Galway Technology Centre (GTC ) has announced the appointment of Ollie Daniels as new CEO and Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation.
With more than 30 years’ experience in leading technology and innovation teams, Oliver has a strong track record in scaling technology teams. This included serving as CEO of the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI ) Insight Centre for Data Analytics, integrating five separate research centres to become a single dynamic, unified entity – which is now one of the largest research centres in Europe.
During his time as Head of Avaya Networks’ R&D Centre between 2009 to 2014, he led a 400 person team working through the successful integration of the Nortel Networks enterprise call centre portfolio, collaborating with global labs across the US, Canada and India.
In his most recent role he headed up Arú Consulting and has also served Nortel, ADC, Accendo and Saville Systems. Ollie is a proud Galwayman and a graduate of NUI Galway. He has a keen interest in sport, and has served Salthill Devon FC in many capacities over the years.
GTC is the leading enterprise space dedicated to supporting and enabling the scaling of innovative businesses in the West of Ireland. A social enterprise, GTC was Ireland’s first innovation centre, founded in 1994. Over the years it has supported more than 300 companies who have created in excess of 3,000 jobs.
GTC will enter the next phase of its development through their AcademyWest expansion, which is due to begin construction later this year. This development will significantly add to the space and capabilities provided by GTC, creating more room for scaling enterprises and powering the growth of the Innovation ecosystem across the West of Ireland.
“I’m tremendously honoured and excited to take on this role with GTC,” said Mr Daniels, newly appointed CEO and Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation with GTC.
“The Galway Technology Centre is already an institution in the technology and enterprise ecosystem of the West of Ireland. Its impact can be clearly seen in the amazing contribution it has made to the growth and development of hundreds of indigenous and international enterprises who have made the centre their home over the years.
“As we enter the next phase of our development, we expect to see that influence reach the next level. We are committed to powering the enterprise ecosystem across Galway and the West of Ireland.
“Our objective will be to use our extra space and resources to enable further scaling opportunities for the businesses we work with, helping them to expand their capabilities, while delivering a world class enterprise environment which will benefit the whole region. We are here to help these companies maximise their potential and I am looking forward to contributing to that exhilarating journey,” Mr. Daniels concluded.
“As majority shareholder in Galway Technology Centre, Galway Chamber welcomes the appointment of Ollie Daniels as GTC’s CEO,” said Aengus Burns, President of Galway Chamber.
“Oliver has a wealth of experience from a variety of leadership roles over a distinguished career and I don’t doubt that this experience will enable the delivery of the ambitious growth and employment targets that GTC has with the support of Enterprise Ireland, our co-shareholders in WestBIC and key stakeholders across the region,” he said.
John Brennan, CEO WestBIC also welcomed the appointment saying, “Ollie’s experience and background in the technology sector will be a great addition to the Centre as it embarks on an ambitious expansion of the facility as part of the AcademyWest project,” he concluded.
