By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Mary Blanchfield, CEO, Design & Crafts Council Ireland
This week sees new and notable appointments at Design & Crafts Council, Finance Solutions, McCann FitzGerald LLP, Advertising Standards Authority, Deloitte, and DLA Piper.
By Rye Baker
Mary Blanchfield, CEO
Design & Crafts Council Ireland
The Board of Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) has announced the appointment of Mary Blanchfield to the position of Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Blanchfield has held the position of interim CEO at DCCI since September 2024.
This announcement follows an extensive recruitment process conducted across Ireland, the UK and beyond that attracted considerable applications. Ms. Blanchfield has been an employee of DCCI for over 25 years, most recently in the role of Head of Operations. She has in-depth knowledge of the craft and design sector and the wider stakeholder community, and her professional experience includes expertise in governance, finance, strategy and programme management. She will take up her position with immediate effect.
Peter Hynes, Chair, Design & Crafts Council Ireland commented: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mary Blanchfield as CEO of Design & Crafts Council Ireland. Mary has been an integral part of the organisation for over two decades, where she has an understanding of the sector, unwavering dedication and exceptional leadership. Mary’s appointment marks a very exciting chapter for the agency where she will be leading the team on the current strategy and working to bring the next strategy to focus from 2027. We are confident that under her guidance, the organisation will continue to grow and support the design and craft community.”
Conor McGowan, Managing Director
Finance Solutions
Finance Solutions, Ireland’s largest mortgage broker and part of Howden, has today announced the appointment of Conor McGowan as its new Managing Director.
Conor joins Finance Solutions from Haven Mortgages, part of AIB, where he has served as Managing Director since 2023. Prior to joining AIB, Conor spent the majority of his career in KBC Bank Ireland where he held various roles in Treasury before taking over as Head of Mortgage Products. His appointment comes as Finance Solutions builds on a record-breaking 2024.
In tandem with this appointment, Finance Solutions’ Managing Director Ken Murray will become Chief Executive Officer, with a focus on leading the company’s ambitious strategy to deliver €2 billion in mortgage approvals by 2027. He will also oversee Finance Solutions’ expansion into commercial mortgages and asset finance, while continuing to drive its market-leading performance in the residential mortgage space.
Speaking about Conor’s appointment, CEO Ken Murray said: “We’re delighted to welcome Conor to Finance Solutions. His experience and leadership in the mortgage market will be a huge asset as we continue to scale our business and diversify our offering. With demand for quality mortgage advice at an all-time high, this is a pivotal time for the business and for our clients. The new management structure enables us to deliver our ambitious vision and to ensure the same quality of service and customer focus is maintained. I look forward to working with Conor as we take the next step in our journey.”
The announcement follows the company’s recent opening of its new Dublin City Centre headquarters, which was officially launched last month by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe TD. In 2024 alone, Finance Solutions achieved a 35% increase in mortgage volume, outpacing the broader market, and helped over 2,000 first-time buyers secure their homes. The moves reflect the increased growth of the company and its impressive market share.
Stephen Proctor, Group Leader of Real Estate and Construction Group
McCann FitzGerald LLP
Leading Irish law firm McCann FitzGerald LLP today announced the appointment of Stephen Proctor as Group Leader of its Real Estate and Construction Group.
Stephen has played a key role in many of Ireland’s most significant construction and engineering projects over the past two decades. He takes over the role from Dónal O’Raghallaigh, who will continue as a partner at the firm.
The appointment comes at a pivotal time, as the real estate and construction sectors respond to an evolving regulatory environment and the urgent challenge of delivering more homes and critical infrastructure.
Commenting on the appointment, Stephen Holst, Managing Partner of McCann FitzGerald LLP, said: “Stephen brings the talent, drive, and steady leadership that this role demands, and I am confident he will build on the strong foundations laid by Dónal O’Raghallaigh. Our clients value the deep sector knowledge of our expert, collaborative teams, and Stephen’s appointment underscores our commitment to delivering the insight, innovation, and excellence they require.”
Stephen Proctor, Partner and Group Leader of Real Estate and Construction, added: “I look forward to working alongside our talented team to help our clients navigate complex challenges and ensure that they can focus on delivering the homes and infrastructure that Ireland urgently needs. From planning and acquisition, through construction, to ongoing management and sale or redevelopment, we deliver practical, strategic advice that drives success. It’s a privilege to take on this new role at such an important time for the industry and for our firm.”
The appointment follows a period of continued growth and recognition for McCann FitzGerald LLP. In May, the firm announced the appointment of nine new partners, bringing the total to 94 across four key practice areas: Litigation, Real Estate, Finance, and Corporate. The firm was also recently named Ireland’s Law Firm of the Year at the IFLR Europe Awards 2025, a testament to its market-leading expertise and client service.
Claire Butterly, Organization Board, Eimear Cosgrave, Independent Complaints Council,
Advertising Standards Authority
The Advertising Standards Authority, the independent advertising self-regulatory body responsible for promoting, regulating and enforcing the highest standards of marketing communications in Ireland, has appointed Claire Butterly to the organisation’s Board and Eimear Cosgrave to their Independent Complaints Council.
The Board is responsible for oversight of the Advertising Standards Authority’s business activities and performance, and also contributes towards drawing up and implementing the Code of Standards for Advertising and Marketing Communications in Ireland.
The Complaints Council is a completely independent arm of the Advertising Standards Authority and is responsible for considering and adjudicating on complaints submitted by the public, by an organisation, by a Government Department, or any other person or body.
Both Claire and Eimear will continue in their current professional roles, with Claire serving on the Board and Eimear contributing as a member of the Complaints Council.
Claire Butterly was appointed Chief Operational Officer of Omnicon Media Group in 2019, during a period of significant growth for the business. With extensive experience in the media industry, Claire began her career as a buyer at OMD Ireland, a leading media and communications agency, and later transitioned into strategic planning and client leadership roles, building a deep understanding of the media landscape.
Throughout her career, Claire has worked across a wide range of sectors including telecommunications, retail, utilities, banking, travel, FMCG, and entertainment. In her current role, she is responsible for overseeing product development, resource capacity, and capability enhancement across the group, ensuring operational excellence and innovation at every level.
Eimear Cosgrave is the Deputy Director for Consumer Protection at the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). With over a decade of experience in consumer protection and enforcement, Eimear has extensive knowledge of advancing consumer rights and ensuring business compliance with consumer law.
Prior to her current role, Eimear held a number of key leadership positions at the CCPC, including Head of Compliance and Inspections and Head of Strategic Planning and Engagement. In these roles, she spearheaded the development and publication of industry wide business guidelines designed to promote regulatory compliance and enhance consumer outcomes.
In her current role, Eimear is responsible for shaping legislative developments at both domestic and EU levels, she also leads business engagement and educational initiatives that provide practical actionable guidance on consumer protection. Her dedication to safeguarding consumer interests and promoting responsible business practices continues to drive positive change across sectors.
Commenting on Claire’s appointment, Miriam Hughes, Chair of the Board, said: “On behalf of myself and the entire Board, I am delighted to welcome Claire to her new role. She brings a wealth of experience across the media landscape and invaluable expertise that will be instrumental as we navigate the ever-evolving advertising industry. I look forward to working with her as we continue to advance our mission to build and foster trust in advertising for all.”
Commenting on Eimear’s appointment to the Independent Complaints Council, Orla Twomey, Chief Executive of the Advertising Standards Authority, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Eimear to the Complaints Council. Eimear has extensive knowledge of consumer protection and enforcement which will be of significant value to the Advertising Standards Authority. I am looking forward to working with Eimear as we continue to safeguard consumers from advertising that is harmful, offensive, or misleading and ensuring care and compliance across the advertising industry.”
Louise Kelly, Counsel on Employment Law Team
Deloitte
Deloitte Ireland’s newly appointed Global Trade Strategy & Resilience Lead, Louise Kelly with Deloitte Ireland CEO, Harry Goddard
Deloitte Ireland has appointed Louise Kelly as its new Global Trade Strategy & Resilience Lead.
This appointment comes at a time when many clients are facing heightened levels of uncertainty, driven by geopolitical tensions, shifting regulations, and accelerating technological disruption. In response, Louise will lead a dedicated cross-functional taskforce focused on turning challenge into opportunity, helping clients move from reactive to resilient, and from resilient to growth-ready.
Louise brings over 20 years of experience in advising global and domestic businesses on complex cross-border investment strategy, tax structuring, and transformation. Louise previously led Deloitte’s Ireland dedicated desk in New York, giving her first-hand experience of both the US and Ireland market as she supported clients with international tax needs, building valuable cross-border relationships. In her new role, her focus will be dedicated to helping clients turn volatility into advantage and guiding strategic decisions that drive long-term resilience.
“Louise is the kind of leader this moment demands,” says Harry Goddard, CEO, Deloitte Ireland. “She’s globally experienced and deeply trusted. Her appointment signals our commitment to helping clients navigate disruption with clarity and confidence. In every sense, this is Deloitte leaning into leadership.”
In her new role, Louise will support clients navigating the FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) and DDI (Domestic Direct Investment) landscapes, ensuring client’s priorities are future-focused and providing globally aligned solutions.
Louise Kelly’s appointment comes at a moment of profound global uncertainty, with the 9 July trade negotiations deadline around the corner – marking the end of President Trump’s 90-day tariff pause – and the potential tariff increases on EU imports. Against this backdrop, Louise will host the Business Post Global Trade Summit in association with Deloitte on 15 July, an event which will serve as a pivotal forum for C-suite executives and policymakers to forge durable solutions that can build business resilience.
“We’re at a tipping point in global trade and investment strategy,” points out Louise Kelly, newly appointed Global Trade Strategy & Resilience Lead. “Clients are dealing with real-time uncertainty, from regulation to supply chain shocks, and they need more than reassurance. They need bold thinking, clear insight, and trusted execution. I’m proud to lead this effort and deliver impact where it matters most.”
Various Appointments
DLA Piper
Pictured L-R: Rebecca Clabby, Oisin Mulvihill, David Carthy, Claire O’Brien, Aoife Cooney and Jo Kane
DLA Piper today announces six internal promotions to support the continued growth of its business in Ireland. DLA Piper Ireland was established in 2019 to support the global remit of existing clients and Irish businesses’ appetite to do business worldwide. In that time, the company has evolved from a new entrant to an established full-service firm with a team of over 130 people, including 23 partners and 12 legal directors.
Oisín Mulvihill, Legal Director
Of the two newly appointed Legal Directors, Oisín Mulvihill specialises in finance, advising on a range of cross-border and domestic financing matters, with a particular focus on securitisation, structured finance and other debt capital markets transactions.
Claire O’Brien, Legal Director
Claire O’Brien focuses her practice on technology and strategic sourcing, AI procurement and governance and digital services regulation, advising a range of domestic and international clients across sectors.
Jo Kane, Senior Associate
Among the newly promoted Senior Associates, Jo Kane advises on EU and Irish competition and regulatory law, and has developed a wide variety of sector experience, including advising on large, complex international deals and mandates.
Rebecca Clabby, Senior Associate
Rebecca Clabby is a corporate lawyer with a strong focus on M&A across various sectors including energy.
Bella Chan, Senior Associate
Bella Chan advises Irish and International corporate and regulated clients on complex contentious matters and on risk and crisis management in the context of product liability, health & safety and also in the context of corporate, financial services and insurance disputes, regulatory investigations and Judicial Review.
Aoife Cooney, Senior Associate
Aoife Cooney has a broad banking and finance practice with significant recent experience of project financing in the renewable energy sector.
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