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Governance

Chair, Declan Duggan

I have been proud to support the Irish Blue Cross since 1993, when I first became involved as a volunteer, helping to establish a financial management reporting structure.

My lifelong love of animals, always having dogs or cats at home, made it easy to stay committed to the charity’s mission. At that time, the organisation had very few full-time staff and relied heavily on the dedication of volunteers. Drawing on my professional background as a Management Accountant with Irish Press Newspapers, and later as a Credit Union Manager, I was able to contribute my skills and experience to help strengthen the charity’s foundations.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of serving in several roles, including Trustee, Treasurer, and member of both the Management and Remuneration Committees.

In December 2016, I was honoured to be elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees. It is a privilege to serve in this role at a time when the charity has grown significantly, expanding its services and building a highly dedicated professional team, across both small animal welfare and our horse ambulance service.

I am proud to work alongside my fellow Trustees, whose shared commitment and wide-ranging expertise continue to guide the organisation forward.

Looking ahead, my ambition is to see the Irish Blue Cross continue to grow its impact, improving the lives and welfare of animals for many years to come.

Declan Duggan, Chair: Declan has a background in management accountancy and credit union management, bringing extensive expertise in financial management, governance and leadership to The Irish Blue Cross. He supports the Charity’s commitment to good governance through ongoing training and professional development within the sector. Declan was appointed Chair of The Irish Blue Cross CLG in March 2019, when the charity transitioned from a Trust to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), having previously served as a Trustee of The Irish Blue Cross Trust. Through his many years of involvement with the Charity, he has made a significant contribution to its development and continued success.

John Costello, MVB, MRCVS: John is a retired veterinary surgeon with a long-standing association with The Irish Blue Cross. He was appointed a Director of The Irish Blue Cross CLG in March 2019, when the charity transitioned from a Trust to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), having previously served as a Trustee of The Irish Blue Cross Trust. He was involved with the mobile clinic service from its early days. His veterinary experience and knowledge of the Charity’s work provide valuable insight into its mission and services. He currently serves as Chair of the Services Delivery Committee (SEDCO) and is also a member of the Nominations, Earnings and Remuneration Committee (NERCO).

Robert Moynihan, QFA: Robert is a qualified Chartered Accountant specialising in governance, risk management and compliance within the Irish credit union sector. He was appointed as Co. Secretary of The Irish Blue Cross CLG in March 2019, when the charity transitioned from a Trust to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), having previously served as a Trustee of The Irish Blue Cross Trust. He also serves as the Charity’s Data Protection Officer under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Robert brings valuable expertise in finance, governance and data protection compliance to the Board and serves on its Finance Audit and Risk Committee (FARCO) and Nominations, Earnings and Remuneration Committee (NERCO).

Zair Berry, FCA: Zair is a Chartered Accountant based in London. He served as Trustee and Chairman of Blue Cross UK between 2010 and 2015. He was appointed as a Director of The Irish Blue Cross CLG in March 2019, when the charity transitioned from a Trust to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), having previously served as a Trustee of The Irish Blue Cross Trust. Zair brings extensive expertise in finance and governance to the Board and serves on the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee (FARCO).

Wayne Brooks, ACMA, CGMA: Wayne is a Chartered Management Accountant and an experienced risk executive with a strong background in governance, risk management and leadership. Having led risk management and quality assurance functions across a global organisation for many years, he brings a collaborative approach, sound judgement, and a commitment to helping organisations meet their goals through effective governance and thoughtful oversight. He joined the Board of Directors of The Irish Blue Cross CLG in March 2019 and is the Chair of the Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee (FARCO).

Dr. Claire Corridan, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS: Claire is a Veterinary Surgeon with a Doctorate in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. She is passionate about all aspects of animal welfare, from promoting responsible pet ownership to supporting the regulation of dog breeding establishments. Claire has a particular interest in the development of the Charity’s small animal clinic in Inchicore and its operational resources. She joined as a Director of The Irish Blue Cross in July 2025 and serves on the Services Delivery Committee (SEDCO).

Ian Cummins: Ian is a digital marketing and sales leader with 15 years in performance marketing and client strategy. Currently Mid-Market Manager at Meta for UK and Ireland; he previously held key account and client solutions roles at Meta across CPG and Ecommerce verticals. Prior to Meta, he led digital marketing strategy at Just Eat Ireland and managed a diverse client portfolio in agency roles. He brings a wealth of expertise in digital marketing and campaigns to The Irish Blue Cross. He became a Director of the Charity in 2024 and serves on the Communications and Marketing Committee (COMCO).

Christina Lonergan: Chrissie holds a senior role with Barclays Private Bank in Ireland and has many years of experience in the banking industry across the UK, the Channel Islands and Ireland. She has brought extensive expertise in risk, governance and people leadership to The Irish Blue Cross since joining the Board in 2022. She currently serves on the Nominations, Employment and Remuneration Committee (NERCO). A passionate animal lover, Chrissie is committed to advancing the Charity’s mission and supporting its work.

Gary O’Sullivan, Solicitor: Gary works as a Solicitor in the UK and brings extensive expertise in governance, human resources and legal affairs to The Irish Blue Cross. He is the grandson of one of the founding members of the Charity and his father was the former Chairman. He became a Director of The Irish Blue Cross CLG in March 2019, when the charity transitioned from a Trust to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), having previously served as a Trustee of The Irish Blue Cross Trust. He has a strong understanding of the Charity’s history, values and mission. He complements this with valuable professional expertise, supporting the Board’s work and serving as Chair of the Nominations, Employment and Remuneration Committee (NERCO) in addition to being a member of the Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee (FARCO).

The Honourable Henrietta Roper-Curzon: Henrietta is a public relations and communications specialist based in Guernsey and is also a director of her family’s Interiors Company. She became a Director of The Irish Blue Cross CLG in March 2019, when the charity transitioned from a Trust to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), having previously served as a Trustee of The Irish Blue Cross Trust. She brings extensive expertise in communications, public relations and fundraising to the Board of Directors. Henrietta has a long-standing connection with Blue Cross UK, with both she and her mother before her having served on its Board. She is the Chair of the Communications and Marketing Committee (COMCO) of The Irish Blue Cross in addition to being a member of the Nominations, Employment and Remuneration Committee (NERCO).

Declan Duggan, Chair: Declan has a background in management accountancy and credit union management, bringing extensive expertise in financial management, governance and leadership to The Irish Blue Cross. He supports the Charity’s commitment to good governance through ongoing training and professional development within the sector. Declan was appointed Chair of The Irish Blue Cross CLG in March 2019, when the charity transitioned from a Trust to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), having previously served as a Trustee of The Irish Blue Cross Trust. Through his many years of involvement with the Charity, he has made a significant contribution to its development and continued success.

John Costello, MVB, MRCVS: John is a retired veterinary surgeon with a long-standing association with The Irish Blue Cross. He was appointed a Director of The Irish Blue Cross CLG in March 2019, when the charity transitioned from a Trust to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), having previously served as a Trustee of The Irish Blue Cross Trust. He was involved with the mobile clinic service from its early days. His veterinary experience and knowledge of the Charity’s work provide valuable insight into its mission and services. He currently serves as Chair of the Services Delivery Committee (SEDCO) and is also a member of the Nominations, Earnings and Remuneration Committee (NERCO).

Robert Moynihan, QFA: Robert is a qualified Chartered Accountant specialising in governance, risk management and compliance within the Irish credit union sector. He was appointed as Co. Secretary of The Irish Blue Cross CLG in March 2019, when the charity transitioned from a Trust to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), having previously served as a Trustee of The Irish Blue Cross Trust. He also serves as the Charity’s Data Protection Officer under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Robert brings valuable expertise in finance, governance and data protection compliance to the Board and serves on its Finance Audit and Risk Committee (FARCO) and Nominations, Earnings and Remuneration Committee (NERCO).

Zair Berry, FCA: Zair is a Chartered Accountant based in London. He served as Trustee and Chairman of Blue Cross UK between 2010 and 2015. He was appointed as a Director of The Irish Blue Cross CLG in March 2019, when the charity transitioned from a Trust to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), having previously served as a Trustee of The Irish Blue Cross Trust. Zair brings extensive expertise in finance and governance to the Board and serves on the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee (FARCO).

Wayne Brooks, ACMA, CGMA: Wayne is a Chartered Management Accountant and an experienced risk executive with a strong background in governance, risk management and leadership. Having led risk management and quality assurance functions across a global organisation for many years, he brings a collaborative approach, sound judgement, and a commitment to helping organisations meet their goals through effective governance and thoughtful oversight. He joined the Board of Directors of The Irish Blue Cross CLG in March 2019 and is the Chair of the Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee (FARCO).

Dr. Claire Corridan, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS: Claire is a Veterinary Surgeon with a Doctorate in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. She is passionate about all aspects of animal welfare, from promoting responsible pet ownership to supporting the regulation of dog breeding establishments. Claire has a particular interest in the development of the Charity’s small animal clinic in Inchicore and its operational resources. She joined as a Director of The Irish Blue Cross in July 2025 and serves on the Services Delivery Committee (SEDCO).

Ian Cummins: Ian is a digital marketing and sales leader with 15 years in performance marketing and client strategy. Currently Mid-Market Manager at Meta for UK and Ireland; he previously held key account and client solutions roles at Meta across CPG and Ecommerce verticals. Prior to Meta, he led digital marketing strategy at Just Eat Ireland and managed a diverse client portfolio in agency roles. He brings a wealth of expertise in digital marketing and campaigns to The Irish Blue Cross. He became a Director of the Charity in 2024 and serves on the Communications and Marketing Committee (COMCO).

Christina Lonergan: Chrissie holds a senior role with Barclays Private Bank in Ireland and has many years of experience in the banking industry across the UK, the Channel Islands and Ireland. She has brought extensive expertise in risk, governance and people leadership to The Irish Blue Cross since joining the Board in 2022. She currently serves on the Nominations, Employment and Remuneration Committee (NERCO). A passionate animal lover, Chrissie is committed to advancing the Charity’s mission and supporting its work.

Gary O’Sullivan, Solicitor: Gary works as a Solicitor in the UK and brings extensive expertise in governance, human resources and legal affairs to The Irish Blue Cross. He is the grandson of one of the founding members of the Charity and his father was the former Chairman. He became a Director of The Irish Blue Cross CLG in March 2019, when the charity transitioned from a Trust to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), having previously served as a Trustee of The Irish Blue Cross Trust. He has a strong understanding of the Charity’s history, values and mission. He complements this with valuable professional expertise, supporting the Board’s work and serving as Chair of the Nominations, Employment and Remuneration Committee (NERCO) in addition to being a member of the Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee (FARCO).

The Honourable Henrietta Roper-Curzon: Henrietta is a public relations and communications specialist based in Guernsey and is also a director of her family’s Interiors Company. She became a Director of The Irish Blue Cross CLG in March 2019, when the charity transitioned from a Trust to a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG), having previously served as a Trustee of The Irish Blue Cross Trust. She brings extensive expertise in communications, public relations and fundraising to the Board of Directors. Henrietta has a long-standing connection with Blue Cross UK, with both she and her mother before her having served on its Board. She is the Chair of the Communications and Marketing Committee (COMCO) of The Irish Blue Cross in addition to being a member of the Nominations, Employment and Remuneration Committee (NERCO).

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