Governance

Prof. Carthy lectures in the School of Computer Science at UCD where he has served as Dean of Science and Head of School. He is a current member of the UCD Governing Authority. He is the founding Director of the UCD Centre for Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Investigation. Prof. Carthy is a board member of two NGOs: CyberSafeIreland and Helping Irish Hosts.

has held leadership roles across the Aer Lingus Group, Irish Hotels Federation, and Veterinary Ireland. He served as Chairperson of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (2010–2021) and is currently on the nursing and midwifery regulatory board and the External Director of Active Retirement Ireland. John also chairs Blessington Town Team and holds an MSc in Management Practice from Trinity College Dublin.

Robin Mandal, an architect and former President of the RIAI, founded RMA Architecture in 1979 and retired as a director in 2019. Passionate about conservation and sustainable change, he has led initiatives like the RIAI Conservation Accreditation system and is active with Irish Architects Declare. Robin serves on several boards, including the Irish Architects Benevolent Society and An Taisce, and is Vice-President of the International Scientific Committee on Aerospace Heritage.

Alex Evans is Professor and former Dean of Agriculture, and Head of the School of Agriculture & Food Science in University College Dublin. He has recently completed his term as a member of UCD Governing Authority and has broad ranging experiences and contributions to many committees and boards both inside and outside the university. He has degrees from the University of Nottingham, University of Saskatchewan and National University of Ireland. His research and teaching interests are now around the challenges of sustainable agriculture, land use, food production and food consumption.

Dr Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, is an expert in European art, with a focus on the Italian Renaissance. Previously, she held senior roles at the National Gallery, London, the Courtauld Gallery, and the Ashmolean Museum. Born in Belfast and educated at Oxford and the Courtauld Institute, Caroline has curated numerous international exhibitions and published extensively, including her 2023 book, The Power of Art.

Fionnuala Croke, Director of the Chester Beatty since 2011, is a museum professional and art historian with over 30 years’ experience. She has repositioned the Chester Beatty as a leading national cultural institution and a hub for global artistic heritage and intercultural dialogue. A graduate of UCD with an MA and an International Executive MBA, she has curated numerous exhibitions and holds qualifications in corporate governance and leadership. Fionnuala has served on various cultural boards and networks, including the Council of National Cultural Institutions and Trinity College’s Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation.

Tiarnan has provided funding to multiple organisations over the past two decades, supporting everything from early-stage ventures to major follow-on capital rounds. He is an experienced company chairman, director and investor across a broad mix of organisations and sectors. His previous roles include Chair of the Irish Pensions Board, Origina and Helios, as well as other non-executive positions. Beyond his professional work, Tiarnan is active in the sporting community through his support of Kilmacud Crokes and is an enthusiastic follower of sport. He also has a strong interest in the arts, history, international politics and current affairs.

Sinéad is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and served as a partner in Grant Thornton Ireland from 2005 and as Chairperson of the firm from 2021 until January 2025 following the successful amalgamation with Grant Thornton US. Sinéad served as President of Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI) 2023 / 2024 and successfully negotiated and secured a member vote for the historic amalgamation of CAI and CPA Ireland, making CAI the largest professional body in Ireland. Currently, Sinéad sits on a number of Boards as a non executive director and acts as a strategic advisor to scaling and fast growth companies. She is the Chair of the International Panel of Accounting Education which is an advisory board of IFAC (International Federation of Accountants).

Ben Thomas is the Trinity College Dublin nominee to the ABF. He is Associate Professor in History of Renaissance Art at TCD. An art historian and curator, he has published on a wide variety of art historical topics – for example, the 2020 book Edgar Wind and Modern Art: In Defence of Marginal Anarchy – and has curated many exhibitions, including (with Catherine Whistler) the award-winning exhibition Raphael: The Drawings (The Ashmolean Museum, 2017).

Shelley Horan BCL (Hons., UCD), LL.M (Hons., Kings’ College, London), BL (Hons., King’s Inns) is a Senior Counsel with over 20 years’ experience in complex commercial litigation and regulatory/public law disputes. She is also a CEDR Accredited Mediator.

Shelley has held academic roles in both Trinity College Dublin and in King’s Inns, has acted as an External Examiner for the Institute of Bankers in Ireland, was a member of the Disciplinary Committee (2012-2018) and has been Chair of the Appeals Committee of CPA Ireland (now Chartered Accountants Ireland) since 2018.

Shelley was a Director on the board of Projects Arts Centre between 2011-2013 and was a Member of the Company Law Review Group. Shelley was also a member of the Expert Advisory Group for National Integrity Systems Study (Ireland) (Transparency International) (2011-2012).

Shelley is a Member of the Corporate & Insolvency Bar Association (CIBA), was a Member of the Bar Council between 2012-2013.

Shelley is also a Member of the Irish Chapter of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association from 2019 – present and is a mentor on the Bar of Ireland’s Kyle-Deverell Mentoring Programme.  She was also nominated in 2016 by the Charities Regulator to act as a trustee of the board of  Console prior to its liquidation.