Pictured: Peter Creighton and Simon Coveney, Reliance
This week sees new and notable appointments at Ulster University, Reliance, ESW, Refurbed, Lakeland Dairies, Mulrines, FREENOW and N.A.A. Limited
Simon Coveney, Non-executive director,
Reliance
Reliance, the Irish engineering and automation solutions company, has announced the appointment of Simon Coveney as non-executive director. This significant appointment comes as the fourth-generation family business celebrates its 100th year.
Mr Coveney brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished career in public service to his new role at Reliance. His strategic insights and leadership skills are expected to contribute significantly to the company’s ongoing growth and success.
“I’m honoured to join Reliance as a non-executive director during such a milestone year,” said Simon Coveney. “As a successful fourth-generation family business built on innovation and excellence, Reliance is trusted by its many customers and has ambitious plans for future growth and new product innovation. Reliance embodies the best of Irish indigenous business – driving Ireland’s economy forward, creating jobs, and fostering a culture of enterprise. I’m looking forward to working with the Board and entire team and contributing my experience to help steer the company towards even greater achievements ahead. Throughout my political career, I have always emphasised the vital role family enterprises play in the economy. Joining one with a 100-year legacy is an opportunity I value greatly.”
Commenting on Mr Coveney’s appointment, Peter Creighton, CEO of Reliance said: “We are thrilled to welcome Simon to the Reliance family. His extensive experience and proven leadership will be invaluable as we embark on our second century of delivering exceptional engineering solutions. Simon’s appointment is a testament to our commitment to driving forward-thinking strategies and reinforcing our position as industry leaders.”
Mr Creighton added: “As Reliance celebrates its centennial, the company remains dedicated to its core values of quality, innovation, sustainability and customer focus. The addition of Simon Coveney to the board underscores Reliance’s ambition to continue expanding its capabilities and enhancing its service offerings in response to the evolving needs of the market. With a commitment to excellence and an ambitious vision for the future, Reliance is poised to build on its proud legacy in the years to come.”
Ulster University
Baker Tilly Mooney Moore Director of Consulting Will Young has been appointed visiting professor within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and based in the School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences at Ulster University.
Aside from his professional experience across Health and Social Care’s Leadership Centre, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and as Director of HR, People Services for the NI Civil Service, he will bring a wealth of experience in the design of third-level education, having initially worked with the Ulster University faculty when he was Course Director of the postgraduate Diploma in Health and Social Care Leadership programme at the Beeches Management Centre, now known as the HSC Leadership Centre. Here, his active engagement in curriculum design and assessment led to sector-leading innovations in work-based and applied learning.
Having been recently appointed as Director of Consulting at Baker Tilly Mooney Moore, Young continues to volunteer his expertise to the University, delivering lectures to undergraduate students with Dr Volkan Yilmaz and is co-convenor of the ‘Contemporary issues in public policy and public administration, delivered to the health and social care professionals’ MPA module along with Professor Paul Carmichael.
Will Young, Director of Consulting, Baker Tilly Mooney Moore said:
“I am deeply honoured and privileged to have been awarded Visiting Professor at Ulster University. This recognition is a testament to the meaningful collaboration I have had with the university over a number of years and its commitment to driving positive change through education, research, and thought leadership.
“I look forward to continuing this collaboration, working alongside the university’s outstanding faculty, staff, and students to contribute to shaping the leadership and public policy agenda. Together, we aim to address key societal challenges, foster innovation, and develop impactful solutions that can create a better future for all.
“This opportunity reinforces my belief in the transformative power of leadership and education. I am excited to engage with Ulster University’s vibrant academic community, share knowledge, and contribute to initiatives that promote excellence and drive positive societal change.”
Jennifer Hamilton, Head of School Applied Social and Policy Sciences, Ulster University said:
“We are delighted that Will has taken up this position and look forward to working with him in the future. Will has been very involved with a number of our programmes within the school, most recently the Master of Public Administration (MPA), and we believe his previous expertise in both leadership and policy will be of immense benefit to our students. We will be working with Will collaboratively to enhance our student learning and experience, build on our research profile and partnerships and engage his knowledge to help promote excellence within the School.”
Tonia Luykx, Chief Revenue Officer,
ESW
“Tonia’s extensive international experience leading strategic planning, marketing, customer success and sales for some of the world’s top businesses makes her the perfect candidate to fill this role,” said Eichmann. “Her leadership skills and deep knowledge of enterprise solutions encompassing shipping, payments, fraud and customer service will benefit the entire organization as we expand into new business verticals and markets.”
“Given the current macroeconomic environment, global brands are looking for a trusted leader to navigate the complexities involved in international commerce,” said Luykx. “ESW is well-established in working with some of the world’s leading retailers to expand globally, while giving them greater control over their direct channels to better serve their consumers regardless of where they’re located. I’m thrilled to join the exceptional team at ESW as we embark on a new phase of growth.”
Luykx brings more than 20 years of expertise in sales and leadership to ESW. Prior to joining Xeneta, Luykx held positions of increasing importance at Sift, the AI-powered security platform where she was Vice President of Global Sales & Interim CRO. She was Head of Amazon Pay Ireland for Amazon Pay UK and Ireland, and head of Strategic Accounts for Dropbox in the UK and Ireland. Earlier in her career she was Country Sales Manager for Google Enterprise Ireland, Microsoft Dynamics Sales Manager for Logica UK, and began her career at SAP Business Development. She received a Masters in Information Technology, with honors, from University of Galway.
Jan Kemper, Member of the advisory board,
Refurbed
Refurbed, Ireland’s leading online marketplace for refurbished products, has appointed Jan Kemper to its advisory board. He will support refurbed’s management as it seeks to strengthen the company’s market position in Europe and further develop its sustainable business model.
Jan Kemper is a recognised leader with expertise in financial strategy, operational excellence, and business growth. As CFO and COO at renowned companies such as Zalando, N26, and ProSiebenSat.1, he played a pivotal role in scaling business models, driving international expansion, and leading successful funding rounds. At Zalando, he oversaw the preparation and execution of the company’s IPO and was instrumental in its strategic direction.
Jan Kemper on his announcement noted “My Goal is to support the Management Team as a sparring partner, especially in the areas of Operational Excellence, Internationalisation, and Financing Strategy. I am excited to accompany refurbed on its growth journey. Sustainability and circular economy are key topics for the future, and refurbed is a true pioneer in this area. My goal is to leverage my experience to provide valuable insights.”
Peter Windischhofer, co-founder and CEO of refurbed, added: “It’s fantastic to have such a highly experienced and respected expert like Jan on our side. His commitment to building a sustainable future underscores the importance of our mission.”
With the addition of Jan Kemper, refurbed’s advisory board now comprises seven industry experts with diverse professional specialisations and backgrounds. The board was established in 2020 to support the development of the company’s business model and advise its management team on strategic issues.
“The collaboration with our board has been incredibly helpful, especially during funding rounds and in continuously considering the impact our business model has on both business and the environment,” said Windischhofer. “Our board consists of seven nationalities and a diverse range of expertise, which provides us with invaluable knowledge and perspectives for our strategies. With Jan Kemper, we intend this to be the final addition to our board for the foreseeable future,” he added, noting that the management meets quarterly with the advisory board and maintains close communication with individual members between meetings.
Bernard Doherty, Member of the Board of Directors,
Lakeland Dairies
Niall Matthews (left) and Bernard Doherty
Lakeland Dairies, Ireland’s second largest dairy co-operative has co-opted Bernard Doherty to its Board of Directors.
With an extensive career spanning decades in tax, accounting, and business advisory services, Mr. Doherty will serve as an independent non-executive director on the Board. He brings a wealth of expertise that will be instrumental in supporting Lakeland Dairies’ ambitious value-add strategic direction, both nationally and internationally.
Mr. Doherty, formerly Head of Tax at Grant Thornton, is widely recognised for his exceptional track record in providing financial, strategic, and operational guidance to national and international businesses across a diverse range of sectors including food and agriculture. Mr. Doherty also has significant experience in complex transactions, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), reorganisation projects, and high-value tax interventions
“Announcing Bernard Doherty’s appointment to the Board, Lakeland Dairies’ Chairperson Niall Matthews said: ‘Bernard’s high-level expertise in strategic and operational leadership, alongside his proven track record in driving growth, M&A, will be a valuable asset to Lakeland Dairies as we expand our footprint at home and abroad. Through our ambitious strategy, Foundations for a Better Future, we are committed to delivering a sustainable milk price for our farm families while meeting the global needs of our customers.’”
Commenting on his appointment, Bernard Doherty said: “I am honoured to join the Board of Lakeland Dairies which is a progressive and forward-thinking organisation with a deep commitment to its farm family members, sustainability, and innovation. I look forward to working with the Board and staff to deliver the co-operative’s ambitious strategic objectives.”
A native of Co Monaghan, Mr. Doherty is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland (FCA), a Fellow of the Irish Taxation Institute (FITI), a member of the Institute of Engineers of Ireland and is a past President of Irish Tax Institute. He has also written extensively on tax matters. He is author of Corporate Transactions: Tax and Legal Issues and Butterworths Capital Gains Tax Guide: 2021.
Paddy Murney, Chief Commercial Officer,
Mulrines
With over 25 years’ experience, Murney will manage all aspects of the sales, marketing and service functions within the business working with the leadership team to set the strategy for the company going forward.
Murney joins Mulrines from Musgrave where he was Retail Director responsible for optimising sales and profitability of its retail brands. Prior to this he was Channel Director for Unilever Ireland and worked for over 20 years with Coca-Cola HBC across the island of Ireland where he progressed to the role of Commercial Director.
Welcoming the appointment Mulrines MD Michael Lyttle said, “Operating across two major sites in Ireland, we have ambitious plans for the business, and it is fantastic that Paddy will be supporting us to adjust our strategies as we aim to meet evolving customer, market and competitor challenges. Leading the sales and marketing team, Paddy’s experience and talent will be invaluable as we look to expand and strengthen our product development and offerings across the UK, Ireland and further afield.”
Commenting on his new role Murney said, “Mulrines is a long-established family business with a brilliant team of over 220 people. Bringing my extensive experience to the company, I am looking forward to working with the sales and marketing team to elevate the success of Mulrines and drive its future growth together. Embarking on this new role will allow me to identify new commercial opportunities for the business and build the brand as we seek to expand further in the retail, wholesale and food service sectors.”
Lennart Zipfel, CFO,
FREENOW
Lennart Zipfel has been appointed as the new CFO of FREENOW, succeeding Johannes Prantl who leaves the company to retire.
Lennart Zipfel has over 11 years of extensive experience in financial and strategic consulting, business plan evaluation, and management of global projects. He has been with FREENOW for over 6 years, taking management positions in various areas, such as Commercial Finance, Corporate Development and Country Operations, leading corporate finance related processes across these verticals. Over the last 2 years he was holding a position as a Vice President of the Finance department at FREENOW. Lennart Zipfel was chosen as a CFO after a thorough selection process by FREENOW’s Supervisory Board.
Before joining FREENOW, Zipfel worked at EY for five years, focusing on management consulting. He has a Master’s Degree in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Hamburg, Germany.
Newly appointed CFO of FREENOW Lennart Zipfel said: “FREENOW has established a strong presence in the European taxi market by offering users a reliable platform for accessing various multi-mobility services. I am grateful for the opportunity to have witnessed and been part of decision-making, contributing to its progress and financial development.
“As CFO of FREENOW, my focus will be to ensure the stability and sustainable growth in a compliant manner, driven by our core taxi services. By reaching break-even last year, we have set a strong foundation for achieving our future business goals.”
Thomas Zimmermann, CEO of FREENOW said: “We are continuing to sharpen our focus and commitment to the taxi sector. I’m proud of our achievements in 2024 and the strategic shift that contributed to reaching break-even and financial stability of FREENOW. At the moment, we are best positioned to bring more innovation to the taxi industry and deliver exceptional user experience for our passengers and drivers.
“We are incredibly grateful for Johannes Prantl’s dedicated leadership as a CFO and significant contributions to our success over the years. We wish him all the best in the next chapter of his life. I’m delighted to welcome Lennart Zipfel as FREENOW CFO, as he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. His deep understanding of our business and fresh perspectives are invaluable for our continuous growth and success. I’m personally looking forward to collaborating with Lennart to drive FREENOW’s continued success.”
Peter Curry and David Hayes, Sales Director and Regional Sales Manager,
N.A.A. Limited
N.A.A. Limited (‘N.A.A.’), one of Ireland’s leading suppliers to the kitchen, furniture and adhesive industries, has announced two senior appointments to support its ongoing expansion of sales and service capabilities. Both appointments are from within the existing team, with Peter Curry taking over as Sales Director of N.A.A.’s adhesives division and David Hayes promoted to Regional Sales Manager.
He has overseen a smooth transition for Stephen Miller Packaging’s former client base, while bolstering growth and innovation in N.A.A.’s growing adhesives division, where the Dublin-based company is now the exclusive distributor of H.B. Fuller and Beardow Adams adhesives in Ireland.
Commenting on the appointment of Peter Curry as Sales Director, Luke Hickey, Managing Director of N.A.A., said: “Peter’s promotion to Sales Director reflects his exceptional contributions to our adhesives division. His deep knowledge of the industry, combined with his ability to build strong relationships with clients, has been key to our continued growth and success in 2024.
“The strategic acquisition of Stephen Miller Packaging transformed our adhesives offering and, with the benefit of Peter’s expertise and leadership, I am confident we will continue to deliver world-class solutions to our customers.”
An expert in solutions from suppliers such as Hettich, a leading name in kitchen and furniture products, David’s technical expertise and experience have strengthened N.A.A.’s partnerships and delivered positive results for customers. N.A.A. Managing Director Luke Hickey says his appointment as Regional Sales Manager is a testament to his own hard work and to N.A.A.’s values of loyalty, growth and talent development.
“David Hayes is the embodiment of what N.A.A. stands for as a family business with over 100 years of history and a company that has always prioritised excellence, innovation and investing in our people,” said N.A.A.’s Luke Hickey.
“David’s steady progression and unwavering commitment made him a natural choice for a leadership role,” Mr Hickey said. “His deep expertise in our product range adds immense value to N.A.A. and to our clients, and I am confident he will continue to inspire our team and drive success in his new role as Regional Sales Manager.
“The promotions of Peter and David will further drive N.A.A.’s growth as Ireland’s leading distributor of adhesives, hardware, finishing and appliance solutions.” added N.A.A. Managing Director Luke Hickey.