ISME Irish SME Association Cork event
ISME Cork Leadership Forum Champions SME Growth, Leadership and Competitiveness ahead of Budget 2027
Business leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers gather in Cork as ISME reinforces its "Think Small First" message with expert insights on leadership, talent, fraud prevention, sustainability, and SME competitiveness.
Cork, Ireland – The Irish SME Association (ISME) brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs, SME owners, and industry experts at its Leadership & Networking Forum in Cork, reinforcing its position as the leading independent voice for Irish SMEs and its commitment to championing indigenous enterprise across Ireland.
Held under the theme "Think Small First – Trusted Business Leadership and the Future of Irish Enterprise," the forum showcased the vital contribution that small and medium-sized enterprises make to Ireland's economy while providing practical insights into the key opportunities and challenges facing business owners which recently finalised its Budget 2027 submission and Indigenous Enterprise Policy for SMEs.
Representing more than 10,500 members nationwide, ISME continues to advocate for policies that improve competitiveness, reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, and create the conditions that enable SMEs to invest, innovate, and grow.
Opening the forum, Cormac Fitzgerald FCPA FCA, Chartered Accountant, business adviser and ISME Board Member, welcomed delegates and reaffirmed ISME's commitment to supporting entrepreneurs, family businesses, SMEs, and owner-managed companies throughout Ireland.
"Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of the Irish economy. They create employment, drive innovation, and sustain communities across every county. ISME's message is simple – Think Small First. Every policy decision should be assessed through the lens of its impact on SMEs. By creating a more competitive and supportive environment for business, we can unlock greater investment, innovation and sustainable economic growth."
Mr Fitzgerald said the strong attendance reflected the confidence, resilience and ambition of Cork's business community and demonstrated the value of bringing together business leaders to share ideas, strengthen professional networks and learn from recognised experts.
The forum featured a strong line-up of speakers covering many of the issues currently shaping the SME landscape. Chris Paye, Country Director of Stepstone Ireland (Jobs.ie), shared insights into recruitment trends, talent attraction and hiring strategies, while Adam Weatherley of ISME Skillnet and Edmond Connolly, Manager of the Southeast Regional Skills Forum, discussed workforce development, upskilling and building future skills within Irish businesses with great takeaways.
Delegates also participated in the Jobs.ie SME Talent Series panel discussion, moderated by James Mailley of ISME examining practical solutions to recruitment challenges and labour market trends. The popular "Pitch My Business" session showcased entrepreneurial innovation and provided SMEs with an opportunity to promote their products and services while strengthening connections across Cork's SME community.
A highlight of the event was the keynote address by Pat Lordan, former Head of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and Financial Intelligence Unit, who delivered an insightful presentation on protecting businesses against fraud, economic crime, and emerging corporate risks which was well received.
Drawing on decades of experience investigating complex financial crime, Lordan shared practical guidance on strengthening corporate governance, managing business risk, and safeguarding organisations against increasingly sophisticated fraud threats. His presentation generated significant interest and lively discussion among delegates.
Delegates also received a live policy update from Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP, who joined the forum from Brussels to discuss European policy developments affecting Irish SMEs, competitiveness, and enterprise, highlighting the importance of ensuring that the SME voice continues to be represented at both national and European level.
The programme concluded with presentations from Luke Fagan, SME Business Decarbonisation Programme Executive with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), who outlined opportunities for SMEs to improve sustainability and competitiveness, and Sinéad Farrell, HR Advisor with ISME, who provided practical guidance on current employment and HR issues affecting business owners.
The event concluded with an extensive networking session, providing delegates with valuable opportunities to build new business relationships, exchange ideas and strengthen connections across Cork's vibrant SME community.
As Ireland's leading independent representative body for SMEs, ISME will continue to champion policies that support entrepreneurship, foster innovation, and ensure indigenous businesses remain at the heart of Ireland's economic success. Their Pre budget 2027 submission can be found here :
ISME-Indigenous-Enterprise-Policy-ISME-March-2026.pdf
About ISME
The Irish SME Association (ISME) is Ireland's leading independent representative body for small and medium-sized enterprises, representing more than 10,500 businesses across every sector of the Irish economy. Through advocacy, policy engagement, networking and practical business support, ISME works to ensure that SMEs remain at the heart of economic policy and decision-making. Guided by its core principle of "Think Small First," ISME continues to champion the entrepreneurs and business owners who drive Ireland's economy.