Here is a selection of people starting new roles with Ergo, SIamsa Tire, Forvis Mazars, Community Foundation Ireland, Mary Immaculate College and Azets Ireland.
Alistair Stoops has been appointed as data, analytics and AI lead with Ergo, a provider of IT solutions. Based in Ergo’s recently expanded Northern Ireland office, he will lead its data, analytics and AI practice, working with clients on their data and artificial intelligence. He brings nine years of experience in data and analytics. He has worked with Deloitte as a manager on the analytics and data solutions team, and with Kainos as the data and AI capability lead. He was a data scientist and fraud analyst with UCAS and Citibank. Alistair holds a BSC in Applied Mathematics and Physics from Queen’s University Belfast.
Angela Ryan Whyte has been appointed as CEO with Siamsa Tire, Ireland’s national folk theatre in Tralee, Co Kerry. Angela has been an actor, playwright, director, producer, and drama facilitator and has toured nationally and internationally. She co-founded the national playwriting festival, ‘Scripts’. She has worked with Jigsaw, the national centre for youth mental health; she has held key roles with Offaly’s county council arts office. She has advocated extensively for inclusive arts practices. Angela holds an MA in Drama and Theatre Studies as well as a BA in English, Sociology, and Politics, and a Higher Diploma in Education from NUI Galway.
Paul Rickard has been appointed as a director within the corporate finance department of Forvis Mazars, the international audit, tax, advisory and consulting firm. Paul brings over 12 years of experience in corporate finance with KPMG and corporate banking with AIB to his new role. His extensive background spans multiple sectors, including food, agriculture, beverages, healthcare, financial services, pharmaceuticals, telecoms, and transport. Paul has a diverse background and extensive mergers and acquisitions and debt advisory expertise. Paul holds a degree in Financial Services and a Masters in Finance from Trinity College Dublin. He is also a member of the Institute of Bankers.
Sally Gaynor has been appointed as chief financial officer with Community Foundation Ireland, the community-focused philanthropic hub. Her new role combines grant-making in support of the foundation’s mission ‘Equality For All In Thriving Communities’, exceeding €130m since 2000. She brings 18 years of experience in finance, in both professional services and in-house teams. Sally was most recently head of finance in Drivalia Lease Ireland. Prior to that, she was senior VP of client accounting in Maples Fiduciary Services. Sally holds an MSc in International Politics from TCD. She is a fellow chartered accountant (FCA), having trained in KPMG early in her career.
Professor Dermot Nestor has been appointed as president of Mary Immaculate College (MIC), a third-level college linked with UL. He succeeds Prof Eugene Wall, who is set to retire. Prof Nestor is currently Professor of Hebrew Bible at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) in Sydney. He joined ACU in 2011 from the School of Religions and Theology at Trinity College Dublin, where he completed his BA and his PhD on ancient Israelite identity. He was ACU’s National Head of School (Theology) and Executive Dean for the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy. He has published widely in ancient Israelite history and religion.
David Lucas has been appointed as head of corporate finance with professional services firm Azets Ireland, with plans to double the size of the division servicing entrepreneurial, owner-managed, and family-owned businesses across Ireland. He brings more than 20 years of finance experience with roles in banks and professional services firms, and over 12 years in corporate finance. He has a wealth of experience in dealmaking. He has advised clients ranging from global private equity houses and large corporates to privately owned businesses and management teams. Azets employs 260 people in Ireland and operates out of Dublin, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, and Waterford city.
