CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 8 2023 4 Business Membership Co-Chair of the Year 2024 (UK): Brigid Whoriskey auseway was launched in 2016 with a mission to nurture the unique, long-standing relationship between Scotland and Ireland, and to support businesses wanting to explore their respective neighbouring markets. Over the years, Causeway has evolved into an organisation that welcomes a growing membership base from both sides of the Irish Sea and delivers a programme of Apr23017 Causeway Business Exchange is a not-for-profit membership organisation that provides a high-level forum for businesses to build relationships and expand their networks across both sides of the Irish Sea, in addition to fostering closer economic ties across Scotland, the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland. The organisation is Co-Chaired by Brigid Whoriskey, an industry expert possessing significant experience working across public, private, and third sectors, and who is passionate about making a difference and empowering organisations. Below, we speak with Brigid to learn more about her story, as she receives due recognition in the Chairperson Awards 2024. C impactful events and activities throughout its target regions. “People do business with people,” Brigid tells us. “Causeway is quite simply about providing opportunities for people to network and connect – and the magic happens after that. With growing membership, a record number of partners, and a record breaking annual gala awards ceremony in October 2024 celebrating the very best of Irish Scottish trade and collaboration, Causeway is going from strength to strength.” Brigid Whoriskey joined the Management Board of Causeway in 2018, before being appointed the role of Vice Chair in 2021. From 2022 onwards, she has served the role of Co-Chair, with Judith O’Leary. As two Irish women who live in Scotland serving as co-chairs for the past three years was a natural fit. The pair are passionate about the power of networking and the ways in which a network such as Causeway’s visibly impacts people and businesses. Prior to her current position, Brigid had a successful career in financial services that included roles such as Marketing Director of Lloyds UDT and Head of Research and Innovation for RBS. In 2016, she pivoted into a portfolio career, wanting to leverage her expertise in strategy, people, and digital innovation. Now, Brigid’s work includes board work, executive coaching, consulting and leadership development. When the role of Chair of Causeway arose, Brigid was excited about the potential but also aware of the challenge she may face of balancing this with her other boards, and her consulting and executive coaching work. The role with Causeway is entirely voluntary, and Brigid recognised the opportunity to develop the organisation whilst being cognisant of the time commitment that this could take. “It was at this stage that we came up with the novel concept of a co-chair role, which was a game changer,” she recalls. “For the past three years, I have worked with my hugely talented Co-Chair Judith O’Leary. This model has proven to be so much more than a sharing of the workload. We’ve complemented each other’s skills, leveraged our networks, sparked ideas off each other and supported one another. This made the Co-Chair role so much more effective than either of us could have done on our own.” Now, Brigid is on a mission to promote trade and collaboration between Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Known as a natural collaborator and communicator who takes an ethical and inclusive approach, Brigid is driven to have a lasting impact on people and organisations. She is passionate about making a difference and working with organisations that have a similar sense of purpose and desire to impact society. For Brigid, the most important element for success is open communication. Sharing challenges and opportunities, listening to others, and ensuring there is a common sense of purpose are key tactics to fostering a cohesive environment that facilitates change. “My Co-Chair and I have common values and realised that engaging with the other board members and leaders is key,” Brigid explains. “Getting to know your fellow board
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