Dr Sharon McGuinness was appointed by the Management Board as Executive Director and took up her role on 1 December 2022.
Prior to joining ECHA, Dr McGuinness was the Chief Executive Officer of the Health and Safety Authority from July 2018 to October 2022. She also served as Assistant Chief Executive for the Chemicals and Prevention Division in the Health and Safety Authority from 2006 to 2018. Dr McGuinness represented Ireland on the ECHA Management Board and served as Chair from October 2016 to October 2020. Before joining the Health and Safety Authority, she worked in government and regulatory affairs for Hewlett-Packard and the European Chemicals Bureau in the European Commission. Dr McGuinness has also worked in academia as a lecturer and post-doctoral researcher.
Dr McGuinness' academic qualifications include a Ph.D. in Pharmacology as well as Diplomas in Legal Studies and Company Direction.
