Aquest Podcast

Hosted by Daniel Lawlor

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Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-IE

About the show

A conversational and light-hearted look at all things topical in the Financial Services industry - insightful but not hard work!

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60 recent

October 14, 2026Episode 135 min

E1 Director's Chair 2026

“The expectation of boards in general continues to go up and up.” So says Eoin Motherway, independent director serving regulated financial services boards, on the first episode of autumn/winter season of The Aquest Podcast. I speak with Eoin about the issues shaping board agendas across Ireland’s financial services sector. We discuss regulatory priorities for funds, payment institutions and e-money firms, including delegation and outsourcing, internal audit, compliance, safeguarding and wind-down planning. Eoin also shares perspectives on the first year of Ireland’s MiCA authorisations and what the evolving CASP landscape could mean for the director community. Looking ahead, the conversation explores tokenisation, the growing role of AI in regulated firms and what CP86 2.0 might look lie. Listen now for an informed look at what directors are navigating today—and what may be coming next for the funds industry. Listen, like and subscribe, and share with your network.

January 5, 2026Episode 528 min

E5 The "D" Word: Why Delegation Still Dominates the Funds Manco Agenda

The latest episode of The Aquest Podcast is now live, and we are diving deep into one of the most discussed topics in the funds industry: Delegation. In this season finale, my regular co-host Dáire Lawlor joins me to unpack the complexities of delegation and outsourcing. We explore the frequently asked questions that continue to surface for fund management companies, providing clarity on the nuances that define our regulatory landscape. In this episode, we tackle the critical distinctions between Delegation vs. Outsourcing and their impact on operational frameworks. We also trace The Evolution of DPs (Designated Persons), from their mid-naughties origins to their continued relevance alongside C-suite roles today. Furthermore, we provide a Regulatory Outlook, discussing key developments like CP86, AIFMD2, and the Central Bank’s recent papers on efficiency and simplification, before looking ahead at Future Trends such as the role of tokenisation, the "Mind the Gap" paper, and what the first quarter of 2026 holds for the Irish funds industry. Thank you to all our listeners for your support throughout this season. We wish you a productive start to the New Year and look forward to bringing you more Funds Industry Conversations in the next season. Listen to the full episode now!

December 3, 2025Episode 443 min

E4 Ireland's Trillion-Euro ETF Engine: Why the World's ETFs Domicile Here

We're thrilled to announce the latest episode of The Aquest Podcast is ready! 🎧 In this episode, hosts Daniel Lawlor and Dáire Lawlor dive deep into the world of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), tackling the most frequently asked questions about this financial powerhouse. Key takeaways from the discussion: What makes ETFs so popular? It's a combination of low fees, ease of access, and the simplicity of passive, index-tracking investment. They offer instant diversification, making them a cornerstone of modern investment portfolios. Ireland's Global Role: Did you know that Ireland is the domicile for approximately 75% of European ETFs, representing nearly €1.9 trillion in assets? We explore how the UCITS regime, a favorable tax treaty, and a world-class operational ecosystem have cemented Ireland's position as a global leader, second only to the US. The Road Ahead: The conversation shifts to the future, including the burgeoning trend of active ETFs and the potential impact of the EU's Savings and Investment Union on retail investment. •Financial Stability Check: We address the technical, yet crucial, question: Do ETFs pose a risk to financial stability? The hosts discuss the rigorous scrutiny from regulators like the Central Bank of Ireland and the Financial Stability Board, concluding that the structure is robust and well-monitored. This is a must-listen for anyone in the funds industry, investment professionals, or retail investors looking to understand the mechanics and future of ETFs. Listen now and join the conversation! #ETFs #ExchangeTradedFunds #IrishFunds #FinancialServices #Investment #PassiveInvesting #ActiveETFs #AquestPodcast #Finance #Ireland

November 19, 2025Episode 339 min

E3 Navigating the Crypto Landscape

In the latest episode of The Aquest Podcast, "Navigating the Crypto Landscape", we dive deep into the world of digital assets with our co-host and crypto expert, Dáire Lawlor. The conversation spans the entire "broad church" of crypto, from highly regulated tokenised money market funds to the speculative excitement of meme coins. Key Takeaways from the Episode: The Broad Church of Crypto : We explore the spectrum of digital assets, contrasting the conservative, regulated structures with the purely speculative, community-driven nature of meme coins. DeFi vs. TradFi - The Accountability Gap : The core of the debate centres on the trustless environment of Decentralised Finance (DeFi) versus the safety constructs of Traditional Finance (TradFi). We discuss the double-edged sword of instant settlement and the crucial need for accountability—or as Dáire puts it, "There has to be someone who blushes." Regulation and Nomenclature: We touch on the regulatory environment and the implications of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. Whether you're a fund professional grappling with MiCA, or simply curious about the next big thing in digital assets, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in now to hear the full discussion! #Crypto #DigitalAssets #DeFi #TradFi #MiCA #FundsIndustry #TheAquestPodcast #Bitcoin #Regulation

October 24, 2025Episode 233 min

E2 Love Languages of a Financial Regulator

Dive into the latest episode of The Aquest Podcast, Autumn-Winter 2025 Season, Episode 2: "Love Languages of a Financial Regulator"! 🎙️ Join co-hosts Daniel Lawlor and Dáire Lawlor as they adopt their "agony aunt personas" to tackle frequently asked questions about engaging with financial regulators. This episode explores effective strategies for firms to build relationships of mutual trust and benefit with regulators, offering invaluable insights and practical tips. Key takeaways from this episode include: •Understanding how to foster effective communication and trust with financial regulators. •Practical advice on organising engagements to ensure they are as effective as possible. •Essential tips for firms seeking authorisation, emphasising clarity, honesty, and thorough preparation. Whether you're navigating regulatory complexities or seeking to optimize your firm's interactions, this episode provides a unique perspective on achieving a harmonious relationship with your financial regulator. Don't miss out on expert guidance that can help you avoid common pitfalls and enhance your regulatory engagements. Listen now and gain a deeper understanding of the "love languages" that resonate with financial regulators!

October 10, 2025Episode 136 min

E1 I'm a Funds Lawyer.... Get Me Out of Here!

The Aquest Podcast is back for a new season! We are excited to launch the first episode of our Autumn/Winter 2025 season, titled "I'm a Funds Lawyer... Get Me Out of Here!" This season, we're introducing a new format. Join hosts Danny Lawlor and Dáire Lawlor as they take on the role of industry "agony aunts," tackling the pressing questions and challenges faced by professionals in the funds industry. In this episode, we explore: · How to start and build a successful career in the funds industry. · Navigating career progression and the convergence of tech and finance. · Practical advice on managing stress and avoiding burnout. Whether you're just starting or are a seasoned professional, this conversation offers valuable insights and honest perspectives on life in the funds industry. Listen to the full episode on your favourite podcast platform. TheAquestPodcast #FundsIndustry #CareerAdvice #FinancialServices #Podcast #NewEpisode #GetMeOutOfHere

July 23, 2025Episode 533 min

E5 Why Ireland for financial services investment

I'm joined by Bernadette Nulty, VP International Financial Services at IDA Ireland, for this episode of The Aquest Podcast. I was interested to learn about the types of financial services firms which are exploring the possibility of establish a presence in Ireland at the moment and the trends that IDA Ireland is seeing. I also wanted to understand the key factors that cause firms to choose Ireland and the ways in which IDA Ireland can support these firms on their journey. Bernadette and I discuss the continued support that IDA Ireland provides to inward-investing firms that set-up in Ireland and the areas of focus that are attracting their attention as they seek to grow and thrive here. Needless to say, AI, R&D and training are high on the list! Many thanks to Bernadette for sharing her knowledge and insight. Enjoy!

June 13, 2025Episode 439 min

E4 Nervous System Intelligence

The topic for this episode of The Aquest Podcast is a little more out of left field – I’m joined by Shannon Eastman to chat about ‘Nervous System Intelligence’. This is a new concept that explores and tries to explain the impact of long-term exposure to stress on the body and mind and our conversation focuses particularly on busy professionals and their work environment. Nervous System Intelligence also identifies techniques to repair harm and help with much improved health and performance. Shannon is fluent in both corporate growth and nervous system intelligence—blending business strategy, human behavior, and neurobiology. She’s spent a lifetime exploring: why do we do what we do, why is change so hard for some of us, easy for others, and what does it take to make it last? Founder of The Nervous System Economy™ , she partners with a multidisciplinary team to translate science into plain English—specifically for business. She educates, advises, and works directly with leaders to map nervous system intelligence to commercial outcomes. Shannon hosts Who Turned The Lights On? , a podcast that hit 100K downloads in its first year, helping high-performing professionals lead, relate, and recover differently. And before her ventures into all things nervous system intelligence, Shannon worked in the financial services industry working with and for the funds industry, fintechs, crypto crime and digital assets. NervousSystemEconomy.com > www.nervoussystemeconomy.com/resources LinkedIn > https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannoneastman/ Podcast > whoturnedthelightson.com Personal Website - shannoneastman.com

May 30, 2025Episode 322 min

E3 Catch-up on Crypto

In Episode 3, I’m joined by Andrew Tzialli of Philip Lee LLP as we catch up on implementation of the Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCAR) 6 months away from it coming fully into force. We discuss the levels of activity being seen and the potential for Ireland to position itself as the jurisdiction of choice for MiCA firms. We also chat about other developments in the digital assets/digitalisation space, with tokenisation of funds getting some attention. Enjoy!

May 16, 2025Episode 230 min

E2 Building an effective EU Savings & Investments Union

In Episode 2, I’m joined by Declan Casey and Lauren Andersen of Irish Funds to chat about the EU Savings & Investments Union. We discuss the SIU’s predecessor, the Capital Markets Union, and consider what’s different this time around. We also chat about the EU Commission’s Targeted Consultation on Integration of EU Capital Markets which closes on 10 June 2025 with the Irish Funds team working on a consultation response as we speak. Enjoy! Link to the Commission’s consultation: https://finance.ec.europa.eu/regulation-and-supervision/consultations-0/targeted-consultation-integration-eu-capital-markets-2025_en