Kevin Murray: Facilities Management Lecturer at Portobello Institute

Kevin Murray has built a multifaceted career grounded in curiosity, discipline, and a deep appreciation for the power of education.

Tutoring on our Facilities Management programmes at Portobello Institute, alongside his role as Deputy Director of Finance at Avista, a large charity that supports people with disabilities, Kevin demonstrates how academic foundations and analytical thinking can shape a diverse and impactful professional career. 

An early passion for accounting and finance led him to pursue a Bachelor of Business Studies and a Master of Arts at Trinity College Dublin before qualifying as a Fellow Chartered Accountant with Chartered Accountants Ireland.  

From studying full-time after school to later returning to education as an adult and balancing professional accountancy studies with employment gave him a new appreciation for adult learners. 

“I've gained competence to do all kinds of jobs, but I think the most valuable thing education has given me is the ability to think differently and critically. That is broader than just work,” he said. 

This mindset has been the foundation of a career that spans auditing, finance leadership, fundraising, and corporate success. 

He began his professional path in auditing, gradually moving into senior finance roles where he delivered significant results. 

“I started out as an auditor in an accounting practice and progressed through more responsible roles until I ended up managing finance functions. I raised over $5m in funds for start-up companies and returned over $100m to shareholders through trade sales,” he said. 

Kevin is clear about the role of education in unlocking these career opportunities. 

“Without education, I would never have been able to undertake the higher-level jobs I have been lucky enough to undertake,” he added. 

With a career built on strong academic foundations, real-world experience, and a passion for helping others grow, Kevin continues to influence both his professional field and the students he works with. 

His expertise and career path reinforce how education opens doors - not just to qualifications, but to new ways of thinking, new opportunities, and new challenges. 

Through tutoring at Portobello Institute, he now passes that perspective on to those seeking to upskill and gain fresh insights, information and expertise of their own. 

"In Portobello, I enjoy broadening the minds of the students I meet," he said.

Position: Financial Management Lecturer

Kevin's Teaching Philosophy

"Its important students understand the “why” behind what they learn. When you understand the “why”, you will always know the “how”. Finance in particular, is an area of management practice that is full of terminology. Understanding why this terminology is used will make it much more understandable when you come across it in your own management career. A qualification should be more than a piece of paper, it should be a set of skills you can use for life. Understanding finance, especially areas such as budgeting and discounted cash flow is an essential skill for any Facilities Manager," he said.

Qualifications 

• BBS
• MA
• FCA

If you are interested in studying Facilities Management at Portobello Institute, visit our faculty here to explore our upcoming courses.