David O’Sullivan

Biography

David O’Sullivan has a long and distinguished career in the European Public Service, spanning over four decades and he has served in several senior official posts.

Prior to his appointment as Sanctions Envoy, he was a Director General of the Institute for International and European Affairs, a leading Irish think tank. Before that, he joined the Brussels office of the law firm Steptoe and Johnson LLP as a Senior Counsellor (2019-2022).

David O’Sullivan served as Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to the United States from November 2014 until February 2019. Prior to his appointment as Ambassador to the U.S., he was the Chief Operating Officer of the EU's new diplomatic service, the European External Action Service. He had previously held a number of senior positions within the European Commission including Director General for Trade (2005-2010); Secretary General of the European Commission (2000-2005); and Chief of Staff to Commission President Romano Prodi (1999-2000).  Before joining the Commission, he started his career with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs (1977-1979).

Mr. O’Sullivan is a Member of the Governing Board of the King Baudouin Foundation as well as of the European Policy Centre.

Academia

Mr. O'Sullivan graduated from Trinity College, Dublin with a degree in Economics and Sociology (1975) and completed post-graduate studies at the College of Europe, Bruges (1976).

While at Trinity, he was Auditor and debating Gold Medalist of the College Historical Society, and a winner of the Irish Times debating competition.

He holds an Honorary Doctorate from his alma mater Trinity College, Dublin (2014).  He has been a visiting Professor at the European College of Parma. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Dublin Institute of Technology (2005).

Honours and Awards

• European of the Year by the European Movement of Ireland (1999)
• Alumnus of the Year by the College of Europe (2013)
• EU Transatlantic Business Award by the American Chamber of Commerce (June 2014)
• Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (France, 2019)
• Grand Officier de l’Ordre de Léopold (Belgium, 2019)