Chairperson – Patrick Cassidy

Name

Mr Patrick Cassidy MBA

Current Position on Board
Chairperson

Current Position/Job Title

Non-Exec Vice-President Brico Alliance/Board member Muscular Dystrophy Ireland (MDI)

• A highly experienced senior executive with expertise spanning several sectors including retail, financial services, property, and wholesale.
• Over 25 years of experience across corporate governance, finance, strategy & leadership, branding and marketing, retail operations, purchasing, logistics and distribution, change management and employee engagement, as well as operational, legal and reputation risk management.

CAREER OVERVIEW
In 2020 Patrick stepped back from Group Chief Executive Officer and Director of United Hardware Limited, Ireland’s largest buying and marketing group for builders’ merchants, DIY, home and garden retail stores.

Under Patricks leadership the Group grew to a membership of 110 member with 130 retail stores across Ireland and retail sales more than €400 million, an increase of 72% over a four-year period. In the same period profits increased by 25%.

These results were delivered through the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy and plan. Key principles been to significantly improve and enhance services to members through improved buying, a shift towards a single national retail brand with enriched marketing support, the creation of a new retail operations division to significantly enhance standards across the Group’s stores and substantial investment in technology, logistics and warehousing capabilities.

Prior to joining United Hardware, Patrick held roles as Director of Operations, Procurement, Property & Facilities Management and before that Director of Strategy Bank of Scotland (Ireland). Patrick played a key role in the Bank’s transition into retail banking and the development of its 48-site branch network. He was also responsible for the management of its property portfolio, comprising over 100 properties.

Previously, Patrick was CEO of ESB Retail Ltd, trading under the Shop Electric brand (Ireland’s largest electrical retailer). Reporting directly to the Board of the ESB Group, he had responsibility for the day to day management and strategic development of Shop Electric, a business with a turnover of €250 million and 800 employees.

Patrick’s other Irish and international roles have included Executive Director Finance Electric Limited and senior management positions with Sainsbury plc, Aer Rianta International, Grafton Group and Dunnes Stores.

DIRECTORSHIPS

In addition to being Chief Executive and Director of United Hardware, Patrick remains Vice-President of Bricoalliance, an alliance of 10 independent DIY chains in nine countries with a total turnover of €2 billion and 856 stores.

Patrick previously acted as Director of multiple Bank of Scotland companies and ESB Directorships and was Director of Ranelagh and District Credit Union between 2015-2017. Patrick was a Director of Texas Homecare/Homebase and various Aer Rianta International companies.

 OTHER WORK AND ACTIVITIES

Patrick is a frequent speaker at various international and Irish business and industry events. Patrick also regularly participates in the work of various industry groups and business representative organisations, including acting as Member of IBEC’s retail Committee. In addition, Patrick engages in extensive charitable work with several institutions. 

EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS

Patrick holds an MBA from Stirling University and studied International Global Studies at Harvard Law School. Patrick also has a series of other post-graduate qualifications in areas such as Executive Leadership IMD Lausanne Digital marketing and Employment Law. Patrick is currently studying Governance at the Whitfield Institute (IPA)

FAMILY & INTERESTS

Patrick resides in Dublin with his wife and three children. He is a keen rugby follower with his other interests including reading, walking his dogs, swimming, and movies.