CIO 100 Index 2023 in association with Equinix — Part 1 - Business & Finance (2023)

TheBusiness &Finance CIO 100 Index 2023, in association with Equinix, recognises the top 100 Digital Leaders working across some of the most innovative companies in Ireland today.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

The full list is available to download here

Alan Bambury, Chief Information Security Officer,
Kerry Group

Alan Bambury is responsible for application strategy, information security and software compliance as Chief Information Security Officer of Kerry Group.

He previously held roles as SAP Solution Architect, SAP Development Lead and SAP Finance Lead in Kerry Group after joining originally as IT Manager before moving to Kerry Ingredients and Flavours as IT Director. Bambury holds a BA from University College Cork.

Samuel Baxter, Chief Information Security Officer,
FD Technologies

Samuel Baxter is the Chief Information Security Officer for FD Technologies.

He previously held roles as Information Security Manager & Security Lead of Formula 1, Asia Head of Engineering and WinAdmin Engineer at Options Technology, Senior Engineer of Planet Office Systems Ltd and Education Support Analyst at Bournemouth Borough Council.

Nathan Bishop, Group IT Services Director,
Grafton Group plc

​Nathan Bishop joined Grafton Group plc in 2014 as Group IT Services Director, leading technology strategy and shared services across the Group.

Prior to joining Grafton, Bishop led technology teams in different sectors ranging from energy and financial services to consulting. This also featured senior IT roles in HomeServe, E.ON, and CapGemini. He has a BSc in Computer Science from Middlesex University.

Phil Blackwell, Chief Technology Officer,
WHYZE Health

Phil Blackwell is an experienced Chief Information Technology Officer with a demonstrated history working across a variety of business sectors, ranging from Telecommunications & Media to Financial Services, to HealthCare/Life Science.

In his current role, Blackwell is working as part of the WHYZE Health team where their mission is to deliver better value in healthcare and research through impactful decision making. The use of technology and AI is key for WHYZE Health to connect the entire healthcare ecosystem in order to help inform better treatment options, guide better patient outcomes and democratise clinical trial access for patients.

Blackwell has an impressive over twenty years’ experience in leading teams, specialising in large scale technology services and infrastructures builds across data communications, regulated processes, engineering and service operations, including the commissioning of secure and highly available transactional environments.

Prior to his current role with WHYZE Health, he was Group Chief Technology Officer at Bank of Ireland followed by the Group Chief Information Officer of The Irish Times Group.

Jonathan Boylan, Chief Technology Officer,
FINEOS

Jonathan Boylan drives the FINEOS technology strategy and keeps FINEOS up to date with this fast changing landscape. In previous roles, Boylan was responsible for product development and engineering. He focuses on keeping FINEOS ahead of the competition and abreast of customers’ ever-changing technology needs.

As Chief Technology Officer, Boylan is focused on representing FINEOS as the firm’s spokesperson on technology and platform and helps to increase the business value of the FINEOS Platform to its prospects and customers.

He joined FINEOS in 1995 to direct product design, authoring several FINEOS patents. In the early 2000s, he led the strategic redevelopment of the FINEOS product to Java. He has held key positions in the management of application design, technology architecture and product development.

As a member of the FINEOS Leadership Team, Boylan helps define and execute strategy at FINEOS. He is responsible for the FINEOS Pre-Sales team and plays a key role in the direction of the FINEOS R&D program.

Andrew Brothers, Chief Information Officer,
Primark

Andrew Brothers has been Chief Information Officer at Primark since 2021 with previous roles including CIO for Europe & Indonesia at Ahold Delhaize, Global CIO & Digital Director at TCC Global and CIO at Whitbread.

Brothers is a digital executive with global multi sector expertise in both the client and consulting side. He is driving business value through the use of innovative and market leading technology solutions that are redefining the retail industry.

Eileen Burns, Chief Digital Officer,
Arthur Cox

Eileen Burns is head of the Legal Tech Services and is Arthur Cox’s Chief Digital Officer. She has nearly thirty years’ experience in the consulting services, finance shared service and the tech sector.

Since joining Arthur Cox in September 2018, Burns has focused on developing and enhancing the Arthur Cox consulting and Legal Tech client service offerings including commissioning the Arthur Cox eDiscovery and Investigation Services.

She is also responsible for the digital transformation agenda within Arthur Cox, with a strategy to embed legal tech into the day-to-day work activities of the firm’s partners, associates, trainees and consultants across the firm. It is also her responsibility to identify and shape tech-enabled client services.

Previously, Burns spent seventeen years in senior leadership positions at both European and global levels within Accenture CIO and ten years on Accenture client consulting engagements.

Wayne Bursey, Industrial Cyber Security & Digital Network Lead,
Siemens Ireland & Scotland

Wayne Bursey is the Networks and Cyber Security lead within the Siemens Digital Industry business. Bursey has worked for Siemens for almost twenty five years within the industrial sector focused on Control, Automation and Communication Systems specifically in Operational Technology (OT) environments.

As a consultant within the Manufacturing Environment and Critical Infrastructure Sector, his objective is to strengthen the security of OT Networks and Systems building added resilience into Industrial Control and Safety Systems. Additionally, Bursey is focused on promoting the adoption of the IEC 62243 Standard across OT.

Jared Carstensen, Chief Information Security Officer,
CRH plc

Jared Carstensen is an internationally recognised information and cyber security professional with extensive experience in the design, implementation and governance of security controls, business strategies and frameworks across global organisations spanning multiple sectors.

Over the past eighteen years, Carstensen has been advising Fortune 500, law enforcement and intelligence agencies, government and state departments, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, utilities and financial services entities on all areas of information and cyber security.

He combines years of international experience with a breadth of in-depth business and industry awareness to ensure that security acts as a business enabler while being a valuable business partner. Carstensen has contributed and led various projects across the EMEA, Americas and APAC regions and is currently listed as a member of the IT Governance Institute Expert Panel (on 10+ Information Security and related domains).

He is a member of the Standards.org advisory panel on ISO 27001, ISO 38500 along with best practice frameworks and standards.

Brian Chapman, Chief Information Officer,
eir Ireland

Brian Chapman was appointed as CIO of eir in 2018 and has over twenty years’ experience across various roles in both IT and Networks.

His role encompasses IT Strategy, Transformation, Architecture, Development, Security and IT Operations functions. Within eir, he has led large scale technical and organisation Transformation Programmes with particular focus on simplification and Digital Transformation.

Chapman holds a BEng in Telecommunications Engineering from Dublin City University and a BA in Technology Management from the Institute of Technology.

Seán Convery, Chief Technology Officer,
Boylesports

Seán Convery has been CTO of Boylesports since 2015. During this time, Boylesports has seen a dramatic upturn in business performance and expansion underpinned by product development, data insights and technology evolution.

As in his previous roles, Convery has been central in transforming Boylesports into a truly customer-centric, product and technology company in retail, online and the omnichannel worlds and this continues with international expansion.

Convery is passionate about, and personally supports the delivery of business needs across business verticals and ensuring developments are right-sized and right-paced with the business opportunity size in mind. He is personal in inspiring and motivating teams in aligning to the business opportunities and priorities and leads on complex solutions and problem-solving.

Convery has a strong track record of transformation and hands-on experience across all technology domains, from product and development, through enterprise infrastructure and networks, cloud platforms and security to Operations, Corporate IT, M&A and Organisational structuring.

Ashling Cunningham, Chief Information Officer,
Uisce Éireann

Ashling Cunningham is the Chief Information Officer at Uisce Éireann. She has extensive experience working in manufacturing, services and utilities industries. Cunningham has an IT and Finance background, and holds an M.Sc. in Management from Trinity College.

Before joining Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water) she held several senior leadership and consulting positions in international companies. Cunningham is a regular speaker at seminars, conferences and industry events on the transformational role of digital and technology, data and security, innovation and women in business. She is also a frequent contributor to trade publications.

Paul Cutter, Chief Information Officer,
Flutter Entertainment plc

Paul Cutter is responsible for setting the global technology strategy for Flutter. Cutter and his team work with each of the firm’s brands to share technology, insights and best practices that enable it to benefit from its global scale without sacrificing local innovation and customer responsiveness.

He has played a critical part in Flutter’s success. He joined in 2014 as Chief Technology Officer for Betfair before becoming Chief Technology Officer for Paddy Power and Betfair. He recently spearheaded the successful integration and merger between Flutter and The Stars Group in 2020.

Louise Dennehy, Chief Information Officer,
Central Bank of Ireland

Louise Dennehy was appointed as Chief Information Officer at the Central Bank of Ireland in September 2019. She joined the company as Head of IT Delivery in April 2017.

Dennehy has over 25 year’s experience in IT within the financial services industry, including holding a number of Head of IT roles. She is a graduate of University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin in science and IT-related disciplines.

Michael Devitt, Chief Information Officer,
William Fry

Michael Devitt is the Chief Information officer of William Fry. He is an information technology professional and holds a Bachelor of Computer Science (B.Sc.) degree. He has almost thirty years’ experience in IT working for large multinationals across various sectors, including banking, distribution, sales & marketing, security and legal. Devitt has led IT functions in highly regulated environments.

Chris Donnelly, Chief Information Officer,
BWG Foods

Chris Donnelly was appointed Chief Information Officer of BWG in October 2020 having served as IT Director since 2016.

Donnelly joined BWG Foods in 2015, when BWG acquired ADM Londis. He has vast experience in IT, having worked in technology, wholesale and in the retail industry in particular as he previously held the role of Head of Digital and Retail Technology for BWG Foods and Head of IT for ADM Londis plc.

With his team, Donnelly designed and developed the multi award-winning BWG ShopLink eCommerce platform.

Rosalyn Donnelly, Head of IT,
C&D Foods

Rosalyn Donnely is an IT professional with seventeen years’ of leadership and M&A experience in the manufacturing sector, managing a team of thirty employees across nine European sites.

She excels at strategy, and driving right-sized solutions that focus on delivering against business targets and objectives. Her energy and passion come from bringing people together for a common purpose that enables the business to succeed while elevating talent at the same time.

Sharon Donnelly, Interim Chief Technology & Payments Officer,
Bank of Ireland

Sharon Donnelly was appointed Interim Chief Technology & Payments Officer in June 2022. She has worked for Bank of Ireland for over thirty years and, was the Director of Group Payments, Business Continuity Management (BCM) and Divisional Risk prior to her recent appointment.

In that role, she was responsible for Electronic and Card Payment Services Group BCM and GTCS Divisional Risk. Having responsibility for Business Continuity, she co-led the Bank’s operational readiness response to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with its day-to-day requirements.

During her career with the Group, Donnelly has also had significant involvement in IT service management and key strategic change programmes. She has experience in areas such as Leadership, Strategy and Planning, IT Service Management & SIAM, Business Operations, Change Management & Programme Delivery and Business Analysis & Consultancy.

She is a member of the Board for the Euro Banking Association (EBA). Donnelly graduated from UCD in 1992 with a degree in English and History and obtained a Higher National Diploma in Executive Coaching in 2015.

John Duffy, Director of IT,
Brightwater

John Duffy is a highly experienced IT professional and heads up the internal IT department for the Brightwater Group. He joined the Group in 2013, bringing with him a wealth of experience in network security, systems implementation and change management.

Duffy has overseen various projects including implementing a new CRM system and managing the sourcing of all IT suppliers. He is responsible for upgrading and modernising all IT systems for the Group.

Ryan Estes, VP Technology,
Datalex

Prior to joining Datalex, Ryan Estes held advisory, senior management and board roles in IT start-ups across Europe and the US. He brings with him over eighteen years of experience in the software and technology field, including expertise in delivering large, complex and distributed e-commerce products and systems.

Keith Fingleton, Chief Information Officer,
IDA Ireland

Keith Fingleton joined IDA Ireland in March 2015 as Chief Technology Advisor, becoming CIO at the beginning of 2018. Currently, Fingleton leads a cross organisational Digital Transformation Programme, which aims to make IDA Ireland the most digitally-enabled Investment Promotion Agency in the world.

This programme will enhance the client experience in their engagement with the IDA, contributing to Ireland’s global reputation as a digital leader.

Phillip Fischer, Chief Information Officer,
University College Dublin

Phillip Fischer joined UCD as Chief Information Officer in July 2017 and is responsible for University-wide IT Services including Academic and Administrative Systems, Research IT, Teaching and Learning Technologies, UCD Web Services and the delivery of the IT Strategy 2020.

Prior to joining UCD, Fischer held the position of CIO & PMO Europe at Aramark. In his twelve years with Aramark, he worked with the Enterprise and European business entities to develop long term ICT strategies and effective ICT services models and played a key part in driving the region forward.

Fischer ran an IT services business in Germany before joining the Musgrave Group Ireland, where he held a number of positions with the primary aim of delivering business intelligence solutions across the enterprise and project managing the integration of new acquisitions.

Fischer is a member of Ibec’s Digital Economy Policy Committee and completed the Henley MBA in 2009 specialising in ICT Shared Services.

Ronan Fitzpatrick, Chief Information Officer,
VHI

Ronan Fitzpatrick has been CIO at the VHI group since 2021 with previous roles including Director of Digital at PwC Ireland and Director of Digital and Mobile at Aer Lingus. Fitzpatrick achieved a BSc in Applied Computing in 1994 from Waterford Institute of Technology.

Ger Fitzpatrick, Head of Engineering,
Wayflyer

Ger Fitzpatrick is the Head of Engineering at Wayflyer. An accomplished individual, Fitzpatrick has a deep well of experience acquired by working in the industry as well as expert technical knowledge.

He previously worked as a Research Intern at the European Space Agency before taking up a similar role at NASA. Fitzpatrick worked as a Research Scientist at University College Dublin and The University of Alabama in Huntsville before joining Conjura as Data Science Manager.

Eoin Fleming, Chief Information Officer,
Carne Group

Eoin Fleming is the CIO of Carne Group, an international ISO 27001 certified fund management company headquartered in Ireland with over 1 Trillion in Assets Under Management (AUM).

He is an IT executive with over twenty five years’ experience in regulated industries primarily in the financial services vertical. His principal skills are the management of IT outsourcing, service delivery and engineering.

Fleming is a former Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Data protection Officer (DPO). He has worked internationally with DXC (HP), KBC, Dell, KPMG and Leveris. He holds the following certifications: CISSP, ISSMP, ISSAP, ISSEP, CISA, CRISC, CIPP/E, ISO 27001 Lead auditor.

Business & Finance CIO 100 (alphabetical by surname):

View part one (B–F)

View part two (F–L)

View part three (L–O)

View part four (O–W)