What Boards Should Know from the COO

Ger is a seasoned COO and board advisor with over 20 years’ experience driving operational performance, digital transformation and strategic growth. As former Chief Operating Officer for Microsoft Ireland’s Enterprise business and later leader of Microsoft’s technology strategy teams across Western Europe, he has deep expertise in translating strategy into execution at scale. Today, as Founder & CEO of Acuity AI Advisory and a Non-Executive Director at DAA plc, he helps boards navigate operational risk, innovation, and AI disruption. With a rare blend of hands-on COO insight and boardroom perspective, he offers invaluable guidance on what boards should expect from their COOs.

Marcella Flood CDir was appointed Chief Operations Officer at Central Bank of Ireland in 2023. As Chief Operations Officer she is responsible for leading across the key operations areas of the People Directorate, Information Management and Technology, Finance and Business Performance, along with Currency, Workplace and Regulatory Services. She also serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Team. Prior to joining the Central Bank, Marcella held the roles of Transformation Program Manager for Allianz SE and previously was the Regional COO, North, Central and Eastern Europe at Allianz Partners. She has attained considerable Executive experience having held a number of C-suite roles and has deep technical expertise in Operations, Technology, Change and Transformation gained in Allianz, Microsoft, Bank of Ireland as well as start-ups and consultancies. Marcella is a Chartered Director and has held a number of Board positions including the Health Insurance Authority and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland.

James Tone is Chief Operating Officer for Aon Ireland, and represents the Aon Business Services group across all Solution Lines. James’ primary focus is on leading the delivery of solutions to optimise operational excellence and transformation, driving sustainable growth and margin expansion, and ultimately improving the experience for clients and colleagues. He most recently led the delivery of the new Aon Dublin office, which has been recognised by the highest International Standards of Sustainability and Wellbeing. James joined Aon from Bank of America, and has had an extensive career spanning 23 years in Financial Services. During that time he has had regional and global responsibility for Operations and Technology teams, and his most recent role was Bank of America’s Chief Operating Officer for Technology and Operations across the European Union and Switzerland. James is an advocate for Inclusion, with a passion for supporting Neurodivergence, and has been a board member of Dyspraxia / DCD Ireland for the last 4 years.

Davina Saint, a graduate of the London School of Economics, is a qualified Solicitor, Chartered Director, and Certified Bank Director. She spent 20 years with BNP Paribas, where she served as General Counsel and later as Head of Branch for its Securities Services business in Ireland, gaining extensive experience in finance, banking, and global markets. Davina was appointed by the Minister for Finance as an Independent Non Executive Director of NAMA. She also chairs the board of Nearwater Capital Markets and serves as an Independent Director on boards including BlackRock, Stripe Technology Europe, and Northern Trust. In addition, she contributes to the cultural and civic sphere as a Director of the Dublin IFSC Inner City Trust and Irish National Opera.