By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Donal Óg McCarthy, Cybersecurity Lead, Accenture Ireland.
This week sees new and notable appointments at Accenture, NTR, Vault365, The Mercy Foundation, Drivalia, Simmons & Simmons, CIÉ, Greengate Biogas, and Aviva.
By Héloïse Chaudot
Donal Óg McCarthy, Cybersecurity Lead
Accenture Ireland
Earlier this week, Accenture Ireland announced the appointment of Donal Óg McCarthy as Cybersecurity Lead.
With over 25 years of experience in technology and engineering, McCarthy has built and led business-critical enterprise programmes around the world across public services, healthcare, insurance, and telecommunications.
Formerly Accenture’s EMEA Cloud & Application Security Lead, McCarthy now steps into his new role, where he’ll oversee cybersecurity at a local level. Part of his position will be helping organisations strengthen their internal resilience, allowing them to focus more fully on innovation and growth.
Commenting on his appointment, Donal Óg McCarthy said, “Cybersecurity is no longer just a defensive measure; it is a foundation for innovation. As threats evolve, our mission is to help organisations stay secure while embracing transformation. I am excited to lead Accenture’s cybersecurity practice in Ireland and work with clients to build resilience that enables growth and confidence in a digital-first world.”
Managing Director, Hilary O’Meara, reflected on the appointment, “I’m delighted to have Donal Óg lead our dedicated cybersecurity practice. His extensive expertise and strong leadership will help our clients to stay ahead of sophisticated and emerging cyber threats.”
Stephen Campion, CFO
NTR
Stephen Campion has been appointed as NTR’s new CFO. Campion joined the company in 2023 as Head of Finance. In his new role, he will oversee financial and risk management across NTR-managed pan-European funds and their underlying investments, with responsibilities including capital management, investment valuation, financial structuring, and portfolio performance and reporting.
Campion brings over 20 years of experience, mainly in the renewable energy and real estate sectors. Before joining NTR, Campion served as Chief Commercial Officer at Simply Blue Group. In that role, he played a key part in forming offshore wind partnerships. He also directed sustainable fuel investments. Earlier in his career, he was Head of Finance at Kennedy Wilson Europe. There, he developed and scaled the European finance team. This work underpinned the fast expansion of a multibillion-euro investment platform.
Commenting on the appointment, Rosheen McGuckian, CEO of NTR, said, “Since joining NTR, Stephen has played a pivotal role working with the wider team to deliver sustainable returns to investors and power the clean energy transition across Europe. In taking on this senior leadership role, Stephen will apply his extensive experience and capabilities in financial management of high-performing investments, together with his commitment and passion for sustainable infrastructure.”
Fergal Hennigan, Director of Business Development
Vault365
Vault365 has announced the appointment of Fergal Hennigan as its new Director of Business Development.
Hennigan joins Vault365 with over 20 years of experience in technology and business development.
He will partner with public and private sector organisations to design customised backup and disaster recovery solutions. He will focus on robust protection and advise on evolving data sovereignty rules and cybersecurity regulations, including NIS2 and DORA.
Before joining Vault365, Hennigan held senior territory manager roles at ExaGrid and Veeam Software. In these roles, he gained extensive experience across the UK and Irish markets and collaborated closely with resellers. Earlier in his career, he was a Business Development Manager at leading technology companies such as MJ Flood Technology, Damovo, and CA Technologies.
Dr Jennifer Hayes, Consulting Clinical Psychologist
The Mercy Foundation
The Mercy Foundation has announced the appointment of Dr Jennifer Hayes as Consulting Clinical Psychologist in the Foundation’s Cancer Care Centre in Cork City.
In her new position, Dr Hayes will oversee the growth and delivery of the psycho-oncology service. She will provide support to patients undergoing cancer treatment and their families, helping them navigate the considerable psychological challenges associated with a cancer diagnosis.
Dr Hayes is qualified as both a Clinical Psychologist and a Counselling Psychologist, with a degree in Psychology from the University of Exeter, a Master’s in Counselling Psychology from UCC, and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from UCD. With more than 23 years of direct clinical experience, she has managed, developed, and delivered HSE Psychology services at the highest levels.
Speaking on her appointment, Dr Hayes said, “Cancer does not discriminate, with one in two of us being directly impacted over the course of our lives. It is an honour to take up this position and to have this opportunity to strengthen psychological support within cancer care, ensuring people have access to timely, skilled, and compassionate psychological help at some of the most challenging moments in their lives.”
Olivier Mantoulan, Managing Director
Drivalia
Drivalia has announced the appointment of Olivier Mantoulan as its new Managing Director of Drivalia Lease Ireland.
Drivalia is a rental and mobility company, part of the Crédit Agricole Auto Bank Group.
Mantoulan has over 20 years of senior leadership experience in the European insurance and mobility sectors. Before joining Drivalia, he was CEO of Greenval Insurance DAC and Insurance Director at Arval Group (BNP Paribas). In these roles, he contributed to expanding Greenval into a pan-European insurer across 20 countries. A qualified actuary, he has expertise in strategy, governance, and financial oversight. His focus areas include business transformation, driver safety, and developments in electrification and connected vehicles.
Commenting on his appointment, Matoulan said, “I’m truly honoured to begin this new chapter as Managing Director of Drivalia Ireland. Leading this company represents an exciting opportunity to shape the future of mobility through innovation, integrity, and a deep commitment to our customers.”
Louise Dobbyn, Partner
Simmons & Simmons
Simmons & Simmons has strengthened its regulatory capabilities in Ireland and across Europe with the appointment of Louise Dobbyn, joining from Matheson. Recognised as a leading adviser in the Irish market, she brings extensive expertise in Irish and EU financial services regulation.
Dobbyn has advised a wide range of international financial institutions. These include banks, investment firms, fund service providers, fintech companies, and crypto firms. Her experience covers the full spectrum of advisory and transactional regulatory work. This includes strategic planning, authorisations, regulatory change projects, M&A, and ongoing compliance support.
Her addition will strengthen Simmons & Simmons’ service to clients in the Financial Institutions sector and in Asset Management & Investment Funds. It also positions the firm to meet increasing demand for complex, cross-border regulatory guidance. This reflects the firm’s ongoing commitment to expanding its regulatory offering in Ireland and across Europe.
Reflecting on her appointment, Louise Dobbyn said, “I’m very pleased to join Simmons & Simmons at a time of continued growth for its formidable regulatory practice, both in Ireland and internationally. I look forward to working with Derek Lawlor and the team in Ireland, as well as our many colleagues across the firm’s impressive cross-border regulatory network to support clients on major domestic and international mandates.”
Stephen Kent, Chief Executive Officer
CIÉ Group
CIÉ Group has announced the appointment of its new CEO, Stephen Kent. Effective from 5 January, Kent will assume the role for a seven-year term, succeeding Lorcan O’Connor.
Kent began his career in the private sector with Waterford Crystal and C&C Group before joining Bus Éireann as Chief Commercial Officer in 2013. He served as CEO from 2018 to 2025, overseeing organisational transformation, passenger growth, and service expansion.
He worked with the National Transport Authority and the Department of Transport. Together, they managed the introduction of Ireland’s first fully electric regional city bus network. This was part of Bus Éireann’s broader rollout of electric buses. He also worked with the Department of Education to support growth in the School Transport Scheme.
Reflecting on his appointment, Stephen Kent said, “I am delighted to join and lead CIÉ at such an exciting period of growth for public transport in Ireland. Further enhancing the integration and delivery of services through collaboration will be critical as demand for sustainable mobility increases.
The new CIÉ Strategic Plan will be very citizen-focused, and we will progress positive initiatives on climate action and sustainability, property asset development, and shared service synergies, ensuring we generate the necessary financial resilience to accelerate investment and innovation to help grow public transport across the country.”
Charles Kane, Chief Executive Officer
Greengate Biogas
Charles Kane has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Greengate Biogas, effective 1 December, where he will oversee the company’s biomethane development projects across Ireland.
Kane joins Greengate Biogas from Ixora Energy Ltd./Engie in the UK, where he served as Sustainability Director. In that role, he oversaw the development of 11 anaerobic digestion (AD) and biomethane facilities. He managed approximately £90 million in capital investment. His responsibilities included regulatory compliance and ISCC certification. He also led the sustainability strategy, feedstock and digestate management, and energy offtake arrangements. Additionally, he drove initiatives in CO2 capture, gas blending, and process optimisation.
Over more than ten years in the sector, Kane has accumulated experience managing large-scale AD and biomethane projects from conception through development, operation, and exit. He has also led complex portfolios, handled funder relationships, and implemented industry-leading standards in project delivery.
Kane reflected on his appointment and said, “I am delighted to join Greengate Biogas at a critical stage for the company and for Ireland’s energy transition. Biomethane has a clear role to play in decarbonising Ireland’s gas network while supporting farmers and rural communities. I look forward to working with the team and our partners to deliver ‘best in class’ projects that create long-term value and real climate impact.”
Sharon Slack, John Bissett, Head of Trading, Commercial Lines, and Board
Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC
Aviva has announced the appointment of Sharon Slack and John Bissett as Head of Trading, Commercial Lines and Board, respectively.
Slack was appointed as Head of Trading, Commercial Lines at Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC. She joined Aviva in 2022 as SME, Etrade & Schemes Manager, where her collaborative approach and focus on broker service played a key role in profitable business growth. In her new position, Sharon will oversee the Commercial Lines Trading function, covering all areas except Speciality and Financial Lines.
Sharon brings over 20 years of experience in the general insurance sector, having held senior roles at Integrity Underwriting and Contessa Ltd. She holds a BA (Hons) in Economics from Queen’s University Belfast and is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute (FCII), recognised for her expertise and leadership in commercial insurance.
Bissett has joined the Board of Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC, bringing extensive experience in governance and broker representation.
He is a veteran of the Irish insurance industry, with senior roles at Coyle Hamilton, Willis, and Glennons. John has also served on the boards of Coyle Hamilton, Brokers Ireland, Glennon Insurance Group, and Arachas Corporate Brokers Limited. He is recognised for managing large broker businesses and working with many of Ireland’s biggest companies.
John combines a deep understanding of risk management, insurance risk, and regulatory compliance with a strategic perspective. He holds professional qualifications from the Chartered Insurance Institute and is a member of both The Institute of Directors and the Insurance Institute of Ireland, reflecting his commitment to governance and professional standards.
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Business & Finance, Appointments
Business & Finance, Appointments
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