Feargal O’Rourke has been appointed as the new chair of IDA Ireland, replacing Frank Ryan, who held the role for 10 years.
Mr. O’Rourke recently resigned as managing partner of PwC.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney also today announced the appointment of current board member Marian Corcoran as IDA Vice-Chair.
He also announced Dr Leesha Daly and Dr Dennis Doyle as Directors of IDA Ireland.
The Chairman and new Board members were appointed through an open public competition managed independently by the Public Appointments Service.
Feargal O’Rourke retired from PwC in October last year after 37 years with the firm, the last eight as managing partner. During his time at PwC, he led the tax practice and was deeply involved in the OECD BEPS process with companies, officials, government agencies and the OECD.
Originally from Athlone, Mr O’Rourke is a UCD graduate, Fellow of Chartered Accountants of Ireland and an Associate of the Irish Institute of Taxation. He is also Chairman of the Institute of International and European Affairs, an international think tank based in Ireland.
Minister Coveney said today that Mr. Feargall, Mr. Marian, Ms. Leesha and Mr. Dennis bring a wealth of expertise across a wide range of industries, which will no doubt be of great support to the existing IDA Board members.
The Minister said: “IDA is an essential part of Ireland’s economic success and the Government’s aim to grow a sustainable and regionally balanced economy.”
“With IDA client companies directly employing over 300,000 people and a further 240,000 indirectly, it is vital that their organizations remain dynamic in a highly competitive global market.” he added.