New and notable appointments at AVI SPL, Port of Cork Company, Sysco, Nostra, Smyth Creative Communications and Square Patton Boggs

This week sees new and notable appointments at AVI SPL, Port of Cork Company, Sysco, Nostra, Smyth Creative Communications and Square Patton Boggs

Colin Barrett, New General Manager in Ireland
AVI-SPL

Colin Barrett joins from Vodafone Ireland where he was their Head of Internet of Things (IoT) division and had previously established their cloud and datacentre managed services business in Ireland. Prior to Vodafone he held a number of senior positions within IBM, Oracle, and Siebel, focusing on business growth in emerging digital technologies. Colin holds an MBA from UCD Smurfit Business School, and a B.Sc. in Computer Applications from DCU.

Bringing a proven track record of driving growth and building exceptional teams, Colin sees tremendous growth opportunities for AVI-SPL in Ireland and comments, “We’re looking forward to expanding our established position as the leading AV, UC and collaboration technology partner to Irish enterprises with further investment in our Ireland operations. Our proven local expertise, underpinned by our scale as the world’s largest AV/UC system integrator means we’re uniquely positioned to address the evolving trend of Irish businesses rethinking their premises strategy. It’s no longer about floor-space, and instead more focused on digital workplace technologies which attract employees’ return to the office, whilst empowering those who work remotely.”

Michael Kellaway, Managing Director for AVI-SPL UK & Ireland said:

“We’re delighted to have Colin onboard to take our Irish entity forward into our next phase of growth. We’ve just completed a major refurbishment and investment into our Dublin premises, creating a new customer experience centre to better showcase our solutions and services to customers in the Irish market. Colin’s extensive leadership experience of building high-performing teams, delivering sustainable growth and knowledge of the local market will galvanise our local team and help our customers to design and support their future workplace strategies.”

Ann Doherty, Chief Executive Officer
The Port of Cork Company

The Port of Cork Company (PoCC) announces the appointment of Ann Doherty as its new Chief Executive Officer. Doherty brings over 30 years of experience in public sector leadership and operations management, including a decade-long tenure as Chief Executive of Cork City Council,where she led several initiatives central to the city’s expansion and development.

Her work included overseeing Ireland’s largest boundary extension, significantly increasing Cork City’s jurisdiction and establishing the groundwork for sustainable urban growth. Ann is an advocate for sustainability and the promotion and implementation of a climate neutral economy. In her term as Chief Executive of Cork City, Cork became one of the ‘100 EU net zero emission cities’ paving the way to climate neutrality by 2030.

Chairman of the Port of Cork Company, Michael Walsh said:

We welcome Ann Doherty as Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Cork. Ann has been instrumental in bringing significant capital investment to the organisations she has led. Her strategic vision and leadership have attracted substantial funding for infrastructure projects, economic development initiatives, and public services, ensuring sustainable growth and development for the communities she serves. Her extensive background in public sector leadership and strategic planning aligns well with our mission to position the Port of Cork as a leading global multi-purpose port into the next century.

Mark O’Gara, General Manager & Gareth Clements, Head of Sales Sysco Northern Ireland
Sysco

Sysco, Ireland’s leading foodservice specialist, has appointed two new members to its senior management team in Northern Ireland in line with its long-term growth strategy which aims to see the Northern Ireland operations double over the next four years.

Mark O’Gara has been appointed as General Manager, Sysco Northern Ireland and Gareth Clements has been appointed as Head of Sales, Sysco Northern Ireland.  The appointments come as the foodservice specialist prepares to open its new state-of-the-art facility at Nutt’s Corner next year. Mark O’Gara has more than 25 years’ experience working in Wholesale and Supply Chain Operation. Mark’s previous roles have included Warehouse Manager at Wincanton plc and Operations and Regional Manager at AAH Pharmaceuticals.

Mark Lee, Chief Executive, Sysco Ireland said:

“I am delighted to welcome Mark and Gareth to the Sysco team. Together they bring a combined 55 years’ experience and an unparalleled knowledge of the hospitality and foodservice industry.  They will play a key role in leading the Sysco team as we bring our enhanced services and extensive high-quality product range to new and existing customers throughout Northern Ireland.”

Previously National Head of Sales at Lynas Foods, Gareth has more than 30 years’ experience in the foodservice industry.   His career began in his family’s off-sales and alcohol wholesaling businesses, he then made the move into the hotel sector where he qualified as a chef. Following his culinary career, Gareth took up a sales role at O’Kane Food Service business in Lisburn and has spent the past eighteen years in frontline sales and management roles. As Head of Sales for Sysco in Northern Ireland, Gareth will play a critical role in driving revenue growth, exploring new business opportunities across Sysco’s channels and marketplace, and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Eoin Ryan, Chief Revenue Officer & Ann Mc Manus, Chief People Officer
Nostra

Nostra’s financial results, which include €4.1 million in EBITDA before exceptional items (€2.3 million post-exceptional items), underline a consistent emphasis on operational efficiency and profitability. This foundation supports the company’s long-term strategy of broadening its product portfolio and consolidating services, in response to increasing client needs for integrated IT solutions that minimise supplier dependency and reduce security and business risks.

To navigate this growth trajectory, Nostra has also strengthened its leadership team with two pivotal appointments:

• Eoin Ryan, as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), will spearhead efforts to maximise customer value across Nostra’s expanding service range.
• Ann McManus, as Chief People Officer (CPO), will lead initiatives to foster a unified “One Nostra” culture, essential for sustaining company-wide cohesion and growth.

Kevin O’Loughlin, Nostra CEO and co-founder said.

“This year has demonstrated the hard work and commitment of everyone at Nostra, Our growth has been significant, and our expansion plans are well underway. By focusing on cybersecurity and bringing in new talent nationwide, we are building a business that is not only growing rapidly but is also well-positioned to set industry standards in IT service delivery.”

Nostra is on track to achieve its five-year goals (from 2024-2028), which include growing to 1,000 employees, reaching €250 million in revenue, and supporting 200,000 users. The company’s long-term vision also encompasses European acquisitions and eliminating malware threats for its clients, underscoring Nostra’s strategic momentum and direction.

Nostra will continue to expand its team over the next 12 months, adding 12 new roles in Galway’s Security team, 20 roles in Dublin across Marketing, Service, Engineering, and Account Management, and 6 positions in Cork across various functions.

Will Young, Director
Baker Tilly Mooney Moore

Belfast accountancy and advisory practice Baker Tilly Mooney Moore has expanded its Consulting Services department, welcoming Will Young as a Director. An experienced member  of Northern Ireland’s public sector for 36 years, Will joins Baker Tilly Mooney Moore from the NICS, Department of Finance.

Hazel Dobbyn, Senior Director and Mia Iverson, Account Executive
Smyth Creative Communications

Smyth, the creative communications agency founded by Gemma Smyth in 2013, has today announced two new hires in response to an expanded client portfolio during 2024. The additions to the team include seasoned PR professional, Hazel Dobbyn who joins the leadership team as Senior Director and Mia Iversen who joins as Account Executive.

With more than 20 years’ experience in senior PR and communications roles, Hazel Dobbyn brings significant expertise and capability to the business. For the last five years Hazel has managed her own PR consultancy, Narrate PR, delivering strategic communications campaigns for clients in the food, health, retail, property, technology and tourism sectors. Prior to that, she was Head of Communications at BIM (Bord Iascaigh Mhara) for 10 years. &Smyth also announced the appointment of Mia Iversen, a recent Masters in Public Relations and Strategic Communications graduate from DCU as Account Executive. Mia was recently selected as one of six graduates to present the findings of her Masters dissertation at the recent PRII conference in Croke Park, Dublin. The appointments bring the total headcount at &Smyth to six communications professionals.

Gemma Smyth, Founder and Managing Director of &Smyth said:

“Our business has continued to grow and mature over the last number of years and having Hazel join our senior team marks a significant milestone in our evolution. Hazel has a proven track record in delivering strategic communications campaigns with impact for a range of organisations and brands and there are great synergies between Hazel’s client and inhouse experience and our client portfolio.  We look forward to her joining our team as we know that her experience will only serve to further enhance the service we provide to our clients.”

Andre Vermeulan, Director 
Square Patton Boggs

Squire Patton Boggs has appointed André Vermeulen as director to establish its Tax Strategy & Benefits Practice in Ireland.

Mr. Vermeulen focuses on advising large corporates and multinationals on a wide range of Irish corporate and transactional tax matters, particularly M&A, corporate reorganisations and inward investment into Ireland. He has led on multiple buy-side and vendor tax due diligence investigations, managed multi-jurisdictional engagements, provided acquisition structuring advice, as well as transactional warranty and indemnity tax reviews. In addition, Mr. Vermeulen has experience in tax dispute resolution, transactional VAT and Irish Stamp Duty matters.

Mr. Vermeulen’s recent work highlights include advising on the following:  the formation of a joint venture in Ireland by one of the leading American multinational technology companies for taking on $12bn in investment funds; the acquisition of the Institute of Education by a UK based client, the establishment and operation of multiple investment fund structures and the acquisition of multiple assets in Ireland by private equity clients.

Prior to joining Squire, Mr. Vermeulen was with Eversheds Sutherland and also spent over six years with PwC (leaving as a Senior Tax Manager).  He has also worked for KPMG and ENSAfrica, one of Africa’s largest law firms, in South Africa. He qualified as a solicitor in South Africa in 2012 and completed the CTA examinations in Ireland in 2017

Managing partner Dennis Agnew, Square Patton Boggs said:

“We are delighted to have a tax practitioner of André’s calibre and experience join our team in Dublin.  In the 18 months since we launched, our Irish office has gone from strength to strength. Our team here is advising clients on a wide range of cross-border and domestic corporate and PE deals, backed by our panoply of global, full-service legal expertise. Now with André joining, clients will be able to access that additional resource of specialist Irish tax knowledge alongside our international structuring experience.”

Mitch Thompson, leader of Squire Patton Boggs’ Tax Strategy & Benefits Practice, said:

“André is a wonderful addition to our global tax team and his skillset fits perfectly with our strategy to increase client services for multi-jurisdictional tax matters generally and in Ireland specifically.  He has deep experience and expertise in the Irish market and was recently awarded the International Tax Review EMEA Tax Rising Star Award in September 2024.  André will be a key part of our team’s ability to deliver transactional and structuring tax services and to advise our clients on complex, cross border transactions.”

Andre Vermeulen, Director, Square Patton Boggs added:

“I’m delighted to join Squire Patton Boggs and excited at the prospect of establishing a new Irish tax practice within a well-respected global tax group and to work alongside a dynamic corporate team in Ireland.”

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