Guaranteed Irish brand goes financial

FLY THE FLAG: The GI logo

Gavin McLoughlin

Guaranteed Irish is pushing financial services companies to use its logo.

Dublin accountants Noone Casey have become the first financial sector firm to get the right to use the logo.

"The service industry is the fastest-growing sector in Ireland and we want to be able to encourage both business and consumers to recognise excellence and to seek out businesses that carry our brand," Guaranteed Irish executive director Tom Rea said.

"The key criteria for a business looking at applying to use the Guaranteed Irish logo is that they are domiciled in Ireland, their employees are predominantly located here and the value-added component of the service is also performed in Ireland," he added.

The move comes in the week that the Government launched a new strategy for the IFSC, hoping to create 1,000 new jobs by 2020.

"Guaranteed Irish has always taken a contemporary positioning that is relevant to the economy and welcomes Irish service providers," Mr Rea said.

Noone Casey provides services to Irish SMEs in the technology, entertainment and leisure sectors operating both in Ireland and internationally.

Anthony Casey, a partner, at the firm, said it was proud to display what he called "Ireland's most trusted and recognised symbol for Irish goods."

Guaranteed Irish dates back to 1975 and is designed to support Irish jobs.

Ardagh brass take a pay cut

Dublin financier Paul Coulson's Ardagh Group cut the amount of compensation paid to key management by nearly 40pc in 2014, despite revenue jumping 24pc, according to the company's annual report.

The amount paid dropped to €13m last year from €21m in 2013. Key board members include Mr Coulson, chief executive Niall Wall and corporate development director Brendan Dowling.

The figures were released as the packaging giant announced plans to float its metal containers business, which could be valued at up to €2bn, in the US in the fourth quarter of the year.

Mr Coulson told market analysts that the company would aim to hold on to a majority stake in the unit.

The proceeds of the float would be used for acquisitions or to cut the company's €4.7bn debt.

Ardagh has been linked with the European operations of glass maker Verallia, which is owned by French building materials giant Saint-Gobain.

Verallia makes containers for Nutella and Dom Perignon Champagne.

Gavin McLoughlin