Mr. Justice John Hedigan | Join date May 2019
Chairman of the Irish Banking Culture Board (IBCB), member of the Remuneration Committee
Mr. Justice John Hedigan
Chairman of the Irish Banking Culture Board (IBCB), member of the Remuneration Committee
Join date May 2019
John Hedigan was born in Dublin. He attended Belvedere College, Trinity College Dublin and Kings Inns. In Trinity, with other students, he re-founded the college branch of Amnesty International. He sat on the National Executive of Amnesty chaired then by Sean McBride SC and in company with Mary Robinson. In the later 1970s he was National Coordinator of Amnesty’s Campaign against Torture.
John was called to the bar in 1976 and had a wide-ranging practice as a barrister. He became a Senior Counsel in 1990. In 1998 he was elected a Judge of the European Court of Human Rights. He served on that court until 2007 when he was appointed a Judge of The High Court and returned to Ireland. On the High Court he worked in Judicial Review, presided over the jury list and finally worked on the Commercial Court. In 2016 he was appointed to The Court of Appeal where he sat on both the civil and the criminal side. He retired from the bench in October 2018 having reached the compulsory retirement age. Mr. Justice Hedigan is an honorary bencher of Kings Inns, is Judge in residence in DCU and is a member of the Judicial Council of the International Association of Law Schools. He is Chair of the National Archives Advisory Council. He was appointed as Chair of The Irish Banking Culture Board in January 2019.
Marion Kelly | Join date May 2019
CEO of Irish Banking Culture Board (IBCB)
Marion Kelly
CEO of Irish Banking Culture Board (IBCB)
Join date May 2019
Marion was appointed as CEO of the Irish Backing Culture Board (IBCB) in March 2020, having previously been Acting CEO leading the establishment of the IBCB in 2019.
Marion previously worked with Bank of Ireland for 13 years across a range of senior leadership roles in Strategy, Regulatory Compliance, Operational Risk, Internal Audit and Recovery & Resolution planning.
Prior to joining BOI, Marion worked with PwC Dublin for 7 years within the FS Regulatory advisory practice, and prior to that spent 4 years working in Brussels with both the European Savings Banks Group and the European Commission.
Marion is a Certified Bank Director (Institute of Banking), a LCOI from the Compliance Institute and holds a Masters in European Economic and Public Affairs and a BA in Economics and German both from UCD.
Marion completed a Professional Diploma in Leading Cultural Change and Ethical Behaviour in Financial Services (IoB) in February 2020 and Diplomas in Leading Sustainable Corporations and in Fintech in 2021, both with the Oxford Saïd Business School.
Geraldine Casey | Managing Director, Retail Banking, AIB Bank | Join date September 2023
Managing Director, Retail Banking, AIB Bank
Join date September 2023
HR, Communications, IT and Operations professional with over 20 years’ experience in the Retail Sector at a Senior Executive level. A proven senior leader who has driven high standards across roles in AIB and Tesco, with a strong track record of driving a customer-centric and sustainable culture, as well as leading organisational transformation and change management initiatives in retail environments.
Since joining AIB as Chief People Officer and member of the Executive Committee in 2020, Geraldine has developed and driven the bank’s People strategy and has taken a lead role in wider strategic and transformation initiatives. In October 2023, Geraldine was appointed as Managing Director Retail Banking.
Prior to joining AIB, Geraldine was responsible for People & Communications Strategy and IT systems for approximately 13,000 people in Ireland across head office, distribution and 148 retail stores leading Tesco Ireland’s cultural and transformation programme. Prior to that she held the position of Retail Operations Director at Tesco, with direct responsibility for approximately 12,000 employees and an operating budget of c. €600m.
A values-led leader, with a passion for creating high performing teams with a huge focus on people development. Highly experienced in employee relations, strategic change, communications and organisational culture and talent management. Named as one of Ireland’s top 25 most powerful and influential women of 2016 by The Women’s Executive Network (WXN).
Professor Blanaid Clarke | Join date May 2019
BCL, MBS (Banking & Finance), BL, PhD, FTCD Deputy Chair of IBCB and Chair of Audit and Risk Committee
Professor Blanaid Clarke
BCL, MBS (Banking & Finance), BL, PhD, FTCD Deputy Chair of IBCB and Chair of Audit and Risk Committee
Join date May 2019
Blanaid holds the McCann FitzGerald Chair in Corporate Law at Trinity College Dublin. Her research interests include corporate law, ethics, corporate governance, financial services law and takeover law and she has published extensively in these areas.
Blanaid is the Irish representative on the OECD Corporate Governance Committee. She is a member of ESMA’s Takeover Bids Network. She also serves as a Vice President of the Academic Board of the European Banking Institute in Frankfurt. Blanaid works with the Irish Takeover Panel and was a member of the Irish Central Bank Commission (2010-2018). Previously, she was also a member of ESMA’s Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group (2018-2020), the European Commission’s Informal Expert Group on Company Law (2014-2018) and Reflection Group on the Future of EU Company Law (2010-2011).
Join date June 2023
Eamonn started his career with Irish Intercontinental Bank (now KBC Ireland). He moved to American International Group (AIG) and spent 3 years in both Dublin and London. Eamonn moved back to Dublin to join AIB International Financial Services in 1994 and was promoted to Finance Director in 2000 before moving to Warsaw, Poland in 2002 to work in AIB’s Polish Subsidiary, Bank Zachodni WBK S.A. (“BZ WBK”).
In 2011, Eamonn moved from AIB to Banco Santander and was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Management Board Member of BZ WBK. During this period as CFO, Eamonn executed a merger with Kredyt Bank (a KBC subsidiary) to form Poland’s number three bank, placed over 20% of the bank on the Warsaw Stock Exchange through a Euro 1.2bn secondary IPO and led the acquisition of a controlling stake in Poland’s number one Consumer Bank.
Eamonn joined PTSB as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director in March 2017 and was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in June 2020.
Eamonn is a fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants, a member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers and holds a MBA from University College Dublin.
Padraic Kissane | Padraic Kissane Financial Services | Join date May 2019
Padraic Kissane
Padraic Kissane Financial Services
Join date May 2019
John O’Connell | Join date July 2020
Join date July 2020
John is the General Secretary of the Financial Services Union with members across Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK in the Finance sector. John joined the Financial Services Union in September 2019 having worked in the organisation 20 years previously.
John has extensive senior management practice incorporating areas including Human Resource Management, Industrial Relations and Operations with over 30 years’ experience in Ireland, Europe and the Middle East in the Communication, Finance, Aviation and Health Sectors. A qualified mediator, John also holds a Masters in Management Practice and qualifications in Industrial Relations and Social Studies.
John has a background in delivering change and holds a unique perspective having worked in both representative and managerial roles. He is committed to delivering cultural change in banking on behalf of all stakeholders.
John is a keen follower of all sport and in particular Tipperary hurling and Munster rugby.
Sue O’Neill | Join date May 2019
Sue O’Neill
Join date May 2019
The company helps associations that need to stay relevant, grow membership and benefit from innovative technologies to achieve strategic goals. Offering two primary models, Shellcove acts as a headquarters or provides outsourced services which deliver scalability of staff or services.
Sue is also a board member of Microfinance Ireland. She holds an MBA from Dublin City University, an IPA Certificate in Governance, a Diploma in both Digital Marketing and Print Management and is a graduate of the IMI Business Development Programme. Sue will be presenting the Accountability Award.
Martin Stapleton
Join date May 2019
In 2020, he was appointed Association Treasurer of the IFA, and he held this role until January 2024. During his time involved with the IFA Martin set up internally the debt support service to provide support and assistance to farmers with credit difficulties, a service which hundreds of farmers have availed of over the last 6 years.
Oliver Wall | Join date December 2021
Join date December 2021
Oliver Wall joined Bank of Ireland as Group Chief of Staff in 2017 taking on additional responsibility as Head of Corporate Affairs in 2019.
Oliver previously held a range of roles in both the public and private sectors, including working in the Department of The Taoiseach during Ireland’s 2013 Presidency of the Council of the EU. Oliver joined Bank of Ireland from HSBC where he was Head of External Affairs UK and Europe. Prior to this, Oliver was Regional Head of Political Engagement, Europe for HSBC. Oliver is a graduate of NUI Galway.
Michelle O’Hara | Regional Manager (RM) for South Leinster Money Advice & Budgeting Service (MABS) | Join date September 2024
Michelle O’Hara
Join date September 2024
Michelle O’Hara holds an LL.B. (Hons) Law, Barrister-at-Law (Kings Inns), Diploma in Employment Law (Law Society), Professional Diploma in Finance (UCD), Diploma in Data Protection (Law Society).
For the past 6 years’, Michelle has performed the function of Regional Manager (RM) for South Leinster Money Advice & Budgeting Service (MABS). The role of RM was introduced as part of the National MABS re-structure which saw MABS regionalised from 52 companies with 52 Boards to 8 companies. The process that she has overseen and has been responsible for has involved managing people and culture through significant change.
Since joining MABS, she has been an active member of the European Consumer Debt Network (ECDN). ECDN members consist of debt advice service organisations, consumer rights organisations, educational organisations, consumer agencies, and research institutes from 18 European countries. Michelle is currently a member of the ECDN Transposition of the Consumer Credit Directive II (CCDII) Working Group. The purpose of this group is to ensure a smooth and effective transposition of the CCDII in the participant’s countries, in particular in relation to Article 36. Also, to engage with policymakers to ensure that national laws align with the CCDII and advocate for additional measures to establish stable debt advisory services.
Michelle is currently sitting as the Chair of the Kildare Wicklow Regional Adult Literacy Coalition. This Coalition agrees and delivers on an annual Regional Action Plan that supports the whole of society Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) Strategy.
Previously to her current role, Michelle was a practicing Barrister on the Midlands, Eastern and South Eastern Circuits. She also tutored on the Barrister-at-Law Degree in the Honourable Society of Kings Inns for a period of 10 years.
Dr. Martin McAleese | Patron of the Irish Banking Culture Board | Join date May 2019
Dr. Martin McAleese
Patron of the Irish Banking Culture Board
Join date May 2019
Dr Martin McAleese holds an honours B.Sc. degree in physics from the Queen’s University of Belfast and B.A., M.A. and B.Dent.Sc. degrees from Trinity College Dublin.
He worked for many years as financial controller and company secretary with a number of Aer Lingus subsidiary companies before qualifying as a dentist and becoming a partner in a large dental practice in Northern Ireland. He is a former independent member of Seanad Eireann. Martin is currently Chancellor and Chair of the Governing Authority of Dublin City University, Chair of the PwC Ireland Public Interest Body, a trustee of the Edwards MacLiammoir Gate Theatre Trust and joint Patron of the 30% Club with his wife Professor Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland.
Linda Ayres
Join date May 2019
I started working in the IBCB on secondment from Ulster Bank in October 2018 and joined the team permanently in May 2020. I successfully managed the programme plan for the establishment of the IBCB in April 2019 and have since led elements of our work programme.
I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Management and Law from Dublin Institute of Technology, I completed the Certificate in Consumer Protection Risk, Culture and Ethical Behaviours through the IoB and most recently I received a first class honours on the Diploma in Organisational Behaviour with the Irish Management Institute (IMI).
In my other role I’m also a Mom to Kayla and Nathan, and together with my husband we really enjoy family camping adventures.
Candie Malone | Join date May 2019
Candie Malone
Join date May 2019
Since joining the IBCB, I have completed the Institute of Bankers Level 7 Consumer Protection Risk, Culture and Ethical Behaviour in Financial Services programme and UCD Professional Diploma in HR Management.
Working with the IBCB has been particularly gratifying. Being part of tangible, positive changes for customer and staff outcomes is a rewarding feeling especially when coming from a career in strictly for-profit enterprises. I look forward to continuing with and building upon the good work of the IBCB.
In my spare time, I enjoy gardening and baking.
Gary Duffy | Head of Customer Policy | Join date October 2023
Head of Customer Policy
Join date October 2023
I joined the IBCB in October 2023 after 35 years with Ulster Bank. My recent roles included Head of Customer Care (Complaints and Errors), leading Lombard Ireland (asset finance), after spells in Corporate, Restructuring, Credit Risk and Commercial. I was also a GM and Exco member for Danske after its acquisition of NIB in 2005 / 2006. My earlier career included NatWest in London covering retail and Business Centres. I was fortunate enough to undertake different roles across the Group which offered a lot of experience through different economic cycles and challenges.
I am delighted to be part of the IBCB and lead out on Customer Policy. Continuing to build a strong customer service and ethos across our industry will help improve customer outcomes.
My role involves building collaborative relationships between our Member Banks and various Stakeholders with a vested interest in working on behalf of our external customers. I firmly believe a healthy banking culture will continue to restore trust and confidence.
I have a Masters in Leadership and Innovation, Diploma in SME Credit, QFA, and IOB Certificate in Consumer Protection Risk, Culture and Ethical Behaviour.
Life outside work involves a busy family with particular enjoyment from tennis, hiking and sea swimming around North Wicklow.
Jade McDonagh | Join date May 2019
Jade McDonagh
Join date May 2019
I am also on the Board of Directors of a registered charity, “BITE” – Ballymun Initiative for Third Level Education, the aim of which is to support young people from Ballymun and the wider catchment area to progress to third level education.
My qualifications include a Business Degree from Dublin City University, an advanced Diploma through the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (“ICSA”), in London; and several professional Diplomas from the Institute of Bankers in Ireland, including their recent Culture and Ethics qualification and the “Streetwise mba” through Common Purpose. I am also currently studying for a Masters in Ethics and Corporate Responsibility with Dublin City University.
As I worked in customer-facing roles for most of my career and having been a bank employee myself for a long time, I am very passionate about the task which lies ahead for the Irish Banking Culture Board. I am excited to be part of the team and feel lucky to be in a position which provides us with an opportunity to make a real difference for customers and staff.
Outside of work, my biggest passion is travel! Something I will never take for granted again after the events of 2020!
