By Business & Finance 
Pictured: John O’Keeffe, CEO, ePower.
This week sees new and notable appointments at ePower, LGIM Europe and CISI Ireland.
John O’Keeffe and Ciaran O’Brien, CEO and Non-Executive Chairman, respectively,
ePower
EV charging solutions provider ePower has today announced two key appointments – CEO John O’ Keeffe and non-executive Chairman Ciaran O’Brien.
CEO, John O’Keeffe brings a wealth of experience and proven track record in growing businesses at Smurfit Kappa, Maxol, Office Depot and most recently Travis Perkins. John is perfectly placed to lead the firm in what is an increasingly dynamic time for the industry. “I am really excited to join ePower and this great team of people as we lead the rollout of EV charging infrastructure across the country As Ireland moves to decarbonise transport, ePower is committed to and energised by our position at the forefront of that endeavour. I am very proud of ePower’s offering and our commitment to continue to bring the best to all our customers”.
ePower has also announced the appointment of Ciaran O’Brien as non-executive Chairman. Ciaran has helmed successful growth strategies for a vast portfolio of companies in Ireland and the US. He currently works with Schroders Greencoat, and Flynn Management & Contractors. Ciaran has a deep understanding of renewable energies thanks to his experience working with Airtricity, Wind Capital Group, Gaelectric, and Anglo American. With his intimate knowledge of the industry and international experience, Ciaran brings huge value to the firm’s strategy and growth propositions and says “Having carefully monitored renewable technology over the past decades, there are now huge opportunities out there for companies like ePower. As they continue to spearhead the provision of EV charging technology in Ireland, I am proud to bring my experience and knowledge to contribute to this journey. I can’t wait to get started”.
As one of Ireland’s leading dedicated EV charging companies, ePower supplies, installs, supports and manages chargers for domestic, commercial and public sector customers throughout Ireland. Its high-quality EV chargers and cables are compatible with all types of electric or hybrid car brands. ePower, which was established in 2019, currently employs over 45 people and operates nationwide.
Pauline Plunkett, CEO
LGIM Europe
Legal & General Investment Management (LGIM) has announced the appointment of Pauline Plunkett as CEO LGIM Managers (Europe) Limited and Managing Director of Ireland, subject to regulatory and Board approvals.
Pauline was previously Head of Insurance Clients, having joined LGIM in March 2014. In this role she has had overall responsibility for LGIM’s relationships and delivery to insurance clients. Pauline has also been a director of L&G Assurance (Pensions Management) Ltd and Trustee director, and chair of the investment and funding committee, of the L&G pension scheme.
Prior to this, she was a senior investment consultant and co-lead of the Insurance Investment Advisory Group at Towers Watson where she advised clients on all aspects of governance, investment strategy and implementation. Pauline is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and graduated from the National University of Ireland with a first-class honours degree in financial maths and economics. She will report into Sarah Aitken, Head of Distribution at LGIM.
Pauline succeeds Eve Finn who has held various leadership roles at LGIM, most recently that of LGIM Managers (Europe) Limited.
LGIM has also expanded its investment team in Dublin, underscoring the firm’s ambitious international growth strategy. In July this year Gareth Henson was appointed as Head of Investment Monitoring & Oversight and Designated Person for Investment Management, subject to regulatory approvals. He brings a wealth of experience to the team, having worked for several leading companies. Most recently, he was Chief Investment Officer for Ashmore Investment Management Ireland. Gareth will report into Patrizia Libotte, Head of Investments, LGIM Managers (Europe) Limited.
Sarah Aitken, Head of Distribution, LGIM commented:
“We are very pleased to have appointed Pauline as CEO of LGIM Managers (Europe), subject to regulatory and Board approvals. Pauline brings a wealth of technical and client experience to the role. Pauline and Gareth’s insight and experience will be invaluable as we deepen and strengthen our investment and client relationships across Europe and underscore LGIM’s ambitious European growth strategy and growing presence in continental Europe and internationally. We’re grateful for the notable contribution that Eve has made during her time with LGIM and wish her all the best for the future”
Adele Spillane, President
CISI Ireland
The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment has appointed Adele Spillane MCSI as the new CISI Ireland president.
Adele (left) is a non-executive director at BlackRock, serving on their UCITS (undertakings for the collective investment in transferable securities) and AIF (alternative investment fund) management company. She has 28 years of international expertise in asset management within sales and distribution, and has served as a Board director since 2013, giving her a deep understanding of financial services and governance.
The Ireland NAC supports, represents and publicises CISI membership locally. Adele takes over from Eugene Kiernan FCSI, who has served as the Ireland National Advisory Council (NAC) president since June 2020.
Regarding her appointment, Adele said: “I am delighted and honoured to be appointed president, and I look forward to working more closely with my council colleagues and building on the great work of my predecessor, Eugene Kiernan.
“I am particularly excited to continue CISI’s mission of raising public trust and confidence, promoting lifelong learning and elevating the financial services profession. I feel strongly about engaging with local members who can actively shape CISI initiatives and services in Ireland.
“I’d like to thank Eugene for his fantastic work championing diversity and broadening the range of voices on the council and his unwavering commitment to delivering first-class continuing professional development (CPD) events.”
Adele is committed to strengthening the CISI’s presence in Ireland by establishing more partnerships and collaborating with other professional bodies, institutions and stakeholders, “fostering relationships to promote knowledge exchange, professional standards and best practices.”
Eugene, who joined the CISI in 1998 and became a Fellow in 2005, said: “Adele has served on our NAC since 2017, and has already been at the fore in our achieved success. She is taking over as president at a very exciting time.”
CISI’s first-ever female CEO, Tracy Vegro, will be visiting Dublin from 20 to 21 September during which time she will meet the CISI Ireland council. Tracy will also attend on 20 September an in-person CISI CPD session in Dublin on The Irish Economy: Prospects and Priorities featuring speaker Jim Power, one of Ireland’s best-known economic analysts.
READ MORE APPOINTMENTS:
Auxilion, Drinkaware, Envisage and Rásaíocht Con Éireann
Great-West Lifeco, Esri Ireland, FTI Consulting and Cork Society of Chartered Accountants Ireland
