Shannon Airport Group CEO to depart

Mary Considine will take up new role as CEO of Irish Rail

Mary Considine, CEO of Shannon Group plc. Picture: Arthur Ellis.

The Shannon Airport Group CEO, Mary Considine, is stepping down from the role to take up the new position of CEO of Irish Rail.

Ms Considine has led the group for the past six years. Current Deputy CEO Ray O’Driscoll will assume the role of CEO on an interim basis. The Board of The Shannon Airport Group will now begin the process of recruiting a permanent successor.

Ms Considine built a three-decade career in aviation in a variety of roles, including Shannon Airport Director, Chief Financial Officer, Deputy CEO, before becoming CEO of the Group in 2019. She led the group through the covid pandemic, which saw global aviation shut down for extended periods. Today, the airport group supports more than 20,000 jobs and contributes €4bn to the Irish economy.

“Leading The Shannon Airport Group has been an extraordinary journey," Ms Considine said. "Together, we’ve navigated challenges, embraced innovation, expanded global connectivity, enhanced passenger experience, and strengthened our role as a gateway for trade and tourism."

“I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made and deeply grateful to our talented employees whose dedication, creativity, and resilience have been the driving force behind our success."

Shannon Airport Group, Chair, Conal Henry, thanked Mary for her service. "In her time at Shannon, Mary has been central to all that has been positive. In her six years as CEO, she has established The Shannon Airport Group as the national force for regional balance that it is today. She has shown that she is a leader with vision, courage and integrity and she will be sorely missed,” he said.