L-R: David Murray, Senior Vice President & GM, Pepisco, Catherine Duffy, General Manager, Northern Trust, Michael Jackson, Managing Partner, Matheson, Micheál Martin, Leader of Fianna Fáil, Barry O'Sullivan, 2018 American Chamber of Commerce Ireland President
Michael Jackson, Managing Partner of Matheson, spoke today (Friday 28 September) at the annual American Chamber of Commerce Ireland (AmCham) Cork Business Lunch. Matheson was delighted to sponsor the lunch which was attended by over 350 guests from U.S. multinationals and other leading Cork businesses as well as Opposition Leader, Micheál Martin TD.
The event followed the firm’s announcement earlier this week on its establishment of a sixth international office in Cork to support our continually growing domestic and international client base in the Munster region. Matheson acts for over 60% of FDI member companies of the American Chamber of Commerce located in Cork and the opening of our office in City Gate, Mahon will increase our physical proximity to our already significant range of multinational and domestic clients located in the Cork and wider Munster region – spanning across the life sciences, healthcare, ICT, biotechnology, agri-food, professional services, cybersecurity and financial services sectors. Matheson is the first of Ireland’s largest law firms to open a regional Irish office outside of Dublin and the new Cork office will be led by Senior Solicitor, Gráinne Callanan.
Speaking at the lunch, Michael Jackson described the current attractiveness of Cork for multinational investment and the many factors that will drive future growth.
“The Ireland 2040 Plan will see Cork City and County grow at the fastest rate of any region with the population of the city set to more than double in the next 20 years. With €500 million in commercial developments completed or under development in the city, UCC investing €350m in its campus and student accommodation and Cork Airport seeing an 80% increase in airlines and 40% increase in routes since 2017, there is significant scope for future growth.”
Jackson also highlighted the value of foreign direct investment in both Cork, and nationally, as well as the contribution made by Irish companies to the U.S. economy.
“Today, US multinationals employ 155,000 people directly in Ireland and have invested the equivalent of $80,000 for every man, woman and child living in the country. This flow however, is by no means one way, with over 400 Irish companies active in the U.S. in over 2000 locations. As the law firm of choice for internationally focused companies and financial institutions doing business in and from Ireland, Matheson is delighted to work with the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland and to support the Chamber’s Annual Cork Business Lunch.”
Also speaking at the event, Leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin stressed the importance of continuing the strong business relationship between the US and Ireland. American Chamber of Commerce President, Barry O’Sullivan commented on the success of Cork as a destination for foreign direct investment but noted that there was a need to ensure continuous improvement in terms of infrastructure and competitiveness to support future growth.
