By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Jean de Villiers, Head of Analytics, SAS Ireland
There were new and notable appointments this week at SAS Ireland, Bank of Ireland, McCann FitzGerald, Kearney Law Group, MyClub, HEINEKEN Ireland, Esri Ireland and Logicalis UK&I
Jean de Villiers, Head of Analytics
SAS Ireland
SAS, the global analytics company, has appointed Jean de Villiers as its new head of analytics in Ireland.
A bona fide SAS and AI expert, de Villiers has more than a decade of experience leading data science teams, most recently at Idiro Analytics and before that at MultiChoice. He also has an impressive 23 SAS Certifications (qualifications) to his name.
A specialist in the full analytics lifecycle, he has a particular interest in bridging the gap between technology and people, with a key focus on how it complements human endeavour, rather than forcing people to fit into technology frameworks.
In 2023 de Villiers believes we will see an acceleration in the democratisation of analytics, led by businesses transitioning to the cloud, a greater emphasis on explainable AI models and a laser focus on output value.
He said: “Data science teams are becoming more tool agnostic and more focused on delivering value to business. A big enabler for this is the adoption of data science platforms that are open to a variety of proprietary and open-source programming languages. SAS Viya is a good example of such an inclusive platform embracing this change.”
The data analytics industry in Ireland has been going through a period of rapid expansion. Late last year Dublin played host to more than 1,500 delegates as part of the National Analytics Summit, which has grown to become one of the biggest analytics focussed events in Europe, attracting speakers from the likes of Netflix, Arsenal FC, Paramount Movies and NHS UK.
SAS Ireland business lead Alan McGlinn added: “There’s a thriving data industry in Ireland and I am excited and energised to bring Jean into the SAS team. He’s already having a significant impact and I know his expertise will add a lot of value for our customers and for the entire SAS community here in Ireland.”
Pat Coleman, Head of Group Market & Liquidity Risk
Bank of Ireland
Pictured: Pat Coleman, Head of Group Market & Liquidity Risk, Bank of Ireland
Bank of Ireland has appointed Pat Coleman as Head of Group Market & Liquidity Risk for the Bank of Ireland Group. Coleman joined Bank of Ireland in 2015 as Head of Treasury and ALM (Asset and Liability Management) Market Risk. He previously held a number of senior treasury and capital markets roles at Depfa Bank and was also Head of Treasury at Commerzbank Europe (Ireland). He holds an MA in Economics and an MSc in Risk Management from University College Dublin.
In his new role, Coleman is responsible for the oversight of market risk management (including interest rates, foreign exchange and other market risks) and liquidity risk for the Group. Bank of Ireland had total assets of €156 billion at end June 2022.
Commenting on his appointment, Stephen Roughton-Smith, Group Chief Risk Officer, Bank of Ireland said: “From a career of 25 years in markets and financial services Pat has significant leadership experience and specialised skills in the management, oversight and reporting of market and liquidity risk. As a member of the senior leadership team in Group Risk he will play a key role in maintaining and enhancing a leading Risk function for Bank of Ireland.”
Sabina Cotter, Head of Responsible Business
McCann FitzGerald
Pictured (from l-r): Stephen Holst (Managing Partner), Sabina Cotter (Head of Responsible Business) and Éamon Ó Cuív (Partner, Sustainable Finance and ESG)
Law firm, McCann FitzGerald, has appointed Sabina Cotter as Head of Responsible Business. The appointment was made to build on the firm’s ambitious corporate citizenship and ESG agenda and support a growing programme of pro-bono work. Cotter will work closely with the firm’s leadership team to accelerate a next-generation responsible business strategy that is aligned with McCann FitzGerald’s vision and values.
Cotter has more than 20 years of experience in social and commercial impact roles and previously held positions with Dublin City University Educational Trust and the Irish Youth Foundation. She has a proven track record in implementing impactful and measurable corporate social responsibility strategies and has developed successful partnerships aligned with the UN Sustainability Development Goals. She is a member of the Chambers Ireland Sustainable Business Impact Awards judging panel since 2019.
Commenting on the appointment, Stephen Holst, Managing Partner, McCann FitzGerald, said “We are delighted that Sabina has joined McCann FitzGerald. She will play a key role in building on our firm’s commitments to social impact, pro-bono work, diversity, equity and inclusion and the environment. Being a responsible business has always been at the core of our culture at McCann FitzGerald and I look forward to working closely with Sabina to drive a long term, strategic and impact-driven agenda to accelerate our ambitions.”
Sabina Cotter, newly appointed Head of Responsible Business at McCann FitzGerald, added: “I’m delighted to join the McCann FitzGerald team and look forward to bringing my experience to support their wide-ranging ESG goals. McCann FitzGerald already has a number of excellent programmes in place and I’m keen to get to work, alongside the leadership team, to develop and deliver responsible business initiatives that are innovative and reflect the culture and commitment of everyone in the firm.”
McCann FitzGerald supports a number of non-profit organisations such as the Early Learning Initiative, Free Legal Advice Centres, the Public Interest Law Alliance, Trinity College’s Access Programme and Ozanam House, a community resource centre operated by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.
Lee Donaghy and Ryan Abram, Claim Specialists
Kearney Law Group
KEARNEY Law Group, specialists in the provision of personal injury law and clinical negligence claims, continues to expand its offering to clients with the addition of two new claim specialists to its team. Working alongside Solicitor Advocate and former Barrister, Paul Kearney, the Derry based firm, which has an office in Belfast and four throughout Ireland, has continued to grow since it was first established in 2019.
The group has announced the appointment of claim specialists, Lee Donaghy and Ryan Abram. Lee Donaghy will be taking on the newly created role of Claims and Business Development Manager, and Ryan Abram has been named Senior Claims Consultant. Both are based in Kearney Law Group’s Belfast office.
Speaking about the appointments, Director of Kearney Law Group, Paul Kearney said: “I am delighted to have such experienced and skilled insurance professionals joining the group. Lee and Ryan have outstanding reputations within the industry and their expertise will be invaluable as our business continues to expand. Their insight and knowledge will provide vital support for our clients, helping to ease them through what can be otherwise be a daunting process.”
Lee Donaghy and Ryan Abram are insurance and claims specialists, bringing with them a wealth of experience from their extensive careers within this sector. They will be responsible for overseeing personal injury claims within Northern Ireland for Kearney Law Group, and providing expert advice to clients and guidance through the claims process.
Lee Donaghy spoke about what attracted her to the newly created role: “The Kearney Law Group really stood out for its approach to customers, and the approachable, jargon-free way it works with people. Ryan and I are thrilled to join the practice and support this collaborative approach. Between us we have nearly 50 years of experience handling claims from a claimant and defence perspective, which compliments the rest of the team’s legal expertise. This combination of skills and experience from a different professional perspectives will ensure the best outcomes for our customers. They will benefit from years of insurer industry knowledge along with career-long relationships with experts in the field.”
Jack Ryan, Chief Executive Officer
MyClub
Dublin based MyClub, has been launched in Ireland for sporting clubs and organisations alike to support them in all aspects of their clubs’ operations, all available on a single platform. MyClub has appointed new CEO, Jack Ryan, who’s background is in sports management and coaching both in Ireland and in the USA. MyClub have also successfully raised €1 million in their first funding round; which includes investment from a number of sports stars.
Jack Ryan, CEO, said, regarding his appointment; “I am delighted to have been appointed as CEO of MyClub. I have a huge amount of experience working with different sporting clubs in Ireland and in the USA and I was blown away by what MyClub has to offer to sports clubs and organisations in terms of support and services when compared to what is currently available. This coupled with the fact there is no upfront cost to sports clubs for all the services available should be very attractive to the thousands of sports clubs and organisations we have in Ireland and across the globe.
“I am pleased to confirm that in our first round of funding, MyClub has raised €1 million. As part of this round of funding sports stars like, Irish Rugby International, Jordan Larmour and Kilkenny Hurler Walter Walsh, have invested in MyClub. We expect in the not-too-distant future to be entering additional rounds of investment for MyClub in the USA to raise a further €1.6 million.
Speaking about the features the MyClub app has, CEO, Jack Ryan said; “MyClub is determined to address two age old problems that sports clubs and organisation have suffered with for many years; namely inadequate or no training for volunteers who take up positions within the club that have a high level of responsibility and take up large amounts of time of their members and addressing the problem of inconsistent revenues that finance the goals and aspirations of individual sports clubs. Clubs largely depend on a begging bowl strategy of searching for sponsorship and selling raffle tickets and organising lotteries.
Speaking about MyClub, the Chairman Brendan Kavanagh said; “This is an exciting platform for sports clubs and organisations to use at no cost to them, allowing them to use their time and resources in a more efficient manner. I’m delighted to be part of this initiative that I believe will help to transform how clubs interact with their members and local communities into the future.
Sharon Walsh, Managing Director
HEINEKEN Ireland
Pictured: Sharon Walsh, Managing Director, HEINEKEN Ireland
HEINEKEN Ireland has announced the appointment of Sharon Walsh as the company’s new Managing Director. Walsh, who succeeds Maarten Schuurman, is currently the Commercial Director for HEINEKEN Ireland. She has held senior roles within HEINEKEN Ireland and across at the brewer’s global operations over the past 11 years.
Schuurman is leaving Ireland to take up the role of Managing Director of HEINEKEN’s East & West Africa region from 1st April 2023. In his new role he will be responsible for HEINEKEN’s operating companies in Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Sierra Leone, Mozambique and a joint venture business in Dubai.
Announcing Walsh’s appointment, Schuurman said that while he was sad to be leaving the HEINEKEN Ireland business after four years to take up another role in the group, he could not wish for a better successor.
“Sharon has been a fantastic member of the Management Team for many years, and I wish her every success in her new role as Managing Director. Sharon’s broad business knowledge, leadership, creative drive, and competitive spirit will be of great value to drive the next chapter of sustainable and responsible growth at HEINEKEN Ireland.”
Walsh said she is honoured to have been appointed Managing Director and is excited to take up her new role.
“We have a great team at HEINEKEN Ireland, and I’m looking forward to leading the business and working with them, and our customers and stakeholders, to continue to take the business forward.”
Mairead Malone, Sales Director for Ireland
Logicalis UK&I
Logicalis UK&I, an IT solutions and managed services provider, has announced the appointment of Mairead Malone as its Sales Director for Ireland.
Malone will be responsible for driving sales and business growth for Logicalis in the Irish market. As part of this, she will oversee and manage the sales and support teams responsible for its enterprise, mid-market and new clients.
In addition to expanding the company’s client base, Malone will support existing customers, helping them to employ the right technology and managed services to accomplish their business goals.
She has over 25 years of experience in the IT industry, working in all segments of the channel, from resellers to managed service providers. She is a recognised leader in both traditional and service-based sales.
Malone was regional vice president for channel and cloud sales Europe at Sungard Availability Services before joining Logicalis. Prior to this, she held the position of Group Commercial Director Arrow (formerly Commtech), where she oversaw the sales, technical, and marketing teams. This followed 10 years at Dell Technologies (formerly EMC) in various roles from sales to management.
Speaking about her new role, Malone said: “It’s a privilege to join the Logicalis team and collaborate closely with long-standing clients and key partners. The organisation is currently going through a very exciting period as we bring to market enhanced solutions leveraging both our local and global consultancy and services. The depth and breadth of the Logicalis group will enable us to meet the emerging requirements of our customers and grow our market share.”
Caitlyn Buchanan, Digital Marketing Executive
Esri Ireland
Esri Ireland, who specialise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), has announced the appointment of Caitlyn Buchanan as Digital Marketing Executive.
In this new role, Buchanan will support the design, development, and delivery of brand campaigns to drive new customer growth, and support the continuous improvement and optimisation of the company’s website and social channels. She will also work to create content and communications to promote Esri’s technological capabilities, and support the management of company events including their annual Customer Success Awards.
Before joining Esri Ireland, Buchanan was a Marketing Executive with Company Bureau Formations for over five years. Here, she was responsible for managing multiple company websites and social media accounts, managing online advertising, driving customer communications, and creating content with an SEO focus.
Caitlyn holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a major in Marketing from the University of Regina in Saskatchewan, Canada. She also holds an Executive Diploma in Strategic Digital Marketing from Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin).
Speaking on her appointment, Buchanan said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to this role at Esri Ireland. I plan to draw on my extensive experience with website and social media management, content creation, and data analysis to help drive Esri’s digital strategy. I’m also looking forward to working with customers who are using data to make better economic, social, and environmental decisions, and telling their stories in an engaging way. I am eager to take on this new challenge, where I can continue to grow my skills and work with an open-minded and collaborative team.”
