Appointments

New and notable appointments in association with One4all Rewards: DLA Piper, Motion and more

By Olivia DeWan
16 July 2026
Pictured (L-R): Rita Yachoui, Clara Carroll, and Sinéad Reilly of DLA Piper Ireland.

The week sees new and notable appointments from DLA Piper Ireland, Motion, Very,ie, Circle K, EY Law Ireland, SolutionsHub, The Bar of Ireland and Vodafone. 

Various Appointments
DLA Piper Ireland

Operating in Dublin, DLA Piper Ireland is the Irish arm of DLA Piper, and one of the largest global business law firms in the world.

Rita Yachoui has joined DLA Piper as Head of Operations. Yachoui will lead the company’s business services functions, working closely with the firm’s leadership team to deliver strategic priorities that drive performance and sustainable growth.

Clara Carroll has been appointed Head of Marketing & Business Development, leading the firm’s marketing, communications and business development strategy across Ireland. Working alongside partners, the leadership team and colleagues across DLA Piper’s international network, she is responsible for strengthening the firm’s market profile, deepening client relationships and supporting cross-border growth initiatives.

As Head of Knowledge, Sinéad Reilly will lead DLA Piper Ireland’s knowledge function, working with lawyers across Ireland and the firm’s global network to enhance knowledge sharing, legal learning and the responsible use of legal technology.

Commenting on the appointments, David Carthy, Country Managing Partner for DLA Piper in Ireland, said, “As we continue to grow our business in Ireland, building a strong leadership team across our business services functions is just as important as investing in our legal practice. Rita, Clara and Sinéad each bring outstanding experience that will strengthen how we support our clients, our people and our continued growth. These appointments reflect our ambition to be the leading global law firm in Ireland, combining exceptional local talent with the strength of DLA Piper’s international platform.”

Ger Toher, Chief Executive Officer
Motion

Motion, one of Ireland’s leading automotive technology and media businesses, has announced the appointment of Ger Toher as Chief Executive Officer.

Today, Motion operates some of Ireland’s best-known automotive platforms, including Carzone, CarsIreland and Cartell, serving consumers, retailers, manufacturers and industry stakeholders through technology, marketplace and media solutions.

Since joining CarsIreland in 2011 as the first employee recruited by the company’s founders, Toher has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth, helping to build it into the leading automotive technology group it is today. CarsIreland is now part of MOTION.
“It is a privilege to take on the role of CEO at Motion and lead a business that has played such an important part in my professional journey,” Toher said. “Having joined as the company’s first employee in 2011, I have had the opportunity to work alongside an exceptional team and contribute to the growth of some of Ireland’s most recognised automotive brands.”
Toher has held a number of senior leadership roles within the business, playing a central role in its growth and evolution, playing large roles in the acquisitions and integration of Cartell in 2020 and Carzone in 2022.

Henry Dummer, Chief Executive Officer
Very.ie

Very.ie announced the appointment of Henry Dummer as its new Chief Executive Officer.
With more than two decades of experience across retail, telecommunications, financial services and consumer goods, Dummer will be responsible for leading the business’s growth strategy, enhancing the customer experience and driving continued innovation across the brand’s retail and financial services offerings.
“Henry is a proven commercial leader with an outstanding track record of delivering growth, building brands and leading customer-focused transformation,” Sam Wright, Chief Customer and Commercial Officer of The Very Group, said. “His extensive experience across some of Ireland’s leading consumer businesses makes him exceptionally well placed to lead Very.ie. We are delighted to welcome him to the business and look forward to working with him as we continue to grow our presence in Ireland.”
Very.ie, formerly Littlewoods Ireland, is Ireland’s largest multi-category digital retailer and flexible payments provider. The business attracts an average of 22 million website visits annually and generates annual sales of more than €75 million.
“Very.ie is a business with a strong brand, loyal customers and a clear opportunity for growth,” Dummer said. “I am delighted to be joining the team at such an important time for the business. Together, we will continue to focus on delivering exceptional value, convenience and service for our customers, while building on the strong foundations already in place. I’m excited to work alongside colleagues across Ireland and The Very Group to drive the next phase of our growth journey.”

Paul Dixon, Managing Director of Irish Business
Circle K

Circle K Ireland, the country’s largest forecourt and convenience retailer, has announced the appointment of Paul Dixon as Managing Director, leading Circle K’s Irish business.

“As Ireland’s market-leading forecourt and convenience retailer, Circle K has continued to evolve its offer to meet the changing needs of our customers, from food, coffee and convenience to fuel, EV charging and alternative fuels,” Dixon said. “I look forward to building on that momentum, supporting the continued development of our people, working closely with our retail partners and continuing to deliver great experiences for customers across our retail and commercial businesses.”

With more than 20 years of retail and commercial leadership experience, Dixon will lead the business that employs more than 2,300 people and operates a network of over 420 locations across the island of Ireland.

“I am delighted to be taking on the leadership of Circle K Ireland and humbled to have the opportunity to lead a business and team that I know so well,” Dixon said. “Having worked across several areas of Circle K Ireland over the past nine years, I have seen first-hand the commitment of our people and retail partners to serving customers and communities across Ireland every day.

Cormac Gilroy, Banking and Finance practice
EY Law Ireland

Cormac Gilroy will lead EY Law Ireland’s newly established Banking and Finance practice. EY Law Ireland is a regulated, independent law firm and member of the Ernst & Young global legal network.

“I’m pleased to join EY Law Ireland at such an exciting time. EY’s combined legal, tax and advisory capabilities provide a compelling offering to clients, and I look forward to contributing to the growth of the Banking and Finance practice,” Gilroy said.

Gilroy takes responsibility for advising banks, alternative finance providers, corporate borrowers, investors, regulators and sponsors on a broad range of financing transactions.

Commenting on the appointment, Alan Murphy, Partner and Head of Law at EY Law Ireland, said, “We are delighted to welcome Cormac to EY Law Ireland. His experience and commercial insight will be invaluable as we establish and grow our Banking and Finance practice, and continue to support our clients on increasingly complex transactions.  The creation of the Banking and Finance practice reflects our commitment to investing in new service offerings, while strengthening our existing practice areas and ensuring we are where our clients need us, when they need us.”

David Lyons, Non-Executive Director
SolutionsHub

SolutionsHub, a leading provider of iGaming licensing and regulatory services, has appointed David Lyons as a Non-Executive Director. He will support the development of its Irish business as the country’s gambling regulatory framework enters a new phase.

Lyons brings three decades of experience across online gaming, financial services and corporate governance to the consultancy at a time when operators, suppliers and investors are preparing for regulatory change in Ireland following the introduction of the Gambling Regulation Act.

“David has worked at senior levels inside gaming businesses for many years and understands the practical challenges operators face,” Lee Hills, CEO of SolutionsHub, said. “He’s seen the industry from different angles, from player engagement and operations through to governance and board-level responsibilities. That experience will be valuable as we continue to grow our Irish portfolio.”

Lyons has held senior leadership positions across several major gaming businesses during a career spanning Ireland, Malta, the Isle of Man and Australia.

“I’ve spent a lot of my career working inside businesses that have had to balance commercial priorities with regulatory obligations,” Lyons said. “Ireland is moving into a period where businesses will need to get governance, licensing and operational readiness right from the start. SolutionsHub has built a strong reputation for helping businesses approach licensing, governance and compliance in a practical way. That focus on real-world outcomes was a big part of what attracted me to the role.”

Séamus Clarke SC, Chair of the Council
The Bar of Ireland

Séamus Clarke, Senior Council (SC), has been elected as the forthcoming Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland.

Clarke SC practises in public law, including criminal, constitutional and administrative law, as well as employment law. He has held a number of senior leadership positions within The Bar of Ireland, including Vice-Chair and Treasurer of the Council, and is an arbitrator and mediator and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb).

Commenting on his election, Séamus Clarke SC said, “It is a great honour to be elected as Chair of the Council of The Bar of Ireland. The representative body plays a vital role in promoting and advocating for the rule of law, the protection of constitutional and human rights and access to justice for all.”

One of his key priorities as Chair will be to continue the Council’s engagement with Government and policymakers on the future sustainability of criminal legal aid and the reform of the civil legal aid system.

“As the profession navigates significant technological, economic and societal change, it is important that we embrace innovation and modernisation while remaining firmly committed to our core values of independence, integrity, excellence and service that underpin the administration of justice,” Clarke SC said.

Owen Pendlebury, Head of Cyber Security
Vodafone 

Owen Pendlebury joins Vodafone, the longest-established telecommunications company in Ireland, as Head of Cyber Security, leading the bank’s cyber defence and resilience programme.

Pendlebury will guide Vodafone Ireland’s cyber security function, overseeing strategy, governance and risk management, while enhancing the resilience of Vodafone’s cyber defence capabilities to protect the business and customers in an increasingly complex threat landscape.

“Cyber security is a critical priority for Vodafone and our customers, and Owen’s appointment reinforces our investment in maintaining the highest standards of security, resilience and trust,” Sabrina Casalta, CEO of Vodafone Ireland, said, “His extensive experience leading cyber resilience programmes and protecting critical infrastructure will be invaluable as we continue to stay ahead of emerging cyber threats and support our customers in an increasingly digital world.”
As Head of Cyber Security, Owen will also drive collaboration across Vodafone’s European cyber security community, bringing global expertise, insight and intelligence to support customers and strengthen cyber resilience in Ireland.
“Cyber resilience is no longer just a technology issue; it is a business priority,” Pendlebury said. “The pace of digital transformation is creating new opportunities, but also new security challenges for consumers and businesses of all sizes. Vodafone is uniquely positioned to combine the scale and expertise of a global cyber security organisation with deep local knowledge, and I look forward to helping customers build the resilience and confidence they need to thrive in a digital world.”

Business & Finance, Appointments

In association with

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