By Business & Finance 
Declan Kelly is the founder, chairman and CEO of Consello, an advisory group which provides counsel to senior business leaders worldwide. The company, which counts American football star Tom Brady and tennis icon Serena Williams among its partners, recently established a presence in Ireland.
Declan Kelly is founder, chairman and CEO of Consello, a New York-headquartered advisory and investment group provising counsel to senior business leaders worldwide.
Irish presence
In November 2024, Consello announced the launch of operations in Ireland, led by Executive Chairman John Herlihy, former Head of EMEA at Google. Katie Doran, founder of the Lanyon Group, operates as Irish CEO.
Gary Neville, former Manchester United captain and UK Chairman of Consello, and Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley joined the Irish operation as principals.
The company also acquired Belfast-based communications and PR company Lanyon Group, and the Mid-West located leadership development company Blue Lake, in what is seen as a strategic all-island approach.
“This launch reflects our continued investment in strategic markets across the world,” Mr Kelly said.
“With the acquisitions of The Lanyon Group and Blue Lake, the leadership of John Herlihy, and the senior team we have assembled, Consello is uniquely positioned to provide unparalleled advisory services across Ireland, the UK and into Europe.
“Our mission everywhere we operate is to help the best in the world be even better, and we have brought together a team with the ability to do just that.”
Salford City FC
In May 2025, he joined Manchester United stars David Beckham and Gary Neville to purchase Salford City Football Club. He will co-chair the club with UK financier Lord Mervyn Davies.
Kelly said: “The group comprises some of the best in the world at what they do and has been put together for the sole purpose of driving the club forward. Utilizing the knowledge and skills of this group, our goal is to create a path to achieve new and sustainable success for SCFC both on and off the pitch.”
Declan Kelly
Prior to founding Consello, Mr. Kelly was the co-founder, chairman and CEO of Teneo, a leading advisory firm.
From 2009-2011, he also served as the U.S Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland at the U.S Department of State, appointed by then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Working closely with Invest NI, he helped bring significant investment to the region and was praised by then-deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness and Owen Paterson, former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Prior to his government service, Mr. Kelly held senior leadership roles at FTI Consulting and Financial Dynamics, two leading international consulting companies.
Previously, he founded and later sold his own consulting company in Ireland called Gallagher & Kelly. Before that he worked as an award-winning journalist throughout the 1990s, writing for the Tipperary Star and Irish Examiner.
Mr Kelly has also received awards for philanthropic and nonprofit endeavours, including the American Irish Historical Society’s prestigious Gold Medal. He became the youngest recipient of the award in 2008.
In 2012 he was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, for contributions to society in the United States. He is an honorary visiting professor in management and leadership at Queen’s University, Belfast, where he received an honorary doctorate in 2011 for his contribution to the community and economy of Northern Ireland.
He is the brother of former Irish Labour Party leader Alan Kelly.
Business Person of the Month
The Business Person of the Month Award, in association with KPMG, recognises outstanding leaders in Irish business. It especially acknowledges those who have made significant contributions to the business community of Ireland.
Recipients of the award are automatically put forward as candidates for the prestigious Business Person of the Year Award at the annual Business & Finance Awards.
Business & Finance, Business Person of the Month
Business & Finance, in association with KPMG, recognises excellence in business through the ‘Business Person of the Month’ award. This award seeks to recognise noteworthy achievements in business leadership, and, particularly, those that make a telling contribution to the wider business community in Ireland.
READ MORE BPOM:
