Norma Smurfit, CHAIRPERSON. Norma is very well known for her philanthropic work in Ireland over the past forty years. Norma is proud of her family’s socialist tradition which gave her a very well developed social conscience. Since coming to Ireland in the 60’s, Norma has earned her place as the doyenne of fundraising and philanthropic work in both the business and charity sectors. Her attitude has always been that it is good to be able to give something back and lend a hand where help is needed. She founded First-Step in 1991 to give people a chance to get started in business and has remained as its very active Chairperson since then. She sits on many Boards including National College of Ireland Foundation Board, St. Patrick’s Trust and Gáisce amongst others. The library in the National College of Ireland (NCI) has been named in her honour to mark all the work she has done in the education, charity and business sectors over the years.

David O’Reilly, appointed to the Board in 2006, formerly Managing Director at Bankers Trust and Credit Suisse First Boston and Principal in Long Island Hedge Fund Renaissance Technology. Since moving back to Ireland, Mr. O’Reilly has become involved in various entrepreneurial ventures. He is currently Governor at St Gerard’s School in Bray. Mr. O’Reilly also sits on the Dublin Cemeteries Committee.

Derry O’ Donovan was appointed to the Board in 1999. A graduate of UCC and UCD, he recently retired as Senior Business Adviser with AIB Bank. Mr. O’Donovan is a Director of The Friends of Saint Lukes Hospital, having served as Vice Chairman of the National Cancer Hospital for many years. Mr O’ Donovan is a former Chairman of the Irish Red Cross Society and a National President of the Agricultural Science Association. A published author he was previously a non Executive Director of the ESB.

Gabriel J. Moloney, a founder member of First-Step and a career international banker, with over 40 years experience at top management level. Mr. Moloney was Chairman of the Dublin Theatre Festival for six years, is a Board Member of the Mater Hospital Foundation and Member and former Master Warden of the Company of Goldsmiths of Dublin. Mr. Moloney acts as an adviser on corporate and financial issues to Hibernia College Dublin. He is a member of the Institute of Directors and a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers.

Gerry O’Neill, appointed to the Board in 2009. Gerry is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (ACMA). Formerly Financial Controller and Company Secretary of T.P. Whelehan Son & Co Ltd. he became a Board Member of the Group in 1982 and was part of the senior management team who completed a management buyout of the Group in 1998. Since 2005 Mr. O’Neill acts for some private clients in a consultancy capacity.

John Loughrey was appointed to the Board of First Step in 2006. Mr. Loughrey worked with the European Investment Bank and a number of Government Departments serving as Secretary General of the Department of Energy, the Department of Transport Energy and Communications and the Department of Public Enterprise. Mr. Loughrey was formerly a board member of the IDA Ireland and the National Pensions Board and a council member of the National Economic and Social Council. His current business interests include membership of the Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal and the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.

Ray Bates was appointed to the Board of First Step in 2010. Mr. Bates was Director of the National Lottery from 1989 to 2006 and before that he held a number of senior positions in the Irish Civil Service, in the Departments of Finance, Public Service and Social Welfare. He was the Head of Computer Operations in the OECD, based in Paris from 1980 to 1984. He is the Honorary President of the European Association of State Lotteries. His current business interests include Chair of the Board of Irish National Opera and a member of the Board of the Feis Ceoil. He is very active in international gaming consultancy. Ray has a BSc in Computer Science and an M Econ Sc, both from Trinity College Dublin.