30% Club Ireland announces multi-year sponsorship with Arthur Cox LLP, Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland (Aviva), Cpl and EY
- This multi-year sponsorship, supported by Arthur Cox LLP, Aviva, Cpl and EY, will underpin the 30% Club Ireland’s work throughout 2026, accelerating progress on gender balance at senior leadership level
- The sponsorship supports a programme of diversity building action, research and advocacy, focused on the real world business and societal impact of gender balanced leadership
30% Club Ireland is today announcing a multi-year sponsorship with Arthur Cox LLP, Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland (Aviva), Cpl and EY, reaffirming a shared commitment to accelerating gender balance at senior leadership level across Irish business. The CEOs involved collectively represent more than 19,000 employees in Ireland, highlighting the scale and impact of this commitment.
This multi year sponsorship will help advance the 30% Club Ireland’s ambition to position gender balance as a core business imperative, strengthening its role as the leading national voice on senior leadership diversity and contributing to a more inclusive, equitable and resilient Irish economy.
The 30% Club Ireland is a campaign led by Chairs and CEOs of medium and large organisations, committed to achieving better gender balance at leadership levels. Throughout 2026, and supported by this sponsorship, the campaign will continue to demonstrate how decisive leadership delivers business, cultural and reputational returns, emphasising inclusive leadership, the performance impact of gender balance and the importance of ongoing ambition and accountability at senior levels.
Looking to the year ahead, Arthur Cox LLP, Aviva, Cpl and EY will support a robust programme of research, advocacy and engagement designed to accelerate tangible progress and keep gender balance firmly on the leadership agenda.
The 30% Club Ireland’s programme of work for the year, alongside a new report - The Courage Dividend - being delivered in partnership with Reputation Inc, will be launched at its annual Chair & CEO Event, taking place on 26 February in Dublin.
Gender balance is not simply a ‘nice-to-have’, it is an important leadership issue with real business and societal implications. Recent years have reminded us that progress is not guaranteed and that continued focus from senior leaders matters. We are very pleased with our multi-year sponsorship with Arthur Cox LLP, Aviva, Cpl and EY, organisations that have already shown strong commitment in this space to help move intent toward visible, accountable action and demonstrate what is possible when leadership is aligned and engaged.
Speaking on the announcement, Elizabeth Sheehan, Country Executive, 30% Club Ireland, said:
Geoff Moore, Managing Partner, Arthur Cox LLP, said: ‘’At Arthur Cox LLP, we believe that diverse leadership strengthens decision-making, culture and long-term performance. Our sponsorship of the 30% Club Ireland reflects our commitment to advancing gender balance at the highest levels and using our influence to help drive meaningful, lasting change.”
Barry Cudmore, CEO, Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland, said: “We know gender balanced leadership is essential to building resilient, innovative organisations. Today, women hold just over half of our senior management roles, and our ambition is to achieve and maintain gender balance at all levels and across all functions of the business. Through our sponsorship with the 30% Club Ireland, we’re joining other organisations committed to turning intent into meaningful action and reinforcing accountability from the top down.”
Lorna Conn, CEO, Cpl, said: “As a people focused organisation, at Cpl we see firsthand the impact inclusive leadership has on performance and opportunity. This multi-year sponsorship with the 30% Club Ireland aligns strongly with our purpose and our belief that leadership plays a critical role in accelerating progress on gender balance. We look forward to continuing to make a tangible difference together.”
Frank O’Keefe, Managing Partner, EY Ireland, said: “EY Ireland is very proud to continue our support of the 30% Club Ireland through this multiyear sponsorship. We know that organisations with greater diversity of gender, thought and background achieve stronger, more sustainable outcomes. But real progress doesn’t happen overnight. It takes investment, focus, consistency and a shared, long-term commitment across the entire organisation to make meaningful change a reality.”