Friday 28th February, 2025
Alf Smiddy in UCC: Mastering adaptability
The Association’s Southern Chapter was delighted to host a breakfast event at the UCC Centre for Executive Education in Cork in February with MBA Adjunct Professor Alf Smiddy speaking on the topic of effective leadership.
This was an illuminating session on adaptive leadership with CUBS Adjunct Professor Alf Smiddy, a distinguished business leader whose extensive experience spans corporate governance, hospitality, and social innovation. Drawing from his remarkable career as former Chairman and Managing Director of Beamish & Crawford plc and his current roles across diverse sectors, Alf shared invaluable insights on navigating leadership challenges in today’s dynamic business landscape.
In an engaging presentation, Alf explored how successful leaders must cultivate adaptability as a core competency. He delved into strategies for remaining flexible and responsive to emerging business challenges while maintaining organisational stability and growth. Drawing from his experience as a Board member of Scottish & Newcastle (UK) Ltd. and his current directorship at Rethink Ireland, he illustrated how adaptive leadership principles can be applied across different industries and sectors. A Chartered Accountant and Fellow of the Irish Marketing Institute, Alf combined deep financial acumen with strategic marketing insight. His academic credentials, including a Masters in Executive Leadership from Boston College and the University of Ulster, complemented his practical experience, offering attendees a well-rounded view of modern leadership challenges.
Guests had the opportunity to learn from a leader who has successfully steered organisations through periods of significant change and transformation. Alf Smiddy’s insights were particularly valuable for executives and aspiring leaders looking to enhance their adaptability in an increasingly complex business environment.
