Business leaders were awarded with distinction at the IoD Chartered Director Programme Graduation on Thursday, 2nd October 2025. The graduation included graduates who had successfully passed their Certificate and Diploma in Company Direction exams, and also recognised members who had recently became accredited Chartered Directors.
Word of Congratulations
The Ceremony was opened by IoD Ireland President Helen Nolan, 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 became accredited Chartered Directors throughout the year so far.
Helen also took the opportunity to note that while they are now at the end of their Chartered Director Programme journey, they continue to be part of a dynamic and influential network of directors. She reminded graduates of the value of IoD membership and encouraged them to leverage it going forward to stay connected, exchange ideas, and share best practices.
Helen also took the opportunity to thank the Faculty and programme leads for their support of the Graduates, noting a thanks to Eileen Gleeson CDir, Joan Gleeson, Prof. Simon Haslam CDir, Carol Bolger CDir, Marie Collins CDir, and Caroline Kirrane.
Personal Reflections from a Past Graduate
The Graduation then heard an address from IoD Council Member and Chartered Director Programme Alumnus Brian O'Sullivan CDir. Brian is Chairperson of The Friends of Saint Luke’s, and is a Investor, Non-executive Director, and Strategic advisor to several startups/early-stage companies in the food and retail sectors both in Ireland and Europe. He also has over 30 years executive experience with Cadbury Ireland, Mondelez International, Fulfil Nutrition and Keelings.
In his address, Brian congratulated the graduates and reflected on his past Graduation and experience of the Chartered Director Programme. He recounted how the Programme’s insights had guided his own Non-Executive Director, offering clarity and direction in moments that mattered. Even now, he admitted, he often revisits the materials, finding fresh relevance in their lessons.
Graduation Cermony
During the Ceromony each graduate received a scroll from IoD Ireland President Helen Nolan, and was commended for their achievements. This included graduates who had received a Certificate and Diploma in Company Direction. It also recognised members who became accredited Chartered Directors throughout the year so far.
Special Recognition Awards
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 11 graduates to the stage to receive special recognition for achieving the highest marks in the Diploma and Certificate exams.
All of these graduates were gifted with 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:
- Alan Casey CDir, Non-Executive Director and Board Adviser.
- Patrick Casey, Head of Consumer Policy & Research, Central Bank of Ireland.
- John Carey, Finance Director, TDL Distributors Ltd Ampersand.
- Rachel Gardner, Head of Business Operations, Ulster Bank.
- Shauna Greely, Non-Executive Director.
- Eamonn Kelly, Assistant Secretary General - Maritime Policy, Department of Transport.
- Jeremiah Lyne, Senior Investment Manager, Irish Strategic Investment Fund (NTMA).
- Pat Moynihan, Chief Executive Officer, CIO Consulting and Coaching.
- Judith O'Driscoll, Chief Risk and Compliance Professional.
- Carolyn O'Hara, Chief HR Officer, FBD Insurance.
- Darragh Rossi, Head of Division, Central Bank of Ireland.
