Charities Institute Ireland Appoints Peter Cosgrove as Chair of the Board

Charities Institute Ireland (Cii) is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Cosgrove as the new Chair of its Board of Directors. Peter succeeds Susan O’Dwyer, CEO of Make a Wish Ireland, who has served with distinction and dedication in the role over recent years.
 
Peter Cosgrove is a highly respected leader with an esteemed career spanning the corporate and not-for-profit sectors. He is Managing Director of Futurewise, a foresight consultancy focused on future trends in the world of work, and has held senior leadership roles at CPL Resources, Hudson, PwC and JP Morgan. Peter is also a recognised media commentator and the author of two bestselling books.
 
In the charity sector, Peter has served as Chair and board member of several prominent organisations, including Aware, Brain Tumour Ireland and Junior Achievement Ireland. He is currently Chair of Generation Ireland. Peter is also a board member of the St Patrick’s Festival and the 30% Club Ireland and has contributed to governance initiatives with the Federation of Irish Sport and IBEC’s Future Skills Group.
 
Commenting on the appointment, Áine Myler, CEO of Charities Institute Ireland, said:
 
“We are delighted to welcome Peter Cosgrove as the new Chair of Charities Institute Ireland. Peter brings a wealth of experience in governance, strategy, and leadership across both the corporate and charity sectors. He has consistently demonstrated an ability to communicate and present with clarity and impact, skills that, along with his strengths in stakeholder engagement and future-focused thinking, will be a tremendous asset to Cii. I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to support and strengthen Ireland’s charity sector.”
 
Outgoing Chair Susan O’Dwyer added:
 
“Serving as Chair of Charities Institute Ireland has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Over the past few years, I’ve seen first-hand the strength, resilience, and innovation that define Ireland’s charity sector. It has been an honour to support Cii’s work in raising standards, advocating for the sector, and building a stronger community of charities. I’m genuinely delighted to see Peter Cosgrove take on the role, his insight, integrity and strategic thinking will be invaluable. I wish him every success and look forward to seeing where his leadership takes Cii next.”
 
New Chair Peter Cosgrove said:
 
“I’m delighted to join Charities Institute Ireland as Chair at a very important time for the charity sector. It’s a privilege to take on this role with an organisation dedicated to supporting charities to create positive social change. Cii plays a vital role in strengthening governance and helping the sector thrive. I look forward to championing the voice of charities, building public trust, and helping maximise their impact.”
 
Peter’s appointment aligns with the broader strategic direction of Cii at a time of evolving challenges and opportunities in the sector. The most recent Strategic Report (2024–2027) of Charities Institute Ireland identified four key strategic priorities including…
 

• Represent & Advocate

• Build Public Confidence

• Foster Member Development

• Invest in Organisational Excellence

With a growing need for, and dependence on, not-for-profit and charitable organisations to provide essential care and support for Ireland’s citizens, there is no doubt that strong, strategic leadership is more critical than ever. The appointment of Peter Cosgrove as Chair of Charities Institute Ireland comes at a pivotal time for the sector. His extensive experience in governance, advocacy, and future-focused strategy will be instrumental in guiding Cii’s mission to champion excellence, build public trust, and ensure that professional charities are empowered to deliver lasting impact across Irish society.
 
Peter’s appointment also signals a continued commitment by Cii to championing excellence, transparency, and innovation across Ireland’s charity landscape.
 
For more information, please visit www.charitiesinstitute.ie.