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IoD Ireland Members' Update

December 2023

Dear Anne,


I would like to begin by thanking you for your continued support and engagement throughout 2023.


This year marked the 30th anniversary of IoD Ireland's incorporation, an important milestone for the institute. To celebrate this, we were delighted to host many of you at our flagship event 'Leading in Governance: Supporting Ireland to be an Exemplar of Corporate Governance' as well as at our Briefing and Lunch Bites event series throughout the year.


As you may be aware, December is an important time of the year for giving back to those in need, and a time when many charity organisations rely on the generosity of others. At IoD Ireland, we will continue to support our members who operate within the charity sector by providing access to resources and expert-led learning and development.


IoD Ireland is delighted to support the Children's Health Foundation as part of our annual Christmas appeal. The Children's Health Foundation help to raise vital funds for Children's Health Ireland (CHI) hospitals and urgent care centres to support families and young children. This worthy charity would appreciate all donations received from our members and stakeholders.


Our December ezine issue includes the latest director education programmes, upcoming events, director factsheets, exclusive content and benefits available to members, all outlined below.


I wish you a very happy and peaceful Christmas and look forward to seeing many of you at our Christmas Lunch event this Friday, at the InterContinental Hotel, Dublin.


Caroline Spillane CDir

Chief Executive Officer

Institute of Directors (IoD) in Ireland

Featured News

Leading in Governance Flagship Event | Video Recordings


Watch the key highlights from our flagship event, including Minister Simon Coveney TD, and our expert panels, Anne Sheehan, General Manager, Microsoft Ireland; Sharon Donnery CDir, Deputy Governor - Financial Regulation, Central Bank of Ireland; Jim Power, Economist and Media Commentator; Gerry Hussey, Performance Psychologist; Carol Bolger CDir, Chairperson, An Post; Dr Margaret Cullen, Governance Advisor, IoD Ireland; Fiona Tierney CDir, IoD Ireland Council Member; and Dr. Terry McWade CDir, IoD Ireland Council Member.


The event marked 30 years since IoD Ireland’s foundation, and took a forward-looking focus, addressing the crucial elements that all directors and business leaders need to be considering.


Please note: To view this members’ only content, you must be logged into the members' area of our website. For more webcasts, please visit our website.

Watch Now

Creative Boardroom: Collaborate4Climate Partnership Project Launch


We are delighted to announce that the Creative Boardroom: Collaborate4Climate partnership project is now live!


This project has been developed specifically for the engagement and participation of the Chartered Director Communities of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and the students of Creative Futures Academy. The Institute of Directors in Ireland is doing this project in collaboration with the Institute of Directors Northern Ireland and the Creative Futures Academy.


Chartered Directors will work with students from Creative Futures Academy (CFA) to generate dynamic and creative solutions that can meaningfully address the complex environmental and social challenges that we currently face as a result of climate change.


(Pictured L to R: Louise Allen, Director, Creative Futures Academy; Caroline Spillane CDir, Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Directors in Ireland; Peter O'Shea, Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, ESB; Oonagh Buckley, Secretary General, Department of the Environment, Climate & Communications; Laura Magahy CDir and Project Chair, Creative Boardroom:Collaborate4Climate; and Karen Hennessy CDir, Committee Member, Creative Boardroom:Collaborate4Climate)

Learn More

Governance Framework: Charity Insights

IoD Ireland Christmas Appeal 2023: Supporting Children's Health Foundation


IoD Ireland are delighted to be supporting Children's Health Foundation for this year's Christmas appeal.


Children’s Health Foundation raises vital funds to support sick children and their families in Children's Health Ireland (CHI) hospitals and urgent care centres – from funding vital life-saving equipment and providing essential patient and parental supports, to making ground-breaking, paediatric research possible.


IoD Ireland will not be processing any donations directly. All donations will be processed directly via our dedicated donation page on Children's Health Foundation's website. Please donate today.

Donate Now

Building Trust and Confidence in Charities - How You Can Help | Blog


Whether a charity is large or small, all charities have one thing in common - public trust and confidence is the bedrock of their existence. Read this blog by Helen Martin, Chief Executive, Charities Regulator which details the top requirements besides regulation that can help ensure Ireland has a vibrant charity sector.


IoD Ireland CPD Framework for Directors: This blog is part of the Governance Framework Dimension. Reading this content can be accrued as part of your Chartered Director CPD.


Please note: To view this members’ only content, you must be logged into the members' area of our website. For more blogs, please visit our website.


Read More

Five Essential Tips for Charity Board Directors | Blog


Learn about the top considerations that directors of charities or those considering sitting on a charity board should keep in mind when it comes to ensuring good governance and being impactful in the boardroom. Read this blog by Alice Murphy, Charity Lawyer and Governance expert, Partner, Mason Hayes & Curran LLP.


IoD Ireland CPD Framework for Directors: This blog is part of the Governance Framework Dimension. Reading this content can be accrued as part of your Chartered Director CPD.


Please note: To view this members’ only content, you must be logged into the members' area of our website. For more blogs, please visit our website.


Read More

Charities Governance Code | Charities Regulator


The Charities Governance Code explains the minimum standards you should meet to effectively manage and control your charity.


Good governance in the charity sector involves putting in place systems and processes to ensure your charity achieves its objectives with integrity and is managed in an effective, accountable, and transparent manner.

Read More

Individual Accountability Framework

Central Bank of Ireland Publishes Individual Accountability Framework Standards and Guidance


The Central Bank of Ireland has published a Feedback Statement and issued Regulations and Guidance to firms on the Individual Accountability Framework (IAF). The Guidance provides clarity regarding the Central Bank's expectations for the implementation of the framework, especially in terms of the Senior Executive Accountability Framework (SEAR), the Conduct Standards, and the Fitness and Probity regime.

Read More

Individual Accountability Framework: Update | Webinar


Thursday, 14th December 2023 | 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM | Online Webinar


The Central Bank of Ireland's (CBI's) Individual Accountability Framework (IAF) was published on Thursday, 16th November 2023. This webinar will explore the key changes in the finalised IAF Regulations and Guidance versus the original drafts. The webinar will also consider the implementation of the final Regulations and Guidance for Boards and senior executives of financial services institutions.


This session will be led by Josh Hogan, Partner, McCann Fitzgerald LLP, and Donal Hamilton, Partner, Employment, Pensions and Incentives Group, McCann Fitzgerald LLP.


IoD Ireland CPD Framework for Directors: This webinar is part of the Governance Framework Dimension and is eligible for 1 hour of Chartered Director CPD. This session may also be eligible for other professional body CPD, please check with your relevant professional body.


The IoD Briefings series is kindly sponsored by Accenture. 

Book Now

Grow Your Corporate Governance Expertise: Director Learning and Development

Leading Sustainability: What Directors Need to Know and How to Do It | Short Programme


29th January - 28th March 2024 | 9:00am - 12:30pm


Book your place on our highly rated ESG short programme titled, ‘Leading Sustainability: What Directors Need to Know and How to Do It’. 94% of past participants noted that they enjoyed the short programme.


The short programme will be led by Professor Simon Haslam, Chartered Director, and includes four in-depth sessions. Each session will also include a guest speaker, who will share their expertise and insights on the following sessions: The Governance Agenda, The Net Zero Agenda, The Wider Environment Agenda and The Social Agenda.


IoD Ireland CPD Framework for Directors: This short programme is part of the Technical Knowledge and Skills Dimension. It is eligible for 12 hours of Chartered Director CPD. This session may also be eligible for other professional body CPD, please check with your relevant professional body.

Book Now

Finance for Company Directors | Workshop


Wednesday, 31st January 2024 | 9:30am - 12:30pm


Build your expertise and understanding of company accounts and evaluating financial performance in this workshop. This workshop will also include a look at the right questions to ask as a company director. Led by Caroline Kirrane, Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder.


IoD Ireland CPD Framework for Directors: This workshop is part of the Technical Knowledge and Skills Dimension. It is eligible for 2.5 hours of Chartered Director CPD. This session may also be eligible for other professional body CPD, please check with your relevant professional body.

Book Now

Navigating Cyber Security Risk for Directors | Short Programme


16th April - 11th June 2024 | 9:00am - 12:30pm


Advance your cyber security knowledge and expertise on this short programme. Led by Bill McCluggage, Chief Information Technology Officer. Bill will be joined by leading guest speakers and experts in the field during the sessions.


The course will take place over four half days starting on Wednesday, 16th April 2024, and will cover topics including technology and cyber risk, cyber culture, planning and incident response, and more.


IoD Ireland CPD Framework for Directors: This short programme is part of the Technical Knowledge and Skills Dimension. It is eligible for 12 hours of Chartered Director CPD. This session may also be eligible for other professional body CPD, please check with your relevant professional body.

Book Now

Exclusive Member Content

Protected Disclosures Act 2014 Set to Extend to a Broad Range of Employers | Director Factsheet


Read this Director Factsheet, courtesy of McCann Fitzgerald LLP, which outlines the key changes which will be most immediately of relevance to the soon-to-be expanded category of employers that will be required to follow the obligations set under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.


IoD Ireland CPD Framework for Directors: This director factsheet is part of the Governance Framework Dimension. Reading this content can be accrued as part of your Chartered Director CPD.


Please note: To view this members’ only content, you must be logged into the members' area of our website. For more factsheets, please visit our website.


Read the Factsheet

The 'S' in ESG | Webcast


Watch our webcast with Chris MM Gordon, CEO, Irish Social Enterprise Network, who explained what social enterprises are doing about 'social' and what you can do as a director in your own companies. He also covered what role social enterprises play in the economy, how mainstream businesses can be more aware of their social obligations, and how businesses can be better to their workers, customers, communities, and the wider society.


IoD Ireland CPD Framework for Directors: This webcast is part of the Technical Knowledge and Skills Dimension. Watching this content can be accrued as part of your Chartered Director CPD.


Please note: To view this members’ only content, you must be logged into the members' area of our website. For more webcasts, please visit our website.

Watch Now

Using Digital to Drive Innovation and Growth | Webcast


Watch our webcast with Donal Óg McCarthy, Managing Director, Accenture Technology, and Lead, Accenture Cloud First in Ireland, who explored why building a strong digital core powered by data, AI and Cloud can drive growth, innovation and open up new possibilities for your organisation.


IoD Ireland CPD Framework for Directors: This webcast is part of the Technical Knowledge and Skills Dimension. Watching this content can be accrued as part of your Chartered Director CPD.


Please note: To view this members’ only content, you must be logged into the members' area of our website. For more webcasts, please visit our website.

Watch Now

Corporate Boards and AI Risk - A Pragmatic Approach | Blog


Learn why corporate boards must not only be aware of AI issues but also actively manage them, fulfilling their fiduciary and legal obligations in an AI-integrated business environment. Read this blog by Barry Scannell, Solicitor, Consultant - Technology Department, William Fry LLP.


IoD Ireland CPD Framework for Directors: This blog is part of the Technical Knowledge and Skills Dimension. Reading this content can be accrued as part of your Chartered Director CPD.


Please note: To view this members’ only content, you must be logged into the members' area of our website. For more blogs, please visit our website.


Read Now

Featured Member

Meet a Member


Tom Bean CDir



Tom Bean is a qualified Chartered Director with over 30 years' experience working with blue-chip companies in IT, Pharma, Telecommunications, and Energy.


He has an Engineering Masters and is an expert in energy and related environmental issues. He also has a strong skillset in the ESG arena.


Read Tom's Profile

Welcome to Our Newest Members


A warm welcome to some of our newest members:

Jokè Adenuga, Executive Director, ARBRIS Consultants Limited

Amanda Johnson, Chief Strategic Change & People Officer, RSA Insurance Ireland

Aditya Chaudhuri, CEO, Vayunam Consulting Private Limited

John Kelly, Corporate Secretary (Solicitor), University of Limerick

Paul Condon, Corporate Affairs Leader, Camida Ltd

Eithne McCarthy, Director, Age Action & Lead Counsel, FCA UK

Brian Coyle, Head of Commercial & Operations, Kefron Ltd

Mark McDermott, Owner & Consultant, NuaPoint Consulting & Coaching

Eimear Craig, Director, Kellysan Enterprises Limited

Kevin McLouglin, Partner, EY

Mark Dooley, Fund Accounting Manager, SEI Investments

Gerald Murray, Head of Finance Ireland, Fidelity International

John Donegan, Brand Director, ṤKODA Ireland

Rachel O'Connor, Deputy Director, NAPD - National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals

Áine Dunne, Engineering Director & Company Secretary, PFGi Ltd

Lorcan O'Connor, Group CEO, Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ)

Lee Evans, Director of Treasury - CFP Energy Group, Chief Executive Officer - CFP Commodities Ltd

Brian O'Driscoll, CFO, TitanHQ

Bernice Gaffney, Head of Internal Audit and Audit Committee Member, Bord na Móna Plc.

Ultan Shannon, Partner, Arthur Cox LLP

Claire Gallagher, Business Consultant & Founder, GalMax Solutions

Daniel Sheils, Managing Director, EMEA Public Service Industry Lead, Accenture

Kathryn Hannon, Head of Private Clients, Gresham House Asset Management Ireland Ltd

Jenny Smyth, Senior Advisor, Board Appointments and Remuneration, NewERA, National Treasury Management Agency

Ivor Heavey, Senior Risk Advisor, IPB Insurance

Bivin Varghese, Vice President & Enterprise Head – Ireland, Tech Mahindra Ltd

Anna Holland, Managing Director, FCS Corporate Services Limited

Lawrence Vesey, Partner, Sia Partners

CJ Hughes, Chief Executive Officer, Four Star Pizza (Ireland) Ltd.

Barbara Walshe-Keane, Senior Programme Manager, EY

John Hughes, Director, Rogerson Reddan & Associates Ltd


In Memoriam


The Institute of Directors in Ireland would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sean McCool, IoD Ireland member, who passed away recently.


May he rest in peace.


Featured Member Benefit


Exclusive IoD Ireland Discount at the Gate Theatre


IoD Ireland members can now avail of a 10% discount when booking 4 tickets or 2 pairs of tickets at the Gate Theatre.


The Gate Theatre continues to build on its legacy of nearly 100 years by creating inspiring theatre that connects, questions and transforms its audiences and communities.


Please visit our website for further information on this exclusive offer.


Please note: To view this member offer, you must be logged into the members' area of our website.

Avail of this Benefit

Members in the News


Jim Power Named as New Independent Non-executive Director for BMW Financial Services Ireland


BMW Financial Services (Ireland) DAC has announced Jim Power as their new Independent Non-executive Director to the Board of Management. Jim is a well-known economist, having worked in the private sector for over 35 years and has closely worked with the Society of the Motor Industry (SIMI) for over a decade.



Fiona Ross Appointed to the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) Board


Fiona Ross has been appointed to the Board of the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) for a five-year term. Ms Ross is a public and private sector chair and non-executive director, and she is the current Chair to Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ), Natural Capital Ireland and the National Paediatric Hospital Development Boards.


Board Services

Board Evaluation Service

The IoD Ireland Board Evaluation Service allows your organisation to learn how effectively your board is executing its roles and responsibilities. The service is efficient, robust, and completely confidential.

Visit our Website

Boardroom Centre



IoD Ireland's Boardroom Centre is the leading independent source of non-executive directors and chairpersons in Ireland, and supports IoD members on their non-executive journey.




Visit our Website

Bespoke Training



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IoD Ireland's Bespoke Board Training in corporate governance delivers, in a confidential setting, effective solutions for the development needs of your board.





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Connect with IoD Ireland

General Queries

Should you have any queries relating to anything in this newsletter please get in touch with the IOD Communications Team.

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