Mr. Brian Molloy has been appointed as the new Defence Forces Head of Transformation. Mr. Molloy joins the Defence Forces from the Social Welfare Appeals Office where he worked as the Chief Appeals Officer and Director. He had full operational and strategic responsibilities for the appeals function across the Department of Social Protection. This function was a statutory function appointed by the Minister for Social Protection and he reported directly to the Secretary General of the Department and was a full time member of the Department of Social Protection Management Board.
In his new civilian role as Defence Forces Head of Transformation, reporting directly to the Chief of Staff, Mr. Molloy will be a member of the senior Defence Forces leadership and management team and the Defence Strategic Management Committee. Working with the senior leadership and management team, he will support the Chief of Staff directly and drive, support, advise and enable the future transformation of the Defence Forces in line with the Government-approved High Level Action Plan. Mr. Molloy will be empowered to design, lead, create, communicate and deliver on an integrated and joint vision for strategic and operational level transformations impacting all three services (Army, Air Corps and Naval Service) and their respective Reserve Forces. Mr. Molloy will lead the delivery of challenging strategic transformation programmes across the organisation, working closely with colleagues and also with external consultants as required, to drive the transformational change that is required within the Defence Forces.
Brian Molloy worked for over 30 years in the private sector before joining the Department of Social Protection in 2019. He was appointed Principal Officer and was operational owner on a national basis of four illness/disability schemes (Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Partial Capacity Benefit and Disablement Benefit) and the Redundancy & Insolvency (R&I) schemes. Brian implemented a transformation of the service delivery across his areas of responsibility which involved a comprehensive review of operational capability including a re-assessment of staffing levels and work volumes.
He was subsequently promoted to Chief Appeals Officer with full operational and strategic responsibilities for the appeals function across the Department of Social Protection. His role was to lead the Social Welfare Appeals Office, provide strategic direction to the management team, support them in the delivery of an efficient, transparent, independent and fair appeals decision service. As a member of the department’s Management Board and Project Governance Committee Brian provided strategic leadership across the department, contributed directly to the formulation and development of strategy and supported the delivery of projects across the department within a strong governance infrastructure. He also had responsibility for the Decisions Advisory Office which is tasked with providing feedback and guidance to the Department on the correct interpretation and application of legislative rules to decisions relating to entitlement or insurability made under the Social Welfare Acts.
Prior to joining the Public Sector Brian had held senior roles across a number of Financial Advisory and Financial Services firms – he joined HC Financial in Galway as Executive Director in 2006 and had been appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2018. Post the financial crisis he was instrumental in implementing a strategic repositioning of the firm which included a move to a revised revenue model and customer proposition devised to enhance long term shareholder value and protect the firm against existential shocks such as that experienced in 2007/8. He also developed and led the business consulting arm of the business and was appointed as interim chief executive to a number of start-up companies including Altocloud and Orbsen Therapeutics. Prior to his move to Galway Brian had worked across a number of management roles with multiple Irish and multinational financial services organisations.
Brian’s experience is underpinned by a strong academic track record including a Certificate in Public Policy Analysis through the London School of Economics and Political Science, a Professional Certificate in Governance (Sport Ireland) through the Institute of Public Administration and a Higher Diploma in Management and an MBA completed in 2010 through the University of Galway where he led the winning team to the University’s first ever success in the MBA Association of Ireland Inter-Business School MBA Strategy Challenge.
Outside of work Brian is married to Vivienne and they have 2 daughters. Brian is a strong advocate for volunteerism and has served on his local school Board of Management and on various community committees. He is also a strong supporter of Gaelic Games and in particular female participation in Gaelic games which has led to him becoming heavily involved in the Camogie Association. Having held various coaching and management roles in his local club and volunteer administrative roles at club, county and provincial council level this involvement culminated in him being selected as the first male Uachtaran Tofa (President elect) of the Camogie Association at their 2023 National Congress – his three-year Presidential term of office will commence in 2024.
