Ibec Podcasts

Ahead of the commencement of the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025 on 29 June, Nichola Harkin, Head Of Employment Law Services, and Aoife McFadden, Legal Director, discuss the upcoming changes to contractual retirement ages and how businesses can best prepare for this. 

Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

In this episode of our Courageous Leaders, Ibec Head of Skills and Social Policy Kara McGann is joined by Dr. Mamobo Ogoro, social psychologist and Founder and CEO of GORM. 

With a background hosting 'Younified' on Newstalk and as the first Irish person to win the Echoing Green Fellowship, Dr. Ogoro brings a unique vantage point on navigating multiple identities and building positive intergroup connections.

Mamobo shares her thoughts on the science behind how positive intergroup interactions reduce prejudice and why business leaders have a unique role to play in modelling inclusive leadership and designing true cultures of belonging. 

Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

In this episode of Ibec Responds, Gerard Brady, Chief Economist is joined by Hazel Ahern-Flynn, Senior Economist, and Mourad Mejdi, Economist, as they unpack Ibec’s latest Budget 2027 campaign – Building a Resilient Economy.

This year’s submission highlights an economic reality: Budget 2027 must balance immediate energy-driven volatility with long-term, structural transitions. Ireland is currently facing a technological and economic shift, and to thrive we must position ourselves as leading early adopters.

Gerard, Hazel, and Mourad break down the strategic steps needed to achieve this, focusing on our three critical pillars:

• Rewiring our Approach to Talent
• Driving Growth, Innovation, and AI Preparedness
• Navigating the Energy & Inflation Shock

Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

In this episode of Ibec Responds, Ibec CEO Danny McCoy and BusinessEurope President Fredrik Persson, discuss the priorities and challenges facing European companies over the next six months. Following the Council of Presidents meetings in Dublin, they analyse how Ireland's upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU will look to foster cross-border business growth and economic resilience.  

Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

In this episode, Vicky O’Neill HR Strategy Specialist talks with Conor McCabe Managing Director, and Head of Interior Design at Henry J Lyons Architects to explore how the future of office spaces can unlock innovation, foster collaboration, and support deep focus. We’ll discuss how design choices impact culture, productivity, and employee experience — and what CEOs, HR leaders, and facility managers need to know to stay ahead.

Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

In this episode, Nichola Harkin, Head of Employment Law Services, and Pauline O’Hare, Senior Legal Director, discuss the European Institute for Gender Equality’s EU-wide guidelines on gender-neutral job evaluation and classification and how employers can use this toolkit can be used by employers in their job evaluation processes.

Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

Why is an inclusive "Brand Ireland" critical to our economic resilience? 

In this episode of Courageous Leaders, Ibec CEO Danny McCoy is joined by Sabrina Casalta, CEO of Vodafone Ireland. 

Sabrina moved from Italy to lead Vodafone’s Irish Business in 2025, as she brings a unique international perspective to the conversation regarding Ireland’s openness and its reputation as a welcoming environment for global talent. 

As part of Ibec’s Open for Business campaign, this conversation reaffirms that protecting our commitment to inclusion is essential to maintaining Ireland’s competitive edge and long-term prosperity. 

Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

In this episode of Courageous Leaders, Ibec Head of Skills and Social Policy Dr. Kara McGann is joined by Denise Charlton, CEO of the Community Foundation Ireland. 

Denise brings decades of experience leading transformative social change, having previously served as CEO of both Women’s Aid and the Immigrant Council of Ireland. 

Kara and Denise discuss Ireland’s long-term prosperity depends on an open, outward-looking, and inclusive society. Join us as we discuss how courageous leadership can defend these values and ensure Ireland remains a beacon of belonging and progress. 

Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

In this episode, Bernie McMeel, OSH Executive, and Michael Gillen, Senior OSH Membership Executive, discuss the core considerations for employers where employees engage in international travel. In an increasingly volatile world, this episode covers the main considerations for employers from an occupational health and safety perspective. 

Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

In this episode of Ibec Responds, Executive Director of Ibec Global, Jackie King speaks with General Seán Clancy, Chair of The European Union Military Committee (EUMC).  

This discussion sits within a broader resilience agenda. We are exploring how the changed security environment is shaping the conditions for competitiveness, investment and long-term prosperity including through critical infrastructure, cyber resilience, trusted supply chains, innovation, skills and public-private cooperation.

In this special episode we are holding a conversation around the security and defence pillar of resilience in a way that is relevant to an Irish, European and international business audience.   

Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.