Catherine Hurley is an electronic engineer who has a keen interest in large-scale energy infrastructures. In her earlier tenure, she served as a plant manager at Ardnacrusha’s hydroelectric station located in Co Clare. In 2014, she relocated to Malta where her debut role was as the commercial director for ElectroGas Malta. During her tenure, she was responsible for successfully setting up funding and development of Malta’s maiden facility for converting LNG to power.
The facility commenced its business operations in 2017, following which Hurley sought a fresh challenge. She accepted an offer from Quad Central the next year, where she served as the CEO with the responsibility for constructing Malta’s first LEED commercial project in Mriehel’s central business district. The company achieved significant steps under her leadership – from being a start-up to completing four towers and beginning operations at one of them. Over 44,000 square metres of high-grade office and retail space was built with a focus on sustainability. Hurley shared that this journey was not devoid of challenges presented by the pandemic, which needed constant strategic adjustments, resilience and effective teamwork. She also noted that high-spec commercial property development is relatively new in Malta.
In 2022, Hurley ventured out independently, offering consultancy services related to renewable energy and liquid natural gas projects. AIS, a firm focusing on innovative workspace design and construction, hired her services and later appointed her as the head of global accounts. Hurley’s role takes her around the world, leading a wide array of real estate services, as AIS has a nearly world-wide footprint present across 25 countries with its core design centres situated in Amsterdam, London and Malta. Her husband’s love for sailing along with an impressive local climate and Malta’s closeness to Ireland were instrumental in their decision to move to the island.
During her time at UCD, Hurley was initially drawn to a career in software development. However, seeing the remarkable talent from her peers left her feeling inadequate, and she chose to pursue a different path. For mere interview practice, she applied at ESB but soon developed an affinity for the company and joined as a gas trader in 2005.
She undertook a managerial role at the Aghada power station in 2009, later transitioning to become the asset manager at the Turlough Hill hydroelectricity station in Wicklow. In 2011, Hurley was promoted to plant manager at Ardnacrusha.
Prompted by lifestyle preferences, Hurley made the decision to relocate to Malta. The proximity to Ireland, English-speaking community, and favorable climate won her over. The excellent sailing opportunities attracted her and her sailing-enthusiast boyfriend, now her spouse.
Despite some initial concerns regarding the potential hindrance to her career growth through moving to another small island, Hurley realised the opportunity to lead two extensive and economically impactful projects. With her understanding of the challenges related to running a small isolated grid, a feat unfamiliar to her European engineering counterparts, she set about undertaking the tasks.
Residing near the capital city of Malta, Hurley enjoys life in the scenic Three Cities area, a locale teeming with history and ancient architecture. The cultural richness drawn from African and Middle Eastern influences adds to the vibrancy of the environment, she noted.
The shared sense of humour between the Irish and Maltese people is a factor appreciated by Hurley. She specifically avoided immersing herself solely in the ex-pat community to enjoy a more authentic cultural experience.
Malta, according to Hurley, is a bustling social hub, where her summer weekends are spent afloat with friends, a practice she cherishes. However, she expresses a longing for a quality scone to pair with the Kerrygold butter available there, evoking a slight pang of homesickness.
Hurley, who savours sailing, kayaking, and formerly relished cycling and trekking in Ireland, somewhat misses the verdant hues of the country, its forests, rivers, and the pleasure of walking in the Kerry and Wicklow mountains.
The most stark differences in business culture, she observes, lie in Malta’s entrepreneurial agility and the stronger structure and governance evident in Irish firms.
Considering her professional journey, Hurley constantly seeks novel challenges. She keenly watches the evolving sustainability and renewables sectors due to her background.
Her move abroad has been a catalyst for personal and professional change, expanding her network and instigating a transition from a predominantly Irish perspective to a wider, global understanding. Hurley has managed major power generation projects, spearheaded a commercial property development business, and is now immersed in commercial interior design and contract building, affirming that the journey has been devoid of monotony.