IUA Future of Ireland – Why Universities Matter for Foreign Direct Investment
When: Tuesday Feb 13th 12:30-13:30 (in-person and zoom webinar)
Where: Odyssey Room, Ground Floor, Alex Hotel
Michael Lohan, CEO of the IDA Ireland, gave his views on why Irish universities are a key attraction for companies seeking to invest and locate here. He was joined by panellists Professor David FitzPatrick, President of TU Dublin and Mike Beary, former Country Manager Ireland for Amazon Web Services and now Chair of UCD Governing Authority.
Playback recording:
Keynote Speaker
Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland
Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland
Michael Lohan is the Chief Executive Officer of IDA Ireland as of April 2023 and is based in IDA Ireland’s headquarters in Dublin. A key priority for Michael in his role as Chief Executive Officer is leading on the execution and delivery of IDA Ireland’s organisational strategy: Driving Recovery and Sustainable Growth 2021-2024, which will be delivered through a focus on five pillars: Growth, Transformation, Regions, Sustainability, and Impact.
Michael joined IDA Ireland in 2003 and has held various management positions across multiple functions and has represented IDA in several fora including as a Board member on Digital Manufacturing Ireland, a governance member on the SSPC research centre for pharmaceuticals and also The Irish Medical Association (which is the business association within IBEC representing the medical devices and diagnostics sector).
Michael is an Engineering graduate with an MSc in Technology Management from the National University of Ireland, Galway and additionally is a graduate of the Berkley Executive Programme.
Panel
Mandy Johnston
Panel Chair: Mandy Johnston
Mandy Johnston has held senior positions at the highest levels of Government, politics, business, and the media in Ireland. Mandy was first female by the Irish Government to hold the position of Government Press Secretary – appointed in 2002 she served for five years, prior to that she was Press Director at the Department of Finance where she also served for five years. In 2007 she was appointed Special Advisor at the Department of Taoiseach with special responsibility for Northern Ireland Affairs during the establishment of the Northern Ireland Assembly. She has been Director of Communications in three successive and successful Irish General Election Campaigns and has also served as the Director of Communications for Dublin City University. Ms. Johnston runs her own public affairs and management company Blue Yard. She is the presenter of a weekly show called Taking Stock on Newstalk that takes a global view of the big business stories and the trends affecting the world economy and is a regular contributor to Irish print and broadcast media.
Prof. David FitzPatrick, President of TU Dublin
Prof. David FitzPatrick, President of TU Dublin
In January 2019, Professor David FitzPatrick was appointed as the inaugural President for the newly established Technological University Dublin.
Before that, Prof FitzPatrick worked in University College Dublin (1998 – 2018). Within UCD, he was promoted to Senior Lecturer (2005), Associate Professor (2009) and Professor (2012). He was Head of the School of Electrical, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering (2005 – 2011), Vice-Principal (Internationalisation & Development) in the College of Engineering & Architecture (2011 – 2012), was appointed as Provost (Chief Academic Officer) of BDIC in 2012 and appointed Dean of Engineering & Principal, UCD College of Engineering & Architecture in 2014.
Professor David FitzPatrick received his Engineering (BAI) degree from the University of Dublin (Trinity College) in 1985 and D.Phil degree (University of Oxford) in 1990 for doctoral work entitled “Mechanics of the Knee Joint”.
Mike Beary, Former Country Manager Ireland for Amazon Web Services
Mike Beary, Former Country Manager Ireland for Amazon Web Services
Recently retired from heading up Amazon Web Services in Ireland, Mike was appointed Chair of the UCD Governing Authority in November 2023.
Prior to returning to Ireland seven years ago, Mike Beary held global leadership roles in human resources with Amazon and The Walt Disney Company in the US.
He holds a degree in social science from UCD and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh.
He currently serves as a non-executive director on the Board of Tallaght University Hospital and previously served as a non-executive director on the Board of IBEC.