Management
Approach
EIRE Systems strives to provide a level of technical expertise and project management that exceeds our clients’ expectations. In Tokyo, for example, this means having Japanese language skills and a thorough understanding of local working practices. We meet these requirements by employing only the highest quality and most capable professionals in the market. We have become successful by employing and retaining people with the capacity to succeed at whatever tasks our client assignments require.
Our employees’ know-how and skills are our greatest asset so we put a great deal of emphasis on our recruiting and training processes. We provide training to our staff in Japan and overseas in areas such as project management, IT integration and technical support, and where applicable, vendor product training.
To ensure all projects and ongoing works are completed successfully, communication among all our members is vitally important. EIRE Systems management regularly meets with staff members to review project fundamentals and progress. EIRE Systems staff members are required to produce monthly reports and timesheets outlining tasks achieved and issues outstanding. Ensuring the highest level of communication within our organization enables us to successfully complete our client projects on time and within budget.
Meet The Team
Founder, Managing Director
Paul has over 30 years of experience in the IT industry, working as an IT consultant and senior/executive project manager. He has completed many major IT projects in the Financial Services, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Real Estate, Technology, Media & Telecom, Hospitality and Retail sectors.
After graduating in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the Dublin Institute of Technical (DIT) and receiving a B.Sc. (Eng) from Trinity College Dublin, Paul moved to Japan to work for over two years at the R&D facility of a large Japanese electronics manufacturer. From there, Paul moved into the Semiconductor Sector, working for a US start-up manufacturing test equipment for the Japanese Flat Panel inspecting equipment market. After spending over five years in this position, Paul and Matthew Connolly set up EIRE Systems K.K. in Tokyo in January 1996.
Since 1996, working as a key member of the EIRE Systems management team, Paul has helped to develop EIRE Systems service offerings in the IT Consulting, IT Support and Project Management fields. He assisted in establishing EIRE’s offices and businesses in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Shanghai. Paul has also completed multiple client assignments across the APAC region, including China, Taiwan, Australia, and Korea.
Founder, Managing Director
Matthew Connolly is a co-founder, along with Paul Timmons, and Managing Director of EIRE Systems, a leading Asia-based IT services firm. Matthew’s leadership and vision has enabled EIRE Systems to grow organically with more than 200 people based in offices throughout Asia. His domain expertise has contributed to the development of EIRE Systems extremely high reputation for providing the best solutions and value in all areas of technology infrastructure for its clients.
Having been based in Japan from 1990, after graduating with an Electronics Engineering degree from Trinity College, Matthew started his career as a software developer within the insurance, electronics, and investment banking sectors, moving into technology infrastructure management, also within the investment banking sector, before establishing EIRE Systems in 1996. As a Consultant and Project Director, Matthew has successfully delivered numerous highly complex business critical technology infrastructure projects for his clients in the Asia region.
Matthew has an extensive network of connections both in Japan and the region, is very active within the Asia Pacific Irish business community and a former President of the Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce and current President of The Ireland Funds chapter in Japan, a global philanthropy network.
Country Manager
Richard Cooke is Country Manager of EIRE Systems Hong Kong, with overall responsibility for the business in the Greater China region. Having been based in Hong Kong since 1995, Richard has a great deal of experience in running successful regionally based IT businesses.
Prior to moving to Asia Richard led sales teams and developed a distribution network across Europe in the IT infrastructure and electronics space, implemented operational systems and accredited quality procedures.
Since moving to Hong Kong, he has developed an extensive network within the financial, banking, insurance, carrier, telco and data centre provider market sectors. Richard has developed many complex solutions to meet customer needs and is comfortable negotiating at CXO and Board levels of multinational organisations.
Beyond business Richard is a keen sportsman and has been highly involved in rugby, cycling and triathlon, having also been a board member of both Rugby and Triathlon’s National Sporting Associations in Hong Kong.
Managing Director
Jim Connolly is the Managing Director of EIRE Systems Singapore, with responsibility for South East Asia. With over 20 years of experience in financial and network technology across the Asia Pacific region, Jim brings a deep and broad understanding of the needs of multinational organizations, both from a technical and business management perspective.
Jim’s career includes 15 years working in both Business Development and Technology units at one of the largest global financial information system providers. His experience with that firm includes management as the lead coordinator for a major software upgrade and associated end-user training covering a user base of several thousand users across the Asia Pacific Region. Additionally, having been based in Singapore and Tokyo, and having direct coverage of users in Hong Kong he carries a comprehensive insight into the differing business needs across these centers.
With his long and varied history of business development with clients ranging from the largest global banks to locally based corporations and financial institutions across Asia, Jim brings a record of collaborative data and technology infrastructure solutions that address client needs comprehensively.
General Manager
Colin Silvester joined EIRE Systems in December 2023 as General Manager, based in Tokyo. He collaborates closely with the senior management team to develop and implement business strategies that will drive growth whilst maintaining EIRE Systems’ high standards of quality and reliability.
Colin’s extensive career showcases over two decades of rich experience in IT and management, marked by significant roles that influence IT security, corporate governance, and strategic leadership across regions. His prior positions saw him spearheading major digital transformations and IT strategy implementations, supporting the company’s sustainable growth, and managing a multi-million-dollar budget.
Colin’s deep engagement in business strategy and development has been integral to his roles. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Cyber Security at Royal Holloway, University of London, he continues to fortify his expertise, aiming for completion in 2026. His bilingual proficiency in Japanese and English further complements his role, bridging cultural and technical communications within the company.