APPOINTMENT: David Cronin from Killarney has been appointed to the role of President and CEO of the Ireland Funds, the global philanthropic network founded by Tony O'Reilly and Dan Rooney. Photo: Gerard McCarthy

A Killarney man will take the role of President and CEO of Ireland Funds America – the world’s largest grant maker for charities in Ireland – this June.

Former St Brendan’s College student, David Cronin, from Loreto Road, will head the internationally-recognised, global network of chapters that comprises of the largest private grant maker for the non-profit sector in Ireland.

The announcement was made by the Board of Directors of the Ireland Funds America, led by Chairman John Fitzpatrick, this week.

David’s father, Denis Cronin, is retired AIB Bank Manager and former President of Killarney Golf Club and a serving Trustee of Muckross House.

Having been awarded the St Brendan’s Scholarship, David began his early career on Wall Street, where he worked as an equities and options trader for Wall Street Access. He returned to Ireland in 1996 to take up the role of Chief Operations Officer with QUMAS, an indigenous tech start-up specialising in governance, risk and compliance management, which was acquired in a multi-million euro deal by Dessault Systemes.

With chapters in 12 countries, The Ireland Funds has raised over $600 million for non-profit organisations in Ireland and Irish causes around the world, benefiting more than 3,200 different organisations with both financial and non-financial support. Annually, the Ireland Funds hold more than 150 events with over 25,000 donors worldwide and provide support up to $30M.

David has worked in philanthropy for the last decade raising and investing over $100 million in his role as Chief Executive of UL Foundation, working closely with Chuck Feeney, Atlantic Philanthropies and the worldwide Ireland Funds. David is also a member of the Munster Rugby Commercial Board.

“I recognise this appointment as a genuine privilege and am absolutely committed to the future success of the Ireland Funds,” David said this week.