We had an exciting week here at OSD last week with the announcement that the Sligo Chamber elected OSD’s Managing Director, Catriona Walsh as their president for 2014.
At the official announcement Catriona stated “I have always been a proud member of the Sligo Chamber and indeed the Sligo business community and it is a very proud honour for me to be elected President. I enjoy working with dynamic teams and look forward to working closer with Paul Keyes and Mary Harty who already deliver remarkable results. I intend to provide inspiring leadership at this time when economic vision, and its implementation, is imperative for all.
Catriona then went on to say, “Sligo is a great city with so much going for it! There is always something going on and remarkable people who work extremely hard to make a difference. Sligo has a strong digital voice and we will work hard to encourage, nurture #sligo and build on the strength of #sligowhoknew. We look forward this year to Sligo hosting the All-Ireland Fleadh, it is such a wonderful opportunity for Sligo to showcase all it as to offer internationally along the Wild Atlantic Way and have the visitors spreading the word (#sligo) and wanting to come back for more. This will bring enormous economic benefits to Sligo and to the wider region. It is also important that Sligo businesses emphasise our community spirit by supporting worthwhile voluntary causes. There are many examples of our members supporting these causes, including Sligo Tidy Towns Committee and TEAM Sligo”.
(Via www.sligochamber.ie)
In her inaugural address at the Sligo Chamber’s lunch held in The Glasshouse Hotel last Thursday March 6th , Catriona stressed the Chamber’s core remit which is to “Help Sligo Grow” and restated the Chamber’s desire to see Sligo nationally recognised as a model of public/private collaboration. “Collaboration is a multi-way street. Responsibility resides on all sides to interact in a positive, honest and engaging manner towards the delivery of a shared goal of economic development. Sligo Chamber will not be found wanting in meeting its responsibilities in this regard”.
The newly appointed Sligo County Manager, Mr Ciarán Hayes was also in attendance and outlined his economic vision for Sligo, offering the view that Sligo had suffered from a perception of “Suffocating Negativity” which did not match his experience on the ground of a community who take great pride in their “sense of place” or in the many community and voluntary initiatives aimed at developing the County.
Concluding the event Paul Keyes, CEO of Sligo Chamber stated that the Chamber looked forward towards further engagement with the County Council and other interested bodies in “Helping Sligo Grow”.
The OSD Team would like to wish a huge congratulations to Catriona on her election, we look forward to assisting Catriona, Council members and the Chamber in “Helping Sligo Grow” in 2014.
And the bling ain’t bad either!
