The Business & Finance CIO 100 Index 2025, in association with Project Foundry, recognises the top 100 digital leaders working across some of the most innovative companies in Ireland today.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
The full list is available to download here
Shaun Anderson, Field CTO
NearForm
Shaun Anderson joined NearForm as a Field CTO in April 2022. With a solid background in the tech industry, Shaun has dedicated his career to streamlining processes, developing distributed systems, and enhancing performance for major organisations across diverse sectors.
He is the innovator behind the Swift Method, a process grounded in Domain-Driven Design (DDD) principles that enables rapid understanding of complex software systems. Moreover, he has developed software tools aimed at scrutinising pre-existing systems, offering practical analytics and strategic insights for modernisation.
Alan Bambury, Chief Information Security Officer
Kerry Group
He previously held roles as SAP Solution Architect, SAP Development Lead and SAP Finance Lead in Kerry Group after joining originally as IT Manager before moving to Kerry Ingredients and Flavours as IT Director. Bambury holds a BA from University College Cork.
Samuel Baxter, Chief Information Security Officer
FD Technologies
Samuel Baxter is the Chief Information Security Officer for FD Technologies.
He previously held roles as Information Security Manager & Security Lead of Formula 1, Asia Head of Engineering and WinAdmin Engineer at Options Technology, Senior Engineer of Planet Office Systems Ltd and Education Support Analyst at Bournemouth Borough Council.
Nathan Bishop, Group Information Technology Director
Grafton Group plc
Prior to his current role at Grafton Group, he was Group IT Operations Director at E.ON, the multinational utility provider, followed by Group IT Services Director at Homeserve.
Nathan holds a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from the University of Middlesex.
Phil Blackwell, Chief Technology Officer
Whyze Health
At WHYZE Health, Phil focuses on creating innovative systems that unite the healthcare ecosystem to enhance treatment options, improve patient outcomes, and democratise access to clinical trials. His leadership ensures the development of secure, highly scalable, and regulatory-compliant environments essential to WHYZE Health’s transformative vision.
Phil brings extensive expertise in managing large-scale technology services, infrastructure projects, and engineering operations. He specialises in building resilient systems that support critical decision-making through robust data management, secure transactional platforms, and streamlined operational processes.
Before WHYZE Health, Phil served as Group Chief Technology Officer at Bank of Ireland, where he led major technology initiatives to enhance innovation and operational efficiency. Later, as Group Chief Information Officer at The Irish Times Group, he further refined his ability to leverage technology for business transformation and organisational growth.
Phil’s proven track record in technology leadership and innovation underpins WHYZE Health’s journey to reshape healthcare and research, delivering solutions that drive meaningful, lasting impact in the industry.
Jonathan Boylan, Chief Technology Officer
FINEOS
In the last 20 years, Jonathan has played a leading role in the growth of FINEOS from a start-up to IPO with over €120m in annual revenue. While leading technology throughout the period, Jonathan also established and ran product management and led marketing. Like all technology companies, revenue growth is a major focus, and Jonathan has spent much of his time supporting the acquisition of new customers in new and existing markets, both directly in the sales process, consulting with Insurtech buyers, and in broader thought leadership.
In more recent years, Jonathan worked to select acquisition targets for FINEOS and supports InsurTech start-ups as an advisor and investor. In his spare time,e Jonathan has volunteered to support the Irish Software Association, Tech Ireland, Alexandra College and SciFest.
Peter Brickley, Chief Information Officer EMEA
CCEP (Coca-Cola EURO Pacific Partners)
Peter has over 25 years’ experience leading technology for global businesses including Heineken, Centrica and BAT. Before CCEP, he was Global CIO and Managing Director of Global Business Services at SABMiller.
Peter holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Science from the University of Warwick.
Eileen Bruns, Chief Digital Officer
Arthur Cox
She is also responsible for the digital transformation agenda within Arthur Cox, with a strategy to embed legal tech into the day-to-day work activities of the firm’s partners, associates, trainees and consultants across the firm. Previously, Burns spent seventeen years in senior leadership positions at both European and global levels within Accenture CIO and ten years on Accenture client consulting engagements.
Wayne Bursey, Industrial Networks and Security Consultant
Siemens Ireland & Scotland
As a consultant within industrial environments, the focus is on NIS2 and promoting the adoption of the IEC 62243 Standard and more resilient OT systems.
Jared Cartensen, Chief Information Security Officer
CRH plc
Over the past eighteen years, Carstensen has been advising Fortune 500, law enforcement and intelligence agencies, government and state departments, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, utilities and financial services entities on all areas of information and cyber security.
He combines years of international experience with a breadth of in-depth business and industry awareness to ensure that security acts as a business enabler while being a valuable business partner. Carstensen has contributed to and led various projects across the EMEA, Americas and APAC regions and is currently listed as a member of the IT Governance Institute Expert Panel (on 10+ Information Security and related domains).
He is a member of the Standards.org advisory panel on ISO 27001, ISO 38500, along with best practice frameworks and standards.
Brian Chapman, Chief Information Officer
eir Ireland
At eir, Brian has been pivotal in reshaping the IT landscape, driving strategic initiatives that optimise costs, enhance service delivery, and future-proof technology investments. His leadership has guided major transformations in IT strategy, architecture, development, security, and operations, ensuring that IT remains a key enabler of business growth.
Brian holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Telecommunications from Dublin City University and a Bachelor of Arts in Technology Management from Technological University Dublin.
Claire Chung, CIO
Citi
Patrick Clarke, Chief Information Officer
AIB (AIB Merchants Services)
Gary Connolly, CIO
CIE
Seán Convery, Chief Technology Officer
Boylesports
Convery is passionate about and personally supports the delivery of business needs across business verticals and ensuring developments are right-sized and right-paced with the business opportunity size in mind. He is personally inspiring and motivating teams in aligning to the business opportunities and priorities, and leads complex solutions and problem-solving.
Convery has a strong track record of transformation and hands-on experience across all technology domains, from product and development, through enterprise infrastructure and networks, cloud platforms and security, to Operations, Corporate IT, M&A and Organisational structuring. Seán attended Queen’s University Belfast, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Margaret Corrigan, Chief Information Security Officer
Clune Technologies
Margaret Corrigan is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at CluneTech, a global technology group specialising in simplifying international business operations. She joined CluneTech in 2016, bringing over 20 years of experience in senior IT roles within the finance sector. Her expertise encompasses information security, risk management, and compliance, with a strong focus on implementing robust security frameworks to protect organisational assets.
Before her tenure at CluneTech, Margaret held significant positions at Capita and Capgemini, where she led IT and security initiatives, contributing to the development of secure and efficient technological infrastructures. She began her career in 1987 as a systems test manager and project manager at Beneficial Bank. Margaret holds an MBA in executive leadership from the University of Wales, Cardiff.
In addition to her role at CluneTech, Margaret is an active speaker in the cybersecurity community. She has delivered keynote addresses at events such as The Discover AI Event, discussing the future of artificial intelligence in cybersecurity.
Margaret’s leadership and commitment to cybersecurity excellence have been recognised in the industry, underscoring her dedication to advancing secure technological practices in the financial sector.
Ashling Cunningham, Chief Information Officer
Irish Life
Ashling Cunningham is an experienced Chief Information Officer at Irish Life Group. She has extensive experience working across manufacturing, services, utilities, and financial services industries. Ashling has a Technology and Finance background, and holds an MSc in Management from Trinity College.
Before joining Irish Life, Ashling held several senior leadership and consulting positions in international companies. A regular speaker at seminars, conferences, and industry events on the transformational role of digital and technology, data and security, innovation, and women in business, she is a frequent contributor to trade publications.
Louise Dennehy, Chief Information Officer
Central Bank of Ireland
Dennehy has over 25 years’ experience in IT within the financial services industry, including holding several Head of IT roles. She is a graduate of University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin in science and IT-related disciplines.
Conor Devane, CIO,
Coillte
Conor Devane is CIO of Coillte, the Irish state-owned commercial forestry business. Coillte is responsible for 440,000 hectares of forests and lands, including wild bogs, mountains, rivers and beaches.
Michael Devitt, Chief Information Officer
William Fry
Devitt has led IT functions in highly regulated environments and has almost thirty-five years of experience in IT, working for large multinationals across various sectors, including banking, distribution, sales & marketing, security, and legal. A strategic thinker, dedicated to driving technological innovation, enhancing IT operations & security, process optimisation, automation and fostering high-performance teams.
Chris Donnelly, Chief Information Officer
BWG Foods
With his team, Chris designed and developed the multi-award-winning BWG ShopLink eCommerce platform. Chris and his team have won multiple National and International Technology awards, and Chris is an accomplished and well-known public speaker on IT Strategy & Vision. Chris is also a regular angel investor in the technology space, currently working with two Irish start-ups and one international, all three of which are using AI.
Chris has a degree in Business, specialised in Systems Analysis and a postgraduate in Marketing.
John Downes, CIO
SSE Airtricity
John Downes has been SSE Renewables’ CIO since December 2022, where he is responsible for driving digital transformation across the organisation and leading on information and operational technology activities, including cyber security. Prior to this, he held positions at SSE Renewables as Director of Engineering and Director of Engineering and Innovation.
John graduated from Birmingham City University with a Bachelor’s in Electronic Engineering. He also holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Henley Business School.
Conor Doyle, Chief Information Officer
NBC Global Finance Limited
Conor Doyle is CIO for NBC Global Finance Limited. NBC is a leading bank in its core market of Quebec and holds strong positions in select activities across Canada. They operate in Canada through three main business segments: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management, and Financial Markets. A fourth segment, U.S. Speciality Finance and International, supports and enhances the growth of its domestic operations.
Keith Fingleton, Chief Information Officer
IDA
Phillip Fischer, Chief Information Officer
University College Dublin
Fischer ran an IT services business in Germany before joining the Musgrave Group Ireland, where he held a number of positions with the primary aim of delivering business intelligence solutions across the enterprise and project managing the integration of new acquisitions. Fischer is a member of Ibec’s Digital Economy Policy Committee and completed the Henley MBA in 2009, specialising in ICT Shared Services.
