Offaly native David Gleeson (left), founder of Allpro People Group and owner of ORC, is pictured with Killeigh native and Tullamore resident Ronan Berry, who has been appointed as managing partner of ORC.

Tullamore broadcaster appointed managing partner at HR firm

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Killeigh-raised business commentator Ronan Berry has returned to O’Reilly Consulting Group amid growing demand for expert HR support.

One of the Midlands’ most recognisable business voices, Ronan has been appointed Managing Partner at O’Reilly Consulting Group (ORC), as small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) across Ireland face increasing pressure from complex employment legislation and ongoing hiring challenges.

A native of Killeigh and now based in Tullamore, Berry is best known as the presenter of 'Taking Care of Business' on Midlands 103, where he has spent more than eight years interviewing business leaders, policy-makers and entrepreneurs.

His appointment marks a return to ORC, where he previously worked in 2018, bringing a combination of frontline HR experience, strategic communications expertise and deep insight into the realities facing SME owners.

Berry said that Irish SMEs are under 'growing strain' as regulatory complexity increases, pointing to ongoing uncertainty around the EU Pay Transparency Directive.

“There’s a real sense of confusion among business owners right now,” he said.

“They’re trying to do the right thing but the guidance isn’t always clear and timelines keep shifting. That creates risk and pressure, particularly for smaller organisations without in-house HR teams,” added Ronan.

He also highlighted a sharp rise in demand for employment permits, with more than 31,000 issued last year, as businesses struggle to source talent locally.

“We’re seeing more SMEs look internationally to fill roles. That brings opportunity, but also complexity. Employers need clear, practical support, not generic advice,” he said.

ORC, part of the AllPro People Group founded by Offaly native David Gleeson, recently expanded its services to include employment permits, responding directly to this demand.

Gleeson, originally from Blueball, said that Berry’s appointment reflects the company’s focus on delivering high-quality, expert-led support to SMEs.

“Ronan brings a rare combination of operational experience, strategic insight and communication expertise. He understands the pressures SME owners are under because he's worked alomgside them and spoken to them every week for years,” said Gleeson.

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