By Business & Finance 
Pictured from left to right: Deirdre Ardagh, James Sherwin, Rachael Connolly
This week sees new and notable appointments at DataSolutions, Sherwin O’Riordan Solicitors and FREE NOW
Brian Davis, Group Sales Director for Data Centres division,
DataSolutions
DataSolutions has appointed Brian Davis as the Group Sales Director for its Data Centres division. With more than 20 years’ experience in distribution across multiple industries, Brian is responsible for overseeing and leading the sales teams in Ireland and the UK which look after the portfolio of data centre technologies provided by DataSolutions.
In his role as Group Sales Director, Brian works with customers and partners focused on End User Computing (EUC), digital workspace transformation and hybrid multi-cloud services. He is responsible for driving customer growth in these areas and building long-term relationships with key partners and stakeholders to fulfil quarterly and annual goals.
Brian joined DataSolutions in early 2013 and has over 15 years of experience in senior sales management positions, having previously held executive and director level roles across the Irish and UK markets. Brian holds a Bachelor of Business Studies Degree from University College Dublin.
Michael O’Hara, Group Managing Director, said: “Brian′s role is central to the continued growth of DataSolutions and the outstanding levels of customer service that we deliver for partners and end users every day.
“He brings a wealth of experience to this position, which covers a range of complex areas, and helps to drive not only the success of both our own Data Centres sales teams but also the teams within our customers′ organisations.”
Deirdre Ardagh, Partner
Sherwin O’Riordan Solicitors
Dublin Solicitors, Sherwin O’Riordan have announced the appointment of new Partner Deirdre Ardagh in its corporate and regulatory & compliance departments.
Deirdre Ardagh heads the firm’s Corporate and Commercial Department, with a strong background in Regulatory and Administrative Law having worked with many technology, media and telecom companies dealing with their regulatory interaction from consultation to Commercial Court and Supreme Court litigation. She has extensive client experience in areas such as data protection, e-commerce, information society services, and gaming/lotteries. Deirdre has advised clients on Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Reorganisations and Restructuring, as well as Corporate Advisory matters to include Private Equity and Venture Capital.
A former Barrister, and a CEDR accredited mediator with over 10 years’ experience, Deirdre previously worked as both an economist and public policy professional across Government agencies including IDA Ireland, Forfas, and the National Competitiveness Council.
Commenting on the appointments, Managing Partner at Sherwin O’Riordan, James Sherwin said; “We are delighted to welcome Rachael and Deirdre as Partners to the firm. Both are highly talented, driven solicitors, with a proven reputation of dedication, innovative approaches and business development skills. As Partners, they will bring a wealth of expertise and experience and provide great leadership to our growing team at Sherwin O’ Riordan”
Established in 2002, Sherwin O’Riordan is a firm of specialist solicitors advising growing SMEs in Ireland on commercial and business law, employment, commercial litigation, dispute resolution and commercial property. The firm provides a wide range of services to both corporate and private clients.
Rachael Connolly, Partner
Sherwin O’Riordan Solicitors
Dublin Solicitors, Sherwin O’Riordan have announced the appointment of new Partner Rachael Connolly in its corporate and regulatory & compliance departments.
Rachael Connolly joined Sherwin O’Riordan in 2008 having previously worked with a top tier international law firm in New York. Rachael’s main area of work is in Corporate and Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution. She represents and advises clients including financial institutions, private lenders and asset managers on issues ranging from structuring lending and securities, debt recovery including receivership, company restorations, the recovery of assets during and after insolvency, to landlord and tenant disputes.
In her work with the firms Commercial Law team, Rachael advises clients including domestic technology start-ups to overseas companies setting up operations in Ireland on a variety of strategic and practical issues including supply & distribution contracts, licences, IP, investment and finance.
Commenting on the appointments, Managing Partner at Sherwin O’Riordan, James Sherwin said; “We are delighted to welcome Rachael and Deirdre as Partners to the firm. Both are highly talented, driven solicitors, with a proven reputation of dedication, innovative approaches and business development skills. As Partners, they will bring a wealth of expertise and experience and provide great leadership to our growing team at Sherwin O’ Riordan”
Chris Coghlan, Head of Marketing,
FREE NOW
FREE NOW, the e-hailing app, has appointed Chris Coghlan as Head of Marketing. After a successful rebranding to FREE NOW across Europe, Chris will lead the marketing team to bring the new brand to life across Ireland.
Since joining the organisation in 2015 Chris has been instrumental in the company’s transition from Hailo to mytaxi and most recently to FREE NOW. A true marketeer, he is passionate about not only delivering cut-through but ensuring an emotional connection to the brands he works for and is dedicated to ensuring the FREE NOW brand becomes a household name across the country.
As a member of FREE NOW’s leadership team, Chris will contribute to the strategic direction of the company’s ambitious goals around environmentally kinder taxi travel, micro-mobility and driver-centricity along with FREE NOW’s commitment to playing its part in the recovery post-lockdowns.
Commenting on the announcement, Niall Carson, Country Manager for Ireland said: “I am delighted to appoint Chris as Head of Marketing for FREE NOW Ireland. Chris has a real eye for detail along with the ability to think outside of the box and I know he will encourage us all to be bold with the FREE NOW brand as we approach 2021.”
Speaking about his appointment, Chris Coghlan said: “I am looking forward to leading the marketing team in this next phase of FREE NOW’s journey. 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone and with safety and traceability being more important than ever I am excited about demonstrating how FREE NOW can help the country to bounce back stronger than ever.”
Chris is succeeding Roisin O’Brien, who has transitioned to Marketing Director for NEXT (New Mobility Services) at FREE NOW.
