Fergal O'Brien, Director of Lobbying & Influence at Ibec
With over 20 years experience in public policy and lobbying roles across industry, consultancy and in business representation. Fergal O'Brien is the Executive Director in Ibec leading a busy team of professionals in Policy and Public Affairs. A passionate advocate for Irish business, working to shape the best possible public policy conditions to underpin business success and prosperity for all in society.
Caroline Horgan, CEO of Abbeylands Furniture
Caroline Horgan is CEO of Abbeylands Furniture Ltd and founder of Scatter Box. Caroline took over the helm in 1999 of the furniture manufacturing company, founded by her father in 1959. In the following years the global importation of furniture decimated indigenous Irish furniture manufacturing, Caroline’s tenacity and passion for homeware, led her to diversify the company through design and innovation into the home Décor market with her B2B Scatter Box brand, which is exported globally and was recently awarded the ‘High Potential Exporters Award 2022. The company manufactures in Navan, Co. Meath.
Neil Hughes, CEO of Azets Ireland
Neil Hughes has many years’ experience in advising Irish businesses, but specialises primarily in corporate recovery. He has extensive experience of examinership matters and is one of the leading experts in Ireland’s formal rescue process. Neil has also lectured widely on the topic restructuring. He regularly acts as expert witness in litigation support assignments arising from business disputes. He contributes weekly to the print and broadcast media on business matters.
Alma O’Brien, Partner and Head of Tax at Azets Ireland
Alma has significant experience in advising owner-managed entrepreneurial and family-owned businesses, both within Ireland and internationally. With extensive experience in providing tailored tax solutions to clients, including corporate acquisitions and disposals, MBOs, reorganisations, tax efficient cash extraction, employee incentivisation schemes and succession planning, Alma also has significant expertise in advising on property transactions and the VAT implications on such transactions. She is also a member of the Institute of Tax VAT Committee and regularly contributes to TALC meetings with Revenue as part of this Committee.