Kieran Comerford -  Head of Enterprise

Kieran is Head of Enterprise in the Local Enterprise Office Carlow, having worked as Chief Executive Officer of Carlow County Enterprise Board previously. Kieran has worked in a variety of roles from retailing, banking, and information technology and in the training sector during his career and has worked in the Enterprise Development sector since 2002.

Since then, he has acted as an advisor & mentor to hundreds of start-up and developing companies and has rolled out a variety of unique business support and enterprise promotion events and projects. He has a focus on support development, strategic planning and business growth.  His work has included a variety of projects at local, national and international level. His core responsibility as Head of Enterprise is the delivery of the Local Enterprise Development Plan on an annual basis.

He was chair of the National Network of Local Enterprise Offices from 2015 - 2017 and is a member of the department National LEO Steering Group. He has previously been involved in projects such as National Women’s Enterprise Day, National Enterprise Awards and is currently chair of the National Exhibitions Committee which rolls out the Local Enterprise Village at NPA and Local Enterprise Showcase at Showcase.

As part of his role he is a member of a variety of strategic and operational working groups, committees and Boards at local and regional level including Carlow Tourism, Carlow Early Years Training Services, Carlow Childcare Committee, Carlow Local Community & Development Committee & Carlow Community Enterprise Centres Ltd.

He is a graduate of the Quinn School of Business in UCD and also holds a post graduate qualification from IT Carlow & UCC and has lectured for the IATA in the areas of Management, Accounting & IT.

To contact Kieran, email kcomerford@carlowcoco.ie or call 059/9129783

Anna Byrne – Senior Enterprise Development Officer

Anna is Senior Enterprise Development Offier with the Local Enterprise Office Carlow having worked in  the Community & Enterprise Section of Carlow County Council for over a decade.

Her work in Community & Enterprise involved working with individuals and teams at local, regional,  national and international level.   Anna was also involved in the Business Support function of the local authority assisting with the strategic development of County Carlow via the work of the Economic Forum.  Anna has worked on a variety of Enterprise Projects in association with Carlow CEB including the Student Concept Competition, Experience Carlow @ NPA , Bizfest and Carlow Town Team.

Anna’s role involves the advisory of start up clients up to 18 months in business and the operations of the offices soft support scheme which includes the provision of the Student Enterprise Programme and Female Entrepreneurship Network. Anna has significant experience in a variety of area’s including research, funding and financial management and has acted as a facilitator and mentor during her career. 

Prior to joining the public service Anna worked for over ten years as an Energy Advisor with the Electricity Supply Board, based in Sligo.

Anna is a graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology, NUI Galway & WIT.

To contact Anna e-mail abyrne@carlowcoco.ie or call 059/9129785

Pauline Hoctor - Business Advisor

Pauline is Business Advisor with the Local Enterprise Office Carlow. During her career she has worked in a range of areas including enterprise development, community development, human resources and the training sector.

Pauline is a graduate of Dublin City University where she attained a Bachelor of Business Studies. She also completed a Diploma in Training and Development at NUI Maynooth and is currently completing a Masters in Education and Training Management (eLearning) at DCU.

Her role involves the provision of business information and advisory services, advise on financial supports available from the state and connecting clients with appropriate state resources/agencies.

Sarah Byrne - Administrator

Sarah is an invaluable asset to the team with her considerable local knowledge and understanding of local issues. 

Her primary area of responsibility is accounts and record keeping and in addition to which she provides support to LEO clients in a variety of areas.  Sarah is very experienced in delivering the highest standards of customer care having worked in both the Hospitality sector and having worked for the Enterprise Board for over a decade.

To contact Sarah email sbyrne@carlowcoco.ie or call 059/9129783