By Business & Finance 
Financial services business leaders gathered in Dublin last night as Business & Finance launched its annual Financial Services 50 (FS 50) list, paying tribute to senior Irish business executives for their successes across the financial services industry in Ireland.
The FS 50 is an annually updated index which profiles some of most successful and influential business leaders across the industry, as chosen by their peers. The Business & Finance FS 50 lists the 50 most influential Irish financial services individuals and honours their achievements and the continued success.
The launch of the FS 50 took place at the Merrion Hotel, Dublin, and recognised the contribution of an outstanding ambassador for financial services; Padraig O hUiginn.
Padraig O hUiginn, whose name is synonymous with high profile projects such as the IFSC, Temple Bar, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA), is perhaps best remembered for his role as secretary general of the Department of The Taoiseach, a position he held from 1982-1993.
Aside from his time as Secretary General, serving under three Taoisigh – Charles Haughey, Garret Fitzgerald and Haughey again – O hUiginn has also held senior positions internationally. He served as economic affairs officer, UN Economic Commission in Geneva; was officer-in-charge of Housing, Planning and Building at the UN Headquarters in New York; and was director for Regional Policy and deputy director general for Energy, Science and Technology at the EC Council of Ministers in Brussels.
O hUiginn entered the civil service in 1941 and left in 1993. For more than five decades, O hUiginn has been instrumental in key initiatives and has been innovative in his endeavour to progress social and economical change and to capture and utilise opportunities for the benefit of all.
O hUiginn postponed retirement twice but since leaving civil office he has experienced much success in the private sector, most notably through his involvement as a director of Denis O’Brien’s Esat Telecom, which was taken over by British Telecom in 2000.
A firm believer in economic consensus, O hUiginn is regarded and renowned as one of the most influential figures in social and economic development and progression in Ireland.
Speaking at the event, publisher of Business & Finance, Ian Hyland, highlighted the importance of harnessing the potential of the financial services industry in Ireland. “The FS 50 is an important event as we acknowledge the efforts of key Irish business leaders in this important industry,” said Hyland. “Through their leadership and initiative, many of our FS 50 honourees have played a vital role in in driving this crucial industry sector.”
