Business & Finance

Launch of the Regional Enterprise Plan for the South-East at the Kent Stainless premises in Wexford, L-R: Ann O'Brien, Managing Director of Kent Stainless, Minister of State Robert Troy TD, Derek Kent, Director of Kent Stainless, and Minister James Browne TD. Pic: Mary Browne.

Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Robert Troy launched the South-East Regional Enterprise Plan (REP) to 2024, in Wexford, on 24th March.

The South-East REP, covering counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford, is one of nine new enterprise plans throughout the country which will be funded by up to €180 million. This funding will drive the implementation of the Plans which will develop and implement collaborative and innovation enterprise projects in the regions and support sustainable jobs. The REPs have been developed using a ‘bottom up’ approach by people who have a real stake in their community. This model makes the Plan unique and responsive to the opportunities and needs of the region, with a focus on regional collaboration. Minister Troy outlined the importance of the Plan, saying: "I am delighted to be in Wexford today to launch the South-East Regional Enterprise Plan to 2024. Congratulations to Patsy Carney, Chair of the South-East Steering Committee, Alan Quirke, South-East Programme Manager, Richard Hickey, SouthEast Programme Executive and the Steering Committee members for delivering this new plan for the region. "Over the past year the enterprise community from across Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford came together to develop ambitious, achievable objectives to capitalise on the unique strengths and seize the opportunities for the South-East. The Plan reflects the region’s huge appetite to build a balanced regional recovery, one that is focused on future enterprise development and sustainable job creation for the longer term. "I was determined to ensure that funding will be made available to drive the Regional Enterprise Plans and I am delighted to announce today funding of up to €17 million for regional enterprise projects as part of the overall €180 million in funding over the coming years. This is necessary for the development of collaborative regional projects that will drive delivery of the objectives developed in this South-East Plan. I look forward to working with Patsy and the committee throughout implementation." Delivering balanced regional growth is a stated objective within the Programme for Government and in the Economic Recovery Plan 2021. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment contributes to the regional agenda in a number of ways, including through the enterprise agencies, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland; the Local Enterprise Offices and through national enterprise policy. Chair of the South-East Regional Steering Committee, Patsy Carney, Director of Kinetic Labs said:

"I would like to thank Minister Troy for his visit to Wexford today for our launch of the South-East Regional Enterprise Plan. I would like to acknowledge his support and involvement during the consultation process which was key in ensuring momentum and engagement was maintained in the region. "I look forward to working closely with the Minister and Committee members as we move to implementation stage." n

Minister James Browne TD recently visited the premises of Adman Steel Sheds, based near Gorey, met with owner Paul Nolan, and took a tour of the facility. Adman Steel Sheds manufacture a huge range of steel garden sheds, insulated sheds, garages and garden rooms at their extensive premises at Ballycanew Road, Gorey. Each Adman Steel Shed is made to order, with a choice of sizes, colours, doors and a host of unique storage options that can be specified to suit all garden and storage requirements. The company prides itself on the quality materials used along with top workmanship. Smart storage options are also offered including bike rack, tool rack, sturdy steel shelving and workbenches. These options enable customers maximise the space within their sheds and create order.

Contact details: Adman Steel, Ballycanew Road, Gorey. Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8am to 5pm. Saturdays: 10am to 4pm. Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays: Closed. Tel: 053 94 30001 E-mail: info@admansteelsheds.ie www.admansteelsheds.ie n

Niamh Hogan of Holos, a previous speaker at the LEO Wexford Women in Business Network.

County Wexford Chamber is delighted to announce the launch of the County Wexford Business Awards 2022 when once again top businesses across the county of Wexford will be recognised for their efforts.

Following a two-year absence due to Covid, the prestigious awards ceremony returns, honouring the best of County Wexford’s businesses in a gala night at Clayton Whites Hotel. Over the years, the awards night and the awards themselves have become highly successful and this year’s process, from nominations to the big reveal of winners will be featured in print and online with the awards’ media partner People Newspapers. The awards night will be held at Clayton Whites Hotel on Friday, May 27. Around 500 local business leaders will be present at the awards, where local companies will be rewarded for their successes. There are 19 awards up for grabs plus the prestigious County Wexford Overall Business of the Year Award, which is sponsored by Chevron College. The awards, which are free to enter, are open to businesses across County Wexford including both members and nonmembers of County Wexford Chamber. The shortlisted companies, win or lose, will also have an opportunity to secure strong media profiling, as each shortlisted finalist will be featured by Wexford People News. AWARD CATEGORIES:

County Wexford Overall Business of the Year – Sponsored by Chevron College. County Wexford Social Enterprise Outstanding Achievement – Sponsored by Wexford People. County Wexford Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility – Sponsored by Scurri.

County Wexford Service Industry Provider of the Year – Sponsored by Danone Nutricia.

County Wexford E-Commerce Excellence Award – Sponsored by AIB Bank. County Wexford Green Award – Environmental Best Practice – Sponsored by Wexford Bus.

County Wexford Excellence in International Trade Award – Sponsored by Rosslare Europort. County Wexford SME of the Year Award (50 + employees) – Sponsored by Talbot Hotel Wexford.

County Wexford Operational Excellence Award – Sponsored by Waters Technologies Ireland Ltd. County Wexford Training Provider of The Year – Sponsored by Kent Stainless. County Wexford Outstanding Contribution to Business – Sponsored by Monart Destination Spa. County Wexford SME of the Year Award (1-50 employees) – Sponsored by PTSB. County Wexford Excellence in Retail Award – Sponsored by Joyces Expert Wexford.

County Wexford Start Up Business of the Year – Sponsored by Wexford County Council. County Wexford Social Media & Digital Marketing Excellence Award – Sponsored by Clayton Whites Hotel. County Wexford Family Business of the Year Award – Sponsored by PWC. County Wexford Activity Tourism Provider of The Year Award – Sponsored by Wexford Local Development. County Wexford Town Ambassadors of the Year Award – Sponsored by Zurich Insurance.

County Wexford Hospitality Provider of The Year Award – Sponsored by Wexford Chamber Skillnet.

County Wexford Food & Beverage Producer of the Year – Sponsored by Irish Country Meats. For more information, contact County Wexford Chamber on 053 91 22226 or www.wexfordbusinessawards.ie n

After a series of false starts, the annual Enniscorthy & District Chamber Black Tie Ball will be going ahead in The Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, on Saturday night, April 16th (Easter Saturday). After such a prolonged period of lockdown, the Chamber believes the time is right for this event so members and guests can enjoy the convivial company of friends and business acquaintances. The Ball is being billed as the social highlight of the Easter season in the county. Considerable planning has gone into the event which includes a champagne reception on arrival, a sumptuous fivecourse dinner with a choice of wines, and dancing afterwards to the sounds of Brass & Co – a 13 piece musical combo from Waterford. Congratulations to Rosslare-based cosmetics manufacturer Professional Hair Products Ltd on coming out on top at this year’s Wexford Enterprise Awards. Best of luck to CEO Ryan Margolin and team as they represent Wexford in the National Enterprise Awards in Dublin in June!

Mr. Ivan Yates, well known TV personality, businessman and retired politician has very kindly agreed to act as guest speaker for the Ball and his incisive comments and remarks on topics of the day will no doubt be eagerly awaited.

Tables of ten for company bookings will guarantee a night to remember for group attendees, and individual tickets are also available to purchase. With demand expected to exceed supply, early booking is strongly advised. Corporate tables and individual tickets can be ordered in advance by contacting the Enniscorthy & District Chamber office on 053 9232006 during office hours or by email at admin@enniscorthychamber.ie n

LEO (Local Enterprise Office) Wexford Women in Business Network is delighted to welcome leading podcaster Angie Mezzetti to Enniscorthy on 28 April. This is an historic occasion for the Network which was set up during the winter lockdown of 2020. Now, for the first time, the group will meet in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy, at 10am on 28 April. Angie Mezzetti runs the media production and training company, Ocarina. A former newscaster and journalist with RTE, she now produces radio podcasts and documentaries for RTE Lyric fm, Newstalk, and the Doc On One. She also prepares people in the public and private sector for media interviews and demystifies the process for them. Angie presents and produces the Women In Leadership podcast where leading women share their leadership experience and talk about current challenges for women in business, politics, society, and in their daily family and social lives. One surprise element is their ‘Go To Song’ which guests usually share and also their monetary advice and wisdom – often hard lessons are behind these stories.

Angie will present a Top Ten Countdown of these Lessons In Leadership Songs that have inspired guests on the show and will share the stories and inspirational leadership lessons behind them. Attendees at the LEO Wexford Women in Business Network will have a chance to share their own songs and wisdom too in a lively morning of wisdom sharing. Bookings for the free Network event on: https://www.localenterprise.ie/Wexford/T raining-Events/Online-Bookings/Womenin-Business-Network-28-04-2022.html

Registration and refreshments are at 10am – 10.30am, with the speaker and a Q&A from 10.30am to 11.30am, and open networking 11.30am-12.30pm. n

Wexford TD and Minister of State for Law Reform James Browne TD has met with Enterprise Ireland CEO Mr Leo Clancy to explore the potential of developing Enterprise Ireland-supported renewable energy jobs in County Wexford. Rosslare Europort is seen as having great potential to serve as an offshore renewable energy hub, which will offer major opportunities for County Wexford. Following the meeting, Minister Browne thanked Mr Clancy for his interest. “Rosslare Europort is well placed for serving as a strategic offshore renewable energy hub. My Government colleagues and I are acutely aware of the major opportunities in creating renewable energy jobs. The Expert Group of Future Skills Needs expects the number of off-shore wind employees to rise from the low hundreds to approximately 2,500 by 2025.

“Developing Rosslare Europort as a strategic offshore renewable energy hub offers major opportunities for the development of offshore wind electricity and associated by-products. The Department of Enterprise and Enterprise Ireland are actively engaged in building the capacity in the indigenous sector for supply chain opportunities with large international investors. I will continue to work closely with the Minister for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Robert Troy TD and Enterprise Ireland to secure the growth of County Wexford jobs in this crucial, low carbon economy sector,” Minister Browne concluded. n

Leo Clancy (Enterprise Ireland CEO), Carol Gibbons (Enterprise Ireland) and Minister James Browne TD.