Kilcullen Business Post Group completes IMI deal
The company said the deal, which was announced last month, complements its existing portfolio.
It said it aligns with its "House of Brands" in its vision to deliver world-class content (BusinessPost.ie), experiences (iQuest.ie), insights (RedCResearch.ie), and executive education (IMI.ie) to the country's business and management community.
Enda O'Coineen, the publisher and CEO of the Kilcullen Business Post Group, said the company was delighted to officially welcome IMI, one of Ireland's most iconic business brands, to the Kilcullen Business Post Group.
"In the world that we live and operate in today, the only thing that is certain is change. Being agile, entrepreneurial, and dynamic is essential to thriving in this environment," he said.
"Recent months have been unprecedented in the global economy. Leaders are being asked to make decisions in the dark essentially. It is vital that they continue to educate themselves on this fast-changing world so that rapid decisions can be well informed," he said.
Under the terms of the deal, Shane O'Sullivan will continue as CEO of the IMI and plans are in place to invest further in the IMI senior leadership team.
Active recruitment is underway to build and grow the existing team. New board appointments are underway, and a refresh of the IMI Council is planned in the months ahead.
UCC will also continue to award IMI qualifications for at least two years as the business transitions and develops to grow not just in Ireland but internationally.
"Today marks an important and exciting new chapter in IMI's journey. This investment and strategic alignment provides a strong platform to expand our offering and deepen our impact," Shane O'Sullivan said.
"The world we operate in is becoming increasingly complex, shaped by global uncertainty and defined by rapid technological change, driven by AI. The need for learning has never been greater and has never had such a return on investment," he said.
"Leaders need to be more adaptive, more attuned to change, and more focused on empowering their people to succeed. At IMI, we are here to guide organisations in doing that and with the support of the Kilcullen Business Post Group our proposition will be more relevant than ever before," he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
14-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Irish executives forge ahead with DEI strategies
A survey by the Irish Management Institute (IMI) of 100 senior business leaders in Ireland, across private, public and semi-state sectors, found that 97pc plan to strengthen their organisation's diversity efforts. It also found that 44pc of those surveyed plan to increase investment in DEI programmes, while 54pc intend to maintain their current DEI initiatives and policies. Last month, the Sunday Independent revealed that the US embassy in Dublin has sent warnings to companies it does business with to comply with Donald Trump's 'anti-DEI' agenda if they employ American citizens and have US owners. Entities that have received grants from the embassy have also been given the same warning. The letters would apply to many US multinationals and their subsidiaries in Ireland providing services to the embassy, which could include firms in hospitality, cleaning and events. Just 5pc of the senior executives surveyed by the IMI believe that mandating a full return to the office will enhance productivity or drive growth. That's seemingly at odds with an increasing push by more companies to get staff back into offices on a full-time basis. Billionaire Denis O'Brien recently claimed that working-from-home was a 'load of nonsense' and insisted it has negatively affected productivity. The IMI survey found that 39pc of executives believe that eliminating hybrid working policies would have a negative impact on workforce productivity and employee work-life balance. 'What we're seeing is a tale of two realities: as some countries, particularly the US, scale back their DE&I commitments, Ireland's business leaders are choosing a different path—reinforcing their dedication to building diverse and inclusive workplaces,' said IMI chief executive Shane O'Sullivan. 'Our survey clearly shows that, rather than stepping back, leaders in Ireland are doubling down on DE&I, recognising it as a strategic imperative,' he added. The IMI has also announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarship programme with the 30% Club, a global business campaign designed to boost female representation on boards and among senior executive leadership teams in the world's biggest companies. Suzanne Torsney, global head of internal communications and engagement at Primark, and Michele Bourke, programme manager, national clinical programmes for gastroenterology and hepatology, at the HSE, have been awarded this year's scholarships.
Irish Examiner
13-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Irish companies double down on DEI despite shift in the US
The majority of Irish businesses plan to maintain or increase their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts despite a rollback in other parts of the world, particularly the US. A survey of 100 senior business leaders across private, public, and semi-state organisations found 97% plan to strengthen their organisation's diversity efforts. Almost half (44%) intend to increase investment in DEI programmes, while 54% say they will maintain their current initiatives and policies. The survey by the Irish Management Institute (IMI) also found that 39% of decision makers believe eliminating hybrid working policies would have a negative impact on productivity and employee work-life balance. 'What we're seeing is a tale of two realities," Shane O'Sullivan, CEO at IMI said. "As some countries, particularly the US, scale back their DEI commitments, Ireland's business leaders are choosing a different path—reinforcing their dedication to building diverse and inclusive workplaces. Our survey clearly shows that, rather than stepping back, leaders in Ireland are doubling down on DEI, recognising it as a strategic imperative." On hybrid working, just 5% of business leaders believe mandating a full return will enhance productivity or drive growth. This highlights a broader recognition that flexible work models are not only key to performance but also to fostering inclusive, equitable workplaces that attract and retain diverse talent. Half of the leaders surveyed state that implementing full-time in-office working policies will have a mixed impact on their organisation, which could improve collaboration but make it more challenging to attract top talent. A number of executive orders signed by US President Donald Trump have rolled back DEI efforts in the US government and put pressure on businesses to make similar changes within their organisations. Many of the world's largest companies, including a number with operations in Ireland, such as Google, Meta, Amazon and PepsiCo, have removed or scaled back their DEI policies, including removing diversity goals.
Irish Times
04-07-2025
- Irish Times
IMI staff headcount shrank before sale to Business Post group
One of Ireland's oldest business schools, the Irish Management Institute (IMI) , trimmed its staff headcount by almost 20 per cent in the year before the Business Post group agreed to acquire the executive education provider from University College Cork (UCC). Newly filed accounts for the IMI show that losses at the Sandyford, south county Dublin-based institute, narrowed to just over €431,000 in the 12 months to September last from more than €1 million in the previous 12 months. The IMI reportedly issued protective notice to more than 30 staff in the summer of 2023, warning of potential redundancies. Staff numbers at the school subsequently shrank from 77 in 2023 to 63 in the year to September 2024, according to the latest filings, a reduction of more than 18 per cent. READ MORE Consequently, staff costs – including wages, salaries, social welfare contributions and pension costs – declined by almost 19 per cent to €4.66 million in the year. In a report attached to the accounts, the IMI's directors said the market for executive education remained challenging due to escalating direct and indirect costs. [ Business Post expected to move to Irish Management Institute (IMI) campus Opens in new window ] 'However, despite these challenges, the programme of turnaround activities, commenced in the prior year, has strengthened the company and significantly reduced the deficit for the year.' Accumulated losses of more than €5.2 million had built up at the company, which is limited by guarantee and has no share capital, by the end of September 2024, according to the accounts. The IMI's directors also noted that after the financial year end, they had signed non-binding 'heads of terms' related to the potential sale of the institute and its assets to a 'third party'. How the wealthy are buying up land to avoid inheritance tax Listen | 22:03 Enda O'Coineen's Business Post Group subsequently acquired the institute in a deal that was finalised in May. UCC will reportedly retain control of the sprawling 13-acre campus in suburban south county Dublin as part of the transaction. At the time of the deal, the Business Post Group said the addition of IMI would complement its existing portfolio and align with its 'House of Brands' vision to deliver content through experiences through 'insights' with and executive education. 'Our group of companies bring together the power of news reporting and insights as well as research – this will help to further inform IMI on the trends and emerging areas that leaders need to know and understand,' Mr O'Coineen said at the time. The Irish Times reported in May that staff at the newspaper had been told the news publisher's operations will likely move to the IMI campus when the lease on its offices on Merrion Road expires later this year.
