ChamberLink Magazine

chamberlink ISSUE 02 2018

Tomorrow together

04

New Vice President

06

Why Cork

08

Global Connections

TOGETHER MAKING CORK THE BEST PLACE FOR BUSINESS OWERING YO P U EM

OUR BUS ING Y INE W O SS R G

CorkChamber.ie

SFORMING CO N RK A TR

CONTENTS COVER STORY 4-5

Together making Cork the best place for business

TRANSFORMING CORK

10

Time to realise Cork City’s Potential

6

Why Cork?

8

Connecting Cork: Putting Cork on the Global Map

10

Time to realise Cork City’s potential

12

Multi Cultural Day Cork

13

In the Chair with John Walsh, ESB

14

Your Chamber’s Impact

EMPOWERING YOU

At our recent AGM we launched a detailed strategic plan for the next three years which will guide us as we work towards achieving our vision, CORK: THE BEST PLACE FOR BUSINESS. We are excited about the direction in which this is taking us to work with you, our members to build an even more vibrant region and put Cork on the global map. I encourage you to visit the new website on CorkChamber.ie where you will find full details of the Strategic Plan and our full suite of benefits.

We see more and more companies putting their trust in the City Centre.

16-17

Leaders Upcoming Events

18-19

Out & About

20-21 New Members

Future Leaders Programme

Issue 2 of ChamberLink, reflective of our new brand identity and packed with business news from across the region.

Future Leaders Programme

GROWING YOUR BUSINESS

15

Welcome to

15

22

Newcomers

23

Member Spotlight with Trevor Leacy, Moore Stephens

24-26 Members News

Offices and hotels are springing up on the back of private investors who have chosen our city on a global map as the right place to invest their money and to create new high value jobs. These companies are and will be increasingly a key driver of our City centre economy, of everything from retail and hospitality to professional services.

One thing is clear, as we grow over the next 20 years we need to substantially improve our public transport offering.

We will have 5,000 more people working and spending in the City Centre over the next couple of years and they cannot all drive to work.

We are hugely positive about Cork today. Our members from every corner of the Cork economy reported 91% business confidence in our Q1 2018 Quarterly Economic Bulletin published this week. It is essential that

Chamberlink is published by Cork Chamber and is a bi-monthly publication exclusive to members. The opinons expressed in Chamberlink are not necessarily those of Cork Chamber, Chamberlink main sponsor neither do they accept any responsibility or liability for any legal implications arising there from. Registered in Ireland no. 13918

we progress a rapid transit corridor in Cork, if is to grow and thrive from now until 2040.

Finally on behalf of all the team and members, I would like to welcome our new Board Members and Paula Cogan as the new Vice President of Cork Chamber and to thank all out going board members for the tremendous input they made during their tenure.

Conor Healy Chief Executive, Cork Chamber.

Fitzgerald House, Summerhill North, Cork, T23 TD90.

T +353 (0)21 4509044 E info@corkchamber.ie

CorkChamber.ie

ChamberLink Main Sponsor

03

Cov e r Sto ry

Togethe r Making Cork the Best Pl ace for Business As a champion of business and of Cork we need to ensure we have the greatest impact possible. We want to deliver better value for you our members, lead our own digital transformation and deepen our engagement across the business community in Cork. We want to build an even more vibrant region and put Cork on the global map. We want to make CORK: THE BEST PLACE FOR BUSINESS This is the new vision of your Chamber which we unveiled at our 199th Annual General Meeting. We also launched a detailed strategic plan for the next three years which will guide us as we work towards achieving our vision along with a refreshed brand identity and brand-new website that have been developed following a year of consultation and engagement with you, our members.

Our new strategic plan, website and brand emphasise the importance of cooperation to bring out the best in everyone and everything. Together, we can make Cork the best place for business.

04

At the core of our strategic plan lies three objectives: Empowering You by connecting, upskilling and informing you. You are the focal point of everything we do and through your success we will drive a thriving Cork.

Growing Your Business by supporting your needs, promoting you, and unlocking new opportunities.

Transforming Cork, by representing your voice and recognising your success. Enhancing the business landscape, the place we all call home and depend on for our future.

We look forward to working with you our members, to promote you, to listen to you and to speak up for you.

Cov e r Sto ry

A flavour of Chamber President, Bill O’Connell’s speech to members at our annual AGM. “After a year’s work and reflection, I am proud to present to you a new strategic plan and brand identity to guide the future direction of Cork Chamber. A lot of work has gone into this plan. It’s a plan guided by input from members, prospective members, Chamber staff and the Chamber board. We already know that Cork is a great place for business. And our collective vision is clear: We want Cork to be the best place for business.”

“Next year, the Chamber celebrates 200 years being at the heart of business in Cork. With our anniversary looming, we have spent the last year reflecting on what’s needed to make sure the Chamber remains relevant to business in Cork for the next 200 years.”

“Cork is now Ireland’s startup hotspot and associated with tech, food, tourism, biopharma, financial services and cybersecurity. With a changing economy, we’ve seen changing work patterns, and work preferences. More companies are demanding office locations in the very centre of our city, which presents challenges as to how we make our city centre a more attractive place to visit, work and live. That’s why in our strategic plan you will see a greater emphasis on sustainable transport, city living, culture, on transforming Cork.”

“Our city has also become a lot more multicultural and diverse. I am enormously pleased that the Chamber’s new values include a commitment to sustainability, diversity and inclusiveness.”

‘‘

We already know that Cork is a great place for business.

And our collective vision is clear: We want Cork to be the best place for business.

‘‘

President ’s Thoughts

“The Chamber must do the right things for the right reasons, but we also have a responsibility towards our community and future generations. This principle which will guide our work as we look towards transforming Cork for the better and build an even more vibrant Cork community that will enable business to innovate, grow and flourish.”

New Board Members As the business community evolves so too does our Board.

At our Annual General Meeting (AGM) , Bill O’Connell was re-elected as President. Meanwhile, Paula Cogan, Director of Sales & Marketing at the Doyle Collection, was voted Vice-President of the Chamber.

Ronan Murray from Deloitte assumed the role of Honorary Treasurer and Orla Flynn from CIT the position of Honorary Secretary.

Four new members, DC Cahalane, Republic of Work; Thia Hennessy, Cork University Business School; John Mc Allen, Bank of Ireland; and

Newly elected board members DC Cahalane, Republic of Work; Thia Hennessy, Cork University Business School; John Mc Allen, Bank of Ireland; Seamus Downey, EY and Ronan Murray, Deloitte;. Photos: John Sheehan

Seamus Downey, EY, were elected to the Chamber board.

The work done by Ken Murphy, Paul O’Connell and Albert Diggins over the past four years for their input to the board was acknowledged by Chamber President Bill O’Connell.

He also extended personal thanks to John Higgins, who stepped down as Treasurer, and Barrie O’Connell for a phenomenal amount of work during his two years as President of the Chamber.

05

TRAN S FORMI N G CORK

Why Cork?

People Place Potential Recent news stories show Cork leading the way across a number of areas from startups to our national food hub and of course Europe’s friendliest city:

Friendliest City

National Food Hub

Cork City has been named the most business friendly city in Europe. Ireland is one of the leading countries in Europe for attracting business according to new rankings compiled by the Financial Times. The FT’s fDi magazine named Cork as the friendliest small city in Europe in which to do business it its biennial list comparing the continent’s best locations for inward investment, with Belfast coming fourth. Cork also came third in the Small European Cities Future index which seeks to rank the most promising locations in terms of ecnomic potential, lifestlye and cost effectiveness.

Cork has also been ranked as one of the overall top 25 European Cities of the Future 2018/19 by the Financial Times’ fDi magazine. The south west region was named above global cities such as Copenhagen, Hamburg, Stuttgart and Zurich. Cork city has a population of 126,000 and was also included in the top ten small European cities for economic potential - ranked 8th in European small regions of the future.

The national innovation food hub announced to be based in Cork will help create new products and feed into the agri-food sector, third-level research and have a strong emphasis on dairy production. Construction of the state-of the-art facility will commence this year at a cost of €2m, while €9m will be pumped into the centre.

Aside from providing local employment, the food hub will provide intellectual and technical expertise to help create products that appeal to newer regions targeted by the Government, including China, the Middle East, and Russia.

City Revitalisation The Cork City Centre Strategy (2014) sets out clear aims to revitalise the City Centre through improvement and development, based on a partnership of key stakeholders and increasing the marketing of the City Centre’s offer.

More than €700 million is currently being invested in Cork’s city centre by private and public sector organisations. 30 new sites are in development or in the pipeline for development this year.

Revitalisation of City Quarter areas in the city centre driven by communities and supported by stakeholders.

There has been a 10% increase in jobs growth over 5 years in Cork, which now sees the number of jobs in the city totaling 79,000. Footfall in the city centre is increasing, more than 1,000 student bedspaces are under construction and up to a 30% increase in hotel rooms is proposed. A series of major new developments are now underway which will further enhance the City’s high end office and retail offer and encourage further innovative developments and investments.

06

Startup Hotspot Cork startups are leading the way for new company formation - with a jump of almost 12% in the number of firms established in the region in the first three months of 2018.

In total, 582 startups were formed in Cork in the first three months of this year, compared with 521 in 2017, according to data from business and credit risk analyst Vision-net. Overall, a total of 5,347 startups have been established this year in Ireland, working out at 62 new companies a day. That’s just under 1% less than the number of startups established in the first three months of 2017, which was a record year for startup launches, according to Vision-net. Despite the recent success of Irish tech firms, the majority of the startups came from the professional services sector, which accounted for just over one in five startups in the first quarter of the year. This was followed by finance (13%), construction (11%), and social and personal services, which accounted for one in 10 startups established between January and March.

International Connection Cork Airport recorded a 5% increase in passenger numbers in January compared to the same period in 2017. Traffic rose across all the geographical markets served by Cork Airport, the country’s second busiest, and best connected international airport after Dublin.

Passenger volumes to and from eastern Europe had the biggest increase, up 13.4% year-on-year, while southern Europe was up 12.5% and London increased by 1%.

TRAN S FORMI N G CORK

14 Reasons...

As part of our ongoing work and outreach with our Connecting Cork initiative we are actively engaging with Cork’s diaspora to tell the Cork story. For sometimes, when you have been away from home for a while it’s hard to keep up on the latest developments, changing skylines, new restaurants, or new career opportunities. And right now, not a week passes by in Cork without new announcements on one of these fronts.

So here are 14 reasons for why Cork

1.

Cork is set to become the fastest growing city in Ireland over the next 20 years.

2.

50% of Cork’s population is aged under 35 years.

3.

60% of people in Cork get to work in 30 minutes or less.

4.

Cork is placed ideally situated between the markets of Asia-Pacific and the Americas.

5.

Over 150 FDI companies are located in Cork, with more than 60 overseas tech companies having

chosen Cork as their European home.

6.

Cork is a university city and home to Ireland’s largest undergraduate business school.

7.

In Europe, Cork has the lowest latency broadband line direct to East Coast USA and there’s a new

subsea cable to France underway.

8.

Our coast line stretches 1,100 kilometers and we are home to the world’s second largest natural harbour.

9.

Cork Airport has 9 daily flights to London, direct flights to East Coast USA, and to EU hub airports.

10. Cork is home to more than 50 farmers’ markets a week and described as “Europe’s best-kept

culinary secret” by Esquire Magazine (2018).

11. Cork is full of character and offers a perfect work-life balance.

12. The cost of commercial properties in Cork are highly competitive, and about half of that of Dublin.

13. Cork is ranked as one of Europe’s top 25 cities of the future.

14. We have more than 1,000,000 sq. ft. office spaces coming on stream in the next 18 months.

Want to learn more about Cork as a global business location?

Check out www.connectingcork.ie

Sarah Foley Public Affairs Executive E: sfoley@corkchamber.ie T: 021 453 0139

07

TRAN S FORMI N G CORK

Connecting Cor k Putting Cor k on the G lobal Map Cork Chamber’s recent trip to the East Coast USA reinforced the importance of face-to-face engagement with our international business and professional networks. There are groups of energetic and enthusiastic business professionals all over the world, who are interested and willing to support Ireland and the development of stronger business relationships with Ireland. The exceptional work that is done by our state agencies, in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs, creates a strong ‘Team Ireland’ message and our Ambassadors and Consuls General are working tirelessly to support the Irish communities abroad, as well as the delegations that are engaging with them from home.

Ciarán Madden, Consul General of Ireland in New York (centre) with Conor Healy, Chief Executive & Katherine Fitzpatrick, International Relations Manager, Cork Chamber.

The drivers of some of the international diaspora communities and groups that we have partnered with, and who have supported us in the last few years are profiled below. We look forward to growing connections with these groups as we continue to showcase Cork on the global stage.

Irish International Business Network (IIBN) Irish International Business Network (IIBN) is one of the leading networks of Irish entrepreneurs and business professionals, whose objective is to facilitate greater communication and connectivity between successful Irish business people all over the world with a view to identifying and exploiting new business opportunities.

Founded in 2007 by Conor Foley, Jonathan Grey and Fionuala Pender, IIBN is headquartered in London and is governed by a Board of Trustees according to the IIBN Global Charter. Over the last 11 years the IIBN has facilitated thousands of business introductions and hosted hundreds of networking events via the three local chapters in London, Dublin and New York.

08

IIBN has just announced the merger of IIBN and iCham, a network of entrepreneurs and business professionals located in a number of cities in Central and Eastern Europe. One of the objectives of iCham is to raise awareness of the opportunities in the region and provide a portal for Irish entrepreneurs

and businesses to help explore and expand their commercial interests in cities such as Prague, Moscow, Budapest, Warsaw and Bratislava.

One of the aims of the network is to mentor and develop the next generation of Irish entrepreneurs via a number of formal programmes. One such initiative, the Future Leaders Programme, aims to harness the skills and insights of successful senior executives and serial entrepreneurs to help coach and develop the next generation of Irish ‘rising stars’ and business leaders across all industries in the UK. Another IIBN initiative is the GIFT programme which connects successful Irish female entrepreneurs with ‘Pathfinders’ in their market of choice, helping them to scale and grow their businesses internationally. GIFT is working to develop an influential global network of Irish women in business.

Ailbhe Mullen joined IIBN in 2015 as Executive Director in the London Head Office. Ailbhe

Ailbhe Mullen

is no stranger to IIBN as she is a founding board member of IIBN New York Chapter which founded in 2008, was Vice Chair 2013 -2014 and is still on the NY board.

Ailbhe was honoured at the IIBN Opportunity Conference 2014 with the Outstanding Contribution Award and was named one of the ‘Top 40 under 40 Irish/Irish American’ by the Irish Echo.

Ailbhe has a Masters degree in Hotel & Hospitality Management from Colchester University in England and a diploma in Human Resources Management from New York University.

TRAN S FORMI N G CORK

Irish Network USA (IN USA) While Irish Network USA (INUSA) currently has 21 chapters across the US, the latest launching in Dallas in March, its reach of over 5,000 members extends well beyond that. In addition to cities like Boston, Chicago and San Francisco, long thought of as hubs of Irish America, the organisation is built on diversity and inclusion and works equally as hard to ensure that Irish, Irish Americans, and “friends” of Ireland in places like Denver, New Orleans, Seattle, and many others have every opportunity to “invest in Ireland”.

While economic and business exchange between Ireland and the US is a core focus, the application of the word “invest” is much broader in the context of INUSA’s mission; it also means creating opportunities for Irish arts

and culture to thrive, to expand educational opportunities, and to celebrate Irish sports.

As President of Irish Network USA, Steve Lenox, whom the Irish Echo newspaper once referred to as “one of the best Irish America has to offer,” helps to guide its growth and advance its mission of ensuring that the important links between Ireland and the US continue to thrive.

Under his leadership INUSA has built an expanisive online presence and hosted five highly successful national conferences.

In addition to his volunteer service as President, Steve, after nearly 15 years working in and around the highest levels of government and politics in New Jersey and beyond, founded his boutique public affairs

Steve Lennox

firm, Lenox Consulting, in 2010 where he puts his networking and communications skills to work for a variety of both US and Irish based clients.

Steve, who credits his Corkborn and raised wife Aoife for introducing him to the Network, takes pride in his special relationship with Cork where they maintain a home and are currently raising their three sons.

Boston Irish Business Association (BIBA) The Boston Irish Business Association (BIBA) was launched in 2009 is a non-profit business organisation dedicated to promoting the business interests of its members and member organisations located in Massachusetts and abroad. BIBA’s mission is to foster economic and professional growth among its progressive network of business and political leaders, while retaining and strengthening their connection to Ireland and Northern Ireland, and offering a dynamic platform for companies looking to gain brand exposure for their products and services (both locally and in Ireland).

The organisation provides value to its members and member organisations through enabling business and professional growth among a diverse network of people who are looking to retain and strengthen their connection to Ireland.

The current President of BIBA is

Laura Hamilton, who was born in Cork but grew up in Boston. Laura is the Executive Vice President, US Operations at RxCelerate, an outsourced drug development company. In 2017, she became a mentor at MassChallenge within their Bridge to MassChallenge programme, advising foreign companies on aspects of market entry, market intelligence as well as Sales, Marketing and Business Development strategy. Prior to her work in the BioPharma industry, Laura worked for a Financial Services company, First Marblehead Corporation in Boston.

Laura is passionate about business, disruptive technology, economic development, international trade and investment, and innovation.

She takes great pride in facilitating introductions and connections across her vast network. Laura has been a BIBA Board Member for several years and was awarded the Boston Irish Business Young

Laura Hamilton

Leader Award in 2015 and the Irish Echo 40 Under 40 Award, as well as their Business Innovator Award, in 2018. Laura is a proud member of the Irish Network Boston Board of Directors and is affiliated with many worthwhile organisations: Quincy Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate - 1787 Society, and the American Heart Association.

09

TRAN S FORMI N G CORK

President’s Perspective Change is hard, there is no doubt about it, but we can’t afford to stand still either, there is no progress with the status quo. The needs of business and residents are changing and we need to change with these needs, to meet as best we can the expectations of those who commute to, live in or visit our city environs. We now have the opportunity.

Cork Chamber recently surveyed our members’ priorities for creating a city environment for ‘family living’. The number one preference related to diversity of housing, followed second by an enhanced Cork transport network, and third by development of public spaces and amenities.

More public spaces in Cork are needed to increase the accessibility and permeability of the city for pedestrians and a diverse range of transport. People want the option not to need their car, to feel safe commuting by bicycle or on foot and to travel on fast and efficient public transport.

Currently, the quality of the urban space on Morrison’s Quay is exceptionally poor, with narrow and piecemeal pedestrian paving, decaying riverside railings, and poor quality road and parking surfaces. It is generally a low

10

value space, and almost exclusively used as a location for parking.

If we focus on the potential, we have a south facing space, on the quayside, with exceptional historic features such as the Holy Trinity Church, Capuchin Friary and historic quay walls.

Looking at the flood defence project, for far too long residents and businesses of Cork city centre have been heavily impacted by flood damage, leading to uncertainty and concerns around business viability and insurance protection. With the threat of flooding incidences increasing, it is crucial that works are undertaken to protect the future of our city centre as an attractive location for business and residential occupancy. If Cork is to transform into a living city accommodating an extra 125,000 residents by 2040, maximise its potential as Ireland’s second city, and attract more investment, certainty is needed.

A city centre that is threatened unnecessarily and repeatedly from flood and weather incidences is not viable.

Since 2011, Cork city has seen a hugely positive increase in residential occupancy, up 5.4%, and a growing city centre workforce. With more jobs,

‘‘

More public spaces in Cork are needed to increase the accessibility and permeability of the city for pedestrians and a diverse range of transport.

‘‘

Time to Re alise Cork City’s Pote ntial

especially high-value jobs, opting to be based centrally to attract and retain the best staff, we expect Cork’s day and night-time population growth to increase further in the years ahead, bringing more economic activity with it. But for that to happen we need an attractive, inviting, and flood protected city centre.

The public realm project at Morrison’s Island will remove 115 parking spaces and this is a big step change in how we do things. There needs to be actions taken now to ensure that complementary parking and public transport measures are put in place within the 12-month period before commencement of works to mitigate impact on business. These parking spaces are primarily used by city centre workers. And so we need to ensure that people have options.

We strongly encourage City Hall to explore the potential

Rather than looking at negatives, the removal of parking spaces should be seen as an opportunity.

An opportunity to challenge Government to release the €200m Bus Connects Programme funding as soon as possible. And for dedicated bus corridors to be built so our city centre remains accessible for workers, shoppers, residents and visitors. We also have a chance to develop connected, integrated and safe cycle routes to offer a viable alternative to commuters and residents alike. Overall, we

‘‘

for expanding Park & Ride facilities from other sides of the city. Perhaps another site can be made available for professionals to park and walk to work? We need tech solutions to the current pay and display parking disc system. Essentially, we need to more effectively utilise the available parking in the city.

‘‘

We need to capitalise on the opportunity to grow our city as a vibrant, bustling urban centre, one that is opened up and inviting.

are optimistic that the change in primary usage of this space will add to city centre vitality and trade.

Research by the National Transport Authority has found that public transport users spend more than twice as much as car users in Dublin.

The same research found that cities rely on public transport users and pedestrians to deliver the strongest cash injection to a city’s economy as a whole.

TRAN S FORMI N G CORK

streets linking Morrison’s Quay to the South Mall? We would like to see this part of the city develop into a cultural hotspot similar to the Waterford Walls initiative, making the linkages between the Quays and the Mall a destination in their own right. At a low cost we have potential to realise a hugely impactful cultural attraction.

We need to be ambitious, to move forward, and that is not possible without a change in how we do things. We need to capitalise on the opportunity to grow our city as a vibrant, bustling urban centre, one that is opened up and inviting.

Why not set the bar high? Without a high level of ambition, we are not capitalising fully on the potential to transform Cork.

Why not also invest in painting and refurbishing the adjacent building facades along the quayside, and the

We’re improving water quality in Cork Harbour.

Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project.

The equivalent of 20,000 wheelie bins of raw sewage is discharged into Cork Harbour every day. We’re working to bring this to zero by 2021. We’re upgrading and extending the sewer network and have built a new treatment plant at Shanbally, to properly treat all wastewater before it reaches the sea. We’re ensuring a clean, safe harbour for everyone.

Visit water.ie/corklowerharbour Safeguarding our water for our future.

TRAN S FORMI N G CORK

Multi Cultur al Day Cork 2018 What is Multi Cultural Day Cork?

What inspired you to be part of this?

It is an annual event celebrating the cultural diversity of Cork City and County backed by both City and County Councils and supported by the Creative Ireland Programme. Organisers and founders of the event, CorkEvents.ie and The Irish in Europe Association have been running the event for the past seven years in recognition of the contribution of the various communities to Ireland and are delighted with the collaboration and support of partners including Media Partner Red FM, Diageo, The Gallery Kinsale, Cork Chamber and Cork Volunteer Centre who all contribute to making this unique event possible.

Working with my charity IEAI I have attended many cultural days and witnessed first hand the appetite of these new communities to integrate into Irish life.

While there are many different individual days, weekends and weeks throughout the year for the various communities it became clear the importance of one day where all these communities and the existing local population can come together as one and socialise in a relaxed friendly atmosphere.

How did you get involved?

Working with a diaspora organisation, IEAI (irishineurope.org) and interested in the ‘New Irish’, I met my co organiser Cordelia Oseh at a cultural event. Cordelia originally from Nigeria runs a decor and events business and was keen to create a multi cultural event to both give back to her new community and welcome other new communities.

What makes this day so special?

This is an event for all generations and and it is a very unique to have such a melting pot of the global family under one roof celebrating their connection to Ireland be it living, working or visiting. The colour and pageantry on show on the day really offers an explosive visual cue to what these communities bring to Irelands cultural diversity. As far as we are aware there isn’t any other official civic multi cultural event in the country so yet again Cork is leading the way.

€300m Avail able to Business The Government has opened the Brexit Loan Scheme for applications for Irish companies to offset the potential impacts of Brexit.

The loan fund worth a total of €300 million is provided by the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Business Enterprise and Innovation, and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Loan features: •

Loan amount from €25,000 up to a maximum of €1,500,000

•

Loan term of up to 3 years

•

Loans less than €500,000 will be unsecured • Interest rate of 4% or less.

12

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s share of funding ensures that at least 40% of the fund will be available to food businesses. The Scheme is open to eligible businesses with up to 499 employees and has the potential to benefit over 5,000 companies. The new scheme will be delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland and is supported by an agreement with the European Investment Fund. Further information go to www.dbei.gov.ie

How important are days like this to the vibrancy of our city?

Cork Multicultural Day is an opportunity to celebrate our diversity and our commitment to democracy, equality and mutual respect and to appreciate the contributions of the various multicultural groups and communities to Cork society.

This community event for all generations is also an opportunity to enhance cultural awareness and to remind people of the similarities and differences among cultures.

The Official Cork Multicultural Day will taking place at Millennium Hall, Cork City Hall on Saturday 19 of May from 2.00pm.

Entry this year is €10, which covers entry to the days performances, food in the evening and a complimentary Diageo bar and disco until late.

To get involved contact Ken Buckley, e: ieaicork@gmail.com

we ll- be ing

Putting people first at Arup’s Cork office

Arup is the first project in Ireland to be awarded WELL Certification for its Cork office. The WELL Building Standard™ (WELL™), delivered by the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™), is the world’s first building standard that focuses on the health and wellness of people in buildings. With the majority of us spending 90% of our time indoors, there has been a growing awareness surrounding the importance of providing healthy environments for building occupants in recent years. WELL is a performance-based system for measuring and certifying features of the built environment that impact human health and well-being. Arup’s Cork office earned the distinction based on seven categories of building performance; air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind.

IN THE CHAIR

TRAN S FORMI N G CORK

with John Walsh, Head of Smart Energy Services at ESB Tell us about your business In response to a growth in demand from large businesses to reduce their energy costs, ESB created a new business line called Smart Energy Services. We offer managed energy services, leveraging cutting-edge technology and funding solutions to reduce energy consumption and costs for the industrial and commercial sectors. Working in partnership with large business who consume large amounts of energy, Smart Energy Services provides consultancy, capital funding, energy management services and implementation of energy projects for businesses in Ireland and the UK. Since 2016, we’ve already partnered with companies to deliver energy savings of up to 60% and are set to save large businesses over €150 million in energy.

What services do you offer?

We offer a range of sustainable solutions to suit the energy requirements of large energy users, with financing available, thus negating the need for upfront investment.

We work with our customers to identify where energy savings can be realised, and as appropriate, we implement energy saving projects across Lighting, Heating and Cooling, Battery and Renewable solutions.

Through our Energy Management Hub we also provide an energy monitoring and energy management service. Our team collaborate with large businesses to optimise existing assets, and identify the latest, and tailor the best, most innovative energy solutions for their business. And because every business is different, we tailor solutions to drive efficiencies and guarantee significant savings.

Who are your target audience?

We collaborate with large energy users organisations who typically spend more than half a million euro a year on energy, to help them to reduce costs and carbon emissions. We’ve found that nearly all large energy users have the opportunity to reduce their energy consumption significantly. At present, those clients include major organisations such as Medite, BWG, Tesco, Coral Leisure and CHQ, Dublin Airport Authority. Our UK customers include National Trust, Manchester Metropolitan University and Ikea.

What makes your company stand out?

What’s your business goal for the future?

Our people. Thanks to decades of partnerships between Irish businesses and ESB, our Smart Energy Services team understands large business energy needs better than anyone else. We are the Energy people, drawing from expertise across the ESB group with specialist skills in engineering, project management and technology solutions. Our team is made up of energy experts covering a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds, who partner with businesses to identify the latest and the best energy solutions for their needs.

Energy efficiency is a pillar of ESB’s strategy to meet our Climate Change targets, and to create a brighter future for our customers transitioning to reliable, affordable, lowcarbon energy. Although we have made progress to date in meeting these targets there is still plenty of opportunity to use energy in smarter, more efficient ways. Our business goal for the future of Smart Energy Services is to enable even more large businesses to significantly reduce their carbon emissions and reduce energy costs, and make a further positive impact on the environment.

What are the highlights of your work?

I get a kick out of working with clients to help them develop and deliver innovative energy solutions for their business. It’s great to bring together our experience of energy with the great engineering capability that the ESB has to develop innovative energy solutions that reduce emissions and significantly reduce energy costs for large businesses. For example recently we achieved 25% in savings for Coral Leisure sports and recreational centres after implementing a range of energy savings projects. With multiple buildings of various ages, sizes and available facilities, a single solution would not fit all. Solutions ranged from energy-efficient LED lighting retrofits to the installation of a Combined Heat & Power unit in Coral’s leisure centre in Cobh, Co. Cork.

What’s your top business tip?

Our top business tip for large energy users to reduce your energy costs and benefit your bottom line - Start by understanding how and where you use energy in your business and treat it as any other variable business cost. There are plenty of opportunities to use new technologies to be more efficient and it will be one of the best business investments you’ll make in 2018.

To find out more contact smartenergy@esb.ie or visit www.esb.ie/smartenergy

What has been your greatest business achievement?

One of my greatest business achievements was working with an ESB customer, Tesco to overhaul the energy efficiency of their stores. We worked with them over a period of 18 months to completely review their energy use resulting in a 25% reduction in its energy costs across 148 locations in the Republic of Ireland.

13

TRAN S FORMI N G CORK

Your Chambe r’s Impact In 2017 Cork Chamber set upon a journey to review its CSR activity for the year and we are delighted to showcase some of those key projects in our Business Impact Map. Corporate Social Responsibility is the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of their workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large. Cork Chamber occupies a vital role in leading and developing business activity and growth in the Cork Region.

Our promise “Advancing Business Together” reflects the Chamber’s member-centric approach in driving our members’ businesses forward and leading the successful growth of both the Chamber membership and our regional economy. We understand that our commitment to our members is our most vital product and through the authentic relationships we create we are building better, stronger and

14

more sustainable communities in the places where we work, live and play.

Responsibility and Accountability are issues we take very seriously here at Cork Chamber and therefore we seek to lead by example.

We were delighted to participate in Business in The Community Business Impact Map for 2017. The business impact map showcases the impact of companies on communities throughout Ireland. In total 57 companies throughout Ireland contributed over €28 million to charities and community groups last year.

The map below showcases Cork Chambers contribution.

For full interactive map go to http://livemaps.bitc.ie/

PSYCHED: Promotion of Mental Wellbeing in the WorkPlace: On Wednesday 28th March Cork Chamber was presented with a certificate of recognition from The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Tony Fitzgerald to acknowledge our activities to date in promoting mental wellbeing for staff.

e m p ow e r i n g yo u

Future Leaders Programme Leading You, Leading Others, Leading Cork

6 Workshops • Priming Yourself for Leadership

A 6 month programme to equip you with the competencies, capabilities and confidence to Lead Yourself, Lead Others and Lead Cork to individual and organisational success.

The programme will include 6 half-day workshops along with insights from local leaders. The programme will commence in May and will be held once a month until November.

You are a future leader of Cork.

• Emotional Intelligence • Leadership in Action • Management of Self & Self-Motivation • Assertiveness & Communication • High Performing Teams

With almost 30,000 people in Cork employed in managerial positions, a fantastic network of highly skilled leaders are priming themselves to emerge in the near future, driving the region to continued success.

Take this time to develop the relevant leadership skills to drive yourself, your team and your organisation onwards and upwards. Avail of a fantastic networking opportunity, peerto-peer sharing and learning and play a key role in this new leadership community in Cork.

Cork needs YOU. Are you Ready

Book Now contact Aoife Dunne, Business School Manager aoife@corkchamber.ie

15

e m p ow e r i n g yo u

UPCOMING EVE NTS Creating opportunities and facilitating the sharing of experiences by connecting you with each other is central to growing our local economy. By attending events you will have the opportunity to meet with business leaders, network with your peers and develop meaningful business connections.

See more at CorkChamber.ie

“Net wo r k ing at N oo n” i n The Cr awfo r d Ar t Galle ry

Date: Thursday 26 April Time: 12pm – 1:30pm Venue: The Crawford Art Gallery Cost: FREE for members You could arrange a lunch-time meeting with one business contact…or you can join us for “Networking at Noon” and meet with dozens of business contacts!

This new lunch-time event will follow a similar format to our ever popular evening networking sessions and is the perfect way to a break from the desk but still be working on building your network

and growing your business.

For the first “Networking at Noon” we’re inviting you to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and discover alchemy, enchantment, and mystery as you meet with fellow members amid the stunning paintings, sculpture, and ceramics of the Music, Myth, and Magic exhibition in The Crawford’s Upper Gallery.

Located in the heart of Cork City, The Crawford Art Gallery is a national cultural institution and home to an expansive

collection featuring works from the 18th Century to present. The architecture of the building, which combines modern new galleries with the historical, gives a breathtaking backdrop to a collection of great national importance.

“Clock out & Co nn ect” at The oyste r tave r n

Date: Tuesday 29 May Time: 5:30pm – 7pm Venue: The Oyster Tavern,

Market Lane Cost: FREE for members We can’t wait to welcome you to the next “Clock Out & Connect” taking place at the historic Oyster Tavern, one of Cork’s oldest establishments nestled right in the heart of the city centre!

16

The Oyster Tavern has been a part of the Cork landscape for hundreds of years, with the earliest trace of the building being a tavern dated to

1800. The space was renovated and reopened in 2017 and now comprises two floors, with a relaxed bar area downstairs and beautifully designed upstairs dining area and bar that is perfect for late night drinks and dancing! The Oyster Tavern pride themselves on using only the freshest ingredients for their dishes, sourced directly from their next-door-neighbour the English Market.

Don’t miss your chance to mingle with other members in one of Cork’s most iconic venues!

book Now at CorkChamber.ie

e m p ow e r i n g yo u

May Busin ess Br e ak fast fe atur i ng Dr . Bar ry O’Co nn o r , Pr eside nt, CIT in association with Irish Examiner Date: Thursday 31 May Time: 7:30am – 9am Venue: The Kingsley Cost: €25 members €50 non-members Cork Chamber is delighted to host Dr Barry O’Connor, President of Cork Institute of Technology as the guest speaker at the May Business Breakfast, in association with the Irish Examiner.

As the chief officer of the Institute, Dr O’Connor has executive responsibility for all staff and overall responsibility for the development and implementation of policies. One area of focus for the Institute is to support the IDA

in attracting FDIs to invest in Cork, Munster and Ireland and then to ensure that these companies are firmly embedded once they are established in Ireland via the supply of top quality and relevant graduates, bespoke CPD and other programmes, and critically, advanced doctoral level research on specific targeted research areas.

Dr O’Connor was appointed as President in 2017 having served as Registrar and Vice President for Academic Affairs at CIT since 2008.

Prior to taking up his current role, he had extensive experience as a Lecturer and Researcher including 25 years in University College Cork

and sabbatical periods in ENSIA, France, Michigan State University, ESB Porto, Portugal and Alfa Laval in Sweden. He is a member of the French Commission de Titres d’Ingénieur panel of Experts, and an accredited ENQA reviewer, the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education.

Book now to hear from Dr O’Connor about his first year as President and CIT’s plans for the future.

Dates for your Diary We’ve got all of our popular events returning this year as well as some exciting new additions to the calendar - keep an eye on our website for announcements!

“Clock Out & Connect” Summer BBQ at The Franciscan Well Thursday 21 June The Franciscan Well Brew Pub *NEW* Summer Garden Party Friday 27 July Watch this space!

Annual Dublin Dinner Tuesday 20 November Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin Annual Christmas Lunch Friday 14 December Radisson Blu, Little Island

17

e m p ow e r i n g yo u

OUT & ABOUT Busi n ess Br e ak fa sts i n associatio n with Ir ish E x am in e r

Pictured at the February Business Breakfast held in partnership with Chartered Accountants Cork Society are (front) Pierre Baviera, Presidion, Fiona Collins, Chartered Accountants Ireland Cork, Yvonne Holmes, AIB, Jason Burns, IBM, (back) Conor Healy, Cork Chamber, Bill O’Connell, President Cork Chamber and Aidan Forde, Irish Examiner. Picture: Dan Linehan

An Tánaiste Simon Coveney T.D. addressed over 280 members at a special breakfast briefing titled ‘The Future of Cork’ held in February following the launch of the Ireland 2040 plan. Picture: Darragh Kane

Guest speaker at the March Business Breakfast Brendan Keating, CEO, Port of Cork Company pictured with Conor Healy, Cork Chamber, Orla Flynn, CIT and Aidan Forde, Irish Examiner. Picture: Larry Cummins

Barbara-Anne Richardson, Cork Chamber, guest speaker Michael Cawley, Chairman, Failte Ireland, Bill O’Connell, President Cork Chamber, and Aidan Forde, Irish Examiner pictured at the April Business Breakfast. Picture: Larry Cummins

Co nn ecting You

18

Ross Campbell, CyberColloids; Eimear O’Mullane Cork Chamber; Andrea Doolan CEO Atlantia Food Clinical Trials; Dr David Williams, CAPPA Centre CIT; Ruth Fuller, Fuller Marketing and Rodolphe Soulard Enterprise Europe Network Northwest UK. Picture Gerard McCarthy

Taken at the April Leadership Forum, held in association with AIB are Barbara-Anne Richardson, Cork Chamber; Mark Fitzharris, AIB; Sean Gayer, VP Operations at Boston Scientific Cork Bill O’Connell, President Cork Chamber, and Conor Healy, Chief Executive, Cork Chamber. Picture: John Sheehan

e m p ow e r i n g yo u

Spr i ng Spe e d N e t wo r k ing in associatio n with Swe e n e y So licito r s

David Sweeney, Sweeney Solicitors with BarbaraAnne Richardson, Cork Chamber.

Eimear Nealon, Viatel Ireland Limited, Alice Harrington, Maldron Hotel Cork and Sean Hayes, Permanent TSB.

Spring Speed Networking event in progress.

Pictures: John Roche Photography

N e w M e m be r s Br e ak fa st i n associatio n with AIB

Conor Healy, Cork Chamber with Eoin Gunn, AIB.

Nusrat Jahan Mobassarah Sanghamitra, CyCa OncoSolutions and Tom Connolly, Tom Connolly & Associates.

Cian Gould and Shane Gould, Tradeworkz and Thomas McHugh, Cork Chamber.

“Clock out & Co nn ect” at G r iffith co lleg e

John Lyons, Cork Stairlifts with Noel Daly and Sinead O’Dea, Griffith College.

Karen McGrath, Colaiste Stiofain Naofa, Anne Marie Casey, College of Commerce, Sean Hayes, Permanent TSB and Siobhan McCarthy, Colaiste Stiofain Naofa. Pictures: Darragh Kane

19

GROWI N G YOUR BUS I N E SS

New membe rs We welcome the following new members

2020 HR Services: Bespoke Human Resource Management Solutions HR Training, Pre-Interview Training Career Advancement Training & Presentation Skills.

T: 087 7938641 W: www.2020hr.ie Acorn Life Financial Services/Pensions/ Investment An Irish owned life assurance company offering a comprehensive range of financial products for all your life assurance, retirement and investment needs.

T: 091 - 535700 W: www.acornlife.ie AI Personal Shopping App Ltd / Shopless Retail: Shopless is an online Personal Shopping and Delivery App. An ecommerce solution for local retailers. It is powered by artificial intelligence. We provide same day delivery and its a complete managed ecommerce solution for producers or retailers.

T: 089 6082161 W: http://Shopless.ie Aldi Academy Retail: Discounted Retailer T: 025 52943 W: www.aldi.ie Alpha Automation & Controls Ltd Engineering: Provides dedicated Industrial Automation Solutions and focuses in delivering business Process Control Systems & MES Systems for Pharma and Food & beverages Customers in Ireland & the UK. T: 021 2066555 W: www.alphaautomation.ie Ashgrove Renewables Renewable Energy: We at Ashgrove Renewables have been at the forefront of Renewable Energy Technologies for over 20 years, with several thousand commercial and domestic projects completed nationwide. Our greatest resource is our staff who have vast experience providing economical, environmentally friendly and reliable solutions, all backed by our superior engineering capability and experienced technical team.

T: 1890 626 626 W: http://www.ashgrove.ie

20

Ballyhass Adventure Group Entertainment/Leisure/ Tourism: Offers quality outdoor experiences in two centres across Cork. At its base in Mallow, kayaking, High ropes, Wakeboarding, & Inflatable Aquaparks are just some of the activities on Offer. New in 2018 we have expanded to a new site in Coachford where a second aquapark course will be up and running. Ideal for large groups, and families alike. Get outdoors with Ballyhass.

T: 022 27773 W: www.ballyhasslakes.ie Bamboo Software/Software Services: Food ordering application that lets you order lunch and coffee from restaurants and cafes. With the tap of a button, coffee and lunch are ready for you on arrival.

T: 086 2175646 W: http://bambooapp.ie Betcon Limited Event Management: Event and Catering Equipment Hire specialists. We hire for every type of event. We rent furniture, crockery, cutlery, glassware, linen, kitchen & serving equipment, bars and bar equipment, event and conference equipment.

T: 021 4321760 W: www.betconhire.com BizExpo Event Management: Ireland’s Largest SME BizExpo.

The BizExpo now in its sixth year has a strong track record of producing well run and well attended annual event. The BizExpo allows both exhibitors and visitors alike to forge new business opportunities.

T: 01 2865787 W: www.bizexpo.ie Cork Alliance Centre Charity: Cork based charity working with people on release from prison. We support people to make a fresh start after prison, both in terms of reducing offending and increasing positive participation in family and community life, with the ultimate goal of living a crime-free life.

T: 021 4557878 W: www.corkalliancecentre.com

Cork Stairlifts Healthcare Provider: Since 2005, we’ve been providing the people of Cork with quality stairlifts, at affordable prices. Based in Ballinlough, Cork city we supply and install top quality stairlifts.

We guarantee all our stairlifts for 3 years, unlike our competitors who give a 12-24 month guarantee. We will stand over our product for your entire lifetime so phone now on T: 021 4320052 W: www.CorkStairlifts.ie

Digital Cork IT Services: The global digital economy is expected to be worth more than $100 trillion by 2025.

To claim its share, Cork needs a digital state of mind and a burning ambition to lead, innovate and confidently embrace the future.

Digital Cork will contribute to this by providing informed insights into the region’s digital diversity, capability and its digital economy.

T: 087 6481344 W: http://digitalcork.ie

DeCare Dental Insurance Insurance: DeCare Dental is Ireland’s only dedicated dental insurer, offering great plans, great choice and great value, we provide a responsive, friendly and dedicated customer service experience.

T: 094 9378608 W: http://decaredental.ie

Eirnova Manufacturers: Specialities: Manufacturing, Lean Systems, Process Development, Product Development, Medical Textiles,Vendor Auditing & Selection T: 085 2550741

Diabetes Ireland Charity: Diabetes Ireland is the only national charity in Ireland dedicated to helping people with diabetes. We achieve this by providing support, education and motivation to everyone affected by diabetes. We also raise public awareness of diabetes and its symptoms and fund research into finding a cure for diabetes.

T: 021 4274229 W: www.diabetes.ie Digedu Education/Training/Languages: Our expert-led courses help you develop your professional skills in areas such as web design, digital marketing, graphic design, general computer skills, and more. Digedu provides both on-demand and live online courses, as well as on-location workshops. Start upskilling today by signing up on our site, or check out our Digital Skills Workshops for our latest training courses in your area.

T: 083 8505411 W: www.digedu.io DPK Consulting Management Consultants: Providing HR and general consultancy support to micro and small businesses T: 021 4895266 E: denis@dpk.ie

Eirefacades Limited Building Contractors/ Providers: Façade and Cladding installation specialist including fabrication of external cladding - Aluminium Composite Panel, Rain Screen Cladding and Cement Sheet. Also supply and installation of light gauge steel Framing T: 022 64150 Gorse Lodge Garden Ornaments Wholesalers: Manufacture, importer/exporter of garden statues and ornaments.

T: 025 27099 W: www.gorselodge.ie Hamilton French Recruitment Executive Search: A labour outsourcing company that supplies quality staff to the construction, food, manufacturing & IT sectors T: 021 2411086 W: www.hamiltonfrench.com IT Governance Europe LTD Business Continuity Services: IT Governance is a leading global provider of IT governance, risk management and compliance solutions.

T: 01 518 0150 W: www.itgovernance.eu

GROWI N G YOUR BUS I N E SS

For more information on members log in to the Members Information Centre via our website.

Keeper Security EMEA Limited Software/Software Services: Keeper is the best-in-class password management and digital vault software to protect businesses and consumers from cyber theft.

T: 021 2375250 W: www.keepersecurity.com

Noel Group Recruitment/Executive Search: Providing resources to many of the country’s leading employers and events; the Noel Group is one of Ireland’s best recognised and largest recruitment organisations.

T: 021 4222179 W: www.noelgroup.ie

Liam Cotter and Associates Consulting Engineers/Quantity Surveyors: Offering consulting services in all aspects of the Motor and Insurance Industries relating to “motor” claims. Assessors T: 021 427 8755 W: www.liamcotterandassociates.ie

Nexen Petroleum U.K. Limited (Ireland) Fuel/Energy: Nexen is an upstream oil and gas company responsibly developing energy resources in the UK North Sea, offshore West Africa, the United States and Western Canada.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, Nexen has three principal businesses: conventional oil and gas, oil sands and shale gas / oil.

T: 01 6694801 W: www.nexencnoocltd.com

Magnifly Services Contractors: Magnifly is a drone-based aerial services and consultancy company providing solutions to clients across a range of industries. We use the latest drone technology, professionallytrained pilots and experienced data analysts to execute safe, legal, and insured missions that help our clients realise new cost and operational capabilities.

T: 021 4864047 W: www.magnifly.ie/ Meitheal Design Partners Architects/Town Planners: Meitheal Design Partners (MDP), are a leading, award winning provider of architectural, planning and project solutions with offices in Cork, Kenmare and Dublin.

T: 021 4226090 W: www.mdparchitects.ie Mr.Cotton Restaurant/Bar/Catering: Mr. Cotton, mobile café company, with 4 units servicing business parks throughout Cork and an “internal” pop-up café for events.

T: 021 4801203 W: http://mrcotton.com/ Munster Fire & Safety Health & Safety: Situated in Millstreet, Co. Cork, we have served customers nationwide for 15 years, catering for both their fire and safety needs. The sole focus of our business is to protect people and property by helping our clients to be safe at work, and to be compliant with health and safety regulations.

T: 029 71288 W: www.munsterfireandsafety.com

One Arena Entertainment/Leisure/ Tourism: Personal training and fitness classes tailored to your specific needs.

T: 087 7569826 PigPix Media Advertising/Marketing/Market Research: A 5m squared, EyeCatching, LED Digital Advertising Billboard T: 087 4025270 W: www.bigpixirl.wordpress.com Polypico Technologies Ltd. Chemical/Pharmaceutical: PolyPico Technologies offers offthe-shelf and custom solutions for ultra-high precision, ultralow volume Drop-On-Demand liquid dispensing and printing of biomaterials (e.g. proteins, DNA, , etc.) and industrial materials (e.g. conductive inks,, lubricants, etc.).

The company’s core technology is a patented acoustic printing technique, which uses disposable plastic dispensing cartridges.

T: 021 2339345 W: www.polypico.com

Printco Printing/Packaging: Printco offers complete signage & printing services in Ireland. Our services include digital, offset, large format printing, stickers & labels, screen printing, laser cutting, CNC routing, sublimation, pad printing & more. We cater for small & large orders & are continuously developing our paper & media range, offering the latest products, services & print technologies at the very best prices.

T: 01 8396090 W: www.printco.ie/locations/cork Ringotel Communications Limited Telecommunications: The most advanced mobile solution for business communication and collaboration. It unifies phone system, CRM, and service desk features in a mobile and desktop app. Ringotel can save up to 70% on phone bills and is easy to setup and manage. No technical expertise needed. No hardware required. Secure and GDPRcompliant.

T: 085 2005657 W: https://ringotel.co Safe Care Technologies Health & Safety: We’ve been helping those living with disability and impairment since 2012 and we are committed as ever to bringing you the leading technology and products available on the market.

We’ve teamed up with some of the biggest brands in augmentative and assistive technology to give you the best solution, including being the only Irish reseller for Tobii Dynavox.

T: 021 2428566 W: www.safecaretechnologies.com Smartcell Technology Ltd Electronics: Smartcell distributes mobile phones to the retail and corporate sector in Ireland and Europe. We carry a large range of Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Blaupunkt and Xiaomi devices as well as iPads, MacBooks etc. Our prices are extremely competitive and samples are available to view on request.

T: 087 2405889 W: www.smartcelltech.ie

Tequilla Jacks - Mexican Restaurant and Tequilla Bar T: 021 2021002 W: www.tequilajacks.ie TRADEWORKZ.ie Web Design: Online site for bringing tradesmen and customers together in an easy to use platform.

T: 086 2556766 W: www.tradeworkz.ie Vitae Consulting Business Continuity Services: Founded in 2003 Vitae Consulting is a Cork based business psychology consulting practise specialising in the area of talent assessment and development.

T: 021 4614216 W: www.vitaeconsulting.com Work2BWell Medical Services/Supplies: Are you in Management or HR and want to get the best out of your staff? Are you an employee with a health problem or think work is making you unwell? Work2BWell Occupational Health consultations offer medical advice on all aspects of employment, from pre placement assessments to pension advice. Visit www.work2bwell.ie for further information or contact 0871921706 for further details.

T: 087 1921706 W: www.work2bwell.ie Woodland Group Freight Forwarders/Shipping Agents: Providing innovative logistics, e-commerce and supply chain management services since 1988.At Woodland Group, we recognise the ever changing needs of our customers. Our global network, wealth of experience and local knowledge, and flexible, innovative approach enables us to find successful solutions that fit you and your business.

T: 021 4830870 W: www.woodlandgroup.com

21

GROWI N G YOUR BUS I N E SS

Newcome rs

Jane Foley joins Fuzion Communications

Chris Mee Group welcomes Amy Brosnan

Cork ARC appoints Colette Cahill

Fuzion Communications is pleased to announce the appointment of Jane Foley as Account Executive to their Public Relations team. Before joining Fuzion, Jane worked as a freelance researcher with Newstalk, on shows including The Moncrieff Show and Newstalk Drive, bringing a strong understanding of the broadcast media industry to her clients. Prior to this Jane worked in a communications role for Rape Crisis Midwest in Limerick, where she was responsible for press relations, event management and social media management.

Amy has joined the CMSE Recruitment as Lead Recruitment Specialist in charge of Permanent recruitment. Amy has worked with Temps, Contracts and Permanent roles, in Ireland and across the globe.

Amy uses her commercial experience and knowledge of technical recruitment to provide bespoke recruitment solutions to suit both clients and candidates. Now with CMSE Recruitment, Amy can offer advice and guidance for people looking for permanent roles in EHS and related fields.

Colette Cahill joins Cork ARC Cancer Support House as Community Cancer Support Co-ordinator for their cancer support service in Youghal. Colette brings over twenty years’ experience in nursing roles and in service development across public, private and voluntary sectors to Cork ARC Cancer Support House. Most recently, Colette has worked as a psychotherapist with Pieta House, where she worked with children and adults supporting them to achieve positive mental health.

Insurance & Aviation Disputes team joins RDJ Ronan Daly Jermyn is pleased to announce that leading litigation practitioner, Peter Lennon has joined as partner in the firm’s Dublin office. Peter will lead the Insurance and Aviation Disputes team at Ronan Daly Jermyn supported by solicitors Áine Kelly and Siobhan O’Meara.

Jamie Olden, Peter Lennon and Richard Martin.

Recognised as a leading lawyer in the field of commercial litigation and arbitration in the insurance and aviation sector, Mr. Lennon’s thirty-plus years of experience include advising on complex disputes relating to passengers’ claims, public liability and employer’s liability for most of the major airlines operating within the Republic of Ireland. He also has wide ranging experience advising on disputes related to the construction and financial services sectors.

Dave heads up OfficeMaster in Cork OfficeMaster are delighted to announce the appointment of Dave McCarthy to head up their Cork Office @City Gate in Mahon. Dave (centre), a Cork native, has over 20 years in experience in Commercial Sales. Speaking on his appointment “I’m delighted with my new role within OfficeMaster and strive to provide the highest level of quality and service for all our customers”.

OfficeMaster team John Carey, Dave McCarthy and David Cooke.

22

OfficeMaster are office interior specialists, and no enquiry is too big or small for our team. Give Dave a call on either 021 2066100 or 086 1452774 or email enquiries to dmccarthy@officemaster.ie to see how he can help you “love your office”.

GROWI N G YOUR BUS I N E SS

membe r spotlight

with Trevor Leacy, Partner Moore Stephens With Cork City beginning to grow its potential as an attractive financial and business district, Chartered Accountants Moore Stephens is pleased to play its part in that progress.

Sitting in the bright boardroom of Moore Stephens, a Chartered Accountancy firm on Cork’s South Mall, it would be difficult to miss the buzz of building happening just outside the window. Trevor Leacy, a partner in Moore Stephens, perceives the activity on its doorstep as an indication of how the fortunes of Cork businesses have taken a turn for the better. “The office development of Navigation House together with the planned docklands development and other works planned for the quays will have huge potential for expansion in the city. Also, the John Cleary Office Development is well underway, which is located to the rear of the Moore Stephens building with planned access on the South Mall.”

Mr Leacy believes it is important that the city and the traditional business boulevard of the South Mall remain a central aspect of this expansion and a good infrastructure will allow that. “If Cork creates our own financial-services quarter, it is key that the city centre is maintained as part of the docklands offering, with a transport network that ensures a good flow of the city’s population in and out to what is being developed.”

Naturally, building projects of this scale require some levelling of what went before, and Trevor acknowledges the demolition of the old tax office with a hint of nostalgia. Recalling the days before filing went electronic: “I remember sending a car filled with boxes of tax returns at midnight on filing deadline over to the night desk at Sullivan’s Quay’’.

But he is not sorry to see the building go, believing that the additional rooms from the planned hotel at the location will improve the city’s thriving hospitality sector, along with the new Maldron Hotel on the South Mall, and the redevelopment of the Metropole Hotel. “The hospitality sector is a great barometer of the City and region’s economy. In Cork, occupancy has certainly never been higher and room rates are strong. Competition in the market is good and a positive indicator is the increased demand for hotel rooms. The challenge of this increased activity will be to ensure that there is a proper strategic plan for Cork, and a positive reaction to parking, traffic flow and getting the Event Centre underway.”

With this positive outlook for the city, Mr Leacy believes that entrepreneurs and SMEs should take the steps to actively grow their businesses. Moore Stephens has a very broad range of SMEs on its client list, including indigenous bar and restaurant owners, sole traders medium size enterprises to larger companies and the professional medical services in which Mr Leacy specialises. In terms of borrowing, he says this year heralds a very good news story for SMEs: The mainstream banks are all interested in lending again and focusing on core principles, which is to support good indigenous industries that have the ability to create employment, and also are profitable or can show a clear path towards being successful. “Over the last six months we’ve had all of the major financial institutions on the Mall into the Moore Stephens’ office telling us that they are lending again, and very keen to support the SME sector.” Previously, lending proposals without underlying security such as a property, would have had difficulty in securing funding, now the banks seem more willing to provide SME lending on the basis of a solid proposition.”

On this note, Mr Leacy has a word to the wise, as the banks look at any proposal in great detail, “They will look at the financial analysis and forecasts, which need to be very robust and consider all aspects of the business. Recently, we had a proposal whereby the SME in question had an exposure to the UK market. For this reason, there was a requirement within the banking proposition for a Brexit strategy - what is the potential fallout of Brexit and its effect on your market? For this reason your funding application needs to be done professionally, and this has now become a basic requirement in any application’’.

As a medium sized enterprise, Moore Stephens understands the financial services needs of its clients very well.

“Our service offering is partner led - when clients come to us they either get one of my partners or myself.” Mr Leacy explains that the partners at Moore Stephens have a wide range of experience in dealing with a full cohort of businesses, and they pass that knowledge down to staff. “There are 80 people working in this building and we have been moving ourselves into specialities. But at the same time, we

are a close-knit group, so there is a good exchange of experience & information. We try to avoid working in silos.”

Mr Leacy’s own area of expertise is in leading the Medical and Professional group which includes delivering solutions to those working in that area, such as hospital consultants in both public and private posts, GPs, dentists, consultants groups, vets, as well as professionals such as barristers, law firms and individual solicitors. “In Cork alone, we act for over 120 medics and 20 law firms.” In this area, Moore Stephens has been expanding through its practice in Dublin and we have got traction in the hospitals and clinics in Dublin, such as the Santry Sports Clinic and the Mater Private, which has mainly come through referrals. “We have existing clients in most of the major hospitals in both Cork and Dublin. Medics are a closely associated group of professionals, who meet on a regular basis and exchange information. They are always discussing topical issues in relation to their tax and financial planning.”

Mr Leacy reveals that the most valuable time with his clients is sitting down with them and understanding exactly what they do, the nature and structure of their business or practice, and identifying assistance required ‘‘it is only when you have a clear understanding of a client’s affairs and needs that you can properly advise’’. ‘’Completing your tax return is a compliance-type engagement, but the advisory and assistance role is where you really get value from your accountant. We at Moore Stephens endeavour to provide a professional, relevant and prompt response to our clients’ needs. Through the delivery of a high quality professional service clients will be happy to refer and recommend our services and we’ve gained business in this manner, which is a very positive and satisfying way to grow.”

23

GROWI N G YOUR BUS I N E SS

members news 1

2

3

4

5

1:

2:

3:

24 04

Pictured at the launch of the Cork Association for Autism’s 40th Anniversary ‘Light it up Blue’ Gala Ball are from L-R; Barry O’Neill of the ‘BOOM’ band, Carol Walsh Fundraising Coordinator Cork Association for Autism, & Chris Jones of the Boom band.

Gillian Bergin, Dell EMC with Denis Canty, McKesson at the launch of the it@cork European Tech Summit.

Keeper Security Co-founders Darren Guccione, CEO and Craig Lurey, CTO with John Maher, EMEA Director of Sales and Cork office manager Dagmara Mieszala and their team at the official launch of Keeper Security EMEA office in Cork City recently.

6

4:

At the 2018 CILT Presidential Address, where the Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport was bestowed on eminent figures from the Logistics, Transport and Supply Chain Industries in Ireland. Andrew Sheen, CEO Irish Ferries; Conor Mowlds, Head of College of the NMCI; Helen Nobel, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport President; Frank Ronan, CEO Port of Waterford and Brendan Keating, CEO Port of Cork.

5:

6:

Caroline Spillane Director General of Engineers Ireland presenting Tandem Project Management Ltd. with their prestigious CPD Accredited Employer Standard parchment.

All Business begins with a Conversation! Business phone systems company Conversation Piece celebrates 40 years bringing phone systems to Irish businesses.

Cork CitySizzle AT C L A Y TO N H OT E L C O R K C I T Y

Kick back this summer and enjoy a delicious al fresco BBQ with us at Clayton Hotel Cork City

GROWI N G YOUR BUS I N E SS

members news 1

2

3

4

5

1:

2:

26 04

6

Westboro Partners in association with O’Leary Life hosted a lunch with world renowned economist David McWilliams to discuss how ongoing events in Europe and the US will impact on our lives, our families and our businesses. Pictured are Ronan Goggin, O’Leary Life and Mary Power, Westboro Partners with Economist David McWilliams. Photo Gerard McCarthy Online Trust and Fake News key topics of Safer Internet Day competition. Johanna Keating, Avril Ronan and Aisling Kelleher of Trend Micro share safer internet tips with transition year pupils from North Monastery Secondary School and Bishopstown Community School at the launch of the What’s Your Story video competition to mark Safer Internet Day. Photo: Cathal Noonan

3:

4:

5:

Pictured at the it@cork February Tech Talk Disruptive Technologies; John Savage, Action Point; Andrew Hickey, DePuy, Joe Devlin, BSCI and Grainne Bagnall, Steam Ed and the ITS Universal Robot. Photo Gerard McCarthy Pictured at a breakfast to discuss the STEM Talent pipeline in the Life Sciences sector are Siobhan Dean, BiopharmaChem Ireland (speaker) with Eimhin Russell, Director and Niamh O’Driscoll, Managing Partner, Fastnet The Talent Group. Photo Clare Keogh Pictured at the launch of Hallissey & Partners, one of the new firms to emerge from PJ O’Driscolls, Bandon: Partners Susan Lee,Paul Westcott, Geraldine Crean and Eileen Hayes with Managing Partner, Ted Hallissey. Photo Diane Cusack

6:

Cork Simon Ball committee: Pearse O’Donovan, Deirdre Malone, Billy Newton (Chair), Karen Fleming, Donal Downey and Mark Kelleher pictured at the Cork Simon Annual Fundraising Ball 2018 at Fota Island Hotel and Resort. Photo Gerard McCarthy

NEW > > > >

Your own Premium seat for all GAA events held in the stadium Free entry to all Co. Championship matches played in any pitch in Co. Cork Guranteed advance access to concert tickets in your Premium seat Exclusive access to 400 seat Premium level restaurant, 4 bars on gamedays and concerts > Priority access to 15,000 sq ft of conference space

2,500

P E R S E AT

5 €

Year Ticket

4,000

P E R S E AT

w ne

€

w ne

3 Year Ticket

10Year Ticket €

6,500

P E R S E AT

Spectacular 45,000 capacity floodlit stadium Contact us: Tel: (021) 2019200 Email: admin@paircuichaoimh.ie

www.paircuichaoimh.ie

A winning team for business

Proud to be awarded Ireland’s fastest mobile network

Awarded Ireland’s fastest mobile network by Ookla 01/10/17 for Speedtest Intelligence data Q2-Q3.