By Business & Finance 
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
John Fitzgerald, Chief Information Officer
CMS Distribution
John Fitzgerald is the Chief Information Officer of CMS Distribution, where his responsibilities cover all aspects of internal systems, infrastructure, applications, and data. He has a history of leading complex teams and delivering large-scale projects in the information technology, banking and services industry and has held a number of senior positions in IT and Risk, always with a particular emphasis on data analytics. John holds a D.Phil. in Mathematics from the University of Oxford and a B.Sc from the University of Galway.
Ronan Fitzpatrick, Chief Information Officer
VHI
Ronan Fitzpatrick has been CIO at the VHI group since 2021, with previous roles including Director of Digital at PwC Ireland and Director of Digital and Mobile at Aer Lingus. Fitzpatrick achieved a BSc in Applied Computing in 1994 from Waterford Institute of Technology.
Lidia Fonseca, Chief Digital & Technology Officer — Executive Vice President
Pfizer
Lidia Fonseca is Chief Digital and Technology Officer and EVP at Pfizer, leading its global digital, data, and tech strategy. She drives innovation across drug development, manufacturing, and commercial operations. Fonseca launched Pfizer’s Digital Companion™, and leads AI initiatives for disease detection and treatment optimisation. She was instrumental in accelerating Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine development.
Previously SVP and CIO at Quest Diagnostics, she brings over 20 years of healthcare experience. Fonseca sits on the boards of Medtronic, Tegna, and the US-Japan Business Council. She holds a BA from UC Berkeley and an MBA from UCLA.
Jacky Fox, Senior Managing Director — Security
Accenture
Jacky leads Accenture’s Global Security Strategy practice with over 30 years’ experience in technology and cybersecurity consulting. Jacky holds an MSc in Digital Investigations and Forensic Computing, a GCFA and a GICSP. She has worked across multiple industry sectors, including health & public services, resources and financial services. Jacky specialises in helping organisations to understand and treat their cyber risk and has had the experience of investigating many national and international breaches.
She is also a Vice-chair on the board of Cyber Ireland and has previously been an adjunct lecturer in UCD’s MSc in Forensics and Security. Jacky is an active contributor at the World Economic Forum, speaking at Davos in 2022 and contributes actively to other security forums at international conferences and Interpol. In 2018, she was awarded ‘Security Champion of the Year’ in Ireland for her contribution to the Irish security industry and her mentorship and encouragement of women in security.
Carlos Freesz, Group Head of Information & Communications Technology
Kenmare Resources plc
Carlos Freesz joined Kenmare Resources plc as Group Head of Information & Communications Technology (ICT) in March 2022, bringing a wealth of experience in driving business value through technology transformations. Throughout his career, he has executed strategic initiatives that leverage advanced technologies to enhance operational efficiency and foster growth. His experience includes significant roles at global corporations, most recently at Mars and Accenture.
Paul French, Chief Information Officer
Aviva
Paul French was appointed Chief Information Officer at Aviva Ireland in October 2018 and is responsible for all aspects of the IT and Digital strategies across both of Aviva’s regulated businesses in Ireland.
French has extensive experience across a number of different industries and, prior to joining Aviva, was Head of Trading Technology at Paddy Power Betfair, where he held a number of senior positions leading large engineering teams for the group. He holds a BSc in Computing and an MBA from IE Business School, Madrid.
Catherine Gardiner, Group Chief Information Officer & Customer Solutions Chief
Energia
Catherine was appointed Chief Operating Officer, Customer Solutions & Technology in 2023, assuming operational responsibility for the Power NI and Energia Customer Solutions businesses and oversight of group-wide technology, data and digital transformation. Prior to this, Catherine was the Chief Information Officer from 2011. Catherine has held several other management positions, including Head of Operations for Energia.
Catherine holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Management from Queen’s University Belfast, as well as a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Ulster University.
Colm Gartlan, IT Director
Norbrook Laboratories Ltd.
Colm Gartlan is IT Director at Norbrook Laboratories Ltd., with global experience in business transformation, process optimisation, and IT operations. He has led major initiatives in strategy execution, software development, project management, and risk management.
His expertise includes business relationship management, enterprise architecture, service delivery, supplier management, and leadership development.
Previously, he was VP of Information Management at Xerox and held senior IT roles at Motorola. Colm holds an Electronic Engineering Degree from Dublin City University.
Stuart Halford, Chief Information Officer
Goodbody
Stuart Halford is an accomplished technology leader with over twenty-five years of experience across the private and public sectors, predominantly in the heavily regulated financial services industry.
He is responsible for the development, management and delivery of Goodbody’s technology strategy, solutions architecture and information security in addition to leading the delivery of key technology changes and operational management of the firm’s technology services and outsourced/managed service providers.
Halford has a track record of successfully defining and leading numerous innovative technology solutions and strategic transformation initiatives supporting the firm’s overall business strategy whilst ensuring regulatory compliance, risk management, security and resilience. He holds a B.Eng from UCD.
Deborah Harrington, Group IT Director
Dairygold Co-Operative Society Ltd.
Deborah Harrington has been Group IT Director at Dairygold Co-operative Society Ltd since December 2018. Prior to her appointment to the role, she was Dairygold’s Business Solutions Manager, working at the company for over 30 years. Deborah has overall responsibility for establishing the strategic direction for IT, helping to integrate technology into all parts of the Society.
She oversees IT service operations, such as application support, help-desk, infrastructure and security services. Deborah and her team are dedicated to driving change, business process improvement and digital automation.
Colm Harte, CTO Europe
Nearform
Colm has 25 years’ experience in the software industry, bringing a unique combination of technical skills and expertise in software architecture, development and leadership. He has a very broad knowledge of software as a creative process, along with significant management and leadership experience. Colm has extensive product experience, having worked on products from inception, all the way through to large-scale production deployments.
Tom Hayes, Group Chief Technology Officer
PTSB
Tom is an experienced business transformation and technology leader, with an extensive track record of delivering organisational value through high performance team culture. Tom is currently Group CITO and a member of the Executive Committee at PTSB, having previously held senior technology leadership roles at AIB.
Within his current role, Tom has a broad set of accountabilities including the Bank’s digital transformation strategy, innovation agenda, strategic technology roadmap and cyber resilience programme. Tom is also accountable for all day-to-day critical technology service operations across the Bank. Tom’s leadership philosophy is about progressive creation of value, placing customers and colleagues at the centre of thinking.
Tom is a Computer Science graduate of UCC, holds a Master’s degree in Business Studies from Smurfit Business School, UCD and is a Certified Bank Director.
Maurice Hennessy, Chief Technology Officer
Ornua Co-operative Ltd.
Maurice Hennesy joined Ornua as CTO in 2023. With more than 30 years of experience, Maurice is an experienced CTO with previous roles as CIO at daa, VP Corporate Controller at Global Crossing, and other roles at Analog Devices and PwC. Maurice holds a diploma in Business Studies from the University of Limerick.
Gregory Henwood, Group Chief Information Officer
Ardagh Group
Gregory Henwood is Chief Information Officer for the Ardagh Group, with $10bn turnover in the manufacturing business across 65 metal and glass production facilities. The Ardagh group is a supplier of sustainable, infinitely recyclable, metal and glass packaging for brand owners around the world. Gregory has helped build a talented, adaptable and inclusive IT organisation, embedded a new technology operating model and applied best practice delivery methods.
Lee Hesselden, Head of Technology
Linked Finance
Lee Hesselden is Head of Technology at Linked Finance, one of Ireland’s leading alternative lenders. With a proven track record in delivering IT strategies and digital transformation, Lee has led the IT function since 2021. He is accountable for all aspects of technology within Linked Finance. Lee has fifteen years’ experience in technology leadership roles across several sectors, including financial services and e-commerce, both in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
He holds a BSc (Hons) in Computing & Networks from the University of Plymouth.
John Hurley, Chief Technology Officer
Ryanair
John Hurley is a senior executive with over sixteen years of experience in the IT industry. He has proven leadership skills, including growing, developing and motivating teams. His current role is Chief Technology Officer at Ryanair.
Hurley is a flexible and self-motivated individual with proven analytical, design and problem-solving skills. He has a strong mix of software development experience combined with planning and delivery of complex technical projects in a demanding environment. Hurley currently leads a team of 50+ onshore and 250+ offshore developers.
Niall Igoe, Director of IT
Dole plc
Niall Igoe is the Group IT Director at Dole plc, the world’s largest global fresh produce company. Headquartered in Dublin and listed on the NYSE, Dole plc employs over 38,500 people across 30 countries worldwide.
In his role, Niall is responsible for overseeing IT delivery across the Dole group, including the definition and execution of the company’s IT strategy. A core component of this strategy involves transforming Dole’s in-house developed ERP platform into a leading low-code solution, designed to improve agility and deliver greater business value. He also leads various digital transformation initiatives, leveraging technology to drive business value through data insights and process automation.
Prior to joining Dole plc, Niall served as IT Director at Flogas Ireland (part of DCC). He has also held a variety of senior leadership roles at CRH and served as IT Director at SOLAS. He holds an MBA from the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and a BSc in Computer Science from Queen’s University Belfast.
Michelle Kearns, Head of IT
Boots Ireland
Michelle, a leader in health informatics, drives transformation as Boots Ireland’s Head of IT. Former CIO of Caredoc, she has a track record in improving patient care through innovative collaboration. As a founding member of the Council of Clinical Information Officers, she advises the HSE and contributes to global health initiatives as a World Health Organisation advisor. Michelle’s contribution to the profession has been recognised by her regular inclusion in the esteemed CIO 100 list. Founding director of One HealthTech Ireland, she champions openness, inclusion, and diversity, propelling global health tech innovation. Michelle integrates technology with compassionate care, shaping the future of accessible healthcare with unwavering dedication.
At Boots Ireland, Michelle is a strategic leader ensuring that the Boots team in Ireland has the digital and technological support to offer the customers of Ireland the best possible Boots experience, whether in store or online.
Damien Kelly, Chief Information Officer
Uisce Éireann
Damien is an accomplished senior leader with 15+ years’ experience building high-energy, diverse teams with a track record in delivering key business results and continuous improvement. In his current role as CIO, he is shaping the transformation of IT services to support Uisce Éireann in delivering water services to the people of Ireland.
He has been with Uisce Éireann for over 10 years, using his strategic focus, expert problem-solving and communication skills to drive service excellence through his various leadership roles in Finance, Customer Operations and Asset Management. Damien is a qualified Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Consultant.
Susan Kemp, IT Director
A&L Goodbody
Susan Kemp is the IT Director at A&L Goodbody. She is responsible for the development and implementation of the firm’s IT strategy. She manages a multidisciplinary team which has responsibility for IT support, information security, DevOps and Infrastructure globally. Kemp was awarded a BA in Computer Science from Trinity College (TCD). She previously served in technology positions at TCD/St James Hospital Medical Informatics Unit, AIB and Deutsche Bank.
Colin Kennedy, Executive Director & Chief Information Officer
DPD
Colin Kennedy became Executive Director and CIO of DPD in 2018. His role is to oversee the strategic journey, implementing DPD’s vision of innovation in delivery and orchestrating digital transformation across the organisation. He also holds responsibility for International Trade, Logistics and Sustainability.
With over thirty years’ experience in the digital space, Kennedy has been leading and inspiring teams to deliver brilliant products across both B2B and B2C environments. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA).
Dougie Kennedy, Chief Technology Officer
Aegon UK
Appointed to the role of Chief Technology Officer for Aegon UK in May 2024, Dougie first joined the Aegon Group in 2007 and has since held numerous positions across a variety of business units and countries, including as Chief Technology Officer of Aegon Life in India.
Building upon his work as Chief Architect of Aegon UK since September 2022, Dougie is responsible for driving the delivery of our technology strategy, as we strive towards our ambition of being the UK’s leading digital platform.
Ken Kennedy, Group IT Director
Sisk
Ken Kennedy has been Group IT Director at Sisk since 2009, having joined as IT Manager for the Irish business in 2005. Prior to this, Ken was Senior Service Delivery Manager for HP in their managed services business.
With over 35 years of experience in the IT sector, Kennedy has a track record of leadership and change, which has helped transform the IT landscape within Sisk’s which has aided its rapid expansion across Europe.
Brona Kernan, IT Director
Zurich Ireland
Currently IT Director at Zurich Ireland, Brona Kernan was previously CIO at The Irish Times from 2009–2015. Prior to that, she was the IT Director for Cpl.
From 1994–2006, Kernan was IT Director at Ryanai,r where she was in charge of building and developing the company’s essential computing and communications infrastructure as it took its first steps into online booking.
Keith Kiernan, Group CIO
Bank of Ireland
With over 25 years of experience in the IT and services industry, Keith Kiernan is a senior executive who leads the digital transformation strategy, service delivery, operations, and procurement functions at Bank of Ireland, one of the largest financial institutions in Ireland.
As the Group Chief Information Officer, Keith is responsible for delivering innovative and customer-centric solutions, enhancing operational efficiency and resilience, and driving business growth and performance.
He has a proven track record of leading successful business transformation programs, outsourcing initiatives, and strategic alliances, leveraging his skills in change management and strategic sourcing. He is also a Non-Executive Director at Aware, a national organisation that provides support, education, and information for people affected by depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
Jorg Koletski, CIO
Aercap
Jorg has significant experience in managing complex system implementations on a global scale, transforming IT functions and running high-quality teams. His experience extends to working within large multinational companies including IBM, Volkswagen, National Grid and E.ON. Following the $30bn acquisition of the GE aircraft leasing business, Jorg was instrumental in the integration project, harmonising systems globally and introducing leading technologies and global implementation teams.
