Meet Our Leadership Team

Group Managing Director

Liam Hanly

As Group Managing Director Liam has led the highly successful transformation of Eason Group which has seen the Group develop a focused and diversified retail direction, whilst significantly growing shareholder value and optimising the company’s profitability and use of capital. Under Liam’s leadership, the Eason management team has developed three distinct retail divisions – Eason Stores, Dubray and Eason Online – and successfully grown EBITDA from €2m to €7m with the capital base of the Group growing from €20m to €45m over the same period. Over this timeframe, the management team have pursued a range of transformational initiatives including repositioning and diversifying the Eason Group proposition, which included a refocus on and rejuvenation of Eason’s core categories, the strategic decision to close Eason’s Northern Ireland operations and, a number of strategic acquisitions including the Dubray group and several independent and Franchise operators across Ireland. In parallel, Eason undertook significant investment in its online and digital strategy and capabilities, supported by the move to an eCommerce-led warehouse focussed on delivering same day shipment capability to customers. Liam led the strategic restructure of the Eason Group, which saw the separation of the Group’s property portfolio from its trading entities and the creation of the current well-capitalised retail group, Eason Retail Plc. This programme also enabled the return of over €60m of capital to shareholders following the strategic disposal of most of the Group’s property holdings. In 2020 and 2021, Liam and his team successfully managed the impacts of the Covid Pandemic and related closures, focussing on colleague welfare while maintaining profitability. Prior to becoming Managing Director in 2017, he oversaw the corporate and financial restructuring of the group, the implementation of a €12m ERP system and a cost reduction program of €8m. Outside of work Liam has coached Gaelic football continuously for the last 11 years, boys from U10-U17 level and girls LGFA from U7-15 before retiring from coaching at the end of 2025.

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. He is also directly responsible for the Group’s property portfolio. During Niall's time on the Board, the Group has experienced a period of significant growth in profitability and overall asset value, while at the same time releasing significant capital value back to shareholders. Prior to joining Eason, Niall held a number of senior finance roles in construction, travel and FMCG.

Head of eCommerce & Eason 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.

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 its Chairman on three occasions. 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 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.

Head of Buying, 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.

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.

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 Eason Retail

Rachael Heavey

Rachael joined Eason in 2004 and has built extensive experience across the retail business, holding a number of senior roles that have given her deep insight into store operations, customer experience, and retail strategy. She was appointed Head of Retail in May 2025 and has direct responsibility for the leadership and performance of our company-owned stores as well as our franchise operations. She is passionate about driving innovation, enhancing the customer experience and is committed to ensuring Eason’s retail offering evolves with customer needs. She also champions a culture of support, open communication, and succession planning, fostering a “one team” approach

Management Team