David FitzGerald’s career has spanned 40 years across senior commercial roles and he also has an in-depth knowledge of the charities sector with particular emphasis on governance.

His 25 years in senior commercial roles in the food industry, both national and international included companies such as Dairygold and Glanbia. These roles involved the marketing, sales and distribution of many of Ireland’s leading brands.

David has spent the last 13 years as a director of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland, initially as Director of Business Development and more recently as Director of Member Services.

In tandem with his executive career he has served as a non-executive director on a variety of Boards – Trade Organisations, Charities, & Professional Institutes.

David has been involved in a number of advocacy projects relating to the health sector, including:

• A founding member of the New Crumlin Hospital Group. This was a group of parents of sick children who attended Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin. The group was dissatisfied with the facilities at the hospital and campaigned to have the hospital completely redeveloped. The campaign involved engaging with various Ministers for Health, and the health authorities. The arguments were (eventually) accepted and ultimately it was agreed to build a new national children’s hospital – construction now commencing.
• Various projects relating to provision of improved facilities for Cystic Fibrosis patients across Ireland. During his period of involvement, we part funded and campaigned for updated facilities. New facilities were opened in two hospitals in Dublin, and one each in Drogheda, Castlebar, Limerick, Galway, Cork and Waterford.
• A campaign to improve the availability of lung transplant service for people with Cystic Fibrosis. Ultimately the provision of this service was transferred from the UK (Freeman Hospital, Newcastle) to the Mater Hospital in Dublin.