By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Elizabeth Bowen, Director of Aircraft Leasing Ireland (ALI)
This week sees new and notable appointments at Aircraft Leasing Ireland (ALI), BioPharmaChem Ireland (BPCI), Irish Medtech Association, Quintain Ireland, BMW Financial Services (Ireland) DAC, Aviva Insurance Ireland, Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme, and Ergo
Elizabeth Bowen, Director,
Aircraft Leasing Ireland (ALI)
Elizabeth Bowen has been appointed as Director of Aircraft Leasing Ireland (ALI), the representative voice within the Financial Services Ireland (FSI) Group in Ibec, for the aircraft leasing industry. Prior to joining ALI, Elizabeth Bowen served as the Public Affairs Lead at the Small Firms Association (SFA), where her responsibilities included managing media relations, stakeholder engagement, lobbying campaigns, and strategic communications.
During her tenure at the SFA, Bowen played a crucial role in developing the organization’s policy positions on issues such as access to finance, taxation, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters. She represented SFA members at various ministerial-chaired forums, including BusinessEurope in Brussels, and addressed important forums such as the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality and the National Economic Dialogue.
Since joining Ibec in 2016, Bowen has held roles such as Interim Director for the SFA and Director of Prepared Consumer Foods in Food Drink Ireland. Before her tenure at Ibec, Bowen worked as an advisor to a Government TD in the Houses of the Oireachtas and with the Chartered Institute of Public Relations in London.
Patricia Callan, Head of Sectors and Director of Financial Services Ireland (FSI) Group, Ibec said: “Ireland is the leading centre for aircraft leasing globally, and as a high-growth sector of international financial services representing $100 billion of assets, this is something we are very proud of. As such, the primary aim of ALI is to work collaboratively with the Irish Government and state agencies to ensure Ireland retains this leading position. With her extensive experience across multiple roles and sectors, Bowen brings a wealth of expertise to her new role. She will collaborate with ALI members for the continued development and success of Ireland’s aircraft leasing industry.”
Bowen is a graduate of University College Dublin, where she holds a Bachelor of Social Science. Additionally, she studied at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, obtaining a postgraduate diploma in Business Studies. She recently completed TU Dublin’s Certificate in Corporate Sustainability ESG.
Sinead Keogh, Director,
BioPharmaChem Ireland (BPCI)
Sinead Keogh has been appointed Director of BioPharmaChem Ireland, the Ibec group that represents the biopharma and chemical sectors. The biopharma, medtech, and digital health sectors span 700+ companies, employing 102,000 people directly, and making a global impact with exports in excess of €120 billion. Ibec has brought together these industries to enable Ireland to become a recognised global hub for digital health by increasing awareness and advocating for policies that make an impact under the ‘‘Where Digital Health Thrives” campaign.
Keogh is transitioning from her current role as Director of Ibec Medtech and Engineering but will continue her Strategic Business Lead role as Ibec Head of Sectors while taking up the new role as Director of BioPharmaChem Ireland (BPCI). BPCI is Ireland’s leading representative body for the biopharma and chemical sector with a vision for Ireland to be the globally recognised centre of excellence for innovation and development in the sustainable manufacture and supply of biopharmaceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals as well as a location of choice for the launch of new products. With over eighteen years of experience in Ibec, Keogh recently joined the Industry Advisory Board for SSPC, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals, having previously sat on the Industry Advisory Board for BioInnovate Ireland from 2013-2023, and the Governance Board for Science Foundation Ireland funded Irish Photonic Integration Centre (IPIC) for three years. Before joining Ibec, Keogh held technical roles at 3Com Technologies and lectured part-time at DIT, Kevin St. She holds a PhD in the Physics of Molecular Materials/Nanotechnology and a BSc (Hons) in Applied Physics from Technological University Dublin.
Eoghan Ó Faoláin, Director,
Irish Medtech Association
Eoghan Ó Faoláin has been appointed Director of the Irish Medtech Association, the Ibec group representing the medical technology sector. Mr. Ó Faoláin will lead the Irish Medtech Association, which has more than 250 members located throughout the island of Ireland. The group’s broad focus is to promote and support an environment that encourages the sustainable development and profitable growth of Ireland’s FDI and indigenous medtech companies. Ó Faoláin has over 15 years’ experience with Ibec, having been appointed Deputy Director of the Irish Medtech Association in 2022, and previously served as the Technology Ireland Acting Director. Previously, Ó Faoláin was Head of Public Sector at Ibec, supporting Ibec’s voluntary hospitals, further and higher education organizations, and public sector bodies. Prior to joining Ibec, Ó Faoláin earned a PhD for his thesis ‘The use of Raman Spectroscopy for the Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer’ at Technological University Dublin.
Sharon Higgins, Executive Director of Membership & Sectors Ibec said: “Both the biopharma and medtech sectors represent some of the most robust, innovative, and dynamic employers in Ireland. We are delighted with both Sinead and Ó Faoláin’s appointments and have every confidence that they will continue to demonstrate excellent leadership in representing a key proportion of our membership base. We look forward to supporting them in continuing to enhance Ireland’s reputation as a recognised centre of excellence for innovation and development in pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, chemical supply, digital health, and medtech, and to remain a location of choice for these sectors to thrive.”
Isabelle Gallagher, Head of Development,
Quintain Ireland
Quintain Ireland appoints Isabelle Gallagher as Head of Development. A Dublin native with an accomplished career spanning over two decades, Ms Gallagher brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role.
Working as Development Director at Quintain Ireland since 2019, Ms. Gallagher has played a pivotal role in helping Quintain become Ireland’s largest private homebuilder. Her leadership has been instrumental in overseeing and driving significant development projects, contributing to the continued expansion of Quintain Ireland’s portfolio.
Ms Gallagher has been the driving force behind Quintain’s developments in Adamstown, the company’s largest residential development project and one of the country’s fastest-growing new suburbs. She was instrumental in obtaining planning permission for 1,800 residential units in the area over the last two years and this work also involved the development of The Crossings urban village.
Michael Hynes, chief executive of Quintain Ireland said: “We are delighted to announce Isabelle’s appointment as our new Head of Development. This is a position we have identified as key to achieving our future growth ambitions and Isabelle’s extensive experience, proven leadership, and track record of success make her the right person for the role. Quintain is building over 750 homes and we are targeting 1,500 a year by 2026. We are confident that under Isabelle’s guidance in this new position, the company will continue to thrive and achieve new milestones.”
Before working at Quintain Ireland, Ms. Gallagher held key roles at Hudson Advisors Ireland Ltd, where she ultimately served as Senior Vice President of Real Estate Management for three years. Before that, she spent ten years working for Savills Ireland.
Ms Gallagher holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a B.Sc. in Business Management, both from the Institute of Technology in Dublin. She also completed her postgraduate studies in Surveying at the University of Reading. She is a member of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland.
Isabelle Gallagher, Head of Development, said: “Quintain Ireland is the country’s largest private homebuilder. We have a significant development pipeline, which we are committed to delivering at scale and I look forward to leading our excellent team to achieve our ambitious plans.”
Jim Power, Independent Non-Executive Director to the Board of Management,
BMW Financial Services (Ireland) DAC
Mr Jim Power has been appointed as Independent Non-executive Director to the Board of Management of BMW Financial Services (Ireland) DAC and replaces the Irish entrepreneur Oliver Tattan.
Power is a well-known economist, having worked in the private sector for over 35 years and latterly through his economics consultancy business, Jim Power Economics. He has been working closely with the Society of the Motor Industry (SIMI) for over a decade providing analysis and advice on macro-economic trends, national Infrastructure plans and electrifying the National fleet on Irish roads.
Brian Merrigan, CEO of BMW Financial Services Ireland (DAC) said: “We are delighted to have Jim appointed to our Board. He is an accomplished and transformative executive with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the financial services and motor industries. He will no doubt provide invaluable advice and analysis.”
Jim Power’s career started as a Treasury Economist at AIB in 1987. Shortly thereafter, he served as Chief Economist at Bank of Ireland Group for eight years. He then became Chief Economist at Friends First Group. Power is a lecturer on the Executive MBA and full-time MBA programmes at Smurfit Business School, University College Dublin (UCD). He also has experience as an Independent Non-Executive Director serving in companies including Love Irish Food and the Arboretum Garden Centre. Moreover, he is well-known in Ireland for his podcast “The Other Hand”, which has soared in popularity since its launch in 2021.
Hazel Keegan, Construction Underwriting Manager,
Aviva Insurance Ireland
Hazel Keegan has been appointed Construction Underwriting Manager at Aviva Insurance Ireland. She has extensive experience and expertise in the construction and engineering sectors. She was previously the senior construction underwriter with Great American International Insurance. Prior to that, she held senior underwriting roles with HSB Engineering Insurance Limited and Zurich Insurance. Keegan has a BA in history and politics from University College Dublin.
Ciaran Foley, Chief Executive Officer,
Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme
Ciaran Foley has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme. Re-turn is the not-for-profit organisation appointed by the government as system administrator for Ireland’s new Deposit Return Scheme. It is dedicated to supporting and assisting retailers, producers, and consumers in managing the transition to a Deposit Return Scheme smoothly and effectively.
Foley, formerly the Managing Director of DHL Ireland, will lead the implementation and integration of the Deposit Return Scheme in Ireland. He will be responsible for the strategic organisation development of the Scheme and will oversee the legal obligations of members, business expansion, cost control, and effective government and industry stakeholder communication. As CEO, he will lead a core team of 30 and work closely with the committed Board of Directors in place that includes Tony Keohane as Chair.
Tony Keohane, Chair of Re-turn said: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Foley as the CEO of Re-turn. Foley’s knowledge and experience in supply chain management and his commitment to sustainability are key to ensuring this significant circular economy initiative is successfully launched on 1 February 2024.”
He is also Non-Executive Director at FoodCloud Ireland, the charity that strives to reduce food waste in Ireland and internationally through innovative IT solutions that make excess food from retail outlets and providers available to charities.
Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn, said: “I am honoured to be at the helm of such a crucial circular economy initiative. By introducing a deposit return scheme, Ireland is joining a global success story which is thriving in 40+ regions worldwide, including thirteen countries in Europe. A Deposit Return Scheme is a circular economy game-changer for Ireland, shifting from ‘take, make, dispose’ to returning valuable materials and maximising their use – creating a circular system for high-value plastics and cans. Its introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme is hugely beneficial to our environmental goals and is a critical element of the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy to achieve EU targets. The Scheme is a practical environmental initiative that will increase recycling rates, reduce litter, lower emissions, prevent waste, and relieve pressure on our natural resources.”
Ireland’s Deposit and Return scheme, a circular initiative, will launch at the beginning of 2024. This initiative is an integral part of the program for government, aligning with the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy, and aims to meet the EU collection and recycling targets outlined in the Single-Use Plastics Directive. Under the Single Use Plastics Directive, Ireland must ensure the separate collection of 77% of plastic beverage bottles placed on the market by 2025, rising to 90% by 2030. The Deposit and Return scheme has been introduced to ensure Ireland can reach these targets.
Once live, consumers will give a fully refundable deposit when purchasing bottles and cans with the Re-turn logo ranging from 15 cents to 25 cents, depending on size – 15c will apply to containers 500mls or less and a deposit of 25c for each container from 500ml to 3 litres. They receive it back when they return the bottle or can to a designated return point. Return points, either manual or Reverse Vending Machines, will be located in the majority of retailers where bottles and cans are purchased.
Simon Daly, Commercial Strategy Lead,
Ergo
Simon Daly has been appointed as Commercial Strategy Lead of Ergo, an IT solutions provider in Ireland. In his new role, Daly will oversee projects developed by Ergo’s award-winning modern work practice to bring forth a culture of collaboration and secure hybrid working for Ergo’s global multisite clients. Microsoft Cloud solutions like Microsoft 365, Teams and Sharepoint are used by the Modern Work team to connect workforces for a seamless experience wherever they are based while ensuring that robust defences and governance mechanisms are in place to safeguard data as employees work remotely.
This appointment comes following a period of sustained success for Ergo’s Modern Work team, where for the fifth time in six years, Ergo was recognised by Microsoft for its market-leading modern workplace solutions, winning the Microsoft Ireland Partner of the Year Award for Modern Work 2023.
Ergo has been one of the first indigenous Microsoft partners in Ireland to have achieved Microsoft 365-FastTrack-ready status, which means that customers are in the best possible hands to accelerate the deployment and end-user adoption of Microsoft 365. Ergo also have the distinction of 6 Microsoft MVPs (Most Valuable Professionals) – the highest skills accreditation awarded by Microsoft — three of whom contribute to Modern Work and Enterprise Mobility projects.
Simon Daly, Commercial Strategy Lead said: “I am delighted to join a company with such depth of expertise in the area of modern workplace solutions. Ergo’s recent recognition as Microsoft Partner of the Year in Modern Work is a testament to the hard work of the team, and I greatly look forward to leading the commercial strategy and collaborating with businesses throughout Ireland on innovative workplace solutions to suit their unique requirements.”
Daly has more than 20 years of experience developing and leading high-performing, ambitious teams and has worked across several customer-facing roles in the Irish IT industry. Within his previous role at Microsoft, Simon was responsible for delivering digital transformation for organisations within both the public sector and private sector, to foster greater productivity and collaboration.
Before his role at Microsoft, Simon also worked for IBM for over 17 years, in both technical and commercial roles. During this time, he specialised in translating technical values into business values, and as such is uniquely positioned to provide organisations with modern workplace solutions that help them to connect, communicate and collaborate seamlessly across their business.
Paul McCann, CEO at Ergo said, “We are thrilled to welcome Simon to our Modern Work team. His knowledge and expertise in modern workplace solutions will be instrumental to Ergo and, with the continued growth of Ergo’s market-leading modern work practice, Simon’s leadership will be invaluable in working closely with clients to design solutions for undisrupted and seamless productivity.”
Alongside his professional experience, Simon is a passionate advocate for mental health and wellness within the modern workplace and previously worked closely with the Microsoft Philanthropy team to help charity partners maximise the value of communication and collaboration solutions.
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