conference-4pg-bro-rev 03.qxp_Layout 1 15/02/2016 14:00 Page 1 conference-4pg-bro-rev 03.qxp_Layout 1 15/02/2016 14:00 Page 2 THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE This day next week, we will go to the polls and elect a new Irish gained credibility and given current opinion polls, is a distinct Government. In the year that we commemorate the 1916 Rising, possibility. A fear expressed in London, and indeed in Dublin, is that there is something fitting about voting to elect a new sovereign despite Prime Minister Cameron and Council President Tusk’s best Government. With the world economy still experiencing the efforts, people could unconsciously stumble into a British exit. To tremors from the recent economic recession, the new Government quote the old cliché about referendums, “people give an answer to a will seek to deliver on a programme that promotes both economic question that they weren’t asked”. stability and social inclusion. Of course, each political party will have The former Minister for Trade and Investment, Lord Maude, distinct views on how to achieve these two aspirations and it’s even speaking in Dublin two weeks ago said that he could not think of likely that there may be a divergence between Government parties any other part of Europe that would be more affected by Britain’s as to which policy objective should take priority. None the less, for exit than Ireland – North and South. It is not an exaggeration to say those of us involved in Irish business, whether an SME or a Multi- then that the British referendum on continued membership of the national Corporation, we are heavily dependent on a stable economic EU represents a major challenge to our common approach to trade, and political environment. Our Annual Conference is a fantastic commerce and indeed political direction. Some have pointed to opportunity to share expert opinion on what Irish business should potential opportunities in the event of such a result. However, the request and expect of a new Government and to hear your views as prevailing view is that the risks outweigh the potential benefits. That to what your demands are of a new administration in Dublin. is why An Taoiseach has expressed a view that respecting the sovereignty of the British people, the Irish Government wishes to One of the most immediate priorities for the new Irish Government see Britain remain at the heart of Europe. Our Conference is a will be preparations for the various scenarios arising from the timely reminder that Britain faces a profound choice and that we in promised British referendum on continued membership of the EU. Ireland have more than a little self interest in the result. I hope the Since both Ireland and the United Kingdom joined the EEC on the agenda and panel of speakers will prompt much debate on this same day (January 1st, 1973), we have but for a small number of important topic and will prompt the question of what role we as occasions shared common ambitions, hopes and aspirations for business leaders have in the campaigns that lie ahead. Europe. Though there were times in the 1970s and ‘80s when the I thank you for your attendance and your continued support of the bilateral relationship between Ireland and the United Kingdom was British Irish Chamber of Commerce. strained, both countries approached European affairs from a common point and often coalesced to achieve outcomes that were beneficial to both countries. Though we were on different sides of Aidan Lynch the common currency debate post the Maastricht Treaty, the President, prospect of Britain’s withdrawal from the Union was never given a British Irish Chamber of Commerce great deal of credence. And yet within a short few years, this has conference-4pg-bro-rev 03.qxp_Layout 1 15/02/2016 14:00 Page 3 LEAD SPONSOR LUNCH SPONSOR DINNER SPONSOR CONFERENCE PARTNERS conference-4pg-bro-rev 03.qxp_Layout 1 15/02/2016 14:00 Page 4 CONFERENCE PROGRAMME 10.00 OPEN FOR REGISTRATION AND NETWORKING 11.00 ­ 12.30 MORNING SESSION Conference Chair/Panel Facilitator ­ Brian O’Connell Welcome to Dublin Críona Ní Dhálaigh ­ Lord Mayor of Dublin Political Keynote Paschal Donohoe TD ­ Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport President’s Address Aidan Lynch ­ Vice President & General Manager, GSK Sponsor Keynote Eddie Cullen ­ Managing Director, Commercial Banking ­ Ulster Bank PANEL DISCUSSION The State of the Union and What Business Wants from a New Irish Government Tim Arnold: GM ­ Hailo Ireland Simon Barry: Chief Economist ­ Republic of Ireland ­ Ulster Bank Ruth Curran: Managing Partner ­ MERC Partners John FitzGerald: Adjunct Professor ­ Dept Economics, TCD Dublin Tony Hanway: CEO ­ Virgin Media Ireland 12.30 ­ 14.00 NETWORKING BUFFET LUNCH ­ Ballroom Sponsored by Virgin Media conference-4pg-bro-rev 03.qxp_Layout 1 15/02/2016 14:00 Page 5 14.00 ­ 15.15 AFTERNOON SESSION Conference Chair ­ Brian O’Connell Political Keynote Humza Yousaf MSP ­ Minister for Europe & International Development PANEL DISCUSSION Raising ALL Boats: Sharing Economic Recovery Facilitator: Barry Andrews ­ CEO ­ GOAL Rachel Collier: Founder and CEO ­ Young Social Innovators Niall Gibbons: Chief Executive ­ Tourism Ireland Sarah O’Connor: Co­Founder Cool Beans Conor O’Leary: Group Company Secretary ­ Greencore and 30% Club Niamh Townsend: GM ­ Dell Ireland 15.15 ­ 15.45 COFFEE BREAK 15.45 ­ 16.45 PANEL DISCUSSION Ever Closer Union or Even Further Apart? Facilitator ­ Pat Leahy ­ Deputy Editor & Political Editor ­ Sunday Business Post Howard Beggs: Group CEO ­ Clanwilliam Group Paul Drechsler: President ­ Confederation of British Industry Ellvena Graham: Chair ­ ESB Oliver Kamm: Columnist & Leader Writer ­ The Times Larry Murrin: Co­Founder and CEO ­ Dawn Farm Foods 16.45 ­ 17.00 CLOSE ­ HE Dominick Chilcott ­ British Ambassador to Ireland conference-4pg-bro-rev 03.qxp_Layout 1 15/02/2016 14:00 Page 6 CONFERENCE DINNER DRESS CODE: Business/Cocktail 18.30 ­ 19.30 DRINKS AT THE BAR 19.30 CALL TO DINNER CHAIR: Eoin O’Neill ­ Director of Sales and Customer Care ­ Aviva Health SPONSOR ADDRESS: Eamonn Egan ­ CEO ­ LLoyd’s of London Ireland AFTER DINNER SPEAKER: Ivan Yates Ivan Yates is a broadcaster, columnist, businessman and former politician, holding the position of Fine Gael Dáil deputy for more than twenty years. A native of Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, he became involved in local politics at a young age and, at twenty-one years old, was the youngest member of the 22nd Dáil. He was appointed Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry in 1994. Ivan co-presents Newstalk FM’s breakfast show with Chris Donoghue, is a frequent guest presenter on TV3 and writes weekly columns for the Irish Independent. conference-4pg-bro-rev 03.qxp_Layout 1 15/02/2016 14:00 Page 7 conference-4pg-bro-rev 03.qxp_Layout 1 15/02/2016 14:00 Page 8 Barry Andrews CEO - GOAL Mr. Andrews qualified from University College Dublin in 1990 where he gained a Master’s Degree in History. His professional life began in Ballyfermot Senior College where he taught Economics and English. Later entering Politics, he was Children’s Minister in the Irish Government between 2008 and 2011. Mr. Andrews practised as a Barrister in Ireland between 1997 and 2003 and from 2011 to 2012, including in the area of Child Protection, representing some of the most vulnerable children in Ireland. In 2013, Mr. Andrews was appointed as CEO of GOAL. He oversees an international operation spanning 15 countries, employing just fewer than 4000 people directly and implements humanitarian programming with an operating budget of €172m for 2015. Tim Arnold General Manager, Hailo Ireland Tim was the first employee at Hailo Ireland and launched the taxi app to the Irish market in 2012. Since then Hailo has grown to be Ireland's favourite taxi app with the largest taxi fleet in Ireland. Prior to Hailo, Tim was based in the Middle East working in trade development with Enterprise Ireland. Simon Barry Chief Economist, Republic of Ireland at Ulster Bank Simon Barry is Chief Economist Republic of Ireland at Ulster Bank. His areas of responsibility include coverage of the Irish economy as well as the major international economies and related interest rate and foreign exchange rate markets. Before joining Ulster Bank, Simon spent some 7 years as Senior Economist with Bank of Ireland Global Markets. Prior to that, he worked as a Senior Consultant with Goodbody Economic Consultants having also worked as a lecturer in economics in Waterford Institute of Technology. He has also served as a member of the Board of Forfas - the Irish government’s former advisory body for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation. He holds B.Comm. and M.Econ.Sc. degrees from University College Dublin. Howard Beggs CEO – Clanwilliam Group Howard Beggs is an entrepreneur, investor, professional Director and Chief Executive. Howard is the founder of Helix Health Group and currently Group Chief Executive and shareholder of Clanwilliam Group, the Irish based investment vehicle for Eli Global LLC. Clanwilliam Group is a healthcare, technology and services organisation with revenues of over €20m and employing 207. Howard holds an MBA from the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business and in 2007 was selected as an industry leader by Enterprise Ireland and with their sponsorship completed a strategic leadership programme in Stanford University California in 2008. In 2009 Howard was accepted as a non-solicitor to complete a specialist Diploma in Copyright Law with the Incorporated Law Society in Blackhall Place. conference-4pg-bro-rev 03.qxp_Layout 1 15/02/2016 14:00 Page 9 HE Dominick Chilcott British Ambassador to Ireland Dominick Chilcott is a career diplomat who joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office 32 years ago.