University of Galway Business Summit 2024
Accelerating Business: Tech, Scale and Finance
THIS EVENT HAS NOW CONCLUDED – Friday, 22 March 2024
J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics at University of Galway was proud to host Business Summit 2024, bringing together industry leaders, researchers, policymakers, and business professionals to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of business.
This flagship University of Galway event featured insights from national and international business leaders, alongside research-led perspectives from leading academics at University of Galway.
It forms part of the School’s signature series, Thinking Beyond: Thought Leadership for the Public Good, reflecting our commitment to supporting innovation, responsible leadership, and sustainable economic growth.
Hundreds of business and thought leaders attended, with strong representation from CEOs, business owners, senior executives and decision-makers across industry.
Event Details
The event showcased how businesses can innovate and accelerate their Tech, Scale and Finance operations in the West of Ireland. Using business cases and panel conversations, the event provided participants with research-informed and practical insights to help them address current and future business challenges.
Business leaders from organisations including, itag, western development commission, Smurfit Kappa, Fidelity, PennEngineering, Centripetal Europe, IDA Ireland, Signify Health, Enterprise Ireland, Aerogen, Skyspecs, Deloitte Ireland, Federation Ireland, Galway Chamber and fincovi.
These perspectives were complemented by current research insights from leading professors at University of Galway.
The summit also provided a valuable platform for networking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among business leaders and professionals.
DATE:
Friday, 22, March, 2024
TIME:
8:30am - 14:00pm (included light breakfast & lunch)
LOCATION:
Bailey Allen Hall, University of Galway, H91 R6T6
Event Schedule
|
Time |
Session |
|---|---|
|
08:30 – 09:00 |
Registration & Networking (including light breakfast) |
|
09:00 – 09:30 |
Welcome Addresses |
|
09:30 – 10:00 |
Keynote Address – Irial Finan |
|
10:00 – 10:50 |
Panel Discussion: Digitalisation at Speed |
|
10:50 – 11:35 |
Panel Discussion: Scaling a Business |
|
11:35 – 12:20 |
Panel Discussion: Sustainable Finance |
|
12:20 – 13:00 |
Reflection Points & Closing Remarks |
|
13:00 – 14:00 |
Lunch & Networking |
Keynote Speaker
Irial Finan
Chair, Smurfit Kappa | Former Executive Vice President, The Coca-Cola Company & President of the Bottling Investments Group
Irial Finan is an internationally recognised business leader with extensive global experience across manufacturing, consumer products and international business strategy.
Having served as Executive Vice President of The Coca-Cola Company and President of the Bottling Investments Group, Irial played a significant role in leading international growth and transformation initiatives. In his role as Chair of Smurfit Kappa, he continues to support innovation and sustainable growth within global business.
His keynote address explored leadership, business transformation and lessons learned from operating at scale across international markets.
Responsible Digitalisation
Digitalisation at Speed: Responsible Technology in an Accelerated World
Digitalisation presents significant opportunities for organisations, but rapid adoption also brings important challenges around the responsible use, design and governance of technology.
This session explored responsible approaches to digital transformation, including discussions around AI, analytics, cybersecurity and digital responsibility. Speakers also considered the practical realities of delivering responsible innovation, from regional businesses to global organisations.
Sharon Walsh
Chaired by:
Sharon Walsh, SVP Technology, Fidelity Investments & Chair, itag
Ian Brannigan
Head of Regional Development, Western Development Commission
Mary Ann Fleming
President, PennEngineering
Dave Silke
Managing Director, Centripetal Europe
Dr Kieran Conboy
Lecturer in Business Information Systems & Co-Principal Investigator, Lero Irish Software Research Centre, University of Galway
Dr Anastasia Griva
Assistant Professor in Business Information Systems & Programme Director, MSc Business Analytics, University of Galway
Responsible Digitalisation
Digitalisation at Speed: Responsible Technology in an Accelerated World
Digitalisation presents significant opportunities for organisations, but rapid adoption also brings important challenges around the responsible use, design and governance of technology.
This session explored responsible approaches to digital transformation, including discussions around AI, analytics, cybersecurity and digital responsibility. Speakers also considered the practical realities of delivering responsible innovation, from regional businesses to global organisations.
Sharon Walsh
Chaired by:
Sharon Walsh, SVP Technology, Fidelity Investments & Chair, itag
Ian Brannigan
Head of Regional Development, Western Development Commission
Mary Ann Fleming
President, PennEngineering
Dave Silke
Managing Director, Centripetal Europe
Dr Kieran Conboy
Lecturer in Business Information Systems & Co-Principal Investigator, Lero Irish Software Research Centre, University of Galway
Dr Anastasia Griva
Assistant Professor in Business Information Systems & Programme Director, MSc Business Analytics, University of Galway
Scaling a Business
Scaling a Business: Lessons from Indigenous and FDI Companies
This panel brought together leading voices from industry, enterprise agencies and academia to explore the critical ingredients required for successful business growth and scaling.
The discussion considered the role of leadership teams, innovation and collaboration, while also examining opportunities to strengthen links between indigenous and foreign-owned enterprises in Ireland.
Chaired by: Professor Jonathan Levie
Professor of Entrepreneurship & Regional Development and Co-Founder of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Growth & Scaling (CEGS)
Chaired by: Professor Esther Tippmann
Professor of Strategy & Co-Director of CEGS, University of Galway
Elaine Murphy
Site Lead, Signify Health & President, AmCham Ireland
Denis Curran
Head of Regional Enterprise Development and Strategic Property, IDA Ireland
John Power
Founder & CEO, Aerogen
Leo McAdams
Divisional Manager, Investment Services, Enterprise Ireland
Sustainable Finance
Sustainable Finance: Mobilising Change
Sustainable finance continues to play a critical role in directing investment towards responsible economic activity and supporting long-term environmental and social outcomes.
This session explored the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into financial systems and highlighted emerging developments in sustainable finance education and research.
The discussion also reflected the School's continued focus on sustainability, climate change research and innovation in financial education.
Chaired by: Cian Twomey
Lecturer in Economics & Programme Director, BSc Financial Mathematics and Economics, University of Galway
Caítlín Flanagan
World Climate Lead, Deloitte Ireland
John Harvey
Co-Founder, fincovi & VP Financial Products & Services, SkySpecs
Louise O'Mahony
Head of Sustainable Banking, Banking & Payments Federation Ireland
Barry Gavin
Adjunct Lecturer and Sustainability & Sustainable Finance Specialist, University of Galway
Event reflections: Kenny Deery
CEO, Galway Chamber
Sustainable Finance
Sustainable Finance: Mobilising Change
Sustainable finance continues to play a critical role in directing investment towards responsible economic activity and supporting long-term environmental and social outcomes.
This session explored the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations into financial systems and highlighted emerging developments in sustainable finance education and research.
The discussion also reflected the School's continued focus on sustainability, climate change research and innovation in financial education.
Chaired by: Cian Twomey
Lecturer in Economics & Programme Director, BSc Financial Mathematics and Economics, University of Galway
Caítlín Flanagan
World Climate Lead, Deloitte Ireland
John Harvey
Co-Founder, fincovi & VP Financial Products & Services, SkySpecs
Louise O'Mahony
Head of Sustainable Banking, Banking & Payments Federation Ireland
Barry Gavin
Adjunct Lecturer and Sustainability & Sustainable Finance Specialist, University of Galway
Reflection points for businesses in the West of Ireland: Kenny Deery
CEO, Galway Chamber
Closing Business Summit 2024, Kenny Deery reflected on the key themes and insights that emerged throughout the day’s discussions. Drawing on his experience leading Galway Chamber, he highlighted the importance of collaboration between business, academia and policymakers in addressing regional and national challenges. His closing remarks emphasised the role of innovation, leadership and partnership in shaping a resilient and competitive future for businesses across the West and beyond.
"Business Summit 2024 brought together cutting-edge research-informed insights from J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics’ academics and thought business leaders to discuss key issues facing businesses and organisations in the region. This year’s themes were informed by the needs of our external community and aligned with our School’s areas of research excellence."
Professor Alma McCarthy
Dean, J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics
“As a recently established consortium of the regions Universities along with all its development and business support agencies, focused on advancing data-driven innovation and enterprise Digitalization, the Regional Business Summit provides a key leadership forum for stakeholders and leaders to come together to ensure our work has broad cross sectoral reach and impact.”
Mike Conroy
Director, Data2Sustain European Digital Innovation Hub
‘’itag members are always enthusiastic about engaging with leading businesses at the University of Galway Business Summit. This event presents an invaluable chance for our communities to come together and explore significant topics impacting businesses and organisations, especially in an era marked by rapid innovation and unfolding possibilities."
Caroline Cawley
CEO itag
"A really insightful experience. The discussions around digitalisation, business growth and sustainable finance were engaging and highly relevant. The quality of panelists conversations made it an enjoyable and valuable event to be part of."
Attendee - Business Summit 2024
Look back at University of Galway Business Summit 2024
Thinking Beyond:
Thought Leadership for the Public Good
Arrival & Parking
How to find us: Please click here for information on getting to campus by car or public transport.
Parking: If you are driving to campus, the following are the parking options available;
Free parking is available to visitors who register and apply for a ‘University of Galway Business Summit’ conference permit in the P&R Car Park only, located in the north campus. Simply log-in or create an account and select ‘University of Galway Business Summit permit’.
Click here for directions to the P&R Car Park, please enter the campus at the Corrib Village Entrance, take an immediate left and drive approximately 100m to the car park. There is a shuttle service to the main campus, click here for times, take the shuttle to the last stop at the Orbsen Building and the Bailey Allen is a 2 minute walk. Please allow transfer time. The event venue is approximately a 15 minute walk from the P&R Car Park.
(Please note: The conference permit is only valid for the P&R car park and parking elsewhere will be subject to rules and regulations).
Paid parking is available for visitors to the campus in Pay And Display (blue lined spaces), click here for map of parking locations. Paid parking is also available in the Cathedral Car Park.
Cycling: If you are cycling to campus, the following are the options available;
Bicycle racks are available on campus if you are cycling to campus.
Galway TFI Bikes have a station at either end of the campus including at the Park and Ride and at the O’Shaughnessy Bridge (beside the Bailey Allen Hall), click here for map.
Should you have any queries ahead of the event, please do not hesitate to contact us by emailing businessalumni@universityofgalway.ie
We look forward to welcoming you to University of Galway.