The Ireland Portugal Business Network (IPBN) is very pleased to unveil its three new Executive Partners for 2023, Ardanis Technologies, Skanstec Engineering Limited, and PwC Portugal. Each Partner, exclusive in its own sector, will help through their support fulfil and sustain the IPBN mission, together with growing and developing its network. They have been loyal members of the network, showing their unique value and expertise.

We have recognised that we have aligned objectives which can be promoted together and with this partnership and all its benefits, we will help our new Partners enhance their profile and facilitate their own objectives. They have each seen first-hand the value of the IPBN in developing their own businesses and visibility, resulting in their additional investment into the network, which in turn will be fundamental in fulfilling our mission.

The Executive Partners will be able to take advantage of a series of exclusive benefits including participation in a Roundtable lunch or dinner discussion with key political, diplomatic and business leaders at a selective venue, guest speaker invitations at one of our regional conferences and a tailored Member Meet Member event.

We are excited about working with our new Partners in achieving our key objective of developing business and business opportunities between Ireland and Portugal. We are confident that together, we will increase the opportunities for the government agencies to enhance trade links between the two countries and throughout the diasporas, continuing to highlight our collective dedication to sustainability, entrepreneurship, innovation and digital transformation.

Geoffrey Graham, Chair of the IPBN said about the new partnerships: “We at the IPBN enthusiastically welcome the further involvement of Ardanis Technologies, Skanstec Engineering Limited, and PwC Portugal as Executive Partners. We wish to thank them and Stefan Goor (Ardanis), Declan Wynne (Skanstec) and Leendert Verschoor and Luís Filipe Sousa (both PwC) for their enhanced commitment and are really looking forward to working together effectively, innovatively, and sustainably in 2023. It is extremely positive to be starting 2023 with three new sector specific Executive Partners, facilitated by the support of the Embassy, particularly H.E. Ambassador Ralph Victory, Enterprise Ireland and the Board.”

Irish software and digital consulting company Ardanis Technologies has recently moved to Portugal and has thus far been very supportive of the network. It is clear that for the company, the IPBN has already been of major assistance to them as they, too, seek to expand. Ardanis COO Johann Cardiff told the IPBN that the company selected Portugal as the location for their expansion "because of its reputation as Europe’s fastest-growing tech ecosystem, offering a desirable lifestyle that developers are seeking."

Further explaining their reasoning, Ardanis’ Stefan Goor, Group CIO said, "The expansion will support the company’s strategy to drive international growth and develop software products and services that will deliver next-generation digital solutions. We were attracted by Portugal’s superb tech talent and its ideal location to support our global business. Portugal is a wonderful, outward-looking country that aligns perfectly with our values and international culture."

By the end of 2023, Ardanis aims to create 14 jobs consisting of software developers, QA engineers, DevOps engineers, Scrum masters and Product owners. With a focus on sustainability in software and in software development, the company will also be exploring the possibility of new partnerships with other companies and universities to explore and investigate this emerging topic, eventually organizing or co-organizing events to bring the discussion and awareness to a broader audience.

IPBN Executive Partner Skanstec Engineering is a specialist engineering company. It delivers key infrastructural projects in the Energy & Telecommunication Sectors and has operations in various locations across Europe along with a strong reputation for successfully delivering fast-track, mission-critical projects to exceptionally high standards.

Skanstec's Managing Director Declan Wynne told the IPBN, "The company is delighted to become an Executive Partner of the IPBN, the work of this business network community is unique and very effective. Portugal and Ireland share a long trading history in many industries and have substantial potential for further collaboration which will ultimately create opportunity and increase common trade. Skanstec acknowledges the economic development work of the government agencies both in Portugal and Ireland and we look forward to playing an active role with the IPBN and other state agencies in enhancing the synergies between the business communities in both nations."

Lastly, PwC Portugal collaborates with organizations and individuals to create the value they seek. PwC, a network of independent firms, is present in 158 countries and has more than 236,000 employees who share the objective of providing quality audit, consulting, and fiscal services. Most notably, PwC in Portugal, Angola, and Cape Verde has 37 partners, of which 23 are in Lisbon, 11 in Porto, and 3 in Luanda, with 1,327 employees and offices in Lisbon, Porto, Luanda, and Praia.

Luis Filipe Sousa, Tax Director at PwC Portugal says the firm is very pleased to become an Executive Partner of the IPBN. "We regard this as an opportunity to give our contribution to the network in a more intense and systematic way, while at the same time having the amplified benefits that may arise from increased visibility and the support of the large number of members that compose the network. We are looking forward to the continuation of a fruitful relationship."

The IPBN is truly blessed to have the support of such prestigious partners and will do our utmost to raise the bar in their honor.

If you also want to become an Executive Partner and want to know more about its benefits, please contact IPBN General Manager arnold.delville@ireland-portugal.com