*Ray O’Driscoll.
RAY O’DRISCOLL has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Shannon Airport Group.
O’Driscoll has been Interim CEO since September following the resignation of Mary Considine. He takes up the full-time role with immediate effect. He has previously served as Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer with the Shannon Airport Group. The Cork native becomes the fourth CEO, following in the footsteps of Neil Pakey, Matthew Thomas and Considine. The post has been filled, four months after the vacancy was advertised and seven months after Considine’s exit.
He joined the Shannon Airport Group in 2014 as Managing Director of Shannon Commercial Properties, the Group’s commercial property division.
During his time with the Group, he has overseen the transformation of the organisation’s property portfolio into a significant economic driver for the region and played a central role in advancing aviation development and commercial growth at Shannon Airport.
Before joining the Group, Ray held senior finance roles with Barry Group and Eurologic Systems Ltd, having begun his career with EY in Cork. He is a member of Chartered Accountants Ireland, holds an MBA from the University of Westminster, a Diploma in Strategy from UCD Smurfit Business School, and is a Chartered Director (CDir) with the Institute of Directors. He also serves as a Director of Shannon Chamber of Commerce.
Ray said he is “honoured to be appointed Chief Executive Officer of The Shannon Airport Group. Having worked within the organisation since 2014, I have witnessed the incredible dedication of our teams and the vital role the Group plays in enhancing regional connectivity, supporting economic development and contributing to Ireland’s aviation and commercial landscape.
“I look forward to continuing this work alongside the Board, our partners and our committed colleagues. Together, we will build on our strategic priorities, strengthen our offering for airport passengers and customers, further enhance our commercial property activities at the Shannon Airport Business Park, and drive positive growth for the region and the communities we serve.”
Commenting on the appointment, Conal Henry, Chairperson of The Shannon Airport Group, said: “The Board is delighted to confirm the appointment of Ray O’Driscoll as Chief Executive Officer of The Shannon Airport Group. Ray has demonstrated exceptional leadership, professionalism and commitment throughout his tenure to date, including during his period as Deputy CEO and then Interim CEO.
“His deep understanding of both the aviation and commercial property sectors, combined with the vision and capability he has shown over more than a decade with the organisation, places him in a strong position to lead the Group at this important moment. As we look ahead to the opportunities and challenges that lie before us, the Board has full confidence in Ray’s ability to guide The Shannon Airport Group into its next chapter of growth, innovation and regional impact,” Henry added.
Minister for Transport and for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien (FF) offered his congratulations. “I recently visited the airport and met Ray through his role as Interim Chief Executive Officer, and I know that he will bring an impressive wealth of experience and knowledge across both airport management and commercial property development to the role. The Shannon Airport Group continues to grow, with Shannon Airport’s passenger levels in 2025 the highest they have been in 16 years, and the Shannon Airport Business Park now at near-full capacity. This growth is testament to the determination and ambition of The Shannon Airport Group, and how they have responded to both the challenges and opportunities of recent years. Ray has played a significant part in how the Group met those challenges and opportunities, through his roles as Managing Director of Shannon Commercial Enterprises, Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer”.
Minister O’Brien added, “The Group is uniquely placed to act as a catalyst for further economic growth, and its 2024–2028 strategic plan positions it to deliver substantial benefits for the local, regional and national economy. I would like to extend my best wishes to Ray as he takes up his new role as CEO, and I am confident that he will lead the Group to continued and further growth in the coming years”.
