Here is a selection of people starting new roles with Go-Ahead Ireland, MyMortgages.ie, Bord Bia, Crowe, University of Limerick and Conrad Dublin.
Dervla McKay has been appointed as managing director of the Go-Ahead Group’s bus company in Dublin, which operates services in and around the Greater Dublin Area. A Donegal native, she joins Go-Ahead Ireland from her previous role as managing director of Aircoach and brings extensive experience in bus and coach operation across Ireland and England. She has replaced Andrew Edwards, who has moved to Go-Ahead London to become operations director after three years in Ireland. With depot locations in Ballymount and Naas, Go-Ahead Ireland’s fleet of 225 buses operates on 33 routes and employs 760 people. It serves 14 million passengers per year.
Ryan Flanagan has been appointed as senior mortgage advisor at MyMortgages.ie, mortgage brokers in Cork and Dublin, advising clients on mortgage options, and guiding them through applications. Ryan joined the company in 2021. Prior to this, he was a food and beverage manager with JD Hotel Group for four years. He holds a BA in Economics and is a qualified financial advisor (QFA). He also holds a Green Belt in QQI Lean Six Sigma. “Having worked with Ryan for some time now, I can say that his dedication and expertise make him an ideal fit for this role,” said Joey Sheahan, head of credit at MyMortgages.ie.
Lisa Phelan has been appointed as manager of South East Asia with Bord Bia. Based in Singapore, she will lead global business initiatives in the priority markets of South East Asia and Oceania. Her predecessor, Ciarán Gallagher, has been promoted to regional manager for Asia, Africa, Middle East with Bord Bia, based in Dublin. Lisa has worked for Kerry Group for several years, notably as strategic planning and commercial excellence lead for South Asia Pacific, based in Singapore. From Dublin, she holds an MSc in International Business from UCD Smurfit. Last year, Irish food and drink exports to South East Asia rose by 25% from €315m to €394m.
Weldon Mather has been appointed as director of hotel, tourism and leisure (HTL) with accountancy and business advisory practice Crowe. A chartered surveyor (MRICS, MSCSI), a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, and a certified hotel asset manager (Cornell), he joins Crowe from Fáilte Ireland, where he was head of accommodation development; he was responsible for Fáilte Ireland’s accommodation development, capacity growth and national quality and standards. An experienced hotel asset manager, Weldon brings more than 30 years of HTL experience, advising on projects and asset management assignments; he has played a crucial role in the development of the Irish HTL sector.
Professor Brigid Laffan has been appointed as chancellor and chair of University of Limerick’s governing authority. A distinguished academic and political scientist, she takes over from Mary Harney (2018-23). Prof Laffan is an expert on European integration, and how EU strategy affects Ireland’s foreign policy. A graduate of UL, she was Emeritus Professor of the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute, Florence, and Emeritus Professor of UCD. In 2022, UL awarded her an honorary Doctor of Letters. She has published ten books and countless journal articles. She was awarded the Ordre national du Mérite, conferred by the President of France.
Fiona Kinch has been appointed as director of finance with the 5-star hotel Conrad Dublin, bringing experience in event management and finance. She worked with Doubletree and The Merrion Hotel as an income auditor and assistant financial controller, before progressing to financial controller roles with Clayton Leapordstown and Inua. She was previously a delegate services manager with Conference Partners. She holds an advanced diploma in Accounting and Business. Born in Colombia and having grown up in Belfast, Fiona has spent extensive time travelling and living across Europe, South America and Asia. She has a passion for events and cultural experiences as well as financial services.
