New Chamber President wants delivery on infrastructure

One of the biggest business advocacy groups in Cork has elected a new president. The new President of Cork Chamber is Susie Horgan, Founder and Managing Director of Springboard Communications.

She was elected at its Annual General Meeting held in The Metropole Hotel on Monday.

Ms Horgan established her business in Cork in 2012 and has been an active member of Cork Chamber for many years. Having served on the Chamber board for six years, she has also held the roles of honorary secretary and vice president.

Ms Horgan succeeds outgoing President Rob Horgan, who had a two-year term.

In her inaugural address, the newly elected President Susie Horgan said she would have a focus on Cork’s continued growth, competitiveness and quality of life as an international city region.

Ms Horgan spoke about the importance of ensuring infrastructure, investment and delivery keep pace with the region’s economic contribution and ambition. “Cork is 11% of Ireland's population. It contributes 19% of Ireland's GDP. That's an economy doing more than its share. And it's an economy growing faster than the infrastructure built to carry it.”

Highlighting the need for stronger focus on delivery and implementation of major projects and infrastructure to support this economic growth, she said: “We don't have a plan shortage. What we're short of is delivery. We need delivery. We have BusConnects approved. We have the Luas Cork route published. We have housing zones designated, ready. The gap is between approval and delivery. That's the gap we have to push to close.”

Ms Horgan also spoke about Cork’s attractiveness as a place to live, work and build a future, emphasising the importance of inclusion, culture and quality of life in supporting competitiveness and talent retention.

“Cork's future isn't only about what we build. It's about the talent we attract and the talent we keep - whether they feel part of Cork once they're here, and whether we hold on to the things that make Cork worth choosing. Because integration isn't a soft issue. It's a competitiveness issue. People who don't feel woven into a place don't stay.”

Closing her address, Ms Horgan outlined her vision for Cork’s future development as an internationally competitive and liveable city region.

“What I do want is a fifteen-minute Cork. Safe. Walkable.

With the things that make Cork Cork — protected and visible. With infrastructure that keeps up with the growth, not chases it.”

The Chamber also welcomed the election of five new board members: Michael Lynch, KPMG; Chris McCarthy, Uisce Éireann; Seán Murphy, Ronayne Shipping; Maria McKnight, Bank of Ireland and Noel Murray, MTU. Jim McGrath, Abbvie was appointed Honorary Treasurer.

Outgoing board members Michael Nolan, Grant Thornton; Fiona Kearney, The Glucksman UCC; Carmel Lonergan, Trigon Hotels; Richard Morrissey, Moneycorp and Catherine Sheridan, DNV who were thanked for their valued contribution.