Appointments

New and notable appointments at Nestlé Ireland, Expleo Ireland, BSI Consulting Services, Uniphar plc, Maples Group’s Irish Law Firm, and Wisetek

By Business & Finance
18 March 2021
Pictured: Kieran Conroy, Country Manager, Nestlé Ireland

This week sees new and notable appointments at Nestlé Ireland, Expleo Ireland, BSI Consulting Services, Uniphar plc, Maples Group’s Irish Law Firm, and Wisetek


Kieran Conroy, Country Manager,
Nestlé Ireland

Nestlé has appointed Mr Kieran Conroy as the new Country Manager for Ireland. Kieran assumes responsibility for Nestlé Ireland’s operations and its comprehensive portfolio of products across the Coffee, Hot Beverages, Confectionery, PetCare, Nutrition and Food categories.

Kieran has over 20 years’ experience in the FMCG and pharma sectors.  He has held a variety of senior management and leadership roles in Nestlé UK & Ireland. He previously held the position of Head of Sales becoming a Director of Nestlé Ireland whilst also sitting on the Nestlé UK & Ireland Sales Leadership Team. With a background of senior roles in sales, category and brand management within the FMCG & Retail Pharmacy sector, Kieran has been with Nestlé for over 13 years, joining as a Customer Business Manager while during his career he also served as Country Category Manager for Purina Ireland.

Speaking about his new role Kieran said, “It is a very exciting time to take responsibility for leading the Nestlé business in Ireland at the world’s largest food & beverage company. I am excited to continue to work closely with our world-class team based in Citywest, together with our valued Customers, to delight our Consumers with our amazing brand propositions such as Nescafé, Starbucks, KitKat, Smarties, Felix, Bakers, SMA and Carnation. I am equally passionate about working with all of our stakeholders to, progress the nutrition, health and wellness agenda in Ireland and deliver our sustainability objectives including our global ambition to half carbon emissions by 2030.”

Originally from Kilkenny, Kieran is a graduate of Trinity College and the Dublin Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Marketing Techniques.  Mr Conroy also joins the Nestlé UK & Ireland Management Board and succeeds Mr. Andrew Shaw, who is taking up the role of Group Supply Chain Director, Nestlé UK & Ireland.


John O’Connell, Head of Software,
Expleo Ireland 

John O’Connell

John O’Connell, Head of Software, Expleo Ireland

Expleo, the technology partner for innovative companies, today announces the appointment of seasoned technology leader John O’Connell as Head of Software Development.

In his new role, O’Connell will oversee the implementation of digital transformation projects for Expleo’s expanding client base, providing bespoke solutions and expertise to help them solve business and technical challenges.

O’Connell has extensive experience in software development and technical leadership, including roles across the fintech, data analytics, e-commerce and technology verticals. Most recently, John has served as General Manager of Uptick Labs Ireland; Head of Production Engineering at eShopWorld; and Director of Software Engineering at Jet.com.

O’Connell holds an MSc in Technology Management from UCD, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Computers for Engineers from TCD and a BE in Engineering from UCD. He is also a certified solutions architect, scrum master and project manager.

Commenting on the appointment, Phil Codd, Managing Director, Expleo Ireland, said: “A bonafide tech leader, John has amassed a wealth of experience over a stellar 22-year career to date. John’s strategic and technical acumen will be invaluable in helping us advance our customer-centric strategy moving forward. With an eye for innovation and knack for problem solving, John is a superb addition to our expanding team.”

Commenting on his appointment, John O’Connell, Head of Software Development, Expleo Ireland, said: “I’m thrilled to join the Expleo team, and to work alongside a diverse group of talented professionals aligned on a common mission – to drive tech-led improvements in the lives of people worldwide. I have a great admiration for the company’s culture of innovation, and the scale of Expleo’s reach both in Ireland and globally. I’ve been fortunate to work with some really dynamic companies in a range of technical and leadership roles, and I look forward to harnessing this experience in this exciting and vibrant setting.”


Gary Power, Global Marketing Manager,
BSI Consulting Services

Gary Power, Global Marketing Manager, BSI Consulting Services

Gary Power, Global Marketing Manager, BSI Consulting Services

BSI has announced the appointment of Gary Power, to the position of Global Marketing Manager at BSI Consulting Services headquartered in Sandyford, Dublin.

Gary’s role covers BSI’s three main regions of EMEA, the Americas and Asia Pacific, focused on their cybersecurity, data governance and security technology portfolio.  His new position includes strategic marketing development and campaign management for BSI’s three core practice areas of – security testing; cyber; risk, advisory and security technologies – as well as supporting clients and the wider BSI teams globally.

A graduate of Dublin Business School, Gary holds a Marketing Degree (FAMI CPM. MMA. FCIM. MMII) as well as Certification in GDPR Compliance and Regulations from TU Dublin Computer Science and a Certification in International Communications and Engagement Management from the University of Melbourne.

As a qualified marketing and communications specialist with Irish and international experience across education, finance, government, healthcare, HR and telecoms sectors, Gary joins BSI from BT where he held the position of Marketing Communications Manager. Previous roles include international Senior Marketing Management roles with Chandler Macleod Group, Dentsu and Publicis.

 


Lorraine Kelly, Chief People Officer,
Uniphar plc

Lorraine Kelly, Chief People Officer, Uniphar plc

Lorraine Kelly, Chief People Officer, Uniphar plc

Uniphar plc announces the appointment of Lorraine Kenny to the newly created role of Chief People Officer. This is a new role being established by one of Ireland’s top performing PLC’s and reflective of the increasing importance of attracting, developing and retaining talent, as Uniphar continues to roll out its ambitious growth and development strategy.

Uniphar plc has grown significantly in recent years having been successfully listed on both the London (AIM) and Euronext Dublin stock exchanges in July 2019. It has seen its workforce grow from  800 people in Ireland back in 2016, to over 2,500 people today spread across 15 countries internationally including the UK, Benelux and Nordic regions of the EU and in the United States. With an ambitious strategy for further growth and development in the medium term, Uniphar anticipates a potential increase in its workforce by c 2000 (80%) in the coming years.

Lorraine comes to Uniphar with a wealth of experience having worked most recently at MSD, where she held a global role as Executive Director and HR Leader for Ireland, with additional responsibility for MSD’s manufacturing division in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Previously, Lorraine worked in senior HR roles for Pfizer in the US and Ireland. She has extensive global experience in organisation design, talent management, change management, labour relations, M&A and senior leader coaching, driving HR strategies in alignment with business priorities. Originally from Manchester, Lorraine has spent the past twenty years living in both Ireland and the US.

Announcing the new appointment CEO Ger Rabbette said “We are really delighted to welcome  Lorraine to Uniphar and to announce the creation of this new strategic role within our senior leadership/management team. As this last year has shown, our people are our most important asset, and I see Lorraine in this new role, delivering a people strategy that will allow present and future colleagues, wherever they might be around the world, to enjoy rewarding and exciting careers within Uniphar Group.”

The Chief People Officer role was created to ensure Uniphar has the talent required to continue delivering on its ambitious business plans and as it grows rapidly, and that it continues to be a great place to work and where its people are valued, nurtured and rewarded.

Lorraine will sit on the Senior Leadership team, reporting directly to the CEO.


Eight Senior Appointments, Partners and Counsel,
Maples Group’s Irish Law Firm

Maples and Calder (Ireland) LLP, the Maples Group’s law firm, is pleased to announce the promotion of six of its lawyers bringing the total number of senior appointments in the last six months to eight. Two new Partners and four new Of Counsel were appointed in Q1 2021 further strengthening the depth of expertise in the firm’s Irish Banking, Corporate, Dispute Resolution & Insolvency and Funds & Investment Management practice areas.

In addition to these promotions, Claire Morrissey recently joined the firm as Partner and head of the Data, Commercial and Technology practice and earlier this year, Lorna Smith joined the firm as a Partner in its Financial Services Regulatory team. These lateral hires elevate the Group’s specialist knowledge in high-growth sectors and were in direct response to increasing client demand for regulatory, data protection and IP advice.

Speaking about these appointments, Ireland Managing Partner, Nicholas Butcher said, “We are very pleased to announce these senior promotions and appointments that reflect both the growth and development opportunities within the firm as well as the strong levels of activity that we anticipate in these sectors in the market, and across our domestic and international client base.”

He continued: “These appointments bring the percentage of Partners who are women in our Irish practice to 36% and although we are acutely aware that more needs to be done to achieve a balanced representation of women in our Partnership, we are proud that we continue to make progress in this crucial area. I want to congratulate all of our new Partners and Of Counsel and welcome back Caitriona Carty who will return from maternity leave in April.”

About the New Partners

Caitriona Carty

Caitriona advises on the establishment, operation and regulation of a wide spectrum of UCITS and AIFMD funds, with extensive experience in managed account platforms, closed-ended structures, alternative UCITS, LQIAIFs and other specialised fund products. Caitriona also advises asset managers establishing Irish authorised AIFMs, UCITS and MiFID management companies.

Fearghal De Feu

Fearghal advises many of the world’s leading financial institutions, asset management corporations, UCITS management companies, AIF managers, fund administrators and depositaries. He has extensive experience in the structuring, establishment, regulation and marketing of UCITS and AIFs, with particular expertise in private equity, hedge funds, fund of funds, alternative UCITS, master-feeders, LQIAIFs, managed account platforms and real asset structures.  Fearghal also advises asset managers looking to establish Irish authorised AIFMs and UCITS management companies.

Claire Morrissey

Claire is a leading adviser on data, technology and commercial contracts.  She has a particular focus on GDPR compliance and investigations, emerging technologies and complex sourcing projects.  Claire also regularly advises on the technology, IP and data aspects of joint ventures and mergers & acquisitions.

Lorna Smith

Lorna has over 10 years’ experience in financial services regulation and works closely with financial firms to manage legal and regulatory risk, and advises on engagement with the Central Bank and other regulators.  In addition to more traditional industries like banking, insurance and asset management, Lorna’s practice also focuses on growth sectors such as fintech, alternative lending and sustainable finance.

About the New Of Counsel

Eugene McCormick

Eugene specialises in commercial litigation and dispute resolution across a variety of areas including financial services, landlord and tenant, and professional negligence.  He has extensive experience conducting large scale and complex litigation, including multi-jurisdictional disputes.

Jordan O’Brien

Jordan specialises in corporate law, advising on a variety of transactions, in particular equity investments and venture capital, corporate restructurings and shareholder arrangements. Jordan also advises in respect of day-to-day corporate and commercial matters.

Karole Cuddihy

Karole specialises in corporate insolvency.  His work includes advising on liquidations, receiverships and examinerships, including acting for insolvency professionals, creditors, directors, shareholders and potential investors.  He also has significant experience in advocacy before the Irish courts.”

Vanessa Lawlor

Vanessa has extensive experience advising a broad spectrum of lenders (Irish and International financial institutions, alternative lenders) and borrowers (trading companies, SPVs, funds, partnerships) on a range of domestic and cross-border finance transactions including real estate investment and development finance, funds finance (including subscription line financing), corporate debt, leveraged and acquisition finance, refinancings and restructurings.


Mark Watson, UK Head of Business Development,
Wisetek

Mark Watson

Mark Watson, UK Head of Business Development, Wisetek

Wisetek, a global leader in advanced IT asset disposition (ITAD), data destruction, technology reuse and manufacturing services, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Watson as its new UK Head of Business Development. As part of this role, he will be responsible for overseeing and growing the company’s sales and revenue in the UK market.

Following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, it was a priority for Wisetek to expand its senior business development team, in order to continue its rapid growth in the UK market.

Mark has extensive aftermarket business development experience in the technology industry and has held several senior operational and business development positions with Amsys, iQor, DHL, CTDI and Motorola. His previous industry experience will help support Wisetek as it continues to further expand its presence in the UK.

Wisetek first entered the UK market in January 2019, with the opening of an operations centre in Reading, Berkshire.

Sean Sheehan, CEO of Wisetek said: “I am delighted to welcome Mark Watson to his new position at Wisetek. Mark brings with him extensive leadership and business development experience in the technology industry. He will be a central part of our business in terms of driving sales, which will enable us to continue to expand our UK footprint. This is a key priority for Wisetek, given the rapidly growing nature of the UK’s technology sector.”

Mark holds a degree in Business and Finance from the University of Hertfordshire.