By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Leonie Tansey, Managing Director, IMS Marketing – A LOCOMOTIVE Agency
This week sees new and notable appointments at IMS Marketing, Aon Ireland, Nestlé Ireland, DCC plc.
Leonie Tansey, Managing Director,
IMS Marketing – A LOCOMOTIVE Agency
IMS Marketing has announced the appointment of Leonie Tansey as its new Managing Director. Tansey has also been appointed to the role of SVP of European Operations at IMS Marketing’s parent company, LOCOMOTIVE Agency. With an extensive international background in marketing and business development, Tansey will be responsible for driving growth and strategic direction for both entities.
Last year, Oranmore-based IMS Marketing was acquired by US digital marketing firm, LOCOMOTIVE Agency. The Galway company supports export-focused B2B businesses in Ireland and Europe to succeed with overseas expansion by providing them with market entry strategies which include integrated brand and digital marketing implementations. This is now strengthened with LOCOMOTIVE’s award-winning expertise in SEO and digital advertising.
In her new role, Tansey will be responsible for the mutual growth of IMS Marketing and LOCOMOTIVE, using their respective client bases in Europe and the US to help each other, and their clients, to grow.
Tansey will also oversee the seamless integration of IMS Marketing and LOCOMOTIVE Agency’s services, ensuring that clients in Ireland and the US receive a unified and comprehensive service experience. To guarantee that the services offered are consistently at the forefront of the industry, Tansey will focus on nurturing the company’s reputation for innovation, while also exploring new technologies and methodologies that can enhance this. Following the acquisition of IMS Marketing by LOCOMOTIVE Agency, the Galway company announced the creation of 20 new jobs in Ireland to support its expanded transatlantic activities. As the team grows, a strong focus for Tansey will be to develop a top-tier, remote-first culture that inspires team members, regardless of where they are, to reach their highest potential.
In addition to Tansey’s appointment, company founder, Kevin Moran, will continue to focus on the growth of the Irish business and now the US business, too – both domestically and internationally. Taking on the role of Director of Global Sales Strategy at IMS and LOCOMOTIVE, Kevin will build on his success with IMS. Since he founded it in 2007, Kevin has grown IMS into a business of more than 30 people, helping 100+ active clients to enter more than 20 international markets.
Tansey’s career has included leadership roles in branding, marketing and digital marketing – both in Ireland and New Zealand. She joined the IMS Marketing team in 2014, working as a Client Manager. Prior to joining IMS, she worked was a B2B Marketing Manager at software company, Enerit, and she also worked in Supermac’s as a Brand Manager, where she managed the brand introduction of Papa John’s Pizza to more than 25 locations in Ireland.
Tansey has a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Master’s in Business Studies from the University of Ireland, Galway. She also holds a Certificate in Leadership Principles from Harvard Business School and a Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Digital Marketing Institute.
Leonie Tansey, Managing Director, IMS Marketing and SVP of European Operations, LOCOMOTIVE Agency, said: “I am excited to take on the role of Managing Director in the company where, for the last 10 years, I have grown and developed my career. We have a world class team and I am confident that this is the start of an exciting journey for all of us. I am committed to driving our organisation’s growth by prioritising culture, fostering innovation, and ensuring we continue to deliver the highest quality service to our clients on both sides of the Atlantic.
“I am incredibly grateful to Kevin Moran, our founder, for his guidance, mentorship and friendship over the last decade and I look forward to us continuing to achieve great things together.”
Andrew Boyle, Chief Financial Officer,
Aon Ireland
Aon Ireland, the professional services firm, has announced the appointment of Andrew Boyle as Chief Financial Officer of Aon Ireland, ensuring that the firm is best positioned to drive sustainable growth.
Andrew Boyle will lead the finance function in Ireland and join Aon’s local leadership team. As CFO, he will be responsible for overseeing financial operations, strategic financial planning and delivering on the company’s commercial growth agenda in Ireland.
Boyle will have an important role in supporting Aon to execute on its 3×3 growth plan, which will enable the business to go further faster in meeting client needs in an evolving risk environment. He will also join the Board of Directors for Aon in Ireland.
Boyle joins Aon from Mercer. He had previously been the company’s CFO for Europe where he led financial operations and planning across 34 markets in the region. Boyle has over thirty years’ experience in the financial services sector in Ireland where he has demonstrated a successful track record of managing high growth businesses and developing highly performing finance teams.
Commenting on the appointment, Rachael Ingle, CEO at Aon Ireland said: “Andrew is an accomplished executive with deep financial experience and a successful track record of delivering results. As the next CFO of Aon Ireland, Andrew brings extensive experience in financial strategy and risk management at an international level that can help unlock greater value for our clients and drive sustainable growth. We look forward to welcoming Andrew to the team at an important moment for the firm in the delivery of our Aon 3×3 growth strategy, addressing changing client needs and unlocking exciting new possibilities for the firm.”
Andrew Boyle, Chief Financial Officer at Aon Ireland commented: “I’m delighted to take up the role of chief financial officer at Aon Ireland and build on the firm’s strong legacy of financial performance. Amid an evolving economic environment, it’s important that we enhance our focus on growth and portfolio management to continue delivering positive outcomes into the future. I’m looking forward to working closely with my colleagues across the business as together we provide clients with the clarity and confidence to make better decisions to protect and grow their business.”
Niamh Twyford, Country Manager for Confectionery,
Nestlé Ireland
Niamh Twyford, Country Manager for Confectionery, Nestlé Ireland
Nestlé Ireland has appointed Niamh Twyford as Country Manager for Confectionery in a move which will see Twyford assume responsibility for leading the Nestlé Confectionery business in Ireland with a portfolio of products that includes brands such as KitKat, Aero, Smarties, and Quality Street.
With over 20 years’ experience within the food and nutrition industry, together with a background of working with global brand and marketing communications agencies, Twyford brings a proven track record of success to the role, with a deep knowledge of insights around consumer behaviour patterns and preferences.
Twyford joins Nestlé Ireland from CPM, a global sales outsourcing and brand experience agency where she held the role of Client Services Director managing the Diageo account. Prior to this she spent over six years at Pladis Global as Head of Marketing and Category driving the commercial growth of sweet and savoury biscuit brands including McVitie’s, Carr’s, GODIVA and Flipz. Her early career includes senior brand roles at Danone, Mondeléz International and Cadbury.
A graduate of Dublin City University, Twyford holds a Bachelor of Business Studies (Marketing) and is a qualified business coach.
Speaking about the appointment, Kieran Conroy, Country Manager, Nestlé Ireland said: “Niamh brings a wealth of experience to the team, acquired from working in a variety of roles and business functions across the food and beverage industry, nationally and globally. She has a proven history of success, driving growth across several brand portfolios, devising, and implementing strategies which resonate with consumers to build brand equities. Niamh joins the Nestlé team at an extremely exciting time for the confectionery category, where we are committed to building a more exciting, sustainable, and innovative business, delighting our consumers with Nestlé confectionery brands that are known and loved across the country.”
Steve Holland, non-executive Director,
DCC plc
DCC plc, an international sales, marketing and support services group, has announced the appointment of Steve Holland as a non-executive Director with effect from the conclusion of the Company’s Annual General Meeting on 11 July 2024.
Holland has over 30 years’ experience in the chemical distribution industry. He was Chief Executive and Executive Chair of Brenntag AG during a period of transformational growth from 2011 to 2020, having previously held other senior executive roles in Brenntag AG, including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive, Europe.
Holland is a current non-executive director of Caldic BV, a supplier of speciality chemicals to the food and life sciences industries, and a member of the advisory board of Agilis Chemicals.
There are no further disclosures required under Listing Rule 9.6.13 in relation to this appointment. Mark Breuer, Chair of DCC plc, said: “I warmly welcome Steve Holland to the Board of DCC. Hisindustry knowledge and businessleadership experience will enhance the skills and expertise of the Board and support the Group’s continued growth and development.”
