By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Deloitte strengthens leadership team with a record 23 partner appointments
This weeks sees new and notable appointments at Deloitte, Circle K, and Paradyn
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Deloitte
Deloitte Ireland has appointed 23 new partners across its business, following a year of strong growth and client demand. The new partners are Deirdre Geaney, Deborah Hunter, Sinad Minnock, David Boyle, Paul McGarry, Jason Starbuck, and Ross Tuite (Audit & Assurance); Sarah Jayne MacLaverty, Xiomara Sanchez, Ciaran Duffy, Jason McCormac, Eoghan Murphy, and Gary Notley (Consulting); George Byron, Conor Cullen, Daniel Lockley, and James Toomey (Financial Advisory); Ciara O’Grady and Melissa Scully (Risk Advisory); and Carmel Marnane, Kelly Payne, Anthony O’Halloran, and Luka Pillai (Tax & Legal).
Commenting on the appointments, Harry Goddard, CEO, Deloitte Ireland, said: “Today is a significant milestone for our organisation and our people. This record number of appointments is a testament to the growth and strength of our business across the island of Ireland.
“Our new partners have proven ability in responding to our clients’ requirements and in the growth and wellbeing of their teams. Many of these partners joined Deloitte as graduates, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact they continue to make in the work that they do. I wish them all every success in their new roles.”
The new partners are:
David Boyle
David is a partner in Audit & Assurance based in Galway. He works primarily with large private equity backed and multinational clients. He has extensive experience across a number of industries. He has advised corporates on corporate governance, risk assessment processes and financials control improvements including faster financial close reporting and working capital management. Internally within Deloitte, David has held a number of strategic roles across talent, clients and industries and more recently as part of the audit transformation leadership team. David is a Chartered Accountant and member of the Irish Taxation Institute. He holds a Diploma in IFRS and FRS102 as issued by Chartered Accountants Ireland.
George Byron
George is a partner in Financial Advisory. He specialises in providing sell-side and buy-side financial due diligence services to private companies, corporates, and private equity firms. George has worked across all sectors with extensive experience in TMT, healthcare, and business services. George has over 12 years of experience working in Financial Advisory and spent seven years working in London with a competitor firm. George is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. He holds an MSc in Finance and Capital Markets from Dublin City University and a Bachelor of Business Studies from Trinity College Dublin.
Conor Cullen
Conor is a partner in Financial Advisory. Having joined Deloitte in 2009, Conor previously worked within Deloitte’s Investment Management audit practice prior to moving to Deloitte’s Financial Advisory team. Since joining the FA team, he has undertaken a variety of strategic and financial assignments and has experience in Due Diligence and M&A advisory. Conor has significant experience in supporting private equity and their portfolio companies on both buy-side and sell-side transactions across a range of sectors. Conor is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from University College Dublin.
Ciaran Duffy
Ciaran is a partner in Deloitte’s Human Capital Consulting practice and leads the firm’s HCM Cloud and Workday practices, as well as Human Capital’s Public Sector business. Ciaran’s primary specialities relate to transforming and modernising client HR functions through the effective utilisation of emerging HR technologies – particularly HR Information Systems, Unified Engagement Platforms, Payroll/Workforce Management, Automation and Workforce Planning solutions. Ciaran has over 19 years of commercial experience in software development, HRIS strategies & implementations, workforce management, and large HR transformation programmes, specialising in working collaboratively with his clients on how best to transition away from ineffective standards and practices, with minimal disruption to the running of the organisation through the utilisation of the latest industry insights and technology solutions – while also ensuring consistent alignment with the people strategy of the wider business and client self-sufficiency for future refinements.
Deirdre Geaney
Deirdre is a partner in Audit & Assurance and leads our Accounting Operations Assurance (AOA) team. AOA supports finance teams prepare for the future whilst ensuring they achieve business as usual and remain true to their core compliance activities. Deirdre has 15 years’ experience spanning finance and audit (financial services and technology). Her experience includes audit and internal controls, supporting controllership functions and delivering change programmes. Utilising her core audit skillset and broad advisory experience, she brings hands-on support to finance organisations focused on the continuous improvement and modernisation of finance functions’ people, process, infrastructure and controls. Deirdre holds a business degree from University of Limerick and is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Deborah Hunter
Deborah is a partner in our Audit & Assurance practice. She specialises in the provision of audit services to clients in the financial services sector, focused on the Investment Management industry. With over 10 years’ of experience, she has worked with large asset managers, various service providers and differing fund structures. She has comprehensive experience under various financial reporting frameworks, including IFRS, US GAAP and FRS 102. Deborah is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.
Daniel Lockley
Daniel is a partner in Financial Advisory on the Debt & Capital Advisory team and has over 13 years’ experience in corporate finance. Since joining Deloitte in 2014, Daniel has acted as company side advisor to many of the top property development and investment groups in Ireland and has raised in excess of €3bn for clients over the last four years. Daniel is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in Ireland (FCCA) and of the Institute of Bankers in Ireland. Prior to joining Deloitte, Daniel worked for Kavanagh Fennell for four years in their Advisory Department specialising in debt restructuring, debt negotiation and financial monitoring. Daniel has extensive experience in structuring, arranging and raising capital (debt & equity) for real estate development and investment.
Jason McCormac
Jason is a partner in Consulting with a focus on Government and Public Services based in our Belfast office. He has over 15 years’ experience leading and implementing large scale technology projects across Public Sector and Financial Services. Jason has a focus on the design and delivery of technology solutions to support clients on their Digital and Cloud Transformation journeys. Away from consulting Jason also has experience working in both the charity and university sectors. Jason has extensive experience in solution design and implementation, development of technology strategies and project management. His strengths lie in his technical capability and adaptability. Jason holds a B.Eng (Hons) in Digital Media Engineering from DCU and is a Chartered IT Professional with the British Computer Society (BCS).
Paul McGarry
Paul is a partner in the Audit & Assurance Financial Services group. Paul brings over 10 years’ experience specialising in the provision of audit, assurance, and advisory services to clients in the investment management industry. Paul has extensive experience working with different Fund structures and reporting frameworks and provides advice to investment management funds and their service providers. Paul also sits on the Reporting group of Irish Funds, Ireland’s representative body for Investment Management. Paul holds a degree in Economics & Philosophy from UCD and is a member of Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Sarah Jayne MacLaverty
Sarah Jayne is a partner in Consulting, focused on providing consulting services to the Financial Services clients – specifically retail and international banks. She has supported and led clients on large scale complex transformation initiatives such as platform transformation, operations transformation and large regulatory implementation programmes. Sarah Jayne holds a B. Comm and a Masters degree in Corporate Strategy from the NUI Galway and most recently an executive MBA in 2021.
Carmel Marnane
Carmel is a partner in Tax & Legal based in our Cork office. Carmel has over 15 years professional tax experience, working with a range of clients including domestic and multinational companies in implementing tax efficient structures for transfer pricing, business model optimisation and transferring wealth to the next generation. Carmel also works with companies engaged in the financial services and aircraft leasing industry. Carmel holds a Business Studies degree (BBS) from the University of Limerick and she is an associate of the Irish Taxation Institute.
Sinéad Minnock
Sinéad is a partner in Audit & Assurance. She specialises in the provision of assurance and advisory services to clients in the insurance sector. Sinéad has over 14 years’ experience in insurance and has wide ranging experience in leading engagements in accounting, regulatory, advisory and audit services. Sinéad has specific experience in advising insurance companies on accounting for portfolio transfers, change in financial reporting framework and other change transactions. Sinéad is skilled in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), including IFRS 17, US GAAP, FRS and Solvency II. Sinéad is a strong accounting professional and graduated from Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Eoghan Murphy
Eoghan is a partner in Consulting and is based in our Cork office. Eoghan leads transformation programmes and advises clients primarily in the Consumer Goods and Manufacturing sectors, both in B2B and B2C environments. Eoghan has a track record of leading complex programmes and delivering strategic and operational change working closely with C-suite clients. His areas of expertise are sector focused ranging from strategy engagements and tech enabled transformation through to supply chain and global business services.
Gary Notley
Gary is a partner in Consulting leading transformation through the people lens within Human Capital Consulting in Deloitte Ireland. Gary brings a blended 15 years of industry and consulting experience and has recently led a number of operating model transformations for global and local organisations in the private sector. Gary has experience in transformation design through to implementation and within the HR domain Gary has expertise in HR and Talent Strategies, HR Operating Models, Workforce Planning, Digital HR and advising clients how to deal with the disruptions from the Future of Work.
Ciara O’Grady
Ciara is a partner in Risk Advisory specialising in Risk and Regulation advisory with exposure to a diverse client base including Banks, FinTechs, Payment firms, E-money firms, (re)Insurance companies and Investment firms. Ciara has extensive knowledge, expertise and credentials in supporting clients in the domestic and European regulatory environment obtained through 15 years’ experience in regulatory, risk and compliance roles in industry and professional practice. She advises clients on complex regulatory challenges including regulatory change, licensing and authorisations, second line of defence effectiveness and optimisation and the risk and regulatory impacts of restructuring.
Anthony O’Halloran
Anthony is a partner in our Tax & Legal department and part of the Corporate & International tax team. Anthony specialises primarily in international tax for multinational companies investing into Ireland. Anthony previously led our Irish Tax Desk in New York with Deloitte LLP. Anthony works primarily with inbound multinational clients from the US, UK and Europe. Anthony has extensive experience in leading multi-jurisdictional projects in the areas of IP structuring, due diligence, group re-organisations, business model optimisation and financing projects with a particular focus on companies in the technology and life sciences industries. Anthony is a Chartered Accountant (ACA) and a Chartered Tax Consultant (CTA).
Kelly Payne
Kelly is a partner in Tax & Legal working in Global Employer Services. Kelly joined Deloitte in August 2013 and has worked with a range of multi-national and domestic companies across a variety of sectors. Kelly has extensive experience advising clients on global mobility matters, employment tax, equity incentives, personal tax, payroll, and social security matters. Kelly advises clients on tax issues relating to their global mobility programmes, and compensation and benefits policies. She also provides support to clients in respect of Revenue audits and interventions, PAYE health checks and due diligences ahead of M&A transactions. Kelly is a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) and an Associate of Chartered Accountants Ireland (ACA).
Luka Pillai
Luka is a partner in Tax & Legal, specialising in Transfer Pricing. Luka primarily focuses on serving clients in the financial services sector. This includes working across banking, insurance, investment management (including private equity and alternatives), aviation finance, real estate and FinTech. Prior to joining Deloitte in Ireland in June 2022, Luka worked in London with Deloitte where he worked with a number of clients in helping them establish their post-Brexit operating models. He supports clients across the transfer pricing lifecycle from transfer pricing policy design to compliance and implementation. Luka also has significant experience in the tax controversy space and has been involved in dispute resolution work globally, including agreeing Mutual Agreement Procedures and Advanced Pricing Agreements.
Xiomara Sanchez
Xiomara is a partner in Consulting with a focus on Finance Transformation and the Consumer industry. She has over 18 years’ experience in leading Transformation and Tech enabled programmes across multi-industry and clients. Xiomara leads across large scale transformation programmes including: finance strategy, finance operating model design and execution; process design and improvement; GBS/Shared Service and CoE Op Model design through to execution, and delivering tech enabled transformations through digital tools and SAP. Xiomara has extensive experience in programme management; change management and C-level stakeholder management and engagement. Xiomara is a chartered accountant with ACCA and holds a Masters from University of London.
Melissa Scully
Melissa is a partner in our Risk Advisory practice and leads our Deloitte Ireland Centre for Corporate Governance. Melissa specialises in board effectiveness and corporate governance across all industries, and brings insight into the challenges facing boards and directors. Her clients range from public sector organisations and financial services institutions to FTSE 100 companies. She has extensive experience delivering engagements across Ireland and EMEA, including conducting independent board effectiveness reviews, executive governance advisory, IPO governance readiness, developing governance policy frameworks and designing subsidiary governance structures. She also undertakes benchmarking exercises for many companies keen to meet global standards and delivers bespoke training for boards and committees.
Jason Starbuck
Jason is a partner in Audit & Assurance with over 15 years’ experience working with a range of listed, large private, multinational and PCAOB clients. Jason has provided audit and advisory services in both IFRS and FRS 102 reporting frameworks across a wide range of business sectors with a focus on technology, manufacturing and Agri-Food. He has worked on the transition of numerous large audits and has developed significant experience in leading smooth transition processes for new clients and ensuring that the year one audit delivers on the expectations we have set. He has also worked on numerous group audit reporting engagements and has significant experience with UK listed plcs. Jason is a chartered accountant and member of Chartered Accountants Ireland.
James Toomey
James is a partner in Deloitte’s M&A Advisory team. He has deep transaction experience advising mid-market private companies and private equity firms on sell-side and buy-side transactions as well as extensive due diligence experience. James works across a range of sectors with a particular focus on Technology, Software and Engineering supported by the fact that he is both a qualified accountant and engineer, he spent time as a technology consultant with Accenture before joining Deloitte. James has significant experience in complex private equity transactions having acted for private equity on the buy side and for indigenous private businesses supporting them through private equity processes.
Ross Tuite
Ross is a partner in Audit & Assurance focused on the financial services industry. Ross has broad experience managing large global audits, structured finance vehicles and lending institutions. Ross has a deep skillset in Credit Risk, IFRS 9 and Expected Credit Loss impairment. Ross also has experience in assessing control environments throughout various business processes for both SOx and non-SOx compliant entities. He has also worked on advisory projects including internal control reviews, regulatory reporting, asset quality reviews and governance reviews. Ross is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland. He has a BA (Hons) Degree in Law and Accounting from the University of Limerick.
Gillian McGowran, Market Development Director, and Judy Glover, Head of European Merchandising,
Circle K
Circle K, the convenience retailer, has announced two executive appointments to its senior leadership team. Gillian McGowran has been promoted to Market Development Director, with her predecessor Judy Glover taking up the role of Head of European Merchandising with Circle K in Europe.
Gillian McGowran, Market Development Director, Circle K
In her new role, McGowran will have responsibility for the marketing strategy at Circle K Ireland as well as category and supply chain management.
McGowran has been with the company for 12 years, having previously served as Senior Manager Franchise Channel, and before that as Head of Marketing. She started her career in retail with Boots Ireland, where she worked for over 13 years.
Judy Glover, Head of European Merchandising, Circle K
Glover recently started a new position as Head of European Merchandising with Circle K in Europe. She will be responsible for eight markets across Europe and will continue to work closely with the senior leadership team at Circle K Ireland to offer the best customer service and operational excellence.
Glover has been working with Circle K since 2009 and has grown with the company across a number of roles including Senior Category Manager, Head of Category Management and Senior Market Development Director. Glover was instrumental to the successful rebrand from Topaz to Circle K. Before that, she worked for Tesco Ireland for over five years.
Gordon Lawlor, Managing Director at Circle K Ireland commented: “At Circle K, investing in our people is a key priority to us and I am delighted to announce these two greatly deserved promotions.
“Gillian and Judy are both longstanding members of the Circle K team here in Ireland and I look forward to seeing them progress in their new roles, helping their colleagues thrive and making sure we are delivering excellent service for our customers in Ireland and globally. Promoting female leaders within the business is a key priority for us, in Ireland our leadership roles are currently 50/50 up to BU Leader, and we want to continue this into the future.
“I truly believe our colleagues are integral to our success and our goal is to create an environment where they can grow personally and professionally. Many of our colleagues have started their careers as sales assistants in our stores and are now working in roles within our Category Management, Fuels and Commercial teams. We also offer them opportunities within the wider Circle K network and there are several examples of colleagues who started in the Irish business and are now working with Circle K at a European and global level.”
McGowran has an Honours Degree in Marketing from the Marketing Institute of Ireland and a Professional Diploma, Management and Leadership from UCD Professional Academy.
Glover holds a Diploma in Purchasing and Materials Management, as well as an Honours Degree in Industrial Purchasing Management from the Carlow institute of Technology.
Fergal Meehan, Chief Commercial Officer,
Paradyn
Paradyn, the cybersecurity service provider, has announced the appointment of Fergal Meehan to the position of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). Meehan brings over two decades of experience in the technology industry to the role, with key focuses on cybersecurity and customer experience.
Prior to this appointment, Meehan was Head of Public Sector Relations with Paradyn, where he worked closely with public sector customers to develop bespoke services tailored to their unique needs. As CCO in the field of cybersecurity, Meehan will be responsible for developing and executing commercial strategies that drive revenue growth and market expansion for Paradyn.
Furthermore, Meehan will shape and evolve Paradyn’s offering for new and existing customers across its full suite of cybersecurity, backup, and networking solutions. With extensive experience in the technology and cybersecurity industry, Meehan possesses a deep understanding of the market landscape, customer needs, and emerging trends.
He will also enhance the offering from Vault365, an all-in-one backup, anti-ransomware, and data protection solution leveraging on-premise and cloud for airgap and disaster recovery. In addition, Meehan will be tasked with developing and building out cross-skilled sales and technical teams to deliver these innovative services which, in turn, will help to drive value for customers.
Meehan’s career journey started in 2000 and he has gained a strong professional and educational background with major technology providers such as Cisco, Microsoft, Checkpoint and Palo Alto, with a focus on cybersecurity. He has also gained hands-on experience by working with these companies across security and network consultancy roles.
Fergal Meehan, Chief Commercial Officer, Paradyn, said: “As CCO, my aim is to drive the human element of what we do and really understand our customers’ unique requirements. I believe I can bring the best of both worlds to the role, leveraging my technical background and experience in customer-focused roles to develop and deliver innovative solutions to solve customers’ business problems. I also plan to draw on my deep knowledge of the public sector to drive increased value for customers in this area.”
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