By Business & Finance 
The Business & Finance CIO 100 Index 2024 recognises the top 100 Digital Leaders working across some of the most innovative companies in Ireland today.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
The full list is available to download here
David Loonam, Director of IT — DevOps,
Perrigo
With 24 plus years of experience working across multiple sectors, David Loonam currently serves as the Director of Infrastructure Development: Digital Service Delivery, DevOps, Automation, IAM at Perrigo Company plc since 2021. In addition to his current position, David provided management oversight of IT at HRA Pharma following its acquisition by Perrigo navigating complex organisational structures and driving operational efficiency.
David’s career at Perrigo spans various strategic roles, including Director of Global Level 2 Operations and Service Quality Management, where he managed technical teams spanning in excess of 22 countries, including manufacturing facilities in EMEA, North America, and Mexico, prior to this, as Manager of EMEA Infrastructure Integrations, he played a pivotal role in the optimisation of IT structures and integration of Omega Pharma Limited to Perrigo managing large-scale transitions and consolidations.
Having joined Perrigo’s Global Infrastructure team in 2015 as a Senior Solution Architect, David has consistently demonstrated his ability to innovate and optimise solutions to meet evolving business needs.
Prior to his tenure at Perrigo, David held the position of Director of Network Services at Elan Pharmaceuticals plc, where he led engineering teams in both Ireland and San Francisco. His leadership was instrumental in the outsourcing of Elan Pharmaceuticals’ IT services to Daybreak Information Technologies, where he subsequently accepted the role of Head of Infrastructure and Operations.
David has a track record of effective leadership and strategic thinking, earning recognition for his integrity, services development, and collaborative approach. He holds a First-Class Honors Degree – BSc in Information Technology Management from the Institute of Technology, Carlow.
Brendan Lynch, Group Director — Networks,
Sky UK & Ireland
Brendan Lynch is the current Group Director, Comms and Infrastructure at Sky. He previously worked as the Managing Director of Technology at Eircom and then as an independent Telecoms & IT consultant.
Brian Lynch, Chief Information Officer,
Aon
Brian Lynch has been Chief Information Officer at Aon Risk Services for almost 25 years. Aon PLC is a British-American multinational professional services firm that sells a range of financial risk-mitigation products, including insurance, pension administration, and health-insurance plans. Aon has approximately 50,000 employees in 120 countries.
Conor Lynch, Chief Information Officer,
National Lottery
Conor took up this position in March 2023 following his successful tenure as Flutter’s Group Director of Strategic Platforms where he was instrumental in developing and improving Flutter’s global technology strategy. Prior to this role in the Flutter Group, Conor worked for Paddy Power Betfair, where he held several senior roles across the organisation in technology and product. Before his move to Paddy Power in 2009, Conor had a successful career in the digital technology space, holding roles in both large multi-nationals and technology start-ups operating in the Finance, Automotive, Airline and Construction industries. Conor was educated in University College Dublin, graduating in Electronic Engineering. He is currently on the board of GiftsDirect.com and is a member on the Dublin Innovation Advisory Council. He has also played a role as external examiner for Computer Science department of Technology University Dublin.
Stewart Mackey, Business Technology Director,
Sysco Ireland
Stewart Mackey is the Business Technology Director at Sysco Ireland. He is responsible for all aspects of technology and systems and has led the team since 2018.
During his time in this role, the business has seen significant transformation with multiple successful system migrations which have streamlined and simplified the operating model to enhance Sysco’s customer experience.
Mackey previously led the Brakes Ireland technology team for eight years and prior to this held the position of Systems Manager at McLarnon Feeds. He holds a B.Sc Business Studies from Robert Gordon Business School in Aberdeen.
Liam Malone, Director of Forest Planning & IT,
Coillte
Liam Malone is Director of Forest Planning & IT at Coillte. Malone is responsible for leading the forecasting, valuation and strategic planning of Coiltte’s forest resources as well as driving innovation and efficiency through the firm’s information systems and use of technology.
Malone has held a number of operational and strategic positions in Coillte. He joined the company in 2003 and is responsible for the establishment and execution of Coillte’s Digital Transformation Strategy. He is a senior ICT Director with extensive experience in managing cross functional teams to deliver and implement business change which adds value to the business and enables competitive advantage.
Robin Marshall, Group Chief Information Officer,
Dunnes Stores
Robin Marshall is an experienced Chief Information Officer with a demonstrated and successful history of working in Retail, Financial Services, Banking and Consultancy. He is a renowned technology and digital business professional.
His expertise include Infrastructure, Integration, Applications, Enterprise Architecture, Security, Digital, Business Process, Service Delivery, Risk and People Management. He was made Group Chief Information Officer of Dunnes Stores in January 2023. Marshall holds a BSc in Technology Management and an MBA.
Steve Martin, Technology Director,
Bord Gáís Energy
Steve Martin leads the development and execution of Bord Gáis Energy’s technology strategy. Martin has been with Bord Gáis Energy since 2015 and previously held the role of Interim Director of Operations. Prior to this, he was Head of Strategic Programmes & Business Change. Steve has over twenty years’ experience in IT and management consultancy sectors, having held roles in KPMG Ireland and Deloitte. Martin holds a B.Sc. in Software Engineering from the University of Glasgow.
Seamus McCarville, Head of IT,
Irish Continental Group plc
Seamus McCarville has over twenty years’ experience in IT. His skills include ICT people, process and technology management. McCarville makes it his mission to always deliver value from IT to the business. He has worked on and led many enterprise projects, from developer and business analyst to project and program manager.
McCarville particularly enjoys the strategic elements of his role as head of function, including change management, process transformation, and organisational design. He was made Head of IT Irish Continental Group plc in 2001 having previously held roles at Creative Labs and The Civil Service Commission.
Hugh McDonnell, Chief Technology Officer,
Uniphar plc
Hugh McDonnell is Chief Technology Officer at Uniphar plc. He has over twenty five years of technical expertise in designing, developing and deploying complex software solutions across several industry sectors including: Logistics, Manufacturing, Education, Gaming, Finance and eCommerce. McDonnell is driving digital transformation in Uniphar and is also responsible for delivering the strategic digital direction. Previous roles include Chief Architect at eShopWorld, one of the world’s leading global eCommerce platforms and also one of Ireland’s fastest growing companies. Uniphar plc is a diversified healthcare services business servicing the requirements of more than 200 multinational pharmaceutical and medical technology manufacturers across three divisions — Commercial & Clinical, Product Access and Supply Chain & Retail.
James McGarry, IT Infrastructure Manager — Northern Europe,
Keyword Studios
James McGarry is IT Infrastructure Manager for Northern Europe at Keyword Studios. He is a passionate IT Professional with years of experience working in the IT sector. McGarry began working at Keyword Studios in 2013 as an intern and has built an impressive career at the firm since walking through the door.
Stephen McKenna, Chief Technology Officer,
Musgrave Group
Stephen McKenna currently serving as Chief Technology Officer at Musgrave, a position they have held since April 2022. Prior to this, they were the Director of IT and Digital at Brown Thomas Arnotts from August 2021 to April 2022.
Mick McMahon, Chief Information Officer,
Iarnród Éireann
Mick McMahon originally joined Iarnród Éireann in 1999 and has held the position of Chief Information Officer since 2019. He has responsibility for ensuring that IT delivers business value for Iarnród Éireann. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering, an MSc in Industrial Engineering and an MSc in Computer Applications. McMahon is a keen cyclist and amateur photographer.
Seamus Minogue, Head of IT,
Enterprise Ireland
Seamus Minogue is the Department Manager for Business Process Improvement & IT at Enterprise Ireland. He leads an experienced and diverse team of forty ICT professionals, providing services and software-driven business processes to the state agency. His team’s influence spans across ten locations within Ireland and forty international offices. With a career in public sector ICT spanning twenty-seven years, Minogue has held various roles and is currently focusing his efforts towards the mobilisation of a digital transformation programme and a significant uplift in ICT capability. His educational background include a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Applications from DCU and an MBS in Management of Information Systems from Smurfit Business School.
Patrick Moriarty, Director of Technology & Information Services,
Ibec
Patrick Moriarty is the Director of Technology & Information Services at Ibec. Ibec is Ireland’s largest lobby and business representative group. Its purpose is to help build a better, sustainable future by influencing, supporting and delivering for business success. Prior to joining Ibec Patrick held senior roles at FTI Consulting and RSA Insurance. He holds a B.E. from UCD and an MBA from the Instituto de Empresa, Madrid. He is a CFA charter holder.
Bernard Mullen, Director of Network & IP Services,
Magnet+
Bernard Mullen is Director of Network & IP Services at Magnet+. He is a leader in Network Design and Management including pre and post-Sales Consultancy specialising in Core network, multisite WAN deployments with security, MPLS, SD-WAN and product development.
His expertise ranges from Technical Project Management of Customer rollouts, WAN upgrades to Voice integration. Mullen’s specialties include Cisco Routers, firewalls (Cisco ASA, Fortigate, PaloAlto, Juniper, Checkpoint) and switches (incl. MPLS), 3Com NBX – IP Telephony, Adtran Routers incl. Telephony – certified ATSA/IPT , ATSP/UCAS , ATSP/UC, ATSP/vWLAN and Fortinet NSE1-3. He is ITIL Certified.
Ida Murphy, Chief Information Officer,
IPL Plastics
Ida Murphy was appointed Chief Information Officer of IPL Plastics in December 2020 having joined the firm in April 2018 as Head of IT. She has over twenty five years of technical and management experience in IT, delivering complex digital transformations across large organisations in a wide range of sectors including banking, consulting, food, media, defence and utilities.
From July 2008 to March 2018, Murphy was employed by Ervia, an Irish commercial semi-state and multi-utility company providing gas and water services across Ireland where she held a number of senior IT roles including Head of IT for Shared Services, Head of IT Irish Water and Head of Applications. She is a Software Engineering graduate from the Limerick Institute of Technology.
Anthony Murray, Group IT Manager,
Dalata Hotel Group plc
Anthony Murray has been with Dalata Hotel Group Plc since its inception in 2007 and has responsibility for the strategy, development, information security and implementation of all IT decisions and projects across the group’s 50+ hotels and offices.
With a background in Hotels, he has spent more than twenty five years in the industry and has been involved in managing the diversity of the IT system which arose through rapid expansion, the transition to PLC.
Henriette Nielsen, Executive Vice President & Chief Transformation Officer,
Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Ireland
Henriette Nielsen is the Executive Vice President & Chief Transformation Officer at Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. She has executive responsibility for all human resources, communications and people-related matters as well as being responsible for building out the firm’s ESG program. She is also a member of Mallinckrodt’s executive committee. Nielsen has significant experience from a range of corporate functions and a proven track record of enhancing operations at pharmaceutical companies. Most recently, she served as EVP of Business Operations at Hikma Pharmaceuticals, where she led the company’s business operations division and had oversight of the legal, pharmacovigilance, compliance, risk, IT, digital and business improvement functions. She also led the company’s ESG strategy and was responsible for Hikma Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Hikma Pharmaceuticals. Prior to Hikma, Nielsen served as SVP and Chief Transformation Officer at Teva Pharmaceuticals and EVP and General Counsel at Actavis.
Cian Ó Cuinneagáin, Chief Product Officer,
Cubic Telecom
Alan O’Brien, Director of Global Technology Resources,
Glanbia
Alan O’Brien has been Director of Global Technology Services at Glanbia since 2016. O’Brien supports the company’s goals by managing their enterprise-wide Digital IT Services, Global Data Centres, Global Networks, Global Service Desk, Global Site Services and Application Development underpinning the global mission critical systems and technology platforms. In addition, he is responsible for the strategic direction and support of Glanbia’s Digital Workplace Technology and adoption across the organisation, empowering Employees and Partners to self develop and drive the use of technology and AI based solutions. Prior to Glanbia, Alan worked in Financial Services for 32 years in Irish Life, Bank of Ireland and MetLife Inc working with a variety of domestic and global business teams and international technology service providers to provider highly available, robust IT services.
Anthony O’Callaghan, Chief Information Officer,
Carbery Group
Anthony O’Callaghan is a seasoned IT professional with close to twenty years of successful IT experience spanning a number of industries. In his role as CIO, he is responsible for all digital operations across the Carbery Group globally and also leads digital transformation towards a single group model.
Prior to his appointment to the CIO role within Carbery in January 2020, O’Callaghan held various roles in companies such as Flex, Johnson Controls and Tyco and was responsible for functions such as IT Operations, Global Implementations, Global Data Analytics, Supply Chain Solutions, Commercial Sales Operations and PMO servicing both internal and external customers across the globe. He is based out of Carbery Group’s Ballineen facility in Ireland.
Jeremy O’Callaghan, Chief Information Officer,
Kepak Group
Photo: Shane O’Neill, Coalesce
Jeremy O’Callaghan is an experienced IT Professional with a track record for creating and implementing strategic IT direction for large multinational organisations that increases shareholder value, improves productivity and reduces costs. He manages large teams over multiple geographies, including North America, EMEA, Caribbean and Asia Pacific. O’Callaghan effectively aligns individual activities with organisational goals and improving employee morale.
Eddie O’Callaghan, Head of IT,
Bord na Móna
Eddie O’Callaghan is the Head of IT at Bord na Móna. He has significant experience at senior level in the consumer goods industry having held both business and IT roles. He has a history of setting out and delivering clear IT & BI strategies fully aligned to the business goals.
Finance and leadership skills are key strengths he also possesses. O’Callaghan has a strong track record in the execution of complex multi-disciplined projects evidenced by the various achievements in his career.
Killian O’Connell, Chief Information Officer,
Davy Stockbrokers
Killian O’Connell has worked at Davy Stockbrokers for over twenty eight years. He started working at the company in 1995 as Senior Software Engineer. O’Connell was made IT Business Applications Manager in 1998 before becoming the firm’s Chief Information Officer in 2012. He holds a BSc in Computer Applications from Dublin City University.
Keith O’Connor, Director of IT,
Cpl
An accomplished IT professional, Keith O’Connor has extensive experience gained from nineteen years working with Ireland’s top talent solutions company. Fifteen of these were spent in a leadership position delivering strategic and innovative solutions that match the needs of Cpl’s clients and candidates.
With a proven track record delivering business value aligned with customer needs through technology innovation and learning, O’Connor leads a dynamic team who approach their work with objectivity, positivity and integrity to deliver excellent results.
Mary O’Connor, Chief Information Officer,
ESB
As CIO for ESB, Mary O’Connor is responsible for driving digital transformation for the organisation as well as overseeing cyber strategy and risk management, IT strategy and enterprise architecture.
She is also responsible for the portfolio management of IT, digital and analytics work and is a champion of driving business transformation through the application of data and technology and digital ways of working.
O’Connor has a wealth of experience from over thirty years working in a wide range of disciplines and functions at all levels within ESB. She has a strong track record of developing and implementing strategies in a variety of businesses across ESB and motivating teams to drive business performance through people, innovation and technology.
She has led teams at all levels of the organisation in successful implementation of change working closely with internal and external partners to do so. O’Connor is an IT graduate of Trinity College and is an ACCA postgraduate in Accounting and Finance. She is a coach and mentor and is passionate about supporting peoples’ development to enable them reach their full potential.
Eilish O’Connor, Chief Technology Officer,
Viatel Technology Group
Eilish O’Connor is Chief Technology Officer at Viatel Technology Group. Viatel is a Platinum Deloitte Best Managed Company, employing a team of almost 300 experienced staff to deliver best-in-class business comms and digital transformation services to over 5,000 enterprise customers. Eilish joined Viatel as Cloud Solutions Director in 2018 and was soon promoted to CTO. Directing a future-proof product strategy is a critical element of Eilish’s role. Under her guidance, Viatel has evolved from a classic telecoms company into a digital services powerhouse. Eilish has also used her role as CTO to position cyber security at the forefront of daily operations. Eilish’s mission has always been to bridge the gap between people and technology. She has a particular talent for translating technical capabilities into tangible business benefits. This approach directly resulted in winning some of our most ambitious contracts e.g. migrating the State Exams Commission to the cloud and digitising the results and appeals process for Leaving Certificate.
Frank O’Dea, Chief Innovation Officer,
EY
Frank is Chief Innovation and Transformation Officer at EY Ireland and is responsible for technology strategy and adopting technologies such as Artificial Intelligence to transform service delivery. He leads our ecosystem of strategic alliances with technology partners who form part of our client solutions. Central to this has been the development and launch of EY Wavespace™, a place where innovation, talent and technology converge to solve problems and create meaningful outcomes for our clients. This includes the EY Wavespace Artificial Intelligence labs which help clients create new business clients by developing safe and effective AI solutions.
Dave O’Donovan, Chief Digital & Information Officer,
Aer Lingus
Dave O’Donovan is the Chief Digital & Information Officer at Aer Lingus. He is a member of the Executive Management Committee of Aer Lingus, a €2bn revenue business (2019), and a member of the Management Committee of IAG Tech, the technology function supporting IAG, whose airlines also include British Airways, Iberia and Vueling.
He is accountable for all technology across Aer Lingus, both from a Delivery and Run perspective, Lead the People Transformation workstream across IAG Tech, driving cultural and people transformation. O’Donovan is an accomplished executive with extensive experience in extracting business value from digital, data and technology across multiple industries and geographies as a consultant, an entrepreneur and a corporate leader.
Business & Finance CIO 100 (alphabetical by surname):
View part one (B–F)
View part two (F–L)
View part three (L–O)
View part four (O–W)
