PÁDRAIG Ó CEIDIGH has stepped down from his role as Shannon Group Chair.
The Clare Echo has learned that that founder of Aer Arann has stepped down from the post. He announced his letter in a resignation to Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan (GP) on Wednesday.
He is said to have cited work commitments as a reason for having to depart the role suddenly, The Clare Echo understands.
Ó Ceidigh was appointed as Chair in September on a three year term with initial reports linking him to the role appearing in The Clare Echo last February.
He was notably absent at a function to celebrate the resumption of transatlantic flights at Shannon Airport in the past fortnight.
Formerly Chief Executive Office and Chairman of Aer Arann for some 26 years. He is a former winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and represented Ireland at the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year. His announcement as Shannon Group Chair was widely welcomed in the Mid-West.
When Minister Ryan made the appointment, Ó Céidigh said he was “deeply committed to working with the CEO and Board” in Shannon Group’s recovery from the pandemic. He stated, “The revitalisation of the airport is important not only for the staff who work there, but for the thousands of people who rely on Shannon’s air connectivity for their business and livelihoods”.
Prior to Ó Ceidigh’s appointment, the Chair of Shannon Group had been vacant since August 2020 when Rose Hynes’ twelve month contract extension expired.
Former Chief Executive of Aurivo, the co-operative owned maker of Donegal Creameries Milk and Connacht Gold Spreads, Aaron Forde was appointed as Hynes’ successor in February 2021 but within hours Minister Ryan had to withdraw this appointment after historical tweets criticising Travellers, social welfare recipients and the Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar (FG).
