One Month to Go: Irish Funds Annual Global Funds Conference 2026 Keynote Speakers

With just one month to go until the Irish Funds Annual Global Funds Conference 2026, we are pleased to announce an exciting line-up of keynote speakers who will bring perspectives from politics, artificial intelligence, global media and sport to this year's event.

Taking place on Thursday, 1 October 2026 at The Convention Centre Dublin, the conference will bring together more than 500 senior leaders from across the international funds and asset management industry.

Under the theme "Ireland: Powering the Global Investment Future", this year's conference will explore Ireland's growing role in global investment and the opportunities ahead for our industry. Taking place during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the event comes at a pivotal time for European financial services, with competitiveness, capital markets development and regulatory simplification high on the agenda.

Keynote Speakers

We are delighted to welcome the following keynote speakers:

Dr Abeba Birhane

Assistant Professor of AI, Trinity College Dublin

Dr Abeba Birhane is Assistant Professor of AI at Trinity College Dublin, where she founded and leads the AI Accountability Lab. Her research focuses on the evaluation of AI systems and the governance and accountability of the AI industry. Dr Birhane served on the United Nations Secretary-General's AI Advisory Body, sits on the Government of Ireland's AI Advisory Council and was named among TIME's 100 Most Influential People in AI in 2023.

Enda Brady

Broadcaster and Host, TRT World

Award-winning broadcaster Enda Brady hosts the current affairs programme Roundtable on TRT World. During a twenty-year career with Sky News, he covered major global events including terrorist attacks across Europe and the migrant crisis.

Sir Jeremy Hunt

Former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer

Sir Jeremy Hunt served as UK Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2022 to 2024 and previously held a number of senior Cabinet positions, including Foreign Secretary, Health Secretary and Culture Secretary. Prior to entering politics, he founded and ran the educational publishing business Hotcourses.

Pico Lopes

Professional Footballer and Cape Verde International

Pico Lopes' remarkable journey saw him move from working as a mortgage broker and playing part-time football to representing Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His story offers a unique perspective on perseverance, opportunity and performing at the highest level.

Conference Topics

Through keynote addresses, expert panels and industry discussions, this year's programme will examine many of the issues shaping the future of the funds and asset management industry, including:

• Regulation and competitiveness

• Private assets

• Tokenisation and digital assets

• The Savings and Investments Union and the next generation of investors

• ETF growth and innovation

• Distribution and cross-border investment

• AI, technology and the evolving operating environment

Networking Opportunities

The conference will also provide extensive opportunities to connect with peers, clients and industry leaders throughout the day, including in the exhibition area and at the closing drinks reception.

Pre-Conference Golf and Tennis

Delegates can also join us on Wednesday, 30 September for the Irish Funds Social Golf Day or Social Tennis Day. Both events can be added as optional extras when registering for the conference.

Sponsorship Opportunities

A limited number of sponsorship, exhibition and branding opportunities remain available for organisations seeking to engage with more than 500 senior leaders from across the international funds and asset management industry.

Irish Funds member firms receive a 25% discount on all sponsorship opportunities.

Register now.

For sponsorship enquiries, please contact events@irishfunds.ie.