Our team of board assessors includes seasoned governance professionals and Chartered Directors with extensive real-world experience across diverse sectors. No matter your context, we bring the expertise needed to provide valuable, actionable insights.
Our service is customised to the unique needs, challenges, and goals of your organisation and board. We work closely with you to ensure the evaluation aligns with your strategic priorities, providing insights that drive effective governance and long-term success.
From the initial consultation through to the completion of the board evaluation, we ensure that the entire process is conducted in a fully trusted and confidential environment. Your board's privacy is our priority, and we maintain the highest standards of discretion and integrity.
We conduct a thorough evaluation of your board’s strengths and areas for growth, providing actionable insights that enable your team to make confident, strategic decisions. Our approach empowers your board to lead with clarity and drive sustainable success.
Carol Bolger CDirBoard Assessor, IoD IrelandCarol Bolger is a Chartered Director, Certified Bank Director, and an IoD Ireland faculty member.
Carol is a Non-Executive Director at BCM Global ASI Ltd and Chair of the Audit Committee of the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine.
Carol specialises in conducting in-depth board evaluations, facilitating structured feedback sessions, and providing tailored recommendations to strengthen governance frameworks. Her approach combines industry best practices with a keen understanding of each board’s unique dynamics, ensuring actionable insights that drive meaningful improvements.
Dr Margaret CullenGovernance Advisor, IoD IrelandMargaret, as IoD Ireland’s Governance Advisor, leads and supports the board evaluation team to ensure a seamless, high-quality process. She plays a key role in identifying and applying best-practice governance standards tailored to each organisation’s unique context. Margaret ensures that every evaluation meets the rigorous standards expected by IoD Ireland.
Margaret serves as a non-executive director on the boards of several organisatons and has extensive board and board committee experience. She is also a member of the Advisory Committee of the Fund Boards Council in the UK.
Tony Lawless CDirBoard Assessor, IoD IrelandTony Lawless is a Chartered Director and experienced Independent Non-Executive Director. Tony has broad experience has covered marketing, distribution, ESG, fintech and M&A. He has experience of both boards and executive committees in a large, regulated, and complex business.
Tony works with boards to evaluate their effectiveness, fosters dialogue, and offers clear, actionable guidance. He integrates industry best practices with a deep understanding of each board’s unique dynamics, helping to strengthen governance and drive continuous improvement.
Clare DuignanBoard Assessor, IoD IrelandClare Duignan is an experienced Non-Executive Director with wide-ranging board experience across various sectors, including not-for-profits. She holds an IoD Diploma in Company Direction, and has an Advanced Diploma in Executive Coaching, accredited by the European Mentoring and Coaching Council.
She brings an objective and tailored approach to evaluations, ensuring a thorough assessment of board structures, processes, and culture. She facilitates meaningful discussions, gathers key insights, and provides clear, actionable recommendations to support strong governance.
Marie Collins CDirBoard Assessor, IoD IrelandMarie Collins is a Chartered Director and an IoD Ireland Faculty member. She is Chair of Home Building Finance Ireland DAC, Bank of Ireland's Dawson MT dac and New Irelands Master Trust. She is an independent non-executive director with Dunnes Stores PT ULC. Marie is an independent member of the ComReg Audit and Risk Committee.
Marie focuses on delivering comprehensive board evaluations, guiding structured feedback discussions, and offering customised recommendations to enhance governance frameworks. She blends industry best practices with a deep understanding of each board’s distinct dynamics.
Michael O’Donovan CDirBoard Assessor, IoD IrelandMichael is an experienced Independent Non-Executive Director. He has over twenty-five years leadership experience in international technology and FinTech sectors.
Michael supports boards in assessing their effectiveness, facilitating meaningful discussions, and providing practical, results-driven guidance. His collaborative and insightful approach combines industry best practices with a deep understanding of board dynamics, helping to enhance governance and foster continuous growth.
Hugh McCallumBoard Assessor, IoD IrelandHugh McCallum is an experienced non-executive director, Chair and consultant. He is recognised in the business community for a hands-on governance and financial oversight approach and a track record of forging robust relationships across organisational hierarchies.
Hugh takes a collaborative and insightful approach to board evaluations, facilitating open discussions, gathering key stakeholder perspectives, and delivering practical, evidence-based recommendations. His objective evaluations help boards identify strengths, challenges, and implement meaningful improvements.
We believe that effective board evaluations are built on collaboration. But also tailored to the unique needs of your organisation. Our approach is not one-size-fits-all. We will work closely with you to understand your board's specific challenges, dynamics, and objectives. By combining our expertise with your insights, we will create a customised evaluation process that delivers actionable recommendations for improving governance, performance, and strategic impact.
We will work with you to choose the best methodology for your board evaluation. The methods are discretionary, and organisations may decide and choose the appropriate method(s) to fit their needs. The options include: Online Board Evaluation questionnaires; one-to-one interviews; and Board and/or Committee observations.
Online Board Evaluation Questionnaire
One-to-One Interviews
Board &/or Committee Observations
Planning
Evaluation Process
Refinement and recommendation
Feedback and support
Connect with us through our contact form, and a member of our team will reach out shortly. Alternatively, reach out to us directly. See our details below.
Email: ckinsella@iodireland.ie
Phone: +353 1 576 6888
Blog
Why Board Evaluations Matter
Regular, meaningful board evaluations are essential for ensuring good governance, enhancing board effectiveness, and fostering continuous improvement.
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Blog
Enhancing board accountability and driving organisational success | The Irish Times
Strengthening boards: The power of IoD Ireland's external board evaluations. This article was originally posted on The Irish Times on behalf of IoD Ireland.
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Webcast
A Marriage of Governance: The Critical Role of the Company Secretary and Chair
Watch this webcast and advance your understanding of the relationship between the Company Secretary and the Chair, which is pivotal to effective corporate governance.
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Webcast
Navigating Board Evaluations: Insights and Strategies
This Briefing webinar was presented by Dr. Margaret Cullen, Governance Advisor, IoD Ireland, in conversation with Sarah McLaughlin, Group Secretary and Head of Corporate Governance, Bank of Ireland.
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Blog
Reflecting on Board Performance: Enhancing Governance with an IoD Ireland Board Evaluation | Business Post
Regardless of the sector, regular board evaluations have become essential.
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Blog
Educating, informing and supporting directors to lead successfully | Irish Times
Institute of Directors launches new Director Prospectus for 2025.
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Blog
Holding a mirror up to the board | The Irish Times
With organisations increasingly dependent on the effectiveness of their boards for success and growth, regular board evaluations are becoming critically important. This article was originally posted on The Irish Times on behalf of IoD Ireland.
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