Pictured (L-R): Stephen D’Ardis, Partner, and Keavy Ryan, Chairperson of ALG.
This week sees news and notable appointments at A&L Goodbody LLP, InsTech.ie, Chanelle Pharma, Arthur Cox LLP, Musgrave, Barden, Otonomee, and Knight Frank.
By Héloïse Chaudot
Stephen D’Ardis, Partner
A&L Goodbody LLP
Stephen D’Ardis has been appointed as a Partner in Insurance & Reinsurance at the law firm A&L Goodbody.
Bringing over 20 years of experience, D’Ardis has practised both in Ireland and internationally. Additionally, he has been a senior in-house counsel in a multinational insurance company.
Following the appointment, David Widger, Managing Partner at ALG, commented, “We have the largest, most experienced and longest established dedicated corporate insurance practice in Ireland. It works closely with other practices in corporate and financial services to advise both international and domestic insurance clients on all aspects of the industry. Stephen is a very welcome addition to this market-leading team.”
Dr Lollie Mancey, Head of Innovation
InsTech.ie
In her new role, she will focus on advancing InsTech.ie’s work at the intersection of technology, people, and organisational advancements, supporting both insurers and the wider insurtech ecosystem.
Commenting on her appointment, she said, “The insurance industry is entering a defining decade. The opportunity lies not just in adopting AI, but in rethinking how organisations learn, act, and evolve. I’m excited to join InsTech.ie at such a pivotal moment and contribute to building a more innovative and adaptive industry.”
Gary Leyden, CEO of InsTech.ie, added, “Lollie brings an exceptional combination of human insight and technological understanding. As the industry undergoes profound change, her expertise will be critical in helping organisations not just adopt new technologies, but build the cultures needed to innovate continuously.”
Michael Burke, CFO & Board
Chanelle Pharma
Burke will oversee all aspects of Chanelle Pharma’s financial strategy as CFO. He will support the company’s global expansion and investment in high-growth pharmaceutical categories.
Commenting on his appointment, he said, “The company has a rich heritage of Irish innovation and a formidable reputation on the global stage. I look forward to working with the leadership team and Exponent to build on this foundation and drive sustainable growth for our stakeholders.”
Angelo Gatto, CEO and Board Member at Chanelle Pharma, added, “Michael brings extensive experience, including high-growth turnarounds and successful transformations, which perfectly match Chanelle’s priorities today.”
Jennifer Ward, Chief Technology Officer
Arthur Cox LLP
Pictured (L-R): Jennifer Ward, CTO, and Geoff Moore, Managing Partner, Arthur Cox LLP.
The law firm Arthur Cox LLP has appointed Jennifer Ward as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). In her new role, she will oversee the firm’s technology, AI and innovation agenda, supporting the delivery of seamless, efficient, and future‑focused client services.
With a career spanning financial services and professional advisory, she has built a strong reputation in AI adoption, cybersecurity, and technology strategy.
She brings hands-on experience in regulatory change, operational resilience, and complex M&A integrations, having held senior roles at PTSB and PwC Ireland. She is an accomplished independent non-executive director and chair, with leadership credentials approved by the Central Bank of Ireland.
Following her appointment, she commented, “Emerging technologies and AI are reshaping how legal services are delivered. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues across the firm to integrate secure, responsible and high‑value technology solutions that enhance how we support our clients. Arthur Cox has a long-standing reputation for innovation, and I’m excited to build on that foundation, as we further enhance recent technology investments and key partnerships to expand the role of AI and technology-driven solutions to deliver exceptional client services.”
Patricia Blackshields, Chief Commercial Officer
Musgrave
She assumes executive leadership of Musgrave’s Commercial function, with oversight of supplier partnerships, cost management, customer initiatives, and the Group’s sustainability and food safety agendas. She also joins the Musgrave Executive Committee, contributing to long-term strategy and the organisation’s vision as a world-class food and beverage business.
With 28 years at Musgrave and prior experience at Ornua Foods UK, Blackshields has a deep grounding in commercial strategy and food operations. She holds a BSc in Food Business, an MBA in Retailing & Wholesaling, and a Diploma in Coaching. She has a proven record of enhancing supplier collaboration, cost competitiveness, and customer value across Musgrave’s channels.
Commenting on her appointment, she said, “I am proud to take on the role of Chief Commercial Officer at Musgrave. Our commercial function plays a critical role in ensuring we deliver the right products, value and innovation for our customers and retail partners. I look forward to continuing to strengthen our supplier relationships and working with colleagues across the business to support Musgrave’s long-term growth and ambition to be a world-class food and beverage business.”
Various appointments
Barden
Pictured (L-R): Brian O’Connor, new Partner of Accounting & Finance Recently Qualified Appointments (Leinster); Ed Heffernan, Managing Partner (Ireland); Cole Carroll, new Head of Organisation Development (Leinster); Sinead Donovan, Strategic Board Advisor (Ireland); Elaine Brady, Managing Partner (Leinster); Catherine Drysdale, new Partner of Projects, Transformation & Change (Ireland); Jonathan Olden, Managing Partner (Munster); and Ornaith Giblin, new Partner of Accounting & Finance Senior Qualified Appointments (Leinster).
Barden, the partner-led talent advisory, recruitment and executive search firm, has expanded its leadership team with four senior appointments, three of which are new partners. Ornaith Giblin and Catherine Drysdale, both Fellow Chartered Accountants, and Brian O’Connor, an Associate Chartered Accountant, join the partnership, bringing the total number of partners at Barden to 13. Additionally, Cole Carroll has been promoted to Head of Organisation Development.
Ornaith Giblin
Giblin joins the Barden partnership with over 20 years of senior finance experience, having trained with KPMG and held leadership roles at EY and Ardagh Group plc, including Finance Director of Ardagh’s Irish business. Since joining Barden in 2022, she has built a strong reputation for guiding finance professionals through career transitions and advising clients on their talent needs. She also serves as Deputy Treasurer of Chartered Accountants Ireland’s Leinster Society.
Brian O’Connor
O’Connor brings a blend of professional services and industry experience to his new role, having trained with Deloitte and gained international exposure in Australia. Since joining Barden in 2020, he has developed a reputation for insight-led talent advisory, supporting recently qualified accountants and building long-term, values-driven partnerships with clients.
Catherine Drysdale
Drysdale steps into her new role with over 20 years of experience delivering complex finance and transformation programmes, including ERP implementations, automation, and data analytics initiatives. A member of Chartered Accountants Ireland’s Technology Committee, she brings deep hands-on expertise in helping clients build and lead high-impact transformation and change teams.
Cole Carroll
Carroll takes on her new role with a strong background in organisational capability and senior talent acquisition, having advised clients on business-critical appointments across the Leinster region. An Executive MBA graduate of Trinity College Dublin, she will focus on Barden’s internal growth agenda while continuing to support clients through pivotal moments of organisational change.
Speaking on the appointments, Elaine Brady, Managing Partner of Barden Leinster, said, “These appointments reflect both the depth of leadership within Barden and the continued growth of our business. Ornaith, Brian and Catherine each bring exceptional experience, insight and values-led leadership to their respective practices, and we are delighted to see them become Partners. As we continue to evolve, Cole’s appointment further strengthens our focus on building a sustainable, future-ready organisation.”
Alan Gleeson, Chief Commercial Officer
Otonomee
He began his career at Barclays, working on strategic alliances during the early years of the dot-com boom, before going on to hold senior leadership positions at B2B SaaS companies including Palo Alto Software and Keelvar.
He later founded Work with Agility, a boutique consultancy through which he advised more than 50 venture capital-backed start-ups and scale-ups across Europe and the US on scaling strategy and market expansion. Having spent 18 months as part-time Chief Marketing Officer at Otonomee, Gleeson transitioned into the full-time CCO role, where he will lead the company’s next phase of international growth.
Commenting about the appointment, he said, “I am delighted to join Otonomee to lead their next stage of growth. They are one of Ireland’s fastest-growing companies, and with AI already transforming the sector, it is an exciting time to be joining. They have an impressive team, and I look forward to leading the commercial function.”
Various appointments
Knight Frank
Knight Frank Ireland has announced the appointment of Emmett Page as Director and Head of Valuation & Advisory Services, alongside the appointment of James Farrelly as Director, Professional Services, further strengthening its professional services capability.
Emmet Page
Page joins Knight Frank Ireland with over 25 years of experience in the Irish property sector, having built a strong reputation in the delivery of valuation and advisory services across a wide range of asset classes.
He moves from Colliers, where he held a board position and senior leadership role within its advisory and professional services division. There, he advised institutional and private clients on complex valuation mandates spanning offices, retail, logistics, development land, social housing, hotels and leisure, datacentres, PRS, healthcare and living sectors.
Commenting on his appointment, Emmett Page said, “I look forward to contributing to the strategic growth and development of all valuation and advisory service business lines and delivering high-quality outcomes for our clients.”
James Farrelly
Farrelly also joins Knight Frank Ireland from Colliers, where he held a Director role within the professional services team.
A Chartered Surveyor and dispute resolution expert, Farrelly brings extensive experience in commercial property valuation, advising both institutional and private clients across a broad range of sectors. He has particular expertise in specialist asset valuations, expert witness representation, landlord and tenant matters, Compulsory Purchase Orders, and Commercial Rates, further strengthening the depth of Knight Frank Ireland’s professional services offering.
Speaking on the appointment, James Meagher, Director, Knight Frank Ireland, commented, “Emmett’s depth of experience, leadership and strong reputation in the market, combined with James’s technical expertise and client-focused approach, will be invaluable as we continue to grow our valuation and advisory offering.”
In association with Celebrate your team with One4all Gift Cards. Through the BIK, businesses can reward their staff up to €1,500 each free of tax, USC or PRSI. Save up to €1,980.68 when you gift up to €1,500 per employee. Learn more at www.one4allrewards.ie. In association with Celebrate your team with One4all Gift Cards. Through the BIK, businesses can reward their staff up to €1,500 each free of tax, USC or PRSI. Save up to €1,980.68 when you gift up to €1,500 per employee. Learn more at www.one4allrewards.ie.
Business & Finance, Appointments
Business & Finance, Appointments
Read more appointments: