Appointment of new members to the Board of the National Library of Ireland

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, has appointed the following as members of the National Library Board:

• Michael Diviney

• Dr Brian Lang

• Genevieve Wyeth

These appointments were made following an open competition operated by the Public Appointments Service. The appointments were made in accordance with the National Cultural Institutions Act 1997 and are for a term of 5 years.

Welcoming the appointments, Minister Martin said:

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to the Board of the National Library. I am confident that these new members will ensure that the National Library continues to be one of Ireland’s foremost National Cultural Institutions. I extend my gratitude to all Board members for their commitment and for contributing their expertise. I would also like to express my appreciation to those whose terms have ended, recognising their significant contributions over the years.”

Eoin McVey, Chair of the Board of National Library of Ireland:

“I welcome the appointment of the new Board members. With their expertise and background, the new members will assist the Board greatly in fulfilling its role.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Michael Diviney has over 30 years’ experience, including 20 years at senior management level, in print and digital publishing and media, specialising in professional, business and third-level education markets. In his current role, Mr Diviney is Executive Head of Thought Leadership at Chartered Accountants Ireland, where he previously led the Publishing Department. He has also worked for Thomson Reuters Round Hall, RTÉ, and Reed Business Information. A graduate of University College Dublin (English Literature) and Technological University Dublin (Management and Law), his specialist qualifications and broad experience include stakeholder engagement, intellectual property law, project management, digitalisation, and, returning to UCD, the Professional Diploma in Corporate Governance.

Genevieve Wyeth studied Economics at University College Dublin and a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting at Dublin City University. She is a Fellow Chartered Accountant of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland, having qualified with KPMG. She spent 18 years at Fyffes, formerly Fyffes plc, holding various roles. She was Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance from 2008 to 2021, responsible for global mergers & acquisitions and operational matters. She advises various boards on corporate and property related affairs. She is a non-executive director of Tallaght Childcare Centre, where she is Chair of the Finance Committee and is a former member of the Governance Committee.

Dr Brian Lang CBE, FRSE was born and educated in Edinburgh. He conducted social anthropological research in Kenya before lecturing for some years at Aarhus University, Denmark. In London, he established the National Heritage Memorial Fund as its first Director and later served as Director of Public Affairs for the National Trust. In 1991 he was appointed Chief Executive and Deputy Chair of the British Library, introducing new strategies and processes for digitisation and automation, simultaneously ensuring the successful completion of the Library’s new headquarters building at St Pancras in London. He chaired the Forum of European National Libraries and maintained creative relationships with the world’s major libraries. In 2000 he was appointed Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews. Dr Lang has chaired and sat on the Boards of major heritage, library and arts bodies, including the Heritage Lottery Fund, National Museums of Scotland and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra