Speaker Profile

Ms Sarah Connellan, Partner and COO of EY Ireland

Sarah Connellan is Chief Operating Officer for EY Ireland and Partner in the People Advisory Services group in Dublin. As the Chief Operating Officer for EY, Sarah sits on the Irish Leadership Team and has day-to-day responsibility for running and managing a business of more than 15,000 people. In addition to her role as COO, Sarah advises leading Irish and multinational companies on tax and HR matters relevant to their employees and directors. Seasoned in helping clients with their tax-efficient delivery of remuneration, social security, workforce downsizing and reward strategy, she also advises organisations on tax, financial, regulatory and strategic challenges associated with the mobility of people across the globe. Sarah has spent her entire career in professional services, focusing on helping clients thrive through investing in people. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Trinity College. She is also a Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA) with the Irish Tax Institute.

Mr Gavin Duffy, Global Mobility Partner, Vialto Partners, South Africa

Gavin Duffy is a Tax Partner and national leader of the South African practice of Vialto Partners, based in Johannesburg. Gavin has over 25 years of professional experience in expatriate taxation with PwC and, since May 2022, Vialto Partners. Prior to working in South Africa, Gavin worked for 7 years with PwC in Ireland. In addition to degree and post-graduate business qualifications, Gavin is an overseas Associate of the Irish Tax Institute (CTA) and is a “Master Tax Practitioner” (MTP) with the South African Institute of Taxation (SAIT). Gavin is the lead client relationship partner for many of Vialto Partner’s largest African expatriate tax engagements.

Ms Joanne Haslehurst, Partner, Deloitte Global Employer Services, UK

Mr. Desmond Wong, Council Member, TIHK

Desmond joined PwC Hong Kong in 2007 and is a Partner of PwC Hong Kong’s corporate tax practice, leading Hong Kong corporate tax in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) sector.

In 2012, Desmond was selected for a three-year secondment programme with PwC US, where he worked in the Los Angeles and Atlanta offices. His responsibilities included US tax accounting and international tax projects.

Desmond possesses extensive experience in providing Hong Kong and international tax services to multinational clients across various sectors, including TMT, Industrial/Consumer Products, Private Equity funds, as well as investment sectors. His involvement has spanned tax investigations, corporate restructuring, cross-border tax advisory projects, tax due diligence, tax and debt structuring, tax ruling applications, stamp duty, and IPO projects. He has also served as the regional tax coordinator for numerous PwC clients with a global presence.