We were delighted to welcome more than 200 independent business owners, managers, suppliers and sponsors to The Galmont Hotel, Galway, on Thursday 27 November for our annual United Hardware Conference.
Centred on the theme ‘Accelerating Our Advantage: Turning Change into Opportunity’, the event created a dynamic forum for our members to connect, share ideas and explore new ways to succeed in a rapidly evolving retail landscape.
Broadcaster and business leader Ivan Yates hosted the day, setting an engaging tone from the outset. Attendees heard from an exceptional line-up of speakers, including performance psychologist Gerry Hussey, leadership expert and former Naval Officer Marie Gleeson, retail strategist Steve Collinge, retail design specialist Peter Rigney and AI consultant Denis Jastrzebski. A fireside conversation with former Leinster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions captain Brian O’Driscoll delivered one of the day’s standout moments, as he shared valuable insights on leadership, resilience and embracing change.
Our programme also included interactive sessions, dedicated networking time and a comprehensive update on the Homevalue brand transformation, delivered by our CEO, Paul Candon. We were proud to acknowledge the support of our headline and event sponsors, including Siniat, Dulux and Calor, whose partnership continues to strengthen the independent retail sector.
The 2025 conference capped a year of significant progress for our organisation and our flagship Homevalue brand. We were honoured to be recognised as a Deloitte Best Managed Company for the second consecutive year, reflecting our ongoing commitment to operational excellence, innovation and community impact. Our national charity partnership with Barretstown also continued to grow, raising more than €60,000 this year to support children and families affected by serious illness.
Speaking at the conference, our CEO Paul Candon said:
‘This year’s conference celebrated unity, adaptability and the entrepreneurial drive that defines our network. Our members continue to show how independent Irish businesses can turn change into opportunity, delivering growth and innovation in communities right across the country. We are grateful to our speakers, sponsors and every attendee for their contribution to a successful event and for their commitment to building a strong future for Irish retail.’
With a network of more than 200 stores and approximately 2,000 jobs supported nationwide, we remain dedicated to empowering local retailers, investing in innovation and championing Irish business. We look forward to building on the momentum of 2025 and delivering even greater value to our members and communities in the year ahead.
