Irish Enterprise Awards 2026

Lionheart is one of the 2026 winners of Irish Enterprise Awards at EU Business News.

The Boardroom is Drowning in Detail

What happens when the volume of risk, regulation, and complexity overwhelms the Board's capacity for coherent decision-making. And what it takes to fix it.

Read the article HERE

Is AI a Blind Spot for Non-Profit Boards?

Why AI Governance is Becoming a Priority for Charity and Non-Profit Boards -

Artificial Intelligence is increasingly being adopted across the non-profit sector. From communications and fundraising to stakeholder engagement and operational efficiency, AI tools are already being used — often informally and without structured governance oversight.

This creates a growing governance challenge.

In my recent article for BoardEffect, I examine why AI governance is emerging as a potential blind spot for non-profit boards and outline practical steps boards may wish to consider.

I explore this issue in more detail in my recent article for BoardEffect:

https://www.boardeffect.com/en-gb/blog/ai-governance-blind-spot-nonprofit/

Lionheart Corporate Governance is pleased to announce that Patrick Downes will be a featured speaker at the upcoming Public Sector Management and Governance Conference, taking place on Tuesday, 11 February 2026.

Session Title:

Ethics and Integrity – Safeguarding Trust in Public Service

As part of a robust agenda addressing GDPR, FOI, procurement, crisis response, and employment law, Patrick’s session will focus on the critical role ethics plays in building and sustaining trust in public institutions.

Key Topics Covered:

-Living the Public Sector Code of Conduct day-to-day

-Handling gifts, hospitality, and political neutrality with care

-Addressing suspected misconduct swiftly and correctly

-Supporting whistleblowers and reinforcing accountability

-Learning from integrity failures — and avoiding repeat mistakes

About the Speaker:

Patrick brings over 25 years of senior leadership and board advisory experience across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Managing Partner of Lionheart he is known for his pragmatic, real-world approach to governance, ethics, and regulatory risk.

For those attending the event, be sure to join this session for a grounded, strategic discussion on how integrity safeguards not just compliance — but also legitimacy, leadership, and long-term public trust.

Boards rarely implode—they drift.

In this candid episode with Diarmaid Ó Corrbuí on the Carmichael Podcast, our Managing Partner Patrick Downes calls things as they are and lays out practical moves for Chairs, NEDs, CEOs and Company Secretaries who want performance governance, not performative governance.

What Boards in Ireland Are Discussing Now — And What Risks & Regulatory Trends Are Next

In the fast-changing world of governance, boards must be agile and forward-looking. From new laws to tech disruption, several topics are climbing the priority list. Whether a public company, state body, or charity, boards investing in strong governance now are better placed for what’s ahead. Here are what many boards are wrestling with today—and what they expect over the next 12-24 months