Pat Hayes, who heads up State Street’s hedge fund business in Ireland, meets with members of its 1,000 strong workforce through an employee townhall meeting that brings together local employees and the teams in Jersey, Poland and the US. The townhall meeting gives him a chance to meet with employees and brief them on the company’s performance. State Street’s hedge fund business services a significant proportion of the 40 per cent of the world’s alternative investment funds that are adminstered in Ireland and Hayes says ‘we will continue to grow the business and provide opportunities for the many talented and highly qualified people in Ireland.’

Chief executive of the global recruitment giant, ROBERT WALTERS in an interview with DUSTIN O’NEILL talks about the Asia Pacific market’s role as the driver of fee incomes for his firm. He says the Irish unit of Robert Walters has returned to profit and is well positioned to enjoy the benefits of a rising economy.

Noeleen Ruddy is a senior counsel in the structured products and capital markets (SPCM) group in the Dublin office of international law firm Walkers. Noeleen advises international financial institutions, investment banks, managers, agents and trustees in relation to a wide range of structured finance transactions. More recently, in line with market trends, her focus has been on restructuring, life settlement structures, distressed debt deals and other bespoke structured product transactions.

Employment in Ireland's top accountancy firms has risen. A like for like comparison amongst 15 firms shows that job numbers have increased by 5 per cent, from 8,198 in 2010 to 8,608 in 2011.

Belfast’s financial services industry has received a large jobs boost, as over 500 jobs will be created by Capita and PwC. Capita is exanding its life and pensions division at its centre in north Belfast creating 336 new jobs and PwC, are adding 247 jobs in a centre of excellence, in total adding 577 job positions to the city's financial services sector

Leading IFSC entrepreneurs showcased the opportunities the IFSC offers to financial entrepreneurs at a seminar in London’s Canary Wharf.

CACI, Credit Agricole's creditor insurance subsidiary, has announced plans to invest €3.2 million in the establishment of an R&D Centre of Excellence in Dublin due to the 'specialist capability' developed in the Irish operations.

Stone Tower Capital LLC, a $22 billion investment manager, has set up its European operations in Dublin. The new company: Stone Tower Europe Limited will be based in Dublin and run by former head of LBBW Asset Management Ireland Tim Richards.

GLOBEOP Financial Services has expanded its Dublin operation due to increased demand for European funds and from global funds extending into Europe to ensure access to European investors in light of new regulations, such as the AIFMD, that are due to come into force.

HedgeServ, the US hedge fund administrator founded by Jim Kelly formerly of International Fund Services in 2007, is expanding its Irish operations admitting that growth in its Dublin office has 'exceeded all expectations'. HedgeServ, having already expanded its headcount in Dublin by 150 people in the past twelve months has announced plans to add a further 300 jobs in Dublin. The company currently employs 230 people in Dublin and its plans for further expansion.