Ibec Podcasts

In this episode of Courageous Leaders, Ibec Head of Skills and Social Policy Dr. Kara McGann is joined by Hilary O’Meara, Country Managing Director of Accenture in Ireland.

With over 30 years at Accenture, including experience as COO for the UK and Ireland, Hilary is a prominent advocate for modern leadership and fostering cultures where everyone feels they belong. As a board member of the Open Doors Initiative, she brings a wealth of expertise in building resilient, future-ready teams.

Kara and Hilary explore how inclusion has evolved from a HR metric into a core growth strategy. They discuss the for "Brand Ireland": that our reputation for openness and progress is a primary driver in attracting the high-level human capital needed for innovation.

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 sits down with Peter Cosgrove, Managing Director of Future wise and a leading voice on the future of work. Peter shares insights on the trends reshaping how we work from AI in hiring to the challenges of hybrid models and what leaders need to do to stay ahead. Whether you’re an employer, employee, or simply curious about what’s next, this conversation will help you understand the forces driving change and how to thrive in an evolving world of work.

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 Oisín O'Reilly, CEO of Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre and Chair of the Irish Refugee Council (IRC).

Together they explore why protecting Ireland’s reputation as an open, welcoming nation is not just a social imperative, but a structural necessity for our economic success.

Oisín also shares his thoughts on the "courageous leadership" required to navigate today’s polarised social climate and why businesses must remain trusted voices in safeguarding a cohesive, competitive future.

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 Christopher Skeete, Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie, Québec, Canada.

In an era increasingly defined by global fragmentation, protectionism, and intense strategic competition, countries face a common challenge: how to maintain international influence while building resilience at home.

 This special episode will explore the relationship between Québec and Ireland, potential opportunities to deepen collaboration and the strategic steps for both countries to stay ahead in today’s economic uncertain times.

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 CEO Danny McCoy is joined by Frances Fitzgerald - former Tánaiste, Minister for Justice, and current member of the G7 Gender Equality Advisory Council.

Danny and Frances together discuss the strategic importance of protecting "Brand Ireland" as a beacon of inclusion in the face of rising divisive narratives and misinformation.

Frances shares her insights on the kind of leadership required to keep societies resilient and why business leaders must use their trusted position to steer the national conversation toward openness.

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.

We are pleased to share a special episode of Ibec Responds. Recorded in our Brussels office, Fergal O’Brien is joined by Pat Ivory and Neil Willoughby to discuss the geopolitical backdrop and key legislative developments leading up to Ireland’s EU Presidency. This episode breaks down the general outlook for the six-month term, offering critical insights into US trade, EU industrial policy, and the strategic priorities outlined in the new Guide.

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 special edition of our Ibec Responds podcast series, Ibec CEO Danny McCoy is joined by Ibec President Colin Hunt to reflect on their recent high-level global engagements.

Recorded in our Brussels office, the discussion covers Ibec’s engagement in the UK-Ireland Summit and the Tripartite Social Summit, including meetings with the UK and Canadian Prime Ministers, the Presidents of the three EU institutions, and key leadership on Capitol Hill. Engagement at this level strengthens Ireland’s position as a central voice in international policy and economic stability.

The episode provides an opportunity to hear about Ibec's activity and how we are continuing to drive the message of Irish business resilience on the global stage.

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, Harry Wall and Catriona McKeating, Associate Legal Directors in our Employment Law Service Team, will discuss case law in the area of equal pay, a core principle of the Pay Transparency Directive. 

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, Maeve McElwee, Employer Relations Executive Director, and Aoife McFadden, Legal Director in our Employment Law Services Team, discuss the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025 – new legislation which restricts the use of contractual retirement ages below State pension age. Maeve and Aoife discuss the changes and how employers should integrate them into their own retirement policies. 

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.

Five generations. One workplace. Endless possibilities—or potential friction. How do you lead in an era where your team spans from seasoned experts to digital natives? In this episode, we’ll explore why understanding generational diversity isn’t just a HR trend—it’s a business imperative.

Vicky O’Neill speaks with Rebecca Robins, Author of Five Generations at Work: How We Win Together, For Good, a playbook for empowering intergenerational collaboration, innovation and productivity at work. They discuss how to move from the multigenerational status quo to the intergenerational opportunity. 

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.