John O'Connell steps into the role of Construction Director with Bretland
Irish construction firm Bretland has appointed John O’Connell as its new Construction Director, marking a significant step in the company’s leadership development as it continues to expand its project portfolio nationwide.
O’Connell joined the business in January 2024 as Senior Contracts Manager and quickly became a central figure in project delivery and team development.
His rapid progression reflects what the company describes as both his “professionalism” and “strategic focus”, as well as his strong fit with Bretland’s culture and long-term ambitions.
Before his promotion, O’Connell played a key role in several major schemes, most notably the Portlaoise project, where his management approach was credited with strengthening collaboration and trust across project teams.
Speaking about his appointment, O’Connell said: “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.”
In his new position, he will oversee project delivery across Ireland, reinforce client and supply-chain relationships, and support recruitment and talent development as Bretland scales.
He will also contribute to the company’s operational priorities, including quality, safety and performance improvement.
Outlining his longer-term vision, O’Connell noted: “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.”
Bretland’s leadership team said the appointment reflects the company’s focus on strengthening its senior management capabilities as it takes on more complex residential and commercial developments.
O’Connell joined the business in January 2024 as Senior Contracts Manager and quickly became a central figure in project delivery and team development.
O’Connell acknowledged the support he has received throughout his time at the company, adding: “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.”
Founded more than two decades ago, Bretland delivers general contracting, design-and-build, project management and specialist construction services across multiple sectors.
The company has built a reputation for reliability, strong client engagement and best-practice standards, underpinned by a growing workforce and a robust pipeline of developments across Ireland.
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