Fidelity Investments’ John Ruane discusses his plans as he takes over from Lorna Martyn as the organisation’s site lead for Ireland.
The Ireland site lead and vice-president for the operations and services group at Fidelity Investments, John Ruane, recently took over from Lorna Martyn, who is now the head of corporate technology services.
SiliconRepublic.com caught up with John to discuss his plans as he settles into this new role, the skills he brings to the job, furthering opportunities for all in Ireland’s professional ecosystem and the importance of adopting a people-first mindset.
“Stepping into this role, I feel both honoured and energised. Fidelity Ireland has a strong legacy of innovation, collaboration and community engagement and I’m excited to build on that foundation. My goal is to continue fostering an environment where people feel connected, empowered and inspired to do their best work.”
What plans or strategies do you intend to implement in your new position?
My focus is on three key areas, strengthening our culture of innovation and operational excellence, continuing to enhance the associate experience, and deepening our role as a hub for technology and operations within Fidelity.
Ireland plays a crucial part in the company’s global strategy and I want to ensure we’re creating the best environment for our teams to thrive, whether that’s through career development, cross-functional collaboration, or opportunities to experiment with new ideas.
I’m also passionate about our role in the community. We’ll keep building strong relationships with academic institutions, industry partners and non-profits to support initiatives that reflect our values, from advancing inclusion in STEM to making a meaningful difference through Fidelity Cares.
What skills are you going to bring to this new role?
I bring a blend of financial, operational and leadership experience gained over more than 25 years in the industry, 15 at Fidelity Ireland. Having led international finance and operations teams, I’ve developed a strong understanding of how to drive results across geographies, manage complexity and lead through change. But more than anything, I bring a people-first mindset. I believe in the power of listening, mentoring, and creating space for others to grow. I’m most energised by helping people and teams unlock their potential and by building a culture where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to lead from whatever seat they sit in. That’s what motivates me every day.
What aspect of this new position are you most excited for?
Fidelity Ireland has such a talented workforce and there’s enormous potential to tap into that collective energy to innovate, learn and evolve together. Helping our teams see the impact of their work on a global scale is deeply rewarding. I’m also proud of the positive impact Fidelity Ireland continues to make beyond the workplace — from our Fidelity Cares community initiatives to our engagements with academic institutions such as Dublin City University (DCU) to support STEM education including the Women in STEM scholarship programme.
Fidelity Ireland also recently launched a research project collaboration with DCU aimed at addressing the gender gap in STEM education and careers for women in Ireland. This two-year study will uncover the barriers to engagement and generate actionable insights which will be a powerful step forward in building more inclusive pathways into STEM. I’m looking forward to seeing how this research can help the industry and Fidelity as we continue our efforts towards making STEM more accessible and more representative of the talent and potential that exists across Ireland.
Have there been any mentors who have been particularly instrumental in your career up to this point?
Absolutely. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who not only challenged me professionally but also guided me in how to lead with empathy, authenticity, and purpose. Their belief in me, especially during pivotal moments in my career, made a lasting impact. Lorna Martyn and Paul Ryan have been instrumental in shaping my approach to leadership. They encouraged curiosity, fostered inclusion, and consistently created space for others to grow and lead. Those lessons continue to influence how I show up as a leader today, and I’m committed to paying that forward by mentoring others and creating opportunities for emerging talent. I have had the opportunities to grow and learn because of the fantastic leaders who have gone before me.
Do you have any predictions for the sector over the next few months?
The financial services industry is moving through an exciting period of transformation, driven by technology, talent, and evolving customer expectations. I think we’ll continue to see innovation in areas like AI, digital transformation, and automation, particularly in how they enhance efficiency, personalisation, and the overall customer experience. There’s also growing momentum around emerging technologies like quantum computing, which could reshape how we think about data, security and scalability. But just as important as the technology itself is how we prepare our people for this change, by investing in continuous learning, fostering innovation and building inclusive teams that can navigate complexity with confidence.
What advice do you have for people looking to follow a similar path professionally?
Be curious, and don’t be afraid to take the scenic route. Careers rarely follow a straight line, and some of the most rewarding experiences come from stepping outside your comfort zone and saying yes to opportunities that challenge you. Stay connected. Build strong relationships, seek out mentors, and surround yourself with people who’ll support and stretch you. In Ireland, we’re lucky to have a strong sense of community, lean into that. Ask questions, take risks, and don’t worry about having all the answers. For me, staying open to new challenges and focusing on building great teams has made all the difference. And above all, lead with integrity, empathy and a genuine interest in people. When you do that, you build trust and with trust, everything else becomes possible.
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