Global Head of Client Transformation, IDA Ireland

Biography

Matt Kennedy (PhD) is the Global Head of Client Transformation for IDA Ireland where he leads transformation initiatives with international business, including a portfolio of R&D, digital, sustainability and talent development offerings. Matt is a Fellow (FIEMA), chartered environmentalist and energy engineer with over 25 years’ experience in delivering national and international climate and sustainable development initiatives across government, industry and academia. Matt was Lead Negotiator for the European Union at the UN Paris Agreement (COP21) negotiations and was previously Chair of the UNEP’s Climate Technology Centre. Matt has worked with the United Nations on clean energy and transport projects across Africa, Asia and Middle East and was previously Arup’s Sustainable Development Leader for Europe and led climate change services within infrastructure, buildings and cities. He holds a PhD in Engineering from Trinity College Dublin, and Masters degrees from NUI Galway and University College Dublin and is an experienced independent non-executive Director.