Barden, one of Ireland’s leading partner-led recruitment and talent advisory firms, has announced the appointment of Sinéad Donovan as Strategic Board Advisor.
With over 20 years’ experience as a Partner at Grant Thornton Ireland, Sinéad brings a wealth of leadership, governance and strategic expertise to Barden. She served as Grant Thornton Ireland Chairperson for the past four years, and, during her tenure, the business grew from a team of 90 people, to almost 3,000, with Donovan playing a pivotal role in expanding and diversifying the firm’s service offering.
A Fellow and most recent Past President of Chartered Accountants Ireland (CAI), Sinéad led a landmark vote to amalgamate CPA Ireland and CAI, an historic step that established CAI as the largest professional body in Ireland. She is also a Trustee of Girls Not Brides, a global NGO working to end child marriage.
Barden is an ambitious, innovative firm, driven by values that deeply resonate with me, Sinéad said of her move into Ireland’s professional recruitment sector.
“The Barden approach focuses on challenge, empowerment and enabling people to realise their potential; all of which aligns with how I believe great organisations operate. It is good to find a team so committed to doing things differently, and placing the wellbeing of their people and clients at the heart of everything. Barden has this attitude in spades”, the business leader said.
In her new role, Sinéad will work collaboratively with Barden’s leadership team, to build on the Irish company’s success by expanding strategic networks and deepening partnerships, while upholding the firm’s core values and first-class professional services.
Elaine Brady, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Barden Leinster, commented:
“Sinéad is a groundbreaking chartered accountant whose influence has shaped the industry and profession in Ireland. Her values-driven approach, professionalism and passion for client experience perfectly align with our mission to redefine recruitment and talent advisory. As recruiters, we have the power to change people’s lives and to influence clients’ success, so we are delighted that Sinéad has chosen to join us in this next chapter of her outstanding career.”
Welcoming Sinéad Donovan to the Barden team, Ed Heffernan, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Barden Ireland, said that Donovan’s career and expertise will be instrumental in advancing the recruiter’s strategic ambitions.
“Sinéad’s appointment not only validates our vision, but also accelerates our journey to transform recruitment into a true professional services discipline. We are delighted and honoured to now call her a colleague, and to have her support in the evolution of our business.”
We are delighted to announce that Rachel McGuckian has been promoted to Senior Associate with Barden.
Rachel joined Barden in March 2023 and has been instrumental in growing Barden’s Technology Practice, specialising in Software Development, QA, and DevOps.
“I’m delighted to step into the role of Senior Associate at Barden. It’s been a fantastic experience taking ownership of a key area within our Technology Practice and contributing to the growth our team has experienced over the past two years. I have had the privilege of working with exceptional talent and clients across various areas, particularly in Software Development, QA, and DevOps. As the tech landscape continues to evolve, this next chapter offers a great opportunity to continue to grow, learn, and make a meaningful impact in this space.” – Rachel McGuckian | Senior Associate | Technology – Software Development, QA, & DevOps
“I am very proud of what Rachel has achieved over the last few years, and I am truly delighted with her promotion! Rachel is one of the smartest, most diligent, and hard-working people I have ever had the pleasure of working with. The leadership team and I here in Barden are very ambitious for her over the coming years. The first step of many, I have no doubt! Congratulations, Rachel – you earned this!” Ed Heffernan | Managing Partner | Barden
Congratulations Rachel!
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in talent advisory with Barden?
The people, hands down! I met Kate Flanagan for an initial advisory coffee in Cork when considering my career options in tax. I never considered a career in talent advisory until that day. As soon as I met the rest of the team, my decision was made ☺️
2. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career so far, and how has it impacted your work?
Be a sponge, not a rock – a quote from our very own Cole Carroll. It’s so important to actively seek and embrace new ways of doing things! The business world has evolved significantly over the last few years, and technological advancements are accelerating this pace of change even more. Day to day, I try to question whether there is a more efficient way to complete a task that may save me time. I also believe chatting with your peers is important to see how they approach similar tasks.
3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering a career change?
Take your time. It’s easier said than done, I know, but it’s so important to understand why you feel you need to make a change and then inform yourself about the market and your career options before taking any action.
4. Can you describe a project or accomplishment at Barden that you’re particularly proud of?
I’m probably the proudest of making the move to the world of talent advisory and sticking with it. It was very much an unknown for me at the beginning, and Covid was thrown in the mix 6 months in, so I have definitely built up a sheer amount of resilience over the years!
5. What aspect of your work at Barden excites you the most?
The potential to make a difference in someone’s life.
How you feel on a Sunday night really matters, and it can have a massive impact on your professional and personal life. In Barden, we focus on providing advice first, 100% of the time, for professionals and businesses. Our guidance can truly shape a professional’s career decision or a business’s hiring strategy.
I also really enjoy the commercial insights from the businesses we partner with—it might be the tax nerd inside me! I love getting to know a business, understanding what it does, how it generates revenue, and what its future plans are.
6. What’s a hobby/ interest you have that might surprise us?
Does reality tv count?! I’ve probably seen every single episode of Below Deck (no judgement!)
7. If you could master a new skill instantly, what would it be and why?
Cooking! I will preface by saying I can actually cook, but I’m lucky to have a husband who outshines me in the kitchen, so maybe two weeks in Ballymaloe Cookery School would do the trick!
8. If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and what would you do?
I’m not really answering this question, but if I weren’t in Barden, I would love to set up my own fashion boutique focused on pre-loved, affordable fashion for both women and men -essentially a Depop or Vinted with nicer merchandising! Conscious fashion consumption is something I’m passionate about, and I was very inspired by similar boutiques I visited in Sweden a few years ago.
9. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish, personally or professionally, in the next year?
It’s been on my bucket-list to take up golf so hopefully I get a chance to kickstart this before the Annual Barden Golf Invitational in a few months!
10. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Always believe in yourself and celebrate the little wins. It’s normal to struggle with self-belief, but the key is to remind yourself of all the things you’ve overcome and achieved. Progress, not perfection, is what matters most.
We are delighted to announce that Sabrina Mendes has been promoted to Senior Research & Operations Associate with Barden Leinster.
Sabrina joined Barden in June 2022, initially in an administrative capacity. Since then, she has grown into a pivotal member of the team, playing a key role in enhancing and evolving Barden’s research and data capabilities.
Most recently, Sabrina earned her Diploma in Project Management, further strengthening her skill set and enabling her to take on broader responsibilities across operations, research, and project delivery.
“Since joining Barden in June 2022, I have had the privilege of contributing to the remarkable growth of our internal operations team. Stepping into the role of Senior Research and Operations Associate marks an exciting new chapter in my career, where I am eager to enhance our research capabilities and streamline operations. Leveraging my Project Management expertise, I aim to further improve business processes and organisational effectiveness. I look forward to continuing to contribute to Barden’s growth and success.” – Sabrina Mendes | Senior Research & Operations Associate | Barden Leinster
“As soon as she joined Barden, Sabrina quickly established herself as an integral part of our team. Her promotion reflects the passion, integrity, and brilliance she brings to everything she does. She has pushed not only herself but the wider team over the last few months. Her promotion to Senior Associate is extremely well earned and deserved. I’m so proud to see Sabrina take this next step in her journey. Congratulations, Sabrina!” – Michelle Geary | Head of Research, Support & Innovation | Barden Ireland
“Sabrina joined the Barden team 3 years ago, and it has been such a pleasure to work alongside her over that time. From originally joining us in an administrative capacity, Sabrina has completely transformed processes, making us all more efficient and freeing up much-needed time for the team of associates that she supports.
She has undertaken and led projects, which have had a substantial commercial impact on the business and also became PMP Certified during this time. On top of all of that, Sabrina keeps the office and the teams running smoothly, and always has a gold star, and a treat for the office hidden somewhere! Sab, we’d be lost without you.. Can’t wait to see what you achieve over the next 3 years.” – Elaine Brady | Managing Partner | Barden Leinster
Congratulations Sabrina!
At the recent annual Employment & Recruitment Federation (ERF) Fellowship Dinner, ERF CEO, Geraldine King, surprised Edward Heffernan, Managing Partner of Barden Ireland and ERF Treasurer, with the exclusive Honorary Fellowship Award. This exclusive recognition celebrates Ed’s dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to the recruitment industry and ERF members over the past decade.
In her address, Geraldine praised Ed’s outstanding contributions:
“Ed has served as Treasurer and a member of the executive board for the past ten years. His passion for elevating the sector’s image and professionalism, alongside his support to me and the ERF staff and its members, cannot go unnoticed.”
The award was met with resounding applause from the 80 VIP guests in attendance, culminating in a heartfelt standing ovation, a true testament to Ed’s impact on the industry.
“It is a tremendous privilege to be awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Employment & Recruitment Federation. It has been an honour to serve on the executive committee over the past decade, and I truly believe that, as a profession, we have something very special here in Ireland. I count people inside and outside of the walls of Barden as colleagues and am excited as to what the future holds for the role of the talent advisor and recruiter in both business and society” – Ed Heffernan | Managing Partner | Barden Ireland
Congratulations Ed!
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in talent advisory with Barden?
Having trained as an accountant with KPMG, it was clear that tax and accounting were not the path for me. I was keen not to let that experience and training go to waste, so I was delighted when I met with Ed in Barden and had the opportunity to use my ACA qualification in a different way and help others on a daily basis.
2. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career so far, and how has it impacted your work?
You’re never on one career path – if you’re not enjoying your current role or area, there are plenty of other options. I thought I’d give recruitment a try for 3 to 6 months, and here I am 8 years later!
3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering a career change?
Don’t be afraid to take a leap of faith – if you’re curious about something, give it a try. Nothing is forever unless you want it to be.
4. Can you describe a project or accomplishment at Barden that you’re particularly proud of?
I’m really proud of our partnership with CASSI. We have put a lot of time into this over the last few years, and I do not take for granted the opportunity to guide and support newly qualified accountants at what can be a daunting time in their careers once they are qualified through this partnership.
5. What aspect of your work at Barden excites you the most?
I really enjoy meeting new people, learning their stories and what brought them to where they are today, and helping them with their next opportunity. We always say we’re here to make sure someone doesn’t have that Sunday or Monday night fear. I love being able to help people plan their future careers.
6. What’s a hobby/ interest you have that might surprise us?
I’ve really gotten into running the last couple of years. I’ve always run, but I’ve taken up longer distances in the last two years. I’m not sure it’s surprising, but I love getting out for a run to clear my head, and you can’t beat fresh air! I’m currently training for my fourth half marathon.
7. If you could master a new skill instantly, what would it be and why?
I would love to be fluent in another language. I did Spanish in school, and I have the basics, but I would love to be fluent in it as it is such a widely spoken language. I love to travel, so it would definitely be useful!
8. If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and what would you do?
Aimee Connolly I think – she impresses me so so much! She has built a global brand in a matter of years from just her own savings and determination. She still runs, goes to the gym and travels – I would love to see how she manages her day! She never stops! Another job I always thought would be fun to try for a day is a photographer – I love taking photos and capturing memories, no matter what the day or event. To be able to do this for people during their biggest life events would be brilliant!
9. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish, personally or professionally, in the next year?
We’re building a house at the moment so I really hope we can finish that in the coming months and move in – it’s really exciting! I’m already looking forward to the housewarming! 😊
10. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
I’m not sure if it’s advice, but I always live by What’s for you won’t pass you – I think things are meant to happen for us when we are ready for them. Of course, you still have to work for things but I’m a great believer in what’s meant to be, will be.
Barden, Ireland’s leading Talent Advisory and Recruitment Firm, is proud to announce the appointment of Christine McCarthy as a Senior Associate.
Christine joins our growing Technology Team and will support Catherine Drysdale on a variety of Projects, Transformation & Change engagements, playing a key role in supporting clients nationally.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business information systems from UCC, Christine became a technology business analyst, working for various companies, from big four firms to global multinationals. After nearly four years, Christine made the shift into recruitment and has since worked in the projects, change, and transformation market.
“I joined Barden because they truly understand recruitment. Their fresh approach and focus on true talent advisory felt like the perfect fit, aligning with how I’ve always worked. Plus, having collaborated with some of the team before, I knew I’d be joining great people! Barden has grown steadily over the past 10 years, and it’s an exciting time for the technology team I’ve just joined. I’m thrilled to be part of this journey and eager to use my experience to support their growth. A bonus is supporting the Cork market -my hometown and home to incredible companies and talent.” – Christine McCarthy | Senior Associate | Barden Ireland
“We are thrilled to welcome Christine to Barden’s Transformation, Projects & Change practice! With a background as a Business Analyst early in her career and vast experience supporting talent and clients in this space, she brings a fantastic blend of expertise and insight to our team. We’re excited to have her on board as we continue to grow and evolve. Welcome, Christine!”- Catherine Drysdale FCA | Consultant | Projects, Transformation & Change | Ireland
“Delighted to welcome Christine to Barden. Christine’s qualifications, early career experience as a business analyst, and over 5 years of experience in Project/Product and Technology recruitment position her perfectly to support the growth and evolution of our Projects, Transformation and Change Talent Advisory and Recruitment Practice. Her smarts, genuine interest in making a difference in people’s lives, her sense of humour and her passion for what we do though, makes her the perfect fit for Barden.” – Ed Heffernan | Managing Partner | Barden Ireland
Welcome to the Barden team, Christine!
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in talent advisory with Barden?
I always wanted to work for a company whose core goal was to help people. When I spoke to the Barden team, it was clear that their way of thinking and values aligned with my own.
2. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career so far, and how has it impacted your work?
The importance of staying open to new perspectives and continuously learning from those around me. Being adaptable and willing to embrace different ways of thinking has helped me grow both professionally and personally.
3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering a career change?
Do your research before accepting a new role, and ensure you’re making the transition for the right reasons. Your job takes up a significant portion of your week, so it’s important to choose something you’re truly passionate about and find fulfilling.
4. Can you describe a project or accomplishment at Barden that you’re particularly proud of?
Braving the Barden Sea Swim at the peak of the Christmas season in support of Barretstown was a chilling experience but incredibly rewarding! Despite the shock to the system, I’m proud to have participated in such a meaningful cause.
5. What aspect of your work at Barden excites you the most?
The opportunity to make a real difference in people’s careers. Whether helping someone land their dream job or advising a company on finding the right talent, the ability to create positive change is very rewarding.
6. What’s a hobby/ interest you have that might surprise us?
I’ve always been passionate about playing darts and snooker—much to my parents’ dismay! No matter how busy the week gets, I always make time to play a few frames of snooker or throw some darts with friends.
7. If you could master a new skill instantly, what would it be and why?
I’ve always been drawn to playing the piano. My grandmother played a lot when I was a child, and the instrument’s melodies have always been calming and captivating to me. I’d love to have the ability to create that kind of music myself.
8. If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and what would you do?
Christopher Nolan. I’d love to step into his world of filmmaking – directing on set, working with actors, and shaping a story from script to screen. His ability to craft complex, thought-provoking narratives with stunning visuals is incredible, and experiencing that creative process firsthand would be amazing.
9. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish, personally or professionally, in the next year?
The Jack and Jill Foundation is a charity that means a lot to me, and I want to take part in Up the Hil with Jack and Jill and raise as much money as possible for this amazing charity.
10. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
To not sweat over the small things and never give up.
What inspired you to pursue a career with Barden?
Like a lot of people, I re-evaluated many things on the back of the pandemic and wanted to move away from hospitality but utilise my skills and mindset with the right company. Making the right move was key to me, and when I originally came across Barden’s job advert, it really stood out to me as something different. This was only cemented further when I met Johnny, Ed and Elaine. It was clear from the outset that Barden strives to do things differently whilst effortlessly maintaining the human factor in all areas, which was a refreshing experience. I joined the team in October 2021, and everything I felt from the outside has shown to be true. We have evolved our advisory services to be able to support professionals and clients alike to make informed strategic decisions – there’s simply nothing better than aiding the team to help people find their right people.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career so far, and how has it impacted your work?
It’s not necessarily a specific lesson, but I think the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is the importance of adaptability. Throughout my career, I’ve encountered various challenges and changes, and being able to adapt to new situations has been crucial. Ed and I frequently reference the ‘pass’ in a restaurant; it’s a hectic pivotal position between the front and back of the house. If you’re in charge there, then you will be managing both sides of the kitchen and ensuring a smooth flow, which doesn’t always go easily. I’ve worked in various industries with their own ‘passes’ to be maintained, and it has made me more resilient and expanded my skillset also, which I believe has led to my own professional growth and success to date.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering a career change?
Listen to your gut and be clear about your reasons for a change.
Can you describe a project or accomplishment at Barden that you’re particularly proud of?
Our Talent Monitors. We established these last year in Barden after noticing a trend in the wider market. There was a lot of outdated commentary that usually coincided with the release of an annual salary survey. We currently have 20+ talent monitors live on the website for various sectors, from recently qualified accountants to supply chain and procurement professionals. These Talent Monitors are updated quarterly and offer Hiring Managers and professionals real-time snapshots of salaries, talent availability and trends quarter by quarter. I’m incredibly proud of these Talent Monitors and, more importantly, the team who put a tremendous amount of work into them in the background, allowing them to be the reputable source of information that they are.
What aspect of your work at Barden excites you the most?
I couldn’t pick any one element; it would be a lot of our Talent Advisory work as a whole. We are very data-driven here in Barden, combining Barden data, LI Insights, CSO and third-party proprietary data. We’re producing reports on talent availability, gender balance on external talent pools, bespoke salary benchmarking, peer-to-peer analysis and lots more aiding executive decision-making on all things talent attraction and retention. We also support the wider team with other advisory work around employer branding, employer audits, and bespoke project delivery – essentially anything and everything talent-related that our clients need external expertise on.
What’s a hobby/ interest you have that might surprise us?
Anyone who knows me or has been around me for a while would say that there isn’t much that might surprise them about me. I have that mindset (some might say delusion) that I can take a stab at anything—even when the skillset is not in my remit! I’ve built and demolished furniture, panelled hallways and rooms, painted, and done a bit of landscaping. Does it take me longer than a professional? Absolutely, but it’s always great fun!
If you could master a new skill instantly, what would it be and why?
Ability to learn a new language quickly. I’m not the worst but I’m certainly far from the best at it. I have a basic handle on Italian and German, but I wouldn’t mind a magic wand being waved to give me some more fluency. Pity languages don’t fall under my delusion of taking a stab at anything!
If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and what would you do?
I would love to sit on the pit wall of an F1 team (any one of the top 4 would be great, just for a bit more excitement) for the day, listening to all the communication channels. Ideally, I would like to be part of the strategy team, but I can accept that I would be the last person to be offering any strategy on that day – unless we’re in Monaco, where it may be a bit easier to hedge a bet given the track! Everyone is aware of the drivers and team principles of these high-performing teams, but I think that the wider group of analysts, engineers and mechanics etc, behind them don’t always get the recognition owed. There is nothing that happens on the track that doesn’t come from their expertise. I think it would be a real eye-opener, plus if I could drive an F1 car afterwards, that would be an added bonus!
What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish, personally or professionally, in the next year?
Professionally I want to continue to develop and build on my skillset. Personally, aside from completing my long list of tasks around the house, travel a bit more this year and experience some new cultures!
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
What’s for you won’t pass you. I’ve heard this from my parents since I was very young, and I have rolled my eyes to it a lot also! As I’ve grown and experienced the world with its various challenges and accomplishments, it has cemented in me as a true and accurate statement to live by. That’s not to say that I’m expecting to win the lotto by just thinking about it, but if you commit and work towards something, it will be yours if it’s truly right for you.
What inspired you to pursue a career in talent advisory with Barden?
Covid ended my time at UCC quite abruptly, and like everyone else, I was trying to figure things out. But it gave me a unique chance to step back and think about what I really wanted to do. When I came across Barden, there was a line, something along the lines of; Are you someone who looks beyond the laptop to watch the people behind it?’ It really stuck with me. Talent Advisory at Barden felt like the perfect way to bring people and my degree in technology together.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career so far, and how has it impacted your work?
Hands down, it’s been learning to listen – really listen. Not just waiting for my turn to speak, but actually hearing what someone’s saying (or not saying). It’s made me so much better at understanding people.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering a career change?
Don’t overthink it, but do your homework. If something excites you, even if it’s a little scary, that’s usually a good sign.
Can you describe a project or accomplishment at Barden that you’re particularly proud of?
As the first hire in the technology practice, I’ve had the opportunity to watch it grow from strength to strength, and it’s made me so proud. It’s amazing to think of where we started and where we are now.
What aspect of your work at Barden excites you the most?
It sounds cliché, but no 2 days are the same. Tech is always evolving so there’s always something new to learn and understand. Every role is like solving a new puzzle, which keeps it so interesting.
What’s a hobby/ interest you have that might surprise us?
At the moment, most of my time outside work is spent raising a puppy for the Irish Guide Dogs. We’ve had him since July last year, and he’s stolen our hearts. It’s basically a full-time job on top of my full-time job but I wouldn’t have it any other way for these 12 months.
If you could master a new skill instantly, what would it be and why?
I’d love to be able to play an instrument like the guitar or piano. It would be great to just pick one up and play without struggling with the commitment of learning it.
If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and what would you do?
I’d love to swap with a coffee shop owner; it’s always been something I’ve wanted to do.
What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish, personally or professionally, in the next year?
Make more time for reading. I have so many books that I start and never finish, and I think it’d be great to take more time away from screens to focus on reading, even if it’s just a few pages a day.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
“Don’t compare your chapter 1 to someone else’s chapter 20.” It’s a good reminder to focus on your own journey and not get caught up in what everyone else is doing.
