WEALTH October 9, 2025 0 Comments

Why Former Health Minister Stephen Donnelly’s Stealth Move into Healthcare Consulting Could Rewrite the Industry Playbook

Ever wonder what it takes for a high-profile political figure to leap back into the fast-paced world of healthcare consulting—and actually thrive? Stephen Donnelly, former Minister for Health and a man who’s weathered the storms of political life, has done just that, joining London’s Carnall Farrar as a partner. Now, this isn’t some random career hop; Donnelly’s journey from McKinsey’s polished consulting rooms to the trenches of Irish politics—and back—gives him a unique vantage point. He’s bringing a blend of hard-earned political grit and cutting-edge healthcare analytics to the table. Think about it: who better to tackle healthcare’s complex challenges than someone who’s managed Covid vaccine rollouts and tackled wait times head-on? His move signals a thrilling shift, where real-world gov experience meets data-driven strategy in a quest to transform health systems across Europe and beyond. Ready to dive into the details of Donnelly’s next chapter and what it means for healthcare innovation? LEARN MORE.

Former Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has joined London-based healthcare consultancy Carnall Farrar (CF) as a partner.

Donnelly, who prior to entering the Dáil in 2011 worked as a management consultant for McKinsey, wrote on LinkedIn that he was delighted to be moving back to healthcare consulting.

Regarding his reasons for joining CF, Donnelly cited the firm’s “passion, expertise and mission of ‘making an enduring impact on health and healthcare.’

“Because of their focus on both the right strategy and the hard yards needed for meaningful implementation.

“Because of their unparalleled access to healthcare data, their cutting-edge analytics and AI capabilities, and their work in Europe and the Middle East supporting health systems to transform.”

Former Wicklow TD Donnelly was first elected as an independent before co-founding the Social Democrats with Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall in 2015, and defecting to Fianna Fáil two years later.

Donnelly served as Minister for Health during the last Dáil, a period during which he oversaw the healthcare system’s response to Covid and the vaccine rollout. He was not re-elected in last year’s general election.

“While there is still much to be done, crucial improvements were achieved,” Donnelly said of his time as minister, citing a 60% reduction in long waiters, a 50% reduction in outpatient and a 30% reduction in surgical waiting times.

Stephen Donnelly at a Fianna Fáil think-in last year. (Pic: Alan Rowlette/© RollingNews.ie)

He also listed among his achievements a shift of care from hospitals to the community; an end to falling productivity; new patient services including a transformation of women’s health services; a new eHealth plan; a step change in public health and preventative care; and rebalancing the regional deployment of health assets.

“There are many similarities between the challenges and opportunities in healthcare in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland. I’m looking forward to working with NHS and other healthcare clients, as well as life sciences companies and investors, as they navigate these complex challenges and opportunities,” he concluded.

Photo: Stephen Donnelly speaking to the media before a cabinet meeting in Government Buildings last year. (Pic: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie)