Martin Shanahan is partner and head of industry at Grant Thornton since June 2023. Martin is an experienced leader with extensive understanding of global business and economy. Martin was CEO of IDA Ireland, Ireland’s Industrial Development Agency from 2014 to 2023, leading a huge expansion in investments and employment in the Foreign Direct Investment 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 2019.
From 2010 to 2014, Martin was CEO and board member of Forfás – Ireland’s policy advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation. 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.
Martin is the recipient of the Irish Academy of Management, T.K. Whitaker Award 2023 for lifetime contribution to the economy and society.