Byrne Wallace Shields LLP host inaugural Financial Services Leaders' Summit

Leadership, regulatory change and innovation were the key topics for discussion at the inaugural Financial Services Leaders’ Summit hosted by Byrne Wallace Shields LLP.

The Summit brought together CEOs and senior leaders of regulated financial services providers, to discuss the key issues shaping the future of Ireland's financial services sector. 

Guest of honour Seána Cunningham, Director of Insurance, Central Bank of Ireland, provided insights into the Central Bank of Ireland’s supervisory priorities, culture and accountability and the EU regulatory horizon.  She highlighted how regulation is responding to the rapidly changing environment and how the Central Bank’s supervisory approach supports becoming more integrated, data driven and forward looking.  Cunningham made the point that financial regulation is about more than just compliance, it is also about capability and important supports and guardrails for innovation and change, which are key for the continued resilience of the financial sector and the protection of consumers and investors.

Commenting on the Summit, David Naughton, Partner and Head of Investment Funds and Financial Services Regulation at Byrne Wallace Shields LLP said, “When we first set out to host this Financial Services Leaders’ Summit, our goal was simple - to bring together the leaders who are shaping the future of Ireland’s financial services sector to share perspectives, challenge ideas, and, most importantly, connect as a community. 

“In financial services, the pace of change is relentless — geopolitical shifts, technological disruption, regulatory evolution, and changing stakeholder expectations. 

“Navigating leadership in such a rapidly evolving regulatory and business environment can be challenging. And as such, leadership today isn’t about having a fixed map or rigid playbook; it’s about agility and authenticity, and steering through complexity, ambiguity and change with clarity of purpose and a steady hand on the tiller. Leaders who listen, adapt and communicate with clarity will succeed.” 

Feargal Brennan, Managing Partner, Byrne Wallace Shields LLP, who opened the Summit, added; “To date Ireland has achieved remarkable success as a financial services hub, built on trust and talent, with continued success depending on how we adapt, how we innovate, and how we nurture the next generation of leadership.

“Innovation and governance must advance hand-in-hand. We can’t chase growth at the expense of integrity, nor can we let risk aversion stifle progress. The challenge is to innovate responsibly and lead boldly.

“Ireland’s opportunity is now. We have the ecosystem, the expertise, and the energy to remain a global centre of excellence for financial services, but we must continue to collaborate across industry, regulators, and advisors to make it happen.” 

The Summit included in-depth interviews and panel discussions with leading industry and regulatory experts, including: 

• Seán Páircéir, Partner, Global Head of Investor Services, Brown Brothers Harriman
• David Williams
  
• Patrick Burke, CEO, Keyridge Asset Management
• Carmel Jordan, Global COO, Growth & Propositions, Mercer
• Ken Somerville, Head of U.S. Bank Ireland
• Donough Kilmurray, Chief Investment Officer, Davy
• Anthony Smyth, Head of Tax, ByrneWallace Tax Advisors
• Nigel Dunne, CEO, Standard Life International DAC
• Shona O’Hea, Partner, Global Head of Asset Management, Grant Thornton
• Barry Downes, Managing Partner, Suir Valley Ventures
• Jude Webber, Financial Times Ireland Correspondent (Moderator)

Pictured L:R - David Williams; Jude Webber, Financial Times Ireland Correspondent; Barry Downes, Managing Partner, Suir Valley Ventures; Séana Cunningham, Director of Insurance, Central Bank of Ireland; Anthony Smyth, Head of ByrneWallace Tax Advisors; Feargal Brennan, Managing Partner, Byrne Wallace Shields LLP; David Naughton, Partner and Head of Investment Funds and Financial Services Regulation, Byrne Wallace Shields LLP; Donough Kilmurray, Chief Investment Officer, Davy; Seán Páircéir, Partner, Global Head of Investor Services, Brown Brothers Harriman; Carmel Jordan, Global COO, Growth & Propositions, Mercer; Shona O’Hea, Partner, Global Head of Asset Management, Grant Thornton; Patrick Burke, CEO, Keyridge Asset Management; and Nigel Dunne, CEO, Standard Life International DAC.