Leadership Team

John Coleman has been Chief Executive of the Land Development Agency since its inception in September 2018. He was responsible for creating the LDA concept, strategy and organisation from scratch, and then scaling it to be one of Ireland’s most significant housing delivery and land assembly vehicles with a staff of over 200 people. John was previously Chief Financial Officer at Ireland’s National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) and worked extensively on the set up of its Residential Delivery division. John is a graduate of University College Dublin (BComm) and a chartered accountant (FCA). Prior to joining NAMA in 2011 he worked in banking and accountancy.

Sharon has been Chief of Staff at the Land Development Agency since joining in March 2025. In that role she is responsible for Corporate Strategy, Sustainability, Public Affairs and Communications, Economics, Governance and Community and Stakeholder Engagement. Sharon previously held executive leadership roles at AIB Group, including Head of Sourcing, Property and Security and Chief of Staff to the Group CEO. Sharon brings over 20 years’ experience in financial services, with roles spanning people leadership, strategy, operations, public affairs, risk management, procurement, property and change management. A Chartered Accountant, she began her career with KPMG. She is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland and holds a Bachelor of Business Studies from the University of Limerick.

Róisín has been Chief Financial Officer at the LDA since March 2024, where she is responsible for financial strategy, planning, reporting, and governance. Róisín previously served as CFO at the Digital Hub Development Agency and held senior roles at Grant Thornton and Crowe Ireland. She brings over a decade of leadership experience in financial leadership, risk management, and public sector finance, with a strong focus on strategic oversight and accountability. She is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland and holds a professional certificate in governance from the Institute of Public Administration. Róisín is a Board member of Screen Ireland since January 2024.

Dearbhla is an experienced strategic planner who leads the LDA’s planning, public lands and sustainability function, working with partners to optimise state land usage, build the pipeline and progress plans to regenerate and deliver compact and sustainable growth. Prior to her current role, Dearbhla worked in public and private sector roles most recently as Director of Services in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and before this as Head of Transport & Strategic Planning in Cambridgeshire

Garry Mannering is the Chief Risk Officer of the LDA and oversees the risk management, internal assurance and business continuity frameworks. Garry also leads engagement with the Audit and Risk Committee and internal audit. He has over 20 years’ experience in senior management roles spanning IT, security, risk and finance primarily in the telecommunications sector. A former officer of the Defence Forces he served on the border with Northern Ireland and Lebanon before managing the Defence Forces’ IT operations. He has been a board member of An Taisce and the Irish Clay Target Shooting Association. Garry is a graduate of the Atlantic Technological University (BSc Software Engineering), University Galway (Executive MBA) and University College Dublin (Executive Masters in Risk Management).

Enda McGuane is Director of Asset Management at the Land Development Agency, leading the strategic and sustainable management of its national land banks, residential and commercial property portfolios. He is a chartered surveyor with over 30 years’ experience in real estate, investment, and leadership, he has held a variety of other senior executive roles in both the private and public sectors. A former officer in the Defence Forces, he served with the UN in Lebanon and East Timor. He has also been a board member of Brothers of Charity Services Ireland, and Co-Op Housing Ireland. A past President of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland, he sits on ULI Europe’s Affordable Living Council and the Housing Investment Advisory Hub’s International Board. In 2025 he received the ATU Alumni Award in Business for leadership and societal contribution.

Barry joined the LDA in 2018 and is the current Director of Investment and a member of the LDA’s investment committee. The investment team’s primary functions includes the development, approval and implementation of the agency’s delivery and funding strategies and management of the supporting governance framework. The investment team also has overall responsibility for delivering the LDA’s Home Building Partnership initiative, a market engagement process whereby the LDA is seeking to secure the delivery of housing to be utilised for affordable for sale or cost rental.

Phelim has been Director of Development of the Land Development Agency since its inception in September 2018. Phelim previously held senior property and development roles with NAMA and the NTMA, and prior to which worked in property and infrastructure delivery roles in the private sector. Phelim is a graduate of University of Galway (BEng) with post graduate qualifications in project management, construction law and corporate finance.

Melissa has been Director of Human Resources at the LDA since July 2020, where she leads HR strategy, recruitment, workforce planning, and organisational development. Before joining the LDA, Melissa held senior HR roles with Veolia, State Street, and GE Capital, gaining over 20 years' experience across the financial, pharmaceutical, and industrial services sectors. Her expertise includes change management, employee relations, talent development, and delivering HR solutions aligned with organisational goals.

John White is Director of Delivery. John has over 35 year’s experience in construction and development in the UK and Ireland, during which time he was a director with Ardstone Homes Ltd, Schofield Lothian Ltd and with Bennett developments Ltd. John is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor and Project Manager and holds an MBA in business from TCD. He is also a qualified Mediator and Adjudicator.