EY strengthens partnership across island of Ireland with 12 new Equity Partners

EY Ireland is delighted to announce 12 new Equity Partners bringing the total number of Equity Partners in EY across the island of Ireland to 157.
Today, EY Ireland employs more than 5,400 people and has offices in seven locations in the island of Ireland: Dublin, Belfast, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Derry/Londonderry.

These new appointments reflect the firm’s increased investment across all regions and all areas of our business including Assurance, Tax & Law, Consulting, Strategy and Transactions, and key growth areas including AI, Technology, M&A, Aviation Finance, Government & Infrastructure and Health, among others.

Commenting on the appointments, EY Ireland Managing Partner Frank O’Keeffe, said:

“Our new equity partner appointments reflect a significant investment as we move confidently to meet growing client demand across the island of Ireland.  As we continue to invest heavily in world class leadership and expertise to ensure that we are best positioned to support our clients into the future as they navigate and thrive in a complex market. Across every sector, businesses are navigating a more complex environment, shaped by advances in Artificial Intelligence, shifting global dynamics, increasing regulatory demands and growing stakeholder expectations. In this context, EY’s ability to combine deep technical expertise and extensive sector knowledge with sound judgement and world class leadership has never been more important.

“These exceptional new partners will help our clients to make confident decisions, to move at pace and to create long-term value as they unlock opportunity for both our clients and our EY teams.

“I look forward to the impact each of them will make as they shape the future with confidence.”

For additional information, please visit ey.com/ie/MeetOurPartners

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Notes to Editors:

Further details on each partner’s background and experience are outlined below.

Shane McCarthy has been admitted as a Partner in Assurance. He leads EY Ireland’s AI and Data Infusion practice, specialising in the design and delivery of AI and data-driven transformation programmes. A data scientist by background, he has over 15 years’ experience working with clients across Ireland, the UK, the US, Australia and New Zealand.

Karl O’Donnell has been admitted as a Partner in Assurance. As a chartered accountant with over 15 years’ experience, he provides assurance services to multinational groups and high-growth private businesses across many sectors including technology, renewable energy and Agribusiness. He specialises in International Financial Reporting Standards, local Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and internal control frameworks. 

Sinéad Hickey has been admitted as a Partner in Consulting. She has over 20 years’ experience in SAP transformation, spanning design and leadership roles across leading organisations in Ireland and Europe. She leads large-scale initiatives, helping clients realise measurable value from SAP investments. A strong recognised leader in Ireland, she drives integration of AI and emerging technologies to enable innovation, automation, and sustained business performance.

Alastair Allen has been admitted as a Partner in Consulting. A Healthcare Technology specialist based in Northern Ireland, he leads digital and technology-enabled transformation initiatives across the healthcare sector. He focuses on improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency through data, digital health solutions and strategic partnerships.

Ciarán Conroy has been admitted as a Partner in Tax. He specialises in aviation finance and structured finance, advising aircraft leasing groups and banks on the establishment and structuring of aircraft leasing platforms in Ireland. He has supported a number of leading aircraft lessors on the acquisition and divestment of significant aircraft portfolios. He has also led multiple big ticket tax engagements across the broader Financial Services sector, including diligence and post-transaction structuring.

Siobhán Donlevy has joined EY Ireland as a Partner in Strategy and Transactions. She has over 20 years’ experience advising owners, private equity and management teams on mergers and acquisitions, fundraising and strategic initiatives. Siobhan supports clients across the full deal lifecycle and has deep expertise in the healthcare sector.

Leanne Berkery has been admitted as a Partner in Assurance. She leads EY’s Global Reporting Center of Excellence, supporting clients in optimising their statutory audit and reporting processes. She brings specialist expertise in statutory reporting models, regulatory requirements, governance and technology, with over 15 years’ experience working with large global organisations across multiple sectors.

Shannon Cunningham has been admitted as a Partner in Tax. Based in Northern Ireland, she has over 13 years’ experience advising clients on tax structuring, reorganisations, transaction tax matters and international tax matters. A Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor, she works with private equity and private and public companies across the UK market.

Tony Nugent has been admitted as a Partner in Consulting. He is a recognised leader in delivering finance transformation at scale across the Irish market and beyond. As part of EY’s Digital Finance offering, he helps organisations unlock the value of AI across finance functions, and partners with clients end-to-end on their transformation journey from strategy through to implementation and operations.

Julia Ann Corkery has been admitted as a Partner in Strategy and Transactions. She has over 17 years’ experience advising on procurement and contract management across complex capital projects, particularly in the transport sector. She specialises in strategic commercial advisory, supporting public and private sector clients to deliver large-scale programmes and achieve robust commercial and financial outcomes.

Dara Kavanagh has been admitted as a Partner in Assurance. He leads EY’s Treasury Services team in Ireland and advises CFOs and finance leaders on building resilient, insight-led treasury functions, with expertise in cash and liquidity management, financial risk and treasury accounting. Dara supports clients in Ireland and globally across a range of sectors, helping organisations enhance cash visibility, risk insight and financial decision-making.

Emily O’Sullivan has joined EY Ireland as a Partner in Consulting. She leads the Electronic Health Record (EHR) practice in Ireland and specialises in large-scale clinical transformation and digital health strategy. A registered nurse by background, she has built her career at the intersection of clinical practice and technology, bringing over 25 years’ global experience in health system transformation and supporting the delivery of connected, person-centred care and improved patient outcomes.