Helen Downes
Chief Executive of Shannon Chamber since 2008, Helen Downes has spearheaded many new Chamber initiatives to promote and encourage business growth and economic development in the Shannon area. These initiatives, which involve linkages with national and international business organisations in both the public and private sectors, have led to increased Chamber membership,.
Shannon Chamber currently has over 300 member companies drawn from a wide cross-section of business sectors that employ approximately 10,000 people in the Shannon hinterland. Helen is responsible for representing their interests to key influencers and stakeholders, achieved through voicing membership concerns on issues that affect or impede enterprise development at local, regional and national levels.
The Hospital, Co. Limerick native sits on the board of Chambers Ireland, is an active member of its Human Resources Policy Council, and a member of the Mid -West Action Plan for Jobs’ Implementation Committee
Prior to joining Shannon Chamber, Helen was HR Business Partner with Thomson Financial (Ireland) Ltd, where she managed day-to-day HR activities, including Health & Safety regulations, across multiple sites.