New and notable appointments at Crowe, CDB Aviation, CISI Ireland, Alana, Midleton Distillery, Accenture, and Quintain Ireland

Pictured: Cormac Doyle, Tax Partner, Crowe

This week sees new and notable appointments at Crowe, CDB Aviation, CISI Ireland, Alana, Midleton Distillery, Accenture, and Quintain Ireland

Cormac Doyle, Tax Partner,
Crowe

Crowe, one of Ireland’s leading accountancy and business advisory practices, is pleased to announce the appointment of Cormac Doyle as its newest Tax Partner.

Cormac joins the practice from EisnerAmper Ireland, where he had worked for the last 12 years, most recently as a partner for the last 7 years, and head of their tax department. A fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and an AITI Chartered Tax Advisor, Cormac has over 17 years’ experience advising Irish and international businesses and their owners.

Over his career, Cormac has gained significant experience working with Irish clients looking to expand overseas and in assisting international companies establishing in Ireland. He has specific expertise assisting clients in the financial services, technology and life sciences sectors.

Cormac’s success in working with clients comes from developing a deep understanding of their personal and business ambitions and working with them to deliver commercially focused, practical tax advice to enable them to achieve their goals

Welcoming Cormac to his new role, Crowe’s Managing Partner, Naoise Cosgrove said: “We are delighted to have Cormac join our growing practice. Cormac’s experience and expertise will further strengthen our tax and business services team and his client-centric ethos and values closely aligns with our own. I know he will be a very valuable addition to the firm.”

Speaking of Cormac’s appointment to the tax team, John Byrne, Tax Partner with Crowe, said: “I am delighted to welcome Cormac as a partner in the tax team. Cormac has extensive experience assisting Irish business owners, investors or employees expand within Ireland and overseas. His financial services sector expertise will further strengthen our tax offering to clients and support the firm’s growth.”

Paul Boyle, Head of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa,
CDB Aviation

Paul Boyle, Head of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, CDB Aviation

CDB Aviation, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Limited (“CDB Leasing”), announced the latest addition to its Dublin-based leadership team, Paul Boyle, who has been appointed as Head of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (“EMEA”) Commercial, leading the lessor’s commercial activity within the region.

Boyle will drive commercial activity and outreach by engaging with airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and other industry participants to cement the lessor’s strategic aircraft placement plan and path to growth in the region. Boyle will report to Chief Marketing Officer (“CMO”) Peter Goodman.

“We are very delighted to welcome Paul to the CDB Aviation leadership,” noted CDB Aviation CMO Peter Goodman, underscoring the addition of Boyle’s depth of “industry pedigree and experience” that spans a career at leading aviation organizations, such as Aer Lingus, Airbus Financial Services, SMBC, AerCap, and most recently Avolon.

With nearly three decades in aviation and aircraft finance, Boyle has led cross-functional deal teams in a variety of transactions, including remarketing, sale and leaseback, and orderbook placements. Boyle has cultivated senior executive relationships across a wide swath of the region’s airlines. He has earned an industry-wide reputation for his ability to continuously dissect fleet requirements and shifting trends to tailor financing and fleet solutions that best leverage the operators’ emergent opportunities and address their ongoing challenges.

Goodman pinpointed Boyle’s impressive track record in cultivating airline relationships at senior levels as “key to further strengthening the EMEA Commercial Team’s continued success in providing support and expanding outreach to meet the airlines’ evolving fleet needs, particularly as they navigate their path out of the existing headwinds.”

Paul Boyle, CDB Aviation Head of EMEA Commercial, commented: “I am really excited to be joining the CDB Aviation team who have established a respected reputation among the aviation community and has built such strong momentum in recent years. I look forward to broadening our reach and furthering the relationships with airlines as one of the leading global aircraft lessors in the EMEA region, and beyond.”

Eugene Kiernan, President,
CISI Ireland

Eugene Kiernan, President, CISI Ireland

The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) is delighted to announce the appointment of Eugene Kiernan FCSI as President of the CISI National Advisory Council for Ireland. He takes over from Frank O’Riordon MCSI who held the position for the last four years.

Eugene joined the global financial services professional, not-for-profit body CISI in 1998 becoming a Fellow in 2005. He has over 35 years’ experience in the Asset management and Funds industry.

Eugene began his career in Irish Life Investment Managers, initially as an Investment analyst, and then fund manager, before moving on to executive roles in firms such as AIB investment Managers and Appian Asset Management, in a wide range of roles including asset allocation and manager selection.

He has served on pension fund boards and recently qualified as a Professional Trustee. He currently acts in a consultancy role on asset management issues for a number of firms.

Eugene is a regular contributor to the media (print, TV and radio) on investment and market issues. He has also delivered keynote addresses to major industry conferences both in Ireland and the US.

Commenting on his appointment, Eugene said: “I believe this is a pivotal moment for CISI in Ireland. While we continue to be a global leader in delivering knowledge and skills for practitioners in the financial services sector, enabling them to develop their careers both in Ireland and internationally, we are also able to bring our deep experience and learning structures in the increasingly important areas of ethics and culture to support member firms, and indeed the broader profession. Our long-standing focus on the three key elements of knowledge, skills and behaviour ensures CISI membership is a compelling marker of professionalism.”

Kevin Moore, Chartered FCSI, CISI Director of Global Business Development said: “We would like to thank outgoing President Frank O’ Riordon for his excellent leadership of the Irish NAC. We are delighted to welcome Eugene and look forward to supporting him in his programme for the Committee and membership, helping to inspire the next generation of practitioners looking to join our financial services profession.”

Ciara Byrne, Advisory Board Position,
Alana

Ciara Byrne, Advisory Board Position, Alana

The management of Alana is delighted to announce the appointment of Ciara Byrne to its advisory board. Ciara will bring her extensive experience in international sales and marketing and her passion for female entrepreneurship, fashion and beauty to the team.

Launched in February 2020, Cork start-up Alana is an innovative fashion and beauty platform for consumers to purchase curated fashion looks and beauty products. Alana is powered by Artificial Intelligence meaning that it’s ‘CityStyleBot’ learns a customer’s fashion sense and can then recommend styles and brands that will suit each customer’s unique taste. Alana suggests clothes from high street retailers and independent boutiques allowing customers to continue shopping locally. With a same day delivery service, the whole highstreet becomes a virtual shopping center – one checkout – one delivery charge of €3.99. Alana helps brick and mortar stores compete with major brands who have an established ecommerce foothold.

Ciara Byrne is currently Managing Director at Beacon AI, a leading AI, global privacy company. Ciara worked in the luxury hotel sector with Starwood and Fota Island as well as 15 years of senior management experience at multinationals including Voxpro, Capita and PGi. Ciara is a seasoned and highly respected professional who has worked in international sales and marketing for the last 25 years. Ciara was instrumental in establishing the West Cork chapter of Network Ireland and served as the 2019 President, a role she leveraged to bring a wealth of professional development opportunities to the women of West Cork as well as fundraising for Cork Simon Community. She is a passionate advocate for women in STEM.

“I am so excited to be joining the team at Alana,” says Ciara. “I have watched the team at Alana grow the company from an idea and they have created something very special. To say this is the dream job for me is an understatement. I have always loved fashion and beauty and I look forward to supporting the growth of Alana in this advisory role. Our world has changed dramatically. We now have to consider things such as urban mobility, population control and social distancing. Companies like Alana are the future of retail. Underpinned by an Artificial Intelligence engine, we are completely unique. Having used the platform myself on several occasions Alana is the stylish best friend I always wanted.”

Post COVID-19, Alana will launch its partnership with hotels and tour operators to create the ultimate fashion and style City Break experience. This is an innovative and rewarding new revenue stream for the Tourism Industry. Alana already has a crew of stylists working in New York and Ireland and is growing in global footprint. Having worked for over 15 years with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Ciara is perfectly positioned to roll out this initiative.

Niamh Parker, founder of Alana says “Travel retail is going to be the future as people want experiences and memories in different locations but post COVID-19 people are going to be cautious. We are entering a time of rapid growth with Alana and having someone with Ciara’s personality and passion for the tourism and hospitality industry driving strategic partnerships will be invaluable.”

Kevin O’Gorman, Master Distiller,
Midleton Distillery

Kevin O’Gorman, Master Distiller, Midleton Distillery

Irish Distillers, producer of some of the world’s best loved Irish whiskeys, today announced the appointment of Kevin O’Gorman as the new Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery. Kevin takes on the role from Brian Nation, who has served as Master Distiller since 2013. Brian is set to take on the role of Master Distiller at a startup distillery in the US.

Kevin will take on one of the most coveted positions in world whiskey. As part of his new role he will be responsible for protecting the rich heritage of the world’s most famous Irish whiskeys, ensuring the quality of all new pot and grain distillates produced at Midleton while supporting future innovation.

A Cork native, Kevin is a Technology graduate from The University of Limerick and holds a Diploma in Distilling from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling. He is a master craftsman having started his career in Midleton in 1998, working as a distiller under the tutelage of Master Distiller Emeritus Barry Crockett. From there he moved to Maturation where he honed his skills under then Master of Maturation Brendan Monks before assuming the role of Master of Maturation on Brendan’s retirement in 2007.

Kevin successfully continued the ongoing innovation in maturation that has made Midleton famous, while working with the team in facilitating spirit options for new brands like Method and Madness and brand extensions in the Jameson, Redbreast, Powers, Midleton Very Rare and Spot range. In his previous role, Kevin spent much of his time travelling the globe to source only the highest quality casks from world renowned cooperages, while overseeing the full maturation process across the portfolio.

Commenting on the appointment, Conor McQuaid, Chairman and CEO of Irish Distillers, said: “I am delighted to announce Kevin O’Gorman as the new Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery. Kevin’s exceptional leadership and talent as Master of Maturation has impressed the whiskey world ever since he took on the role in 2007. We know that he will continue to impress as Master Distiller, an evolved role which will see him lead both distillation and maturation at Irish Distillers. I am looking forward to working closely with Kevin as he drives the constant pursuit of excellence and innovation that has been exemplified by the entire team in Midleton for centuries.

“We are immensely grateful for everything Brian has done for Irish Distillers, and the entire Irish whiskey category, and we wish him all the very best in his future endeavors as he passes the baton to Kevin”.

Kevin O’Gorman added: “Since starting my career in Irish Distillers in 1998, I have been lucky to learn from masters like Barry Crockett and Brendan Monks about the intricacies of the whiskey production, from grain to glass. Of course, Brian Nation and I have also worked very closely together on distillation and maturation for the past 10 years and he will be missed by all his friends at Midleton Distillery. I am excited to use my experience to drive the sector forward by producing innovative new whiskeys that will delight whiskey fans over the coming years.”

Commenting on the succession, Brian Nation, Master Distiller at Midleton Distillery, said: “As I step down from the position of Master Distiller, I am struck by what an incredible honour it has been to hold this role. I have been fortunate to work with a fantastic team at Midleton for the past 23 years and have experienced enormous change, development, and innovation, from the recent expansion of our distillery to the development of new distillate styles in the Micro Distillery. I am delighted to see Kevin take on the role of Master Distiller. I know that, under his leadership, the quality and reputation of Irish Distillers’ portfolio will continue to flourish long into the future.”

Donal Óg McCarthy, Cloud Lead,
Accenture

Donal Óg McCarthy has been appointed as managing director to lead the cloud business at Accenture. As part of the local Accenture Technology leadership team, Donal Óg will be instrumental in helping Accenture’s clients design intelligent cloud solutions that maximise business value and drive innovation.

Alastair Blair, country managing director, Accenture in Ireland said: “Digital transformation is business critical, particularly in the current environment. For many companies, the pandemic is shifting their cloud agenda from an aspiration to an urgent mandate, as they look for ways to outmanoeuvre uncertainty. Donal Óg brings with him deep knowledge of this sector and a wealth of experience which will be of immense value to our clients as we support them in the execution of their business transformation agendas through cloud.”

Donal Óg McCarthy, Accenture. Picture by Shane O’Neill, Coalesce.

Donal Óg joins Accenture with over 20 years’ experience in technology and engineering, during which time he led several large-scale, business critical enterprise delivery programs globally in industries such as public sector, healthcare, insurance and telecommunications. Throughout his career he has also worked directly with cloud service providers building client solutions, joint marketplace offerings and growing local cloud delivery capability serving both the Irish and international markets.

Donal Óg holds a BEng. in Electronic Engineering from the University of Limerick.

Norman Higgins, Head of Construction,
Quintain Ireland

Quintain has today announced the appointment of Norman Higgins as its new Head of Construction for Ireland. Norman joins from his previous role running Sisk Living, the award-winning housing division of leading Irish building contractor John Sisk & Son. Norman brings over 25 years of successful construction delivery experience in the residential sector to Quintain.

Norman is a fellow of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and a past chair of the SCSI’s Residential Working Group, overseeing the publication of the influential ‘Real Cost of New Housing Delivery’ report in 2016 . He is also a national member of the executive board of the Irish Housebuilders Association.

Commenting on the appointment, Michael Hynes, Joint Managing Partner of Quintain Ireland, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome Norman at a time when we are busy preparing planning applications for several of our schemes, and returning to construction following the end of the Government construction lockdown. Quintain’s commitment is to create attractive and sustainable communities delivering the right mix of housing alongside high-quality amenities, and Norman’s extensive experience will be hugely valuable.”

Norman Higgins added:

“Quintain have an ambitious development pipeline on prime sites including Adamstown, Clonburris, Portmarnock, and Cherrywood. I’m looking forward to being involved in these projects as Quintain scales up the roll out of its residential developments.”

Quintain launched in Ireland in November 2019 with plans to develop 9,000 new homes and 600,000 sq.ft. of commercial space in the Greater Dublin area.  The company’s existing land portfolio covers 460 acres of prime assets in Ireland at Adamstown, Clonburris, Portmarnock, and Cherrywood, and when developed will make Quintain the third largest residential developer in the country.

Quintain Ireland’s parent company Quintain Limited is a vertically integrated developer, operator and owner of residential and mixed-use assets; best known for the ongoing transformation of Wembley Park in north London.

(L-R) Eddie Byrne, Michael Hynes, Norman Higgins. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography.