Bridget O'Brien Chartered Director, FCCA

Advisor to start-ups and SME's on finance set-up, growth strategies, liquidity events, capital fundraising and integration. Services provided on a fractional, project or consultancy basis and include full support on all finance related activities from initial start-up to full execution of goals/vision. Service offering included on website https://www.emeraldfinancial.ie • Assists, advises & executes on finance & tax process set-up/improvements and compliance including financial reporting, management reporting, FP&A, ERM, treasury and working capital management. • Advises and collaborates with companies on development of long term growth strategy options and final plan determination including development of business plan, identification of deliverables and determination of KPI’s, key risks and mitigation plans. This may also include restructuring/cost control options. Works closely with leadership to ensure growth and commercial strategies are successfully executed upon. • Advises, collaborates and executes company liquidity event goals, assisting in developing a plan, identifying and marketing value drivers, and full management of the financial and taxation due diligence process ensuring a successful and timely exit. • Advises and executes on company fund raising goals including short term, medium term and long term funding either through debt or equity raise.

Joined a leading investment group as a Non-Executive Board member, providing guidance, direction and financing to companies with new, innovative and cutting edge solutions. Also joined a company in April 2025 as a Non-Executive Board Member proving guidance on strategy, fundraising and compliance. • Collaborates with investor groups and start-ups to bring innovative devices and treatments to patients, physicians and the wider community. Programs include early stage research and development and later stage programs. • Acts as an advisor on purpose and strategy, review of business case including review of target market and size, competitive landscape, regulatory pathway, IP strategy, geographic expansion plan, leadership team, valuation and return on investment, and financial planning.

Joined a leading Automation company, servicing the Life Sciences sector. Assisted in a liquidity event to a U.S. private equity firm, and the consolidation of four global companies, with a focus on rapid growth and expansion across multiple jurisdictions. • Partnering with executive team on global corporate vision, strategic planning, value creation, short term and medium term investment decisions. • Leading the development and consolidation of a group financial plan, including sales and operational execution /performance and determining KPI's, risk management assessment and mitigation plans, planning and forecasting, treasury management and other initiatives to include business growth initiatives, cost savings program and pricing strategies. • Responsible for all Financial and Corporate Governance Board and external reporting obligations, including stakeholders, investors and lenders. • Leading the group on corporate governance, legal obligations, compliance, regulatory bodies, insurance across all jurisdictions. • A board member in 7 companies with responsibility for financial oversight, vision and strategy review and approval and corporate governance compliance.

Following a merger, held an executive and leadership position to fulfil a broad role in a biopharmaceutical company, contributing to rapid growth from $0.2bn to over $2.4bn net revenues with 3,000 staff selling in 21 countries direct and 58 countries via partners. Held a board member position in 9 companies with responsibility for setting corporate & business strategy, review and approval of corporate development activity, capital raises, governance compliance in addition to having the role of financial expert. Worked closely with the PLC Board of Directors, Audit Committee and Nominations & Corporate Governance Committee. • Partnered with global leads, added value by supporting management teams on corporate vision and strategy, risk management, product portfolio management, forecasting, launch sequencing, market access, pricing & reimbursement and infrastructure investment. • Assisted with M&A activity (3 acquisitions in Oncology and Neuroscience) from due diligence to deal close and integration into Jazz; successfully securing 2 financings to achieve acquisition of a US$1bn (64 staff) company in 2014 and a US$1.5bn (25 staff) company in 2016. Worked post-acquisition on execution of value drivers. • Successfully led business strategy development including a US$59M construction project to build a manufacturing plant in Ireland. • Responsible for financial/management reporting systems and the quarterly consolidation of Group accounts (up to 2013), in accordance with US GAAP (SEC, 10K & 10Q filings) against a rigorous deadline, and implementation of internal controls. Led the completion of merger filings. • Led the setup of group financial operations in Ireland including financial reporting, treasury, taxation, forecasting and strategy. • Effectively managed complex extraction from various territories, and divesture of non-core products, transferring activities out of the business and negotiating temporary infrastructures whilst ensuring business continuity.

Built a finance function of 10, implementing systems and procedures for financial reporting, tax, insurance, legal/compliance (US GAAP/SEC) and risk to underpin rapid organic/acquisition growth from a ‘start-up’ company to US$100m Group with 5 companies. Assisted the CFO in a US$0.5b merger of the company. • Led financial reporting, management reporting, preparation of board reports, budget reporting/forecasting, insurances, legal/compliance issues and all taxation submissions including corporate taxes for the US (federal & State) and local taxes (corporate tax, VAT and employment related taxes). • Played a key role in shaping/implementing the business development strategy and end to end M&A from purchase asset analysis/valuation and re-modelling (Pain, Neuroscience and Women's Health) to integration into the Azur business, leading to 5 strategic acquisitions. • Worked closely on R&D and Life-cycle Management (LCM) programs from a financial perspective for a portfolio which grew to 10 products (commercialized). • Pre/post-acquisition by Jazz Pharmaceuticals effectively handled the conclusion of Azur Pharma PLC year end 2011 10-K, SEC and merger filings – including quarterly data for a 2-year period under US GAAP.

Assisted the CFO in the development of the long term financial plan for the Group, including successful financings.

Joined a leading global healthcare supplier with 48 global companies and US$20bn turnover at peak, and reported to the Vice President Corporate Finance. • Led SEC reporting (US & Irish GAAP), budgeting, financial reviews and consolidation of 17 Companies across Europe & and the diagnostics business within the USA • Worked closely with the Corporate Development team to execute a 2002 Corporate Recovery Plan, divesting 17 European companies and a US diagnostics business (including prospectuses, detailed investor reports, provision and review of financial data) resulting in cash generation of US$840m.

Led a team of 10 as well as several specialists delivering complex audit, assurance and business advisory services to Irish and international clients across multiple sectors including banking, manufacturing, services and construction.

Working with SMEs, gained invaluable ‘hands-on’ grounding in accounting & taxation