Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue TD have announced the appointment of four new members to the Board of Sport Ireland.
The new board members are Michael Hand (Facilities Development and Management), Caroline Kelly (Marketing and Communications), Brendan Foster (Financial), and Fiona Chambers (Digital Transformation and Technology).
The appointments follow an open call for expressions of interest through the State Boards website and an assessment process managed by the Public Appointments Service. Each appointment is for a five-year term, with the option of extension to a maximum of eight years.
Experience Across Infrastructure, Finance, Communications and Sport
Michael Hand brings extensive leadership experience in infrastructure development and construction. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he has held senior roles across the consulting engineering and construction sectors and previously served as Chief Executive of the Grangegorman Development Agency. He is also a board member of Dublin Port Company, bringing significant experience in large-scale development and governance which aligns with Sport Ireland’s ongoing investment in national and community sports facilities.
Caroline Kelly joins the board with more than 15 years’ experience in marketing, branding and communications. She is currently Head of Marketing and Growth for Europe at Eudia, a US-headquartered technology company specialising in enterprise legal and business transformation. Kelly previously served as Vice President of Marketing and Growth with Irish-founded Johnson Hana and has also worked on strategic communications campaigns with major brands and organisations. She also serves as a Non-Executive Director of the children’s cancer charity Hand in Hand and remains actively involved in grassroots sport as an underage camogie coach.
Brendan Foster has over 40 years of experience in accounting and advisory services. A former partner and Head of Advisory at Grant Thornton, he has also served as President of Dublin Chamber of Commerce. Foster currently sits on the Residential Tenancies Board and its Audit and Risk Committee and previously chaired the Audit and Risk Committee of Dublin City Council, bringing extensive financial governance and oversight expertise to the board.
Fiona Chambers is a recognised academic leader in sport and physical education. She is Professor of Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy at University College Cork and has held leadership roles within sport and physical education research and education. Her work has focused on physical literacy, participation and the role of sport in education, and she brings expertise in digital innovation and the use of technology to enhance participation and learning in sport.
Ministers Welcome Appointments
Announcing the appointments, Minister O’Donovan said the new members join the board at an important moment for Irish sport.
“The strength of Irish sport depends on strong leadership, sound governance, and ambitious thinking,” he said. “I am personally delighted to appoint Michael, Caroline, Brendan and Fiona to the Board of Sport Ireland at such a pivotal moment for our sporting future.”
“With the Ryder Cup in 2027, UEFA Euro 2028 and the Los Angeles Olympic Games on the horizon, Ireland is entering a defining period on the international sporting stage. These appointments bring critical expertise in facilities development, finance, communications and digital innovation — the capabilities required to deliver world-class events while building a sustainable and inclusive sporting system for the long term.”
Minister McConalogue said the new members would contribute valuable experience to the organisation’s work across participation, governance and inclusion.
“I am delighted to welcome four candidates of such high calibre to the Board of Sport Ireland,” he said. “Their wide experience and skills will be hugely beneficial as Sport Ireland continues its work in sustainably growing participation, enabling more people to benefit from sport and fulfil their potential from grassroots through to high performance.”
He added that the Government would continue to support Sport Ireland in delivering initiatives to increase participation among people with disabilities and to provide leadership across key areas including safeguarding, gender equality, diversity and inclusion.
Image Credit: Sport for Business
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