Platform94, the west of Ireland’s largest technology innovation centre, has today announced the appointment of former Ernst & Young (EY) Director, Marie Donnellan, as chief executive officer. She has more than 15 years’ international finance and business development experience to the position. In addition to her internationally-centric role with EY, Donnellan spent the last number of years working with entrepreneurs and companies across the midwest, west, and northwest, connecting businesses, helping them to collaborate, scale and grow.
The announcement follows Platform94’s 30th anniversary celebrations and opening of the new €5.2 million extension at its Galway headquarters.
A native of Co Clare but now living in Galway, Donnellan has played a pivotal strategic role in the opening and subsequent expansion of its Galway office, whilst also spearheading the regional Entrepreneur of the Year programme across the midwest, west and northwest. At EY, her core focus was always on the global environment and she very much intends to carry that to Platform94.
“When it comes to business expansion, we should always be looking through an international lens. Ireland has a world-leading ecosystem for fostering innovation and providing support for startup entrepreneurs,” said Donnellan. “However, when it comes to supporting established innovative businesses to scale internationally, I believe there is a gap in the ecosystem, especially at a regional level. At Platform94, we will strive to address that gap, providing businesses with a suite of international scaling support services, regardless of where their business is physically located. I look forward to helping businesses from all over the region, not only in identifying growth opportunities, but in recognising and addressing both internal and external barriers to growth.”
“As a nation, we are naturally creative and entrepreneurial. I want to help showcase our world-class talent and innovations, escalating our efforts to attract more international investment,” she continued. “Entrepreneurship can be a lonely place. At Platform94, our highly talented team can provide those all-important links, helping businesses and key stakeholders to collaborate, and giving businesses the ideal platform for international growth.”
Dave Hickey, chairperson of Platform94, added: “Marie has vast experience and a proven track record. Her extensive strategic leadership, together with her financial and business development experience in a global-centric environment, will be of massive benefit. We look forward to seeing her lead Platform94 to expand its regional and national scale-up offerings, and to reach new heights in the international technology landscape over the coming years,” he added.
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