What was your first job?
I worked as bar staff with Botanic Inns during the Jazz Mooney days and following the completion of my degree at Queen's University. I can remember the buzz and visceral sense of appreciation when I received a tip, got a smile for being served quickly or a thank you from a customer due to my positive attitude. My line managers at the time, Gerry and Terry, really demonstrated the value of appreciating and trusting your staff to do a good job.
What qualifications do you have?
I have a degree in psychology and a post grad in HRM at Queen’s, a NEBOSH diploma with BIFHE, then a masters in HRM at University of Ulster which has been crucial for my career progression.
What do you attribute your success to?
By being authentic, genuine and curious and seeking out exceptionally good leaders and talent to work with. The sum of their parts is always greater, and I find that I do my best by working collaboratively with others. I’m also excited about successes to come, with my role at Trouw Nutrition Ireland, where I’ve experienced the greatest sense of teamwork in my career to date.
How would you describe yourself to someone who’d never met you?
I’d say I’m a warm and friendly HR professional with over 25 years of people management experience across various sectors locally, nationally, and globally. I’m a sporty country girl at heart, who brings energy, determination and considered results to her work.
Who do you look up to in business?
I don’t have a specific role model, however throughout my career this has been business leaders, line managers, HR professionals and people in general who ‘know their stuff’ that passionately share their knowledge and act with integrity.
How do you get the best out of people who work for you?
I focus on the ‘human’ in human resources. By getting to know people’s traits, listening, understanding, and appreciating who they are. I aim to understand what they are trying to achieve; what their future looks like and how I can help them on that journey. I also want to make sure we have some fun along the way; celebrate the wins, and get through challenges, life is just too short not to.
If you could change one thing about doing business in Northern Ireland, what would it be?
The hierarchy of ‘leadership’ needs to change. I feel the way it is currently recognised can stunt the growth and creativity of any business. We need to trust staff, be more inclusive and create better opportunities for them to be truly curious and passionate about what they do or could do.
What website or app could you not do without?
Facebook, I’m old school and it’s great to keep in contact with friends I’ve known from school days as well as new friends and contacts. It was also a useful event booking tool during the pandemic to bring ice cream, burger, and coffee vans on site for staff! Otherwise, Outlook, Teams & Yammer so I can stay connected while on the move.
What was the last book you read?
I love an audiobook, while walking my dogs on the beach. The last one I listened to was ‘This much is true’ by Miriam Margolyes – I absolutely laughed out loud! It’s narrated in her own unique, blunt and entertaining style and I admire how she just ‘tells it like it is’.
What car do you drive?
I drive a Kia Sportage and during lockdown I got myself a campervan, so if you see a Blue & White Citroen C26 near a beach in Ireland, it’s quite possibly me!
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
I’m a qualified dog trainer. I love dogs as much as training, coaching, and developing people so this felt like a great opportunity to combine both and revisit some of the basics I learned as part of my human psychology degree.
What’s your greatest passion outside work and family?
Right now, it’s golf, I joined Clandeboye Golf Club as part of their ‘get into golf program’ and whether I’m having a decent round or not, there's nothing like spending a couple of hours, or even an afternoon out on the golf course and seeing the wild deer and pheasants roam free.
