Head of Innovation Programmes

• Mar 2021 - Present

Innovation Programme Manager

• Apr 2018 - Mar 2021

At Dogpatch Labs I help to develop and deliver world class corporate innovation programmes to accelerate internal ideas.Programme Management: • Design & delivery of an Internal Incubator Programme to meet the needs of our corporate partners using methodologies from the startup world • Assist corporate partner in shaping the internal projects & recruiting the internal teams to get them ‘incubator ready’ • Manage relationship with corporate partner & incubator teams to ensure both are achieving maximum value from the programme• Provide strategic week-to-week mentoring for incubator teams across a broad range of subject matters including Business Model Canvas, Customer Development, Value Proposition, Financial Projections & Investment Pitching • Facilitate workshops, manage mentors and speakers, prepare schedules, agendas and budgets• Create templates and playbooks to streamline actions and decision makingAs well as delivering incubator programmes I also manage the overall partnership with various corporate partners.Partner Management:• Prepare commercial proposals and annual reports including innovation accounting deliverables for corporate partners• Create meaningful client presentations and project manage ad-hoc projects• Shape startup engagement activities such as Hackathons to deliver value for corporates and startups • Assess and manage business development opportunities that fit with the company strategy, and align with existing partnerships and commitments• Work closely with the Events Manager in executing various partner events to a global standard Show less

Co-Founder

• Mar 2014 - Jun 2018

Co-founded the product design company Obeo which designed, developed and successfully launched the Obeo Food Waste box onto the retail and online market. Responsibilities include: Sourcing funding: Raised €350,000 in equity investment from a group of investors including a UK based VC fund and Enterprise Ireland. Business development: Gained national supermarket listings in SuperValu & Dunnes and drove sales across retail and online channels. Developed an online subscription based business model. Monitored distributor’s outsourced sales reps. Explored new opportunities in export market and B2B opportunities. Marketing: Managed all forms of digital marketing including PPC, SEO, social media and influencer campaigns. Gained significant PR coverage through building relationships with the press. Organised and exhibited at trade and consumer shows in Ireland and the UK. Built a substantial new consumer brand from scratch. PR: Featured in The Sunday Times, Irish Examiner, Sunday Business Post, The Irish Times and Irish Independent, RTE News, RTE Dragon's Den. Market research: Conducted competitor analysis, researched industry and market trends, conducted focus groups and user testing on new products. Team leader: Managed the team at Obeo and helped them to develop their skills by challenging them and providing feedback. Design management: Developed the design strategy for product range and brand. Managed outsourced design agency and in-house designers in all aspects of graphic and web design. Strategic planning: Set the strategy for the company and launched go-to-market plans. Financial management: Set monthly and annual targets and monitored performance against budget. Prepared business plans and detailed financial projections for key stakeholders. Prepared accounts on a monthly basis, inventory control and budgeting. Show less

Co-Founder and Business Development

• Sep 2010 - Dec 2013

Co-Founder of award winning homeware design brand Klickity. Klickity designed a range of contemporary home accessories and gifts that are all made in Ireland and were stocked in design stores from Ireland to Australia to Dubai. Responsibilities: Business development: Gained national and international store listings in top stores such as Arnotts, Kilkenny Shop and Designist. Developed an ecommerce site to help us reach an international audience. Marketing: Built relationships with the press and gained substantial PR coverage for our design brand. Organised and exhibited at trade and consumer shows in Ireland and the UK. Financial management: Prepared accounts on a monthly basis, inventory control and budgeting. Show less

Chartered Accountant

• Oct 2006 - Aug 2010

Trained and qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG specialising in financial services audit. Responsibilities: • Interview audit client’s management to gain an understanding of the company’s industry, controls and processes. • Identify risks and the compensating controls to mitigate these risks. Test whether the controls are designed, implemented and operating effectively. • Review and analysis of income statements and balance sheets against prior year and budget. • Review of reconciliations, cashflow forecasts and annual budgets. • Local Statutory Reporting in accordance with UK GAAP/IFRS and audit of financial statements. • Report findings and recommendations to business management in the form of a management letter. • Coordinate responses from the client on the management letter and action timeframes. • Liaising with the client and KPMG management to resolve any issues and ensure the audit is completed within specified timeline. Show less