Anthony Gavin
Chairman
Anthony is a Transformation Advisor to the Deputy Governor, Supervision, in the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA). He joined SAMA in January 2014, after a 37 year career in banking in Ireland with Allied Irish Banks. Working with the Deputy Governor of Supervision he is directly involved in transformation programmes, leading out on the technology and data agendas for the business. He works in SAMA in a personal professional capacity.
Anthony had an extensive Programme Management experience with AIB Bank based in Dublin. This involved leading a number of significant business change programmes. In the later part of his career he was Head of Enterprise Credit Risk MI and Data. He was also the lead in the delivery of data requirements to the regulator in Ireland. Anthony also provided business leadership to the development of enterprise-wide Datawarehouse solutions for Credit Data and the supporting Business Intelligence and Analysis for the Credit Risk and Credit functions.
Anthony has an MSc The Business Administration Programme, Trinity College, Dublin; Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland, Dip in Advanced Computer Programming, Trinity College Dublin.
Padraig Fitzpatrick
Treasurer
Padraig Fitzpatrick holds a B.Sc. (Computer Science), an MBA and MA from Trinity College, Dublin. He has broad ranging experience in banking and business encompassing all facets of project finance & administration, risk evaluation, credit management, training, business analysis, business development and project management.
Padraig’s business connections with Saudi Arabia extend back to 1999 when he first joined the Saudi Industrial Development Fund. He returned to Ireland in 2008 to pursue business interests. However, he maintained a strong link with Saudi Arabia through contract and advisory roles with the Al-Zamil Group, Mainstream Renewable Power, the Al-Nahla Group and Jaguar Capital.
In 2012 he returned to the Saudi Industrial Development Fund, as Credit Team Leader, where he is currently employed. Padraig is also a board member of the Ireland Saudi Arabia Business Council.
Charlie Sullivan
Vice
Chairman
Charlie is employed as Projects Director Construction, having over 40 years of international experience in Design Engineering & Construction fields at managerial & executive levels in providing technical and construction expertise to various hospitals and healthcare facilities in the Middle East. Charlie is a key part of InterHealth Canada’s Saudi office. His area of expertise includes hospital Design, Construction, Project Management and Project Planning and procurement.
Charlie has held positions with various organizations such as Thinet International, RBS&D, El-Seif and numerous local Consultants. He has also worked on major projects in the Middle East, specifically Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar providing technical expertise. His portfolio of experience includes prestigious projects including: KSUE Hospital, AOC Hospital, KFMC, Group 6 and Group C and Sabic Head Quarters Riyadh and the King Abdula Financial District.
Hilary McCormAck
IBN Secretary
Hilary is a seasoned professional who is a C-Suite Executive Assistant to the Vice President at King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC). KAPSARC is a global advisory think tank specializing in energy economics and sustainability, providing services to the Saudi energy sector. With over thirty years of experience working in countries such as GCC, Asia, and Australia, Hilary's expertise lies in destination marketing, communications, and event marketing. She has worked for numerous high-profile UAE events and was part of the creative team that developed the branding for the first chapter of IBN in Dubai. In addition, Hilary successfully created the brand RAK Tourism, a promotional entity for Ras Khaimah Investment Authority in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Hilary hails from Mullingar in Co. Westmeath and completed a Master of Business Administration in 2012.
Ruth DuffY
Board Member
Ruth has worked as a nurse manager in King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre based in Riyadh for the last 7 years. Previously she worked as a Public Health nurse for 6 years and an Intensive Care Nurse for 2 years in Ireland. She is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin and holds a Diploma in Public Health Nursing from UCD and Diploma in Positive Health from Royal College of Surgeons. Ruth has been in KSA since November 2015 and would recommend Saudi Arabia to anyone looking to develop their career and to those who wish to experience the magic of the Middle Eastern culture.
Dermot O’Halloran
Board Member
Dermot is a Leadership Program Manager with the Misk Foundation in Riyadh, the youth development charity founded by HRH Mohammad bin Salman, the Crown Prince. He worked in Elm as a Principle Leadership Development Consultant for three years before that. He is a chartered occupational psychologist, an experienced executive assessment expert, and an ICF-qualified executive coach. He has been in KSA since April 2018 and wishes he'd come here much earlier! He has had an international career in management consulting and HR and, since 2008, as an occupational psychologist. In his spare time, he plays guitar, writes, and plays bass guitar in a rock band.
Harriet Sexton-Morel
DEPUTY HEAD OF MISSON, IRISH EMBASSY
At the Irish Embassy in Riyadh, our team with the support of specialised State Agencies, promotes trade, inward investment, education, and tourism.
In our economic and commercial work, we promote trade from, and inward investment into, Ireland through a number of programmes that are aimed at supporting Irish exporters, while also positioning Ireland as an ideal home for Saudi Arabian entrepreneurs and business people.
We work closely with Ireland's State Agencies to support and encourage;