CCI Executive Search Blog

Appointment Announcement: Helium

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:17:13 GMT

CCI Executive Search is delighted to announce the appointment of Rosy Bent as Head of Programme with Helium, Ireland, following our recent successful recruitment process.

With a background in business and arts, Rosy brings both a strong alignment to the mission and ethos of Helium as well as extensive leadership experience delivering large scale education, creativity and community wellbeing programmes across Ireland. Most recently she held senior roles as Head of Programmes and Campaigns and Head of Operations with Grow It Yourself in Waterford. She was also previously a co-founder of an award-winning creative production company delivering children’s programmes for festivals and public events.

Commenting on Rosy’s appointment, Helene Hugel, CEO of Helium said: “ Helium is delighted to welcome Rosy Bent to the team. Head of Programme is a new senior management role in Helium, representing an investment in leadership and growth in organisational capacity as we strengthen foundations for the next stage of sustainable scale. I look forward to collaborating with Rosy to bring joy to more children with long term conditions across Ireland. ”

Rosy added: “ I’m thrilled to be joining Helium as Head of Programme at a key moment of growth. I look forward to working with the team to strengthen programme delivery, support sustainable scale, and ensure Helium continues to have meaningful impact for children and families across Ireland. ”

Our heartfelt congratulations go to Helium on this important appointment, and we wish Helene, Rosy and all the team the very best for a successful 2026 as the organisation continues to go from strength to strength, inspiring children living with long-term physical health conditions to imagine, create, and grow.

CCI Executive Search works exclusively with not-for-profit organisations to recruit excellent staff and build high-performing teams. To learn more about our services or to discuss an upcoming recruitment need, visit our website or contact us directly at 01 524 2807 or at recruitment@cciexecutivesearch.ie .

Appointment Announcement: Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI)

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 09:49:43 GMT

CCI Executive Search is proud to share the appointment of Eleanor Flew as Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI).

We were pleased to partner with the RCPI to lead the recruitment process for this key position. The RCPI is dedicated to excellence in medical education, public health, and healthcare leadership and a key strategic priority is the development of its Medical Museum - with this appointment, it has further strengthened its highly committed team.

As Director of Fundraising & Communications at Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services (OLH&CS) for over a decade, Eleanor has deep expertise in driving strategic fundraising growth, securing major philanthropic gifts, and leading multi-million-euro capital campaigns. Her career prior to joining OLH&CS included roles with Focus Ireland, UNICEF and McCann Erickson.

Welcoming the new appointment, Audrey Houlihan CEO said: “ I am delighted to welcome Eleanor Flew as the Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. Eleanor brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to advancing meaningful collaborations and philanthropic initiatives. We look forward to the vision, energy, and expertise that Eleanor will bring to RCPI, and we are excited for the journey ahead. ”

Speaking about her appointment, Eleanor says: “ I'm absolutely delighted to be joining the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland as Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships. I look forward to working collaboratively with the team and engaging with donors and partners to support the College’s strategic priorities — including leading a major capital campaign to develop Ireland's first publicly accessible medical museum at Number 6 Kildare Street. ”

We wish Eleanor every success as she steps into this exciting new role and look forward to seeing the impact of her work.

Appointment Announcement: Cali – Care and Learn Ireland

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 10:11:07 GMT

CCI Executive Search is pleased to announce the appointment of Caroline Casserly as CEO of Cali - Care and Learn Ireland.

Congratulations to Caroline Casserly on her appointment as CEO of Cali - Care and Learn Ireland.

This appointment follows a recruitment process led by CCI Executive Search in partnership with the Cali - Care and Learn Ireland Board.

Caroline is an experienced leader in housing and social care having held senior roles over the last decade, firstly as Director of Housing Services and HR with Dublin Central Mission and most recently as Director of Operations with Oaklee Housing. She brings a proven track record in strategic leadership, partnership development, organisational change and entrepreneurial skills.

Speaking about Caroline’s appointment, the Board of Cali - Care and Learn Ireland say: “We are delighted to welcome Caroline as she takes up the role of CEO. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise which will help drive Cali’s growth and development. Cali was founded to address a gap in the provision of a formal Further Education Pathway for school leavers with a Profound Multiple Learning Disability (PMLD). As CEO, Caroline will lead the Cali team which works in partnership with participants to support their chosen goals in education, well-being and inclusion.”

Caroline added: “I am thrilled to join Cali - Care and Learn Ireland as Chief Executive Officer at such a pivotal moment in their growth and development. What drew me to Cali is their clear vision and commitment in providing further education with care and multidisciplinary therapy to school leavers and young adults with severe to profound intellectual disabilities.

It’s a privilege to lead this innovative organisation that is transforming lives, and I am committed to bringing fresh energy, strategic vision, and a strong focus on growth and inclusion to ensure Cali fulfils its goals in the years ahead. I look forward to working alongside a talented and dedicated team, who empower our participants to lead self-directed lives of their choosing.”

We wish to congratulate Cali on this important and timely appointment and wish Caroline and everyone on the team the very best of luck with this exciting next chapter!

CCI Executive Search partners exclusively with not-for-profit organisations to recruit outstanding leaders and staff and build effective teams. To learn more about our services or discuss an upcoming recruitment need, visit our website or contact us directly on 01 524 2807 or recruitment@cciexecutivesearch.ie .

Appointment Announcement: Cork Simon

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 14:57:12 GMT

CCI Executive Search is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicholas Spandagos as Director of Fundraising with Cork Simon Community.

Congratulations to Nicholas Spandagos on his appointment as Director of Fundraising at Cork Simon Community.

Nicholas brings more than 20 years’ experience in the NGO sector, with a strong track record in developing innovative, donor-focused strategies that drive meaningful fundraising growth. His leadership aligns closely with Cork Simon’s mission to prevent homelessness and support people affected by it across Cork, Kerry and the South East.

He previously served as Senior Individual Giving Manager – Strategic Projects with WaterAid UK for seven years, and as Interim Director of International Fundraising and Marketing with Miracle Ribbon. His earlier roles include positions with Greenpeace Greece, Olympiacos Football Club, the UNHCR, and Anti-Slavery International.

Speaking about his new role, Nicholas said: “I am very excited to be joining such a respected charity as Cork Simon. I am looking forward to joining forces with the amazing fundraising team so that we can help even more homeless people in Co. Cork, Kerry and the South East.”

We were pleased to lead the recruitment process on behalf of Cork Simon Community and look forward to seeing the impact Nicholas will make in this key role.

Our congratulations to Nicholas, and best wishes to everyone at Cork Simon for the next chapter in their important work.

Appointment Announcement: St. Stephen's Green Trust

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 12:46:46 GMT

CCI Executive Search is pleased to announce the appointment of Orla O’Connor as Executive Director of St. Stephen’s Green Trust.

This appointment follows a recruitment process managed by CCI Executive Search in partnership with the Trust.

Orla brings extensive leadership experience, a strong track record in advocacy, and a deep commitment to social change. As Director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland for over 12 years, she has led a national organisation focused on promoting equality and improving the lives of women across Ireland.

This appointment marks an exciting new chapter for St. Stephen’s Green Trust as it continues its mission to support social justice and systemic change in Ireland.

CCI Executive Search extends its warmest congratulations to Orla and best wishes to the team at St. Stephen’s Green Trust for continued success.

The Impactful Chair - Bringing Out the Best in Others

andrew@wearenorthstar.co.uk (Andrew Thornley) — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 11:35:50 GMT

Good governance is essential but visionary thinking, a collaborative work ethic and an ability to bring out the best in others, are also crucially important attributes for a truly impactful Chair.

Words that spring to mind when we think of the attributives of an effective Chair are leadership, experience, expertise, credibility and inspiration. These can sound a little daunting and there’s no question that great responsibility comes with the role when leading the way on matters of good governance and the smooth running of the organisation, to which you volunteer at this senior level.

However, there is also so much in the role that is rewarding, impactful, and satisfying on both a personal and professional level. There are many people who are well qualified and suitable for a volunteer leadership role, but have not yet considered it. For example, why do people of a younger age profile rarely consider Board positions; or why are there not more people from diverse social, economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds putting themselves forward for these positions?

Most not-for-profit organisations that CCI have worked with embrace visionary thinking and innovative ways to provide services and develop income streams. There are plenty of people with these same skills, who could contribute as a Chair or initially as a member of a not-for-profit Board.

Good governance is essential but visionary thinking, a collaborative work ethic and an ability to bring out the best in others, are also crucially important attributes for a truly impactful Chair. Ireland has an abundance of people who would excel but have not yet considered taking this leap into what can be both a personally rewarding role and a transformative one, enhancing and contributing to the lives of the organisation’s beneficiaries.

If you have good emotional intelligence and can garner the trust and respect of your fellow Board peers by encouraging a culture of collaboration and finding the skills, strength and motivation in fellow Board members and your CEO, the role of Chair could be for you!

CCI Executive Search (CCI) wants to connect great organisations with great Chairs and Board members. Mary O’ Kennedy, Director of CCI and OKC, and an experienced fundraising and philanthropy consultant, says there 3 main ways to make a real impact as Chair.

Lead with Integrity

Build relationships with your fellow Board members, adopt a learning mindset, and set the tone for a collaborative board culture.

Build a Relationship with the CEO

A good and open relationship between you and the CEO is a fundamental synergy for success. In a recent interview Nick Coleridge, Chairman of the Victoria and Albert Museum, said:

“The Chair is not meant to be making all the decisions, but can be a useful sounding board – especially if you understand the organisation as well as I think you should. The Director of the V&A and I have an informal/formal breakfast once a month. We each arrive with a list of about eight points, pose questions and share our perspectives on different issues raised. It works well because we’re incredibly open with each other. It’s a very fine balance that you have to get right.”

Embrace Innovation, New Partnerships and Fundraising Development

A brilliant Chair will embrace innovation and fundraising with enthusiasm and vigour and strive to embed philanthropy as a fundamental part of the work of the Board. If an organisation has philanthropic and non-statutory income as a key budget line, the Chair should make it a priority on the Agenda of each Board meeting.

Examples of ways that a Board Chair might involve themselves in fundraising:

Expanding the organisation’s potential donor network by introducing staff members to business and personal contacts.
Making a personal donation at a level within your capacity and encourage others on the Board to do the same.
Keeping up to date on the organisation’s fundraising strategy and donor cultivation plans.
Spreading the word about the importance and impact of the organisation.

Find the Right Board Member or Join a Board

Becoming a Chair will require an in- depth understanding of the organisation. Your first step might be to join the Board as an ordinary member. If you are an individual interested in joining a not-for-profit Board or your organisation wishes to recruit a new Board member or Chair, contact us at recruitment@cciexecutivesearch.ie or call 01 542 2807

Show the Salary

andrew@wearenorthstar.co.uk (Andrew Thornley) — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 12:06:21 GMT

Surveys show that if you display the salary on your role, it can provide valuable momentum, sometimes doubling applications

Across the charitable and not for profit sector, we strive for transparency as part of our normal practice for good governance. It’s mandatory for us to work efficiently every day and to achieve our objectives.

We also value our staff. Without them none of it happens! No one charity is better than the team that drives it every day. This is shown time and time again by people working in the charitable and not for profit sector who go above and beyond, to reach the organisation’s goals.

CCI Executive Search / Charity Careers Ireland supports Show the Salary

At CCI Executive Search – the specialist recruitment consultancy that undertakes full search for all roles and is a sister company of the Charity Careers Ireland Jobs Board – we see this in practice. We work with brilliant people and amazing charitable organisations to recruit and retain great people.

In 2015, CCI Executive Search was one of the first organisations to take a stand on Show The Salary, a movement to increase transparency in recruiting for the sector. Show the Salary was first championed by ethical recruiters, Bruce Tait Associates in Scotland and supported by CCI Executive Search in Ireland, Peridot in the UK, Crawford in Canada and the NNSC in the United States. In 2020, it became a strong movement amongst UK Fundraisers, hundreds of charities and dozens of recruitment agencies signing a pledge to always Show the Salary.

By doing this, we not only make salary ranges in the sector visible but we also demonstrate our ongoing commitment to recruitment in a fair and inclusive way.

Showing the Salary as part of your DEI Policy

Often when salaries are hidden, the salary offered is based on the successful applicant’s current salary. This means that groups that are currently underpaid, stay that way. It then feeds into the cycle of pay discrimination, especially for women and for people from minority and or ethnic backgrounds. For example, when the discussion at interview begins with your current salary or matching it, it is unfair for people who are already underpaid to have to stay that way. When an appointment is made at a hidden salary level, it allows employers to pay people different rates for doing the same job and this has traditionally led to the gender pay gap.

Show the Salary strives towards better pay and more balanced pay.

In contrast, research has shown that pay levels for women are 8% higher when organisations operate a Show The Salary policy. Further research shows that salaries are also adversely affected for people of different races – white male and middle class being the strongest voice at the salary negotiating table. UK research showed that black male candidates had a 13% median salary increase when Show the Salary was applied.

Surveys show that if you display the salary on your role, it can provide valuable momentum, sometimes doubling applications. CCI has experienced this first hand. Not showing the salary has lots of negative connotations. It can suggest that the job was not “benchmarked” correctly by the Board and that it doesn’t have a “considered” value. Equally, “Depending on Experience” is a term that is disingenuous; it usually has less to do with actual experience and more to do with salary legacy. And who hasn’t had the awkward introduction of the “salary negotiation” at second round interview, when you have to wade through the question of what is the salary and is there room for negotiation. Negotiating through that quagmire can often leave you with a negative impression of the employer before you even start the role!

Written by Bruce Tait
Co Director, CCI Executive Search

At CCI we work directly with the Irish not for profit sector as well as people in leadership positions. If you would like to discuss any recruitment queries or opportunities you might have, please contact us on 01-5242807.

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