Francesca Mcdonagh

 
Professional Overview
 

Francesca McDonagh is an accomplished leader in the financial services sector, currently holding the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Universal Investment Group as of January 2024. Based in Milan, Lombardy, Italy, Francesca is at the helm of Universal Investment, propelling the company towards greater growth and broader international presence. Her professional journey spans several prominent organizations around the world, including roles in Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, and the UK.

 
Career Background
 

Francesca's career began at HSBC in 1997, where she climbed through the ranks to become Group General Manager and Regional Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management. Her tenure at HSBC lasted until 2017, during which time she also held positions such as Deputy Chair and Director at the British Bankers’ Association (BBA) and Board Member at The National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB).

In October 2017, Francesca took on the role of Group CEO at Bank of Ireland, where she led significant transformation efforts until September 2022. She then transitioned to Credit Suisse, serving as Group Chief Operating Officer until December 2023, before moving on to her current role at Universal Investment Group.

 
Educational Background
 

Francesca's educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of Oxford, which she completed in 1996. Prior to her university education, she attended Coloma Comprehensive Girls School in Croydon, UK.

 
Awards and Recognition
 

Throughout her career, Francesca has been recognized for her contributions and leadership.

• In 2017, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for her services to banking.
• She was also made a Fellow of the Irish Institute of Banking in 2019.
• Additionally, Francesca was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2014 and became a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization in 2018.

 
Professional Interests
 

Francesca's professional interests include the modernization of the financial industry, cultural leadership with a focus on diversity and inclusion, and the prevention of modern slavery and human trafficking.

 
Skills and Linguistic Abilities
 

Her skills encompass a wide range of areas within the financial sector, including corporate strategy, asset management, leadership, financial planning, and risk management. Francesca's linguistic abilities also extend to fluency in Spanish.

 
Social Media Influence
 

As of now, Francesca has a significant following on LinkedIn, with over 16,000 followers, a testament to her influence and reach in the financial industry. Her extensive experience and global outlook have consistently driven transformation and excellence wherever she has held leadership roles.