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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ashley works as the Public Affairs and Sustainability Executive. Ashley is responsible for driving advocacy through political and stakeholder engagement, policy consultation and supporting Cork Chamber’s sustainability agenda which includes the Sustainable Cork Programme.
Deirdre is our Business Development Manager and supports our wider membership team. Deirdre is responsible for ensuring active engagement of current members along with the growth of membership by delivering value-added, relevant services.
The Membership Executive at Cork Chamber and is responsible for the implementation of membership processes, encouraging membership engagement and effectively communicating the Chamber offering’s in the recruitment of new members and retention of existing 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.
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.
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.
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.
Cathal is the International Relations Manager at Cork Chamber with responsibility for Connecting Cork, the Enterprise Europe Network and the Cork Financial Services Forum. He focuses on supporting businesses through trade missions, events and business-matching initiatives to access new markets, showcasing Cork to a global audience and raising the profile of Cork to support the attraction of investment and talent to the region.
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.
Ronan Murray is the President of Cork Chamber and Partner M&A (Strategy and Transactions) at EY Ireland. Prior to his current role of President of Cork Chamber, he 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.
In 2015 Rob Horgan opened Café Velo on Georges Quay and is now 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.
Thia Hennessy is Professor of Agri-food Economics and Dean of the Business School at UCC. With over 3,500 students, Cork University Business School is the largest business school in Ireland. Prior to joining UCC in 2016, Thia was head of economic research at Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority of Ireland. Her research interests include the sustainable development of the agri-food sector and the impact of policy on the economic performance of the farm sector.
Gerard O’Donovan is Head of the Faculty of Business and Humanities in Munster Technological University (MTU) where he is responsible for the strategic direction, people management and operation of the Faculty. During his 19 years at MTU he has held a number of senior positions including Head of School of Business, Head of the Department of Accounting & Information Systems and founder of the Hincks Centre for Entrepreneurship Excellence. Prior to academia, his industry experience includes work in retail, human resources, IT and consultancy roles in Ireland and the USA. He holds a BComm (Hons) from University College Cork and an MBA from St. Joseph’s University, USA. Gerard serves on a number of advisory and foundation boards.
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.
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.
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.
Maxine is a general manager at Ballymaloe Foods, her family food manufacturing business working in sales and marketing and recently into general management, driving growth in the business. Maxine previously worked as a chef in the Crawford Art Gallery Café. She holds a Bcomm degree from UCC as well as Diplomas in Food Manufacturing Management (UCC) and International Selling (DIT). She also sits on the Cork Chamber Dinner Committee and board of Agri Aware.
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.
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.
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.
Debbie’s experience to date covers a multitude of aspects the majority of which is in sales & marketing of complex solutions from within the Technology Industry. Delivering IOT Solutions into the Irish Market place is my day to day focus. Working with a team of professionals within Vodafone across the Globe to bring leading edge technology solutions into our customers.
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 Chartered Accountant, Deal Maker, Restructuring and Insolvency Partner at Fitzgerald Legal & Advisory LLP 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”).
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.