Ronan Colleran is the CEO of Azon Recruitment. A Big 4 qualified Chartered Accountant (Arthur Andersen), Ronan has been working in the recruitment industry for over 20 years. Having built and sold a recruitment business from 2001-2007, he then immersed himself in a large International Recruitment Group where he led and grew the Executive Search arm, and was key contributor for the provision of high-volume client recruitment project solutions for the Group. He founded Azon Recruitment group in 2014 with the ambition of growing a business together with his colleagues into something to be proud of. Ronan holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway) and completed a Master of Accounting Degree from University College Dublin. Ronan is a former member of the Governing Authority of NUI Galway.
About Us
25+ years of recruiting experience for end-to-end solutions.
About Azon
Founded by Ronan Colleran and Gillian O’Dowd, Azon Recruitment leverages Ronan’s 25+ years of experience in recruitment, to apply specialist recruitment expertise to provide end-to-end solutions across all of our client’s business functions.
Azon’s biggest asset is our people. From new grads to very experienced team members, our focus is on building strong lasting relationships, with clients and candidates, based on our deep sectoral expertise.
The Azon approach
Our mission at Azon is to:
- Provide recruitment expertise for sectors that Ireland is renowned for globally.
- Solve 100% of our clients’ recruitment needs
- Successfully operate across multiple jurisdictions
- Provide personalised and positive candidate experiences through the selection process
Why Azon?
Deep sectoral
Intelligence
- Team leadership have worked and/or studied in their designated areas
- Bringing unparalleled insights and market intelligence
Multi-function and multi-sectoral
- Breadth of sectoral and industry reach
- With significant area expertise in each one
100% of your recruitment needs
- From visa check to market analysis
- Selection & interview Outsourced Payroll
Robust long term relationships
- High % of repeat business
- Candidates come back to Azon as hiring managers
Innovative, growing, dynamic team
- High energy team breeds high performance culture
- Investing in team to achieve their personal and professional goals
Global Diversified Workforce
- Growing a team to represent true market dynamics
- Guiding and advising clients on their diversity strategies
Our Team
Gillian O’ Dowd
With over 18 years’ experience working on the financing and investment portfolios of Irish and International businesses, Gillian O’ Dowd has extensive experience from startup to exit, from growth to M&A across investments, property & recruitment sectors. Gillian’s early career in Allen McGuire provided a unique insight and experience of mergers, acquisitions, assessing market valuations and opportunities. Gillian has also held a variety of financial roles at Goodbody Stockbrokers, Savills, IBI Corporate Finance, UK-based West Properties & Citadel Corporate Finance. Gillian holds a Bachelor of Commerce from UCC and a Masters in Financial Services from the Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, UCD. In her spare time, Gillian volunteers with a number of Charity organisations in Ireland on Patient Support programs.
Laura Murphy
As Associate Director of Talent & Culture, Laura’s role spans Organisational Design, Learning & Development, Talent Acquisition & Retention, and Engagement & Communication. Laura started her journey with Azon in 2020 and had a successful career as a Recruitment Consultant focusing on building out Azon’s Sales & Marketing desk before pivoting to her current role in 2021. To complement her experience, Laura holds a degree in Corporate Law and an LLB from the University of Galway, and a Masters in HRM & Consulting from the university of Bath. Laura loves being outside and near the sea so at the weekend you’ll find her on a windy beach in Donegal or Dublin!
Kaitlin Watson
Kaitlin (she/her) is the Marketing & Events Executive for Azon. Originally from Vancouver, Kaitlin received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario before coming to Dublin to pursue her Master of Philosophy in Gender Studies at Trinity College. In her spare time, you can find Kaitlin in the gym, watching Brooklyn-99, or writing for ‘Sliced Mango Collective’, a Filipinx-Canadian youth organisation based in Vancouver.
Sharon Gallagher
Sharon is Financial Assistant at Azon. She brings a wealth of experience from a range of sectors, and is part of the foundational team that makes Azon tick.
Leticia Ortiz
Leticia is Azon’s Office Manager in Dublin. Before joining Azon Recruitment Group in December 2023, Leticia worked in Building and Real Estate in Chile and as a Residents Manager for a luxury apartment complex in Dublin. She is currently studying English and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations and Communication Management. Leticia loves being outdoors hiking, kayaking, and exploring the city!
Simon Morris
Simon Morris is the Recruitment Manager for the Accounting & Finance Team in Azon Recruitment. He has over six years recruitment experience within the Irish finance sector and focuses on accounting, finance and tax roles within professional and financial services. He holds an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in European Business Studies and a Masters Degree in Business from UCD Michael Smurfit School of Business. In his spare time, Simon enjoys cooking and playing golf.
Mark Barrett
Mark is the Recruitment Manager for Azon’s Construction team in both Dublin and Limerick. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from the National College of Ireland, Mark lived and worked in London before getting into recruitment in Dublin. Now with over 7 years of experience in recruitment, Mark is a great asset to the team.
Sinead Richardson
Sinéad has 9 years’ experience working directly for Property Developer, Building Contractors and Engineering companies. Sinéad focuses on roles mainly on large Industrial, Pharmaceutical, Semiconductor and Data Centre projects along with many commercial based roles too. She works on roles from Supervisor level right up to Project Director
Seán Coffey
Seán is an experienced Recruitment Consultant on Azon’s Construction team. He is dedicated to matching professionals with new opportunities and providing end-to-end solutions for his clients. Seán received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Maynooth University in 2019 before completing a Professional Diploma in Financial Services in 2021. In his spare time, Seán enjoys travelling, playing football, and is an avid podcast listener.
Tom Guilfoyle
With over 9 years of experience in the financial services recruitment sector, Tom is currently the Head of Financial Services Recruitment at Azon. In this role, Tom leverages his expertise in customer relationship management and people management to deliver high-quality talent solutions to clients across banking, funds, asset management, insurance, and fintech. Tom oversees a team of consultants, providing them with coaching, training, and feedback to ensure their professional development and performance. In his previous experience as Associate Director and Manager in other agencies, Tom developed strong relationships with key clients and candidates, managing a portfolio of recruitment projects across the funds sector. Tom has a Bachelor’s Degree in Facilities Management from the Dublin Institute of Technology and is passionate about cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Outside of work, Tom’s time is spent with his young family. He is also a keen and competitive golfer, always striving to improve his game and embrace the challenges of the sport.
Louise Morrissey
Louise has 10+ years of recruitment experience, beginning in temporary commercial recruitment and then pivoting into Financial Services. Louise is a Principal Recruitment Consultant, focused and specialising in Compliance and Risk Recruitment for the last 4 years. She works across a suite of clients in Asset Management, Funds, Insurance, Banking and Fintech to name a few. She has joined the Azon team to assist in the growth and development of our market share and client relationships, and truly enjoys the exposure she gains to the world of Compliance and Risk through strong client and candidate relationships. Outside of work, Louise is often planning her next city break and has a keen interest in social justice, having returned to college as a mature student, graduating with an Honours Law Degree in 2022.
Justin Gallagher
Justin specialises in Financial Services within Azon. Earlier in his career, Justin gained 18 months experience with State Street as a Custody Specialist during his Bachelors Degree in Business/Commerce at Waterford Institute of Technology where he was a Dean’s List Award recipient. In addition, Justin gained strong relationship management experience in hospitality at Kilkea Castle Hotel & Resort where he worked for 4-years.
Darren O’Keeffe
Emma Griffin
Emma is a Senior Recruitment Consultant who specialises in Manufacturing and Engineering. After graduating with both a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in History and Italian from the National University of Ireland, Galway, Emma started her career in recruitment in 2021. Her experience recruiting in the Healthcare and Luxury Retail space provided her with an insightful approach to understanding individuals’ unique qualities whilst also facilitating more meaningful and successful professional matches within teams and organisations. She collaborates closely with both clients and candidates in Ireland’s most reputable firms to build lasting connections across an ever-growing and exciting field of work.
James Monks
As an Associate Director at Azon Recruitment Group, James brings over 10 years of experience in recruiting top talent for the Technology, Sales, and Marketing sectors. With a proven track record of making targets, managing high-performing teams, and delivering excellent service to clients and candidates, James has helped shape the Technology and Sales & Marketing team for some of the biggest companies in the world.
Ciaran O’Shea
Ciaran is a member of the Sales and Marketing Recruitment team at Azon. He has a bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Business from Maynooth University. Ciaran recruits for all levels of roles Sales and Marketing. Outside of work Ciaran loves all things sports and enjoys travelling Ireland playing different golf courses.
Mark Doonan
Mark Doonan is the Manager for Azon’s Property team. He has spent the past 10 years in Sales and Management roles within the Financial Services and Hospitality sectors in New York, and 3 years with a large financial Institution in Dublin prior to emigrating to the States. In his previous roles Mark has focused on business development and customer relations targeted at C Suite level clients in New York. He gained significant experience within the private equity sector, focusing heavily on property funds from his time with Waystone. Mark holds a BA Honours Degree in Business Studies from Griffith College Dublin and away from work is a keen golfer and avid sports fan.
Jack Hennessy
Jack is a recruiter on Azon’s Property Team, having recently graduated with a BA Hons Marketing Practice degree. Before joining Azon he has 6+ years experience working within the hospitality industry in Dublin and Brooklyn, New York. He has a great passion for networking and building strong lasting relationships, putting him in a great position for matching the right professionals with amazing opportunities. In his own time he enjoys to play golf and football and spend time with family and friends.
Emma Wickham
Emma is the Manager of the Science and Engineering team that specialises in all areas of recruitment for the Life Science sector. Emma holds a MSc. in Regenerative Medicine from National University of Ireland, Galway and a BSc. in Genetics & Cell Biology from Dublin City University. Emma has 4 years’ lab sales experience within the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device sectors across Ireland along with 6 years’ recruitment experience in the sector.
Amara McCalliog
Amara, based in our Dublin office is the Principal Recruitment Consultant for Life Sciences and specialises in QC, R&D and technical based roles. Amara obtained a BSc. in Biology and Applied Mathematics at Maynooth University. Following her studies, Amara gained invaluable laboratory experience through her roles as a Laboratory Technician and Deputy Team Lead of a Molecular Biology Department. From here, Amara moved into recruitment of laboratory based roles and can offer permanent, contract and temporary recruitment solutions.
David Lee
David is a dedicated and energetic Recruitment Consultant on Azon’s Life Sciences team in Dublin. After receiving his PhD in Neuroscience from Trinity College Dublin, David continued working at Trinity College as a teaching fellow before stepping into his current role in Azon where he provides tailored and effective recruitment solutions to clients and candidates across the Life Sciences industry in Ireland. When he is not busy, you can find David enjoying some R&R (reading & rugby).
John Howe
John Howe is an Associate Director and leader for the Technology team in Azon. With 13 years experience in professional recruitment, John is a passionate and driven leader in the Technology sector. He has overseen the delivery of high-quality, agile and transparent talent solutions for clients across various domains, such as Financial Services, Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences, Technology, Aircraft Leasing and more; from start-ups to multinationals. He is motivated by the mission of connecting talented professionals with exciting and rewarding opportunities, and by the vision of creating a more diverse and inclusive technology workforce. He also mentors and coaches a team of recruitment consultants, helping them achieve their professional and personal goals. John studied Biochemistry in University College Dublin.
Amanda Santos
Amanda is a Senior Recruitment Consultant on Azon’s IT team. Her focus is on Tech Design and Gaming. Originally from Brazil, Amanda has been living in Ireland for the last 5 years and recently completed her Master’s in Human Resources Management with NCI.
Tom Guilfoyle
Louise Morrissey
Tom Guilfoyle
Justin Gallagher
Want to join Our Team?
Considering a new challenge? Interested in an opportunity to work with a dynamic and growing team, to be part of one of Azon’s success story?
Check out more about Joining the Azon team – we’d love to hear from you.