60 Seconds with Niall Casey Senior Market Advisor - Australia and New Zealand Market

Congratulations on your recent promotion to Senior Market Advisor. Your new portfolio focusses on Industrial and Sustainability. What type of companies do you work with?

The Industrial and Sustainability portfolio is a hugely exciting one. I work with a hugely diverse portfolio of clients with products from undersea drones to paint mixers and container shipment carriers. People are often surprised to learn how Ireland’s domestic manufacturing industry punches above its weight globally. Ireland is home to some world leading precision engineered companies who are having a global impact in agriculture, logistics, recycling, construction and many other industries. 

Included in this portfolio is sustainability. Sustainability is an expansive term of course but it is having a huge impact on how every business makes decisions and plans its future. The challenge for businesses globally is how they can adjust the way they do business while at the same time maintaining and improving profitability. In my portfolio I work with companies that are working to solve these global challenges. Irish companies are producing products and technologies in energy efficiency, circular economy and agritech that can really move the needle to achieve climate goals.

What advice would you give to Irish businesses looking to achieve success in Australia?

I think it’s important firstly for companies to be clear in understanding their value add to Australian business. They should do their research fully on the local issues, regulatory changes, and market make up to have a clear market entry plan. Entering a market as large and as distant from Ireland of course throws up many challenges so being able to stay resilient is always crucial. Despite the geographic challenges, Irish companies have been really achieved significant success in Australia. I think Irish businesses are naturally adaptable and outward looking – they tend to be adept at forming international partnerships.

What was your first job? 

My first job was working in the Radisson Hotel in my hometown of Sligo. I worked as event staff for weddings and functions before moving onto breakfasts and housekeeping. Not an easy job! 

What advice would you give to Australians visiting Sligo for the first time?

Well, Sligo is one of the most beautiful places in Ireland and I’m always surprised to hear how even many Irish people haven’t visited. Sligo is in the northwest of Ireland and home to many beautiful beaches like Enniscrone and Rosses Point. When I get home, I love to do a long walk on Strandhill beach making sure to stop into Shells Café for some hot chips and the Strand bar for a pint of Guinness afterwards! Sligo town is also home to some of the best bars in Ireland with a great traditional music scene. 

If you could step into the shoes of one business person for the day, who would it be and why?

I’d have to say either Patrick or John Collison, founders of the payments company Stripe. They are without a doubt some of the most impactful and successful entrepreneurs of the 21^st century. Stripe today has grown to a valuation of $65bn at the time of writing with over 9000 employees globally. Aside from their extraordinary business success they are both philanthropists and effective altruists, researching what interventions will have the largest impact. For example, they invest in innovation in early-stage carbon capture technology.

What is the best piece of advice anyone has given you in your career?

To always ask questions and never make assumptions; things are not always as they seem.