Grinds 360 has reinstated co-founder Ronan Murdock as chief executive after a dispute over governance, spending and the company’s relationship with Olive Group companies led to the resignation of its board. The development places one of Ireland’s fastest-growing online grinds businesses under a new interim leadership structure as it prepares to operate more independently.
What happened at Grinds 360?
The board of Grinds 360 resigned in September following a power struggle involving emergency shareholder meetings, a temporary suspension of CEO and co-founder Ronan Murdock, and concerns about related-party transactions.
Brendan Kavanagh, who co-founded the company with Murdock, resigned as chairman and director. Olive executives Dara Coyne and Simon Cosgrove also stepped down, as did independent director Richard O’Halloran, who had joined the board shortly before the dispute escalated.
Murdock was subsequently reinstated as chief executive. An interim board was formed with accountant Ronan Lynch and investor James McKnight joining Murdock.
Why the Grinds 360 dispute matters
The conflict centred on concerns about governance and the amount of money Grinds 360 paid, or could be expected to pay, to companies linked to Kavanagh’s Olive Group. Public filings show that almost €4 million was paid by My Grinds 360 Ltd to Olive companies during its first two years of trading.
Approximately €3.55 million of that total was paid to Olive Media Solutions UK for software and digital content. Murdock was understood to have raised questions about the commercial arrangements while the company was entering its busiest subscription period.
The dispute highlights the importance of clear controls when a fast-growing company uses services supplied by businesses connected to its own directors. Such arrangements are not automatically improper, but they require transparency, proper approval and evidence that they serve the company’s interests.
Key facts
- Grinds 360 was founded in 2023 and launched its subscription service in 2024.
- The company has attracted more than 30,000 secondary school students since formation, according to the supplied report.
- Its shareholders include former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll and Ireland rugby player Caelan Doris.
- Ronan Murdock was suspended as CEO in early September before being reinstated later that month.
- Brendan Kavanagh and three other directors resigned on September 23rd.
From rapid growth to a boardroom confrontation
Grinds 360 entered Ireland’s competitive grinds market by combining online teaching with a subscription covering Leaving Certificate subjects. The service was marketed through prominent teachers and received attention from high-profile investors, including rugby figures.
Students paid €1,099 for access to the full Leaving Certificate course offering. The company later said its revenue increased from €1.85 million in 2025 to €5.3 million in the following year. However, its accounts for the year ending August 2025 recorded accumulated losses of €1.19 million.
Sources cited in the report also raised concerns about supplier payments, although those claims were not presented as findings by a regulator or court. The company’s financial performance and cash management became central issues as subscriptions increased ahead of the new academic year.
Timeline of the Grinds 360 leadership dispute
- August 24th: Murdock contacted shareholders to request a meeting about the company’s performance and the need for stronger governance and financial controls.
- August 28th: Shareholders were informed that Richard O’Halloran had joined the board as an independent director.
- September 8th: Murdock was suspended as chief executive by the board.
- September 9th: A request was issued for an emergency general meeting to consider appointing new directors and reviewing related-party transactions.
- September 17th: Shareholders were told that a resolution had been reached and that Murdock had been reinstated as CEO.
- September 23rd: Kavanagh, Coyne, Cosgrove and O’Halloran resigned as directors.
- September 25th: Shareholders were informed about the new interim board and transitional arrangements with Olive.
What happens next for the Irish education business?
Grinds 360 is expected to operate with greater independence from Olive Group. The company has entered an interim services agreement with Olive to maintain continuity while it builds an in-house technical support team.
The business, which employs about 25 people, is also understood to be seeking new headquarters in Stillorgan, south Dublin. That would separate its operations from the Sandyford premises shared with Olive companies.
As part of the settlement, Kavanagh is understood to have agreed to sell his stake in Grinds 360. The company’s public statement described the change as Kavanagh focusing on other Olive ventures and said both co-founders wished each other well.
Frequently asked questions
Who is running Grinds 360 now?
Co-founder Ronan Murdock has been reinstated as chief executive. He is joined on an interim board by accountant Ronan Lynch and investor James McKnight.
Why was the CEO suspended?
The suspension followed a dispute over governance, operational matters and arrangements involving Olive Group companies. The supplied report says Murdock had restricted payments from the company’s bank account while reviewing those arrangements.
Who left the board?
Founder Brendan Kavanagh, Olive executives Dara Coyne and Simon Cosgrove, and independent director Richard O’Halloran resigned as directors.
Does this affect students?
The available information does not indicate that subscriptions or teaching services have been cancelled. Grinds 360 said its transitional services agreement with Olive was intended to provide continuity while new internal technical support arrangements were developed.
Conclusion
This Grinds 360 dispute is now moving from a shareholder power struggle to a test of independent governance. The company has grown quickly in Ireland’s education technology market, but its next phase will depend on transparent financial controls, stable leadership and a clear separation between Grinds 360 and related Olive businesses. For students and families, the key takeaway is that services are expected to continue while the company implements its new structure.
