As the biggest EU exporter of pharmaceuticals to the US, Ireland is boosted by continued FDI and strong transatlantic trade links, which have grown rapidly in recent years, however, leading economist Dan O’Brien, stated that the United States’ trade war with China could serve as a warning for the burgeoning industry.

“These figures are great news for the pharma sector and our exports generally, however, as a country which conducts more pharma trade with the US than anywhere else in the EU, we are the most exposed European region and as a result, vulnerable to potential transatlantic trade conflicts.”

“As we close in on the upcoming US election, we should be cognisant of potential trading volatility, having seen Donald Trump punish both China and Canada this year, and we know he is no great fan of the EU. That said, Ireland’s relationship with the US has historically been a positive one, and with ever-deepening investment links between the two countries, there is reason to remain optimistic about the relationship.”

The Impact of Ireland’s Growing Pharma Sector

Economic research conducted by Ardlinn was launched at a C level Business Leaders’ event in Dublin which demonstrated the impact that the sector has had, highlighting the forecasted €24bn export value.

The event hosted by Ardlinn in association with Ibec was attended by a range of Ireland’s leading pharma businesses with Dan O’Brien, Chief Economist at the Institute of International and European Affairs as guest speaker.

2019 has to date seen US plans to impose significant tariffs on the EU following a long-term battle on Airbus / Boeing, with tax hikes on items including; scotch whiskey, French wine and cheese now advanced, all serving as a warning for Ireland’s pharma sector. Dan urged caution in this regard:

“Ireland’s trade with the United States equals that of Canada with the United States, and when we consider that those two countries share a 3,000-mile land border, this is a significant statistic.

However, looking ahead we cannot ignore the prospect of the US administration making moves to bring some of this trade back home, therefore highlighting our skills, expertise and return on investment is now more crucial than ever.”

Áine Brolly, Founder and Director of Ardlinn commented on the sector’s outlook and challenges:

“Pharma has been a hugely important sector for Ireland for a number of years now, and when we reflect on what amounts to a 50% increase in exports from 2018 to 2019, we can see clearly just how well it is performing as we head for 2020.

In the last 20 years, the number of people working in pharma has doubled, with the sector now supporting more than 40,000 jobs, that said, we cannot be complacent and must take steps to mitigate risks for this crucial export market.

 Danny McCoy, CEO of Ibec also talked about the sector’s growth:

“Exports at record levels from the BioPharma sector represent a remarkable achievement. Given the wider political and economic uncertainties from factors like Brexit, this is even more impressive. Now is not the time to be complacent, and I urge the government and business to take proactive steps to ensure the sustainability of our exports.”

Ardlinn is a Global Irish based Executive Search firm and part of the Cpl resources group. Our name, Ardlinn, is a combination of two Irish words, ‘ard’ meaning ‘high’ or ‘peak’ and ‘linn’ meaning ‘with us’.

The name reflects what we represent as an executive search firm – for our clients, we offer the opportunity to reach leaders at the very highest levels in business.

With us, you will get access to leaders in every industry – highly specialised or senior people who are driving major businesses forward. We work closely with our clients to build a compelling proposition and engage executives who best fit your unique organizational needs.

For candidates, our goal is to help you to reach the peak of your potential. If you are at executive or C-Level and looking for a move – we can help you to find a company that will take you to the next level. With us, you can reach your peak.

Get in touch to learn more about how we can help grow your business.

*Economic modelling at the Q3 point in 2019 shows Ireland has already almost reached its previous overall record of €16.8bn in 2018 (€16,149,099,000 as of end September), with figures extrapolated from data sets as produced by Central Statistics Office Ireland.

The post 2019 set for record year of Irish pharma exports to US first appeared on Ardlinn.

However, when we look at the upper levels of business management and leadership, these technological shifts are less evident, with C level Executives continuing to lead and strategise as they have done before.

In Ireland, there are more than 500 CEOs. The question is, when will we start to see machines and robots play a more central role in the CEO sphere, and is a ‘Robot CEO’ realistic in the short to medium term?

Leading with Humanity, Ethics and Integrity

Understanding AI is undoubtedly complex, with Dario Gil, vice president for AI and quantum computing at IBM describing it as “the new IT; it means lots of things to different people.” AI includes machine learning, neural networks and deep learning, but has also become an umbrella term for other data-related subjects.

New research shows that 24% of people aged 25-29 would replace their boss with a robot, demonstrating an interesting trend among Generation Z. However, these data sets are perhaps less founded in AI and robotics and more in current employee engagement.

It’s telling that the 20-30% of people who would willingly replace their human boss with a robot is about the same percentage of people who are consistently classified as “actively disengaged” at work.

In addition, research from analytics giant Gallup demonstrates that 70% of how we feel about work, namely our emotional commitment, is driven by who our manager is, again underlining the centrality of human behavioural traits when making decisions on leadership.

As the Irish economy moves forward, values will define how we use and leverage the potential of AI. Tomo Noda of the Harvard Business Review believes that we will need more focus on leadership with humanity, ethics and integrity, stating “only good people can create good AI.”

With robots, traits such as bias are removed, and characteristics such as objectivity enhanced, however, important qualities such as empathy are removed or diminished.

Last week, Ireland’s Small Firms Association found that 35% of CEOs said they had never received financial training, therefore could we start to see efficiency supersede leadership qualities even within senior management levels of business?

With many roadblocks and challenges for the economy looming, primarily in the shape of Brexit and trade tariffs, it is a sound integration of both human and tech which will provide the leadership required to ensure our economy remains robust.

Human leaders have played a central role in helping to steer us out of the 2008 recession, and with diplomacy and relationship building key to our post-Brexit future, humans will undoubtedly be the key influencers within the C level for decades to come.

Ardlinn is a Global Irish based Executive Search firm and part of the Cpl resources group. Our name, Ardlinn, is a combination of two Irish words, ‘ard’ meaning ‘high’ or ‘peak’ and ‘linn’ meaning ‘with us’.

The name reflects what we represent as an executive search firm – for our clients, we offer the opportunity to reach leaders at the very highest levels in business.

With us, you will get access to leaders in every industry – highly specialised or senior people who are driving major businesses forward. We work closely with our clients to build a compelling proposition and engage executives who best fit your unique organizational needs.

For candidates, our goal is to help you to reach the peak of your potential. If you are at executive or C-Level and looking for a move – we can help you to find a company that will take you to the next level. With us, you can reach your peak. Get in touch to learn more.

The post How can AI influence business leadership in the future? first appeared on Ardlinn.

For some, a clear career path will already be forged. However, for others, their immediate future is less certain, with the deadline for Round One CAO offers due at the end of next week, meaning critical decisions still await.

Exam results and college offers provide challenges and opportunities in the short term, however, it is those that can benefit from the future state of the economy who are often positioned most strongly to succeed long-term.

Career prospects for ‘post-millennials’

So, let’s skip forward 5 years and examine the role technology, the future of work, and the state of Ireland’s economy can play in the discourse of career prospects for ‘post-millennials.’

Technology disruption, climate crisis, globalisation, demography, and political (and trading) shifts will all play significant roles in what our economy will look like in the next 10 years, so in which spheres should a school leaver look to position themselves to prepare for the future state of the economy and support ambitions which could ultimately lead to a C-level career?

It should be noted with any level of economic forecasting, variables and caveats must be applied. We only have to look at the uncertainty of Brexit, and the potential role an equalisation of corporation tax could play, for example in the sustainability of Foreign Direct Investment and resultant jobs. 

In 2015, McKinsey estimated that automation could replace 45% of activity being undertaken by humans, but only 5% of jobs would be entirely replaced by tech.

This should help to reassure any young school leavers who fear for the future and the rise of tech and automation, however, now is not a time for complacency in what is and will continue to be a highly competitive job environment.

Before looking at specific roles, understanding the makeup of working arrangements is key to leveraging future career prospects.  The rise of the platform, gig, and sharing economy is a good place to start familiarising ourselves with economic and employment trends.

An increase in self-employment

In Ireland and the UK, the categorisation of ‘self-employed’ now constitutes 15% of the workforce (a 34% increase from 2008 – 2017), so studying courses or modules which help to inspire entrepreneurialism could help fast-track a successful career.

On the flip side, perhaps third level education isn’t for you, and if that’s the case, there’s good news, with large companies like PWC providing excellent opportunities within their School and College Leaver Programmes.

With Ireland nearing full employment, the government’s ‘Future Jobs Ireland 2019’ programme sets out ‘increasing productivity’ and ‘boosting participation rates’ as priorities to help take advantage of technological changes and embed them in all parts of our economy.

It cites concepts such as; immersive technologies, virtual, augmented and mixed reality gaming as growth areas that aspiring students should seek to embark on.

There is also a focus on increasing computing power and Big Data, both of which are accelerating the development of Artificial Intelligence in our tech sector.

In addition, with a low carbon economy a government priority, roles in research, development and innovation within smart grids, buildings and renewable technologies are viewed as strong prospects within the next five to ten years.

Where are the skills shortages?

From a skills perspective; complex problem solving, analytical and critical thinking were defined as the top three skills for 2022 and beyond by the WEF in their ‘Future of Jobs’ report, therefore studying subjects which engender these types of skills will only boost future employment prospects for those seeking to reach C-level.

At a micro level, 81% of Irish companies have stated (in the last year) that they are suffering from skills shortages, and whilst industries from construction to ICT, sciences to hospitality are all hiring, they are finding it difficult to source the right people for jobs.

It’s undoubtedly a candidate’s market at the moment with skills shortages and high demand for certain professions in key sectors such as Finance & Accounting, Tech and IT, and Pharma. From a sectoral perspective, in Finance, some of the roles we see as commanding top entry-level jobs include; Financial Analyst and Regulatory Reporting Accountants.

In pharma, demand is high and will continue to grow in Quality Assurance, with, elsewhere, roles in e-commerce, content marketing and CRM all representing key hiring areas for the next ten years.

In tech, the future continues to look bright with software engineers and developers, agile coaches, product owners, scrum masters, UI developers, UX/UI designers, and data analytics professionals set to be in demand for the next twenty years.

Recent PwC findings showed that about seven million existing UK jobs could be displaced by AI from 2017-2037, but about 7.2 million could be created, giving a small net jobs boost of around 200,000.

The report bodes well from an Irish perspective, showing that some sectors would benefit significantly, with jobs in health increasing by 22%, scientific and technical services by 16% and education by 6%.

Despite challenges with Brexit, Ireland remains in a good place. Undoubtedly the workplace is set to shift significantly, but sectors such as tech and finance look set to ensure our growth is sustained.

As we look ahead to the next five to ten years, the path from Leaving Cert to C Level looks as healthy in Ireland as it ever has.

This article was originally published in The Irish Times.

The post Jobs for the Future: From Cert to C-Level first appeared on Ardlinn.

In a wide-ranging discussion, Neale and Danny provided insights on a fast-changing landscape including the unfolding Brexit process, Ireland’s future relationship with the UK and the Conservative Party leadership race.

Watch the interview in full below.

Ardlinn is a Global Irish based Executive Search firm and part of the Cpl resources group. Our name, Ardlinn, is a combination of two Irish words, ‘ard’ meaning ‘high’ or ‘peak’ and ‘linn’ meaning ‘with us’.

The name reflects what we represent as an executive search firm – for our clients, we offer the opportunity to reach leaders at the very highest levels in business. With us, you will get access to leaders in every industry – highly specialised or senior people who are driving major businesses forward.

We work closely with our clients to build a compelling proposition and engage executives who best fit your unique organisational needs.

For candidates, our goal is to help you to reach the peak of your potential. If you are an executive or C-Level and looking for a move – we can help you to find a company that will take you to the next level.

Get in touch with an Ardlinn executive recruitment specialist.

The post Video: Ardlinn & Ibec Brexit Q&A first appeared on Ardlinn.

The survey also found that 80% of top Irish executives think that the government is not doing enough to tackle climate change.

These results come in the wake of newly launched governmental measures which aim to curb the country’s greenhouse gas emissions and set a path for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Ardlinn Climate Change and Environment Survey

Other findings from Ardlinn’s ‘Climate Change and Environment Survey’ show that 60% of respondents see climate change as posing the biggest risk to our economy, ahead of Brexit with 35% of the vote.

The research which was conducted by Irish Global Executive search firm Ardlinn (part of Cpl Resources Group), sought the views of 100 of Ireland’s top executives from across sectors such as tech, pharma and agri-food.

68% of respondents agreed that climate change is now a major risk to Ireland’s economic prosperity, with 88% stating that their business is now actively implementing policies to help address environmental and climate change issues.

However, whilst a large majority of top executives state their business is acting to address climate change, only 50% say that they have reviewed the environmental impact of their supply chain.

Founder and Director of Ardlinn, Áine Brolly commented on the survey:

“The findings from our survey clearly express the view that the government must do more to address the issue of climate change. In terms of population, we are a small nation, but from a business perspective we are influential, with many top companies based here, and setting a strong example is something we should strive for.

Recent findings from the Climate Change Advisory Council show that rather than reducing, our emissions actually increased in 2018, and business is clearly cognisant of the need to progress measures at a much faster rate than is currently being applied.

When you’ve got climate change coming in as a significantly higher economic concern than that of Brexit, there’s clearly a serious issue from the side of the business.”

In terms of the key policy that C level executives would like to see introduced to address issues relating to the environment and climate change, 48% cited an ‘increase in renewables’, with ‘improved and enhanced waste control regulations’ coming in second at 20%.

Áine added:

“It’s positive to see that such a high percentage of businesses are now actively working to reduce their carbon footprint, however, a more joined up approach between government and business must be implemented to help to build confidence and ensure the long-term sustainability of society and business at this critical time.” 

Ardlinn is a Global Irish based Executive Search firm and part of the Cpl resources group. Our name, Ardlinn, is a combination of two Irish words, ‘ard’ meaning ‘high’ or ‘peak’ and ‘linn’ meaning ‘with us’.

The name reflects what we represent as an executive search firm – for our clients, we offer the opportunity to reach leaders at the very highest levels in business.

With us, you will get access to leaders in every industry – highly specialised or senior people who are driving major businesses forward. We work closely with our clients to build a compelling proposition and engage executives who best fit your unique organizational needs.

For candidates, our goal is to help you to reach the peak of your potential. If you are at executive or C-Level and looking for a move – we can help you to find a company that will take you to the next level. With us, you can reach your peak. Get in touch to learn more.

The post 60% of C level executives see climate change as bigger risk to economy than Brexit first appeared on Ardlinn.

Irish businesses have been boosted by improving employment and a 2.1% rise in retail sales in April. Overall the domestic economy is performing strongly.

The report revealed a significant mismatch between weaker consumer sentiment and the buoyant labour market and strong household spending. This shows that the two don’t always go hand in hand in terms of economic indicators.

Consumer sentiment has been falling in the first five months of the year, driven in part by ongoing Brexit uncertainty. Despite this, Irish households have continued to loosen the purse strings with retail sales reaching a record high in April, increasing by 2.1% on the previous month.

Most notably the labour market continues to outperform expectations driving strong growth in consumer spending, boosting SMEs and the wider economy.

The first quarter of the year saw significant improvement in labour market indicators with annual employment growth accelerated to 3.7% in the first three months of the year – the largest increase since the third quarter of 2007 – while unemployment fell to 4.6% in April.

SME lending in the final quarter of 2018 also continues to thrive and has risen strongly in year-on-year terms in the preceding four quarters, especially in the property and agri-food sectors.

The Impact of Brexit Uncertainty

Despite these figures, Brexit remains firmly in the Irish psyche. A no-deal outcome brings potentially severe implications for the economy and the labour market and continues to impact consumer confidence.

Until such a time as there is a clear resolution, this ambiguity is likely to continue to weigh on consumers and businesses alike.

The unfolding Conservative leadership campaign will help to shed more light on the Brexit outcome and economic outlook for Ireland, the UK and the wider EU circle.

There is no doubt that a disorderly Brexit would have immediate and material economic implications, affecting most areas of economic activity.

However, we have solid business structures which will stand resilient in the face of Brexit upheaval and forecasts suggest, whatever the Brexit impact, underlying economic activity will continue to grow at a relatively solid pace in coming years.

Our position as a highly accessible and open economy means the evolution of global economic and trading conditions and movements in major exchange rates will have an important bearing on our economic performance.

An ‘Extraordinarily Complex’ Economy

Our economy was described as ‘extraordinarily complex’ by the Department of Finance’s Chief Economist last week, who said we are on a knife-edge between overheating and a Brexit downturn. John McCarthy noted that while our economy is at full employment, and wages are increasing, this situation could change quickly.

In terms of top jobs, Ireland continues to attract some of the world’s leading firms, with global tech companies Anam and Deem both announcing notable employment plans in Dublin last week.

With both existing and new tech businesses bringing significant projects and jobs to the economy, the demand for top C level jobs is healthy, with the first half of 2019 seeing an increase in C level placements in key sectors.

Ultimately, our economy is performing strongly, and as an integral member of the European Union, we will continue to provide a gateway for English speaking people, in English speaking countries to have commerce with the rest of the EU.

The latest reports convey a positive outlook for our economy, and whilst this is certainly not a time for complacency, neither is it time for panic.

Ardlinn is a Global Irish based Executive Search firm and part of the Cpl resources group. Our name, Ardlinn, is a combination of two Irish words, ‘ard’ meaning ‘high’ or ‘peak’ and ‘linn’ meaning ‘with us’.

The name reflects what we represent as an executive search firm – for our clients, we offer the opportunity to reach leaders at the very highest levels in business. With us, you will get access to leaders in every industry – highly specialised or senior people who are driving major businesses forward.

We work closely with our clients to build a compelling proposition and engage executives who best fit your unique organisational needs.

For candidates, our goal is to help you to reach the peak of your potential. If you are an executive or C-Level and looking for a move – we can help you to find a company that will take you to the next level.

Get in touch with an Ardlinn executive recruitment specialist.

The post Irish economy on the up despite Brexit uncertainty first appeared on Ardlinn.

Speaking to some of Ireland’s most influential business leaders at an event hosted by Ibec and Ardlinn, Neale Richmond, the Government’s Spokesperson on European Affairs stated that Ireland must implement economic and cultural change at home.

He continues, saying Ireland must forge new alliances with European partners to protect common interests it once relied on Britain to support across a range of areas including fiscal policy.

Ireland needs to emerge from Britain’s shadow

Commenting at the event Neale Richmond said;

“There is now a need for Ireland across civic society to emerge from behind Britain’s shadow and engage with European partners on new terms. There is additional space for Irish-owned industry and services to capture European markets and this will require bold new approaches, product modifications, stronger commercial representation and greater integration with the diverse cultures of Europe.

Irish companies must become more comfortable with exporting directly to the continent and there are opportunities for businesses that seek EU investors. By embracing new languages and cultures and supporting programmes such as Erasmus we can further deepen ties with European partners to generate fresh opportunities for Irish business.

Ireland must now act to develop a truly globalist economic strategy right at the heart of the EU. There has never been a more important time for Ireland to set out an openly pro-EU, pro-market vision that can act as a counterpoint to populist political forces.”

Neale Richmond also warned that despite recent European elections and the appointment of a new British Prime Minister on the 23^rd July there would be no change in attitude from Europe on Brexit.  Commenting he said;

“There is a belief amongst some in Britain that since the European elections, the mood in Europe has changed. It hasn’t, there is remarkable European unity from far-left governments to right of center governments across the continent on the issue.

In short EU solidarity has been maintained and European leaders including Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel have been consistent from the beginning, the withdrawal agreement including the backstop is not up for renegotiation.

It remains the case that there is no better deal on offer than Britain’s current membership of the EU and any exit will damage both Britain and Ireland.”

Irish goods exports rose by 15% in 2018

According to the latest export report the value of Irish goods exports rose by 15% to a record 140 billion euros last year with a fall in the goods sold into Britain recorded that was offset by increases to almost all of Ireland’s other major trade partners.

Attending the event Danny McCoy, Chief Executive Officer of Ibec said;

“Businesses on the island of Ireland are facing unprecedented uncertainty and the vast majority of sectors are waiting for clarification to make decisions on their future.  The most pressing threat to our prosperity is the cliff edge of a no deal Brexit and it is vital that whatever the change in our relationship a transition period be allowed to ensure smooth adjustment.

Despite the threat of Brexit we are facing consistent private investment into Ireland and our challenge is to improve capacity by investing in infrastructure to match the private capital reaching our shores. We have the resources to improve connectivity for the business community and to shield our economy from any damage that may emerge as Britain moves to exit on the 31^st October.”

Áine Brolly Director of Ardlinn added;

“It is important that we support sectors, including the financial services sector throughout this prolonged period of uncertainty. Neale Richmond and Danny McCoy are very well placed to support the business sector in securing new opportunities to grow in a post-Brexit economy.

Brexit while a major obstacle will provide opportunities in the medium term to diversify the Irish economy in an exciting way particularly in sectors such as finance, IT and pharmaceuticals. By ensuring business leaders are informed we can collectively help to protect and enhance our economy.”

Ardlinn is a Global Irish based Executive Search firm and part of the Cpl resources group. Our name, Ardlinn, is a combination of two Irish words, ‘ard’ meaning ‘high’ or ‘peak’ and ‘linn’ meaning ‘with us’.

The name reflects what we represent as an executive search firm – for our clients, we offer the opportunity to reach leaders at the very highest levels in business. With us, you will get access to leaders in every industry – highly specialised or senior people who are driving major businesses forward.

We work closely with our clients to build a compelling proposition and engage executives who best fit your unique organisational needs.

For candidates, our goal is to help you to reach the peak of your potential. If you are an executive or C-Level and looking for a move – we can help you to find a company that will take you to the next level.

Get in touch with an Ardlinn executive recruitment specialist.

The post Ireland needs to emerge from Britain’s shadow first appeared on Ardlinn.

Recent statistics released by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have revealed that Ireland ranks as the top nation in terms of labour productivity, with Irish workers now adding an average of $99.50 (€87) to the value of the economy for every hour they work.

Ireland rank number one for productivity

The findings measure the hourly value of work done in a given economy, with higher value-added jobs generating the greatest productivity increases. Ireland was followed by Luxembourg in second place ($98.50) and Norway in third ($83.10).

Notably, Ireland’s rate was significantly higher than its biggest trading partners, the United States ($72) and the UK ($61.10), and nearly twice the OECD average of $54.80.

The figures show an additional facet to Ireland’s status as a highly attractive country to invest and do business in. Over the last decade, Ireland has gained a strong reputation for foreign investment with our low corporation tax rate, cost base, young and educated workforce, and membership in the eurozone.

Strengthening Ireland’s position for inward investment

However, global recognition of productivity in the workforce further strengthens Ireland’s position as the world’s top nation for quality and value-driven inward investment.

The Irish have been globally renowned for hard work and over hundreds of years have built strong multinational diaspora networks, successfully forging business links in every major city of the world.

In sectors across the board, the hard work of our diaspora over many years has long been regarded, so it’s positive to see this translate into current labour productivity and GDP contribution in the burgeoning industries of today such as tech, life sciences and professional services.

International companies boosting productivity

Ireland’s position at the top of the global rankings owes much to the high concentration of multinationals here, which typically drive the biggest productivity gains.

The OECD found that productivity spiked in Ireland in 2014-2016 due to the growing concentration of multinationals resident in the county, shooting up 23.5% in 2015 alone.

At the heart of Ireland’s multinational success has been our leveraging of the freedom of movement within the EU, enabling professionals to live and work in Ireland.

Whilst economic challenges abound, since the UK’s referendum on EU membership in 2016, the IDA revealed that 70 Brexit-related investments have led to more than 5,000 jobs being created, with more companies set to invest due to continuing uncertainty over issues such as financial passporting.

The next 12 months may well test the will of Ireland’s economy, with the potential of a ‘No Deal Brexit’ and equalisation of European corporation tax rates, however, has developed a strong base of infrastructure and inward investments the economy looks set to stand resilient in the face of any forthcoming challenges.

Ardlinn is a Global Irish based Executive Search firm and part of the Cpl resources group. Our name, Ardlinn, is a combination of two Irish words, ‘ard’ meaning ‘high’ or ‘peak’ and ‘linn’ meaning ‘with us’.

The name reflects what we represent as an executive search firm – for our clients, we offer the opportunity to reach leaders at the very highest levels in business. With us, you will get access to leaders in every industry – highly specialised or senior people who are driving major businesses forward.

We work closely with our clients to build a compelling proposition and engage executives who best fit your unique organisational needs.

For candidates, our goal is to help you to reach the peak of your potential. If you are an executive or C-Level and looking for a move – we can help you to find a company that will take you to the next level.

Get in touch with an Ardlinn executive recruitment specialist.

The post Hard work key to Ireland’s investment prowess first appeared on Ardlinn.

Ardlinn is calling on the government to establish regional growth forums, similar to those that have been created in Denmark which it believes could transform rural employment, generate high-quality jobs and balance the spread of urban and regional roles.

The executive recruitment company argues that we could increase senior roles by 15% on an annual basis by:

• Empowering regions
• Utilising the availability of a strong skillset base
• Developing processes and infrastructure that support regional hubs in sectors such as tech, finance, renewable energy and life sciences

Creating jobs through the development of regional governments

Growth forums in Demark generated more than 8,300 rural jobs, including many senior positions, through the creation of five regional governments, which were given responsibility for regional economic development.

The regions were empowered with statutory responsibility for establishing economic growth and focused on the strengths of each area rather than directing competition between regions.

By applying this approach, Ardlinn Founder and Director Áine Brolly, who was previously SVP for Invest NI for the West Coast of the US, estimates that Ireland’s regions would gain 1,500 jobs.

“Through applying an approach similar to that of Denmark’s, the government could unlock an additional 1,000 – 1,500 new roles per annum, enabling border regions, Midlands and outliers such as Kerry to benefit significantly.”

Áine added:

“By creating five regional hubs, and empowering them with specific economic powers, Denmark was able to generate considerable sectoral growth and create significant employment in its rural regions which potentially provides a blueprint for Ireland to follow.

Chronic under-investment in regional infrastructure is placing our economy, and future projects, at risk. There is a huge opportunity for economic growth in Ireland over the next 20 years. However, over-reliance on the Dublin region is jeopardising this growth as it struggles to meet demand.

We feel more must be done to make top talent and decision makers aware of the benefits of relocating to other cities so they can better compete with Dublin. Ireland’s regions are dynamic, pro-business and pro-entrepreneurship.

Career opportunities, education and the standard of living are attractive across Ireland’s major cities with other benefits such as shorter commute times contributing to other region’s attractiveness.”

Dublin is now home to the largest proportion of the wealth spread across the island of Ireland. Just under 38% of the €87bn combined wealth of Ireland’s richest 300 individuals is Dublin-based. The capital currently counts for 40 per cent of the State’s population, but its output represents half of gross domestic product.

Last year the Government set out a plan to redirect economic activity into the regions. With the state’s population set to grow by more than 1m to 5.7m in the next 20 years, the plan aims to curb Dublin’s domination by developing cities such as Galway, Cork and Limerick, and boosting infrastructure outside the capital. Figures show 59% of Ireland’s large companies are based in Dublin county alone.

Outlining how the Danish approach can generate regional regeneration in Ireland, Áine Brolly said:

“With the government’s regional planning agenda now more than a year old, it is crucial that we see tangible progress in the spread of investment to regions outside of Dublin. The Danish approach is an appropriate comparison, with population size and city to country ratio both similar.

On C level prospects Áine said:

“By empowering Ireland’s regions and attracting FDI, we could be looking at a 10-15% increase in the creation of C level roles, with only 40% of big business CEOs currently based outside of Dublin.”

This would lead to the opportunity of getting people back to the regions who are currently working in Dublin or Cork, revitalising local economies and areas.

However, in recognising this potential we acknowledge the great work of the Department of Enterprise and Innovation, IDA and Connect Ireland who have worked exceptionally hard over the last number of years to create opportunities across Ireland.

“Both Ireland and Denmark have favourable corporation tax rates which support FDI along with a high-quality standard of living, and growing tech and finance sectors.

Through investing in regional infrastructure and leveraging our regional skills base, academic institutions and transport connectivity, Ireland’s regions can flourish in a manner similar to that of Denmark.”

Looking for a talented executive or a new job opportunity in Ireland?

Ardlinn is a Global Irish based Executive Search firm and part of the Cpl resources group. Our name, Ardlinn, is a combination of two Irish words, ‘ard’ meaning ‘high’ or ‘peak’ and ‘linn’ meaning ‘with us’.

The name reflects what we represent as an executive search firm – for our clients, we offer the opportunity to reach leaders at the very highest levels in business. With us, you will get access to leaders in every industry – highly specialised or senior people who are driving major businesses forward.

We work closely with our clients to build a compelling proposition and engage executives who best fit your unique organisational needs.

For candidates, our goal is to help you to reach the peak of your potential. If you are an executive or C-Level and looking for a move – we can help you to find a company that will take you to the next level.

Get in touch with an Ardlinn executive recruitment specialist.

The post Denmark model could unlock top jobs for Ireland’s regions first appeared on Ardlinn.

Ardlinn’s forecasted rise would mean previously set government targets to grow the level of direct employment in Ireland’s International Financial Services sector by 10,000 would be surpassed by 2020.

Much of this growth can be attributed to UK financial passport concerns and job relocations, with recent research showing approximately 10,000 London banking jobs could be on the move as a result of Brexit.

Finance Sector Growth in Ireland

With continued uncertainty in relation to UK financial market access post-Brexit, Irish prospects are being significantly boosted in terms of:

• Financial assets transferred
• Jobs
• Relocations

Intensive financial processing activity is now underway in Dublin as regulators work to accelerate the authorisation of London-based groups seeking to retain access to European markets.

According to Ardlinn Founder and Director Áine Brolly, the previously set government target which aimed for 45,000 jobs will be eclipsed, with the international financial services workforce set to grow to 60,000 by 2020.

“Dublin is the most popular location choice for financial services firms to relocate to post-Brexit, with 27 firms now having committed to moving staff or operations to the city since the referendum placing it above the likes of Frankfurt, Luxembourg and Paris in the pecking order.”

In recent weeks insurance giant Aviva confirmed plans to transfer £9bn worth of assets from London to Dublin in what Ardlinn claims is a growing momentum towards a financial exodus from the UK to Ireland.

The executive recruitment firm has said this growing demand for financial services in Ireland will lead to increased recruitment of C level roles and will see upper-level financial services salaries rise by 20%, with increased choice and competition helping to ramp up rewards.

Latest reports from the CBI show that there are more than 100 new applications in process, with half of those close to completion, and further significant numbers expected to be announced.

Áine Brolly added:

“Financial passporting was always one of the core issues in relation to London’s wishes to remain in the EU, and we are now starting to see the reality of the fallout from the Brexit decision.

It is imperative that our regulator works efficiently and effectively to ensure we can deliver on the demand as being created by current market conditions.”

“Based on our recent contact with the global Cpl network, moves within the manufacturing sector are spreading concern in the UK’s finance sector. Institutions which once looked like permanent fixtures in the UK are now less certain.

“Businesses including EY and Bank of America have recently reinforced this view stating that Dublin could receive “hundreds of billions of euro”, with a strong commitment that there will be no return on recent investments made in Ireland, were the UK at this point to row back from the Brexit brink.

From a sectoral perspective, these developments represent huge opportunities.”

Ardlinn is a Global Irish based Executive Search firm and part of the Cpl resources group. Our name, Ardlinn, is a combination of two Irish words, ‘ard’ meaning ‘high’ or ‘peak’ and ‘linn’ meaning ‘with us’.

The name reflects what we represent as an executive search firm – for our clients, we offer the opportunity to reach leaders at the very highest levels in business. With us, you will get access to leaders in every industry – highly specialised or senior people who are driving major businesses forward.

We work closely with our clients to build a compelling proposition and engage executives who best fit your unique organisational needs.

For candidates, our goal is to help you to reach the peak of your potential. If you are an executive or C-Level and looking for a move – we can help you to find a company that will take you to the next level.

Get in touch with an Ardlinn executive recruitment specialist.

The post Dublin’s finance sector to grow by 25% due to UK Financial Passporting uncertainty first appeared on Ardlinn.

Gender Balance at Senior Level

The issue of gender balance at a senior level in both Ireland’s private and public sectors has attracted much interest and calls for reform in the last 12 months. However, positive discrimination, the like of which is being rolled out, sets a dangerous precedent by potentially excluding the most suitable and qualified person for the job.

As shown by other EU nations, creating an environment which empowers women to reach C-level can be achieved through education and applied conditions which promote a positive cultural change.

Cultivating an interest in historically male-dominated fields, such as STEM, must be progressed via educational programming and female-focused training and development schemes, which prepare women for top jobs, must become a central part of our national CPD structures.

Women currently make up just 18% of Directors in Irish Companies

There have been consistent calls to improve working conditions for women including increased flexibility, remote working and an extension of favourable maternity measures all of which needs to be delivered to nurture female participation at the top levels of Irish business.

There are now significant government-led initiatives such as ‘Better Balance for Better Business’ which was launched in July and is set to present its first report by March 2019.

However, in spite of all these plans and acknowledgements, women currently make up just 18% of the Directors in Irish-registered ISEQ20 companies, a statistic which leaves us significantly lower than the EU average of 26% for large publicly-listed companies.

In the UK, the government is now halfway through a programme launched in 2016 which set a target for 33% of all FTSE 350 board and senior leadership positions to be held by women by 2020. In the last two years, the programme has made solid progress, showing a sensible and strategic approach can create effective outcomes.

Tools we can use to Improve Gender Balance

Targets, improvements to conditions and public consultations are all to be welcomed as essential tools in redressing the balance of gender participation at C-level in Ireland and beyond, however, Mary Mitchell O’Connor’s plans go well beyond the measures as proposed by businesses and industry bodies in Ireland.

A poll, conducted by the Journal.ie demonstrates that 84% are against the new policy, with a number of respected male and female leaders criticising the move as diminishing the overall objective.

Furthermore, the possibility that the plans could be challenged in courts for an issue which should be taken seriously based on its merits rather than dragged through a media and judicial trial highlights the folly of the proposed policy.

At the Women In Strategy summit in New York earlier this year, Sam Fay, Senior Vice Principal at Guinness World Records stated; “whilst I may have signed to support 50:50 representation, I don’t think quotas are the answer, I think it’s a mind shift that’s required globally.”

I share this view and fear that by introducing the policy without meaningful industry consultation, the overall impact may be more damaging than beneficial.

I have no doubt that the Minister is well intentioned, however, on launching this policy, I believe the move to be ill-advised with the public backlash only serving to politicise this important issue.

Interested in working with Ardlinn? Get in touch.

The post Calls for female only professorships sets dangerous precedent first appeared on Ardlinn.

Ardlinn and the Sunday Business Post hosted a celebratory lunch at Dublin’s Merrion Hotel, to honour the 12 winners recognised in the inaugural Ardlinn Executive of the Month awards.

Winners chosen from the technology, aviation, agri-food, hospitality, construction, legal and financial services sectors were all present at the event.

Also in attendance was Áine Brolly founder and director of Ardlinn, IBEC chief executive Danny McCoy, who delivered the keynote address, and Anne Heraty, Chief Executive of Ardlinn’s parent company Cpl Resources Plc.

Ardlinn is the executive search arm of Cpl Resources Plc and the first Cpl brand to focus solely on top salaried positions of €250,000-plus.

Áine Brolly, Director and Founder, Ardlinn

About the Ardlinn Executive of the Month Awards

Ardlinn launched the Executive of the Month programme in November 2017 with the aim of recognising the role played by Ireland’s top executives in driving growth in the wider economy.

“The process has proved to be a great success and we have been delighted with the awards, which provide a fitting recognition to many of our most influential Irish business leaders,” said Áine Brolly, founder and director of Ardlinn.

“It was a great privilege for us to be able to bring so much business talent into one room to celebrate The Ardlinn Sunday Business Post Executive of the Month awards.”

Ardlinn was founded on the basis that the need to source, develop and access top C-level talent. The need for this has never been greater in Ireland.

“As a nation, we are in the midst of prosperous and exciting, but ultimately precarious, times” said Brolly.

“However, with the various business leaders recognised through the awards, I feel we are in good hands as we face the challenges and opportunities inherent in the Brexit process over the coming months and beyond.”

Stephen Bowcott (CEO, John Sisk and Son), Áine Brolly (Founder and Director, Ardlinn), Carin Bryans (Senior Country Officer, JP Morgan), Michael Jackson (Managing Partner, Matheson), Pat McCann (CEO, Dalata Group), Raymond Donnachie (Sunday Business Post), Elaine O’Regan (Sunday Business Post), Dany McCoy (CEO, IBEC), Siobhan Lennon (CEO, Sunday Business Post), Darragh McCarthy (CEO Fintru) , Aisling Hassell (Ireland Site lead and Global head of Community Support Operations, AirBNB), Dominic Hennessy (Sunday Business Post), Anne Heraty (CEO, Cpl Resources)

Worthy winners

Winners chosen from the technology sector included Brendan Mooney, chief executive of Kainos Group Plc, the Belfast-headquartered digital giant employing 1,060 people in 13 offices worldwide, and Aisling Hassell, Airbnb’s Ireland Site Lead and Global Head of Community Support Operations.

Since joining Airbnb in 2014, Hassell has seen staff numbers at the company rise from 600 to more than 3,000 globally.

Fionnuala Meehan, Google Site Lead for Ireland, was recognised for her pivotal role in leading the growth of the tech giant’s Dublin campus, which now employs 7,000 people representing 70 nationalities.

Also awarded was Alastair Blair, Country Managing Director at Accenture Ireland, the global management consulting and professional services firm employing 2,500 people in Ireland.

In financial services, Carin Bryans, Senior Country Officer for JP Morgan in Ireland, was named The Ardlinn Sunday Business Post Executive of the Month in June.

JP Morgan employs 480 people in Ireland across custody and fund services, investment banking, payments and treasury services.

Fintech winner Darragh McCarthy is Founder and Chief Executive of FinTru, the Belfast-headquartered company providing regulatory resourcing services to investment banks and other financial institutions. Financial services firm FinTrU employs 270 people at three offices in Belfast and recently announced plans to create 605 new roles in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry.

Siobhan Talbot, Group Managing Director of Glanbia plc, was recognised for her pivotal role in driving growth in Ireland’s agri-food sector.

The global nutrition group has an annual turnover of €3.7 billion and employs 6,200 people in 32 countries.

In hospitality, Pat McCann, Chief Executive of Dalata Group plc, was also awarded for his success in establishing and leading Ireland’s largest hotel group. Dalata employs 45,000 people across the Clayton and Maldron brands in Ireland and Britain, alongside a portfolio of partner properties.

In aviation, AerCap CEO and executive director Aengus Kelly was recognised for his role in making the company a global leader in aircraft leasing and aviation finance, with more than 1,500 owned, managed or on-order aircraft in its portfolio.

Michael Jackson, Managing Partner at law firm Matheson, was named The Ardlinn Sunday Business Post Executive of the Month in May in recognition of his role in the firm’s success.

Matheson’s clients include more than half of the world’s 50 largest banks, seven of the world’s 10 largest asset managers and seven of the top 10 global technology brands.

The October winner was Stephen Bowcott, CEO of John Sisk & Son. A fifth generation family business, Sisk employs 1,300 people across Ireland, Britain and mainland Europe.

Martin Shanahan, chief executive of inward investment promotion agency IDA Ireland, was also recognised for his ongoing contribution to job creation in Ireland and his role in the development of enterprise and innovation policy.

Danny McCoy, CEO, IBEC

Exceptional leadership

The Ardlinn Sunday Business Post Executive of the Month awards were adjudicated by Ardlinn and The Sunday Business Post with independent support from IBEC chief executive Danny McCoy, who played an instrumental role in the overall process.

“It has been a pleasure to be involved in these awards, which recognise the very best in Irish business,” said McCoy.

“The contribution made by the individual award winners and their respective businesses cannot be understated as we look towards another year of steady national economic growth.

“From indigenous Irish start-ups to blue-chip global powerhouses, these awards have shone a light on the exceptional leadership being provided week in week out across this island.”

 The full list of winners

NOVEMBER 2017: Brendan Mooney, chief executive, Kainos Group Plc
Brendan Mooney joined Kainos in 1989, having graduated from Ulster University with a degree in Computer Science and progressed through the ranks, taking on his current position at the company’s helm in 2001.

He began his career at Kainos in technical roles before moving into presales and project management positions following a move to the company’s Dublin office in 1994.

Six years later, he returned to Belfast to begin preparing for his current role as chief executive. Read Brendan’s interview.

DECEMBER 2017: Pat McCann, chief executive, Dalata Group plc
A veteran of the hospitality sector, McCann began his career in 1969 with Ryan
Hotels, before joining Jurys Hotel Group in 1989.

He was appointed operations director and to the main board of Jury’s in 1994 and became Chief Executive of Jurys Doyle Hotel Group Plc in 2000.

McCann established Dalata in June 2007, acquiring eleven leaseholds with investment from TVC Holdings plc and clients of Davy Property Holdings. Dalata floated on the Dublin and London Stock Exchanges in March 2014. Read Pat’s interview.

JANUARY 2018: Siobhan Talbot, Group Managing Director, Glanbia plc
Siobhan Talbot was appointed to the role of Group Managing Director of Glanbia plc in 2013.

A native of Co. Kilkenny, she studied Commerce at University College Dublin and trained as an accountant with PwC, joining Waterford Foods in 1992 five years before it merged with Avonmore Creameries to form what would become Glanbia plc.

Talbot became a member of the company’s Group Operating Executive in 2000 and was appointed to the role of Deputy Group Finance Director five years later.

She was appointed to the role of Group Finance Director in 2009 and recently led negotiations to sell off a controlling stake in Glanbia’s dairy business to its largest shareholder, Glanbia Co-op, creating the joint venture Glanbia Ireland. Read Siobhan’s interview.

FEBRUARY 2018: Martin Shanahan, Chief Executive, IDA Ireland
Shanahan began his career with Fáilte Ireland, the national tourism development authority, in 1999.

He joined Forfás in 2005 in the role of Divisional Manager and became Forfás CEO five years later, before taking up his current position in 2014.

Shanahan led the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs 2011-2014 and is a board member of IDA Ireland and Chair of its Investment Committee. He is also a member of the National Competitiveness Council. Read Martin’s interview.

MARCH 2018: Fionnuala Meehan, Google Site Lead for Ireland
Before joining Google in 2005, Fionnuala Meehan worked in director customer retention with AOL UK.

She joined Google Ireland in 2005 as EMEA Shared Services Manager and was appointed Online Sales and Operations Manager in 2008 and Ad Ops Director for the EMEA in 2010.

Meehan became Managing Director for SMB Sales in North and Central Europe two years later, followed by a two-year stint as Managing Director for SMB Sales in the EMEA region.

Meehan was appointed to the dual roles of Google Site Lead for Ireland and Vice-President for Google Marketing Solutions, EMEA region, in October 2016. Read Fionnuala’s interview.

APRIL 2018: Aengus Kelly, CEO and executive director at AerCap
Aengus Kelly is a chartered accountant and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce and a Master’s Degree in Accounting from University College Dublin.

He worked for three years with KPMG in Dublin before beginning his career in the aviation leasing and financing business with Guinness Peat Aviation (GPA) in 1998.

Prior to taking up his current position as Chief Executive of AerCap in May 2011, Kelly was Chief Executive of the company’s US operations for three years, following a three-year stint as Group Treasurer. Read Aengus’ interview.

MAY 2018: Michael Jackson, Managing Partner, Matheson
Michael Jackson joined Matheson in 1991 as a trainee after graduating from University College Cork with a Degree in Civil Law.

Having started his career with the firm’s corporate department, he was appointed Asset Management and Investment Funds Partner in 2001 and became Managing Partner in October 2015. Read Michael’s interview.

JUNE 2018: Alastair Blair, Country Managing Director, Accenture Ireland
Alastair Blair joined Accenture in 1987 and has held numerous senior positions within the company with a particular focus on financial services.

He has worked with major banks and financial services organisations in Ireland, Britain and the Middle East on strategic, communications, change management and execution initiatives.

Blair is chair of Ibec’s Digital Economy Policy Committee and sits on Accenture’s UK and Ireland Executive Management Team. Read Alastair’s interview.

JULY 2018: Carin Bryans, Senior Country Officer for JP Morgan in Ireland

Carin Bryans joined JP Morgan in 1990 and has held a number of positions with the company in Ireland, including head of operations and head of client services.

She was appointed Senior Country Officer for JP Morgan in Ireland in 2010, with overall responsibility for the US bank’s businesses in Ireland.

Bryans holds her Degree in Finance and International Business from The University of Texas in Austin and an MBA from The Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business in Dublin.

She sits on the board of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland and is Chair of the IFSC Funds Group. Read Carin’s interview.

AUGUST 2018: Darragh McCarthy, Chief Executive and Founder of FinTrU

Darragh McCarthy established FinTrU in 2013 following an 18-year career at Morgan Stanley in London, Frankfurt and New York.

During his time with the US investment bank, McCarthy’s roles included Global COO for Institutional Securities, COO for EMEA, Head of Fixed Income Sales North America and Head of Fixed Income Sales EMEA.

McCarthy founded FinTrU in response to rising demand among global investment banks for high-quality resources to navigate the increasingly complex regulatory landscape.

He has a First Class Honours BComm International from the University College of Dublin. Read Darragh’s interview.

SEPTEMBER 2018: Aisling Hassell, Airbnb’s Ireland Site Lead and Global Head of Community Support Operations
A graduate of Trinity College Dublin, Aisling Hassell studied Mechanical Engineering before completing a Masters Degree in Fluid Dynamics.

Before joining AirBnB in 2014, Hassell worked with cyber-security firm Symantec in Ireland and the US.
She went on to work with Vodafone as Group Head of Customer Experience, and also with Sage, in the role of Director of Global Customer Experience and Web Strategy.

Since joining Airbnb in 2014, Hassell has seen staff numbers at the company rise from 600 to more than 3,000 across 31 offices worldwide. Read Aisling’s interview.

OCTOBER 2018: Stephen Bowcott, CEO of John Sisk & Son
Stephen Bowcott was appointed CEO of John Sisk & Son in September 2015 following a four-decade long career in the construction sector in Britain.

Before moving to Ireland, he worked for PLCs in the UK for 40 years, most recently as Chief Operating Officer and Board Member at Kier Group Plc.

Bowcott joined Kier in 2007 as a Director of Kier Regional and was one of two Deputy Managing Directors and Chairman of Kier Scotland and Kier Northern.

Before that, he led the construction division at AMEC Plc and was Managing Director of John Mowlem’s building division. Read Stephen’s interview.

Read all 12 interviews with the Ardlinn Executive of the Month award winners in the Ardlinn Executive of the Month section of this website.

The post Ireland’s top business executives honoured at Ardlinn / Sunday Business Post awards first appeared on Ardlinn.