30% Club Ireland announces new sponsorship partnership with EY

DUBLIN: The 30% Club Ireland has announced a new sponsorship partnership with EY for 2022.  The partnership will include EY sponsorship of the Club’s Country Executive Role for 2022 and also sponsorship of a new modular programme for senior women in the technology industry (‘Navigating the path to C-Suite and beyond’) which the 30% Club will be launching to members this Spring. 

This modular programme will offer a unique combination of events and workshops focused on enabling greater progression of women in technology to the c-suite, while also establishing an invaluable network of supportive, like-minded peers and contacts with whom participants can explore ideas and share knowledge. The programme will ultimately support the 30% Club vision of at least 30% representation of women on boards and at C-Suite, in all industries.

Rachel Hussey, Chair of the 30% Club Ireland, commented: “We are delighted to welcome this new sponsorship arrangement with EY.  EY has been a strong supporter of the 30% Club since we established in Ireland in 2015, and this is a fantastic step forward and a great way to work together.  The 30% Club operates without membership fees therefore everything we do is only possible because of the generous support of our members through volunteering time and support for key activities.  This new partnership will help us continue to develop initiatives to enable our members achieve their diversity ambitions.”

As part of the sponsorship, EY Managing Partner, Frank O’Keeffe will join the Club’s Advisory Board for the next 12 months while Niamh O’Beirne, EY’s People Partner will join its Steering Group. EY will also speak at the Club’s flagship Chair and Council Event in March 2022 to look at best practice for organisations in adopting diversity, building progress and engaging wider stakeholders with market influence on the issue.

Commenting today on the new partnership, Frank O’Keeffe, EY Managing Partner, said: “I am delighted that EY Ireland is partnering with the Irish chapter of the 30% Club at this important time of change and opportunity for all. Following a tumultuous few years, the world is changing at pace and with it how we all live and work. Diversity in all aspects of life is crucial to ensure our collective success as a society and as a business community. Ensuring that we have a diverse and inclusive workforce in EY matters enormously to us and to our clients and it is a strategic priority for our leadership team.  I am really looking forward to EY playing an active part over the coming year in the great work of the 30% Club and in us working together to deliver great outcomes for Club members.”

While the 30% Club is focused primarily on the actions of Board Chairs and CEOs, the group also delivers ground-up initiatives to improve talent pipelines, as well as a cross company mentoring programme and an executive education scholarship programme in association with Irish Universities. It also operates a Board Connections directory comprising the profiles of more than 150 senior women in business across Ireland, who are interested in taking on a board role.  The directory is made available on request to Board Chairs, CEOs and search firms involved in the selection process for board roles.

Niamh O’Beirne, EY Ireland Partner, added: “As People Partner at EY I regularly see first-hand the huge contribution that diversity, in all its forms, brings to both the culture and performance of our organisation. It is essential that the business community leads by example in this space and that we remain committed to making progress towards greater diversity and inclusion, both in the boardroom and beyond. Clear plans coupled with decisive action are required to reach and exceed current targets for representation of women in boardrooms and I am proud that EY Ireland will continue its laser focus in this area in partnership with the 30% Club.”

For more information please visit 30percentclub.org