The Conference Board appoints Padraig McManus to leadership role

The Conference Board, Inc., the global business membership and research organisation, have named Padraig McManus, Chief Executive, ESB and Brian J. Goggin, Group Chief Executive, Bank of Ireland to leadership roles.

Padraig McManus joins Francisco González Rodríguez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, BBVA; and G.J. (Hans) Wijers, Chairman of the Board of Management, Akzo Nobel NV; as newly-elected Trustees from Europe.

Brian Goggin joins Zsolt Hernadi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, MOL; Denis Kessler, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, SCOR Group; Gerard Kleisterlee, President and Chief Executive Officer, Royal Philips Electronics; and Werner Wenning, Chairman of the Board of Management, Bayer AG; as newly-appointed Global Counsellors from Europe.

Commenting on the new appointments, Vice President and Managing Director of The Conference Board Europe, Barbara Reno said: "We are particularly delighted to welcome Padraig McManus and Brian Goggin to The Conference Board in their new roles. We are pleased to have such well-respected and experienced business executives working with us.

"I also want to pay a special tribute to three European Trustees whose terms have just concluded: Niall Fitzgerald KBE; Rijkman Groenink; and Sir Martin Sorrell. They have played an enormous role in helping to shape the direction of The Conference Board in recent years. Their wisdom and insight have been invaluable and I want to thank them for their contribution and outstanding leadership."

The Conference Board is one of the world's leading business membership and research organisations. Non-partisan and not-for-profit, it brings together senior executives from 2,000 of the world's largest companies in 60 countries. Founded in 1916, The Conference Board has operated in Europe for over 25 years, supporting the region's major businesses by identifying key issues on subjects such as the future workforce, strategic risk management and the roles and responsibilities of boards of directors.

Trustees are experienced business leaders who oversee the business and affairs of the The Conference Board, Inc. Their function compares to the board of directors of a commercial public company.