Business movers: People starting new jobs in Ireland

New appointees with Forvis Mazars, TEKenable, TG4, Food Drink Ireland, Football Association of Ireland and Vintners Federation of Ireland

New roles: (top row) Ashish Apte, Graham McCarthy, Deirdre Ní Choistín; (bottom row) Killian Barry, Christina Kenny, Michael O’Donovan.

Here is a selection of people starting new roles with Forvis Mazars, TEKenable, TG4, Food Drink Ireland, Football Association of Ireland and Vintners Federation of Ireland.

Ashish Apte has been appointed as a director with Forvis Mazars, the international audit, tax, advisory and consulting firm. He joins the firm’s International tax team, specialising in transfer pricing. He has extensive experience in assisting clients with transfer pricing documentation and advising on global transfer pricing. Ashish has also represented clients during audits, Advance Pricing Agreement (APA) and Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP) processes. Ashish holds a degree in Advanced International Taxation from Leiden University in the Netherlands and a Master’s in Taxation from University of Limerick. He is also a qualified Indian Chartered Accountant and holds a Master’s in Commerce from Pune University, India.

Graham McCarthy has been appointed as client director with digital services company TEKenable, responsibility for client relationship management. He will develop client strategies, implement project plans and ensure exceptional client services. He will also be responsible for analysis, compliance and risk management, working closely with technical pre-sales and architect resources. Graham was previously manager and business development lead in Ireland for corporate and public sector clients with Avanade. Graham has over 12 years’ experience in B2B and B2C roles, account management and sales. He is competent with multiple technologies and holds many Microsoft certifications across cloud, data and AI, copilot, business applications and security technologies.

Deirdre Ní Choistín has been appointed as director general of TG4, the fourth DG since the TV station was founded in 1996. She succeeds Alan Esslemont, DG since 2016. With TG4 for 25 years, Deirdre was its first head of news and current affairs. She is also editor of current affairs series Iniúchadh TG4 and of children’s news service Nuacht Cúla4. A producer and director for 14 years, she created online news platform Molscéal in 2017; she was comms manager, 2019-22. She holds a Professional Masters in Business UCC/IMI, a degree in Irish and French, TCD, and a HDip in Applied Comms, University of Galway.

Killian Barry, Danone Ireland’s managing director, has been appointed as the new chair of the Prepared Consumer Foods (PCF) Council within Food Drink Ireland (FDI), the business association within Ibec representing homegrown and international manufacturers and suppliers across the food and drink sector. He will be joined by Miriam Walker, managing director of Arytza Ireland & UK, as vice-chair. Killian leads Danone Ireland, a company of 700+ employees driving innovation in health-focused food. Vice-chair Miriam Walker heads Aryzta Ireland & UK, a bakery with 430+ employees. FDI represents Ireland’s food and drink sector, with a turnover of almost €39bn and exports of over €17bn.

Christina Kenny has been appointed as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). She will report directly to the CEO and serve as a key member of the FAI senior leadership team, shaping and executing the FAI's growth strategy across all levels of football. Christina brings over 25 years of experience in leadership, operational excellence, and strategic development. She has previously worked with NTR Group, Voxpro and Taoglas; her background spans numerous sectors, including sports, education, technology, and renewable energy. She has been an independent committee member at the FAI for a number of years, and is a FIFA licensed agent.

Michael O’Donovan, owner of The Castle Inn, a family-run pub on South Main Street in Cork, has been named as the new president of the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI). Michael succeeds outgoing VFI president John Clendennen and will serve a two-year term. A third-generation publican from Cork, Michael brings extensive experience in the hospitality sector and a deep understanding of the challenges facing publicans across Ireland. He has previously been chair of VFI’s Cork City and Cork County branches, as well as representing Cork on the National Executive Council. As VFI president, Michael will advocate for publicans, focusing on tackling rising business costs and regulatory challenges.