Board of Directors

Éadaoin Carrick is Executive Chairperson of Cantec Group. Cantec Group's journey began as a photocopier dealership in Waterford in 1994 and has evolved with time and technology, now offering managed print services and business automation solutions, currently employing more than 60 people across Ireland. Éadaoin began her career journey with Dunnes Stores before taking on various roles over 9 years in the Civil Service. Éadaoin joined the team at Cantec in 2000. A mum of 2 grown-up children, she spends her free time with her husband getting out for fresh air, enjoying good food with family & friends, attending all sorts of shows in venues around Waterford and beyond, singing with the Notable Works choir, and visiting great gardens. Éadaoin is a director of Waterford Area Partnership and is a committee member with Network Ireland Waterford Branch.

Operating as Director of Project Controls & Project Management, Marian brings her expertise to the full range of Carron + Walsh service offerings to the Construction Sector in Ireland and internationally, where she has engaged in projects in the USA, UK, Europe and Australia.

Prior to establishing Carron + Walsh in 2010, Marian held the position of Director of Project Management within Nolan Ryan Tweeds, part of the WYG group of businesses.

With over twenty years’ experience in the construction industry in Ireland & internationally, Marian has acquired significant knowledge and expertise in the areas of project & program management best practice, governance, program audit, project controls, contract administration, cost engineering, project planning, estimating, and risk management.

Georgina Carpendale runs Orbe Consulting and is an experienced finance executive in listed and unlisted companies. A First- Class Honours Degree holder from SETU, a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Georgina’s passion and work ethic is what sets her apart, with experience in capital raising, company re-structures, the establishment of international subsidiaries, global strategic partnerships and development and execution of company strategy.

With 15+ years of experience, she mixes a lived-in insight with enthusiastic gusto. And for now, her passion lies in start-up/scaling companies due to the challenges and thrills that come with a business idea’s first steps or growth ambitions.

Abbas Abidi brings over 16 years of external audit experience to the table, with a background in assisting a diverse array of clients — from some of the largest companies in the world to family-run businesses. His professional journey has taken him from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, and most recently to Ireland, where he has been a part of the EY Waterford Office for the last five years. Abbas is a seasoned professional who enjoys sharing his knowledge with those stepping into leadership roles. He prides himself on being a relatable and trusted mentor, keen on helping others navigate the early stages of their leadership careers.

Andrew Briggs, AIB Bank Manager for Tramore, has over twenty years’ experience in the financial and banking sector across Ireland and the UK.  Since being appointed to his current role in 2018, he has responsibility for leading across key business areas of SME Lending, Mortgage Lending, Wealth Management and Customer Experience. 

Prior to taking up his current position, Andrew held a leadership role in the AIB Channel Optimisation Team for Area South. He also occupied the position of Retail Manager in EBS Waterford for a number of years.  Andrew spent some of his career at Leeds Building Society where his work spanned a range of areas related to mortgage and investment advice, covering UK, Spain, Gibraltar and Ireland. Andrew is a qualified Mortgage and Financial Advisor, holds a Diploma in Digital Banking and Customer Experience Management from the IOB/UCD and also a Diploma in SME Lending from the IOB/UCD.

Kevin Doolin is Executive Director, Walton Institute for Information and Communication Systems Science , SETU. Waterford native, family history of retail in city (The Book Centre). Strong engagement with Waterford, Regional, National and International businesses and ecosystems including MSD, UPMC, Murphy Larkin, Total Wireless, Errigal, Klearcom, Uber, MIT Professional Services, and Inkel Health, Intel, IBM, John Deere, Huawei, Microsoft. Dedicated to the application of ICT to Retail, Tourism, Agriculture, Transport, Smart Cities. Excellent track record securing investment for research, and supporting clients nationally and internationally to leverage multiple funding streams.

Fergal describes his main role as supporting a great team of people who strive to achieve the company’s goals, mission, and vision. His role is simply to support these activities in any way he can! Before founding Hartley People and becoming a prominent figure in the world of Recruitment, HR and Training he worked in manufacturing, and completed a Business Studies Degree at the University of Limerick.

Niall is currently Owner/Director of: Metalman Engineering Ltd which manufactures steel discs for the export market since 1981, employing five staff; Air products plc gases distribution and selling of specialist gases for industrial/Pharma/Food in the southeast region; X91Storage, a property and self storage company with two sites in Waterford since 1998.

Waterford is very much at its tipping point and having been involved with the Chamber at board level for a number of years now, Niall believes it is important for Waterford now that we have strong committed leaders and we retain consistency in the message that has been delivered to date, we build on the foundation stones laid and the growth and development path that has been set out for us under Ireland 2040. As a Waterford native Niall has always taken a strong interest in his community in terms of underpinning it and promoting it, locally, nationally and internationally. Niall is a very strong advocate of ‘better together’ and over the years has encouraged and harvested ideas that brings people and communities together that encourage collaboration.

Paul Murran is Managing Partner of Peter O’Connor & Son LLP. He joined Peter O’Connor & Son LLP in 2011 as a trainee and qualified as a solicitor in January 2014. Today Paul Murran is the Managing Partner of Peter O’ Connor & Son LLP. Paul grew up locally and attended Newtown Secondary School before moving to Dublin, where he graduated from UCD in 2009 with a BA-Int specialising in Archaeology, Geography and French. Paul is a member of the Irish National Lacrosse Team, both indoor and outdoor. He is also a keen golfer and a member of the Waterford Castle Golf Club. In his free time, Paul practises yoga & meditation while his favourite passion is cooking.

Paul Nolan is Group Development Manager with Dawn Meats Group, with whom he has worked since 1985. A former President of IBEC South East, Waterpark Rugby Club and the Theatre Royal, he is currently a Quality Assurance Board Member with An Bord Bia and former President of Waterford Chamber. Paul has been very much involved with numerous events in Waterford City and County. These include the West Waterford Festival of Food, the Waterford Harvest Festival and the Waterford Tall Ships Races. Before joining Dawn Meats, Paul worked in Saudi Arabia with Masstock, having previously worked for Bord Bia in London and in the family butchery business before that.

Richard Hayes is a graduate of St Patrick's College Maynooth (BA [English and Philosophy], MA [English]) and of University College Dublin (PhD). He has been working in higher education since 1993 and at WIT since September 2000.