Former Mayo footballer Chris Barrett acquires project management firm

Former Mayo footballer and All Star Chris Barrett has acquired a project management company following his retirement from inter-county football last year.

The former Mayo defender, who hung up his boots after the 2020 All Ireland final, has acquired Leading Edge Project Directors (LEPD) from one of its original founders, PJ Monaghan.

Mr Barrett would not be drawn on the financial details of the buyout.

LEPD specialises in project and development management in the property and construction industry. Mr Barrett will also take over the role of managing director, while Mr Monaghan will become chairman.

BioNTech aims to develop first mRNA-based malaria vaccine

---

Ask app not to track? Thanks, I’ll do just that

---

Cost of living in Europe: Are we paying over the odds to live in Ireland?

---

SSE to explore production of green hydrogen energy in Ireland

---

LEPD was founded in 2003 by Mr Monaghan and Tommy Murray. Mr Barrett joined the company as a project manager in 2013, having graduated from NUIG with an honours degree in civil engineering.

He has also worked as a site engineer with Walls Construction. He was appointed director and head of operations at LEPD in December 2018.

New chapter

LEPD has worked in the public and private sectors, including delivering projects such as the Clarington Primary Care Centres, Monaghan Education Campus, Knockrabo and Dodderbrook housing developments, and the Phase 2 Expansion of Kildare Village.

“This is a new chapter in my business life, and I believe Leading Edge is well positioned to expand its reach in the property development and construction sector,” said Mr Barrett.

“We are active on a number of commercial and residential projects in the Dublin area and there are many opportunities out there where cutting edge, professional and experienced project managers can deliver real value.

“I felt the time was right to say farewell to both my inter county and club careers and concentrate my energies on the development and growth of Leading Edge. I am very fortunate that PJ has agreed to stay on as chairman to assist me on this journey.

“I loved my time in football, but I am equally passionate about the work I do and am excited about what the future holds.

“Despite the interruptions and uncertainty arising from Covid, I see great potential in the sector as Ireland builds capacity in housing, education and health facilities and commercial infrastructure for its citizens in the coming years.”

Mr Monaghan, who, along with founding LEPD, was a driving force behind the Clarington Primary Care portfolio which sold to PHP in 2018. He was also the founder of mentors.ie which was acquired by Brightwater Recruitment in 2019.

He will now focus on his family investment company Bluerock Investments and is exploring opportunities in the property development and SME sectors.