ESSEC Alumni in Ireland: “This Country Is Key to the EU’s Market”

Cost of living may be high, but worth it, as the economy is proving quite resilient, and the country quite pleasant. Padraig Berry (IMHI 83), past President of ESSEC Alumni’s Ireland Chapter, and Camille Barratin (E22), who just took on the mantle, tell us about the life of the local alumni community – and the services they offer them.

ESSEC Alumni: What are the profiles of our alumni in Ireland?

Padraig Berry: There are about 100 alumni in Ireland. Their occupations range from sales and marketing to accounting, finance and product management.

Camille Barratin: The majority are French, but in recent years we have also welcomed new joiners from Ireland and many other countries. 

EA: What opportunities are there in Ireland for our alumni?

P. Berry: Ireland is home to many global companies who recruit ESSEC level graduates with languages. Fintech in particular has a firm foothold here, in areas such as credit and lending, saving and investing, insurtech, big data and analytics, and more, thanks to the nation’s strong IT and financial services industries. Fintech Magazine recently listed Dublin on its top 10 list of Global Fintech Hubs. Other thriving sectors include information and communication technology (ICT) – especially cybersecurity and remote working technologies, pharmaceuticals and biomedical sciences, while supermarket retail and logistics also include some key growth areas.

C. Barratin: Interestingly enough, French companies are growing more and more interested in Dublin and what it has to offer. For example, I am currently working as a Junior Communications Associate at Eurofins, the French giant of bioanalysis. Dublin was a smart choice of location for our Group Communications Team, because of its wide pool of talented native English speakers, proximity to France, and convenient time zone that allows us to respond to requests from colleagues all over the world in a timely manner.

EA: Does Brexit have an impact on Ireland? 

P. Berry: Contrary to expectations, the country has not been adversely impacted by Brexit. Dublin has proven to be a key destination for financial services firms looking to relocate from the UK to remain within the EU markets.

C. Barratin: Ireland has also become a “safe” option for European students and alumni looking to work in an English-speaking country, but worried that Brexit might make it more difficult to settle in the United Kingdom or build a life there long-term. So, the attractiveness of Dublin in particular has significantly increased. It is pretty hard to walk down Grafton Street without encountering someone who speaks French or Spanish, for example!  

EA: What about the 2022 events’ impact, such as inflation and energy shortages?

P. Berry: Inflation is running at 8-9%. Energy and food prices are high. The government is helping consumers with the energy costs. However the worst concern is the housing supply crisis. There is a critical shortage of accommodation. New research from Eurostat shows that prices here are now 40% above the EU average. Only Denmark has higher prices. The gap is also widening: back in 2016, prices here were 29% above average. This is mainly due to skyrocketing rents. One can expect to pay up to €1,000 for a bedroom in a shared house/apartment in Dublin. While inflation may ease over the coming months there is no sign of the housing crisis being solved.

EA: As a foreigner, what makes it interesting to live in Ireland?

P. Berry: Ireland is a multi-cultural, secular, open society. People are very warm and welcoming. It is easy to get involved. The cities and the country in general are small so it is easy to get around.  

C. Barratin: My favourite thing so far has been learning about Irish history and culture, and how it crosses path with French history on multiple occasions! I find that the Irish have a strong sense of national identity, but it does not prevent them from being welcoming to foreigners. In fact, by the time you get off the taxi that picked you up from Dublin Airport, you will probably have a full list of recommendations of museums and scenic places to visit.

EA: What advice do you have for our alumni moving in Ireland?

P. Berry: Ireland is not inexpensive, especially Dublin and especially accommodation as mentioned above. Make sure you have connections to help you find a place to live.

C. Barratin: I would advise alumni to focus on real estate companies that are used to working with foreign clients and will be able to guide them through their search and move. Another thing to consider is whether your employer is willing to cover your first few months of rent as part of your relocation package – different companies have different policies, which can make a huge difference for newcomers.

EA: What are the offer and services of ESSEC Alumni’s Ireland Chapter?

C. Barratin: Up until now, we mainly focused on organising get-togethers around food and drinks. Our plans include a diversification of our offer, starting with visits to the many free or affordable museums and scenic parks in Dublin, and online get-togethers to reach out to our members in Cork or Galway. I would also very much like to establish a partnership with the French embassy. Other projects include content and community management for our LinkedIn page, which we are in the process of revamping, and the development of a helpful guide for anyone looking to relocate to Ireland. 

EA: Who are the members of your team? Do you need more volunteers to get involved? 

C. Barratin: Right now, it’s just Padraig and me, with some guidance from the larger ESSEC Alumni team – but we’re always looking for new team members! Feel free to reach out to us!

Interview by Louis Armengaud Wurmser (E10), Content Manager at ESSEC Alumni 

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