Grant has been head of asset management with the utility since its formation in April 2013. In this role he led the project to assess the condition and performance of all national water infrastructure assets, to support the implementation of a national investment plan on the basis of greatest need.
He has also served as spokesperson for Irish Water on a range of technical issues and on major infrastructure projects. Prior to joining Irish Water he was managing director of consultancy RPS.
He has been appointed by Irish Water’s parent company Ervia on a two-year contract.
Meanwhile, Ervia, which is the parent company of Gas Networks Ireland as well as Irish Water, has also appointed Cathal Marley as group finance director.
He joins the company from ESB where he was head of group treasury and investor relations. A chartered accountant, he previously worked with EY in Dublin and Eastern Europe.
Welcoming the senior appointments, Ervia Group chief executive Michael McNicholas said: “We are very pleased to have appointed people the calibre of Jerry and Cathal to these senior positions. Jerry Grant brings 40 years infrastructure experience to the role of managing director and is Ireland’s foremost technical expert on Water Services.
“The appointment of Jerry provides the strong leadership, detailed knowledge and experience that will guide Irish Water through the transition from establishment to fully operational phase as a state utility.”
“In joining Ervia, Cathal Marley brings significant experience of financial operations and funding in a large complex utility environment and a strong focus on cost control and risk management. We are delighted to welcome Cathal to the company”, he added.
The funding model of Irish Water, which took responsibility for water services in Ireland in January 2014, is currently under review following Ireland’s election in February this year in which the future of water charging was a central issue.
As part of a deal between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, charging will be suspended until an independent commission has reported back on the best way to fund water services in the country. The commission is expected to take around nine months to report.