Sandyford Business District launches with event featuring Green Property, Microsoft and Softco

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Sandyford Business District launches with event featuring Green Property, Microsoft and Softco

New survey reveals 71% of respondents in Sandyford District are planning to grow staff numbers...

Irish businesses are confident the economy will continue to grow, generating significant numbers of new jobs within the next 18 months, according to a survey by a Dublin-based business association.

The survey, conducted by Sandyford Business District Association among companies in the region, shows 88% of respondents are confident the Irish economy will continue to grow, having a positive impact on the growth of their own businesses.

Nearly three quarters of those surveyed are planning to add to their current staff numbers, with over 300 potential jobs in the region within the next 18 months alone.

These new figures were revealed today as some of Ireland’s leading business figures gather to officially launch the coming together of four major business parks in the region under one umbrella group, the Sandyford Business District, which, as a result, will be the largest area of commercial property and employment in the South Dublin City region.

Organised by the Sandyford Business District Association and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, this morning’s launch is highlighting the commercial benefits of locating in the Sandyford Business District as well as introducing the official website (www.sbd.ie) and video to key business and property contacts.

Comprising four individual business parks: Central Park, Sandyford Business Park, South County Business Park and Stillorgan Business Park, this new district is already home to more than 700 national and multi-national companies such as Microsoft Ireland, Vodafone Ireland and SoftCo.

Over 22,000 people currently work in small, medium and multi-national businesses across the four business parks. According to the Sandyford Business District Association, the area has further capacity for 17,500 more employees, 350,000 square metres of commercial floor space and 1,000 residential units.

Stephen Vernon, Chairman of Green Property will deliver the keynote address at today’s launch in Leopardstown, while Microsoft Ireland’s General Manager, Cathriona Hallahan, Philomena Poole, Chief Executive, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Susan Spence, Executive Chairman, Softco featured on the Guest Panel.

Philomena Poole, Chief Executive, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said: “Our vision for Sandyford Business District is to support and promote business development and employment opportunities as well as enhance  the quality of life for people working and living in the area.  Measures, set out in the Sandyford Urban Framework Plan 2010 -2016, are well underway to achieve this goal, while a recent reduction by the Council of commercial rates by 2.5%, will help support businesses in the area.”

Dan Holland, Chair of Sandyford Business District Association said: “This survey has highlighted a growing confidence in the business sector and indicates that companies of all sizes are more upbeat as they consider expanding their workforce. As a ready-built, world class investment location, the Sandyford Business District is positioned, as a national centre for excellence, to support this projected growth, making it the smart business decision for businesses of all sizes and potential.”

Speaking at the event, Cathriona Hallahan, MD of Microsoft Ireland emphasised the company’s connection with the area, saying: “Microsoft has been operating in Ireland for close to 30 years and have a great history of doing business in Ireland from our base in Sandyford. We have consistently invested in the area over the years as we have grown our team.  We remain committed to Sandyford – it is accessible by road networks to a wide range of popular areas to live in but we also have the benefit of the Luas just a couple of minutes walk away.”

Moderated by broadcaster and journalist, Richard Curran, today’s launch event for the Sandyford Business District Association was hosted at The Pavilion Leopardstown.

The Sandyford Business District Association is a not-for-profit, voluntary committee charged with maintaining, developing and promoting the region as a national and international centre of excellence in which to start, sustain and grow a business.

Article Published: 13/11/2014