Dublin Airport Authority chief executive Dalton Philips is leaving his role to become CEO at Greencore Group plc.
The company said that Philips, who has been DAA chief executive for almost five years, will continue in his current role until September.
Philips commented: “I am incredibly grateful to the broader leadership team and staff of DAA who have put their shoulder to the wheel throughout Covid, and especially over recent months, in bridging the gap between spiralling demand for air travel and the restoration of our full operational capacity, expected next month.
“Despite the unprecedented challenges Covid imposed on our lives and livelihoods, our airports continued to provide an essential and safe service throughout, and are strongly positioned to remain a vital component of Ireland’s next phase of economic growth and prosperity well into the future.”
DAA has yet to publish its 2021 annual report. In a trading update in September 2021, the company said group turnover for the seven-month period to July 2021 was down 79% when compared to the same period in 2019.
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Group operating costs, after taking into consideration government supports, were cut by c.54% when compared to the same period in 2019. Total net debt in July 2021 was €940m.
Group liquidity was c.€1,050m, comprising an undrawn €450 million syndicated revolving credit facility and cash of €600m.
DAA stated that a competitive search process for a new chief executive will begin immediately.
Chairman Basil Geoghegan said that he is “extremely sorry” that Philips is leaving the business.
“DAA had achieved significant growth under Dalton’s tenure, resulting in record passenger numbers and a strong financial performance before the onset of the recent global pandemic,” said Geoghegan.
“Dalton and his leadership team navigated DAA through the most challenging period in the history of aviation, keeping our staff and passengers safe, reducing our cost base and successfully raising €1.15 billion in additional liquidity.
“Dalton also spearheaded the development of a €2 billion investment plan that positions DAA for continued and sustainable growth into the future.”
Philips replaces Patrick Coveney, who left Greencore at the end of March.
Before the DAA role, Philips was CEO of Wm Morrison Plc, the UK's fourth largest supermarket chain, between 2010 and 2015. He also held senior roles with the George Weston Group, including as COO of Loblaw Companies, the leading Canadian grocery retailer, and CEO of Brown Thomas in Dublin.
He has a BA from University College Dublin as well as an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Gary Kennedy, executive chairman of Greencore, stated: “In addition to his outstanding knowledge of the grocery sector, Dalton has a strong track record of leading dynamic consumer-related businesses.
“We see him as the ideal candidate to lead Greencore into the next phase of its journey as it continues to emerge strongly from the challenges of trading through the pandemic.”
Greencore is a leading manufacturer of convenience food and supplies supply all of the major supermarkets in the UK, as well as convenience and travel retail outlets, discounters, coffee shops, foodservice and other retailers.
Product categories span sandwiches, salads, sushi, chilled snacking, chilled ready meals, chilled soups and sauces, chilled quiche, ambient sauces and pickles, and frozen Yorkshire Puddings.
In the year to September 2021, Greencore manufactured 645m sandwiches and other food to go products, 117m chilled prepared meals, and 256m bottles of cooking sauces, pickles and condiments.
Annual turnover is £1.3bn and the group employs c.13,000 people.
