Directors

The Board of Directors of Bank of Ireland Group plc

The Court of Directors of The Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland

  • Patrick Kennedy

    Chair and Independent Non-Executive Director

    • Appointed Independent Non-Executive Director in July 2010 and Chair in August 2018.

    Committee and Other Group Roles

    • Chair of the Nomination & Governance Committee.
    • Member of Group Transformation Oversight Committee.

    Experience

    Patrick is a Chartered Accountant with a successful track record spanning 30 years across a range of domestic and international businesses. Prior to joining Bank of Ireland, Patrick served as Chief Executive Officer of Paddy Power plc and also held executive and non-executive roles in that company. Before this, Patrick held the position of CFO at Greencore Group plc and also worked in various senior strategic and corporate development roles. He has previously held roles with KPMG Corporate Finance in Ireland and the Netherlands, with McKinsey & Company in London, Dublin and Amsterdam, and as a Non-Executive Director of Elan Corporation plc and ASOS plc. He is currently Chair and Non-Executive Director of CarTrawler and Independent Non-Executive Director of Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc. Patrick holds the role of Honorary Treasurer of the Irish Rugby Football Union and is a Patron of Chapter Zero Ireland.

  • Giles Andrews

    Independent Non-Executive Director

    • Appointed Independent Non-Executive Director in November 2020.

    Committee and Other Group Roles

    • Chair of the Group Transformation Oversight Committee.
    • Member of the Remuneration Committee, the Risk Committee, and the Sustainability Committee.

    Experience

    Giles possesses in-depth experience in financial technology, investment, and lending, in addition to strong management experience. He received a Master’s Degree in Experimental Psychology from Christ Church at Oxford University and an MBA from INSEAD. Prior to joining Bank of Ireland, Giles co-founded Zopa, the first ever online peer-to-peer lending marketplace. In 2020, Zopa also launched a Digital Bank. Giles held a number of senior positions with Zopa including Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. He currently remains a member of Zopa Group Board and Zopa Bank Board. He was previously Non-Executive Director of Market Finance Limited, a FinTech platform that provides working capital finance to small businesses in the UK. Giles serves as a Non-Executive Director and Chairman on the board of Carwow Limited, a platform for buying new cars from franchised dealers. Most recently, he was appointed as an Independent Non-Executive Director of C. Hoare & Co, the UK’s oldest privately owned bank. Giles was awarded an OBE in 2015 for his services to financial services. In 2016, Giles was named FinTech leader of the year at the FinTech Innovation Awards. At present, he is an advisor to the fund at Northzone Ventures, a venture capital fund.

  • Akshaya Bhargava

    Independent Non-Executive Director

    • Appointed Independent Non-Executive Director in January 2024.

    Committee and other Group Roles

    • Member of the Risk Committee and Group Transformation Oversight Committee.

    Experience

    Akshaya is a Banking and Wealth Management professional, with extensive experience across fintech, wealth management, broader international financial services, technology innovation and change. Akshaya spent 22 years at Citibank in a variety of senior roles in different countries and more recently, was Global CEO for Barclays Wealth and Investments. He was previously the founding CEO of Infosys BPO (formerly known as Progeon Ltd.) and has founded a number of companies, including Bridgeweave, a fintech firm that uses AI models to provide institutional quality investment ideas to self-directed equity investors, where he currently serves as Executive Chair. Akshaya has previously served as a director on the boards of Wealthify Group Limited, Mindtree Limited, Barclays Asset Management Limited, Vahanna LLC, and Avendus Wealth Management. Akshaya holds an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta and BA (Hons) in Economics from Pune University in India.

  • Evelyn Bourke

    Independent Non-Executive Director

    • Appointed Independent Non-Executive Director in May 2018.

    Committee and other Group Roles

    • Member of the Nomination Committee, the Remuneration Committee and the Group Sustainability Committee.
    • Workforce Engagement Director.

    Experience

    Evelyn has a strong track record in global executive management, including extensive experience in financial services, risk and capital management, and mergers and acquisitions. She is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and received an MBA from the London Business School. Previously, Evelyn served as Group Chief Executive Officer of Bupa, the international health insurance and health care group. She joined Bupa as Chief Financial Officer from Friends Life Group, where she had been the Chief Executive Officer of the Heritage Division. She served as Non-Executive Director and Risk Committee Chair with IFG plc, Dublin. Evelyn’s early career was spent in the UK at Standard Life plc, Chase de Vere Financial Solutions, St. James’s Place plc, Nascent Group, Tillinghast Towers Perrin and in Ireland with Bank of Ireland and New Ireland Assurance. Currently, Evelyn is a Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director with AJ Bell plc and a member of its Audit, Nomination, Risk and Compliance committees. She is a Non-Executive Director, Audit Chair, and a member of the Nomination Committee with Marks and Spencer Group plc. Evelyn is a Non-Executive Director and Remuneration Committee Chair of Admiral Group plc. She is a member of The Investment Committee of The Athenaeum Club and served as a director on the board of The Ireland Fund of Great Britain.

  • Ian Buchanan

    Independent Non-Executive Director

    • Appointed Independent Non-Executive Director in May 2018.

    Committee and other Group Roles

    • Chair of the Group Remuneration Committee.
    • Member of the Group Transformation Oversight Committee and the Risk Committee.
    • Non-Executive Director and Member of the Risk Committee of Bank of Ireland (UK) plc.

    Experience

    Ian possesses diverse experience in the areas of technology, digital, business transformation and customer operations gained through his work in a number of international retail, commercial and investment banks. Ian holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from the University of Durham. Prior to his role in Bank of Ireland, Ian held the roles of Group Chief Information Officer for Barclays plc and Chief Operating Officer for Barclaycard. Previously, he was Chief Information Officer for Société Générale Corporate & Investment Banking. He was a member of the Public Board and Group Manufacturing Director of Alliance & Leicester plc. He is a former member of the Executive Committee of Nomura International and was Chief Operations and Technology Officer of Nomura International. Ian’s early career wasspent at Credit Suisse,Guinness, and BP. Ian is a Senior Advisor to Cerberus Capital Management.

  • Eileen Fitzpatrick

    Independent Non-Executive Director

    • Appointed Independent Non-Executive Director in May 2019.

    Committee and other Group Roles

    • Chair of the Group Sustainability Committee.
    • Member of the Audit Committee and the Nomination & Governance Committee.
    • Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Risk and Compliance Committee of J & E Davy.

    Experience

    Eileen, a Capital Markets professional, has extensive experience at Senior Executive, Board and Governmental level in financial markets. She received a PhD in Science from University College Dublin. Prior to joining Bank of Ireland, Eileen held multiple Senior Director positions, including as Chief Executive Officer of AIB Investment Managers and Director of the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), where she oversaw the Alternative Assets Investment Programme, for the National Pensions Reserve Fund. Subsequently, she was appointed Director of NewERA at the NTMA. In her early career, Eileen also held a number of roles in stockbroking including in Goodbody Stockbrokers and National City Brokers. Eileen also served as Chair of the Outside Appointments Board-Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and she was a member of Loreto Generalate Financial Advisory Committee for the Loreto Congregation. Eileen is a Non-Executive Director with a number of KKR companies in Ireland and serves as Chair of the Remuneration Committee for KKR Credit Advisors (Ireland). Most recently, Eileen joined the board of Sherry FitzGerald Group Ireland Holdings Limited as a Non-Executive Director and, in addition, serves as Chair of the People and Culture Committee there.

  • Richard Goulding

    Deputy Chair and Senior Independent

    • Appointed Independent Non-Executive Director in July 2017.
    • Appointed Deputy Chair and Senior Independent Director in January 2021.

    Committee and other Group Roles

    • Chair of the Audit Committee.
    • Member of the Nomination & Governance Committee, the Risk Committee and the Group Transformation Oversight Committee.
    • Trustee of the Bank Staff Pension Fund.
    • Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee of J & E Davy.

    Experience

    Richard is a Chartered Accountant with an extensive international track record of risk management and executive experience. Prior to joining Bank of Ireland, Richard held the role of Group Chief Risk Officer and Director at Standard Chartered Bank, where he was a member of the Group Executive Committee, having previously held the role of Chief Operating Officer, Wholesale Banking Division. Richard is a former Director of Citigroup Global Markets Limited where he served as Chair of its Audit, Remuneration and Nomination committees. He previously held senior executive positions with Old Mutual Financial Services in the U.S., UBS Warburg / SBC Warburg in London and Switzerland, Astra Holding plc, Bankers Trust Company, and the Midland Bank Group. He holds Non-Executive Director positions in Zopa Group Limited and Zopa Bank Limited. Richard is a member of Council and Chair of the Finance and General Purposes Committee in the Royal College of Music. He also is a member of the Business Strategy Committee in the Global Risk Institute.

  • Michele Greene

    Appointed Non-Executive Director in December 2019.

    • Appointed Non-Executive Director in December 2019.

    Committee and other Group Roles

    • Chair of the Risk Committee.
    • Member of the Audit Committee, the Group Transformation Oversight Committee, and the Group Sustainability Committee.
    • Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Nomination Committee of J & E Davy.

    Experience

    Michele is a Chartered Accountant and an experienced business executive and finance professional, operating at executive management and board level. She received a BSc (Mgmt) and MA from Trinity College Dublin. Prior to joining Bank of Ireland, Michele held several senior roles with Virgin Money’s Digital Bank, including Managing Director, prior to which she was Director of Strategic Development, responsible for the bank’s future development. Michele joined Virgin Money, initially, as Director of Banking, with responsibility for building the bank’s new credit card business. She also served as Chief Financial Officer of MBNA Europe, where she held executive positions on the board of MBNA Europe Limited and Premium Credit Finance Limited. Michele’s early career was spent at Goldman Sachs, Credit Lyonnais and KPMG. Michele is currently an Executive Director of Mololo Limited and a Non-Executive Director of East End Fair Finance Limited and Vanquis Banking Group plc.

  • Myles O’Grady

    Group Chief Executive and Executive Director

    Appointed Group Chief Executive and Executive Director in November 2022.

    Experience

    Myles is a highly experienced leader with excellent delivery capabilities. He has extensive local market knowledge and deep experience of working with a range of stakeholders including customers, colleagues, investors and regulatory authorities. His experience encompasses strategy development, business restructuring and recovery, M&A, organisational transformation and investor relations. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Myles has worked nationally and internationally in senior roles in retail, business and investment banking, including Citibank, AIB and Dresdner Kleinwort Benson. Myles was appointed BOI Group Chief Financial Officer in 2019 and was also appointed Group Non-Executive Director of Bank of Ireland (UK) plc and New Ireland Life Assurance Company plc. As Group Chief Financial Officer, Myles played an integral role in the development and execution of the Group’s strategy, including the successful acquisitions of Davy and the KBC Ireland portfolios. Myles is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants, an INSEAD certified board director and a member of the Institute of Directors Ireland.

  • Steve Pateman

    Independent Non-Executive Director

    • Appointed Independent Non-Executive Director in September 2018.

    Committee and other Group Roles

    • Member of the Audit Committee and the Risk Committee.
    • Non-Executive Director of Bank of Ireland Mortgage Bank u.c.

    Experience

    Steve is an experienced banker, advisor and Board Director, with a strong track record of building and rebuilding businesses. Prior to joining Bank of Ireland, Steve was the Chief Executive Officer of Shawbrook Bank and, subsequently, of Hodge Group. Steve chaired the Advisory Board of Arora Group and served as Chief Executive Officer. Previously, he worked with Santander UK, where he held the roles of Executive Director and Head of UK Banking with responsibility for Santander’s corporate, commercial, business and retail banking operations, as well as wealth management. Steve held several senior positions at Royal Bank of Scotland and NatWest and was a Director of The Mortgage Lender Limited. Steve was elected President of the Chartered Banker Institute, having previously served as a Vice President and Senior Vice President. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Kent for services to banking. Steve previously served as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of StreamBank plc. He is currently a Non-Executive Director for Affordable Housing & Healthcare Investment Management Limited, Recognise Bank Limited, and ThinCats Limited.

  • Mark Spain

    Group Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director

    • Appointed Group Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director in March 2022.

    Committee and other Group Roles

    • Group Non-Executive Director of Bank of Ireland (UK) PLC.

    Experience

    Mark has over 25 years of experience as a finance professional, having qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1994. He received a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) Degree and a Diploma in Professional Accounting from University College Dublin. Mark is a strategically adept leader, with a track record of leading multi-functional teams to successfully deliver significant and positive commercial outcomes. He joined the Group in 1998 as a Director in IBI Corporate Finance, an M&A advisory boutique. He became Director of Group Investor Relations in 2013, followed by Director of Group Finance in 2016. In 2019, he was appointed Chief Strategy Officer and member of the Group Executive Committee. Prior to joining the Group, Mark worked in Diageo plc’s M&A team and KPMG.

  • Margaret Sweeney

    Independent Non-Executive Director

    • Appointed Independent Non-Executive Director in October 2023.

    Committee and other Group Roles

    • Member of the Audit Committee and the Remuneration Committee.

    Experience

    Margaret is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants of Ireland and a Chartered Director with Institute of Directors. She is an experienced CEO and has held many Board Director roles across listed and non-listed companies operating in different industry sectors in Ireland and internationally, including financial services. She is currently CEO and an Executive Director on the Board of Irish Residential properties REIT plc since 2017, having joined the board as a Non-Executive Director in 2016. She is Chair of Dublin City University Business School Industry Advisory Board. Margaret previously served on the Board of Dalata Hotel Group plc for nine years to 2023, was Senior Independent Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee. She was Chair of the Board of Irish Institutional Property, as well as Director on the boards of HSBC Institutional Trust Services (Ireland) DAC, Bramshott Capital Funds, Invention Investment Ireland Funds, and Galway University Foundation, among other board positions. She also served as the President of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. Margaret has a degree in Commerce from University College Galway (now NUIG) and was awarded the National University of Ireland Galway 2009 Alumni Award for Business, Public Policy and Law.