By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Dr. Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO, Taighde Éireann.
New and notable appointments at Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland, Clonmel Healthcare, Marsh and Europcar Mobility Group.
Dr. Diarmuid O’Brien Chief Executive Officer
Taighde Éireann
Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland, the state agency responsible for supporting research and innovation, has appointed Dr Diarmuid O’Brien as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Dr O’Brien will take up the role in September 2025.
Commenting on the appointment, Michael Horgan, Chairperson of Research Ireland, said: “On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Diarmuid as CEO. Diarmuid has a wealth of experience and an outstanding track record. He brings a deep understanding of the public research ecosystem across all disciplines, and of the wider national and international research and innovation environment. Together with the Board, I look forward to working with Diarmuid to develop and deliver our strategic priorities over time and wish him every success as CEO of Research Ireland.”
Concluding, Michael Horgan said, “On behalf of the Board, I want to sincerely thank Celine Fitzgerald, who stepped into the role of Interim CEO last September, for her excellent leadership and outstanding contribution to Research Ireland during the establishment phase of the organisation.”
Commenting on his appointment by the Board, Dr O’Brien said: “It is a great privilege to have been appointed to this position. The formation of Research Ireland creates a huge opportunity for Ireland, and I am excited to play a central role in its development. I look forward to working with the Board, my new colleagues, and partners across the wider research and innovation system, as well as with the Minister and the Department. By working collaboratively, we will build Research Ireland into an agency that supports talented researchers, shapes Ireland’s research and innovation landscape, and delivers outcomes that contribute to a sustainable and prosperous future for Ireland’s economy and society.”
Dr O’Brien’s appointment follows an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service.
Dr Diarmuid O’Brien has a strong track record and brings 20 years of senior experience. He is a highly accomplished senior leader with a deep commitment to research and innovation. He joins from the role of Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Innovation at the University of Cambridge in the UK and was previously Chief Executive of Cambridge Enterprise. Prior to that, he worked in a range of roles in Trinity College Dublin over fifteen years including being Trinity’s first Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer.
Dr O’Brien brings extensive experience in leading a variety of research, innovation and cultural activities in partnership with universities, global companies, investors, high-potential start-ups, cultural organisations and government. This includes managing research institutes, developing new university campuses, creating accelerator programmes, forming large-scale industry research partnerships, creating cultural centres, implementing new translational research infrastructure, raising venture capital funds, licensing intellectual property and scaling new company creation.
Donagh O’Leary Managing Director
Clonmel Healthcare
Pictured: Donagh O’Leary, Managing Director, Clonmel Healthcare
Clonmel Healthcare has announced the appointment of Donagh O’Leary as Managing Director. Prior to taking up this role, Donagh served as Director of Marketing and Business Development. He was recently appointed as Vice Chair of Medicines for Ireland (MFI), the pharmaceutical industry body.
John Small, Head of Private Equity, M&A and Transactional Risk in Ireland
Marsh
Pictured: John Small, Head of Private Equity, M&A and Transactional Risk in Ireland
Marsh, a leading insurance broker and risk advisor, and a business of Marsh McLennan, has today announced the appointment of John Small as Head of Private Equity, M&A and Transactional Risk, Ireland. Based in Dublin, Mr. Small will report to Derek O’Neill, Head of Specialty for Marsh in Ireland.
Paul McNeice, Head of Country – Ireland and Commercial Director for the UK & Ireland
Europcar Mobility Group
Paul McNeice has been appointed Commercial Director for the UK & Ireland, in addition to his current role as Head of Country – Ireland. In this dual role, McNeice will oversee commercial performance across both regions while continuing to lead the Irish business. Since joining Europcar Mobility Group Ireland in 2018, McNeice has held senior roles including Sales Director and Customer Experience & Innovation Director, during which time he delivered record market share across all key categories.
As Head of Country – Ireland, McNeice leads a team of over 400 employees in Ireland and collaborates closely with Europcar’s global network spanning Europe, the United States, and Australia. He also has overall responsibility for GoCar, Ireland’s leading car-sharing service. Prior to Europcar, McNeice held senior roles at CPA Ireland and Coca-Cola, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in national and international business development.
Eddie Murphy has been named Operations Director – Ireland. In this role, Murphy will oversee all operational aspects of Europcar Mobility Group’s business in Ireland, ensuring continued excellence in service delivery, fleet management, and operational efficiency. Murphy brings with him deep expertise in operational leadership and a proven ability to drive process improvements across dynamic business environments.
A native of Cork, he brings over 20 years of leadership experience in the car rental industry to his role as Operations Director at Europcar Ireland. A graduate of both University College Cork (UCC) and Munster Technological University (MTU), Murphy oversees the company’s nationwide operational network, driving sustained growth and reinforcing Europcar’s position as Ireland’s number one choice for car and van rental. Eddie’s appointment reflects his pivotal role in shaping Europcar Ireland’s success and future ambition.
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