Shannon Chamber CE Skills Showcase

Niamh O’Sullivan, Peter Hunt, and Lise-Ann Sheahan represented IMR and CIRCULÉIRE at Midwest Sustainability Week, organised by Shannon Chamber of Commerce

Shannon Chamber of Commerce held its Midwest Sustainability Week October 22nd to 25^th. Sponsored by Climate Action, the Chamber hosted a wide variety of events and site visits throughout the week, and IMR with CIRCULEIRE joined them on their final day.  The theme, 'Developing a Sustainability Mindset', set the tone for the day, with engaging panels, inspiring speakers, and practical discussions.

Over the course of the three panels, leaders from across the region shared their experiences of embedding sustainability into their organisations. The first panel, ‘The Tone at the Top’, highlighted the critical role leadership plays in setting direction and influencing culture. Speakers discussed the structures and processes they’ve implemented, as well as the challenges they’ve encountered along the way. Vicky Howard of Calibre Scientific highlighted an apparent pattern she has observed that younger employees are often more eager to engage with sustainability, and senior leaders recognise its strategic value for competitiveness, yet middle management can be slower to adopt these changes. Many in this “frozen middle” prefer traditional ways of working and may not fully understand the incentives or needs driving sustainability efforts. Her reflections reminded us that embedding sustainability is not just about compliance but about embracing a deeper belief. True transformation happens when leaders’ actions and values, the “shadow of the leader,” inspire a genuine commitment at every level.

Mid-West Sustainability Network Week, 22-25 Sep 2025.

The second panel focused on ‘Driving Mindset’. Here, the conversation shifted from structures to people: how to spark curiosity, shift attitudes, and build momentum across different departments. Panellists explained how they are reframing sustainability as the lens through which their organisations operate. It was clear that leadership in this space is about empowering others, not dictating from the top.  

The final panel showcased projects within companies that have already delivered tangible environmental and social impacts. From reducing emissions to creating inclusive workplaces, the examples underscored that embedding sustainability is both a good business practice and a commitment to broader social responsibility.  

A particular highlight of the day was the keynote from Gary Keegan, CEO of Uppercut. Known for his work in high-performance sport, Keegan drew compelling parallels between elite performance and sustainability leadership. He emphasised how leading mindsets set direction, but it is the structures that leaders put in place that shape behaviour and outcomes. Just as athletes rely on systems and routines to achieve long-term success, business leaders must create the frameworks and supports that embed sustainability into the core of their organisations.  

The conference was a testament to the work being done across the Midwest, from Shannon Chamber’s leadership in convening these conversations to the openness of the panellists of their journeys. The day demonstrated that while policies and frameworks matter, it is mindset and leadership that will make the difference moving forward.