The past 25 years has seen dozens of businesses singled out for recognition in the Cork Company of the Year awards. 

Every award was hard won and well deserved. Of the quarter of a century time span, Conor Healy says: “This is quite a long time from a business perspective, and of course we have seen lots of change in Cork over that period, with much of it around the emergence of newer sectors.

“We continue to have a strong and thriving agri-food sector and a strong tourism sector and more. But over the 25 years, there has also been growth in areas such as the life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Also, in the technology space in general, and in cyber security now moving into AI.

“This growth represents the trends and evolutions we have seen in business over this period. As well as that, and complementing it, is a strong multinational environment. We have a really strong and thriving, local, indigenous business community.

“We have a start-up environment which is supportive in Cork and probably wasn’t — to the same extent  — 25 years ago. So, in Cork, there has been a very strong evolution in terms of the types of business and the sectors. Also, the maturity of business and the overall maturity of the business community in Cork over that period of time.” 

Outlining then, the core impacts on the Cork business environment, Healy says: “The growth and development of the airport in Cork has been important in terms of connectivity; one that is really key and one that has been a real positive over the years.” 

 “The broad improvements in our infrastructure and in connectivity — be that by motorway or railway - has aided Cork in being better connected with other parts of the country.” 

Strong connections with Dublin are also vital, according to Healy: “We have a very strong and a really great capital city in Dublin. It is very important that Cork is as connected as possible there,” he says.

As to the sectors and milestones that have impacted positively on Cork’s business environment, Healy says: “The growth and evolution of companies like Apple, have been massively significant in terms of the positioning of Cork. Also, companies in life sciences, companies — such as Pfizer — that have led the way in terms of the evolution of the pharmaceutical sector.” 

 Remarking that Ireland’s participation in the EEC — now the EU — has brought about a changed environment for business in the country in general and in Cork in particular, he adds: “More recently, Brexit has changed the dynamic in terms of the relationship between the UK and Ireland from a business perspective.

“All of these factors have in some way or another had an impact across the different generations.” 

 With approximately 1,200 member businesses, employing over 100,000 people across the Cork region, Cork Chamber plays a pivotal role. Of the membership, Healy says: “They’re in every sector and in every scale of business — from the largest of multinationals, to the smallest of indigenous local businesses.” He talks then of the Chamber’s role in supporting business growth and development.

“At one level, we are very focussed on our representation — our lobbying agenda across the core issues that impact on the future of the economy and on society in general in the Cork region,” he says. “In terms of supporting our members, that’s a really important medium to long-term role of Cork Chamber.” 

 Outlining then, some of the many ways in which the Chamber helps and supports businesses to grow, Healy says: “On a day-to-day basis, we deliver much in terms of member services. We deliver networking opportunities through our extensive events calendar, trainingand offer members the opportunity to promote their businesses. We also provide trading services and more. This helps businesses to be more visible and to be more attractive to potential employees. This is a major focus right now.

“Supporting our membership is a responsibility we take very seriously,” he adds.

This year, Stryker won the Cork International Company of the Year i and overall award. Its story in Cork began with 20 people in 1998. Today they employ more than 4,000 people across six sites. 

The other three winners of this year: Amarenco, M&P O’Sullivan and LegitFit, which took home awards in the Large, SME and Emerging categories, respectively.

Looking to the future, Healy says the number one priority is around Cork’s ability to differentiate itself in terms of sustainability and being a really attractive place in which to work and live.

“This focus serves both the business community and wider society very well,” he says. “It’s all about Cork as a place. Also, the factors that help people decide that Cork is the place where they want to build their lives and careers.

“There are so many factors that impact on that. In the Chamber, we see our role over the next number of years, as being drivers, influencers and leaders in terms of that journey.

It’s around sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. It’s about Cork taking a lead - from a national and a global perspective — in those areas. That’s a major focus of ours. The number one focus in our strategic plan is sustainability in all its facets.”