The great and good of the grocery and retail sector turned out in force for the TWIG (Today’s Women in Grocery) Networking lunch at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre on Friday, May 3 last. A sum of approximately €100,000 was raised this year, including €25,000 from the raffle on the day.
Since its inception, TWIG has consistently been a key part of the fundraising efforts of the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund (IGBF) charity, which helps those in the sector going through testing times.
With an attendance of 624 it was the largest – and arguably most successful – TWIG event to date. Those present also heard an insightful and inspiring panel discussion - with the theme of ‘Defining You’ – which featured Michelle Vance, Chief Executive Officer, Lily O’Brien’s; Charlene Flanagan, Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Ella & Jo Cosmetics; Maeve McCleane, Chief People Officer, Lidl Ireland & Lidl Northern Ireland ; Sinead Crowther of Soothing Solutions and Brendan Courtney, Presenter, Entrepreneur & Co-Founder Lennon Courtney.
Sonya Lennon did a superb job as MC of the event and invited the panel to share their journey to success in the industry, diving into the experiences and decisions that contributed to their personal growth and professional success. From pivotal decisions to impactful relationships, the panel offered vivid insights into the experiences and attitudes that shaped their careers.
Michelle Vance of Lily O’Brien’s told the audience that she had never really considered being a CEO until the opportunity unexpectedly presented itself several years ago, just as the pandemic hit, and she decided to embrace it because she wanted the “values and culture” to remain.
“It was a crazy time given so many shops were shuttered and fully stocked, and sales in the food service and airline industry took a big hit. We are now back to pre-Covid sales [with a 30% increase in retail sales last year] but the next huge hurdle we are facing is the cost of cocoa and other input materials – which are up to 130% higher.”
Vance said that “right now, around 70% of myself is work” but that “my weekends are all about family and catching up on time with my children.”
Maeve McClean of Lidl said that family and relationships define her and that she takes all of herself to work.
“I’ve a hugely supportive team – there is no way I could do this job otherwise. But I believe it’s really important to look after yourself first, so that you can take care of others too. I take all of myself – including my craziness – to work,” she laughed. It hard to be a “100% work persona” or a “100% self-persona”, particularly given so many of us regularly work from home now too.”
Charlene Flanagan of Ella & Jo Cosmetics said her professional and personal lives are intertwined as she had a small baby, and another one on the way, when founding the business.
“I am an action-oriented person…and I used to believe that kindness and empathy were weaknesses, but now I see them as strengths… I share a lot of me on social media, and while the vast majority of commentary I get is supportive, I did go through some dark times too until I decided to completely ignore them [the detractors] and I have not looked back since” she said.
Sinead Crowther of Soothing Solutions – who is rearing four children herself – was eking out a living when her son suffered third degree burns in an accident and she decided that it was time to put her “Dragon’s Den” idea into motion.
"So, I googled how to make a product from scratch and up came Enterprise Ireland. A few days after I applied to them, I got a call from DKIT (Dundalk IT) about the New Frontiers programme which would help me get my product off the ground.
“I think what defines me is that I am from Finglas, which I’m proud of, and I have fought for everything – like grants and opportunities to pitch – along the way. I guess my personal life has been a good training in a way for building a business. The airline and travel industry are the next targets for us.”
Brendan Courtney was the first Irish TV presenter to come out as gay in 1991, two years before homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland:
“I stand shoulder to shoulder with women, and I’ve got to work with so many of them. I think authenticity is such an important value – being true to who you are can be tough – and saying no is a big gift . I got that back coming out, so go back to your core values and they will guide you.
“I am not an amazing leader, but Sonya [Lennon] is. I just come up with ideas and note them down or text them to her – she is one that makes it all happen, and I’m so lucky in that regard!”.
Mary McBride, Head of Retail at Bewley’s Coffee and Chair of TWIG said she was proud to be standing in a huge room of attendees and remembered back to the first event that started with 160 guests, reflecting on how successful and popular the fundraiser had become:
“We are all very lucky to be here today; there are many less fortunate than us and it is through the initiatives and fundraising of TWIG and the IGBF, that we strive to help and assist those who need it most.
“It’s fantastic to see the TWIG annual networking lunch go from strength to strength each year and become a ‘must attend’ calendar event for the grocery, food and retail sector. I would like to thank the TWIG committee for all their support in hosting our largest and most successful event since we began in 2016, and a big thank to all our sponsors for continuing to support this fundraising lunch, and the IGBF charity.’’
McBride also announced Estelle Johnston from Diageo as the TWIG Person of the Year winner for 2024. Sponsored by CPM and in its second year, the award looks to recognise the unsung heroes of our industry, who are instrumental in delivering success behind the scenes but whose contributions may not always be visible to the wider industry.
Shortlisted from 5 finalists, Estelle - who juggles lots of challenges in her Quality Operations role - was called out amongst her peers for “the amazing support she gives to others and her unwavering passion for progress, delivery and people”, according to the judges. Estelle will now benefit from a year-long coaching and mentoring program to the value of €2,000.
Musgrave, Diageo, CPM, and Suntory Beverage and Food Ireland kindly sponsored this year’s lunch.
