Trinity Business School appoints Brendan McDonagh as Advisory Board Chair

Posted on: 22 October 2019

Trinity Business School has appointed Brendan McDonagh as its Advisory Board Chair to steer the School towards achieving its mission and strategic goals. He takes over with immediate effect from Sean Melly, who served as Chair for 10 years with an excellent track record of achievement.

Brendan McDonagh, who graduated from Trinity in 1979, brings a wealth of global expertise to the role as well as a reputation for supporting and engaging with students.

Brendan McDonagh with Professor Andrew Burke, Dean of Trinity Business School.

The Chair of the Advisory Board plays a key role in advising and supporting the Dean of the Business School and the wider School Executive as they seek to deliver key strategic objectives. Advisory Board Chairs have also played a role in fundraising and promoting collaboration and engagement between industry and Trinity Business School.

Additionally, the role involves galvanising industry and alumni support for School projects including fundraising, graduate recruitment, strategic objectives and ultimately enhancing the business network and engagement of the School.

Brendan is currently a Non-Executive Director of AIB Group plc and UK Asset Resolution Limited, and is also Chairman of Peal Investments Limited. He is a member of the Dublin board of The Ireland Funds. He is a former CEO of HSBC North America Holdings Inc and Group Managing Director for HSBC Holdings plc.

Brendan has worked in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America. He is also the former Executive Chairman of the Bank of N.T. Butterfield & Son Limited, Bermuda. He was formerly a member of the Board of Ireland’s National Treasury Management Agency and was Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund.

Speaking about his appointment, Brendan McDonagh said:

“After serving on the Advisory Board of the Trinity Business School for some years, it is an honour to now serve as its Chair. I am looking forward to supporting the Dean and his team in delivering on the Business School’s objectives as part of Trinity College Dublin’s longer-term strategy as we enter the next phase after the opening of the school’s new building.”

Professor Andrew Burke, Dean of Trinity Business School, added:

“Brendan’s CEO and Board-level expertise at global corporations alongside his pioneering support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds through the Rory McDonagh Trust are key attributes that will serve the School well now that it competes among the top 1% of EQUIS-Accredited business schools worldwide, and has recently committed to enabling even more people from underprivileged backgrounds to study at Trinity.” 

“Brendan is also very much at the heart of the Trinity business community having been a student here, serving on the Advisory Board for many years and notably his daughter and son also studied at Trinity Business School. He is passionate about ensuring the School and University reach their full international potential and we are all delighted and privileged to have Brendan as our incoming Chair of the Advisory Board.”

Media Contact:

Thomas Deane, Media Relations Officer | deaneth@tcd.ie | +353 1 896 4685