Ciaran O'Donnell

I get CEOs of fast growth start-ups on top of their finances. I'm a Finance Director for start-ups that are Seed-to-Series-A

Ciaran is an Unreasonable Mentor.

I call myself a Virtual FD. I'm a freelance Finance Director for start-ups.

Since 2010, I've been working with Seed to Series A start-ups who need some FD level advice, but are not yet ready for a full-time hire.

I qualified as an accountant in 1998, and then spent 12 years at Hutchison Whampoa, Three and Carphone Warehouse – who all had very entrepreneurial beginnings.

Since then, I’ve advised over 100 ambitious startups and fast growth businesses - almost all came through personal recommendations. I help them grow, stay on track, raise money, prepare to sell, reduce stress levels, financial trouble shooting, whatever’s needed.

Thanks to this, in the UK I was named CFO of the Year at the British Accountancy Awards 2019 and an Accounting Excellence finalist in the Finance Director of the Year category in 2023 and 2024.