Challenging Times - Looking To The Future

A networking seminar focused on challenging times and what the future holds, led by a panel that includes - George Mordaunt, author of Shepards Pie, Brody Sweeny, founder of O'Brien's and Camille Thai Kitchen, Bobby Kerr of Dragons Den, Bang and Insomnia Coffee, Paul MacQuillan Company Director and Chair at Castleknock College Board of Management.

In the current climate more than ever, it is important for us to remain positive and focused on our goals in life. To achieve our goals there is a real need to help, share, mentor and communicate with each other. We have gathered together a panel of pastmen and guests who are going to share with us their experiences in dealing with the challenges that many of us now face and how they have managed to deal with tough and unexpected situations that they have found themselves in.

There will be an interactive discussion amongst the panellists with an opportunity for the audience to put their questions to the panel. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to network before and after the seminar.

Panellists for the evening include:

George Mordaunt’s career began in 1986 in the family business, a motor dealership which continues to trade today in the heart of Clonmel as The Mordaunt Group. In 2011 he published his first book entitled Shepards Pie detailing with excruciating honesty his story of not just being involved in the politics of a family business but being responsible for its rapid expansion and eventual near collapse. Shepards Pie is the first actual real life account of what it is like to be in business in Ireland over the last number of years. The book outlines the stress and trauma and the financial implications suffered by George and his family.

Brody Sweeney is best known for setting up O’Brien’s sandwich bars in 1988 and reaching a global turnover of €140m in 2007. Brody also ran in the general election in 2007 in Dublin North. Describing how he was involved in “the fight of his life” during his attempt to rescue the O’Briens sandwich business, he explained: “It was like a death in the family. The business was clearly on the ropes and I was absolutely terrified about what the future held for me. In March 2009, O’Briens went into examinership, and then receivership but the business was saved and now continues to trade well under its new owners. Brody himself has also bounced back and is now CEO of the Camille Thai Kitchen, food takeaway service.

Bobby Kerr is an Irish entrepreneur and businessman. He presents ‘Down to Business’ a Sunday Business Breakfast show on Newstalk and is a ‘Dragon’ on RTE’s Dragons’ Den. He is the Chairman of Insomnia Coffee and one of the owners of Bang Restaurant. He has a variety of business interests in food & hospitality, technology, manufacturing and retail. Bobby is also a popular public speaker and business mentor.

Paul MacQuillan trained as a chartered accountant with KPMG before becoming finance director of United Drug and subsequently Jurys Doyle. Paul was also managing director of the family hotel business Cusack Hotels and currently is a non-executive Director of the food services and facilities management company, Aramark Ireland, and is Chairman of a number of companies operating in the consumer goods, construction services and medical appliances sectors in Ireland and the UK. Paul is also Chairman of the Board of Management of Castleknock College.