Outgoing IPSA Chair Nigel Derrick has said that IPSA is becoming an increasingly influential organisation in corporate and government communities when it comes to expertise and advocacy for employee share ownership.
Speaking about his term as IPSA Chair, Nigel also said that there is a growing recognition in Ireland that employee share ownership is a positive and sustainable business model.
Progress: Nigel Derrick
The Computershare Client Services Director credited the IPSA executive team and council members for the tremendous progress made during his term, while also acknowledging the support he has received from his colleagues in Computershare.
“It was a real privilege to be asked to join IPSA Council a number of years back and it has been an honour to Chair IPSA,” Nigel said. “Initially we set some tough challenges – grow membership, significantly improve finances, raise awareness and the profile of IPSA, create and annual event to celebrate employee ownership in Ireland and introduce an awards dinner.
“At the time this felt like a big ask but we took the view the real risk was in not aiming high and missing an opportunity. With the support of the fellow Council members, IPSA has delivered.
Major milestones delivered over the last two years is membership growing by more than 100%, successfully lobbying the Government to get the KEEP scheme off the ground, putting IPSA on a more secure financial footing, and staging the first ever Employee Share Ownership Days (ESOD) and IPSA Annual Awards.
Although he has stepped down as Chair, Nigel remains on the IPSA Council and looks forward to supporting new Chair Eleanor Cunningham.
“It has been a privilege to work with IPSA Council members. Across the group there is an incredible level of knowledge, experience, enthusiasm and commitment to make a difference. I have also been extremely fortunate during my term as IPSA Chair to have Gill Brennan as CEO and Eleanor Cunningham as vice-Chair.
“I owe and a huge thank you to Gill and Eleanor for their support and indeed to everyone on Council. The collective effort and support has been tremendous and the reason for the fantastic progress made to date.
“Gill is the real driving force behind our events, membership growth and leads our lobbying activities which have resulted in IPSA growing it’s profile to new heights with the Government and the Department of Finance in particular. She is a terrific ambassador for IPSA, and is the now the go-to person within the employee share ownership industry for those seeking information, advice or comment.
“I’m looking forward to remaining on Council and having the opportunity to support Gill and Eleanor in their roles and likewise to Gemma Jacobsen, as she takes on the vice-Chair role. I have every confidence IPSA will go from strength to strength.”
