Finbarr Filan is truly a reflection of the community spirit that exists in Sligo. Not content with simply working at the local Centra, Finbarr is constantly seeking out new ways to show his support for local businesses and give back to his beloved city. It has not gone unnoticed either; residents of Sligo laud him for his tireless work as part of charities and fundraising initiatives in the area, always going that extra mile to make sure their town can prosper and grow. He personifies civic pride, making him an asset beyond measure.
Finbarr Filan from Sligo is a highly experienced and multi-faceted individual. He currently operates the Centra store in Sligo but has also worked prominently in construction, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and medical device manufacturing – with a distinguished record of process improvement and new product introduction.
He also boasts impressive skills in supply chain management, project management and team leadership; due to his well-developed ability to rapidly identify key issues before decisively implementing strategic plans that produce long-term benefits. His composed nature makes him well-suited to challenges where strong communication between professionals is fundamental.
An important member at Sligo Town Centre Management, Finbarr evaluates his role as town centre manager with the utmost commitment to success. He acknowledges the importance of small businesses and foreign direct investments in regional towns and works diligently to ensure their stability.
Communicating with these companies, he identifies their challenges and determines solutions that will benefit both parties. Having this opportunity allows Finbarr to help promote Sligo as a tourist destination as well as make sure the town remains prosperous. His dedication to excellence in his duties is an essential aspect for its continued success.
Finbarr and the Sligo County Council set out to revitalize the town centre and make it a more attractive place for living, working, and visiting back in 2012. With funding from SEUPB, Finbarr conducted extensive research into town centre regeneration models from Ireland and other countries. He gathered information from various stakeholders, such as local businesses, residents, and council representatives to learn about what could be done to help the situation.
His hard work paid off as his recommendations were accepted by the Sligo County Council. Consequently, measures have been taken towards helping the town centre regenerate – with plans like improved access to public transport services and installation of high-quality fixtures continuing to be implemented today.
Finbarr and his team have proudly demonstrated their capabilities in the town centre regeneration project, outshining the other project partners with their remarkable performance. It wasn’t easy to reach these heights of success as they had to rely heavily on clear, effective communication channels and strong leadership.
These successes attributed to various factors, such as clear mandate and elucidated goals set at the beginning of the project were aptly met. Finbarr’s team affirms that town centre regeneration has a stake in driving economic growth and creating jobs. This promise is certainly being kept by Sligo County Council who are continuing to collaborate with Finbarr on further projects in this realm.
The establishment of the Business Improvement District (BID) in Sligo is a major milestone for the town. After wide consultation and research with key stakeholders, a plebiscite was held which saw an overwhelming 80% of the business community voting in favour of creating the BID. This will make it possible to invest in services and facilities over the next five years that support businesses operating in Sligo and ensure they experience thriving and vibrant trading within their community. The success of this project & vote marks an exciting time for the business community in Sligo as they seek to boost economic prospects for themselves and others for years to come.
The BID of Sligo, chaired by Finbarr Filan, is a true testament to collaboration and initiative. Established as a mechanism for businesses in the district to work together and address mutual needs, it relies on an annual levy paid by all participating businesses based on their rateable value.
This money is then used to fund activities and initiatives that improve the business community as a whole, such as promotional campaigns and events. Finbarr’s leadership has been essential in maximizing the success of the BID at providing amenities and services that benefit local businesses and residents alike – driving positive change into Sligo’s cityscape.
Finbarr has undeniably had a monumental impact on the Sligo community. Not only did he contribute financially and build a better future for the town, but his farsightedness is what allowed Sligo to blossom into the vibrant city it is today. The impressive achievements it has attained over the last few years are largely due to his efforts in getting the foundation of Sligo off the ground and providing direction as to how it should go forwards.
In many ways he can be seen as a father figure of Sligo, having enabled its people to embrace their potential and become more successful than ever before. Finbarr’s influence still echoes throughout the streets of Sligo and will continue to do so for years to come.
