Armagh Observatory and Planetarium - Board Membership

AOP Board and Management Committee Membership

All positions are unremunerated. The time commitment for a Board of Governor is 3 days per annum.  Members' commitment to the AOP Management Committee is 12 days per annum.

Board of Governors

Mr Greg Cox
March 2021 - February 2031

Mr Cox is a solicitor (England and Wales) and the Chief Executive of a law firm. He brings added value to Armagh Observatory and Planetarium with his distinctive combination of legal expertise and commercial perspective. He is a member of the Civil Procedure Rules Committee for England and Wales and a non-executive Director of Evora Hospice. Outside of his professional life he has a lifelong interest in astronomy and space exploration. He does not currently hold any other public appointments.

Management Committee

Mr Eugene Rooney
March 2021 - February 2031

Mr Rooney is a former Senior Civil Servant who has held a variety of  senior positions in a number of Government Departments. He has extensive experience of governance and financial and performance management working with Departmental Arm’s Length Bodies in economic development, health and education. His most recent roles were in the Department for the Economy with responsibilities for economic strategy, skills, further education, apprenticeships, youth training and tourism. He has also previously worked in the Departments of Health, Finance and Education, as well as the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. He does not currently hold any other public appointments.

Ms Grainne McVeigh
June 2024 - May 2029

Ms Gráinne McVeigh is Director of Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering and Life Sciences, at Invest NI, Northern Ireland’s economic development agency, responsible for promoting and developing companies in these sectors to compete internationally and encouraging new investment. In her career at Invest NI, Gráinne held the position of Head of International Sales and Marketing and before joining Invest Northern Ireland, Gráinne worked for SkillSoft Corporation, an online learning company where she managed global accounts. Gráinne has a degree in French from Lancaster University and an MBA in International Business from University of Ulster. Gráinne also holds a Diploma in Marketing, a Diploma in Personnel Management and a Diploma in Company Direction, from the Institute of Directors and is a Chartered Director. She does not currently hold any other public appointments.

Mr Ronan O’Hara
June 2024 - May 2029

Mr Ronan O’Hara is the Chief Executive Officer and Accountable Officer for Crown Estate Scotland through which he is responsible for all aspects of corporate governance and risk management. He has experience in supporting Local and Central Government in Northern Ireland and England, developing and maintaining a range of successful partnerships. He previously worked within the Strategic Investment Board, focussing on the delivery of the NI Executive’s Asset Management Strategy. He does not currently hold any other public appointments.