Aidan O’Regan retires

On friday, May 22nd, almost 44 years to the day of his initial appointment, Aidan O’Regan departed ESB. Highly recommended from the start – Aidan came with a reference from his PP which stated ‘If you pick him you will never regret it’! Aidan joined ESB with a great sporting record in athletics, hurling and football. With St. Mary’s he reached the Munster Colleges Senior Football Championship and with his native Clonakilty GAA Club he was in three county football finals. He played minor football and hurling with Cork in 1961, ‘62 and ’63, winning an All Ireland medal in 1961 and also playing in the senior team.

At the start of his working career Aidan joined Aer Lingus in Cork but after three weeks the bright lights of Dublin beckoned and Aidan headed for ESB and Central Stores. There he joined people like Tom O’Hanlon, senior footballer for Dublin and singer/ songwriter Charlie McGettigan. There were no promotional prospects in those early years without a qualification so Aidan and his Central Stores colleagues headed to UCD Earlsfort Terrace. At the same time as he was pursuing his degree Aidan’s football skills were much in demand. He captained the ESB Head Office football team which won the All Ireland in Nenagh in 1970 and the inter-firm championship in Dublin. He also played in the Head Office soccer tournament.

It was around this time that Aidan met his wife to be, Breda, and they were married in 1970. Both are widely known and loved, particularly in Shelbourne Park and among the greyhound racing community. Aidan, with trainer Seamus Graham from Carlow, has had a successful dog racing partnership for many years winning the 1996 Irish Derby and the St. Ledger and the Derby in 2003.

After he got his degree Aidan moved quickly through the ranks of ESB while also making a huge contribution as Honorary Treasurer of the ESBOA. He was election agent for Jack Wyley who was subsequently elected Worker Director. In that time too he was to develop a close relationship with the late Willie Cremins. In 1981, Aidan went to Riyadh, returning to a recessionary Ireland in 1983. On his return he was appointed Divisional Manager, Customer Services and then Regional Accountant Dublin Region. He received a Masters from Trinity in 1988 followed by a number of senior appointments as Head of Internal Audit, Manager Corporate Change negotiating CCR (the first major agreement delivered through partnership) and then Head of Regulatory Affairs. It was in this role that he led ESB through competition and market changes. Aidan was appointed Deputy Chief Executive in 2007. One of Aidan’s characteristics is the high value he places on confidentiality and while he didn’t go in for text book management, Aidan had the key management secret – he inspired loyalty and affection and he got results.

Making the presentation to Aidan, before family, friends and many colleagues past and present, Chief Executive, Padraig McManus, expressed his deep respect and admiration for Aidan as a friend and colleague. In his response Aidan thanked his colleagues who over the years had helped ESB to grow to such a successful company. He thanked his family for their unstinting support and wished ESB well in the new environment.

We wish Aidan, Breda, David, Jean and Claire many years of enjoyment and happiness.