Bretland appoints John O’Connell as construction director

Irish construction firm Bretland has named John O’Connell as its new Construction Director, reinforcing leadership as the company expands its project portfolio nationwide.

O’Connell joined Bretland in January 2024 as Senior Contracts Manager and quickly became central to project delivery and team development.

His promotion reflects the company’s emphasis on “professionalism” and “strategic focus” alongside alignment with Bretland’s culture and long-term ambitions. O’Connell played a key role in major projects, including the Portlaoise scheme, where his management approach strengthened collaboration and trust across project teams.

“It’s one thing to take on a role and another to bring value to it. Since my first appointment as Construction Director, I’ve gained extensive experience, and I’m ready to build on that to make a meaningful impact,” O’Connell said.

In his new role, he will oversee project delivery across Ireland, enhance client and supply-chain relationships, and support recruitment and talent development as Bretland scales. He will also focus on operational priorities, including quality, safety, and performance improvement.

“The goal is to bring value to the position, expand our team, take on more work and deliver high-quality projects that make people associate Bretland with reliability and excellence. It’s about building relationships, fostering trust and recruiting strong talent to ensure sustainable growth,” O’Connell added.

Bretland’s leadership highlighted that the appointment reflects the firm’s focus on strengthening senior management as it undertakes more complex residential and commercial developments. O’Connell acknowledged the support he has received, stating: “I’m extremely grateful to Coleman, Anne Marie, Ruth and Tony for their trust and encouragement. I’m excited to give everything to this role and look forward to the journey ahead.”

Discover more about Bretland’s leadership developments and expansion plans in the full article.