Colm Ward is new Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council

“Honoured and privileged” is how Colm Ward, the new Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council, described his appointment this week.

Following a specially convened council meeting on Thursday, Mr Ward was formally appointed as the new Chief Executive, following a recruitment process conducted by the Public Appointments Service.

Based in South Dublin County Council for the past 27 years, Mr Ward has, among other roles, served as Director of Housing, Community and Social Development and the Head of Enterprise.

He also held the position of Interim Chief Executive since the retirement of his predecessor Daniel McLoughlin in June 2023.

Speaking after his appointment, Mr Ward said: “I am honoured and privileged to be formally appointed as Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council.

“I look forward to continuing to work with our Elected Members and all of our staff to serve the citizens, communities and businesses of South Dublin and to deliver on our key priorities and ambitious plans for a county that I am proud to be from”.

Mr Ward’s “breath of experience” was highlighted by County Mayor Alan Edge following ratification by the councillors of the recommendation of the Public Appointments Service.

“On behalf of my fellow councillors, we are delighted that Colm, with his breath of experience as a member of staff here in South Dublin for over 25 years, has been appointed and we look forward very much to this exciting new chapter in the life of our county”, Mayor Edge said.