Azets Ireland has appointed Craig Bale, Sarah-Jane O’Keeffe and Diarmuid Guthrie as partners to strengthen its advisory, restructuring and corporate finance capabilities.
Bales joins Azets as a partner for transaction services from Deloitte, and brings more than two decades of experience in leading complex transactions from due diligence and valuations to capital raising and deal advisory.
His appointment marks a strategic expansion of Azets’ transaction advisory services, enabling the firm to advise companies on a growing number of transactions.
O’Keeffe has been appointed partner in the advisory and restructuring practice with a focus on insolvency. She has more than 15 years of experience in advising on corporate recovery, restructuring and governance challenges.
The first female Examiner appointed by the Irish courts, she also brings specialist expertise in Members and Creditors Voluntary Liquidations and Small Company Administrative Rescue Process (SCARP).
Guthrie has been named partner in litigation support.
With specialist knowledge in forensic investigations, expert witness testimony, restructuring and shareholder disputes, Guthrie enhances Azets’ wider corporate advisory offering and services to Ireland’s legal services sector.
His appointment underscores the firm’s focus on helping Irish SMEs navigate operational and financial difficulties with confidence and clarity.
“Azets Ireland has experienced exceptional growth over the past two years – expanding our team, broadening our service offering, and completing strategic mergers that have positioned us as one of the country’s fastest-growing professional services firms,” said Neil Hughes, CEO of Azets Ireland.
“The appointment of Sarah-Jane, Craig and Diarmaid as partners follows the recent elevation of Conor Noone to Partner in Azets’ Advisory and Restructuring division.
“These four appointments reflect our continued investment in building a national firm of scale – one that is relentlessly focused on supporting Ireland’s mid-sized businesses.
Conor Noone was also appointed as an Azets Ireland partner last month.
“Each new partner brings specialist expertise that strengthens our capabilities in corporate finance, litigation support and restructuring. These are areas where our clients face growing complexity and opportunity – driven by rising costs, increased regulation, and rapid digital transformation.”
“As our clients evolve, so too must the support they receive. These appointments reinforce our commitment to being a trusted partner for ambitious Irish businesses, helping them navigate change, unlock growth, and realise their full potential.”
Photo: (l-r) Conor Noone, Craig Bale, Neil Hughes, Sarah-Jane O’Keeffe, Diarmuid Guthrie. (Pic: Supplied)