IoD Members' Update - December 2019
2019 was a year of uncertainty and challenges for many of our members but, also, one of opportunities, as revealed by the results of our quarterly Director Sentiment Monitor surveys.

Against this background, we hosted 18 workshops on key aspects of corporate governance and over 30 events featuring the highest calibre speakers, including Mark Little, Michael Stanley, Lucinda Creighton, Eamon Ryan TD, Bobby McDonagh, Shirley Comerford, Patrick J. Rigney, Dr Jane Suiter, Marian Finnegan, Willie O'Reilly, Clare Dillon, Helen Martin and Matt Ryan. Although there is not space to list them all, we would like to express our gratitude to each and every one of them. We would also like to acknowledge the support of all our sponsors and partners, including Mazars, IQ-EQ, Mason Hayes & Curran, Eversheds Sutherland, Arkphire, McCann FitzGerald, IAPI, and Davy.

Our Director Training increases in popularity each year, with the Chartered Director Programme oversubscribed to such an extent that we have had to increase the number of cohorts in 2020, even at this early stage. Our Board Services, including The Boardroom Centre and Board Evaluation Service, are constantly in demand. 2019 also saw IoD Ireland increase all key Communications metrics, with significant gains in media coverage and social media engagement for the organisation. Our Diversity in the Boardroom 2019 research report attracted considerable attention in this regard, as did the results of our aforementioned quarterly membership surveys.

As a result of all of the above, we are delighted to say that our membership has now jumped beyond the 3,000 mark, with growth accelerating in recent months.

So, with the year closing out, we look forward to seeing many of you at the IoD Christmas Lunch, kindly sponsored by Arkphire, on 13th December.

And, as we look to 2020 and an exciting Spring Training Programme about to be announced, we wish you all a Happy Christmas.
Director Sentiment Monitor Q4 2019
Still time to take part in our survey 
There is still time to take part in our Director Sentiment Monitor survey for Q4 2019.

Please check your email for the survey link and take part today. The survey takes fewer than five minutes to complete and will close tomorrow, Wednesday, 4th December .  

As the survey is anonymous, we are unable to identify who has already completed it so, if you have already completed the survey, thank you for your participation.

The Director Sentiment Monitor tracks our members' business sentiment, as well as comparing and contrasting trends among the business leaders of Ireland, on a quarterly basis.
McCann FitzGerald Factsheet
December 2019




Our sincere thanks to McCann FitzGerald for their ongoing assistance in producing the IoD Factsheets.


Remember, you need to be logged into the website to view the IoD Factsheets.
The IoD Webcast
State Boards - Making a Difference
In this IoD webcast , Shirley Comerford , Chief Executive Officer of the Public Appointments Service, presents on 'State Boards - Making a Difference'. Shirley also addresses the State Board recruitment process, and what potential applicants should be mindful of before they submit their application.  

The recording was made at the recent IoD Evening Briefing in the Westbury Hotel, Dublin, on the 7th November 2019, kindly sponsored by Mazars .

Previous IoD webcasts are also available only in the members' area of our website .
Frank O’Donnell is a Founder/Director of Print Depot, which has been a trusted print supplier to a host of small, medium and large Irish businesses since the company was established in 1990. Over the intervening years, it has broadened its product offering from conventional printing to being a full-service communications partner to its clients, including point of sale materials and marketing collateral.

What in your view is the biggest challenge facing directors in Ireland today?
Staying in touch with legal and regulatory requirements can be a challenge and keeping informed and aware of the developments in this area requires diligence and persistence.

What do you hope to gain from your membership of the IoD?
I hope to gain the opportunity to meet like-minded people, to further build my network, to utilise the many resources offered by the IoD, and to learn from others’ experiences.
Video Focus: Looking to 2020
'What are the biggest challenges facing companies in 2020? '

 In the latest IoD Ireland video, Mark Kennedy , Partner, Mazars , discusses the various challenges facing Irish businesses in the coming twelve months.

You can access this video on our website .

More videos, including those in our 'What Makes a Great Leader?' series, are also available on our video page .
Welcome to Some of Our New Members
Deirdre Kelly , Country Manager Ireland, Consilient Health
Caitriona (Lannen) O’Brien , Sales Manager Ireland and Talent Solutions, LinkedIn
Mark Fitzgerald , Director of Operations and Finance, Typetec
Ian Walsh , Managing Director, Ventilux Limited
Elaine Hughes , Head of Company Secretarial and Governance, LK Shields Solicitors
Frank O’Donnell , Founder Director, Print Depot
Dermot O’Leary , Chief Economist, Goodbody
John T Kenny , Group Operations Quality Executive, Aspen Pharma Trading Ltd.

***

Tony McEnroe , Managing Director, SiriusXT Ltd.
Claire Callanan , Consultant, Beauchamps
Maurice Cullen , Results Coach, Leadership Management Ireland
Kelvin Gillen , CIO, KBC Bank Ireland
Karen Boylan , VP Global Strategic Projects, Teleflex Medical
Mary Carroll , Business Strategist and Coach, Growth Potential
Mary Bradford , Aviation Lawyer and Consultant, MBL Consultancy
Eoghan Doyle , Partner, Philip Lee
Monika Orlowska , Equity Sales and Investment Banking, Goodbody Stockbrokers.
Director magazine
As an IoD member, you can access   Director   magazine, published by IoD UK, free of charge.
 
Each edition is full of insightful interviews with entrepreneurs and company directors.
 
To access the magazine, please   click here   a nd then use the login details below:
 
Email   address:   [email protected]
Magazine password:  Director2000 
 
Please remember to  use the login details provided above  rather than your own email address when accessing the magazine. It will prompt you to enter your membership number - please  ignore this and enter the login details above   in the two boxes.
The IoD Webcast
AI - Powering Change in Our Time
In this IoD webcast , Clare Dillon, Technology Evangelist, shared stories of AI-powered digital transformations and practical tips on how organisations can take advantage of these powerful new tools, while avoiding potential ethical pitfalls.

The recording was made at the IoD Evening Briefing in the Westbury Hotel, Dublin, on 20th November 2019, kindly sponsored by Mazars .

Previous IoD webcasts are also available in the members' area of our website .
The IoD Blog
One of Ireland's oldest and most successful soccer brands, Shelbourne Football Club , has been in decline since 2006. Now, with a 28 year-old CEO and a 31 year-old first team coach - two novices in their respective roles - the team has just won promotion back to the Premier Division, which kicks off in February 2020.

Former footballer , David O'Connor, the young CEO who is presiding over this rejuvenation of a strong Irish football brand, finds his personal experiences of professional sport can go a long way in the business world. Read his blog to find out more: Getting involved in the business world? A view from a rookie!

Previous blogs are also available on our website . If you are interested in contributing to our blog or for further information, please contact Paul O'Mahony at p [email protected] or call 01 411 0010.  
IoD Evening Briefing in Cork 
Tomorrow, 4th December , the IoD will be hosting an Evening Briefing in Cork entitled, 'Business - Do We Really Know What We Are Doing?' featuring Colin Gordon as our guest speaker. Colin is founder of Engage Consulting, and is former CEO of Glanbia Consumer Foods, where he was instrumental in developing brands such as Avonmore milk and Kilmeaden cheese.

This event is taking place at The Montenotte Hotel , Cork. Registration will take place from 18:00 with the briefing beginning at 18:15 sharp, followed by Q&A and refreshments, and concluding at 19.30. The event is free to IoD members, who are welcome to bring a guest, subject to availability. Enquiries: [email protected] .

The IoD Breakfast and Evening Briefings series 2019 is kindly sponsored by Mazars .
IoD and Members in the News
Member Benefits
Access Airport Lounges
IoD members can avail of complimentary access to airport lounges in Dublin , Cork , Shannon , the UK and Europe (including Amsterdam Schiphol and Copenhagen T2) with IoD membership.

Facilities may vary in different lounges, so please check the individual airport website and/or see our summary .

Please note: you must have a valid IoD Ireland membership card to avail of member offers and discounts.  
In Memoriam
The Institute of Directors in Ireland would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of  Michael McDermott, a member of the IoD, who passed away recently. May he rest in peace.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Connect with the IoD
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Follow our latest updates at @IoDIreland and #iodevents .