The support of IDA Ireland has been – and continues to be – an important enabler for our operations in Ireland. The IDAs partnership enhances our ability to scale, invest and compete. We have been working closely with the IDA since 2006 to support our growth.

Melíosa O’Caoimh

country head of Ireland, Northern Trust

Why Ireland for Northern Trust

Northern Trust is a Chicago-headquartered financial services company founded in 1889, specialising in providing asset management, asset servicing and wealth management services. Its clients include corporations, institutions, families, and individuals. 

Ireland as a strategic location

Northern Trust in Ireland is a strategic location within its global asset servicing business and its presence here is one of Northern Trust’s largest fund servicing centres in Europe. 

The firm has serviced Irish clients since 1989 and in 2000, established its Dublin office followed by its Limerick office in 2007. It employs close to 1,800 staff in Ireland, with around 1,400 based in Limerick with the balance working from the Dublin office.

Ireland-based teams also support the global enterprise by delivering broader global capabilities including across learning, development, training, technology, and cybersecurity functions.
 
Many of the global technology projects that support its clients are driven from Ireland, such as those led out of the Limerick–based Innovation Laboratory, which was set up in 2018. Experts based in the lab help staff adopt innovative technologies and work with them to use financial technology across our global business.
 
In Ireland, Northern Trust uses robotics, machine learning and other technologies to improve efficiency and help employees to move up the funds industry value chain. 
This expertise also plays a significant role in the development of Northern Trust’s data platform and use of digital technology to facilitate enhanced functionality, speed, and insight for clients.
 
Milestones during Northern Trust’s time in Ireland include taking part in landmark investment industry developments such as servicing the first major European exchange traded funds (ETFs) (launched in 2000) and being part of the team that launched Ireland's first tax-transparent solution for multinationals.

How Ireland helps Northern Trust

• Ireland is one of Northern Trust’s largest fund servicing centres in Europe
• 1,800 people employed across two locations: Dublin and Limerick
• Irish-based teams support the global business across many functions
• Limerick site hosts innovation lab to trial new technologies