OpenSky names Eimear Dunne Head of People & Transformation

OpenSky has appointed Eimear Dunne Head of People & Transformation, giving her responsibility for the company's AI-enabled workforce strategy.

The appointment comes as the Irish data and AI specialist expands across Ireland, the UK and Europe and reshapes its internal operating model. Over the next 12 months, Dunne will oversee the rollout of that model while linking workforce planning more closely to operational planning and quarterly business reviews.

Dunne joined OpenSky in 2022 as People & Culture Manager and has been a member of the Senior Management Team. In that role, she led the People & Culture function across the business and helped lay the groundwork for a Transformation Unit.

Her remit in the new post includes skills forecasting, internal career progression and team structures aligned with changing AI needs. The aim is to ensure staffing and skills development keep pace with client work and broader financial targets.

OpenSky works with organisations in government, healthcare and pharmaceuticals on the deployment, governance and operation of AI and data systems. Founded in Naas in 2004 by Michael Cronin and William Flanagan, the company employs 87 people.

Growth plans

The newly defined role reflects a broader shift in how companies are adapting workforce planning as AI spreads into daily business operations. At OpenSky, that includes using AI and automation in internal processes as well as in client delivery.

That moves the people function closer to commercial and operational decision-making than in a traditional human resources structure. Workforce planning will now sit at the centre of business reviews as OpenSky seeks to support faster turnaround on client commitments.

Michael Cronin outlined the thinking behind the move.

"Eimear has already laid vital groundwork across our business, mapping how technology and AI affect day-to-day roles while building clear development tracks for our teams. We are at a pivotal point in OpenSky's expansion. Having someone of Eimear's vision and capability leading our workforce strategy gives us confidence as we continue to scale efficiently while enabling faster delivery, enhanced focus on customer outcomes and governance," said Michael Cronin, Managing Director, OpenSky.

Career background

Before joining OpenSky, Dunne held senior human resources roles across the corporate, legal and real estate sectors. Her previous positions included HR Business Partner at BNP Paribas Real Estate, HR Generalist at Dillon Eustace Solicitors and HR & Regulatory Officer at Knight Frank.

She holds an MBA in Business Management with a specialism in Human Resources from Dublin Business School, a Professional Diploma in Leadership and Management from UCD Professional Academy and an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the National University of Ireland, Galway. She also holds CIPD certifications in Human Resource Management and Employment Law & Industrial Relations.

The appointment highlights how mid-sized technology consultancies are creating senior roles that combine workforce planning with business transformation as AI changes job design and service delivery. Rather than treating staff development as a separate function, companies are increasingly tying it to the pace at which they expect automation and AI tools to change work across consulting, technical and support teams.

For OpenSky, that means building internal career pathways around changing client demand in regulated industries, where data governance and oversight remain central. Dunne's work will focus on ensuring employees are equipped for that shift while giving them a clearer route to progression within the business.

Dunne set out her view of how the role connects client expectations with staff development.

"Clients do not buy technology in isolation; they are interested in people who deeply understand their world and bring the judgement, credibility and curiosity to solve complex problems. As AI reshapes the industry, our response at OpenSky is to give our people the skills, support and room to grow into what that work becomes. I am thrilled to step into this role to build a workforce strategy where our capability stays ahead of industry demand and our people find their next career milestone right here at OpenSky," said Dunne.