Business Leaders Honoured at IoD Chartered Director Programme Graduation

Word of Congratulations 

The Ceremony was opened by IoD Ireland Chief Executive Officer Caroline Spillane CDir, who welcomed and commended the graduates on their achievements. The graduation included graduates who had successfully passed their Certificate and Diploma in Company Direction exams, which constitute part of the IoD’s gold standard Chartered Director Programme. It also recognised members who recently became qualified Chartered Directors. 

In her speech, Caroline reflected on her own experience of undertaking the programme and recognised the commitment and dedication all the graduates put in to their achievements. She noted this commitment highlights their responsible approach to professional development in the area of corporate governance.

She finished her welcome address by reminding graduates that although their time with the programme has concluded, they are still part of a dynamic and influential network of directors as part of their IoD membership. Through their membership, they have access to a wealth of additional support, including director factsheets, thought leadership publications, industry insights, regular networking events and ongoing professional development. 

Personal Reflections from Chartered Director Programme Alumnus Sarah Keane 

The Graduation was delighted to welcome Chartered Director Programme Alumnus Sarah Keane to provide an address to graduates. Sarah is a prominent leader in the sports and governance sectors. She is the former President of the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) and incoming Chief Executive Officer of Cricket Ireland. She is actively involved in global and national sports governance, including her roles as a Non Executive Director at the Central Bank of Ireland; Board member of World Aquatics; Executive Board member of European Aquatics and Chair of the European Aquatics DEI Commission. 

'Be courageous as a director' was a key message of Sarah’s address. She also reflected on the importance of fully understanding directors’ duties and responsibilities and encouraged directors to never hesitate in asking questions. Sarah also reflected on how the learnings from the Chartered Director Programme have guided her in both her CEO role and her work as a director. She closed by reminding the audience that IoD Ireland membership is a strong director community - and urged everyone to make full use of it.

Graduation Cermony

During the Ceromony each graduate received a scroll from Dr Terry McWade CDir, IoD Council Member, and was commended for their achievements. This included graduates who had received a Certificate and Diploma in Company Direction. It also recognised members who recently became qualified Chartered Directors. 

Eileen Gleeson CDir, Programme Director, Chartered Director Programme, IoD Ireland was then welcomed to the stage. She congratulated all graduates on their wonderful achievement and thanked the IoD faculty members in attendance for their dedication over the course of the programme. Eileen then invited several graduates to the stage to receive special recognition for achieving the highest marks in the Diploma and Certificate exams. 

Tom Byrne Awardee 

We were delighted to award the Tom Byrne Award to Michael Tangney, Finance Director, EMEA Google Customer Solutions, Google. Michael was commended for his dedication thoughout the programme and his outstanding results that underline this. 

The Tom Byrne Award recognises excellence in academic achievement as well as individual participation in, contribution to and engagement with the Chartered Director Programme. Tom Byrne was President of IoD Ireland from 2011-2013, and sadly passed away in 2021. The Award was presented by Caroline Spillane CDir, CEO, IoD Ireland, and Eileen Gleeson CDir, Programme Director, Chartered Director Programme, IoD Ireland. 

Special Recognition Awards

During the ceremony, several graduates were given special recognition for achieving the highest marks in the Diploma and Certificate exams. These graduates were gifted a certified native Irish broadleaf tree from IoD Ireland, each of which will be planted and certified in the graduates’ names by Wolfgang Reforest. Each graduate was presented with a certificate including the coordinates of where the tree is planted in Co. Wicklow. Wolfgang Reforest is a not-for-profit social enterprise, whose mission is to start a movement of citizens and companies planting trees, thereby reforesting Ireland acre by acre.

The Special Recognition Graduates were: 

• Kevin Breen, Director, CyberActive Ltd
• Brian Bowden, Independent Non-Executive Director and HR Advisor
• Colm Bryson, Head of Finance, IPB Insurance
• Thomas Farrell, Head of Investments Markets, Bank of Ireland
• Sean Forde, Transformation Director - Strategic Programmes, AIB
• Patrick Kelly, Director, Community Credit Union
• Evelyn Savage, Company Secretary, Director of Legal and Sustainability, IPB Insurance
• Michael Tangney, Finance Director, EMEA Google Customer Solutions, Google.
• Adrian Trenaman, Director of Engineering, Google
• Karl Tuffy CDir, Director, Growth, Strategy & Governance Advisory
• John Twomey, Managing Director, F4G
• Aidan Power, Director of Marketing, Tourism Ireland
• Padraig Ryan, Managing Director, Navitise Consulting
• Mark Whitaker, Chairman, Johnson & Perrott

Congratulations to all of our graduates.