IGBF Purpose And Mission
The Irish Grocers Benevolent Gund was founded over 30 years ago and is a national registered charity assisting people in the retail, wholesale and supplier trade sector in Ireland.
We are committed to improving the lives of some of our Grocery colleagues who find themselves, for whatever reason in financial need, and the fund currently supports over 250 families and 500 individuals annually.
Our mission is to enrich their lives by engaging with and involving as many Grocery colleagues as possible in raising funds and maintaining the long term viability and sustainability of the IGBF charity.
The Aim Of TWIG
Today’s Women In Grocery
Today’s Women In Grocery was founded in 2016 and is a supporting branch of the IGBF. Its aim is to provide exciting new networking events targeted at a mainly female audience, work towards raising the profile of women in grocery, drive understanding of the IGBF’s work and to encourage more female leadership and participation in IGBF events and initiatives.
TWIG held its 3rd networking lunch on Friday 25th of May 2018 and was attended by 460 leading women from across the grocery and wider industries.
All proceeds raised at TWIG events go directly to the IGBF charity to assist people within the grocery and wider industries.
TWIG Committee 2018/2019
From Left to right
Edel O Keefe – LR Suntory,
Anne O Brien – Musgrave,
Sharon Yourell Lawlor – Think Plan Do Consultancy,
Brigid O Neil – Irish Distillers,
Paula Conlon – Heineken Ireland,
Lorraine Butler – CPM,
Frances Higgins – BWG Foods Group UC
Industry Sponsorship Support
Speakers 2018
Sonya Lennon
Lennon Courtney
Lorraine Higgins
CEO Retail Excellence Ireland
Alison Cowzer
Co-Founder East Coast Bakehouse & Dragons Den Investor
Speakers 2017
Louise Ryan
Managing Director, Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard
Aoibheann O’Brien
Chief Executive Officer, FoodCloud Hubs
Aine Maguire
Managing Director, Persuasion
Sheila Gallagher
Commercial Director, Tesco Ireland
An Entertaining Afternoon
Breaking New Ground…
Growing Social Media Connections
- Timeline Photos Spot yourself or your team in the video ladies? Tag and share if you do!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r0dKgGhsW3I&feature=youtu.be - Happy International Womens day to all of our awesome TWIGs..
- Just over 10 weeks ladies... tickets are selling as fast as last year so get booking and avoid missing out on THE networking event of 2019!
- Its that time again! Get the date into your diaries!
TWIG - Todays' Women in Grocery is feeling excited.
Growing Industry Awareness
2018 TWIG Video of Event…
UPCOMING EVENTS
Year 3 – Growing In Numbers
2018
2017
2016
Excellent Attendee Feedback
2018 TWIG in summary!
A record 460 senior female figures from the leading companies in Ireland’s food, grocery and retail sectors gathered in the InterContinental Hotel to discuss their role in shaping the industry at a charity networking event entitled ‘Breaking New Ground’ hosted by Today’s Women in Grocery (TWIG), a sub-committee of the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund (IGBF).
In a move to pave the way for future female talent to make their impact on the food, grocery and retail sectors, TWIG has also unveiled details of a unique new mentorship programme, which will be faciltated by CPM. The programme will partner business leaders with emerging female talent in the sector and aspiring female leaders are urged to register their interest at TWIG mentoring@cpmire.com.
Marking the first year of their support for the luncheon, Kildare Village is partnering with TWIG to host a series of engaging complimentary style master classes later this year to empower women to unlock the potential of their personal brand by presenting themselves with confidence. Those interested can register at https://www.kildarevillage.com/TWIG.
Now in its third year, the Today’s Women in Grocery networking charity luncheon has quickly become one of the must-attend professional networking events of the year for senior women in grocery due to its format of bringing inspirational female business leaders together to empower women through a frank and open exchange of the challenges and opportunities in business for women today and tomorrow.
Speakers included entrepreneur Alison Cowzer who is the co-founder of East Coast Bakehouse which produces a range of cookies and biscuits for the Irish, UK and European markets, and one of the investors on RTE’s Dragon’s Den; Lorraine Higgins, the newly announced CEO of Retail Excellence Ireland representing the interests of 1,750 leading retailers and a former senator; and business woman, broadcaster and social entrepreneur Sonya Lennon, the driving force behind the award winning frockadvisor digital platform and the Lennon Courtney fashion label.
Sonya imparted her insights on empowering women to succeed from her experience establishing the Irish branch of the internationally acclaimed Dress for Success social enterprise. Since its establishment in 2011, Dress for Success Ireland has supported 1,500 women on their journey to economic independence by offering professional clothing, the skills to succeed at interview and a suite of CPD and mentoring programmes.
Contact Details
For more information, please contact Frances Higgins – IGBF Vice Chair
Or Paula Conlon – TWIG Vice Chair