Large publicly traded Irish entities have made strides in achieving gender balance on their boards, hitting a significant milestone of 40% representation of women. This recent increase from 39% in September was put forward by the Balance for Better Business, a government-initiated initiative. Ciara O’Brien has more information on the matter.
Last July, whilst on a family holiday in the Pyrenees Mountains in Southern France, Marguerite Brosnan, CEO of Axa Insurance Ireland, received an unexpected call that cut her holiday short. She took over the company just half a year earlier, and she shares with Joe Brennan what transpired next.
Tax cuts, the coveted tool for Britain’s Conservative Party to rally support and enhance their chances in the impending general election, are being eyed. To make meaningful tax cuts to stimulate growth, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt would need more than his ministerial red box – perhaps a magician’s wand and cape Mark Paul, based in London, elaborates.
To emphasise the gender disparity in the male-driven whiskey industry, two women entrepreneurs launched a limited-edition whiskey marking International Women’s Day. In a separate but related development, a non-profit organisation dedicated to advocating women’s role in the whiskey industry has also commenced, in line with International Women’s Day. Ellen O’Regan explores this further.
John Fitzgerald, in his weekly column, highlights the need to increase the number of youngsters being trained for construction roles. He suggests increasing pay rates in the construction industry to persuade more young people to consider apprenticeships and careers in the sector in an effort to compete with other industries’ varied career options.
Programmes meant to aid women in launching or expanding small enterprises in the Gaeltacht areas are set for expansion, with the intention of championing over 100 women business owners in the next three years. Emmet Malone provides more details.
According to a survey conducted by EY, four in five Irish consumers claim to be prioritising sustainability. However, the report also warns that the progress in the transition to renewable energy may be in danger of slowing down. The study, which involved 23,000 energy consumers across 21 countries, including 1,042 in Ireland, concluded that households are more inclined towards sustainability and the prospects of a cleaner energy future than ever before. This is further explored by Elleen O’Regan.
In the previous year, Aviva’s Irish insurance and pensions sectors recorded an 81% surge in joint operating profits, hitting €87 million. A significant factor in the profit boost was elevated investment yields in the general insurance division, as per a report by Joe Brennan. Aviva Insurance Ireland, the nation’s third biggest insurance company catering to personal and commercial sectors, experienced an increase of €72 million in operating profits. The figure rose to €32 million from the preceding year, primarily due to a 5% augmentation in premiums, which totalled €521 million, and the investment pool reaping the benefits of a high-interest rate milieu.
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