Collaboration at Scale – 31 Leaders from 25 Companies Share Knowledge at Mid-West Sustainability Week 2025
Conference keynote speaker Gary Keegan, (3rd left) pictured at the Sustainability Week conference with (from left): Jerry Murphy, technical director, Climeaction; Helen Downes, CEO, Shannon Chamber; and Barry Gavin, chair, Mid-West Sustainability Network. Photo by Eamon Ward.
‘Sustainable impact is measured by lasting organisational change, not just immediate results’…states keynote speaker, distinguished high performance expert Gary Keegan
A review of the Mid-West Sustainability Week 2025, which took place from 22 – 25 September, points to a week of extraordinary collaboration with 31 sustainability leaders from 25 companies sharing insights and knowledge across 9 events, including a day-long conference.
The week, organised by the Mid-West Sustainability Network, under the auspices of Shannon Chamber, was initiated in 2023 as part of the network’s endeavour to inspire and equip companies with the tools, knowledge, and connections to make real progress in reducing their carbon emissions.
The level of information shared during the week was expansive and included presentations on empowering businesses to decarbonise, insights into electrification in heat, transport, the road to net zero, sessions on ESG reporting, smarter commuting, harnessing natural resources, and tours of local sustainable initiatives in Ei Electronics and Britvic Ireland Newcastle West.
The concluding conference, held in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick featured senior leaders from across sectors sharing their paths to embedding sustainability into strategy, culture, and operations.
The key message emanating from all contributors was that sustainable choices make economic sense. Energy efficiency means cost savings, waste reduction means less disposal and less risk, strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance opens up investment, access to new markets and strengthens reputation. The cautionary note, however, was that transforming business practices, changing mindsets and building capacity requires support, resources and networks.
This theme was further elaborated on by distinguished high performance expert, Gary Keegan when he zoned in on the conference theme – ‘Developing a Sustainability Mindset’.
His words of wisdom were attentively listened to given his involvement in the success of Irish teams and athletes on European, world and Olympic stages and his work with leading organisations, CEOs, and executive teams, to enable them to develop a winning culture.
“Purpose shapes identity and provides meaning beyond financial success,” he said, adding that high-performing leaders build adaptive organisations with flexible, growth-oriented mindsets.
He urged conference attendees to consider what they would be most proud of in fifteen years’ time, stating that sustainable impact is measured by lasting organisational change, not just immediate results. He called on them to create value for future generations and foster pride among team members.
“Relationships within teams are critical for success,” he added, while also stating that team alignment and trusted peer relationships are top factors for effectiveness.
“Clear intention, shared purpose, and an adaptive culture are essential for team and organisational success. Purpose-driven organisations must continually realign, adapt, and reflect to sustain high performance,” he added.
He complemented the conference panels for their inspirational vision and organisational journeys and for recognising that their journeys of organisational purpose and performance is ongoing and never-ending.
Reflecting on the impact of Sustainability Week, Shannon Chamber CEO Helen Downes said: “It’s important to remind ourselves that progress comes from small steps done well. We learnt so much from the thirty-one panellists who are driving meaningful change within their organisations. We learnt how they are shifting mindsets, building internal momentum, and embedding sustainability into the core of their business cultures. They are engaging teams across functions, and creating lasting, organisation-wide change.
“We also got practical insights into how companies are turning sustainability strategy into execution and are indebted to all participants for giving so freely of their time and vast knowledge banks.
“The collective ambition of all companies that presented during the week to attain their net zero targets was clear. The information shared by Ei Electronics, Zimmer Biomet, The Shannon Airport Group, SEAI, Shannon Springs Hotel, ESB Smart Energy Services, Britvic Ireland, KINTO Join Ltd., Carbon Reduction Ireland, The Change We Need, VEON, Clare County Council, Reagecon, Dexcom, ESB, ABC Nutritionals, Aerogen Ltd., AIR Shannon, AiP Thermo Packaging, Cook Medical, Coca Cola Ballina, Astellas Ireland (Kerry), and our keynote speaker, Gary Keegan, will empower more companies to drive meaningful progress towards their environmental ambitions. That’s the goal of the Mid-West Sustainability Network,” added Ms Downes.
The Mid-West Sustainability Network is sponsored by Climeaction. Sustainability Week was co-sponsored by ESB, Lilly, Ei Electronics, Element Six, and Green Tech Skillnet.
Associate sponsors included: AIB, Shannon Chamber Skillnet, Sustainable Enterprise Skillnet, Vitalograph, Aerogen, Mavarick, The Shannon Airport Group, SEAI, Clean Ireland Recycling, Oak Tree ESG, Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR), Watt Footprint, and Common Knowledge.
Shannon Chambet thanks all panellists, presenters, facilitators, and host companies for their contributions to the success of Sustainability Week 2025.
Helen Downes, CEO, Shannon Chamber (centre) with conference panel two presenters: (from left): Sean McNamara, director, ABC Nutritionals; Sharon McManus, Group head of sustainability, ESB; Emma Ryan, EHS specialist, Aerogen Ltd; Shane Cooke, director of engineering, AIR Shannon; and Kathleen O’Regan, senior executive, Enterprise Ireland. Photo by Eamon Ward.
Pictured at the conference (from left); Eamon Foley, EHS lead, Astellas Ireland (Kerry); Barry Gavin, Mid-West Sustainability Network chair; keynote speaker Gary Keegan; Helen Downes, CEO, Shannon Chamber; Jerry Murphy, technical director, Climeaction; Sinéad Murphy, head of sustainability, The Shannon Airport Group; and Eoin Gavin, Shannon Chamber director. Photo by Eamon Ward.