60 Seconds with Heather McConaghie

Meet Heather McConaghie, Financial Adviser at IQ&Co

Tell us about your role and your organisation.
IQ&Co are a financial planning company that services every town and city across N.Ireland working with people from every walk of life through every stage of life. I work with clients through all these different stages helping them navigate their finances whether that be buying a house, investing for their future, planning retirement, securing their business, and protecting themselves, their home family and business

Give us a brief overview of your career journey so far.
I started my career in Anglia Building Society in 1987 which merged to Nationwide Anglia and eventually became Nationwide. I worked my way up through adviser and management roles and have been advising for almost 25 years a career spanning almost 40 years in financial services. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of helping clients through some very joyful times like buying their new home, and getting married and also some very challenging times such as navigating a divorce or the death of a loved one. Every day is different and I find it a real joy to meet people and find out about their lives and how I can help

Describe yourself in 3 words.
Organised. Ambitious. Impatient.

What is one skill that helps you most in your role?
Trust

What advice do you have for women in your sector/industry/type of role? 
Trust the process - so often over the years the worry of what might happen or might not happen or the stress of am i doing the right thing here can be overwhelming but after 40 years of experience i have learnt to believe in myself and what i do and just trust the process

Are there any exciting plans in the year ahead in your organisation that you can share with us? 
I am delighted to announce that IQ&Co are sponsoring the Women in Business New Members Networking Events for the second year. Why not join us on Thursday 15th May from 6 pm-8 pm for New Members Networking Event? Learn more about IQ&Co and enjoy the opportunity to make connections and meet new members. 

Who has been your biggest career inspiration and why?
Many, many, years ago as a young new adviser I was at a conference and a girl called Hazel who was an experienced adviser spoke about her success she said that she treated every client as if it were her own mother father brother or sister. This is something I have never forgotten and drives me continually to do the right thing for the right reasons

If you had to pick your soundtrack song to get you through the working day, what would it be?
Heather Small - what have you done today to make you feel proud

What's your favourite break-time snack?
A half-shot latte and a KitKat to dunk in it

How can you fellow WIB members keep up to date with you and your organisation?
Connect with IQ&Co on Instagram and Facebook