Enterprise Ireland

Leo, firstly tell me a bit about your background and how you got to your current position as CEO of Enterprise Ireland?

Originally from Tipperary, I grew up on a dairy farm there. I studied Electronic Engineering in DIT and worked in the telecommunications industry for most of my career including with Ericsson, the Swedish multinational, and nearly 5 years with e|net, then a small but high growth Irish company. I joined IDA Ireland in 2013 to lead the Technology sector and was fortunate to work with the leading global tech firms who were my clients, before being appointed CEO of Enterprise Ireland in 2021. We moved to Naas in 1999 so our kids are Kildare born and bred and we really enjoy living in the town.

How would you assess the level of support for SMEs in Ireland particularly from a regional development perspective?

I think the level of support for SMEs in Ireland is great, compared to that available in almost any country in the world. We meet equivalent agencies from around the world all the time and we hear how Ireland’s model for supporting companies is the envy of so many.

With 31 Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) operating in each Local Authority area serving small and starting companies and with Enterprise Ireland services available nationally to larger and high growth firms, there are a lot of supports out there. One challenge we are working hard on is to make it easier for companies is to understand what’s available. I’d advise any SME owner who’s unsure of what’s on offer to contact the Kildare LEO, led by Jacqui McNabb. I know the Chamber does an excellent job of signposting what’s available also.

Most supports are designed to help companies that are exporting or with a strong export ambition but there are lots of resources available on a more general basis to all companies.

We are very focused on regional and indeed rural development. Enterprise Ireland supported companies have 68% of their employment outside Dublin and LEO supported clients created 84% of jobs outside Dublin last year.

At a time of political & social unrest both nationally and globally, how is EI preparing for the many potential threats ahead?

The health of our economy is something we should be thankful for as we head into potentially more difficult times globally. Ireland depends very heavily on trade and international prosperity. We have record employment, tax receipts and surpluses, a performance unmatched almost anywhere in the world.

I’m also glad that the sectors and markets are highly diversified. For instance, we saw exports from EI clients grow in all global locations, including a whopping 27% in Europe last year. Also, employment continues to grow substantially.

We are preparing for the future by focusing on the core job, working with our client companies to help them grow productivity, including through digital, and to innovate. Innovation is a key differentiator for companies, allowing higher margins and better competitive position. We are also working to help companies create and execute sustainability plans for their businesses. In global markets I believe if you don’t have a solid plan for sustainability you will eventually be unable to sell.

What would you like to see from your term as CEO of EI?

I am two years at EI now. I would like to see several outputs over my time here but first among them is that I believe we must put Irishowned exporting business on track to be the main driver of our economy. This means giving companies with potential to grow substantially reasons to stay in Irish ownership and enabling them to scale globally.

Central to this is ambition of the owners and leaders, backed by innovation, digital delivery and sustainable business models. In this regard we are working hard to increase the number and quality of new companies we support through New Frontiers, our startup training programme, through our new PreSeed Start Fund and through closer integration with our LEO colleagues. We are also working on strengthening the supports available for already successful companies to achieve high growth.

Are there any specific projects or goals you are looking at over the next year?

We are working on lots of projects at any time. I’ll pick two.

First, we are putting in place a plan to help companies grow their awareness of sustainability. We are also working on additional measures to help address the requirements of our Climate Action Plan, which targets a 35% reduction in emissions by 2030. Linked to this, we have some people working on the Government industry strategy for offshore wind, which will be a game changer, not just for coastal communities but for the whole country.

Second, we are working on a wide-ranging digital transformation plan for Enterprise Ireland, aiming to make our services more accessible and efficient for our clients and cutting the level of work it takes for people to engage with us.

What do you see are the new emerging sectors that can create waves across Europe and beyond?

We are thankfully seeing growth across all sectors but a number stand out.

I believe sustainability and products and services related to wind and other renewables is already a strong sector for us. This will grow substantially as the world works towards electric-based net zero economy.

Construction has been a very strong growth sector. Based on experience building advanced factories and energy infrastructure for companies like Intel and Pfizer and Microsoft, Irish construction and facilities companies have had huge success running projects overseas.

Medical technology is another fast growth area I believe has huge potential. I recently spoke to the Digital Health Summer School in Maynooth University and it highlights how much Ireland has to offer in this space. Food is a great driver of the economy and will continue to grow. In Naas alone we have businesses like Kerry Group, Dawn Farms, Irish Dog Foods, Nomad and more.

Growth will also include relatively niche areas such as Agritech where we are already strong – including some great Kildare companies, by the way, such as Terra Nutritech and Pearsons in Athy.

One aspect of growing globally from Ireland is that digital represents a huge opportunity, no matter what the sector. You can sell and deliver a digital project to anywhere in the world from Ireland. Even in more traditional manufacturing industry, having digital added to your product makes it stickier with customers and gives a new, easier to deliver revenue line.

In Ireland we’re fortunate that we have a strong position in a lot of sectors essential to growth of the global economy. I think we’ll see huge success as a result.

The future is bright for Irish companies entering and expanding in world markets. We are extremely fortunate to have Leo Clancy leading the charge for our businesses that export. A hugely passionate person who is ensuring that businesses have every opportunity to firstly start, then grow, innovate, and most importantly win export sales in global markets.

Niamh Boland Marketing Coordinator At Clark

Niamh holds her primary degree in Business Studies and is accredited as a Certified Digital Marketing Professional. As an active member of both the Marketing Institute of Ireland and Digital Marketing Institute of Ireland, Niamh remains up to date with latest marketing trends, best practices, and technologies. With 8+ years’ experience in Marketing, Sales and Demand Generation roles primarily within SaaS (but also transportation & finance!), Niamh understands the end-to-end customer lifecycle and how to maximise the value of that journey for clients. Niamh’s role focuses on promoting Clark Recruitment and ensuring our consultants remain top of mind for both companies recruiting and prospective job seekers who seek new career opportunities.

Lisa Harlow Chief Operating Officer At Lifeline Ambulance Services

Lisa Harlow is the Chief Operating Officer with Lifeline Ambulance Services. Lifeline Ambulance Service is based in Leixlip and employs over 170 full time staff including Advanced Paramedic’s (AP’s), Paramedic’s, and Emergency Medical Technician’s (EMT’s), Transplant Drivers, Administration staff and despatchers. Lifeline Ambulance Service are one Ireland’s largest Private Ambulance service and the number one provider to the Health Service Executive (HSE) Nationally and the second biggest ambulance service in the state. Lifeline are also responsible for coordinating and providing transport for all transplant teams, unaccompanied organs, Biopsies and transplant coordinators from Organ Donation and Transplant Ireland (ODTI) nationwide. Previously, Lisa was External Relations Manager with Intel Ireland.

RONNY WOLF EXECUTIVE HEAD CHEF AT LAWLOR’S OF NAAS

Ronny joined the team at Lawlor’s in March 2023 having previously held the position of Executive Head Chef in Mount Wolsely and most recently in Rathsallagh Country House. With over 30 years behind him in various Michelin starred restaurants and four and five-star hotel kitchens, Ronny is very much used to delivering in high volume environments and is looking forward to launching the next chapter of the Lawlor’s story including larger events, conferences and weddings.

Vi’s Restaurant is open Thursday to Saturday 6pm to 9pm and Sunday 1pm to 8pm.

KATHRYN O’HARA WEDDING AND EVENTS EXECUTIVE AT THE OSPREY HOTEL

With 8 years’ experience in hospitality, Kathryn started as a junior receptionist at the hotel and gained extensive experience working with both our leisure and corporate guests. However, she wanted to get knowledge of each department to get a better understanding of the company as a whole and how each would impact the guest experience. She spent time in reservations, housekeeping, food and beverage and conference and banqueting.

Kathryn then moved up in her role as assistant front office manager and then to duty manager before joining the sales team as Wedding and Events Executive. Kathryn’s extensive experience in the operational side of events and weddings makes her new role so seamless, she has a thorough understanding of both service and deliverance of events as well as now planning them with our guests from start to finish. This is what makes her an asset to both the hotel and our customers.