IDA’s support extends far beyond initial setup, offering ongoing assistance in talent and technology development, property solutions, and connections with peers and research networks. This proactive approach ensures companies can scale and transform their operations in Ireland.
Regulatory strength: the foundation of trust
In boardrooms from Dublin to New York, trust is the currency of business. Ireland’s regulatory framework, anchored by the Central Bank of Ireland, delivers certainty and stability for global investors. The Central Bank is globally recognised as a balanced and experienced regulator, offering assurance to international investors managing complex, cross-border mandates. Ireland’s alignment with OECD and EU standards, coupled with a forward-thinking tax regime, ensures that the country is not just compliant, but also highly competitive.
Recent reforms—including proposed updates to the AIF Rulebook and consultations on performance fees and financing—further enhance investor protection and streamline operations. Ireland was the first regulated jurisdiction to introduce a framework for alternative investment funds, reinforcing its reputation as a jurisdiction that excels in keeping pace with global best practice.
Maeve McConnon
A national strategy with global ambition
Ireland’s growth story is powered by a clear, government-led strategy: Ireland for Finance. Led by a dedicated Minister for International Financial Services, this strategy provides a robust framework for sectoral growth and collaboration. As we prepare for the next phase of this strategy (2026–2030), the focus is on moving further up the value chain—capturing new opportunities in digital finance, private markets, and beyond—while ensuring Ireland remains agile and responsive to global trends.
IDA Ireland’s new strategy, “Adapt Intelligently”, prioritises long-term investment, innovation, sustainability, and regional development. IDA’s support extends far beyond initial setup, offering ongoing assistance in talent and technology development, property solutions, and connections with peers and research networks. This proactive approach ensures companies can scale and transform their operations in Ireland with confidence.
Why global leaders choose Ireland: company activities
Seventeen of the world’s top twenty asset managers have established significant operations in Ireland, embedding global leadership roles and centres of excellence. This is not just a Dublin story—regional hubs in Limerick, Kilkenny, Cork, Letterkenny, and many more cities and towns are thriving, supported by IDA’s strategy to drive balanced national growth.
Examples of transformation in action
• BlackRock: Dublin serves as a hub for governance, risk, compliance, and operations, with over $1.5 trillion in Irish-domiciled assets. BlackRock continues to evolve and grow in Ireland, with capacity for over 200 people in its new office.
• Citco: Citco has expanded in Ireland since 1999, with sites in Dublin and Cork. The Irish operation includes a technology solutions centre and leadership with global remits. In 2023, Citco availed of an IDA training grant to support business growth, leadership, and technology skills. Citco is also conducting technology-led feasibility studies for a multi-year transformation project to adopt generative AI within the business.
• Mediolanum International Fund: Dublin is the European asset management platform for Mediolanum, managing over €70 billion across more than 70 funds. The office employs over 200 professionals in key front office roles, including portfolio management. In 2023, Mediolanum launched a revamped learning and development programme, accelerated by IDA Ireland’s matching funding.
• State Street: State Street has been operating in Ireland since 1996 and is now one of the largest financial services employers in the country. Its footprint spans Dublin, Drogheda, Naas and Kilkenny, where the company recently opened a state-of-the art office. This new Kilkenny facility houses State Street’s only global cybersecurity centre of excellence outside the US, serving over 200 markets worldwide.
• Vanguard: Vanguard’s Dublin operation oversees Irish funds and ETFs, employing nearly 100 people. Growth is driven by Ireland’s robust, retail-oriented regulatory framework, with the UCITS regime ensuring strong investor protection.
Digital Transformation & AI: the next frontier
Ireland is at the forefront of digitalisation in financial services. Asset managers and fund administrators are adopting AI, blockchain, and advanced analytics to automate processes, enhance compliance, and deliver superior investor outcomes.
Strategic collaborations with leading academic research centres—for example, ADAPT, CeADAR, and INSIGHT—combined with targeted IDA support and competitive government tax policies, firmly establish Ireland as a global leader in digital finance and innovation for international companies. The government’s updated National Digital and AI Strategy (2025) accelerates digitalisation across enterprise and financial services, while the Central Bank’s Innovation Hub and Sandbox Programme support early-stage technology adoption.
Collaboration: Ireland’s unique selling point
What sets Ireland apart is its culture of collaboration. Industry, academia, and government work hand-in-hand to solve challenges and accelerate progress. IDA plays a central role in fostering this connectivity, enabling firms to share best practices, influence future skills development, and collaborate on innovation. This collective approach—Ireland’s unique selling point—creates an ecosystem where challenges are solved collectively and progress is accelerated.
Strategic collaborations with leading academic research centres—for example, ADAPT, CeADAR, and INSIGHT— combined with targeted IDA support and competitive government tax policies, firmly establish Ireland as a global leader in digital finance and innovation for international companies.
Talent: the cornerstone of growth
Ireland’s success is built on people. Through strategic talent development programmes—such as Skillnet Ireland, the Human Capital Initiative, and industry-led apprenticeships—Ireland ensures the workforce is future-ready. IDA works closely with companies to design strategic talent development programmes, ensuring agility and capability for high-value activities.
Companies like Mediolanum and Citco are already reaping the benefits, strengthening leadership and preparing for technological change. These initiatives ensure Ireland’s workforce remains future-ready and competitive on a global scale. A robust talent ecosystem is fundamental to moving Ireland up the investment value chain and enabling future growth. IDA plays a key role by championing collaboration between industry, government, and academia, and by leveraging Ireland’s STEM strengths and quality of life, to attract and retain top talent.
The road ahead: growth, sustainability, and innovation
Looking forward, five trends will define Ireland’s next chapter:
1. Private Assets and Alternatives: A global shift towards private markets—private equity, private credit, infrastructure, and real assets—continues to drive growth. Ireland’s modernised Investment Limited Partnership (ILP) regime and flexible fund structures position it as a key EU hub for private assets, attracting institutional and high-net-worth investors.
2. Digitalisation and Tokenisation: Technology, including AI, digitalisation, and distributed ledger technology (including the tokenisation of funds) is transforming fund operations worldwide. Ireland is supporting the digitalisation of the sector, with companies establishing global innovation hubs and building new innovative technology capability here. IDA offers targeted advisory and financial support to companies investing in advanced technologies, helping firms accelerate innovation globally and maintain a competitive edge.
3. Increase Investor Participation: The Savings & Investment Union (SIU) aims to channel retail savings into productive investments, creating new capital pools across the EU. For Ireland, this presents an opportunity to attract new mandates and strengthen the country’s position as a global investment hub.
4. ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) Evolution: ETFs are a key growth opportunity for the global and local investment management sector. Leveraging Ireland’s regulatory reputation for ETFs and expanding capabilities in emerging areas such as Active ETFs can help further strengthen Ireland’s position as a leading European hub for ETFs.
5. Sustainability Leadership: Ireland aligns with the EU taxonomy and possesses strong technology and data governance skills, positioning the country favourably for the future of green finance in Europe. IDA actively supports green capital investments, providing targeted assistance and incentives to firms developing innovative sustainable finance solutions and investing in decarbonisation and climate-focussed activities, thereby advancing Ireland’s leadership in this space.
Conclusion
Ireland’s investment funds industry stands at a pivotal point. To achieve the next phase of growth, we must embrace digitalisation, expand into new areas of activity and build on our established strengths. At the same time, Ireland must continue to offer a collaborative, innovative, and well-regulated environment for investment.
Our reputation for regulatory excellence, a skilled and highly educated workforce, and a culture of innovation have driven our success so far. Challenges such as global competition and evolving regulation remain. However, the opportunities ahead are substantial. By advancing digital and AI-driven innovation and investing in talent, Ireland can move further up the global value chain.
For global investors and asset managers seeking a dynamic and resilient location, Ireland is ready to deliver. IDA Ireland stands as a trusted partner to support our client’s growth and transformation.