Portroe native Declan Kelly establishes Irish base as part of his global network
The global CEO advisory company Consello, founded by Portroe native Declan Kelly, has announced its much anticipated launch of operations in Ireland, and with familiar Tipperary faces on board.
The New York headquartered company has unveiled a 30-strong “day-one” Irish team that will, ultimately, be led by Kelly from the US but also sees him reunite with life-long friends and business associates, two-time All-Ireland winning Tipperary manager and fellow Portroe native Liam Sheedy and former journalist and current strategic communications specialist Eugene Hogan, from Ballywilliam.
Sheedy, a former manager of Bank of Ireland across Munster, will head up the company’s Leadership Development programmes, while Hogan will be a key member in the company’s CEO advisory and strategic communications activity in Ireland.
The company in Ireland will be led by Executive Chairman John Herlihy, former Head of EMEA at both Google and LinkedIn and a native of Monaleen in Limerick.
Kelly launched the global business, which already counts some of the world’s leading CEOs and their organisations as clients, just over two years ago and among his early partners in the business were American Football legend Tom Brady and tennis all-time great Serena Williams.
He has also brought a head-turning sporting influence to the Irish business, with Sheedy, one of RTÉ’s leading hurling analysts, set to be joined as Principals in the Irish business by former Manchester United captain turned investor Gary Neville and former Irish champion golfer and Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.
Neville already has a hands-on role in the company following his appointment earlier this year as UK Chairman of Consello. His remit will now include Ireland, working alongside the newly announced team, with a specific focus on leadership development.
ALL-IRELAND APPROACH
In a significant all-Ireland approach by Kelly - a former US Envoy to Northern Ireland - the company has also announced the acquisition of leading Belfast strategic communications and public affairs company Lanyon Group, as well as the specialist Mid-West based leadership development company Blue Lake co-founded by Sheedy, Hogan and Clonlara woman Jane Mitchell.
The two companies will combine with a senior-led Dublin headquartered team that will replicate the full suite of advisory services in Ireland delivered to the company’s global client base. This includes C-Suite Advisory, Management Consulting, Recruiting & Leadership Development, Communications & Public Affairs, Sports and Entertainment Advisory, Creative Services and Technology Advisory.
Kelly said that the move to set up in Ireland was a logical one given Consello represents many of the world’s leading companies with bases or European headquarters here.
“This launch reflects our continued investment in strategic markets across the world. With the acquisitions of The Lanyon Group and Blue Lake, the leadership of John Herlihy, and the senior team we have assembled, Consello is uniquely positioned to provide unparalleled advisory services across Ireland, the UK and into Europe. Our mission everywhere we operate is to help the best in the world be even better, and we have brought together a team with the ability to do just that.”
incredible growth rate
Said Liam Sheedy: “It’s just great to be back on board with Declan. I had the pleasure of working with him already and having seen the incredible growth rate of Consello, which works with some of the world’s biggest and best CEOs and companies, the chance to join him again was something you don’t think twice about. We go back together to childhood and what he’s done over his career is just incredible so we’re really look forward to this opportunity.”
Said Eugene Hogan: “Declan’s success speaks for itself. He’s one of Ireland’s most successful exports to the US and today is one of the most sought-after advisors to CEOs right across the US. These are CEOs of the largest companies in the world. You look then at the team he’s built in Consello to support them and it really is a-list. He’s now bringing that senior-led model to Ireland and we’re really excited to be on board and look forward to what should be an amazing journey ahead.”