Why Sheena Peirse’s Unexpected Rise to Mediahuis Ireland CEO Could Flip the Entire Industry on Its Head—Are You Ready for the Shake-Up?

So, here’s a little something to chew on—what does it take to steer a media giant through the swirling storms of today’s digital age? Mediahuis Ireland, the powerhouse behind the Irish Independent, just handed over the reins to Sheena Peirse, a leader who’s not just comfortable in the captain’s chair but has been quietly reshaping the vessel from within as chief customer officer. With Peter Vandermeersch stepping aside after guiding the ship through a critical period since the Belgian takeover in 2019, Sheena’s arrival signals more than a mere change of guard—it’s a bold stride towards embracing the future of journalism in a world grappling with trust, AI, and polarized audiences. She’s got the chops, with roots deep in UK broadcast media and a knack for digital strategy that helped Mediahuis cross the 100,000 subscriber milestone. As someone who’s seen industries pivot and profits soar or dive with the slightest algorithm tweak, I find myself genuinely intrigued—can Sheena’s blend of editorial savvy and commercial smarts push Irish journalism into its next big chapter? Stay tuned—it’s about to get interesting. LEARN MORE

Irish Independent publisher Mediahuis Ireland has announced Sheena Peirse as its new chief executive.

Peirse, who currently serves as the group’s chief customer officer, will replace Peter Vandermeersch on October 1

Vandermeersch has overseen Mediahuis’ Irish titles since the Belgian group took over Independent News & Media in 2019 and has served as Mediahuis Ireland CEO since 2022.

Staff were told on Tuesday that Vandermeersch will take on a group-wide role as Mediahuis Fellow ‘Journalism and Society’.

“In this fellowship, I want to further strengthen Mediahuis’ position as a thought leader, addressing some of the industry’s key challenges – such as the relevance of journalism, its role in an era of polarisation, trust, press freedom, engaging with diverse audiences, and ensuring a sustainable future for local journalism – while exploring the responsible use of AI in newsrooms,” he said.

Peirse joined Mediahuis in 2019 as digital editorial director after a career in UK broadcast media, which included senior roles at ITV and Channel 4, where she had a leading role in shaping digital strategy and content initiatives.

As chief customer officer, she led strategic change in Mediahuis’ subscription and marketing business, helping the group to reach 100,000 subscribers.

As chief executive, she will work alongside chief operating officer Ian Keogh, chief financial officer Ross Murray and the Mediahuis Ireland executive leadership team.

“I am honoured to take on this role at such a pivotal time for our organisation and for journalism,” said Peirse.

“Peter and Ian have laid a strong foundation for our digital growth, and I look forward to building on that legacy with our talented teams across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

“Together, we will continue to deliver independent, high-quality journalism that plays a relevant role in our readers’ lives.”

Gert Ysebaert, chief executive of the Mediahuis Group, said Peirse’s “deep understanding of both editorial and commercial strategy makes her uniquely positioned to lead Mediahuis Ireland into its next chapter.

“I wish her every success in this important role and look forward to the continued impact she will make on our organisation and the wider media landscape,” he said.

Photo: Peter Vandermeersch and Sheena Peirse. (Pic: Steve Humphreys)