THE UK is aiming to push more of its exports this way, while attempting to get Irish investors to set up shop over there.

The British Embassy in Dublin is currently advertising for a trade and investment adviser whose job will be focused on getting firms to expand in to Britain, while trying to win more contracts here for UK companies. Based at the embassy in leafy Ballsbridge, the successful candidate will work for UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), a government department, and be expected to lead campaigns to connect UK companies with opportunities in Ireland. International trade is crucial to UK growth, according to the ad, so it is vital you can set up talks with potential customers.

You’ll need to be dynamic, energetic, motivated and have your passport ready as it may requite travel overseas. And while you’ll be paid well above the minimum wage, your salary – at €28,469 per annum – falls below the industrial wage which the CSO recently put at about €35,880 a year.

Are they feeling that optimistic about their trade push if they’re investing this sort of money in the team.

IRISH LIFE WINS PASSIVE GONG

It doesn’t sound like something you should win an award for – passive manager of the year.

But in the world of investing and pensions, passive managers are those whose portfolios mirror a market index. And Irish Life was beating the drum this week about how it has been named Passive Manager of the Year at the European Pension Awards.

Irish Life Investment Managers – owned by Canadian firm Great-West Lifeco – was the only Irish investment firm that won at this year’s ceremony. It was also named Equities Manager of the Year.

The awards were dished out last week in London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, with drinks, dinner, a disco and ‘fun casino’.

Irish Life has been beside itself with the excitement. To be fair, it was up against some stiff competition. On the short-list for the Passive Manager award were firms including State Street Global Advisors and UBS Global Asset Management. For the Equities Manager award, Irish Life was up against rivals including Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Blackrock, Axa Investment Managers, and Kleinwort Benson.

Judges for the awards were drawn from across Europe. They included Jerry Moriarty, director of policy and the Irish Association of Pension Funds.
– See more at: http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/the-punt-uk-looking-for-trade-boost-30405394.html#sthash.HRYzoIza.dpuf