The Post: Lead Consultant, Pinnacle Growth Group
The Post Holder: Fiona Rooney
A passion for finance and business development has guided Fiona Rooney in her career.
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
I previously worked in the public sector for almost 17 years. During this time, I worked with amazing individuals in organisations and SMEs across many sectors. The varied experience that I gained in areas such as payroll, events, regeneration, economic project development and National and European funding really helped to shape my career path.
In the seven years prior to joining Pinnacle Growth Group, I supported and managed European Funding programmes up to the value of £11million. In February 2022, I joined Pinnacle Growth Group as a Senior Business Consultant, and in June, I was delighted to be promoted to the position of Lead Consultant of our Finance for Growth pillar.
What was your favourite subject at school?
I loved the problem-solving aspect of Mathematics, but also excelled in team sports and had a real passion for physical education. I played netball throughout school and later got into soccer in my twenties.
Did you go on to further/higher education, if so, what did you study and where?
I hold a First-Class BA (Hons) in Accounting with Management from Ulster University.
How did you get into your area of work?
I began by studying IT and software engineering, but always harboured a passion for finance and business development, so I enrolled in an accredited Accounting Technician course through my local college.
Following this, I successfully applied for a public sector secondment post in project development. This allowed me to work with a wide range of stakeholders, including SMEs, on regeneration, economic growth and funding.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
As a kid, I wanted to be a bank manager, as it seemed quite lucrative! However, as my career has evolved, I’ve discovered a real passion for supporting businesses. I love to go above and beyond, helping them to grow and develop, and providing them with straightforward and honest advice.
Were there any particular essential qualifications or experience needed?
Because our Business Consultants specialise in specific areas, the qualifications and experience required for each role varies. However, not all of our hires are experienced. You can begin a consulting career right out of university, as a business analyst for example, and develop the skills, experience, and qualifications necessary to progress to your preferred field.
Are there alternative routes into the job?
It is not necessary to have a specific qualification unless it is required for a particular area of expertise. It is also acceptable to build up proven experience within the industry to provide expert knowledge and advice.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
Excellent communication skills are paramount. You must actively listen to a client to fully understand their business needs, and future ambitions to enable their business growth. Good project management skills and agility are equally important, as we deliver projects on behalf of numerous clients simultaneously, and sometimes with a short turnaround due to funding timeframes.
What does a typical day entail?
No two days are ever the same, as we have many different clients operating across various industries. On a Monday, we’ll meet as a full team to discuss current and upcoming projects and throughout the week, I manage an assortment of projects. I collaborate with our Finance for Growth team on any new and existing projects, visit clients and liaise with funders across the UK. I also complete funding applications, develop business cases and collate supporting documentation. On a Friday, I always finish up by preparing my ‘to do’ list for the week ahead.
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
The best aspects are meeting new clients and hearing about the unique areas of their business. I then evaluate where our team can add value and accelerate their business growth. I always get a high when notified that our team has successfully obtained funding for a client.
In terms of challenges, we always endeavour to develop our skills and knowledge to provide the best service for clients. Continued development while working full-time can be challenging, however, our supportive Management and Delivery team make it attainable.
Why is what you do important?
Northern Ireland has a strong and varied business landscape. Our SMEs have demonstrated throughout the pandemic that they are resilient and innovative, and it’s important that their growth momentum is supported.
Many SMEs and businesses are so occupied with daily operations, that they don’t have the time or resources to investigate funding opportunities. It can be more effective to contract experts to manage this on their behalf. Pinnacle Growth Group offers this specialist knowledge, while providing an external perspective on the business and identifying prospects to enable business growth.
How has Covid-19 impacted your business/role?
Covid has negatively impacted upon businesses, affecting revenue and resulting in a reduction of staff. Several support programmes and funding opportunities have been made available for businesses to apply for, however, business owners do not always have the capacity to investigate, or the experience to apply for this funding. At Pinnacle Growth Group, we have helped identify opportunities for hundreds of businesses to become sustainable, to increase their economic growth and to improve their staffing levels.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
Business consultancy is an interesting and vibrant career option, with a number of specialist fields. My suggestion would be to consider which area would be the best fit, to ensure job satisfaction.
Once you have chosen your field, try to get involved in any project that might provide valuable experience, and keep building your hard and soft skills.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you like to do?
I would continue studying to become a Chartered Accountant or Chartered Management Accountant. In fact, I may well decide to do this as part of my personal development plan.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to yourself on your first day?
I was recently asked this question. My advice is, don’t expect to know everything straight away, don’t be shy, ask questions and definitely put forward any suggestions you have.
Describe your ideal day off.
Spending time with my husband and three children, either chilling and watching a movie, or playing mini golf. I do also like the occasional spa day.
And finally, what’s the key to any successful job search?
It’s important to understand your strengths and weaknesses. We all have them, but we don’t all acknowledge or work on them. Identifying your weaknesses provides the opportunity to learn and improve your skills. Knowing what your strengths are allows you to find a role that’s a great fit, which is what makes work fulfilling. We spend a lot of time at work, and you need to make sure that your chosen career is something you will enjoy.
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