Business Leaders Honoured at IoD Chartered Director Programme Graduation

Business leaders were awarded with distinction at the IoD Chartered Director Programme Graduation on Thursday, 1st October 2026. 

Words of Congratulations 

The ceremony was opened by IoD Ireland's Head of Learning and Education, Sheila Byrne, who welcomed and commended the graduates on their achievements. The graduation included graduates who had successfully passed their Certificate and Diploma in Company Direction exams, which constitute part of the IoD’s gold standard Chartered Director Programme. It also recognised members who recently became qualified Chartered Directors. 

In her address, Helen Nolan, President, IoD Ireland, reflected on how the Chartered Director Programme is no small feat, and how it takes time, commitment, and dedication. She congratulated all the graduates on their commitment in undertaking this programme, which illustrates their responsible approach to professional development in the area of corporate governance. Helen also praised the strong sense of camaraderie among participants and highlighted the importance of continuous professional development in corporate governance.

She also encouraged graduates to remain actively engaged with IoD Ireland’s vibrant director community, emphasising the ongoing opportunities for learning, networking, and collaboration available through membership and the Chartered Director Programme Alumni Network. She concluded by wishing graduates every success in their future board and business leadership roles.

The graduation ceremony was presided over by Helen Nolan, President, IoD Ireland, and Dr Caroline Spillane CDir, CEO, IoD Ireland. During the graduation two special award categories were also announced, the Tom Byrne Award, and the Special Recognition Awards. 

Personal Reflections from Chartered Director Programme Alumnus Michael Horgan 

IoD Ireland was delighted to welcome Chartered Director Programme Alumnus Michael Horgan to provide an address to graduates. Michael is an experienced Chair, Non-Executive Director and Chartered Director. Michael is currently an Independent Non-Executive Director for TransferMate Global Payments and Chairperson of Research Ireland. He was formerly Chairperson of the Higher Education Authority, and the Health and Safety Authority, and is the former CEO of the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI). 

In his address, Michael reflected on both his professional and personal journey through the Chartered Director Programme, noting with pride that his daughter, Emma, has also gone on to become a Chartered Director. He spoke about the profound impact the programme has had on his development as a leader, describing its insights and learnings as invaluable throughout his career as a director. Michael encouraged graduates to take great pride in their achievement and to actively apply the knowledge, perspective and governance expertise gained through the programme in their board and leadership roles.

Tom Byrne Awardee 

We were delighted to award the Tom Byrne Award to Helena McMullan, Regional Director North and East at Alliance Medical Diagnostic Imaging Ltd. Helena was commended for her dedication throughout the programme and her outstanding results that underline this. 

The Tom Byrne Award recognises excellence in academic achievement as well as individual participation in, contribution to and engagement with the Chartered Director Programme. Tom Byrne was President of IoD Ireland from 2011-2013, and sadly passed away in 2021. The Award was presented by Dr Caroline Spillane CDir, CEO, IoD Ireland, and Eileen Gleeson CDir, Programme Director, Chartered Director Programme, IoD Ireland. 

Special Recognition Awards

During the ceremony, several graduates were given special recognition for achieving the highest marks in the Diploma and Certificate exams. These graduates were gifted a certified native Irish broadleaf tree from IoD Ireland, each of which will be planted and certified in the graduates’ names by Wolfgang Reforest. Each graduate was presented with a certificate including the coordinates of where the tree is planted in Co. Wicklow. Wolfgang Reforest is a not-for-profit social enterprise, whose mission is to start a movement of citizens and companies planting trees, thereby reforesting Ireland acre by acre. Eileen Gleeson CDir, Programme Director, Chartered Director Programme, IoD Ireland, recognised these graduates and awarded them their gift.