Caroline Spillane CDir | Tuesday, 1st April 2025

Dear Anne,

On behalf of IoD Ireland members, the Vice President Helen Nolan and I were delighted to attend a recent CBI workshop on the Individual Accountability Framework (IAF). The session was designed to assess the impact of the IAF in practice and share insights in relation to the experience of implementing SEAR. At IoD Ireland we will continue to support our members on this key area, which is set to come into play for non-executive directors in July 2025. I was also pleased to provide a briefing to the Department of Public Expenditure National Development and Reform (DPENDR) on our recommendations on State board governance and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State bodies. 

This month, we are delighted to bring you a wealth of valuable content and resources. We include: two timely thought leadership pieces, one reflecting the geopolitical situation from Economist Jim Power, and one reflecting on the national perspective from Q4PR; a Member Spotlight on Kevin Potts, Chief Executive, Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), who shares his leadership insights; an exclusive Irish Times article by Majella Mungovan, Global Finance Operations at Meta, discussing Finance, Innovation, and Regulation; a webcast on Digital Governance with Dr Valerie Lyons, Company Director, and COO, BH Consulting; and an Employment update Director Factsheet.

We encourage you to take full advantage of our exclusive member benefits, including the comprehensive Director Development Toolkit, our expert-led Tax and Legal Panels, as well as our complimentary events, always accessible content and learning and education opportunities. Details on these and more can be found below.

If you need any assistance, please don’t hesitate to reply to this email. We’re here to help.



Best wishes,

Caroline Spillane CDir

Chief Executive Officer

Institute of Directors Ireland 

In this timely thought leadership piece, Jim Power, Economist and Media Commentator, explores the current key geopolitical issues that demand our attention. He delves into the critical concerns and events that are shaping Ireland, and the world globally.

IOD NEWS

We are delighted to announce that Council Member Helen Nolan has been appointed Vice President of IoD Ireland, and will become President following the AGM in May. Helen is a highly experienced non-executive director and chair, and Chartered Accountant. Helen is Chair of Aviva Life and Pensions Ireland, a Non-Executive Director of US listed fresh produce company Dole plc and of Companjon Insurance DAC, where she chairs the Audit Committee.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Meet Our Member: Kevin Potts, Chief Executive, Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU)

Kevin Potts, Chief Executive of the IRFU, shares his journey from a successful finance career to leading Irish rugby’s governing body. A chartered accountant, he transitioned from global financial roles to the IRFU in 2005, becoming CEO in 2021. Through his IoD membership, he seeks to exchange insights with leaders across industries. His advice to aspiring directors? Take the leap, lead with integrity, and always put people first.

BENEFITS OF BEING A MEMBER

Are you aware of the full extent of the benefits that come with being a member of IoD Ireland? As a member you have access to numerous resources and supports designed to support and empower your role as a director and leader. See a few highlights below. For more, visit our benefits website page.

DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT

IoD Ireland supports directors both in the boardroom and on their journey to it. Our Director Toolkit provides directors with essential resources, guidance, and tools to enhance governance, leadership, and decision-making skills.

IoD IRELAND TAX PANEL

Navigating corporate and personal tax matters can be complex, but as an IoD Ireland member, you don’t have to do it alone. Our Tax Panel is made up of experienced professionals who provide expert guidance on a range of tax issues.

IoD IRELAND LEGAL PANEL

Understanding corporate and personal legal matters can be challenging, but IoD Ireland members have access to expert support. Our Legal Panel, comprised of seasoned professionals, offers valuable insights and guidance on a wide range of legal topics, helping you stay informed and confident in your decision-making.

ACCESS TO AIRPORT LOUNGES

Enjoy complimentary access to airport lounges in Dublin, Cork, Shannon. As well as 16 executive airport lounges in the UK and Europe. Next time you are travelling for business or pleasure why not avail of this member benefit. Just present your valid IoD Ireland membership card to the attendant at the Executive Lounge.

Unlocking the Full Potential of your Membership

Webcast

Watch back this webcast, which was designed to help you get the most out of your IoD Ireland membership. During this session, Darren Clarke, Business Development Manager, IoD Ireland, explored the benefits available to members, including a guided tour of the membership dashboard; key benefits and tools designed for directors, and helpful tips on navigating resources tailored to your goals.

EXCLUSIVE COMPLIMENTARY EVENTS FOR MEMBERS

9 APRIL 2025 | 12:30PM - 1:30PM

Location: Online

Explore the critical area of financial statements, including the role of the board and the audit committee, new accounting regulation, and the role of audit and risk management. Sponsored by Diligent.

Eligible for 1 hour of CPD.

Governance in the NIS2 Era: Are You Ready?

8 MAY 2025 | 8:00AM-9:30AM

Location: Mason Hayes & Curran, South Bank House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4

Save the date. At this event, our expert legal speakers will provide key insights into the impact of NIS2 and its requirements for board-level cybersecurity governance. This event is being held in collaboration with Mason Hayes & Curran.

Eligible for 1 hour of CPD.

Future of Board Skills and Succession Planning

15 MAY 2025 | 5:30PM-7:30PM

Location: The Westbury Hotel, Dublin 2

This Briefing event will focus on the board's governance role and succession planning. It will also address the evolving role of the Nomination Committee Chairs in board appointments, and emerging board competencies. Sponsored by Forvis Mazars.

Eligible for 1 hour of CPD.

IoD LEARNING AND EDUCATION: DESIGNED FOR DIRECTORS - Preferential Rates for Members

Employment Law Update – What’s ahead in 2025

Factsheet



This Factsheet addresses some key changes that employers should be aware of in 2025. These include changes and updates on: NDAs; auto-enrolment; determining employment status; Gender Pay Gap and pay transparency; provisions of the AI act; employment Permit System following the Employment Permits Act 2024; and General changes to Irish employment law. This Factsheet is courtesy of McCann FitzGerald LLP. 

Digital Governance: AI, Cybersecurity, and Privacy

Webcast



Watch this webcast with Dr Valerie Lyons, Company Director, and COO, BH Consulting. Valerie offers critical insights and analysis on the evolving risk landscape, in relation to cybersecurity, privacy, and AI governance. She also explored NIS2 responsibilities for directors, AI Act compliance, and strategies for building consumer trust through cybersecurity. Valerie addressed the intersection of AI and privacy challenges, board leadership and resilience.

Leading at Scale: Finance, Innovation and Regulation

Member insight 

In a recent Irish Times article, Meta’s Vice-President of global financial operations and IoD Ireland member Majella Mungovan discusses how she drives technology, financial strategy and regulatory oversight. From her early days in finance to her current role as VP of Global Financial Operations at Meta, it highlights her pivotal role in driving innovation through AI and cutting-edge technology at Meta, and supporting its rapid growth. She also shares how her involvement with IoD Ireland has been instrumental in her professional growth, through connecting with industry leaders, and using resources to stay ahead in a fast-evolving regulatory landscape. 

Parliamentary Paralysis: What the current Dáil drama means for business and policy progress

Thought leadership article

Read this article by Q4PR's Public Affairs expert Rory Hogan addressing the recent Dáil events and the wider impact for business and policy progress. While these developments may appear procedural or even performative, they carry real implications for Ireland’s business environment, investment climate, and the legislative pipeline.

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.

Congratulations to our newly Chartered Directors

Congratulations to those Chartered Directors who have passed their final professional review process, eligibility assessment and have become qualified CDirs.