Barry Symes to bring over 20 years of financial expertise to local communities across the country
Wexford native and SETU graduate, Barry Symes has been announced as the new Head of Community Finance for Community Finance Ireland’s operations in the Republic of Ireland. His appointment is an internal promotion. Community Finance Ireland is the fastest-growing social finance provider in Ireland and the UK, offering finance solutions specifically tailored for the community sector including sports clubs, community projects, faith-based groups, and social enterprises. Barry Symes will lead the ROI team who have supported over 70 projects to the amount of €9.5 million in social finance loans to date in 2022. Born and raised in North County Wexford, Barry Symes joined Community Finance Ireland in 2017 and has been responsible for growing the client portfolio in the South Leinster region where over €15 million funding for community projects has been approved since his arrival. Prior to joining the social enterprise, he completed a diploma in finance from SETU and had a long career in corporate finance specialising in problem solving for clients and future-proofing their businesses. Commenting on his appointment, Mr Symes said: “I’m delighted with the promotion at Community Finance Ireland and leading such a great team in our goal to support communities across Ireland. “Living in Wexford with my family I’ve seen first-hand how these organisations play a pivotal role in local communities. There are incredible things happening in sports clubs, arts organisations and social enterprise centres right across the country and I’m looking forward to helping more clients deliver further social impact and support their progress.” Welcoming the appointment, Dónal Traynor, CEO of Community Finance Ireland said: “Barry brings a wealth of financial expertise to our clients and potential clients across Ireland. We’re delighted to see him expand his already impressive client service to a wider geography.”