Unio Financial Services announce new CEO and CCO
Unio Financial Services Ltd has announced the appointment of Richard Jones as Chief Executive Officer, subject to regulatory approval.
As one of Ireland’s leading wealth management and employee benefits firms, Unio oversees more than €14bn in client assets.
Jones will take up his role in mid 2026.
The firms says he brings extensive leadership experience across wealth management, insurance and financial services.
Prior to joining Unio, he held a number of senior leadership roles within Bank of Ireland Group, including Director of Strategy & Transformation for Wealth & Insurance and Interim Chief Executive Officer of New Ireland Assurance.
Over the course of his career he has held senior executive positions with leading international financial institutions, working across Ireland, the UK, the United States and Australia.Jones is a Chartered Director and holds an Economics degree and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Speaking about his upcoming role, Jones said:“I am delighted to be joining Unio Financial Services, one of Ireland’s leading wealth management and employee benefits businesses, at such an important stage in its development.
“With a strong heritage supporting both personal and corporate clients, and the backing of the global Great-West Lifeco group, Unio has built a reputation for trusted advice, long-term relationships and consistent delivery.’
“As we enter our next phase of growth, we will focus on deepening client partnerships, continuing to invest in our capabilities and further establishing Unio as one of the leading firms shaping Ireland’s evolving wealth and benefits market.”
Unio Financial Services Ltd also announced the appointment of Derek Buckley as Chief Commercial Officer.
Buckley joins Unio as Chief Commercial Officer with 25 years’ experience in investment banking in Dublin and London.
Before joining Unio, he worked at Davy where he was Head of Business Development between capital markets and wealth management and previously was a Managing Director at Bernstein in London.
Buckley will be responsible for overseeing all commercial activities for the wealth management business, including the management of Unio’s advisory teams and regional offices.
“I’m delighted to be joining Unio Wealth Management at a key stage in its evolution, there is an historic, inter-generational transfer of wealth under way and a new cohort of earned wealth creating a surge in the need for wealth advice in Ireland,” Buckley said.
“Unio has ambitious growth plans and I look forward to working with the advisory teams in Dublin and regionally to scale the business.
“The combination of the strength of our parent company Irish Life Group domestically and the wealth leadership position of Great-West Lifeco internationally, positions Unio uniquely to meet the needs of a new and growing market in Ireland that want a refreshing, progressive and differentiated wealth management offering.”
Commenting on both appointments, Patrick Ryan, Chairperson of Unio’s Board, said: “We are delighted to welcome Richard Jones as our new Chief Executive Officer and Derek Buckley as Chief Commercial Officer to Unio.
“Richard brings a proven track record of leadership having led major growth and transformation initiatives across the sector. Richard’s strategic vision and deep expertise in financial services will be instrumental as we continue to grow and enhance the value we deliver to our clients.
“Similarly, Derek’s strong commercial acumen and track-record of success across the Irish and UK markets will further strengthen our position and support the next phase of our expansion.”
Derek Buckley has been announced as the new Chief Commercial Officer.
Declan Bolger, CEO of Irish Life Group,said: “These appointments represent an important step in the continued growth and development of Unio.
“Richard Jones brings strong leadership and deep industry experience, while Derek Buckley will play a key role in further strengthening the firm’s commercial capabilities and client proposition. As part of the wider Irish Life Group, we remain committed to investing in the talent and leadership that will support our long-term ambitions.”
Photo: Unio Financial Services Ltd's new CEO Richard Jones
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