EY Strengthens Partnership in Munster and Across Island of Ireland as the Firm Continues to Grow
Cork-based David Bennett and Keara Geary, and Limerick-based Mark Hegarty and John Nealon among the 22 new Equity Partners at EY Ireland
30th June: EY Ireland is strengthening its partnership with 22 new equity partners – including Cork-based David Bennett and Keara Geary, and Limerick-based Mark Hegarty and John Nealon – as the firm continues to make significant investments in top talent to meet growing client demand and to support the strong growth of the business.
These new partners, representing a mix of internal promotions and external hires, will bring the total number of EY equity partners to 148 across the island of Ireland. In the past 5 years, EY Ireland has welcomed 89 new Equity Partners (i.e. almost 60% of our Equity Partners joined the EY Ireland Partnership within the past 5 years) as the firm has grown rapidly in all areas of the business, including Assurance, Tax & Law, Consulting and Strategy and Transactions.
Today EY Ireland’s total headcount stands at over 4,800 (up from 2,083 in 2018) with teams spread across 10 offices in 6 locations on the island of Ireland – Cork, Limerick, Dublin, Belfast, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. EY Ireland currently employs more than 420 people at its Cork offices and over 120 in Limerick, with an additional 170 based between the Galway and Waterford offices
Sitting in EY’s Consultancy practice, Keara Geary is a Partner in Transformation Delivery based in Cork, bringing a depth of experience in transformational project management coupled with the delivery of large-scale transformation programmes across multiple industries in Ireland and internationally.
David Bennett has been admitted as Equity Partner in EY Financial Services Assurance, providing audit and assurance services to our Alternative Asset Management clients. He leads the EY Financial Services regional audit practice located in Cork. David is focused on alternative investment funds and having led the audits of some of the world’s largest hedge fund managers, brings a depth of experience to support EY’s clients.
Mark Hegarty has been admitted as an Equity Partner in Assurance and will lead the EY Limerick office. As a chartered accountant with over 20 years’ experience in industry and practice, Mark is highly experienced in finance function transformation, and brings with him a wealth of experience in global reporting and compliance. He is responsible for serving large multinational, as well as private, indigenous fast-growth clients.
John Nealon has been admitted as an Equity Partner in Tax, focused on Global Finance Managed Services at EY Ireland’s Limerick Office. John has a depth of experience in building and operating effective finance, accounting and tax compliance solutions for multinational organisations. He specialises in finance managed services, finance transformation, statutory and tax compliance and helping clients to drive strategic transformation of their operating models.
John Higgins, EY Regional Managing Partner, says: “Congratulations to David, Keara, Mark and John and all our new EY Partners on reaching this exciting milestone in their careers.
Keara and David are respected leaders and experts in their fields and it’s great to have them join our expanding partnership here in Cork. Our team in Limerick will be significantly boosted by the addition of Mark and John to our Equity Partner team. Mark will lead the EY Limerick office, which is an area of significant focus for EY as we continue to expand alongside the fast-growing economy of the region.
I look forward to working alongside Keara, David, Mark and John to build a better working world and to create long term value for our people, our clients and the communities we serve.”
Frank O’Keeffe, Managing Partner, EY Ireland says: “With an impressive diversity of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, these exceptional leaders will be instrumental in helping us shape the future of our proud firm. Here in EY Ireland, we are committed to investing heavily in our people and in our business, as we continue to grow at pace to meet increased client demand across the island of Ireland. These new appointments increase the size of our partnership by 15% and put us in a great position to continue our strong growth in the years ahead.”
“With organisations facing a convergence of challenges and opportunities across climate change, the digital economy, cybersecurity, trade disruptions and the evolution of work, to name but a few, we’re continuing to invest in the diversity, talent and skills needed to help our clients unlock their full potential as they transform and grow.”
“I couldn’t be prouder of these 22 fearless and compassionate leaders, and I can’t wait to see the great things they will accomplish with our brilliant teams and our incredible clients in the years ahead.”
