Swoboda Research Centre (formally The Centre for Community Finance Europe (CFCFE)) vision is to make a significant contribution to the sustainability and vibrancy of community finance in Europe. This is achieved through high-quality, accurate and accessible action research and advice in association with community finance providers, including credit unions, co-operative banks, building societies, community development finance institutions, social enterprises and other mutuals.

Core Credit Union is the new name for the amalgamation of Shankill, Ballybrack & District Credit Union, Dalkey Credit Union and Sallynoggin/Glenageary Credit Union

Established Payac Services CLG in collaboration with five other credit union CEOs to develop and deliver current account and payments services to Irish credit unions. This service (now in soft launch) is available to 1.2 million customers with €7 billion of assets covering 34 credit unions, with 100+ branches and 1,200 employees.Key achievements:^ Identified a market opportunity to introduce a new product into credit unions. Developed a clear and compelling risk assessed business case to support.^ Engaged with the Central Bank of Ireland and obtained regulatory approval for the new product. The first such approval for the sector since the 1980s^ Engaged with multiple IT suppliers, payment providers, subject matter experts and project managers to develop the functional spec for product development. Delivered overall project (€6 million) on budget.^ Built relationships, confidence and trust of key customers, in a sector which has had significant previous project failures, and successfully managed to get 75% of eligible credit unions to contractually commit before launch.^ Successfully rolled out current accounts to credit unions.

St. Canice’s (Kilkenny) Credit Union Ltd is the largest credit union in Ireland with 70,000 customers and 11 branches spanning four counties. I joined following the installation of a new enterprise ERP system. Key achievements:^ Successfully optimised the new ERP system and delivered new back office reporting and reconciliation structures in a short timeframe which delivered significant operational efficiency. ^ In conjunction with the Head of Operations negotiated with the trade union and staff to introduce a voluntary exit scheme and a performance based reward scheme to deliver significant short and long-term payroll savings along with new efficient working practices.^ Reviewed and advised the Board and management team on current strategy and developed an implementation plan, which achieved €1 million of annual savings on a cost base of €7 million.^ I was approached by my former employers to return to Core. Having successfully achieved what was required in a much shorter time frame than expected while simultaneously building a powerful finance team, I was happy to accept their offer.

Established a successful business advisory and audit firm specialising in business improvement. Successfully grew the business through a difficult economic climate by helping business restructure and realign their costs base. Sold the practice to one of my key managers and the practice (under a new name) continues to trade successfully. Key achievements:^Successfully restructured the cost bases of several clients to ensure that they could make it through the financial crisis.^Negotiated on behalf of clients with Banks and Revenue to restructure facilities to factor in realistic and achievable cash flows.^Provided a range of audit and assurance services to clients covering retail, manufacturing, hospitality and construction services^Created, developed and motivated a team to deliver a range of services to exceed professional expectations in relation to quality and customer service.

Doyle Foley & Co is one of the largest audit and accountancy practices in the South East with a client base of over 2,000 covering a range of industries from Financial Services, Food Processing, Manufacturing, Retail, Tourism, Construction and Agri. Key achievements:^ Appointed full equity partner in 2002 and the age of 25^ Responsible for the successful delivery of audit and advisory services for a range of the practices largest clients which were primarily in the construction and tourism sectors.^ Responsible for internal management information and IT network systems. ^ Staff training and development manager.

Shortly after joining Reddy Sheehan I was approached by Doyle Foley & Co. Having gained my initial work experience with Doyle Foley I was happy to rejoin their firm.

ESIS is part of Zurich Insurance Services Ltd and is a niche funds management company managing multi-billion funds for a number of global companies. Key achievements:^ Selected to review existing internal I.T. and management information systems and procedures. ^ ^ ^ ^ Following this review implemented 'HiPortfolio' Investment management software system which reduced 40 hours work to 1 hour by leveraging work completed by other sections of the Zurich group. ^ Successfully eliminated my role and achieved promotion to Fund Accountant with the parent company.