Business movers: People starting new jobs in Ireland

New appointees with Bank of Ireland, Philip Lee, Treaty United FC, Horse Sport Ireland and the Central Bank

New roles: (top row) Michelle McGreal, Carol Meehan, Alice Whittaker; (bottom row) Ian McMahon, Dr Pamela Byrne, Karen O’Leary.

Here is a selection of people starting new roles with Bank of Ireland, Philip Lee, Treaty United FC, Horse Sport Ireland and the Central Bank.

Michelle McGreal has been appointed as Bank of Ireland’s new group chief internal auditor, oversee the bank’s internal audit and related functions. She joined the bank in 2021 as head of audit (non-financial risk) and was the deputy group chief internal auditor prior to taking on the head of internal audit role for Bank of Ireland UK in 2024. She has also held roles with Ulster Bank, notably as head of audit and deputy chief auditor; and with AIB, where she led transformation programmes as head of D&I and was head of HR – retail and commercial banking, as well as regional director in retail banking and head of audit.

Carol Meehan has been appointed director of Everyday Banking, Bank of Ireland. Carol has over 20 years’ experience working in a range of retail banking senior leadership roles in Ireland within AIB, KBC and EBS. Carol most recently held the role of commercial director, AIB Homes, and was a Non-Executive Director of the AIB Mortgage Bank. Prior to that she was head of propositions in AIB where she led proposition design and development for mortgages, consumer lending, SME and everyday banking. “Carol brings extensive experience and expertise and will be a great addition to our senior leadership team,” said Susan Russell, CEO Retail Ireland, Bank of Ireland.

Alice Whittaker has been named as chair of law firm Philip Lee, effective in January. She takes the chair from founding partner Philip Lee who is retiring as chair. A partner of the firm, Alice will continue to lead the firm’s strategic direction. She will continue to lead the firm’s market-leading environment and climate group. Alice’s high impact work has included securing judicial review-free permissions for landmark projects including the Dublin Waste to Energy facility, the National Children’s and Maternity Hospitals, and the Port of Cork redevelopment at Ringaskiddy. More recently she has focused on maritime planning, renewables and sustainable infrastructure.

Ian McMahon has been appointed as managing director of Treaty United FC in Limerick. Ian joins the club with more than 30 years of international senior leadership experience in football, rugby, equestrian sport and multisport organisations, notably senior roles at Doncaster Rovers, Hull City, the American Youth Soccer Organisation, Hong Kong Rugby Football Union and the Professional Jockeys Association. Ian also played professional football for Oldham Athletic and Rochdale AFC. He brings extensive expertise in commercial development, community engagement, major event operations and sustainable organisational growth. Ian will oversee all aspects of the club, building strong and sustainable foundations off the field while supporting the club’s football leadership.

Dr Pamela Byrne has been appointed as interim chair to the board of Horse Sport Ireland (HSI). She replaces outgoing chair, Michael Dowling. She is an Adjunct Full Professor at UCD. She was CEO of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, 2015-25, and vice-chair of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and co-founder of global International Heads of Food Safety organizations (IHFAF). She holds a PhD in Environmental Ecotoxicology from UCC, an MSc in Aquatic Resource Management from King's College London, and a BSc in Zoology from UCC. She has also held board roles with SHI, IMI and the Centre of Scientific Excellence for the Microbiome in UCC.

Karen O’Leary has been appointed as director of enforcement with the Central Bank, effective in January. She replaces Colm Kincaid, who was appointed deputy governor, consumer and investor protection. Karen was most recently director of currency, workplace and regulatory services. She has also led the Bank’s Payments & Securities Settlements (PSS) Division, and the Bank’s Organisation Development Division. She was a commission member in the Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) from 2014-17 and oversaw Criminal Enforcement and Legal Services as well as a co-decision maker for the CCPC. She was also CEO of the National Consumer Agency up its amalgamation with the Competition Authority to form the CCPC.