My Job: Protecting and growing investors' money — in Cork and beyond
Name: Kevin Canning
Occupation: Managing director, Quintas Capital
Background: Cork-based investment firm specialising in private market opportunities for private and institutional investors. It specialises in providing bespoke private market investment opportunities tailored for private investors, family offices, and institutional investors.
Remembering the most useful piece of financial counsel he ever received, Kevin Canning's response is succinct: 'The best personal financial advice I've received is simple but powerful: 'Always protect your capital.' Or, as one client once said: 'Don't lose my money.'
Chasing outsized returns at the cost of potential capital loss rarely ends well,' he adds. 'Preservation of capital should always come first.' As to what general commercial counsel he lives by, Kevin says: 'From a business perspective, the best advice has been: 'Control your operating expenses'.
"Revenue rarely arrives exactly when you expect it, but operating expenses always have to be paid. So ensure you leave a large buffer.'
At a time when markets are roiling from the combined uncertainty around tariffs and ever-increasing global conflict, he says investor sentiment remains cautious, as it always should be.
'Making an investment, and staying the course, requires discipline and a long-term view, especially in volatile times. Public markets can be particularly challenging due to daily pricing and the emotional toll of sharp drawdowns triggered by events like policy shifts or trade tensions.'
In contrast, he says private markets are less reactive and therefore easier for many investors to navigate emotionally.
'This stability is one of their key advantages, amongst many others.'
As a private market investment firm — one of the few in Ireland and only in Cork — Quintas Capital offers a number of advantages compared to public markets, including potential for higher returns; lower short-term volatility, a longer-term investment horizon and significant tax planning benefits.
The firm focuses on two- to five-year investments across the Employment and Incentive Investment Scheme (EIIS), private equity and private credit, with a strong emphasis on tax-efficient strategies.
"Private investing is deeply local in nature. A strong understanding of local markets and communities is essential, which is why it's important we foster more homegrown Irish private market firms, rather than depending heavily on international capital."
Quintas Capital sees Cork as a very attractive market for investment, especially with the ambitious development plans set for the next two decades.
The Marina development, for example, has great potential. Through our EIIS fund, we're currently investing in several social infrastructure projects including state-of-the-art creches opening in Midleton and Douglas this summer, and a new sports facility in the Marina due to launch later this year.
While Cork is a major focus, the firm's investment strategy also extends across Ireland, the UK, and the UAE. 'That said, we're especially proud to be championing Cork as a thriving hub for private investment outside of Dublin.'
As to whether private companies have an advantage in adapting more effectively than their public peers, he says rather than comparing the abilities of individual companies, the more important investment discussion is around the contrast between active management in public versus private markets.
'In public markets, traditional active management is fading. Most investors now favour lower-cost Exchange Traded Fund's and no longer rely on expensive stockbrokers.
"But in private markets, a trusted investment manager is essential. It's incredibly difficult to navigate private investments alone unless you have a full family office infrastructure. Today's top-tier wealth managers offer far more than just stock-picking, they provide integrated advice across tax planning, estate structuring, budgeting, and crucially, access to high-quality private market opportunities. That's where firms like Quintas Capital come in.'
Legendary investor Warren Buffett once advised potential stock market speculators: 'Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.'
Kevin Canning adds investing is as much about temperament as it is about technical knowledge.
'Emotional discipline is critical, especially in public markets, where constant news flow and pricing updates can lead to reactive decisions.'
"In private markets, where investments are typically longer-term and less volatile day-to-day, there is more space for rational decision-making.
But in either case, successful investing requires patience, a long-term view, and the ability to stay calm when markets are anything but.
The Employment Investment Incentive Scheme is the bedrock of what they do at Quintas Capital, he explains.
'We currently invest over €10m annually through EIIS, and that figure is rising steadily. What makes our approach different is that we focus on social infrastructure — projects like solar energy, childcare centres, sports facilities, and hotels. These not only offer compelling returns and 50% tax relief upfront for investors, but they also provide real community impact. In the main, I believe anyone earning over €100,000 annually should be exploring EIIS.
"Yet current participation rates are far too low — just €50m to 60m is invested in the scheme each year. That number should be closer to €100m, and we really believe we can make that happen.'
The fact significant amounts of money remain in bank deposit accounts earning next to nothing is a complex topic best looked at through the prism of banking fundamentals.
'Banks operate by taking depositors' money and lending it out to borrowers, with their profit in the margin between what they pay depositors and what they earn from loans. However, depositors are indirectly exposed to the risk profile of the bank's lending decisions and in the event of a failure, any deposits over €100,000 may not be protected.'
A growing alternative, both in Ireland and globally, is private credit.
'This essentially bypasses the bank, allowing investors to lend directly to borrowers such as real estate developers or SMEs. Investors can potentially earn returns in the region of 8%-15% per annum, without exposure to the banking system. At Quintas Capital, this area is growing rapidly. We originate capital for these deals from high-net-worth individuals and family offices — some of whom operate private credit as a core part of their business model.'
Despite the ongoing global geo-political turbulence, Kevin remains very optimistic about Ireland's economic outlook overall, and particularly for Cork.
'While there are valid concerns about our reliance on US multinationals, global supply chains can't shift overnight, and Ireland remains a strategic location. Our sovereign wealth fund, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, continues to grow and play a vital role in long-term national development.'
It is essential investment continues in critical infrastructure projects like the Cork Docklands regeneration and the proposed Cork Luas. 'Supporting homegrown investment firms is also crucial — no one cares more about Ireland's long-term success than Irish-owned businesses rooted in the local economy.'
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