CONSULTINGIRELAND - Key Persons
Abdull Ali is accomplished international business professional with extensive 20 years' experience in sales and business development, delivering market intelligence, building a strong professional network of influencers and decision makers, and increasing sales of technology products and solutions. He has a proven track record of successful project management, providing strategic advice and building business growth in the Middle East and Africa, identifying new business opportunities, formulating growth strategies, and leading multi-stream transformation projects to enhance efficiency. Adept at translating business problems into solution requirements and map it to available technology. Demonstrated advanced communication skills combined with the ability to build robust relationship and synergy across business to drive positive changes, revenue, and profit growth
Abdull Ali has worked with Enterprise Ireland for nine years as a Senior Market Advisor based in Dubai and covering Middle East and Africa regions as the global sectoral lead for telecommunications and ICT sectors, digital transformations, IoT and Smart Cities and supported technology companies to enter new markets, sell their solutions, build new partnerships, and export innovative products in Middle East and Africa markets. Established and maintained working relationships with global teams on opportunities in emerging and high growth markets. Abdull has contributed to the success of client companies in the Middle East and Africa by providing valuable support and delivering consistent sales and business development metrics. He identified business opportunities and contacted high-level buyers and decision-makers in leading corporations and government agencies in the Middle East and North Africa to develop business. He delivered high level coordination in the development and rollout of client engagement models, market access plans, and market scoping initiatives for client companies in Middle East and Africa markets.
Abdull has also worked in senior roles for leading global companies including Thuraya Communications, Nokia, ICM Marcus Evans, Business Finland, Ares Technologies
Job Titles:
- Digital Project Management
Job Titles:
- Business Development Consultant
- CANADA / INTERNATIONAL TRADE SPECIALIST ( IFIS and CARIBBEAN MARKET )
- International Trade Specialist ( IFIs and Caribbean Market )
Amber Mackereth is an international business development consultant with considerable experience supporting companies in the pursuit of international opportunities, including those generated by the International Financial Institutions (IFIs). She provides strategic advice and training to firms, industry associations and government; undertakes research and analysis; and, provides business matchmaking services for international trade missions, including missions to the IFIs and many borrowing member countries. She has spent time and maintains networks at all the IFIs and is intimately familiar with the operations and procurement of the IFIs and the success factors for winning IFI-financed contracts.
For nearly two decades, Amber has nurtured strong networks across the Caribbean region in particular. She has supported upwards of 50 companies with Caribbean export development initiatives, researching and developing customized market entry strategies and facilitating engagement. She has executed more than 20 government-funded trade missions to the region.
Prior to launching her own consulting practice in 2014, Amber worked in the private sector (in IT and Public Sector Modernization), in the public sector (serving as Trade Commissioner for IFIs based out of the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.) and in the not-for-profit sector working for an export-oriented education and training association. Most recently, Amber's sectors of focus have also included engineering and environmental services, clean technology, renewables and ocean technology.
Amber has an M.A. in International Affairs and a Masters Certificate in Project Management. She has worked in more than twenty countries on a range of international projects; is fluent in English, French and Spanish and contributes actively to international development organizations at the board and advisory levels.
Job Titles:
- LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, NATURAL RESOURCES & RENEWABLES
Job Titles:
- Leader
- International Trade and Development
Barbara Walsh is a dynamic leader with over a decade of experience in international trade and development, particularly in driving SME growth and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI). She is a leading provider of export-focused consulting services, helping SMEs overcome the unique challenges of international trade. Barbara's expertise lies in developing customised solutions that enable SMEs to navigate complex global markets, unlock growth opportunities, and maximize their potential.
As a seasoned professional, Barbara has successfully led early-stage businesses and transformed operations in mature enterprises. Her multifaceted skill set encompasses market access, finance, operations, sales, marketing, and new product development, allowing her to create compelling visions that drive substantial P&L growth and measurable ROI outcomes. With a strong focus on Female Entrepreneurship and green initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) she excels in crafting data-driven marketing strategies and optimizing operational efficiency, always focusing on unlocking the potential of her teams to achieve exceptional results.
Barbara thrives in complex business scenarios and has a track record of developing ground-breaking market-engagement strategies that align with the objectives of prominent companies. She is an inspiring leader who excels in setting strategic direction, fostering a collaborative culture, and building high-performing teams. With a keen eye for identifying growth opportunities, she consistently delivers value by forging partnerships based on respect and trust.
Barbara holds
Job Titles:
- Business Owner
- Consultant
- DIRECTOR of TRADE & FINANCE
Formerly a Senior Business Banker, Brian is a highly experienced Business Owner / Consultant who works Nationally and Internationally across a range of sectors advising Companies and Organisations on how to maximise their potential.
He is practical and pragmatic and is valued not only for his ability to offer sound strategic advice to the Senior Management / Boards of Small; Medium; and Large Businesses, but also for his willingness to take an active role in its implementation eg. Tactical and Strategic Plans; Motivating Teams; Delivering exceptional Business Results; Negotiating Deals etc.
He also works with Irish and International Businesses; Trade Bodies and foreign Embassies to promote and develop business opportunities between Ireland; Europe; Africa; Asia and North America. Also works directly with Manufacturing Partners to secure ongoing quality products to Irish / European Businesses
I am passionate about forging and enhancing business connections. Leading the charge on digital strategy and pioneering initiatives, I have built teams dedicated to leveraging cutting-edge technologies for systems integration across various sectors and industries. My role involves overseeing numerous consulting and technology projects, coordinating with a worldwide team to support our global expansion.
By harnessing the power of advanced technologies such as AI to drive impactful business outcomes, I excel at building and leading teams to address our clients' most critical challenges.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Finance, Taxation, and Business Advisor
- Founder and Managing Partner of Malone & Co
- IRELAND / CORPORATE FINANCE, TAXATION and BUSINESS ADVISOR
Damien Malone, Founder and Managing Partner of Malone & Co. has over 20 years' experience in working with international businesses and investors operating in Ireland. His main areas of expertise include taxation, statutory audit, outsourced accounting, payroll and financial management services, corporate finance and business consultancy. He works with clients across many diverse sectors including manufacturing, ecommerce, construction, property, technology, not-for-profit, retail, hospitality and professional services. He holds an Honours Degree in Business & Accountancy and is a Fellow of both the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Institute of Taxation in Ireland. Among his other business and commercial interests, he is the Chairman of the Damone Investment Group and has spoken at numerous events on various tax and financial matters including delivering business and taxation seminars for Irish state enterprise bodies.
Job Titles:
- Business Development and Private International Funding
- IRELAND / BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT and PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL FUNDING
Gary also worked as an Institutional Development and Procurement Training Specialist in a major World Bank project for the Government of Afghanistan. In this multi-functional capacity-building role, Gary supported the National Procurement Institute (NPI) serve its mission as a National Centre of excellence, strengthening its internal and external operational and implementation strategies, so that it can act as an effective catalyst for national public procurement professionalisation across Afghanistan and South and Central Asia (2019-2020).
Job Titles:
- Japanese Trade and Renewables
Hugh has an early background in Telecommunications but has operated in the field of International Commerce, specifically Japan since 1980. Over the years he has worked on a cross-section of fields to include telecoms, IT, Food, Pharmaceuticals, Aerospace and Renewable Energy.
During the early 1990s he was retained by the Northern Ireland Development Board For a two-year period, on the promotion of business between Northern Ireland and Japan.
Also, during the late 1990s he was retained by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries [MHI] on the development of Joint Ventures in the Scotland, Northern Ireland and Bulgaria.
Hugh also worked with MHI in the USA during the 2000s where he developed a network of clients for their Wind Turbines.
For the period 2005 to 2012 Hugh was Director, Japan, for the Asia Trade Forum.
Hugh is focussed on facilitating Inward Investment from Japanese / Asian Funds in the Renewable Energy Sector, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Food and Acquisitions.
Job Titles:
- INTERNATIONAL SCALING, BUSINESS FUNDING and MENTORING
John has a track record in successfully building, leading and realising return for internationally scaling companies.
He founded and led 2 Irish Technology Solution companies to corporate sale and he has also participated, at executive and non-executive Board level, in other companies' growth and liquidity events, including fundraising at seed and post-seed stages, facilitating merger and acquisition execution, on both buy and sell sides.
John particularly enjoys working 1-1 with Founder / Shareholder Executives to underwrite their enterprise planning and execution, broaden their network and provide them with his personal experience of organizational growth.
Kieron has almost 40 years' experience in operations and financial management, almost 30 of these in the IT Industry. He has also worked extensively in the Food and Fintech sectors.
After Graduating UCD he joined a large Irish Accounting and Auditing firm for a number of years while completing his Accounting exams and obtaining his professional qualification.
Job Titles:
- Italian Trade and BSO Engagement
Marco, an Italian National, has more than 20 years professional experience, working in both the public and private sectors in Italy and helping develop international global trade markets for his clients.
He works closely with Italian SMEs throughout major regional centres e.g. Rome, Naples, Milan and Bologna. He continues to manage International co-operation projects across key sectors such as Agri-Food, ICT, Trade, Energy, Healthcare etc, organising Trade Missions and Exhibitions abroad, sponsored and promoted by (a) the Italian Government, (b) various regional Italian Chambers of Commerce and (c) Private Industry.
He was appointed as an Italian representative for the World Bank's Private Sector Liaison Officer (PSLO) promoting the engagement of Italian organisations on the IFIs global programmes. He held this position for a number of years interacting with this International Funding Institution (IFI) and the other National Business Support Agencies throughout Europe and further afield.
Marco has a strong track record in developing Italian MSME activities in these international markets, import and export, innovation, technological transfer, access to finance, international tendering and procurement. He has helped organisations and clients to develope business in foreign territories such as Former Soviet Union, Balkans, EC member States, UK, MENA, South Africa, Australia and Hong Kong.
He is currently engaged as a Senior Advisor in a large public sector project aimed at encouraging the use of online digital export technology among Italian SMEs.
His company currently manages the International Departments of a number of Italian privately-owned companies, helping them to grow and expand Globally.
Mark Ernest is a Caribbean-based consultant with over 25 years' experience in the planning, assessment, implementation, training, and management of Digital Technology projects.
He is presently working with the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.
His areas of expertise and specialities are in ICT System Assessment, Monitoring and evaluation; ICT Capacity and Implementation; Digital Technology Training; Information Systems Design and Implementation; ICT Project Planning, Implementation and Management; along with extensive experience in Policy and Strategy in the Education, Judicial and IT/IT-Enabled Services (ITES) Sectors within OECS countries.
He has led ICT projects in many islands of the Caribbean including comprehensive education projects in Jamaica and St Lucia etc. Many of these were funded by International Financing Institutions (IFIs) such as the European Commission
Mark also a considerable network of contacts within the Business Community in the Caribbean and is a key point of contact for ConsultingIreland in this region. He has also worked on behalf of Irish organisations in the region.
Mark Ernest holds a Master of Science degree in Management Information System (MIS) and a Bachelor of Science degree with First Class Honours in Mathematics (minored in Computer Science), both from the University of the West Indies.
Job Titles:
- INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT & BID WRITER
Mark is a highly experienced International Consultant with extensive experience working overseas, having spent over seven years working for the Mitsubishi Group in Japan in the late 80s. He set up his own translation and localization business - which worked with Irish, particularly Enterprise Ireland client companies, helping them gain international traction online,
More recently Mark worked, in conjunction with Enterprise Ireland, supporting businesses and organisations with successful Grant Applications of 1m+
More recently Mark worked with Granite Digital, Ireland's leading Digital Agency, and successfully led a bid team working on both National and International bid proposals into USA, N.Ireland, UK and EU
He has significant experience in Project Management and practical Consultancy expertise throughout Europe and Asia. He speaks both Japanese and German.
Job Titles:
- AFRICA TRADE & INVESTMENT
Job Titles:
- RENEWABLES and FOOD PROCESSING
Job Titles:
- SLOVENIA / PUBLIC SECTOR CONSULTANT
Job Titles:
- Deputy Director at the Ministry of Agriculture
Mr Alick Daka is the Deputy Director at the Ministry of Agriculture directing Agriculture services in all the ten provinces of Zambia. Over 30 years working experience in agriculture, teaching, assignments, and consultancies with focus on rural development, agriculture value chains, crops production, food and livelihood security, sustainable use, and management of natural resources in a climate change perspective, institutional development, and advisory services. Mr Daka has a Master's Degree Agriculture Science in Rural Development from University College Dublin, Ireland and Bachelor of Agriculture Science from University of Zambia and attended many other professional courses.
Job Titles:
- INDIA / INDIAN TRADE and CSR