By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Donal Murphy, CEO DCC plc, Kevin Lucey, COO DCC plc, Conor Murphy, CFO DCC plc.
This week sees new and notable appointments at DCC, Fairstone Ireland, William Fry, Elgin, Co-op, Taylor Wessing, Mentor Group, Loci Orthopaedics, Allianz Ireland, and Datalex. By Héloïse Chaudot.
Kevin Lucey, Chief Operating Officer and Conor Murphy, Chief Financial Officer
DCC
DCC has announced a change to their leadership team with the appointments of Kevin Lucey and Conor Murphy.
DCC has appointed Kevin Lucey as their new Chief Operating Officer, effective July 2025. Lucey, who has been Chief Financial Officer and executive Director since 2020, will continue to work with Chief Executive Donal Murphy, and will be a member of the Board. Lucey will be responsible for driving the performance of DCC’s energy activities. Additionally, he will lead DCC’s regional management teams.
DCC has appointed Conor Murphy as their new CFO and executive Director. He will be succeeding Lucey in this role. Since he joined DCC in 1998, Murphy has held many senior leadership roles, both within DCC’s energy business and at Group level, including Director of Group Finance. Additionally, Conor qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG in Dublin.
Donal Murphy, DCC’s Chief Executive, said: “Our new Leadership Team has extensive experience in the energy sector and the commercial agility and drive to build DCC into a global energy leader. We will also drive the growth and development of the Healthcare and Technology divisions while they remain part of the Group.”
Welcoming Conor Murphy to the role, DCC plc Chair Mark Breuer said: “We have engaged in a comprehensive process over time to identify Kevin’s successor, with the support of international executive search firms. Following that process, the Board was very pleased to unanimously approve the appointment of Conor Murphy as CFO.”
Paul Kelly, Director of Brokerage
Fairstone Ireland
Fairstone Ireland has announced the appointment of Paul Kelly as their new Director of Brokerage. Kelly co-founded the leading brokerage service firm ClearChoice in 2015, which was acquired in 2022 by Fairstone.
Commenting on his appointment, Paul Kelly said “The brokerage sector is evolving rapidly, and our goal is to provide brokers with the tools, technology, and support they need to thrive in this dynamic environment. By fostering strong partnerships and leveraging innovation, we are well-positioned to set new benchmarks in the industry.”
In his new role, Paul Kelly will lead Fairstone’s strategic brokerage initiatives, leveraging his extensive industry expertise to drive the company’s ambitious expansion plans.
David O’Shea, Finance Partner, Colm Booth, Projects and Construction Partner, Cian O’Sullivan, Tax Partner
William Fry
Left to Right: David O’Shea – Partner in Banking & Finance Department, Colm Booth – Partner in Projects & Construction Department, Stephen Keogh – Managing Partner, Sonya Manzor – Head of William Fry Tax Advisers, Cian O’Sullivan – Tax Partner
William Fry has announced the appointment of three new partners: David O’Shea, Colm Booth, and Cian O’Sullivan.
William Fry has promoted David O’Shea to Partner in the Banking & Finance Department. Based in the Cork office, David advises a diverse clientele, including corporate borrowers, sponsors, financial institutions, and alternative lenders. His expertise covers a wide range of international and domestic finance transactions, with particular emphasis on fund finance, acquisition finance, corporate finance, and real estate finance (investment and development). Additionally, O’Shea is actively involved in sustainable finance and plays a key role in the Energy, Renewables, and Utilities sectoral group.
The company has announced the promotion of Colm Booth to Partner in the Projects & Construction Department. This promotion recognises his contributions to the market-leading Energy, Renewables and Utilities sectoral group.
Colm advises a wide range of organisations within the Irish energy market, including conventional and renewable generators, electricity suppliers, project developers, funders, and end users. He has significant experience negotiating complex commercial contracts for key clients such as EirGrid, and Aughinish Alumina.
William Fry also welcomes Cian O’Sullivan as a Tax Partner. O’Sullivan brings over 15 years of experience in strategic tax planning and compliance services for diverse clients, including multinational corporations and high-net-worth individuals. As a Chartered Tax Advisor and Chartered Accountant, he manages corporate clients across various sectors, providing both domestic and international tax advice. Cian’s expertise includes advising on corporate acquisitions, reorganisations, and tax structuring for inbound and outbound investment. Additionally, he has assisted numerous companies in establishing operations in Ireland and managing their ongoing Irish tax requirements.
Following the new appointments, Stephen Keogh, Managing Partner of William Fry said “David and Colm are both trusted legal advisors who for many years have been providing our clients with the highest levels of service and expertise. Their promotions are testament to their hard work, collegiality and dedicated client service. Cian, a senior tax expert, is a strong addition to the Firm whose experience and expertise will enhance our market leading tax practice.. All three appointments demonstrate the Firm’s unwavering commitment to developing and attracting the best legal and tax talent in the market.”
Dermot Kelleher, Chief Executive Officer
Elgin
Elgin has announced the appointment of Dermot Kelleher as their new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Ronan Kilduff, who led Elgin for 16 years, is stepping down as CEO to transition into a strategic advisory role.
Kelleher, who has been with Elgin for 11 years and has served as CFO since 2014, has played a key role in the company’s growth by overseeing finance, fundraising, and mergers and acquisitions. He notably led the sale of a majority stake to Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) in 2024, which established a strong financial base for Elgin’s expansion plans. With over 20 years of experience as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser, Kelleher’s expertise has been instrumental in positioning Elgin for continued success.
Outgoing CEO Ronan Kilduff said “Leading Elgin through the ever-evolving landscape of renewable energy has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved, from early projects to the expansive portfolio we manage today. Most importantly, I am proud of the values that define us: care, integrity, excellence, and agility. Dermot embodies these values, and I am confident Elgin will continue to grow, innovate, and lead under his stewardship.”
Tom Moher, General Manager
Co-op
Left to Right: Tom Moher – CEO, Pat Sheahan – Chairperson
Co-op has announced the appointment of their new General Manager, Tom Moher.
Tom Moher’s career spans over 30 years of experience in buying agricultural products and farm inputs. Moher was previously Head of Agribsuiness at Tipperary Co-op, before which he held senior roles in Dairygold Co-op Superstores, including Group Sales Development Manager for Retail DIY.
Following his appointment, Tom Moher said “I look forward to driving further progress and working with each of our co-operative and independent members to achieve continuing, sustainable success. ATC has a long-standing reputation for delivering value to its members through strategic purchasing and strong, mutually beneficial partnerships. In today’s evolving agricultural landscape, collaboration and efficiency are more important than ever. I look forward to working closely with our members and suppliers to continue strengthening our collective buying power, ensuring quality, value and choice for the farming community.”
Welcoming Moher’s appointment, ATC Chairman Pat Sheahan said “I warmly welcome Tom Moher as General Manager and express our appreciation to former General Manager John Heaphy for his excellent service and contribution.”
Dannie Hanna, Corporate Partner, Jo Joyce, Technology, IP, and Information Partner
Taylor Wessing
International law firm Taylor Wessing has announced the appointment of two new partners in Ireland.
Dannie Hanna advises clients on M&A transactions, joint ventures, capital raisings, and corporate governance issues. He has led complex cross-border M&A transactions and handled market-leading venture and growth equity transactions. Hanna is a key member of the venture and emerging companies practice, and his practice is internationally focused.
Jo Joyce’s team advises on a broad range of topics from B2B and B2C commercial projects and product launches, to IP, IT, data and regulatory support. Joyce focuses on cutting-edge AI and digital regulatory advisory work and co-leads the UK & Ireland cybersecurity group.
Following their appointment, Adam Griffiths, Ireland Managing Partner said “Their appointment underscores their hard work, dedication and commitment to delivering excellence to their clients. It is great to see one-third of the newly elected partners in Europe are based in Ireland – this is a testament to the growth and success of the Dublin office. Many congratulations to Jo, Dannie and all the other newly appointed partners and senior lawyers.”
Peter Cowgill, Board Advisor
Mentor Group
Mentor Group has announced the appointment of Peter Cowgill as their new advisor to the board.
In his previous roles, Cowgill was JD Sport’s Executive chairman from 2004 to 2022, where he expanded the brand’s global presence.
Following his appointment, Peter Cowgill said “I am delighted to join Mentor Group as a board advisor. Mentor Group is committed to empowering sustainable selling and its innovative approach to sales training helps its’ clients set the foundations for sustained and tangible revenue growth. I am looking forward to working closely with the leadership team to elevate the standards of sales performance globally.”
John Egan, Vice President of Technical Operations, Paul Smyth, Vice President of Finance and Supply Chain
Loci Orthopaedics
Loci Orthopaedics has announced the appointment of John Egan and Paul Smyth as their Vice President of Technical Operations, and Vice President of Finance and Supply Chain, respectively.
Loci Orthopaedics has appointed John Egan as its new Vice President of Technical Operations. Egan has a proven track record of success in the medical device industry, holding leadership positions at companies such as Novate Medical, Creganna Medical, Boston Scientific, and Vetex Medical. His experience spans various functions, including R&D, Process Development, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, Clinical, Marketing, and Commercial Clinical Use. Most notably, Egan was a key member of the leadership team at Vetex Medical that successfully exited in 2021.
Loci Orthopaedics has named Paul Smyth as its new Vice President of Finance and Supply Chain. Smyth brings two decades of experience in driving shareholder value through acquisitions, integrations, and commercial and operational business partnerships. He has spent the last 12 years working in the medical device industry for both start-up and multi-national companies. Previously, he held senior finance positions in larger corporations, including GE and CRH. Smyth has also worked extensively in VC and PE-backed businesses.
Following their appointment, Loci Orthopaedics’ CEO, Barry Russel said “We are delighted to announce these key appointments to our senior leadership team. John and Paul bring extensive experience and expertise to Loci Orthopaedics. Their appointments signal our ambitious growth strategy, as we accelerate our clinical, regulatory and commercial objectives for our InDx Implant System, an innovative treatment option for thumb base joint arthritis.”
Samantha Kearney, Chief Financial Officer
Allianz Ireland
Allianz has announced the appointment of their new CFO, Samantha Kearney.
Samantha Kearney, Chartered Accountant, has been with Allianz since 2022. In her previous role as Head of Planning and Data Insights, she led strategic and financial planning, while also developing and implementing data and AI strategy. Before joining Allianz, she spent a decade with Zurich Insurance Group in Dublin, London, and Sydney, holding various positions in financial reporting, planning, and performance.
Following her appointment, Kearney said “Since joining Allianz in 2022, I have been fortunate to work alongside a talented and driven team of insurance leaders. I am excited to begin the next chapter at Allianz as I step into the role of Chief Financial Officer. I look forward to leading the Finance and Data function at Allianz Ireland and continuing to drive success for the organisation, with a focus on delivering a best-in-class experience for our customers across Ireland.”
Alan Dunne, Chief Product Officer
Datalex
Datalex has announced the appointment of its new CPO, Alan Dunne.
Dunne has previously held positions at Datalex as Chief Technology Officer, and Chief Innovation Officer. Joining from AWS as a Principal Engineer, Alan Dunne will bring his extensive experience to Datalex’s product vision.
Commenting on his new appointment, Alan Dunne said “I’m delighted to return to Datalex. It is a pivotal time for the industry and a really exciting time for Datalex. I see huge opportunity ahead for Datalex to evolve through product innovation and become the technology partner of choice for airlines that want full control over their retail offering. I look forward to working with the Datalex team and Datalex’s customers to deliver on this opportunity.”
Jonathan Rockett, Datalex CEO, commented on Dunne’s new appointment “It is great to welcome Alan back to Datalex as Chief Product Officer. This is a vital role for the Company and Alan brings significant expertise along with a brilliant track record of being at the forefront of innovation in the airline industry.”
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