Funds Newsletter: Funds by IOB - A Year in Review (July 2025 – June 2026)
Accredited programmes
A total of ten cohorts have now completed the Professional Certificate for Designated Persons in a Fund Management Company and IOB continues to receive very positive feedback about this important programme. Launched in July 2021 to address findings from the Central Bank of Ireland around the organisation of Irish Fund Management Companies, the programme is designed to support the development of individuals in Designated Person (DP) roles, or those who aspire to these roles. It is also very relevant to individuals who support Designated Persons and to other professionals, such as compliance professionals in Fund Management Companies or Fund Service Providers.
IOB was delighted to host the annual in-person event for Alumni of the DP programme and Accredited Fund Professionals (AFPs) on 14 May.
Alumni and AFPs had the opportunity to meet colleagues and hear from Cian Murphy of the Central Bank of Ireland who explained why authorities with responsibilities in the area of financial stability have concerns about the activities of funds and asset managers. Cian was followed by Richard Wane, Consultant and Antonia Mahony from Carne Global Fund Managers Ireland, who discussed operations and operational resiliency. The last item had Helen O’Beirne, Mercer Investments International, in conversation with Bobby Hoey, Vanguard, about the importance of personal responsibility for career development and lifelong learning. It was a great evening of networking and discussion, and we look forward to meeting our members at this event next year.
IOB has a broad portfolio of accredited programmes available for the funds and asset management industry, including the flagship Professional Certificate in International Investment Fund Services, which is an important programme for those entering the industry. Details of all our programmes, including those which are of relevance to all financial sectors, such as AI, data & analytics and sustainable finance, are available in the IOB prospectus.
Masterclasses & Events
From time to time, Funds by IOB provides masterclasses on topics related to funds and asset management. Previous offerings have included topics such as liquidity management, risk management and fund distribution. The aim of each one is to determine and develop best practice standards in the area in focus. We were particularly delighted to launch our masterclass on ETFs which was delivered in September 2025 and April 2026.
IOB offered a range of in-person events and online webinars, all of which offered the opportunity to earn CPD hours. In addition to the recent event for DPs and AFPs, IOB returned to Cork on 8 June, for a third IOB Funds and Asset Management Cork Forum.
We were particularly delighted on this occasion to be joined by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Mary-Elizabeth McMunn, Deputy Governor Financial Regulation in the Central Bank. Nicholas Blake-Knox, Council Member of Irish Funds, Catherine Duffy of Northern Trust and Mark Fitzgerald, Independent Director completed the line-up.
In HI 2026, IOB organised events with:
Brian Golden of the Central Bank on the CBI’s daily investment fund return (DIFR)
Declan Casey on the EU legislative process
Professor Joe McGrath of University College Dublin (UCD) on the professionalism of the financial sector
These and other recordings, including a primer on AML and the new AML authority (AMLA), are available to you as eCPD on IOB Learn.
IOB Future of Finance Awards 2026
The IOB Future of Finance Awards is IOB’s flagship initiative to recognise financial services professionals who are leading innovative and impactful projects. In 2026, the ceremony was held at The Convention Centre Dublin on 20 March. This year we received a record number of nominations from organisations across the industry, with strong representation from the funds and asset management sector.
IOB Graduation 2026
Graduation day in UCD is a very special day for our students and all of us at IOB - a day filled with pride, accomplishment, and achievement. On 14 February, we held our biggest ever graduation ceremony. Congratulations to all the funds and asset management professionals who graduated.
