Engineers Ireland, the professional membership body for engineers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Damien Owens as its new Director General with immediate effect.

Damien Owens joined Engineers Ireland in 2010, first serving as its Registrar, its Chief Risk Officer and most recently as Interim Director General.

Announcing the appointment, the President of Engineers Ireland, John Power, said: “Damien Owens has extensive experience and knowledge of the organisation since he joined Engineers Ireland in 2010.  His management and strong corporate, strategic and operational expertise, makes him an ideal leader to deliver on the mission and vision of Engineers Ireland.  I am confident that under his leadership, our institution will continue to support our engineering community in their work, ensuring the highest levels of competence and integrity.

“On behalf of our Council and Executive Board, I wish Damien every success in his new role and assure him of our full support.”

Damien Owens said: “It is a privilege and honour to be the Director General of Engineers Ireland.  With the many challenges we are experiencing in our society at this time including a War in Ukraine, climate change, energy vulnerability and high inflation, the expertise of our professional engineering membership will be very important in finding practical and cost-effective solutions to the societal challenges we face now and into the future.   I look forward to contributing to the journey ahead as the institution and its broad membership of over 25,000 engineers, continues to make a sustainable and positive impact on our society and on our economy.”

A native of Dublin, Damien Owens graduated as an Electronic Engineer from Trinity College Dublin in 1983. He later gained a Higher Diploma in Computer Modelling and Simulation, a Master’s Degree in Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.  Before joining Engineers Ireland in 2010, Damien worked with Amdahl Computers and eircom in a wide variety of roles.  He is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Ireland.

Damien is currently the Chair of the International Engineering Alliance and President of the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education. He is a Board Member of the European Society for Engineering Education and a member of the Medical Devices Committee of Ireland’s National Office for Research Ethics Committees.