Economic growth increased by 9.7% in the first quarter of the year, with the CSO saying the significant growth was driven by an increase in exports of goods, which rose by nearly 15%. For more on these stories, Bobby is joined by economist Austin Hughes to discuss.
Jun 09, 2025•9 min
As Ireland gets more culturally diverse, so does its workforce, and according to recent estimates, over 420,000 workers in the country are non-Irish. Dr. Mamobo Ogoro is the founder and CEO of GORM, she believes businesses are key to building a culturally diverse and resilient society and has recently launched Ireland’s first intercultural business programme. She joins Bobby to discuss.
Jun 07, 2025•5 min
The bicycle retail sector in Ireland is experiencing a dynamic phase at the moment, characterized by a shift towards e-bikes and a strong emphasis on sustainability and community engagement. But following a boom during the pandemic years, is the local bike shop still as healthy as before? Joining Bobby to discuss is: - Michael Fearon, Co-Owner of Cycle SuperStore - Ryan Hanratty, Director & Owner of Penny Farthing Cycles in Dublin - Simon Worley, Co-Owner of The Edge Sports Superstore in Cor...
Jun 07, 2025•17 min
We all know that AI will change the way we'll do everything, but do we actually understand how massive a paradigm shift that will be? Bobby is joined by Michael Wad, author of 'GAIN: Demystifying GenAI for Office and Home', which offers an optimistic view on the future.
Jun 07, 2025•10 min
Doireann Healy launched art and fashion brand Begley & Bowie in 2019 and is based in Kenmare, Co. Kerry. She joins Bobby in this week's Executive Chair.
Jun 07, 2025•11 min
William Syrigos is the 9-year-old Owner of William Alexander Toys, who has been creating 3D-printed and laser-cut toys, other children's products, and selling them online. He joins Bobby in studio with his father, Ioannis, to chat about his business.
Jun 07, 2025•8 min
Joining Bobby to look at the business stories that are making the morning papers is Doug Keatinge, former journalist turned communications consultant & Linda Daly, Business Reporter with the Sunday Times.
Jun 07, 2025•19 min
This week, Bobby and the team were broadcasting from Japan as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat. Here, Bobby tries a bit of karaoke, speaks with Mark Matthews, Head of Research Asia for Julius Baer, about how the stock markets in Asia and elsewhere are responding to Trump's Tariffs, takes a bullet train to Kyoto, is joined by Japan Rugby Head Coach, Eddie Jones, and more.
May 31, 2025•44 min
This week, Bobby and the team were broadcasting from Japan as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat. Here, Bobby speaks to some of Ireland's most promising entrepreneurs and gets a sense of the business landscape from some of Japan's most distinguished business minds.
May 31, 2025•43 min
Bobby and the team were broadcasting from Japan as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat, where they visited the Ameyoko Market, hopped on a bullet train to Kyoto, and tried their hand at a bit of karaoke.
May 31, 2025•4 min
Joining Bobby in the Executive Chair this week is Eddie Jones, Head Coach of the Japan national rugby team.
May 31, 2025•6 min
Joining Bobby, from Kyoto, Japan, as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat, is Frank O’Keeffe, EY Ireland Managing Partner.
May 31, 2025•8 min
This week, Bobby and the team were broadcasting from Japan as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat. Here, Bobby speaks to some of this year's finalists as well as some of the competition's alumni about how doing business in Asia differs from Ireland and elsewhere in the world. Joining Bobby is: James Kelly, Managing Director at LMH Engineering Alan Doyle, CEO of Aerlytix Mark Gilmartin, COO & co-founder of T-Pro...
May 31, 2025•14 min
This week, Bobby and the team were broadcasting from Japan for this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat. As part of the trip, Bobby got to speak with Mark Matthews, Head of Research Asia for Julius Baer, about how the stock markets in Asia and elsewhere are responding to Trump's Tariffs.
May 31, 2025•11 min
This week, Bobby and the team were broadcasting from Japan as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat. Here, Bobby speaks to Ken Shibusawa, Chief Executive Officer of Shibusawa and Company, Inc., a strategic advisory firm for alternative investments, ESG/SDGs alignment, and human resource development.
May 31, 2025•8 min
This week, Bobby and the team were broadcasting from Japan as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat. Here, Bobby speaks to Rika Nakazawa, Chief Commercial Innovation Officer at NTT, about organic intelligence, the future of AI, and more.
May 31, 2025•6 min
Bobby is joined by the Ambassador of Ireland to Japan, Damien Cole. Together, they discuss Ireland House, a new centre for Ireland’s presence in Japan, as well as the opportunities for Ireland to develop relationships and partnerships in the region
May 31, 2025•4 min
Joining Bobby from Tokyo, Japan, as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat is: Aine Kennedy, CEO & Founder of The Smooth Company Caitriona Ryan & Nicola Ralph from The Institute of Dermatologists Laura Dowling, Founder and CEO fabÜ
May 31, 2025•12 min
This week, Bobby and the team were broadcasting from Japan as part of this year’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat. Here, Bobby speaks to Professor Hiroshi Fujikawa from Hitotsubashi University Business School about Japan's ageing population and the potential consequences for their economy.
May 31, 2025•12 min
Now, home is where the heart is, but at the heart of every home is the kitchen. For this week’s Industry Review, Bobby chatted to three people who make it their business to make your kitchen everything you’ve ever dreamed of… · Pat McGrath , MD at Kube Kitchens & Interiors · Stephen O’Beirne , The Kitchen Doctor · Deirdre Duffy of Dee Design, Kitchen Design Specialist
May 24, 2025•19 min
Lisa Brankin, Chair and Managing Director of Ford Britain and Ireland, joined Bobby Kerr in this week’s Executive Chair. She told the story of the first foreign Ford factory founded in Cork in 1917 and the automaker's expansion plans here
May 24, 2025•12 min
One of Ireland’s most famous artists during the boom years, attracting fans and income from A-listers. Then the boom stopped, and he found himself becoming just another artist trying to get noticed and sell some work. Rasher joined Bobby to discuss his latest exhibition, ‘Don’t Anger the Gods’, which opened last Thursday at the Flux Gallery on Chatham Row
May 24, 2025•12 min
Next week, Down to Business will be broadcasting from Japan! Yes, that’s right. As you know,w we have a long association with the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award,s and like we’ve done for the last 10 plus years, we’re travelling as part of this year’s CEO Retreat, which will see us join 140 entrepreneurs in the Far East. You’ll be hearing all about it next week. Joining Bobby to give us a little flavour of what we might expect was Roger Wallace, Partner Lead of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year ...
May 24, 2025•8 min
Sunday Independent Columnist and Leadership expert Gina London and Lorcan Allen of Keating and Associates. Join Bobby Kerr on Down to Business to break down the biggest business stories of the day. Get all the week’s business news here.
May 24, 2025•24 min
Father and son team John and Gerard Loughran join Bobby Kerr in this week’s Executive Chair to tell the story of Dublin’s longest-running family-owned hotel, The Sandymount Hotel. Listen here.
May 17, 2025•14 min
Bobby looks at the music and arts festival business in this week’s Industry Review. He sits down with Declan Forde from Beyond The Pale Festival; Co-Founder of Night and Day Festival, Brendan Hurley, and John Crumlish, CEO of Galway International Arts Festival. Listen here.
May 17, 2025•21 min
Maddy Alexander-Grout, author of Mad About Money, joins Down to Business to talk about running a business as a neurodiverse entrepreneur, parenting with ADHD, and turning challenges into strengths. Listen here.
May 17, 2025•11 min
Damien McCarthy of HR Buddy and Chris Kane, author of Where’s My Office?, join Down to Business to debate Denis O’Brien’s claim that working from home has hurt Ireland’s work ethic. Listen here.
May 17, 2025•10 min
Tech commentator Andy O’Donoghue joins Down to Business to explain why subscription-based models aren’t just for streaming — and why small businesses should consider them for sustainable income. Listen here.
May 17, 2025•8 min
Louisa Meehan of Woodview HRM and Bob Hoffman of Vista Executive Search join Bobby Kerr to review the biggest business stories making headlines this weekend. Listen here.
May 17, 2025•23 min