ESB chairman takes his duties very seriously
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The role of company chairman can vary from mere figurehead to someone who dominates and makes it clear what he or she expects of management. As a successful businessman, Lochlann Quinn falls very much into the second category.
It used to be a joke in semi-state circles that the chairman, usually a political appointee, only turned up for the monthly meeting. Mr Quinn could never be accused of being a "grunt a month" chairman.
Since first being appointed ESB chairman in January 2008 Mr Quinn has taken his duties very seriously. While ESB management, former chief executive Padraig McManus and his successor Pat O'Doherty, run the company on a day-to-day basis, Mr Quinn runs the board.
The fact that the ESB is state-owned means that Mr Quinn does not control the composition of its board. However, he would have been centrally involved in the selection process that saw Mr O'Doherty appointed chief executive following Mr McManus's retirement last year.
- George Garvey
Irish Independent
