Engineers Ireland has announced that Damien Owens has been appointed as the organisation's director general with immediate effect.

An electronic engineer, Owens joined Engineers Ireland in 2010, first serving as its registrar, chief risk officer and, most recently, as interim director general.

Damien Owens, newly appointed director general of Engineers Ireland.

'Strong corporate, strategic and operational expertise'

President of Engineers Ireland John Power said: “Damien Owens has extensive experience and knowledge of the organisation since he joined Engineers Ireland in 2010. His management and strong corporate, strategic and operational expertise, makes him an ideal leader to deliver on the mission and vision of Engineers Ireland. 

"I am confident that under his leadership, our institution will continue to support our engineering community in their work, ensuring the highest levels of competence and integrity.  

“On behalf of our council and executive board, I wish Damien every success in his new role and assure him of our full support.”

Owens said: “It is a privilege and honour to be the director general of Engineers Ireland. With the many challenges we are experiencing in our society at this time including a war in Ukraine, climate change, energy vulnerability and high inflation, the expertise of our professional engineering membership will be very important in finding practical and cost-effective solutions to the societal challenges we face now and into the future.   

'Sustainable and positive impact'

"I look forward to contributing to the journey ahead as the institution and its broad membership of more than 25,000 engineers, continues to make a sustainable and positive impact on our society and on our economy.” 

In his previous role as registrar and chief risk officer Owens' role included the setting and maintaining of academic and professional standards for the engineering profession. Key aspects of the position included implementing an active accreditation process for engineering programmes delivered in Ireland to ensure that they meet the best international standards.

He also represented the interest of the engineering professional at national and international fora and speak on related topics in national and international media.

Additionally, he represented Engineers Ireland in international matters and was elected president of the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE) for the 2019-2020 term and chair of the International Engineering Alliance for 2019-2021 – both organisations set standards for engineering education and mobility across the globe.

He is a member of the Accreditation Board of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers.

Previously, as a member of Engineers Ireland, Owens was chairman of the ICT division, a member of the executive committee and was elected to the council of Engineers Ireland.

Strategic alliances

Prior to joining the organisation, Owens worked in the telecommunications sector focusing on product development and strategic alliances. He worked with Amdahl Computers and Eircom in a wide variety of roles. He was active on a number of national and international standards bodies including EU, ITUTS and the National Standards Authority of Ireland ETCI and currently participates in a number of national consultative groups.

A native of Dublin, Owens graduated as an electronic engineer from Trinity College Dublin in 1983. He later gained a higher diploma in computer modelling and simulation, a master’s degree in engineering and a master’s degree in business administration. He is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of Engineers Ireland.

Owens is also a board member of the European Society for Engineering Education and a member of the Medical Devices Committee of Ireland’s National Office for Research Ethics Committees.