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 of the Institute, elected in 2022 as the first woman to hold the role. Victoria coordinates enterprise development at Waterford Area Partnership through the SICAP programme and runs Victoria's Incredible Edibles, a handmade food business in Waterford City. She holds a Master's in Business Studies from SETU Waterford and a Postgraduate Certificate in Innovation and Enterprise Development from Trinity College Dublin. A committee member of the Waterford Micro Business Network since 2008.
Joe Kelly, F.IIESMS
Joe is Chairperson of the IIESMS National Council. A Waterford City councillor since 2004, he has served as both Metropolitan Mayor and plenary Mayor of Waterford City and County. A former Waterford Crystal worker and Vice President of the Waterford Council of Trade Unions, he brings two decades of public service and community advocacy to the Institute. Joe was nominated by IIESMS for the Industrial and Commercial Panel of Seanad Eireann in January 2025, exercising the Institute's constitutional nomination privilege. He led the relaunch of the organisation following the COVID-19 pandemic at the 2022 AGM.
Clodagh Dunphy, CMaintEng.IIESMS
Secretary of the National Council and chair of the Facilities Management sector group. Clodagh graduated from SETU Waterford with a BEng (Hons) in Sustainable Energy Engineering, covering building services, energy performance, and construction technology. She completed a six-month industry placement during her studies and is active in career mentoring through Junior Achievement Ireland. Elected Secretary in 2022 alongside Victoria Wilmott's presidency, marking a historic first for the Institute.
Kevin Barrett, F.IIESMS
Treasurer of the National Council and a Fellow of the Institute. Kevin attended Edinburgh Napier University and holds Chartership from Engineers Ireland. He oversees the Institute's financial management, budgeting, and reporting, and also serves on the Industrial Engineering sector group committee.
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 the Institute's professional development, membership grading framework, and CPD. Paddy is CEO of Phoenix STS Ltd in County Longford, a fire safety and health and safety consultancy, training, and equipment distribution business. A BEng Fire Engineering graduate and former military instructor with the Irish Defence Forces, he holds professional memberships with IOSH, IIRSM, IFSM, IHEEM, and NFPA. He has spoken at the CMG Events Fire Safety in Public Buildings Conference on evacuation procedures and fire drills.
Donal Nolan, F.IIESMS
Donal leads the Institute's business development and external partnerships. He is Strategic Projects Executive at Waterford Chamber of Commerce and Programme Leader with Waterford Chamber Skillnet, where he has helped graduate over 500 business leaders through the Regional Leaders Programme. He has managed EU-funded projects across multiple programmes, including the Portalis cross-border cultural tourism project (Ireland-Wales ERDF) and the Work-Life-Flow Erasmus+ partnership across five countries. His experience bridges business development, workforce training, and European cooperation.
C.-Andreas Dalluege, F.IIESMS
Global Collaboration - Manages international partnerships for IIESMS, including the IISE affiliation and Erasmus+ European projects. Andreas is the founder and managing partner of IBK Management Solutions in Wiesbaden, Germany, and Chairman of the European Business Excellence Network. A certified EFQM Advisor with experience across 35 EU-funded projects since 1990, he lectures at TH Aschaffenburg and has co-authored books published by Springer, including "Navigating an EU Research Project" with fellow Council member John Wells. He has served on the IIESMS Council since its predecessor days as the Irish Work Study Institute.
Dr. Hans-Dieter Schinner, F.IIESMS
Global Operations and Industrial Engineering Group Chair - Hans-Dieter chairs the Industrial Engineering sector group and manages the Institute's international operations. Based in Germany, he is the sole director of International Industrial Consult IIC AG (formerly REFA International Consult AG), specialising in the international delivery of REFA industrial engineering methods. REFA, founded in 1924, is Germany's premier association for work design and process optimisation. His expertise centres on productivity consulting, training delivery, and building international partnerships for industrial engineering knowledge transfer.
Chair position - TBC
Health Resilience and Healthcare Chair - John is Dean of the School of Health Sciences at SETU Waterford and a member of the University's Executive Management Team. He qualified as a Registered Mental Health Nurse in London in 1988 before moving into academia. He holds a PhD from King's College London, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, and a Fellow Ad Eundem of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He has published over 120 academic papers, secured more than EUR 3.4 million in research grants, and serves on the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. He co-authored the Springer book "Navigating an EU Research Project" with Andreas Dalluege.
Daniel Vaughan, F.IIESMS
Honorary Member - Daniel served as Secretary of the Institute for many years, maintaining the organisation through periods of transition from the Irish Work Study Institute through to IIESMS. He stepped down from the Secretary role at the 2022 AGM and remains on the Council in an honorary capacity, providing counsel and continuity. He nominated Victoria Wilmott as the Institute's first female President.
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.
Gerard Trehy, CFEng.IIESMS
Fire Safety Group Chair - Gerard chairs the IIESMS Fire Safety Group. He holds a BEng in Fire Engineering and a degree in Fire Safety Engineering. He is the founder of EFAST Ireland, providing fire safety training, emergency response team training, and event medical services. He has presented at national conferences on fire legislation updates and Building Control Regulations, with particular expertise in Part B compliance, fire resistance standards, and external wall systems.
Clodagh Dunphy, CMaintEng.IIESMS
Facilities Management Group Chair - Clodagh leads the Facilities Management sector group. Also serves as Secretary to the National Council.
Dr. Hans-Dieter Schinner, F.IIESMS
Industrial Engineering Group Chair - Hans-Dieter leads the Industrial Engineering sector group and manages the Institute's international operational activities.
Chair position - TBC
Healthcare Group Chair - John chairs the Healthcare sector group. Dean of the School of Health Sciences at SETU Waterford, he brings extensive academic and clinical governance expertise to the role.
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.