Marketing Director, Kingspan Water

Overview

"I look back on projects I was involved in 10 years ago and still get a feeling of pride, seeing how well it was executed and the results we got."

Career beginnings

I had been travelling after graduating in finance and economics from university, and wanted to come back home to Northern Ireland, so I applied to study web technology, which was quite a progressive programme at the time. Part of that course involved a business secondment with Kingspan. I went through the whole interview process and my placement was in, what was then, the Environmental division.

Role progression

The work was very varied, involving IT projects, internal communications and CRM implementation. After 6 months my contract was up, but the division was doing well, and they wanted to bring new blood into the business. and essentially, I secured a role doing more of the same and working closer with the commercial teams. That was in 2003, and I have just blossomed from that point.

Marketing progression

At the time the division was growing but didn't yet have a mature marketing strategy. There was a big rebrand underway and the Marketing Director needed support, so I took up a role as Marketing Co-ordinator. I had no real experience, but I did have good common sense and a willingness to learn new things. I started off with responsibility for one product, then multiple products in different regions. I became Marketing Manager, Head of Marketing, and eventually reached my current role as Divisional Marketing Director for Water & Energy. I have stayed in the same area, but have experienced so many different product sets, projects and global exposure.

Development and support

What opportunities and support have you had to develop?

I learnt marketing on the job, putting myself through the Chartered Institute of Marketing to qualify what I was practising, and I was fully supported in doing that. I also took part in Kingspan's PEAK programme for Hi Potentials, which was a life and career changing experience. It highlighted something remarkable to me – I thought I was simply doing my job, but it showed me how I could help to shape the direction the company was going in, the strategic influence and leadership I was able to provide without even realising it. There is genuine engagement with the senior leadership team. Every single MD I have worked with has been supportive.

Typical day and current focus

Describe a typical day in your current role?

I couldn't I have such a varied day - that is what has kept me inspired for twenty years. I do a lot of employee and stakeholder engagement. There is so much going on with our sustainability strategy Planet Passionate, and the progressive digitalisation journey we are all on. But the best thing is working with my team and people within the business. Bringing people with you is an important part of the role.

Career highlights

What has been your career highlight to-date?

There are so many highlights, I can't pick one. I look back on projects I was involved in 10 years ago and still get a feeling of pride, seeing how well it was executed and the results we got. My role is so much broader now, it's more about the people than the products. The one thing that is always a buzz is whenever the team are all together, working on a project and thriving. Having the emotional intelligence to understand when somebody is not engaging, then getting them back on board and excited about what we are doing – that is really satisfying. We talk a lot about Planet Passionate, but Kingspan really is People Passionate too, and there is a genuine level of care that runs throughout the business.

Career advice and culture

What is the best career advice you've ever received?

You're only as good as the team around you. The biggest learning curve I've had is the importance of the team – communicating with each other, making sure everybody is ok, and celebrating our successes together. It wasn't until I had to cover some of my colleagues roles as well as my own that I realised how much I rely on their skills and dedication. It's not just your immediate team either, but all the people in the wider business – working with IT, technical, commercial, operations and the senior leadership teams. I'd say I spend 50% of my time communicating with different stakeholders to make sure everyone is on board and the rest of the time delivering.

Future outlook

What inspires you about Kingspan's future impact in the industry?

You just have to look at one of our recent hashtags – Better buildings for a better world. These aren't just empty words, they are what Kingspan does, in its own practice and with its products. Global climate change is the most pressing issue of our time, and water is one of the resources that is most impacted. I am proud to be working for a company of great integrity, developing innovations to help overcome some of these challenges. I would love to see the Water & Energy division become a truly global player in that space – this is the ambition that drives me and our teams, and I believe this vision is wholly achievable.

Culture

What words would sum up Kingspan's culture to someone considering joining?

Not being afraid to try new things, being ambitious and maintaining a spirit of positivity. Don't forget that all important teamwork, and if you work hard, you will have your chance to make your mark. There are a lot of very talented, very long serving employees in this company, and that alone speaks volumes. This is a plc, with entrepreneurial flair, that is run like a family business. The leadership style in Kingspan is something that we should bottle – it is utterly unique to have that entrepreneurial spirit in a large corporation, but still be able to maintain the feel of a family business.

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