University College Dublin graduate and former charity chief Sir Ciarán Devane has been appointed the new chairperson of the HSE Board. The biochemical engineering alumnus was selected for the role following a public appointments service campaign to identify potential candidates. Sir Ciarán is the former chief executive of charity Macmillan Cancer Support, and currently heads up the British Council – the UK’s international outreach programme for cultural relations and educational opportunities.

Knighted in 2015 for his charity work with cancer patients


He was knighted in 2015 for his charity work with cancer patients. The Dublin native will be the first chairman of a HSE Board since the committee was abolished under former health minister James Reilly in 2012. The new HSE board will act as the governing body of the Irish health service, and is tasked with the authority to perform the HSE’s functions. Under new legislation, the nine-person panel will be accountable to the health minister, while the chief executive officer of the HSE will answer to the board.

UCD honorary degree


Earlier this year, UCD conferred an honorary degree on Sir Ciarán who graduated from the university in 1984. Reading the citation, Professor Eoin Casey, UCD School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, said during his tenure at Macmillan Sir Ciarán had transformed the organisation – helping it to support millions of cancer suffers in the UK. His appointment comes as the new HSE board is expected to prioritise the development of a plan for building public trust and confidence in the health service, as well as plans for an effective accountability system within the HSE.