Construction
Tina Marie O’Neill, Donal Buckley, Killian Woods, Catherine Sanz and Emmet Ryan profile the key 100 individuals in the property industry
Paul Brown
Chief executive, Sisk
When stepping into the role of chief executive at Sisk, Ireland’s leading construction contractor in early 2022, Paul Brown set out to redefine Sisk’s future with the launch of Breaking New Ground, the company’s 2023-2025 strategy. He also made bold investments to strengthen its capabilities: the full acquisition of Sensori FM, the expansion of Vision Built’s off-site manufacturing facility in Sligo, and the addition of Fuse Rail in the UK have all reinforced Sisk’s commitment to innovation and sector diversification.
Sisk has expanded further into the healthcare and education sectors, reflecting its adaptability to meet industry demands. The company also relocated to a state-of-the-art headquarters in Citywest, Dublin and undertook a brand refresh, signalling continued growth across Ireland, the UK and Europe.
Over the last three years, turnover surged 90 per cent, reaching €2.7 billion in 2024, reflecting growth in data centre, life sciences and technology sectors on both a local and international scale.
Its project pipeline includes the €150 million Adare Bypass whereby the Sisk Sorensen Joint Venture and Limerick City and County Council will improve access to the Ryder Cup Village and Kerry tourist attractions.
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Over the last three years, turnover surged 90 per cent, reaching €2.7 billion in 2024
Gene Murtagh
Chief executive, Kingspan
In January 2005, Gene Murtagh became the youngest chief executive of a publicly quoted company on the Irish Stock Exchange when taking over at Kingspan. Under his stewardship, this generational family business, founded by his father Eugene, has grown almost nine-fold. Today it has a market capitalisation of €14.6 billion, with revenues of €8.6 billion, and employs more than 25,000 staff.
Its innovative, market-leading building-envelope solutions are deployed in projects as diverse as the SpaceX operation in the US, Abu Dhabi Airport, the Meta data centre in west Dublin and a planned $200 million Kingspan Ukraine campus.
It has been recognised by CDP, the global non-profit that operates an independent environmental disclosure system, as a world leader in actions designed to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change. Projects in which its products were used in 2024 alone will, over the life of those projects, save the equivalent carbon emissions of what a large airline would burn over a 15-year period.
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Paul Bruton
Joint managing director, Bennett Construction
With three decades of experience in the construction industry, Paul Bruton has been instrumental in steering Bennett Construction through significant projects, including Ireland’s tallest office development, the EXO Building at Point Square in Dublin, Primark’s award-winning Bank Buildings in Belfast City and the new headquarters for Grant Thornton on City Quay in Dublin.
In addition, he is active in the broader industry as evident in his presidency of the Master Builders and Contractors Association in 2024. He also sits on the executive committee of the Construction Industry Federation and is actively involved in policy changes within the industry. He is currently advocating for industry advancements in infrastructure, ESG and training.
His forward-thinking approach has positioned Bennett Construction as a leader in the sector, particularly in the high-rise residential and data centre sectors.
According to accounts for Bennett (Construction) Ltd, revenues increased by 61 per cent from €163.99 million to €264 million in the 12 months to the end of March 2024.
Bennett is a fourth generation family business based in Mullingar and its directors include Stephen and Jim Bennett. It also engages in projects in the UK and Germany, and its joint managing director is Paul McGee.
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Alasdair Henderson
Executive director of BAM Ireland
Alasdair Henderson has been executive director of BAM Ireland since March 2022. His career with BAM began in 1996 as a graduate engineer and he has since progressed through a variety of operational and leadership roles within the company.
A chartered civil engineer and a fellow of both the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Institute of Quarrying, Henderson has applied his engineering background to business leadership.
He also holds an academic position as a visiting professor at the University of Strathclyde.
Beyond his executive responsibilities, Henderson participates in industry policy discussions, focusing on regulatory standards, workplace safety and infrastructure development initiatives.
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Liam Kenny
Managing director of John Paul Construction
Liam Kenny was appointed managing director of John Paul Construction in January 2020. His career in the construction industry spans nearly three decades, with experience in both Ireland and the Middle East. Kenny oversees John Paul Construction’s operations across Ireland and the UK, managing projects in sectors such as data centres, life sciences and commercial developments.
Having joined John Paul Construction in 2004, he advanced to director level by 2011. His international experience includes a key role in establishing Absal Paul Contracting in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, where he served as operations director.
Under Kenny’s leadership, the company has expanded its portfolio across multiple sectors, including data centres, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, commercial and residential developments.
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Eugene O’Shea
Chief executive of Walls Construction
Eugene O’Shea has been chief executive of Walls Construction since leading a management buyout of the company in 2015. Under his leadership, Walls Construction has expanded its operations, diversifying across multiple sectors.
The company’s portfolio includes residential and commercial offices, as well as projects in data centres, education, industrial, leisure, life sciences and pharmaceuticals. In 2023, Walls Construction reported a turnover of €570 million and employed nearly 500 people.
O’Shea has overseen the adoption of sustainable construction methods and compliance with industry environmental standards at Walls Construction. He also serves as an ambassador for the Irish Green Building Council’s #BuildingLife campaign, which promotes sustainable development practices in the industry.
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Anne Dooley
Chief executive of Winthrop Technologies
Anne Dooley has been chief executive of Winthrop Technologies since January 2022. A qualified mechanical engineer, she joined the company in 1997 during its start-up phase and has played a pivotal role in its expansion.
She has been involved in the company’s transformation from an M&E (mechanical and electrical) specialist into one of Europe’s leading turnkey data centre providers. As a director and shareholder, she has overseen project delivery, cost management and the development of support functions essential to the company’s market expansion.
As of 2023, Winthrop Technologies reported revenues exceeding €1 billion and employed approximately 730 people. Dooley has overseen workforce development initiatives, including training programmes and internal career progression structures within Winthrop Technologies.
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Conor Hegarty
Director at PJ Hegarty & Sons
Conor Hegarty is a main board director at PJ Hegarty & Sons, a well-established Irish construction company. He represents the fourth generation of the Hegarty family involved in the business.
Since joining the company in 2004, he has taken on various roles, including property development, and quality and environmental management. In 2017, he was appointed regional director before advancing to the main board in 2019.
Hegarty holds both a bachelor of arts and a master’s of science, having studied at the Dublin Institute of Technology. In 2021, he was appointed as a director of PJ Hegarty & Sons (UK) Unlimited, reflecting the company’s continued international focus.
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Kara Stuart
Chief executive of Collen Construction
Kara Stuart became chief executive of Collen Construction in June 2023, making her the first person to hold this title in the company’s more than 200-year history.
She originally joined Collen in 2006 as assistant company secretary and was promoted to company secretary in 2012. Over the years, she has played an active role in corporate governance and legal compliance, helping to guide the company’s long-term strategy.
Since taking over as chief executive, she has overseen Collen’s operations across multiple countries, including Ireland, the UK, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.
The company’s turnover increased from €450 million to €650 million in 2023. Stuart also leads Collen’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) committee and corporate social responsibility (CSR) committee, supporting workplace equality and community engagement.
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