Conor Battigan, CEO of Sandyford Business District
Conor Battigan is Chief Executive Officer of Sandyford Business District, the largest business improvement district on the island of Ireland and home to 1,000 companies employing over 26,000 people.
He is responsible for developing the District into a world-class destination in which to work and live, and he has driven a number of initiatives to deliver on that ambition.
Starting his career overseas managing luxury yachts, he has been based in the greater Sandyford area for much of his working life.
He has qualifications in project management and property and founded successful property-related businesses. An avid sea-farer, in his spare time he can be found swimming or stand-up paddleboarding on Dublin Bay.
“Success can be measured on a number of levels. If the balance sheet is healthy or stakeholders and customers hold you in high regard, and you have struck a good work-life balance, then you have it nailed. The key learning in life for me is that you shouldn’t be afraid to say no.”
Conor Battigan
Tell us about your current role and what you like about your career or areas of focus.
I am currently the CEO of Sandyford Business District, which is the largest business improvement district in Ireland. The area is populated by 1,000 companies ranging from micro and small enterprises to multi-national companies.
Combined, they employ 26,000 people across a multitude of sectors. It is that diversity in business that makes Sandyford what it is; a smart place to work, live and invest in.
What inspires you, motivates you, helps you to make each day count?
I enjoy my work and like to come up with creative ideas to help improve the District and resolve the challenges that businesses face.
Outside of your professional work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
The sea is a great passion of mine. Due to family commitments, I had to part company with a beautiful old wooden sailing boat built in 1896 – reluctantly! I now spend my spare time swimming in the sea and stand up paddleboarding. It’s a great way to relax and unwind after a busy day.
When it comes to your life or chosen career is there a phrase, quote or saying that you really like?
Turn obstacles into opportunities and problems into possibilities.
What are you most proud of in your life?
I am proud to get the opportunity to work with senior business leaders and family-run businesses through my position at Sandyford Business District. The role of Sandyford Business District CEO comes with a lot of responsibility, but it provides an opportunity to make a real difference.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
Life has many twists and turns but keep navigating them as everything always turns out fine.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles?
There are many great business leaders in the Sandyford Business District to include people like Anne O’Leary of Vodafone, David Dempsey of Salesforce and the late Jennifer Taaffe, founder of izest marketing.
What companies, brands or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
Right now, many brands have either popped up or pivoted their business operations to be relevant in the face of Covid-19.
It’s that resilience, innovation and creativity in the face of a storm that is truly admirable and impresses me greatly.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Listen to others and do not make their mistakes.
What drives or motivates you each day in a work environment?
My ambition is to enhance the value of the District from the businesses, employees and residents perspective so it is the best place to do business in, work, live, and raise a family in.
What are your thoughts on the future of social media?
Social media is a necessary tool for us to convey the work we are doing in the District, and it provides another useful communications tool for us to connect with our members. While I accept there are risks, once it is used in a controlled manner, it is a positive invention.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
LinkedIn because it is generally just used for business purposes which means the content is relevant to me and helps me access the latest on what is happening in the commercial world.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever been a mentor to anyone?
My experience of mentoring means that I don’t have a formal structure in place, but I recognise the input and advice from many people I respect. This includes colleagues at Sandyford Business District, family and friends who are always on hand to offer guidance and advice.
How do you network? What is your preferred way to network?
It is part of my work that we host many events for businesses in our District, so through that, I get to meet a lot of people.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work?
It is crucial that you listen to your stakeholders as I do with businesses operating in the District. If a business has a problem, I endeavour to try to fix it because providing solutions is key to adding value.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience?
Success can be measured on a number of levels. If the balance sheet is healthy or stakeholders and customers hold you in high regard, and you have struck a good work-life balance, then you have it nailed. The key learning in life for me is that you shouldn’t be afraid to say no.
What skills do you feel have helped you to become successful?
Problem-solving. I firmly believe there is always a solution to every problem, and that has been my core mantra since I started in the business. That has led my friends to call me “The Fixer”.