At a champagne reception in the elegant Minerva Suite at the RDS, Dublin 4, last night, more than 100 guests celebrated the launch of THE GLOSS | Goodbody Fantasy Trading Competition 2023.

Guests were greeted by THE GLOSS team, including co-founders Jane McDonnell, Publisher and Sarah McDonnell, Editor, and members of the Goodbody investment team, including Michelle O’Keefe, Head of Wealth Advisory, Sarah Moriarty, Head of Corporate Affairs, and Laura Devoy, Investment Director.

At the launch of THE GLOSS | Goodbody Investment Club’s Fantasy Trading Competition 2023 at the RDS were Laura Devoy, Director of Investing, Goodbody, host Cally Beaton, and Michelle O’Keefe, Head of Wealth Advisory, Goodbody.

Since its launch in 2021, The Investment Club has promoted financial literacy and confidence and has become an important community for every woman who wants to know more about building a financial plan. Developing investment knowledge is a key part of this.

Starting February 1, the Fantasy Trading Competition will consist of a series of monthly online sessions presented by host Cally Beaton and Goodbody director Laura Devoy, allowing a risk-free way of investing in the stock market (using $1m of virtual money!) while having fun and being in with a chance to win fabulous glossy prizes, including personal shopping appointments at Brown Thomas, with €750 to spend, and the Boodles grand prize of €3,000 to spend on fine jewellery.

Jane McDonnell, Publisher, The Gloss Magazine.

Launching this year’s competition, with its new and improved app platform Invstr, Jane introduced Cally Beaton who will host the series of online events.

Cally started her stellar career in TV production and set up an award-winning creative consultancy before joining US studio giant ViacomCBS as a Senior Vice President – overseeing budgets of more than $500m for brands such as Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central and Paramount, before she changed lanes to become a broadcaster, writer and comedian. As a single mum, Cally has firsthand knowledge of the need to become financially aware and independent, and related her story with her trademark honesty and humour.

Cally Beaton.

Cally, who will also take part in the Fantasy Trading Competition, explained how it is a fun, secure (and incognito) way to find out more about shares, investing trends and strategies, with plenty of encouragement from the Goodbody team along the way. With Laura Devoy, Cally will host five online events on February 8, March 1, April 5, May 3 and June 1.

Cally Beaton, Laura Devoy, Director of Investing, Goodbody, and Sarah Moriarty, Head Of Corporate Affairs, Goodbody.

During the informative panel discussion which followed Cally’s introduction, Sarah Moriarty and Laura Devoy gave further details of the competition, plus some tips for getting started (helpfully decoding some financial terminology too!). Sarah and Laura also explained more about their roles within Goodbody and how joining the Investment Club can provide valuable information to help women better manage their money, savings, inheritance, and pensions, and plan for major life events.

Sarah Moriarty, Head Of Corporate Affairs, Goodbody.

Concluding the evening, Cally revealed the fabulous prizes for this year’s competition winners. The best overall investor will win €3,000 to spend at Boodles, Grafton Street, Dublin! In addition, every month, one lucky participant will win a Personal Shopping Experience at Brown Thomas with €750 to spend in store. Brown Thomas personal shoppers Michelle Curtin and Caroline Hanratty were among the guests at the event.

With official business over, guests had a chance to network before leaving with a glossy goody bag with gifts from Image Skincare.

Need to Know: There is still time to take part in The Fantasy Trading Competition which is open to all members of THE GLOSS | GOODBODY Investment Club. If you are not already a member, join at www.thegloss.ie/goodbodyinvestmentclub. Registration is just €15 and all proceeds go to Breast Cancer Ireland.

Whether you want to participate fully or just observe from the sidelines, the all-female team at THE GLOSS | GOODBODY Investment Club will share investing strategies, stock-picking tips and market updates that will help you expand your financial knowledge. Along the way, we will also talk about savings, pensions, and inheritance – all essential components of building your financial plan.

Join at www.thegloss.ie/goodbodyinvestmentclub 

Click into the gallery below to see the guests at the event …

Photography by Kieran Harnett.