Scaling New Heights ESBI Management Conference

Scaling new Heights was the theme of an ESBI management conference, attended by more than 70 managers, at the the Davenport Hotel in Dublin.

The conference was opened by Michael McNicholas, Executive Director ESBI, and quickly got down to business with Jim Dollard, Financial Controller, giving an overview of ESBI Financial Performance.

Suzanne Ward of ESBI Investments (ESBIi) gave a briefing on 'The Investment Pipeline', which was followed by an outline of the ESBI Renewables Strategy given by Brian Ryan of ESBIi and John Gartland of ESBI Engineering & Facility Management (ESBIe-fm).

Joe Byrne of ESBIi gave an update to attendees on the construction of the Marchwood plant in UK and Dave Shepherd (ESBIe-fm) discussed how excellent team work turned around the Coolkeeragh plant in 2007. Richard Babikian from ESB Independent Generation gave an overview of business performance.

Vera Miller of ESBI gave a presentation on 'The IT and Business Process Strategy' and Bob Turley of ESB Independent Energy gave a presentation on 'Competing for Customers – Delivering in the Single Electricity Market'. John Campion, Executive Director HR & Corporate Affairs (now Executive Director Sustainability) was guest of honour at the event.

While Scaling New Heights was a strong theme in the morning's presentations, the afternoon's guest speaker really drove the message home. Scottish mountaineer Jamie Andrew gave an inspirational account of how anything can be achieved with the right attitude, teamwork and goal setting.

At the height of his climbing career, Jamie was struck by tragedy when he and a friend, Jamie Fisher, were caught for five days in a terrible storm after climbing the North Face of Les Droites in the French Alps. The ensuing helicopter rescue was one of the most spectacular in the history of the Alps and made news headlines around the world. Unfortunately, the rescue came too late for Jamie Fisher, who died, but Jamie Andrews survived, despite severe hypothermia and frostbite that required him to have his hands and feet amputated.

Through a positive attitude, family support and sheer determination, Jamie overcame his handicap and has been active in many sporting activities including swimming, running, skiing, snowboarding, paragliding, caving, orienteering and sailing. But it was returning to mountaineering that was to provide the greatest goal and the biggest challenge.

Jamie has carried on with his mountaineering career and has made some amazing ascents all over the world, raising many thousands of pounds for charity along the way. Jamie concluded his presentation at the conference with a book signing and a chat with delegates.