Latest news with #Gorm
Irish Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish social enterprise Gorm launches Unified Business Programme
Irish social enterprise Gorm has launched its Unified Business Programme, with EY and PTSB signed up to pilot the scheme. The programme aims to support organisations to build inclusive, high-performing teams by equipping people with the skills to work effectively across cultures. Designed by social and cultural psychologists, the programme meets companies at every stage of their intercultural journey and offers tiered membership options from foundational awareness training to strategic transformation. EY and PTSB are early champions of the programme, demonstrating a commitment to inclusion as a strategic business priority. Their leadership offers a model for companies seeking to make a sustainable impact on workplace culture and community integration. 'At Gorm, our mission is to unify across cultural and social differences,' said Dr. Mamobo Ogoro, CEO and founder of Gorm. 'Businesses are not only economic engines; they are key pillars in building stronger, more inclusive communities. 'By embedding intercultural competence into their everyday practices, this programme equips organisations with the tools to recognise, value, and actively include the wide range of cultural perspectives within their teams. 'In doing so, we move from simply being diverse to truly harnessing the power of that diversity, to drive innovation, foster trust, and create cultures where everyone can belong.' The initiative marks a major step in advancing cultural diversity and intercultural competence in Irish organisations, not only aligning with national strategic efforts for migrant inclusion such as the National Action Plan Against Racism, but also positioning cultural diversity as a driver of innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable growth. Melissa Bosch, DEI lead in EY said: "As Ireland evolves into a more culturally diverse society and navigates a full employment market, the need for awareness, sensitivity, and intercultural competence has never been more critical. 'At EY Ireland, we are really proud to have over 100 different nationalities represented amongst our 5,200+ people on the island of Ireland. We know that diverse teams and an inclusive culture can lead to more innovation, better decision making and ultimately drive enhanced business outcomes for our clients and for society.'
Irish Examiner
16-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Ireland can be a global leader in cultural intelligence, says expert
Diverse, inclusive and culturally intelligent employers broaden their potential markets and their ability to recruit and retain top talent, says a respected industry thought leader. Mamobo Ogoro is a social psychologist and multi-award-winning social entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of Gorm, an award-winning social enterprise bringing about belonging through Intercultural media and education. Based in Ireland, Mamobo hosts 'Younified' on Newstalk and was chosen as the first Irish person to win the Echoing Green Fellowship for her impactful work. 'People are familiar with the term emotional intelligence, or emotional quotient (EQ), the ability to empathise with people. Similarly, with cultural intelligence, it's about being able to empathise and engage with people who are from different cultural backgrounds,' said Mamobo. 'Every organisation needs a leader who can create a more inclusive work environment. When you want your company to appeal to diverse audiences, you need to put people in forward roles who can support and understand people's need for psychological safety. That need has a cultural component, a cultural quotient, or CQ.' Mamobo gained a PhD in Social and Cultural Psychology for her research work on systems of inclusion and exclusion within second-generation immigrant communities living in Ireland. The study looked at the intersection of EQ and CQ, notably areas where these are lacking in Ireland. This is one of the areas where Mamobo and her colleagues at Gorm help companies to integrate intercultural competence into their DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) strategies. 'DEI equips organisations with the ability to effectively navigate and embrace differences across cultures, backgrounds, beliefs, and behaviours,' she said. 'When I talk with companies, of course, I don't use so much academic language.' Indeed, while backed by a wealth of research, the tiered approach to Gorm's new Unified Business Programme is very practical in the way it helps to support businesses at all stages of their DEI journey. PTSB and EY are among those currently using the programme. The programme is structured around a three-tier membership system (Awareness, Sensitivity, and Competence Streams), each designed to support organisations regardless of where they stand on their DEI journey. The Awareness Stream offers foundational online tools and intercultural training to kickstart inclusive practices. The Sensitivity Stream provides in-depth, tailored support from a dedicated cultural psychologist to embed learning and development programmes. And the Competence Stream targets senior leadership and system-wide transformation through immersive experiences, cultural assessment, and strategic implementation. 'Managers are the unifiers in any organisation, and they need cultural competency. The programme enhances participants' cultural competency, and helps them in the way they communicate across the organisation. 'We are currently working with PTSB, who are creating a bespoke programme for managers to engage across cultural difference. Their managers are looking at a range of questions around culture in the workplace. 'We are also working with EY, who are looking at ways that their managers can impact the way their staff engage with cultural intelligence. They're building a team that will deliver cultural competency across their organisation.' Mamobo says that effective progress involves changing systems and bringing people forward. For this aspect of her philosophy, Mamobo credits Prof John A Powell, director of Otherness and Belonging, UC Berkeley, California. 'Professor Powell says we need to be hard on systems and soft on people,' she said. 'We need to treat everybody with empathy and understanding. With our cultural competency work, we go deep with ethnicity. 'For instance, we might be working with a manager who is 50 or 60 years of age. They have experienced a very different kind of Ireland. You could say that the programme 'holds their hand' and helps them to deliver the programme to their teams. 'The Gen Zs tend to have heightened awareness around wellbeing. They're normally more alert to questions around gender and ethnicity. The younger generations are very open to these conversations, which gives me a lot of hope in terms of the future for the communities that we are working with.' Key features of Gorm's Unified Business Programme include: Access to research-based frameworks and best practices; Peer-to-peer and expert-led training; Custom reviews and assessments; Community and networking opportunities. This staged model means businesses can scale their commitment as capacity and internal readiness evolve, making cultural transformation manageable and impactful. 'Integrating intercultural competence into DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) strategies equips organisations with the ability to effectively navigate and embrace differences across cultures, backgrounds, beliefs and behaviours. 'The benefits are substantial. Culturally competent teams are better at resolving misunderstandings and collaborating across diverse viewpoints. Culturally inclusive businesses are more attractive to top talent from diverse backgrounds. They foster higher employee satisfaction and retention rates. They also enjoy improved customer relations.' Mamobo also welcomes initiatives like the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, led by UNESCO, taking place on Wednesday, May 21. 'These are moments when we can put a spotlight on issues around cultural diversity,' she said. 'Let's face it, social justice is not sexy. That's why there is a great benefit in creating a space like this where people can stop and take time to see the value and the beauty and the humour in it. 'These days bring laughter and a lot of good humour. For instance, Irish culture can sometimes use a lot of phrases and idioms and still leaves a lot of things unsaid. I know one manager who was appraising a member of staff. 'He used the phrase 'If I put a gun to your head' when asking for a definitive answer to a question. She reported him to HR, who then had to talk with him about cultural competency.' Read More Business movers: People starting new jobs in Ireland Mamobo believes that Ireland is already taking steps towards improving its DEI commitments and can in time be a leader when it comes to cultural competency. 'I absolutely believe that Ireland is uniquely positioned to be a global beacon for diversity and inclusion,' she said. 'One in eight people in Ireland are now of ethnically diverse backgrounds, and Gen Z is even more diverse. This demographic evolution offers a vibrant talent pool and new cultural perspectives. 'Global markets, investors and talent are increasingly valuing inclusion. Irish businesses that lead on D&I can significantly strengthen Ireland's reputation on the world stage. As the EU and global institutions emphasise social responsibility and inclusion, Irish firms aligned with these values will enjoy regulatory favour and international support.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BlueNord Announces First Quarter 2025 Results: Tyra Production Ramp-Up Continues and Second Distribution to Shareholders Proposed
OSLO, Norway, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BlueNord ASA ("BlueNord" or the "Company") today published its first quarter 2025 results, highlighting robust base production, continued progress at the Tyra hub and a strong liquidity position of USD 684 million. In addition, BlueNord is proposing its second shareholder distribution of USD 38 million for Q1 2025. This is expected to be declared and paid alongside the USD 215 million proposed distribution for 2024 once the RBL Completion Test for Tyra is met. Highlights: Net hydrocarbon production of 29.8 mboe/d in Q1 Revenues of USD 171 million for the quarter and EBITDA of USD 80 million Pre-Tax Operating Cash Flow of USD 70 million for the quarter Post-Tax Operating Cash Flow of USD 55 million for the quarter Strong liquidity position at quarter end of USD 684 million and cash on balance sheet of USD 414 million following release of cash in escrow Attractive hedges added during the quarter at favourable prices for 2025 and 2026, further securing future cashflow from the Company's operational portfolio Proposed shareholder distribution of USD 38 million for Q1 2025 Full technical capacity on Tyra during Q1 with final phase of ramp-up progressing Net 2P Reserves at 194 mmboe and a Reserves Replacement Ratio of 189% Operational The base assets, Dan, Gorm and Halfdan continued their stable and reliable production and delivered within guidance. Following the success of the HEMJ well which will extend plateau from Tyra significantly, the need for near-term infill wells to fill production capacity is reduced, and as such, the partners in the DUC have decided to optimise the drilling schedule of infill wells. This will reduce near-term cost and defer infill activities from 2025 to 2026/2027. TyraTyra ramp-up is progressing and has to date achieved a peak production of c.26 mboe/d net to BlueNord with plateau production of c.30 mboe/d expected in May 2025. Reservoir performance has been strong and, while 91% of the wells have now been commissioned, current production is being delivered by less than 50% of the total well stock. FinancialThe stable production from the base assets continued to contribute to the financial performance, while lower than expected volumes from Tyra, due to operational occurrences during the restart, resulted in penalties on gas sales. However, with Tyra in its final phase, restricted cash on escrow of USD 158 million was released during the quarter, resulting in a robust liquidity position of USD 684 million and cash on balance sheet of USD 414 million. In addition, the Company took advantage of the favourable commodity price sentiment during the quarter and added hedges on gas and oil for 2025 and 2026 at attractive prices. "BlueNord entered 2025 with strong operational momentum, having seen Tyra reach maximum technical capacity in the fourth quarter of 2024. While Dan, Halfdan, and Gorm have continued their track record of stable, predictable production in line with guidance, reaching plateau at Tyra has taken longer than expected. That said, we are now in a strong position with a positive outlook. In early May, Tyra production net to BlueNord peaked at over 26 mboe/d, with underlying reservoir performance continuing to exceed expectations. Together with the operator, our focus is on achieving stable operations and maximising operational efficiency at a hub that will support BlueNord's business through at least 2042. The transition of Tyra from development to delivery sets the stage for meaningful shareholder returns. For the first quarter of 2025, we are proposing a $38 million distribution, representing 70% of net operating cashflow. With a resilient portfolio of gas-weighted growth, low-cost structure, and strengthened liquidity, BlueNord is well positioned to deliver sustainable cashflow, even amidst commodity market volatility. Our focus remains clear: to maximise operational value, maintain capital discipline, and deliver on our core commitment to shareholder returns," said Euan Shirlaw, Chief Executive Officer of BlueNord. The report and investor presentation may be downloaded from the Company's website or The Company will host a webcast today at 10:00 CEST. To join webcast: Contact:Cathrine F. Torgersen, Chief Corporate Affairs OfficerPhone: +47 915 28 501Email: This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation, and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. The stock exchange announcement was published by Cathrine Torgersen, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, BlueNord ASA, at the date and time as set out above. This information was brought to you by Cision The following files are available for download: BlueNord Q1 2025 Report BlueNord Q1 2025 Presentation View original content: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Irish Independent
28-04-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
What to look for during your walk in Sligo as nature comes to life
As Spring extends into Summer, and with Biodiversity Week just around the corner, there is so much to look at as we walk on trails and country paths the length and breadth of the county. Spotting bursts of colour appearing in hedgerows is one thing, recognising and naming them is another and a further step is to see what uses these plants have traditionally been put to over the years. We've named eight plant species that are commonly seen on most walks for you to keep an eye out for over the coming weeks. We would remind you that where we mention that certain plants may be eaten or used in drinks like tea and for other purposes, we advise you to thoroughly research the safety of ingesting any of the plants listed below. Bluebell (Cloigín Gorm in Irish) Commonly seen around this time in hedgerows and near woodland trails, this deep blue flower gives a pop of colour to the green and brown undergrowth at this time of year. A beautifully intricate flower it grows in abundance especially in the woods. However, please ensure you don't trample on them as it can take years for the plant to fully recover. Hazelwood is a great spot for bluebells although the loss of trees after the storms seems to have lessened its numbers this year. The native common bluebell has distinctly drooping stems and a sweet smell, both features that distinguish it from the introduced Spanish bluebell. Did You Know: In the language of flowers, the bluebell is a symbol of humility, constancy, gratitude and everlasting love. It is said that if you turn a bluebell flower inside-out without tearing it, you will win the one you love, and if you wear a wreath of bluebells you will only be able to speak the truth. - (Woodland Trust UK) ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Dandelion (Caisearbhán) Sprouting up just about everywhere from roadside paths to fields and gardens, the dandelion will grow throughout the Summer, its long stem and circular yellow head among the most recognisable of our common plants. A good pollinator, hence its profusion, it is great to increase biodiversity in the garden as it's loved by bees and butterflies, its seeds are also eaten by small birds. Did You Know: The dandelion has been used to make tea and was thought to be a cure for consumption. Dandelion was also known as a cure for warts. 'The juiced of dandelion if rubbed to warts for nine days will destroy them'. (National Folklore Collection). Primrose (Sabhaircín) Beautiful flowers that you'll find embedded in many a stone wall or hedgerow, clusters of these grow in several colours from white to pink to yellow and are a common sight especially on roadsides and woodlands. They can flower very early in the year - the Latin name translates as 'first flower' so you should have a good chance to spot these in the coming weeks. Popular with gardeners and its leaves are also used in tea and salads. Did You Know: 'Guard the house with a string of primroses on the first three days of May. The fairies are said not to be able to pass over or under this string.' (National Folklore Collection). Hawthorn (Sceach Gheal) A small tree or bush that grows almost in any location including exposed upland areas, this native Irish tree produces large clusters of small white flowers typically at the start of May, great pollinators that are loved by bees. Note that hawthorn comes from the Irish Sceach Gheal - or Bright Bush. Towards Autumn, red berries (known as haws) will start to appear, providing sustenance for birds and other creatures. Did You Know: You'll find the hawthorn growing in profusion on the roadside, farmers being superstitious of cutting down or removing old trees, hence it's nickname 'the fairy tree.' (Wild Flowers of Ireland). Gorse (Aiteann) Grows profusely and instantly recognisable for its yellow flower, thorny leaves and pungent coconut-like smell, it's flowering season extends from Spring throughout the Summer and right up to Winter, providing a rare splash of colour at that time of year. It also provides both nutrition and shelter for wildlife and apparently burned gorse ashes form a very good fertiliser. Did You Know: Traditionally, common gorse was foraged for a multitude of reasons including fodder for livestock, as a traditional dye for clothing, and bound together to make floor and chimney sweeping brushes. (Wildflowers of Ireland). Cow Parsley (Peirsil Bhó) A tall plant that grows up to a metre in height on the roadside as well as in woods and hedgerows. It doesn't flower for very long but has a tendency to self-seed so can grow profusely. A biennial plant, which means it takes two years for it to complete its life cycle. Also known as Queen Anne's Lace. Did You Know: Another alternative name is Devil's Parsley, possibly because of its resemblance to the highly poisonous Hemlock, this plant occurs in accounts of witchcraft practices (Wildflowers of Ireland). Wild Garlic (Creamh) Wild garlic, sometimes called ramsons, bear's garlic, or wood garlic, is a wild plant belonging to the Allium genus, along with onions, regular garlic and leeks. A bulbous perennial, it grows naturally in woodlands, where it carpets the ground in spring with broad, fresh green leaves and white, pompom-like flowers. Did You Know: All parts of wild garlic are edible, and prized by foraging chefs. Unlike regular garlic, it's mainly the leaves of wild garlic that are used, which lend a garlicky flavour to soups and stews (Gardener's World). Cuckooflower (Léine Mhuire) Flowers from now until June and grows in damp meadows and riverbanks. It has a rosette of leaves at its base and an upright stem that bears the delicate, small, pale pink or mauve flowers. Each flower has four petals, although double-flowered varieties do appear. Did You Know: The name 'Cuckooflower' was explained by 16thc. herbalist, John Gerard as 'These flower for the most part in April and May when the Cuckoo begins to sing her pleasant notes without stammering' (Wildflowers of Ireland).
The Guardian
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Antony Gormley review – here come the Gorminators, those welded warriors for humanity
If you think nostrils are just holes to breathe through, you've not spent enough time with Antony Gormley. A figure lying on its back, in this show of his early works, is made of solid sheets of lead, welded neatly into the form of a man, based like so much of his work on the dimensions of Gormley's own body. Two small holes at the nose are the only perforations in an otherwise uniform metal structure. They're not nostrils though, oh no: 'Two holes at the nose reinforce the notion of the body as a conduit between physical and transcendent realms.' Gesundheit! It's the kind of overblown over-justification that has always blighted the work of Gormley. His body forms dot the country, peering out to sea along Crosby Beach, standing with wings spread at Gateshead, looming out at you from the lobbies of countless bank HQs. For the past 30-odd years, Gormley has been everywhere, his simple, stark figures acting as cyphers for the very act of existence in the modern world. Where you see a Gorm, you see yourself, you see humankind, persevering, surviving in nature, in the sea, in banks. White Cube is focusing on his first steps towards becoming a household name, with early experiments in lead. These are the first footprints left by a giant of contemporary British art. The earliest, Land Sea and Air from 1977-79, is three boulder forms plopped on the ground, all grey and weathered and wrapped in lead. One is a granite rock from a beach in Ireland, the other two are water and air from the same place, though you'll never know which is which unless you pick them up or give them a quick toe punt (don't try it – the security guards are extremely vigilant at White Cube). Despite its obvious poisonous qualities, the lead wrapping acts as a form of preservation, saving these elemental materials from destruction. And destruction at the time the work was made must have felt imminent, with Europe haunted by the cold war, nuclear annihilation a constant threat. So Gormley turned to lead, the material of bullets, to save, record and preserve what we are. The middle of the gallery is filled with objects arranged in size, starting at a pea then a banana, a grenade, a lemon, a lightbulb, a club, a squash, a ball, each wrapped in lead. Next to it, lead bullets have been left a pile, a grey shape on the wall is a lead-wrapped machete. Violence, death, injury – Gormley saw it everywhere. The symbolism is incredibly heavy-handed, appropriately enough for lead, but it works. Downstairs things get more familiar, as the gallery gets filled with Gorminators, the body-shaped statues that have become his signature. One lies face down with legs spread on the cold concrete, another pulls its knees into its chest and buries its head in its arms. The largest, a walking figure in the middle of the space, has had its head swapped for a huge 5m-long building. Each work is made of lead, the welding lines acting like enormous scars across their bodies. They're desolate, desperate things. Sign up to Art Weekly Your weekly art world round-up, sketching out all the biggest stories, scandals and exhibitions after newsletter promotion The messaging might seem clear, but Gormley always pushes for grandiosity, and I think that's a shame. These can't just be left as bodies preserved against imminent death. Instead, he says things like: 'I have always thought of the darkness of the body as being equivalent to the darkness of the universe.' The insistence on the universal and transcendent, the idea of Gormley's body as a metaphor, a stand-in for wider humanity, has always grated. It pulls it all out of the real and shoves it into the realm of existential nonsense. It makes the reasoning behind the work so vague and overblown, leaving it pretty meaninglessness in the process. Which is a pity, because if you can manage to wade through the fog of waffle that engulfs these early pieces, there's something quite special here. These are works of profound fear and paranoia. The lead that has replaced the flesh on these bodies is the material of war. They are human munitions now, bullets waiting to be fired, shields ready to be sacrificed. They cower in fear or lie prone waiting for inevitable annihilation. Everywhere he looks, he seem to see death looming. The work might be a product of its time, but it still feels upsettingly relevant today Anthony Gormley: Witness is at White Cube, London, until 8 June
