By Business & Finance 
Pictured (L-R): Susie Horgan, Managing Director and Founder of Springboard Communications, Pat Lucey, co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Aspira, and Rory Dennis, co-founder and former General Manager North America of Amplience Ltd
This week sees new and notable appointments at Springboard Communications, Simmons & Simmons, OutForm Consulting, Grafton Group plc, EasyGo, Excel Recruitment, The Noledge Group, and Complete Laboratory Solutions
Pat Lucey and Rory Dennis, Advisory Board members,
Springboard Communications
Irish communications agency, Springboard Communications has announced appointments to its new Advisory Board. Pat Lucey, co-founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Aspira, and Rory Dennis, co-founder and former General Manager North America of Amplience Ltd will provide strategic advice on the future growth of the agency.
Speaking on the announcement, Susie Horgan, Managing Director and Founder of Springboard Communications said: “I am delighted to welcome Pat and Rory to our new Advisory Board. Their experience and insights, especially in key areas like digital transformation and project management, will be invaluable as we navigate the next phase of our evolution and growth. This significant milestone for Springboard reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional results for our clients and shaping the future of communications.”
Pat Lucey was co-founder of Aspira, an international consultancy delivering technology, project management and business advisory services. He served as its CEO and chairperson until 2022, overseeing its growth from a six-person, Irish-only organisation to a 280-person international firm. Pat is the first Irish person to be elected to the Board of Directors of the global Project Management Institute (PMI).
Rory Dennis is co-founder of the digital experience management company, Amplience. He opened its North American branch in 2013 and grew the team to 40 and $15M in annual recurring revenue (ARR). Having exited to private equity in 2022, Rory is now an advisor to early-stage tech and related companies.
Commenting on his appointment, Lucey said: “Having witnessed the agency’s dedication to excellence first-hand as a client, I am eager to contribute to its continued success. I see tremendous potential to leverage structured methodologies in a way that will streamline processes and enhance project delivery for clients. Together, we will chart a course for growth and ensure Springboard remains at the forefront of the industry.”
Dennis added: “This is an exciting opportunity to bring my background in digital experience and strategic business development. I look forward to collaborating with Susie and her talented team to deliver innovative solutions to continue delivering impact for their current and future clients.”
Micheál Mulvey, Partner,
Simmons & Simmons
Photo L-R: Partner and Head of Corporate at Simmons Dublin, David Brangam with Partner, Micheál Mulvey
International law firm Simmons & Simmons has announced that corporate and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) specialist Micheál Mulvey has joined the firm as a partner in its Dublin Corporate team.
Mulvey has over fifteen years’ experience advising clients on cross-border M&A, late-stage venture capital and corporate venturing and foreign direct investment across a range of sectors, with a focus on healthcare and life sciences and technology, media and telecommunications – as well as food and agri-businesses.
The latest partner hire demonstrates the continued growth of Simmons in Ireland and comes in the same week as the firm’s Dublin team moved into new, larger premises on One Molesworth Street – following an expansion of the team and increasing demand for the firm’s services.
The appointment of Mulvey also follows the recent promotion to partner last week of Dublin-based disputes specialist, Andrea Brennan, and the hire of Kate Curneen as a partner in the Dublin office’s Banking and Financial Markets team.
Commenting on the partner hire, David Brangam, Head of Corporate at Simmons Dublin, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mulvey whose arrival sends a strong and clear message about our ambitions in Dublin. As an experienced, international M&A operator, he brings an outstanding record of delivery across a variety of sectors which neatly align with our focus and I am excited to be working with him. Mulvey’s appointment, together with other recent senior hires, the growth of our wider team and our office move, encapsulates our success to date and our ambition for the future”.
On joining Simmons, Mulvey commented: I’m very pleased to have joined Simmons as partner at a time of increasing demand for the firm’s first class international M&A advice. Simmons’ Dublin team has seen rapid growth and developed a strong reputation in the market, and I’m excited by the opportunity to bring my expertise to the firm. I look forward to working with the team in Ireland, and across the Simmons network globally”.
Darren Hanniffy, Director,
OutForm Consulting
Pictured: Darren Hanniffy, Director, OutForm Consulting
OutForm Consulting has appointed Darren Hanniffy as its newest Director.
Offaly native Hanniffy brings three decades of experience to the role and will draw on his experience of leading major change programmes in infrastructure, asset management, and utility operations to support OutForm, a business transformation partner specialising in large scale infrastructure and construction programmes.
Hanniffy’s new position is based at OutForm’s Dublin office, where he will play a pivotal role in driving successful client outcomes. He joins the executive leadership team to contribute to the overall business proposition and ensure an environment where its people, clients, and wider community can thrive.
With offices in Dublin, Belfast, and Edinburgh, OutForm Consulting has doubled in size in the last two years and is poised to continue its significant growth.
Managing Director of OutForm Consulting, Brian Thompson said: “Darren’s appointment comes at a pivotal juncture for OutForm, as we continue to expand our presence in the infrastructure and construction industry. We are delighted to welcome Darren onboard. His extensive consulting and industry background aligns seamlessly with our mission to provide expert guidance to our valued clients.”
Director at OutForm Consulting Darren Hanniffy said: “I am excited to be joining OutForm Consulting. The organisation’s energy is infectious and I am joining an excellent management team with a wealth of experience. I am fully confident that we will continue to build on the success of OutForm Consulting.”
Chairperson of OutForm Consulting, Jerry Grant, adds: “This senior appointment to the leadership team, alongside our recent office opening and jobs announcement, reflects our confidence in the Irish economy and our ambition to further accelerate OutForm’s growth in the years to come.”
Susan Lannigan, Group Company Secretary,
Grafton Group plc
Grafton Group plc has announced that Mr. Charles Rinn, the Group’s longstanding Company Secretary and Financial Controller, advised the Board earlier this year of his intention to step down from his role on 8 July 2024. In line with the Group’s succession plans, Ms. Susan Lannigan, Deputy Company Secretary and a qualified solicitor, will be appointed Group Company Secretary and General Counsel.
Commenting, Mr. Michael Roney, Chairman said: “On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Charles for his outstanding contribution and service to Grafton during his exceptional 35-year tenure with the Group. Charles joined Grafton in 1989 when the Group was taking its first tentative steps outside of Ireland. He has played a hands-on role in the growth and development of Grafton and our becoming a 9,000-strong team operating across multiple winning formats in four European countries. Susan is a very experienced and able successor and we very much look forward to working with her in her new role.”
Oliver Chatten, CEO,
EasyGo
Erapid Charger Company Limited, trading as “EasyGo”, the largest private car charging network operator in Ireland, has announced the appointment of Oliver Chatten, a former executive at the Digicel Group, as the company’s new CEO.
Chatten brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the EasyGo team, having successfully directed, developed and operated businesses in the finance, technology and telecommunications sectors in Ireland and internationally for nearly a quarter of a century.
The appointment further bolsters the EasyGo executive team, with the recent announcements of Mick McAteer on the executive committee and David Fitzgerald as Chief Revenue Officer.
Commenting on the news, Chris Kelly, Head of International Infrastructure Strategy at EasyGo said: “The appointment of Oliver is a major coup for EasyGo and continues an exciting phase we are in right now. Oliver has a proven track record of success wherever he has been, and we welcome his knowledge and expertise as we continue to drive our expansion plans.
“Our mission is to decarbonise transport by providing accessible and efficient EV charging solutions for all motorists across Ireland. We have ambitious targets, and by 2032 we will roll out over 3,000 fast DC chargers onto the national charging network while adding over 20,000 commercial AC chargers into apartment buildings, hotels and other key locations.
Mr Chatten added: “I’m delighted to be joining EasyGo and working in a sector that is pivotal to Ireland’s climate response. EasyGo will be at a forefront of the response, providing the vital infrastructure that the country needs to give them confidence to transition to electric. It’s an exciting future and one I’m looking forward to.
“2023 was a busy year for EasyGo, which saw investment of €30 million by Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva plc, leading to the creation of 60 new jobs at EasyGo. So far in 2024, 18 of those 60 jobs have already been filled. Rubicon Capital Advisors, through its asset management business, also announced it had increased its investment in EasyGo to an over 50% shareholding, following its initial first investment in EasyGo three years ago”
EasyGo is Ireland’s fastest-growing and largest privately owned EV charge point operator and turnkey solutions provider. The company now has 51 staff in total and currently has 77,000 registered users across the island of Ireland.
EasyGo’s EV charging network provides access to over 4,000 charging points in 1,500 locations across Ireland. The EasyGo app currently has over 60,000 registered subscribers and grew by approximately 2,000 new users each month in 2023.
Luca Zelli, Senior Principal Consultant for Finance Recruitment Division,
Excel Recruitment
Luca Zelli, Senior Principal Consultant for Finance Recruitment Division, Excel Recruitment
Luca Zelli has been appointed as Senior Principal Consultant of the Finance Recruitment Division with Excel Recruitment. With an extensive background spanning over a decade in senior-level roles, Zelli brings seven years of focused experience in finance placements within corporate and multinational environments.
Having started his professional journey with Excel Recruitment, Zelli has since cultivated a global presence, facilitating successful placements of senior talents in prominent financial hubs like Ireland, London, Singapore, New York, and beyond. His adept strategic skills have consistently driven pivotal hires, team expansions, and exclusive placements, reflecting his steadfast commitment to fostering mutually beneficial outcomes.
In his new role with Excel Recruitment, Zelli will spearhead the Finance Recruitment Division, forging close collaborations with companies in the Corporate, Asset Management, and Wealth Management sectors to thoroughly understand their talent needs and requirements. Leveraging his senior-level recruitment expertise, Zelli will steer the Financial Recruitment Division Contingent, Exclusive, and Retained assignments, overseeing the entire lifecycle from candidate sourcing to placement while cultivating relationships with both clients and candidates to ensure successful placements and foster long-term retention. Zelli will drive business expansion by broadening Excel Recruitment’s client base and identifying novel opportunities within the financial domain.
Commenting on the announcement, Barry Whelan, Group CEO said:
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Luca back in Excel. Our connection with him has remained strong over the years, and it’s truly gratifying to see how he’s grown and everything he has achieved since his first recruitment role within our company. His journey has been remarkable, and we’re excited to have him back in a leadership capacity”.
“In his new role, Luca will expand Excel’s footprint in the Finance sector, catering to the diverse needs of corporates, buy-side, and sell-side firms in Ireland. His wealth of experience and client-centric approach align perfectly with our values, and with Luca leading our Finance Division, we are poised for even greater success”.
Zelli also expressed his enthusiasm and excitement about returning to his recruitment home, stating:
“Returning to Excel is like coming home for me. It’s where my journey in recruitment began, and it’s where I laid the foundation for my career growth. I’m genuinely excited to be back because I have such fond memories of my time in Excel. Leading the expansion of Excel’s Finance division is an exhilarating opportunity for me, especially considering Excel’s robust client base, which includes premium blue-chip brands. I’m excited to introduce new and impactful recruitment solutions that will benefit our clients, our candidates, and our company – watch this space”.
Sinéad Galligani, Chief Marketing Officer,
The Noledge Group
Sinéad Galligani, Chief Marketing Officer, The Noledge Group
The Noledge Group, the Irish cloud ERP solution specialist, has announced that it has appointed Sinéad Galligani as Chief Marketing Officer. In this new role, Galligani will be instrumental in driving business growth for the group, which incorporates its Envisage and OSSM brands, by spearheading the overall marketing strategy.
With over two decades of experience in sales and marketing, Galligani brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role. As Chief Marketing Officer, she will be responsible for creating and executing innovative marketing strategies to enhance brand visibility and drive customer engagement.
Galligani will collaborate closely with teams across the business, including sales, product development, and finance, to ensure the seamless integration of the company’s marketing efforts. She will continue to build on existing strategic partnerships with industry giants such as Sage and Oracle NetSuite, while managing relationships with external stakeholders including communications, media, branding, and digital agencies.
Galligani joined The Noledge Group in 2014 as Marketing Manager, and was appointed Group Marketing Director in 2021. Previously, she held various positions in business development, account management, and marketing management. During this time, she strengthened her skills in brand strategy, customer focus, and team management.
Speaking on her new appointment, Sinéad Galligani said: “I am delighted to have been appointed Chief Marketing Officer at The Noledge Group. During my time with the company, I have had the opportunity to learn, develop my skillset, and take on more responsibilities. It’s a privilege to be part of an organisation that is committed to making business easier. Whether it’s streamlining business processes, reducing expenses, or accelerating growth, our financial, ERP, and consulting solutions consistently generate outcomes that embody this ethos. I look forward to taking on the challenges that this role will bring, while working with the team to deliver expert cloud solutions and drive continued growth.”
Galligani holds a bachelor’s degree in International Marketing and Languages from Dublin City University, and a diploma in digital marketing from The Irish Times/IIA Additionally, she holds certifications in Forrester B2B marketing foundations and demand-based marketing.
Elaine O’Neill, HR Director,
Complete Laboratory Solutions
Complete Laboratory Solutions (CLS) has announced the appointment of Elaine O’Neill to the position of HR Director.
O’Neill brings over 20 years of invaluable experience as a HR professional, with previous roles concentrated in the MedTech sector. She will play a pivotal role in advancing talent management at CLS across employee engagement, leading a high-performance culture enhancement and communications strategy to support the brand’s wider business successes, and growth objectives.
O’Neill holds a master’s degree in HR Leadership from Sheffield Hallam University, a Bachelors degree from the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology in Personnel Management, a Higher diploma in Business Studies as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Irish and English from the University of Galway. Prior to joining CLS she held senior positions at Atlantic Therapeutics and Bio-Medical Research Ltd and the Royal Bank of Scotland Group.
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