Sean McCool: Logistics & Transport Leader 2017

Sean McCool is the Chairman of International Airline Marketing Limited (IAM), a company he established in 1989. The lead division in a group of companies that provide air cargo sales, trucking, handling, training and specialised packaging solutions; IAM is the official Irish office of a number of the world’s largest airlines, including American Airlines, Etihad, Air Canada and All Nippon Airways.

Sean's early career in the 1950′s saw him heavily involved in the highly competitive international air cargo business, holding numerous senior positions including key roles in Seaboard & Western Airlines, Brinks (who he introduced to Ireland) and Aer Lingus commercial cargo, where he was responsible for the establishment of the highly successful cargo operation in Ireland and Europe.

Aer Lingus EI-ALC. Sean McCool on right (c.1961)

Between 1960 and 1964 Sean participated as an Aer Lingus Executive on the Marketing Committee of the Confederation of Irish Industries.

Sean also established a number of companies in the Shannon Free Zone, including Shanex and South West Trading (entering the latter to joint venture with Minet Worldwide). In the 1980′s, Sean joined the board of Havelet Holdings (a Minet subsidiary).

Sean was also nominated for President of the Junior Chamber of Commerce Ireland on which he served on the National Executive and chaired one of the National Committees reporting through the then National President, Denis Murphy. In 1987 he assumed the position of Chairman, Ryanair Executive Jet Terminals. A year later, Sean went to South Africa as GM of Hudson Offshore Holdings, playing a key role in procuring one of the then largest projects in the Southern Hemisphere (1987/88).

Sean is founder member of the Irish Air Cargo Institute; the Irish Institute of Freight Forwarders (IIFA), where he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship for service to industry. He is a former Council member of FIATA, the Irish Exporters Association and a past VP of the European Confederation of National Freight Forwarders' Associations (C.L.E.C.A.T), a consultative body to the EU Commissioner of Transport. Following his appointment as Honorary Trade Commissioner for Republic of South Africa in Ireland, he established the Ireland South Africa Business Association in 1983.