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Government's Data Protection chief fills top role at Ludgate

September 15th, 2017 4:27 PM

By Siobhan Cronin

Adrienne Harrington is Ludgate's new ceo

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SKIBBEREEN'S 1GB Digital Hub, Ludgate, has scored something of a coup in getting the government's former Data Protection chief to take over the role of chief executive.

SKIBBEREEN’S 1GB Digital Hub, Ludgate, has scored something of a coup in getting the government’s former Data Protection chief to take over the role of chief executive.

Clontarf native Adrienne Harrington has left the public service after 24 years to move to West Cork to succeed Ludgate’s Grainne Dwyer as CEO.

Grainne recently took up a role in Europe and her successor was announced by the Ludgate board today in Skibbereen.

Adrienne has worked as principal officer at the Department of the Taoiseach for the past three years, with responsibility for Data Protection and digital policy. Prior to that, she held roles as head of the Secretary General's Office and head of ICT strategy at the Houses of the Oireachtas, as well being chief executive of the Psychological Society of Ireland.

She holds a masters degree in Business Studies and a doctorate in Governance from Queen’s University Belfast.

She took up her role on Tuesday of this week and says the hub's pledge to create 500 jobs is 'on track'.

'Within the next three to four years, we will be well on the way to that,' she told The Southern Star, adding that, at various times during the summer, all the facility's 'hot desks' were occupied.

'We have €500,000 in seed capital, and we have five start-ups on site at the moment, with offers for another four start-ups going out shortly. We will be making offers to another four by the end of the year,' she added.

Despite her surname, Ms Harrington says she has no known relations in West Cork: 'But I think I should do some research into that now, as I have always felt at home in West Cork,' she said.

 

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