Nelmari Finlay is Head of Operations at Kinore Finance & Business Services, where she leads the firm’s operational strategy, people management, and business operations, ensuring the business continues to scale while delivering an exceptional experience for both clients and employees.
With more than 20 years of leadership experience across financial services, insurance, business development, and operations, Nelmari has built her career leading high-performing teams and driving operational excellence across South Africa, Botswana, and Ireland. Before joining Kinore, she held senior executive and director positions responsible for operations, business strategy, organisational growth, and people leadership. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of South Africa and an Executive Management Certification from Stellenbosch Business School.
At Kinore, Nelmari focuses on building the operational foundations that enable sustainable growth. She leads the firm’s people strategy, operational processes, and service delivery, helping ensure that as the business grows, it continues to maintain the high standards of quality, collaboration, and client service it is known for. She is particularly passionate about creating an intentional remote-first culture where employees are supported, developed, and empowered to succeed, believing that investing in people is fundamental to delivering outstanding outcomes for clients.
Nelmari’s leadership philosophy centres on trust, continuous improvement, and creating opportunities for people to reach their full potential. She believes strong businesses are built on strong teams, supported by clear processes, open communication, and a culture where people feel valued. As she puts it: “Delivering a high-quality service to our clients means that we need a high-quality team to support them. Building that trust is vital.”
Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Nelmari immigrated to Ireland in 2020 and now lives in County Offaly with her husband of over 17 years and their two children. Having built an international leadership career across South Africa, Botswana, and Ireland, she brings a global perspective to leading people and operations while embracing everything Irish life has to offer.
