IN The ChAIR

with Anne O’Leary

To begin, tell us about your career to date.

I have been very lucky to work with some incredible companies over the years in Ireland and beyond. I grew up in Cork and had my first career opportunity with Nixdorf Computers. From there, it was on to Western Digital and then a stint with Reuters in London before coming home and joining Esat. BT eventually acquired Esat and I was appointed MD for Ireland. I spent a fantastic six years with them before moving to Vodafone as Enterprise Director and in 2013, I was appointed CEO. I am now responsible for Vodafone’s business operations in Ireland and managing a 2,000 strong workforce across the country.

What have been defining moments or turning points in your career?

I think it was taking the risk and applying for the CEO role at Vodafone. When I applied for the job, Vodafone had never appointed a local Irish CEO in the 12 years that it had been in this country. I was competing with incredible talent, both male and female from all over the world. Personally and professionally, I was in a very good place and felt I was ready for the challenge. However, some of the feedback I got from people questioned why I would even consider the role, ‘was I mad’, ‘was I not senior enough already’ which made me doubt myself. I was determined though, went through the process, and I haven’t looked back since.

What has been your greatest business achievement and challenge?

I am so lucky over the years that Vodafone has been at the forefront of driving real change in our society through technology. Our ambition is to connect everyone to live a better today and build a better tomorrow. To be CEO of a company that is driving this connected ambition for Ireland is exciting. I am so proud of the work we have done with the Ludgate Hub and in making Skibbereen, Ireland’s very first gigabit town. We have been working hard with the ESB through our joint venture SIRO, to connect towns all over Ireland with high-speed broadband. We have also launched 15 vibrant digital hubs in rural communities. Hubs like Ludgate that are breathing life back into rural Ireland.Most recently I think it was delivering Ireland’s first 5G network and with it, making Cork’s Assert Centre at UCC, the first 5G connected tele-medicine and medical robotics training facility in the world. The telecommunications industry moves at an incredibly fast pace which can bring its challenges. The scale of technological change and inter-connectivity in our world today is immense. We as Vodafone need to constantly innovate to ensure we meet our customer’s growing demands for products and services.

What is the best piece of advice that you have ever received?

While I was working my way through the early years of my career, a mentor, a friend and a very successful businesswoman pulled me to one side and said, ‘’Anne, I didn’t do enough, I didn’t do enough with the influence and position that I had. When you hold a position of power and influence, please don’t make the same mistake and regret the things you didn’t do.” Her advice has motivated me since then and has influenced how I work and lead.

How has networking helped your career?

I cannot stress the importance of networking and how it has helped me through my career. It is really important that we all take the time to invest in our networks – both professionally and personally. Throughout my career, I have always placed an emphasis on getting out and networking, of going to things, of turning up and saying hello. It is so important to meet people with diversity of thought, people who may be facing the same challenges as you, who may be able to help you or connect you to the right people who can help your business. It might even help you find a new career. I joined the Cork Chamber at 28 years of age and have been involved in the Chamber network ever since then. This network has supported me, afforded me the opportunity to learn and meet incredible people over the years, people who have had a huge influence on my life.

Describe your leadership style and how has it evolved over the years?

I like to take a collaborative approach to leadership as it is important to me that we have diversity of opinion at Vodafone when we are making decisions that impact our customers. There is such a wealth of experience in the business. I want to ensure that everyone works to the best of their ability, and importantly, love what they do. It is hugely important to me that our people feel valued, that they feel their roles are meaningful and that their daily work is satisfying. We work very hard at Vodafone on this. I believe that the ability to effectively communicate, build relationships and reach positive compromises are core competencies of being a leader

What are your aspirations for the future of the business?

My ambition for Vodafone is to ensure that we, as a company, are connecting for good in our society today. That through our network and innovative technologies, we are making a difference in people’s lives.Our purpose led strategy guides how we work, and I am proud of all that we are doing across our areas of focus. We are supporting young people to develop digital skills and experience, ensuring they are ready for the digital society of the future. We consistently strive to nurture a culture of inclusion, diversity and equality at Vodafone, so that everyone feels like they can bring their whole selves to work. We are also working hard to improve the sustainability of our business and beyond with the use of our technologies and network, improving efficiencies and reducing our carbon footprint and waste. We have put in place targets like 100% renewable energy and a 50% reduction in Green House gas emissions by 2025. I am excited about the future and I am proud that we are taking the significant steps towards being a sustainable, diverse and inclusive organisation.

What does it mean to you to have received the ‘Outstanding Contribution to business’ award from Cork Chamber?

I am extremely proud and honoured to receive this recognition from Cork Chamber. An organisation that, for the last 200 years, has been a force for such positive change in Cork and indeed further afield. I joined Cork Chamber in my twenties and I have been so lucky that through this network I have been able to meet and share ideas with incredible business people down through the years. It is a truly valuable organisation for the business community in Cork. We know that the business environment is ever changing, and with change comes challenges and opportunities. It is therefore important that we equip ourselves with the tools to lead and drive performance in the dynamic world we live in. I look forward to continuing to work towards our ambition of ensuring Cork is a thriving, prosperous city and at the heart of business in Ireland.