David Doyle
TU Dublin alum, Dr David P. Doyle, graduated in 1974 as part of the first cohort of the Higher Diploma in Marketing. His distinguished career spans international trade, EU policy, and diplomacy, and he now serves as Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of St. Kitts and Nevis to UNESCO in Paris.
I completed a Higher Diploma in Marketing, a three-year, full-time course covering all aspects of the marketing function.
I was part of the first intake of 10 students in 1971 to this newly-created course. The award was subsequently aligned at level 7 of the National Qualifications Framework as an Ordinary Bachelor Degree, by DIT in agreement with the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland and I'm proud to hold this qualification at this level given the comprehensives of the course curriculum and multidisciplinary approach to marketing.
I graduated in 1974.
Forming friendships with my fellow students, some of which persist to the present day, in Dublin, and even in Paris where I live!
Upon qualifying from DIT/College of Marketing, I went on to do postgraduate studies in Statistics at Trinity College, University of Dublin, over 1974-1975, and concurrently, also qualifying as a graduate of the Marketing Institute of Ireland. During this period I was interviewed, and recruited, by the then Irish Export Board (now Enterprise Ireland) in Dublin. From late 1974, while still completing the TCD and MII courses (shifting to evening courses), I served at the Irish Export Board’s offices in Dublin, and from mid-1975, at the Irish trade mission in Paris. A very early exposure to the tangible challenges associated with export trade marketing at the age of 23!
A big leap occurred in my career in mid-1979 when I was appointed to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) based in Paris, with assignments spanning roles in the financial controller’s office, budget and finance and finally, the OECD Council Secretariat.
In 2002, with the EU Single Market at the heart of the European project for over 10 years, I sought out opportunities in Brussels at the European Parliament, notably with a cross-EU parliamentary-party body, The Kangaroo Group, advocating for the removal of obstacles to the Four Freedoms. Over the ensuing years, commuting between Paris and Brussels, I occupied the role of Secretary of the Kangaroo Group’s financial services working party, an amazing experience that propelled me into the centre of the EU legislative process and negotiations.
In the course of my EU Parliamentary activities, I was involved in small business policy development, actively participating in EU initiatives aimed at facilitating SME set-ups, scaling-up and growth policies, in cooperation with MEP’s and Commission officials. My efforts were rewarded when, in 2004, I was awarded a Doctorate in Business Administration Honoris Causa from Kingstown University (UK) for my “contribution to EU policy for the growth and sustainability of small businesses”.
Some years later, a fortuitous meeting with a senior minister from the government of St. Kitts and Nevis opened an extraordinary opportunity to represent this Caribbean small island developing state in France and at the UN specialized agency, UNESCO, based in Paris...and, the rest is history!
I have been the Ambassador of St. Kitts and Nevis for over 10 years and I am enjoying every moment of the role!
Over the past few decades I have also penned a few books, notably Cost Control - a Strategic Guide, published by CIMA/Elsevier (London), and translated into 17 foreign language editions. If only I could secure the film rights...!
They need a dedicated and relentless interest in foreign relations at EU, Asia, Africa and Latin America levels, via attending conferences, reading international publications on-line and getting involved local bodies associated with international policy issues.
I would also recommend seeking out short-term opportunities to work as a stagiaire (intern) with EU, UN agencies and NGO’s with a regional or international vocation, offering short-term foreign assignments. Perfect a foreign language (preferably French!).
I would visit my old alumni institutions and stroll along the Liffey River, barely recognisable today from the late 60’s and early 70’s when I lived in Dublin.