Meet the underwriters

Barry O'Dwyer established DUAL's Ireland business in 2014 and has led the business for over a decade. As Managing Director, Barry holds overall responsibility for the Irish operation, including the delivery of DUAL Ireland’s ambitious five-year growth strategy.

With more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, Barry brings a wealth of leadership and underwriting expertise to the role. Prior to establishing DUAL Ireland, he spent nearly 10 years at Aviva, gaining broad experience across underwriting, strategic marketing, and general management. He then spent 9 years at Chubb, where he led the High Net Worth division and oversaw sales and marketing for the business.

Barry is a qualified barrister and holds diplomas in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors and in Management from the Irish Management Institute. His strong academic and professional background underpins his strategic approach and commitment to excellence.

Outside of work, Barry enjoys running and golf, and dedicates much of his time to supporting his children’s sporting and musical pursuits.

Paul McGennis leads the Title Insurance team in Ireland and brings over 30 years’ experience as a Lawyer in Ireland, in the Real Estate sector.

His strong understanding of the legal environment surrounding the real estate and property financing sectors add invaluable insights into the delivery of DUAL’s title to share and real estate offerings.

Kate O’Connor is the Head of Business Development for DUAL Underwriting Ireland DAC. With 15 years of experience in the insurance industry, Kate has built a successful career spanning various roles. Joining DUAL in 2015 as a Senior Underwriter, she has grown with the company and is responsible for underwriting Private Client business while fostering and maintaining strong relationships with DUAL’s broker panel, ensuring continued growth and success.

Kate’s career began at AIG, where she honed expertise in various underwriting practices, before bringing her insights and strategic approach to DUAL. She holds a degree in Chinese and Economics from University College Cork (UCC) and a Master’s in Global Economics from the University of Bristol.

Outside of work, Kate is a busy mother of two young kids. In her spare time, she enjoys playing rounders and staying active in the gym.

Tim Barniville joined Howden in 2021 before moving to DUAL in 2024 and leads the Professional Indemnity team. As Head of Professional Indemnity, Tim is responsible for all underwriting aspects of the PI book, bringing strategic oversight and deep technical expertise to the role.

With 34 years of industry experience, Tim has spent the past 23 years specialising in professional indemnity underwriting. His background includes extensive experience in assessing complex risks and developing tailored insurance solutions for a wide range of professional clients.

Tim holds a BSc in Surveying, a Diploma in Environmental Economics, and is a Certified Insurance Practitioner (CIP). His academic and professional qualifications support his analytical approach and commitment to excellence in underwriting.

Outside of work, Tim enjoys kayaking, hiking, and cycling—activities that reflect his energetic and adventurous spirit.

Helen Furlong has been with DUAL since 2020 and plays a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth and broker engagement strategy. As Business Development Executive, Helen is responsible for developing and executing initiatives that support DUAL’s business targets in line with its strategic plan, underwriting binder limits, and profitability goals.

Her day-to-day work involves building strong relationships with both new and existing brokers, identifying opportunities for collaboration, and ensuring mutual success. Helen works closely with the marketing team to design and deliver impactful campaigns for DUAL and its broker partners. She also provides CPD-accredited product training and maintains regular communication with brokers to follow up on new business, outstanding information, and payments.

Helen is CIP qualified and currently working towards her ACII designation. She brings 17 years of industry experience, including over 12 years in roles at Patrona Underwriting Ltd., Wexford Insurance Brokers, and Quinn Direct Insurance. Her career has spanned positions such as Regional Claims Manager, Personal Lines Manager, Team Leader, and Private Product Lead, with a strong focus on training and business development.

Outside of work, Helen enjoys seaside strolls, trips to the theatre, and relaxing with a good meal and a glass of wine.

Michael Prendeville has been with DUAL for two years, overseeing the financial operations of the company across both domestic and European business written through the UK Branch. As a Qualified Accountant (ACMA), Michael brings over 25 years of industry experience and a deep understanding of financial strategy.

Before joining DUAL, Michael spent 15 years at Zurich Insurance, followed by 5 years with Aviva, where he held key roles that shaped his expertise in financial management within the insurance sector. His extensive background enables him to navigate complex financial landscapes and contribute to the company’s continued growth and stability.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys travelling and exploring new places.

Amanda joined DUAL Ireland in September 2024 and leads all marketing and communications efforts across the region. Her role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities including planning and executing client events, managing tradeshows, overseeing social media and email marketing campaigns, and writing articles. Amanda plays a key role in shaping DUAL Ireland’s brand presence and engagement strategy.

Amanda has a B.Sc. in Event Management and a Post-graduate diploma in Digital Marketing.

With over nine years of experience in marketing, Amanda began her career in the travel and tourism industry, focusing on high-net-worth and incentive travel. Three years ago, she transitioned into the financial and insurance sector, bringing her creative and strategic expertise to a new audience.

Outside of work, Amanda enjoys spending time outdoors walking her dog Louie, hiking, practicing Pilates, going to the gym, and baking.

Shane Barry, Senior Cyber and Technology PI Underwriter, brings over two decades of extensive insurance experience. He began his career as a PI underwriter with The St. Paul before spending over 13 years with Chubb Ireland in diverse Financial Lines underwriting and management roles. In 2017, Shane joined Hiscox Ireland, where he played a pivotal role in the Technical Underwriting Team from 2019 to 2022. There, he was responsible for product strategy, the design and development of underwriting controls, and the refinement of policy wordings, focusing on Technology PI, Media PI, and Cyber products. More recently, Shane served as Senior Underwriter and Director at Spring Insure Europe Ltd, a Financial Lines MGA, where he oversaw governance and strategic initiatives. Shane joined DUAL in March 2024, leveraging his expertise to lead innovation in Cyber and Technology PI underwriting. Shane is CompTIA Security+ certified.

James Cullen is a High-Net-Worth underwriter for DUAL Underwriting Ireland DAC, who joined the company in July 2022. James has over 6 years’ experience in the industry. Having started his career as an insurance administrator, he progressed by running various personal lines teams and he lead the introduction of numerous insurance products to the market. James has also expanded his experience outside of Insurance, gaining communications and marketing experience in one of Ireland’s top universities.

In his spare time, James is an avid runner. He enjoys the arts and culture of Dublin, with an appreciation of live music.

E: [email protected]
T: 016640001

Stephen Corcoran joined DUAL on July 1st, 2020, celebrating 5 years with DUAL this year. As a Senior High Net Worth (HNW) Home & Motor Insurance Underwriter, Stephen plays a key role in delivering tailored insurance solutions with precision and care.

With over 13 years of experience in the insurance industry, Stephen brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role. Prior to joining DUAL, he held the position of Personal Lines Manager and also has a strong background in accounts, finance, and credit control, having spent 9 years in that field. His qualifications include a full Certificate in Insurance Practice (CIP) from the Insurance Institute of Ireland, with a specialization in the Practice of General Insurance Broking.

Stephen’s career journey began in 2000 with studies in bookkeeping, credit control, and payroll, leading to a decade in financial roles. He also volunteered with the Irish Institute of Sport up until December 2011, supporting coaches and athletes in the lead-up to the 2012 Olympics—an experience he describes as amazing. His transition into the insurance world began in January 2012 and has been marked by continuous growth and dedication ever since.

Outside of work, Stephen enjoys staying active at the gym and cherishes time spent with his wife and their beautiful 7-year-old daughter.

Michael Moran joined DUAL 18 months ago and currently serves as a Commercial Underwriter specializing in Title Insurance. In his day-to-day role, Michael applies his legal expertise to assess and underwrite complex title risks across a range of property transactions.

A qualified lawyer, Michael brings over four years of experience in property law, having previously provided legal advice on residential and commercial real estate transactions, including the financing of such deals. His transition into underwriting has been marked by a strong understanding of legal frameworks and a keen eye for detail.

Michael’s background in law enhances his ability to navigate the intricacies of title insurance, making him a valuable asset to the team. His blend of legal and underwriting experience ensures a thorough and informed approach to risk assessment.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys staying active at the gym, playing football, and following Connacht Rugby.

Joanne O'Sullivan has been a valued member of the DUAL team since January 2018. Starting with 10 hours per week and now working 18 hours weekly, Joanne plays a key role in managing household renewals. Her day-to-day responsibilities focus on reviewing and issuing renewals, ensuring accuracy and efficiency across the board.

Joanne holds a BA in French and Spanish from University College Cork (1994) and a Master of Business Studies from the Smurfit School of Business at University College Dublin (1999). While currently pursuing an MSc in Clinical Nutrition, her professional focus remains on delivering excellent service within the insurance sector.

Before joining DUAL, Joanne took a 12-year career break to raise her four children, now aged between 16 and 23. During that time, she ran a successful cottage business from home, baking bread to order and providing outside catering. Earlier in her career, she worked as Member Services Manager at Monster.ie during the dot-com boom of the early 2000s.

Outside of work, Joanne is passionate about nutrition, food, and cooking. Living by the sea, she enjoys daily walks on the beach—rain, hail, or shine—and dedicates much of her spare time to her family and studies.

Kerri joined DUAL Ireland in 2023 having previously worked with some of the biggest brokers and insurers in the country. Since joining DUAL, Kerri has brought her professionalism and expertise to the team as well as fostering great relationships with all our partners. A big sea-swimming enthusiast; Kerri spends her weekends running and swimming, as well walking one of her five dogs (hoping to add another one soon).

E: [email protected]
T : 01664006

Barry Walsh joined DUAL in April 2024 and plays a key role in growing the company’s new business book as a High Net Worth Motor & Household Underwriter. With a strong focus on delivering tailored insurance solutions, Barry brings both energy and expertise to his underwriting role.

He is CIP qualified, having earned his Certificate in Insurance Practice three years ago, and has seven years of experience in the insurance industry. Prior to joining DUAL, Barry worked with two nationally recognised brokers—First Ireland and Marsh McLennan—where he developed a solid foundation in client service and risk assessment.

Outside of work, Barry is a keen amateur cook and barista, always experimenting in the kitchen. He enjoys spending time with his two dogs, Freddie and Daisy, and is a loyal supporter of Queen’s Park Rangers.

Ciaran joined DUAL Ireland in 2023, and is an experienced commercial and personal lines Underwriter. Ciaran has worked in insurance for a number of years and alongside his career in underwriting has also worked with some of the biggest brokers in Ireland, bringing technical expertise and great industry relationships to the team. A environmental and charity enthusiast, Ciaran is a big promoter of ESG and has organised many charity events for the company.

In his spare time he likes to travel and socialise with family and friends.

E: [email protected]
T: 01 664 007

Rachel Arthur joined Howden in November 2023, transitioning to DUAL in October 2024. In her role, Rachel works on the Professional Indemnity team and is responsible for issuing renewal quotes, generating policy documents, and handling broker queries with efficiency and attention to detail.

She holds a B.Sc in Pharmaceuticals, is CIP qualified, and has earned a Certificate in Climate Risk from the Insurance Institute of Ireland—demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning and adapting to emerging industry trends.

Rachel began her insurance career in 2019 at Quote Devil, focusing on private car insurance new business and renewals. She then moved to Willis Towers Watson, where she spent nearly two years underwriting private motor and light commercial vehicle policies. Following that, she worked at ARAG Legal Protection Ltd. for two years, underwriting legal protection policies for both private and commercial clients. Her diverse experience across underwriting and broker engagement has equipped her with a strong foundation in client service and technical expertise.

Outside of work, Rachel enjoys running—having just completed her first marathon—and walking her two dogs. Her active lifestyle reflects the same energy and dedication she brings to her professional role.