The Board and Executive Team

Gas Networks Ireland Board

Kevin Toland

Chairperson

Kevin Toland was appointed to the Board in April 2023. He is an experienced Non-Executive Director/ Chair after a 30 year career where he had significant CEO and management experience in the food, nutrition, beverage , aviation and retail sectors globally with a wide breadth of business skills and deep experience in commercial, finance, strategy and transformation with a proven track record in building and leading strong teams that successfully drove business growth and value. Currently Kevin serves as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee for Dole plc, and as Chair of Invert Robotics, Chair of Vasorum and Non-Executive Director of Bewleys Limited. Kevin previously was CEO of Aryzta AG from 2017 to 2020 and Chaired Identigen. Prior to this he was CEO of daa plc, the airport services group and Chairman of ARI from 2013 to 2017. Previously Kevin had been with Glanbia plc in a number of roles from 1999 to 2012, notably as CEO and President of their Global Nutrition and US Cheese businesses and was an Executive Director on the plc Board from 2003 to the end of 2012. Kevin is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and has a Diploma in Applied Finance from the Irish Management Institute.

Fiona Egan

Board Member

Fiona Egan (FCA, B.Comm) was appointed to the Board in April 2023. Fiona is currently Managing Director of Rabobank Ireland. She is an experienced Managing Director with over 20 years’ experience working as a CEO, Corporate and Investment Banker and Non-Executive Director in a number of leadership, execution and governance roles. Prior to joining Rabobank, where she has worked for 19 years, Fiona worked with Goodbody Corporate Finance for 7 years after training and qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG. Fiona also holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University College Dublin and a Diploma in Professional Accounting from Smurfit Business School. Fiona served on the Board of a midsized media group from 2011 to 2018.Fiona has completed several Leadership Development Programmes in business schools across Europe and the US including Harvard Business School, Chicago Booth, Ashridge Business School (London) and IESE Business School in Barcelona.

Saoirse Fahey

Board Member

Saoirse Fahey (ACA, B. Elec Eng) was appointed to the Board in April 2023. Saoirse is currently Head of Finance and Strategy for Stripe EMEA and APAC, and for Sales for all regions. She is an experienced finance leader with over 20 years’ experience in leadership, execution and governance roles. Prior to joining Stripe in 2020, Saoirse worked with Phorest Salon Software as the CFO and COO. She worked with Microsoft for 20 years, in Finance, Marketing, Sales and Operations leadership roles, in both Global and European roles, after training and qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Saoirse holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree from University College Cork and a Diploma in Professional Accounting from Dublin City University. Saoirse serves on several Boards in Stripe. Saoirse has completed several Leadership Development Programmes in business schools across Europe and the US including Kellogg School of Management (Chicago), Ashridge Business School (London) and IESE Business School in Barcelona.

Sean Hogan

Board Member

Sean Hogan was appointed to the Board in April 2023. Sean is a Chartered Director was Chairman of Northern Ireland Water Limited from March 2011 to March 2015 and is currently the Chairman of WRAS Ltd in the UK and Chairs the expert advisory committee on bovine tuberculosis for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural affairs in Northern Ireland.

Keith Harris

Board Member

Keith Harris was appointed to the Board in April 2023. He is a Board Director at South Staffordshire plc, Industry Partner at AIP Asset Management and an associate of OXERA LLP. He also is the owner of the private infrastructure advisory business, LorraineHouse, specialising in energy generation and distribution investments. Prior to these appointments Keith spent 20 years at Wessex Water, including a period of time at ENRON / AZURIX where he was global head of Regulation. At Wessex Water Plc he held various senior Executive and Board positions at Group, utility and unregulated levels, including CFO and deputy CEO.

Geraldine Kelly

Board Member

Geraldine Kelly was appointed to the Board in April 2023. Geraldine is an experienced Non-Executive Director with a successful international career and a proven track record of delivering results. She has over 25 years board experience contributing to successful businesses in Technology, Energy and Clean Technology sectors with the ability to optimise technology and digital strategies to develop sustainable business solutions. Geraldine currently serves as a non-executive chair of Accountant Online Limited. Her previous experience includes serving as Chair of Plan Ireland and Microfinance Ireland as well as a non-executive director of Bank of Ireland Mortgage Bank, Cenergise Energy Trading Limited, Gaelectric Limited and Tyndall National Institute. Geraldine is a graduate of University College Galway (Maths & Economics), a postgraduate of University College Dublin (MA Economics). She is a Chartered Director with the Institute of Directors and a Certified Bank Director with the Institute of Banking.

Cathal Marley

Board Member

Cathal Marley was appointed to the Board in April 2019. He joined Ervia in 2016 as Chief Financial Officer, and was appointed CEO in 2020. He has over 20 years’ experience in the utilities and infrastructure sector, having worked in senior roles across the electricity, water and gas sectors. He holds an MBA from Michael Smurfit Business School, UCD, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, a member of the DCU Governing Authority, a member of the Board of the Irish Management Institute (IMI) and a Board member of Swim Ireland. His early career was spent with EY in Dublin and Eastern Europe.

Joe O'Flynn

Board Member

Joe O’ Flynn was appointed to the Board in April 2023. He is the Chairman of the One Cork Group and a member of the Cork Airport Development Council. He was appointed a member of the executive board of the International Transport Federation in October 2018. He is a former General Secretary of SIPTU, a former Lord Mayor of Cork and former City Councillor. He is a former director of two SIPTU affiliated bodies- the Institute for the Development of Employment Advancement Services and the Larcon Centre- the controlling body for the Liberty Hall Centre for Performing Arts. He is also a former Treasurer of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and a former member of its Executive Council.

Keara Robins

Board Member

Keara Robins was appointed to the Board in April 2023. Keara has significant non-executive experience on boards in the state sector, regulated energy investment funds and the voluntary sector. She was a board member of the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) until August 2023 and is an independent director to 4D Global Energy Funds. She has worked globally in the oil and gas sector working with Shell International as a petroleum engineer, contracts engineer, and senior project engineer. She subsequently worked in the sector as an independent consultant for Governments, independent oil companies, Foundations, and the UN on a range of energy challenges. She has proven experience and an understanding across the energy sector value chain with particular interest in the challenges of the green transition and energy decarbonization. She is an engineering graduate (BA BAI) of Trinity College, Dublin.

Gas Networks Ireland Executive team

Cathal Marley

Chief Executive Officer

Cathal Marley is the Chief Executive Officer of Gas Networks Ireland, the semi-state organisation responsible for operating Ireland’s €2.8 billion, 14,725km national gas network, serving over 720,000 customers nationwide, and focused on delivering on its critical role in energy security while transitioning to transporting renewable gases through its network. He has over 20 years’ experience in the utilities and infrastructure sector, having previously worked in senior roles across the electricity and water industries. Cathal holds an MBA from the Michael Smurfit Business School, UCD, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, a Board member of the IMI, a member of the DCU Governing Authority and a Board member of Swim Ireland. His early career was spent with EY in Dublin and Eastern Europe.

Bobby Gleeson

Chief Operating Officer

Bobby Gleeson is the Chief Operating Officer at Gas Networks Ireland. He has over 25 years of experience in the Energy and Utility sectors, after spending 10 years with Fingleton White & Company, Bobby joined Gas Networks Ireland in 2006 where he held a number of senior positions including Head of Asset Delivery and Head of HSQE. Bobby holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering (B.Eng (Hons)) from the University of Limerick.

Brian Sheehan

Director of Assets and Infrastructure

Brian Sheehan is the Director of Assets and Infrastructure at Gas Networks Ireland. Brian has over 25 years' experience in the utility sector. In his current role he is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the national gas network’s infrastructure and delivery of its assets, ensuring the safe transportation of energy and enabling the transition to a decarbonised future. Prior to being appointed to his current role, Brian held a number of senior positions within the organisation including Head of Asset Management. Most recently he has held roles in Ervia and was Infrastructure Delivery Director at Uisce Éireann. Brian holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Limerick and is Fellow of Engineers Ireland.

Edwina Nyhan

Director of Strategy and Regulation

Edwina Nyhan is the Director of Strategy and Regulation at Gas Networks Ireland. She is responsible for defining Gas Networks Ireland’s strategy, sustainability focus, regulatory affairs in addition to managing the organisation’s stakeholder and policy environment. Edwina has extensive experience in the energy industry, is a Fellow of the institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland and is the executive sponsor of Gas Networks Ireland’s Diversity and Inclusion Programme. Prior to being appointed to her current role, Edwina held a number of senior positions including Head of Finance Operations in Ervia and Head of Finance in Gas Networks Ireland.

Emer Walsh

Chief Legal Officer

Emer Walsh is the Chief Legal Officer of Gas Networks Ireland. Emer has extensive experience in the energy, infrastructure and renewables sectors. As CLO, she is responsible for the leadership and direction of all legal, corporate governance and data protection activities across Gas Networks Ireland; playing a key role in delivering on the organisation’s strategy to transition to a low carbon energy network. Prior to being appointed to her current role, she held the position of Head of Legal at Gas Networks Ireland for seven years. Emer holds a degree in Law and French from UCC and a solicitor's practising certificate with the Law Society of Ireland.

David Kelly

Director of Customer and Business Development

David Kelly is the Director of Customer and Business Development at Gas Networks Ireland. As part of his role, David is responsible for Gas Networks Ireland’s ambition to replace natural gas with renewable gases, such as biomethane and hydrogen, to substantially reduce the country’s carbon emissions while complementing intermittent renewable electricity and ensuring a secure energy supply. David has over twenty years of executive-level experience having worked extensively in both the private and public sectors throughout his career. Prior to being appointed to his current role, David was the Group Head of Customer Operations and Public Affairs for Ervia.

Ian O’Flynn

Director of Business Services

Ian O’Flynn is the Director of Business Services at Gas Networks Ireland. He is responsible for delivering vital business services that power the organisation including IT, data, supply chain, financial support services, continuous improvement, and facilities. Ian has over 30 years of experience in leading strategic change and transformation initiatives. Prior to being appointed to his current role, Ian has held several senior positions within the organisation including Head of Commercial and Corporate Affairs, Head of Shared Services and Head of IT.

Nicola McSweeney

Director of People

Nicola McSweeney is the Director of People at Gas Networks Ireland. She is responsible for developing and executing the people and culture strategy to support the development of our people, and teams, to ensure the delivery of the business plan and strategic direction of the organisation, specifically in the areas of human resources, talent, diversity and inclusion and organisational development and effectiveness. Prior to being appointed to her current role, Nicola held a number of senior positions including Head of HR Shared Services & Business Partnering with Ervia and Head of HR with Gas Networks Ireland.

Ronan Galwey

Chief Financial Officer

Ronan Galwey is the Chief Financial Officer of Gas Networks Ireland. He is a graduate of UCC and a fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants. Prior to being appointed to his current role, Ronan held a number of senior positions including Chief Financial Officer of Ervia.