Elevate - IntertradeIreland

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Sales development programme
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Elevate Sales
Development Consultants
in search for: intertradeireland
intertradeireland.com

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Northern Ireland Elevate Consultants
Name Location Main area of expertise
Allen Erskine
Co. Down
Dr Barry Hagan Belfast Software & E-buisness
Bill MacNeill Antrim Agri-food
Brigid Duggan
Co. Derry
Charlotte Quinn Co. Tyrone Business & Marketing
Ciara Callan
Mid Ulster
Ciara MacNeice Co. Armagh Sales & Marketing
Colm Fearon
Co. Down
Damian Campbell
General Marketing & Sales
Darren Richardson
Dave McClements
Business Procurement
Denise Murphy
Eamonn Cavlan
Elaine Scullion
General Business
Gareth Dunlop Belfast Internet & Web Software
Gary Alexander
General Marketing
Dr Gary W Burnett Belfast ICT
Gary McArdle
General Business
George Simpson
Belfast
Geraldine Fusciardi Co. Down IT & Software
Hilary Knight
Waringstown
Ivor Lees Carrickfergus
James Coyle Eglinton General Business
Jan Todd
Lisburn
Professor John E. Moore Belfast
John F Kelly
Food & Beverage
Julie Taylor Belfast Life Science
Name Location Main area of expertise
Karen Thompson Belfast General Marketing
Lara McLarnon Goodall Belfast Construction & related services
Martin McBride
General Business
Mary Meehan Co. Down Sales & Marketing
Michael G Hanna Co. Antrim Engineering
Michael McIntyre Belfast General Business
Monica McGeary
Engineering
Niall McKeown Belfast Digital Strategy
Nick Cranney Co. Down Software & E-commerce
Nicola Bothwell
Belfast
Nigel Mansley
Co. Down
Noel Brady
Sales & Marketing
Noel Mills
Co. Down
Nuala Foley
Paddy Devlin Omagh Sales Consultant
Paul Harding
Belfast
Paul McAnallen
Belfast
Peter Egan Belfast Food Sector
R John Edmund
Co. Down
Sam Simpson
Co. Down
Seamus McAdams Strabane
Simon Devlin
Belfast
Simon Dwyer
Grimsby
Terry Madill
Antrim
Will McKee

Elevate
Ireland Elevate Consultants
Name Location Main area of expertise
Aidan Carney Galway General Marketing
Alan Hill
Leitrim
Annette Mahon
Dublin/Westmeath
Austin Ahern Waterford/Dublin Manufacturing
Billy Linehan
Dublin
Brendan Hyland Cork General Marketing
Brendan Regan
Galway
Brian McNally
Co. Clare
Bridgette Brew Co. Galway Food Sector
Bryan Marshall
Limerick
Cathy McGovern
Co. Dublin
Charles Richardson Co. Tipperary
Claire O’Callaghan Dublin
Conor Daly Co Donegal Technology
Conor Hyde Co. Cork Food Marketing
David O’ Keeffe
Dublin
Declan Kavanagh Dublin ICT
Dick Whelan Munster General Business
Donagh Kiernan
Cork
Eoin Leonard
Co. Cork
Eugene Groeger
Dublin
Fergal Maher Co. Kildare Insurance
Fiona Flynn Meath/Dublin Internet/Cloud/eCommerse
Francis Verling Co. Louth Creative and Cultural Industries
Garrett Flynn Co. Kildare Food & Beverage
Greg Langan Dublin Sales & Marketing
Jackie Gowran Cork City Craft/Gift & Design
James McGreer
Dublin
Jennifer Rothwell Dublin Fashion Production/Manufacturing
Jim Fitzsimons Wicklow Agribusiness
John Cunnane
Galway
Name Location Main area of expertise
John Flynn Cork Technology
John Kennedy
Co. Westmeath
John Lynch
Co. Limerick
John McLoughlin
Dublin
Kevin Heery
Galway
Luke Sparrow
Dublin
Malachy Mooney
Galway
Martin Hogan Drogheda Software & Digital Media
Michael Durkin
Co. Louth
Noel Kehoe Kildare Digital marketing & social media
Noel Kinsella Dublin Food and Beverage
Olwen Dawe Mayo General Business
Oonagh Monahan Leitrim Food Sector
Padraig Warren
Louth
Pascal Maher
Donegal
Pat Divilly Dublin ICT & e-business
Paul Quinn Louth Hospitality & Leisure
Peter Doyle
Dublin
Peter E. Madden Cork Food Marketing
Peter Nolan Co. Louth IT & Healthcare
Peter O’Farrelly Dublin IT Business Development
Rita Ahern Cork Food/FMCG
Ronan Gillespie Co. Dublin Food Sector
Rupert Bowen Co. Dublin B2B Sales & Marketing
Seamus Hennessy Co. Cork Food/Engineering
Siobhan Grant
Co. Donegal
Stephen Friel
Donegal
Thomas A Ruddy Co. Dublin/Cork Environmental Engineering
Tom Flynn
Galway
Tony McNally
Dublin
Yvonne Scully
Co. Dublin

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Allen Erskine
Strategem Ireland Ltd
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Location: Dromore, Co Down
Phone No: +44 78 8794 1738
Email: aerskine@strategem-ireland.com
Web: www.strategem-ireland.com
Allen has 20 years experience in research, consultancy and business
management. He worked for 13 years for a fast-growing management
consultancy headquartered in Manchester and was appointed a Director
of this company in 1998, primarily as a result of his success in building an
international contracts base. He has worked extensively in the Middle East
and North Africa as well as North America. He has helped many ROI based
companies to enter and grow their sales in UK markets.
As co-Director of Strategem Ireland, Allen supports clients with a practical
combination of market analysis, marketing and sales planning, sales lead
generation and broader aspects of strategy and business planning.
Some projects of note include:
• Identifying UK acquisitions for a Dublin based printing company
• Helping a Waterford based lighting company to secure distribution in
the UK
• Working with a north Dublin plastics company to secure new business in
the UK mobile phone sector
• Preparing a business plan for a Slane based heavy engineering company
• Assisting local services companies to secure large contracts in the
public sector
• Providing specific market analysis and contact making to assist a local
engineering company secure extensive contracts in the renewable energy
field
• Assisting a local textiles company with research into export markets
which has led to new contracts being won abroad
• Helping a local electronics company to identify and pursue completely
new application markets for their technology, leading to this company
securing significant new investment from capital markets and growing
strongly
• Securing in excess of £250,000 funding for a software company.

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Dr Barry Hagan
Location: Belfast
Phone No: +44 77 1470 0066
Email: barry@barryhagan.co.uk
Key Area of Expertise: Software & E-buisness
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Barry has 30+ years experience of working with ICT, software, e-business
and business services companies in senior executive, MD, sales and
marketing roles.
Barry is non-executive chairman of: iON Digital Marketing (12 staff, Belfast);
Fluent Technology (software company, 11s, Belfast); Lucid Technology
(software company, 11s, Derry); and Tascomi (software company, 15s,
Hillsborough).
Barry is retained as a business development, sales and marketing consultant
by: Flite Software (6 staff, Derry); Aurion Learning (software and services
company, 22s, Belfast); Being (digital marketing, 18s, Belfast); Aurora Events
and Marketing (3s, Hillsborough). He is a founder member of the McGovern
Partnership (international group of marketing professionals and internet
consultants, Dublin).
He is deputy chairman of the eSynergy NISPO Proof of Concept Assessment
Panel (grant awarding body) and member of CBI NI Council.
In the past three years Barry has provided 1:1 expert mentoring, marketing
consultancy and business development assistance to, for example, Aetopia
(digital publishing, 6S, Belfast), Alta (education s/ware, 12S, Belfast), Bubble
(e-business, 9S, Belfast), Cisero (software, 10S, Carryduff), Cunamh ICT,
(e-business, 3S, Derry), Datactics (software, 12S, Belfast), Equiniti-ICS (IT
services, 260S, Belfast), Etain (software, 28S, Belfast), inphoActive (systems,
9S, Belfast), JamPot (apps, 9S, Belfast), Lagan/Kana (IT services, 235S,
Belfast), NiSoft (safety s/ware, 40S, Belfast), Relay (insurance s/ware, 50S,
Belfast), Texthelp (education s/ware, 90S, Antrim), Time 2 (ad systems, 5S,
Magherafelt), TotalMobile (software, 250S, Belfast), Xperience (systems, 85S,
Lisburn), Yarra (health s/ware, 20S, Belfast) and many others. He is also very
familiar with the grant assistance available for companies.

Elevate
Bill MacNeill
Location: Antrim
Phone No: +44 28 9443 9129 / +44 78 1005 1581
Email: bill@macneillconsultancy.com
Website: www.macneillconsultancy.com
Key Area of Expertise: Agri-food
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Willing to travel across island of Ireland though NI preferred unless
expenses negotiable.
• Food
• Renewables
• Manufacturing
• Software
Experience:
• Three years working in wine & spirits sales
• Six years working in manufacturing industry (water systems and
mining equipment)
• Four years directorships in software and market research companies
• Four years management development consultancy and trainer role
• 10 years self-employed mentoring / training and coaching
Specialist area(s):
• Developing sales & marketing strategies, 30 and 90 day sales plans.
Turning sales teams around. Investment readiness plans, feasibility
studies.
• Company healthchecks, diagnoses, market audits, internal/external
customer research.
Career highlights
• Winning £2m+ tender projects for a small manufacturer in 2010-2012
• Working in export marketing position with new fuel conditioner
company 2012
• Steering marketing at new visitor amenity at Giant’s Causeway 2011
• Winning export award for business plan (renewable energy) 2010.
Types of companies I have worked in/with.
• Businesses from fifty employees downwards. As a business adviser
I have concentrated on the same scale of business, often via Invest
N. Ireland and DARD.
• Market research projects have generally been for larger organisations
500+ employees such as The National Trust, Knock International Airport,
Guinness, British Gas, Tesco and many food brands.

Elevate
Brigid Duggan
Location: Magherafelt, Co. Derry
Phone No: +44 79 8905 2344
Email: brigid_duggan@hotmail.co.uk
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I have entrepreneurial drive and strong business acumen. I am committed
to excellence and the resultant business success. I can demonstrate energy
and enthusiasm, and have an ability to clearly articulate and impart a vision
for success across an entire team.
Brigid Duggan Consultancy provides a wide range of general management
and marketing consultancy services to SMEs, and I have specific expertise
in the field of export development and financial management.
I provide a practical “hands on” approach to assist businesses identify, plan
and implement effective and efficient marketing strategies and management
information systems.
I assist with:
• Marketing plans and implementation
• Market research
• Business & Market development
• Sales Prospecting – contacting potential customers
• Customer Service and relationship management
• Strategic planning and management information, including accounts
preparation.
• Supply Chain Management
• Preparation of funding applications and claims.
Over the last five years I have been involved in mentoring a large number of
SMEs throughout Northern Ireland from within a range of sectors including,
engineering, construction, retail, IT and food.
Being a former Founder and Managing Director of a small business I know
from personal experience what it takes to build first year sales of £65k
to £1m by the end of year three prior to selling the business. This growth
required building export markets (70% of the business), shaping company
culture, managing customers and costs through improved business
processes.
Key Achievements
• Started Connect Engineering and managed a staff of 17.
• Responsible for turnover increasing from £65k in year 1 to £1 million by
the end of year three. I sold the business in 2006.
• Established new sales markets in the Republic of Ireland and Europe and
built export sales to 70% of turnover.
• Shaped company culture to one based on strong customer focus.
• Implemented cost reduction through improved business processes
• Awarded The Spirit of Enterprise Award in 2004.
• Company awarded The Ben Wilson Excel Management and Leadership
Award 2005.
• Awarded The Export Sales Award by Magherafelt Area Partnership in
conjunction with DARD in 2006.
• Was responsible for Connect Engineering being selected as one of six
Northern Ireland firms taking part in the BBC television series in 2006
“The Next Level”.

Elevate
Charlotte Quinn
Location: Tyrone
Phone No: + 44 77 3854 5269
Email: charlotte_quinn_@hotmail.com
Key Area of Expertise: Business and Marketing
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Charlotte Quinn, BSc HONS, MInstAM (Adv. Dip.), is a professional affiliate
with the Chartered Institute of Marketing and corporate member of the
Institute of Administrative Management, with over eight years industry
experience in marketing, communications, events, public relations and
business development.
Charlotte has experience in the development and implementation of
strategic business planning, the delivery of marketing and communication
strategies, new digital media marketing, and project management of public
procurement tendering and proposals.
Charlotte’s experience and achievements include:
• Winning over £7M of business in export markets and securing Asset
Management Programme Frameworks (AMP 5) through public
procurement tendering
• Direct marketing strategies generating leads for enquires and sales
development
• Implementing tourism destination strategies for Local Authorities
• Social media marketing including facebook, twitter, you tube channels,
peer reviews
• Public relations and event management
• Route-to-market strategies including market research, market entry
planning, establishingkey contacts and building business relationships.
Charlotte has built up extensive industry knowledge in process engineering,
tourism destination development, nursing health care, charity and voluntary
organisations, and developing small to medium sized business enterprises.
• Management of brand design via digital marketing including websites,
and the design of brochures, mail shots, electronic magazines,
newsletters, and project managing the development of Android apps

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Ciara Callan
Location: Magherafelt, Mid Ulster
Phone No: +44 77 9502 2595
Email: ciara@halo-marketing.com
Website: www.halo-marketing.com
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A Self Employed Business Consultant operating in the Private, Public and
Voluntary sectors. Previous to this I spent 13 years with BT in a variety of
Middle and Senior Management Sales and Marketing positions across BT
Retail and BT Wholesale. Operating in both the Consumer and Business
space working with SMEs, Corporates and Public Sector. Areas of
specialism include Business Development, Marketing, Communications and
PR. Sector experience includes Telecoms, IT, FMCG, Hospitality,
Construction, Property, Retail and Voluntary. Previously, as Co-coordinator
for the Business Women’s Network in NI, I worked closely with Invest NI
and Enterprise NI, supporting start up and growth businesses in a mentoring
and support capacity, including cross border working. I employ a “hands
on” approach with all my clients, focusing on building and enhancing brand
awareness and ultimately driving business growth.

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Ciara MacNeice
Location: Armagh
Phone No: + 44 7753 265046
Email: ciara@macneiceconsulting.co.uk
Key Area of Expertise: Sales and Marketing
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Ciara is a highly experienced sales and marketing consultant. She is owner
of MacNeice Consulting, sales development and market research practice
and takes a very practical, simplistic and hands on approach to each
assignment.
Sectoral specialism
Ciara deals with businesses from a wide variety of sectors including retail,
food processing, engineering, manufacturing, and service sector such as
beauty and professional services.
• Ciara specialises in assist micro businesses in the following areas:
• Conducting, distilling and analysing market research through secondary
and primary sources
• Development of Competitor analysis
• Development of database of potential leads for businesses
• Sales prospecting resulting in meetings with target prospects
She has worked on large cross border sales development programmes,
such as TradeLinks and Survive & Thrive and her advice has resulted in the
achievement of actual sales for many micro businesses.
Ciara has worked with over 500 businesses all of which are on a cross
border basis, the great majority of these being Micro business with less than
10 employees.
Latest Projects achievements include:
• Securing sales development meetings with target prospects in the NI
market for a Cavan based business, which resulted in sales and product
trials in a number of the largest hospitals in NI
• Development of professional sales presentations for businesses prior to
attending any sales development meetings.
• Development of cross border market entry plans including competitor
analysis, secondary market research to identify market size and trends.
• Preparation of sales presentations
• Advice on social media marketing

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Colm Fearon
Location: Rostrevor, Co. Down
Phone No: +44 75 6122 1690
Email: colmfearon@btinternet.com
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Over forty years commercial experience with thirty five years at Director/
Senior management level in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (F.M.C.G.)
market, working with United Biscuits, Groupe Danone, Nabisco and W&R
Jacob.
Prior to the aforementioned experience, I successfully launched a range of
cheese products into the Northern Ireland market, securing listings in all
channels for Golden Vale Food Products, now part of the Kerry Food Group.
Broad breath of experience and knowledge in sales, marketing and logistics,
for ambient foods, confectionery and beverages, coupled with the ability to
apply a commercial perspective with a ‘Hands on’ approach to execute the
factors that influence business success.
Proven track record in identifying Companies with products that require a
route to market, (R.T.M.) including International, and cross border brands
successfully implementing contractual / Distributor arrangements.
Track record developing marketing strategies to achieve objectives and
listings in multiples, symbols, wholesale, C&C and convenience stores to
grow sales revenue.
National Account Management experience executing trading strategies,
positively influencing and negotiating at all levels, both internally and
externally.
Committed and proven track record in building excellent trading partnerships
and relationships with companies and customers, to the mutual benefit of all
stakeholders.
Experience leading, mentoring and motivating Sales, Logistics, Finance, and
Administration management, and wider teams to achieve challenging targets
and objectives.
Track record managing businesses, controlling overheads, and achieving
sustainable sales revenue and earnings.
On retiring from United Biscuits in July 2011 and in partnership with my wife,
we set up Parklane Commercial Consultancy Limited, our main function is
to assist companies who wish to develop their business in Northern Ireland,
by sourcing new Principals. We trawl R.O.I., G.B and continental Europe for
potential brands.
Ability to analyse market data to establish the strengths and weaknesses
of the competitive set, using this insight to identify channels, and increase
distribution.

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Damian Campbell
Phone No: +44 77 7533 3890
Email: damian@consultcore.co.uk
Website: www.consultcore.co.uk
Key Area of Expertise: General Marketing & Sales
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Damian is a highly experienced sales and marketing advisor who specialises
in matching the capabilities of SMEs to market opportunities and has a
proven track record of securing new and recurring sales for NI and Irish
businesses. Practical advice with impact.
Damian has worked within industry in senior marketing and sales roles and
more recently in a consultancy capacity in providing strategic and practical
marketing and sales support to SMEs and micro enterprises focusing on
targeting new markets and segments and securing new sales.
Damian can specifically assist companies to develop cross-border trade
through the following marketing and sales support activity:
• Initial assessment of product/services offered to identify potential for
cross-border trade;
• Conduct of market research to identify suitable opportunities – market
sectors/segments;
• Support organisations to identify potential customers and key
influencers/buyers within these companies (both public and private
sectors);
• Development and implementation of Sales and Marketing action plan
including the revision of marketing and promotional material suitable to
the target market/segment;
• Sourcing trade representatives in the target market including the
identification of potential agents or distributors and support in negotiation
of agreements;
• Supporting and coaching SMEs to plan and conduct initial sales
prospecting activity, prepare and deliver professional sales proposals
and deliver effective sales presentations to secure new business.
Damian has extensive experience in the following sectors:
• Professional Services
• Construction
• Food & Drink
• Engineering
• ICT / Software
• Environmental Technologies & Renewable Energy
• Professional Services
• Printing and Packaging
• Clothing and Furnishings

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Darren Richardson
Phone No: +44 28 9146 4649
Email: darren@consultcore.co.uk
Website: www.consultcore.co.uk
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Darren is a highly experienced business advisor with 17 years commercial
experience in both industry and consultancy. Darren has worked with a large
number of businesses across Ireland during his 12 years of management
consultancy experience, which included seven years in the marketing
consultancy practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Prior to moving into consultancy, Darren spent five years in industry as
Export Marketing Manager for a major pharmaceutical company in Northern
Ireland, where he was responsible for the development of export business
through a range of channels, including direct exports to end-users and the
use of partners such as agents and distributors.
Darren’s skills and experience are predominantly focused on business
development through effective marketing activity and proactive marketing
planning, with particular expertise in:
• Export marketing, including cross-border business development;
• Marketing research focused on practical results, to inform effective
business development activity;
• Successful tendering, to both the public sector and ‘big business’.
Darren has worked with a large number of businesses of all sizes on
both sides of the border, from microbusinesses and start-ups through to
established exporters, providing practical advice on the development of
action plans and strategies informed by effective market research, through
to hands-on assistance with implementation, always with a clear commercial
focus on revenue and profitability growth as a basis for sustainable business
development.
Darren has worked with companies in a wide range of sectors, from
traditional businesses in construction, engineering and food & drink to
high-potential, high-growth businesses in digital content, biotechnology,
renewable energy & environmental engineering.

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Dave McClements
Phone No: +44 79 7000 7117
Email: dave@consultcore.co.uk
Website: www.consultcore.co.uk
Key Area of Expertise: Business Procurement
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Dave McClements has a pleasant yet practical approach to ensuring
companies sell more at better profits.
With particular experience in cross border trade (over his 16 years as a
business consultant) he is able to help companies develop and deliver a
sales plan that will:
• Help them identify new customers (by name);
• Plan the best way to sell to them;
• Ensure staff are able to carry out the plan; and
• Ensure the plan is implemented.
Dave has proven success in the following areas:
• Professional Services
• Food & Drink
• Engineering
• ICT / Software / Digital Media
• Manufacturing
• Healthcare
• Construction – Tier one
• Construction – Sub Contractors
• Furniture
• Agribusiness
Recent examples of Dave’s work include the following:
• Working with a service firm to identify (and sell to) new customers.
Within a relatively short time the company sourced and was successful
in three major contracts – each worth £1.2m (a cross border tender),
£80,000 and £11m;
• Currently working with a food supply company we identified a business
plan for growth which has already delivered a 20-35% increase in sales
(month on month last year). This has also resulted in the company
submitting an application for 40% funding for premises expansion; and
• Recently mentoring a manufacturing business that identified / sold to
new markets. This resulted in them sourcing 20 new opportunities – 10 of
which were converted resulting in £175,000 worth of sales.

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Denise Murphy
Phone No: +44 28 9069 1027
Email: denise@fullcircle.eu.com
Website: www.fullcircle.eu.com
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Denise is a Director with Full Circle Management Solutions Ltd and has over
12 years experience in the field of Management Consultancy. Not only does
she have the practical experience of the challenges typically facing business
in her current role as Director, she has also worked directly with hundreds of
SME’s across the Island of Ireland in areas ranging from: business growth,
export, prospecting, sales & marketing and people management.
In addition Denise has a background in working with public sector bodies
in the development of sector reviews for a wide variety of industries across
Northern Ireland and therefore has a strong knowledge of the trends and
challenges faced by SME’s in these markets. Whilst Denise has worked
across a wide range of industry sectors, she has specific expertise in the
following sectors: Creative Industries, Digital Content, Social Enterprise,
Food & Drink, Manufacturing and Tradeable Services.
Denise has worked with export focused SME clients producing business and
marketing plans, feasibility studies, market analysis and securing prospect
leads in a range of geographical markets including: NI, ROI, Europe, US,
China and Rest of World.
Denise believes in working with clients in a very practical and ‘hands-on’
way to achieve tangible outputs for each individual client. She aims to
ensure all clients benefit in terms of transferring the skills and knowledge
gained during this process, to support them in their future export market
activity.

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Eamonn Cavlan
Phone No: +44 28 9069 1027
Email: eamonn@fullcircle.eu.com
Website: www.fullcircle.eu.com
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Eamonn is a senior consultant with Full Circle since 2010. In the 10 years
that he has worked in consultancy, Eamonn has worked with over 500
businesses on a cross border basis, the great majority of these being Micro
business with less than 10 employees. Eamonn’s approach centres around
working with these clients in a very hands-on way, rolling up the sleeves and
helping them to actually make tangible positive change to their businesses.
Within the private sector, Eamonn has worked across a wide range of
sectors in a trade development capacity, these include Food Engineering;
Manufacturing; Environmental; Services and Construction.
Clients working with Eamonn will know that they will be engaging in a very
methodical process which involves identifying the right sales opportunities
and exploiting these to aid future growth. Whenever clients finish working
with Eamonn they are left with the key skills in house to continue targeting
new sales prospects on an ongoing basis.
Eamonn has worked in every city in Ireland assisting first time exporters
across the Island of Ireland to engage in cross border trade. Eamonn
has an in-depth understanding of the key issues faced by companies
gearing up to export on a cross border basis having worked on numerous
InterTradeIreland programmes both as a programme manager and as a
consultant. Eamonn is a very well networked individual and specialises in
putting clients in front of the right people to open up new opportunities.

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Elaine Scullion BA HONS MMII MCIM
Phone No: +44 28 9045 2777
Email: elaines@envision-ni.co.uk
Website: www.envisionconsulting.eu
Key Area of Expertise: Genral Business
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Elaine Scullion (BA HONS MMII MCIM) has more than nine years core
management consultancy experience.
Since joining Envision seven years ago, Elaine has provided one-to-one
mentoring support to more than 75 SMEs of various sizes on a cross border
basis, across a range of industry sectors.
Elaine’s consultancy experience has been focused on gaining real business
results for the clients she has worked with. Elaine has provided one-to-one
mentoring on the development of sales into cross-border markets including
regional/territory analysis, market segmentation, market entry options and
direct selling. The mentoring support Elaine has provided has supported
companies to identify new customers, secure new business and increase
sales while developing a realistic plan for future growth.
Elaine’s sectoral experience includes :
• Government Procurement
• Food and related industries
• Tradable Services
• Construction & Related services
• Renewable Energy
• Manufacturing
• Creative Industries
• ICT/Software
Elaine has worked on a significant number of cross border assignments
under the following initiatives – Elevate, Trade Accelerator and Acumen.
Elaine has particular experience of:
• Sales Prospecting
• Cross-Border Market Research
• Export Development
• The Identification of Sales Channel Partners
• Marketing Planning
• Sales Planning & Securing Sales
• Public Procurement.

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Gareth Dunlop
Location: Belfast
Phone No: +44 77 4018 0842
Email: gareth@fathom.ie
Website: www.fathom.ie
Key Area of Expertise: Internet & Web Software
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Following 15 years of direct commercial experience helping businesses use
the internet more effectively, Gareth advises companies on how to get the
most from the internet by seeing the world from the perspective of their
customers.
Previously Gareth was the MD of iON, a leading digital strategy and
marketing company, headquartered in Belfast and with major clients in 15
countries. Prior to that he was the MD of Tibus, one of the largest and most
successful web development agencies in Ireland, from 2002 to 2009 when
it was sold to UTV Media. Since 1996, he has gained massive commercial
experience advising blue chip clients in Ireland, UK and Europe (SPAR, DHL,
Post Office UK, BBC) on internet strategy and best practice.
Services offered include:
Online Strategy Development
Digital strategy / Requirements gathering and analysis / Online marketing
integration / Stakeholder workshops
Website Benchmarking and Improvement
Customer journey planning / Information architecture / User and persona
analysis / Accessibility reviews / Usability testing
Online Market Research
Research and competitive benchmarking / A-B and Multivariate testing /
Usability testing / Web metrics and evaluation
A former Board Member of the Irish Internet Association, and Chairman of
WeddingsOnline.ie, Gareth writes & lectures extensively on internet related
matters. He occupies regular columns in SiliconRepublic.com and the Irish
Independent in the Republic of Ireland, and Business Eye magazine in
Northern Ireland.

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Gary Alexander
Phone No: +44 77 6457 7017
Email: gary@am-consulting.co.uk
Website: www.am-consulting.co.uk
Key Area of Expertise: General Marketing
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Gary Alexander is the owner of AM Consulting which was established in
2011 to provide a range of business development, sales and marketing
consultancy services to growing businesses across Ireland.
With a focus on building relationships and delivering results through a
hands on personal style Gary has worked for over 20 years in both industry
and consultancy building a wealth of contacts and experience in sectors
including food, financial services, construction, clothing and professional
services.
In consultancy Gary has worked for over six years with over 100 businesses
on a variety of projects including sales planning, sales development, sales
training, prospecting, market research and export development.
Gary brings to any project a comprehensive understanding of both
consultancy and the Northern Ireland business market through holding
senior marketing and business development positions in Northern Ireland
including time as Head of Marketing and Business Development for
PricewaterhouseCoopers in Northern Ireland and Head of Marketing for First
Derivatives plc. In addition Gary has held consultancy positions in a number
of organisations including BDO Stoy Hayward.
Gary holds a BA (Hons) in Business Enterprise, a Masters Degree in
Marketing and a Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of
Marketing and has been a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing
since 1993.
Recently Gary has completed a number of prospecting projects including
assisting a business to research and make appointments with companies
across the manufacturing sector in Northern Ireland.

Elevate
Dr Gary W Burnett
Location: Belfast
Phone No: +44 28 9080 8837
Email: gary@fabrio.co.uk
Website: www.fabrio.co.uk
Key Area of Expertise: ICT
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Dr Burnett has 30 years’ experience working in the software & hi-tech
industry. In addition, he has experience of the implementation of technology
in a number of sectors, including financial services, education (including
e-learning), manufacturing & distribution, ERP systems and electronic
document management.
Dr Burnett has broad experience of working for both large companies and
SMEs, and has experience of working across the island of Ireland, Great
Britain, Europe, United States and India.
He has broad business experience, including experience as a CEO,
International Marketing Manager and Divisional Business Development
Manager. Recent experience over the past nine years in consultancy has
included:
• Development of business strategies and action plans
• Development of marketing plans
• Assistance with a wide variety of marketing projects, including market
research; new market entry strategies; identification of channel partners;
branding; development of marketing messages & collateral
• Assistance with the implementation of online marketing strategies
• Assistance with implementation of business processes, including HR and
recruitment.
During this period, Dr Burnett has worked extensively with Invest NI, carrying
out business and marketing appraisals on their behalf and undertaking a
variety of marketing and business development projects for Invest NI clients.
Dr Burnett is very familiar with Invest NI’s range of funding programmes and
has often helped clients access appropriate funding. For a number of years
he acted as a software industry adviser to the organisation.
Recent clients have included major technology exporters, start-up
companies and companies which are seeking new growth opportunities.
This work has included both specific projects and longer-term mentoring of
senior management.
Dr Burnett’s consultancy interventions have resulted in considerable levels
of success for client companies – references beyond those in LinkedIn are
available on request. His approach to assignments is typically hands-on and
practical, preferring to achieve agreed business goals than simply develop a
report.
Via Fabrio, Dr Burnett has access to a range of other trusted services, which
includes expertise on other specific domains, financing for growth (including
angel and VC funding), procurement services and project management.

Elevate
Gary McArdle BA HONS MMII MCIM
Phone No: +44 28 9045 2777
Email: gary@envision-ni.co.uk
Website: www.envisionconsulting.eu
http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/gary-mcardle/4a/778/3b3
Key Area of Expertise: General Buisness
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Gary is an experienced consultant with over 11 years experience of
providing direct commercial sales and marketing-focused support to over
200 companies - at all stage of growth - throughout Ireland.
At the core of Gary’s approach is the provision of real, tangible, hands-on,
one-to-one support to clients resulting in, for example:
(i) Direct contribution to new sales wins in cross-border markets
(ii) The development of strong sales pipelines in target markets / sectors
(iii) Effective planning to achieve sustainable market presence in ROI and NI
(iv) The transfer of skills to allow businesses to build upon all work
completed in the medium to long-term
Recently, Gary has delivered a series of successful Acumen, Trade
Accelerator Voucher and other Cross-Border assignments – including
projects under the Elevate Programme. Support activities have featured:
• Hands-on assistance with tailored sales & marketing planning and
implementation
• Detailed planning and budgeting for developing cross-border sales
• Focused market research to scope potential opportunities
• The identification of key contacts / decision-makers in target companies/
sectors
• Approaching, securing meetings with and developing successful
relationships with key decision-makers
• Provision of private and public sector tendering support
• Maximising the potential of digital marketing activities.
Gary delivers all projects in a timely, detailed manner and provides clients
with a clear plan for continued success in target markets.
Sectors in which he has significant experience include:
• Environmental Services
• Renewables
• Food /drink
• Manufacturing
• Engineering
• ICT / Software
• Construction
• Security

Elevate
Mr. George Simpson B.Sc(Hons), DBA, MCIM
Location: Belfast
Phone No: +44 28 9037 0327
Email: gs_scmni@btconnect.com
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I assist organisations to successfully enter into new markets and expand
existing markets. I provide a practical hands-on corporate marketing
support service, developing, implementing and managing marketing/sales
programmes that have enabled clients find new business and to expand
their operations profitably into these new markets. The objectives to build
sales reduce costs and increase profits are generally achieved.
As a Corporate Marketing Consultant I have assisted clients to significantly
increase their business revenue, sales and profits. New business levels
achieved have been significant, exceeding £10million with some projects.
Whilst directly employed by several International Organisations I can
honestly claim to have at least doubled their business within my operational
areas over a period of two to three years.
A wide range of Corporate Marketing Projects have been undertaken and
completed within many work environments that, as examples, have included
:- Education & Training, Hardware Products/Construction Systems (Builders
Merchants, Tiles, Fencing, Concrete Products), Food & Drink (Brewing, Salad
Produce, Sauces, Bakery, etc), IT Software & Hardware (ERP, HR, BI, etc),
Timber/Sawmilling, Energy (Gas), Agricultural (Wire, Posts, Seed Potatoes)
amongst others.
I have over 30 Years experience in the area of Corporate Marketing, of
building sales, reducing costs and increasing profits.
My skills cover all aspects of Corporate Marketing & Sales Management
and I have undertaken and completed projects in the following areas: - (a)
New Business Development Programmes (b)Mentoring (c)Market Research
(d)Market Evaluation (e)Competition Profiling (f)Business Auditing (g)Product/
Service Development (h)Pricing Policy (i)Development & Implementation of
Marketing, Sales and Business Plans (j)Supply Chain Analysis (k)Client &
Outlet Profiling (l)Establishment of Distribution Channels (m) Implementation
of Sales and Marketing Management IT Systems (n)On-Going Customer
Support and Servicing, (o)Interim Management (p)Sourcing of Finance.

Elevate
Geraldine Fusciardi
Location: Co. Down
Phone No: +44 78 2521 5703
Email: Geraldine@strategy-structure-sales.com
Website: www.strategy-structure-sales.com
Key Area of Expertise: IT & Software
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Key Skills
• Strategic thinker having had director roles in a number of large and small
technology, engineering and services companies
• Successful at marketing and selling complex solutions to small and large
corporations
• Thought leader in selling new innovative solutions and ideas - can quickly
deliver results
• Strong inter-personal, negotiation and presentation skills, up to and
including board level.
I have worked in senior sales and marketing roles in NI, ROI, UK, USA and
Northern Europe – I currently live in NI but spent six years living/working in
ROI and have an appreciation of business practices and networks both north
and south.
My experience covers prospecting, direct sales, channel & sales
management, international team management, new product marketing
and sales strategy development. This experience has been gained selling
software and services to SMEs and Fortune 500 & FTSE 100 companies for
companies such as gem, CMASS, Bolero, Manugistics and Numetrix (now
JD Edwards).
In 2005, I delivered a web sales project for the Irish Export Association for
15 micro companies which was independently assessed as the most highly
rated project they had ever undertaken. I currently mentor on the highlyrated
Propel Programme supporting export-focused start-up businesses.
I understand the difficulties involved in generating and closing highvalue
deals, having personally closed over £20m worth of business with
companies including Vodafone, Clearwire, Diageo, Kelloggs, Cadburys,
Microsoft and UPC Ireland. I have also been responsible for new product
launches where we have sold in excess of £5m within one year of launch.

Elevate
Hilary Knight
Location: Waringstown
Phone No: +44 28 3888 1368 / +44 77 1219 2782
Email: hilary@hilaryknight.co.uk
Website: www.hilaryknight.co.uk
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Hilary Knight has run her own consultancy for 20 years providing strategic
Communications and Public Relations support and mentoring, to
organisations across the island of Ireland.
She is a Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, a senior
level that recognises her professional capability and qualifications. She has
previously worked with Management Consultants and other Public Relations
Consultancies.
The consultancy offers strategic planning, business development,
communications strategy, public relations, market research, marketing
communications, reputation building, innovation, training, lobbying and
issues management. These skills help organisations to meet objectives in
product and service development, increasing sales, entering new markets
and meeting communications challenges and issues.
She has supported clients of all sizes from micro-enterprises to international
companies to help increase cross border sales. Previous clients have
included Corus Ireland, Merck, Sharpe and Dohme pharmaceuticals, public
sector organisations including several local Councils, Dundalk Institute of
Technology, research organisations including the Agri-Food and Biosciences
Institute, Belfast, smaller SMEs and a variety of organisations in the Not-for-
Profit sector.
Hilary is also a listed business mentor with both Invest Northern Ireland and
for the Down District Council ‘Beyond NI’ Programme.
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/hilary-knight/19/936/a59
Hilary understands the issues and commercial and communication
challenges that come with start-up, growing and changing businesses;
including reaching new clients; communicating new brands or re-branding;
growing reputation and market share; building customer relationships
and perceptions; building in-house communication skills; and innovating
products and services and seeking new cost-effective ways to communicate
and hold conversations with stakeholders.

Elevate
Ivor Lees
Location: Carrickfergus
Phone No: +44 28 9336 5700
Email: Ivor@leesconsulting.co.uk
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Most of Ivor’s work has been carried out in the private sector in Northern
Ireland however past clients include companies in the Republic of Ireland
and Scotland. Clients tend to be micro to small businesses however major
projects have also been carried out for larger organisations eg. NEELB,
Translink and F G Wilson, Larne. Projects have covered a wide selection of
Business sectors however the Engineering and Manufacturing sector would
tend to dominate due to Ivor’s background.
Consultancy experience has been developed over 23 years. Since 1990 Ivor
has operated independently as Lees Consulting. It is impossible to list all the
various assignments in which he has been involved however they fall into the
following main categories.
Business Creation and Improvement
• Business Planning and Development
• Mentoring and assistance
Sales and Marketing
• International Marketing and Sales
• Acumen Projects across Ireland
Research and Development
• Product / Process Development / R&D
• Exporting, International Licensing and Patent Issues
Factory Management
• Factory design and layout
• Productivity and Efficiency
• Quality / Environmental Management Systems
Career Highlights
Highlights of career to date;
• Set up and growth of Canyon Europe, Mallusk from green field to 24/7
operation over six months - 1987
• Design and implementation of systems within the Translink
Mtce Depots
• Funding of R&D and growth projects
• Set up of new Company in NI to design and build Anaerobic
Digestion plants.

Elevate
James Coyle
Location: Eglinton
Phone No: +44 77 0987 2212 / +44 28 7181 1759
Email: sales@jcrnetworkservices.com
Website: www.jcrnetworkservices.com
Key Area of Expertise: General Buisness
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James is sales and marketing director with JCR Network Services, a
specialist business accelerator agency focussed on delivering sales,
marketing and export driven growth strategies for SMEs across the Island.
With multi–sector experience including the ICT, engineering, manufacturing,
telecoms, agri-food, SAAS, professional services and renewable sectors
James is proud of his reputation for delivering return on investmentfocussed
results for his clients-driving growth strategies into their chosen
markets and sectors.
James is also a service provider to all the major enterprise development
agencies across the Island as well as being delivery agent for local County
Enterprise Board and Council- funded business training programmes.
Let James leverage his multi sector experience and extensive senior level
contacts in the Northern Ireland market to your business’s advantageenabling
you to maximise the financial return on your Elevate budget today.
James 25+ year career history includes general management roles with
Ireland’s leading retailer; sales and marketing director roles in International
financial services and a commercial director position with a major European
manufacturing business, leading a sales team in winning multi million pound
contracts with European and UK customers.
His international sales, marketing and export expertise combined with
board level commercial skills will deliver strategic insight and a practical nononsense
focus to your bottom line sales performance.
James can help accelerate your export-led growth efforts across the full
supply chain vertical- from initial in- market research, sales prospecting and
lead qualification through to negotiation and deal closure support.

Elevate
Jan Todd
Location: Lisburn
Phone No: +44 28 9260 2777
Email: jan@ims4business.com
Website: ims4business.com
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IMS (NI) is in its 12th year of trading, supporting clients with the full
complement of out-sourced marketing services. Short-listed for the Best
New Company Award in 2003 and Best Communications Award in 2005 by
the Chartered Institute of Marketing, many of our clients have also achieved
export awards in recent years which we believe is testament to the services
and support we provide.
To ensure you have access to the highest levels of expertise, IMS operates
through a core team of marketing and business professionals, allowing IMS
to generate the highest quality output. Our services include:
• Research - We have extensive experience developing research
methodologies to support business or project feasibility.
• Business and Marketing planning and strategy development - we can
work at the very highest level within your company to develop sound
marketing or business plans.
• Customer Analysis and Relationship Building - understanding who your
customers are and what they want from you is fundamental to your
business success. IMS offer a range of customer management solutions
to help you better manage your greatest asset.
• Promotional planning - IMS has experience in implementing integrated
promotional campaigns that maximise your return on investment and
consistently get your company’s message out to your target audiences.
• Training and Mentoring - Fully accredited trainers can deliver a range of
marketing training options from one off sessions to fully integrated sales
and marketing packages.

Elevate
Professor John E. Moore
Location: Belfast
Phone No: +44 77 4588 5774
Email: jemoore@niphl.dnet.co.uk
MENU
Work as a Clinical Microbiologist at Belfast City Hospital for last 19 years,
in the areas of infection, infection control and Research & Development.
Several hundred peer-reviewed publications to justify my involvement with
R&D activities.
Areas of Sectoral Expertise: Medicine, Biomedical Science, Biotechnology &
Agri-Food
What added value can science contribute to your organisation/business?
(i).
The Scientific/Medical Evidence-Base: This is so important. Medical/
Biomedical Science and Biotech companies need to have a robust
evidence-base to enter the marketplace.
My experience can help such companies bridge this gap and ease their way
to market.
(ii).
(iii).
Establishment of Scientific Advisory Board,
Establishment of links with key academics through scientific/medical
contacts,
(iv). Publication of joint industry/academia peer-reviewed papers on
scientific outputs,
(v).
Interaction and guidance with various regulatory agencies.
(vi). Scientific problem-solving – trouble-shooting.
Nurturing a strong scientific evidence base within SMEs has positioned
many of the SMEs with whom I have previously worked with, in a strong
position internationally.

Elevate
John F Kelly
Phone No: +44 77 1880 6109
Email: john@fxlireland.com
Website: www.fxlireland.com
Key Area of Expertise: Food & Beverage
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Graduate in Agricultural Chemistry with extensive, 28 years, experience in
Sales and Marketing roles. Initial experience gained with Cantrell & Cochrane
Ltd in both Belfast and Dublin through various sales and marketing roles,
eventually as Sales & Marketing Director. Worked with Foods of Athenry in
an Elevate project on first time entry into the NI grocery retail market.
Further roles as strategic sales and marketing consultant and sales trainer to
a number of food and drink organisations including: Britvic Ireland, Kestrel
Foods, Robert Roberts (Ireland) Ltd, Largo Foods (Tayto), Irwins Bakery,
John Hendersons (Spar NI) Ltd, Bulmers Ltd, Clements Coffee, Dale Farm;
Fivemiletown Creamery.
Specialist knowledge of negotiations with food and drink retailers with
extensive inside experience of working with major UK retailers such as
Tesco and the SPAR symbol organisation. Currently involved in training and
coaching of commercial staff in Tesco UK.
Personalised coaching and mentoring of sales & marketing account
managers and senior managers / chief executives of SMEs.
Projects involved development of strategic sales and marketing plans and
the successful execution of those plans within defined markets through
leading, coaching and mentoring of sales and marketing teams.

Elevate
Julie Taylor MBA, B.Sc., MCIM
Location: Belfast
Phone No: +44 28 9073 7853 / +44 78 538 44362
Email: jan@ims4business.com
Website: ims4business.com
Key Area of Expertise: Life Science
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Area of Sectoral Expertise: Life Sciences, Medical, Pharmaceutical,
BioTech, Medical Devices, Diagnostics, Agri-technology, Animal Nutrition,
Animal Health, Nutrition, Food and Drink, Digital Content, Software.
Years of experience: 20 years experience – 18 years gained in industry and
two in private consultancy
Main specialist areas:
• Export Strategy development: market analysis, competitive analysis,
routes to market, market entry strategy, barriers to entry, culture,
meetings set up, itinerary planning.
• Marketing: marketing strategies, marketing communications
(MarComms), product launches, event management, market intelligence,
competitor intelligence, marketing campaigns, website content
development, CRM systems, marketing budget, corporate guidelines.
• Market Research: market analysis, potential partner/customer research,
competitive analysis
• e-Marketing: e-newsletters, email marketing (mailchimp), blogs, Twitter,
Linked In, SEO, webinars.
• Branding and rebranding
Career highlights/ relevant projects:
• Lead consultant for Invest NI’s Export Development Service in Life
Sciences sector.
• Marketing Consultant for Digital Pathology company – developed and
implemented marketing strategy, set up marketing department and
rebranded company.
• Export and Marketing Consultant for agri-technology company –
developed and implemented export/ marketing strategies, sourced 10
global partners in six months.
• Sales and Marketing consultant for start up diagnostics company –
developed and implemented sales and marketing plan for home and
export markets.
• Head of International Business for medical company – grew sales from
£5m to £12m
• Head of Marketing – won prestigious export award for life sciences
company.
• Successfully managed a Clinical Research Organisation through
InterTradeIreland’s Elevate pilot programme.
• Business Development – sales planning, sales calls.
• PR – PR strategy, press releases, news articles, newsletters,
e-newsletters.

Elevate
Karen Thompson
Location: Belfast
Phone No: +44 77 8717 5700
Email: karen@karenthompsonconsulting.com
Key Area of Expertise: General Marketing
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Karen has over 25 years of experience in strategic marketing and business
development. Qualifications - Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered
Institute of Marketing; Master of Arts in Marketing.
Karen’s joined BDO Stoy Hayward in 1992, where she worked for eight
years. During this time, Karen undertook marketing, research and planning
assignments on behalf of a number of Northern Ireland’s most high profile
companies and financial institutions. Since 2008, Karen has worked as an
independent market development consultant.
Karen has been heavily involved in working in a training and mentoring
capacity with SMEs from sectors as wide ranging as professional services,
food & drink, creative industries, construction and environmental. Karen’s
lengthy track record in providing business development support to hundreds
of SMEs means that she has a strong commercial contact network. She
also has a sound understanding of the public sector structure in N.Ireland
and excellent experience of the public sector procurement and tendering
process.
Recent assignments include:
• Two year support to company in food & drink sector
• Ongoing consultancy assignments with leading joinery and fit-out
manufacturer
• Organisation of Meet the Buyer events, involving buyers from some of
the largest companies in the UK and providing circa 45 one-to-one sales
pitch opportunities
• Bespoke training and mentoring in sales and presentation skills for sales
teams; support to sales teams prior to making major sales pitches
• Interim manager for a company involved in providing laboratory services
• Assignments on behalf of IntertradeIreland’s Acumen programme which
have resulted in successful meetings with numerous target buyers.

Elevate
Lara McLarnon Goodall
Location: Belfast
Phone No: +44 28 9083 9025 / +44 77 9338 8343
Email: lara@laragoodallconsulting.com
See Linked-In http: //uk.linkedin.com/in/laragoodallconsulting
Key Area of Expertise: Construction and related services
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Lara Goodall Consulting aims to assist SMEs to achieve real results. Lara
prides herself on her ability to establish excellent working relationships with
clients and address the issues that face their business.
Lara provides a tailored service to each client, she specialises in
construction, engineering and tradeable services. She likes to invest herself
in a project and enjoys helping the client visualise where they want their
business to be, and more importantly, assisting them to achieve it.
A recent client commented; “I got great results from the consultancy work
Lara provided for me. She is a diligent, hard-working individual with an
obvious passion for helping others succeed.”
Lara has successfully developed her career over the last 15-years. She was
employed as European Programmes Manager at North West Marketing,
where she successfully secured business across Europe. In 1999 she
moved into SME development & export marketing consultancy. Lara was
selected for a DTI International Secondment at the International Marketing
department of the Massachusetts Port Authority to learn best practice in
trade development. She went on to manage the Massachusetts Trade
Office in Ireland and organised and managed single company and group
trade missions for over 100 companies. In 2003, Lara moved to Total
Consulting as a senior consultant and to Full Circle Management Solutions
in 2005, where she progressed to Director level. In both positions she has
worked with vast numbers of SMEs to develop both local & export business
across Ireland, GB and Europe.

Elevate
Martin McBride BComm MBS MCIM MMII
Phone No: +44 28 9045 2777
Email: martin@envision-ni.co.uk
Website: www.envisionconsulting.eu
http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/martin-mcbride/1/482/634
Key Area of Expertise: General Business
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Martin McBride has 30 years experience – 10 in international marketing /
sales, and 20 as a management consultant specialising in cross border and
international business. Martin established Envision in 1996 and has built it
into a leading independent management consultancy in Ireland.
During the past 10 years in consultancy, he has acted as non-Executive
Director for two growth companies, one in food and one in agri-engineering.
He has worked with companies at all stages – from setup to larger exporting
companies. Martin’s principal areas of consultancy are:
• Analysing & mapping markets
• Marketing & sales strategy
• Export market entry and development
• Business model development and innovation
• Value Proposition development
Sectors in which he has significant experience:
1. Services
2. Renewables & Environmental Technologies
3. Food & Drink
4. Lifesciences / Biosciences / Healthtech
5. ICT & Software
Martin has particular experience in services– for the past two years he
has managed and delivered a specialist EI programme on Business Model
Innovation for services companies developing new cross-border and export
business.
He has worked on Elevate, Acumen, and other Cross-Border assignments,
and is an advisor to Seedcorn (Masterclasses).
• Sales channel development
• Partnerships, joint ventures and alliances

Elevate
Mary Meehan – SMM International
Location: Newry, Co.Down
Phone No: +44 79 7657 6517
Email: smmconsulting@googlemail.com
Key Area of Expertise: Sales & Marketing
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Mary is an established and well recognized consultant within the technology
sector, particularly in applications of creative and digital content. Mary
recently worked closely with leading software company Media Lightbox to
set up channel partners in many international markets including the Republic
of Ireland and recently led the development of online sales and reseller
networks for the Brazilian market.
Mary worked with leading N.Ireland Internet Company Biznet Solutions
to ramp up sales and marketing activity in the Republic of Ireland market
identifying suitable tendering opportunities and technology partners. Her
knowledge and experience of the public sector procurement process helped
to achieve sales in excess of €1million.
A fluent French and Spanish speaker, Mary has held a number of senior
marketing and business development positions in both the public and private
sectors over the past 15 years in both N.Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
She has gained a wealth of experience in sales & marketing, business and
economic development at regional and international levels. After graduating
from the University of Ulster with a BA Hons in International Business
Communication, she completed a Masters in Business Administration and
holds diplomas in International Trade Practice and Managing Business
Networks.
Mary is a member of the Institute of Marketing, and has acted as a business
mentor for many start-up companies.
In her role as Trade Manager for Chambers Ireland, Mary was responsible for
providing export marketing consultancy and advice as well as establishing
cross border and international linkages for Irish companies.

Elevate
Michael G Hanna BSc MSc Dip Mkt MINCA
Location: Lisburn, County Antrim
Phone No: +44 28 9265 0411
Email: michael@pesolutions.co.uk
Website: www.pesolutions.co.uk
Key Area of Expertise: Engineering
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Michael is leading Lean Manufacturing, European Collaborative Networks
and Innovation Delivery Practitioner to the Irish SMEs. With 25 years
experience developing operational solutions to a wide variety of corporate
clients and regional development authorities throughout Ireland, UK and
Europe.
Worked extensively in Food, Furniture, Fabrication & Heavy Engineering,
OSC Construction, Electronics and Steel Mills. He is also heavily involved
in Renewables, particularly Anaerobic Digestion solutions from Farm Energy
Crops, Municipal Biowaste and Food Processing organic to generate
biogas. Michael is specialist of choice to InvestNI and EI. He is the Irish
representative on ESoCENet: European Society for Collaborative Engineering
Networks with a successful career in ISTE assisting Regional Development
Authorities throughout EU Accession countries.
Michael is a strong advocate of integrating local Universities and 3rd
level colleges into his SME Collaborative Networks. Universities provide
R&D facilities for SME product innovation, with the more progressive
SMEs offering graduate employment in return. Institutionalising Graduate
Management Teams delivers professionalism and energy to traditional
family businesses. Regularly resulting in the doubling of annual turnover and
increasing profitability to assure their medium term survival.
Michael studied:
• Chemical Engineering at QUB, Diploma in Marketing from UUJ.
• Masters in Food Marketing at University College Wales, Aberystwyth
• Advanced Certificate in Business Counselling at Durham University
Michael has coached many SME family businesses through the Collaborative
Life Cycle, maximising the Innovation and Graduate Institutionalisation
potential from Triple Helix tie up with local universities. From Initial Cluster
formation, through to a performing Collaborative Network imbued with the
confidence and both the technical and financial capability to now tender for
major projects, that previously, as individual companies would never achieve
pre-selection listing.

Elevate
Michael McIntyre
Envision
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Location: Belfast
Phone No: +44 28 9045 2777
Email: michael@envision-ni.co.uk
Website: www.envisionconsulting.eu
Key Area of Expertise: General Business
Michael McIntyre: - A Sales and Marketing professional with over 25
years experience in Learning and Development, Sales and Marketing
Management and Consulting Services. Michael has worked for a range of
companies including Guinness, Hewlett Packard and some of the leading
SMEs in Ireland. Michael has that rare combination of in-trade sales and
sales management experience coupled with a distinguished track record in
coaching and mentoring. Michael has a further 10 years experience working
as a management consultant on a wide range of sales and marketing
projects.
Michael has also worked at all levels (including Company Director & Partner)
in General, Sales and Marketing Management positions with a range of
small–medium businesses & brands. Michael is currently retained by a
number of organisations (e.g. Invest NI, InterTradeIreland (Elevate and Trade
Accelerator Voucher Programmes), QUB, Enterprise Ireland and District/City
Councils) to provide expert Sales & Marketing intervention to small firms and
new businesses on a one to one project basis. Michael has experience of
providing strategic marketing and sales management intervention in each of
the following sectors:
• Life Sciences
• Food and Drink
• Energy
• Digital Markets
• Enabling Technologies
• Hospitality
• Renewable Energy
• Film & Television
• Software
• ICT and Communications
• Construction
• Manufacturing
Michael is also recognised as a highly effective trainer/facilitator. He has
worked with major public sector departments, enterprise development
agencies and is retained to advise on training and coaching needs.

Elevate
Monica McGeary
Phone No: +44 28 8776 1270 / +44 77 3987 5549
Email: mbmcgeary@sourcebusinessleads.com
Website: www.sourcebusinessleads.com
Key Area of Expertise: Engineering
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Over 15 years of experience in sales development within Ireland, GB, and North
America. Developing contacts, arranging meetings and supporting the closure of
new business.
I carry out the groundwork and the match-making to ensure you spend time
meeting companies that are a good fit, and ready to do business.
If you are looking for new business, and needing help to “knock” the doors of
companies to profile the fit, interest, key decision makers and their willingness
to discuss further or meet with your company – this is the core of my skill set.
Research is a close second, and Business Plans well that I don’t do.
I have worked with companies within:
General Manufacturing – Healthcare & Food Packaging, Children’s disability
equipment, plastic extrusion.
Environmental – Rain harvesting, Solar Systems, Wood Chip Burners.
Construction – Heating/aircon & Vacuum, Road Signage, Metal Studding,
Modular Buildings, Traffic Mgt Systems, Acrylic Block, Aggregate & Paving.
Food & Food Service – Beef & Lamb processing, cookies, eggs, gravy & sauces.
Service – Catering & Cleaning supplies, Document Storage & shredding, Lighting
& Response Maintenance, Product/User Manual Writers, Electrical & Automation
Controls, Vehicle/Fleet Graphics.
Technology – server and web based solutions, EPOS, CRM, ERP, MRP,
Financial, Asset Management, Health & Safety, IVR and Vehicle Tracking – both
developers and resellers.
Engineering – precision tooling, structural steel fabricators, aluminium
fabricators, bespoke production capital equipment, fencing & mezzanine flooring,
manufacturers of lifts/escalators and subcontractors doing smaller components
including washing kits and spray bars.

Elevate
Niall McKeown
Location: Belfast
Phone No: +44 28 9045 5911
Email: nmckeown@ionology.com
Website: www.ionology.com
Key Area of Expertise: Digital Strategy
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Niall McKeown is the Managing Director of iON, a company he founded in
1999. Niall has grown the business from a small email marketing company
to a digital strategy consultancy with 12 staff, and customers in 15 countries
throughout the world.
The two strands of the business are:
• Subscribe, an enterprise scale email marketing software
• Digital strategy and online marketing consultancy.
Niall is considered as one of the leading digital marketing experts and
thought leaders in Ireland and has been designing Digital Marketing
strategies for a number of years. He regularly runs workshops for Councils
and Enterprise Boards in Ireland and lectures on the subject of digital
marketing strategy at many large events throughout the UK and Ireland.
Niall has also co-authored two white papers on the subject with the
Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship & Strategy at the University of
Ulster.
Other specialist areas include Social media, Email Marketing, Search
Marketing, Website improvement and optimisation.
Niall has experience working across several industry sectors specifically:
• Hospitality sector
• Utility industry
• Finance industry
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Technology industry
• Manufacturing sector and product-based businesses, particularly those
with export capabilities
• B2B and professional services businesses
• Internet based businesses
• Training and consultancy businesses.
Niall’s main specialist area is creating and executing strategic sales and
marketing plans for businesses. This process includes defining core values,
the mission of the organisation, outlining sales objectives, financial planning,
market research and resource development.

Elevate
Nick Cranney
Location: Co. Down
Phone No: +44 77 0240 1082
Email: nick@puredrop.co.uk
Website: www.puredrop.co.uk
Key Area of Expertise: Software & E-commerce
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An innovative, energetic and hands-on senior IT leader with over 15
year’s international experience. Nick has a track record of developing and
managing applications, projects and people while collaborating with senior
management on future strategy. He has strong working knowledge of
eCommerce, portals, online marketing, website & web application design
& development and has excellent customer facing skills with the ability to
communicate ideas and strategy clearly to both technical and non-technical
staff at all levels.
Experience includes global IT Director with Celestica, an $8bn electronic
manufacturing company headquartered in Toronto, Canada and global IT
manager with GeoLogistics, an international logistics company based in Los
Angeles, USA.
Recently working with Irish based SMEs, in various sectors, as they grow
their businesses through exporting to other sales territories via the use of
technology. Projects include:
• Develop and implement an eCommerce strategy to increase sales
online – working with the client to help define their objectives, create
a strategy & plan to meet those objectives and implement the plan.
A new eCommerce website has been designed and working closely
with the client to refine the website content to help with search engine
optimisation (SEO) and will investigate other suitable forms
of eMarketing.
• Working with senior management to develop a strategy to migrate
technology product to a different platform and implement a product
development plan.
• Design & develop public facing website for online marketing purposes.
• Re-design of customer portal to allow for improved real-time customer
service.
• Define and document requirements for a new technology product\service
and work with client to find the best IT provider to develop the product.
• Manage development and implementation of new technology products
for new markets.
• Assist with building of technical team - job definitions, interviews, etc.

Elevate
Nicola Bothwell
Location: Belfast
Phone No: +44 7590 606727
Email: nicola@nbcharteredmarketing.com
Website: www.nbcharteredmarketing.com
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Nicola Bothwell Chartered Marketer - trade marketing expert
15 years’ experience in cross border marketing, public relations, event
management and advertising. A board member of Chartered Institute of
Marketing in Ireland, Nicola is also a member of Chartered Institute of Public
Relations, Women in Business NI and NI Assembly Business Trust.
Nicola specialises in cross border marketing, public relations and
event management for television and broadcasting production; sports
management; celebrity events; arts and culture; healthcare; environmental;
financial services; food and drink; hospitality; charity and not for profit;
technology; jewellery; fashion; music; tourism and publishing.
Career highlights:
• New market entry, food sector ROI - market share overtook indigenous
market leader.
• New brand launched in NI achieving an established customer base of
60,000 in its first six months.
• Community PR campaign for food brand - brand awareness increase
from 10% to 60% in just four weeks.
• Single biggest PR campaign to date achieved in excess of £600,000
advertising equivalency – a phenomenal return on investment of 1:86.
Her expertise has assisted small, medium and large companies throughout
Ireland achieve business growth. Adept at primary and secondary market
research, sponsorship, online and offline campaigns, Nicola has vast
experience of developing marketing strategies, action plans and public
relations campaigns focused on achievement of specific, measurable,
timebound/ambitious results.
Client experience includes NI’s largest independent pharmacy chain,
Walkers Crisps ROI launch, Tennents NI, Budweiser, 121dietitian.com and
UTV Group plc. Market experience - Northern Ireland and Republic of
Ireland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Japan and Europe.

Elevate
Nigel Mansley
Location: Bangor, Co Down
Phone No: +44 79 6783 6997 / +44 28 9127 5266
Email: nigel@mansley.net
Website: www.jerisassociates.com
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Nigel Mansley is the proprietor of Jeris Associates (an independent
management consultancy) established in 1995. Since 1999 he has had
involvement with a number of early stage technology businesses, including
a period as acting Director of Finance of idealab! Europe Ltd., helping to
establish the European operations for this global business incubation group.
Until February 1999 he was a non-executive director of Heritage Bathrooms
plc, a £20m listed business. He is also a non-executive director of the South
Eastern Health & Social Care Trust.
Key examples of his work include:
• Providing support and advice to a range of smaller entrepreneur led
business, including strategy development, business planning and
general financial support. These businesses cover a range of sectors
including, technology (both software and hardware), food processing,
manufacturing and business services. Much of this work has been
undertaken with N Ireland, GB and the US.
• Participation and advising on a number of project finance and start-up
deals for Partner Communications Ltd, Israel, Orange plc and Hutchinson
Communications, Hong Kong.
• Performance improvement projects for clients including Burger King
Corporation, Nationwide Life, a subsidiary of Nationwide Building Society
and a number of venture capital backed businesses.
• Executive board member in variety of roles: 1994 and 1995 he was
Group Finance Director of RoadChef plc and senior finance positions
within BUPA and London and Manchester Group plc (now Friends
Provident).

Elevate
Noel Brady
Phone No: +44 78 3419 1692
Email: noel@nb1.co.uk
Website: www.nb1.co.uk
Key Area of Expertise: Sales & Marketing
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At Nb1 Noel is a highly experienced Managing Director with a reputation and
track record of working with major Northern Ireland, ROI, UK and European
organisations. His experience is at strategic and board level and spans
ICT and wider business environments. He is a highly experienced sales
and business development professional who has an outstanding record of
achievement in the public and private sectors in a career spanning 30 years
before starting Nb1 in 2004. He is a highly skilled mentor, negotiator and
relationship builder and have built credibility as a person of influence in the
business sector.
Consult Nb1 provides highly effective business advice and support, to
executives in businesses of all sizes on the Island of Ireland, UK and wider
afield. Services include;
• Business Development/Sales Services
• Bid/Tender Support
Industry Sectors Experience: ICT, Training Services, Public Sector PFI/
PPP Procurements, Heavy Engineering, Legal Services, Waste and Energy
Sectors.
What previous Elevate companies said about Nb1:
“I found the engagement to be a great success. We accomplished all goals
...... Noel worked hard to ensure maximum benefit was delivered from each
session, and made sure to follow up after each meeting and engagement.”
Eirtight Technologies
“Nucleus Venture Partners engaged Noel through one of our group
companies www.SourceDogg.com. www.SourceDogg.com was supported
by the InterTradeIreland Elevate programme to expand sales into Northern
Ireland. We found Noel to be very well connected and excellent at getting
www.sourcedogg.com in the right doors”.
• Mentoring and Executive Coaching

Elevate
Noel Mills
Location: Co Down
Phone No: +44 77 6814 6123
Email: millsnoel1@googlemail.com
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Industry: Construction, Environmental Engineering, Manufacturing.
Preparation and implementation of Business Plans and Grant
Applications: Export Marketing, Sales Management, Supply Chain
Management, Research and Development, Quality Control,
Project Management
I am a retired Commercial Director of one of Ireland’s major Wastewater
Engineering Groups. I am a Graduate of The University of Ulster [BSc] and
a Member of The Institute of Export [MIEx]. I am also qualified to carry out
Internal Quality & Environmental Audits.
I have acted as Leader for a number of high profile Trade Missions. In recent
years I led missions to the USA and Australia. On these trips I made myself
available to support many of the first time exporters in addition to meeting
with and lobbying Business and Political “Grandees”.
My business experiences have been shared through my participation as a
guest speaker on a number of Invest NI and other training programmes.
I have also presented a number of papers to professional audiences on a
global stage and have been a member of the National Standards Authority of
Ireland Working Group writing IS 351:2009.
An innovative approach to Business has helped my companies win many
accolades not least of all Northern Ireland Exporter of the Year awards on
two occasions.
During the last two years I have acted as Project Manager for a “high
tec” INNOVA Project between two Irish companies from each side of the
Border . The successful outcome of our project has already resulted in
sales throughout Ireland and to a short-listing for The Irish Times Innovation
Awards 2011.

Elevate
Nuala Foley
Phone No: +44 28 9069 1027
Email: nuala@fullcircle.eu.com
Website: www.fullcircle.eu.com
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Nuala Foley BA(Hons) Psychology PG Dip is a Senior Consultant
with Full Circle Management Solutions. Nuala studied Psychology at
Queens University Belfast, prior to completing the Premiere Graduate
Management programme and then a PG Diploma in Health and Social
Services Management. In 2005 Nuala joined the Royal College of General
Practitioners, which is a private membership organisation for general
practitioners (GPs), and worked in the role of Project Manager. As a key
member of the management team Nuala was heavily involved with the
strategic and operational planning for the growth of the organization.
In consultancy Nuala has been involved with numerous projects covering a
wide range of sectors with the key emphasis being on Sales and Marketing
and helping clients to get the most out of what they have.
Most recently Nuala has been providing strategic marketing advice to
businesses that recognize the need to develop a cohesive and useful
marketing plan which gives them focus and direction. In addition a specific
area of her expertise is training on all areas of sales and marketing and
people development.
Nuala is highly effective in ‘opening doors’ and introducing clients to
prospective customers.
In June 2011 Nuala led a highly successful trade mission of companies
from counties Laois and Offaly, who were seeking opportunities in Northern
Ireland. Immediate sales resulted from this trip and all eight companies have
identified significant potential from the contact.
Many of the clients whom Nuala has worked with have required a strategy
for sales and an implementation plan. She has therefore worked with these
businesses to identify specific target sales markets and identify the most
effective route to market. This approach provided the client with a time-line
of activities with budget and responsibilities which allowed them to ensure
its effective implementation.

Elevate
Paddy Devlin
Loctaion: Omagh
Phone No: +44 2882 243129 / +44 7712 653900
Email: paddy@devlinassociates.com
Website: www.devlinassociates.com
Key Area of Expertise: Sales Consultant
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With almost 30 years sales and market development experiece, the majority
of which has been in the small business environment, I can offer owner/
managers genuine advice on how to build sustainable and profitable export
sales.
With 15 years career experience in `direct sales`, working for family owned
businesses and blue chip companies such as Guinness, I am not afraid to
get out there and do what has to be done to open the door and develop a
trading relationship.
In the past 13 years as a business consultant I have worked with over
350 business owners in a mentoring role that has been built on openess
and trust.
While I have considerable experience across a range of industrial sectors I
have particular expertise in the following industries:
• Food
• Construction
• Engineering
• IT and related industries
As an experienced consultant I am well placed to offer results based export
development support to businesses on both sides of the border.
I’m there to help businesses grow by providing an independent voice,
possibly a challenge to current business thinking but more importantly
practical support in helping businesess achieve their goals; in areas such
strategy development, sales planning, sales restructuring - through to
prospecting and visiting new customers, supporting product launches,
managing distributor relationships and so on.

Elevate
Paul Harding
Loctaion: Belfast
Phone No: +44 79 6877 0843
Email: paulharding@virgin.net
Website: www.meltemexport.com
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• 20 years experience in business development; 13 years in senior
management of a manufacturing business and seven years selfemployed
as expert/mentor/coach.
• Business development for a number of companies as outsourced sales
manager in home and export markets
Mentoring, coaching, consultancy to SMEs under these programmes:
• Tradelinks
• Acumen
• Export Development Service (Invest NI)
• Northstar
Specialist areas:
• Business development
• Lead Generation
• S&M strategy
• Market research
• Channel management
• Product management / NPD
• Company strategy
Examples:
1. Developed export markets for marine seat manufacturer from zero to
1000 seats in three years through careful selection and management of
distributors and retailers. Now in other market sectors eg garden, fishing.
With client since 2008.
2. Mentored Belfast service company in film industry to re-position their
business to attract customers from ROI. Establish their product offering
clearly and value proposition. Helped develop sales through strong
networking skills.
3. Currently, business development via cold calling for engineering
company in Co Antrim. Decorative product for graves. Customer
feedback helped adapt product and decide routes to market.
4. Business development for Derry company manufacturing election
equipment. Market research in France. Recent trials in Estonia, Sweden
and Finland. First sales in Denmark and Finland. Warm leads in CEE.
5. Mentored CEO of a Belfast-based environmental consultancy company
to produce a strategy for three years for an all-island approach.
Company came back three years later to ask me to help them with the
next three-year strategy.

Elevate
Paul McAnallen
Location: Belfast
Phone No: +44 78 4114 2855
Email: paul@shift-control.co.uk
Website: www.shift-control.co.uk
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Shift control is a business development consultancy working with small
to medium sized organisations as well as large corporate organisations.
Areas of specialism are brand development and consultancy, marketing
communications and sales training, strategy, management, leadership and
motivation.
Brand development involves all aspects of branding from the visual brand
identity to the behavioural aspects of customer service, relationship
management and marketing and leadership.
In addition to sales training, I work with senior management in the creation
of sales strategy, incorporating pipeline management, forecasting and CRM.
I have experience across a variety of sectors including automotive,
engineering, retail, manufacturing, not-for-profit, leisure, media, finance and
construction.
I have undertaken sales training with both Public and Private sector bodies
and organisations, with SME organisations as well as large corporate
organisations who trade internationally. I work with teams and individuals
with all levels of experience – from junior telephone sales up to sales director
level.

Elevate
Peter Egan
Location: Belfast
Phone No: +44 77 7579 7357
Email: peter@eganconsulting.co.uk
Key Area of Expertise: Food Sector
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I have:
• Managed £17m business through a period of under performance
achieving 20% increase in sales, 30% in productivity and 12% in
conversion costs using KPI’s/team-working.
• Restructured to underpin sales growth producing an increase of 25%
over eighteen months, with £3.5m improvement in profitability in one year
through a revamped marketing strategy and export sales, cost reduction,
improved on time delivery, leadership development.
• Coached leadership in defining, developing and implementing strategies
at a meat processor, seeing sales growth of 25% to £250m with a £14m
improvement in working capital.
• At this £22m business, growing to £36m sales I was responsible for
developing a customer care strategy (sales/marketing/key account
management) that included MRP11, and up-skilling the employee and
management group to support improved on time delivery.
• Sourced premises and established a manufacturing business growing to
£7.0m and 200 employees, becoming the best performing site at Dafoe &
Dafoe Limited.
• Smith & Nephew (FMCG/medical /hygiene products), I managed
the introduction of GMP and over 500 employees engaged in the
manufacture of both sterile and non-sterile wound dressings, and theatre
disposables.
• Market appraisal for Northern Irish Pharmaceutical research and drugs
trials company.
• Managed Supply-Chain/Working Capital - improved planning (MRP/SOP)
sales growth of 60%.
• Built teams utilizing psychometric tools (Belbin/myers Briggs), Problem
Solving/Decision Making, and Project Management etc.
• Experience of SMEs including, FMCG, pharmaceuticals, construction
materials, food/drink, hotels/pubs, software developers/resellers,
petrochemicals, textiles, chemical process engineering, engineering
manufacture, RDA’s/councils and the charity sector.

Elevate
R John Edmund
Location: Donaghadee, Co Down
Phone No: +44 28 9188 3171
Email: johnedmund@enterprise.net
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I have successfully delivered marketing strategy development assignments,
marketing audits and tactical marketing planning assignments in
engineering, construction products, food, textiles and clothing, professional
services, tourism, leisure and the cultural and creative industries. In these
same sectors I have successfully undertaken organisational development
assignments to tackle problems of efficiency and effectiveness leading to
long-term sustainability. My work has been primarily strategic but I have also
developed and supervised tactical implementation assignments, particularly
where new product and brand development has been involved. The
development of team working and ‘effective leadership’ has been the core
focus to my work in this work.
I have carried out due diligence appraisals for Government departments and
agencies, for banks and for venture capital providers many local authorities
and other public sector institutions. I have also completed business sector
reviews in both NI and GB.
I was one of the first consultants to recognise the power of the creative
industries to contribute to economic and social development and have been
a strong advocate for the development of a clear focus on ‘the creative
business’ at both the national and individual opportunity levels. I have
been heavily involved in the development and application of creativity to
innovation processes for new product and service development.
I have prepared most of the plans on the development of the cultural sector
as a tourism opportunity in Northern Ireland.
I have carried out economic appraisals and prepared feasibility studies that
have led to significant infrastructural investments.

Elevate
Sam Simpson
Clear Direction Ltd
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Location: Co Down
Phone No: +44 28 9753 3685 / +44 78 1657 6631
Email: sam.simpson@clear-direction.co.uk
Website: www.clear-direction.co.uk
Sam Simpson is a Chartered Marketer, holds a Ph.D. from research into
consumer behaviour and is a Market Research Society trained researcher.
Before forming Clear Direction Ltd in 2002, he held senior marketing
positions in the following sectors:
• Newspaper and Online Publishing – responsible for marketing, sales,
distribution, internet services and reader holidays; increased newspaper
sales by 25% in a market that declined by 25%; started two new
business units.
• Construction – group marketing manager for a multi-site business.
• Food – marketing manager in meat and dairy sectors in Ireland and the
Middle East.
Clear Direction provides services for customers in the private, public and
voluntary sectors:
• marketing strategy & planning
• business strategy & planning
• market research – desk, qualitative and quantitative
• development and implementation of marketing and communications
campaigns
• small business mentoring
• project evaluation
• community consultation
• brand positioning and corporate identity
• publicity and media relations,
• publications – design, copywriting and production
• event management
• public affairs
• community and social investment
• recruitment policy and advertising
• website development
• advertising – ‘traditional’ and online media
• use of social media
• event organisation and management
• community investment and social affairs.
Clear Direction has provided mentoring support for over 100 small
businesses from many sectors – e.g. food and drink, construction,
marketing services, engineering, IT, video / DVD production, agriculture,
restaurants, kitchen manufacture, pharmaceuticals, advertising, training,
financial services, quarrying, computer games, publishing, print, furniture
manufacture, clothing, energy and online services.

Elevate
Seamus McAdams
i2 Total Marketing
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Location: Strabane
Phone No: +44 28 7188 6131
Email: seamus@i2totalmarketing.com
Website: www.i2totalmarketing.com
Seamus McAdams is the principal partner with i2 Total Marketing, a
marketing agency whose philosophy is that good sales and marketing,
properly planned and creatively executed, is fundamental to business
growth. At i2, we provide hands-on support to our clients, where we manage
their marketing function and provide market research, distribution, sales
development, sales management, promotion and advertising support. Our
business operates on a true cross-border basis, where half our clients are
based in the Republic of Ireland, and half are based in Northern Ireland. The
majority of our work is focused on taking firms from the Republic of Ireland
into Northern Ireland for the first time, and vice versa.
Seamus is a self-starter and a highly organized individual that is recognized
for his ability to lead projects, including: delivery of client-focused crossborder
market development projects, market research projects, promotion
and advertising campaigns. The key focus of his work is increasing
competitiveness through a focus on business growth and providing firms
with the appropriate tools to do so.
A chartered marketer, Seamus is a committed, creative and highly qualified
marketing professional with over twenty years experience in providing sales
and marketing solutions to clients, both large and small. Before setting up i2
Total Marketing in 2006, he worked for 15 years at chief executive level in a
number of key market development agencies, where he provided hands-on
market development supports that have generated in excess of €25 million
of new sales for participating firms in Ireland, North and South.

Elevate
Simon Devlin
Location: Belfast
Phone No: +44 28 9069 1027
Email: simon@fullcircle.eu.com
Website: www.fullcircle.eu.com
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Prior to moving into consultancy, Simon worked in industry and held a
number of senior sales and marketing management positions where he was
responsible for sales growth in NI, ROI, GB, mainland Europe and Rest of
World. One such company was Sperrin Metal Products Ltd where Simon
played a central role in growing sales across 90 countries worldwide. During
his time with Sperrin, the company won three Queens Awards for Export
Achievement.
Simon moved into consultancy 15 years ago and has worked with over
2,000 businesses in NI, Republic of Ireland and GB over this time. He
established Full Circle Management Solutions Ltd seven years ago and
the Practice has grown to become one of the largest and most successful
independently owned management consultancy firms in NI. The secret
of this success comes down to delivery – we adopt a very “hands on”
approach where we work closely with clients to make things happen quicker,
more easily and more profitably than would otherwise be the case. In short,
Full Circle is all about helping clients to get results.
Whilst he has worked with a massive cross-section of clients, Simon has
particular experience in the following sectors – engineering, construction
products and services and tradable services. In recent years, Simon has
worked with a large number of Republic of Ireland-based companies to
assist them to gain a foothold in the NI market. This has involved identifying
potential customers, getting the right doors open and ensuring that the
clients have the maximum opportunity to generate new business as a
direct result.

Elevate
Simon Dwyer
Location: Grimsby, United Kingdom
Phone No: +44 78 6650 8194
Email: simon@seafox.no
Website: www.seafox.no
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Simon is CEO of Seafox Management Consultants Limited and has 25 years
experience working in the ports, logistics, shipping, and transportation
sectors. Simon has worked at board level and has specialised sector
knowledge of food & drink, seafood and agri-produce on a global basis.
Previous employers include Fred. Olsen Group, DFDS Group and Samskip.
Simon is commercial minded with all-round general management, p&l and
corporate governance knowledge within the UK & Ireland.
In his last role, Simon was on the board of an Irish logistics company having
operations in Cork, Dublin and Belfast. Simon’s core competence within
the SME sector relates to his experiences with supporting businesses
with planning, top-line sales growth & deal making (having been Chief
Commercial Officer for a £400m business) marketing, driving costs out of
the supply chain with prime focus on the physical movement of goods and
international trade & development.
In addition, Simon also has hands-on experience of mergers and
acquisitions management, change management, turnaround and roadmap
to profitability management planning. Internationally, Simon has worked and
travelled in India, China, USA, Japan, South Africa and most European &
Scandinavian markets. Profile information can be found on:
http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/simon-dwyer/12/802/453

Elevate
Terry Madill
Location: Antrim
Phone No: +44 79 1870 1755
Email: terry.titanic@btinternet.com
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Chartered Civil engineer specialising in Green Technology having been
involved in hydro electric power installations and wind turbines with
knowledge of other sustainable energy technologies. Also experience
working in business development role for SME companies within the
construction industry giving expert advice on policy and procedures,
Health and Safety, diversification and bid management.
Excellent experience in developing “engineering” solutions to complex
management problems which are easy to implement, monitor, audit
and improve to make a real difference to SMEs in the current economic
environment.

Elevate
Will McKee
Phone No: +44 77 1145 3433
Email: will@linkubator.com
Website: www.willmckee.ie
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Chairman Linkubator: Director, Northern Bank: Director Liberty Insurance
Will’s early business career was spent as an international sales and
marketing executive in the textiles and food industries, followed by 12 years
as a General Manager and Director with Shell.
Over the years since then, having acquired his own companies, he has
worked extensively in the North American, Asian and European markets.
Will has hands-on experience of running international businesses in the
following sectors: medical devices (Amtec), food (Moy Park), engineering
(GDS), energy (Ergas), giftware (Belleek), distribution (Jefferson Smurfit)
business consulting (Euroventure), and fashion (Paul Costelloe).
He is currently a Director of Northern Bank and of Liberty Insurance.
He also acts as business advisor to an international industrialist based
in Monaco and mentors a female Director in a FTSE 100 company.
Will is a recognised expert on selling, marketing and entrepreneurship.
He is co-author of the widely acclaimed book “Star – Leadership behaviours
for stellar SME growth” and, based on the unique variety of his business
experience, is a regular conference speaker on leadership and corporate
growth.
In addition to leading his own activities, he has 25 years of experience in
serving as a Non-executive Director and Chairman on the boards of a wide
range of companies, from SMEs to multi-nationals.

Elevate
Aidan Carney
Locations: Galway & Belfast
Phone No: +353 9179 8995 / +44 28 9092 3377
Email: aidan@teambds.com
Website: www.teambds.com
Key Area of Expertise: Genral Marketing
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Aidan has over 14 years experience specialising in the management of
marketing departments. He has worked with companies in a wide range
of sectors, including Plastics Manufacturing, Construction, Printing and
Commercial Services. Aidan has worked on R&D and innovaton related
initiatives in terms of developing and impementing sales and marketing
systems to support new product and service developments. Aidan’s core
strength is his ability to provide companies with strategic marketing and
business development support that adds real value and directly impacts on
sales development.
• Specialist in restructuring and refocusing marketing activities to identify
cost efficiencies.
• Significant experience of working with companies across a number of
sectors to review their current sales activities and to determine how they
should be refocused.
• Devising and implementing sales and marketing strategies to support the
commercialisation of new product development.
• Aidan has been instrumental in the rebranding and repositioning of some
of Ireland’s leading manufacturing and service providers.
• He has undertaken many assignments with companies to build client
databases and interrogate the data to provide an understanding to
companies of their business performance and how this can be enhanced.
• Aidan has also supported a number of companies in the design of
websites that enabled them to significantly enhance their customer
service and sales strategies.
• He has carried out significant Sales Development Training within a variety
of companies linked to existing and new product / service development.
• Highly experienced in developing effective marketing information systems
(i.e. monitoring enquiries / proposals, referrals in, referrals out, work won,
work lost etc.)

Elevate
Alan Hill
Location: Leitrim
Phone No: +353 87 320 7619
Email: nicejob1@gmail.com
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1. What Alan Does:
Visioning; Business & Social Enterprise Mentoring; Strategic Planning;
Marketing & Communications Strategist; Project Management; & Sustainable
Tourism Development Consultant.
2. What is Alan’s Primary Experience:
CEO, Town & Country Homes - 2006 Jan - 2007 July
The post encompassed operationally managing Irelands leading
B&B organisation with over 1300 members and 30 staff. His external
responsibilities included creating a new strategic vision to enable the home
stay sector to survive and thrive while representing the company on key
national and all island strategic committees. He is credited with rebranding
the organisation B&B Ireland and developing the concept of themed B&B.
Manager, Western Development Tourism Programme, 2001 - 2006
A landmark multi-agency company focusing on innovation applied to
sustainable tourism development in the seven counties of the west - among
the notable legacies conceived and developed by Alan were Walking
in the West and the internationally recognised Green Box (Irelands first
ecotourism destination). As manager he consulted / partnered with seven
different development agencies and hundreds of special interest, community
development and private sector actors.
Marketing & Development Manager, Shannon Erne Waterway, 1997 - 2001
The flagship cross border multi-agency project of the 1990’s. It’s legacy still
obvious in the economy for the western border region. His responsibilities
included devising and delivering a global marketing/communications strategy
for the islands inland waterways together with managing the IFI / UK-RoI
Government Capital Development Programme for the corridor region. Given
the cross border nature of the territory peace building was an important pillar
of the role.
Marketing Manager / Director, Armagh Regional Tourism Consortium,
1993 - 1997
A local government post responsible for building and branding the tourism
offering of NI third city and district. The multi faceted role was largely
focused on heritage while empowering the five major built heritage attraction
of the area. As part of his Armagh City & District Council experience he
was co-opted for two years as Director of Armagh Together 1994/’95 the
largest ever cross community festival in NI. The festival received extensive
worldwide recognition for its peace building legacy.
Note: Long CV & professional referees available upon request.

Elevate
Annette Mahon
Location: Dublin/Westmeath
Phone No: + 353 86 8042731
Email: Annette@annettemahon.ie
Website: www.annettemahon.ie
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Annette Mahon is a business development specialist who combines 25
years of global sales and marketing expertise along with her own successful
entrepreneurial experience to bring a strong commercial focus to SMEs
seeking to expand in Ireland and beyond.
Annette has worked both in the US and Ireland across a range of in
industries mainly in a B2B environment. Industry experience includes
professional services, property, construction, sustainable energy, travel
and tourism, financial services, franchising, membership organisations and
foreign direct investment.
Annette is a member of SCSI (Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland), the
IIA (Irish Internet Association) and a board member of the Midland’s Gateway
Chamber.
Annette holds a BA from UCD, BSc (Hons) in property from DIT and a
diploma in digital marketing from Digital Marketing Institute.
Currently Annette works with SMEs to help generate new business, grow
existing business and manage costs via focused sales strategy, smart client
management and commercially focused marketing and web marketing
initiatives.
Annette began her career in New York with a large global PR agency, later
moving to a smaller niched focused agency. She set up and managed her
own marketing agency in New York for 10 years representing leading Irish
and UK companies in the US. Since returning to Ireland Annette has worked
on a consultancy/contract basis for companies such as KPMG, Tegral Metal
Forming, Irish Farmer’s Association, Sherry FitzGerald, Vodafone, O’ Dwyer
Property Management, local County Enterprise Boards and IDA Ireland via
Connect Ireland. Annette also serves as a mentor for High Potential Start
Ups (HPSUs) for Enterprise Ireland.

Elevate
Austen Ahern
Locations: Waterford and Dublin
Phone No: + 353 8604 83970
Email: ahernausten@gmail.com
Key Area of Expertise: Manufacturing
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Hands on Sales and Marketing professional with experience in the
environmental (water), utility and engineering sectors. I have significant
change management, business development and operational experience.
I have successfully managed both business start up and business relocation.
I have developed significant and highly relevant Digital marketing experience
and have an advanced understanding of online digital marketing campaign’s
and how it can be used for both brand and lead development, critical for
business’s looking to grow!
My Experience
General Manager - Stannah Ireland
Responsible for the overall development of the Stannah brand and business
in Ireland. Stannah are the world’s number one supplier of Stair lifts and
micro lifts and export their products to over 70 countries worldwide.
Responsibilities include:
• Manage TV, press and digital media campaigns
• Developing online digital media strategy with Google HQ Dublin for 13
European Subsidiaries.
• Develop lead tracking and sales follow up process.
Sales and Operations Director- SDS Holdings UK
Sustainable Drainage Systems Limited, designs, manufacturers and supplies
storm water management solutions for the UK and Irish markets. It is the
number 1 supplier of modular attenuation solutions and has pioneered the
use of recycled plastic products in the storm water management sector.
It was established in 2001 in the UK and I set up its Irish facility in 2006.
It has revenues in excess of £10 million.
Experience’s Gained include:
• UK and ROI transfer pricing Policy
• Start up (the up’s and Down’s)
• Marketing a new product in a competitive industry and winning!
• Recycled plastic thermoforming and water recycling
• Due diligence (from both sides)
You can view my full online CV and professional experience at
http://ie.linkedin.com/pub/austen-ahern/1a/831/470
Summary
I have a successful track record in both start up companies and
multinational organisations and have recently assisted two organisations
with the development of their business and marketing plans. I have a solid
working knowledge of digital marketing campaigns that will enable you bring
your product or service to new markets in an efficient and cost effective
manner.
I am interested in working with companies in this programme that are in the
manufacturing, plastics, water or engineering sectors.
I am currently preparing for a Masters in Digital marketing.

Elevate
Billy Linehan
Location: Dublin
Phone No: +353 86 608 6991
Email: billy.linehan@celtar.ie
Website: www.celtar.ie
Key Area of Expertise: Learning & Development
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Billy Linehan principal of Celtar business consultants is an experienced
business developer. He works with owner managers and directors in setting
objectives and the delivery of their strategic plans.
“We work with businesses that have growth potential and with ambitious
entrepreneurs who are looking for independent external advice and
guidance”.
Experience: over 20 year as a business adviser in Ireland and the UK, SME
business specialist, Certified Management Consultant.
Expertise: co-developing business strategy & advising on it’s execution.
For the Elevate programme clients I offer:
• Sales & business development advice, sales planning and sales
management
• Identifying of sales prospects
• Introduction to potential partners and suppliers from extensive list of
clients
• Assessment of your company’s sales capability
• Practical advice on harnessing the value of relevant networks
For more information see Billy’s profile at
http://ie.linkedin.com/in/billylinehan

Elevate
Brendan Hyland
Location: Cork
Phone No: +353 214 82 4529
Email: byland2000@yahoo.com
Key Area of Expertise: General Marketing
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Over 20 years experience in Ireland and internationally.
Specific areas include:
• Private sector: Substantial experience working in start-ups, SMEs
and multinationals – both in Ireland and internationally (sectors:
manufacturing, technology transfer, engineering design, IT).
• Consultancy: Significant experience in advising companies on an
international basis in marketing research and analysis; strategic business
planning; new product and technology assessments; diversification,
growth and opportunity analyses; and investigation and analysis of
partner and acquisition candidates.
Main specialist areas include:
Additional information:
• MBA, Marketing & International Marketing + BSc, Technology
• Contributed to the successful development and growth of a range
of companies in Ireland, the UK, Mainland Europe, the USA and
internationally. Projects included developing and implementing
marketing strategies and plans, researching markets, developing sales
pipelines, re-branding, development & launch of new products, strategic
planning, and advising a range of companies internationally in business
development, business growth and marketing.
• Companies worked in/with include: DuPont, Mitsubishi, Saint-Gobain,
Kline & Co., Radici, Cardform and View-Shop.
• Member, Marketing Institute of Ireland Council.
• Development and Implementation of Marketing Strategies/Plans
• Product/Service development
• Market Research
• Route-to-Market
• Sales Development (including public sector)
• Business plans

Elevate
Brendan Regan
Location: Galway
Phone No: +353 87 255 6936
Email: tbregan@gmail.com
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2007 – Present – Self-Employed
Various research and training programmes for:
CSO for Census 2011 – Field Supervisor
Western Management Centre
Landsdowne Market Research / Milward Brown IMS
Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Provided mentoring services for the following organisations:
Galway and Mayo County Enterprise Boards
Westbic Innovation Centre
The Business Strategy Programmes / Logistics, Rostrevor, Co. Down
Atlantic Business College, Galway
JFC Manufacturing Ltd., Tuam, Co. Galway
1986 – 2007 – Managing Director, Western Management Centre, Dangan
Business Park, Galway
Responsible for start-up and development of the Business in Management
training, and developing training courses for multinational companies and
SMEs.
Developed close working relationships with state and semi-state
organisations in the region.
Delivered training programmes in Time Management, Customer Care, Selling
Skills, Interview Skills and Personal Development.
Experience in working on a one-to-one basis with many individuals who
are in a start-up situation or seeking assistance with their own career or
business development.
Provided interview skills workshops for 2nd year Engineering and Masters in
Rural Development students at NUIG seeking employment.
I have also worked closely with Mayo County Enterprise Board delivering
Start Your Own Business courses over many years.
1970 – 1986 – Marketing Director, Irish Merchants Ltd., Newtown Industrial
Estate, Coolock, Dublin 5.
Responsible for administration and sales in Dublin head office and branches
in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Killarney of a national distribution company.
1966 – 1970 – Bank Clerk,Bank of Ireland, Various Branches in Dublin
and Galway

Elevate
Brian McNally
Location: Co Clare
Phone No: +353 86 722 4769
Email: brian@mcnallygp.com
Website: www.mcnallygp.com
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Experience:
• Big four Trained Accountant and experienced Marketing Professional
• Certified Business Networker
• Significant commercial experience having served as finance director for
companies in the Technology and Hospitality/ Food Sector.
• Have developed Business Plans and Go To Market Strategies for over 40
start up business.
• Significant corporate finance experience having raised in excess of €10m
for client companies using private equity and bank debt
• Experience in Food, Engineering, Technology, Media, Hospitality,
Recycling and Waste Management
Area’s of Expertise:
You have a great idea for a business, but are not sure if it will fly, then
we can help you. Working with us we can help you answer the following
questions:
• Market Research – Is there a demand for the product? How big is the
market?
• Business Strategy – What is the best way to enter the market and
capitalise on the opportunity identified?
• Business Plan – How do I execute my business strategy?
• Marketing Plan – Who is my customer? How do I get my first customer?
• Business Development – How can I grow and expand the business? Is
there a faster way?
• Financial Projections – How much money can I make from this idea?
How much money do I need to bring the idea to the market?
• Corporate Finance: Where do I get the money?
• Interim Financial Management: How do I manage the money from the
business.
If you are struggling to answer these questions, then we can help you?

Elevate
Bridgette Brew
Location: Galway
Phone No: +353 87 202 8602
Email: bridgette@themarketingmentor.ie
Website: www.linkedin.com
Key Area of Expertise: Food Sector
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Experience
10 year proven track record as a very effective business development
advisor with Enterprise Ireland; Failte Ireland; Crafts Council of Ireland, Bord
Bia & many Enterprise Boards in helping SME’s, Star-Ups and business
growth and expansion.
My core skill is my ability to identify challenges and opportunities and put
in place a customised client plan to resolve these creatively and effectively.
Each plan is unique and totally achievable.
I am a member of the Irish Exporters Association and a Mentor on the
European Network for female entrepreneurs.
I’ve been a product, brand and marketing manager handling marketing
budgets of up to € 1million and exported goods cross border and
internationally. (Glanbia; Wiggins Teape; Kylemore Abbey; Stationery,
Gifts, Craft & Food).
Expertise
Business planning – tactical & Strategic.
Market Research & data & consumer trend analysis.
Brand creation, management and awareness building.
Product definition – Positioning & defining your competitive Advantage (USP).
Customer target marketing and segmentation.
Packaging design and production.
Selling strategies and contact management systems.
Direct & indirect sales and trade events.
Max opportunity at trade fairs – lead generation & follow up.
Online sales: max use of social media and focused online targeted sales.
Exported goods to NI, UK, US, EU.
I am a very positive and dynamic marketer with 100’s of reference cases
gained as a freelance business mentor with several state agencies - across
all industries – North & South of Ireland.

Elevate
Bryan Marshall
Location: Limerick
Phone No: +353 87 826 3454
Email: bryan@byo.ie
Website: www.byo.ie
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Sectors - Aviation, Sports, Clean Tech , FMCG, Saas (Software as a service),
Mentoring to Government projects such as the European Globalisation
Fund and Begin Again programme. Approved Enterprise Ireland and local
Enterprise boards mentor.
I have over 20 years experience working with multinationals companies,
having worked here in Ireland and abroad I bring to the group a wide
variety of skills from this experience of working, travelling and living in other
countries.
I have gained considerable experience in the aviation sector and more
recently have transferred this skillset to consulting with start up to SME’s
interested in exporting or growing their business.
My main specialist areas are working on marketing strategies, route to
market and business to business development.
I pride myself in my communication and networking skills which I used
extensively when working in Eastern Europe where I put together a
purchasing/twenty four aircraft assistance department in under nine months,
the expected timeframe was twelve to sixteen months and this department
is still functioning and have very little staff turnaround.
I have worked for national airlines Aer Lingus and Lufthansa and now run a
consultancy company advising to Enterprise Ireland, local Enterprise boards,
Institute of Technology and on occasion to University of Limerick.

Elevate
Cathy McGovern B.Sc.Mgt
Location: Dun Laoghaire, Dublin
Phone No: + 353 1 230 3184 / + 353 86 856 7909
Email: cathy@inspiration.ie
Website: http://www.inspiration.ie/company/our-team/cathy-mcgovern/
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I worked in Direct Marketing in Surrey, England gaining my initial 5 years
experience with Legal & General, where I was ultimately appointed Strategy
Development Manager for the Life and Pensions group. In 1995 I moved to
Ireland as Marketing Manager at Irish Life Finance, where I established the
U.K. Property Desk and managed a variety of Direct Marketing campaigns,
winning two IDMA Awards of Excellence.
In 1999 I founded Inspiration with a determination to marry her experience
of conventional Direct Marketing with the opportunities arising from Internet
technologies. Over the last decade she has helped to build Inspiration as a
dynamic, successful and progressive online marketing consultancy, whose
clients include a range of blue-chip national and multi-national companies.
I have published many articles on Online Marketing and co-authored the
book “Practical eBusiness” for Enterprise Ireland. I have served as a Board
member of the Irish Direct Marketing Association and has spoken at various
industry events, including the Sales & Marketing Show, the IDMA Annual
Congress, various IIA events and many more. I also founded Sweetsell, an
online marketing agency specialising in software solutions for the Hotel and
Hospitality sectors.
As a founder and Director of a full service online marketing agency I have the
resources to back up and implement the key findings and recommendations
from my client consultancy work.
Sector expertise is Software (incl. cloud), Professional Services, Engineering,
and Manufacturing / Suppliers of Products to OEMs. Sample clients include:
www.smartglassinternational.com
www.veelite.com
www.scorebuddy.co.uk
www.dromone.com
www.kingmoffatt.com
www.hartecast.co.uk
I can assist from initial strategy to planning through to all aspects of
eBusiness implementation including website hosting / configuration,
website design/ development , search engine optimisation and all aspects
of promotion of online presence including content creation and editing
and social media management. Particular expertise in marketing online to
overseas target markets.

Elevate
Charles Richardson
Locations: Co Tipperary & Staffordshire
Phone No: +353 52 744 2303 / +44 17 8243 5010
Email: info@techshare.ie
Website: www.techshare.ie
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I am interested in cross border projects for companies who seek quality
repeat business at healthy margin and require blunt communication as
opposed to meaningless consulant speak
I will listen to what you want, look at the market, tell you what I think you
need and compromise only if I truly believe it is in the client’s best interests.
If I do not think I can achieve what is best for the client I will decline
the brief.
My background - Imperial College, London graduating in electronic and
electrical engineering. Straight into UK manufacturing and production
specialising in commercial contract management and sales tendering. This
means I am commercial aware in terms of attention to detail in tendering
for, winning and running contract terms of (wo)man hours, materials and
time. From office support roles I moved into the field, directly hunting for,
targeting and securing high margin / high tech business as an employee of
US, UK and German concerns selling into Ireland / UK.
Desk top research, report generation and compilation is second nature and
will be produced for the client as a matter of routine. More important, is
the ability and confidence to take new business whether a new concept,
product/service or revitalising a “tired/aged” product and obtaining quality
sustainable repeat business at healthy margin.
Charles Richardson would be happy to discuss his background in terms
of both technological and generalist industrial experience, successes and
occasional failures with any company seeking cross border opportunities.

Elevate
Claire O’Callaghan
Location: Dublin
Phone No: +353 86 022 3916
Email: Claire@surpass.ie
Website: www.surpass.ie
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Accomplished Management Consultant and Business Psychologist with
over 28 years experience as Managing Director, General Manager, and
Operations Manager across all industry sectors. Strategic, results oriented
business partner and entrepreneur with proven success in exceeding
standards and expectations. Visionary, dynamic professional with the
strategic flair to influence and inspire business leaders to surpass their
benchmark performance.
Claire is a highly energetic individual with excellent communication, planning
and organisational skills who constantly challenges and inspires those
around her. She works with SMEs and dynamic enterprising organisations
imparting learning gained on a national, regional and global stage. She
brings a wealth of expertise to both startups and established businesses.
One of Ireland’s Top Businesswomen (“Entrepreneur of the Year”, Network
Ireland, 2008), Claire’s key strength is her unique ability to connect and
engage with people, and assisting them align their business strategy to
their goals.
She worked for Kindle Banking Systems for 10 years as a Senior Systems
Analyst and Project Manager. She ran her own IT software & consultancy
business for 10 years having sold it in 2006. Claire personally grew this
business from two people to over 88 staff both regionally and internationally.
She currently operates as Head of a Primary Care organisation who employ
over 350 staff.
Claire has a Masters in Organisational Behaviour from Trinity College; a
Degree in Management from the IMI; an Advanced Diploma in Computer
Programming; Diploma in Computer Science and is a qualified Executive
and Business coach. Her specialist areas: are Entrepreneurial Leadership;
Innovation & Creativity; High Performance Teams; Strategic Business
Development; Scaling; and eMarketing.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/claireocallaghan

Elevate
Conor Daly
Location: Burtonport, Co. Donegal
Phone No: +353 86 605 6159
Email: conor@conordaly.ie
Website: www.conordaly.ie
Key Area of Expertise: Technology
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Mentor and international business consultant with 20 years experience in the
telecommunications, media and technology sectors.
Main specialist areas: Market Research; Business Planning; Marketing
Strategy; Regulatory and Competitive Environment.
I also founded a musical events promotion company, and have extensive
hands-on experience in events management, PR and on-line media.
Based in the Donegal Gaeltacht, I can provide mentoring through the Irish
language, if required.
An independent consultant since 2002, I provide strategic analysis,
development and hands-on management of complex international projects
in the telecoms, media and ICT sectors. Clients include: mobile phone
operators, value-added service providers, government organisations, as well
as SMEs and start-ups. I have worked all over the world. I conduct business
in several European languages, including Russian.
From 2005-2009 I was a mentor on the Client Assistance Programme of
the Dublin Business and Innovation Centre (DBIC), providing business
planning support to technology start-ups and early-stage companies,
including: an on-line retailer of eco-products; a supplier of RFID solutions; a
software start-up; a provider of on-line classified advertising. I helped client
companies to create investor-ready business plans, and to present their
plans effectively to potential investors. My clients have gone on to secure
funding from VCs and seed capital funds.

Elevate
Conor Hyde
Bullseye Business Consultancy Ltd
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Location: Co. Cork
Phone No: +353 21 477 6644 / +353 87 653 9676
Email: chyde@bullseye.ie
Website: www.bullseye.ie
Key Area of Expertise: Food Marketing
Conor Hyde established Bullseye Business Consultancy in 2001 to provide a
professional food training, food marketing, and food business development
service to the start-up and SME food sector.
Prior to establishing Bullseye, Conor held senior marketing manager
positions with Golden Vale/Kerry and Dairygold Co-op, gaining over twenty
years’ marketing management and category management experience and
successfully managing five of Ireland’s ‘Top 100’ grocery brands.
As key consultant, trainer and mentor to the Irish food sector, Conor’s
professionalism and results-driven approach has become highly valued by a
diverse range of food sector clients. He lectures in food marketing for UCC,
IMI, BIM, Teagasc, ICOS, SKILLSNET, Udaras Na Gaeltachta, and LEADER
Networks. He is also an approved business mentor with Enterprise Ireland,
Enterprise Boards, BIM and the IEA.
Conor is highly experienced in offering advice on all aspects of running a
successful food business, from marketing & brand design, to longer term
strategic planning, exports and new product development.
To date, Conor has worked with over 200 food business clients to assist
them to:
• improve brand packaging and brand identity design
• achieve stronger brand positioning
• complete a comprehensive marketing plan or business plan
• execute effective advertising, PR and marketing campaigns (including
online/digital marketing etc.)
• carry out extensive market research: Qualitative & Quantitative
• successfully manage New Food Product Development (NPD) – from
product concept to launch
• achieve new listings – delivering more sales opportunities
• develop cost effective domestic and export food distribution strategies.

Elevate
David O’ Keeffe
Corporate Development
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Location: Dublin
Phone No: +353 87 256 6427
Email: dokeeffe@iol.ie
Website: www.cmrworld.com
www.epiliving.co.uk
David has built his career on the development and implementation of
growth strategies, as is witnessed by the variety of companies where he
held the position of Managing Director. David is currently the Managing
Director of CMR (Ireland) Ltd. (www.cmrworld.com), Chairman of EPI Living
(www.epiliving.co.uk), and Principal of his turnaround entity, Corporate
Development.
He carried out an MBO at Ireland’s leading catering equipment supply and
service company, Masser Hammond and trebled the turnover before selling
the company in 2001. Headhunted by the Smurfit Group for company
turnaround, which he did successfully, he was appointed Group Managing
Director of the Woodfab Group, also a member of the Smurfit group. He also
was as a member of the Smurfit (Ireland) executive.
David worked for Inbucon as an international marketing and business
planning consultant in London. Here he gained experience in a variety of
industries, from diesel engines to baked beans. Following an assignment at
Goulding Building Ltd, a System Building and civil engineering company in
the Fitzwilton Group, he was recruited as Managing Director of the company.
His career started with The RHM group.
He considers that the main issue in helping companies is implementing
solutions. David has worked extensively in Northern Ireland, where his
activities included setting up companies in 4 different sectors. He is a fellow
of the Institute of Management Consultants, and more recently, has carried
out over 25 mentoring assignments for Dublin City Enterprise Board.
Earlier in his career David was invited to join Youghal Carpets Ltd on a
turnaround assignment for the Irish operations. Within 18 months, he was
promoted to Director and General Manager of world operations, with special
emphasis on the US.

Elevate
Declan Kavanagh
Location: Dublin
Phone No: +353 87 699 9010
Email: declan.kavanagh@deckav.com
Key Area of Expertise: ICT
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Declan has over 32 years experience in multinational, SME, and
entrepreneurial start up organisations in the tech sector, serving a broad
range of public and private sector clients.
He is currently CEO of Holignment (On-line scientific diagnosis of
Organisation maturity & Frameworks for change management). He is also
executive chairman of DigiProve a specialist digital content protection and
compliance company. Declan is also executive director with Traders Now
(Trading Algorithms and Solutions).
In April 2011, Declan left his role as CEO of Capgemini (Sogeti) on
successful completion of the integration of Insight Test Services and growth
strategy, to return to work on some new start up’s. Insight Test Services
which he co-founded in 2003 was built up as a market leader in software
QA & Testing here in Ireland and the UK before it sold in 2008. Previously
Declan was CEO of Accuris.
Declan spent 14 years Fujitsu services (originally Amdahl) in Engineering,
Quality, Operations and Practice management positions at director level,
where he set up software and IT services business units transitioning from
hardware manufacturing (cost) to a IT professional consulting and services
profit centre. Prior to that he held management and engineering positions
in both the semi-conductor business (Trio-tech) and the mini computer
business (Computer Automation). Declan studied engineering in DIT and
holds an MBA from DCU, he is also a CDipAF.
Skills & Services: Business & Functional Strategy, planning and execution.
Coaching & Training. Hands-on, results orientated collaborative style.

Elevate
Dick Whelan
Location: Munster and surrounding counties.
Phone No: +353 6151 4598
Email: dw@almir.biz
Website: www.almir.biz
Key Area of Expertise: General Business
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Dick Whelan is Founder and Managing Director of Almir Business. He has
over 26 years working with industry and 12 years as a business adviser with
companies in the area of Business Development and Improvement.
Over the past twelve years, he has had a unique opportunity to understand
the needs of small business having worked with over 40 SME companies.
Many of these relationships are long-term providing general support to
management as well as specific project tasks including strategic business
planning, supply chain development and market planning. Additional areas
of strength include risk management, financial planning, management
systems, lean implementation and innovation processes.
He has achieved a number of academic qualifications including an MBA and
a Post Graduate diploma in Financial Management (ACCA) and a diploma in
Management and Executive Coaching. Over the past 11 years Dick has build
up a network of business, professional and academic contacts across the
island of Ireland.
Examples of clients.
Company A
Facilitated and advised on the development / deployment of Strategic,
Product and Sales plans. The company’s turnover has increase from €1.7m
to €4m and employees from 14 to 50+. Over the time the company has
transformed from being a general Precision Engineering subcontractor
company to a leading medical device subcontractors.
Company B
Support the management team in development, implementation and review.
The company’s exports increased from 10% to over 30% of turnover. Over
this time the company has developed its niche electronic services with OEM
customers in Ireland and the US.

Elevate
Donagh Kiernan
Location: Cork
Phone No: +353 21 230 7117
Email: Donagh@tenegopartnering.com
Website: www.tenegopartnering.com
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Donagh formed Tenego Partnering in 2003 to focus on driving sales growth
within technology companies. This draws on Donagh’s expertise in defining,
selling and delivering technology solutions, and builds on 20 years of
technology development, sales and business ownership, investment and
management.
A software technology professional, Donagh graduated from CIT in 1989
with a BSc in Computer Applications. Donagh is a graduate of the second
round of the yearlong Enterprise Ireland/Stanford University Graduate School
Business’ Leadership4Growth Programme.
In 1994, Donagh established Vistech Software sub-contracting software
development services to the software industry and, over the next seven
years, became one of the rising stars of Ireland’s technology boom. In 2000
Vistech responded to market forces and shifted its focus to the development
and delivery of content management products and services.
Donagh has developed, sold and delivered high-calibre software solutions
to many well-known organisations. Donagh has experience of many types
of businesses, a fundamental grasp on technology and a unique ability to
visualise how they fit together. He relishes the challenging environment of
emerging business, and thrives on finding innovative ways to deliver tangible
business benefits through technology.
Donagh is an avid business networker and highly active in industry
development initiatives and organizations: NSC Campus, it@Cork, Irish
Software Association, CIT Alumni and Enterprise Ireland commercialisation
and internationalisation initiatives.
Donagh delivers workshops and acts as an advisor/mentor to companies
for Enterprise Ireland and on Ireland’s EEP Programmes including Propel
Northern Ireland, Genesis Programme, Hothouse Programme, NUIG
and LYIT.

Elevate
Eoin Leonard RCDD MBA (pending)
Location: Cork
Phone No: +353 87 765 5007
Email: eleonard@eqtel.ie
Website: www.eqtel.ie
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Eoin is an experienced, award-winning entrepreneur with an aptitude for
strategic direction. He is particularly adept at developing the sales and
marketing functions of a company, having led his own SME to back-to-back
Deloitte Technology Fast 50 awards in 2009 and 2010. He is also the CEO
of another technology start-up and is constantly re-educating himself to
improve his business knowledge.
Eoin started out working in mobile telecoms, in a sales role for one of
the largest telecoms companies in Europe. He then moved into the food
business taking a management role with West Cork Foods and he gained
valuable experience and contacts in this industry.
Eoin then joined up with two other Cork-based businessmen to form eQTEL
Group, which has become a market leader in Voice, Data, Security and
Fire services over the past decade. This success has been largely due to
the sales and marketing strategy of the company which was devised and
implemented by Eoin and the eQTEL sales team.
He knows how to find the core competences in a business based on their
resources and how to drive the success of a business by leveraging these
key skills. Eoin can then find a resonating focus, something that matters to
your clients, which you can drive home to your target market in a concise
and clear way, maximising your potential for success. He is a true believer
that the best strategies are simple, clear and easily understood. Eoin is
completing his MBA in UCC.

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Eugene Groeger F.C.A.
Location: Dublin
Phone No: +353 86 259 4740
Email: eugene.groeger@gmail.com
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Experienced in General Management and Corporate Governance.
Also have worked with small and medium sized enterprises on Financial and
Strategic plans and funding.
Sectors include: Construction Products , Fashion and Printing.
Also have worked with Social Enterprises who are looking to improve their
Revenue models and staff efficiencies.

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Fergal Maher
Strategic Marketing Consultants Limited
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Location: Rathangan, Co Kildare
Phone No: + 353 45 482 633
Email: fergal@strategic-ireland.com
Website: www.strategic-ireland.com
Key Area of Expertise: Insurance
Fergal is a highly experienced and successful Marketing & Sales
Professional with many years experience in top Management positions in
Ireland, the UK and the Middle East. He is a fellow of the Marketing Institute
of Ireland and holds a Diploma in Strategic Marketing Management from the
Irish Management Institute (IMI) and an MBS in Marketing from Dublin City
University (DCU).
Fergal has worked successfully as a consultant over the last 20 years
with green field, turn around and rapidly expanding companies and
orgasnisations. Fergal is a strategist and is highly experienced in helping
numerous companies and organisations achieve extradionary results quickly.
Fergal has lectured at the Kemmy Business School at the University of
Limerick and has guest lectured at Trinity College Dublin. He is also on the
panel of external lecturers at Carlow Institute of Technology. Over the last
12 years, Fergal has spoken on various Marketing topics. Fergal has written
academic papers on Data Ireland, Strategy in SME’s and the role
of Strategic Marketing in the success of Irish hotels.
Sector experience:
Adhesive
Diagnostics
Environmental
Food & Beverage
Furniture
Hotel & Catering
IT
Medical
Motor
Pharmaceutical
Retail
Steel
Construction
Engineering
Financial
Fuel
Horticulture
Insulation
Meat
Medical Devices
Oil
Postal
Security
Tyre

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Fiona Flynn
Location: Meath/Dublin
Phone No: +353 85 174 4378
Email: fionaflynn@salesolutions.ie
Website: www.salessolutions.ie
Key Area of Expertise: Internet/Cloud/eCommerce
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Fiona Flynn is managing director of Sales Solutions - a company dedicated
to helping businesses to create opportunities for export growth.
Fiona is an experienced sales professional with over 20 years sales and
marketing experience, 12 years of which was spent working in the highly
competitive telecommunications and internet sectors.
Prior to founding her own company, Fiona was Head of Sales at eircom.net.
She was responsible for developing and executing the sales strategy across
all market segments to achieve revenue and profitability budgets in excess
of €60m. This included the creation, development and mentoring of the
sales teams and ongoing performance management of a team of 60.
Fiona is currently assisting a range of clients to grow their business and to
identify opportunities for development and expansion into export markets.
Clients include Irish and International clients – Coole Swan, 10CMS, Propel
Programme, Genesis Programme.
She is also an approved mentor/training consultant with the Meath County
Enterprise Board and Enterprise Ireland.
Over the past 20 years, Fiona has helped a broad range of businesses to
grow and expand their sales revenues and market share. The solution is
to use a structured sales process, innovative thinking and intense focus to
drive sales.
The key to delivering increased sales performance is to build long term
relationships that add value to a clients business. You need to understand
the issues in the market and solve a compelling problem – this is not selling
but adding value.
Fiona is enthusiastic and passionate about marketing and sales and
genuinely wants to generate results for her clients. She is proactive about
reaching out to others in her extensive network when there is an opportunity
for them to add value to a clients’ businesses.
Fiona is a member of Sales Institute of Ireland and Dublin Chamber
and is a regular speaker with Dublin Chamber as part of the Competitive
Edge series.

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Francis Verling
Location: Blackrock, Co. Louth
Phone No: +353 86 179 2568
Email: info@verling.ie
Website: www.verling.ie
Key Area of Expertise: Creative and Cultural Industries
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Francis Verling, lead consultant at VERLING CONSULTING has over
eight years experience as a business advisor (2004-2012), specialising
in sales and marketing. In this time he has worked with more than 200
businesses in the development of their businesses and the development
and implementation of successful sales & marketing plans. He is also an
experienced trainer in the area of sales & marketing and has delivered
training to companies directly and through enterprise agencies including
the County and City Enterprise Boards, Enterprise Ireland and organisations
in Northern Ireland including, Ormeau Business Park and Craft Northern
Ireland.
Francis Verling is a business advisor / mentor on the Tradelinks 2 Cross-
Border Programme, a panel member of the Crafts Council Of Ireland Mentor
Panel, on the mentor panels for Cavan, Louth Meath and Monaghan County
Enterprise Boards and one of only seven consultancy practices to deliver
the Enterprise Ireland / County & City Enterprise Board’s Pilot ‘Accelerate –
Driving your Business Forward’ Programme.
His approach to sales development is both strategic and practical, assisting
with sales plan development from Market Research to Prospecting,
Contacting, Presenting, Quoting and Closing. Assisting companies to build
long term relationships for sustainable business growth is his focus and
expected outcome.
In particular he works with businesses in the following areas:
• Creative Industries
• Education
• Food & Drink
• Healthcare
• Health & Leisure
• ICT / WWW
• Manufacturing
• Renewable Energies
• Retail

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Garrett Flynn
Location: County Kildare
Phone No: +353 87 679 5963
Email: garrett@gfccommunications.ie
Website: www.gfccommunications.ie
Key Area of Expertise: Food & Beverage
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Garrett Flynn is a marketing and communications professional with
extensive senior corporate experience in large indigenous and international
businesses.
He holds a BSc in marketing management, a PRII diploma in Public
Relations and is nearing completion of an MBA at UCD Smurfit Business
School.
In 2007, he established GFC Communications Limited. The practice has a
wide range of clients across a number of industries.
Garrett has a proven track-record in using marketing expertise and brandbuilding
knowledge to add significant value to businesses of all sizes.
Business sectors in which Garrett has experience include food & beverage,
mass transit, retail, utilities, financial, government agencies and waste
management.
In food & beverage, his experience extends across hot beverages, brewing,
meat (cooked, cured and raw), snack foods, health foods, confectionery,
chocolate, bakery, dairy, preserves and ready meals.
He has served as Communications Director of the youth organisation
Scouting Ireland, a commitee member of the National Youth Council of
Ireland and as a member of the City of Dublin Youth Services Board.
He writes occasionally for specialist business titles, is an experienced
copywriter and an accomplished media performer.
Garrett is a member of the Marketing Institute of Ireland, the Public Relations
Institute of Ireland and a former member of the Chartered Institute of
Marketing (UK).

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Greg Langan
Business Planning & Devlopment Ltd
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Location: Dublin
Phone No: +353 86 257 0329
Email: greg@bpd.ie
Key Area of Expertise: Sales and Marketing
I am the owner / executive director of BPD a Management Services, Training
and Consultancy Business which commenced trading in 1989.
I supply, deliver and implement the following services:
Sales: Sales strategy, Sales development, Selling skills, Field sales activities,
Sales systems & processes, Sales management, Sales training.
Marketing: Marketing strategy, Market entry plans, Marketing activities,
Market Research, Route to market plans, New business development,
Business to business, Customers sourcing & database targeting.
Consultancy: Business Growth activities
Sector Experience: Manufacturing / Software / Engineering / Horticulture /
Leisure / Print Media / Logistics / Clothing / Food / Drink charity / Retail
I have worked with clients of Inter Trade, Invest Northern Ireland, Enterprise
Ireland, FAS and County Enterprise Boards.
Key Skills and Achievements
In Ireland I have wide experience and developed business growth
programmes, sales and marketing projects for clients in a range of business
sectors including the International Fund for Ireland.
I have experience in export markets, UK, Portugal and Saudi Arabia. In the
Middle East I successfully undertook projects in the Consultancy, Dairy
Industry, Insurance and Banking sectors.
In the UK, I developed Market Entry Projects and Field Sales Activities on
behalf of clients.
In my previous business career, I was Brand Manager / Marketing Manager
with Cantrell & Cochrane (1981/89). I have worked in a variety of marketing
& sales roles in Maguire & Paterson, Match Manufacturers (1979/81),
Irish Raleigh, Bicycle manufacturers (1977/79) and Conoco Ireland, JET
Petroleum (1967/79).
I have an Advanced Certificate in Business Counselling, Durham University
and a Certificate in Training and Continuing Education, National University of
Ireland, Maynooth.

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Jackie Gowran
Location: Cork City
Phone No: +353 87 619 6682
Email: jackiegowran@gmail.com
Website: www.linkedin.com/pub/jackie-gowran/10/8b4
Key Area of Expertise: Craft/Gift & Design
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Areas of expertise:
• Product / Service Development
• Strategic Planning
• Marketing – Branding / Merchandising / Marketing Plan / Digital
Marketing
• Strategic customer building
• Streamlining to improve profitability & efficiency.
• Sales development
Originally I was a handbag designer in a boutique manufacturing company,
I learnt business acumen through the experience of growing a creative
business in a challenging market (1988-1999)
www.holdenleathergoods.com.
In 1999, I changed direction and worked on marketing projects for craft
& design businesses. Since 2006, I have been a business mentor with
Enterprise Ireland (22 companies), Cork City and County Enterprise Boards
and Udaras na Gaeltachta ( 50 companies +). I deliver training programmes
in the areas of Business Start Up, Marketing & Business Development.
My strengths include excellent communication skills, personal development,
strategic planning, problem solving, product development, merchandising,
branding and marketing. I am currently studying for a certificate in Digital
Marketing to augment my marketing skills. I have great insight into the
challenges facing growing enterprises, I specialise in craft / design and gift
sectors. I focus on client and business development aiming to leave clients
with embedded re-usable skills and behaviours that will assist future growth.
I was involved in all aspects of the business; product development, sourcing
of raw materials, production processes, strategic planning, marketing and
sales development. We exported to the UK and America and were 3rd party
manufacturers for ‘Penhaligons’, whose products sold in Harrods.

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James McGreer
Location: Dublin 13
Phone No: +353 8767 16400
Email: jamesmcgreer@gmail.com
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Experience
Whilst my formal technical training and experience has been In Chemical
Engineering{BSc} and Polymer Chemistry {D.Phil}, over the past thirty years I
have had extensive international, technical market development, experience
at a senior level across a wide range of Physical and Life Science based
industries including Plastics in Construction and Packaging {BPCL, Flair
International, PDC} , Polymers in Medical Devices {PDC} , Environmental
Services {CIBA Expert Services, OFTEC}, Energy Management { RK and HE}
and International Standards for chemical and fuel storage{NSAI/BSI/CEN}.
Throughout the past decade, as a technical market development consultant,
I have used this experience on behalf of a number of major international
organisations to assess the potential markets, with the appropriate technical
customisation to meet local standards, for their technology in the UK, Ireland
and Scandinavia and to personally establish significant sales therein on their
behalf.
Expertise
I have resided in Dublin over the past two decades but I was born and grew
up in N.Ireland wherein I still have strong family, sporting and business
contacts and I believe that with this background, coupled to my extensive
business skills and experience, I can make a major contribution in assisting
manufacturing companies from either side of the border achieve profitable
cross-border business, though the following key processes: strategic
market analysis, identification of business opportunities, customisation of
product offer for local needs, targeting potential customers and developing/
implementing a sales plan with the supporting marketing initiatives.

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Jennifer Rothwell
Location: Dublin
Phone No: +353 85 721 0702
Email: info@jrothwell.net
Website: www.jrothwell.net
Key Area of Expertise: Fashion Production/Manufacturing
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Renowned Irish Fashion Designer Jennifer Rothwell is highly experienced in
the fashion field with over 20 years fashion Design/Production experience.
Jennifer Rothwell knows the A to Z of the fashion industry as she gained
vast experience as the director of Design and Production for many high
profile New York Designer companies. Jennifer accredits her most valuable
experience at Norma Kamali where she worked for several years. She later
went on to work and gain further fashion experience with Katayone Adeli,
Calvin Klein, Language and Yigal Azrouel and worked at Director level in all
companies mentioned. Her reputation was such that she was constantly
head hunted and in demand by competitors such as Daryl K, Betsey
Johnson and Anna Sui and Rogan.
In August 06 Jennifer decided to launch her own label, Jennifer Rothwell.
After only a short seven months launched the Jennifer Rothwell label she
won the “Brown Thomas Designer Mentor Programme Award” at Dublin
Fashion Week in 07. In January 2010 Jennifer won a highly commended
New Product Award at the Showcase Expo and she showcased at the Irish
Pavilion at Shanghai World Expo last year. She was appointed a peer mentor
for the Crafts Council of Ireland in June 2010 and a Dublin City Enterprise
Mentor and Intertrade Ireland in 2011.
She was frequently hired as a consultant to restructure Design/ Production
departments to ensure high productivity and profit. And Implemented
product development and production systems to improve overall
departmental efficiency. As a result of her extensive international Fashion
production experience Jennifer currently runs Fashion Design through
Production Workshops were the emphasis is on the key elements that are
vital to succeed!

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Jim Fitzsimons
Location: Wicklow
Phone No: +353 87 284 5760
Email: jim.fitzsimons@riverwestmanagement.com
Website: www.riverwestmanagement.com
Key Area of Expertise: Agribusiness
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Jim is a has worked in many sectors over the last 25 years but is most
experienced in food, agribusiness, energy, consumer products and defence.
He is highly experienced in new product development, funding, start-up
and export.
He is very hands on and prefers to work with client customers as well as in
the Board room. He has worked in food and agribusiness based in the UK
for over 10 years. He has over 15 years experience in export sales, sales
management and raising finance.
He is currently working on:
1. Setting up working partnerships between SME’s and universities on both
sides of the border with Intertrade Ireland.
2. Expanding sales for companies on both sides of the border.
3. Mentoring start-ups with Dublin City Enterprise Board.
4. Managing research projects with IDA, Enterprise Ireland and InvestNI
client companies.
5. Building business and funding plans for a range of companies from startup
to companies over 150 year old and from one person operations to
those with over 2,000 employees.
6. Getting funding for start up, growth and research for a large range of
companies in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.
He has worked extensively in Europe, Asia and North America.
He is very happy to work with companies in all areas of Ireland.

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John Cunnane
Locations: Galway & Belfast
Phone No: +353 91 798 995 / +44 9092 3377
Email: john@teambds.com
Website: www.teambds.com
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Experience Summary:
John is an Industrial Engineer with over twenty years of industry experience
specialising in Innovation Programmes, Operations Development and R&D
programmes. He has many years experience at Operations, Production and
General Manager Level with both large multi-nationals and indigenous Irish
organisations.
• John has extensive experience supporting companies, as a core focus,
to develop products, processes and services that will strategically
develop the company.
• Has worked as a project manager for a large R&D project and
successfully brought the new product to product launch stage.
• As part of the Innovation & R&D programmes from Enterprise Ireland,
John has being instrumental in moving his companies up the value chain
in their strategic approach and in most cases this has led to new product
or process developments.
• Assisted companies to develop strategic business plans for the
commercialisation of R&D projects.
• Has assisted many companies through Innovation & R&D programmes
leading to the evaluation and selection of strategic R&D projects and his
work has also involved R&D grant applications and R&D project support
for a range of companies.
• Has extensive knowledge in software support tools such as MRP/ERP
systems, and has successfully supported many companies to specify,
select and install business management software solutions for their
business.
• In working with these companies John gives due focus to commercial
reality including Return on Investment (ROI), risk assessments,
budgeting, cash flow projections, project planning, sales and distribution
strategy.
• Extensive Project Management experience of both e-business programs
and live manufacturing projects with full responsibility for budgets,
allocations, spending, scheduling and direct customer interfacing.
• A strong change agent with a proven track record of achieving results.

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John Flynn
Location: Cork
Phone No: +353 21 421 1980 / +353 87 917 6270
Email: john.flynn@eir-tech.com
Website: www.eir-tech.com or www.servitizer.com
Key Area of Expertise: Technology
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My area of expertise is in helping businesses scale & grow in both domestic
and international markets. With a background in IT & telecommunications I
have executive level management experience in a multi-national environment
up to director level having have held responsibility for setting up & running
a number of international services businesses with full P&L and Operations
responsibility. In the most recent of these with US Multi-national, Motorola, I
led the business to achieve a turnover of $230M with a staff in excess of 250
people covering Sales, Marketing, HR, Engineering Operations and Finance.
Since 2007 I have been running my own consultancy practice and I have
created tools and methodologies which help drive scaling/growth for a
solutions-led business in a multi-national environment but which have been
streamlined to make them applicable to Small & Medium Enterprises across
different sectors.
Over the past four years I have successfully worked with SMEs across
different sectors including Energy, Environmental, Education, Financial
Services, Corporate Services, Retail, Online Marketing, Software and IT/
Telecoms. It has been my experience that any business which adopts a
solutions-led approach, which becomes closer to their customer’s business
and understands their customer’s real “pain points” can succeed and then
the fundamentals of growth and scalability which apply to larger business
entities, can still apply to SMEs – it is the level of implementation that
differs. I believe in a practical as well as a theoretical approach to achieving
business growth which has led to many successful engagements
with clients.

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John Kennedy
John Kennedy
Location: Mullingar Co Westmeath
Phone No: +353 87 919 000
Email: john@kbusinessprojects.com
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Hands on proven senior business manager. While building his career he
always attracted extra responsibility and was promoted within every brief
he held. A champion of man management and holds a worthy reputation
as a negotiator and motivator. Career includes working in manufacturing,
distribution and service industries over 25 years. John has build up a vast
wealth of practical and well rounded competence in sales, marketing,
business strategy, turn around projects and change management. Has
excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Management Scope
Track record as team leader, inter-company development, sales and
marketing, effective industrial relations and broad board room participant.
Involved in acquisitions, new markets, strategy planning, financial budgeting,
personnel management training. Has built up vast experience and working
relationships in the NL and UK.
Career Roles includes
Sales Director Manufacturing Industry
General Manager Distribution Industry
Regional Manager Agricultural Sector

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John Lynch
Location: Limerick
Phone No: +353 87 204 6796
Email: johnnylynch@ireland.com
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Public service as a local authority enforcing officer / TO (Health & Safety)
UK - Watford Council & London Borough of Camden 2000-02 working with
SMEs- Management Systems
P/T Tutor Further Education & IOSH Courses 2002-06
Electrical Rewinds – Auditing 2007
Ge energy Int ( General Electric ) UK & Hungary- Management Supply Chain-
Safety Advisor 2008
Headway Irl. – Auditing 2009, De Bruin Construction 2010
RSA Road Safety Authority Irl - Risk Assessments 2009-2012- Developing a
Safety Culture
Blended Services
Auditing
Blended Learning - Client
Business Development – Consultancy Business
Client Representation
Legislation Compliance
Facilites Management
Management Accreditation Systems Env ISO 14001
H & S 18001- Business Supply Chain
Manual Handling
Mentor
Method Statements- Client Specific
Train the Trainer
Risk Assessments / Insurance / site specific
Safety representative
Safety Statement
Traffic Management

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John McLoughlin
Location: Dublin
Phone No: +353 87 241 0383 / +353 1 843 9290
Email: john@businessconsultants.ie
Website: www.businessconsultants.ie
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John McLoughlin is a high impact business professional, practiced at
bringing technology companies through their next growth phase. John
creates a platform for growth by focussing on value add to the customer and
on the customer experience. Much of his work concentrates on optimising
the fit between his client’s value proposition and their customers’ business
drivers. His customer-centric approach to business is underpinned by a
discipline of formal operational and process design and rigorous execution.
John is the managing partner of BusinessConsultants.IE, a business
consultancy firm. BusinessConsultants.IE’s client list includes firms working
in the areas of Web 2.0 / Social Media, WBT, On-Line Video, Business
Process Outsourcing, Software Application Development and Professional
Services sectors.
Previously, John was lead executive for a number of MNC start-ups in
Ireland.
As Vice President and Ireland Principal of Teradata, John set up the industry
marketing and global consultancy practices in Dublin and he launched the
Teradata Ireland Reseller programme.
John established City Reach Ireland, a hosting and managed service
provider. Under his leadership the Irish team secured sales in excess of
€23M within the first twelve months of operation.
John established and was Managing Director of FileNET Ireland. Operations
in FileNET Ireland included Software Development, Manufacturing and Order
Fulfilment, Customer Support and Financial Shared Services.
John is a graduate of University College Dublin (Engineering – 1980),
University College Galway (MBA – 1989), Trinity College Dublin (MSC
International Business – 2005) and Dublin Institute of Technology
(Postgraduate Diploma in International Selling – 2010).

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Kevin Heery
Location: Galway
Phone No: +353 87 224 8694
Email: kheery@eircom.net
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Specialist in developing SME’s, public & community organisations &
agencies. Sectoral experience includes food, business process outsourcing,
luxury brands, healthcare, craft, marine, construction, autocare, regional
airport, tourism & leisure.
Services I provide include, strategic plans, budgeting, feasibility studies,
business development planning, implementation support, capability
assessment & development, management process, project management,
organization re-structuring, knowledge transfer through experiential learning.
Current engagements include - Island Ferries Teo, Ocean Plant Ltd.,
Comerford and Sons, Connemara Seafoods, BondAuto, Vita Sala Ltd,
Recruit Safe Ltd.
Current mentoring includes, NUIG executive MBA, IMI leadership
development program, Connaught Rugby players association.
Many years experience working with Government agencies delivering
development & support programs to SME’s up to 250 employees &
companies at early stage development focussed on exports & upscaling,
these include Enterprise Ireland & Irish Management Institute, campus
companies.
I have held senior management positions in indigenous & multi-national
companies. Marketing and Sales Director with management services
group PARC, European Marketing Manager with worldwide luxury branded
goods manufacturer AT Cross, Managing Director of Healthcare services
provider Galvia, Senior Vice President in Neodata/EDS, a multi-national
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) services group. Director of Business
Development Partnership (BDP) for the past 12 years, providing SME’s in
Ireland from start ups to established enterprises with advice, consultancy,
support, business development, business planning, organization & interim
management solutions.

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Luke Sparrow
Location: Dublin
Phone No: +353 85 711 7418
Email: luke@lukesparrow.com
Website: www.lukesparrow.com
Luke has a background in telecommunications, manufacturing, services
& banking. He has extensive direct working knowledge of procurement
process, procedure and policy development and deployment; and is
very well versed in contract law. Competent in dealing with all sizes of
tender from small local product related ones to large scale (€100m+)
complex service ones which cross international boundaries, from both the
procurement and the sales side.
Since early 2010 Luke Sparrow and Associates, a niche consultancy
providing clients with a “non typical” service focused on simplifying the
complexities and delivering real value has been growing successfully.
Current clients range from telecommunications companies with locations
throughout the country to small marketing collateral companies based in
Dublin city centre, to world leading internet search companies and public
sector bodies.
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Projects completed include regional sourcing reviews (EMEA & USA),
multiple savings programs, niche market to multimillion euro tenders,
bid management, staff mentoring, director support, meeting facilitation,
procurement training as well as tools provision.
Immediately prior to starting this business Luke worked as the Strategic
Procurement Manager with Meteor Mobile Communications.
Achievements include:
• Successfully delivered direct bottom line cash to clients by reducing
supplier spend (15%+)
• Saved directors/owners time (20%) by implementing tender management
procedures
• Increased clients eTenders prequalification success rate from
75%
• Secured public sector work for clients through controlled bid
management process
• Supported client in development of key strategic partnerships.

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Malachy Mooney
Locations: Galway & Belfast
Phone No: +353 91 798 995 / +44 28 9092 3377
Email: malachy@teambds.com
Website: www.teambds.com
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Experience Summary:
Malachy is a qualified Mechanical Engineer with over 20 years experience
in R&D, innovation and New Product Development (NPD). He has 4 years
experience as design engineer leading up to 6 years experience as R&D
Engineer at various European locations involving the implementation of
Operational Systems and R&D projects. In addition he also has experience
as R&D Manager in a company which manufactures Electronic Control
Systems.
• Specialisation in “Design” and supporting Innovation and R&D programs.
He has spearheaded a large R&D program resulting in the successful
designing, prototyping and worldwide launch of an electro–mechanical
device for the oil industry, which is in widespread use today throughout
the world.
• Malachy has extensive Project Management experience of Innovation,
R&D programs and live manufacturing projects with full responsibility
for budgets, allocations, spending, scheduling and direct customer
interfacing.
• He has a significant commercial experience base in evaluating “Return
on Investments”, risk assessments, budgeting, cash flow projections,
value engineering etc.
• Malachy has led many training programs of a re-value engineering
nature so as to enable communication of ideas and feedback between
“designers”, “manufacturers” and the end user /customer.
• Malachy has a proven track record of achieving results for his client
companies such as increasing productivity, reducing waste, reducing
lead time and improving efficiency.
• Undergone extensive studies in the area of “materials” and has
supported many organisations optimise materials management,
significantly reduce materials costs, released cash-flow etc using a
combination of good materials management, planning and scheduling
effectiveness, enabled with appropriate technological support.

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Martin Hogan
Location: Drogheda
Phone No: +353 86 241 0306 / +44 20 8144 0120
Email: info@martinhogan.ie
Key Area of Expertise: Software & Digital Media
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• Over 15 years’ experience as a Managing Director, Sales and Marketing
Director, Business Coach and Consultant with software, digital media
and creative companies. Have advised and helped over 50 companies to
succeed across Ireland and the UK.
• Development of business plans and proposals for SMEs and start-ups so
that they are “investment ready”.
• Extensive experience of commercialising products and of identifying and
developing appropriate routes to market for new products and services.
• Development of sales, marketing and revenue expansion projects.
• Expertise in writing and obtaining funded proposals, R&D applications,
innovation vouchers etc, for companies.
• Expertise in identifying opportunities for niche markets and for optimising
sales opportunities.
• Expertise in market and product validation to ensure that the product/
service offering meets the needs of the customer set being targeted.
• Project management of funded research with the third level sector to
ensure value for money is delivered for the company.
• A career history of staff training and recruitment.
• Extensive experience of leading change management and of outsourcing
management to reduce costs and improve efficiencies.

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Michael Durkin
Location: Meath, Co. Louth
Phone No: +353 78 5045 3919
Email: durkmichael@gmail.com
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I hold an MBA from University of Ulster and am a Fellow of the Chartered
Institute of Personnel & Development. I have spent 14 years in Senior HR
Managerial positions having been involved in four Greenfield Start-ups:
American , Japanese and Korean Companies in Northern Ireland and the
South. I had eight years Sales and Marketing experience throughout Europe
and a further four years as General Manager of a Japanese Company.
I am currently working on a Consultancy basis on the Tradelinks programme
and have carried out a variety of Mentoring Projects for Newry & Mourne,
Louth County Enterprise Board, Banbridge and Down including Sourcing
new Products for Companies, Obtaining Innovation Vouchers for Research
and Development, HR activities including Succession Planning and
Contracts of Employment, Market Entry Plans, entry onto the Acumen
Programme for Companies as diverse as Herbal Products and Recruitment
Companies and a further mixture of Mentoring for Wedding Dress Designers,
Food Products, Community Radio, Building Materials, Engineering and
Computer Products.

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Noel Kehoe
Location: Kildare
Phone No: +353 87 918 5264
Email: noel@marketingprecision.ie
Website: marketingprecision.ie
Key Area of Expertise: Digital marketing and social media
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Noel Kehoe MIMI FLIA
Executive Leadership of Sales, Marketing, Operations, Training and Project
Management in Ireland/ Europe including new country business set up.
The Business Expansion Model – Enabling Effective Decisions:
Strategy & Planning
Financial Management
1. Product Offering Cost Structure
2. Resources Revenue Stream
3. Activities
4. Partners
5. Distribution Channels
6. Market Segmentation
7. Business Intelligence & Analysis
Skills & Competencies:
• Leadership of business expansion into new countries & new products
into local markets
• Expertise in the design and delivery of Digital Marketing & Social Media
sales & marketing campaigns and connecting these to off-line to improve
revenue
• Working with major vendors in the design of SaaS platforms to create
operational efficiencies, achieve current budget savings and cost
avoidance in the future
• Programme Management for business change that demonstrates
understanding of the end to end business process and procedures
required to achieve success in sales
• Experienced in successfully leading sales in B2C and B2B at the highest
corporate level.
Recent Achievements:
Invited to write and publish a “Guide to Digital Marketing & Social Media” for
an organisation with 900+ SME’s Members in Ireland; launch 18th
April 2012.
Name of organisation confidential at time of writing but details available
on request.
A Current Project:
Scope, design and delivery of a Business Intelligence and Analysis system.
Delivery May 2012. Integration and interactive with existing business
platform to provide automated and refreshed views of key performance
indicators related to existing customers and planning for new target markets.

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Noel Kinsella
Location: Dublin
Phone No: +353 8625 67993
Email: noel@salesfinesse.com
Website: www.salesfinesse.com / www.namfoundation.com
Key Area of Expertise: Food and Beverage
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Relevant Experience
Noel has held Senior Sales and Marketing positions for over 25 years with
two great Global FMCG companies S C Johnson and Mars Ireland. As
Business Manager for S C Johnson he was responsible for doubling the
turnover over a three year period with profits growing at an even more
accelerated rate. He was promoted to Business manager Middle East
Markets including India, Egypt, Israel, Turkey and Sri Lanka and played a
vital role in establishing S C Johnson in these key markets.
He joined Mars in April 1990 as Sales Director Mars Confectionery. He
played a key role in the major success of the Confectionery business in
the 90s before moving on to become Sales Director Grocery for Mars,
Confectionery, Food and Petcare business.
Noel established Salesfinesse in 2004 and is currently offering Successful
Sales Solutions to some 35 Major FMCG Companies. Since 2004 he
has been running the unique NAM Foundation Programme the most
comprehensive National Account Management Programme available to
almost 600 NAMs and Buyers in Ireland and the UK.
In summary Noel has for eight years been assisting large and small
corporations in optimising retail engagement both in Ireland the UK,
mainland Europe and the U.S. The companies range in size from Glanbia
to medium size food & drinks manufacturers and a consumer electronics
business.
Noel’s role has been to better prepare suppliers in dealing with the trade,
helping them develop commercially astute presentation, and on many
occasions he has the suppliers. Noel has a passion around assisting small
and medium business’s optimise their sales and profitability in this area.
He has worked on many occasions with Bord Bia, DIT and EI in assisting
their clients in getting their products to market.

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Olwen Dawe
Irish Business Intelligence
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Location: Mayo
Phone No: +353 87 799 7772
Email: olwen@irishbusinessintelligence.com
Website: www.irishbusinessintelligence.com
www.olwendawe.com
Key Area of Expertise: General Business
Olwen Dawe, owner of Irish Business Intelligence, is a small business and
SME growth specialist, focused on supporting you to build the best possible
strategy for your business, honing its message and converting both to
client pipeline.
Servicing the Western Region of Ireland, Olwen currently works with
enterprise organisations, networks and individual start-ups, microenterprises
and SMEs.
Olwen’s approach focuses on practical, measurable objectives and plans –
getting your business to where you want it through hands-on advice
and strategy.
Irish Business Intelligence was founded on four key tenets:
Vision. Strategy. Execution. Support. These four key focal points allow for
clients to see the potential of their business, how it will achieve its desired
outcomes, the route to achieving same – and the support required for longterm,
ongoing growth.
A graduate of NCIRL, Olwen is an experienced mentor, coach, trainer and
advisor, whose approach is regularly praised by clients for effectiveness,
practicality and visionary style.
An experienced small business ‘person’, Olwen has worked for some of
Ireland’s most well-known indigenous firms. In addition to this, Olwen gained
strategic and organisational design experience during her time at the centre
of business strategy with large corporates. An avid blogger and writer,
Olwen’s commentary is published regularly, online and in print-media; she is
a regular blogger for Small Business Can.

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Oonagh Monahan
Alpha Omega Consultants Ltd.
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Leitrim
Phone No: +353 71 916 403 / +353 86 176 0496
Email: oonagh@alphaomega.ie
Website: www.alphaomega.ie
Key Area of Expertise: Food Sector
A qualified Food Technologist, Oonagh Monahan is a high calibre food
business specialist with extensive experience in managing the technical
and business development aspects for food producers. Oonagh has
specific experience in how to set up a food business from scratch, market
development, working with the Environmental Health Officers, finding
suppliers of packaging and ingredients, product development, food safety,
food quality, sales routes, costs and pricing, labelling, compliance with
legislation, dealing with retailers and branding. She has written five “How To”
guides for dairy (ice-cream, yogurt and cheese), value added meats, rural
abattoirs, duck egg production and setting up a smokehouse.
Since setting up Alpha Omega Consultants in 2008, Oonagh has
worked with food producers across the island, including sheep farmers
in Co.Wicklow (Feasibility Study), pig farmers in Fermanagh, bakers,
jam makers, soup producers, ready meal producers, trout and salmon
smokeries, boxty makers, and over 50 startup small food producers in the
West of Ireland covering everything from wheatgrass and organic vegetable
growers to microbreweries and cream liqueur blenders. She is also a food
business mentor with Enterprise Ireland.

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Padraig Warren
Location: Louth
Phone No: +353 87 235 2969
Email: pjwarren@iol.ie
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Dr. Padraig Warren has worked in the food sector - brewing industry in
both Ireland and Canada; Quality Manager in the production of yoghurt
and Director of Quality and Scientific Regulatory Affairs at the Coca–Cola
concentrate plant in Drogheda.
I am now involved in Training, Mentoring and Coaching, Business
Development and Strategic Management support to SME and Micro
companies in the Food & Drink, Engineering, Electronics, Service, Tourism,
Manufacturing, Distribution and Internet sectors.
I have facilitated companies in developing their strategic business plans
that assessed their export readiness and mentored/ coached the ownermanager/team
to develop and oversee the implementation of their export
sales plan and identified their funding requirements and the most effective
source of grant aid funds from local support agencies in addition to private
funding sources.
I have a good understanding of the technical issues facing small companies
gained over the years in developing and delivering four twelve-month long
Business Development and training support programmes to over sixty
County Enterprise Board SME and micro client companies in Louth
and Dublin.
I have worked with the staff of the InterTrade Ireland supported Acumen and
Fusion programmes in facilitating the involvement of companies onto these
programmes.
I am a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants and Advisors
(IMCA), a Certified Management Consultant and previous IMCA Director
of All Ireland Relations. Chinook Consulting is an Institute of Management
Consultants and Advisors (IMCA) Registered Practice and an approved
FETAC training centre.

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Pascal Maher
Prior Associates
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Location: Donegal
Phone No: +353 87 799 8610
Email: pascal@priorassociates.com
Website: www.priorassociates.com
Pascal Maher is a trained, skilled and experienced mentor and facilitator
who works with individuals and groups to improve the processes through
which they solve problems; identify, evaluate and pursue opportunities and
make better decisions. Pascal has a rich and deep understanding of small
business and he excels at helping his owner / manager clients to:
• Clarify their vision and prioritise what’s really urgent and important
• Identify their options; compare and contrast them and select the
most promising
• Develop and articulate their strategy in a simple, brief, clear and
focused plan
• Identify and marshal the resources required to make it happen
Over the past 10 years, he has worked across all industry sectors, both
North and South of the border, helping individual entrepreneurs and
inventors; small and medium sized businesses; multinational companies and
state agencies. He is an active member of Enterprise Ireland’s mentor and
R&D advocacy panels and a lead facilitator in ProfitNet, a small business
network run by the University of Brighton.
Before establishing his consultancy business, Prior Associates, Pascal
worked in senior engineering, manufacturing and business development
roles in plastics and medical device companies. He holds a BA in Business
Studies, a postgraduate diploma in accounting and finance (ACCA), an MSc
in Innovation Management (2003) and three US patents for medical devices.
• Stay on track and achieve their objectives

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Pat Divilly
Location: Dublin
Phone No: +353 87 222 5962
Email: pat.divilly@marketware.biz
Website: www.marketware.biz
Key Area of Expertise: ICT & e-business
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I focus exclusively on providing consulting and mentoring services to the
ICT and ebusiness sectors. I have 30+ years experience in every facet of
the industry — hardware, software, services, ebusiness, etc. I established
MarketWare International in 1988. For recommendations from clients go to
http://ie.linkedin.com/in/patdivilly.
Prior to this I was MD of the Irish National Software Centre, having been
sales and marketing director. I held senior management positions in the
industry in the UK and Europe.
I am recognised as a trusted advisor with a practical pragmatic business
approach and quickly get to the core issues that impact the success of
the client.
From an SME perspective, I frequently work within a framework of limited
resources and budgets. I have a 10+ years relationship with Dublin Business
Innovation Centre (DBIC) providing mentoring services to DBIC and
Guinness Enterprise Centre clients including preparation of pitches to HALO
business angels. I have consulted for the World Bank, EU and the software
industries in Egypt, Latvia, Bangladesh, and Columbia.
I was a business advisor for the inaugural “Leadership for Growth” program
run by Enterprise Ireland and Stanford Graduate Business School; a yearlong
program for 30 Irish software company CEOs.
I hold a First Class Honours Engineering Degree, an MBA and a Masters in
Management Science.

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Paul Quinn
Location: Louth
Phone No: +353 87 230 7626
Email: paul@qhc.ie
Website: www.qhc.ie
http://ie.linkedin.com/in/paulcquinn
Key Area of Expertise: Hospitality & Leisure
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I specialise in business planning, marketing and revenue maximisation for
the tourism, hospitality and hotel sectors. I am a chartered accountant and
professionally trained hotelier. I part owned and managed my own hotel
business in the border area for 10 years before selling it for a significant
return in 2006.
I have spent the past four years helping and advising hospitality and
tourism businesses, on both sides of the border, on how to maximise their
revenues, how to tap into new markets using traditional techniques and new
technologies, and how to extract the maximum potential and profitability out
of their businesses.
I have worked with Invest NI carrying out independent business reviews
with a large number of their clients both within the tourism sector and in
other sectors and have also mentored a number of these business on
implementing the recommendations that were highlighted in my reports.
I am currently a business mentor with Invest NI and am also on their panel
of Interim Managers and Non-Executive Directors.
I have also carried out extensive work with Failte Ireland on hotels, golf
courses, pubs and other tourism businesses. I am currently on their
Mentoring and Business Advisory panel and am also a mentor on their
Optimus Best Practice programme. I have also carried out a number of
specific projects for them on particular tourism products.
In addition to the above I have a number of private clients, both North and
South, to whom I provide on-going advice in terms of marketing, business
strategy, financial planning and management information.
I have also worked with a number of financial institutions, including NAMA,
carrying out independent reviews of hotel and hospitality businesses and
making recommendations as to how to improve the performance of these
businesses from both a revenue maximisation and generation perspective as
well as cost reductions and management reporting/information and controls.

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Peter Doyle
Location: Dublin
Phone No: +353 87 997 4581
Email: pdoyle@mazars.ie
Website: www.mazars.ie
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Peter is a specialist in International Business Development, helping
companies to grow and achieve success through a range of activities
covering strategic planning, sales, marketing, fundraising and organisation
change management.
Peter brings a wealth of experience from working at Senior Executive and
Board level in Ireland and internationally across a range of sectors primarily
ICT, Energy, Engineering, Construction and Public Services with both large
enterprises and SMEs/start-ups.
Examples of Peter’s recent client work include:
• Mentoring to CEO of Ultan Technologies, a SaaS CRM solutions
provider, on business plan development – the company subsequently
won the 2012 Docklands Innovation Award sponsored by PwC, Bolton
Trust and DIT
• Strategic advisory support to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
(SEAI), a public service organisation, on the rollout of the national energy
efficiency programme incorporating energy savings obligations on
suppliers
• CRM/sales process development and training with Axios Healthcare, a
global healthcare services company headquartered in Paris
• Marketing consultancy with Lawell Roofing, a leading Belfast-based
roofing contractor, on development of an all-island marketing plan.
Amongst his former Executive positions Peter was VP Marketing for
Baltimore Technologies, an Internet security start-up that grew to a valuation
of $10bn on NASDAQ and LSE.
• Marketing consultancy with Intune Networks, a world leader in next
generation networking, and the winner of the InterTradeIreland/Irish
Times “Innovation of the Year” award in 2011
• Strategic planning, fundraising and marketing consultancy with
Imperative Energy, a biomass energy supply company, and winner of the
“Best in Bioenergy” at the 2011 Global Cleantech Awards

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Peter E. Madden
Location: Cork City
Phone No: +353 87 638 6248
Email: pemadden@eircom.net
Website: www.madden-foodconsultant.com
Key Area of Expertise: Food Marketing
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I am a Marketing Consultant specialising in the provision of marketing
services to Small & Medium Enterprise (SME) Food companies. Have been
self employed as a Marketing Consultant since 2001.
Over the years, have been retained as a Mentor and Consultant by:
- UCC Food Training Unit, University College Cork.
- CIT Rubicon Innovation Centre, CIT Cork.
- City/County Enterprise Boards.
- InterTradeIreland.
- PLATO Ireland.
Providing services and support to Food SMEs throughout Ireland.
In addition, am in the early stages of developing a new initiative (in
conjunction with a Chinese / Irish company) namely -Exporting Food
Products to China.
• My qualifications are as follows:
- Dairy & Food Science – BSc Dy (UCC)
- Marketing Graduate Diploma from Marketing Institute - MMII Grad
(CIT)
- Masters in Marketing from Ml. Smurfit School UCD - MSc Mkting.
(UCD)
• Has been employed as a Marketing Specialist (Proscon –2000 & 01),
Group Marketing Manager (Punch Industries- 1999 & 00) and Technology
Marketing Manager (Teagasc -Dairy products Research Centre – 2001
to 03). ….…all companies in the Dairy, Food, Pharmaceutical and/or
R&D sectors.
• Have also previously spent over 15 years in marketing roles with
Dairygold Co-Operative.
(Fresh Dairy–1985 to 1999).
I have carried out a programme of work on behalf of Teagasc that involved
securing EU funds for research within the National Dairy Products Research
centre. At Teagasc have also developed various marketing initiatives
to encourage local, national & international food companies to engage
in active Research & Development and linking emerging research to the
commercialization of new product opportunities.

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Peter Nolan
Location: Drogheda, Co. Louth
Phone No: +353 86 603 5581
Email: peter@nolanandassociates.ie
Website: www.nolanandassociates.ie
Key Area of Expertise: IT & Healthcare
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Expertise in TMT, Education, Health/Medical Devices and Professional
Services. MA in Media and MSc in Marketing.
20+ Years’ experience in:
• Sales & Marketing strategy & implementation
• Business consulting & Recruitment
• Web Development & SEO
• Business consulting & Recruitment
- European Bank consultant for SMEs in emerging economies
- Recruitment for clients such as Coca-Cola & Tara Mines
- Invent DCU Resident Expert
• Web Development & SEO
- Credit Suisse site first ever online mortgage approval in UK
- Rubicon Healthcare SEO & e-Commerce site
Relevant projects
• Sales & Marketing strategy & rollout
- New brand launch for global consulting firm
- Development of business dev management tool
- Launch of UN NGO in Ireland
Client list includes:
Team Solutionz, Department of Communications, Marine & Natural
Resources, Threshold, European Bank, Skillnets, Invent DCU, Heinz,
Coca-Cola, IFF, Ascon, Flood Flooring, Irish Concrete Federation.

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Peter O’Farrelly
Location: Dublin
Phone No: +353 862 509 376
Email: peter.ofarrelly@eircom.net
Key Area of Expertise: IT Business Development
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Peter O’Farrelly is an experienced senior executive who has worked at board
level in a number of blue chip companies. He has spent in excess of 25
years in senior positions in the ICT Industry and has wide experience in the
IT business community in Ireland. For 10 years he worked with Digital and
ICL, working with a client list which included leading organisations in the
Financial, Distribution, Manufacturing, State and semi-State areas.
Peter was also Group IT Manager and part of the country management team
with Wiggins Teape - a major multinational Manufacturing and Distribution
Company. As Group I.T. Manager, he led a team of professionals in a major
project which replacing all the core technology for the company.
In 1994, he established his own consultancy company and has been
providing advice and guidance to a range of organisations. These include:-
• Cap Gemini g IT Services Company
Peter has also been involved in two startup companies from inception.
• CNG Travel was a web based portal selling hotel accommodation on a
world-wide basis. It floated on AIM in 2004 at a value of €96 million.
• Grapevine mobile provided a range of secure applications for the mobile
phone with markets in Banking, Travel and Gambling Sectors with
markets in UK, Europe and Asia.
Peter has extensive experience in the Irish Marketplace and is well
established in the ICT and Health Sectors in particular. His experience has
been gained by working with both large and small organisations and he
has gained invaluable experience through his involvement with the start up
companies. He was also voted lead entrepreneur of the year on the DIT
Hothouse Programme in 2007.
• Friends First g Financial Services and Pensions
• Bewley’s Hotel Group g Tourism
• An Post g Postal Distribution Company
• St. Luke’s Hospital g Health Care
• Incorporated Orthopaedic Hospital g Health Care
• Corballis Consulting Services g Software Development &
Consultancy

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Rita Ahern
Rita Ahern Business Development
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Location: Cork
Phone No: + 353 8626 25164
Email: ritadevelopment@gmail.com
Key area of Expertise: Food/FMCG
• Experienced Food Industry Entrepreneur selling brand and own brand
products to Irish, Northern Irish and UK Retail Multiples inc. Tesco,
Sainsbury, Aldi, Supervalu, Centra, Dunnes Stores; Established my own
food manufacturing business in 1994 and sold it as a going concern in
2003 with an annual turnover of 3.1m euro.
• Young Irish Business Woman of the Year-1996 (Irish Permanent/BPW);
• Over 20 years experience in Irish Food Industry in General management,
Sales, Marketing and Innovation having worked in Kerry Group plc.,
Dairygold Co-Op, Silver Pail Dairy, Greenacres Foods Ltd. and Musgrave
Retail Partners, Selling to Customers in ROI, Northern Ireland, UK
and USA.
• Johnson Brothers Centenary Award for Enterprise-All Ireland-1996.
• Joint Winner Best New Product of the Year -1995-Teagasc/Irish
Shows Association.
• Experienced Food Industry Mentor - Clients inc. Enterprise Ireland,
Enterprise Boards, UCC, CIT Rubicon and Rural Development
Companies. (Set up Rita Ahern Business Development in 2008 to mentor
and train small food businesses).
• Bsc Hons. Food Science Degree-U.C.C.; Masters of Business Hons.
Degree-U.C.G.; Executive Business Coaching Diploma Hons. 2010-Irish
Management Institute.
• Specialist areas inc. Developing Marketing Strategies, Business Planning,
Sales Development, Branding and Food Packaging Development with
SME’s in Food Sector.

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Ronan Gillespie
Location: Swords, Co. Dublin
Phone No: +353 86 242 5680
Email: ronangillespie@ireland.com
Website: www.nextstepinternational.eu
Key Area of Expertise: Food Sector
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Ronan Gillespie established independent business development consultancy
Next Step International for food and drinks sector businesses in May 2007.
In addition to being a member of the Enterprise Ireland Mentor Network,
Ronan is on the team of business advisers used by Dublin Institute of
Technology for Enterprise Ireland’s International Selling Programme. He
successfully provided consultancy to 10 Irish food companies on the Irish
Exporters Association business development programme, Channel Clusters,
from 2009 to 2011, which was run with leading foodservice providers Pallas
Foods and La Rousse Foods.
Ronan is a very strategic individual with broad business experience. He is
energetic and has a reputation for delivering results. His key skills are in
finding appropriate solutions through taking initiative, planning, negotiating,
project management, and people and resource management.
He holds a B.A. (hons.) in International Marketing & Languages from Dublin
City University.
Ronan’s experience includes 16 years in the international drinks business
with Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard, where he played a major role in the global
success of Jameson Irish Whiskey, which saw a four-fold increase in brand
sales, over that time period. As Regional Director Developing Markets, he
had overall responsibility for sales development, profit, and the successful
implementation of Jameson marketing strategy, in a number of significant
markets in Europe, and throughout the Americas, Asia, Africa and Australia.
While with Irish Distillers, he also worked extensively on developing
Bushmills Irish Whiskey from Co. Antrim in international markets. His last
role in Irish Distillers was Business Development Director (International).

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Rupert Bowen
Location: South Dublin
Phone No: +353 1 284 1211 or +353 86 609 1095
Email: rupert.bowen@gmail.com
Website: www.rupertbowen.com
Key area of Expertise: B2B Sales and Marketing
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Area of Sectoral Expertise: 28 years experience in international B2B sales
and marketing in SMEs inc publishing, executive education, eLearning,
conferences, software,and CRM systems. I have also worked in retail
banking and telecoms.
My specialist areas are developing marketing strategies, planning executing
and measuring direct marketing campaigns including email, telesales, digital
marketing and social media.
The types of companies I have worked with are start-up or small growing
companies and I have a track record in every company I have joined of
growing sales significantly.
Profile: I have a varied range of experience and have worked effectively
in both sales and marketing roles. I enjoy the dynamics of fast growing
entrepreneurial small and medium businesses and get a lot of satisfaction
out of being part of a start-up team.
I have been involved in professional training for many years as a manager
and business developer. I recently gained a FETAC Level six Train-the-
Trainer certificate (Merit) to complement this experience. I started my career
in direct marketing and progressed into management roles in marketing,
sales and as a General Manager with P&L responsibility for a small business.
My career highlights have been closely linked to achieving growth in sales
for my employers and clients.

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Seamus Hennessy
Location: Coolagown, Fermoy, Co.Cork
Phone No: +353 87 259 4336
Email: hensymus@iol.ie
Website: www.seamushennessy.com
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I will work with you the owner /manager
1. To Achieve an increase of €100,000 new invoiced sales (and/or the basis
therof where a long Vendor Approval is required in regulated industries).
2. To Achieve an increase in the Company’s Net Profits.
3. To Plan and lead the Company’s new market entry and
sales development in the cross border market.
4. To Identify through Market Gap Analysis New Product and
New Service Opportunities.
5. To create and achieve strategic sustainable competitive advantage
for the Company through a process of marketplace refocusing and
repositioning to win new targeted business.
Professional Profile
I bring a new focus on growing the company’s sales and Net Profits.
Before setting up as a specialist sales and marketing specialist in 1987,
I previously held Senior Management Positions with Agra Beef, Galtee
Bacon, Raybestos Manhattan, Arthur Andersen Management Consultants.
Since 1987, I have mentored and guided 200 companies achieve significant
new sales development. These successes include Irish Yogurts Ltd,
O Connor Group Agri Products ltd as well as growing one Northern
Company’s cross border sales to €500k annual sales from a €20k annual
sales level. I have successfully worked on cross border new market entry
and sales development for over 20 years.
Sectors
Food, Engineering, Building Materials, Galvanizing.
To Achieve these objectives
I will draw from my Professional multi-disciplined hands on senior
Management Experience and track record of achievement in Sales Growth,
Marketing, Factory Management, Financial Control, Cash-Flow
Management, Product Costing & Pricing, New Market Entry development,
and front line negotiations with professional multiple retail buyers or
business to business buyer.

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Siobhan Grant
Location: Letterkenny, Co Donegal
Phone No: +353 74 912 0039 / +353 86 270 7277
Email: info@grantconnections.ie
Website: www.grantconnections.ie
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Experience of working with Intertrade clients on Elevate, Acumen and other
initiatives.
Six years experience as Mentor and Trainer to small businesses in border
areas with excellent practical results.
Key skills are in marketing, profitability and people development.
B. Comm., Masters in Marketing, Part qualified accountant, Post Grad
Diplomas in Business Counselling and Training, qualified Business Coach.
Approved by Enterprise Ireland, Enterprise Boards, FAS, Leader, Teagasc,
Acumen (ITI), Skillnets and other agencies as mentor and trainer.
Expert in Business Development and Market Research plans as well as full
Business Plans.
Regularly work with clients who are looking to increase sales through
introducing new products/services or expanding the geographic regions or
sectors in which they are selling.
Worked for Donegal County Enterprise Board and Letterkenny Institute
of Technology for eight and two years respectively so have excellent
knowledge of supports available to small businesses.
Increased sales by over €1m in two years while working in sheet metal
business in Galway as Sales and Marketing Executive.
Currently working with Mantis Cranes who have recently secured orders in
the Middle East and Brazil. Also worked with Gallen’s Linens in Louth who
are researching new products and markets for their products in UK, Europe,
US and China.
On a more local basis I am also working with The Swilly Group who
expanded from Donegal to Dublin and Belfast and are now operating in
Australia.
Through Elevate I have recently helped a professional services company in
Belfast to secure business in Dublin.

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Stephen Friel
Location: Donegal
Phone No: +353 87 637 4431
Email: info@frielconsulting.com
Website: www.frielconsulting.com
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After graduating from the University of Ulster in 1994, I worked as marketing
manager for the Crossgar Food Group (1994-1998) and more recently as
sales and marketing manager with Sony UK (1998-2003). In 2003, having
completed my MBA, I set up Friel Consulting, a management consultancy
company specialising in sales and marketing. I am also a graduate member
of the Institute of Sales and Marketing.
Currently I am retained by statutory bodies such as Invest NI and both the
Omagh and Fermanagh District Councils to deliver sales and marketing
related mentoring and training to a wide range of SMEs. I have delivered
Marketing and Sales workshops in both Coleraine and Bangor for new start
up companies and I am currently retained to deliver marketing training to
new start ups in Monaghan and Donegal. I have extensive experience of
working with clients / businesses similar to those that would look to utilise
the services CIDO in the Craigavon area. Friel Consulting have a proven
track record in the field of sales and marketing and I have no doubt that my
previous work experience, academic qualifications and recently consultancy
experience would ensure that I would be able to add significant value to your
prospective client base.
I previously worked with the InterTrade Ireland Acumen programme and
have extensive experience of helping a diverse range of companies set up
and profitably develop their cross border and export business links.

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Thomas A Ruddy
THOMAR Consulting Ltd.
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Locations: Co. Dublin & Co. Cork
Phone No: +353 87 255 8633 / +353 21 435 3349 / +353 12 123 787
Email: truddy@thomar.ie
Key Area of Expertise: Environmental Engineering
Tom Ruddy was until recently the managing director EPS group (€80m
turnover 350 employees) and now continues in a part time role as chairman
& director of the Environmental group of companies in N.I and Scotland.
Tom has over 30 years experience of managing companies in the municipal
& industrial water & wastewater markets, in design, build, operate, maintain
contracts both as main contractor or as JV-consortium board member.
International experience includes negotiating and winning projects in
Cyprus, Bahrain, Libya, Saudi, throughout the UK water boards and
industrial end users.
He was responsible for overseeing the building of the business, from a small
family run company to an €80m turnover specialist group of business units,
with over 350 employees in Ireland and the UK making it the market leader
in its sector, technically, financially and commercially.
Tom is the Principal of THOMAR Consulting and THOMAR Environmental.
These companies assist companies both strategically and financially, as
Advisor and where necessary as Investor.
Tom is a Mechanical Engineer, with a post Graduate Bachelor of Business
studies Degree in Finance, Law and Management.
InterTradeIreland
Successfully managed a company through stages one and 11 of the Elevate
program and now assisting this company to develop a revised business plan
to include external investors in the business.
Tom uses this knowledge and experience in mentoring and dealing with
small business, industry, private clients and government bodies. Where
investment is involved it will enable maximum value and benefit to be
delivered to all stakeholders. Tom’s experience in dealing with the owners of
smaller businesses, (during acquisitions) and integrating them into the group
provided him with a lot of experience or working with small business owners.

Elevate
Tom Flynn
Locations: Galway & Belfast
Phone No: +353 91 798 995 / +44 28 9092 3377
Email: tom@teambds.com
Website: www.teambds.com
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Experience Summary
Tom has worked in senior operational and general management positions in
a multinational where he was responsible for the engineering, R&D, capital
expenditure, technical development and continuous improvement functions
of a group of manufacturing companies operating in both the domestic
and export markets. Tom has extensive experience in the development
and commercialisation of products in the Telecommunications, Data, OEM,
Energy Utilities and Automotive sectors.
With both national and international work experience Tom has significant
technical experience in mechanical, electrical, machine and product design
and material development across multiple industry sectors, technologies and
processes in large, medium and small companies.
• Tom has led and managed several raw material and polymer
development programmes, working on innovative and technically
challenging developments with international suppliers and technical
specialists. These projects largely led to technical performance
improvements for industrial, telecommunications, automotive and energy
distribution products as well as improved manufacturing metrics and a
reduction in manufacturing costs.
• Tom has worked closely with large Utility Companies in developing new
product specifications and running extensive prototyping programmes
that have ultimately led to significant changes in product offerings and
installed service performance.
• Through his years of industrial experience Tom has led multiple
Innovation & R&D projects, introducing several new product ranges,
from initial innovation requirements through to full manufacturing and
commercialisation for both the domestic and export markets, including
UK, Mainland Europe and the US.
• Working in the Data sector, Tom led the establishment of an R&D centre
which led to the establishment of a new export sales channel and further
Innovation initiatives for the Group.

Elevate
Tony McNally
Location: Dublin
Phone No: +353 86 253 7957
Email: tonymcnally52@gmail.com
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In the years spanning my career I was associated with successful launches
of such well known brands in Ireland as Tefal, Sodastream, Milupa(Aptamil),
Bob Martin and Richard Burbidge DIY Mouldings.
In my last role as sales and marketing director of a major DIY distributor a
very large portion of my responsibilities was focused on driving the business
as a credible player in the DIY sector. In a fifteen year period I drove sales
from €2m to €20m by mid 2007. A major contribution to this growth came
as a direct result of strategically planned export sales to both the UK and
Northern Ireland. Each year an average of 20% of incremental sales was
generated from this export strategy.
In that same period over 80% of my customer base were family run
businesses, some second generation, partnerships, sole traders and new
start-ups. This gave me a good insight into the operations of SME’s and the
challenges they meet on a day to day basis.
Since I retired in 2007 I have acted as a business mentor to clients wishing
to devise a route to market or identify and develop new markets and share
with them real life experience of what is involved.
Mentoring assignments to-date range from Health &Beauty, Pet Food/Care,
Confectionery, Household/DIY and Food.

Elevate
Yvonne Scully
Location: County Dublin
Phone No: +353 87 226 8170
Email: Yvonne@yvonnescully.com
Website:www.yvonnescully.com
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Yvonne Scully provides business consultancy services to SMEs through
Enterprise Ireland, InterTrade Ireland, Bord Bia and County Enterprise
Boards nationally, as well as working for a number of SMEs across a broad
range of industries and internationally traded services.
Yvonne’s provides training through workshops, clinics, mentoring and
in-house projects in the areas of:
• Marketing and writing Marketing Plans
• Consumer and Market Research
• Raising and Managing Funds
• Business Feasibility Studies
• Business Planning and writing Business Plans
• Business Strategy
• NPD, Branding and labelling
• Developing and implementing an Export Strategy
• Retail and Distribution
• Key Account Management
Yvonne has extensive experience in setting up and running successful
businesses. In 2003 Yvonne founded Bia Kid Ltd which ran successfully for
six years providing Healthy Meals and Soups for children through all Irish
retail and several foodservice outlets. Responsibilities included business
feasibility studies as an Enterprise Ireland HPSU client, raising and managing
finance, continuous NPD, product launches, key account management, PR,
marketing and branding and business growth strategy.
June 2010 -
NUI Maynooth FETAC Level seven Training and Continuing
Education course in June 2010.
2001 – 2003 National Competitiveness Council and Forfas, the
Government policy advisory agency specialising in
supporting innovation and industry.
2000 - 2001 Full time MBA at the Smurfit School of Business, UCD.
1988 – 2000 12 years working in Investment Banking in London and
Dublin in the areas of NPD, Marketing and Sales.
1984 - 1988 Masters degree in Economics and Business from TCD.

The Trade and Business Development Body
The Old Gasworks Business Park
Kilmorey Street
Newry
Co Down
BT34 2DE
Telephone: 028 3083 4100 (048 from Ireland)
Fax: 028 3083 4155 (048 from Ireland)
Textphone: 028 3083 4169 (048 from Ireland)
Email: info@intertradeireland.com
Web: www.intertradeireland.com