We are delighted to introduce the ISME Leadership and Networking Forum – in partnership with Jobs.ie. This exciting new event series is created to bring practical insights and expert guidance directly to SMEs across Ireland. The first stop in the series takes place on Wednesday 29th April in Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan, Co Dublin from 8am-12pm. We will be visiting Cork and Limerick in the near future – keep an eye on social media for updates!
Everyone is welcome so please bring along your colleagues, clients, or friends in business. Breakfast and refreshments are provided at all events and don’t forget to register below
PROGRAMME
Welcome:
Neil McDonnell, CEO
Keynote Speaker:
Christopher Paye, Country Director, The Stepstone Group, Ireland
Topic: The Jobs.ie Hiring Playbook: Salary, Strategy & What Candidates Really Want
This session explores the reality of Ireland’s talent market in 2026, giving you a clear view of current compensation trends and evolving candidate expectations. Drawing on insights from the analysis of over 1.3 million job postings, alongside recruiter and candidate surveys, it provides practical guidance to help you build a more effective and competitive hiring strategy
Learning and Development Update:
- Providing a path of continuous learning for small businesses by Adam Weatherley, L&D Manager, ISME Skillnet
- Closing the Skills Gap: A Regional Blueprint for SME Economic Growth in Dublin by Natasha Kinsella, Regional Skills Manager, Dublin Regional Skills Forum
Panel Discussion:
Topic: Find, Train, and Retain Talent
- Neil McDonnell, CEO, ISME
- Christopher Paye, Country Director, The Stepstone Group, Ireland
- Adam Weatherley, L&D Manager, ISME Skillnet
- Natasha Kinsella, Regional Skills Manager, Dublin Regional Skills Forum
HR Updates for Business:
Anna Marie Walsh, ISME HR Team
Key topics for discussion:
- Key HR Changes for 2026
- Pay Transparency
- Absence Management
- Workplace Wellbeing
Energy Updates:
Kathleen Moore – SME Business Decarbonisation Supports Executive, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)
BeSMART – Managing Health & Safety for SMEs:
Olamide Taiwo – Higher Executive Officer, Health & Safety Authority (HSA)
Pitch my business & Networking:
Each attendee will have a 2-minute slot to give an elevator pitch to promote their business. A great opportunity to network with fellow business people in your area. Don’t forget your business cards!
About Keynote Speaker:
Christopher Paye Country Director, The Stepstone Group, Ireland
Christopher Paye is the Country Director for The Stepstone Group in Ireland, with responsibility for the group’s three hiring platforms – Jobs.ie, IrishJobs and NIJobs. He began his career at IrishJobs in 2007 as a Graduate Account Manager, quickly advancing to Senior Account Manager and then Team Lead. In 2012, he was promoted to Sales Director of IrishJobs.ie, and in 2017, he became the General Manager of Jobs.ie. With almost 20 years of experience working with businesses of all sizes and from all sectors find top talent, Chris has a deep and comprehensive understanding of the fast-moving hiring landscape in Ireland.
In partnership with:
Please send in your questions or comments for the speakers while registering, particularly for the Find, Train, and Retain Talent panel discussion, so we can address issues that relate to your business on the day.
Registrations Closed!
Photos:
(Photo by Siobhan Taylor)
Click here to view the all the photos
