Championing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for a Stronger Business Community

Dear Chamber Member,

As we approach International Women’s Day on March 8th, it is an important moment to reflect on the power of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in shaping a stronger, more resilient business community.

This year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. A reminder to address systemic barriers and biases that impact women, both in personal and professional spheres.

Creating inclusive workplaces where everyone can thrive is essential to fostering fresh perspectives, driving growth and attracting talent. International Women’s Day serves as a global reminder of the incredible contributions of women in business and the continued need for gender equality in leadership, pay and opportunity.

To grow and to thrive, Cork must be a genuinely warm and welcoming place of equal opportunity for people of all backgrounds, beliefs and identities. Cork Chamber and the wider business community have a key role to play in diversity, equity and inclusion and this must be demonstrated by actions and not by words alone.

As SDG Champions, under SDG 5 we advocate to achieve gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls. We also work to advance SDG 8 which is to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. These are broad and far-reaching targets, and we must all play our part to advance progress in our field of reach.

As a business community, together we can contribute to meaningful change. Whether it’s reviewing our hiring practices, supporting flexible work arrangements or amplifying diverse voices within our teams, every step forward strengthens our collective future.

We look forward to continuing to champion Cork as an more inclusive, warm and progressive place for business.

Best regards,

Conor Healy

CEO, Cork Chamber