About the event
A one-day event comprising networking and thought-provoking discussions and presentations that delve into the role of corporate affairs professionals today.
Free to attend for senior in-house professionals, the event will offer insights into ‘what good looks like’, the evolution of the role, the use of AI in communications, why responsible business starts with the people, the changing political landscape and what that means for corporate affairs professionals and insights into what the C-suite want from the function.
The day will comprise fireside chats, panel discussions and presentations.
Free to attend for senior in-house communications professionals. Sadly, the event is closed to agency professionals and other suppliers.
Register your interest at [email protected]
Or reserve a space here
Please note: the programme and speakers may be subject to change.
Agenda
9.30am
Registration and refreshments
10.30am
Welcome
Helen Dunne, editor, CorpComms Magazine, welcomes delegates to the event
10.35am
What does good look like?
Susie Farrell, founder of search consultancy Addison, talks to Helen
Dunne, editor, CorpComms Magazine, about best practice in the industry. What are the skills and resources required for a truly successful function? What is the ideal structure?
11am
The evolving role of corporate affairs in Ireland
From media enquiries to a strategic function advising the board, corporate affairs is evolving. But, in many cases, it has yet to fulfil its true potential. What are the obstacles and challenges and how can they be overcome?
Panelists:
Orlaith Blaney, director, communications and corporate affairs, Uisce Eireann
Rosemary Garth, director of communications, Tesco Ireland
Liam Reid, chief external affairs officer, eir
Oliver Wall, chief of staff and head of corporate affairs, Bank of Ireland
Moderator: Helen Dunne
11.45am
The changing political landscape
With half the world heading for the polls this year and an election in Ireland in 2025, what impact will this have on business? What are the key factors of which corporate affairs directors should be aware?
Panelists:
Nikki Gallagher, head of public affairs, IBEC
Conor O’Donovan, head of global marketing and strategic communications, Enterprise Ireland
Moderator:
Stephen O’Brien, head of public affairs (Ireland), Powerscourt Dublin
12.30pm
A fireside chat: From Mars to Penneys
Lee Andrews, corporate affairs director, Primark, talks to Helen Dunne, editor of CorpComms Magazine, about joining a national institution, and what he has learned in his first seven months.
1pm
Lunch
2pm
What does the C-Suite really want from corporate affairs?
David McRedmond, chief executive, An Post, shares with Eavan Gannon, managing director, Powerscourt Dublin, his views on the key skills corporate affairs professionals require to meet the demands of the C-Suite. Where can they add impact? How do they get a seat at the table?
2.45pm
The potential for AI in communications
AI is today’s reality. Most communicators agree it will fundamentally change the way that they work, but adoption has been slow and predominantly limited to routine or lower value tasks.
In her presentation, Darina Sexton, head of communications for the Microsoft Subsidiary in Ireland, will include demonstrations to reveal how AI can help in every aspect of corporate communications, from summarising meetings to crisis management.
3.20pm
Coffee break
3.50pm
A fireside chat:
Elizabeth Arnett was the first communications lead for Irish Water, as the utility sought to establish itself, and the last corporate affairs director at Ulster Bank, as the financial services group exited the marketplace. Now director for communications and brand at AXA, Arnett will chat to Addison's Susie Farrell about some of the unique challenges she has faced, and the lessons learned.
4.15pm
Responsible business – it starts with our people
The pandemic thrust not only internal communications into the spotlight, but also the importance of employee’s welfare. The panel will discuss how a strong culture, driven by engagement and interaction, is now key to the success of business.
Panelists:
Colm Fahey, external affairs manager, Mondelez Ireland
Anne-Marie Kiernan, director of internal communications, Kellanova
Shane Kelly, corporate relations director, Diageo
Olive Stephens, director of communications and public affairs, EY
5pm
Networking drinks
6pm
Carriages
Speakers
Lee Andrews
Corporate affairs director, Primark
Corporate affairs director, Primark
Elizabeth Arnett
Director of communications and brand, AXA
Director of communications and brand, AXA
Orlaith Blaney
Executive director, communications & corporate affairs, Uisce Éireann
Executive director, communications & corporate affairs, Uisce Éireann
Colm Fahey
External affairs manager, Mondelez Ireland
External affairs manager, Mondelez Ireland
Nikki Gallagher
Head of public affairs, IBEC
Head of public affairs, IBEC
Eavan Gannon
Managing director and head of Dublin office, Powerscourt Dublin
Managing director and head of Dublin office, Powerscourt Dublin
Rosemary Garth
Director of communications, Tesco Ireland
Director of communications, Tesco Ireland
Shane Kelly
Corporate relations director, Diageo
Corporate relations director, Diageo
Anne-Marie Kiernan
Director of internal communications, Kellanova Europe
Director of internal communications, Kellanova Europe
David McRedmond
Chief executive officer, An Post
Chief executive officer, An Post
David McRedmond was appointed chief executive officer of An Post in October 2016.
He has led the company’s transformation programme and return to financial stability, sustainable revenue growth and profit by taking big steps to fix the company’s economics and by restructuring the Mails & Parcels and Retail businesses in line with a rapidly changing, digital marketplace.
David is personally driving An Post’s Sustainability Charter, putting it at the centre of An Post’s business transformation and Green Light strategy.
He was previously chief executive officer of TV3 which he transformed into a major Irish broadcaster, concluding with its sale to Liberty Global, and he has held senior commercial roles in Ireland, the UK and the US. He is chairman of Eir, a lifetime Fellow of the Irish Management Institute and of the Royal Society of Arts.
Stephen O'Brien
Head of public affairs (Ireland), Powerscourt Dublin
Head of public affairs (Ireland), Powerscourt Dublin
Conor O'Donovan
Head of marketing and strategic communications, Enterprise Ireland
Head of marketing and strategic communications, Enterprise Ireland
Liam Reid
Chief external affairs officer, eir
Chief external affairs officer, eir
Olive Stephens
Director of corporate communications and public affairs, EY
Director of corporate communications and public affairs, EY
Oliver Wall
Chief of staff and head of corporate affairs, Bank of Ireland
Chief of staff and head of corporate affairs, Bank of Ireland
