Business movers: UK retail exec moves to Blanchardstown Centre

New appointees with Drury Communications, A&L Goodbody, Byrne Wallace Shields, Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland, Blanchardstown Centre and Egis

New roles: (top row) Cathal Barry, Elena Canavan-Young, Doireann O’Daly; (bottom row) Simon Snow, Iain Finlayson, Mike Birch.

Here is a selection of people starting new roles with Drury Communications, A&L Goodbody, Byrne Wallace Shields, Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland, Blanchardstown Centre and Egis.

Cathal Barry has been appointed as a director with Drury Communications. The firm advises clients on corporate reputation, financial communications, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and crisis and issues management. He leads Drury’s financial communications team, advising large public and private companies. He specialises in capital markets and transaction communications, helping clients articulate their business strategy, growth plans and financial strength to key stakeholders. He works with public companies listed in Dublin, London and New York on communications for financial reporting, corporate development activity and shareholder activism. He also advises leading private and family-owned businesses on reputation management, corporate storytelling, and crisis and issues management.

Elena Canavan-Young has been appointed as a partner with law firm A&L Goodbody’s asset management and investment funds practice; the team includes six partners, led by Stephen Carson with Kerill O’Shaughnessy, Lorena Dunne, Eimear Keane and Chris Bergin. Elena has over a decade of experience advising leading global asset managers and investment funds on establishing, structuring and the ongoing regulation of Irish domiciled funds. Through her career, Elena has developed expertise in exchange-traded funds (ETF) and has advised some of the largest ETF providers in Europe. Headquartered in Dublin, ALG employs around 1,000 people working in its offices in Dublin, Belfast, London, New York and San Francisco.

Doireann O’Daly has been appointed as partner with law firm Byrne Wallace Shields, within its investment funds and financial services regulation team. With over a decade of experience, Doireann advises some of the world’s leading asset managers, financial institutions and service providers on the establishment and operation of Irish‑domiciled investment funds, including UCITS and AIFs, across the full range of investment strategies and asset classes. She has also advised asset managers and Irish service providers on Irish and EU regulatory requirements. She is a member of the Irish Funds ESG Compliance Working Group and sits on the Irish 100 Women in Finance steering committee.

Simon Snow has been appointed as head of customer service operations with Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland, joining the business in a newly created role. In his role, Simon will oversee key customer service operations, playing a leadership role in strengthening and evolving Aviva’s operations and service delivery. Simon brings over 15 years’ experience across strategy, operations and transformation in financial services in Ireland and the UK, including working in senior roles with AIB, Bank of Ireland and Scottish Widows. He has a strong track record in leading large-scale operations and delivering transformation programmes that enhance customer outcomes, alongside expertise in service delivery, change and third-party management. 

Iain Finlayson has been appointed as centre director with Blanchardstown Centre, the retail centre in Dublin. He was previously estate director at Liverpool ONE, the UK retail and leisure destinations with 33 million annual visitors. The move marks a significant milestone in Blanchardstown’s aim to strengthen its position as a leading European retail and leisure destination. Blanchardstown’s retail brands include Penneys, H&M, Zara, Hollister, and Mango and is anchored by Dunnes Stores, Marks & Spencer, and Aldi. “What particularly attracted me to the role was the ambition behind the destination – the clear commitment to strategic development, innovation and enhancing customer experience,” said Iain.

Mike Birch has been appointed as transportation director for the UK and Ireland with Egis, a specialist in architectural, consulting, construction engineering, operations and mobility services. Mike joins Egis with over 35 years of experience in public and private businesses, and a strong track record in managing and delivering complex transport projects. He joins from West Yorkshire Combined Authority, where he was mass transit director, overseeing the development of a £3bn programme to deliver a new tram network for the region. Mike’s earlier career included senior roles at engineering consultancies, including Jacobs and Ramboll, with experience spanning all four major transport sectors – road, rail, ports and aviation.