Hiring PCFs for Central Bank authorisation in Ireland
Helping firms set up an authorised entity in Ireland is a large part of what Nexus Search does. Most of these firms come from the UK, the US or elsewhere in Europe. Their lawyers and advisers handle the application. Nexus Search finds the people.
People matter to the application because the Central Bank wants real substance here. It has said it has no appetite for letter-box entities, and it expects key decisions and the management of key risks to sit in Ireland.
Who to hire first
Hiring can be sequenced. Most firms start with three appointments:
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An INED or Chair, to anchor the board.
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The CEO, who will lead the application and run the Irish entity.
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A Head of Compliance and MLRO.
That core gives the Central Bank, and the people you hire next, confidence in the firm. The CRO, Head of Finance and further INEDs follow in line with your application. The exact list depends on your licence and scale, and your lawyers will confirm it.
How Nexus Search works with you and your advisers
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Agree the plan: which appointments, in what order, and when the application needs them.
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Map the market for each PCF, so you see the options and the cost before committing.
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Run engaged searches, starting with the core three, then the rest of the team in sequence.
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Offer to start: support through offers, resignations and notice, while your application and PCF approvals run.
Firms Nexus Search has helped set up in Ireland
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UK FinTech, Irish EMI: the Country CEO, who took the authorisation through to completion, followed by the Head of Compliance, and the Head of Risk and MLRO. Case Study
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US digital assets exchange, EU entity: European CEO, and Head of Compliance and MLRO. Case Study
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Insurance start-up: the full senior team. CEO, CRO, CCO, Head of Operations and Head of Underwriting. Case Study
Common questions
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Should we hire before or after we apply? Before. Your key PCFs need to be identified in the application. Starting with the core three keeps it manageable.
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Can we hire people from outside Ireland? Most firms prefer people with experience of the Central Bank's regime. Strong regulated experience from elsewhere in the EU or the UK can transfer, and Nexus Search looks at both.
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Do you work with our lawyers? Yes. You bring the application timeline, and Nexus Search plans the hires around it.
If this is a first Irish licence, the search fee is the smallest part of the bill. Set beside the cost of the licence application, it strengthens the case you put to the regulator and gives the new entity the best chance of operating with the right people from day one.