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IoD Ireland Members' Update

October 2023

Dear Anne,


I hope this finds you well.


Last week, IoD Ireland hosted its graduation ceremony for business leaders who successfully passed their Certificate and Diploma in Company Direction exams, an integral part of the IoD Chartered Director Programme. I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate you all again on a wonderful achievement. See more about the ceremony below.


I am also delighted to note that Leinster Coach Leo Cullen and Anne Sheehan, General Manager, Microsoft Ireland, will also be speaking at our flagship event, 'Leading in Governance: Supporting Ireland to be an Exemplar of Corporate Governance', taking place on Tuesday, 24th October 2023 in the Aviva Stadium. Leo and Anne will add to our impressive line-up of speakers already announced, including Minister Simon Coveney TD and Sharon Donnery CDir, Deputy Governor - Financial Regulation, Central Bank of Ireland.


Finally, IoD Ireland is continuing our research, policy and advocacy work on behalf of our members, with two submissions in this period: for the Central Bank of Ireland's Administrative Sanctions Procedure (ASP) consultation; and the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) consultation on the UK Governance Code. See more below.


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


Caroline Spillane CDir

Chief Executive Officer

Institute of Directors (IoD) in Ireland

Featured News

IoD Ireland Graduations September 2023: Business Leaders Awarded


Last Thursday, 28th September 2023, the Institute of Directors (IoD) in Ireland hosted its graduation ceremony for business leaders who successfully passed its Certificate and Diploma in Company Direction exams, which constitute part of the IoD’s gold standard Chartered Director Programme. Special recognition was given to Luke Hanlon, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Musgrave, who was awarded the Tom Byrne Award and seven graduates who achieved the highest marks in their exams.


(L to R: Luke Hanlon, IoD Member, and Chief Supply Chain Officer, Musgrave being awarded the Tom Byrne Award by Caroline Spillane CDir, Chief Executive Officer, IoD Ireland.)

Read More

IoD Ireland President Attends IoD Northern Ireland Annual Dinner


John Reynolds CDir, President, IoD Ireland, was in attendance at the IoD Northern Ireland Annual Dinner last week. The event included a notable list of speakers. IoD Ireland was delighted to attend and to continually strengthen and develop our partnership with all the team at IoD Northern Ireland and IoD UK.


(L to R: Gordon Milligan OBE, Chair, IoD Northern Ireland; Kirsty McManus, Director of PD Services & Nations Director for Northern Ireland, IoD Northern Ireland; and John Reynolds CDir, President, IoD Ireland.)

IoD Research, Policy and Advocacy

Financial Reporting Council (FRC) Public Consultation on the UK Corporate Governance Code


IoD Ireland submitted a formal response to the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) public consultation on their proposed changes to the UK Corporate Governance Code, on Monday, 11th September 2023.


Many of our members sit on boards of listed and unlisted companies in Ireland and the UK that look to this Code to emulate best practice corporate governance within their context. In Ireland, Euronext Dublin (formerly the Irish Stock Exchange) recognises that the Code has set the standard for corporate governance internationally.


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

Read the Consultation

Administrative Sanctions Procedure (ASP) Consultation


On your behalf, IoD Ireland responded to the Central Bank of Ireland's Administrative Sanctions Procedure (ASP) consultation. Many of our members fall within the scope of IAF/SEAR and as such the ASP is directly relevant to them. The comments and observations provided within this response focus predominately on the potential implications of the ASP, as amended, on individual directors and senior executives working within the financial services industry.


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

Read the Consultation

OECD Principle of Corporate Governance


Business leaders should also be aware of the revised G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance and the OECD Corporate Governance Factbook 2023. The 2023 edition of the Factbook includes a focus on new dimensions of the revised Principles: corporate sustainability, the use of digital tools for shareholder meetings, and regulatory frameworks for company groups.

Read the Code

Leading in Governance: Supporting Ireland to be an Exemplar of Corporate Governance


Tuesday, 24th October 2023 | 3:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Aviva Stadium


We are delighted to announce that Leinster Coach Leo Cullen and Anne Sheehan, General Manager, Microsoft Ireland, will be speaking at our 'Leading in Governance: Supporting Ireland to be an Exemplar of Corporate Governance' event on Tuesday, 24th October 2023.  


Marking 30 years since our foundation, this forward-looking event will feature an exciting line up of speakers, share key governance and leadership insights along with providing valuable peer-to-peer networking opportunities for IoD Ireland members. Registration for this event is now open. Please note limited places now remain.

Book Now

Mason Hayes & Curran Announced as IoD Ireland Christmas Lunch Sponsor


We are delighted to announce that Mason Hayes & Curran will be our sponsor for this year's IoD Christmas Lunch 2023.


The Christmas Lunch is a popular annual staple in the IoD event calendar and is a key networking event. The event hosts over 350 business leaders and directors.


Booking for the event is not yet open but will be soon. We will also announce our entertainment and charity partner for the Lunch shortly. This year it will take place at the InterContinental Hotel, Dublin 4, on Friday, 8th December. 


(L to R: Caroline Spillane CDir, Chief Executive Officer, IoD Ireland; and Claire Lord, Head of Corporate Governance, Mason Hayes & Curran LLP)


Mason Hayes & Curran LLP is an award-winning law firm employing over 580 staff including 119 Partners with offices in Dublin, New York, San Francisco and London. The firm assists clients in meeting their ongoing legal and commercial imperatives through every business life cycle. Legal advice is tailored to strategic objectives allowing clients to make informed decisions and to successfully navigate even the most complex matters. Lawyers in the firm have profound knowledge and experience in the following sectors: Energy; Technology; Financial Services, Built Environment and Healthcare & Life Sciences. Corporate social responsibility is a natural fit with the way the firm operates, and it invests heavily in society and local communities through a range of focused programmes.

Read More

Featured Events

The Responsibilities of Being a Director


Thursday, 12th October 2023 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Online Webinar


Join our upcoming Lunch Bites @ the IoD event with Ian Drennan, Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Enforcement Agency, who will be discussing the important topic of 'the responsibilities of a director'.


The Lunch Bites @ the IoD Series is kindly sponsored by IQ-EQ.


Book Now

Building Your Personal Brand as a Director


Thursday, 5th October 2023 | 5:00 PM - 6:45 PM | The Westbury Hotel


Our upcoming Briefing event this Thursday with Niamh Boyle, CEO and Founder, The Reputation Agency, is now booked out. If you wish to added to the waiting list, please contact the IoD Events team.


In this event, Niamh will be discussing how you can objectively assess and audit your personal brand attributes and decide which elements have the potential to make you stand out and be viewed as a valuable board member.


The IoD Briefings Series is sponsored by Accenture.

Book Now

Grow Your Corporate Governance Expertise: Director Training

Chartered Director Programme | Enrolling for January 2024


Places for the January 2024 Chartered Director Programme are now open. The Chartered Director Programme is a unique qualification for directors and strategic business leaders combining learning and professional experience. This sought-after programme has been running in Ireland since September 2008 and is delivered exclusively by IoD Ireland.


It is the gold standard of director training, and the IoD is the only body in Ireland that provides the full designation and recognition as a professional Chartered Director (CDir). By joining the programme, participants can build relationships with peer business and public service leaders in Ireland.

Express Your Interest

Getting Board Information Right to Set Your Board Up for Success | IoD Essentials Workshop


Tuesday, 10th October 2023 | 9:00am - 12:30pm


Set your board up for success by understanding the pitfalls that can compromise overall board effectiveness in our workshop, 'Getting Board Information Right to Set Your Board Up For Success' in the Irish Management Institute (IMI) on Tuesday, 10th October 2023.


It will be led by corporate governance specialist Dr Margaret Cullen. This workshop will take place in-person and covers key elements, including: understanding board and company objectives; the objectives of board information; defining corporate governance; and the challenges and opportunities in providing board papers.

Book Now

The Changing Role of the Company Secretary | IoD Essentials Workshop


Thursday, 19th October 2023 | 9:00am - 12:30pm


Gain a deeper understanding of the fundamental elements of a company, its board and governance structure, and the role of the company secretary in our workshop, 'The Changing Role of the Company Secretary' on Thursday, 19th October, 2023 in the Irish Management Institute (IMI).


The workshop will be led by Chartered Director and Chartered Banker, John Smyth CDir. This workshop will take place in-person and covers key elements, including: the legal responsibilities of the board; the role of the company secretary; requirements of general (shareholder) meetings, and more.

Book Now

IoD Essentials Workshops | September - November 2023


Grow and expand your corporate governance expertise by booking your place on one of our IoD Essential workshops this Autumn.


This series is delivered by corporate governance experts, such as: Dr Margaret Cullen, Caroline Kirrane CFA Charterholder, and chartered directors; Carol Bolger, Marie Collins, Simon Haslam, John Smyth and Martina Maher.

Book Now

Exclusive Member Content

New Powers for the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Due to Commence | Director Factsheet


Read this Director Factsheet courtesy of McCann Fitzgerald LLP, which details the new range of merger controls and enforcement powers that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (the "CCPC") has implemented since the commencement order for the Competition (Amendment Act) 2022 was published on Friday, 15 September 2023.


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

A Discussion on Joining a Board of a Financial Services Organisation | Webcast


Watch back this webcast of our recent IoD Briefing event chaired by Dr Margaret Cullen, Governance Advisor and Board Assessor, IoD Ireland, with guest speakers on the important topic of building an independent non-executive director (INED) portfolio in the financial services space.


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 the Webcast

Lunch Bites @ the IoD with Stephanie Meadow | Webcast


Watch back this webcast of our recent Lunch Bites @ the IoD event with Professional Golfer, Stephanie Meadow on the topic of 'Motivation and Resilience'.


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 the Webcast

Featured Member

Meet a Member


Brona Kernan



Brona Kernan is IT Director of Zurich Ireland, a leading financial services company in Ireland. She is also a Member of the Board of Goal, an Irish based international humanitarian response agency.


Brona has lead technology teams across a range of industries. Her early career in Ryanair was to transform the technology function for a start-up, low-cost airline to a scale operation for Europe’s largest low-cost airline. Further career opportunities with The Irish Times and Zurich produced the opportunities to transform more traditional organisations to digitally enabled organisations.

Read Brona's Profile

Welcome to Our Newest Members


A warm welcome to some of our newest members:

Caroline Brazil, Account Lead, Accenture

Brian Lynch, Group Finance Director, Connacht Hospitality Group & Greenway Property Group

Lisa Cantillon, Director, Kennelly Tax Advisers

Gareth Mc Keown, Managing Director, Quest Banking & Financial Recruitment

Tara Collins, Chief Marketing Officer, National Broadband Ireland

Darren Nolan IATI QFA PIP G.Dip MSc CFP®, Head of Financial Planning, Finance Solutions

Dr. Finbarr Daly, CEO, Enterprising Monaghan

Liam O'Gara, Finance Managing Director, Citigroup

Emma Dignam, Company Secretary & Head of Entity Governance Ireland, Aon

Helen M Ryan CPA, Finance Director, PlantCert Ltd

David Flynn, Director/Sustainability, Rogerson Reddan

David Stafford, CEO, ALD Re PLC

John Grogan, Non-Executive Director, LIA (Life Insurance Association Ireland)

Andrew Thompson, Executive Director, Business Enablement, Thermo Fisher Scientific

Marie Hayden BE, ME (Mgmt), FIEI, Managing Director, Grid Enhancing Technologies Ltd

Michael D Walsh, Partner, Chair of Property, ByrneWallace LLP

John Higgins, Managing Partner -Regions, EY


Featured Member Benefit


Discounted Rates at Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort, and Royal Marine Hotel


IoD Ireland members can enjoy discounted rates for accommodation, green fees and more at two of Ireland's luxury hotels, Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort and Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire. To avail of this offer, simply quote your IoD Ireland membership card number at the time of reservation.


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


Appointments to the Beaumont Hospital Board


Following a Public Appointments Services (PAS) campaign, the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has appointed Mr Kieran Kelly CDir as a member of the Beaumont Hospital Board. Kieran is a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Director with significant senior level experience across several disciplines, and a strong understanding of risk management in the public sector.


O'Grady Announced as New Non-Executive Chairperson of bonkers.ie


Comparison and switching site, bonkers.ie, has announced the appointment of Niall O'Grady as its new Non-Executive Chairperson. Mr O'Grady has been an Independent Non-Executive Director on the board of bonkers.ie for the past two years. The appointment is effective immediately.


Minister Coveney Announces Two Appointments to the Board of Enterprise Ireland


Minister Simon Coveney TD has announced the appointment of Terri Moloney CDir to the board of Enterprise Ireland. Ms Moloney replaces Helen Ryan as a board member. Terri Moloney is an accomplished business leader achieving outstanding results across diverse functions and industries in Ireland and abroad.


Appointment of New Chair to the Board of Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA)


The Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin T.D. has announced the appointment of Ali Curran as the new Chair of the Board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA). The appointment is for a five year term. Ali is a Director of CHL Consulting Ltd., a member of the Institute of Directors in Ireland, and a certified Management Consultant with the Institute of Management Consultants and Advisors.


Advocacy and Research

NCSC and An Garda Síochána Team Up with the European Cyber Agency (ENISA) to Promote Awareness of Cyber Scams


Minister of State with special responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment, Communications and the Circular Economy Ossian Smyth; and Juhan Lepassaar, Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Cyber Security (ENISA) launched a public awareness campaign for October's European Cyber Security Month. The campaign focuses on the positive steps the public can take to empower themselves against social engineering frauds.


Public Consultation Opens on a New Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan


Minister of State Ossian Smyth recently launched a public consultation on a draft Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan. The Green Public Procurement is widely recognised as a vital policy lever for achieving environmental objectives.


Minister Hildegarde Naughton Publishes Autumn Legislative Programme with 51 Priority Bills Due for Progression


Government Chief Whip Minister Hildegarde Naughton recently published the Autumn Legislative Programme which identifies 51 priority bills for progression in the Dáil. The Autumn Legislative Programme is published following extensive engagement and consultation between the Chief Whip and Government Ministers and their departments, officials, and the Office of the Attorney General. 


Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies


The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) recently published a document providing interesting insights and cyber security guidance on Generative AI for public sector bodies.


General Data Protection Regulation: Case Studies for the Data Protection Commission


The Data Protection Commission (DPC) has produced a booklet that contains 126 case studies from the first five years of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The case studies are broken down by category and indexed, making it easier to find relevant examples. It is a valuable tool to understand how the DPC approaches complaints.


UK Import Controls: The Border Target Operating Model (TOM)


The UK Government announced in August 2023 its new approach to controlling imports of goods to Great Britain from the European Union (including Ireland) in the Border Target Operating Model (TOM). These changes will apply from January 2024. All Irish traders exporting to Britain must take action to prepare for the changes.


Boardmatch Ireland's 4th Annual Charity Trustee Speed-Dating Event


Boardmatch Ireland is proudly presenting their 4th annual Charity Trustee Speed-Dating event on Wednesday, 4th October 2023 in the iconic CHQ Dublin providing an exclusive chance to connect face-to-face with 60 passionate charities seeking new board members to drive their missions forward.


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



Boardroom Shutterstock.jpg

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





Visit our Website

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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