Higher Education Authority, Ireland. The Board of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has approved the appointment of Alan Wall as CEO of the HEA following an open competition managed by the Public Appointments Service. Alan has extensive experience in the education sector having served as Assistant Secretary General at the Department of Education and Skills leading most recently its Research, Reform, Policy and Data Division. As Deputy Director with the Teaching Council he played a key role in the establishment of the agency. Alan holds a Doctorate in Governance from Queens University Belfast and also holds degrees from Maynooth University and Trinity College, Dublin.