The Board of Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) has announced the appointment of Mary Blanchfield to the position of Chief Executive Officer.
Ms. Blanchfield has held the position of interim CEO at DCCI since September 2024. This announcement follows an extensive recruitment process conducted across Ireland, the UK and beyond that attracted considerable applications.
Mary Blanchfield, Chief Executive Officer, DCCI
Ms. Blanchfield has been an employee of DCCI for over 25 years, most recently in the role of Head of Operations. She has in-depth knowledge of the craft and design sector and the wider stakeholder community and her professional experience includes expertise in governance, finance, strategy and programme management. She will take up her position with immediate effect.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mary Blanchfield as CEO of Design & Crafts Council Ireland. Mary has been an integral part of the organisation for over two decades, where she has an understanding of the sector, unwavering dedication and exceptional leadership.
Peter Hynes
Chair, Design & Crafts Council Ireland
Peter Hynes continued:
“Mary’s appointment marks a very exciting chapter for the agency where she will be leading the team on the current strategy and working to bring the next strategy to focus from 2027. We are confident that under her guidance, the organisation will continue to grow and support the design and craft community.”
Design & Crafts Council Ireland is the national agency for craft and design in Ireland. It supports designers and makers to develop their businesses in a sustainable way, and advocate for the societal benefits of craft and design. DCCI’s activities are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment via Enterprise Ireland. DCCI currently has sixty-seven member organisations and over 3,500 registered clients.
