Dublin, Ireland, 17 April, 2013 – ICON plc, (NASDAQ: ICLR), a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, in conjunction with University College Dublin (UCD), today announced the launch of the ICON Business Academy.
Developed with the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, the ICON Business Academy offers a number of tailored, university-accredited programmes to ICON staff, the first of which is the Certificate in International Business Management which launched in April. The Certificate Programme focuses on areas of increasing importance for companies operating in global markets such as managing and motivating teams across international boundaries and promoting a culture of innovation. Having launched the Academy in Dublin, future plans for the ICON Business Academy include expansion to other locations such as Asia Pacific and the United States.
Speaking at the launch, ICON Chief Executive Officer, Ciaran Murray said: “As a people business that operates in a global environment, investment in leadership and talent is a key strategic initiative for ICON. Our partnership with UCD is enabling us to develop tailored management development programmes that will further enhance the leadership skills within ICON. As our market evolves, these skills will be increasingly important and will help us to continue to deliver excellence in customer service and quality to our global customers.”
Also speaking at the launch, Professor Ciarán O hOgartaigh, Dean of Business at UCD said “We are delighted to be partnering with ICON and launching the Academy with the Certificate programme. This partnership works because we share similar perspectives on leadership development. Both ICON and UCD are recognised as global leaders – ICON in clinical research and UCD Smurfit School in business education – and we have designed an exceptional solution for ICON based on their specific leadership development needs.”
The statements made in this press release may contain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. A description of risks and uncertainties relating to ICON and its business can be found in Forms 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31st 2012 and in the other forms filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the F-1, S-8 and F-3. ICON disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
About ICON plc
ICON plc is a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The Company specialises in the strategic development, management and analysis of programs that support clinical development - from compound selection to Phase I-IV clinical studies. ICON currently has approximately 10, 045 employees, operating from 79 locations in 37 countries.
Further information is available at www.iconplc.com
About UCD Smurfit Business School
UCD Smurfit Business School’s Executive Education and management development programmes empower individuals and organisations to perform at their very best. Our world-renowned faculty draws together insights from ground-breaking research, as well as a wealth of business and management expertise gained through advising top global companies. Our wide range of open enrolment programmes cover Corporate Governance, Strategy, Sales, Business Management, Healthcare Management, Negotiation and Leadership. In addition, we also create customised programmes - bespoke solutions designed to match the strategic challenges facing organisations.
Further information is available at www.smurfitschool.ie/executiveeducation
ICON Media Contact
Genevieve Tuck
Weber Shandwick
Tel: +44 (0)20 7067 0655
gtuck@webershandwick.com
UCD Media Contact
Helen Brophy
UCD Executive Education
M: + 353-1-7168994
E: helen.brophy@ucd.ie
