Finance and Asset Management Committee

Tuesday, 26 August 2025, 1 p.m.

Peter Cross (Chair)

Peter Cross is Managing Director of Trasna Corporate Finance, which provides strategic financial advisory services to businesses and investors, and was previously Chief Financial Officer of Eircom and of BT Openreach.  He is a non-executive director of DAA, VHI, Cubic Telecom and a number of renewable energy businesses managed by Arjun Infrastructure, and previously served as chairman of the Audit & Risk Committees of the HSE and of Ervia.  

Antoinette Dunne

Antoinette Dunne is Chief Executive Officer of BCM Global and Non-Executive Chair of the Board of Capitalflow DAC.  Amongst other roles, she was a Director and co-owner of a business and debt consulting firm, Head of Halifax Bank in Ireland and Head of Bank of Scotland's Mortgage and Asset Finance Business.

Valerie Farrell 

Valerie Farrell is Head of Human Resources for Teagasc which employs over 1600 staff who are spread across Ireland in 7 large research centres, 50 advisory offices and 7 colleges. In addition to holding other management roles in Teagasc, she was previously Compensation and Benefits Manager for Intel Ireland and HR Specialist in Xilinx. She served on the Governing Body for Institute of Technology Carlow for seven years up to its formation of the South East Technological University. She was a member of the Audit and Risk Committee and undertook the role of Vice Chair in IT Carlow for two years. She holds a Business Degree from University of Limerick, a Masters in Change Management from University of Brighton and a Diploma in Strategic management from Henley Business School. She holds a Certificate in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion from SETU, is a certified trainer for the European Consultants in Rural Areas (CECRA) and is a member of the Institute of Directors Ireland.

Valerie Farrell was nominated by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

Orla Feely

Niall Gleeson

David Kelly

Michael Roche

Michael Roche currently serves as President of the UCD Students’ Union and, until recently, was a Parliamentary Assistant in Dáil Éireann. He has just completed his third year studying Economics and History at University College Dublin, where he has been actively involved in various clubs and societies. As President of the UCD Students’ Union, Michael is the chief representative and spokesperson for over 30,000 students. He leads the Union’s executive team, advocates for student interests within the university, engages with national stakeholders, and represents the student voice in the media. In addition, he is responsible for setting and overseeing the strategic direction of the Union.

Emma Sokell

Emma Sokell joined UCD in 1999 and is a Professor in the School of Physics. She has been School Head of Teaching & Learning on three occasions, Deputy Head of School (2015-2021) and is currently Head of School. At a UCD level, she is Co-Chair of the Gender Equality Action Group, member of Academic Council Executive Committee, the Dignity and Respect Oversight Group and EDI committee. Past contributions include Science Graduate School Director and member of the AC Examination Committee. She is a member of the Atomic, Molecular and Plasma Physics Group and is currently president of the Irish Federation of University Teachers.