Mark Cockerill

AmCham 2025 Vice President Senior VP, Legal for Corporate, M&A and International Development, ServiceNow

Our near neighbours like to refer to a ‘special relationship’ with the United States. However, Irish hands ‘built America’ and the immutable bonds between our two countries are forged in the annals of history. The truth also remains that Ireland’s building has not ceased. New branches of this very special US/Ireland relationship have continued to sprout over the past number of decades – with bi-lateral business reaching new heights on both sides of the Atlantic and spreading from West Cork to Wyoming, from Kilkenny to Kentucky - not just the traditional urban centres.

Inward investment to Ireland has occurred because of our nurtured reputation on the international stage. It is one with few real peers – a business friendly, consistent and stable location, with a well-skilled and well-educated workforce and proactive incentives and governmental support.

Added to this are Ireland’s natural advantages with its geographic location and as an English speaking, common-law jurisdiction, making it an ideal gateway for the US to the European Union and global markets.

Outside of all of this, business leaders see the people, the culture, the work-ethic and the quality of life. Whilst we might lament the rain and often be the most negative about our country, Ireland ranks highly on any international quality of life or competitive indexes. Employees have an appealing place to live, work and play - with high-quality healthcare, strong education system and a safe environment making it attractive for locals and expatriates, in turn developing a diverse and strong workforce.

We are often asked - why do multi-nationals set up operations in Ireland? When you consider the plethora of advantages, surely the better question is - why not? Entrants in many, many different fields have seen the successful pathway established here and how operations have matured and thrived. The blueprint is an attractive one to replicate.

I suggest that it is useful sometimes to think of businesses in the context of scientific approaches, as much statistical analysis goes into key decisions, especially international expansion or investment. Both science and business abhor variables outside of their control and adore stable conditions for experimentation. Ireland has consistently established a track record of being a host that provides the latter - and partners with business to mitigate the former.

Ireland’s natural advantages with its geographic location and as an English speaking, common-law jurisdiction, making it an ideal gateway for the US to the European Union and global markets.