Contact: Irene O'Gorman
Deloitte
Marketing manager
+353 1 4178566

According to the CEO Forum’s co-sponsors, Enterprise Ireland and Deloitte, the challenge for Ireland is to build a strong base of scaled companies, that is companies that have achieved a large and international presence in world markets. This is a key element in achieving continued economic growth in Ireland. Coupled with this is a need for Irish companies to develop an in-depth knowledge of customer requirements and an innovative competence to design, develop and manufacture the value added products and services now in demand in world markets.  Future Irish growth depends on these scale issues being successfully dealt with –this will be the central theme of this year’s CEO Forum.

The primary focus of the CEO Forum is to create an opportunity for chief executives to discuss what they perceive to be the major issues facing their companies and Irish businesses. The Forum provides a unique opportunity for CEO’s to share information, air their views and hear firsthand the experiences of some of Ireland’s leading CEO’s who talk about their businesses and the challenges they face nationally and internationally.

Scaled companies are those with an employment level of 200-250 and according to the Forum organisers, companies of this size will play a dominant role in the continued growth of Ireland’s economy. By definition, they are international, self-sufficient companies with steady growth, stability and profitability. They adopt a clear and dynamic business strategy, they have knowledge and experience of their markets and they follow a structured approach to innovation. Their management teams also show strong leadership and vision, an open attitude to external advice and good access routes to finance.

Assisting companies to building scale is a priority for Deloitte and Enterprise Ireland and the primary element of debate in this year’s forum. It is important to recognise that for SMEs the issue of building scale is a complex transition that requires new skills and strong management to achieve true global scale.  Growth strategies for Irish companies will need to be examined as they as attempt to build scale and migrate to a true internationalisation outlook.

Frank Ryan, Chief Executive Officer, Enterprise Ireland said, “The challenge for us is to bring about a transformational change in the rate of scaled company creation while maintaining headquarters and a substantial presence in Ireland. By working effectively with our clients, we hope to develop an innovative, productive and scaled enterprise base- one that generates high value activities for Irish business people and the Irish economy.”

According to Pat Kenny, Managing Partner of Deloitte, "The challenges facing Indigenous Industry in Ireland are complex and include a better supporting environment in the areas of taxation, controlled costs, investment in skills development and VAT and employer PRSI reductions. The theme selected for this year's CEO Forum captures the real challenges facing Irish companies internationally and we are delighted to co-host this prestigious gathering of the countries top CEO's in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland"

The theme for this years event will be “Building Scale: The Global Challenge”. The event which is in its 16th year and traditionally attracts more than 500 of Ireland’s leading CEO’s will take place on Wednesday, November 23rd 2005, in the Leopardstown Pavilion. The Forum which is exclusively for chief executives in Ireland is jointly supported and organised by Enterprise Ireland and Deloitte.

Enterprise Ireland has embarked on an unprecedented initiative to accelerate growth and development of scaled companies, having established a dedicated Scaling Division that is resourced to work with an identified group of small to medium-sized enterprises. This drive towards scaling represents corporate best practice and is mirrored across Europe.

Many Irish CEO’s have successfully achieved an international market presence with 863 Enterprise Ireland client companies winning new customers, distributors or partners in export markets in 2004, mostly in Northern Europe and Asia. In addition 154 Enterprise Ireland client companies established an overseas market presence during the year and 177 companies entered new export markets.

About Enterprise Ireland
Full details of Enterprise Ireland support and activities can be found on its website www.enterprise-ireland.com and in our financial products brochure.

About Deloitte
Deloitte, one of Ireland’s leading professional services firms, provides audit, tax, consulting and financial advisory services through nearly 800 people in Dublin, Cork and Limerick. Known as an employer of choice for its innovative human resources programmes, the firm is dedicated to helping its clients and its people excel. For more information, please visit Deloitte’s web site at www.deloitte.ie.

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is an organisation of member firms devoted to excellence in providing professional services and advice. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is focused on client service through a global strategy executed locally in nearly 150 countries. With access to the deep intellectual capital of 120,000 people worldwide, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu member firms, including their affiliates, deliver services in four professional areas: audit, tax, consulting and financial advisory services. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu member firms serve more than one-half of the world’s largest companies, as well as large national enterprises, public institutions, and successful, fast-growing global growth companies. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is a Swiss Verein or association, and, as such, neither Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu nor any of its member firms has any liability for each other’s acts or omissions. Each member firm is a separate and independent legal entity operating under the names “Deloitte”, “Deloitte & Touche”, “Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu”, or other, related names.

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