Fáilte Ireland has appointed Paul Kelly, current strategic marketing director with UCD Smurfit Business School, as its new chief executive.
The appointment will be effective from February 1st and brings to an end a long wait to see who would succeed Shaun Quinn.
The new appointee is a Wexford man (and former UCD student himself) with a distinguished career, having worked previously as marketing director for Diageo Ireland and European marketing director for Aviva.
Kelly said:
"I hope to build on the great work done in recent years by Shaun Quinn and the strong team in Fáilte Ireland.
Michael Cawley, chairman of Fáilte Ireland, commented:
"During his distinguished career in world-class consumer marketing led companies, Paul has demonstrated the management and marketing leadership, which will be crucial for the task of continuing the development of the Irish tourism industry which is so vital to Ireland’s economy.
"We have been very fortunate to secure the services of such an experienced professional as Paul as a leader of the Irish tourism sector and my colleagues on the Board of Fáilte Ireland and I look forward to working with him in the challenging times that lie ahead. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Shaun Quinn, who will retire as CEO at the end of this month, for his many years of service and wish him well for the future."