Judging Panel
An independent panel of recognised and expert judges, representing Ireland's HR industry, will determine the winners of the HR Leadership & Management Awards.
Our focus is to deliver a balanced judging assessment from industry leaders who will bring their extensive knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise to the judging process ensuring that the winning entries are truly outstanding and worthy of receiving a HR Award.
The panel is carefully selected to ensure the Awards judging process is fair and objective. The judges are bound by a strict confidentiality agreement and are required to declare any conflict of interest in entries over which they deliberate, in which case that entry will be reallocated. The integrity of this process lies at the very heart of all that we do.
We recognise and respect the sensitive nature of the information submitted in the entries. Submissions are not disclosed or discussed outside the judging process. We do not publish the names of companies, organisations or individuals that have not been shortlisted for an Award, nor will we reproduce any information from your entry unless prior permission is given.
A comprehensive judging process has been put together to decide the worthy winners of the HR Leadership & Management Awards.
Hugh O'Brien - Head of Human Resources, Applegreen Ireland
Hugh O’Brien is an experienced HR professional having worked with Danone, Rabobank, Virgin TV, eir, and he is currently the Head of Human Resources for Applegreen plc, Ireland.
Claire O’Reilly - Head of the HR Strategy Unit, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Claire O’ Reilly is Head of the HR Strategy Unit at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER).
Claire is an accomplished HR Leader with extensive experience of developing and leading teams of HR professionals within the Private and Public Sector.
Breda O’Toole - Head of Product Development & Transformation, IDA Ireland
A native of Connemara, Breda joined IDA Ireland 12 years ago after spending much of her career in the UK. She has worked as IDA’s Head of HR, Regional Business Development and most recently heads up a team supporting the growth of 250 small to medium sized multinational companies in the IDA portfolio.
Yvonne O’Sullivan - HR Director, Ardmac Ltd
Yvonne is a highly experienced HR professional who has had Business Partner and Director responsibility in Diageo Ireland, LEO Pharma and Ardmac Ltd.
Dr Brian Harney - Senior Lecturer, Dublin City University Business School
Brian Harney BA (Hons), MBS, PhD (Cambridge), MCIPD is a lecturer in Strategic HRM at DCU Business School where he is Programme Director of the MSc in HRM. Brian’s expertise lies at the intersection of Strategy and HRM, with a particular focus on SME and knowledge intensive sectors.