ThinkBusiness.ie

Lavonne Burke, global chief privacy officer at Dell, says a business that deploys AI agents is accountable for what they do, even when developers and vendors share part of the liability. She also leads Dell's AI compliance, and tells the ThinkBusiness Podcast that agents need a different level of oversight from generative AI because they act on their own.

Burke says business functions now arrive with "hundreds of agents at a time, if not thousands" that they want to release, and governance teams have to scale to match. Her advice to boards is to treat AI as...

The ESRI expects around 38,500 housing completions in Ireland this year, when thecountry needs closer to 50,000. On this episode of the ThinkBusiness Podcast, Dr Alan Hore, co-founderof CitA and leader of Skillnet MMC Accelerate, explains how modern methods of construction (MMC) could help close that gap. In MMC, buildings are designed digitally, components are made in a factory, and the work is then assembled on site.

Hore says the economy is at almost full employment, so the gain has to come from productivity. “We can’t manufacture, excuse the pun, but we can’t manufacture more people,” he says. “B...

Irish SMEs are borrowing to grow rather than to survive, according to Paula Harmon, head of small business and agri, everyday lending at Bank of Ireland. She talks about the second phase

of the SBCI’s Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme, why many owners are still relying on cash reserves, and the cost of putting off investment in automation and energy upgrades.

The scheme has been given an additional €500m and extended to 30 June 2029. It is open to SMEs, farmers, foresters and fishers through Bank of Ireland, AIB, PTSB, Close Brothers and Finance Ireland,

an...

Today on the ThinkBusiness Podcast, powered by Bank of Ireland, we’re joined by Gary Bradley of RS Ireland, one of the country’s best-known industrial parts and components suppliers. With roots stretching back almost 80 years as Radionics, the business serves everyone from electrical contractors and construction firms to hospitals, universities, tech and pharmaceutical companies. We discuss its next chapter: a major move from Rialto to a new purpose-built facility in Ballymount.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Welcome to the ThinkBusiness Podcast. I’m John, and today we’re coming to you from the National Ploughing Championships. For many farmers in the southeast and the midlands, this summer was one of the toughest in years. Drought turned green fields brown. Cattle came indoors months early, and winter fodder was used up in July and August. The rain is back and so is the grass. Now farmers are counting the cost. My guest is Susan Maher of Bank of Ireland. We talk about the fodder and financial stocktakes farmers need to do before winter, and why Irish farm...

Artificial intelligence is becoming a bigger part of working life in Ireland, but are employees getting the support they need to keep pace with change?

According to PwC Ireland's latest Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey, AI adoption is rising, workplace transformation is accelerating and workers remain optimistic about their ability to learn new skills. Yet access to learning and development resources has fallen sharply, while cost-of-living pressures, burnout and growing workloads continue to weigh heavily on employees.

Joining us today is Laoise Mullane, Director of Workforce Consulting and AI Adoption Lead at PwC Ireland. We'll...

This week we come to you from Dingle, County Kerry, and the 19th edition of Blas na hÉireann, the Irish Food Awards. Every October, hundreds of producers gather here, from one-person kitchens to established brands, alongside the retail buyers, chefs and judges who decide which of them goes home with gold, silver or bronze. Bank of Ireland is a sponsor of the Backyard @ Blas speaker space.

Over the next half hour you'll hear from a beekeeper, a baker, a forager, a sauce maker, a bakery ingredients supplier and a man who puts Irish food on aeroplanes. T...

In this episode of the ThinkBusiness Podcast, powered by Bank of Ireland. we speak with David Broderick, Director of the Small Firms Association, about the current trading environment for Ireland's small businesses, the priorities SMEs want to see addressed in Budget 2027, and the practical steps business owners can take to strengthen resilience and drive growth. We also explore how initiatives such as MentorsWork are helping entrepreneurs adapt, develop new skills and navigate an increasingly complex business landscape.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start...

At the recent National Ploughing Championships, Mark Glennon, Bank of Ireland’s agri development manager for the northern half of the country, describes how the year has gone, the demographic challenge facing Irish farming, what the Bank can do to ease succession, and how automation and AI can help farmers.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

In this episode of the ThinkBusiness Podcast, powered by Bank of Ireland, I speak with Dr Thomas Cryan, Medical Director at Thérapie Clinic, Europe's leading medical aesthetics group. Fresh from securing first place in the prestigious global Maurício de Maio Mentorship Programme, Dr Cryan joins us to discuss the importance of clinical excellence, continuous learning and patient safety in modern healthcare.

We also explore Thérapie Clinic's remarkable growth from an Irish-founded business into an international leader with 86 clinics across Ireland, the UK and the US.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and...

Today we’re joined by Maxine Hyde, the second-generation leader of Ballymaloe Foods, one of Ireland’s best-known food brands. Built on the legacy of her grandmother Myrtle Allen and founded by her mother Yasmin Hyde in 1990, Ballymaloe Foods has grown from a single relish recipe into a thriving business employing 70 people and producing a wide range of sauces, relishes and condiments.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

From a family farm in County Monaghan to one of Ireland's most successful food exporters, Silver Hill Duck has built a reputation for quality that stretches far beyond our shores. In an industry facing rising costs, changing consumer tastes and increasing pressure to innovate, the company continues to invest, grow and compete on the global stage. "

"My guest today is Barry Cullen of Silver Hill Duck. Just ahead of the 2026 Blas na hEireann in Dingle, we'll be talking about the company's latest expansion plans, the challenges and opportunities facing Irish food producers, the importance of sustainability and...

How much is your company’s reputation really worth?

In an age where trust can be won or lost in a matter of moments, reputation has become far more than a branding exercise. It is a critical business asset that impacts customer loyalty, talent attraction, investment decisions, resilience during crises and, ultimately, the bottom line.

On this episode of the ThinkBusiness Podcast, we sit down with Alan Tyrrell, CEO of The Reputations Agency, to explore why reputation is now one of the most valuable metrics business leaders can track. We discuss what reputation data can re...

The latest ThinkBusiness Podcast explores what sustainability looks like when it moves beyond ambitious targets and becomes part of everyday business decision-making. It features Caroline Ashe Brady, Commercial Director at KORE Group, founder of KORE Retrofit, Chairperson of the Passive House Association of Ireland, and one of Ireland's leading voices in sustainable construction, and Colette Shirley, Director of Sustainability at Bank of Ireland.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Today we speak with Jussi Lystimäki, the CEO of refurbished smartphone specialist Swappie, about how the business achieved its first full year of profitability, reaching €2.5 million in 2025 as well as his links with Ireland through the acquisition of Done Deal. We also examine why Irish consumers are Europe’s biggest smartphone hoarders, with 69% keeping unused devices at home, and what that means for the growing circular tech economy.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Hello and welcome back to the latest ThinkBusiness Podcast, powered by Bank of Ireland. Today we speak with Maaike Terwindt, AI Specialist for Europe at Google, about how Gemini, Gems and AI agents are reshaping the way SMEs work. From boosting productivity and automating routine tasks to unlocking new growth opportunities, she explains how businesses can put practical AI to work today.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Hello and welcome back to the latest ThinkBusiness Podcast, powered by Bank of Ireland. Today we're exploring one of the biggest challenges facing Irish family businesses: succession planning. Joining us is Deborah Kelly, Partner and Head of Corporate at Addleshaw Goddard Ireland, who shares practical advice on preparing for leadership transition, avoiding common pitfalls, and building a business that thrives for generations.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Hello and welcome back to the latest ThinkBusiness Podcast, powered by Bank of Ireland. Today we speak with Fergal Brosnan, CEO of the RDI Hub in Kerry, about building a world-class innovation ecosystem in Ireland's south-west. We explore AI opportunities for entrepreneurs, the new AI Gateway initiative, developing regional talent, and how businesses can thrive in the AI age.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

We speak with Ciaran Marron, the founder of Activ8 Solar Energies, one of Ireland's leading solar and renewable energy companies. From launching a business before solar power became mainstream to helping thousands of homes and businesses cut costs and reduce emissions, our guest has witnessed first-hand the transformation of Ireland's energy landscape.

We discuss the growth of the renewable energy sector, the challenges of scaling a business in a rapidly changing market, the role of technology and battery storage, and what Irish SMEs can do today to become more energy efficient, resilient and sustainable in the years...

Today, we're joined by one of Ireland's most successful hospitality entrepreneurs, Lorraine Heskin, founder and CEO of Gourmet Food Parlour.

What began as a 25-seater café in Dún Laoghaire in 2006 has grown into a business serving more than seven million customers, generating over €20 million in annual revenue, employing more than 320 people and operating 11 locations across Ireland. Along the way, Gourmet Food Parlour has become a major player in catering, events and sports nutrition.

Lorraine joins us to discuss entrepreneurship, resilience, leadership, scaling a business over two decades, and what's next for one of Ireland's best...

Today's guest is Padraic O’Kane, the driving force behind one of Ireland's most successful international sporting events, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. What began as an ambitious vision to bring American college football to Dublin has evolved into a major annual event that attracts tens of thousands of visitors, generates significant economic impact and showcases Ireland on a global stage.

We'll discuss the entrepreneurial journey behind the Classic, the challenges of building a transatlantic sports brand, the power of partnerships and why major events like this can deliver lasting benefits for Irish tourism, business and in...

Artificial intelligence is transforming how businesses operate, but as adoption accelerates, questions around data control, privacy and digital sovereignty are becoming increasingly important.

My guest today is Tim Grant, Executive Chair of TensorX, the Irish company building sovereign AI infrastructure for Europe following an €8m funding round. We'll discuss why businesses want their AI data to stay within European jurisdiction, what digital sovereignty really means, and whether Europe can build its own trusted AI future.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start an...

In this episode of the ThinkBusiness Podcast, we speak with MarkGo founders Peter McPartlin and Sharon Mooney about how AI is helping level the playing field for SMEs and start-ups that cannot afford expensive marketing agencies or senior consultants.

We discuss the biggest marketing challenges facing growing businesses, the rise of AI-powered strategy, common mistakes founders make, and why many companies struggle to turn ambition into action. It is a practical conversation packed with insights for entrepreneurs looking to grow smarter and faster in a competitive marketplace.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and...

Community Foundation Ireland has quietly reshaped Irish giving since 2000, channelling €200 million into communities across the country while building a model built on data, trust and long-term partnership.

In this episode, CEO Denise Charlton joins the ThinkBusiness Podcast to explore how strategic philanthropy works in practice, from backing causes before they find public support to helping a new generation of wealthy families think through purpose, legacy and impact. She discusses Ireland's unique culture of anonymous giving, the rise of donor-advised funds, and what policy change could unlock the next chapter of Irish philanthropy.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie...

Welcome to the podcast. Today I'm joined by Matthew Coffey, co-founder of SQUID Loyalty, the Irish tech company on a mission to make customer loyalty simpler and more effective for businesses and consumers alike. What started as an idea between two engineering students has grown into a platform used by thousands of businesses across multiple international markets. We'll discuss entrepreneurship, customer engagement, the future of loyalty programmes, scaling a startup from Ireland, and the lessons Matthew has learned building a fast-growing technology company.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in...

Welcome to the latest ThinkBusiness Podcast, powered by Bank of Ireland. As AI rapidly moves from buzzword to business tool, many SMEs are still asking the same question: where do you start, and how do you turn AI into something that delivers real value?

As Google and Bank of Ireland join forces to provide 10,000 Google AI Professional scholarships to Irish SMEs at no cost, we speak with Kira Brakhage, AI specialist at Google, about how small businesses can use tools like Gemini Notebook to work smarter, save time, and unlock new insights from the information they already...

Today we’re tackling a problem that every consumer and every business leader can relate to: why is customer service still so frustrating in an age of AI, automation and digital transformation?

Despite years of investment in technology, new research from ServiceNow reveals that Irish consumers are losing an astonishing 284 million hours every year dealing with customer service issues. Even more striking, nearly half of consumers say they would switch brands after just one poor customer service experience.

So what’s going wrong? Why are businesses still struggling to deliver seamless customer experiences? And with AI d...

By 2030, more than one in three people in Ireland will be over the age of 50, while the number of people aged 65 and over is expected to exceed one million. As Ireland's population ages, the need for stronger community connections, health supports and wellbeing services has never been greater.

In this episode, we speak with Martina Calvey, founder of Hello GoodLife Ireland, a Mayo-founded social enterprise that is building a nationwide network of health and wellbeing hubs designed to help people stay active, connected and independent as they age. Martina explains the inspiration behind the business, the challenges...

Artificial intelligence promises to transform how businesses operate, but with so much hype surrounding the technology, many organisations are still asking a simple question: where does AI genuinely deliver value?

In this episode, we speak with Neil Bowden, EMEA AI Lead at Dell Technologies, about how Irish businesses can take a pragmatic approach to AI adoption. From identifying real-world use cases and measuring ROI to avoiding costly mistakes and unnecessary spending, Neil shares practical advice for organisations looking to make smarter AI investments.

Whether you're an SME exploring your first AI project or a larger...

Today, we’re joined by Richard Meehan, CEO of Velico, the Boston-founded medtech company that has established its international headquarters in Ireland and is developing a groundbreaking dry plasma manufacturing system that could transform emergency trauma care around the world.

From ambulances and military operations to mass casualty response, Velico’s technology enables blood centres to produce spray-dried plasma that can be rehydrated within minutes when every second counts.

With recent support from the French military—a global leader in dried plasma production—the company is gaining international recognition for its innovative approach.

In this...

Welcome to the latest ThinkBusiness Podcast. Today we’re diving into the story behind one of Ireland’s most dynamic hospitality brands –The Address Collective.

Founded during the pandemic and rapidly scaled across Ireland and into the UK, the group represents a new model of design-led, experience-driven hospitality.

Joining me today are Cian McGettigan, part of the family behind The Address Collective, and Gerardo Larios Rizo, Head of Hospitality Sector at Bank of Ireland.

We’re starting with a really interesting angle –what it means to build and scale an intergenerational family business –before movin...

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept – it’s rapidly becoming the operating system of modern business. From global tech giants to family-run farms in North Dublin, the ability to harness AI is quickly defining who scales, who competes, and who gets left behind.

And yet, while the vast majority of Irish SMEs recognise AI’s transformative potential, many remain stuck at the starting line – curious, but uncertain about how to turn that curiosity into practical, day-to-day advantage.

So what’s really holding businesses back? How big is the opportunity for Ireland if we close that...

Hello and welcome to the latest ThinkBusiness Podcast powered by Bank of Ireland. Today we’re exploring fintech innovation and international expansion. 

We’re joined by Lydia Foott, an Irish entrepreneur who co-founded Qashio in Dubai, and Kevin Gallagher, the company’s General Manager for Europe, as it prepares to launch in Ireland with a new Dublin office and 50 jobs across multiple functions.

Qashio helps businesses take control of spending through smart company cards that track and manage expenses in real time, eliminating manual reporting and giving finance teams full visibility.

Following strong growth...

The music industry has always been shaped by technology — but today, the pace and scale of change is unlike anything we’ve seen before.

From the early days of mobile music to the rise of streaming, and now the disruptive force of artificial intelligence, the question is no longer just how music is made or distributed—but how it is owned, protected, and valued.

Few people have had a front-row seat to that evolution quite like Andrew Melchior.

With more than two decades at the intersection of music, technology and digital culture, Andrew has pl...

Today, we’re exploring one of Ireland’s quieter global success stories—where finance, technology, and aviation intersect.

I’m joined by Teddy Murphy, founder and CEO of Miagen, a Dublin-based company whose financial planning platform is used by CFOs to model complex decisions and maximise performance. Its reach is remarkable—supporting financial modelling for roughly one in five of the world’s leased aircraft, representing around €100 billion in assets.

We’ll discuss how financial modelling and AI are reshaping decision-making, Miagen’s expansion into elite football, and Teddy’s own journey—from pitching Etihad in Abu Dhabi to buildi...

Ireland’s transition to electric vehicles is gathering pace, but for many drivers, the
journey from curiosity to commitment has often felt complicated. Understanding costs, comparing models, and figuring out finance can still be barriers to making the switch.

Now, Bank of Ireland, in partnership with Nevo, is aiming to change that with the launch of Ireland’s first
dedicated EV marketplace. Designed as a one-stop digital platform, it brings together everything a
potential EV buyer needs in one place, from education and vehicle comparison to financing options and test drive bookings.

The...

When Irish tech firm CalypsoAI was acquired by global security giant F5 for $180 million, the spotlight landed on its AI security technology – but there’s a deeper story behind the deal.

In fast-moving categories like AI, it’s not just what you build, but how you’re perceived. CalypsoAI didn’t just compete in AI security – it helped define it. And that positioning can directly influence who gets acquired, and for how much.

Today, we’re exploring the role of brand as a strategic asset – one that shapes trust, narrative, and ultimately valuation.

I’m joined by Do...

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the evolving world of finance operations and the growing strategic importance of Accounts Payable in the Office of the CFO.

I’m joined by Paul Kearns, CEO of Irish software company Kefron, which has more than 30 years’ experience helping organisations manage and protect critical business information. Paul leads the development of Kefron AP, an accounts payable automation solution designed to bring greater accuracy, control and visibility to invoice processing – helping finance teams work smarter, not harder.

We explore how the role of Accounts Payable is shifting from a back-off...

In this episode of the ThinkBusiness Podcast, Oishi founder Ciara Troy shares the real story behind building one of Ireland’s best known food businesses, from early mistakes and near burnout to scaling sustainably. Joined by Lucy Ryan, Head of Food & Beverage at Bank of Ireland, this episode explores funding, margins, resilience and what it really takes to grow a food brand in Ireland.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Today, we’re exploring the growing momentum behind Ireland’s bioeconomy – a space where agriculture, energy, and sustainability intersect to create new opportunities.

From biomethane and renewable fuels to circular farming systems and new revenue streams, this is about rethinking how we use resources – and how we build a more sustainable future.

In this episode, we hear from leaders across finance, farming, and industry, recorded at the All-Island Bioeconomy Summit which took place at Johnstown House in County Meath recently.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Irela...