By Héloïse Chaudot 
Ciara Farrell drives international recruitment solutions that connect employers with highly skilled talent. With three years leading operations and client solutions at Aureol Global Connections, and a background in management and operations in other roles, Farrell is known for her sharp insights, practical leadership and ability to solve complex workforce challenges from end-to-end.
What was your first job? My first job was as a waitress at Sirocco’s Restaurant in Tullamore. It was a busy, family-run restaurant with a fantastic team. Working in such a fast-paced environment helped me develop strong customer service, communication, and teamwork skills, as well as the ability to stay calm and organised during busy periods. What are your main priorities and goals in your current role? To ensure we deliver an exceptional experience for our clients and candidates throughout the recruitment process. I focus on building strong client relationships, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently, and continuously improving our processes to support business growth. I also prioritise leading and developing my team, helping them succeed while maintaining high standards of service. What pushed you to pursue a career in this field? I met Gregor, our Managing Director, and to be honest, the opportunity to work alongside him was a major factor in my decision to join the company. He spoke with such passion and enthusiasm about the business, its vision, and its future that it was genuinely inspiring. What particularly appealed to me was the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on both sides of the recruitment process. Not only would I be helping clients here in Ireland find the skilled talent they need, but I would also be creating life-changing opportunities for candidates in the Philippines. How do you motivate yourself and your team? By staying focused on the purpose behind what I do. I’m genuinely passionate about our work and the impact it has. Knowing that what we do makes a real difference keeps me motivated, even during challenging periods. In one sentence, how would you define success? Success is achieving meaningful goals while making a positive impact on the people around you and continually striving to grow both personally and professionally. How do you relax? I love spending quality time with my son and our dog, especially going for long walks. Getting out in the fresh air helps me switch off, recharge, and enjoy time with my family. What is your favourite (non-business) book? Hope: How Street Dogs Taught Me the Meaning of Life by Niall Harbison. I found it incredibly inspiring because it tells the story of how he dedicated his life to rescuing and caring for street dogs in Thailand. What I admire most is his compassion, resilience, and determination to make a difference, even in the face of significant challenges. It’s a powerful reminder that small actions can have a huge impact. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever been given came from my rugby coach: “You have to make mistakes to become better.” It’s something that has stayed with me throughout my career. Mistakes are a natural part of learning and developing, and I’ve always believed it’s how you respond to them that matters. How do you handle adversity? When challenges arise, I stay calm, assess the situation objectively, and focus on finding practical solutions instead of dwelling on the problem. Clear communication, a positive attitude, and resilience are key to overcoming difficult situations. What are the aspirations for the future of the business? We’d love to continue helping businesses across Europe and expand into new territories so that we are better known for what we do. 2026 has shaped that so far, with us placing candidates in Finland, Denmark and the Netherlands too.
Read more 60 Seconds With:
Eamon Nash, Chief Operations Officer at Horizons
