New Leadership at TII: Cooke as Director, Carey as Chair

UPDATE: Telecommunications Industry Ireland (TII) has just announced significant leadership changes, appointing Nicola Cooke as its new director and Elaine Carey, CEO of Three Ireland, as the new chair of the TII Council. This urgent development comes at a pivotal moment for Ireland’s digital infrastructure, following an investment surge in the telecommunications sector.

The TII, representing key players in the telecommunications landscape, has seen its members—including major companies like Vodafone, Sky, Eir, and Virgin Media—invest approximately €5 billion in Irish communications infrastructure over the last eight years. This investment supports around 24,000 jobs directly and provides vital economic support through €2.7 billion paid annually to local suppliers.

Cooke, a former journalist and PR consultant with experience at National Broadband Ireland and Bus Éireann, emphasized the critical role of electronic communications in everyday life. “The sector really is the backbone support of the economy and society,” she stated. Cooke highlighted a staggering 460% increase in data traffic over the past eight years, underscoring the urgent need for continued investment.

Carey, who has previously served as Chief Commercial Officer for both Three Ireland and Three UK, expressed her enthusiasm about leading TII during this transformative period. “I’m privileged to be taking up the position as chair of TII at such an important time in Ireland’s ongoing digital transformation,” she said. Carey noted the importance of resilient mobile and broadband networks, stating that they are essential infrastructure for the country’s future.

As the digital landscape evolves, both Cooke and Carey are poised to advocate for the modernization of planning laws governing telecommunications infrastructure, some of which date back over 30 years. “Almost every sector will need to digitize and embrace the benefits of AI to remain competitive,” Cooke added, stressing the need for updated regulations to support growth.

In addition to her role at TII, Cooke has been appointed as director of Audiovisual Ireland, an Ibec group representing the screen industry, which sustains approximately 16,000 full-time equivalent jobs and contributes over €1 billion in gross value added to the economy.

The developments at TII signal a renewed commitment to enhancing the capacity and capability of Ireland’s communications networks. As the sector continues to grow, the collaboration between TII, political stakeholders, and industry leaders will be crucial in positioning Ireland at the forefront of European and global digital advancements.

What’s Next: Stakeholders will be watching closely as Cooke and Carey implement strategies that could reshape Ireland’s digital economy. The emphasis on collaboration with government entities and modernization of infrastructure will be key topics in upcoming discussions.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.