Business movers: People starting new jobs in Ireland

New appointees with Interpath, YourTeam, Hometree, Primark, COWI and the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council

New roles: (top row) Dr Orlaigh Quinn, Clair Schindler, Laura Costello; (bottom row) Eoin Tonge, Eva MacInnes, Dr Oana Peia.

Here is a selection of people starting new roles with Interpath, YourTeam, Hometree, Primark, COWI and the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council.

Dr Orlaigh Quinn has been appointed as a senior adviser with Interpath, a provider of services covering restructuring, disputes, regulatory and compliance, financial due diligence, corporate finance and debt advisory. Orlaigh was the first woman Secretary General of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, 2016-23, during Brexit, Covid 19 and the war in Ukraine. She has held senior roles in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Social Protection; the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht and the CSO. She was the first Irish national expert on employment and social policy appointed to the European Commission. She serves on numerous boards.

Clair Schindler has been appointed as director of accounting and finance with outsourcing company YourTeam. Bringing significant experience in senior C-suite recruitment, Clair most recently served as director, Ireland, at Frazer Jones, leading the firm’s growth and client development in the Irish market. She previously held senior roles at HRM and Executive Connections, specialising in finance and accountancy recruitment for major employers. Clair’s move into the outsourcing sector highlights how businesses are increasingly turning to flexible models that provide access to skilled talent while delivering greater cost efficiencies. The move also relates to growing demand from Irish businesses for flexible talent solutions amid ongoing skills shortages.

Laura Costello has been appointed as chief communications officer with nature restoration charity Hometree. She joins from marketing agency Thinkhouse, where she continues to hold a strategic role as head of sustainability and planet services, providing senior counsel on client sustainability agendas. She is also director of Purpose Disruptors Ireland, a non-profit nature-focused advisor to the marketing and advertising industry. She recently led the Creative Ireland-funded Good Life 2030 initiative, directly challenging overconsumption culture during Black Friday. She was named by Forbes as one of 43 people changing advertising for the climate. She lead Hometree’s communications, brand and public engagement strategy, building support for long-term nature restoration.

Eoin Tonge has been appointed as CEO of Primark, part of Associated British Foods. The Group has also appointed Filip Ekvall to the newly created post of Primark chief commercial officer. Eoin brings significant strategic, commercial and financial experience to the role. Eoin was appointed as a director of ABF in 2023 and as ABF group finance director; he was previously with Marks and Spencer Group, as chief financial officer. He Greencore Group plc, including as chief financial officer. Eoin will remain as a director on the board of Associated British Foods plc. "I'm honoured to lead such a fantastic retailer into its next chapter of growth,” said Eoin.

Eva MacInnes has been appointed as senior vice president for UK and Ireland with COWI, a leading international engineering consulting group. She will have responsibility for growth and delivery across both markets, including the company’s expanding presence in Dublin and its work in energy transition and district heating. She joined COWI as a geotechnical engineer in 2013 and has progressed to lead the UK and Ireland business. Her roles at COWI include regional director (Scotland), VP operations and head of engineering. She will drive expansion in water, energy transmission and major transport programmes. She is also a long-standing member of the Women in Rail steering committee in Scotland.

Dr Oana Peia has been appointed as a member of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council by the Ministry for Finance. Assistant Professor of Economics at UCD, she replaces outgoing Council member, Professor Michael McMahon, whose term of office is now complete. Dr Peia specialises in macro-finance and financial stability. She has collaborated with the Central Bank of Ireland, the ECB and the Bundesbank on research into non-bank finance and credit supply. She has also conducted research on sovereign debt, bond markets and fiscal policy. Dr Peia has taught a wide range of courses in macroeconomics and European economic policy and has held leadership roles within UCD.