Meet the team

• Ben Forde - Operations Director Ireland

  Ben Forde

  Operations Director Ireland

  

  Email: ben.forde@gigroup.com
  Phone: 085 1200 933
  LinkedIn: View LinkedIn profile

  I am Ben Forde, Operations Director for Gi Group Ireland, where I oversee operations across Ireland. I have been with Gi Group Ireland, formerly Kelly Services, since 2021, serving initially as Branch Manager, then Operations Manager, and since May 2023 as Operations Director.

  With more than 10 years of experience in the industry, I focus on driving transformation and growth and was part of the team that completed Gi Group’s integration of Kelly Services in 2024. Through this partnership, our group is now one of the top staffing firms in the world, with operations in no fewer than 37 countries.

  I am passionate about the recruitment and talent industry. My focus is always on continuously improving the customer experience in this unique sector, where we always have two customers, clients and candidates. It is an honour to lead such an exceptional and talented group of people who always put people at the centre of everything they do.

  I am a graduate of the Technical University of the Shannon with a degree in Business Studies.

• Angelo Orsini - Senior Business Development Manager

  Angelo Orsini

  Senior Business Development Manager

  

  Email: angelo.orsini@gigroup.com
  Phone: 086 606 6228
  LinkedIn: View LinkedIn profile

  Angelo joins Gi Group as Senior Business Development Manager, bringing over a decade of experience in the recruitment industry.

  Recognised for his strategic mindset and calm, solutions‑focused approach, he has a strong track record of navigating complex markets and delivering sustainable, high‑quality outcomes.

  Throughout his career, Angelo has built his reputation on a people‑first leadership style, combining commercial insight with a natural ability to identify opportunities where others may see challenges.

  He is committed to creating long-term value through thoughtful, precise execution, keeping Gi Group’s strategic goals closely aligned with our clients’ and partners’ needs.

• Neil Fraser - Business Development Manager

  Neil Fraser

  Business Development Manager

  

  Email: neil.fraser@gigroup.com
  Phone: 086 192 2559
  LinkedIn: View LinkedIn profile

  Neil was a licensed aircraft engineer, private pilot, and MBA holder with an impressive career spanning many years in business development, consultancy, and the last 21 years growing recruitment and aviation companies in Ireland.

  We understand that finding the right talent is crucial to business success. Our comprehensive employer services are designed to streamline the recruitment process, allowing businesses to focus on what they do best. With our staffing expertise, we partner with clients to meet their unique hiring needs efficiently and effectively.

  Neil has taken on the role of Business Development Manager to help drive Gi Group’s continued success in the west of Ireland.

• Johanna Murphy - Programme Manager

  Johanna Murphy

  Programme Manager

  

  Email: johanna.murphy@gigroup.com
  Phone: 086 440 9147
  LinkedIn: View LinkedIn profile

  I joined Kelly, now Gi Group, in March 2020, supporting one of our largest clients in the southern region. In February 2022, I was promoted to Programme Manager for Ireland, with responsibility for all large volume accounts.

  My role involves overseeing the entire employment journey of our temporary workforce, handling employee relations directly and on site, as well as serving as the crucial link between our employees and clients. I have more than 14 years of experience working in the recruitment and HR industry. I also support the day to day running of the Cork office.

  Before joining Kelly, now Gi Group, I worked in the technology and healthcare sectors in HR, supporting clients across EMEA and APAC.

• Dragan Calic - Senior Recruitment Consultant

  Dragan Calic

  Senior Recruitment Consultant

  

  Email: dragan.calic@gigroup.com
  Phone: 091 393 470
  LinkedIn: View LinkedIn profile

  Having joined the team in 2024, my aim is to continue growing our engineering and renewable sciences sector throughout Ireland.

  Helping others has always been in my nature. As a Recruitment Consultant, I specialise in finding a qualified pool of candidates whose skills and expertise directly align with the needs of our clients, while continuing to nurture successful partnerships.

  Coming from an HR and recruitment background, my goal is to bring my knowledge to the forefront of Gi Group Staffing and continue to foster an atmosphere of support and understanding for both our client base and workforce.

  I look forward to connecting with organisations to better understand their hiring needs and provide the right solutions.

• Cathal English - Senior Recruitment Consultant

  Cathal English

  Senior Recruitment Consultant

  

  Email: cathal.english@gigroup.com
  Phone: 086 411 3572
  LinkedIn: View LinkedIn profile

  Being a Senior Recruitment Consultant with Kelly, now Gi Group, has given me a wide scope across the recruitment industry. I started my career with the ambition to understand business demands and needs. I have always been naturally curious, so I ask the questions needed to see the bigger picture.

  During this time, I have had the opportunity to support a number of key areas and business units within Kelly Ireland. I work closely with clients across a range of industries, including renewables, business support, technology, and finance. I have always worked from the belief that attention to detail, care, and strong partnerships are key to success for both clients and candidates.

  I have also built strong knowledge across three key areas of recruitment, permanent, temporary and contract, and payroll services.

  I look forward to making further connections and speaking with you about your next career move or business recruitment needs.

• Paddy Cronin - Recruitment Consultant

  Paddy Cronin

  Recruitment Consultant

  

  Email: paddy.cronin@gigroup.com
  Phone: 086 128 7200
  LinkedIn: View LinkedIn profile

  Meet Paddy Cronin, Recruitment Consultant at Gi Group. Paddy brings a strong background in sales, which has helped him hit the ground running.

  His confidence, ambition, and drive to succeed have made him a valuable asset to both the company and the clients he supports.

  Paddy thrives on challenges and sees every conversation as an opportunity to build meaningful relationships. His goal is to be the first person clients and candidates think of when they need support. It is clear he is passionate about making a genuine difference every day.

• Brian Palmer - Recruitment Consultant

  Brian Palmer

  Recruitment Consultant

  

  Email: brian.palmer@gigroup.com
  Phone: 086 127 6326
  LinkedIn: View LinkedIn profile

  Brian joined Gi Group in 2024 with a remit to continue developing our engineering and renewable sciences sector across Ireland. He has a strong interest in industries focused on growth, innovation, and sustainability, making this an exciting area to be part of.

  With a background in hospitality and business development, Brian has built a solid foundation in communication, relationship management, and understanding people. These experiences have translated naturally into recruitment, where he connects skilled professionals with organisations that align with their expertise and values.

  As a Recruitment Consultant, he focuses on building long term partnerships by understanding the specific needs of both clients and candidates. Whether sourcing top talent for engineering projects or supporting companies in the renewable sector, his goal is to provide practical, people first recruitment solutions that deliver real results.

  Brian is always open to connecting with organisations to discuss hiring goals and explore how they can work together to achieve them.

• Conor Whelan - Client Service Manager

  Conor Whelan

  Client Service Manager

  

  Email: conor.whelan@gigroup.com
  Phone: 091 393 470
  LinkedIn: View LinkedIn profile

  As a Client Services Manager with Kelly Ireland, now Gi Group, I have developed a passion for nurturing strong, long lasting relationships with our clients. Since joining Kelly in 2022, I have worked closely with the team to understand the unique needs of each client and provide tailored solutions, ensuring our partners receive the highest level of support and satisfaction.

  I also take a hands on role when it comes to managing the life cycle of our temporary workforce in the west of Ireland. I try to be involved as much as possible in the recruitment, onboarding, and retention of each employee. This involvement allows me to receive constant feedback from our workforce and maintain a culture of continuous improvement within the team.

• Rebecca Buckley - Talent Specialist

  Rebecca Buckley

  Talent Specialist

  

  Email: rebecca.buckley@gigroup.com
  Phone: 021 427 4700
  LinkedIn: View LinkedIn profile

  I have built strong foundations in recruitment through talent coordination experience. My previous role allowed me to excel at building relationships with hiring managers and candidates to ensure a seamless experience.

  In July, I started a new journey with Gi Group as a Talent Specialist. I am eager to bring my skills and passion for connecting talent with opportunity. I am committed to fostering a positive candidate experience and supporting the company’s values while specialising in recruitment processes and human resources.

• Richard Carey - Principal Recruitment Consultant

  Richard Carey

  Principal Recruitment Consultant

  

  Email: richard.carey@gigroup.com
  Phone: 021 427 4700
  LinkedIn: View LinkedIn profile

  I joined Gi Group Ireland in the Cork office and am now in my ninth year in recruitment. I work as Principal Recruitment Consultant, specialising in business development and the provision of permanent staff at all levels across the southern region of Ireland.

  I work with a diverse portfolio of clients and a high volume of candidates across life sciences, engineering, business support, and renewables, all with a wide variety of requirements and expectations for me to meet. My day to day role involves attracting, sourcing, screening, and preparing high calibre candidates for clients in order to fulfil their specific requirements.

• AnnMarie Hayes - Client Services Manager

  AnnMarie Hayes

  Client Services Manager

  

  Email: annmarie.hayes@gigroup.com
  Phone: 021 427 4700
  LinkedIn: View LinkedIn profile

  I joined Kelly Services, now Gi Group, in September 2022 as a Client Services Manager. In August 2023, I was promoted to Client Relationship Manager to expand my scope within the business. My role includes day to day management of volume accounts, such as worker engagement, HR and payroll processes, as well as broader operational improvements in areas such as finance and billing.

  Before joining Gi Group, I worked with a leading health insurance provider as a Provider Relations Analyst. My role involved maintaining relationships with relevant stakeholders in designated private hospitals, conducting pricing analysis, forecasting, and contract amendments.

• Janice O’Sullivan - Client Service Manager

  Janice O’Sullivan

  Client Service Manager

  

  Email: janice.osullivan@gigroup.com
  Phone: 021 427 4700
  LinkedIn: View LinkedIn profile

  As a Client Services Manager, I manage high volume recruitment requirements for clients. My daily tasks include prescreening candidates through to offer stage and issuing contractual documents. I also assist with HR administration tasks.

  My goal is to ensure every candidate has the best possible experience with us, from the initial prescreen call through to being placed in a role. I began working with Kelly, now Gi Group, in May 2021. Before joining Gi Group, I worked at a private post secondary college in Vancouver, Canada, and have five years of experience in this field.

• Karl Mullan - Client Service Manager

  Karl Mullan

  Client Service Manager

  

  Email: karl.mullan@gigroup.com
  Phone: 021 427 4700
  LinkedIn: View LinkedIn profile

  I joined Kelly, now Gi Group, in August 2022 as a volume recruiter, specialising in supporting high volume recruitment for three of our largest clients in the southern region of Ireland. My daily tasks included prescreening candidates through to offer stage and issuing contractual documentation. My strength is building and maintaining strong working relationships with both candidates and clients. I also assist with HR tasks such as note taking and leading investigations.

  In May 2024, I was promoted to Client Services Manager for one of our large clients. Before joining Gi Group, I worked for a large multinational pharmaceutical company in Cork, where I gained strong administration and organisational skills.