Local Government Management Agency announces new Chief Executive Officer
The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) has today (02.01.25) announced the appointment of Pauline Mulligan as its new Chief Executive Officer.
A former Assistant Secretary at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Mulligan was appointed to the role of Chief Executive Officer of the LGMA following a competitive independent recruitment process.
The LGMA is a State agency that provides a range of professional services for and on behalf of local authorities; local authority chief executives; the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and other government departments. It works collaboratively with Ireland’s 31 local authorities to support the coordinated and cost-effective delivery of local government services and policy. It also helps local authorities to enhance performance and to implement change, aligning expertise and driving innovation.
Ms Mulligan brings extensive strategic leadership and public administration experience to her new role. Prior to joining the LGMA, she was an Assistant Secretary at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, where she was on the Management Board since 2018. Most recently she was Head of Indigenous Enterprise Development with responsibility for oversight of Enterprise Ireland, the 31 Local Enterprise Offices, the nine Regional Enterprise Plans and support schemes for business run through the local authorities. She has worked in policy, operations and corporate, including many roles collaborating across the civil and public service during Covid-19 and Brexit, and leading the development of Innovation 2020. She also led a programme to embed innovation across the public service, and was inaugural chair of the Public Service Innovation Advisory Board in 2021.
Chair of the board of the LGMA and Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon said: “The LGMA plays a key role in supporting the local government sector. I am very pleased to welcome Pauline as the Agency’s new Chief Executive Officer. On foot of a lifetime of public service, she brings a wealth of experience to this role, including a strong track record of leadership, innovation and strategic thinking. I am confident her approach and energy will ensure that the LGMA continues to deliver a quality service to local authorities, prioritised on the development and promotion of best practice policies, systems and sectoral approaches to the business challenges they face.”
Speaking about her appointment, Ms Mulligan said: “The services provided by local authorities play a central role in the everyday lives of everyone living in this country. I look forward to leading the team at the LGMA to ensure that we continue to be a valued and trusted support for the local government sector, providing a shared centre of excellence in leading sectoral approaches to the development and expansion of exemplary local public services.”
Ms Mulligan takes up her new role as Chief Executive Officer of the LGMA today.
Visit www.lgma.ie for further details about the Local Government Management Agency or www.localgov.ie for information on local government functions and services in Ireland.