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ESB Board Members

 

There are currently 12 ESB Board Members, comprising the Chairman, Chief Executive and six independent Non-Executive Directors. 

The Board Members:

  • bring independent and objective scrutiny to the oversight of the organisation;
  • are challenging when necessary while being supportive to the delivery of organisational strategy and objectives;
  • are equipped to offer considered advice on the basis of sound judgement and experience; and
  • make a time commitment to their work commensurate with their role.

The appointment and remuneration of the Independent Board members (including the Chairman) is determined by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment and they do not receive pensions or any other remuneration. The terms and conditions are set out in their letters of appointment.

Alf Smiddy Alf Smiddy

Appointment and Terms
04.10.2016 - 03.10.2021

14.12.2021 - 13.12.2024

Career Experience
A chartered accountant, who trained with PwC. Chairman and Managing Director of Beamish & Crawford plc for over 12 years, and on the Board of its parent company, Scottish & Newcastle (UK) Ltd. Member of the National Executive Council of IBEC, Director of Cork Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Cork Local Government Committee and served on the Board of Cork Airport Authority. A Fellow of the Irish Marketing Institute. A Commerce graduate from University College Cork (UCC), with a Masters in Executive Leadership from Boston College and the University of Ulster.

External Appointments
Appointed in June 2021 as Adjunct Professor at the College of Business & Law, UCC, Director of the Government-backed Rethink Ireland (Social Innovation) and Director of Oxfam Ireland. Chairman and/or Director of various independent companies including Bridgewater Construction, Fohntech and Granite Digital (digital marketing). Previously served as senior Independent Non-Executive Director and Director with designated responsibility for workforce engagement at The Dalata Hotel Group plc.