Kenny Jacobs in London in 2017. Photo: Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images

Corkman named as daa CEO

The new Chief Executive Officer of the daa is Corkman Kenny Jacobs, who was appointed last Friday for a seven-year term.

He will take up the role in January, succeeding Dalton Philips who left at the end of the summer.

Kenny Jacobs has experience in marketing, commercial and operations in various large consumer serving businesses including Ryanair. He spent over six years at Ryanair as Chief Marketing Officer, where he lead digital, customer service, marketing and communications. During his career, he has gained international experience working for companies including Metro Group, MoneySuperMarket, Tesco Ireland & UK and Ryanair.

The daa has airport and travel retail business interests in 15 countries around the world. daa’s principal activities include operating Dublin and Cork airports in Ireland, global airport retailing through its subsidiary Aer Rianta International (ARI) and international aviation consultancy and investment through daa International. The company is state-owned and headquartered at Dublin Airport.

daa chairman Basil Geoghegan, said: “We are delighted that Kenny is joining daa as CEO. He brings a unique knowledge of aviation and retail businesses and understands the importance of excellent customer service, commercial growth, retail, and marketing and communications.

“He has a proven track record of putting the customer at the heart of the business and on the delivery of outstanding service. His leadership, expertise and experience will be vital to our operations at Dublin and Cork airports, in ARI and in daa international as we embrace the growth opportunities that lie ahead,” he said.

“Kenny is keen to engage with our customers, employees and other stakeholders to champion the implementation of our new daa corporate strategy under his tenure. I know Kenny will make a strong positive impact on our people and on our business at home and abroad.”

Kenny Jacobs said he is delighted to be taking up the role. “I am looking forward to working with daa’s experienced and committed team, as well as our airline and airport customers and other stakeholders to progress our growth plans for a sustainable future. I know first-hand the vital role that everyone at daa plays in supporting inbound tourism, providing connectivity for businesses in an open island economy and enabling the love of travel that Irish consumers have.

“My focus will be to deliver an efficient travel experience for consumers using our airports, supporting traffic growth and building on daa’s vast experience of operating national strategic infrastructure, at home and abroad as a key economic enabler in terms of trade, tourism and social cohesion.”

The Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan welcomed the appointment of Jacobs. He said: “Mr Jacobs takes over this role at an important and challenging time for the daa and I would like to extend my best wishes to him as he takes up his new role.”

Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton added: “As the aviation sector continues its recovery from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, and Dublin and Cork Airports passenger levels continue to rebound, Mr Kenny’s significant experience, including his focus on customer service and improving the travel experience of passengers, will be hugely beneficial to the company.”