North Kildare Chamber of Commerce announces record figures!
First Chamber in Ireland to adopt ‘The Governance Code’
North Kildare Chamber this afternoon (27th August) highlighted an array of facts in relation to its latest annual figures. With over 360 members who in turn employ 37,000 in the county across all business areas in Kildare, the Chamber has become one of the largest business organisations in Ireland and not just in Co. Kildare.
Already the Chamber’s 2015 half year results show that revenue growth remains very strong and is up 26% on H1 2014. The past year has seen the Chamber move to new state of the art facilities which include members’ lecture & meeting rooms, a new Innovation Centre for start-up companies launched in late 2014 that now employs 11 people.
Chamber Treasurer, Alistair Conway, explained, “The Chamber’s own financial record improves year on year and revenue in the organisation increased by 75% in 2013. Wage costs reduced from 37% of turnover in 2013 to 29% of turnover in 2014. The Chamber 2014 Budgeted Revenue was exceeded by 25.5%. He added, “Staffing levels in the organisation will increase in the forthcoming months to further serve our growing membership and the organisation will also form a new policy division which will further enhance our offering to business. A Policy Research Officer will be recruited to assist our members”.
Honorary Secretary, Noel Dempsey, pointed out that, “We are particularly proud that the Chamber is the first Chamber in Ireland to adopt The Governance Code and we have put a great deal of effort into complying with best practice in relation to Corporate Governance”.
As one of the most active Chambers in Ireland, the Chamber has already had in 2015 hosted a hugely successful inaugural Kildare Manufacturing and Innovation Expo which saw 9 Multi Nationals and Semi-States meet with Kildare companies. Coca Cola, Kerry, HSE, Bord na Mona and Intel are now doing business with 23 SMEs as a result of the Expo. The Chamber also hosted a number of very high profile events including a business lunch with the US Ambassador, Mr. Kevin O’Malley and a Breakfast briefing with key note speaker Denis Brosnan.
Next up for the Chamber is a series of breakfast briefings which address hot topics its members have – “Addressing skill shortages in Kildare” and also a briefing with the Department of Finance, Credit Review Office and the newly formed Strategic Banking Federation of Ireland. The Annual Kildare Business Awards will take place in November highlighting and awarding the best in business in Kildare.
The Chamber’s CEO and Executive Committee wishes to thank all its Members, partners and Kildare Co Council for their ongoing support throughout 2014 and the first half of 2015.
Financial highlights as follows;
Revenue up 75% to 188,767 from 107,708 in 2013
End of year Surplus 16,419, over a threefold increase on the 2013 surplus of 5,058.
Wage costs reduced from 37% of T/O in 2013 to 29% of T/O in 2014
Chamber 2014 Budgeted Revenue exceeded by 25.5%
Non financial highlights;
Chamber’s Office facilities, incl. members lecture & meeting rooms, increased four fold with move to Naas Town Centre
New innovation centre for start up companies launched, known as ‘The iHub’.
First Chamber in Ireland to adopt the The Governance Code