France is a very important market for Irish companies and the recent downgrading of France means that Ireland will need further competitiveness to grow trade with France.


John Mullins, 45, is Chief Executive Officer of Amarenco, a company which is focused on solar asset development, financing and ownership in Europe and particularly in the South of France. Previous to these roles, John Mullins was Chief Executive of Bord Gáis from December 2007 until the end of 2012. During this time, BGE established a significant electricity business, renewable and conventional generation assets. He has held senior management positions with ESB, ESB International, PricewaterhouseCooper (UK) and NTR plc. Group. He is a Fellow of Engineers Ireland and the Irish Academy of Engineering and is a member of the UCC Governing Body. He is also Chairman of the Port of Cork Company and a Director of Wisetek Limited. John has served as Chairman of the Bord Gais Pension Fund and now serves as Chairman of the Port of Cork Pension Fund. He holds a Bachelor and Masters degree in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from the Smurfit Business School in UCD, Dublin.

§Q&A – followed by drinks & canapés