Executive Insights: Imelda Hurley, CEO, Coillte, on strategies used to transform the organisation

By Business & Finance

07 December 2023

Executive Insights is an in-conversation content series featuring thought leaders from across the Irish business community. Hosted by Business & Finance, in association with KPMG, the series explores business strategy and how to navigate the current climate.

This episode features Imelda Hurley, CEO, Coillte, in conversation with Colm O’Se, Partner, KPMG Ireland.

Coillte

Coillte, Ireland’s semi-state forestry company, is responsible for managing 440,000 hectares of primarily forested lands. It is the nation’s largest forester and producer of certified wood, a natural, renewable and sustainable resource. Coillte is also the largest provider of outdoor recreation space in Ireland, it enables wind-energy on the estate, processes forestry by-products and undertakes nature rehabilitation projects of scale. The company’s mission is to balance and deliver the multiple benefits of the forests to society. Imelda Hurley was chosen as the Business & Finance Awards Business Person of the Year 2022.

Imelda Hurley

At Coillte, Hurley led the launch of a strategic vision to help Ireland achieve its climate goals. She oversaw Coillte’s involvement in the community including nature rehabilitation projects and mental health intervention initiatives, creating employment and opportunities in rural Ireland. In 2021, Hurley launched the 19 million euro world class visitor destination, ‘Beyond the Trees Avondale’ which has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors to date. She is an advocate for sustainable business practices and a leader in sustainability discussions.

Watch the latest episode of Executive Insights below: