Dr Denis McMahon

Dr McMahon has over thirty years’ public service experience, including 25 years at the most senior levels and 9 years as a Permanent Secretary , leading without Ministers for 4 years.

He led cross-government responses to a series of emergencies (as Gold Commander), regularly working with colleagues in Ireland and in UK jurisdictions. Personally led on; threats post 9-11; food supply threats prior to UK exit from the EU (establishing checks at the ports); food supply threats during Covid; a series of emergency flooding and weather events; and the Ukrainian refugee crisis. He was the first Northern Ireland witness to the UK Covid Inquiry.

Operating at the heart of government, Denis worked directly to Ministers from across the political spectrum, including First Ministers. Chaired cross-party forums of MLAs prior to the development of a Programme for Government, during a period of institutional suspension; also wrote the previous Programme.

Head of the Policy Profession for 6 years, with links across UK and Irish administrations. He has developed and implemented policy reforms on wellbeing, health, social policy, climate and sustainability, and digital transformation. He has a strong track record in organisational turnaround, leading large and complex organisations with responsibility for up to 6,500 staff and budgets of up to £1.6 billion, achieving consistent measurable improvements in staff morale.

Denis has a PhD in Psychology from Queens University, has successfully completed the Major Projects Leadership Academy at Oxford University. He was the UK Fulbright-Humphrey Fellow, 2000-2001.

A former statistician, he is currently using a data-led approach to analyse policy across the UK, Ireland and internationally, while completing a degree in Maths and Physics. He sits on the Board of a mental health charity.