Meet the team

Diane Beattie

Transport & Sales Office Co-Ordinator

With over 10 years of sales and customer service experience and an education in Business and Human Resources, Diane joined Ecological in 2015 as a Sales Administrator covering everything from initial enquiries to despatch of orders and everything in between! Outside of work Diane can regularly be found at the gym or playing Netball.

Des Bellew

Technical Sales

Des is a qualified Architectural Technician and has worked in various architectural practices  before branching out into the glazing industry. Des was instrumental in developing and bringing 3 new brands of aluminium window systems to the Irish market and has extensive experience in specification and design detailing. Outside work Des enjoys golf, gardening and silversmithing.

Andy Cook

Technical Specification Advisor (CEPHC)

Andy is based in Scotland and joined us in 2023. His keen interest in fine woodworking and construction developed while growing up around his family business. He trained as a joiner, gained qualifications in Architectural Technology and Quantity Surveying, and moved into construction management. With a passion for high-quality, fabric first construction, he is also a Certified Passivhaus Consultant and Tradesperson. He built his first certified Passivhaus in 2011. When not working, he is playing guitar, in the gym or in the Scottish hills with his family and pup.

Chrissy Cottrell

Marketing Manager

Chrissy joined the team in 2024 and is a CIM Chartered Marketer with over 19 years’ of diverse industry experience. Chrissy’s passion lies in bridging the gap between strategy and creativity, transforming complex strategies into captivating marketing campaigns. Out of work, Chrissy enjoys reading, art, walking in the Lake District and is currently training toward a return to competing in weightlifting.

Niall Crosson

Technical Director (BTech, MEngSc, MIEI, CEPHC)

Niall was Ecological's first employee! He holds a Bachelor of Technology and a Masters in Eng.Sc. Niall has provided technical guidance on many award winning low energy projects and his knowledge and expertise has led him to being asked to speak at numerous conferences as far a field as Canada. Niall is on the Board of Directors of the Irish Green Building Council and is a certified Passivhaus Consultant. He has recently built his own Passivhaus for his family. 

Adrian Crosson

General Manager Ireland & Director

Adrian qualified as a Building Services Engineer and joined Ecological in 2006. After 11 successful years, he was promoted to the role of General Manager for the Irish division. Adrian’s spare time is about to be filled building a house for his family, but he will always find time for his passion - playing Gaelic football!

Kym Elliott

Executive Assistant

Kym joined the sales team in 2023 with over ten years administrative experience in both the construction and, more recently, transport industries. In 2024 she gained an internal promotion to Executive Assistant, supporting the senior management team. Outside work Kym is an avid reader, baker and has re-learned to ride a bike so she can try to keep up with her dogs: Ronnie and Reggie.

Bernie Ennis

Accounts Administrator

Bernie joined the sales team in MacCann and Byrne in 2021 and has since moved to Ecological Building Systems as the Accounts Administrator. Bernie is an Accounts Technician with over 20 years of experience in customer care and accounting roles. In her spare time she likes to walk, bake, read and play tennis.

Alda Finnegan

Marketing

Alda holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Marketing, a Certificate in Marketing and Media Management, and is Google Certified in Search and Display Advertising. She has worked in marketing for over 9 years, with experience in leading marketing campaigns and developing online marketing strategies. In her spare time Alda enjoys cooking, reading, and days out with her children.

Joe Fitzgerald

Technical Specification Manager

Joe is a Passivhaus Contractor with Degree qualifications in Sustainable Construction and Energy Management. He also completed Postgraduate Diplomas in Green Engineering and Advanced Thermal Modelling and a Postgraduate Certificate in Hygrothermal Risk Assessment. Outside of work Joe keeps a close eye on sports.

Fergal Flatley

Insulation & Ventilation Specification Advisor

Fergal is a qualified Passive House Contractor, trained construction project manager and a Certified City & Guilds Ventilation Validator. Graduating from Sligo I.T with a degree in Advanced Wood & Sustainable Building Technology, he then went on to then attain an Honours in Construction Project Management before joining the team at Ecological. Coming from the west of Ireland, Fergal enjoys spending time fishing along the scenic coastlines of County Sligo.

Terry Gargan

Marketing

Terry graduated from D.I.T with a Degree in Construction Technology and worked in the building sector for a number of years before moving into marketing. Since joining the company in 2019, he has gone on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in PR & Communications, and an MA in Cultural Heritage. Outside of work Terry enjoys Judo, playing guitar and watching Meath win in the championship.

Peter Gorman

Warehouse Operative

Peter has over 23 years experience working in warehousing. He used to love playing football, but feels he is too old now, so he gets his enjoyment watching his son play football and GAA. In his spare time, Peter loves to watch Man Utd, play golf, and go to the gym.

Lorna Graham

Deputy General Manager UK

With a background in Business Development and an interest in sustainability, health and well-being; Lorna joined Ecological as Sales and Marketing Executive in 2017.  Since then Lorna has become very involved in all aspects of the business and was promoted to the role of Deputy General Manager in 2022.  Away from work, Lorna enjoys competing with her horse, kayaking with her son, and walking in the Lake District with her family and Fern, the Cockapoo.

Steve Graham

Warehouse Operative

Steve became a permanent member of the team in November 2023 following a temporary period with us.  Having been hands-on in building renovation and refurbishment, often in older properties, he is interest in sustainable energy and low carbon footprint housing.  Outside of work, most of Steve's time (and money!) is taken up with his small sailing boat. He also enjoys listening to jazz and eating pies.

Sam Horton

Videographer and Photographer

Sam has created video and photography content in a wide variety of industries and settings. From healthcare settings in London, to remote railway sites in rural Scotland, he is comfortable with a camera in hand and able to adapt to work in most environments. Sam joined Ecological in 2023 to further the scope and quality of video and photography projects. In his free time Sam enjoys rock climbing and taking his camera out into the Lake District.

Ilias Igoumenidis

Technical Support Engineer (MEng Civil Engineer, CEPHD)

Born and raised in Greece, Ilias graduated from the Polytechnic school of Civil Engineers of Patras University and for many years ran his own Design and Construction company prior to joining Ecological.  Since 2013, he has been heavily involved with low energy consumption in building projects.  He was the first person in the Hellenic Passive House Institute to gain the International Certification of a Certified Passive House Designer.

Dave Judd

Technical Specification Advisor (BSc Hons, MSc)

Dave has extensive experience with energy efficiency retrofits and is well acquainted with the “fabric first” principles of integrating airtightness and insulation in both new-build and existing buildings. He has also worked within the domestic renewable energy sector. He has a Degree in Environmental Science and an MSc in Architecture: Advanced Environment & Energy Studies and recently qualified as a Certified Passive House Tradesperson with the Passive House Institute. Outside of work, Dave enjoys trail running and cycling, growing vegetables and being sociable.

Cronan Kennedy

Technical Specification Advisor

Cronan has over 15 years experience in the construction sector across multiple technical roles, working with architects, engineers, county councils and local building merchants as well as providing technical installation training to contractors on site.  In his spare time Cronan likes to go walking with his family and their dog Susie. Horses and rugby are his other passions.

Declan Loane

Technical Specification Advisor

Declan has over 20 years’ experience in the construction sector, working closely with architects and other stakeholders. He has a background in people management and training and holds a BA (Hons) and MA in Human Resource Management. Outside of work he enjoys family time, opportunities to escape with them to Donegal, managing his Zwartbles sheep flock and coaching underage Gaelic Football at his home club.

Phil Martin

Web Solutions Manager

Phil has worked in ecommerce and software development for many years. Designing and developing user-friendly transactional websites and web apps for businesses and organisations of all sizes. His focus is on user experience, conversion optimisation, content strategies and digital marketing. Interests include, rock climbing, kung fu and making pizzas in his wood-fired pizza oven in the garden. 

Paul Mcgovern

Purchasing & Sales Manager

Paul is responsible for Auro natural paints and has been instrumental in developing this area with the installation of a paint mixing machine and lifestyle showroom. Paul graduated with a BA in Management, after which he gained over a decade of experience in the paint sector in management and technical positions. Paul spends most of his spare time keeping active in the gym, and dreams of Liverpool FC winning the league again! 

Stephen McGrath

Technical Specification Advisor

Stephen has over 25 years in the construction industry after qualifying as a Surveyor from Trinity College and later obtaining a Diploma in Project Management in the Built Environment. He has formed strong relationships with all stakeholders in the Industry from Design Teams to Contractors and Suppliers. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, trekking, badminton and watching all sports, and is involved in GAA training for children

Stjepan Palfi

Sales Executive

Stjepan spent over a decade in the building sector and has a further 10 years’ experience in client focused roles in the commercial retail sector. In his free time, Stjepan spends time playing with his daughters, playing the trumpet and representing Navan table tennis team. He also loves nature and outdoor activities such as mushroom picking and fishing.

Gregg Peel

Technical Specification Advisor

Gregg joined our UK Technical Team in 2022.  Working in construction for over 9 years, he brings technical specification skills and practical hands-on experience; particularly in relation to roofs. Latterly he provided technical support, backed up with U-value calculations and condensation reports, in the insulation and membrane industry advising architects, builders and specifiers across many different building applications. Formerly Gregg was a county golfer, who recently attempted to qualify for the Open Championship. He enjoys spending time with his young family and keeps fit by running and going to the gym.

Penny Randell

General Manager UK & Director

With over 20 years’ experience in the sustainable building products industry and an education in business management, Penny joined Ecological in 2008 as General Manager and became a Director in 2015. Her interests outside work include preserving and developing her family’s herd of native Cumbrian fell ponies, a responsibility that she has enjoyed with her family for generations.

James Ruddick

Warehouse Operative

Peter Smith

Technical Support & Certified Passive House Tradesperson

Peter joined the team in 2004 and is a certified Passive House Contractor and Diasen special advisor. Peter is an expert on building conservation and retrofitting and delivers informative presentations to heritage groups and architectural practices around Ireland on proven conservation methodology. He now works just four days a week which gives him more time for his passions which include old buildings in general, playing guitar and singing with friends and other musicians, often in his local pub in Co Kildare, as well as having a lifetime interest in vintage cars and machinery.

Pat Smith

Warehouse Manager

Pat moved to Ecological Building Systems in 2013 after working with McCann and Byrne, Ecological's parent company, for the past 20 years. Pat looks after the orders as they come in and deals with storage and transport logistics. Pat follows anything to do with motorcycles (from racing to touring) and is a huge Liverpool fan. He also plans on winning the lotto someday soon.

Mark Sykes

Warehouse Supervisor

Mark joined the team in 2020 as Warehouse Operative.  He has a background as an auto electric diesel technician and during this career moved to Cumbria from the North East.  He then began working in the warehousing and logistics sector. When he’s not packaging parcels and pallets and keeping all our stock in good order, Mark sets off with his partner in their touring caravan to explore and enjoy the Lake District. He’s also an avid rugby fan.

Krzysztof Szuba

Purchasing & Site Manager

Working for over a decade in sales, marketing and customer service in both the European and domestic market along with a degree in Marketing and Management, Krzysztof joined Ecological Building Systems in 2013 and looks after various aspects of business including sales, stock, logistics and customer service. Outside of work Krzysztof enjoys playing squash, basketball as well as watching other sports, reading and spending family time.

Zoe Threlkeld

Sales Office Administrator

Zoe joins us with a wealth of experience in a variety of sales and administration roles. With a passion for providing outstanding customer service, Zoe will be assisting with general enquiries, order processing, logistics and lots more as part of our busy Sales Office team. When not in the office, Zoe enjoys going on holiday, spending time with family and friends and most importantly walking with her pooch.

Katy Trotter

Accounts Administrator

Katy joined our accounts team in 2022 to focus on purchase ledger.  She has a wealth of experience within accounts and has worked in the construction sector. Katy's young family keeps her busy; they have recently taken up camping holidays and stepping out into the great outdoors.  She also likes cooking and sampling new cuisines from around the world.

Neil Turner

UK Technical Manager (BSc Hons)

Neil has a wealth of experience in the natural insulation sector, his technical expertise has led him to be involved in a number of technical approval bodies, this included him developing CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation) European standards. He enjoys spending time walking with his two dogs, Missy and Teddy.

Joey Wadding

Technical Sales

Joey has over 16 years of experience in sales and developing client relationships, including over a decade in the construction industry. Joey is a former inter county footballer, serving ten years in the purple and gold of Wexford. Joey still plays for his local GAA club and is an avid sports fan who likes to play golf and keep fit while spending time with his young family.

Jo Walls

Technical and Training Coordinator

Jo recently relocated from The Midlands to the Scottish Borders and joins us with 30+ years of administrative, secretarial, and organisational experience. Jo supports our technical team and coordinates training events. Outside of work Jo has a keen interest in horses; especially her daughter’s horse Lulu. She also enjoys visiting historic buildings and is looking forward to exploring the area around her new Scottish home

Yvonne Walsh

Sales Executive

Yvonne is part of our technical sales team and has over 25 years of sales and customer-focused experience in a variety of industries such as aviation, building, manufacturing, and IT. In her free time, Yvonne spends time with her daughter and cat Bailey and is a big Liverpool FC fan.

Tom Ward

Sales Office Administrator

Tom is joining the team with a wealth of experience and know-how. Becoming part of the Customer Service team, he brings with him knowledge gained from over a decade in both the retail and non-profit sectors. He will be assisting in enquires, order processing and general customer service. Outside of work he is very active in The Lakes, enjoying hiking, horse riding, Geocaching and tinkering with computers.

Ian Wright

Web Solutions & Data Analysis

After relocating back to Cumbria, Ian joins Ecological to assist in developing their IT systems and online presence. With a background in Financial Services and Retail (FMCG), he has championed technology to successfully deliver customer delight and operational excellence. In his free time, Ian enjoys everything about living in the Eden valley and on rainy days composing electronic music.