Our People

CEO

Andrew Brownlee
Andrew Brownlee was appointed SOLAS CEO in August 2019 following an open competition.

Andrew was Executive Director for Strategy and Knowledge at SOLAS since January 2018, where he played a key role in putting in place a strategic performance framework for the further education and training (FET) system, in implementing reforms to support a more integrated system and in developing an ambitious, new five year strategy for the further education and training sector.

Andrew joined SOLAS from the Higher Education Authority. Prior to joining the public sector, Andrew had a long and distinguished career in management consultancy.

Executive Directors

Support Division
Conor J. Dunne

Transformation Division
Nessa White

Delivery Division
Mary Liz Trant (Director of National Apprenticeship Office)

Directors

Funding, Strategy and Performance Alignment
Alan McGrath

Branding, Communications and FET Strategy Implementation
Maria Walshe

Enterprise, Employees and Skills
Mary Lyons

System Funding and Performance
John Lee

FET College of the Future
Avril Behan

Adult Literacy for Life
Yvonne McKenna

People
Moira Walsh

Finance
Robert Collison

IT and Digital
Paddy Seery

Construction, Quality and Climate Strategy
David Smith

Research, Future Skills Needs, Statistics and Risk
Shauna Dunlop

Learner Support
Roisin Doherty

Apprenticeships Capacity and Integration
Con Ferry

Governance

The SOLAS Board is accountable to the Minister for Education and Skills and is responsible for ensuring good governance in SOLAS. It consists of our Chairperson Sean Aylward and 11 ordinary members, all of whom are appointed by the Minister for Education and Skills. Our current Board comprises 54 per cent women and 46 per cent men.

The CEO and the senior management team follow the broad strategic direction set by the Board, and ensure that all Board members have a clear understanding of the key activities and decisions related to SOLAS.

The Board has three sub-committees: Audit and Risk Management Review Committee; Strategic Planning Committee; and Workforce and Organisational Development Committee.

SOLAS CEO, Andrew Brownlee, acts as a direct liaison between the Board and management of SOLAS.