Robert Ryan has become the newly appointed CEO of Lidl’s Irish operations, succeeding JP Scally, who has been selected by the German discount retailer to oversee its French business. Currently serving as chief customer officer and a board member, Ryan is set to officially step into his new role on the 1st of October. His journey with the company began in 2003 and spans various roles, including sales operations manager and regional managing director. He earned a place on the director’s board in 2018.
Scally is poised to begin his role at Lidl France on August 1st, a familiar territory where he previously served as operations director for a three-year spell. In reflecting on his transition, Scally expressed pride in having “over doubled our market influence in both Ireland and Northern Ireland, as well as bringing our value proposition to numerous new communities.”
Comprising over 1,600 stores and employing 46,000 individuals, Lidl France is a major player in the retail landscape. Lidl Ireland, on the other hand, operates over 180 stores nationwide and provides jobs for around 6,000 people, along with running 41 outlets in Northern Ireland.
Lidl Ireland reported in February 2024 that Irish suppliers contributed €1.1 million worth of goods and local businesses provided €500 million worth of services in 2023. Additionally, Lidl Northern Ireland mentioned in a report, published in May 2024 by Oxford Economics, that it injected £360 million (€428 million) into the local economy in 2023, marking twice its annual contribution from five years earlier.