Mr Faulkner highlighted leadership, trust, local radio, and the future of media.
The latest Founders Friday event in Tullamore gave attendees a rare insight into “The Business Behind the Voice” with main speaker Will Faulkner, Managing Director of Midlands 103 and South East Radio.
Held at Eugene Kelly’s Pub, Tullamore, the event was sponsored by Allpro Recruitment, in association with Tullamore Rotary Club, and was MC’d by Ronan Berry, Managing Partner of HRConsultants.ie.
Will Faulkner is best known to listeners across Laois, Offaly and Westmeath as the presenter of Midlands Today, but the focus of the evening was his role as a business leader running an independent commercial radio station in a changing media landscape.
Will spoke candidly about how his radio career began almost by accident, after a college documentary led to an opportunity in local radio during an election campaign. He later joined Midlands 103 as Head of News, became Head of Programming at just 24, and was invited to join the board of Midlands 103 at 27.
He described the realities of running a 24/7 commercial radio station, from transmitters, staffing and programming to advertising, regulation, audience trust, AI and digital change.
The evening also gave Will an opportunity to pay tribute to the late Albert Fitzgerald, the former Managing Director of Midlands 103, who supported and encouraged him throughout his career.
Will spoke about Albert’s influence on his leadership journey and shared a list of “Albertisms” business and life lessons that included: “People buy people,” “Be decent,” “Family comes first,” and “Life is short.”
David Gleeson, Founder of Allpro Recruitment and the Allpro People Group, said Will’s story was exactly the kind of business insight Founders Friday was created to share.
“People know Will Faulkner as the voice of Midlands Today, but this event showed the business leader behind that voice,” said David Gleeson. “His story is about succession, trust, resilience and the importance of learning from people like Albert Fitzgerald, who helped shape both the station and the leaders within it.”
Will also discussed how Midlands 103 adapted after Covid, when commercial radio was badly affected by a fall in advertising revenue. He explained how the station diversified into events, awards, expos and digital advertising, while continuing to serve listeners as a trusted local voice.
He also spoke about the acquisition of South East Radio and the importance of allowing local radio stations to grow while protecting their own identity and connection with their communities.
Ronan Berry said the conversation showed why local media remains central to regional business and community life.
“Will’s message was very powerful because it was not just about radio, it was about trust,” said Ronan Berry, Managing Partner of HRConsultants.ie and MC of the event. “In a world where people are overwhelmed with information, local radio still has something incredibly valuable: real voices, local connection and a relationship with its audience.”
The evening also featured Tom Doyle, Chairman of Hope on Wheels and a former Founders Friday speaker, who shared the story of bringing ambulances and emergency vehicles to Uganda.
Tom described how the project began in 2020 and has grown into a major humanitarian effort supporting communities with limited access to emergency vehicles, palliative care and pain relief. The initiative raised €128,000 in 2025 and approximately €210,000 this year (donations are still open).
The night closed with a wider discussion about the Midlands and the need for local businesses and organisations to tell their stories more confidently.
“The Midlands is full of success stories, but too often we wait for someone else to notice them,” said Ronan Berry. “Events like Founders Friday help put those stories in the room and remind people that there is serious talent, leadership and impact happening here.”
Founders Friday continues to bring founders, business owners, professionals and community leaders together for informal networking, practical insight and meaningful conversation. The next Founders Friday event will take place in September.
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