Topaz CEO to retire
Topaz chairman Neil O’Leary has today announced that Danny Murray will retire as chief executive officer of the company with effect from the March 31 next.
O’Leary has confirmed that Eddie O’Brien, the company’s chief finance officer, has been appointed to succeed Murray as CEO.
Murray was appointed CEO just prior to the acquisition of the Irish fuels business of Shell by the newly-created Topaz in June 2005.
Speaking today, Murray said: “I feel this is the perfect time for me to take my leave of the business and leave the floor for the next generation of managers to take the business forward again.
“The last four years have been amongst the most fulfilling of my career and I want to acknowledge in particular the tremendous support I’ve enjoyed from all the staff of Topaz and its predecessors [Shell and Statoil], all our dealers and distributors, our shareholders and of course our customers.
“It is a matter of great pride that we’ve established Irish ownership of the largest fuels and convenience business in the country for the first time ever. I know that the business will go on to further success in the months and years ahead.”
The board confirmed that Eddie O’Brien has been appointed as CEO designate.
O’Brien joined Topaz in January 2008 from Statoil Hydro ASA, having held the positions of vice president finance and vice president retail operations within energy & retail Europe.
Announcing his appointment, O’Leary said: “Eddie brings an unparalleled experience of the European fuels business to Topaz and he is perfectly positioned to guide the company’s development.”
