Business continues to flourish for international reinsurance industry in Ireland – survey
More than half (56pc) of reinsurance companies in Ireland experienced growth in 2012, according to a members’ survey by the Dublin International Insurance & Management Association (DIMA). The survey of the 65 DIMA members also stated that more than one in two (51pc) of these companies expect significant growth in 2013. According to the companies surveyed, factors for the sizeable growth in the reinsurance sector include market access in new countries, increased new business opportunities and internal growth plans. “International reinsurers in Ireland have continued to provide ongoing stability to their policy-holders for almost 25 years, most recently against a background of events such as Superstorm Sandy, the Costa Concordia…
Read MoreIrish direct selling industry reports 121pc more new sellers
The Direct Selling Association of Ireland (DSAI) has released new figures that show a significant rise in the number of people turning to direct selling since the start of the recession, as a way to earn additional income. The new figures show a 121pc increase in distributor numbers since the Irish recession began in 2008, whilst sales throughout the industry for the same period have more than doubled, with three of the largest direct selling companies in Ireland reporting a 103pc increase in sales between 2008 and 2012. Members of the DSAI include Amway, Forever Living and Herbalif. In addition, the DSAI has revealed that there has been substantial rise…
Read MoreRisks in extended value chain greatest concern in supply chain management Deloitte
Almost two-thirds (63pc) of respondents to a new survey from Deloitte identified risk in the extended value chain comprising vendors and customers and where they have less control as their greatest concern with regards to supply chain risk. The survey of 600 global executives from manufacturing and retail companies, also found that over half (53pc) said that supply chain disruptions have become more costly over the last three years. As they operate in an environment of escalating risk, 45pc of surveyed executives say their supply chain risk management programmes are only somewhat effective or not effective at all. “Supply chains are increasingly complex and their interlinked, global nature…
Read MoreEU Trade Council meeting in Dublin to discuss US partnership
An informal meeting of the EU’s Trade Council is taking place at Dublin Castle today and tomorrow, focusing on international trade matters including an EU-US transatlantic trade and investment partnership (TTIP). Chaired by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, the meeting will also be attended by Mike Froman, US deputy national security advisor for international economic affairs and member of the US National Security Council and National Economic Council, who is key figure in the Obama administration on international trade issues. Trade ministers from all EU member states will be attending, as will the EU’s commissioner for trade Karel De Gucht. This is the first time a…
Read MoreFujitsu’s research collaboration with Deri revolutionises access to open data
Fujitsu has announced the first output from its pioneering research collaboration with NUI Galway’s Digital Enterprise Research Institute (Deri), which could provide the key to unlocking billions of items of open data and enable integrated uniform access to academic, government and industry data throughout the web. In a world first, the Fujitsu-Deri research team has developed a single access point that enables linked open data (LOD) – which currently exists on different sites and in different formats – to be stored and sorted up to 10 times faster than was previously possible. The key innovation of the new technology is the ability to easily find and use publically available datasets…
Read MoreIrish alcohol market in decline — report
The alcohol market in Ireland is declining as it is hit by continued economic weakness, taxation increases and changing consumer behaviour, according to the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland’s (DIGI) annual ‘Drinks Market Performance Report’. The report, by Anthony Foley of Dublin City University’s Business School, found that the volume of bar sales of alcohol continued to decline by a further 6pc in 2012. The total decline in the volume of bar sales of alcohol over the past 5 years is now 32.7pc. This decline is having a significant impact on jobs in this employment-intensive sector, where over 6,000 bar jobs alone have been lost since 2009. The specialist off…
Read MoreSan Fran start-up Lively joins PCH Accelerator programme
San Fran start-up Lively joins PCH Accelerator programme David Glickman, co-founder, Lively A start-up company focused on activity-sharing products called Lively based in San Francisco in the US has joined Irish firm PCH International’s Accelerator programme. Founded by Iggy Fanlo , David Glickman , and Keith Dutton in 2012, Lively’s activity-sharing experience aims to support an independent lifestyle for older adults by creating new avenues of connection between their families. Glickman explained: “The vast majority of older adults who live on their own are in good overall health and critical day-to-day monitoring isn’t necessary. So many products targeted at them today use fear as a selling tactic, addressing potential mishaps or focusing on emergency response. “We’re intentionally focusing…
Read MoreDublin’s Alexandra College hosts virtual visit to Cern Laboratory in Geneva for primary and secondary school students
Alexandra College in Milltown in Dublin today hosted a live virtual visit to the world-famous Cern Laboratory in Geneva for over 600 primary and secondary school students. The science event, which is the first of its kind for students in Ireland, included a demonstration by astrophysicist Dr Sofoklis Sotiriu and a live virtual tour of the Cern Laboratory, and Atlas experiment located in Cern. “We are thrilled to host this interactive science event in Alexandra College today and share this unique learning opportunity with other Dublin schools, in particular our local national schools,” said Alexandra College principal Barbara Ennis. “Alexandra has been pioneering science education and innovation since its foundation…
Read MoreReform Pilates launches apps for busy mothers
Anna Frankland of Reform Pilates in south Dublin has created ‘Postnatal Pilates by Reform Apps’, a number of short workouts that will help build self-esteem and increase energy levels for new mothers. Speaking about the launch of the new products Frankland said: “I know many of our clients take 15 minutes and lie beside the baby’s cot while they are going to sleep in order to have some ‘me’ time. This isn’t about mums getting bikini-ready; it is about re-building body confidence and re-gaining a strong body to copy with the physical demands of looking after a baby.” In total there are three apps: the first is recommended for those…
Read MoreArchitect of her own success: Angela Brady
Aside from running her own practice with her husband, architect Angela Brady campaigns on a wide range of issues, including sustainability and equality within her own profession. To describe Dublin-born, London-based architect Angela Brady as a doer is something of an understatement. Apart from the day job of running an award-winning practice with her husband Robin Mallalieu, Brady is in the second of a two-year term as president of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). She’s an active campaigner on a range of issues – for example, diversity in her profession, quality sustainable design and procurement reform within the sector – and has a media career, which has included…
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