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Leading with grace and grit: Orla Mitton’s journey from equestrian arena to executive suite
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"In crises or challenging times, I was always part of the response, not on the sidelines. That’s where the real growth happens."
Growing up, Orla Mitton’s weekends often revolved around horse riding – competitive, fast-paced and gender-neutral. In the world of equestrian sports, there are no separate categories for women or men; success is rooted in focus, connection, determination and ability, not gender. That grounding, she reflects as I return to the theme later in our conversation, has quietly shaped her approach to both her career journey and her leadership in the high-stakes world of international finance.
Today, Orla is chief financial officer (CFO) for EMEA and APAC at Cantor Fitzgerald. Her CV is impressive and marked with a series of strategic leaps that have brought her to Goldman Sachs, Barclays and Credit Suisse, before Cantor. Looking back at her early days at Goldman Sachs, she explains competition to get in was fierce, and the environment was demanding. Despite the pressure, her tone is fond as she recalls that period, perhaps, she muses, because of a level of gender equality there. She explains that, yes, she was often in the minority as a woman but, at Goldman, “once you were in, you were in. Everyone was treated the same when you succeeded in getting in”.
While at Goldman and throughout her career, her learning and her career have been shaped by stepping forward into challenges rather than shirking from them. “Getting involved is essential,” she says. “In crises or challenging times, I was always part of the response, not on the sidelines. That’s where the real growth happens,” she counsels. Given the timeline of her career, there have been plenty of industry-shocking crises from which to learn – the collapse of Lehman Brothers (Barclays went on to acquire Lehman Brothers’ North American investment banking and capital markets businesses and its New York headquarters and Orla was with the bank at the time); the seismic fall-out of the 2008 global financial crisis; Brexit; and Covid.
Times of crisis
Her inclination to learn from a crisis has become a hallmark of her leadership alongside her proactive nature and a desire to contribute meaningfully. This has seen her eagerly embrace professional opportunities, often before she felt fully “ready”, always hungry to diversify her experience and confront new challenges. Her move to Cantor Fitzgerald Ireland was guided by this ethos. She was drawn to the firm’s entrepreneurial culture, its deep-rooted expertise in US and global markets, and the opportunity to gain greater exposure to wealth management, an area she was eager to explore and develop further. The dynamic, collaborative environment at Cantor Fitzgerald Ireland provided an ideal platform for learning, growth and contributing meaningfully within a globally connected financial services firm.
She encourages young professionals to adopt this mindset and view their careers in two-year blocks, with periods to learn, contribute, and reflect on their personal and professional development. If growth stalls, she believes it’s important to take proactive steps to reignite it, whether through new responsibilities, moving cross-functionally, skill-building, or mentorship, so they continue evolving within their chosen path.
Orla’s educational background underscores her relentless pursuit of learning. From her undergraduate degree in Business and Economics at Trinity College Dublin to her Master’s in Accounting and later an MSc in Investment Management, Orla’s academic pursuits reflect her curiosity. In industry and academia, she is an advocate of continuous learning, as evidenced by a recent certification in sustainability strategy.
Leadership styles
Today, despite the importance of technical prowess, Orla’s leadership style is as much about authenticity. She believes that the leadership she benefited from and that she now aims to embody comes from sharing information, fostering trust and enabling others to shine – principles she lives by both personally and professionally. “I really never cared who got the credit for things; I didn’t feel the need to get credit for things and it has directed my career… and my leadership, I guess,” she explains. “Funnily enough, I often think the less someone worries about getting credit, the more they seem to get it,” she astutely remarks. Perhaps this is another reminder for any ambitious readers.
Having someone in your corner who recognises your talent and backs your ambitions makes all the difference.
For Orla, having someone’s backing behind the scenes is more important than visible credit. A theme that unites my many interviews with female leaders in male-dominated industries is the importance of having someone in your corner to assist you in seizing opportunities. Orla agrees. “My personality, my style, means I am someone who steps forward, but having that support is very important. Having someone in your corner who recognises your talent and backs your ambitions makes all the difference,” she says.
Her vision for the future at Cantor Fitzgerald involves creating a culture of open trust, where information flows freely and teams are enabled to excel. Her passion for her work is obvious, and she finds particular fulfilment in her role as CFO. She lights up as she explains, “Being close to the figures allows you to understand the story of the business. The role isn’t just about numbers; it’s about interpreting what those numbers reveal about strategy, risk, and opportunity.”
Within Cantor, she emphasises that leadership in her sector isn’t about hierarchy, but about trust and mutual respect. Her goal is to foster an environment where individuals feel valued and empowered to take ownership of their work.
Family time
We discuss navigating the turbulence of financial crises and balancing a demanding career alongside motherhood. “There were 80-hour work weeks. Not now,” she smiles, “but there was.”
“I raised my children in London, which I think was lucky. Given its size, there are flexible childcare options, and I think that made it easier than being in Ireland,” she says, acknowledging that support systems are more limited in Ireland. She agrees that her thoughts reflect an ongoing industry challenge: creating flexible work environments that allow women to thrive at both home and work.
For Orla, one thing that enables her to thrive is her lifelong love of sport and activity. Horse-riding is no longer a regular activity – but we agree it is like riding a bike, so it’s “always there” – but being fit and active is a non-negotiable for her. “When a day starts with being active – and my days do – it’ll be a good day,” she concludes.
Cantor Fitzgerald Ireland is a leading wealth partner dedicated to creating meaningful impact through trusted investment expertise. With a global reach and local insight, their teams based in Dublin, Cork, and Limerick provide tailored wealth management, pensions, corporate finance, and investment solutions to help grow, protect, and manage wealth responsibly. Get in touch with their expert team today – here.
Cantor Fitzgerald Ireland Ltd is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
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