The Renatus Podcast

In this insightful discussion, Julie Sinnamon, the former CEO of Enterprise Ireland, shares her extensive experience supporting Irish entrepreneurs. She talks about the evolution of female entrepreneurship, revealing a rise in female leadership in startups to 25–30%. Julie emphasizes the importance of exports and outlines how Enterprise Ireland balances support for both small startups and scalable companies. She also explores unique traits of entrepreneurs, the shift toward inclusive leadership, and the untapped potential of retired founders mentoring the next generation.

In the latest episode of the Renatus Podcast, host Greg Dilger speaks with Aidan Corbett, co-founder and CEO of Wayflyer — the Dublin-based fintech helping global e-commerce businesses access fast, data-driven funding. Launched in 2019 by Aidan Corbett and Jack Pierse, Wayflyer has grown from a lean startup to a global player with offices in Dublin, London, New York, and Sydney, and a $1.6 billion valuation (2022) backed by top-tier international VCs. It’s an extraordinary story of Irish entrepreneurship and global ambition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Renatus Podcast, our host, Greg Dilger, talks to Michael Stanley, the Co-founder and CEO of Ireland's biggest house builder - Cairn Homes plc. Founded in 2014 by himself and Alan McIntosh, the company went public the following year and has thrived ever since. In 2024, it achieved nearly €1 billion in revenue, delivering 2,241 completed units. There is much to admire about Cairn Homes - not least its CEO’s entrepreneurial instincts but also its unwavering commitment to quality - with modern design, sustainability and energy efficiency right at the heart of everything they do.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Renatus podcast, host Greg Dilger talks to Bill Emmott - a highly respected writer and consultant best known for his 13 years as Editor in Chief of 'The Economist’ - serving in Brussels, Tokyo and London. Under his leadership, The Economist’s circulation more than doubled, from 500,000 weekly copies to 1.1 million. Bill is known for his expertise in international affairs, economics and geopolitics, and he shares his thoughts on some of the big global issues we currently face. In 2016, he and his wife decided to become “Brexiles” after the fateful referendum by moving to Ireland. In June 2024, they became naturalised Irish citizens. This episode was recorded on 21st February 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2013, when Rory McIlroy, one of the best golfers of all time, parted company with his agent Horizon Sports, there would have been no shortage of high-calibre candidates for the CEO role in his new Dublin-based management company - Rory McIlroy Inc. The fact that Rory turned to a low-profile but well-respected Athy-born actuary called Donal Casey says it all. Donal, who was a decent amateur golfer and a self-confessed golf nerd, was an inspired choice, and he thrived in the role. He always believed that longer-term thinking, which was a fundamental pillar of his actuarial background, was a big advantage in the world of corporate sponsorship, image rights, and endorsements. Donal (now 56) stepped down from RMI last year after 11 enjoyable years in the role. In this podcast, Donal talks about his early life in Co. Kildare, his career as an actuary in Irish Life, and his time working with Rory McIlroy. He talks about his interest in and passion for women’s sports - particularly golf and athletics. Hosted by Greg Dilger of Renatus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In October 2024, John Saunders became Chairman of St. Louis-based public relations firm FleishmanHillard, having served as CEO for the previous nine years. Not many Irish people get to head global businesses based out of the U.S., but John Saunders did just that. From humble beginnings as a sports presenter with RTE, he has carved out a stellar career in the public relations industry. In this latest episode of The Renatus Podcast, John talks to host Greg Dilger about the PR business generally, as well as his own firm, FleishmanHillard, and its multibillion-dollar parent company, Omnicom. He offers fascinating insights into the evolving role of PR in a digital world, including the phenomenal growth of the influencer space, the use of AI, and the future of work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Jackson, CEO of Flutter Entertainment In this episode of the Renatus podcast, host Greg Dilger speaks to Peter Jackson, the CEO of Flutter Entertainment, the world’s largest sports betting and iGaming operator. Peter has been CEO since 2018, having originally joined as a Non-Exec Director of what was then called Paddy Power Betfair in 2013. The acquisition of FanDuel has opened up huge opportunities for Flutter in the US and the recent decision to move their primary listing to New York makes total sense in light of this. Peter talks about the strategic logic of the FanDuel deal and how its culture fits so well with Flutter’s ‘challenger mindset’. He also talks about what they call the 'Flutter Edge' which is leveraging their collective strengths - i.e., people, technology and capital - to compete better across their portfolio of businesses. At the end of the conversation, Mark Flood the co-founder of Renatus gives his key takeaways from the podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richie Boucher, Chairman of CRH plc In this episode of the Renatus Podcast, Greg Dilger talks to Richie Boucher, Chairman of CRH, a global leader in the provision of building materials solutions that build, connect and improve our world. Employing nearly 80,000 people at over 3000 locations in 29 countries, CRH’s scale is nothing less than staggering.  Richie shares his insights into why CRH continues to thrive on a global stage while also revealing what makes him tick personally.  He talks frankly and passionately about culture, people, strategy and more. Richie also tells us about his other very complementary board roles with renewable energy firm ClonBio Group and global real estate investor Kennedy Wilson, as well as reflecting on his career in banking and in particular his time as CEO of Bank of Ireland.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stan McCarthy, CEO of Kerry Group  In this latest Renatus podcast, host Greg Dilger talks to former Kerry Group CEO Stan McCarthy about the rise and globalisation of the Kerry Group. Underneath the calm and modest demeanour is a very accomplished operator with a great temperament for business. It is not at all difficult to see why the Kerry Group thrived under his leadership. Nowadays, following his retirement from Kerry, Stan uses all of those attributes on a completely different stage as Non-Exec Chairman of Ryanair - Europe’s largest airline (by passenger numbers). His smooth transition from food to aviation is no surprise to those who know him well. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paddy Blaney, former CEO of GPA (Guinness Peat Aviation) In this latest Renatus podcast host, Greg Dilger talks to former GPA (Guinness Peat Aviation) Chief Executive, Paddy Blaney about all things GPA  - the ambition, the rise, the fall, the restructuring and of course, its legendary founder the late Tony Ryan. Several former GPA staff subsequently founded and worked for other Irish-based aircraft lessors, such as Avolon, Pembroke, SMBC and Aergo. Indeed the world’s largest aircraft leasing company Aercap is currently led by another GPA alumnus - Aengus Kelly. The availability of this calibre of highly trained executives is one of the core reasons, along with a favourable corporate tax environment, Ireland has become the global hub of the commercial aircraft financing and leasing industry as we know it today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.