Ivan Yates
Entrepreneur, Broadcaster and Former Politician

Ivan is probably best known as both a former government minister & businessman who has developed a successful betting chain - Celtic Bookmakers
Today Ivan also is a popular broadcaster co-presenting the Breakfast Show on NewsTalk Radio and  is to front TV3’s  weekly Business Show – Business Matters.

Ivan is a regular contributor to a range of current affairs and light entertainment tv and radio programmes. He is renowned as an articulate, informative and entertaining entrepreneur/businessman, betting guru/gambler, pundit and analyst on politics/economy.

Having spent over 20 years as a Wexford TD he was on the front bench of Fine Gael for over a dozen years. Having served in different portfolios he was Minister for Agriculture Food and Forestry from 1994-1997. His term as Minister included the BSE crisis and the EU presidency. Ivan is well known as both a former government minister & businessman who has developed a successful betting chain - Celtic Bookmakers

Ivan has vast experience of public representation and administration both at local and national level, having also served on local councils for over 20 years. While it was speculated that he might lead FG, instead he opted to pursue a career in business.

He is the founder, MD and chairman of Celtic Bookmakers, which was established in 1987. Currently with 60 betting shops right across Ireland, three shops in South Wales and an expanding telebetting business, it is one of the largest independent betting chains in the country. Turnover for 2008 is estimated to be €180 ml with over 300 employees.

Ivan is available to speak at corporate and other events on all aspects of his experiences and contemporary Irish life. He has a unique insight into both public/private sectors and politics. As an early school leaver, he is an interesting motivational speaker with a common sense/no nonsense style and self deprecating wit.

Testimonials

"Thank you for joining us at the recent Gala conference. The day was a resounding success and this was in no small part due to your talent as the keynote speaker in the morning session. The retailer feedback was excellent following the event. Your speech was very motivational and the consensus was that everyone left the room with optimism for the future. It was also very informative, which is exactly what we wanted for the retailers so you really did pitch it perfectly."
Denise Lord, Customer Service manager, Gala Retail Services Ltd.

"I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere thanks to you for your exceptional participation at our 10th annual conference."
Stephen Blair, Director, Southern & Eastern Regional Assembly

"Ivan was excellent – we got really good feedback from the retailers who were all captivated by his stories."
Riki Neil, Account Director, Life Communications

"Ivan was perfect for the evening and was very well received by our members & guests. He delivered a great speech with a mixture of humour & sincerity – Ivan also delivered the message that we want to relay to suppliers & members alike."
Aidan Candon, ECO, Euronics

"As a breakfast, lunch, dinner or conference speaker Ivan Yates is a motivational delight. Built on a bedrock of intellectual rigeur, fuelled by broad experience and priceless savvy, his unique style engages, challenges and inspires. Waterford Chamber cannot recommend him highly enough."
Monica Leech, CEO, Waterdord Chamber

"We were really happy with Ivan and got really good feedback from our guests."
Katie Moloney, Promotions Executive, The Irish Times

"Just to put on record that Ivan was simply brilliant yesterday at the Lean Retail Conference. His political and business philosophy was so well received; his method of communication was first class and the sprinkling of humor added greatly to the day. We have had an unbelievably positive response following Ivan’s participation and look forward to using his services again. A first class job by a total gentleman. Thank you."
David Fitzsimons, CEO, Retail Excellence Ireland

"We found Ivan’s attention to detail quite unique. He took the trouble to meet with us well in advance of the event in order to ensure that his approach would mirror our requirements. On the evening of his address, which was to a conference dinner, he wanted to know what had emerged during the day’s deliberations lest anything impact on what he should say. His address was well crafted and delivered expertly, drawing on all of his experience in politics, business and, more recently, broadcasting."
Alan Cooke, CEO, IAVI

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