A significant number of jobs in Cork will be saved when Linen Supply of Ireland (LSI) officially comes out of Examinership next week. The High Court has cleared the way for the company to emerge from court protection, which will save 150 jobs at the company's plant in the Frank Boland Industrial Estate on the Mallow Road. 350 jobs will be protected nationwide.

Cork headquartered archaeology firm, Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd. has announced the recruitment of 17 new employees for an ongoing project. The project, which commenced in January, is based on the Stephenstown Industrial lands with Fingal County Council. The project involves archaeological excavation ahead of industrial development and will see the recruitment of 17 additional archaeologists.

A new text alert system for businesses in North Cork is to be launched this Thursday 25 February to help curb the amount of businesses targeted by criminals. The system, as part of the Fermoy and Mitchelstown Business Watch Scheme, are being launched in the Grand Hotel on Ashe Quay, Fermoy at 2pm. According to previous figures from the Fermoy gardaí, thefts from shops decreased by 15 per cent in 2009, compared to 2008 figures, with 43 incidents being recorded the Fermoy District in 2008.

Budding entrepreneurs are being urged to submit their outline business plans for inclusion in the Ballyhoura Dragons programme. Ballyhoura Development Ltd. is running the initiative and the closing date for submissions is Friday 26 February. The "Ballyhoura Dragons" Programme is open to entrepreneurs from all over the country who are interested in setting up a business in Ballyhoura or who have set up an enterprise with less than ten employees in the past 12 months in the region.

The Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) has this week announced a national awareness campaign in relation to car loans. The group has also surveyed Credit Unions to evaluate loan rates across the entire movement. Speaking as the campaign commenced, ICLU President, Mark Bailey, said: "Credit Unions have noticed a marked increase in applications for car loans since the third week in January, particularly in the market for second hand cars."

Entrants are being sought for an enterprise award that has already worked wonders for one Cork business. The Pigsback.com Irish Enterprise Awards, held in Association with Checkout Magazine, aims to promote Irish brands in an increasingly challenging market. To celebrate its tenth birthday, Pigsback.com is once again offering one Irish brand the opportunity to win a free online campaign valued at over €25,000 and a featured article in Checkout.

A former Cork Business Person of the Year, Cormac Fitzgerald (CPA), has been appointed to the Council of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland. Mr Fitzgerald is managing partner of Kinsale accountancy firm, Fitzgerald & Partners. This is a prestigious appointment for Mr Fitzgerald who will now be assisting the President and Chief Executive of one of Ireland's most influential accountancy bodies to identify and implement strategies for the future growth and development of the Institute.

Retail Ireland, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) group that represents the Irish retail sector has called for greater powers to be afforded arbitrators deciding on commercial leases and an "urgent response" from all stakeholders in the retail property sector. Retail Ireland Director, Torlach Denihan, said: "In view of the current economic climate, Retail Ireland calls on Government to reform legislation on retailers' leases. Arbitrators' hands are tied by the terms of leases that are unsuited to the current extraordinary situation."

Receiving recognition for your business endeavours is always a boost. In the case of Richard Cooke, CEO of Lincor Solutions, it has even more impact when you previously presented the award and saw the success past winners went on to achieve. He told Peter Tobin just how it felt to win the Best SME Award from Cork Chamber

Name: Avril Quinn
Appointment: Commercial Manager, The Resources.ie Group
Avril Quinn has been promoted to Commercial Manager with The Resources.ie Group.