MAYOR of Limerick John Moran made three new appointments to the board of designated activity company (DAC) Limerick Twenty Thirty.
Limerick Twenty Thirty is tasked by the Council with planning and developing key strategic sites across Limerick that will act as anchors for enterprise and investment development throughout the county.
As sole shareholder, the Mayor appointed Michael Barry, Siobhan Convery, and Keith O’Donnell as new members of the board.
Michael Barry has more than 20 years’ experience in commercial leadership in project delivery, strategy, and governance. He is currently MD of Calla Woods Ltd, an international independent real estate and construction consultancy.
Siobhan Convery has 30 years’ commercial property experience as a chartered surveyor. She is currently director of HARVEY Industrial Property Specialists in Dublin, a market leader in the Irish industrial and logistics property market.
Keith O’ Donnell has 35 years’ business experience. He is currently senior advisor with Portland Advisors, leading transaction teams executing large scale cross border finances.
Mayor Moran said this week that he was pleased to welcome the three appointees to the board of Limerick Twenty Thirty DAC.
“Each of them brings extensive experience and know-how in business to the table, particularly in the areas of finance and strategic development, which will directly enhance the company’s ambitious programme of delivery,” Mayor Moran said.
“Their insights will strengthen the board’s governance and continue to drive a culture of innovation in the company.”
The Mayor said that “we are still going through a process to find a fourth candidate, who we would like to have particular expertise in commercial finance”.
“The selection was not easy from such a qualified field of candidates. The calibre of these appointees gives me great comfort about the shared confidence widely held in a bright, prosperous future for the DAC and Limerick as a whole.”
Seats on the company’s board have been traditionally held for elected Limerick councillors, who sat on the board to provide oversight in the Council-owned company.
However rows broke out in the Council chamber last year when Mayor Moran expressed his wish to have board members apply and interview for the board, sharing the view that members “should only serve on those boards if they can bring specific knowledge” about the company’s function.
Councillors had since sought legal advice in relation to nominations to boards of DACs, and the powers of the Mayor to enforce such a position.
It remains to be seen if a councillor will be appointed to the fourth board seat.
The company’s current chairman is former Fianna Fáil councillor James Collins.
