The Women Changing the Face of EER
17 November 2020


In lieu of emojis, we hope you will envisage the appropriate amount of fanfare as we share with you the amazing news of our recent restructure at EER. We are delighted, and extremely proud, to announce that effectively immediately, Marie O’Neill will be stepping into the role of Managing Director, Aideen Hopkins will be our Operations Director and Shirley Doran will join our Senior Management Team as Head of Relocation and Immigration Services. This new structure will optimize the way we operate and enhance our ability to service our clients across all of their immigration and relocation needs. With these three industry leaders at the helm, EER really does have a bright future ahead.

Unexpected Vision

For EER, 2020 was supposed to have been about celebrating our 15th anniversary as a company and expanding our team and reach. Like so many others, our expectations were swiftly put on hold. The last nine months have seen businesses, schools, governments, families and individuals pushed to their very limits in an effort to slow the spread of Covid-19 and limit its impact. We knew at the outset that we had to act quickly and decisively in order to survive the uncertainty to come and to ensure we could still fully assist our clients. As we shared in our recent article, business continuity was our top priority and tough decisions needed to be made. Marie, Aideen and Shirley displayed unrivalled foresight, calm and creativity from the very start, refusing to duck difficult choices and stepping up to provide unique solutions that would have lasting results. As we approach 2021, EER is in a better position than it could ever have thought possible, so it only makes sense to cement the ‘dream team’ in our senior leadership structure so they can steer us into the future.

The Dream Team

As well as reflecting a growing trend of female-led institutions out performing competitors (think Jacinda Arden in New Zealand), there are many benefits to our new Senior Management Team roster. They not only have decades of experience across the immigration and relocation industry, they each have been, and hired, expatriates themselves, giving them a unique understanding of all sides when it comes to clients and assignees. Their individual strengths are extremely complimentary and ensure a more rounded approach and diverse set of ideas when it comes to finding the right solution. So who are these amazing women making such a difference? Allow us to introduce you….

First up we have Marie O’Neill, our illustrious Managing Director. You may have caught Marie on screen recently as she is a popular guest on immigration and relocation industry webinars, podcasts and a resident expert on EuRA panels. A first-rate strategic thinker, Marie has consistently proved invaluable when it comes to growing the EER brand successfully. Originally from Ireland, her first-hand expatriate experience underlined her insistence that EER’s approach is tailored to suit the client and that our international partners meet our high standards in order to provide the best service in every destination.

Our new Operations Director Aideen Hopkins has been with EER since 2013 and in that time has demonstrated her enviable talent for fueling the strategies, teams and technologies that facilitate the most growth. By always deploying visionary analytical thinking, alongside exceptional communication skills, Aideen has proved highly adept at spotting gaps in provisions, market trends and innovative solutions. With her results-driven approach, Aideen has proved pivotal in our past successes, as well as our survival and growth during the Covid crisis. Now, she is the leading influence behind the digitization of EER, enabling our teams to more effectively service our clients and setting a roadmap for a thriving future.

Last, but by no means least, we have Shirley Doran who now becomes Head of Relocation and Immigration Services, as well as the newest member of the Senior Management Team. Bucking the Irish trend, Shirley is originally from South Africa and has been in the immigration and relocation industry for nearly 24 years. Having experienced life as an expat in multiple locations, Shirley knows how important it is to help clients prepare and adapt to different destinations. Her initial background in hospitality and public relations infused her with an unrivalled caliber of customer service that is vital to shaping and maintaining EER’s service delivery.

We can’t wait to see where they will take us next….