IoD Members' Update
October 2020

Our recent snap poll of IoD Ireland members looked at issues such as digital transformation, remote working, business models, and work-life balance. It found that these issues have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, some significantly. The ways and means of working are undergoing a quiet revolution, of that there can be no doubt, yet there are key positives to be found in these recent developments.

As we look ahead to the Government's publication this month of Budget 2021 and the National Economic Plan, these forward looking documents will be important roadmaps for economic recovery. Business leaders the length and breadth of the country will be eagerly awaiting these announcements and seeking further stimulus measures. One thing is for certain: these must be living documents which remain adaptable and agile to the exigencies of COVID-19 and Brexit.

It is against this background of uncertainty, volatility and challenge that good governance has never been more important.
Diversity and Inclusion Must Add Up for Successful Governance
McCann FitzGerald Factsheet
October2020
 

It has been recognised that one of the most effective ways to enhance corporate governance is by having a diverse board. In the past decade many organisations have worked to create diversity in their boards so that they are more reflective of society and have a range of perspectives, insights and challenge needed to support fairness and good decision making.

However, increasing demands for diversity from regulators and stakeholders reveal that many companies are slow to create diversity in their top ranks.

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

Please note: To read this members’ only content, you must be logged into the members' area of our website.   If you have trouble with the below link, please login and browse to the Directors' Factsheets section.
A Unique Qualification for Directors
and Strategic Business Leaders
The IoD’s Chartered Director Programme offers a unique qualification for directors and strategic business leaders in Ireland. Combining learning and professional experience, the Chartered Director Programme will equip you with the all-round skills, knowledge and understanding essential to effectively and successfully lead your organisation. Join over 1,200 senior business leaders who have already undertaken this prestigious programme.

The Chartered Director Programme is made up of three phases:

  • Phase 1: Certificate in Company Direction (Four classroom-based modules + exam)
  • Phase 2: Diploma in Company Direction (One classroom-based module + exam)
  • Phase 3: Becoming a Chartered Director (Professional review process)

The Programme is delivered through eleven *classroom-based learning days in cohorts of 20 participants, leading to a Certificate and Diploma in Company Direction. Successful participants may go forward for admission to become a Chartered Director (CDir), subject to eligibility criteria. 
 
*Subject to Government health guidelines and other public health requirements, this programme will be delivered in a classroom setting. However, online/virtual delivery will be considered where appropriate or necessary.
IoD Webcast
Strategy and the Challenges in the Current Environment
In this IoD Webinar recorded on Thursday, 1st October, Simon Haslam, Chartered Director, discussed 'Strategy and the Challenges in the Current Environment'This webinar looked at: is strategy possible in extreme conditions?; the role of strategy when organisations face unchartered waters; the practicalities and approaches to simultaneously tackling the task of keeping your organisation viable.; and how to realise value in uncertainty.

This webinar is part of our IoD Morning and Evening Briefings Series, and is kindly sponsored by Mazars

Please note: To view this members’ only content, you must be logged into the members' area of our website.  If you have trouble with the below link, please login and browse to the Webcasts of IoD events section.
Meet a Member
Shane Hartigan is Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Media Solutions, which he co-founded in 2003. Originally from Limerick, Shane graduated in Electronic Telecommunications from Limerick Regional Technical College in 1995 and started his first business in 1996, providing communications solutions to residential and international corporate clients.

Passionate about sport, he has completed three Ironman Triathlons and also enjoys Paramotoring in his free time.

What, in your opinion, makes a great leader?
A great leader is someone that can listen to the opinions of others and understands and accepts an alternative view. He or she can be relied upon to make a decision and always put others before themselves.

What do you value the most from your IoD membership to date? 
Life is a continuous learning process. I value the experience of other business leaders and, also, the comraderie of being able to share information. The Institute of Directors in Ireland is a fantastic knowledge and information resource that is vital to stay informed in a difficult and challenging business world.
IoD Webcast
Expectations Versus Reality of the Upcoming US Election
In this webinar, recorded on Thursday, 10th September, Marion McKeone, US Correspondent for the Business Post, shared her views about the current status of US politics, including an overview of expectations on the upcoming election. 

This webinar is part of our Lunch Bites @ the IoD series, kindly sponsored by IQ-EQ

Please note: To view this members’ only content, you must be logged into the members' area of our website.  If you have trouble with the below link, please login and browse to the Webcasts of IoD events section.
The IoD Blog:
The Importance of Financial Awareness for Not-for-Profit Boards
'There are two critical questions that boards should keep in mind: 1) What are the board’s legal responsibilities when it comes to the financial statements? 2) How can they effectively discharge these responsibilities?'

In this month's blog, Aedín Morkan, Partner, Audit and Assurance Services, Mazars, and Kate O’Brien, Senior Manager, Audit and Assurance Services, Mazars address 'The Importance of Financial Awareness for Not-for-Profit Boards'. This article has been written exclusively for IoD Ireland members.

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 pomahony@iodireland.ie or call 01 411 0010. 
Welcome to Some of Our New Members
  • Jim Costello, Founder and Managing Director, Vanbuddy Limited
  • Liam Kavanagh, Managing Director, The Irish Times
  • Richard Carron, Pre-Construction Director, McCabe McGinn Construction & Management Ltd (MCMG)
  • Aoife Aherne, Managing Director, Utilities, Accenture
  • Cormac Murphy, EY EMEIA Banking Union Lead, Board member of Concern Worldwide and Chair of Stratford College
  • Mairéad O'Sullivan, Managing Director, SitusAMC
  • Shane Hartigan, Chief Executive Officer, Integrated Media Solutions
  • Laura Shesgreen, Non-Executive Director, Advisor & Transformational CFO, Chair of Stripe Technology, Europe Ltd
  • Mary Birmingham, Consultant, Savills Ireland
Deliver Results for Your Board
IoD Ireland Board Evaluation Service
Avail of the IoD Ireland Board Evaluation Service to learn how effectively your board is executing its roles and responsibilities.

Through the lens of best practice governance standards and your organisation’s business context, IoD Ireland's experienced Board Assessors examine how effectively your board and board committees are operating.
 
The service is efficient robust , and completely confidential . It has an average completion term of just six weeks. Furthermore, the entire process can be undertaken virtually.

Our team of Board Assessors include Chartered Directors and/or governance specialists - Dr Margaret Cullen, Carol Bolger CDir, Marie Collins CDir and Clare Duignan. Our Assessors have worked across sectors as diverse as telecoms, financial services, hospitality, property, healthcare, communications, construction, energy, and education.
On the Bright Side…
Positive News in Business
While there may be many negative business stories in the news recently, there are also plenty of positive ones. Here are just 10 stories we have selected:

Policy and Announcements Hub
Temporary Amendments to the Companies Act 2014 
The Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) has updated information on the new temporary amendments to the Companies Act 2014 to address issues caused by Covid-19. Primarily, these relate to: AGMs during Covid-19; Creditors meetings; and indebtedness.

Transposition of Directive (EU) 2019/2121: Invitation for submissions
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation is seeking views of interested parties on the transposition of Directive (EU) 2019/2121. This Directive seeks to meet the objective of an internal market without internal borders for companies, and to reconcile this with the objective of social protection. Additional rules provide for rights to information and participation for employees and protection for members and creditors.

You can read further information on this consultation, which will remain open until 14th October 2020.

Brexit
This portal from the Revenue includes information about trade facilitation and customs procedures for trade with the United Kingdom (UK) after the transition period. Unlike Great Britain (UK not including Northern Ireland), Northern Ireland will be treated as an EU Member State in terms of the movement of goods.

Access Advice on Business Regulation
The purpose of this resource from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation is to help you identify the main regulations which affect your business and to provide links to the relevant agencies and their guidance, tools and contact points.

Company Law Review Group Publications
This resource allows users to access Company Law Review Group (CLRG) publications. CLRG is a statutory advisory expert body charged with advising the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation on the review and development of company law in Ireland.

Charities Governance Code training
The Charities Regulator is running free online training for charity trustees. The half-day training will take place over the autumn/winter 2020 and is designed to support charities to apply the six core principles and meet the 32 core standards contained in the Charities Governance CodeDemand for the course is high and if you do not manage to register for the trainings currently listed, please check the Charities Regulator website for future events.
IoD Webcast
Sustainability and the Role of the Board
This webinar, recorded on Thursday, 24th September, in partnership with Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), analysed how Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues are shaping corporate boardrooms and how boards need to orient their guidance and supervisory role to ensure companies are fit for these growing societal expectations.

The speaker line up included: 

  • Mario Abela, Director - Redefining Value Programme, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) 
  • Beatriz Pessôa de Araújo, Partner, Baker McKenzie, and 
  • John Reynolds, Chairperson, Cairn plc.  

Please note: To view this members’ only content, you must be logged into the members' area of our website.  If you have trouble with the below link, please login and browse to the Webcasts of IoD events section.
IoD and Members in the News
Irish Examiner: Directors: No return to old work ways (print edition)
The Echo (Cork): Covid-19 accelerates digital transformation (print edition)
Business Post: Out of Office
RTE Morning Ireland: IoD Snap Poll (edition no longer online)
Irish Examiner: Lack of confidence in upcoming budget – IoD Poll
(print edition)
MidWest Radio: IoD Snap Poll (edition no longer online)
Hospitality Ireland: Port of Cork Announces Appointment of New Chief Executive (Eoin McGettigan)
Engineers Ireland: President’s Address (Maurice Buckley CDir)
Business Post: A unified approach improves businesses’ communications (Stephen Mackarel CDir)
(PJ Byrne CDir)
(PJ Byrne CDir)
Irish Medical Times: Health Minister makes appointments to State boards (Gillian Harford)
RTE.ie: Ulster Bank appoints new Chairman (Ruairí O'Flynn)
IoD Member Benefits
Discounted Rates from Original Irish Hotels
What is the member benefit?
A 15% discount on the best available rates. This offer is subject to availability and only applies to daily online rates, not special offers.
 
Benefit availability
This benefit is available to all members until 31st December 2020. If you are an IoD member, please login to display the Member Offer Code.
 
Background on Original Irish Hotels
Original Irish Hotels are a collection of 60 unique, owner-run hotels, located in Ireland’s most outstanding destinations. No two Original Irish Hotels are the same. Open the door to the magic of unmissable moments with Ireland’s leading collection of independent hotels. From historic castles to chic urban boutiques, each of our hotels is as diverse as the destinations that define them. Our hotels offer true local character and a unique, warm welcome that tells you you’re not just another room number. For more information visit the Original Irish Hotels website.
IoD Webcast
The Changed and Changing Landscape for Directors - The New Reality
In this IoD Webinar recorded on Thursday, 17th September, Ken Casey, Partner and Head of Corporate, Hayes solicitors discussed 'The Changed and Changing Landscape for Directors - The New Reality'

This webinar is part of our IoD Morning and Evening Briefings Series, and is kindly sponsored by Mazars

Please note: To view this members’ only content, you must be logged into the members' area of our website.  If you have trouble with the below link, please login and browse to the Webcasts of IoD events section.
A Wealth of Exclusive, Original Content Available Now in the Exclusive Members’ Area of the IoD Website
IoD Ireland's exclusive Members' Area hosts a range of timely expertise, resource documents and newly commissioned content.
 
The area contains helpful resource documents from Mazars, McCann FitzGerald, Grant Thornton, Mason Hayes & Curran, Duff & Phelps, Hayes Solicitors, Davy, Arthur Cox, and more.

The hub also contains exclusive blogs by Gabriel Makhlouf, Governor, Central Bank of Ireland; Patricia Murray, Senior Organisational Psychologist/Inspector, Health and Safety Authority; Seamus Coffey, Economist, and UCC Lecturer; Bobby McDonagh, Former Irish Ambassador to the EU, UK, and Italy, and Executive Coach; Niall Gibbons, CEO, Tourism Ireland; Tony Smurfit, CEO, Smurfit Kappa; Marian Finnegan, Managing Director, Residential and Advisory, Sherry FitzGerald; Colm O'Reilly, CEO, Business Post; Jim Power, Economist and Media Commentator; Joanne McEnteggart, Managing Director, Ireland, IQ-EQ; Siobhan Byrne Learat, Founder and CEO, Adams & Butler; Conor Brophy, Director, Teneo; Martina Byrne, CEO, Public Relations Institute of Ireland; Alan Holmes, INED and Executive Director, Websure; Alan Coleman, CEO, Wolfgang Digital; Nick Ashmore, Chief Executive, Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI); Áine Kerr, Host of RTÉ’s Reignite and COO of Kinzen; Simon Keogh, CEO, Rugby Players Ireland; Feargal Purcell, Head of Public Affairs, Edelman; and David Fitzsimons, Former Founder and Group CEO, Retail Excellence.

Please note: To view this members’ only content, you must be logged into the members' area of our website.  If you have trouble with the below link, please login.
COVID-19: Information and Resources
Government Supports for COVID-19 Impacted Businesses
There is a wide range of supports available to help businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

Level-by-Level National Plan
The Government has updated the graphic version of its National Plan which outlines the public health restrictions across numerous criteria through Levels 1 to 5.

COVID-19 Data Hub
The information presented in the Data Hub is based on official figures provided by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) and the Health Service Executive (HSE). Datasets, charts and maps are updated on an on-going basis and in line with newly published data. 

It is also recommended to read the HSE's How to Get Tested advice.
Remote Control
Remote working is increasingly a way of life for many. Here is a small selection of articles addressing some of the issues arising from this transformation of working life.




Connect with the IoD
Follow our company page on LinkedIn for the latest updates.
Follow our latest updates at @IoDIreland and #IoDevents.