Board Members

Paul O’Faherty is an actuary and is an  independent non- executive director of a number of companies in the financial services and not-for-profit sectors. He also acts as a strategy consultant and an executive coach. Paul was appointed Chair of the Board during 2024. 

Gary is Managing Partner and co-founder of Genesis, a business advisory firm established in 1995, that helps organisations grow and thrive by reimagining and redefining their strategy, brand and organisational culture. Alongside her advisory work, Gary is an executive, leadership and teams coach, working with people to enable them to be the best they can be. She has extensive non executive director experience on the boards of private sector, public sector and not-for-profit organisations. She has chaired several industry and political taskforces on behalf of government and state agencies. Gary is a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants and Advisors and the Marketing Institute of Ireland.

Ivan Fox has over 30 years’ experience in financial markets. He is currently an active private investor focused on financial services. In 2014, Ivan co-led the buy-out of Merrion Capital Group. The business was successfully sold to Cantor Fitzgerald in 2018. He continues to serve on the Boards of a number of regulated entities within the Cantor group. In the past 7 years he has co-founded and successfully exited two fintech businesses. Ivan holds an MBA and BA from University College Dublin and a CDipAF from the ACCA. He also holds a Diploma in Company Direction and is a Certified Investment Fund Director. Ivan has served on the Board of Barnardos for a number of years and is currently Chairman of the Finance Committee. 

Kate Malone is a senior HR professional and chartered fellow of CIPD. She brings over 25 years experience of working in various HR roles and projects across the public, private and NGO sector. Kate currently specialises in interim HR Director/ Chief People & Culture Officer roles where she supports clients’ immediate strategic and operational HR needs. Kate’s previous roles include Director of HR with IMI, Director of HR with Trinity College Dublin, Head of Global Mobility with Kerry Group and International HR Manager with Concern.

Dr Burns is a Senior Lecturer, deputy director of the master of social work course and Director of Practice at UCC.

He has worked as a social worker and SW team leader in child protection and welfare.

Sue has worked in the communications industry since 1987. She is currently Group Director, Employee Experience for Smurfit Kappa and brings a wealth of knowledge in Marketing and Communications to the Board.

Ciaran has over 35 years’ experience in the insurance industry in actuarial, IT, transformation, sustainability, and operations governance roles. He is currently EMEA Head of Operations Governance and Sustainability at Zurich Insurance.

Ken is Director of Information Technology for the Sisk Group and has 30 years’ experience in the IT industry with expertise in leading teams and change agendas.

Denis Lucey has over 36 years of experience in the technology sector, including 26 years of global executive leadership across professional and customer services, engineering, and supply chain. Denis is a professional Executive Coach, inspiring people to reach their full potential. He is passionate about helping customers’ achieve their objectives while championing an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone can bring their authentic self to work. He believes a culture of personal development with continuous process improvement creates great outcomes for team members, customers and the business. Through people, skills and technology, Denis strives to create a positive social impact within the communities where we work and live During his career with Dell Technologies, Denis served as a Vice President in Global Services and also as the Dublin Executive Site Leader.

Garry McGann is the Chairman of Allegro.EU, Sicon Ltd (Sisk Group) and Aon (Investment Holdings) Ireland. He is the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Smurfit Kappa Group plc, one of the leading providers of paper-based packaging solutions in the world. He is also former CEO of Aer Lingus Group and Gilbeys of Ireland, a former Chair of DAA, Aryzta AG, a former director of Green Reit Plc and a former NED/SID of UDG Plc. In August 2023 Gary retired from his position as Chairman of Flutter plc (Fanduel) which he held for 9 years. Gary is also a consultant for Middle Game Ventures, and a Senior International Advisor/Chair of Teneo Ireland. He is a former President of IBEC (Irish Business and Employers’ Confederation).

In the “not for profit sector” Gary is a director of Barnardos and Chair of The Ireland Funds.