Meath County Council hosts country’s first permanent REP manager
Meath County Council has announced the appointment of Ireland’s first permanent Regional Enterprise Programme (REP) Manager.
Michelle Goodwin is set to take on the landmark role, supporting strategic enterprise development across the Mid-East Region, which includes Meath, Wicklow, and Kildare.
She will work closely with Owen Brennan, Executive Chairman of Devenish and Chair of the Regional Steering Committee, to drive the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) initiative. Her appointment is intended to strengthen delivery of the Regional Enterprise Plan by building deeper collaboration between government, business, education, and community stakeholders.
Ms Goodwin, who has extensive experience in enterprise and economic development and strategic programme management, will be responsible for the development, establishment and servicing of appropriate structures to support and facilitate enterprise and economic development and growth throughout the region.
The REP Programme Manager will engage with senior level stakeholders including the DETE, Local Authorities, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, higher education institutions, education and training boards, tourism agencies, industry leaders, Chambers of Commerce and the broader business community to ensure a cohesive approach to the plan’s objectives.
Chief Executive of Meath County Council Kieran Kehoe said: "We are delighted to host Michelle's permanent appointment to Regional Enterprise Programme Manager, a role with immense potential to help not just our county continue to become a leader in job creation, but the entire Mid-East Region."
Regional Enterprise Programme Manager Michelle Goodwin said: "I am thrilled to be the first permanent Regional Enterprise Programme Manager in the country, and I would like to thank Meath County Council for hosting the role.”
"This region holds immense potential, and I look forward to working with all our partners going forward to maximise new opportunities, to collaborate and build a resilient and scaling enterprise environment in the Mid East.”
A key aspect of Ms Goodwin’s role will involve working closely with a Regional Skills Forum Manager to ensure an integrated approach to skills development across various industries in the region supporting job creation and ensuring clear career pathways.
Meanwhile Chair Mid East Regional Steering Committee Owen Brennan Devenish said: “I am delighted that Michelle has secured the first permanent REP role in the Country. Her leadership will be vital in harnessing the collective strengths of Kildare, Meath and Wicklow, driving innovation and creating a vibrant ecosystem for businesses to thrive.”
Work on the new Mid-East Regional Enterprise Plan will commence shortly, with a launch expected in the first quarter of 2026. The current plan, which runs until December 2025, includes projects and initiatives across Meath, Kildare, and Wicklow, guided by five strategic objectives and seventeen actions.
These objectives focus on establishing the region as a hub for agri-food innovation, developing the screen content sector, supporting equine business growth, accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy, and strengthening the regional enterprise ecosystem.