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Judging Panel

An independent panel of recognised and expert judges, representing Ireland's HR profession, 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 We do not publish the names of companies, organisations or individuals that have not been shortlisted for an Award, nor will we reproduce any information from your entry unless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.

2022 Judging Panel

Professor Edel Conway (Judging Co-ordinator)

Professor Edel Conway (Judging Co-ordinator)

Professor in HRM & Organisational Psychology, DCU Business School

Professor Edel Conway (Dublin City University) is Full Professor of HRM and Organisational Psychology at DCU Business School. Edel is an organisational psychologist with expertise in employee engagement, well-being and organisational change.

Dr. Sinéad Brennan

Dr. Sinéad Brennan

Chief People Officer, NTMA

Sinéad Brennan joined the NTMA in March 2014 as Head of Human Resources and was subsequently appointed Director, HR before becoming Chief People Officer. Prior to joining the NTMA, she was Head of Human Resources with KBC Bank Ireland and previously HR Director with BDO Ireland.

Karina Browne

Karina Browne

HR Manager, Football Association of Ireland

Karina Browne is a HR Manager in Football Association of Ireland where she oversees HR function driving the culture and employee engagement. Previously she worked in various sectors such as Healthcare, Telecommunication and Financial Services.

Joanne Cluxton

Joanne Cluxton

Group HR Director, Mercury

Joanne is the Group HR Director at Mercury. Mercury is a European Prime Contractor, that builds and manages complex construction programmes that reimagine how people work and live in the built environment.

Jonny Cooper

Jonny Cooper

People and Change Manager, KPMG Ireland

Grounded in Theory Jonny utilizes his Applied knowledge, Academic Elite Sport and Professional Experience and a clear passion for performance to enhance human potential. Jonny has over 14 years’ experience in leading, enabling and enhancing individual and team performance potential. He currently works with organisations, leaders and elite performers to translate their performance potential to be truly sustainable.

Síobhra Disdale

Síobhra Disdale

Senior Talent Management Specialist, LIDL Ireland and LIDL Northern Ireland

Síobhra Disdale is a graduate of University of Limerick where she specialised in HR. She has worked in diverse sectors including hotels and hospitality, automotive, and grocery retail.

April Gill

April Gill

Human Resources & Training Manager, The K Club

April Gill is the Human Resources & Training Manager at The K Club Hotel & Resort. April specialised in Employment Law, recently completed a Masters of Law in Employment Law in Practice.

Prof. Noreen Heraty

Prof. Noreen Heraty

Head, Department of Work and Employment Studies, KBS, University of Limerick

Prof. Noreen Heraty is Head of the Department of Work & Employment Studies at the Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick. She teaches Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour across a range of graduate, undergraduate, professional and executive programmes.

Aidan McKee

Aidan McKee

Chief People Officer, WaterWipes

Aidan McKee is Chief People Officer at WaterWipes, an Irish founded global FMCG manufacturer, and assumes the role of Executive lead on the WaterWipes global strategic people agenda.

Dr Muiris O’Ceidigh

Dr Muiris O’Ceidigh

CEO, National Milk Agency

National Milk Agency CEO, Authority Member Property Services Regulatory Authority, Royal college of Physician Faculty of Pathology Board Member, Director of the European Consumer Centre Ireland. Muiris holds a Trinity MBA and a Doctorate in Governance from Queens University Belfast. He is a Business Mentor aT the University of Cambridge’s Institute of sustainable Leadership.

Blanaid O’Regan

Blanaid O’Regan

Director of People and Culture, SIRO DAC

Blanaid has experience in delivering people solutions to scaling complex organisations. She has held positions in start-up and scaling organisations. She holds a Masters in Occupational Psychology from University College Cork.

Yvonne O’Sullivan

Yvonne O’Sullivan

HR Director, Ardmac

Yvonne is HR Director for Ardmac Ltd. A very experienced HR professional, Yvonne previously had Business Partner and HR Director responsibility in IBEC, Diageo Ireland and LEO Pharma.

Breda O’Toole

Breda O’Toole

Head of Talent Transformation & Innovation, IDA Ireland

Breda has worked as IDA’s Global Head of HR and Organisational Development, Regional Business Development, Operations and currently heads up a team supporting IDA’s Talent Transformation and Innovation agenda.

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