On Wednesday Hugh Friel, Chairman of Tourism Ireland, announced the appointment of Niall Gibbons as the organization’s new Chief Executive, with immediate effect.

Following an extensive, competitive recruitment process, Niall takes over from Paul O’Toole who has taken up the post of Director General of FÁS.

Niall has been the Director of Corporate Services and Company Secretary of Tourism Ireland since 2002. He played a key role in the formation of the organization and its subsequent development over the past seven years. 
In that time, he has held responsibility for eMarketing, Regional Marketing, Access Development and Customer Relationship Management in addition to Finance, Human Resources and Industry Communications.  He has also held responsibility for Northern Ireland matters which is a core element of Tourism Ireland ’s remit.

He has played a central role in decision-making at Tourism Ireland including the preparation and implementation of Corporate and Operating Plans over the past seven years.  Another key aspect of his role has involved maintaining close working relationships with relevant stakeholders on the island of Ireland.

Prior to his appointment to Tourism Ireland he held senior roles in the private and public sector.  He is a business graduate of Trinity College , Dublin and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland .