New and notable appointments at EDC, Horseware Ireland, Connelly Partners Dublin, BearingPoint, and ABP Food Group

Pictured: Conor McGinn, Executive Director, EDC. Photograph by Eamon Ward.

This week sees new and notable appointments at EDC, Horseware Ireland, Connelly Partners Dublin, BearingPoint, and ABP Food Group

Stuart Whitton, Sales Director
Horseware Ireland

Pictured: Stuart Whitton, Sales Director, Horseware Ireland

Horseware Ireland, has appointed Stuart Whitton as Sales Director to further drive the company’s business development strategies, commercial activities and sales growth in international markets.

Whitton comes into this role with over 30 years of FMCG experience at retail and supplier levels and has recently completed the Enterprise Ireland International Selling Programme. He joined Horseware Ireland in 2018 as Head of International Sales and Business Development and, after three successful years, has moved into the sales director position.

Mark Saunders, CEO of Horseware Ireland, said: “Stuart is a superb sales professional with a deep understanding of our channels to market where we have a mutually beneficial partnership approach in meeting the needs of our trade customers. This will be invaluable as we continue to transform and grow our brand in the interests of the equestrian community who we serve throughout the world.”

Vaunnie McDermott, Managing Director
Connelly Partners Dublin

Vaunnie McDermott, Managing Director of Connelly Partners Dublin

Independent full-service creative agency Connelly Partners announced the promotion of Vaunnie McDermott to Managing Director of Connelly Partners Dublin. In her new role, she will have responsibility for all operational and financial decisions for the Dublin office, working in collaboration with their Irish sister company, ZOO Digital.

McDermott has over 20 years of experience working as a marketing professional from an agency perspective and extensive in-house expertise with RTÉ and the Irish Examiner. After running her own business for 10 years, she was recruited to Strategem in 2016. McDermott has been part of the management team at Connelly Partners Dublin since the Strategem buyout in 2018 and, since 2021, has been one of the three-person leadership team which has run the agency.

Founder and President Steve Connelly spoke about the appointment: “There have been incredible developments for Connelly Partners Dublin over the last year —the calibre of our clients, the creativity of our work— and Vaunnie has been integral in that success. She so deserves this appointment and frankly, we’re lucky to have her. There’s a great next chapter ahead for our Dublin team.”

Conor McGinn, Executive Director
EDC

Conor McGinn, Executive Director, EDC. Photograph by Eamon Ward.

EDC has appointed Conor McGinn as Executive Director of its Dublin office. McGinn is a Chartered M&E Design Engineer with over 18 years of working as an engineer in the construction industry in Ireland, the UK and Canada.

McGinn’s experience spans contracting, consulting, and commercial project management with previous roles with Delap & Waller, Ethos, Smith + Anderson, and Mercury Engineering, developing a unique blend of skills to complement his role within EDC.

In response to his appointment, McGinn commented: “EDC’s Dublin pipeline is very strong, so I’m very excited to bring my experience to the office. I will concentrate on strengthening the Dublin office by consolidating current processes and procedures, aiming to further improve quality, client focus, and efficiency. We will look to further diversify our portfolio, targeting growth in Commercial Fit-out, Healthcare, Industrial, and Life Sciences. This growth will be front-loaded with the appointment of key engineering personnel to ensure our current client needs are always met.”

Claudia Carr, Gary Mullane, Partners, Marie Ryan, Director in Software, Gerard Hayes, Director in Business Consulting
BearingPoint

BearingPoint, Management and technology consultancy, announced the appointment of two new Partners and two new Directors to its business in Ireland, as it now embarks on an ambitious recruitment drive to attract over 100 new hires over the coming 18 months.

These latest appointments see Directors Claudia Carr and Gary Mullane internally promoted to Partners at the Partner-led firm. At the same time, Marie Ryan is appointed Director in Software, with Gerard Hayes becoming Director in Business Consulting.

Commenting on the firm’s latest appointments and recruitment plans, Gillian O’Sullivan, Country Leader for BearingPoint Ireland, said: “Today’s announcement underlines the firm’s ongoing success and growth ambition as defined in our strategy 2025: putting people in the centre, outperforming the market every year and being in the top three in our chosen areas of expertise.”

Sharon Whitehead, Non-Executive Director
ABP Food Group

Sharon Whitehead, Non-Executive Director, ABP Food Group

ABP Food Group announced the appointment of Sharon Whitehead to the Board of the company as a Non-Executive Director. Whitehead was the Group Vice President of HR at Smurfit Kappa plc.

Prior to joining Smurfit Kappa, Whitehead worked with Kerry Group in various international HR leadership roles, including Global Vice President of HR.

John Moloney, Chairman of ABP Food Group, commented on the appointment: “I am pleased to welcome Sharon Whitehead to the ABP Food Group Board. She brings a wealth of international leadership experience to the role, particularly in the areas of HR, talent development, food science and food processing. Her appointment further strengthens the Board as the business continues to grow and evolve across each of our divisions. We look forward to working with Sharon.”