Jack Mendes has been appointed as general manager of Passive House Systems, a supplier of energy conserving construction materials for domestic new-builds and retrofits, based in Ballincollig, Cork, and with offices in Ireland, UK, Poland and Germany. Jack will oversee financial and management accounting, personnel management and policy operations. He brings over 20 years’ experience in product procurement, inventory control, sales strategy, credit risk management, banking operations, insurance and logistics. Jack is a graduate of the University of Mumbai and holds a degree in Commerce. “Passive House Systems is committed to meeting the needs of the construction industry and energy conscious homeowners,” said Jack.

Rebecca Thomson has been appointed as head of sustainability with food company Kepak Group. She was previously Kepak’s sustainability manager since 2022, implementing key projects including the validation of Kepak’s carbon emissions reduction targets under the Science Based Targets Initiative and the company becoming the first Irish beef member of the SAI Platform Regenerating Together agriculture framework. From a farming background, she joined Kepak’s graduate programme in 2019, going on to become environmental manager and project management officer. She holds a BSc in Agriculture, Conservation and Sustainable Management from University of West of England, as well as a Masters in Agribioscience from University of Galway.

Chris Jessup has been appointed as a partner in law firm DLA Piper’s litigation and regulatory practice, specialising in financial services regulation. He joins from A&L Goodbody, where he was a partner and co-head of the FinTech Group, based in Belfast. He has acted for a range of FS clients including banks, payment service providers and operators, investment firms, fund managers and FinTech firms on matters related to UK and EU financial services regulation. An experienced financial services (FS) regulatory lawyer, he will bring deep sector expertise, with a focus on advising global payment providers, to DLA Piper's clients when he joins in May.

Aoife Watters has been appointed as CEO of Respond, the approved housing body and service provider. She will be the third CEO and the first female CEO in Respond’s 40-year history. She leaves her role as CEO of Dublin Cemeteries Trust, and brings a wealth of commercial and charity sector experience. Aoife has a distinguished career, leading transformative change and driving organisational effectiveness, with expertise in governance, leadership and financial stewardship. She was previously a director and chair with Circle Voluntary Housing Association, also chairing its finance and audit board subcommittee. She was also director of finance and corporate services for housing and homelessness charity Depaul.

Aileen Delaney has been appointed as chief operating officer at financial planning firm SYS Financial. She brings 13 years of industry experience, in compliance, operations, and client experience. She has qualifications including QFA, RPA, LCI, CUG, CUC, and APA in PI & Debt Management. As COO, Aileen will ensure SYS Financial’s operations align with the highest standards of quality and efficiency. SYS Financial, formed in 2015, advises 8,000 clients, managing €500m in assets. With 60 staff across seven offices nationwide, the firm specialises in bespoke services for employers, private clients, and families. In March 2024, SYS Group launched SYS Mortgages, a new mortgages division.