Mr Kiernan takes over from Frank O’Riordon MCSI who has held the role for the last four years.

Mr Kiernan  joined the professional body, which awards the Certified Financial Planner designation in the UK, in 1998 and became a Fellow in 2005.

He has over 35 years’ experience in asset management and funds and began his career at Irish Life Investment Managers, initially as an Investment analyst, and then as a fund manager.

He then moved to executive roles in firms such as AIB investment Managers and Appian Asset Management, in a wide range of roles including asset allocation and manager selection.

He has served on pension fund boards and recently qualified as a professional trustee. He currently acts in a consultancy role on asset management issues for a number of firms and is a regular contributor to the media on investment and market issues.

He said: “I believe this is a pivotal moment for CISI in Ireland. While we continue to be a global leader in delivering knowledge and skills for practitioners in the financial services sector, enabling them to develop their careers both in Ireland and internationally, we are also able to bring our deep experience and learning structures in the increasingly important areas of ethics and culture to support member firms, and indeed the broader profession.”

Kevin Moore, Chartered FCSI, CISI director of global business development, said: “We would like to thank outgoing President Frank O’ Riordon for his excellent leadership of the Irish NAC. We are delighted to welcome Eugene and look forward to supporting him in his programme for the Committee and membership, helping to inspire the next generation of practitioners looking to join our financial services profession.”

The CISI has 45,000 members worldwide.