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Centralis to Double Dublin Workforce with €15m Expansion

Irish-founded financial services firm Centralis has announced plans to more than double its Dublin workforce as part of a €15 million investment. The move will increase staff numbers in the capital from 30 to over 70, coinciding with the official opening of the company’s new city centre office today.

Founded in 2011 by former AIB employees, Centralis has grown into a global financial services provider employing more than 500 people across 13 countries. The Dublin expansion marks a significant milestone for the firm, which offers services including debt capital markets, fund administration, treasury management, and corporate support.

The new positions in Dublin will span multiple levels and functions, reflecting the company’s ambition to strengthen its presence in Ireland while targeting growth in international markets. The expansion follows a recent investment from California-based private equity group HGGC, which valued Centralis at more than €500 million.

Speaking at the office launch, Centralis founder and chief executive Aidan Foley described the development as a “pivotal moment” for the company. “Since founding in 2011, we have grown our workforce to more than 500 people across 13 countries,” he said. “We look forward to more than doubling our workforce in Ireland as we push into new markets and expand our business. As we target tripled revenues and profits by 2030, and expect to break the €85 million revenue threshold in 2025, we will need a high-quality workforce to achieve these milestones.”

The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of State for Financial Services, Credit Unions, and Insurance Robert Troy, who welcomed the announcement as a boost for Ireland’s financial services sector. “Centralis has shown strong growth in a highly competitive market, and it is encouraging to see an Irish-founded and led business continuing to expand,” he said. “Creating high-quality employment is critical to maintaining Ireland’s competitiveness, and Centralis’ investment of around €15 million into the Irish economy will further support future employment and growth.”

Michael Lohan, chief executive of IDA Ireland, also praised the expansion, noting its wider significance for Ireland’s financial sector. “The decision to expand in Ireland underscores our reputation as a hub for innovation and talent,” he said. “I would like to wish Centralis every success as it continues to grow here.”

With strong backing from international investors and a strategic focus on scaling its operations, Centralis is positioning itself to play a larger role in Ireland’s financial services landscape while reinforcing the country’s status as a global centre for investment and innovation.

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Fraudsters are increasingly using AI-generated images and videos to trick people into handing over sensitive personal and financial information, according to FraudSMART, the financial crime awareness initiative operated by the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI). The organisation has reported a rise in online adverts promoting fake, State-backed investment schemes. These scams often use fabricated images of well-known politicians and business figures to make the offers appear legitimate and encourage users to click on registration links. Niamh Davenport, head of financial crime at BPFI, said scammers are deliberately exploiting recent media coverage of a planned State-backed savings and investment scheme to give their frauds a sense of credibility. “They often claim the scheme is open to everyone, but that places are limited and being ‘snapped up’ fast, in order to pressure people to act quickly,” she said. “They typically promise guaranteed returns or a guaranteed monthly income.” FraudSMART said that while anyone can be targeted, people in their early 50s are particularly vulnerable to investment scams. This age group is often focused on retirement planning, making them more receptive to financial offers that appear secure or high-yield. According to the organisation, most scams follow a similar pattern. Victims are first directed to click a registration link and complete a short online form providing their contact details. They are then contacted by someone posing as a financial adviser, who urges them to make an immediate “security deposit” to secure participation in the scheme. Once a payment is made, the money is quickly moved through multiple accounts, often overseas, making recovery extremely difficult. Davenport warned that scammers are becoming more sophisticated in their use of technology, particularly AI tools that allow them to create realistic but entirely fake promotional content. These materials are designed to mimic legitimate financial advertisements and build trust with potential victims. Recent figures from An Garda Síochána show investment fraud rose by 20% last year, with losses exceeding €20 million. The scale of individual scams varies widely, ranging from smaller crypto-related frauds involving a few hundred euro to large-scale investment schemes where victims lose tens of thousands. FraudSMART is urging the public to remain cautious when encountering online investment advertisements, especially those promising guaranteed returns or requiring urgent action. It also advises consumers to avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources and to be wary of pressure tactics designed to rush financial decisions. Authorities continue to warn that fraudsters are adapting quickly, using advanced digital tools to target victims across multiple platforms.

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Business

Fraudsters are increasingly using AI-generated images and videos to trick people into handing over sensitive personal and financial information, according to FraudSMART, the financial crime awareness initiative operated by the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI). The organisation has reported a rise in online adverts promoting fake, State-backed investment schemes. These scams often use fabricated images of well-known politicians and business figures to make the offers appear legitimate and encourage users to click on registration links. Niamh Davenport, head of financial crime at BPFI, said scammers are deliberately exploiting recent media coverage of a planned State-backed savings and investment scheme to give their frauds a sense of credibility. “They often claim the scheme is open to everyone, but that places are limited and being ‘snapped up’ fast, in order to pressure people to act quickly,” she said. “They typically promise guaranteed returns or a guaranteed monthly income.” FraudSMART said that while anyone can be targeted, people in their early 50s are particularly vulnerable to investment scams. This age group is often focused on retirement planning, making them more receptive to financial offers that appear secure or high-yield. According to the organisation, most scams follow a similar pattern. Victims are first directed to click a registration link and complete a short online form providing their contact details. They are then contacted by someone posing as a financial adviser, who urges them to make an immediate “security deposit” to secure participation in the scheme. Once a payment is made, the money is quickly moved through multiple accounts, often overseas, making recovery extremely difficult. Davenport warned that scammers are becoming more sophisticated in their use of technology, particularly AI tools that allow them to create realistic but entirely fake promotional content. These materials are designed to mimic legitimate financial advertisements and build trust with potential victims. Recent figures from An Garda Síochána show investment fraud rose by 20% last year, with losses exceeding €20 million. The scale of individual scams varies widely, ranging from smaller crypto-related frauds involving a few hundred euro to large-scale investment schemes where victims lose tens of thousands. FraudSMART is urging the public to remain cautious when encountering online investment advertisements, especially those promising guaranteed returns or requiring urgent action. It also advises consumers to avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources and to be wary of pressure tactics designed to rush financial decisions. Authorities continue to warn that fraudsters are adapting quickly, using advanced digital tools to target victims across multiple platforms.

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