Damian Downes is Head of Governance and Corporate Affairs at the ERC. He was previously Director of Corporate Services at the Medical Council (2019 – 2021) and College Secretary and Registrar at the National College of Art and Design (2011 – 2019). Prior to that he was the Chief Executive at Kilkenny Arts Festival (2007 to 2011). He previously worked at the National University of Ireland as Head of Finance and Administration (2007). Damian has an MA in Communication and Cultural Studies from DCU, an MBA from the Smurfit Business School at UCD and at Post Graduate Diploma in Corporate Governance, also from UCD.