Work IQ appoints three senior team members ahead of impending opening of new Innovation Centre in Tallaght
Work IQ is a €16 million purpose-built innovation centre that will offer workspace,
business support and programme of events for up to 60 entrepreneurs, start-ups and
growing SMEs
Work IQ, the new home of start-ups and growing enterprises in South Dublin, has appointed Eoghan Powell as Centre Director, Lisa Simpson as Assistant Centre Manager and Daniel Halpin as Business Growth Manager ahead of the Innovation Centre’s impending opening in Tallaght’s newly developed Innovation Quarter.
Work IQ, a €16 million 3,000 sq. m four story purpose-built innovation centre, situated in Tallaght, South Dublin, will open in the coming months and will offer supportive workspace opportunities for up to 60 entrepreneurs, start-ups and growing SMEs. The facility will consist of co-working spaces, private offices, meeting and conference rooms and an on-site café, as well as business support and a programme of events to help companies along their growth journey.
Work IQ will be the first Irish centre run by Oxford Innovation Space, the organisation responsible for managing the largest network of innovation centres in the UK, housing over 1,000 innovative early-stage businesses.
Eoghan Powell – Centre Director at Work IQ: Originally from Dublin, Eoghan has held a number of leadership and managerial positions across a range of industries including Education, Leisure, Travel, Advertising and Technology. He brings a wealth of experience in Business Development, Finance, Project Management and Strategy and Innovation to his new role as Centre Director at Work IQ.
In his previous roles, Eoghan was responsible for developing online training programmes for TUI Travel, the world’s largest travel company. He also founded a UK-based Education startup which worked with New Oriental, the largest EdTech company in China, and developed entrepreneurial programmes across the Gulf.
Eoghan is a graduate with a distinction from the Global MBA programme at the University of Manchester, one of the Top 50 business schools in the world.
Lisa Simpson – Assistant Centre Manager at Work IQ: Originally from Kildare and now living in Tallaght, Lisa has 15+ years experience in retail, hospitality and customer service, including the role of Retail Manager for high end fashion stores such as Karen Millen, Zara and Superdry’s 26,000 sq. ft flagship store on Suffolk Street in Dublin’s City Centre.
Lisa also worked with co-working office space WeWork for almost five years as Community Lead and Cluster Community Manager. During her time there, Lisa assisted with opening their first location in Dublin’s Iveagh Court, she was also heavily involved in WeWork’s expansion to four locations, with responsibility for three locations across Dublin, 4,500 members and the management of the majority of the Irish WeWork team.
In her new role, Lisa will be responsible for driving operational excellence within the building and overseeing day-to-day support and guidance for new companies.
Daniel Halpin – Business Growth Manager with Work IQ: Born and raised in Tallaght, Daniel has been involved in a number of startups in South Dublin, playing a pivotal role in expanding client bases, refining offerings, and steering companies towards international success.
Daniel also has firsthand experience in the startup realm as the visionary behind Luggwoods, a family experience location in South Dublin that attracts 100,000 visitors annually. Daniel is a keen outdoorsman, sports enthusiast and wellness practitioner, which led him to establish Rewild Adventures in 2021, a company which helps people discover their potential by combining the power of nature, adventure and wellness activities.
Daniel’s extensive knowledge in the startup ecosystem and growing and scaling Irish businesses will contribute significantly to his new role as Business Growth Manager of Work IQ, where he will work with client companies in the venue to identify their goals, drive growth and explore new opportunities and challenges.
Daniel is a graduate of Avionic Engineering at IT Carlow and Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Limerick, and also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Advertising from TU Dublin and a Professional Diploma in Creativity, Innovation and Leadership from UCD.
Speaking about the appointments Jo Stevens, Managing Director of Oxford Innovation Space, said: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of these highly talented individuals to the senior team at Work IQ Tallaght. It fills me with great confidence to know that professionals with such deep and intimate knowledge of business development, co-working spaces and strategy will be overseeing this new innovation centre. I’m really looking forward to seeing the team create an environment where innovators and entrepreneurs can thrive.”
Strategically located on land owned by South Dublin County Council in Tallaght Town Centre, Work IQ is a key part of a new urban district called Innovation Quarter Tallaght being developed by the Council that also includes a new cost rental apartment scheme (which, along with Work IQ, will be served by the Tallaght District Heating Scheme, Heatworks) and a new public park called Innovation Square. The €16 million project is funded by the Council, with significant support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.
Register your interest in renting a workspace or joining a community of innovators, thinkers,
entrepreneurs and creatives at www.workiq.ie
