By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Shane Sharkey, Chief Financial Officer, Quantum Group
This weeks sees new and notable appointments at Quantum Group, Danone Ireland, Standard Life and Clare County Council
Shane Sharkey, Chief Financial Officer
Quantum Group
Shane Sharkey has been appointed to the position of CFO of Kildare-based Quantum Group. Sharkey joins the quality large-scale builders following his 5-year role as Head of Tax and Treasury with the Irish residential home builders; Glenveagh Properties PLC. In this new role with Quantum, he will oversee all financial, HR and IT aspects of the group, including the development of financial and business strategies, financial reporting, working capital, and project finance and cost management reporting.
Quantum builds residential properties with a core focus on build quality, cost-effectiveness, and energy efficiency. The property builders have paved the way in bringing innovative and specialist building techniques to the market in response to Ireland’s critical need for responsible and sustainable property development that enhances existing communities in addition to creating successful new neighbourhoods. Quantum are dedicated to delivering A-rated energy-efficient sustainable homes within biodiverse areas by incorporating contemporary construction processes to expedite Ireland’s move towards achieving net zero carbon homes.
Sharkey brings over 20 years of rich experience working in the real estate and financial services industry and has a strong background in tax and accounting. Throughout his career, he has worked on a considerable number of high-profile loan-servicing portfolios. He has also been a tax consultant and client accountant to numerous international investors. He holds a Degree in Finance and Economics in addition to completing certificates in Chartered Accountancy, Chartered Tax Advisory and QFA.
Miceál Sammon, Chairman of Quantum Group: “We feel privileged to have Shane appointed as our CFO and we warmly welcome him to the Quantum team. Shane brings with him a wealth of invaluable experience in both designing and leading the implementation of new business processes during the initial growth phase. We are looking forward to incorporating Shane’s expert financial strategies and insights into our business to revolutionise our processes and propel Quantum into a prosperous future”.
Anne O’Grady, Healthcare Director,
Danone Ireland
Pictured: Anne O’Grady, Healthcare Director, Danone Ireland
Danone Ireland has appointed Anne O’Grady as Healthcare Director to lead its Specialised Nutrition category in Ireland, which operates under the Nutricia brand. As a health-focused company and leading provider of specialised nutrition products and services, Danone provides nutritional support to people of all ages, including patients in hospital and care settings, and people in the community.
A member of Danone Ireland’s leadership team, O’Grady brings over 20 years’ experience to the role, having spent time in various marketing and medical roles in Nutricia, most recently as Head of Medical Affairs and Market Access, as well as previously working as a healthcare professional within the Health Service Executive.
Commenting, Killian Barry MD Danone Ireland said, “I am delighted to announce Anne’s appointment as Healthcare Director. At Danone, we know nutrition has the power to make a positive difference to health experiences and outcomes and our Specialised Nutrition category is fundamental to our purpose of bringing health through food to as many people as possible.
Anne has already made a significant contribution to our Nutricia brand in Ireland. Under her leadership, we look forward to further growing our specialised nutrition category and continuing to improve nutrition and care for Irish patients and consumers in partnership with the Irish health service.”
Danone’s Nutricia portfolio of science-based nutritional solutions is designed to support people’s specific nutritional needs at all stages of life, from early life nutrition to older age, including people with special medical requirements, people with certain health conditions and those undergoing medical treatment.
With an expert team of dietitians, nutritionists, speech and language therapists, and nurses providing critical support and care within communities and healthcare ecosystems, through Nutricia, Danone works with partners such as the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI), the Irish Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (IrSPEN) and Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI). With these organisations, its focus is on collaborating to provide nutritional education and increase awareness of the role of nutrition as an integral part of healthcare.
Sorcha Hannon, Business Manager,
Standard Life
Pictured: Sorcha Hannon, Business Manager, Standard Life
Standard Life has announced the expansion of its team with the appointment of Sorcha Hannon to the position of Business Manager. Hailing from Ballyhaunis in Mayo and now based in Galway, Hannon brings over 20 years of experience in helping people plan for and manage their financial futures. She began her career in Ulster Bank where she rose through the ranks before a move to Irish Life, where she held the position of Senior Financial Advisor. She joins the Standard Life team to support and develop the west of Ireland network of adviser partners.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Standard Life at such an exciting period of growth. Standard Life’s reputation is one rooted in integrity and trust; values I share and believe are fundamental in partnerships. I’m looking forward to working with our adviser partners, finding solutions that help more people across the west of Ireland, feel confident in planning for their financial futures.”
The new appointment is one of several key investments Standard Life is making as its parent group, Phoenix Group, back its ambition to significantly grow the domestic and European business.
“Speaking on the recent appointment, Alan Burrows, National Sales Manager said, “We’re delighted to welcome Sorcha to the team. At Standard Life, we take great pride in what we do and greater pride in how we do it. We’re passionate about putting the customer at the heart of what we do, knowing that we’re the trusted pair of hands that advisers can rely on to help clients on their journey to, through and in retirement. Sorcha’s extensive experience and understanding of the market will be invaluable to us as we continue to increase our support and strengthen our partnerships with advisers across Ireland”. Our industry is changing at pace and that brings both challenges and opportunities for advisers and providers. We’re ramping up investment, particularly across our people, technology, and product, so that we can help more advisers and offer better solutions.”
Stephen Hanley, General Manager, Clare Tourism East,
Clare County Council
Clare County Council has announced the appointment of Stephen Hanley as General Manager of Clare Tourism East, with responsibility for Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Craggaunowen Bronze Age Park, Knappogue Castle & Gardens, and the Inis Cealtra /Holy Island Experience.
Mr. Hanley has extensive experience in the tourism and hospitality sector having previously held the position of General Manager of The Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin and General Manager of the Radisson Blu Hotels in Galway, Limerick, and Cork.
The appointment of Mr. Hanley, a native of County Kerry and graduate of Shannon College of Hotel Management, comes just weeks after Clare County Council and The Shannon Airport Group signed a historic agreement marking the official handover of the Clare assets of Shannon Heritage to the local authority.
“I am honoured to assume the position of General Manager of some of Ireland’s best known and most loved heritage attractions,” commented Hanley.
He continued, “County Clare and the wider Mid-West Region are fortunate to have an abundance of top-tier visitor attractions on their doorstep. Working under the auspices of the local authority, I look forward to exploring new opportunities for further developing the sites and promoting a tourism product that delivers for visitors to the county and the local economy.”
Pat Dowling, Chief Executive of Clare County Council, welcomed Mr. Hanley to the role, adding, “Stephen’s appointment is a huge boost to the local tourism sector as he has vast experience of working at the highest level of the Irish tourism and hospitality sector.”
“Clare County Council has embarked on an exciting new chapter in recent weeks, and we look forward to working with Stephen in bringing forward fresh and innovative ideas that will further enhance the tourism offering at Bunratty, Craggaunowen and Knappogue, and contribute to the future development of a brand-new tourism experience at Inis Cealtra / Holy Island in East Clare,” added Mr. Dowling.
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