Shannon Group chief executive set for Ports of Jersey move

THE chief executive of the Shannon group is to leave the company in June to take up a similar role with the Ports of Jersey.

Matthew Thomas joined the Shannon Group in June 2016 and has overseen a period of growth across the group’s activities.

Under his stewardship, passenger numbers at Shannon Airport grew to 1.86 million last year, up 6.5% on the previous year.

Meanwhile, the Shannon Free Zone business park is 94% occupied.

Group Chairperson Rose Hynes said: “​Over the last three years, each business within the group – Shannon Airport, Shannon Heritage and Shannon Commercial Properties has performed strongly despite often very challenging and uncertain commercial conditions.”

She paid a warm tribute to Mr Thomas, who hails from Manchester in England.

For his part, Mr Thomas added: “I feel privileged to have worked with an outstanding management team and, together with our dedicated and committed employees, we’ve really transformed the Group during the past three years.”

Shannon Chamber president Mary Considine, currently the deputy chief executive will take on the role of acting head of the Shannon Group while a successor to Mr Thomas is sought.