Ever wondered what it really takes to get a major production like Game of Thrones or Star Wars onto Irish soil? In this episode of Arts Matters, John Gleeson, one of Ireland’s most sought-after advisors in film and television finance, talks to Alison Cowzer.
A partner at boutique accountancy firm Saffrey, Gleeson has worked on some of the biggest screen projects filmed in Ireland. He shares insights into how the sector has matured into a billion-euro contributor to the national economy—and what’s needed to take it to the next level.
While tax incentives like Section 481 have been key, Gleeson argues that Ireland’s creative talent and reputation for quality are just as important. But there’s a catch: without serious investment in infrastructure—especially sound stages—the country risks falling behind. Art Marters is sponsored by HLB Ireland.
Brid Horan broke the mould by becoming Ireland's first female actuary. Not that she planned it that way. In this interview, the former deputy chief executive of the ESB and cofounder of the 30% club talks to Alison Cowzer about her impressive career, leadership, pensions, and why gender balance matters
From Eircom to Quinn Insurance, he was the go to insolvency expert during the economic crash, handling some of the biggest corporate failures of the era. Ian Kehoe talks business with Grant Thornton Managing Partner Michael McAteer.
Sam Smyth meets Tony Boyle, who continues to seek justice over the awarding of the state’s second mobile phone licence to Denis O’Brien’s Esat. It has been an exhausting and costly battle, but, steeled by the findings of the Moriarty Tribunal, he is not giving up.
"We do things very simply. We have state of the art logistics." Breege O'Donoghue spent 37 years at the top of global giant Primark. Here she talks value, ambition, and the very DNA of the retail trade
An Post CEO David McRedmond has held leading roles in the communications sector including with TV3 and eir. He tells Sam Smyth about taking on the banks, maintaining government investment in the countryside and making money from broadcasting – all in the face of digital transformation.
In an in depth interview, the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform talks about overhauling the Department’s culture post-crisis, the institutional reforms that have taken place and the need for a robust public debate around the political economy of spending.
Having earned his spurs in a global trade dispute over bananas, Philip Lee has built one of the state’s prominent law firms. So just how did he do it, what would he change about the system, and what are his plans for the future?
Michael Dawson has had a varied career. He started out in politics in the late 70s, booked out the RDS for Italia 90, built up the business One4All and sold it for €100 million. In this podcast, he talks to Alison Cowzer about his personal journey, revealing lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Paschal Taggart has been at the heart of Irish business for more than four decades. In this exclusive interview with Sam Smyth, he talks about how a man from Antrim became a pillar of Irish commerce.
The Quinn family spent eight years waiting for vindication. Then, just days into their legal action with the former Anglo Irish Bank, the family unceremoniously dropped the case and walked away with nothing. The full story behind the complete surrender has never been told. Until now.
