Deloitte Ireland hires Ron Doyle to boost aviation tax

Deloitte Ireland has appointed Ron Doyle as a Partner in its Tax & Legal practice. He joins from PwC, where he was an international tax director.

The appointment adds a specialist in aviation finance, aircraft leasing and financial services tax at a time of heavy deal activity and broader change in domestic and international tax rules.

Doyle brings nearly 20 years of experience advising aircraft lessors, operators, financiers and multinational groups on Irish and cross-border tax matters. His work has covered corporate and financial services tax, mergers and acquisitions, portfolio financings, platform structuring and restructurings.

His arrival highlights the importance of aviation finance to Ireland's professional services market, where tax, legal and advisory firms compete for mandates linked to aircraft leasing and international capital flows. Dublin remains a major centre for aircraft leasing, and advisers in the sector are often involved in complex multi-jurisdictional transactions.

Before joining Deloitte Ireland, Doyle worked at PwC as an international tax director. He has led high-value cross-border transactions and has also taken part in Irish tax policy discussions through industry bodies and domestic consultations.

Outside client work, Doyle is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and an associate of the Irish Tax Institute. That profile is relevant in a market where technical tax interpretation and policy developments can affect financing structures and investment decisions.

Leadership push

The appointment is part of a broader expansion of Deloitte Ireland's partnership ranks and its investment in specialist tax leadership. Large professional services firms continue to hire senior advisers with sector expertise as clients seek help with transactions, restructurings and changing tax frameworks.

Harry Goddard, Chief Executive of Deloitte Ireland, said the hire reflects the firm's direction.

"Ron's appointment is a clear statement of intent. We are investing decisively in market-leading expertise as we continue to scale our firm and deepen our impact with clients. Ron is one of the most respected figures in aviation finance taxation, and his arrival strengthens our ability to advise on the most complex, high-stakes transactions in the market. As we build momentum and accelerate our growth, appointments of this calibre are what are keeping Deloitte one step ahead," said Goddard.

The comments reflect how the largest accounting and consulting networks are positioning their tax practices around specialist areas that combine industry knowledge with cross-border structuring expertise. Aviation finance is one such niche in Ireland, given the concentration of lessors and related financial activity in the market.

Sector focus

Doyle's background suggests Deloitte Ireland is seeking to deepen its coverage of clients involved in aircraft ownership, financing and leasing structures. Tax advice in these areas can span the setup of holding platforms, financing arrangements, acquisitions, disposals and reorganisations, often across several jurisdictions.

Advisers in the segment also track domestic tax changes and international reforms that can alter how asset-heavy businesses organise operations and funding. That has increased demand for specialists who can combine sector knowledge with technical tax expertise.

Doyle said the move was driven by Deloitte Ireland's market position and growth plans.

"Deloitte Ireland is setting the pace in the market. Both in the strength of its Tax & Legal platform and in the ambition of its growth agenda. The firm's global reach, technical depth, and integrated approach create a very compelling proposition for clients navigating complexity at scale. I want to drive that ambition forward and to work with clients at the forefront of aviation finance and international tax," said Doyle.

The hire also illustrates the continued movement of senior tax professionals between the biggest firms as competition for experienced sector specialists remains strong. In Ireland, where international business, financial services and aircraft leasing are closely linked, such appointments can carry significance beyond one practice area.

Doyle has also engaged directly with policymakers and industry figures through representative bodies and consultation processes on Irish tax policy, according to Deloitte Ireland.