Pictured (from l-r): Rosaleen Blair, Non-Executive Director at BGF
This week sees new and notable appointments at BGF, Consello and Maples and Calder
Rosaleen Blair, Non-Executive Director,
BGF,
BGF, the UK and Ireland’s most active growth capital investor, has appointed Rosaleen Blair CBE to its Board as Non-Executive Director. Blair’s expertise in driving business growth and operational excellence will be invaluable to BGF as it continues to support the growth of British and Irish businesses.
A recognised industry leader, Blair has been instrumental in transforming the recruitment industry. As the founder, former CEO and now Chair of AMS (Alexander Mann Solutions), she successfully built the company into a global outsourcing leader in talent acquisition and management services. Rosaleen successfully navigated AMS through multiple economic cycles, as well as four private equity relationships. She is the Chair of FTSE-listed Kaison Group PLC.
Blair’s entrepreneurial achievements have been recognised with her being named a Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of the Year, and she was awarded a CBE. Rosaleen is actively involved in the investment space, advising businesses across multiple sectors.
Ian Livingston (Lord Livingston of Parkhead), Non-Executive Chair of BGF, said: “We are delighted to welcome Rosaleen to BGF’s Board. Her exceptional track record in leading and scaling businesses is aligned with BGF’s mission to unlock potential and foster growth in our portfolio companies. Rosaleen’s insights and expertise will be crucial as we continue to evolve and expand our impact.”
Rosaleen Blair said: “As the most active institutional investor in female-led scaleup companies and with strong credentials in social mobility and supporting underrepresented groups, BGF has solid foundations in areas that I remain deeply passionate about. I am looking forward to working with the Board and the team to support BGF’s growing impact in these areas.”
Lisa Chambers, Director of Public Affairs,
Consello,
Ms Chambers will build out the Public Affairs offering at Consello in Ireland to meet its growing portfolio of clients seeking Irish and European government and stakeholder advisory services, as part of Consello’s wider advisory offering.
With almost a decade in Leinster House, including in her role as Leader of the Senate as well as the party spokesperson on Defence, Brexit, Foreign and European Affairs and Chair of its Brexit Committee, Ms Chambers brings a unique breadth of cross-departmental experience and insights into key areas impacting business in Ireland and Europe.
A barrister by profession, Ms Chambers holds a degree in Commerce and Law from NUI Galway and a Masters in Commercial Law from University College Dublin, before being called to the bar at Kings Inns in 2011. She is also a former member of the Reserve Defence Forces.
Ms Chambers will join the Communications and Public Affairs team at Consello in Ireland, one of six business units in the newly established company, which was officially launched in December and has a 30-strong team working across offices in Dublin, Belfast and Clare.
Katie Doran, CEO of Consello in Ireland said: “As we grow the Consello business in Ireland, we are continuing to build out a team of experts in their field that can enable our clients to navigate challenges and maximise opportunities as they arise. Lisa is a superb addition to the team, further enhancing our Communications and Public Affairs offering through her unique insights and experience in Irish government and European affairs.”
Lisa Chambers commented: “It was a privilege to have had the opportunity to serve in Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. The past decade or so in politics has given me invaluable experience that I am very grateful for. I have now embarked on a new chapter in my life and joining Consello was an easy decision for me. What Declan Kelly has built globally with Consello, and in such a short space of time, is remarkable. Declan has now brought that global standard to Ireland by assembling a team of business leaders with an incredible track record of success themselves. I am excited to be part of such an experienced team.”
Stephen Gardiner, Partner in Irish Asset Finance practice,
Maples and Calder,
Gardiner’s practice spans corporate structuring and the establishment of aviation-related corporate platforms in Ireland, to advising on aircraft financing, trading, and leasing transactions and on aviation regulatory matters in Ireland. His experience extends to providing Irish legal advice to airlines, lessors, aircraft financiers, owner trustees and corporate service providers located worldwide on transactions involving Ireland.
A licenced private pilot with a hugely technical knowledge of aircraft, Gardiner will work closely with the Dublin Finance practice led by Stephen McLoughlin and in conjunction with Mary O’Neill to further develop the firm’s Irish Asset Finance practice as well as the Group’s wider global Asset Finance team. He will also collaborate with the firm’s other core practice groups which include Funds & Investment Management; Data, Commercial & Technology; Corporate, Dispute Resolution & Insolvency; Tax, Property; Employment; Global Registration Services and Financial Services Regulatory.
Over the last 12 months, the Dublin firm has appointed a number of senior lawyers at Partner, Of Counsel and Associate level, including to its growing Finance team. These appointments follow a period of exceptional growth at the firm and are in direct response to increasing demands for Irish legal services from new and existing international clients.
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