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ESB Executive Team

The Executive Team focuses on the execution of the ESB strategy, technological and commercial developments, programme execution, financial and competitive performance, people development, governance, organisational development and group-wide policies. 

Paddy Hayes, white man with blonde hair and wearing glasses Paddy Hayes Chief Executive

Appointed Chief Executive in August 2021. Before this, held the position of Managing Director of ESB Networks from 2018 and Executive Director, Generation and Wholesale Markets from 2012 to 2018. Holds a Master’s Degree in Engineering from University College Dublin, an MBA from the University of Warwick and is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers of Ireland. Paddy worked in the steel industry in the UK before moving to the energy sector in 1999 to lead the Synergen joint venture between ESB and Statoil. A member of the Board of Directors of Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and is Chair of the Open Doors Initiative.

Marguerite Sayers, white woman with short black hair and wearing a blue ad white cardigan with black top underneath Marguerite Sayers Deputy Chief Executive

Appointed Deputy Chief Executive in July 2022. Immediately prior to this, held the role of Executive Director, Customer Solutions from 2018. Marguerite has worked in various technical and managerial positions in ESB for over 30 years, including Generation Manager, Head of Asset Management for ESB Networks and Managing Director of ESB Networks DAC. Holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from University College Cork, is a Chartered Engineer, a Chartered Director, a Fellow and Past President of Engineers Ireland and a Fellow of the Academy of Engineers. Marguerite is a member of the Board of Energy UK and of the Dingle Hub and is a Trustee of the Irish Times.

Jim Dollard, white man with grey hair and wearing a white shirt and black jacket Jim Dollard Executive Director Generation & Trading

Appointed Executive Director, Generation and Trading in May 2018. Prior to this, held the position of Executive Director, Business Service Centre (BSC) and Electric Ireland for five years. An accountant, Jim began his career in ESB in 1992 and has held senior management positions throughout the Group in both financial and managerial roles. Holds a B. Comm and a Master’s degree in Business Studies from UCD. Joined the board of the Irish Cancer Society in May 2025.

Pat Fenlon, white man with black hair and wearing white shirt and black jacket Pat Fenlon Executive Director, Customer Solutions

Appointed Executive Director, Customer Solutions in September 2022. Prior to this,  held the role of Executive Director, Group Finance and Commercial. Pat previously held senior financial and general management positions across ESB including General Manager of Electric Ireland, Corporate Change Manager and Group Finance and Commercial Manager. A fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland, Pat worked with PwC before joining ESB in 1993.

 

Gearldine Heave, white woman with black hair wearing a purple shirt and black jacket Geraldine Heavey Executive Director Enterprise Services

Appointed Executive Director, Enterprise Services in June 2018. Prior to this, held the role of Group Finance and Commercial Manager. Geraldine has worked in finance and managerial positions in ESB since 1993, including Financial Controller of BSC and Electric Ireland, Manager, Manager in ESB Trading and Financial Controller of ESB Power Generation. An accountant and holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Dublin City University (DCU). Geraldine is an external member of the DCU Educational Support Services DAC and chairs its Audit Committee.

 

Sinead Kilkelly, white woman with short brown hair wearing a blue jacket Sinead Kilkelly Executive Director People and Sustainability

Joined ESB in April 2022 as Executive Director, People and Sustainability. Prior to this, Sinéad was Chief People Officer with Bus Éireann, a position she held since 2018. Previously held senior leadership roles including Vice President People Services at Etihad Aviation Group in Abu Dhabi and senior HR roles in Ulster Bank and Intel Ireland. Sinéad has a B.Sc. (Management) and an MBA from Trinity College Dublin, is a Chartered Fellow with CIPD and a board member of Self Help Africa and the Road Safety Authority. 

 

 

Marie Sinnott, white woman with mid-length black hair and wearing a dark green top Marie Sinnott Group Company Secretary of ESB

Appointed Group Company Secretary in 2019. Prior to this, Marie was ESB’s Group Head of Compliance and Enterprise Risk Management and previously held senior management roles across the organisation. A UCD Commerce Graduate, holds an M.Sc. in Economic Policy Studies from TCD and a Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Governance from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. A current member of the Dublin City University (DCU) Governing Authority, Chair of the DCU Audit and Risk Committee and a Director and Company Secretary of the board of the Institute of International and European Affairs. 

Paul Smith, white man with black/grey hair wearing a black suit, white shirt and red tie Paul Smith Executive Director Engineering and Major Projects

Appointed Executive Director, Engineering and Major Projects in January 2022. Prior to this, held senior management roles in ESB including Manager of Generation Operations and Head of Asset Development. Paul joined ESB in 1992 and holds a B.Eng. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Queen’s University Belfast and an MBA from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. Currently a Council Member of the Irish Management Institute.

Paul Stapleton, white man with black/grey hair wearing a black suit, white shirt and wine coloured tie Paul Stapleton Executive Director, Group Finance and Commercial

Appointed Executive Director, Group Finance and Commercial in October 2022. Prior to this, was Managing Director of NIE Networks. Paul joined ESB in 1991 and has worked in finance and managerial roles across the Group including General Manager of Electric Ireland, ESB Group Treasurer and Financial Controller of ESB Networks. A member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and a Chartered Director with the Institute of Directors. Paul is a member of the Governing Authority of the University of Limerick. 

Nicholas Tarrant, white man with black hair and white shirt with blue/black suit Nicholas Tarrant Managing Director ESB Networks

Appointed Managing Director of ESB Networks in September 2021. Prior to this, held the positions of Executive Director, Engineering and Major Projects, Managing Director, NIE Networks and other senior management positions including Generation Manager. Nicholas is a Chartered Engineer, a Chartered Director and holds an M.Sc. Management from TCD.

Note: The Managing Director, ESB Networks DAC is not a member of the Executive Committee but attends meetings as appropriate and always subject to compliance with relevant provisions of licences.