The PUIG technologist possesses a breadth of experience across e-commerce, digital media and luxury retail and will remain in position up to 2024

Ireland’s leading representative body for digital and online businesses, Digital Business Ireland has today announced the appointment of Ashley McDonnell of global luxury powerhouse PUIG, as Chairperson of the representative body up to 2024. McDonnell will take over from current Chair, Niall Horgan of Irish athleisure wear brand Gym+Coffee, whose term draws to a close this month.

Prior to joining PUIG, McDonnell was a Global Luxury Account Manager for internet giant Google, working to develop innovative marketing strategies for leading international brands. Previous to this, McDonnell worked at the helm of e-commerce, as a Digital Manager with Parfums Christian Dior, and as a Digital Analyst with Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH). She has also acted in an advisory capacity to Ireland’s leading fashion, tech and sustainability start-up, Rag Revolution. Most recently, McDonnell was crowned ‘Digital Trailblazer’ at the Digital Business Ireland permanent tsb National Digital Awards 2021.

With a membership now in excess of 8,000 businesses, McDonnell’s appointment has come at a pivotal moment for the representative body. With over 10 years experience across digital marketing, luxury retail and brand management, she is well placed to assist in the development of Digital Business Ireland, as the organisation endeavours to meet its ambitious targets for 2022. McDonnell will be assisted in her role as Chairperson, by the representative body’s Advisory Council, comprising some of Ireland’s most distinguished digital leaders.

Speaking on the appointment, Secretary General of Digital Business Ireland, Lorraine Higgins, said: “I am delighted to confirm the appointment of Ashley McDonnell as the new Chairperson of Digital Business Ireland. Ashley’s career trajectory has been extraordinary, and there is no doubt her experience, talent and expertise will be of huge benefit to Digital Business Ireland as we look to deliver on our ambitions for 2022”.

“In the last year alone, our membership has grown to support over 8,000 businesses – and this would not have been possible without the strong commitment shown by our Advisory Council, which is comprised of some of the most prominent digital leaders in Ireland, to include DBI’s outgoing Chair, Niall Horgan. Along with leading Gym + Coffee in generating €20m in revenue, and expanding the company’s total employees to 200, Niall was at the forefront of many of our initiatives at Digital Business Ireland. I want to sincerely thank him for all of his efforts, and I wish him the very best of luck with his future endeavours”.

“On behalf of all of us at Digital Business Ireland, I want to express our gratitude to Ashley for accepting the position of Chairperson. Her unique blend of skills will perfectly compliment those of the other members of the Advisory Council. I am very much looking forward to working in tandem with her over the course of the next year, as we seek to deliver cutting-edge insights and digital strategies to our membership”.

Ashley McDonnell, Chairperson of Digital Business Ireland said: “I am so pleased to be appointed Chairperson of Digital Business Ireland, and I look forward to leading the country’s dedicated representative body for digital and e-commerce. It is an incredibly exciting time for Digital Business Ireland – with the launch of its recent Digital Insights research, its IWD Furthering Females eBook, and the National Digital Awards programme – so I am thrilled to be at the centre of so much innovation and growth”.

“I am fortunate to be accepting this role, following a period of tremendous success for Digital Business Ireland, its partners and membership. I would like to thank Niall for his efforts over the past year, and I am certainly conscious of the shoes that I have to fill”.

“The past two years have been an incredibly challenging time for all of us, but the sheer breadth of talent across the digital sector in Ireland is a source of inspiration. The exponential growth of e-commerce marketplaces has come at a pivotal moment for businesses throughout the country, and I believe that Digital Business Ireland can play a crucial role in helping SMEs to realise their digital ambitions, enhance their online functionality and unlock new opportunities”.