Joe Bergin Takes Over as CEO of Elkstone in Leadership Shift

Irish financial advisory and investment management firm Elkstone has appointed Joe Bergin as its new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Alan Merriman, who has transitioned to a new role within the company. This leadership change marks a significant moment for Elkstone, which was co-founded in 2011 by Merriman alongside Ciarán McIntyre and Ruairí O’Neill.

Merriman, a prominent figure in Ireland’s financial landscape, has garnered recognition for his involvement in early-stage Irish startups such as the drone-delivery service Manna and the home diagnostics company LetsGetChecked. Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, he has advocated for tax reforms aimed at establishing a Savings and Investment Scheme to boost the domestic economy, a proposal currently being evaluated by Finance Minister Simon Harris.

In his new role as Executive Director at Elkstone, Merriman will concentrate on scaling the firm’s venture portfolio companies, enhancing Ireland’s venture ecosystem, and tapping into the diaspora network, particularly in the United States, to attract more international capital to Ireland.

Bergin, who joined Elkstone in 2019 as Managing Director of Private Clients, will now oversee the firm’s operations. Prior to his tenure at Elkstone, he served as a relationship manager at Ulster Bank. The board officially appointed him as Group CEO in January 2026.

Elkstone has also expanded its leadership team by appointing two new non-executive directors: Eoghan Quigley, President of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and a former executive at KPMG, and Margot Lyons, who has held positions at Morgan Stanley and Ulster Bank.

Merriman expressed confidence in the leadership transition, stating, “After 15 years as CEO, the organization is ready, and we’re fortunate to have someone of Joe’s calibre leading us forward.” He emphasized that this transition allows him to focus on his passions, particularly in scaling venture portfolio companies and supporting Ireland’s venture ecosystem.

Since its inception, Elkstone has evolved from managing funds for a small number of wealthy clients in the family office sector to a multifaceted business involved in raising and deploying capital and providing advisory services. The firm operates across three main categories: venture capital for high-potential early-stage startups, real estate, and wealth management.

Real estate has emerged as the largest segment of Elkstone’s business, both in terms of financial impact and portfolio size. The firm actively sources funds and leads investments in residential construction projects throughout Ireland, including student housing. Elkstone’s real estate portfolio currently encompasses over 3,200 properties, with more than 1,500 units having secured planning approval in the past two years across the island of Ireland.

As Elkstone continues to grow under Bergin’s leadership, the firm is poised to strengthen its position within the financial landscape and contribute significantly to the development of Ireland’s venture ecosystem.