Declan Breslin’s story begins in Derry as part of his family grocery business. He and his wife, also from Derry, pursued their academic pursuits at Queen’s University Belfast in 1994. That move would mark the beginning of a global adventure for the couple.
“I’m one of seven boys, the first to pass the 11 plus, first to go to grammar school, and I always strived to go to university and was always driven by how much that could change things,” Declan says.
Proving how far he’s come, today he is an Honorary Professor of Practice at Queen’s, where he imparts practical wisdom to students, igniting a passion for pursuing prestigious roles globally with enthusiasm and encouragement, as he would go on to do.
“My mum and dad had a grocery business, selling potatoes, vegetables and eggs and that allowed me to meet people and socialise. It taught me a lot of the things that make Northern Ireland people likeable; like getting on with people we work with, and our work ethic.
“I got that at a young age and adding education to that experience in banking meant that I could read different situations, and be empathetic to clients and my team, and it provided me with a real grounding,” he continues.
During his degree, Declan had a placement year at Deutsche Bank in London, setting the stage for an 11-year tenure in prime brokerage there.
His trajectory took a significant turn with a role as European head of client service in prime services at Lehman Brothers, where he weathered the storm of the firm’s bankruptcy.
“If you take the emotion out of it, that was an excellent experience. I unwinded that business which is what helped form my leadership skills. That event gave me a set of skills that I wouldn’t ordinarily have gotten,” he says.
His journey continued as MD at Nomura, the Japanese Investment Bank, where he led a team in New York. Prestigious roles as a global head within JP Morgan, also in New York, would follow.
While there, Declan and his wife began their family and today they have three children aged 10, eight and six. They are US citizens, and Declan and his wife are naturalised, dual nationally, but it was time to come home, he says.
“I had a fantastic time in New York but at one point we looked at a 10-year plan and where that would be, and it was here.”
Having dealt with FinTrU in previous roles, Declan witnessed its transformation from a Belfast start-up to a global financial technology powerhouse. An encounter with FinTrU’s chief executive Darragh McCarthy in New York was pivotal, inspiring Declan to later join the company’s impactful journey.
He describes FinTrU as an “outsized company” adding: “It’s the fastest growing company here, with a new campus in Letterkenny, a presence in Porto, Portugal and the company is 10 years old, it’s not very new but it’s big and purposeful.”
He says the impact the company has on its people and the economies within which it works as well as its award-winning culture — it was the only company in the north to win The Sunday Times 100, Britain’s fastest-growing private companies, as well as The Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards Best Company To Work For among many other titles — are among its unique selling points.
“We are also involved with the universities and policy. A lot of FinTrU’s interests are aligned with mine so when I came back I continued dialogue with Darragh.”
Darragh found value in Declan’s skillset, which he described as unique and valuable aligning with the company’s aims to evolve by bringing in senior professionals.
Now, in his role as managing director of client delivery at FinTrU, Declan says: “I can offer a specific type of leadership, I know how the large banks work, and I can navigate that. For me, this role will be about growth and leadership, providing opportunities for people, and helping people improve their skills. I want to be sure we’re the best in what we do.”
He adds: “I’m optimistic about our environment and growth but I’m also cautious and will make sure we position ourselves to continue growing as we have.”
And while he may be a big fish no matter what pond he’s in, Declan is also committed to remaining grounded.
He concludes, “Growing up in Derry, having a background like mine in the family business will always keep me grounded. Being married to a Derry woman always ensures that too!”
