EY CFO Outlook: Powering Ireland’s future, with Paul Stapleton, CFO, ESB

When Paul Stapleton joined ESB over 33 years ago, it was a very different organisation to the one it is today. In the three decades since, Paul has held ten different roles within the company and has watched first-hand the transformation of its structure, mandate, and the nature of the role it plays in Ireland’s economy and society. 

Since its foundation, ESB has been critical to the running of households, businesses, and industry across Ireland. As such, it is one of the country’s best-known brands and has been trusted by customers to “keep the lights” on throughout harsh weather and difficult economic times. For Paul, ESB’s role now extends to being a leader in Ireland’s transition to green energy, and every strategic decision the company makes today is geared towards delivering net zero carbon energy by 2040. 

In this episode of The EY Podcast: CFO Outlook series, Paul Stapleton, CFO of ESB, tells host Jonathan Healy the fascinating story of his 33-year career in one of Ireland’s best-known companies, what he has learned from the ten leadership positions he has held along the way, and the role that ESB is now playing in a greener future. 

They also discuss:

·       ESB’s evolution over the last three decades and the key milestones along the way

·       How the company navigated the challenges both of the Celtic Tiger and economic recession and the role he played during those times. 

·       ESB’s strong customer and public service ethos and how it has helped it successfully transition through new structures and identities. 

·       The role of green bonds in financing renewable energy projects and the importance of collaboration with private investors and other industry players to achieve these goals.

·       The advice he would give to his 18-yr old self