The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has today welcomed the appointment by the Board of Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland, the state agency responsible for supporting research and innovation, of Dr Diarmuid O’Brien as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Dr O’Brien will take up the role in September 2025.
Welcoming the decision by the Board, Minister Lawless said:
“I congratulate Diarmuid on his appointment as CEO of Taighde Éireann. I look forward to working with him and the Board, to realise the ambition and opportunity for research and innovation in Ireland created through the establishment of the agency.
“Taighde Éireann is central to the delivery of the Government’s research and innovation strategy – Impact 2030. At this time, it is crucial that Ireland capitalises on all available opportunities. We must leverage our strengths in people, connectivity, and curiosity by continuing to support the development of new knowledge, talented researchers, and innovators. This focus will enable us to address the challenges facing our society and economy and seize emerging opportunities across all areas of research and innovation.”
Commenting on the appointment, Michael Horgan, Chairperson of Research Ireland, said: “On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Diarmuid as CEO. Diarmuid has a wealth of experience and an outstanding track record. He brings a deep understanding of the public research ecosystem across all disciplines, and of the wider national and international research and innovation environment. Together with the Board, I look forward to working with Diarmuid to develop and deliver our strategic priorities over time and wish him every success as CEO of Research Ireland.”
Concluding, Michael Horgan said, “On behalf of the Board, I want to sincerely thank Celine Fitzgerald, who stepped into the role of Interim CEO last September, for her excellent leadership and outstanding contribution to Research Ireland during the establishment phase of the organisation.”
Commenting on his appointment by the Board, Dr O’Brien said:
“It is a great privilege to have been appointed to this position. The formation of Research Ireland creates a huge opportunity for Ireland, and I am excited to play a central role in its development. I look forward to working with the Board, my new colleagues, and partners across the wider research and innovation system, as well as with the Minister and the Department. By working collaboratively, we will build Research Ireland into an agency that supports talented researchers, shapes Ireland’s research and innovation landscape, and delivers outcomes that contribute to a sustainable and prosperous future for Ireland’s economy and society.”
Dr O’Brien’s appointment follows an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service.
Dr Diarmuid O’Brien has a strong track record and brings 20 years of senior experience. He is a highly accomplished senior leader with a deep commitment to research and innovation. He joins from the role of Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Innovation at the University of Cambridge in the UK and was previously Chief Executive of Cambridge Enterprise. Prior to that, he worked in a range of roles in Trinity College Dublin over fifteen years including being Trinity’s first Chief Innovation & Enterprise Officer.
Dr O’Brien brings extensive experience in leading a variety of research, innovation and cultural activities in partnership with universities, global companies, investors, high-potential start-ups, cultural organisations and government. This includes managing research institutes, developing new university campuses, creating accelerator programmes, forming large-scale industry research partnerships, creating cultural centres, implementing new translational research infrastructure, raising venture capital funds, licensing intellectual property and scaling new company creation.
Photo caption: Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland