New appointment to the Gate Theatre Board

The Gate Theatre is pleased to announce the appointment of JOHN MCDONNELL to the Board as Non Executive Director and Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee, effective 25th April 2024.

John is a retired partner and former Chairperson of PwC Ireland.

In his 39 years with PwC, he was the lead audit partner on the firm’s largest and most complex clients, both in the Financial Services sector and the non-Financial Services sector. He also provided the full range of advisory services to these entities. He is a recognised corporate governance, risk, regulatory and accounting expert. His PwC client base included FTSE 100, Irish, UK, German and US listed entities, significant EU financial institutions, Irish pillar banks, government agencies and large private companies.

During his career with PwC he had numerous Irish and Global leadership roles including Chairperson of PwC Ireland Main Board, Member of PwC Ireland Public Interest Board, Chairperson of PwC Global Banking Industry Accounting Committee, Chairperson of PwC Global Impairment Group, Leader of PwC Ireland Financial Services Risk and Regulatory Group, Global Accounting Consulting Services Partner and Irish Leader, and was the PwC Global representative on various committees of accounting standard setters including the IASB and ASB.

Speaking about his appointment to the Board, John McDonnell said, ‘I am delighted to join the Gate Board as I am passionate about the arts and in particular theatre in Ireland. When it comes to theatre, there is only one Gate. I am joining a very strong and committed Board and look forward to working with them to add value to this great Irish cultural institution.’

Chair of the Gate Theatre Board, Sandra Thorpe, commented, ‘I’m delighted to welcome John to the Board; his breadth of capability, impressive track record and experience will be a great asset to the Board and enhance our ability to guide and support the Gate’s strategic development. I very much look forward to working closely with John in the coming years as the Gate benefits from his expertise.’

Róisín McBrinn and Colm O’Callaghan, co-CEOs of the Gate Theatre, added, “We are delighted by John’s appointment both for the exemplary expertise he will bring to the Board in best practice in governance, and for his passion for the Gate and indeed theatre as an art form. We greatly look forward to working with John in the coming years.”