Founder & Principle
John Walsh
I am a corporate investigations, security and risk specialist with more than three decades of experience leading complex investigations, fraud prevention programmes and enterprise security functions across regulated industries. I founded Confidere to bring that experience directly to boards and senior leaders who need a trusted, independent hand on sensitive matters/investigations, fraud, governance, and the kind of risks that don’t fit neatly into a job description.
Our phoenix emblem represents clarity, strength, and trusted leadership rising above complexity to deliver clear, defensible outcomes for boards and leadership teams.
Recently
Most recently, I served as Head of Investigations at eir, Ireland’s largest telecommunications provider, where I built and led the investigations function from 2018 to 2025. I designed and implemented the company’s fraud prevention strategy, established its investigation policy framework, chaired its security risk committee, and acted as internal auditor for ISO 20000 and ISO 27001. I reported on whistleblower (Speak-up) cases directly to the CEO and Board, and worked and maintained close working relationships with An Garda Síochána and other external agencies on criminal and regulatory issues.
Early Career
Before eir, I held senior leadership roles across the security industry. As Operations Director at Global Risk Solutions, I managed high-threat projects and advised blue-chip clients. As Senior Security Manager EMEA at Mylan Pharmaceutical I established a 24/7 regional Security Operations Centre and led security for facilities handling controlled substances. As Operations Manager at G4S Secure Solutions I ran a contract book in excess of €10m for clients including Citibank, State Street, Ulster Bank, Amazon, and Dublin City Council.
My Foundations
The foundation of my career was built over 22 years in the Irish Defence Forces Military Police Corps, retiring at the rank of Sergeant as a Criminal Investigator and Commander of the Military Police Unit at the Irish Air Corps. I completed three United Nations tours of duty - two with UNIFIL in Lebanon and one with UNIIMOG on the Iran-Iraq border - and led security for visiting heads of state and senior government officials.
Qualifications
MSc in Security and Risk Management, University of Leicester · Diploma in Risk Management, Internal Audit & Compliance, Chartered Accountants Ireland · ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Lead Auditor · Professional Investigation Management (Certified to ISO/IEC 17024) · Diploma in High Tech Crime, Dorset College · Diplomas in Terrorism & Counter Measures and Asset Risk Management, Security Institute of Ireland.
Professional Memberships
Member of the Board of Academic Governors, Security Institute of Ireland · Former Chairman, ASIS International Ireland Chapter 216 · Member, Association of Corporate Investigators · Member, ISACA Ireland · National Executive Committee, Military Police Association of Ireland.
How I Help Clients
Through Confidere, I advise organisations on internal and external investigations, fraud prevention and loss prevention strategy, ISO-aligned security and information management, whistleblower handling, and high-stakes incident response. My approach is grounded in evidence, regulatory awareness, and the judgement that only comes from decades of doing the work.