Alan Hickey
Dublin
Summary
Accomplished Marketing Director and Director of Business Development with extensive experience in driving significant growth in assets under management (AuM) and revenue across multiple markets, including Ireland, Canada, Germany, and the USA. Proven track record of increasing Setanta Asset Management's AuM from $4bn to $16bn and successfully implementing strategic plans. Expertise in developing marketing strategies, building business partnerships, and executing successful marketing campaigns. Skilled in market strategy development, client relationship management, and revenue growth strategies. Adept at managing cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives. Career goal: To leverage extensive marketing and business development expertise to drive continued growth and success for leading financial institutions. Results-focused sales and marketing leader ambitious to drive substantial revenue and profits through proactive strategies. Brings multifaceted approach involving competitor research, innovative promotional strategies and continuous optimisation to exceed expectations. Continuously seeks out opportunities in market gaps and customer trends.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
Work History
Marketing Director/Director of Business Development
Setanta Asset Management
Dublin, Ireland
12.2007 - 11.2025
- Responsible for taking Setanta from $4bn in 2007/8 to $16bn at its height in 2020.
- Responsible for growing presence with advisors/brokers in core markets and establishing institutional and consulting relationships in target markets.
- Increased AuM & Fees in Ireland, Canada , Germany and USA.
- Developed, implimented and successfully achieved three startegic plans.
- Increased AuM at Setanta from $6bn to $15bn across all channels in Ireland, Canada, US, and Germany
- Grew Institutional AuM in Canada from zero to C$2.0bn at its height through local consultants.
- Grew US AuM from zero to $1.6bn in three years mainly through Family Offices and Wealth Managers.
- Grew platfom assets in Germany from $100m to $8bn through constant freqent advisor/broker support.
- Managed annual marketing budget, strategically allocating resources to maximise return on investment across all channels.
- Identified, developed and evaluated marketing strategies based on knowledge of company objectives and market trends.
- Built new business partnerships to drive customer acquisition and generate revenue.
- Implemented marketing plans for new product launches, working closely with product team to meet key milestones and deadlines.
- Executed successful marketing events, open houses and display shows for products.
- Enhanced product marketability and improved profits with optimum targeting on sales and marketing strategies.
- Worked with digital marketing team to develop holistic offline and online campaigns designed for growth.
- Coordinated with design, project management and production teams to delivery timely support to planned campaigns.
- Created fresh, engaging and compelling copy for marketing and promotions.
- Leveraged CRM data to send targeted emails designed to increase sales.
- Organised and represented the company at national and international trade shows, expanding network and business opportunities.
Marketing Consultant/Senior Sales Director
Stanhope Capital
06.2007 - 11.2007
- Responsible for identifying investor demand in European markets for a range of alternative and traditional partner products with a focus on Switzerland.
- Developed the product marketing material and story around a range of partner products including PE.
- Thoroughly researched and assessed target market, identifying industry trends and commercial opportunities.
- Collaborated with sales teams to align marketing strategies with sales objectives, boosting revenue.
Head of European Business Development, CEO of European offices
Conning Asset Management
Dublin and London, Ireland & UK
07.2003 - 05.2007
- Introduced Conning Asset Management to UK Investors espeically London Market Reinsurers
- Responsible for the profitability of all of the Conning Asset Management operating companies in Europe.
- Developed and implemented a business plan delivering the target AuM growth of $4bn+ and revenue growth of $ for Conning Europe.
- Spearheaded strategic planning and implementation to drive company growth and profitability.
- Developed high-performing teams to consistently exceed goals, drive revenue and expand markets.
- Led successful turnaround of underperforming business units, restoring them to profitability.
- Implemented a focused sales plan for the full range of investments products including alternative assets and added new clients for Conning Asset Management in Ireland, UK, Switzerland, Spain and other European countries, these wins totaled $5bn in assets with a fee income of $8m.
- Responsible for a Dublin team and London team with a total of 10 staff including Fixed Income Portfolio Managers, Business Development Managers, Accountants, Support and Compliance staff.
- Responsible for ensuring the legal, regulatory and operational infrastructure for Conning Asset Management in Europe is in place and running smoothly.
- Ensure clients receive a top quality service, a key aspect of insurance asset management.
- Carried out due diligence on several possible acquisitions in the asset management industry.
- Subsidiary of Swiss Re
- Developed a successful asset management business in Europe, from scratch, against strong competition from local and global asset managers, delivering $4.3bn in core fixed income mandates and USD 725m in alternative (PE) and long only equity funds.
- Results since launch of Conning Europe (July 2003): total assets won of USD 5.0bn, Fee Income increased to USD 8m.
- Successfully extended marketing into alternative products, new territories (Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, and UK) and had different clients including Life companies, Pension Funds, fund of funds and family offices.
- The business was built with little increase in headcount by making the most of resources elsewhere in Conning/Swiss Re Group and staying focused on new business opportunities whilst ensuring all clients receive an excellent service.
UK and European Equity Portfolio Manager
Swiss Re Asset Management
09.1996 - 06.2003
- Member of the UK Equity Investment team for Swiss Re Asset Management London from August 1996, initially in a research capability and then with specific responsibility for a portfolio of UK Equities.
- The UK Equity team oversaw the management of GBP 0.75bn in UK Equities in several Swiss Re entities; its target was to achieve a return greater than 1% of the benchmark on a three year rolling average basis.
- Full participation in the Swiss Re Asset Management UK Equity investment process which was a top down macro process which set the overall sector weightings into which the bottom up stock selection process would fill the sector weightings with the chosen securities.
- During this period I completed specific research on the UK media and utility sectors as well as research on a large number of UK stocks, as agreed at the monthly Investment team meetings or adhoc as agreed with the team.
- In addition to UK equities I also managed a European Equity portfolio from July 2000 to end 2003 and was also responsible for an Irish equity portfolio, an Irish bond and later Euro zone bond portfolio.
- The UK equity portfolio I managed (valued at GBP 50m) delivered a relative out performance of over 1.2% over the three plus years from end 1996 to February 2000. The UK Equity team managed UK equities valued at GBP 0.75bn.
- Provided many stock and sector research recommendations many of which were included in the investment decisions and applied across the portfolios.
- Responsible for a European Equity portfolio (valued at EUR 200m) from July 2000 to November 2003 and this also outperformed its benchmark (FT3EC Index) over the period by 0.40%. I also contributed to the European Equity process by completing European Equity research, which was started by company meetings.
Treasury Manager
Mercantile & General Reinsurance Group (M&G Re Group)
London
08.1994 - 08.1996
- Worked with a small team to establish a Group Treasury function for M&G Re with full responsibility for all non-insurance risks of a global reinsurance group including:
- Interest rate risk and asset management strategy including the development and implementation of leading edge ALM model. Interest rate risk, FX and overlay strategies including FX and futures hedging.
- The Group Treasury team was fully involved in an attempted floatation was to prepare the analyst presentation and road show with Goldman Sachs.
- Swiss Re acquired M&G Re and following that Swiss Re established a London Investment Centre to manage GBP assets of the Swiss Re Group.
- Part of the Prudential Group
- Played a key role in corporate finance initiatives, supporting capital raising activities and managing investor relations.
- Developed and maintained strong banking relationships, facilitating efficient transaction processing and improved service levels.
- Monitored and managed company's debt portfolio, including loan covenant compliance, to ensure alignment with financial strategy.
- Analysed financial markets to inform investment decisions, maximising returns on surplus funds while minimising risk exposure.
- Managed daily treasury operations, overseeing cash flow forecasting and liquidity management to optimise financial resources.
- Designed and executed foreign exchange hedging strategies, protecting against adverse movements and stabilising operational costs.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams on mergers and acquisitions, conducting due diligence and integrating treasury operations.
- Led negotiations with banks and financial institutions to secure favourable terms for loans and credit facilities, enhancing financial flexibility.
- Conducted regular reviews of treasury policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and best practice standards.
Management and Investment Accountant
Terra Nova Insurance Company Ltd.
01.1992 - 07.1994
- Generated financial statements documenting revenue, expenses and liabilities.
- Analysed financial data to produce monthly reports, providing insights into company performance for stakeholders.
- Established and maintained relationships with banking institutions, optimising financial operations and services.
Financial Accountant
AIG
London
01.1988 - 06.1990
Education
Investment Management Program - covering bonds, equities and derivatives
London Business School
London12.2002
ACT - Treasury Management Professional Course
Association of Corporate Treasurers
London12.1992
ACMA - Chartered Management Accountant Professional Qualification
CIMA
London12.1989
BA - Accounting and Finance
DCU
Dublin12.1987
Skills
- Business development
- Communication skills
- Customer engagement and interaction
- Communications management
- Marketing and sales strategies
- Active listening
- Customer service orientated
- Relationship-building
- Product knowledge
- Customer engagement
- Sales techniques
- Market strategy development
- Relationship Management
- Client Relationship Management
- Strategic thinker
- Sales strategies
- Sales goal attainment
- Public speaking
- Organised and efficient
- Ability to present the company
- Event planning and execution
- Market and competitive analysis
- Revenue growth strategies
- Data analysis
References
Available on request
Languages
German
Beginner
A1
French
Beginner
A1
Timeline
Marketing Director/Director of Business Development
Setanta Asset Management
12.2007 - 11.2025
Marketing Consultant/Senior Sales Director
Stanhope Capital
06.2007 - 11.2007
Head of European Business Development, CEO of European offices
Conning Asset Management
07.2003 - 05.2007
UK and European Equity Portfolio Manager
Swiss Re Asset Management
09.1996 - 06.2003
Treasury Manager
Mercantile & General Reinsurance Group (M&G Re Group)
08.1994 - 08.1996
Management and Investment Accountant
Terra Nova Insurance Company Ltd.
01.1992 - 07.1994
Financial Accountant
AIG
01.1988 - 06.1990
Investment Management Program - covering bonds, equities and derivatives
London Business School
ACT - Treasury Management Professional Course
Association of Corporate Treasurers
ACMA - Chartered Management Accountant Professional Qualification
CIMA
BA - Accounting and Finance
DCU