Allan Mulrooney
Interim Chief Executive – Western Development Commission
Company profile
The Western Development Commission [WDC] is a state agency that supports communities to grow, businesses to scale and is planning for the future of Ireland’s Atlantic coastal region. The WDC promotes the Western Region, provides policy analysis, is leading the development and rollout of the National Hubs Network, ConnectedHubs.ie and manages the €75m Western Investment Fund. The WDC also manages the Atlantic Economic Corridor [AEC] initiative under Ireland 2040.
The WDC policy position is to support the development of the creative economy in the Western Region/AEC. It does this through strategic regional, national and global stakeholder engagement; capital and enterprise investment in collaboration with stakeholders and promotion. The WDC is identified by government on the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, Media (DTCAGSM) Creative Industries Framework, as the primary entity in the Western region and Atlantic Economic Coast, to drive the creative economy. The WDC has a significant track record of investment in creative economic research, policy analysis, development and activation.
Harnessing evidence based data, the WDC has invested in strategic activation of creative business development and infrastructure e.g. through the WRAP fund. Working in collaboration with key regional, national and European partners, the WDC continues to lead the agenda to maximise the creative economy in the Western Region/AEC in order to consolidate existing enterprise activity, attract investment, create jobs and sustain prosperity. The WDC Strategic aim is to position the Creative Economy as a competitive advantage for Western Region/AEC on the global stage.
Personal/Professional Profile
Creating and driving projects that instigate change and connect people. Passionate about building resilient communities across Ireland and working with partners to explore new opportunities. Prior to working with the WDC I worked with IDA Ireland. Outside of my regional roles I have founded projects relevant to this project including Shore Shots the Irish Surf Film festival and the Strandhill People’s Market which currently hosts over 100 creative entrepreneurs every week.
Other board Positions
Relevant to this role: The Hawk’s Well Theatre Sligo