Appointments: Paul Brown to succeed Steve Bowcott as Sisk CEO

JOHN PAUL CONSTRUCTION EXPANDS SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM

The board of John Paul Construction has announced the promotion of Gary Howard to its senior leadership team. He takes up the role of Associate Director – Mission Critical.

Over the past eight years, John Paul Construction has expanded its mission-critical portfolio, delivering numerous data centre projects in Ireland, the UK and the Middle East.

Gary Howard has been instrumental in expanding John Paul Construction’s presence in the mission-critical/data centre sector and has a proven track record of successfully delivering multidisciplinary projects on a fast-track basis.

Commenting on Howard’s appointment, Liam Kenny, Managing Director, John Paul Construction, said: “We are delighted with L to r: Gary Howard, Associate Director - Mission Critical, John Paul Construction; Liam Kenny, Managing Director, John Paul Construction; and John Keaveney, Construction Director, John Paul Construction.

Pat Cox, Chairperson, Ecocem.

Gary’s promotion to our senior team where he will be responsible for expanding our base of operations, whilst maintaining John Paul Construction’s position as the contractor of choice within the mission-critical sector.”

PAT COX APPOINTED CHAIRPERSON OF ECOCEM

Low carbon cement manufacturer Ecocem has appointed former president of the European Parliament Pat Cox as chair of Ecocem Group.

Pat Cox is the current chair of the Finance Green Ireland Committee, is chairing the inaugural Dublin Climate Dialogues this year. He is also chair of the Gore Street Energy Storage Fund – the first-ever listed fund for grid-scale battery storage by the London Stock Exchange.

The Ecocem Group has seen exceptional domestic performance as well as exports to the UK and Europe. In May of this year, Ecocem announced the completion of a €22.5m equity investment by Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV) and Breakthrough Energy Ventures-Europe (BEV-E). This investment will enable Ecocem to bring new low-carbon cement technology to the market over the coming years.

Donal O’Riain, founder and Managing Director, Ecocem, said: “We are now in a period of major growth for our business as we deploy new low-carbon technology across the cement sector in Europe. We are delighted to have someone of Pat Cox’s experience and commitment to sustainability to chair the Ecocem board at such an exciting and challenging time for Ecocem.”

Pat Cox commented: “Concrete, after water, is the most widely used substance on earth. The cement industry globally would, if it was a state, be the third largest carbon dioxide emitter in the world. Ecocem, through its commitment to innovation and new technologies, is determined to make a difference at scale – a quality that makes the privileged engagement of chairmanship a challenging duty consistent with the needs of our times.”

Shane Curran appointed director of SISK interior fit-out division

Shane Curran, Director, Interiors by Sisk. J ohn Sisk & Son has announced the appointment of Shane Curran as director of its newly established interior fit-out division, Interiors by Sisk.

Sisk has a depth of experience in the fit-out sector over many years and recently completed major projects for JP Morgan, Deloitte and the IDA. Interiors by Sisk has been established to develop an independently managed fit-out offering within the fit-out sector across Ireland.

Commenting on the appointment and the establishment of the new division, Donal McCarthy, Chief Operating Officer, John Sisk & Son, Ireland and Europe, said: “I am delighted to welcome Shane to the company and see the great progress he is already making in building his team at Interiors by Sisk.”

Shane Curran commented: “I look forward to working with the team of talented, enthusiastic professionals both within Interiors by Sisk and the wider Sisk business. People are at the core of everything we do, and I want to nurture a collaborative workspace where an environment of transparency and inclusivity will play a pivotal role.”

Paul Brown, incoming CEO of John Sisk & Son

Paul Brown to succeed Steve Bowcott as Sisk CEO

John Sisk & Son has announced the appointment of Paul Brown as its new CEO with effect from 01 January 2022. He takes up the position from current CEO Steve Bowcott, who has been in the role for six and a half years. Speaking on behalf of the board of Sicon (the group holding company) and the Sisk family, chairperson Gary McGann said: “We are pleased to appoint Paul to this role and are very fortunate to have someone of his calibre and experience to take up the leadership of the company. We are very grateful for Steve’s commitment and his service to Sisk since his appointment in 2015, and as his term comes to an end, the board believes that Paul has the skills and qualities to continue to deliver our progressive strategy as the leading Irish construction company.”

Paul Brown is currently chief operating officer (COO) for Sisk’s UK construction business and the group civil engineering business. Over his 25 years in the industry, he has developed strong leadership skills enabling him to lead effective teams and develop strong and lasting customer and colleague relationships.

Commenting on his appointment, Paul Brown said: “I am honoured to lead our business into the next phase of its development, building on Steve’s great work and that of my colleagues. I want to thank the Sicon board, the Sisk family and all of my colleagues for their support and look forward to working with them towards the continued success of the company.”

Ger Ronayne appointed CEO of JJ Rhatican & Co

JJ Rhatigan has announced the expansion of its senior team with the appointment of Ger Ronayne as its new chief executive officer (CEO).

Ronayne has worked with JJ Rhatigan for 23 years, joining the company as a senior engineer in 1998. He has most recently served as chief operating officer. In this new role, Ronayne will continue to lead business areas for key clients and drive the formulation and development of strategy and organisational capability to ensure the ongoing success of the building contractor.

Speaking about the appointment, Rhatigan managing director and chairman, Padraic Rhatigan, said: “Ger’s vast construction delivery experience, his leadership qualities and innovative thinking, coupled with his practical approach and collaborative skills, will guide JJ Rhatigan & Co in its next phase of development and success.”

Ger Ronayne said that there is a great sense of legacy within JJ Rhatigan & Co and a strong sense of pride that is shared right across the team. “I am personally and professionally delighted to move into this pivotal role at such an important and transformative time for the overall construction industry.”

This appointment, together with other significant management progressions, will position the tier-1 main contractor to avail of large-scale opportunities over the next five years particularly, but also into the longterm future. With a new senior management structure now firmly in place, Rhatigan is reaffirming its commitment to the collaborative delivery of projects across all sectors and an enhanced focus on reducing the environmental impact of both projects and business activities through the adoption of emerging technologies and continuous improvement.

(L to r): Ger Ronayne, CEO, JJ Rhatigan & Co; and Padraic Rhatigan, Chairman, JJ Rhatigan & Co.