Tourism Ireland has raided Google to bring in a new boss to succeed Niall Gibbons as chief executive.
Alice Mansergh has been selected as the organisation’s new chief executive designate.
She is managing director, Google customer solutions, for the UK and Ireland, and corporate reputation lead for Google’s Dublin-based EMEA headquarters.
Mansergh led Google’s international marketing teams, promoting consumer brands and developing creative campaigns for TV, outdoor and digital media in key markets, including the UK, France, Germany and the Middle East.
She has been with the tech giant since 2004 across various senior roles and has served on the board of Fáilte Ireland for five years.
Mansergh joins the umbrella tourism agency promoting the island of Ireland on September 18.
Gibbons announced in January that he was to step down from Tourism Ireland in April after 21 years, including 14 years as chief executive.
Tourism Ireland chief executive Christopher Brooke said: “Following a rigorous and competitive international recruitment campaign, we are pleased to select Alice Mansergh as the new chief executive designate of Tourism Ireland.
“Alice is a highly experienced, strategic leader with extensive international marketing experience and a strong understanding of digital trends.
“She will provide strategic leadership to the team at Tourism Ireland at an important time for our industry, which continues on the road to recovery.
“She will work with, and support, our tourism industry partners, at home and overseas, as we rebuild overseas tourism to the island of Ireland.”
Mansergh added: “It is an honour for me to be taking up this position. I am passionate about tourism and for the past five years have been a board member of Fáilte Ireland, supporting tourism product development and industry investment.
“I understand what a vital role tourism plays for the economy and for communities across the island of Ireland.
“I look forward to meeting and working with the talented team at Tourism Ireland. I am excited for what the future holds and where we can take the organisation on behalf of the island of Ireland’s tourism industry.”