Highlights from Waystone’s Ireland Summit 2026

September 21, 2026

Waystone's Fifth Annual Ireland Summit returned to The College Green Hotel in Dublin, bringing together senior leaders, industry experts and professionals from across the asset management community to discuss the trends, opportunities and challenges shaping the future of the industry.

Centred around the theme “The Future in Focus: Leadership, Capital and Opportunity in Asset Management”, this year’s summit explored the forces shaping the next chapter of growth for Ireland’s funds industry and the wider European investment landscape.

From Savers to Investors: Lessons from Ireland, Germany and the UK in Mobilising Europe’s Household Wealth

The first panel explored how Ireland and Europe can encourage greater participation in investing, unlock household savings and support long-term economic growth.

Key Takeaways

Encouraging more people to invest requires a behavioural shift. Education, simplicity and investor confidence will be critical to helping individuals move from saving to investing and take greater ownership of their financial futures.
Ireland’s proposed Personal Investment Account (PIA) has the potential to drive change. However, its success will depend on clear communication, accessibility and building a long-term investment culture.
Technology is making investing more accessible. Digital platforms, artificial intelligence and automation are helping to reduce barriers and create new opportunities for investors to engage with financial planning and wealth creation.
Longer life expectancies are reshaping financial planning. As retirement periods extend, investors must increasingly focus on long-term investing, retirement readiness and building financial resilience over a lifetime.

Leaders of the Irish Asset Management Industry (“Nearly Legends”)

The “Nearly Legends” panel brought together some of the most influential figures in Ireland’s asset management industry to reflect on the sector’s growth, resilience and future direction.

Key Takeaways

Ireland’s asset management success story has been built on ambition, collaboration and resilience. Continued growth will depend on maintaining that entrepreneurial mindset and a commitment to innovation.
The industry must continue to evolve to remain globally competitive. Opportunities in private markets, digital assets, tokenisation and sustainable finance are expected to play an increasingly important role in the next phase of growth.
People remain at the heart of the industry’s success. Investing in talent, mentorship and leadership development will be essential to supporting the next generation of industry leaders.
Maintaining Ireland’s position as a leading global funds domicile cannot be taken for granted. Remaining relevant, internationally connected and responsive to change will be key to attracting investment, supporting jobs and driving future growth.

We were also pleased to welcome Keith Barry, world-renowned mentalist and motivational speaker, as our keynote speaker. Through his engaging and thought-provoking presentation, he shared powerful insights on leadership, mindset and communication.

Looking Ahead

A clear message emerged throughout the day: the future of asset management will be driven not only by products and regulation, but also by behaviour, education, innovation and leadership.

As Ireland continues to strengthen its position as a leading global asset management centre, the industry has a unique opportunity to support long-term economic growth, improve financial outcomes for investors and help shape the future of capital markets across Europe.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s Ireland Summit. We look forward to welcoming you again next year.