By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Rebecca Keenan, Global Head of Intelligent Automation, Expleo
This week sees new and notable appointments at Expleo, LRQA, Ward Personnel, CWSI, and EDC
Rebecca Keenan, Global Head of Intelligent Automation,
Expleo
Expleo, a global engineering, technology and consulting service provider, has announced the appointment of Rebecca Keenan as its Global Head of Intelligent Automation. In her role, Rebecca will drive change at scale in some of the world’s largest enterprises, helping them to push business boundaries with intelligent technologies.
As businesses look to integrate more intelligent systems into their operations, Keenan will be responsible for the development and delivery of Expleo’s intelligent automation capabilities, helping enterprises to unlock new game-changing and revenue-generating opportunities. The service utilises technologies such as AI, robotic process automation, optical character recognition (OCR), chatbots, process mining, and machine learning.
Keenan joined Expleo as a graduate in 2016 after earning a first-class honours degree in Computer Science and Business from Trinity College Dublin. She received the Kenneth Mulkearns Memorial Medal for coming top of her class.
Keenan is passionate about diversity and inclusion in the workplace and, as a leader in her sector, often speaks publicly about her experiences and the need for more diversity in tech.
Commenting on her appointment, Keenan said: “It is a fascinating time to be working with intelligent automation systems, incorporating the advanced operating models and people elements that must go in tandem with the technology to be successful.
“We are only really in the discovery phase of what these technologies are capable of, and it is incredibly exciting to be right at the heart of such a momentous shift in how businesses operate and the benefits that will bring to society at large. These technologies are helping us to reimagine how the world works and I am so grateful to the Expleo team for having faith in me to lead the company’s intelligent automation business as we work to shape a smarter future.”
Ian Spaulding, Chief Executive Officer,
LRQA
LRQA has today announced the appointment of Ian Spaulding as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective from 1 September 2023. Current CEO, Paul Butcher, has decided to step down and will support the organisation in an advisory capacity to the board.
Ian Spaulding, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), LRQA
LRQA’s Chairman, Martin Blackburn, said: “As an experienced and successful CEO for more than ten years with ELEVATE, and a member of LRQA’s executive committee since ELEVATE was acquired by LRQA, Ian has a deep understanding of our business, clients and market. He is ideally placed to lead the continued execution of our strategy to become the leading global assurance partner in the market and to build on the growth that Paul has unlocked over the past five years. I am deeply grateful to Paul for his vision, leadership and energy during a time of rapid and ambitious transformation. I wish him the very best with his future plans.”
Paul Butcher said: “It’s been a privilege to spend five years leading this fantastic business and providing market-leading assurance services to our clients. This year we have completed separation from our former parent company and are on track to achieve our best-ever sales and revenue results. The business is in a strong place and Ian is the ideal natural successor as CEO, so this is the right moment to hand over leadership. I want to thank all the amazing people in LRQA for their commitment to our clients and our strategy, and for everything we have achieved together so far.”
Ian Spaulding said: “As LRQA’s incoming CEO, I want to fundamentally help companies run better businesses. Assurance can help our clients connect the dots between their operations, meet international standards, give confidence to external stakeholders, and help anticipate business risks that haven’t even emerged yet. This is a new era of risk, one that is continuously evolving and expanding, and it’s time to future-proof your business. It will be an honour to help clients on that journey as CEO of LRQA, continuing the extraordinary work delivered by Paul to re-define the assurance market.”
Anthony Savage, Business Development Manager,
Ward Personnel
Construction recruitment firm Ward Personnel has announced the appointment of Anthony Savage to the role of Business Development Manager.
This role will see Savage managing the Sales and Account Management team and overseeing business development within the company across all regions.
Savage has over 30 years’ experience across a wide range of industries and will bring his experience in Sales & Business Development, Recruitment, Key Account Management, Operations & Compliance into his new role.
Speaking upon his appointment, Savage commented: “I am very enthusiastic about joining Ward Personnel. I look forward to working with the wider team to service our existing clients while also attracting new clients. There is a real shortage of construction workers in Ireland and in Europe, both in trade and professional staff, and Ward Personnel has built a great team and infrastructure to support our client's ongoing recruitment requirements”.
Since its establishment in 2010, Ward Personnel has expanded year on year with offices in Dublin, Cork, Athlone and Poland, providing recruitment solutions to the Construction and Industrial sectors.
Mark McKeon, Director of Managed Services,
CWSI
Mark McKeon, Director of Managed Services, CWSI
CWSI, a modern workplace security and compliance specialist, has announced the appointment of Mark McKeon as Director of Managed Services.
McKeon brings 25 years of experience in enterprise services and sales with leading tech multinationals Microsoft, Hewlett Packard (HP), and IBM to the role. He will draw on his extensive experience with Microsoft, a key strategic partner for CWSI, to drive growth for CWSI’s dedicated Microsoft security practice and portfolio of security products and services.
As Director of Managed Services for CWSI, McKeon will lead the managed services team across service desk operations, service design, and service delivery. McKeon will focus on delivering best-in-class solutions and service excellence to customers, and will build on key relationships with CWSI’s channel partners and direct customers. Following CWSI’s recent acquisitions in the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, McKeon will also be responsible for driving the standardisation and delivery of managed services across all regions.
McKeon joins CWSI from Microsoft EMEA, where he led the consulting, support, and enterprise services teams. Most recently, he was Director of Enterprise Support Sales for EMEA, overseeing the sales of Microsoft’s service offerings into all markets across Europe.
Prior to this, McKeon worked with HP Ireland, leading a number of large multiyear outsourcing engagements before heading up HP Ireland’s Enterprise Division. Previously, he held various sales roles with IBM Ireland.
McKeon will report into Des Ryan, CWSI’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). McKeon’s appointment follows the recent announcement that Des has joined CWSI from Microsoft Ireland.
Des Ryan, Chief Operating Officer, CWSI: “Mark is an excellent addition to our growing team. We have high ambitions for ourselves and a proven record for executing on our strategy. Being able to attract talent like Mark is a great indication that we are on the right path.
“Mark has worked in some of our key geographies, has deep insights into our most strategic security partner and, importantly, is very culturally aligned with our business. As a managed security services provider, our customers’ security is paramount. Mark has deep experience in enterprise services and that leadership will bring an increased level of excellence to our service teams.”
Mark McKeon, Director of Managed Services, CWSI: “With 25 years of experience, I know the enterprise services world really well. I know what customers want and, importantly, how to go about delivering the services they need. CWSI is on the path to becoming the leading cybersecurity services provider in Europe. This, coupled with its strong focus on Microsoft’s security portfolio, which I am strongly aligned to, is a very compelling reason to join the company.
“I look forward to getting to know the CWSI services team and using my experience to help continue to build the leading cybersecurity services company in Europe. It’s a very exciting time.”
Martin O’Sullivan, Associate Director Electrical,
EDC
Martin O’Sullivan, Associate Director Electrical at EDC
Engineering consultancy EDC has announced the appointment of Martin O’Sullivan to its management team as Associate Director Electrical. O’Sullivan joined EDC in July this year, and his appointment is pivotal in advancing the company’s ambitious expansion plans to enhance its footprint in Cork, Dublin, Limerick, and Galway; while also strengthening the firm’s project management capabilities.
O’Sullivan joins EDC from a Capital projects team in IFF, formerly Dupont, where he worked on Electrical Infrastructure upgrades and site improvement projects ranging from under €1M to €10M. Prior to this O’Sullivan worked as part of the PSCS team to install a data centre in Dublin.
With over 10 years’ experience with electrical disciplines, O’Sullivan started as an electrician in the Irish Naval Service, transitioning to engineering, working with Dornan Engineering. While serving in the Irish Naval Service, Martin honed his dedication to detail and ‘right first time’ ethos as the Ship’s Gunner, a weapons specialist responsible for maintaining and operating all weapons on board. Additionally, he served as a Naval Diver, trained in search patterns to assist with locating underwater items and facilitating recovery.
He holds a Certificate L7 Building Information Modelling, and BEng in Electrical Engineering from CIT.
In response to his appointment, Martin O’Sullivan commented: “I am delighted to join the leadership team at EDC, and look forward to leading projects which will deliver innovative and sustainable solutions for our diverse range of clients across Ireland and internationally.”
Announcing details of O’Sullivan’s appointment, Richard O’Farrell, Managing Director at EDC said “Martin’s background in capital projects and M&E contracting will assist in the development and timely delivery of projects as we strive for excellence; and we are delighted to have him join our leadership team.”
Celebrating 20 years in business in 2023, EDC has established a strong track record of client satisfaction, resulting in repeat business and partnerships with top-tier clients. Notable current projects include Horgan’s Quay in Cork; multiple large-scale residential projects in London; Government PPP and HEB Bundles; a UK based Energy From Waste project; the new European Parliament Office Building in Dublin; and 65-storey Consort Place in London.
The company’s dedication to sustainability and engineering design innovation was recently recognised at the 2023 Irish Construction Excellence (ICE) Awards in the “Engineering Design Innovation -– Element Up To €10M Category”, for their work on Dublin City Council’s North City Operations Depot.
Bernie Burchill, Associate Director,
EDC
Bernie Burchill, Associate Director, EDC
Engineering consultancy EDC is pleased to announce the appointment of Bernie Burchill to its management team as Associate Director. The appointment strengthens the firm’s commitment to enhancing organisational culture internally.
Burchill is an accomplished HR Leader, with 20 years experience in industry. Bernie joined EDC as the People and Organisational Development manager in 2017, having previously worked in a number of multi-national companies, across a variety of sectors.
Burchill becomes EDC’s first non-Engineering (Technical) Associate Director, demonstrating EDC’s continuous recognition of its people, the value it places on Diversity within the Leadership team, and the opportunity and support for career advancement in all areas of the business.
Speaking about her appointment, Burchill said: “As Leader of EDC’s People function, I am delighted to be appointed to the role of Associate Director. We have had an exciting and busy journey at EDC, doubling our employee numbers over the past 5 years. As an ambitious driver of change, I am excited to support EDC in the development and delivery of its People and Culture strategies. I am appreciative and energised to have the opportunity to work with such a committed team, who are passionate about both People and Project delivery excellence.
“Whilst leading EDC’s People function, we have made massive leaps in creating an environment that is progressive, instils a culture of learning, career advancement and high team performance. I am passionate about creating an environment and culture where people can speak their minds, be themselves and feel included, whilst being rewarded competitively and fairly.”
Announcing details of the Associate Director appointment, Richard O’Farrell, Managing Director at EDC said: “We are delighted to have Bernie join our team of Associate Directors. Bernie’s depth and breath of knowledge in the areas of talent management, diversity and inclusion, employee engagement and coaching is a real asset to EDC.”
READ MORE APPOINTMENTS:
Auxilion, Drinkaware, Envisage and Rásaíocht Con Éireann
Great-West Lifeco, Esri Ireland, FTI Consulting and Cork Society of Chartered Accountants Ireland
