Appointments

New and notable appointments at Contracting PLUS, Smart D8, Musgrave, Metis Ireland and Kilkenny Tourism

By Business & Finance
07 January 2021
Pictured: Jimmy Sheehan, Managing Director, Contracting PLUS

This week sees new and notable appointments at Contracting PLUS, Smart D8, Musgrave, Metis Ireland and Kilkenny Tourism


Jimmy Sheehan, Managing Director,
Contracting PLUS

Jimmy Sheehan has been appointed Managing Director at Contracting PLUS, the accountancy firm dealing in specialist tax, financial advice and umbrella companies for professional contractors.

Formerly Commercial Director at the international professional services company, Jimmy Sheehan joined Contracting PLUS in 2018 and has been instrumental in advancing services and growth alongside the company’s senior leadership team.

His appointment was announced by Michael Dineen, Chairman of Contracting PLUS, who says Sheehan will lead the growth in company services in Ireland, including the launch of a new outsourcing service for Irish companies.

“Professional contractors, or flexible talent, are becoming the norm across many Irish companies and the public service.  The flexibility for both the employer and contractor suits fast-paced working environments where being able to scale-up and find specialist support quickly, in response to market change, is important.”

Jimmy Sheehan is a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPA) Ireland and holds a Corporate Finance diploma from the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland.  He also has qualifications in IT networking, software development and design.

Prior to joining Contracting PLUS, Sheehan was Head of Commercial Development with a leading national accountancy firm, where he developed the business footprint and revenue, having earlier grown and subsequently sold his own audit and accountancy practice.

Commenting on his recent new appointment Jimmy Sheehan said “It is an honour to lead such a dedicated and talented team at this exciting time for the company, when the growth in contracting is stronger than ever before.  We will continue to build on the company’s unrivalled track record in taxation and accountancy services, and in supporting professional contractors to maximise earnings and minimise stress.”

The Irish-owned technology enabled business provides a one-stop-shop resource including contract review, administration, tax advice and wealth management for professional clients, mostly working in the IT, financial services, medical, pharma, and engineering sectors.

Established for fifteen years, Contracting PLUS employs over 150 people at offices in Cork, Dublin, London and Mahe in India, and works with over 4,500 independent clients.   Recruitment agencies also provide Contracting PLUS services to professional contractors they place across the globe.


Orla Veale, Project Lead
SMART D8

Orla Veale, Project Lead, Smart D8

Orla Veale has been appointed as Project Lead for Smart D8, a collaborative initiative with the purpose of investigating how new and innovative approaches can be used to improve citizens’ health and wellbeing in Dublin 8. Smart D8 will bring together experts in healthcare, academia and industry from the Dublin 8 area, and is being led by The Digital Hub, Smart Dublin, Dublin City Council and St. James’s Hospital.

Ms Veale joins from Conker, the management consultancy, where she was Founder & Principal Consultant for four years working with clients in the health and education sector. Prior to this, Orla worked in the health insurance industry in both Ireland and Australia with brands including Aviva and Bupa and has over 20 years of business experience.

Outside of private industry, Orla is an accomplished academic and is Adjunct Teaching Fellow, at Trinity Business School and Programme Director, Healthcare Leadership. She is an Associate Lecturer in Global Brand Management and Dissertation Supervisor for the MSc in Pharmaceutical Business and Technology at Griffith College Dublin. Orla also sits on the board of Transparency International Ireland.

Orla holds a Master of Business Administration, H.Dip in Computer Science and is studying for an MSc in Digital Health.

Commenting on the appointment Fiach Mac Conghail, CEO of The Digital Hub, said:

“I’m delighted, on behalf of The Smart D8 team, in welcoming Orla to lead and manage this innovative and exciting programme. Her experience and calibre will benefit us all and in particular the citizens and community of Dublin 8 as we support innovative health and wellbeing initiatives in our community”.

Orla Veale, Project Lead for Smart D8, said:

“I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to lead the development & delivery of what is set to be an exciting initiative for the people of Dublin 8. Our vision for Smart D8 is to have a truly transformative effect on health and wellbeing by creating a more person-centric approach while stimulating innovation and the use of new technologies. I look forward to sharing more details as we build up to our official launch in January 2021”.

Smart D8 is currently conducting comprehensive community research to understand the health and wellbeing needs of the Dublin 8 community. This research will shape initial projects in the community, and the results are expected in early 2021.


Ian Allen, Managing Director,
SuperValu and Centra

Ian Allen, Managing Director, SuperValu and Centra

Musgrave has announced the appointment of Ian Allen as Managing Director of SuperValu and Centra, Ireland’s leading grocery retail and convenience brands. A 23 year Musgrave veteran, he currently serves as SuperValu Sales Director and will take up his new role on 1st January 2021.

With over 30 years’ experience in the grocery industry and a proven track record of delivering significant brand growth, Ian has been responsible for significant commercial outcomes for Musgrave since joining the business in 1997. He has served in a variety of roles including Centra Sales Director, Head of Trading Strategy & Planning and Director of Frank and Honest Coffee, which is now the number one on-the-go coffee brand in the country.

Commenting on Ian Allen’s appointment, Musgrave CEO Noel Keeley said: “We are delighted to appoint Ian as Managing Director of SuperValu and Centra. His appointment reflects the success he has had across multiple roles, most recently as Sales Director of SuperValu, which has performed strongly this year. I would also like to thank Ray Kelly who served as Interim Managing Director over the past number of months, stepping into the role in the midst of a global pandemic and steering our retail brands through Covid-19.”

“Despite the challenges of Covid-19, we plan to further cement the leadership status of our retail brands by doubling down on our commitment to source Irish wherever possible, investing in innovation such as our online shopping service and delivering the best customer experience in the market. The strength of our brands is reflected by the fact that every day almost 700 independent SuperValu and Centra stores go toe-to-toe with international chains and we will continue to go from strength-to-strength under Ian’s stewardship.”

SuperValu serves over 2.6 million customers every week with 223 stores nationwide and Centra serves over three million customers per week with a total of 473 stores across the country. Combined with their retail partners, together the brands employ 25,500 colleagues across the country, making SuperValu and Centra one of the State’s largest private sector employers.


Dean Rock, Client Services Executive,
Metis Ireland

Pictured: Dean Rock, Client Services Executive, Metis Ireland

Metis Ireland has announced the appointment of Dublin footballer Dean Rock as a Client Services Executive. Embarking on his Qualified Financial Advisor (QFA) qualification as part of the move, Rock joins as a Client Services Executive, and will form part of the firm’s growing Financial Planning team.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of his seventh All-Ireland tournament win in December; the latest career high for Dublin’s all-time leading scorer who has also secured nine Leinster Championships, five National League trophies and two All-Star Awards.

The move will see him join fellow football star and six-time All-Ireland winner Paddy Andrews, a Certified Financial Planner who joined Metis Ireland as a Private Client Manager in January 2020.

Speaking of his appointment Carl Widger, Metis Ireland Managing Director, said he would ‘perfectly compliment’ the company’s ‘dedicated, innovative and ambitious team’.

He said: “We have a successful history of attracting high performers to our business, and Dean is a perfect example of someone who gives their all to their work. His sporting achievements and his accolade as Dublin’s all-time leading scorer are testament to that.

“Like the rest of the team he is fully committed to using his personal passion and drive, as well as his professional experience and expertise, to help our clients understand their unique financial circumstances and what they need to do now, and in the long term, to meet their goals.

“We’re delighted to have him onboard.”

Commenting on his new role as a Client Services Executive within the financial planning division of the business, Dean said: “Metis Ireland has an unrivalled reputation for its personable and bespoke approach to delivering financial planning advice.

“The team’s commitment to engaging their clients on an individual basis to put a plan together that works for them and their future retirement plans is really what attracted me to the business.

“This move marks a whole new chapter in my professional life, and I am excited and privileged to be surrounded by such a knowledgeable and approachable team.”

Established in 2014 and with offices in Dublin, Limerick and Clonmel, Metis Ireland has a world-class reputation for its inspirational and innovative approach to providing financial planning advice to its clients.

In late 2019 the firm announced that it had received investment from wealth management company, Davy Group, as part of its growth strategy, and its ongoing commitment to providing exceptional service, lasting relationships and honest, experienced financial planning to its growing rapidly expanding customer base.


Ciarán Conroy, Chairperson,
KILKENNY TOURISM

Pictured: Ciarán Conroy, Chairperson, Kilkenny Tourism

Kilkenny Tourism is delighted to announce the appointment of Ciarán Conroy as their new Chairperson. Ciarán brings with him a wealth of experience to the role, as a senior manager with over 25 year’s commercial business experience and a proven track record in strategy, marketing and business development.

Since 2016, Ciarán has held the position as CEO of Kilkenny Civic Trust, which operates Butler House an Ireland’s blue book boutique hotel in the centre of Kilkenny and the Medieval Mile Museum, the well-known visitor attraction in Kilkenny. In addition, Ciarán is a Board member of the ‘Cuisle Centre’ one of Ireland’s leading cancer support centres.

A former graduate and Fellow of the Marketing Institute of Ireland, Ciarán holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). He is also a sports coach with a degree in fitness and conditioning.

Previously, Ciarán held senior roles in Waterford Crystal, Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na Móna.

Commenting on his appointment, Ciarán said; “I am thrilled to be taking up this new role at Kilkenny Tourism. While this is a challenging time for the tourism and hospitality sector there are many exciting opportunities ahead to build on Kilkenny’s excellent reputation. I am looking forward to working with our members and partners to develop the great work that the organisation has already done in positioning Kilkenny as a leading destination to visit.’’

He added “I plan to oversee the regrowth and sustainability of tourism in the county for 2021 and beyond and look forward to Kilkenny welcoming back visitors with a new and exciting tourism offering when it is safe to travel again.”