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
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
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
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
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 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.
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
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.
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
Tom Hayes, Group Chief Technology Officer
PTSB
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.
Gregory Henwood, Group Chief Information Officer
Ardagh Group
Lee Hesselden, Head of Technology
Linked Finance
He holds a BSc (Hons) in Computing & Networks from the University of Plymouth.
John Hurley, Chief Technology Officer
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
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
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
Colin Kennedy, Executive Director & Chief Information Officer
DPD
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
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
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
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
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.
