Dublin, Ireland, May 2025 – Enterprise Ireland, the government agency responsible for supporting Irish businesses in global markets, has announced the appointment of Jenny Melia as its new Chief Executive Officer (Designate). Ms. Melia, who currently serves as Executive Director and Chief Client Officer, will assume her new role as CEO in July following a remarkable 29-year career with the agency.
A graduate of University College Dublin with a BSc and PhD in Chemistry, Ms. Melia has served in several key leadership roles across Enterprise Ireland. Her experience spans collaborations with companies of all sizes across diverse sectors, including food, industrial, and technology, as well as with the High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Division and the Research and Innovation team. Her deep understanding of the enterprise ecosystem positions her to lead Enterprise Ireland into its next phase of strategic growth.
Welcoming the appointment, Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, said: “I want to congratulate Jenny Melia on her appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Ireland. Jenny is a dedicated public servant, who has spent much of her career supporting and fostering the development of the Irish enterprise base. I look forward to working with Jenny and her leadership team to continue supporting Irish exporters and indigenous SMEs.”
Michael Carey, Chairman of Enterprise Ireland, added: “Jenny has an outstanding track record of strategic leadership and collaboration across the Irish business ecosystem. She played a central role in the development of Enterprise Ireland’s new client operating model and the agency’s 2025-2029 strategy. Her deep relationships with stakeholders and hands-on experience with client companies will be instrumental in driving our long-term goal of making exporting Irish businesses the primary engine of the Irish economy.”
The board also expressed appreciation for Kevin Sherry, who served as Interim CEO, recognizing his commitment and leadership. Mr. Sherry will return to his position as Executive Director in July.
Under Jenny’s leadership, Enterprise Ireland will execute on its ambitious new strategy “Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally (2025-2029)”, which includes growing exports to €50 billion by 2029. Earlier this year, employment at companies supported by Enterprise Ireland reached a record 234,454, reflecting the strong impact the agency continues to have on national economic development.
About Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland is the Irish government agency tasked with supporting the development of Irish enterprises in global markets. Through its broad network and services, it enables Irish businesses to start, scale, innovate, and win export sales. The agency plays a critical role in driving regional growth, creating employment, and supporting sustainable economic advancement across Ireland. With ambitious plans for the future, Enterprise Ireland remains a cornerstone of Ireland’s enterprise success story.
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