Martin Shanahan

Experience

Martin joined Grant Thornton as Partner and Head of Industry in 2023. He is an experienced leader with extensive experience in strategic planning, policy development, marketing, investment decision-making and leadership, operating at the most senior levels internationally in both the public and private sectors.

Martin is an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, and he has been recognised for his leadership on LGBTQ+ equality issues.

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Sector Expertise

Martin was CEO of IDA Ireland, Ireland’s Industrial Development Agency, from 2014 to 2023, leading a huge expansion in investments, employment and economic impact in the FDI sector in Ireland during that period.

From 2010 to 2014, Martin was CEO of Forfás, the Irish Government’s policy advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation. He has been at the forefront of the development of enterprise, innovation and labour market policy in Ireland, including an official role in leading the development of the Irish Government’s Action Plan for Jobs after the global financial crisis.

Martin has experience working with international companies across many sectors, including technology, consumer and business services, bio-pharmaceuticals, medical technologies, financial services, engineering and food, advising them on their global location decisions and strategies for investing in Ireland.

He has experience working in the private and public sector in Hospitality and Tourism and previously served as the Head of Professional Development at Failte Ireland, Ireland’s National Tourism Development Authority.

Since 2019, Martin has been an Adjunct Full Professor at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business.