developing a low carbon electricity system that also powers heating and transport, the potential reduction in our carbon emissions could shift from 20 per cent – from the electricity sector alone – to over 50 per cent, including transport and heating. This joined up energy system offers other potential benefits. For example, electric car batteries could be used to offset intermittent wind generation. Similarly, the heat stored in the fabric of our homes and in our hot water tanks could help to smooth over the variations of our electricity supply. The ‘smart grid’ will make this a reality. Achieving this vision will be challenging, but the outcome is exciting and good for society. We will need to replace our vehicle fleets and convert our existing buildings to low carbon ones, but air quality and noise pollution from traffic will improve, as will our comfort in our homes and the overall quality of our lives. It will be important to find the necessary funds to invest and to obtain the consent and cooperation of the public, but this investment will largely be balanced by lower energy bills. In many ways, Ireland faces a greater urgency to make this transition than other developed countries. We rightly have the responsibilities of a first world economy and yet, we are also a developing country as evidenced by our population trends. Also, a higher proportion of our overall emissions comes from agriculture, where carbon abatement is more challenging. This means we need to decarbonise our heating and transport sectors earlier than other InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

054 InBusiness YB 2017_PP_ESB.indd 55

Renewable Energy on ESB Fitzwilliam Street roof

countries. The electricity sector has a major role to play in translating this vision into Ecar at charge point in Applegreen station reality. In ESB, our ambition to lead the transition to a low carbon future is underpinned by four strategic pillars: • Investing in low carbon and renewable generation and managing the transition away from fossil fuels in a way that preserves affordability and security of supply • Investing in the electricity network so that it can flexibly handle an increased level of renewable generation and distributed energy resources like battery storage, as well as a growing population • Empowering our customers to take more control over their energy use and save money • Powering a carbon free society by supporting the electrification of heat and transport In essence, we want to be part of a transition in the Irish energy sector that future generations will regard as a turning point in the development of a sustainable electricity system. As part of this, ESB is introducing new customer focused offerings that will completely change the way that

customers interact with the electricity system. We have set up a consumer panel in Electric Ireland to trial new offerings and track behavioural change. We’ve also set up a Smart Energy Services business to help large corporates implement new technologies to reduce their energy use. In addition, we are developing new commercial opportunities for both the UK and Irish markets, and are continuing to invest in start-ups through the ESB NovusModus Fund. Through innovation and collaboration with partners from a wide spectrum of academia, industry, government and our customers, we are working to accelerate the pace of change and ultimately provide an alternative zero carbon fuel source for heating and transport – a win-win for everyone. The energy sector in Ireland, from the Shannon Scheme to today, is a story of big vision and world firsts that helped to drive social and economic progress for Irish citizens. The rewards are worthwhile: more comfortable homes, cleaner air and a modern flexible energy system supporting the lives and work of a growing society and expanding economy. As a nation and as a sector, we have taken on and succeeded in bigger challenges in the past. We should take confidence from this and do what it takes to transform Ireland’s energy landscape, starting today, so that we can ensure a brighter, more sustainable and cleaner future for generations to come. 55

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PARTNER PROFILE ERVIA

BUILDING THE BACKBONE OF

IRELAND

Ervia is committed to leading and delivering the investment and transformation necessary to ensure safe and reliable gas and water infrastructure and services for Ireland.

Ervia is the commercial semi-state

ERVIA IN NUMBERS

multi-utility company responsible for the delivery of Ireland’s national gas and water infrastructure and services that underpin the growth of the Irish economy. Ervia is an indigenous Irish company with 1,600 direct and 5,700 indirect employees and provides services to 1.7 million customers. In 2016 Ervia contributed a1.3 billion to the Irish economy and was ranked as the 8th largest company by EBITDA. As a state company with over 40 years’ experience, Ervia has experts with the skills to develop and maintain Ireland’s critical infrastructure and to deliver national transformation projects that enable economic development and enhance the health and quality of life for the people of Ireland. Founded as Bord Gáis Éireann in 1976 to maximise the potential of the natural gas discovered in Kinsale Head, Co Cork, the company spent the following decades rehabilitating the old city and town gas networks and built a modern one, which is now among the safest and most reliable in the world. 56

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1,600 direct employees

5,700

indirect employees

1.7m customers

a1.3bn contributed to the Irish economy in 2016

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PARTNER PROFILE ERVIA

In 2013, Bord Gáis Energy, the company’s retail energy subsidiary was sold, and the remaining components of the business were rebranded; Bord Gáis Networks was rebranded to Gas Networks Ireland, and Bord Gáis Éireann – the parent company – became Ervia. In the same year, Irish Water; our national water utility was established as part of Ervia and in 2014 it took responsibility for the delivery of water services from 31 local authorities and began the rehabilitation of Ireland’s water infrastructure. Today Ervia delivers gas and water services through its operating companies, Gas Networks Ireland and Irish Water. It also provides dark fibre broadband infrastructure through its business Aurora Telecom. Every major industry in the Irish economy depends on the services it provides to run their business supporting vital employment across the country. As guardians of our national assets, Ervia provides safe and reliable infrastructure that enhances the health and the quality of life of the people of Ireland, protects our environment and enables economic growth by delivering reliable, quality water and gas services. By working together under a multiutility model Ervia and its businesses deliver cost savings, efficiencies and synergies on behalf of the people of Ireland. In 2016 the company continued to invest in infrastructure to enhance and expand the national gas network and to improve Ireland’s water and wastewater infrastructure as part of one of the largest transformation projects in the history of the State. For decades Ireland’s water services suffered from a lack of investment and appropriate maintenance generating a huge requirement for shortfalls to be addressed. Since its inception Irish Water has delivered the first 25-year strategic plan for water services and the first national plan to deal with lead pipes and drinking water quality. It has upgraded 100 water treatment plants and begun work on more than 300 new projects to improve water supply and wastewater treatment around the country. Over 600km of old leaking water mains have also been replaced and 50 million litres of water is being saved every day through the First Fix leak repair programme. Additionally, 300,000 water customers are no longer on the EPA’s “at risk” drinking water register and 30,000 people InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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CSR

ACTIVITIES Ervia is committed to conducting its business in a responsible manner and having respect for the people it works for and with, the wider community and the environment. Part of the Ervia ethos is to be mindful of the impact of our activities and maintain our reputation and the trust of those who interact with us. Ervia’s Corporate Social Responsibility activity can be divided into four categories: the marketplace, the community, our workplace and the environment.

no longer have to boil their drinking water as they did for many years. All of this was done while delivering operational efficiencies of a70m and capital efficiencies of a149m, more than the set up cost of the utility. For our water and wastewater services, the challenge is enormous. a5.5bn will be invested by 2021 but up to a13bn will be needed over several investment cycles to bring Ireland’s water services and infrastructure to an acceptable standard. Ervia is committed to leading and delivering the investment and transformation necessary to ensure safe and reliable gas and water and wastewater infrastructure and services for Ireland. As proven experts with a track record building and developing strategic assets, Ervia understands and champions the importance of a safe and reliable utility infrastructure to support and facilitate economic growth and social development on behalf of the people of Ireland. 57

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PARTNER PROFILE BAM

SKY’SLIMIT THE For almost 60 years, BAM has delivered many of Ireland’s landmark building and infrastructure projects and consistently demonstrated that growth can come from sustainable practice.

BAM Ireland, one of the country’s

largest construction businesses, begins 2017 with great confidence after a very strong performance in 2016, with a number of high profile projects and award wins representing particular highlights. Operating successfully for almost 60 years, the bedrock of BAM’s success has always been an understanding of its customer’s needs and a willingness to deliver innovative new solutions that ensure cost savings and meet and surpass its environmental requirements. This year, BAM completed one of Ireland’s flagship office developments at One Albert Quay, which was awarded Commercial Project of the Year

One Molesworth Street

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at the 2016 Irish Construction Awards. Additionally, the company commenced works on the Capitol Cinema site in Cork for JCD. Also, construction is ongoing at the 9,000 square metre One Molesworth Street Development for Green REIT. Meanwhile, significant progress has been made on the construction of a major office building for an international client in Sandyford. This year BAM also reached an agreement with international giant Global Student Accommodation for a 400-bed student accommodation project in Dublin city centre. BAM’s work on the Corrib onshore gas pipeline, a key part of the a3.5 billion project, was named Engineering Project of the Year at the Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards. The 4.9 kilometre tunnel services the Corrib gas field, which is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the history of the state. Following the project’s completion on September 1st 2015, the gas flowed for the first time from the Corrib gas field on December 31st 2015. The pipeline will supply about 60 per cent of Ireland’s InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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PARTNER PROFILE BAM

natural gas over the next 15 to 20 years and is set to contribute some a6bn to the country’s GDP. BAM’s public work portfolio also continued to thrive in 2016. The company completed phase B2 of the Ulster Hospital in a joint venture with Graham. The joint venture has also been appointed by the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust to deliver Ulster Hospital’s new £95 million Acute Services Block – currently the largest live healthcare project in Ireland. BAM continues to make a significant lasting investment in the infrastructure of the country through Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects. These include: Schools Bundle 4; Courts Bundle PPP; the a230m N25 New Ross Bypass PPP; and the a350m M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy PPP motorway project. BAM was recently commended for its outstanding achievement in delivering Schools Bundle 3 PPP, which was awarded Project of the Year at the 2016 Facilities Management Awards. This project utilised the latest technologies such as drones for inspections; robotics for cutting sports pitches and cleaning classrooms; sensors for equipment management and Building Information Management (BIM) and app based software systems to aid overall management. Speaking about the 2016 projects, Theo Cullinane, BAM Ireland Chief Executive, said: “BAM’s success is driven by our excellent reputation and dedication to innovation and sustainability. At the 2016 Green Awards, BAM won in the green construction category, and internationally we have been recognised as a global leader in combating climate change. This year, Royal BAM Group was again named on the Climate A List by CDP, the international not-for-profit organisation that drives sustainable economies. This places us in the top 10 per cent of companies globally in the fight against climate change.” InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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Corrib Gas Pipeline under Sruwaddacon Bay, Co Mayo

A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH BAM is widely recognised in Ireland and overseas for its sustainable project delivery. This is driven by the company’s significant investment in technologies that reduce the environmental impact of construction activity. The company has led the way in the Irish market in pioneering BIM, which provides 3D computer models for efficient visualisation and analysis of proposed works to increase efficiency in the design and construction phases. This year, BAM became the first organisation in the country to achieve PAS 1192-2 verification – the international industry standard for the use of BIM processes. At the recent Irish CitA BIM Innovation Awards, the international judging panel commended BAM’s work on the School’s Bundle 4 PPP project in the operations and asset management category. BAM Group is also the only major construction company that is a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Circular Economy 100 programme. This brings together governments, cities, academic institutions, emerging innovators and affiliates to develop their circular economy capabilities, which are key to improving resource efficiency. Cullinane observes: “The recognition we are now receiving from the industry clearly

demonstrates to our clients and greater supply chain that we have the capability and expertise to utilise the latest technologies to drive cost savings and environmental sustainability for projects right across the board. The industry has taken notice of this, and we’re now looking forward to building on our success in 2017.” Another component of BAM’s continuing success is its ability to deliver projects on budget and ahead of schedule. This year saw the opening of Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing at St James’s Hospital. This 15,000 square metre centre of excellence, constructed by BAM within the St James’s Hospital campus, provides patient care as well as educational and training programmes. The A31 Magherafelt Bypass, which will ease congestion and improve links in the mid Ulster area to and from the M2, was also opened ahead of schedule in 2016. “It is our policy to do everything in our power to ensure the best possible results for our client. To make this happen we rely on the latest technological innovations and a uniquely experienced team who know what it takes to get projects over the line. As long as our customers are happy, our business will continue to grow. We’re very confident in our ability to deliver this, and the general feeling for 2017 is the sky is really the limit,” concluded Cullinane. 59

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PARTNER PROFILE WATERFORD CRYSTAL

CRYSTAL The House of Waterford Crystal welcomes 180,000 visitors annually to witness the production of some of the finest crystal collections in the world.

Waterford Crystal is

an iconic Irish brand established in 1783 and is synonymous with creating the finest quality crystal sought by collectors and connoisseurs around the world. Waterford Crystal has two production facilities located in Ireland and Slovenia. The company is part of the Fiskars group. Established in 1649 as an ironworks in a small Finnish village, Fiskars has grown to be a leading consumer goods company with globally recognised brands including Fiskars, Iittala, Gerber, Wedgwood and Waterford. With iconic products, strong brands and global ambitions, Fiskars’ mission is to enrich people’s lives in the home, garden and outdoors. Fiskars’ products are available in more than 100 countries and the company employs 8,600 people in 30 countries.

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CLEAR QUALITY

GUIDED FACTORY TOURS On completion of the guided factory tour, visitors can experience over 12,000 sq ft of crystal heaven in the largest retail and showcase of Waterford Crystal in the world. The retail store represents everything we make in crystal, including a showcase on golf and sport, which is a major part of our international business. The main feature in the retail store is a centre dining table, with 12 Waterford Crystal chandeliers on display. The lifestyle displays communicate the various brand stories including the Jo Sampson collection, John Rocha, Jeff Letham and the core Waterford Crystal patterns.

As part of the factory tour, guests visit the mould room where they witness mould making – a technique that has remained unchanged throughout the centuries – as the master blowers shape the molten crystal flawlessly with the use of wooden moulds and hand tools. The next part of the tour is truly magical, as visitors enter the blowing department where they see glowing balls of crystal transformed into majestic shapes as they are put through the 1,300-degree furnace. The Waterford Crystal pieces are then hand marked for precision and accuracy, and cut, sculpted and engraved. While getting this behind the scenes insight into a highly skilled method of crystal manufacturing, visitors also witness the high standards that the House of Waterford Crystal has for each and every piece that leaves the factory. The crystal is inspected at every stage of production, so each piece – no matter how small – goes through six inspections, and if it fails to reach the Waterford Crystal standards at any stage it is smashed and returned to the furnace to be re-melted.

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PARTNER PROFILE WATERFORD CRYSTAL

PRESTIGIOUS TROPHIES Waterford Crystal continues to provide some of the most prestigious trophies for the world’s great sporting events. The list of famous trophies produced by Waterford Crystal for the sports industry alone is simply staggering. Waterford Crystal designs the pieces for the prestigious Peoples’ Choice Awards as well as the spectacular Times Square Ball – a crystal ball which forms a prominent part of the New Year’s celebrations in New York’s Times Square. There is huge pride in Waterford Crystal throughout Ireland and it is little wonder that it is one of the most popular items used to mark special occasions. A huge amount of thought goes into our products, which are inspired by our Irish heritage, our landscape, our music and the arts. It is not just about the amazing shapes or the designs of the products but the stories behind those designs. If you wish to recognise a special achievement or give a special gift for a celebration, look no further than Waterford Crystal. Afterall, you InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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can find pieces in so many homes around the world, and some very famous ones at that. CORPORATE Our corporate and gift awards programme is the perfect way to reward your employees or clients. We can customise a piece from our core range, which allows you to create your own unique message or logo on the item. Should you require your items gift wrapped and individual cards written, they can be included as part of your order. Our worldwide shipping service allows you the flexibility to deliver 24/48 hours to Ireland, UK or USA. Our dedicated

sales manager Tom Walsh can be contacted at tom.walsh@wwrd.com or +353 (0)51 317043. Our product range includes Waterford Crystal, House of Waterford Crystal, John Rocha, Jasper Conran, Jo Sampson, Archive Stemware, Marquis, Lighting, Holiday Heirlooms and our new Waterford Crystal jewellery collection. For further information visit waterfordvisitorcentre.com/email houseofwaterfordcrystal@wwrd.com Tel: + 353 (0)51 317000 Facebook: House of Waterford Crystal/Twitter: @WaterfordCrystl Instagram: @waterfordcrystalfactory 61

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BEST IN CLASS IN CSR The 13th Chambers Ireland CSR Awards highlighted the level of dedication and creativity shown by Irish businesses in carrying out their CSR strategies.

SB was the winner of the Outstanding Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award at the 2016 Chambers Ireland CSR Awards held in the DoubleTree Hilton in Dublin on September 1st 2016. ESB was selected by the judging panel for having CSR practices embedded at the company’s core and for the organisation’s ongoing dedication to community engagement and responsible business practices. The 13th annual awards was run in association with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, partnered with Business in the Community Ireland and sponsored by BAM Ireland, with the Environmental Protection Agency

sponsoring the Excellence in Environment Award. Each winner was presented with a specially commissioned trophy designed by Waterford Crystal. Speaking at the awards ceremony, Ian Talbot, Chief Executive of Chambers Ireland, said: “The business community plays an important role in Irish society and each year the CSR Awards recognise the level of commitment to corporate responsibility displayed across the Irish business community. Tonight, we are delighted to celebrate the contribution made by Irish companies, not just for the benefit of the company itself, but also to the wider community and to the many beneficiaries of charity partners.”

•

OTHER AWARDS PRESENTED ON THE NIGHT EXCELLENCE IN CSR COMMUNICATIONS ■ Three Ireland for Together We Can Tackle Homelessness EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY – PARTNERSHIP WITH CHARITY – LIC ■ Bon Secours Hospital Cork for its support of the Social Skills App for children with autism EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY – PARTNERSHIP WITH CHARITY – MNC ■ Three Ireland for its charity partnership with An Cosán Virtual Community College EXCELLENCE IN ENVIRONMENT – LIC ■ Dawn Meats for implementation of Carroll’s Cross Resource Management Excellence. EXCELLENCE IN ENVIRONMENT – MNC ■ Abbott Ireland for its project Abbott’s Journey to Achieving 2020 Environment Goal EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY – VOLUNTEERING – LIC ■ Trinity College Dublin for its Trinity Access 21 programme EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY – VOLUNTEERING – MNC ■ Oracle for Sales Skills Community and Voluntary Sector

ESB, winner of the Outstanding Achievement in CSR Award

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2016 •

WINNERS 2016

CSR AWARDS

•

CSR AWARDS

EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY PROGRAMME – LIC ■ Laya Healthcare for the project Super Troopers with Laya Healthcare EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY PROGRAMME – MNC ■ Microsoft for implementing the Tech4Good programme. EXCELLENCE IN WORKPLACE CSR - LIC ■ Bank of Ireland for the initiative Be at your Best EXCELLENCE IN WORKPLACE CSR – MNC ■ PayPal for its Diversity and Inclusion Strategy EXCELLENCE IN MARKETPLACE CSR ■ Arthur Cox for helping to change Irish legislation on human rights around immigration EXCELLENCE IN SUPPORTING YOUTH EMPLOYMENT ■ Diageo Ireland for Diageo Learning For Life EXCELLENCE IN CSR BY AN SME ■ Carey Building Contractors for implementation of resource efficiency strategies

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

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WINNERS 2016

Ian Talbot, CEO of Chambers Ireland, Jill Johnson, CSR Manager, Three Ireland, Damien English, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal, Aislinn O’Connor, Head of Brand & Marketing Communications, Three Ireland, Ashley Balbirnie, Chief Executive, Focus Ireland

Proud sponsors of Irish Rugby, Three wanted to approach the 2016 sponsorship innovatively and give something back to society. Homelessness is one of the major issues facing Irish society and to raise awareness of this cause, Three handed over its assets and marketing campaign associated with the rugby sponsorship to Focus Ireland. In doing so, Three provided Focus Ireland with a 1m marketing campaign entitled ‘Together We Can Tackle Homelessness’.

Ian Talbot, CEO, Chambers Ireland; Harry Canning, Hospital Manager, Bon Secours Hospital Cork; Damien English, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal; Laura Crowley, Director of Educational Support Services, Bon Secours Hospital Cork; Eoin Motherway, Director, Shine Ireland

The Social Skills for Autism app was developed by the Shine Centre for Autism and supported by the Bon Secours Hospital Cork. The app teaches social skills to adolescents with high functioning autism and Asperger Syndrome. The app is designed as a fun and interactive way to learn these key social skills, so these children can operate in social situations. It has been hugely successful to date with nearly 20,000 downloads.

EXCELLENCE IN CSR COMMUNICATION:

Three Ireland for Together We Can Tackle Homelessness

COMMUNITY – PARTNERSHIP WITH CHARITY (LIC): Bon Secours Hospital Cork for its Social Skills App for Children with Autism

COMMUNITY – PARTNERSHIP WITH CHARITY (MNC):

Three Ireland for its strategic corporate charity partnership with An Cosán Virtual Community College

Ian Talbot, CEO, Chambers Ireland; Barbara Condon, Communications Lead, An Cosán Virtual Community College (VCC); Jill Johnson, CSR Manager, Three Ireland; Damien English, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal; Fiona Meehan, Senior Corporate Responsibility Programme Lead, Three Ireland

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Three’s strategic corporate charity partner is An Cosán Virtual Community College. The Virtual Community College is a start-up education initiative which has a unique vision; to eliminate poverty and social inequality through education delivered by online and mobile technology. Three brings a holistic partnership approach to VCC and utilises all available company assets to support the charity.

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WINNERS 2016

Dawn Meats CSR Committee, comprising the most senior directors across the group including the CEO, has set itself the goal of being Europe’s most sustainable meat company. This project provides an example of how one site is supporting this mission through achieving fossil fuel free status; sourcing quality assured product; increasing recycling; passively treating wastewater; engaging staff to deliver resource management excellence; and enhancing on site biodiversity.

Abbott in Ireland is committed to reducing its global environmental impacts across the business. The Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) teams across the six manufacturing sites continue to lead a wide range of best practice projects that positively impact the environment, the business, communities and employees. Abbott has a strong tradition of environmental stewardship and its sites in Ireland continue to implement excellent projects to ensure it continues on its journey to achieving their 2020 environment goals.

Trinity Access 21’s vision is to be a catalyst for social transformation, supporting people to reach their full educational potential through innovation, research and advocacy. This innovative mentoring programme was launched in 2014 involving more than 1,200 second level students from 11 Dublin schools. It aims to support the development of a ‘college-going culture’ in schools with lower than average higher education progression rates.

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ENVIRONMENT (LIC):

Dawn Meats for implementation of Carroll’s Cross resource management excellence

Ian Talbot, CEO, Chambers Ireland; Theresa Hyde, Technical Manager, Dawn Meats; Katie O’Brien, CSR Champion, Dawn Meats; Damien English, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal; Richard Clinton, Group Commercial Director, Dawn Meats; Shane Colgan, Manager of Resource Efficiency Unit, EPA Ireland; Nicola O’Gorman, HR Administrator and CSR Champion; Donal Coughlan, Group Environmental Officer and CSR Champion, Dawn Meats

ENVIRONMENT (MNC):

Abbott Ireland for its journey to achieving 2020 environment goals

Ian Talbot, CEO, Chambers Ireland; Pat Carty, Engineering Manager, Abbott Diagnostics, Longford; Damien English, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal; John Kilcoyne, Site Director of Abbott Nutrition, Cootehill; Alan Magovern, Site Director, Abbott; Shane Colgan, Manager of Resource Efficiency Unit, EPA Ireland; Seamus Conlon, Facilities Manager, Abbott Diagnostics, Longford; Kevin Walsh, Engineering Lead, Abbott Vascular, Clonmel

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING (LIC): Trinity College Dublin for Trinity Access 21

Ian Talbot, CEO, Chambers Ireland; Orlagh Ennis, PMO Administrative Officer, Trinity College Dublin; Cliona Hannon, Director, Trinity Access Programmes, Trinity College Dublin; Damien English, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal; Geraldine Ruane, Chief Operating Officer, Trinity College Dublin, Brendan Tangney, Professor in Computer Science, Trinity College Dublin

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WINNERS 2016

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING (MNC):

Oracle for its sales skills for the community and voluntary sector

Ian Talbot, CEO, Chambers Ireland; Natalie Egan, Executive Assistant to Vice President, Applications Sales Leader, EMEA, Oracle; Veronica Bodano, CSR leader, Oracle; Damien English, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal; Patrick Nwaokorie, Oracle

COMMUNITY – COMMUNITY PROGRAMME (LIC): Laya Healthcare for its Super Troopers programme

Ian Talbot, CEO, Chambers Ireland; Lorraine Walsh, Head of Marketing, Laya Healthcare; Aidine O’Reilly, Managing Director, Real Nation; Damien English, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal; Kevin Kent, Marketing Manager, Laya Healthcare

COMMUNITY – COMMUNITY PROGRAMME (MNC) : Microsoft for Tech4Good

Ian Talbot, CEO, Chambers Ireland; Cathriona Hallahan, Managing Director, Microsoft; Orla Hogan, Head of Corporate Communications, Microsoft; Damien English, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal

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The MasterClass in Sales with professional mentoring is a strategic multi-year project in the Oracle CSR portfolio. The initiative aims to give sustainable, replicable and long-term support to the community and voluntary groups. It also aims to infuse new skills and strengths in the participants to help them overcome current professional and sectoral challenges.

Laya Healthcare promises to ‘look after you always’ and to become the future of health insurance in Ireland. With this in mind Laya Healthcare is committed to supporting greater physical activity among school children and tackling the growing concern of childhood obesity. Super Troopers with Laya Healthcare is a ‘health homework’ programme developed by education, psychology, nutrition and wellbeing experts to support greater physical activity among school children.

The Tech4Good programme is operated by Microsoft globally. In Ireland, the programme is providing free access to software and the latest technology to non-profit organisations nationwide. The programme also sees Microsoft employees donate their time and skills to train staff and develop solutions for these organisations so they can ably use the software donated to them.

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WINNERS 2016

Be at your Best (BAYB) is Bank of Ireland’s employee wellbeing programme. Launched in January 2014, it was developed to help colleagues be at their best around three pillars of wellbeing; mind, body and career. The programme aimed to support colleagues in increasing their overall physical and mental wellbeing, enabling them to survive and thrive in an increasingly competitive and changing working environment.

In Ireland Paypal proved its commitment to inclusion locally. It is a diverse employer with teammates from around the world based in its Dublin and Dundalk offices. The company developed and rolled out an intensive two-day diversity and inclusion training workshop to its people-leaders. It has an active women’s network and supports women in business through mentoring programmes. Inclusion helps PayPal retain top talent and increase employee engagement.

Arthur Cox has been working with the Immigrant Council of Ireland since 2013 and runs a secondment programme focused on changing Irish legislation on key human rights issues around immigration. This relationship with the Council is part of Arthur Cox’s commitment to providing probono legal services through the firm’s CSR policy. The results of this partnership are of huge benefit to the many migrant families that access the Council’s legal services annually. InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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WORKPLACE - LIC: Bank of Ireland for Be at your Best

Ian Talbot, CEO, Chambers Ireland; Rhona O’Donovan, Be At Your Best Programme Manager, Bank of Ireland; Julie Sharp, Head of Group HR, Bank of Ireland; Damien English, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal; Neville Bourke, HR Director, Retail Banking at Bank of Ireland

WORKPLACE – MNC:

PayPal for its diversity and inclusion strategy

Ian Talbot, CEO, Chambers Ireland; Emer Higgins, Merchant Operations Support Senior Specialist, PayPal; Paola Bourien, Operations Manager EMEA ICA, PayPal; James Foskin, Head of IT, PayPal; Damien English, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal; Eoin McDonnell, Leadership and Coaching Effectiveness, PayPal

MARKETPLACE:

Arthur Cox for helping to change Irish legislation on human rights around immigration

(Sponsored by JustGiving)

Ian Talbot, CEO, Chambers Ireland of Ireland; Shane McCarthy, Trainee, Technology & Innovation, Arthur Cox; Katie Mannion, Solicitor, Immigrant Council of Ireland; Rachel Hussey, Partner and Head of Business Development and Marketing, Arthur Cox; Damien English, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal; Brian Killoran, CEO, Immigrant Council of Ireland

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WINNERS 2016

SUPPORTING YOUTH EMPLOYMENT:

Diageo Ireland Diageo Learning For Life

Ian Talbot, CEO, Chambers Ireland; Liam Reid, Corporate Relations Director, Diageo Ireland; Angela Smith, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Diageo Ireland; Damien English, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal

SME:

Carey Building Contractors for its implementation of resource efficiency strategies

Ian Talbot, CEO, Chambers Ireland; Oliver Kennedy, Finance Manager; Marie Mill, Office Manager Carey Building Contractors; Damien English, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal; Dr Mark Kelly, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN CSR : ESB

Diageo Learning for Life (LFL) provides young people on the live register with the skills, training and experience to take up employment in the tourism and hospitality industry, to which Diageo and its brands are proud to be intrinsically linked. Since 2014, 175 young people have partaken in the programme with 70 per cent securing part-time or full-time employment in the hospitality industry, either with their work experience partners or through their own initiative.

The project examined the feasibility of implementing resource efficiency strategies to reduce the environmental burden of construction activities while increasing the competitiveness of the process. Through resource efficiency audits, shortcomings were identified with the current procedures and quick win low cost/no cost solutions were suggested in order to improve environmental performance and reduce costs. The implemented initiatives produced a cost saving of 8,834.64 which represented 0.55 per cent of the project value.

ESB was selected by the judging panel for having CSR practices embedded at the company’s core and for the organisation’s ongoing dedication to responsible business practices.

Ian Talbot, CEO, Chambers Ireland; Damien English, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal; Anne Cooney, Group Corporate Social Responsibility Coordinator, ESB; Sarah Claxton, Employee Engagement, Diversity & Communications Lead, ESB; Pat Naughton, Executive Director Group People and Sustainability, ESB; Mike Jones, Business Development Director, BAM Ireland

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FINGAL

Ireland’s prime business location

Fingal County Council was named Local Authority of the Year at the 2016 Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards and would welcome the opportunity to show you why Fingal is the best place in Ireland to do business. For more information contact: Ed Hearne, Director of Economic, Enterprise & Tourism Development Fingal County Council, Swords, Co Dublin Email: ed.hearne@fingal.ie Web: www.fingal.ie 241642_1C_IB_Fingal County Council_In Business YB 2017.indd 1

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LOCAL

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AWARDS WINNERS 2016

LEADERS RECOGNISED

Fingal County Council scooped the top accolade at the 2016 Excellence in Local Government Awards. Fingal County Council was named Local Authority of the Year at the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards, which took place on November 24th 2016. Now in its 13th year, the awards ceremony was held in association with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and showcased and celebrated the best of Local Government in Ireland.

THE WINNERS Local Authority of the Year Fingal County Council Supporting Active Communities sponsored by Eirgrid Limerick City & County Council – Team Limerick Clean Up (TLC) Best Practice in Citizen Engagement Award sponsored by AIB Mayo County Council – Mayo Day Health & Wellbeing Award sponsored by Healthy Ireland South Dublin County Council – HI South Dublin Healthy County

The Fingal County Council team who won Local Authority of the Year

SPECIAL AWARD A Special Commendation in Commemorations and Centenaries was given to Monaghan County Council for From a Whisper to a Roar: Exploring the Untold Story of Monaghan.

Supporting Tourism Award sponsored by Fáilte Ireland Clare County Council – Ennis Book Club Festival Promoting Economic Development Award sponsored by Eirgrid Limerick City & County Council – Innovate Limerick Local Authority Innovation Award sponsored by SIRO Cork City Council – Cork City’s Litter Fine System Sustainable Environment Award sponsored by ERP Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council – Biodiversity in Action

The Monaghan County Council team

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Best Library Service Award sponsored by CBRE Offaly County Council – My Open Library

Sustaining the Arts Award sponsored by Ervia Kildare County Council – 1916 Sackville Street Art Project Joint Local Authority Initiative Award sponsored by Waterford Crystal Donegal County Council – North West of the island of Ireland: A Strategic Model for Regional Development Growth Festival of the Year Award sponsored by Fáilte Ireland Cork County Council – A Taste of West Cork Food Festival Outstanding Customer Service Award sponsored by An Post Tipperary County Council – Integrated Customer Services Centre Enhancing the Urban Environment Award sponsored by Healthy Ireland Meath County Council – Ashbourne Main Street Refurbishment Scheme Heritage and Built Environment Award sponsored by Zurich Fingal County Council – Swords Castle: Digging History Disability Services Provision Award sponsored by Shell E&P Ireland Wexford County Council – Wexford County Council Beach Wheelchair Initiative Commemorations and Centenaries Award sponsored by ESB Dublin City Council – Dublin Remembers 19162016: Is Cuimhin Linn

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•

THE JUDGES For the 2016 Excellence in Local Government Awards, there were two independent judging panels made up of respected experts from the community and local government. FIRST ROUND PANEL • Dónall Curtin, Senior Partner, Byrne Curtin Kelly • Sean Ó’Riordáin, Director, Seán Ó’Riordáin & Associates • Tony O’Brien, Chair, Chambers Ireland Local Government Policy Council and Principal at TOB Associates • Gary McGuinn, Assistant Principal Officer, Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government • Geraldine Tallon, Former Secretary General, Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government SECOND ROUND PANEL • Alex Connolly, Head of Communications, Fáilte Ireland

SUPPORTING ACTIVE COMMUNITIES: LIMERICK CITY & COUNTY COUNCIL SPONSORED BY EIRGRID

Team Limerick Clean Up (TLC) took place on Good Friday, March 25th 2016. Over 13,600 volunteers took part in the massive countywide clean up across Limerick city and county. The TLC initiative was led by Irish rugby icon Paul O’Connell and coordinated by a steering group – made up of Limerick City and County Council, Mr. Binman, the McManus Benevolent Fund and Limerick City Business Association – which was chaired by Limerick City and County Council Senior Executive Officer Paul Foley. TLC saw 98 tonnes of bagged litter removed from the land/streetscapes across Limerick.

BEST PRACTICE IN CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT: MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL SPONSORED BY AIB

• Maurice Coughlan, Principal Officer, Department of Housing, Planning Community and Local Government • Jack Keyes, Consultant and Former County Council Chief Executive, Cavan • Sean Ó’Riordáin, Principal, Seán Ó’Riordáin & Associates • Karen Smyth, Head of Policy, Northern Ireland Local Government Agency • Martin Tobin, CEO, European Recycling Platform (ERP) Ireland 72

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The Mayo Day initiative takes place annually on the Saturday of the May bank holiday weekend as a celebration of everything Mayo and a day for Mayo people at home and abroad to celebrate their ‘Mayo-ness’. Mayo Day aims to showcase the beauty, energy and vibrancy of county Mayo to the world. May 2nd 2015 was the inaugural Mayo Day and proved a great success with events and gatherings taking place worldwide as well as across the county. Important buildings and global landmarks were turned green and red for the day, including the iconic Niagara Falls.

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT AWARDS WINNERS 2016

HEALTH & WELLBEING: SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL SPONSORED BY HEALTHY IRELAND

SUPPORTING TOURISM: CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL SPONSORED BY FĂ ILTE IRELAND

PROMOTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: LIMERICK CITY AND COUNTY COUNCIL SPONSORED BY EIRGRID

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HI South Dublin County is a coordinating body which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of all those who live and work in South Dublin County. It caters for all ages and abilities, with a focus on older people, minorities, people with disabilities and those living in disadvantaged areas where health inequalities are evident. HI South Dublin Healthy County coordinates a vast range of health and wellbeing activities available in south Dublin through the local authority and its partner organisations; the Health Service Executive, South Dublin County Partnership, Trinity College Dublin Public Health & Primary Care, Tallaght Drug & Alcohol Task Force, LCDC, Local Sports Partnership and Healthy Ireland.

In 2016, the Ennis Book Club Festival, developed in partnership with Clare County Library, celebrated its 10th anniversary with a unique mix of readings, debate, comedy and chat. Staged for the first time in 2007, this weekend-long festival is for those with a passion for books and the arts. Over the past ten years, readers the length and breadth of Ireland have travelled to Ennis during the first weekend in March. In 2016, the festival witnessed the largest numbers attending and supporting this dynamic literary event. The festival aims to combine the warmth and informality of a book club whilst enabling participants to explore new ground as readers and to engage the wider community.

Innovate Limerick was established by Limerick City & County Council to help drive innovation and act as the delivery mechanism for the projects outlined in the Limerick 2030 Plan and the Limerick Regeneration Implementation Plans and others. It is a public-private partnership company whose board is made up of key partners from the private sector together with elected members and representatives from Limerick Enterprise Development Partnership, Limerick Institute of Technology, University of Limerick, Enterprise Ireland, Tait House Community Enterprise, Limerick Clare Enterprise Training Board, Limerick Chamber, Limerick Regeneration and entrepreneurs. Its core objective is to develop Limerickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business ecosystem and make Limerick the best city in Europe to start and grow a business.

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT AWARDS WINNERS 2016

LOCAL AUTHORITY INNOVATION: CORK CITY COUNCIL SPONSORED BY SIRO

SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT: DÚN LAOGHAIRE RATHDOWN COUNTY COUNCIL SPONSORED BY ERP

BEST LIBRARY SERVICE AWARD: OFFALY COUNTY COUNCIL SPONSORED BY CBRE

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Launched in 2015, Cork City Council’s litter fines system is a complete upgrade of the original paper based system. The five litter wardens now use a tablet device to record all litter instances using location details, notes and photographs, which are date and time stamped to supplement the physical evidence. If offender identifying details are located, the litter warden generates a litter fine using the tablet. Once created, the fine and its supporting evidence are transmitted via the mobile phone network to the litter fines system, which is integrated into the Microsoft Dynamics Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.

The Biodiversity in Action programme aimed to engage a diverse range of community groups to seek methods of improving their natural heritage. DLR County Council provided assistance with project design, communication and organisation and identified suitable field experts to provide the necessary technical expertise. Experts were also made available to offer guidance to participants. A diverse range of community groups participated including resident associations, tidy towns, schools and estate management groups. Through the programme residents have planted over 1,500 trees, created habitats to support a rare butterfly, developed a pollinator-friendly estate, an orchard of 150 native apple trees and a wildlife-friendly campus.

The Open Libraries service is available in Tullamore and Banagher libraries providing open access for the public from 8am to 10pm seven days per week. It provides users with self service access to borrow and return library items, use the internet on library PCs or their own devices and the library’s WiFi connection, printing, photocopying and study space at a time outside of usual opening hours when these services were previously not available. At existing opening times, library staff continue to offer full services to library users including inter library loans, requests, ICT training, children’s services, local studies and archives, information services, literacy initiatives and events programming.

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT AWARDS WINNERS 2016

SUSTAINING THE ARTS AWARD: KILDARE COUNTY COUNCIL SPONSORED BY ERVIA

JOINT LOCAL AUTHORITY INITIATIVE AWARD: DONEGAL COUNTY COUNCIL SPONSORED BY WATERFORD CRYSTAL

FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR AWARD: CORK COUNTY COUNCIL SPONSORED BY FÁILTE IRELAND

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Kildare County Council’s 1916 Sackville Street Art Project collectively remembered and told the story of each of the 262 civilians who died in the 1916 Rising, through three-dimensional bespoke houses made in their memory. The collection of houses were displayed together as a group exhibition. The houses were made by individuals, artists, schools, youth and community groups across Kildare and beyond. A catalogue, featuring photographs of the houses with each civilian’s biographical details, was also produced. Proceeds from the sale of the book went to the Peter McVerry Trust, bringing a very contemporary dimension to the project around the meaning of ‘home’ and homelessness.

The purpose of Donegal County Council’s North West of the island of Ireland project is to inform a new approach to reviewing and consolidating a partnership mechanism and associated working arrangements for cross-border regional development and cooperation, both within and between the region and with other stakeholders. From the outset, it was envisaged that this is best achieved through operating a co-design approach – led by Donegal County Council and Derry City & Strabane District Council, supported by senior representatives from key government departments, north and south. The project has three core objectives: achieving regional economic growth and investment, driving regional physical and environmental development and promoting regional social and community cohesion and wellbeing.

A Taste of West Cork Food Festival, supported by Cork County Council, takes place in west Cork annually in September. Initiated in 2003 to highlight the spectacular produce grown in the beautiful and unique setting of west Cork, the festival has grown significantly to over 140 events held in 2015 across 32 towns and villages and eight Islands in west Cork. Exciting events in the 2015 programme included Michelin starred guest chefs at local restaurants and the always popular farm visits where festival goers can meet the food producers. The internationally recognised event attracts visitors from all over the world including the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, Japan and America.

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT AWARDS WINNERS 2016

OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD: TIPPERARY COUNTY COUNCIL SPONSORED BY AN POST

ENHANCING THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT AWARD: MEATH COUNTY COUNCIL SPONSORED BY HEALTHY IRELAND

HERITAGE AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT AWARD: FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL SPONSORED BY ZURICH

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An integrated customer services centre providing a professional first point of contact for customers gained Tipperary County Council the Outstanding Customer Service Award. As part of the service, when a customer contacts the council by phone they are instantly put through to a member of the councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trained customer services team. The query may be answered by them in rotation or the phone query may be logged on the CRM system and a reference number provided to the customer for follow up purposes. If a customer visits the public counter with a specific housing or planning query, the customer is referred to a secondary CSD with facilities that are designed to meet their needs.

The Ashbourne Main Street Refurbishment Scheme was a phased development to create a quality and modern streetscape with a strong sustainable transport focus, which aimed to increase vibrancy and improve commercial and retail activity. It was delivered in partnership with the National Transport Authority, local representatives and the local business and residential communities. The overall length of the scheme was 1.2km with phase one covering the town centre. The project has benefited cyclists, pedestrians, commuters and drivers within Ashbourne and its surrounding areas and has provided a better balance between all modes of transport.

Swords Castle: Digging History was developed as a unique way of engaging the community with Swords Castle. The project centred on a monthlong archaeological excavation at Swords Castle which took place during August and September 2015. This provided an opportunity for citizens to participate in an archaeological excavation under the direction and guidance of professional archaeologists. Over 100 people took part including locals, people from the surrounding counties, and tourists. Volunteers got firsthand experience of all aspects of archaeological excavation and an opportunity to contribute to excavations designed to further our knowledge and understanding of Swords Castle.

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT AWARDS WINNERS 2016

DISABILITY SERVICES PROVISION AWARD: WEXFORD COUNTY COUNCIL SPONSORED BY SHELL E&P IRELAND

COMMEMORATIONS AND CENTENARIES AWARD: DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL SPONSORED BY ESB

SPECIAL COMMENDATION IN COMMEMORATIONS AND CENTENARIES: MONAGHAN COUNTY COUNCIL

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The Wexford County Council Beach Wheelchair Initiative involved the introduction of beach wheelchairs as an innovative method of service provision on two prominent beaches in county Wexford. It was developed in response to an increased number of queries regarding physical access to beaches for people with a disability. The introduction of the beach wheelchair initiative now makes access to the beach for people with a disability a reality. Furthermore, the service ensures that people with a disability have the same opportunity to participate, enjoy and engage in the simple but wonderful activities associated with a day out on the beach with family and friends.

Thousands of people responded to the Dublin Remembers Centenary programme in 2016 which consisted of 340 events, exhibitions, seminars and festivals coordinated by Dublin City Council’s Culture, Recreation and Amenity Department and directed by Dublin City Council’s 1916 Centenary Commemorative Committee. Citizen engagement was at the heart of this programme which was encouraged and led by Ardmhéara Críona Ní Dhálaigh. Dubliners and visitors were invited to participate in a dynamic and inclusive range of events organised throughout the city in a wide range of venues – libraries, art galleries, theatres and streets. The programme was aligned with the national one and developed the strands of remembering, reconciling, presenting, imagining and celebrating.

From a Whisper to a Roar – Exploring the Untold Story of Monaghan 1916 was a groundbreaking exhibition looking at the lives of Monaghan people caught up in the Rising as well as the Monaghan people who fought in the British Army during the Battle of Somme. The exhibition explored the previously untold story of people from both nationalist and unionist backgrounds dealing with the initial shock of the Rising. Monaghan County Museum worked in collaboration with renowned historian and Monaghan man, Professor Terence Dooley of Maynooth University, to research and develop this gripping story of passion, sacrifice and patriotism.

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KEMMY BUSINESS SCHOOL CONNECTING WITH INDUSTRY AT POSTGRADUATE, UNDERGRADUATE & RESEARCH LEVEL

www.ul.ie/business •

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/BusinessAtUL •

/kemmy-business-school-kbs-alumni

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IB PARTNER PROFILE KEMMY BUSINESS SCHOOL

FIRST CLASS Business Education The Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick has for the past 30 years been providing students with a top class education to prepare them for the diverse and changeable world of business.

he Kemmy Business School (KBS) at the University of Limerick is one of Ireland’s leading business schools, with a reputation established over 30 years for providing a first class business education that prepares graduates for successful and rewarding careers in a variety of business disciplines and professions. In recognition of its achievements, KBS was awarded Best Business School at the InBUSINESS Recognition Awards 2016, an accolade that was also bestowed upon KBS in 2012. KBS is the academic home to almost 3,000 students and over 100 faculty and staff. It enjoys close ties with business and benefits hugely from UL’s Co-operative Education Scheme, the largest work placement scheme in the country. It offers programmes with a strong emphasis on ethics and values, and qualifications across the full range of levels and business disciplines. With international programme

accreditation, KBS takes great pride in the quality of its programmes, such as the BBS suite of programmes at undergraduate level and the MSc in Human Resource Management, which holds prestigious EPAS international accreditation. The corporate MBA programme is AMBA accredited – just over 200 MBA programmes worldwide have achieved AMBA accreditation – putting KBS in an elite tier of top business schools. The Master’s degree in Project Management is globally accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI) – the world’s largest project management organisation – and the MSc in Work and Organisational Psychology is fully accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) – the first such programme to receive this accreditation in Ireland. The KBS building, which was officially opened in 2010, offers state-of-the-art facilities, including a simulated Wall Street style trading room – the first such dedicated

Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick

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facility in any Irish university – executive-style teaching rooms, specialist laboratories for HRM teaching and practice, a marketing technology suite, student enterprise centre and a mini-conference centre based around a 350-seat lecture theatre. KBS also offers a number of specialist research centres covering areas such as: work, knowledge and employment; the services economy and tourism; entrepreneurship, innovation and marketing; and public policy, enterprise, governance and sustainability. KBS has over 70 exchange partners that include some of the most prestigious and highly ranked business schools in the world – 23 of its European partners are ranked in the Top 100 European business schools by the Financial Times in 2016. KBS recently signed a new international dual degree agreement with KEDGE Business School – one of the highest ranked business schools in Europe – which is the first of its kind to be established at the undergraduate level at the University of Limerick. In addition, KBS is a member of a number of key international organisations including the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), is a signatory of the UN’s responsible management education initiative, Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) – the first Irish business school to do so – and is the only Irish business school to be named on a new prestigious list of 29 global PRME champion schools published by the UN. If you want to gain a first class business education in state-of-the-art facilities, then the Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick is for you.

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45 MAGAZINE TITLES ▲ 10 EVENTS ▲ 3.6 MILLION REACH

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IB PARTNER PROFILE DUBLIN PORT

The Popular

PORT OF CALL InBUSINESS spoke with Pat Ward, Head of Corporate Services at Dublin Port, about how the port has become a marquee destination for international cruise lines and a popular call for passengers on cruise ship itineraries. Q: How was 2016 for Dublin Port?

A: 2016 was yet another record breaking year for Dublin Port. We handled over 34.9 million tonnes, an increase of 6.3 per cent signifying a 25 per cent increase over four years. There was also an increase in tourist numbers using the daily ferry services operating in Dublin Port. Furthermore, cruise traffic increased by 17.2 per cent, which resulted in almost 160,000 tourists contributing to the local economy. Highlights of 2016 included the return of MSC Splendida, the longest ship

ever to visit Dublin Port; Disney Magic’s maiden call to Dublin Port, hosting over 200 delegates from leading cruise destinations at the 2016 Cruise Europe Conference in Dublin; and the launch of Cruise Dublin, a new marketing development agency to promote Dublin as a premier cruise destination. In addition, 2016 saw the launch of two major arts initiatives; the first a commission of new music entitled Starboard Home. This saw some of Ireland’s best known music artists write and perform original music inspired by Dublin and the port. The second is

a visual arts commissioning programme called Port Perspectives, which will be realised throughout 2017 and respond specifically to the built environment, local areas, history and context of Dublin Port.

Q: In terms of tourism, what is the significance of the port’s central location?

A: The port’s close proximity to the city is one of the reasons why Dublin Port has become a marquee destination for international cruise lines and a popular call for passengers on cruise ship itineraries. Our location offers passengers easy access to a vibrant European city. The ABR project, which is currently underway and is onethird of the Dublin Port Company’s Masterplan, will create enhanced infrastructure and the capacity to meet the market demand and to routinely accommodate larger ships. Q: How have the cruise and ferry industries been performing?

Pat Ward, Head of Corporate Services, Dublin Port

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A: Every year in recent years has been a recordbreaking one for cruise tourism at Dublin Port. In 2016 we welcomed 109 cruise ships, an increase of 17.2 per cent on 2015 figures. This resulted in over 160,000 cruise tourists experiencing the city’s sights and attractions and contributing approximately

a40 million to the national economy. Ferry passenger traffic also continued to perform well with over 1.8 million passengers travelling through Dublin Port. In addition to this, over 400,000 tourist vehicles passed through the port as holidaymakers and Ireland soccer fans took advantage of direct routes to France and Britain. This builds on the 5.1 per cent increase in ferry passenger traffic recorded in 2015, placing Dublin Port on a par with major national airports including Cork and Shannon.

Q: Any news for 2017 which you can share with us?

A: Promoting Dublin as a home port for turnaround cruises is one of the priorities for 2017. The port’s proximity to the airport means that passengers can fly into Dublin and commence their cruise from the city. In partnership with shipping agents Doyle Shipping Group and Hamilton Shipping, Dublin Port will host seven turnaround calls in 2017 and the luxury cruise line Celebrity Cruises has just announced that the Celebrity Eclipse will home port in Dublin in 2018. It is the first major cruise line to confirm Dublin Port as a home port and we hope to see this trend grow in the future.

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IB PARTNER PROFILE

COMBINING

EVERSHEDS SUTHERLAND

SUCCESS

Eversheds Sutherland is expecting strong growth in 2017, on the back of the Eversheds combination with US law firm Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP.

017 has already proved to be an exciting time for those at Eversheds, as the law firm has recently combined with the prestigious US law firm Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP. The move brings a new depth to Eversheds’ already significant global reach. The combined entity, Eversheds Sutherland, has over 2,300 employees in 61 offices across 29 countries around the world – now including a strong US component. In Ireland, Eversheds has been experiencing around 15 per cent growth year-onyear for the past three years, and the firm expects those positive growth trends to continue into 2017. Growth has been across the board in the past year at Eversheds, but the firm performed particularly strongly in mergers and acquisitions, the resurgent Irish property market,

energy, and an exciting new area for the company in public procurement. It has invested heavily in adding depth to all of its practice areas, and it will continue to do so throughout the coming year. In the US, Sutherland is known for high end tax expertise and on behalf of its Irish clients, Eversheds Sutherland is hoping to capitalise on this on, adding to its pre-existing tax expertise here in Ireland. Eversheds Sutherland has also nurtured strong growth in its data and IP practices. The firm expects further growth in this area in 2017 as the issue of data protection advances, with Ireland playing a central role by dint of the fact that so many of the largest ‘born on the internet’ companies have a base here. Eversheds Sutherland works closely with its Eversheds Sutherland UK

Alan Murphy, Managing Partner with Stephen Barry, newly appointed Partner in Litigation

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counterparts and will maintain these links with its British colleagues as the Brexit process unfolds. A dedicated Brexit unit has been set up within Eversheds Sutherland in Ireland in order to advise its clients in the run up to Brexit and, of course, in its aftermath. The firm’s Brexit unit will maintain a watching brief on all of the issues relevant to Britain’s exit from the European Union and will advise its clients on the legal implications. While at present it is impossible to quantify the true impact of Brexit – at least not until its final shape unfolds through the negotiations – Eversheds Sutherland anticipates that there will be a myriad of legal aspects to work through for the business community, and it wants to assure its clients that it will be there to fulfil their needs and manage them as quickly and efficiently as possible. Like any corporate firm, recruiting and retaining talent remains an ongoing challenge for Eversheds Sutherland, and the firm will continue to focus on running the best possible programmes for its trainees. Eversheds Sutherland is aware that the international nature of its firm proves attractive to trainees, as it is in a position to offer them the added advantage of international placements in one of Eversheds Sutherland locations around the world. Eversheds Sutherland also launched a new consultancy unit at the beginning of 2017, Eversheds Sutherland Consultants. The new unit brings financial, legal and management consultant skills together for the first time as a unique law firm offering. During 2017, Eversheds will focus on developing this bespoke advisory service for its clients. Busy months ahead no doubt.

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IB PARTNER PROFILE COMPANIES REGISTRATION OFFICE

Filing

CHANGES The CRO will introduce mandatory electronic filing for the forms B1, B2, B10 and B73 from June 1st 2017.

ompanies and presenters are advised to start preparing now to ensure that they are in a position to file documents electronically from 1 June 2017. If you are filing electronically for the first time, you must register on CORE as a new user. Once you are registered you can log in and go to ‘file a form’, select your submission and complete the form. There are links on CORE to help you if you encounter any difficulties. Log on to core.cro.ie now to familiarise yourself with CRO’s online filing system. A large proportion of CRO customers are already enjoying the benefits of electronic filing which include: • No fee for filing forms B2, B10 and B73 electronically • A fee of a20 for filing an eB1 compared with the current a40 fee for filing a paper B1 • Errors on documents are minimised as the user is alerted if any information they enter is inconsistent with the information already held on CRO’s records for that company • A faster and more efficient registration of forms • A reduction in the amount of paper to be printed and posted to the CRO

CHANGES TO FILING FORM B1 From June 1st 2017, the sole means of filing a B1 and financial accounts and paying for an annual return InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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will be in electronic form. However the signature page must still be printed off, signed and submitted manually to the CRO (unless digitally signed using ROS). The main changes to filing B1s electronically from June 1st 2017 are as follows:

PDF OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS • All financial statements must be uploaded as a PDF attachment on CORE/software package within 28 days of the date the eB1 was submitted. Hard copies of the financial statements will not be accepted by the CRO after June 1st • The PDF of the financial statements can be attached to the eB1 in your ‘workspace’ in CORE/software package, in much the same way as you attach a document to an email • The B1 signature page must not be delivered to the CRO until after the financial statements have been uploaded as a PDF. Please note that the signature page will be returned by the CRO if the financial statements have not been uploaded on receipt.

ELECTRONIC PAYMENT • The filing fee and any late filing penalties must be paid electronically by credit/debit card or by CRO customer account. You will not be able to complete the submission of the eB1 without first making the payment at the submission stage.

• I t will not be possible to pay the filing fee of a20 and/or any late penalties by cheque, postal order, money order or bank draft. However, it will continue to be possible to top-up a customer account by cheque after June 1st.

CHANGES TO FILING FORM B2, B10 AND B73 B2s, B10s and B73s can currently be filed electronically for free. There is no change to the electronic filing of these forms. These forms can be signed using the Revenue Online Signing service or a signature page can be printed off and sent to Companies Registration Office, O’Brien Road, Carlow. The only change here is that after June 1st 2017 these forms cannot be filed manually. For ongoing updates on mandatory electronic filing, please consult www.cro.ie.

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Incorporating

PRODUCTS. PEOPLE. PRACTICES. Facilities Management Ireland is the country’s largest event of its kind, it’s your opportunity to see the new, the innovative, the proven, the everyday and the obscure – everything you could need to lower your costs, increase efficiency, improve safety and allow you and your organisation more time to focus on your core business objective.

FM Ireland features • Design, management or operation of a working environment • Employee safety and well being • Fire safety • Security • Energy efficiency and sustainability • Hard Services (Maintenance, Building repair, Construction) • Soft Services (Water, Cleaning, Landscaping, Office Furniture, IT & Comms) • Property Management

Supporting Associations:

FM Ireland delivers real and practical information that can benefit you and your organisation.

For more information and to register visit: www.fmireland.com 241061 Step Ex CCI.indd 1

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IB PARTNER PROFILE STEPEX

Because Knowledge IS KING FM Ireland is the complete event for those involved in managing, maintaining and operating facilities.

acilities Management Ireland (FM Ireland), which takes place from March 7th to 8th 2017 at the RDS in Dublin, is a unique opportunity for all those involved in creating and maintaining retail, industrial, commercial and government buildings and facilities. FM Ireland is where you can come together, network with peers, hear the latest in new ideas and best practice, and see the latest products, services and solution providers that can be of direct assistance to you and your business. Now more than ever, you need to be sure you’re getting the maximum return from every euro and minute available to you. By putting all the products, people and knowledge you need in one place, FM Ireland offers you the best possible return on your investment. So if you only have the time and budget to attend one event this year, make it this one.

BENEFITS OF ATTENDING • The complete event for those involved in managing, maintaining and operating facilities of all kinds • Free exhibition featuring the largest range of products and services assembled in one place in Ireland this year • Free conference content addressing your day-to-day concerns • The chance to talk to real people about real products, problems and practice • In-depth advice on products and services from the people who make and supply them InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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• The greatest single gathering of your colleagues and people from related disciplines • Ideas, inspiration and answers; whatever your area of responsibility and working environment. • Meet the organisations that represent you FM Ireland uses a unique combination of conference content, delivered adjacent to Ireland’s largest exhibition of suppliers, showcasing the latest products, services and solutions that can assist Irish businesses.

INDUSTRY SUPPORT FM Ireland benefits from the active support of leading Irish organisations addressing the different aspects covered by the event. Their support guarantees that the conference programme is relevant to the needs of the market, whilst giving FM Ireland access to unique marketing channels from which to promote the event and secure attendance.

Other Presentations include: • CMMS supporting the role of the FM • Best practice in tendering and procurement for companies – the client’s perspective • Power – securing the quality of supply

THE EXHIBITION: MAKING THINGS BETTER Featuring over 100 exhibitors, this is a unique opportunity to see the latest in thousands of products, services and solutions and to discover new approaches and suppliers that can help you.

THE CONFERENCE: BECAUSE KNOWLEDGE IS KING

DON’T MISS OUT - REGISTER NOW!

Topics and themes addressed will include: • Health and safety presentation hosted by IOSH East Ireland branch • FM and property presentation hosted by the SCSI and BIFM • Fire safety presentation hosted by ASFP Ireland and IFE • Building services hosted by IRI Ireland

Whilst attendance to FM Ireland (including Health & Safety Ireland and Fire & Safety Ireland) is free, we recommend that you register online. Visit www.fmireland.com where you can see the latest information. Those companies interested in exhibiting should contact the FM Ireland team on +44 1892 518877 or email fmireland@stepex.com.

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Your Global eCommerce Partner We reduce the complexities in international shipping and support you in offering your customers a holistic online shopping experience. Contact ie.ecommerce@dhl.com for further details.

1 Integrates with ALL eComm IT Platforms 2 Delivery to Over 220 Countries

Dublin-Based Customer Services

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IB PARTNER PROFILE DHL EXPRESS

Path to

GLOBAL GROWTH Bernard McCarthy, Managing Director at DHL Express Ireland, believes that an export-led recovery will bring Irish SMEs to the international stage.

“I

f there’s one positive from the Brexit fallout, it’s the growing realisation from Irish SMEs that they need to diversify to new markets,” says Bernard McCarthy, Managing Director at DHL Express Ireland. “It’s certainly the silver-lining to the ‘Brexit cloud’ and in the longer run I believe we’ll have a stronger SME exporting sector as a result.” McCarthy is no stranger to the idea of diversification, particularly with regard to the shift in the market in recent years towards e-commerce. He believes every company nowadays requires a carefully considered e-commerce strategy in order to maximise growth potential – even if that simply means ensuring a customer can easily find a company’s location, or that a company’s product is well promoted online. He considers the changes within his own company that have occurred in response to the trends towards e-commerce. “When I first joined DHL we were 90 per cent plus a business-to-business company.

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Today more than 50 per cent of our deliveries go to residential addresses. This change creates challenges in terms of the ‘last mile’ delivery as clearly it is more difficult to ensure someone is at home to sign for a delivery.” In response to this challenge, DHL developed an ‘on-demand delivery’ service, allowing consumers to choose a delivery time and location to suit them. Furthermore, the company has also introduced the DHL ‘Swipbox’ - standalone secure locker units located in various retail outlets around the country which allow customers to collect their shipments at their own convenience. E-commerce gives companies an opportunity to enter into other international markets with limited risk. “Some good website analytics can demonstrate that there may already be interest in your product from countries that you haven’t even considered as a potential market,” McCarthy points out. E-Commerce represents a huge opportunity for SMEs to grow. It also represents a challenge however, in that a company must develop an appropriate supply chain solution to support online sales. Many progressive Irish companies have demonstrated that it is a

challenge worth taking on, as the growth opportunities are significant. Still, to effectively grow a business with online retail channels, several factors need to be considered. It isn’t as simple as choosing the best online retail platform for a business and selecting the right pricing model – a company must also know how to reach customers in its target markets and understand the regulations and restrictions around exporting. DHL has embraced e-commerce, continuously adapting its logistic solutions in response to the changing needs of the market. DHL makes sure that delivery commitments are achieved, as this is crucial to the success of an online sales strategy. Developments within this realm include pre-notification alerts of the delivery and managing a returns programme, as online retailers typically must provide a return option to consumers, often free of charge. Also, IT integration with e-commerce retailers can often mean integrating directly with a customer’s web page and order management system. In summary, to effectively grow your business through online retail channels, it’s not just about choosing the best online retail platform for your business, you also need to know how to reach your customers in your target markets and understand the regulations and restrictions around exporting.

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Dillon Eustace. Committed to our clients.

At Dillon Eustace we work for all types of clients including national and international corporates, banks, asset managers and insurers. We can guarantee the same level of expertise and support for the biggest of corporates and the smallest of companies. • General Commercial • Commercial Property • Mergers & Acquisitions • Banking • Litigation & Arbitration • Tax

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• General Commercial • Insolvency & Corporate Recovery • Cross Border Insurance • Commercial Property • Debt & Investment Funds Listing • Regulatory Compliance • Mergers & Acquisitions • Distressed Asset Investing • Restructuring • Banking • Aircraft Leasing • Investment Funds • Litigation • Asset Management • Securitisation • Tax • Capital Markets • Structured Finance • Insolvency & Corporate Recovery • Regulatory Compliance • Restructuring • Aircraft Leasing • Asset Management • Capital Markets • Cross Border Insurance • Debt & Investment Funds Listing • Distressed Asset Investing • Investment Funds • Securitisation www.dilloneustace.com • Structured Finance

15/02/2017 10:03

IB PARTNER PROFILE VOLVO

QUALITY

OFFERINGS

Volvo Car Ireland has announced a significant number of new finance offers for 2017, meaning now is the time to buy.

here has never been a better time to purchase a Volvo, as Volvo Car Ireland has recently announced 171 new finance offers. The new announcements come off the back of recently released figures from the Volvo Car Group which reveal record worldwide sales for the third consecutive year for the company. These record sales have allowed the Volvo Car Group to continue investing in its global transformation plan. Included within these offers is the opportunity for customers to avail of a 0 per cent Personal Contract Plan (PCP) Finance on the Volvo V40, Volvo S60 and the new Volvo S90. The 0 per cent PCP Finance offer is financed through Bank of Ireland Finance and means that customers won’t pay a single cent of interest on their financial agreement. Moreover, customers will have the option to pay off the balance, or hand back or trade in their Volvo car with a guaranteed minimum future value after the three year PCP contract comes to a close. Commenting on the new offers, Patricia Greene, Head of Communications at Volvo Car Ireland said: “There has been a InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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significant increase in demand by Irish customers for vehicle finance packages. We believe our competitive PCP offers should be a welcome proposition for car buyers.” As well as the 0 per cent PCP Finance offers, Volvo Car Ireland has also announced three years free servicing on the Volvo S60 and Volvo V60, and a complimentary style pack worth a2,000 on the Volvo XC60. This style pack is available for only a limited time, and benefits from front and rear parking assist, rear parking camera, active TFT crystal driver’s information display, and interior lighting. The new announcement of offers is sure to carry Volvo Car Ireland along the same trends as its parent, the Volvo Car Group, which in 2016 saw sales of 534,332 cars – an increase of 6.2 per cent compared

There has been a significant increase in demand by Irish customers for vehicle finance packages. We believe our competitive PCP offers should be a welcome proposition for car buyers.

to 2015. “The Volvo Car brand is built on award-winning Swedish design and engineering,” stated Greene. “With our most innovative Volvo range in terms of design, safety and technology and our strongest ever finance offers, there has never been a better time to visit a Volvo car dealership.” For further info on the offers which run until March 31st 2017 visit www.volvocars.com/ie

The stylish Volvo S90 from e399 per month with 0 per cent PCP Finance

14/02/2017 17:45

Pat McDonagh, Owner Supermac’s, Trócaire Supporter.

“ my business has helped children children go go to to

school and and provided provided

water to

vulnerable villages in in

zimbabwe “

Find out what your business can do by partnering with Trócaire: Please contact us on 00 353 1 629 3333 or visit trocaire.org Trócaire Head Office, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland Irish Charity No. CHY 5883

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IB PARTNER PROFILE VIRGIN BUSINESS

Make 2017 MATTER Virgin Business is setting out to support businesses in improving and transforming the way they work.

e know that one size never fits all. So we’ll rewrite the rulebook to get your business exactly what it needs. Listening to our customers is how we understand their challenges. Being creative with our solutions is how we help them achieve their goals. To survive and thrive in an ever-changing market, you need to disrupt or adapt to the disruption around you. Whether you’re a business of one or up to 250 people, a larger enterprise or a public sector organisation, Virgin Business, a unit of Virgin Media, has helped all kinds of companies to improve and transform the way they work. Virgin Business provides advanced, bespoke communication solutions through a next generation network that is backed by 24/7 technical support. Virgin Business delivers internet, Wi-Fi, TV and a full portfolio of voice services for cost-effective, simplified communications management. More recently, Virgin Media conducted its third Digital Insights Report, which provides very useful insights into current digital trends in Ireland, and highlights the significant opportunities for Irish businesses in an expanding digital economy, which is now worth around 6 per cent of Ireland’s GDP. It is clear that the digital economy is growing at a very fast pace and it is essential that Irish businesses, in particular SMEs, capture this increasing market. The report highlighted an increasing number of Irish consumers shopping and using services online. This is seen in the increase in spending over

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the last two years and the projected forecast for online consumer spending to grow from a7.5 billion to a14.1bn in 2021. In fact, Irish websites account for just 41 per cent (some a3.1bn) of Irish online purchases, with a further a4.4bn being spent offshore. If that trend continues to 2021, over a8bn in goods and services will be bought offshore at that time. This represents a significant potential loss of trade to the Irish economy and Irish businesses. With online spending by Irish consumers set to almost double in value in the next five years, there are opportunities for digital-savvy Irish SMEs and start-ups to capture their share of the fastest growing sector in the economy, but they have to act fast. While people are comfortable and knowledgeable with digital technologies, a clear value proposition needs to be offered before they will adopt them. One of the biggest challenges to SMEs, start-ups and even large companies in the future, will be persuading already satisfied customers that they really should try the new products and services that digital technology will make available in the coming years. Meeting that challenge will demand a deep understanding of

Aidan D’Arcy with the Best Business Broadband award at the 2016 InBUSINESS Recognition Awards

the needs and circumstances of Irish consumers, especially their emotional drivers and expectations. Virgin Business recommends that businesses start with the customer, and the emotional and the relational impact they want them to experience when they use a new product or service. The ability to develop a more customer-centric approach will decide the winners during the next wave of the digital economy. It is evident that digital technologies are a vital ingredient in the growing success of professional and tech services. Having recently won Best Business Broadband at the 2016 InBUSINESS Recognition Awards, Virgin Business has the ambition to challenge the rest of the marketplace because that’s what Virgin does best. Find out more at www.virginmediabusiness.ie or call 1800 940 767.

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CRA Rgistered Number: 2001 1376 15/02/2017 08/11/2016 10:06 14:10

IB PARTNER PROFILE ŠKODA IRELAND

Driving GROWTH

After a record-breaking 2016, ŠKODA Ireland looks to the coming year with a sense of optimism and desire to continue the upward trend.

KODA Ireland has begun 2017 in buoyant mood. After announcing a record sales performance in 2016, the car maker is not about to lower expectations and has set itself some ambitious targets to be met by the end of the year. In the past number of years, the ŠKODA brand in Ireland has grown at a notable rate. In 2015, ŠKODA sold 7,819 passenger vehicles in Ireland – an increase of 24 per cent on 2014. The following year, in 2016, the company sold over 9,500 vehicles in the country, which in itself was an increase of 20 per cent on 2015. These figures are impressive, and have meant that for the years 2015 and 2016, ŠKODA positioned itself as the sixth highest selling car brand in the country, leaving it with a market share currently standing at 6.5 per cent. Not resting on its laurels, however, the company has announced that it is targeting a top five finish for 2017. In a bid to achieve this objective, a number of changes within ŠKODA have taken place. Over the last 12 to 18 months, 12.5 million has been invested in the company in order to completely transform the appearance of the ŠKODA dealer network. Furthermore, the car maker is introducing its first

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The new face of our dealer network will be the most modern of any car brand in Ireland and we will have some exciting new models for our customers to experience. ever seven-seater SUV, the ŠKODA KODIAQ in March, a move likely to help the brand break into the top five. John Donegan, Brand Director at ŠKODA Ireland, relishes the challenge ahead and is confident in the changes which are being rolled out within the company. “At ŠKODA we are extremely optimistic for 2017,” he said. “The new face of our dealer network will be the most modern of any car brand in Ireland and we will have some exciting new models for our customers to experience.”

ŠKODA Ireland is embracing change and using it to appeal to more customers in the marketplace. Further changes within the company have resulted in an increasing number of customers availing of the competitive ŠKODA finance offers. ŠKODA announced in December 2016 that it had loaned over 105m to customers over the previous 12 months. This was a significant increase of 48.9 per cent on 2015. Donegan is pleased with the figures, but has no intention of easing off in 2017. “Just under 50 per cent of the cars sold by ŠKODA in Ireland are financed by ŠKODA Finance with two out of three of ŠKODAs financed taking the PCP route. This year alone (2016), ŠKODA Finance have financed 6,052 contracts and we’re looking forward to growing that further in 2017,” he said.

14/02/2017 17:46

IB PARTNER PROFILE CREDIT REVIEW OFFICE

Accessing Finance

FOR SMES

The Credit Review Office was set up by the government in 2010 in response to the financial crisis. Seven years on, the Office continues to ensure that viable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have access to finance to grow and develop.

he Credit Review Office sees first-hand the issues faced by SMEs and farm businesses seeking credit to grow and develop their businesses. Among its many functions, the Office provides an independent appeals process for SMEs, sole traders and farmers who have had credit facilities refused, reduced or withdrawn. It operates a helpline for business borrowers having difficulty getting credit, as well as monitoring bank lending by the pillar banks, including how much new money is being approved.

to medium term, as the new loan owners seek to take their profit.

HOW THE OFFICE CAN HELP CURRENT TRENDS In the last year, most of the SMEs using the Credit Review Office service have seen improved trading, as economic conditions have been favourable. There are obvious global challenges ahead however, as Brexit and the election of Donald Trump cast some uncertainty over the global economy. Uncertainty impacts on consumer confidence and spending, and may also explain why demand for lending remains subdued. The level of repayment of existing debt continues to outstrip new lending according to the latest Central Bank SME Market reports â&#x20AC;&#x201C; findings echoed by the recent Department of Finance survey of over 1,000 SMEs, which showed declining numbers of SMEs applying for credit in 2016. Bank distressed loan portfolio sales also continued last year, which included many SME facilities. These SMEs will eventually need to repay or refinance their debts in the short

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The Credit Review Office considers applications from SMEs who have had credit facilities of up to a3 million refused, reduced or withdrawn by AIB, Bank Of Ireland, PTSB and Ulster Bank. This covers new credit applications, as well as cases where the bank (or borrower) is seeking to restructure an existing facility within their own bank. The Office also considers refinance applications. This can occur when a borrower has an existing loan with a bank that has left the Irish market, or has had their loan sold to a hedge fund. If a borrower seeks refinance from one of the four banks above and is refused, the borrower can apply to the Credit Review Office for a review. In addition to undertaking formal reviews, the Credit Review Office also operates a helpline service where the reviewers can engage directly with SMEs or farmers, providing useful information and guidance.

KEY TIPS TO ACCESSING CREDIT In the experience of the Credit Review Office, credit is available for most businesses that can demonstrate current or future viability. Lending decisions are firmly based on cash flow and projections â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but banks will seek to reduce risk, so security may still be required. The bank will also be reluctant to take all of the risk, generally wanting to see a cash input from the business itself to part fund the project. Good preparation and documentation before applying for credit will ensure a better outcome. The key message to SMEs seeking credit is to be a prepared borrower, aware of the finance and funding options available, with a clear business plan and up-to-date financial information and realistic projections based on clear assumptions. If you are a borrower who believes that your business is viable but has been refused credit, appeal the decision to the Credit Review Office. It is able to recommend credit be provided to over 50 per cent of SMEs that apply. InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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LEINSTER • MUNSTER • CONNAUGHT • ULSTER IT funding for Laois, strong uptake of bike schemes, and Mullingar start-up bags LEO award.

Jobs announced for Shannon, I WISH asks girls to build a business, and public consultation on Killarney building.

Taoiseach announces funding for marine body, progress on ferry operations, and Leitrim distillery extension proposed.

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DELIVERING SKILLS FOR

SUCCESS Michael Moriarty, General Secretary of Education and Training Boards Ireland, outlines the vision for ETBs in acting as the lead agencies for skills development in Ireland.

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BUILDING ON A SUCCESSFUL YEAR InBUSINESS spoke with Paul Reid, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, on the back of a positive 2016.

In Association with

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UPCOMING EVENTS LEINSTER

16TH - 19TH MARCH St Patrick’s Festival Co Dublin 18TH - 19TH MARCH Spring Equinox Festival Oldcastle, Co Meath 21ST - 23RD APRIL Barrow River Arts Festival Borris House, Co Carlow 25TH APRIL - 2ND MAY Drogheda Arts Festival Drogheda, Co Louth

COUNTY LAOIS

IT FUNDING FOR LAOIS Over e500,000 is to be made available to primary and secondary schools in Co Laois, local Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan has announced. The sum will be split between 71 schools around the county, and will be used to develop information and communications technology within the area. As Flanagan explained: “The funding will support the development and implementation of an eLearning plan for each school to embed ICT in teaching and learning.”

COUNTY WESTMEATH

MULLINGAR START-UP

BAGS LEO AWARD A talented Westmeath leather designer was announced as overall winner of the inaugural Local Enterprise Showcase Awards at the RDS in Dublin on January 22nd. The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) initiative is aimed at supporting the Irish craft and design sector. Brendan McEvoy, founder of Irish luxury tech bag and accessory company, My Name is Ted, was presented with his award by Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor.

COUNTY CARLOW COUNTY DUBLIN

STRONG UPTAKE OF BIKE SCHEMES New statistics released in January show strong uptake of the five city bike schemes delivered in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Last year saw a total of 4,903,851 journeys take place across the schemes in Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Galway and Limerick, which now have a total of 91,850 subscribers – up from 74,740 at the end of 2015. Coca-Cola Zero dublinbikes, operated by Dublin City Council and JCDecaux, has 68,074 subscribers and facilitated 4,355,437 journeys in 2016.

40,000,000KM

Over 40 million kilometres have been cycled on the five schemes since they were established, equating to a distance equal to approximately 1,000 round-trips of the Earth.

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The Carlow Central Shopping Centre

PENNEYS TO ANCHOR CARLOW CENTRAL Lexeme Properties Limited have confirmed that Penneys will anchor the new Carlow Central Shopping Centre. Penneys now operates from 37 locations in Ireland and has more than 325 stores in 11 countries. The site of the new development incorporates the existing Penneys store together with additional adjoining lands on a site of 6.5 acres. When completed, the new scheme, Carlow Central, will comprise approximately 200,000 sq ft of retail space, together with 640 car spaces, and 10,000 sq ft of office accommodation. Carlow Central will immediately create 225 plus jobs during the construction period and once completed will provide employment for around 800 jobs on a full and part-time basis. InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN BUSINESS NEWS: MUNSTER

COUNTY CORK

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MUNSTER

23RD - 26TH FEBRUARY The Gathering Traditional Music Festival Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, Co Kerry 5TH - 12TH MARCH Cork French Film Festival Co Cork I WISH is an award-winning initiative set up in 2014 by three Cork businesswomen in partnership with Cork City Council, Cork Chamber, it@cork, Cork County Council, Dublin City Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, UCC, CIT, American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, Dell EMC, Arup and many more.

I WISH ASKS GIRLS TO

BUILD A BUSINESS I WISH, the Science Foundation Ireland supported partnership initiative encouraging young women to consider a career in STEM, has launched a new competition – Build IT by Girls. The competition is inviting teams of students to pitch their STEM business idea to a panel of entrepreneurs at the I WISH events taking place in City Hall, Cork and in the RDS, Dublin in February 2017.

COUNTY CLARE

COUNTY KERRY

JOBS ANNOUNCED FOR SHANNON

PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON KILLARNEY BUILDING

Shannon-based diamond manufacturer Element Six has announced the creation of 100 new jobs as part of an overall s7 million investment. Minister for Employment Pat Breen welcomed the news, stating: “This is a very strong endorsement of the Shannon Free Zone as a leading destination for innovation and job creation. With an international airport on its doorstep, a highly competitive operating environment, available talent and excellent and ever-improving infrastructure, we believe the future is very bright for Shannon.”

Kerry County Council has launched a public consultation process on the future use of the Áras Phádraig building in Killarney. The Council is to launch an online survey through which people can share their views on what to do with the building, which was donated to the people of Killarney by the Franciscan Order in 2010. “This facility has enormous potential for Killarney and the surrounding area given its size and location close to the centre of the town,” commented Cllr Brendan Cronin, Cathaoirleach of the Killarney Municipal District.

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21ST - 23RD APRIL West Waterford Festival of Food 2017 Co Waterford 21ST - 23RD APRIL Consairtín: The National Concertina Convention Ennis, Co Clare

COUNTY LIMERICK

LEOS LEAD TO JOBS IN LIMERICK Eamon Ryan, Head of Enterprise at Limerick City and County Council has praised the role of the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Limerick in supporting indigenous business expansion. Recently released figures have shown that overall employment in LEO-supported companies in Limerick rose by 129 from 2015 and that the amount of grant aid provided to Limerick companies in 2016 was also up on the 12 months previous. “There were more business expansion grants last year than start-up grants, and that is very positive as these typically generate more employment,” stated Ryan.

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CONNAUGHT 4TH MARCH Gaelforce Mountain Run Leenane, Co Galway 10TH - 12TH MARCH Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail March 2017 Walking Festival Co Mayo 21ST - 22ND APRIL Get Up and Go with Passion and Purpose Knocknarea Arena, Co Sligo 28TH - 30TH APRIL Leitrim Fleadh Ceoil Ballinamore, Co Leitrim

COUNTY LEITRIM

DISTILLERY EXTENSION PROPOSED The Shed Distillery, based in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim, is seeking planning permission from Leitrim County Council for a new single storey extension, refurbishment and alteration of its existing distillery accommodation. The extension would include a new visitor experience and require a redesign of the existing access road and green areas adjacent to the proposed development. Leitrim County Council is currently seeking more information from the applicant.

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COUNTY MAYO

TAOISEACH ANNOUNCES

FUNDING FOR MARINE BODY Taoiseach Enda Kenny has announced the creation of 20 new jobs and the securement of a6 million worth of research grants for the Marine Institute at Furnace, Co Mayo. Speaking at the the Furnace site, Kenny praised the work of the institute, stating: “This is a relatively unique research facility in operation since 1955 and I am delighted to see the continued excellent quality research that is taking place following a6m in funding from research grants.” COUNTY GALWAY

COUNCIL REPORTS PROGRESS ON FERRY OPERATIONS Galway County Council has met with one ferry operator in an effort to secure a permanent service to Inis Mór with talks due to take place with two others in the near future. The news emerged at a meeting of Galway County Council as members were informed of the current arrangements with Island Ferries Teo, who have agreed to continue operating the service until June 2019. Island Ferries Teo, which runs the service from Rossaveal to Inis Mór, announced last October that it was stopping sailings from November until March due to a failure to resolve a dispute over passenger levy.

COUNTY ROSCOMMON

MINISTER URGES APPLICATIONS FOR ENERGY FUNDING Roscommon TD Denis Naughten is urging communities across the county to apply for community energy projects funding, after he helped to secure 30m in grant funding for 2017. The Better Energy Communities Scheme, administered through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, encourages community and locally based organisations to apply for funding to upgrade the energy efficiency of buildings in their community. Minister Naughten commented: “There is an opportunity for communities across Roscommon to apply for funding that will have a practical effect in homes, communities and workplaces.”

COUNTY SLIGO

SLIGO IN VOLUNTEER MODE Sligo has been named European Capital of Volunteering for 2017. The town takes over the role from London with previous holders including Barcelona and Lisbon. Sligo’s role will be to showcase and celebrate acts of volunteering in all its forms and to encourage people across Ireland and Europe to get involved. InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

14/02/2017 17:24

LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN BUSINESS NEWS: ULSTER COUNTY DONEGAL

COUNTY DONEGAL

EMPLOYMENT BOOST FOR DONEGAL GAELTACHT The numbers employed in Údarás na Gaeltachta supported companies around Co Donegal is at its highest level since 2010, according to figures recently released in the Gaeltacht authority’s yearly review. The figures reveal that 135 new jobs were created throughout the Donegal Gaeltacht area in 2016, and that the food and drink, medical devices and marine sectors experienced the greatest growth throughout the year. Údarás na Gaeltachta has said it will continue to participate in a coordinated, cross-agency response to international affairs in 2017 in order to assess and prepare for the impact of Brexit and for any other changes in international policies upon Gaeltacht areas.

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WHAT’S ON IN 12TH FEBRUARY Artisan Food Fair at Dunmore Gardens Dunmore Gardens, Co Donegal 26TH FEBRUARY Tibetan New Year Celebration Jampa Ling Meditation Centre, Co Cavan 26TH MARCH Pyjama 5k Fun Run 2017 Castleblaney, Co Monaghan

LOCAL COUNCIL KEEN ON SAVING ENERGY Donegal County Council executive architectural technician Siobhán McCafferty has scooped first prize in the local authority’s staff energy saving idea competition. McCafferty’s ‘Switch Off Tuesday’ idea will see council staff becoming more aware of how simple energy saving actions can result in greater energy savings for the organisation and reduce its overall carbon footprint. The competition was held as part of the council’s energy awareness campaign launched last summer as part of its commitment to ISO 50001 accreditation obtained in November 2016.

EU FUNDING FOR MONAGHAN Approximately 3.1 million worth of funding has been approved for Monaghan County Council under the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme. The funding will be used to support a number of locally based initiatives that will promote positive relations between people from different communities and backgrounds. Monaghan TD and Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Heather Humphreys has welcomed the funding, stating: “This EU fund is an extremely important source of funding for border communities, and has had a very positive impact on communities in Cavan and Monaghan under previous rounds of funding.”

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8TH APRIL Shore 2 Shore Summit Adventure Race Inishowen, Co Donegal

COUNTY CAVAN

PLANS TO EXPAND MUSEUM Cavan County Museum has applied for planning permission which would allow it to carry out an expansion to its facilities in Ballyjamesduff. The museum has applied for permission to erect a single storey structure linked to the existing building, with a single storey lobby to be used as an exhibition space. Submissions or observations of the proposed development can be inspected by members of the public at Ballyjamesduff Municipal District Offices and the planning office in Cavan Town up until March 9th.

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Delivering Skills

For Success Michael Moriarty, General Secretary of Education and Training Boards Ireland, outlines the vision for ETBs in acting as the lead agencies for skills development across communities.

ince 2008, both the public and private sectors have been subject to profound and often painful change. The worst recession in living memory affected us all, and it is now heartening that economic recovery is well under way. Public sector bodies were badly affected during the period since 2008, none more than the sector I represent – formerly VECs and now Education and Training Boards (ETBs). Many of us are familiar with that quote attributed to Winston Churchill; “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” During the recent financial crisis, former Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn abolished the 33 existing VECs,

replacing them, together with the former FÁS training division, with 16 ETBs. This rationalisation was part of the overall government strategy to cull the number of State bodies. Indeed the ETB sector is the one sector which has successfully been transformed through rationalisation into a sector which is more effective and more efficient than ever before. In effect, apprenticeship training, further education, and traineeship programmes have been consolidated under the 16 ETBs, giving greater coherence and capacity for strategic planning. These 16 ETBs are education and training agencies, established by statute under the Education and Training Boards Act 2013 (It should be noted that ETBs, and their predecessors the VECs, also manage 268 secondlevel schools and 11 community national schools). In 2011, Minister Quinn set out his vision for a world-class further

In effect, apprenticeship training, further education, and traineeship programmes have been consolidated under the 16 ETBs, giving greater coherence and capacity for strategic planning.

Michael Moriarty, General Secretary, Education and Training Boards Ireland

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education and training (FET) sector with ETBs at the core of this vision. To complete the reform process of the sector, the Minister also established SOLAS in 2013 as the further education and training authority with a remit to plan and fund the development of FET. SOLAS works through the ETBs which deliver the approved training programmes throughout the State. These include

apprenticeship programmes, traineeships as well as a wide range of adult and further education programmes. ETBs are working closely with other State agencies and regional skills fora. These skills fora bring together the training agencies and industry representatives and thus provide an important interface between the providers of training programmes and the ever-changing needs of industry, to ensure that real training needs are being addressed. ETBs are very much part of the local community, as were their predecessors, the vocational education committees (VECs) and technical instruction committees before them, right back to 1902. They have real validity in terms of focused development of skills enhancement for those at work and those seeking work. Skills enhancement is a key driver of economic recovery and is seen by the European Commission as vital to the regeneration of Europe. Ireland now competes on the world stage and we can never be complacent about consistently ensuring that our young people can access appropriate education and training and our people at work are constantly climbing the skills ladder. Education and Training Boards are the lead agencies for skills development across the entire community. Their ethos of social inclusion and bringing those at risk into the workforce has been a hallmark of their role for decades. The 16 ETBs collaborate and work closely with their national representative body, Education and Training Boards Ireland. There is no duplication, no waste, only best practice. Hopefully this sector can soon claim to have realised the vision of former Minister Quinn by truly being acknowledged as a worldclass FET sector. InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN BUSINESS FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL

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Building on a Successful Year InBUSINESS spoke with Paul Reid, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council on the back of the local authority’s win at the Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards. Q: How was 2016 for Fingal County Council?

A: It was a good year because we saw some of our strategies and plans begin to come to fruition and the lifting of the embargo on recruitment has allowed us to fill vacancies within the Council. We are on course to exceed our social housing target for the 2015-2017 period by 45 per cent. We also have the fastest growing and youngest population in the country and Skerries was named Ireland’s tidiest town so there’s a lot of positives. Q: How do you view the business landscape in the Fingal region in 2017?

A: The outlook is positive for the coming year. While there are uncertainties on the horizon – principally the fallout from the Brexit vote – the local economy has some very clear positives. Business in Fingal will continue to benefit from key advantages such as unrivalled connectivity to national and international markets, excellent infrastructural provision, access to local talent and a very positive quality of life. We have existing clusters

of national significance in aviation, tech, life sciences and agri-food and recent growth has been well balanced across micro enterprise, Irish firms of scale and the multinational base. From a competitiveness perspective, Fingal businesses benefit from the lowest commercial rates in the Dublin region which have been unchanged for the past six years.

development programmes, Start Your Own Business programmes, networking events, e-commerce programmes, export incentives, and much more. In addition, LEO Fingal helps to foster a strong local entrepreneurial culture, running the biggest Student Enterprise programme in the country, working with some 32 schools with over 2,500 students participating each year.

Q: How has the Local

Q: How has business been

Enterprise Office Fingal been performing in terms of supporting start-up businesses and entrepreneurs?

for the Dublin Enterprise Zone (DEZ)? Any new companies considering opening or expanding offices there?

A: Fingal’s Local Enterprise Office continues to be one of the leading and busiest LEOs in the country, with very strong performance across all metrics. Since it was established in April 2014, LEO Fingal has provided valuable and practical business support services to over 3,000 local entrepreneurs. At present LEO Fingal delivers a wide range of supports and services including financial assistance, business advisory services, mentoring, management

A: The DEZ continues to go from strength to strength. Fingal works closely with IDA Ireland in developing and marketing the area as one of Ireland’s prime investment locations. As we speak, projects worth over a2 billion are being developed in the life sciences sector alone. Encouragingly, we are seeing a mix of greenfield and expansion projects, underscoring the attractiveness of the DEZ as a location for new investment and also pointing to the success of

InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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Paul Reid, Chief Executive, Fingal County Council

existing clients. The DEZ continues to be a key economic driver for the county and the region and over the last number of years the Council has invested additional financial resources in the infrastructure in the area and in carrying out environmental improvements within the DEZ. In addition, we are investing in a new signage scheme to make the area more accessible for the 800+ businesses located there. We are committed to continuing with this capital investment over the coming years, working closely with the key stakeholders and business interests within the area.

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

In Association with

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IB PARTNER PROFILE CORK EDUCATION AND TRAINING BOARD

SUPPORTING DEVELOPMENT The recent positive trend in employment provides the focus for CETB in its delivery of FET courses, writes John Fitzgibbons, Director of Further Education and Training.

ork Education and Training Board (CETB) is looking forward to the opportunities and challenges that 2017 will bring. While the national economic and business landscape may be somewhat obscured by a fog created by the uncertainty of Brexit and other recent events on the global stage, we are optimistic that the improvements witnessed over the past 12 months will at least continue, if not gather pace, throughout this year. The positive trend in employment witnessed throughout 2016 – with the adjusted unemployment rate falling from 8.9 per cent in December 2015 to 7.2 per cent in December 2016, and the number of people in employment

continuing to increase, with over 33,000 more people in employment in December 2016 than at that same time last year – provides the primary focus for CETB in the planning, development and delivery of our Further Education and Training (FET) courses. CETB’s colleges and training centres are proactively engaged with employers and businesses to ensure that people entering the labour market have the skills, knowledge and competencies required by employers. At local level, CETB is guided and advised by both the National Skills Strategy and input from the local economy to ensure that this objective is achieved. As 2017 progresses, CETB will

provide additional industry-led programmes to meet the requirements of the tourism and hospitality sector. Increased craft apprenticeship provision will be available to support the construction industry as it continues to improve, with a broad range of new and restructured programmes becoming available to service the business and industrial base in the Cork region. A key focus for CETB in 2017 will be to develop business, education and training programmes for people in work, to provide for their upskilling and retraining requirements, and to ensure that businesses retain their capacity to compete on the local, national and international stage.

Do you want to open doors to your future? Cork Education and Training Board is the largest provider of education and training in Cork, delivering: • Primary Education • Post primary Education • Further Education

• Training • Adult and Community Education

Through our services, we are committed to providing a “Pathway for Every Learner”

For details of all our locations and courses go to www.corketb.ie Cork Education and Training Board 21 Lavitt’s Quay, Cork Phone : 021 4907100

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IB PARTNER PROFILE NEW IRELAND ASSURANCE

Protection For YOUR BUSINESS The impact of death or the suffering of a specified serious illness of a key business stakeholder can potentially lead to debts, loss of business and even shareholder conflict, writes Ed Rafferty of New Ireland Assurance.

he future success of a business is often dependent on a few key people. A key person is any ‘key’ employee, director or consultant on whom the business depends for its continued success or existence. They have contacts, a reputation and goodwill built up with clients. What impact would the death of a key person/shareholder have on the business? • A bank could call in any outstanding loans due to concerns about the business cash flow. • If a shareholder had made a director’s loan to the business and then subsequently died, if no repayments had been made against the loan by the business, the full amount would then be due and payable to the family of the deceased shareholder. The family may look for repayment of the loan to help meet financial difficulties. How would a business repay these loans? Life assurance for a key person/ shareholder can cater for the above situations by putting life cover (and/or

specified serious illness cover) in place on the life of all key people/relevant shareholders, so that the business can continue successfully if the keyperson/shareholder dies or suffers a specified serious illness.

LIFE ASSURANCE FOR LIMITED COMPANIES Assume an active shareholder who has played a large part in building up a firm dies and their spouse inherits their share of the business. What impact could this have on the business and the existing shareholders? • If the spouse wishes to sell their share to the remaining shareholders to realise the market value of the shares in the business and stabilise their family’s financial position, the remaining shareholders may not have the capital required to buy back these shares and may be forced to take out personal loans to retain ownership. • Alternatively, the spouse may want to play an active role in the business leading to a new shareholder dynamic of skills, opinions and experience, which can lead to conflict and loss of business. What are the advantages of putting a shareholder’s life assurance arrangement in place? Life assurance for a limited company can benefit both the remaining shareholders of the company and the deceased shareholder’s next of kin. The proceeds of the life

A key person is any ‘key’ employee, director or consultant on whom the business depends for its continued success or existence. They have contacts, a reputation and goodwill built up with clients. InBUSINESS | YEARBOOK 2017

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Ed Rafferty, New Ireland Assurance

assurance policy provide a capital lump sum enabling the remaining shareholders to buy back the share of the business from the deceased’s next of kin. It also puts a legal agreement in place to regulate the purchase of the share in the business from the deceased’s next of kin.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS The financial and legal impact on a business resulting from the absence or loss of a key business stakeholder can be managed by planning to protect your business with the help of a financial broker or advisor. Terms and conditions apply. A Government levy (currently 1 per cent) applies to premiums paid to a life assurance policy. Protection benefits are subject to underwriting and acceptance by New Ireland Assurance. New Ireland Assurance Company plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and is a member of Bank of Ireland Group.

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IB PARTNER PROFILE KPMG

Supporting Female Founders In 2017, the KPMG and Enterprise Ireland-supported initiative Going for Growth will provide mentoring assistance and guidance to 60 ambitious female entrepreneurs as they grow their businesses.

oing for Growth offers growth focused peer support and mentoring for female owner managers, regardless of sector, and forms an important part of KPMG’s support for diversity and female entrepreneurship. Highlighting the value of the programme, 73 per cent of participants in the previous cycle increased their turnover by an average of 36 per cent, bringing the combined turnover of the group to a35.5 million. Since becoming involved, KPMG has supported over 130 women entrepreneurs to participate in the programme, creating an additional 70 jobs and strengthening over 400 existing roles. Speaking about this year’s programme, Olivia Lynch, a

partner at KPMG, notes that Irish female entrepreneurs have a major role in helping deliver economic growth and job creation objectives. “At KPMG, we are delighted to support the Going for Growth programme for our third year and look forward to working with participants, helping them to achieve their innovation and growth goals.” According to Paula Fitzsimons, National Director of Going for Growth, the initiative demonstrates the success of a collaborative peer-based approach in supporting women to unleash their full entrepreneurial potential. “Our mission in Going for Growth is to support female entrepreneurs to achieve their growth ambitions and to get more female owner managers into

a growth frame of mind.” Supported by Enterprise Ireland, typical candidates considered for this programme are female ownermanagers of a business. They must be located in the Republic of Ireland and have been trading for two years plus. Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, says: “We are focused on supporting companies to scale by realising their growth potential on export markets. We would like to see more female entrepreneurs among these companies. It is heartening to know that while ambition is nurtured, the progress of the participants is monitored and the impact assessed.” Viisit www.kpmg.ie/goingforgrowth

At the heart of business in Ireland

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