The Chief Executive is responsible for the operational activities of the Chamber, working with the President, the Board of Directors and Committee Chairpersons in developing the overall strategic plan of the Chamber and coordinating its implementation.
Annie is responsible for the Membership Team, focusing on both recruitment and retention, with a strong focus on engagement to ensure all members are maximising value from their membership
Naoimh manages the day to day operations within Cork Chamber. She is responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures to promote continuous improvement. Naoimh is champion of our extensive employee wellbeing programme,oversees the chambers internal sustainability agenda, is health & safety officer and is Cork Chambers Data Leader.
Cathal is the Director of Public Affairs, with responsibility for lobbying and advocacy activities of Cork Chamber. He focuses on representing the interests of the Cork businesses through engagement with the members, stakeholders, local politicians and elected representatives. Cathal works to ensure that the interests of the Cork region remain on the national agenda.
Bo manages the communications and marketing for Cork Chamber. A communications conduit between Chamber activities, our valued members and external media, Bo channels our news through digital and traditional platforms while nurturing a consistent and authentic brand profile for Cork Chamber.
Lisa works as Events Manager as part of the Events team and is responsible for the creation, organization and administration of the extensive calendar of events throughout the year. Creating opportunities and facilitating the sharing of experiences by connecting our members.
Ruby is responsible for performing office duties such as helping organise and maintaining office common areas, greeting clients at reception, updating private contact address books and recording export documentation for Chamber records. Ruby also supports the Chamber team with work related errands and diverse tasks.
Carmel responsibilities as finance manager include overseeing end-to-end finance operations of the Chamber, financial planning and analysis. She is responsible for all accounting functions and is the point of contact for all finance-related matters. As Company Secretary Carmel ensures compliance with all obligations under company law and contributes to the promotion of good governance at the Chamber.
Lisa is the primary telephone and reception contact within Cork Chamber along with providing general office administration support to the team. Lisa provides a high-level customer service to members, non-members and stakeholders of Cork Chamber.
Through the EEN, Grace will be working with SMEs in the region in helping them to innovate and grow on an international scale. She will combine international business expertise with her local knowledge to offer personalised services and opportunities to businesses.
Grace has strong experience developing micro and small businesses in Cork, having previously worked as an Economic Enterprise and Business Development Executive with the South Cork Local Enterprise Office. She holds a B.A. (Hons) Major in Economics and a MSc Business Economics from University College Cork.
Alicia is the REEValue Project Coordinator Executive at Cork Chamber. She leads the marketing and communications of the Energy Efficiency (EE) and Renewable Energy (RES) in the Value Chain (REEValue) project, funded by the European Commission. Her responsibilities extend to project management oversight, communications, and collaborative development of an online tool tailored for EE/RES business opportunities.
Alicia holds a PhD in Environmental Science and has substantial expertise in engaging with national and international high-level environmental policymakers and impactful media communication activities.
Imelda is the Export Documentation Manager with responsibility for all export services at Cork Chamber. This includes Certificates of Origin, Notarisation and Legalisation of documentation required for exporting. Imelda is also responsible for meeting the Chambers statutory obligations to Chambers Ireland as an authorised Chamber of the issuance of Certificates of Origin. With over 20 years’ experience Imelda has vast knowledge of the export documentation process and is always ready to assist member companies with their documentation requirements.
Kate is a member of the Cork Chamber Skillnet team; as part of the team, Kate supports trainees and companies in reaching their training needs. This includes scheduling courses, conducting training needs assessments, sourcing quality trainers and providing quality assurance.
Public Affairs & Communications Executive
Vicky works as Events Executive as part of the Events team and supports the Events Manager with the creation, organisation and administration of the extensive calendar of events throughout the year. Creating opportunities and facilitating the sharing of experiences by connecting our members.
Annette works as a Membership Executive as part of the membership services team. Annette is responsible for the implementation of membership processes, acting as the first point of contact for enquiries to effectively communicate the Chamber offering and encourage membership engagement.
Garrett manages the day-to-day training operations and strategic direction of the network. Cork Chamber Skillnet is a multi-sector learning network for companies of all sizes in the South West region. Cork Chamber Skillnet facilitate funded enterprise led, bespoke training courses, personal & professional development programmes, seminar, and workshops.
Rob Horgan is the 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. 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 is the Cork Office Managing Partner at EY Ireland and is the immediate past is the President of Cork Chamber. Prior has previously served as Honorary Treasurer and Executive Board Member, as well as Chairperson of the Chamber’s Economic and Enterprise Committee. Originally from County Kerry, Ronan holds an Honours B.Comm degree and an Executive MBA from University College Cork. In addition, he is a fellow of the Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Susie Horgan founded Springboard Communications in 2011, and has developed the business into a multi-award winning communications agency from Cork. She has worked for over 20 years in senior communications roles advising many household names. Susie is a graduate of UCC and UCD and was named Network Cork Businesswoman of the Year 2017. She is a Non-Executive Director of UCC Academy and on the Board of Governors at Fota Wildlife Park. She set up the CUH Charity Ball, which has raised significant funds for the Cork University Hospital. Susie also sat on the voluntary steering committee for the Chamber 200 commemorations.
Michael is a Partner in Grant Thornton and is the Partner-in-charge of the Cork office.
Grant Thornton is Ireland’s fastest growing professional services firm. With over 1,450 people in 7 offices across the Ireland, the firm deliver solutions to all business challenges. It’s Cork office now employs over 120 people and has played a significant part in the firm’s overall growth. Michael leads the local Audit and Advisory service lines working with domestic, international and financial services clients on a wide variety of engagements.
He is a fellow of the Chartered Accountants Ireland and a graduate of University College Cork.
Senior Consultant at Dell Technologies in Global Business Transformation, specialising in Change Management and Change Leadership. Gillian’s passion is the intersection of people, process, technology and culture, leading teams and organisations through disruptive change. Putting people at the heart of how we work, enabling us to simplify complexity, work smarter and lead better in dynamic work environments.
30 years in the Technology industry, Gillian has held both technical and non-technical roles, people-management and individual contributor roles and operates at a global level. She recently completed her term as Chair of it@cork and was instrumental in the MOU bringing it@cork and KerrySciTech together under the umbrella brand of Tech Industry Alliance. She has represented Dell and it@cork on many regional forums and has a strong regional network.
She holds a Masters in Data Business, BA in Economics & Computer Science and Higher Diplomas in Accounting & MIS, and Business Innovation and Digital Transformation. She enjoys podcasts, music, reading and writing.
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 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. Having grown up in a local family business, she is passionate about all things Cork.
Captain Fitzgerald is the Director of External Affairs for Simply Blue Group. Brian served for over 38 years in the Naval Service including two periods as a ship’s Captain his voluntary retirement as Second in Command of the Service. In 2017 he completed a successful deployment to the Mediterranean Sea as part of Europe’s response to the humanitarian crisis taking place there. He has been involved in several high-profile drugs interdictions, coordinated the at sea element of the search and recovery operation surrounding the tragic loss of the Irish Coastguard Helicopter Rescue 116 off the Mayo coast and served with the UN in Western Sahara. Brian holds Master’s degrees in Marine and Maritime Law (UCC), and Leadership, Management and Defence Studies (NUIM), a primary honours degree in Civil Law (UCC), and a diploma in Public Relations (PRII) in addition to his Naval qualifications. Brian lectures in law at UCC, is a certified workplace and family law Mediator (MII)and a member of the Board of the Charity GOAL-Global. Brian is married with three children and possesses an extensive range of sports, music and other interests, most particularly as a former international rugby match official.
Michael, a Chartered Management Accountant, is Chief Financial Officer of Dairygold since 2006 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 over €1 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 busines 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’s business and financial acumen has been developed over 30 years, through the various financial roles he has held across Dairygold’s wide range of businesses, together with his continued professional development.
Paul Hourican is a seasoned entrepreneur and technology leader. He founded PFH in 1985, specializing in ICT Infrastructure and Managed Services. As CEO, he led strategic acquisitions, transforming PFH into PFH Technology—a nationwide group serving major clients, including government departments and multinational corporations. Hourican’s transition to Chairman in 2015 allowed him to focus on strategy and growth. He also advises businesses, chairs a private property investment group, and holds a position at Client Solutions Ltd. He led the sale of PFH Technology to Ricoh in June of 2023.
Fiona Kearney is the founding Director of the Glucksman, an award-winning contemporary art museum on the campus of University College Cork. In this position, she has curated numerous exhibitions of Irish and international art and established the gallery as a place of creative engagement for all ages and abilities. A graduate of UCC and TCD, Kearney has published widely on contemporary art and photography, and throughout her career has received several distinguished awards including the NUI Prix d’Honneur from the French Government, a UCC President’s Award for Research on Innovative Forms of Teaching and the Jerome Hynes Fellowship on the Clore Leadership Programme. She is an assessor on the Museum Standards Programme of Ireland, and a board member of the Irish Architecture Foundation and Cork Midsummer Festival.
Ray Kelleher is the Director of Sales & Marketing at the award winning 4-star Montenotte Hotel in Cork. His role is to provide strong strategic leadership for all sales, marketing, revenue, e-commerce, and the public relations activity at the hotel whilst developing its brand as one of Ireland’s leading destination city resort Hotels. Ray is currently the chairperson of the Cork City Centre Forum.
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.
As an accomplished strategic leader in the hospitality industry, she brings a wealth of expertise and a dedication to innovation. With a comprehensive background spanning revenue management, financial forecasting, and operations management, she has refined her skills in driving business success and nurturing avenues for growth.
Throughout her career, she has showcased a steadfast commitment to cultivating talent, spearheading continuous improvement endeavours, and championing sustainability in Cork. These principles closely resonate with the values upheld by the Cork Chamber, her insights and ability to collaborate will drive positive change within the Cork community.
With her domestic and international experiences Carmel has a robust foundation in strategic leadership and planning. Coupled with her hands-on role as the Director of Group Operations for Trigon Hotels in Cork, she possesses an intimate understanding of the local market dynamics and the myriad of challenges and opportunities confronting businesses in the region.
Carmel is passionate about the opportunity to join the Cork Chamber board because she believes that her diverse skillset and sectoral insight can contribute to the board’s strategic vision and decision-making processes. She is committed to supporting the growth and development of businesses in Cork, fostering collaboration, and driving positive economic impact in the region.
In essence, she will bring blend of strategic leadership, industry acumen, and a passion for fostering growth and sustainability within Cork. Eager to contribute to the Cork Chamber board, she is poised to play an integral role in shaping the future prosperity of the Cork business community.
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 sits on the Dublin Chapter board and Global Forum of BITA . He was also part of the team that set up the CUH Charity Ball . Originally from North Cork he is a lifelong Cork GAA supporter and holds a BBS degree from DCU.
Garrett O’ Keeffe is currently the Site Leader for Solarwinds, a US Software Multinational, here in Cork. He is also the Vice President of Customer Success globally, and has worked for Solarwinds for 10 years.
Solarwinds are based in Citygate and employ 180 people in Cork, and were honoured to win Cork Company Of The Year in 2015, an effort which Garrett spearheaded.
Born in Cork, Garrett has worked in Cork all his life in various roles for companies such as Esat Telecom, BT Ireland and Vodafone. Healso worked for 6 years as an executive coach. He graduated with a BComm from UCC in 1991, and in 2020 completed a Masters in Human Resources (also in UCC).
Garrett believes his unique blend of large corporate experience, self-employment and academic insight, makes me a great candidate to join the Chamber board, as he has seen the challenges facing both ends of the business spectrum. Having a multinational member of the board would bring a perspective that is necessary, given the importance of that sector to the business community here in Cork.
His relationship with the Chamber goes back to 1998, when Esat Telecom was a sponsor of the Cork Company of The Year Awards. At that time he also sat on the Telecoms Committee. More recently he has been a contributor at the Chamber Leadership Forum, including being a panel member in 2023, where he spoke about the challenges facing businesses due to the housing crisis. Garrett was also asked to represent the Multinational Sector on this topic at a Chamber meeting with the Taoiseach in 2023.
On a personal level, Garrett is a keen follower of Cork hurling, was involved for many years with underage hurling in Cloughduv and is a member of Lee Valley Golf Club.
Conor has worked in the hospitality sector for over 30 years in a range of management roles and has been heavily involved in leading and driving company culture through team collaboration. His proven success with leading teams and collaborating closely with peers has helped fulfil the value of “success is dependent on team collaboration”.
In his current role, Conor manages and leads Cork’s largest 4-star Hotel. His strengths are customer focus, with my eye constantly on the changing needs and behavior of our valued customers. With a long-standing record of initiative, innovation, achievement of outstanding results and the successful management of KPI’s, he has developed and executed strategies which he believes will bring value to this role. He enjoys the challenge of board membership in various aspects of the community and is confident that they will prove beneficial to Cork Chamber of Commerce should he be fortunate enough to be elected.
Throughout the course of his career, Conor has honed his business development skills. He is an astute problem-solver capable of prioritising and managing complex projects with proficiency. He exercises innovation, decision-making and project management in contribution of team efforts and organisational improvements. He is open minded and focused on new developments. He has proven to be effective and motivational with proficiency in critical thinking and collaborative work with others. Conor enjoys brainstorming and coordinating efforts to achieve a common goal.
Conor believes he will bring exceptional leadership qualities, excellent communication skills, ambition, results focused mindset, innovation and vision to this role.
An energy professional with 20 years utility experience, Catherine’s key focus is to help Ireland, and Europe achieve Net Zero 2050. A Chartered Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Ireland; project manager and communications expert, her experience include site and contract management as well as commercial roles with national utilities.
David is a Chartered Accountant and Advisory Partner at Mazars with over 20 years of professional services experience in business advisory, turnaround and restructuring, corporate finance, transaction services and forensic accounting.
He holds a B. Comm from NUI Galway and master’s in accounting from UCD. He is also a member of the Review Committee of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (“LSRA”) and Evaluation Committee of LEO South Cork.
Educated to post-doctorate level as a scientist, Jean is a highly accomplished professional with over 30 years of experience in academia. In her roles at University College Cork, she focuses on establishing and nurturing national and international partnerships to advance UCC’s education, research, and public engagement missions. She has strong advocacy and influencing skills, extending her reach to policymakers and business leaders both nationally and internationally. She and her teams have informed, connected and promoted the university and this region, only one measurable outcome of which has been the generation of in excess of €200M of income for the University.
Committed to internationalisation, one notable achievement is her role as the founder and director of the European University Alliance, UNIC, which consists of 10 universities across Europe. Jean has received recognition for her achievements, including being named the “Women Mean Business” Business Woman of the year in Ireland in 2010.
Jean aims to leverage her extensive experience and network to benefit the Cork Chamber. She understands the dynamics of effective partnerships between academia and business, emphasizing talent provision and research outcomes. She also plays a crucial role in promoting Cork as a business-friendly destination, working in partnership with organizations like the IDA to attract multinational companies.
Jean is committed to influencing policy to drive economic growth, particularly in the higher education sector. She believes that strengthening the links between the Chamber and UCC can ensure that education programmes meet the changing needs of the business community. If elected to the Chamber’s Board, she pledges to raise awareness of UCC’s learning, teaching and research among Chamber members and enhance interaction with Chamber members and the University’s global partnership base.
In summary, Jean’s candidacy for the Cork Chamber Board brings a wealth of experience in partnership building, policy influence, and academia-business interface, with a focus on driving economic growth and fostering collaboration between academia and the business community in Cork.
Noreen Walsh is Head of AIB Cork, Cork’s largest bank. She is responsible for leading a team of over 250 staff across 26 branches throughout Cork City and County. A graduate of University of Limerick, Noreen is a customer focused senior Financial and Banking services expert, with over 24 years experience gained from working in a variety of roles within AIB. These included positions in AIB’s Wealth Division, Regional Roles in AIB’s Retail and Business Banking areas and Branch Manager position’s in Mallow and South Mall branches. Noreen is responsible for driving the performance of her team by consistently putting the customer first and delivering the best banking experience.