Pictured (from l-r): Kieran Burke, Chief Executive Officer, Brooks Group and James Higgins, Group CEO, Murdock Builders Merchants Group.
There were new and notable appointments this week at Brooks Group, Insight Private Clients, ONSIDE and Salmon Software.
Kieran Burke, Chief Executive Officer
Brooks Group
The Murdock Builders Merchants Group has announced the appointment of Kieran Burke as CEO of the Brooks Group. With full responsibility for the leadership of the Brooks business, Burke will play a key role in the next stage of developing the Brooks business following the acquisition of the Brooks Group by the Murdock Builders Merchants Group in August 2021.
Commenting on the appointment, Murdock Builders Merchants Group CEO, James Higgins said: “We are delighted that Kieran is taking up this position. Kieran’s incredibly strong knowledge and over 40 years of builders merchanting experience in Ireland, UK and Europe will be vital as we continue our ambitious plans to grow and develop the iconic Brooks business.”
Burke’s appointment will take effect on May 2nd, 2023.
As part of this change in leadership of the Brooks business, James Higgins added: “We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Eddie Kelly for his interim management of the Brooks business following its acquisition. Eddie will continue to work with our business in a non-executive role as Chairman of Brooks, primarily involved in identifying strategic opportunities for both the Brooks business and the wider Murdock Builders Merchants Group.”
Headquartered in Newry, Northern Ireland, the Murdock Builders Merchants Group was founded in 1982 by the Murdock family. As suppliers of building and related products to the construction sector, the Group has continued to grow through an organic and acquisitive strategy. The Group has a turnover in excess of €225m and is now the 2nd largest builders merchanting group on the island of Ireland. The Group operates from a combined 25 locations in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and includes the brands, Murdock Builders Merchants, Brooks Timber and Building Supplies and Kildare Building Supplies.
Brooks Group has been an institution in the Irish construction industry since its inception in the late 1700’s. It returned to Irish ownership in 2021 when it was purchased by Murdock Builders Merchants. Brooks Group employs 195 people across nine branches in Ireland.
Mary Murray, Billy O’Shea and Shaun O’Connor, Senior Consultants
Insight Private Clients
Pictured (from l-r): Norman Barry, Managing Director; Mary Murray, Senior Consultant; Shaun O’Connor, Senior Consultant, and Billy O’Shea, Senior Consultant.
Credit Michael O’Sullivan /OSM PHOTO
Insight Private Clients, the Cork-based financial planning firm has announced the expansion of their senior leadership team with the appointment of a number of key individuals. The appointments strengthen Insight Private Clients as the firm continues to address its client’s financial priorities. Joining Managing Director Norman Barry, and Senior Consultant Billy O’Shea, are Shaun O’Connor and Mary Murray, who will act as Senior Consultants at the firm.
Murray joins from Ulster Bank where she previously worked as Specialist Advice Manager for over a decade, providing retirement and personal financial advice to a broad client base. With over 20 years of industry experience, she has assisted individuals in planning their short and long-term financial goals. In her new role, she will be focusing on retirement planning by helping clients to navigate their financial futures by providing unbiased financial advice.
Bringing a wealth of experience to the team, O’Shea joined from Irish Life in 2019, where he worked as a Bancassurance Consultant with both AIB and EBS with key responsibilities for both personal & corporate clients.
O’Connor previously held the role of Head of Specialist Advice for Ulster Bank & Irish Life where he oversaw the Financial Planning Advisory Service which provided investment and retirement planning solutions to clients. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Shaun will be responsible for delivering expert knowledge and advice to
Speaking on the expansion of his senior leadership team Norman Barry, Managing Director said, “These appointments mark an exciting new phase for us here at Insight Private Clients as we continue to build on our offering for our new and existing clients. Our clients’ best interests are always our priority and Billy, Shaun and Mary have a proven track records of strategically assisting and advising individuals and companies to help them to achieve their financial goals.”
Aine Plunkett, Head of Advisory
ONSIDE
ONSIDE Advisory Team has announced the appointment of Áine Plunkett as Head of Advisory. Plunkett joins ONSIDE from SSE Airtricity where she was Head of Brand, Advertising and Sponsorship across Great Britain and Ireland.
She will be complemented on the advisory team by Senior Consultant, Ciara O’Grady, who joins ONSIDE from the Gleneagle Group where she was Director of Arts, Innovation and Corporate Services, giving ONSIDE a presence in Munster to complement its Head Office in Dublin and base in London.
John Trainor, Founder and CEO said: “From our Annual Industry Report, Quarterly Sponsorship Review and daily intelligence-gathering to bespoke studies for clients, we know that exceptional research is a key enabler of positive outcomes. Kim Kirwan is an outstanding leader of our growing intelligence team and has been promoted to Director of Intelligence and Insights in recognition of her contribution to date and the opportunities we see to provide further support to the industry.”
Michael Kearney, Chief Executive Officer
Salmon Software
Salmon Software, a treasury management software system provider, is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Kearney as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Kearney will take up the position at the end of March 2023 and will succeed John Byrne, the founder of Salmon Software. John Byrne will support him during an initial transition period and continue his long relationship with the company as a non-executive director with a significant minority shareholding.
A well-respected and experienced leader within the software sector, Kearney brings with him a wealth of expertise from more than 25 years leading national and global teams for companies including SAP, Oracle, SAS Institute and Dell. He joins Salmon Software from Munich Re Automation Solutions where he was Global VP Sales and Marketing responsible for managing the global sales and marketing team supplying SaaS FinTech applications. Kearney will work with Salmon Software’s experienced senior management team to support the company’s growth targets.
Speaking about his appointment as Salmon Software’s CEO, Kearney said, “I am very excited about joining such a talented and capable team. Salmon Software has successfully combined continuously enhanced, deep product functionality together with market leading levels of customer service and support. I believe the company has a bright and exciting future ahead as we continue to prioritise product innovation and the needs of existing and new customers.”
Salmon Software founder, John Byrne said, “The board of directors, supported by our colleagues from Melior Equity Partners, have worked diligently over the past number of months to recruit a professional of Michael’s exceptional calibre, experience and ambition. Michael’s appointment is fantastic news for the company and underlines Salmon Software’s commitment to continue delivering a world-class treasury management system to customers and an attractive environment within which our employees can grow and develop.”
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