Debbie Power, Future Planet & Chair of the Cork Company of the Year Awards judging panel
Participating in Cork business for more than 25 years, Debbie has experience across a multitude of organisations. These include global companies such as Johnson Controls, BT, Vodafone & Esat Telecom. Earlier this year Debbie joined the world of small-to-medium enterprises, becoming the Chief Commercial Officer for a Cork-founded AI sustainability software start-up called Future Planet. Debbie’s vast expertise representing both SME & Multinationals covers key areas such as sustainability, strategic planning, organisational development, and sales & marketing spanning across territories including Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
A past board member of Cork Chamber, Debbie has actively supported Cork businesses throughout her career.
Debbie is a UCC graduate with an Executive MBA and has recently completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Financial Technology & Innovation at Maynooth University.
Debbie Power, Future Planet & Chair of the Cork Company of the Year Awards judging panel
Participating in Cork business for more than 25 years, Debbie has experience across a multitude of organisations. These include global companies such as Johnson Controls, BT, Vodafone & Esat Telecom. Earlier this year Debbie joined the world of small-to-medium enterprises, becoming the Chief Commercial Officer for a Cork-founded AI sustainability software start-up called Future Planet. Debbie’s vast expertise representing both SME & Multinationals covers key areas such as sustainability, strategic planning, organisational development, and sales & marketing spanning across territories including Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
A past board member of Cork Chamber, Debbie has actively supported Cork businesses throughout her career.
Debbie is a UCC graduate with an Executive MBA and has recently completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Financial Technology & Innovation at Maynooth University.
Rob Horgan President Cork Chamber, Owner Velo Coffee Roasters
Rob Horgan is the current President of Cork Chamber and the owner of the multi-award-winning Velo Coffee Roasters, which was listed in the Sunday Business Post’s ‘EI Top 100 to Follow’.
Velo Coffee Roasters supplies award winning, locally roasted coffee to international retail and food service clients. Having graduated from the Royal Agricultural College in 1996, Rob has worked in many facets of the food industry both in the UK and Ireland.
Rob Horgan President Cork Chamber, Owner Velo Coffee Roasters
Rob Horgan is the current President of Cork Chamber and the owner of the multi-award-winning Velo Coffee Roasters, which was listed in the Sunday Business Post’s ‘EI Top 100 to Follow’.
Velo Coffee Roasters supplies award winning, locally roasted coffee to international retail and food service clients. Having graduated from the Royal Agricultural College in 1996, Rob has worked in many facets of the food industry both in the UK and Ireland.
Ronan Murray, Immediate Past President Cork Chamber, EY Corporate Finance Partner (Strategy and Transactions), EY Cork Office Managing Partner
Ronan is Immediate past president of Cork Chamber and is an EY Ireland Partner M&A (Strategy and Transactions) and EY Cork Office Managing Partner. He holds both an Honours Bachelor of Commerce and Executive MBA from University College Cork and is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland. He previously was chair of Cork Chamber’s Economic & Enterprise Policy committee for two years. He provides a broad range of corporate finance services to clients including M&A Lead Advisory, Transaction Services such as buy side financial due-diligence and capital/debt raising for clients depending on their strategic objectives.
Ronan Murray, Immediate Past President Cork Chamber, EY Corporate Finance Partner (Strategy and Transactions), EY Cork Office Managing Partner
Ronan is Immediate past president of Cork Chamber and is an EY Ireland Partner M&A (Strategy and Transactions) and EY Cork Office Managing Partner. He holds both an Honours Bachelor of Commerce and Executive MBA from University College Cork and is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland. He previously was chair of Cork Chamber’s Economic & Enterprise Policy committee for two years. He provides a broad range of corporate finance services to clients including M&A Lead Advisory, Transaction Services such as buy side financial due-diligence and capital/debt raising for clients depending on their strategic objectives.
Conor Healy, CEO, Cork Chamber of Commerce
Conor Healy took up the position as Chief Executive of Cork Chamber of Commerce in 2006. Prior to joining Cork Chamber Conor worked with Ireland’s inward investment agency IDA Ireland playing a lead role in the strategic development of the South West region and the winning of new foreign direct investment. Previously he worked with Enterprise Ireland holding responsibility for the development of the indigenous software and international services sector and has also worked in business development with the micro enterprise sector.
He holds a BSc, MSc and MBA from University College Cork and a Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors. He is currently a Board Member of Visit Cork and he also sits on the UCC Alumni Board as well as a range of boards and committees supporting economic development and tourism across the Cork region.
Conor Healy, CEO, Cork Chamber of Commerce
Conor Healy took up the position as Chief Executive of Cork Chamber of Commerce in 2006. Prior to joining Cork Chamber Conor worked with Ireland’s inward investment agency IDA Ireland playing a lead role in the strategic development of the South West region and the winning of new foreign direct investment. Previously he worked with Enterprise Ireland holding responsibility for the development of the indigenous software and international services sector and has also worked in business development with the micro enterprise sector.
He holds a BSc, MSc and MBA from University College Cork and a Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors. He is currently a Board Member of Visit Cork and he also sits on the UCC Alumni Board as well as a range of boards and committees supporting economic development and tourism across the Cork region.
Anne-Marie Linehan, Partner, J.W.O’ Donovan Solicitors
Anne-Marie Linehan is a law graduate of UCC, qualified as a solicitor in 1991, and is a partner in J.W.O’ Donovan Solicitors on the South Mall in Cork since 2003. Anne-Marie’s practice involves advising corporate and private clients in the key practice areas of commercial and residential property, construction, banking and finance. Anne-Marie represents a number of developers, primarily in respect of residential housing schemes, a major lending institution and a number of charities including an Approved Housing Body. Anne-Marie has lectured and hosted seminars on property law related topics over the years.
Anne-Marie Linehan, Partner, J.W.O’ Donovan Solicitors
Anne-Marie Linehan is a law graduate of UCC, qualified as a solicitor in 1991, and is a partner in J.W.O’ Donovan Solicitors on the South Mall in Cork since 2003. Anne-Marie’s practice involves advising corporate and private clients in the key practice areas of commercial and residential property, construction, banking and finance. Anne-Marie represents a number of developers, primarily in respect of residential housing schemes, a major lending institution and a number of charities including an Approved Housing Body. Anne-Marie has lectured and hosted seminars on property law related topics over the years.
Ger Goold, Partner & Finance Director, Kernel Capital
Ger joined Kernel Capital in 2009, is Partner and Finance Director of Kernel Capital and a Director of Kernel Strategic. He is a member of the firm’s Investment Committees and has specific responsibility for corporate finance due diligence across both portfolio companies and Kernel Strategic clients. Ger is currently on the board of directors of portfolio companies Code Institute Limited and Datactics Limited and prior directorships include DisplayNote Technologies Limited, BioAtlantis Limited and MPSTOR Limited. Ger previously worked with KPMG where he managed services to a range of clients, from quoted multinationals to Irish tech start-ups. Ger is a graduate of University College Cork from which he holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Economics. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland and is a Kauffman Fellow (Class 17) with the Society of Kauffman Fellows in Palo Alto, California.
Ger Goold, Partner & Finance Director, Kernel Capital
Ger joined Kernel Capital in 2009, is Partner and Finance Director of Kernel Capital and a Director of Kernel Strategic. He is a member of the firm’s Investment Committees and has specific responsibility for corporate finance due diligence across both portfolio companies and Kernel Strategic clients. Ger is currently on the board of directors of portfolio companies Code Institute Limited and Datactics Limited and prior directorships include DisplayNote Technologies Limited, BioAtlantis Limited and MPSTOR Limited. Ger previously worked with KPMG where he managed services to a range of clients, from quoted multinationals to Irish tech start-ups. Ger is a graduate of University College Cork from which he holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Economics. He is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland and is a Kauffman Fellow (Class 17) with the Society of Kauffman Fellows in Palo Alto, California.
Laura Morrison, Senior Adviser – Governance/Munster Network Lead, Business In The Community Ireland (BITCI)
Laura advises a portfolio of Irish-based multinationals on sustainability strategy and performance, and runs BITCI’s Munster Members’ Network, connecting and supporting sustainability practitioners across the region. She leads BITCI’s work on Governance and Human Rights. Laura worked for many years managing the complex governance and social risks associated with international energy and mining projects. She has been Group Political Adviser for BP in London, and External Affairs Manager for several international BP projects. She has also worked for two specialist international consultancies, ERM and Control Risks Group, advising a range of high-profile clients across multiple sectors.
Laura Morrison, Senior Adviser – Governance/Munster Network Lead, Business In The Community Ireland (BITCI)
Laura advises a portfolio of Irish-based multinationals on sustainability strategy and performance, and runs BITCI’s Munster Members’ Network, connecting and supporting sustainability practitioners across the region. She leads BITCI’s work on Governance and Human Rights. Laura worked for many years managing the complex governance and social risks associated with international energy and mining projects. She has been Group Political Adviser for BP in London, and External Affairs Manager for several international BP projects. She has also worked for two specialist international consultancies, ERM and Control Risks Group, advising a range of high-profile clients across multiple sectors.
Mark Whitaker, Chairman, Johnson & Perrott Motor Group
Mark Whitaker is Chairman of Johnson & Perrott Motor Group and founder of DMW Consulting, a consultancy advising businesses in the Munster region. He holds a Law degree from UCC, qualified as a Chartered Accountant with EY in 1990, and completed the Owner Presidents Management Program at Harvard in 2008.
As CEO of Johnson & Perrott for 20 years, Mark oversaw significant investments, including the acquisition of units in Opera Lane and the purchase of National Truck Rental in 2018. He also led the sale of the Group’s Avis car rental division in 2012 to refocus on core operations.
Mark Whitaker, Chairman, Johnson & Perrott Motor Group
Mark Whitaker is Chairman of Johnson & Perrott Motor Group and founder of DMW Consulting, a consultancy advising businesses in the Munster region. He holds a Law degree from UCC, qualified as a Chartered Accountant with EY in 1990, and completed the Owner Presidents Management Program at Harvard in 2008.
As CEO of Johnson & Perrott for 20 years, Mark oversaw significant investments, including the acquisition of units in Opera Lane and the purchase of National Truck Rental in 2018. He also led the sale of the Group’s Avis car rental division in 2012 to refocus on core operations.
Sinéad Scully, Head of Enterprise Customer, Vodafone Ireland
Sinéad Scully joined Vodafone Ireland in 2021 and is Head of Enterprise Customer at Vodafone Ireland. In her role as Head of Enterprise Customer, Sinéad leads a cross disciplined team of Sales and Customer Success and has responsibility for Vodafone Business Ireland Sales Strategy and implementation across Mobile & Fixed, and collaborating with customers to help them grow and thrive in a digital world.
Sinéad is an experienced Sales Director who worked in IBM for over 26 years across a variety of senior leadership positions. Sinéad has led many teams both domestically and internationally including Enterprise Sales, Software Sales, Digital Sales, Acquisitions & Software Renewals and Client Management.
Sinéad is married and has two teenage sons. She holds a B.A, as well as an MSc in Computer Science from Maynooth University. Living in Co. Westmeath, community is important to Sinéad and she is actively engaged in her local GAA clubs of The Downs and Clonkill.
Sinéad Scully, Head of Enterprise Customer, Vodafone Ireland
Sinéad Scully joined Vodafone Ireland in 2021 and is Head of Enterprise Customer at Vodafone Ireland. In her role as Head of Enterprise Customer, Sinéad leads a cross disciplined team of Sales and Customer Success and has responsibility for Vodafone Business Ireland Sales Strategy and implementation across Mobile & Fixed, and collaborating with customers to help them grow and thrive in a digital world.
Sinéad is an experienced Sales Director who worked in IBM for over 26 years across a variety of senior leadership positions. Sinéad has led many teams both domestically and internationally including Enterprise Sales, Software Sales, Digital Sales, Acquisitions & Software Renewals and Client Management.
Sinéad is married and has two teenage sons. She holds a B.A, as well as an MSc in Computer Science from Maynooth University. Living in Co. Westmeath, community is important to Sinéad and she is actively engaged in her local GAA clubs of The Downs and Clonkill.
David Swinburne, Partner, Financial advisory, Forvis Mazars
David joined Forvis Mazars in 2024 as a financial advisory partner, bringing over 20 years of experience as a Chartered Accountant. He specialises in business advisory, turnaround and restructuring, corporate finance, and forensic accounting. David advises Irish family businesses and SMEs throughout their life cycle, offering strategic solutions for challenges such as restructuring, M&A, and fundraising. His experience covers sectors like hospitality, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and renewable energy. He holds an Insolvency Practising Certificate from Chartered Accountants Ireland and serves on the Cork Chamber Board.
David Swinburne, Partner, Financial advisory, Forvis Mazars
David joined Forvis Mazars in 2024 as a financial advisory partner, bringing over 20 years of experience as a Chartered Accountant. He specialises in business advisory, turnaround and restructuring, corporate finance, and forensic accounting. David advises Irish family businesses and SMEs throughout their life cycle, offering strategic solutions for challenges such as restructuring, M&A, and fundraising. His experience covers sectors like hospitality, manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and renewable energy. He holds an Insolvency Practising Certificate from Chartered Accountants Ireland and serves on the Cork Chamber Board.
Maria Desmond, Regional Fundraising Manager, Enable Ireland
Maria Desmond is Regional Fundraising Manager at Enable Ireland, a national charity which won Cork Chamber Non-Profit of the Year in 2017 and has provided disability services for children and adults in Cork for over 70 years. Maria holds honours Commerce and Masters Degrees and has a background in marketing and market research. She won a Network Cork Businesswoman of the Year Award in 2018 and sits on the Network Ireland National Executive. Having grown up in a local family business, she is passionate about all things Cork. Maria was elected to the Board of Cork Chamber in 2023 and sits on its Sustainability Committee.
Maria Desmond, Regional Fundraising Manager, Enable Ireland
Maria Desmond is Regional Fundraising Manager at Enable Ireland, a national charity which won Cork Chamber Non-Profit of the Year in 2017 and has provided disability services for children and adults in Cork for over 70 years. Maria holds honours Commerce and Masters Degrees and has a background in marketing and market research. She won a Network Cork Businesswoman of the Year Award in 2018 and sits on the Network Ireland National Executive. Having grown up in a local family business, she is passionate about all things Cork. Maria was elected to the Board of Cork Chamber in 2023 and sits on its Sustainability Committee.
Pankaj Agarwal, Pepsico
I am an Indian, Business Administration professional and qualified engineer. As VP Supply Chain, PepsiCo, I hold global responsibility for e2e supply chain performance and optimisation for the PepsiCo beverage network spanning over 120 international markets. During my career, I have held responsibility across operations, supply chain, program management (both global multi-site and green-field projects) spanning petro-chemical, large chemical and latterly food & beverage sectors. I have led culturally diverse, geographically distributed global teams. Through these teams we have driven transformation, growth, large capital strategy, business & organisational establishment, efficiency, innovation and sustainability.
I was a Cork Chamber Board Member between June 2021 – May 2023. I strongly believe in creating a space for everyone to feel empowered to make decisions, and to be comfortable navigating ambiguity.
On a personal note, I am a family man, married with two children. I love to travel, visit historical locations, play chess and enjoy Indian folk music. I am motivated by learning, making a difference – most especially in sustainability, and contributing to local community development in Cork. I am grateful to be invited on to the judging panel for Cork Chamber Awards 2025. I regard this opportunity as a great personal honour and responsibility as a business leader in Cork.
Pankaj Agarwal, Pepsico
I am an Indian, Business Administration professional and qualified engineer. As VP Supply Chain, PepsiCo, I hold global responsibility for e2e supply chain performance and optimisation for the PepsiCo beverage network spanning over 120 international markets. During my career, I have held responsibility across operations, supply chain, program management (both global multi-site and green-field projects) spanning petro-chemical, large chemical and latterly food & beverage sectors. I have led culturally diverse, geographically distributed global teams. Through these teams we have driven transformation, growth, large capital strategy, business & organisational establishment, efficiency, innovation and sustainability.
I was a Cork Chamber Board Member between June 2021 – May 2023. I strongly believe in creating a space for everyone to feel empowered to make decisions, and to be comfortable navigating ambiguity.
On a personal note, I am a family man, married with two children. I love to travel, visit historical locations, play chess and enjoy Indian folk music. I am motivated by learning, making a difference – most especially in sustainability, and contributing to local community development in Cork. I am grateful to be invited on to the judging panel for Cork Chamber Awards 2025. I regard this opportunity as a great personal honour and responsibility as a business leader in Cork.
Richard Morrissey, Head of Corporate Sales, Moneycorp
Richard Morrissey is Head of Corporate Sales at Moneycorp Technologies Limited, a world leading payments fintech. Richard has worked for over 25 years with various banks, domestic and international in the treasury arena and has held senior business development roles in the US, UK and Ireland. He holds a business studies degree from DCU. Over his career he has worked with many startup companies, SMEs and corporates within the Irish market, in advising banking, treasury and financing solutions.
Richard Morrissey, Head of Corporate Sales, Moneycorp
Richard Morrissey is Head of Corporate Sales at Moneycorp Technologies Limited, a world leading payments fintech. Richard has worked for over 25 years with various banks, domestic and international in the treasury arena and has held senior business development roles in the US, UK and Ireland. He holds a business studies degree from DCU. Over his career he has worked with many startup companies, SMEs and corporates within the Irish market, in advising banking, treasury and financing solutions.
Michael Harte, Chief Executive, Dairygold
Michael, a Chartered Management Accountant, is Chief Executive of Dairygold and has worked for Dairygold for over 30 years. Dairygold is one of Ireland’s largest Dairy Co-Operatives, with its headquarters located in Mitchelstown, County Cork, generating c. €1.5 Billion in turnover per annum. Michael, as part of the senior leadership team and together with the Board, is responsible for driving the strategic direction of the business as well as ensuring the appropriate reporting, policies, procedures and controls are in place to drive the financial performance and protect the financial integrity of the business.
Michael Harte, Chief Executive, Dairygold
Michael, a Chartered Management Accountant, is Chief Executive of Dairygold and has worked for Dairygold for over 30 years. Dairygold is one of Ireland’s largest Dairy Co-Operatives, with its headquarters located in Mitchelstown, County Cork, generating c. €1.5 Billion in turnover per annum. Michael, as part of the senior leadership team and together with the Board, is responsible for driving the strategic direction of the business as well as ensuring the appropriate reporting, policies, procedures and controls are in place to drive the financial performance and protect the financial integrity of the business.