By Héloïse Chaudot 
Glenn Gaughran is the Director of the pension trustee, Independent Trustee Company. Gaughran started with ITC in 2007, originally working in and then heading up the firm’s customer services team in 2010. A well-known commentator with strong expertise and opinions on pensions, he has written many articles on pensions and retirement issues.
What was your first job? Worked in Blarney Woollen Mills in Dublin through college, originally in the storeroom and then took a management role on the shop floor. I always enjoyed working with and meeting people, and it was a great experience managing people. What are your main priorities and goals in your current role? To support brokers in delivering the most tax and financially advantageous pension solutions for their clients to ensure they’re in a position to get the most out of their retirement. To advocate for these clients and capitalise on improvements and changes that the Government has and is likely to make around pensions to help provide solutions for people’s retirement. What pushed you to pursue a career in this field? An understanding of the importance and value of planning for retirement. Many of us put pensions on the long finger, but increased longevity means we can’t afford to take that approach, as many of us could live another 20 or 30 years after we retire. Not only do many people not think about how much they’ll need in retirement, but those who do so often also underestimate the amount of money they’ll need. To be happy and to have a quality of life when you retire, it’s important to plan and prepare for retirement well ahead of time. How do you motivate yourself and your team? I like to be busy and challenged, and both succeeding and helping people motivate me. When it comes to motivating my team, I find it important to make myself available to help them when needed and for them to know they have support. A friendly atmosphere is a big help to the team working together. In one sentence, how would you define success? Being content and happy with your lot in life. How do you relax? Spending time with my family. Having young kids, it’s great to put the phone away and be with them and my wife. What is your favourite (non-business) book? I don’t read as much as I should anymore, but when I do, it’s nice to read a good fiction book to take your mind off a busy day. I grew up reading John Grisham and James Patterson, so any of the Alex Cross novels always drew me in. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? “Those who matter don’t mind, and those who mind don’t matter.” Remembering to prioritise what matters and what’s really important. How do you handle adversity? I try to stay calm and to avoid making rushed or panicked decisions. Adversity is part of life, but it’s important to remember that difficult times and situations always pass in time. What are the aspirations for the future of the business? ITC is a family business, so the personal touch has always been important. In today’s fast-paced environment, it can be easy to lose sight of the importance of listening to clients and colleagues. But ultimately, holding onto that personal touch and way of interacting can help a business thrive.
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