Dr Sharon McGuinness starts as ECHA’s Executive Director

Helsinki, 1 December 2022 – Dr Sharon McGuinness starts her five-year term as Executive Director of the European Chemicals Agency today. 

Dr McGuinness was previously the Chief Executive Officer of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) in Ireland, a position she held since 2018, and a member of ECHA’s Management Board between 2014-2021 and Chair of the Board between 2016-2020. 

ECHA’s previous Executive Director Bjorn Hansen retired in March 2022. Since 1 April 2022, Shay O’Malley has been acting Executive Director.