Niall Gleeson takes over as Irish Water chief executive

Irish Water managing director Niall Gleeson is taking over as chief executive of the State-owned utility.

Mr Gleeson is taking on the newly created post of chief executive as Irish Water prepares to split with parent Ervia, to become an independent publicly owned and regulated business.

Ervia's board appointed Mr Gleeson following a public competition for the post approved by Darragh O'Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Mr Gleeson will initially report to Ervia chief executive, Cathal Marley. Once Irish Water is spun off from its current parent, he will answer to its board.

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Ervia appointed Mr Gleeson as managing director of Irish Water in August 2019.

An engineer, he previously worked for infrastructure-focused companies including Shanahan Engineering, Veolia Ireland and Alstom.

Mr Gleeson said he was delighted to be taking over a chief executive at a turning point in Irish Water’s history.

Mr Marley wished him every success in his new job. Ervia chairman Tony Keohane noted that Mr Gleeson had made an enormous contribution to Irish Water since joining the organisation.

Ervia is the State group that owns Irish Water and Gas Networks Ireland.