Governance

EPIC Board Member and Chair of the Governance and Risk Committee 

John’s background & experience    

I have circa 20 years’ experience working in the company secretarial and company law compliance sector and have acted as meeting secretary for different client companies during my professional career. 

I recently joined Marsh McLennan as a member of the UK/IRL Co. Sec. Team and was subsequently appointed Company Secretary to Marsh McLennan’s Irish businesses including Mercer Ireland, Mercer Global Investments Europe, and Marsh Ireland Brokers. Since taking up my new position, I have been involved in supporting Irish Boards and Committees through meeting support and governance advice, and in a number of special assignments including an ongoing entity rationalisation project. I am also a member of the Company’s recently formed Steering Group for the Central Bank of Ireland’s Individual Accountability Framework (IAF).   

Prior to joining Marsh McLennan, I was the Director of KPMG Restructuring and a Director in KPMG’s Corporate Legal Advisory Services /Company Secretarial Department. I have also contributed technical articles to newspapers and professional journals as well as presenting company law and company secretarial courses to professional bodies.    

John’s qualifications   

Fellow of the Chartered Governance Institute; Certified Diploma in Accounting and Finance (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).   

John’s motivation for joining the EPIC Board   

I have a great respect and admiration for people in care and those who support them. I hope I can contribute to EPIC by bringing my skillset to the Board so that the care professionals can dedicate their time to continuing to advocate for and support young people in care.   

EPIC Board Member

Val’s background & experience  

I am a professionally qualified Social Worker with over 15 years’ experience working with children and families and particular expertise in child protection, child welfare, neglect, and abuse.  

I currently work as a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) and an Independent Social Worker. I independently represent children’s best interests and wishes in the context of public law child care proceedings initiated by the state, and I am directly appointed by the Court. I have represented children’s interests in the District, High, Supreme and European Courts and have also been appointed to advise the Court in relation to the welfare of children subject to Criminal Proceedings. Prior to my work as a GAL, I worked in the public sector in social work front line and management positions.  

Val’s Qualifications  

BA Social Studies (TCD); National Qualification in Social Work (National Social Work Qualification Board); Diploma in Mediator Training (The Law society of Ireland); Dyadic Developmental Practice: Parenting and Psychotherapy; Accredited Mediator (Mediator’s Institute of Ireland); Child Specialist Interviewing (An Garda Siochana and the HSE);   

EPIC Board Member

Chair of the Board

Barry’s background & experience   

I am the CEO and Chief Customer Officer with Acorn Insurance and a senior leader with over 20 years’ experience in the financial services sector.  In 2012, I moved into a Senior Management role and have since gained extensive experience in governance, risk, compliance and driving strategic change within organisations with a view to ensuring long term sustainability. I have a proven track record in shaping and delivering business and digital transformation and am a strong believer in relationship building with a consultative and strategic approach.  

Barry’s qualifications  

MA in Business Practice; Certified Insurance Practitioner (CIP); Qualified Financial Advisor (QFA); Diploma in Leadership, Strategy & Innovation; Diploma in Management.    

Barry’s motivation for joining the EPIC Board  

I believe strongly in and support the mission and vision of EPIC and want to support the organisation by bringing my experience and skillset to the Board.  

Vice Chair of the Board

Maeve’s background and experience 

I have over 20 years HR experience in various roles supporting a number of areas within UCC, and experience across a range of HR functions including management of the employee lifecycle, resource planning and the management of employee relations and wellbeing issues. I am currently the HR Business Manager for the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences where I work closely with the Head of College and Schools within the College to ensure the delivery of best practice HR to support the College in achieving its goals and objectives. 

Maeve’s qualifications 

HDip HRM (UCC), MBA (UCC) 

Maeve’s motivation for joining the EPIC Board 

I very much support the mission of EPIC and their work with children and young people in the care system. I joined the Board to play a small part in supporting EPIC and hope that my experience can provide some value. 

EPIC Board Member

Michelle’s background and experience  

I entered onto the Roll of Solicitors in June 2009 and became Principal of Michelle O’Connell Solicitors in January 2017, and I’ve held the position of State Solicitor for North Tipperary since March 2015.  In addition to my role as State Solicitor, I have been involved in child care proceedings acting predominately for Guardian Ad Litems advocating for the voice of the child to be heard in these proceedings. It was through this work that I became aware of the invaluable work EPIC does in supporting young people in care. I also practices in Family Law, and general practice in my firm in my native Tipperary. 

Michelle’s qualifications  

Honours BA in Commerce (UCD); Honours Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies (TU Dublin); Diploma in Family Law (Law Society of Ireland).  

Michelle’s motivation for joining the EPIC Board  

I view the work of EPIC as integral to assisting in better outcomes for children in the care system and as such, I am delighted to have the opportunity to be part of the Board of EPIC.   

EPIC Board Member and Company Secretary

Aidan’s background and experience  

As Commercial Director for Irish Wheelchair Association, I am responsible for public fundraising, retail, advocacy, customer care and communications. I started out in the NGO sector with the Dublin Simon Community and the Irish Heart Foundation before becoming the Global Head of Fundraising for GOAL, the international aid agency. During my career, I have raised over €30 million for the organisations I’ve worked with and I have a strong interest in direct marketing and corporate fundraising. Prior to joining the not-for-profit sector, I spent 15 years working in the commercial sector in marketing and sales organisations on both the client and agency side.  

Aidan’s qualifications   

BA in Economics (UCD); MA in Business Science (IMI/UCC); Member of the Marketing Institute of Ireland; Member of the Institute of Directors of Ireland.  

Aidan’s motivation for joining the EPIC Board  

My wife and I have been foster parents and share a passion for the rights of children and young people in care. 

Board Member and Chair of the Strategy and Purpose Committee 

EPIC Board Member

Bernard’s background and experience

My name is Bernard, and I am the Finance Executive with the Student’s Union in TU Dublin. Prior to this, I worked as a Financial Controller in the corporate and public sector, and more recently, as a Financial Consultant working with an organisation that enables older people to age at home, and a women’s empowerment charity.

Bernard’s Qualifications

I am a Qualified Management Accountant with 30 years’ experience, and I hold a Bachelor of Commerce degree from UCD and a Master’s degree in Treasury from DCU.

Bernard’s motivation for joining the EPIC Board

Although I do not have direct experience with children and young people in care, I joined the EPIC Board as I feel that EPIC is the best of causes to put my skills and experience to use for. I believe the staff of EPIC do an important job with sensitivity and with professionalism and are dedicated to advocating for children and young people with care-experience, and that these efforts can be enhanced by someone on the Board with a financial background. As I have worked for several companies across different industries, I believe I can contribute positively to the governance and financial health of the organisation.