John Kearns MBA Chief Executive   John Kearns is the Chief Executive of Partas - a position he has held since 2000. His qualifications are in financial services, where he was sales manager for one of the country’s largest financial services groups. That career was interrupted by the explosive success of one of his many entrepreneurial sidelines when he conceived of and produced a concept album called ‘Faith of our Fathers’. In a matter of a few short weeks it became the fastest and largest selling album in Irish music history. From that he became an entrepreneur in the music business and has been responsible for some of the most successful recording and live events in Ireland over the last ten years achieving multi platinum status. The success of those projects also spread to the US and Australia where his they have enjoyed popular acclaim.   Since then John has fulfilled further ambitions by gaining a first-class MBA in Entrepreneurship and having a book published telling the story behind his music business projects – ‘Extraordinary Venture’. He has been a key player in many and various European projects and has also completed a study in the US with Boston College looking at the development of micro-business in the US and Ireland. He serves as an Economic Development representative with the South Dublin County Council and is currently Chairman of the South Dublin County Enterprise Board.   Contact John by email
	Diane Richmond MBA BBS MMII Assistant Chief Executive   Diane is the Assistant CEO with Partas, holds a primary degree in the field of Business and an MBA (Master of Business Administration Degree) specialising in entrepreneurship.  Diane has worked in the not-for-profit sector since 1997, having worked previously in the private and semi-state sector. Initially employed as a marketing & research consultant within Marketing Edge (subsidiary of Partas), Diane was promoted to Assistant CEO in 2005, and now has significant experience in the field of management, enterprise development, social economy, social entrepreneurship, social auditing and community childcare. In addition,   Diane has undertaken numerous consultancy roles over the past ten years, with a broad range of clients involving the preparation of strategic plans, evaluations and social audits.  Diane is a member of a number of committees, including the South Dublin County Childcare Committee, Social Economy Advisory Group, PLANET Third Sector Policy Committee, Community Employment Working Group, and the Institute of Social Auditing in Ireland.   Contact Diane by email
	Rene Synnott FICS Head of Training Rene is Head of Training at Partas.  Since joining Partas in 2003 she has been involved in the design, development and implementation of a vast number of innovative training programmes addressing the needs of the unemployed.  She has also been a project leader on a high profile pan European project dealing with barriers to employment for older workers and has made recommendations in relation to policies to protect such workers.  During Rene’s time as Head of Training, Partas has obtained the FÁS Excellence Through People Award and FETAC accreditation due to the high quality of training services provided.  She has also set up and run a very successful business network for female entrepreneurs.   Prior to joining Partas, Rene was Sales and Marketing Manager for the Training and Consultancy division of Siemens Business Services.  In this role she was responsible for the skills migration of staff of blue chip organisations changing IT platforms and the project management of the activities associated with same.  She has a number of international achievement awards, being in the Siemens Top Seller’s club for 5 years.  With her vast commercial experience of IT environments, she was awarded a fellowship with the Irish Computer Society.  Rene is also on the board of management of Tallaght Development Company and the St Dominic’s Contact Project.      Contact Rene by email