Here is a selection of people starting new roles with Teagasc, Argo Development Studio, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Dillon Eustace, JF Walsh Roscrea and YMCA Dublin.
Dr Karl Richards has been appointed as head of the Teagasc Climate Centre, having been its acting head since 2022. He joined Teagasc in 2002 as a biogeochemistry research officer, at Johnstown Castle; he became principal research officer and led nitrogen cycling research. In 2012, he became head of Teagasc Environment, Soils and Land-use Research Department. He led development of the National Agricultural Sustainability Research and Innovation Centre (NASRIC), and helped found the National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory (NASCO) and the National Soil Greenhouse Gas testing facility. He holds a PhD in Environmental Geology, a degree in Natural Sciences and a diploma in Statistics, all from TCD.
Anna Kovalenko has been appointed as finance manager with architectural practice Argo Development Studio, with offices in New York, Dublin and the Caribbean, and over $1bn in projects currently on site. She brings huge auditing experience, including six years with PwC. Reporting to Argo founder David Campion, Anna will lead financial reporting for the group, implementation and management of a new ERP system, development of accounting policies and procedures, financial projections and budget management. She holds a Masters in Mathematics from Kazan State University working on one of the biggest audits in Europe at that time, it was there that she developed her auditing and management skills.
Brian McHugh has been appointed as chair of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. He has been serving as a member of the CCPC since 2017, and has over 20 years’ all-island experience in the public sector. As a member of CCPC, he has led key projects including implementation of the new competition powers; the 2022 merger prohibition of Uniphar/NaviCorp; the private motor insurance and ticketing competition investigations; and the publication of research into social media influencers. He spent 15 years in Northern Ireland’s Utility Regulator, the body for regulating gas, electricity and water utilities and protecting the interests of consumers Northern Ireland.
Etain de Valera has been appointed as head of the asset management and investment funds practice with law firm Dillon Eustace. Etain takes over from Donnacha O’Connor, who continues as managing partner and as a senior partner in asset management. Etain joined the firm in 2001 and became a partner in 2006. She is an expert in investment funds, advising some of the world’s leading asset management firms on their activities in Ireland. Etain advises clients on alternative investment funds including hedge funds, fund of funds, private credit, private debt, private equity funds and property funds. She previously held roles with Goldman Sachs and A&L Goodbody.
Dale Moroney has been appointed as sales and account manager with JF Walsh Roscrea, part of Irish sustainable packaging investment firm Packaging Holdings Group. Based at the group’s paper bag manufacturing company in Roscrea, Co Tipperary, Dale brings more than ten years’ experience in the printing industry, notably with AB Group Packaging and Newspread, a subsidiary of Mediahuis Ireland, publishers of The Irish Independent. In his new role, Dale will be responsible for building strong relationships with customers in the Ireland and UK markets, fuelling growth as well as identifying opportunities for up-selling the products from the ten companies in the Packaging Holdings Group.
Leanne Young has been appointed as head of youth and community with YMCA Dublin, the youth-focused charity. Leanne brings 15 years of experience in community training and education, 10 of which as a programme manager. She will support YMCA Dublin’s strategy and YMCA’s global Vision 2030. She has previously worked with Liberties Training Centre, and held roles in Dublin Southeast CTC, iScoil, South Dublin Voluntary Groups and St John Bosco Youth Centre. She holds a diploma in Learning & Development from NCI, a diploma in Personal, Business & Executive Coaching from Coach Institute of Ireland, and a postgrad cert in Education from University of Bristol.
