Ryan McCarthy, managing partner at KPMG in Ireland has announced the new positions of five managing directors and three principals, as KPMG continue their commitment to innovation and growth.
The new managing directors and principals are Steven Mitchell (audit), David Polley (consulting), Matthew King (corporate finance), Bernard O’Hara (KMS) [KPMG Managed Services and Solutions], Claire Power (audit), Alan Lavery (consulting), Brendan Crowley (consulting), and Eoin O’Brien (audit).
Brendan Crowley
Originally from Cork, Brendan is a managing director in our consulting practice. He joined the firm in 2007 and advises a broad range of clients, with a particular focus on banking, aviation, and other regulated sectors. A qualified accountant, Brendan leads a multidisciplinary team with expertise in finance, financial modelling, regulation, and accounting. He has played a key role in some of the most transformational banking transactions in recent years, including major loan portfolio acquisitions and remediation programmes. Brendan also supports clients on product launches, conduct matters, and risk frameworks. In aviation finance, he advises on asset-backed securitisation transactions and operational best practice, contributing to Ireland’s global reputation as a centre of excellence in the sector. He holds a BSc in business information systems from University College Cork and is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland.
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Matthew King
Originally from rural Suffolk, England, Matthew has lived across southern England and spent time in Italy before moving to Ireland in 2019. He is now co-head of KPMG’s infrastructure and government team. With nearly 25 years of experience, including a background in complex engineering roles in aerospace and defence, Matthew joined KPMG’s infrastructure advisory team in London in 2015. He now leads KPMG’s asset management and major projects advisory services, working with clients across energy, utilities, transport, government departments, and private infrastructure such as data centres. Passionate about the role infrastructure plays in society, Matthew supports clients in delivering critical projects at every stage of the lifecycle. He holds a degree in mechanical engineering and is a chartered engineer and member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Alan Lavery
Alan is a managing director in KPMG Ireland’s consulting practice, based in Belfast. Originally from Lisburn, Co Antrim, Alan is a chartered civil engineer and a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers. After 13 years delivering infrastructure projects in the water industry, he transitioned into professional services, focusing on data and AI. Over the past 11 years, Alan has helped clients across financial services, corporates, and the public sector harness the power of data to solve complex challenges. Since joining KPMG five years ago, he has built and now leads the Belfast Centre of Excellence for Data and AI, delivering transformational solutions and elevating KPMG Ireland’s AI capability. Alan combines problem-solving, creative thinking, and business insight to deliver real value through data-driven innovation.
Steven Mitchell
Steven is originally from Navan, Co Meath and is a principal in financial services audit at KPMG, based in Dublin. Since joining the firm as a graduate in 2010, Steven has specialised in audits of investment funds and Section 110 companies, working with a broad range of clients including hedge funds, ETFs, ETCs, and investment managers. His expertise spans UCITS, AIFs, and other regulated and unregulated fund structures, with a focus on valuation and financial reporting. Steven is passionate about the continued growth of Ireland’s funds industry, which now supports over 19,500 highly skilled jobs. He holds a Bachelor of business and law from UCD and a Master of accounting from the Smurfit School of Business and is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Eoin O’Brien
Originally from Limerick, Eoin is a principal in CHEC audit at KPMG. He joined the firm in 2009 and has worked in KPMG’s San Francisco and New York offices, including the national office in New York. Eoin leads the US GAAP accounting advisory practice and conducts audits for publicly listed US companies and privately held firms. His expertise spans financial statement and controls audits, business combinations, and US GAAP advisory, with a focus on the life sciences, technology, and aviation sectors. Eoin holds a BA in law and accounting from the University of Limerick and is both a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and a certified public accountant in the State of New York.
Bernard O’Hara
Bernard is a managing director in KPMG’s managed solutions and services (KMS) team in Northern Ireland and supporting clients across the island of Ireland. Originally from Newtownards, Co Down, Bernard joined KPMG in 2005 following roles in external and internal audit with other Big Four firms in Belfast and London. With over 28 years of experience, he specialises in designing bespoke solutions that blend people, process, and technology to meet client needs — ranging from resource augmentation and project support to fully managed services. Bernard works across sectors including financial services, public sector, and education. He holds a BSc in accounting from Queen’s University Belfast and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), where he is a founding chair of the ICAEW Northern Ireland board.
David Polley
David is a managing director in KPMG Ireland’s consulting practice, based in Co Down and working with clients both domestically and internationally. He joined KPMG UK in London in 2016 before moving to KPMG Ireland in 2019. David specialises in delivering complex transformation programmes across Ireland, the UK, Europe, and North America, with a focus on financial services. His work spans integration programmes, cost transformation, strategy development, and benchmarking, helping clients navigate change and drive performance. David holds a BA in business studies from Edinburgh Napier University and a postgraduate diploma in international accounting and finance from the University of Strathclyde.
Claire Power
Claire is a principal in financial services audit at KPMG, where she specialises in insurance, asset management, and non-bank lending. A fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland, she began her career with the firm in 2007 after earning a BComm from University College Dublin. Claire works with a diverse portfolio of high-profile clients, guiding them through complex accounting and regulatory challenges. She is committed to exceptional client service, mentorship, and empowering women in business. Outside of her professional role, Claire serves as a director of the Marie Keating Foundation and actively supports KPMG’s Connect programme, which fosters peer support and professional growth for women. She also contributes to Going for Growth, an initiative supported by KPMG and Enterprise Ireland promoting female entrepreneurs in Ireland.
