Governance

Asiera and the Board of Directors

Asiera Technology Services (trading as ‘Asiera’ formerly HEAnet) Ireland’s National Education and Research Network, was incorporated in November 1997 and provides internet connectivity and associated ICT services to education and research organisatons throughout Ireland, including all primary and post-primary schools. Up to 31 December 2025, Asiera had one subsidiary company, EduCampus Services, which was incorporated in April 2015 as subsidiary company of HEAnet to implement, maintain, and support business-critical systems for clients in the education sector. At the end of 2025, EduCampus was absorbed into Asiera under a merger-by-absorption, whereby all assets and liabilities were transferred to Asiera as the wholly owned and parent company.

Asiera has charitable tax status and is a registered charity with the Charities Regulatory Authority (“CRA”). Asiera is governed by the Companies Act 2014 and is a Company Limited by Guarantee (“CLG”). In addition, the Board follows best practice corporate governance and complies with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (the Code) to the extent practicable and possible.

The Ordinary Members and Directors of the Company are appointed in accordance with the Constitution and the Companies Act 2014.

The Board of Asiera is responsible for promoting the company’s success by leading and directing its activities. The Board provides strategic guidance to the organisation and monitors and reviews the company’s activities and the effectiveness of management.

The Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025 is now available here.

The Current Board Directors are listed below:

Board Chair: Professor Mike Murphy

Ms. Allison Kavanagh
Dr. Billy Bennett
Mr. Braonán Gardiner
Mr. Colm Hennessy
Mr. David Denieffe
Mr. David Smith

Ms. Frances O’Connell
Ms. Nora Geary
Ms. Rachel O’Connell
Mr. Phillip Fischer
Dr. Paul Feldman

The current Ordinary Members of Asiera are listed below:

Dublin City University Dr. Declan Raftery
Technological University Dublin Mr. David Robinson
Maynooth University Dr. Mike O’Malley
University of Galway Ms. Sharon Bailey
Technological Universities Association Mr. Cormac O’Toole (SETU)
Trinity College Dublin Ms. Victoria Butler
University College Cork Ms. Nora Geary
University College Dublin Professor Colin Scott
University of Limerick Professor Shane Kilcommins

Ms. Emma Cuddihy

Asiera Committees:

Four Asiera committees report to the Board of Asiera:

Asiera Audit & Risk Committee:

The Asiera Audit & Risk Committee’s primary function is to assist the Board of Asiera in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities for matters relating to risk management, controls, and governance.

Asiera appoints an independent firm of auditors to conduct its internal audit function, and the Audit & Risk Committee agrees an internal audit plan for a rolling three-year period. The auditors undertake an annual System of Internal Financial Control Audit, as well as other audits that focus on key business areas identified in the Asiera Risk Registers.

The current Asiera Audit & Risk Committee members are:
Dr. Billy Bennett (Committee Chair)
Ms. Allison Kavanagh
Ms. Frances O’Connell
Mr. Braonán Gardiner
Mr. Cormac McSweeney (Independent Committee External Member)

Asiera Finance Sub-Committee:

The main function of the Asiera Finance Sub-Committee is to support the Asiera Board in ensuring appropriate financial oversight.

The current Asiera Finance Sub-Committee members are:

Mr. Phillip Fischer (Committee Chair)
Professor Mike Murphy
Ms. Rachel O’Connell
Mr. David Smith
Mr. Mark McGrath (Independent External Committee Member)

Asiera Remuneration Committee:

The Asiera Remuneration Committee meets bi-annually to review and consider the performance and remuneration of the Asiera Chief Executive Officer.

The current Asiera Remuneration Committee members are:

Dr. Paul Feldman (Committee Chair)
Professor Mike Murphy
Mr. David Smith
Mr. David Denieffe

Asiera Nomination Committee:

The Asiera Nomination Committee’s role is to:

  • regularly review the structure, size and composition (including the skills, knowledge, experience, and diversity) of the Board and make recommendations regarding any changes;
  • give full consideration to succession planning for Directors, considering the challenges and opportunities facing the Company and the skills and expertise needed on the relevant Board(s) in the future;
  • keep up to date and fully informed about strategic issues and operational changes affecting the Company and the sector/market in which they operate;
  • be responsible for engaging with representative bodies in relation to any, actual or upcoming, representative body Board vacancies; and
  • identifying and nominating for the approval of the Board, candidates to fill Asiera Board vacancies.

The current Asiera Nomination Committee members are:

Dr. Orla Flynn (Committee Chair) (External Committee Member)
Mr. Colm Hennessy
Mr. David Denieffe
Mr. Patrick Magee (External Committee Member)

Board and Sub-Committee attendance and expenses:

The directors do not receive remuneration for their services as per the company’s Constitution. However, travel costs and expenses incurred by directors in connection with the business of the company are reimbursed in accordance with the rates approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

Asiera Company Constitution

Click here to view Asiera Company Constitution.