What is your role within RG?
I am a Senior Manager within the Corporate Finance team which means that, fortunately, my role is incredibly varied. As a team we advise many SMEs, entrepreneurs and investors on a wide variety of transactions.
Tell me about your career to date…
I qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PwC in Belfast, where I got the opportunity to work with a lot of exiting SMEs, providing outsourced finance services and strategic advice. We would frequently work with scaling businesses that were being prepared for an M&A event and I was always left wondering what life would be like on the ‘transactions’ side of the fence. In November 2019 a spot opened up in the CF team and I jumped at the opportunity to work in a more boutique and dynamic advisory practice. It has been an incredible journey so far (especially with the pandemic taking off 6 months after I joined) and thankfully I have had the opportunity to work alongside some great clients and professional contacts on really interesting projects.
What does your current role involve?
My current role is incredibly varied and dynamic, and that is probably one of the most enticing elements of the job from my perspective. As a deal lead, my role involves directing a transaction, be that M&A, MBOs, business disposals or a fundraise, from start to finish. That means that I spend a lot of time liaising with the various stakeholders and other professional advisers such as corporate lawyers. I am also heavily involved in the negotiation and drafting of transactional documents, all the while ensuring that the project sticks to timetable.
What makes RG different?
I would have to say that it’s the people that make RG different. Across the firm everyone is encouraged to get involved in events, networking and building relationships with clients and professional contacts alike. From a personal perspective, the CF team is led by 2 exceptional partners who have vast experience in lead advisory and both are very keen to help me, and the rest of the team, progress in our careers.
Tell us about your day so far….
I’m an early riser, so I’m typically up and at my desk for around 6:00. I like to get a head start on the day by clearing down emails and checking the national and regional business news for any interesting developments. This morning I dropped my daughter off at nursery and spent some time at the nursery family breakfast before heading into the office for some early meetings with a client and a prospect. After lunch I reviewed an SPA for a deal that we are due to complete this month, before taking a few client calls. I finished the afternoon off with some emails before heading out to a work drinks event with some professional contacts.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
I play in a weekly 5-a-side football game with other professional contacts and get to the gym when I can. Outside of sporting activity, I really enjoy cooking and entertaining friends and family.
And finally, leave us with one interesting fact about yourself…
I have just recently started to play padel, and it is fast becoming my favourite thing to do in my spare time.