b'FrAnCe ArOunD THe WOrLD Welcome Helen LambertThe new President of The Ireland Fund of France Helen Lambert, born and raised in Co. Tipperary, is the owner and CEO of Lambert + Associates, an international products sourcing office offering consultancy services toluxury retailers with offices in five fashion and design capitals in Europe and the US.Following her education in Ireland, Helen moved to Paris where she held a seriesof positions in media advertising and marketing, expanding into the beauty and fashionsectors, before becoming International Advertising Director for IGA. In this role she oversaw and developed 34 Elle and 20 Elle Decoration magazines, having been instrumental in the launch of several.In 2004 she became CEO of AGA Group, a buying offices group, which she setabout restructuring, bought the following year, and three years later renamed Lambert +Associates. Revisiting strategy, launching the website and renegotiating all existing con-tracts, the company added retail consulting to its activities. L+A company promotes creativity, forecasts trends, sources the best product, andfacilitates the connection between the different market players.Its roster of internationalretailers includes Neiman Marcus & Bergdorf Goodman, Holt Renfrew, and Fenwick.Within the past two years the company has also entered into the Indonesian and MiddleEastern markets through contracts with Megah Group and Harvey Nichols Riyadh, respectively.In 2010 she became a board member of the governmental clothing developmentand promotion committee DEFI. She is also a board member of the strategic committeeof the Irish Cultural Centre in Paris and an active member of the Global Irish EconomicForum.In January 2013 she was awarded the Chevalier dans lOrdre National du Mrite forservicestothefashionindustry.And,inNovember2013,shewasappointed President of The Ireland Fund of France.I am very honoured to have been asked to represent The Ireland Fund of France,says Helen. France has been a friend to Ireland for many centuries and I look forwardto celebrating that friendship in my work with The Ireland Funds. I have nominated a newBoard, a group of people who are very enthusiastic and fully committed to making aHelen Lambertdifference as part the Promising Ireland Campaign. We are delighted to announce thatRory Montgomery, the Irish Ambassador to France, has agreed to accept the position ofHonorary President. I would like to thank Aine Ads and her team for their contribution to the successof The Ireland Fund of France during the past few years and it is the intention of the new Board to continue to support the many charitable and cultural initiatives requiringassistance in these difficult times.connect2014 | 99'