OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Brian Nolan, Chairperson
Brian completed his electrical apprenticeship in 1994. He spent the following years working as a journeyman in the Electrical Contracting Sector before taking up his first role within the trade union movement as a full-time organiser.
Subsequent Union elections led to roles as the National Construction Official M&E and his current position as Assistant General Secretary of Connect Trade Union.
Brian is a board member of the Private Security Authority and represents Connect on the Construction Industry Committee of the ICTU.
Brian is a long term member of the Boards of the CWHT and the CWBF and is the current Chairperson of both Boards.
Andy Smith
Andy Smith, worked in construction as a bricklayer until 2004 when he became a full time nion official for BATU.
He is now the Deputy General Secretary of BATU.
Andy is chairman of the Construction Industry Committee of the ICTU. He also represents the ICTU on the Construction Safety Partnership Advisory Committee and the ICTU Health and Safety Committee.
Andy is a long term member of the Boards of the CWHT and the CWBF.
Thomas Faulkner
Andrew McGuinness started his journey in the construction industry as a scaffolder. Now a union official with SIPTU Andrew represents workers health and safety and vocational interests across a range of sectoral committees. He is a member of the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers Health and Safety Committee and a member of the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health - Standing Working Party on Mining and Other Extractive Industries.
Andrew joined the CWHT and CWBF Boards in June 2024.
Elaine Clarke
Elaine Clarke is a qualified accountant and experienced chief financial officer.
Elaine joined the Finance Dept in SIPTU in 2000 and was appointed SIPTU Finance Officer with responsibility for the strategic management of the union's finances in 2015.
Earlier this year, Elaine was appointed Director and Trustee of the Construction Workers Pension Scheme (CWPS).
Elaine joined the CWHT and the CWBF Boards in June 2024.
Andy McGuinness
Thomas Faulkner served his time as a carpenter in his early career working for a number of different employers.
He then took up the role of Regional Organiser with the Union of Construction Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT) in 2000. Following the amalgamation into the TEEU Thomas took up the position of Designated Construction Official with the TEEU/UCATT in 2017.
When the union underwent a name change to become Connect Trade Union in 2018 Thomas moved into his current position of National Construction Official. In this role he has responsibility for dealing with the construction industry at national level as well as dealing with all industries in the North East Region and North Co Dublin.
Thomas also sits on the Construction Industry Committee (CIC), National Joint Industrial Committee (NJIC) and the Construction Safety Partnership Advisory Committee.
Thomas joined the CWHT and CWBF Boards in September 2023..
Garry Russell
Garry Russell has over 20 years’ experience in the construction industry. Before becoming a trade union organiser with Unite, he worked for a major mechanical contractor on a range of projects, from semiconductors to large HVAC developments.
As a union organiser, Garry sits on the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Construction Committee (CIC) and the Unite National Organising Committee.
Outside work, he has coached an under-13s GAA team for six years.
Garry is passionate about ensuring the construction sector has strong health and wellbeing support and is committed to making sure the CWHT and CWBF deliver meaningful, lasting impact where it’s needed most
Garry joined the CWHT and the CWBF Boards in December 2024.
Geraldine Talty
Geraldine Talty is a qualified registered nurse with over 40 years nursing and healthcare experience in Ireland and across the world. She holds a Degree in Healthcare Management and a
Master’s in Leadership and Management.
She has also extensive experience representing the professional and clinical interests of the nursing and healthcare profession nationally and internationally while a member of the National Executive Council of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.
Geraldine has recently retired from her leadership post as Assistant Director of Nursing in the acute sector and now enjoys more outdoor pursuits.
Geraldine joined the CWHT Board of in July 2025
Board Nominations
Under the CWHT Deed of Trust, the appointment of new Trustee is vested in the General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM
Executive Director
Dr. Alison Gilliland
Dr. Alison Gilliland has a background in education, training, trade unionism, equality, local and European politics affording her a rich diversity of expertise, skills and competencies.
A former primary teacher, Alison was a Senior Official in the Irish National Teachers Organisation where she led the union's training and professional development department and was its Equality Officer.
Alison was elected to Dublin City Council for two terms and was Chairperson of the City's Strategic Policy Committee on Housing. Elected Lord Mayor of Dublin City (2021/2022), Alison promoted proactive collaborative leadership working closely with city stakeholders across all sectors.
Alison has significant international experience including as a member of the European Committee of the Regions (2019 - 2024) and one of its leading climate delegates to COP 27 in Sharm el Sheikh and COP 28 in Dubai.
Alison brought a new energy to CWHT when she joined in January 2024. She has led its transformation, establishing its own inhouse health screening nurse team, digitising the CWHT health screening management system and enhancing the organisation's goverance systems.
Alison advocates lifelong learning and holds two Masters Degrees and a Doctoral Degree.
Operations Manager
Lesliann Flynn
Lesliann Flynn began her journey with CWHT as an Administration Assistant supporting the Mobile Health Screening Unit and have since progressed to the role of Operations Manager.
With over 17 years of experience with CWHT, she has built her career rooted in dedication, organisation, and a strong commitment to worker wellbeing.
As Operations Manager, Lesliann oversees the day-to-day operations of the organisation. She coordinates CWHT's health screening services across Ireland, supports its dedicated team of nurses, liases with site Health and Safety Offices and generally ensures all programs and services run smoothly and efficiently.
Lesliann is also the organisation's Health and Safety Officer.
Throughout her career, Lesliann has continued to upskill, completing several professional development courses, including most recently Leading a Remote/Hybrid Team.
Empathetic and intuitive, Lesliann is passionate about creating a supportive, organised environment that empowers both the staff and the workers CWHT serves.
Outside of work, Lesliann values quality time with her family and the balance it brings to her professional life.
Clinical Nurse Manager
Tara Byrne Finn
Tara is a Registered General Nurse who qualified from St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, and University College Dublin in 2003. She went on to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Studies at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 2005.
Post-Graduation, Tara went on to work in the areas of Dermatology and Fertility. Continuing her learning in both areas with courses including a Graduate Certificate in Fertility Ultrasound from UCD in 2014.
With over 15 years of experience in healthcare management, Tara brings a wealth of clinical and leadership expertise to her role. She is deeply committed to developing and empowering her team, fostering a culture of excellence through mentorship, continuous learning, and professional growth.
Since joining CWHT in January 2025, Tara has strengthened the nursing function through a clear focus on training, clinical development, and governance. Her practical, hands-on experience in workplace health screening and promotion provides her with a unique understanding of the challenges and needs of today’s workforce — ensuring that CWHT continues to deliver care that is both responsive and robust.
Outside of work Tara enjoys travelling and spending time with family.