Furio Pietribiasi is responsible for the operations of Mediolanum in Ireland and in Luxembourg, and plays a significant role in the continuing development of the IFSC and is a member of the council of IFSC Ireland and he is part of the Department of the Taoiseach’s IFSC working groups for funds and asset management. Mediolanum has had a presence in Ireland since 1997, and today employs over 150 people in the country, directly and indirectly. It plans to recruit more later this year, when it completes a major redevelopment of its offices on Shelbourne Road.

A lawyer working in financial services needs to be able to think laterally, says Michael Barr, a partner with A&L Goodbody, as 'clients do not want just a legal answer but rather someone who will work with them to get their product into the market in a successful and cost effective way'. Other attributes required include being able to take in and understand quickly new concepts and ideas, and the ability to work well with people at all levels within an organisation, to get the deal done.