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Anne Heraty (Irish Businesswoman)
Anne Heraty, whose full name is Anne Heraty FRCSI, is one of Ireland’s most influential businesswomen and a pioneering figure in the recruitment and staffing industry. She is best known as the co-founder, major shareholder, and long-serving CEO of CPL Resources, the company she helped build from a small start-up into one of Europe’s leading talent and workforce solutions groups. Originally from County Longford, her journey from a modest upbringing to leading a publicly listed company has made her a standout figure in Irish business history.
Heraty completed her early education in Longford before moving to Dublin to pursue higher studies. She graduated from University College Dublin (UCD) with a degree in Mathematics and Economics, a combination that later shaped her strategic thinking and problem-solving style. After university, she began her career in sales, where she gained practical experience working directly with clients and businesses. These early roles helped her understand market needs and eventually inspired her to step into the growing recruitment sector.
In 1989, Anne Heraty co-founded Computer Placement Ltd, the company that later became CPL Resources. With a clear vision to connect talented professionals with expanding opportunities in Ireland’s emerging technology sector, she focused on creating a company that could adapt, evolve, and meet the demands of a rapidly changing economy. By 1992, she had acquired full ownership of the business, and in 1999 she achieved a historic milestone when CPL was listed on the Irish Stock Exchange—making her the first woman in Ireland to lead a publicly quoted company.
Under her leadership, CPL expanded far beyond IT recruitment. Over the years, the company grew into a multi-disciplinary, international group offering services in healthcare staffing, financial recruitment, outsourcing, managed services, and global workforce solutions. Heraty successfully guided the company through major economic challenges, including the dot-com crisis and the global financial downturn. Her strong leadership earned her numerous honors, such as the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2006) and the Irish Times Business Person of the Year (2021) following CPL’s major acquisition deal.
Today, Anne Heraty continues to play an influential role in Irish business and public life. She has served on the boards of several major organizations, including IBEC, Kingspan Group, and the charity Barretstown, where she has contributed to strategic development and social impact initiatives. Even after stepping down from her executive leadership role at CPL, her legacy remains powerful. Her journey is often cited as an inspiring example of ambition, resilience, and leadership—showing how vision and persistence can transform a local idea into an internationally recognized success story.
Anne Heraty (CEO & Recruitment Pioneer)
| Full Name | Anne Heraty |
| Known For | Co-founder, Major Shareholder & CEO of CPL Resources |
| Founded | CPL Resources (1989) |
| Historic Achievement | First woman in Ireland to lead a publicly listed company (1999) |
| Date of Birth | Born in County Longford, Ireland (Exact date not publicly disclosed) |
| Place of Birth | County Longford, Ireland |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Education | University College Dublin (Mathematics & Economics) |
| Early Career | Sales and client services roles in Dublin |
| Career Highlights | Led CPL’s expansion; floated company on Irish Stock Exchange in 1999; grew CPL into a global recruitment and staffing group |
| Awards | Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2006); Irish Times Business Person of the Year (2021) |
| Organizations Served | IBEC, Kingspan Group, Barretstown Charity |
| Industry | Recruitment, Staffing, Workforce Solutions |
| Notable Qualities | Strategic thinker, resilient leader, trailblazer for women in business |
| Current Status | Prominent Irish business leader; active board member |
Early life and Education
Anne Heraty was born in 1961 and grew up in a small village in County Longford, Ireland. She is reportedly the second-youngest in a family of six children. Her early years were shaped by a modest family environment — according to her, her family owned a local shop and a farm, which gave her early exposure to business operations and a ground-level understanding of commerce.
She attended secondary school in the village of Newtownforbes in Longford before going on to pursue her higher studies.
Higher education and academic background
After finishing secondary school, Anne Heraty moved to Dublin for university. She enrolled at University College Dublin (UCD), where she studied and earned a BA in Mathematics and Economics.
Her academic background in mathematics and economics provided her with analytical skills and a strategic mindset that later proved vital for her business decisions. The mix of quantitative reasoning (from mathematics) and economic understanding helped her approach recruitment and workforce planning with a data-driven, structured strategy.
Early career — stepping into workforce and sales
Upon graduating from UCD (she completed her degree around 1984) , Anne Heraty began her professional journey working in sales. Her first job after college was with a sales organisation (Xerox), where she gained valuable real-world experience: dealing with clients directly, understanding business needs, and working in a fast-paced environment.
A few years later, she joined a recruitment agency around 1987, where she was trained in staffing and hiring practices. There, she developed an interest in the emerging technology sector — in particular IT — and began to see an opportunity in placing skilled professionals in companies growing in Ireland’s nascent tech industry.
From education to entrepreneurship
Her upbringing in a small-town, working-class family — running a local shop and farm — and her formal education in mathematics and economics combined to give Anne both business instincts and analytical strength. Her early sales role and first recruitment job gave her practical insights into market demand, workforce needs, and the value of talent placement.
These experiences together laid the foundation for her decision, in 1989, to co-found a recruitment firm (then “Computer Placement Ltd.”, later known as CPL Resources) — a step that would eventually change Irish recruitment industry.
Career
Anne Heraty began her professional journey after graduating with a degree in Mathematics and Economics from University College Dublin. She first worked in sales, gaining valuable experience dealing with clients and understanding business operations. A few years later, she moved into recruitment, which sparked her interest in connecting skilled professionals with growing businesses.
In 1989, at the age of 29, Anne co-founded Computer Placement Ltd, which later became CPL Resources. Her goal was to provide Ireland’s emerging technology and business sectors with talented professionals. By 1992, she became the sole owner of the company, taking full control and shaping its future direction.
A major milestone came in 1999 when CPL Resources was listed on the Irish Stock Exchange. This achievement made Anne the first woman in Ireland to lead a publicly quoted company. Under her leadership, CPL expanded beyond IT recruitment to sectors like healthcare, finance, outsourcing, and international staffing.
Throughout her career, Anne guided CPL through major economic challenges, including the dot-com crash and the global financial crisis. Her strategic decisions helped the company grow steadily, eventually becoming one of Ireland’s largest recruitment agencies and a global workforce solutions provider.
In 2021, Anne sold CPL Resources in a high-value deal and stepped down as CEO. Even after leaving day-to-day management, she continued contributing to business through board positions and advisory roles, maintaining her influence in Ireland’s corporate sector and inspiring future entrepreneurs.
CPL Resources
CPL Resources is one of Ireland’s leading recruitment and workforce solutions companies, co-founded by Anne Heraty in 1989. Originally named Computer Placement Ltd, the company started with a focus on providing skilled professionals to Ireland’s growing technology sector. Over time, CPL expanded into multiple industries including healthcare, finance, outsourcing, and managed services, becoming a major player in both national and international staffing.
Under Anne Heraty’s leadership, CPL grew steadily, navigating economic challenges like the dot-com crash and the global financial crisis. In 1999, CPL Resources was listed on the Irish Stock Exchange, making Anne Heraty the first woman in Ireland to lead a publicly quoted company.
CPL’s business model emphasizes connecting talented individuals with the right opportunities while helping companies meet their workforce needs efficiently. Over the decades, the company has earned a reputation for professionalism, innovation, and adaptability, eventually becoming one of the largest recruitment agencies in Ireland and a trusted global workforce solutions provider.
In 2021, CPL Resources was sold in a major acquisition deal, marking the end of Anne Heraty’s tenure as CEO but leaving a lasting legacy in the recruitment industry. Today, CPL continues to operate internationally, maintaining its reputation for quality and excellence in staffing solutions.
Entrepreneur of the Year
Anne Heraty has been widely recognized for her remarkable achievements in business, most notably when she was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2006. This prestigious award celebrated her vision, leadership, and the transformative impact she had on Ireland’s recruitment industry through CPL Resources.
The award highlighted her ability to grow a small start-up into a publicly listed company while navigating economic challenges, expanding into multiple sectors, and creating employment opportunities for thousands. It also recognized her role as a trailblazer for women in business, showing that determination, strategic thinking, and resilience can lead to extraordinary success.
Heraty’s recognition as Entrepreneur of the Year cemented her status as one of Ireland’s most influential business leaders and inspired many aspiring entrepreneurs to follow in her footsteps. The award reflects not only her personal achievements but also the long-lasting impact of CPL Resources on the Irish economy and global staffing industry.
Anglo Irish Bank & Other Board Memberships
Beyond her role at CPL Resources, Anne Heraty has served on several high-profile boards, demonstrating her influence in Ireland’s corporate sector. She was a non-executive director at Anglo Irish Bank, where she gained insight into banking, corporate governance, and financial management. Her tenure at the bank gave her experience navigating complex corporate and regulatory environments, further strengthening her leadership skills.
In addition to Anglo Irish Bank, Anne has been involved with multiple organizations in advisory and board capacities. She served on the board of IBEC, Ireland’s largest business representative group, helping guide policies and initiatives to support businesses nationwide. She has also been a board member of Kingspan Group plc, a global leader in building materials, contributing her expertise to strategic decision-making.
Anne Heraty has also dedicated time to social and charitable boards, including Barretstown, a children’s charity focused on supporting seriously ill children and their families. Through these roles, she has combined business acumen with social responsibility, showing her commitment to community development alongside corporate leadership.
Her board memberships reflect her ongoing influence and dedication to both the business world and society, reinforcing her status as a respected and impactful leader in Ireland.
Legacy & Impact
Anne Heraty’s career has left a lasting mark on Ireland’s business landscape. As the co-founder and CEO of CPL Resources, she not only built one of the country’s largest recruitment companies but also became a trailblazer for women in leadership. By becoming the first woman to lead a publicly listed Irish company, she broke barriers and inspired future generations of female entrepreneurs.
Her influence extends beyond CPL. Through her board memberships with organizations such as IBEC, Kingspan Group, and charitable initiatives like Barretstown, Anne has contributed to both corporate strategy and social development. She has demonstrated that strong leadership can combine business success with social responsibility.
Anne’s achievements also highlight her ability to navigate challenges, from economic downturns to industry shifts, while maintaining growth, innovation, and employee focus. Her vision for CPL emphasized talent, professionalism, and adaptability, setting new standards for recruitment and workforce solutions in Ireland and abroad.
Heraty’s story is often cited as an example of persistence, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial courage. She has inspired countless business leaders, especially women, to pursue ambitious goals and contribute meaningfully to society.
Through her work, Anne Heraty has not only transformed the recruitment industry but also helped shape a modern, inclusive, and progressive Irish business environment, leaving a legacy of excellence and empowerment.
Personal life
Anne Heraty was born and raised in County Longford, Ireland, in a modest family environment. She grew up as one of six children, which she has said taught her the value of hard work, collaboration, and responsibility from an early age. Her early experiences in her family’s shop and farm gave her practical insights into business and commerce, shaping her entrepreneurial mindset.
She is known to be a private person who prefers to keep her personal life away from the public eye. Despite her high-profile business career, Anne has managed to balance professional commitments with family life and personal interests. She often emphasizes the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and maintaining strong values in both business and personal spheres.
Outside of work, Anne supports social and charitable causes, including organizations like Barretstown, which helps seriously ill children and their families. Her involvement reflects her belief in giving back to the community and using her experience to make a positive impact on society.
Anne Heraty’s personal life demonstrates the qualities that have driven her professional success: determination, focus, and a commitment to supporting others. Her story serves as inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting that success can be achieved while maintaining strong personal values and contributing to society.
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