Dublin to Host Inaugural International Financial Services Summit 20 August 2009

International summit addresses the future of global financial services
On 5 November 2009, some of the most influential leaders in global financial services will gather in Dublin for the inaugural International Financial Services Summit.

Confirmed speakers include Nouriel Roubini, the renowned US Economist; Martin Wolf, Chief Economic Correspondent, Financial Times; Willem Buiter, Professor, The London School of Economics; Nicolas Veron, The Breugel Institute; Suzanne Duncan, Financial Markets Industry Leader, IBM; Alan Dukes, former Minister for Finance; John Mennis, Head of UK Sales, Evolution Securities and former Director of Hedge Fund Sales, Dresdner; and Brian Lenihan, TD, Minister for Finance.

The Summit is designed to discuss and debate the key challenges facing the global financial services sector, including regulatory reform and the future of the banking industry. The event will provide a unique platform bringing together top level international speakers and some of the world’s most respected experts from the financial services industry.

This gathering of leading economic and business commentators in Dublin helps re-enforce Ireland’s position in the global financial services sector. Speaking at the launch of the International Financial Services Summit, Brian Daly, Partner, Financial Services practice, KPMG, said, “Over the past number of years, Ireland has developed enormously as a financial services centre and we are delighted to be part of a Summit that focuses on the global and domestic future of this vitally important sector.”

Themed “The Future of the Global Financial Services Industry”, the Summit will focus on financial regulation and the future of the financial services sector, including the hedge fund and shadow banking industry. The event will be run as a Davos style panel debate with maximum delegate interaction.

Speaking at the launch, Kieran Donoghue, Head of International Financial Services at IDA, said, “We are proud be part of a Summit that clearly highlights the country’s commitment to contributing to a global debate about the future development of the industry and demonstrates Ireland’s innovative and dynamic approach to the challenges ahead.”

Kevin Sherry, Manager of Internationally Traded Services at Enterprise Ireland, said, “Change within the Financial Services sector, while challenging, presents real opportunities, both for the establishment of new indigenous start-up companies and the growth of the innovative established players. The summit offers an ideal forum to focus on these opportunities.”

Speaking at the launch, Ian Hyland, CEO, Business & Finance, said, “Ireland has created a global hub for some of the leading financial services operators and it is vital that we communicate our unique value as a base and facilitator for international financial services.”

The Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan, TD, concluded the launch by saying, “I commend the clear indication in this Summit that Ireland is being pro-active in charting its own future. Standing still is just not an option now. I wish the Summit every success and know that it can only be a positive force in moving this country forwards.”

For further information or to register for the Summit, please visit www.ifss2009.com.

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About KPMG

• KPMG in Ireland has 80 partners and 1700 people in offices in Dublin, Belfast, Cork and Galway.
• KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. We operate in 144 countries and have 137,000 people working in member firms around the world.
  
  

For further information, please contact:

Dave Deighan
Head of Communications
KPMG
Tel: +353 (1) 410 2371
Mobile: +353 (0) 87 744 2371
e-Mail: david.deighan@kpmg.ie