Our people

Our People

OUR BUSINESS COULD NOT EXIST WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE, TECHNICAL SKILLS, AND RELENTLESS DRIVE OF OUR PEOPLE TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE.

Their energy and engagement are fundamental in providing the innovative thinking and service excellence we have become known for. By cultivating a sense of teamwork and belonging, our team members blend their unique skill sets to deliver innovative solutions and build long-standing client relationships.

Along with our full-time staff members, our team also comprises a growing database of over 30,000 skilled personnel and specialists worldwide who are ready to start adding value to your power generation project.

Maeve O'Farrell

Finance Director

With an ACCA qualification and a B.Eng in Electrical Engineering, Maeve brings over a decade of progressive financial leadership experience within Shanahan Engineering. Appointed Finance Director in 2026, she combines strong technical financial expertise with a deep understanding of the organisation’s operations and strategic objectives.

Since joining the company in 2012, Maeve has developed comprehensive expertise across financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and long-term strategic planning. She has played a central role in strengthening internal controls, enhancing financial governance, and improving reporting processes to support informed executive decision-making. Her analytical background, paired with practical operational insight, enables her to provide commercially focused guidance that drives performance and protects margin.

Maeve is recognised for her disciplined approach to financial management and her ability to translate complex financial data into clear strategic direction. Through collaborative leadership and a strong focus on accountability, she supports the executive team in delivering sustainable growth while maintaining robust financial oversight across the organisation.
Paul O'Neill

Sales Director

With more than two decades of experience in the global power generation sector, Paul brings extensive technical and commercial expertise to Shanahan Engineering. Appointed Global Sales Director in 2026, he leads the company’s worldwide sales strategy and business development initiatives, supporting clients and partners across both traditional and renewable power technologies.

Throughout his career, Paul has contributed to the successful delivery of projects representing hundreds of megawatts of installed capacity worldwide. He has developed deep expertise across the full project lifecycle, from feasibility studies and concept design through pre-planning, commissioning, and long-term asset optimisation. His strong technical foundation, combined with commercial and financial insight, enables him to develop tailored solutions that meet the specific requirements of each client while delivering sustainable commercial outcomes.

Paul has significant experience working with diverse internal and external stakeholders and leading transformation initiatives within complex project environments. He is recognised for his ability to balance technical performance with commercial priorities, ensuring strong outcomes across quality, health and safety, budget management, and schedule adherence. His extensive contract experience and confident negotiation skills support successful project execution and the development of long-term client partnerships.

Known for his collaborative leadership style and clear communication, Paul works closely with teams across the organisation to strengthen customer relationships and drive continuous improvement. His ability to align stakeholder needs with evolving energy sector opportunities supports Shanahan Engineering’s continued growth in the global power services market while delivering lasting value for clients and partners.
John McLaughlin

Projects Director

With a B.Eng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from ATU (Previously Letterkenny Institute of Technology) and an Advanced Diploma in Management Practice from the Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School at UCD, John has over 15 years’ experience in the power generation sector. Having delivered major projects internationally, predominately with Shanahan Engineering, he has led the successful execution of complex power plant programmes spanning the full project lifecycle – from FEED and commercial structuring through to construction, commissioning and contract close-out. His expertise includes commercial oversight, technical coordination, risk and stakeholder management, and customer interface. John has consistently delivered projects on time and within budget, while maintaining high safety and quality standards, and fostering strong client relationships that result in repeat business.

John’s ability to operate effectively within a matrix organization, paired with his strategic mindset and hands-on execution experience, positions him well to help drive Shanahan’s continued success in the global power services market. He also brings a proactive and pragmatic leadership style, always focused on client outcomes, team development, and continuous process improvement.

In 2025, Shanahan Engineering appointed John as Projects Director with the responsibility for the successful execution of the company’s projects worldwide and to oversee the company’s recruitment aspects.
Gerard McInerney

VP Global TFS – OTR

With a BEng (Honours) degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Construction Project Management, Gerard has over 25 years of experience in the Power Generation Industry.
Since joining Shanahan Engineering in 1996 as Project Engineer on an MHI CCGT power plant in the Netherlands, he has been deployed on numerous assignments globally, taking on various roles including, Claims & Contracts Management, LTSA Site Management, Defect Liability Period / Warranty Engineer, Power Plant Construction Management, Construction Coordination and Power Plant Commissioning.
In 2015, he joined the company’s Head Office team and assumed the role of Global TFS Manager. There, he is responsible for the company’s Global Field Service business, ensuring both customer and contractual-specific requirements are met through the selection and effective deployment of technical field staff globally.
Iain Salley

Contracts Director

Iain has over 30 years of experience working in Commercial & Project Management, Contract Administration, and Bid Management. He gained a BSc in Surveying from Trinity College Dublin, in addition to his Diploma in Construction Economics from Bolton Street.
Iain has vast experience in the construction sector, reflected in his position as Director for a construction and consultancy group for over ten years, where he managed the business and operations under varying forms of contract. He also has extensive experience with Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), having worked as a development director in that arena. This was reflected in his appointment as Chair of the Project Finance (PPP) Group at the Irish Business & Employers Federation (IBEC).
In 2012, Shanahan Engineering appointed Iain as Contracts Director, taking responsibility for global commercial management of all projects, proposals, bid management, corporate compliance, and administration. In this role, he is taskedwith establishing consistent commercial procedures for all projects, instilling a culture of commercial awareness amongst all project staff, day-to-day management of the commercial department, as well as establishing a dedicated team and structure for proposals and bid management.
Maurice Rodgers

HSSE Director

Maurice joined Shanahan Engineering in 2015 and holds an MSc in Environmental, Health, and Safety from the University of Sunderland.
Maurice's previous experience includes working in his native Cork with ICI Chemicals before moving on to head up EHS at Lynch Group and Gazprom Russia. He then joined DPS Engineering as an HSE Project Lead at the Intel facility in Leixlip.
Maurice has 25 years’ experience as an HSE professional with an excellent working reputation and track record of driving HSE cultural change, best practice working methods, and legal compliance. He is experienced in power generation, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors, and has a proven ability to drive large-scale change programs by taking a practical, flexible, and professional approach.
Paul Mullins

Quality Director

Paul has over 30 years of experience in the power generation industry, working in numerous overseas locations and on various power station projects representing many of the significant OEM & EPC companies.
Joining Shanahan Engineering in 1996, Paul specialised in instrumentation and control as a construction supervisor and commissioning engineer until he joined the Management Team in 2003. Since joining the Management Team, Paul has progressed from Resident LTSA Manager to Project Manager to Quality Compliance Manager before taking on his current role of Quality Director. While managing UK construction projects for Shanahan Engineering, Paul developed detailed knowledge and experience with the National Agreement for the Engineering Construction Industry (NAECI) and Industrial Relations Management. He was also a member of the Engineering Construction Industry Association (ECIA) IR Council for the UK Construction Industry.
Since becoming the Quality Director for Shanahan Engineering, Paul has worked with the team to structure our Quality Management System (QMS), gaining Certification to the ISO 9001:2015 Standard. He is also part of our parent company, Ethos Energy, focusing on developing and promoting service excellence within the organisation.