Mary Purcell is Director of Human Resources at Storm Technology. The company specialises in tech consultancy focused on unlocking organisational potential through digital transformation and AI.
By Youssef Fathalli
What was your first job?
A summer job in NatWest Bank in London.
What pushed you to pursue a career in this field?
I haven’t had a linear career path and didn’t start out in the world of talent and HR. My first roles were in corporate governance, marketing and business analysis. Where I am now derives from an interest in taking an end-to-end view of the organisation and understanding how a business actually functions at the intersection between strategy, people and culture. I think my path gives me a broad perspective and a strong commercial focus. I don’t see the people function as, in any way, distinct or separate from “the business” – I see it in a much more integrated, systemic form and a driver of value and change.
What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date?
Relocating to San Francisco with two dear friends, a suitcase, a loan from my parents and building a successful professional and personal life from a standing start. I had to be resourceful and resilient, and we were supportive of each other. It was an amazing experience and such a vibrant time in Silicon Valley with the emergence of the dot-com world. I had the pleasure of crossing paths with the most stellar of colleagues and built lifelong friendships.
Career-wise, would you do anything differently?
No, I’ve had great variety and opportunity in my career, working in different company types, roles, industries and internationally. I’ve had the privilege of working with exceptional professionals and leadership teams and I learned something from all of them. I think the most important aspect to managing your career is to be adaptive, to be open to opportunities, to remain curious and to never stop learning. One’s experience only has impact if applied to a current day context. It takes effort and an appetite to constantly upskill, but I think this is hugely important to sustain career growth and success.
In one sentence, how would you define success?
To me, success is making a meaningful impact through work that you genuinely love and find engaging, each and every day.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
From a wonderful late uncle – “you can’t say stop spinning world, I want to get off”. Embrace change – think, face and step forward.
How do you motivate yourself and your staff?
Untapped potential has always interested me, whether it is in a person, team, strategy, business or now AI. I am hugely motivated by the opportunity to be a catalyst and activator of potential at Storm Technology and continuing to play my part in driving our clients’ success. Our acquisition last year by the Littlefish Group was all about the potential of combining our complementary technology capabilities in different markets. From a team perspective, I think it’s crucial to identify what’s actually important to the team, to be proactive regarding their development and their ambitions, and to genuinely care.
How do you handle adversity?
My younger self would probably face into it and grind it out. But I now understand the importance of asking for support. Storm Technology’s working culture is incredibly supportive. Professional networks and friendships are powerful and can really help lighten the load.
How do you relax?
Spending time and connecting with family and friends is my food for the soul. I also enjoy simple things like walking our family dog, spending time in the countryside and in nature. I love politics, sport and travelling!
What are your aspirations for the future?
I am energised by what’s ahead. We are on the cusp of a profound shift in how work is designed, experienced and led. There’s never been a more meaningful time to lead in a technology consultancy like Storm Technology. Following our acquisition by the Littlefish Group, our combined capability and shared expertise puts us in a unique position to guide clients through this new era where AI, digital transformation and people strategy all converge. My aspiration is to be at the heart of that transformation. Talent and technology are more interconnected than ever, and the way these two strategic pillars collaborate and co-create the next evolution of work will turn inevitable change into a true competitive advantage.
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