Anne O'Connor
Anne O'Connor | |
|---|---|
| Chief Executive of the Health Service Executive | |
| Assumed office 23 March 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Bernard Gloster |
| Personal details | |
| Born | |
| Alma mater | University of Liverpool Trinity College Dublin University College Cork |
| Salary | €398,174 (2026)[2] |
Anne O'Connor is an Irish healthcare executive who has served as chief executive of the Health Service Executive (HSE), Ireland's public health service, since March 2026.[3][4] She previously served as the HSE's chief operations officer and national director for mental health services, and most recently served as managing director of Vhi Health and Wellbeing
Early life and education
O'Connor trained as an occupational therapist and began her professional career in the United Kingdom.[5] She holds a Diploma in Occupational Therapy from the University of Liverpool, an MSc in Occupational Therapy from Trinity College Dublin, and an MSc in Management Practice from University College Cork, completed in association with the Irish Management Institute.[3][5]
Career
O'Connor held a number of senior management roles within the Health Service Executive (HSE). She served as national director for mental health and later as the first national director for community operations, with responsibility for primary care and community-based health services.[5]
In 2018, she was appointed chief operations officer (COO) of the HSE, reporting to the director general of the HSE. In this role, she was responsible for operational delivery across acute hospital services, community services and social care.[5][6]
During her tenure as COO, O'Connor played a central role in the HSE's operational response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland and in managing the response to the 2021 cyberattack on the health service's information systems. On 4 April 2022, it was announced that O'Connor would be leaving the organisation in the summer to take up a new role as managing director of Vhi Health and Wellbeing.[7]
In December 2025, O'Connor was appointed as the new chief executive of the HSE to succeed Bernard Gloster.[8] She commenced the role in March 2026.[9]
References
- ↑ "Galway city native Anne O'Connor appointed to the top job in the HSE". Galway Bay FM. 15 December 2025. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ↑ Varley, Declan (18 December 2025). ".Galway's Anne O'Connor to head up the HSE". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Anne O'Connor appointed as new CEO of the HSE". HSE.ie. Health Service Executive. 15 December 2025. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ↑ "Vhi chief Anne O'Connor appointed new HSE CEO". RTÉ News. 15 December 2025. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 "Ms Anne O'Connor". University of Limerick. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ↑ "Senior HSE executive resigns and takes role with VHI". The Irish Times. 4 April 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ↑ "O'Connor to leave HSE role for VHI this summer". RTÉ News. 4 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ↑ Wall, Martin (15 December 2025). "Anne O'Connor to be appointed as new HSE chief executive". The Irish Times. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
- ↑ McHale, Michael (20 March 2026). "New HSE chief to take reins". Irish Medical Times. Retrieved 9 April 2026.