IT industry’s role in recovery crucial says it@cork chairman

3 Jun 2011

The chairman of it@cork Denis Collins says the industry must not underestimate the role it has to play in enabling Ireland’s economic recovery and in fact can spearhead recovery.

In his latest chairman’s address to members Collins, who has been busy re-invigorating the not-for-profit organisation of 300 technology companies, said the aim now is to build on the organisation’s regional strengths and create alliances to help it develop as a national organisation.

“It is time for us to take the necessary action to further facilitate economic recovery. We will achieve this by leveraging Ireland’s IT industry to spearhead growth, creating tangible employment, and re-establish Ireland’s reputation in the world as an entrepreneurial and innovative business hub. it@cork will embrace our membership to contribute towards these ambitious yet achievable goals. 

“We will build on our regional strengths and alliances to develop it@cork as a national organisation with international reach. Our actions have achieved recognition and exposure both politically and in the national media. We intend to capitalise on this to spur on growth and economic results.  

“We are establishing new strategic alliances at home as well as abroad. A membership drive in the US is already underway to drive expansion of it@cork stateside, and we are also working on developing business channels in Asia with the Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation (SITF).

“Furthermore, in keeping with our local focus, the Digital Cork programme will provide an in-depth look at our region and industry to advise job hunters and potential investors of opportunities in the region,” he said.

Collins, who heads up global technology giant IBM’s Business Continuity operation from Cork, said that through the channels of thought leadership, innovation and the development of cloud computing, it@cork is currently reshaping its strategy and goals.

“Our re-invigorated board of directors hail from a wide variety of backgrounds, possessing the necessary networks and talent to deliver on relevant workstreams within an environment of creativity and accountability.

“As well as our recent conference “Driving Growth through Innovation”, we have seen many positive initiatives come to fruition this year such as the e3 initiative to generate IT industry-awareness among second level students, the Skillnet programme delivering membership training in cutting edge technologies, and the Innovation that matters programme that recognises new and ingenious ideas within the organisation whose overall winner will attend a trade mission in Chicago early next year,” Collins said.

Pictured above: Minister for Agriculture, Food & Marine Simon Coveney with the chairman of IT@Cork Denis Collins

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com