Joe Aherne is CEO of the Leading Edge Group of companies. Joe is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), having received a Meritorious Distinction from the CPA Institute, with over 25 years experience in the multinational sector. He also has attained qualifications from the Marketing Institute of Ireland and from CITY Bank in the US.

During his qualification years and prior to his departure to the Middle East in 1984, Joe worked for a diversity of manufacturing and service organizations in Ireland. In Saudi Arabia, he joined the Masstock Group– one of the largest dairy companies in the world, and was subsequently appointed to the executive board of the dairy division. On completion of his 4-year contract, Joe joined London European Airways PLC as Finance Director, and, in 1991, was head-hunted to re- structure EDPAC, a US computer room air-conditioning company.

Joe established the Leading Edge Group in 1995 as a niche boutique consulting and education company supporting the multi-national sector. The Group is now recognized as one of the largest independent consulting organizations in Europe with over 600 projects completed successfully since its inception.

In April 2005, Joe launched the new International Standard in Lean comprising 4 levels of certification commencing with a Yellow Belt certification and leading to a Lean Master Black Belt. He is currently leading a major international drive in the use of Lean Healthcare philosophies and practices.

Joe is the chairperson and founder of the Supply Chain and Operations Court of Experts that comprises some of the top global corporations (www.courtofexperts.com). He is also a member of the CPA executive council.