Martin D. Shanahan
Martin D. Shanahan
Chief Executive - Forfás
Martin D. Shanahan is Chief Executive of Forfás, Ireland’s national policy advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation since June 2010.
Martin joined Forfás in 2005 as head of the human capital and labour market policy department before becoming a member of the Forfás Executive team in 2008 and leading the science, technology, innovation and human capital policy division. Prior to joining Forfás, Martin worked with Fáilte Ireland, the national tourism development authority; CERT – the State tourism training agency; and also held senior management positions in the tourism sector. Martin has represented Ireland at international and EU fora and undertaken consultancy work for international bodies on education, skills and labour market issues.
Martin holds a B.Sc. (Management) from Trinity College Dublin; a Higher Diploma and M.Sc. in Hospitality Management from the Dublin Institute of Technology and an M.Res. (Educational Research) from the University of Lancaster. Martin is a Board member of Forfás, the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland and the management board of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. He is also a member of the National Competitiveness Council, the Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation; the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs; and the Research Prioritisation Group. Martin is a Fellow of the Irish Hospitality Institute.