Our people dedicate themselves to a better transmission grid, for the benefit of all. We achieve this goal with a combination of expert skills from a wide range of experience. You can learn more about our executive team and board here.
EirGrid Group Chief Executive
Mark Foley joined EirGrid as Group Chief Executive in June 2018, having held the role of Managing Director of Land Solutions in Coillte since January 2016. Previous to that, Mark was Managing Director of Coillte Enterprise where he led the development of new businesses in renewable energy, telecommunications, land development and land sales.
Before that, from November 2000 to August 2008, Mark was Director of Capital Programmes at Dublin Airport Authority. In this role he was responsible for master planning, permitting, planning and delivery of c. €1.5bn in airport infrastructure at Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports. Prior to that Mark held a number of senior executives roles with multinationals in the Speciality Chemicals and Electronics sectors. Mark has a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering Degree from University College Dublin, a Masters in Industrial Engineering from University College Dublin and has attended executive development courses in Penn State University and IMD.
Chair of the Board
Brendan Tuohy joined as chair of the EirGrid Board in November 2019. He was previously Secretary General with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. He holds a degree in civil engineering from University College Cork, and postgraduate qualifications in environmental engineering and management from Dublin University and Trinity College. He is a Chartered Engineer, Fellow of the Institution of Engineers of Ireland, and a Member of the Irish Academy of Engineering.
Brendan is also currently chairman of MAREI (the Science Foundation Centre for Climate, Energy and Marine). He is also Chairman of TILDA (Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing), Chairman of the UN body Global eSchools and Communities Initiative, and Chairman of the Quality Council of the Kerry Education and Training Board.
Deputy Chair of the Board
Dr Theresa Donaldson is a Chartered Director and Fellow of the Institute of Directors and is Chair of Belfast Harbour Commissioners. Theresa previously held Non-Executive positions with NI Equality Commission and the NI Health and Social Care Board. She is a member of the LCJ Solicitors’ Disciplinary Panel and a board member of the Centre for Effective Services and NI Appeal Committee for BBC Children in Need. She is a former Local Government Chief Executive and held several senior management positions in health and social care and legal services in NI, including Director of Policy and Civil Service Delivery in the Northern Ireland Legal Services Commission.
Board Member
Rosa M Sanz joined the EirGrid plc Board in May 2022. She was previously Chief Operating Officer of gas and electric infrastructure, with experience running a large customer-focused organisation at Naturgy, one of the largest Spanish utilities. She has 28 years’ experience in the energy sector, in different business areas.
She holds a BSc and MSc in electrical engineering from Universidad Politécnica of Madrid, Spain; a MSc in cybersecurity from Universidad de Barcelona, Spain; and postgraduate qualifications in management from ESADE, IESE and IMD business schools.
Rosa M is currently a Non-Executive Director of IBERPAPEL and a member of its Audit Commission, EDP Redes and Zero Waste-Suma Capital, where she has gained experience in initial public funding offering process, ESG and green bond finance and certification. She is also a member of the Future Trends Fundación Innovación Bankinter and Chairperson of Club Board Alumni ESADE Business School.
Board Member
Tom Coughlan has extensive senior management and leadership experience having retired as Chief Executive of Clare County Council following a career in local government. He has wide experience in the public sector having served as chairman and director of various committees and boards at national and local levels. Tom is Chairperson of the Health and Safety Authority and Chairperson of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal. He is also a non-executive Director of EirGrid plc and Failte Ireland.
Board Member
Michael Hand was appointed to the EirGrid Board in 2015 for a period of five years and re-appointed in 2020 for a further five years. Michael has over 30 years experience as a senior leader in the Consulting Engineering and Construction sectors in Ireland. He has acted as Director and Managing Director of private and public companies. He has also acted as CEO and Director of Grangegorman Development Agency. He has a track record in the design and delivery of major strategic infrastructure projects throughout Ireland. He has also worked with distinction as a volunteer and Director in the voluntary community sector.
Michael is highly qualified in Engineering and Business. He holds a Degree in Civil Engineering from NUIG and a Master’s in Business Administration from UCD. In 2014, he was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate by TUD (DIT) in recognition of his contribution as an engineer, a public servant and as a servant to his community. He is a Fellow of four professional institutions and is a Chartered Engineer, a Chartered Director and a Chartered Water & Environment Manager.
Board Member
Shane Brennan is an engineering graduate from the University of Ulster, holds a post graduate diploma in Environmental Engineering from Trinity College Dublin, a post graduate diploma in Corporate Governance from UCD Smurfit Business School and is a member of Engineers Ireland. He has over 25 years engineering experience and commenced employment with EirGrid in 2008 as a Project Manager in Grid Development. He is currently the Senior Project Manager for the North South Interconnector project in both
Ireland and Northern Ireland and has represented the company at many public and planning engagements throughout the island.
Board Member
James Nyhan joined the EirGrid plc Board in October 2022. He has wide ranging commercial and management experience in international energy, in electricity, natural gas, LNG, and in renewables, as well as in large infrastructure project development and engineering design. He has experience of guiding organisations through major transformation in response to energy policy changes. He is currently a non-executive director of Milford Haven Port Authority, the UK’s largest energy port, and a member of its Audit and Risk Committee. He holds a degree in civil engineering from University College Cork, an MBA from IMD and is a Chartered Engineer.
EirGrid Group Chief Executive
Mark Foley joined EirGrid as Group Chief Executive in June 2018, having held the role of Managing Director of Land Solutions in Coillte since January 2016. Previous to that, Mark was Managing Director of Coillte Enterprise where he led the development of new businesses in renewable energy, telecommunications, land development and land sales.
Before that, from November 2000 to August 2008, Mark was Director of Capital Programmes at Dublin Airport Authority. In this role he was responsible for master planning, permitting, planning and delivery of c. €1.5bn in airport infrastructure at Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports. Prior to that Mark held a number of senior executives roles with multinationals in the Speciality Chemicals and Electronics sectors. Mark has a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering Degree from University College Dublin, a Masters in Industrial Engineering from University College Dublin and has attended executive development courses in Penn State University and IMD.
Chief Financial Officer
Michael Behan was appointed Chief Financial Officer of the EirGrid Group in January 2022. Michael joined EirGrid in 2006 and previously held a number of roles including Group Financial Controller and Financial Controller Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO). Prior to joining EirGrid plc, Michael held senior finance roles in ESB National Grid, Deloitte and John P. Greely & Co. Michael is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Chief People and Information Officer
Siobhan Toale is the Chief People and Information Officer at EirGrid. Siobhan previously held the role of Human Resources Director within EirGrid. In her current role Siobhan is responsible for information systems, HR and organisation development with a remit to manage change and improve processes across the organisation. Prior to joining EirGrid, Siobhan held leadership positions in Eir, Telefonica O2 and Bank of Ireland. Siobhan holds a BSc in Computer Science from Trinity College Dublin and a Masters in Organisational Behaviour from the University of London. She is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Personnel Development.
Chief Operations Officer
Rodney Doyle is the Chief Operations Officer at EirGrid and General Manager of the Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO). He previously held the position of Director of Information Services. Rodney also held a number of other positions in EirGrid including European Market Integration Manager; Manager of the East West Interconnector Business Readiness Project, and Ancillary Services Manager. Before his time with EirGrid and ESB National Grid, Rodney worked as the chief adviser in the networks division of the Competition Authority of New Zealand concentrating on electricity and gas regulation/market design issues. Rodney is a member of a number of key European TSO and market cooperation groups. Rodney has a BA (Economics), MA (Economics) and an MBA from UCD.
Chief Infrastructure Officer
Michael Mahon joined EirGrid Group in August 2019. In his role he is responsible for planning and consents for grid infrastructure across the island, including public consultation processes and landowner engagement. He previously held the position of General Manager, ESB Smart Energy Services. Michael has 20 years’ experience with ESB, with significant leadership experience in major project delivery. He is also a Chartered Engineer with Post Graduate Diplomas in both Project Management and Management.
Chief Innovation and Planning Officer
Liam Ryan is the Chief Innovation and Planning Officer of EirGrid Group. Prior to this Liam was Interim Director of Grid Development & Interconnection. Liam also held a number of other positions in EirGrid including Head of the Integrated Single Electricity Market transition, Head of Transmission Engineering & Maintenance, Head of Market Operations, Head of Power System Operational Planning and Head of Programme Management Office. Liam is currently the Vice Chair of the Board of ENTSO-E, The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity. Before joining EirGrid, Liam held a number of senior roles in Hewlett Packard manufacturing and innovation departments and before that worked in consultancy. A graduate of Trinity College Dublin, he has a PhD and Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and holds a Masters in Mathematics.
Chief Strategy Officer & Company Secretary
Martin Corrigan was appointed Chief Strategy Officer & Company Secretary of EirGrid Group in June 2020. Martin joined EirGrid in 2017 and previously held the role of Director - Strategic Initiatives. Prior to joining EirGrid, Martin held senior executive positions in One51 plc from 2006 to 2017 and before that senior finance roles in a number of Irish and overseas companies. He is a graduate of Dublin City University and a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland.