John Gethin

Tell us more about your background

I am currently a Director at The Pensions Authority. I have significant international experience gained in complex and regulated financial services organisations. As a former director and branch manager of KBC Insurance, I was instrumental in the set-up Ireland’s first digital life insurer. Following the decision by KBC Group to exit the Irish market, I successfully led the orderly wind-down of KBC’s insurance activities in Ireland. I am currently completing an MSc in Sustainable Finance and Innovation with Maynooth University.

What is the one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

Empathy, as it enables leaders to understand and share the feelings of others, which can foster a strong team environment and lead to better communication, collaboration, and morale. When underpinned by the values of integrity, self-awareness, courage, respect, compassion, and resilience; empathy helps leaders to be perceptive to the needs of their team members, to support them through challenges, and to celebrate their successes, creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and understood.

What is the most important lesson, from your personal or business life, that has guided you the most in being a business leader? 

Don’t be afraid of ambition! Ambition combined with experience, have been the main drivers in my career. It’s important to be able to recognise opportunities when they come your way, and they’re not always obvious. Coupled with this is being brave, don’t let the fear of the unknown put you off.

Is there someone who has had a major impact on you as a leader? Why and how did this person impact your life?

I have been very fortunate to have worked with some fantastic leaders throughout my career. I try and take learnings and insights from those I work with and apply it where I can. When a difficult challenge presents itself, I have learned so much from how great leaders dealt with it. Traits displayed such as respect, honesty, resilience and, understanding how to learn from failure in order to succeed in the future have really helped me become a better leader.

What are the biggest business challenges or/and opportunities that you have seen over your career to date? And how did you help to overcome or/and optimise these? 

The setting up of KBC’s insurance business in Ireland from a greenfield to being Ireland’s first digital life insurer was both a fantastic opportunity and challenge. To be able to bring all of your previous experiences and collaborate with a top-class international team to deliver a scalable, end-to-end digital business during the COVID lockdown was an excellent experience. You learn a lot in these situations and also to be agile and not ‘boil the ocean’. The orderly winding down of the business following the decision by KBC Group to exit the Irish market was an equally but different challenging experience.

How do you think business leaders can best prepare for the future?

I would describe myself as professionally curious and part of my LinkedIn strapline states ‘Always learning leader'. I am always wanting to know more. Staying curious is important in all careers, I think, no matter how advanced. Always ask yourself – What have I learned from that experience - about myself and others? Did I learn enough? Being curious and always learning helps you to ask better questions and to prepare for the future.

What do you hope to gain from your membership with the Institute of Directors Ireland?

IoD Ireland has a vast array of resource and content which I look forward to accessing to grow my knowledge base. Additionally, the benefit of having access to a large network of senior business leaders to help me build and develop new relationships is really important.

What advice would you offer to new or aspiring directors in Ireland?

I have taken some excellent advice from those who have gone down this road before me. Key points such as; being really clear on what it is you both want and bring to the table; talking to those in your network and at industry forums; keep yourself up to date on the latest trends and don’t be afraid to ask questions.