Having worked with Enterprise Ireland over the past three decades, Jenny Melia became chief executive officer for the agency last summer, having previously held the roles of executive director and chief client officer.
A graduate of University College Dublin, she has held a number of senior leadership roles across the organisation throughout her career. She has worked extensively with client companies of varying scales from all sectors, including food, industrial and technology, and has also worked with the High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) division, and the research and innovation team.
Best advice you’ve been given?
I am a scientist, and I studied for a PhD in Polymer Chemistry from UCD, so I was told that even from a young age I always had a strong curiosity. One piece of advice that always stayed with me is … ‘you’ve got this’. So I think that, coupled with a natural curiosity, it’s important to remind yourself that you don’t always necessarily have all the answers, but trust in your ability to figure this out, push boundaries, ask questions, find solutions, and learn the lessons along the way.
What project are you most excited about?
Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting Irish-owned companies to start, grow, scale and connect, and to achieve their global ambitions. The ambitions laid out in our five-year strategy, Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally, mirrors the ambitions of our entrepreneurs, and we believe Irish exporters will become the primary driver of the Irish economy.
Enterprise Ireland’s team here, and across our network of 42 international offices, are focused on working with our partners from across the ecosystem to support Irish companies to create a greater export footprint, high-quality jobs, invest in research and innovation and the creation of companies of scale.
How do you approach long-term planning and strategy?
I always like to start in listening mode, and taking a diversity of views into account is critically important. The outside-in view is very important in bringing together all the different perspectives with a focus on the execution of approach.
What are the big industry trends you’re noticing right now?
Disruption often leads to new opportunities to innovate and to be more nimble, it can lead us to new ways of thinking and working, and empowers us to harness change. Enterprise Ireland’s long-term ambition is that Irish exporters will become the primary driver of the Irish economy, and our strategy sets out our ambition to have more productive and profitable Irish-owned enterprises, founded on sustainability, innovation, digitalisation, operational efficiency, and strong leadership and capabilities.
Supporting companies to navigate challenges like global uncertainty, the cost of doing business and competitiveness remains. But their curiosity and appetite for growth is steadfast, and we see many of our companies delivering solutions for much of these challenges, and these are reflective of broader industry trends, such as harnessing AI to develop smarter tools and create efficiencies, and the importance of accelerating renewable energy infrastructure.
Who’s impressing you most in the industry at present?
The agility, tenacity and relentless pursuit of success from our innovative Irish entrepreneurs never fails to impress me. Our client base now employs 232,425 in Ireland, and in 2024 they spent €42.6bn in the local economy, which is money which trickles right down through the supply chain in towns and villages across the country.
I am part of Enterprise Ireland for almost 30 years and have witnessed how our companies and clients respond to seismic global economic shocks. In the last decade alone we’ve supported the Irish enterprise base as they worked to navigate Brexit, the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and changing global tariffs. In spite of these changes in the global trading environment, I am always in awe of how Irish companies continue to be resilient and innovative in their approach, and optimistic for new growth and the future.
What did you learn from your biggest mistake?
I was lucky enough to get a job in Enterprise Ireland when I graduated from UCD, and I’ve enjoyed an extraordinary career here across a number of business divisions, including food, industrial and technology, as well as our High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) division, and the research and innovation team. My favourite thing to do, and still is to this day, is to talk to people – clients and colleagues. It’s these conversations where you learn lessons.
There are some things I’ve tried over the years that maybe didn’t always go as I had planned, but I learned plenty of lessons along the way that have stood to me and every day continues to teach me something new. If you are not failing, you are not trying.
Who’s your role model within the industry or wider business community?
Throughout my career, I’ve been lucky and fortunate enough to meet and work with some of the most impressive individuals, who have been so incredibly focused on supporting Irish entrepreneurs. And one of those wonderful people was the late John Purdy, the co-founder of Ergo, who recently passed away. John was a legend. A true grafter, an inspirational leader and so much fun. He asked great questions, and was so very generous with his time.
The lights in the Irish business community are that bit dimmer after his untimely loss, and he will be truly missed by so many – may he rest in peace.
Best book or podcast you’ve read or listened to recently?
I love reading and consuming current affairs – radio, newspapers, online, books and podcasts. I read Supremacy: AI, ChatGPT and the Race That Will Change the World last year, gripping from start to finish.
What’s your passion when you’re not at work?
Kildare is home, so when I get the opportunity I love getting out for a run in the fresh air or enjoying a Pilates class. It’s important to find that bit of space to think, to clear the mind. It’s not a luxury, it’s ultimately an investment in yourself and your team.
