Event Details



Access to Finance March 2026

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Event Details

In the EU, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the economy. They make up over 99% of businesses and are crucial for employment, innovation and economic growth. SMEs, including both startups and growing companies, often face challenges in accessing finance for essential activities like innovation, digitalisation and expansion.  

At this "Access to finance" event you'll have the opportunity to hear from our expert panel on the best options for SMEs to access finance. Hearing options from traditional and non-traditional financing options. 

Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions during the event Q&A session. 

Colin Moran, CEO Delegate, Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI)
Moderator: Mary Rose Burke, CEO, Dublin Chamber


Date: 
Thu 19 Mar 2026
Time: 
08:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Venue: 
Dublin Royal Convention Centre , Le Pole Square, Dublin 8 D08 VRR7

Speaker

Colin Moran:
Colin Moran is the CEO Delegate at the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), the state-owned development bank that supports the provision of lower cost and more flexible debt funding to Irish SMEs.

Since its foundation in 2014, the SBCI has supported lending of over €4.2bn to over 68,000 Irish SMEs through its on-lending partners which include a wide range both bank and alternative on-lenders.  

Prior to joining the SBCI in 2022, Colin spent over 20 years working for Bank of Ireland in a range of senior positions across its Corporate Banking, Business Banking and Asset Finance divisions.  

Katherine Byrne:
Katherine is Head of Deal Advisory in BDO Ireland and member of BDO International M&A Group. She has specialised in this area for over 20 years, having previously qualified as a Chartered Accountant in our Business Assurance & Advisory department. Katherine is also a member of BDO Global Private Equity Group and the Financial Services Steering Group . 

Katherine has built up considerable experience advising public and private companies on mergers, acquisitions, disposals equity capital raising, finance options as well as advising management teams on management buy-outs (MBO). 

Katherine has considerable experience as a strategic advisor to companies on business planning and diversification strategies. She has supported entrepreneurs and ambitious companies across a broad range of sectors, advising key stakeholders on their growth plans and assisting in raising funding for the development of their business internationally. She has also been very active in sales of Irish mid-market companies to international trade and private equity buyers and has extensive experience in preparing companies for the sales process. 

Katherine is a Law Graduate from UCD and is a Fellow Chartered Accountant. She also holds a Certificate in Sustainability Strategy Risk and Reporting from Chartered Accountants Ireland. 

Event date: 
Thu 19 Mar 2026
Event time: 
08:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Venue: 
Dublin Royal Convention Centre , Le Pole Square, Dublin 8 D08 VRR7

Terms and Conditions

For non-members who wish to attend please email: maria@dublinchamber.ie

Please login to enable booking.
If you are logged in, the event is restricted to particular Member groups. Please contact the Membership Team to upgrade your membership group.

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