By Business & Finance 
Pictured (L-R): Ronan O’Gara, Senior Advisor, Consello; Delcan Kelly, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Consello; Liam Sheedy, MD of Consello Leadership Development, Talent and Business Transformation in Ireland. Picture by Maxwells Dublin
This week sees new and notable appointments at Consello in Ireland, Matheson LLP, Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI), Baker Tilly Ireland, and Greengate Biogas
Ronan O’Gara, Senior Advisor,
Consello in Ireland
Consello, the global advisory and investing platform, has announced that Irish rugby star and head coach of La Rochelle, Ronan O’Gara, has joined the business as a Senior Advisor.
The only player to win the European Cup twice as a player and twice as a manager for different clubs, O’Gara is also Munster’s all-time points scorer.
He will join Consello’s Leadership Development, Talent and Business Transformation team, which works with C-Suites, board directors, and senior leaders in Ireland and internationally to design and implement comprehensive strategies that attract, build, and sustain high performing teams.
The announcement follows the Irish launch of Consello last week in Dublin in front of over 400 top business, sports and other leaders drawn from Ireland’s largest companies and organisations.
O’Gara will join former Manchester United and England captain Gary Neville and former Irish champion golfer and Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley, who are Principals in Consello’s business in Ireland and are Senior Advisors on the company’s Leadership Development programmes in Ireland and internationally.
The Ireland-based Leadership Development, Talent and Business Transformation team is led by former Tipperary senior hurling manager Liam Sheedy and Jane Mitchell.
Declan Kelly, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Consello, said, “Ronan O’Gara brings a unique perspective to our clients on what it takes to create a winning environment within an organization. That team already has some incredible practitioners on this side of the Atlantic, from Gary Neville, who will work closely with the team here, to Paul McGinley and our own Liam Sheedy and Jane Mitchell, who lead the division in Ireland. There is no other organization in Ireland that can bring that level of leadership development expertise and impact, and we look forward to growing our presence here over the coming months and years.”
Ronan O’Gara commented: “I’m delighted to join Declan and the team at Consello. The high-performance environment we create in sport is entirely applicable to business as it is fundamentally about bringing people together in a positive environment that enables them to be the best that they can be. The results quickly follow. When I saw what Declan had established Consello in Ireland, there was no doubt in my mind that this was the perfect company for me. I’ve already met the team and am really looking forward to working with them and Consello clients here in Ireland and internationally.”
Nine new appointments, various practices,
Matheson LLP
Pictured (L-R): Simon Shinkwin (Competition and Regulation); Sarah O’Meara (Asset Management); Seóna O’Donnellan (International Business Group); Lisa Tait (Finance and Capital Markets); Michael Jackson, Managing Partner; Maeve Lochrie (Private Client); Aishlinn Gannon (Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution); and Owen Collins (Energy and Infrastructure).
Matheson LLP has announced the appointment of nine new partners – six female and three male – across seven different practice areas. The appointments include seven internal promotions, effective from 1 January, as well as the recent arrival of Muireann Hernon from another large Irish law firm and the return to Matheson of Gearóid Murphy from an international law firm in London.
These new appointments will bring the total number of Matheson partners and tax principals to 125.
The newly promoted partners are;
- Owen Collins (Energy and Infrastructure)
- Aishlinn Gannon (Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution)
- Maeve Lochrie (Private Client)
- Seóna O’Donnellan (International Business Group)
- Sarah O’Meara (Asset Management)
- Simon Shinkwin (Competition and Regulation)
- Lisa Tait (Finance and Capital Markets)
In addition, Matheson is delighted to have been joined recently by Muireann Hernon who recently joined the firm’s Finance and Capital Markets team from another large Irish law firm, where she had been a partner since 2022. The Finance and Capital Markets team will also be joined in January by Gearóid Murphy, who will join the firm as a partner from an international law firm in London.
Matheson Managing Partner, Michael Jackson said; “2024 has been another year of significant growth for Matheson, with continued market-leading performances across the firm. Our people strategy is driven by the attraction, engagement and development of the market’s best legal talent. I am very pleased to see seven of our senior associates being promoted to partner across such a wide range of practice areas. I am also delighted to welcome the arrival of Muireann and Gearóid to our Finance and Capital Markets team, and I look forward to working with each of them over the coming years.”
James Morris, Ireland country head,
Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI)
The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) is delighted to announce the appointment of James Morris as CISI Ireland country head.
Morris, an experienced broker and trader, joins the CISI from Dublin-based StoneX Group Inc, where he was responsible for clearing, execution and sales. Prior to this he worked with Crux Shipbrokers in Dublin and MINT Partners in Singapore and Dubai.
Morris will be responsible for CISI Ireland and Northern Ireland client relationships operating from Dublin and takes over from Deirdre Lawson.
James Morris said: “I am delighted to take on this role and join the CISI. I look forward to working with and meeting our members and stakeholders in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. I am excited to help build our CPD programme for the coming year and working to increase our membership and advocating the value of lifelong learning and professionalism.”
The CISI Ireland National Advisory Council President Adele Spillane MCSI said: “The Council is excited to welcome James and looks forward to working with our new country head to deliver on the charity’s objectives and strengthen our relationships with all our stakeholders on the ground.”
Nicola McMurray Chartered FCSI, Vice President CISI Northern Ireland National Advisory Council said: “We are delighted to welcome James and look forward to working closely with him to support our members and the CISI’s mission.”
Ahmer Khan, Head of Financial Services,
Baker Tilly Ireland
Baker Tilly Ireland has announced the appointment of Ahmer Khan as its new head of financial services.
Khan brings with him more than two decades of assurance and consulting experience across the financial services sector with expertise in insurance, banking, asset management and capital markets.
He makes the move to Baker Tilly from EY Ireland, where he spent 13 years leading audits and consulting projects for large clients, including insurers, banks, asset managers and mutual/hedge funds. Prior to EY, he spent 12 years with KPMG, working across Jersey, Dublin, and London. His expertise covers technical accounting, corporate governance, complex investment valuations, implementation of IFRS 9 at large banks and IFRS 17 in the insurance sector.
Vivian Nathan, Chief Operations Officer at Baker Tilly Ireland said: “Ahmer’s appointment comes as Baker Tilly Ireland continues to pursue ambitious growth goals, expanding its services and reach in the Irish market. Ahmer’s deep and diverse expertise in multiple financial services sectors bolsters the firm’s capabilities, especially in insurance, banking, asset management, and capital markets.”
Speaking about his new role Ahmer Khan said: “There are fantastic growth opportunities for financial services firms in Ireland and I look forward to supporting their ambitions in my new role, helping clients to navigate complexity and change, and achieve their strategic priorities. I’m really excited to join the Baker Tilly Ireland team, which is exceptionally dynamic, forward-thinking and ambitious to grow. I look forward to starting and contributing to the firm’s exciting journey.”
Edward Lilleystone,Commercial Director,
Greengate Biogas
Greengate Biogas, a developer in the biomethane sector, has announced the appointment of Edward Lilleystone as its new Commercial Director, effective immediately.
Lilleystone brings over a decade of experience in the biogas industry, with extensive expertise in feedstock profiling, technology selection, specialist contracting, and the end-market uses of biomethane, CO₂, and fertiliser products.
His previous experience includes leadership roles as Director of Metro Fuels Limited from 2020 to 2024 and Director of Gazasia Limited from 2010 to 2020. His proven ability to drive results and adapt to dynamic industry challenges underscores his suitability for this role.
In his new role, Lilleystone will lead planning and permitting processes, foster partnerships with key stakeholders, and oversee project performance evaluation through data analysis. He will also contribute to financial modelling and developing and implementing key strategies to achieve the company’s business goals.
Andrew Bernard, CEO of Greengate Biogas, commented on the appointment, “We are delighted to welcome Edward to the team. His deep expertise and proven leadership in the biogas industry will be invaluable as we continue to expand our operations and drive the development of sustainable energy solutions. Edward’s appointment reinforces our commitment to delivering innovative biomethane projects that support Ireland’s energy transition.”
Greengate Biogas continues to strengthen its position as a major player in Ireland’s energy transition, focusing on delivering sustainable, high-impact biomethane projects.
