Meet the Team

With over a decade of experience at Ibec, David currently leads as the Director of the Small Firms Association (SFA). In his role, David is instrumental in shaping and executing the SFA’s strategic work program. He excels in nurturing relationships with members and stakeholders, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services that bolster the SFA community.

David’s journey in the business world is marked by a diverse range of experiences. He has worked in aircraft leasing and has made significant contributions in companies like Zendesk and WhatsApp. His expertise is not just limited to large corporates; David has a rich history of working as a consultant for SMEs, providing them with strategic and practical insights. This includes his significant contribution to the development of international graduate placement programs for both indigenous and multinational corporations such as Apple, Bord Bia, Tourism Ireland, Teelings, and Tullamore Dew. Additionally, David has served as a mentor on the Local Enterprise Office Mentoring panel, sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience with budding entrepreneurs and business owners in regions like Fingal, Laois, Kildare, and Waterford/Wexford.

Jonathan McDade is the new Public Affairs Lead for the SFA. Recently, Jonathan spent over a year as the Deputy Director of Food Drink Ireland. Prior to that, he was the Director of Drinks Ireland Beer and Drinks Ireland Cider within Drinks Ireland for over eight years. During that time Jonathan spear-headed the international lobbying campaign against the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill and successfully secured an excise relief programme for Ireland’s craft cider producers.

Before Joining Ibec, Jonathan worked for a various public relations agencies including, Murray Consultants, PR360, Limelight Communications and Montague Communications. He also worked as a Parliamentary Assistant to Ruairi Quinn, TD and was the Senior Press Officer for the Ireland 4 Europe- Lisbon Treaty campaign in 2009.

Rachael McFarlane is the Programme Manager for MentorsWork- an award-winning business support programme providing mentoring and training to Irish SMEs across the Republic of Ireland. With her extensive leadership experience, Rachael has a proven track record in facilitating growth. Holding a first-class business degree from UCD Quinn School of Business, she brings extensive knowledge in business management strategy and operational excellence.

Rachael's vision is in empowering small and medium-sized enterprises through comprehensive support and development. She focuses on fostering business resilience, promoting growth and innovation as well as creating a collaborative environment for the SME community. MentorsWork aims to drive long-term success and sustainability for businesses participating in the programme. ensuring participants receive unparalleled support and guidance.

As the SFA’s HR Executive, Zaynab plays a pivotal role in delivering expert guidance in Human Resources and Employment Law to our members. Her responsibilities include contributing insightful articles to the SFA HR database and ensuring that our resources remain current and relevant. Zaynab’s extensive experience in people-oriented roles, combined with her engaging approach, makes her an invaluable asset to our members.

Zaynab holds a BA in International Relations and an MSc in Human Resource Management from Dublin City University. Her diverse background spans across various sectors, including financial services and pharmaceuticals, enriching the breadth of her expertise.

Naira is the SFA’s Digital Marketing and Events Executive, as well as our Membership Officer. She champions the integration of new members into our fold, serving as the primary liaison for their inquiries. With a strong background in marketing, Naira orchestrates our digital presence, from managing our social media platforms and Ezine to curating our newsletters and ensuring our website remains current. She holds a BA in Product Design and brought a refreshed approach to our graphic design.

Her tenure at Majorel Ireland and Meta has solidified her reputation for exceptional customer satisfaction. Naira's unwavering commitment to service excellence resonates profoundly within the SFA, rendering her an invaluable asset to our community and our members.