Grow Remote movement gains momentum

New advisory panel for Grow Remote movement includes Enterprise Ireland and accomplished entrepreneurs as the Irish workplace enters an exciting new era.

Sustainability and building the momentum behind a year where remote working became the norm for many Irish employees is the mission of a new advisory committee that will guide social enterprise Grow Remote.

The new advisory will advise Grow Remote as they work towards achieving their mission of making remote work local. Members of the panel includes leaders from some of Ireland’s most successful home-grown remote companies and thought leaders from the public and non-profit sectors.

“Right now, Ireland has an opportunity to lead the way worldwide in remote working best practice”

The advisory panel comprises luminaries such as Axonista’s Claire McHugh, Shane Evans of Zyte (previously Scraping Hub), NearForm COO Hélène Haughney, Boundless co-founder and CEO Dee Coakley, Glofox co-founder Finn Hegarty, CEO of The Wheel Deirdre Garvey, Enterprise Ireland’s senior executive in charge of Remote Working Clare Power and Dr Andrew Forde, head of Rural Strategy and Social Enterprise at the Department of Rural and Community Development.

“How people work has changed forever,” said Claire McHugh. “Right now, Ireland has an opportunity to lead the way worldwide in remote working best practice. Axonista is delighted to join Grow Remote’s advisory panel, and we look forward to sharing our learnings with other remote-first companies, and participating in shaping the future of remote working in Ireland.”

The future of work

Remote work, once an option only available to the very few, has now become the norm as a result of the global pandemic. As Ireland moves into a post-lockdown world, a collaborative and cross-sectoral approach is needed in order to sustain this momentum and to realise the full potential of remote work for people, for profit, and for the planet.

This is the reason behind the creation of the Grow Remote Advisory Panel, said Grow Remote’s co-founder Tracy Keogh.

“We started Grow Remote as a way to bridge the gap between remote employers and the communities and talent who were searching for them. This group of advisors will ensure that we stay focused on the needs of employers while remaining driven by the impact of that on our communities,” she said.

With the support of Enterprise Ireland and funded through the Regional Enterprise Development fund (REDF) Grow Remote is a social enterprise that enables people to work, live and participate locally by making remote work visible and accessible to everyone.

“The Regional Enterprise Development Fund and Border Enterprise Development Fund are designed to support collaborative and innovative initiatives such as Grow Remote to strengthen and grow our regions – to date, €117m in funding has been approved for projects in every county in Ireland.

“In order to grow and scale start-ups and exporting companies, Enterprise Ireland is committed to delivering a remote working action plan while increasing the number of co-working and incubation spaces as part of our ‘Powering the Regions’ strategy. As companies increase digital adoption, Grow Remote will facilitate people to take advantage of new ways of working.”

By John Kennedy (john.kennedy3@boi.com)

Published: 7 May 2021

Recommended