Executive Board Members
David Kavanagh
Managing Director
David is a Qualified Financial Advisor, Pension Trustee Practitioner and holds a Bsc in Business & Finance. He has worked in a number of different roles in pensions in his 20+ years in the industry. He began his career as head of administration and client servicing for a large self-directed pension provider and was involved in the introduction of a variety of self-directed structures to the market during that time.
He then spent a number of years working in the advisory side of the market providing pension and investment advice to high net worth clients, which led him to establish Quest Capital Trustees as he believed that a purely service based self-directed pension provider was missing in the market. He now aims to focus on the continued growth of Quest Retirement Solutions Ltd whilst maintaining the highest level of service to you and your clients.
When he is not in the office, David is drawn to the outdoors and enjoys cycling, hiking, skiing and sea swimming (in the warmer months!). He is a keen white-water kayaker and kayak instructor and loves nothing more than keeping an eye on the weather forecast and heading for the mountain rivers once the rain falls. He is one of the few people in Ireland who always has a smile on his face when it’s raining cats and dogs!
Paul Murray
Director
Paul qualified as an accountant in 1999 and as a tax consultant in 2002. He also holds a Diploma in Pensions from the Life Insurance Association (LIA), also awarded in 1999, and a Diploma in Trust and Estate Planning jointly awarded from the Law Society and Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP) in 2006.
He started his career in banking before moving to a Big Four accountancy firm and after several years he moved to the pensions industry and since then has held a number of senior management roles in his 20 + years in the industry. He has been co-author of the Irish Taxation Institutes book ‘Pensions: Revenue Law and Practice’ since circa 2006 and has written and lectured extensively in all areas of pensions.
When he is not in the office, you may find Paul enjoying Italian Cuisine on the Amalfi Coast, or cheering on Leinster Rugby down his local!
Deirdre O'Hanlon
Director
Deirdre started her financial services career over 25 years ago in retail banking before making the move into the world of pensions. During her years in the industry, she has built extensive experience across Customer Service, Compliance, Risk and Operations.
Since joining us in 2010, Deirdre has overseen the introduction and ongoing management of our three pension products – the ARF, PRB and PRSA – developing a broad range of technical and operational expertise while building and leading a dedicated, hard-working team.
In 2026, Deirdre was appointed as a Director of Quest Retirement Solutions Ltd and joined our Board, recognising her significant contribution to the business and the important role she continues to play in its ongoing growth and development.
Deirdre is a Qualified Financial Advisor (QFA) through the Institute of Bankers, holds a Bachelor of Financial Services (BFS) from University College Dublin and a Chartered Banker designation (CEB).
Outside of the office, Deirdre enjoys family walks on the beach, singing in the car and regular reflexology sessions – whenever she can fit them in!
Jennifer Fox
Independent Non-Executive Director
Jennifer is a lawyer by profession and has over 25 years executive experience in the investment funds and asset management sector. She was a partner with Dillon Eustace from 2004-2018, a leading financial services law firm and subsequently was a partner with Walkers Ireland between 2018-2022. During her time in legal practice, Jennifer represented a wide variety of leading asset management companies, pension fund managers and credit institutions. Jennifer is a full-time independent non-executive director across a range of sectors including regulated investment funds, fund management companies and a large DC pension scheme. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Trinity College Dublin (majoring in Modern History) qualified as a solicitor with the Law Society of Ireland in 1998 and holds a Professional Certificate in Pension Trusteeship from the Institute of Bankers.
Outside work, Jennifer is a firm fresh air enthusiast and can frequently be seen battling the elements while running and hiking. She also loves to travel and to sample different cuisines!
Tony McPoland
Independent Non-Executive Director
Tony is an experienced financial services executive with twenty five years’ experience, primarily in asset management and investment banking. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with PWC, Mr Mc Poland worked for ICS Building Society and Goodbody Stockbrokers. He spent the last 15 years of his executive career with BW Bank Ireland plc, LBBW Bank Ireland plc and LBBW Asset Management Ireland plc, and served ten years on the Board of Directors with executive responsibility for Finance, Operations, Risk and IT. He is a professional independent Director and has completed the Institute of Directors Chartered Director Programme. He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and a Chartered Director, and is also a Faculty Member of the Corporate Governance Institute. He holds a Bachelor of Business Studies degree from Trinity College, Dublin, and a Diploma in Professional Accounting from University College Dublin. He also completed the Advanced Management Programme in INSEAD.
Tony is married with two daughters which he calls ‘Cost Centre 1’ and ‘Cost Centre 2’, and lives in a petticoat republic where even the dog is a girl. In 2023, Tony combined his love of both rugby and wine when he travelled to the Rugby World Cup in France.
Management Team
Deirdre Sheils
Head of Development & Investments
Deirdre joined Wealth Options in 2006 heading up the Exempt Unit Trust Services Division adding to the Wealth Options product portfolio. This niche service allows Ireland ‘s broker and financial advisor community to brand and promote their own bespoke funds.
In 2011, Deirdre became a broker consultant for Wealth Options Ltd. Before joining Wealth Options, Deirdre held senior roles within FBD Life & Pensions, Aon Consulting, and Merrion Stockbrokers from which she gained a variety of experience to help provide pension solutions to brokers and their clients. She doesn’t shy away from a challenge. She has completed the Irish Stock Exchange Registered Representative, QFA & RPA examinations.
When not in the office, Deirdre has two teenage boys keeping her on her toes, who she loves travelling with whether they like it or not!
Janet Murphy
Head of Compliance & Risk
With nearly 25 years of experience in the Financial Services industry, Janet is strongly broker focused having spent the majority of her career in roles that directly interact with brokers and brokerage services.
Since 2009, Janet has held the QFA designation, and in subsequent years, she further added to her credentials by achieving the Retirement Planning Advisor (RPA) designation, complemented by a General Insurance Certificate. In 2021, Janet reached another significant milestone in her professional journey by obtaining the Professional Diploma in Compliance, which granted her the LCI designation. She is also a member of the Compliance Institute, reinforcing her commitment to maintaining the highest standards of compliance within the industry.
More recently, Janet has proactively extended her expertise into the realm of Anti-Money Laundering. She holds a postgraduate certificate and designation in Financial Crime Prevention, underscoring her dedication to staying at the forefront of industry developments and regulatory compliance. Janet's extensive experience make her an invaluable asset in the ever-evolving financial services landscape.
Sabrina McDonnell
Head of Marketing & Communications
Sabrina joined the team in 2011 after graduating top of her class with a BBS in Business and Management from Maynooth University. It didn’t take long for her to realise that a career in marketing was the right path for her. Sabrina now assumes overall responsibility for the development and implementation of the marketing strategy for new and existing products.
Her expertise includes content marketing, branding, sponsorship, event management and digital marketing.
Sabrina is a Qualified Financial Advisor and also holds a Professional Diploma Digital Marketing.
Outside of the office, Sabrina loves crafting and is a rugby, motor and shopping enthusiast. After all, life must have a balance!