Former DAA chief Kenny Jacobs joins drone delivery firm Manna 

Appointment follows Mr Jacob's departure from DAA after settling a lawsuit against the Dublin and Cork Airport operator

Kenny Jacobs . Picture date: Tuesday March 14, 2023.

Former chief executive of DAA Kenny Jacobs has joined drone delivery company Manna as executive chairman as the firm looks to expand across the US and the UK. 

Mr Jacobs has been appointed as president of the drone company, which was established in 2018 by Bobby Healy. 

In a statement, Manna said the former DAA CEO and Ryanair executive is joining at an important time for the company as it shifts its focus to growth in the US, UK and other markets where regulation and local planning is "ready to support drone delivery."

Last month, Manna announced that it would cease drone deliveries in Ireland, citing regulatory and planning roadblocks. The company said the move represented a strategic pause rather than a permanent withdrawal from Ireland, adding that it remains confident drone delivery can play “an important role in strengthening communities”.

The company has operated services in Cork, Moneygall, Oranmore, Balbriggan and Blanchardstown, and has also expanded internationally to Helsinki and Texas. 

Bobby Healy, founder and CEO of Manna Aero in Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

"Manna already holds operational authorisation in the US and UK," the company said. "Ireland remains the company’s base for research, engineering, manufacturing and corporate functions, employing close to 200 people."

In February, Jacobs stepped down as chief executive of DAA after he settled a lawsuit brought against the State airport operator following a rift with the board of the company.

Speaking on his new role, Mr Jacobs said: “Manna is one of the most exciting companies coming out of Ireland in a generation."

"Bobby and the team have built world-leading drone delivery technology and the opportunity now is to expand and commercialise that across a variety of industries in the US, UK and other markets where policy and regulation are more advanced. I could not be more excited to join.”

CEO Bobby Healy added: "Kenny is one of the few executives who has scaled aviation, retail and digital businesses internationally — and done so commercially. 

"We are entering the most important phase in Manna’s history, taking Irish-built technology to the markets where commercial drone delivery is now a reality. Having Kenny as executive chair and president will give Manna the experience at scaling up operations and commercial partnerships.”

Founded in 2018, Manna has completed more than 300,000 deliveries and earlier this year, closed a $50m funding round. Investors include ARK Invest, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, Schooner Capital, Coca-Cola HBC and Molten Ventures.