Ibec Podcasts

Preventative health in the workforce is a rapidly growing conversation and a vital driver of organisational success. As employee expectations evolve, organisations must look beyond traditional, individual-focused wellness initiatives and evaluate how the work environment itself supports well-being. Adopting a proactive, early-intervention framework allows businesses to address workplace pressures...

This week, Ibec International Focus was launched by our team in Brussels. For EU policymakers and Ibec members, this tri-annual publication offers insight-led positioning on EU and international policy from a cross-sectoral Irish business perspective. Ibec International Focus includes insights and analysis from across the organisation in Ibec’s policy division, and from sectoral associations. In t...

In this episode, Maeve McElwee, Executive Director, Employer Relations and Fiona Higgins, Head of Advocacy Services, explore the findings of our latest Talent, Trends, and Pay Survey examining wage expectations for 2027, impacts of the newly introduced pension auto-enrolment legislation, pay transparency preparations, and other effects of new and existing policy and permissions on business. This y...

Budget 2027 reflects the country’s broader economic and social intent, displaying a strong commitment to meeting the challenges of our workforce transition head-on. In this episode of Ibec Responds, Gerard Brady, Chief Economist, Hazel Ahern-Flynn, Senior Economist, and Mourad Mejdi, Economist give their reaction and analysis of Budget 2027. They discuss key measures including the unlocking of €36...

In this episode of Ibec Responds, Neil Willoughby speaks with Bobby McDonagh, former senior Irish diplomat including as Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the EU and prominent commentator on Anglo-Irish and European affairs. Bobby joined the Irish diplomatic service in 1977, building a distinguished career as Permanent Representative to the EU, Ambassador to the UK and Italy, and Director Gener...

 In this episode of Ibec Responds, Alan Sherlock, External Affairs Manager at Ibec, speaks with incoming Ibec President, Maureen Walsh. As Managing Director of DeCare Dental Ireland, Maureen takes on this prestigious role representing the largest business representative group.  This conversation takes place just before she addresses over 800 enterprise leaders, policymakers, and guests at the Ibec...

In this episode of Ibec Responds, Alan Sherlock, External Affairs Manager is joined by Neil Willoughby, Head of EU and International Policy, to discuss Ireland’s six-month Presidency of the Council of the EU. They explore how Ireland can leverage this pivotal moment to drive economic growth and highlight key insights into Ibec’s strategic EU activity.  Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ib...

In this episode, Harry Wall and Catriona McKeating, Associate Legal Directors in our Employment Law Services team, return to discuss equal pay case law, this time focusing on work of equal value and gender neutral reasons for differences in pay.  Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here .  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new epis...

Ella Kearns, Executive, BiopharmaChem Ireland speaks with Paul McCabe, Group Chief Operating Officer of APC & VLE Therapeutics. They discuss BioPharmaChem Ireland’s new strategy, 'Together, for others,’ which aims to support and scale our indigenous biopharmachem ecosystem. Ireland's FDI manufacturing model is already world-class. But global biotech hubs show us that true resilience...

In this episode, Financial Services Ireland (FSI) Director Patricia Callan speaks with members of FSI’s Savings & Investment Account Taskforce, Eoin Fitzgerald, Taskforce chair and Country Head for Brown Brothers Harriman, and James Costello, Head of Portfolio Management Group at Davy.  Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here .  Make sure to follow I...

In this episode of Ibec Responds, @ Alan Sherlock , External Affairs Manager, sits down with @ Gerard Brady , Head of National Policy and Chief Economist and @ Hazel Ahern-Flynn , Senior Economist to discuss the key findings from our latest Economic Outlook report [link].  We are currently navigating a period of intense global volatility. From the dramatic "whiplash" trade effects driven...

In this episode of WorkTalks, Vicky O’Neill, Ibec’s HR Strategy Specialist, is joined by Robert Mac Giolla Phádraig, Founder and CEO of SkillStack. Together, they explore the current upskilling paradox and discuss how organisations can bridge the gap between acknowledging the importance of L&D and executing a robust learning strategy. Robert shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, th...

In this episode of Ibec Reponds, Alan Sherlock, External Affairs Manager, and Sharon Higgins, Executive Director of Membership and Sectors, discuss the launch Ibec’s 2026 Founders Report, From Vision to Venture. Together, they look closely at the complex hurdles today's business leaders face, from managing work-life balance and navigating regulatory compliance to closing critical tech knowled...

Ahead of the commencement of the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025 on 29 June, Nichola Harkin, Head Of Employment Law Services, and Aoife McFadden, Legal Director, discuss the upcoming changes to contractual retirement ages and how businesses can best prepare for this.  Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here .  Make sure to follow Ibec P...

In this episode of our Courageous Leaders , Ibec Head of Skills and Social Policy Kara McGann is joined by Dr. Mamobo Ogoro, social psychologist and Founder and CEO of GORM.  With a background hosting 'Younified' on Newstalk and as the first Irish person to win the Echoing Green Fellowship, Dr. Ogoro brings a unique vantage point on navigating multiple identities and building positive in...

In this episode of Ibec Responds, Gerard Brady, Chief Economist is joined by Hazel Ahern-Flynn, Senior Economist, and Mourad Mejdi, Economist, as they unpack Ibec’s latest Budget 2027 campaign – Building a Resilient Economy. This year’s submission highlights an economic reality: Budget 2027 must balance immediate energy-driven volatility with long-term, structural transitions. Ireland is currently...

In this episode of Ibec Responds, Ibec CEO Danny McCoy and BusinessEurope President Fredrik Persson, discuss the priorities and challenges facing European companies over the next six months. Following the Council of Presidents meetings in Dublin, they analyse how Ireland's upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU will look to foster cross-border business growth and economic resilience.  ...

In this episode, Vicky O’Neill HR Strategy Specialist talks with Conor McCabe Managing Director, and Head of Interior Design at Henry J Lyons Architects to explore how the future of office spaces can unlock innovation, foster collaboration, and support deep focus. We’ll discuss how design choices impact culture, productivity, and employee experience — and what CEOs, HR leaders, and facility manage...

In this episode, Nichola Harkin, Head of Employment Law Services, and Pauline O’Hare, Senior Legal Director, discuss the European Institute for Gender Equality’s EU-wide guidelines on gender-neutral job evaluation and classification and how employers can use this toolkit can be used by employers in their job evaluation processes. Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offer...

Why is an inclusive "Brand Ireland" critical to our economic resilience?  In this episode of Courageous Leaders, Ibec CEO Danny McCoy is joined by Sabrina Casalta, CEO of Vodafone Ireland.  Sabrina moved from Italy to lead Vodafone’s Irish Business in 2025, as she brings a unique international perspective to the conversation regarding Ireland’s openness and its reputation as a welcoming...

In this episode of Courageous Leaders, Ibec Head of Skills and Social Policy Dr. Kara McGann is joined by Denise Charlton, CEO of the Community Foundation Ireland.  Denise brings decades of experience leading transformative social change, having previously served as CEO of both Women’s Aid and the Immigrant Council of Ireland.  Kara and Denise discuss Ireland’s long-term prosperity depends on an o...

In this episode, Bernie McMeel, OSH Executive, and Michael Gillen, Senior OSH Membership Executive, discuss the core considerations for employers where employees engage in international travel. In an increasingly volatile world, this episode covers the main considerations for employers from an occupational health and safety perspective.  Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podca...

In this episode of Ibec Responds, Executive Director of Ibec Global, Jackie King speaks with General Seán Clancy, Chair of The European Union Military Committee (EUMC).   This discussion sits within a broader resilience agenda. We are exploring how the changed security environment is shaping the conditions for competitiveness, investment and long-term prosperity including through critical infrastr...

In this episode of Courageous Leaders, Ibec Head of Skills and Social Policy Dr. Kara McGann is joined by Hilary O’Meara, Country Managing Director of Accenture in Ireland. With over 30 years at Accenture, including experience as COO for the UK and Ireland, Hilary is a prominent advocate for modern leadership and fostering cultures where everyone feels they belong. As a board member of the Open Do...

In this episode, Vicky O’Neill sits down with Peter Cosgrove, Managing Director of Future wise and a leading voice on the future of work. Peter shares insights on the trends reshaping how we work from AI in hiring to the challenges of hybrid models and what leaders need to do to stay ahead. Whether you’re an employer, employee, or simply curious about what’s next, this conversation will help you u...