By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Igor Skachkov, Chief Product Officer, payabl.
This week saw new and notable appointments from payabl., Pinergy Solar Electric, CW8 Communications & FUEL, Contracting PLUS and Fuzion Communications
Igor Skachkov, Chief Product Officer,
payabl.
payabl., the European payments expert that enables businesses to take payments easily, reliably and securely, announces it has appointed Igor Skachkov as its new Chief Product Officer.
Having worked within the payments industry for over 12 years, including at Klarna and Visa, Igor is experienced in card acquiring and issuing, Buy Now Pay Later, e-wallets, subscriptions and tokenized payments. With payabl.’s bold ambition to help merchants grow through innovative payments, Igor has been appointed to drive the company’s next phase of product development.
Ugne Buracience, CEO, payabl. comments, “We’re delighted to welcome Igor to the team. Over the past year, our business has expanded rapidly and our team has doubled to 60 employees. Igor further enhances our in-house expertise and will drive the development of new payment technologies, designed to achieve our mission of empowering business growth through innovative payments.”
As Chief Product Officer, Igor will collaborate with the company’s research and development team, partners and merchants to identify product challenges and opportunities, introduce new features, diversify the company’s product portfolio and build original products at the cutting edge of payments technology.
Igor Skachkov, Chief Product Officer, adds, “With the payments landscape always evolving and diversifying, I’m excited to be a part of payabl. I am looking forward to building on the company’s existing product portfolio, to make an even greater impact on partners and help them to unlock untapped growth opportunities. Exciting developments are on the horizon here at payabl.. We’re working towards the creation of a full-scale payments ecosystem that combines payment acceptance, bank payments, open banking and dozens of other services on one platform. We have the potential to completely revolutionise the way payment-related services are offered and look forward to making this a reality with each new innovation.”
Established in 2011, payabl. is a merchant payment solution provider that enables businesses to take payments easily, reliably and securely. Experiencing 182.5% volume growth year on year from 2020 to 2021, payabl. credits its success to its team of employees. Processing over 100 million transactions last year, payabl. has a bold mission to be the platform that takes care of payments and powers growth for each and every client.
Michael Norton, Head of Commercial Sales,
Pinergy Solar Electric
Michael Norton, Head of Commercial Sales, Pinergy Solar Electric
Pinergy Solar Electric have announced the appointment of Michael Norton as Head of Commercial Sales. This new appointment will see Michael develop and lead the implementation of a commercial sales strategy in line with the growth ambitions of Pinergy Solar Electric. This appointment builds on Pinergy’s commitment to growing their solar offering following the acquisition of Solar Electric last year.
In this new role, Michael will build and lead a best-in-class technical commercial sales team on a national basis for Pinergy Solar Electric and harness the synergies within the broader Pinergy vision. Michael’s aim is to create a dynamic and purpose driven commercial sales team within Pinergy Solar Electric to support the commercial and industrial sectors in Ireland in achieving their ambitious sustainability goals.
Michael’s core areas of expertise are Solar PV, Business Development, Battery Storage and Renewable Energy. Since starting his career in solar PV back in 2009, Michael has participated in and observed the global shift to renewable energy.
Speaking about the new appointment, Ronan Power Interim General Manager at Pinergy Solar Electric said: “Michael’s experience in Solar PV combined with his business development and broader energy experience means he is well positioned to lead the commercial sales team for Pinergy SolarElectric. We are at a tipping point here in Ireland, where real actions are taking place on the ground and our economy is starting to turn to renewable energy rapidly. Michael is passionate about bringing the economic and environmental benefits of Solar PV and storage to public sector, hospitality, industrial, logistics, manufacturing, retail and agri sectors across the country which really makes him the ideal person for this job.”
Commenting on his appointment, Michael Norton said “I’m delighted to come back to Pinergy SolarElectric in a new development and leadership role. We are well positioned to meet the demand of both our current and future clients as they look to develop their own sustainable energy future whilst helping them to deliver on their ESG policies & programmes. There has never been a better time to invest in a solar energy future.”
Pinergy recently announced a Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff for eligible customers selling their excess solar energy back to Pinergy. Pinergy’s new MicroGen Plan will see it pay 13.5c per kWh for any excess electricity generated for commercial and domestic customers during 2022 who sign up to the plan and who are on a Pinergy electricity supply contract.
Prior to joining Pinergy Solar Electric, Michael held the position of Industrial & Commercial Sales Engineer at Gas Networks Ireland. Prior to that he was the Commercial Design & Sales Manager at Solar Electric.
Michael is originally from Kilkenny and holds an MSc in Renewable Energy from the University of Oldenburg, Germany and a BSc in Analytical Science from Dublin City University.
Colm Woods, Corporate Practice Lead,
CW8 Communications
Colm Woods, Corporate Practice Lead, CW8 Communications
CW8 Communications, a leading boutique communications firm advising some of the world’s most innovative, purpose-driven technology companies and fastest growing scale-ups in emerging technology, fintech, agtech, blockchain and Web3 technology, has hired Colm Woods as Senior Director and Corporate Practice Lead.
Colm joins from US multinational PLC, Aramark, where he served as Director of Communications and Head of ESG for Northern Europe. There, he built and led the team responsible for PR, internal communications, public affairs, crisis and issues management, B2B digital media, as well as overseeing the region’s ESG and Net Zero strategy. Colm started his career in PSG Communications (now part of Teneo Ireland) before moving to the Middle East where he worked with globally renowned firms such as Edelman and Consulum.
This senior appointment comes at a time of significant growth for the business which is led by Founder and CEO, Seán Pattwell. CW8 Communications has recorded seven figure revenues and delivered 300% revenue growth year-on-year as they head into the company’s fourth year of operations.
Seán Pattwell, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of CW8 Communications commented: “I am delighted to welcome Colm to the team. He has the necessary skills and experience to help our clients navigate the world of reputation management, as well as unpacking the complexity required on environment, sustainability and governance matters. Over the past 3.5 years we have built up a global roster of clients, from Silicon Valley to Hong Kong, who are at the forefront of technology transformation – many of which are leading the way in meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Colm will be responsible for building out our Corporate Affairs practice, working with clients all over the world.”
Colm Woods, Senior Director at CW8 Communications added, “I am excited to join such a dynamic and forward-looking company. I was really impressed by the team’s track record over such a short period of time, and particularly their commitment to working with purpose-driven organisations. The CW8 team appreciates that modern communications challenges require a holistic, strategic, and borderless solution – both internally and externally. I couldn’t be more excited to support Seán and the team to create campaigns and strategies that deliver real impact for our clients.”
Leigh Gillen, Director of Cork,
FUEL
Pictured Co-founders of FUEL: Brian McDermott and Jamie Deasy with newly appointed Director of Cork for FUEL Leigh Gillen.
FUEL has announced the acquisition of Leigh Gillen Events. The company has also announced the addition of 20 jobs. FUEL plans to operate out of The Marina Market Cork.
The company’s expansion into the Munster market comes at a time when brands and companies globally are looking for new and innovative ways to engage with customers and employees.
The acquisition of Leigh Gillen Events supports FUEL’s strategy to expand its operations in Ireland, the UK and the United States. FUEL has ambitious plans to grow its business with a mix of live and virtual events, brand experiences, employee engagement and gifting solutions.
FUEL currently employs a talented team of 70 at its Dublin headquarters, where it is also recruiting a further 10 staff to service its future needs. FUEL plans to operate out of The Marina Market Cork and grow its numbers in Cork to 10 within the next two years. FUEL will be recruiting for roles across creative, client services and production.
Jamie Deasy, Co-founder of FUEL, said: “FUEL is excited to grow its national presence through a new base in Cork. The entire region is a well-established home for many global companies who will look to engage with their employees and customers meaningfully, whether in Dublin, Dubai or Dunmanway. With Leigh and her team, we are in a strong position to ensure companies are both creative and innovative in that engagement.”
FUEL is also looking at options to replicate their successful Dublin studio space at a new location in Cork.
Leigh Gillen has over 20 years of experience running events in Cork and established one of Cork’s leading event agencies. Now appointed Director of Cork for FUEL, Leigh says: “I am excited to join the rapidly growing team at FUEL, and I very much look forward to engaging with companies in Cork and Munster, as well as expanding the events offering for my existing clients. Companies were challenged during the pandemic but have now learned that there are creative and bold ways to reach out and stand out. Using the latest technology, FUEL offers clients a global reach with their virtual & hybrid events and continues to provide the highest levels of expertise, advice, and solutions for clients.”
FUEL was established in 2013 by Jamie Deasy and Brian McDermott. The company pivoted significantly during COVID to adapt to the challenges faced by clients in each of its geographical markets.
Jennifer Doyle, Commercial Director,
Contracting PLUS
Jennifer Doyle, Commercial Director, Contracting PLUS
Contracting PLUS, Ireland’s largest provider of accounting services and umbrella companies to high-skilled independent contractors and freelancers, has announced Jennifer Doyle as its Commercial Director.
Jimmy Sheehan, Managing Director of Contracting PLUS said: “On behalf of the Strategic Leadership Team, I’m pleased to announce Jennifer Doyle as Commercial Director of Contracting PLUS. This is a natural progression for Jennifer and is a reflection of her commitment and work ethic. Jennifer has been a key driver of business efficiencies and profit growth in the business over the last few years. She has a deep understanding of the company’s needs and will play an invaluable role in delivering on our strategic priorities.”
A native of Dublin, Jennifer Doyle joined Contracting PLUS in 2016. She previously worked in the telecommunications industry and she has completed a Masters in Performance Psychology.
Commenting on her appointment Jennifer Doyle said: “I am delighted to take on the position of Commercial Director in Contracting PLUS. Our mission is to make life easier for independent professionals and for our clients to be secure in the knowledge that they are in the hands of experts with unrivalled experience. I will work hard, along with the team, to develop new opportunities to drive future growth across the business. There are exciting times ahead for Contracting PLUS and I look forward to working closely with contractors, freelancers and leading recruitment agency partners to ensure we deliver on our ambitious business plans”
Stephanie Stafford, Account Director,
Fuzion Communications
Stephanie Stafford, Account Director,
Fuzion Communications
Fuzion Communications is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephanie Stafford to the role of Account Director at the award-winning communications and creative agency.
With over ten years experience in her field, Stephanie brings a wealth of experience in the consumer sector in the area of beauty, wellness, fashion, hospitality, alcoholic beverages and Irish heritage brands, where she has worked with brands such as Proximo Spirits, Champion Green, Radisson Blu, Warpaint for Men, Bushmills Whiskey, Newbridge Silverware, Butlers Chocolates and Kilkenny Design to name a few.
She has delivered internationally recognised brand campaigns and has specialist expertise in reputation management, brand strategy and tactical PR.
She holds a BBS Degree in Business majoring in Marketing and Public Relations from the University of Limerick and BBS Degree International Business, EDHEC International School of Business, France .
“I am delighted to join the team at Fuzion Communications.” Said new Account Director Stephanie Stafford. “Working in an agency is a great opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment with a diverse range of clients.. I enjoy pushing the boundaries to create campaigns with a ‘wow’ factor for clients.”
