Garrett Bridgeman

Tell us more about your background

I am the Managing Director of the Mails and Parcels Division of An Post and COO at the An Post Group. Additionally, I serve as Chairperson of Print Post and An Post Business Solutions. The Mails and Parcels Division generates an annual turnover of approximately €700 million, operates at over 200 sites and employs more than 8,000 people. We deliver over 1.2 million items daily, both domestically and globally.  My role involves leading the transformation of the business from a traditional postal operator to a market leader in e-commerce, a position we have successfully achieved in recent years.  We are recognised as one of Ireland’s leaders in operational excellence, having won multiple prestigious awards in this category. Additionally, we are at the forefront of sustainability, operating the largest electric fleet in the country and being the first postal service in the world to achieve zero emissions across its cities.
 
I joined An Post as a marketing graduate back in 1997, as part of their inaugural graduate recruitment programme. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of assuming diverse senior managerial positions throughout An Post, encompassing commercial, strategic and operational areas. Before my current role as Managing Director, I led the team that launched An Post’s parcel business. This involved working with our people nationwide to build the significant operational infrastructure and develop leading products, which would enable us compete and win in the growing e-commerce market. Most recently I completed the Senior Executive Programme at London Business School. I am also a graduate of the Marketing Institute of Ireland (MII), where I received both the MII Graduate of the Year and the MII Logistics awards.

What is the one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

In my view, adaptability is the cornerstone of effective leadership. Leaders must possess a diverse array of qualities, including commercial acumen, results-oriented mindset, growth-oriented outlook, integrity, and self-awareness. However, the ability to discern and prioritise these qualities according to the situation is paramount. From my experience, I also strongly endorse leaders having a collaborative leadership style. Not only have I found this approach to be the most impactful in my career, but it consistently produces the best results and fosters a highly motivated, high-performing team.

What is the most important lesson, from your personal or business life, that has guided you the most in being a business leader? 

One of the most important lessons I've learned in business is the significance of surrounding yourself with a strong team with good collaboration.  As a leader, it's tempting to believe that you must have all the answers, but true strength lies in leveraging the collective intelligence and perspectives of a diverse team. By fostering an environment where open dialogue and constructive discussion are encouraged, we can arrive at better informed decisions that ultimately drive the business forward.  Another key learning for me, is if you put the customer at the centre of all decision making, you rarely make a wrong decision.

Is there someone who has had a major impact on you as a leader? Why and how did this person impact your life?

Numerous individuals have shaped my leadership journey, but my father, with over 40 years at An Post, is the bedrock of my values and principles.  He taught me the importance of respecting others, which has guided my personal and professional relationships.  Additionally, An Post CEO David McRedmond has strongly influenced my leadership development. His focus on leadership growth and management development has been instrumental, encouraging continuous improvement and self-awareness. David's mentorship has provided valuable insights into my strengths and areas for development, significantly contributing to my growth as a leader.

What are the biggest business challenges or/and opportunities that you have seen over your career to date? And how did you help to overcome or/and optimise these? 

During the period up to 2016, we witnessed a significant decline in our core mails business, amounting to over a 50% decrease.  This threatened the future viability of the business. But in 2017, following a strategic review, it became clear that we had a big opportunity in the emerging ecommerce and online shopping market. With a collective vision to position ourselves as Ireland's premier parcel delivery company, we galvanised the entire organisation toward this ambitious goal. Together, the staff in An Post faced the challenge and we worked extremely hard to ensure that in a relatively short time, we transformed the business from being one in decline, to a growing business and a global leader in ecommerce. As well as one of the most trusted brands in Ireland.

How do you think business leaders can best prepare for the future?

To prepare for the future, business leaders must prioritise agility, adaptability, and innovation. Embedding adaptability into the business and its people is crucial, as rapid changes can occur overnight, such as the exponential growth in parcel volume we experienced from the Pandemic or the advent of AI.  While some changes can be anticipated, we can't predict them all, making a culture of adaptability essential. I am a strong believer that all business leaders should constantly check themselves against the great Jack Welch quote "If the rate of change on the outside exceeds the rate of change on the inside, the end is near”.

What do you hope to gain from your membership with the Institute of Directors Ireland?

My membership with the Institute of Directors Ireland offers a unique chance to learn from a diverse community of directors. I'm eager to engage in discussions on geopolitical and technological shifts, including AI and evolving geopolitical dynamics. I am also looking forward to leveraging the insights and networks within IoD Ireland to see how I can develop and improve in my role as Chairperson and Non-Executive Director.

What advice would you offer to new or aspiring directors in Ireland?

No matter where you are in your professional journey, you can always enhance your leadership skills.  There are a lot of leadership development programs available, offered by institutions both at home and abroad.  Many have online options which limits the time investment required.  Enrolling in one can lead to surprising self-discoveries and even minor adjustments in leadership style can yield significant positive results.