CHAMBER CEO Q&A MARY ROSE BURKE
H
itting the
Ground Running
InBUSINESS caught up with Mary Rose Burke, CEO of Dublin Chamber, who is busy building a vision for the capital in 2050. Q: You have been head of Dublin Chamber for almost six months now. How have you been settling in?
A: I am loving my role and really enjoying all of my work in the Chamber. I have a great team and also a very engaged and motivated board and council which has allowed me to hit the ground running. We are all focused on making Dublin the very best city in which to live, work, invest, raise a family, build a business and to visit.
Q: Could you tell us about your recent rebrand?
A: The essence of what Dublin Chamber does is to listen to our members and support them however we can. The new logo signifies how the Chamber is all about listening and understanding others but also that we are the voice of Dublin business. We also chose blue as our primary colour as it is so synonymous with Dublin
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and as we say, “Dublin is our business”. I believe the new logo and brand projects a strong and proud image for Dublin Chamber – listening and advocating not just for business but for the city in general.
Q: What are the burning issues currently facing businesses in Dublin?
A: The issues facing Dublin are problems arising from the success and growth of the city. It’s important to recognise the huge transformation Dublin has undergone since, we’ll say, the 1980s. People are what make this city unique. Therefore it’s crucial that we invest accordingly to respect and reflect how people live in this dynamic city. We need to tackle the chronic under-investment in infrastructure. Housing is a critical issue for employers and all citizens of Dublin and needs to be resolved with new energy and imagination. Dublin needs adequate public transport which will ease congestion in the city but also protect our valuable clean air. We also must question whether
the current structure of local government is right for the future.
Q: In terms of leading the Chamber, where do you draw your inspiration from?
A: From the members that give so generously of their time to help create a better Dublin and from the various Dublin people I have met in the four years since moving here. I am inspired by their stories and their passion for the city. I am also inspired by learning from other cities. Places like Copenhagen didn’t just happen by accident – people in leadership positions made brave and bold decisions in long-term planning that transformed their city. Q: What are the key objectives of the Chamber for the rest of 2017 and beyond?
A: Our key objectives are to continue to develop our network of members, as it is the strength of this network that help businesses to grow and succeed. We also aim to ensure that key political stakeholders understand
Mary Rose Burke, CEO, Dublin Chamber
the current business environment so that we maintain a pro-business policy environment. Dublin 2050 is one of our key initiatives where we focus on long-term vision and planning. In this initiative we question ‘what needs to be true to create the Dublin that we collectively aspire to?’ The Great Dublin Survey is an integral part of this. Anyone who wishes to become involved and help us on this journey to 2050 can take the survey at greatdublinsurvey.ie.
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