Cairn, a leading Irish home and community builder, has today announced two new internal promotions to its senior leadership team: Gavin Whelan as Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Gerald (Ger) Hoare as Chief Investment Officer (CIO).

Commenting on the appointments, Michael Stanley, Chief Executive Officer, Cairn said: “I am delighted to announce the appointments of Gavin and Ger to these key strategic positions within our business. We have an exceptionally strong team in Cairn, and these key leadership appointments will help support the business as we continue to scale and drive further significant growth in housing output in 2025 and beyond. In their new roles, Gavin and Ger will play a crucial part in supporting the continued success of the business. I would like to wish them both the very best of luck in their respective new roles and look forward to working with them in the years ahead.”

Gavin Whelan joined Cairn in January 2021 as Director of Construction & Operations. Since then, he has been responsible for overseeing the design, delivery, and operational support of the Cairn delivery platform, with a focus on scaling the business, refining Cairn’s product, and driving innovation and productivity. In his new role as COO, Gavin will be responsible for leveraging all aspects of Cairn’s operating model, aligned with its next stage of growth.

Before joining Cairn, Gavin was Managing Director of Bailey Brothers Construction Management Services and held senior roles on major projects with leading UK contractors. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management and Engineering.

Gavin Whelan, Chief Operating Officer, said: “I am excited to step into the role of Chief Operating Officer at Cairn. My focus will be to build on Cairn’s strong foundation of delivering high-quality homes in the Irish market at scale and pace. By enhancing operational efficiency and driving innovation, we will ensure continued success and secure a strong, sustainable future for the company. Optimising every aspect of our operating model will position us well for the next phase of growth.”

Ger Hoare joined Cairn in June 2017, and his most recent role was Director of Business Development. In his new role, Ger’s will be responsible for driving sustainable growth for the business with a key focus on meeting the demands of our customers and markets while expanding our product offering.

Ger Whelan was previously Group Pre-Construction Manager and Student Accommodation portfolio Delivery Lead. Working with leading Main Contractors in the UK specialising in residential developments. Ger holds an Honours Degree in Construction Management from Waterford Institute of Technology.

Ger Hoare, Chief Investment Officer said: “I am delighted to be stepping into the role of Chief Investment Officer at Cairnand I am excited for the opportunities ahead. In this role, I will focus on driving the evolution of our product offering, always keeping the customer at the heart of everything we do. Cairn is committed to building high-quality homes across diverse markets, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to further strengthen our market influence, enhance our product range, and ensure the long-term success of the company.”

Pictured above:  Maura Winston (Chief People Officer), Ger Hoare (Chief Investment Officer), Gavin Whelan (Chief Operating Officer), and Michael Stanley (CEO). Picture by Fintan Clarke, Coalesce.

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