March 31, 2016

Barry O’Dowd is Global Manager of two of IDA Irelands most dynamic Divisions, Emerging Business and New Forms of Investment. Emerging Business Division focusses on attracting fast growth early stage companies to Ireland. Whilst the New Forms of Investment Division identifies potential inward investment from areas that IDA Ireland has not traditionally focused upon – the Marine, Arts Culture & Sport, Energy Services, Infrastructure, Property and Agtech. In addition NFI also focusses on Converging Platform Technologies – Robotics, Augmented/Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics.

IDA Ireland is Ireland’s inward investment promotion agency, and is a non-commercial semi-state body promoting Foreign Direct Investment into Ireland through a wide range of services.

Prior to his current position Barry headed up IDA Irelands Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Division. Currently 9 of the World’s Top 10 Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology companies have businesses located in Ireland and Barry led an IDA team which delivered a number of significant projects from these companies.

Barry completed his Master’s programme in Trinity College, Dublin in Strategic Management and is also a Barrister of Law. He recently completed a Certificate in Company Direction and a Diploma in Board Performance with the Institute of Directors, Dublin. Continuous learning, with an emphasis on business principles and practices, has always been a priority for him.

From 2002 to 2005 Barry lived in New Jersey, US with his family whilst on a career break from IDA Ireland and worked with AKZO Nobel.

Barry’s career path and skills demonstrates his leadership capabilities to design and execute winning programmes, requiring vision and flexibility, in a highly competitive market for FDI from global businesses.