By Business & Finance 
Pictured from L-R: Susie Horgan, Managing Director & Founder; Sarah Horgan, Director, Media & Crisis & Dublin Lead; Pat Lucey, Chair of Business Advisory Board
This week sees new and notable appointments at Logicalis UK & I, The Noledge Group, Ronan Group Real Estate, The Centre for Competitiveness, Energia and Irish Whiskey Association
Anamaria Gibbons, Global Marketing Director
Logicalis UK&I
Logicalis UK&I, a global IT solutions and services provider, has announced the appointment of Anamaria Gibbons as Marketing and Communications Director. With a decade of communications experience at other global IT providers, Gibbons has a mandate to ‘reawaken’ the Logicalis brand in the UK&I market.
Key priorities ahead for Gibbons include delivering a strategy that encompasses go-to-market initiatives for networking, infrastructure, cloud, data, and security sectors – all the while supporting growth in a key region for the business.
Commenting on the appointment, Neil Eke, CEO, of Logicalis UK&I, said:
“Attracting the calibre of people like Anamaria from one of the most successful resellers in the marketplace is just another sign of how focused we are to drive real change in UK and Irish businesses. We are determined to showcase the strengths of our services and elevate our brand to existing, and future customers. With Anamaria on board, I am confident we will be able to amplify our services and the success stories of how we are supporting our customers.”
Newly appointed Marketing and Communications Director Anamaria Gibbons commented:
“I’m looking forward to showcasing the many interesting projects and examples of how Logicalis has supported its customers over decades of being a global IT solutions and managed services provider. When getting to know the people within Logicalis, what struck me was their determination to create strong partnerships with their customers and help them navigate their IT challenges, providing the best solutions for their business – not just selling services. I will focus on unearthing more stories about how Logicalis delivers true value to its customers and make sure we get our messages to cut through to the customers in a very competitive marketplace.”
Logicalis is continuing to innovate and increase its services. In November 2024, Logicalis also became the first global Cisco partner to launch Cisco Extended Detection and Response (XDR) as a Managed Service (MXDR). The global launch of Cisco MXDR follows Logicalis’ most significant security investment to date, including a 30% increase in talent at its EMEA SOC to support the growing demand for managed security services.
Logicalis’ MXDR services are managed through its global network of Security Operations Centres (SOCs). Armed with the most up-to-date global threat intelligence, they ensure rapid detection, analysis, and response across a customer’s digital fabric 24/7.
Chris Hawley, Managing Director Great Britain
The Noledge Group
The Noledge Group, the Irish and UK-based ERP solution specialist, has announced the appointment of Chris Hawley as Managing Director for Great Britain. The Noledge Group incorporates Envisage, a Sage Partner, and OSSM, an Oracle NetSuite Solution Provider.
In his new role, Chris will lead The Noledge Group’s expansion in Great Britain. The group recently announced that it is investing €1.8 million over the next three years to expand its services in the market, including the creation of 10 jobs in Newcastle.
Chris will strengthen the company’s presence in Great Britain, assembling a team of experts to deliver its full suite of services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The portfolio includes Sage Intacct and Sage 200, as well as NetSuite Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions. He will spearhead the expansion of the company in Great Britain and mould its strategic direction to build on the current footprint in the region. The group plans to target organisations across industries including manufacturing, retail, construction, education, distribution, services, and field service management.
Prior to joining The Noledge Group, Chris spent nearly 25 years with software company Sage, most recently as Senior Commercial Manager. Here, he designed and developed technology solutions to support evolving customer needs, including Sage 200. In addition, Chris has established and led several financial services and consultancy businesses.
Chris Hawley, MD Great Britain, The Noledge Group, said:
“I am excited to join The Noledge Group, an innovative and growing company at the forefront of cutting-edge business management technology. I will leverage my extensive experience with Sage and other ERP systems to bring The Noledge Group’s extensive portfolio to a broader customer base and help customers to find smarter ways to manage and grow their businesses. I am looking forward to working with businesses across a range of sectors to grow brand recognition and expand the company’s footprint across Great Britain.”
Ray Ryan, CEO, The Noledge Group, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Chris to The Noledge Group at a significant time in the growth of the company. His unique skillset and broad experience in the technology industry in Great Britain will be integral as we continue on our path of accelerated growth. We are excited to get boots firmly on the ground in the market and deliver our services to even more customers across Great Britain.”
Aidan Gavin, Chief Investment Officer.
Ronan Group Real Estate
Ronan Group Real Estate has appointed Aidan Gavin, the former head of Cushman & Wakefield in Ireland, to the new post of Chief Investment Officer with the Group.
Mr Gavin has 26 years’ experience in commercial property, and has spent the last 12 years as Cushman & Wakefield’s country head in Ireland where he has built up a deep industry network and a reputation for consistently meeting targets.
His appointment comes as RGRE is forging ahead with a pipeline of projects including the six million square foot Glass Bottle mixed development of commercial and residential property in Sandymount, Dublin 4 which the group is developing with Oaktree Capital and Lioncor.
John Ronan, Chairman of RGRE said:
“We are delighted Aidan has agreed to join us in Ronan Group. He has been one of the leading professionals in the Irish commercial property market over the last 20 years and drove Cushman & Wakefield to become a leading player in the sector. His energy, his vision and his consummate knowledge of the sector in Ireland, Britain and Europe will be of immense value to us.”
Rory Williams, RGRE Chief Executive said:
“We welcome Aidan to Ronan Group. He has made a huge impact on the commercial property sector over his stellar career with Cushman & Wakefield. We already have a strong business network, but we look forward to building new relationships and new partnerships with Aidan’s counsel and guidance.”
Aidan Gavin, Chief Investment Officer said:
“Ronan Group is a fantastic organisation with huge ambitions to transform real estate and develop to the highest standards of design and sustainability. I have worked with the RGRE leadership on some of their larger projects during my 12 years as country head for C&W in Ireland. To be part of that team is a truly exciting opportunity, and I look forward to building on the legacy it has created, growing the portfolio and developing new opportunities for RGRE.”
Mr Gavin has been involved in some of Ireland’s largest corporate occupier deals in recent years including large lettings like the Salesforce HQ, Meta HQ and Mastercard; and developments including the Glass Bottle masterplan, the Heuston masterplan, Ceannt redevelopment in Galway, and Opera Square in Limerick. He has also helped negotiate some of Ireland’s largest capital market deals and he has delivered strategic advice to international investors on their expansion into Ireland including Goldman Sachs, Apollo Global, Oaktree, Carval, Blackstone, and Orpea.
Marianne Cushley, Head of Marketing & Operations
The Centre for Competitiveness
The Centre for Competitiveness has appointed Marianne Cushley as Head of Marketing and Operations. A skilled marketer, Marianne has over 35 years of experience supporting businesses in Northern Ireland, 18 of which were spent in the financial services industry.
The Centre for Competitiveness is a not for profit, membership organisation operating across the island of Ireland, supporting its members to build their competitive advantage. It provides access to global networks and local partners as well as business consultancy services, projects, and programmes.
Known for her effective communication style, Marianne is skilled in leading the development and implementation of marketing plans, the creation of marketing materials and content, and has a track record of affecting change and driving engagement. Her experience spans community-centred financial organisations and she is passionate about driving business growth through strategic partnerships.
Reporting directly to the Director and Chief Executive Officer, Marianne will have responsibility for leading and implementing the Centre’s overall marketing strategy and, co-ordinating day to day operational activities supporting the business services team in innovation, productivity, quality excellence and net zero sustainability programmes.
Four weeks already into the role Marianne Cushley, Head of Marketing & Operations said;
“What the Centre for Competitiveness has achieved in the last few years has been hugely positive for local businesses and I am excited to have joined such a reputable and innovative organisation. I wanted to join a company that shared my values of integrity and excellence and I am looking forward to playing my part to help more organisations implement ambitious growth plans and excel on a global stage. This role will give me a chance to help people, and their businesses reach their full potential and I am also excited to start driving our net zero sustainability programmes, as we live out our core business values and bring those we work with on this important journey.”
Glen Bailey, Head of Commercial & Energy Services
Energia
Energia has appointed Glen Bailey as their new Head of Commercial & Energy Services. Glen has been with Energia for ten years, across various customer and digital transformation roles. Prior to joining Energia, he worked in the telecoms and agri-food sectors. In his new role, Glen will be responsible for the strategic, organisational, performance and operational leadership of the Customer Solutions commercial sales and energy services propositions within ROI under the Energia brand.
Commenting on the appointment, Gary Ryan Managing Director, Energia Group Customer Solutions said;
“Glen has worked with Energia for several years, and is not only an expert in the energy sector but also has a deep understanding of evolving customer needs as we support them in the energy transition. I am delighted to congratulate him on his new appointment. Our customer centric approach has always been fundamental to our business, and we are committed to providing the best possible value and service for our commercial customers. We are supporting customers in their ambitions to be more energy efficient through a range of energy efficiency measures as well as renewable energy tariffs.”
Helen Mulholland, Master Blender
The Irish Whiskey Association
The Irish Whiskey Association has announced that Helen Mulholland, master blender with Sazerac Ireland, is now to lead the representative body for the all-island Irish whiskey industry. Ms Mulholland has served as the Association’s vice-chair since 2022 and succeeds former chair James Doherty, managing director of Sliabh Liag Distillers.
Her appointment is the latest in a line of distinctions for Ms Mulholland, who already has the accolade of being the first woman master blender in Irish whiskey history, a title she achieved while working at Bushmills Distillery for nearly 30 years. In this pivotal role, she shaped an impressive luxury portfolio of single malts and premium blends through her meticulous selection of casks, creating diverse flavour profiles and aromas that set a new benchmark for quality in Irish whiskey.
Now leading Sazerac’s Sligo distillery team, Ms Mulholland oversees the global portfolio of Irish whiskeys, including Paddy and Michael Collins, while spearheading innovation in new product development.
Ms Mulholland is also the first woman to have been inducted into the globally influential Whisky Magazine International Hall of Fame, and in 2020 she was the first woman recipient of a Drinks Ireland-Irish Whiskey Association Chairman’s Award for her outstanding contribution to the development of the Irish whiskey industry and category.
She is also a member of The Last Drop Distillers Assembly, an international forum of industry experts and knowledge leaders.
In her first statement as Chair of the Irish Whiskey Association, Ms Mulholland said:
“Being invited to chair the Irish Whiskey Association is a huge honour, and I am excited to represent the industry. Throughout my time in the industry, global volumes of Irish whiskey produced have increased sevenfold and the number of distilleries on the island of Ireland has grown from three to close to 50 today. My priority as chair at the Association will be to protect the integrity of the Irish whiskey category, as well as continuing its global promotion. Irish whiskey is a prime example of our all-island economy that brings with it a unique value that should be celebrated, particularly in 2025.”
Director of the Irish Whiskey Association, Eoin Ó Catháin, said:
“Helen Mulholland is one of the world’s most accomplished whiskey master blenders, with a career defined by groundbreaking achievements and exceptional craftsmanship. We are delighted to appoint her as our new chairperson. Over the course of Helen’s decade-spanning and ground-breaking career, the Irish whiskey industry has flourished and seen major evolution. We are delighted to see our premium product’s consumer base broaden in recent years, with those choosing to enjoy Irish whiskey now far more diverse, with a wider age profile, and found all over the world. The Irish Whiskey Association celebrates and embraces this inclusion as a key driver of business success and growth within the Irish whiskey industry.”
Ms Mulholland will serve as chairperson of the Irish Whiskey Association for a period of two years.
