Council

Sinead Donovan – President

Joined Council 2005-2010 and 2017

Partner, Financial Accounting and Advisory Services, Grant Thornton

Sinead is the current President of the Institute for 2023-24. She became the first female partner in Grant Thornton in 2005 and is currently Chairperson of Grant Thornton in Ireland. She acted as an audit partner for 10 years before founding the Financial Accounting and Advisory Services (FAAS) team, a multi-disciplinary team servicing multi nationals.

Sinead has held several positions in the Institute since qualifying in 1996. She is a current Board member and Past President of Accounting Technicians Ireland and member of Diversity & Inclusion committee, and the Strategic Communications committee. Sinead formerly chaired CA Support and is a strong advocate for mental health matters.

Sinead Donovan – LinkedIn

Barry Doyle – Deputy President

Joined Council 2005

Investment Director, MASV

Barry is Deputy President of the Institute for 2023-24. Barry is Investment Director at MASV where he manages a family office and works with early stage and scaling technology and internationally focused businesses. He formerly held C-level roles in some of the fastest growing businesses in Ireland, including as CFO of the SaaS company xSellco, and the social media news and content agency, Storyful.

Barry currently chairs the Institute’s Digital Steering Group and chaired the Members Board until 2022. He has chaired many Institute committees including the Members in Business committee and the Strategic Communications committee.

A graduate of Accounting and Finance from DCU, Barry trained as a Chartered Accountant with EY in Dublin before relocating to Australia where he was the regional Finance Manager for Fox International Channels in Australia and New Zealand.

Barry Doyle – LinkedIn

Pamela McCreedy – Vice-President

Joined Council 2018

Chief Operating Officer, Police Service of Northern Ireland

Pamela is the Vice-President of the Institute for 2023-24, having been elected to Council in 2018. Pamela serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Police Service of Northern Ireland since March 2021 having previously held roles as Chief Operating Officer of the NI Audit Office and Deputy Chief Executive of the Northern Health & Social Care Trust.

Pamela chaired the Institute’s Advocacy & Representation Board from 2019-2023 and previously chaired the Strategic Communications Committee and the selection of the 2019 Chartered Star.

Pamela trained as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG, following which she held several roles of Chartered Accountants Ulster Society. She chaired the Ulster Society in 2017/18.

Pamela McCreedy – LinkedIn

Pat O'Neill – Immediate Past President

Joined Council 2014

Audit Partner, EY Dublin

Pat O’Neill has over 30 years of experience as an audit partner with EY. His areas of expertise include US GAAP/SEC regulations, transaction support for NASDAQ registrations, Sarbanes-Oxley 404 compliance and technology company audits. He serves as Co-Chair of the EY Ireland Centre for Board Matters.

Pat served as Institute President for 2022-23 and is currently a member of its Auditing Standards Committee. He is a former Chairman of the Leinster Society of Chartered Accountants.

Pat holds an honours degree in Business Studies from the University of Limerick.

Pat O'Neill – LinkedIn

Teresa Campbell

Joined Council 2020

Director, PKF-FPM

Teresa joined FPM is a Partner within both the Audit and Advisory Team at FPM, having joined in 2002. In addition to a portfolio of client relationships, Teresa is also the People & Culture Partner within FPM, which operates out of five locations with over 120 employees.

Teresa was elected to Council in 2020. In 2021 she joined the Ethics and Governance Committee as chair and in 2022 was appointed to the Board of Accounting Technicians Ireland. Teresa was also a member of the Diversity Committee (2018-2020) and Members in Practice Committee (2018-2022) at Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Teresa is a graduate of Queen’s University, Belfast and trained with McGuigan Goldblatt in Belfast.

Teresa Campbell – LinkedIn

Joan Curry

Joined Council 2018

Finance Officer, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Joan is head of finance in the Department of Transport, having gained public sector experience across a number of government departments along the way. She trained with a mid-tier Dublin practice and subsequently worked with a large multinational FMCG company.

Joan was first elected to Council in 2019. She won a competitive appointment to the Board of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) in November 2019 and is also a senior member of the IFAC Governance Committee. She prioritises public financial management and the development of Environmental, Social and Governance reporting and assurance in her work with IFAC.

Joan has chaired the Public Sector Committee of Chartered Accountants Ireland since 2018. Her focus has been to work with the Institute to identify issues of concern to public sector members. Joan collaborates on Institute and IFAC events to meet these needs and opportunities for Chartered Accountants.

Joan Curry – LinkedIn

Fíona de Búrca

Joined Council 2020

Partner, PwC

Fíona is a partner in PwC Ireland’s audit practice and specialises in the asset management Industry. She worked previously with PWC in London and in California.

Fíona has been involved with the Irish Funds industry association (Irish Funds) for many years and has been a member of Irish Funds’ committees. She has lectured on auditing and accounting issues to the asset management professionals on behalf of Irish Funds and the Institute.

Fíona joined Council in 2020 and has served as a member of the Education, Training and Lifelong Learning Board since then.

Fíona qualified with Grant Thornton, and studied at the National College of Ireland, before joining PwC.

Fíona de Búrca – LinkedIn

Wendy Galbraith

Joined Council 2019

Director of Finance, Queens University, Belfast

Wendy was employed as Director of Finance for Queen’s University Belfast from 2010 until late 2021. She is a former Executive Director of Finance of the Royal Hospitals’ Trust Belfast, having held a number of senior roles in the Trust. Prior to a long involvement with the Northen Ireland Health Service, Wendy worked with the public service consulting team at Deloitte.

Wendy joined the Ethics and Governance Committee of the Institute in 2018 and was co-opted onto Council in 2019. She was subsequently elected to Council in 2020 and is currently Chair of the Audit, Risk and Finance Board. She has also served on a task force to implement Council governance enhancements.

Wendy qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PwC, Belfast.

Wendy Galbraith – LinkedIn

Glenn Gillard

Joined Council 2016

Audit Partner, Deloitte

Glenn is a Partner in Deloitte Ireland and currently sits on the firm’s executive as the Risk & Reputation Leader. He leads audits across a variety of industries with particular specialism in insurance. Glenn is the Executive sponsor for Inclusion at Deloitte, and is passionate about the role business and the profession can play in creating diverse and inclusive workplaces.

Glenn was first elected to council in 2016 and is the current chair of the Education and LifeLong Learning Board. He served previously as Chair of the Main Representation & Technical Committee and a member of the Governance Task Force. Before joining Council, Glenn served on several Institute committees and also guest lectured on the Diploma in IFRS.

Glenn Gillard – LinkedIn

Christiaan Gouws

Joined Council 2023

Executive Director, EY

Christiaan is an Executive Director at EY Dublin with fifteen years of experience serving large public and private companies, with an emphasis on digital transformation. He started his EY career in South Africa, was seconded to Seattle in 2014, and relocated to Dublin in 2017.

Christiaan is the first member, who qualified with another chartered body, to attain RI (Responsible Individual) status with the Institute, and also the first reciprocal member to serve on Council. He was elected to Council in 2023. He is a member of the Advocacy & Representation Board.

Christiaan holds an honours B Compt. (Accounting) degree from his native South Africa and qualified as a member of the South Africa Institute of Chartered Accountants. He is passionate about the global transferability of the ACA qualification.

Christiaan Gouws – LinkedIn

Maeve Hunt

Joined Council 2022

Director, Grant Thornton

Maeve is a Director with Grant Thornton in Belfast having joined in 2016. She has significant experience working with corporates of all sizes, focusing on the manufacturing, retail and property development and technology sectors.

Maeve was elected to Council in 2022, having served for two years as chair of the Ulster Society from 2020. Her Institute contribution started as a student, as Vice-Chair in her local student society and Chartered Accountants Ireland Student Society. She joined the Ulster Society main committee in 2009 and also served on the Institute’s Education, Training and Lifelong Learning board of the Institute from 2009 to 2013.

Maeve is keen to help refine the member experience, drive engagement, develop young talent and foster a strong voice for the profession, particularly on issues such as sustainability.

Maeve Hunt – LinkedIn

Andrew Keating

Joined Council 2022

Chief Financial Officer, Musgrave Group plc.

Andrew Keating is Chief Financial Officer of Musgrave group, having previously held senior roles as Director of Group Finance with CRH plc, and Executive Director and Group Chief Financial Officer of Bank of Ireland plc.

Andrew joined Council as an extraordinary member in November 2021.

Andrew has a B. Comm degree from UCC and a Master of Accounting degree from UCD. Andrew trained as a Chartered Accountant with Arthur Andersen, achieving first place in Ireland in his final admitting examination. From 2016-2019, Andrew was a Non-Executive Director of the Irish Management Institute.

Andrew Keating – LinkedIn

Peter Keenan-Gavaghan

Joined Council 2017

Vice President, Barclays International

Peter is a Director of Internal Audit at Barclays, where he has been working since qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte in Dublin.

Peter’s volunteer experience with the Institute started with the Dublin Student Society. After qualification, he served for 10 years on the London District Society including a period as Chair. Since joining Council, he has also served as Chair of the Institute’s Strategic Communications committee.

Peter was elected to Council in 2017 and is the current chair of the Members Board.

Peter Keenan-Gavaghan – LinkedIn

Shane McAleer

Joined Council 2018-2022 and 2023

Managing Director, Somers Murphy & Earl Corporate Services

Shane is the Managing Director of the boutique restructuring and advisory firm Somers, Murphy & Earl Corporate Services Ltd. He previously worked in practice with mid-sized firms including RSM Ireland, Moore Stephens and BDO.

Shane chaired the Institute’s Young Professionals group in 2011 and was on the committee of the Leinster Society for several years, serving as Chair in  2016-17. He has served on several Institute committees, including the Members in Practice committee and currently sits on the Advocacy & Representation Board. He also acts as Deputy Chair of the CCAB-I Insolvency committee.

Shane gained his primary degree in Accounting at the University of Dundee and qualified with BDO in Dublin in 2004.  

Shane McAleer – LinkedIn

Conall McGonagle

Joined Council 2022

Chief Finance and Administrative Officer, The Ireland Funds, New York

Conall is the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer in The Ireland Funds America, a charity that makes most of its grants in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Before that, he worked in various roles in KBC Bank USA, including CFO, COO, CRO and Chief Audit Executive.

Conall was elected to Council for the first time in 2022 and serves also on the board of Chartered Accountants Support DAC. He is a board member of the Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW) Network USA and is a Past President of the Association of Chartered Accountants in the USA (ACAUS).

Conall trained with KPMG audit in Dublin, Luxembourg and Chicago. He studied Business with French in the University of Galway and has a Masters of Accounting degree from the Smurfit Business School. Conall is a US CPA and a member of ISACA, GARP, ACAMS and the IIA.

Conall McGonagle – LinkedIn

Pauline Madden

Joined Council 2020

Group Financial Controller, ESS Modular

Pauline is Head of Finance at EE Group since July 2023. Previously, she worked as Group Financial Controller with ESS Modular and as Financial Controller of Valeo Foods, Sisk Group and Origo.

Pauline joined Council in 2020 and has served as a member of the Institute’s Members Board since then.

Pauline holds an honours Bachelor of Business Studies from the University of Limerick and a Diploma in IFRS from Chartered Accountants Ireland. She also completed the Chartered Director programme with the Institute of Directors. She qualified with PwC in Dublin.

Pauline Madden – LinkedIn

Philip Maguire

Joined Council 2016

Fractional Chief Financial Officer

Philip Maguire is a consultant working with early stage and scaling businesses, having been Director of Finance and Administration with Catalyst in Northern Ireland for many years until summer 2023. His previous roles include working as Finance Director of O’Kane Poultry Group and Finance Director of Eircom Northern Ireland.

He sits on the Members Board since he first joined Council in 2017 and is chair of the Member in Business Committee.

Philip also currently sits on the Audit & Risk Committee of the Atlantic Technological University and is a former member of its Governing Body.

Barrie O’Connell

Joined Council 2021

Partner, KPMG

Barrie is a Partner, Head of Clients and Markets and a member of the Executive leadership team in KPMG Ireland. He is partner-in-charge of KPMG Cork. He provides audit and advisory services to indigenous, listed, and multi-national businesses headquartered in Ireland.

Barry was elected to Council in 2021 and is the Institute representative on the Ireland for Finance 2025 Industry Advisory Committee. He is a member of the Institute’s Audit, Risk & Finance Board, having previously served on the Advocacy & Representation Board.

Barry holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University College Cork and is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland. He is a Past President of the Cork Chamber of Commerce. Barrie is a member of the IRFU national referee panel and a member of the Munster Rugby Finance Committee. He is also Director of the Crawford Art Gallery, and a member of the Cork University Business School Advisory board.

Barrie O'Connell – LinkedIn

Orla O'Connor

Joined Council 2023

Solicitor & Partner, Arthur Cox

Orla is a professional services leader and law firm partner with over 25 years’ experience holding divisional and firm leadership roles including roles on the firm's management committee. Orla is currently Chair of Arthur Cox law firm and is a partner in the firm’s Finance Group. Orla is responsible for chairing the firm’s board which deals with new partner appointments, partner remuneration and other strategic matters for the firm. She also leads and chairs all partnership meetings and as Chair, works closely with the firm’s managing partner.

In addition to her role as Chair, Orla also practices in the firm’s Finance Group advising banks, private equity firms and corporate clients on financing and restructuring transactions, on M&A transactions in the financial services sector and on regulatory issues such as anti-money laundering and compliance with Central Bank regulation.

Prior to being elected Chair, Orla served on the firm’s management committee from 2013 – 2018 and on the firm’s conflicts committee for 10 years and chaired the firm's legal tech and innovation steering group from 2016 – 2018.

Orla is a board member of AsIAm, Ireland’s national autism charity, and sits on the electoral committee of the Football Association of Ireland.

She received her LL.B. from Trinity College Dublin and her B.C.L. from Oxford University.

Orla O'Connor – LinkedIn

Suliyat Olalekan

Joined Council 2022

Chief Accountant SFL

Suliyat is the Chief Accountant of SFL Corporation Limited, a large NYSE-listed corporate in the maritime industry. She manages a US GAAP accounting and reporting team in London and Oslo. Before moving to industry in 2014, she worked in both corporate finance and audit for Deloitte, Dublin.

Suliyat was first elected to Council in 2022 and serves on the Education, Training and Lifelong Learning Board. She became chair of the Strategic Communications committee in 2023 and joined the Advocacy & Representation Board. Suliyat is an active member of the London Society of Chartered Accountants Ireland where she enjoys a sense of connection to Ireland whilst supporting the Irish Chartered Accountants based in London, professionally and socially. In this role she also enjoys the opportunity to work with other international bodies.

Suliyat qualified as an ACA with Deloitte, Dubin in 2012. She holds an honours Masters degree in Accounting from UCD Michael Smurfit Business School and also a first-class honours degree in Accounting & Finance from Dublin Business School.

Suliyat Oyin Olalekan – LinkedIn

Michael Shovelin

Joined Council 2022

Lecturer, Strategy & Finance, Atlantic Technological University

Michael is a lecturer in Strategy & Finance at The Atlantic Technological University, (formerly GMIT). He has been a visiting lecturer at Vorarlberg University, Austria, and Durban Technological University. He teaches courses in Business Strategy, Financial Reporting, Auditing and Assurance and Corporate Finance. He worked previously in DCU where he taught on the Accounting and Finance degree and the MBS in Finance programme.

Michael was first elected to Council in 2022 and was appointed to the Education, Training & Lifelong Learning Board, where he continues to serve. He currently serves on the North-West Society Committee, and was chairperson in 2021/2022. He was a Lecturer in Financial Accounting at Professional Three level and Moderator for CAP1.

Michael trained with EY, working mainly in audit. He holds a B. Comm from UCG and a postgraduate degree from UCD. Michael lives in Sligo and is treasurer of Sligo Rugby Club.

Michael Shovelin – LinkedIn

Ian Slattery

Joined Council 2020

Executive Coach, Praesta, and former Managing Director, Accenture

Ian is an Executive Coach, Management Consultant, business leader and former partner in Accenture Ireland, where he worked for 30 years. As an Executive Coach he works with senior executives and senior leadership teams to improve performance and also conducts external, independent board effectiveness reviews. A former Managing Director with Accenture, Ian led the Systems Integration and Technology practice of Accenture Ireland and worked on strategic planning, systems integration delivery, organisational change and effective risk management.

Ian was appointed as an extraordinary lay (non-accountant) member of Council in 2020 and also sits on the Audit Risk and Finance Board.

Ian holds a BA in Political Science & Business from Trinity College Dublin, a Diploma in Executive & Leadership Coaching from The Coaching & Mentoring Partnership, Dublin and an accreditation in Emotions & Behaviours at Work from Brentfield Consultancy.

Ian Slattery – LinkedIn

Áine Spellacy

Joined Council 2023

Executive Director, UKI Assurance, EY

Áine is an Executive Director in Assurance with EY in Limerick since 2020. She rejoined EY in 2009 following international post-qualification experience with EY (Toronto) and a period in industry.

Áine joined Council in 2023 having been a committee member of the Mid West Society from 2016 to 2021. She currently serves as a member of the Institute’s Audit, Risk & Finance Board.

Áine attained a BSc. in Accounting from UCC in 2003 and subsequently qualified as an ACA with EY in 2007.

Áine Spellacy – LinkedIn

Niall Walsh

Joined Council 2018

Partner, Deloitte Ireland

Niall is a partner in Deloitte Ireland, having joined Deloitte in 1987. Niall has worked in various roles within Deloitte including two stints in the US. Niall is an Auditor and currently works with Deloitte Global as the Deloitte Global Audit & Assurance Risk Leader.

Niall joined the Institute Audit Committee in 2001. Since then, he has worked with a member of various technical committees including chairing the CCAB-I Business Law Committee for two years. He chaired and was a longstanding chairperson of the Institute Audit & Assurance Committee until his election to Council in 2018. He currently serves on the Advocacy & Representation Board and is the senior Council member on the Professional Standards Board. He has also served on the Audit Risk & Finance Board, the Education & Lifelong Learning Board.

Niall graduated from UCD with a B.Comm. He also holds a Diploma in Professional Accounting and a M. Comm degree from the same university.

Niall Walsh – LinkedIn