Wayne Gibbons
Vice President CFO of Western Europe and Ireland Country Lead, MetLife
AN INTERVIEW
The New Old Kid on the Block of Irish Employee Benefits
MetLife is one of the world’s financial services leaders, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to over 100 million* customers across 40 markets* globally. With over 150 years of expertise and innovation, MetLife’s purpose – Always with you, building a more confident future – drives their strategy and reflects the fundamental promise to their customers, colleagues, shareholders and communities.
Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, MetLife celebrates 20 years in Ireland this year and employs almost 200 employees across its European head office in Dublin and campus in Galway. MetLife Ireland launched a Group Life solution into the Irish employee benefits market last month. The first new market launch in Europe by MetLife in over a decade. There has been a very warm market response to MetLife’s entry, offering greater choice for brokers and employers.
To explore this further, we spoke with Wayne Gibbons from MetLife. Wayne is a UCD graduate and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) with over 25 years’ experience in global financial leadership. He hails from Dublin and now lives in Meath with his wife and family. Wayne has been with MetLife for a decade and is the Vice President CFO of Western Europe and Ireland Country Lead.
This is the first European market entry for MetLife in over a decade, why Ireland and why now?
It was a natural choice for us to leverage our well-established Irish team, our global expertise, and innovative solutions to bring our products to market here.
Irish employers offer compelling employee benefits to attract and retain key talent, as well as nurture employee wellbeing. The demand for straightforward, reliable cover is increasing here. This created an opportunity for MetLife to enter the market to deliver more choice and innovative solutions for Irish businesses. I am proud to lead the first new market entry for MetLife Europe in over a decade. The fact it is Ireland just makes this extra special.
What products will MetLife be offering to Irish businesses in 2026?
Insurance is a business of keeping promises and delivering on those promises when our customers need us most. We are starting with Group Life cover. This provides financial support for employees’ families when it matters most, alongside meaningful value-added services e.g., bereavement counselling, wellbeing support and unlimited virtual GP access. Our focus is on making life protection easier for employers and more supportive for employees. Our Master Trust reduces administrative pressure on employers. Over time we plan to broaden our employee benefits offering in Ireland, but Group Life is the first step.
What is your vision for MetLife in Ireland as a new service provider?
I am excited to watch MetLife shift the paradigm on customer service in the Irish market. Our focus in 2026 is on delivering a great service and building strong relationships with brokers and employers. We want MetLife to be recognised as a trusted new brand in the market and that brokers are fully aware of what sets us apart. We want Irish employers to benefit from our Group Life, and Irish employees having access to meaningful protection and bereavement support.
After five years, we see MetLife as being firmly established in Ireland and the partner of choice for Irish business and employees; built on proven innovation and claims excellence that will support businesses and their people.
For more information on MetLife Ireland visit their website www.metlife.ie. Contact the MetLife Ireland team at ebnewbusinessireland@metlife.com
MetLife Europe d.a.c. is a private company limited by shares, registered in Ireland under company number 415123. Registered office at 20 on Hatch, Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. Products and services are offered by MetLife Europe d.a.c. which is an affiliate of MetLife, Inc. and operates under the “MetLife” brand. MetLife Europe d.a.c., (trading as MetLife) is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.* 2024 Annual Report