By Business & Finance 
Kingsley Aikins, Diaspora Matters and John Cunningham
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone, announced the appointment of John Cunningham to Chair of Gaisce – The President’s Award.
Minister Zappone said:
I am delighted to appoint such an eminently qualified person as Mr Cunningham to this important position. Mr Cunningham is currently the Chair of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, and a Director of the Irish Youth Foundation, which supports projects for children and young people in disadvantaged communities. He also has a strong professional background in coaching, mentoring and entrepreneurship. He embodies all of the qualities that the President and I believe are essential to the role of Chair of the Council of Gaisce.
Gaisce – The President’s Award
The position of Chair at Gaisce is a three-year term. The award is a self-development programme for young people to enhance their confidence and well-being through community development, personal development and physical activity. It is a direct challenge from the President of Ireland to young people between the ages of 15 and 25.
President Michael D. Higgins
John Cunningham’s background
John Cunningham’s rich background in business and social initiatives knows no bounds. He was a former non-executive director at Zurich Bank, overseeing the wind down of the lending book in Ireland and the disposal of the Dunbar Bank in the UK.
He has been a director of the Irish Youth Foundation since March 2002 and has been Chair of the Immigrant Council of Ireland since March 2004.
His career has spanned nearly 35 years in marketing, management, client-relationship management, executive management and business development at organisations such as Irish Permanent Building Society, Friends First, Zurich Bank and Alexander Mann Solutions, among others.
Cunningham is Founder/CEO at People Dynamic Solutions, a business that acts as a platform to bring HR consulting propositions to Ireland in talent retention/attraction, internal mobility and inclusion.
