Chanelle Group appoints new General Manager

The Chanelle Group has announced the appointment of David Kelly, as General Manager.

Mr Kelly joins the company from ArraVasc, a medical device company based at Ballybrit where he served as Chief Financial Officer. He previously served as Head of Finance for Chanelle Group from 2006 to 2008 and has held senior financial management positions in Irish, multinational and publicly quoted companies including Boston Scientific, Aryzta plc and Aer Rianta International.

Chanelle Group is Ireland’s largest indigenous manufacturer of generic pharmaceuticals for human and animal health. Employing over 375 people in Ireland, the UK and Jordan, the company recently announced a €70m investment which will double existing manufacturing capacity at its Loughrea headquarters and see significant investment in Research & Development.

Mr Kelly will work closely with Chanelle Group founder Michael Burke to oversee the company’s investment programme and lead Chanelle’s continued expansion in Ireland and overseas markets.

Commenting on David Kelly’s appointment, Michael Burke, founder, Chanelle Group said: “We have ambitious plans for our company over the next five years, growing our team to over 550 people and expanding into new markets.

“Our product pipeline is very strong and with continued investment in R&D we plan to launch 75 new products in both human and veterinary healthcare over the coming years. David’s extensive experience in the healthcare sector as well as his knowledge of Chanelle Group will be invaluable to us as we realise these plans”.

David Kelly said: “This innovation-led company is now exporting to over 80 countries worldwide and is embarking on an expansion programme which will strongly position the company for future growth. Michael Burke has grown the company to its leading position today and I am delighted to work with Michael and the team as we lead the company in its next phase of growth”.

A native of Ballygar, David lives in Castletaylor North, Ardrahan with his wife Audrey and three children.

“Chanelle is a very significant contributor to the local economy in Loughrea and provides valuable employment to people across the West of Ireland. It is important to me, that our local community continues to benefit as we grow the company in the coming years”, he added.

Mr. Kelly holds a first class honours degree in Accounting & Finance, a Masters in Business Studies from Dublin City University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Strategy & Innovation from the Irish Management Institute. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.