McCourt appointed director at McMahon Sheedy consultants

Ms Winifred McCourt, has been appointed as a director of McMahon Sheedy Communications Consultants. Ms McCourt, a well-known account director, currently heads up the company's consumer goods division.

Among the clients she has worked with are R&A Bailey, Gilbeys, IDV Operations, Cadburys Ireland, Pharmacia and ICC Bank.

McMahon Sheedy, which takes its name from its two managing directors, Mr John McMahon and Mr Larry Sheedy, is a partner in Pinnacle Worldwide, a network of more than 50 public relations firms in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.

The former IDA area director for the south and south-west, Mr Barry Condren, has been appointed vice-president and head of business development at Bank of America (Ireland).

Mr Condren has been in the news recently for helping to bring several large projects to the Cork region for the IDA. He has been replaced by Mr Paddy Gallagher, who is moving from his post as the authority's area director for the midlands and the midwest. Interviews are being held for Mr Gallagher's former position.

The former chief executive of the IDA, Mr Padraic White, has added another directorship to his expanding portfolio. Mr White is joining Arigna Fuels and its sister company Gaoithe Saor Teoranta as non-executive chairman.

Arigna Fuels manufactures a range of smokeless and low-smoke solid fuels. Gaoithe Saor Teoranta is involved in the development of wind energy projects in the Arigna area of Co Roscommon.

Since leaving the IDA, Mr White has worked closely with the Wexford company, Schoepp Velours, where he is a director.

He is also chairman of Cable Management Ireland and a director of Novell Software and Dresdner Bank's IFSC operation.

There are changes afoot at CableTel, where managing director, Mr Owen Lamont is taking on the added role of managing director of its Scottish operations. The company's director of marketing, Mr Ian Jeffers, has been promoted to deputy managing director in Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, President McAleese has resigned from her position as board member with Northern Ireland Electricity and Channel 4!