Eir chief executive Lennon stepping down to be replaced by Oliver Loomes

Eir chief executive Carolan Lennon is stepping down and will be replaced by Diageo executive Oliver Loomes.

Mr Loomes will join Eir on February 1st and Ms Lennon will work with him in the coming months to ensure a “smooth transition”, the telecoms company announced on Tuesday.

Prior to his appointment, Mr Loomes was chairman and managing director at Diageo Ireland. He was also marketing and innovation director for Ireland for the drinks company, where he led the Arthur's Day campaign as part of the Guinness 250th anniversary celebration, and global brand director for Guinness. He has also held a number of roles with Mars in Britain and Ireland.

“Eir is both a company with a long and rich history, and a fantastic culture of creativity and investment that is unrivalled in the market. I am excited to continue and expand that vision for growth,” Mr Loomes said. “The last two years have only accelerated our reliance on the digital world, be that learning or working from home, or playing or shopping online.

LetsGetChecked to create 150 jobs as firm aims to expand global reach

---

Hawk-Eye profits slide due to Covid-19 effect on sports fixtures

---

Thousands of China’s tech workers tested as Covid-19 cases soar

---

The latest Covid tech from CES

---

“Eir has been innovating in telecoms for decades and its continued ambition to give its customers the tools they need to connect in an ever-changing digital world underlines its commitment to remaining at the forefront of the market.

World-class

David McRedmond, chairman of Eir, said: “With decades of experience in leading iconic brands, Oliver Loomes is the ideal person to lead Eir’s next phase, focused on developing a world-class customer experience and a brand that Ireland can be proud of.”

Ms Lennon had indicated to the board last year that she would leave Eir in 2022. She was appointed chief executive in 2018.

“I am proud to have been part of Eir’s story and I have enjoyed each day working alongside an inspiring team,” Ms Lennon said. “As we emerge from the pandemic, our country has endless opportunities for growth.

“Ireland is one of the most innovative countries in the world. We are educated, ambitious and adaptable, but we can only realise our full potential if we have world class connectivity infrastructure in place. That is what Eir makes possible and that is what Eir is building every day.”