Following on from the successful Irish HE Governance Forums in 2024 and 2025, Advance HE is pleased to host the event for a third year. Under the theme Shaping the Future, this Forum is aimed at everyone within Irish higher education who is involved in the governance of their institution, including Chairs, members of Governing Authorities, executive leaders with governance responsibilities and governance professionals.
The Forum will provide an opportunity to share insights and learn from peers about how institutions are planning for and adapting their governance arrangements in response to recent and emerging regulatory changes, as well as the wider consequences for the higher education sector in Ireland. Participants will explore how institutions can respond to challenging times through a people-centred approach to governance, enabling successful, sustainable and values-led change.
Book your place
20 May 2026, National College of Ireland
Please follow the link below to book your place at the Irish HE Governance Forum.
This event is free to attend for Advance HE members.
Purpose of the Forum
The Irish HE Governance Forum aims to:
- Engage and support the Irish higher education governance community in building effective and sustainable relationships with Advance HE
- Support institutions in responding to contemporary governance challenges, including regulatory change, sectoral pressures and evolving expectations of higher education
- Facilitate stronger relationship-building across the Republic of Ireland, encouraging continued engagement with Advance HE’s wider commercial and development portfolio
What to Expect
Under the banner of Shaping the Future, the Forum will provide space for:
- Sharing insights on how institutions are adapting governance structures and practices in response to recent regulatory developments
- Exploring the wider consequences of change for the sector, including leadership, accountability and sustainability
- Discussing how a people-centred approach to governance can enable successful and lasting institutional change
- Learning from peers through discussion, reflection, and sector-led conversation
Facilitators
The Forum will be supported by sector-experienced associates, including:
Aaron Porter
Associate Director (Governance), Advance HE
Aaron leads on Advance HE governance activity through the delivery of our national Governor Development Programme which engages with around 900 governors across the UK on an annual basis. He has extensive experience leading reviews of over 25 governing boards. Aaron was previously President of the National Union of Students (NUS) and also chair of trustees for the organisation.
Marian O’Sullivan
Associate, Governance, Advance HE
From January 1st 2024 to July 31st 2024, Dr Marian O’Sullivan filled the post of interim Director of Governance (Deputy Corporate Secretary) at University College Cork (UCC). Her role was to enable the University Community to meet its ever-growing governance requirements, including supporting the work of the newly appointed Governing Authority (GA), the Audit and Risk Committee, and other sub-Committees.
Paul Johnston
CEO of the Irish Universities Association
Paul Johnston has been CEO of the Irish Universities Association, representing the country’s seven research intensive universities, since late 2025. He had been British Ambassador to Ireland since 2020, having previously represented the UK in the EU, UN and NATO, as well as being Ambassador to Sweden and Director of the UK’s network of Embassies in the Nordic-Baltic region. He was Director, International Security in the Foreign Office in London and Head of the FCO’s Security Policy Department. He has served in Paris, as well as Brussels, New York, Stockholm and Dublin. He has a Master’s in Political Science from the University of Glasgow.
Agenda
3.00pm: Close
10.00am: Welcome and Intros – Aaron Porter and Marian O’Sullivan
10.20am: Overview of policy – Paul Johnston, Director General of Irish Universities Association
11.00am: In Conversation: Leading a successful institution at a time of change
11.30am: Break
11.50am: Reflecting on and Shaping the Future of HE Governance
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Lessons from beyond the HE Sector
2.15pm: Table discussions
