Shannon Chamber is governed by a Board of Directors that meets quarterly to consider policy and plan strategic direction. The role of President is rotated on a bi-annual basis.
Eoin Gavin
Managing Director, Eoin Gavin Transport
Email: eoin@eoingavintransport.com
Eoin is President of Shannon Chamber.
A native of Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, Eoin set up Eoin Gavin Transport in 1998. The company now exports/imports products for a wide range of customers/sectors to markets in Ireland, the UK, Europe and worldwide.
Eoin was President of the Irish Road Haulage Association for 2 terms (2011-2013 & 2013-2015). Prior to that, he served as Council member, branch chairman and national executive secretary. In his time as President, he served on two working groups of various departments: finance transport revenue and environment, established by the then Minister for Finance, which delivered a fuel rebate for the haulage industry and the complete overhaul of the road tax system for trucks, brining Irish hauliers’ cost base in line with the rest of Europe.
In 2015, Eoin worked with Limerick Co Co on an EU-funded project delivering a project for linking Foynes Limerick port to other strategic ports in Europe and creating credible trade routes between similar ports in Europe.
Mark Nolan
Managing Director, Dromoland Castle Hotel
Email: mark.nolan@dromoland.ie
Mark has served as Managing Director of Dromoland Castle since 1996, adding the post of Managing Director of The Dromoland Collection in 2009. He works closely with the balance of the seven-member Board to maintain Dromoland Castle’s sterling reputation as one of Europe’s finest resorts and, most recently, to welcome the Inn at Dromoland to The Dromoland Collection. A graduate of the GMIT, Mark also sits on the regional advisory board of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation; the Atlantic Connectivity Alliance and Clare Tourism Forum.
Mark is Vice President of Shannon Chamber and chairs the Chamber’s Transport Committee.
Helen Downes
Chief Executive, Shannon Chamber
Email: hdownes@shannonchamber.ie
Chief Executive of Shannon Chamber since 2008, Helen Downes has spearheaded many new Chamber initiatives to promote and encourage business growth and economic development in the Shannon area. These initiatives, which involve linkages with national and international business organisations in both the public and private sectors, have led to increased Chamber membership,.
Shannon Chamber currently has over 300 member companies drawn from a wide cross-section of business sectors that employ approximately 10,000 people in the Shannon hinterland. Helen is responsible for representing their interests to key influencers and stakeholders, achieved through voicing membership concerns on issues that affect or impede enterprise development at local, regional and national levels.
The Hospital, Co. Limerick native sits on the board of Chambers Ireland, is an active member of its Human Resources Policy Council, and a member of the Mid -West Action Plan for Jobs’ Implementation Committee
Prior to joining Shannon Chamber, Helen was HR Business Partner with Thomson Financial (Ireland) Ltd, where she managed day-to-day HR activities, including Health & Safety regulations, across multiple sites.
Kevin Thompstone
Managing Director, the Thompstone Group
Email: kevin@thompstonegroup.com
Kevin is ex officio President of Shannon Chamber, and also chairs the Chamber’s CEO Forum.
An experienced economic development practitioner and consultant, Kevin has successfully conducted assignments in Armenia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Jordan, the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Uganda and the UAE. He served as CEO of Shannon Development from 2000 to 2008, where he worked for 23 years and served in key senior management roles. He has recently been advising government, investment agency and commercial clients on business park, technocity and special economic zone projects in Armenia, Uganda and the United Arab Emirates.
Ian Barrett
Managing Director, Care About You Ltd.
Email: ianb@cregg.ie
An accountant by profession Ian is currently Managing Director of Care About You Ltd, which is part of the Irish-owned Cregg Group which has offices in Shannon, Athlone, Galway and Cork: he was previously Managing Director of Resilience Health which was part of the TTM Healthcare Group of which he was previously Group Finance Director.. Prior to joining TTM Healthcare, Ian held Head of Finance roles with major multinational organisations (Alcoa, Samsung and Avocent); senior operational roles with Avocent (Head of International Operations) and Affinion International (Chief Operations Officer).
Ian’s familiarity with both large-scale multinational and medium-sized Irish organisations provides a valuable insights for Shannon Chamber Members – be it the challenges they face or the opportunities available to them.
Ian has been a director of Shannon Chamber for over 10 years and has been responsible for developing the Chamber’s pre- budget submissions to Government. Ian is also a past President of the Chamber.
Edmund Jennings
Managing Director, CREGG Group
Email: edmund@cregg.ie
A microbiology and biochemistry graduate from the National University Galway (BSc, HDip in Ed, Dip QA.,) Edmund Jennings is managing director of the CREGG Group – a group of independent companies involved in automation, European sales, outsourcing, recruitment, and resources, that collectively trade under the Group banner.
A director of Shannon Chamber of Commerce, Shannon Foynes Port Authority, and Western Business Park, Shannon, Edmund’s non-business interests extend to active involvement in party politics, volunteer work with community development and sporting organizations.
Ray O’Driscoll
Chief Operating Officer (COO), Shannon Group Plc
Email: Ray.ODriscoll@shannongroup.ie
Ray O’Driscoll is Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Shannon Group. Shannon Group was founded in 2014 and is the holding company of Shannon Airport Authority, Shannon Commercial Properties and Shannon Heritage. Ray is a Board member and has overall responsibility for the operational and commercial performance of the three group companies.
Ray is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), holds an MBA from the University of Westminister, London, a Diploma in Strategy from Smurfit Business School and is a IOD Chartered Director (CDir). Prior to joining Shannon Group, Ray was Finance Director of Barry Group, one of Ireland’s largest wholesale and retail solutions providers. Previous to this, Ray was Chief Financial Officer of Eurologic Systems Ltd, one of Ireland most successful indigenous technology companies. Ray worked in London as Finance Manager for Marathon Oil (US Oil Inc) and trained as an Accountant with EY.
Adrian Sylver
Head of School, Shannon College of Hotel Management
Email: adrian.sylver@universityofgalway.ie
Adrian Sylver is an experienced academic in the field of accounting and finance. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Master’s in Accountancy from the University of Galway.
Adrian began his career in third-level education in 2002, working at Dublin Business School as a Senior Lecturer in Accounting. At Dublin Business School he taught at various levels, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional accounting courses. A number of his students at Dublin Business School have achieved worldwide placings in professional accounting exams, a testament to his exceptional teaching and mentorship.
In 2006, Adrian joined the Shannon College of Hotel Management as Lecturer in Accounting and Finance, lecturing in financial accounting, management accounting, finance, and asset management. In the intervening period Adrian has served as Programme Leader, Deputy Head of School, and Head of Studies, each role contributing to the academic and operational excellence of the college.
In 2022, Adrian’s was appointed Head of School at Shannon College of Hotel Management.
Adrian Sylver’s career is marked by a deep commitment to education and a passion for developing the next generation of hospitality professionals. With over 30 years programme management and lecturing experience at undergraduate, postgraduate and professional programmes he has built up a considerable reputation for his student focussed approach.
David Keating
Director of Manufacturing, Ei Electronics
Email: David.Keating@eielectronics.ie
David Keating is Director of Manufacturing Technology with Ei Electronics in Shannon. Prior to joining Ei Electronics, he was Operations Director with Advanced Modular Solutions Ltd. (2007 – 2009); held several positions with Power-One Ireland Ltd. (1998 – 2007) Director R&D Ireland, Director of Micro-Electronics Packaging, and Operations Manager.
David holds an (MBA) Master of Business Administration from the University of Surrey 2006; a CDIP in Accounting and Finance, Mid-West Business Institute 1997; a Certificate in Quality Management, University of Limerick 1994; a Diploma in Management, Irish Management Institute 1992 and has a mechanical engineering background.
Marlo Kearney
Head of Operations, PPG Shannon
Email: MKearney@ppg.com
Marlo Kearney is currently head of Operations at PPG Shannon, having been instrumental in the start-up and establishment in 2021 of its manufacturing and supply chain operation at the former Avara pharmaceutical plant in Shannon Free Zone.
A Limerick native, and graduate of the University of Limerick, Marlo holds both a BA(Hons) and a PGDip from Kemmy Business School, and an MSc from UL’s school of Engineering & Science, in the area of Supply Chain Operations. She currently acts an external examiner on several of the supply chain diploma and degree programs at the South-East Technological University.
She is a chartered member of the Institute of Logistics and Transport in Ireland (CMILT) and has previously acted as Chair of the Western Section of the Institute from 2022 -2024.
Immediately prior to working with PPG, she was employed by the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technology Research Centre at the University of Limerick and over the previous 20yrs she has worked in several commercial and operational roles with increasing responsibility in both the medical device industry and in the delivery of healthcare operations.
Colin MacDonald
Founder and Chief Executive, Fine Grain Property
Email: colin@finegrainproperty.com
Colin is the founder and chief executive of Fine Grain Property, which owns and operates the 40 acre Westpark Innovation Campus, Shannon’s premium office development for global businesses such as Aercap, Axa, DHL, Pepper, SES, Enterprise Ireland, JLPS and more. Westpark is part of Fine Grain’s 1.2 million sq ft of modern offices throughout Ireland.
A native of Ireland, Colin established Fine Grain Property in Singapore, where he lived for over 30 years before returning to Ireland with his family in 2019. During that time he was the founding President of the Singapore Ireland Chamber of Commerce, and also served as President of the Singapore Ireland Funds, part of a global philanthropic organisation.
Colin brings a diverse international background in banking, hospitality, real estate, and the voluntary sector to his role on the Board.
