David
Marsh

Who I help:

Family Businesses. Owner-Managed Companies. Multinationals. Professional Services Firms.  Industrial & Manufacturing. Construction & Real Estate.  

How I help:

M&A support. Strategic advice. Relationship management. Strategic tax planning. Business development.  

“The moment you think you know it all, you’ve stopped learning.”

Senior Partner, David, is based in our Dublin office and works primarily with established and growth-focused businesses. With more than 35 years’ experience, including seven years building his own practice from before merging back with Ormsby & Rhodes, David combines commercial experience, tax expertise, and deep client understanding to support scaling businesses. He is closely involved in strategic transactions, high-level advisory work and supporting AAB’s continued growth. 

Built from the ground up

“I didn’t set out with some grand plan. I trained as an accountant because I loved numbers and I loved working with people. 

The biggest turning point in my career was setting up on my own in 1993. I had two young children, an empty office and no safety net. Over seven years, I built that business and grew it significantly before merging back into the firm as a partner. 

That period taught me how businesses are really built, how to win work, manage cashflow, deal with pressure and balance family with responsibility. When clients talk about risk or growth, I understand it because I’ve lived it.” 

The doctor on call

“I manage a large portfolio of clients, mainly dealing with high-level tax planning, business sales and strategic decisions. I’m often brought in when something complex needs to be worked through carefully, that’s where the nickname ‘the doctor’ came from. 

My approach has always been simple: if a client asks, can you help? The answer is yes. We’ll find a way. 

Sometimes that means guiding someone through selling a business. I’ve had situations where a deal was agreed and the client was about to pull out at the last minute. You have to stay calm, walk them through the implications and help them see the bigger picture. When his wife later told me the deal wouldn’t have happened without that conversation, that meant a lot.” 

Empathy earns trust

“Clients aren’t just numbers on a page. They have families, pressures and personal challenges. I’ve always made an effort to understand that side of things. Having empathy.  

If someone calls, I take the call. If there’s an issue, I respond quickly. Respect comes from consistency over time. 

I’ve supported clients through growth, financial stress, succession planning and even business failure during the property crash. Some of those clients are still with me today. Longevity tells you you’ve done something right.” 

Seeing the opportunity

“One of my strengths is spotting opportunities. I can walk into a room, have a conversation, and quickly see where there might be risk or upside. 

Experience gives you that instinct. Our early-stage partners are technically excellent, but part of my role now is helping them develop that commercial awareness, understanding not just the numbers, but the opportunity behind them. 

Over the next few years, passing that knowledge on and helping them develop their own is important to me.” 

Continuous learning mindset

“I’ve always believed that good leadership begins with a commitment to keep learning. However long you’ve been in the role, there is always more to understand — and even now, no two days are the same for me and that’s what I enjoy.

I still learn something new every day. Staying curious and open to change isn’t optional; it’s how we remain relevant and continue to grow as a business.”

Embracing the next chapter

“If we had stood still, we would have gone backwards. Even a 110-year-old firm can’t rely on history alone. 

Joining AAB represents change, and change is necessary. It opens new opportunities, a new scale and a new direction for the business. 

I was emotional about leaving behind the old name, but this is about moving forward. It’s exciting to be part of something that’s building momentum.”