Latest news with #ShaneO'Sullivan
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.
Irish Independent
20-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
House building declined in the first three months of 2025
The volume of production was down by 4.3pc compared with the final quarter of last year. The finding will be regarding as all the more disappointing as activity in the construction sector overall was well up, increasing by 6.5pc from the last quarter of 2024 and up 19pc on an annual basis, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office. The focus of activity in the construction industry seems to have moved towards non-residential building, with the volume index for civil engineering, for example, rising by 16.6pc. Shane O'Sullivan of the CSO said: 'On an annual basis, between Q1 2024 and Q1 of this year, production volume in construction grew by 13.5pc. During the same period, in the non-residential building sector it rose by 13.7pc, and was up by 35.9pc in the civil engineering sector, while production volume in residential building showed an annual decrease, down 10.6pc.' It is the latest disappointing set of figures for the Government, which prompted the Housing Minister, James Browne, to say on Thursday that the official target of building 41,000 new homes this year is 'not realistic'. The Central Bank has downgraded its forecast for delivery to 32,500. This follows the publication of figures for completions in the first quarter by the CSO, showing they were only 2pc up on the same period in 2024, a year that finished with just over 30,000 units being completed. Of even more concern was the 2.5pc decline in the number of homes that got planning permission in Q1, which stood at 8.177 units. The Government has responded by introducing legislation to amend the Rent Pressure Zone system, bringing every current tenancy under an RPZ. It is also expanding the remit of the Land Development Agency, and the Tanaiste, Simon Harris, has said further, unspecified measures are going to be announced between now and the Dail recess in July. Ian Lawlor, managing director of Roundtower Capital, said: 'While the volume of production in building and construction is up, the 4.3pc fall in house building activity is hugely disappointing and a further indication that the government is going to struggle to meet its housing targets this year.' 'While the rental reforms recently announced are certainly welcome, the jury is out as to just how effective they will be in stimulating housing supply,' he added. 'Other obstacles to increased supply that need to be tackled if the Government is to get more private investors on board include prohibitive development levies, VAT burdens, inadequate tax incentives, limited Public Private Partnership options, and insufficient state support for builders.'
Irish Examiner
20-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Home building activity falls by over 4% marking 'hugely disappointing' start to 2025
The volume of production in building and construction rose by almost 5% in the first three months of 2025 when compared with the end of last year. New figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Friday show that on an annual basis, a 13.5% increase was recorded in the volume of production in building and construction between January and March. However, despite the overall rise, the volume in the residential building sector was down by 4.3% at the beginning of this year when compared with the last three months of 2024. Meanwhile, the volume index for the non-residential building sector rose by 4.4% between the end of last year and the start of 2025. In the same period, the volume index for the civil engineering sector rose by 16.6%. "On an annual basis, between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025, production volume in construction grew by 13.5%," said CSO statistician Shane O'Sullivan. "During the same period, production volume in the non-residential building sector rose by 13.7% and was up by 35.9% in the civil engineering sector, while production volume in residential building showed an annual decrease of 10.6%." The value index for all building and construction between January and May was up by 6.5% on a quarterly basis, while on an annual basis, it was up by 19%. 'While the volume of production in building and construction is up, the 4.3% fall in house building activity is hugely disappointing and a further indication that the government is going to struggle to meet its housing targets this year," said Ian Lawlor, Managing Director of Roundtower Capital Today's CSO findings follow data released earlier this month showing a decline in the number of homes approved for planning permission in the first three months of 2025. "2025, unfortunately, has not got off to a promising start for housing delivery," Mr Lawlor continued. "While the rental reforms recently announced are certainly welcome, the jury is out as to just how effective they will be in stimulating housing supply. "Other obstacles to increased supply that need to be tackled if the Government is to get more private investors on board include prohibitive development levies, VAT burdens, inadequate tax incentives, limited Public Private Partnership options, and insufficient state support for builders."
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
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.
