ESB appoints Pat O’Doherty as CEO

Pat O’Doherty has been appointed chief executive of ESB to succeed Padraig McManus who is retiring.

The company has not specified O’Doherty’s commencement date in his new role.

McManus has been chief executive and board member since 2002, having joined the company in 1978.

O’Doherty, meanwhile, joined the ESB in 1981 and has worked throughout the business in senior management roles. Currently executive director of ESB Energy International, he has previously been executive director, ESB Networks; executive director, ESB Power Generation; and general manager, Synergen.

“Padraig has led the transformation of ESB from being a monopoly to being the leading Irish energy company in a competitive market. He has modernised our generation portfolio, renewed the networks, launched our new supply business and grown our operations internationally,” said Lochlann Quinn, ESB’s chairman.

“In addition he has kept ESB financially strong in very turbulent times. Padraig would be the first to point out that this has been a team effort but it has been his leadership which has made these achievements possible.”

Quinn said O’Doherty is taking over the job “at a very challenging time for the country and for ESB”.

“He brings with him enormous business experience. I am confident Pat will do an outstanding job for ESB.”