Cooney Carey to become part of Azets Ireland

Cooney Carey to become part of Azets Ireland

Azets Ireland is pleased to announce that Cooney Carey will join the business, marking an exciting new chapter for both organisations, their people and their clients.

The deal brings together two of Ireland’s leading business advisory firms, with a shared focus on people and client relationships that are built on trust, responsiveness and a combination of technical excellence and practical advice.

Cooney Carey is an established name that shaped a reputation for helping clients grow and prosper over the past four decades, serving businesses in Dublin, across Ireland and in the UK.

As part of Azets Ireland, Cooney Carey’s clients will continue to receive the same high-quality advice and responsiveness from the same trusted advisors they know and rely on – now with the added benefit of wider access to new services and specialisms.

Cooney Carey is led by Director and Head of Advisory Tony Carey, who will continue his role, working closely with existing clients to facilitate a smooth transition and ensure long-term continuity.

Senior management team Des McCann, Paul Leonard, Gordon Hayden, and Mary Flanagan, along with the wider Cooney Carey management team and 50 employees, will all join Azets Ireland.

Azets Ireland was formed through acquisition in 2023 and has since doubled in size. As part of Azets Group, the firm provides local services that deliver sustained outcomes for entrepreneurial, owner-managed, and family-owned businesses, backed by international strength.

Both Cooney Carey and Azets Ireland share a commitment to building long-lasting relationships through a deep understanding of their clients’ businesses and delivering personalised, people-led services that consistently support evolving needs with peace of mind.

By joining Azets Ireland, Cooney Carey’s employees will benefit from new career opportunities, stability, and alignment with Azets' people-first culture.

Tony Carey, Director and Head of Advisory at Cooney Carey, said:

“We deeply value the relationships we have built with our clients over the years. As we take this step forward, becoming part of Azets Ireland, our commitment to our clients remains unchanged. This new chapter allows us to provide an even broader range of services and specialist expertise while maintaining the same personalised approach.

“For our people, this is an exciting opportunity for employees at all levels. Joining Azets Ireland opens up broader and more diverse career paths and promotion opportunities, while retaining our core values.”

Azets Ireland is led by CEO Neil Hughes, who trained under Tony Carey and built his own firm based on the same values and focus on client relationships and service.

Neil Hughes commented:

“I am thrilled that Tony and the Cooney Carey team will become part of Azets Ireland. It feels like a homecoming for me, having trained under Tony’s leadership and experienced firsthand the firm’s dedication to client service, technical excellence, and creative problem-solving. These values have been central to my own journey and I am excited to bring our teams together.”

Cooney Carey will rebrand as Azets Ireland on completion of the deal. Gerry Beausang, Partner, and Maeve O’Brien, Associate, of Pinsent Masons Ireland LLP, advised Azets Ireland on the transaction.