On 5th December 2025, the Grand Hotel Malahide was alive with energy as over 150 business leaders, entrepreneurs and SME owners gathered for the final Fingal Business Network event of the year.
The theme, “Innovating in an Age of Chaos”, could not have been more relevant in today’s fast-changing world. Our keynote speaker, Mark Little, delivered an inspiring address on how uncertainty can be transformed into opportunity, sharing practical insights on innovation and growth in challenging times.
Mark Little is a renowned Irish journalist, presenter and tech entrepreneur, best known as the founder of Storyful, the world’s first social news agency, and co-founder of Kinzen, a content moderation company acquired by Spotify. He has also served as VP for Media Partnerships at Twitter and is widely recognised for his thought leadership on innovation and digital transformation.
The event was officially opened by Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, who emphasised the importance of adaptability and forward-thinking for businesses navigating constant change.
AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, reinforced the resilience and creativity of Fingal’s business community and highlighted the vital supports available through the Local Enterprise Office Fingal - from training and mentoring to funding and guidance on innovation and digitalisation.
This Fingal Business Network series is led by Deirdre Carroll, Senior Enterprise Development Executive, who welcomed attendees and introduced our MC, Noel Davidson. We were honoured to have Noel as our host once again because his ability to lead engaging discussions and instantly draw people into networking is something we consider hugely beneficial for small businesses. Events like these help expand networks and create meaningful connections that drive growth.
Closing remarks were delivered by Oisín Geoghegan, Head of Enterprise, who thanked the business community for their continued contribution to Fingal’s economic life and encouraged everyone to stay connected in 2026. He also announced that preparations are already underway for Local Enterprise Week 2026, inviting attendees to take part in a diverse range of events designed to support and benefit their businesses.
The event concluded with a festive Christmas networking lunch, giving attendees the perfect opportunity to connect, share ideas and celebrate the season.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the value of networking and knowledge-sharing as key benefits of the Fingal Business Network. Events like these play a crucial role in fostering growth, collaboration and innovation within the entrepreneurial community.
Looking ahead, we are excited to continue these gatherings in 2026, providing a supportive environment for entrepreneurs to thrive and grow.
Stay connected and keep an eye on our Training & Events section – you won’t want to miss what’s coming next!
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