A public accountant with over 30 years’ experience has been appointed as the new chairperson of Coillte by Michael Creed, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Bernie Gray has been appointed for a five-year period, and got the job after a competitive recruitment process carried out by the Public Appointments Service.
Gray has expertise in a number of areas, including board governance, change management, human resources (HR), business coaching and business restructuring.
Gray is currently a member of the Accountability Board of the Civil Service, as well as the Governing Authority of Dublin City University and the GAA’s National Audit and Risk Committee.
She also has experience in a number of other non-executive roles within the state and the not-for-profit sector.
“She has significant board experience and a range of management and governance skills which will be hugely beneficial in the strategic development of the company,” said Minister Creed while announcing the appointment last week.
“John’s work is very much appreciated as it has put Coillte on a firm footing for the future,” said Minister Creed.
Meanwhile, Andrew Doyle, the Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, said: “I would like to warmly welcome Bernie Gray as chairperson of Coillte and acknowledge the work done by her predecessor John Moloney.
“Coillte plays a hugely important role in the Irish forestry sector, given the extent of its forest assets. I look forward to engaging with Bernie and the Coillte board on an ongoing basis to continue the development of forestry in Ireland,” added Minister Doyle.