The Board of Directors is pleased to share an important milestone for Clinch Wealth Management. As part of our ongoing commitment to growth and excellence, we are delighted to announce the appointment of Michele McGuirk as Chair of the Board of Directors. Working alongside Managing Director Tom Clinch and Director Andrew O’Donohoe, Michele will play a key role in guiding Clinch’s next phase of growth.

We are also pleased to announce the creation of an Advisory Board and to welcome esteemed business leaders Áine Kerr and Bernard Jackman as members. As we embark on a new three-year growth strategy, the Advisory Board will provide valuable guidance to the Board of Directors, ensuring we remain agile, forward-thinking, and well-equipped to serve our clients at the highest level.

Under Michele’s leadership, and with the insights and experience of our new Advisory Board, Clinch will continue to strengthen its strategic direction, reinforce its position as Ireland’s premier privately-owned wealth management firm, and support the long-term financial goals of our clients.

Our Chair: Michele McGuirk

Michele has been an integral part of Clinch since 2015, serving as Director of Operations since 2016 – a role she will continue to hold alongside her new position as Chair. With 38 years in financial services, including senior leadership roles at Bank of Ireland Private Banking, Michele has developed deep industry knowledge and a proven track record in governance and operational excellence. As a director and shareholder of Clinch, Michele has played a key role in shaping our company’s success over the past decade. As Chair, she brings both an in-depth knowledge of the business and a client-first approach, which will ensure Clinch continues to evolve while maintaining the trust and excellence that defines our firm.

Introducing Our Advisory Board

We are excited to welcome Áine Kerr and Bernard Jackman to the Clinch team as members of the Advisory Board, where they will join Chair Michele McGuirk, Managing Director Tom Clinch, and Director Andrew O’Donohoe.

Áine Kerr

Áine Kerr is an award-winning business leader in digital innovation and communications, with over 20 years of experience spanning technology, media, and journalism. She co-founded Kinzen, a company focused on detecting dangerous misinformation and violent content, which was acquired by Spotify in 2022.

Previously, Áine led Facebook’s Journalism Project and played a key role in creating the News Integrity Initiative. She also held senior roles at Storyful and worked as a political correspondent for The Irish Independent, The Irish Times and The Irish Examiner. Áine chairs the President of Ireland’s Gaisce Council, social innovation fund Rethink Ireland and education initiative The Shona Project. She is an advisor to Founders in NDRC, Fierce in Dogpatch Labs, Tech FoundHer and Awaken Angels. Her leadership in digital transformation, social impact, and media will provide invaluable guidance as Clinch continues to pursue forward-thinking growth.

Bernard Jackman

Bernard Jackman brings a unique blend of sports leadership and business strategy to Clinch’s Advisory Board. A former professional rugby player turned business consultant, Bernard specialises in leadership development, team cohesion, digital transformation, and IT strategy.

His notable rugby achievements include winning a Celtic League, European Challenge and European Champions cup with Sale Sharks and Leinster, along with a Six Nations medal with Ireland. After retiring in 2010, he moved into coaching, leading teams in Ireland and France before transitioning into business consulting and rugby punditry. He was Head of High Performance for Ireland’s Equestrian teams at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics. Bernard is passionate about building high-performance teams and has worked with major companies like Airbnb, Aviva, Britvic, Pfizer and others, helping organisations navigate change and create sustainable success.

As an expert in leadership, organisational change, and digital strategy, Bernard is committed to helping businesses unlock their potential and drive sustainable growth. His insights will be crucial as Clinch continues to evolve and scale.