CFO 100 Index 2024 in association with Sia Partners — Part 4
Business & Finance
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.
Ger Penny, Chief Financial Officer, The Sisk Group
Ger Penny joined the Sisk Group in 2005 as Group CFO and is responsible for the management of the Group’s Finance function. He provides strategic direction to the wider business including responsibility for all financial governance, reporting and controls across the Group including FP&A, Treasury and Taxation. He has extensive mergers and acquisitions and joint venture experience. He led the sale of the Group’s sale of its medical device business to Uniphar plc and was heavily involved as a non-executive director in its successful listing on the London Stock Exchange in 2019. Ger also acts as chairperson to certain of the Group’s subsidiary businesses . He also sits on the boards of certain investments made by the Group. He was a director of Archus Consulting in the UK for five years, which was acquired by a strategic investor in 2023. Prior to joining the Sisk Group, he worked in Diageo plc for 12 years and held a number of senior finance and strategy leadership positions including R&A Bailey Finance Director and Commercial Finance Director of Diaego Northern Ireland. Earlier in his career he spent nine years with PriceWaterhouseCoopers including four years in Dublin and five years in its Hong Kong office,. He is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and is also a Chartered Director. He is a non-executive director of two not for profit organisations.
Carol Phelan, Chief Financial Officer, Dalata Hotel Group
Carol Phelan is the Chief Financial Officer of Dalata Hotel Group, a position she has held since July 2021. She joined Dalata in November 2014, bringing with her extensive expertise in corporate finance, strategic development, financial reporting, and controls. Her previous senior roles at Ion Equity and KPMG have equipped her with a strong foundation in financial leadership. A Chartered Accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Phelan holds a First Class Honours Master of Accounting. In January 2022, she was appointed to Dalata’s main board as an Executive Director, further solidifying her leadership role within the company. Phelan’s financial acumen has been instrumental in driving Dalata’s growth and operational efficiency.
Ryan Preston, Chief Financial Officer, FD Technologies
Ryan joined the Board of FD Technologies PLC in January 2021 and has responsibility for the Group’s financial and legal operations, M&A and strategy. Ryan was formerly chief financial officer of Independent News & Media plc and at OVO Energy Retail, having spent the early part of his career at Tesco plc where he was CFO of the European business.
Colm Purcell is the Chief Financial Officer of Origin Enterprises PLC, a leading agri-services group providing specialist agronomy advice, crop technologies, and digital solutions. Colm joined Origin Enterprises in 2022 and has been instrumental in steering the company’s financial strategy, optimizing operational efficiency, and driving growth initiatives. With over two decades of experience in finance and leadership roles, Colm has a strong background in corporate finance, strategic planning, and investor relations. Prior to joining Origin Enterprises, he held senior financial positions at global companies such as Kingspan Group and CRH plc. Colm holds a Bachelor of Commerce from University College Dublin and is a qualified Chartered Accountant. He is committed to advancing sustainable agricultural practices and fostering innovation in the agri-services sector.
Darren Purkis, Chief Financial Officer, Three
Darren Purkis has been Three’s Chief Financial Officer since June 2018 having worked at the firm for just over a decade, previously as deputy CFO. In addition to his traditional CFO duties, Purkis is also on the board at MBNL responsible for Three’s network share with EE, ensuring that Three can deliver an amazing customer experience while controlling costs Prior to joining Three, Purkis was previously finance director at Warehouse Fashions and, prior to this, held various Finance roles across the retail sector at Borders Books, Kingfisher plc and Marks & Spencer Group plc.
Peter Quinn,Chief Financial Officer, An Post
Peter Quinn has built a distinguished career in finance, marked by extensive experience in both strategic and operational roles. After earning a Bachelor of Commerce in 1980 and an MBA in 2001 from University College Dublin, Peter began his career with KPMG, where he honed his expertise as a Chartered Accountant. He later moved into senior financial positions, first at PJ Carroll and Company, where he played a key role in financial management, and subsequently at Monaghan Mushrooms, where he served as Chief Financial Officer. In 2004, Peter joined An Post as Chief Financial Officer, a position in which he has been pivotal in steering the financial strategy of the organization. In addition to his role at An Post, Peter is also a director of Premier Lotteries Ireland, where he has overseen significant developments, including the sale of the company to the French operator, Française des Jeux.
Dominic Reilly, Chief Financial Officer, Coillte
Dominic Reilly was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Coillte in June 2021, bringing over a decade of experience in senior finance roles within the Coillte Group. A Chartered Accountant by profession and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland, Reilly has been instrumental in driving financial strategy and governance for the company. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting & Finance from Dublin City University, providing a solid foundation for his career. Before joining Coillte, Reilly worked for eight years with PwC, where he gained valuable experience in auditing and financial management. His leadership and deep expertise continue to play a critical role in Coillte’s financial operations, supporting the company’s growth and sustainability initiatives.
Nick Roberts, Chief Financial Officer, Diaceutics
Nick is a highly experienced senior finance professional with a track record of managing and developing finance functions and governance structures in high growth AIM-quoted healthcare and technology companies with global customer bases. Prior to his appointment to Diaceutics PLC, he was Head of Group Reporting at AIM-quoted Ergomed PLC, a full-service pharmacovigilance and specialist clinical trial service provider to the pharma and biotechnology industries. During his tenure, Nick developed and managed the day-to-day group finance reporting requirements for Ergomed plc and oversaw the roll-out of several governance framework and reporting projects, including the financial integration of two US business acquisitions. Prior to this, he was Group Financial Controller at AIM-quoted Ceres Power Holdings plc, a fuel cell and electrochemical technology development company, leading the development of the finance function to accommodate a period of considerable commercial and financial growth over four years. Nick is a Fellow Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Southampton.
Antoine Sage, Chief Financial Officer, Schneider Electric UK and Ireland
Antoine Sage joined Schneider Electric in 2005 and has held several leadership positions within different areas of the business and group. Most recently, he was the Vice President of Strategy for Europe Operations. During his experience, Sage has led several Finance organisations for Global Functions, French Manufacturing entities and European Industrial Cluster before becoming the Finance Vice President of Secure Power Division for both Europe and International regions. He holds a Master’s degree from Grenoble Business School, GEM, France.
Brid Saruwatari, Global Chief Financial Officer, Transfermate
Bríd Saruwatari joined TransferMate Global Payments as Group CFO in 2022. Bríd began her career with PWC and she has since had a lengthy and successful global career spanning over 25 years across a number of sectors including insurance, fund administration and credit unions. Her skill set covers all areas of finance and provides leadership in treasury management, financial control, corporate governance, strategic planning, budgeting, financial reporting, audit and compliance. A chartered accountant by profession, Bríd holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University College Dublin.
Anna Savage, Chief Financial Officer, Fexco
Anna was appointed to the role of Group CFO of Fexco in October 2021. Since 1981 Fexco has evolved from a local foreign exchange player to a global financial services and fintech firm. Anna has 20 years’ experience in Banking and Finance, prior to Fexco she was the CFO for AIB Group (UK) plc. She also held senior positions in AIB as Head of Finance for AIB Retail Banking Ireland and Head of Group Management Reporting. Throughout her career Anna held key roles in strategic and financial planning, mergers and acquisitions and the AIB IPO process. Anna is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accounts (CGMA) and the Irish Tax Institute (CTA).
David Savage, Regional Finance Director, Abbott
David Savage is the Regional Finance Director at Abbott, a global healthcare device company, where he has held this leadership role for the past nine years. In this position, he oversees financial operations across the region, contributing to Abbott’s mission of advancing healthcare worldwide. Before joining Abbott, David served as Senior Finance Manager at Eli Lilly and Company for over five years, where he gained extensive experience in managing financial strategies within the pharmaceutical industry. David’s educational background includes a Business degree in Accounting and Finance from Waterford Institute of Technology and an Executive MBA from University College Cork. He is also a qualified Chartered Management Accountant, a designation that underscores his expertise in financial management and strategic planning. His career trajectory reflects a strong commitment to excellence in finance, with a focus on driving growth and innovation in the healthcare sector.
John Sheehan, Group Chief Financial Officer and Director, Ardagh Group
John Sheehan has been the Chief Financial Officer and Director of Ardagh Group since 2021, bringing a wealth of experience in finance and corporate development to the role. Prior to his current position, he served as the Director of Corporate Development and Investor Relations at Ardagh, where he was instrumental in shaping the company’s strategic direction and managing relationships with investors. His leadership in these areas contributed significantly to Ardagh’s growth and market positioning. Before joining Ardagh in 2012, John spent twelve years in equity capital markets, where he held key roles at prominent financial institutions, including Investec, RBS, and NCB. During this time, he gained extensive experience covering a broad range of industry sectors, with a particular focus on the packaging industry. This background provided him with a deep understanding of market dynamics and investment strategies, which he has leveraged throughout his career. John began his professional journey by qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he developed a solid foundation in accounting and finance.
Neil Sorahan, GroupChief Financial Officer, Ryanair
Neil Sorahan was appointed CFO of Ryanair in 2014 and Group CFO in 2019. Prior to this he served as Ryanair’s Finance Director from June 2006 and Treasurer from January 2003. Before joining Ryanair, Sorahan held various finance and treasury roles at CRH plc. (1992-2002 incl.). He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and ICSA – The Chartered Governance Institute.
Mark Spain, Group Chief Financial Officer, Bank of Ireland
Mark Spain was appointed as Group Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director on March 31st 2022. He was appointed to the Group Executive Committee in July 2019 following his appointment as Chief Strategy Officer in April 2019. He previously held a number of senior management positions in Bank of Ireland including Director of Group Investor Relations, Director of Group Finance and most recently UK Commercial Director. Before joining Bank of Ireland, Spain served as a Director of IBI Corporate Finance, where he gained extensive M&A and capital markets experience, advising a number of leading Irish companies including Bank of Ireland. Prior to this, he was a senior manager in Diageo plc’s M&A function based in London. He has more than thirty years’ experience in financial and accounting roles. Spain is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland, having qualified with KPMG.
Andrea Stafford, Head of Finance, Malin Corporation plc
Andrea Stafford was appointed as Head of Finance at Malin in May 2022. Prior to her tenure at Malin, Ms. Stafford accumulated extensive experience in senior finance roles at Sebela Pharmaceuticals and Doosan Bobcat. Her career commenced with a significant role at PwC, where she was part of the international and domestic business assurance group in Dublin, contributing to various high-profile projects and audits. Ms. Stafford graduated from the National College of Ireland, where she laid the foundation for her career in finance. She is also a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Paul Stapleton, Executive Director, Group Finance & Commercial, ESB
Paul Stapleton was appointed Executive Director, Group Finance and Commercial at ESB in October 2022. He brings over 30 years of experience, having joined ESB in 1991. Before his current role, Stapleton was the Managing Director of Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Networks. Throughout his career, he has held numerous senior roles, including General Manager of Electric Ireland, ESB Group Treasurer, and Financial Controller of ESB Networks. His vast expertise spans both finance and managerial positions within the Group. Stapleton is a qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and also holds the prestigious designation of IOD Chartered Director, showcasing his commitment to leadership and governance.
Monika Starzak is currently the Financial Controller for Citibank Europe Plc (CEP) cluster and Ireland CFO with responsibilities over CEP consolidated regulatory reporting and financial controls as well as oversight over the Finance function for Ireland franchise. She joined Citi in Warsaw, Poland in March 1997 and held various roles in Finance including Bank Handlowy Financial Controller – Citi Legal Entity with minority shareholders based in Poland and listed on Warsaw Stock Exchange, Tax Head, Strategic Cost Management and Expense processing Head for Citibank Poland. In 2017 she relocated with her family to Dublin to take over the responsibility of Citibank Europe Financial Controller. She began working at KPMG Poland Banking Audit team in September 1993 before joining Citi. Starzak is a graduate of Warsaw University, Department of Economics and IESE Business School.
Mary Stone, Finance Director, Northern Trust
Mary Stone is the Finance Director of Northern Trust and head of EMEA MRPA. She has been with Northern Trust since 2005, holding positions as Head of Finance, Head of EMEA MRPA, and Finance Director before being appointed to her current role in 2014. Prior to her experience with Northern Trust, Stone was with Baring Asset Management for over twelve years, working in Financial Accountant and Head of Finance roles. She is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants through Dublin Business School.
Stephen Tighe, Chief Financial Officer, eir
Stephen Tighe is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of eir. Tighe was appointed Chief Financial Officer in April 2018. He is a senior finance executive with over twenty years of business experience. Previously, he was Finance Director for eir’s Consumer division, the largest within the Group, since October 2013 and interim Chief Commercial Officer since July 2017. Prior to this, Tighe held the positions of Finance Director in both the Open eir division and Business division. He is a chartered accountant (CIMA) and has also completed the Corporate Finance Programme at the London Business School. Tighe and his team support and drive the business in delivery of the company’s financial and operating plans. The team also manages all Corporate Finance activity, Financial Control and Reporting, Investor Relations, Internal Audit, Property, Pensions and Procurement.
Dan Twomey, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Dell Financial Services
Dan Twomey has been a dedicated member of the Dell Technologies team for twenty-five years, during which he has held a variety of finance leadership positions. His roles have spanned across manufacturing, operations, commercial finance, sales, and financial planning, reflecting his broad expertise and deep understanding of the industry. Since 2019, Dan has served as the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Dell Financial Services, overseeing the strategic direction and management of the division. Additionally, he is the Managing Director of Dell Bank International, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping the company’s financial services strategy. Dan is a Chartered Accountant and earned his degree from the University of Limerick, bringing a strong educational foundation and extensive experience to his leadership roles
Richard Watton, Director of Finance, Sky Ireland
Richard Watton currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Sky Ireland, the largest Pay TV provider in the country. In this role, he oversees the financial performance, commercial strategy, and product development of the business. A CIMA qualified accountant and alumnus of London Business School, Watton joined Sky in 2007 from EMI Music. Over the years, he has held various roles within Sky, including positions in Content Syndication and Broadband, gaining extensive experience across the UK and mainland Europe. Watton’s career prior to Sky includes significant experience in IT consultancy and managed services. His diverse background has equipped him with a robust understanding of both the financial and technical aspects of the telecom and media industries. His leadership at Sky Ireland focuses on driving growth and innovation, ensuring the company’s competitive edge in the market. Throughout his career, Watton has demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence and a strategic vision that has contributed significantly to the success of the organisations he has been part of. His expertise in financial management and strategic planning continues to play a crucial role in shaping the future of Sky Ireland.
Richard Whelan, Chief Financial Officer, AXA Ireland
Richard Whelan is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at AXA Ireland, a role he has held since June 2007. His career spans over three decades, with significant experience in finance and strategic roles. Before joining AXA, Whelan worked as a Financial Controller at Legal & General Mortgages in the UK and as an Audit Supervisor at Ernst & Young (EY). He has been instrumental in overseeing AXA’s financial operations, underwriting strategies, and long-term strategic planning. Whelan is a Chartered Accountant, having earned his qualifications from Chartered Accountants Ireland, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Studies from University College Dublin. His extensive background in corporate finance, auditing, and insurance makes him a critical player in AXA’s leadership team. Since joining AXA in 1993, his deep expertise and leadership have been crucial in steering the company’s financial health.
John Williamson, Chief Financial Officer, Linesight
John Williamson brings over 23 years of experience in Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) roles across multinational organisations. He joined Linesight in 2019 as Group CFO, where he oversees a wide range of financial operations and strategic initiatives. His extensive career encompasses managing global teams, developing and executing corporate strategies, and leading mergers and acquisitions. John has a proven track record in restructuring and refinancing, as well as raising finance through both debt and capital markets. His expertise also includes guiding companies through initial public offerings (IPOs), management buyouts (MBOs), and multinational expansion.
