Thursday the 8th of December marked Michael O’Donohoe’s (Wavin Ireland) final Executive Committee meeting as President of Hardware Association Ireland.
After taking up the mantle in 2021 as the country coped with another wave of Covid-19, he took on his role with vigor and enthusiasm, working closely with the board, the HAI team and our members through key challenges impacting the industry.
The sector had a chance to celebrate Michael’s tenure in April this year at The President’s Ball in The Osprey Hotel.
Speaking about his time as President Michael says: “I’ve had the privilege of working with a great team of people both in HAI and on the Board and I’d like to thank them all. HAI is in a strong place and is serving its members well and recently successfully lobbied government with its Vacant Homes Grant. Considerable challenges remain with housing supply but HAI is well positioned to represent the interests of our sector.”.
Michael officially handed over the reins, and the Presidential chain, to Paul Candon, CEO of United Hardware. Paul will take on the role for 2023 and 2024, and we wish him all the best in the coming two years.
This year also sees two valued members of the HAI Executive Committee depart the board – Seamus O’Donoghue from Dulux Paints, and Padraic McGuinness from Albany Paints. We thank Seamus and Padraic for their support as board members and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future as valued HAI members.
With the departure of Seamus and Padraic, we are pleased to announce two new HAI Executive Committee members: Lorraine Burnell, Managing Director of Joseph Murphy Ballina Ltd and John Foley, Managing Director of Topline Doyle’s.
The HAI team thanks its Executive Committee for its ongoing support, and looks forward to working with them and our new President in the new year.