Wexford entrepreneurs acknowledged for their notable entrepreneurial achievements
Several Wexford entrepreneurs have been acknowledged for their notable entrepreneurial achievements at the recent All-Ireland Business Summit in Croke Park…
Now in its 7th year, over 500 people from across Ireland’s business community recently gathered for the annual All-Ireland Business Summit. Taking place at the iconic Croke Park, the event programme featured an impressive line-up that included mentalist and mind-magician Keith Barry, Brent Pope, a harpist who holds an interesting Guinness Book of Records and some of the leading lights of Irish businesses.
Organised by the All-Ireland Business Foundation, its annual flagship gathering on May the 10th welcomed business leaders and innovators hailing from across the 32 counties for the one-day event on May the 10th that featured exhibitors, networking opportunities and an agenda exploring topical issues and valuable business insights.
The event proved to be a high point for three Wexford entrepreneurs whose notable entrepreneurial achievements were acknowledged and celebrated with the full audience. To much applause, Thomas and Sorcha Kenny of K &K Windows and Calodagh McCumiskey of Spiritual Earth were welcomed as Fellows to the All-Ireland Business Foundation (AIBF) – a prestigious accolade that follows their Business All-Stars accreditation.
Established in 1995, K&K Windows has rapidly grown into one of Ireland’s largest fabricators and installers of uPVC & aluminium products for both residential and commercial clients. All of their products are fabricated onsite at their factory in Craanford, just outside of Gorey. The business had previously been recognised for its contribution to trade and commerce in Co. Wexford having been named as the Wexford Small Business Of The Year by the All-Ireland Business Foundation in 2021.
Calodagh McCumiskey, whose business Spiritual Earth, provides wellbeing solutions and programmes to a broad range of clients from SMEs to larger companies, entrepreneurs, Government bodies, NGOs and schools. Based just outside of Wexford Town in Strandfield, Calodagh had previously been named AIBF All-Star Master Practitioner in Wellbeing and Life Coaching 2021.
Also featured on the packed schedule were the Leadership Sessions hosted by Enniscorthy-born broadcaster Ivan Yates, who explored themes such as leadership at times of crisis, expansion and steering a long-term vision. Founder of the ‘Sculpted by Aimee’ brand and beauty industry innovator, Aimee Connolly; former HSE CEO Paul Reid and managing director of ISS Ireland, Eric Doyle, all individually joined the well-known broadcaster on the stage for a series of thought-provoking and insightful fireside chats.
The Summit also provided the backdrop for a new mental health initiative ‘The Elephant in the Room’ to be introduced in advance of its nationwide rollout, with co-founder and well-known sports commentator Brent Pope passionately appealing to audience members to start the conversation about The Elephant In The Room.
Performance psychologist, Gerry Hussey who also touched on the importance of mental health, gave an uplifting keynote on developing what he refers to as “the bulletproof mindset” – a key approach to his client work that includes many of Ireland’s international sportspeople.
Also taking the stage was the Guinness World Record holder of the Highest Harp Concert, Siobhan Brady, who performed a number of captivating compositions ahead of her upcoming departure to climb and perform with Ireland’s national instrument on the summit of Africa’s highest peak, Kilimanjaro, in July.
In addition to the wide range of speakers and performers, the 2023 All-Ireland Business Summit also recognised long-standing accredited members of the Foundation’s Business All-Star Accreditation Programme.
The programme, which acknowledges and profiles Irish companies and individuals that have distinguished themselves in the conduct of their business, currently has over 600 accredited companies that have undergone a comprehensive and independent audit demonstrating their commitment in the areas of Trust, Performance and Customer Centricity.
Speaking following the Fellowship Induction at the Summit, Deputy Chair of the Foundation’s Adjudication Panel, Kieran Ring shared;
“Our newly admitted Fellows of the AIBF represent what’s great about Irish business. Their drive, positivity and high performance have propelled the Irish economy to new heights, and we’re privileged to be working alongside them as members of The AIBF Register of Irish Business Excellence (TRIBE).”
“It was thrilling to see all of the Fellows wearing their cap and gown on stage when receiving their Certificate of Fellowship. It reflects the scale of the honour which this represents, and adds to their status as leading lights of Irish entrepreneurship.”
All Ireland Business Summit 2023 Picture Conor McCabe Photography.
Following the successful conclusion of the Summit event, Elaine Carroll, CEO of the All-Ireland Business Foundation, shared “This year’s Summit explored a number of key themes around business performance, leadership, and excellence, and the mindset needed to achieve them”.
“At the core of the Summit’s appeal, is the calibre of people and businesses from across the island that choose to attend each year. The networking that takes place under one roof, facilitates vital connections and serves to inspire and lead the ideas of tomorrow.”
For additional information about the event, please visit www.allirelandsummit.com and for further information on the Business All-Stars Foundation and its programmes, visit www.aibf.ie
Wexford Weekly
This article was published by a member of the Wexford Weekly team.
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