Bank of Ireland launches National Enterprise Week across its branches

Bank of Ireland today, 21 November 2010, embarked on another National Enterprise Week as part of its continued commitment to assist business recovery across Ireland by hosting 11 flagship advice events, networking opportunities and exhibition opportunities for SMEs.

Bank of Ireland launches National Enterprise Week across its branches

19-26 November 2010

– Tangible demonstration of the Bank’s commitment to SME recovery and growth

Bank of Ireland today, 21 November 2010, embarked on another National Enterprise Week as part of its continued commitment to assist business recovery across Irelandby hosting 11 flagship advice events, networking opportunities and exhibition opportunities for SMEs.  The initiative continues until Friday 26 November across the Bank’s retail branch network.  At a similar event in May, over 5,000 business owners attended specially tailored advice events and showcased their wares in the Bank’s branches, with a similar attendance number is expected this time around.

The week is open to both customers and non-customers, and forms an integral part of the Bank’s public pledge to work closely with viable SMEs ensuring they receive relevant practical support, advice and access to finance.  The advice events, the theme of which is ‘supporting business / supporting recovery’ will feature a mixture of breakfast briefings and evening seminars.  It will follow the format of experienced business professionals alongside senior Bank personnel giving their insights and imparting their knowledge, with an opportunity for the audience to pose questions and network afterwards.

The ‘Show your Business’ element involves branches inviting small businesses to promote and sell their products and services along with the opportunity to network with like minded business owners, which is particularly timely given the approaching festive season.

According to Michael Lauhoff, Head of Small Business and Agri, Bank of Ireland: “National Enterprise Week is a tangible demonstration of our commitment to supporting SMEs, encouraging growth and aiding long term business recovery in the economy by providing relevant advice and financial support. Businesses that have participated in previous initiatives have highlighted the benefits of tailored advice events on topics relevant to the current market environment alongside opportunities to reach new audiences by showcasing in our branches.  We are well positioned for this as we have a presence in practically every community in Ireland.

“Our key message remains that we have no restrictions on lending to viable small business owners across all sectors.  We approved €2.7bn in new and increased lending facilities with drawdowns of €1.8bn to the end of September 2010.  Approximately 50,000 credit applications were processed during the same period, with an approval rate of 83%.  We have a number of specialist funds on offer which includes two Environmental Funds of €200m and a €26m new venture seed capital fund.  We opened 18,000 new business current accounts during the nine months.  We are committed to ensuring that business owners understand the information requirements when requesting a loan facility, to make sure we support all viable businesses, but also actively encourage those whose applications have been refused to contact the Credit Review Officeif they feel the refusal is unreasonable.  We are conscious of the integral role we have to play in supporting viable business which will ultimately drive the recovery of the Irish economy”, Michael Lauhoff concluded.

For the most up to date information on events taking place across the country during National Enterprise Week log onto www.allaboutbusiness.ie or contact your local branch.

Ends

Contact:

Anne Mathews

Media Relations Manager

Group Communications

Bank of Ireland

076 623 4771

Notes to Editor:

A brief overview of the Bank’s support initiatives is as follows:

Support Initiatives:

  • Commitment to meet with all customers seeking credit facilities within three working days.
  • Implementation of a structured proactive customer contact programme with the purpose of identifying relevant financial support needed by small businesses.
  • Launched a year ago, Enterprise Builder is an independent free mentoring initiative, which is run by industry experienced business experts and is designed for SME customers to help and support them through these challenging times.
  • Recently launched www.allaboutbusiness.ie, which is designed for entrepreneurs, early start-ups and SMEs.  It contains information and insights relevant to this community.   It also features regularly updated content including videos podcasts and advice articles.
  •  In operation since 2008 the ‘Early Intervention Initiative’ is a pro-active contact programme with customers where a deteriorating trend is emerging in the operation of their bank accounts.  It is operated by our most experienced bankers.

A selection of events happening across the country is as follows:

Baggot Streetbranch will host a farmers market in the courtyard of the building on Friday, 19 November and Friday, 26 November.  They will host an artists day where a number of works will be exhibited on Wednesday, 24 November and over 30 SMEs will showcase on Thursday, 25 November which will include cakes, cookies and sauces from Olive Green, Irish language toy Bábog Baby and children’s clothes from Belle & Drollo.

College Greenwill host a farmers market on Friday, 19, Thursday, 25 and Friday, 26 November and a range of businesses will be showcasing in the courtyard throughout the week.  Businesses selling their wares include bags, ponchos and scarves from Adele’s Gifts, an extensive range of pralines from Bart’s Belgian Chocolates, sauces and seasonings from Caribbean Enterprises, gift hampers from Hampermania and giftware/tableware by Jenny Kelly Pottery.

Dublin:

A breakfast briefing was hosted in the House of Lords, Bank of Ireland College Green on Friday, 19 November to launch the week.  The event was held in conjunction with Dublin City Council’s Innovation Dublin Festival. Guest speakers included the Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, TD, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Gerry Breen and Mark Cunningham, Managing Director, Bank of Ireland Business Banking.

A flagship breakfast seminar was held in Louis Fitzgerald Hotel, Newlands Cross on Friday, 19 November.  Speakers included Liam Sheedy from Bank of Ireland’s Retail Sales and Marketing team.  In September of this year Liam managed Tipperary to win their 26th All-Ireland Hurling title, beating reigning champions Kilkenny in the final.  Other speakers include Leo Crawford, Group Chief Executive of the BWG Group which is one of the leading food and drink wholesalers in the Irish market. Tim O’Neill, Director, Bank of Ireland’s branch network will also speak at the event.

An enterprise evening event will be held in the Europa Academy, Swordson Wednesday, 24 November.  Guest speakers include Rory O’Connor, Project Director, Railway Procurement Agency for Metro North.  Norman Crowley, Chairman and founder of Carbon Crowley will discuss ‘Cooling the Planet’. Julie Sinnamon, Executive Director of Global Business Development, Enterprise Ireland will also speak at the event along with Des Crowley, Chief Executive, Retail (Ireland and UK), Bank of Ireland.

There will be a flagship breakfast briefing in Stillorgan Park Hotel on Wednesday, 24 November.  This event is being organised by all branches in South Dublin.  Speakers include broadcaster and author Anton Savage and Linda Lucas, Managing Director, Lucas Promotions.  Linda’s business has offices in Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow and Shenzhen in China. It offers low-cost manufacturing sourcing from audited and approved Asian factories and supplies a number of leading businesses in Ireland.  Stephen Mason, Regional Manager Dublin, Bank of Ireland will also speak at the event.

West:

A flagship evening event will be held on Thursday, 25 November in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Galway.  Guest speakers include Sean Gallagher and Liam Sheedy, Bank of Ireland. Sean Gallagheris one of Ireland’s leading entrepreneurs and a Dragon on Bank of Ireland’s sponsored Dragons’ Den TV series. Tim O’Neill, Director, Bank of Ireland’s branch network will also speak at the event.

South-East Midlands:

Guest speakers at a flagship event being held on Wednesday, 24 November in Hotel Kilkenny include Bobby Kerr, Chairman of Insomnia Coffee and Dragon from Dragons’ Den TV series and Michael Brannigan, Director of The PRL Group.  The PRL Group specialises in supply chain solutions covering frozen, chilled and ambient logistics, warehousing and distribution for a wide range of Irish and multinational companies. The event will be held in association with the Craft Council of Ireland.

North-East:

The North-East region will host a flagship evening event on Thursday, 25 November in the Ardboyne Hotel in Navan.  Guest speakers include entrepreneur Bobby Kerr, Chairman of Insomnia Coffee and Dragon from Dragons’ Den who will discuss his own business experience.  Krishna De who is an award winning digital marketing, brand engagement and social media author, speaker and commentator will talk about ‘Bringing your Business to Life’.  Other speakers include Dermot Brennan from DBass Chartered Accountants will present ‘Managing your Business in 2011’.  Caitriona Ni Dhomhnaill from Dundalk based Educo-Gym will also be a guest speaker on the topic of ‘All work and no play – the importance of health and nutrition’.  Gerry Prizeman, Regional Manager, North-East, Bank of Ireland will open the event.

Cork:

On Wednesday, 24 November a flagship breakfast briefing will be held in the Clarion Hotel in Cork city.  The event will be held in association with Cork Chamber of Commerce.  Speaking at the event will be Mark Cunningham, Managing Director, Bank of Ireland Business Banking who will discuss ‘Banking in the Current Economic Environment’.  Interested attendees should contact Cork Chamber of Commerce or log-on to their website (www.corkchamber.ie).

North-West Midlands:

A flagship networking event will be held in the Mullingar Park Hotel on Tuesday, 23 November commencing at 6.00pm.  Speakers include Gavin Duffy, Dragon from Bank of Ireland’s sponsored Dragons’ Den TV series.  Gavin is also an entrepreneur, media coach and columnist. John Keegan, Regional Manager, North-West Midlands will also speak at the event.

South Leinster:

Entrepreneur and Dragon from Dragons’ Den TV series, Sean Gallagher will be guest speaker at a business flagship evening in the Seven Oaks Hotel in Carlow on Monday, 22 November.  Fergal O’Brien from Sonru will also be speaking at the event.  Sonru provides a video tool built for remotely interviewing people online.  Based in Enniscorthy Enterprise and Technology Centre, the company was established in 2007 by Edward Henrick.  The company was the national winner of Bank of Ireland’s Bright Idea’s Challenge, the final of which was held in March of this year.  Mark Cunningham, Managing Director, Bank of Ireland Business Banking will also be speaking at the event.

A number of networking seminars will be held across the country some of these are listed below.

A seminar entitled ‘Developing your Agri-Business’ will be held in Gullane’s Hotel and Conference Centre in Ballinasloe on Monday, 22 November.   The event is being organised by Ballinasloe branch and it is also open to customers of Tuam, Ballinrobe, Dunmore and Headford branches.  This seminar will be supported by IFA and Macra na Feirme. Speakers include Paul McGrath from RTE’s Higher Ground TV series, dairy farmer Roger Fahy and owner of Linnalla Pure Irish Ice Cream.  Other speakers include Brendan Allen from Castlemine Farm.  Robert Grealis, Regional Director from the Bank’s independent mentoring service, Enterprise Builder who is also Deputy Chairman, Mayo North East Leader Partnership will speak at the event along with Donal Flynn, Regional Manager West, Bank of Ireland.

32 South Mall branch hosted a breakfast networking morning event on Friday, 19 November in conjunction with Little Island, UCC, Blackpool and Patrick Street, Patrick’s Bridge and Glanmire branches.  The title of the event was ‘Sustaining Business through Energy Efficiency’

Cavan branch is hosting a business to business networking event on Tuesday 16 November. It will be held in association with Cavan Chamber of Commerce Cavan and is one of a series of events that the branch is running throughout the month of November.

Midleton, Youghal and Cobh branches are hosting a breakfast networking event on Tuesday, 23 November in Midleton Park Hotel.  The event will be held in conjunction with East Cork Business Networking Group (ECBN).

The Quay branch in Waterford city is hosting a business to business advice and networking breakfast event on Wednesday, 24 November.  Guest speakers include Michael Garland, CEO of Waterford Chamber of Commerce, Ciarán Cullen, Acting CEO, Waterford City Enterprise Board and Kjell Nolke owner of Nolke Opticians.  Nolke has a practice in Tramore and on the Dunmore Road in Waterford.

Dungarvan branch will be running a business networking event on Wednesday 24 November. The event will start at 11am and run to 4pm, it will coincide with their green themed day.

Mallow, Charleville and Kanturk branches will be hosting a breakfast networking event on Friday, 26 November in Mallow branch commencing at 8.00am.  The event is being held in conjunction with Mallow Chamber of Commerce and North Cork Enterprise Board.

Ballincollig branch is hosting a business breakfast event in Nosh & Coffee in Ballincollig Shopping Centre, entitled ‘Surviving in Challenging Times’ on Friday, 26 November commencing at 7.45am.