Matheson and 30% Club Ireland

Diversity and Inclusion Conference: Managing Careers in a Modern World, Abbey Theatre Dublin

Shaping Future Leadership: Matheson and 30% Club Ireland Highlight Key Challenges at 2024 Diversity & Inclusion Conference

Pictured are (back row, l-r) Chupi Sweetman, founder and CEO of Chupi; Martyn Rosney, Partner, Reputation Inc and 30% Club Ireland Steering Committee member; Barry Winkless, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Future of Work at CPL; Dara Higgins, partner, Matheson; (middle row, l-r);  Paula Neary, Chair, 30% Club Ireland and Senior Managing Director, Accenture;  Michael Jackson, Managing Partner, Matheson;  Sarah Kingston, Learning and Development Manager, Matheson;  Daragh Bogan, Impactful Business Programme Manager, Matheson; and Ellen Nolan, senior associate, Matheson; (front row, l-r;)  Edel Quinlan, Senior Vice President, Northern Trust;  Marie Lawlor, Head of Corporate Partnerships and Philanthropy at The Abbey Theatre;  Shane Kelly, Corporate Relations Director, Diageo; and Mary Ellen Cotter, Senior Client Manager EMEA, Meta.

Welcomed by Michael Jackson, Managing Partner, Matheson, the conference heard from Chupi Sweetman, founder of Chupi and was closed by Paula Neary, Senior Managing Director, Accenture and Chair of 30% Club Ireland.  The event also featured insightful panel discussions, which centred around the employers and employees’ perspectives. 

Panel one explored the employers’ perspective with a focus on a modern career path, how this is changing and the trends ahead that organisations are anticipating.  It was moderated by Matheson partner, Dara Higgins, who was joined by: Dave McCormack, Chief People Officer, AIB; Catherine Doyle, General Manager, Microsoft Ireland and; Barry Winkless, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Future of Work Institute, CPL.

Panel two focussed on the employee view of a modern career path and looked at issues such as trust, change of pace, dual carers, family leave and more.  This session was moderated by Ellen Nolan, senior associate at Matheson who was joined by: Edel Quinlan, Senior VP, Northern Trust; Shane Kelly, Corporate Relations Director, Diageo and Mary Ellen Cotter, Senior Client Manager EMEA, Meta. 

Matheson’s Managing Partner Michael Jackson said;  “Our dedication to our people strategy has been a significant factor in the continued growth and success of Matheson.  Attracting, developing and retaining the best talent available allows us to help our clients achieve their business objectives and is critical to ensuring the continued growth of our firm.  That is why we are delighted to partner with the 30% Club Ireland for this year’s annual D&I Conference, which focuses on managing careers in the modern world."

"For Matheson, as for any business, developing our Next Gen talent is critical to our future success. Promoting diversity and fostering an environment that encourages open conversations and idea generation helps to drive innovative and longer term strategic thinking.  I believe that organisations which can best balance the ability to learn from the experiences of previous generations while embracing the wider range of possibilities that are open to the next generation will be those that grow most sustainably.”

Paula Neary, Country Chair 30% Club Ireland and Senior Managing Director, Accenture, speaking at the event said:  “As next-generation business leaders advance in their careers, they are facing a different future than those who came before them.  The challenges of balancing professional demands and personal well-being are more complex than ever so that’s why events like this are so important, to take stock, reflect and commit to a better future."

"We must consistently prioritise supporting today’s and tomorrow’s business leaders as they navigate the challenge of balancing their personal care commitments — whether as a partner, friend, child, or parent — alongside their own self-care, all while shaping rewarding and successful careers.  With technology transforming how we work, there is great potential for it to enhance work-life balance by enabling flexibility, streamlining processes, and increasing productivity.  However, new workplace demands and ways of working are making it harder to find the right balance.  Navigating this delicate equilibrium will be a defining factor for future leaders as they shape the workplaces of tomorrow.”

The conference was held in The Abbey Theatre Dublin, whose ambition is to enrich the cultural lives of everyone with a curiosity for and interest in Irish theatre, stories, artists and culture.  The Abbey Theatre is also a supporter member of the 30% Club Ireland and generously hosted the event as part of their ongoing commitment to diversity in the Arts.

Matheson has a longstanding tradition of supporting the arts and fostering creative talent.  The firm remains committed to promoting the appreciation, knowledge, and practice of the arts, both within the organisation and throughout the broader community in which it operates.