DAA appoints Land Development Agency chief John Coleman as next chief executive
Coleman is due to lead the operator of Dublin and Cork airports from early 2027, leaving the State housing agency to choose a successor.
DAA appointed Land Development Agency chief executive John Coleman on 27 October 2026 to lead Ireland’s State-owned operator of Dublin and Cork airports. He is due to take up the post early in 2027 for a seven-year term, prompting a leadership search at the housing agency he has led since its creation.
Coleman will replace Kenny Jacobs, who stepped down earlier this year after a dispute with DAA’s board. The Irish Times reported that Jacobs had been suspended in December 2025 pending an investigation into allegations made against him, and that he settled a High Court action against DAA in February, agreeing to step down voluntarily.
Why DAA chose John Coleman
DAA chair Gary Owens said Coleman had been chosen after a ‘comprehensive selection process’. Owens pointed to Coleman’s experience navigating planning and regulatory systems as DAA works on long-term development plans for Dublin and Cork airports. The appointment moves a leader of a State housing body into the management of two of Ireland’s airports.
Coleman has led the Land Development Agency since it was established in 2018. The agency develops housing on publicly owned land and manages such land strategically. Before joining it, Coleman was chief financial officer of the National Asset Management Agency, or Nama.
Coleman said he was ‘honoured and excited’ to join DAA. In a separate written statement issued by the Land Development Agency, he described establishing an organisation focused on Ireland’s housing challenge as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ and said the agency had made progress during its first eight years.
What happens at the Land Development Agency
The Land Development Agency said it would begin the process of finding Coleman’s successor in the coming weeks. It has not named a replacement. DAA has described Coleman’s start only as early 2027, without giving an exact date.
Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien welcomed Coleman’s appointment, citing his record of delivery and contribution to Ireland’s housing needs, TheJournal.ie reported. His move will leave the agency with a leadership transition while it continues its housing development role.
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Sources and context
- Land Development Agency boss John Coleman to take over as head of DAATheJournal.ie
- DAA selects LDA boss John Coleman as new chief executiveThe Irish Times
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.