At FPSB Ireland, we believe in a future where people understand the true value of financial planning and the difference it can make to their lives. We promote high standards in financial planning so consumers can confidently identify professionals who are competent, ethical, and committed to putting their clients first.
As the standards and certification body for financial planning in Ireland, we set and uphold the benchmark for excellence in the profession. Through certification and ongoing standards, we support the development of financial planning as a recognised and trusted discipline.
FPSB Ireland is an affiliate of FPSB, the international standards-setting body for the profession. We are part of a global network spanning 28 territories and over 230,000 CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals and we certify more than 1,060 CFP® professionals in Ireland.
Meet the Team
Emer Kirk
Emer Kirk was appointed CEO in August 2021. She has over 20 years’ experience in financial services, specialising in financial planning. A CFP® professional and Chartered Tax Adviser (Irish Tax Institute), she holds a degree in actuarial mathematics and accounting. Emer is a former Chair of LIA Dublin Region, Founder and past Chair of Connect Women in Pensions Network, and past Chair of Young IBA.
Penny O'Hara
As Programme Manager, Penny is responsible for supporting community of CFP professionals and the Chief Executive.
Council of FPSB Ireland
Anthony Walsh (Chair)
An accountant by profession, Professor Anthony Walsh was a member of the academic staff of Dublin City University (DCU) from 1980 to 1999. From 1999 to 2011, Anthony was Chief Executive of the Institute of Banking and oversaw the establishment of the Institute as a recognised College of University College Dublin.
He served terms on the Higher Education Authority and the National Council for Educational Awards. Anthony is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and holds PhD and Masters degrees from the Bayes School of Business at City, University of London. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Banking and an Honorary Life Member of LIA.
Dr. Diarmuid Bradley
Dr Diarmuid Bradley is Programme Director with the Institute of Banking which is a Recognised College of University College Dublin and provides programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Prior to joining the Institute of Banking Dr Bradley’s career was in the financial services industry.
From 1978 to 1986 he was Investment Manager with Allied Irish Investment Bank. Subsequently he became Chief Executive of the Irish Futures & Options Foreign Exchange. From 1992 to 2001 he held a number of positions including Deputy Chief Executive with Permanent TSB Bank, one of Ireland’s leading retail banks. He is a former (2004-2005) President of the Irish Bankers Federation.
Margaret D’Arcy
Margaret D’Arcy is Director of Financial Services, Funds, and Wealth Planning Education at IOB. She began her career in Retail Financial Services, gaining experience in IT, Card Services, Finance, Strategy, Treasury, and International roles.
A graduate of DCU with a BA in Accounting and Finance, she is also a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland. With five years at IOB, she leads the development of new programmes and oversees the delivery of both accredited and non-accredited education.
Beyond her role at IOB, Margaret has lectured at UCD Smurfit, DCU, Maynooth, and NCI. She is also the author of An Introduction to Financial Accounting, published by Chartered Accountants Ireland. Additionally, she has prepared students for professional qualification exams, including those for Chartered Accountants Ireland, Certified Public Accountants, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, and Accounting Technicians.
Bill Hannan
Bill Hannan is an actuary by profession. He was Chief Risk Officer at Permanent TSB from 2012 to 2014. He was Group Head of Risk and Compliance at Irish Life & Permanent from 2009 to 2012, where he was previously Group Head of Compliance, and, prior to that, Chief Operating Officer – Retail of Irish Life Assurance. He was until 1999 Deputy Managing Director and Actuary of Irish Progressive Life Assurance Company, where he had worked since 1974.
He is Chairman of the QFA Board. He is a Past President of the Society of Actuaries in Ireland, of The Insurance Institute of Ireland, and of the Irish Institute of Pensions Management. He is an Honorary Life Member of LIA, a Fellow of the Institute of Banking and a Fellow of the Association of Compliance Officers in Ireland.
Joanne Keane
Joanne has worked with LIA for 20 years in various roles, culminating in her appointment as Chief Executive Officer in 2020.
Joanne holds qualifications in Management, Public Relations and is a Master in NLP. In addition, Joanne holds LIA’s CUA, CUG and various APA designations.
Mary O’Dea
Mary O’Dea is Chief Executive of the Institute of Banking which is a Recognised College of University College Dublin and provides programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Mary joined the Institute in April 2018 from the Central Bank of Ireland where she was Director of Securities and Markets Supervision. She was previously Ireland’s representative at the World Bank and prior to that held the role of Alternate Executive Director representing Ireland with the International Monetary Fund.
Mary held several director roles with the Central Bank of Ireland, including Director of Financial Operations, Consumer Director and acting Chief Executive of the Financial Regulator. Mary is a Non-Executive Director of Euronext Dublin (the Dublin Stock Exchange). She holds two Masters – one in Economics (UCD) and one in Investment and Treasury Management (DCU).
Bernard Walsh
Bernard Walsh is Head of Investments and Pensions at Fairstone Asset Management. With over thirty years experience in the financial services industry, he has held senior roles at PwC, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank. He graduated with a B. Comm. from UCC and has qualifications from UCD, Coventry University as well as Sustainable Finance qualifications from SETU/MTU.
Bernard lectures students sitting the Specialist Investment Adviser qualification as part of the Postgraduate Diploma in Business in Financial Planning programme. He is a regular commentator on pensions and investment matters in the media.