60 Seconds with Ruth Cunningham

Friday 23 August 2024

Tell us about your role and your organisation.
MCS Group is a recruitment agency in the heart of Belfast. Led by Barry and Louise Smyth, MCS has helped organisations in NI, ROI, GB, and the USA hire world-class professional talent for 15 years.

Give us a brief overview of your career journey so far.
As an engineering graduate from QUB, I started my career at Michelin Tyres, based in Ballymena. Here, I made my first foray into the world of HR and never looked back. I returned to QUB to complete my Postgraduate Diploma in People Management and Development and joined CIPD, working my way up from Associate to Chartered Membership. Following the closure announcement of the Michelin site, I moved to Devenish Nutrition to further my career in an International HR Business Partner role, hiring and supporting team members around the world.

After five wonderful years, post-pandemic and the horrors of homeschooling, I was ready for a change. I left the manufacturing industry and joined Smarts, a PR and content company supporting professional teams in Belfast, Dublin, London, Edinburgh, and New York. After two wonderful years with Smarts, the chance to join the MCS Group in the heart of Belfast as Group Head of HR was too good to ignore. I now look after around one hundred team members at MCS and Honeycomb.

Describe yourself in three words.
Dedicated, Versatile, Supportive

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

What advice do you have for women in your sector?
Embrace Continuous Learning: The business world is always evolving. Stay curious and keep updating your skills to stay ahead.

Build a Strong Network: Connect with other professionals in your field. A strong network can provide support, advice, and opportunities, and you'll keep up with changes in the industry more easily.

Champion Diversity and Inclusion: Advocate for a diverse and inclusive workplace. It not only benefits the organisation but also fosters a more innovative and supportive environment.

Balance Confidence with Humility: Believe in your abilities and contributions, but also be open to learning from others and acknowledging when you need help.

Mentor and Support Others: Share your knowledge and experiences with those who are just starting out. Mentorship can be incredibly rewarding and helps build a stronger community.

Prioritise Well-being: Take care of your mental and physical health and the mental and physical wellbeing of your colleagues. A well-balanced life leads to better performance and satisfaction for everyone.

Are there any exciting plans in the year ahead in your organisation that you can share with us?
At MCS, we are growing, so we have many opportunities for trainee and experienced recruiters to join our teams and accelerate their careers.

Who has been your biggest career inspiration and why?
Sanna Marin’s journey from working in a bakery and as a cashier to becoming the world’s youngest prime minister at 34 is truly inspiring. Her humble beginnings highlight her strong work ethic and determination. Marin’s leadership on social equality, climate change, and economic stability, along with her advocacy for gender equality and closing the pay gap, make her a role model for women worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her swift actions, including implementing lockdowns and travel bans, helped keep Finland’s case levels significantly lower than many other European countries. Every time I have imposter syndrome, it always helps to remember how she must have felt and what she achieved.

If you had to pick your soundtrack song to get you through the working day, what would it be?
Sia, "Titanium"

What's your favourite break-time snack?
Milk chocolate Hobnobs

How can your fellow Women in Business members keep up to date with you and your organisation?
You can keep up to date with Ruth on LinkedIn here.

Friday 23 August 2024