By Business & Finance 
Pictured (from l-r): Conor McCabe, Managing Director with newly appointed Board Directors Claire Pierce, Eoin Flanagan and Neal Patterson
This week sees new and notable appointments at Henry J Lyons, Astatine, Simply Contact, DLA Piper, Signum Surgical, Purespring Therapeutics, Mobility Partnership Ireland, Strata, A&L Goodbody LLP, Skillnet Ireland and Parva Consulting
Claire Pierce, Eoin Flanagan and Neal Patterson, Board of Directors,
Henry J Lyons
Henry J Lyons has announced a series of new Board and Director appointments. The creation of these roles will enhance design leadership, project delivery, new business, as well as innovation and technology across the practice.
Claire Pierce, Eoin Flanagan and Neal Patterson have joined the board of directors. The practice has also appointed numerous senior leadership roles, including four Studio Directors, a Technical Director, eight Design Directors, a Head of AI and Design Innovation, and a Sector Lead for Data Centres. These appointments will significantly strengthen the practice’s commitment to design excellence, technical innovation and delivery expertise. Paul O’Brien, Martin Donnelly and Derek Byrne will step down from the board but will continue to spearhead projects and provide strategic design leadership to the practice and to their clients into the future.
Commenting on the future direction of the practice, Managing Director of Henry J Lyons, Conor MacCabe states: “Henry J Lyons is an industry-leading architectural practice with a strong vision for the future that will enhance our cities, our communities and our lives for decades to come. As a practice we are committed to continually improving and evolving. Our ambitious vision sees Henry J Lyons adapt and grow further, diversifying our skills, bolstering our expertise and delivering award-winning design both at home and internationally.
“I welcome our new Board Members and Directors who will advance Henry J Lyons, expanding our reach while maintaining innovation and quality at the centre of our culture and our work.”
Brian Fahy and John McArdle, Projects Director and Operations Director,
Astatine
Irish industrial decarbonisation specialist Astatine, has strengthened its senior team with the appointment of Brian Fahy as Projects Director and John McArdle as Operations Director.
Brian Fahy, a native of Co. Galway is an experienced construction professional. He brings extensive expertise in a broad range of Civil Engineering and Energy projects both in Ireland and internationally. Fahy holds an Honours degree in Construction Economics and Management from the University of Dublin Trinity College. As Project Director at Astatine, he is responsible for developing and leading the company’s project delivery team.
Originally from Co. Louth, John McArdle is a Chartered Engineer with over 20 years’ experience managing complex projects across multiple jurisdictions. He has extensive expertise in industrial decarbonization, particularly in heat recovery and industrial process optimization. John McArdle holds degrees in Electrical Services and Energy Management from the Dublin Institute of Technology and Building Services Engineering from the Dundalk Institute of Technology. He also earned a Master’s in Project and Construction Management from Queen’s University Belfast. As Operations Director at Astatine, he is responsible for overseeing operations and driving the company’s growth in industrial decarbonization solutions.
Tom Marren, Co-Founder and CEO of Astatine, said: “Given the breadth and depth of both Brian and John’s experience, we are delighted to welcome them both to Astatine’s senior team. The addition of their expertise will accelerate our plans to deliver innovative and cost-effective solutions that help our clients across Ireland and further afield to reduce their environmental impact as well as their costs”.
John Cole and Anna Bielikova, Regional Head of CX Client Solutions and Chief Operating Officer,
Simply Contact
Simply Contact, a European customer service outsourcing provider, is accelerating its expansion. The company has entered the UK, strengthened its leadership team, and deepened its presence in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) with a new office in Bucharest.
Simply Contact has appointed John Cole as Regional Head of CX Client Solutions for the UK and Ireland.
With over 17 years of experience in business development, BPO, and customer experience, John has led revenue growth and operational improvements at various customer service agencies. His expertise spans logistics, finance, retail, and technology, giving him a broad understanding of what businesses need to deliver outstanding customer experiences.
Simply Contact has also reinforced its leadership team by appointing Anna Bielikova as Chief Operating Officer. With a background in contact centre operations, she has vast experience managing complex client relationships and company-wide processes. Now, at Simply Contact, she will oversee operational strategy and ensure the company’s services continue to scale effectively.
Chris Jessup, Partner in the firm’s Litigation and Regulatory practice,
DLA Piper
DLA Piper has announced the appointment of Chris Jessup as a partner in the firm’s Litigation and Regulatory practice, specialising in financial services regulation.Caoimhe Clarkin, Head of Litigation and Regulatory, DLA Piper Ireland commented: “We’re thrilled to welcome Chris to our growing financial services litigation team in Ireland. With extensive expertise in multi-jurisdictional financial regulation, he will play a key role in supporting our domestic and international clients through an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. Chris is not only an outstanding lawyer but also a great cultural fit as we expand our team with sector-focused partners.
Carol Burns, Chief Executive Officer,
Signum Surgical
Signum Surgical, the medical technology company developing solutions to treat colorectal diseases, has announced the appointment of Ms. Carol Burns as Chief Executive Officer.
Ms. Burns’ appointment is a pivotal milestone for Signum, as the Company initiates commercialization of BioHealx, a medical device for the treatment of anal fistula, a painful and debilitating colorectal condition that affects one in 5,000 people worldwide. Commercialization follows U.S. FDA Food and Drug Administration (FDA) De Novo clearance for BioHealx in 2024. The BioHealx device safely closes anal fistulas with a bioabsorbable implant that creates tissue apposition for primary healing, reducing lengthy and costly repeat procedures and diminishing the incidence of incontinence.
Carol Burns, CEO, Signum Surgical, commented: “I am delighted to join the Signum Surgical team to lead its next phase of growth. This innovative technology is the first treatment of fistula-in-ano which directly closes the fistula tract by tissue apposition, without sacrificing sphincter muscle function. We believe this technology will become the standard of care for the management of fistula-in-ano while also preserving fecal continence.
The First-in-Human (FIH) study results, to be published later this year, showed strong primary healing with no recurrence at 12+ months.
Eoin Bambury, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, added: “With a proven track record of introducing innovative technologies, commercializing products in highly specialized fields and driving strategic growth, Carol is an ideal fit to lead the commercialization of BioHealx and our next phase of development.”
Moshe Zilversmit, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, commented: “Carol’s deep expertise in the medical device industry and unwavering dedication to improving patient outcomes, aligns perfectly with our mission to revolutionize the surgical management of fistula-in-ano. We are delighted to have her on board.”
Haseeb Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors,
Purespring Therapeutics
Purespring Therapeutics, a company focused on transforming the treatment of kidney diseases, has announced the appointment of Haseeb Ahmad as its Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors.
Haseeb Ahmas has been appointed to steer Purespring through a critical phase of development and growth. He brings significant senior industry leadership, joining Purespring with over 25 years in the life science industry and an impressive track record of leading organisations to create brands from primary care to rare diseases, across both mature and growth markets. Haseeb Ahmas served most recently as President of Novartis Europe where he oversaw $15 billion in revenue across 53 markets. Prior to this, he led Novartis Gene Therapies to bring first-class, potentially curative gene therapies to patients, including Zolgensma, the first blockbuster gene therapy worldwide. Previously Ahmas held numerous global and in country leadership roles at Novartis and Merck & Co. (MSD). Ahmas succeeds Julian Hanak, who has served as CEO since December 2022 and previous to that CDO since June 2021.
John Tsai, Chairman of Purespring’s Board of Directors said: “Haseeb’s leadership expertise and proven track record make him an ideal fit for Purespring as we embark on a pivotal phase of development. Following our successful Series B financing, we are poised to expand our clinical activities, address larger indications and explore potential new partnerships and we are delighted to have someone of Haseeb’s calibre on board.
“On behalf of the Board, leadership team, and entire organisation, I want to express our sincere gratitude to Julian Hanak for his exceptional leadership and invaluable expertise over the past two years. Under his guidance, Purespring has successfully completed its Series B fundraising, securing the financial foundation necessary to advance our therapies into clinical development. Julian’s contributions have been instrumental in positioning the company for this critical next phase, and we wish him continued success in his future endeavours.”
Haseeb Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer said: “As one of the most exciting companies in this field, Purespring is leading the way in applying gene therapy to address unmet needs in kidney care. I am inspired by the company’s commitment to delivering breakthrough therapies and look forward to collaborating with its talented team and Board to revolutionise kidney disease treatment. This role holds deep personal significance for me as it continues the legacy of my late father, a pioneering nephrologist. Joining Purespring feels like a natural extension of his work, providing an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of kidney disease treatments”.
Julian Hanak will continue with the company for a period of time to ensure a smooth handover and will officially step down from the Purespring Board of Directors on 31st May 2025.
Hugh Cooney, Chairperson,
Mobility Partnership Ireland
Mobility Partnership Ireland (MPI) has appointed Hugh Cooney as its new Chairperson.He succeeds Brendan Grieve, who has been Chair since its establishment in 2022. Under Grieve’s leadership, MPI has grown into a key advocate for multi-modal transport solutions in Ireland.
Laura Jackson, Head of Finance,
Strata
Strata, aprovider of construction time management and digital services, has announced the appointment of Laura Jackson as Head of Finance.
Laura Jackson is a finance professional with over 12 years of experience in leading financial operations for technology companies across the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) and APAC (Asia-Pacific) regions. In her new role, Jackson will lead Strata’s finance function, focusing on driving strategic growth and enhancing financial planning to support the company’s continued expansion and client service delivery. She will play a pivotal role on the senior leadership team at Strata, bringing a wealth of knowledge in driving financial strategy and optimising operational efficiency in fast-paced high-growth environments.
Laura Jackson is a chartered accountant and a member of the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants). She holds a first-class honours Bachelor of Science degree from Technological University Dublin. Previous roles include Interim Head of Finance, EMEA & APAC and Senior Finance Manager for Liferay International Ltd, Senior Financial Accountant with Cubic Telecom Ltd as well as accountant positions with Five Guys, O’Brien’s Wines and H&K International.
Eimear Keane, Partner in Asset Management & Investment Funds,
A&L Goodbody LLP
A&L Goodbody LLP (ALG) has appointed Eimear Keane as a partner in its Asset Management & Investment Funds practice.
Eimear Keane has deep experience advising a range of international asset managers on all matters connected with the establishment and/or ongoing operation of investment funds pursing various strategies in Ireland. She advises on the authorisation and ongoing operation of Irish UCITS management companies and AIFMs as well as advising on EU Sustainable Finance regulation.
David Widger, Managing Partner at ALG, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Eimear to our Asset Management & Investment Funds team. With Eimear’s appointment we now have a partnership team of six in our market-leading practice – one of the largest in Ireland. This reflects the demand we’re seeing from clients, particularly for ESG and sustainable finance advice.”
Mark Jordan, Chief Executive Officer,
Skillnet Ireland
The Board of Skillnet Ireland, the national workforce development agency of the Irish Government, has announced the appointment of Mark Jordan to the role of CEO of Skillnet Ireland. Jordan is currently Chief Strategy Officer of Skillnet Ireland and is a member of the organisation’s Executive Leadership team. He will take up his new role on 31st March 2025.
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD welcomed the appointment of Mark Jordan as CEO of Skillnet Ireland, saying; “I congratulate Mark Jordan on his appointment and look forward to working with Skillnet Ireland under his leadership as CEO. We are committed to supporting Irish businesses to build their competitiveness through skills so that our talent value proposition continues to be amongst the best in the world. Skillnet Ireland is recognised as a leading workforce development agency, responsible for providing business supports to over 26,000 companies and 100,000 workers annually across all sectors and regions in the country. Through the work of Skillnet Ireland, Government continues to engage closely with enterprise on the vital skills needed for running a business in 2025, including digital transformation, achieving our net-zero carbon commitments, and finding new solutions to key sector skills challenges, through the development of modern methods of construction and developing skills for our offshore wind industry.”
Commenting on the appointment, Skillnet Ireland Chairperson Brendan McGinty said; “Following a competitive process, in making this appointment, the Board has every confidence that Mark has the required experience to lead Skillnet Ireland to deliver our strategy and the future development of the organisation, as we enter our next exciting phase of development. Under Mark’s leadership, working with the Board, our stakeholders and in close co-operation with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Skillnet Ireland will continue to drive the workforce development agenda in the critical areas of digitalisation and sustainability, whilst increasing SME engagement. On behalf of the Board, I would like to congratulate Mark on his appointment to succeed Paul Healy, and to wish Mark every success.”
David Cass, Partner,
Parva Consulting
Parva Consulting has welcomed David Cass as its newest Partner.
With over 25 years of experience in management consulting, business strategy, and transformational change, Cass brings invaluable expertise in finance transformation and shared services advisory, operational efficiency, and regulatory change—including DORA and CSRD compliance. Before joining, Cass led Financial Services Consulting at Sia Partners for the UK & Ireland, where he played a pivotal role in post-acquisition integration and uniting teams across multiple locations.
David Cass has a proven track record in leading high-performing teams and driving client success through strategic vision. At Parva Consulting, Cass will focus on delivering business growth and strengthening client relationships, adding key new service offerings, and delivering innovative solutions tailored to the evolving needs of financial institutions.
Alessandro Viviani, CEO of Parva Consulting commented: ‘‘We are delighted to welcome David. His deep industry knowledge of the financial services sector, strategic mindset, and hands-on leadership align perfectly with our vision. Ireland is a key market for us, given its dynamic financial services sector and strategic importance in Europe. David’s expertise in delivering real change makes him the perfect fit to drive our growth and create lasting value for our clients.’’
David Cass added: ‘’I am very excited to join the leadership team at Parva Consulting and contribute to its continued success in Ireland and Europe. Parva’s commitment to excellence and client satisfaction aligns closely with my professional values. I am eager to collaborate with the talented team in Dublin to drive meaningful results for our customers and create exciting career paths for our staff.’’
