Why Deirdre Veldon’s Sudden Exit from The Irish Times Could Signal a Big Shift in Media Power—What Investors Must Know Now

Here’s a curious thought: can three decades in the whirlwind media world feel both like a blink and a lifetime? Deirdre Veldon, the formidable force behind The Irish Times’ digital metamorphosis, is stepping down as Group Managing Director after a journey that began in 1999 as a humble reporter. From the front lines of journalism to steering one of Ireland’s key media players through seismic digital shifts, Veldon’s tenure reads like a masterclass in adaptation and leadership. As print gave way to pixels and clicks, she wasn’t just along for the ride—she was driving the transformation. Now, the question isn’t just who’ll fill her shoes, but how the legacy she’s carved influences the future of trusted, quality journalism in a world chasing fleeting trends. Ready to dive deeper into this extraordinary chapter? LEARN MORE.

Irish Times’ Group Managing Director Deirdre Veldon has announced that she is stepping away from her role.

Drawing a close to three decades of work with the media company, Veldon expressed her “immense privilege” for having worked with the group since 1999, when she began in a role as a journalist.

She moved into the role of editor of Ireland.com, which later became IrishTimes.com, and progressed to the role of Group Managing Director, after time spent as Duty Editor (Online), Managing Editor, Development and Operations and Deputy Editor.

Veldon was keen to wish all of her colleagues “every success”, taking to LinkedIn saying: “Three decades, countless deadlines and one extraordinary journey later, I am preparing to step down as Group Managing Director of The Irish Times.

“It has been an immense privilege to serve this organisation, which has played such an important role in Ireland’s media landscape for so long.

“Since The Irish Times became one of the first newspapers worldwide to go online in 1994, we have navigated profound changes in the way our journalism is produced and consumed, and I am proud that we have been at the forefront of digital transformation during that time.”

She added that she is deeply grateful to my colleagues across the Group, past and present, for their professionalism, collegiality and their unwavering belief in “our mission”.

“As publishers,” Veldon added, “we are facing extraordinary challenges in finding ways to engage audiences with our journalism.

“The path forward for us lies not in chasing every new trend but in understanding what our audiences want from us and doubling down on what has always set us apart – our journalism.

“By producing content that is consistently relevant and trusted, we build deeper relationships with our audiences and create the pathway for long-term sustainability.

“The importance of quality journalism has never been greater, and I have no doubt that The Irish Times Group will continue to play a central role in Irish public life in the years ahead.”