Mullingar appointed non-executive director at Chanelle Pharma

A Mullingar woman has been appointed non-executive director at Chanelle Pharma, one of Ireland’s most successful pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Gemma Lynch, a past pupil of Loreto College, Mullingar, who studied commerce at UCD, is a daughter of Tommy and Elizabeth Lynch.

A qualified management accountant, she has over 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry.

As a director of Ulster Bank Corporate Banking she worked with companies in the manufacturing, private healthcare, food and drink and hospitality sectors.

Gemma currently advises corporate clients on areas such as risk management, governance, strategic planning and funding for growth.

A former non-executive director of TLC Group, she also serves on the Board of British Studies Centre Group (UK and Ireland). Gemma is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and holds a diploma in corporate direction from the Institute of Directors (UK).

The announcement of Gemma’s appointment was made on Tuesday last by Michael Burke, who founded Chanelle in Loughrea, creating what has become Ireland’s largest indigenous manufacturer of human and veterinary generic pharmaceuticals. Chanelle employs some 550 people.

Mr Burke said that Chanelle Pharma is currently undertaking a €86m investment programme, under which it will expand to the US and other new markets, launch new products, grow the number of employees and invest further in research and development.

The company has 2,500 animal health licenses and 1,900 product licences for human health products worldwide. It holds the largest number of registered veterinary licences of any company in the EU and exports to 90 countries worldwide.

“I am delighted to welcome Gemma to the board as we pursue our ambition to become the number one developer of generic pharmaceuticals in the world,” said Mr Burke.

“Gemma has extensive experience working with companies scaling for global growth which will be very beneficial to myself as founder, and to our wider board. I look forward to the benefit of her counsel in the years ahead.”