In January 2025, Seán Canney, T.D. was appointed as a Minister of State attending Cabinet with responsibility for International and Road Transportation, Logistics, Rail and Ports. Seán comes from rural Galway, where he was born on the family farm and is one of a family of seven. He is married to Geraldine, and they have three children.
A Chartered Surveyor by profession, Seán is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS), a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building (FCIOB) and Ambassador for the Chartered Association of Building Engineers for Northern and Southern Ireland. With over 30 years of experience in the private sector in Ireland, he also spent 9 years as a full-time lecturer at Atlantic Technological University, Galway campus until February 2016.
Seán was an elected member of Galway County Council from 2004 until 2016 and served as Mayor of County Galway from 2007 to 2008. In February 2016, he was elected to Dáil Éireann for the constituency of Galway East, securing re-election in February 2020 and 2024.
His previous ministerial roles include Minister of State in the Office of Public Works, with special responsibility for Flood Relief (May 2016 - June 2017). Assistant Government Chief Whip (2017 – 2018). Appointed Minister of State for Rural Affairs, Natural Resources & Digital Development (October 2018 - June 2020) Served as a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Disability Matters Committee and the Joint Oireachtas Budgetary Oversight Committee 2020 – 2024).
Micheál is currently Vice President of Operations - EMEA for Coca Cola Concentrate Supply. He has managed complex manufacturing operations for more than 30 years in both the semiconductor and beverage industries and across countries in Africa, Asia and here in Ireland.
Micheál holds a degree in electronic engineering from the University of Limerick and is a past president of the Irish Centre for Business Excellence.
Noranne Stack is the Managing Director of ENERCON Ireland, leading the delivery of operations and maintenance services for one of Ireland's largest onshore wind energy providers. ENERCON has been at the forefront of wind turbine technology development, manufacturing, and maintenance since 1984, with a mission to deliver “Energy for the World” through sustainable renewable energy solutions.
Since establishing operations in Ireland in 1998, ENERCON has built a strong reputation as a market leader in the onshore wind sector. The company has installed almost 700 wind turbines across the island of Ireland, representing more than 1.5 GW of renewable energy capacity, and employs over 200 people nationwide.
Noranne joined ENERCON more than a decade ago and has held a variety of leadership roles across the business, including After Sales Management and Operations. Her extensive experience in service delivery, customer support, and operational leadership has provided her with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the renewable energy sector.
Passionate about people, innovation, and sustainability, Noranne is committed to developing high-performing teams, supporting the growth of Ireland's renewable energy industry, and strengthening ENERCON's position as a trusted partner in the transition to a low-carbon future. She is a strong advocate for showcasing the expertise and achievements of the ENERCON team and promoting the positive impact of onshore wind energy on communities, the economy, and the environment.
Based in Tralee, County Kerry, Noranne plays an active role in supporting the continued growth of the renewable energy sector in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Sean O’Driscoll serves as Chair of the Governing Authority of University College Cork and of the Mid West Health Planning Board. He is a leading member of the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce. Sean was Chairman and CEO of the Glen Dimplex Group, a Partner in KPMG and a Director of AIB.
In addition to his Corporate Leadership, prior to this Sean also served as Chair of the Economic and Social Research Institute, as a member of the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council, the Ireland 2040 Delivery Board, the Action Plan for Jobs, several other Government Advisory Groups and is a former member of the Trilateral Commission.
He is a recipient of an OBE and the Legion d’honneur.
Martin Robinson is Director of Strategy at Intertrade Ireland. He is responsible for leading the Strategy and Communications teams, developing the corporate strategy, leading our strategic research programme and promoting InterTradeIreland’s wide range of business supports for businesses across the island.
Martin is a business graduate, has an MBA, as well as over 30 years’ economic development experience working with entrepreneurs, small & medium sized enterprises and start-up businesses in various senior roles within the economic development landscape.
Marguerite Sayers was appointed ESB Deputy Chief Executive in July 2022. Immediately prior to this role, she was Executive Director, Customer Solutions in ESB for four years. She has worked in a variety of other technical and managerial positions in ESB for 35 years, including as Generation Manager, Head of Asset Management for ESB Networks and Managing Director of ESB Networks DAC.
She holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from University College Cork, is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow and Past President of Engineers Ireland, a Fellow of the Academy of Engineers, a Chartered Director, a member of the Board of Energy UK and the Dingle Hub Board, is Chair of the Board of ESB Networks DAC and a Trustee of The Irish Times.
Danny McCoy is Chief Executive Officer of Ibec, Ireland’s largest business representative organisation and one of the largest in Europe. He has been CEO since 2009 and during his tenure, Ibec has doubled to €50 million turnover, with 330 employees over ten locations and owning 39 trade brands.
He is a graduate in Commerce from the University of Galway and postgraduate in Economics from University College Dublin. He has held lecturing posts at University College London, University of Oxford, Trinity College Dublin and Dublin City University. He has been senior economist at the Central Bank of Ireland and the Economic & Social Research Institute as well as being a consultant to the European Commission in Brussels and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris.
Danny is a Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy, Member of the Royal Irish Academy, Honorary Doctorate in Economics from University of Galway, Honorary Fellow of the Irish Academy of Engineering, Adjunct Professor Trinity College Dublin Business School and Vice President of the Statistical & Social Inquiry Society of Ireland, Independent Non Executive Director of Iput Real Estate and Director on the IveaghTrust. He received the Trinity European Laureate Award for outstanding contribution to business in Europe, to economic thought and to public life.
He is currently an Executive Board Member of BusinessEurope and Chairs their Taskforce on Security & Defence, is the Employer Lead on the Irish tripartite Labour Employer Economic Forum, member of the Irish National Competitiveness & Productivity Council, member of the Irish Global Trade Advisory Group and advisory board of the Balance for Better Business group.
Richard is a policy engagement and public affairs leadership professional with expertise in creating and developing effective political, policy and industry stakeholder campaigns and managing high-performance policy and public affairs departments. He has delivered policy, political and stakeholder engagement plans across multiple and highly regulated sectors such as telecommunications, manufacturing, and financial services. Richard addresses policy issues at a senior advocacy level with UK and international interests and provides counsel to senior executives. In addition, Richard has experience in Member communications and relationships at trade association level ensuring the championing of Member policy interests and related engagement strategies.
At Make-UK, Richard leads on the organisations policy and advocacy work on international Trade at UK and multi-lateral levels, the importance and re-shaping of the UK- EU trade and political relations and more broadly the organisation's international outreach relations with manufacturing industry groups. He has spearheaded Make UK's diplomatic engagement in the UK and internationally to extend the reach of the UK manufacturing voice. Supporting work on international trade, Richard has served as an Advisor to the International Trade Committee, UK Parliament and provides regular media and analytical commentary on global trade and relations.
Lorraine joined the SBCI (Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland) in 2025 as Product Development Manager, having previously worked at both AIB and Bank of Ireland in business lending and engagement roles. In her current role she has responsibility for the design and implementation of SBCI products for the benefit of SMEs in Ireland.
With a career spanning over 20 years in financial institutions her areas of interest are in supporting business growth and innovation.
Lorraine holds a Chartered Banker designation from UCD and the Institute of Bankers in Ireland and is a Qualified Financial Advisor.
Sharon is a member of Ibec’s Executive Director Team holding the position of Executive Director, Membership & Sectors. With Ibec since 1996, she has held a number of other senior positions including Director of Member Services, Head of Sectors, Director of Irish MedTech; and Assistant Director, BioPharmachemical Ireland.
She holds an BSc and MSc in Industrial Chemistry (UL) and was awarded a distinction in the Diploma in Company Direction by the Institute of Directors.
