Here is a selection of people starting new roles with Swappie, Ardanis, Circle K Ireland, Harris Group, Small Firms Association and Ravenport Resort.
Luísa Vasconcelos e Sousa has been appointed as country manager for Ireland with Swappie, Europe’s largest iPhone refurbisher. She will also continue as Swappie’s country manager in Portugal, a role she has held since 2021. Swappie is in Ireland since 2020, where it serves over 1 million people with quality, refurbished iPhones. Luísa has a degree in Business Management and a specialisation in digital transformation and takes this position after several years working with northern European markets in the Global Business Group at Facebook’s European headquarters (Meta) in Dublin. She also has prior experience in the banking and marketing sectors.
David Gray has been appointed as sales director at Ardanis, developing new business opportunities, formulating sales strategies, managing and building relationships with key accounts. He previously led his own cyber security business for five years. He has also worked with Net Consulting, leading their enterprise division offering cyber and IT managed services. He has also worked for EE, D&B along with acquiring customers such as Norges Bank, Bank of England, Reiss and Tommy Hilfiger, The Royal Mint, Aramco. Amdocs, Essar Global and HOK. David brings more than 23 years’ experience in client acquisition to his role driving the Ardanis team.
Ann Kelly has been appointed as finance and real estate director with Circle K Ireland, the fuel and convenience store retailer. She takes over from Ciara Foxton, now MD of Circle K Ireland. Ann will oversee financial strategies, budgets and reporting on Circle K’s real estate footprint. She was Circle K’s senior manager of financial planning and analysis. She previously held audit roles at PwC in Ireland and Australia; she was finance manager at Australian retailer Coles Group. Ann holds a BA in Management Science and IS from TCD and a diploma in Leadership and Management from UCD Professional Academy. She is a fellow of CAI.
Willie Daniels has been appointed as head of bus and coach with Harris Group, the commercial vehicle distributor and retailer, leading its Irish and UK operations, headquartered on Naas Road, Dublin. He brings over 28 years of experience across sales, account management, senior management and operations. He will work with existing staff and customers to enhance the company’s service offering and increase its market reach. Harris Group’s commercial vehicle brands include Isuzu, MAXUS and Higer Bus & Coach. Harris Group was founded in 1961 by Robert’ Pino’ Harris. It is now a market leader across Ireland, the UK and Malta.
Jonathan McDade has been appointed as the new public affairs lead for the Small Firms Association, the industry representative group. He previously served as deputy director of Food Drink Ireland, within Ibec. Prior to that, Jonathan was director of Drinks Ireland | Beer and Drinks Ireland | Cider within Drinks Ireland for eight years. Before joining Ibec, Jonathan worked for variety of public relations agencies including Murray, Finn Partners / 360, Limelight Communications and Montague Communications. He has also worked as a parliamentary assistant for Ruairi Quinn, TD and is a graduate of Griffith College Dublin, with a BA in Journalism and Media Studies.
Shane Carroll has been appointed as general manager with Ravenport Resort, the newest addition to Neville Hotels, in Co Wexford. He brings 30 years of operations management and customer relations experience in hospitality, including ownership of the Silver Fox Seafood Restaurant, Kilmore Quay. Shane’s appointment starts a new chapter for Ravenport Resort, as it prepares to welcome guests. The second phase of the project, including 22 holiday lodges and an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Jason Straka of Fry Straka from Ohio, is due to open this summer. The hotel, located on a 75-hectare site, has been designed by HM Architects in Waterford.
