Susie Horgan elected Cork Chamber president

Springboard Communications MD firmly places infrastructure — housing and transport — at the top of the agenda for a city that she says contributes 19% of Ireland's GDP

Newly-elected Cork Chamber president Susie Horgan with CEO, Conor Healy, at the 207th Cork Chamber annual general meeting in the Metropole Hotel on MacCurtain St. Picture: Darragh Kane

Susie Horgan has been elected president of Cork Chamber at its annual general meeting, taking over the role from Rob Horgan.

Founder and managing director of Cork-based agency Springboard Communications, Ms Horgan established her business in Cork in 2012. She has served on the Chamber Board for six years and has held the roles of honorary secretary and vice president.

Ms Horgan succeeds Rob Horgan, whose two-year term was recognised at the AGM for its leadership and contribution to Cork’s business community.

Five new board members

Cork Chamber also welcomed the election of five new board members: Michael Lynch, KPMG; Chris McCarthy, Uisce Éireann; Seán Murphy, Ronayne Shipping; Maria McKnight, Bank of Ireland, and Noel Murray, MTU. Jim McGrath, Abbvie was appointed honorary treasurer.

Outgoing board members — Michael Nolan, Grant Thornton; Fiona Kearney, The Glucksman UCC; Carmel Lonergan, Trigon Hotels; Richard Morrissey, Moneycorp; and Catherine Sheridan, DNV — were thanked for their contribution and service to the organisation.

Addressing members and stakeholders at the AGM, Ms Horgan spoke about Cork’s continued growth and the importance of ensuring infrastructure, investment and delivery keep pace with the region’s economic contribution and ambition.

'Cork contributes 19% of Ireland's GDP'

"Cork is 11% of Ireland's population. It contributes 19% of Ireland's GDP. That's an economy doing more than its share. And it's an economy growing faster than the infrastructure built to carry it," she said.

Highlighting the need for a stronger focus on delivery and implementation of major projects, she said, “We don't have a plan shortage. What we're short of is delivery. We need delivery. 

BusConnects and Cork Luas

"We have BusConnects approved. We have the Luas Cork route published. We have housing zones designated, ready. 

The gap is between approval and delivery. That's the gap we have to push to close.

Ms Horgan also spoke about Cork’s attractiveness as a place to live, work and build a future, emphasising the importance of inclusion, culture and quality of life in supporting competitiveness and talent retention.

“Cork's future isn't only about what we build. It's about the talent we attract and the talent we keep — whether they feel part of Cork once they're here, and whether we hold on to the things that make Cork worth choosing. Because integration isn't a soft issue. It's a competitiveness issue. 

"People who don't feel woven into a place don't stay.”