The IoD Ireland Bursary has been established in memory of Gary Kennedy to promote diversity, equality and inclusivity. Gary was a champion of inclusivity believing that, as in all areas of society, equity and fairness in business is vital.
The Bursay will offer one candidate the opportunity to receive a fully-funded place on the IoD Chartered Director Programme and a year's complimentary membership.
As part of the promotion of this Bursary, IoD Ireland is delighted to partner with the Charities Institute of Ireland, the Irish Centre for Diversity and Generation Ireland.
Gary Kennedy
Gary Kennedy was a long-standing member of IoD Ireland and a member of the IoD Ireland Council. Gary was central to the development of the current IoD Ireland strategic direction.
Gary was an accomplished businessman, respected leader, and valued adviser. He was widely acknowledged, by all who encountered him, as a true people-person.
Gary had an extensive board career as both a Chair and a Director. He was Chair of Norcros plc, Goodbody plc, Greencore plc, Green REIT plc and Connect Group plc. He also served on the boards of Elan plc, Allied Irish Bank and the IDA. He was a co-Chair of ‘Balance for Better Business’, the Irish Government sponsored gender balance initiative and was also a founding Chair of the 30% Club in Ireland.
His executive career was with Deloitte and Nortel Networks. He spent the latter part of his executive career with AIB, where he was Group Director of Finance & Enterprise Technology, and he was a member of AIB’s main board. Gary was a Chartered Accountant having trained with Deloitte & Touche.
IoD Ireland believes that strong business leadership is essential to secure and drive a truly inclusive organisation. We are committed to developing directors, and preparing them to positively transform their organisation, and the social communities they operate in. The Institute recognises that barriers can exist for some individuals, making access to opportunities more challenging.
In Gary’s memory, the Institute and the IoD Council wishes to develop an initiative to support inclusivity by identifying individuals with potential, and to foster within them the discipline of good governance. This initiative aims to cultivate a more diverse and equitable environment by recognising the immense value of representation and unique perspectives. Through this initiative, IoD Ireland will endeavour to provide opportunities to individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, enabling them to access a professional development opportunity that might have otherwise been inaccessible.
By removing barriers, we aspire to unlock doors to success, empower untapped talents, and in doing so contribute to a richer tapestry of voices and experiences within the business leader and director community. This initiative not only signifies our and Gary’s commitment to inclusivity, but also underscores the belief that a diverse array of viewpoints fuels innovation and drives progress. As we bestow this in Gary’s memory, we eagerly anticipate the transformative impact on individuals' lives and the broader landscape of inclusion and diversity.
The Bursary
IoD Ireland is offering one candidate the opportunity to receive:
-
A fully funded place on the Institute of Directors Ireland Chartered Director Programme commencing in 2025.
- The bursary would include full programme costs, including the cost of sitting the Certificate exam, Diploma Exam, and application for the CDir designation (if the candidate is eligible).
- A year's complimentary membership of the Institute of Directors Ireland.
The purpose of this bursary is to provide support to an individual in a leadership role, who demonstrates a genuine commitment to inclusion and diversity. The bursary aims to support an individual with potential and to foster the discipline of good governance through the acquisition of technical knowledge in addition to creating opportunities for networking via IoD Ireland events, activities and functions.
For more information, read our FAQ section below.
Apply to the Gary Kennedy Chartered Director Programme Bursary
Please note applications will only be accepted on completion of the application form, and the submission of a CV and letters of recommendations to bursary@iodireland.ie.
Caroline Spillane CDir
Chief Executive Officer, IoD IrelandIoD Ireland is honoured to establish the Gary Kennedy Chartered Director Programme Bursary. Gary was a champion of inclusivity believing that, as in all areas of society, equity and fairness in business is vital.
FAQ
-
Minimum qualifying eligibility criteria:
The bursary is open to a broad range of individuals, including those at the early stages of their governance journey.
- Leadership Role: Applicants must hold a leadership position in a not-for-profit enterprise. The leadership role can include being a board member, member of the management team, or other leadership role.
- Commitment to Inclusion and Diversity: Applicants must demonstrate a clear commitment to inclusion and diversity. For 2025, IoD Ireland is particularly focused on, but not limited to, disability inclusion. We encourage Applicants to describe past activities they have been involved in or potential future actions they will take because of the bursary that promote disability inclusion.
- Residency: Applicants must be a resident of the Republic of Ireland
- English Proficiency: Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language.
- Financial: Applicants must indicate how the removal of a financial barrier to undertaking the Chartered Director Programme will be of benefit to them and their organisation.
-
All applications will be accepted on completion of the application form (online), and on receipt of a CV emailed to bursary@iodireland.ie and for those shortlisted, two letters of recommendation emailed to bursary@iodireland.ie. No submission will be accepted if the application form is submitted without a CV and letters of recommendation being sent if/when required. No submission will be accepted if the application form is not completed.
Application Form
Applicants are asked to fill out an Application Form which asks for standard details about the person, their background, interests and any prior experience and training.
Applicants are also asked to provide the following:
1. A Short Personal Statement.
This statement could cover:
- Motivation in applying for this bursary and explain how the bursary will impact and enhance their role in governance.
- The potential impact of the bursary on their professional development/career.
- How the bursary will positively contribute to their efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within their organisation, community, or educational setting.
- Any unique challenges or barriers we should be aware of.
- Any personal situations that may warrant additional consideration.
2. Two Letters of Recommendation
- Candidates who are shortlisted will be required to submit two letters of recommendation. These letters can speak to the applicant's achievement, character, skills and potential. They can include perspectives from board members, colleagues, mentors, or community leaders. At least one of the letters of recommendation must be from the organisation in which the applicant has the role they are putting forward.
-
The system will allow you to save and print (but not edit) your submission. Please note to do this you will see a button titled "Save Your Response" on the screen after you press 'Submit'.
Applications will be acknowledged by email from bursary@iodireland.ie.
Applicants who are shortlisted will be notified by email and required to submit two letters of recommendation. Applicants who are not shortlisted will be notified by email.
Shortlisted candidates will be assessed by the IoD Council Bursary Committee.
The successful candidate will be notified in early November and will be published by IoD Ireland on its website and/or social media channels.
-
If you are successful, you must take a place on the cohort offered. This will be starting in January 2025, although a candidate may be offered a September 2025 start. The dates for the programme offered are fixed and cannot be changed. It will not be feasible for applicants to pause or hold their start date to 2026.
Download the following document to see the dates of the programme on which a place will initially be offered:
Charity Partners
Charities Institute Ireland
Charities Institute Ireland is the representative body for Ireland's leading and high-impact fundraising charities. Their aim is to promote greater transparency and impact their sector through best practice in governance, fundraising, and financial standards.
The Irish Centre for Diversity
The Irish Centre for Diversity is a Diversity & Inclusion-focused business. They work in partnership with hundreds of organisations across Ireland to support them with all aspects of their FREDIE™ (Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and & Engagement) journey.
Generation Ireland
Generation is a global nonprofit network that supports people to achieve economic mobility and a better life. Their aim is to transform education to employment systems to prepare, place, and support people into life-changing careers that would otherwise be inaccessible.