Financial Grade Resilience: What Facilities Leaders Can Learn from the Financial Sector

In a risk landscape defined by disruption. from cyber incidents to operational failures and sudden crisis events, organisations rely more than ever on strong continuity planning to keep people, buildings and essential services safe.

Facilities managers and estates professionals have become central to this work. Their decisions shape organisational readiness, crisis response and long-term resilience.

As the leading provider of comprehensive workplace and facilities management education in Ireland and to support professionals across the built environment, Portobello Institute continues its Business Continuity Masterclass Series with our upcoming online event:

Financial Grade Resilience: What Facilities Leaders Can Learn from CORE Credit Union

Taking place on Thursday 4th of December from 7.00pm to 8.30pm, this free online session offers access to continuity practices normally associated with one of Ireland’s most tightly regulated sectors.

How the Financial Sector Builds Resilience

In sectors like banking and credit unions, resilience is a non-negotiable part of everyday operations.

Their continuity strategies are shaped by regulation, risk and the responsibility of maintaining essential services without interruption.

This upcoming masterclass opens a window into how these institutions build and maintain continuity -and how those same approaches can be adapted across other sectors.

You will gain insight into:

• How financial institutions prepare for cyber threats, outages and service disruption
• Practical continuity frameworks grounded in regulation and best practice
• Tested response strategies used in high-stakes environments
• Approaches that support calm, confident leadership during disruption

Whether your work is in healthcare, education, manufacturing, retail, government, hospitality, property, or corporate services, the principles shared are highly transferable and immediately relevant to modern facilities and estates functions.

Meet the Expert Panel

Michael Byrne

CEO, Core Credit Union Ltd
Michael brings more than two decades of leadership in community finance, regulatory engagement, operational resilience and sector-wide transformation. His experience offers rare insight into how tightly regulated institutions prepare for and respond to disruption.

Tony O’Gorman

Consultant, Lecturer and Thought Leader in Facilities Management
Tony is one of Ireland’s best-known specialists in resilience planning, risk management and continuity strategy across complex built environments.

Matt McConnell

Senior Facilities Management Practitioner
Matt brings hands-on experience delivering continuity and recovery strategies in highly dynamic, operationally demanding facilities.

Gerry Kelly

Programme Lead, Facilities Management, Portobello Institute

Gerry brings over 40 years of experience across the private and public sectors, including senior leadership roles in Facilities Management, Human Resources, Corporate and Social Responsibility, Customer Service and Strategic Communications. He has served as Chief Executive within a Semi State organisation, Press Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Minister for Labour, and held senior director roles across State and Semi State bodies.

Over the past decade, Gerry has been Programme Manager for Portobello Institute’s BSc and MSc Facilities Management programmes, and he continues to mentor, lecture and support students across multiple pathways.

What You Will Gain from the Masterclass

By attending, you will leave with:

• A clear understanding of resilience from a financial-sector perspective

• Practical continuity frameworks applicable across every sector

• Tested response techniques for real-world disruptions

• Insight from leaders with deep experience in critical operations

• Portobello Institute Certificate of Attendance contributing to your CPD

Advancing Your Career in Facilities and Workplace Resilience

Business continuity is just one of the many areas where modern facilities and workplace managers make a strategic impact.

As responsibilities continue to expand across sustainability, compliance, digital systems and organisational leadership, having the right qualifications is essential for career progression.

Portobello Institute offers a full development pathway, including the IWFM Level 4 Certificate and IWFM Level 5 Diploma, our BSc (Hons) Workplace and Facilities Management degree and the MSc Workplace and Facilities Management for those ready to move into senior leadership roles.

We also provide specialised programmes in areas such as sustainability, energy management and environmental issues.

With flexible study options, expert lecturers and a strong focus on real-world application, Portobello Institute supports professionals at every stage to advance with confidence and build a rewarding career in Facilities Management.

Register for the Masterclass

Financial Grade Resilience: What Facilities Leaders Can Learn from CORE Credit Union

Practical Disaster Recovery Lessons Facilities Management Leaders Can Use Today

Thursday 4th of December, 7.00pm to 8.30pm
Online and free to attend

👉 Register Here