Launch Of Boston College Ireland Business Council

US AND IRISH BUSINESS LEADERS CONVENE IN DUBLIN IN SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR CONTINUED TRANSATLANTIC TRADE AND FDI AT THE LAUNCH OF THE BOSTON COLLEGE IRELAND BUSINESS COUNCIL.

Dublin, Thursday 19 October, 2017 – Some of Ireland’s most respected and influential business leaders gathered at the Merrion Hotel last Night, Wednesday 18 October, 2017 to launch the Boston College Ireland Business Council.

The Boston College Ireland Business Council is designed to enhance transatlantic business between the US and Ireland through creating connections that allow for entrepreneurial ventures to grow and prosper.

Borne from the success of the 2016 Aer Lingus American College Football Classic and founded by the Global Leadership Institute, Boston College, and Ireland, Gateway to Europe, and Chaired by Neil Naughton of GlenDimplex, the purpose of the Boston College Ireland Business Council is to bring influential business leaders from both communities together once a year in Dublin and in Boston to create one deeply connected transatlantic trade and foreign direct investment artery.

Guests on the night included Boston College alumnus Denis O’Brien and Fergal Naughton, CEO GlenDimplex Group, and speakers included Paul Coulson, Chairman Ardagh Group plc and Neil Naughton, Chair GlenDimplex.

Commenting on the launch of the Council, co-founder Dr. Bob Mauro, Director Global Leadership Institute, Boston College says: “Boston College was established in 1863 to educate Boston’s Irish immigrant community and to help form leaders capable of addressing the world’s most urgent problems. The Boston College Ireland Business Council (BCIBC) proudly builds on that tradition by connecting business leaders in Ireland and Boston, facilitating discussions, and creating economic prosperity through transatlantic trade. Working with our partners in the Ireland, Gateway to Europe and Aer Lingus Classic, we can create real benefits for people in Ireland and Boston”.

Ireland Gateway To Europe (IGTE) is a not-for-profit annual trade mission made up of 30+ professional advisory firms who travel the US to showcase Ireland as Europe’s premier investment location through a series of investor events and engagements.

The IGTE vision is to provide companies seeking to expand into Europe with a secure resource network for business expansion, and access to an experienced, professional network of service providers to help investments succeed quicker.

Speaking at the event Robert Mac Giolla Phádraig of Ireland Gateway to Europe, leadership team said: “Ireland remains one of the best places in the world to do business and without doubt, one of our strongest international relationships has been, and still is, with the US, something that has recently come under threat due to political uncertainty on both sides of the Atlantic. By establishing the Boston College Ireland Business Council, the tight commercial and social bonds we share with the US can be strengthened and built upon bilaterally business to business in spite of any potential external political threats.

“Indeed, we have just returned from the US where we met with business leaders in San Francisco and in Silicon Valley. The vision of our mission was to encourage and educate US companies who are looking to expand into Europe to choose Ireland as their location of choice. We aim to supply the necessary information, build trust and provide contacts in Ireland for these companies to execute their plans.”

Hosting the launch of the Boston College Ireland Business Council was Neil Naughton, Chair GlenDimplex. He said: “On September 2, 2016, Georgia Tech narrowly defeated Boston College in Aviva Stadium in the Aer Lingus American College Football Classic. In addition to the game itself the steering committee and partners were responsible for arranging other sporting, cultural, academic, business and social events. The weekend was deemed a success for Ireland on many fronts; in addition to welcoming the 25,000 visitors and their additional €56m spend many relationships, both business and social, were formed.

“As part of the legacy of the 2016 Aer Lingus College Football Classic and, following on from the Boston College CEO Club lunch in the Mansion House the day before the game, we are establishing the Boston College Ireland Business Council (BCIBC). The purpose of this council is to cultivate, nurture and encourage business relationships between Ireland and our Bostonian brothers. Our overall objective is for attendees to engage with the discussion and to network but specifically to take insights from panellist’s thought leadership to help build better transatlantic business relationships.”

Attendees included both Irish CEOs of international companies as well as European Heads of US organisations. Paschal Donoghue, Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform was also present as was a delegation of Boston based business leaders and the leadership team from Boston College.

On the evening, there was be a panel discussion on Global Leadership. The following global heavyweight Business Leaders contributed on the night:

Willie Walsh, CEO IAG (6th largest airline group in the world)
Paul Coulson, Chairman Ardagh Group plc (3rd largest material packaging company in the world)
Siobhán Talbot, CEO Glanbia (#1 performance nutrition brand portfolio in the world)
Neil Naughton, Chair GlenDimplex (largest heater manufacturer in the world)

The Boston College Ireland Business Council advisory board:

Neil Naughton, Chair Glen Dimplex (Chairman)
Dr. Bob Mauro, Director Global Leadership institute, Boston College, USA
Jim Kelliher, CFO Actifio, USA
Robert Mac Giolla Phadraig, CCO Sigmar Recruitment, Leader; Ireland, Gateway to Europe

Posted by Jamie Harnett, Associate Director Marketing & People Engagement on 7 December 2017

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