New Chairman at Tigers Childcare 

John O’Neill has been appointed as Chairman of Tigers Childcare, a leading provider of childcare in Ireland.  A Dubliner who is now a Senior Advisor and formerly served as Head of Europe to Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP), a private equity firm which manages $14 billion of institutional capital. Prior to joining LLCP, John was as a Partner with Graphite Capital, a London-based private equity firm. Prior to that, he worked at Hawkpoint Partners, a London-based independent investment bank. John has extensive experience of mergers and acquisitions and supporting the scaling of entrepreneurial businesses.

Tigers Childcare is one of the largest childcare providers in the country.  The company operates 22 centres, employs over 400 colleagues, and provides childcare services for over 2,000 children.  The company was founded by Karen Clince.  The leading growth capital investor in Ireland, BGF, has invested €13m in the business.

John will replace Cormac Tobin who stepped down as Chairman after 5 years in the role.

Speaking today, Karen Clince paid tribute to Cormac; “Cormac made a huge contribution to Tigers and he has provided valuable counsel through a period of significant change in the funding model for the sector and rapid growth for the business through a combination of new services and M&A activity which has been supported from a partnership with the equity investor, BGF, and a banking relationship with PTSB. I want to thank him for his contribution and wish him the best for the future.”

Cormac said; “Tigers is a wonderful company with huge potential and superb colleagues.  I wish Karen and all the team continued success and growth”.  Cormac will retain a shareholding in the business.

Karen welcomed John as incoming Chairman; “I am very much looking forward to working with John in the months and years to come. We have exciting plans ahead to scale and grow the business and John’s experience and advice will be invaluable.”