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Banking and Treasury with John Finn, Treasury Solutions Ltd

John is is Managing Director of Treasury Solutions Ltd. an independent debt and treasury risk management advisor to the SME and corporate markets. He presented on banking and treasury outlook in a volatile world.

John offered his insights on current macroeconomics and key volatility factors, interest rates, foreign exchange and tariffs, and funding developments in a risky world. He outlined the current economic situation, noting that economies are generally slowing down and highlighting concerning debt-to-GDP ratios.

On current lending practices in Ireland, he noted that getting finance is taking longer as some of the banks appear to be under resourced due to reduced staffing levels. His advice to Irish businesses looking to borrow is to start early.

• • • Watch on Youtube
    • Read the summary on our blog

Finance, funding and Irish SMEs

Our finance panel were:

• Mark Flood, Renatus Capital Partners; 
• Alan O’Dea, Beechbrook Capital, 
• Helen Cahill, Finance Fair; 
• and Brendan Lenihan of Navigo Consulting facilitated discussions.

The panel looked at funding and finance for Irish SMEs. They discussed recent shifts in private investment, the “funding gap” and funding avenues available, and what’s needed to get investment ready.

The panel offered insights into the evolving landscape and the changing dynamics of public versus private markets. Despite recent global market events, firms are still actively investing. They discussed how to address the “funding gap” many Irish SMEs face when they move beyond early stage funding, and what Irish businesses need to know and do when they are seeking investment. The panel ended by emphasising the numerous alternative funding options available for Irish SMEs.

• • • Watch on Youtube
    • Read the summary on our blog

Sustainability update with Jim Barry, Senior Energy Transition Leader and Investor. 

Jim addressed sustainability and growth in turbulent times. He spoke on broader geopolitical issues and delivered in-depth insights into why energy transition and climate action need to remain a priority for the world’s leading economies. 

He advised that Irish businesses and service providers need to exercise caution and check the resilience of their supply chain. They should not lose sight of climate and sustainability, but think about it within a risk framework rather than as a value judgment. 

Jim stated that the world is becoming a more volatile and uncertain space, and this must affect daily business decisions. It’s crucial that Irish businesses understand that the world has fundamentally altered in order to adapt and succeed in a changed world.

• • • Watch on Youtube
    • Read the press summary on our blog

Succession, M&A, and Exits: Tax update 2025 for Irish businesses

Julie Healy, KPMG, and Mairéad Hennessy, Taxkey, were our tax panel looking at succession planning, M&A and business exits, entrepreneurial relief and what’s coming next for Irish SMEs. 

They looked at the crucial role of succession planning in maintaining business stability, and what options are currently preferable for structuring business exits & reorganisations in Ireland, including issues around the transfers of Irish family businesses.

The panel ended with a speculative look at the future of Irish taxation, with strong advice is for those considering a transfer to the next generation to do it sooner rather than later, as some current reliefs may not exist in their current form in five years.

• • • Watch on Youtube
    • Read the summary on our blog

Don’t miss our next finance conference

If you’d like to make sure you don’t miss the next one, you can sign up for our newsletter or follow us on social media to be the first to know when we announce the next date. If you have any questions for our panelists, or want more information, contact us at jackie@paulodonovan.ie.