Martin Shanahan

Partner and head of industry at Grant Thornton Ireland

Martin Shanahan is partner and head of industry and foreign direct investment at accounting and consultancy firm Grant Thornton Ireland since June 2023. Martin was CEO of IDA Ireland, Ireland’s Industrial Development Agency from September 2014 to January 2023, leading a huge expansion in investments and employment in the FDI sector in Ireland during that period. Martin was a Board member of IDA Ireland and Chairman of IDA Ireland's Investment Committee.

Martin is an Adjunct Full Professor at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business since September 2019.

Previously, he was Chief Executive from 2010 to 2014 of Forfás – Ireland’s policy advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation. Martin served on the Management Advisory Committee of the Irish Ministry of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation from 2010 to 2014 and became Deputy Secretary General of the Department on Integration of Forfás and the Ministry in 2014.

Martin has been to the forefront of the development of enterprise and innovation policy in Ireland for many years including leading at official level the development of the Irish Government’s Action Plan for Jobs post the global financial crisis. Martin has served on numerous national level taskforces and committees including Ireland’s National Competitiveness and Productivity Council and the National Skills Council.

Martin is an advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion and has been recognised for his leadership on LGBTQ+ issues.

He is the recipient of the Irish Academy of Management, T.K. Whitaker Award 2023 for lifetime contribution to the economy and society.