Barden, Ireland’s leading Talent Advisory and Recruitment Firm, is proud to announce the appointment of Phonsie Irwin as an Associate in the Part Qualified Accountants & Operational Finance team. 

“We’re excited to welcome Phonsie to our Dublin team as a specialist talent advisor and recruitment professional. With his background in the Dublin market, Phonsie brings valuable experience to the team. We look forward to his contributions as he strengthens our support for clients and talent across the region.” – Cole Carroll | Associate Director | Part Qualified Accountants & Operational Finance | Leinster

Welcome to the Barden team Phonsie!

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in talent advisory with Barden?

After completing my training contract and qualifying as an accountant, it was quite clear the accounting path was not for me. I was keen to not let this experience go to waste, so was delighted to discover talent advisory with Barden. Talent advisory allows me to use my knowledge in a career than is much more suited to me and allows me to help individuals who were in my position.

2. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career so far, and how has it impacted your work?

Always have the long-term view in mind. Don’t underestimate the learning. While we are all obsessed with the destination, the journey to getting there is just as important if not more so.

3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering a career change?

The best advice I could give to anyone is to do your research beforehand and not rush into anything. Take time – ahead of starting applications, speak with a reputable talent advisor on the market, research your different options, read and compare job specs and research companies. It is better to take this time and get something that is a fit and aligns with your long-term goals, as opposed to regretting a rash decision.

4. Can you describe a project or accomplishment at Barden that you’re particularly proud of?

The accomplishment I am most proud of is my promotion to senior associate last year. There was a lot of work behind the scenes, so I really felt like I had accomplished something by the end of it.

5. What aspect of your work at Barden excites you the most?

I love meeting new people and I get the opportunity to do that every day. That and when I can see that I have genuinely been able to help someone or make a difference even if it is just with advice.

6. What’s a hobby/ interest you have that might surprise us?

I have no crazy hobbies, but I do love interior design. I used to up-style furniture in my spare time.

7. If you could master a new skill instantly, what would it be and why?

A very boring one – but definitely time management. I feel like there are never enough hours in the day.

8. If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and what would you do?

I think I would have to say Michael O’Leary. The way he does business is so unique and I would just love to see what goes on behind the scenes!

9. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish, personally or professionally, in the next year?

Professionally continuing to develop my skillset and network and then personally it won’t seem like a big one for a lot of people but working up to running a 10k. I ran my first 5k this year!

10. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received? 

You are the sum of the people you spend most of your time with. I am lucky to be surrounded by great people who encourage and inspire me every day.

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in talent advisory with Barden?

After years of working in finance, one of the things that I always enjoyed was the team dynamic — especially when a team clicked and worked together like a well-oiled machine. Working with Barden as both a client and candidate, I was genuinely impressed by their advisory-first approach for both talent and client. Recruitment was something I was always quite curious about, and over time, I got to know the team at Barden better. One coffee meeting led to another, and, well, here I am!

2. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career so far, and how has it impacted your work?

I have found that bringing energy and really following through is key — sticking with things until they’re done. Effectively, this all leads to building trust and dependability, which, in my mind, is the most important thing for career progression.

3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering a career change?

Start by trusting your instincts. Listen to your gut and think about what you really want. Consider your ‘Must-haves’—whether it is progression, balance, salary, etc — your ‘Can’t-haves’, and maybe a few things in between. While too much advice can be unhealthy, getting input from people you genuinely trust or those who understand your field is key.

4. Can you describe a project or accomplishment at Barden that you’re particularly proud of?

Honestly, making the leap to join Barden is what I’m most proud of. It’s a completely different job from my previous finance roles. I was doing quite well in those roles, so making that move took some bravery.

5. What aspect of your work at Barden excites you the most?

I love how interactive and fast-paced it is. No two days are the same and, even with a plan, things can change in an instant. I really enjoy that variety! Plus, I get a real buzz from working with and interacting with people so there is no better job for that!

6. What’s a hobby/ interest you have that might surprise us?

I can solve a Rubik’s Cube…. I blame COVID for that one!!

7. If you could master a new skill instantly, what would it be and why?

I’d love to be a little more Zen —to be okay with simply doing nothing, switch off a little, and be present. It’s probably the same answer every parent of small kids would give! 😊

8. If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and what would you do?

This might sound a bit random, but I’d love to pick music for a movie soundtrack! I’ve always wanted to do this for some reason. I loved the likes of Trainspotting and Pulp Fiction growing up, so maybe that’s a factor. Who knows, maybe I’ll discover I have a hidden talent for it!

9. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish, personally or professionally, in the next year?

As an aging dad who recently had knee surgery, I simply want to get back to a bit of 5-a-side soccer. Older man goals!!!

10. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received? 

This isn’t exactly advice, but I really like Tim Minchin’s speech to university students in Australia. I might not get it perfectly right, but it ends with something like: ‘Don’t rush. You don’t need to already know what you’re going to do with the rest of your life.’ It’s definitely worth a look if you haven’t seen it! (Check it out here>>> 😉)

Ed Heffernan, Managing Partner of Barden Ireland, and Treasurer of Ireland’s Employment & Recruitment Federation writes for the Sunday Business Post, examining prospects for remote and hybrid work.

Amazon signalled the end of its hybrid work policy last week, with staff due back in the office, five days a week, from January next.  The opportunity to better invent, collaborate, and be connected to each other was cited in the reasoning for the move.

As COVID was coming under control here in the summer of 2021, Government advised some workers could return to their offices by the end of August.  80% of us were recorded as working remotely, during the pandemic, and three months later, at the end of 2021, two in three workers (65%) worked remotely, as detailed in the Our Lives Online CSO Pulse Survey. Around that time, Barden did a rough study of clients, and it came out that 70% of businesses had a hybrid working structure, typically three days in the office.  15% of businesses were fully remote, and 15% were fully in the office.  We did that study again this summer and, although remote working still very much exists, there’s definitely a shift.

Working Monday and Friday from home seems to raise particular productivity concerns, as an extended weekend, so some workers are now obliged to come in on certain days of the week.

How Remote is Remote?

US-owned firms are big advocates of a return to the office, it seems, with more flexibility from smaller firms and Irish-owned businesses. A trend we are also seeing is that remote working is not always that remote, even though hiring managers might advertise a job as such.

For example, if I have two software developers lined up for interviews in a Dublin-based company, one living in Kerry and the other in Dublin.  Normally, the hiring manager opts for the person who is physically closest, all other aspects of the candidature being equal.  Why? Because if there is a need to meet, it’s less of a problem.  And no company doesn’t have a couple of days in the office every month. So logistically it makes sense.

Jobs might be remote to the office, but they’re less often remote to the location of the office.

Full employment strengthens employees’ hand

Meanwhile, employment continues to grow, year on year, to near full employment. Ireland’s unemployment rate was 4.2% in June, down from 4.4% in June 2023.  Talent demand should support certain workers insisting on remote, hybrid, or flexible working arrangements.

Last year’s 2023 Remote Working in Ireland Survey by the Western Development Commission saw 92% of respondents, working remotely, say that access to remote or hybrid working would be a key factor in their decision to change employer.

By-products of hybrid working, like reduced commute times and transport costs, lower childcare expenses, more family time, and being able to live in lower-cost locations, are difficult for employers to compensate for, particularly in an inflationary pay environment.

So too, insisting on staff being onsite can impact the ability to attract necessary international talent who wish to work fully remotely.

Gender Balance

There is also concern that firms’ desire to get workers back in the office will hamper gender participation in the workforce, according to Siobhan Kinsella, President of the Employment and Recruitment Federation and Managing Director at Strategic Placements:

For many, especially women, flexible working makes for a better family life.  But Siobhan Kinsella believes employers can offer flexibility in other ways, like flexitime or nearby creche provision.

“If a parent can drop children to school, and head to the office afterwards, there’s an opportunity for the best of both worlds”.

Employer View

From an employer’s perspective, the negatives of remote working include the inability to seamlessly learn, sitting at a desk, or chatting around the water cooler. Collaboration and learning are cited in the push toward office work, particularly when it comes to training new hires. There is a fear that young workers are missing out on the human, softer skills.

Professional services firms, in particular, want new intakes in the office, as they rely on them learning from senior staff.  Exposure to colleagues is necessary for training. Extended hybrid or remote working is more likely to be facilitated for workers with a longer tenure, especially mid-level IT and administrative occupations.

While, for the most part, some hybrid and remote working is supported, arrangements are likely to remain informal, as employers wait for a code of practice and legislation.

There is currently a right to request remote work.  However, specific dictates may lead to complications for employers in the future, particularly when balancing requests with operational needs and having different employees on various working arrangements.

People management remotely requires more time, outreach, and ongoing performance KPIs, as well as upskilling.  It can be difficult to ensure people feel connected and get the necessary networking opportunities for business development, succession, and career planning.

About the Employment and Recruitment Federation (ERF)

Ireland’s Employment and Recruitment Federation is a voluntary organisation to establish and maintain standards and codes of practice for the recruitment industry.  Representing over 220 member companies across Ireland, the ERF promotes training, information and advice, and member’ services, such as vetting, as well as lobbying on national and EU policy and industry issues impacting the labour market.

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in talent advisory with Barden?

When I went into recruitment, I did it with the intention of having my daily interactions with people be filled with a spirit of collaboration. As cliché as it sounds, I wanted to help people. That remains my driving force. However, earlier on in my career in recruitment, I was sometimes made to feel like that view was somewhat naïve or too romantic. But at Barden, talent advisory and providing a first class experience to the individuals we interact with is truly at the heart of the business – its “why” is fully aligned with mine and it allowed me to come full circle and put in practice the motivations that drove me into recruitment in the first place.

2. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career so far, and how has it impacted your work?

I can be quite a “head down” type of person when I’m at work. I like to focus on the task at hand, cancel out the noise, and be as fast and efficient as possible. However, the downside of that is that one might miss out on learning opportunities from other colleagues or come across as not too sociable. I think I’ve learned (or am still learning I guess, work in progress!) to put my head up a bit more, spending more time bouncing ideas off the people around me or asking for someone else’s advice.

3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering a career change?

Always go with the people that feel right for you. This sounds obvious but it can be tricky to get right. The “follow your gut” advice has the right sentiment behind it, but you should also question your gut instincts. There will be people that will tell you all the right things, will tell you all you want to hear and give you all the reassurance in the world. It can be easy for your gut to tell you to follow this person or company. I would prefer someone who gives me the good, the bad, and the ugly. Someone who tells me what the challenges or difficulties might be, where the department or company is lacking or can improve, where my expectations might not be met, etc. So absolutely go with people who make you feel good but who are also real and genuine.

4. Can you describe a project or accomplishment at Barden that you’re particularly proud of?

I’m a qualified lawyer from Portugal and, although I was very lucky to come into Ireland with a great job lined up, when I did want to move away from said job, I saw how difficult it can be for a foreign qualified lawyer to have the same opportunities as an Irish or a UK qualified Solicitor. Because of my experience, I have a soft spot for professionals in these circumstances, particularly when they have come to Ireland without a job lined up and in search of better opportunities for themselves and their families. I’ve been privileged to help some foreign legal professionals throughout my career but a recent one stands. A Brazilian qualified lawyer, a single mother, with excellent experience back in Brazil but none in Ireland and who was doing everything she could but was having a tough time finding a good opportunity for her. I introduced her to a company and role that was quite coveted in the market, and she was able to shine through and be the successful candidate in the end. Getting such an opportunity can really change someone’s life and set someone to be in a much better position in the market for potential future opportunities if they ever choose to progress their careers elsewhere. Her tears of joy when we extended the offer to her said everything – it’s why I do what I do.

5. What aspect of your work at Barden excites you the most?

Being surrounded by like-minded and exceptionally talented people. I look around and feel such admiration for everyone I see. I think that is so rare!

6. What’s a hobby/ interest you have that might surprise us?

Well, I’m 39 years old and still love playing video games, so some people might find that surprising. Also, I’ve recently ran out of tv series to watch and started putting on some of the reality tv shows on Netflix just to have something playing in the background – wouldn’t you know it, but I got hooked on it! Those that know me well would definitely not see me as a reality tv type of guy but there you go…

7. If you could master a new skill instantly, what would it be and why?

It would either be playing the guitar or playing golf. I’ve always loved music and had this dream of being able to play an instrument. I’ve tried and failed – I don’t think I have it in me. Golf is something I’ve only taken up recently and I think I still have time to get decent enough at it. But if I could snap my fingers and be good overnight, I wouldn’t say no!

8. If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and what would you do?

For one day only (and no more than that!), I’d like to know what goes on behind the scenes as President of the USA. I’d probably spend most of the time trying to gather all the classified information I could on aliens or UFOs. It wouldn’t be a very productive day.

9. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish, personally or professionally, in the next year?

To be honest, my main goal in life at the moment is very personal and I can’t say it’s very concrete. I have 3 young kids, the youngest being 1 and half years old. It can be really difficult to have time for myself or one-on-one with my wife or to socialise in general. I can already see some glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel and as things become progressively easier, I want to recover some of that sense of self or identity, which I think is inevitably lost when you dedicate the good portion of a decade to these little human beings. What does that look like in practice? I’m not sure!

10. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received? 

When I was a teenager, going through all the internal turmoil that teenagers go through, an aunt of mine asked me if my room was messy. It was. She suggested I try to tidy and clean it up to see how I felt. I did, and I felt much better. What she meant and what I’ve come to realise and still practice to this day, is that if my physical surroundings are tidy and organised, I will usually have a much clearer head and can be much more present in the moment.

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in talent advisory with Barden?

Good question.  I wanted a change of scenery outside of finance, but I really had no idea what that would look like.  What I did know, was that I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, I enjoyed working with people and was keen to find a role that valued the 15+ years I had gained working in a number of controllership and finance transformation-type roles.

I first met Ed and Elaine in 2014 when they placed me in a senior finance role. I experienced the full VIP Barden experience from meeting Ed for a coffee in town to having an interview for a great role with a great company to Ed calling me with an offer!  As a result of this positive experience, a couple of years later I reached out to Ed as a client to help support me in recruiting a senior finance team.

In April 2023 I decided to reach out to Ed for an initial chat, and the rest is history!

2. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career so far, and how has it impacted your work?

Finding that balance between focusing on your career and spending time with your family. I see it a lot with the talent that I chat with – working late evenings and weekends and not spending any time with their young family.

I’m now in a position where I’m extremely fortunate to have that all-important family time. I see my kids training on weeknights and playing matches at the weekends.

3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering a career change?

Consider all your options first – don’t rush it! Are you considering a career change because you’re bored or annoyed in your current role?  Have a chat with your manager and with a mentor or someone you trust. I also recommend having a conversation with a talent advisor like us here at Barden to hear their advice and explore external options.

Make sure you’ve done your homework on both sides of the fence before making a change.

4. Can you describe a project or accomplishment at Barden that you’re particularly proud of?

I’m still very much learning the trade in the talent advisory and recruitment world.  I get the most enjoyment out of having chats with people who are at the stage in their careers where they’re not sure where to go next and being able to give advice based on own learnings and experience.

5. What aspect of your work at Barden excites you the most?

Definitely the Barden team! They are the best bunch to work with.

6. What’s a hobby/ interest you have that might surprise us?

I’m a huge Australian Rugby League fan, so to keep updated with all the matches and the players I get involved in a very competitive NRL fantasy competition with a bunch of Kiwi lads.  We have a fancy NRL silver ring plus a good bit of money that is challenged each year so it is fiercely competitive!

7. If you could master a new skill instantly, what would it be and why?

Being able to sleep on an aeroplane.  When I’m flying back home to New Zealand, I’m one of the few lads that’s watching movies in the middle of the night!

8. If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and what would you do?

I’d love to swap jobs with the All Blacks captain Ardie Savea, lead out the All Blacks, play against the Irish rugby team, and score the winning try in the World Cup final. It would also be a laugh seeing Ardie work in my role in recruitment!

9. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish, personally or professionally, in the next year?

Get fit and run for 20 minutes without stopping.

10. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received? 

My Nan always had a saying “Don’t come into my house if you’re in bad form.  Only come in if you’re going to be happy.” She lived to be 102…

Are you passionate about engineering and ready to make a significant impact? Look no further! PepsiCo is seeking a dynamic Global Process Senior Safety Engineer to join their team and drive excellence in safety practices across their global projects. Your role will have an impact on multiple sites. This is a global play. As a key player, you’ll have the opportunity to shape innovative solutions, ensure world-class performance, and contribute to sustainable engineering practices.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Process Safety Expertise:

• Utilise your specialized process safety engineering skills to enhance beverage concentrate manufacturing platforms.
• Collaborate with a team dedicated to meeting PepsiCo standards and exceeding consumer expectations.

Strategic Capital Programs and Initiatives:

• Lead the design of strategic capital programs and initiatives that drive business value and growth.
• Be part of something big — your contributions matter!

Innovative Design Solutions and Technology:

• Tackle complexities by developing designs that incorporate cutting-edge solutions and leverage new technology.
• If you thrive on creative thinking, this role is tailor-made for you.

Best Practices and World-Class Performance:

• Leverage best practices from PepsiCo divisions and other industries to ensure top-notch plant and equipment design.
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Technical Guidance and Sustainability:

• Provide essential technical guidance during project design and implementation.
• Contribute to sustainable engineering practices for long-term success.

ABOUT THE PERSON:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
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1. What inspired you to pursue a career in talent advisory with Barden?

I was previously on a completely different career path. When I decided that I was going to move out of that space, I was a little bit lost. I started to think about what I enjoy and value and was lucky enough to chat with people on various career paths. I remember speaking with one particular person who gave me great insights into the world of talent advisory. From then on, I researched companies and started having conversations with people in the industry. Barden immediately stood out and just felt different; I knew very quickly that it was the place for me.

2. What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career so far, and how has it impacted your work?

During my time at Barden, I have learned how important it is to manage expectations. Misaligned expectations can cause issues, so it’s important to listen to what people are looking for and be clear about their expectations from the beginning of any process.

3. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering a career change?

Get curious, chat with anyone in that industry that you can, and get as much information. Use it as an opportunity to start networking; People are usually happy to help so don’t be afraid to ask. I also think it’s important to be clear about what you are looking for – define your non-negotiables and the elements that you are willing to be flexible on.

4. Can you describe a project or accomplishment at Barden that you’re particularly proud of?

I recently worked on an assignment with a client of ours in a relatively new space for our practice. There was a lot of learning and adapting involved and it was a tricky process in a difficult market. We worked on this assignment for several months and faced challenges, but last week the process closed. I am proud that we delivered a successful outcome for both the client and the talent.

5. What aspect of your work at Barden excites you the most?

Luckily, there are plenty, but I find it so exciting that we get to help people make a decision that will have a positive impact on their lives professionally but also personally.

6. What’s a hobby/ interest you have that might surprise us?

I love sea swimming and have recently been trying out ice baths! I try to do one or the other a couple of times each week. Keeping it up during the winter will be a big test but I find it really beneficial.

7. If you could master a new skill instantly, what would it be and why?

Languages! I would love to be fluent in multiple languages. I have downloaded Duolingo and started with Danish, but I think it will take a while…

8. If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be and what would you do?

I would love to be a pilot. As a bonus, I would make sure I was on a flight to an exotic place (Bahamas, Argentina etc.) and squeeze in a week-long holiday between my flights!

9. What’s one thing you’d like to accomplish, personally or professionally, in the next year?

I am still relatively new to the world of Talent Advisory so I really want to continue learning from the people around me and absorb as much information as I can. When the time is right, I will hopefully start on the Senior Associate pathway here in Barden.

10. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received? 

Always think about your ‘why’ – I find this helps me keep focused on what my purpose is both professionally and personally.

Almost 10 years ago, Ed Heffernan, Elaine Brady & Jonathan Olden had an idea, and from that idea, Barden was born.  Jonathan reflects on the Origin Story of Barden Munster and imagines what the next 10 years will be about…

When we started Barden, I wanted to create a place where people genuinely wanted to be and where they would be recognised for being really good at something. That was the core of my plan. It has always been important to me to be an expert in something, to be able to add value as a result, and to have great people around me.

Having been involved in sports teams, I knew that team culture was the most important thing. When Ed and I first started talking, I was very impressed that we were on the same page in terms of building a strong culture. He listened and vividly articulated what I was trying to achieve. It was clear that we had a shared vision. Initially, I had considered doing some different things on my own, but after meeting Ed, I knew that if we joined forces, we could create something special.

We were unknown in the market, and I hadn’t lived in Cork for a while. We spent a lot of time explaining why Barden was different and how we could support people. Fortunately, many clients gave us a break early on, and as we delivered, we built on that success. We were, and still are, genuinely grateful when clients give us an opportunity – we take it so seriously. It’s an honour and a privilege that clients trust us to find them talent, and we really care about doing our best for them. Our reputation and how we handle a process is as important to us as the outcome.

I was also very fortunate that, as we got started, other people began to get curious about Barden. They approached me to see if there might be openings to join the Barden Munster team. Initially, there weren’t any, as quite simply we didn’t have much business, but the people who showed interest were just too good to pass up. So, we postponed paying ourselves for another while! Thankfully we did because the people who joined us at the start are still with us. They made a huge impact, and they are the reason we were able to build some momentum.

I really enjoy the partnership that I have with Ed and Elaine and have always found them to be incredibly fair. We have never had a falling out, and whenever we question each other, there is always good logic behind it. We work towards a solution that is best for the business and a win-win for everyone. They continue to impress me all the time. I’m very lucky to have met them and be on the Barden journey with them. Our partnership works because if one market is slow, another might be doing well. We’re in it as a team and we know we are doing our very best for each other.

As we grow, we really want to ensure that we maintain our culture. We meet as a team for regular check-ins, just to ensure that we are doing the right things in this regard. We are lucky that some incredible people have joined the business in recent times. It’s important they have a voice and that they keep us on track.  We have a solid core of people I trust and rely on for advice, and that helps us keep things on the straight and narrow. We have had lots of success, success that we hadn’t anticipated but when times are tough, you need to be there for people and still have fun.

Enjoyed Jonathan’s reflections? 

You can read Ed Heffernan’s Origin Story here>>>and Elaine Brady’s here>>>

Almost 10 years ago, Ed Heffernan, Elaine Brady & Jonathan Olden had an idea, and from that idea, Barden was born.  Elaine reflects on her Barden Origin story and imagines what the next 10 years will all be about…

The early days were amazing, although I might be looking back with rose-tinted glasses. We weren’t paying ourselves, but I had never been happier to work for free. Our first office had a window that looked out onto a brick wall. We never knew if it was sunny or raining, which was fine because we had no time to look out the window anyway. Ed and I used to play random musical soundtracks in the background because the office was so quiet and beans on toast was my go-to meal because it was all I could afford. There was a lot of hard work. We believed in what we were doing and knew we were starting to build something that could be really special.

We always had an empty chair in the room and used to wonder who the next person would be to join us. It would never be just me and Ed; we always envisioned someone else sitting in that seat. A couple of months after we started, Grainne McAleese trusted us to help her build a world-class finance team, which allowed us to generate revenue much earlier than we expected. We had to decide: do we start paying ourselves, or do we invest in the future of the business and bring in high-calibre people to fill the empty seats next to us? We chose the latter. I decided I could keep living on beans and toast for another six months. That decision was a defining moment in the early evolution of Barden.

Johnny probably sits somewhere between Ed and me. He’s very operational, but he can also see the bigger picture and thinks strategically, planning his next move with a long-term vision in mind. Johnny is also incredibly caring. He is an extremely fair person and plays a vital role in the leadership team, balancing out both of mine and Ed’s strengths.

A piece of advice that has stuck with me is, “You can’t work on your business when you’re working in your business.” For years, I kept getting pulled back into the day-to-day tasks. It took two to three years to create a structure where I no longer have to do that, and it’s been a complete game changer for me. I still love working on jobs and helping the team because I love recruitment, but now I’m doing it out of choice rather than necessity. However, it required stepping back and finding the time to do that.

Paul McArdle, who trained me in recruitment and is the Managing Partner of The Panel, has been and continues to be an instrumental mentor and friend. I worked with him for eight years and we are still very close. He was incredibly supportive when I decided to start Barden.

More recently, it’s been more about seeking peer-to-peer support. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and got accepted onto the KPMG Enterprise Ireland Going for Growth programme, which has been brilliant. My mentor there, Monica Flood, was a great support, especially during COVID when we all thought our businesses were going to die!

I’m also part of the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women programme, and recently became a founding member of a female parent network called KELLA, launching in Ireland. KELLA is about surrounding yourself with brilliant, ambitious women who have goals they want to achieve, knowing that they are there for your learning, development, and networking. Being part of these groups makes the tough times in business much easier to navigate.

The teamwork during that time was phenomenal. Our financial controller, Kev, was superb at identifying what support we could get from the government. Whenever we managed to get a bit of business, it was all hands on deck. We tried to focus on what we could control: making phone calls, checking in with people, keeping our systems updated, and working on small projects. We were even in the middle of a rebrand, and despite the costs, we decided to continue with it. Ed insisted that while others were losing their heads, we should stay focused and keep going.

By the end of Q4 2020, things started to turn around. We had managed to retain all our staff, and as the market bounced back in 2021 and 2022, we were well-positioned to take advantage of it. It was tough, and there were times I reached out to people like Paul McArdle for advice, but ultimately, we came out of it stronger. Our approach of doing the opposite of what others might do in a crisis has served us well over the past ten years, especially during that period.

I can’t forget to mention Goldfish Gate at our first office! One day, unknown to me, someone decided to get an office pet, bringing back two goldfish, Billy and Bridget Barden. They cleaned the fish tank in the office kitchen sink, which in hindsight was probably unhygienic. During the cleaning process, some pebbles ended up clogging the sink. The office manager went unnecessarily mad even though someone else in the building used to microwave fish for breakfast every morning – which, in my view, should have been a more punishable offence!

When they fixed it, they gave us back the pebbles as proof and slapped us with an €800 bill. Our FC Kev, who is usually unflappable, lost it! And as if that wasn’t enough, Ed took the two goldfish home and Bridget ended up eating Billy and another fish in Ed’s tank. Not exactly the happiest ending, but definitely memorable!

My drivers for growth will always be: are we growing to create opportunity and are we growing to change lives? Over the past few years, we have started bringing Barden to other communities outside of accounting and tax. This gives us massive opportunities—there’s a whole other world that doesn’t know who we are, what we do, or most importantly, why we do it. It’s exciting to think about the impact we could have on lives that have never had the Barden experience before.

Enjoyed Elaine’s reflections? 

You can read Ed Heffernan’s Origin Story here>>>