Credit Unions play a vital role in providing financial services providers to local communities. As part our remit to make Ireland an exemplar of corporate governance, IoD Ireland has partnered with ILCU to develop a bespoke programme specifically for directors of Credit Unions.
Pictured at the ILCU AGM and Conference 2025 (L to R): David Malone, CEO, ILCU; Caroline Spillane CDir, Chief Executive Officer, IoD Ireland; Una McDevitt, Foundation Technical Director & Presenter on the IoD ILCU Director Development Programme, ILCU, Sheila Byrne, Head of Learning and Education, IoD Ireland; and Patrick Lawlor, Head of Professional Advisory Services, ILCU.
What is the Aim of This Programme?
This programme will support ILCU directors in executing their pivotal governance role and in addition will support a wider objective of achieving best in class standards of corporate governance within the credit union sector in Ireland. The programme comprises six in-depth modules, covering governance, the role of the board and committees, internal governance, and bespoke elements relevant to Credit Unions.
Who is this Course for?
The course is designed for Credit Union Directors and members of Credit Union Committees.
What Will I Gain From This Programme?
- Clarity on Regulatory and Legal Expectations: Build a confident understanding of the regulatory environment Credit Unions operate in, including directors' legal duties and the supervisory approaches of the Central Bank of Ireland, the FCA, and the PRA.
- Strategic and Risk Leadership: Learn how to effectively align risk appetite with strategy, interpret capital and balance sheet considerations, and play a meaningful role in shaping your Credit Union's strategic direction.
- Governance in Action: Explore the real-world responsibiltiies of boards and committees, and gain practical tools to navigate complex governance issues with confidence and clarity.
- Embedding Culture and Accountability: Understand how leadership, culture, and internal controls interact - and why strong internal governance is key to organisational success and longevity.
- The ability to be able to effectively participate in the wider discourse on the Credit Union strategy.
How Do I Book This Programme?
- This Programme is open to Credit Union Directors and members of Credit Union Committees.
- To book this Programme, visit the ILCU Learning and Development website page, see the button below. If you would like to learn more about the Programme, express your interest by selecting the button below.
Meet Our Experts
The programme will be lead by Dr Margaret Cullen, Governance Advisor, IoD Ireland; Carol Bolger CDir, Chartered Director; and Una McDevitt, Senior Business Advisor, Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU).
Dr Margaret Cullen
Programme Leader
Dr Margaret Cullen holds a PhD in governance from University College Dublin (UCD). She is a specialist in the areas of corporate, bank and investment fund governance
Margaret is a governance adviser to the Institute of Directors (IoD) Ireland, an experienced Board Assessor with IoD’s Board Evaluation Service and and member of IoD’s faculty for the delivery of customized governance education and workshops. Margaret also holds the roles of Programme Director of UCD Diploma in Corporate Governance and Academic Director for the Institute of Banking’s (IoB) Certified Bank Director Programme. She is a fellow of the IoB.
Carol Bolger CDir
Chartered Director
Carol Bolger is a Chartered Director (CDir) and course leader on the Governance and Diploma modules of the IoD Chartered Director Programme and delivers on IoD’s Essential Workshop Series.
A Certified Bank Director, Carol has extensive experience from senior roles in Business & Corporate Banking at Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank. She now serves as a non-Executive Director at BCM Global ASI Ltd and is Chair of the Audit Committee of the Department of Agriculture Food and Marine. She is a Patron of Chapter Zero Ireland and a member of the Balance for Better Business Review Group.
Previously, she was Chair of An Post, Chair of Utexam Solutions Ltd and served on the boards of The Coombe Women & Infants Hospital, the Health & Safety Authority, and the Institute of Banking. She holds qualifications in Finance, Strategy, and Innovation from UCC and an Advanced Diploma in Executive Coaching. Carol is a Fellow of the Institute of Banking and previously held the position of Vice President.
Una McDevitt (MScOB, Fellow CAI)
Senior Business Advisor
Una is owner and founder of a Learning Facilitator Organisation and Una has extensive experience of teaching with and to ILCU members. In addition Una has taught at DCU and is a Credit Union Board member.
Una works with the ILCU Foundation to assist credit unions in developing countries to grow their Operational and Governance capabilities.
- Technical Advisor, ILCU International Development Foundation
- Senior Business Advisor, ILCU
- Founder & Owner, Una McDevitt & Associate, Learning Facilitator
- Lecturer in Financial Accounting, DCU
In Partnership With
The Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) is the largest credit union representative body on the island of Ireland. Its aim is to provide representation, leadership, co-operation, support and development for credit unions in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The ILCU has an affiliated membership of more than 270 credit unions.