The Chief Executive of the Higher Education Authority, Dr Graham Love, has announced his resignation from the position, after less than two years leading the organisation.
Love was appointed in January 2017 and previously served as the chief executive of the Health Research Board, an agency of the Department of Health. He also held senior roles in Science Foundation Ireland.
In a press statement, Love said: “The HEA makes a valuable contribution to higher education in Ireland. In my brief tenure, I have endeavoured to make strategic development a core element of HEA activities. I wish the organisation every success in the future.”
Michael Horgan, the Chairman of the HEA, thanked Love in a press statement “for his significant contribution to the HEA”. “We in the HEA are sad and disappointed that he is leaving, but we wish him every success in the future”, he said.
“He has overseen the reorganisation of the internal management of the Authority, the production of a new strategic plan and the recruitment of new staff to key positions within the Authority, Horgan said.
Speaking about Love’s work in the organisation, Horgan said: “During his term, a new funding model has been developed, a new performance framework introduced and the redrafting of a new legislative foundation for the HEA begun. Dr Love has significantly contributed to the development of the higher education system in Ireland.”
Love is expected to step down in October and Horgan said that the board of the organisation would work “quickly” to secure an interim CEO and to recruit a replacement.
Love was hired after the retirement of Tom Boland, who was at the helm of the organisation for two decades.
