Biography

Paul Murtagh began his career in 1979 as a Mainframe Computer Programmer with one of Irelands leading Builders Merchants.

With the advent of the Personal Computer in 1982, he joined a Software Development organization focused on building Business Accounting applications for small to medium size companies.

Paul was a founding partner of Comsoft Developments which was established in 1988 and focused on developing complex computer applications for manufacturing companies. These systems provided MRP, ‘Just in Time’ Production, Materials Inventory, Production Line Planning and Management as well as the full suite of Business Accounting systems. Comsoft installed over 100 systems in Ireland, U.K., U.S.A., and the Far East.

In 1996, Fidelity Investments established a Global IT Centre in Ireland. Fidelity (www.fidelity.com) ranks among the largest Financial Services organisations in the U.S. Paul joined the organization as a senior manager with responsibility for managing key components of their Stock Broking system in the U.K. By 2000, Paul was also responsible for a number of critical systems supporting Fidelity’s U.S. businesses. In 2002 Paul was appointed Senior Vice President/Managing Director of Fidelity for Ireland with overall responsibility for developing strategies to optimise the Fidelity operation in Ireland. This included the strategic positioning of the Irish operation within the Fidelity’s global service function. Between 2002 and 2010, Paul grew the organisation to 360 people with offices in Dublin and Galway. With the support of the IDA, Paul established a $32m Research & Development Centre focusing on key components of Fidelity’s core fund management operation.

In 2011, Paul retired from Fidelity and established his own consulting business which focuses on providing business strategy mentoring to businesses looking to expand and develop their capability. He is a member of the mentoring panel with the Local Enterprise Offices and has worked with more than 750 businesses in the region. He is also a member of the Grant Approvals Committee with the Meath LEO and previously spent 3 years with the Grant Approval Committee in Kildare.

Paul also carries out Commercial and Technical Assessments for Enterprise Ireland under the 'Innovation Partnership Programme' and the 'Agile Innovation Fund'.

Paul was Chairman of Junior Achievement Ireland from 2008 to 2010. Junior Achievement Ireland (www.juniorachievement.ie) is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes the value of education to young people.

Paul is a Board member on a number of 'not for profit' organisations including:

'ACRE Project' in Celbridge - a eco-friendly community based project aimed at facilitating education, youth and community training programs in north Kildare and west Dublin.
ACDAL. A community and business enterprise park in North Kildare
'Meath Enterprise'. Supporting the development of business in county Meath
County Kildare Community Network. Supporting business initiatives in county Kildare

Paul is married and lives in County Kildare, Ireland. He holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Open University (2000), has Professional Level Membership of the British Computer Society (MBCS) and is a Chartered IT Professional (CITP). He is also holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Professional Financial Advice (QFA) from UCD and is a member of the Institute of Bankers.