Ibec


Ibec is the largest business lobby group and largest lobbying organisation in Ireland. It represents business of all sizes spanning every sector of the economy, together employing 70% of the private sector workforce in Ireland.
The organisation works to promote business interests by lobbying and advising governments, policy makers and key stakeholders, creating networking opportunities for businesses and providing business insight.
Ibec also supports member companies with advice on industrial relations and management of employees.
The organisation employs over 240 staff, has 42 brands representing individual trade associations and operates nationally through six national offices in: Dublin, Cork, Galway, Waterford, Limerick and Donegal, and internationally through its Brussels office. Ibec is directed and managed by a board, national council, and executive director team.

History

Ibec is an orphan acronym dating from a 2016 rebranding of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation. IBEC was founded in 1993 by the merger of the Federation of Irish Employers and the Confederation of Irish Industry. The FIE and CII had overlapping membership; the FIE dealt with labour relations and the CII with other matters including lobbying the government. The FIE's history begins with the 1911 foundation of the Dublin Employers' Federation, which was incorporated in 1928 as Federated Employers Ltd, renamed the Federated Union of Employers in 1942 when it absorbed groups outside its Dublin base, and finally renamed FIE in 1989. The CII began in 1932 in the Anglo-Irish trade war as the Federation of Irish Industries, a group advocating protectionism. The name changed successively to "Federation of Saorstát Industries" in 1934; "Federation of Irish Manufacturers" in 1938; "Federation of Irish Industries" again in 1958; and finally "Confederation of Irish Industry" in 1969.

Structure

The CEO of Ibec is Danny McCoy who assumed the role in June 2009.
The organisation is arranged into five divisions: Policy and Public Affairs; Employer Relations; Commercial and Operations.
Ibec’s policies and strategic priorities are set by its board and national council which are implemented by Ibec’s executive director team.
National council
Ibec's central and final decision-making authority is the 70 member national council and signs-off key Ibec policy positions. It provides a forum for the exchange of views between the constituent members and groupings of Ibec on relevant policy, sectoral and organisational issues.
Board
The Ibec board is responsible for Ibec’s corporate governance and strategic direction. It is chaired by Ibec President, Edel Creely, MD, Trilogy Technologies.
Ibec board
Board memberPositionOrganisation
Edel Creely MDTrilogy Technologies
Leo CrawfordGroup CEBWG Group
Gerry CollinsVP StrategyJ&J Supply Chain
Larry MurrinCEODawn Farm Foods
John KennedyPresidentDiageo Europe, Russia and Turkey
Danny McCoyCEOIbec
Liam O'DonoghueCOOIbec
Paraic CurtisVice President, MedSurg EuropeBoston Scientific Ltd
Kevin TolandCEODublin Airport Authority
Brian MacCraithPresidentDCU
Siobhan TalbotGroup MDGlanbia Plc
Patrick ManleyCEO General Insurance, EMEAZurich Insurance plc
Alastair BlairCountry Managing DirectorAccenture Accenture Ireland
Anne Heraty
CEO
CPL Resources		--
Frank GleesonRegion Managing Director and COOAramark Northern Europe
Cathriona HallahanManaging DirectorMicrosoft Ltd.
Tony SmurfitChief Executive OfficerSmurfit Kappa

Executive director team
The executive director team, led by Ibec CEO Danny McCoy is responsible for the development and implementation of Ibec's strategic implementation plan.
Executive director team:
NamePosition
Danny McCoyCEO
Liam O'DonoghueDeputy CEO/COO
Maeve McElweeDirector of Employer Relations
Fergal O'BrienDirector of Policy and Public Affairs
Sharon HigginsDirector of Member Services

Policy

Ibec develops its lobbying strategy through its 17-member policy team and 9 policy committees which are chaired and populated by members of Ibec. Committees meet on a quarterly basis, addressing the challenges and issues facing business and employers.
Ibec policy committees:
Ibec has over 40 business associations within the organisation. Each association is supported by a professional team of industry experts.
Ibec’s main sectors are: