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Dr Caroline Spillane CDir | Tuesday, 1st September 2026
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Dear Member
As we return from the summer break and look ahead to a busy and productive autumn, I am delighted to bring you the latest edition of our newsletter. I hope you had an opportunity to recharge over the summer and find this update a useful way to reconnect with the latest news, events and insights from across our community.
In this issue, in an exclusive article for members, Minister Thomas Byrne outlines Ireland's ambitions for its EU Presidency. We also feature our new AI Strategic Radar toolkit, insights from Margaret E. Ward on digital innovation, and Brian Honan on EU Cybersecurity regulations, as well as highlight our latest learning and educational opportunities and events for members. I am pleased to announce as part of this, that booking is now open for our Leading in Governance 2026 event, with an expert line up of speakers.
Finally, I am delighted to welcome Dr Niamh O’Reilly as IoD Ireland’s new Executive Director of Learning & Education.
Best wishes,
Caroline
Dr Caroline Spillane CDir
Chief Executive Officer
Institute of Directors Ireland
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Read this exclusive article by Minister Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, and T.D. for Meath East. The Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union commenced on 1st July and will run until 31st December 2026.
Written exclusively for IoD Ireland members, Minister Byrne outlines the aims and ambitions that will shape Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union
| | IoD Ireland News | NEW APPOINTMENT | | |
Dr Niamh O’Reilly has Been Appointed IoD Ireland’s New Executive Director of Learning & Education
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Niamh O’Reilly as Executive Director of Learning & Education at IoD Ireland. In this newly established leadership role, Niamh will lead the continued growth and evolution of IoD Ireland’s Learning and Development offering.
The appointment reflects IoD Ireland’s commitment to supporting directors and boards at every stage of their professional development through innovative, high-quality learning experiences. As demand for director education continues to evolve, the IoD is expanding and strengthening its Learning & Education function to ensure that directors have access to the skills, knowledge and competencies required to navigate an increasingly complex governance and business environment.
| | AI STRATEGIC RADAR | AI GOVERNANCE TOOLKIT | | |
We are delighted to launch the next tool in our AI Governance Toolkit, the AI Strategic Radar.
The AI Strategic Radar is a quarterly scanning and monitoring tool designed to help organisations identify important AI developments before they become business issues. It helps boards and leadership teams focus on the trends most likely to affect their strategy over the next 6 to 24 months.
This is the fifth and final instalment of our AI Governance Toolkit. For more information visit the AI Governance Toolkit website page.
| | EXCLUSIVE UPCOMING EVENTS | | |
Booking is now open for Leading in Governance 2026, our flagship member event. Our expert line-up of speakers will explore competitiveness, innovation, governance, resilience, and infrastructure.
Speakers include: Sean O'Driscoll, experienced Businessman and Chair; Kara Owen CMG CVO, British Ambassador to Ireland; Professor Orla Feely, President, University College Dublin; John Hennessy CDir, experienced Non-Executive Director and Chair; Professor Stephen Kinsella, Economist, Professor and Economic Advisor to An Tánaiste and the Minister for Finance; and Mary-Elizabeth McMunn, Deputy Governor Financial Regulation, Central Bank of Ireland. Sponsored by OnBoard.
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In Conversation with Brid Horan CDir
10 September 2026 | 12:30pm - 2:00pm
Location: The Marker Hotel, Dublin 2
Join us for this in-person event with Brid Horan CDir, INED and Chair, who will share her governance perspectives with Dr Terry McWade, IoD Ireland Council member. Brid is an Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair with over 30 years' experience in senior executive roles and on boards of public and private sector organisation. Sponsored by Diligent.
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Succession Readiness: Preparing for a Successful Transition
20 September 2026 | 9:30am - 10:30am
Location: Webinar
Explore the key decisions business owners, families and boards should address before formal succession planning begins, in this briefing webinar. Our speakers include: Laura Dillon, Partner, Waterland Private Equity; Alan Murray, Tax Partner, Forvis Mazars; and Stephen Gahan, Tax Partner, Forvis Mazars, Sponsored by Forvis Mazars.
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Maintaining Trust: Managing Fraud and Reputational Risk
24 September 2026 | 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Location: The Westbury Hotel, Dublin 2
This in-person event will explore the evolving fraud risk landscape and the critical role boards play in protecting stakeholder trust and strengthening organisational resilience. Our speakers include: Pat Lordan, Consultant and Adviser; Iarla Mongey, Director, Q4PR; and Robert Burke, Partner - Risk Consulting team, Forvis Mazars. Moderated by Teri Kelly, Co-Founder and CEO, Total Reputation. Sponsored by Forvis Mazars.
| | This month, we are delighted to feature IoD Ireland member Emer Finnan, an accomplished senior executive and non-executive director with a portfolio of significant board appointments. In this member profile, Emer reflects on her board journey, the lessons she has learned throughout her career and her approach to effective leadership and governance. | |
Welcome to new members who joined in recent weeks
Whether you’re here for inspiration, knowledge, or to belong to a valued network, we’re delighted to have you as part of our IoD Ireland community.
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Meet our new Chartered Directors
Congratulations to those Chartered Directors who have passed their final professional review process, eligibility assessment and have become qualified CDirs.
| | DIRECTOR EXPERTISE AND INSIGHTS | MEMBER BENEFITS | | Explore our latest expert insights and timely thought leadership content tailored specifically for you as a director and leader. To explore the full range of what you have access to as a member, visit our membership benefits page. | | |
Innovate or Die: Innovation and Board Responsibilities | Article
In this exclusive article, Margaret E. Ward examines why boards must embed innovation in organisational strategy, culture and leadership.
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Cyber regulation is Coming to the Boardroom | Article
Read Brian Honan’s advice to directors on how best to prepare for EU cyber regulations, including governance and oversight measures.
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Liquidity and Operational Pressure | Article
In this article, Brendan Hanratty, Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal, provides advice to directors on liquidity and operational pressure issues.
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AI Round-Up: Recent EU and Irish Developments | Factsheet
This factsheet outlines key EU and Irish AI regulatory developments, compliance obligations and enforcement changes for organisations. Courtesy of McCann FitzGeraldLLP.
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The Evolving Mandate of the Modern Board| Webcast
Watch this webcast on how modern boards are redefining their role, with John Hogan and Evelyn Savage of IPB Insurance; and Rick Doten from Onboard.
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Expert Legal Guidance | Legal Panel
Navigating corporate and personal legal matters can be complex. All IoD Ireland members can avail of a complimentary initial consultation for a range of legal issues.
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IoD LEARNING AND EDUCATION: DESIGNED FOR DIRECTORS
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The Risk Exchange: A Director Forum | Workshop 19th November 2026
Engage with peers to explore Financial, Strategic, Compliance, and Operational Risk in a high-trust, practical setting designed for board-level impact. Led by David Hanley, Risk and Strategy Expert.
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Boardroom Dynamics: The Psychology of Governance | Workshop 25th November 2026
Learn how behavioural dynamics can impact performance from both a board and organisational perspective. Led by Dr Wieke Scholten, Social and Organisational Psychology expert.
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Gain practical insights and best practice to strengthen board strategy and organisational readiness, in this global online conference. Hosted by the Global Network of Director Institutes (GNDI).
The GNDI is a network of leading director institutes. Established in 2012 to foster closer cooperation between its members, the global programme of reciprocity helps directors and boards unlock access to director resources from around the world. GNDI comprises 26 institutes representing more than 150,000 directors and other governance professionals. IoD Ireland is a member of the GNDI.
| | LEADERSHIP AWARDS PARTNERSHIP | DEADLINE EXTENDED | | |
Final Opportunity to Enter the Business Post Leadership Awards 2026
The deadline for The Business Post Leadership Awards 2026 nominations has been extended until Friday, 4th September. If you or a colleague deserve recognition, now is the time to apply and raise your professional profile. Submit your nomination before the deadline and be part of Ireland’s premier celebration of leadership. The awards celebrate directors and C-suite leaders driving innovation, growth and impact. The ceremony on 12th November 2026 will bring together leading figures from across Ireland’s business community for an evening of recognition and networking.
IoD Ireland is proud to partner with the CEO of the Year – Small Business category, recognising exceptional leadership across Irish business.
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