Rathbones, one of the UK’s leading wealth and asset management groups, has secured a Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) licence from the Central Bank of Ireland, enabling it to build a presence in the European Union (EU).
The licence enables Rathbones, through its Dublin-based European entity, Rathbones Ireland, to serve new and existing clients in Ireland and across the EU. It marks an important step in strengthening the Group’s international capabilities, supporting its long-term growth ambitions.
Camilla Stowell, CEO of Wealth at Rathbones, said: “People’s lives no longer fit neatly within national borders. Careers, families, businesses and investments increasingly span several countries — and wealth management has to move with them.
“Securing our Irish licence is therefore central to what we do. It gives Rathbones a firm base from which to support clients in Ireland and across the EU, combining local presence with the investment expertise, financial planning and personal relationships of the wider Group. Our ambition is to help clients make confident long-term decisions as their lives and wealth move across borders.”
Rathbones Ireland is led by Managing Director Dolores Geaney, who joined the Group in April to establish and lead its European business.
Dolores said: “Ireland is a natural home for Rathbones’ European business: an internationally connected market with deep financial expertise and strong links across the EU. Our focus now is to build a distinctive, client-led business from Dublin — working with clients, advisers and partners who need thoughtful investment management and long-term support across increasingly international lives.
“We have the opportunity to combine local knowledge with the strength of the wider Rathbones Group, while building the trusted relationships for which the firm is known.”
Earlier this year Rathbones published research demonstrating the increased international mobility of business owners, with an analysis that showed that nearly 6,000 high-growth entrepreneurs had left the UK between 2024 and 2026; in the same period more than 3,000 came to the UK.
