The Cork-based Mackin Group has appointed a CEO to its newly formed international professional services division as part of a major growth restructure of the company.
Fiona Donnelly, who has served as the Group’s Global Chief Operations Officer since 2020, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Mackin Professional Services (MPS).
Fiona will lead MPS, which includes recruitment companies Mackin Talent and the newly acquired UK consultancy Greybridge Search & Selection, as well as environment health & safety consultancy Mackin EHS.
Meanwhile, Andy Mackin – who founded the enterprise 20 years ago – will lead Roy’s International, the Group’s new property arm featuring the newly acquired Derryhale Hotel in Dundalk and both The Firehouse Inn and MackinGo coworking space in North Carolina.
The Mackin Group employs a team of over 250 dedicated professionals across its seven global offices. It reported a €36 million turnover in 2023, reflecting an increase of almost one hundredfold from €360,000 in the past ten years.
Commenting on her appointment, Fiona Donnelly said: “I am delighted to continue my journey with the Mackin Group, leading the long-standing and successful professional services division, as the company continues to evolve with a new property portfolio.
“We celebrate our 20th anniversary this year and bring all that experience to the fore as we continually seek to deliver the best service across staffing, recruitment and health & safety services.
“Both the recruitment and health and safety industries are changing rapidly – with evolving legislative, technological and labour trends – and it’s vital to stay ahead of these trends globally.”
She said she is thankful to have a strong team of talented professionals who drive the companies forward, while delivering exceptional results for their valued clients.
Mackin Group was founded in 2004 by Andy Mackin following his retirement at just age 38 from the Navy, where he served for 21 years.
Andy Mackin, who now heads up the Mackin’s diverse property portfolio, says Donnelly’s appointment is a big win for the Group.
“Fiona has served as Chief Operations Officer at Mackin Group since January 2020, overseeing Mackin Group’s global Mackin Talent brand, as well as Mackin EHS and Greybridge Search & Selection.
“We are thrilled that she is now leading this global services division and will continue to bring her skills and her relationship-based leadership to help Mackin Group continue to grow.
“This is a crucial time for us at Mackin as we steer the Group in the direction of continued growth, while ensuring we take care of our 250-strong team and our global book of clients and customers.”
Business mentor
A member of the Board of Advisors at Pamex Limited, Fiona has worked as a business mentor at Enterprise Ireland and as a long-standing adjunct lecturer in Strategic Management at University College Cork.
Prior to that, she worked as the Director of Talent Management and Development at Nexus Consulting Ltd and has spent time as a Business Mentor at IGNITE, University College Cork.
She also has a broad level of SME experience within the retail industry.
Fiona has a Master of Laws Degree (L.L.M.) in Intellectual Property and E-Law from University College Cork, as well as a Master’s Degree (M.A.) in Learning & Organisational Development from Cork University Business School.
She holds a B.A. (Hons.) in English Literature from University College Cork and has further education in Personnel Management (HR & Talent Management) from UCC, and is a certified Master Trainer.
Motivated by a sense of curiosity and a competitive nature, Fiona says she’s a big believer in lifelong learning.
She believes that while it is important to be able to see the big picture, paying attention to the detail is often where the real answers lie. “In business today, being able to glide between both perspectives is crucial,” she said.
