Board of Directors

Joseph McNeill has 40 years’ experience as a statistician and economist with a deep insight into statistical issues, policy implications and strategy development. He was formerly Head of Statistics at the Central Bank of Ireland and a member of the Central Bank’s senior leadership group, leading a team of 60 staff to provide the statistics required for the policy functions of the Central Bank and the European Central Bank (ECB). In this role he was also responsible for overseeing relationships with stakeholders, both nationally and internationally. He has served on a number of international committees, including the Statistics Committee of the ECB, the Executive of Committee for Monetary, Financial and Balance of Payments Statistics (CMFB), and was Vice-Chairman of the Irving Fisher Committee (the International Association for Central Bank Statistics) from 2009 to 2011. Joseph holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Economics from Queen’s University Belfast and a Diploma in Accountancy and Finance from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He is a member of the Irish Economic Association and the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland. He is also Chairperson of Board of Management of St. Brigid’s Girls’ National School in Foxrock.

Anthony joined Foscadh Housing in 2007 and is passionate about housing and making a meaningful contribution to Ireland’s homelessness crisis. As Company Secretary he is responsible for ensuring the Association’s operational strategy aligns with compliance requirements, and for helping the Board to fulfil its fiduciary duties. He is also an effective communicator and negotiator and noted for his ability to successfully manage onsite meetings. Anthony is retired member of the Department of Defence where for over 30 years he held senior positions. At Foscadh Housing, he has applied his unique skills to develop a comprehensive archive of each stage of construction across the Association’s developments, resulting in an invaluable reference tool for future works and services providers. Anthony is a director of his own successful graphic design and signage business based in Drogheda.

Charles joined the Foscadh Housing Board in 2007 and was appointed Chairperson from 2009 until 2014. He has widespread management experience in the private sector and during his tenure as Chair of the Foscadh Housing Board, he provided valuable oversight of the Association’s coordinated centralisation of its administration from Scariff County Clare, Rosegreen County Tipperary and Dundalk County Louth to the remodelled and purpose-designed Drogheda headquarters. His can-do attitude and keen interest in the effects of homelessness is a driving force in his commitment to social housing delivery and his continued important role at Foscadh Housing. He is well-known by tenants for his engaging and warm approach, often stopping by estates to say “hello” and learn about tenants’ concerns. He is keenly supportive of the Loving Life Children’s Choir, a Foscadh Housing initiative, and the opportunities it presents to children for a safe and friendly environment for self-expression through song. Charles is also actively involved in a number of other local community organisations and charities.

Eadaoin has extensive experience in the property and housing sectors as well as the charity sector and brings deep insight into housing regulations and best practice to the Foscadh Board. She is currently a Housing Officer with Respond Housing and has previously held positions in construction, property consultancy and a homeless charity where she gained valuable experience across all aspects of housing development and delivery, property maintenance and management, tenant liaison and social care. Eadaoin holds a Master’s in Real Estate alongside several other qualifications in construction economics and management, construction technology and construction maintenance. She is a PRSA Licensed Property Services Provider (A, B, C and D).

Brian Cavanagh has more than 25 years’ experience in strategic leadership and governance throughout Ireland and Scotland. He brings valuable knowledge and experience to the Foscadh Board, from in-depth insight into board governance and performance, to the development of community embedded, person centred and independent living models of housing and care. Brian is the Director of Calibrate Ltd, a trusted mentoring and coaching consultancy which offers expertise in leadership, governance, policy development and change management within the private and non-profit sectors. He also chairs the Board of Synaptik, an SME providing health care solutions, and was previously Chair of Scotland’s second largest health board, NHS Lothian. Brian holds a degree in history and politics, and a Certificate in Business Coaching from the University of Stirling. He is committed to making a meaningful contribution to an inclusive society and has a particular interest housing and care developments, especially in the field of digital care.

Liza Halpin is an accomplished professional with over 25 years of diverse experience in project management, asset management, operations, and client services. She is currently the Property Asset Manager of a family office, where she has managed the property portfolio for the past five years. She has successfully taken many disused and underperforming sites within the portfolio through demolition, planning and disposal. Prior to this Liza spent eight years in Project Management and Operations at a leading European food manufacturing business., Her earlier career was in Finance, having commenced her professional career on the Graduate Training Programme in a large Stockbroking Firm. She help Her roles in Compliance and Head of Clients Services were an excellent training ground for her future roles. Liza holds a Professional Diploma in Business Finance from Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, a Master of Business Studies in Management of Organisation Studies from University College Dublin, and a Bachelor of Business and Legal Studies (BBLS) from University College Dublin.

Andrew McKeon brings extensive international experience and strategic acumen to the Foscadh Housing board. He possesses expertise in real estate asset strategy, management, and transactions, having worked with leading housing associations, FTSE 100 companies, and investment funds. Andrew served as Head of Asset Disposals at Clarion Housing Group, Europe's largest social housing entity, where he managed assets worth £26 billion and executed £550 million in successful disposal transactions. He developed and gained approval for Clarion's PRS investment fund and real estate asset strategy. As a Board Director at Landericus Ltd and Landericus Holdings Ltd, he oversaw asset performance and regulatory governance for a European residential investment fund. Previously, he led the Private Rent Portfolio at Circle Housing Group, managing a mixed portfolio in Germany and executing significant asset disposal transactions. Andrew's earlier roles include Business Development Director at Aspinals and Clermont Clubs and Group Strategy and Business Manager at Tomkins Plc, where he drove strategic initiatives and international profitability. He holds multiple degrees including a Master of Science in Business Studies and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Studies from Smurfit Graduate Business School, a Master of Economics (Finance) from University College Dublin, and is currently studying for a Master of Science in Real Estate from the Technological University Dublin.

Brian Dolan is a qualified Chartered Accountant with over 40 years’ experience. After training as an accountant with PwC in Dublin, Brian joined the publicly-listed French building materials group Saint Gobain, one of the world’s largest building materials manufacturers. Throughout his extensive career with Saint Gobain, Brian worked in South East Asia, the United Kingdom and returned to Ireland in 2010 as Managing Director for Saint Gobain Construction Products Ireland. Brian is experienced leading large and diverse teams and has played a key role in strategy development and change management. He has strong financial acumen and is very attuned to an organisation’s critical financial levers. Brian holds a Bachelor of Commerce from University College Dublin and a Diploma in Strategic Management from the Irish Management Institute.