Industry leaders, policymakers and innovators from across Ireland’s financial services sector were welcomed to the recent Cork Financial Services Forum Annual Summit 2025, hosted by Cork Chamber and the Cork Financial Services Forum.
The summit has become an annual highlight of the financial services calendar, providing a platform for networking, collaboration and insight into the sector’s evolving landscape. There are 135,000 people employed in financial services in Ireland, with Cork and the broader South-West region accounting for 8.3% of this workforce, underlining the region’s growing significance in the national financial services landscape.
This year’s keynote address was delivered by Minister of State with Responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions, and Insurance, Robert Troy TD, who spoke on the future of Ireland’s international financial services sector and the strategic importance of regional growth.
Minister Troy said that “regionalisation is a key pillar in the current Ireland for Finance strategy, the whole of Government approach to the international financial services sector, and it will remain an important element as we deliver a new strategy in early 2026”.
He noted that Cork has “significant strength across funds and asset management, but also innovative fintechs to support these industries and others”.
The summit featured two panel discussions. ‘The Future of Financial Regulation: Challenges and Opportunities’, featured insights from Mícheál O’Keeffe (Central Bank of Ireland), John Casey, (South East Technological University and Funds Academy Programme Leader) and Geraldine Brehony (Irish Funds). Along with ‘The Next Frontier in Asset Management’, with contributions from Helen O’Beirne (Mercer), Colm McDonagh (Insight Investment Management Europe), Kevin Coughlan (J.P. Morgan Asset Management) and David O’Neill (HANetf EU Limited).
CORK – A ‘KEY PLAYER’
Chair of the Cork Financial Services Forum, David Bennett, emphasised the importance of the summit in bringing together industry expertise, stating that the insights shared “reflect the strength and depth of Cork’s financial services community, and the collective ambition driving the region’s continued growth”.
“Events like this are not only about sharing expertise, but also about building lasting partnerships that support Cork’s position as a key player in Ireland’s financial services landscape. The engagement we’ve seen highlights a shared commitment to ensuring Cork continues to evolve as a centre for excellence, innovation and opportunity in financial services,” he said.
