The EY Podcast

After over 50 years in business, Pat McCann has weathered many storms. Starting out in the hospitality trade during the Oil Crisis of the 1970s, McCann successfully steered businesses through the many crises and recessions in the decades that followed. Now, as CEO of Ireland’s largest hotel operator, Dalata PLC, he is facing into his latest challenge with perspective and resilience, understanding that while the group will “face some short-term headwinds, it doesn’t mean that we should get blown off track completely, because that’s not what’s going to happen”. In this episode of The EY Podcast: CEO Series, Richard Curran talks to one of Ireland’s best-known hotel operators as he slowly reopens his doors to an unrecognisable and unpredictable tourism market. Forced to shut down the vast majority of his operations during Covid-19 with revenues reduced to zero, Pat McCann set out to develop a clear strategy for retaining senior staff while retraining others, seizing the opportunities that this crisis will present, and developing a post-Covid hotel experience for holiday-makers.  In this interview, Pat reveals how he went about developing this strategy based on his vast experience in the sector and his unique approach to people-management. He also talks about:+Why he predicts a big bounce in domestic tourism, and what the new hotel experience will be like for visitors. +The moment he opened the envelope containing developer Sean Dunne’s record €275m bid for Jurys Hotel, Ballsbridge. +The differences between leading a private company and a publicly listed one, his approach to delivering shareholder value, and his advice for achieving a successful IPO.+How and why he applies an ‘internal-first’ approach to developing management.+His personal approach to work and leisure (they’re one and the same); also, his love of Mafia movies, his business mantra, and the other business leaders that he most admires. 

What is it like to lead a national health service through a global pandemic?  In this episode of The EY Podcast: CEO Outlook, Paul Reid, CEO of the HSE, talks to Richard Curran about the personal and professional challenges of steering Ireland’s health service through the Covid-19 crisis. This is not the first time Paul Reid has managed a large organisation through a time of deep crisis. As he tells Richard, “I’m still wondering whether I follow [crises] or they follow me”. In what will be valuable advice for CEOs in companies of types and sizes, Paul reveals what he has learned about people, leadership, and managing stress during very tough times. Paul Reid has operated at senior levels across several high-profile organisations, including Fingal County Council, Trocaire, Eircom, and The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. He has managed thousands of team members at a time; negotiated with governments, boards, and trade unions; and has been tasked with executing widespread reform of work practices, pay, and staff numbers. Now, as CEO of the HSE, Paul Reid is arguably facing his biggest challenge yet: reforming Ireland’s health service during one of the most severe global pandemics in history. This is a role he sought out, and one in which he deeply believes. In this wide-ranging and personal interview, Paul Reid talks about:+ How his working class background contributed to his effectiveness as a leader.+ Why he felt ‘at war’ with the government, trade unions, Department of Health, and staff, when he took up the role as HSE CEO – and how he handled it. + The key to creating win-wins and preserving relationships during tough negotiations. + His honest thoughts about the handling of nursing homes and private hospital contracts during Covid-19, and whether the 2m social distancing rule should be reduced to 1m.+ His biggest regret, favourite film, business mantra, and the CEO he admires the most. 

Richard Curran meets the CEOs of Ireland’s leading organisations to talk about world-class leadership, weathering storms and delivering results. You will get an insight into the secrets of their success, the lessons they’ve learned along the way and their plans for the future. Subscribe or follow The EY Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Find out more about the series at ey.com/ie/podcasts or on EY Ireland social media.