Forfás appoints Martin Shanahan as Chief Executive

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Release date: 19 Jul 2010

Forfás, Ireland's policy advisory board for enterprise and science, has appointed Martin Shanahan as Chief Executive. Martin was previously divisional manager of science, technology, innovation and human capital policy in Forfás.

Eoin O'Driscoll, Chairman of Forfás, said 'Martin Shanahan has demonstrated the vision, leadership and enterprise Forfás appoints Martin Shanahan as Chief Executive

Forfás appoints Martin Shanahan as Chief Executive

skills to take Forfás forward in its pivotal role in informing Government strategy on enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation. He has an excellent blend of experience and understanding of enterprise in Ireland both from a business and policy development perspective and has outstanding communication and relationship skills. The Board of Forfás is delighted that he will be leading the talented and dedicated Forfás management team and staff in providing evidence-based, analytically rigorous enterprise and science policy advice to Government over coming years.

'At a time of significant economic turmoil and high unemployment, Forfás has a key role to play in advising on the policies required to position and enable the enterprise sector to drive future growth and job creation. Martin has demonstrated the necessary leadership and skills in his role heading up the innovation and labour market, education and skills policy areas to lead Forfás at this critical time.'

Martin Shanahan said 'I am honoured to be appointed Chief Executive of Forfás. I look forward to working with the wide range of stakeholders who contribute to and inform the essential work of Forfás and leading the organisation as it continues to promote enterprise development and the consequent employment creation that Ireland so desperately needs.'
Martin Shanahan (37), a native of Kerry, joined Forfás in 2005 as manager of the human capital and labour market policy department before joining the Forfás Executive team in 2008 and leading the science, technology, innovation and human capital policy division. Martin moved to Forfás from his role as head of the professional development section of Fáilte Ireland where he was responsible for developing and managing a portfolio of education, training and business development programmes for the tourism sector and was a key contributor and influencer of the formulation and implementation of strategy there. In addition to positions with Fáilte Ireland and tourism training agency CERT, Martin has worked in senior management roles in the hotel industry including positions with the Great Southern and Sinnott Hotels Groups.

Martin Shanahan has represented Ireland at international and EU fora and worked as a consultant for international bodies including the OECD and the International Labour Office (ILO). He holds a B.Sc. (Management) from Trinity College Dublin, a Higher Diploma and M.Sc. in Hospitality Management from the Dublin Institute of Technology and an M.Res. (Educational Research) from the University of Lancaster.

Martin Shanahan is a member of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, the Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, and is Ireland's representative at the Strategic Forum on International Cooperation on Science. Martin is a Fellow of the Irish Hospitality Institute and former member of the Governing Body of Tallaght Institute of Technology.

As Chief Executive of Forfás, Martin Shanahan has joined the board of Forfás, is a member the high level implementation committee for the Innovation Taskforce, a member of the National Competitiveness Council, and a member of the Management Board of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation.

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