Rethink Ireland, the national organisation supporting Ireland’s most innovative non-profits, is delighted to announce Dalton Philips as non-executive chair of the board. Dalton is CEO of Dublin Airport Authority (which owns and operates both Dublin Airport and Cork Airport). His previous roles include CEO of Brown Thomas Group, CEO of Morrisons (UK), and Chief Operating Officer of Loblaw Companies (Canada).

Dalton Philips succeeds Terence O’Rourke, who has recently completed his five year-term as chair and will remain on the board of Rethink Ireland.

Dalton Philips said, “It is a privilege to take on the role of the chair after serving for four years as a non-executive director. I would like to thank Terence O’Rourke for his service and leadership over the past five years which saw Rethink Ireland achieve exponential growth and deep impact.’’

Rethink Ireland has grown from a start-up with a turnover of €98,000 in 2015 to a high growth organisation with a projected turnover of €17 million in 2020.  During this period, the organisation has supported over 200 social innovations to reach over 200,000 people and enable 864 people experiencing disadvantage into employment.

Throughout this growth, Rethink Ireland have continuously focused efforts at strengthening their board and management team. In June this year, the organisation appointed Dr Michael Barron as Head of their Equality Fund. A high profile advocate for equality, Michael was the founding director of both BeLonG To, Ireland’s national organisation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Intersex young people and EQUATE, Equality in Education. He is a Council of Europe expert in the area of Human Rights. The Equality fund is one of the largest philanthropic funds for equality in Ireland in many years and through this fund, Rethink Ireland seeks to transform the Irish equality landscape by supporting our country’s most marginalised communities.

Dalton Philips concluded “Rethink Ireland supports Ireland’s most innovative charities and social enterprises through cash grants and business supports. As we continue to face the challenges posed by COVID-19 and look to the ‘next to normal’, Rethink Ireland will play a pivotal role in Ireland’s recovery and in creating a more sustainable, equal and inclusive society through innovation.’’