Women Mean Business (WMB)

Last Friday (10th), Sisters Ciara Murphy, Saoirse Murphy, and Laoise Murphy in 5th, 3rd and 1st year respectively, from Presentation Secondary School Tralee in Kerry won the top prize in this year's 61st BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE)) with their project, ACT (Aid Care Treat): App-timising emergency response. What a great achievement for these young female role models. Thank you Team Murphy. https://ow.ly/hxNL50UG5qG

Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) is breaking new ground in championing women entrepreneurs with the launch of its TrailblazHER™ First Steps Programme, a community-based initiative designed to empower women in the Dublin region to explore entrepreneurship and turn their business ideas into reality. https://ow.ly/Uh3i50UG4IK

Ireland’s Women in Finance Charter has reached 100 signatories, a key milestone as firms in the financial services sector seek to boost female representation among staff, management and boards. Fiona Gallagher, CEO Wells Fargo Bank International and Chair of the Ireland's Women in Finance Charter said: “Reaching the milestone of 100 signatories is testament to the drive and determination the industry has in ensuring our sector is diverse and inclusive." You can read more here>>https://ow.ly/r43i50UB1NS

WMB News Update: A new EU research project on the societal benefits & risks of AI will be led by Dr Elizabeth Farries, Director of UCD Centre for Digital Policy commencing next month; Staying on the subject of AI, Learnovate Centre, Trinity College Dublin Director Nessa McEniff looks at findings from the Learnovate Learning Signals Survey and growing workplace concerns on keeping abreast of the rapid development of AI and other technologies. Irelands-Women-in-Finance-Charter, chaired by Wells Fargo’s Fiona Gallagher, has reached a key milestone of 100 signatories; AIB’s Head of Wealth and General Insurance Ciara Ryan shares tips on personal finance, and Compass Group Ireland MD, Dee O’Neill discusses a recent Compass Group survey on the ‘Power of Socialisation’ and how workplace environments can help combat employer challenges. WMB – It’s all about women in the workplace. https://lnkd.in/dy9uTwb

Olympians Sharlene Mawdsley & Rob Heffernan officially launched the Forvis Mazars In Ireland 2025 Steps Team Challenge, which kicks off on Monday, 20 January and runs until Sunday, 16 February 2025. "This initiative offers a fantastic opportunity for companies, clubs, and organisations to strengthen their culture, foster team spirit, and bring people together in a meaningful way," said Forvis Mazars Managing Partner Tom O’Brien. This year, the Steps Team Challenge proudly supports two charities: Jigsaw - The National Centre for Youth Mental Health and Focus Ireland. For further information on the Forvis Mazars 2025 Teams Steps Challenge or to register, please visit https://lnkd.in/gSxW7WiX. You can read more here also>> https://lnkd.in/gPn5_3a9

Mintel and Compass Group 2024 ‘Power of Socialisation’ study pinpoints how workplace environments help combat employer challenges. The 2024 study, published this week, shows 45% of hybrid workers agree they would come into their place of work more often if there were more opportunities to socialise with colleagues. Compass Group Ireland. You can read more here>> https://ow.ly/hp3j50UB086

Bord Gáis Energy has published its Gender Pay Gap Report for 2024 which shows a -2% median gender pay gap in favour of women, and a mean gender pay gap of -1.7% in favour of women. A strong driver of the company’s performance on gender pay has been the increase in the number of women in senior management roles in the last two years. In 2022, Bord Gáis Energy set a goal of having at least 40% women in senior roles on both the executive team and the wider senior management group. The company has now exceeded that target, with 44% of senior roles now being held by women while representation on the executive team grew to 60% in 2024. https://ow.ly/M8rQ50UtpZ9

Top Irish companies continue to make progress on gender representation in the boardroom, according to the latest annual Board Index by Spencer Stuart Ireland. Women now make up 41% of all board members in the #ISEQ20 which marks an 11% increase on last year’s figure, and a 45% increase since 2020. "What is promising to see is that top Irish boards remain committed to diversifying their leadership teams to ensure greater diversity of outlook, which is critical to quality decision-making," said Managing Partner of Spencer Stuart Ireland, Ruth Curran. https://ow.ly/tibT50Utheg

TrailblazHER™ at Technological University Dublin has announced the launch of the #TrailblazHER™ First Steps Programme – a free, community-based programme supporting women in the Dublin region to explore entrepreneurship as a career pathway and if right for them, to start their own business. A key objective of the programme is to signpost and connect participants with the broad range of supports available to them. https://ow.ly/79Vg50UoYbE

Applications for the 2025’26 BioInnovate Programme are now open. BioInnovate Ireland is a globally recognised hub for medical technology innovation. To date, it has supported the creation of 33 medtech startups, which have collectively secured €310 million in funding over their lifetimes. “BioInnovate’s role in cultivating high-potential startups not only strengthens the medtech ecosystem but also enhances healthcare solutions on a global scale,” said Dr. Sinéad Walsh, Director of Operations BioInnovate Ireland. https://ow.ly/st5z50UoXxh