Michael Morris
Michael is a professional investor and equity analyst. He has led industry research teams at JPMorgan/Cazenove and HSBC as well as helping with process and strategy design at Accenture early in his career. His professional career has centred around the analysis of companies” business models, strategies, management and valuation and he maintains strong relationships with a wide range of management teams. He has been heavily involved with the Industrials, Basic Materials and Business Services industries. In parallel with his finance career, Michael has financed and managed several property development schemes in Central London and Ireland.
Originally a Masters graduate in Engineering from University College Dublin, Michael was awarded a Distinction by the IoD for the Certificate in Company Direction course in 2012.
Justin Cahill
Justin has invested in, founded and managed numerous businesses in countries such as Ireland, UK, China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam and Myanmar. He is presently on the board of 7 different companies – the majority of which he has invested in and founded. He has extensive experience of international business operations in the technology, media, education and renewable energy sectors. He has a strong understanding of finance having been involved in many different and complex financial transactions – including M&A, divestitures, and different forms of financing from equity to mezzanine to pure debt. As a result of his experience, Justin has developed lasting partnerships with investors, business operators and the wider financial community.
One recent business that Justin founded was sold to Bain Capital in October 2013. Justin founded RISE China in 2007 with his long term Chinese business partner with whom he has co-invested in a number of other ventures. With technology at its core, RISE became one of the largest English language after school operators in China with over 80,000 students in 150 learning centres across the country. Justin remained as the Chairman of RISE until Bain Capital acquired the company. Justin previously worked for British Telecom (BT) and Taylor Nelson Sofres (now part of the WPP Group) in senior management positions in Asia, the Middle East & Europe. Justin is an honours business graduate from Trinity College Dublin.
David Crowley
David founded IFC Finance, a successful Financial Services Advisory firm which provides consultancy on Financial Planning and Wealth Management to high net worth individuals in Ireland. David is also the co-founder of the ERA Group. ERA Group is a Renewable Energy Consultancy Company that has long term strategic and joint venture partnerships with a number of large international companies. In partnership with these companies, ERA Group develops a ‘fit for purpose’ product, service, marketing and sales strategy and plan for each company to enter the growing renewable energy sector.
ERA Group has partnerships with companies in logistics, security, operations, human resource training and sourcing. David led a senior advisory board and management team with the objective of setting up Ireland’s first indigenous SME and Agri-sector focused Bank. This project didn’t proceed as it couldn’t get regulatory approval. As a result of leading this ambitious project, David built meaningful relationships across the Irish government, regulatory, finance and business community. David continues to access and develop these relationships. David has been involved in many committees representing the financial services profession over his twenty years of involvement in this sector. He is therefore well placed to understand the many facets of the finance industry.