Gillian Bowler is the founder and former Chairman of Budget Travel, Ireland’s leading travel company, which she grew from tiny beginnings in the 1970’s and which is now owned by the worldwide TUI AG organization. She is Chairman of Irish Life & Permanent plc and serves as a non-executive director of several leading companies - among them Grafton Group plc and the VHI. Gillian is former founding Chairman of Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority. A past President of the Institute of Directors, Gillian has frequently been called on by the Irish Government to take part in important development initiatives.