National Council
The elected governing body of IIESMS. Ten members providing strategic leadership.
Role and Governance of the National Council
The National Council serves as the principal governing authority of IIESMS, responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Institute and ensuring its continued relevance to professionals across all five disciplines. Council members are elected by the membership and serve defined terms, bringing representation from each sector group to the governance table.
The Council meets on a quarterly basis to review institutional performance, approve policy changes, and oversee the financial management of the Institute. Between formal meetings, Council officers and portfolio holders progress their assigned responsibilities, from education and membership standards through to business development and European partnerships.
Key responsibilities of the National Council include approving new membership grades and amendments to grading criteria, setting and reviewing the CPD framework that underpins professional standing, overseeing the work of the five sector group committees, and managing the Institute's relationships with external bodies including government agencies, European partners, and other professional organisations.
The governance structure ensures accountability to the membership. Council decisions are communicated through regular updates, and members have the right to raise matters for Council consideration through their sector group representatives. This structure balances efficient decision-making with transparent, member-focused governance.
The IIESMS National Council
The National Council is the governing body of IIESMS, comprising ten elected members drawn from across the five sector groups. The Council sets strategic direction, oversees professional standards, manages institutional resources, and ensures the Institute fulfils its mission of advancing professional excellence.
Council Officers
The four principal officers who lead the day-to-day governance of the Institute.
Victoria Wilmott, F.IIESMS
President - Provides overall leadership of the Institute and chairs National Council meetings. Responsible for external representation and strategic oversight.
Joe Kelly, F.IIESMS
Chairperson - Supports the President and leads operational governance. Ensures Council decisions are implemented effectively across the Institute.
Clodagh Dunphy, CMaintEng.IIESMS
Secretary and Facilities Management Chair - Manages Council administration, records, and communications. Leads the Facilities Management sector group.
Kevin Barrett, F.IIESMS
Treasurer - Oversees the Institute's financial management, budgeting, and reporting. Ensures responsible stewardship of member subscriptions and resources.
Council Members and Portfolio Holders
Six members who bring specialist expertise and represent sector group interests at Council level.
Paddy McDonnell, F.IIESMS
Education and Membership - Oversees professional development, membership grading framework, and CPD. BEng Fire Engineering.
Donal Nolan, F.IIESMS
Business Development - Leads the Institute's growth strategy, external partnerships, and stakeholder engagement. Drives membership growth and institutional visibility.
C-Andreas Dalluege, F.IIESMS
Global Collaboration - Manages international partnerships including the IISE affiliation and Erasmus+ European projects. Connects IIESMS to global best practice.
Hans-Dieter Schinner, F.IIESMS
Global Operations and Industrial Engineering Chair - Leads the Industrial Engineering sector group and manages the Institute's international operational activities.
John Wells, F.IIESMS
Health Resilience and Healthcare Chair - Leads the Healthcare sector group. Focuses on health system resilience, healthcare engineering, and patient safety.
Daniel Vaughan, F.IIESMS
Honorary Member - Provides counsel and continuity to the Council based on long-standing, distinguished service to the Institute and the engineering profession.
How the Council Serves Members
The National Council meets regularly to discuss Institute business, review strategic priorities, and make decisions that affect every member's experience. Council decisions shape CPD events, the professional review process, training partner relationships, and the Institute's submissions on legislation. Members engage with the Council through their sector group representatives. Each sector group chair reports to the National Council, providing a direct channel for member concerns and suggestions. Contact your sector group chair or email [email protected] to raise a matter with the Council.
Council Responsibilities
The National Council fulfils six critical governance functions.
Strategic Direction
Setting long-term vision, identifying growth opportunities, and ensuring the Institute remains relevant to evolving professional needs across all five disciplines.
Professional Standards
Overseeing membership grades, CPD requirements, and professional review processes to maintain the credibility and value of IIESMS designations.
Sector Group Oversight
Guiding the five sector groups, facilitating inter-group collaboration, and ensuring effective operations within the Institute's framework.
Financial Stewardship
Managing the Institute's finances responsibly, allocating resources for sector activities, training partnerships, and professional development initiatives.
External Engagement
Representing IIESMS in government consultations, European projects, international partnerships, and engagement with regulatory bodies.
Senate Nomination
Exercising the privilege of nominating a representative to the Irish Senate, ensuring engineering and safety professionals have a legislative voice.
Sector Group Chairs
Each of the five IIESMS sector groups is led by a dedicated chair who sits on or reports to the National Council.
Patrick McDonnell, F.IIESMS
Fire Safety Group Chair - Leads the Fire Safety sector group. Responsible for fire safety CPD programming, member engagement, and representing fire safety practice at Council level.
Clodagh Dunphy, CMaintEng.IIESMS
Facilities Management Group Chair - Leads the Facilities Management sector group. Also serves as Secretary to the National Council.
Hans-Dieter Schinner, F.IIESMS
Industrial Engineering Group Chair - Leads the Industrial Engineering sector group. Also manages the Institute's international operational activities.
Healthcare Group
Chair position - TBC. The Healthcare Group serves non-clinical professionals working in healthcare settings including fire safety, facilities management, and safety practitioners.
Safety and Health Group
Chair position - TBC. The Safety and Health Group provides representation for workplace safety and occupational health practitioners across all industries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the IIESMS National Council
The governing body of IIESMS, comprising ten elected members who set strategic direction, oversee professional standards, and manage the Institute's operations.
Members are elected by their respective sector groups. The President, Chairperson, Secretary, and Treasurer are elected to specific officer roles.
The National Council meets regularly throughout the year to discuss Institute business, review policy, and make strategic decisions.
Council meetings are for elected representatives. Any member can raise matters through their sector group chair or directly with the Institute.
Contact your sector group chair or email [email protected]. Your representative will ensure your concern is raised at Council level.
The Irish Government granted IIESMS the right to nominate a representative to the Industry and Commerce panel of the Irish Senate, recognising the Institute's contribution to Irish professional life.
Get involved
Join the Institute or learn about regional and sector committee activities.