April 2023 BC

This month’s Leadership Academy Breakfast Club was one of our most requested topics, Succession Planning.

Succession planning is the process of passing leadership roles down to employees in the organisation. It is often used to refer to planning for the exit of a senior manager, but all organisations should be working on a Leadership Pipeline in their organisation. It is not just for the Leaders planning to leave, but also so upcoming Leaders have a clear understanding of the direction of the organisation and where their own path might go.  .  

This month we had two great speakers to share their own experiences of Succession Planning the exit of a CEO. 

Dermot Mc Laughlin is an experienced director and Board Chairperson in the nonprofit sector. He is also a consultant in the nonprofit sector in the areas of strategy, organisational planning and change. Dermot has been involved in strategic succession planning for organisations, both as Chair of a board and in his work as a strategic consultant. Dermot works closely with Boards, CEO’s, management teams, steering groups, staff and external stakeholders to ensure that their needs and objectives are met and that options and decisions are based on the best information and evidence available. 

Sharon O’Halloran Sharon O’Halloran is currently redefining her work life balance. Prior to this, she was the CEO of SAFE Ireland for 19 years. When Sharon decided it was time to leave her post in 2019 she had to make some interesting manoeuvres to make sure the succession plan was, well, successful. She is a Biodynamic Psychotherapist providing Role Consultancy and Mentoring for those wishing to re-invent themselves in their work and re-imagine a new work paradigm.  She is a Yoga Nidra guide, swims all year round and lives in the North West.