Deirdre Hannigan C Dir

Chief Risk Officer (CRO), AIB

Deirdre Hannigan is a Chartered Director and in April 2017, she was appointed CRO for AIB. She previously worked with GE, Rabobank, Bank of Ireland and prior to joining AIB was CRO of the National Treasury Management Agency. Read more View Less

Deirdre is a non-executive director of VITA (Fighting hunger & climate change in Africa).

Why did you decide to join the IoD?

I was introduced to the IoD by an existing member when I was Head of Corporate Banking with Rabobank. I was interested in both the support & resources for professional development and the networking opportunities.

Since joining the IoD, how have you benefitted from your membership?

Over the years I have continued to enjoy the benefits that attracted me to join. I completed the Chartered Director Programme and continue to value the ongoing professional opportunities offered by the IoD. Peer to peer networking has also allowed me meet a diverse range of fellow professionals.

What do you particularly value from your IoD membership?

As I have travelled my own personal business and leadership journey, I have been able to tailor the services and facilities offered by the IoD to my particular requirements at each stage.

What are the most important business lessons that you have learned in your career to date?

A couple of stand outs for me - Having courage and resilience, being prepared to take risks and making hard decisions. Not being afraid to make mistakes and learning and developing from these. People are the most important thing. Finally, it’s not just about what you achieve but how you achieve it.

Where are the biggest changes you’ve seen in business over your career?

Technology has fundamentally changed the way business operates. The pace of change has accelerated as a result of which the ability to respond and adapt is vital.

What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

Being a good listener and an ability to empathise with people.

How do you think business leaders can best prepare for the future?

Be a lifelong learner with an open mind and be prepared to change and adapt. Leaders do not need to be experts on everything but need to collaborate with people who can supplement their knowledge and skills. Never stop asking yourself, 'what can I do better?'.