By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Michelle Leahy, Head of Insurance Operations, Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland.
This week sees new and notable appointments at Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland, Damovo, HLB Ireland, EDC, HOMS Assist, and William Fry LLP.
By Héloïse Chaudot
Michelle Leahy & Aisling Kennedy, Head of Insurance Operations & Board
Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland
Michelle Leahy has been appointed as Head of Insurance Operations, a newly created role.
In her new role, she will be responsible for Group Protection, Underwriting, Income Protection and Life Claims, playing a key leadership role in shaping Aviva’s life insurance operations and claims strategy.
Previously, Leahy held several senior executive roles at Utmost Worldwide and Utmost Pan Europe (formerly Generali Pan Europe), where she led corporate solutions, pricing, and employee benefits functions. She brings 25 years of experience in leading pricing, underwriting and strategic insurance functions across Ireland and Europe.
Commenting on the appointment, Barry Cudmore, CEO of Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland, said, “Michelle’s appointment reflects our continued investment in insurance and claims capabilities. Her depth of experience across group protection, underwriting and international insurance solutions will be instrumental as we continue to enhance outcomes for our customers and brokers.”
Additionally, the company has appointed Aisling Kennedy to its Board. Kennedy brings a wealth of experience in life and non-life insurance, reinsurance, pensions advisory and administration, professional regulation and the not-for-profit sector.
She currently serves as Chair of MABS Support, IAASA (the Irish Auditing & Accounting Supervisory Authority) and ECCU Assurance, the life insurance company owned by the Irish League of Credit Unions. Her other non-executive board appointments include Everest Insurance (Ireland) DAC, Everest Managing Agency Ltd, State Street Fund Services (Ireland) Ltd and XPS Group, a FTSE 200 pensions consulting and administration business.
Speaking about the appointment, Helen Nolan, Chair of the Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland Board, commented, “We are delighted to welcome Aisling to the board of Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland. Her deep actuarial, regulatory and financial services expertise will be of great benefit to the board.”
Gerry Ryan, Head of Sales
Damovo
Gerry Ryan has been appointed as Head of Sales for Ireland and the UK at Damovo. The company specialises in international ICT and is a provider of communications solutions.
Ryan brings over 20 years of experience in senior commercial leadership roles in telecoms and technology. His previous roles include positions at Vodafone Ireland, Meteor Mobile Communications, and Digicel Group. Most recently, he has served as Head of Sales at Uniquely.
Commenting on his appointment, he said, “What attracted me to Damovo was the scale of its ambition. The growth plans are compelling, and the opportunities in the market are significant. With the pace of technological change accelerating, customers need a partner who can help them focus on their core business while navigating an increasingly complex landscape. Damovo is that bridge between people and technology.”
Jack Sheehan, Partner
HLB Ireland
Jack Sheehan has been appointed as a Partner at HLB Ireland, in its Audit & Assurance practice. Sheehan joined the firm in 2024. Initially an Audit Director, he then moved roles to be Technology Sector Lead in early 2025, where he played a key role in strengthening the company’s focus on this area.
A Chartered Accountant, he works with owner-managed businesses, domestic companies, and multinationals, with a particular focus on technology and scaling businesses.
Commenting on his appointment, he said, “I am delighted to be appointed Partner at HLB Ireland. I’ve had the opportunity to work with a strong team and a diverse client base since joining, and I look forward to continuing to support our clients and contribute to the firm’s growth, and indeed taking a hands-on relationship-led approach to all engagements.”
Michelle Kelly, Associate Director
EDC
Engineering Design Consultants (EDC) has appointed the appointment of Michelle Kelly as its Associate Director in its Dublin office. In her new role, Kelly will be responsible for supporting the strategic development of EDC’s Dublin operations. This will contribute to the company’s wider ambitions across Ireland and the UK.
Commenting on her appointment, she said, “I’ve been fortunate to work alongside a supportive and talented team, and I truly appreciate the trust that’s been placed in me.
“What I have experienced here is a company that means what it says about developing its people. This promotion is the most direct evidence of that I could have asked for. I am looking forward to taking on more responsibility, supporting the team around me, and playing my part in what EDC is building.”
Various appointments
HOMS Assist
Pictured (L-R): Sean Fitzgerald, ClaireTuohy, Robert Burke, Partners, pictured with newly appointed solicitors Sorcha Nagle and Isabel Shier, HOMS Assist.
HOMS Assist has expanded its Personal Injuries team with a number of key appointments across its workplace and road traffic divisions, strengthening its capacity to support clients amid continued demand for personal injury legal services. The expansion follows recent growth in the firm’s Probate team, and reflects HOMS Assist’s ongoing investment across its core practice areas.
Sorcha Nagle has been appointed as a personal injury solicitor specialising in workplace injuries. She holds a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) from NUI Galway and advises clients across a range of workplace injury claims. She is known for her clear, practical approach and ability to guide clients confidently through the legal process.
Aoife Murphy has also joined the team as a solicitor specialising in workplace injury claims. A graduate of NUI Galway, Aoife holds a BCL International degree and a Diploma in Legal Irish, reflecting her strong academic background and interest in the Irish legal tradition. Aoife has built a reputation for providing compassionate and effective representation to clients navigating the complexities of workplace injury cases.
Isabel Shier has been appointed as a solicitor specialising in road traffic and public liability claims. A first-class honours law graduate of the University of Limerick, she trained with HOMS Assist and the Law Society of Ireland. Her experience in defence litigation enables her to assess cases from multiple perspectives and provide clear, commercially focused advice.
Albina Jordy has joined the firm as a Legal Assistant. Originally from India, Albina qualified as a solicitor after completing her LL.B. (Hons.) and working as a Junior Legal Associate. After moving to Ireland, she completed an LL.M. at NUI Galway, deepening her understanding of Irish law. She now supports clients through the litigation process as part of the Limerick-based Plaintiff Litigation team.
Maria Elizalde has joined the Dublin office as a Legal Assistant, bringing international legal experience to the Plaintiff Department. Originally from Argentina, Maria began her legal career specialising in criminal law. She taught law at the university level and practised criminal law before transitioning to commercial law. Now Maria focuses on personal injury cases, helping clients who’ve been through difficult and often life-changing experiences.
Peter Morris has been appointed as Claims Coordinator, acting as the first point of contact for individuals considering bringing a claim. He is responsible for arranging initial consultations and maintaining consistent communication with clients in the early stages of their case, providing continuity and reassurance. With over 11 years’ experience in the claims and investigations industry, Peter brings a strong understanding of case progression and client care, supported by a broad academic background in both science and the humanities.
Commenting on the appointments to the Workplace Injuries team, Sean Fitzgerald, Partner at HOMS Assist, said, “Workplace injuries can be stressful and disruptive. Demand for specialist advice continues to grow, particularly in sectors such as construction, healthcare and manufacturing. These appointments strengthen our ability to deliver clear, practical legal support while maintaining the high level of personal service our clients expect.”
Commenting on the expansion of the Road Traffic team, Robert Bourke, Partner-in-charge at HOMS Assist, said, “Road traffic claims remain one of the most common areas of personal injury law. Expanding our team enables us to respond more efficiently to client needs while continuing to provide clear, results-focused advice.”
Various appointments
William Fry
Pictured (L-R): Gavin White (Partner – Corporate/M&A), Liam McCabe (Chairperson and Head of William Fry’s Projects and Construction & Engineering departments), Adele Hall (Partner – Litigation & Investigations), Stephen Keogh (Managing Partner of William Fry) and James Cotter (Partner – Corporate/M&A).
William Fry has announced a series of appointments of three new Partners.
Adele Hall has been promoted to Partner in the Firm’s Litigation & Investigations department. Adele advises Irish and international clients on complex commercial litigation, regulatory and investigative matters, contentious privacy and data protection issues, and defamation and reputation management. She regularly acts for clients on high-value and strategically significant disputes and complex regulatory processes. Adele has significant experience advising on sensitive investigations across regulatory and non-regulatory contexts. Adele is consistently recognised in the Legal 500 for her technical expertise, responsiveness and her thorough, client-focused approach.
Gavin White has been promoted to Partner in the Firm’s Corporate/M&A department. Gavin advises Irish and international clients on a broad range of corporate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, equity fundraisings, joint ventures and corporate reorganisations. He has extensive experience advising leading Irish and international businesses on complex and high-value transactions and providing general corporate advice across a range of sectors.
James Cotter has been promoted to Partner in the Firm’s Corporate/M&A department. James advises on complex domestic and cross-border corporate transactions, including public and private company M&A, corporate reorganisations and mobility transactions. He has built significant experience working with listed companies on a range of equity capital markets and other strategic transactions, as well as corporate governance advisory matters. James also advises the Firm’s multinational clients expanding into Ireland, whether by acquisition, investment or setting up operations in Ireland.
Commenting on the new appointments, Stephen Keogh, Managing Partner of William Fry, said, “I am delighted to announce these new appointments. Adele, Gavin and James are all trusted legal advisers whose expertise, commitment and client‑focused approach are highly valued by our clients and colleagues alike. Their promotions are a testament to their hard work, collegiality and dedication to client service. These appointments demonstrate the Firm’s unwavering commitment to developing and attracting the best legal and tax talent in the market.”
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Business & Finance, Appointments
Business & Finance, Appointments
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