Management Team

  • Group Managing Director
    Liam Hanly

    Liam Hanly was appointed Managing Director in 2017. He was previously held the position of Group Finance, IT & Logistics Director since joining Eason in 2010. Since his appointment Liam, along with his management team, has been focused on developing a clear Retail direction for the Group while optimising its profitability and use of capital. Liam led the strategic restructure of the Group, which saw the creation of a new Retail Group incorporating all Eason trading entities, along with the return of €35m of capital to shareholders during this time. The management team, led by Liam, has grown the EBITDA from €2m to €7m during this time with the capital base of the Group growing from €20m to €45m over the same period. Over this timeframe, the management team have repositioned and diversified the Eason Group proposition, which included a refocus on Eason core categories, the acquisition of the Dubray group and a number of independent and Franchise acquisitions, the closure of Northern Ireland operations, and a significant investment in online supported by the move to an eCommerce-led warehouse focussed on delivering same day shipment capability.

  • Group Finance Director
    Niall Gaffey

    Niall Gaffey has been with Eason since 2009 and is currently Group Finance Director. He has served as a Director and Company Secretary on the Eason Group Board since 2019. During his time with Eason, Niall has led some of the Group’s recent corporate restructure and M&A activity, including the 2019 trade demerger, the acquisitions of Dubray Books, Newsrail and a number of other independent trade acquisitions. As one of two Executive Directors on the Group Board, he is centrally involved in shaping the Group’s strategic direction and directly responsible for the Group’s financial and property portfolios which has seen the Group experience a period of significant growth in profitability and overall asset value along with Shareholders a significant release and return of capital. Prior to joining Eason, Niall held a number of senior finance roles in construction, travel and FMCG.

  • Head of IT, Supply Chain & Customer Service
    Gerry Martyn

    Gerry joined Eason as Group Head of IT and Business Process in December 2010. He was subsequently appointed Head of IT, Supply Chain & Customer Service in May 2013. He is a Senior IT & Business Process Manager who has lead IT & Business change, ICT strategy and systems delivery across many sectors including Retail, FMCG, Manufacturing, Logistics, Pharmaceutical, Financial & Public over 20 years. He has carried out similar transformation roles in for Dairygold, Northern Foods, Green Isle and UniPhar Group. He has extensive experience and holds a MBA, as well as professional qualifications such as Six Sigma Black Belt, ITIL Diploma, PRINCE2 Practitioner, Project Management Professional (PMP) and MSP Programme Management.

  • Group Head of Dubray & Customer Experience
    Brendan Corbett

    Brendan joined Eason in June 2014 as Group Head of Marketing and has also had responsibility for Books, eCommerce and Store Development functions during this time. Brendan is Head of Dubray & Customer Experience. Prior to joining Eason, Brendan held the position of Marketing Manager with Musgrave Wholesale Partners and previously held a number of senior retail and wholesale management positions with BWG Foods Ltd. Brendan is a board member of the Irish Book Awards and is the current Chairman. Brendan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Science from TCD and an Advanced Diploma in Marketing Techniques form The College of Marketing & Design.

  • Head of eCommerce & Marketing
    Lisa O'Brien

    Lisa joined the business in January 2020 as eCommerce Channel Manager and was subsequently appointed to Head of eCommerce in April 2021. In January 2025, she further expanded her responsibilities to include Marketing. Before joining Eason, Lisa held several senior roles at IKEA, where she specialized in Marketing, eCommerce, and Digital. During her tenure, she played a pivotal role in developing IKEA’s strategic and brand presence in Ireland and spearheaded the launch of IKEA’s online channel. Her career also includes Marketing positions at Xtra-Vision, as well as roles in Technology and Supply Chain Services at Ingram Micro and Clarity Computer Distribution. Lisa holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Management from the Dublin Institute of Technology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations from the Fitzwilliam Institute, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from University College Dublin. She previously served on the Board of Management and as Company Secretary of the Rediscovery Centre.

  • Head of Books
    Lynda Laffan

    Lynda joined Eason as Book Buyer in April 2021 and was appointed Head of Books in May 2024. Lynda has worked in the book trade for over twenty years, working in publishing with a range of bestselling authors and brands, and in various positions in bookselling and wholesale. She is a committee member of the Bookseller’s Association and holds a master’s degree in Arts from UCD.

  • Head of Buying, Non-Book Categories
    Ger Ryan

    Ger was appointed to the position of Head of Buying, Non-Book Categories in November 2021. Prior to Eason, Ger previously held a number of senior buying positions with leading Irish retailers Brown Thomas, Arnotts, Dunnes Stores, Musgrave Retail Partners and Tesco Ireland. He is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from UCC and a Diploma in Professional Accounting from UCD.

  • Head of Store Operations (Retail and Franchise)
    Danny Hughes

    Danny joined Eason in August 1983 and has since had many Senior roles within Eason, including Store Manager, General Manager, Franchise Manager and Retail Area Manager, giving him an unrivalled insight into the delivery of an ever-evolving Eason retail business. Danny was appointed Head of Store Operations (Retail and Franchise) in November 2021 and has direct responsibility for both Company owned Retail Stores and also our Franchise Operations.

  • Group Head of Human Resources
    Carmel Murphy

    Carmel joined Eason in February 2020 as Group Head of Human Resources. As an experienced People Leader and Executive Coach, Carmel’s career background includes Human Resource leadership roles across many of Ireland’s biggest retail brands, including Dunnes Stores and Brown Thomas Arnotts. While working as an independent consultant she has coached senior leaders and supported change processes within various organisations and industries including other retail businesses, food security, banking and aircraft leasing. Carmel holds a Bachelor of Commerce, an MBS (HRM), and a Diploma in Executive Coaching.