Board of Directors

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.

Kevin Doolin is Executive Director, Walton Institute for Information and Communication Systems Science (formerly known as TSSG), 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, under his leadership, the Walton Institute has secured EU over €15m Horizon 2020 Research Funding, more than all other Institutes of Technology combined, while Walton has secured 89% of all research funding in SETU to date.

Éadaoin Carrick is co-owner and operations director of The Cantec Group which has three divisions, namely Docutec, SmartOffice and Promotive, offering managed print services, business automation software, and design & marketing. Éadaoin’s working life began with part time roles in Dunnes Stores for a couple of years, then a 9-year stint in the Civil Service before joining the team at Cantec more than 20 years ago. Éadaoin is a mum of 2 grown-up children and spends her free time with her husband getting out for fresh air and exercise, and pottering about in the garden. Éadaoin is a director of the Symphony Club of Waterford and is President for 2021 of Network Ireland Waterford Branch.

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.

Deirdre Houlihan, Marketing Manager at Faithlegg, is a highly experienced marketing and PR professional with extensive experience in areas of marketing, planning and strategies, brand development, sales promotion, and social media marketing. Deirdre was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of Marketing Institute of Ireland FMII in 2009, in recognition of her dynamic and engaging year as Chairperson of the South East Branch in 2008. She also has deep roots in the community and has been on the committee of the Waterford Viking Marathon from 2009 to present and also sat on the Tall Ships committee back in 2011. Deirdre has a passion for life-long learning and is always upskilling and she is a strong advocate for networking and engagement in order to drive a business forward.

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.

Georgina Carpendale is Chief Financial Officer at Fitzgerald Power and an experienced finance executive with listed and unlisted companies in Waterford and internationally. Georgina is a graduate of SETU and fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland. Additionally, she earned credentials from the Australian Institute of Company Directors, reflecting her commitment to excellence in corporate governance. Georgina is a proud Waterford native who's been fortunate to wear many financial and strategic hats, both locally and on the global stage.
 
Georgina’s career has been quite the adventure acquiring significant knowledge and expertise in capital raising, company re-structures, establishment of international subsidiaries, global strategic partnerships, and development & execution of company strategy. Her true passion lies in nurturing start-up and scaling companies guiding them through the thrilling journey of growth.

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.

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.

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.

Regina Mangan is the founder and Managing Director of leading independent property sales and letting firm Liberty Blue Estate Agents. In 1997 Regina established Waterford’s first Property Letting and Management Company, Bookaroom. The company expanded into property sales in 2015 and rebranded to Liberty Blue Estate Agents. Regina is a licenced European Property Valuer (TEGoVA) auctioneer and member of The Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV). Regina is passionate about mentoring, delivering sessions for the Waterford Chamber Leadership programme and delivered start your own business courses for the LEO in Waterford for a number of years. Regina has held voluntary roles such as Ambassador for Waterford City, member of the LEO grant evaluation committee, former Board member of South East Simon, and currently is a Director of Dungarvan and West Waterford Chamber.

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.