Natalie McGuinness has been elected President of Chambers Ireland, pledging to tackle competitiveness, AI disruption and business costs.
Chambers Ireland has elected Natalie McGuinness as its new President, placing competitiveness, business costs and economic growth at the centre of its agenda as Irish businesses navigate technological change and a more uncertain global trading environment.
McGuinness, a commercial strategist and independent non-executive director, will represent Chambers Ireland’s network of 37 member Chambers and more than 9,000 businesses nationwide.
Speaking following her election, McGuinness said maintaining Ireland’s competitive position would be a key priority during her presidency.
“Ireland has a strong economy, but our competitiveness cannot be taken for granted. Changes in technology, along with global economic and geopolitical shifts are fundamentally changing the way businesses invest and grow.
“My priority as President will be to ensure the experience of businesses, large and small, is heard in economic policymaking. Our focus will be practical in terms of what needs to change to help businesses innovate and succeed both locally and internationally.”
KEY NUMBERS: Chambers Ireland Leadership
• 9,000+ businesses represented nationwide
• 37 member Chambers across Ireland
• New President: Natalie McGuinness
• Competitiveness identified as top policy priority
• AI-driven change highlighted as key business challenge
• Cost of doing business remains a core concern
• Two-year presidency concludes for Margaret Considine
• Three new leadership appointments announced
Editorial takeaway: Chambers Ireland’s new leadership team is signalling a strong focus on competitiveness, business costs, investment conditions and helping firms adapt to technological and global economic change.
Costs of doing business
Her appointment comes as businesses continue to contend with rising operating costs, evolving technologies, international trade uncertainty and growing competition for investment.
Welcoming the appointment, Chambers Ireland chief executive Ian Talbot said McGuinness brings a strong combination of commercial and governance expertise to the role.
“Natalie understands the pressures businesses are facing and brings strong commercial, governance and Chamber experience to the role. Government needs to tackle the cost of doing business, infrastructure delivery and giving businesses confidence in an increasingly uncertain global trading environment. If Ireland is to continue to attract investment and support business growth, we need to get the fundamentals right.”
Talbot also paid tribute to outgoing President Margaret Considine for her contribution to the organisation over the past two years.
“Margaret has provided outstanding leadership over the past two years, making a lasting contribution to Chambers Ireland and the wider Chamber movement. We are deeply grateful for her vision, dedication and leadership.”
Chambers Ireland also announced the election of Ann-Marie O’Sullivan, chief executive of Cork-based AM O’Sullivan PR, as Deputy President. Oren Byrne of Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber of Commerce and Jonathan Donnelly of Bray Chamber of Commerce have been elected to the organisation’s board.
The appointments come as Chambers Ireland seeks to strengthen its advocacy on behalf of businesses across the country, with competitiveness, investment, innovation and sustainable economic growth expected to feature prominently in its engagement with policymakers over the coming year.
Image at top: Chambers Ireland’s new President, Natalie McGuinness, with Chief Executive, Ian Talbot, and new Deputy President, Ann-Marie O’Sullivan
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