Annette Malone has been appointed as RTÉ's new Chief People Officer following a public competition.
Ms Malone has been the broadcaster's Head of Human Resources - Audio and Video (formerly Content) since 2018. She was previously Head of Human Resources - RTÉ Television from 2012 to 2018 and Head of Human Resources - RTÉ Radio from 2010 to 2012.
She replaces RTÉ's Director of Human Resources Eimear Cusack who announced last August that she would be stepping down from the post.
Ms Malone will begin the role of Chief People Officer on Monday 30 March, which coincides with Ms Cusack leaving RTÉ.
As Chief People Officer, she will join RTÉ's Leadership Team.
RTÉ Director-General Kevin Bakhurst said that Ms Malone brings "extensive and valuable experience" to the role, both through the various senior HR positions she has held across RTÉ since 2007, and in previous roles.
"In all of these roles, Annette has demonstrated great strategic and collaborative skills as well as great expertise in the area of employee/industrial relations. She also has comprehensive knowledge of employment law, and wide experience of labour relations frameworks," he said.
"All of this will be very helpful in the Chief People Officer role along with Annette's strong communication, people, and team leadership skills," he added.
Ms Malone said she was honoured to step into the role of Chief People Officer at RTÉ at such an important time for the organisation.
"Our people are at the heart of the organisation's purpose and public service mission. I'm committed to fostering a culture that supports creativity, inclusion and accountability at every level of the organisation," she said.
"RTÉ has an extraordinary legacy, an exciting future and I look forward to working with colleagues across the organisation to ensure we continue to grow, feel valued, and deliver exceptional content for audiences across Ireland," she added.
Her appointment was announced at a time the broadcaster is under going fundamental transformation.
As RTÉ manages the impact of the first phase of the VEP (voluntary exit programme), which saw it reduce its headcount by approximately 95 staff during 2025, through a combination of voluntary exits and other departures, the organisation has committed to an overall reduction of 400 staff over the coming years.
Ms Malone will be central to negotiating that programme, against a backdrop when public service broadcasters globally are having to reconfigure their business model.
With questions over how they do business with rising costs, digital technology innovations, uncertain financial and political territory and in RTÉ's case, as licence fee sales are still below pre 2023 levels, it is a key role.
Ms Malone's appointment comes weeks after the departure of Chief Financial Officer Mari Hurley was confirmed.
Additional reporting Evelyn O'Rourke
