Sligo Credit Union's New Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Orla Lee

19th April 2023

Sligo Credit Union welcomes the appointment of Orla Lee as CEO of Sligo Credit Union. The appointment was announced by Sligo Credit Union’s Chairperson, Shona Heffernan, on Wednesday, the 19th of April, 2023.

Orla is an accomplished member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (ACMA) with 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry, and is also a Licentiate of the Association of Compliance Officers in Ireland (LCOI) and holds the Credit Union Advisor qualification (CUA). Orla, originally from Sligo, returned in 2002 to join Sligo Credit Union as a Development Executive before being promoted to Deputy CEO in 2007 and has been Acting CEO since February 2023.

Within this time, Orla has been involved in creating a vision and strategy for Sligo Credit Union, has developed strategic proposals to help grow the credit union loan book from €11M to its current level of €41M and membership growth from 6,000 to 26,000 members.

Shona Heffernan said: “We are delighted to welcome Orla as Sligo Credit Union’s new Chief Executive Officer. Orla is an astute, analytical person with extensive experience leading operations and projects. She has recognised skills in the areas of risk, compliance along with staff management capabilities, proven crisis management abilities, and strong operational resilience attributes. Furthermore, Orla has a great understanding of the important role the credit union has to play in Sligo; she is dedicated to member value and to continuing to increase the credit union’s ethos of honesty, integrity, approachability, and willingness to listen.”

Prior to joining Sligo Credit Union in 2002, Orla worked for Bertelsmann Distribution Financial Services and First Rate Ireland in Dublin.

Orla said: “I am thrilled to be appointed CEO. I am very invested in this credit union, with a strong desire to achieve while remaining cognisant of our important member ethos, culture, and values. I have a long-standing record in the financial services industry, especially with Sligo Credit Union, and we have achieved many milestones - we have an iconic building, an excellent team of member-centred staff, a growing loan book, and strong reserves. It is my vision that Sligo Credit Union will become the number-one choice for our members for their day-to-day banking requirements and that we become the first-choice personal lender.”

Orla’s CEO appointment is effective immediately.