INTERNATIONAL
Why We Swapped Manila for Cork: A Story of Career and Family by Jay Puntay, VP and Head of Order to Cash IT at Deutsche Börse Group The journey from Manila to Cork isn’t the most obvious one, but my family and I were seeking a much-desired fresh start. We embraced the opportunity presented by Deutsche Börse Group, packed our lives, and made the leap across continents. Looking back, it was a move that has rewarded us from the very beginning. I am the VP and Head of Order to Cash IT at Deutsche Börse Group, a global leader in financial market infrastructure. Though I joined just over a year ago, it feels like I’ve been part of the team for much longer, in the best way possible. The cultural fit was instant. I lead a dynamic team of more than ten professionals and my favorite thing about my role is the tangible impact we have. We are leveraging AI to reshape billing across the organisation and it’s thrilling that this innovation is being driven from Cork. We chose Cork because it offers the perfect balance. The city has attracted major international players in the financial services and fintech sectors, creating substantive roles where you can genuinely lead and grow. For this reason, Cork is a fantastic place for financial services. It provides global ambition on a human scale, meaning a world-class career and an exceptional quality of life aren’t a trade-off, you truly get both. My advice to anyone thinking of growing their career in Cork is simple: do it. The city offers a rare combination of professional opportunity and personal well-being. Here, work-life balance is a reality. My commute doesn’t dominate
my day, which gives me my evenings back and makes weekends feel like weekends again. This balance has made me a sharper, more present leader. In my spare time, I’ve completely fallen for Cork’s outdoor lifestyle. I love cycling and getting out into nature, whether walking the beautiful grounds of Blarney Castle or strolling along the Marina. Coming from the Philippines, I thought I knew what rain was, but Cork has kindly shown me I had no idea. A local recently told me you can tell it’s summer in Ireland because the rain gets warmer and I’m starting to believe them! Honestly, I’ve embraced it, waterproof jacket and all.
has gifted our family a pace of life and a genuine work-life balance that was out of reach in the hustle of Manila. We came here seeking a new beginning and, together, we found our home. We are excited for all the adventures this new chapter holds.
Ultimately, we’ve learned that home is about being together, making the most of every moment, rain or shine. Cork
9