Niamh Costello formerly General Manager of Galway Technology Centre, has been appointed Chief Executive of the brand-new collaborative initiative CREW, which supports the Creative Digital enterprise sector along the Atlantic Economic Corridor.
Ms Costello has a wealth of entrepreneurial, business and industry experience, following seven successful years as General Manager of Galway Technology Centre. She is also a founding member of Galway City Innovation District, whose first building was the high profile Portershed. She also holds the position of National Vice Chair and Director of the National Association of Community Enterprise Centres, NACEC which represent over 120 centres across Ireland, and is a past director of Galway Chamber and Network Galway.
Key partners in this dynamic CREW initiative are Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT ), the Western Development Commission (WDC ) and Galway Film Centre (GFC ) and funding has been sourced from the Enterprise Ireland’s Regional Economical Fund. CREW’s focus will be on the development and scaling of Creative Digital and Artistic entrepreneurs, job creation, Foreign Direct Investment, incubation and accelerator programmes, training and outreach services along the Atlantic Economic Corridor.
Plans are also under way for the development of a Centre of Excellence providing enterprise, soft landing and co-working space, at the GMIT Centre for Creative Arts & Media, Cluain Mhuire campus, in Galway City.
Supporting the already growing and scaling Creative Digital entrepreneurs in the West which will contribute significantly to sustainable regional economic and social development is a priority for CREW. Powering increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI ) into the region due to the vibrant ecosystem, numbers of talented professionals, infrastructure, and community will be integral to CREW’s role.
The development of the CREW, Centre of excellence providing safe, physical working space and a vibrant community will also create exciting and dynamic connections amongst the 100+ Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC ) Hubs.
Commenting on her appointment, Niamh Costello said she is delighted to take up the post of Chief Executive of CREW and for the opportunity to continue building on the success of the Creative Digital sector in the west.
“My passion for supporting great entrepreneurs has played an important role throughout my career and I am sincerely looking forward to working with the board of CREW, to deliver on our vision to support job creation and growth in the industry,” she said.
CREW is a collaboration between GMIT, Western Development Commission (WDC ) and Galway Film Centre, (GFC ) and currently funded by Enterprise Ireland’s, Regional Economic Development Fund which will support the development of Creative Digital enterprises, providing highly skilled jobs, distributed across the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC ) and Údarás GTEIC hub network, contributing to economic growth in the region.
CREW’s board of Directors includes Dr Paddy Tobin, Head of the GMIT School of Design and Creative Arts, Gillian Buckley, Investment Manager at Western Development Commission, and Alan Duggan Manager of Galway Film Centre.
For further information log onto, www.crewdigital.ie and follow social media channels for all of the latest updates on CREW Initiatives.
