John O’Beirne, CEO of Square International, the European division of US fintech Square, has been appointed as the new chair of the Fintech and Payments Association of Ireland (FPAI). FPAI, established in 2015, represents Ireland’s fintech sector, including start-ups, banks, and financial institutions. O’Beirne succeeds Ruth McCarthy and aims to focus on regulatory priorities and AI-driven financial innovation.
John O’Beirne, CEO and executive director of Square International, has been named the new chair of the Fintech and Payments Association of Ireland (FPAI). The organization, founded in 2015, is an affiliate of the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI) and serves as the representative body for Ireland’s fintech sector, covering start-ups, domestic banks, and multinational institutions.
O’Beirne succeeds Ruth McCarthy, head of compliance, risk, and policy at Fexco, who led FPAI since 2022. In his new role, he aims to strengthen collaboration within Ireland’s fintech ecosystem, particularly focusing on AI advancements in financial services and regulatory developments.
As new technologies like AI reshape financial services, FPAI will facilitate dialogue between stakeholders to position Ireland at the forefront of innovation, We will also work closely with members on regulatory priorities as the industry evolves.”
John O’Beirne, CEO and executive director of Square International
Before joining Square International in December 2023, O’Beirne spent over 15 years at Bank of Ireland Group, holding key leadership roles, including head of risk, mortgage underwriting, and business banking. He led the bank’s mortgage business from 2016 to 2022 and later directed its business banking division.
With his extensive experience, O’Beirne is expected to guide FPAI’s efforts in shaping the future of Ireland’s fintech sector.
