The founder of the publishing group behind Joe.ie and Her.ie is stepping away from his executive role in the Irish business.

Maximum Media co-owner Niall McGarry is stepping away from the Irish business – but remains a shareholder and will continue to be heavily involved with the UK side of things.

It comes amid claims listener figures for some of its sponsored content were inflated by a so-called 'click farm.'

The Sunday Business Post reported that the number of plays on an AIB-sponsored podcast were artificially boosted.

The controversy led to one of the country’s biggest advertising agencies, Core, pulling its campaigns from the group.

The company said it was treating the matter seriously.

In a statement this evening, said it had been “reviewing how we can do better as a business” following the revelations.

It said an assessment of its management structures had found a need for greater controls.

As part of the changes, the company’s chairman Justin Cullen is taking on more executive responsibility in the newly created role of Executive Chairman.

Day-to-day executive management of the company will be divided between its Chief Commercial Officer, Gillian Fitzpatrick, Chief Marketing Officer, Paul Dunkin, and Chief Financial Officer, Ronan Doolin.

All three will report directly to Mr Cullen.

“We are confident that with this new leadership structure will deliver the solidity and market confidence required to ensure the business can operate effectively and continue to innovate and grow,” the company said.

It said it will continue to assess the new structure and will make further changes should they prove necessary.