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Irish Independent
14-07-2025
- Business
- 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
- Business
- 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.
RTÉ News
06-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Only 5% of business leaders have skills to harness AI
Only 5% of business leaders say they have skills to fully harness potential of AI and other digital innovation, according to new research by the Irish Management Institute. While 42% of leaders admitted to lacking knowledge and expertise to strengthen cyber controls. The 'IMI Leadership Barometer' surveyed 459 senior leaders in Ireland from private, public and semi-state organisations. The study found that these capabilities will be need to be addressed as a matter of priority, as cyber threats accelerate and evolve in the AI era. One in three business leaders who answered the survey say they are confident in leading their organisation through a period of elevated economic volatility and disruption. 8% said they're not confident about their capacity to successfully navigate an environment of elevated economic and geopolitical volatility. The study also found that 45% of decision makers reported gaps in financial leadership capabilities, including managing investments and maximising growth. Commenting on the release of the IMI Barometer, Shane O'Sullivan, CEO of the IMI described the Leadership Barometer as providing "a timely insight into the capabilities of Irish business leaders to respond to these challenges and seize new opportunities for growth." "Despite the complexity of this environment, it's clear from our findings that many leaders are navigating this evolving landscape with resilience and a measured degree of confidence," said Mr O'Sullivan. However he acknowleged the weaknesses in current leadership capabilities in the findings including areas such as AI and financial skills, "Addressing these gaps will be crucial to ensuring leaders are equipped with the key capabilities to navigate the change ahead and drive the future growth and competitiveness of business in Ireland," he said
Irish Times
06-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Only one in three business leaders ‘confident' in navigating ongoing uncertainty says study
Just one in three business leaders in Ireland is confident leading their organisation through a period of economic uncertainty in the aftermath of US import tariffs. Knowledge of artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber security was also poor, according to research by the Irish Management Institute (IMI) , but leaders across industries were strong on diversity knowledge. The IMI Leadership Barometer found that 8 per cent of leaders were 'not confident' in leading their company through the ongoing period of disruption while achieving their business objectives. The survey of 459 senior leaders from public, private and semi-state companies examines the attitudes of key decision makers. READ MORE Just 7 per cent of senior leadership figures reported having 'excellent' financial skills to unlock growth for their business. Nearly half of respondents admitted having gaps in their financial leadership abilities. With AI coming to the fore in business, 44 per cent reported having very little knowledge of how to integrate the technology into their organisations. This knowledge gap was further demonstrated by over four in 10 responding that they had limited knowledge on their organisation's digital controls. However, business leaders reported having strong awareness of how to strengthen diversity and inclusion in the workplace with 62 per cent reporting a high level of knowledge in the space. IMI chief executive Shane O'Sullivan said organisations are facing 'unprecedented economic and geopolitical volatility' but that leaders were facing the situation with 'resilience and a measured degree of confidence'. 'Significant hurdles remain ahead', he said, noting the barometer's findings 'identify a number of weaknesses in current leadership capabilities'. 'Addressing these gaps will be crucial to ensuring leaders are equipped with the key capabilities to navigate the change ahead and drive the future growth and competitiveness of business in Ireland,' he said.
RTÉ News
16-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Kilcullen Business Post Group completes IMI deal
The Kilcullen Business Post Group has completed the acquisition of the Irish Management Institute from University College Cork. 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 ( experiences ( insights ( and executive education ( 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.
