Business & Finance highlights notable new board appointments at the Chester Beatty Library, Haven, Carrick Therapeutics and Campion Insurance
Dr Catherine Day, Chair
Chester Beatty Library
Catherine Day
Chester Beatty Library has announced the appointment of former European Commission Secretary General Dr Catherine Day as Chair of its Board of Trustees. Dr Day has been a Trustee of the Library for two years and takes over from out-going Chair, Dr T.P. Hardiman. Both Dr Day and the Director of the Library Fionnuala Croke, have paid tribute to Dr Hardiman for his significant contribution steering the Chester Beatty Library in its development over some two decades.
Dr Day was Secretary General of the European Commission for ten years from 2005 to 2015 and was the first woman to hold this position. Prior to that, she served as Director General for Environment and worked in the external relations division of the Commission as a Director and deputy Director General. Dr Day worked in the Cabinets of Commissioners Richard Burke, Peter Sutherland and Leon Brittan between 1982 and 1996. She is currently a special adviser to the President of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker.
Commenting on her appointment, Dr Day said: “I am honoured to be appointe as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Library and to serve one of the most significant cultural institutions in the country. The Chester Beatty Library has an important role to play in intercultural learning and understanding. Increased visitor numbers and positive visitor reactions show that our visitors are delighted to discover the treasures that were gifted to the people of Ireland by Chester Beatty. I look forward to working with the dedicated staff of the Library, very ably led by Fionnuala Croke, to promote the enjoyment and benefits of this magnificent collection.”
A Dubliner, Dr Day has a B.A in economics and politics and an M.A. in international trade from UCD. She chairs the Governing Body of University College Cork, she is on the board of the European Movement Ireland, the Institute of International and European Affairs in Dublin and the Advisory Council of the European Policy Centre in Brussels.
Dr Burt Adelman, Chairman
Dr Clive Dix, Non-executive Director
Carrick Therapeutics
Carrick Therapeutics has appointed Dr Burt Adelman as chairman of the board and Dr Clive Dix as a non-executive director.
Burt Adelman
Dr Burt Adelman has more than 35 years’ experience and was most recently executive vice-president and chief medical officer at Dyax Corp, which was acquired by Shire plc. He is a thought leader with an unparalleled track record, having led the successful development of a number of important biologic and small molecule therapeutics, including; Angiomax®, Avonex®, Amevive® and Tysabri®.
Dr Clive Dix, CEO, C4X Discovery Holdings is one of the leading figures in the UK biotechnology sector. He has 30 years’ experience and brings an in-depth understanding of all facets of drug discovery and development, as well as a broad knowledge of the science and commercial landscape of a variety of therapeutic areas. He co-founded and was chief executive of both Convergence Pharmaceuticals Ltd and PowerMed Ltd, which were acquired by Biogen and Pfizer respectively.
Carrick Therapeutics was established in October 2016 with the aim of building Europe’s leading oncology company, and raised $95 million in an initial funding round. The company’s lead investors are; ARCH Venture Partners and Woodford Investment Management, with participation from Cambridge Enterprise, Cambridge Innovation Capital, Evotec, GV (Google Ventures), and Lightstone Ventures.
It is headquartered at NovaUCD, the Centre for New Ventures and Entrepreneurs at University College Dublin (UCD).
Ronnie Foreman, Director
Haven
Ronnie Foreman
Haven, the prominent Irish charity working on the ground in Haiti, has announced Ronnie Foreman as a director of the charity.
Ronnie has been a Northern Ireland Ambassador for Haven since 2009, organising many major fundraising events in Belfast and Dublin. Earlier this year, the former championship rally driver undertook the Rally for Haiti, a road trip around Ireland to raise awareness and support for the people of Haiti in the wake of 2016’s devastating Hurricane Matthew.
Ronnie is a former Belfast Harbour Commissioner and Chairman of Cancer Fund for Children. He currently acts as the Managing Partner of Foreman Consultants, which provides a business development service to organisations across the UK, Ireland and the USA. He has served as a Board member and Chairman for numerous companies in Ireland, the UK and the USA.
Leslie Buckley, Chairman and Founder of Haven, said: “Haven is delighted to welcome Ronnie Foreman to the charity¹s Board. A highly accomplished businessman, his role as Northern Ireland Ambassador for Haven has made a positive and meaningful contribution to our work in Haiti. His deep commitment to the people of Haiti is evident across the many initiatives he has led, including this year’s Rally for Haiti. We look forward to Ronnie’s continued involvement through his work on the Board.”
John Given, Chairman
Campion Insurance Limited
John Given
Campion Insurance Limited has announced the appointment of former Malin Corporation co-founder and executive chairman John Given as chairman. He was formerly non-executive director of the company and he succeeds Pat Kenny as chairman.
Mr. Kenny, who has served as chairman of Campion since February 2011, will continue to serve as a non-executive director.
Mr. Given has more than 25 years’ experience across multiple sectors in the Irish and International business world and has held a variety of senior leadership roles, including serving as senior partner with A&L Goodbody, executive vice president of Elan Corporation plc.
Following the appointment, the board of Campion will be comprised of 13 directors including Ciaran Brosnan, Head of Technology who also joined the board as an executive director recently.
Campion Insurance is one of Ireland¹s largest insurance brokers with over 30 years’ experience in arranging insurance solutions for clients. The company has offices in Cashel, Dublin, Kilkenny, Midleton, Mullingar, Naas, Portlaoise, Roscommon, Thurles, Urlingford and Ennis employing over 150 people.