Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English, T.D., visited the Sligo Local Enterprise Office (LEO) on Thursday, where he met with council officials and members of the LEO team as well as some of their client companies.
Minister English Visits LEO Sligo
Minister English Visits Local Enterprise Office in Sligo
Councillor Tom Fox; Marian Harkin, TD; Councillor Michael Clarke, Cathaoirleach Sligo County Council; Minister Damien English; Martin Lydon, CE Sligo County Council; Minister Frank Feighan
The Minister was greeted at City Hall by Councillor Michael Clarke, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Minister Frank Feighan and Chief Executive, Martin Lydon, with Marian Harkin, TD and Cllr Tom Fox also in attendance.
Minister English said:
“The LEO network provides a crucial role in supporting local businesses whether it is through training, mentoring or with other practical support. Our Regional Enterprise Plans were developed with the emphasis on building on local strengths and the LEOs play a key role in this regard in providing advice and guidance to companies as they seek to diversify and expand.”
Minister English then travelled to LEO client company Pronav Clinical where he met with company founder Jim Kernan. He explained how his business works in partnership with clients to provide contract packing and bespoke supply chain solutions for the life sciences sector.
Next stop was another LEO client and recent National Enterprise Awards Regional Winner, Tantek4D, where the Minister met Conor and Paul Tansey. They explained how the company offers a full digital service for the Architectural, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO) industry in Ireland, the UK and Europe, using the most innovative and advanced digital technologies available.
Minister English also met with LEO client Luke Saunders. Luke’s business Studyclix is an online learning resource for students used by up to 200,000 students and 27,000 teachers from more than 600 schools.
The Minister finished his Sligo visit at the Digital Gaming Hub at Strand Campus where he was greeted by Vincent Nally, Chairperson of the Sligo County Enterprise Fund. The hub has received €1.9 million from the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) and will provide workspace, mentoring and access to various programmes to help entrepreneurs start and scale innovative tech businesses.
On the conclusion of his visit, Minister English said:
“I am delighted to see that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in the North-West and it is heartening to see the excellent progress on the Digital Gaming Hub, which was significantly funded by my Department. The companies I met are at the cutting edge of their industries and are typical of local enterprises all over the country, delivering high end products and services to domestic and international markets. The Government will continue to back businesses like this and provide the support they need to ensure further job creation and balanced regional development.”
Cathaoirleach Councillor Michael Clarke making a presentation to Minister Damien English
Cathaoirleach Councillor Michael Clarke speaking at the visit of Minister Damien English
Nola Gibbons, LEO Sligo; Minister Damien English; Liam Kiely, LEO Sligo;