Alf Smiddy (BComm, FCA, FMII, MSc) is a chartered accountant by profession, having worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Cork and Dublin, and also at the most senior levels in the Irish and international beverage industry. He was CEO and Chairman of Beamish & Crawford Plc for over twelve years, and on the Board and leadership team of Scottish & Newcastle (UK) Ltd (a FTSE 100 company, and the largest brewer and cider Group in the UK and Irish markets combined). He has also served in senior management and board roles across a broad range of other private and public sector enterprises in Ireland.
Alf is Chairman of the Quintas Financial Services Group and of Granite Consulting & On-Line Marketing Ltd. He serves on a number of other boards including the Moran Hotel Group, the Bewleys Hotel Group, the Kilkenny Group, and Kedco Plc. He also runs his own company, Alf Smiddy & Company Ltd, which works with organisations in the private and public sectors in Ireland on organisational strategy, marketing and business development, and strategic financial management.
He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland , a fellow of the Irish Marketing Institute, and has a Diploma in Corporate Direction from the Irish Institute of Directors. In 2009 he graduated with a Masters in Executive Leadership through Boston College and the University of Ulster.
Aiden is the founding member of Eolas International. He is a qualified Food Scientist with over 15 years experience in the Food and Beverage industry. Aiden provides the strategic vision for the company and leads our business development as well as playing an active role in key projects. Aiden recently completed an Enterprise Ireland funded MSc in International Business in Trinity College Dublin, and is leading plans for the further development of the company. Aiden says "It has been a fantastic experience to have been involved in the development of a unique, progressive and innovative company, such as Eolas International. The combination of very talented, eager and motivated staff in conjunction with progressive and forward looking clients, places us in a very fortunate and exciting position as we continue to grow our business. It is our mission to become the unquestioned choice as partner for our clients varied research needs".
Born and raised in Kerry, John is a graduate of the Engineering school in UCD. He began his professional life in the UK, working as a systems engineer with Electronic Data Systems. He soon spread his wings within this company, engaging as a project manager in Scotland, Belgium and Switzerland. After 7 years, John joined IBM, based in Dublin and working primarily for clients in the financial sector. In 2002, John brought his extensive project management experience with him to Cork. He co-founded Eolas International with Aiden Lee to capitalize on the opportunities provided by the need for innovative market research in the food and drink industry. He has overseen the operational growth of the company, and still immerses himself in projects, particularly in the market research and quality audit arenas. John says "We have fostered a culture of continuous learning in this company. Our team is encouraged to innovate and to act intuitively and this is applied to all projects. This results in clients telling us that they are excited by our solutions and that is a huge compliment."
Involved in the FMCG sector for over 20 years. From 2001 until 2009, Dave was a member of the Executive Board at Scottish & Newcastle’s Irish Operation, Beamish & Crawford. “As part of the senior management team, I gained a holistic view of the company’s operations and was comfortable with every aspect of the operation of the Business”. A qualified IT professional, he headed up the Irish IT function for S&N as well as operating as a member of the Global IT Management team. Prior to joining Eolas, Dave has advised a number of Companies on their IT strategy.
Since Joining Eolas, Dave has been involved in Project Management and developing an online reporting strategy to support the varied client base. Dave says, “As Eolas look to grow the business globally, we will strive to have the best systems and processes in place to support this.”
Fidelma Kirwan (PhD Nutrition) has over sixteenyears experience in the food industry. At Eolas she manages both long and short term projects to provide actionable sensory guidance ensuring product success. Specialist sensory projects undertaken include developing specific sensory specifications to assist in product outsourcing, product development, monitoring sensory quality control/assurance, and product matching and formulation. At Eolas she develops and implements the ongoing sensory analysis and evaluation of a range of food and beverages. Fidelma works closely with the consumer team with sensory findings feeding, shaping and further interpreting the results from consumer studies. Fidelma says "At Eolas International, the established ethos is to encourage each team member to focus on the important issue of specifically and independently interacting with clients while also having the support and the opportunity of interfacing closely with cross-functional teams within our organization."
Sarah Fehily holds a B.Comm Degree from University College Cork, and a Postgraduate Higher Diploma in Marketing Practice from National University of Ireland, Galway. Prior to joining Eolas International Sarah has twelve years experience in project management, working as an Account Director in the USA for various Marketing & Advertising Agencies. Sarah has managed large marketing, consumer research, advertising and promotional campaigns for clients such as Clos Du Bois Wineries and Levis Dockers. Sarah now works in business development and as Project Manager at Eolas International, ensuring that projects are delivered according to client specifications, on-time and within budget.
Sarah says "I've always worked in marketing, but working at Eolas is very cutting edge. It has allowed me first hand experience in devising the best ways to bring the voice of the consumer directly into clients' decision making processes in the areas of product improvement, NPD and brand development. Having our hands in every part of a research project from fieldwork to the final presentation of results means we get to know our clients' consumers and their business very well. Our eagerness to constantly learn and grow means we've become a valuable business partner to our clients and there is nothing more rewarding than that."
Eolas International employs a trained sensory expert panel (30) with 1 to 5 years experience in sensory profiling foods and beverages across product categories.
The Consumer & Sensory Research team is supported by a network of experienced and highly trained recruiters, interviewers and partners in Ireland and internationally.
Born and raised in Cork, Neil holds a BSc. in Computer Science from University College Cork. Neil has over five years experience in IT project management and before joining Eolas International worked in Product Support/Development in EMC. Presently, Neil manages Eolas International's growing shopper network, which spans over 100 countries and looks after all of the company's IT needs. During his eight years with Eolas International Neil has managed product retrieval and analysis projects across the Eolas client portfolio.
Eamonn holds a BSc. in Food Science and Technology and a MSc in Food Science and Technology. He has over six years experience in the food industry. Before joining Eolas International, Eamonn worked as a Production Supervisor with Dairygold and a Product Development Technologist in the area of fats and oils with Kerry Foods in Charleville. Presently Eamonn heads up the International Product Retrieval team at Eolas International.
A German native, Suzanne Detzner holds a MBS in Food Marketing from University College Cork and a Degree (Hons.) in International Business from the International School of Management in Dortmund, Germany. Suzanne is working in the area of international market & consumer research as well as sensory analysis projects. She manages cross functional projects (consumer research / quality audits & sensory analysis) and synthesizes the results. Prior to joining Eolas International, Suzanne worked within Marketing in SWS Marketing Services, University College Cork and BBDO Dusseldorf.
Suzanne says: "I always wanted to work for a truly international and multifaceted company - and Eolas is exactly that. We are all driven by giving our clients the best but at the same time we all have different areas of expertise and the combination makes us different. It is an exciting place to work."
Eolas International Research, Cork, Ireland
E: info@eolasinternational.com | T: +353 (0)21 4355567
