With over 2.5 million views on his Ted Talks videos, and as a former investment banker and current Professor of Finance and London Business School and board member of The Investor Forum, we are honoured to welcome Alex Edmans in-person to Chartered Accountants House. Purpose is the corporate buzzword of today, with politicians, the public, and even shareholders calling on businesses to serve wider society. But purpose is also controversial, because companies have a responsibility to deliver returns to investors. Is there a trade-off between purpose and profit, or is it possible for companies to achieve both? This talk will critically examine the case for purposeful business, using rigorous evidence and real-life examples to show what works – and, importantly, what doesn’t. It will discuss practical ways for businesses of all sizes to put purpose into practice and manage the difficult trade-offs that often hold them back.
Economic outlook: A global, Ireland and Northern Ireland business perspective
Dr Loretta O’Sullivan, Group Chief Economist at Bank of Ireland, will provide an update on the current economic conditions on the island of Ireland, the impact of global events and the future outlook for Irish businesses. Dr O’Sullivan will also provide insights from the lates Bank of Ireland Economic Pulse Survey, due to be released towards the end of September, and will discuss topics such as the labour market, salary levels, inflation, energy costs, supply chain issues and commercial interest rates and ESG.
Panel discussion: How businesses are adjusting to the new normal, inflation and supply chain challenges
Featuring
Ken Bowles (CFO at Smurfit Kappa),
Oonagh O’Hagan (Owner and Managing Director of Meaghers Pharmacy Group) and
Simon Shannon (Finance Director at Aryzta Ireland), this panel will discuss many of the points raised by
Dr Loretta O’Sullivan and provide insights to how their organisations are adapting to the challenges, availing of new opportunities and ensuring the resilience and sustainability of their businesses. The panel will be moderated by
Dr Brian Keegan and will explore a range of perspectives including:
- how small, medium and large sized companies are coping
- the impact on retail and wholesale markets
- challenges for business-to-business and business-to-consumer supply chains
- expectations from leadership of owner-managed and external shareholder governance structures, and
- industry specific considerations for manufacturing, distribution, physical and online retail and logistics organisations and the impact they have on supply chains of other organisations
Leader insights: Growing a domestic company, financing, and going global
An interview with
Pat McDonagh, Founder and Managing Director of Supermacs, exploring the success story of a family-owned business in Ireland including its origins, the challenges over the years and how they have been overcome, the opportunities and culture that have seen this restaurant group successfully compete and expand to become a household name across the island of Ireland and diversify into other hospitality ventures including pubs, a pizza franchise, hotels and travel plazas. Pat will share his outlook on doing business in Ireland, his views on corporate social responsibility, the current economic climate and the emerging energy crisis.
Leader insights: From the international sports arena to the boardroom - exploring a career of being a leading competitor to leading reform
This interview with
Olive Loughnane, World Championship Gold Medallist, four-time Olympian, Director of Transformation at SFPA and Board Member of Sports Ireland, will explore how the leadership qualities and experience in sport transfer to professional and business life in leading business transformation and being a high performing board member. The interview, conducted by Sinead Donovan, will discuss some of Olive’s challenges and successes in sport, and her views on current challenges and opportunities facing Irish businesses and sports organisations.
Bonus Content - Takeaway recorded content:
Technical Round-up: Key updates for the busy business leader
Acknowledging the challenges for the busy professional working in business to keep up to date and ahead of current technical developments, the Institute Professional Accountancy team will provide a round-up of the most recent Corporate Reporting (including sustainability), Business Law, Anti-money laundering, Sanctions, Audit and Assurance, and insolvency developments. The round-up will include highlighting key developments and sign-posting delegates to further information. This recorded content will be exclusively available for conference delegates to watch in their own time.
Corporate Governance Trends – what keeps directors awake at night?
Níall Fitzgerald, Head of Ethics and Governance at Chartered Accountants Ireland, will provide an overview of the topics discussed with directors and regulators over the past six months, including insights to the latest developments in corporate governance and compliance. This recorded content will be exclusively available for conference delegates to watch in their own time.