Tag Archives: Helen Downes CEO

Shannon Chamber is pulling out all the stops to ensure its members and their business colleagues face into the autumn with health and fitness firmly ensconced in their minds. As part of Chamber Week 2015, which takes place from September 14 – 18, the Chamber has invited fitness expert, radio and TV broadcaster, author and columnist, Karl Henry, to make a presentation at Shannon Airport on Thursday, September 17. The event, which is sponsored by Shannon Airport and GECAS, commences at 6pm in the Transit Lounge at the airport. Encouraging the business community to attend this event, Shannon Chamber’schief executive Helen Downes said, “A lot of people dread the onset of autumn and its association with long, dark nights, and a fear of becoming a couch potato through lack of exercise. Karl Henry is one Ireland’s most recognised and leading personal trainers.  We felt he would be the ideal person to speak to our members and a general business audience …

Department of Social Protection supports available to employers and employees in the Mid-West will be outlined in a special morning briefing organised by Shannon Chamber next week. An open invitation is being extended to anyone seeking information of this type to attend the free briefing in the Oakwood Arms Hotel in Shannon on Thursday, October 2 from 8am until 9.30am. Shannon Chamber’s chief executive, Helen Downed outlined, “One of our roles as a chamber is to disseminate information that we feel will benefit our members and the wider business community. This breakfast seminar, which will outline the range of services, financial, recruitment and workplace supports available through the Department of Social Protection, will be informative and interactive. “It is aimed at anyone seeking information on the various schemes provided at no cost to employers, such as recruitment and employment schemes, grants and assistance schemes and workplace support schemes.” Ms Downes said this seminar would provide an ideal opportunity for employers and …

In a departure from its normal type of event, Shannon Chamber joined forces with mobile telecoms operator Three to host a morning conversation between rugby stars, former Irish and Leinster winger,  Shane Horgan and Munster’s Dougie Howlett in Dromoland Castle Hotel. In true rugby style, former All Black Dougie Howlett answered a last-minute call up to step into Ronan O’Gara’s shoes due to Ronan’s unfortunate unavailability for family reasons. A former Munster captain, Howlett was forced to retire from the professional game at the end of last season due to a shoulder injury. He has remained in Cork with his family and is now working as a Corporate Ambassador with the Munster Rugby’s Commercial Board. Undaunted by the task Howlett enthralled the audience with his recollections of playing for the All Blacks, his move to Ireland to join Munster Rugby, and his views on how the skills and disciplines amassed during a rugby career prepare players for the next phase …