By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Jo-Ann Garbutt, Director of Sustainability & Government Engagement, Digital Realty
This week sees new and notable appointments at Digital Realty, Bank of Ireland Retail Ireland, Mediolanum International Funds, Standard Life International & Phoenix Group Europe, and Shelbourne Motors
Jo-Ann Garbutt, Director of Sustainability & Government Engagement,
Digital Realty
Digital Realty, a global provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data centre, colocation, and interconnection solutions, has appointed Jo-Ann Garbutt as Director of Sustainability and Government Engagement. Jo-Ann will be responsible for ESG strategy as well as the implementation of projects around Digital Realty’s energy and environment roadmap. Garbutt, while working out of the Dublin office, will have a global remit and will report directly to Lex Coors, Chief Data Center Technology and Engineering Officer.
Garbutt brings over 20 years of experience in sustainability and organisation development, leading campaigns with a number of blue-chip companies across markets in Europe, North America and Asia. Garbutt previously held the role of Director of Sustainability at Mercury, playing a key role in driving the company’s sustainability agenda, with a focus on data centre sustainability.
Speaking on her appointment, Jo-Ann stated: “I am delighted to join Digital Realty at such an exciting time in the company’s growth. I look forward to supporting its efforts to continue complying with evolving EU and national sustainability legislation. As part of my role, I intend to contribute my experience and knowledge to furthering the company’s achievements in these areas. I am looking forward to getting started in my new role, helping to develop Digital Realty’s sustainability agenda going forward.”
Garbutt’s appointment coincides with the implementation of ESG initiatives across the company which focus on the triple bottom line: Environment, Social and Governance. In her role, she will spearhead the company’s efforts in relation to the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact, which focuses on five self-regulating working groups: clean energy, energy efficiency, water usage, circular economy and circular energy.
“We’re delighted to welcome Jo-Ann to the team. Our goal at Digital Realty lies in effectively handling our environmental influence and maximizing the utilization of energy and natural resources in a sustainable manner. Our primary focus continues to revolve around endeavours to establish eco-friendly and energy-efficient data centres that enhance environmental performance. With Jo-Ann’s appointment we hope to streamline and refine our sustainability efforts all around,” said Lex Coors, Chief Data Centre Technology and Engineering Officer, Digital Realty.
Aoife Leonard, Chief Operating Officer,
Bank of Ireland Retail Ireland
Aoife Leonard, Chief Operating Officer, Bank of Ireland Retail Ireland
Aoife Leonard has been appointed Chief Operating Officer for Bank of Ireland’s Retail Ireland division.
Leonard will oversee day-to-day operations of Bank of Ireland’s retail business across Ireland, while ensuring the delivery of strategic and financial planning for the division. The Retail Ireland business includes 4000 colleagues, 169 branches and two large customer support contact centres in Kilkenny and Tallaght.
Leonard brings a wealth of experience to the role having led the Bank’s Distribution, Digital and Operations team for the last two years and fulfilled other senior roles in Branch Banking, Direct Channels, Operations and Consumer Segments spanning over two decades with Bank of Ireland.
Commenting on the new appointment, Susan Russell, CEO, Bank of Ireland Retail Ireland said: “I am delighted to announce that Aoife Leonard is taking up the role as Chief Operating Officer for Bank of Ireland’s Retail Ireland division. Aoife is an exceptional leader with a strong track record of delivery across a number of senior roles for Bank of Ireland. Our colleagues in Retail Ireland are among the very best in the industry and Aoife will ensure that we continue to provide customers with best-in-class banking services, as well as products and services that enhance their banking experience and long-term financial wellbeing.”
Bank of Ireland’s Retail Ireland division serves consumers across a broad range of segments providing day to day services, products, propositions and a financial wellbeing programme tailored to meet customers’ individual needs. Customers can use their preferred channels to fulfil their banking requirements including branches, 24/7 ATMs, digital, contact centre, and Bank of Ireland’s post office partnership for day-to-day banking services.
Mariagrazia Briganti, Head of Marketing and Communications,
Mediolanum International Funds
Mariagrazia Briganti, Mediolanum International Funds, Head of Marketing and Communications
The European asset management platform of Mediolanum Banking Group, Mediolanum International Funds Ltd (MIFL), has announced the appointment of Mariagrazia Briganti as its new Head of Marketing and Communications. Based in Dublin, Briganti will report directly to Luca Matassino, MIFL’s Chief Business Officer.
In her new position, Briganti takes on a pivotal role in MIFL’s Irish operations, where she will oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive integrated marketing and communications strategy to support the company’s core business objectives and enhance its communications across key markets.
Briganti brings with her over 20 years’ communications and marketing experience in the funds industry. Prior to joining MIFL, she was the Head of Marketing EMEA South for T.Rowe Price for five years, where she was responsible for end- to-end marketing communications aimed at financial advisors and wholesale market players, with a strong focus on innovation and digital communications. Before this, Briganti worked in Morningstar for over 15 years, where she held a number of key communications roles before becoming the Senior Marketing Manager for EMEA South.
Briganti moves to Dublin from Milan, where she also studied and got her degree in politics economics from Bocconi University.
Commenting on the appointment, Luca Matassino, Chief Business Officer at MIFL said “I am delighted to welcome Mariagrazia in our team in Dublin. Her extensive marketing and communications experience will be instrumental to driving forward innovative, tailored solutions for the markets we operate in. Mediolanum and its stakeholders will benefit from leveraging her knowledge and insights to elevate our communications strategies.”
Mariagrazia Briganti, MIFL’s new Head of Marketing and Communications added: “Mediolanum’s ambition, its constant investment in product innovation and its attention to the final investors, make me thrilled to join the firm. I am very much looking forward to supporting the new business development and then contributing to MIFL’s success story in delivering outstanding communication services for our clients.”
Naomi Dolly, Chief Financial Officer (CFO),
Standard Life International & Phoenix Group Europe
Naomi Dolly, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Standard Life International & Phoenix Group Europe
Standard Life International & Phoenix Group Europe has announced the appointment of Naomi Dolly as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
As CFO, Dolly will ensure the resilience, effective management, and control of the balance sheet and solvency position of the company. Additionally, she will support the CEO in delivering strategies that drive shareholder value.
Dolly has extensive experience in financial leadership, having most recently served as the Group Financial Controller and Head of Group Finance at Irish Life, where she played a pivotal role in delivering the company’s strategy for over three years. She has also held senior audit roles across Luxembourg and London, where she advised on the relocation of EU hubs from the UK to Luxembourg, for leading global insurers, post-Brexit.
Speaking on Dolly’s appointment, Nigel Dunne, CEO of Standard Life, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Naomi Dolly as our new Chief Financial Officer. Her track record of financial leadership, strategic vision, and hands-on experience in guiding organisations through critical transitions make her the ideal candidate for this role. Naomi’s appointment as CFO is a testament to Standard Life International & Phoenix Group Europe’s commitment to securing top talent and ensuring the continued growth and success of the company.
“Her focus on enhancing shareholder value through a clear and measured assessment of growth opportunities aligns perfectly with our core principles and the journey we’re embarking on. We look forward to the valuable contributions that Naomi Dolly will bring to Standard Life International & Phoenix Group Europe in her new capacity as CFO.”
Alan Thompson, Chief Operating Officer,
Shelbourne Motors
Alan Thompson, Chief Operating Officer, Shelbourne Motors
Shelbourne Motors has appointed Alan Thompson as the vehicle retailer’s first ever Chief Operations Officer.
The Senior Executive appointment is part of Shelbourne Motors’ growth plan in its 50th year of business, which includes a £3m capital investment programme across its multi-franchise retail sites.
Thompson will be tasked with spearheading the company’s growth strategy. He will also oversee the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of the business.
Thompson brings over 27 years’ experience and expertise in the automotive industry, where he has worked across various departments in key leadership and business development roles.
He graduated from Queens University Belfast in Business Administration & Computer Science, earning the prestigious ‘Unibol Award’ for being the top graduate in his class. He also holds a CIMA Advance Diploma in Management Accounting.
The £3m capital investment by Shelbourne Motors includes a programme of renovations and upgrades across its franchise dealerships in Portadown and Newry, in line with each manufacturer’s latest retail and customer service concepts.
Paul Ward, Director of Shelbourne Motors, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Alan as our first-ever Chief Operations Officer in our 50th year of business. His vast industry experience, proven leadership abilities and commitment to innovation aligns with our vision for the future.
“Alan’s appointment comes at a very exciting time for the business as we continue to roll-out our £3 million capital investment programme across our multi-franchise retail sites. His strategic capabilities and proven operational effectiveness will be invaluable in driving our ambitious growth strategy built upon our commitment to delivering unparalleled customer service.”
Alan Thompson, new Chief Operating Officer at Shelbourne Motors said: “I’m delighted to be joining one of Northern Ireland’s largest family-owned vehicle retailers as its first Chief Operating Officer.
“Shelbourne Motors has a rich heritage in the local automotive industry and a well-deserved reputation for excellence and innovation in delivering a quality customer experience across its excellent franchise network, and I look forward to leading a very talented team to drive the company to even greater success.”
Shelbourne Motors was founded by the Ward Family in 1973 and sells over 5,000 new and used cars annually. The business currently employs over 150 staff across its dealerships in Portadown and Newry.
The company operates franchises for Toyota Renault, Nissan, Kia, Dacia, and MAXUS, as well as its own used car brand, Autoselect, the contract hire and leasing division, fleet4u, and vehicle rental division, Shelbourne Vehicle Rental.
READ MORE APPOINTMENTS:
Auxilion, Drinkaware, Envisage and Rásaíocht Con Éireann
Great-West Lifeco, Esri Ireland, FTI Consulting and Cork Society of Chartered Accountants Ireland
