By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Fiona Charles, Country Manager for Agria Ireland.
This week sees new and notable appointments at Agria, AAT, Vertex, and Amphista Therapeutics.
By Héloïse Chaudot
Fiona Charles, Country Manager
Agria
Agria has announced the appointment of Fiona Charles as its new Country Manager, effective from 12 January 2026, succeeding Bernard O’Sullivan, who retired earlier this year.
Fiona Charles brings over 20 years of experience in the financial and insurance sectors, as well as being strongly committed to leadership and animal welfare.
In her new position, Charles will lead the development of Agria’s operations in Ireland, as well as increasing brand awareness for Irish pet owners.
Following her appointment, Fiona Charles commented, “The opportunity to lead Agria Ireland is incredibly exciting, as it brings together everything I value in a role – leadership, strategy, and a purpose-driven culture focused on animal welfare.”
Lucy Cohen, President
AAT
Lucy Cohen has been announced to be AAT’s new President, succeeding Michael Steed.
Cohen steps into the role with a strong focus on promoting diversity and inclusion and supporting small businesses, which she believes are essential to the future of the accountancy profession.
Entrepreneur and co-founder of Mazuma, Cohen has dedicated nearly 20 years to leading and shaping the UK accounting industry.
Commenting on her appointment, Lucy Cohen said, “My two priorities are simple. I know what it’s like to start out without connections or a head start. The AAT apprenticeship gave me the foundation for everything that followed. It taught me that talent exists everywhere – it just needs the right chance to grow. Every step of the way, AAT has been there, having my back when it counted. Now I want to give back to the professional community that gave me my start.”
Ralf Gärtner, Senior Vice President & Regional Manager
Vertex
Ralf Gärtner has recently been appointed Senior Vice President (SVP) and Regional Manager of Europe.
Gärtner brings more than 30 years of international leadership experience across tax, corporate performance management, ERP, and accounting automation. He has a history of introducing innovations that deliver tangible value for customers, while successfully driving growth and expanding global sales and partner networks.
In his new position, Gärtner will play a pivotal role in advancing Vertex’s European and global operations, helping organisations ensure compliance, drive transformation, and achieve sustainable growth.
Following his appointment, Gärtner said, “Throughout my career, I have witnessed the transformative impact that innovative technology can have on businesses navigating complex regulatory environments. I look forward to working closely with our customers and partners and our fantastic Vertex team to provide solutions that enhance efficiency and compliance, and to help businesses unlock new opportunities in a transforming market.”
Various appointments
Amphista Therapeutics
Amphista Therapeutics has announced the appointment of three new senior leaders: Dr Lisa Butler, Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations, Dr Alexandra Sevko, Vice President of Translational Science and Nicola Lindsay, Head of Project and Portfolio Management.
Dr Lisa Butler, Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations
Dr Lisa Butler brings more than 25 years of clinical research leadership experience to Amphista, gained across both small biotech firms and major pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca. She has extensive expertise in managing clinical research across a range of therapeutic areas, with a particular focus on early- and late-stage oncology. Her strong background in programme delivery, quality oversight, inspection readiness, and ensuring studies are completed on time, on budget, and to the highest data quality standards will play a vital role in advancing Amphista’s clinical preparedness.
Dr Alexandra Sevko, Vice President of Transitional Science
Dr Alexandra Sevko brings over 20 years of experience in immuno-oncology and translational research across prestigious academic institutions and industry, including Imperial College London, University College London and Adaptimmune. Sevko will lead Amphista’s translational programme, including all aspects of clinical biomarker development, to generate high-quality decision-making data and turn the Company’s cutting-edge research into meaningful outcomes for patients.
Nicola Lindsay, Head of Project & Portfolio Management
Nicola Lindsay brings over 25 years of industry experience to Amphista, joining from NodThera. Her career spans roles at leading global pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca, GSK and Pfizer, underscoring her deep expertise and proven track record in the sector. Lindsay is an experienced, PMP-certified project manager, having led projects from lead optimisation through to clinical proof-of-concept across multiple therapeutic areas.
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