14 June 2021
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
Micheál O’Connor to assume the role as the company reports its strongest ever turnover of €486M
The Cork Headquartered Dornan Group updates today on the appointment of Carrigaline’s Micheál O’Connor in the role of Managing Director for the business.
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor and Past President of the Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland, Micheál brings almost 30 years’ experience in the construction industry to the role. Prior to joining Dornan, Micheál was Vice President and General Manager for Ireland and Northern Europe with Jacobs.
Today’s announcement also marks the continued growth and success of the company in Ireland, UK and Europe with record turnover of €486m recorded in 2020 – up from €332m in 2019. As the company eyes further expansion, a number of strategic hires have been made in the last year with more recruitment on the cards over the next 18 months.
Dornan Group directly employs more than 1,300 people across its various offices and projects in Ireland, UK, and Europe, and employs a further 2,500 through its supply chain in these regions. The company has almost doubled its headcount in the past five years due to its growth in engineering, modern methods of construction and commissioning.
Having joined Dornan Group as Deputy Managing Director in March 2020, Micheál has spent the past 14 months working closely with the senior leadership team of Brian Acheson (CEO), Paul Flynn (Group Operations Director) and David Myers (Group Commercial Director) as well as Oliver Lonergan, the outgoing Managing Director.
Oliver, who has held the role of Managing Director since 2004, will remain with the business as a Director for the next three years focused primarily on the Company’s continued business growth and project governance.
Commenting on Micheál’s appointment, Brian Acheson, CEO of Dornan Group, said: “We are delighted to announce Micheál’s appointment as Managing Director of Dornan Group. Micheál has already proven himself as a driven and dedicated leader. His extensive experience in project delivery, coupled with his strategic focus on innovation, technology, sustainability and inclusion will help to set us up for continued success. While the last year has had its challenges, we recorded our strongest turnover in the history of the company in 2020. I look forward to working closely with Micheál as we build on this success. I also want to thank Oliver for his significant contribution to the business over the past 18 years. During this time the business has grown to a €480m business; expanding into new sectors and European regions – and Oliver has led the charge for that growth.”
In his new role as Managing Director, Micheál O’Connor will lead the Dornan Group’s ambitious growth strategy while lending his expertise to enhancing Dornan’s safety programme and the strategic vision to enhance the Group’s modern methods of construction and digital transformation.
Micheál added, “Dornan Group is an innovative, progressive company and I am taking on this new role at an exciting time. It’s been an interesting year, and although restrictions meant I was unable to meet many of the team face-to-face at first, technology enabled a seamless transition.
Working closely with Oliver, Brian and rest of the senior leadership team over the past 14 months while preparing for the role of Managing Director has been hugely beneficial and I want to thank Oliver in particular for his guidance and advice. Oliver has great depth of knowledge and has forged strong relationships with clients and colleagues during his time at Dornan. I hope to continue his excellent legacy as we work together to grow the company while delivering excellence of service.”
