Mervyn has been centrally involved in the development of a range of innovative projects, programmes and organisations in the voluntary, public and private sectors over many decades. One such programme on end-of-life-care in acute hospitals, won the Taoiseach’s Award for Public Service Innovation. He has at various times been Director of MS Ireland, CEO of the MS Care Foundation, Manager of Planning & Organisation with the National Social Service Board (now Citizens Information Board), Director of Pathfinder Projects, Programme Manager of the Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme and has lectured on organisational behaviour and information society issues. He is a director of Safeguarding Ireland, is a registered tour guide and is involved with several heritage groups in his native Co. Wicklow. He has studied at Trinity College Dublin, the Open University and Cranfield School of Management.