Virtual CPD Update – Northwest Society:
Succession Planning with some emphasis on Family Business

Marion Prendergast

Marion Prendergast is Chair of the North West Society for the 2023 / 2024 term. She is Head of Finance for Acute Hospital Services in the North West to the population of Sligo, South Donegal, Leitrim, West Cavan.

Marion is also Treasurer of Friends of Sligo University Hospital – A charity who actively supports fundraising activities to improve the comfort of patients and the wellbeing of hospital staff. She is also a Board Member of Sligo Hospital Research and Education Board. An indepandant charity who partners with education and industry to support research for improving the population health

Dr Peter Robbins

Dr Peter Robbins is Associate Professor of Innovation in DCU Business School.
Peter’s profile is closer to what in the US is referred to as a ‘Professor of Practice’ having spent the first 20 years of his career in Business, firstly, as an entrepreneur who subsequently joined the corporate world in the practice of innovation in big pharma – GSK. He completed his GSK journey as Global Director of Innovation Excellence, working on such well-known brands as Nicorette, Lucozade, Ribena & many others in a brand stable worth over $500m. He was continuously building the GSK New Product Development roadmap with his team.

Peter Robbins became so fascinated with the business of innovation – how organisations go from the heartbeat of an idea to the high-street that he embarked upon a PhD in DCU on the topic of organisational innovation.

Dr Robbins keeps engaged in business practice as an innovation consultant, supporting companies’ structure-for, and accelerate innovation and new product development. He studied design thinking in its birthplace, Stanford D University. Peter is on the board of the National Standards Authority where a ‘guide standard’ on innovation management has been developed and is now operational in over 40 countries.

As an Associate of the National Centre for Family Business, from an academic research perspective, Dr Robbins is now examining how family businesses approach the process of innovation.

Rosy Temple

Part of the 5th generation behind Magee 1866 which has over 150 years’ experience in designing, weaving & tailoring luxury fabrics and clothing in Co. Donegal, Ireland. Today Magee 1866’s lifestyle collections include men/women/home interiors and accessories and are available in markets globally.

Rosy joined the family business in 2018 and took over the mantle of CEO from her father in 2020. She brings vast experience to the company, with a diverse commercial background of roles at Christie’s, the leading London auction house and Rebel Kitchen, London where she developed the UK & Irish sales for a start-up organic food brand.

Rosy is leading this generation of Magee’s into a sustainable future as they continue to focus on the values and heritage of long-lasting quality & weaving natural fibres like wool and linen (biodegradable & renewable).

Jim Connolly

Jim Connolly is a well-known figure in the pensions industry and has held many senior positions with PwC, Standard Life, Goodbody and Bank of Ireland. He is now Head of Retirement Planning for AIB (Allied Irish Bank) Private. He specialises in retirement and exit strategies for high net worth individual and business owners and would have a reputation for creativity and challenging the norm. Jim was appointed to Revenues panel of Pensioneer Trustees in 2004 and currently lectures on four Retirement and Wealth courses for UCD and the Institute of Bankers.