Drury names long-time employee as new chief executive

Cathal Barry will take over as chief executive of Drury, an Irish strategic communications and public affairs consultancy, in January 2027. Barry has worked for the firm for more than a decade. He will succeed Anne-Marie Curran, who has led the agency for more than 16 years.

Barry joined Drury in 2016 as a client manager. In 2022, he became managing director of the agency’s financial communications unit. Earlier in 2026, the company appointed him to its board. The firm advises major Irish businesses, including CRH, Cairn Homes, ESB Group, Flutter Entertainment, Ires Reit, Irish Life, Musgrave Group, and Ryanair.

Barry said the communications sector is changing faster than at any time in the company’s history. He stated that clients need counsel that is sharp, independent, and grounded in real experience. His background includes advising clients on capital markets and transaction communications. He has worked with public companies listed on stock exchanges in Dublin, London, and New York. He has also provided crisis management services for private and family-owned businesses in Ireland.

Curran will move to the role of executive chair when Barry assumes the CEO position. Under her leadership, Drury completed a management buy-out from Omnicom Group in 2020. This move returned the agency to independent ownership. Curran described leading the company as the privilege of her career. She said the firm’s team strength allowed it to appoint from within again. She expressed confidence in Barry as an advisor and leader who played a central role in the company’s growth.

The firm’s most recent accounts show it held accumulated profits of €1.2 million at the end of 2024. In that year, the five directors received a combined pay package of approximately €1.5 million. This amount averaged €298,576 per director if distributed evenly. Drury is controlled by several executive directors and co-owners, including Curran, Paddy Hughes, and Sinead Birt. Co-founder Billy Murphy continues to act as a lead advisor to many of the firm’s key clients.

The leadership change will take effect in January 2027. Barry will step into the top role while Curran transitions to the executive chair position. The agency will continue its operations under the new management structure.

The firm plans to maintain its current client relationships and strategic focus. Barry will work closely with the existing board and executive team to guide the company forward.