New chief executive for high-profile Limerick engineering company

RAHEEN engineering firm Kirby Group is to get a new chief executive in the New Year.

It comes as its existing leader Mark Flanagan announces he will step down after five years on January 1 next.

As part of a planned transition, Henry McCann will step into the role of chief executive.

He has spent the last five years as group operations director.

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Mr Flanagan leaves after leading the engineering company through what Kirby has described as an unprecedented period of profitable growth and international expansion.

The company, which employs 1,800 people in Limerick, says it’s on track to record turnover above €700m this year.

It’s anticipated Mr Flanagan will continue supporting the company as executive director.

“Change is a constant, and it creates exciting opportunities, which have put Kirby Group Engineering in a strong position. We believe it is well placed for the future thanks to our consistent approach to client service through the ‘Kirby Way’ and in structured and proactive planning. Nowhere is this approach more evident than in how we focus on having the right leadership and people in place through our succession planning, which aims to ensure we can lead in meeting the needs of our valued customers into the future,” said the outgoing chief.

Mr McCann says he is determined that helping people reach their full potential will be a key priority for his term as chief executive.

“I am passionate about focusing on people and the further development of Kirby as a learning and teaching organisation. I have also developed a strong instinct for understanding and pre-empting our valued clients’ needs which is key to building sustainable partnerships that can deliver real value into the future.”