ConnectIreland has announced that a United States maritime consultancy and recruitment firm, Flagship Management, is locating its European, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) headquarters in the sea port village of Kinvara, County Galway, creating 15 new jobs over the next three years.

The EMEA HQ is being established to provide a formal structure around Flagship Management’s growing European business, and to offer a solid platform for future growth.  The Florida HQ will continue to serve and grow their American markets.

This is another successful project secured under the Succeed-in-Ireland Initiative which is part of the Government’s Action Plan for Job. The initiative is implemented by ConnectIreland under the management of IDA Ireland with the support of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

During the announcement on Friday July 19th, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said:

"It is great to be here today to announce 15 jobs at Flagship Management in Kinvara Co Galway.  This is a very welcome boost for the local community.  Every job that is created through ConnectIreland, under the Succeed in Ireland Initiative, is a job that may not have come to Ireland without the intervention of a ‘Connector’.  Whether it is individual connections like this or wider Government strategy, our message is: Ireland is open for business and a great location for inward investment."

Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Richard Bruton welcomed the move and said:

“It is very exciting to see a successful business such as Flagship Management choose Ireland for their EMEA headquarters.  Many larger global companies already enjoy the benefits of doing business in Ireland, but it is inspiring that the news is spreading to other international enterprises looking to establish a European presence.  And this is what the ConnectIreland Programme had always hoped to achieve.

“Ireland is a great place to do business and in particular Kinvara is a historic and picturesque sea port village, which will not only serve as a perfect location for the business but also a great location from a lifestyle perspective,” said Minister Bruton.

The European operation will provide consultancy and recruitment services to maritime companies operating in the North Sea and Gulf regions.  The operation will also focus on the growing German and continental European markets.

Flagship Management is the maritime industry’s leading consulting firm for executive recruiting and personnel solutions. The Irish operation will be responsible for European consultancy and recruitment, as well as finance and administration activities.  Employees will include Head of EMEA, Maritime Consultants, Recruitment Consultants and Finance and Administrative Staff.

Flagship Management has enjoyed rapid growth in the European market over the last 18 to 24 months.  Flagship Management’s Principal, John Mylott said:

“Ireland is perfect for our expansion with the main drivers being market demand and growing business in Europe, Middle East and Africa.  We are delighted with the location in Kinvara and we have had a very warm reception from the community to date.   We look forward to growing our EMEA business from Kinvara into the future.”

For further information visit www.connectireland.com.