Last week, Laois Chamber Alliance announced that Jackie Carroll has been appointed as their new CEO.
Succeeding Caroline Hofman, Jackie will aim to boost business in the county as she takes on her new role.
We caught up with her recently and Jackie brought us up to speed on her career to date.
Having grown up in Beladd, Portlaoise, Jackie is familiar with the back story to the current efforts to promote business and tourism in the county.
After doing her Leaving Cert at Scoil Chriost Ri, she went to Dublin City University (DCU) to study business in 1990.
After graduating in 1994, she went straight to work for business tycoon Denis O’Brien as a runner in his office.
“I loved working for him as he really treated his employees very well.
“He could arrive to the office with a box of ice creams for the team on a summer’s day. These little things really make a difference,” Jackie said.
“From working for Denis O’Brien on the Esat Digifone licence application, I decided I really wanted to be trained as a management consultant.
“I wanted to work on specific projects for different companies and at that stage I really wanted to travel.”
It was on to Netcom Consultants in London where she was trained in their business planning and bidding team.
“I worked in developing countries on mobile telephone licence applications and building business plans for clients to ascertain if having the licence would yield a financial return.”
She then set up her own company to work with start-ups and was the animator of the Laois Tourism strategy.
Jackie said: “In 2021 I completed a marketing and strategy plan for Laois Chamber, specifically looking at the ‘Invest in Laois’ programme under the tenure of Bernie Everard.
“I have been very lucky in my career to date to meet wonderful people and to work on interesting projects.”
The ongoing effect of Covid on the business community and rising operational costs for business are the greatest challenges currently facing Laois Chamber Alliance, according to Jackie
Businesses, in particular small enterprises, are still recovering from the effect of Covid on cashflow and sales, she said.
“Due to reductions in revenues, businesses have reviewed their cost base and decreased their service accordingly and are unable to return to pre-Covid operations.
“Decreased or short term rent decreases have now stopped. Specific Covid government supports have stopped and there is an expectation that normal trading levels have returned.
“Businesses have stopped trading. People have reappraised their business models and pivoted, and the long term mental health effects on employers and employees are still manifesting in the workplace,” Jackie said.
“As the business support organisation, our role will be to continue to create a business organisation in Laois that is fully inclusive, that will facilitate and encourage engagement with all stakeholders leading to job creation.
“We will do this through strengthening networking opportunities, facilitating events, offering training and advocacy and lobbying for members.”
Taking over as CEO of Laois Chamber Alliance, she sees the changes that have taken place in the county, including the influx of commuters and people new to the country, as positive developments.
“These people spend and live within this county and add a vibrancy to the county. They have set up businesses, joined the local music classes, climbed the Rock of Dunamaise and have embraced this beautiful county.”
She acknowledges that there have been complaints that Portlaoise and Laois haven’t capitalised on their central location when it comes to attracting businesses but contends that we need to change the headlines to the positive news stories.
“We need to work together to ensure that Laois is seen as a place to set up businesses, that the strengths of the county are shouted from the rooftop from all agencies,” Jackie said.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have a visionary leader in John Mulholland of Laois County Council, that land is available, that the business supports and funding are available here through multiple channels and that Laois is open for business.
“The Chamber Alliance will be working with all the stakeholders and members to make sure that the shop front of Laois is firmly opened.”
Tourism and hospitality in Laois, she said, have seen tremendous growth and development in the last six years.
“Numerous new businesses have opened from accommodation to award-winning food businesses. With the introduction of the Just Transition Fund, this will see further economic development and growth of the tourism sector.
“There are unbelievable opportunities for Laois to be the champion of slow sustainable living and tourism.
“There are too many positive developments in the county to mention.
“When I lived in Portlaoise as a teenager in the ‘80s, it was a town of Quinnsworth and Penneys, and little else, and a cycle to the Catholes on a Sunday.
“Now my teenagers can attend one of the biggest music festivals in Europe in a field in Stradbally while sipping ice cold Frappuccino,” Jackie said.
“In five years’ time, I see a county where all agencies and stakeholders work together to showcase Laois as a wonderful place to live, work and visit, where everyone who lives here is proud of living in this beautiful county,” she said.
Living in Stradbally, Jackie enjoys long walks in Oughaval Woods with her Red Setter.
An avid reader, she relishes the convivial atmosphere of the new library in Portlaoise. She also listens to music and volunteers with Laois Arts Office in her downtime.
“I had the amazing chance to attend the events of the Leaves festival recently. No other county has such a festival, mixing music and books, two of my favourite pastimes.”
Jackie will host a coffee morning, open to local businesses and members, in the Chamber Alliance office, Lyster Square, Portlaoise, on Wednesday, January 31 from 8:00am – midday.
Those who would like to learn about membership of the Chamber and what that brings, are invited to drop in.
SEE ALSO – Laois man (66) completes his landmark 100th blood donation
