By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Mary Gleeson, President, Accounting Technicians Ireland
This week sees new and notable appointments at Accounting Technicians Ireland, CDB Aviation, Kinetic, and LK Shields
Mary Gleeson, President,
Accounting Technicians Ireland
Accounting Technicians Ireland has appointed Mary Gleeson as its new President.
Limerick-based Ms. Gleeson, who runs her own financial management and accounting practice, has a strong track-record in rural community development.
She is financial controller of Ballyhoura Development CLG, a community-led local development company which works with families and businesses in the Ballyhoura region of east Limerick and north Cork.
A member of Accounting Technicians Ireland for 25 years, and a fellow since 2011, Ms. Gleeson is a former chairperson of the institute’s Munster district society, and was appointed to the Board of Accounting Technicians Ireland in 2017.
Her commitment to community development saw Ballyhoura Development become a founding member of Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI), a new movement to provide support to allow social enterprises to thrive.
She has been involved in reviewing the governance and financial systems of various enterprises, particularly in relation to compliance with the code of governance for charities.
Accounting Technicians Ireland is the leading professional body for accounting technicians on the island of Ireland with 5,000 members working in industry, practice and the public sector.
Through its apprenticeship scheme, and a separate Diploma programme, Accounting Technicians Ireland is renowned for providing the fastest pathway to a fulfilling and rewarding professional accounting career.
Brendan O’Neill, Chief Financial Officer,
CDB Aviation
Brendan O’Neill, Chief Financial Officer, CDB Aviation
CDB Aviation, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Limited (“CDB Leasing”), announced a new executive addition to its Dublin-based leadership team with the appointment of Brendan O’Neill as Chief Financial Officer, who will oversee all financial aspects of the company.
O’Neill has two decades of aircraft leasing and multinational experience, bringing a unique blend of cross-functional experience, combining financial, operational, and functional leadership.
“We are very fortunate to have found such a strong executive for our CFO role,” said CDB Aviation Chief Executive Officer Patrick Hannigan. “Brendan possesses deep strategic and financial acumen, and the breadth of knowledge and experience in aviation finance that will be a valuable asset to our company, particularly at a time when we are focused on navigating our path through the current challenging environment and positioning for the next phase.”
O’Neill knows how to lead efforts to drive consistent profitable results that lead to significant shareholder value creation. He joins CDB Aviation from DAE Capital, where he spent eleven years, including as part of AWAS, most recently holding the position of Senior Vice President, Financial Reporting, Planning & Analysis. He conducted a wide range of financial efforts, including capital raising, liquidity management, rating agency engagement, investor relations, and strategic financial planning and analysis. In 2017, O’Neill played a key role in the sale of AWAS to DAE, and the subsequent integration of the two companies post acquisition.
O’Neill commenced his career with Kerry Group in their graduate program, gaining domestic and international experience across a number of roles. He progressed to GE and held senior positions in their financial services division. O’Neill is a Fellow of the Associate of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA).
“I am excited to join CDB Aviation’s executive leadership and lead its excellent finance team, while working closely with the CDB Leasing team to execute toward our goals of achieving sustainable profitability, increasing shareholder value, and driving company operations forward from a position of strength,” commented CDB Aviation Chief Financial Officer Brendan O’Neill.
“The truly remarkable development of our business over these past few years is in large part due to the dedication and efforts of our talented management and innovative team, focused on sustainable growth and innovation,” added Hannigan. “As we navigate current market headwinds, we will work together to achieve our objectives of discipline and focus, zeroing in on market enhancement strategies and leveraging emergent opportunities to advance long-term vision.”
Andrew Sinclair, Managing Director,
Kinetic
Andrew Sinclair, Managing Director, Kinetic
Kinetic, the specialists in innovative Out of Home (OOH) communications for brands, is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Sinclair as the company’s new Managing Director commencing 1st September 2020. Carol Hogan, the company’s outgoing MD will continue to be actively involved in the business where she will remain as Finance Director, working across other projects and opportunities moving forward.
Andrew Sinclair brings over twenty years’ experience working with leading global advertising agencies. Prior to his current role as a Media and Marketing Consultant with several start-ups, he served as Deputy Managing Director of OMD Ireland from 2006 to 2019; Group Account Director, Irish International BBDO (June 2000 – December 2005); and Associate Director, ZenithOptimedia (June 1996 – May 2000). A commercially-focused Board member experienced in driving revenue growth and talent management, Andrew served on the board of Omnicom Media Group (Ireland) for over ten years.
“As we enter our 30th year in business, we feel the time is opportune to broaden our management team and to bring Andrew on board to develop and lead the company forward,” said Simon Durham, CEO and Founder, Kinetic. “We have strong support from our clients and agencies and we intend to continue to deliver the best strategic and creative approach to the market. In spite of the current exceptional challenges presented by Covid-19, the team at Kinetic remains very confident about the future of OOH.”
Carol Hogan, Co-founder, Kinetic said: “Andrew’s appointment is another positive step in the progression of this business and I am looking forward to working with him as we aim to bring Kinetic into the next phase.”
Andrew Sinclair said: “I am really excited to be taking up the role of Managing Director with Kinetic Ireland. Throughout my career in advertising, I have worked closely with the Kinetic team and have always admired and valued the role they play within the Irish media ecosystem. From my early days in the industry, I’ve had a natural affinity to OOH and I am now eager to build on that and bring my valuable experience to the new role.”
David Williams, Managing Partner,
LK Shields Solicitors LLP
LK Shields Solicitors LLP is delighted to announce the appointment of David Williams as its new Managing Partner. David will lead the firm for the next four years of continued growth and expansion.
In addition, one of their leading Corporate Partners Gerry Halpenny assumes the role of Chairman.
David Williams is a Partner in the Financial Services Group. His practice areas include investment funds and capital markets. Mr. Williams’ clients include investment managers, custodian banks, fund administrators and investors. He joined the firm as a Partner in 2000.
Gerry Halpenny is one of Ireland’s leading M&A practitioners and a key driving force behind the firm’s highly regarded M&A practice. He has also advised clients extensively on a wide range of commercial agreements and arrangements. Gerry joined the firm as a Partner in 1998.
Commenting on the announcement, David Williams, newly appointed Managing Partner said: “LK Shields Solicitors LLP has a thriving client portfolio in both domestic and international markets across a wide variety of practice areas. Like all successful businesses, we will continue to adapt and innovate in accordance with the needs of our clients and the market as a whole. I look forward to all of the challenges and opportunities that the next four years will bring.”
David Williams and Gerry Halpenny replace the outgoing leadership team of Emmet Scully and Michael Kavanagh.
Emmet Scully will resume his client facing role as a senior Partner in the Corporate and M&A team.
Michael Kavanagh will resume client facing work and head the firm’s market leading Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice. He will also continue to drive growth in the Western region through the continued expansion of the firm’s Galway office.
Over the last four years the firm has shown impressive growth across a range of practice areas. Amongst the many innovations introduced during that time are the opening of a thriving office in Galway, the establishment of a base in London and the merger with Kilroys Solicitors. The firm has also invested heavily in market leading technology which has seen it continue to provide a seamless service to clients through the Covid-19 crisis.
Commenting on the change of leadership, Emmet Scully, outgoing Managing Partner said: “The changes are part of exciting new developments in the management structures of the firm. It was an honour to represent the firm as Managing Partner and I now look forward to returning full time to my client facing role as a senior Partner in the Corporate / M&A team.”
