Belfast-born MacSorley takes up role as new Concern CEO

New Concern CEO: Dominic MacSorley

Concern Worldwide has announced that Dominic MacSorley will will take up the post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective from March 1st. 

Ireland’s leading humanitarian agency announced the appointment yesterday in a press release to the media. 

Belfast-born Mr MacSorley will succeed Tom Arnold, who recently announced his decision to step down as CEO of the organisation after 11 years in office. Arnold will  take up a new role as Chair of the Constitutional Convention.

Mr MacSorley has worked with Concern since 1982.  He served as Director of Operations for the organisation’s American arm, Concern Worldwide USA, for the past ten years.

MacSorley has over 30 years of experience with Concern and is passionately committed to the organisation, its ethos and its work, thats according to the Chairperson of Concern’s Council (Board), Frances O’Keeffe. 

“The Council of Concern oversaw a rigorous and competitive selection process, with exceptionally high calibre candidates drawn from home and abroad and from a number of sectors. The final decision, however, was not a difficult one and we have the utmost confidence that Dominic MacSorley is the ideal person to lead the organisation and work on behalf of the world poorest and most vulnerable people in the coming years.”

In his first statement as Concern's new CEO, MacSorley said: “Poverty is on the rise as the challenging economic, environment and political conditions affect the poorest most. More than 850 million people went to bed hungry last night. This is why Concern exists: it is people reaching out to people.

" We value hugely the confidence our supporters show in Concern to work with those who need our help the most. Without this trust, our work would not be possible. I am delighted to accept this position.”

Francis O'Keefe also paid tribute to the outgoing chief executive, on behalf of the organisation's council. 

O'Keefe said that since he took over as CEO over a decade ago, Tom Arnold had overseen the growth of the organisation from being a very effective Irish overseas charity to one recognised as one of the world’s most impactful and influential agencies. 

He expressed his heartfelt thanks to Tom for his years of  tireless energy and enthusiasm, his valued knowledge and experience, and what he described  as his "calm, measured stewardship of the organisation over the past decade". 

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