By Business & Finance 
Pictured (from l-r): Managing Director of Springboard Communications, Susie Horgan; Director and Head of Client Services Nora Lawton and Director of Strategy and Insight Sandy Boundy.
This week sees new and notable appointments at Springboard Communications, American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, Network Ireland, Esri Ireland and Samsung Ireland.
Nora Lawton, Director and Head of Client Services,
Springboard Communications
Springboard Communications has announced the appointment of Nora Lawton as its new Director and Head of Client Services, a significant milestone for the PRCA Agency of the Year.
Lawton brings a wealth of experience to Springboard Communications, having spent the last decade in Brussels, where she served as Director at Rud Pedersen Public Affairs and Managing Director at Weber Shandwick. With a background in advocacy, creative integrated campaigning and sustainability communications, she has led many award-winning European campaigns for clients in the FMCG, Tech and commodities industries.
As a Director and Head of Client Services at Springboard Communications, Lawton will collaborate with senior management on the agency’s vision and goals — to further the agency’s offer, expand its capabilities and grow the business.
Speaking on the new appointment, Susie Horgan, Managing Director, and founder of Springboard Communications said: “This marks an exciting phase for us as we continue to expand nationally and internationally. Nora is an ideal addition to our dynamic team, and her appointment aligns seamlessly with our values — to be the best, to challenge, together. Nora will actively cultivate and sustain key client relationships, offering strategic counsel, and play a crucial role in business development efforts to secure new opportunities, particularly across the technology, renewable energy, healthcare, and pharmaceutical sectors.”
Commenting on her role, Nora Lawton added: “I’m delighted to be joining Springboard Communications at such a pivotal moment. As a leading Irish agency, Springboard is delivering impactful work for its clients, partnering with them on external and internal communications while managing their reputation. I look forward to partnering with Susie and the team to continue to deliver great work.”
Prior to her time in Brussels, Lawton worked at Q4PR in Dublin on public awareness and CSR campaigns; with Edelman in Dublin, London and Abu Dhabi; and within the sports sponsorship and consumer communications team at Wilson Hartnell.
Paul Sweetman, CEO,
American Chamber of Commerce Ireland
The American Chamber of Commerce Ireland (AmCham) has announced the appointment of Paul Sweetman as incoming CEO.
Sweetman’s most recent role was Managing Partner of the public affairs consultancy Instinctif Partners. He previously held a number of senior leadership roles with Ibec including Director of Financial Services Ireland, Director of Technology Ireland, Head of Transport & Public-Private Partnership Policy and, Environment Policy Executive.
Sweetman has served as a board member of Digital Europe, Fastrack into IT (FIT), Gaisce – The President’s Award and the Data Governance Board for Ireland’s Public Service.
A graduate of UCD and Virginia Tech, USA, he also holds a Certificate in ESG from UC Berkeley Law and has completed leadership programmes at TU Dublin and Oxford University.
Speaking at the announcement of his appointment, AmCham’s President Elaine Murphy said:
“We are delighted to appoint someone with the breadth and depth of experience and leadership that Paul possesses. Over the course of his career to date he has developed a deep understanding of the US multinational sector in Ireland, a track record of impactful advocacy at the most senior level and a strategic awareness of how to lead business membership organisations. Our Board, Team and membership greatly look forward to Paul leading AmCham on its next phase of growth and innovation.”
Speaking about his appointment Paul Sweetman said:
“I am both honoured and excited to be appointed as AmCham CEO. AmCham is recognised as Ireland’s leading international business representative organisation. I greatly look forward to working with our 2024 President, Elaine Murphy, our Board and the AmCham Team to bring AmCham to the next level as a world class membership organisation and support our global-leading membership across Ireland”.
Sweetman succeeds Mark Redmond who departs as AmCham CEO at the end of March after ten years in the role.
Linda Codoul, National President,
Network Ireland
Pictured: Linda Codoul, National President, Network Ireland
Business support specialist Linda Codoul has taken up the role of National President of Network Ireland 2024, following the group’s AGM at the weekend. She succeeds Kildare’s Emma Early Murphy and her aim for this year is to promote the growth of the organisation’s 17 branches around the country.
Codoul spent 10 years working in the banking sector before leaving in 2022 for an administration role with US healthcare company Abbott. She has Master’s in Management, a degree in Finance and qualifications in Project Management and Relationship Manager Support.
She joined Network Ireland in 2017 and was Kilkenny Branch President in 2021. Despite being in lockdown for most of the year, branch membership doubled due to increased direct membership contact.
“A Step Ahead” is LindaCodoul’s theme for 2024 and she believes that being a member of Network Ireland will help give anyone a boost in their career.
She said; “I firmly believe that I would not be the person I am today, and my career would not be where it is if I was not a member of Network Ireland. If you want to be ‘A Step Ahead’ of your peers, you should consider becoming a member of Network Ireland which creates connections with women from a large variety of businesses all over the country. I’ve received invaluable advice and support from other members since joining the organisation and this has had an incredible impact on my life and, in particular, my career. Having a support network outside of my employment and family offers a fresh perspective without bias. Network Ireland now has 1,200 members and I want to help our branches grow stronger this year.”
Codoul has chosen The Rise Foundation as this year’s charity partner. The Rise Foundation supports families impacted by a loved one’s addictive behaviour through awareness, education, and therapy.
Tony Wade, Customer Success Manager,
Esri Ireland
Tony Wade appointed Customer Success Manager at Esri Ireland
Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), is today announcing the appointment of Tony Wade as Customer Success Manager. He brings over two decades of technical and customer experience to the role.
Wade will work closely with both new and existing customers to provide business and technical leadership in their deployment of Esri’s technology. He will be responsible for overseeing the delivery of projects, and will act as a trusted advisor to customers across Esri’s technical solutions.
Wade joined Esri in 2014 and most recently held the position of Lead GIS Consultant. Here, he delivered tailored solutions to customers using desktop and web GIS, automation technologies within the Esri platform, and cloud-based deployments on AWS and Azure.
Prior to this, Tony spent six years with CRH, working across various technical maintenance roles. He also worked in technical departments in the semiconductor industry.
Wade holds a first-class honours degree in Geography and History, and a Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing, both from Maynooth University. He also holds an ArcGIS Enterprise Associate certificate from Esri Academy and is Prince2 certified.
Speaking on his appointment, Tony Wade said: “I am delighted to be appointed as Customer Success Manager at Esri Ireland. In this new role, I will draw on my experience with understanding the technical challenges faced by customers to provide forward-thinking strategies and drive growth. I am looking forward to creating unique solutions that will help to solve these real-world challenges through GIS. I also plan to leverage my communication and leadership skills to develop and build on valued relationships.”
Annika Bizon, Head of MX Samsung Ireland,
Samsung
Pictured: Annika Bizon, Head of MX Samsung Ireland
Samsung Electronics UK & Ireland has announced the promotion of Annika Bizon to Head of MX Ireland. Annika, who currently holds the position of Marketing and Ominichannel Director at Samsung Electronics UK & Ireland, will see her position expanded to include oversight of marketing, product management & the commercial operations of Samsung’s Irish division.
With over 20 years’ experience in business and leadership, Annika is instrumental in driving best-in-class activities across all touchpoints for the mobile division of Samsung UK & Ireland. In her current role, Annika drives end-to-end consumer and channel excellence across online, digital, call centres, retail and marketing. She also plays a pivotal role in shaping the direction and future of Samsung’s marketing and omnichannel operations in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Prior to joining Samsung in June 2021, Annika held senior positions as Commercial Director, UK & Ireland for 20th Century Fox and as GMT and Channel Management Director with Three UK. Throughout her time within the telecoms and entertainment industries, Annika has demonstrated impressive acumen in transitioning brands to a digital-first approach while maintaining commercial success.
Commenting on her new role, Annika said: “I am delighted to take on this expanded role as Head of MX for Samsung Ireland. I look forward to working closely with the fantastic and talented team here in Ireland, who have delivered impressive results across all facets of our business. This is a unique opportunity to be part of shaping the future ambition and growth of this Samsung division at an incredibly exciting time for the business.”
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