By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Stephen Foley, Managing Director, Ridgeway Ireland, Teneo
This week sees new and notable appointments at Teneo, Arrow Global Limited, Fuzion Communications and Intact Board
Stephen Foley, Managing Director Ridgeway Ireland,
Teneo
Teneo, the global CEO advisory firm, has announced the appointment of Stephen Foley as Managing Director at Ridgeway Ireland. Ridgeway, an integral part of Teneo, is a progressive Board and Executive Search firm. Its purpose is to connect global talent in functional roles to successful board tables and the executive C-Suite. This enables them to provide their ambitious clients with a broad choice of diverse talent, not a snapshot of familiar faces.
Stephen is responsible for growing the Ridgeway business in the Irish market. Leveraging existing relationships of both Ridgeway and Teneo, as well as his own extensive network, Stephen is focussed on establishing Ridgeway as a key player in Board and Executive Search in Ireland.
Before joining Ridgeway, Stephen was a partner in a boutique executive search firm based in Dublin and prior to that held a number of senior management and executive roles in Irish and International banks, most recently as Head of Retail Banking for Danske Bank in Ireland.
Stephen holds an MBA from The Open University.
Discussing his appointment, Michael O’Keeffe, CEO Teneo Ireland said: “In the last two years we have launched Management Consulting, Teneo Performance and Financial Advisory in Ireland. By hiring Stephen Foley and establishing Board and Executive search capabilities, we have further diversified our advisory offering in this market.
“Attracting and retaining the best talent has always been a major priority for the senior business leaders and the companies we work with. Having Stephen Foley join the team here means we can further assist with this.”
Sue O’Brien OBE- Executive Chairman at Ridgeway commented: “At Ridgeway, we are continuously exploring strategic opportunities to expand our People Advisory business. Ireland is an important market for our clients and it is essential to have a senior presence on the ground to maximise our global reach while appreciating local culture. I am delighted that Stephen has joined the team as the quality of his advice and his relentless tenacity to deliver for clients is a great match for our team.”
Fiona O’Sullivan, Head of Internal Audit, Mars Capital Finance
Martin Dowdall, Chief Operating Officer, Mars Capital Finance
Arrow Global Limited
Arrow Global Limited (Arrow Global), a European investor and alternative asset manager in credit and real estate, has announced the appointment of Fiona O’Sullivan, Head of Internal Audit, and Martin Dowdall, Chief Operating Officer, to Dublin-headquartered Mars Capital Finance (Mars Capital).
Joining Mars Capital’s Irish senior leadership team, Fiona brings over 10 years’ experience as a Chartered Accountant across Practice, External and Internal Audit, and Risk and Compliance. Fiona has considerable experience in the area of Internal Audit and has held senior roles in companies including the Irish Life Group and CNP Santander Insurance. In addition to being an Associate member of Chartered Accountants Ireland (ACA), Fiona holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Accounting, as well as a Certificate in Cyber Security and Data Incident Management.
Martin has over 16 years’ international financial experience with a core background in migrating, assimilating, and managing over €120bn of loan portfolios across an array of asset classes and jurisdictions. Martin most recently spent a number of years as Head of Operations within the Link Group, with previous employment at Capita, Capmark, GMAC and AIB Bank of New York. Martin holds a Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree from University College Dublin and an MBA from the Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.
Colin Maher, CEO, Arrow Ireland: “We’re delighted to attract high-calibre people to Mars Capital. Both Fiona and Martin are well respected within Irish Financial Services and these appointments further strengthen our customer-led offering within the Irish credit management sector. Mars Capital is well positioned for future success, and I’m delighted to have Fiona and Martin onboard as we look to grow our business in the years ahead.”
Mark Gollin, Managing Director, Arrow Platforms: “We’re excited to welcome Martin and Fiona into our Irish business. Mars Capital is a respected servicer in Ireland; one that is committed to long-term sustainable solutions for its customers and clients. Having the right team in place is essential to our continued success, and I’m delighted to attract such strong talent into our Irish operation.”
Fiona and Martin have been appointed into the relevant Pre-Approved Control Functions (PCF) as authorised by the Irish Central Bank.
Lolly Cleary, Head of Design,
Fuzion Communications
Pictured: Lolly Cleary, Head of Design, Fuzion Communications
Lolly Cleary has joined Fuzion Communications as Head of Design, bringing with her over a decade of experience in Graphic Design. A multidisciplinary designer, Lolly’s extensive experience encompasses brand identity, motion graphics, publications, packaging, advertising and website design.
Prior to joining Fuzion Communications, Lolly developed considerable experience within the television, hospitality and food industries, working with prestigious brands such as ITV, BBC, All3media, InterContinental Dublin, The Marker, Kettyle Irish Foods, Linden Foods, Wexford Local Enterprise Office, Hook Head Oysters and The White Company.
Understanding the needs of her clients, Lolly’s work is unique in that it blurs the line between promotion and design, often using language and humour to make an emotional connection. Commenting on her appointment Lolly Said, “I’m delighted to join the team at Fuzion Communications and I look forward to working with their diverse client base, delivering creative graphic design projects that communicate their stories in unique and compelling ways.”
Most recently, Lolly spent three years working within the marketing department of the Dunnes Stores grocery division where she was involved in a number of projects which included the Dunnes Stores app, their grocery website and seasonal campaign production for print, online and social media.
Combining her creative flair with the ability to work to tight deadlines, Lolly ensures her work is delivered to the highest standard.
A native of Clare, Lolly initially studied B.Sc. Music, Media & Performance Technology at the University of Limerick. She then went on to pursue her love for Graphic Design, studying at London’s prestigious Shillington College after graduating from UL.
Stephen McGivern, Non-Executive Director,
Intact Board
Stephen McGivern has joined the Board of Intact as a Non-Executive Director.
The appointment was announced this week by Justin Lawless, CEO of the Dundalk-headquartered ERP systems providers that currently employ 184 across Ireland and the UK.
Intact work largely with merchant, wholesale and distribution businesses, providing perfect-fit business software and technology solutions. Known as ERP systems, Enterprise Resource Planning enables businesses to better manage, automate and scale their operations.
A Director of EIIS Management Limited, which manages Goodbody EIIS Funds, Stephen McGivern is also a consultant with Baker Tilly in Dublin, where he was a partner for nine years.
Specialist in EIIS Funds and corporate finance, McGivern is a non-executive director to a number of companies, assisting with strategic plans and funding.
Stephen McGivern has vast experience working with growing Irish companies like McArdle Skeath Ltd, Walsh Whiskey and PJ Rigney Distillery & International Brands Ltd, the makers of Gunpowder Gin. His direction and advice will assist Intact with its significant future growth plans for both domestic and international markets, CEO, Justin Lawless, says.
Intact is embarking on a strategic growth phase, with the recent opening of a new North London headquarters for the UK, as well as a new regional office in Cork. The software firm currently employs 184 people. There are plans to increase headcount by over 100 per year, for the next three years, including graduate recruitment. This will facilitate enhanced client service on the ground, locally, as well as European and global growth planning.
Annual turnover, currently in the region of €17 million, has grown over 500% in the last ten years, with more than 60% growth anticipated in the coming year.
Intact is targeting 5,000 new users annually for its integrated software and technology solutions in its target verticals of product-focused distribution and wholesale businesses.
