By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Paul Rodgers, Waterways Ireland
This week sees new and notable appointments at Workhuman, Astatine, The Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland, Nokia, Etag, LED Entreprises Limited, Waterways Ireland and Irish Beverage Council
Paul Rodgers, Project Lead for the restoration of Ulster Canal,
Waterways Ireland
Waterways Ireland, the cross-border navigational authority for inland waterways, has appointed Paul Rodgers as the Project Lead for the restoration of Ulster Canal.
Rodgers’s role will be critical in completing the third phase of the Ulster Canal, the largest and most challenging element of this significant project. Paul will manage and oversee all aspects of the development and construction of Phase Three. The redevelopment of the Ulster Canal is expected to reach completion in 2029 and is a key element of Waterways Ireland’s 10-year plan.
Rodger has over 28 years’ experience in project and contract management through all stages of project delivery across the utilities and energy sectors, including significant infrastructure projects in wind, gas and water throughout the UK and Ireland.
Speaking on his appointment as Ulster Canal Project Lead, Rodgers said: “The redevelopment of the Ulster Canal is a significant and ambitious project, and I’m delighted to join Waterways Ireland and take on the role of Project Lead to deliver on this most challenging phase of the works.
“Through the Ulster Canal restoration, Waterways Ireland is committed to building a brighter future where the waterway plays an inspirational role in the lives of the local community and offers exciting opportunities for local businesses. It is fantastic to see the benefits that the completion of the second phase has already had in the local community.
“I look forward to working alongside an ambitious team on the next phase between Clonfad and Castle Saunderson, to complete the navigation from the Erne to Clones.”
Rodgers previously worked with Waterways Ireland as a Design Engineer, working on the development of the Bann Navigation and the reopening of the Royal Canal leaving in 2006. He spent the following 15 years working with Capita Property & Infrastructure across the UK and Ireland, becoming a Director, responsible for the successful delivery of key water and gas infrastructure projects.
Tommy Breen and Alessandro Palin, Non-Executive Chairman and Non-Executive Director,
LED Entreprises Limited
LED Enterprises Limited has announced the appointment of two new Board members, Tommy Breen as Non-Executive Chairman and Alessandro Palin as a Non-Executive Director, effective as of 1 January 2025.
These appointments will bolster LED Group’s strategic governance and oversight as well as support management to drive scale through organic growth and acquisitions. LED Group Founder Director, Michael J. Slein, will remain in a Senior Advisory role, through which the Group will continue to benefit from his experience and expertise as LED Group enters its next phase of growth.
Breen has successfully advised several companies in the electrical and energy solutions space in the UK and Ireland, helping them pursue long-term organic and inorganic growth. Previously, he was Chief Executive Officer of DCC plc, a leading international industrial conglomerate operating across the energy, healthcare and technology sectors. Having joined DCC in 1985, Tommy served in various senior roles during his tenure with the FTSE 100 company, including Managing Director of Energy and as Chief Operating Officer.
Alessandro Palin is an accomplished international executive and senior advisor with extensive experience in the electrical equipment sector, and brings a wealth of knowledge in global operations, change management, and strategic growth as well as critical industry relationships. Alessandro joined ABB in 1995, holding an array of senior leadership roles across the organisation, most recently serving as President of Distribution Solutions from 2017 to 2023.
Mick G. Slein, CEO of LED Group, said: “We are delighted with the appointments of two highly experienced board members with invaluable leadership and sector specific expertise. It is an exciting time for LED Group, having recently announced the acquisition of ATC Group, representing a key growth milestone supported by Oaktree. It is critical we have a strong board and advisory team in place to support our growth initiatives. With Tommy and Alessandro, we are even better positioned to continue to execute our acquisitive strategy and become a global market leader.
Tommy Breen, Chairman of LED Group, said: “I am highly impressed with LED Group’s growth trajectory, its commitment to operational excellence and its strong values as a family-founded company. With Oaktree’s support I’m convinced the Group will continue to excel in the next growth phase. I’m looking forward to working with the Board and the exceptional management team as they continue to provide critical and sustainable building electrification solutions to customers in the UK, Ireland, and around the world.”
Alessandro Palin, Non-Executive Director of LED Group, said: “LED Group is playing a critical role in the green energy transition with its award-winning commercial, residential, and industrial building electrification solutions. I’m pleased to join the Board at such an exciting juncture for the company as they look to expand their customer base and product portfolio.”
Mick G. Slein, continued: “At the same time, I’d like to recognise the outstanding achievement of Michael J. Slein. Since founding the business in 1984, it is through his vision and leadership that, today, we are proudly a premier platform for building electrification products and energy transition solutions. I would also like to extend our gratitude to Tommy Lyons, our outgoing Non-Executive Director, for his invaluable guidance in shaping our business strategy over the past 20 years. His contributions played pivotal role in our expansion into circuit protection through the acquisition of FuseBox.
Mike Newnham, New Chair,
Etag
Drylining, insulation and M&E solutions distributor etag has announced Mike Newnham as its new Chair, which it says is another key step in its ambitious growth strategy.Newnham joins etag from Saint-Gobain, having been CEO of its Building Distribution Business, and Managing Director for Jewson. Prior to this, Newnham held the role of Chief Customer Officer at Royal Mail for five years, which followed a decade in executive roles at Orange UK including Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, during which time he led the B2B division and later the consumer division.
Recently, etag celebrated its 20th anniversary and marked the occasion by announcing the appointment of Emma Hoten-Pool as Commercial Director, Michael Kelly as Sales Director for the Irish market, and its strategy to build on its offering for customers, suppliers and the wider industry.
Mike Newnham said: “Having the opportunity to join etag was an attractive proposition, with the business having such a strong history and being family-owned with an entrepreneurial culture. This provides a strong platform to begin the next exciting part of its journey.
“My immediate objectives are to find ways to improve our customer experience, putting people first supported by new digital platforms and new technologies, and ensure sustainability runs throughout our operations.
Patrik Hammarén, President of Nokia Technologies and member of the Nokia Group Leadership Team,
Nokia
Nokia today announced the appointment of Patrik Hammarén as President of Nokia Technologies and member of the Nokia Group Leadership Team, effective 22 January 2025.
Nokia Technologies is responsible for managing and monetizing Nokia’s intellectual property, including the company’s industry leading patent portfolio. The business group licenses Nokia’s innovation and contributions to global technology standards to other companies.
Hammarén joined Nokia in 2007 and has been acting President of Nokia Technologies since October 2024. Prior to this role, Hammarén held several senior positions in Nokia Technologies’ patent licensing business including: Chief Licensing Officer Wireless Technologies; Vice President, Head of IoT Licensing Program; and Head of Patent Licensing Greater China.
“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Hammarén as President of Nokia Technologies. During a thorough process, Hammarén has demonstrated he has the strategic vision, drive, and experience to take Nokia’s patent business forward into the next phase of its growth journey,” said Pekka Lundmark, President and Chief Executive Officer at Nokia.
“It is a great honor to be asked to lead Nokia Technologies. Nokia has an industry-leading patent portfolio and a proven track record for monetizing its innovation. I look forward to working with our external partners and our world-class team to maximize these strengths and build upon the successful completion of our smartphone renewals last year and the momentum we have established in our licensing growth areas,” Patrik Hammarén commented.
Hammarén will be based in Finland and report to Pekka Lundmark, Nokia’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
Siobhán Masterson, CEO,
The Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland (IAPI)
The Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland (IAPI) has announced the appointment of Siobhán Masterson as its new CEO, taking up the role on February 17.
Former Commercial and Marketing Executive Director at the Royal Dublin Society, Masterson was previously Global Senior Director of External Affairs and Communications at Kerry Group Plc and Director for Corporate Affairs at Ibec where she spent several years as a policy and communications strategist across several industries. She has also held various board positions and non-executive directorships across the public, private and voluntary sectors.
Abi Moran, IAPI President and CEO of Folk VML, said: “I am delighted that Siobhán has accepted the role. With over 25 years of leadership experience in corporate affairs, communications, and business representation, she brings a wealth of expertise to the position. We look forward to her leadership in shaping policy, amplifying our members’ voices, and promoting the value of Ireland’s commercial creative industry.”
Commenting on her appointment, Siobhán Masterson said: “I am delighted to be joining IAPI at such an exciting and pivotal juncture for the advertising, media and communications industry. I look forward to the opportunity to lead a professional community of businesses to make a sustainable impact for our economy and society.”
Masterson succeeds Charley Stoney, who has been the CEO of IAPI since 2018. Stoney will move to the role of CEO at the European Association of Communication Agencies (EACA) starting February 1.
Speaking of Masterson’s appointment, outgoing CEO, Charley Stoney said, “It is so important that IAPI continues to grow and expand its’ remit into areas that future-proof the Irish industry. Siobhan is absolutely the right choice for that role and exactly whom our members need right now to further their interests. I’m delighted she is on board, and I look forward to working with her on EACA initiatives that are of benefit to the Irish market.”
Mick Kennedy, Operations Executive,
Astatine
Irish Industrial Decarbonisation Specialist Astatine has announced the appointment of Mick Kennedy as Operations Executive.
In the past year, Astatine has secured up to €25 million in funding as part of its expansion, and the appointment of Mick Kennedy as Operations Executive is further evidence that the company is in strong growth mode.
“I’m delighted to be joining Astatine and really excited to be part of the company’s ambitious plans,” said Mr. Kennedy. “Ireland’s transition to renewable energy technologies is gathering pace and Astatine has an important role to play in helping clients to identify solutions that reduce their environmental impact as well as their costs.
“The Astatine team is an exceptionally talented one with vast expertise in the renewable energy sector,” Mr. Kennedy said. “I look forward to identifying opportunities that will drive and support business growth as we continue building long-term partnerships with customers that share our climate goals.”
Kennedy joined Astatine from Suir Engineering, where he held the position of CEO from 2014 to 2023, stewarding the company’s growth and international expansion during his time in charge. His ability to drive growth is expected to further accelerate Astatine’s expansion at a time when the company is already on a strong growth trajectory.
“We’re really happy to welcome Mick to our senior leadership team and I’ve no doubt that his exceptional business acumen and track record of growth will help Astatine to move up to the next level,” said Tom Marren, CEO of Astatine.
“This is a pivotal moment in the global fight against climate change and we’re proud to be leading the decarbonisation of Irish industry,” Mr Marren said. “With Mick on board, we will continue to deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions that help create a more sustainable world.”
Jim O’Dea and Daniel Ryan, General Manager for Ireland and Vice President of Global Operations,
Workhuman
Workhuman GM, Jim O’Dea
Workhuman has announced two key leadership appointments in Ireland: Jim O’Dea as General Manager for Ireland and Daniel Ryan as Vice President of Global Operations.
Jim O’Dea, a 13-year Workhuman veteran and current SVP of Global Operations, steps into an expanded role as General Manager for Ireland, overseeing Irish operations and driving integration between Dublin and Framingham, MA to boost efficiency and support Workhuman’s EMEA growth.
Daniel Ryan, joining as VP of Global Operations, brings extensive experience from Unilever, and Diageo. This addition to the operations leadership team will strengthen Workhuman’s supply chain and operational rigour and support the continuous global expansion of Workhuman’s world-class e-commerce platform.
These executive appointments follow the strategic addition of Shmulik Barel as VP of Engineering in Dublin to lead the organisation and drive several AI product innovations to the company’s platform. This expansion, coupled with the company’s recent announcement of 2023 turnover of $1.15bn, underscores Workhuman’s success and its unwavering commitment to Ireland as a global hub for innovation and operational excellence.
Speaking of the announcement, Eric Mosley, Workhuman’s CEO, said: “Ireland is integral to our business, and these recent investments underscore the region’s importance as our global innovation and operational hub. Under Jim and Daniel’s leadership, we will continue to strengthen operational alignment and further accelerate growth.”
Jim O’Dea, Workhuman’s GM for Ireland and SVP of Global Operations commented: “I am honoured to take on the role of General Manager for Ireland at such an exciting time for Workhuman. Our growth and innovation over the past few years have been extraordinary, and I look forward to leading our over 500 talented people based at our offices at Park West as we continue to drive Workhuman’s mission forward. At the heart of our success is the power of recognition, which fuels a culture of appreciation and drives meaningful global impact. I am committed to ensuring that we continue to harness this power, while also scaling our presence in EMEA and supporting our business efforts worldwide.”
Daniel Ryan, Workhuman’s VP of Operations: “I am excited to join Jim and the global operations leadership in supporting the wider team at Workhuman as we continue to innovate and streamline our processes. Our commitment to building a diverse and skilled team in Ireland, home to our world-class e-commerce store, our product and engineering team and global customer service team, coupled with our focus on operational excellence, is essential to our mission of transforming workplaces around the globe. I look forward to driving initiatives that support and enhance our global impact and growth.”
Keith Nelson, Chair of the ICB,
Irish Beverage Council
The Irish Beverage Council (IBC) announced the appointment of Keith Nelson, Country Manager, innocent Ireland, as Chair of the IBC. Keith succeeds Agnese Filippi, Country Manager of Coca Cola Ireland, who has served as IBC Chair since January 2023.
As IBC Chair, Nelson will be a key influence in the strategic direction of the IBC, representing an industry at the heart of Ireland’s economy. The non-alcohol beverage industry in Ireland employs over 3,500 people directly and supports an additional 3,000 jobs indirectly.
Nelson has been the Country Manager of innocent Ireland since 2020. Commenting on his appointment, the new IBC Chair said “I am delighted to have the opportunity to take on the position as Chair of the IBC at what is an important time for the industry. The next two years promises to be exciting period as the beverage sector continues to play an important role in the Irish economy and lead in sustainability. I am looking forward to working with the Council to help deliver a stable platform for the industry’s future growth, as well as engaging with our key stakeholders, including the new Government, on their behalf. ”
Outgoing Chair, Agnese Filippi, said “Stepping down, I am immensely proud of the sector’s achievements over the past two years. These include the successful rollout of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme, and the launch of many innovative products that meet the Irish consumer’s need for a wider and balanced choice of drinks. The beverage sector will continue to be a sustainability leader and vital to Ireland’s economy and society, employing thousands, contributing to community initiatives, and providing significant economic output. I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported and worked alongside me during my tenure.”
Robert Kiernan, Director of the Irish Beverage Council, noted that “the IBC has been a leader in several important initiatives for our sector, including Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), tethered caps, the evaluation of the Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax, and maximising relationships with our national and international partners and stakeholders. I thank Agnese for her leadership, expertise, and energy as IBC Chair, and welcome Keith to the role. Keith brings a detailed understanding of the Irish beverage sector to this position, and I look forward to working closely with Keith in delivering for our members, our customers, and the environment”.
