RTÉ finance chief to take up new role as CFO of State's largest private landlord 

RTÉ confirms CFO Mari Hurley’s resignation as Ires Reit announces her appointment as finance chief later this year

Ms Hurley became the State broadcaster’s CFO in August 2024 after Richard Collins left the post following the Ryan Tubridy payment scandal.

The chief financial officer of RTÉ, Mari Hurley, is set to take up a new role as finance chief at the Irish State’s largest private residential landlord.

Ms Hurley became the State broadcaster’s CFO in August 2024 after Richard Collins left the post following the Ryan Tubridy payment scandal.

RTÉ confirmed her resignation on Thursday night, with a Government source calling her departure a “really disappointing and concerning development”.

Private accommodation provider Irish Residential Properties REIT (Ires Reit) has announced Ms Hurley will take up the company’s top finance role this summer, with its current CFO, Brian Fagan, due to retire after five years in the job.

"Mari has an extensive and highly successful track record as a CFO across private, semi-state and listed companies, spanning a wide range of sectors – including property – with operations across multiple international markets," said Ires Reit chief executive, Eddie Byrne.

"Her depth of experience will be a significant and complementary addition to I-RES as we continue to play a vital role in addressing the country’s ongoing residential accommodation needs, and I look forward to welcoming her to the team."

Prior to her role at RTÉ, Ms Hurley worked as CFO at the AA (Ireland) and at Premier Lotteries Ireland, the operator of the Irish National Lottery.

She also served as CFO of Hostelworld Group plc for 11 years. Before that, Ms Hurley held the role of CFO at property advisory firm Sherry FitzGerald Group during its time as a listed company.

Speaking on her departure from RTÉ, director general, Kevin Bakhurst said: "Since she joined RTÉ in 2024, Mari has provided excellent professional advice, insight and support to me and to the leadership team in what has been a challenging time for the organisation.

"I would like to thank her for the significant amount that she has achieved during her time in RTÉ which has been helpful in putting the organisation back on a financially sustainable path.

"Mari has been meticulous in dealing with legacy issues as we put a robust governance framework in place for the future and we are grateful to her for that.

A spokesman for culture minister Patrick O’Donovan said he will be “engaging with the chair and director general of RTÉ in the coming days” over the vacancy.