INED and Chair Fees in Irish FinTech 2026 | PCF Board Roles

2026 INED (PCF-2B) and Independent Chair (PCF-3) fees in Irish FinTech: fee ranges, time commitment, and when committee roles earn a premium.

INED and Chair Fees in Irish FinTech (2026)

Board appointments are among the most scrutinised PCF roles in Ireland. Since July 2025, the Senior Executive Accountability Regime has also applied to non-executive directors, which has raised the personal accountability attached to these roles. This guide covers what regulated FinTechs pay their Independent Non-Executive Directors and Chairs.

Board Fee Benchmarks

Role	PCF	Annual fee range	Typical fee
Independent Non-Executive Director (INED)	PCF-2B	€35,000 to €70,000	€50,000
Independent Chair of the Board	PCF-3	€45,000 to €80,000	€60,000

These ranges cover the middle 90% of appointments. INED fees assume roughly 12 to 15 board days a year. Chairs are paid at a consistent premium over INEDs, reflecting the extra weight and accountability of leading the board.

When Committee Roles Earn a Premium

One committee membership or committee chair, such as Audit (PCF-4) or Risk (PCF-5), is already built into the standard fee range. It does not earn a premium on its own. A premium applies when a director:

• Holds more than one committee position at the same time

• Takes on a larger time commitment than the standard 12 to 15 days

• Joins a higher-risk regulatory profile, such as a firm under closer supervision or in remediation

• Joins an early-stage or scaling business, where the board carries more of the load

  
  

Supply: The Deepest Pool in the Market

INED and Chair candidates are the easiest senior profiles to source in Irish FinTech. The pool is genuinely deep. The challenge is rarely finding candidates. It is finding the right fit for the board's skills gaps, whether that's AML, technology risk, payments or sustainable finance, and managing CBI approval timelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an INED get paid in Irish FinTech?

Typically €35,000 to €70,000 a year, with around €50,000 the most common fee.

What does an Independent Chair earn in Irish FinTech?

Typically €45,000 to €80,000 a year, around €60,000 on average.

How many days a year does an INED role take?

Standard fees assume around 12 to 15 board days a year.

Does chairing the Audit or Risk Committee earn extra?

Not on its own. One committee role is priced into the standard fee. A premium applies for multiple committee roles, extra time commitment, a higher-risk firm or a scaling business.

For executive pay across PCF roles, see our [Irish FinTech Executive Salary Guide 2026 →].

Appointing to Your Board?

Board fees depend heavily on licence type, risk profile and time commitment. For a confidential conversation about an INED or Chair appointment, contact Paul Smyth at paul@nexussearch.io.

Paul Smyth is the founder of Nexus Search, an Irish executive search firm specialising in PCF, C-suite and board appointments across regulated FinTech and financial services. He has worked in financial services talent since 2007, including managing recruitment across most of Europe at State Street, and is an ICF PCC accredited executive coach.