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Phelim Murray is a Senior Consultant with Barden’s Financial Services Practice. He is an expert in insurance recruitment and is based in our Dublin office.
Phelim joined Barden in September 2018. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Law from Griffith College Dublin.
We caught up recently with Phelim to find out a little bit more about him.
Where are you from?
I’m from Sandymount originally but have been living in Drumcondra for the last 6 years. I carry dual citizenship of both sides of the Liffey.
Where & what did you study?
BA, Business and Law, Griffith College Dublin.
What was your time like in Griffith College Dublin?
I thoroughly enjoyed my three years in Griffith College Dublin. I was part of a tight knit group of five that studied the BA, Business and Law. I made some great friends in both the legal and business faculties, who I still keep in contact with. I also represented the college in rugby and legal debating.
The campus is based in a former military barracks on South Circular Road in Dublin. We had a particularly vibrant Students Union at the time who operated out of an old cavalry building. I used to hang out with friends there quite a bit. Our favourite watering hole was the Headline Bar, before it became cool!!
I made some great friends there, many of whom went on to the law library as well as everything from medicine, insurance, professional motor sport to accountancy and recruitment.
Can you tell us a bit about your professional background?
After completing my B.A. I joined BT Ireland Finance Department.
BT Ireland provide communications solutions and IT Services to a large number of multinationals which are headquartered out of Ireland.
My role encompassed everything from cash and credit management to getting involved in process improvement projects. I was also the Corporate Social Responsibility lead for the Finance Department.
After working in BT for three years I joined Hays Recruitment to build their insurance business. My cousin worked in Hays at the time and was having a hugely positive experience. I was considering a career change and, on her recommendation, I took a leap of faith and tried out recruitment.
I was fortunate enough to work with a really great director who was extremely encouraging and emphasised the importance of having some fun with the people you spend most of your time with (your colleagues).
In 2018 the opportunity to join Barden Financial Services presented itself. It could not have come at a better time. I was really enjoying my work, specialising in insurance and banking, however I felt I needed more support from my employer in order to give my candidates and clients the best possible experience. I initially met Ed Heffernan and Elaine Brady as well as a few others from Barden who made a very strong impression on me. It was so refreshing to meet people who were getting so much joy out of recruitment so far into their careers. So, I made the decision to join Barden pretty quickly and I have never looked back.
Why did you decide to get into recruitment?
Recruitment allows you to be entrepreneurial, creative, you get to help people and I am convinced that the longer you work in recruitment the more enjoyable it gets.
What kind of roles and companies do you work with in Barden Financial Services?
My clients are typically insurers, reinsurers and intermediaries (brokerages). I partner with Individuals within these organisations to help them build out their teams. That means searching for professionals right across underwriting, distribution, sales, claims, ops, risk, compliance, governance etc.
What are your top tips for anyone looking for a new opportunity?
Firstly, have a healthy and open relationship with your career. Talk to people who you trust and admire within your network about where you might like to take your career in the short, medium and long term.
Secondly, create and or update your LinkedIn profile and make sure it accurately reflects what your next employer needs to see. This simple act alone could kick something exciting off for you.
Finally seek the right recruiter for you. Listen to them, assess their advice and go with your gut.
What advice would you give someone looking to change career direction and move into recruitment?
I would advise them to speak to people they know and trust who already work in recruitment.
The recruitment experience can differ hugely depending on the industry you recruit for, the business you work for and the people you sit with on a daily basis, so keep this in mind and hedge your bets to guarantee you find somewhere that feels right.
What three words best describe you?
Curious, open-minded, conscientious.
What’s your favourite movie?
Dumb and Dumber.
What’s your favourite sport?
Running! Also enjoy cycling and a dip in the sea.
So, you’re a keen runner then, can you tell us a bit about your most challenging run so far?
The toughest marathon I have ever completed was the Connemarathon in Spring 2017. It took 4 hours and involved a particularly tough second half from Leenaun to Maam Cross. Amazing scenery, not my best time incidentally, but certainly the most challenging!
What age were you when you had your first paying job? What was it?
My Dad is a Civil Engineer and has a small business in Ringsend. My first paying job and most of my summer holidays were spent helping out there. I did a little bit of everything from admin support, deliveries and sales to hard labour, when required.
I probably started working there during my Summer holidays from about the age of twelve.
What’s the Dublin market like at the moment for career opportunities?
Brokerages, insurers, reinsurers and asset managers are competing fiercely for experienced talent right now. It’s hard to train people in remotely, so If you have some experience to bring to the table It could be your time.
For you, what makes Barden different?
Barden have some of the best recruiters out there across insurance, financial services, tech, accountancy, tax and legal. As a collective we can deliver truly amazing results for our candidates and clients. The calibre of the people In Barden Is probably what sets us apart from the rest.
Need help achieving your ambitions?
Are you an insurance professional looking for help in achieving your ambitions? If so, get in touch with Phelim Murray today who is ready with lots of CV, LinkedIn, interview and career advice along with cutting edge market insights.