Mari Hurley, who stepped down as RTÉ’s chief financial officer on Thursday after just 18 months in the role, has been appointed to the same position at listed property group, Ires Reit.
Ms Hurley has been CFO at the State broadcaster since August 2024 after the previous CFO, Richard Collins, left in the wake of a controversy over RTÉ payments, including to presenter Ryan Tubridy.
Announcing the appointment, Ires Reit, the biggest residential landlord in the State, said Ms Hurley has extensive experience as a CFO and business leader in Ireland and the UK, in publicly listed companies as well as in large private and semi-state companies. Among her previous roles are stints at estate agent Sherry FitzGerald and listed group Hostelworld.
She has also served as a non-executive director on the board of the National Asset Management Agency for 10 years from 2014 to 2024.
She is to replace Brian Fagan at Ires Reit who is to retire this summer following five years with the company.
Ires Reit chief executive Eddie Byrne said her “depth of experience” would be important to the group. In a statement on Thursday night, RTÉ said Ms Hurley will remain with the organisation until spring.
“Mari has an extensive and highly successful track record as a CFO across private, semi-state and listed companies, spanning a wide range of sectors – including property – with operations across multiple international markets,” Mr Byrne said.
“Her depth of experience will be a significant and complementary addition to Ires as we continue to play a vital role in addressing the country’s ongoing residential accommodation needs, and I look forward to welcoming her to the team.”
RTÉ director general, Kevin Bakhurst, thanked Ms Hurley her for the “significant amount that she has achieved during her time in RTÉ which has been helpful in putting the organisation back on a financially sustainable path”.
“Mari has been meticulous in dealing with legacy issues as we put a robust governance framework in place for the future and we are grateful to her for that. I would like to offer Mari my very best wishes for her new role,” he said.
In her own statement, Ms Hurley said RTÉ continues to perform a “vital role” for Irish audiences.
“The extensive work we have done during my time in RTÉ has been an important part of the delivery of greater governance across the organisation,” she said, adding that she wishes the director general, board and her colleagues “every success as they continue the significant transformation programme under way”.
A spokesman for Minister for Arts and Media Patrick O’Donovan said he has been informed about Ms Hurley’s resignation.
“The Minister wishes to thank Ms Hurley for her service and wishes her well in the future. He will be engaging with the chair and director general of RTÉ in the coming days,” he said.
RTÉ said it will shortly seek applications for a new chief financial officer.