Tell us a bit about your current role
I lead a small team of highly skilled and experienced Credit Managers and Officers overseeing credit decisioning on Danske’s corporate and business lending book. It’s a dynamic role involving a wide range of borrowing requests – from small neighbourhood businesses up to large Northern Ireland corporates and GB based PLCs.
There’s a lot of variety in the role and a big focus for me is stakeholder engagement, whether meeting my Relationship Manager colleagues, customers, advisors, or representing Danske Bank across wider networks.
What drives you in your role?
I enjoy being a part of a high performing team that just gets things done! Seeing the impact Danske Bank has in our local market in also hugely motivating. Our work helps drive Northern Ireland’s economy forward by supporting businesses with their growth ambitions, which in turn leads to jobs and investment. In the Bank, we are innovating at pace, so managing through change is a big part of my role. It can be challenging, but I like to think growth happens outside our comfort zone.
What has your career path been?
I started my professional career in banking and completed my Chartered Accountants Ireland training during that time. After qualifying, I pivoted to advisory work in PwC and later Deloitte.
I was involved in such a wide variety of projects during that time, from operational restructuring for banks to supporting a homegrown life sciences company listing on AIM. I travelled extensively, working in the UK, Abu Dhabi and Cyprus. I enjoyed lots of hard work and lots of fun down time with a great bunch of colleagues.
About six years ago, an opportunity came up to join Danske Bank’s credit team and I suppose I was ready to balance my career with less travel. It turned out to be a fortuitous move and has allowed me to further progress my career while spending more time at home.
What sparked your interest in the profession?
I actually studied Law and Spanish, so I wasn’t a “numbers” person initially. However, during a graduate programme at another bank, I saw the value of gaining professional qualifications. After speaking to some Chartered Accountants working in the bank at the time I decided to pursue the qualification as a way of opening up a potentially varied career path. The rest, as they say, is history!
How has your involvement with the Ulster Society helped shape your career?
Never underestimate the power of a good network! From the start, I developed a group of peers and friends coming through the training and exams together. Then I got involved with the Ulster Society, through the various events they put on for members and through volunteering across the sub committees.
I’ve connected with fellow Chartered Accountants across Northern Ireland and beyond who have become friends, coaches, mentors and even customers. Without a doubt, being involved in the Ulster Society has helped to build my confidence, capabilities, profile and career goals.
For those just starting out in their accountancy careers, what advice or insights would you like to share?
Be proud to be a Chartered Accountant – our skills and experience are highly sought- after, this qualification is globally recognised and is held by many trusted business leaders across all sectors. Every so often, remember to lift your head from work and take advantage of the network you’re a part of. Get out of your comfort zone and attend an event. Seek out a mentor or a coach. Most importantly, enjoy the camaraderie!
What are your interests outside the bank?
I’m a Mum of two young children, aged 4 and 2, and who I can only describe as feral! So life is pretty full on outside of work but I very much enjoy being active. I’m a CrossFitter (never let a CrossFitter start talking about CrossFit!), we enjoy sailing as a family and muddy walks with Fergus our Scottie Dog. I hold a number of voluntary posts including Chair of Linen Quarter BID and Treasurer of a sailing organisation. I’m also a coffee snob with an obsession for speciality coffee and a very eclectic taste in music.