Advisory company Consello, which was founded by Tipperary businessman Declan Kelly and counts American football legend Tom Brady and tennis all-time great Serena Williams among its partners, is to launch operations in Ireland.
The New York-headquartered company has announced a 30-strong Irish team that will be led by John Herlihy, the former head of both Google and LinkedIn in Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Former Manchester United captain turned investor Gary Neville and former Irish champion golfer and Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley will join the company’s Irish business in senior roles.
Mr 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.
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The company has also announced the acquisition of leading Belfast strategic communications and public relations company Lanyon Group, as well as leadership and communications company Blue Lake, which is based in Clare.
Katie Doran, the co-founder of Lanyon Group, which also has offices in Dublin, will oversee day-to-day operations of the Consello business in Ireland as its chief executive.
Mr 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,” Mr Kelly said.
The company is targeting an official launch next month.
Mr Kelly will reunite with long-time friend, business associate and two-time All-Ireland winning Tipperary manager, Liam Sheedy, one of the co-founders of BlueLake alongside for Irish Independent journalist Eugene Hogan, who also joins the Consello team. Mr Sheedy will head the company’s leadership development business.
Operating from offices in Dublin, Belfast and the midwest, Mr Kelly has attracted some of the State’s best known business leaders in addition to Mr Herlihy on to the Irish advisory team.
These include chairman of Smurfit WestRock and former executive vice-president of Coca Cola Irial Finan; long-time Johnson & Johnson manufacturing chief, Barry O’Sullivan; serial investor and managing partner at Atlantic Bridge, Elaine Coughlan; Margaret Sweeney, who recently retired from her role as chief executive of Ires Reit; former Teneo colleagues Brendan Murphy and Kevin Roland; Lanyon Group cofounder Jonathan Ireland; David Geraghty, a tech executive who worked in senior roles at Google and Meta; and leading international sports adviser and investor Nick Mullen.
Similar to its New York headquartered team, the Irish operations will also have a strong sports leadership component.
Also joining the team is executive search specialist Stafford Bagot, who until recently was the chief executive of recruiting firm, Heidrick & Struggles.
The company, founded by Mr Kelly just two and a half years ago, already has offices in New York, Miami, Atlanta, London and Barcelona. He established the business just months after he was forced to quit Teneo following allegations of sexual harassment.
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