Our People

Richard Hart joined ifac in 2015 and is ifac’s Head of IT and Software Development. He is a Chartered IT professional with over 20 years’ experience in Information Technology, working with businesses across many industries including financial services, telecoms and utilities. After studying Computer Science at Nottingham, Richard started work as a programmer and has since held a vast range of positions from software developer to project manager and CTO. Richard has an MBA from the University of Liverpool and is currently furthering his education studying BSc (Hons) in Digital Technology, Design and Innovation with D.I.T. Richard is keen sportsman and coaches triathletes as well as partaking in Ironman competitions. He is also currently building a kit car.

David Leydon is ifac’s Head of Food & AgriBusiness. David has a wealth of experience in the food and agribusiness sector and looks forward to working with many progressive businesses helping them to achieve their goals. ifac have the specialist team of financial accountants, tax experts, audit and pension to help food and agribusinesses succeed. David worked with the Irish Farmers Journal for 11 years and was Commercial Director for the group from 2013 to 2017. David has an MSc in Business and IT from DCU and an MBA from Henley Business School in London. You can reach David on 0879908227 or email davidleydon@ifac.ie.

Martin Glennon is ifac’s Head of Financial Planning. With the QFA, SIA and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designations under his belt, along with 30 years’ experience, Martin specialises in providing advice on retirement planning, protecting families & business, and investments. Martin is a past President of the LIA (the educational body for the life and pensions industry) and continues to lecture students who are studying to be Qualified Financial Advisers (QFA).

Shane Harrington joined ifac in 1999 as a member of our Bookkeeper Administration Team having studied Agriculture in Rockwell College. After joining ifac, Shane studied and attained a degree in business studies specialising in accounting. In 2004, Shane was appointed Area Development Manager for the Munster region with responsibility for the bookkeeper team in Munster. In 2011, Shane was appointed Business Development Manager. In this role Shane combines his work with the bookkeeper team while also having responsibility for the development of ifac’s nationwide office network. From a tillage and drystock farming background, Shane farms in Fethard, Co. Tipperary. In his leisure time Shane has a keen interest in National Hunt racing and can be regularly seen on racecourses in Ireland and England.

Ashling has been a member of the ifac team since 2012, becoming the Partner of our Enniscorthy office in 2016. She studied Accounting in IT Carlow graduated 2006 quickly securing a job in a Wexford practice where she worked hard and qualified as a CPA Accountant in 2010. Outside of work Ashling enjoys sports, playing mainly soccer and being involved in the administration side of things.

Ben joined the ifac team in the Kilkenny office in 1986. He then moved to Tullamore office where he was Partner for 14 years, from 1991 to 2005. From there, Ben returned to his native county of Kilkenny to take over the role of Partner in the Kilkenny office. Outside work, Ben is interested in the GAA, especially his local club, O Loughlin Gaels, where he is involved with various executive committees and in juvenile team management.

Billy joined the ifac team in 2011 as part of the Portlaoise office. He became Partner in Templemore in 2014 and since moved to the role of Partner in Portlaoise. Billy started his accountancy career in 2002 before moving to ifac. When not at work, Billy plays junior soccer in Laois and would has been an active member in Laois Macra.

Brian joined ifac in 2014 as Partner of our Blarney branch. Having attended University in Wales Aberystwyth, Brian possesses a BSC Agri-Business and is a ACCA qualified Accountant. Originally from Cappoquin west Waterford, Brian now lives in Carrigaline Co Cork. From a farming background, Brian has experience in Tillage, Poultry and Dairy. He is married to Colette, with 2 children. Outside of work, Brian has a keen interest in farming, rugby, soccer and GAA. Despite being retired from Soccer, Brian continues to do some running to keep fit.

Claire Walsh, native of Cork, has been a part of the ifac team since 2015 and is a Partner in our Sligo office. Claire trained in a large West Cork practice and qualified as a Chartered Accountant. Claire is also qualified as a Chartered Tax Advisor with the Irish Tax Institute. During her time working in general practice she has gained a wide range of experience in auditing, accounting, taxation and compliance. Claire takes a huge interest in sport particularly GAA, having played for teams in both Cork and Sligo. She is currently the treasurer of the local GAA.

From a farming background in Carlow, Eoghan graduated with a Degree in Agricultural Science from UCD in 2001, before pursuing a career in accountancy. He is now a Chartered Accountant and after working with EY & KPMG, he joined Ifac in 2008 and is now the managing partner of Ifac in their Dungarvan office. Eoghan’s has vast experience in farm and agri-food taxation planning, farm family succession planning and farm structural taxation advice.

Gearoid Condon, native of Kinsale, has been a part of the ifac team since 2015 and is a Partner in our Bandon branch. Gearoid has enjoyed two decades of Accountancy experience, dealing with both farming and SME clients. He completed his training with John Twomey & Co. Kinsale in 2001, where he qualified as a Certified Public Accountant. Married to Ciara Harte who is a teacher at Bandon Grammar School, he boasts David and Conor Harte, the well known hockey stars as his brothers-in-law. Gearoid and Ciara have two girls - Mila and Zara. Gearoid takes a huge interest in sport particularly GAA, having captained the Kinsale junior football team that reached the county final in 2001. Today he is chairman of the vibrant under-age club and manager of Kinsale minor footballers.

James has been with ifac since 2012 as the Partner of our Tullamore office. Originally from Edenderry, Co.Offaly, James is married with 3 daughters. When not working, you can find James enjoying spending time with his family or playing a bit of golf.

Liam joined the ifac team in 1991 and is a Partner in our Cavan branch. Liam is FCCA qualified. Outside of work Liam is a suckler farmer and GAA coach.

Martin joined our Athenry office in 1992 after graduating from GMIT after studying Business Studies/Agri-Business. Originally from Turloughmore in Galway, Martin then moved to Mayo after completing his training. There, he opened our Mayo office in 1996 and has been there since. Martin specialises in Farm Business advisory and is also our Renewable Energy specialist. Married to Caroline with 4 children, Martin is a keen GAA enthusiast, in particular Galway hurling.

Michael has been managing our Tralee branch since 2000 having qualified as an accountant in 1997. He is a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, ACCA. Michael has said of working in ifac: “I enjoy the variety of work within my role, meeting clients and working with my office staff members to ensure we fulfil all clients’ requirements, no two days are the same”.

Stuart is a qualified CPA who has been a part of the ifac team since 1989. Stuart is Partner of our Mallow office. He is married with 4 sons, and outside of work his interests include horse racing, GAA and soccer. Stuart coaches underage hurling with Blarney GAA. Stuart is also involved in dry stock farming and horse breeding.

Tom has been with ifac in our Wicklow branch for twenty five years commencing in March 1993, prior to that he worked in London for a number of years. Tom is currently Partner of the Wicklow office, advising a wide variety of clients operating in a diverse range of businesses. Advising clients can cover a range of areas, from day to day operations, registered farm partnerships, limited company structures, to succession planning. Outside of work, Tom has an interest in most sports, and enjoys foreign travel.

Tom worked in our Nenagh office before being appointed manager of our Athenry office in 1991. He is from a farming background in North Tipperary where his family are involved in dairying, suckling and also breeding Pedigree Hereford cattle. Outside of work, Tom has a keen interest in a variety of sports, particularly hurling.

Walter has been working in ifac for 37 years. Having been the Partner of the Trim office for all of this time, he is our longest serving manager. Walter is married to Laura and has 4 grown up children. Interests outside of work include GAA and Horse Racing in addition to also enjoying walking and reading.

Edel joined ifac in 2005, as part of the Area Development team. Originally from Cavan, Edel holds a B.Agr. Sc degree from UCD. She has gained huge experience in past roles with Monaghan Mushrooms, starting as an advisor, and progressing to Quality Assurance Manager Ireland for the group. From there, Edel moved to Volac Feeds, as Business Manager within the North East. Edel works closely in co-ordinating the book keeping function of ifac for Ulster, Connaught and part of Leinster. She has held various titles within ifac, all working within the book keeping sector. Good communication skills and a belief in the people she works with have helped to maintain an effective and efficient service for the area since her start with ifac. Edel comes from a mixed farm, which has specialised in poultry production for nearly 35 years and is still going strong. Edel is proud of her Breffni Blue roots and is actively involved in the local community as part of Crosserlough GAA, past secretary of Cavan Camogie Board and serves on the Board of Management of her past National school. Since retiring her camogie boots, she has become an avid swimmer, and has competed in triathlons.

Rachel joined the ifac team in 2007 having worked previously in RTE, Eircom, Superquinn and Johnson Brothers. She qualified as an accountant (ACCA) in 1998 having previously qualified as an accounting technician in 1992. Rachel is a fellow member of the chartered institute of certified accountants.

Martin Glennon is ifac’s Head of Financial Planning. With the QFA, SIA and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designations under his belt, along with 30 years’ experience, Martin specialises in providing advice on retirement planning, protecting families & business, and investments. Martin is a past President of the LIA (the educational body for the life and pensions industry) and continues to lecture students who are studying to be Qualified Financial Advisers (QFA).

Kevin started in the ifac Financial Planning team in December 2017 and has over 17 years financial services experience having worked in both the Life Assurance and Bancassurance sectors of the industry. Kevin has a Bachelor of Arts Joint Honours Degree (Economics & Geography) and Higher Diploma in Economic Science from University College Cork (UCC) and has also achieved the Qualified Financial Advisor (QFA), Fellow of the Life Insurance Association (FLIA) and Certified Diploma in Wealth Management qualifications. In 2017, he successfully completed a Project Management course in Cork Institute of Technology (CIT). Kevin is a sports fan and regularly attends Munster Rugby, Cork City FC and Cork GAA games. An avid golfer, he plays regularly in Fota Island Golf Club and has represented the club in the Jimmy Bruen Shield.

Nathalie joined ifac as part of our Financial Planning team in November 2016. She is currently doing her QFA exams and is due to have them completed by 2019. Outside of work, Nathalie is a mother to a 10 year old boy and loves reading, managing to get through two books per week.

Susan joined ifac FinancialPlanning in August 2017 and has worked in the Insurance Industry for twenty six years. Susan has achieved the Qualified Financial Advisor and Certified Insurance Practitioner designations. She enjoys reading, hill walking and spending time with her family.

An associate of Chartered Accountants Ireland, an AITI Chartered Tax Advisor (CTA) and a member of STEP, Margaret specialises in personal and corporate tax planning, VAT assignments and Estate and Succession planning. Margaret advises a broad portfolio of our farming and business clients. She has a particular interest in VAT and provides VAT advice for many of our clients. Margaret has extensive experience advising on VAT structures and Succession Planning assignments. She speaks at Farming Tax events and provides topical tax updates internally and externally.

Robert has been working with the ifac NTD since April 2016. He specialises in non-agri taxation along with general agri taxation. Robert studied accountancy in Waterford Institute of Technology receiving an honours degree. Following his studies, Robert worked in a medium sized practice in Dublin from 2010 to 2016 initially as a trainee accountant and subsequently as a senior manager. He has been a fully qualified accountant with ACCA since September 2013 and a Chartered Tax Advisor with the Irish Institute of Tax since October 2013.

David Leydon is ifac’s Head of Food & AgriBusiness. David has a wealth of experience in the food and agribusiness sector and looks forward to working with many progressive businesses helping them to achieve their goals. ifac have the specialist team of financial accountants, tax experts, audit and pension to help food and agribusinesses succeed. David worked with the Irish Farmers Journal for 11 years and was Commercial Director for the group from 2013 to 2017. David has an MSc in Business and IT from DCU and an MBA from Henley Business School in London. You can reach David on 0879908227 or email davidleydon@ifac.ie.