As a member of the Institute of Directors, I have been awarded both the Certificate in Company Direction and the IoD Diploma in Company Direction, achieving distinctions in all exam modules.

I opened Medwell Pharmacy in Tuam Shopping Centre in 2005 with a business partner. Since then, the pharmacy has provided prescriptions, vaccinations, medicines and health advice as well as the widest range of affordable health and beauty products, cosmetics and fragrances to the people of Tuam and surrounding areas seven days a week. In January 2016, having bought out my partner, Medwell joined the Allcare family of Irish-owned pharmacies to ensure we can continue to bring the widest range of products, the highest service standards and the best possible value to our customers long into the future.

TouchStore is now the fastest growing provider of pharmacy and retail management software in Ireland. TouchStore's primary focus and mission is to assist businesses throughout Ireland realise their full potential. The company's innovative spirit is a direct result of the unrivalled quality of our products and our commitment to outstanding customer service, enabling our customers to manage their businesses efficiently, run their day-to-day operations in the most effective way possible and stay on top of their finances.www.touchstore.ie/

The Irish Medicines Verification Organisation (IMVO) is a not-for-profit organisation set up by a range of stakeholders across the medicines supply chain in Ireland (pharmaceutical manufacturers, parallel distributors, wholesalers and community pharmacists) to protect Irish patients from the threat of falsified medicines being supplied through legitimate channels. The establishment of IMVO is mandated by EU law, specifically, the Falsified Medicines Directive (Directive 2011/62/EU). IMVO is managed by a Board of Directors which includes nominees from each of IMVO’s founding members and an independent chairperson.As a founding director, I negotiated and agreed the company constitution and funding model with other stakeholders in the medicines supply chain and relevant regulators and helped oversee the establishment of the company's operations and governance structures. As chair of the Finance Committee, I have particular responsibility for oversight of the finance function and controls around €2.2m in annual revenues.www.imvo.ie

The World Pharmacy Council (WPC) was established to provide community pharmacy with a voice to influence health policy internationally. The WPC is an Associate Expert Group member of Business at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The mission of the WPC is to build international recognition of community pharmacy, its role, policies and value, and to influence, promote and secure acceptance of community pharmacy as an important and integral part of health systems. As Board member and Treasurer, I have responsibility for oversight of the organisation, in particular for financial controls and policies.www.worldpharmacycouncil.org/

The Irish Pharmacy Union is the professional representative and leadership organisation for community pharmacists in Ireland.As pharmacists, our commitment is to deliver a quality, accessible, personal and professional service that puts the patient first. The IPU vision is to be the authoritative voice of community pharmacy and a driving force in the evolution of accessible, equitable and patient-focused primary healthcare.As Secretary General, I have overall responsibility for the management of the organisation and its resources, including a core team of 25 staff and €5m in annual revenues, and for consistently ensuring delivery of the strategic objectives set out in the IPU Statement of Strategy. During my tenure, we have increased our membership levels to 95% of all pharmacies in Ireland, from small independent pharmacies to large corporates. In 2020 the IPU won the annual Public Relations Institute of Ireland national award for best Public Affairs Campaign for a successful high-profile campaign to prevent government implementing its plans to impose substantial cuts in funding to the pharmacy sector and in 2021 IPU advocacy on behalf of local pharmacists saw them voted by the public as Ireland's no.1 most trusted profession (ref Ipsos MRBI Veracity Index 2021). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the IPU secured a significant role for community pharmacists in the national COVID-19 vaccination programme which saw over 750,000 vaccine doses administered in local pharmacies, with clinical and professional support from the IPU. We also helped deliver an electronic prescription system for GPs and pharmacists and changes in regulations to allow pharmacists to extend and repeat prescriptions to ensure continued supply of medicines to patients and the public at a time when access to doctors was extremely restricted.Website: www.ipu.ie

As Treasurer, my role was to scrutinise the financial affairs of PGEU on behalf of the Executive Committee and, with the Secretary General, to report on the financial status of the organisation to the PGEU membership at the General Assembly.

I was elected President of the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU), the representative body for national associations and professional bodies of community pharmacists in 34 European countries representing approx. 400,000 European community pharmacists and 170,000 pharmacies. PGEU advocates for the perspective of community pharmacy in relation to legislative and policy initiatives at EU level which affect our profession and/or public health. Its main objective is to develop the contribution made by community pharmacists to European patients and health systems.In addition to the normal representation and political activities, as President I led the successful recruitment of a new Secretary General (CEO) to guide the organisation into the next decade and enhanced the professional activities of PGEU by leading the merger of the former WHO-affiliate Europharm Forum into the existing PGEU structures .http://www.pgeu.eu/

HIQA is a statutory authority which • Drives quality, safety and accountability in healthcare by developing standards, monitoring compliance and carrying out investigations• Carries out Health Technology Assessments (HTA) across the health system, objectively evaluating new technologies from a clinical perspective• Advises on the collection and sharing of information across healthcare services • Evaluates the delivery and performance of Ireland’s health and social care services and publishes information about services and standardsThe Board, which is appointed by the Minister for Health, is the governing body of the Authority, responsible for its appropriate governance and for ensuring that there are effective systems of internal control, statutory and operational compliance and risk management.While on the Board, I chaired the Information, Research & Technology Committee and also served on the Audit & Corporate Governance Committee.Website: www.hiqa.ie

Pharmacy Management SoftwareWebsite: www.touchstore.ie

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) was established under the Pharmacy Act 2007 as the pharmacy regulator.The PSI is governed by a 21 member Council, with a non-pharmacist majority, appointed by the Minister for Health. The primary role of the PSI Council is protection of the public interest through the effective regulation of the profession and practice of pharmacyThe main role of the PSI includes:• registration of pharmacists and pharmacies;• improving the profession of pharmacy;• accreditation of educational programmes for the pharmacy profession at different levels;• quality assurance of standards, and the development of pharmacy practice;• inspection and enforcement, including the taking of prosecutions;• handling complaints and disciplinary matters, including the imposition of sanctions;• provision of advice to the Government on pharmacy care, treatment and service in Ireland.Website: www.thePSI.ie

Established a very successful new pharmacy, in partnership with a former employee, who then bought out my shareholding after three years.

Acquired an existing pharmacy business in 1999, established Galway's first late-night pharmacy and grew revenues by 800% before selling the business in 2003.

Responsible for professional pharmacy standards and practices across the Phelan Pharmacy group, reporting directly to the company owners.