Colm Blake, Zurich Ireland; Gerald Hurley, CEO Waterford Chamber; John McSweeney, President, Waterford Chamber and Ian Talbot, CEO Chambers Ireland. Photo: David Murphy Studio
Waterford Chamber of Commerce is celebrating after picking up the accolade of "Chamber of the Year" at the 2021 Chamber Awards.
The awards, hosted by Chambers Ireland and sponsored by Zurich, recognise the outstanding work of chambers of commerce throughout the country in supporting local, regional and national business.
Waterford Chamber was shortlisted in six of the seven award categories, and ticked many boxes for the judges, as CEO Gerald Hurley told me..
There was also great news for Dungarvan and West Waterford Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber Awards; the team picked up the 'Virtual Event' award for 'Dungarvan Live,' the town's first online fashion show.
CEO Jenny Beresford spoke to me about that prize, as well as other initiatives underway in the locality. She also discussed the increasing, year round popularity of Dungarvan as a tourist destination...
It was announced during the week that Waterford-based insurance broker Hooper Dolan will be bought over Arachas, subject to Competition Authority approval.
Hooper Dolan, which was founded in 1978, now has 45 staff in Waterford and 130 nationwide. Arachas is the Irish branch of the UK based Ardonagh Group, and CEO of Hooper Dolan Cathal Lowe outlined to me what the acquisition means..
The price of residential property is certainly a hot topic at the moment, with MyHome.ie reporting an annual rise of 13% in house prices and a rise of €3,540 in Waterford homes in Q2 of this year.
Denise Radley of Radley Auctioneers in Dungarvan joined me to discuss what she thinks is driving up prices, not just in the local area, but nationally too..
