IMR Appoints Gina Horan as CFO

18 Apr IMR Appoints Gina Horan as CFO

Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR) has announced the appointment of Gina Horan FCPA MBA as its new Chief Financial Officer, following the departure of Desmond Thornton after several years of dedicated service.

Gina Horan FCPA MBA joined IMR in 2016 and brings over 15 years of senior leadership experience across finance and operations. A Fellow of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland, she also holds a Diploma in Strategic Finance & Business Partnering from Chartered Accountants Ireland and completed an Executive MBA at Dublin City University in 2024. Gina began her career in professional practice before moving into industry and has built a strong track record in financial strategy, risk management, systems development, and operational excellence.

Since joining IMR, Gina has played a central role in aligning the organisation’s financial strategy with its evolving goals—overseeing funding and reporting to Enterprise Ireland and the European Commission, while driving efficiencies and leading a high-performing finance team. Gina’s appointment comes at a key moment, as IMR deepens its focus on delivering sustainable digital transformation and expands its national and European collaborations.

“I’m honoured to take on the role of CFO at a time when IMR’s work has never felt more relevant or more exciting,” said Horan. “Over the past nine years, I’ve seen first-hand the ambition, innovation, and purpose that runs through this organisation. As we look to the future—with a growing national footprint, new partnerships across Europe, and a clear focus on real-world impact—I’m looking forward to supporting the team in delivering strong, strategic growth.”

Gina lives in Dublin with her husband and three teenage sons. Outside of work, Gina is an active supporter of her sons’ football commitments and enjoys reading, walking, and training regularly.

IMR also extends its sincere thanks to Desmond Thornton, who is stepping down after several years as CFO. With over 30 years’ experience in global finance, Desmond has held senior roles across multinational organisations, overseeing finance, IT, HR and procurement, and spent over a decade working in the Asia Pacific region. Since joining IMR, he has made a significant contribution to strengthening the organisation’s financial systems, internal controls, and strategic planning.

Barry Kennedy, CEO of IMR, commented:

“Gina has been a trusted leader at IMR for many years, and her appointment as CFO reflects both the depth of her expertise and our confidence in her ability to help guide us through this next phase. IMR is evolving quickly—working with industry across Ireland and Europe to tackle real-world challenges through innovation and collaboration—and Gina’s strategic insight will be invaluable. We’re also hugely grateful to Desmond for the experience and stability & expertise he brought to the team and wish him well in his retirement. He will be missed by us all.”