CorkBIC

Chief Executive: Michael O'Connor

Masters in Engineering (Cambridge University, UK) and MBA London Business School / Wharton School, Pennsylvania in International Business & Finance, Chartered Engineer.

Previous experience in manufacturing and sales start ups with Raychem Corporation before co-founding Intepro Systems Ltd. Intepro was a Limerick based indigenous IT start-up. Responsible for strategy, sales and marketing of the start up in Europe ('83-'87) and USA ('87-'93) with three rounds of international venture capital before divesting to a Swiss multinational. The business had 75 employees, $10m turnover and was market leader in the USA and Europe.

Since 1994 he returned to Ireland as Chief Executive of the CorkBIC in the area of venture consultancy to high growth technology based companies. Currently Director of Irish BICs Seed Capital Fund and the monitoring committee of a new Business Angels Partnership (Enterprise Ireland/InterTrade Ireland). Chair of the TMT committee of the Cork Chamber of Commerce, and Project Co-ordinator of the National Software Centre project.

Specific expertise in sales and marketing, market entry, developing major accounts and raising finance.

Senior Consultant: Eileen Moloney

Bachelor of Arts Degree (University College, Galway). Psychologist and lawyer.

Practised as a lawyer in the UK and the USA before returning to Ireland in 1984 to lead Irish marketing for a North Star VAR. Co-founded Expert Edge Computer Systems in 1986 which delivered expert system software solutions and headed up its UK start-up in London in 1991. Went on to provide Business Development & Marketing Consultancy to small and medium sized enterprises with limited marketing focus and to larger companies aiming to penetrate new markets ('92-94). Delivered Training Programmes for the IPA on Leadership & Modern Management Methods to top level Civil Servants in Europe.

Joined CorkBIC in 1997 to develop the Graduate (now Genesis) Enterprise Programme (delivered via CorkBIC) - a one year rapid incubation for start-up companies. Has delivered several business start-up programmes.

Specific expertise in organisational development & HR, sales and marketing and entrepreneur assessment

Senior Consultant: Neil Gordon

Bachelor of Electronic Engineering (University of Limerick- UL) and MBA (UL)

Prior to 1998, experience in technical marketing and management roles within multinationals in the vehicle equipment (Interbalco - United States) and computer peripheral industries (Alps Electric, Japan). Between 1998 and 2003, was responsible for international OEM business development and marketing at the Shannon division of US multinational, C&D Technologies, a power supply company with 14 divisions and 2000 employees worldwide. Career has a strong emphasis on international sales and marketing.

Joined CorkBIC in April 2007, from an Irish software start-up called Global Mobile Encryption (GME). This senior strategic role focused on technology development, product strategy and IP management. Extensive experience in working with and liasing with GME's Swiss venture capitalists. Brings this experience to current role in CorkBIC offering consultancy and business planning to high-tech startups

Specific expertise in technology management, business development and account management

Manager - IT, Networks & Security: Eric O'Callaghan

CISSP, SSCP, CEH, CCSA, TCP & MCSE Qualified

Previous experience includes working in a systems support role for the MCI Group between 1998 and 2000, before moving on to ATI Technologies as a Network Analyst. From ATI's facility in Dublin, Eric moved to the Canadian parent headquarters in 2001 where he was responsible for the multinational's information security and business data protection. Over a period of 6 years, this became a critical and strategic component of the business's success. His expertise includes IT project management, information security best practice, risk management, network analysis and system architecture.

Joined CorkBIC with responsibility for IT, Networks & Security, with particular focus on IT requirements for National Software Centre.

Specific expertise includes information security and project management

Financial Controller : Robin Robson

Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA) and Chartered Secretary (ACIS).

Over 30 years of experience at line accountant and financial controller level in multinational corporations, wholesaling, services and consulting groups. Previously worked full-time at the CorkBIC as a Consultant for 3 years between 1995-1998.

As principal of Robson Associates, provides outsourced Management Accounting, Financial Strategy and Company Secretarial services to the SME sector. Robin has operated as part-time Financial Controller to CorkBIC since 2003. Has an in-depth knowledge of the specialist financial management requirements of SMEs and startup companies. Has overall responsibility of the financial management of the National Software Centre.

Specific expertise in Financial Strategy, Accounts preparation and interpretation, Company Secretarial issues and Systems design

Accounts Assistant : Eoin Duggan

BA in General and Corporate Administration, Waterford Institute of Technology

Previous experience includes, five years as an Accounts Assistant with Irish fashion accessories wholesale and retail company Dynasty Accessories, where his responsibilities included the processing of sales and purchase invoices and financial reporting. Previous experience includes accounting and finance roles in the hospitality and services industry.

Current role within the CorkBIC since 2006 includes the management of the day to day accounts, processing of supplier and debtor invoices (for CorkBIC and National Software Centre), processing of payments and receipts, and preparation of accounts.

Specific expertise in accounts administration and supplier/customer relationships

Office Administrator : Sandra Tortel

Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Classics (Sorbonne), Diploma of Institute in Political Sciences (Provence), MBA (Toulon)

Previous experience includes report writing and office assistance roles, in the French Embassy of Vienna where she was the assistant of the press attache.

She worked for 3 years at the French Navy training school at Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer as an Officer where her role involved training sailors in French editorial and communication methods. More recently she has joined the CorkBIC after a freelance report writing role for UBIQUS, the international reporting, transcription, translation and interpreting services company.

Joined CorkBIC as an Office Administrator and deals with general administration in relation to CorkBIC and administration aspects of CorkBIC contract with NSC.

Specialist expertise in languages, report writing and office administration

Business Angels Programme Co-ordinator : Peter Bennett

Bachelor of Commerce, UCD and Fellow of Institute of Management Consultants in UK

Significant experience as Commercial Manager in UK with Plessey, an electronics manufacturing company. Returned to Ireland with PA Consulting Group in 1970, operated and sold consulting work across a wide range of industry sectors, for both private and public sectors. Became Regional Manager for PA Consulting with focus on Irish market.

Set up an independent consultancy in 1983, operating throughout Britain and Ireland specializing in corporate strategy and human resources management. This business grew to 6 consultants. In 2000, set up as an individual freelance consultant for UK and Irish markets, based out of Ireland. Currently, operating as an independent consultant in co-ordinating the Business Angels programme with responsibility for South West region.

Specific expertise in management consulting, corporate strategy and sales and marketing