Governance
The Institute of Bankers in Ireland, trading as IOB, is a company limited by guarantee, registered under Part 18 of the Companies Act 2014, and does not have a share capital. It is a not‐for‐profit organisation.
The main objects for which the company is established are: (i) To provide education and educational services, to conduct examinations and to make awards in the fields of banking and financial services. (ii) To promote the study of and research into the practice of banking and financial services and to publish the results of such research. (iii) To advance education in banking and financial services. (iv) To promote high standards of professionalism, knowledge and expertise amongst those engaged in banking and financial services.
If you have any queries, please contact Company Secretary Evelyn Cregan at [email protected]
Council is responsible for the effective, prudent and ethical oversight of the IOB. It sets the IOB’s strategic aims and is collectively responsible for its long-term success.
Geraldine Casey - President
Geraldine joined AIB as Chief People Officer in January 2020 and was appointed MD Retail Banking in October 2023. She currently leads the retail business in Ireland and the UK with more than three million personal and business customers. With over 20 years’ experience in the Retail and Financial Services sectors, she previously held several senior executive roles at Tesco Ireland leading teams across operations, IT, communications, and people management. Geraldine holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from University College Cork and is a Certified Bank Director, IOB.
Ger Mitchell - Deputy President
A former Retail Branch Manager and Regional Director, Ger has been a member of the PTSB Executive Committee since 2012. Ger is a senior commercial leader with over 30 years’ experience in banking and has held a number of executive roles across the Bank including: Retail Banking, Product Management, Human Resources, Corporate Affairs, Sustainability, Brand and Marketing.
In 2024, Ger was appointed to an expanded role: Chief Customer & People Officer, with responsibility for Bank Product Management and Pricing Strategy, Human Resources, Brand and Marketing, Customer Propositions, Customer Base Management and Customer Experience, bringing colleague and customer responsibilities together under a single executive remit.
An approved PCF role holder, Ger brings deep experience in governance, conduct and regulatory engagement, with a strong track record of leading customer and people focused change within a highly regulated environment. A strong culture champion, Ger is committed to developing talent and embedding diversity, equity and inclusion across the organisation. Ger is a Certified Bank Director (IOB), holds an MSc in Business (UCC) and has been awarded the INSEAD Global Business Certificate.
Caitriona Brosnan
Caitriona Brosnan is Head of Talent Development in AIB. She is a HR professional with 25 years’ experience encompassing all aspects of the talent development agenda including strategic and tactical capability assessment, solution design, delivery, third party sourcing, talent management, succession planning, project management and senior stakeholder management.
In 2014, Caitriona became Head of Learning in AIB. In this role, she was responsible for creating and leading a highly effective learning service focused on delivering strategically aligned capability uplift delivered through a transformed and leading edge training service, iLearn. In 2019, her remit expanded and she took on the role as Head of Talent Development in AIB where she was responsible for the development and delivery of the Talent development strategy at AIB supporting the delivery of organisational purpose and cultural ambitions. This role encompasses all facets of the Talent lifecycle and focuses on the end to end professional growth and continuous development of AIB employees across all levels, from new entrant level to AIB Board development.
Caitriona is passionate about development, tirelessly optimistic, highly adaptable and results driven with an ability to translate business requirements into the delivery of effective talent solutions.
Orla Cowzer
Orla Cowzer is a Director of Corporate Broking, within the Capital Markets Division of Davy, Ireland’s largest stockbroker, wealth manager, asset manager and financial advisor. Orla is an investment banking and equity market specialist, with over 10 years experience working with publicly listed companies, across all sectors, providing capital markets and equity fundraising advice.
Orla holds an MSc in Finance from UCD Smurfit Business School, along with degrees in European Business from Dublin City University and in International Business (majoring in Finance) from Northeastern University, Boston. Orla is also a qualified ACCA accountant and holds the Institute of Banking QFA and Registered Stockbroker designations.
Shane Doyle
Sabrina Dunne
Sabrina has over 20 years’ experience in the Financial Services industry. She works in Bank of Ireland Group where she has held various senior management positions for over 5 years. Prior to this she worked for National Irish Bank and Danske Bank Ireland for 16 years. She is an advocate of life-long learning and has participated in a number of IOB programmes during her career, from the QFA Diploma up to the Certified Bank Director Programme. She is an advocate of Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) and a member of the Group Gender Balance Committee, which is part of the I&D Committee in Bank of Ireland Group and is passionate about lifelong learning in the financial services sector believing it helps members to progress and to learn at every stage of their career.
Dr Lucy Fallon-Byrne
Dr Fallon-Byrne is the Independent Member of Council.
She has recently retired from the role of Assistant Secretary at the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform. She has specialist expertise in the areas of organisational development, employee engagement and organisational innovation. Her PhD explored the dynamics of innovation in Ireland’s public and private sector organisations. Before joining the Department of Public Service and Reform, she was Assistant Director General, Corporate Affairs, Central Statistics Office. Dr Fallon-Byrne also worked in the Department of Social Protection where she led a transformation programme, developing a new streamlined one-stop shop service for jobseekers nationwide. Earlier in her career, she served as Assistant Chief Executive of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment where she oversaw the development of the new Primary School Curriculum. As well as a PhD in organisational innovation, Dr Fallon-Byrne holds an MA in Political Science from UCD and an MBA from the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.
Karen Hackett
Karen has 35 years’ experience in the Financial Services industry, 25 of which are within the People and Culture function at PTSB and previously held HR Briefs in the Irish Life Group Plc. Karen was appointed as the Head of People at PTSB in 2024 and is responsible for the design, development, and delivery of PTSB’s People Experience and Engagement Strategy, including Cultural Evolution. Karen’s prior roles extend to Head of People Experience in PTSB since 2020 and Head of HR Operations in PTSB since 2013. Karen has a passion for driving connection to organisational purpose through Cultural Evolution, Workforce Engagement, Stakeholder Management, and collaboration with Employee Resource Groups to enable a diverse and inclusive high performing organisation.
Karen has been at the forefront of PTSB’s Strategic People Transformation Programmes taking the lead on new Ways of Working – Hybrid Workplace, HR People and Culture stream of a transformative acquisition of portfolios from Ulster Bank to PTSB in 2022 and led the development of PTSB’s Strategic Workforce Planning Blueprint in 2023. Karen is a member of the IOB, having been awarded the Culture Champion, 2023 by the IOB. Karen is a Fellow of the CIPD, a designated Certified Banking Director, IOB, and holds a MA in Business Studies through IMI / UCC specialising in Strategic HRM, Leadership, OD, and Transformation.
Noel Gavin
Noel Gavin joined Northern Trust in 2006 and is based in their Limerick office; he is a Senior Vice President and leads the Asset Servicing Learning & Development group. He has over 20 years industry experience with various role across project management, operations management, and leadership.
Noel serves as a director and current President of Limerick Chamber, he is a governing body member of TUS - Technical University of the Shannon and is the Chair of GOSHH CLG.
Christian Hanna
Christian Hanna is the Financial Services Union, FSU representative on IOB Council. Christian works in Bank of Ireland.
Aoife Leonard
Aoife has more than 25 years’ experience working in Financial Services and has extensive leadership experience across Branch Banking, Business Banking, Contact Centers, Operations and Consumer Segments. In her current role, Aoife is Chief Operating Officer in Bank of Ireland’s Retail Ireland Division with responsibility for ensuring the successful running of the day-to-day business operations, while providing delivery oversight of strategic and financial planning. Aoife is a qualified financial advisor, certified bank director and holds a Masters in Management Practice from University College Dublin.
Pat McCormack
Laurence McKenna
Larry has been the Chief Operating Officer of Wells Fargo International since 2020. He is responsible for bank operations, 1st line risk and control, business management, and change delivery in Wells Fargo’s only entity outside of the U.S. Larry also serves as a Non-Executive Director to the board of Wells Fargo Capital Finance (UK) Ltd.
He began his Wells Fargo career in 2012 and after relocating to the US, he progressed to the role of Global Banking Region Head for Southern California. Larry returned to Dublin in 2017, after which he took on a leadership assignment as Brexit program sponsor, in addition to being appointed Interim COO.
Larry previously held roles at the National Treasury Management Agency, Bank of Scotland and PWC. Larry is a Fellow Chartered Accountant, holds a BA in Finance and Accounting and Masters in Business Studies and he is pending his Chartered Director designation.
Julie Scully
Julie has 20 years’ experience in the Financial Services industry, 12 of which are within the Compliance function in AIB. Julie currently holds the role of Head of Regulatory Compliance, leading a dynamic team dedicated to providing expert guidance on conduct risk and regulatory compliance risk, while fostering a culture of putting the customer first.
She is an advocate of life-long learning and has continuously participated in IOB programmes since 2004 to present, holding several qualifications in respect of culture, ethics, advanced risk management, conduct and compliance.
Julie is passionate about developing the next generation of compliance professionals and welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the future direction of banking education in an evolving regulatory landscape.
Diarmuid Whyte
Diarmuid Whyte is the Managing Director responsible for Citi’s Europe Regulatory Initiatives and Supervision Strategy covering areas including the Supervisory Review and Evaluation Process, Financial Market Infrastructure, Client Assets and Deposit Guarantee. Diarmuid has 20 years’ experience in the Financial Services industry occupying roles including Head of Compliance and Chief Risk Officer roles in Cantor Fitzgerald and Willis Towers Watson in Ireland.
Diarmuid is an active member of the regulatory compliance community in Ireland and was the Non-Executive Chair and President of the Compliance Institute Board and former Finance and Risk Director. Diarmuid is also a member of Audit, Risk and Finance board of Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Diarmuid is a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants, Fellow of the Compliance Institute, a Qualified Financial Advisor, and holds a BSc in Accounting
The objectives of the regional committees are:
To assist Council in promoting the objects of IOB in its functional area;
To provide a local co-ordinating point for members and students of IOB;
To provide a programme of activities for its members in conjunction with IOB secretariat;
To provide a channel for consultation between members and Council.
Belfast
Lisa McKenna - Chair
Lisa, currently Head of Branches for Danske Bank, has over 25 years banking experience.
Joining Danske Bank (then Northern Bank) in 1998, Lisa has held a number of positions across Branch Banking, Business Banking and Mortgages.
Lisa has completed the Financial services diploma through IOB.
Sarah Mitchell
Sarah, currently Customer Conduct Manager for NI Branch Banking at Bank of Ireland, has over 30 years financial services experience.
Sarah began her career at Northern Bank before moving to Bank of Ireland’s Global Markets team in 1998, working in Trade Finance before spending more than 20 years as an FX Dealer.
Sarah holds an honours degree in Management and Business Studies from Queen’s University Belfast.
Alan Laird
Alan is a Senior Manager within Ulster Bank. A career banker with over 20 years' experience within the organisation, he has held a number of positions across Risk, Business Banking, Retail and Restructuring.
Alan holds an honours degree in Financial Services from UCD as well as a number of IOB qualifications.
Alan also holds a Chartered Banker designation and has represented Ulster Bank on the Belfast Regional Committee for the past 10 years.
Tim McNiece
Tim has been with Danske bank for the past seven years having joined as part of the graduate scheme in 2017. Since then he has worked within business banking, business development, strategy, operations and research based projects in Copenhagen.
Tim currently works as a Relationship Manager within the Danske Corporate team.
Bernadette Kerr
Bernadette is currently the Head of Trade & Export Finance with Danske Bank. She has 25 years banking experience. Joining Danske Bank (then Northern Bank) in 1999, Bernadette has held a number of positions across Business Banking, Personal Banking and Operations.
She holds an Honours Degree in Business Studies from University of Ulster as well as a number of IOB Qualifications.
Gary Young
Gary leads the Product business at Bank of Ireland UK responsible for Current Accounts, Business Savings and Cards.
The Product team is responsible for the design and delivery of everyday banking products to personal and business customers in the UK. A member of the Products and Solutions senior management team, Gary is responsible for shaping product strategy and driving commercial performance under the umbrella of compliance and regulation.
A Chartered Banker with Distinction, Gary is a graduate of Queen's University, Belfast and holds a Masters Degree from University College Dublin where he was the recipient of 2 President's Academic Prizes.
Gareth Wilson
Gareth is a Business Manager with Bank of Ireland. Starting in retail banking 26 years ago, Gareth moved to Trade Finance before spending the last 21 years in Business Banking.
Gareth holds an honours degree in Law & Economics from University of Ulster and has an IOB diploma in SME finance.
Christine Martin
Christine has worked in the financial industry for the last 12 years, Qualifying as a Chartered Accountant in 2015. Christine joined AIB in 2017 and has held a number of positions across Business and Corporate Banking.
Christine currently works as a Relationship Manager in the Corporate Commercial Real Estate team.
East region
Orla Cowzer - Chair
Orla Cowzer is Director of Corporate Broking, within the Capital Markets Division of Davy, Ireland’s largest stockbroker, wealth manager, asset manager and financial advisor. Orla is an investment banking and equity market specialist, with over 10 years’ experience working with publicly listed companies, across all sectors, providing capital markets and equity fundraising advice.
Orla holds an MSc in Finance from UCD Smurfit Business School, along with degrees in European Business from Dublin City University and in International Business (majoring in Finance) from Northeastern University, Boston. Orla is also a qualified ACCA accountant and holds the IOB QFA and Registered Stockbroker designations.
Lyndsay Johnston
Lyndsay has worked in the financial industry for the last 12 years and has experience in Retail Banking, Hedge Funds, Asset Services, and Payment Services. She joined Elavon Financial Services in 2018, spending time on the Conduct Risk Compliance team, and currently manages the Risk and Compliance Assurance team.
Lyndsay is a Qualified Financial Advisor with further qualifications in Compliance (ACOI), Conduct Risk, Culture & Operational Risk Management, and holds a Diploma in Leadership & Management, all awarded by UCD.
Patricia McLoughlin
Patricia is a highly experienced financial services professional with 30+ years of financial services experience with in-depth knowledge of global payment landscape and has a broad range of skills and experience spanning technology, product and operations.
Since 2011, Patricia has been working with Deutsche Bank, based in Dublin, where she has undertaken a number of roles across Operations and Transformation. In her current role as Managing Director within Global Cash Management Product team, Patricia has specific responsibility for defining the Target Operating Model for Cash Management.
Prior to joining Deutsche Bank, Patricia worked with AIB where she held multiple functional roles including software development, project and programme management and product manager for a number of retail financial products.
Patricia graduated from Dublin City University in 1993 with an honours degree in Bachelor of Science in Computer Applications and holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Manchester Business School.
Barry Rojack
Barry joined Uniquely in 2022 as Head of Regulatory Compliance and Risk (Banking), driving Uniquely’s commitment to adherence, ensuring regulatory excellence and fostering a culture of compliance and positive conduct and customer outcomes. He has extensive experience in financial services and retail banking, having previously worked in the Central Bank of Ireland (Securities Exchanges and Supervision and Regulatory Enforcement and Development) and spent 19 years working in Compliance and Risk in Ulster Bank prior to joining Uniquely following the Bank’s decision to leave the Republic of Ireland market.
Barry is a qualified Barrister-at-Law from the Kings Inns, Dublin, and holds an honours Bachelor of Civil Law (International) degree from University College Dublin.
Des O’Connor
Des O’Connor has almost 30 years’ experience in the banking sector in Ireland, having joined the Central Bank of Ireland in 1986 before moving to Ulster Bank in 1989 where he developed his career in branch banking and Business Centres in Dublin before taking up management roles in centralised Business Banking Support and Project functions. Des subsequently joined the National Treasury Management Agency and is currently Company Secretary for the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, which is an affiliate of the NTMA.
Over the years, Des has completed a range of banking (IOB), accountancy (ACCA), and related qualifications, most recently a postgraduate diploma in Risk Management and Capital Markets with the Ulster University and a Certificate in Company Secretarial Law and Practice with the Law Society of Ireland.
Shaun White
Shaun is a seasoned banking professional with over 10 years of experience, spanning Retail, Commercial, and Corporate & Investment Banking. With a career foundation in relationship management and a leadership focus on key risk programs such as RCSA, third-party risk, and quality assurance, Shaun is dedicated to driving success through the implementation of effective processes, controls, and tools. His expertise covers a broad spectrum of the banking industry, making him adept at navigating complex regulatory environments and ensuring organisational resilience. His excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills have been honed through a blend of academic, athletic, and professional experiences. Shaun excels in both independent and team environments, managing time effectively and consistently meeting strict deadlines. His dedication to clear, confident leadership and his passion for fostering growth and success in organisations make him a highly effective contributor to any team. As a committed professional, Shaun’s ability to connect with others and drive positive outcomes, combined with his robust expertise in banking and risk management, positions him as a key asset in ensuring operational excellence and strategic growth.
John Neville
Senior Bank Manager currently leading a large team of skilled Business, Premier, Customer & Mortgage Advisors in County Kildare & South Dublin. 25 years Retail + Business Banking experience supporting & executing the wider financial needs of both Business & Personal Customers. Qualified Financial Advisor, QFA. Professional Banker since 2018.
Kerrie Ryan
Kerrie is the Regional Retail Director for AIB, Dublin City & South. Kerrie has worked with AIB since 2011 and has extensive experience in retail roles having held a number of positions across branch banking in Dublin. She is a long standing member of the IOB. She is Qualified Financial Advisor and holds Diploma in Financial Services. She has recently completed the IOB Executive programme.
South region
David Sheehan - Chair
David joined Bank of Ireland in 2004 as part of their Business Banking Graduate Programme and had a number of roles in Business Banking before moving to Retail Banking in 2011. David is currently Branch Manager at Bank of Ireland Fermoy, managing a team of financial and agri advisers.
David holds a BSc Finance from UCC and has studied extensively with IOB, completing the QFA exams, the Professional Banker Programme and the Chartered Banker Programme. David is currently studying for the MSc in Banking.
Derek Horgan
Derek is the Branch Manager with Bank of Ireland in Cork and has held a wide variety of management roles in various sectors of Bank of Ireland, including Innovation, Tech & Regional roles.
A strong influential business leader with the ability to inspire and motivate others, a passion for putting customers at the heart of the business, highly effective leader of change in a dynamic and changing environment, with a relentless determination to deliver business success.
Natural ability to work as part of a team or as a sole contributor, with excellent people and communication skills. Excellent computer and technical skills. Self-starter with creative vision.
Deirdre McSweeney
Deirdre joined Permanent TSB in 1997 spending time in Dublin and Cork retail banking channels and retail credit departments. Deirdre is currently Territory Sales Manager in Clonakilty and Skibbereen, West Cork.
Deirdre is a Chartered Banker, has studied extensively with IOB, completing the QFA exams, and also holds a BFS Degree from UCD.
Colm McCole
Colm is a Senior Vice President, the Head of EMEA Depositary Services Operations and an Executive Director of Northern Trust Fiduciary Services Ireland Limited and is based in Limerick.
Prior to joining Northern Trust, Colm worked for PwC for seven years in both Dublin and Milan.
Up to September 2021, Colm was the Head of Corporate & Institutional Services Operations for Northern Operating Services Asia, Inc. (NOSAI) and a member of the Manila Executive Management Team. Previously, Colm was Head of Alternative Investment Services for Ireland with responsibility for private equity, real estate and infrastructure fund administration and client regulatory reporting. He was also a Member of the Ireland Executive Management Group, a Director of Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Ltd and a member of the Finance and Audit Committee of Northern Trust Fund Services (Ireland) Ltd. He joined Northern Trust in 2004 as part of the operational risk team before becoming Head of Financial Reporting for Ireland in 2007.
Colm holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the Dublin Institute of Technology, a Master’s degree in Business Studies from Dublin City University and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ireland.
In 2023, Colm completed his UEFA C License Diploma.
John Griffin
With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, John is currently a Director and Client Relationship Executive at Deloitte, where he has spent 9 years supporting the firm’s key financial services clients. Before joining Deloitte, he spent 13 years at AIB, gaining extensive industry expertise.
John is qualified in Business & Management and holds a Diploma in Corporate Banking and Financial Services from IOB.
Breda O’Callaghan
Breda is a Director in Management Consulting at KPMG. Breda has over 18 years’ experience working with a wide variety of clients to deliver high value solutions. She has worked in solution architecture and design, project management and delivery and has extensive experience in all aspects of the systems implementation lifecycle.
IOB’s governance regulations are comprised of the following documents: Constitution and Bye-Laws. Please see links to these documents below.
Disciplinary Proceedings Flowchart