Stay Informed on Corporate Sustainability

Explore industry news, insights, and updates from the HR Leadership & Management Awards.

Coatek acquires Plastic Craft and plans 20 new jobs after Wicklow expansion

Author: Jed Nykolle Harme

Arklow-based signage company Coatek has acquired Wicklow firm Plastic Craft Ltd, retaining all staff and planning up to 20 additional hires. The deal offers a practical case study in post-acquisition workforce integration and SME talent planning.

CIPD and National College of Ireland secure approval for Ireland's first HR apprenticeship

Author: Jed Nykolle Harme

The CIPD and National College of Ireland have secured approval for Ireland's first HR degree apprenticeship, a three-year Level 8 programme backed by over 25 employers. The initiative creates a structured work-based route into the HR profession for the first time in Ireland.

Greiner Packaging launches structured wellbeing programme for Dungannon manufacturing workforce

Author: Jed Nykolle Harme

Greiner Packaging has launched a structured wellbeing programme at its Dungannon site in Northern Ireland, developed with Incorporate Benefits. The initiative embeds mental health support and early intervention into daily manufacturing operations across all shift patterns.

Caroline Browne to bring employment law and HR governance expertise to HR Leadership & Management Awards 2026 judging panel

Author: Jed Nykolle Harme

Caroline Browne, Managing Director of HRP Group, joins the judging panel for the HR Leadership & Management Awards 2026, bringing extensive experience in HR consultancy, employment law, and employee relations across both private and public sectors. As a Chartered CIPD member and external Adjudicator with the Workplace Relations Commission, she brings practical, commercially focused expertise in evaluating HR initiatives that balance legal compliance, governance rigour, and sustainable people practice.

The Pay Confidence Gap: How Irish HR Leaders Can Turn the Pay Transparency Moment Into Lasting Competitive Advantage

Author: Jed Nykolle Harme

An NFP Ireland survey of 750 workers finds two-thirds of women feel underpaid or undervalued, as Ireland misses the EU Pay Transparency Directive deadline, giving HR leaders a clear mandate to act on pay equity now.

DHL, Kraft Heinz and John Lewis Partnership extend bereavement support to all staff

Author: Jed Nykolle Harme

DHL, Kraft Heinz, and John Lewis Partnership are rolling out structured bereavement support to all staff through Octopus Legacy by end of June. The move signals growing employer commitment to practical grief support as a core HR benefit.

Oracle wins $395.8m US government contract to unify federal HR systems

Author: Jed Nykolle Harme

The US Office of Personnel Management has awarded Oracle a $395.8 million (€364 million) contract to replace over 100 fragmented federal HR systems with a single cloud platform. The award sets a landmark benchmark for large-scale HR technology consolidation.

Applegreen and Popeyes partnership to create 450 jobs across Irish roadside locations

Author: Jed Nykolle Harme

Applegreen is to open a series of Popeyes restaurants across its Irish roadside locations, creating up to 450 jobs over four years. The expansion presents a practical case study in high-volume frontline hiring and multi-site workforce onboarding for HR teams.

Skillnet Ireland sets three-year strategy to upskill 100,000 Irish businesses

Author: Jed Nykolle Harme

Skillnet Ireland has launched its 2026-2028 strategy, targeting support for 100,000 businesses and 15,000 new SMEs through AI, digital, and sustainability upskilling. The plan sets the direction for enterprise-led workforce development across Ireland over the next three years.

OpenText commits €105m to Ireland with 400 high-skilled jobs in Cork and Galway

Author: Jed Nykolle Harme

Canadian enterprise AI company OpenText is investing €105 million in Ireland, creating 400 roles in Cork and Galway over three years. The announcement intensifies demand for specialist AI and technology talent in the Irish labour market.

Discover What's Happening

HR Leadership & Management Insights, Straight to Your Inbox

Explore our newsletters

Join our Newsletter to receive the latest industry trends, expert tips, and exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox!