The South West for Financial Services

Dear Chamber Member,

 

I hope you, your colleagues and families are keeping well.

 

Last week, we had our first in-person event in quite some time and it was an absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to welcome many of you to enjoy the lively discussion and to hear the inspirational keynotes. The event showcased the international financial services (IFS) cluster in the south west region and brought together industry experts from across Cork and Kerry and was addressed by keynote speakers Michael McGrath TD, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Seán Fleming TD, Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deirdre O’Connor, native of Cork and MD of BlackRock and Pat Lardner, CEO of Irish Funds.

 

Ireland’s South-West region is home to a significant and growing cluster of approximately 40 IFS companies with particularly strong activity in sub-sectors including asset management, fund admin and fintech. The cluster has demonstrated significant growth in recent years and the broad ecosystem employs upwards 3,500 people. The growth trajectory for the cluster and wider ecosystem in the region is very positive and every effort must be made to enhance this growth. 

 

Availability of talent is top of the agenda in every conversation we are having with firms operating in FS and all sectors of business at the moment. In the South-West, business is supported by a strong talent pipeline of highly-educated potential future employees from the two regional universities. University College Cork and Munster Technological University have a combined total over 40,000 students, and 2,000 graduate in business or finance disciplines each year. We heard directly from President of MTU Maggie Cusack, and President of UCC John O'Halloran, at our business breakfast this morning, who spoke passionately about the challenges and opportunities their universities are facing and the need for greater government investment.

 

It is vital also, that government commitments made in the national and local development plans are delivered upon in order to truly support the private sector investors in all sectors of business. Investment must continue in our housing and other infrastructure if we are to enhance the accessibility and attractiveness of the region in order to maintain and grow our reputation as a top-class location for quality of life.

 

We will continue to engage with local and national representatives on these and other key issues affecting life and business in the region. I welcome you to contact me directly, to discuss these or other issues affecting your business. Our agenda is shaped by you.

 

Warm regards,

Conor Healy

CEO