Gillian Buckley is a seasoned investment leader with over 30 years of experience in investing, managing, and advising SMEs across a diverse range of sectors. As Head of Investment at the Western Development Commission (WDC), she played a pivotal role in bringing the Western Investment Fund (WIF) from concept to reality—negotiating its original exchequer allocation with the Irish Government and establishing its legislative framework. The architect of the Fund’s Evergreen Strategy, Gillian ensured its long-term sustainability, enabling all returns to be reinvested into companies across the Western Region. Under her leadership, the Fund has invested €100 million in over 300 SMEs, flagship initiatives, community projects, and social enterprises.
She has served on the boards of several portfolio companies, including Loci Orthopaedics, HookeBio, Stamford Devices (Aerogen), Selc Ireland, Cambus Medical, and Neuravi. Gillian is a co-founder and director of CREW (Creative Enterprises West), a strategic initiative focused on the digital creative sector, as well as the WRAP Fund, dedicated to the AV industry. She was also Chair of WestBIC and Chair of Empower, a transformative program developed by ATU to accelerate female entrepreneurship and a director of NDRC, the national digital accelerator and Chair of its Audit and Risk Committee.
Notable exits, include Neuravi acquired by J&J, Embo Medical acquired by Bard, Altocloud acquired by Genesys, Aran Biomedical acquired by Integer, and Temasek’s strategic investment in Aerogen.
Gillian was the first female Chair of the Irish Venture Capital Association and a current director. She is a Chartered Director and member of the Institute of Directors.