Business News

CFO 100 Index 2024 in association with Sia Partners — Part 2

By Business & Finance
10 October 2024

The Business & Finance CFO 100 Index 2024, in association with Sia Partners, recognises the top 100 Chief Financial Officers working across some of the most innovative companies in Ireland and the UK today.

Download the CFO 100 Index 2024 PDF

Part 1Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4


Niall Dolan, Chief Financial Officer,
Applegreen plc

Niall Dolan - Applegreen

Niall Dolan joined Applegreen plc in 2015 as Head of Corporate Finance & Treasury, where he played a key role in overseeing the company’s financial strategy and managing its treasury operations. In July 2017, he was appointed Chief Financial Officer, a position in which he has been instrumental in driving the financial performance and growth of the company. Before working for Applegreen, Niall accumulated extensive experience in financial leadership roles across various industries. He served as Chief Financial Officer for ISS Facility Services Ireland, where he was responsible for overseeing the financial functions of one of the country’s largest facility management companies. Prior to that, he was Divisional Financial Controller at One51 plc, where he managed the financial operations for multiple divisions, contributing to the company’s strategic development. Niall began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he spent four years honing his skills in accounting and finance. He is a graduate of University College Dublin, where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree, followed by a Master’s in Accounting and Finance. His solid educational background and diverse professional experience have equipped him with the expertise to navigate complex financial environments and lead Applegreen through its continued expansion and success .


Siobhán Dowling, Finance Director,
Salesforce

Siobhán DowlingSiobhán Dowling, based in Dublin, Ireland, is the Finance Director for the Centre of Excellence in Finance and Strategy at Salesforce, where she leads financial initiatives and strategies to optimise business performance. With a wealth of experience gained through both her role in Salesforce and previous roles in finance, Siobhán has developed an in-depth understanding of the industry. She earned her ACA qualification from Chartered Accountants Ireland between 1995 and 1997. Her expertise spans across key areas such as Accounting, Forecasting, Business Analysis, Financial Reporting, and Financial Analysis, making her a pivotal figure in driving financial growth and operational efficiency. Siobhán’s comprehensive skill set positions her as a leader who consistently delivers value and insight in fast-paced and dynamic business environments.


Paul Duffy, Chief Financial Officer,
Ding

Paul Duffy is the Chief Financial Officer at Ding, the world’s leading mobile top-up platform headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. With a strategic vision and a commitment to operational excellence, Paul oversees the company’s financial operations, strategic planning, and investor relations. Prior to joining Ding, Paul held various leadership roles in financial management and corporate strategy across several multinational companies. His expertise includes managing global financial operations, developing growth strategies, and enhancing corporate governance. Paul holds a degree in Finance from University College Dublin and is a qualified Chartered Accountant. He is passionate about leveraging technology to create financial solutions that connect and empower individuals worldwide.


Peter Dunne, Chief Financial Officer,
DAA

Peter Dunne is the Chief Financial Officer of DAA, where he oversees the financial strategy and management of Ireland’s leading airport operator. Appointed in 2019, Dunne brings extensive experience in corporate finance, having previously held senior financial roles in various sectors, including retail, construction, and technology. A Chartered Accountant, Dunne began his career with PwC, where he gained significant expertise in financial planning, auditing, and risk management. He holds a Bachelor of Business Studies degree from Trinity College Dublin, which laid the foundation for his successful career in finance. At DAA, Dunne plays a pivotal role in driving the company’s financial performance, supporting its growth, and navigating the complexities of the aviation industry. His leadership continues to guide the organisation through major infrastructure projects and operational advancements.


Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson, Chief Financial Officer,
Flutter Entertainment

Paul Edgecliffe-Johnson joined Flutter in March 2023 as Group CFO. Prior to that, he served as Group CFO and Head of Strategy at IHG plc for ten years, having previously held a number of senior leadership positions including leading Investor Relations, Global Corporate Finance, Group Financial Planning and Analysis, Global Tax, Development for EMEA, Chief Financial Officer for Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa and served in 2010 as Interim Regional President of EMEA. He joined IHG from HSBC Investment Bank where he spent seven years working within Corporate Finance.Whilst at HSBC, Edgecliffe-Johnson advised a wide range of multinational companies on equity and debt fund raisings, mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures. Earlier in his career he studied law and then spent four years with Price Waterhouse, specialising in mergers and acquisition taxation. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales, a member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers, and a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Programme.


Brian Fagan, Chief Financial Officer,
I-RES

brian fagan

Brian Fagan joined I-RES as Finance Director on April 26th 2021. Since then, he has played an instrumental role in the delivery of internalisation for the Company, including building an experienced finance team who have taken over the management of the finance function for the Company post internalisation. Prior to joining the firm, Fagan was CFO for Island Capital and prior to that was Group Finance Director of Ballymore Group, an international property development and investment group with operations in Ireland, the United Kingdom and continental Europe. He also previously worked for DCC plc and acted as Finance Director of Flogas plc. Fagan is a Chartered Accountant and holds a B.Comm and a post-graduate Diploma in Professional Accounting from UCD.


Brendan Feeney, Chief Financial Officer,
Valeo Foods

Brendan Feeney joined Valeo Foods in 2012 as Chief Financial Officer. Previously, Feeney held CFO roles with Kingspan Group plc across Ireland, the UK, Western Europe, North America and Australia between 2000 and 2012. Before that, he worked with Deloitte in Ireland.


Saragh Fitzpatrick, Chief Financial Officer,
Houses of the Oireachtas

Saragh Fitzpatrick is a qualified ACCA accountant working as the Chief Financial Officer of the Houses of the Oireachtas Service, with responsibility for a budget of approximately €150 million per annum.

She previously worked as Director of Finance and Corporate Governance with Caranua (Residential Institutions Statutory Fund), in charge of the financial management of the voluntary fund provided for the support of survivors of institutional abuse. Fitzpatrick also fulfilled the function of Data Protection Officer in that organisation.

She previously worked as an Auditor with the Health Service Executive, tasked with auditing a wide range of organisations funded by the HSE and TUSLA, and prior to that with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, auditing Government departments and educational institutes.

Fitzpatrick has over fifteen years’ experience in the Life Assurance industry, as a Product Development and Management professional with experience in project management and working in a multi-dimensional team.


Donal Galvin, Chief Financial Officer,
AIB

Donal Galvin joined AIB as Group Treasurer in September 2013 and was appointed Chief Financial Officer in March 2019. He became a Board member of AIB in May 2021. With over 25 years of experience in both domestic and international financial markets, Donal has developed a robust expertise in financial management and strategy. Before joining AIB, he held several senior executive positions, including Managing Director at Mizuho Securities Asia and Dutch Rabobank, as well as Treasurer of Rabobank International. His extensive background in high-level financial roles has equipped him with deep insights into global financial operations. Additionally, Donal serves as a Non-Executive Director at Goodbody, contributing his expertise to the company’s strategic oversight.


Mark Garvey, Group Finance Director and Executive Director,
Glanbia

Mark Garvey was appointed as Group Finance Director of Glanvia on November 12th 2013. Prior to joining Glanbia, he held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer until 2012 with Sara Lee Corporation, a leading global food and beverage company. Garvey also held a number of senior finance roles in the Sara Lee Corporation in the US and Europe and prior to that he worked with Arthur Andersen in Ireland and the US. A Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Garvey graduated from University College Dublin with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and Diploma in Professional Accounting and has an Executive MBA from Northwestern University, Illinois.


John Gibbons, Group Chief Financial Officer,
ATA Group

John Gibbons has served as Group Chief Financial Officer of ATA Group since 2016, where he oversees the financial operations and strategic planning of the company. His leadership has been integral in driving the growth and financial health of the organization. Prior to joining ATA Group, John built a solid foundation in finance and operations through various key roles. He began his career as an accountant at KPMG, one of the leading global professional services firms, where he gained critical experience in auditing and financial management. After KPMG, John joined Dole plc, one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of fresh fruit and vegetables, where he served as Regional Finance and Operations Manager. His role at Dole expanded further when he was promoted to Corporate Development Director, where he was responsible for driving corporate strategy and development initiatives. In addition to his role at ATA Group, John is also a Non-Executive Director at SwiftComply, where he contributes his financial and strategic expertise to the governance and oversight of the company. John holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from University College Dublin and is a Chartered Accountant, credentials that have underpinned his successful career in financial leadership and corporate development. His broad experience across different sectors has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of financial management and operational excellence.


Catherine Gubbins, Chief Financial Officer,
DAA plc

Catherine Gubbins is the Chief Financial Officer of Greencore Group plc, a leading manufacturer of convenience foods in Ireland and the UK. Since joining Greencore in 2021, Catherine has been instrumental in enhancing the company’s financial management and strategic planning. Her leadership has helped drive Greencore’s growth, sustainability initiatives, and profitability. Before Greencore, Catherine served as the CFO of daa plc, where she led the financial strategy of the Dublin and Cork airports. With over two decades of experience in finance, she has held various senior roles in audit and corporate finance at KPMG and daa plc. Catherine holds a Bachelor of Commerce from University College Dublin and is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland. She is passionate about fostering sustainable business practices and mentoring the next generation of finance leaders.


John Heade, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director,
New Ireland 

John Heade is the Chief Financial Officer of New Ireland where he is also an executive director. Heade has been CFO at New Ireland since 2020. He previously held a role at Irish Life Assurance, where he was head of accounting at Irish Life Retail. Heade was Financial Control & Reporting Director Aviva Group Ireland at Aviva having taken up the role in February 2009 and went on to occupy the position of Finance Director Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland before joining Bank of Ireland in 2014. Heade is a Fellow Member of Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.


Michael Horan, Chief Finance and Secretariat Officer,
Tirlán

Michael Horan is Chief Finance and Secretariat Officer with Glanbia Co-op and was appointed as a member of Glanbia Co-op Board on April 4th 2022. He previously held the position of Group Secretary of Glanbia PLC from 2005 to 2022, and prior to that was the Group Financial Controller. He joined the Group in 1998 as Financial Controller of the Fresh Pork business in Ireland. Horan previously worked with Almarai Company in Saudi Arabia and BDO Simpson Xavier. A Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland, he graduated from the National University of Ireland, Galway with a Bachelor of Commerce degree.


Liam Hughes, Group Chief Financial Officer,
Carbery Group

Liam Hughes is the Group Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director at Carbery Group, a position he assumed in July 2023. Originally from Fermoy, Co. Cork, Hughes has an impressive background in senior finance and business leadership roles globally, including as President of Taste Europe at Kerry Group. With a wealth of financial and commercial expertise, Hughes has a proven track record of driving growth and delivering large-scale transformation initiatives. Throughout his career, he has lived and worked internationally, including in the United States, further strengthening his global perspective. His expertise in corporate finance, strategic planning, and commercial leadership make him a crucial figure at Carbery at a pivotal time, as the company looks to build on 50 years of success and innovation in the food industry.


Danny Jack, Finance Director,
Tesco

As Finance Director, Danny oversees all financial operations, including Business Partnering, Financial Planning & Analysis, Financial Control, Tax, and Procurement. His role is critical in ensuring that the company’s financial strategies align with its long-term business objectives, while also maintaining a strong focus on operational efficiency and governance. Danny brings over 13 years of experience with Tesco, where he has held a variety of senior roles across the UK and internationally. His extensive background in commercial finance, coupled with his ability to lead diverse teams, has equipped him with a deep understanding of the complex financial challenges in the retail sector. Most recently, he led Tesco’s UK Commercial Finance team, where he was instrumental in supporting the business’s financial strategy during a time of market transformation. In February 2024, Danny assumed the position of Finance Director for Tesco Ireland, where he is now responsible for driving financial performance, supporting business growth, and ensuring compliance across all financial activities in the region.


Peter Johnston, Chief Financial Officer,
Norbrook Laboratories 

Peter Johnston, based in Holywood, GB, is the Chief Financial Officer at Norbrook Laboratories Ltd, where he plays a key role in overseeing the financial strategy and operations of the company. With over 35 years of experience, Peter has previously held significant positions at The Keystone Group, WD Irwin & Sons Ltd, Kingspan Environmental & Renewables, and J E Ball, where he honed his financial expertise. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland, having completed his studies from 1983 to 1987. His extensive skill set includes Managerial Finance, Strategic Financial Planning, Working Capital Management, Restructuring, and IFRS, enabling him to effectively lead financial transformations and drive business growth across various sectors.


Marie Joyce, Chief Operations Officer & Chief Financial Officer,
NTR plc

Marie has extensive experience in global investment, finance and operations, of which the last 16 years focussed predominantly on renewables. Since joining NTR in 2004 she has held executive positions, including Group Commercial Director as well as CFO positions in wind, solar and broader infrastructure subsidiaries. Marie’s role at NTR includes supporting fund launches and fundraising (in particular, marketing and legal documents, investor negotiations & due diligence) and recommendation of investment bids and acquisitions. She is also responsible for the governance, risk and financial management of the funds and their underlying investments, investor reporting and investor relations, as well as the day-to-day operations of the NTR plc group. Prior to NTR, Marie was Senior Director of Strategic Planning for Élan Corporation plc and Audit & Corporate Finance Manager at Arthur Andersen. She is formerly Chair of the Board of Make-A-Wish Ireland. Marie is also director of daa plc, the Irish state-owned international airport and travel retail group with businesses in 16 countries. In this role Marie sits on the Strategic Infrastructure and Sustainability Committee and the Nomination and Remuneration Committee. She is also a non-executive board director of Staycity Group, one of Europe’s leading aparthotel operators where she chairs the Audit and Risk Committee. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Galway, a Master of Accounting from the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland.


Peter Juhas, Chief Financial Officer,
Aercap

Peter Juhas serves as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of AerCap, a global leader in aircraft leasing based in Ireland. With a diverse background in both finance and law, Juhas has built a career marked by leadership in complex financial and corporate transactions. His prior experience includes serving as Deputy CFO at American International Group (AIG), where he was deeply involved in financial restructuring and oversight. Before AIG, he worked at Morgan Stanley, specializing in investment banking, where he played a key role in mergers, acquisitions, and capital raising activities for major corporate clients. Earlier in his career, Juhas practiced corporate law at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, focusing on joint ventures, securities, and restructuring cases. Juhas is a graduate of Harvard Law School (J.D., 1997). Since joining AerCap, Juhas has been instrumental in overseeing the company’s major financial initiatives, including significant acquisitions, capital market activities, and operational efficiency improvements. His leadership continues to reinforce AerCap’s position as a global powerhouse in aviation leasing and finance, guiding the company through strategic growth while maintaining financial discipline and shareholder value. His broad expertise in both corporate finance and law positions him as a key figure in shaping AerCap’s future in a dynamic global market.


Andrew Keating, Chief Financial Officer,
Musgrave

Andrew Keating was appointed Chief Financial Officer in December 2022. Before assuming this role, Mr. Keating served as Chief Financial Officer at Bank of Ireland, where he was responsible for overseeing the financial strategy and operations of one of Ireland’s leading financial institutions. His extensive experience in finance is further highlighted by his executive role at CRH, a global leader in building materials. Mr. Keating’s career spans several high-profile positions, where he has demonstrated his expertise in financial management, strategic planning, and corporate governance. He has a proven track record of driving financial performance and delivering value across diverse sectors.


Barry Kelly, Chief Financial Officer,
National Broadband Ireland

Barry Kelly is the Chief Financial Officer of NBI, responsible for all aspects of finance, accounting, control, reporting and investor relations. Kelly joined NBI in 2020 with over twenty five years of finance and commercial experience ranging from small entrepreneurial businesses and start-ups to publicly quoted multi-nationals and private equity concerns. His previous roles include serving as the M&A Director in Valeo Foods and Senior Director of Transaction Services at KPMG Ireland. He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountancy Ireland.


Jacinta Lambert, Senior Finance Director,
Medtronic

Jacinta Lambert

Jacinta Lambert has held the role of Finance Director at Medtronic plc since 2009. Medtronic acquired Covidien in 2015. The company was founded in 2007 and has over 10,000 employees worldwide. She began her finance career in 1998 as Financial Controller for Bowne and followed that with a move to Pareto Marketing Ltd. She then worked in Systimax Solutions Ireland Ltd before moving to ESG Re Ltd where she spent over four years as Chief Accounting Officer. Lambert studied a Diploma in Irish Company Law in Dublin Business School before completing a Diploma in Corporate Law and Governance, Irish Corporate Law and Governance at the Law Society of Ireland. In 2014 she studied a Chartered Directors Programme at the Institute of Directors Ireland and in 2018 she completed a Certificate in Company Secretarial Law and Practice, Irish Company Law.


Marguerite Larkin, Group Chief Financial Officer,
Kerry Group 

Marguerite Larkin is Group CFO and joined Kerry in 2018, bringing extensive financial knowledge and risk management expertise. Prior to her current position, Larkin was a partner at a global leader in consulting, corporate finance, audit and tax services, operating in a broad range of industries including food and beverage, pharma and technology. She has extensive international experience and held a number of leadership roles, including Head of Audit and Assurance and Risk Advisory. Larkin is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and Masters in Accountancy.


Gina Laverty, Group Chief Financial Officer,
Viatel Technology Group

Gina Laverty, a Chartered Accountant and Tax Consultant, is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin. Her impressive financial career includes time with the Macquarie Group and PWC in New York. Laverty was part of the team that managed the sale of the Dublin-based online payments company, Realex, to Global Payments, a worldwide provider of payment technology services. She rose to become Senior Vice President for International Finance with Global Payments before making the move to Viatel Technology Group in 2021. Viatel Technology Group is an independent digital services group with market leading capabilities in cloud, communications, connectivity, security and digital transformation. The Viatel customer base spans many industries but it is notably strong in the fintech, healthcare, and retail sectors. Laverty’s experience in hyper-growth businesses and M&A activity are indispensable to Viatel’s ongoing growth strategy.


Download the full list as PDF

Business & Finance CFO 100 (alphabetical by surname):

View part one (A–D)

View part two (D–L)

View part three (L–P)

View part four (P–W)