Anne O’Leary, head of Meta Ireland and former CEO of Vodafone Ireland, has been appointed as president of Ibec for 2024 to 2025, succeeding Pfizer Global Supply’s Paul Duffy.
O’Leary joined Meta in September 2022 as VP of the Facebook owner’s EMEA Mid-Market Global Business Group and was promoted to head of Meta Ireland in 2023.
She now oversees staff at Meta Ireland’s Ballsbridge headquarters, Clonee data centre, and Reality Labs in Cork.
She also holds seats on the boards of ESRI and Greencore, and spent nine years leading Vodafone in Ireland.
O’Leary has also acted as managing director of BT Ireland and regional director of Esat Telecom.
O’Leary said she was immensely proud to have been appointed president of Ibec and that she has always placed great value in the group’s role as the voice of business and employers.
“Ireland’s economy is in a very strong position, thanks to factors such as our openness to trade, capital, and people,” she continued.
“We must continue to be agile and responsive to new investment, support Irish businesses in internationalising, and ensure that Ireland remains a place where careers can grow and develop.
“However, I believe the position we are in now is predominantly due to the hard work of businesses and their ambition to grow and scale.
“As a country, we have a real opportunity to make strategic investments that will ultimately future-proof our success so that businesses can continue to thrive.
“I look forward to working on behalf of Ibec and our members with this government and the next in navigating these opportunities.”
Danny McCoy, CEO of Ibec, said: “We are delighted to announce Anne as the incoming President.
“Anne has a deep understanding of the global business landscape in Ireland and, through her many roles, has worked closely with the Irish SME sector.
“At this time of change, having someone of Anne’s experience supporting the business community is crucial for our advocacy work.
“Anne is not only a brilliant champion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion but also someone who works hard to uphold these principles through her leadership of Meta Ireland, a global giant based in Ireland with a diverse and global workforce representing over 110 nationalities.
“We extend our best wishes to her for a successful year ahead.”
O’Leary will address Ibec members and stakeholders at the employers’ group’s annual president’s dinner at the RDS on Thursday evening, where Taoiseach Simon Harris will also speak.
Photo: (l-r) Danny McCoy and Anne O’Leary. (Pic: Conor McCabe Photography)