Tom Boland is a partner in BH Associates, education consultants. In August 2016, he stepped down from his role as Chief Executive of the Higher Education Authority, ending over two decades at the most senior levels in the Irish education system. The HEA leads the strategic development of the Irish higher education and research system and has statutory responsibility for the effective governance, regulation and performance of all publicly funded higher education institutions.
Prior to his role in the HEA, Tom served as Director of Strategic Policy and legal adviser in the Department of Education and Skills.
He holds degrees in Civil Engineering (National University of Ireland, Galway) and Law (the Honourable Society of King’s Inns) and was called to the Bar of Ireland (1989). He was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Education by the National University of Ireland in 2017.