LIMERICK Enterprise Development Partnership (LEDP) is delighted to announce the appointment of Niall O’Callaghan as Chief Executive Officer.
Formerly of IDA Ireland and more recently Shannon Heritage, Niall, who is a native of Adare and lives with his Maria and three children in Croagh, Co. Limerick, is a graduate of the University of Limerick and a postgraduate of University College Cork. He has over 15 years’ experience in both the private and public sectors, working across several industries.
Chairman of LEDP Gerard Boland said, “Niall is an accomplished leader and strategic thinker who has significant commercial and relationship management experience. His deep knowledge of our city and multiple business sectors makes him a perfect fit to drive LEDP to the next stage of its development.
“We are delighted to have secured Niall for this position and welcome him onboard, taking over from Gerry McDonnell who successfully led LEDP during his tenure for which I am immensely grateful. The Board of LEDP and I are very much looking forward to working with Niall to further our strategic objectives within the community.”
Limerick Enterprise Development Partnership (LEDP) is now over 21 years in existence and emerged from the ashes of the devasting closure of the Krups factory in 1998 with the loss of over 550 jobs. As a social enterprise, LEDP has in that time successfully contributed to the social fabric of Limerick City South through job creation, training and education and is a key stimulator for enterprise development and regeneration.
There are now 35 enterprises and 1,000 jobs on site at Roxboro with over €70M invested there since 2001. The new ‘Innovation Hub’ boasts a state-of-the-art training and education facility, and working closely with key education, industry and other stakeholders in the region, will continue to act as a beacon for future job creation.
As well as his achievements in helping to attract some major FDI companies to the Limerick region in recent years, Niall O’Callaghan oversaw Shannon Heritage’s transformation and emergence as a leader in tourism event generation, digital marketing and social media activities.
Mr O’Callaghan, said “I am delighted to take up this position at a crucial time in Limerick Enterprise Development Partnership’s development. LEDP effectively transformed what to many was a hopeless situation when the Krups factory closed into a growth engine for the area through programmes in education, training and social enterprise.
“It has been a remarkable success and a great symbol for Limerick’s resilience. The board has a real clarity of purpose and I look forward to working with it and stakeholders in the region to achieve our goals and objectives into the future.”
A native of Adare, Co. Limerick, Niall is the immediate past Chairman of AVEA – the national Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions and previously sat on the Government’s Tourism Leadership Group, amongst other committees and boards. He is a former Irish International athlete and well known in local athletics circles.
