Industrial relations expert Mulvey is appointed to INM Board

Experienced: Kieran Mulvey THE labour relations trouble-shooter who helped broker a deal between Ryanair and the Forsa trade union representing pilots has been appointed as a non-executive director of Independent News and Media (INM).

Kieran Mulvey was nominated to the board by Denis O’Brien, INM’s largest shareholder, and therefore will not be considered an independent non-executive.

The company said it is currently also seeking a further candidate to appoint as independent non-executive director, to comply with corporate governance standards setting out the best mix of board members.

Mr Mulvey is the Republic’s best-known labour relations expert, credited with helping defuse major industrial disputes — including chairing the talks that led to the Croke Park, Haddington Road and Lansdowne Road Agreements.

The connections between billionaire businessman O’Brien and the former trade union official are understood to be longstanding. In 2014 Mr O’Brien cited Mr Mulvey’s instrumental role connecting the businessman to FAI chief executive John Delaney, in a move that eventually led to the businessman providing the majority of funding for the Republic international soccer management team for a decade.

Mr Delaney has said the support added up to €10m.

Mr Mulvey’s appointment was announced by INM chairman Murdoch MacLennan.

“I would like to welcome Kieran to the INM Board. His wide-ranging industrial relations and business experience will add significantly to the calibre of our board as we face up to the many challenges that lie ahead,” Mr MacLennan said.

INM is due to report financial results for the first half of this year tomorrow.

The company is also awaiting a High Court decision on the application by the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement to appoint inspectors to the company to examine alleged corporate governance and data protection breaches.