Here is a selection of people starting new roles with Starcom, FBD, Ifac, Data Edge, Travel Counsellors Ireland and eir.
Aisling O’Sullivan has been appointed as deputy managing director with media agency Starcom, part of Core. Aisling brings significant expertise in digital media strategy and strong leadership to the role. She has been with Starcom since 2016, playing a key role in driving the success of major accounts and leading internal initiatives to boost the agency’s efficiency and culture. With over 14 years of experience in the media and marketing world, she’s worked at top agencies in both London and Australia before joining Starcom in Ireland. “I’m thrilled to step into this position during such an exciting time of growth for Starcom,” said Aisling.
Jim Bergin has been appointed as a non-executive director of insurance group FBD Holdings. He has also been appointed to the board of FBD Insurance. In May 2025, he will take over as chair of FBD. Liam Herlihy, after nine years on the board, will retire as director and chair at FBD’s AGM next May. As the former CEO and director of Tirlán Co-Op, Mr Bergin spent many years in senior roles with Glanbia plc. He has chaired the Irish Dairy Industry Association and is currently chair of the Teagasc ‘Better Farming for Water’ committee. He is also on the boards of Enable Ireland and SETU.
Niamh Murphy has been appointed as a partner with Ifac, specialist farming, food and agribusiness specialist professional services firm. Niamh will be based in Cork, and will work with Stuart Crowley, partner at ifac’s office in Mallow. Niamh, a native of Cork, joined ifac Mallow in 2014 and has since gained ten years of experience and completed her CPA qualification before her recent appointment as partner. As well as contributing to the ongoing growth and development of the firm, Niamh will work closely with her colleagues to ensure ifac clients receive an excellent local service supported by ifac’s expert tax and advisory teams.
Himanshu Patel has been appointed as chief technology officer with Data Edge, the network optimisation specialist and application performance management company. He will lead the company’s technology strategy and ensuring a smooth delivery of its services to customers. He joined Data Edge in 2019 and has progressed through the company, moving to pre-sales engineer and then sales engineer for nearly four years until his promotion. He previously held roles at Accenture and International Travel Network. He holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Riga Technical University, Latvia, as well as a degree in Computer Science & Engineering from Gujarat Technological University, India.
Ciara MacConnell has been appointed as corporate travel manager with Travel Counsellors Ireland, specialists in corporate and leisure travel. Ciara will oversee the delivery of solutions for corporate business travel, supporting and advancing the work of the 85 travel counsellors in Ireland. Ciara brings over 25 years of travel industry experience to the role. Having joined in 2007, Ciara has held key roles with the firm’s Irish branch — headquartered in Mahon, Cork — including operations and business development executive. The company achieved €10m in corporate travel sales over the past year, up 22%, and representing nearly 20% of the company’s total €52m in Irish sales.
Miriam Hughes has been appointed as the new chair of telecoms provider eir, replacing David McRedmond who has stepped down after his three terms in the role. Miriam is a former CEO of DDFH&B, and has been on the board of eir since 2021. She brings 30+ years of experience in advertising and marketing. She is a former chair of Bus Eireann. She is a director of Pluto, and was on the IAPI board. She is a past president of the Marketing Institute of Ireland, the Association of Advertisers in Ireland and chair of Barnardo’s. She holds a BComm and an MBS in Marketing from UCDE.