Irish Lights is pleased to announce the appointment by the Commissioners of Irish Lights of Ms Yvonne Shields as Chief Executive in succession to Dr Stuart Ruttle, with effect from 22^nd August 2011.

Yvonne has worked in the marine sector for 19 years, most recently as Director of Strategic Planning and Development at the Marine Institute since 2004. In this role she had responsibility for oversight and management of the National Marine Research Programme, EU and International Policy and Programmes, Ocean Energy, Marine Technology and the Marine Data and Information Services Group of the Marine Institute. Prior to this she held the position of Director of Science and Technology at the Marine Institute with responsibility for Research Vessel Operations, the National Seabed Survey, Oceanographic Services and the National Data Buoy Network. Yvonne previously worked in marine tourism, the aquaculture sector and in a private forestry business. 

Yvonne has a background in science and business with an MSc in Environmental Science from Trinity College and an MBA from Dublin City University. Yvonne led the design and delivery of a National Marine Foresight Exercise (2006), and played a key role in developing Ireland's Ocean Energy Strategy (2006), Sea Change - A Research, Knowledge & Innovation Strategy for Ireland 2007-2013, National Marine Biotechnology Programme (2007- to date) and the Smart Ocean Strategy for Marine ICT (2010). In addition Yvonne is a past Board member of the Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (IRCSET).

The Chairman of Irish Lights, Ms Sheila Tyrrell, has expressed her pleasure. "I am delighted that Yvonne has been appointed as our incoming Chief Executive. She has significant experience within the marine sector, both at national and international level, which will be a great asset to CIL in meeting present and future challenges."