By Business & Finance 
Pictured: Carol Murphy is the Head of Markets at EY
Carol Murphy is the Head of Markets at EY. She has a background in technology with over 25 years’ experience advising clients on how they can leverage technology to deliver business transformation and innovation, while balancing risk and regulation.
Carol is married to Alan and they have 4 children – 2 girls, who are 15 and 12, and twin boys, who are 8 and a half.
What was your first job?
From aged 16, I worked part-time in a local pub and then in retail, all the way through school and college. Looking back, I really feel that I learned fundamental life skills in terms of how to work as part of a team, how to deal with people, how to manage money as well as how to balance part-time work with my studies.
What pushed you to pursue a career in this field?
I always had an interest in business, so I studied Commerce in UCD and specialised in Management Information Systems (MIS) in my final year. As part of the course, I secured an internship with the Bank of Ireland IT Department. That was my first experience of seeing the potential of technology as an enabler for business. I was then offered a graduate position to join the application development team that was working on the first online banking channels. While I really enjoyed my time with the bank, I knew within the first year that I wanted more variety, and to gain experience working with different organisations across different sectors, bringing together my interest in business and technology, so I started my consulting career in 2000.
What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date?
From a professional perspective, I would say joining EY just over 10 years ago, to build the Consulting business, working alongside a number of amazing leaders, to become the #1 professional services firm on the island of Ireland. From a personal perspective, I am very proud of my 4 children, and how my husband and I have (just about) managed to keep them alive while I was building my career and while my husband was running his business at the same time.
Career wise, would you do anything differently?
I never actually had a long-term plan for my career, but I always took things one day at a time, trying to do the right thing for the client and for the team. Looking back, I’m very happy with the path that I have taken.
In one sentence, how would you define success?
I think success is different for everyone, but for me, I feel like I have had a successful outcome if my personal impact on clients, team, friends and family has either helped them to solve a problem, consider an alternative perspective, or learn something new, and that they feel it has been a positive experience for them.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
I have been really lucky throughout my career to have come across a number of role models (both male and female) at different times; all of them have consistently advised me to take the opportunities that are presented to you, even if you feel you are not ready or able for them at the time.
How do you motivate yourself and your staff?
I feel very lucky that I work in a collaborative and supportive environment where no 2 days are the same, and where I am continuously learning from the talented people and clients that I interact with every day; I think that most of our people feel that too.
How do you handle adversity?
I have had lots of up and downs, personally and professionally, that have built my resilience over the years. I lean on my peer group, leaders, mentors, friends and family etc to support me through those difficult times; it may not feel like it when you are in the trenches, but there is huge learning in those experiences that will stand to you in the future.
How do you relax?
I have made exercise a priority for myself over the last year so I do a circuit training class 2-3 times per week; I love listening to podcasts while I am out walking; I also love good coffee and dark chocolate especially if I can enjoy them in peace.
What is your favourite (non-business) book?
I recently read Poor by Dr. Katriona O’Sullivan and was really moved by it. It is an inspiring story of resilience and empathy, beautifully written, that illustrates the power of small acts and the impact they can have on others.
What are your aspirations for the future of the business?
At EY, we continue to have huge ambition for the continued growth of our business on the island of Ireland. In my role as Head of Markets, I will be working to ensure that we are bringing the best of EY to our clients to help them navigate emerging challenges and opportunities, such as AI, as well as delivering on our purpose of building a better working world for our people and for society. It’s a really interesting time to be working in this space and I am really excited for the future.
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