Prevention better than cure in family business

INSPIRATIONAL leader Liam Griffin, who lead Wexford to All-Ireland hurling victory in 1996, will take to the stage alongside Bob Geldof at next week’s UCC’s Family Business Conference.

The conference will be opened by Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Micheál Martin on Friday, September 29.

Speakers will include Senator Fergal Quinn, of Superquinn, and Prof Joachim Schwass, an international expert on family business.

UCC Family Business Centre director Dr Joan Buckley said the theme of avoiding conflict through good governance in family business, combined with the speakers involved, has generated interest.

“The theme is proactive as it is avoiding the conflict as oppose to dealing with it. Ways of avoiding conflict are explored,” she said.

Prevention is better than cure is the main agenda of discussion.

“Senator Quinn will use his own experience working with Superquinn to convey how family business conflict was avoided by focusing on the customer,” Dr Buckley explains.

The evening will be headlined by poverty campaigner Geldof, who will delve into the aspect of leadership role in avoiding conflict.

Liam Griffin is the former Wexford hurling boss.

He is also managing director of the Griffin Group, which owns Hotel Kilkenny and Ferrycarrig Hotel in Wexford. His address will combine the themes of leadership and family business.

Professor Schwass from the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne will give pointers on how to avoid conflict,” said Dr Buckley.

The conference is sponsored by Thomas Crosbie Holdings, which owns the Irish Examiner. It will be held in the John C Kelleher Family Business Centre at UCC.

The conference will be chaired by Thomas Crosbie Holdings Ltd chairman and adjunct professor at the John C Kelleher Family Business Centre, Alan Crosbie.