Chamber News
Waterford Chamber to develop next generation of business leaders.
Responding to the need to develop a pipeline of future leaders in the South East region, Waterford Chamber, with the support of Bausch + Lomb and Waterford Chamber Skillnet, have introduced a Regional Leaders Programme to develop business leaders for the future through mentorship and skills sharing.
The programme is aimed at professionals who want to develop their leadership skills or for companies who would like to increase the capacity of their internal talent pool to ensure the next generation of their company is in safe hands.
Waterford Chamber CEO Gerald Hurley said: Our Regional Leaders Programme is a perfect vehicle for leaders within our business community to share their expertise with the participants. Having somewhere to turn for advice, whether you are the founder of a start-up or an executive within a more established company is crucial, and we hope this programme will meet that need while enhancing leadership capabilities across the region. We are delighted to partner with Bausch + Lomb and Waterford Chamber Skillnet on this initiative. Experts from both organisations will be centrally involved in the delivery of the programme.”
The programme runs monthly from September to July beginning on 27th September. It will be made up of five bi-monthly networking lunches. Each will involve an address from some of the country’s most well-known executives – someone from either the private or public sector.
In between the bi-monthly leadership talks, the participants will participate in smaller groups with a mentor. This will be a senior leader from the region who will work with them to develop their leadership skills. Each group will receive a new mentor every two months, ensuring that they are exposed to many different leadership styles drawn from a broad range of sectors.
Ultimately the programme will identify the training needs and required supports for employers in the region as Sara Mullally, Network Manager at Waterford Chamber Skillnet explains. “The issue of skills shortages is constantly to the fore in industry and this programme will help us pin-point exactly what is needed. The outcomes of the programme will form the basis of a long term strategic plan for Waterford Chamber Skillnet to cater for those requirements and work with companies to to grow and develop the workforce.”
Leadership and professional development is a key component of the Bausch + Lomb ethos, making them the ideal partner for the Regional Leaders Programme.
“Being a leader today is challenging. This programme will help current and potential leaders explore their leadership style using a competency framework for leaders. Through the guidance of the Business Mentors, participants will be able to identify a range of approaches and broaden their business perspectives to meet the challenges they face individually, with their teams and organisations”, said Mark Hennessy, Site Leader, Bausch + Lomb.
The cost for the eleven month programme is €350 for Waterford Chamber/Skillnet members and €499 for non members. For more information on the Regional Leaders Programme, please contact Lynda Lawton on 051 311130 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
