Minister Coveney Appoints Carol Andrews Co-Chair of Balance for Better Business
26 May 2023
Dublin, 26th May 2023 – Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD today announced the appointment of Carol Andrews as Co-Chair of Balance for Better Business (B4BB). Balance for Better Business is an independent review group which was established by Government and is tasked with improving gender balance in senior business leadership in Ireland.
Carol takes over the position from outgoing co-chair Julie Sinnamon and will work alongside Aongus Hegarty to advance B4BB’s mission of promoting gender equality and balance in the workplace at board and senior leadership levels.
Carol is Managing Director and Global Head of Client Service Delivery at BNY Mellon and has been a member of the B4BB Review Group since the Government initiative was established in 2018. Carol brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role both in a leadership capacity as well as having a broad range of experience in the area of gender diversity in the workplace. Carol is a graduate of the Women’s Leadership Forum, a Harvard Business School leadership development programme. She is also a founder, former Country Lead and a current steering committee member of the 30% Club Ireland.
Speaking about today’s appointment Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney TD said: “I’m delighted to be announcing the appointment of Carol as our new Co-Chair of Balance for Better Business. Carol has been an active member of the B4BB Review Group since 2018 and with her impressive background and commitment to gender equality, will be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals. She will join Aongus Hegarty in the Co-Chair position and I’ve no doubt they will build on the positive momentum achieved to date.
“I’d like to thank our outgoing Co-Chair Julie Sinnamon for her efforts over the past two years. During that time Ireland has become one of the top 10 countries in the EU27 for female Board representation. The ISEQ20 have also exceeded their target for women on Boards by the end of 2023 while all Listed companies now have an average female representation of 32% at Board level. I know I speak on behalf of everyone involved in B4BB in thanking Julie and wishing her well in her future endeavours.”
Speaking today, Carol Andrews, incoming Balance for Better Business Co-Chair said: “I am honoured to take on the role as Co-Chair of Balance for Better Business and join my fellow Co-Chair Aongus Hegarty in advancing gender equality and ensuring women progress into leadership roles. Since its creation in 2018, the initiative has helped put gender balance at the heart of Irish businesses. I look forward to building on this progress as we bring companies on a journey of change and ensure that they derive the real benefits of gender-balanced leadership.”
Continuing his role as Balance for Better Business Co-Chair, Aongus Hegarty said: “It has been a pleasure to co-lead this initiative with Julie since 2021. Julie has made an invaluable contribution to helping businesses to see gender balance as an essential element of cultural change. As we look ahead, I’m excited to welcome Carol Andrews as the new Co-Chair of Balance for Better Business. As a strong leader and advocate for diversity, Carol has extensive knowledge and experience in driving gender balance and diversity in business. Over the coming year, we will work together to ensure that women are not prevented from advancing to senior leadership roles.”
For more information on Balance for Better Business go to www.betterbalance.ie
ENDS
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Notes to Editor
Balance for Better Business (B4BB)
Balance for Better Business (B4BB) is an independent business-led Review Group established by the government in July 2018 to improve and promote gender balance at board and leadership level of Irish business, which in turn will drive better business and societal outcomes.
Biographies
Carol Andrews is Managing Director and Global Head of Client Service Delivery, BNY Mellon. Carol is a graduate of the Women’s Leadership Forum, a Harvard Business School leadership development programme. She is also a founder, former Country Lead and a current steering committee member of the 30% Club Ireland as well as being a member of the Advisory Council for Irish Management Institute, a board member of the Vodafone Foundation Ireland and a member of the Bank of Ireland Gold Sovereign Programme Committee.
Aongus Hegarty was a member of the Balance for Better Business Review Group when it formed in 2018. He took on the position as Co-Chair in 2021 and continues in that position to date. Aongus worked at Dell Technologies for over twenty years and most recently served as President of Dell Technologies for International Markets. In addition to his role at B4BB Aongus is a member of the 30% Club Ireland Advisory Group, member of the Special Olympics Ireland Council of Patrons and Chair of the Munster Rugby Commercial Advisory Group and a. In addition, following his appointment by Tánaiste Micheál Martin, Aongus has taken on the role as an independent member to the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces.