Shannon Group and Origin Enterprises Chairman Rose Hynes has been chosen as one of Ireland’s most powerful female business leaders of the year at the annual WXN Women’s Executive Network awards.
The awards celebrate the accomplishments of women in business in Ireland and were celebrated at the Network’s Leadership Summit and Awards Gala in Dublin yesterday and last night.
Ms Hynes was one of four Davy Business Leaders award winners in the ‘Most Powerful Women Top 25 Award Winners for 2016’.
The New Quay, Co. Clare native, who now lives in Limerick, played a central role in the separation of Shannon Airport from the State airport’s group in 2013 as she headed up the Aviation Business Development Task Force to report into the Government Steering Group on the future direction of the airport and Shannon Development.
She was then appointed chairman of the Shannon Airport Authority to oversee the running of the airport as an independent entity until it became part of Shannon Group when it was officially established two years ago.
She was appointed chairman of Shannon Group Board on its incorporation on August 29th 2014. Shannon Group comprises Shannon Airport, Shannon Heritage (operators of Ireland’s largest visitor attractions group) and Shannon Commercial Properties (property portfolio of the former Shannon Development).
Last year Rose became the only Irish female chairman of a stock exchange listed company, Origin Enterprises Ltd. She is the former Chairman of Ervia and is a Senior Independent Director of Total Produce plc, One Fifty One plc and Mincon plc.
She previously held a number of senior executive positions with GPA Group plc in the period 1988-2002 including General Counsel and Head of the Commercial Department. A law graduate of University College Dublin and a lawyer, Rose is an Associate of the Irish Institute of Taxation and of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
The Leadership Summit today heard from thought leaders, including Ms Hynes, across a variety of industries. The gala awards tonight are being attended by 450 industry leaders from across Ireland.