By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Kieran Goss, Chairman,,Recorded Artists Actors Performers (RAAP)
This week sees new and notable appointments at RAAP, Coillte, Mason Hayes & Curran, Board of Banking & Payments Federation Ireland, and Alice Public Relations.
By Rye Baker
Kieran Goss, Chairman,
Recorded Artists Actors Performers (RAAP)
RAAP (Recorded Artists Actors Performers), the Irish not-for-profit collective management organisation representing performers’ rights, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kieran Goss as Chairman of its Board of Directors.
A renowned singer-songwriter and performer, Kieran Goss has been a central figure in Irish music for over three decades. He continues to write, record and tour internationally as part of the duo Kieran Goss & Annie Kinsella. In addition to his artistic career, Goss brings a deep understanding of performers’ rights, shaped by his legal background and long-standing advocacy for fair remuneration in the music industry. A founding member and director of RAAP since its establishment in 2001, he succeeds the late Paddy Cole in the role of Chairman.
Commenting on Goss’s appointment, CEO of RAAP, Colman Clinch said: “Kieran has been a passionate and principled advocate for performers’ rights since RAAP’s inception. His deep understanding of the challenges facing artists combined with his legal insight and lived experience as a working musician makes him an ideal Chairman. We are proud to have someone of Kieran’s calibre leading our Board as we continue to advocate for fair remuneration and deliver real value to our members at home and abroad.”
Reflecting on his own experience, Kieran Goss, incoming RAAP Chairman, said: “It’s an honour to take on this role at a time when the protection of performers’ rights has never been more important. RAAP has always stood for fairness, transparency and putting performers first. I look forward to continuing that mission and building on the legacy of my friend and colleague, Paddy Cole.”
Michael Patten, Declan Meehan, Non-Executive Directors,
Coillte
Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae TD, has announced the appointments of Michael Patten and Declan Meehan as Non-Executive Directors to the Board of Coillte.
Welcoming the new appointees, Minister Healy-Rae commented: “I am pleased to appoint Michael Patten and Declan Meehan to the Board of Coillte. They bring a wealth of experience and skills to the board. Their appointments bring the board membership back to full strength, consisting of four women and five men, thus meeting the gender balance target of 40% for state boards.”
Both Mr. Patten and Mr. Meehan have been appointed for a five-year period effective from 6 June 2025. Mr. Patten’s appointment was made following a competitive process undertaken by the Public Appointments Service (publicjobs) in accordance with the Guidelines for Appointments to State Boards. Previously, Mr. Patten was the Chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer and Chief Environmental, Social and Governance and Corporate Affairs Officer with Glanbia plc from 2014-2021 and 2021-2023.
Mr. Meehan was nominated for the position of Worker Representative Director on the Board of Coillte by SIPTU, and a recommendation for the appointment of Mr. Meehan was made by the chairperson of the Board of Coillte. His previous experience included working with Coillte in April 1986 as a Forest worker and with the support of Coillte completed the Higher National Diploma in Forestry from the University of Lancashire during the period 2005-2008. Mr. Meehan then progressed to become an Operations Support in one of Coillte’s business area units and continues to work in that role where, amongst other duties, he provides an important supervisory role.
Minister Healy-Rae concluded: “As the state forestry company, Coillte is instrumental in the commercial production of Irish home-grown timber. Timber is a natural and renewable product and has a role in storing carbon and removing carbon from the atmosphere, thereby contributing directly to our ambitious climate action targets. In addition, our public forest estate provides natural habitats and offers opportunities for recreation. I wish the new appointees and the entire board well in its endeavours.”
Andrew Gill, Debt Capital Markets Partner,
Mason Hayes & Curran
Leading Irish law firm Mason Hayes & Curran has announced the expansion of its DCM, Structured Finance & Derivatives team, with the promotion of Andrew Gill to partner.
Daragh O’Shea & Andrew Gill
Mr. Gill advises on debt, structured finance and derivatives transactions. He combines technical precision with commercial judgement and, having worked both in private practice and in-house, he understands how deals are done and what clients need to get them over the line.
Recently, he acted for a US-based client in establishing a European exchange-traded programme offering exposure to crypto assets, reflecting the team’s work at the leading edge of the market.
Andrew Gill is a graduate of University College Dublin and is qualified in both Ireland and England & Wales.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Gill said: “We’re one of the most experienced debt capital markets and structured finance teams in Ireland, but what sets us apart is our ability to combine legal precision with commercial insight. My focus is on helping clients move quickly, with advice that’s clear, practical, and reflects where the market is right now.”
Daragh O’Shea, Head of Debt Capital Markets, added: “Andrew’s appointment is super news for our team. It reflects Andrew’s calibre as a lawyer and the expanding demand for sophisticated financing advice. His expertise and commercial acumen are a real asset to our clients and to the wider team.”
Billy Kane, Board Member,
Banking & Payments Federation Ireland
Billy Kane, Founder and Chief Executive of Finance Ireland, has been appointed to the Board of Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) for a two-year tenure.
Kane has almost five decades of experience in financial services. He founded Finance Ireland, now the largest nonbank lender in Ireland, in 2002 which operates in commercial property lending, motor finance, asset-backed lending and agri-finance. Prior to this, he founded Irish Permanent finance in the early 1990s and went on to become CEO of Irish Permanent and Director of Irish Life & Permanent.
On taking up his appointment Kane said: “I’m honoured to join the BPFI Board and look forward to contributing my experience, particularly from the non-bank lending sector. Non-bank lenders play a critical role in the financial ecosystem — expanding choice, driving competition, and and delivering over €49 billion in credit to Irish households and businesses by September 2024. As the industry continues to evolve, it’s essential that all parts of the financial services landscape are represented with a strong, collective voice, as we navigate evolving customer expectations, regulatory shifts, and ongoing digital transformation. I look forward to working with colleagues from across the sector as we address the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Brian Hayes, Chief Executive, BPFI, welcomed Mr Kane’s appointment: “We are delighted to welcome Billy to the Board of BPFI, given his extensive experience and deep understanding of the financial services landscape. As the representative voice for over 120 domestic and international members, it’s essential that our Board reflects the breadth of the industry we serve. We look forward to working with Billy as we continue to advocate for our sector and represent the industry to the highest standards both in Ireland and the EU.”
David Stanton, Bernard Harbor, Expert Advisors,
Alice Public Relations
David Stanton, a former Minister of State, and Bernard Harbor, a long-time leader in the trade union movement, have joined the team at the award-winning communications agency Alice Public Relations.
Mr. Stanton was a TD for the Cork East constituency for almost 30 years. First elected to the Dáil in 1997, he was re-elected at every subsequent general election until his retirement from politics in 2024. He served as Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality from 2016 to 2020, with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration.
Bernard Harbor, meanwhile, served as Head of Communications with the Fórsa trade union, and has also worked with the trade union movement internationally. He was Director of Communications and Media for President Michael D. Higgins’s 2018 reelection campaign, and was a special advisor to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Alex White, between 2014 and 2016. He is a member of the Irish Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council, established to provide independent advice to Government on AI policy.
Mr. Stanton and Mr. Harbor join former RTÉ newscaster Eileen Dunne and Alice Company Chair Dermot Ryan – amongst others – on Alice’s team of expert advisors. They will focus on providing high-level public affairs, stakeholder engagement and strategic counsel services to Alice clients.
Bernard Harbor
Announcing their appointment this week, Martina Quinn, Founder and CEO of Alice, said: “Our focus at Alice is on creating positive change in Ireland and further afield. David and Bernard align perfectly with this goal. Combined, they have 60 years’ experience in politics, stakeholder engagement, campaigning, and strategic communications. They have contributed to the advancement of workers’ rights, migrants’ rights and Travellers’ rights, amongst other issues. Their extensive contacts, their deep political understanding, and their experience of strategic political campaigning will be of huge benefit to our clients, and we are delighted to have the join the team during an exciting time for the company, as we celebrate our tenth year in business this year.”
