- CEO
- October 2012
Ian is CEO of spunout, Ireland’s youth information and support platform working towards an Ireland where all young people are empowered and supported to thrive. spunout supports thousands of young people in Ireland each month across range of free, anonymous online services including ‘Text About It’ a 24/7 messaging service providing everything from a calming chat to immediate support for our mental health and emotional wellbeing. ‘Text About It’ has engaged young people in over 180,000 supportive conversations since its launch.
Ian is also Adjunct Associate Professor at UCD School of Psychology, a member of the National Implementation Monitoring Committee of ‘Sharing the Vision’ (Ireland’s national mental health policy), and the National Mental Health Research Strategy Expert Group. He was previously a member of the Government’s National Taskforce on Youth Mental Health.
In addition, Ian holds independent non-executive directorships of Community Foundation Ireland and of the Citizens Information Board, and is a former President of the National Youth Council of Ireland (2015-2019). Ian is also a member of TikTok’s European Safety Advisory Council.
Ian has a particular interest in the area of juvenile justice and holds an advanced diploma in the subject from the King’s Inn, along with a U.S. State Department professional fellowship in juvenile justice and the rule of law from Boston College.
Ian completed the Certificate and Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors (Dip IoD) in 2019 and is working towards Chartered Director (CDir) designation.
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