(Pictured L to R: Leo Cullen, Leinster Rugby Head Coach; Caroline Spillane CDir, Chief Executive Officer, IoD Ireland; and Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and John Reynolds CDir, President, IoD Ireland).
The event, marking 30 years since IoD Ireland’s foundation, took a forward-looking focus, addressing the crucial elements that all directors and business leaders need to be considering. It featured an expert line-up of thought leaders offering key governance and leadership insights and knowledge, to support directors and leaders on their professional development journey.
John Reynolds CDir, President, IoD Ireland, commenced the event be welcoming the 400 directors and members to the Aviva stadium. In his address, John noted that the ambition of the event was to provide members with key governance and leadership insights and knowledge, to support them on their professional development journey. The President also officially launched the new IoD Ireland Continuing Professional Development Framework for Directors, which has been developed to empower directors to respond to the ever-evolving policy, regulatory, macro-economic and governance environment in which they operate. The new Framework is specifically designed to enable boards of directors and senior executives in the exercise of their governance responsibilities. Underpinning the CPD Framework are the principles of professional ethics and integrity, and behaviours that IoD believes all directors and senior executives should exemplify.
(Pictured: John Reynolds CDir, President, IoD Ireland)
The first panel session of the day addressed the key area of ‘Governance, Economy, and Regulation in Ireland's Future’. It was moderated by Dr. Terry McWade CDir, IoD Ireland Council Member, and included an expert panel of Dr. Margaret Cullen, Governance Advisor, IoD Ireland; Jim Power, Economist and Media Commentator; and Sharon Donnery CDir, Deputy Governor - Financial Regulation, Central Bank of Ireland. The session addressed the current instability in the market, and how this impacts the real economy; regulation and its importance; the future technical knowledge and skills boards need to be aware of, such as AI; and the role of risk management.
(Pictured L to R: Sharon Donnery, Deputy Governor - Financial Regulation, Central Bank of Ireland; John Reynolds CDir, President, IoD Ireland; Jim Power, Economist and Media Commentator; Dr. Margaret Cullen, Governance Advisor, IoD Ireland; Caroline Spillane CDir, Chief Executive Officer, IoD Ireland; and Dr.Terry McWade CDir, IoD Ireland Director and Council Member).
After the break, Fiona Tierney CDir, IoD Ireland Council Member, moderated a second panel session exploring the theme of 'Strategy, and Psychology of the Board'. This session included panellists; Gerry Hussey, Performance Psychologist; Anne Sheehan, General Manager, Microsoft Ireland; and Carol Bolger CDir, Chairperson, An Post. This session addressed the importance of having a clear organisational purpose; hybrid working; developing and training the next generation; and the importance of being kind.
(Pictured L to R: Fiona Tierney CDir, IoD Ireland Council Member; Anne Sheehan, General Manager, Microsoft Ireland; Carol Bolger CDir, Chairperson, An Post; and Gerry Hussey, Performance Psychologist).
Our first keynote of the day was by Leo Cullen, Leinster Rugby Head Coach, who reflected on leading a team, and in particular, through a difficult period. He also picked up on some of the themes from the second panel session, and discussed the importance of loving what you do - even the mundane - and the importance of caring about your people. He also discussed the concept of SUMO when dealing with defeat, i.e., ‘Shut up and Move On’, but noting the importance of moving on.
(Pictured: Leo Cullen, Leinster Rugby Head Coach.
The day ended with a keynote address by Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Minister outlined the current context and Irish business environment, noting these were the areas that boards should be mindful of. He also addressed areas of supports that the Government was investing into to help Irish Businesses, such as the IDA, angel fund etc. The Minister also acknowledged the role of IoD Ireland over the last 30 years, in helping create strong business leaders and helping the economy to thrive. He also congratulated President John Reynolds and Chief Executive Officer Caroline Spillane on the event.
(Pictured: Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment).
