Led by Eugene O’Neill, Michael Heinicke and Colm Cavanagh, INSPIRED is the only NI practice solely specialising in Tax.
INSPIRED has grown rapidly and now provide a range of tax services including tax advisory, tax compliance and tax incentives. Our Partners are Chartered Accountants and Chartered Tax Advisors and between them have over a century of experience working in Big 4 tax teams. INSPIRED’s aim is to provide Big 4 firm quality advice but with a more personal touch and enhanced attentiveness to our clients.
Client relationships are at the core of our approach. By spending time with our clients we’re able to develop a deeper understanding of their businesses and provide them with pro-active tax advice in real-time. We don’t see tax as a seasonal relationship based on tax return deadlines, but are in contact with our clients all year round. And as we don’t charge by the hour, our clients are never afraid to pick up the phone.
Our Team.
Eugene O’Neill FCA CTA
Eugene is one of the founding partners of INSPIRED. He began his Corporation Tax career in a Big 4 firm in 2008 where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Tax Adviser.
Prior to co-founding INSPIRED, he led tax teams within two multi-national practices. Eugene places paramount importance on developing in-depth knowledge of his client’s businesses and the long-term plans of business owners, this allows Eugene to advise on the best corporate structure to achieve his client’s goals.
Eugene is a highly experienced Capital Allowances and R&D tax specialist and enjoys working with innovative companies who are pushing their respective industries to new heights.
“You don’t need an agenda to meet your client’s and they shouldn’t be charged to meet for a coffee.”
Michael Heinicke FCA CTA
At INSPIRED, Michael is the Partner with responsibility for tax technical knowledge and innovation. With over 20 years of experience in business taxation, Michael is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales and a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation. He also holds a Certificate in Customs & Trade from Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Prior to joining INSPIRED in 2022, Michael spent 18 years in PwC across Manchester and Belfast and was most recently a Tax Director leading the Innovation & Capital Incentives practice within Northern Ireland. Michael also previously led PwC’s Corporate Tax business in Northern Ireland between 2015 and 2018.
Colm Cavavagh ACA
With a strong presence in both industry and sporting circles, Colm has cultivated an extensive network of clients and contacts, demonstrating his expertise in relationship management. His adept skills in maintaining and expanding these connections underscore his commitment to building strong business relationships.
Recognised as a trusted adviser by both clients and peers alike, Colm is a Chartered Accountant with a wealth of experience in practice and industry settings. Colm specialises in Business Development working closely with each client to ensure that all their Tax needs are met.
Dominic Little FCA CTA
Dominic is a well-known tax expert, boasting an impressive career that spans over 30 years of experience in the industry. With INSPIRED continuing to win major projects from large corporates across the UK, Dominic’s extensive expertise makes him the perfect fit to join the INSPIRED team.
Prior to joining INSPIRED Dominic spent 19 years in EY London before joining PwC in Belfast in 2005.
Paul Gormley
Paul is not the standard recruitee for a financial services provider, but his input to the Company is perhaps, the best example of how INSPIRED deliver top quality service to their clients.
Previously a Senior Quantity Surveyor for McAleer & Rushe, Paul’s knowledge of the Construction Industry, including his ability to identify and validate new technologies and innovative practices, sets him apart from technical specialists in our field.
The value of Paul’s presence and input can be seen instantly during our meetings with Construction clients; their level of trust is clear as he has comprehensive understanding of their activities. Paul has input into not only our R&D claims but Capital Allowances, especially in cases where information is limited and re-calculation of capital works may be required.
Cathal McGaughey ATT, CTA
Paddy Pringle ATT, CTA
Paddy has not taken the traditional career path on his way to becoming an experienced and trusted tax advisor.
During his multi-faceted career to date, he has trained in both law and construction before taking up a training opportunity at a multi-national accountancy firm, where it became clear his construction knowledge provided great insight and value in helping construction clients with R&D and Capital Allowances claims.
Paddy also has extensive knowledge of the Capital Allowances regimes in both UK and Ireland this has included the preparation of historical and direct expenditure claims for properties ranging from standard warehouse units, high-end boutique hotels, coldstores and mixed use retail units.
James Gillan, ATT, CTA
Previously specialising in corporate tax with a global accounting practice, James has worked with companies across various sectors of U.K/NI economy including construction, haulage and hospitality, gaining experience with technical tax matters each sector faces.
James has obtained his ATT and CTA qualifications, winning the ATT presidents Medal in the May 2018 exam sitting.
Ben McDonnell, ACA
Having joined INSPIRED in October 2020 after 2 years working in a local Accountancy practice, Ben went on to successfully finish his exams with Chartered Accountants Ireland in the summer of 2022.
With several years’ experience in the construction industry combined with a specialism in tax, Ben is well-equipped to support businesses within the Construction and Engineering industries alike to maximise their tax reliefs and incentives.
Kate Mulligan
Kate is Practice Manager with nine years experience working in the industry. In collaboration with staff, Kate oversees day-to-day operations within the business, developing operational strategies and functions.
Her duties include responding and networking with clients, ensuring employee growth and satisfaction, supporting the Director team in driving change, operational efficiencies and digital transformation.
Denise Carty
Denise is a highly motivated marketing professional with a First Class BA Hons Degree in Business Studies and Marketing. With an array of international experience in internal and external marketing, Denise is central to the company’s brand management; overseeing all marketing activities, website maintenance, and managing social channels.
Leon Faulkner ATT
Leon has supported a number of our clients in securing investment and financing. He has extensive experience in the development of business plans, financial projections, funding applications and economic appraisals.
Leon has worked closely with hundreds of businesses to secure funding required to grow their business and is frequently on-site with clients in an effort to understand their current business models and future plans. He understands how to both obtain and communicate the key details that investors, buyers and funders are seeking.
Leon’s skills in securing funding are helped by the experience he has in managing grant and funding programmes, and furthermore playing a role in the policy development of future funding programmes.
Gareth Millar ATT, CTA
Gareth previously studied Law at Newcastle University and obtained an MSc in Business Management before taking up a training opportunity at a multi-national accountancy firm. During his time there he worked in a split role within the Corporate Tax Compliance and Tax Incentives team. This experience has equipped him with the knowledge to deliver high-value R&D claims for our clients.
Gareth is a member of the Association of Taxation Technicians and is currently working to attain his Chartered Tax Adviser status.
Aoife McMurray ACA
Having recently become a Chartered Accountant with a specialism in Tax, Aoife has joined the INSPIRED team as a Senior Tax Advisor.
With her degree in Accountancy which she completed at Ulster University, Aoife has previous experience across many sectors.
Fergal O’Kane
Fergal graduated with First Class BSc Hons in Business Studies, specialising in Accountancy, and is now pursuing his Chartered Tax Consultant certification with INSPIRED.
Benjamin McStravick
Benjamin graduated from Ulster University with a First Class BSc Hons in Law in Accountancy from Ulster University, and has recently joined the INSPIRED team as a Tax Associate.
He is highly motivated to continue his education and has set a goal of becoming a Chartered Tax Advisor by starting with the CTA exams.
Deirdre Davey
Deirdre joins INSPIRED in the role of Administrative Assistant, bringing a wealth of administrative expertise to enhance service delivery for both our team and clients.
She is organised and detail-oriented with previous administration experience in Accounting & HR roles.
Thomas Steenson
Thomas joined the INSPIRED team as an intern while completing his Master’s in International Accounting with Data Analytics at Ulster University.
Thomas will continue his professional journey in the field of Tax and looks forward to completing his Chartered Accounting exams.
Sylvia Gallagher
Sylvia graduated from Ulster University in 2022 with a First Class BSc Hons in Accounting with Taxation and has recently joined the INSPIRED team as a Tax Associate.
Sylvia is now working towards becoming a Chartered Accountant with Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Matty Eaton
Matthew graduated from Ulster University with an Undergraduate degree in Business with Accounting followed by a Masters in International Accounting and Data Analytics.
Matthew will now complete his Chartered Accounting and Chartered Tax exams.
Thomas Flaherty
Thomas graduated with a First Class BSc Hons in Economics from Ulster University, recently joined the team as a Tax Associate.
Thomas has published documents on competitive challenges and strategic innovation opportunities which provided valuable insights and experience in the field of research and development (R&D), ultimately enticing him to pursue a career in Tax. He is delighted to be starting his CTA exams on his way to becoming a Chartered Tax Advisor.