Fionán Breathnach

Independent Non-Executive Director at Independent

Fionán is an asset management and investment funds lawyer with 30 years’ experience. Fionán's career has primarily involved advising asset managers and fund promoters on structuring and establishing investment funds in Ireland and in other domiciles.

Fionán has established and advised UCITS, Retail AIFs and QIAIFs in Ireland and has deep experience in establishing such funds as corporate vehicles/ICAVs, unit trusts, contractual funds and limited partnerships, whether stand-alone vehicles, umbrella funds and/or master-feeder structures. Fionán has also been responsible for projects involving multiple jurisdictions and regulators (eg branch establishments, passporting, distribution and fund registrations) and co-ordinating international colleagues to successfully implement clients’ objectives.

A recognised expert on all corporate governance matters in asset management and financial services, having advised clients in this area throughout his career and having served as non-executive director and as Chairman on the boards of regulated investment funds, both UCITS and AIFs, since 2004.

Fionán has been at the forefront of industry developments for many years. He has served on numerous committees and working groups of Irish Funds since 1997, has spoken at many international industry conferences throughout Europe, the US, the Middle East and Asia and was a lecturer for 10 years on “Insider Dealing and Market Manipulation” on the Law Society of Ireland’s Finance Law Diploma.

A law graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, Fionán was awarded a Certified Diploma in Accounting and Finance by the ACCA in 2000.