By Business & Finance 
This week sees new and notable appointments at Social Finance Foundation, Neworld, Flow Forma, Travel Counsellors, Lenovo, Starcom, Westport Estate
Michael McLoughlin, Chairperson
Social Finance Foundation
The Chief Executive of Amárach Research, Michael McLoughlin, has been appointed as Chairperson of Social Finance Foundation. Mr McLoughlin has been a non-executive director of the Foundation since 2018. He succeeds Garrett Greene in the role.
Michael has worked with Amárach Research since 2000 and has been CEO since 2005. Previously he worked for a decade with AIB Bank and has also worked in venture capital and retailing. Within Amárach he has particular interest in public affairs research and stakeholder research. Michael holds MA and MBA degrees from University College Dublin. He is a Chartered Director and a Member of the Institute of Bankers. He also chairs The Irish Youth Foundation – a not-for-profit which is committed to levelling the playing field for children and young people, focusing on physical and mental wellbeing, skills and employment. He has been on the board of Heritage Credit Union for almost a decade currently serving as the Vice Chair of the Board.
With a motto of ‘Finance for Social Good’, Social Finance Foundation (www.SFF.ie) was established in 2007 at the initiative of Government as a social finance wholesale provider with donated and low cost funding from the Irish Banking Sector and, in subsequent years, has also accessed funding from the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) and credit guarantees from the European Investment Fund (EIF). This finance is used to fund social lending organisations who, in turn, provide social finance to community and voluntary organisations including social enterprises who may have difficultly accessing finance from mainstream financial providers.
Since its establishment 17 years ago, Social Finance Foundation has lent over €225m to more than 2,000 not-for-profit community organisations and social enterprises across every county in Ireland, having a positive social impact on hundreds of thousands of people nationally.
Gary Gleeson, Managing Director
Neworld
Pat Kinsley has stepped back from his role as Managing Director of Neworld, after 39 years at the helm of the one of Ireland’s most successful creative branding agencies.
Pat is being succeeded by his longstanding business partners Gary Gleeson, who has taken on the role of Managing Director, while David Jordan will continue to lead Neworld’s Digital Division.
One of the original brand thinkers in Ireland, Pat has had a profound impact on the creative industry, pioneering brand strategy in Ireland and applying his unique perspective to some of the nation’s best loved iconic Irish brands.
Pat’s career over the past four decades has been defined by many significant achievements. He was one of the eight founders and a Director of Design Ireland, and a champion of both the Graphic Design Business Association (GDBA) and the Institute of Creative Advertising & Design (ICAD). Pat also brought his strategic branding acumen with him across the globe, through the Design Management Institute (DMI), working with the advisory panel and speaking at events across the United States, London, Helsinki, Madrid and Amsterdam.
Pat Kingsley says: “For the last 39 years I’ve had the privilege of working with some of Ireland’s most iconic and best loved brands. I’ve met all types of people and worked on all types of projects. It’s certainly never been a job for me, but a way of life. There is no doubt in my mind that Neworld will continue to prosper and I’m so delighted that Gary and David, along with the next generation of talent, will keep driving it forward.”
Gary Gleeson, newly appointed Managing Director of Neworld, says:
“Pat has been an absolute pioneer in the Irish branding industry and myself, David and the entire team at Neworld feel so privileged to have worked alongside him. We now look forward to continuing Pat’s legacy and we’re very excited about the plans we have in place for the business.
Neworld works hand in hand with a diverse mix of Irish brands, right across a range of different sectors, from food and drinks brands to aviation and construction and we thoroughly enjoy building brands and delivering award-winning creative solutions for these clients.
We have huge pride in the fact that many of these amazing brands have moved beyond Irish shores and are now competing in a global marketplace. New technologies have certainly helped to break down borders and boundaries. But crucially, our clients understand the value of building a strong brand that can assert itself and hold its own in new territories, while also creating honest and emotional connections with their consumers.
We’re honoured that these clients are bringing us with them as their brand partners, pushing across Europe and beyond. Neworld is in a really, really exciting place at the moment, thanks in no small part to Pat’s dynamic leadership, and we’re really looking forward to taking the next step on this journey and embracing what the future holds for us.”
John Murphy, CEO
FlowForma
FlowForma, a leading provider in digital process automation, is pleased to announce the appointment of John Murphy as Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant milestone in the company’s AI and process automation journey. Murphy’s expertise in AI, real-time data analysis, and digital transformation, honed at KX, equips him to lead FlowForma’s ambitious plans to transform how businesses globally adopt and benefit from AI-powered, no-code automation.
With an impressive background in financial services and a deep technical acumen, John Murphy’s career has centred around empowering organizations to detect patterns, predict outcomes, and optimize processes instantly, a skill set increasingly relevant to FlowForma’s no-code process automation mission. John is particularly excited to harness cutting-edge advancements, especially artificial intelligence, to drive the company’s innovation roadmap.
John Murphy CEO FlowForma said;
“FlowForma is ready to meet a clear market need for rapid AI and data-driven automation. Our focus on AI-driven insights and adaptive, no-code technology sets us apart. I look forward to evolving our platform to empower more organizations to achieve efficiency gains that were previously out of reach. The company is poised to capitalize on the next wave of agentic and event-driven AI workflows.”
FlowForma’s new CEO aims to accelerate the company’s market reach and product evolution, leveraging tools like FlowForma Copilot and FlowForma Insights to help customers maximize adoption, increase efficiencies, and drive strong return on investment. John notes the growing demand for no-code platforms across sectors, citing trends toward user-driven automation, enhanced AI integration, and a robust focus on regulatory compliance and security.
As John takes the helm, he brings a commitment to continuous innovation, ensuring FlowForma remains a top player in the rapidly evolving digital transformation space.
Discover how FlowForma’s AI-driven process automation solutions can transform your organization. Visit the website at www.flowforma.com to learn more about its latest AI innovations.
Ciara MacConnell, Corporate Travel Manager
Travel Counsellors
Travel Counsellors Ireland, specialists in corporate and leisure travel, have announced the appointment of Ciara MacConnell as their new Corporate Travel Manager. In this role, Ciara will oversee the delivery of highly personalised solutions for corporate business travel, supporting and advancing the work of the 85 Travel Counsellors in Ireland as they continue to expand the company’s corporate travel offerings, Travel Counsellors for Business.Matt Dobrodziej, President of EMEA
Lenovo
Lenovo, the global technology powerhouse, has appointed Matt Dobrodziej as President of its EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) business, effective immediately. With an accomplished career spanning strategic roles at Lattice Semiconductor as Corporate Vice President and nearly a decade at AMD leading global strategic accounts, Matt brings a depth of experience and visionary leadership that will drive Lenovo’s continued growth and transformation across one of its most dynamic markets.
Aisling O’Sullivan, Deputy Managing Director
Starcom part of Core
Starcom, part of Core, has appointed Aisling O’Sullivan as the new Deputy Managing Director. Aisling’s appointment comes as Starcom continues its growth trajectory, based on delivering innovative, effective solutions for clients across a range of sectors.
Aisling has been with Starcom since 2016, playing a key role in driving the success of major accounts and leading internal initiatives to boost the agency’s efficiency and culture. With over 14 years of experience in the media and marketing world, she’s worked at top agencies in both London and Australia before joining Starcom in Ireland. Her expertise in digital media strategy and strong leadership have been crucial to the ongoing success of many of Starcom’s long-standing clients.
Aisling O’Sullivan, Deputy Managing Director, Starcom part of Core said:
“I’m thrilled to step into this position during such an exciting time of growth for Starcom. I’m eager to work closely with our talented team and clients to keep delivering great results and push our agency to new heights.”
Emer Lawn, Managing Director of Starcom, said:
“Aisling’s promotion to Deputy Managing Director recognises her leadership, expertise, and commitment to our clients and team. She consistently turns challenges into opportunities, delivering results for our clients, while nurturing a strong culture and sense of curiosity within our team. I’m thrilled to see her step into this role as Starcom continues to grow and evolve.”
Starcom, part of Core, is one of Ireland’s top media agencies, experiencing substantial growth in recent years. Starcom has been a major contributor to the recent growth of Core, recently winning competitive pitches to manage major clients in the market.
Ciaran Reidy, General Manager & Pat McCann Non Executive Director
The Grace at Westport Estate
Westport Estate is pleased to announce the appointment of Ciaran Reidy as General Manager of The Grace at Westport Estate, the estate’s new flagship hotel set to open in early 2026.
With over two decades of experience managing prestigious properties, Reidy is well-positioned to bring the vision for The Grace at Westport Estate to life, creating a destination that combines a deep sense of connection with exceptional guest experiences.
Reidy has a distinguished background in luxury and heritage hospitality, having led award-winning properties such as The Johnstown Estate and Lough Rynn Castle. His reputation for elevating guest experiences and fostering strong team cultures aligns with Westport Estate’s mission to honour the estate’s history while offering an inviting and inspiring environment. In his role, Reidy will oversee daily operations and lead a dedicated team committed to creating experiences that celebrate the estate’s cultural and natural heritage, where guests can pause, reflect, and reconnect.
Ciaran Reidy, General Manager, The Grace at Westport Estate said;
“I’m excited to bring this vision to life at The Grace at Westport Estate. We’re dedicated to creating an environment that offers a deeply authentic experience for every guest, inspired by the unique history of Westport Estate and the spirit of the Wild Atlantic Way. Together, we’ll craft a place where connection and renewal are at the heart of every moment.”
Westport Estate also announces Pat McCann, founder and former CEO of Dalata Hotel Group, joins its board as a Non-Executive Director. With over 50 years in the hospitality industry, McCann’s expertise will be instrumental in shaping the strategic direction of Westport Estate. Known for his transformative leadership and dedication to community-focused growth, McCann’s role underscores Westport Estate’s ambition to create a world-class destination.
McCann joins an esteemed group of Non-Executive Directors on the Westport Estate board, including Rachel Doyle, owner of Arboretum and chair of the horticultural division on the Bord Bia board, and Fiona O’Sullivan, an Irish tourism specialist with over 30 years of experience and leadership roles in the Inbound Tourism Operators Association of Ireland and SITE Ireland.
Pat McCann, Non Executive Director, The Grace at Westport Estate said:
“I’m delighted to join the Westport Estate’s journey to create a place of true connection along the Wild Atlantic Way. Together with the team, our mission is to shape a unique destination that blends warmth and connection, deeply rooted in the rich heritage of Westport.”
Barry O’Connor, CEO of Westport Estate, said :
“Bringing Ciaran and Pat on board at this crucial stage supports our ambition for Westport Estate. Their leadership will be pivotal in shaping a premier tourist destination that pays homage to our history while delivering an unforgettable guest experience along the Wild Atlantic Way”
The Grace at Westport Estate celebrates the cultural and historical significance of the estate, drawing inspiration from Grace O’Malley, the legendary Pirate Queen, and Grace Kelly, a Hollywood icon linked to the Hughes family, owners of Westport Estate. Designed by Taylor McCarney and constructed by Stewart Construction, The Grace at Westport Estate will open in early 2026.
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