Look to Wexford - Business Connections

County Wexford Chamber

Business Connections is a podcast series brought to you by County Wexford Chamber as part of the wider Look to Wexford campaign - an initiative showcasing County Wexford as a place to live, work, invest and do business.   The series shares the stories and experiences of people connected to Wexford - those building careers here, starting and scaling businesses, returning home to make their mark, and driving the next wave of innovation and sustainability.   Through candid conversations, Business Connections shines a light on Wexford’s dynamic enterprise ecosystem, from multinational employers and family-run businesses to local companies competing on a global stage.   The series also explores the county’s growing role in Ireland’s green energy transition, highlighting the ambition, talent and vision helping shape Wexford’s future.

Season 1

  1. Episode 1

    Episode 1: Working Globally, Living Locally (Remote & Hybrid)

    Pauline Oakes of Integer and Colin Browne of Microsoft share how they have built thriving global careers while living in County Wexford. In conversation with Paula Roche, CEO of County Wexford Chamber, they talk about why strong local talent, cutting edge connectivity and a rich quality of life make Wexford the perfect foundation for scaling a meaningful career internationally.   About the guests:  Pauline Oakes is Vice President of Operations at Integer, the global medtech company that employs over 1200 people in New Ross, manufacturing products that are used somewhere in the world every half second.  Colin Browne is Head of Global Customer Lifecycle Operation at global tech giant Microsoft, with whom he has built a 30-year career.  Colin’s work supports thousands of small and medium businesses worldwide and delivers billions in revenue, all from his base in Co Wexford.     Business Connections is supported by LEADER.

  2. Episode 2

    Episode 2: Home to Build the Future

    Eamonn Sinnott, former GM of Intel Ireland, and David Dempsey, co-founder of Salesforce Europe, join Paula Roche of County Wexford Chamber, to talk about coming home to help shape the future of their native County Wexford.    Eamonn and David share the fascinating stories of building careers that spanned the highest levels of the technology industry, and reveal why they have decided to bring that experience and expertise home to help Wexford capitalise on the rich opportunities that now lie in education, renewable energy, and talent development.   About the guests:  Eamonn Sinnott spent 35 years with Intel, helping grow it into one of the most significant foreign direct investments in the history of the State. With more than €30 billion invested in Ireland, Intel became a cornerstone of the global technology supply chain, and Eamonn played a key role in securing its long-term future.  David Dempsey helped bring Salesforce to Europe from day one, leaving a senior role at Oracle to join a four-month-old startup with no customers. Over a 40-year career in technology, including senior leadership roles at Oracle and Salesforce, David has been at the forefront of the digital revolution.  Business Connections is supported by LEADER.

  3. Episode 3

    Episode 3: Culture, Creativity & Confidence

    In Episode 3 of Business Connections, former Irish rugby international player Gordon D’Arcy and National Opera House Chairman Paul Hennessy join Paula Roche, CEO of County Wexford Chamber, to explore how excellence in sport and the arts has helped put County Wexford on the world stage.   Gordon and Paul reflect on what elite performance, whether in sport or in the arts, teaches us about resilience, ambition and teamwork, and why success is often built, not just in the boardroom, but on pitches and stages, and in communities.   About the guests:  Gordon D'Arcy went from playing for Wexford Wanderers to earning over 250 caps for Leinster Rugby and representing Ireland more than 80 times. Today, he combines business, media and entrepreneurship with lessons learned from elite sport.  Paul Hennessy played a leading role in delivering the National Opera House — a €32 million project that transformed Wexford’s cultural and economic landscape and placed the county firmly on the international stage.  Business Connections is supported by LEADER.

  4. Episode 4

    Episode 4: Why Global Companies Choose Wexford

    Gerard Reynolds of BD and Deirdre Hannon of Danone share why some of the world’s largest companies continue to choose County Wexford as a place to invest, grow and lead from.  In conversation with Paula Roche, CEO of County Wexford Chamber, they discuss the continuing appeal of County Wexford’s skilled and loyal workforce, strong ecosystem of suppliers, global connectivity, and unique quality of life. They also discuss how their companies are not only benefiting from operating in Wexford, but how they are actively contributing to the economic strength, talent development, and future growth of the county  About the guests:  Gerard Reynolds has built a 30-year career in the medical technology industry and now leads operations at BD in Enniscorthy — part of a $22 billion global business with more than 60,000 employees worldwide. From Wexford, his team designs and manufactures life-saving medical technologies used across the globe.  Deirdre Hannon is Plant Manager at Danone’s Wexford facility, which produces 350 different products for over 50 countries worldwide. The plant plays a critical role in Danone’s global operations while also supporting local farming, suppliers and sustainability initiatives across the region.  Business Connections is supported by LEADER.

  5. Episode 5

    Episode 5: From Start-Up to Scale-Up

    Rory O’Connor of Scurri shares how a business built in County Wexford grew into a global technology company powering some of the world’s biggest retailers.  In conversation with Paula Roche, CEO of County Wexford Chamber, Rory shares the story about leaving corporate life to start Scurri, and how he has scaled it into a global player that works with some of the world’s largest companies. He also talks about why he has always been determined to build Scurri from Wexford, even though it may have been easier to scale the company from Dublin – and why that decision has been central to the company’s success.    About the guest:  Rory O’Connor founded Scurri to simplify delivery management for online retailers. Fifteen years later, the business employs more than 50 people and works with major international brands including eBay, Sainsbury’s, Argos and An Post, processing over 200 million shipments every year and supporting €20 billion in e-commerce transactions.  Business Connections is supported by LEADER.

  6. Episode 6

    Episode 6: Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Wexford

    Mary Walsh of Ire Wel Pallets and Laura Kelly of Kelly’s Resort Hotel share how entrepreneurship, innovation and long-term thinking have helped them build and grow two very different and but equally successful Wexford businesses with national and international reach.   In conversation with Paula Roche, CEO of County Wexford Chamber, they talk about spotting opportunity, balancing tradition with innovation, and the importance of building strong teams that last. Their stories show how County Wexford offers the right environment for ambition and creative thinking , whether you are building something new or leading a business with generations of history behind it.  About the guests:  Mary Walsh is founder of Ire Wel Pallets. After leaving a successful banking career, she built the company from the ground up with just three people. Today, the business employs over 60 people and supplies major global companies across food, pharma and manufacturing.  Laura Kelly represents the fifth generation behind Kelly’s Resort Hotel, one of Ireland’s best-known hospitality brands. From a small tea room in 1895 to an internationally recognised resort hotel, Laura is helping shape the next chapter of that family legacy.  Business Connections is supported by LEADER.

  7. Episode 7

    Episode 7: Careers, Opportunity and Choice in Wexford

    Claire Byrne of Johnsons Celtic Linen and Helen Meade of Reynaers Aluminium join Paula Roche, CEO of County Wexford Chamber to share how Wexford can offer not just a great place to live, but real opportunities to build a meaningful and successful career.  Claire started with what she expected would be a short-term role and built it into a senior leadership career, while Helen created her own opportunities from day one. Both found that Wexford offered the space, support and opportunity to build successful and rewarding careers.   About the guests:  Claire Byrne is Operations Manager at Johnsons Celtic Linen. She began as a general operative over 20 years ago and now helps lead a business processing two million pieces of linen every week across healthcare, hospitality and hotel sectors throughout Ireland.  Helen Meade is Marketing Manager at Reynaers Aluminium, a global business operating in more than 70 countries, with a major base in Enniscorthy. After moving to Wexford and creating her own opportunity through work experience, she built a successful career while becoming deeply involved in the local business community.  Business Connections is supported by LEADER.

  • 7 Episodes

About

Business Connections is a podcast series brought to you by County Wexford Chamber as part of the wider Look to Wexford campaign - an initiative showcasing County Wexford as a place to live, work, invest and do business.   The series shares the stories and experiences of people connected to Wexford - those building careers here, starting and scaling businesses, returning home to make their mark, and driving the next wave of innovation and sustainability.   Through candid conversations, Business Connections shines a light on Wexford’s dynamic enterprise ecosystem, from multinational employers and family-run businesses to local companies competing on a global stage.   The series also explores the county’s growing role in Ireland’s green energy transition, highlighting the ambition, talent and vision helping shape Wexford’s future.

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