Karen Cullen
Karen Cullen

Head of International Financial Services, Risk & Compliance Unit

Department of Finance, Ireland

Karen is Head of the International Financial Services Unit in the Department of Finance. The Unit supports the Minister of State, Michael D'Arcy TD, in the development and implementation of policy for international financial services. This is a whole-of-Government approach, with collaboration between the public sector and industry, to drive the growth and development of the sector in Ireland.

Previously, Karen was Head of Unit in the Financial Services Division in the Department with responsibility for domestic policy and legislation on the markets side, and the successful negotiation of a number of financial services dossiers during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2013.

Karen also has extensive experience of state aid matters and developing tax policy and legislation. Karen is a qualified solicitor, holds professional qualifications in tax and intellectual property, along with studies in financial services, data protection and strategic leadership.