InBUSINESS Recognition Awards 2020 Brochure

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WINNERS FINANCE PROVIDER TO MICRO BUSINESSES AND START-UPS Microfinance Ireland LOCAL AUTHORITY OF THE YEAR Fingal County Council POST GRADUATE AND MBA PROGRAMMES TU Dublin BUSINESS BROADBAND PROVIDER Virgin Media Business PENSIONS & LIFE COMPANY Zurich Life Assurance TOURISM - IRELANDS HIDDEN HEARTLANDS Fรกilte Ireland

CONTENTS 4

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MICROFINANCE IRELAND: More than Money

FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL: New Ways to Deliver Essential Services

TU DUBLIN: Creating Business Leaders

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SECURITY COMPANY IN IRELAND Netwatch Ireland Ltd

VIRGIN MEDIA: A boost for Small Businesses

IRISH BRAND GoMo

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GOVERNMENT BODY FOR BUSINESS Credit Review GREEN ENERGY PROVIDER TO BUSINESS SSE Airtricity RETAIL EXCELLENCE Lloyds Pharmacy Ireland FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT Wuxi Biologics CYBER SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE Sysnet Global Solutions EXECUTIVE EDUCATION UCD Smurfit Executive Development AGENCY SUPPORT TO BUSINESS Skillnet Ireland EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT Principal Connections FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY Capitalflow BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR Claire Tolan, Irish Distillers BUSINESS MAN OF THE YEAR Harry Hughes, Portwest COMPANY OF THE YEAR DHL Express

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ZURICH LIFE ASSURANCE: Expertise and Resilience

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Fร ILTE IRELAND: Slow Tourism Wins the Race

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NETWATCH IRELAND LTD: Continuity of Security

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GOMO: Best Irish Brand of the Year

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CREDIT REVIEW: Helping Viable Businesses Access Loans

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SSE AIRTRICITY: Democratising Green

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LLOYDS PHARMACY IRELAND: Unwavering Commitment and Dedication

WUXI BIOLOGICS A New Wave of Innovation

SYSNET GLOBAL SOLUTIONS: Security and Compliance for Small Businesses

UCD SMURFIT EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT: The Future of Executive Education

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SKILLNET IRELAND: Support, Recovery and a Focus on the Future

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PRINCIPAL CONNECTIONS: Helping Businesses Find the Right Leaders for Chalenging Times

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CAPITALFLOW: Not Just Another Alternative Lender

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CLAIRE TOLAN IRISH DISTILLERS: Leading Innovation at Irish Distillers

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HARRY HUGHES, PORTWEST: Getting Essential Workers Back to Work Safely

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DHL EXPRESS: Connecting People, Improving Lives

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09/02/2021 14:16

Recognising Tenacity, Innovation and Creativity Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland, reflects on the qualities that have stood out in a challenging year, and the priorities of the business community facing into 2021.

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Ian Talbot, Chief Executive, Chambers Ireland

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he last time we celebrated these awards, we did it together at an event in the Westbury Hotel in Dublin, and as I write these words today, it seems very far away. Now, in this our ninth year of these Recognition Awards, we hope that our tenth anniversary will not only give us reason to celebrate, but also allow us the occasion to gather together in real life once again.

Last year, award winners, in their acceptance speeches, sharing their experience, advised, “be guardians of the culture that has got us to where we are today” (David Walsh, then-CEO of Netwatch), and “look after our people, because they are our future” (Tony O’Brien, Director and Site Lead, Paypal).

Over the year we have just lived through, these words resonated again and again, as businesses tackled the move to remote working. Looking after staff’s mental health has been a topic that has come to the fore, along with how to maintain that sense of company culture

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when employees are dispersed, and only meeting virtually.

For smaller businesses, and essential workers, other, more pragmatic issues have been pressing—how to reopen after closures, how to refinance, accessing government stimulus packages and how to reorganise workspaces for optimum safety.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES Business perseveres, because we must, and the tenacious entrepreneurs and business leaders in Ireland are keeping their focus on recovery and growth.

Many of our winners this year are those who have shown these qualities of perseverance and tenacity in the face of the challenges 2020 presented.

These qualities, along with flexibility, agility, innovation and creativity, are what will see us through this crisis.

Business and government agencies are doing their utmost to make it feasible for those that have been impacted to not only survive, but to thrive again.

Here at Chambers Ireland, Ireland’s largest business organisation with a network of Chambers of Commerce in every major town and region in the country, we actively engage in research and lobbying activities on a range of public policy issues of interest to our members. By drawing upon the expertise of our member chambers and the businesses they represent, we are in a unique position to understand the concerns of all sectors of business from all regions of Ireland, and are acutely aware of the different types of challenges the last year has presented.

Supporting all businesses, facilitating trade (particularly in light of Brexit issues), and strengthening the Chamber Network to provide support at local level, all remain top priorities for us over the coming year.

FUTURE OF WORK At the start of 2020, one of our top stated priorities was around calling on the Government to think creatively about how we can support greater labour force participation.

We were set to lobby for supports for flexible, inclusive workplaces that are family- and age-friendly, to support not only labour activation but improve health, well-being and productivity. As it turned out, for many people, their workplace became their kitchen table, or their spare room. The events of the past year have accelerated the move to working

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL BUSINESSES RETAIN OR RENEW THEIR FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY. CHAMBERS IRELAND HAS LONG SUPPORTED THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND WE URGE ALL BUSINESSES TO PLAY THEIR PART. from home as a viable option, as companies swiftly put in place the equipment, cybersecurity and processes to make this possible in order to ensure business continuity.

As we move forward, we know that for many, a hybrid working model may be a reality for some time.

At the start of the year, Urban Living was also high on our agenda, and while affordable housing and the expansion of the Living City Initiative (LCI) remain important issues, the last year has also opened up new possibilities for rural regeneration with the growth of remote working,

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

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which can be greatly facilitated by remote working hubs, and the rollout of the National Broadband Plan.

Finally, it is important that all businesses retain or renew their focus on sustainability. Chambers Ireland has long supported the Sustainable Development Goals and we urge all businesses to play their part.

Taking a few minutes to sign up to the UN Global Compact would be very worthwhile.

HIGHLIGHTING SUCCESS InBUSINESS, the official publication of Chambers Ireland, as Ireland’s leading business quarterly, continues to highlight the successes of the best of Irish business, and provides up-todate information on current business issues, giving the inside track on the landscape of Irish business today and covering all sectors of the business community, aiming to inspire and inform business leaders and budding business professionals alike.

The annual InBUSINESS Recognition Awards recognise and reward exceptional business achievement and innovation and aim to acknowledge the contributions of individuals to grow business in this country.

Winners of the InBUSINESS Recognition Awards this year were chosen across 20 categories based on the broad criteria including growth, profile of business, range of services and customer care.

All are very worthy of this recognition and set the standard for business in Ireland today. Congratulations to all the award winners of the InBUSINESS Recognition Awards 2020, and I wish you all prosperity and success over the following year, whatever the challenges it may bring.

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MICROFINANCE IRELAND FINANCE PROVIDER TO MICRO BUSINESSES AND START-UPS

Microfinance Ireland: More than Money Garret Stokes of Microfinance Ireland on a human approach to working with micro enterprises, offering mentoring as well as financial support.

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icrofinance Ireland provide loans of up to €25,000 to small businesses and start-ups based in Ireland. CEO Garrett Stokes reflects on supporting businesses through a particularly difficult period.

A: There were two key areas of

A: It has been an incredibly busy year for us. We launched our COVID-19 loan in mid-March and demand was significant. During the summer months we were one of the few supports available to micro enterprises across the country who could not get bank finance. At one stage we were experiencing a 500% increase in demand. As well as a significant increase in new lending we also engaged with all our existing customers, with approximately 70% of these seeking forbearance on their loan due to the impact of the pandemic on their business.

Q: Were there any key wins or highlights during the year?

A: The step change in scale of the business in 2020 has been significant.

To put it in context, we normally approve about €6m in loans per year

THE AGENCY HAS STAYED SMALL AND NIMBLE, WITH A MINIMUM OF FORMALITY, AND A STRONG CLIENT FOCUS ON BEING AS RESPONSIVE AS POSSIBLE TO THE NEEDS OF OUR USERS.

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through these businesses.

Our brand awareness has also increased significantly this year.

Q: What were the biggest challenges of the past year?

Q: How has 2020 been for Microfinance Ireland?

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but in 2020 we have supported over 1,200 business and approved €27m in loans. The employment impact is also significant with 3,350 jobs supported

challenge. Due to the pandemic we needed to put in place a strategy and ability for people to work from home, with the vast majority of the team moving to working from home.

This was done in the same week as the COVID-19 loan was launched The second key challenge was handling the volume of loan applications we received and ensuring we processed all applications within a maximum 10-day turnaround period.

Q: What does this award recognition mean to you?

A: To be acknowledged with this InBusiness Recognition Award is a huge endorsement of the business and the service we provide. Clearly it recognises the work we have done over the last eight years supporting startups and small businesses throughout Ireland who cannot get finance from traditional banking channels to set up their business or to expand. However, I believe in particular this award is a huge acknowledgement of the fantastic work done by everyone in the business during 2020. Our customers are small

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MICROFINANCE IRELAND

Q: What are the qualities or initiatives that made your company stand out from the competition?

A: We do not believe we have competition, we do not compete with the Banks. We are not set up to take business from others, it is always preferable that businesses can get supported through the commercial sector. We do the lending that they cannot do. Due to our not-for-profit status and funding model we can adopt a credit risk approach a commercial lender.

What makes MFI standout is our hands-on approach to all applicants.

We have a very strong customer service ethos with people available at all stages of the process to support the applicant. In normal times, each applicant is met to review their application with the purpose of trying to approve as many loan applications as possible. We often help businesses to restructure their application and financials to develop a meaningful proposition that can be supported.

Finally applications are approved by an individual and not a score card that is quite common nowadays.

In addition, we offer mentoring services to all successful applicants in a business discipline we believe they require support in. This often makes the difference between the business surviving or not. Mentoring is paid for by us and provided by the LEO Network.

Q: How would you describe the overall landscape in your sector at present?

A: Our customers are small businesses, many at the early stage of their existence and therefore have not built-up years of reserves to sustain them through the current pandemic.

The micro enterprise sector has been heavily impacted and many will struggle to survive. Unfortunately, 2021 may not bring too much respite.

Garrett Stokes, CEO, Microfinance Ireland

INBUSINESS RECOGNITION AWARD RECOGNISES THE WORK WE HAVE DONE OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS SUPPORTING START-UPS AND SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT IRELAND WHO CANNOT GET FINANCE FROM TRADITIONAL BANKING CHANNELS TO SET UP THEIR BUSINESS OR TO EXPAND.

FINANCE PROVIDER TO MICRO BUSINESSES AND START-UPS

indigenous businesses across the country and in particular in 2020 required support to sustain their business during the pandemic.

COVID-19 will hopefully come under control allowing for the economy to open more fully, but the impact of Brexit has yet to be felt and all businesses will be impacted by Brexit to some extent.

Q: What are the major industry trends that you will be looking at going forward?

A: It all depends how quickly the economy gets back to normal. I believe everything depends on the success and speed of the vaccine programme and how quickly the economy reopens fully. However, I would be hopeful that the economy can recover very quickly. Despite the negative impacts, many businesses have re-shaped their business for the future and many people did not lose their jobs. Consumer savings have increased significantly, and I believe there is pent-up demand from people keen to get back to living a normal life, socialising and spending money in our economy.

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

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www.microfinanceireland.ie

Supporting your business through COVID-19 Business Loans up to â‚Ź25,000 Contact us about our Covid-19 business loans.

Or visit your Local Enterprise Office.

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

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FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL LOCAL AUTHORITY OF THE YEAR

Fingal County Council: New Ways to Deliver Essential Services Supporting businesses and the livelihoods of our citizens will continue to be a priority, says AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive, Fingal County Council.

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s a local authority we are an essential service, so we had to continue to provide our services but find new ways of delivering them to our citizens so that we complied with Covid-19 protocols. Fortunately, we are good at innovation and our staff were very flexible in adapting to the new circumstances they found themselves operating in.

Fingal County Council has been at the forefront of the community response to Covid-19 through the Community Call Forum which was made up of stakeholders from across the public, community and voluntary sectors, and the charity ALONE. The Forum oversaw Fingal’s Community Call Helpline and co-ordinated the activities of the volunteers on the ground who did so much to ensure that those cocooning and vulnerable members of our community were looked after when confined to their homes during lockdown.

In 2020, we, as the local authority, provided a range of supports to businesses to help keep them afloat through lockdowns, restrictions and reduced trade and I can see that continuing in 2021. With the support

We also worked with the business community to reimagine and design our towns so that citizens could feel comfortable and safe whilst shopping and going about their business. This included pedestrianising shopping streets where the paths were too narrow to facilitate social distancing, the introduction of parklets to enable restaurants and cafes provide outdoor seating, and the installation of public signage promoting public health guidelines.

The construction of parklets like this one in Swords allowed cafes to continue providing a sit-down service for customers.

of Government we were able to provide a rates waiver worth €80 million to eligible businesses and also paid out almost €30 million in Restart grants.

We also developed promotional campaigns—such as ‘Visit Fingal’ and ‘Fingal In It Together for Christmas’— to drive customers towards our businesses while the Fingal In It Together Charter was a successful initiative that encouraged businesses to work together to help each other.

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

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WORKING TOGETHER Central to the Council’s work this year have been our elected members. Our 40 councillors have worked hard with staff and different sectors, such as the business community, to produce solutions and supports for the times we are in. They have put in place a strong budget for 2021 which stands Fingal in good stead to meet both challenges and opportunities next year. Like all of our 1,500 staff, they too have had to adapt their work practices to keep the show on the road and 2020 saw the introduction of virtual Council meetings.

This is the fourth successive year that we have been named Council of the Year by InBusiness Magazine so we

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FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL LOCAL AUTHORITY OF THE YEAR

are delighted that, after examining at what all the local authorities across Ireland are doing for business, they continue to rate our work so highly. In 2020 we provided tangible and necessary supports to our businesses so it’s nice to be recognised for those efforts.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE While Covid-19 dominated much of what we as a Council did during 2020, we were able to see many of our projects progress.

We completed key infrastructural projects such as the Donabate Distributor Road, the Rathbeale Road, the Portmarnock to Baldoyle Greenway and Village Green in Malahide. We also secured planning permission from An Bord Pleanála for the Broadmeadow Greenway, which will link Malahide to Donabate, with construction starting in 2021. Other key projects which will take major steps forward in 2021 include the Fingal Coastal Way, the Snugborough Interchange, Shackleton Gardens and the Royal Canal Greenway while the rejuvenation of Balbriggan under the Our Balbriggan project will continue.

Due to Brexit and Covid-19, this year once again we will be looking to see how we can support businesses across the county to weather the storm. Businesses create jobs for our citizens so it’s important that they are given a chance to survive.

This year will see the review of our Development Plan commence and at the end of the process we will have a Development Plan that will lay out the sustainable development of the county up to 2029. We already have the fastest growing population in Ireland; during that period we are going to see county continue to expand. We need that to happen in a planned way so we can take advantage of the benefits that major infrastructure such as MetroLink, the Fingal Coastal Way and the Royal Canal Greenway will bring.

In general terms, we’ll continue to focus on housing supply and infrastructure delivery and lead by example on Climate Change and Active Travel. We’ll always be looking at different ways to improve our services to our citizens and businesses. All of these things will help us in our efforts to make Fingal the place of choice to live, work, visit and do business.

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WE ALSO WORKED WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO RE-IMAGINE AND DESIGN OUR TOWNS SO THAT CITIZENS COULD FEEL COMFORTABLE AND SAFE WHILST SHOPPING AND GOING ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS.

Bill Kearney, President, Dublin Fingal Chamber, Aine McCabe, Shop Malahide, Richard Berney, Balbriggan Chamber, and Derek Fowler, Chairman of Malahide Chamber, pictured at the launch of the Fingal In It Together Charter.

The pedestrianisation of New Street, Malahide, during the summer, allowed more room for shoppers to social distance and facilitated the use of street furniture by hospitality businesses.

Pictured at the launch of Fingal Local Enterprise Office’s “Shop Fingal” initiative to promote local businesses in the run-up to Christmas were (from left): Cllr David Healy, Mayor of Fingal, Oisin Geoghegan, Chair of the LEO Network and Head of Enterprise in Fingal, AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, James Stewart, Director, Celt-c Candles and Cllr Tony Murphy, Chair of Fingal’s Economic Enterprise and Tourism Development Strategic Policy Committee.

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Fingal Fingal County County Council Council Making Fingal a great place to do business

FOLLOW US ON: Website: fingal.ie

#inittogether #shopfingal #restartfingal

Twitter: @fingalcoco Facebook: Fingalcoco Instagram: fingalcountycouncil Linkedin: Fingal County Council

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Infinite Possibilities

Postgraduate Business Programmes TU Dublin is a leader in postgraduate and executive education, with a portfolio of over 30 programmes, designed and delivered in partnership with leading businesses.

Our range of programmes are tailored for both recent graduates and experienced professionals, whether studying business for the first time or seeking to deepen their knowledge and expe rtise.

Our 1,000 strong postgraduate community and deep engagement with industry make for a dynamic and exciting learning environment.

Join us and begin your journey towards personal transformation and career growth!

e: pgbusiness@tudublin.ie w: tudublin.ie/pgbusiness

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TU DUBLIN

TU Dublin has greatly enhanced its offering of postgraduate business programmes over the past few years, says Dr. Colin Hughes, Head of the Graduate Business School at TU Dublin.

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ver the last year, education providers have risen to the challenge of continuing to engage their students, quickly moving courses online and leveraging new ways to interact. “I think this year has been incredibly difficult for most, if not all, organisations. We had to rethink just about every area of activity and do so in a very quick timeframe,” says Dr. Colin Hughes, Head of the Graduate Business School at TU Dublin.

Q: What were the key wins for you at TU Dublin over the last year?

A: The Team at TU Dublin has worked incredibly hard and not only navigated the challenging waters, so to speak, but also made gains in a number of key areas. Recruitment for our postgraduate business programmes was very strong this year. We designed or redesigned a number of exciting programmes with our partners in business and launched a new expert seminar series to bring our students, Alumni and friends in business together to hear from expert speakers from around the world. The online delivery has made our model of engaging education a little more challenging but we still managed to run a large number of live projects with industry partners, to compete in and win a number of local and international student enterprise and strategy competitions etc. From a wider University perspective we’ve developed an exciting new vision

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

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and strategy for Ireland’s first Technological University.

POST GRADUATE AND MBA PROGRAMMES

TU Dublin: Creating Business Leaders Q: What were the major challenges you faced?

A: I think the virtual world brings many advantages but can also be challenging at times. Online delivery is a different experience for staff and students and I know that both missed the lively classroom discussions which are harder to replicate in a virtual setting. In general terms, most organisations had to fast track their digital transformation efforts and we are no different. My own research area focuses on leadership and trust in virtual environments and I know that more of a conscious effort is required when communicating and collaborating virtually.

Q: How has your strategy changed as a result of COVID-19?

A: Well, as a new University we are in an exciting stage of development. That said, I believe that the higher education landscape has changed forevermore. A greater blend in delivery models presents interesting opportunities for educating busy employees and provides greater access to quality education and resources.

Q: What does this award recognition mean to you?

A: We have spent the last number of years really enhancing our portfolio of postgraduate business

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TU DUBLIN POST GRADUATE AND MBA PROGRAMMES

programmes and creating a greater level of awareness of what we do. It is great to receive this recognition from the business community as we pride ourselves on working closely with business in designing and delivering innovative programmes which will create capable and responsible business leaders.

Q: What are the qualities or initiatives that made your company stand out from the competition?

A: We oer a research-informed, practice-based model of education. This means that we give students access to the latest research and thinking but also ensure that they are applying their learning in practice, either in their own workplaces or to live industry projects/ case studies that we arrange. We tend to favour small class sizes and this allows a very hands on and supportive approach. It also allows for extensive peer learning, where students learn from others from a variety of diverse backgrounds, in terms of culture, work experience, educational experience etc.

Q: What are the major industry trends that you will be looking at going forward?

A: Our TU Dublin Strategy is based around the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and particularly around the three pillars of People, Planet and Partnership.

We are working hard to align with these pillars, ensuring that the University is a force for good and has a positive impact on business and society. I suppose I would identify a few key trends. Firstly, in the Business discipline we have always been very focused on the areas of ethics, governance and CSR, and we will be doubling our eorts in sustainability and social entrepreneurship in 2021. There is a moral imperative here, but also huge commercial opportunities in line with changes in regulation and consumer

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Dr. Colin Hughes, Head of the Graduate Business School, TU Dublin

behaviour. Secondly, technology is transforming every industry and we need to ensure our students are on top of trends, that they understand the capabilities and possibilities that these new technologies bring. We have been heavily involved in teaching and research in relation to the future of work in recent years and virtual working and the challenges of virtual leadership have really come to the fore. Thirdly, we will be placing even more emphasis on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) related issues, ensuring that the University has a positive culture in this regard, but also ensuring that our students are aware of these issues and are responsible citizens and business people. We actually have a great Cultural Intelligence seminar scheduled for February 2021 and there is an open invite for your readers!

MY OWN RESEARCH AREA FOCUSES ON LEADERSHIP AND TRUST IN VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS AND I KNOW THAT MORE OF A CONSCIOUS EFFORT IS REQUIRED WHEN COMMUNICATING AND COLLABORATING VIRTUALLY.

See www.tudublin.ie/pgbusiness

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

05/02/2021 12:08

Goodbye Frustration Hello Homeworker Broadband At Virgin Media Business, we know the world is changing.

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VIRGIN MEDIA BUSINESS BUSINESS BROADBAND PROVIDER

Virgin Media: A Boost for Small Businesses Emer Kelly, Head of Sales at Virgin Media Business, on giving small businesses a boost when they needed it, and supporting them to stay connected.

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cross its business, Virgin Media reacted to the challenges faced by various sectors, with innovation and agility. One of the most public-facing ways was its ‘Backing Business’ campaign, which showcased hundreds of Irish companies across Virgin Media Television platforms, giving TV advertising exposure to small businesses who would not have otherwise been able to afford it, particularly in such challenging times.

As businesses came to terms with their new normal, and reinvented themselves to keep trading, Virgin Media supported them, sharing their inspiring stories of resilience across the Virgin Media Television channels—Virgin Media One, Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Three and social media platforms. Virgin Media channels reach approx. 2.7

WE RECOGNISE THAT NOW MORE THAN EVER, WE PLAY AN ESSENTIAL ROLE IN HELPING OUR CUSTOMERS TO CONTINUE TRADING UNDER CHALLENGING CONDITIONS, AND HELPING THEIR PEOPLE COLLABORATE SECURELY AND EFFECTIVELY. million people every week. All the business owners had to do was send in a short video, of no more than 30 seconds, explaining who they are, what their business does, and the operational changes they had to make in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Testimonials from businesses involved reported back significant increase in sales and engagements

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across online and social media channels, from the powerful reach of TV advertising.

Emer Kelly, Head of Sales at Virgin Media Business, notes that the different business divisions unified with “team work and collaboration across the business to support SMEs”. She adds, “We have shone a light on towns across the country through our Backing Business roadshow and delivered webinars and produced white papers to help SME’s on their digital journey. We’re really excited to’ continue our backing business support through 2021.”

Behind the scenes, other initiatives answered urgent needs in response to the pandemic. Kelly reveals, “Back in March we had a call to deliver an internet and Wifi solution to an emergency Covid hospital being set up in a remote location. Normally this would require 6-10 weeks to deploy. However through crossdepartmental collaboration and a willingness by everyone to get the job done we had the site up and running within four days—that was some achievement.”

FLEXIBLE AND FAST As a business broadband provider, Virgin Media has reacted to the change in how people are working that the past year has brought about. “Overall, 2020 was challenging. We’re continuing to support our customers—large and small—however we can, to stay connected and stay productive,”

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VIRGIN MEDIA BUSINESS BUSINESS BROADBAND PROVIDER

says Kelly. “We’ve rolled out a range of solutions to help set up home working as securely and quickly as possible, and will be rolling out new flexible and fast ways for businesses to get connected.

“We recognise that now more than ever, we play an essential role in helping our customers to continue trading under challenging conditions, and helping their people collaborate securely and effectively.

Our support teams are in place to help, and are constantly keeping an eye on our network and its performance.

“We are delighted to be recognised

by Chambers Ireland for Best Business Broadband. As broadband has become increasingly important to keep our businesses connected, to be selected for this recognition reflects the hard work that has been put in by the Virgin Media Business team and the focus on building connections that really matter.”

DIGITAL JOURNEY The world of work was already undergoing a huge digital transformation journey and the events of the last year have in many ways accelerated this. The trend for remote working was there, but moving large segments of the workforce to working from home in one go has put the onus on companies to ensure equipment, broadband and security systems are in place across the board. As a broadband supplier, Virgin Media Business was there to support their customers in this. “Our agility allowed us to react to the situation very quickly and meet the demands of our customers, we kept our customer at the centre of all decisions and despite all the challenges we continued to innovate and deliver products to enable our customers on their digital journey,” says Kelly.

“The digital transformation for the Irish economy has been fast forwarded in the past 12 months and this trend will continue. We are not

Emer Kelly, Head of Sales, Virgin Media Business

only looking at this but also leading the way with our award winning broadband delivering the fastest speeds in Ireland.

“We are very excited about 2021; with the vaccines on the horizon we can only be optimistic. In Q1 we are launching our Unified Comms providing voice service to businesses, which will allow them to work seamlessly from anywhere in the country. Businesses need to continue their digital transformation journey to survive and our goal is to demystify the digital pathway and offer products that help them grow. Q2 will see the roll out of our SD-Wan product which will offer a step change in the market to multi-site businesses.”

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

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THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION FOR THE IRISH ECONOMY HAS BEEN FAST FORWARDED IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS AND THIS TREND WILL CONTINUE. AT VIRGIN MEDIA WE ARE LEADING THE WAY WITH OUR AWARD WINNING BROADBAND DELIVERING THE FASTEST SPEEDS IN IRELAND.

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10/02/2021 15:30

ZURICH LIFE ASSURANCE PENSIONS & LIFE COMPANY

Zurich Life Assurance: Expertise and Resilience Joe Creegan, Head of Corporate Life & Pensions, says the past year has allowed the company to rise to the challenge of volatile markets and show their fund managers’ expertise.

“C

learly 2020 has been a very difficult year for our staff and our customers alike and an unprecedented year of change,” says Joe Creegan, Head of Corporate Life & Pensions, Ireland, at Zurich Life Assurance. Creegan notes that Zurich was already in the process of rolling out the equipment and set-up needed for staff to work remotely, and were relatively well prepared for the transition. “As a business we had already embarked on a journey to digitise many of our products and processes and the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated that journey, as we have moved more services online and moved over 90% of our staff to remote working.

“Our business has been quite resilient, as everybody has got used to this way of working. It has become the new norm, and it’s hard to see us going back to where we were a year ago, perhaps ever.

“Work has been democratised in a way; everybody has the same challenges working in a room at home.” He highlights their initiatives around mental wellness to deal with the stresses and anxieties of the past year as something that has had a net

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positive effect on the culture of the organisation. “We are also involved with Rugby Players Ireland and the mental wellbeing campaign around ‘Tackle Your Feelings’ and have run events which have been very well-received.”

ACTIVE APPROACH “Resilient” is a word he applies not only to the employees, but also to the company, facing into the challenges of the market.

“In a year of volatile investment markets our active approach to investment management has delivered significant added value to our existing customers and we also seen increased interest

WHEN THE MARKET IS GOING UP, IT’S HARD TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN A GOOD FUND MANAGER AND A BAD FUND MANAGER, BUT WHEN YOU GET VOLATILITY IN THE MARKET, THAT’S WHEN YOU CAN ACTUALLY DEMONSTRATE YOUR EXPERTISE.

from companies and individuals looking to move away from passive investment management, which has underdelivered for many years now, but particularly during the volatility witnessed in 2020.

“Unlike many of our competitors who adopt a passive approach to investment management under the mantra of lower costs, we have made fast decisions and moved quickly over the period to reposition our pension scheme portfolio, by selling out of certain assets classes or individual stocks and buying in to others, in order to deliver out performance for our customers.

I believe our customers expect us to actively manage their money in return for the annual management charge incurred.

“If you look at our performance versus some of our competitors over a 12-month period, we have delivered significant positive performance. When the market is going up, it’s hard to differentiate between a good fund manager and a bad fund manager, but when you get volatility in the market, that’s when you can actually demonstrate your expertise.”

Creegan emphasises the importance of this Recognition

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

05/02/2021 12:12

ZURICH LIFE ASSURANCE PENSIONS & LIFE COMPANY

Joe Creegan, Head of Corporate Life & Pensions, Zurich

AT ZURICH WE BELIEVE THAT PROPER GOVERNANCE OF PENSION SCHEMES DRIVES VALUE FOR MONEY AND WE ARE DELIGHTED TO SEE THE PENSION AUTHORITY’S ONGOING MOVE TO A RISK-BASED AND FORWARD-LOOKING APPROACH TO SUPERVISION Award from Chambers Ireland in that it really speaks to their customer base: “We’re known for insurance, but that’s a completely different side of the business and we see this as a recognition of the Zurich brand in the corporate pension space.”

FUTURE CHALLENGES With the increasing cost of the State Pension in Ireland and the fact that only one-third of private sector workers contribute to a private or company-sponsored pension scheme, Creegan says, “This combination is building up challenges for future generations who will be forced to defer retirement or accept a lower income in retirement. We cannot

afford to lose time in addressing this future challenge and it is incumbent on all stakeholders to encourage younger people, in particular, to start funding for their retirement income as early as possible and ensure that they are saving enough and making the right investment decisions to achieve an adequate income in retirement.”

As one of those stakeholders, Zurich have been providing group employee benefit solutions in Ireland for over 30 years and has vast experience providing Defined Contribution (DC) pension scheme solutions in the Irish market to medium and large employers, with better outcomes in retirement for employees of these companies.

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

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“At Zurich we believe that proper governance of pension schemes drives value for money and we are delighted to see the Pension Authority’s ongoing move to a risk-based and forward-looking approach to supervision,” says Creegan. “The recent report by the Pensions Authority into potential issues with the current Master Trust model provides plenty of food for thought for the Industry and equally Employers who opt for a Master Trust solution.”

“As one of the world’s biggest insurance companies, Zurich is expert at risk management and best governance practices. The most important drivers of income in retirement will be having a good level of contribution from both employer and employee and choosing the right fund into which these contributions are invested. Therefore, a critical element of good governance is the appointment of the right investment manager.”

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05/02/2021 12:12

At Zurich Pensions we believe small actions can have great impact.

Take a small action for your employees’ future and talk to us today about a Zurich Company Pension Scheme.

With a Zurich pension, your employees’ can benefit from Zurich’s award-winning active investment management*, competitive products and great online access.

Visit Zurich.ie/corporate or contact Mark Bowers on mark.bowers@zurich.com or 086 464 7316.

Warning: The value of your investment may go down as well as up.

Warning: Past performance is not a reliable guide to future performance.

Warning: If you invest in this product you may lose some or all of the money you invest. * Source: Awarded Investment Excellence, Brokers Ireland Excellence Awards 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Zurich Life Assurance plc is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

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21/01/2021 09:35 03/02/2021 22/01/2021 10:55 11:19

FÁILTE IRELAND

Paddy Mathews, Head of Operations Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Fáilte Ireland, says engagement with local business has been crucial to the success of the brand.

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oming into the seismic year for global tourism that was 2020, Fáilte Ireland had already been through what they had considered to be a somewhat difficult year in 2019. “Coming after a record year in 2018, 2019 was a little more challenging for Irish tourism with challenges that were coming with Brexit and the resulting uncertainty from that,” admits Paddy Mathews, Head of Operations Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. “Fáilte Ireland has worked tirelessly with businesses to get them prepared for Brexit.”

Brexit will have an impact on the tourism sector – from the impact of currency fluctuations on individual tourist decisions, to impacts on the supply chain for the hospitality

IRELAND’S HIDDEN HEARTLANDS IS ALL ABOUT SLOW TOURISM AND DISCOVERING IRELAND’S UNKNOWN GEMS AND EMBRACING NATURE. sector. For the Irish tourism industry, the UK is a very significant market with more than 3 million British tourists contributing almost €1 billion to the economy each year. Recovery from COVID-19 is based on the nearer overseas markets recovering sooner, so the expected drop-in business from the UK market may compound and lengthen the time for businesses to recover market share.

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“The message continues to be ‘prepare and diversify.’ While there may be a level of uncertainty within the industry at the moment, Fáilte Ireland is working hard to develop and support the tourism sector,” Mathews states.

TOURISM - IRELANDS HIDDEN HEARTLANDS

Fáilte Ireland: Slow Tourism Wins the Race

HOME-GROWN HOLIDAYS On one level, while 2020 catastrophic for international tourism, it led to a renaissance of appreciation for our own country.

While we Irish have always been an outward-looking nation, and keen to take advantage of cheap flights to foreign destinations, being forced to holiday at home last year opened many people’s eyes to the variety and quality of homegrown destinations. After the travel restrictions lifted during the summer, the exodus from Dublin in particular was dramatic.

Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands has been one of Fáilte Ireland’s standout campaigns, promotin the infinite variety of things to do forall ages along the length of the River Shannon and the Beara Breifne Way. The Beara Breifne Way is a 700km long walking trail, stretching from Dursey Island in Co Cork to Blacklion in Co Cavan. The trail generally follows the route of the legendary march taken by Dónal Cam O’Sullivan Beara in 1602, and visits many of the places and communities shaped by his story.

In February 2019, Fáilte Ireland

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FÁILTE IRELAND TOURISM - IRELANDS HIDDEN HEARTLANDS

commissioned ORNI to develop a Tourism Masterplan for the walk, to guide Fáilte Ireland’s future investments and developments to ensure the Beara Breifne Way realises its potential as an internationally compelling visitor experience.

Fáilte Ireland has developed a clearly-defined programme for Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. The brand is centred around rural communities and their lifestyles, as well as the many spaces for adventure and relaxation in this region. The brand toolkit, logo, tourism master plan and food and drink strategy all help tourism businesses to convey this to their audience, and the associated brand guidelines and assets help them to attract visitors ‘off the beaten track’ and create an internationally compelling visitor experience.

As a brand, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands speaks to the burgeoning trends of ‘slow tourism’, and green tourism. Mr Mathews describes the ethos of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands as being, “about finding your own rhythm in nature and getting off the beaten track.

Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands is all about slow tourism and discovering Ireland’s unknown gems and embracing nature.”

WORKING WITH STAKEHOLDERS Mathews is keen to give credit to everyone who contributed to Fáilte Ireland receiving this Recognition Award, stating, “While we at Fáilte Ireland are extremely pleased to accept the award, we would not be in a position to do so without the hard work of the many local businesses and stakeholders, who work so hard to establish regional tourist experiences.”

He points out that working with local authorities and engaging with local businesses to provide training opportunities and commercial development has been a crucial factor in the success of

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Paddy Mathews, Head of Operations Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Fáilte Ireland

WHILE WE AT FÁILTE IRELAND ARE EXTREMELY PLEASED TO ACCEPT THE AWARD, WE WOULD NOT BE IN A POSITION TO DO SO WITHOUT THE HARD WORK OF THE MANY LOCAL BUSINESSES AND STAKEHOLDERS, WHO WORK SO HARD TO ESTABLISH REGIONAL TOURIST EXPERIENCES. the initiative. One example is the Website Improvement Programme launched in 2019, which was designed to improve the websites and digital skills of visitor attractions and activity providers in the region—44 businesses took part in the programme in the first year.

“We continue to build up our number of visitor attractions across the region,” he says. “From the outset we have engaged with the relevant stakeholders to develop an inventory of all the attractions in the region.

Last year we announced some major investments, including a €3.9m investment in the National Famine Museum in Strokestown Park and a €640,000 investment in Knights & Conquests at Granard, Co. Longford.”

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

05/02/2021 12:14

Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands

yours to uncover

www.irelandshiddenheartlands.discoverireland.ie Stand Up Paddle Boarding at Killaloe, Co Clare

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03/02/2021 19/01/2021 10:56 09:27

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03/02/2021 09/12/2020 10:58 14:22

NETWATCH IRELAND SECURITY COMPANY IN IRELAND

Continuity of Security: Netwatch Rises to the Challenge Wendy Hamilton stepped into the role of CEO at Netwatch Group in a difficult year, but rather than shy away from it, was energised by the challenge.

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etwatch proactive video monitoring protects property, creates safe workplaces and enables business continuity. The in-house R&D department provides the flexibility to introduce new solutions that add enterprise wide value, allowing Netwatch to keep up with evolving customer needs at a swift pace.

The Netwatch system allows visual recognition to determine a real crime from a false alarm. The expert Intervention Specialists direct operations remotely from multiple Netwatch Communication Hubs world-wide.

They are live 24 hours a day, visually assessing unauthorised activity and intervening with a live, audio warning – deterring criminal activity from taking place.

Netwatch Group was formed in 2018 following the merger of leading monitoring companies. It includes NMC (United States), CalAtlantic (United States) and Netwatch (Ireland/UK). The Group can bring the innovations and reliability of the visual prevention capabilities, perfected

by Netwatch over the last 17 years, to thousands of the CalAtlantic and NMC customers. Netwatch Group currently protects hundreds of thousands of sites, in a wide variety of segments including government, critical infrastructure, manufacturing, education, retail and residential.

Netwatch Group is headquartered in Carlow, Ireland and employs 500 people worldwide, including 200 in Ireland. Its North American headquarters is located in Lake Forest, California with satellite offices in Boston, New Jersey, Dallas and Houston. The company has a network of five advanced Global Monitoring Hubs, using the Netwatch proprietary CRATOS technology platform to provide leading security to clients. Wendy Hamilton joined Netwatch Group in 2012 and was appointed CEO in 2020.

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

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Q: How has 2020 been for your business?

A: It has been challenging and rewarding, and we are thankful for that. We have seen 2020 from the perspective of our many business customers. Their innovations in response to such a rapidly changing envi-ronment have kept us energised. In turn we have had to adapt our services and extend our offering. The year 2020 showed the Netwatch team in such a positive light, as they consistently went above and beyond to deliver for customers, colleagues and communities.

Q: You stepped into your new role in a very challenging year.

How was this for you?

A: I believe it made it easier. There is always a danger that a new role in the same world can feel like an adjustment rather than a true change—well, not with 2020!

Q: What were the key wins for you in 2020?

A: We have kept our team members safe; we have grown our customer base and our technology platform has allowed us extend our service offering. We did this while maintaining business continuity in a year marked by a pandemic; for our customers who rely on us 24/7/365 that is a very big win. We launched the next version of our Netwatch Training Academy in the USA which will allow us drive flywheel growth through our Channel Partners.

Q: What major challenges have you faced over the past year?

A: The logistics challenge of reconfiguring our buildings to best support our Communication Hubs across the markets was the single biggest challenge. Keeping our team members safe was our number one priority, and in doing this we were able to continue to protect our customers, and their businesses. We also had to find new ways of

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05/02/2021 12:16

NETWATCH IRELAND SECURITY COMPANY IN IRELAND Wendy Hamilton, CEO, Netwatch Group

WE HAVE KEPT OUR TEAM MEMBERS SAFE; WE HAVE GROWN OUR CUSTOMER BASE AND OUR TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM HAS ALLOWED US EXTEND OUR SERVICE OFFERING. delivering on site services for customers, especially in those sectors where there was strong business growth.

Working across different markets with varying regulations, and quite varied responses to the pandemic was also a challenge. Thankfully our commitment to local teams was key ther –we always had people on the ground to ensure business continuity.

Q: How has your strategy/business changed as a result of Covid-19?

A: Netwatch would be very relationship focused —we value

Q: What are the qualities or initiatives that made your company stand out from the competition?

A: Our transformation towards a global organisation, the interest in our evolving story and the important technology we develop here in Ireland. I also think people like the community stories we support because they are so relatable.

Q: How would you describe the overall landscape in your sector at present?

A: There is rapid development of new AI-based services which will put pressure on providers and integrators to offer new system designs.

The quality of engagements with communication hubs will continue to define customer service.

Q: What are the major industry trends that you will be looking at going forward?

spending time with our customers onsite—so moving many of our activities online has meant investing in new skills and technologies for the business. We have also had to change with our customers, adjusting to the new ways in which they use their sites and engage with their customers in turn.

A: Further consolidations, the continuing impact

Q: What does this award recognition mean to you?

A: Our plans are still very much under wraps,

A: The Netwatch team are very appreciative of this award

but I can say there will be a focus on the restructuring of the US business, looking to tap into industry talent and put our efforts into growing the Channel Partner activity in order to scale the business.

of the pandemic and the opportunities to fund new technology programs.

Q: Can you share any plans for this coming year with us?

and the business network it represents. This award is not only a reflection on the business services we provide, but also the sense of community responsibility we demonstrate and enjoy.

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InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

05/02/2021 12:16

All Calls. All Texts. All Data.

Unlimited allowance subject to fair use. 30 day contract applies. A once off SIM activation fee of â‚Ź12.99 applies . For full details, terms, roaming and fair use see GoMo.ie

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03/02/2021 27/01/2021 10:59 11:51

GOMO IRISH BRAND

GoMo - Best Irish Brand of the Year Launching the GoMo brand has been truly market-changing. says Caroline Lynch, GoMo Marketing Lead.

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oMo launched in October 2019 with a with a €9.99 ‘for life’ offer and quickly gained a strong market share, luring 100,000 customers over to take advantage of the deal within two months.

By October 2020, GoMo had 250,000 active Irish customers, equating to 4% of the Irish mobile market within just 12 months of launching.

The brand uses eir’s 4G network and since the introductory offer finished, now offers ‘unlimited’ data, calls and texts for €12.99 per month. GoMo has increased eir’s overall share of the mobile market to 22% from 19.5% over the course of the year.

Caroline Lynch, GoMo Marketing Lead, reflects on the hugely successful launch.

customers with all calls, texts and data for a set price for life....there’s just one plan.

Q: What were the key wins over the past year?

A: It has been really exciting to be involved with a brand that is truly market changing. GoMo is the only mobile plan in Ireland with a guaranteed price for life. We have won two other awards, and this is our third. We also won the Switcher. ie Award for Best SIM Only offering, and the Bonkers.ie Award for Best Billpay Plan.

We’re also very proud that GoMo has 99% 4G population coverage across Ireland, and of course hitting the amazing customer number milestones.

Q: What were the major challenges of the last year?

A: We were lucky in that, as a fully Q: How has 2020 been for GoMo?

A: It was a very successful year despite the COVID-19 pandemic & the challenges it brought. GoMo celebrated its first anniversary in October of 2020 and announced reaching the major milestone of 250,000 customers in one year.

GoMo, as an online brand, was relatively unaffected by many of the challenges—however moving our teams from office to working from home was a challenge in the beginning, but once moved and settled the team has gone from strength to strength. The GoMo team work tirelessly to ensure our customers have the highest level of service and care. The GoMo proposition is simple and designed to meet the wants and needs of

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digital brand GoMo was designed to meet the needs of today. The brand is not offered in retail stores, everything is online. The simplicity of our proposition and processes meant it was easy for our customers in 2020. We were lucky in this respect, faced with the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. We feel it’s market-leading proposition, which others are now following.

Q: How has your strategy/business changed over the year?

A: We marked our first anniversary of GoMo in October, so it’s still very early days and we continue to review and innovate our offering to meet the needs of our customers.

In year one we received many questions from our customers asking

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

05/02/2021 12:19

GOMO

AS A FULLY DIGITAL BRAND GOMO WAS DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF TODAY. THE BRAND IS NOT OFFERED IN RETAIL STORES, EVERYTHING IS ONLINE.

Q: What does this award recognition mean to you?

A: This is huge! We are so passionate about the GoMo brand and it is incredibly important to be recognised for the work we have created.

We know more than a quarter of a million customers love GoMo, our growth demonstrates this, and the fact that we have shaken up the mobile market backs this up. In recent months other operators have tried to repeat our formula and our success and they haven’t been able to do this.

IRISH BRAND

why they couldn’t have more people on their account. Parents with teenage children for example, who wanted to manage everything simply, and so we increased the limit on each account from two SIMs to four SIMs.

Q: What are the qualities or initiatives that made your company stand out from the competition?

A: We were first to market with a digital mobile brand that was created to give customers everything they want and need, cutting out anything unnecessary.

There are unique features—one proposition and one price point, a ‘for life’ guarantee, the simplicity and self-service, great network coverage and innovative partnerships aligned with our customer’s needs, such as our partnership with Revolut.

Q: What’s next for GoMo? A: It is an exciting time for GoMo and we have big ambitions for our continued growth. We continue to monitor the market and we will adapt to customer wants and needs. We plan to work with more partners that share the same ethos with GoMo. We’re working on some really exciting projects and look forward to bringing them to our customers. GoMo has been created with our customers placed centrally to every decision we make—so this year expect us to continue expanding, expect exciting online campaigns that represent our customers and expect that GoMo will continue to innovate and deliver for our customers.

Caroline Lynch, GoMo Marketing Lead

WE KNOW MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A MILLION CUSTOMERS LOVE GOMO, OUR GROWTH DEMONSTRATES THIS, AND THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SHAKEN UP THE MOBILE MARKET BACKS THIS UP.

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

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05/02/2021 12:19

Credit where it’s due during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Having difficulty getting a new business loan or restructuring your existing debt with your bank?

Established by the Minister for Finance, Credit Review is here to help.

Talk to the credit experts today on 087 1217244 or visit creditreview.ie

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03/02/2021 20/01/2021 11:00 14:36

CREDIT REVIEW

Catherine Collins, Deputy Head of Credit Review, foresees an increase in the numbers of businesses requiring their intercession in 2021, and is confident the agency is nimble and prepared to manage.

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redit Review was set up in 2010, in the wake of the last financial crisis, to ensure potentially viable businesses and farm enterprises had access to credit to get them back on the path to recovery and growth.

We provide an appeals process for businesses who have had credit facilities refused, reduced or withdrawn by a bank; AIB, BOI, PTSB and Ulster, up to a value of €3m. We can also review restructuring arrangements, whether sought by either the borrower or the bank,” explains Catherine Collins, Deputy Head of Credit Review.

Credit Review appeals are successful in 90% of the cases it supports, resulting in businesses receiving a lending or credit solution from their bank. When a business applies for a review, a Credit Reviewer is assigned, to form an opinion as to whether the business is viable and will make enough cash to pay back the loan or meet restructuring obligations.

THE AGENCY HAS STAYED SMALL AND NIMBLE, WITH A MINIMUM OF FORMALITY, AND A STRONG CLIENT FOCUS ON BEING AS RESPONSIVE AS POSSIBLE TO THE NEEDS OF OUR USERS. HELPING BUSINESS Credit Review was set up in 2010 as a response to the global financial crisis.

“Now we are dealing with a global health

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GOVERNMENT BODY FOR BUSINESS

Credit Review: Helping Viable Businesses Access Loans crisis, so our business model hasn’t changed significantly, we are still here to help businesses having difficulty getting credit.”

On receiving the Recognition Award for Best Government Body for Business, Collins says, “It’s great to have the work of the team recognised in this way—from the office staff, dealing with the helpline and borrowers queries in a prompt and efficient way, to the team of credit reviewers who are continuously coming up with creative credit solutions for borrowers, which can enable them to access credit to grow and develop their businesses.”

Collins notes, “We are the only State body with direct experience of the interface between Banks and their small business customers. In addition to providing an appeals or review process, we also operate a helpline for callers having business credit issues.

We report to the Department of Finance, highlighting general issues and developments in the bank credit market and the impact on businesses.”

THE YEAR AHEAD Over the last year government business supports and bank payment breaks have helped keep many businesses going, but, says Collins, “This year will be an even more critical year as payment breaks finish and financial supports are scheduled to reduce.

Businesses will need ongoing funding

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CREDIT REVIEW GOVERNMENT BODY FOR BUSINESS

to continue to operate. For most small businesses, the main source of funding (outside of their own cash reserves) is bank finance—typically, overdrafts, stocking and term loans or debtor finance. Borrowers and banks will need to work together to ensure successful outcomes to requests for forbearance, restructuring or new lines of credit. And for those that are unsuccessful, Credit Review is ready to help.”

“The major challenge we foresee in 2021 is the potential increase in the numbers of businesses that will need our services as a result of financial strains on businesses due to the pandemic closures and revenue declines—especially in sectors most hard hit like tourism and hospitality.

Many of these businesses will need either new lines of credit or existing credit facilities restructured, until their businesses are able to open again and return to some form of normal trading.

Fortunately our business model can adapt; we have a panel of expert credit reviewers around the country who are paid on a case-by-case basis, and can ramp up capacity when we need it.”

STAYING NIMBLE “When Credit Review was set up in 2010 by the Minister for Finance, it was with the instruction not to create an empire, and to ensure that the review process would be conducted with as little formality as possible and as expeditiously as possible. The agency has stayed small and nimble, with a minimum of formality, and a strong client focus on being as responsive as possible to the needs of our users. Our helpline responds to calls promptly, and can often solve issues without the need for formal appeals. Our reviewers are happy to discuss cases with applicants at a time that suits them, often outside of traditional business hours.”

Collins concludes outlining the varying needs of businesses for the coming year, and how Credit Review is prepared to assist with them: “Some enterprises will require short-term working capital, some will require

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Catherine Collins

WE PROVIDE AN APPEALS PROCESS FOR BUSINESSES WHO HAVE HAD CREDIT FACILITIES REFUSED, REDUCED OR WITHDRAWN BY AN IRISH BANK, UP TO A VALUE OF 3M. WE CAN ALSO REVIEW RESTRUCTURING ARRANGEMENTS, WHETHER SOUGHT

BY EITHER THE BORROWER OR THE BANK. funding for longer-term capital expenditure to pivot or adapt their business model, and to focus on new products or markets. Other businesses may need to restructure existing debt, as they will be unable to meet some of their debt obligations in the short term due to the drop in demand. This category of business requiring debt restructuring is expected to become increasingly important when the current payment breaks for business loans finish, from October onwards.

Borrowers and banks will need to work together to ensure successful outcomes to requests for forbearance, restructuring or new lines of credit.

Where they are unable to reach agreement, Credit Review can provide a way forward.”

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

05/02/2021 12:22

This is Generation Green Join the thousands of businesses that have chosen 100% green energy

Switch to

As people, we seriously underestimate the power we possess. Like deciding where we source our energy from. It’s why thousands of businesses across Ireland have switched to 100% green energy from SSE Airtricity, committing to a greener, cleaner future for their staff, for their customers, for everyone.

100% green electricity

It’s about making one simple choice that makes a big difference to the world we want to live in.

For a quote, go to sseairtricity.com/business or speak to one of our team on 1850 88 28 03^

Based on Fuel Mix Disclosure and C02 Emissions for 2019, published by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), September 2020. For more information visit sseairtricity.com/greenenergy ^Charged at LoCall rate. Rates from landline and mobile companies may vary. Please check with your operator.

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03/02/2021 26/01/2021 11:05 09:17

SSE AIRTRICITY GREEN ENERGY PROVIDER TO BUSINESS

SSE Airtricity: Democratising Green Klair Neenan, SSE Airtricity Managing Director on supporting consumers on their journey to net zero.

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Klair Neenan, Managing Director, SSE Airtricity

he past year has been a time of reflection with many shifts in society, not least in behaviours and attitudes towards energy consumption. While as a collective we may be using less energy now, the move to remote working and spending more time at home has led to greater awareness and understanding around energy usage.

Ireland is facing extreme challenges—both economically and environmentally—but we are also now in an exciting period of opportunity to address these challenges. By investing in low-carbon infrastructure, adapting our policies and continuing to adapt our behaviours, Ireland can

NOW MORE THAN EVER, THERE IS AN ONUS ON THE ENERGY SECTOR TO ENABLE AND SUPPORT CUSTOMERS TO AVAIL OF GREEN ENERGY; TO MAKE IT A SEAMLESS TRANSITION TOWARDS NET ZERO FROM THE TRADITIONAL ENERGY SUPPLIES THAT UTILISE UNSUSTAINABLE SOURCES. 32

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positively respond to climate change while at the same time driving economic recovery.

Across the energy sector, an increasing drive for greener and more sustainable energy remains constant. Concentrated public discourse continues on climate change and the need for sustainability among businesses.

Now more than ever, there is an onus on the energy sector to enable and support customers to avail of green energy; to make it a seamless transition towards net zero from the traditional energy supplies that utilise unsustainable sources.

ENERGY ENABLER At SSE Airtricity we see our role to be that of a green energy enabler— the bridge between our renewable assets and both our commercial and domestic customers; and supporting Ireland’s decarbonisation agenda.

We aim to do this by ‘Democratising Green’, creating greater accessibility to green products while breaking down traditional barriers to access to these solutions.

Over the past year, we’ve added some exciting projects and partnerships to our activities that not only create accessibility to green energy solutions; but which also present customers with a complete approach delivering energy efficient power and cost savings. Our ‘Solar for Schools’ programme, developed in partnership with Microsoft, currently enables schools to power their classrooms using energy

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SSE AIRTRICITY

ADAPTING BEHAVIOURS Working with our customers is leading to more and more businesses embracing green energy and smart

technology. Business are adapting to systems such as energy efficient lighting and smart security cameras; which is helping them to operate smartly and reduce their energy.

These system changes are becoming commonplace and it’s hugely important that the energy sector keeps up with these advancements and continues to support consumers in adapting their behaviours around energy use. The rising awareness of the impact of climate change, locally and globally, has made energy a hot topic—one we will hear much more about in the months ahead.

To ensure that sustainability works, actions for the future need to be carefully analysed and implemented. We can’t simply look inward; we must also look to other markets and similar-minded groupings on how to implement and promote green energy as a viable energy source as we work toward a net zero future.

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THE DRIVE TO NET ZERO Next November, COP26 the United Nations Climate Change Conference, will take place in Scotland. As a principal partner to COP26, SSE is fully committed to supporting the drive to net zero across the UK and Ireland.

This conference, combined with the impacts of Covid-19, means our individual and communal behaviours will continue to change, and change fast, as hundreds of global leaders and businesses come together to agree the best path to a sustainable future.

There are already encouraging measures from Government, positively indicating that change is on the horizon. Once enacted, the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2020 will see an obligation on society to support Ireland’s move to a climate-neutral economy by 2050. The Bill provides a policy framework for tangible actions that will have positive impacts for future generations. The current discourse on climate action and the environment adds greater importance to this Bill, which is encouraging and will result in sustainability metrics being a core measure of success for businesses.

With the road narrowing in terms of responses to environmental damage arising from carbon emissions, and the changes in behaviour among commercial and domestic energy consumption, energy suppliers have a responsibility to support customers on their journey to net zero. At SSE Airtricity we’re committed to working with our customers.

Right now, our energy solutions are helping businesses all over Ireland to be more efficient in their energy usage. Through monitoring and targeting unnecessary consumption our customers are saving money and reducing their carbon footprint, paving the way for a better, cleaner future. Rest assured, at SSE Airtricity we’re doing our utmost to make the road ahead a green one.

GREEN ENERGY PROVIDER TO BUSINESS

generated from solar panels from their own rooves, while helping the schools to reduce their carbon footprint and their costs. Currently, 27 schools across Ireland have the capability to generate enough electricity to power 68 homes for a full year.

Similarly, our FarmGen Solar PV solution with Glanbia Ireland which was rolled out in 2019, equips farms to generate their own energy supplies. Following rooftop installation, FarmGen’s 6Kw Solar PV system helps power energy intensive processes on farm, reducing the costs of milk cooling, vacuum pumps and water heating.

Combined, these three processes account for around 80% of total milk parlour energy consumption.

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Not all

Superheroes wear capes!

We would like to thank all our colleagues for: + Their unwavering commitment and dedication throughout the pandemic + Working hard to keep all our pharmacies open + Providing patients with a safe and supportive environment

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03/02/2021 12/01/2021 11:07 09:44

LLOYDS PHARMACY RETAIL EXCELLENCE

LloydsPharmacy: Unwavering Commitment and Dedication

Dervila McGarry, Head of Marketing at LloydsPharmacy, on the differences that sets them apart and making a difference to their customers in Irish communities.

Skin Care Advisor carrying out a skin analysison a customer

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loydsPharmacy is Ireland’s leading pharmacy chain, with 90 pharmacies located across Ireland. With a strong presence in Irish communities, our focus is on offering patients and their families an extensive range of medications, products and advice for their health and wellbeing needs.

The past nine months have certainly been unprecedented and during this

time our pharmacy colleagues have demonstrated their unwavering commitment and dedication, managing to keep their pharmacies open throughout to serve their customers.

With new protocols in place including PPE, social distancing and Perspex screens, they always made patients feel safe and supported, ensuring their needs were met whilst delivering an excellent customer service. We have

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been overwhelmed at the customer feedback with many customers showing their appreciation and gratitude by sending thank you cards, and a wide array of gifts and goodies to our Pharmacy teams.

EXPERT ADVICE Our pharmacy team’s number one priority is to provide expert patient care. This is what sets our pharmacies

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LLOYDS PHARMACY RETAIL EXCELLENCE

apart and why patients remain loyal.

With extensive training each year, our pharmacy teams can offer advice on many health matters including pain management, vitamins, skincare and chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol and blood pressure. The teams are accessible either by phone or face-to-face in the privacy of our care rooms, to listen and offer support when it is most required.

SERVICES AND WELLNESS CLINICS Our Pharmacies offer a range of services and wellness clinics including flu vaccination, medicine management packs, blood pressure checks, BMI monitoring, emergency contraception, skin analysis, express prescription service, and smoking cessation. One-toone private consultations are available with our pharmacists, or with the highly trained health coaches or skin consultants. Sometimes patients have concerns and need the reassurance from the Pharmacist. For many patients, the pharmacist becomes their trusted health advisor.

Being part of the local community, Lloyds Pharmacies play a pivotal role in providing health care support. All our pharmacies have a defibrillator and our teams have been trained in CPR. Recently two of our teams had to put this training to test and performed lifesaving CPR on patients.

Our charity partner is Aware and over the coming months our Pharmacy teams will receive training from their experts on how to support patients suffering from depression, and anxiety.

CHOICE AND VALUE Whilst many people go to Pharmacy for a prescription or over-the-counter medication, LloydsPharmacy stands out in the market for the extensive range of products in particular for three focus categories which together account for around 55% of total retail sales: Pain management, Vitamins and Skincare. We have trained Pain advisors, Health coaches and Skin advisors in all pharmacies, and colleagues are trained on product knowledge as well as lifestyle advice to support customers select the right product tailored to suit their needs.

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Pharmacist providing flu vaccination

OUR PHARMACY TEAM’S NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS TO PROVIDE EXPERT PATIENT CARE. THIS IS WHAT SETS OUR PHARMACIES APART AND WHY PATIENTS REMAIN LOYAL. CONVENIENCE In many pharmacies we offer free delivery of prescriptions which is greatly appreciated by the elderly and vulnerable. This has proven to be an invaluable service during Covid-19. Our pharmacies all have health mails which means GPs can email our pharmacies the patients prescription directly so it can be prepared and ready for collection.

We also offer a free SMS service for patients who are on repeat prescriptions, to let them know their prescription is ready for collection, saving time waiting.

Making our customers lives easier and showing we care is paramount.

Often it’s the simple things that make a difference, like a follow up phone call to a patient to check their new medication is agreeing with them, arranging for the prescription to be delivered, or taking orders over the phone for some essentials and having items ready for collection later that day.

DIGITALISATION The omni channel experience is the new norm for retail. In October we launched our new website which offers shoppers a much enhanced,

user friendly and mobile optimised experience including a speedy delivery service direct to their homes. If shoppers create a new account, they can also enjoy a 10% discount off their first order.

We have developed the Online Health Hub which contains a wealth of information and advice about managing and preventing conditions and diseases. This content is available on the website, in our blogs and across our social media channels. We regularly host webinars on our social channels providing tips on a range of topics from boosting immunity, lowering Blood Pressure, how to quit smoking to skin care routines.

The modern discerning shopper is extremely savvy and expects, not only the most comprehensive range of products and promotions, but a friendly service, a safe and welcoming environment and a pharmacy team they can trust. At LloydsPharmacy we pride ourselves on our excellent knowledgeable and trustworthy teams who are passionate about proactively managing health and wellbeing of their patients and inspiring positive lives.

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WuXi Biologics Leading innovation in medicines for patients worldwide WuXi Biologics, China’s leading biologics services provider, has chosen Dundalk in Ireland as the location for its first biopharmaceuticals contract manufacturing facility outside China.

Ireland’s standing as a biopharmaceutical hub, compliant with stringent national and international regulations, makes it the perfect location for what will be the world’s largest biopharmaceuticals facility using single-use technology.

As one of our most ambitious projects yet, this fusion of Chinese, Irish and international expertise will inspire innovation in biopharmaceuticals contract manufacturing capability, serving patients worldwide.

Dundalk@wuxibiologics.com

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www.wuxibiologics.com

03/02/2021 26/01/2021 11:08 12:26

WUXI BIOLOGICS FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT

WuXi Biologics: A New Wave of Innovation

Brendan McGrath

Brendan McGrath, Ireland Site Head and VP Manufacturing at WuXi Biologics, on developing capacity at the leading edge of biopharma innovation and production.

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ccepting Chambers Ireland InBusiness Magazine 2020 Best in FDI Recognition Award, WuXi Biologics and Brendan McGrath, Ireland Site Head and VP Manufacturing at WuXi Biologics, are happy that the company’s new relationship with Ireland and with Dundalk, is progressing well and at pace. In expressing appreciation for the ‘2020 Best in FDI’ accolade McGrath paid tribute to the goodwill that Dundalk’s Chamber of Commerce and the local community have shown to the WuXi investment to date. “Great goodwill,” he acknowledged, “is also reflected in the support provided by the likes of IDA Ireland and Louth County Council, utility providers, the extended business and local community and many others including the contractors, workforce and our site neighbours who have greatly contributed to the successful development of the biologics project to date.”

Biologics medicines are at the forefront of a new wave of innovative diagnostics and therapies which are changing how diseases are prevented and treated, to help millions of people worldwide. The Dundalk facility will be a state-ofthe-art ‘factory of the future’ built upon the novel approach which has been developed by WuXi Biologics, one of the top three Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisations (CDMOs) on the global market, for the commercial biomanufacturing of biologic medicines.

WuXi Biologics offers end-to-end solutions to partner organisations, including some of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies, who work with WuXi Biologics to discover, to develop and to manufacture biologics medicines from initial concept through to commercial manufacturing.

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FACTORY OF THE FUTURE The WuXi construction campus in Dundalk, on which WuXi Biologics is constructing its ‘factory of the future’, the company’s first contract-manufacturing investment outside of China, has been a hive of construction activity throughout 2020. Construction on the €325m biologics manufacturing facility began in February 2019 and at the end of 2020 some 85% of the development was completed. The construction contract is scheduled for completion by Q3 2021 to enable commissioning and trial production to begin before the end of this year as the facility readies for production during 2022, providing 400 jobs.

With operations in China, Ireland, Germany, and the United States, WuXi Biologics is headquartered in Wuxi City, Jiangsu, China. In 2018 when announcing the Irish investment WuXi Biologics acknowledged having looked at ten locations in Europe before settling on Dundalk for its biologics facility. Recognising Ireland, with a large pharma and bio-pharma cluster in place and now the only English-speaking country in the EU post-Brexit, the WuXi Biologics decision acknowledges that the Dundalk area has the skills pool, the necessary infrastructure and the support services which its ‘factory of the future’ biologics manufacturing facility will require.

The environment in Ireland is also very conducive to doing business and the Government and IDA Ireland are always looking for ways to interface better with business and reduce red tape. The location in Dundalk, half-way between the Chinese and US time-zones also puts WuXi on the map for European drug developers.

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WUXI BIOLOGICS

NEXT GENERATION MANUFACTURING WuXi Biologics will implement a next-generation manufacturing technology at its Dundalk facility.

This technology utilises single-use bioreactors to manufacture biologics drug substances on a continuous round-the-clock basis with the ability to quickly switch product lines in response to customer requirements.

‘Factory of the future’ technology involves the use of single-use bioreactors. Instead of the stainless-steel vessels which are normally utilised in the biologics manufacturing process, highly specialised disposable plastic containers/ bags are used for each production batch. This enables the same production line to produce a variety of different products without the constant need for costly process shut-downs in the production processes and it also reduces the consumption levels of key utilities, such as power and water.

In comparison with an equivalent scale stainless steel facility, McGrath noted that, “This production methodology increases productivity, reduces cost, and facilitates the production of small volumes or to quickly scale up to the production of large volumes of specialised medicines, as required, for the treatment of diseases.”

“The Dundalk facility,” he explained, “will be able to manufacture medicines on a round-the-clock basis, with the ability to quickly switch product lines in response to customer requirements.” He added, “WuXi Biologics will use its new Dundalk facility to ensure that its innovative manufacturing technology is accessible to global clients producing leading medicines in an EU-regulated environment.”

Commenting on employment opportunities with WuXi Biologics in Dundalk, McGrath said: “A greenfield biologics campus presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for great talent to join us in Dundalk to develop a full-scale WuXi Biologics China-Ireland-International integrated capability to produce of some of the world’s most innovative biologics medicines. We are inviting experienced local and international talent to ensure that the WuXi Biologics operations in Dundalk, and in mainland China, will provide exciting career opportunities and challenges for leading talent at all levels at the leading edge of biopharma innovation and production.”

FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT

GLOBAL INNOVATION Presenting the project to Dundalk Chamber of Commerce members during the past year, McGrath explained that WuXi Biologics, as a contract development and manufacturing business, is unique in that it operates the world’s only open-access biologics technology production platform.

“WuXi Biologics is the only biopharma company headquartered in China which has received approval to-date from both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to manufacture biologics for the global market,” , he also noted. “As one of the top three global CDMOs, WuXi Biologics is working with about 13 percent of all the known new drugs currently in the discovery/development phase in the global biologics pipeline.”

“In combination with well-established world-class research expertise, state-of-the-art technologies, and access to proprietary methodology through its Chinese and international operations, WuXi Biologics helps client and partner companies globally to identify and help develop candidate drugs for the full spectrum of disease areas. Its open-access platform fosters collaboration and advances in biologics, offering customers a full suite of services from biologics drug discovery to commercial manufacturing. It also offers a cost-effective and efficient way to transform our customers’ ideas into potential medical treatments.”

THE WUXI BIOLOGICS DECISION ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE DUNDALK AREA HAS THE SKILLS POOL, THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE SUPPORT SERVICES WHICH ITS ‘FACTORY OF THE FUTURE’ BIOLOGICS MANUFACTURING FACILITY WILL REQUIRE.” Illustration WuXi Biologics Factory of the Future Dundalk

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Increase Compliance & Security, Reduce Risk.

Security & Compliance Managed Services Cyber Risk Consultancy Services

info@sysnetgs.com Dublin

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03/02/2021 19/01/2021 11:09 09:49

SYSNET GLOBAL SOLUTIONS CYBER SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE

Sysnet: Security and Compliance for Small Business Sysnet is continually looking for new ways to help businesses to stay secure, says Sysnet CEO Gabe Moynagh.

require an onsite assessment but that hasn’t been possible with COVID-19 restrictions. Therefore, we have adjusted our processes in line with guidance from the standards authorities, conducting remote assessments which works equally well and keeps businesses protected at a time when they need it most.

Q: How has 2020 been for your business?

A: Overall, it has been an exceptional year. We received significant growth equity funding in February 2020, which has helped us expand our market presence through organic growth and acquisition. We launched Version 2 of our Proactive Data Security (PDS) solution that provides managed compliance and security services to small businesses. During 2020, many of our clients committed to rolling out PDS to more of their small business customers. In the last quarter of 2020, we announced the acquisition of three US-based organisations; ControlScan MCS, Viking Cloud, and NuArx. These acquisitions further enhance our technology platform and accelerate our market expansion plans. We are now providing services to almost 4 million SMBs throughout North America and Europe.

Q: What were the major challenges you faced over the last year?

A: COVID-19 has caused us problems, but thankfully not to the extent that it did for other organisations. The main impact we experienced were delays with partner programme launches.

As mentioned, many of our clients committed to providing PDS to more SMB customers, but roll-outs were delayed due to COVID-19. However,

Q: What does this award recognition mean to you?

A: It’s really nice to receive this Gabe Moynagh, CEO, Sysnet things are getting back on track, and we have been ramping up for expansion to support those launches.

Q: How has your business changed as a result of COVID-19?

A: The major change to our business has been remote working. It was quite a challenge to get our entire contact centre working from home, but now that it’s done, we’re quite happy to support remote working on an ongoing basis. In fact, our current recruitment campaigns encourage applications from those who are not within commuting distance of our offices.

We also provide cyber security consultancy and auditing services to larger organisations. Audits generally

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recognition in Ireland where the company was founded and has been headquartered since 1989. Sysnet was founded by my dad, Tom Moynagh and my family was part of the success story for over 30 years. This award is also a great way to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our 300+ team who are based here in Dublin.

Including our other locations and our new acquisitions we have grown to almost 800 and we are looking forward to winning many more awards together.

Q: What are the qualities or initiatives that made your company stand out from the competition?

A: We are extremely customer focused and continually look for new ways to help particularly smaller businesses to secure their business and stay secure. The introduction of PDS was a

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SYSNET GLOBAL SOLUTIONS CYBER SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE Gabe Moynagh, CEO, Sysnet

game-changer for us, we are the only company to provide managed cyber security and compliance to SMBs at a price they can afford. When small businesses are unable to get compliant with the payment security standards, they often end up paying monthly recurring non-compliance fees. PDS eliminates those fees through the provision of an outbound managed service that walks them through the compliance process and the installation of security tools. The service costs less than the monthly non-compliance fees and provides a valuable service keeping them secure and compliant.

THE INTRODUCTION OF PDS WAS A GAME-CHANGER FOR US, WE ARE THE ONLY COMPANY TO PROVIDE MANAGED CYBER SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE TO SMBS AT A PRICE THEY CAN AFFORD.

do business, exposing them to new risks. This makes the conversation regarding cyber security and protecting payment information more relevant and attractive to smaller businesses.

Q: What are the major industry trends that you will be looking at going forward?

A: As many businesses have moved Q: How would you describe the overall landscape in your sector at present?

A: It’s currently a little unstable with the continued cycles of lockdown.

Our clients want to support their small business customers, but do not want to add to the pressure they are experiencing. However, the virus has made businesses think more about their security. They have had to pivot and implement new ways to

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from selling at physical locations to online, we’re looking at more ways to help those business stay protected. Running a small business is becoming more and more complex as business owners try to meet customer demands for new methods of payment and service delivery. However, those business owners don’t usually have access to IT resources to ensure they are

doing things in a compliant and secure manner. This can result in a breach, and small businesses do not often survive the devastating effects of payment card data security breaches.

Our PDS solution is a resource for small business owners, working with them to understand how they accept payments and ensuring that they have the right tools in place to help prevent a breach.

Q: Are there any plans for 2021 that you can share with us?

A: The primary focus for 2021 will be roll-out of our PDS solution, particularly in North America. We’re also looking forward to bringing our newly acquired organisations together, enabling us to offer enhanced technology and solutions to customers in both new and existing markets.

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ONLINE

WINNING NEGOTIATION STRATEGIES

Throughout this three-day programme, you will be invited to discuss the real-world negotiation challenges you face. You will learn a range of tools and skills needed to defend your interests and attain your goals.

Led by negotiation expert Stephen Boyle, you will uncover the best tactics and strategies to apply in a wide range of negotiations, with a focus on ideas and solutions that are practical and immediately applicable to you and your organisation.

Negotiation is a critical skill for competitiveness in all businesses, but how much time do you place on shaping your negotiation strategies and sharpening your skills?

HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE? To discuss the programme or request an application form, please contact Maria Keany on (01) 716 8059 or email maria.keany@ucd.ie

COMMENCING 23rd - 25th March 2021

WWW.SMURFITSCHOOL.IE/EXECUTIVEDEVELOPMENT Advert template.indd 1 Rec Awards.indd 1 250471_1C_UCD_JM_IB

03/02/2021 02/02/2021 11:11 12:43

UCD SMURFIT EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE EDUCATION

UCD Smurfit Business School: The Future of Executive Education Helen Brophy, Director, Smurfit Executive Development on how the pandemic accelerated conversations around remote working and the future of work.

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CD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School is Ireland’s premier business school, ranked among the Top 50 globally, and triple-accredited, by US, European and UK bodies.

Within this, the Smurfit Executive Development faculty brings skilled educators, ground-breaking researchers, and accomplished authors together with participants who come from the upper echelons of the Irish and international business world. Through executive education, participants are exposed to multiple perspectives, challenge their thinking and learn and develop new practices that result in superior business leadership and results.

Helen Brophy, Director, Smurfit Executive Development, led the organisation through the challenge of quickly moving the executive education experience online when the first lockdown happened. While tools like Zoom had been used within the business school and among the faculty since 2015, the challenge of bringing executive education online, for Brophy, was in recreating the experiential attributes of their offering.

“While there is a certain amount that can be done by yourself—we call it self-directed learning—the key here is that executive education is bringing like-minded people together. It’s the discussions and the debates that go on in the room, that’s where the real learning comes from. They learn as much from their own peers as they do from the faculty, and that’s our style.”

For executives, taking part in a Smurfit Business School course gives them inspiration, introduces them to peers, and fosters networking opportunities.

“If you’re in an organisation, it’s an opportunity to step outside that organisation and meet like-minded individuals from lots of different industry sectors, and there’s huge value in that. I think there’ll always be a place for the in-person experience, but I think online is also here to stay as well,” she adds.

STAYING CONNECTED While the ability to get outside of the normal physical environment, now the home office, may be gone, people still value the time spent investing in themselves. “For a lot

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of people, during lockdown, it’s given them a focus, in terms of being proactive about their own learning, and upskilling. I’ve been really struck by that with a lot of our executives, how strong-willed they have been, in terms of ‘I’m keeping going, and this is keeping my head in the right place’.”

The faculty and students have creatively adapted to the challenges of connecting, figuring out how to replace orientation, welcome evenings, and social gatherings with virtual alternatives. “Some would say it’s been a lifeline to have that normality. We’re social creatures who are designed to interact; for a lot of people, it has given them that sense of connection.”

Course participants have gathered virtually to discuss the readings and assignments for their modules, as well as having social coffee check-ins online. Brophy herself has found the classes she has led have begun to adapt to the new ways of delivery, and she says, “Now we’re having some really good discussions that I would never have thought would have been possible in an online environment.”

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09/02/2021 12:11

UCD SMURFIT EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE EDUCATION

Helen Brophy, Director, Smurfit Executive Development

INCREASED EFFECTIVENESS How the team have managed the move to online is something that business leaders can both benefit from personally as well as inspiring how they transfer that down into their own organisations, to keep their own staff motivated, connected, engaged, and inspired.

“The organisations that have struggled the most is where there’s a lack of trust between the leadership and the different levels throughout the organisation,” Brophy reflects.

“Remote working would be a given for some, particularly for a lot of our multinational clients used to operating across different geographies and time zones. For others, you could see that it was a huge transition for the leadership if somebody’s not at their desk, and they’re not physically in the office.”

“There’s been huge learning for a lot of companies this year on how people can feel valued and recognised. It requires different skills and collaboration, people

taking initiative. The question is how can we utilise this now to accelerate forward in our organisations. Having that type of flexibility can actually increase the effectiveness in teams.”

THE FUTURE WORKFORCE Responding to the real needs of business leaders remains at the forefront of the agenda for Smurfit Executive Development. “A lot of what we do will be very much aligned to the future workforce.

It’s not that the skills are essentially that different; we’re just applying them to a different context and a different way of working. It’s more about challenging people’s assumptions about what makes work effective.

“Our offering, in terms of our modes of delivery, is definitely going to expand. We’ve learned a huge amount from this experience, and it has been really positive, even though at times it’s been very challenging.”

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THERE’S BEEN HUGE LEARNING FOR A LOT OF COMPANIES THIS YEAR ON HOW PEOPLE CAN FEEL VALUED AND RECOGNISED.”

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Foster Innovation.

Unlock Potential.

When faced with disruption empower your workforce to adapt.

Find out how we can help your business innovate.

skillnetireland.ie

Skillnet Ireland is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

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03/02/2021 22/01/2021 11:12 12:51

SKILLNET IRELAND AGENCY SUPPORT TO BUSINESS

Skillnet Ireland: Support, Recovery and a Focus on the Future Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive Paul Healy on helping businesses through the pandemic and upskilling workers to prepare for the growth sectors of the future.

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anuary 2021 represents more than just the start of a new year. It brings us one step closer to a post-Covid world with the ramping up of national vaccination programmes globally, and critically, it marks a new relationship with our closest trading neighbour, as we enter the post Brexit-era.

Few could have predicted the twists and turns of 2020, yet despite this uncertainty, Skillnet Ireland supported over 18,000 businesses – through our highly collaborative, cost-sharing model – to respond and adapt to these unprecedented business challenges.

In many ways, the Skillnet Ireland approach is uniquely structured to support the recent challenges that presented for businesses nationwide; we are industry-led and pride ourselves on our agility and responsiveness. I want to commend the business community for their collaboration and commitment, in the most difficult of years, to the upskilling of 70,000 people in the workforce, through enterprise-led professional development programmes.

The staff across the Skillnet Ireland community of Networks have shown real tenacity and creativity too. In a four-week period, we successfully moved 6,000 programmes to online platforms, helping businesses to adapt to their new circumstances. At the

Paul Healy, Chief Executive Skillnet Ireland beginning of the pandemic, many businesses in the services sector found themselves in crisis. While they may not have instinctively been looking for management development and mentoring, we made it our goal to reach and support them. By working with these businesses and their management teams, it was evident that most were hugely resourceful, agile and had the ability to make very tough decisions to drive change for themselves, their staff and their customers. Yet, they needed that external support, to help them reflect and think through how they might adjust, because often they can’t see the wood for the trees when they’re down in the mire of the crisis.

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UPSKILLING INITIATIVES In many ways, 2020 demonstrated the best of our organisation, which is very much a public-private collaboration. We rapidly developed and implemented multiple industry-led initiatives in response to the impact of COVID-19 on businesses. One example is the ReBound initiative (delivered in partnership with Chambers Ireland, SFA, NSAI and Ibec) which enabled thousands of businesses across the country to safely reopen their doors.

We worked with sectors such as childcare, private nursing homes, hair and beauty, leisure and fitness, restaurant and hospitality.

Within six-weeks of the government’s July stimulus package being announced, we launched the Skills Connect programme. As an enterpriseled organisation, we have deep roots in the business sector and in leveraging this unique position, we were able to secure the support of 400 businesses that signed up to participate. This has helped thousands of workers impacted by COVID-19, who were made redundant or laid off, to reskill quickly, and to prepare for exciting new career opportunities in growth sectors that are looking for talent, including technology, agri food, med tech, logistics, energy efficiency, the green economy and cyber security.

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SKILLNET IRELAND AGENCY SUPPORT TO BUSINESS L-R; Chief Executive, Paul Healy with Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke

Another major challenge, of course, is Brexit and we are very much on the ground and supporting businesses in dealing with the new administration difficulties and customs declarations. So far, over 2,000 businesses have undertaken our award-winning Clear Customs scheme, delivered in partnership with Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), the Irish Exporters Association (IEA) and Carlow Institute of Technology. It meets all of the customs training requirements that businesses, large or small, will need to ensure goods move efficiently and smoothly on and off the island.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE The challenges we were faced with last year have not gone away but have been compounded by the impact of COVID-19. Brexit was always going to have a major impact on the business sector and, in this

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2020 DEMONSTRATED THE BEST OF OUR ORGANISATION,

WHICH IS VERY MUCH A PUBLIC-PRIVATE COLLABORATION. country, particularly in the agri food and the food production sector.

As Ireland transitions to a lowcarbon and environmentally sustainable economy, businesses will have to transform and introduce sustainable business models themselves. That requires an immense amount of talent, upskilling and training to help workers on the sustainability journey. The other issue is technology and digitalisation of our work. That is an area we have been at the forefront of for many years, not just at the highest end in terms of technologies like AI, blockchain and Big Data, but also in working with small businesses to help them with the digital agenda and increasing adoption of online platforms.

We launched our new five-year strategy last November: ‘Transforming

Business Through Talent 2021- 2025’ which sets out ambitious targets over the course of the next five years to increase our organisation’s engagement with business and industry— we excel in triple-helix collaboration, that is to say, between government, the business sector and the higher education and training sector, and we will continue to leverage these collaborations to address Ireland’s future skills needs.

Our strategic focus centres around Workforce Innovation which encompasses a progressive and forwardthinking view on the future of work and the big mega trends in technologies, increased global competition and climate action. We are anticipating what they mean for the workforce of the future and converting that into real action on the ground.

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

05/02/2021 12:37

Does your business have the right senior leadership to drive your strategy?

Principal Connections is Ireland’s leading retained Executive Search Firm and the Irish OfďŹ ce of Agilium Worldwide LLC with presences across 55 cities globally.

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03/02/2021 22/01/2021 11:13 14:11

PRINCIPAL CONNECTIONS EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT

Principal Connections: Helping Businesses Find the Right Leaders for Challenging Times Pat O’Donnell, Managing Partner at Principal Connections the Irish Office of Agilium Worldwide LLC on resilience and agility in executive search, and maintaining a personalised client service from a distance.

Q: How has 2020 been for your business?

A: I think it’s fair to say that 2020 was a year like no other. Since the first wave of COVID-19 landed on our shores, I’m delighted to say that Principal Connections has been busy advising clients in search of top tier senior, executive and board leaders, and of course, we continue to do so, as businesses navigate the crisis and reset. Whatever the standpoint of any company, one thing that becomes even more important during such a major event as COVID, is that the need for strong business leadership becomes even more crucial.

consumer, financial services, life sciences and fintech while the non-profit/public sector was also busy. We have a particular interest in supporting more diverse boards and leadership teams. For that reason, it was especially satisfying that 43% of the mandates that we were responsible for in 2020 resulted in the appointment of a female leader.

Finally, I’m thrilled to say that the year culminated in an increase in our assignment completion success ratio to 98.5% while our candidate stick ratio also increased to 93%.

Q: What were the major challenges of the past year?

A: Principal Connections is a very Q: What were the key wins for Principal Connections in 2020?

A: Reflecting back, I’m delighted to say that there were quite a number.

Principal Connections grew market share. While continuing to partner with our loyal client portfolio which ranges from PLCs and multinationals to SMEs and public sector entities, we also forged a number of new client relationships with high-profile enterprises. In particular, we experienced growth across

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family-oriented firm—most of our team have children of varying ages.

Similar to many ‘working from home’ parents up and down the country, we have been juggling work with childcare, and vice versa. During the period of the first lockdown this was particularly challenging, especially with the task of developing, adapting and innovating new processes and practices to meet the new demands of an evolving employment market.

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05/02/2021 12:39

PRINCIPAL CONNECTIONS EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT

experience and delivery model is different—it’s much more focused on process customisation, high touch client service and ‘hands on’ practice leader delivery. The vast experience and approach of our consulting team together with the fact that our track record is built on three decades of brand equity probably also helped us stand out.

Moreover, all of this enables us to deliver client solutions in the most efficient and effective manner.

Q: How would you describe the overall landscape in your sector at present?

A: At this moment in time, the

Pat O’Donnell, Managing Partner, Principal Connections

OUR FIRM OFFERS ALL THE ADVANTAGES OF A BOUTIQUE ENTERPRISE WITH A GLOBAL BRAND CAPABILITY YET WITHOUT THE NEGATIVE DEMANDS THAT CAN COME WITH OUTSIDE SHAREHOLDER INTERESTS. Q: How has your strategy/business changed as a result of COVID-19?

A: Despite the unique circumstances of the year, I’m pleased to say that our strategy for 2020 was by in large delivered. The business operating model did of course adjust with our working practices becoming more fluid and flexible in order to stay ahead and ensure that we kept delivering for our clients.

Q: What does this award recognition mean to you?

A: We feel truly honoured to receive this prestigious award. Despite the unique circumstances imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s a reflection of the resilience, agility and success that Principal Connections achieved in partnership with our

clients in 2020. This distinction is even more special given the significance of Chambers Ireland as the nation’s largest business organisation. I’d like to thank and congratulate each of our exceptional management consulting team, our board and international colleagues, on whose behalf I accept this award.

Q: What are the qualities or initiatives that made your company stand out from the competition?

A: I feel that Principal Connections is unlike any other executive search firm in Ireland today. Our firm offers all the advantages of a boutique enterprise with a global brand capability yet without the negative demands that can come with outside shareholder interests. Our client

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

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executive search industry at the top end is somewhat dispersed.

In Ireland, there are a couple of the dinosaur firms, the last of the remaining accountancy firms, the one-man solo-operators, and then of course, there’s a small number of independent international firms. I’ve always enjoyed the fact that Principal Connections falls into the latter grouping. It means that we can offer genuine global capability with the customisation and consistency that only a boutique firm can offer.

Q: What are the major industry trends that you will be looking at going forward?

A: COVID-19 has caused disruption, innovation and transformation across most major sectors worldwide. Pre-pandemic strategic plans are no longer relevant in many cases. As companies evolve, the requirement for new kinds of leaders will continue to emerge in many instances. Boards will also reconfigure, addressing skills gaps that previously went unidentified.

Leadership teams will also change not just in composition but in their long-term operating practices and plans. Last but not least, employment policies and practices are set to evolve. There is no doubt that the coming years will pose some new and interesting questions, answers to which must be found.

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Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme Lower Cost Funding for Irish Businesses

Business Finance at the touch of a button Apply Online www.capitalflow.ie 01-5632400

capitalflow.ie/cgs

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03/02/2021 26/01/2021 11:15 09:21

CAPITALFLOW

Ronan Horgan, CEO of Capitalflow, on reaching out and listening to the needs of customers, and building repeat business.

Q: How has 2020 been for your business?

Q: How has your strategy changed as a result of COVID-19?

A: Honestly, it hasn’t been easy and

A: Our core business strategy

unfortunately it looks like 2021, or at least the first half of this year, won’t be any easier, but as any business owner knows, that’s part of the journey. We’ve been working with business owners all over Ireland over the past five years and we’ve learnt through this journey that working together we can make a positive impact.

remains the same—to continuously listen to and support our customers, new and old, so that they partner with us over the long term.

Our customers are increasingly doing repeat business with Capitalflow, with on average three agreements per customer. We have kept close to them remotely and with the enablement of new functions such as webchat on our new digital website, it makes life easier for everyone.

Q: What were the key wins for you over the past year?

A: As a small company, we were able to react quickly, and to successfully switch to remote working within days. We turned our focus to reaching out to our customers and listening to how they were being affected. This helped us react quickly to be able to support them throughout this unforeseen pandemic journey.

Luckily for us, we had already embarked on the digital transformation of our processes before COVID-19 hit, so we were in a strong position to accelerate this, not only to keep our team and customers safe, but to further enhance our customer experience.

WE HAVE JUST LAUNCHED OUR NEW PRODUCT TO THE MARKET: SINGLE INVOICE FINANCE (SIF). WE CREATED THE PRODUCT IN RESPONSE TO DEMAND IN THE MARKET FOR A MORE FLEXIBLE WORKING CAPITAL FACILITY. InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

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FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY

Capitalflow: Not Just Another Alternative Lender

Q: What does this award recognition mean to you?

A: We established Capitalflow to do something special and not just to be another alternative lender. We set ourselves up as a challenger but now that we have grown up, our aim is to do something special and we think with our customers, existing and new, by working together through the ups and downs of business we can make a real impact and positive difference to their growth prospects.

We are honestly really honoured to receive this award, because it feels like market recognition of all the things we’ve been working towards— and especially in the year that was 2020!

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CAPITALFLOW FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY

Q: What are the qualities or initiatives that made your company stand out from the competition?

A: I think our passion for the Irish SME sector, our respect for the people who run Irish businesses which bring huge value to the economy and have such a massive impact on local communities is core to our success.

We have a strong expert team many of whom have been with us from the start, we know our customers, we listen and work hard to understand the challenges they face, and to understand how we can make a difference. We’re ambitious to get the best outcomes for our customers every step of the journey. And we enjoy the human side, the ‘peopleness’ of the business. It’s what it’s all about for us.

Q: How would you describe the overall landscape in your sector at present?

A: There is certainly a weariness out there to take on new business loans given the uncertainty, and this has certainly been demonstrated by a lower-thanexpected take up of the Credit Guarantee products to date. We do see an underlying demand for credit however, especially in the second half of the year when business customers will have more confidence and the vaccine rollout is well underway.

Q: What are the major industry trends that you will be looking at going forward?

A: While some sectors have been hit very hard by the pandemic, like Leisure and Tourism, we are seeing ongoing demand for our lending products from customers, namely in Agriculture, Construction, Distribution, Medical, Property, Retail and Services.

Our key focus will be to support our customers across all sectors, whether their businesses are experiencing growth or in

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Ronan Horgan, CEO, Capitalflow

difficulties. Our approval as largest non-bank lender under the Credit Guarantee Scheme means we can support any customers in facing COVID-19-related difficulties with lower cost, flexible funding.

Q: Any news or plans for 2021 that you can share with us?

A: We have new funding of €250 million to support Irish businesses across all SME sectors in 2021.

We have been allocated an initial €31 million of funds under the Government Credit Guarantee Scheme which allows us to bring lower cost, flexible funding to those businesses worst affected by the pandemic.

We have just launched our new product to the market: Single Invoice Finance (SIF). We created the product in response to demand in the market for a more flexible working capital facility which allows businesses to raise finance funded against individual invoices.

Although the basic principles are the same, unlike traditional invoice discounting facilities, the business does not have to finance its entire sales ledger book. It really is an excellent way for businesses to quickly release fast cashflow as needed and it is all done electronically via our digital systems without any hassle or onerous paperwork.

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

05/02/2021 12:42

TRIPLE DISTILLED. TRIPLE THRILLED. AWARDED WORLD’S LEADING DISTILLERY TOUR 3 YEARS RUNNING. VISIT JAMESONWHISKEY.COM

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03/02/2021 19/01/2021 11:16 09:34 13/01/2021 11:09

CLAIRE TOLAN - IRISH DISTILLERS BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Leading Innovation at Irish Distillers Businesswoman of the Year, Claire Tolan, Managing Director – Ireland, Irish Distillers, on innovation, connecting with consumers digitally and online whiskey tastings.

Q: How has 2020 been for your business?

A: In spite of the impact on our business from the Covid-19 pandemic, Jameson recorded solid growth in over 50 key markets including South Africa, Russia, UK, Australia, and Germany. I look after the domestic market here in Ireland and despite challenging conditions for our partners in the on-trade, we have seen an upsurge in demand in the off-trade outlets.

The trend of premiumisation is here to stay, as consumers choose higher quality spirits, helping us achieve healthy volume growth in Ireland last year across most of our brands including Jameson, Powers, Redbreast, Method and Madness, and Midleton Very Rare and across the wider Pernod Ricard portfolio of wines.

Q: What were the key wins for you over the last year?

A: Growth across our super premium whiskeys, led

by Redbreast and Midleton, was key to our success in 2020. Interest in our single pot still range has been multiplying year on year, with our portfolio leading the way in establishing the category with knowledgeable whiskey drinkers.

Innovation remains at the heart of everything we do, and the team in Midleton Distillery continued to push the boundaries in 2020. In February 2020, Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection was launched.

This 45-year-old Irish single malt is the first chapter in a series of six editions. There will be one release annually until 2025 with the last release coinciding with Old Midleton Distillery’s 200th birthday. Redbreast 27 was also released as a new permanent expression to the Redbreast family and the reimagined Blue Spot Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey was unveiled in November.

Q: How has your strategy/business changed as a result of COVID-19?

A: Our production and bottling plants are essential to our operations and a lot of work has been done over the past year to ensure the safety of our staff, while also ensuring business continuity.

The move away from live events has given us opportunities to connect with whiskey drinkers through exclusive digital content, launches and experiences, deepening their engagement with our brands. We also know that consumers love to learn from our experts, which is why we have used technology and social media to continue our famous whiskey tastings.

Q: What are the qualities or initiatives that made your company stand out over the past year?

A: Our ability to work with, and listen to, our partners

Claire Tolan, Managing Director Ireland, Irish Distillers

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has been the standout quality that has allowed us to make a real difference in 2020. When the need for hand-sanitiser for our front-line workers became clear in March, like many others, Irish Distillers wanted to be of help and respond to the situation. Working with Mervue Laboratories in Cork, Irish Distillers delivered 800,000 litres of alcohol, which has been used in the manufacture of hand-sanitiser for the Irish Health Service Executive. This effort has been supported by Smurfit Kappa, supplying packaging, CCL, providing labels, and Matheson, offering legal expertise. It was fantastic to see the Irish business community direct its collective efforts to help those who needed it most. I

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

09/02/2021 12:00

CLAIRE TOLAN - IRISH DISTILLERS BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Claire Tolan, Managing Director Ireland, Irish Distillers

am proud that, together, we were able to deliver for our community with the speed and agility that the situation called for.

Q: What does this award recognition mean to you?

OUR ABILITY TO WORK WITH, AND LISTEN TO, OUR PARTNERS HAS BEEN THE STANDOUT QUALITY THAT HAS ALLOWED US TO MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN 2020.

A: This award means a great deal to me. I would like to thank Chambers Ireland and InBusiness for this incredible honour. To be nominated amongst these businesswomen who have shown such entrepreneurship, creativity, and fearless thinking over the past year is truly humbling. This award is a testament to the entire team at Irish Distillers, who have had to constantly evolve throughout 2020.

Q: How would you describe the overall landscape in your sector at present?

A: There has been no doubt that, as an industry, the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us immensely, but we have shown incredible resilience and sought ways to continue to support our customers and communities as best we could. Our customers and partners in the hospitality sector have had a particularly difficult year. The owners, families, and employees of these wonderful venues across Ireland have been unable to trade since their doors closed just before St Patrick’s Day. We will be working with them to encourage patrons back to the bar when it is safe to do so.

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

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Q: What are the major industry trends that you will be looking at going forward?

A: We hear from high-end outlets, both on-and offtrade, that the consumer is drinking less, but drinking better quality products, and that is reflected in the global growth of our prestige range. We expect to see premiumisation continue to drive the category in 2020, reflecting the increase in consumer appetite, particularly among millennials, for premium and super-premium spirits. Consumers are showing a desire to trade up and enjoy quality spirits and to learn and understand more about the complexity of these products.

Jameson Cold Brew is an example of a recent innovation, which combines Jameson’s triple distilled Irish whiskey with cold brew coffee, that was piloted in Ireland initially and then officially launched in the US last January. Despite the impact of Covic-19, this new release has gotten off to a fast start with a fantastic consumer reaction.

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09/02/2021 12:01

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03/02/2021 11:17 09:40

HARRY HUGHES, PORTWEST BUSINESS MAN OF THE YEAR

Portwest: Getting Essential Workers Back to Work Safely Harry Hughes, CEO of workwear company Portwest, has steered his family business through a year of growth, responding to the needs of the pandemic.

P

ortwest, the Westport-based workwear manufacturer continues its trajectory as the world’s fastest growing workwear company, under the leadership of CEO Harry Hughes. The family business was founded in 1904 by Charles Hughes, and Harry Hughes continues to build on its reputation as a leader in the design and manufacture of high-quality workwear, footwear and PPE. Accepting the Chambers Ireland Recognition Award for Businessman of the Year, Hughes says, “It’s a great recognition for all the hard work of everyone in the company. Both our suppliers and customers deserve a lot of the credit for our success.”

The company, and its CEO, have previously been recognised with numerous other awards. Hughes accepted the title of EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017, and the company has won Great Place to Work 20192021, Ibec KeepWell Mark 2019-2021, Deloitte Best Managed Companies 2016-2020 and Exporter of the Year 2018.

Hughes previously announced the company’s five-year strategic plan to grow by 20% annually to become a €1 billion turnover company by 2025.

Portwest currently employs over 4,500 people worldwide and has customer service representatives in over 130 countries.

Harry Hughes, CEO, Portwest The company has recently announced the creation of 40 new jobs at their Westport headquarters, across a variety of business functions including product development, internal sales, IT, procurement and marketing. Despite the difficulty of recruiting and onboarding new staff during lockdown, Portwest is planning an innovative approach with a virtual careers fair planned for spring 2021 to fill the new positions it has created.

GROWTH YEAR Portwest produces over 1,350 independently certified products distributed from six warehouses across the globe. The past year has seen Portwest continue to grow and expand,

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and Hughes cites one of the key wins of the past year as being able to introduce new product lines which responded to the needs of the pandemic, and adding a number of new customers. “Sales are up 14% versus 2019. Lots of changes but we remained focused on our sales,” he notes.

Pre-pandemic, sales of personal protective equipment (PPE) represented 6% of Portwest’s annual sales, but this figure jumped to 12%, as demand for PPE intensified. The company also donated and delivered over €100,000-worth of stock of Portwest PPE products to a number of healthcare facilities, nursing homes and hospitals for doctors, nurses and public workers.

Additional safety equipment was required for many essential workers in sectors such as manufacturing and construction in order to safely continue at their jobs. “The safety industry grows at 3% per year and the landscape is solid as the products are worn by workers in industry, which remained open during the pandemic,” says Hughes.

New product innovations included items such as the CV14 Helmet Screen, a visor compatible with most safety helmets and hard hats and the CV15 face shield, a visor designed to be worn independently.

Both were designed to protect workers from the spread of Covid-19 on returning to the workplace. Another new product response to Covid-19 safety protocols was the Iona range of vests, to be worn by the

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HARRY HUGHES, PORTWEST BUSINESS MAN OF THE YEAR

IT’S A GREAT RECOGNITION FOR ALL THE HARD WORK OF EVERYONE IN THE COMPANY. BOTH OUR SUPPLIERS AND CUSTOMERS DESERVE A LOT OF THE CREDIT FOR OUR SUCCESS. designated Covid-19 Compliance Officer on sites, in adherence with the guidelines laid out by the Construction Industry Federation.

The company also made its first acquisition into safety footwear in March 2020, investing in Italian company Base Protection, one of Europe’s leading brands of safety footwear. The company, established in 2007, operates factories in Italy and Albania, and employs over 600 people.

KEEPING FOCUS Despite the strong growth of Portwest, challenges were certainly there too, as Hughes cites, “The sudden change to

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working from home and the closure of the businesses of some our customers,” as the main shocks of the past year that impacted on the company. Tactical planning has been important to cushion against the other main issue of recent times and he reveals, “We opened a large warehouse in Poland to make us Brexit-proof.”

However, despite the chaos of the global business environment facing into the pandemic, he admits that overall, he has changed his simple strategy and the focus of the business very little. “We have a growth formula and keep applying it each year,” he says. It’s a formula that so far has worked.

Reflecting on the unique qualities that make Portwest stand out from the competition across the sector, he says, his aim is “To keep trying to be the best in every department. To follow the successful flexible formula, we have followed for years and not to be diverted from our course.”

“Design and innovation are key drivers in this sector,” he emphasises and points to “Sustainability, digital transformation, and online sales,” as the major industry trends he will be paying attention to.

Looking forward to 2021, with typical understatement he says, “No big projects this year,” before outlining plans for completing the Westport office expansion, opening a new office in Manchester, bonding warehouses in the US and Poland and opening a new factory in Africa.

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

05/02/2021 12:47

THE FUTURE OF

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27/01/2021 10:00 03/02/2021 27/01/2021 11:19 11:29

DHL EXPRESS IRELAND DELIVERING HEALTHCARE

TO THE WORLD When you ship using DHL’s Worldwide Medical Express you get a simplified shipping process, access to dedicated DHL aircraft, temperature controls and the ability to ship to 220 countries and territories worldwide.

To learn more about our products and services and to contact our Life Sciences and Healthcare experts, visit shipping.dhl.ie/lshc or email Richard.pierce@dhl.com

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03/02/2021 13/01/2021 11:20 15:23

DHL EXPRESS COMPANY OF THE YEAR

DHL: Connecting People, Improving Lives Bernard McCarthy, Managing Director, DHL Express Ireland, reminisces about a year in which the DHL team rose to the challenge of providing essential services playing a part in the fight against Covid-19.

T

he last year has stretched and challenged DHL Express Ireland like no other in recent memory, but I’m very proud of the manner in which our team across Ireland has risen to this challenge. As an essential services provider, we maintained our Express services into and out of Ireland throughout the pandemic, without interruption.

In so doing, we have brought true meaning and relevance to our purpose, which is “Connecting People, Improving Lives”.

This has been borne out in many different ways since the Covid crisis commenced in March 2020. In the early weeks of the pandemic, we played a key role in bringing very large quantities of PPE into Ireland from China and other countries in South East Asia. When supplies of critical PPE were at their lowest in March and April, DHL Express services provided a critical supply line into Ireland.

And it’s the same story with regard to Covid testing kits, as we imported literally hundreds of thousands of these kits on our air express service, again predominantly from South East Asia, at a time when the supply was at its lowest.

There are many similar examples of how DHL Express in Ireland played a key role in the fight against Covid. When lab testing capacity was under huge pressure during the

first big wave of positive cases, we transported hundreds of thousands of completed Covid tests to labs in Europe to facilitate these samples being tested and results were returned to Ireland within 24 hours.

The list goes on and on, and there are countless other cases where we have been providing express

Bernard McCarthy, Managing Director, DHL Express Ireland delivery services (both into and out of Ireland) for Pharmaceutical, Life-Sciences and Medical Device products, critical to Ireland’s response to the Covid crisis. Indeed we have also played a significant role in the supply chain activities supporting the clinical trials involved in vaccine development.

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KEEPING BUSINESSES ALIVE There’s another side to the role DHL Express has played during the pandemic. Clearly not every shipment has contained PPE, test-kits or critical pharma product, but for many businesses and individuals, DHL Express, and others in our industry, has provided an important connection to the outside world. We have seen very significant increases in shipments exported by Irish business where online sales have become their lifeline. Indeed it’s no exaggeration to say that this online sales outlet – with Irish companies selling their product to Europe and the world – has helped maintain commercial viability for many businesses.

And in the lengthy period of lockdown where non-essential retail has been closed, the DHL Express network across more than 220 countries has enabled consumers in Ireland to shop internationally. It is well established that online shopping has boomed during the pandemic and the role of DHL Express in facilitating this massive growth is hugely significant. Whether it was a birthday or Christmas gift or just a special treat for a loved one, these deliveries brought much joy and value to their recipients throughout this very difficult period.

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DHL EXPRESS COMPANY OF THE YEAR DHL Starts Vaccine Distribution

I’M ESPECIALLY PROUD OF OUR TEAM OF COURIERS, WAREHOUSE OPERATIVES AND OTHER OPERATIONAL STAFF WHO TURNED UP FOR WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY TO KEEP OUR NETWORK MOVING.

TEAM EFFORT The term ‘frontline hero’ has become something of a cliché in recent times but it’s very true in relation to the DHL team. I’m especially proud of our team of couriers, warehouse operatives and other operational staff who turned up for work every single day to keep our network moving and in so doing maintaining great service to our customers. And these frontline heroes are supported by another team of superstars working from home to ensure that our service offer remained unaffected throughout the year.

The InBusiness Recognition Award is a fitting tribute to the tremendous work of everyone across DHL Express Ireland and the invaluable service they have provided throughout the pandemic.

Much has been said and written about a new-found appreciation for many front line services, whose importance have shone through during the pandemic. In my view,

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DHL Starts Vaccine Distribution

the services provided by DHL Express and others within our sector very much fall into this category—we are an essential services provider and the critical nature of our role has never been more apparent.

As we settle into 2021, with Brexit now a reality, there are a new set of challenges for our industry. What’s clear is that the retail shift to online continues at speed and our volumes

continue to grow exponentially.

Our immediate challenge is to build and extend our capacity in order to manage this growth, which will require significant investment in our infrastructure.

Planning in this regard is already well advanced and we stand ready to make these investments confident in the future positive development of our business.

InBUSINESS | RECOGNITION AWARDS 2020

05/02/2021 12:51

Chambers Ireland would like to thank all the companies who took park in the Sustainable Business Impact Awards 2020.

Applications for the Sustainable Business Impact Awards 2021 will open in March 2021.

For more information, please contact carly.mooney@chambers.ie

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03/02/2021 11:25

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08/02/2021 12:18