Here is a selection of people starting new roles with Nestlé Ireland, APEM Group, IMS Marketing, Ifac, Dairygold and Dryad Networks.
Niamh Twyford has been appointed as country manager for confectionery with Nestlé Ireland, assuming responsibility for brands such as KitKat, Aero, Smarties, and Quality Street. She brings 20 years of food and nutrition industry experience. She joins from global sales outsourcing and brand experience agency CPM where, as client services director, she managed the Diageo account. She also spent six years at Pladis Global as head of marketing and category for brands including McVitie’s, Carr’s, GODIVA and Flipz. She has also senior brand roles at Danone, Mondeléz International and Cadbury. She holds a BBS in Marketing from DCU and is a qualified business coach.
Michael McMullan has been appointed sector director with Ireland environment consultancy APEM Group, which has locations in the UK, Ireland, Australia and USA. Michael brings 27 years of global environmental consulting experience, notably leading teams on projects including HS2, Dublin Airport and greenways/active travel, wind, solar and hydrogen schemes in Ireland and UK. He will lead the growth, strategy and performance for APEM Group in Ireland. He will work closely with APEM Groups businesses Aquafact (marine consultancy), Macro Works (landscape and visual impact assessments) and Woodrow (terrestrial ecology consultants). APEM provides expert advice to industries including renewables, water, infrastructure, marine and port.
Leonie Tansey has been appointed as managing director with IMS Marketing, part of Locomotive Agency, the SEO and paid media agency based in Galway. She is also named SVP of European operations at Locomotive. She will drive growth for both entities, overseeing their integration, supporting clients in Ireland and the US. With IMS Marketing since 2014, Leonie previously held branding and marketing roles in Ireland and New Zealand, notably as B2B marketing manager at software firm Enerit, and brand manager with Supermac’s. She holds a BComm and an MBS from University of Ireland, Galway, and qualifications from Harvard Business School and Digital Marketing Institute.
Michael Cronin has been appointed to the board of Ifac, the farming, food and agribusiness specialist professional services firm. Formerly CEO of Newmarket Co-op, Michael brings an in-depth knowledge of the Irish food industry. He was also chair of Ornua, 2002-10, and is also currently on the board of Bord Bia. Michael is an active independent non-executive director and serves on the board of a number of companies. He has extensive experience in both board membership and chairmanship positions. “I look forward to making a positive impact by supporting ifac’s future development and helping the firm to realise its full growth potential,” Michael said.
Michael Harte has been appointed as CEO of Dairygold Co-Op. Previously interim CEO, Michael has been on Dairygold’s senior leadership team since his appointment as chief financial officer (CFO) in 2006. Michael joined Dairygold in 1989, holding senior finance roles. As CFO, he oversaw the society’s growth and transformation, including the capital investment and financing of Dairygold’s post-quota expansion, hugely benefitting the society and its members over the last decade. Michael has collaborated closely with all stakeholders, including members, suppliers, employees, customers and business partners. Michael holds a Business Studies (Finance & Law) degree from UL. He is a fellow chartered management accountant.
Dr Stephan Beyer has been appointed as chief financial officer with Dryad Networks, a pioneer in ultra-early wildfire detection and forest health monitoring. He brings 20 years of experience in finance, crisis management, mergers and acquisitions, sales, and technology. A serial entrepreneur and venture capital investor, he has raised over €250m in equity and leading multiple companies to significant revenue growth. He has held roles with impact-driven innovation firm nFrontier GmbH, and industrial 3D printer firm Big Rep GmbH. In these roles, he led all commercial and financial operations, building high-performance, culturally diverse organisations. He holds a PhD in Finance from Technische Universität Berlin.
