Primark’s Breege O'Donoghue to step down after 37 years

By

Barbara Santamaria

Published
Jun 16, 2016

Primark confirmed on Wednesday the departure of Breege O'Donoghue, Group Director New Markets and Business Development, after 37 years of service.

The company said she has decided “to move onto her next phase of life”.

O'Donoghue joined the Irish retailer in 1979 when the company only had 24 stores. Primark, which trades as Penneys in Ireland, has now more than 300 stores, 60,000 employees and operates in 11 countries.

Breege will step down from her role on the Executive Board of Primark in September 2016. She will continue to represent the company by performing duties as an Ambassador including her role as a pension trustee.

Paul Marchant, Chief Executive of Primark Stores, said: “Breege was part of the Primark board that led the transformation of the company into one of the fastest-growing and most successful retailers in Europe.  Breege developed and ran our human resources department as well as having many other operational responsibilities. I would personally like to thank Breege for her contribution which has without doubt helped significantly to make Primark the business that it is today. We wish Breege all the very best for the future."