Rowena McCormack and Jeanne Kelly at the Westmeath Dublin Business Networks event last week.

More than 100 attend first WDBN event

Published: Wed 26 Sep 2018, 4:57 PM

Last updated: Wed 26 Sep 2018, 6:01 PM

More than 100 business people from the county attended the introductory event of the newly formed Westmeath Dublin Business Networks (WDBN) at House, on Leeson Street Dublin 2, which is run by Westmeath native Alan Clancy of NolaClan Group.

The guests heard from Westmeath industry leaders Michael Nolan CEO of TII, who is from Curraghmore, and Feargal O’Rourke, managing partner of PwC, son of Mary O’Rourke from Athlone.

Michael Nolan, the CEO of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), is the first chief executive of the semi-state body, which merged the National Roads Authority (NRA) and the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA).

He spoke of his fondness for Westmeath and how he commutes every day from Curraghmore to Dublin.

He mentioned how Transport Infrastructure Ireland is currently focused on the reactivation of the motorway project between Mullingar and Longford, the N52 between Kilbeggan and Tullamore and an upgrade of the M4 between Junction 7 (Maynooth) and Junction 5 at Leixlip.

Michael concluded by illustrating the importance of networking for his role and congratulated the organisers of the WDBN for the initiative.

Considered one of the most influential figures in tax and financial services in Ireland, Feargal O’Rourke has played a major role in the Irish and global tax policy debate and shared platforms with Irish and foreign politicians as well as OECD tax officials.

He spoke to the attendees about the importance of networking and looking out for people from our home county. He joked about how he always looks for Westmeath on CVs when they land on his desk.

Both speakers discussed the value of networks such as the WDBN and encouraged all in attendance to join up and support the initiative.

The chair of the WDBN, Ray Geraghty, welcomed the guests and confirmed the three pillars that are the foundation of the network; help Westmeath business people, working in Dublin, build key connections and links; encourage members to share business among the membership of the network when possible; provide a platform to support and mentor start-ups and graduates setting out in their careers.

The committee of the WDBN includes; Ray Geraghty of Bannon, John Brennan of ORS, Andrew Maslin of ODREM, Paul Shine of Diageo, Catherine Bennett of Glenveagh, James Keane of KPMG, Hugo Slevin of EY, Rowena McCormack of DAC Beachcroft and Aideen Ginnell of Hanover Communications.

• To express an interest in joining the WDBN please visit https://westmeathdublinbusinessnetwork.com/.

Membership is €30, and all applications will be vetted to ensure they meet the specified criteria.