Financial Services Ireland (FSI)

A delegation of FSI members was in Brussels this week for the St. Patrick's Day Ibec event, where we had the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions with key EU stakeholders. At the Ibec flagship reception, we were delighted to hear speeches from Commissioner Michael McGrath and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. During our visit, we were privileged to meet with Ugo Bassi, Director of Banking, Insurance, and Financial Crime at DG FISMA, Cristina Sofia Dias, Head of Cabinet of Commissioner Albuquerque, and Raffaella Assetta, Head of International Affairs at DG FISMA. We sincerely thank them for their time and the valuable insights they shared. Our conversations covered a wide range of important topics, including the significance of the Irish financial services sector within the EU, the opportunities arising from the SIU communication, and key regulatory changes such as the Omnibus Proposal. Members of FSI Delegation included: Declan Bolger, Furio Pietribiasi, Sharon Moynihan Hill, Claire Lanigan, Cian Rice,Emma Hynes, Gino Del Sesto, Sven Kasper, Daniela Cuciureanu, Audrey Crummy, Elena Lillo, Elizabeth Bowen

We’re delighted to announce Irish Life CEO Declan Bolger has been appointed as the new chair of the Financial Services Ireland Group. Declan has been a member of the FSI board since 2019 and was appointed vice-chair in 2023, working closely with outgoing chair Joe Heneghan. Speaking after his appointment, Declan said: “I am honoured to be appointed as FSI chair. Ireland is now a leading global financial services centre and there are substantial opportunities for the sector to deliver more growth and jobs for the country, building on the more than 103,100 people that already work in financial services across Ireland.  I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor Joe Heneghan who has been instrumental in shaping the policy landscape around fintech and the digital transformation of financial services. We look forward to building on the positive momentum in this area in ways that help to increase innovation in the sector, enhance the skills of our talented workforce and make Ireland a more attractive destination for inward investment from the global financial services industry. I would also like to thank the FSI team who have fostered constructive collaboration in our industry and enabled us advocate effectively for policies that will make Ireland the best place for financial services companies to sustainably grow, delivering positive outcomes for customers and supporting our wider society.” Outgoing chair Joe Heneghan will remain on the FSI board and continue to work with Declan and the rest of the team in support of FSI members.

Last week, FSI was proud to launch a new resource for our members and their employees on neurodiversity in the financial services sector. Over the last number of months, we have been engaging with three member companies (PTSB, Fexco, Irish Life) and some of their neurodivergent employees to understand the journey they have been on to create workplaces which are inclusive and harness the talents of neurodivergent members of staff. Many thanks to everyone who attended our FSI Neurodiversity Best-Practice Event last Thursday afternoon in Ibec.

Something which really stood out from FSI’s event yesterday on neurodiversity in the workplace is that each employees’ needs will be different. It is important for companies to recognise that there isn’t a one size fits all approach and that open and honest communication will yield the best results. FSI would like to say a huge thank you to all of those who participated in creating All the Talents, as well as our speakers and attendees today. FSI stands ready to support our members through our DEI pillar, and encourage you to engage with us throughout your journey. All the Talents is available as an online resource here (https://lnkd.in/e3Yr6V3J) PTSB Fexco Irish Life Bank of Ireland Specialisterne Ireland Ibec Thomas O'Brien, Norma Conway, MA, Ronan Curran, Aideen Ledwith, Hearty P., Susanne Kane (she /her), Orla ORiordan, Margaret Gribben, Orna Conway (née Henry), Disha Mandalia, Laura McPartlin, Aisling Mc Niffe, Megan O'Sullivan-Sweeney

Many thanks to everyone who attended our FSI Neurodiversity Best-Practice Event this afternoon in Ibec. Thomas O'Brien Norma Conway, MA, Ronan Curran, Aideen Ledwith, Hearty P., Susanne Kane (she /her), Orla ORiordan, Orna Conway (née Henry), Disha Mandalia, Laura McPartlin, Aisling Mc Niffe, Megan O'Sullivan-Sweeney PTSB Fexco Irish Life Bank of Ireland Specialisterne Ireland Ibec

FSI held an in-person event today at our offices to officially launch our new resource on neurodiversity in the financial services sector. With over 50 attendees from the financial service sector, the event heard from companies and neurodivergent employees on their experiences, policies, and best practice advice when it comes to DEI policies. Attendees also heard from Disha Mandalia, Organisational Development Manager (Specialisterne Ireland) on the supports available, including a Government funded workplace needs assessment. FSI’s resource, All the Talents, is available online here (https://lnkd.in/e3Yr6V3J). Irish Life PTSB Bank of Ireland Ibec Fexco Orna Conway (née Henry), Hearty P., Disha Mandalia, Laura McPartlin, Megan O'Sullivan-Sweeney, Aisling Mc Niffe

Today FSI is proud to launch a new resource for our members and their employees on neurodiversity in the financial services sector. Over the last number of months, we have been engaging with three member companies (PTSB, Fexco, Irish Life) and some of their neurodivergent employees to understand the journey they have been on to create workplaces which are inclusive and harness the talents of neurodivergent members of staff. This resource is a collection of lived experiences and practical guidance to assist companies and their employees with appropriately accommodating the needs of neurodivergent members of staff. An online version is available here (https://lnkd.in/e3Yr6V3J) and FSI can provide further support to our members as needed. Thomas O'Brien Norma Conway, MA, Ronan Curran, Aideen Ledwith, Hearty P., Susanne Kane (she /her), Orla ORiordan

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A quick wrap-up of the week that was…👇 On Tuesday, I returned to Brussels following the visit of the College of Commissioners to India and my onward mission to Singapore. My week in Brussels was marked by discussions on defence and security, judicial cooperation, financial services, the future of EU criminal law and data protection - very different topics, but all crucially important for the lives of 450 million European citizens and our efforts to create a safer, more competitive Europe 🇪🇺 The EU came forward with the ReArm Europe Plan - an ambitious €800 billion plan to turbocharge spending on defence & security. The goal is to ensure that Europe has the means to defend itself and to support the people of Ukraine as they continue to show courage and heroism against Russia's war of aggression. I had the opportunity to discuss this with President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Ministers Robert Golob and Kristen Michal at the Renew Europe pre-European Council summit. Also on the agenda was judicial cooperation, our fight against organised crime and anti-corruption. In my bilateral meetings with several Justice Ministers including Ricardo Lewandowski from Brazil, Jonathan Attard from Malta, Milan Hodas from the Slovak Republic and Gunnar Strömmer from Sweden, we discussed our shared goal: Strengthening our justice systems to protect citizens' rights, to create a society of equality and accountability. Coinciding with these discussions was the launch of the High-Level Forum on the Future of EU Criminal Justice. I had the pleasure of kick-starting the Forum alongside Polish Minister for Justice Adam Bodnar. We must protect citizens and ensure we are prepared for emerging threats. The outcome of this Forum will shape much of the criminal justice agenda I will pursue as Commissioner for the next 5 years ⚖️ I would also like to thank Insurance Ireland Banking & Payments Federation Ireland Financial Services Ireland (FSI) and Irish Funds for inviting me to speak at their St. Patrick’s Day reception to explain the Commission’s competitiveness & simplification agenda, and the financial services sectors' role in driving savings & investments across the EU. The week didn't escape without a discussion with CEO of LinkedIn Ryan Roslansky. We need to invest and build skills to stay competitive, and we must explore the role of AI in addressing labour gaps. I attended the Justice Council meeting on Friday where I and Justice Ministers discussed important issues such as our proposal for Insolvency reform, the Charter of Fundamental Rights, stepping up criminal justice cooperation with non-EU countries, the importance of Rule of Law in our democracy, and the need for accountability for Russian’s war against Ukraine. And finally, I concluded the week with interviews with the The Irish Times The Sunday Times & Newstalk. Looking forward to a couple of days at home in Cork now before travelling to the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

We were delighted to welcome Commissioner Michael McGrath to our Annual St. Patrick’s Day event in Brussels, where he shared valuable insights into the European Commission’s ambitious agenda. His emphasis on EU competitiveness, democracy, justice, the rule of law, and consumer protection highlighted the key pillars needed to build a stronger Europe. FSI, together with the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland, Insurance Ireland, and Irish Funds, was honoured to host this event. This collaboration at the EU level reflects our shared commitment to enhancing Ireland’s position in both European and global markets. As a strong advocate for the single market and the free movement of capital, Ireland plays a crucial role in driving economic growth and ensuring financial stability, serving as a bridge between the EU and international markets.