New CIPD market director poised to continue supporting the growth of the people profession in Ireland
Alison Hodgson appointed as the CIPD’s new market director for Ireland, taking over from Mary Connaughton who held the position for a decade
Alison Hodgson appointed as the CIPD’s new market director for Ireland, taking over from Mary Connaughton who held the position for a decade
The CIPD has announced the appointment of Alison Hodgson as its new market director for Ireland. Alison will take over from Mary Connaughton, who has led our mission to support the growth and development of the people profession in Ireland for over a decade.
Alison is a Chartered Companion of the CIPD and was recognised as one of the 50 most influential CHROs in Ireland in 2024. She brings extensive HR and organisational development experience from senior roles across several sectors, and joins us from RSM Ireland, where she was Consulting Partner of Transformation, HR and Change.
“This is a pivotal time for the people profession and the world of work. Ireland has a vibrant and evolving HR landscape and I’m excited to support our members and partners in navigating the challenges and opportunities we face.”
Set to join us later this year, Alison will lead the CIPD’s strategic growth and engagement in Ireland, focusing on key areas such as skills, wellbeing and flexible working. She will oversee the team in Dublin and work closely with colleagues and stakeholders to influence policy in the ever-changing world of work.
This news comes as we continue to expand our reach and impact in Ireland, where we’ve built strong relationships with policymakers, employers and the profession. With a focus on strengthening professional capability, we’ve partnered with organisations such as the Irish civil service and Irish Rail to develop people standards frameworks. We’ve also formed a new Eastern Region Committee that’s responsible for delivering local events and networking opportunities for members.
We're also looking forward to hosting our largest-ever Annual Conference and Exhibition in Ireland on 15 May. Taking place at the RDS in Dublin, the event will bring the profession together to explore key themes such as managing disruption and delivering meaningful impact.
“This is a crucial time for the profession in Ireland. We look forward to working with Alison to lead in this space. I’m also pleased that we’ll continue to work closely with Mary, who has been a fantastic ambassador.”
Current director, Mary Connaughton, who has led our work in Ireland since 2015, is taking on a new part-time position as strategic engagement director for the CIPD. In this role, Mary will focus on strengthening relationships with senior stakeholders and further growing our influence in the region.
“I’m very much looking forward to welcoming Alison and getting started on my new challenge. The role will allow me to focus on strengthening relationships with key stakeholders and clients, helping to amplify our reputation and impact across Ireland.”
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