By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Alexandra Feher, Managing Director of Excalibur Press.
This week sees new and notable appointments at Excalibur Press, Viatel Technology Group, EY Law Ireland, National Dairy Council, and Accenture.
By Youssef Fathalli
Alexandra Feher, Managing Director,
Excalibur Press
Belfast based communications company Excalibur Press have appointed Alexandra Feher to the role of managing director.
In eight years the business, set up by comms strategist and business mentor Tina Calder in 2017, has grown from a solopreneur led journalism and media services business to a full multidisciplinary media, marketing and consulting firm with seven departments and a six-figure turnover.
According to chief vision officer Calder, the new appointment signifies a new era for the business.
Feher, 30, who has been with the business for just under five years, started as a short-term contractor with general duties in marketing and communications. Having been promoted to head of content at the beginning of 2024 she has been instrumental in the restructure of the organisation over the last 10 months.
Speaking about the appointment, Calder, who will now step away from the day to day running of the business, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be able to offer Alex the position she deserves within the business. She has been a key part of our survival journey over the last few years and has proven time and time again that she’s the woman for the job.
“Following the decimation of the business during Covid Alex was part of the new team who worked hard to bring us back to life when many businesses were going through significant difficulties.
“In October 2022 we were victims of the Cathedral Buildings arson attack and lost four offices, significant revenue and equipment. This pushed the business back into survival for the second time since Covid.
“Since then Alex has led the team through a difficult, but successful, regrowth period and I am delighted to be able to work with her to build on that success.”
Following a full restructure of the business Excalibur Press now offers clients a holistic service offering covering everything from generalised marketing such as social media, PR, website development, video production, copywriting, crisis comms, research, event management and digital transformation to training, mentoring and consulting services such as entrepreneurial programme delivery and design, community outreach, business mentoring and media production and publishing.
Feher will now lead an internal team of eight and a contractors and mentors network of over 25 managing day to day projects and workflows whilst Tina will move into strategic work for clients including fractional roles and consulting as well as delivering training, entrepreneur support programmes and mentoring.
Feher said: “It’s no secret the journey with Excalibur Press has been a bumpy one with many challenges along the way but throughout my time here I’ve been given the opportunity to craft a unique role that allows me to showcase and develop both my leadership skills and career goals.
“Excalibur Press is a fast-moving, vibrant business with a varied client base that gives the team a chance to learn and develop in many sectors and skills. Being part of that journey of course can be stressful but it’s also rewarding and exciting when you see the plans and new ideas come together.
“The world of agency life is changing, being ready and able to pivot quickly, efficiently and effectively is key to survival and I am delighted to say we have a team that allows us to do that.
“In the last few months we’ve been through a significant restructure and I’m excited to work with Tina and the team to announce our new plans for 2026 later this year.”
Alongside the restructure and appointment of Feher, the Excalibur Press leadership team have reinforced their commitment to nurturing new talent and providing the next generation with much needed skills and experience through their work experience, internship and training schemes.
This announcement comes on the back of the company recently being awarded the Go Succeed Get Started In Business programme aimed at economically inactive individuals for six councils across Northern Ireland (Newry, Mourne & Down District Council, Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, Ards & North Down Borough Council, Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and Mid Ulster District Council), the Mid & East Antrim Borough Council Go Succeed Digital Edge programme and being appointed to the Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council ASK mentoring programme.
The company are already working with a number of large organisations and local councils on projects such as PR and comms for the Digital Transformation Flexible Fund (DTFF), media and marketing training programme with Fermanagh & Omagh District Council and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) as well as marketing and business development consultation for Arts Care and website development for Seaview Stadium.
“Business is hard all round let’s not pretend it isn’t, I’ve been very open that my journey with Excalibur Press has been a difficult one having had to build the company to where we are today three times since its inception” said Calder, adding: “But, when you have family, staff, contractors, friends and partners like I have it’s easy to weather the storm, stay focused and stay resilient.
“I am excited to see what the new chapter of Excalibur Press will bring and to watch my staff grow and develop their departments. Personally, I’m also very excited to be able to focus my attention on our strategic vision and to support our clients at a strategic level whilst delivering my training and mentoring day to day.”
Various appointments,
Viatel Technology Group
Viatel Technology Group has announced two strategic appointments to its Microsoft leadership team.
Viatel has named Lisa Hunt, former Microsoft EMEA Sales Manager, as its new Microsoft Practice Director; and appointed Jonny Moura as Head of Technical Innovation.
Lisa Hunt, Microsoft Practice Director
Speaking on the appointment, Hunt said: “Viatel is passionate about bringing game-changing Microsoft solutions to our customers, and I’m thrilled to be leading a fantastic team to deliver on that promise. What sets us apart is how deeply we engage with our customers; we take the time to truly understand their business, their challenges, and their goals. That insight shapes every solution we deliver. Customers are at the heart of everything we do, and ensuring our work reflects their needs is key to our mission.”
Jonny Moura, Head of Technical Innovation
Joining Lisa’s team is Jonny Moura, a long-standing member of the Viatel team with extensive experience and a wealth of industry certifications. Moura has worked with thousands of customers to optimise their businesses through the Microsoft Suite, and is now leading Viatel’s innovation agenda.
“I’m excited to take on this role at such a pivotal time for Viatel’s Microsoft Practice. Our vision is to push the boundaries of what’s possible with Microsoft technologies, bringing fresh thinking, technical excellence, and a relentless focus on customer value. We’re here to innovate with purpose and deliver solutions that truly make a difference,” Jonny shared.
James Finglas, Managing Director of Viatel Digital Services, said: “Lisa and Jonny bring unparalleled knowledge and expertise to our Microsoft portfolio. With unmatched expertise and a forward-thinking mindset, this team is poised to redefine what’s possible with Microsoft solutions, our future in this space has never looked brighter.”
Various appointments,
EY Law Ireland
EY Law Ireland has announced the appointment of three new Directors across its Corporate M&A, Corporate Transformation and Technology & Commercial teams, as it continues to expand its service in response to growing client demand.
Gina Aherne, Olga Dursun and Susan Walsh join the team, each bringing deep expertise and further strengthening EY Law’s commitment to delivering excellence for clients nationwide. These appointments reflect EY Law Ireland’s continued investment in building a market-leading legal practice and strengthens the firm’s ability to support clients across all regions.
Alan Murphy, Head of EY Law Ireland, said “We are really pleased to welcome Gina, Olga and Susan to our team and their appointments reflect the continued growth of EY Law Ireland. Their expertise across Corporate M&A, Corporate Transformation and Technology & Commercial Law will enable us to better serve our clients and support them in solving their most complex challenges.
As a practice we are committed to growing our footprint across the country and we are particularly pleased to see that Gina and Susan will join in Cork and Galway respectively, reflecting our commitment to offering international expertise with local insight, while creating vibrant career opportunities in Ireland’s growing regional cities with an all island reach.”
New EY Law Ireland Directors
Gina Aherne has been appointed as a Director in EY Law Ireland’s Corporate M&A and Corporate Transformation team and is based in the EY Cork Office. She is a specialist in corporate transformation and structuring, with over a decade of experience advising on high value M&A transactions, complex corporate restructurings, Irish company law and corporate governance matters. Gina is also experienced in advising on both domestic and large scale multijurisdictional corporate deals.
Olga Dursun has also been appointed as a Director in the Corporate M&A and Corporate Transformation team at EY Law Ireland. She is based in the EY Dublin Office and brings extensive experience from senior in-house legal roles within global organisations, with a particular focus on global entity management, corporate simplification and governance. Prior to joining EY, she worked for a Fortune 500 company advising on complex international structures and held executive-level legal leadership positions.
Susan Walsh has been appointed as a Director in EY Law Ireland’s Technology and Commercial Law team and is based in the EY Galway Office. With over two decades of experience, she has advised businesses on the legal complexities of emerging technologies and digital transformation. Susan has led legal strategy for major digital transformation projects across Australia and Ireland, advising on cutting-edge AI, data and other emerging technology initiatives in highly regulated sectors.
EY Law Ireland is a stand-alone, regulated law firm under the Law Society of Ireland, operating within the wider EY network. Its multidisciplinary model, combining legal expertise with insights from EY’s broader advisory teams, enables clients to navigate complex commercial and legal challenges efficiently, bridging the gap between legal counsel and business advisors.
Maria Murphy, Head of Marketing & Communications,
National Dairy Council
The National Dairy Council (NDC) is delighted to announce the appointment of Maria Murphy as its new Head of Marketing & Communications.
Murphy brings extensive experience in strategic marketing, communications and stakeholder engagement across the food and consumer goods sectors, having held senior leadership roles at Danone across its Dairy, Plant-Based and Infant Nutrition divisions.
During her tenure as Marketing Director in Danone, Murphy led high-performing teams and delivered transformational brand strategies across market leading brands including Aptamil, Activia, Alpro and Cow & Gate. She has an established track record of driving growth through consumer insight–led marketing, integrated communication planning and innovation.
In her new role at NDC, Murphy will lead the National Dairy Council’s marketing and communications strategy, brand positioning, media relations, and internal messaging to enhance the visibility and impact of Ireland’s dairy sector. Her expertise in consumer insights and brand storytelling will play a pivotal role in amplifying the voice of Irish dairy and protecting its reputation.
Welcoming the appointment, Emma Walls, CEO of the NDC, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Maria to the NDC leadership team. Her extensive experience in leading marketing strategy and brand communications for some of Ireland’s most trusted food brands combined with her strategic vision and creativity, will be invaluable as we continue to champion the quality, sustainability and nutritional value of Irish dairy”.
On her new appointment, Maria Murphy said: “It’s a privilege to join the National Dairy Council, an organisation with a proud heritage and a vital role in promoting the excellence of Irish dairy. I look forward to working with such a talented team to build on the NDC’s strong foundation of sharing the story of Irish dairy, highlighting its superior quality and nutritional excellence and building a brand identity that resonates with farmers, partners, and consumers”.
NDC has also announced a number of other team changes. Julia Pessina has been promoted to Brand Manager, having made a strong contribution to NDC’s marketing and brand development in recent years. In addition, Niamh Gunn has joined as Marketing and Events Executive, following the completion of the international graduate programme with Bord Bia.
Wendy Walsh, Talent and Organisation Lead,
Accenture
Accenture has announced the appointment of Wendy Walsh as Talent and Organisation Lead for Accenture in Ireland.
In this role, Walsh will work with Irish clients to drive transformation and unlock human potential in their organisations. This will include supporting clients as they redesign their organisations for continuous reinvention, develop leadership and culture that drives innovation, and strengthen their people and HR functions. Walsh will also advise clients on areas including talent strategy, continuous learning as AI transforms work, and building organisational resilience to thrive through ongoing change.
Walsh has held multiple roles within Accenture’s Talent and Organisation business across all industries. She brings deep expertise in Resources and has supported leading utility organisations to scale people transformations that spanned technology deployments to culture initiatives.
Commenting on Walsh’s appointment, Hilary O’Meara, Country Managing Director, Accenture in Ireland said: “I’m thrilled to announce Wendy Walsh as our new Talent and Organisation Lead for Ireland. Her deep expertise in transformational change, combined with a passion for people, ensures we keep human potential at the heart of every innovation. With her sharp focus on how AI is shaping the future of work, Wendy will help our clients navigate change with confidence and purpose.”
Commenting on her appointment, Walsh said: “I’m delighted to lead a team of passionate people practitioners who are helping clients unlock value at the intersection of talent and technology. From supporting the rollout of Microsoft Copilot and deploying the latest AI solutions, to driving HR transformation, shaping talent strategies and equipping leaders for the next wave of change, we’re committed to keeping people at the centre of every transformation. I’m passionate about creating meaningful experiences for people and ensuring they remain central to how we deliver change.”
Walsh’s appointment comes as her predecessor, Audrey O’Mahony, takes up an expanded role leading Accenture’s Talent and Organisation business across both the UK and Irish markets.
Walsh holds a BSc in Marketing and Management from Technological University Dublin (TUD) and is actively involved in internal people initiatives that foster a positive work culture across Accenture.
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