Terence O’Rourke, a notable personality known across Dublin’s business, cultural, and semi-state sectors, has been chosen to lead the beleaguered board of RTÉ. The national broadcaster is currently dealing with a chaotic corporate governance situation, dwindling employee morale, broken public faith, and a quickly vanishing tolerance from politicians. Moreover, the broadcaster is on the brink of a financial crisis that may lead to stringent cost-cutting measures, significant structural overhaul and demanding reforms. Despite these challenges, many believe that the charismatic O’Rourke is more than capable to meet them.
His impressive curriculum vitae has been widely examined since The Irish Times announced his impending appointment late Monday evening. The decision was agreed upon by the three Coalition party leaders following the recommendation from the much-criticised Minister for Media Catherine Martin. O’Rourke is an alumnus of University College Dublin, where he earned a degree in economics and history. Shortly after graduating, he joined Stokes Kennedy Crowley and evolved into a chartered accountant. Through his hard work and dedication, he earned the top role of head of audit in 2003 and was elected managing partner in 2006.
His tenure at the firm, which eventually became part of the global KPMG group, was not without its share of scrutiny. KPMG and other leading accountancy firms were questioned for their role in auditing the accounts of Irish banks leading up to the financial crisis and subsequent bank bailout. Critics have argued that these firms failed to raise sufficient warning regarding the banks’ significant property lending risks.
Defending the audits of Allied Irish Bank before the Oireachtas banking inquiry, O’Rourke strongly stated that their audit work was of high quality. Allied Irish Bank, where KPMG served as auditor, needed a nearly €21 billion State bailout post-2008’s financial disaster, almost €14 billion of which has been recovered till date.
Renowned for his cooperative leadership style, O’Rourke consistently fostered an atmosphere of approachability during his tenure as manager, upholding the legacy of SKC/KPMG for its senior employees to leverage their financial acumen and accountancy skills in voluntary and civic roles. In line with this, he later found himself in board membership roles at the Dublin Theatre Festival, the Women’s Executive Advisory Board, the Hugh Lane Gallery Trust, and the Dublin City University Governing Authority.
In 2013, O’Rourke parted ways with KPMG and embarked on a journey that saw him rise to the position of chairman of Enterprise Ireland and the ESB. His commercial directorships led him to Ballymore and The Irish Times, and he currently holds directorships at Dublin’s Kinsale Capital Management and Hibernia Reit, a property investment company.
O’Rourke is notably well-known within artistic circles, with a former colleague fondly dubbing him an ‘artsy gentleman’ due to his well-read nature. A separate source stated, “He is well-versed in business management, seems to know everyone in Dublin, and boasts a warm, charismatic personality, with a keen interest in the arts.” O’Rourke is easily identifiable due to his distinctive greying hair and is often seen strolling from the city centre to his Wellington Road residence. He is largely liked and respected.
With his vast experience helming boards of significant semi-state establishments, combined with his commercial and financial wisdom, O’Rourke’s services have been sought-after by Government. “He has a keen eye for finance details,” said an individual who had previously served on a board under O’Rourke’s leadership. Recent RTÉ boards have shown a significant lack of this characteristic.
His crucial working relationships will include those with the RTÉ director general Kevin Bakhurst and Minister Catherine Martin. RTÉ has its work cut out to move past its history; achieving order and undergoing much-needed transformation within the station will prove challenging.
In response to O’Rourke’s dedication, a former colleague said: “There’s no doubt he’s doing this out of a sense of duty to the nation,” but adds, “I think he’s off his rocker.”
– Neasa Hardiman
Renowned filmmaker Neasa Hardiman was an essential part of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (Raidió Teilifís Éireann or RTÉ) production teams during the 90s. After her departure, she contemplated her passion and moved towards independent filmmaking. Whilst being in RTÉ, she crafted the broadcaster’s current emblem and contributed to popular shows like Primetime and Fair City as a director.
After exiting the corporation, Hardiman collaborated with online streaming platforms and traditional broadcasting networks, including BBC, Channel 4, RTÉ again, and TG4. In 2019, her first full-length movie, a science-fiction horror named Sea Fever, was greeted with mostly favourable feedback. Presently, she’s serving on the boards of prestigious institutions such as Trinity College Dublin, the Dublin International Film Festival, the Irish Film Institute, and Screen Skills Ireland. She’s got a deep connection with RTÉ that dates back further than her 1990s tenure – her dad, Thomas Hardiman, was the broadcaster’s director-general back in the 1970’s.
Now, on to the next profile. Terri Moloney, a seasoned expert in human resources, has an impressive portfolio that includes both global corporations like Salesforce, Hilti, Boston Scientific, and renowned Irish companies such as Laing O’Rourke Construction and the Kerry Group.
Additionally, she’s worked for the government sector. Last year, the Minister for Enterprise, Simon Coveney, appointed her to the board of Enterprise Ireland. Moloney is also a member of the University College Cork’s governing body, and there she serves on the audit and risk committee.
In a 2020 interview with a business magazine on the subject of female representation in IT firms, she said, “Instead of looking back, we’re now in a position where it’s more beneficial to look ahead; the previously accepted justifications and excuses are no longer plausible.”
You can catch our Inside Politics Podcast for recent analysis and discussions. Push alerts subscription is available to get top news, critical analysis and comments directly on your phone. To stay informed, find The Irish Times on WhatsApp.