David Swinburne, Financial Advisory Partner, Cork

David is originally from Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan, where his parents and four siblings (and their respective families) all still reside. “This draws me back to my roots as often as I can as there is no place like home. Carrickmacross is a thriving market town and a wonderful community in which to grow up.”

His parents were keen on providing their children with a good education, “I can still recall my dad doing maths with me at the kitchen table when I was in primary school.”

During secondary school, David was drawn to business subjects and studied Accounting, Business Organisation, and Economics for his Leaving Certificate. “My teacher for these subjects was from Galway and encouraged me to put Commerce in University College Galway (as it was known then) as my first choice on the CAO. Looking back, I’m glad I did, as I met some wonderful people in college that I’m still in touch with today and our WhatsApp group explodes from time to time.”

While GAA was the main sport growing up, David, unlike his two brothers, couldn’t kick a ball. Instead, he was active in athletics and horse riding, which kept him on the straight and narrow. “Athletics was a good discipline and taught me the importance of fresh air and exercise, something I still do today. Running is easy and you can do it anywhere, so I have no excuses when it comes to exercise. With life moving so fast, it is important to make time for myself and head out the door for a run!”

After completing his BComm in Galway, David pursued a Masters in Accounting at UCD and then joined KPMG as a graduate. Following a stint in Australia post-qualification, which was a wonderful experience, he spent three years in Dublin working with John McStay and Jim Luby at McStay Luby. David rejoined KPMG in 2006 and transferred to the Cork office in 2008. Over the next 10 years, he progressed from Manager to Associate Director and then Director. During this period, the advisory market was heavily reliant on restructuring and insolvency work, and he acted as Examiner, Liquidator, and Receiver on assignments across all sectors.

David joined Forvis Mazars at the beginning of 2024, “I’ve really enjoyed my start in Forvis Mazars and the team culture of working together. I enjoy the diversity of my advisory work, supporting clients in preparing their businesses for sale and selling them, participating in dispute resolution and forensic accounting, and assisting with business turnarounds through formal schemes of arrangement such as examinership and SCARP. My work is all about people, both internally and externally, and I enjoy collaborating with others to achieve successful outcomes. I’m very excited about what is ahead for me and to be working with such talented people.”

While training to become a Chartered Accountant, David met his wife, Dee, who is also a Chartered Accountant. “Dee understands the demands of my career, which has been a great support. We have three daughters, Ruby (17), Lucy (15) and Keelin (15). When the twins were born, Dee gave up work to be at home with them. When they started school, she went back to work as the secretary in their primary school, allowing her to be there for them while I progressed in my career. Dee is a keen tennis player and plays for Munster and Ireland. Ruby is a keen swimmer and has me up at 5 am six mornings a week to drop her to the pool and the twins are acro gymnasts and are on the national team which means regular trips to the Sport Ireland Campus for training.”

Outside work, David sits on the board of Cork Chamber, which provides him with good oversight on what is happening in Cork and the wider region. He also gives back to the community by sitting on the Board of Cork Simon, “which does amazing work in supporting the growing number of homeless people living in Cork.” He is also a Foróige Big Brother volunteer for an eleven-year-old kid and has gained so much from the experience.

He also plays tennis (badly) but enjoys the social aspect of meeting friends regularly. In the summer, he loves his daily dip in the sea when spending time with his family in Waterville and Derrynane on the Ring of Kerry. “The sea always resets me!”