Fenton Fitzwilliam strengthens senior leadership team in Ireland with two Director appointments

Fenton Fitzwilliam has announced the appointment of Nuala Ryan and Paddy O'Dea as Directors, further strengthening the consultancy's senior leadership team in Dublin. The appointments represent another significant milestone in Fenton Fitzwilliam's continued growth and reinforce its ambition to become one of Ireland's leading integrated strategic communications and public affairs consultancies.

O'Dea and Ryan join Fenton Fitzwilliam from FINN Partners Ireland (formerly 360), where they were Senior Partners and founding members of the agency's leadership team. An experienced business and communications leader, O’Dea has advised major Irish and international organisations across sectors including technology, financial services, transport, aviation, food and beverage and healthcare. He brings particular expertise in corporate communications, reputation and issues management, crisis communications, strategic counsel and business leadership.

Ryan brings more than a decade of experience advising brands, organisations and senior leaders on strategic communications, corporate reputation, public affairs and stakeholder engagement. She has worked across healthcare, retail, consumer, technology and other highly regulated sectors, providing strategic counsel to C-suite leaders and executive teams. Furthermore, she has also led major communications programmes spanning reputation management as well as organisational, culture and behavioural change.

Commenting on the appointments, Fenton Fitzwilliam Managing Director David O’Donnell said: “We are delighted to welcome Paddy and Nuala to Fenton Fitzwilliam. They are two of the most talented and highly-regarded communications professionals in the Irish market, and their decision to join us is a significant endorsement of the business we are building and our ambitions for the future.

“Paddy combines outstanding communications expertise with significant experience in agency leadership, business growth and providing trusted senior counsel. Nuala brings exceptional strategic insight and a proven ability to help organisations navigate complex reputational communications and stakeholder challenges. Together, they add considerable depth to our leadership team and significantly strengthen the senior counsel and strategic expertise we are already providing to our client partners.”

Fenton Fitzwilliam CEO Moray Macdonald said: "From day one, our ambition has been to build Ireland's strongest integrated and senior-led consultancy across strategic communications and public affairs, bringing together exceptional people who have proven track records in helping clients navigate increasingly complex commercial, political and reputational challenges.

“The appointment of Paddy and Nuala is a significant moment in realising that ambition. They are among the most respected communications advisers in the Irish market and their decision to join Fenton Fitzwilliam reflects both the momentum we have built and the opportunity we see. Together, they significantly strengthen our leadership team, deepen our service offering and expertise, and represent another important step for us in building one of Ireland's strongest senior-led strategic communications and public affairs consultancies.”

O’Dea and Ryan will take up their roles on 1 September 2026. Based at Fenton Fitzwilliam’s headquarters in Dublin, they will work closely with colleagues across the consultancy’s growing operations in Brussels, Glasgow and London.

Commenting on his appointment, Paddy O’Dea said: “I am delighted to be joining Fenton Fitzwilliam at such an exciting stage in the development of the business. The consultancy has established a strong position in the market in a relatively short period of time, with an ambitious team, an impressive client portfolio and a clear vision for its future. I have always believed in the power of smart, strategic communications to create meaningful impact. I am looking forward to working alongside the team and bringing my experience to bear in helping clients navigate increasingly complex communications, reputational and stakeholder challenges.”

Commenting on her appointment, Nuala Ryan said: “Fenton Fitzwilliam shares the same ethos as Paddy and I, and is as passionate and ambitious about building something distinct and innovative in the Irish communications and public affairs market as we are. We join the business at a pivotal point in its growth, while the opportunity to work alongside an equally driven and experienced team to further develop and grow the consultancy’s strategic communications offering was a significant draw. The ability to communicate effectively has never been more important or powerful, and I am excited to work alongside our team and client partners in delivering excellent work and campaigns that make a real impact.”

Fenton Fitzwilliam is an integrated strategic communications and public affairs consultancy providing senior counsel to organisations operating across complex political, policy, regulatory and reputational environments. The consultancy is part of Paritee, an international network of specialist communications agencies, giving clients access to integrated public affairs and communications expertise across key European and international markets.