Freeman of the city John Killeen will be the guest speaker at the launch of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development Western Region's programme of events for the year.
John Killeen, chairman of Let’s Do It Galway that brought the Volvo Ocean Race to Galway, will be joined by the Mayor of Galway city, Hildegarde Naughton, who has been invited to give an opening address.
This year’s chosen theme is ‘Transformational HR – Building Business Capability’, and the launch will take place on Thursday September 22 in the Carlton Hotel, Galway, at 6.30pm.
The CIPD Western Region committee and new chairperson Alan Dodrill believe the programme once again will have a broad appeal across the private and public sectors.
“The chosen theme is very apt. Despite the challenges that businesses are currently facing, there is strong evidence that the HR function is playing a significant role in supporting the business.”
John Killeen, a native of Roscommon, is an engineer who is now the CEO of Colas Group and chairman of the Galway Docklands Redevelopment Committee. In May 2011 he was honoured with the Freedom of the City of Galway for his work in promoting the development of the Galway’s docklands and for bringing successive international festivals to Galway as part of the last and next Volvo Ocean Race.
The CIPD programme launch, brochure and website www.cipd west.com are sponsored this year by global professional recruitment consultancy Morgan McKinley.
Upcoming events for the year include HR continuous improvements, employee voice and engagement, performance management, talent development and succession management, encouraging voluntary pension savings and an employment law update. This year’s gala dnner dance, sponsored once again by Quinn-Healthcare, will feature Irish comedian Alan Shortt as the guest MC.
