Financial Services Ireland (FSI) celebrates 40 years of supporting members in delivery of jobs, growth and success
- FSI to launch new campaign to encourage talent in other industries to consider a career in financial services
- Sector has grown to encompass more than 103,500 jobs
Financial Services Ireland (FSI), the Ibec group representing the financial services industry in Ireland, celebrated its 40th birthday at its annual dinner in Dublin this evening.
FSI is the only whole-of-industry financial services trade association in Ireland, and since its establishment in 1984 the industry has grown to encompass more than 103,500 jobs, with approximately half of those in companies that provide services to customers all over the world. In addition, approximately 30% of international financial services employment is now based outside of Dublin. Central Bank Governor Gabriel Makhlouf was the keynote speaker at this evening’s dinner.
FSI deputy director David Howard said: “We’re immensely proud of what FSI has achieved over the last 40 years. I would like to thank our members for their collaboration and support as we continue our work to ensure Ireland is the best place for financial services companies to achieve success, for customers, clients, society and themselves.
Financial services is at the heart of Irish society and the economy. It is a key enabler of jobs and growth nationwide, and in the coming years it will have a critical role to play in financing the green transition. With new governments in Ireland and the US, and a new EU Commission in place, 2025 will be a year of change. FSI will be here for its members as they seek to harness the opportunities, and navigate the inevitable challenges, that are forthcoming in 2025 and beyond.”
2024 has been a successful year for industry with the launch of the Central Bank innovation sandbox programme, and the Government’s commitment to unlock the €1.5bn surplus in the National Training Fund – initiatives for which FSI has been consistently advocating. In 2025, FSI will consult with members as it drafts its strategy for the period to 2030. Skills will also be a key focus, as FSI works with industry partners to implement the recommendations of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) report on international financial services. In 2025, FSI will launch a new campaign to encourage talent working in other sectors to consider a career in financial services.
Joe Heneghan, FSI Chair and Partner and CEO, Revolut Europe, said: “Financial services has been transformed over the last decade with technology firmly at the heart of every firm in the sector. This transformation has created opportunities to deliver fantastic, innovative products and services to customers. Underpinning this is the need for talent, and I would encourage everybody to consider a career in this industry, which has a wonderfully diverse range of jobs on offer, including in global businesses.”
In addition, FSI has just completed a two-year term chairing the Women in Finance charter, an initiative encouraging financial services firms to set targets for increasing female representation. Almost 100 firms have now signed the Charter, with tangible progress reported across a range of metrics including representation on boards and executive committees.
