The chief executive of the Higher Education Authority, Graham Love, has announced his resignation. His resignation comes after less than two years in the role, which he took up the role in March of 2017. He is expected to step down in October.
Dr Love said that during his “brief tenure” he had “endeavoured to make strategic development of a core element of HEA activities”. He recognised the important contribution that the organisation makes to higher education and wished it success in the future.
Chairman of the HEA, Michael Horgan praised Dr Love and said “since joining the HEA, he has overseen the reorganisation of the internal management of the Authority, the production of a new plan and the recruitment of key staff”.
According to the Irish Times, his resignation was due to “frustration at senior levels over the extent of control from the Department of Education”. They claim that the frustration has resulted in “the organisation’s lack of independence and relevance”.
According to Horgan, the HEA will act in “quickly securing an interim CEO and setting about recruiting a permanent replacement”.
Dr Love was appointed to the role in January of last year, with the HEA recognising his “extensive experience in leading organisations and in supporting change”. This was following the retirement of Tom Boland, who retired following two decades in control of the organisation.
Dr Love is the former head of the Health Research Board, and has also worked in many senior roles in Science Foundation Ireland. These roles include Head of Strategy, Director of Policy and Interim Director General. He also has a PhD in cell biology
