Former Ciett Council member James Kilbane dies

 

James Kilbane, co-founder of Irish recruitment group Grafton, has passed away following a battle with illness. Mr Kilbane had been the representative of NRF Ireland at the Ciett Council for several years. 

Kilbane founded the Grafton Employment Group in 1982. He was joined one year later by Ken Belshaw and together they then opened their first office in Dublin. The company has since expanded into an international recruitment network spanning 70 offices in 16 countries. He retired last April.

Under Kilbane’s stewardship, Grafton Employment Group was recognised a number of times by the UK government, with Grafton receiving the Queen’s Award for Enterprise twice, in 2002 and 2006.

Denis Pennel, Managing Director of Ciett said "James was actively committed to the life of Ciett and Eurociett for many years. He will be remebered as a man with a loving personality, who showed great care for the people aroud him."

The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC)’s Tom Hadley, who worked with James Kilbane on the CIETT Council, says: “James was a pioneering advocate for the industry, establishing branches worldwide and helping new markets to develop.  He was passionate about enhancing the perception of recruiters and actively supported the work of CIETT and Eurociett as well as the REC and the NRF in Ireland. 

“Above all, James was a hugely charismatic and engaging man. He will be sorely missed but remembered fondly by all those who had the privilege to spend time with him.”

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