The Ireland Canada Connection

Listen in to a wide-ranging, open and honest fireside chat between ICBA Chair Dr. Deirdre Giblin and Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, Dennis King. It was recorded at a live audience event hosted by FFH Management Services in Dublin, which is part of the Fairfax group. The conversation spans many topics including Ambassador King’s journey from provincial politics to diplomacy,  his first year in Ireland and how he has settled in to life in a new country, the impact of Prime minister Mark Carney’s speech in Davos, Canada’s evolving global role and why the Ireland Canada relationship matters more now, than ever.For photos of the event visit the ICBA website  The Ireland Canada Connection is brought to you by the Ireland Canada Business Association. We are the voice of the Ireland Canada Business community. Our membership is composed of chief executives and senior management of Canada's leading enterprises who have located their European operations in Ireland. Since 1978 we have been connecting executives and organizations in Canada and Ireland for the purpose of bilateral investment, trade and entrepreneurship. As a membership organization, our members make our mission possible. They span over 20 business sectors and directly and indirectly support more than 20,000 jobs across the country and hundreds of small businesses. Our partnerships with the Canadian Embassy and the Ireland Canada Chambers inform our work.

In the final episode of our mini-series ‘Navigating the Irish Market’, Joseph Quinn and Brian Keenan of Klohn Crippen Berger (KCB) join Patrick Haughey to share their experience of setting up an office in Ireland. KCB is a global award-winning engineering, geosciences and environmental consulting firm headquartered in Canada, and with a number of international offices around the globe, the most recent being in Naas, Co Kildare.  Joe and Brian talk about why the company made the decision to establish a base in Ireland, what they did in those early stages that gave them a successful start, what their experience has been so far, and advice they would share with other Canadian companies planning to open a base in Ireland‘Navigating the Irish Market’  focussed on what Canadian companies need to know about doing business in Ireland. We’re analysing the Irish business landscape from a number of perspectives, including the tax system, the legal system, employment and HR, banking, government supports, networking and business culture, and more. And we are doing so In the company of some of Ireland’s leading experts in these areas. 

Alison Hodgson is Partner for Transformation, HR and Change Practice at RSM Ireland. In this episode Alison talks about the employment and HR landscape in Ireland and what Canadian companies need to know about employment law, the importance of those first hires and the types of employee benefits that will make them attractive to an Irish workforce in a very competitive employment market. We also discuss very important factors around communication styles in Ireland and what works best when giving feedback and trying to build rapport. 'Navigating the Irish Market' is a special series designed to help Canadian companies that are setting up operations in Ireland, or are considering doing so. The series analyses the Irish business landscape from a number of perspectives, including the tax system, the legal system, employment and HR, banking, government supports, networking and business culture. Host Patrick Haughey is joined by leading experts in the key areas that Canadian companies need to be familiar with in order to successfully operate in Ireland. This podcast is brought to you by the Ireland Canada Business Association. If you would like to find out more about the ICBA and how we can help you to successfully navigate the Irish market, please visit us at Irelandcanada.com 

Cormac Kelleher is a Partner in the leading accounting, tax and advisory firm Forvis Mazars Ireland. In this episode Cormac talks about the tax environment in Ireland and what multinational companies need to know about the Irish tax system in order to set up correctly from the very start. We also talk about some of the aspects of tax that companies often overlook and why it is so important to address them early on, and the business culture in Ireland and how to succeed within it. 'Navigating the Irish Market' is a special series designed to help Canadian companies that are setting up operations in Ireland, or are considering doing so. The series analyses the Irish business landscape from a number of perspectives, including the tax system, the legal system, employment and HR, banking, government supports, networking and business culture. Host Patrick Haughey is joined by leading experts in the key areas that Canadian companies need to be familiar with in order to successfully operate in Ireland. This podcast is brought to you by the Ireland Canada Business Association. If you would like to find out more about the ICBA and how we can help you to successfully navigate the Irish market, please visit us at Irelandcanada.com 

Deirdre Moran is Country Manager for Canada at IDA Ireland and Hugh McGrath is Head of Corporate Services, Ireland, at investor services group, IQ-EQ.  In conversation with host Patrick Haughey, Deirdre and Hugh talk about Ireland’s attractiveness as a location for multinational companies, the many supports that are available to companies who choose Ireland as their European base, and what you need to know about the geography of Ireland and the regions that might suit your sector best.  'Navigating the Irish Market' is a special series designed to help Canadian companies that are setting up operations in Ireland, or are considering doing so. The series analyses the Irish business landscape from a number of perspectives, including the tax system, the legal system, employment and HR, banking, government supports, networking and business culture. Host Patrick Haughey is joined by leading experts in the key areas that Canadian companies need to be familiar with in order to successfully operate in Ireland. This podcast is brought to you by the Ireland Canada Business Association. If you would like to find out more about the ICBA and how we can help you to successfully navigate the Irish market, please visit us at Irelandcanada.com 

Kieran Trant is a Partner in the corporate department of Matheson -  one of Ireland’s largest law firms. Kieran works with international companies on the establishment, expansion and operation of their businesses in Ireland and we talk about what the Irish legal system is like and how, as a common law system, it shares a lot of similarities with the Canadian legal system. But we also discuss the key differences and what companies need to know about those.We also learn about the ease of doing business in Ireland and why the pro-business environment has proven so popular with companies looking to internationalise. For more information about the main legal issues involced in setting up an international business in Ireland click  https://www.matheson.com/doingbusinessinireland'Navigating the Irish Market' is a special series designed to help Canadian companies that are setting up operations in Ireland, or are considering doing so. The series analyses the Irish business landscape from a number of perspectives, including the tax system, the legal system, employment and HR, banking, government supports, networking and business culture. Host Patrick Haughey is joined by leading experts in the key areas that Canadian companies need to be familiar with in order to successfully operate in Ireland. This podcast is brought to you by the Ireland Canada Business Association. If you would like to find out more about the ICBA and how we can help you to successfully navigate the Irish market, please visit us at Irelandcanada.com 

Kevin Elliott is EVP and Head of Global Foreign Direct Investment at Bank of Ireland. Kevin works with international companies to establish and scale their operations in Ireland.  In this episode we learn about the banking environment in Ireland, how it compares to other EU countries, some of the common pitfalls to avoid, and advice for building relationships and networks in Ireland.   For more information on setting up in Ireland and the key banking considerations, visit https://corporate.bankofireland.com/sectors/fdi/'Navigating the Irish Market' is a special series designed to help Canadian companies that are setting up operations in Ireland, or are considering doing so. The series analyses the Irish business landscape from a number of perspectives, including the tax system, the legal system, employment and HR, banking, government supports, networking and business culture. Host Patrick Haughey is joined by leading experts in the key areas that Canadian companies need to be familiar with in order to successfully operate in Ireland. This podcast is brought to you by the Ireland Canada Business Association. If you would like to find out more about the ICBA and how we can help you to successfully navigate the Irish market, please visit us at Irelandcanada.com 

Air connectivity between two areas has been proven to boost tourism and business links between them. On this episode of The Ireland Canada Connection Steve Crocker, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador,  talks about the new Westjet direct route linking Dublin, Ireland and St John’s, Newfoundland and the benefits it will bring. In conversation with host Patrick Haughey, Minister Crocker shares his vision for Newfoundland’s relationship with Ireland, from a tourism, culture and economic perspective. They also discuss: ·      The appeal of Newfoundland and Labrador as a tourist destination·      What the provinces have to offer to businesses, particularly in the area of renewable energy. ·      The very special historical links between Ireland and this part of Canada·      Why Minister Crocker is supporting the nomination of the Valentia Transatlantic Cable project  for Unesco World Heritage status 

Recorded during her final weeks in the role as Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, Nancy Smyth joins host Patrick Haughey to for a wide-ranging conversation about her career in public service, why being posted to the role of Canadian Ambassador to Ireland was so significant for her and her family, the achievements of which she is most proud, and what Nancy has learned about Ireland and Irish people during her term.Produced and Presented by Patrick Haughey of AudioBrand For more information about The Ireland Canada Business Association visit Irelandcanada.com 

While in Dublin to deliver the keynote address at the ICBA Business Summit 2024, Dr Ailish Campbell recorded an interview with Patrick Haughey for this special episode of The Ireland Canada Connection. They speak about Dr Campbell’s Irish heritage, how she was the first person on both sides of her family to go to university, why she was drawn to work in public service and what she loves about it, and they discuss the special relationship between Ireland and Canada and Dr Campbell’s vision for how it can continue to grow and thrive.If you would like to watch the keynote speech that Dr Campbell delivered at the ICBA’s business summit in Dublin’s Iveagh House, you can find it HERE 

Originally from Dublin, Robert Kearns emigrated to Canada in 1979 and since then has become one of the most prominent and active members of the Irish-Canadian community. He has been continuously involved in Irish-Canadian business and cultural relations, a board member of several related organisations, and he is particularly well known for spearheading the creation of Ireland Park, Grasett Park and The Corleck in TorontoIn this conversation with Patrick Haughey, Robert shares the story of his arrival in Canada and his early years in Toronto. He talks about the deep historical and cultural connection between Ireland and Canada – a topic he knows a lot about, as a student of history. He also reveals what drives him to work so extensively to commemorate and promote the Irish-Canadian relationship and build cross community relationships.  

Laureen Regan was appointed to the position of Vice Consul in 2014 by former Ambassador, Ray Bassett. In this role she is responsible for fostering and facilitating trade and investment between Irish businesses and those in the Canadian province of Alberta.In this episode of The Ireland Canada Connection, Laureen joins host Patrick Haughey to talk about: ·       Being born in Ireland and raised in Canada ·       The similarities between people from Ireland and Alberta and why that is such a strong foundation for successful business relationships·       What makes Alberta unique among Canadian provinces and why Irish companies should consider establishing a base there·       The upcoming Calgary-Ireland trade mission to Dublin that Laureen is leading in May 2024

It was through her role as Director of Development and External Engagement at National College of Ireland that Dr Deirdre Giblin first became connected with the Ireland Canada Business Association. And just a few years later, she is Chairperson. The journey in between has been a fascinating one, and in this episode of The Ireland Canada Connection, Deirdre shares the story of her first encounter with ICBA, why she found the relationship between the Ireland and Canada so compelling,  working with and learning from some brilliant people along the way, and her optimism about the future of Ireland Canada relations. Produced and presented by Patrick Haughey of AudioBrand 

The strength and potential of the Ireland Canada relationship was highlighted in very clear terms in a specially commissioned independent economic report, compiled by economist Jim Power for the ICBA. It details the 'enormous' growth opportunities between Ireland and Canada, given the right conditions. These conditions are outlined in the report and form a central part of the ICBA's efforts to impact policy and facilitate an enhanced business environment in Ireland for Canadian operations. In this episode of the Ireland Canada Connection Jim talks about the background to the report, some of the most striking findings in terms of exports and investment, where he believes the most valuable opportunities lie to build on the current relationship, and what policy makers and stakeholders need to do to make sure that opportunity is realised.To read the full report, follow this link Produced and presented by Patrick Haughey, AudioBrand

Born and raised in Canada, Chris Collenette moved to Ireland almost twenty years ago and has recently officially become an Irish citizen. Chris spent four years as Chairperson of the Ireland Canada Business Association and in this episode of The Ireland Canada Connection he talks about his time in the role, fostering the Ireland Canada relationship and helping to grow the organisation’s membership and influence. Chris also talks about what led him to move to Ireland, how he adjusted to life in a new country, personally and professionally, and the similarities and differences between his home country and his adopted one from a societal and political perspective. Produced and presented by Patrick Haughey of AudioBrand

In 1980 Terry Fox embarked on a remarkable journey. With one leg having been amputated due to cancer, he set out to run east-to-west across Canada to raise money and awareness for cancer research. It was called ‘The Marathon of Hope’. Terry did not get to complete his journey, but his efforts resulted in a worldwide legacy, inspiring annual Terry Fox Runs around the globe, and raising hundreds of millions of dollars for cancer research. On this episode of The Ireland Canada Connection, Patrick Haughey is joined by Terry’s older brother, Fred Fox, Manager of Support Relations at The Terry Fox Foundation. Fred talks about growing up with Terry and what he was like as a kid, the remarkable fortitude with which he handled his cancer diagnosis, the genesis of the terry fox run and the impact it has had worldwide ever since. This year’s Terry Fox run Ireland will take place in Herbert Park in Dublin on Sat September 16th at 9am. 100 % of the proceeds from the run will go directly to the Irish Cancer Society to help fund world class cancer research. This run is not only a great cause, but it is also great fun so if you’d like to sign up and support a great cause, here is the link to register  https://www.idonate.ie/event/terryfoxrunireland2023 Presented and produced by Patrick Haughey, AudioBrand 

Natalie Marchut, Manager of Development and Strategy with the Downtown Strategy Team at the City of Calgary, explains how the city has been incentivising developers to convert vacant offices into much-needed homes. With many countries experiencing a severe shortage of residential property, this innovative initiative is being hailed as a potential solution, and many other governments and city councils around the world are considering a similar approach, including in Ireland. Produced by Patrick Haughey of AudioBrand.  

Dr Karen Weekes is an endurance adventurer, sports psychologist and Irish Sportswoman of the Year 2022. In conversation with Cabrina Conaty, Karen talks about some of her greatest adventures including her 4,000 mile cycle from Vancouver to Halifax and a 3,000 mile row from the Canaries to Barbados solo and unsupported, earning her the title of the first Irish female to row any ocean solo. They also discuss the mindset required for her extreme challenges, cultural similarities between Irish and Canadian people, and how the lessons of these journeys are applicable to business.[00:01:23] Solo rowing 3,000 miles.[00:03:56] Sports Psychology and Endurance Training.[00:09:02] Testing mental tools during adventure.[00:13:35] Cycling in extreme temperatures.[00:18:22] Mental preparation for challenges.[00:19:36] Encountering wildlife on the journey.[00:22:23] Canadian hospitality and friendliness.[00:25:54] Overcoming negative self-talk.[00:29:15] Handling uncontrollable situations.[00:32:38] Business Mindset and Growth.Produced by Patrick Haughey of AudioBrand 

A  fascinating conversation with Canada’s Minister of Labour,  Seamus O’Regan. Topics include:·      His Irish heritage and time studying in University College Dublin learning about Ireland’s Celtic Tiger ·      How much he enjoyed his years as a national breakfast tv show presenter, despite not being a morning person! ·      The housing crisis in Canada and Ireland and his faith in our ability to solve them ·      Being in Belfast for the Good Friday Agreement commemorations and sharing the room with John de Chastelain, Tony Blair, Teresa May, Bill Clinton, Liz Truss and many others. ·      The pride he felt when Ireland passed marriage equality legislation ·      Why CETA should be fully ratified  Produced by Patrick Haughey of AudioBrand for the Ireland Canada Business Association 

“To this day, I will go somewhere and I will meet somebody with Irish Heritage and they’ll have tears in their eyes about how important this is to them”The month of March is now officially 'Irish Heritage Month' across Canada, and its all thanks to James Maloney, a Canadian MP with Irish roots, who wanted to find a way to formerly recognise the contribution that the Irish community have made to Canada’s society, culture and infrastructure. In this episode of the Ireland Canada Connection, James tells the fascinating story behind this initiative, and the impact it has had since being unanimously passed in the Canadian House of Commons in 2021. Produced and presented by Patrick Haughey of AudioBrand

Henk Potts is Director of Investment Strategy at Barclays Private Bank. In this episode of the Ireland Canada Connection Henk gives his outlook for the global economy, he talks specifically about how Canada and Ireland are performing and what opportunities and challenges are coming down the tracks, and we discuss falling inflation, a looming European recession, and the opportunities for investors in the current market.  The Ireland Canada Connection is produced and presented by Patrick Haughey of AudioBrand 

At the ICBA Maple Leaf Dinner 2022, Leo Varadkar (now Taoiseach) delivered a keynote speech that addressed the power of the relationship between Ireland and Canada and the continuing  support that it will be given by Ireland's political leadership. Click play to listen to the full speech. "So, colleagues, just really wanted to conclude tonight by once again saluting what is the strength of the Ireland Canada relationship, a relationship that is connected by our cultures, by our literatures, and above all, by our people. We're divided by a wide ocean, but bound together forever by our past and united in our hope and ambition for the future. Ireland and Canada share a truly unique relationship and as we face an uncertain world and the increasing challenges of this new century, Canada will remain a friend and ally for Ireland and a partner in working towards the betterment of our people, our two countries and the wider world. "

The aviation industry is going through a period of significant innovation right now, in particular around its efforts to become more environmentally sustainable and lessen its impact on the planet. In this episode of The Ireland Canada Connection, Blaithin O’Donnell, Sales Manager for Air Canada in Ireland, outlines some of the fascinating things that the company is doing to become more environmentally friendly. The strategy includes small but effective actions like changing the nature of the paint used on airplanes, right up to the introduction of electrically powered aircraft in the near future. We also speak about the return to business travel and why SMEs have been much quicker than larger companies to make business trips post-Covid, and we hear all about the future of aviation and what this will mean for travellers.  The Ireland Canada Connection is presented and produced by Patrick Haughey of Audiobrand.  

Strategic communications are central to what successful companies do day to day. Whether it's communicating with clients and customers, the media and on social media, or internally with staff, it pays to have a clear and effective strategy. In this episode of The Ireland Canada Connection, Lorna Jennings, Managing Director of Hanover Communications Dublin, talks about how to build such a strategy, communicating in a crisis situation, and why every company should find its ‘why’.   The Ireland Canada Connection is brought to you by the Ireland Canada Business Association Produced and presented by Patrick Haughey of AudioBrand 

Sachin Aggarwal is CEO of Think Research – a Canadian technology company that is helping to shape the future of healthcare through digital. Sachin paints a fascinating picture of how healthcare will be delivered in the future as a result of digital tools that can help reduce the work load and the mental load of health practitioners, allowing them to concentrate on the patient. He also talks about why Think Research has established a presence in Ireland and how that experience is working out so far.  https://www.thinkresearch.com/ca/The Ireland Canada Connection is presented and produced by Patrick Haughey of AudioBrand

Cybercrime is one of the top concerns for business leaders in 2022. Remote working, the rise and rise of digital commerce, and increased sophistication among cybercriminals are all fuelling a remarkable rise in cyber threats, predominantly ‘ransomware’ and ‘phishing’.  In this episode of The Ireland Canada Connection, host Patrick Haughey meets Ciaran Luttrell, Director of Operations at e-Sentire - a global cybersecurity services company headquartered in Ontario, Canada and with a European base in Ireland. eSentire is a valued member of the Ireland Canada Business Association. They discuss: ·      What is driving the exponential growth of cybercrime in recent years.·      Why small companies are just as at-risk as enterprises. ·      How business leaders can protect their companies from attack. ·      Why eSentire chose Ireland as its European base, and advise for other Canadian companies considering establishing an operation in Ireland.·      How to connect your Canadian and Irish offices and keep the company culture consistent. ·      Attracting and retaining top tech talent. The Ireland Canada Connection is produced by AudioBrand 

Building a happy, healthy and highly engaged workforce is one of the key priorities for modern business leaders. Success in this area leads to success in talent acquisition and retention, and also customer and client experience. In this episode of The Ireland Canada Connection, host Patrick Haughey of AudioBrand is joined by:  - Miriam Manning, Director of Human Resources at TELUS International Ireland. Headquartered in Canada, and with 50,000 team members globally, around 2000 of those based in Ireland. TELUS International provides exceptional customer experience solutions for its partners, and Miriam sees providing an exceptional employee experience as a central part of that role.- Desmond O’Sullivan, Director of Customer Experience and Director of PMO at Optel Group. A company with operations in both Canada and Ireland, Optel Group is  global provider of traceability, track-and-trace and vision systems. The company has four facilities across four different continents, and currently tracks over 25 billion products.  Miriam and Desmond discuss how their companies go about creating an exceptional employee experience, what impact this has on culture and productivity, and what advise they would give to others, based on their experience. 

In the mid 1800s, a 3000-mile long cable was laid across the Atlantic Ocean connecting Valentia in Co Kerry with Hearts Content in Newfoundland. It was described at the time as “a triumph of science and energy over time and space” and it completely revolutionised the communications of the day, bringing Europe and North America much closer together and thereby enhancing trade, diplomacy, culture and so much more.  In this episode of The Ireland Canada Connection, host Patrick Haughey meets Leonard Hobbs, Chairperson of the Valentia Transatlantic Cable Foundation, to talk about the history of this cable, how its impact can still be seen today, and his bid to make Valentia Island a UNESCO World Heritage site.  The Ireland Canada Connect is produced and presented by Patrick Haughey of AudioBrand

Pharmapod is an Irish software company that has developed a cloud-based platform to reduce medication errors for patients. In recent years, the company expanded into Canada and has been rapidly growing there ever since. In this episode of The Ireland Canada Connection, Anne Keogh, CFO of Pharmapod, tells host Patrick Haughey of AudioBrand, the remarkable story of the company’s growth across Canada, what she has learned about succeeding in that market, the role that CETA has played in Pharmapod’s growth, and future plans.

Greenfield Global, a large and successful Canadian company,  chose Ireland as the location for its very first base outside of North America. In 2020 Greenfield opened its 3,8000 sq meter facility in Co Laois, Ireland, and has very ambitious plans to grow its presence in the country. Ken Finnegan, MD of Greenfield Global Ireland, has been leading the companies establishment and expansion since it established in Ireland, and all the way through the Covid pandemic. In this episode of The Ireland Canada Connection Ken chats with Patrick Haughey of AudioBrand about:+Why Greenfield Global chose Ireland as its very first base outside of North America+Why the company chose to set up outside of the main cities, and, having visited 32 different sites,  Ken shares what he learned about the finding the best location for your company+How Greenfield is helping in the fight against Covid 19 +Turning waste in to valuable energy and why sustainability should be top of every business leader's agenda right now. +How to lead a team and drive progress during challenging times like a pandemic   

The Business Council of Canada is one of Canada’s most influential business representative organisations. It represents the chief executives and heads of 150 leading Canadian businesses, employing 1.7 million Canadians and composed of every major industry across the country.Goldy Hyder, the Council’s President and CEO, has a fascinating track record in business, public policy, and in the not for profit sector. He has such informed and passionate opinions about effective leadership, business strategy and global trade. In this interview we talk about:·        His ties to Ireland, his trip to Dublin in 2019, and why the keynote speech he gave then is as relevant today as it was then·        Driving the competitiveness of Canadian businesses ·        Why trade is the solution to an impending global recession·        How Eastern countries have managed Covid-19 more effectively than those in the West·        His hope for what the new US Presidency might achieve for global trade and relations ·        Why CETA has been a boost for businesses and why Ireland must ratify the agreement·        The leadership mindset and policy-making in times of crisis

Eamonn McKee has become Ireland’s new Ambassador to Canada, Jamaica and The Bahamas. He previously held ambassadorial positions in Seoul and Israel and has spent the last 5 years as Director General of the Trade division at the Dept of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador McKee is also an avid reader of history and indeed loves writing about the subject too, which gives him a very interesting perspective on some of the biggest challenges that the world is facing right now.In this episode of The Ireland Canada Connection, Ambassador Eamonn McKee joins Patrick Haughey of AudioBrand to talk about:·       His priorities for his new role of Ambassador to Canada ·       The importance of national brands and how to grow them ·       Why Ireland thrives in a free-trade global environment·       How business is all about relationships and personal connections, and why this makes organisations like the Ireland Canada Business Association so important ·       The new wave of Irish emigrants making Canada their home·       How an understanding of the past can help us make better decision in the present 

Joe Aherne founded the Leading Edge Group in 1995 in Cobh, Co Cork, and in 2009, decided it was time to internationalise. Joe chose Toronto, Canada as Leading Edge's first location outside of Ireland. In this episode of The Ireland Canada Connection, Joe tells Patrick Haughey all about the experience and what he learned from it, including:Why he chose Canada over other countries on the list of potential locations The first steps he took – what worked and what he would do differently His advice for other Irish companies considering expanding into CanadaCanada’s response to the Covid-19 crisis and what other countries might learn from it

RxSource had planned to set up its EU base in the UK, but Brexit led the company to choose Ireland instead. RxSource, a global pharmaceutical wholesale distributor from Canada, set up operations in Ireland in 2016 and has been growing steadily since. Our guest on this episode of The Ireland Canada Connection is Sue Kelly, the company’s Director of Operations. Sue speaks about:+Why Brexit led RxSource to choose Ireland over the UK+What it has been like operating in Ireland and lessons learned+Why strong regulation of the Pharma sector is so important +The impact of COVID-19 on the company and how it has adjusted +The experience of growing the team remotely The Ireland Canada Connection is brought to you by the Ireland Canada Business Association and is hosted by Patrick Haughey of audiobrand.ie. 

As a North American company, what is the key to successfully starting and growing operations in Ireland? Our guest on this episode of The Ireland Canada Connection is Kevin Elliott, Senior Vice President at Bank of Ireland Corporate and Treasury. In his current role, and previously with the IDA, Kevin has helped many companies from Canada and the US to establish operations and grow in Ireland. In this podcast, we tap into his extensive experience in this area and talk about:+The most common questions that Canadian and US companies ask about Ireland when they’re thinking about setting up a base in the EU+What are Ireland’s key selling points – but also what are the things the country needs to improve about the business environment+Why COVID-19 is making more Canadian and US companies look at Ireland as an EU base +The key differences between Canadian and US companies when it comes to doing business, building relationships, and talking about their success. +What are the most important things about doing business in Canada and the US that Irish companies need to be aware of in order to successfully do business there. +The most exciting emerging businesses that Kevin is seeing right now  The Ireland Canada Connection is brought to you by the Ireland Canada Business Association (ICBA). For more information on who we are and what we do, visit us at www.irelandcanada.com. The series is hosted by Patrick Haughey of www.audiobrand.ie 

Nikolay Malyarov is CEO of PressReader International and also its Chief Content Officer. Press reader is a Canadian company, a valued member of the ICBA, and a multinational with operations in Ireland. In this episode of The Ireland Canada Connection, Nikolay talks about how PressReader has been impacted by the Covid-19 crisis, how it has reacted, and he shared his advice for other companies about how to turn a challenge into an opportunity. Nikolay also talks about the future of news and journalism in a world of free content and social media. 

Former Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, Kevin Vickers, is our special guest on this episode of The Ireland Canada Connection. Always a great friend to the ICBA and supporter of the Association’s work, Kevin left his post in Ireland in 2019 to become leader of the Liberal Party of New Brunswick in Canada. In this interview Kevin talks about his time as Canadian Ambassador to Ireland, why he believes connectivity and relationship building are key to economic success, the great opportunities in cyber security and the green economy, and his decision to enter the political arena in New Brunswick.We also explored more personal topics, such as his Irish roots, his time in the Canadian Mounties, and his road to recovery after he stopped a terrorist attack at the Canadian parliament building in 2014.  

Ireland and Canada are two countries with incredibly close ties – for over a century and a half the Irish have been making Canada their home, and today, almost 15% of the Canadian population claim Irish ancestry. And more recently, there’s been a wave of emigration from Canada into Ireland – this time in the form of multinational Canadian companies making Ireland the center point of their European and EMEA operations. Our shared history, culture and approach to business has seen the Ireland Canada relationship flourish – and the Ireland Canada Business Association is here to help that relationship continue to grow ever stronger in to the future.The Ireland Canada Connection is a new podcast series featuring interviews with leaders in business, culture and public affairs from across Ireland and Canada. We’ll get to the heart of what makes this relationship tick, and hear insights and advice about how to succeed in business in both nations. Subscribe or follow The Ireland Canada Connection wherever you get your podcasts.