Blazing a trail in our Food & Agribusiness Team

My decision to apply to ifac was a very natural and logical one. With my background in farming and a degree in the sector, I was always interested in the business side of farming and agribusiness. My work involves collaborating with clients to enhance value in their food and agribusiness. I get great exposure to our clients, and because so many Irish farm and agribusinesses are family-driven, there’s great satisfaction in knowing that you’re making a real contribution to the lives of the people whom you support every day as part of your day-to-day job.

One of the key facets of my role is to provide sector-specific expertise to clients, ensuring that their unique needs and challenges are addressed effectively. This includes offering guidance on navigating funding applications, a critical aspect for businesses in the food and agri sector. I've also played a significant role in developing strategic plans aimed at fostering the growth and success of our clients. Our team also act as trusted external marketing advisors, assisting clients in developing strategies to promote their products and services in competitive markets. We work with a diverse range of clients, spanning from start-ups to internationally trading enterprises.

I live in Ashbourne, County Meath, and work primarily from home. Once a week I join the rest of the team in our Dublin office, and once a month, we join the broader ifac team in Kilkenny for a catch-up. It is important in a hybrid working environment to keep in close contact with your fellow staff members. We have a virtual water cooler chat first thing every day – just to keep us all on the same page and set out our plans for the day.

Ifac have been instrumental in nurturing my professional growth and development. They have provided me with extensive support in achieving additional qualifications such as my CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting and my Diploma in Leadership and Management from UCD. My qualification as a GDPR Practitioner demonstrates ifac’s commitment to ensuring team members have the expertise and knowledge required to navigate the complex and ever-evolving landscape of data protection and privacy.ifac's investment in my personal career development underscores its dedication to empowering team members with the tools and knowledge necessary for success. This commitment not only benefits me as an individual, but also translates into enhanced service and expertise provided to clients in the food and agribusiness industry.

I am a member of our Pathfinders Group at ifac. This is an initiative that allows the company to get input and opinions from younger team members (under 30 years of age) on potential developments, processes, workflows, career pathways, recruitment, and retention strategies. This ensures that everyone in the firm, at all levels, has a voice. It’s fantastic that they take the time to really listen to the people they hope will lead the company in the mid-term future. They’re very open to input and feedback, and you really do feel listened to.