Greater leadership depth
Cathal O’Kane and Chris McKernan have joined the Specialist Group Board following their promotions to Operations Director, Design and Project Management, and Commercial Director respectively.
Cathal has been with Specialist since 2009 and has played an important role in developing the design capability required to deliver large-scale, technically complex projects.
In his expanded role, he will oversee both Design and Project Management, strengthening the connection between technical development, project planning and delivery.
That connection is critical.
Design decisions affect procurement, manufacture, programme and installation. Bringing those responsibilities under clear operational leadership gives teams greater visibility, supports earlier decision-making and helps identify risk before it travels further through a project.
As Commercial Director, Chris McKernan strengthens leadership around the commercial performance of the business and its projects. His appointment provides additional oversight as Specialist takes on broader packages, manages increasingly complex delivery requirements and continues to develop long-term relationships across the sector.
Together, the appointments add further operational and commercial experience to the Board while bringing decision-making closer to the teams responsible for delivery.
Board Appointments Announcement
Strengthening design and delivery
The new structure also creates opportunities for experienced people to take greater responsibility across key functions.
Dan McCrystal has been promoted to Design Director, recognising his expertise and contribution to Specialist’s design capability.
Design at Specialist is not a separate preliminary exercise. It connects architectural intent with materials, manufacturing processes, logistics and installation. Strong design leadership helps ensure ambitious ideas become coordinated, buildable solutions without losing the details that made them worth pursuing.
Peter Kitterick has been promoted to Senior Project Manager, strengthening the project leadership available to clients and delivery teams.
Project management sits at the centre of Specialist’s integrated approach. It connects client expectations, technical information, commercial control, manufacturing progress and site requirements. Peter’s promotion recognises the experience and ownership required to manage those relationships effectively.
These appointments build further depth into the teams responsible for turning design intent into a successfully delivered result.
Leadership built from within
Karen Trainor has been promoted to Group Executive Director, recognising her leadership and contribution to the business over more than two decades.
Karen joined Specialist in 2000 and has worked across the organisation as it has evolved from a joinery business into a fully integrated Group. Her knowledge extends beyond one function or department, encompassing operations, people development, wellbeing and the culture connecting teams across the business.
As Group Executive Director, Karen will help provide the wider organisational leadership required to support Specialist’s continued development.
Cóilín Campbell has also been appointed Construction Sales Director, focusing his experience on a strategically important area of the Group.
Having joined Specialist in 2005, Cóilín brings extensive knowledge of commercial management, business development and project delivery. His new role will support the continued growth of Specialist’s construction and fit-out activity, helping align market opportunities with the capability and capacity available across the business.
Both appointments demonstrate the value of knowledge developed over time.
They also reinforce a consistent Specialist principle: create opportunities for talented people to progress, take ownership and help shape what the business becomes next.
Leadership Promotions Announcement
A structure built around delivery
The six promotions are not isolated changes in title.
Together, they strengthen leadership across the areas that directly affect clients and project outcomes:
- Group-wide direction and operational alignment
- Commercial oversight and control
- Construction sales and strategic relationships
- Technical design and coordination
- Project leadership and delivery
That structure reflects how Specialist now operates.
The Group brings together joinery, glass, metal, doors, design, manufacturing, logistics and installation. These capabilities offer clients greater control and a more coordinated route through complex projects – but only when the teams behind them work as one.
Clear leadership helps make that possible.
It establishes responsibility, strengthens communication between functions and ensures decisions are made by people who understand both the detail and the wider consequence.
Progression with purpose
Specialist has a long history of developing people from within.
Many senior team members have progressed through different departments, disciplines and operational roles. That experience creates leaders who understand how decisions made in one area affect people and processes elsewhere.
Internal progression also protects something less easily measured: institutional knowledge.
As people advance, their understanding of Specialist’s standards, clients, manufacturing processes and project history advances with them. That creates continuity while still allowing the business to evolve.
But progression is not awarded simply for time served.
These appointments recognise the knowledge, judgement, leadership and consistent contribution each person has demonstrated – and the responsibility they are ready to carry next.
Ready for the next stage
Specialist’s recent growth has been supported by continued investment in people, facilities and integrated capability.
The leadership structure must now provide the same depth and resilience.
These appointments position experienced people across the business to lead that next stage: strengthening delivery, developing their teams and ensuring growth never comes at the expense of the standards on which Specialist has built its reputation.
That is what Excellence in Everything demands.
Not standing still because the current structure has worked before, but continuing to strengthen the business around what clients, projects and people will need next.
Congratulations to Karen, Cathal, Chris, Cóilín, Dan and Peter on their well-earned appointments.
The titles might be new but the contribution behind them has been building for years.
